Star Weekly - Hobsons Bay Maribyrnong - 8th March 2023

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8 MARCH, 2023

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Colourful celebration All colours of the rainbow will be on show in West Footscray this weekend, as part of the West Footscray Festival of Colours.

Running from 11am to 6pm on Saturday, March 11, at Barkly Village, the festival is coinciding with the Hindu Holi festival.

West Footscray Traders Association president Pradeep Tiwari said the festival will be one of the most colourful and diverse festivals in the west and will include a number of fun and family-friendly attractions.

“One of the main attractions is the ever fun throwing of the colours,” he said.

“In addition, you can expect loads of family friendly entertainment including amusement rides, market stalls, free craft activities, a Bulldogs Fan Zone play area, free face painting, henna tattoos, live music, food trucks, live DJs, stage performances, dance and whole lot more fun for the whole family.

“It is supported by Maribyrnong council and celebrates the diverse and inclusive locality we live in.”

Details: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/westfootscray-festival-of-colours-holi-2023tickets-559450520567 Nolan, 3, Maribyrnong mayor Sarah Carter and locals are keen to paint West Footscray in all colours of the rainbow for the Holi Festival of Colours. (Damjan Janevski) 322017

Helping youth into work

By Matthew Sims

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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.”

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Date set for reserve decision Maribyrnong council has set the date for a decision on the future of Yarraville’s McIvor Reserve.

The council has scheduled a special council meeting on Wednesday, March 29 at 6.30pm at the Braybrook Community Hub. The council has slated to release the agenda on its website on Friday, March 17, to allow time for our community to view revisions to the document informed by community engagement on the draft plan late in 2022.

A petition signed by more than 3100 people

has called on council not to build an indoor sports stadium and carpark on the reserve.

The council has proposed to build a six-court indoor sports centre and new recreation and leisure facilities among 31 proposed projects as part of the McIvor Reserve Draft Master Plan.

A petition presented to council’s February 21 meeting requested council does not build the stadium and instead makes the preservation of open space a top priority and sets green space, open space and mature tree canopy targets.

The petition also called for council to advocate more strongly to the state government for assistance securing ’brown land’ sites for development of public infrastructure and form a community-based green and open space advisory committee to help it be informed in a meaningful and timely manner regarding community expectations on the use and preservation of green and open space assets.

Maribyrnong council received and responded to a number of questions from the community regarding the plans for the

future development of McIvor Reserve during its City Development Delegated Committee meeting on Tuesday, February 28.

In 2018, the Maribyrnong Indoor Sports Stadium Strategy highlighted a shortfall in indoor courts to meet the growing demand of a number of sporting codes over the next 20 years, with a need for between 12-20 courts by 2036.

Make it happen grants open

St Leo the Great Primary School pupils Lachlan, Kayli and Rania are excited to take part in National Ride2School Day. (Damjan Janevski) 321082_05

Pedal power for positive learning Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay school communities are encouraged to don their helmets and get peddling ahead of National Ride2School Day. Held on Friday, March 24, the day is a free event open to all primary and secondary schools in Australia, giving schools access to a range of resources to help them celebrate, including posters, promotional material, stickers and count sheets to tally the number of students who ride to school.

Altona North’s St Leo the Great Primary School will be one of the hundreds of schools participating around the country.

PE teacher Ashley Brehaut said the school

the school community is once again looking forward to taking part in the event, with a number of keen riders already taking part in active travel to school.

“We fluctuate between 15 and 25 per cent active travel participants daily,” he said.

“This is around 25 riders/scooters/skaters and about 30 walkers.”

Mr Brehaut said there are a number of benefits active travel can create for pupils and beyond.

“We have found that many of the students are more alert and switched on when entering the classroom after being active on the way to school,” he said.

“The traffic around the school is reduced when students are more active which is helping to keep our students safe.

“We have even had parents meet up before school and allowing their children to make their way to school together which has been a huge part of growing our school community.”

Bicycle Network chief executive officer Alison McCormack said that the National Ride2School Day and more physical activity create happier and healthier students.

“They also become more self-sufficient and build resilience,” she said.

Details: ride2school.com.au Matthew Sims

Hobsons Bay residents are being encouraged to apply for the council’s Make It Happen grants program.

The grants provide funding for community groups and organisations throughout Hobsons Bay, with funding available over three rounds.

More than $500,000 is available and will be distributed in three rounds.

The first round opened for applications on February 1 and closed on February 28. Round two will be open from March 1-28 and round three from March 29-May 2.

Residents can apply for grants for equipment and resources (up to $1500), community projects (up to $25,000) and events and festivals (up to $25,000).

Council said Make It Happen grants can provide financial support for activities, projects, programs, events and resources. They can benefit all sectors, including environment, sustainability, projects by and for young people, sport and recreation, arts and culture, health and wellbeing, multicultural, technology, community and neighbourhood development.

Mayor Tony Briffa said the grants was one of the ways council can support the community groups and organisations which are “integral parts” of Hobsons Bay. “I love hearing the stories of what our community has been able to achieve because of council’s Make It Happen grants. It shows what a significant program it is and I’m looking forward to seeing what comes out of it this year,” she said.

Council offers advice on how to write a successful grant application, as well as information sessions and grant writing workshops, both online and in-person.

Details: hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/grants

NOTICE OF AN APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMIT

Application PA220431 – Lot A & B Akuna Dr Williamstown Planning & Property Partners Pty Ltd has lodged a planning application for Use and Development of Warehouses, Food and Drink Premises and Office, Associated Works, Reduction of the Associated Car Parking Requirement and Removal of Native Vegetation.

