Star Weekly - Brimbank North West - 7th March 2023 by Star Weekly

Established in 1924 as the

proudly serving Brimbank and the North West

7 MARCH, 2023

12496404-AV22-21

FREE DIGITAL EDITION

SIG N U P N O W!

Riding to school is fun

Albion Primary school students Noah, Mohammad, Sam, William and Charlie with their bikes. (Damjan Janevski) 321081_03

For Albion Primary School, national Ride2School Day has become much bigger. The school started encouraging pupils to ride a bike to school on March 24 in 2020. The school now has monthly wheels and walk to school days. Physical education teacher Marita Ryan said riding bikes, skateboards and rollerblades had become something the students look forward to. “They really turn out and support it. Last year we got an active school grant and were able to get some equipment to set up a skills and athletic track,” she said. “It was silly only using it once a year, so we do our own one once a month.” Ms Ryan said they have 20 pupils normally involved in the monthly events, while normally have about 50 on Ride2 School Day. Ms Ryan’s advice to parents or pupils thinking about riding to school for the first time is to check your bike over before you ride to school, get all of your equipment ready a day or two before and just give it a go, “as I’m sure you will enjoy the experience”.

Call for gambling action By Tara Murray Brimbank council is calling for the Victorian government to follow the lead of other states and introduce a cashless gambling card system. Brimbank councillor Virginia Tachos raised a successful notice of motion at the last council meeting calling on the state government to do more to combat gambling on electronic gambling machines (EGMs). The council will write to the state government calling for a bipartisan approach in introducing reforms that utilise pre-commitment systems and cashless cards to reduce the harms of electronic gambling on working and vulnerable people in the west.

More than $128 million was spent on electronic gaming machines in Brimbank in the 2021-22 financial year, the most in the state. It was nearly $14 million more than Casey which was the next highest. Cr Tachos, who is passionate about the harm EGMs are doing to the Brimbank community, said this was an issue that had to be addressed. “I’m concerned about the devastating impacts of gambling on our community and are calling on council to advocate for the introduction of mandatory cashless pre-commitments schemes across Victoria,” she said. “A universal monetary pre-commitment system provides accurate information to people on the time and money spent gambling over a set period.

“This can help empower people to take control of their gambling. The Victorian government recently committed to introducing a cashless gambling card system at the casino, however it is critical that it is also implemented in pubs and clubs for these reforms to be effective.” Brimbank council is a leadership council with the Alliance for Gambling Reform and has been consistently calling on the state government to take steps to reduce gambling harm through a range of evidence based harm minimisation measures. Cr Tachos said this was one of those measures. She said gambling had left broken homes, tradies with no money and emotional

3 NEW DENTURES ARE GST FREE 3 QUALITY DENTURE CARE 3 HEALTH FUND REBATES 3 PROMPT APPOINTMENTS

hardship. “I remain very concerned about the impact of gambling to the Brimbank community.” Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Minister Melissa Horne said the government had overhauled how it regulated the gambling industry with the new Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission. The commission has oversight of all gambling activities in the state from pubs and clubs to the casino, with harm minimisation a central part of its focus. “We will continue to monitor the harm minimisation arrangements for hotels and clubs across the state to ensure we have the appropriate regulatory settings and reserve the

NO COS

INITIAL CONSULT AT AND AD ION VISE

• New Full and Partial Dentures • Implant Retained Over Dentures • Metal Framed Dentures • Sports Mouthguards • Repairs • Relines • HICAPS Available • Veteran Affairs • Victorian Denture Scheme Accepted

www.knddentureclinic.com.au

Kathy Danoucaras, Nick Danoucaras and Sam Robertson

like us on Facebook KND Denture Clinic

KND Denture Clinic, 192 Main Road East, St Albans 9364 3677 Also at: Suite 8, 242 Caroline Springs Boulevard, Caroline Springs. 8361 9722

Australian Dental Prosthetists Association (Victoria)

12535957-JW05-23

SECTION STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Do you need to see a doctor urgently? Sunshine Priority Primary Care Centre Supporting Sunshine Hospital

Now open Avoid waiting in an emergency department. Our doctors provide free urgent medical treatment, when you can’t see your GP. We can treat conditions such as cuts requiring stitches, sprains, minor burns, rashes, ear nose and throat infections, other infections, and gastroenteritis. Our service is free for everyone, with or without a Medicare card. If you have severe trouble breathing, blueness around the mouth, chest pains or pain in your arms or jaw, call Triple Zero (000) for emergency help.

Pre-booked and walk-in appointments available. Opening hours and online bookings: sunshineppcc.com.au Call: (03) 8539 2772 Visit: 421 Ballarat Road, Sunshine

More locations and information visit the Better Health Channel: betterhealth.vic.gov.au/priority-primary-care-centres

12590090-JW10-23

2 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 7 March, 2023

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

NEWS

Sunshine special rate will stay By Tara Murray Funding to support events, promotions and business development initiatives to help keep Sunshine vibrant and flourishing will continue for another five years. Brimbank council voted to support the renewal of the Sunshine Town Centre Marketing and Business Development Special Rate, which was first introduced in 2013. The rate has made possible promotions like the Shop Local campaigns, Christmas activities and events such as the Lunar New Year Festival. The current special rate finishes on June 30. The Sunshine Business Association (SBA) requested that it be renewed for a further five

years, so the fund could continue to support Sunshine’s businesses, encourage commerce and deliver events and activities in the Sunshine town centre. The special rate, paid by commercial rate payers within a defined area of the Sunshine town centre, will raise about $180,000 in the first year, and increase two per cent annually the next five years. These funds are provided to the business association who use it to pay for a marketing coordinator, promotional, advertising, and marketing and business development. The special rate has been increased and was considered necessary given the number of activities and initiatives delivered by the SBA,

the higher costs of services generally, and that the average amount paid for similar levies in other metropolitan schemes. Brimbank mayor Bruce Lancashire said many popular events and activities, as well as marketing, promotions and business development initiatives are made possible by the money raised by the special rate. “Its renewal will ensure that the SBA has the means to fund a range of activities and events, like the Lunar New Year Festival and Sunshine Business awards,” he said. “Successful promotions like this have and will continue to put Sunshine on the map as a vibrant, lively and exciting place to shop and dine for locals and visitors.”

The rate will help fund events like the lunar festival. (Supplied)

YMCA to continue at RecWest

Paul Borg is part of an exhibition called Re- Present. (Damjan Janevski) 320397_03

Representing Brimbank’s suburbia St Albans artist Paul Borg is passionate about Brimbank’s creative community As one of the founding members of the Hunt Club Community & Arts Centre in the 1980s, Borg helped establish the centre as an arts community and run its first art class. Borg has now returned to the centre to take part in its new exhibition, ‘Re-Present’. Borg said his painting of the landscape in Cairnlea was included in the exhibition.

“Cairnlea is known for its native trees planted many years ago,” he said. “In fact, my father who was a migrant from Malta aged 19 years planted those trees back in 1955. He was part of a small group of migrant men who worked there when it was an industrial site.” Borg has been an artist for 35 years and said he often paints Cairnlea. “What inspires me is the colour of an environment I know well. The land I was born

to. I travelled overseas years ago to seek other subject matters, but when I came back, I was drawn to suburbia even more,” he said. “Its unique Melbourne light is not like any other I’ve seen. People may see suburbia as ugly but to me I see its beauty. Especially in Melbourne’s west it has its own particular atmosphere or presence that’s is so us.” ‘Re-Present’ is at 775 Ballarat Road, Deer Park, until April.

YMCA Victoria will continue to manage the RecWest facilities in Braybrook and Footscray. The Y has been awarded the contract to continue management of both facilities on behalf of the Maribyrnong council. Y Victoria chief executive Carolyn Morris said the contract extension further reinforces the Y’s work in supporting the local community to access activities and services to achieve their health goals. “We are proud of our more than 60-year legacy in Melbourne’s west and grateful for the ongoing support of our partners and their passion to create opportunities for diverse communities to thrive,” she said. “Remaining as facility managers means our teams can continue to work with community groups and individuals on the activities they need. Inclusive basketball programs, gymnastics and the emerging popularity of Pickleball are bringing more people to the centres.” Ms Morris said Y Victoria is pleased its name will remain over the door at both facilities and the organisation is looking forward to continuing its relationship with the local community. “Everyone belongs at the Y,” she said. “We are a not-for-profit organisation that believes in creating opportunities and careers to believe in. Measuring and building on our social impact, promoting job readiness skills for young people and meaningful work, a focus on customer service and community-centred programming for diverse groups is what we want to offer in Melbourne’s west.”

Getting South Sudanese community members job-ready Braybrook-based South Sudanese community body SUDD Foundation has launched a new education, training and jobs placement program for South Sudanese individuals throughout Melbourne’s western suburbs. Funded via the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, the Job Support program would focus on guiding young South Sudanese people to successful job opportunities. Foundation board co-chair Bol Marchar said a lack of job opportunities was one of the major contributors to youth disengagement,

which in turn lead to crime and anti-social behaviour. “Lack of job preparedness has been a key factor in this,” he said. “Until now, organisations like ours have only been able to assist in addressing some of the peripheral issues, with limited counselling, resume writing and community activities. “Through the Job Support program, we are building our capacity to engage directly with prospective employers, education and training institutions and other government and non-government agencies to deliver a range of

services that can give our job seekers a better chance of success.” The foundation team has already hit the ground running, establishing a database of available jobs and preparing to offer a wide range of services, including career counselling, job preparation workshops, one-on-one interview preparation sessions and IT training. The first round of state government funding towards the program would support the recruitment of suitably qualified facilitators, trainers, assessors and client service personnel, as well as the installation of relevant

technology, such as online training equipment. Board co-chair Guy Gilbert said the group would be striving to provide local job opportunities as much as possible. “We are currently reaching out to local businesses to support us, not only in using our services for recruitment but also to provide on-the-job training, mentorship and even bursaries and other funding to retrain adults returning to the workforce,” he said. “For a lot of newly arrived migrants … the employment pathway can be a daunting and bumpy one.” Tuesday, 7 March, 2023 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 3

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

-----------------> I N B R I E F

Cultural Diversity Week in Brimbank You’re invited to Brimbank’s Cultural Diversity Week events, which run between 11-21 March. Cultural Diversity Week is Victoria’s largest multicultural celebration. It’s held annually to coincide with the United Nation's International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and Harmony Day on 21 March. Our exciting program of events will help you celebrate the diversity and proud community spirit in our municipality. There’s so much to enjoy. From outdoor activities, to morning tea, Chinese lantern making, indigenous painting, Bollywood dancing, cultural music, culinary experiences, a podcast launch, storytelling and much more! For a full list of events and to register, go to: brimbank.vic.gov.au/cultural-diversity-week

Visit yoursay.brimbank.vic.gov.au to share your ideas and feedback on issues and projects that matter to you. Learn more about projects that are open for comment including: • Balmoral Skate Park – let us know your preferred skate park layout • Third Runway – Council continues to oppose the proposed third runway at Melbourne Airport, and is calling for an independent health impact assessment before the Minister makes a decision on the Draft Major Development Plan. Support the call at thirdrunway.brimbank.vic.gov.au • Simmie Street Pocket Park – give feedback on the design for the pocket park

Save your spot for opening night

Clinic to help new mothers Western Health has launched a new clinic to expand support for mothers experiencing birth trauma. The Obstetric AnoRectal Studies (OARS) will provide multidisciplinary care and access to diagnostic equipment to mothers who have experienced perineal birthing injuries. The OARS clinic is led by Western Health urogynaecologist Dr Oliver Daly. “I’m incredibly excited about the OARS clinic,” Dr Daly said. “Major tears and other injuries to the perineal area can be devastating for women. Almost two-thirds of women don’t seek medical care, often because they’re too embarrassed, or because of the complication and expense of seeing multiple clinicians who sometimes give quite different advice. “With the OARS clinic, Western Health now offers world-class, multidisciplinary support to women in Melbourne’s west, and we can certainly expect to see improvements in patient-reported physical health and psychological wellbeing, as well as a much more positive overall experience as mothers.” Perineal birthing injuries are typically associated with vaginal births, with greater risks in assisted births or situations of prolonged labour. These injuries can have lifelong physical and emotional impacts such as incontinence, sexual dysfunction and psychological issues. They often require diagnosis, treatment and support by a range of healthcare professionals including medical, nursing, midwifery and physiotherapy.

Dr Oliver Daly, nurse Krystal Penese and physiotherapist Kerry O’Sullivan with new state-of-the-art equipment funded by the Western Health Foundation Women’s Giving Circle. (Supplied)

Seeking treatment can be costly and time-consuming. The OARS clinic, based at Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s in the Sunshine Hospital precinct. Women in Melbourne’s west can access the clinic via referral from their health service or GP.

Details: brimbank.vic.gov.au/petregistrations or call 9249 4000.

The Brimbank Writers and Readers Festival is about to kick off from 16-25 March.

Get your Environmental Events Calendar

We’ve got a wonderful line-up of 20220323 events this year to support you in becoming more sustainable and connected with the local Boon Wurrung Elder and author Aunty Fay Muir, environment. Yorta Yorta Elder and Brimbank Citizen of the Come along to one of our Year 2022 Aunty Joyce Cooper and Arrernte walking tours, community woman, Celeste Liddle chat with facilitator and planting days, online or in-person workshops. award-winning author, Sue Lawson. All events are no charge. You’ll find them in the The festival features a diverse line-up of talent, 2023 Environmental Events Calendar which can be downloaded on Council’s website and no-charge events and activities for the brimbank.vic.gov.au whole family. Visit brimbanklibraries.vic. gov.au/writersfestival for the full program. Kindergarten Awareness Month Join us for the opening night panel discussion Our Place – Sharing First Nations Women’s Lives at The Bowery Theatre on Thursday 16 March.

EnEn virvion rome nmnta EvEv enta l ensts ent l Ca len Ca leda ndrar

Register your precious pet Registration for our four-legged friends needs to be renewed each year by 10 April. LUCY BRIMBANK CITY COUNCIL

Registration provides peace of mind since correct contact details are essential to reunite pets with their owners. RANDY BRIMBANK CITY COUNCIL

00004

00003

Cats and dogs over three months are required to be registered with Council.

