Star Weekly - Sunbury Macedon Ranges - 15th March 2022

Established in 1981 as the

proudly serving Sunbury and Macedon Ranges

15 MARCH, 2022

12496404-AV22-21

FREE DIGITAL EDITION

SIG N U P N O W!

A wheelie good time Pupils at Gisborne Primary School are set to have a wheelie good time as they take part in National Ride2School Day on March 25.

Helping children achieve their 60 minutes of daily exercise, Ride2School Day is part of Bicycle Network’s Ride2School program and is Australia’s biggest celebration of active travel.

Gisborne Primary teacher Carla Dodd said there are many benefits of the early morning physical activity.

“There are mental health benefits, as exercise releases feel-good chemicals in the brain that make you feel happy,” Ms Dodd said. “There are social benefits when riding with friends.

“We have so many students that ride with each other to school.”

Pupil Dylan said he likes riding to school as “not only is it healthy, but it is fun”.

Alana said it’s good for fitness and “it’s nice to ride in the fresh air”.

Ms Dodd said that if it’s a pupil’s first time riding into school, parents can ride or walk alongside them too.

“You can also join a friend or group of friends and ride to school together.”

Gisborne Primary School pupils Ethan, Sarah and Harvey pupils are keen for Ride2School Day on March 25. (Damjan Janevski) 270387_01

Soccer funds finally flow

By Elsie Lange and Oliver Lees The state government will provide a half-a-million dollar upgrade to the Kyneton District Soccer Club’s home ground after its application to the federal government for the crucial works was overlooked.

Findings from the Senate inquiry into the Community Infrastructure Grants program, released in March last year, found the club should have received $460,000 in funding to upgrade its oval.

The much-needed upgrade has been a long time coming, with the existing ground forcing the club to play the majority of its home games

early on in the season to avoid a soggy pitch.

Kyneton District Football Club’s failure to secure the federal funding, despite being ranked one of the most deserving clubs in the country by Sport Australia, was part of the notorious ‘sports rorts’ affair which forced former sport minister Bridget McKenzie to resign.

Kyneton District Soccer Club president Ron Cole said having to travel away for games in the wettest and coldest part of the year has been challenging, and couldn’t wait for the upgrades to be made.

“It’ll be re-drained and resurfaced, which will benefit the club, because at the moment,

come about June-July, we basically can’t use the ground,” Mr Cole said.

“It just gets too wet, it becomes unplayable.

“We have to cancel all training and all our home games.”

Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas said the state government had picked up the federal government’s “slack”, who were “more interested in playing politics than giving our communities the facilities they need”.

“With community sport now back in Victoria we’re expecting growing numbers of boys and girls, men and women keen to get back to the world game, however many clubs are struggling with inadequate facilities,”

Ms Thomas said.

Last year, in response to the committee’s findings, Sport Minister Richard Colbeck said the federal government stood by its choice of grant allocation despite Kyneton District Football Club’s high eligibility for the funding.

Mr Cole said there was excitement at the club when it heard the $500,000 upgrade would finally take place and hopes works start in September so they are finished by the end of the year, to get players back on the ground by 2023. “Everybody was really happy and relieved to hear that we’re finally going to be able to get the upgrade that we’ve needed for so long,” he said.

12532094-BL06-22

SECTION STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

On Sale Wednesday 16th March until Tuesday 22nd March 2022

MARKET FRESH SALE!

$

CHICKEN BREAST FILLETS SKIN ON

6

99

1199

$

kg

kg

Blue Grenadier F illetss Fillets

129

1999

$

$

kg

Lamb Loin Chops

ea

Avocados

Yellow Tail 750mL Varieties

MULTI-BUY Chicken Kebabs Marinated

12

$

99 kg

15

$ Chicken Shashliks

99 kg

12

$ Chicken Schnitzel

3 $20

99 kg

for

E IT'S TIM

TO

.

H C O REBO it h r u o v a fl Want a e sugar kick? wi�out � 2 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 March, 2022

Tasty as, low sugar, organic.

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

ONE DAY ONLY

SECTION

THUR 17 MAR 2022 TH

market day Specials!

Serving suggestion

Serving suggestion

VIEW RECIPE

$

699 kg

Australian Pork Boneless Shoulder

$

2599 kg

Australian Beef Porterhouse Steak

$

Virginian Ham Sliced or Shaved

9

MULTI-BUY $

5 10

99 Chicken Schnitzel

(from the Deli)

HotE!

$

for

kg

or $2.49 ea

HotE!

PRIC

699 ea

Regular BBQ Chicken

PRIC

115

$

ea

SAVE $1.45

$

Reflex A4 Copy Paper 80gsm 500 Sheets Selected Varieties

450 ea

SAVE $3

Devondale Butter Spread 500g Selected Varieties 90¢ per 100g

450

$

Smith’s Chips Multipack 18-20 Pack Selected Varieties

ea

SAVE $1.90

450

$

Pepsi or Solo 1.25 Litre Selected Varieties

ea

SAVE $1.25

92¢ per Litre

IGA LIQUOR SPECIALs

19 ¢

Per Bottle

$

450

$

ea

Community Co Water 24x600mL

SAVE $1.50

31¢ per Litre

$

40

37

ea

700mL

ea

30 can Block

Bond 7 Whisky or Arktika Vodka

Gold Midstrength

Spend $30* at Morgans IGA and get a FREE paper.

Participating stores only. Scan the QR code to find your nearest participating outlet.

9 March - 5 April 2022

MORGAN'S

SUPERMARKETS

Melton Sunbury Gisborne Delahey Glengala

331-345 High St, 9743 4600 Cnr Station & O’Shanassy St, 9744 4290 Cnr Brantome & Robertson St, 5428 3200 Cnr Kings & Taylor Rds, 9362 1207 Cnr David Drive & Fitzgerald Rd, 8390 6988

Weekly Specials available Wednesday 16/03/22 until Tuesday 22/03/22. Market Day Specials available Thursday 17/03/22 only. Pictures used for illustration purposes only. Retail quantities only.

No trade supplied. Prices may vary in some country areas due to freight. All prices include GST where applicable. Some products or varieties not available at all stores. Available at participating Xpress Stores.

Saves based on Melbourne metropolitan regular prices. In some stores, some regular prices have been reduced to ensure you receive the lowest competitive price. Therefore the savings shown may differ from the saving shown in your store.

IGA Liquor supports the responsible service of alcohol. Tobacco and alcohol not sold to under 18’s. Products only available in IGA Victoria stores. We reserve the right to correct printing errors. TRADE NOT SUPPLIED

IGACV1365_160322

*One copy of the The Australian, The Weekend Australian, Herald Sun, Sunday Herald Sun, The Weekly Times or Geelong Advertiser per transaction of $30 or more, excluding cigarette & tobacco products, ePay and Golden Casket purchases. Limit one free paper per person per day. Offer only available at participating stores, while stocks last. Some participating stores may offer customers a free paper with $20 spend- check in store advertising to confirm.

Tuesday, 15 March, 2022 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 3

SECTION STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Managing soil from the West Gate Tunnel Project

Hi-Quality Group’s purpose-built Bulla Spoil Processing Facility has begun accepting, treating, and safely disposing of material excavated by the tunnel boring machines on the West Gate ÀɐȁȁƵǶ §ȲȌǯƵƧɈ‫ خ‬æȌɐ ƧƊȁ ˛ȁƮ ȌɐɈ ǿȌȲƵ ƊƦȌɐɈ ɈǘƵ ǏƊƧǞǶǞɈɯ ƊɈ www.hiqualityecohub.com.au.

Designed to protect the surrounding area ÀȲƵƊɈǿƵȁɈ ƊȁƮ ƮǞȺȯȌȺƊǶ ƊɈ ɈǘƵ ɐǶǶƊ ²ȯȌǞǶ §ȲȌƧƵȺȺǞȁǐ IƊƧǞǶǞɈɯ ǏȌǶǶȌɩȺ Ɗ ˛ɨƵٌȺɈƵȯ ȯȲȌƧƵȺȺ ƮƵȺǞǐȁƵƮ ɈȌ ɐȯǘȌǶƮ ɈǘƵ ǘǞǐǘƵȺɈ ƵȁɨǞȲȌȁǿƵȁɈƊǶ‫ ة‬ȺƊǏƵɈɯ ƊȁƮ ȌȯƵȲƊɈǞȌȁƊǶ ȺɈƊȁƮƊȲƮȺ‫ خ‬

Soil arrives at Hi-Quality in sealed trucks

Soil is placed in containment bays for testing and assessment

Water is drained off to a water treatment facility

Water is treated to remove contaminants to a safe level

²ȌǞǶ ǞȺ ƧǶƊȺȺǞ˛ƵƮ ƊȁƮ transferred to disposal site

Low levels of contamination mȌɩ ǶƵɨƵǶȺ ȌǏ §I ² ƊȲƵ ƵɮȯƵƧɈƵƮ ƮɐȲǞȁǐ ɈɐȁȁƵǶǶǞȁǐ‫ خ‬ÀǘƵ ȺǞɈƵ ǞȺ ɈƊDzǞȁǐ Ɗ ƧȌȁȺƵȲɨƊɈǞɨƵ‫ ة‬ȺƊǏƵɈɯٌǏȌƧɐȺƵƮ approach to managing contaminants and has been engineered to accept and treat ǶƵɨƵǶȺ ǏƊȲ ƊƦȌɨƵ ɩǘƊɈ ǞȺ ƵɮȯƵƧɈƵƮ‫ خ‬ Testing carried out prior to tunnelling starting has shown between zero and 0.7 micrograms is expected from the tunnel boring machines.

wƊȁƊǐǞȁǐ ɈȲɐƧDzȺ ƊȁƮ ɈȲƊǏ˛Ƨ ǶǶ ɈȲɐƧDzȺ ɩǞǶǶ ƦƵ ȺƵƊǶƵƮ ƊȁƮ J§² ǿȌȁǞɈȌȲƵƮ Ȍȁ ɈǘƵǞȲ ǯȌɐȲȁƵɯ‫ ة‬ƊȁƮ ƧǶƵƊȁƵƮ ƊȁƮ ȲƵٌȺƵƊǶƵƮ ƦƵǏȌȲƵ ǶƵƊɨǞȁǐ ɈǘƵ IƊƧǞǶǞɈɯ‫ خ‬ƧȌǿȯȲƵǘƵȁȺǞɨƵ ÀȲƊǏ˛Ƨ wƊȁƊǐƵǿƵȁɈ §ǶƊȁ ǞȺ Ǟȁ ȯǶƊƧƵ ɈȌ ǐɐǞƮƵ ɈǘƵ ǘƊɐǶƊǐƵ‫ ة‬ɩǘǞƧǘ ɯȌɐ ƧƊȁ ȲƵƊƮ ƊɈ ɈǘƵ àƵȺɈ JƊɈƵ ÀɐȁȁƵǶ §ȲȌǯƵƧɈ ɩƵƦȺǞɈƵ‫خ‬

ÀǘƵ ȯȲȌǯƵƧɈ ɩǞǶǶ ȲƵȺɐǶɈ Ǟȁ Ɗ ׂٌׄ‫ ڭ‬ǞȁƧȲƵƊȺƵ Ǟȁ ɈȌɈƊǶ ɈȲƊǏ˛Ƨ movement along Sunbury Road.

Get in touch ²Ǟǐȁ ɐȯ ǏȌȲ ȯȲȌǯƵƧɈ ɐȯƮƊɈƵȺ ȌȲ ƊȺDz ɐȺ Ɗ ȱɐƵȺɈǞȌȁ ƊɈ ɩɩɩ‫خ‬ǘǞȱɐƊǶǞɈɯȺɐȁƦɐȲɯ‫خ‬ƧȌǿ‫خ‬Ɗɐ

Send us an email at ǐƵɈǞȁɈȌɐƧǘ‫ۊ‬ǘǞȱɐƊǶǞɈɯ‫خ‬ƧȌǿ‫خ‬Ɗɐ

mƵƊȲȁ ǿȌȲƵ ƊƦȌɐɈ ɈǘƵ àƵȺɈ JƊɈƵ ÀɐȁȁƵǶ §ȲȌǯƵƧɈ ƊɈ ǘɈɈȯȺ‫ششب‬ƦǞǐƦɐǞǶƮ‫خ‬ɨǞƧ‫خ‬ǐȌɨ‫خ‬Ɗɐ‫ش‬ɩƵȺɈǐƊɈƵɈɐȁȁƵǶ

4 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 March, 2022

!ƊǶǶ ȌɐȲ ȯȲȌǯƵƧɈ ǶǞȁƵ on 03 9021 0678

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

NEWS

Gisborne roundabout under way Works have begun on a new roundabout in Gisborne, forcing the current intersection to close for four months, despite ongoing community and council concern about the impact of the works on a nearby bridge and trees.

The construction of the roundabout is taking place at the intersection of Melbourne and Kilmore roads, and will include the replacement of the existing 148-year-old bluestone bridge over Bunjil Creek and the removal of two significant elm trees.

According to a statement from Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas, the replacement of the existing bridge over Bunjil Creek will cause Melbourne and Kilmore roads intersection

English Elm trees would not be able to be retained due to flooding concerns.

Following this, council called for a heritage assessment on the bridge and nearby elms, which found the bridge was constructed in 1847 and estimated the trees were planted in 1855.

Despite the findings of historical significance, the planning minister denied a request for council to introduce heritage overlay controls, as council had reached an agreement with RRV to retain the bridge and trees.

At a meeting in December last year, councillors renewed their efforts to secure heritage overlay of the area, and voted in favour of submitting additional amendments to

and Melbourne Road between Fisher Street and Kilmore Road to close while works are completed.

Kilmore Road between Melbourne Road and the bridge over Jacksons Creek will also be closed, with a detour available via Station Road and with right turns at the Fisher and Aitken streets intersection to be restricted, the statement said.

The plans to develop a roundabout at the intersection were first announced at the end of 2018, which was followed by a period of consultation in late 2019.

A Regional Roads Victoria (RRV) report to Macedon Ranges council in 2021 stated the bluestone bridge and surrounding mature

include two century-old oaks and one elm tree.

Ms Thompson’s statement said: “The bluestone foundations of the existing bridge will be re-used as part of the final beautification and landscaping works”.

