Star Weekly - Sunbury Macedon Ranges - 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 Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges. In February as the state emerged from its first lockdown of the year – a five-day “circuit breaker” lockdown which ended on February 17 – there was anger in Sunbury after all aged care homes in the town were left off the federal government’s week one COVID-19 vaccination schedule. Former Hume mayor and Japara Goonawarra Aged Care resident Jack Ogilvie called for the government to review the roll-out and prioritise aged care homes that had a high number of cases and deaths. “I saw 20 of my friends die last year and that’s why I am so wild,” he said. “There are places in the regions that hardly had any COVID and they are getting the vaccination before us.” In March it was revealed that thousands of parking fines issued by Hume council could potentially be refunded after the Victorian Ombudsman found the council may have acted illegally by outsourcing its fines review

Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health chief executive Phillip Ripper, Hepburn mayor Lesley Hewitt, Central Highlands Rural Health chief operating officer Phill Catterson and Central Highlands Rural Health director of nursing Susan Jennings. (Supplied)

process. The council vowed to set up an infringement refund scheme for all motorists who unsuccessfully appealed an infringement between 2006 and 2016. In mid-April, Hume council decided to take Bulla’s toxic soil fight to the Supreme Court, challenging Planning Minister Richard Wynne’s decision to approve Hi-Quality Group’s planning scheme amendment for its Sunbury Road site on March 29. Sunbury and Macedon Ranges businesses shared their frustrations in June as Victoria entered its second lockdown for 2021. Sunbury Business Association president Michael Osborne said businesses were frustrated that they have lost their ability to plan for the future.

“Finally we gain some momentum and then they lock us down again. I feel especially sorry for sole traders and casual workers,” he said. Later that month, Transurban decided it would send toxic soil from the West Gate Tunnel Project to Bulla. Western Metropolitan Bernie MP said the decision was a “betrayal” of the people of Sunbury and Bulla. “The tsunami of fury that the government is about to receive is something that they will never forget,” Mr Finn said. The state was placed back into lockdown for 12 days on July 15. The state re-entered lockdown just nine days later. Despite the pain of lockdown, in August, the Sunbury community rallied around a

family devastated by cancer. Husband and wife Sue Dohmen-Jolly and Brent Jolly both died from cancer-related illnesses in the three months prior, leaving their children Nathan, Jack and Maddison without parents. As the Macedon Ranges was released from lockdown in mid-August, Sunbury Autobarn owner Adam Mizzi pleaded for the state government to ease restrictions in Sunbury as well. Just days later, the metropolitan lockdown was extended. Regional Victoria was eventually placed back in lockdown as case numbers soared. Melbourne Airport welcomed the return of interstate flights at the start of December, with siblings Flynn and Amelia sharing their travel dreams with Star Weekly.

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Call for Hume council monitor September 21 A Hume councillor has called for a monitor to be appointed to oversee the council in a bid to resolve “deep cultural issues among councillors”. It comes as eight arbiter’s reports were presented to a council meeting last week, costing ratepayers $49,500. The reports follow an earlier arbiter’s report, which was tabled at the July 12 council meeting, and cost ratepayers $3000. “What everyone has observed tonight …

is that there are deep cultural issues among councillors at Hume,” Cr Jodi Jackson said. “For the benefit of our ratepayers, I think that it’s entirely appropriate for a monitor to be appointed here to Hume City Council as a matter of urgency.” Eleven allegations of breaches of Hume’s Councillor Code of Conduct were investigated as part of an internal arbitration process into the conduct of Cr Trevor Dance. This arbitration process was instigated by a group of councillors who were represented by Cr Carly Moore.

The arbiter’s report found Cr Dance contravened eight clauses of the Code of Conduct. Cr Dance submitted seven applications instigating internal arbitration processes against mayor Joseph Haweil and councillors Moore, Jack Medcraft and Karen Sherry. The arbiter ruled that none of those councillors had breached the Code of Conduct. Speaking at last week’s council meeting, Cr Haweil said it was a “very, very sad day for Hume council”. “I take absolutely no delight in the fact

that one councillor has been found to have breached the Code of Conduct on … eight allegations by the arbiter,” he said. Broadmeadows Progress Association secretary Sonja Rutherford called for councillors to end the “nonsense”. “Overall, it sickens me, it depresses me,” she said. “My question is why? Why is it being dealt with by this expensive process? “Maybe we should look at [a monitor] … something could be better with this council.”

Show of strength on soil dumping

On long road to recovery

May 4 Hundreds of people have taken to the streets of Sunbury to voice their disapproval at the proposed dumping of contaminated soil at a site in Bulla. Protestors, many wearing ‘No Toxic Soil in Sunbury’ T-shirts and others carrying picket signs, gathered at the Village Green beside Sunbury Memorial at noon on Sunday. Community members and local politicians addressed the crowd before the protestors made their way down Macedon Street. The Sunbury and Bulla communities have for months been at loggerheads with the Victorian government over a proposed relocation of contaminated soil from the West Gate Tunnel Project to a site on Sunbury Road in Bulla. On March 29, Planning Minister Richard Wynne approved Hi-Quality’s planning scheme amendment for the project. Hume council has approved its lawyers to initiate legal proceedings to review the decision. Protest organiser and emcee Chris O’Neill told Star Weekly he was pleased with Sunday’s turn-out, which he estimated to be about 500 people. “I was hoping for those numbers, they all swarmed in,” Mr O’Neill said. Speaking to the crowd, Mr O’Neill said he opposed the “convoy of toxic soil” that would bring further congestion to Sunbury Road. Hume councillor Trevor Dance said the number of people in attendance was a show of community strength. “Look at what the community can do when it wants to,” he said, addressing the crowd. Hume councillor Jodi Jackson said the protest was about protecting the “health and wellbeing” of residents near contaminated soil sites. “This isn’t about not wanting this in our backyard, we don’t want this in anyone’s backyard,” Cr Jackson said. “The state government has a responsibility to look after

June 29

About 500 people turned out to protest dumping toxic soil in Sunbury.

the health and wellbeing of all Victorians.” Former Greens member for the Western Metropolitan Region Colleen Hartland said the placement of contaminated soil was a statewide issue. “This is not going to be the only project,” she said. “The EPA [Environmental Protection Authority] continues not to have the health of local communities at the core of their culture.” One protester, in attendance with his wife and two children, Michael, said he was concerned that the soil relocation will increase congestion in Bulla because there is “no way around”. “It’s not like you can say I’ll avoid that road

