Star Weekly - Melton Moorabool - 8th February 2022 by Star Weekly

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Lawn art

(Damjan Janevski) 266964

The lawn outside the Caroline Springs library has been transformed into a colourful, interactive wonderland. Artist Georgina Humphries was commissioned by Melton council to create the temporary installation titled ‘Prismatic Play’. Made from repurposed tents, two patchwork sails create an overhead canopy facing Caroline Springs Boulevard and shelter a colourful 3D patchwork play mat. “I’ve been working with these sails and colourful patchworks for a number of years now,” Humphries said. “It utilises recycled fabric and that generates the multicoloured aspects; I can never collect enough of the same colour.” The artwork also incorporates the natural environment with sails that are puffed out when activated by the wind. “So that’s kind of really inviting for the kids to play with that adults love as well,” she said. Art for the community to enjoy is also a big part of Humphries inspiration, with the installation being something free for anyone to experience at any time, without having to go into a gallery. See the artwork untill February 13.

Artist Georgina Humphries with her colourful installation at Caroline Springs.

Power line path concern By Sarah Oliver A proposal to construct transmission towers alongside Melton aerodrome and a Toolern Vale school has been met with criticism. The proposed pathway for AusNet’s Western Transmission Network Project (WTNP), which will comprise 190 kilometres of power lines from Bulgana near Stawell through Moorabool and Melton to Sydenham, passes near Melton Christian College’s new Toolern Vale campus as well as the aerodrome. The school said it became concerned about the project when AusNet released its planned pathway for the controversial towers last year.

“Management of Melton Christian College made contact with AusNet as soon as we were aware that there was a possibility that transmission lines could be located anywhere near the new campus,” principal Dave Gleeson said. “We provided AusNet with reasons and explanations outlining our deep concern as to the prospect of the AusNet power supply pathway running close to the property of Melton Christian College’s new campus at 674-740 Coburns Road, Toolern Vale.” In March, 2021, the company responded to the school’s concerns and said the campus was not within its site of interest. But AusNet made contact again contradicting its previous message, Mr Gleeson said.

“It came as a surprise and disappointment,” he said. “It seemed they had changed their mind and were now proposing a pathway including parts of Toolern Vale, potentially near the campus site.” Mr Gleeson said the school is not opposed to the power lines but it strongly believes “a school must be preserved as a zone free from the pathway of power transmission lines”. At this stage, the school is confident the towers will not affect the new campus. Sarah Harvey, who owns Cafe 500 at Melton aerodrome, said AusNet has released two potential pathways for the WTNP which pass either side of the airfield. She said the towers are a safety concern as the aerodrome is used

by trainee pilots. She said that while the towers are not planned to be built on aerodrome land, they are tall enough to impact the air space. Ms Harvey said if the towers are built north of the aerodrome it would affect the safety of students learning to take off and land from that direction, where there are hills also affecting the flight path. In a statement, AusNet said it knows this project is “an important issue and wanted to share these preliminary findings now with landholders and the community”. AusNet said its land liaison officers will be contacting each landholder within the proposed route to discuss their specific land use and requirements, the proposed route, easements and compensation.

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Plans for third runway take off By Tara Murray and Sarah Oliver Community consultation is under way on the development of a third runway at Melbourne Airport. The airport’s draft Master Plan and the preliminary Major Development Plan documents were released on Monday, January 31, detailing the projected works. Both plans confirm a north-south direction for the third runway, which is set to be completed by the end of this decade. The airport rail link project is also expected to be finished by that time. The new runway is expected to take four to five years to build in a staged process, and

Future vision of the Melbourne Airport.

(Supplied)

will be built 1.3 kilometres from the existing south-west runway. It will be 3000-metres long and will result in the shortening of the east-west runway and

changes to flight paths. There will be three different ways the runways can be used, with both arrivals and departures to use the new runway. Airport chief executive Lyell Strambi said the plans were the first step in the process. “It is a really exciting step in the ongoing development of the Melbourne Airport, but it’s just a step, it’s not the end game, or the completion of anything at this stage,” he said. “It’s the first time the community has been really able to review the plans and have their input into the development itself. “It doesn’t mean the runway will be built tomorrow, they are very long term projects. “It’s an exciting time and there’s lots of

work to do.” Melton mayor Goran Kesic said: “Council is interested in the long term plans Melbourne Airport has announced and we will take a look at any opportunities and impacts this may have on the City of Melton. “We very much welcome the consultation process and encourage residents to have their say before these plans are finalised.” The consultation process will run until May 16. A further report will be developed following the consultation, which will include the community feedback. Details: www.melbourneairport.com.au/ runway

Upgrade on the cards for Roger Reserve

Pupils Sophia, Tyler and Loki with principal Bill Hill.

(Damjan Janevski) 266517_03

Joy all round as new school opens There was “much joy” among the parents and pupils from the Weir Views community this week as they were welcomed into a school they can finally call their own. St Lawrence of Brindisi Catholic Primary School opened its doors for the first time this week after several years of planning and 18 months of construction. Principal Bill Hill said the first day was the

culmination of a lot of work for many people. “It’s been a long time coming and it’s taken a lot of work but we are so happy to have our children here learning and smiling,” Mr Hill said. “It’s been a fabulous start and the parents have been very engaged and happy to be dropping children off. The feedback from parents has been very positive, they are so happy to have a local school and we are very

focused on building a welcoming community.” Stage one construction of the new school finished early December 2021 and the school is about to begin a $6 million stage two. “We are now looking forward to construction of stage two starting in about six weeks. This will include another nine learning spaces which will effectively double the current learning and teaching space,” Mr Hill said.

Moorabool council will begin the process of looking into upgrading Rogers Reserve in Darley. Councillor Rod Ward moved a notice of motion at the February 2 council meeting, requesting improvements to the reserve. “Living in that area of Darley, I see the popularity of Rogers Reserve most weekends. It’s full of picnickers,” he said. “There is no barbecue space, there’s aging playground equipment … and there’s no shelter.” Cr Ward requested a half wicket cricket pitch capable of being used by neighbourhood children and picnickers for recreational use. Cr Ward also said an upgrade to the “aging” playground would benefit the community as it has for other playgrounds that have seen upgrades in recent years. A barbecue area, including additional shade, was requested to provide more options for picnickers, as well as the installation of public toilets. The motion was carried unanimously and a report will be presented at a later council meeting. Sarah Oliver

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Disconnection a growing issue By Sarah Oliver Melton has been identified as an area in desperate need of better connectivity, with Moorabool not far ahead, according to new data. The Connecting Victoria Engagement Report, released on February 1, drew on more than 11,000 responses from across the state to determine the areas facing the most problems with mobile and broadband connectivity. Additionally, more than 110 formal submissions were considered and about 300 people also attended 13 roundtables held

across the state. The engagement report shows connectivity challenges exist across the state, including the need to better support those working and studying remotely, telehealth and improving service quality. A visualisation of the data showed Melton and Moorabool were an outlier for the number of reports of poor mobile and broadband connectivity challenges. An anonymous resident from neighbouring suburb Riddells Creek who responded to the survey said: “Working from home is near impossible and kids online learning

is a nightmare. “We have three kids trying to home-school and with internet that continues to drop out they miss so much information and interaction. In terms of recreational streaming, we can’t download pictures on Facebook let alone stream a movie.” Another resident in nearby Woodend said they couldn’t get a mobile connection at their house. “The antenna on my roof connecting to a mobile tower is my only connection with the outside world. I run internet and WiFi from this, including all mobile calls. It’s expensive and

when it goes down, I have no communication with the outside world. I am in a high bushfire risk area and find this very scary.” In a statement, the government said it will take into account insights from those who contributed to the engagement process and use it to form part of the decision making process for which locations will be upgraded in future. The Commonwealth government and telecommunications providers will also be encouraged to co-invest in the delivery of new infrastructure. Locations to receive upgrades or new infrastructure will be announced throughout this year.

Energy bonus is extended

Artist’s impression of new indoor sports stadium in Bacchus Marsh.

