Established in 1902 as the
proudly serving Wyndham
9 FEBRUARY, 2022
12496404-AV22-21
FREE DIGITAL EDITION
SIG N U P N O W!
Films bloom
(Joe Mastroianni) 266279_02
Barefoot Cinema will return to the western suburbs for the second time ever in 2022. The outdoor movie experience will host sessions among the blooms at the Victorian State Rose Garden, Werribee Park, from March 1-19. The events will include food, drinks and live music well before the screen lights up. Lucky-door prizes and treasure hunts are also a regular occurrence at Barefoot Cinema screenings. Attendees are being encouraged to arrive early and explore the wider Werribee Mansion estate. The films to be screened at Werribee Park are yet to be confirmed, but this season of Barefoot Cinema will include Don’t Look Up, Venom, The French Dispatch, House Of Gucci, No Time To Die, E.T., Jungle Cruise, The Greatest Showman, Encanto, Sing 2, Dirty Dancing and Grease. Pre-bookings for the cinema sessions are recommended to avoid disappointment Tickets: adults $21, concession $17, children (three to 12 years old) $14, kids under three get in free-of-charge. Details: https://barefootcinema.com. au/ Stephen Wainrib and Rita Rosa are looking forward to the outdoor film sessions.
Vaccine decision looms Wyndham council is still figuring out whether it will sack 22 staff who remain unvaccinated against COVID-19, without a valid medical exemption. A council spokesperson said that in November and December 2021, the council sent letters to its employees, stating that they were required to abide by the state government’s orders that all local government staff must be double-vaccinated against coronavirus. The spokesperson told Star Weekly that
a final “show cause” letter was sent to 22 unvaccinated staff members in mid-January. “Those staff are responding this week,” the spokesperson said, on Thursday, February 3. “Once all responses have been received, Wyndham city will determine what future action will be taken. “This will occur in mid-February. “Wyndham city is still determining whether staff who are unvaccinated will be terminated.” The spokesperson said the council “has followed a rigorous process and provided all unvaccinated employees with ample opportunity to either get vaccinated or provide
evidence of a medical exemption”. All of Wyndham’s councillors except one, Marcel Mahfoud, have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Cr Mahfoud has previously stated that he would continue carrying out his council duties in a virtual capacity – such as attending council meetings via online platforms such as Zoom, rather than in-person –until he is able to receive a Novavax vaccine. Cr Mahfoud released a statement in December 2021, saying he is “pro choice” and does “intend to be vaccinated”. The council wrote to the local government
SEABROOK CRICKET CLUB 50 YEAR CELEBRATION SATURDAY 19TH FEBRUARY FROM 5PM ONWARDS Finger food & Live Music (Drinks at bar prices) Bruce Comben Reserve Altona Meadows VIC 3028 For bookings contact Cameron 0419 737 952
minister in 2021, seeking advice on why mandatory vaccine requirements requiring state parliamentarians to be vaccinated, or face suspension from their roles, have not been extended to Victorian councillors. Cr Josh Gilligan said the council was awaiting advice from the minister “on how Cr Mahfoud is allowed to keep his job” when Wyndham council workers who remain unvaccinated could potentially face the loss of employment. “The double standards make Cr Mahfoud’s privileged role as a councillor untenable,” Cr Gilligan said. Cr Mahfoud was contacted for comment.
12530893-AV02-22
By Alesha Capone