Three weeks after extreme weather battered the Macedon Ranges, businesses and emergency services are still working around the clock to recover from the damage. Top of the Range Tea Rooms and the entire Macedon Regional Parks has remained closed to the public since June 10, as emergency services work to clear the area of fallen trees. Tea Rooms proprietor Luke Chapman said it was another blow to his business after an already difficult year. “We will miss out on some of the busier traffic that the park usually gets on school holidays,” Mr Chapman said. “In general, our business is surviving despite these setbacks, but it has been a hard year, we are looking forward to a return to normal.” Woodend SES controller Kevin McNair said the extreme wind and rain which lashed the region was the most intense wet weather event he has seen in his 12 years’ experience. “It’s really just the scale of it, I was there during the 2010-11 floods, but I’ve never seen anything like this,” Mr McNair said. “Power line after power line down, it really did look like a war zone. “I predict that we’ll still be doing jobs for the next month related to this.” Gisborne SES has continued to experience a high volume of requests for help, with more than 100 calls for assistance received in a 48-hour period last week. A Gisborne SES spokesperson said most of their jobs had been in Gisborne, Macedon and surrounding areas.

(Joe Mastroianni) 233858

for six months, because you can’t do that,” he said. In response to the protest, a Hi-Quality spokesperson stated: “We respect the community’s right to voice their views in a responsible way”. “We have heard their concerns and considered them in our plans. Our designs reflect global best practice in safely treating and managing contaminated waste, and we are confident in the quality of our proposal. “Hi-Quality remains available to discuss any questions or concerns the community may have, and we encourage residents to reach out via hiqualityecohub.com.au.” ADVERTISEMENT

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Hanging Rock master plan The Victorian government has released a draft master plan for Victoria’s iconic Hanging Rock precinct. Residents, community groups and visitors are invited to share their views and ideas on the draft Hanging Rock Precinct Master Plan which is open until Monday, February 28. The plan is expected to be completed in June.

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Macedon council has begun preparations for its 2022 autumn festival. Highlights of the festival include two works commissioned through Council’s Autumn Festival Artistic Experience expression of interest. Mayor Jennifer Anderson said she is looking forward to the festival’s diverse offerings and thanked local business and community groups for responding to the call to get involved.

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The Summertime Fling Festival has returned to the Macedon Ranges. (Supplied)

A festival for winelovers

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The Summertime Fling Festival has returned to the Macedon Ranges, with 40 events held at over 12 wineries over four weekends. The Macedon Ranges Vigneron’s Association is running the event to “encourage lovers of wine and food to take a well-earned break from another dreary year”. Committee member Jennifer Ward said the event will be an opportunity for people to come together again. “This was such a successful event last year the MRVA has made it bigger, brighter and better,” she said. “After another year of separation this event offers a great opportunity for people to

reconnect with people they may not have seen for a long-time in an easily accessible, central location – that also happens to be stunningly picturesque.” The Macedon Ranges has a unique climate for a wine-growing region in Australia, with a cool to cold climate by world standards, similar to the Rhone Valley in France. Festival-goers can expect to discover small and diverse wineries and vineyards hidden away in the natural landscape, in settings with views of Mount Macedon, through the Pastoria Valley to the Cobaws. The festival will run from January 8 to 30.

NGV arrives in Sunbury The National Gallery of Victoria will be arriving this month in Sunbury with its NGV Kids on Tour program. The program is a suite of art-making activities focused on NGV children’s exhibition The Gecko and the Mermaid: Nyapanyapa and Djerrkngu Yunupingu that celebrates the vibrant culture and community of the Yolngu people. Sunbury library will host the event on Monday, January 17. FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

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improve safety and ease congestion in the heart of - Josh Bull our community

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Concept design for the new-look Gap Road level crossing. (Supplied)

By Jessica Micallef The first concept design for the new-look Gap Road level crossing in Sunbury has been released. Gap Road will be lowered under the rail line to preserve the character of the heritage-listed Sunbury station. Construction on the project was brought forward to begin this year, with the level crossing expected to be removed by late 2022, and the remaining works completed in 2023 – two years ahead of the initial 2025 completion date. About 19,000 vehicles pass through the Gap

Road level crossing each day, with the number expected to reach 27,000 in 2026, according to state government data. A three-week community consultation period was held in November last year for the public to provide feedback on the design, landscaping and public artworks for the new level crossing. Sunbury MP Josh Bull said more than 170 residents contributed to the preliminary design. “The level crossing will be gone for good by the end of 2022, with a road under rail design as promised,” he said. “This year we will see site investigations continuing as well as some early works, with

the majority of major construction towards the end of 2022.” The level crossing removal is being delivered in conjunction with the $2.1 billion Sunbury line upgrade, which includes platform extensions, train stabling modifications and rail track power upgrades at Sunbury station to enable bigger and more modern trains to run on the line. The line is expected to transport up to 113,000 passengers in peak hours every week when the Metro Tunnel is open. “We promised to remove this crossing by 2025, but this vital project has been fast tracked to synchronise works between the level

crossing removal and the $2.1 billion Sunbury line upgrade,” Mr Bull said. “It means we will only need to close the line for an extended period of time once, rather than twice, resulting in less disruption and a level crossing-free Sunbury three years ahead of schedule. “This is a critical project that will improve safety and ease congestion in the heart of our community and it is time to get it done.” The Gap Road level crossing will be the fourth crossing removed on the Sunbury line and is one of 75 “dangerous and congested” level crossings in Melbourne to be gone by 2025. 12476330-CG03-21