The application and supporting documentation may be inspected via Council’s online permit management system ‘Greenlight’, at www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au. If you do not have internet access contact Council on 1300 179 944 between 8.30am and 5.00pm to make other arrangements. Any person who may be affected by the granting of the permit may object or make other submissions to the Council in writing by 23 March 2023, including the reasons for an objection and stating how the objector would be affected.

Objectors will be advised of the decision.

For further information, please contact Matthew Campbell on 1300 179 944.

Ph: 8318 5777 12531809-NG05-22

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Wednesday, 8 March, 2023 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 3

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New partnership for volunteers

By Matthew Sims Australian Multicultural Community Services (AMCS) is entering a new phase of its journey to support volunteers driving better community health and wellbeing in the western region of Melbourne, announcing a new partnership with Volunteer West.

Volunteer West is a leader in inclusive volunteering practices and a dedicated volunteer resource centre, with a focus on inclusive volunteering experiences to support personal well-being and community resilience.

With a head office in Maidstone, AMCS is a not-for-profit charity with 40 years of experience in supporting people in multicultural communities through a number of services, including home care for seniors, volunteering, social engagement, adult education and employment pathways.

AMCS chief executive Elizabeth Drozd said AMCS is proud to welcome Volunteer West into the organisation.

“We look forward to continuing their considerable legacy of volunteer engagement and volunteering best practice,” she said.

“I would like to personally thank the staff, volunteers and board of Volunteer West and acknowledge the impact that their services and programs have had on communities in the western suburbs to date.

“The impact of volunteers on the community cannot be overstated.”

AMCS chairperson Russell Howard said the partnership will result in positive outcomes for all parties.

“In our efforts to provide care and support for those in the community, we are delighted that Volunteer West have recognised our

commitment as we look to expand on their substantial impact to date,” he said.

“I have no doubt that the knowledge and experience of the Volunteer West team will work to strengthen our volunteering practices.”

Volunteer West board president Roland Selvanayagam said “The board unanimously decided that joining Australian Multicultural Community Services would be the best synergistic option for Volunteer West going forward, to continue on a shared path and to open up new opportunities to help the community”.

Teeing off for a cause Hobsons Bay community members are encouraged to tee off and check their blood pressure as part of the Hobsons Bay Community Fund’s (HBCF) eighth annual charity golf day.

The ambrose event will involve teams of four driving up to the green at Altona’s Kooringal Golf Club on Wednesday, March 29, from 11.30am to 7pm.

Altona North GP and 2021 Hobsons Bay Citizen of the Year Dr Mukesh Haikerwal will be the guest speaker at the event.

The former World Medical Association chair and Australian Medical Association president and the Companion of the Order of Australia will speak to the audience about his experience as a global medical expert and a local family doctor.

HBCF chair Adrian Butera said the fund committee is thrilled to welcome Dr Haikerwal to speak at the event.

He said the funds raised from the event

will directly benefit local community groups across Hobsons Bay. “Since we started in 2006, our philanthropic fund has grown our corpus to $1 million,” Mr Butera said.

“Each year, we provide grants of around five per cent to grassroots groups and organisations.

“The fund has contributed over $300,000 to 150 grassroots groups and clubs supporting the community of Hobsons Bay.” He said the theme of this year’s event is increasing health and wellbeing awareness.

“Guests will have the opportunity to roll up their sleeves for a blood pressure test before teeing off for charity,” Mr Butera said.

“It’s a fun day out, with an important focus on looking after our health, and it’s for a great cause.”

People can register for the ambrose event as a single player or as a team.

Details: events.humanitix.com/hbcfgolf2023 Matthew Sims

Hobsons Bay Community Fund (HBCF) chairman Adrian Butera is excited to show off his putting skills at the fund’s 8th annual charity golf day. (Damjan Janevski) 322215

High flyers working together A group of mathematics and English whizzes at Laverton P-12 College are receiving extra enrichment support thanks to a Department of Education program.

Two grade 5 pupils and three year 8 students are forming this year’s cohort participating in the Victorian High-Ability program as part of the Student Excellence program.

Delivered by Virtual School Victoria (VSV), the program focuses on extending and developing students’ mathematical or English abilities.

Laverton P-12 College High-Ability program co-ordinator Linh Dinh said the 10-week online course would see the participants introduced them to new skills which can be adopted across all classes and beyond the program.

The High Ability program looks to extend students beyond their current level,” she said.

“By working with other high-achieving students, they are able to be challenged in their learning, develop deeper insight, and take academic risks.

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“We’re hoping to harness the skills that they develop in the High Ability program and continue to work with classroom teachers to integrate these skills into their classes this year and beyond.”

Ms Dinh said this year’s cohort will be the school has been co-ordinating the program for a new group of students each term.

“The High Ability program started two years ago,” she said.

“We have been tracking progress of existing and past students through future NAPLAN, semester reports, VCE data and hoping to provide support beyond this program.

“The school is looking into hosting our own Masterclass and liaising with schools within the area to support students across the region.”

Located in Thornbury, VSV currently delivers about 300 subjects.

The school delivers the Victorian High-Ability Program to about 50,000 high-performing state school students in years 5 to 8.

Matthew Sims

Laverton P-12 College students Marcus, Zaviar, Franceska and Briannan are taking part in the Victorian High Ability program. (Damjan Janevski) 319210

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Heritage overlays under review

By Matthew Sims Spotswood residents are now able to have their say on proposed changes to heritage overlays.

Following on from a heritage review in March 2022, which identified several areas of significance in Spotswood, Amendment C137 proposes to implement the findings of the Spotswood Activity Centre Structure Plan Heritage Review by introducing new and revised heritage overlays and adding about 200 propertiess into the Hobsons Bay Planning Scheme.

Areas highlighted are a mix of historic industrial, commercial and civic buildings, as well as residential precincts, including certain properties in Melbourne Road, Hudsons Road, Reed Street, Hall Street, Bernard Street, Craig Street and Robb Street.

