Star Weekly - Sunbury Macedon Ranges - 19th April 2022 by Star Weekly

Established in 1981 as the

proudly serving Sunbury and Macedon Ranges

19 APRIL, 2022

12496404-AV22-21

FREE DIGITAL EDITION

SIG N U P N O W!

(Supplied: Belinda Young)

Seeds of joy

KYLIE SWAIN WITH HER CHILDREN WILLOW AND COBY

Turning towards the light with their vivid yellow petals, sunflowers are a symbol of joy, summer and warmth – which is why Kylie Swain wanted to spread them across the Macedon Ranges. Since October last year, the mother of four has been a part of the Sunflower Project, dropping off little bags of seeds to pick up points for locals to join in. Through social media, Ms Swain’s project grew – for a few months now, various locations across the Ranges have bloomed golden and bright. “It was so nice to watch them grow from a little seed into beautiful flowers, the kids watched them as well and were so excited to see them come out,” Ms Swain said. “It was very exciting, and even more exciting to see them all around the Macedon Ranges, popping up in peoples’ gardens and wherever they planted them.” Now, as many of the other sunflowers have withered before the colder months, Ms Swain’s own crop has finally blossomed. “The people who got their flowers work hopefully save the seed, then we’ll have really strong seed that’s grown been grown in Macedon Ranges before,” Ms Swain said.

Swim wait times sinking By Elsie Lange If you live in Sunbury and you put your two year old on a waitlist for swimming lessons at the local council-run aquatic centre, they’d be 114th in line. If your child is between five and 18 years old, they’d be 133 on the list at the Sunbury Aquatic and Leisure Centre. These wait list numbers were revealed in response to queries raised during public question time at a Hume council meeting on Monday, April 11. Other figures were even more sobering: at the Craigieburn Splash Aqua Park and Leisure Centre, there were 1581 on the waitlist for three to five year old swimming lessons, and

a whopping 4758-long list for kids aged five to 18. Sunbury resident Mel O’Neill asked the questions and said she knew people in her mother’s group who had taken their child off the local waitlist to travel to Gisborne for lessons. “Because they know that they’re not going to get their children in and they know how important it is for their children to learn how to swim, to be safe around water,” Ms O’Neill said. “They just can’t wait that long.” The figures are troubling in light of the recent Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report released in February, which indicated 294 people died from drowning between July 2020 to June 2021.

After hearing the waitlist figures, Hume councillor Trevor Dance raised the issue as a general business item and asked officers to report back about what can be done to fastrack a reduction in waitlist numbers for swimming lessons. Ms O’Neill also worried about a lack of recreational areas for children to practice the skills they’ve learnt in lessons. “Everybody knows that with education, you can teach and teach and teach, but it’s not until children practice and play that they actually start to reinforce those learnings, and there’s just no space to do that,” Ms O’Neill said. Hume council corporate services director Daryl Whitfort said there were a number

of factors that contribute to the variation in waitlist and enrolment figures at aquatic centres. “The programs within each council facility vary with pool space availability and swim teacher availability – which is experiencing an industry-wide shortage since the beginning of the pandemic,” Mr Whitford said. “The waitlist at Splash Aqua Park and Leisure Centre is the largest due to the high demand from young families that live in the area. “The waitlist has also been in place since 2017, while the waitlists for Sunbury and Broadmeadows Aquatic and Leisure Centres were implemented during the pandemic,” he said.

Mary-Anne Thomas MP

LABOR MEMBER FOR MACEDON DELIVERING FOR OUR COMMUNITY

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

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

12541568-SG12-22

SECTION STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

On Sale Wednesday 20th April until Tuesday 26th April 2022

p! a e h C s ’ t a h n ow t

NGF GOURMET PIZZAS 500G Selected Varieties

599 ea

$11.98 per kg

Brown Brothers Moscato 750mL Varieties Peter Lehmann Portrait 750mL Varieties Wynn Coonawarra 750mL Varieties

CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS

Any 2

99 kg

or $16 each

Lamb Cutlets

Freshly Made!

MULTI-BUY Community Co Passata Sauce 690g 19¢ per 100g Single Sell $1.60

34 $

for

SAVE 80¢

Sirena Tuna 185g Selected Varieties $1.62 per 100g

299 ea

SAVE $1.31

$ Chicken Parmigiana

1699 kg

$ Chicken Kiev

1699 kg

1299 kg

Chicken Schnitzel

C Cheezels, Jumpy’s, T Thins or Chickadees 6 Pack 90-114g Selected Varieties S

275

2 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 19 April, 2022

ONE DAY ONLY!

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

market day Specials!

Serving suggestion

Thursday 21st April 2022

Serving suggestion

SECTION

ONE DAY ONLY!

VIEW RECIPE

1899

1299

$ Australian Beef Rump Steak

Creamy

Australian Lamb Shanks

Potato Bake

Hot ! PRICE

$ Australian Washed Potatoes 2.5kg

49 ea

2.5kg bag

$1.40 per kg

999

Deli Leg Ham (from the Deli)

Regular Hot Roast Chicken

SAVE $8

799 ea

SAVE $1.01

IGA Bakers Oven Sponge Choc/Jam Rolls 400g, Rollettes 250g and Lamingtons 350g Varieties

199 ea

SAVE $1.51

Hot !

25 ¢

PRICE

Per Bottle

350

SAVE 80¢ Kellogg’s Froot Loops 460g, Nutri-Grain 765g or Just Right Original 740g

40 ea

SAVE $4.40

Mount Franklin Spring Water 20x500mL 50¢ per Litre

$ ea

Patties Party Pies, Sausage Rolls or Pasties 12 Pack

SAVE $5

Bickford’s Cordial 750mL Selected Varieties

95 ea

$4.67 per Litre

SAVE $4.55

IGA LIQUOR SPECIALs

Per Stick

Cadbury Favourites 352-373g Selected Varieties

650 ea

SAVE $7.50

Streets Family Value Pack 20s 99¢ per 100mL

save $9

30 can Block

700mL Gold Midstrength

Bond 7 Whisky or Arktika Vodka

450 ea

SAVE $1.40 Bundaberg Ginger Beer 4x375mL Selected Varieties

Melton Sunbury Gisborne Delahey Glengala

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

Specials available Wednesday 20/03/22 until Tuesday 26/04/22. Market Day Specilas available Thursday 21/04/22 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

IGAVI8828_200422

$3 per Litre

Tuesday, 19 April, 2022 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 3

SECTION STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

12537884-SG16-22

STAGE 1 ALMOST SOLD. STAGE 2 RELEASED.

4 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 19 April, 2022

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

NEWS

Romsey expansion concerns By Elsie Lange Locals have raised concerns about the safety of expanding Romsey to the east and south of the town, due to the capacity and proximity of Romsey Recycled Water Plant (RRWP), run by Greater Western Water (GWW). Macedon Ranges council (MRSC) is developing the Romsey Structure Plan, to determine the settlement boundary of the town as it is set to grow in population by 6000-10,000 people by 2036. A new structure plan will guide the development of the town to the year 2050. In response to the structure plan’s draft Emerging Options Paper released in February,

real estate lawyer and Monegeetta-based cattle farmer Randall Gerkens made a submission to council and said to push the south-east option was ignorant of the limitations of the sewage plant. “Our big concern about the Romsey Options Paper and expansion of Romsey is that it will put huge pressure on the GWW Sewage Plant which is already inadequate and may put [Deep] Creek in danger of accidental overflows,” Mr Gerkens said. He said it could damage the ecosystems of the creek as well as jeopardise surrounding farms that rely on it for their stock and domestic water supply. GWW strategy and partnership general

manager Richard Smith said they were increasing the capacity of the RRWP to support town growth and protect the environment – but did not rule out discharging into the creek. “We’ve listened to community feedback and the plant upgrade does not rely on discharging to Deep Creek,” Mr Smith said. “Romsey’s fast population growth means the town is producing more wastewater than forecast. “In extreme wet weather, we may seek [Environmental Protection Authority] Victoria approval for a controlled emergency recycled water discharge to Deep Creek to avoid damage to the plant and minimise community health and environmental impacts,” he said.

Mr Gerkens said council was not fully aware of the risks. “It’s obvious Macedon Ranges does not have enough information about the inadequacy of the plant and what needs to be done to fix it to be sensibly proposing a major expansion of Romsey.” MRSC Planning and Environment director Rebecca Stockfeld said the options paper acknowledged the buffer area around the plant, where the sewage is treated, would be a constraint to potential development. “Council will consider the key issues arising from the Romsey Emerging Options Paper consultation process and further engage with Greater Western Water,” Ms Stockfeld said.

Basketball players wanted The Macedon Ranges Basketball Association (MRBA) is looking for local teenagers and adults to play domestic competitions this winter. Expressions of interest close on April 22. MRBA senior domestic competition coordinator Tom Scott said they’re looking to give people the chance to play the sport they love in the Macedon Ranges, rather than having to travel elsewhere. “It provides people the opportunity to play locally and socialise locally through sport,” Scott said. Scott said people could either bring a team across to the competition or could individually reach out to be placed in a team. “[MRBA] is fairly large in its scope across age groups, and both genders, and there’s obviously a number of teams across each competition,” Scott said. He said it was good to be able to welcome players back again, after the rolling lockdowns of the pandemic. “We’re just looking to provide the opportunity to engage, and often sports is a good avenue for adults to socialise… and deal with several mental health issues and build connections,” Scott said. He said the senior domestic competition is looking to work with the Kyneton Basketball Association to “create a sustainable domestic program”. “The aim is to provide the sustainability long term to ensure we have a competition regardless of whether it’s winter or summer,” Scott said. Details: https://www.mrba.net.au/ ranges/ Elsie Lange

(Supplied)

Anzac Day is ready to dawn again From Kashmir, to the Golan Heights, to the Sinai Desert, John McCausland’s service as a peacekeeper took him across the world. Now, the veteran who spent 24 years as a professional soldier is the president of the Woodend RSL and organises its Anzac Day activities taking place on April 25. “I’ve been part of the RSL for about seven years,” Mr McCausland said. “Like many veterans, I didn’t engage for a number of decades, but like many veterans, you gravitate back to the veteran community after a period of time.” His service started with the United Nations on the line of control between India and Pakistan, before he was transferred to the Middle East after the 1973 war between Israel and a coalition of Arab states.

‘‘

That’s what I strive to achieve, involvement of the whole Woodend community

’’

- John McCausland

Mr McCausland then worked as a peacekeeper observer between Israel and Syria and then in the Sinai Desert between Israel and Egypt. To him, Anzac Day is not just about veterans, but about education and community. “I think this is Australia’s national day,” Mr McCausland said.

GREAT RANGE OF STOCK AVAILABLE

“That’s the day the community comes together to give thanks for the sacrifices of the generations before, and for us to give thanks for them for giving us a national identity and providing the community and society where we are one and free.” The Woodend RSL’s commemorative service will begin at 11.30am, which includes a march through the high street and a service at the RSL. “This year we’ve got five schools involved in that service in different ways, it’s a real community event,” Mr McCausland said. “That’s what I strive to achieve, involvement of the whole Woodend community.” Details: https://fb.me/e/1AVjqz8i7 Elsie Lange

NEW SPECIALS Whole Prime Grade Eye Fillet

$49.99kg

Beef Brisket (low & slow)

$12.99kg

Legs of Lamb (bone in)

$11.99kg $8.99kg

Chicken Breast Fillets (skin on) CARTON SPECIAL Prime Garde Rump

MON TUES WED THUR FRI SAT SUN

$16.99kg

EASTER TRADING HOURS WEEK COMMENCING 18/04/2022

18/04/22 EASTER MONDAY CLOSED 19/04/22 08:30 am - 5:30 pm 20/04/22 08:30 am - 5:30 pm 21/04/22 08:30 am - 5:30 pm 22/04/22 08:30 am - 5:30 pm 23/04/22 08:30 am - 2:00 pm 24/04/22 09:00 am - 2:00 pm CLOSED ANZAC DAY

12524085-SN16-22

John McCausland is president of the Woodend RSL.