(Supplied)

Cash flows for major sports boost Moorabool council has awarded $27 million in tenders for the construction of an indoor sports stadium for Bacchus Marsh, a pavilion at Ballan Recreation Reserve and major upgrades at Bacchus Marsh Racecourse Recreation Reserve. Work on the indoor sports stadium is stage one of the Moorabool Aquatic and Recreation Reserve (MARC) project. The works include construction of four indoor courts, meeting rooms, a function space, change rooms, amenities, a car park, an entry road and landscaping. The state government is providing $1.9 million for the project through the Local

Sports Infrastructure Fund. Construction by Ballarat-based firm AW Nicholson will start in March, with the project expected to be completed by May 2023. The Bacchus Marsh Racecourse Recreation Reserve stage two project will see construction of hard courts, a car park and entry road, landscaping, lighting of the sports field and hard courts, and preparation work for the two grass ovals. The state government funding for stages two and three of the $6.2 million project is being provided through the Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program ($3.5 million) and the World Game Facilities Fund

($500,000). Contractor Turf One will start construction in mid-February and works are anticipated to be complete by December. The Ballan Sports Pavilion project will see construction of a new sporting pavilion with female friendly change rooms and amenities for players and umpires, a kitchen and canteen, storage facilities and a social room at Ballan Recreation Reserve. Local Sports Infrastructure funding of $3 million has been provided by the state government for the project. Construction by WP Contractors will begin next month and is expected to be completed by October.

The Victorian government is extending the $250 Power Saving Bonus payment in a bid to support more vulnerable households to pay their energy bills. Melton MP Steve McGhie said that the extension would provide crucial financial support for eligible households who have yet to receive the payment. “The Power Saving Bonus is easing cost of living pressures and I encourage all eligible households in Melton to apply for what could be a crucial $250 payment towards their energy bills,” he said. Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said: “In its first year this one-off payment has provided much-needed assistance, delivering $87.5 million to more than 350,000 households, but there are still many Victorians on support payments who have not yet applied for what could be crucial help with their energy bills”. More than 350,000 Victorians have already accessed the one-off $250 payment since it was launched in February 2021, providing more than $87.5 million to those who need it most. Households receiving payments through the Pensioner Concession, JobSeeker, Austudy, Abstudy or Youth Allowance programs, or who hold a Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card are eligible. The payment is transferred electronically into bank accounts or provided via cheque on request, and typically takes about two weeks to arrive. To assist eligible households who may not have access to a computer or require assistance with their application, the government is providing support through the Power Saving Bonus Community Outreach Program. Details: https://compare.energy.vic. gov.au/ Sarah Oliver

Calls for Melton Weir upgrade gain traction A possible upgrade to the Melton Weir is gaining traction, with council in consultation with the community and a committee almost ready to be finalised. Melton councillor Ashleigh Vandenberg has been lobbying for the weir to be upgraded since a council meeting in November 2021, which prompted the council to look into possible improvements. Cr Vandenberg said she has had “quite a large amount of contact from residents” and that the biggest issue raised is accessibility. “Victorian Fisheries stock a large amount of fish in the Melton Weir and residents are seeking safe access to the water with pontoons, 4 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 8 February, 2022

piers and a boat access point,” she said. “Walking tracks with native flora is also highly requested with residents wanting open space, parks and a well maintained location that is both environmentally focused and sustainable. The common theme raised by the residents of Melton is ensuring that the Melton Weir is protected and maintained as a community space and the people of Melton are highly concerned that it will become overdeveloped with apartments right up to the river bank which will also lead to further pollution of the area and water. “I share these concerns and also want the same as our residents which is why I have

taken it on board to push for a space we can all access and enjoy for generations to come.” Melton residents have taken to Facebook to express their feedback and concerns. “With the reservoir no longer a source of drinking water for Melton, there’s no reason why the weir can’t be reopened and a section set aside for safe swimming,” wrote one. “I took my family to Melton reservoir for the first time last weekend. We did not allow the kids out of the car due to the rubbish, glass and fishing hooks spread around the area. If you want more of the public to attend, then it needs to be safe to do so from the outset,” another resident wrote.

Melton Weir.

(Damjan Janevski) 267032_06

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Melton hospital is a ‘must have’ By Sarah Oliver Victorian opposition leader Matthew Guy told a health crisis forum in Melton on Thursday that the state government was yet to purchase land for the much discussed Melton hospital. Mr Guy was in Melton to to further discuss the Liberal Party’s pledge to begin construction of the Melton hospital within 12 months, if elected. “As you know, there’s the site … where a new hospital was promised four years ago and the land is yet to even be purchased,” he told community members.

‘‘

It’s needed. It’s not a want to have, it’s a must have - Matthew Guy

’’

Mr Guy said getting the hospital built on Ferris Road in Cobblebank is an “absolute necessity”. “We want to build that hospital; we want to get it under way as quickly as we can to be a decent size facility for what this community needs,” he said. “For Melton’s sake, the hospital would open

up the potential for other allied services around the hospital to become a precinct. “It’s needed. It’s not a want to have, it’s a must have.” A resident, who didn’t say his name, who is also a GP told the audience that the hospital needs to be able to accommodate up to 400 beds. “It needs to be adequate from day one,” the GP said. “We need to have the vision that this should be a Monash-type hospital. That this should be a hospital that will service the whole area. “This needs to be a proper suburb and this

needs to have the infrastructure for the people that live here. They deserve it.” The GP was met with applause from those in attendance. In a statement, Melton MP Steve McGhie said that the transfer of ownership of the land has not yet been recorded at the land registry, but the process was under way. “This is in process now, however this is an administrative step and the minister for health is the legal owner of the land. “The City of Melton will need to certify the plan of subdivision. This process is currently in train.”

Guy hones in on health The state opposition held a community “health crisis” forum on February 3 to address the healthcare system and the construction of the hospital in Melton. Opposition leader Matthew Guy said his party was holding the forum as a way to engage with community members on what they feel needs to be done to address healthcare in Melton. Also in attendance at the forum was Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier. “It’s evident that so many members of this community feel that things have been taken for granted for far too long and that the government has not acted quickly enough,” she said. Local cataract and glaucoma surgeon Dr Heathcote Wright joined the two to speak about his experiences with the statewide code brown, which put a hold on elective surgery. “I realised I wasn’t going to be able to go back

to work because I can’t do any elective surgery, and found it very frustrating that I’m not able to deliver the care that my patients deserve,” he said. One resident spoke of her frustration with the healthcare system in the west, recalling needing an ambulance in October 2021 which took one and a half hours to arrive. Multiple residents spoke about their frustration with vaccine mandates still being in place; a sentiment both Mr Guy and Ms Crozier agreed with, despite having full support for the vaccine. The Melton hospital was largely the purpose for the forum, which Mr Guy said is an “absolute necessity”. Sarah Oliver Dr Heathcote Wright, Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier and Opposition leader Matthew Guy. (Sarah Oliver)

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Have your say on sculpture trail Moorabool council is seeking feedback on the Telford Park All-Abilities Sculpture Trail. As part of the Bald Hill regional development project, the Telford Park All-Abilities Sculpture Trail follows stage one of the 1000+ Steps.

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Moorabool shire’s community grants program will be open throughout the March. Last year council awarded $250,000 in community grants. Any non-profit community groups with a great project idea is encouraged to apply. Grant writing online workshops will be held on February 26 and March 3.

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Fatal crash

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Suzana Talevski and her dog, Jack Russell, Toby are taking part in the challenge.

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Search on for fur family Published by MMP Star Pty Ltd ACN 168 220 399 Head Office Corner Thomsons Road and Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park, 3042 Publisher/Managing Director, Paul Thomas All material is copyright to MMP Star Pty Ltd. Responsibility for election comment is accepted by Paul Thomas. All significant errors will be corrected as quickly as possible. Distribution numbers, areas and coverage are estimates only. For our terms and conditions please visit starweekly.com.au

The search is on for Victoria’s most active fur family. The Lost Dogs’ Home has launched the inaugural Pet Fitness Challenge urging Victorians to get fit with their pet while helping raise funds to care for the lost and abandoned animals at its shelters. The home’s spokesperson Suzana Talevski said Melbourne was a city in love with pets and a healthy appetite for fun and activity. “Now we get to combine both of those with Victoria’s Pet Fitness Challenge. The challenge

is all about getting active and showing a little extra love to your pooch or kitty during the month of March,’’ Ms Talevski said. ‘’Commit to exercising with your pet for 15, 30 or 60 minutes every day and help us find forever homes for the dogs and cats in our care. With pet ownership soaring after two years of lockdowns, we know there are plenty of Victorians ready to take up this challenge. “We can’t wait to see who Victoria’s fittest fur family is.” Details: https://petfitnesschallenge.com.au/

Police are investigating a fatal crash in Caroline Springs on Sunday night. It’s understood a Nissan SUV crashed into a parked white Holden Commodore in the Western Freeway emergency lane, near Christies Road, about 10.40pm. The driver of the Nissan, a 60-year-old Rockbank man, died at the scene. It’s believed the Holden was unoccupied at the time of the crash. The exact circumstances surrounding the crash are yet to be determined and investigations remain ongoing. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www. crimestoppersvic.com.au. FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

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Mentors helping women thrive By Sarah Oliver Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria has welcomed a group of 30 new mentors for its Women Working Together network, including a resident from Melton. Gail Vas, who is in her early sixties, said she decided to become a mentor to encourage other women to “share their experiences, knowledge, culture, challenges and life skills with others in the hope of building a richer community”. “I think there is a generation of women out

there with a wealth of experiences, values, goals, motivation and passion that can generate a sense of meaning and purpose in life,” she said. “Melton is no exception to this. Sometimes it’s a little bit of kindness that has the biggest impact.” The mentors come from highly diverse cultural and professional backgrounds, with 12 languages spoken amongst the group and roles ranging from chief executives to psychologists to IT specialists.