Macedon Ranges Residents Association secretary Christine Pruneau said though there’s a need for an improvement at the intersection, there hasn’t been consideration of undertaking works that uphold heritage.

“RRV runs the risk of being seen as bully boys, really,” Ms Pruneau said.

“They don’t seem to want to listen and while road safety is really important, there are different ways you can get to the end point and that doesn’t seem to have been on their radar.”

Groups unite to get active

The Distinctive Options participants are loving their training for their triathlon.

(Joe Mastroianni) 270913_01

Triathlon raises money for tricycles

Financial Planning – Insurance – Retirement Planning - Aged Care 12526842-JW11-22

Need to let your customers know?

Elsie Lange Elsie Lange

NIXON FINANCIAL SERVICES PTY LTD

Support Local Doing things differently during covid-19?

start a bicycle club as a result of this,” Mr Pearman said.

Starting at 7am, the different triathlon events will be taking place across the Aquatic Centre, Rotary Park and Clarke Oval in Sunbury, with a barbecue breakfast and a coffee van.

The public can also enter in various triathlon events on the day, with the entry fees going towards Distinctive Options and the Sunbury Triathlon Club.

compete and said he is enjoying learning how to ride a bike.

“It’s good to get out and exercise with your friends,” he said.

Distinctive Options business development manager Paul Pearman said the DO-Tri is something many of the participants “never thought of doing”.

The tricycles will have to be specifically made for the participants, which isn’t cheap, but will be worth it.

“Then we can enjoy Sunbury and surrounds, not by just walking as we do now, but we can

GREAT RANGE OF STOCK AVAILABLE

NEW SPECIALS Whole Prime Grade Scotch Fillet $37.99kg

Joel Plowman

Bob Nixon

Michelle Abela

Marlene Zwarts

Financial Advisers and Authorised Representatives of Sentry Advice Pty Ltd AFSL 227748

“Providing Financial Services you can trust since 1973” www.nixonfinancialservices.com.au

Contact retail@starweekly.com.au to see how Star Weekly can help. #InThisTogether 12449133-LB20-20

Gisborne 03-5428 0123 23A Hamilton Street, Gisborne

&

Sunbury 03-9744 2400 19 Evans Street, Sunbury

Nixon Financial Services Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Sentry Advice Pty Ltd AFSL 227748

Beef Brisket (low & slow)

$12.99kg

Legs of Lamb (bone in)

$10.99kg

Beef Chuck Casserole Steak

$14.99kg

Marinated Chicken Skewers

10 for $8.99

CARTON SPECIAL Prime Grade Rump

$16.99kg

Monday (closed public holiday) Tuesday-Friday 8.30am-5.30pm

Saturday 8.30am - 2pm Sunday 9am - 2pm PHONE 5422 3851 180 MOLLISON ST, KYNETON orders@hardwicksofkyneton.com.au

12524080-CG11-22

Triathlon training is under way for 15 participants of Distinctive Options Sunbury to raise money for new tricycles to be used by the disability support service.

On March 26, the new triathletes will take to the pool, mount their bikes and lace-up to run in the main event, and they can’t wait.

Daniel Stevens will be partaking in the DO-Tri and said the training was motivating him to keep fit and healthy.

“It has taught us a lot of new skills and I am really enjoying it,” Mr Stevens said.

Lochie Baillie is another who is keen to

Sport is an important place for all people to come together and work towards a common goal, in an environment where they feel safe and supported. That’s why Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health’s Country LGBTI Inclusion Program (CLIP) and sport inclusion campaigners Proud2Play are uniting in their efforts to encourage LGBTQIA+ people to get active.

Across the Macedon Ranges, sporting clubs and physical activity-based community groups are being given the chance to champion diversity and inclusion through training to make sport more accessible to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people.

Training will show organisations how to host ‘come and try’ sessions, removing barriers and catering to all players’ needs – Proud2Play work to encourage increased LGBTQIA+ sporting participation at all levels through education, policy, research and events.

“Many LGBTIQA+ people are hesitant about taking part in group exercise as they are afraid that they do not fit into the traditional male and female sporting spaces,” CLIP member and Rainbow Active project leader Belinda Brain said.

“We want to ensure everyone has the opportunity to benefit from being active, both physically and mentally – we want to see rainbow geared activity for all.”

Rainbow Active’s training will take place on Saturday, March 19 at 1 Caroline Chisholm Drive, Kyneton.

Details: 5421 1666 or belinda.brain@ scchc.org.au

Tuesday, 15 March, 2022 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 5

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU Briefs

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

CONTACT US

SES volunteers wanted The SES Sunbury unit is hoping orange is your colour as it hunts for more volunteers to help in storms, flooding, crashes and searches.

No matter what age, gender or occupation, SES Sunbury is keen to find a role for anyone who is interested in being a part of its work.

Equipment and training are provided as part of the deal and SES Sunbury is especially interested in volunteers who are available during the day.

SES Sunbury is hosting a recruitment information session on Wednesday, March 23. Details: https://www. sessunbury.org.au/

PHONE \ 03 8318 5777 LOCATION \ Corner Thomsons Road and Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park, 3042 DISTRIBUTION \ 1300 656 678 distribution@fermax.com.au

ADVERTISING GENERAL SALES INQUIRIES westads@starweekly.com.au CLASSIFIEDS \ 1300 666 808 EMAIL \ sales@networkclassifieds.com.au

GENERAL REAL ESTATE INQUIRIES reads@starweekly.com.au

Nick Cave plays Hanging Rock EDITORIAL GENERAL EDITORIAL INQUIRIES westeditorial@starweekly.com.au

‘Illuminate: How Science Comes to Light’ opens on May 14.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR ENTRIES communitycalendar@starweekly.com.au

(Supplied)

Lighting curious minds

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

Scienceworks has announced its exciting new exhibition, which focuses on the science behind and the importance of light.

‘Illuminate: How Science Comes to Light’ opens on May 14, and utilises hands-on, interactive play to educate curious minds on what exactly light is, how we see it and what we can do with it.

The exhibition explores visual perception and illumination through colour, sound and action.

Participants will learn how light behaves, where it comes from, how it reflects and refracts and what tools have been invented to try and understand it.

Children will get the opportunity to manipulate mirrors and engage with a series

Mary-Anne Thomas MP

of warped reflections, and well as dance to the beats of an invisible laser sensor chamber.

Creative Industries Minister Danny Pearson said there was no better way to learn about science than through hands-on activities, which is exactly what Scienceworks’ new exhibition offers.

“The exhibition will light up curious minds of all ages and adds to the exciting new experiences across our museums this year.”

‘Illuminate: How Science Comes to Light’ will run until July 2023, with tickets on sale now.

Details: https://museumsvictoria.com.au/ scienceworks/whats-on/illuminate/

The Macedon Ranges will host two of the country’s most beloved musicians across two nights in November, when Nick Cave and Warren Ellis come to Hanging Rock. Kicking off their Australian Carnage tour, the iconic duo will be playing the Rock on Friday, November 25 and Saturday, November 26. Partners in music for more than 30 years, the upcoming tour is off the back of their 2021 album, Carnage, in the first wnon-soundtrack release from the pair. Tickets go on sale on Thursday, March 17. Details: www. hangingrockconcerts.com

FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Molly Magennis

ADVERTISEMENT

LABOR MEMBER FOR MACEDON

LET’S SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES & BUY LOCAL FIRST Scan to complete my community survey

Shop 14, Nexus Centre, 9 Goode Street, Gisborne VIC 3437 P: 5428 2138 E: mary-anne.thomas@parliament.vic.gov.au

6 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 March, 2022

12532494-HC03-22

TODAY

Authorised by MA Thomas, Shop 14, Nexus Centre, 9 Goode St, Gisborne.

Follow us on Facebook to find out more.

kidswest

NEWS

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Hi-Quality starts accepting soil

By Elsie Lange Hi-Quality has begun receiving contaminated soil from the West Gate Tunnel Project (WGTP) despite community frustration at the development.

It is understood the Bulla spoil processing facility received the first loads of soil excavated by tunnel boring machines at the WGTP last week.

Low volumes of soil are currently being

taken to the facility in the tunnelling’s early stages.

Sunbury Against Toxic Soil Facebook group founder Chris O’Neill said residents are “disappointed” the soil has started arriving.

“There’s been no genuine consultation on this giant process,” Mr O’Neill said.

“We’re disappointed that even though there’s current court proceedings under way, that they are still proceeding.

“It’s frustrating for community, because we were cut out of this process right at the very beginning and it seems no matter what we say, we’re just going to be ignored.”

In February, Hume council’s legal action against Planning Minister Richard Wynne’s decision to grant permission for the testing and disposal of contaminated soil at the Bulla site was adjourned.

Residents have previously raised concerns about the route trucks transporting the soil

will take to the facility, including the overuse of the heritage listed Bulla bridge and use of already congested roads by more than 400 trucks a day.

Mr O’Neill said the number of trucks heading into the facility was still small, and probably wouldn’t be noticed by residents until the middle of the year.

“As a community we are disheartened we have put up such an objection to this and we have been ignored at every avenue,” he said.

Fixing old knick knacks The Sunbury Repair Cafe is back after lockdown and they want to help you save your belongings from landfill.

From jewellery repairs, to mending or upcycling clothing, to fixing some sort of wooden contraption – the repair cafe is the place to do it all.

After its launch in March 2020, events have been haphazard, but now it’s time to reinvigorate the group.

Sustainability is their game and repair cafe volunteer Cathy Grose said it’s a chance for residents to connect with their local community.

“Especially because we’ve all been a bit isolated recently and it’s just a nice opportunity to be able to get out and about and meet people again,” Ms Grose said.

Participants can learn new skills from the repairers, working with them to fix their items.

Ms Grose said it would give them the confidence to fix things themselves, too.

“At the first cafe we had a mum come in with a daughter who had a scooter with sort of a

wonky steering handle, and it wasn’t a big job to repair it but they didn’t have the right tool,” Ms Grose said.

“Some of the repairers on the day fixed that and showed them what they needed to do next time if it happened again.

“It’s not just a one off repair, it’s a skills-share as well.”

The cafe is run through Sunbury Neighbourhood House and they hope to see further collaboration with other community groups.

The Sunbury Repair Cafe is happening on March 19.

Details: https://www.sunburyhouse.com.au/ sustainable-sunbury/ Elsie Lange

Volunteers Hope Jenkins and Andy Paul working away at Sunbury Repair Cafe.

(Damjan Janevski) 204723_06

A place where locals help locals.

We can help make your technology more affordable with more ways to pay.

Pay now, pay later or pay with points.

Come in and chat to the team at Telstra Store Sunbury.

2-24 Evans Street Next to Toyworld 1800 565 982

12536552-DL08-22

Tuesday, 15 March, 2022 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 7

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Warne’s death casts long shadow

By Elsie Lange “He always left a lasting impression.”

That’s how many people, including his ex-brother-in-law Rodney Callahan, will remember Shane Warne.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a person in Australia who wasn’t shocked by the sudden, tragic death of one of the greatest spin-bowlers of all time at age 52, on March 4.

Warne’s death has sent shockwaves through communities of cricket lovers including in Melbourne’s north-west.

‘‘

It just shows the legacy that he’ll leave

’’

- Rodney Callahan

On the field, he was a champion, a marvel of a sportsperson to behold with the larrikin charisma of the every-man people laughed with and at, charmed or appalled, captivated all the same.

Warne took 708 wickets in 145 test matches, including 37 five-wicket hauls, and had a top score of 99.

Following retirement in 2013, Warne began commentating, where he continued to sway eye balls to the screens.

Callahan, curator at Keilor Cricket Club, described how Warne supported his club through the years and was happy to lend a hand. Callahan is the brother of Simone Callahan, Warne’s ex-wife.

“Shane was always very generous with his time, he did football functions for us, cricket functions, donated apparel and gave us cricket bats and signed I reckon nearly every Keilor footballer and cricketer’s merchandise,” Callahan said.

The Shane Warne statue outside the MCG and, inset, tributes to Warnie. (Picturse: Supplied)

“I used to go over there with suitcases of it and we would spend hours together, and there he was, signing it all.”

Callahan said Warne had a soft spot for community sport, and thanks to his involvement in Keilor’s functions, the club was able to afford to improve their facilities,

8 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 March, 2022

buy more equipment and experience success on and off the field.

He said the support his family has received since Warne’s death has been “overwhelming”.

“We get messages, people send us photos of Shane, and a photograph of them together,” Callahan said.

“It just shows the legacy that he’ll leave.

“It’s very, very sad. Sad for the family, but sad for so many people in so many different parts of life where he connected with them – he always left a lasting impression.”

Among those to feel Warne’s generosity was Sunshine’s Peter Hatzoglou.

A rising leg spinner in the Big Bash League, the 23-year-old said Warne had been generous in his interactions.

“My relationship with Shane began in the off season in July 2021, where I was training in Melbourne,” Hatzoglou said.

“I reached out to him on Instagram – I sent him a message just asking for some advice on a few little things – I hardly expected him to get back to me, but he did.

“I think a lot of people in the past week have spoken about how generous he was with his time and how he was humble and all that, even after achieving the stuff he did achieve.

“That’s been my experience with him.”

Hatzoglou said growing up, he’d tried to imitate Warne’s style of bowling “with the slow big turning leg spinners”.

“That was something I just did naturally, because everyone wanted to bowl like Warnie, he’d been so successful,” Hatzoglou said.

“For me, my bowling style, although I bowl leg spin, it’s almost like a different leg spin as you can bowl to Shane Warne.

“I tried to bowl like him … [But] no one can really bowl like him.”

Owen Phillips, a spin bowler and senior player at the Lancefield Cricket Club, said Warne was the reason he bowls leg spin.

“Everyone my age who saw him playing throughout the 2000s has a leg spin delivery that they’ve got as a result of watching him play,” the 27-year-old said.

“He’s such a big cultural touchstone that any time you do something on the field, especially for spin bowling, you probably think, ‘There’s a bit of Warnie in that’.”

Phillips will never forget seeing Warne take his 700th wicket at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2006.

“Probably one of the biggest sporting moments I’ll ever get to witness.”

Rupertswood Cricket Club president Peter Kavanagh described what it was like to have

Warne come down to the birthplace of the Ashes for a clinic in 2011.