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Online focus for the Ranges July 27 As COVID-19 lockdown measures have changed the way we live our lives, small businesses in the Macedon Ranges have had to digitally adapt to survive. Victoria has entered lockdown five times over the past 18 months, closing non-essential businesses. Business Kyneton president Kate Fairley said businesses in the shire have had no option but to pivot their businesses online to remain trading. “The general consensus in the business community is that everyone’s been really hit hard, and people also have to juggle responsibilities like home-schooling on top of their work,” Ms Fairley said. “I have noticed the businesses that seem

most resilient through this period are the ones that are being more active in their online engagement. “It’s about letting customers know what services are still available, making it as easy as possible to still engage with the business and updating trading hours. “It’s just so important to have social media, if you’re not on social media then you’re likely struggling big time.” For Alice in Fabricland owner Fiona Bloombill, whose fabric and yarn business on High Street in Kyneton would usually attract walk-ins, the pandemic has forced her to get creative to keep her customers engaged. “We’ve started putting together yarn kits so people can make jumpers at home, they’ve become really popular,” Ms Bloombill said. “I always knew social media was important,

but now it is an absolute necessity. You can’t have small business nowadays without social media. “I structure my day around taking pictures online and making sure every item we get in the store is put on our website. “A lot of people message us directly through social media as well, they don’t call.” But lockdown restrictions have affected each industry differently, Ms Fairley said. “For example the fitness industry, a lot of that is dependent on in-person attendance and memberships,” she said. “It’s not just an immediate impact, but it’s an ongoing problem because they need to schedule for the future.” Louise Moss from Change It Up Training in Macedon said she and her business partner, Kelly Nicholas, decided immediately to throw

their resources into establishing a better online presence. “Before COVID-19 all we had was a website, but we decided pretty quickly we’re in this for the long haul and need to change,” Ms Moss said. “Now we’ve created an entire portal that allows you to sign up to be an online member.” Customers can log on, and access a library of more than 120 videos of training content. Ms Moss said greater social media interaction has helped to spread the businesses client base as far as Queensland. “I have a love-hate relationship with social media, but most of our marketing comes through there,” she said. “It’s just about getting those clicks through. If you don’t adapt, you’ll be left behind.”

Act of generosity after the storm June 29 Riddells Creek Nursery will help someone grow their garden, after extreme weather wreaked havoc in the Macedon Ranges earlier this month. The nursery is accepting nominations for families that sustained significant damage to their home or property to receive a voucher for $1000 to use at the store. The voucher can be used on anything to help replant trees or garden beds. Riddells Creek Nursery owner and Mount Macedon resident Geordie Taylor said it was his own experience of the weather event that

led to the idea. “It was a very harrowing night for my family, we’ve got significant damage at home and so many of our friends and neighbours do too,” Mr Taylor said. “We’ve probably got six months of cleaning up to do. We’ve lost two ancient poplar trees that were 30-40 metres. “Going down the road to the school, there were families that had lost their cars and two had a tree land on their house. “The community supports my business, and I’m trying to repay some of that.” Mr Taylor said since posting online about the voucher, he had been bombarded with

stories of people in need. “From as far as Trentham, people writing about devastation to wildlife rescue shelters and others nominating a school that wants to host a memorial,” he said. “It’s going to be so hard to make a decision because I’m receiving so many sad and compelling stories. If anything, I’d like to try and gather these submissions and find another way to help them.” Nursery owner Geordie Taylor is giving away a $1000 voucher for a family whose property has suffered storm damage. (Damjan Janevski) 241496_04

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Art is building rainbow bridges June 8 Funded by the Australian government’s Regional Arts Fund and facilitated by Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health’s (SCCH) WayOut program, the Rainbow Bridges project provides a forum for young and old members of the LGTIQA+ community to share their experiences. SCCH project worker B usually specialises her work toward people more than 25 years of age, but said the idea to create an intergenerational program came after consulting her colleague, Mez, who typically runs programs for the youth. “We felt it was important to bring people together and do something really meaningful,” B said. “There are few organised situations in which older and younger LGBTIQA+ people have the opportunity to come together and build a sense of shared belonging. “We wanted to give people positive role models, so that younger people could learn LGBT history from older people and vice versa.” The project began in 2019 as younger individuals were paired with older counterparts. After being disrupted through 2020 during the coronavirus lockdown, the program resumed and the pairs started to meet again. The project wrapped up with the creation of a photographic exhibition and video clips that highlighted the connections they had made. Mez said the final product did the project justice. “Across the board what was reflected in the film was the respect they had for each other, the reciprocity of it all was really important,” Mez said. “Everyone came together with an understanding and willingness to particpate.

Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health created a gallery of portraits of the LGBT community. Pictured are project workers Mez and B. (Damjan Janevski) 238522

“And that was captured really well, I think many were actually surprised about how much they got out of the process and all of the interviews were quite different. “I think ultimately they felt seen.” As an older participant, Drew can attest to the value of the project. “In some ways there were a lot of commonalities,” he said, explaining his experience of getting to know the younger participants. “Obviously some of the cultural change is enormous. “I think that’s absolutely wonderful, the fact that most families accept homosexuality and that was demonstrated with the Yes vote. “But for kids that feel different, there are no obvious role models, so in order to grow up with a sense of belonging you have to find your queer peers, and that’s the same today as it was for me.”

Living in Bendigo in the 1970s, Drew lived with his partner and was open about his sexuality at a time when homosexuality was illegal. He attended St Paul’s Cathedral in the area, but said he decided to leave after feeling unwelcome. “On one occasion, the Vicar pulled me aside and told me I was living in sin,” Drew said. “I thought to myself, this seems to be more of a problem for you than it is for me, and I left.” Decades later, Drew was welcomed back into that exact same church group. In 2019, Drew married his partner, Noel, who is a member of the clergy at St Paul’s Cathedral in Bendigo. “I’m accepted by that community now,” he said. “It’s quite bizarre, the church that I was estranged from is now something I love and am a part of, but it just shows how much

things have changed.” Noel, who was also a participant in the program, said he had a much different experience, as he only came to terms with his sexuality later in life. “Once I realised, I had this terrific feeling of knowing who I am,” he said. “I’m now physically, spiritually and emotionally free, and I know I can fully love myself because I know who I am.” After running for two weeks at the Old Auction House, the photographic exhibit has been shifted to the SCCH office in Kyneton, where it will stay on permanent display. The project was celebrated with a private opening where participants, project workers and friends and families were invited to view the works. Younger participant and Sunbury resident Brittany said it was valuable to hear of the experience of others. “I thought watching the other interviews that it turned out brilliantly,” she said. “How much people [in the past] had to lean on each other and the fact they didn’t have as many safe spaces. “My friends have had quite safe spaces in comparison.” Looking ahead, Mez said this project was just the beginning. We have learnt so much and we definitely want to do more intergenerational things,” she said. “We recognise the importance of creating connections between community members.” The photographs can be viewed at the SCCH office at 1 Caroline Chisholm Drive, Kyneton from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. To view the Rainbow Bridges interviews, visit: https://www.sunburycobaw.org.au/ rainbow-bridges/