Mentors complete eight hour-long training sessions before heading into the community. Mentees are matched with a mentor at one of COTA’s speed networking events. Although Gail has not experienced being a mentor in an official capacity, she sees this opportunity as “a challenge to overcome my own fears as well as being able to help one another by being open, building confidence, trust, independence and self-satisfaction”. “I think mentoring is a two way street where both the mentor and the person being

mentored can learn a lot from each other by just sharing their experiences and learning how to do things better,” she said. “For me, having a job means independence. Financially, it empowers me to get the things I want, it gives me the peace of mind that the bills are paid and provides me with confidence, independence and the freedom to choose what I want to do. “Not being afraid to ask for help because great things can be achieved if we all try and work together.”

Poem for the platypus A love of animals and writing made the perfect combination for nine-year-old Fraser Rise resident Myrah. Myrah, who is in grade four, jumped at the opportunity to enter the Environment Education Victoria (EEV) poetry competition. The EEV called on school students to write about the platypus in a competition designed to raise awareness about the threatened species. “I love animals so I decided to enter this competition … to write a poem about the platypus,” Myrah said. In the rules for the competition, the EEV suggested some ideas for the types of poems kids could write, including a question and answer poem, which gave Myrah an idea. “So it’s basically … a person asking a question to the platypus … and the platypus would answer back.” Myrah said when she found out she had won, she was “very happy” and that her writing “paid off”. “The people who motivated me was my

grandma and my mum,” she said. She also said she wanted to thank her teachers for “teaching me some good writing skills as well”. Myrah said she loves writing and specifically poetry because she gets to rhyme words and that she will definitely do a lot more writing in the future. Eventually, Myrah wants to become a vet. “I want to be a vet because I love animals so I want to help look after them, so I will open my own vet hospital and start a vet clinic.” Sarah Oliver

Myrah Bali with her poem.

(Joe Mastroianni)

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Pop history in the frame By Oliver Lees Fifty years on from the arrival of global rock stars such as Deep Purple and Queen, the Sunbury Pop Festival is being commemorated for its revolutionary impact on the Australian music scene. Held annually from 1972 to 1975, the festival attracted tens of thousands of music fans to a nondescript farmland location in Diggers Rest to catch a glimpse of their musical heroes. The festival put Australian musical talent in the spotlight, and acted as a springboard for a generation. Music icon Michael Gudinski produced his first release for Mushroom Records the year after the festival kicked off. He was also in attendance at the inaugural event in 1972, but instead of organising the musical talent, year his entrepreneurial energy was focused on selling watermelon to overheated festival goers. Hume council curator Carmen Reid and arts and culture officer Feyza Yazar, with the devoted assistance of festival attendee Deborah Sweeney, have been hard at work collecting an array of memorabilia to bring back the magic of those historic events. ‘The Barefoot in the Grass’ exhibit is now open and free for anyone to visit at the Hume Global Learning Centre in Sunbury until Sunday, March 27. Having spent months pouring through photographs, signage and other assorted items from the festival, Ms Reid said she understands why the event holds such a special place in Australian music history. “This work has helped me appreciate that if [the Sunbury Pop Festival] wasn’t the first outdoor Australian festival, it was definitely the biggest, and first one organised by industry the best industry pros at the time,” she said.

Main: Curator Carmel Reid and arts and culture officer Feyza Yazar. Above: Queen Mural at Villawood Properties’ Redstone Estate in Sunbury; A selection of the items on display at the Sunbury Global Learning Centre. (Pictures: Damjan Janevski) 266872

“It was an evolution of youth culture, moving from a more formal indoor setting, to something outdoor and more casual.” Hume mayor Carly Moore said the festival was an important element of Sunbury’s culture. “For those who weren’t lucky enough to attend the events, this exhibition will make you feel like you were there by capturing the

festivals’ celebratory and festive atmosphere,” Cr Moore said. Hume council will later hold a panel discussion with author Peter Evans, to discuss his book ‘Sunbury, Australia’s Greatest Rock Festival’. Details: www.hume.vic.gov.au/

Preps have it in the bag Prep Bags are back, with every Melton and Moorabool pupils starting prep at a government school in 2022 receiving a library bag from the state government containing a bundle of books and resources to encourage reading and learning. Education Minister James Merlino unveiled the 2022 Prep bags on Monday ,January 31, which are being delivered to about 65,000 Preps in 1300 Victorian government primary, P-12, special and language schools. The mix of items is designed to help prep pupils celebrate the beginning of their school journey, helping them learn and thrive at home as well as in the classroom from the start of term one. The five books included this year are: • The Unwilling Twin by Freya Blackwood • I Spy Victoria by Jeannette Rowe • Hark, It’s Me, Ruby Lee! by Lisa Shanahan • I saw Pete and Pete saw me by Maggie Hutchings • Pink! by Margaret Wild The books will also be produced in Braille with tactile illustrations by Statewide Vision Resource Centre for prep pupils who are blind or have low vision. The bags also include a ‘Meet the Mathscots’ ruler a ‘Get Your Move On’ frisbee to encourage increased physical activity, a ‘Soapy Heroes’ insert including fact sheet and colouring-in activity to promote the importance of hand hygiene, and book labels.

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FROM THE ARCHIVES Star Weekly looks back through the pages of our predecessors

30 years ago

25 years ago

20 years ago

10 years ago

February 5, 1992

February 5, 2002

February 6, 2007

February 7, 2012

Melton mayor Morita Bowman, who has been charged by federal police with fraud, will take a six-week leave of absence form Tuesday 11 February, after the first council meeting for 1992.

Trees along a walking trail through the Wombat Forest are being felled by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE).

Melton sporting enthusiasts are a step closer to realising the dream of a multimillion dollar sports centre, despite a less than favourable response in a council report.

Community cuisine: our grassroots food revolution

Print and Online Sales Executive Star Weekly Star Weekly seeks an enthusiastic sales executive to work across our print, digital, social and online platforms.

Seeking nominations for the Melton Heritage Advisory Committee

Star Weekly is an independently owned company which prides itself on its long history of community experience but also its investment in the future. The successful applicant will need to possess good people skills to enable them to meet with local businesses to sell solutions through our advertising platforms to help promote their business. Sales skills/experience: • Ability to maintain existing professional relationships and to create new ones • Ability to meet defined sales and activity targets • Excellent listening skills • Accuracy and attention to detail • Effective time management to meet deadlines • Ability to operate in a team • Demonstrates initiative and flexibility • Effective oral and written communication Applicants will need their own reliable vehicle for which we will provide an allowance.

The Melton Heritage Advisory Committee promotes local heritage projects, assesses applications for the City of Melton Heritage Assistance Fund and the City of Melton Heritage Awards, and drives programs that encourage an appreciation of heritage in the City of Melton. There are two positions on the committee available for a two year term.