Hobsons Bay mayor Tony Briffa said Spotswood’s buildings tell a wide and diverse part of Melbourne’s and Hobsons Bay’s story.

“Whether they are industrial, commercial or residential buildings, they are a significant part of our history so it’s important we protect them while also making sure we hear from

local residents,” Cr Briffa said.

“Residents can check if their property falls within the proposed revised or new heritage overlay areas, and there is plenty of opportunity to speak to council officers about what it would mean to them.”

A heritage overlay is a tool in a council’s planning scheme which seeks to protect places of heritage significance and ensure new development does not adversely affect their significance.

A planning permit for works or development is generally required for places within a

heritage overlay.

Public consultation on the proposed amendment is open until Thursday, April 6.

Hobsons Bay council will then consider submissions and decides if a planning panel needs to be convened.

Enjoy a fast-paced farce A man named Hershall wakes up in a blimp, unaware of how he got there.

While this is how the absurdist and farcical comedy ’Mystery in a Blimp’ begins, director Kevin Hopkins said this does not make the direction of the play predictable.

“It chops and changes,” he said. ’Mystery in a Blimp’ will be running at the Bluestone Church Arts Space at 8a Hyde Space in Footscray from Thursday, March 23 to April 2.

Riding the line between a parody of murder mystery productions and challenging the meaning of creativity and personal identity, Hopkins said the play is a “very frivolous” ride involving seven characters unsure of what they are doing or who they are.

“It doesn’t really become clear,” he said.

“There is no answer to some of these questions.”

Unique answers as to what the eponymous mystery is will be handed out at the end in the

form of a fortune cookie.

Including absurdist setpieces where a character gets eaten by a couch to the characters within the play talking directly with the writer, Hopkins said it will be an a “complex and interesting” journey for him and the actors to find the best direction to take the performance.

“We’re running the play fully now,” he said.

Written by poet and spoken word performer Nathan Curnow, the Footscray performances will be the professional premiere of the work after it was only performed once previously as a student production in Benalla 15 years ago.

Colloquially a Melburnian work, the play contains references to local theatre culture and the difficulties of staging a new play within the world of fringe theatre.

Cast members are Brian Davison, Helen Hopkins, Mia Landgren, Claire Nicholls, Gabriel Partington, Lachlan Watts and Cristina Wells.

Director Kevin Hopkins and actors Cristina Wells, Helen Hopkins and Claire Nicholls are launching Mystery in a Blimp later this month. (Damjan Janevski) 322263_02

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A day for all women to shine

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International Women’s Day on March 8 is a day to celebrate the cultural, social, political and economic achievements of women.

As a proud woman, and mother to a four-year-old girl, it’s a day to recognise how far we’ve come, but also how far we have left to go.

In Australia, we have rights that our grandmothers, and great-grandmothers could only have dreamt about.

This includes the right to vote, and to serve in public office.

We have access to maternity care, which provides the ability for pregnant women to birth safely, and access to funded maternity leave and childcare services to support us through our motherhood journeys.

We have equal access to education, and the ability to pursue a career in anything we like.

We also have the freedom to marry whoever we choose, and the freedom to wear anything we want.

While we have made many inroads towards equality, there’s still much more work to do locally, and we all have a role to play.

When I think of Hobsons Bay council, I know that many of the services we provide help contribute to this goal.

We do it when we help migrant women and girls access education or develop new skills, when we help women starting or running a business, when we help new mothers as they settle into a new life with their baby.

We do it when we provide assistance to women who have been the victims of

Briefs Teenage girl struck Police are investigating an incident in Newport, which has left a 15-year-old autistic girl with serious injuries.

Police have been told the 15-year-old girl was walking along Blackshaws Road about 11.30pm on Friday, January 20, when she lay down on the road and was struck by a vehicle travelling along Blackshaws Road.

She was taken to hospital and has undergone a number of surgeries for fractured bones. The vehicle continued and did not stop, the driver possibly unaware they had struck someone, police said. The car has been described as possibly being a small dark-coloured hatchback.

Safer cycling Hobsons Bay councillor Daria Kellander.

(Supplied)

domestic violence or sexual assault and when we provide pathways for women to be leaders in our community, helping them help the next generation coming through.

We do it when we invest in kindergartens, childcare facilities and female sports and infrastructure, such as women’s change rooms to increase female participation rates.

So much of what we do as a council and as a community goes to the core of what International Women’s Day is all about.

I got into local government because I wanted to see more women – ordinary mums like me – become part of local decision making.

I was pleased to see the enormous increase in women being elected to local councils in 2020.

It’s great to see all levels of government recognise the enormous contribution women make to this country.

Women’s voices and actions are making an impact.

A dedicated lane controlled by traffic lights will be installed on Footscray Road into Dock Link Road to make the road safer for cyclists. As part of the Victoria’s Big Build, a dedicated lane on Footscray Road for vehicles turning left into Dock Link Road that is controlled by traffic lights. This means cyclists will have a dedicated green light crossing at this location.

The changes come following a cyclist fatality in February. Changes had been made to the road during construction, but further reviews were conducted to determine further safety improvements that could be considered.

FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Maribyrnong & Hobsons Bay Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Stay close, go further.

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Em & Kel Terra the Label Dunkeld, Grampians Our motto at Terra is ‘do no harm’, a value we draw from our deep connection to the landscapes of Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park. The colours here are captivating. They flow through us as inspiration for our prints and clothing. We design ethical and sustainable fashion here in Dunkeld and deliver it across the world.

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6 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 8 March, 2023

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

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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,

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Get in touch recruitment@unitingagewell.org 1300 783 435 Wednesday, 8 March, 2023 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 7

FEATURING ... SENIORS

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Rising cost of living leaving women over 50 concerned Women over 50 feel they’ll be disproportionately affected by the rising cost of living, with major concerns over a gender superannuation gap.