PHONE 5422 3851 180 MOLLISON ST, KYNETON orders@hardwicksofkyneton.com.au

Tuesday, 19 April, 2022 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 5

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU Briefs

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Your say on emissions The state government is inviting Victorians to have their say to help shape the interim emissions reduction target for 2035. Either by writing a submission or completing a survey online, and there’s even a survey for people under 25 years old to voice thoughts on the best ways to undertake climate action. The consultation is part of the state government’s plan to halve emissions by 2030. s D’Ambrosio said.

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

Join a rainbow choir GENERAL REAL ESTATE INQUIRIES reads@starweekly.com.au

A catch up of U3A Kyneton.

(Supplied).

Forever learning at U3A

EDITORIAL GENERAL EDITORIAL INQUIRIES westeditorial@starweekly.com.au COMMUNITY CALENDAR ENTRIES communitycalendar@starweekly.com.au

Learning is something we do all the time. Whether it’s a word we haven’t heard before, or an idea from a time and place before us, or even a melody we commit to memory – it’s all a part of growing. There’s no age limit to it, either. The University of the Third Age (U3A) in Kyneton champions this truth, giving senior residents across the Macedon Ranges a chance to rehash old skills or learn new ones. U3A Kyneton secretary Roni Taubman said the initiative helped people to keep their minds and bodies active. “The social activity is just wonderful, the interaction when they’re doing more academic courses like the French language, it’s always good for someone to learn a new language,” Ms Taubman said. “Just because you’re retired doesn’t mean you have to stop learning… It’s absolutely continual learning.”

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

The U3A movement began in France in 1971, before crossing to Britain where it became a sharing of ideas, knowledge and skills. “Our learners teach and our teachers learn, and there’s no distinction between them,” Ms Taubman said. Whether it’s a weekly coffee and chat, a fortnightly film club, bushwalking, cycling, or a course in a language, poetry, current affairs or a book circle, there’s an exceptional amount to gain from being a part of U3A Kyneton. Get involved now to be a part of courses beginning May, including one in propaganda and another in railways and Australian history. To try out U3A, head along on Fridays at 2pm to the Red Brick Hall, 23 Yaldwyn Street West, Kyneton, to watch a fascinating presenter. Details: https://u3akyneton.org.au/

Rainbow Voices is Macedon Ranges first LGBTIQA+ choir, and they are looking for new members of all skill levels. For people 13 years and older, the singing group covers a range of engaging songs which are sure to get you crooning. LGBTIQA+ people and allies involved would have the chance to be guided by renowned musician and Kyneton local Adam Przewlocki. Practice is on Sundays, 4pm-6pm, at Kyneton Community House, to gear up for the Loud and Proud Chorale Festival in Sydney in February 2023. For enquiries, email admin@ kynetoncommunityhouse.org.au or call 5422 3433.

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

Elsie Lange

Print and Online Sales Executive A

AC DA

Let’s go to the dawn service

Free bus services will run to the Mt Macedon ANZAC Day Dawn Service from each major township across the Macedon Ranges. Buses depart from: ̶ Gisborne Railway Station ̶ Woodend Railway Station ̶ Riddells Creek Primary School ̶ Romsey Community Hub ̶ Lancefield Mechanics Hall ̶ Sunbury Railway Station ̶ Kyneton Post Office Bookings are essential and close 6pm Sunday 24 April 2022. Visit ptv.vic.gov.au/anzacbooking to book your seat. Plan your journey at ptv.vic.gov.au

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

Department of Transport PTVH5852/22

Authorised by the Department of Transport, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne

12518321-AV43-21

6 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 19 April, 2022

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

NEWS

Ruckus over councillor apology By Elsie Lange Councillors fought for more than half an hour about the adoption of last month’s minutes at a Hume council meeting on Monday, April 11, which temporarily forced mayor Carly Moore from her seat as chairperson. The offending minutes were from a council meeting on March 15, 2022, in which members requested an apology from councillor Trevor Dance regarding breaches of the Hume code of conduct, ordered by an arbiter back in September 2021. At the council meeting on April 11,

councillor Jodi Jackson said the minutes of March 15 did not accurately reflect that Cr Dance had apologised and said she would move the motion to adopt the minutes with amendments. Cr Jackson said she sought the amendment because the current wording implied Cr Dance did not provide an apology, which she said could be used against him “I would find that completely unacceptable and intolerable,” Cr Jackson said. Her amendment was then defeated. When councillor Joseph Haweil moved to adopt the minutes as printed, he sought to

explain the background of the apology and prior breaches of conduct, but was cut short as Cr Jackson called a point of order that he “stick to the motion at hand”. “What I find quite quite peculiar, strange, interesting in fact, is that we’ve spent quite some time talking about whether council accepted or did not accept an apology issued by Cr Dance,” Mr Haweil said. “When the real issue is that Cr Dance was found to have breached the Hume city council code of conduct on seven out of eight occasions.” Cr Moore and Cr Jackson argued about

whether Cr Haweil could outline why Cr Dance had apologised, before the mayor dismissed Cr Jackon’s point of order when raised a second time. That culminated in Cr Jackson dissenting from the mayor’s ruling on the point of order, which forced Cr Moore out of the chair to be taken by deputy chair councillor Sam Misho. Cr Misho put Cr Moore’s ruling to dismiss Cr Jackson’s point of order to the vote, which was upheld. After more than 35 minutes of discussion, councillors other than Cr Dance and Cr Jackson voted to adopt the minutes in their original form.

WayOut is on its way A local organisation championing LGBTIQA+ young people has received a grant to deliver more programs in Sunbury. The grant through the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth)’s The Big Connect will see the WayOut program share in $5 million to deliver services to create safe and affirming opportunities for Sunbury’s diverse youth. Delivered by Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health (SCCH), the WayOut program focuses on the rights, mental health and wellbeing of queer young people and their families. SCCH health promotion team leader Lauren Tyrell said the grant gave the organisation a chance to think about expanding the LGBTIQA+ service further. “We really saw this as an ideal opportunity for us to replicate the really well regarded work of the WayOut program in the Macedon

Ranges down into the Sunbury community,” Ms Tyrrell said. Ms Tyrrell said through the grant the organisation hoped to create safe spaces for people to establish meaningful relationships and have a sense of belonging in their communities. “We’ll be working with young people, we’ll be working with their families, we’ll be working with schools, council, local organisations and businesses to help young people to feel connected and supported in their school environments and in the broader community,” Ms Tyrrell said. For a long time, rainbow kids from Sunbury had travelled up to LGBTIQA+ support groups delivered through SCCH in the Macedon Ranges. “We know it’s something they want and something that they need,” Ms Tyrrell said. Elsie Lange

LGBTIQA+ support service WayOut will expand into Sunbury thanks to a VicHealth Big Connect grant. Pic of WayOut’s Matt Gleeson and Rhani Dean-Talbett. (Damjan Janevski) 275837_01

THE BEST IN POINT COOK RETIREMENT LIVING

Established homes now available

Apt 266

Apt 267

Villa 76

Villa 238

Villa 107

$375K $375K $540K $575K $630K 2

Freecall: 1800 645 264

PRICES VALID AT PUBLICATION DATE.

From time to time selected refurbished units become available for sale to new residents of Point Cook Village. Call Michael to inspect the villas, tour the village and to discuss your retirement future in this friendly and welcoming community.

pointcookvillage.com.au 320 Point Cook Road, Point Cook

For more information about our range of retirement communities visit: rcavillages.com.au Tuesday, 19 April, 2022 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 7

SECTION STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Protect your child with the coronavirus vaccine for 5-11 year olds Throughout the pandemic, our kids have given up a lot to help keep their families, schools and friends safe. And with children eligible for vaccination from January 10, now it’s their turn to feel safe. The coronavirus vaccine for kids 5 - 11 will keep them protected from serious illness and will get you off to a safe start to the school year.

To find out where and how to book visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au

Know the how what & when of vaccination for 5-11 year olds Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

8 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 19 April, 2022

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

NEWS

MP weighs in on sport concerns By Elsie Lange An upper house MP has urged the Victorian government to allow Macedon Ranges sporting clubs to continue to play at Hanging Rock oval. Northern Victoria MP Tania Maxwell tabled the Hanging Rock Cricket Club’s petition in the Legislative Council on April 5, which pleads with the government to amend their draft Hanging Rock master plan to include sporting clubs. “Local people feel devastated by the prospect

that the master plan, as written, would remove cricket without offering a new home for the local kids, young people and adults who love it,” Ms Maxwell said. “The game’s been played here since 1864, Hanging Rock Cricket Club (HRCC) has more than 100 members, and this past season it fielded four junior and three senior teams including girls and women. “Compared with horse-racing, concerts and similar big visitor events, local cricket must be the activity with the lightest touch on the precinct’s environment,” she said.

HRCC vice-president Stephen Mitchell described the decision in the Hanging Rock draft master plan to move sport away from the rock as a “death sentence”. On April 5, Northern Victoria Liberal MP Wendy Lovell also raised the issue of the future of the club in parliament. “We all know the important role sporting clubs play in our communities, and the Hanging Rock Cricket Club plays a vital role in the health and happiness of local residents,” Ms Lovell said.

In response to questions from Star Weekly, a spokesperson from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning said they knew the draft master plan proposes a big change for the affected sporting clubs. “That is why, should the plan proceed, the transition to other nearby locations for these clubs will be carried out over five years,” the spokesperson said. “Local sporting clubs have been invited to work with Macedon Ranges shire council, with support from state government, to plan for possible relocation.”

Freedom to stay at home

Thomas Currie can’t wait to bring his show Basically Nocturnal to Kyneton.

(Supplied)

Cabaret night coming to Kyneton interested me,” he said. Basically Nocturnal features two keyboards, a piano, drums and an electric cello, creating otherworldly sounds with looping effects, alongside Mr Currie’s transportational baritone voice. “You can get the sound of a string quartet with only one instrument, and there’s a lot of skill and art that goes into that from the brilliant cellist that we’ve got on board,” Mr Currie said. From well known songs by artists like The

NtoSwunbury a

42 Evans Street, Sunbury, VIC 3429

Carpenters and Billy Joel, to original tracks, Mr Currie, whose family is originally from Kyneton, said he can’t wait to take the music inside Bluestone Theatre. “It’s such a beautiful venue, it’s bluestone, it’s stunning and it’s intimate, and that is what the show is,” Mr Currie said. Tickets and details: https://www. thomascurrie.com.au/ Elsie Lange

12539213-AI14-22

A night of cabaret is coming to Kyneton’s Bluestone Theatre in late April, and Thomas Currie can’t wait to be the performer bringing it there. Mr Currie’s show, Basically Nocturnal, featured at the Melbourne Cabaret Festival in 2021 and before he returns to Melbourne for another season, he’ll be making a stop on April 29 in the Macedon Ranges. “It’s a collection of stories and tales from the middle of the night, I put it together because I’m a bit of a night owl and that has always

Most older Australians would likely prefer to stay in their own homes for as long as they can. Macedon Ranges council will support them to do so, by holding free information sessions for older residents, their families and their carers about the Commonwealth Home Support Programme services. The information sessions, taking place during April and May, will be general in nature and will help residents to find Commonwealth Home Support Program at organisations across the municipality. Some examples of support offered through the program include support to attend appointments and activities, domestic assistance, personal care home maintenance and modifications to keep them safe for living, aids and equipment, meals, nursing, allied health, social support and respite. Council community director Maria Weiss said the home support program services are important in helping the area’s older people stay active members of the community. “We encourage older residents and their families to come along to an information session to find out what support is available in the shire to help them stay independent and living safely in their own home,” she said. From 10am to noon, the sessions are happening at Kyneton Mechanics Institute on April 26, Riddells Creek Community Centre on May 3, Woodend Community Centre on May 12, Romsey Mechanics Institute on May 17, Macedon Community Centre on May 23 and online on May 30. To register for a session, contact Stephanie Harper on 5422 0258 or sharper@mrsc.vic.gov.au

Tuesday, 19 April, 2022 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 9

SECTION STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Run a small business? Free advice is available. The Victorian Government is supporting you with business advice, financial counselling and mental health support from Headway – the free, small business wellbeing initiative.