The position is salaried, plus we offer an open ended commission scheme. Send your application letter and resume to: Mandy Clark Group Advertising Sales Manager mandy.clark@starnewsgroup.com.au

Applications for two positions close: Tuesday 8 March 2022 To apply: melton.vic.gov.au/heritagecommittee For further information: contact Council’s City Strategy Team on 9747 7200 or email citysupport@melton.vic.gov.au

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Illustrations light up library

(Supplied)

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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Ballan Moorabool Shire - Ballan 15 Stead Street Brookfield Lifestyle Brookfield 111-139 Coburns Road Darley Champions IGA Bacchus Marsh Grey Street Diggers Rest FoodWorks 22 Glitter Road Diggers Rest Diggers Rest Post Office 76 Old Calder Highway Gordon Gordon Post Office 65 Main Street Harkness Foodworks 17 Claret Ash Boulevard Hillside Foodworks 595 Melton Highway Kurunjang Kirkton Drive Milkbar 203 Gisborne - Melton Road Melton E-View Real Estate Suite 10, 3 Alexandra Street Melton Blue Nile Groceries 39 Bakery Square Melton Melton Milkbar 44 Burleigh Road Melton Melton Waves Leisure Centre 206 Coburns Road Melton TAB Corp Park 2 Ferras Road Melton Melton Shire Council Offices 232 High Street Melton Sweeney Real Estate 266 High Street Melton Barry Plant Real Estate 273 High Street Melton Advance Stationers 283 High Street Melton Raine and Horne Real Estate 289 High Street Melton Melton Lotto 293 High Street

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, 8 February, 2022

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NEWS

Ideas sought on future waste By Sarah Oliver Moorabool could be seeing changes to the way waste and resources are handled by council in the coming years. The council adopted its draft waste and resource recovery strategy 2030 at a meeting on February 2 before releasing it for community consultation and feedback. With the population of Moorabool expected to grow to 72,000 by 2041, this strategy is designed to prevent pressure put existing services and infrastructure. A report to council stated: “The new strategy

explores innovative, circular and local approaches to waste and resource recovery and will undertake community engagement to gauge levels of appetite for implementing creative and cost-effective ways to tackle the waste challenges we all face. “The strategy recognises a shared responsibility between council and the community, and all members of the community play a vital role in the management of waste. “Council needs to provide ongoing education and behaviour change campaigns that empower the community to make informed decisions that avoid unnecessary

waste.” Residents have taken to Facebook to express their frustration with rubbish dumping in the area. “Has anyone noticed the rubbish being dumped on the corner of School Lane and Bacchus Marsh-Geelong Road,” one resident wrote. “It is an absolute disgrace, I have [rang] the council and they are monitoring it … I am so sick of people thinking we are a dumping ground. What is happening to our town?” “(Rubbish dumping) is happening a lot,” another wrote.

“Hard rubbish collections would be so much more helpful, environmentally friendly and cost effective. Not to mention another person’s trash can sometimes be others’ treasure.” Examples of actions to achieve within the strategy include options and costing of mandated services such as separate food and organic and glass bins, helping residents with hard waste disposal, reviewing operations of transfer stations and creating educational resources about littering and illegal dumping. Community consultation will occur at a later date and run for four weeks.

Crime Briefs Teenager arrested over death A teenager has been arrested in New South Wales as part of an investigation into the death of a man in Melton South in January. The 17-year-old boy was arrested in St Marys on Friday, January 28, with assistance from NSW Police. He has been charged with murder after a man was found in Staughton Street, Melton South with life-threatening injuries in the early hours of December 29, 2021. He died at the scene.

Teens charged Three teenagers have been charged over an alleged kidnapping earlier this month. Police executed five search warrants in the Melton area on January 28, as part of an investigation into the alleged kidnapping on January 19. A 16-year-old and a 17-year-old are from Brookfield, while the third teenager, 16, is from Harkness.

Aggravated burglary and thefts

Victor Lin.

(Damjan Janevski) 227663

A doctor caring for his community A Hillside resident has been nominated for two categories in the 2022 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards. Victor Lin, who grew up in the western suburbs, is in the running to be awarded ‘The Bridge Create Change Award’ and the ‘Saward Dawson Community Service and Social Impact Award’. “I am a doctor and researcher with an interest in haematology and oncology, and a drive to create meaningful impact in the realms of clinical medicine, biomedical research, and public health,” he said. The create change award recognises young people that are driving activities, programs and initiatives that promote or create change.

And the community service and social impact award recognises young people serving their communities through community service and social enterprise. The 26-year-old has been involved in several initiatives to be considered for these awards, including co-founding the Young Australians’ Cancer Initiative (YACI), serving as vice president of the Melbourne University Health Initiative (MUHI) and secretary of the International Students’ Network (ISN). “I am passionate about improving educational outcomes for students from disadvantaged backgrounds,” Dr Lin said. When speaking with Star Weekly in February 2021, Dr Lin said he is “passionate

about breaking down barriers for people in the community to lead healthy and productive lives”. “… Over the years [I] have spearheaded a number of initiatives aiming to improve health literacy among young Australians and reduce deep-seated inequities that exist in the community with respect to key social determinants of health.” The winners announced at an Awards Gala Presentation Dinner on Friday, April 29. Sarah Oliver

Police are investigating an alleged aggravated burglary and a number of alleged thefts from motor vehicles in Cobblebank. It is believed on January 27, between 1.45am and 2.15am, a house was broken into while the residents slept. A number of items were stolen including power tools and electrical equipment. Police believe that residents in the streets of Stevenage Drive, Roehampton Drive, Colosseum Drive, Macarana Circuit and Rushton Avenue, Strathtulloch, may have CCTV footage that can help with their investigations.

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Police continue to crackdown on street gangs in the west Police are working with a taskforce investigating street gangs across the state to tackle the issue in the western suburbs. A Victoria Police spokesperson said that Operation Alliance was established in September 2020, to disrupt and dismantle street gangs. The spokesperson said that since then, the Westgate police division has been running regular local operations, investigations and early intervention initiatives to disrupt those committing crimes in Melbourne’s western suburbs. The efforts are being led by officers in a group

known as the Westgate Alliance Taskforce. “Detectives and uniform police officers from Wyndham, Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay who are regularly supported by specialist units such as the Gang Crime Squad, Public Order Response Team, Dog Squad and Highway Patrol as part of the operation,” the spokesperson said. “Gangs aren’t solely restricted to offending in their local neighbourhood, as they often strike in a sequence and have no reservations travelling across the western suburbs, into Melbourne or through regional Victoria to commit further crimes.”

The spokesperson said this is why police have “an integrated and co-ordinated approach” through the sharing of real-time intelligence across the state, to remain one step ahead of offenders and identify key influencers within gangs. “We know the people in these youth gangs and groups are committing serious crimes such as carjackings and home invasions that deeply traumatise victims and leave long lasting impacts,” the spokesperson said. “That is why police work tirelessly as part of Operation Alliance to detect, disrupt and dismantle youth gangs before they can cause

significant harm to the community.” On January 26, officers from the Westgate Alliance Taskforce charged four teenagers with a range of offences including violent disorder, affray, armed with criminal intent, theft and weapons offences. The charges related to a serious affray that occurred at a Werribee shopping centre carpark on January 6 about 9.40pm. Some participants in the incident were allegedly armed with machetes and knives. Multiple people were allegedly seriously assaulted during the affray. Alesha Capone Tuesday, 8 February, 2022 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 11

BEHIND THE NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Our furry friends take the lead Jack Russell Terriers, Labradors, Staffordshire Terriers and German Shepherds are among the most popular dog breeds in Melbourne’s north and west. Alesha Capone takes a closer look at the region’s canine paw-pulation.

rom Maribyrnong to Moorabool, many residents of area are fur-tunate enough to own a dog, with councils in region having a combined total of more than 102,000 canines registered with them. In Wyndham municipality, there were 21,002 dogs registered in the 2020-21 year. Wyndham council’s city operations director, Stephen Thorpe, said the municipality’s top five breeds are Jack Russells (1486 dogs), Staffordshire Bull Terriers (1398), Labradors (1319), Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (990) and German Shepherds (876). “Wyndham city encourages all owners to register their animals with council,” Mr Thorpe said. “Three months ago, Wyndham city council formally adopted a four-year Domestic Animal Management Plan that outlines council’s commitment to animal management relating to cats and dogs from 2021 through to 2025.