According to a report by Australian Seniors, in partnership with CoreData, 93 per cent of seniors interviewed believed expenses will continue to increase, and 85 per cent agreed women have less money saved upon reaching retirement.

Financial consultancy firm, The Wealth Designers senior financial advisor Dawn Thomas noted an individual’s super balance is affected by many variables, including career breaks, wages, divorce, a caring occupation, the list goes on.

“A number of life events uniquely experienced

by Australian women causes the compounding of the super gap, which in turn has devastating impacts on women’s economic security,” she said.

“While for the most part, many Australians are disengaged with their super accounts, unfortunately, women over 50 can’t afford to not be engaged with their super.

“Being a passive financial participant is not a luxury women have, and even more so with the recession looming, women should be taking more control of their positions.”

In managing your super and ensuring financial security, Ms Thomas suggests sitting down with yourself and thinking about a retirement budget and your next 30 to 40 years, including expenses like a new car or travelling.

“It may be helpful to consult documents like ASFA Retirement Standard to get a sense of average retirement figures and then work backwards using your wish list to calculate how much you need in your super,” she said.

She also suggests understanding your super statement to understand your current situation and if you can afford it, make additional super contributions.

A new report from Australian Seniors shows concerns over Superannuation balances among rising cost of living. (Marcus Aurelius via Pexels)

“There are multiple ways to contribute to super whether they are tax-deductible, tax-free, from an individual or contributed via a spouse.”

Lastly, she encourages individuals to educate themselves and “don’t relinquish your role in

making financial decisions,” Ms Thomas said.

“There are plenty of videos, articles, books, and podcasts available to help improve your financial literacy in different ways.

“If you need additional support achieving

your personal goals, consult a financial adviser.

A healthy financial process is one where you feel comfortable enough to collaborate with your adviser and feel empowered to ask any questions and make your own decisions.”

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Champion for women

By Goya Dmytryshchak

Champion for women A Williamstown woman who has received an Australia Day honour for significant service to women with ovarian cancer has recalled her own diagnosis, which brought heartbreak but also gratitude.

Paula Benson, who formerly chaired Ovarian Cancer Australia, has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.

‘‘

still so much more to do and we can’t rest until it’s done - Paula Benson

’’

“She sent me straight off that morning for a transvaginal ultrasound and she got me in to see a gynaecological oncologist that night and I had the surgery the next week.

“No one thought that I would have ovarian cancer because I was young, I was 34 – largely, it’s women in their 50s, 60s, 70s who are diagnosed – and I have no history of ovarian or breast cancer in my family.

“So, no one suspected that it could be ovarian cancer; they could see that I had a large cyst attached to one of my ovaries and that the ovary was damaged and that the cyst and the ovary would need to be removed.

“When I woke up, my gyne-oncologist told me that she was very sorry but she’d found ovarian cancer and had to undertake a radical hysterectomy.

“It was very shocking for a young woman to have that experience but I know my cancer was diagnosed early, it hadn’t spread and I know how lucky I am.”

Ms Benson said she knew her story was not typical for most women with ovarian cancer, which prompted her to offer her services to Ovarian Cancer Australia in 2006.

The same year, she and spouse Stephen Conroy, a former Labor senator, had baby girl 12459042-CG36-20

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8 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 8 March, 2023

Paula Benson. (Joe Mastroianni). 226296_02

Isabella with the help of a surrogate mother and a separate egg donor.

“I do have a beautiful daughter,” Ms Benson said. “She’s 14 now.

“I was very fortunate. One of my girlfriends donated eggs and another girlfriend carried her for me, so I’m very lucky to be a mum.”

On learning of her Australia Day recognition, Ms Benson said she hoped it would raise more awareness of ovarian cancer.

“When I first found out about it I felt quite

emotional really thinking about everything that we at Ovarian Cancer Australia have achieved over the past decade,” she said.

“But I was just reflecting today, the same week that I found out about potentially receiving the award, I heard about another friend of mine who’s just been diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer and it was very grounding.

“We’ve achieved so much, we’ve done so much and I’m so proud of that but there is still so much more to do and we can’t rest until it’s

done.”

Ovarian Cancer Australia said under Ms Benson’s stewardship the organisation had achieved significant milestones, including developing and implementing Australia’s first national action plan for ovarian cancer research, securing $3 million federal funding for the Traceback ovarian cancer prevention program and the commitment of $20 million for ovarian cancer research from the federal government’s Medical Research Future Fund.

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By Goya Dmytryshchak

A Williamstown woman who has received an Australia Day honour for significant service to women with ovarian cancer has recalled her own diagnosis, which brought heartbreak but also gratitude.

Paula Benson, who formerly chaired Ovarian Cancer Australia, has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.

She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 34 in 2003.

“I know I am one of the very lucky ones because my GP did all the right things for me,” Ms Benson said.

“When I went to her, I had this unexplained abdominal bloating, changes in my urinary and bowel habits and I felt really full after eating not very much.

FEATURING ... SENIORS

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Achieve better hearing thanks to Active Audiology

Visit your local hearing specialists, Active Audiology for a hearing checkup. (Supplied)

larger ones and more discreet options like an invisible hearing aid,” Ms Opacek said.

Also specialising in WorkSafe hearing

assessments as an approved WorkSafe provider, Active Audiology can assist you to find out if you‘re eligible for compensation.

Contact Active Audiology for an appointment on 1800 906 489 or visit: www. activeaudiology.com.au

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As an entirely independent audiology clinic, you’re guaranteed quality, unbiased advice on your journey to better hearing when you visit Active Audiology.