It’s Kindergarten Awareness Month in March, and we’re running information sessions to help families register their children for kinder. Three and four-year-old children can access two years of sessional kindergarten for free. Visit brimbank.vic.gov.au/kindergartenawareness-month to learn more.

brimbank.vic.gov.au 131 450 Local call costs apply

Use Brimby, the online virtual assistant

Your Councillors are always happy to hear from you Cr Victoria Borg Cr Sarah Branton Cr Thuy Dang Cr Sam David JP Cr Maria Kerr Cr Bruce Lancashire (Mayor) Cr Jasmine Nguyen Cr Thomas O’Reilly Cr Jae Papalia Cr Ranka Rasic (Deputy Mayor) Cr Virginia Tachos

0429 365 527 0407 836 064 0437 744 803 0429 355 239 0437 796 630 0429 637 689 0437 740 042 0409 210 431 0437 838 710 0437 861 296 0428 915 671

12583230-SN10-23

4 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 7 March, 2023

CrBorg@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrBranton@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrDang@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrDavid@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrKerr@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrLancashire@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrNguyen@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrOReilly@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrPapalia@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrRasic@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrTachos@brimbank.vic.gov.au All information was correct at the time of printing.

Lions Club of Taylors Lakers president Margaret Hamilton, BBEC vice president Neil Hunichen and support worker for Aspect, Matthew Porter. (Damjan Janevski) 320965_03

New trike hits the track Nearly 12 months after its dual trike was stolen, the Brimbank Bicycle Education Centre has a new one. Two trikes were stolen from the centre in February last year along with other items, leaving the centre and the users devastated. With insurance only covering some of the stolen items, a new dual trike was put on the back burner to replace the one that was donated by the Lions Club of Taylors Lakes. But having started to hold parties again since returning after COVID-19, the centre has been able to purchase a new trike. Centre vice-president Neil Hunichen said they were thrilled to finally have a new trike,

which allows people who can’t ride one by themselves to go out on the track. Mambourin and Aspect both use the centre. “One lady has said to us every time when she comes in, when are you going to get a new one,” he said. “It allows for people who are higher on the spectrum to ride with a carer and you can see the smile on their faces.” The trike, which was shipped from Queensland, is the only one of its type in Australia. No arrests have been made in relation to the break in and thefts of the trikes and other items.

NEWS

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Push on for ‘state arterial road’ By Liam McNally Melton council is looking to the state government to take on the responsibility of upgrading the “critical north-south corridor” of Calder Park Drive, Westwood Drive and Palmers Road by declaring it a state arterial road. At a council meeting on Monday, February 27, councillor Steve Abboushi moved for council to write to the Roads and Safety Minister Melissa Horne and Kororoit MP Luba Grigorovitch requesting “urgent and formal declaration” as a state arterial road and a commitment to “immediately upgrade the corridor as a matter of priority”.

The corridor was a part of last year’s ‘Fix Our Roads campaign’, in which council was seeking state funding for a range of road infrastructure projects, including more than$1 billion of works for the Palmers Road corridor. The upgrade request included duplication between Western Freeway and Calder Freeway with signalised intersections, a Calder Park Drive interchange and a triplicated level crossing removal on Calder Park Drive at Sunbury line. Melton council city futures director Sam Romaszko said the municipal road “has been identified by the Victorian government as a future arterial road”.

“Which will ultimately be managed and upgraded by the Victorian government or the Department of Transport and Planning,” she said. Kororoit MP Luba Grigorovitch said the road’s future classification is still under review. “The department of transport will look to review the Palmers Road corridor to determine whether it’s suitable to declare some sections as an arterial road,” she said. The state government has committed to some works on the corridor, with the level crossing removal at Robinsons Road, and a level crossing on Calder Park Drive planned to be replaced with a road bridge over the rail

line by 2025. Major Road Projects Victoria has undertaken planning for potential future improvements to Calder Park Drive between Melton Highway and the Calder Freeway as well as a potential new interchange with the Calder Freeway but have not yet committed to the projects. Roads and Safety Minister Melissa Horne said the Palmers Road Corridor is “vital to supporting the area’s ongoing growth and development”. “We’re improving our road and transport connections in the west to make it safer and easier for locals to get to where they need to go,” she said.

Green thumbs at work Mother of God pupils have been getting their green thumbs on. Pupils from the Ardeer school have propagated over 100 tubes of locally indigenous grasses in partnership with the Friends of Kororoit Creek. The students presented the grasses to Friends of Kororoit Creek representatives late last month. School gardener Joanna Temme said the grasses will be planted along Kororoit Creek to improve habitat for wildlife such as moths, butterflies and birds. “In this project students learned about local plant species, how to plant and care for them, how they’ve adapted to our environment and what this landscape would have been like before Europeans came to Australia,” she said. “Growing the plants in the greenhouse at

school was part of our community garden program, run in partnership with Cultivating Community. “Since we started the community garden over 10 years ago students spend time in the garden each week with our garden educator learning about plants, nature, health and the environment. “Our school is proud to support the FoKC and be part of this hands on project to improve our local environment.”

Students, Bethania, Cindy, Hanna and Ethan with garden educator Joanna Temme presenting seedlings to Richard Tregear from FoKC. (Joe Mastroianni) 320160_01

Tyre & Auto Service • BRIDGESTONE • FIRESTONE • SUPERCAT • POTENZA • TURANZA • ECOPIA • DUELER • DAYTON

4th Tyre FREE on selected Bridgestone car & SUV tyres and Supercat SUV tyres.

DEALER LOGBOOK SERVICE Minor Dealership Logbook Service

From only $229.00. Includes: Replacement of engine oil filter and semi synthetic engine oil up to 7 litres Inspect and top up fluid levels • Check headlamp and light operation Inspect drive belts and cooling system, hoses etc • Remove wheels and inspect brake and suspension components • Stamp warranty booklet if applicable. $229.00 - Suits most Japanese vehicles $269.00 - Vehicles requiring full synthetic engine oils, Ie, Fiesta, Mondeo and some late model Japanese vehicles $349.00 - European Vehicles - Some earlier models Diesel Service Most Japanese 4WD & Commercial Vans $449.00 - European - Mid luxury/prestige vehicles. Note: Some 4WD, luxury, prestige and sports models vehicles may incur an extra cost Price on application.

PROFESSIONAL VEHICLE SERVICING & REPAIRS, WITH HONESTY & INTEGRITY

6 MONTHS INTEREST

FREE *

No Deposit No Interest

Fuel saving. Bridgestone Ecopia car & SUV tyres.

Long wear life. Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus car tyres.

Super value. Supercat SUV tyres.

No repayments for 6 months

• Fixed Price Servicing • Mechanical Repairs • Brakes • Clutch Repairs • Fleet Maintenance • Automatic Transmission

• Wheel Balancing • Wheel Alignments • Batteries • Licensed Vehicle Tester • RWC LVT License no: EX 6187

We use and recommend Valvoline Motor Oils & Ryco Filters

*Conditions Apply

HOPPERS CROSSING

ST ALBANS

3/308–322 Old Geelong Rd 9369 0500

29 St Albans Rd 9364 3244

‘Offers apply on purchases made in participating stores between 01/03/2023 and 31/03/2023. Terms and conditions apply. Tyre images are for illustration purposes only. See bridgestone.com.au for details.

12581810-HC10-23

Tuesday, 7 March, 2023 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 5

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU Briefs

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Man charged Police have charged a Burnside Heights man following an investigation into a series of alleged fraudulent deliveries and scams. The 57-year-old man self-presented to police and was charged with 22 counts of obtaining property by deception and two counts of attempting to obtain property by deception. The charges follow several reported incidents where businesses and residences were approached by someone purporting to be a delivery driver who required cash up front before goods could be provided, however the man allegedly left with the money without handing over any items. It was also reported the man allegedly sold goods at bargain prices before fleeing with cash without handing anything over.

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

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

GENERAL REAL ESTATE INQUIRIES reads@starweekly.com.au

EDITORIAL GENERAL EDITORIAL INQUIRIES westeditorial@starweekly.com.au

Power Saving

Lions Club of Taylors Lakes. (Supplied)

COMMUNITY CALENDAR ENTRIES communitycalendar@starweekly.com.au

Lions prepare to picnic

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 Lions Club of Taylors Lakes annual Community Music and Picnic in the Park is back for another year. The March 26 event will take place in the surrounds of the Taylors Creek Linear Park, with activities for the whole family. There will be five music acts across two stages, a kids entertainment precinct, face painting balloon twisting, food vans, the Lions barbecue and Rotary Caroline Springs bacon and egg sandwiches. Organised with the support of Brimbank council community grant, the day will be a very relaxing, entertaining and pleasant one, packed with lots of fun. All entertainment is free and this is a

walk-up event. Attendees are invited to bring a picnic blanket and their own picnic or make use of the many chairs and tables available. Event co-ordinator and club secretary Phil Clinkaberry said they were hoping to see as many people as possible at the event. “We love to serve our community – and one way is to bring our community together for a day of fun, music and food,” he said. “We hope to see everyone there – say G’day to us at the barbecue and enjoy the music with a snag.” The event runs between 11am-3pm.

Victorians will soon be able to access additional financial in the form of a new round of the power saving bonus. The $250 power saving bonus will be re-opened to all eligible Victorian households from March 24, including those which received payments under previous rounds, Victorian Energy Compare website. The upcoming round will follow on from the round launched on July 1 2022, which included more than 1.7 million households receiving the support. FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Brimbank & North West Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Tara Murray

Stay close, go further. VISIT GRAMPIANS

Hadyn Black Hounds Run Vineyard & Black and Ginger Great Western, Grampians The Grampians is an inspiring place where you can chase your dreams. Hounds Run is our vineyard and oﬀ-grid tiny house. I love making wines and keeping the process as hands-oﬀ as possible, while visitors enjoy the serenity, looking out over the vineyard as the sun sets. Where else would you want to be?

12593447-AP10-23

6 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 7 March, 2023

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

Advertising feature

A sense of belonging is important at Uniting AgeWell When you find an organisation that ticks all the boxes, you stay. Uniting AgeWell, senior care manager at Kalkee Community Nangatta, Sarita Chaudhary, says what she loves best about the not-for-profit aged care provider is that it feels like a second family to her. “They let me be me,” Sarita says. “I’m here for the long-haul.” Originally from Nepal and now a registered nurse, Sarita has been able to embrace and share her culture in the 18-months she’s been in the role. Sarita choreographed a Bollywood dance where she and other staff members donned saris and performed for residents to celebrate Diwali; made dumplings for Chinese New Year and felt supported enough to breast-pump for her baby at work. “I feel like I belong,” said the devout Hindu. “And a sense of belonging is very important, especially for an immigrant.” She’s also proud to be in a career that has meaning. “I enjoy that the residents become part of my life, and that I become part of theirs.” Sarita is ambitious. She moved to Australia for a better life and career and already she’s on an upward trajectory after being selected for Uniting AgeWell’s strategic leadership talent development program. There are a number of diverse career opportunities in residential care and home and community care at Uniting AgeWell, ranging from nursing to personal care, from domestic assistance to food services, from allied health to social support – and more! With 78 per cent of the workforce identifying as female, Uniting AgeWell offers flexible work arrangements to enable staff to work around family commitments. There are opportunities for further education, leadership programs

Sarita Chaudhary and resident Bruce Howard. (Supplied)

and scholarships for professional development and a significant number of women are in leadership roles. Uniting AgeWell is also a partner with WomenCan, a vocational organisation that empowers women.

Although Uniting AgeWell is an inclusive organisation championing diversity in all its forms, it’s different in one sense. One of the prerequisites in hiring people is that they share the organisation’s values of kindness, respect,

integrity, innovation and inclusion. For career opportunities visit unitingagewell.org/careers or call 1300 783 435.

WORK LOCAL MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Work in the community you love and support older people to live well with choice and peace of mind. Why work for Uniting AgeWell?  Permanent part-time and casual roles in nursing, personal care and domestic assistance  Family friendly, ﬂexible hours

Apply now for a rewarding career.

 Competitive salary and beneﬁts  Career development and training

View current vacancies unitingagewell.org/careers

Get in touch recruitment@unitingagewell.org 1300 783 435 12592566-RR10-23

Tuesday, 7 March, 2023 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 7

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Tech boost for workplace safety Victoria University researchers have developed state-of-the-art technology that will take outdated aspects of Australia’s construction industry into a modern digital age. VU’s Built Environment Professor head Zora Vrcelj and head of Information Technology Professor Yuan Miao and their teams have combined high-tech tools with engineering and architecture to improve safety training in the construction profession – which has one of the highest rates of preventable accidents and deaths of any sector in Australia. With the help of a construction simulator (COSI) with virtual reality (VR) at VU’s Werribee campus, the researchers want to

reduce workplace injuries and deaths. COSI’s fully-immersive VR experience allows trainees to use high-tech goggles and equipment to enter and explore a detailed simulation of a construction site to learn about safety. The simulator lets users learn to climb ladders, move equipment, work in a confined space, or walk along narrow scaffolding, without any real risk. Already city councils, construction giants like Simonds Homes, and even the Victorian Building Authority have expressed interest. Professor Vrcelj said the project would help modernise the construction industry, which is currently among the least digitised

industries in Australia, leading to high rates of worksite injuries, a lack of quality control and inefficiencies. Chief executive of the Builders Academy Australia, Simonds Group’s Andrew Shea said training workers via simulated experiences would make a real difference to a worker’s learning and have a “genuine positive impact.” The researchers are also helping to modernise the profession of building surveying. Traditionally, surveyors conduct mandatory inspections of buildings during construction with a clipboard and a checklist, as they assess the framework, electrics, plumbing, and design of a building.

“The surveyor comes, checks that everything is up to code, ticks the boxes, then leaves. But if something changes that affects the build before the next inspection, no one has any idea what’s been done or where the alterations have been made,” Professor Vrcelj said. Instead, the VU researchers have developed a cloud-based platform where photographs and 360-degree scans of the building are uploaded, and can be accessed remotely in real time from a smartphone or iPad. “This means there are chains of evidence when things go wrong, but more importantly, early opportunities to prevent defects from happening in the first place,” she said.