‘‘

We encourage people to look into what is the right breed for them and their families - Craig Lloyd

’’

“The plan promotes responsible pet ownership, encourages pet registration and aims to minimise the risk of attack by dogs and nuisance caused by animals.” Wyndham resident Lyndall Mione is the proud owner of a Jack Russell named Milo. Milo has lived with Ms Mione’s family, including three teenage daughters, since November 2020 when he was aged eight weeks old. Ms Mione said that Jack Russells are a good dog for an active family. “Milo is also great company for me when I am working from home,” she said. “He is full of personality and he has a fear of missing out on things, he loves going for walks to the dog park and playing.” In Melton, there are almost 16,200 dogs registered with the council, while Hobsons Bay council has 11,014 dogs registered. The most common breeds in Hobsons Bay are Labradors (526 dogs), Jack Russell Terriers (475), Staffordshire Terriers (262), Cavoodles (395) and Border Collies (310). Hobsons Bay mayor Peter Hemphill said that the area was blessed “to have enviable open spaces from dog beaches to dog parks”. He said the council was continuing to invest in infrastructure for dogs and their owners to enjoy, such as the Brooklyn Dog Park and the recently-redeveloped PA Burns Reserve in Altona, which has a fenced dog off-lead area. At Brimbank council, there are 9454 dogs registered, with the top five breeds being Jack Russell Terriers, Maltese Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, German Shepherds and Labradors. Nearby Maribyrnong has 7081 dogs registered, with Jack Russells, Labradors, Maltese Terriers, Kelpies and Staffordshire Terriers making up the top five most popular breeds. Maribyrnong council’s infrastructure services director, Pat Jess, said that pets could have significant health and wellbeing benefits for people, including increased physical activity and improving social connectedness. “This is one of the reasons why council invests in its open space infrastructure to create a variety of recreation opportunities for both our residents and their pets,” Ms Jess said. “Every year we encourage residents to support responsible pet ownership, which includes registering their cats and dogs, ensuring they are microchipped and registered 12 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 8 February, 2022

Siblings Harvey, Summer and Levi with their family’s Labrador Kobe.

(Joe Mastroianni) 266110_01

Lyndall Mione and her Jack Russell, Milo; Christiana with her Staffordshire Terrier April; Arden, whose owner is a member of the German Shepherd Dog Club of Victoria, western branch, which is based in Keilor. (Pictures: Damjan Janevski and supplied) 266114

from three months of age.” Jack Russells – once again – took out the top spot in Moorabool, where there are 5994 are dogs registered - including 435 Jack Russells, 353 Labradors, 337 Border Collies, 307 Kelpies and 301 Staffordshire Terriers. Across to the northern suburbs, Whittlesea’s chief executive Craig Lloyd said there were 19,586 dogs registered with the council. Maltese Terriers are the most popular with 1889 registered, followed byJack Russell Terriers (1520 dogs), Staffordshire Terriers (1433), Labrador Retrievers (1184) and Cavoodles (840). “As part of the City of Whittlesea’s Domestic Animal Management Plan, we have a range of initiatives to encourage responsible pet ownership and we will be engaging further with the community over the coming months,” Mr Lloyd said.’ “We encourage people to look into what is the right breed for them and their families and ensure that they undertake dog obedience training.”

Hume council has 18,840 dogs registered – 816 German Shepherds, 806 Jack Russells, 646 Labradors, 633 Cavoodles and 569 Maltese Terrier/Shitzu crosses. With Labradors being such a popular dog across all municipalities, Werribee Obedience Dog Club secretary Noelene Jordan – who has two pure-bred Labradors named Cassie and Flynn – said the breed is “very smart and trainable”. “They’re always there for you and they never stop being a puppy,” she said. “They are good family pets, they are great with everyone.” However, Ms Jordan said it was important for dog owners to train their pets and not just expect automatic obedience from them. “If you can get to puppy school, they are so good, even then it’s good if you can keep doing basic obedience training,” she said. Ms Jordan added that it is important for anyone wanting to a dog to do their research into various breeds’ temperaments and activity levels, and ensure any animal they

buy is healthy. “Do your homework and find out what’s going to suit you,” she said. Labrador owner Kim said that before purchasing her family’s dog Kobe, she spent about 12 months talking to different breeders and doing research on the best breed to fit in with their lifestyle. Kobe, now 18 months old, is a beloved part of the family. “He’s our best friend, he’s loyal, he’s fun and good with everyone, he is great with the kids and is very clever,” she said. Kobe is named after the basketball player Kobe Bryant, as both of Kim’s sons love the sport. “He’s the kids’ best friend and now they are back at school, he’s walking around the house looking for them,” she said. Kim said that Kobe also loves to “eat everything” and sits with herself and her husband every day, while they work from home. Details: https://bit.ly/3ASr9fj

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COMMUNITY

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

Singing group Join the Melton South Community Singers at Melton South Community Centre on the first and third Tuesday of each month. ■ Sue, 0400 082 413

Melton South Knit & Natter All welcome to join this social crafting group, running at the Melton South Community Centre each Monday from 10am-noon. Bring along any knitting or crochet projects and work on them while sharing tips, learning skills and catching up over a cuppa. ■ 9747 8576

Zonta club meets The Zonta Club of Melton meets on the first Monday of each month at Melton Country Club, Reserve Road, Melton. ■ Suzanne, 0417 512 420

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

Melton 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. ■ 9746 0271

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

Intro to Beauty Introduction to Beauty returns to Melton South Community Centre on Saturday, February 12, and is currently accepting enrolments. Learn a variety of beauty treatments and methods in this four-week pre-accredited course, including body waxing, makeup and nail techniques. Cost: $120.00/$90.00 concession. ■ 9747 8576

Melton Cycling Club Meets for regular Sunday rides, social and cycling events. Ride for faster cyclists (26-30+km/h) from 7.30am, a 20-kilometre ride (average speed 20-25km/h departs at 8.30am, while a 10 to 15-kilometre ride (average speed 15km/h) also departs at 8.30am. Rides finish at Lazy Moe’s for a cuppa. Please note: There is generally no group ride if it is raining. ■ 0403 057 003

Melton Valley Ladies Probus Club Melton Valley Ladies Probus Club Meets on the second Tuesday each month at Melton Country Club, 10am. New members welcome. ■ 0425 705 150

Art in Hume Help create great places and spaces for the arts in Hume by having your say on council’s Arts Infrastructure Plan on Thursday, February 10, 6-7pm, at Hume Global Learning Centre, 1096 Pascoe Vale Road, Broadmeadows. ■ hume.vic.gov.au

Summer series The City of Whittlesea Summer Series arrives at Laurimar Park on Friday, February 18, 5-8pm. There will be a new

This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of eight-month-old Maverick at Williamstown beach. (Damjan Janevski) 266532_01

Makers Market for Doreen including stalls to browse and food outlets to eat from. Bring a picnic or buy something onsite from the food trucks for an evening out with family and friends. At corner of Hazel Glen Drive and Flaxen Hills Road. ■ https://whittlesea.vic.gov.au/

Vaccine certificate help Tutors will be on hand at Craigieburn library on Friday, February 11, 1.30-3.30pm to help with proof of vaccination certificates. At Hume Global Learning Centre, 75-95 Central Park Avenue, Craigieburn. ■ hume.vic.gov.au

Learn about solar Confused about solar? John Edwards from City of Whittlesea’s sustainable projects team will answer all of your questions about solar energy, energy efficiency and getting the best value from a solar system of your own during an information session at Whittlesea Community House, Friday, February 11, 11am-1pm, at 92a Church St, Whittlesea. Bookings required. ■ 9716 3361

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. New members are welcome. ■ Steve, 0408 193 793, or Keith, 0409 494 801.

Women’s Day The Women’s Support Network will be launched at an International Women’s Day event in Brimbank on March 8. All women are welcome to attend. ■ wsn.org.au

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

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

Female cricket Keilor Park Cricket Club is looking for players to join its female cricket team. The club, which has had success in recent years plays in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association on Sundays. ■ http://ow.ly/kLiz50Hsqqj

Rotary club The Sunbury Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at the Sunbury Bowling Club at 7pm. ■ sunburyrotary@gmail.com

Ladies pobus The Woodlands Ladies Probus Club of Sunbury meets on the fourth Monday of each month at the Sunbury Bowling Club at 9.45 am. The bclub is based on fun, friendship and fellowship and enjoys monthly outings, an annual trip away and a lot of fun meetings. ■ Val, 0418 138 214.

Sunbury Combined Probus Club The Sunbury Combined Probus Club meets every fourth Thursday of the month at the Sunbury Football Social Club at 10am. Visitors and new members are welcome. ■ Carmel, 0416 477 271.