Frame by frame, comic idea turned into reality November 9 Since starting his own company COMICS2MOVIES in 2007, Shaun’s work has evolved from designing sketches based on movie posters, to creating his own anthology that is currently the number one selling independent comic in Australia. Next year, the Gisborne resident will release a graphic novel adaptation made to accompany the Occupation film franchise, a trilogy of sci-fi films available to viewers on Netflix around the world. “Everytime I talk about it, I can’t help but smile,” he said. “The comic book industry in Australia is not very easy to navigate. I’ve made a lot of mistakes along the way. That’s why I’m really proud of COMICS2MOVIES. “To have reached this point, and to have these things next to my name, it feels like we’re starting to reach that next echelon.” Growing up in Melbourne’s north in the 1980s, Shaun feasted on the classic comic books of Jim Lee from an early age. “I always struggled to read, and I think it was my Mum who first gave me a comic book. I would have been about seven,” he said. “I think being a teenage boy who was into comics, but who also wanted to fit in with the cool kids, I kind of ventured away from it a little bit. “It wasn’t until I was in my late 20s and early 30s that I made a change. “I was working as a store manager at Optus. My wife came up to me and asked what I wanted to do with my life. I remember being a little taken aback. “So I thought about it, and I came to the realisation that I’d kind of just plodded through life and got roles that came to me. “And so I started to think about what I really enjoyed. I have always been a massive

Shaun Keenan in his Gisborne home studio.

(Damjan Janevski) 255988

movie fan, and so that’s where I came up with the idea of COMICS2MOVIES.” With the backing of his family, Shaun started attending regular comic book conventions. “I was very, very naive,” he said. “It was a pretty barren landscape, but that was exciting because it felt like there was a gap in the market.” As Shaun describes it, the first challenge became learning the ins and outs of what goes into writing a comic book. For example, unlike a novel, which is written with minute detail, comics are shorter in length and captured through individual frames. Another speed bump in Shaun’s grand plan was that he was not a confident drawer. “I can’t draw to save my life, so I usually do the writing,” he said.

6 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 11 January, 2022

“Now I have several different artists working and I discovered I had a knack of picking up good talent.” Shaun found the best path forward was to take his knowledge and management skills to seek out talent that could bring his ideas to life. And as he started to build his business from the base up, graphic novels themselves started to enjoy a spike in popularity. Popular sci-fi, fantasy and action film producers started to employ graphic novelists to bring script ideas to life. Films such as 300 and The Umbrella Academy were all investing in comics to accompany their releases. Shaun said the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter became a new space for creatives to gain financial backing. Earlier this year, Hollywood star Keanue Reeves launched his own comic series

BRZRKR on the platform, and it has since become the most pledged item in the site’s history, with over $1.4 million earned in donations. “Since 2017, the graphic novel industry has increased year-on-year faster than any other printed material,” he said. “You used to only be able to get graphic novels in comic book stores, but now you can get them anywhere. That misconception of it [comics] being just for kids has also been broken.” Therein lies the next exciting challenge for Shaun, as he describes it. Following the success of his original anthology The Xtreme Champion Tournament, Shaun is now in a position where he can employ Australian artists to get the job done. With the work starting to pile up, Shaun said he’s eager to make his publishing company an avenue for fellow comic book enthusiasts, one that didn’t exist when he was finding his own way in the industry. “I’d really love to do more of that mentoring side,” he said. “There is no clear pathway at the moment, and a lot of talent ends up going overseas. The idea is to be able to retain that talent, and I’ve always prided myself on making sure my artists are paid for their work. “There’s that misconception that when you talk about comics you’re only talking about superheroes. “But what people don’t realise is that comics and graphic novels can be just as diverse as people are from one another.” COMICS2MOVIES’ Occupation graphic novel series is expected in March For more information, visit: www. comics2movies.com.au

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Live4Life rolls-out across state NOVEMBER 16 A youth mental health organisation developed in the Macedon Ranges has been selected in a first-of-its-kind state government initiative to roll-out its program to schools across Victoria. Originally established in 2016 by Macedon Ranges council, Live4Life (formerly Youth Live4Life) works to improve standards of mental health and reduce rates of youth suicide in regional and rural communities. The Live4Life model is focused on forming community development support, with guidance, resources and leadership opportunities where young people can participate directly in the system of care.

Following a five-year programmatic evaluation, the organisation has spread from the shire to five other non-metropolitan locations, with three more in the pipeline and up to 20 on a waiting list. Last week the state government listed Live4Life on its new School Mental Health Fund, where schools across the state can access a menu of mental health programs to introduce greater support for their students. The menu will be made available for all schools to access and government schools will have the option of accessing $25,000 annually over three years. Prior to being selected for the fund, Live4Life was ranked at the second highest

level of assessment in a review conducted by the University of Melbourne’s Centre for Program Evaluation. Live4Life chief executive Bernard Galbally said the recognition felt like validation for a lot of hard work. “We’ve spent a lot of time getting the model right and we’ve had so many rural communities knocking on the door,” Mr Galbally said. “[It] was always our vision was to scale and to be able to empower rural communities to improve mental health and reduce suicide in their community.” Mental health remains an area of major concern in the Macedon Ranges.

A community stitched together

Call to protect ‘lost’ habitat

OCTOBER 5 From the back room of the Woodend Neighbourhood House, a group of self-proclaimed ‘granny activists’ is the subject of a new short film currently featured in the Melbourne International Film Festival’s (MIFF) digital program. Founded by Sally Scanlon, the Woodend Community Bags has met for three hours every Thursday since 2017. According to Ms Scanlon, the group was founded with a simple goal in mind: to help rid Woodend entirely of plastic bags. Using materials recovered from landfill or donated from the community, the group of retired women apply their sewing skills to the cause, fashioning reusable shopping bags which are then handed out to the community. “We joined together as a group of women wanting a connection within our neighbourhood and to something positive,” Ms Scanlon said. “We make each bag by hand, give most of them away, and also sell them at the farmer’s market. It gives us an opportunity to talk to people about the environment. “Really we’re just a group of grannies trying to make a difference in plastic.” The group caught the eye of final year film student Tess McArthur-Dowty in early 2020, as she was looking for a subject for her next documentary project. After the devastation of the 2019-20 bushfires, Ms McArthur-Dowty wanted to feature a positive story of environmental activism. Having grown up in Macedon, Ms McArthur-Dowty said conversations with Ms Scanlon made it clear she had a story worth telling. “She had so many great stories to tell, I just felt there was something there,” Ms McArthur-Dowty said. “I really love first-person observational documentaries, and this was my first time making one,” she said.