Kavanagh was junior co-ordinator of the club at the time and said there was a “huge buzz” at the ground.

“It was a very special day for cricket in Sunbury for sure,” he said.

While many have highlighted Warne’s on-field glory and the off-field scandals, Callahan remembers a man whose main focus was his family and his kids.

“Those children are so well-grounded, they love their dad, they love their mum,” Callahan said.

“That was the most important thing for Shane and Simone to have those children be so grounded, which they are, they’re so beautiful.

“They will continue with his legacy, and the name, and that’s the most important thing that will come out of all of this.”

Shane Warne celebrates Australia’s win at the 1999 World Cup. (Supplied)

Peter Hatzoglou recalls how generous Shane Warne was with his time. (AAP Image/Matt Turner)

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

NEWS

Mental health needs rural focus

By Elsie Lange Macedon Ranges mental health organisations echo the Victorian government’s call for more comprehensive funding and support for services.

The state and federal governments are stoushing over the delivery of multi-billiondollar mental health funding, as Victoria argues the federal government is falling short of its responsibility for a national plan.

The plan, worth $2.3 billion, came in response to a Productivity Commission review which found deep seeded and costly issues in Australia’s mental health care system.

On March 9, Premier Daniel Andrews said the federal government had only put forward a “but a fraction” of what the state had invested in mental health, and said “it’s being dressed up as a national plan”.

“We have significant challenges with remote communities and regional communities,” Mr Andrews said.

Woodend Youth Live4Life chief executive Bernard Galbally said the “hub and spoke” approach to mental health service provision failed regional Victoria.

“If you’re a young person and are wanting to get a service, to see a counsellor, or a psychologist, a clinician or somebody else, you

cannot see anyone,” he said.

Mr Galbally said he agreed with Mr Andrews’ comments calling for the federal government to increase its mental health funding.

Mr Galbally said it was not only about funding, but about coming up with strategies to recruit, train and incentivise workers to move into rural communities.

“We do need to make sure we are investing in preventative approaches, and also with a rural and regional lens,” Mr Galbally said.

“The hub and spoke approach has not worked, and it’s vital that both the state and federal governments are able to get this agreement through.

“Because we need more than money thrown at this issue, we need a proper strategy,” he said.

Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health manager Adam Stefano said the key to supporting regional youth mental health was early intervention and the easy access to a diversity of services.

“Currently, we are limited in staff that can provide mental health services in the Macedon Ranges, particularly for young people,” said Mr Stefano.

“Whilst we constantly work to service the community, the demand tends to overwhelm the resources available.”

Running to beat cancer More than 170 participants made their way down to Lancefield Park to participate in the Lancefield Relay For Life on March 5, raising money and awareness for cancer.

Lancefield Relay For Life committee co-chair Ken Wiltshire said everyone who was there on the day lived in hope of a cancer-free future.

In his speech, he said the relay would help celebrate and pay respect to the lives of all people touched by cancer – in diagnosis, in death, in treatment or in care.

Despite a bit of spitting rain, Mr Wiltshire said the event was a success and he was happy to welcome everyone back after the pandemic had cancelled the relay in 2021.

“The opening ceremony was on Saturday and we went through until about 10pm that night,” Mr Wiltshire said. “During the day we had a great number of entertainers, we had a candlelight ceremony at 8pm.”

He explained the tradition of the candlelight ceremony was to remember those lost to cancer in which three candles are lit: one for the past, one for the present, and one for the future.

The Lancefield Relay For Life has been going for 20 years and raised more than $1.5 million for the cause in that time.

“It’s not just a matter of raising money, it’s a matter of us showing our commitment to those who have cancer, and that they’re not alone, that they have support,” Mr Wiltshire said.

“We’re with them on that journey, however hard that journey is.”

Elsie Lange The Lancefield Relay for Life celebrates and fundraises for those touched by cancer.

(Supplied)

12533669-SG11-22

Tuesday, 15 March, 2022 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 9

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Opposition to market expansion

By Elsie Lange A proposal to expand Gisborne Market is facing opposition from residents.

The extension proposed by Great Region Events Activities and Tourism (GREAT), would extend the area of the existing market along Hamilton Street to the east, amend the permit’s preamble and change the market’s operating hours.

Submissions to the proposed amendment were heard at the Macedon Ranges council planning meeting on March 10, which raised concerns about traffic, parking, the market’s location, litter, a failure to adhere to the current permit and the impact on surrounding trees.

The current permit, granted by council in 2004, allows the Gisborne Olde Time Market to operate on the service road between Aitken and Hamilton streets in Gisborne from 9am to 1pm on the first Saturday of each month from July to September.

The amendment requests the market’s hours of operation change to the first Sunday of the month, from 9am to 2pm, from January to December.

A submission by Irene Perkin thanked the GREAT organisation for its work on the market, but said its growth in recent years had caused traffic problems and parking difficulties for residents.

“I implore council officers and elected

councillors to work with GREAT organisation with a view to seeking a new venue to the market or perhaps dividing it into two locations,” Ms Perkin said.

Another submitter said she thought the market was “far too big” for the centre of Gisborne and the revised rules were not acceptable.

“It needs to be toned down quite dramatically, it does cause chaos, it needs to be more sustainable like the Woodend and Lancefield markets,” she said.

GREAT president John Frearson spoke on behalf of the applicant and answered questions from councillors about the size of the market, the use of Howey Reserve, parking and

flexibility around irrigation works.

“We would seek approval when possible to move down to the courthouse and then beyond, to regularise the use up toward the public toilets in Aitken street on that side of the road,” Mr Frearson said. “There is an increase, because of demand – we simply are very popular – Gisborne is a very popular location.”

He said the changes would regularise what the market is currently doing, rather than a “dramatic change in anything”.

Council voted to note submissions received in relation to the issue and requested recommendations be prepared for consideration at the next planning meeting on April 13.

AUSTRALIA’S ECONOMIC PLAN We’re taking the next step to keep our economy strong.

• • • • • •

Keeping taxes low, because money in your pocket eases the cost of living Infrastructure projects across the country are creating jobs Skilling the workforce for the jobs of tomorrow Committing to making more goods in Australia to help secure our supply chain Delivering affordable and reliable energy to our homes and businesses Backing Australian businesses to modernise and innovate for our future

Australia’s Economic Plan has helped us through the last two years. There are 260,000 more people in work than before COVID. Australia has performed better than major advanced economies through the pandemic. That’s why we’re taking the next step.

To find out more, visit economicplan.gov.au

Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra.

10 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 March, 2022

CoAct and Youth Projects are taking their successful youth employment program to western melbourne from July 1. (Youth Projects)

Help for young job seekers Two employment services providers are bringing their successful youth employment program to Melbourne’s western suburbs.

Not-for-profit organisation CoAct, in collaboration with Youth Projects, has been awarded the rights to bring the federal government’s Transition to Work (TtW) program to the west, which aims to help 15 to 24 year olds find employment by giving them access to accredited vocational training and education.

CoAct chief executive Matt Little said the program is customer-centred and flexible, and achieves high levels of sustained impact for the participants.

“Specialist programs like TtW are at the heart of the recent increase in youth employment, helping highly disadvantaged young people to develop practical skills to get a job or connect with education or training,” he said.

“Young people, and young people in Melbourne particularly, have been some of the hardest hit by the pandemic. We’ve been there to help them navigate the challenges it’s brought and will continue to do so.”

The program will have a strong focus on delivering mental health support, with Youth Projects providing help for alcohol, drugs and other issues to ensure young jobseekers receive the most effective support based on their needs.

“This is no ordinary jobs program. Our new approach has embedded mental health support to help young people recover from the pandemic and build resilience for their future,” Youth Projects chief executive Ben Vasiliou said.

The program will start on July 1.

Details: www.coact.org.au

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

NEWS

A dedicated star for 30 years

By Oliver Lees When Star Weekly sales co-ordinator Rita Elzmeter interviewed for her first job at Community News in 1992, she was quizzed on her work ethic.

“I was asked if I was the type who would often take sick days. Of course, I was young and healthy, I answered I never took sick leave,” Rita said. “The day I started I had a temperature of 38.7 [degrees celsius], but I still went to work. “[My employer] took one look at me and thanked me for coming. He was happy that I made the effort to come to work.”

In the 30 years that have followed that first day in the newspaper industry, Rita, despite shifting roles and working at a number of different mastheads, has remained steadfast in her commitment to quality service within the community newspaper business.

On March 3, Star News Group staff joined in celebrating Rita’s three decades of hard work within the industry.

She said her role and the newsroom had changed dramatically over the years.

“Everything was manual back then,” she said. “There were no emails, but there was a lot of faxing.

“We would do the ads manually on A3 paper and stick them on the board, then we would send them to Dandenong to be processed.“ While the process may have changed, Rita said it’s the colleagues and the clients she’s met along the way that have made it all worthwhile.

“I’m a big believer in customer service,” she said. “I’ve seen weddings, funerals, births. You name it, I’ve seen it all.

“I love the clients and I love the people I work with. It’s not just work, I’ve built real relationships.”

Star News Group managing director Paul Thomas said Rita had been a crucial piece in

Star Weekly ’s Rita Elzmeter has celebrated her 30th anniversary at the company. Inset: Rita Elzmeter (left) in 1992. (Pictures: Damjan Janevski and supplied)

the masthead’s ongoing success.

“Congratulations to Rita and thank you for her service across the industry over the 30 years,” Mr Thomas said.

“Local media producing public interest journalism has never been more important.

“Star Weekly is one of the few local news

media businesses left operating in metro areas of capital cities in Australia and Rita’s ongoing contribution to this vital service and essential part of democracy is to be commended.”

The Star News Group is looking for more sales executives to join the team and work closely with clients and colleagues. On the job training

will be provided to successful applicants, with a strong team culture and great office location in Keilor Park just waiting for the right fit.

For more information on the role or to apply, email Star Weekly account manager Gayle Williams.

Details: gayle.williams@starweekly.com.au

Print and Online Sales Executive Star Weekly

Subscribe to the

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

Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Star Weekly

Star Weekly is an independently owned company which prides itself on its long history of community experience but also its investment in the future.

Digital Edition

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

FREE FEBRUARY 2, 2021 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

FEBRUARY 2, 2021 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

12477071-CG03-21

SIGN UP NOW!

SIGN UP NOW!

‘‘

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

‘‘

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

’’

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

’’

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

By Jessica Micallef The first concept design for the new-look Gap Road level crossing in Sunbury has been released.

Gap Road will be lowered under the rail line to preserve the character of the heritage-listed Sunbury station.

Construction on the project was brought forward to begin this year, with the level crossing expected to be removed by late 2022, and the remaining works completed in 2023 – two years ahead of the initial 2025 completion date.

About 19,000 vehicles pass through the Gap

Road level crossing each day, with the number expected to reach 27,000 in 2026, according to state government data.

A three-week community consultation period was held in November last year for the public to provide feedback on the design, landscaping and public artworks for the new level crossing.

Sunbury MP Josh Bull said more than 170 residents contributed to the preliminary design.

“The level crossing will be gone for good by the end of 2022, with a road under rail design as promised,” he said.

“This year we will see site investigations continuing as well as some early works, with

the majority of major construction towards the end of 2022.”

The level crossing removal is being delivered in conjunction with the $2.1 billion Sunbury line upgrade, which includes platform extensions, train stabling modifications and rail track power upgrades at Sunbury station to enable bigger and more modern trains to run on the line.

The line is expected to transport up to 113,000 passengers in peak hours every week when the Metro Tunnel is open.

“We promised to remove this crossing by 2025, but this vital project has been fast tracked to synchronise works between the level

crossing removal and the $2.1 billion Sunbury line upgrade,” Mr Bull said.

“It means we will only need to close the line for an extended period of time once, rather than twice, resulting in less disruption and a level crossing-free Sunbury three years ahead of schedule.

“This is a critical project that will improve safety and ease congestion in the heart of our community and it is time to get it done.”

The Gap Road level crossing will be the fourth crossing removed on the Sunbury line and is one of 75 “dangerous and congested” level crossings in Melbourne to be gone by 2025.

12476330-CG03-21

12481566-DL07-21

Crossing design revealed

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

Scan this QR code to subscribe Or visit sunburymacedonranges.starweekly.com.au/ subscribe/ 12518321-AV43-21

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

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

MY PLACE There’s something very special about a second-hand bookshop in a country town. Even more lovely are their owners, collecting, maintaining, protecting and sharing knowledge in the sale of quality books. That couldn’t be truer of Ed Irons, who runs the Woodend Bookshop with his wife Christine. He spoke to Elsie Lange about why selling books in the Macedon Ranges is something he adores.

What do you like about Woodend?

I sometimes think of the motto ‘I know because I read’, because if you want to have discussions and be informed, having evidence is always a good thing. People who read books, and people who care to understand their world help us not to work in ignorance. There’s lots of people in Woodend who are informed, interested, and caring, to make the world a better place. That for me makes Woodend a great place.

What, if anything, would you change about Woodend?

I would like the relationship between the council and the Woodend trading population to be improved. There’s room for more work there to just co-operate with council for the building of the community. I’m sure council wants it, I’m sure traders want it, I’m sure the population wants it.

Where is your favourite local place to spend time?

Paysanne Cafe or the Full Moon Saloon, they are two nice spots. They’ve got good food and friendly staff.

What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?

I have an arts background, I can draw well and sort of know my art history. I’ve taught at university in that area and tutored in visual arts, so I suppose that’s something specialist about me.

What does a secondhand bookshop mean in a place like Woodend?

We’re in the recycling business, which is a good thing to begin with. People tend to bring me their good books they either don’t need, or might be from their parents’ place, or they are downscaling. They give me those good books, because they think these books are definitely too good for the dump bit and probably too good for the opportunity shop. As someone once said, I have Christmas every day. People will bring in a box of books and I don’t know what’s going to be in it, and sometimes there are wonderful treasures.

(Supplied)

What’s your connection to Woodend?

It was originally through the book shop and being a lifelong attender at secondhand bookshops, I visited Woodend Bookshop and got interested. As a result, when things evolved, got to owning the bookshop.

Want To Burn Fat Fast?