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

Garden club The Sunbury Garden Club meets on the first Tuesday of every month. There is a guest speaker at each meeting, which starts at 7.30pm at the Sunbury Football Club. ■ Cheryl, 9744 1663

Senior citizens club Senior citizens are welcome to visit the Sunbury Senior Citizens’ Club on Mondays and Fridays, from 10am-3pm at 8 O’Shannassy Street. A variety of activities offered – carpet bowls, cards, snooker, darts, board games or just a cup of coffee and a chat. Lunch subsidised. ■ Frank, 0423 392 884

Hanging Rock night walks Let the scent of eucalypt and the calls of native wildlife captivate you on a night time walk at Hanging Rock. The walks are suitable for all ages, but spaces are limited and booking is essential. The ticket price is $25 per adult or $12 per child for two sessions running on Friday, February 18 and Friday, March 25. ■ 5422 0387

Community outings Hikoi Brothers is for men of all ages in our western suburbs community. Fortnightly on Sunday mornings, we walk for 60 to 90 minutes, a bit of fresh air, talk about all sorts from family to current affairs to sports, all the while enjoying the different tracks in our Wyndham area. ■ Hikoi Brothers on Facebook

Join us in Landcare The Friends of Presidents Park meet on the first Thursday of the month, 10am – noon. This is a new conservation group and welcomes individuals or groups to get involved. Meet in the carpark near the river and Shaws Bridge. ■ admin@werribeeriver.org.au Tuesday, 8 February, 2022 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 13

PUZZLES SUDOKU

No. 067

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.

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS

easy 12

5 13 14 15

8 5 6 5 4 2 1 5 8 2 9 1 6

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

7 3 6 8 9

DOWN

Well pleased (9) Japanese mountain (4) Disrespect (coll.) (3) Formal statement about another’s character (11) Former US first lady, — Obama (8) Counterreply (6) Bird’s home (4) Showing symptoms of a high temperature (7) Wariness (7) Festivity (4) Positive (6) Being admitted to a church (8) Prioritising material possessions (11) Prefix meaning new (3) Divine beings (4) People living together in communities (9)

1 6 10 11

20 21 25 26 28 29 30 31

No. 067

1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 16 17 18 19 22 23 24 27

Lees (8) Case that sets a precedent (4,4) Person who looks after children (6) Bankrupt (9) Speaker’s platform (4) Accord (6) Water-surrounded land (6) Supervisors (7) Pathological self-admirer (9) Morbidly repellent (7) Capital of Finland (8) Useless person or thing (4,4) A spice (6) Subsided (6) Filibuster (6) God of war (4)

DECODER

No. 067

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

10 11 12 13

4 LETTERS ACTS EGGS LEND OHMS PAST RIOT ROSE SLIT SLOT SOWN THEY UGLY URGE WAGE

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: 21 words: Good 31 words: Very good 42 words: Excellent

M E

amen, enema, mane, mans, manse, mast, mate, mates, mats, matt, matte, matts, mean, meanest, means, meant, meat, meet, meets, mesa, mesne, mete, metes, name, names, same, seam, seamen, seem, semen, stamen, STATEMENT, steam, stem, tame, tames, tamest, team, teams, teem, teems, TESTAMENT

4 1 9 3 6 7 2 5 8

5 1 3 4 6 8 9 2 7

7 2 4 1 9 3 5 6 8

6 9 8 5 7 2 3 1 4

8 5 2 3 1 6 4 7 9

1 3 9 7 4 5 2 8 6

4 6 7 8 2 9 1 3 5

9 8 1 2 5 7 6 4 3

3 4 5 6 8 1 7 9 2

2 7 6 9 3 4 8 5 1

6 8 7 5 9 2 3 4 1

2 5 3 8 4 1 7 6 9

8 6 5 7 1 9 4 2 3

3 9 4 2 5 6 8 1 7

1 7 2 4 8 3 5 9 6

7 3 1 9 2 4 6 8 5

5 4 6 1 7 8 9 3 2

9 2 8 6 3 5 1 7 4

3 9 4 2 7 6 5 8 1

6 1 8 9 5 3 4 7 2

2 7 5 4 1 8 9 3 6

9 6 1 7 8 4 2 5 3

8 2 3 5 9 1 6 4 7

5 4 7 6 3 2 8 1 9

1 3 6 8 4 9 7 2 5

7 8 2 3 6 5 1 9 4

4 5 9 1 2 7 3 6 8

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

hard

medium

easy

Q T 22

4 7

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

8 9

3 2

1 2

7 6

7 8

6 8

8 2

3 LETTERS ARE DIE EKE ERA EVE EWE HER ICE ITS LEV LSD MES ODE OHS ONE REV RPM RUG TAP TAR UGH URN VCR WOT

M L Y X A H E Z I J S NW

G V U R D C F O P K BQ T

WORDFIT

No. 067

5 LETTERS ACRES AGREE ALIKE AMONG ARROW ARSON BROTH CRONY ELECT ENACT ENEMA ERECT ETHER ETHIC FLOWN GALAS GAMMA HAREM HOLES HOTLY

HOVER ISLAM LANCE LEAST LOAFS NEARS ODOUR OLIVE OPERA PITHY PLATE PRIDE PROUD RESTS RICES RINSE ROBIN SEWED SNORT SORTA STEAL

STONE SWATS TESTS TORSO TWEET TYRES VICED WEANS WEARS 6 LETTERS GADGET MEDDLE RASHER RESULT

7 LETTERS ARMPITS COLOURS GONDOLA OUTGROW RESPITE ROASTED 8 LETTERS NOMINEES RECOURSE STRANGLE TURNOVER

11-02-22

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NOTICE OF ACQUISITION COMPULSORY ACQUISITION OF INTEREST IN LAND

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David: 0425 811 882 Ash: 0403 619 333 17 Years Guarantee 10% Pensioner Discount Council Permit Supplied Computer Levelling

The Minister for Education declares that by this notice it acquires the following interest in the land described as Lot A on Plan of Subdivision 827479F, Certiﬁcate of Title Volume 12334 Folio 205, being the land situated at 121A Murray Road, Thornhill Park, Victoria 3335.

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Interests acquired: That of Horizon Group Murray Land Pty Ltd (ACN 623 186 998) and all other interests.

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12521636-DL45-21

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School bus driver position 24 seat mini bus in the Sunbury Macedon area transporting special needs school student both to and from school a.m. and p.m. school days only. All drivers are accompanied by a carer who will work with you on each run. Contact: John Griffiths 0394 383 666 www.panor amacoaches.com.au

- Ravenhall Mature minded person required with excellent data entry skills and attention to detail. Must be organised, motivated and have an enthusiastic approach. Medium sized business new to the area with 20+ years experience in a compaction testing laboratory.

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EXPERIENCED MIG-WELDER NEEDED FOR PERMANENT WORK AT A BUSY FENCING BUSINESS of 30 years IN MOOLAP (Required: Vax Certificate, WWCC, Construction Card (not essential - FORKLIFT Licence) FENCING STYLES – GALVANISED STEEL ,PALISADE, TUBULAR STEEL & GATES

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For and on behalf of the Hon. James Merlino, MP, Minister for Education Signed: TOM KIRKLAND Name: Tom Kirkland Chief Executive Ofﬁcer Victorian School Building Authority Department of Education and Training Date: 21 January 2022

0409 888 228

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HOPPERS CROSSING Mature female to rent one furnished BR. $150 per week, no bills. Phone 0424 324 420.

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

WANTED. Small puppy or dog for companionship. German shepherd. Loving home guaranteed. Phone: 03 9367 7651

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A notice of intention to acquire the interest in the land was served on 2 December 2021.

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12423634-SN31-19

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16 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 8 February, 2022

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MOTOR

A light hatch with sporty flair By Ewan Kennedy, Marque Motoring The i20 N is Hyundai’s first light hot hatch. We are assured it can run with its N stablemates, “delivering its speed and performance with a fun personality that turns every trip into a Special Stage” according to Hyundai. At this stage the i20 N is offered in a single grade, we have queried the Australian importer about other grades, but were told that’s all they will divulge at this time. In any case the single grade is well specified and the major emphasis is on high performance - which is exactly what lovers of hot cars are looking for. Important features include Launch Control, an auto rev-matching function for the manual transmission, and a three-mode stability control system as is used in other Hyundai N cars. By the way the ’N’ designation indicates both Hyundai’s Namyang Research and Development Center in South Korea. It was also the famed Nurburgring in Germany where many cars are unofficially tested to their limit in a wide variety of road conditions. Note that the Nurburgring is a public road so if you happen to be in Germany you may care to have a fang there. Just keep an eye on your mirrors in case something very quick suddenly come up behind you…

Styling Hyundai i20 is a neat looking small car even in its standard format. Changes to upgrade it to the N include a different grille inspired by the WRC models, a rear spoiler, built-in rear diffuser and a large single exhaust. The lower areas are finished in red. The 18-inch alloys are in grey matte with N-branded centre caps. The i20 N is offered in a range of ten colours including two shades of red.