Artwork honours nature A new public artwork was unveiled at The Avenue Park in Caroline Springs on Friday, February 24. Titled Second Nature, the sculpture by Jade Oakley plays on the theme of growth and will provide a place of shelter and play at the heart of the park. Led by public art specialist consultants, T-Projects, the sculpture is an interactive and practical piece, with drawings gathered at community arts workshops etched in the pathways, leading you to the sculptural landmark in the centre of the playground. These drawings tell the story of growth on the site, progressively changing from growth patterns found in nature to the pattern of community growth through the drawings of maps. The sculpture takes the form of two large leaves on a steel stem, with the veins of the

leaves depicting a map of Caroline Springs. Artist Jade Oakley said she strives to make artworks that are visually integrated with their site. “I feel strongly that public sculpture should have a strong thematic relationship with the natural or cultural history of its setting,” she said. Melton mayor Lara Carli said Second Nature brings together play, art and practical design “into a beautiful sculpture”. “This artwork represents what it is to grow together as a community and as a city. It’s about rapid changes in our demographics, social cohesion, and cultural identity in the City of Melton,” she said. “I look forward to seeing our residents young and old enjoy this piece as art and as a place for shelter and play in the heart of the park.” Liam McNally

Melton mayor Lara Carli and artist Jade Oakley standing in front of the new sculpture. (Supplied)

‘Taylor’ gets to work boring Local children have had the opportunity to see the mini tunnel boring machine they named up close before she got to work on the Melbourne Airport Rail Project. The youngsters Jigsaw Childcare in Sunshine North and Milleara Integrated Learning and Development Centre in Keilor East took part in a competition to name one of two mini tunnel boring machines being used to create space for utility services under the rail corridor and surrounding roads. Both centres picked Taylor as the preferred name and the machine was taken to meet the students which had named it. Melbourne Airport Rail project staff also visited the early learning centres to teach the children more about the machines and the project through play-based activities, viewing animations and dressing up in hardhats and safety vests. “Taylor” – who is two metres long and half a metre in diameter – is working at Slater

Subscribe to the Brimbank & North West Star Weekly

Digital Edition

FREE FEBRUARY 2, 2021 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

12477071-CG03-21

FEBRUARY 2, 2021 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Parade, Keilor East, where she will bore for nearly 50 metres, about six metres below ground. She’s expected to cover up to 12 metres per day. Work at Keilor East and Sunshine North includes the construction of dedicated tracks for Melbourne Airport Rail services in the existing freight corridor between Sunshine and Airport West. The new tracks will take trains to the new Keilor East station at Keilor Park, before crossing the Western Ring Road (M80 freeway) and then continuing on an elevated rail line along Airport Drive and arriving at the train station at Melbourne Airport. The second machine will be launched in Gee Street, Sunshine North to do similar work. Public Transport Minister and Niddrie MP Ben Carroll said it was great to see the local children and the community getting involved in this highly anticipated project.

Back to school Twins Colby and Sebastian, and Rania and Dania, were among the excited pupils starting school at Furlong Park School for Deaf Children last week. The school reopened for 2021 on Thursday and there was plenty of fun for the two sets of twins and their school friends. Colby and Sebastian, 8, and Rania and Dania, 6, are two of three sets of twins at the school this year. The school has about 65 students. A third set of twins will start on February 11 and will be part of the school’s early years program. Principal Lee Bullock said it was possibly the first time the school had welcomed three sets of twins.

(Damjan Janevski) 226450_01

Back to school

Tara Murray

Twins Colby and Sebastian, and Rania and Dania, were among the excited pupils starting school at Furlong Park School for Deaf Children last week. set up after the West Footscray warehouse fire By Tara Murray “The urgency to clean it [industry] up has delayed for 12 months. “We’ve been waiting for so long to have which spewed toxic fumes across the western never been greater.” The school reopened for 2021 on Mr Rowley said during his time with confidence to be able to breath fresh air. suburbs for days in August 2018. Two western suburbs advocates are calling for She said the group, a non-political alliance government action after a waste management LeadWest, from 2010-18, one of the biggest Confidence that our creeks aren’t going to be Thursday and there was plenty of fire fun for concerns raised by local councils was the need polluted.” in Brooklyn last week. of community groups, organisations and There have been at least eight factory, waste management or tip fires across the west and Hume since October, while the Kealba landfill has had underground fires burning continuously for more than a year. Former LeadWest chief executive Craig Rowley and former state MLC member Colleen Hartland say enough is enough. “It’s a long-running issue,” Mr Rowley said. “It doesn’t matter which party has been in power at the time, they haven’t done enough clean-up of the west.

for a cleaner, greener and more liveable western metropolitan area. “We were constantly talking about it with the other tiers of government, about the investment needed in the west to make it cleaner and greener. “It just seems that it is taking a long time to get there.” Mr Rowley said an Environment Protection Act, which changes how the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) regulates pollution, waste and contamination in Victoria, had been

He suggests forming a steering committee which would include the EPA, WorkSafe, MFB and council representatives to have a co-ordinated approach to industry clean-up. “I don’t think questions are being asked on Spring Street as often as they should.” He also proposed government funding to help bring old industrial estates up to the 21st century and the introduction of better air quality monitoring systems. Ms Hartland is a member of the Facebook group Anti-Toxic Waste Alliance, which was

individuals, wants action. “There’s been a spate of these fires,” she said. “There’s been three in the last 10 days. “The EPA and the state government don’t seem to be taking it seriously.” Ms Hartland said the group wanted more regulation on industrial sites, clear information about when the EPA is called in and when and for how long air quality equipment is set up. She has also called for the act to be introduced. ■ Fire probed: Page 3

12481573-NG07-21

Fire sparks call to arms

Scan this QR code to subscribe Or visit brimbanknorthwest.starweekly.com.au/subscribe 8 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 7 March, 2023

Children from Milleara Integrated Learning and Development Centre with Public Transport Minister and Niddrie MPBen Carroll, Moonee Valley mayor Pierce Tyson and Melbourne Airport Rail project director Ben Ryan. (Supplied)

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

NEWS

Johnson bolsters United’s ranks By Tara Murray When Kahli Johnson decided to join Western United, it wasn’t just about getting more game time in the A-League Women’s competition. Having made three A-League appearances last season for Sydney FC, Johnson decided to make the move down to Melbourne and United. “I really enjoyed the opportunity to move to a different city,” she said. “To move away from home for the first time was exciting. “The club has been really welcoming and family orientated. It was about the opportunity to come to a club that has such strong values. “You want to get game time wherever you are, but nothing was promised and I had to work hard for my spot. “It has really paid off.” Johnson has played in 13 games for United this season, starting in seven of them. In the most recent game against the Newcastle Jets, she scored not only her first goal, but her second for United. Johnson said she had been really happy with her season. “I’m someone who is really focused on improving myself and the team,” she said. “I want to keep improving on things and work really hard in developing certain areas of my game. “The first goal has been a while coming, it was really good for myself. To get a second one was good, hopefully it’ll kick start a few more.” It’ll be a couple of weeks between games for Johnson as she heads to the Kyrgyz Republic with the Young Matildas for the first round of qualification for the 2024 AFC under-20 Asian Cup. Johnson has been part of the Young Matildas side for a couple of years and she’s excited to get another opportunity. “I’m really happy to get the call up,” she said.

Kahli Johnson. (Supplied)

“It’s a new group of girls that have not played many games together. “It will be a great experience to go overseas with the girls.” The Young Matildas have just come off a training camp, held in Western United’s backyard in Wyndham. Johnson said it was good to see local soccer fans, many who are Western United fans, come

out and interact with the side. The camp also included a match against Western United. “I enjoyed that,” Johnson said. “It was pretty cool to play against my friends. “You’re a bit more competitive on the field. I really enjoyed it.” While Johnson is focused on her Australian commitments, she’s also focused on helping

Young author’s important message It’s not every day a young boy from the western suburbs gets to spend the afternoon away from school, celebrating the launch of his very own book. But for nine-year-old Aryan, the achievement is incredibly bittersweet. Following his parent’s separation last year, Aryan began seeing GenWest child and youth counsellor Elly, who would visit his school every Wednesday to help Aryan cope with the ongoing impacts of family violence. “We prioritise creative arts therapies methods, for a number of reasons,” Elly said. “Kids might be at a developmental stage where simply talking about their experiences is not particularly helpful or meaningful. “So we draw on a range of modalities and do a lot of play, art and music, and we’re passionate about the role of creativity in highlighting kids’ resources.” Very early on, Elly noticed that Aryan found it difficult to discuss his experience of family violence and the young boy felt very protective of his dad. “Alongside that, he was a highly creative child who loved drawing, loved writing stories,” she said. “He and I talked about how powerful it was for children with difficult experiences in childhood, [to have] resources that were written by other people who had gone through complex experiences. “I asked him, ‘would you one day like to create something that could be used for other kids going through family violence?’ and he said ‘yes’, so immediately we began working on this book.” The story is titled ‘The Puppy’s Life’, and in the preamble Aryan writes, “Aryan wrote this book because he wanted to show other kids that it’s OK to talk about family violence. And other kids also experience it”. The book follows the life of a puppy,

GenWest child and youth counsellor Elly and chief executive Dale Wakefield. (Fatima Halloum)

struggling with the complex emotions and questions that arise when parents separate due to family violence. “When the puppy would hear his parents barking, it felt like thousands of animals in a stampede,” Aryan wrote in his book. “The puppy couldn’t make the stampede stop, he felt like he was lost in the middle.” The pictures of the puppy decorating the pages of the book were also hand-drawn by Aryan. “He illustrates very easily, he did like 10 or so pages in one session, and then we spent a lot of time finetuning the book itself and thinking

about how he’d like for the book to be used,” Elly said. “It’s always incredibly powerful to see yourself or your experience represented – that’s what this book was about for Aryan. “A message we particularly wanted the book to communicate was that ‘all feelings are okay’, and that it is a really complicated experience going through family violence .. it is a rollercoaster. The book is about showing other kids that their feelings are valid.” Details: https://www.genwest.org.au/ resources/the-puppys-life/

United concert their strong form into something else. United in their first season sit atop the table. Johnson, like many of her other teammates, wanted to make a point that they weren’t just making up the numbers this season. “We want to win,” she said. “We’ll do everything we can to make that happen. It’s exciting for the rest of the season.”

Digital training for seniors Brimbank council will receive funding to help the council conduct targeted, hands-on digital training programs through public libraries for older members of the community during 2023. The council received $46,042 from the state government under the digital literacy for seniors program, which will provide additional support for older Victorians through Brimbank libraries. The funding can be used for a range of activities including the delivery of training programs, staffing costs to support these programs, minor changes to facilities and the purchasing and replacement of digital devices and software. This funding will provide additional support to help educate and upskill older people to better use and access materials online. This will include support and training in community languages. Brimbank mayor Bruce Lancashire welcomes the funding. “Now more than ever, older people are accessing information and resources online,” he said. “This additional funding will help us to support them through our public libraries. “During the COVID-19 pandemic we had to adapt and go on a digital learning journey together, including older people with limited experience using computers or mobile phones. “Knowing that you can get some help and support at your local public library will make a big difference to Brimbank seniors.”

Fatima Halloum Tuesday, 7 March, 2023 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 9

BEHIND THE NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Women making it work their way For this year’s International Women’s Day, March 8, Fatima Halloum hears from women working in male dominated industries.

hen Jennifer Horgan confided in her mother that she wanted to change careers, she was met with deep

concern. Ms Horgan had completed a law degree and was working as a court registrar, when she decided to make the switch. “I remember seeing the police bring in all their cases, and listening to the interesting work that they were doing, so I decided to join the police after seeing that,” she said. “[My mum] was very happy with my nice, safe job, it was a bit of a shock to [her] because I didn’t grow up wanting to be a police officer.” The young woman who graduated from the police academy in 2001, worked in the surveillance unit, and the prosecutions division, is now the station commander at Bacchus Marsh police station. “I’m at my happiest … I like being in charge of eight sergeants and 40 other ranks,” she said. “And being able to support them to do the front-line policing work that they do. “Community safety is my priority, I want people to feel like … if they come to the police with a problem, they will be heard.”

‘‘

We have to learn for ourselves that we can do things that we were told are - Edel Doyle not for us

’’

Ms Horgan said she would like to see a day when it isn’t remarkable that a woman is in charge of a police station. “I’d like it to be normal, not a big deal,” she said. “There are a lot of women in leadership roles in Victoria Police and we are more visible now, so I think that’s really positive.” While Ms Horgan never expected to become a police officer, she said 20 years on, she still loves her job. “Unfortunately we do spend time with people who have been having a really hard day,” she said. “But the flip side is that there is nothing better than driving past a little kid, waving at them, and just seeing their face light up.” THere’s about 3300 kilometres between Vanautu and Melbourne, and edel Doyle has sailed all of them. After moving from Dublin, Ireland, to Australia in 2013, Ms Doyle joined the Wyndham Yacht Club to learn to sail. “I love being on the water,” she said. “I am proactive … about getting more and more women involved cause we have to learn for ourselves that we can do things that we were told are not for us.” Ms Doyle said she often encounters men who aren’t even aware of the bias’ towards women that they carry. “Were expected to work in the galley or in the kitchen, we’re expected to work on the floor deck, cause you’re smaller and lighter usually than the men,” she said. “I navigate, because I don’t want to be on the floor deck you get wet up there, and it’s safer for everyone if I’m not cooking.” Ms Doyle spent six weeks sailing around the islands near Vanuatu, delivering school supplies like blackboard paint, chalk, and paper to remote islands. she and another companion sailed to Brisbane, and along the east coast back to Melbourne. “[Being on the ocean is] it’s amazing, it’s quiet, it’s calm, it’s peaceful just listening to the water, it’s mesmerising,” she said. It was through being a sailor that Ms Doyle heard about the Werribee Coast Guard a while out on the water doing rescues, Ms Doyle said she “doesn’t personally think” gender is ever an issue. “sometimes there’s a physical difference,

Senior Sergeant Jennifer Horgan. (Damjan Janevski) 321809_03

Left: Edel Doyle loves being on the water. (Supplied) Right: Safa Hablas runs her own gardening business. (Louise Beaumont)

where the men are stronger, [but] because we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, you just do it and nobody and bats an eyelid,“ she said. In honour of International Women’s Day, the Werribee Coast Guard will lead an all women’s boat crew in March. “The people in that flotilla are just amazing,” she said. IT WAs using her father in-law’s trailer, her brother in-law’s lawn mower and her husband’s four-wheel-drive that safa Hablas brought her gardening business to life. The Tarneit resident said the years dragged on while working in the childcare industry, especially being cooped indoors as someone who enjoys being outside. “I just became really tired of it,” she said. “My husband is a police officer, so I had to

10 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 7 March, 2023

think of a business where I could work my own hours because my son didn’t want to go to childcare. “I took six months off to decide what I wanted to do and I thought, ‘what can I do?’.” Growing up, Ms Hablas spent lots of her time in the garden with her dad. “I know a lot about the garden, trees, grass and weeds,” she said. Ms Hablas said that although there isn’t a lot of women in the industry, her experience has been relatively good. “If I’m at a job site, [people aren’t] going to be looking at me first to get a job done, [but] don’t think a woman isn’t up to a job because of her gender, give them a go and see how it goes,” she said. “There’s never been a time, especially as a covered woman, where someone asks me what I do and I’ll be like ‘I’m a gardener’ and they’ll

be like, ‘oh I like gardening too,’. “Then I’ll say, ‘no, no, I’m a gardener’ and they’re like, ‘what, you?’, they freak out, and think that it’s awesome.” While it can be tiring, Ms Hablas said she loves her job. “It is an amazing feeling going into someone’s house, cleaning it all up, and then getting the client outside and saying ‘what do you think?’ and seeing their face, it’s just leaves you speechless,” she said. “Going from four years ago, and fast forwarding until now, I bought my first four wheel drive, with my own work trailer and all brand new gear that I owned debt free, just from a year of work. “The lawnmower I was borrowing I gave it back to my brother in law, the trailer I gave it back to my father in law, and the four wheel drive, I gave it back to my husband.”