Get your free advice at business.vic.gov.au/Headway Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne. 12542826-JW16-22

10 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 19 April, 2022

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

NEWS

Fitting farewell for beloved dad By Elsie Lange In February this year, a much-loved member of the Macedon Ranges firefighting community died after a 10-month-long battle with synovial sarcoma. But not before the firefighting helicopter he’d worked on for years landed on top of the Royal Melbourne Hospital to bid him farewell, just a day before he succumbed to the disease. Adam Damen was just 40 when he died, and his wife Michelle said the specially arranged landing meant the world to him. “He was over the moon,” Michelle said. “That helicopter had been his baby for so long.”

‘‘

It’s been a pretty hectic journey, but a beautiful one too - Michelle Damen

’’

Organised between his former workplace, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), the Country Fire Authority (CFA), the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (Peter Mac) and the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Michelle said all involved were determined to make it happen. The landing allowed Adam to see for himself the upgraded aerial intelligence gathering helicopter, which he’d helped develop in his work doing forest fire management for DELWP – even when he was sick. “He’d been sick so he had to just do it all via phone, he hadn’t seen the new refurbished machine and he really wanted to,” Michelle said. It was the first time a non-ambulance helicopter landed on the hospital roof. Adam and Michelle’s story is a beautiful one: they met 23 years ago when they were both in

Michelle and Adam Damen with their daughters, Lucy and Eleanor. Top right: Adam and Michelle on top of the Royal Melbourne Hospital with the upgraded firefighting helicopter. (Supplied: Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre) Right: Adam and his daughter with a firefighting helicopter. (Pictures: Supplied)

year 12 at Gisborne High School, and now have two children, Lucy and Eleanor. The couple worked alongside each other through Mount Macedon CFA and DELWP, as colleagues and as friends, and Michelle described her late husband as dedicated, hardworking and passionate about fire and protecting communities.

“You never really know how many people out there appreciate what you do until something like this happens and I wish Adam had known,” Michelle said. She said fire was Adam’s life – during his time he’d served during the Black Saturday and Black Summer fires and across the country. “He felt like he had only just scratched the

surface in the things he wanted to do,” she said. “But when you look at how much he had already done, that’s really astounding.” Michelle praised the care Adam received at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and Peter Mac since his diagnosis. “It’s been a pretty hectic journey, but a beautiful one too,” she said.

Open Evening Thursday 28 April, 4pm – 8pm Book Online: shckyneton.catholic.edu.au Hands on activities, information sessions and displays – lots to see and do.

Sacred Heart College Kyneton

www.shckyneton.catholic.edu.au T: 5421 1238 E:dlawrence@shckyneton.catholic.edu.au Tuesday, 19 April, 2022 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 11

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Hume adopts final rural strategy By Elsie Lange Hume council has voted to adopt the final Hume Rural Strategy, to guide the future of rural areas in the municipality. The strategy has been in the making for a few years, with consultations open from March 2020 to March 2021 – there were 63 submissions from on behalf of residents, landowners and government agencies during that time. Hume’s rural areas encompass over 250 square kilometres, and the strategy aims to provide realistic responses to challenges

in those areas, while maximising future opportunities, and includes 65 directions and actions. The strategy was discussed at a council meeting on Monday, April 11, in which councillor Janet Sherry said the documents provided an “important framework” for community members to make choices for how they can use and manage their land. Cr Sherry spoke of Hume as a peri-urban area – a zone of transition between rural and urban land uses – with a diverse range of lifestyles within it, making single strategy development hard.

“I believe that Hume’s rural strategy will provide some certainty to landholders in our peri-urban interface,” Cr Sherry said. While councillor Trevor Dance supported the strategy, he said it was also paramount council do everything to support landholders who “through no fault of their own” had struggled to use their land. “I support the council’s report, and I certainly support the green wedges, but with a caveat: we’ve got to really make sure we look after these land owners,” Cr Dance said. Councillor Jodi Jackson said she would not

support the strategy because she’d spent time with rural constituents who did not think it went far enough to ensure council had sought out the best outcomes for all residents in Hume. “I have taken the time to discuss at length various issues where our rural constituents are affected by this strategy,” Cr Jackson said. “While we understand that agriculture might not be a highly profitable activity for most, those residents that I have engaged with felt that that was no reason to support, through the strategy, what many… considered to be excessive and inappropriate developments.”

Big day for health hub In November 2019, premier Daniel Andrews and Macedon MP Mary-Anne visited the construction site of the Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health Hub in Kyneton. Last week, they visited again, but this time to announce the completion of the $9.7 million specialised health and wellbeing precinct, in all its glory. Mr Andrews spoke at the opening on Wednesday, April 13, and said it was the “fantastic outcome” of the government’s $490 million Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF). “I’m delighted, no one’s ever questioned the quality of the care and commitment of staff across this community health service,” Mr Andrews said. “Now though, we’ve got facilities that match that care.” With allied health, counselling, paediatric and family services and e-health technology for clients in remote areas, the hub, located next to the Kyneton District Hospital, offers

everything under one roof. The contemporary building, designed to reflect and respect the beauty of the Macedon Ranges, even holds space for youth and children’s services, and meeting areas for the community. Ms Thomas said the hub is a “welcome addition” to the area and will give the community the better access they need to health and wellbeing services. “Patients and staff will benefit hugely from the improved infrastructure and equipment, which will boost services and make access easier,” Ms Thomas said. Elsie Lange Julie Landy, Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas, Margaret McDonald, premier Daniel Andrews, Riwka Hagen, Peter Donlon and Dianne Lever at the opening of the SCCH Hub in Kyneton. (Supplied) 12439267-CG04-20

Subscribe to the

Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Star Weekly

Digital Edition

FREE FEBRUARY 2, 2021 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

FEBRUARY 2, 2021 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

12477071-CG03-21

‘‘

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

‘‘

’’

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

HELP SUPPORT THE MOST VULNERABLE PATIENTS IN YOUR COMMUNITY Your donation to The Greatest Need fund will help support vulnerable patients facing severe financial hardship by providing the basic necessities they need to leave hospital and move forward with their lives. Find out more and donate today at https://greatestneed.wh.org.au

Scan this QR code to subscribe Or visit sunburymacedonranges.starweekly.com.au/ subscribe/ 12 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 19 April, 2022

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

NEWS

Council pitch for a better Hume By Helena Abdou Voters and candidates in Hume are being urged to consider local community needs as the 2022 federal election campaign formally begins. In the lead up to the election, Hume City Council is advocating for a range of federal policy and funding support to accommodate the fast-growing municipality. Council’s wish list includes initiatives to help ease traffic congestion, boost education options, and support the most vulnerable. Hume Mayor Carly Moore said it was all about better equipping the municipality for the growing population.

“Hume City Council is one of Australia’s fastest-growing and most diverse communities. Our population of 257,000 will expand to 394,000 in the next 20 years, and we need vital infrastructure and services to grow with us,” Ms Moore said. “In the lead up to the 2022 federal election, we’re calling on candidates from every political party to help build a better Hume. “We need investment that relieves road congestion, creates tertiary education opportunities where we live, helps hard-hit communities recover from COVID-19, and supports refugees and asylum seekers making a life in Hume.” Council is calling on federal candidates to commit to supporting the

delivery of infrastructure projects including the Bulla Bypass, Outer Metropolitan Ring Road and the Hume Freeway upgrades. There is also an urgency for more tertiary education options in Hume’s growth areas and more done to combat COVID related issues regarding employment and mental health. Support for refugees and asylum seekers, including the reinstatement of Status Resolution Support Services, access to essential services, education and employment opportunities are other priorities. Council wants Hume residents to help spread the word about council’s advocacy priorities over the next five weeks of the election campaign.

Councillors are urging locals to vote for a better Hume at this year’s federal election. (Supplied)

Rosenthal takes shape There’s a lot on the way for the corner of Elizabeth Drive and Vineyard Road in Sunbury. Rosenthal Estate has finalised the use of land on either side of Vineyard Road, filling the area with a range of new restaurants, a fuel station and convenience store and a car wash. Across from Rosenthal Village will be a KFC, along with another to-be-confirmed business, with construction beginning soon and the fried chicken restaurant up and running by the end of the year. On the other side of the road will be a Guzman Y Gomez Mexican restaurant, a Carl’s Junior Burgers, a 7-Eleven Service Station and convenience store, an Oporto and a conveyor car wash. Rosenthal Estate general manager Paul Millett said they had started on the campaign to use the intersection close to two years ago. “We can offer some great employment

opportunities for the local community, provide a diverse food offering in addition to the convenience store and 7-eleven, along with the service station, which is needed this side of Sunbury,” Mr Millett said. Construction on the finalised stores will commence late this year or in 2023 and open six to eight months afterwards. “I think overall people are excited by the diversity [of food options] and something coming there and providing that employment opportunity,” Mr Millett said. “Obviously you can’t please everyone, but we certainly put our best foot forward and overall we’re happy with the selection that is going there. “However, we do plan on complementing those with other uses surrounding that area,” he said. Elsie Lange

The shops to come for Rosenthal Estate.

(Supplied)

Need Heat Fast?

The Fastest, Warmest Indoor/Outdoor Heater You Will Ever Own!

+Plus

Free *

Buy One Get Second Half Price!

Floor Stand!* worth $199.99 1.8m High

*Call for Terms & Conditions

• Multi-Directional Stand • Includes Remote Control & Built-In Timer • Motion Detection Function

Commercial Grade Multi-Directional Easy Install Portable Indoors & Outdoors 12545493-DL16-22

• Heats Up Instantly • Suitable for Indoors or Outdoors - In Rain, Fog, Wind or Snow • Carbon-Fibre Bulb Technology

• • • • •

Call Now! 1800 440 440 Tuesday, 19 April, 2022 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 13

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Science experiment turns thirty By Molly Magennis Scienceworks has officially been educating young minds for 30 years. The iconic science museum in the west first opened its doors in March 1992, and has fostered the learning of millions of children that have visited ever since. Scienceworks general manager Jonathan Shearer said the museum has become a leader in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM) space since it opened three decades ago. “When we opened Scienceworks in 1992, our vision was a place for young people to play with science. Today, 30 years on, Scienceworks is bursting with things to challenge curious minds of all ages,” he said. “In an age where science and technology have the potential to solve some of the biggest problems facing our society, we take pride in the role we play in engaging and exciting people, creating the next generation of innovators and problem solvers. “This milestone excites us as we look forward to what the next 30 years of Scienceworks may bring.” To celebrate, Scienceworks are collecting images, videos and stories from any of its past and present visitors, staff, volunteers and community.” Anyone who has any fond memories or pictures to share should visit: https:// museumsvictoria.com.au/scienceworks/ about-us/scienceworks-is-turning-30/ 1/ Aerial view of the Scienceworks construction site, 1991. 2/ Amphitheatre during construction, 1990. 3/ Gallery interior, circa 1992. 4/ Entrance desk, 1992. 5/ Scienceworks Melbourne music band, 1992. 6/ A young girl at Scienceworks in 1992. (Pictures: Museums Victoria)

ON SALE

NOW

$59.9

NOW

$ W

NOW

each

$16

.00

NOW

$15.00

Order now on www.aussietoysonline.com.au 14 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 19 April, 2022

18900

$25.00

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

NEWS

MY PLACE Maria Weiss is the new Community Director at Macedon Ranges council. Working with people to support communities, especially those who are vulnerable, is what brings her joy. She can’t wait to lead her team at the council. She spoke to Elsie Lange about who she is and what she hopes to bring to her new role. Tell us a bit about you. Aside from a brief stint in legal and governance, the entirety of my career across both the not-for-profit sector and local government has been focused around the delivery of responsive, meaningful community services and programs, particularly for people with a disability, seniors, children and families. I have recently moved to Macedon Ranges council, after working in various roles at Moonee Valley council for the past 17 years. I love every aspect of working with and for people, and the opportunity to make a difference especially those who are experiencing vulnerability. My portfolio as Director Community includes customer service, emergency management, arts & culture, community development, community wellbeing and children, youth and family services. It’s fantastic to be working for the shire, and I look forward to leading the team in making a positive impact. What’s your connection to the Macedon Ranges?