Burn Up To 2.5 x More Calories In Just 14 Minutes a Day! Bobbi | Bowflex Max Trainer User

I lost 15kg in 10 weeks. That is ridiculous. The fat just melts right off. I mean, it absolutely changed my life!

Why Bowflex Works For You Save Time - Don’t let “lack of time” slow you down.

Lose Weight - Burns Up To 2.5x More Calories.

Get Motivated - Fun, low impact workouts combined with a personalised fitness program.

Get Healthy with the HIIT technology *Call for Terms & Conditions

Plus

Free * $950.00 Gift

Limited Time Offer! Call Now! 1800 12 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 March, 2022

440 440

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

NEWS

Learning how to fly through life Overcoming her greatest fear has taken ABC-TV’s Lisa Millar around the world. Veteran journalist Erle Levey, caught up with the Melbourne-based presenter to talk about her new book.

W

e’ve all got them. Some of them are shared. Fears. ABC News Breakfast co-host Lisa Millar’s was a fear of flying. It goes to show you never know what life will deliver.

Lisa grew up in the small Queensland town of Kilkivan, between Gympie and Kingaroy, and while she hoped for a career in journalism, she never imagined her dream job would come true - let alone that she’d soar to such heights.

Travelling the world for Foreign Correspondent, Lisa became the ABC’s bureau chief in London and Washington DC, as well as working in New York.

Starting her career at The Gympie Times in 1988, she has worked in print, TV and radio, winning a Walkley Award for investigative reporting in 2005.

Yet it was a fear of flying that threatened to hold her back.

Having grown up with aeroplanes as the way to get around, it was a nerve-wracking flight in North Queensland that shattered her confidence.

That flight, and the way in which she has overcome that fear, is the basis of her first book, the acclaimed Daring to Fly. It also brings to light the enjoyment of her career and the thankfulness of a country upbringing.

In her book she outlines her fears, and her journey towards overcoming them.

It was in 1993 while working as the ABC’s North Queensland reporter, and the six-seater chartered plane was caught in a heavy storm.

“While rain was lashing my window, there was a sudden loss of power and the motor on the left spluttered and died. The drop in altitude hit my gut so fast my brain couldn’t understand what was happening.

“The engine on the right revved like mad trying to keep us airborne.

“We made it safely to the ground but I was shaken by the experience.

“After that, fear began stalking me. It was in the shadows initially, but it slowly became a constant, aggressive presence.’’

The turning point in Lisa’s career was doing a fear of flying course.

“That’s the moment when my world opened up.

“If I had not had that level of fear - it just stops you from doing anything. I thought my world would shut down.

“However, this cannot control our lives.

“Instead, it was the start of a whole new chapter.

“Once you recover from a fear you are so empowered, it feels like you can do anything.

“I’ve gone on to complete an Olympic distance triathlon,’’ she laughs.

Fear of anything can bring people down. It is capable of bringing us to our knees or, in the very least, preventing us from moving forward.

Lisa’s sense of fear was bringing her undone... taking away her opportunity to embark on the career that would set her life on track. She overcame it - which changed her path through life.

In moments of defying her greatest fear and embarking on something as giving as writing a book, it has helped Lisa to concentrate on the benefit for others.

“It has led to a life far beyond what I could have imagined.

“I remember when Jason Donovan sat on the couch in the News Breakfast studio for an interview, I caught my 16-year-old self wondering if this would happen to me.

“I have found myself standing outside Windsor Castle when Harry and Meghan got married - I was inside the walls but outside the castle.

“I have been fortunate to see some of the most incredible moments in history.’’

The role as co-host with Michael Rowland on News Breakfast was not one she applied for.

“It sought me out, and I’m working with people I have the highest regard for.

ABC presenter Lisa Millar and, inset, her book Daring To Fly. (Pictures: Supplied)

“There are moments I allow myself to have a giggle on the inside. It’s illegal, the amount of enjoyment it can bring.’’

Now based in Melbourne for her work, Lisa tells me the book came about because of being in a new city, and it being in complete Covid lockdown.

“The publishers had requested previously that I write a book.

“This time round I thought I would give it a try.

“I’m so glad I did. It filled in so much background on the ABC, what goes on behind the scenes.

“I just had to get over this fear of flying. That was an incredible experience in itself.

“It shows just how powerful the mind is. It gave me a greater understanding of the job.

“I talk about the possible trauma one can face, yet I have had a life full of joy.’’

Having worked in the Federal Press Gallery in Canberra for the ABC, including during the 1996 Federal Election campaign, Lisa moved back to Queensland where she became ABC’s state political reporter.

She was part of the team that won the 2005 Walkley Award for Investigative Journalism for the story that discovered Vivian Solon in the Philippines.

Solon was an Australian who had been unlawfully removed to the Philippines by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs in July 2001.

Particularly poignant was when she was sent, in 2005, to cover the execution of Australian drug trafficker Van Nguyen in Singapore.

The despair at witnessing such events saw Lisa become involved with the Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma, which works to promote discussion, develop training, and exchange specialist knowledge on the most challenging of media issues.

In 2007, she was awarded an Ochberg Fellowship for assisting journalists who experience grief or trauma.

“You need to be really careful on how it impacts each of us, it keeps chipping away.

“Suddenly it can knock you flat. I’ve been very passionate about being aware of that.’’

Starting out at a regional newspaper means you have to be a jack of all trades, Lisa reflects - write the words and take the photos, cover court proceedings and the police rounds.

“You develop a closeness to the audience.

“People would hand-deliver news items for the paper.

“I can still remember the sound of their footsteps as they walked up the stairs.’’

Encouragement for her book came from 7.30 host Leigh Sales, who often remarked that Lisa’s childhood growing up in country Queensland would make for good material.

It also came from a podcast that Mia Freedman did with author Sally Hepworth.

“Sally said she would get out of bed and write a few hundred words before she even had a cup of coffee or tea. Then, if you wrote nothing more for the rest of the day, you’d at least have those few hundred.’’

That brings us to Muster Dogs, the beautiful four-part ABC-TV series that follows five kelpie puppies, from the same litter, on their journey to become muster dogs.

Lisa narrates the series in which the pups are sent to five graziers around Australia who each try to get them up to speed in just 12 months.

“What an amazing show, but I can claim no credit for that,’’ she confides.

“It was such a labour of love by a small team.

I came in at the end and did the narration.

“I’m so glad they gave me that privilege... the joy it has brought people. Every morning people send in pictures of their dogs watching Muster Dogs on their screens.

“That is the warm hug we all need right now.

“It’s been such a tough couple of years.

“This allows people to breathe, to relax into something - something not difficult to absorb.”

As well as Muster Dogs, Lisa has been a guest presenter on five or six editions of Back Roads, which explores outback communities around Australia.

Two episodes that stand out are the Flinders Ranges, in South Australia and the central highlands in Tasmania.

Said to be perhaps the oldest mountain range in the world, the Flinders Ranges episode held so many surprises - from the earliest of fossils to the amazing native wildlife and views of the stars.

“We covered 1500km while filming, it was so amazing.

“Then the central highlands in Tasmania...

I loved being involved, to get out and talk to people away from the studio.

“What is interesting is that recently I got to MC a conference on regional journalism and where it was heading.

“It was to be held at Tamworth, to coincide with the Walkley Awards which were being taken to regional centres.

“Covid derailed that - but it was held on

Zoom.

“I was dreading it, but it uplifted and inspired me.

“I am really excited about what is achievable in country news gathering.’’

Lisa went to school in Kilkivan, then moved to the “big smoke’’ of Gympie to finish her primary years.

“I was terrified,“ she recalls. “The funny thing is Gympie keeps popping up in so many stories.

“Even here on News Breakfast. The team think I plant the stories in the news list.’’

That brings us to the big question. Who will be the replacement for Leigh Sales on 7.30?

“You are not the first to ask that.

“The short answer is... it’s not the job for me. I was going to say - at this time - but no.

“Leigh is such a close friend, and I know the pressure that comes with the role.

“Saying that, Leigh has done a masterful job.

“The decision on Leigh’s replacement won’t be made until after the next news director is appointed, “It’s a massively open field, a fantastic field to choose from, but I’ve had a taste and it doesn’t suit right now.’’

Despite more and more women taking major roles in the media, there are still issues with the amount of focus being placed on how they dress, rather than their ability.

That comes through in social media, and Lisa deactivated her Twitter account in 2021 due to the amount of bullying and trolling.

“Social media is so much more intense,’’ she warns. “It can be a really interesting place to dive into, but it’s also toxic and you need to be conscious of the impact, the exposure.

“People speak on-line not as they would in person, and that can be brutal.

“You need to know when to step back, remind yourself it is not a majority view.

“Being in the public eye, I take an optimistic view of how good people are. It’s a positive experience.

“You can be sitting outside the studio and people will walk by saying: ’I love your work Lisa.’

“I love the ABC and want people to love it. I think we are doing something right.

“The News Breakfast audience has grown.

“The feedback we get in a topsy-turvy world is that viewers see us sitting there... so comfortable.

“I see it about hitting the right note with the program.

“It’s a very happy home for me.’’

Tuesday, 15 March, 2022 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 13

BEHIND THE NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Don’t forget our missing people One person goes missing in Australia every 18 minutes. While most of them are later found, approximately 2600 people remain lost. Their families and loved ones remain tormented by so many haunting questions and rarely receive any resolutions. Fatima Halloum speaks to the director of an organisation whose mission is to raise awareness for those who haven’t been found.

Leave a Light On helps bring national attention to missing persons cases. (iStock)

F

amilies of missing people are thrust into an unimaginable situation.

It’s a stark and frightening reality that Leave a Light On director Suzie Ratcliffe knows all too well.

“You read about it happening in the paper, or you see it on the news, or on social media, and you think, poor family or I really feel for them. But then you turn the page and move on to your next story.”

Suzie lives in Victoria, but works with people all across the country.

Through her organisation, she provides emotional support for the families of missing people and promotes cases that are desperate for public assistance on her Facebook page.

“The concept for Leave a Light On was initially created because for families of missing loved ones, one of their greatest fears is that they’ll be forgotten.

“We’re reliant on somebody remembering a vital piece of information if we’ve got any hope of finding our loved one, or if it was a crime, then bringing someone to justice.”

Because there are so many cases that people never hear about, Suzie is hopeful that at the very least, she is able to generate national awareness.

“Just a small piece of information that we put on our page encourages people to go forth and do a bit more research. And then they suddenly realise that, ‘oh I was in that area’, or ‘I used to live in that suburb’ or they might know someone that could have been in that area,” Suzie said.

“It is always important to speak about it with other people. Because that person might not realise that they have that little piece of information that’s needed by the police to be able to link it all together.”

Suzie says it never feels any less heart-breaking reading the stories of missing people, researching their cases and connecting with their families, but they draw strength from each other.

“They feel like my own family. Every time they have disappointing news or a disappointing outcome, or they have good news, or they’re contacted by police I feel the elation, I feel the emotions.”

The suspected abductor is described as standing approximately 177cm with a stooped appearance, wearing a brown hat with a wide brim, a grey checked sports coat and brown trousers. (Supplied)

“It’s a horrible connection to be dealt with.

I wish I’d met a lot of these families under completely different circumstances.

“But unfortunately, we’ve all been drawn together by the same type of situation.”

Suzie knows first-hand what the families she connects with are going through.

In 1973, in Adelaide, South Australia, her sister Joanne went missing. Her disappearance occurred only seven years and 13 kilometres from the beach where the Beaumont Children vanished.

“I never thought we would be in the same position as them,” Suzie said.

“Fast forward, and suddenly it’s our family that’s in the newspaper, and it’s our family being spoken about on the radio, and we’re the ones that are putting ourselves out there and trying to get people to come forward with information.”

Suzie’s family – her mum, her dad, her older

14 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 March, 2022

brother and her sister Joanne – were attending a football game. Seated beside them were strangers, four-year-old Kirste Gordon and her grandparents.

When Kirste needed to use the bathroom, Joanne offered to take her and the two went together to the toilets.

It’s been 48 years, six months and 19 days since Joanne and Kirste were last seen.

Spectators remember seeing Kirste in the arms of a man, 11-year-old Joanne followed, looking distressed.

Despite numerous suspects, police were unable to locate the girls and Suzie’s father, mother and brother died without knowing what happened to Joanne.

“When you lose someone through death, they’ve got a grave, you can go and visit, you can bury them. You can begin the grieving process and with that grieving process comes a healing process as well,” Suzie said.

“But with not knowing what happened to your loved one, they’re out there somewhere, whether they’re deceased, or whether they’ve been held captive, or are horrible victims of crime, or they’ve gone missing through adventure, you’re constantly wondering where they are.”

Suzie’s parents would leave their front porch light on, in the hopes that if Joanne returned, she would know they were waiting for her.

Missing person’s cases are often limited by state lines and Suzie aims to give the cases she advocates for national coverage, not just local publicity.

“Missing persons don’t know any borders,” Suzie said. “We don’t just stick to our little suburbs. I travel 40 minutes to work. I can hear about things that happen on the other side of Melbourne, I travel up to Wangaratta every second week. I can see things up there but not necessarily know that I might have seen or heard something that’s important.

“Ultimately, someone somewhere knows something about our missing persons. And if we can reach that person, then all the better to be able to encourage them to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers or contact the police or family in the hope that information they have can help.”

Kirste attending the football game with her grandparents, while her parents visited friends. (Supplied)

Joanne’s family say she had a passion and a zest for life, and her family. (Supplied)

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

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

Centre is now taking enrolments for classes to help those with limited computer skills.

Classes are run daily at both Joan Kirner House, Williamstown, and North Altona Library.

■ Lynne or Tahlia, 9397 6168

Exhibition at Mount Macedon If you’ve got a hankering to see some stunning Janapese paper cords and kimono fabric? Look no further. Head to The Gallery Mount Macedon to see works by Anna Konecny and Yukimi Breaden. At 684 Mount Macedon Road, Mount Macedon.

■ https://bit.ly/3hS2BdN

Walking group Altona Meadows and Newport residents are invited to take part in a Heart Foundation walking group that meets on Wednesdays and Fridays. The group walks for 60 minutes, and is a great way to socialise and get active at the same time. Members are required to register with the Heart Foundation to join.