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

NEWS

MY PLACE Vu Du is president of the Sunshine Business Association. When he’s not helping people secure finance for their dream home, he loves nothing more than tucking into a delicious banh mi and a Vietnamese coffee made fresh in Sunshine. What’s your connection to Brimbank? I am the owner of Aussie Home Loans Sunshine and president of the Sunshine Business Association. What do you like about where you live? The diversity in culture, proximity to the city and the fresh produce from the local grocers. What, if anything, would you change about where you live? I’m looking forward to the infrastructures in place for the airport rail link and would love to see larger retailers. Sunshine has so much opportunity for growth. Where is your favourite local place to spend time? As a business owner I spend a lot of time at work, however given the opportunity I enjoy the simplicity of getting a banh mi at Red Chilli along with a Vietnamese coffee. Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you... I danced hip hop and funk for five years.

Vu Du (second from right) at the recent Sunshine Business Association Lunar New Year event with Cr Thomas O’Reilly, Cr Sam David, Fraser MP Daniel Mulino, Cr Jasmine Nguyen, Mayor Cr Bruce Lancashire and SBA vice president Steven Tabban.

What do you enjoy most about being president of the Sunshine Business Association? I take pride in the feedback and success we receive from the community and businesses in regards to all the events and competitions we’ve run throughout the years and I enjoy the creativity I was allowed in running the Lunar New Year Festival. I think we’re very unique as to what we provide. I am also looking forward to the Best in Sunshine Business Awards which were launched in 2022 and will return in 2024.

Sunshine Business Association president Vu Du (right) with St Albans MP Natalie Suleyman. (Pictures: Supplied)

YOUR NEW CAREER ... starts here PRINT AND ONLINE SALES EXECUTIVE

REQUIRED

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. 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: Advertising Sales Manager, Mandy Clark salescareers@starnewsgroup.com.au

12570945-JC40-22

Tuesday, 7 March, 2023 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 11

COMMUNITY STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Darcy Newport and Kordell Opetha. (Joe Mastroianni) 319514_08

Wyndham player Tyrese Kuridu with ball. (Joe Mastroianni) 319514_14

Wyndham player Emmanuel Majak. (Joe Mastroianni) 319514_15

Slam dunk for the west The west’s best basketball talent took to the court over the weekend. Co-produced by the NBL and local trader Yours Truly Barber Shop and supported by Maribyrnong council, the Westside Slam event hosted three-a-side or 3×3 tournaments across juniors and open men and women on Saturday, March 4 at Footscray’s Nicholson Street Mall. Star Weekly photographer Joe Mastroianni was courtside to capture the action.

Wyndham player Riak Akhuar lays up. (Joe

Colts’ Darcy Newport rebounds. (Joe Mastroianni) 319514_05

Mastroianni) 319514_11

Event co-organiser Chris Tabone joined players Sean Mchale, Darcy Newport and Ottis Berry at the Westside Slam event. (Joe Mastroianni) Harvey James and Sean McHale. (Joe Mastroianni) 319514_04

319514_01

Wyndham player Tyrese Kuridu looks to shoot. (Joe Mastroianni) 319514_13

Patrick and Liz Mendoza waiting for their son to play. (Joe Mastroianni) 319514_10

12 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 7 March, 2023

Seanus McHale and Diego Nuque-Bautista. (Joe Mastroianni) 319514_07

Under-14 Silencer’s Kordell Opetha and Colts Ottis Berry. (Joe Mastroianni) 319514_03

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

COMMENT

State owned electricity solution By Sarah Connolly, Laverton MP Welcome back folks to Connolly’s Corner – my monthly article for Star Weekly where I talk about what the state governemt is delivering for our community in Melbourne’s west. If you’re old enough, you might remember back when Victoria owned the energy grid. We called it the State Electricity Commission. Then the Kennett government stepped in and sold it off in the 1990s, and Victorians have been paying the price ever since. Now I used to work in the energy sector for over a decade before I was elected to Parliament. Let me tell you that in my experience, prices only ever went up, and consumers weren’t getting anything better for it. We know that cost-of-living pressures are hitting households like never before. There’s no illusion in my mind that folks out there are doing it tough. Whether it’s the price of petrol or potatoes, everyone is feeling it somehow. But nothing hurts us all as much as the cost of our gas and electricity bills. This government has previously supported Victorian households to pay their power bills and keep prices low. It introduced the Victorian Default Offer, setting a market standard for power prices. And over the last two years, you’ve probably been told about the $250 Power Saving Bonus just from comparing providers. But perhaps the biggest thing being done to tackle the growing cost of power is by making more of our own. Because you may have heard last year that the Andrews government is bringing back the State Electricity Commission that was sold off all those years ago. Over $1 billion will be invested to deliver of 4.5 gigawatts of clean renewable energy – enough to replace the coal power station Loy Yang A, which recently announced it was shutting down operations.

Sarah Connolly. (Supplied)

Over the next 10 years, the SEC will compete alongside private enterprise in offering Victorians a cheaper, cleaner alternative, with all profits invested back into the system. Not only this, but combined with other renewable energy projects, the SEC will play a big role in transitioning our State to reach our renewable

energy targets of 65 per cent by 2030 and 95 per cent by 2035. And it’s not just good for the environment. Our economy will benefit by a massive $9.5 billion in GDP, and the SEC will create nearly 60,000 jobs over the next ten years, with the SEC Centre of Training Excellence to

support 6000 trainees and apprentices to help set up this incredible initiative. We all know that selling off the SEC in the 90s was a big mistake. This government is getting on with setting it right, bringing it back, and enshrining it in Victoria’s own constitution, to make sure it never gets sold off again.

Order now on www.aussietoysonline.com.au 12593408-JC10-23

Tuesday, 7 March, 2023 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 13

COMMENT STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Navigating new health services By Christopher Carter, chief executive, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network

GPRCs and PPCCs make it easier to access healthcare. (iStock)

and telehealth assessment, full respiratory testing, and immediate treatment. If you are confirmed as having COVID-19,

12544962-AV15-22

You may have noticed that it’s become harder to see a GP quickly in recent times, especially if you don’t have a regular doctor who knows you. Over the past year or so there have been new government-funded centres or clinics opening across our region to help everyone get the care they need, and that’s a good thing. What’s not so good, though, is that these new places have long names and it’s easy to get confused about what they do and when you should visit them or whether you should wait to see your regular GP. So let’s see if we can sort things out. There are some facilities called General Practice Respiratory Clinics or GPRCs dotted about the place – 15 of them in our western and northern suburbs. They are different from Priority Primary Care Centres, or PPCCs. There are five PPCCs in our region, with another three opening soon Before we get onto the differences between them, let’s look at what they have in common. The main quality they share is that they make it much easier for you or your family to seek and receive medical treatment. They are there to save you waiting days for an appointment with your GP, or hours at a hospital emergency department. GPRCs and PPCCs are open extended hours, you don’t need to book an appointment, and all treatments are free – even if you don’t have a Medicare card. So, which one should you go to for what? If you have mild respiratory symptoms and you need to see a GP or nurse, then a GPRC is the best place to go. They provide face-to-face

14 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 7 March, 2023

GPRC doctors can prescribe antiviral medications (if you meet the guidelines). This is really valuable, because for the antivirals to

work it’s essential that you start taking them within a day or two of symptoms developing. PPCCs are there to treat serious, but nonlife-threatening, injuries or illnesses. These might be, for instance, suspected fractures and sprains, cuts, burns, mild to moderate infections, fevers, back pain, rashes or mild to moderate asthma attacks. PPCCs are staffed by GPs and nurses who specialise in urgent care. They will be able to treat you within a short period after you arrive – much faster than the heroic but overworked staff at your nearest emergency department, who have to deal with life-threatening cases first. Of course, if you turn out to be a lot sicker than you thought, every PPCC is in direct communication with a hospital and with Ambulance Victoria, so they can transfer you to higher levels of care very easily. PPCCs are also next to, or very nearby, all the other services you may need – such as x-rays and pathology – and will make sure you’re well looked after. The five priority primary care centres in our region are in Craigieburn, Maribyrnong, Moonee Ponds, Sunshine and Werribee. For more details, go to NWMPHN’s website: nwmphn.org.au/ppcc You can also to our website to find your nearest GPRC: www.nwmphn.org.au/gprcs Remember, too, that these are not your only options. If you’re stuck at home and you need to talk to a doctor urgently, you can also contact the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department at vved.org.au or, if you’re not sure what type of care you need, call Nurse-on-Call any time on 1300 60 60 24. And, even when you’re feeling well, it’s important to book in with your regular GP for check-ups and non-urgent health matters. I hope that helps!

Property news

Tips on streamlining your rental application for success Applying for a rental property can be a scary time, often feeling like there’s too much to do and the applications are endless, but it doesn’t have to be over complicated if you know what you’re doing, writes Holly McGuinness. With so many people applying for rentals at the moment, property managers often have hundreds of applications to filter through, so ensuring you have all the required paperwork filed will streamline the process and set you apart from applicants with missing documents. For most applications you’ll need 100 points of identification and it’s important to make sure they’re up-to-date. Get together a valid photo ID (passport, driver’s licence, photo identification card), a secondary ID (Medicare card, healthcare card, bank card) and proof of current address (bank statement, utility bill with current address listed). You’ll need to prove your current income to ensure you can afford the property, as sometimes what you think you can afford and what the real estate agent requires can differ. Proof of income often includes your most recent payslips (not a payslip from six months ago, they need to be up-to-date), a most recent Centrelink income statement, latest tax return or bank statements, but it’s best to check with the real estate exactly which they accept. You’ll need proof of previous rental history, with contact details for the real estate agent you rented though, and a summary of your rental payment history, such as a rental ledger. Finally, although not essential, it’s a good idea to include a brief description of yourself in a cover letter. This can often stand you apart in helping the landlord depict the kind of tenant you will be.

Overall, providing more information will assist property managers in putting together your application. Once you’ve viewed property you’re applying for and deemed it suitable, they’ll have everything ready to go. Although the rental market is highly competitive at the moment, still be careful with which properties you apply for and keep an eye out for potentially hidden issues like low ventilation or visible mould.

Competitive rental markets can make it tricky to be approved for a property but it doesn’t have to be over complicated.

Looking for a new view? Access the Property ReView for a detailed report into your potential new home.

Hillside 3 Conifer Place

new PROPERTY REVIEW

Rare Opportunity on 796sqm! Excellent opportunity to secure a property with huge upside potential on a 796sqm. approx. allotment. Be welcomed with an open entry, living room flowing into the heart of the home, a generous kitchen with ample storage space and a vast meals and living area, lavished in streams of natural sunlight. Step outside to an undercover pergola with easy access to the backyard, your blank canvas to make it your own. Living accommodation includes four fitted bedrooms, master bedroom with walk in robe and ensuite, remaining bedrooms with built in robes, serviced by a central bathroom. Other features include: double garage, undercover pergola offering side access, perfect for extra vehicle accommodation. Located in a central position in Hillside, with easy access to major arterial roads.