Interior Performance Blue highlights throughout the cabin make a statement. The interior plastics and surfaces are rather hard to the touch, but keep in mind this isn’t a luxury car. A variety of textures visually make it look more a little further upmarket. A leather/cloth combination upholstery that’s of a reasonable quality. Keep in mind that this is a budget priced car. But may we suggest you check this for yourself when doing your checks on which car you’re considering buying. A cubby under the centre stack is big enough for to hold a large phone. There are cupholders between the front seats and a small cubby under the front-centre armrest. There are bottle holders in the front and rear doors.

Infotainment There are twin 10.25 inch displays, one for instruments, the other for the infotainment touchscreen. The displays are excellent and can be read with a minimum of distraction for the driver. As seems to happen all too often, the DAB+ digital radio drops out more often than not. To the extent I found myself saying f### off and giving up. Instead listening to the Bose seven-speaker sound system which produces decent sound. More speakers would be welcome, but I guess this is a car built down to a relatively low price. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wired) and satellite navigation are standard. There’s a Qi wireless charger.

Engines / transmissions The Hyundai i20 N is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol. Power is 150kW between 5500 and 6000rpm. Peak torque is 275Nm from 1750 to 4500rpm. An overboost function increases maximum torque to 304Nm under full throttle between 2000 and 4000rpm. The only transmission is a six-speed manual transmission - Yippee it’s set up for real drivers! It powers the front wheels by way of a sporting Torsen mechanical limited-slip diff. Upgrades to handle the extra power and torque of the ’N’ include a reinforced clutch, improved friction materials and redesigned synchros.

Safety As we went to press the latest Hyundai i20 range hadn’t been crash tested by either ANCAP or Euro NCAP. Standard safety equipment includes: • Front, front-side and curtain airbags • Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection • Driver inattention monitoring • Lane-keep assist • Lane following assist • Blind-spot monitoring • Rear cross-traffic alert • Automatic high-beam Assist • Rear occupant alert • Speed sign recognition • Intelligent speed limit assist

Driving It’s all about fun, and plenty of it. Though based on a standard city and suburban car, the guys and gals at Namyang and at Hyundai Australia have done an excellent job of giving the i20 N a genuinely sporting flair. The firmer ride and tyre noise on coarse-chip roads are certainly what you expect in a sporting car, which is fine for the driver but may not appeal to passenger, especially during long trips. The six-speed manual is easy to use. In our test car the clutch didn’t start to engage till the pedal was almost all the way up. After a while this was no longer an irritation. Gearing is low and at 110km/h in sixth in top gear the engine is at nearly 3000rpm. It doesn’t sound overly busy - even though it is. On typical European motorway speeds of 140 to 160km/h it’s going to sound very busy. And if you’re lucky enough to be driving on unrestricted sections of German autobahnen the engine is going to spend a lot of time at 6000rpm. Don’t know if that would be doing the fuel consumption at lot of good. But who cares, smile and enjoy the ride! The i20 N’s powertrain is Euro 6-certified and has fuel-saving idle stop/start technology. Fuel use is quoted as 6.9L/100km on the combined cycle. During our test period covering over 450 kilometres we used nine to eleven litres per hundred around town, dropping to six to seven litres on the open road. The 2022 Hyundai i20 N is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Servicing is required every 12 months or 10,000km, whichever comes first.

Take a family hatchback add sporting looks more power, and you get the Hyundai i20 N. (Pictures: Supplied)

Summing up You get a lot of sporting driving in this highly modified Hyundai i20 N and those who need/

want a family car with plenty of get up and go at a relatively modest price should certainly add it to their shopping list. Tuesday, 8 February, 2022 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 17

SPORT STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Young cricket star makes her mark taught me more professionalism. “I was shocked and grateful [to make the final team]. It was a really good opportunity not only on the ground, but being around all the quality coaches and players.” The Caroline Springs cricketer finished second highest scorer for her team. Mia said she felt at home playing against the other girls, as her game was challenged. The tournament capped off a big summer for Mia who was part of Western Spirit’s first girls title in the Youth Premier League. Mia played just four games due to COVID and she felt the effects through the games she did play. Mia was one of two Spirit girls to be part of the Northern Summer Series alongside Holly Paggpel. Mia said the YPL win was pretty special. “The team was fantastic winning the title,” she said. “It was a reward for the work that our coaches had put in.”

Mia Gordon thought her chances of making the Vic metro team for the Northern Summer Series was over when she got COVID-19. At just 14, Mia was one of the younger players in the under-16 Cricket Victoria Emerging Players program, with her being eligible for another two years. But strong form in the training sessions and the Youth Premier League competition saw Gordon selected for the Vic Metro team to play against some of the best players from across Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT last month. “I thought it was crazy and I was looking forward to all the training with the other girls,” she said of making the emerging players program. “I really enjoyed the amount of opportunities I’ve got and I’ve still got two more years in the under-16s. “They were at such a high level and they

While still playing for Caroline Springs, Gordon is starting to make her mark at Victorian Premier Cricket with Essendon Maribyrnong Park. She’s in her second season at the club. “EMP’s culture is really good,” she said. “It’s been a really good experience and there’s a lot of talented players and I love the coaches.” Mia has aims of playing cricket for Australia one day. If she’s to achieve that, it will be a long way from the girl who started playing cricket for a different reason. “I’ve been playing since I was eight. I was at my brother’s cricket and they were handing out Maccas vouchers. “Mum would never take me to Maccas, so I joined to get a Maccas voucher and then they stopped doing that. “I fell in love with it.” Tara Murray

Mia Gordon. (Supplied)

United settles for a draw

Winner Ryley Rametta middle with the runners-ups Georgia Pistone and Antonio Sipa Masina.

(Supplied)

Rametta’s shock win By Tara Murray Rising judo star Ryley Rametta was left speechless when she was announced the overall winner of the Western Region Sports Club Don Deeble Sports Star for 2021. After two years of training and competition ruined by the pandemic, Rametta felt that her achievements didn’t match those of the other nominees. But the judges felt otherwise and awarded her the prize, which includes $5000 from the Yarraville Club Cricket Club to help with her sporting goals. “It’s pretty good,” said the July nominee for the award. “I didn’t expect it at all. “I was gobsmacked and I didn’t have the words for it. Having listened to everyone’s stories and how far they had gone and I didn’t think I matched them.” Rametta said the money will go towards a couple of trips to Canberra and Sydney and then Europe for events. She said sponsorship for judo athletes at her level is rare, with the money to prove a big

helping hand in getting her on the road. Rametta took up judo in her pre-teens after her parents started looking for a sport for their daughters. Rametta trains at Resilience Training Centre in Footscray, which is run by principal trainers Daniel Kelly and Maria Pekli. The upcoming events are a fresh start after a a tough couple of years for Rametta both on the mat and off it. She hasn’t been able to compete in an event in nearly two years. She has previously competed for Australia in 2020, finishing ninth in the European Judo Championships as part of the Australian cadet team. “The last one was in Turkey, which was nearly two years ago, at the end of March. “Training was interrupted and you couldn’t train unless you had working permits. That cut out a lot of training partners. “We would have to take all the precautions, but we didn’t know if training would happen.” Rametta said she felt unprepared heading into these competitions, but that was something she felt ahead of many of her events.

18 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 8 February, 2022

She said as long as she stuck to her game and fought the way she trained, she thought she would be okay. The break from competition wasn’t all bad. It allowed Rametta to have major surgery and recover, while also focusing on her year 12 studies. Now the focus is on competing and reaching her goal of the Olympics. “I’m more determined,” she said. “I definitely want to go further than before if that is possible.” Rugby Union player Antonio Sipa Masina and shooter Georgia Pistone were named runners-up and will each receive $2500 from Yarraville Club Cricket Club. Cricketer Holly Nagpal and footballer Montana Ham were awarded encouragement awards and will each receive $1000 from the The Bendigo Bank – Strathmore Branch. The Deeble sports award is sponsored by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club, Strathmore Community Bank and the Deer Park Club, with the aim to financially support rising sports stars in the west of Melbourne.