Among the dedicated team of audiologists is Marina Opacak who is passionate about the care she provides and helping her patients achieve a better quality of life through better hearing.

Ms Opacek believes that by being 100 per cent independent Active Audiology is able to pay better attention to the best suited device for patients, without influence.

“We’re choosing the most suitable option for our clients and won’t push to fit a particular brand,” she said.

As a family owned business the team prides themselves on their service and guarantee a high level of support throughout hearing assessments, hearing aid fittings and beyond.

“We get to know our clients really well so we know what’s tried and tested and can work with clients better,” Ms Opacek said.

“There’s different options that depend on the client’s hearing loss and that first step is an assessment to understand their goals.”

Even if you’re not quite ready to commit to a hearing aid, Ms Opacek is firm in the belief that by getting an assessment done early they can more easily review hearing changes over time.

“We make sure the hearing remains stable, we can see any changes and pick those up to address them,” Ms Opacek said.

Client communication is key at Active Audiology, as they strive to base their decision making around the communication goals of their clients, discussing the common social settings they’re most in and recommending aids suited.

“We have different styles of hearing aids,

Wednesday, 8 March, 2023 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 9

FEATURING ... HEALTHY LIVING

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Foot, heel or arch pain?

Foot, heel and arch pain are extremely common yet there is much misinformation about these conditions often leading to a misdiagnosis, resulting in incorrect or inappropriate treatment.

Star Weekly spoke to one of Australia’s leading foot, knee and leg pain experts and Musculoskeletal Podiatrists Dr Paul Dowie from Foot and Leg Pain Clinics, who provided some insight.

“All foot and leg pain needs to be diagnosed and managed correctly by determining the contributing factors, not by simply addressing the symptoms,” Dr Dowie explained.

“Even your local GP, orthotist or general podiatrist may not be the best practitioner to diagnose and treat foot and leg pain and injury, as their scope of practice tends to be more generalized and not specific to lower limb musculoskeletal medicine.

“It’s really important to seek advice from an expert in this field for best results in healing foot and leg pain and injury.”

With over 25 years’ experience, Dr Dowie explains that ’Plantar Fasciitis’ is one of the most common misdiagnosed foot complaints.

One common reason for misdiagnosis is

when tissue thickening evident on diagnostic scans is misinterpreted as inflammation.

In such cases anti-inflammatory treatments and cortisone are often incorrectly prescribed, which can result in worsening this condition.

“Most foot and heel pain occurs when the plantar fascia (connective tissues running along the bottom of the foot) becomes overloaded, resulting in degeneration of the tissues and/or irritation of the nerves. These conditions are noy inflammatory in nature, so should not be treated as such and this is where misdiagnosis often initiates. Most foot, heel and arch pain is a result of faulty foot function or lower limb biomechanics and environmental factors, and that is what needs to be treated – not inflammation,” he explained.

“Degenerative and inflammatory conditions require very different treatment, so they must be diagnosed and treated correctly to achieve long-term healing.”

If you’d like expert advice about any foot, knee or leg pain, you can book an appointment with Dr Dowie at his Foot and Leg Pain Clinic in Williamstown. Call 1300 328 300.

Six western Melbourne schools are participating in the Breathe Melbourne study. (Supplied)

Kids monitor air quality

By Matthew Sims Primary school pupils across Maribyrnong, Hobsons Bay and Brimbank will become some of the most important data collectors on air pollution across the western suburbs over the coming months.

Deakin University and Dyson are partnering as part of the Breathe Melbourne study, which will involve Kingsville Primary School, Spotswood Primary School, Wembley Primary School, Deer Park North Primary School, Newport Lakes Primary School and Ardeer Primary School pupils wearing Dyson air quality backpacks to capture air pollution data along their daily school trips.

Deakin University study lead researcher Dr Kate Lycett said the study will run until the end of May. “We hope the project will nurture children’s scientific curiosity, improve our understanding of air pollution, and ultimately lead to behaviour and government policy changes to reduce changes to reduce exposure to air pollution in Melbourne’s inner west,“ she said.

The backpacks will collect and monitor

the amount of a number of pollutants, including PM2.5 (including smoke, bacteria and allergens) and nitrogen dioxide, which is found in the cigarette smoke and vehicle fumes.

Pupils will also be able to access air quality resources via the James Dyson Foundation and two of the participating schools taking part in the Idle Off project, which explores the risks of idling vehicles.

Dyson engineer James Shale said along with the Breathe London study, the study is on the forefront of air quality studies creating a picture of global air quality.

“Maybe in the future, that inspires people to develop better renewable technology or learn to use more sustainable solutions,” he said.

Spotswood Primary School principal Jackie Green said the school community is excited to be part of the project.

“Living and learning close to some of Melbourne’s busiest roads, it is important for us to understand more about the quality of the air in our local area,” she said.

Foot and Leg Pain Clinic in Williamstown can help you get on the road to recovery (Supplied)

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10 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 8 March, 2023

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STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

NEWS

New lease of life for wool store

By Matthew Sims A Maribyrnong councillor has drawn parallels between a multi-million redevelopment approved in West Footscray and the redevelopment of London’s Isle of Dogs east end peninsula.

During Maribyrnong council’s City Development Delegated Committee meeting on Tuesday, February 28, councillors approved the proposal for 63 Sunshine Road in West Footscray, which would include the partial demolition and the construction of

buildings for warehouses, offices and a food and drink premises and reduction in the car parking requirement.

The former location of Goldsborough Mort wool store, the development would have a projected cost of $29.1 million.

Councillor Michael Clarke said he was impressed with the proposal’s focus on environmental sensitivity and the heritage value of Sunshine Road.

“We’re going to see an excellent re-purposing of a very established facility,” he said.