The shire is one of the only municipalities in the country with a suicide rate significantly higher than the state and national average, according to Northern Western Melbourne Primary Health Network data from 2018. Mr Galbally said one of the most crucial aspects of the Live4Life program is making sure a “whole of community” approach is applied. “Teachers, parents, carers, sporting coaches, school bus drivers … It’s really important that everyone has a common sense understanding of the issue of mental health and how to support young people,” he said. Mr Galbally said Live4Life would be briefed on the specifics of the fund this week.

JUNE 1

Woodend Community Bags members Susie Game, Sally Scanlon, Deann Collier and Sheila Brennan showing off their work. (Damjan Janevski) 252039_04

“You can hear me asking questions, but I’m not a character, the main thing is focus on them.” Ms McArthur-Dowty said shooting her documentary during the pandemic had its challenges, but it also helped to develop the story in a way she hadn’t expected. “I think the biggest surprise for me was that originally I wanted to show a story of positive environmental activism, which was felt so needed after the bushfires,” she said. “But as the story developed, and I spent more time with these wonderful women, it also became a story of the importance of community.”

With the group unable to meet regularly during the pandemic, Ms Scanlon said the past 18 months had made her realise just how much she had missed her sewing friends. “We’re focused on that cup of tea at 11am and the natter and chatter that goes on, that’s more important than making the bags,” she said. “Last week was the first time we could get together for ages. We didn’t even get the sewing machines out.” Ms McArthur-Dowty’s short film, ‘Stitched Together’, has been made available to watch for free on the MIFF website. Details: play.miff.com.au

A community group rehabilitating the Holden Flora Reserve in Sunbury is in need of more volunteers to keep up with the “constant” workload. Friends of Holden Flora Reserve president Roger McGlashan said the area represents a significant environmental corridor but is lesser known by the community. “This particular reserve is a bit of a lost world,” he said, while driving his four-wheel drive toward Harpers Creek, which runs through the reserve before joining Jacksons Creek. “It doesn’t get the glamour of a Yarra Ranges National Park or the Grampians, but it is one of the biggest areas of parkland near Melbourne. “You can see some magnificent old eucalyptus here and big mobs of kangaroos, as well as swamp wallabies. “My aim is to get as many trees in the ground as possible.” Located at the end of Stratford Close in Sunbury, the entrance to the Holden Flora Reserve looks out toward a large escarpment and 96 hectares of reserve land, including Eighnane Valley, which in the 19th century housed an award-winning vineyard. The reserve is officially managed by Parks Victoria, who consult with local indigenous organisations, Melbourne Water and Friends of Holden Flora Reserve. Mr McGlashan leads the Friends of HoldenFlora Reserve volunteer team that works to clear invasive weeds and plant indigenous flora along Jacksons Creek. To get involved, visit: facebook.com/ Friends-of-Holden-Flora-Reserve

After years of searching, Emma’s found more than a job DECEMBER 14 After six years of searching for any form of employment, Emma Brown finally landed her first job at Woolworths, with the help of her friend Marilou Elderfield. The pair met through the Sunbury & Districts branch of Citizen Advocacy, which has been connecting volunteers with people with intellectual disabilities since 1985. Program co-ordinator David Abela has been involved in the organisation for 30 years. He said the primary function of the service is to find a suitable advocate for a program

participant, so they can lend a hand wherever necessary. “We wait until we try to get a good fit between the needs of the person and the skills of the advocate,” David said. “It’s not just the next person in the door who gets matched to the next person waiting. “If a person is isolated for instance, they’ll need an advocate with enough time to be able to visit them regularly. “Or perhaps the protege needs help with their budgeting, so we’ll find someone with those skills.” David said it’s also important for each pair to be able to form a genuine friendship in order

to introduce a non-transactional relationship into the participant’s life. In Emma’s case, she desperately wanted to find a job, but that wasn’t the only thing that mattered. “I was wanting to find a friend, really … finding someone who can help me out with things,” Emma said. Marilou said when she met Emma two years ago they clicked immediately. And Marilou has been instrumental in landing Emma her first job. As well as helping her craft her CV, Marilou became fed upwith the bureaucratic process, and took her concerns directly to Sunbury MP Josh Bull.

“It took about three months, and I was losing hope, so I followed it up,” Marilou said. “Emma persevered to arrange for an interview. She called three times, if she gave up, my effort would be for nothing.” Now in the job for three months, Emma said she’s still getting her bearings, but is glad to have finally made a breakthrough. “I was happy about it, like finally, getting somewhere,” she said. “I’m more looking for office admin work … but it’s a start.” Details: citizenadvocacysunbury. com.au

Tuesday, 11 January, 2022 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 7

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 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 are 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 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

Softball 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 our fantastic game with qualified coaches. Equipment is supplied. ■ http://ow.ly/TOez50GHXku

This week’s Through the Lens photo is stained glass artist Daniella Acciarito. (Damjan Janevski) 261724_04

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 are welcome. ■ Don, 0409 191 580

guest speaker at each meeting, which starts at 7.30pm at the Sunbury Football Club. ■ Cheryl, 9744 1663

Senior citizens club 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 the 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 and third Tuesday of each month, from 7.20-9.30pm, at the Sunbury Senior Citizens Hall. ■ vpm-4185@toastmastersclubs.org

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

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 and interested musicians any age most welcome. ■ Roger Lewis, hbcityband@gmail.com, or www.hbcb.org.au

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.

9746 0271

Altona North combined probus The Altona North combined probus club meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at Altona Sports Club. Includes a speaker, organised trips and outings, and a friendly atmosphere. ■ Lesley, 0414 481 442

Singing group 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 AL-ANON meets

■

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

Rotary club Rotary Club of Point Gellibrand meets at Customs House Hotel, 161 Nelson Place, Williamstown, on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 6pm for a 6.30pm dinner meeting. Visitors welcome. ■ Pam, 0418 347 691 or rotarypointgellibrand@gmail.com

Mouth organ band The Yarraville Mouth Organ Band meets Friday evenings at 203 Williamstown Road, Yarraville. Great music, friendly atmosphere. New members, players or beginners welcome. ■ Heather, 9399 2190

Zonta club meets Diabetes support group The Westgate diabetes support group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at the Altona Bowling Club at 10am. ■ Elaine, 0415 030 996

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 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

Garden club

Musicians welcome

The Sunbury Garden Club meets on the first Tuesday of every month. There is a

Do you play trumpet, flute or lower brass instruments? The Hobsons Bay City Band

8 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 11 January, 2022

Interested in learning to play Mahjong? U3A Melton has a group who play on Tuesdays at 10am. ■ u3amelton.com or 0419 563 016

Rose Carers Of Maddingley Park Meets Wednesdays from 10am-noon at Maddingley Park, corner of Grant and Taverner streets, Bacchus Marsh, to maintain two beautiful rose gardens. New volunteers are always welcome – with or without experience. ■ Elaine Greenhall, 0418 171 119 or 0400 052 857

Family fun day 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 are most welcome.