Where is your favourite local place to spend time? Being mostly based in the Kyenton and Gisborne offices I’ve certainly fallen in love with the botanic gardens at both sites. Every

(Damjan Janevski) 275859

My past connection with Macedon Ranges has been in making the most of the beautiful walking trails, visiting Hanging Rock, and the various towns with my family (husband, two kids and my favourite family member … a cheeky dog named Luna). We have certainly made the most of many bakeries and cafes on weekends. It is such a beautiful part of Victoria and now I have the benefit of coming across it regularly every week! walk through, I discover something new, and starting my role with the start of autumn has been perfect timing to enjoy the beautiful landscapes in the area, as well as making the most of the great activities that are on as part of the Autumn Festival.

I love being outdoors and will give just about any sport a try. As a family we particularly love water sports and hiking.

Before COVID-19 hit, my family and I had been in training every week, preparing to hike up to Mt Everest Basecamp. Unfortunately we haven’t made it to our Nepalese adventure just yet, but it’s still on the bucket list for a future trip.

Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you.

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

30 years ago

25 years ago

20 years ago

10 years ago

April 14, 1992

April 15, 1997

April 16, 2002

April 17, 2012

Woodend’s icy response to Caloola resettlement plans for Anne Roads showed signs of thawing last week.

One of the largest public meetings in Romsey’s history occurred last week with a gathering of more than 200 residents opposed to a proposal for a Telstra tower near their town.

Just days after the closure of its maternity ward at Sunbury Private Hospital, Mayne Health announced it would open a psychiatric ward.

Service to the country. In this age of social media, the CWA continues to bring women together in more traditional ways, writes Tara Murray

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

BEHIND THE NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Film maker dials up the horror For any independent filmmaker, getting a film off the ground is hard work, and an immense amount of passion for the craft is needed to continue on the long road ahead. But for David Willing, that possibility became a reality when his horror film ‘Surrogate’ premiered at the Sun Theatre earlier this month. Molly Magennis spoke to the writer/director about his passion for film and making his feature directorial debut.

eddon resident David Willing fell in love with cinema when he was five years old. When he was 12, he picked up a video camera and started making films around his house. He eventually headed off to film school, where he learned the intricacies of how to write scripts and piece together a film. “[My] love of cinema grew and grew and I started to learn how to write and direct films,” David said. “Then, over the years, my adult life has just been making, well since film school, short films and documentaries. I’ve written I think about 11 feature films, but this was the first one that actually we managed to find the finance for to make happen.” While horror was a genre that David particularly enjoyed growing up, his work prior to Surrogate mainly consisted of writing crime/thriller scripts, documentaries and a comedy short.

Director/writer David Willing behind the camera. (Supplied)

‘‘

Honest to goodness, someone actually did pass out ... there’s a particularly notorious scene that they got up to leave and she passed out - David Willing

’’

“It sort of came full circle that my first feature was a horror film because I had loved that genre so much growing up,” he said. George A. Romero, a pioneer of the horror genre who is often referred to as the ‘godfather of zombies’, is cited by David as having a significant influence on him from a horror standpoint. He was lucky enough to meet the acclaimed director six years ago at the Melbourne International Film Festival. “Dawn of the Dead I saw when I was 12, it just blew me away,” he said. “I gave [George] a copy of one of my short films I’d made at the time and just had a brief chat with him in the cinema and he signed one of his books for me.” In terms of particularly impactful films, Silence of the Lambs (1991) and David Fincher’s masterpiece Seven (1995) were ‘pivotal’ for the young filmmaker, with the latter having a special influence on Surrogate. “It’s one of the films that I watch, you know, once a year I revisit it, it just gets better each time and the influence of that shows a little bit in Surrogate, not a lot, but there’s a few moments that are clearly inspired by the design of the film.” David describes Surrogate as an ‘intense, paranormal horror’ centred around a single mother named Natalie Paxton who falls mysteriously ill and struggles to save her family from being destroyed. “When she returns home [from hospital], just all these really, you know, crazy, intense and full-on things start happening to her and her daughter, and then she needs to solve that problem,” he said. The film is the result of a brainstorming session he had with his co-writer Beth King back in 2016, where the pair came up with eight story ideas, with one immediately standing out. They spent two years writing and rewriting the story, coming up with five different endings in the process, before officially shooting the film in 2020. Kestie Morassi, best known for her role in the iconic Australian horror Wolf Creek (2005) and as Maggie in Home and Away, was cast to play Natalie, alongside Jane Badler (Mission

Behind the scenes on the filming of Surrogate. Kestie Morassi (top left) plays mother Natalie Paxton, and Ellie Stewart (right) plays Ava Akard. (Pictures: Supplied)

Impossible) and Louise Siverson (Prisoner). David said Morassi was looking to star in another horror film around the time she finished up on Home and Away. She had been offered a lot of horror scripts following Wolf Creek, but none had grabbed her attention, that was until she read Surrogate. “What’s interesting with her role is that she’s in almost every scene of the film…so [we] just kind of needed to see that she’d be right for the character,” he said. “But then she sent me a tape of one thing in particular, and just was like, oh wow, she’s going to be perfect for the role, and yeah, it’s quite an incredible performance.” While the rest of the cast and crew is made up of over one hundred talented creatives, Surrogate does have a particularly local flavour, with many of those involved based in the west. Renee Schulz, David’s housemate, was behind the film’s gruesome makeup, the chilling soundtrack was composed by Footscray resident Mark Buys, cinematographer Ben

16 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 19 April, 2022

Luck resides in Sydenham and Producer Haris Fazlic’s studio is based in Sunshine. “The other [person who] was just incredible was our production designer Bianca because art departments feel the lower budget more than anyone because, you know, they have to dress certain sets and do certain things, and her work is extraordinary on [the film], it looks beautiful,” David said. Surrogate had its world premiere at the Sun Theatre in Yarraville on Wednesday April 6, followed by a Q&A with Jane Badler and Kestie Morassi. David said the response to the film has been really positive so far, with some audience members getting more than they bargained for. “Everyone’s just found it quite intense and [they’re] gripped as they’re watching it,” he said. “We actually had at our premiere, honest to goodness, someone actually did pass out….. there’s a particularly notorious scene that they got up to leave and she passed out.

“I said to the makeup artist who did the special effects, that’s the best compliment you’re ever gonna get for your work.” The film’s swift success was equally as clear when David was told it was the Sun Theatre’s number one film for two weeks, and that it outsold new releases The Batman and Morbius just last week. “I would say a lot of indie filmmakers would kill to get what we’ve got, you know, part of that has just come through that real hard work and tenacity,” David said. There are still plenty of opportunities for horror fans and movie lovers to see Surrogate on the big screen, with the Thornbury Picture house holding screenings on April 20, and the Sun Theatre hosting three more sessions over the school holidays with dates yet to be announced. For sessions times and more information visit https://suntheatre.com.au/wp-cinema/ movie/S21SURROGATE/SURROGATE/ or https://www.surrogatefilm.com/

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

COMMENT

Support wild gorillas in APE-ril

Western Lowland Gorilla in afternoon sunlight. (Supplied)

Anyone can collect and donate 10 mobile phones at a time by booking a free courier through Zoos Victoria’s website, and will go into a draw to win an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience for four people at Werribee Open Range Zoo. The experience includes a tour of the Zoo’s plantations to learn about what gorillas eat and how they are cared for by keepers, as well as an accommodation voucher for an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn in Werribee.

There are four sub-species of gorillas that are native to Africa. All are impacted by illegal poaching and habitat destruction from logging and mining, with conservation work of critical importance. Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo are home to seven Western lowland Gorillas, who form part of an international and regional breeding program to maintain a genetically diverse troop that can support conservation of gorilla populations.

For more information about Zoos Victoria’s They’re Calling On You initiative, visit www.zoo.org.au/phone Zoos Victoria members and Werribee Open Range Zoo visitors are reminded that all tickets must be pre-booked online at zoo.org.au and all ticket holders 18 years and over are required to provide proof of full vaccination and follow current Victorian Government directions at www.coronavirus. vic.gov.au.

12544962-AV15-22

Victorians are being asked to ‘dial up’ their support for the conservation of wild gorillas, by donating 1000 mobile phones this APE-ril. The drive by Zoos Victoria aims to recycle 1000 phones containing the metallic mineral ‘çoltan’, reducing mining in habitat shared by gorillas, while also raising funds for life-saving medical care of fragile, wild gorilla populations in Africa. Zoos Victoria conservationist and reproductive biologist Dr Marissa Parrott said recycling 1000 phones will provide enormous support for Gorilla Doctors, the only organisation in the world dedicated to saving Endangered Mountain gorillas and Critically Endangered Eastern lowland gorillas through veterinary medicine and science. “By simply donating your old mobile phones, you can make such a difference to the future of gorilla species,” Dr Parrott said. Gorilla Doctors Field Veterinarian Dr Noheli Jean Bosco said Gorilla Doctors conservation work has contributed to the restoration of 50 per cent of the current Mountain gorilla’s wild population. “In the 1980s, these Gorillas were at the brink of extinction. So, together with others, we have started to restore the number of wild gorillas,” he said. “But we are not able to succeed alone. This is achieved through the work everyone is doing together with us all around the world. Thank you to the people of Australia who have accepted this call and are recycling their phones through this initiative.”