■ Ian Watson, 0411 566 862 or https:// www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Community/ Whats-On/Altona-Meadows-and-NewportHeart-Foundation-Walking-Groups

Sculptures and wine For lovers or art and wine, Art in the Vines at Hanging Rock Winery, on until April 25, could not be a more perfect outing. You can even enjoy a guided cellar wine tasting.

At 88 Jim Road, Newham.

■ https://bit.ly/3tHZFpz

Riddell’s Creek farmers market Head to Riddells Primary School at 9am on Saturday, March 19 to catch a glimpse of the Riddells Creek Farmers Market. With a focus on sustainability, all they ask is you bring your own bags.

■ https://bit.ly/3I0W3UB

Williamstown Craft Market This week’s photo of the week is of Andrew Mcleay with historic bottles and coin he unearthed in Maddingley. (Joe Mastroianni) 270667_01

Repair Cafe Sunbury Do you want to learn how to fix your belongings and save them from landfill?

Head to the Repair Cafe in Sunbury on Saturday, March 19, from 10am, at 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury.

■ Sharon, 0411 301 611

Craft at Hanging Rock Got a hankering for some Australian-made products, gourmet foods and home-grown produce? Head to the Hanging Rock Craft Market on Saturday, March 19, from 9am-2pm. At 139 South Rock Road, Woodend.

■ 5976 3266

Community singing group If you love to sing, come join the Melton Singers. The group rehearses regularly and also performs at aged care facilities.

The group is very relaxed and sings songs mainly from 60’s and 70’s. They meet Tuesdays at 10am.

■ Val, 0418 667 150

Learn how to pamper Discover how to give relaxing beauty treatments in Melton South Community Centre’s deluxe facials workshop.On Saturday, March 26, 10am-1pm. Tickets are $60 or $55 for concession holders.

■ 9747 8576

Pie workshop Ever wanted to learn how to make the perfect pie? Melton South Community Centre is hosting a savoury pie masterclass on Saturday, March 26 and Sunday, March 27, 9am- noon. Participants can learn the art of making the perfect meat-filled or meat-free for friends and family.

■ 9747 8576

Writers and Readers Festival The Brimbank Writers and Readers Festival (BWRF) is an annual event that encourages a love of reading and literature, celebrates creativity and diversity, and promotes lifelong learning in Brimbank. The free festival which runs between March 17-26 includes workshops, author talks, panel discussions, writing, storytelling and more.

■ https://www.brimbanklibraries.vic.gov.au/ writersfestival

Mental health festival Breaking ground as the first dedicated mental health festival of its kind in Brimbank, the Know Yourself, Show Yourself, Grow Yourself Festival aims to raise awareness and normalise conversations about mental health. The weeklong festival will run from Monday, March 21 to Friday, March 25, at Sunshine

Heights Primary School, and feature a free public program bustling with workshops, guest speakers and experiences centred on core tenets of mental health and wellbeing; fostering diversity, inclusion, connection, courage and belonging along the journey line.

■ https://www.knowshowgrowfestival.com/ program

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 welcome.

■ Steve, 0408 193 793, or Keith, 0409 494 801

Women’s group Duke Street Community Centre has set up a women’s social group to give people a place to interact. The group will run every second Friday, from 1pm, 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.

■ 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 welcome.

■ Don, 0409 191 580

Rotary club The Sunbury Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at the Sunbury Bowling Club from 7pm.

■ sunburyrotary@gmail.com

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 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

Commonwealth Reserve comes alive on the third Sunday of the month for the Williamstown Craft Market. The market boasts more than 50 stalls showcasing everything from handmade craft, homegrown produce and food vendors.

There will also be live music. From 10am-4pm.

■ https://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/ Community/Whats-On/Williamstown-CraftMarket

Ladies probus 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 club is based on fun, friendship and fellowship and enjoys monthly outings, an annual trip away and a lot of fun meetings.

■ Val, 0418138214.

Conversation Cafe

Garden club

Diabetes support group

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

The Westgate diabetes support group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at the Altona Bowling Club at 10am.

■ Elaine, 0415 030 996

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 are offered – carpet bowls, cards, snooker, darts, board games or just a cup of coffee and a chat. If you’re 55 years or older and would like to meet new people, come along.

■ Frank, 0423 392 884

Holi Festival Pacific Free children’s Bollywood dance and colour workshops. Plus snap a photo at the Happy Holi wall to collect your free gift.

Running March 19-20, 10am - 2pm, near Cotton On at Pacific Werribee.

■ https://bit.ly/HoliFestival2022

Wyndham Ladies Probus Are you recently retired or semi-retired?

Looking for fun, fellowship and to increase your social networks. The Ladies Probus Club of Wyndham meets on the first Wednesday of each month at Hotel520, Sayers Road, Tarneit, and normally has an outing or event on the third Wednesday of each month.

■ Rosa Sanderson, 0410 303 046

U3A Werribee U3A Werribee Region is a not-for-profit organisation consisting of semi-retired and retired residents of Wyndham. It conducts a variety of weekly classes run by volunteers.

■ Rick, 0402299220

Computers for beginners Williamstown Community and Education

The Conversation Cafe is back on at Footscray and Braybrook libraries. The Cafe gives people the chance to meet new people and practice English conversation skills in a relaxed and friendly environment.

■ https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/ library/Events/Conversation-Cafe

Heritage walks Enjoy a leisurely two-hour walk around historic Williamstown and nearby suburbs with guide John. Walks start at 9.20am each Tuesday outside the Visitor Information Centre in Nelson Place.

■ John, 0418 377 336

Musicians welcome Do you play trumpet, flute or lower brass instruments? The Hobsons Bay City Band is seeking musicians to join its community band. Rehearsals are held Mondays from 7.30pm at the Newport Lakes Primary School, Elizabeth Street, Newport.

■ Roger Lewis, hbcityband@gmail.com, or www.hbcb.org.au

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

■ Lesley, 0414 481 442

Rotary club Rotary Club of Point Gellibrand meets at Customs House Hotel, 161 Nelson Place, Williamstown, on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 6pm for a 6.30pm dinner meeting. Visitors welcome.

■ Pam, 0418 347 691 or rotarypointgellibrand@gmail.com

Mouth organ band The Yarraville Mouth Organ Band meets Friday evenings at 203 Williamstown Road, Yarraville. Great music, friendly atmosphere. Everyone is welcome.

■ Heather, 9399 2190

Tuesday, 15 March, 2022 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 15

SECTION STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

FREE

12477071-CG03-21

FEBRUARY 9, 2021 \ STARWEEKLY.COM

SIGN UP NOW!

EVERY WEEK

Valentine’s at Hanging Rock

Celebrate Valentine’s Day under the stars at Hanging Rock with a special movie screening of Peter Weir’s 1975 film, Picnic at Hanging Rock.

The film, which is the 1967 novel by an adaption of the same name

by Joan Lindsay, revolves around the disappearance of several schoolgirls and their teacher during a Rock on Valentine’s picnic to Hanging Day Moviegoers are encour in 1900. aged to bring their own picnic for dinner, a chair, rug and a blanket and get cosy as the drama mystery film is screen ing.

For a bit of fun, come classic 1900’s costum dressed in a The film night is on e.

Saturday, February 13 from 7pm at Hangin g Rock, 139 South Rock Road, Woodend.

Tickets cost $25 for adults, $10 for children or $60 for a family of two adults and two children.

To book: bit.ly/3pzPyji

(Supplied)

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

.AU

Anti-vax leaflet slammed ‘‘

Jessica Micallef

By Jessica Micallef

Let’s not

McEwen MP Rob let false lies Mitchell is urging Sunbury residents to “tear spread as being facts up and throw anti-vaccination leaflets away” . It’s that may appear their letterbox. in dangerou s - Rob Mitchell Mr Mitchell said residen ts had notified him last Monday (Februa leaflets is from ry 1) about anti-vaccinatio American-based leaflets about the n IDoNotComp company, COVID-19 vaccine ly, which labels that had global been dropped in their movement that oppose itself as a letterbox.

The leaflet, seen by s COVID-19 regulations.

Star Weekly, stated should “avoid the people “It’s danger COVID and claims the “vaccin vaccine at all costs” People will ous that people are getting this. read e could this and wonder if potentially be he more deadly than it’s true,” said. “We are seeing the virus”.

Mr Mitchell believe out … it’s all garbage these theories being put s the sender of . Tear the leaflet up the put it in the bin.” and

’’

RADIOLOGY SAVES LIVES

How healthy is

Mr Mitchell said only contacted him about Sunbury residents had be done to combat potenti was concerned peoplethe leaflets so far, but he misinformation ally “deadly in surrounding areas ”. would also receive He said people should them. consult a doctor The leaflet also has or medical address to the organis a QR code and a web vaccinations professional when it came to and medica urged people not to ation’s site. Mr Mitchell “We don’t know who l treatment. scan the code. these people are and “It’s for your own that is why safety,” he said. “It we have medical experts from an American-base comes ,” he said.

“They have decade d organisation which s you’d think wouldn to understand these in training and learning ’t be so callous and things. They are the to make a stateme stupid to talk to. people nt like risk of dying of COVID ‘most people have no “Let’s not let false -19’. lies spread as being “This from a countr It’s dangerous. facts. y where tragica lly more than 440,000 deaths “What we have achieve have been recorded.” d in Victoria …

Mr Mitchell said an amazing job is more work needed to people spreadi and the last thing we need is ng theories.”

your heart?

Lake Imaging are offering a redu ced fee for all patients who book a CT Calcium Score test in Feb ruary and March.

Talk to your GP about this simp le test to determine your risk of cardiova scular disease.

www.lakeimagi ng.co

m.au 12481746-SN07-21

Pick up your FREE newspaper from these local outlets...

• Bulla BP Service Station - Bulla 84-86 Bulla Road • Bulla Jack McKenzie Community Centre 11 Green Street • Clarkefield Coach and Horses Inn - Clarkfield 50 Station Street • Diggers Rest FoodWorks 22 Glitter Road • Diggers Rest Diggers Rest Post Office 76 Old Calder Highway • Diggers Rest Houdinis Cafe e Cucina 52-56 Old Calder Highway • Gibsorne Gisborne Village Fresh Brantome Street • Gibsorne Morgan’s SUPA IGA Gisborne Brantome Street • Gisborne Brad Teal Real Estate - Gisborne 40 Aitken Street • Gisborne Kennedy Hunt Real Estate - Gisborne 33 Brantome Street • Gisborne Gisborne Real Estate - Gisborne 38 Brantome Street • Gisborne Raine & Horne Real Estate 42 Brantome Street • Gisborne Gisborne Library 8 Hamilton Street • Gisborne Foodworks - Gisborne 24 Hamilton Street • Gisborne Macedon Ranges Health Service 76 Hamilton Street • Gisborne Gisborne Nursing Home - The Oaks 5 Neal Street • Gisborne Puma Service Station Gisborne 23 Robertson Street • Gisborne Caltex Service Station - Gisborne 4 Station Street • Kyneton Kuppers Fuel Stop - Kyneton 199 Burton Avenue

• Kyneton RT Edgar Real Estate - Kyneton 10 High Street • Kyneton Kyneton Newsagency 95 Mollison Street • Kyneton Kyneton Shire Offices 129 Mollison Street • Lancefield Lancefield Newsagency 18 High Street • Macedon United Service Station - Macedon 313 Black Forest Drive • Macedon IGA Supermarket - Macedon 20 Victoria Street • Macedon Macedon Newsagency 25 Victoria Street • Malmsbury General Store 75 Mollison Street • Monegeeta Newsagency 2076 Melbourne -Lancefield Road • Mount Macedon Mt Macedon Post Office 341 Mt Macedon Road • Riddells Creek Riddells Creek Nursery 675 Kilmore Road • Riddells Creek Riddells Creek Post Office 80 Main Road • Riddells Creek Foodies - Riddells Creek 86-88 Main Road • Riddells Creek Riddells Creek Supermarket 2 Station Street • Romsey Chess Property - Romsey 102 Main Street • Romsey IGA Supermarket - Romsey 107 Main Street • Sunbury Leeburn and Co Real Estate - Sunbury 6 Brook Street • Sunbury Sunbury Newsagency 14 Brook Street • Sunbury The Jolly Miller cafe Shop 2/2 Brook Street • Sunbury The Jolly Miller cafe Shop 2/2 Brook Street • Sunbury The Local Sunbury Bottleshop Shop 2b/15-17 Dornoch Drive • Sunbury Goonawarra General Store 23-25 Dornoch Drive • Sunbury Sunbury Neighbourhood House 531 Elizabeth Drive

• Sunbury Brad Teal Real Estate Sunbury 54 Evans Street • Sunbury Reliant Real Estate 11/114-126 Evans Street • Sunbury Muffin Break Shop 2/24 Evans Street • Sunbury Sunbury Square Shopping Centre Shop 2-28 Evans Street • Sunbury Terry White Chemist 83-85 Evans Street • Sunbury Gap Road Medical Centre 46 Gap Road • Sunbury United Fuel Sunbury 47 Gap Road • Sunbury 7-Eleven Sunbury 128 Gap Road • Sunbury Asia Finest Shop 4&5, 106-126 Gap Road • Sunbury Puma Service Station Sunbury 96 Horne Street • Sunbury Woolworths Supermarket 25-47 Horne Street • Sunbury Big W - Sunbury 25-47 Horne Street • Sunbury BP Service Station 53-55 Horne Street • Sunbury Sunbury Day Hospital 7 Macedon Street • Sunbury Hume Council Offices - Sunbury 40 Macedon Street • Sunbury Sunbury Information Centre 43 Macedon Street • Sunbury Sunbury Library 44 Macedon Street • Sunbury Community Health Centre Unit 12-28 Macedon Street • Sunbury McKwen Drive Milk Bar Shop 1-3 McEwen Drive • Sunbury Foodworks Bottlemart on Melba 16 Melba Avenue • Sunbury Foodworks on Melba 16-18 Melba Avenue • Sunbury Melba Cafe 22 Melba Avenue • Sunbury Mitchells Lane Milk Bar 192 Mitchells Lane

• Sunbury Just Planet 37 O’Shannesy Street • Sunbury An Apple a Day Natural Health Store 49 O’Shannesy Street • Sunbury The Spotted Owl 93 O’Shannesy Street • Sunbury Cafe Circe 109 O’Shannesy Street • Sunbury IGA Supermarket - Sunbury 98-122 O’Shannesy Street • Sunbury Killara Family Store - Sunbury 57 Phillip Drive • Sunbury Strathearn Glen Corner Store 10 Strathearn Drive • Sunbury Sacco & Saba Cafe 2/20-30 Sussex Street • Sunbury Rosenthal Shopping Centre 90 Vineyard Road • Tylden Tylden Store 36 Trentham Road • Woodend Keatings Real Estate - Woodend 83 Calder Highway • Woodend Coles Supermarket - Woodend 61 High Street • Woodend II cafe 66 High Street • Woodend Andrews Cafe 77 High Street • Woodend Fox in the Chamber 90 High Street • Woodend Jellis Craig Real Estate - Woodend 91 High Street • Woodend Maison Maloa Licensed Cafe & Gifts 95 High Street • Woodend Woodend Newsagency 101 High Street • Woodend Paysanne Cafe 112 High Street • Woodend Bourkies Bake House 115 High Street • Woodend RT Edgar Real Estate - Woodend 124 High Street • Woodend BP Service Station - Woodend 130 High Street • Woodend Woodend Community Centre High Street & Forest Street

Scan this QR code to Subscribe for FREE now!