Cr Clarke said the proposal hearkened back

to the principles of the development of the Isle of Dogs peninsula in the east end of London.

“I’ll never forget some years ago, back in the 1970s in London, watching them drinking champagne on the Isle of Dogs.

“What was remarkable about that was what was an industrial site was now completely repurposed, given a new lease of life and very much spearheaded the transformation of the east end of London, this type of development again embraces those very same principles of repurposing but maintaining the heritage.”

Perri Projects managing director David

Scalzo said the development would act as a “catalyst site” for the precinct.

“We see it as a major investment,” he said.

“We think our vision for this site is very aligned with council’s aspirations as a major employment centre, particularly for industries of the future.”

Cr Cuc Lam said the development would provide local jobs for local residents.

“Sunshine Road is a key gateway to our municipality,” she said.

“I am pleased to see that the site is being developed and activated.”

Back in time for school “Personally, it is a very special day for me as the current principal of Footscray Primary School as my own grandmother, Alma Arthur, who passed away last year at the age of 95, was a former student at Geelong Road State School, along with her siblings in the 1930s,” she said.

“We are thrilled to be in a position to invite so many members of our past back to reunite in the grounds again.

“There will be a wide array of historical artefacts such as school photos, archived newspaper articles and memorabilia on display.”

The event will also showcase the pupils’ ‘Way Back When’ project, which combines oral histories of a number of past pupils and staff and a new mosaic from community member Meredith Jones, with tiles including names and dates of certain former pupils.

Matthew Sims

Footscray Primary School assistant principal Kathy Winton and principal Jen Briggs welcomed 98-year-old Walter ‘Wally’ Hopkins, who started as a pupil at the school in 1928, back to his former haunt ahead of the school’s upcoming community open day. (Damjan Janevski) 322107_01

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The walls of the current Footscray Primary School hold a lot of memories for Walter ’Wally’ Hopkins.

The Order of Australia medal recipient started school at the former Geelong Road Primary School (Footscray Primary School) in 1929.

Wally still tells tales of thinking he would get the strap for drawing on the back of his exercise book or enjoying art classes and continues to share tales of school life with his neighbour Vern, who is also a past Footscray Primary School pupil.

Wally will be joining the Footscray Primary School community to celebrate the school’s past, present and future as part of a community day on Saturday, March 18, from 10am to 2pm.

Principal Jen Briggs said everyone is welcome to come along and celebrate the school’s 160th anniversary of the school opening its doors to pupils in 1860.

Wednesday, 8 March, 2023 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 11

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.

W

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 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

12 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 8 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.”

FEATURING ... EDUCATION

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Discover St Monica’s, a hidden gem in Footscray St Monica’s School is located in Footscray in the west of Melbourne. The school motto “we’re here to make a difference” drives its work and mission to ensure every student flourishes both academically and socially. St Monica’s students come from the local parish and the surrounding community, priding themselves on multicultural diversity, they model respect, acceptance and inclusion for all.

St Monica’s believes student wellbeing is fundamental to successful learning and is the responsibility of all members of the school community. It promotes respectful relationships between staff, students and families and understands the importance of working together in order to help students thrive, both personally and academically.

A sense of belonging and connectedness is developed through caring relationships and healthy friendships between students and teachers, teachers and families and between families.

The school provides a curriculum that is contemporary and responds to the needs of the whole child: spiritually, physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually. St Monica’s strives to develop 21st century learners who use an inquiry approach, where students are encouraged to take risks in all areas of their learning. Their teaching and learning is built upon positive relationships between staff, students and families. Together they strive to inquire, challenge and learn in partnership with families.

St Monica’s encourages its students to actively participate in their learning by sharing with them experiences of liturgies and prayer and enabling them to take action to improve their lives and the lives of others and to make a difference every day.

Through student leaders it focuses on

Daniel, age 6. (Supplied)

building a positive culture of responsibility and care. it challenges its students to contribute to the life of the school as a model of good citizenship. It empowers students to look beyond the school fence and explore

their world and the difference that they can make.

It offers specialist programs in the areas of music, the arts, physical education (including swimming and athletics) and kitchen garden

(Stephanie Alexander Program).

If you are interested in a tour of thr school, please contact thr friendly administrative team to arrange a time that best suits you.

Details: 9689 4548

DISCOVER OUR HIDDEN GEM IN THE HEART OF FOOTSCRAY Everyone is welcome at St Monica’s Primary School

Everyday is open day at St Monica’s.

We invite you to visit and see our students in and around the school and to meet our staff too.

Please email our principal Nathan Owen at principal@smfootscray.catholic.edu.au or ring the school on 9689 4548 to organise a visit.

2 Wingfield Street Footscray VIC 3011 (03) 9687 8444 principal@smfootscray.catholic.edu.au 12592148-HC10-23

Wednesday, 8 March, 2023 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 13

FEATURING ... EDUCATION

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Review calls for extra support for substitute teachers According to Media Centre for Education Research Australia, on average a child will spend 8 per cent, or one year of their education taught by a casual teacher, but the essential demographic is experiencing a lack of support.

In a recent article titled “An Exploration of the Experiences of Substitute Teachers: A Systematic Review” several Australian universities researched recurring themes experienced by substitute teachers.

Lead author from Monash University, Professor Andrea Reupert explained the casual teaching cohort is an “important component in the teaching workforce,” yet described their working conditions and experiences as worrying.

Professor Reupert said this has been exacerbated by a lack of targeted support and this latest research dives into better understanding their requirements and will assist in developing policies and practices to improve conditions They found casual teachers experience stress, anxiety and lower levels of job satisfaction when compared to full time teachers.

“Around the world, we are seeing teacher shortages as more and more people move away from the profession – discussions about teacher shortages can’t just focus on the permanent workforce. We need to look wider,” Professor Reupert said The research discovered many substitute teachers have concerns over lack of authority, future job security, difficulty in building connections in the workplace and a lack of access to professional development.