Tuesday, 19 April, 2022 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 17

COMMUNITY STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

COMMUNITY CALENDAR WANT YOUR EVENT LISTED? Community Calendar is made available free of charge to not-for-profit organisations to keep the public informed of special events and activities. Send item details to Star Weekly Community Calendar, Corner Thomsons Road and Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park, 3042, or email to westeditorial@starweekly.com.au by 9am Wednesday the week prior to publication

Re-engage, Re-activate, Resilience! Hume council invites the community to take part in this interactive workshop to support organisations to build resilience and re-activate programs. On Thursday, May 5, 10am-noon at the Goonawarra Community Centre, 20 Dornoch Drive, Sunbury, the workshop will provide insights to take with you to your group, with opportunities to learn what support is available. ■ https://bit.ly/3vcvSpK

Lancefield Swap Meet If you’re a lover of cars, bikes, bric a brac and collectables, the Lancefield Swap Meet & Car Show, run by the Lancefield Football Netball Club, will be heaven for you. It’s happening on Sunday, April 24 from 7am at Lancefield Park. ■ Pam, 0414 491 749

Lumen Christi Catholic Primary School, students reinacted the Stations of the Cross in the lead up to Easter. Pictured are Sebastian as Jesus with Bianca and Joshua. (Damjan Janevski) 276332_01

Let’s Get Neighbourly Sunbury Celebrate the beauty of community with Let’s Get Neighbourly Sunbury, a free training and event program bringing neighbours together. The initiative is open to all in Hume, with the first session on Saturday, April 30. ■ https://bit.ly/3LRAoRk

Bulla Garden Club ANZAC DAY The Bulla Garden Club ANZAC Day memorial service is happening on April 25 at 8.30am, with morning tea provided. Head to 1 Green St, Bulla. ■ Jo, 0499 922 061

Sunbury Art Society Annual show Check out some gorgeous art at Sunbury Art Society’s Annual Show, at the historic Boilerhouse Gallery, Jacksons Hill. The show runs from Saturday, April 30 to Saturday, April 7, from 10am-4pm. Buy a $15 to be a part of opening night on Friday, April 29 at 7.30pm. ■ 0407 062 568

at Hanging Rock Winery, on until April 25, could not be more of a perfect outing. You can even enjoy a guided cellar wine tasting. 88 Jim Road, Newham. ■ https://bit.ly/3tHZFpz

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

If you’ve got a hankering to learn more about Sunbury and even your own family history, why not check out the Sunbury Family History and Heritage Society, meeting at 1.30pm on the third Thursday of each month at the Sunbury Senior Citizens Centre, 8 O’Shanassy Street, Sunbury. ■ https://bit.ly/3jvM6oJ

Ladies probus

Gisborne Bluey walk

Sunbury Ladies Probus Club

Take the kids on a Bluey-themed adventure through the Gisborne Botanic Gardens. Pick up a Bedtime Bluey StoryWalk map from the Gisborne Library and enjoy the static display of glow in the dark Bluey stories. The installation is free and runs until April 25. ■ https://bit.ly/3JYWlgM

The Sunbury Ladies Probus Club meets at 9.30am on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Sunbury Football Social Club rooms. The friendly group of women enjoy outings, film mornings, speakers and presenters, as well as special events like holidays and bus trips. New members are warmly welcomed. ■ Pat, 0433 789 754 or Sylvia, 0417 170 142

This free training and mentoring program is open to everyone in Hume, guiding neighbours in how to support each other and build community. Workshops will be held the Sunbury Neighbourhood House, 531 Elizabeth Dr, Sunbury, with the first on Saturday, April 30, 2pm-4pm. Register your interest at the link below. ■ https://bit.ly/3jcan2D

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, 0418 138 214

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

Lancefield park run relaunch Lace up your runners and join the relaunch of Lancefield’s 5km park run, happening every Saturday at 8am at Lancefield Park. No need to be speedy - participants can go at any pace. Make your way to 62 Chauncey St, Lancefield, and remember to register. ■ https://bit.ly/3IEDB4L

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

Sculptures and wine For lovers of art and wine, Art in the Vines

Sunbury Seniors meet on Mondays and Fridays at 8 O’Shanassy Street, Sunbury from 10am-3pm. A variety of activities are offered – indoor bowls, cards, snooker, guest speakers, day excursions, subsidised lunches or just a cup of coffee and a chat. If you’re 55 or older and would like to make some new friends. ■ 0493 408 890

Melton Friendship Group. Join the Melton Friendship Group for singles 55 and older. Meet fortnightly for coffee and chat nights and organised affordable outings and events. ■ 0406 493 734

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

18 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 19 April, 2022

The Melton Men’s Probus Club meets on the first Tuesday of each month at the Melton Dart Club, 63a Reserve Road, from 9.45am. New members and visitors welcome. ■ 9746 0271

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

Melton Cycling Club Melton Valley Ladies Probus Club The Melton Valley Ladies Probus Club meets at 10am on the second Tuesday of each month at the Melton Country Club. The group is open to everyone, new and old members, to get together and discover the social aspects of the group. ■ Ann, 0425 705 150

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

Zonta club meets Zonta is an international organisation bringing women together to support other women. The Zonta Club of Melton meets on the first Monday of each month at Melton Country Club, Reserve Road, Melton. ■ Suzanne, 0417 512 420

Mahjong group Garden club

19th century. U3A Melton has a group who play on Tuesdays at 10am. ■ u3amelton.com or 0419 563 016

Melton Men’s Probus Club Sunbury Seniors

Family History and Heritage Society

Let’s Get Neighbourly Sunbury

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

Interested in learning to play Mahjong? The game is a tile-based game that is derived from China where it was developed in the

Melton Cycling club meets for regular Sunday rides. There are three different riding groups to cater for different abilities starting at 7.30am. The rides finish at Lazy Moe’s for a cuppa. ■ 0403 057 003

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

Melton Parkinson’s support group The Melton Parkinson’s Support Group meets on the second Thursday of the month 10.30am - 12.30pm at Kurunjang Community Centre, 33-35 Mowbray Crescent, Kurunjang. New members and carers Welcome. ■ Helen, 0409 186 576

Melton Friendship Group Are you single, over 55 and a resident living in or near Melton? Looking for some new friends? Then the Melton Friendship Group is the right group for you! The group meets fortnightly for coffee and chat nights and organised affordable outings and events. ■ 0406 493 734

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

FREE

12477071-CG03-21

FEBRUARY 9, 2021 \ STARWEEKLY.COM

.AU

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!

SECTION

Anti-vax leaflet slammed ‘‘

Jessica Micallef

By Jessica Micallef

Let’s not

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

’’

RADIOLOGY SAVES LIVES

How healthy is

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

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

Tuesday, 19 April, 2022 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 19

PUZZLES No. 077

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.

ACROSS

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

9 4 3 4 5 8 2 3 9 2

1 9 2 1 5 6 8

5 10 11 12 13 14 15 18 20 21 24 27 28 29 30

No. 077

DOWN

Plant of the genus that includes cabbage (8) Opposite of an acid (6) Bush (5) Social exclusion (9) Playing cards (6) Buoyant support (7) Native American tribe (8) A small nation on the island of Borneo (6) Loathing (6) Danger (8) Begins again (7) Reddish-brown (6) Books of memoranda (9) Employing (5) Cerumen (6) Inscriptions (8)

easy

QUICK CROSSWORD

Outback (4) Consensus (9) Sword (US spelling) (5) Monastic establishment (8) Tyro (7) Type of acid (5) Largeness (9) Over (4) Integration of elements (9) Oslo resident (9) US state (8) West African nation; capital Windhoek (7) Lecher (5) Cease (4) Polecat (5) Roe (4)

1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 14 16 17 19 22 23 25 26

DECODER

No. 077

8 4 2 3 4 5

3 hard

7 1 3 6 9 8

7 2

10 11 12 13

P M 23

1 4 7 6 5 3 9 2 8

6 2 1 7 3 5 9 4 8

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

8 3 9 2 1 4 7 6 5

4 7 5 8 6 9 2 1 3

1 5 8 6 4 2 3 9 7

font, forint, fort, forth, FORTNIGHT, frog, front, froth, frothing, giro, goth, hong, horn, hotting, ingot, into, iron, noir, north, riot, rotting, thong, thorn, throng, tong, tonight, torn, tort, toting, trio, triton, trot, troth

No. 077 Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down.

QUICK QUIZ

What is the name of Radiohead’s fourth album, released in 2000?

What are stratus clouds called when they contact the ground?

Which organisation sent a letter to the band Pet Shop Boys requesting that they change their name to 'Rescue Shelter Boys'?

Raspeball, vareniki and khinkali are all types of what? Philip Seymour Hoffman’s (pictured) first professional acting role was in a 1991 episode of which TV series? In which Australian state is the Moore River located?

V E R T

A L A D L I V E I N E N

S O L

9 4 3 5 7 6 8 2 1

5 8 6 1 2 3 4 7 9

2 1 7 4 9 8 5 3 6

9 3 2 4 8 7 6 5 1

5 6 8 1 9 2 7 3 4

8 2 3 5 7 4 1 9 6

6 7 9 8 3 1 2 4 5

4 1 5 2 6 9 8 7 3

3 5 1 7 2 6 4 8 9

2 8 4 9 1 5 3 6 7

7 9 6 3 4 8 5 1 2

3 5 8 4 1 9 6 7 2

6 9 1 8 2 7 4 3 5

7 3 5 1 6 2 9 4 8

4 6 9 3 5 8 2 1 7

1 8 2 9 7 4 5 6 3

5 2 6 7 4 3 8 9 1

9 1 3 2 8 6 7 5 4

8 7 4 5 9 1 3 2 6

20 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 19 April, 2022

6 LETTERS ABLEST EBOOKS ESTEEM SCARED

OMEGA OMENS ORATE OVERT OXIDE PINES RETRO ROLES SATIN SCALE SCOPE SEETO SLEEK SPEND STAGE STEPS STONE STOPS TAKEN TAMPA THANK TIMES TWEED

NOTE: more than one solution may be possible

No. 077

8 LETTERS DEBONAIR POSTCARD REDOLENT TOLERANT

7 LETTERS AKIHITO BANSHEE EDUCATE ERASURE MAGENTA RANKING

22-04-22

S T

7 9 4 3 8 1 6 5 2

5 LETTERS ADAGE ADDER ADEPT ADORE

4 LETTERS ATOM ATOP BASS BEDS ERIN IRON KEEL LARS MESS NESS NINE TENS TEST TYRE

3 6 2 9 5 7 1 8 4

2 4 7 6 3 5 1 8 9

N S

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”.

9-LETTER WORD

33 words: Excellent

ARGOT AWARE BOARD BUCKS CIDER CIVIC DREGS DROOP ELATE ENDED ENEMA ENTER ERASE ERROL HOMES IDEAS KATIE KEEPS LANKY LILAC MAINE MELON MIAMI

N T D I H A X V U Z G K L

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

medium

easy

2 1 6 8 3

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

hard

5x5

9 7 8 9

S E O J Q Y RWF C B PM

8 7

3 LETTERS ECO EEL EMU ERA ERR GOA HAW INC ISH KEG LAS LAW NEO ODD ODE PER PIG PRO PSI RAP REM TEL TWO WAX

WORDFIT

On May 6 of which year did the German rigid airship Hindenburg catch fire, killing 36 people?

Palaeography is the study of what?

In which year was Helvetica, the sans-serif typeface, developed by Max Miedinger: a) 1932 b) 1945 or c) 1957?

10 What was the only movie to be screened at the very first Cannes Film Festival? ANSWERS: 1. Kid A 2. Fog 3. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) 4. Dumplings 5. Law & Order 6. Western Australia 7. 1937 8. Handwriting 9. c) 1957 10. The Hunchback of Notre Dame

SUDOKU

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

SECTION

networkclassifieds.com.au Trades & Services

Employment

V Deadline

V Trades Business Profile

Placing your classiﬁed advert is so easy...

Grow your business with

(include your name, address and phone number)

We accept payment by: (1.5% credit card processing fee applies. Cheques and money orders can be posted in or hand delivered to our local ofﬁce)

1188650-RC25-15

Lic. No 50051

www.quicksmartcontracting.com.au

services s of specialised property Very diverse in all aspect ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

621 Andrew 0425 852

V Builders & Building Services

CONTRACTING

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

12412038-FA09-10

FRIDAY 22ND APRIL AT 10AM

V Television/Video/Audio

ANTENNA MAN

General Notices

SAME DAY SERVICE

section of Network Classifieds.

General Classifieds

DIGITAL ANTENNAS AMPLIFIERS TV OUTLETS

0409 888 228

V Garage Sales 12469374-CG46-20

PLACE YOUR

ASAP TILING

Tel 04 3277 4645

Real Estate 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 **

12400498-CG38-18

V Tiling

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

V For Sale

MURRAY RIVER REDGUM BONE DRY FIREWOOD

03 5423 7103

Trades & Services section of Network Classifieds.