The Altona North Bowls Club will be holding a family fun day on January 26. From noon, there will be live music, activities for children, sausage sizzle, refreshments and barefoot bowls. Gold coin donation for entry.

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EVERY WEEK

Valentine’s at Hanging Rock

Celebrate Valentine’s Day under the stars at Hanging Rock with a special movie screening of Peter Weir’s 1975 film, Picnic at Hanging Rock. The film, which is the 1967 novel by an adaption of the same name by Joan Lindsay, revolves around the disappearance of several schoolgirls and their teacher during a Rock on Valentine’s picnic to Hanging Day Moviegoers are encour in 1900. aged to bring their own picnic for dinner, a chair, rug and a blanket and get cosy as the drama mystery film is screen ing. For a bit of fun, come classic 1900’s costum dressed in a The film night is on e. Saturday, February 13 from 7pm at Hangin g Rock, 139 South Rock Road, Woodend. Tickets cost $25 for adults, $10 for children or $60 for a family of two adults and two children. To book: bit.ly/3pzPyji

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Pick up your favourite local newspaper, the Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Star Weekly from local outlets listed below or subscribe to our digital edition and have it sent to your device every week!

SECTION

Anti-vax leaflet slammed ‘‘

Jessica Micallef

By Jessica Micallef

Let’s not

McEwen MP Rob let false lies Mitchell is urging Sunbury residents to “tear spread as being facts up and throw anti-vaccination leaflets away” . It’s that may appear their letterbox. in dangerou s - Rob Mitchell Mr Mitchell said residen ts had notified him last Monday (Februa leaflets is from ry 1) about anti-vaccinatio American-based leaflets about the n IDoNotComp company, COVID-19 vaccine ly, which labels that had global been dropped in their movement that oppose itself as a letterbox. The leaflet, seen by s COVID-19 regulations. Star Weekly, stated should “avoid the people “It’s danger COVID and claims the “vaccin vaccine at all costs” People will ous that people are getting this. read e could this and wonder if potentially be he more deadly than it’s true,” said. “We are seeing the virus”. Mr Mitchell believe out … it’s all garbage these theories being put s the sender of . Tear the leaflet up the put it in the bin.” and

’’

RADIOLOGY SAVES LIVES

How healthy is

Mr Mitchell said only contacted him about Sunbury residents had be done to combat potenti was concerned peoplethe leaflets so far, but he misinformation ally “deadly in surrounding areas ”. would also receive He said people should them. consult a doctor The leaflet also has or medical address to the organis a QR code and a web vaccinations professional when it came to and medica urged people not to ation’s site. Mr Mitchell “We don’t know who l treatment. scan the code. these people are and “It’s for your own that is why safety,” he said. “It we have medical experts from an American-base comes ,” he said. “They have decade d organisation which s you’d think wouldn to understand these in training and learning ’t be so callous and things. They are the to make a stateme stupid to talk to. people nt like risk of dying of COVID ‘most people have no “Let’s not let false -19’. lies spread as being “This from a countr It’s dangerous. facts. y where tragica lly more than 440,000 deaths “What we have achieve have been recorded.” d in Victoria … Mr Mitchell said an amazing job is more work needed to people spreadi and the last thing we need is ng theories.”

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Tuesday, 11 January, 2022 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 9

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.

PUZZLES 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

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)

3 4 5 6

ACROSS 1 3 9 10

No. 063

7 8 13 15 16 18 19 20 22 23

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

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

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

N H

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

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

N T

O A S T C U T E E D U X

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

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

12 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 11 January, 2022

7 3 4 6 8 9 5 2 1

QUICK QUIZ

Which band performed the 1990s hit I’m Too Sexy?

What inspired the colour reference in the codename for the powerful herbicide and defoliant Agent Orange?

NOTE: more than one solution may be possible

Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down.

C A R

2 8 7 1 6 9 5 3 4

No. 063

N O T

8 6 9 4 3 1 2 5 7

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

14-01-22

No. 063

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

1 2 3 9 7 5 4 8 6

1 9 6 2 7 5 3 8 4

5 LETTERS AGAIN

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”.

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

9-LETTER WORD

32 words: Excellent

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 D A K R OU J Z

S C X E H V QWN L Y G I

5x5

2 3 2 4

1 9

WORDFIT

Does Kakadu National Park include about one quarter, one third or one 10th of Australia’s bird species?

Which TV personality fought his local council for the right to have a large glass mural of Pamela Anderson (pictured) on the front of his house?

Does the Murray-Darling Basin cover approximately 7 per cent, 14 per cent or 21 per cent of the total area of Australia?

What is unique about the group of mammals known as monotremes?

In which country did golf originate?

Beginning with ‘s’, what word means “the act of talking to oneself”?

In what year was the video game Pac-man released in Japan?

10 Is the book Memoirs of a Geisha fiction or non-fiction?

ANSWERS: 1. Right Said Fred 2. The barrels it was shipped in had orange stripes 3. One third 4. Sam Newman 5. 14 per cent 6. They lay eggs 7. Scotland 8. Soliloquy 9. 1980 10. Fiction

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On target for success: Hugo is making his mark November 16 While many teenagers choose to unwind by playing video games or watching television, Hugo Lobb admits he feels most at ease with a bow and arrow in hand. “I just love that feeling of calm,” Lobb said. “It’s all about control and being precise with your movements, it’s similar to martial arts in that way. The process is really similar. When it’s working well, it seems really easy and natural, sort of like you’re in the zone.” Finding that zone has proven to be fruitful for Lobb. The 17-year-old currently holds four world archery records in indoor and outdoor events. At his international debut at the 2020 World Archery Indoor Series, Lobb finished top 10 at events held in Rome and Las Vegas, before returning to Australian soil and claiming gold.