Co-author, Professor Michele Simons said that for teachers to effectively undertake their work they need the right resources.

“This review has found that the temporary nature of their employment means that

Calling on more support for substitute teachers.

professional development opportunities and mentoring that are integral to developing practice are inaccessible for these teachers,” Professor Simons said.

“They need a proper induction into the school, and they need access to professional

learning and mentoring.”

The paper also found a disparity in voicing their opinion on school decision making processes, leaving them feeling undervalued and with a feeling of marginalisation in schools they aren’t familiar with.

The research team also found that schools with higher suspension rates and lower average student achievements were less likely to find substitute teachers,with student behaviour and lack of administrative support from the school big contributing factors.

PREP 2024 TALK & TOUR A community of faith & love

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Bookings Now Open www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code/cuqk6 To learn more about our school, please visit our website at www.shnewport.catholic.edu.au

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14 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 8 March, 2023

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Learn Discover Flourish

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FEATURING ... EDUCATION

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Haileybury’s City Campus offers a unique environment On any day of the week, city workers and tourists enjoying the sights of Melbourne will see the familiar black and magenta uniforms of Haileybury students as they explore the streets, laneways, parks and museums.

Whether focusing on social justice and community service, learning the ins and outs of entrepreneurship, orstriving for academic excellence, a typical day for students at Haileybury’s City Campus is a diverse and interesting experience.

Located in King Street in the busy CBD, the 12-storey vertical campus includes 1500 sqm of outdoor recreation space spread over three terraces, 1000 sqm of indoor sporting facilities and an expansive music, art and drama space. There are also state-of-the-art science facilities.

The campus is home to approximately 700 students from ELC to Senior School who are all part of a tight-knit community that makes the most of the learning opportunities that come with being close to Melbourne’s best cultural, historic and sporting precincts.

But it is what happens within these spaces and the relationships that are built between students and their teachers that have most impact, according to head of teaching and learning (middle school) Melissa Allen.

“Relationships are the foundation of quality teaching,” Ms Allen says.

“Once you have a solid relationship built on trust and on honest and critical feedback, then students can engage in their learning and get the most from the teachers who are experts in their field.”

Year 8 students at the City campus take part in the Haileybury startup program to develop entrepreneurial flair and skills like digital literacy, critical thinking, design thinking and teamwork. Students might alsovolunteer with The Smith Family student2student reading

Haileybury’s City Campus offers some unique spaces that bring learning to life. (Supplied)

program, helping a ‘buddy’ from another school to improve their reading skills.

Senior school students at City campus balance their VCE studies with a range of co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities including sport, the arts and STEM and LEAP activities (literature,

entrepreneurship, arts and politics).

From learning how to help alleviate poverty and disadvantage and taking part in creative projects like ‘writing a book in a day’ and painting portraits for the ‘City Bald Prize’, the City campus provides students with plenty of opportunities to try new experiences, to learn,

reflect and be curious.

“Every student matters every day at our City campus,” head of Haileybury City Caroline Merrick says.

“Our students leave school with the capacity to solve problems, to think critically, to take the initiative and to be innovative.”

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20 MARCH 2023

Campus Open Morning.

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Wednesday, 8 March, 2023 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 15

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

16 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 8 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

NEWS

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 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.

Hub designs revealed Maribyrnong council has released the new designs for the new Civic Precinct and Community Hub project in Footscray.

The designs included a new park, to be constructed where the civic offices are currently, which would feature a large open lawn area for gatherings, picnics and community events and smaller lawn for more intimate get-togethers for smaller groups, a terraced rock boulder garden, accessible paths, ramps, stairs, feature walls for artwork and a variety of trees to provide shade and to reduce heat island effects.

Outline Landscape has worked closely on the park plans with lead architects DesignInc, which also includes water capture from the new civic building for reuse in irrigation.

The $36 million build would be partially funded by a $10 million dollar loan from the state government’s Community Infrastructure

Loans Scheme, which provides access to low-interest subsidised loans.

Additional design elements include Green Star initiatives, heritage considerations and utilities requirements.

Details: www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/ Works-and-projects/Civic-Precinct-andCommunity-Hub-Redevelopment

Works on the new Civic Precinct and Community Hub are underway.

(Damjan Janevski) 322231_02

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

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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

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Wednesday, 8 March, 2023 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 17

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Inquiry looks for flood answers

By Matthew Sims The Liberals and Nationals have launched a statewide parliamentary inquiry into last October’s widespread flood events, including the circumstances of the Maribyrnong River flood event.

The Liberals and Nationals passed a motion in the Legislative Council on Wednesday, February 22 requiring the Environment and Planning Committee to report on the preparedness and response to the October 2022 Victorian floods.

The inquiry would analyse a number of

factors, including causes of and contributors to the flood event, adequacy and effectiveness of early warning systems, resourcing of the State Emergency Service, implementation and effectiveness of the 2016 Victorian Floodplain Management Strategy, location, funding, maintenance and effectiveness of engineered structures and the 2007 decision to approve the construction of a flood wall around Flemington Racecourse.

Opposition Special Minister of State David Davis said the Maribyrnong floods were “concerning”.

“Clearly across the catchment, planning

decisions have been made,” he said. “There has been greater urban infill and greater run-off, and that applies to the whole of that catchment “This inquiry will have sufficient scope to examine what it needs to see and do and recommend in this area Opposition water spokesperson Tim McCurdy said the inquiry would aim to provide flood-affected residents with answers to their questions.

“This inquiry will shine a light on the shortcomings of Victoria’s current preparedness for devastating floods, as well as a review into the October 2022 floods,” he said.