ZZZ QHWZRUNFODVVL´HGV FRP DX

EXCELLENT QUALITY REDGUM 3m split ..... $200 pcm 6m split ..... $195 pcm 12m split .. $190 pcm Free Delivery All Areas Phone Peter

Motoring V Car/Truck Rentals

0418 384 796

3m split ...... $200 pcm 6m split ...... $195 pcm 12m split .... $190 pcm 20m split .......$185 pcm 20m unsplit ...$175 pcm Free Delivery All Areas Phone Peter on

Find it in the

Romsey Firewood

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.

V Wrecking

12476519-JW03-21

12532110-SG03-22

Classified deadlines for Tuesday, 26th April issue of the Sunbury/Macedon Star Weekly as follows:

Rainbow Dolls

V Massage Therapists ADVERTISERS, in this section are qualified practitioners and offer nonsexual services. V Pets & Services ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE 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

12423634-SN31-19

CDB-L 60362

V For Sale

12541851-HC12-22

ALL AROUND REBLOCKING & UNDERPINNING

12545329-AV15-22

CLASSIFIEDS EARLY DEADLINES ANZAC DAY

1235322622-PB22-17

G6277794AA-dc22Oct

V Reblocking/Underpinning

HIGHLY EXPERIENCED TECHNICIANS ANTENNA SERVICE ALL AREAS

Use code: EMPDISC

DISCRIMINATION IN ADVERTISING IS UNLAWFUL 12541850-HC12-22

V Adult Services

V Public Notices and Event

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

Get 10% Discount

Fill your position online

General Classifieds

General Notices

rec 12015

Phone Michael 0409 437 995

Free Quote All Suburbs Insurance Elevation

NEW STAFF?

12441118-CG07-20

David: 0425 811 882 Ash: 0403 619 333

section of Network Classiﬁeds.

NEED

Call 1300 666 808

� New Houses � Split systems A/C � Safety Switches � Switchboards � Fans, Lights & LED Lights

177646

Celebrations

V Professional

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

V Electricians

Find it in the

ZZZ QHWZRUNFODVVL´HGV FRP DX

12533274-HC09-22

Froggys

0428 568 004

FREE CAR REMOVAL Pay up to $500 for most cars Dead or Alive

12321532-HM36-16

QUICK SMART Call John Kemp 0418 382 729

Full time position. Duties will include:Admin work and adhoc duties. Computer knowledge is essential. Saturdays required. Contact Norm after 5pm for further details

V Positions Vacant

12400545-LB38-19

12435707-FA03-20

froggys.com.au

SPLIT SYSTEMS Installation Specialist

0428 568 004

“I’m very happy, advertising works, it has been great for building my business in the building services and handyman areas.” - Andrew

Speak to our classified team and find out how easy it is to advertise. Start building your brand today and be seen every week in Network Classifieds Trades and Services.

V Air Conditioning

ABN 44 021 708 152 Tel: 9309 2351

WEIGHBRIDGE OPERATOR & ADMIN DUTIES

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:

From plumbers to pest control, carpet cleaning to building services, dry cleaning to computer repairs, lawn mowing and more, Network Classifieds has been connecting local businesses with the local community with our Trades and Services each week.

Ask about our discounted ongoing advertising rates and how choosing more newspapers gives your advertising more impact and saves you money...

977914

Concretor

OPERATORS AND LABOURER

TRADES & SERVICES

VISA/MASTERCARD/EFTPOS

�MFK� ELECTRICS

V Positions Vacant

Looking for exp concrete labr in F/path & Drwys must have white card ABN & own transport Contact Rob 0425747157

Online: networkclassiﬁeds.com.au (24/7) Phone: 1300 666 808 (Open 8.30-5pm Mon-Fri) Email: sales@networkclassiﬁeds.com.au

Deadline for all classiﬁcations is 10.00am Monday.

V Positions Vacant

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:

฀

Tuesday, 19 April, 2022 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 21

SPORTS QUIZ 1. Which Scuderia Ferrari driver won the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne? 2. And under which flag does this driver, the Formula 1 championship leader, race under? 3. Which former Australian cricketer was recently announced as full time coach of Australia's men's national cricket team? 4. Who was named best on ground in the 2022 AFLW Grand Final?

5. Which Australian cricketer opened both the batting and the bowling in the T20 International fixture against Pakistan?

13. Which team selected Australian basketballer Amy Atwell with the 27th pick of the 2022 WNBA Draft?

6. Emily Bates was voted the best and fairest player of the 2022 AFLW season while representing which club?

14. Patrick Mouratoglou was until recently the coach of which American tennis professional?

7. A-League Men team Newcastle Jets defeated Perth Glory by what scoreline in a recent match? 8. In the AFL, which was the only undefeated team after four rounds? 9. And which team was yet to register a win? 10. Which tennis legend is facing a lengthy stint in jail after being found guilty of charges relating to his 2017 bankruptcy? 11. Which team did the Melbourne Boomers defeat (2 games to 1), to win the 2022 WNBL Grand Final Series?

Patrick Mouratoglou

12. American golf professional Scottie Scheffler is the most recent winner of which major tournament?

Shane van Gisbergen

15. Which team did the Adelaide Crows recently defeat to win the 2022 AFLW Grand Final? 16. Which Australian bowler smashed 56 off 15 balls in an IPL match, his third halfcentury in T20 cricket? 17. How many NRL premierships has ladder leaders Penrith Panthers won in its history? 18. Which team selected Australian basketballer Jade Melbourne with the 33rd pick of the 2022 WNBA Draft? 19. Which Australian cricketer recently became the quickest to reach 5,500 career runs in the Indian Premier League? 20. Which NBL team recently extended their winning streak to eleven consecutive games?

21. 2021's Formula 2 champion, Australian Oscar Piastri, is the reserve driver for which F1 team this season? 22. What recently retired sportsperson announced she will be releasing a series of books later this year? 23. Frank Vogel was recently fired from the post of head coach of what NBA team? 24. How many first place finishes has Shane van Gisbergen achieved in the first three rounds of the 2022 Supercars Championship?

26. Sudden death, highsticking and one-timer are all terms used in which sport? 27. Who won the 2021-22 Sheffield Shield title? 28. What two Asian countries will the Australian Boomers play home matches against in July 2022? 29. In what year was the Super Netball competition launched? 30. What nickname did the Victoria Cricket Team used to be known by in the years 1995–2018?

25. What two AFL teams joined the league in 1987?

2204

1. Charles Leclerc 2. Monaco 3. Andrew McDonald 4. Anne Hatchard 5. Travis Head 6. Brisbane Lions 7. 6-1 8. Melbourne Demons 9. Port Adelaide Power 10. Boris Becker 11. Perth Lynx 12. Masters Tournament 13. Los Angeles Sparks 14. Serena Williams 15. Melbourne Demons 16. Pat Cummins 17. Three 18. Seattle Storm 19. David Warner 20. Sydney Kings 21. Alpine 22. Ash Barty 23. Los Angeles Lakers 24. Six 25. Brisbane Bears and West Coast Eagles 26. Ice Hockey 27. Western Australia 28. China and Japan 29. 2017 30. Bushrangers 12536910-CG08-22

Place Your Classified Ads Online Your advert will appear in print and online! 22 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 19 April, 2022

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

MOTOR

Toyota C-HR GR Sport road test

Sporty looks include 19-inch dark alloys with 225/45 rubber. (Pictures: Supplied)

By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring Some people loathe the dramatic look of the Toyota C-HR. Personally, I really like design and have done since day one. So, I was mildly excited to hear there was now a GR version, the C-HR GR Sport -- inspired by Toyota’s performance-focused GR models. The key word, however, is “inspired” -because there’s no more power on offer and that is disappointing (you might feel differently).

Styling The GR Sport features a more aggressive front bumper and grille, with an aerodynamic lip, a bold lower grille, thick horizontal bar and revised fog light surrounds that sit lower than the standard model. Sporty bits include larger 19-inch dark alloys with 225/45 series rubber, high-grade LED lighting front and rear, piano black finish for the rear lip spoiler, plus mirror caps and door garnishes. Completing the look are white brake callipers with GR logos on the front, and GR emblems at the front, side, and rear. A rationalised lineup now has three models, with a choice of two drivetrains and either front- or all-wheel drive. The hybrid has the same setup as in the Prius, Corolla, Corolla Cross and Lexus CT hatch. Pick the 1.2-litre turbo and you get a choice of front- or all-wheel drive. Opt for the hybrid, and it’s front-wheel drive only. The GXL front-wheel drive hybrid, GR Sport comes only as a hybrid with front-wheel drive only. Though the GR Sport sits at the top of the tree it doesn’t get everything. Standard kit includes sat-nav, dual-zone climate air, adaptive cruise, keyless smart entry and star, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, auto LED lights and wipers, electronic parking brake and a 4.2-inch colour driver display. It dips out on powered driver lumbar adjustment, heated front seats and Nanoe Air Conditioning Technology - all standard with Koba. The latter is designed to send moisture-rich ions into the cabin to reduce odours, pollen and other allergens. It also reduces the dryness associated with standard air conditioning systems. GR Sport is available in five colours, with the $450 option of a black roof with Crystal Pearl,

Hornet Yellow or Feverish Red. An 8.0-inch touchscreen fronts a six-speaker audio system, with AM/FM radio, Bluetooth, voice recognition, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto -- but no DAB+.

Engines / Transmissions The powertrain consists of a naturally aspirated 1.8-litre engine, with 72kW and 142Nm, teamed with an electric motor that puts 53kW and 163Nm. With a combined power output of 90kW, no mention of torque and an undisclosed kerb weight, performance is at best average. The CVT does not provide “steps” or simulated gears like it does in petrol models, with drive and reverse settings plus B for engine braking.

Safety A comprehensive five-star safety package encompasses seven airbags, a rear-view camera and Forward Collision Warning, Brake Assist and Autonomous Emergency Braking. There’s also Lane Trace Assist, Auto High Beam, All-Speed Active Cruise Control and Pre-Collision Safety system with pedestrian detection, as well as Blind Spot Monitor, Road Sign recognition and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. The latter misses out on auto braking and there’s no overhead parking monitor either -both of which come with Koba.

Driving A GR Supra or GR Yaris it is not. GR Sport is quite clearly more about show than go. It rides on larger flashier 19-inch alloys, with 225/45R19 Yokohamas, and 15mm lower sports suspension and sits 12mm closer to the ground. Shock absorbers, spring rates and stabiliser bars have all been tweaked to reduce pitch and body roll, in the name of better handling. A new centre brace has also been added to strengthen body rigidity and contributes to a more direct steering response. There’s some talk of GR brakes, but apart from white calipers, no further information is offered, suggesting they are otherwise standard. The sporty makeover continues inside with body-hugging, black leather-look sports seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. There are also dark silver highlights around the instrument panel and door garnishes, piano black surrounds for the centre console

AT A GLANCE MODEL RANGE Toyota C-HR GXL 1.2-litre turbo, FWD, priced from $30,915 Toyota C-HR Koba 1.8-litre hybrid, AWD, priced from $35,165 Toyota C-HR GR Sport, 1.8-litre hybrid, FWD, priced from $37,665

Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges.

and power-window switches, along with a GR-branded start button. A diamond motif is repeated throughout the cabin, visible on the roof lining, overhead switches and interior light. The dash features a pair of traditional analogue dials that flank a central information panel and while they are clear and easy to read -- they lack the digital pyrotechnics of competitors. Satnav fires up quickly and is easy to use, apart from the predictive text -- but has an annoying habit of taking over the centre information panel where the digital speed is

normally displayed. Cancelling a destination is also difficult. With large rear pillars and a plunging roof line, the design leads to a back seat that is claustrophobic, offers limited legroom and does not have air outlets for passengers. The hidden rear door handles are also difficult to use from some angles. A small boot space hides a space saver spare. All in all, however, the car looks amazing with its gleaming paintwork. It would all be terrific if it just had more power to go with the more purposeful looks -- more chutzpah to push through corners, requiring better handling and stopping power. But the fact of the matter is that it doesn’t, therefore the handling enhancements are somewhat superfluous. What’s more, the type of person who buys this car is unlikely to be from the boy racer fraternity and is hardly about to push the limits. For the most part, the CVT tranny behaves itself, hiding the zoominess that usually marks CVTs. Ride and handling are great, but the steering feels rubbery and the drive experience is far from engaging. We have a long, steep hill near our neck of the woods that tends to sort the wheat from the chaff. You need a run up and it wasn’t kind to the C-HR. All of a sudden, under hard acceleration, it became quite harsh and noisy and the CVT went into overdrive, sounding like a lawnmower about to run out of petrol. On a more positive note, fuel consumption is rated at a measly 4.3L/100km. We were using just 4.7 after more than 600km behind the wheel.