At each of these events he was competing against adult archers — two age groups above his own. Earlier this month Lobb collected the ‘Nicely played’ accolade at the 2021 Youth Awards organised by Macedon Ranges council for his exceptional work with the bow. Growing up in Riddells Creek, Lobb explored the option of playing team sports like most kids his age. “I tried cricket and some other things and enjoyed them, but it didn’t really click,” he said. Although only eight-years-old at the time, Lobb said he already felt ready to commit himself to some sort of craft, it was just a matter of finding one that fit. “I think that was sort of why I didn’t really gel with team sports. I was there for the sport, not for hanging around and socialising,” he said. “Mum hunted down Bacchus Marsh

Bowmen in South Gisborne, and I just really enjoyed it.” “There wasn’t really a huge amount of young people, mainly a lot of older people, but actually that’s been really good. I feel like I have a lot of mentors and people I admire, so I’ve actually been able to learn from that.” Competitive archery falls under two branches, with different dimensions to both forms of competition. Archery Australia regulates the predominant world archery circuit featured at the Olympic Games. Whereas the Australian Bowhunters Association (ABA) refers to barebow archery, using just the bow and arrow without a sight or stabilising equipment. Both domains of archery feature indoor and outdoor events, but the ABA also features field archery, which Lobb confessed is his favourite category. “There’s a bit of walking around somewhere

like a golf course, and there’s all different targets and distances,” he said. “Sometimes it’s through bushland and up and down hills. “It really allows for good competition and some close scores. And because it’s a bit more challenging it’s even more rewardable when you hit the target.” Lobb said competing at the World Archery Indoor Series opened his eyes to where the sport could take him. Not only did he experience the popularity of the sport in Europe, but also managed to hold his own against seasoned experts. For now the teenager will shift his focus to qualifying for the World Field Archery Championships next year, but he also admits he has another goal he hopes to achieve in the longer “Obviously the Olympics would be an absolute dream,” Lobb said.

Rockies make their debut November 23

Sunbury’s Trevor Hirth has qualified for the Paralympic Games. (Damjan Janevski) 238599_01

Hirth eyes Paralympics June 1 Sunbury table tennis star Trevor Hirth ha qualified for the Paralympic Games, to be held in Tokyo later this year. The number one-ranked male player in his class in Oceania, Hirth, 37, said it will be his first time representing Australia at the Paralympic Games. “I want it to happen tomorrow,” Hirth said. “For me it’s about representing the country, achieving my dream. For some time international competition has been on hold so I can’t wait to compete again.” Classification is used in Paralympic sport to group athletes with similar impairments to compete against one another. Within this system, Hirth is in class 6, which he said makes the competition unique. “My category is the most severe for standing athletes, so having players with limited movement, it’s really important to capitalise and finish the point early,” he said. “There are amazing players in my

division,some with one arm, one leg, it’s a huge amount of diversity.” Hirth was introduced to table tennis asa child, playing on a makeshift table his grandfather had built and set up in the carport of his family home. He now plays across the western suburbs, including for the Sunbury Table Tenni Association, who in the past has helped Hirth to compete by raising funds for competition entry fees and flights. Sunbury Table Tennis Association president Michael Delaveris said the club was “very proud” of Hirth. “We’re very proud of Trevor and his achievements,” he said. “He needed a fair bit [of money to compete] and ours was only a small portion, but it all came together for him, which is great.” Although he wasn’t introduced to the idea of representing Australia as a para athlete until he was 29-years-old, Hirth said he had first felt he was skilled with the bat when he was in high school. “I realised I could go alright at school camp,

14 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 11 January, 2022

because I beat everyone,” he said. “Then my parents really encouraged me to compete.” Hirth is now ranked 35th in the world and has represented Australia in three world championships. He said the stature of the Paralympic Games has grown with increased media attention. “There’s a lot more of a feeling today about improving the lives of people with disabilities, it’s a movement,” he said. “I only got discovered at 29, I feel like there might be a lot of people with disabilities with undiscovered talent. “Every athlete has that responsibility, to look around and see what you can do to make your community better.” Hirth will represent Sunbury in the Victorian Country Championships on Queen’s Birthday weekend at the Melbourne Sports Centre (MSAC). The Paralympic Games in Tokyo are scheduled to begin on August 24.

The Macedon Ranges is gearing up to feature its very first team in the north west division of the Country Basketball League. The Rockies – named after the shire’s most notable landmark, Hanging Rock – have completed trials and will have a men’s team to take the court in back-to-back matches on December 4 and 5. Due to COVID-19 restrictions delaying the start of the season, the 2021-22 CBL fixture will feature several double-header weekends, where teams will play on both a Saturday and a Sunday in order to make up for lost time. Long term Macedon Ranges Basketball Association player Tom Scott was part of the committee that pioneered the club’s entry into the CBL. Scott, who previously played at Kyneton and will captain the Rookies in their maiden season, said it was exciting to be a part of basketball history in the area. “I’ve probably been 20 years in the MRBA now, I played all my juniors through their program and a lot of representative and state programs through the Macedon Ranges too,” h said. “It’s a first for the region, in terms of having a senior representative program. “For a while, we didn’t really know if the season would go ahead, so it’s nice to see now we’ve got a start. It’s really exciting for the region.” Scott said there had been plenty of interest in the trailblazing side, with more than 40 players showing up to the team’s tryouts earlier this year. “There was a group of Macedon Ranges juniors that had played between Kyneton and elsewhere … Once we had that group, we just got to a point where we said, let’s get it done.” The Rookies’ first home game will be against crosstown rivals Kyneton on December 5 at the Woodend Buffalo Sports Stadium. We’re lucky in the Macedon Ranges that we have Kyneton as an opponent, we can move forward as a region as a whole,” he said. “It’s very exciting we have two teams from the Macedon Ranges given that five years ago, we didn’t have one.”