18 SAMPLE STREET Suburb State $1,100,000 - $1,200,000 price guide House

444 sqm

| 18 Sample Street, Suburb State | Page 1

AUCTION 18th March at 11:00am (unless sold prior)

Your trusted source of property

ADDRESS Shop 12A , Watergardens Town Centre, 399 Melton Highway Taylors Lakes VIC 3038

CONTACT Las Anastasiadis 0416 263 191 Kyle Angeli 0426 701 797 Barry Plant Taylors Lakes 9390 8333 F 03 9390 8266

12591199-RR09-23

Tuesday, 7 March, 2023 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 15

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

Palliative volunteers needed Mercy Palliative Care in Sunshine is looking for volunteers to visit palliative care patients in their homes to offer social support. n 9313 5700, or MPCVolunteerCoordinators@mercy.com.au

Meredith Thomas exhibition BAY is a selection of themed works from Port Phillip Bay. The larger studio works consider colour, surface reflection and depth in a more leisurely fashion, and are richer and more textural. The exhibition is on show at the Brimbank Community and Civic Centre until Thursday, April 20. n artspaces@brimbank.vic.gov.au or 9249 4600

Deer Park Lions Club Deer Park Lions Club is looking for new members. It holds dinner meetings on the first Wednesday of every month at the Deer Park Senior Citizens Club, 119 Station Road, Deer Park. n Michael, 0417 307 572

Sunshine Community Brass Sunshine Community Brass is looking for trumpet and percussion players to join its vibrant band of musicians. With more than 90 years of history, the band rehearses at 45 Furlong Road, North Sunshine, on Tuesdays from 7.30pm. n Andrew, 0419 444 620

St Albans senior citizens St Albans Senior Citizens group meet at the centre at the corner of Alfrieda and William streets, St Albans, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 9am-1.30pm. Annual membership: $10. Cost: $1 entry on attendance day. n Roma, 0435 991 064

This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of ‘Princess Jasmina of Melbourne’, who will be part of pink charity fundraiser. (Damjan Janevski). 321342_01

Learning to relax group

Melton Bridge Club

U3A Melton

IPC Health is running a free group in Deer Park to help people learn ways to effectively manage their stress and how to relax. The sessions are free to attend and will run every Tuesday from 1pm- 2pm until March 28, at IPC Health Deer Park campus, 106 Station Road, Deer Park. n 1300 472 432 or email living.well@ipchealth.com.au

The Melton Bridge Club has recommenced weekly social Bridge sessions at the Melton Library on Fridays from 10am-noon. Come along to play an exciting, social card game and have loads of fun. Bridge offers the suspense of poker, the cerebral qualities of chess and the excitement of athletic sports, all in a relaxed and social setting. If you like playing cards this is for you. n Rosemary, 0407 894 817

U3A Melton offers among its activities a book group, Australian history and a gentle exercise class for those 55 and over who are retired or semi-retired who wish to stay mentally and physically active. n 0419 563 016

The Gap on Graham The Gap provides a place for Melton youth to hang out, socialise, play games and learn new skills. The centre holds a night for girls aged 10 to 18 years at 5 Graham Street, Melton, on Wednesday evenings. There is also a drop-in night for anyone aged 12 to 25 years old. n Val, 0414 769 605

Melton Men’s Group Melton Men’s Group meets every Thursday from 5-8pm at The Gap on Graham, 5 Graham Street, Melton. Focusing on Senior Men’s mental and physical wellbeing. The group invites new members to come for a cuppa and a chat, listen to guest speakers and participate in activities including carpet bowls, pool and table tennis. n https://meltonmensgroup.home.blog/

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. n Helen, 0409 186 576

Melton Combined Probus Club The Melton Probus Club meets on the first Tuesday of each month at the Melton Dart Club, 63a Reserve Road, from 9.45am. n 9746 0271

Take weight off naturally Struggling to lose weight? Struggling to get motivated? Want to try and do it in a friendly and less stressful atmosphere? Come and join TOWN (Take Weight Off Naturally) every Tuesday at 6pm at the Darlingsford Barn, Darlingsford Boulevard, Melton. n Catherine, 0416 612 517, or Bob, 0411 824 739

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. n 0406 493 734

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. n Ann, 0425 705 150

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. n Suzanne, 0417 512 420

16 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 7 March, 2023

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. n 9747 8576

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. n Elaine Greenhall, 0418 171 119, or 0400 052 857

Community singing group If you love to sing, come join the Melton Singers. The group rehearses regularly and also performs at aged care facilities. The group is very relaxed and sings songs mainly from the 60’s and 70’s. It meets Tuesdays at 10am. n Val, 0418 667 150

Adult education Banksia Gardens Community Services is running adult education courses including an introduction to computers and brushing up on English skills. n 9309 8531

Melton Cycling Club 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. n 0403 057 003

Tai Chi for health Come along to Homestead Community and Learning Centre in Roxburgh Park for a lesson in tai chi, a low impact exercise program to build strength. Everyone is welcome. It’ll be held every Monday from 10.30-11.30am. n https://www.hume.vic.gov.au/Eventbrite/ Tai-Chi-for-Health-317365848797

Rotary Club of Melton The Rotary Club of Melton invites new guests to join its meetings, held on the first and third Tuesday of every month, 6pm at Tabcorp Park in Melton. n meltonrotary@gmail.com

Melton Trauma Teddies Melton Trauma Teddies are seeking volunteers to assist with knitting, stuffing, or stitching teddy-bears that go to children in their time of need. n Jean, 0412 931 498

Bacchus Marsh Market Bacchus Marsh rejoice! There will be a monthly market at Maddingley Park. On the second Saturday of every month there will be a variety of stallholders and food trucks. Bring a picnic blanket and invite your friends and family for a lovely market day out.

Senior citizens meet The Gladstone Park Senior Citizens Club regularly meets for games of bingo, carpet bowls and a chat over a cuppa, at the coroner of Carrick and Elmhurst drives, Gladstone Park. n Beulah, 0411 422 398

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

easy

6 2

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

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS

DOWN

Cuff (4) Intersection (10) Accumulated (7) On (7) Inscriptions (8) Whinny (5) Widespread reputation (4) Disposal of waste (10) Signifying (10) Small island (4) Daughter of Zeus (5) Series of meetings (8) Declare one’s approval of (7) Heavy material to provide stability (7) Shades (10) Non-permanent staff member (coll) (abb) (4)

1 3 10 11 12 13 14 15 18 20 21 23 26 27 28 29

No. 123

Cicatrix (4) Celebrated (9) Unnecessary (9) Fraudulent schemes (5) Domed building (7) Reason for innocence (5) Female name (9) Hogwash (4) Without trust or belief (9) Incapable of being seen (9) Numb (9) Jurisdiction (7) Packed (5) Prophets (5) Misfortunes (4) Perched (4)

1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 14 16 17 19 22 23 24 25

DECODER

No. 123

8 4 5

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

1 6

1 4 9 2 6 8 9

10 11 12 13

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”.

Today’s Aim: 18 words: Good 27 words: Very good

No. 123 Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down. NOTE: more than one solution may be possible

AVERT AWARE CHAFF CLEAT CLOTH CORED CRASH CRYPT EARNS EASED EDICT ELUDE EXERT FORGE HALED HEADS HOSTS IMAGE IOTAS LEAST

4 LETTERS BITE DEEM DENS ETCH FLED MA’AM RAPS SLID SOFT TOTS 5 LETTERS AORTA AREAS ARGUE ARSON ASPEN ASSES

QUICK QUIZ

LOCAL MEETS MULCH OGLED OPTIC ORALS PANDA RAVEL ROUGE SECTS SINEW SLEDS SPLIT STAKE STALL STATE STEAL STEAM STINT THERE

Who became the secondrichest person in the world as of November 24?

Who was Australia’s first Labour prime minister, as well as leading the world’s first Labour government?

F C H E

A R E

R U S H E L L O N T E R

3 $ 1 ' $

TIGER TRACT

LUSTIER STORAGE WOOMERA

6 LETTERS CAREER CASTER ERASES SAFARI STOWED TENSED 7 LETTERS ACUTELY ELASTIC ITERATE

8 LETTERS GORILLAS HOLSTERS TEENAGER TEXTURED 10 LETTERS MONARCHIES NEWSLETTER

10-03-23

L A T E

No. 123

ache, aches, arch, arches, cash, char, chars, chase, chaser, crash, each, hack, hacker, hacks, hake, hare, hark, harks, have, HAVERSACK, hear, hears, heck, hers, rash, reach, rhea, search, shack, shake, shaker, share, shark, shave, shaver, shea, shear

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

3 LETTERS ACE ATE DNA EEL EGO EKE END ERA FAD FOX HOE IRE LEE MIX NAB NET NUT ODE PRO ROT SIT TWO

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

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

T W 19

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

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

37 words: Excellent

hard

medium

9-LETTER WORD

easy

5x5

9 2

P S HMAG Y K J V E L D

2 7 8

8 2 8

QN Z F I XO R C B U TW

7 6

4 8

7 1 6 9 3 6

WORDFIT

Containing the busts of past prime ministers, where in Australia is Prime Ministers Avenue?

In what year did the Victorian gold rush begin?

What is the most populous state in the US?

Who recorded Manic Monday in 1986?

Siddhartha Gautama is the name of which sacred figure?

Sully Prudhomme (pictured) was the first person to win which award?

Which Scandinavian capital’s name means ‘islet of logs’?

10 What is the largest species of rodent in the world? ANSWERS: 1. Elon Musk 2. Chris Watson 3. Ballarat 4. 1851 5. California 6. The Bangles 7. The Buddha 8. The Nobel Prize for Literature 9. Stockholm 10. Capybara

No. 123

$ 6 6 ( 6 & + $ ) ) 6 7 ( $ 0 6 7 , 1 7 / 2 & $ / $: $ 5 ( 3 $ 1 ' $ ( / 8 ' ( ) 2 5 * ( ( . ( / ( $ 6 7 ' 1 $ 1 8 7 ( 5 $ 6 ( 6 1 ( : 6 / ( 7 7 ( 5 3 / ( / $ 6 7 , & 2 5 $ / 6 & 5 < 3 7 ( 7 & + 6 2 ) 7 + 2 ( * 2 5 , / / $ 6 :2 2 0 ( 5 $ / 8 6 7 , ( 5 ' ( ( 0 7 ( ; 7 8 5 ( ' ( * 2 ' ( 1 6 ( $ 6 ( ' 6 / ( ' 6 , 7 ( 5 $ 7 ( , & & $ 6 7 ( 5 0 2 1 $ 5 & + , ( 6 5 2 7 1 $ % 5 $ 9 ( / 2 ' ( $ 5 ( $ 6 , 0 $ * ( 2 3 7 , & 7 , * ( 5 7 5 $ & 7 6 7 $ 7 ( ( ; ( 5 7 + 2 6 7 6 + $ / ( '

SUDOKU

Tuesday, 7 March, 2023 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 17

networkclassifieds.com.au Trades & Services V Trades Business Profile

V Fencing & Gates

Lou’s Colorbond Fencing

Placing your classified advert is so easy...

Gates & Pergolas ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ Lou 0412 339 445 Tony 0431 339 739 ฀

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

BEST STYLE FENCING

(include your name, address and phone number)

TRADES & SERVICES

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

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. 12434534-LB03-20

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

AS AP.E TI LI NG

KS Heating & Cooling

Call 0430 332 368

G6425413AA-dc5Nov

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

Tel 0427 963 906

Beautiful Bathrooms & Kitchens

Renovations at budget prices

V Garage/Garage Doors

“We advertise in our local Star Weekly to let our customers know of the special deals we have going and to reach the broader community” - Aaron

F & J ROLLER DOORS REPAIRS & REMOTES Roller Door Remote Controls Silent Drive 7 Year Warranty FROM $500 fully installed

9746 7785

0412 184 772

Buy & Sell in our

Motoring section of Network Classiﬁeds.

12425486-CG35-19

V Bathroom & Kitchens

Call for a FREE QUOTE 0431 477 232

12587929-FC05-23

Services • Repairs • Maintenance Over 30 years experience, All types of Air Con, Evap Cooler & Gas Heating System AU31693

All styles of Fencing and Gates • Colorbond • Picket • Wrought Iron and more

12555984-NG26-22

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

VISA/MASTERCARD/EFTPOS

12398667-SN37-18

We accept payment by:

Deadline for all classifications is 2:30pm Friday.

12402755-RA44-18

V Deadline

Bill 0410 48 14 17

V Garden Services

12588416-SN06-23

12420493-CG25-19

Residential - Commercial - Industrial All • Footings • Slabs • Foundations • Concrete Paving • Concrete Restorations NO JOB TOO SMALL!

FREE QUOTES Mobile: 0478 129 330 | ABN. 43462185813

www.topedgekitchens.com.au

V Carpenters

V CONCRETING GTSpecialising in all types of concreting.

• All types of timber work • Renovations • All general house repairs • Paint and Plaster repairs Over 35 years of experience Call Charles: 0419 316 198

V Bricklayers

AK BRICKLAYING Contact Adam 0422 250 675

Froggys CONTRACTING

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

12533274-HC09-22

V Builders & Building Services

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

SMALL SMALL CONCRETING CONCRETING JOBS JOBS "We do all the small jobs that the bigger companies don't have time for" Up to 60 square metres Shed floors, paths, driveways etc. Coloured, plain, slate and stencil. FREE MEASURE & QUOTE Workmanship guaranteed, with over 30 years experience

Phone Tony 0404 775 573

General Classifieds section of Network Classifieds.

section of Network Classiﬁeds.

฀

฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

฀

฀ ฀

฀

฀ ฀ ฀

฀

฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

Call Sam 0450 820 170 - 7 days

• Garden Maintenance • Rubbish Removal • Green Waste Removal

0431 132 175 12591232-RC09-23

AMAZING GARDEN SERVICES Specialist in • Lawn mowing • Edging Pruning / Hedge Trimming • Regular Maintenance • Rubbish Removals • Tree Lopping • Gutter Cleaning

THE JOLLY GIANT

V Fencing & Gates

LAWN MOWING

LEON’S FENCING SERVICES

Specialising in Timber and Colorbond Fencing Free Quotes

฀ ฀

Call Joe 0498 375 094 - 7 days

Real Estate 12416265-CG17-19

12418345-SN21-19

V Concrete Products & Services

Plain • Colour • Stencil • Slate Pattern • Exposed Aggregate • Driveways • Pathways • Garage Floors • Factory Floors • Car Parks • Driveway Pressure Cleaning FREE QUOTES. Call Matthew: 0413 789 755

Ph 0410 807 841

12440392-SG06-20

section of Network Classiﬁeds.

12589153-MS06-23

CARPENTER/ HANDYMAN

฀ ฀

• Gutter Cleaning • Hedge Trimming • Lawn Mowing • Tree Cutting

PTY LTD

Employment

All Types of Bricklaying Restoration Work ฀Brick Fences ฀Repair Work

NATHAN FENECH CONCRETING

• ALL GARDEN MAINTENANCE • DRIVEWAYS & PATH CLEANING (High Pressure) Free Quote – Big or Small Jobs – Pensioner Discounts

Ring David – 0437 369 162

12589150-AI06-23

Specializing in: • Kitchens • Wardrobes • Vanities • Custom Built Storage Space For a free quote please contact Andy 0408 081 888 Showroom: 45 Knight Ave, Sunshine North Email: aacabinets@outlook.com.au

Showroom by appointment only Free Quotes & Mobile Ensuite Hire. terms & conditions apply Please note that we specialise in renovations - we do not do repairs or maintenance

8348 5441

AA CABINETS

12360798-DJ33-17

· Plumbing · Tiling · Electrical · Carpentry · Plastering · One stop shop - Kitchen, bathroom, laundries & renovation needs. · Complete service from start to finish, including kitchen 3D design. · Appliance packages available. · Bathroom tapware, accessories & tiles on display in our showroom.