Western United had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Macarthur in the A-League on Tuesday, February 1. Playing their second game in 72 hours, United rang the changes as they looked to get some fresh legs on the park. There were six changes to the starting line up, including Christian Theoharous and Nicolas Milanovic making their first starts. Milanovic made the most of the start, scoring United’s first goal in the 16th minute. Both sides had chances after that to score in the first half, but neither side could with United leading 1-0 at the break. United had a couple of chances early in the second half to extend their lead. Aloisi started to make some changes, bringing on some of their key guys. Aleksandar Prijovic, who was among those changes, looked dangerous right from the start. He would be rewarded with a goal after being set up by Lachie Wales. The Bulls responded soon after to close the gap. They would score a second after an own goal, as Leo Lacroix diverted Tomislav Uskok’s header into his own net. United had a couple of late chances, but couldn’t get the winner. United coach John Aloisi said he was proud of the effort from the boys. “It was a quick turnaround from Saturday with a few changes and a lot of these guys haven’t played a lot of football this season,” he said. “It was humid here, it was a tough night for the boys physically. They worked hard. “There are a lot of heads that are down in there but I’m proud of them. We felt we were going to win the game, but in football things can turn pretty quickly, these things happen but we’re still proud of them.” Aloisi said he was thrilled with how the youngsters had stepped up when given the opportunity. He said these guys will be important as the club juggles a tough schedule. “They were impressive … They deserved their opportunities. “They’ve been training well and we know throughout this period we have to rotate players.” The result was enough to move United to the top of the table. United was set to be back in action on Saturday night against Western Sydney Wanderers. The game was after deadline.

Young tennis ace enjoys first junior grand slam Not many people can say they knew what they wanted to be when they grew up at three-and-a-half years old – but Caroline Springs tennis player Elena Micic can. “That was when I first started hitting,” she said. “And then by the age of five I was training every day practically … I started fitness as well at a young age.” The 17-year-old hasn’t stopped since then, and this year got the chance to show off her skills at her first junior grand slam at the 2022 Australian Open. “I was just really happy and content with how far I’ve come and just thinking about where I started and how it’s all progressed and how it’s finally got to this stage,” she said. Micic won both of her qualifying matches, the first being against fellow Australian, 17-year-old Piper Freeman, where Micic won 6-3, 6-1. Her second qualifying match was

Elena Micic.

(Supplied)

against 16-year-old Malwina Rowinska, from Poland, where she won 4-6, 6-2, 6-4. But Micic didn’t get past the first round of the main draw, losing to 15-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko 4-6, 2-6. “I don’t think I played to my full ability, but it was a really different experience for me,” she said.

“It was a good atmosphere with people supporting you and having family and friends watching … it’s just completely different to any other tournament I’ve played.” Despite not making it past the first round, Micic saw fellow Australians continue on. Zara Larke, Charlotte Kempenaers-Pocz and Taylah Preston made it to round two, but Kempenaers-Pocz was the only one to keep going. She played Tereza Valentova from the Czech Republic and won 7-6, 0-6, 7-6. But the 17-year-old didn’t make it past the quarter finals, losing out to Belgium Sofia Costoulas 4-6, 1-6. Croatian Petra Marcinko won the title against Costoulas 7-5, 6-1. Earlier this year, Micic played at the J1 Traralgon 2022 Tournament, where she was successful in her qualifying rounds, winning against Australian 14-year-old Audrey Aulia 6-0, 6-3 and against 17-year-old Italian

Federica Urgesi, 6-2, 6-7, 10-8. But the first round of the main draw saw Micic lose out to 17-year-old Brazilian Ana Candiotto. At 13-years-old, Micic began playing in International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournaments and travelled in Oceania and Asia. She also played in Serbia where her family is originally from. Growing up, Micic said she idolised tennis legend Maria Sharapova who she still looks up to when it comes to the game. Although the teenager still has her final year of school left, Micic is sure she wants to make tennis her career. “I just love competing … it all relies on you. However far you go or whatever you do it’s all up to you … so I just like problem solving and competing. So I just really enjoy that. And fighting to win on the court.” Sarah Oliver

Bowers strives for excellence

Jemima Woods

(Western Bulldogs/Meg Mullen)

AFLW debut a ‘shock’ When Jemima Woods stepped onto the field to make her debut for the Western Bulldogs AFLW team on Tuesday, February 1, it was a lot earlier than she had expected. The 18-year-old tall full forward from Bacchus Marsh had been training with the Bulldogs but was only elevated to the club’s list on January 14, with Kirsten McLeod moving onto the inactive list due to ongoing concussion symptoms. “I was shocked … I’ve been training there for a while,” she said of getting elevated to the list. “I’d been told there are things going on and I could end up on the list but I don’t know if I ever really believed it,” she said. Just two and half weeks later, Woods made her debut against Fremantle. She said the game was a “bit of a blur” but that it was “a lot of fun”. Woods played almost a full game, only being off for five minutes in the first quarter, and said she felt she did what was asked of her and kept up the pressure. “There was obviously lots going on and it was a bit hard to just focus on the footy

but I’m happy with my game and obviously disappointed with the loss, that’s always tough. “I didn’t get too much of the footy but I think I did what I needed to do. “I’m glad I got the first game out of the way so I can just focus on the footy now.” Having the chance to play alongside women Woods has looked up to was “crazy”. “I got told I was going to play and I turned to Bonnie Toogood and was like, ‘I get to play with you!’,” she said. “I was so excited just because I’ve been watching them on the telly … It was just amazing watching. You just learn so much from them and to play alongside them was incredible.” Going forward, Woods said having some more preparation will help her game. “Just getting back to training, knowing what’s the speed of the game and what’s expected now and focusing on just the skills of it under pressure. “I think … because it was a bit last minute getting the call up, I think I just need to

prepare a bit better.” Woods said her family and friends have been incredibly supportive, with the news of her being in the AFLW still sinking in for some of them. “I think it’s taken a while to sink in for them as well. I think obviously they’ve been there through the whole journey. I’ve played footy since AusKick and I’ve always wanted to play at the top level, so I think they’re just really happy for me,” she said. “My little sister is always saying ‘I get to tell all my friends you play AFLW!’ “I just want to thank everyone for all their support in the community, the team and my family.” The Bulldogs faced Richmond on Sunday, February 6, securing their first win of the season. Speaking before the match, Woods said: “I’m not sure whether I’m getting another game again but from the team’s perspective, we’ve had a couple of losses in a row but we’re really going to come into that game firing I think. We really want to get that win bad so Tigers better watch out.”

The Melton Thoroughbreds senior men’s team is gearing up for the Big V season. Melton basketball coaching director and senior men’s coach Kelvin Bowers said having the pre-season has been absolutely essential. Despite losing Sam Byron, some familiar faces will be returning to the court including Michael Thompson, Gabe Davis, Maluk Adut and Koby Skenderis. “We’re getting fit. I think that our fitness will be able to play the style of … an uptempo game which is predicated on the offence,” Bowers said. “I’ve got some athleticism in some guys that are returning from the youth league … They weren’t going to play but they saw what we’re putting together and they wanted to be a part of it.” The team finished second to last on the ladder last season after welcoming Bowers as the fifth coach in a short period of time. “When I came on board … we had discipline issues and the culture of the team wasn’t very good,” Bowers said. “So that was the first thing that I wanted to fix and I feel very confident that we’ve made a 360 degree turn around in terms of what we’re trying to be; being proud of who we are and looking to climb this ladder of success.” “I don’t like being in division two … I strive for excellence and strive for the top and that’s where we’re trying to take this program to someday get us back into championship [division]. “I’ve got a phenomenal team behind me with Christian Norrish as my assistant coach. He provides great input and feedback in the direction we’re taking this team.” For the rest of the club, Bowers said the youth league boys and girls coaches Ian Neeves and Chloe Jackson are helping to contribute to improving the club. “I really want to give them a thumbs up for their contribution to the direction we’re taking this program. It’s not just the men’s program we’re trying to accelerate … We’re all trying to elevate ourselves in this competition and to earn our place at the top.” Sarah Oliver Tuesday, 8 February, 2022 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 19

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