Summing Up I keep wanting to like this car but let’s cut to the chase. There’s not much GRness, not much to get excited about -- certainly no extra power. Frankly, I think for $37,165, the Koba 1.2-litre turbo with all-wheel drive offers a sportier package and you can spend the $500 you save on two-tone paint. Trust me, you won’t miss the sports suspension. But be warned, with more than 60 accessories available to enhance your purchase -- you’re liable to end up spending more than you had planned. Come on Toyota, let’s have a real GR C-HR!

Tuesday, 19 April, 2022 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 23

SPORT STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Roar appoint new coach to lead in division three

New Sunbury cricket coach Jace Carton. (Supplied)

Sunbury already has the ball rolling as it prepares for next season’s Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 3 season. After a difficult season where they finished fifth and just missed the finals, the Roar has already appointed a new coach. Jace Carton, who has been involved with Victorian Premier Cricket club Greenvale Kangaroos, has been appointed playing-coach. Roar president Brendan Doyle said they were thrilled with the signing of Carton. “It’s a pretty exciting time and we’re really happy with the appointment and everything that Jace brings,” he said. “He had been playing at Greenvale and saw the job advertised and wanted to come across. “He’s a resident of Sunbury, a local who had been playing turf cricket, he’s a great find.” With a focus on bringing locals into the club, Doyle said Carton fitted exactly what they were looking for.

With Carton part of the under-18 coaching set up at Greenvale, Doyle said he will be valuable in bringing through the younger players. “He has a lot of experience, and particularly his involvement in the under-18s development program is exciting,” he said. “He brings plenty of knowledge and he will bring in some independent people to come in and do some specialist coaching. “Guys who have been at the highest level and have been able to pull them in with their relationships in the past.” After going through last season without a coach, Doyle said having Carton on board would take off some of the pressure on the senior players. Carton will be a playing-coach, but has made it clear he won’t stand in the way of the development of younger players at the club. The signing of Carton comes as the club’s turf wicket has almost been completed. The

club has spent its first three seasons playing at Coolaroo while waiting for the new wicket. Doyle said there was already a lot of interest about the wicket. “Our training was compromised last season,” he said. “The feedback we are already getting, even going to local cricket grounds, is about how happy they are for the club and the community to have a turf wicket in Sunbury. “It gives the best option for both our male and female cricketers. Doyle said with Carton locked in, the wicket ready and interest in the club, they were aiming high next season. Since moving to the VTCA, the club has been promoted twice. “The season ahead is looking really bright,” he said. “ We want to be successful and we want to continue going up the grades.” Tara Murray

Woodend junior girls footballers.

(Supplied)

Hawks girls on the up

Calder Cannons coach half time address. (Joe Mastroianni) 265355_42

Youngsters recognised By Tara Murray Tahlia Read was named the Calder Cannons’ best player as several Cannons were recognised at both club and league level in recent weeks. Read, who is from Maribyrnong Park, won the Meg McArthur Medal as the Cannons best and fairest winner at the awards ceremony last Saturday. Read finished ahead on 64.5 votes ahead of Strathmore’s Amy Gaylor on 60 votes and the Sunbury Kangaroos’ Reese Sutton on 58 votes. Kilmore’s Maree Stephenson was named most improved, Oak Park’s Trilby Sheppard received the coaches award and Aberfeldie’s Kyla Forbes was named the best development player. Michael ‘Pop’ Drummond was awarded life membership at the club. The league best and fairest awards were held days later, recognising the best talent across the competition. Dandenong Stingrays Amber Clarke continued her good season, being named the best and fairest winner. Clarke, who won the best on ground medal in the grand final, finished on 20 votes,

one clear of Western Jets captain Charlotte Baskaran. Northern Knights Ava Jordan finished third on 14 votes, while Bridget Deed (10 votes) and Reese Sutton (nine votes) rounded out the top five. Clarke said she was so proud to continue her form from a strong bottom age season, to this year. “I think I’ve gone OK,” she said. “I had some games I was pretty happy with how we played. “I was so happy, [but] I feel like I could have done more. I think I worked hard during the pre-season and I hope it paid off.” Premiership captain Baskaran was named the captain of the team of the year. Baskaran, who was named in the middle of the ground alongside Jets teammate Montana Ham. Laura Elliott was the third Jets player named in the team of the year. Baskaran said she was really proud of her season. “I’m very excited,” she said. “I’m incredibly honoured to be given that title. “I’m just really excited from the season it has been… and to captain a bunch of talented

24 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 19 April, 2022

girls, couldn’t be happier. “I’m really proud of myself this season coming into round one, so much hard work had been done make sure I was ready to go and look back now and see all the work has been ticked off. “To all the other girls in my team helped me play my best footy and all the coaches, couldn’t do it without them. “I definitely think that everything this season has come together really well and all the hard work has paid off.” Cannons’ Abbey McDonald was named on the half back flank in the team of the year, with Ava Jordan was named in the forward line. Other players named in the team of the year include Tasmania Devils’ Georgia Clark and Claire Ransom, Dandenong Stingrays’ Charlotte Ryan, Mackenzie Eardley, Georgia Foran and Sofi Hurley, Murray Bushrangers’ Zara Hamilton, Zarlie Goldsworth and Keely Skepper, Eastern Ranges’ Mia Busch, Mia Austin and Bridget Reed, Greater Western Victorian Rebels’ Molly Walton, Oakleigh Chargers’ Erin Woodford, Bendigo Pioneers’ Lucia Painter and Geelong Falcons’ Elizabeth Dowling.

The next generation of female footballers are taking to the field at Woodend. The Hawks junior club will field two girls teams this season, one in the under-15s (junior girls) and one in the youth girls (under-19s) in the Riddell District Football League. Junior girls coach Lilly Bromley said they were looking for numbers for both of the teams. Bromley also plays in the under-19 team. “Both teams have been doing really well,” she said. “My dad is coaching the under-19s and he is my assistant in the under-15s. “The girls have been doing well, but we’ve been struggling for numbers a bit.” Bromley, who is 18, said she put her hand up to coach after helping out at training last season, with her sister in the team. She said it was good for the girls to have female influence and someone with an understanding of what they’re going through. “It’s a bit of a challenge, but once you get there it’s a really good group,” she said “The female football helps widen the female presence at the club as well.” Last season the youth girls side was sitting third when the season ended and the junior girls were sitting second, both on track to play finals had it continued. The girls season gets underway this Sunday. Bromley said they were keen for anyone interested to come down and play. “Come down to training. We train on Monday and Wednesday nights from 5pm to 6pm.” Details: https://www.facebook.com/ woodend.junior.football.netball. Tara Murray

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

SPORT

Swim squad on the up after COVID After two years of lockdowns and restrictions, Elite Swimming is focused on the future with a bunch of bright stars in its ranks. Elite Swimming has run out of the Victorian University in Footscray for more than 25 years, with swimmers coming from as far as Williamstown, Altona, Sunshine, Caroline Spring and Sunbury. Swimmers in the squads then feed into the Essendon District Aquatic, which competes in the metro west district to compete. One of the coaches Chris Briffa said they were looking for new swimmers. “Like most sports, swimming was hit hard during the recent COVID-19 lockdown. “Due to pools being shut we could not train like most other sports. Swimmers can join our squads once they complete swim school. “I also get kids from Surf Lifesaving clubs in their off season who also train with us. Some end up competing.”

The club has recently started a multi-class squad, which currently has four swimmers in it. Multi class swimming provides meaningful competition for swimmers with a disability. While things have been tough during COVID-19, two swimmers from the Footscray squad have had successful starts to the year. Mia Misfud won gold at the at the Victorian Age Long Course Championships in March in the 12-year-old 200 metres butterfly. The result met the qualifying time for the Australia Age Championships. Misfud, who lives in Altona, said she had loved swimming since she was young. “My current goal is to improve my 200 metre fly and achieve more national times on all strokes, particularly in long distance events like the 800 metres, and to start training for the 1500 metres.

“Swimming is a mentally demanding, self-motivating sport that requires dedication to early morning and late afternoon training, as well as the support of coaches and family. I love everything about swimming and would not change anything about it.” Josh Spiteri won gold at the 2022 Victorian Metro All Junior Competition. The 15-year-old from Burnside won gold in the 50 metre backstroke, smashing his personal best by more than half a second. He is aiming for the Australian National Championships in Adelaide later in the year and his long term goal is making the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. New members are always welcome at the squad. Details: 9386 8070 or squads@ eliteswimming.com.au. Tara Murray

Mia Misfud.

(Supplied)

Sports shorts GDCA Reigning premiers Gisborne have received a massive boost, announcing Jarryd Vernon is returning to the Gisborne and District Cricket Association club. Vernon, who is one of the club’s greatest ever players, returns to the Dragons having played with Spotswood the past two seasons. Vernon will take over the captaincy reins from Jason Wilson, who skipped the side this season to a McIntyre Cup premiership. Vernon will also be part of the coaching set up.

EDFL The Sunbury Kangaroos were due to face Hillside on Good Friday in the Essendon District Football League. Playing each other on Good Friday for the first time, a big crowd was expected at Hillside Recreation Reserve. Hillside traditionally played Taylors Lakes in the annual Good Friday clash, but the Lions are now in division 2. In premier division, Strathmore and Keilor were set to play each other and Coburg Districts and Keilor Park were due to play on the day for a second straight year. For results, head to www. starweekly.com.au. Madison Prespakis has joined Essendon.

Bendigo FNL

(Carlton Media)

Gun pair join Bombers By Tara Murray Two of the AFLW’s talented young players have committed to join Essendon for their inaugural season. In a massive boost for the Bombers as they look to establish themselves in the competition, Carlton duo Madison Prespakis and Georgia Gee have committed to the club. The Bombers will work with Prespakis and Gee along with the AFL and their management to facilitate the request at the appropriate time, noting the AFLW Sign and Trade Period is yet to be confirmed by the AFL. Both players bring a wealth of experience. Prespakis, who has played 34 games, is one of the top players in the competition, having won the league best and fairest in 2020. She has won three club best and fairest awards at the Blues, including being named the winner of the 2022 award last week. Prespakis, who has made no secret she was a Bombers fan growing up, has averaged 20.4 disposals and kicked 15 goals across her career. Her good mate Gee spent five seasons at Carlton.