Or visit: sunburymacedonranges.starweekly.com.au/subscribe 202102117907-JW08-21

16 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 March, 2022

PUZZLES No. 072

To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.

easy

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

6 4

8

7 1 2 8

8 4 5 3 5

6 9

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS

DOWN

Beverage powder (5) Female religious leader (9) Runway hub (7) Continuing (7) Requirements (7) Questionable (7) Medieval scientist (9) Type of goats’ cheese (4) Show sullenness (4) Female killer (9) Winning emotion (7) Local law enforcer (7) Contact (7) Beginning (7) Seizing (9) Meower (5)

1 4 9 10 11 12 13 15 17 19 22 25 26 27 28 29

No. 072

An ancient Semitic person (8) Pottery (7) Decoration (9) Metallic element (9) False gods (5) Warnings (5) Famous (7) The outstanding features to be seen on a visit (6) Terrible beating (9) – the Great, Prussian King (1712-1786) (9) Advantageously (8) A region in southern Japan (7) Snobby (7) Barbers (6) Melody (5) A language spoken in India (5)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 14 15 16 18 20 21 23 24

DECODER

No. 072

3 8

9 1

2 1 7

6 7 3 2

8 5

6

hard

1 2

7 6 2

6 9 1 7 3 2 2

4 1

6

2

1

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10 11 12 13

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

7

P X 19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

3

2

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

Today’s Aim: 19 words: Good 29 words: Very good

N

B

6 4 7 1 9 8 2 5 3

9 1 8 2 3 5 4 6 7

8 3 5 4 6 9 1 7 2

T

No. 072 Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down.

5 LETTERS ADOBE ADORE ALBUM ALONE APPAL ATONE AUDIT BERRY BLADE CADET CLEAR DOSES DRIPS ENDOW ENROL ERECT EVENT

4 LETTERS ALLY ARID BENT EASY EAVE GABS GEAR GLUE HERE HINT LEEK OGRE OILY OPAL RIOT

QUICK QUIZ

GASPS HEDGE IDLER IDOLS INTER ISLAM ISLES LLAMA MACES NESTS NUDGE PARKA RANCH RESET RIPEN ROBIN SLYER SMILE SPREE SWEPT TACOS TAMER

TEARS TELLS TRIAL TWIGS WEDGE 6 LETTERS LAYMAN STREET 7 LETTERS ARTICLE ATTRACT COASTED

LESSENS OPTIMUM RECEDED 8 LETTERS EMULATES NEEDIEST SCHEDULE TRAVERSE 10 LETTERS CLASSROOMS CRITICISMS

7

True or false: a cutlass is a type of telescope?

Which 80s horror movie marked the feature film debut of Johnny Depp?

8

The herb coriander is called by what other name in America?

The Sargasso Sea is the only sea without what?

9

Which well-known British artist painted The Hay Wain?

4

World War I ended with the signing of which treaty?

10 Who wrote and performed the 1972 hit You’re So Vain?

5

Which TV series starred Meghan Markle (pictured) for seven seasons?

6

Mules, brogues and pumps are all types of what?

1

What is the chemical symbol for sodium?

2 3

NOTE: more than one solution may be possible

D G E R E N S

P P L E A R O N L O U D

E

R

SHOO TEAK VARY

No. 072

18-03-22

S

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

S

E

A B A

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

D

E

E

beef, been, beet, befit, bend, benefit, BENEFITED, bent, betide, bide, bidet, bite, debit, debt, debtee, define, deft, dent, diet, dine, edit, feed, feet, feint, feinted, fend, fete, feted, fetid, fiend, fine, fined, idee, need, teed, tend, tide, tied, tine

4 6 1 5 7 2 8 3 9

O

D

3 LETTERS AGE AGO ALE ANT APE AVO COL DAB EEL EKE END EYE GAG GEE GEL HEN HES HOT HUE ILL IRE LEG RIP SAD TIN VCR

E

8 5 3 4 6 9 7 1 2

3 5 2 7 4 6 9 1 8

E

1 9 4 6 2 7 3 8 5

2 7 3 8 5 4 6 9 1

2 7 9 5 3 8 4 1 6

3 6 4 9 1 7 5 8 2

7 2 8 6 5 3 9 4 1

O

1

P

G

18

1 7 4 5 8 2 3 9 6

6 2 9 7 3 1 5 4 8

4 3 5 6 1 7 2 8 9

9 1 5 8 2 4 6 3 7

6 9 2 3 7 1 8 5 4

4 3 7 2 8 5 1 6 9

E

F

I

7 6 8 2 9 4 1 3 5

9 1 2 3 5 8 4 6 7

2 4 1 8 7 6 9 5 3

3 9 6 1 2 5 8 7 4

5 8 7 9 4 3 6 2 1

5 8 1 4 9 6 7 2 3

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

E

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”.

39 words: Excellent

hard

A

17

medium

A

16

9-LETTER WORD

easy

A

15

4 3 1 4 9

14

A N L Y J H Z D F MW S E

5 6 8 1

OQB C K G I U T R V P X

3

8

5x5

2

WORDFIT

ANSWERS: 1. Na 2. False (a sword) 3. Cilantro 4. Treaty of Versailles 5. Suits 6. Shoes 7. A Nightmare on Elm Street 8. Shores 9. John Constable 10. Carly Simon

SUDOKU

Tuesday, 15 March, 2022 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 17

SECTION STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

networkclassifieds.com.au General Classifieds

1188650-RC25-15

QUICK SMART Lic. No 50051

Call John Kemp 0418 382 729

www.quicksmartcontracting.com.au

Planning And Environment Act 1987 Section 52(1) An application for a planning permit has been made which may affect you.

12533274-HC09-22

V Builders & Building Services

Froggys CONTRACTING

Very diverse in all aspects of specialised property services Pergolas • Decks • Retaining Walls • Renovations • Landscaping

Andrew 0425 852 621 | Froggys.com.au | info@froggys.com.au

THE LAND AFFECTED BY THE APPLICATION IS LOCATED AT: LOT 2 PS 401691J P/Kerrie 1164 Kilmore Road RIDDELLS CREEK VIC 3431 THE APPLICATION IS FOR A PERMIT TO: Use and Development of a Telecommunications Facility THE APPLICANT FOR THE PERMIT IS: Saq Consulting Pty Ltd THE APPLICATION REFERENCE NUMBER IS: PLN/2021/350 CONTACT OFFICER: DAMIEN HODGKINS SENIOR STATUTORY PLANNING OFFICER P: (03) 5421 9689

Online MACEDON RANGES SHIRE COUNCIL

12479887-JW04-21

Residential - Commercial - Industrial

ALL AROUND REBLOCKING & UNDERPINNING CDB-L 60362

17 Years Guarantee 10% Pensioner Discount Council Permit Supplied Computer Levelling

V Television/Video/Audio

ANTENNA MAN SAME DAY SERVICE HIGHLY EXPERIENCED TECHNICIANS ANTENNA SERVICE ALL AREAS

DIGITAL ANTENNAS AMPLIFIERS TV OUTLETS

0409 888 228

V Adult Services

ASAP TILING

Rainbow Dolls

Tel 04 3277 4645

Buy, & Sell in our

Motoring section of Network Classifieds.

12521636-DL45-21

• Bathroom, Kitchen, Toilet Renovation • Small Extension • Carpentry / Plastering • 20yrs. Plus Building Experience ** call Hill now for a free quote **

V Garage Sales

General Classifieds

12469374-CG46-20

V Tiling

40 Robertson Street GISBORNE VIC 3437 8.30am - 5:00pm Monday to Friday

To make an objection or submission to the Responsible Authority, it must: • Be in writing • Include your name and mailing address (email address optional) • Additionally for objections include: • Reason/s for the objection • State how you would be affected by the granting of a permit • Any suggestions on how to address concerns.

Any person who may be affected by the granting of the permit may object or make other submissions to the responsible authority.

A prescribed objection/submission form is located on Council’s website at https://www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/Build-Plan/Planning-Permits-Approvals-Forms/ Object-to-an-application.

Objections and submissions can be emailed to mrsc@mrsc.vic.gov.au or posted to PO Box 151 Kyneton Vic 3444 or delivered in person to any Macedon Ranges Shire Council office.

The responsible authority will not decide on the application before at least 14 days after the date the last notice under section 52(1) or (1AA) of the Act is to be given.

If you make an objection, the Responsible Authority will inform you of its decision.

Privacy statement Macedon Ranges Shire Council is committed to protecting your privacy.

Please note that your personal information will be used solely by Council for that primary purpose or directly related purposes. Council may disclose this information to the applicant and their representatives, neighbouring property owners and/or occupiers and any other parties who may have an interest in the application. If you included any personal or identifying information about another person in your submission, please ensure you have informed that person you provided their information to Macedon Ranges Shire.

Council must make a copy of this objection available for any person to inspect free of charge under Section 57(5) of the Act. If you fail to provide this information the Macedon Ranges Shire Council will not be able to advise you of any consultation or decision making forums or the decision regarding this matter, but you may access this information by contacting the Council. The person(s) objecting understands that the personal information provided is for the registration of their objection and the processing and assessment of a planning application. If you object the Council must consider the objection unless you withdraw it.

1235322622-PB22-17

Free Quote All Suburbs Insurance Elevation

12532110-SG03-22

David: 0425 811 882 Ash: 0403 619 333

ADVERTISERS, in this section are qualified practitioners and offer nonsexual services.

PLACE YOUR

12538736-NG09-22

V Reblocking/Underpinning

https://www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/BuildPlan/Planning-Permits-ApprovalsForms/View-planning-applicationsonline

$100/ 30mins Open 7 days 48 Davies Avenue, Sunshine North 9364 0770 SWA6566B

Professional Services

ZZZ QHWZRUNFODVVL´HGV FRP DX

Employment V Positions Vacant

OPERATORS AND LABOURER

Ring Kerrie on 0408 571 024

Disability Support Worker Location: Macdeon Region Here’s an opportunity to join a medium size disability service provider with over 40 years’ experience in providing globally recognised high quality support services.

Golden City Support Services is a boutique not for profit, for-purpose, community based, disability support provider, based in the regional city of Bendigo, with services extending from the Macedon Ranges to the Murray River as well as Bendigo.

The positions we offer are ideal for those without previous experience. You will be supported throughout your career with us, through continued expert paid training.

This is the ideal career move if you have a customer service background but want something different and more rewarding than hospitality, retail or sales.

If you are available for early mornings, sleepovers and weekends - this could be the job for you!

To apply for a position please go to the careers section of our website and fill in an online application: www.gcss.org.au/careers/positions-vacant/ or if you would like more information please call Reanna on 5434 2777.

Your next step starts with your next step.

The longer you advertise the cheaper your ad!

0428 568 004

V For Sale

MURRAY RIVER REDGUM BONE DRY FIREWOOD

3m split ...... $195 pcm 6m split ...... $190 pcm 12m split .... $185 pcm 20m split .......$180 pcm 20m unsplit ...$170 pcm Free Delivery All Areas Phone Peter on

03 5423 7103

Employment

section of Network Classifieds.

V Positions Vacant

NEED NEW STAFF? Get 10% Discount

Call

Use code: EMPDISC

Fill your position online

Find it in the

Real Estate

FARMHAND Wanted someone to do general farm tasks on established property close to Sunbury.

Cattle experience is necessary.

1 x Excavator Operator 1 x Loader Operator and 1 x Labourer required.

Duties include greasing, maintenance and adhoc.

Contact Norm after 5pm for further details:

12534975-SN06-22

FREE QUOTES Mobile: 0478 129 330 | ABN. 43462185813

In person

V Massage Therapists

12400545-LB38-19

All • Footings • Slabs • Foundations • Concrete Paving • Concrete Restorations NO JOB TOO SMALL!

177646

0418 384 796

12400498-CG38-18

NATHAN FENECH CONCRETING

ABN 44 021 708 152 Tel: 9309 2351

Free Delivery All Areas Phone Peter

You can view all relevant planning permit application documents as follows:

V Concrete Products & Services

977914

EXCELLENT QUALITY REDGUM 3m split ..... $195 pcm 6m split ..... $190 pcm 12m split .. $185 pcm

NOTICE OF AN APPLICATION FOR A PLANNING PERMIT

Anyone advertising a puppy, dog, kitten or cat in Victoria for sale or re-homing will need a source number from the Pet Exchange Register and a microchip identification number.

It is now an offence to advertise unless the source number and microchip identification number is included in the advertisement or notice.

For further information, call 136 186 or visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au

12538737-SG10-22

Romsey Firewood

SPLIT SYSTEMS Installation Specialist

V Positions Vacant

ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE

12537079-JC08-22

V Air Conditioning

Employment

V Pets & Services 12534974-SN06-22

V For Sale

V Public Notices and Event

12423634-SN31-19

General Notices

Trades & Services

section of Network Classifieds.

ZZZ QHWZRUNFODVVL´HGV FRP DX

with us and get better results

CALL 1300 666 808 18 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 March, 2022

12514849-JW40-21

ADVERTISE

SPORTS QUIZ 1. Australian golfer Minjee Lee is currently what number in the women's world golf rankings?