A1 Garden Maintenance & Rubbish Removals

12479887-JW04-21

Kitchens & Bathroom Renovations

V Concrete Products & Services 12586003-MS03-23

V Cabinet Makers

with us and get better results

CALL 1300 666 808 18 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 7 March, 2023

12514849-JW40-21

ADVERTISE

Trades & Services

Employment

฀

฀ ฀

฀

฀ ฀ Homes

LATIN ROOF RESTORATION

฀

★ New & Existing ★

C1093409-JO39-13

RJ GUTTERS ฀

V Tree Lopping/Surgery

฀

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

฀ ฀ FREE QUOTES

0421 421 640

V Positions Vacant

ANY TREES LOPPED Trees Pruned Reshaped Grubbed out. All Foliage/Rubbish Removed Fully Insured $10m Pensioner Discount

$BMM (FPSHF PS 4FC

Free Quote 7 Day Service 45 yrs exp.

V Handy Persons

C & D Schroeder 9337 3695 or 0415 816 882

Real Estate

Handyman

section of Network Classifieds.

20 years experience. All types of house repairs & renovations

Bill 0410 48 14 17

1239688-HM34-16

ALL JOBS Semi-Retired Builder at Your Service ฀ ฀

฀ ฀

DBU-13652

Phone Bruce 0402 438 844

& ARCHIE’S TREE SERVICE

HIGHLY EXPERIENCED TECHNICIANS ANTENNA SERVICE ALL AREAS

DIGITAL ANTENNAS AMPLIFIERS TV OUTLETS

V Tiling

12593192-AI10-23

SAIDA’S PAINTING Top Quality Guaranteed EST. 2008

• Domestic • Commercial • Interior • Exterior • New Homes • Renovation • Plaster Repairs • Roof Painting

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

Tel 0427 963 906

0416 561 594 0403 610 782 www.saidaspaintingau.com

NOTICE OF AN APPLICATION FOR A PLANNING PERMIT

Rainbow Club

• Blocked Drain & Emergency Plumber • Drains Reline

0423 288 893

V Reblocking/Underpinning MEMBER OF MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION

Reg No 8659

NICK’S RE-BLOCKING SERVICE

ALL SUBURBS ★ RAISING ★ LEVELLING ★ UNDERPINNING ★ RESTUMPING WITH CONCRETE OR REDGUM STUMPS ★ COUNCIL PERMIT ★ ALL WORK GUARANTEED FREE SMOKE ALARM

PH: 9360 5357 Mobile: 0412 378 193 Registered Building Practitioner

The Applicant for the permit is:

J R EDWARDS LAND SURVEYORS

The Application Reference Number is:

P64/2023

You may look at the application and any documents that support the application at:

• WWW.BRIMBANK.VIC.GOV.AU/ ADVERTISED-PLANS • CONTACT CITY PLANNING ON 9249 4606 OR EMAIL info@brimbank.vic.gov.au, FOR A COPY TO BE POSTED • BRIMBANK COMMUNITY AND CIVIC CENTRE, 301 HAMPSHIRE ROAD, SUNSHINE (Monday to Friday, 8:45am to 5:00pm) - (unless closed due to Covid lockdowns)

Lic 49728

12553448-JC23-22

REMOVE THE RESTRICTION CREATED IN INSTRUMENT OF TRANSFER NO. 1561159 IN CERTIFICATE OF TITLE VOL. 10362 FOL. 423

The Responsible Authority will not decide on the application before:

15/03/2023

The Contact Ofﬁcer is:

Nadia Matthews, (9249 4874)

Any person who may be affected by the granting of the permit may object or make other submissions to the responsible authority. Any comments received will be placed on the electronic file associated with this application and will be available for inspection. An objection must be in writing and sent to the Brimbank City Council either: • Online at www.brimbank.vic.gov.au/forms/planningobjection-online-form • Email info@brimbank.vic.gov.au • By post to PO Box 70, Sunshine, Vic, 3020 • In person at Brimbank Community and Civic Centre, 301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine Objections must include details of the application you are objecting to, your contact details and the reasons for the objection. If you do object, the responsible authority will tell you its decision.

12327446-LN42-16

Fill your position online www.networkclassiﬁeds.com.au

Records

$110/ 30mins Open 7 days

60's, 70's, 80's and jazz records. Will come to your place. Good prices. No classical. Ring Len 0490 098 805 or 0434 253 428. V Massage Therapists ADVERTISERS, in this section are qualified practitioners and offer nonsexual services. RELAXATION MASSAGE 7 days, 10am - 8pm. St Albans. Phone 0458 891 066 or 0438 842 866.

V For Sale

V Pets & Services ROB'S SHEEP MANURE, 40 litre bags, $7.00 per bag, minimum delivery 15 bags, sms preferred, 0429 954 259 V Wanted

CASH FOR RECORDS LP records wanted big or small collections, no 78s or classical. Prompt and polite service Phone Ian: 0418 539 736

NEW STAFF?

V Wanted

48 Davies Avenue, Sunshine North 9364 0770 SWA6566B

12592906-ET10-23

12530339-JW02-22

LOCAL DRAIN CLEARING

12543772-HC15-22

FREE Quotes

Call Mick 0417 352 040

The Application is for a permit to:

12561969-JC32-22

BRIMBANK PLANNING SCHEME

• General Plumbing & Maintenance • Spouting & Roofing • Hot & Cold Water Services • Gas work

1300 666 808

NEED

section of Network Classifieds.

Lic 35031

CALL

0428 568 004

0418 378 097

Celebrations MIRMIC PLUMBING

Contact Norm after 5pm for further details:

V Positions Vacant

General Classifieds

LOT(S): 1 PLAN OF SUBDIVISION: 211933 ADDRESS: 25 OBERON AVENUE ST ALBANS

with us and get better results

Certiﬁcate in Tree Climbing & Tree Felling

V Adult Services

The land affected by the Application is located at:

on presentation of this ad

• Stumps Removed • Fully Insured OR • Woodchipping TRIMMED & Mulching • Pensioner Discounts

V Public Notices and Event

V Plumbing

ADVERTISE

Admin and adhoc duties, full time position, computer knowledge is essential. Saturdays required.

5% DISCOUNT

Trades & Services

General Notices

Weighbridge Operator

REMOVED

0409 888 228 12469374-CG46-20

ASAP.E TILING

V Painters/Decorators

Call for a Free Quote

SAME DAY SERVICE

12587929-FC05-23

฀ ฀

฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ “Your Local Tree & Stump Removalist” ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ 0421 836 152

12586475-SN03-23

1231176-CG24-16

Handyman Service

฀

Excavator Operator Loader Operator and Labourer required.

12565959-HC35-22

ANTENNA MAN

Free quotes - Call Darren 0409 785 995

฀

Melton Tree & Stump Removals

V Television/Video/Audio

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

V Professional

DISCRIMINATION IN ADVERTISING IS UNLAWFUL 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.

Employment

section of Network Classifieds.

Motoring V Motor Vehicles

12423634-SN31-19

฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ No job too small - Pensioner discounts

12590640-JW08-23

฀

PAINTER Full-time, Mon-Fri, paid weekly, own vehicle required. Call Paul 0400 500 437 or email: pnbplastering@bigpond.com

Duties include greasing, maintenance and adhoc.

darren

฀ ฀

OPERATORS/ LABOURER /WEIGHBRIDGE OPERATOR

V Positions Vacant

MAZDA 2012 BT50, tray, 2600x180, ladder racks, tow bar and nudge bar, steps, one with the lot, 2.2 turbo diesel, 6 speed, 6 months reg, RWC, will not fault, 265.000kms, $13,000 ono, IUZ 2TN, Phone 0425 775 955

General Classifieds

V Wrecking

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

12321532-HM36-16

V Roofing 1232632-ACM26-16

12340308-HM08-17

V Guttering

LMCT 10268W

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

0435 904 818

section of Network Classifieds.

G6795050AA-dc29Apr 1132314-LB19-14

29 .00

Brimbank & North West Star Weekly

Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly

Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Star Weekly

Maribyrnong & Hobsons Bay Star Weekly

• All advertisements must be pre-paid. For $29.00 you get a 4 line, ONE ITEM ONLY advertisement, restricted to “For Sale” or “Motoring” items only for private advertisers, run initially for 13 weeks or until sold. Additional lines will be charged at $3 per line per publication. • After your advertisement has run for 13 weeks you must call us each fortnight to renew it for a further 2 week period AND reduce the price of your item by a minimum 5% for items in the “For Sale” section or 3% for items in the “Motoring” section. This process may continue until you have sold your item. If we do not hear from you we will assume you have sold your item and your advertisement will not appear. • The sale price must be included in the advertisement and the only alterations you may make are to the PRICE of your item. • Business advertisements, rental hire, pets & livestock and real estate are not included in the offer.

Wyndham Star Weekly

• The publisher reserves the right to decline any booking for the purpose of ongoing gain. Run my advert in:

Northern Star Weekly

2 papers - $7 extra 3 papers - $14 extra 4 papers - $21 extra 5 papers - $28 extra 6 papers - $35 extra

ADD A PHOTO FOR AN ADDITIONAL $8.00. 12588887-ET06-23

Tuesday, 7 March, 2023 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 19

SECTION STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Enjoy LOCAL NEWS every week

ed in 192

4 as the proudly serv

ing Brimbank

and the Nort

h West 22 NOVE

FEBRUARY

12477071

-CG03-21

4-AV22-21

1249640

FREE DIGIT

AL EDITIO

JAf £ fn¹Ǥ

9, 2021

\ STARW

MBER, 2022

EEKLY.COM. AU

SIG N U P

NOW!

Dream st ar t Lifo fer’s Uroniad ted History was made on Western Saturday Unit as the first time ed took to the in the A-Le park for com

trip record ed

Western Unite

d celebrates

Xiang Li.

winning its first

(George Russell OAM) Inset:

Australia’petition. ague Wom s outback en’s Deer Park has been Desp inite wind a new y cond brought to last week exhib chan.ce of s hed launc and the rain, 275itionition SelfCity 3 fans flock taugh Vista t artist Rese ed to 5000 Xiang rve in watc kilom Li Caro madeline h their etre solo a Springs Austfirst newroad ralia last hero trip to actio . and used estoinoutb ack inspirationtimeyear n for the that for Faci as her ng theﬁrst The trip was two-solo timeexhib ition. anyth reign stayecham ing but smoo ing s, Melb d in apion ourne Victo mad th – Li not long e vineyard ry, Unit agoan early that ed down stateburn car inthe comand t to the rest ed lockemen petitwas a sand d outsi storm de of .ion, winning American She said 1-0.her the tripstar femathe was Jess McD le empo abou herowerm onald was , scor t ingand ent self-cseco the only onﬁdnd ence half . to give buildinggoal in the “LifeSom her side is just e of likethe the win. a road nevethe biggtrip, r abou est and loca t the cheeitrsis were l destirs “Ittheir natio is about playe for who n,”are shenow the said.getti experienc chan cepeop at the le we ng e we met high and est the. level On the trip, had.” she colle from her car for whic cted the red dust named. h the exhib ition is The exhib ition, whic conjunctio h is being run in be at the n with Brimbank council, Hunt Club will Centre in Deer Park Community Arts until Marc Deta ■ ils: Forhttps more://cre h 11. on ative au/rematc the joy d-dust-ex brimof bank h itsel the.com hibiti day. and the f: Page on-by-xia 12 ng-

game. (Joe Mastro

Xiang Li’s

ianni). 30900

0_31

AC irrpaocr t he kdowanlto hn‘chonce oonsrns’ artwork. (Supplied)

and 23.

By Laura

Tara Murr

hell ByMic Tara Mur

ray Brimbank did not indic cil has disappoinBrimcoun ate approval Deveon Highway expressed duty last tmenbank lopm t at ent Plan Monday of the future patro officeits decision crack ing the feder down surprised said this to appr on hoonal govel rnme rs are , said theyMajor pose rise that for thenight third in hoon ovemeet drive amidnt’s Master Plan thes.Melb d to runway. were fataliplan r incid ties. wouldeithe unde a recent Ms King She third ourners Airp . r Cons Senio The four our community rgo aent sepadidn Infrastruc A fema lesaid whil occu runway ort mast rate’t end in fema if the nort table Aym pants of police were goes e she appr proces. er plan h-south ahead,” on Dalr ympl theshe and three left with after CrleNguy Com Developm60 ture, , shewas atten Tran being modore, ding has conc proposed spor said. e said gen male aspeup ficanoved ent to 80 vehic hoon eject t, meet the with non-life-t cts wrap saids,awere a ernssigni t ed from of the taken to hosp Regi independ Loca Catherinea weekand lesl Gove s, with coun ies occu onalup the hreatening in atten dinginjur a regar per car, third runway befor pedprop cil-commi ital people decis car that osal, some rnme pants ent danc to King . exist nt on you’r Dela e, people whoion ende ssioned smentinjur wereasses multiple Mini ing runwaround ainclu the prop approved e it mad ding e looki hey. on Monday, d assoc Two of the ejected stertimes iated of ies. chansges in King ng at 450-5 “It’s unfo Senio osal. ays and pole e a “We’turne with r Cons d up. to, Deve re also the the ation the from Park In a secon rtunate, the master plan mitig noise shari car. health risks “Highway 00 master table callin provides said. November arran believed lopm d 14. itThe Dalr geme accid publiclypatro is expe ng entaccid of approval ympleplan Melb and excee both nts.inves ent, Plan foun four vehic was outg for releal se “The Majoinr theand saidand secon accid now,” he these er plan conc tigato airport overLast Monfor the deve mastcted ents were in force. ourne Airport d noise leserns man the full “Both d were they were will rs agem Worhigh were told impacts consFurlo ent was hoon-relat obserbe appeared thed analy to ld Heal lopment of ent who the nextday, iderang car ved racin hThe two serio on thehealt woul impa Guid Road tion speed not far th to be headsis of ed. an 20 d cts report It includes eline Orga the on we freew durin years g crash impo from a hoon . us crashes ramp nearrtant callsinexp respo Major The g theabou and erien es, nisat ing andrds the less with drive ion Noiswell.”that informed plan cars childced nseay occurred Deve t 11pm asses flighthan toand split rendrive submission changes theLead lopm theirtowa smen. t of Derr rs e Lead Melb t path a four-meet unde ings for entupPlan 10 syears imut on the proposal, and a short Senio r the runwinayDerr rs as be subm imut. could as s the West r orde they ing , ourn expe Cons prop whic Senio expe layou ern “Seat itted r time have of Senio rienc table intable oses h is expe up tobelts be built, with r Cons rienc Ring Airport chief ” Cr Nguyen said. t but which new Rod Huds e,” he re Cons Holden in earlylater SenioArgu six mon e cogn Road seemths. cted said. itive r Cons table Huds execu of the cars, Outg s table Dalr ympl to be to caus Commod2023one said the runways will on ,” she Lead Inan delaycrack addi issue north-sou the third runw said. a black Brim Dalrmast on andtive Lorie ore sedan e ing the oing s the who were and tion, sleepSenio too.” ympl back bank er ay prope, ing the said plan r distu airpo th configura e of that mayo , down said noise Cons coun would help a osed to be both road rton 15 minutes rbances, polic r Jasmcollid table Huds rema could ed into and card state and hoon tion inste Ms King said ins drivi ine Nguy a reasons . cil wantvehic ensure fit forngpurp e were iovascular ed le travelling before the anxi ety,ondepr “Key hadtoathis en intoInthe pole, said on the acros her approval ad of east-west disease.first car ose. for approvin to understan signi essiocars same is s fican n cons the d Septe that there Ms . t whic truct crash atten mber, coun King’s Derr of the mast g the plan was gathe h will “Council ion ed imut-Lave dedimpr aseofon hoon eventdatab a third the facts . Senio er plan the runw ring in the rton area. cila laun Constable ove thes.efficiency on the byrintro ched “There were unreason has significant conc ay, third its ducin atten Dalr ‘Kno calle able and runw of 150-p ympl d g erns the w hoon meet d on the para lus cars, ay’ campaign airfield abou allow unaccepta operthose s in Brim llele said ationwho the whic$800 about three ble health t the publicly relea government with undering s, while also bank h council airpo risks into be fined se an inde to commiss offen demand,” cater laws, rtonto can for incre pendent inves ion and ces.Melb she said. the poten top of polic ased 3 NEW DEN ourn tial OU e tigation healtTh OF TURES ARE third runw e Airport said a impa EGG cts of decis 3 HEALTH S? Set expe ay Major up cted to your doo the Developm ion on the FUND REB GST FREE 3 QUA a rec in the urr ent Plan midd LITY DENTUR ATES ingle of r so you del is next • New ive year. E nev