Gee has mostly played on the wing and in the forward line is dangerous in front of goal. Essendon football general manager Josh Mahoney said the pair were fantastic additions to Bombers’ team. “We are very excited to welcome Maddy and Georgia to the Bombers,” he said. “To attract such high-calibre players to the club is a fantastic reflection on the program we have established throughout the VFLW and the program we continue to build as we head towards our first AFLW season. “We are setting high expectations for our AFLW team from the beginning and building a program that will give our players an opportunity to be the best they can be. With access to high-class facilities and full-time staff, we are well placed to maximise every player’s career.” AFLW player contract manager Georgia Harvey said the Bombers were excited by the potential of Prespakis and Gee. “Maddy, who is a lifelong Bombers supporter, is a young inside midfielder who has already achieved a lot in her short career, but with our support, we are certain she can take her game to the next level, ” Harvey said.

“Like Maddy, Georgia has a lot of potential. She is a versatile player who is a silky ball mover and can also hit the scoreboard.” In a statement, Carlton said it had been in discussions with Prespakis and Gee for a number of weeks and had been exploring every possible avenue to retain them. Carlton women’s football general manager Brett Munro said the news was disappointing, however the inevitable reality of expansion had created a situation in the industry that was going to see quality players leaving existing clubs across the entire competition. “It is obviously disappointing to lose Maddy and Georgia, there is no shying away from that, given our significant investment in both of them to date over the last four years and five years respectively. Our intention, which we had made known right throughout discussions, was to have them both part of the team success we are building with this playing group, to go along with the individual success they have deservingly earned so far in their careers.” The pair join Essendon VFLW co-captain Georgia Nanscawen. Natalie Wood has been announced as the Bombers first AFLW coach.

Arch rivals Gisborne and Kyneton were set to renew their acquittances on Good Friday in the Bendigo Football Netball League. After not playing each other on Good Friday in the past couple of years, were set to be back in action this year. The two senior football teams are coming off wins in round one, while the A-grade netball teams are both coming off losses. For results, head to www.starweekly.com.au

RDFNL There was Good Friday action in the Riddell District Football Netball League for the first time in a number of years on Friday. Riddell was due to face Woodend-Hesket at Riddells Creek Recreation Reserve. The Bombers entered the senior football match with two wins, while the Hawks had a win and draw in the first two weeks. In the netball, the Bombers were coming off a win and the Hawks were undefeated.

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

Tuesday, 19 April, 2022 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 25

SPORT STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Students at the Maribyrnong Sports Academy.

(Pictures: Supplied)

Supporting sporting stars of the future By Tara Murray Behind the walls at Maribyrnong Sports Academy there is a hive of activity as students start their sporting careers. On this particular night, the school’s female football players were being put through their paces. Many of them still new to the sport were learning kicking techniques and how to kick on their opposite foot. In other locations around the school, coaches and their students were doing activities to help grow their games. Head of the school’s AFL program Robbie Chancellor said the programs run within the academy are about giving students the best opportunity to succeed in their sporting dreams. Having been part of the AFL system before, he has seen what works at the top level. “It’s a massive head start for these guys,” said Chancellor as he was keeping his eye on his charges. “Professionalism is nearly the biggest thing you get from this. It’s a holistic program, you’ve got sport psychs, dietitians and a fantastic high performance program to teach them how to prepare their bodies physically and how to recover. “Combined as a program there isn’t much out there like this.” The academy has come a long way since it started in 2007. With enrolments struggling at Maribyrnong College it was decided to turn the school into a specialist school of some sort. It would become a sports academy. Director Mark McAllion, sitting in his office which is filled with sports memorabilia from past students, said it had taken time for interest in the academy to grow. “At the time the school was dying for a better term,” he said. “School enrolments for the following year were really really low, so it was decided to be a specialist school of some description, then set it on sport. “The first intake was 2007, but trying to attract kids into a specialist sports school with no facilities was actually quite hard. “My predecessors would visit presentation nights, do club visits and all things trying to promote the place and build it up from there. “There’s now 575 student athletes in the academy out of 1300 kids in the whole school.” 26 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 19 April, 2022

The program is funded by the state government and is the only school in Victoria that gets that funding. There are 100 spots in each year level, with spots only opening up when students leave the school. As many as 400 students apply each year. Students travel from as far as Craigieburn, Bundoora, Woodend, Werribee, while others relocate to live nearby. McAllion said students are put through tests before they select who will come to the school. “The kids go through some physical testing, some trials with the coaches,” he said. “Then basically a list gets put together of the 100 kids with the most potential to become serious athletes down the track. “It might mean we pick the little kids that haven’t developed yet, but the coaches and staff say they might have attributes that will be really good.” Supporting the students are about 70 staff members ranging from coaches, teachers, rehabilitation, sports psychologists, physiotherapists. Most of the coaches have backgrounds in coaching or playing at high levels themselves, with seven Olympians on staff. “We have footy, athletics, cricket, badminton, basketball, golf hockey, netball, soccer, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, baseball, judo that we actually provide coaching in that coaching happens before,” he said. “If you’re in a sport we don’t offer coaching… They are what we call associate athletes, they still get the benefits of the program with coaching externally. While the coaching happens outside hours, the sport component is a major part of the students daily study with the High Performance Preparation [HPP] program. It’s timetabled into the students’ school calendar, with a varying number of classes depending on what year they are in. The HPP isn’t just about performance, it’s about teaching them how to handle the whole sporting career. Head of strength and conditioning Calvin Pane said while every student will complete similar programs, they individualise the programs as much as they can to best suit the students needs. On this particular Wednesday, some of the older students are going through their paces. Some are squatting, some are doing strength work and others rehab.

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

SPORT

Lucas Plapp is the first Olympic Medalist from the Maribyrnong Sports Academy. (Supplied)

Striving for success

Nathan Pellissier went to Maribyrnong Sports Academy. (Supplied)

“In year seven and eight and middle school it’s a bit more curriculum based and movement competency,” Pane said. “If they’re squatting they’re learning how to squat, they’re learning how to set up. The safety features of it. “It gets built out to a different movement over time and we load the exercise accordingly, as they get older. “There’s literally a heap of exercises we work through all the year levels, we progress them out. “Students who are in year 11 or such, have a little bit more structured stuff. “They have some more personal development stuff. Taping techniques for an ankle or shoulder or they might do a first aid course, different things help them in the sport and potentially on the way out.” The students also have education sessions regularly, while they have access to all the professionals they need. There’s strength and conditioning coaches, athlete wellbeing coordinators, performance psychologists, dietitians, physios and rehab coordinators. Pane said they wanted to set up the students for success if they make it to the higher level. “We have tertiary trained staff with experience in elite environments or environments like here,” he said. “We are prepping them for when they walk out to the Melbourne Vixens, Melbourne Demons or whoever it is.. “So when they go into that environment, there not being held back by their staff as they can’t do a,b, c.” The strength and conditioning staff work closely with the coaches like Chancellor whether it’s setting up plans or working with particular athletes. Chancellor, who is also the head coach at the Western Jets, said the football program was tailored to the development of the students involved. “For young girls, training is focused much more on the fundamentals and the skill

‘‘

We are prepping them for when they walk out to the Melbourne Vixens, Melbourne Demons or whoever it is - Calvin Pane

’’

development,” he said. “As the kids get older and progress to different pathway systems, it becomes how do we apply those skills to the different situations we find ourselves in during the game. “There’s a broad scope of what we teach from kicking techniques, ground ball techniques, to running patterns and body positions. “It encompasses all the different aspects of the game depending on where they are in their development.” There’s four different coaching sessions a week, a mixture of after and before school. During the NAB League season, many of the older students aren’t involved in the academy as they would be in the off season. Chancellor said his dual role meant that he understands much of what is happening outside the academy and how to manage loads. “Ultimately it’s whatever is best for them,” he said. “Fortunately with my position at the Jets, and most of them are Jets girls and same with the boys, it makes it easier for me to have an understanding of how much they are doing and what is too much. “I’ve got really good relationships with the Calder Cannons and Northern Knights coaches as well their kids that they have in the program here. We make sure we communicate with them so we’re teaching them the right stuff, and they’re not doing too much. “It allows us to make sessions and education here a bit more specific as we know them much better as players.” Monqiue Conti, Luke Plapp, Peter Wright, Libby Birch and Nathan Pellissier are some of

the success stories of the academy. For every success story there’s many who weren’t able to reach their sporting dreams. McAllion said they made a big focus of that and setting up other pathways if they don’t reach the level they wanted. While there is a massive high performance focus, students can continue their scholarship as long as they are meeting the demands. “We try and work through with kids, but it’s a really tough and interesting conversation when, if the student still has the dream alive in their mind and we don’t think they’re going to make it,” McAllion said. “What point do you have that discussion with a teeanger. We certainly have things in place in a variety of our programs, for example all the kids in the hockey program did coaching qualifications… they might get umpires or coaching qualifications. “We have worked with Victoria University and tertiary pathways and career pathways and all that stuff, we know they are very sport minded. “There are other pathways, within sport, we work with kids in that, We don’t want to limit their dreams if they still want to have a crack. “We could be producing the next club president of the local cricket and footy club. It’s still a major contribution to sport and I think that is still great. While the school is a successful one, there still plenty more to do. This year they’ve got their first wheelchair athlete in Sunbury tennis player Jin Woodman and the academy is growing a partnership with the Paralympics Australia. The school has started data analyzing more in depth to help better understand their students. McAllion said the motto is continuous improvement which they are focused on. Back on the football field, the girls continue to work through their drills. With the game growing, it’s quite possible that one of the next AFLW stars is among them. It shows exactly what the school is all about.

For Damien Bozinovski and Charlotte Morey, Maribyrnong Sports Academy was where they wanted to do their schooling. Like many others they applied to the academy, as they wanted to focus not only on their education, but their schooling dreams. Damien, who is part of Melbourne Victory’s youth set up, is following in the footsteps of his brothers. “Both my brothers went here,” he said during one of his gym sessions. “They were both older than me and got into the sports academy and I thought I may as well come here and have a go and I got in. “It’s a really good program that is aimed to help you individually, but there’s a team environment as well. “It includes all the strength training, plyometrics training and even outside technical training. “It’s a good school as well.” Charlotte is a budding netballer who is part of the Victorian state under-17 team for the upcoming national championships. Ever since hearing about the academy as a junior, the Point Cook resident decided this was where she wanted to study. “The old coach here at the school was my under-11s rep coach, she kind of told us about it and then I trialled,” she said. “I was pretty excited when I found out about it. It was the only school I was looking at.” Charlotte said while she had benefited on the court from the academy, it was a lot of the other stuff which had been most important. “I’ve definitely benefited from the gym as well, the injury prevention and things like that. With my sport, knees and ankles are pretty common to injure so it has helped me with that. “It’s really cool to get a different coach and a different perspective of how you play and you get to link up with other people.” Both admit at times it can be pretty full on with training, study and travelling to the school, but it’s worth it in the long run. Charlotte said the car is often her desk as she goes from one commitment to the next. While both are focused on their home work, it’s clear that sport is where their interests lay. “At the moment I’m playing for the Geelong Cougars in the VNL [Victorian Netball League], I’m in the 17 and under state team and I play locally at South Barwon,” Charlotte said. “I’d love to play for the Melbourne Vixens, but right now focused on performing well at nationals, hopefully in the VNL and getting up a couple of age groups. For Damien, who lives in Taylors Lakes, “right now by the end of the year the 23s, the senior team and I want to keep pushing with the help of the program.” Tara Murray

Tuesday, 19 April, 2022 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 27

BACCHUS MARSH

No Stamp Duty Save

$40,900

Escape To Your New Life It’s time for something more secure Spacious 3br plus study from $750,000 Vibrant, social and secure environment Resort style facilities & onsite management Free standing quality homes

45 min to Melbourne CBD Talk to Denise Sniegowski Bellbrook Gardens Lifestyle Consultant 168 Underbank Boulevard, Bacchus Marsh

0455 910 793

Luxury Living for Over 55s bellbrookgardens.com.au

Sole agents for Country Club Living

FREECALL 1800 503 225