2. After 10 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, quarterback Russell Wilson was recently traded to which NFL team?

3. What medal did Australian snowboarder Ben Tudhope win at the 2022 Winter Paralympics?

4. Scottish Premiership clubs Celtic and Rangers are set to play which two A-League Men's teams in a four-team tournament in November of this year?

5. Carlton forward Darcy Vescio recently became the first AFLW player to kick how many career goals?

6. Which player won the Three-Point Contest held during the 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend?

7. Louise Burrows last played rugby union for which Super W club?

8. St George Illawarra's Madison Bartlett was suspended for one match by the NRLW judiciary after pleading guilty to a charge of what?

9. Brittney Griner last played for which WNBA team?

10. What was Shane Warne's highest score in a Test match innings?

13. Which co-captain of AFL team Carlton has stepped down in his leadership role in order to focus more on his health concerns?

Shane Warne

14. Which former boxer famously said: "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face"?

15. Amid a payment dispute with his Pakistan Super League franchise, Australian cricketer James Faulkner threw what item at a hotel chandelier?

16. The English Premier League season's current leading goalscorer, Mohamed Salah, plays for which club?

21. How many frontline spinners did Australia include in the XI in their recent first Test against Pakistan?

17. At what ground did the late Shane Warne play his first and last Test match?

22. What colour is the middle ring of the Olympic logo?

18. Remy Gardner, the son of 1987 world motorcycle champion Wayne Gardner, will ride for which manufacturer in MotoGP in 2022?

26. How many weeks was Alexander Zverev suspended for after his outburst towards a chair umpire at this year’s Mexican Open?

23. What former Opals captain and dual Olympian basketballer recently announced her retirement from the game?

11. How many Test wickets did the late Shane Warne take in his 145-Test cricket career?

19. How many Test hundreds did the late Rod Marsh score in his 96-Test cricket career?

24. Hawthorn and Richmond recently played an AAMI Community Series preseason match in which Tasmanian city?

12. Which country did Australia defeat 3-2 in the Davis Cup finals group stage in Sydney?

20. The South Africa national rugby union team are commonly known by what nickname?

25. Perth Wildcats star Bryce Cotton currently leads the NBL in which statistical category?

27. Which nation has won the most beach volleyball gold medals at the Olympic Games?

28. What sporting league’s pre-season competition is known by the name Team Girls Cup? 29. Which US sporting league recently cancelled 91 matches for its upcoming season due to a lockout?

30. The Kraken, Mariners and the Seahawks are sporting teams based in which US city?

Minjee Lee 1. Four 2. Denver Broncos 3. Bronze 4. Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers 5. Fifty 6. Karl-Anthony Towns 7. Brumbies 8. Biting 9. Phoenix Mercury 10. 99 11. 708 12. Hungary 13. Sam Docherty 14. Mike Tyson 15. Helmet 16. Liverpool 17. SCG 18. KTM 19. Three 20. Springboks 21. One 22. Black 23. Jenna O’Hea 24. Devonport 25. Points per game 26. Eight 27. The US 28. Super Netball 29. Major League Baseball 30. Seattle

1803

Employment V

Place your ad in print and online

Positions Vacant

www.networkclassifieds.com.au V

Professional

DISCRIMINATION IN ADVERTISING IS UNLAWFUL WORKFORCE COORDINATOR

The Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995 makes it unlawful for an advertiser to show any intention to discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, race, age, marital status, political or religious belief or physical features, disability, lawful sexual activity/sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status or on the basis of being associated with a person with one of the above characteristics, unless covered by an exception under the Act. As Network Classifieds could be legally liable if an unlawful advertisement is printed, Network Classifieds will not accept advertisements that appear to break the law. For more information about discrimination in advertising, contact your legal advisers or the Equal Opportunity Commission.

Join the Gisborne team to provide accurate and timely scheduling of direct care services to help our home care clients live their best lives.

Benetas is hiring a proactive leader to manage our direct care workforce, with a keen view to maximising client wellbeing in the home, and the overall client experience of employees and clients.

To succeed you will have experience in: • A complex logistics or rostering/scheduling environment • Managing a remote workforce including the track record of building capability and communication with employees • Certificate IV in Aged Care and/or Disability or Business Administration or a relevant field

Motoring Car/Truck Rentals

V

FREE CAR REMOVAL

12540135-JW11-22

Contact Ebon on 03 5410 5450 or Ebon.Young@benetas.com.au www.benetas.com.au/careers

12476519-JW03-21

What is the role?

The Workforce Coordinator provides consistent, efficient, accurate and timely scheduling of direct care services to all Benetas clients and the regional teams through the effective management of the direct care workforce.

Wrecking

Pay up to $500 for most cars Dead or Alive

12321532-HM36-16

V

LMCT 10268W

DOWNLOAD THE CROWN CABS APP FOR YOUR NEXT RIDE

7 days a week service Call Gus for a free quotation on

www.crowncabs.com.au Bookings: 1300 12 13 14

0435 904 818

Advertise with us and get better results

Call or visit us online! networkclassifieds.com.au

12539436-JW10-22

CALL:

฀

฀

Tuesday, 15 March, 2022 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 19

MOTOR STARWEEKLY.COM.AU The MG ZS EV makes its point against the opposition on price.

(Pictures: Supplied)

Tackling the Tyranny of Distance

By Derek Ogden, Marque Motoring In his 1967 book, The Tyranny of Distance: How Distance Shaped Australia’s History, Geoffrey Blainey shone a light on this country’s geographical remoteness from the centre of the British Empire.

The world’s largest island continent since has had its own problems with isolation of communities, which lately has come into sharp focus through the introduction of electric vehicles.

It’s a long way from the ubiquitous ‘fill ‘er up’ fuel station to the plug-in bowser of the widely spread charge point, but things are rapidly changing, with car battery efficiency charging ahead and charge points multiplying on mass.

For example, it is now possible to drive from the Gold Coast to Cairns on electric power, thanks to Queensland’s Electric Super Highway, with 18 charging points along the way.

Research has shown the main reason for not buying a clean energy vehicle are their high prices. While the usual suspects concentrate on producing high-priced premium product, the Chinese (who else?) are beavering away in the bargain basement.

MG, for example, owned by the Chinese automobile maker SAIC Motor, has produced a fully electric car in its economy ZS compact SUV range and a plug-in petrol / electric hybrid in its HS medium SUV list.

With a nod to a fully renewable electric automotive future, on test was an MG ZS EV SUV, which at $44,990, plus on-road costs, is one of the most financially accessible examples of the new breed of private transport. Based on the Essence specification (top petrol spec), it is also one of the genre’s best sellers.

Styling The MG ZS EV stacks up with most of the light SUV segment in looks. The charging flap in the diamond grille is insignificant enough to not take anything away from the well-designed front end.

The rest of the vehicle is straight out of the

SUV playbook. However, halogen headlamps are a letdown in this higher tech package.

Interior The synthetic leather upholstery is no great shakes. The seats are comfortable for shorter trips but lack support on extended journeys.

The seating position is high giving, as with many SUVs, a commanding view of the road.

With best-in-class rear headroom, flat rear floor and wide body, the MG ZS EV has plenty of interior space and features 60 / 40 split-folding rear seats and a maximum cargo space of 1166 litres with seat backs folded (not quite flat).

The gearshift, a large knob on the centre console incorporates an electronic park brake, which on pressing glows red when engaged.

Cool! On the downside, drive and reverse gears engage in their own time, not yours, which can be a problem in crowded traffic manoeuvres.

Patience pays.

The Panoramic Stargazer Sunroof, covering 90 per cent of the roof, is one of the largest in the segment and lets in plenty of light, but unfortunately, heat as well through its thin material blind.

Infotainment The MG ZS EV includes as standard an 8-inch colour touchscreen, integrated Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, six-speaker surround sound audio and satellite navigation.

This modern technology contrasts with quaint links to the past such as analogue instruments and climate controls that are limited to a blue / red arc display rather than actual temperatures.

Engines / Transmissions The permanent magnet motor is connected to a lithium-ion battery delivering maximum power of 105 kW and top torque of 353 Nm to the front wheels via a reduction gear.

Safety Occupant safety is in the hands of MG Pilot, a full suite of driver technology, which includes adaptive cruise control, front collision

20 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 March, 2022

warning, emergency braking, speed assist and lane departure warning, plus others.

Battery safety and availability are critical considerations to MG Motor and they are only one of three carmakers in the world to own their own battery production facility.

This means that the 44.5 kW battery is built to the highest quality and safety standards.

Independently certified, it is shielded by high-strength steel enabling it to withstand fire, submersion, impact, dust, pressure and salt spray.

Driving With a 44.5 kW battery, the MG ZS EV has a range of 263 km on the WLTP combined cycle. In stop / start city driving, thanks to regenerative braking, that expands to more than 370 km.

As far as charging is concerned, the car

comes with a standard CCS2 socket behind a flap in the front grille, designed to take everything from a household power source to the quickest 350 kW DC charger. Plugged into a wall socket at home, the vehicle can be fully charged overnight, while on a fast charger it takes 45 minutes to reach 80 per cent.

The MG ZS EV did introduce me to a real dose of ‘range anxiety’, the feeling that juice, therefore power, is about to run out. On a motorway run home, when the vehicle range hit 44 km, a warning flashed up telling me to recharge the battery ASAP. A check of Google showed the nearest charging station was only a kilometre from my M-way turn-off. A thoughtful city council had fitted a public charger outside a district office.

A phone call to a charging company had me signed up in no time and lifting the grille flap to find there was access to a slow or fast charging socket. Connecting the fast lead, I sat back to enjoy the view of council office workers going about their business with our rates money.

Fortunately, within 30 minutes the MG ZS EV battery was charged to 80 per cent, at a cost of $7.50, and good for almost 200 kilometres.

Charging at home meant some juggling of cars in the driveway to tap into a household power point with a lead supplied with the car that could be longer. My house was wired for the ‘olden days’, if not quite for horse and buggy.

There is more than one drive mode, customers able to choose between Eco, Normal and Sport to allow the car to adapt to their driving needs. Sport gives a sharper response but can unsettle the car. It’s best left in Normal mode for a more controlled feeling.

Eco mode adds little to the driving experience but hits the highest setting for regenerative braking, keeping the battery topped up. The car defaults to Normal every time it is turned on.

Summary Experts predict the costs of manufacturing an electric against an internal combustion powered vehicle will reach the crossover point in 2026. MG is well on the way to this electric

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

SPORT

The Bombers continue their unbeaten streak Essendon’s Victorian Football League women’s side isn’t getting ahead of itself despite an unbeaten start to the season.

The Bombers sit atop the table after four rounds on the back of four comprehensive wins to start the year.

While happy with how the side is tracking, Bombers coach Brendan Major said it was still early in the season and there’s a lot to play out.

“I don’t tend to look at that [the ladder] until about half way through the year,” he said.

“We’ve played some pretty good football, but many of the teams aren’t at full strength.

“Some teams will welcome back between 12 and 15 [AFLW] players. We’ve played some of the teams that will be in the bottom half.

“There will be some changes to the competition ladder, it’s not an indication of where we are at.”

The Bombers were again convincing in their win in their most recent win against

Williamstown on Saturday.

In wet conditions the Bombers beat the Seagulls, 10.5 (65)-2.1 (13).

Mia-Rae Clifford and Federica Frew kicked three goals each in the win.

Major said it was a good challenge in different conditions to what they had been playing in.

“It was a good performance considering the conditions,” he said.

“We played some really good football and an opportunity to play footy the way we want in trying conditions.”

“They defended pretty well.”

One of the keys in the match, was the Bombers ability to use the ball better in the front half.

The core group of Clifford, Jessie Davies, Renee Tierney, Celia McIntosh and Frew are leading the way.

“The forward line has played a few games together,” Major said.

“They’re really unselfish and really good to watch.

“Someone like Liv Manfre has come in [from the Calder Cannons] and played a role and is really competing and finding the right spots.”

Major said the win was a real team performance. He said some of the most impressive things in the win were things like shepherds, blocks and communication, things that don’t show up on the stats sheet.

Irishwomen Joanne Doonan made her debut for the Bombers in the win.

The Bombers were set to face St Kilda in round five on Sunday, after deadline.

Major said it would be a really good challenge.

“They use the ball well and are really well coached. This will be a litmus test for us.”

For the score, head to www.starweekly.com. au.

Tara Murray

Eleanor Cornish takes a mark against Williamstown. (Joe Mastroianni) 271083_04

Sports shorts GDCA The Gisborne and District Cricket Association finals are under way.

Finals in all the senior competitions, except the women’s division which have already finished, were scheduled to start at the weekend after deadline.

In the McIntyre Cup, Sunbury United was to host Bacchus Marsh, Gisborne was to play Diggers Rest Bulla in a knock out final, while Romsey and Wallan were to play in the other knock out final. For the results from the top three grades, head to www.starweekly. com.au

Soccer Gisborne will take plenty of confidence into the second round of the Nike F.C. Cup. Gisborne started its campaign in the knockout competition with a 7-0 win against Mentone. Gisborne was drawn to face Ballarat in the second round, which was set to be played on Sunday, after deadline. Ballarat had a 6-1 win in the opening round.

Meanwhile, the men’s state league season is set to kick off this weekend.

In state league 3 north-west, Sunbury United will face Westvale, while in state league 4 west, Gisborne will play Greenvale United.

EDFL

Essendon VWFL captain Louis Rowe. (Essendon FC)

Wheelchair football joy

By Tara Murray Louis Rowe thought his football days were over after an accident left him a paraplegic at the age of 22.

Not into wheelchair tennis or basketball, Rowe just stopped playing sports. That was until an Inastrgram post got his attention.

“I had played footy as a kid and up until the age of 22,” he said.

“I only ever just played footy. In 2017 I saw a few photos on instagram of people playing wheelchair footy and got in touch with AFL Victoria.

“They got me in touch with the league.”

The posts would change Rowe’s life in more than one way. He would take up the sport and later become the captain of the Essendon Bombers in the Victorian Wheelchair Football League.

Rowe said one of the biggest things for him was being able to get back out and play sport with your mates.

“It was amazing,” he said. “As soon as I got out there, the adrenaline was pumping and playing sports again.