3 PRO

ent ure clin

Facebook

KND Dentu

ic.c om.

re Clinic

CAR

Full and er run out Farm produ E MPT APP ce store • Metal Fram Partial Dentures Our OIN again. is back in custo TME mers are • Implant ed Denture loving our full swing and • HICAPS Retained It’s as simp NTS FREE s • Sports we’re still delivery Available Over Denture delivering! le as a coupl servi Mouthgu : • Veteran INI order and s withi e of clicks of your ce. No mess! No fuss! CONS TIAL Affairs • Victo ards • Repairs will n 48 hours mouse, place UL • Relin be delive rian Denture your Farm AND TATIO es red straig Kathy Dan Fresh Eggs your ADVIS N Sche170-1 ht to your oucaras, me 98 Bulban Rd, E Acce pted Werribee VIC front door step. Nick Dan KND Dent Our

ww w.k ndd like us on

oucaras

1-JW47-

Pick up your copy of Brimbank & North West Star Weekly from any of the locations below. Or, subscribe to our FREE digital edition and have it sent to your device every week!

Establish

ure Clinic (03 9741 0185 www.casa 8, 242 Caro , 192 Main Road East, and Sam Rob line Sprin ertson ccioeggfar & 491-495 gs Boulevard St Albans 9364 3677 King Stree ms.com.a t, West Melb , Caroline Springs. u 8361 9722 ourne, 9329 7077 3030 |

1246755

Also at: Suite

Australian Dental Association Prosthetists (Victoria)

12484435-SN1

2-21

Pick up your FREE newspaper from these local outlets... • ALBION Sadie Black Cafe 31 Perth Avenue • ALBION Sunshine City Club 24 Talmage Street • BRAYBROOK Coles Supermarket 67 Ashley Street • BRAYBROOK Central West Shopping Centre 65-67 Ashley Street • BRAYBROOK Braybrook Hotel 353 Ballarat Road • BRAYBROOK Braybrook Community Centre 107-139 Churchill Avenue • BRAYBROOK Braybrook News & Lotto 127 South Road • BURNSIDE Burnside Hub Shopping Centre 15-25 Westwood Drive • BURNSIDE Burnside News and Lotto 15 Westwood Drive • BURNSIDE HEIGHTS Milk Bar 102 Tenterfield Drive • CAIRNLEA Cairnlea Town Centre 100 Furlong Road • CAIRNLEA Harcourts Real Estate 1a/100 Furlong Road • CAROLINE SPRINGS Lakeside Hyundai 11/13 Eucumbene Drive • CAROLINE SPRINGS Caroline Springs Civic Centre/Library 193-201 Caroline Springs Boulevard • CAROLINE SPRINGS Professionals Caroline Springs RE Shop 16, 218-222 Caroline Springs Boulevard • CAROLINE SPRINGS Brad Teal Real Estate Shop 4, 242-244 Caroline Springs Boulevard • CAROLINE SPRINGS Ray White Real Estate Shop 8, 234 Caroline Springs Boulevard • CAROLINE SPRINGS CS Square Centre 29-35 Lake Street • DEER PARK Deer Park Club 780 Ballarat Road • DEER PARK Bells Real Estate 813a Ballarat Road • DEER PARK Biggin and Scott Real Estate 817a Ballarat Road • DEER PARK Comm Unity Plus - Community Neighbourhood Centre 822-824 Ballarat Road • DEER PARK Foodworks 803 Ballarat Road • DEER PARK Cellarbrations Liquor Store 809 Ballarat Road • DEER PARK Australia Post Office 827a Ballarat Road • DEER PARK Deer Park IGA 8 Hatchlands Drive

• DEER PARK Brimbank Shopping Centre Cnr Neale Road & Station Road • DEER PARK Derrimut Village Shopping Centre Foleys Road • DEER PARK Coles Supermarket Foleys Road (Derrimut Village Shopping Centre) • DEER PARK Deer Park Library 4 Neale Road • DEER PARK Burnham Real Estate 93 Station Road • DELAHEY Calder Real Estate 10/350 Taylors Road • DELAHEY IGA Delahey 260 Taylors Road (Delahey Village Shopping Centre) • DELAHEY Delahey Community Centre 80 Copperfield Drive • DERRIMUT Sunshine Golf Club 475 Mt Derrimut Road • DERRIMUT YPA Estate Agents Shop 9, 20 Mt Derrimut Road • FOOTSCRAY Frank Trimboli Real Estate 169 Barkly Street • FOOTSCRAY Wards Newsagency 100 Nicholson Street • HILLSIDE Foodworks Hillside 49-69 Wattle Valley Drive • HILLSIDE Parkwood Green Community Centre 88 Catherine Drive • HILLSIDE Hillside Neighbourhood House Recreation Reserve • KEILOR Brad Teal Woodards 684 Old Calder Highway • KEILOR Keilor Community Hub (Council Office ) 704b Old Calder Highway • KEILOR Keilor Newsagent 700 Old Calder Highway • KEILOR Keilor Retirement Village 868 Old Calder Highway Service Road • KEILOR DOWNS Centro Shopping Centre 80 Taylors Road • KEILOR PARK Star Weekly Office Unit 6/1-9 Thomson Road • KEILOR PARK Frank’s Supermarket 5 Fosters Road • KEILOR PARK Ferguson Plarre Bakehouse Shop 32, 40 Keilor Park Drive • KINGS PARK Westvale Community Centre 45 Kings Road • MELTON Melton Shire Offices 232 High Street • MELTON Harrison Hyundai 158-162 High Street • MELTON Melton Toyota 143-147 Main Street • ST ALBANS Homes Group Real Estate 63 Alfrieda Street

• ST ALBANS Westside Real Estate 1a Alfrieda Street • ST ALBANS St Albans Library 71a Alfrieda Street • ST ALBANS St Albans Senior Citizens Cnr Alfrieda St & Williams St • ST ALBANS IGA St Albans 18 East Esplanade • ST ALBANS Barry Plant Real Estate 1-7 Elaine Street • ST ALBANS Club Italia Sporting Club 128-152 Furlong Road • ST ALBANS ABC Real Estate 286 Main Road East • ST ALBANS St Albans Newsagency 304 Main Road East • ST ALBANS Raine and Horne 352 Main Road East • ST ALBANS YPA Estate Agents 67 Main Road West • ST ALBANS First National Real Estate 8/346 Main Road West • ST ALBANS Danny & Co Real Estate 352 Main Road West • ST ALBANS Brimbank Community Centre 358 Main Road West • ST ALBANS People In Real Estate 1 Princess St • ST ALBANS Stockdale and Leggo 9 Alfrieda Street • ST ALBANS Sweeney Real Estate 22 Alfrieda Street • ST ALBANS St Albans Sports Club 96a Gillespie Road • SUNSHINE Hocking Stuart 134 Durham Street • SUNSHINE Stockdale Leggo 273 Hampshire Road • SUNSHINE The Youth Junction 80b Harvester Road • SUNSHINE Thomson Real Estate 3/473 Ballarat Road • SUNSHINE Brotherhood of St Laurence Lvl 6, 12 Clarke Street • SUNSHINE Bells Real Estate 14 Devonshire Road • SUNSHINE Metro Real Estate 2/5 Devonshire Road • SUNSHINE Sunshine RSL 99 Dickson Street • SUNSHINE The Glengala Hotel 214 Glengala Road • SUNSHINE Barry Plant Real Estate 271 Hampshire Road

• SUNSHINE GL Lee Real Estate 275 Hampshire Road • SUNSHINE Douglas Kay Real Estate 280 Hampshire Road • SUNSHINE Sunshine Library 301 Hampshire Road • SUNSHINE Brimbank City Council 301 Hampshire Road • SUNSHINE Sunshine Plaza 324-328 Hampshire Road • SUNSHINE Sweeney Real Estate 4a/282 Hampshire Road • SUNSHINE EGF Solutions - Sunshine Plaza Shop T43, 324-328 Hampshire Road • SUNSHINE Sunshine Marketplace 80 Harvester Road • SUNSHINE Woolworths Supermarket 80 Harvester Road (Sunshine Marketplace) • SUNSHINE NORTH North Sunshine Post, News and Lotto 69 McIntyre Road • SUNSHINE NORTH Malaga Real Estate 3/23 Suffolk Road • SUNSHINE WEST Morgan’s Super IGA Supermarket 475 Fitzgerald Road • SUNSHINE WEST Bottler Sunshine West Drive in Liquor 79 Glengala Road • SUNSHINE WEST West Sunshine Community Centre 25 Kermeen Street • SUNSHINE WEST Coles Supermarket 136 The Avenue • SYDENHAM Natalie Hutchins MP Shop 11, 28a Hume Drive (Aqua Gardens Convenience Store) • SYDENHAM YPA Estate Agents Ground Floor, 15-17 Overton Lea Boulevard • SYDENHAM O’Brien Real Estate 17b Overton Overton Lea Boulevard • TAYLORS HILL Taylors Hill Land Sales Cnr Taylors & Gourlay Roads • TAYLORS HILL Watervale Shopping Centre 2-14 Calder Park Drive • TAYLORS LAKES Taylors Lakes Lotto Shop 8 3 Melton Highway • TAYLORS LAKES Watergardens Hotel 431 Kings Road • TAYLORS LAKES YPA Estate Agents Shop 5, 399 Melton Highway (Watergardens Shopping Centre) • TAYLORS LAKES Watergardens Shopping Centre 399 Melton Highway • TAYLORS LAKES Centrelink Watergardens 1/399 Melton Highway (Watergardens Town Centre)

Scan this QR code to Subscribe for FREE now! Or visit: brimbanknorthwest.starweekly.com.au/subscribe 12579863-AI48-22

20 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 7 March, 2023

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

MOTOR

Nissan Leaf e+ adds extra range to this long-serving EV. (Pictures: Supplied)

Nissan turns a new leaf in 2023 By Alistair Kennedy, Marque Motoring Although it’s no longer a major player in the electric vehicle scene, Nissan Leaf holds an important role in automotive history, being the first mass-production vehicle of its type when it was launched worldwide back in 2010.

Styling The profile of the Leaf hasn’t changed significantly during its decade on the road. It comes with the same semi-coupe / SUV body that many of its competitors have adopted. Its lines are clean and simple with a sloping roofline, flowing headlights and blacked-out B and C pillars. Changes for MY23 include new badging, revised front faux grille, darkened headlight trims, new rear diffuser and spoiler. Likely to be the most noticeable change are a new design for the 17-inch alloy wheels which seem to polarise opinions. We love them, but others that have seen them immediately cringe.

AT A GLANCE MODEL RANGE Nissan LEAF: $50,990 Nissan LEAF e+: $61,490 SPECIFICATIONS Nissan Leaf 59-kWh lithium-ion 350V battery, five-door wagon

Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Nissan dealer for drive-away prices.

Interior At around $60,000 plus on-roads Nissan Leaf sits at the more affordable level of EV pricing and it shows with a relatively bland interior when compared with the spectacular presentation of newer, but more expensive, cars like the Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. There is no powered seat option and height-only steering wheel adjustment. Having said that the dashboard is neat and functional with most controls logically placed and easy to reach. One of our pet hates are functions that need constant tapping on small keys on the touchscreen. By contrast Leaf uses four large round knobs – two for audio volume / channel change on the sides of the screen and two below for air conditioning temperature / fan speed. So much more sensible with much less driver distraction. One new feature for the 2023 upgrade is the intelligent rearview mirror which doubles as a standard mirror but with a flick of a control becomes a built-in LCD monitor which displays images from a camera mounted on the rear of

the vehicle for an unobstructed view. Rear seat space is acceptable with enough leg and headroom for two taller occupants. A third adult in the centre would be wedged between the other two, made worse with a tall transmission tunnel on the floor. There’s no folding armrest in the rear, nor air vents or USB ports. Boot space is a pretty good 405 litres although the two charging cables and Bose audio located there. The loading lip is high with quite a big drop down to the cargo floor. The 60/40 split rear seatbacks can be folded down to extend storage to 1776 litres.

