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8 MARCH, 2022
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Riding for Ukraine
Andrew Makohon. (Joe Mastroianni) 270885_04
By Max Hatzoglou Ukraine Association Sunshine president Andrew Makohon will ride 500 kilometres in four days to bring attention to the horrors being faced by Ukraine in its war with Russia and to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the association. Wearing half green and gold on one side and blue and yellow on the other side, Mr Makohon will take on the riding challenge to commemorate the cultural contribution European migrants have made to the Australian community. He will start his ride at the Bonegilla Migrant Camp located just pass Wodonga, which was the first point of call for many migrants, and finish at Station Pier in Port Melbourne where the post war migrants first landed. Raising money for RU OK? and the Benalla Migrant Camp Photographic Exhibition, Mr Makohon’s riding path will retrace the steps of the first post World War II Ukrainian and European migrants. Mr Makohon, who is of Ukrainian heritage, has been able to learn first hand about European migration to Australia through his grandmother who turns 98 this year. ■
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Pokie losses state’s worst By Max Hatzoglou The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission has revealed Brimbank recorded the highest amount of player loss from electronic gaming machines in the state over a seven-month period Across the 15 poker machine venues in Brimbank, $55,18 million was recorded in player loss between between July 2021 and January 2022. The highest monthly loss was recorded in December last year ($14.98 million). The Kealba Hotel recorded the highest player losses in the state between July 2021 and
January 2022, with more than $7 million lost. Brimbank mayor Jasmine Nguyen said gambling was a very concerning issue. “Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, losses from wagering and sports betting (most of which occurs online) have also increased significantly,“ she said. “Brimbank also experienced record losses from electronic gaming machines when gaming venues re-opened after extended closures due to COVID-19 restrictions [in 2020]. “It is very concerning that Brimbank continues to have the highest loss venue in the state.“
Cr Nguyen is calling for gaming venues’ operating hours to change and stronger regulations. “This again highlights the need for reform to reduce operating hours, particularly in communities that are vulnerable to gambling harm and have experienced sustained losses. “Brimbank council is vocal and steadfast in our calls for better regulation. “We have an Electronic Gambling Policy which aims to reduce the economic, social and health harms associated with poker machines and other forms of electronic gambling in Brimbank.
“Council will continue to advocate for stronger regulation of the gambling industry and we support the Alliance for Gambling Reform’s calls for wider systemic reform to reduce the harms that gambling losses bring to our community. Alliance for Gambling Reform chief advocate Tim Costello said communities in Brimbank were among the most stressed in the state. “Yes, people are waking up to the harm being done by this predatory industry … But what about the hundreds of millions lost every month in pubs and clubs? What action is being taken to address this crisis?” he said.
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