“It was a great feeling to get back out there and it inspires me in other parts of my life.”

Wheelchair football has a lot of the same rules as normal football, but just adjusted to make it work.

The game is played on a basketball court with five players on at a time. Each player has different zones they’re allowed into.

There is no kicking, with handballing classified as what a kick would be in normal football, with marks being paid after a handball.

An underarm throw is allowed and treated like a handball in the normal game.

There is also tackling, which is touching the opponent with prior opportunity paid.

Scoring is the same as in normal football, with goals and points at each end of the court.

The Bombers have made the grand final the last two seasons, but just fallen short. Rowe said he hopes that it will be third time lucky this year.

He said it was an honour to play and captain the Bombers. This competition started in 2019, with five clubs.

“I live in the west,” he said. “I came into the

sport before the league came about.

“A few guys have been with us for five years now and are big Essendon fans.

“We train every Thursday night. The VFLW [Victorian Football League Women’s] train at the same time, as does the VFL. “We get the odd AFL player getting round … and club people there. You go past the premierships cups on the well and are really immersed in the club.”

The competition is expanding, with each club to play in a development match as well each round. There is also interest from other clubs to join.

Essendon is hosting a come and try day on March 16 at the Hangar from 6pm.

Rowe encourages anyone interested to come and try out the sport.

“There’s a lot of people who are similar to me that haven’t play sport since their injury or ever.

“You become more confident. Chairs will be provided on the night. It doesn’t matter your, age gender or skill level, we can make it work for you.”

Details: https://bit.ly/3tMV0Te

The Essendon District Football League women’s competitions will start their seasons on April 2. The league has released a provisional fixture for all three women’s divisions. Gisborne, the Sunbury Lions and Sunbury Kangaroos are all in division 1. Gisborne will start its season against Essendon Doutta Stars, the Lions against Strathmore and the Kangaroos against Moonee Valley. The Kangaroos have a second side in the division 2 competition, who will start their season against Westmeadows.

Netball The Sunbury Kangaroos are looking for players from the upcoming Essendon Football District League netball competition. All games are played in Ascot Vale on Saturday mornings from mid-April through to August. Training is Thursday nights at the Boardman netball courts from 6.30pm. Details: Rachael, 0422 744 831.

FOR MORE SPORT, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Tuesday, 15 March, 2022 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 21

SPORT STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

The Burras step it up after a positive pre-season Diggers Rest has learnt its lesson from last season in the Riddell District Football League.

After some of their biggest losses in about 10 years, the Burras have been stung into action in the lead up to 2022.

Despite having some poor performances, the Burras were sitting third when the season was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Burras’ coach Jamie Lobb said that they’ve had a really good pre-season.

“We’re a lot more advanced than last year,” he said.

“We’ve learned our lessons from last year when we had a few horror performances.

“The players have prepared themselves better, there was an attitude of being a bit complacent.

“That they will roll back in after a year off without putting in the work. The attitude of the group has changed.”

Lobb set some fresh faces at the club has reinvigorated the group.

Marcus Calvaresi, Mitchell Day, Jake Hiam,

Mithcell Jenson and Lachlan Ronaldson have all joined the club from the Essendon District Football League.

Lobb said they had all fitted in really well.

“The new guys haven’t missed a session,” he said. “They’ve played a lot of footy together and know how each other plays.

“They’ve been some of the best trainers in the off-season and are setting the example.”

Deven Costigan returns to the from Western Australia, while Josh Wallace returns from injury in a boost for the Burras.

Lobb said some of the younger players had taken a step up in pre-season and would be again pushing for senior spots.

“It’s been another good pre-season for Thomas Schwarzenberg and Benny McMahon,” he said.

“Justin Tenaglia is leading the way with the running, 19-year-old taking it on his shoulders.”

Lobb said the club was setting high

expectations for itself for the coming season.

“We are not out there just to have a run around,” he said.

“We didn’t see the full advantage of having a top five last year. We’re aiming for that top spot and a week off in finals, as all the top sides would be doing.”

The Burras will have to wait an extra week to start their season, with a bye in round one which is on April 2.

They will then kick off their season in round two against Melton Centrals, before the Easter break the following week.

Lobb said they were still working out what they would do that first week of the season in terms of training.

Tara Murray Mitchell Jensen has signed with Diggers Rest.

(Shawn Smits) 271750_01

Lions add depth to list

By Tara Murray The Sunbury Lions have looked to strengthen their list and add some more depth in the Ballarat Football League.

Coming off some good football in the back half of 2021, the Lions are keen to make sure they are again in the mix.

Lions coach Travis Hodgson said they were pretty happy with how things were sitting.

“We only lost a couple of players, but we’ve added a fair bit,” he said. “[Alik] Magin and [Mitch] Conn are big losses, but we only had them for two or three games.

“We won four of our last five games and played some really good footy without them.

It highlighted our improvement that we could win without those guys.

“We added what we needed to and I expect us to play finals.”

Hodgson, who is in his fourth season at the club, said the back half of the 2021 season they had started to see some growth in the existing talent and was expecting to that to continue.

He said their reserves, which won the last reserves grand final in 2019, were also normally pretty strong.

The club has looked to fill some key holes they felt they had in the senior side.

The first was in defence, where they lacked some height.

Patrick Scanlon, who has come across from Rupertswood, is set to play at centre half back.

“He had a terrific year at Rupertswood,” Hodgson said. “He was in their best eight out of 11 games.

“We were a bit light on for height down back with players playing taller than they are.”

Hodgson said they had hoped they had addressed their need for more size in the middle of the ground with the signing of Ben Toman.

Toman is the brother of current Lions player Dan Toman.

“Aginst East Point we were pushed around a bit by the bigger bodies. Ben is about 6’2 and a is a similar runner to Daniel.

“I think we have added another dimension.”

Hodgson said probably the biggest need was to bring in reinforcements in their front half.

He said while they could get the ball inside 50, they couldn’t convert and it proved costly as they lost a number of close games.

Blake Graham, who Hodgson coached at Bacchus Marsh, Cooper Andreson, who is on Essendon’s VFL list, along with Mathew Medcraft are all expected to provide targets.

Jake Sutton, who returned to the club late last season, is another they’re hoping will provide some goals.

The Lions have also secured five or six players from East Sunbury, which isn’t fielding senior teams this season.

Sunbury’s Lee Wesley. (Damjan Janevski) 254960_02

Sunbury finish ‘tough’ season

Lachie Brne has joined the Sunbury Lions.

(Mark Wilson)

Hodgson said they had signed four before the Thunder pulled the pin on the season.

He said Lachie Brne was one player who was likely to step straight into their starting side, with Will Wright and Callum Lever among the others to cross to the Lions.

The other key signing for the Lions is Mitch Lewis, but Hodgson doesn’t expect to see the VFL-listed player often.

22 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 March, 2022

Ruck Jayden Eales will return from a serious knee injury, after not playing a game last season.

Hodgson said while there would be some juggling with having several VFL players on the list, they were confident they would have a good team.

“We think we are pretty good when we get our best team together.”

Sunbury is hoping to finish the Bowls Victoria division 1, section 1 season on a high.

Normally at this time of the season the club would be preparing for finals, but it has been a different season.

Entering the final round, which was after deadline, the club was sitting in eighth spot, having secured their spot in division 1 for next season.

Sunbury’s David Glennon said that this season had been a different one, which they expected to be tough.

“We didn’t pick up any players in the off season last year,” he said. “We also lost a couple of players to other clubs.

“We didn’t have Carla Krizanic, who was having a baby, as well.”

Glennon said while finals and contending for the title was the normal aim, this season it was more about ensuring they stayed in division 1.

He said they were hoping to bounce back next season.

“The goal was to consolidate our position in division 1 and hopefully start a recruitment program in the off season,” he said. “To secure that spot with one round to go is really good. I would see this season as a pass mark, with it being a really strong division.”

Sunbury was set to face ladder leaders Moonee Valley on Saturday in the final round of the season, after deadline.

Glennon said they were hoping to finish the season on a high, having won their two matches the previous weekend.

It’s been a mixed season across the board for Sunbury. It’s second division side finished bottom and will be relegated to division 3 for next season.

The club’s fourth side will play finals, along with their fifth and sixth sides.

Those finals started on the weekend after deadline.

For results, head to www.starweekly. com.au.

Tara Murray

Macedon claim women’s cricket premiership It wasn’t the way they wanted to achieve it, but Macedon has claimed the Gisborne and District Cricket Association women’s premiership.

The Cats in their first season having a women’s side were due to face Lancefield Black in the grand final on March 6.

But heavy rain on the Friday and Saturday left the pitch waterlogged, prompting umpires to call the game off about an hour after the scheduled start.

The Cats, who were the higher ranked team, were awarded the premiership.

Cats coach Tim Shaw said there were mixed emotions when the game was called off.

He said the side was excited to win the premiership, but it wasn’t the way they wanted to win it.

“It’s disappointing as everyone was looking forward to the match and trying to beat the team.

Macedon women’s premiership team.

(Supplied)

“The weather gods had other ideas.”

Shaw said the success of the side was a little bit surprising. He said the team had a really good mix of young and old.

“We were lucky enough that the women who

joined the team had basic cricket skills and improved week by week.

“We had 15-and-16-year-olds who have stepped up to this level. They’ve improved their games with the bat and ball against older players.”

Shaw said having a women’s side was an important part of the club going forward. He said the juniors needed a place to play locally.

“The best thing about this team is they are a combination of young girls who have been playing under-16s for the last three or four years,” he said.

“They had no option to continue after they turned 17.

“This side promoted an opportunity to women in the Macedon and Gisborne area to play women’s cricket, they haven’t had that avenue for a few years.

“It gives these young women the chance

Bombers add experience

By Tara Murray Riddell has added some experience to its list as it aims to take the pressure of the younger guys in the Riddell District Football League.

The Bombers were sitting fourth last year when the season was called off, with the young brigade leading the way.

Bombers coach Justin Belleville said they were keen to help these players take the next step.

“I don’t think we were far off last year,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of young kids coming up from the under-19s. We had a lot of young kids who last year got a taste of senior football.

“With the experienced players coming back to do more of the heavy lifting it will help the younger players.“ Two former players are among the three key signings the club has announced so far.

Dylan Tarczon returns to the club, having last played for the Bombers in 2019.

Tarczon, who played two seasons at the club in his last stint, kicked 69 goals in the 2019 season to finish third in the goal kicking.

Belleville said he expected that Tarczon would play a different role this season.

“He’s a huge in for us,” he said. “He’s been around senior football for a long time.

“He’s that type of player we were lacking last year. We don’t need him up forward as much, he’ll be more around the ball.”

Matt Said also returns to the Bombers after a couple of years off. Mick Edwards is the third new signing, coming across from the Sunbury Lions in the Ballarat Football League.

Edwards played a number of roles for the Lions.

Belleville said there was still a few more signings to be announced, which would happen in the next couple of weeks.

On the other side, the Bombers have lost Matthew Panuccio and Jarryd Vernon to Gisborne, while Pat MacDonough is headed to the Victorian Amateur Football Association.

Belleville said things had started to pick up on the training track in recent times.

“We were struggling for thirds [under-19s] at the start,” he said. “It has picked up a lot the last few weeks and we’re getting plenty of players in.

“We’ll definitely have a team now. I think it was COVID, work commitments and cricket that stopped a lot early.

“All those factors and some guys are lazy and leave it until the last minute.

“Most nights now we’re getting 40 on the track.”

Belleville said they were aiming to be among the mix again this season.

The Bombers will start their season on April 2 in a twilight match at Macedon.

Dylan Tarczon. (Shawn Smits) 272045_01

The two clubs will play for the PUKA UP Cup an annual round one day between the two clubs. The team that takes out the most wins across the whole day wins the cup.

The cup and day, which started in 2018, are about bringing awareness about mental health, something that is close to hearts of those at both clubs.

to continue to play cricket with their friends.

We’ve also had women who have reconnected to the sport after not playing for five or even 10 years.”

It was a big weekend for the club’s female program with the under-17 girls playing in their grand final on the Friday.

They lost to Gisborne. Many of that team played in both the under-17s and women’s teams.

Shaw said they were keen to continue building the women’s program next season.

“We’ll do it all over again next year,” he said.

“We’re looking to build the women’s program. We also have a successful under-13 team and we’re always looking for new players for all our sides.”

Tara Murray

New look Jets ready to win A new-looking Sunbury Jets squad is coming together ahead of the Big V women’s state championship season.

The Jets like many other clubs have had a large turnover of players, with the pandemic having a massive impact.

Under new coach Ben Draper, the side will take on a very different look to previous years.

Draper said it hadn’t been the easiest start to his time at Sunbury.

Like many other clubs, the Jets have found it harder to recruit players than in the past.

“There’s a lot of players who have decided they have had enough and will take some time off,” he said. “Once you’re getting everyone back, there’s things like isolation. It’s proving to be a little bit more difficult and it’s a work in progress.

“I like a challenge.”

Draper said they had been able to sign a couple of imports who would arrive in the coming weeks.

They will also have a former player returning from college.

Swedish shooting guard Ida Andersson has been revealed as one of the Jets new signings. Andersson first signed with the Jets in 2020 but was unable to get onto the floor due to the season’s cancellation.

Nicole Cameron has come across from Craigieburn Eagles and Draper said he thought she had been underrated in this competition.

Just a couple of players from the 2021 list remain; Emily Conn and Hannah Markov.

A couple of younger players who have been in the system will get their opportunity and have had to step up in preseason with some of the experienced players still to join the group.

“There’s a couple of younger girls who will get some opportunities,” he said.

“Imogen Wardley has done some good things. Olivia Ogston is another who is stepping up.”

Draper said despite the mixed pre-season they would take a lot of positivity to the season which gets underway this weekend.

“I’ve been impressed with the group even though we don’t have many returning players,” he said.

“With the caliber of players, this group is capable of doing something good.”

Tuesday, 15 March, 2022 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 23

Open Evening Thursday 28 April, 4pm – 8pm Book Online: shckyneton.catholic.edu.au Hands on activities, information sessions

Sacred Heart College Kyneton T: 5421 1238 E:dlawrence@shckyneton.catholic.edu.au www.shckyneton.catholic.edu.au

12534525-HC11-22

and displays – lots to do and see.