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Tigers’ FIDA team makes history APRIL 20 The Kyneton Football Netball Club made history, with the side fielding the first inclusive football team in the Macedon Ranges. The Kyneton Tigers fielded a full side in their inaugural clash against Rupertswood Old Collegians, in what was the curtain raiser for the Victorian Football Integration Development Association (FIDA) season. FIDA chief executive and Gisborne resident Elle Dow said she was very emotional watching the team run out for the first time, especially given that COVID had restricted the league for so long. “Being a local myself, it was so special to see such an incredible turnout at the game, all the more so because it was the first FIDA game in 596 days,” she said. “A lot of the players invited their friends with disabilities so it was terrific to see so many people embracing football for the first

time. This is what inclusion is all about, this is community at its finest.” Only three of the Tigers’ team had experience playing for FIDA sides before. Dow said this was one of the main inspirations for developing a team in Kyneton. Within her role at FIDA she would regularly hear from players and their families that they wished they didn’t have to travel as far as Bendigo and Wodonga to play footy. Dow contacted Kyneton Football Netball Club president Hayden Evans, with whom she went to high school, to see if there was any possibility of bringing a club to the Macedon Ranges. Things moved quickly from there, with Dow and Evans tabling the suggestion with the club’s committee. The Kyneton Football Netball Club now plans to facilitate four sessions a year where all teams – the women’s, men’s and the FIDA

side – train together. Evans said the FIDA side has had a positive impact across the whole club. “There were some [FIDA players] that were very nervous, but after the game everyone was just so excited, they loved it,” he said. “It was very special to see the smiles on their faces. “One of the biggest impacts is having the juniors having these positive interactions with people with disabilities. Football clubs are no longer places just for A grade players.” This year FIDA is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The league first started casually at a clinic in Glen Ferrie through the Hawthorn Football Club, but now has clubs playing across the state. FIDA matches are played with 15 minute quarters and specially trained umpires, who make an effort to get everyone involved, which Evans said is the club’s focus, too. “We’re really striving for participation,”

Gifted Goater drafted to North

he said. “It’s all about getting people that wouldn’t usually be out there, everybody gets to have a kick.” Despite Kyneton losing the match by two goals, both Dow and Evans said the game was a celebration. Both teams ran through a customised banner, prepared by a member of the community who’s also a member of the Richmond Tigers’ cheer squad. Reflecting on the match, Dow said there was one moment that really summed up the spirit of the day. “A player with Cerebral palsy fell face first and it was actually the opposition players that helped him get back up again,” she said. “But no one was laughing at him. “It was a great lesson for all the kids there, that everybody falls and it’s OK to get back up again.”

Riley’s on track

NOVEMBER 30 MARCH 16 Sunbury product Josh Goater has lived out a football dream after he was picked by the club he spent his entire life supporting at last week’s AFL draft. The celebrations in Sunbury had to wait a little longer than expected, as the 190-centimetre explosive runner slid outside the first round, which was announced on Wednesday night. Goater was ultimately selected with the 22nd pick by North Melbourne. Speaking to Fox Sports, he said he was eager to get into the blue and white stripes, and had even delayed heading to his school formal to watch the draft with his family. “It was a bit of mixed emotions. I would have loved to go [in the first round] and relieve the stress a bit, but I’m absolutely over the moon to land at North Melbourne,” he said. “I’ve followed North Melbourne my whole life and I’m stoked to be able to be at that pick and land myself at that club.” The Sunbury Lions Football Club shared a message on Facebook congratulating him after his name was announced. “Josh started with the Sunbury Lions juniors and progressed to play his first senior game alongside big brother Luke in round one this year, and showed the class to prove that he was here only for a short time, and now takes the next step to where he will truly shine,” the post read. “Enjoy the journey and where your football takes you, we will be watching every step buddy.” In a year filled with the periodic cancellation of community sport due to COVID-19 restrictions, Goater still found ways to impress recruiters. Playing for the Calder Cannons this season he averaged 24 disposals, two tackles and five marks across seven games, and was given the opportunity to run out for Essendon in the VFL. That included an uptick in form to round out the NAB League season, where he had 30.5 disposals and 8.5 intercept possessions in his last three matches. Goater also played three senior matches with the Sunbury Lions alongside older brother Luke, before the NAB League season began. Although listed by some draft commentators as a midfielder, Goater has used his size and quickness to fill gaps all over the field through his development. That included handy stints across the half back line for the Lions and the Cannons. Speaking on draft night, Goater said he grew up admiring the goal kickers. “I was a forward, so Drew Petrie was someone that I always looked up to,” he said. Goater will join a large crop of talent at North Melbourne pushing for selection as they rebuild in the AFL next season.

Josh Goater was selected with the 22nd pick in the AFL draft.

The Kangaroos selected Jason Horne-Francis with the club’s first ever number one overall pick in a bid to strengthen their midfield stocks. North Melbourne list manager Glenn Luff told North Melbourne media he felt the club had achieved its aim of bringing in a mix of

(Damjan Janevski) 256489

well-rounded young players. “We’re able to bring in a couple guys that can play in the backline as rebounding defenders, but they’ve got the versatility to play in the midfield or wing position down the track,” Luff said. “We’re excited to see them on the track.”

Sunbury’s Riley Coughlan has taken the next step in his athletics career, qualifying for his first national championship. The teenager will be walking for gold at the Australian Track and and Field Championships later this month, after a strong performance at the Athletics Victoria State Championships recently. He finished in second place, four seconds behind the winner Liam Hutchins. Both boys have qualified for the national titles. Going into the state championships with one of the fastest times in Australia in his age group, Coughlan had set his heart on making nationals for the first time. The nationals will be held at Sydney Olympic Park in Sydney between April 12 and 21. “It feels pretty good,” he said. “I’m happy to make it and I felt like I had a good chance of making it this year.” Coughlan, who represents Knox Athletics at senior athletic events, said his focus at the national would be to enjoy the experience and take it all in. He hoped he could finish in the top five. “My time is ranked fourth in my age group at the moment.” The 14-year-old, who attends Salesian College in Sunbury, said he became interested in walking events after contesting them at Sunbury Little Athletics Centre. “I got interested in it through the junior development squad through little aths. I find it easy now, it was a bit harder when I started. I got more into it as I got to the higher levels. “My [now] coach came and asked me to train with her in Knox. Mum now takes me over on Tuesdays and Sundays and sometimes Thursdays.” Coughlan said Australian walking Olympic bronze medallist Dane Bird-Smith was the person he looked up to in the sport. Coughlan has been competing in the 3-kilometre event, a long way shorter than the open age international events of 20 kilometres and 50 kilometres. He said he might consider taking up the longer events when he’s older. It’s a busy few weeks for Coughlan, who at the weekend competed at the Little Athletics Victoria State Championships. He was due to compete in the under-14 1500km run and the 1500km walking events.

Tuesday, 11 January, 2022 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 15

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