Driving Composed is the perfect description of the Leaf’s performance. To match the improved output of the electric motor and converter, engineers enhanced the car’s chassis to improve stability. The electric power steering is responsive with a nice linear feel. Noise, vibration and harshness have been

moderated with aerodynamic upgrades and structural rigidity, while the electric motor has been made quieter, despite generating more power and torque. Leaf has what is called an e-Pedal, which at the flick of a switch on the centre console, allows the vehicle to be driven using the accelerator alone. The car comes to a smooth, gradual halt and is held stationary without the use of the brake pedal. Unfortunately, on the Leaf the e-Pedal is either on or off unlike many competitors where the level of braking can be adjusted to suit conditions. We found that, in motorway conditions, the extra pressure needed to maintain traffic speed negated the benefit of the e-Pedal and we tended to use it only on downhill running. Out on the open road ride handling proved to be excellent and the torque pick up will appeal to keen drivers. The absence of any engine sound combined with good external noise suppression and much less range anxiety adds further to the driving enjoyment.

Nissan lists a 385-kilometre range for the Leaf e+ although it showed up as 427 km when we picked up our test vehicle. During the week we did a couple of 3-hour top-up charges with our Wallbox home charger. In total we covered 352 kilometres and still showed a range of just over 200 km when we returned the car. So that projected 385 km range seems to be quite achievable. There is tyre noise on rough road surfaces. But why wouldn’t there be with little or no sound from under the bonnet?

Summing up The enhancements added to the MY23 Leaf come at price with an increase of $1000 over the previous models taking the e+ to $61,490 and $50,990 for the standard 39 kWh Leaf at. On-road costs need to be added. Premium purchase prices and refuelling convenience continue to be major hurdles for electric vehicles. But for those wishing to give it a go, the Nissan Leaf is as good as any petrol-powered close rival.

Tuesday, 7 March, 2023 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 21

SPORT STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Parkers are primed for a big premier final series Deer Park is hoping for a big finals series in the Bowls Victoria weekend premier division. After finishing the regular season in second spot, the Parkers have been one of the form teams in the back half of the season. The Parkers were set to face Melbourne for a spot in the grand final on Saturday, after deadline. The two teams which played off in last season’s decider, drew in their last match. The winner of that match moved through to the grand final, while the loser was to play in a preliminary final on Sunday, also after deadline. Speaking before the finals, Parkers head of bowls operations and player Mark Casey said they were happy with how the season had gone so far. “Our pre-season goal was to finish top two so we are delighted to have achieved that, now it’s all up to us,” he said. “We have been undefeated since round four, so we are in good form heading into the finals. “We are confident that if we can perform at our best that we will be very hard to beat, we

understand we are up against some strong competition but we can’t wait.” Casey said the slow start to the season was just the group getting used to each other. He said they always expected that it was going to take some time. “To be honest, we have been surprised how quickly it has all happened for us. I couldn’t ask for a better bunch of people representing the Deer Park Club.” Having finished runners-up last season, Casey said he believed they were better prepared this time round. “Like the majority of finals, there will be times through the game where momentum goes against you, it’s something that we have spoken about and have worked on so we believe we have the right processes in place this time around,” he said. A Parkers premiership in the premier division would be the club’s second this season. Three other teams made finals with the club already winning one premiership. “Our fourth team (division 5) won the

Deer Park is hoping for a successful finals series. (Jacob Pattison)

premiership last week so that was a huge thrill for the club,” he said. “Of course, we would have loved our division 2 team [which finished runners-up) to win but it wasn’t to be. “It’s been a very successful year for the club,

Reds focused on task By Tara Murray There’s a new coach and new look playing group, but the aim remains the same for Sydenham Park in the FV state league 1 this season. After finishing third last season, the Reds are keen to be among the contenders this season under new coach Goran Lozanovski. Lozanovski replaces Denii Lisolajski, who stood down at the end of last season. Lozanovski said he was looking forward to the season and what it may bring. “We had a bit of an overhaul,” he said. “We had a few older boys last year who have left. “We’re still trialling some players and we’ll have some new heads. “It’s just the way it panned out. We wanted to get a few young boys in the squad and importantly get a bit more depth.” Lozanovski said they had added some guys with some higher level experience to the squad. He said they were hoping that experience would help them win a title. Chris Davies returns to the club having played at Preston Lions last season with the club hoping he’ll score a few goals this season. Lee Mottershead, who was Werribee City captain last season, joins the club along with his Bees’ teammate Michael Yoseki. Daniel Sweeney and Ethan Gage also join the club, adding some more experience. “We’ve also still got some of the older heads from last year,” Lozanovski said. “Hopefully they’ll continue to serve the club well. “Some of them have played at a higher level. They’re experience is crucial in our push to win the title.” Having been in promotion contention until late in the season last year, Lozanovski knows that they need to improve. He said in state league 1, consistency was the biggest thing. “We want to have a good solid foundation in the first 11 and show consistently even on bad days, that we can still come away with points. “We especially need to do this for tough away games from home. We need to be a bit more resilient than we have in past years.” The Reds were set to play their first official match of 2023 on Saturday against the Templestowe Wolves in the third round of the Australia Cup, after deadline. With a different squad, Lozanovski said the Australia Cup was important in their preparation for the season as a whole. “It’s really exciting,” he said. ”It will help us work out our best 11 and every game is a chance to benefit us. “Whether it’s one, two or three games, every game helps us.” Lozanovski.,who coached in state league

but winning the premier league flag would mean so much to so many people at the club. “That’s what we need to do.” Tara Murray

Graham returns for the Thunder Keilor Thunder has received a boost with Grace Graham set to pull on the jersey for the upcoming National Basketball League 1 South season. Graham returns from America where she played with division 1 college, the Kansas City Roos Graham played for the Thunder’s Big V youth league champ women’s side before heading to college. She averaged 13.24 points and 6.29 rebounds a game as the Thunder finished on top of the ladder. She also represented Vic Metro at the under-20 national championships before heading to college. Thunder coach Trevor Burnette said they couldn’t be any more excited Grace has signed on. “We didn’t think we’d have her this year or for some time, but I guess the universe had other plans,” he said. “To get a player of her calibre is an absolute steal. The best thing is that she’s an even better person and someone our junior girls look up to! “Grace would have easily been an All Conference player in the Summit League where she was, so I think it’s only a matter of time before a WNBL team snatches her up for a development player. “For now we will just enjoy having her on our team.” Graham joins Maddi Puli, Jelena Savic, Macey Boyle, Erin McAlary and Jaz Salon having been announced as part of the Thunder squad. Boyle, Savic, Salon and Graham all played together in 2021 in the youth league team. Burnette, who is in his first season as the NBL1 South coach, coached that youth league team in 2021. The Thunder kick off their season on April 2 against the Knox Raiders at home.

Chris Davies returns to Sydenham Park. (Damjan Janevski) 321806_01

2 early last season before a stint at National Premier League club Hume City, said he was enjoying his time at Sydenham Park.

22 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 7 March, 2023

“I love being a coach of an ambitious club aiming to win the title,” he said. “It keeps me on my toes and the boys on their toes.”

Grace Graham (Supplied)

Former AFL player Bosenvulagi joins the Saints Months of conversations have paid off for St Albans with the club signing former AFL player Atu Bosenavulagi for this year’s Essendon District Football League season. The Saints announced on Wednesday that the former Collingwood and North Melbourne player had signed with the club. Bosenavulagi played his junior football for the Boroondara Hawks in the Yarra Junior Football League and also played under-18s football for the Oakleigh Chargers in the TAC Cup, before getting selected by Collingwood. He played 11 AFL games. Saints coach Zammy Muhtari said they were really excited by the signing. “We’ve been speaking to him for the past four to five months,” he said. “He was training with the Brisbane Broncos in rugby league as he was looking at changing codes. “We built that relationship and kept in

contact with him. We touched base again and things have come to fruition.” Bosenavulagi will be with the Saints full time with no Victorian Football League commitments. Muhtari said it was good to get someone who had played at the highest level into the club to help set the standard. He said they were set to have a young list this season, with a few more announcements expected in the coming weeks. Bryson Scales, Bailey Revell, Zach McCasker, Andre Srour and Victor Micallef are the other new player signings that have been announced by the Saints. For the Saints, this year marks the start of a new journey. The club switched leagues in the off season and will start their EDFL journey in division 1. Muhtari said they were looking forward to the challenge.

“It’s a new journey for us,” he said. “A lot of guys seem to know other guys from other competitions and look at what they do and learn from them. “We don’t know much of the EDFL teams in division 1, We go in with an open mind. Being competitive is the key for us.” The Saints have a few practice matches lined up before the season, and were in Wodonga on the weekend with many of the players’ families coming along too. The club also has its 75 year gala event in the lead up to the season. Muhtari said it should be a big night for the club. “It’ll be good to catch up with some of the older people at the club and relieve yesterday,” he said. “We’ll also look at the journey and what we are starting now with our club.” Tara Murray

Lions make the finals

Women play on Good Friday

By Tara Murray There were a few nervous moments for Deer Park waiting to find out whether it had done enough to qualify for the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division finals. Sitting in eighth spot entering the final round, the Lions needed an outright win and the results of three other matches went their way. Having managed to get the full 10 points against Westmeadows, coach Mick Andriadis and the playing group were then watching the scores. “We were watching the other scores of the games being played,” he said. “Druids looked like they might win outright for a while and jump us. “They had Craigieburn at 9-80, so it put that game on the radar for us. Abers had won [against St Albans], and the Keilor [and Sunshine United] game was still in the balance. “It was a good chain of events, we were a bit lucky.” Andriadis said their aim entering the final round was to try and get an outright win and see what happened after that. The Warriors were bowled out for 70 on day one, with the Lions finishing day one at 6-73. Having set the game up on day one, the Lions were confident of getting the job done on day two. “We set it up and made a brace decision to declare straight away,” he said. “We came into the second week knowing we had to get them out. “Get the 10 wickets and whatever we need, chase it down. The plan was to get 10 wickets.” The Lions got those wickets, bowling out the Warriors for 107. Upul Bandara and Ricky Suvada took three wickets each. It left the Lions needing 105 to claim the whole 10 points. They finished 3-105 from 20 overs. “It was a really big total,” Andriadis said. “Runs come pretty fast on that ground, easy to get fours once if gets past the infield. “We focused on going out there and getting them quickly. We got them in about 20 odd overs, when we had 45 overs. “We did it easy.” Hashan Wanasekara finished unbeaten on 53. Having come up from winning the division 1 premiership last season, Andriadis said they were thrilled to have done well enough to make finals in the higher division. “We are rapt,” he said. “That was the plan

Good Friday football will return to the Essendon District Football League women’s competition this year. The league released the fixture for the three women’s divisions last week, with the league having the same amount of women’s teams as last season. To start the season, two premier division matches will be played on Good Friday, to run alongside men’s matches. Keilor will host Strathmore following the men’s matches between the two teams, while Hillside, which is also hosting Good Friday men’s matches, will host Oak Park at 10am. The teams will then have a bye in round two. All other teams will kick off their seasons on April 15. Strathmore earned promotion to the top flight after winning last season’s division 1 grand final. Burnside Heights has been relegated to division 1. Tullamarine is the other new team in that division, after winning the division 2 premiership. Moonee Valley 2 has dropped down to division 2. Division 2 will be a seven team competition. Airport West and Coburg Districts are the two first sides in the competition, with Aberfeldie, Maribyrnong Park, Greenvale, Moonee Valley and Westmeadows second sides in that division. Aberfeldie and Greenvale have both added second sides this season, while the Sunbury Kangaroos and Oak Park have gone from two to one sides. All three division finals will be held the same weekend. The semi finals are the weekend of August 5, the preliminary finals on the weekend of August 12 and the grand finals on August 19. Each division will have a 14 round season.

Deer Park’s Angelo Emmanual (Jacob Pattison) 316223_02

to come up and still be in contention to make finals in the last game of the year. “It’s a good result for the year. We now play the top side, we have nothing to lose. They’re missing a few players and we haven’t played them in 80 over cricket. “We’ll see what happens in 80 over cricket.” While it was joy for Deer Park, it was heartbreak for St Albans and Sunshine United. The two sides entered the final round in fourth and fifth, but suffered final round losses.

Atu Bosenavulagi. (Supplied)

St Albans lost to finals bound Aberfeldie. The Saints were bowled out for 170 with Geeth Alwis top scoring with 39. Abers finished 6-171 in reply. Sunshine United was beaten by Keilor. The Tigers were bowled out for 164 with David Worthington top scoring with 77. Keilor finished 5-165 with Nathan Beever top scoring with 58 not out. Aberfeldie will play Yarraville Club, which was defeated in the final round by Haig Fawkner, in the other semi final.

Last season’s premier Keilor will host a Good Friday match. (Jamie Morey Photography)

Tuesday, 7 March, 2023 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 23

FOR YOUR EVERYDAY FRESH FOOD NEEDS

Stocking a range of groceries from Sauerkraut, Mustards, Smoked Goods, European Cakes and Chocolate and everything in Large Range of European Cheeses. Gourmet Range of Coffees. • Rollmops • Zure Haring • Spekulaas • Stroopwafels • Chocolade-Hagelslag • Augurki

Specialist MEAT and POULTRY

CHEESES (HARD, SOFT AND BLUE)

0469 347 888

03 9307 9969 • SHOP T6

FRESH SEAFOOD SPECIALISTS • PRAWNS

• MUSSELS

• OYSTERS

• TASSIE

• CRAYS

GREAT TASTE IN EVERY BITE

Made fresh for you

SALMON

VANKA’S BAKERY AND CAKES

0421 829 282

PHONE ORDERS FOR QUALITY SEAFOOD CHARLIE 0403 027 978

HOMETOWN PIZZA & PASTA

9307 8488

03 8382 0500

Unique Hairdressing 0431 181 422

www.watervaleshoppingcentre.com.au Watervale Shopping Centre, Cnr Taylor’s Road, Calder Park Drive, Taylor’s Hill

With the Big Woolworths Supermarket 12567708-DL43-22