Legislative Council opposition leader Georgie Crozier said she was happy that the wheels were in motion in terms of launching a parliamentary inquiry into the flood events.

“I am pleased the Liberals and Nationals’ motion for a parliamentary inquiry into the state’s preparedness for the recent devastating floods has passed,” she said.

“Thousands of Victorians have been impacted by this natural disaster.

“This independent inquiry will go a long way in determining whether we could be better prepared to respond to similar events in the future.”

Advocating for equality 4pm and a live knitting circle with artist Kate Just and curator and writer Sophia Cai from 6pm to 7.30pm at Footscray Library.

Cr Carter said all women in Maribyrnong should strive for innovation in all that they do.

“Innovation is a key driver of disruption and change and is critical in achieving a gender equal future,” she said. “Equality will only be achieved with bold transformative ideas, inclusive innovation and lasting solutions.”

“International Women’s Day is the perfect catalyst to bring together leaders and change-makers, and I for one, am proud to be celebrating and connecting women who are redefining innovation in a series of events here in Maribyrnong.”

Cr Carter said all residents and can play a role in a gender-equal future.

“At a local level we can, as a community, speak up when we have ideas that go against the grain and not be afraid of rejection,” she said.

12544962-AV15-22

Maribyrnong council is highlighting innovations towards a gender-equal future as part of this year’s International Women’s Day (Wednesday, March 8) events.

The Western Bulldogs Community Foundation, Victoria University and Maribyrnong council are presenting a panel discussion ‘The Power of Embracing Equity’ from 10am to noon at Footscray Community Arts, with Melbourne Victory Football Club Afghan women’s team striker Manozh Noori, Victoria University Institute for Health and Sport Women in Sport Research Team Research Fellow Dr Kara Dadswell, Western Bulldogs AFLW senior coach Nathan Burke and Maribyrnong mayor Sarah Carter as panel members.

Other events will include a Country Women’s Association morning tea from 10am to noon at the Maidstone Community Centre, a business luncheon at Medway Golf Club from noon to

18 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 8 March, 2023

Melbourne Victory Football Club Afghan women’s team striker Manozh Noori, Victoria University Institute for Health and Sport Women in Sport Research Team Research Fellow Dr Kara Dadswell, Western Bulldogs AFLW senior coach Nathan Burke and Maribyrnong mayor Sarah Carter showcased the ‘embracing equity’ hug. (Supplied)

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

COMMUNITY

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

Williamstown book sale Friends of Williamstown and Newport Libraries hold a book sale every second Saturday of each month 9.30am to 12.30pm. The book sale is held in Friends’ Room – entrance from deck on Ferguson Street. Cash only sales.

■ libraries.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

Newport Folk and Fiddle Welcome in the new year by taking up an instrument or dusting off that guitar or ukulele or other instrument and joining the Newport Folk and Fiddle Beginner Play Along group. Absolute beginners or those with some experience can come and join in a safe, casual and welcoming environment.

Come on down, have some fun, make new friends, have a cuppa and maybe even learn something new. All instruments and levels of expertise are welcome where the main aim is to enjoy music and have fun.

Children are also most welcome. The group is led by Danny who creates a welcoming and casual environment. Saturday, March 18. 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Second Newport Scouts, 6 Market Street, Newport.

■ www.nffc.org.au/beginner-playalong

Palliative care support Mercy Palliative Care is looking for volunteers to visit palliative care patients in their homes to offer social support.

■ 9313 5700 or MPCVolunteerCoordinators@mercy.com.au

Movie nights To celebrate Parks Week (March 4 to 11), Maribyrnong council is hosting two free family movie nights at Yarraville Oval and Skinner Reserve. Yarraville Cricket Club will be there selling food and drink. Friday, March 10 from 7pm to 9.30pm at Yarraville Oval. Saturday, March 11 from 7pm to 9.30pm at Skinner Reserve.

This week’s photographer’s choice picture Jasmina ‘Princess Jasmina of Melbourne’, who will be part of pink charity fundraiser.

(Damjan Janevski). 321342_01

AeroSpeakers Toastmasters Club

Every Wednesday (during term dates) at 10.15am from Joan Kirner House, 14 Thompson Street, Williamstown.

■ Tahlia, 9397 6168

that is to be found throughout Hobsons Bay together. Anyone is welcome to join the group on Mondays 10am at Altona Beach, Wednesdays 10am at Altona Meadows (Jolly Miller Café) or on Fridays 10am, at Newport Lakes. The group walks for 60 minutes and enjoys the physical and psychological benefits of walking together in clean, fresh air rain, hail or shine, at its own pace and according to individual abilities. Members are required to register with the Heart Foundation in order to join. Hobsons Bay resident Ian Watson established the walking group four years ago under the Heart Foundation’s umbrella, and, in 2021, was awarded the Heart Foundation’s Australia wide Golden Shoe Award for Courage and Commitment.

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

Free community morning tea

Speedcubing competition

Free English conversation class

Every Wednesday at 11.00am in Joan Kirner House foyer, 14 Thompson Street, Williamstown.

■ Tahlia, 9397 6168

Rubik’s Cube masters are encouraged to register to compete in an upcoming Speedcubing Australia competition. March 18 from 9am to 6.30pm and March 19 from 8.30am to 4.45pm. Seaworks, 82 Nelson Place, Williamstown.

■ www.worldcubeassociation.org/ competitions/SpeedcubingatSeaworks2023

Is English your 2nd language? Do you want to improve your English skills and meet new people? Practice English conversation in informal interactive group sessions.

Light refreshments provided. Mondays during school terms from 1pm to 3pm at the Altona Library meeting room at Queen Street, Altona.

■ Joe Pellone, 0431 915 970 or joepellone@gmail.com or Jill Mackenzie, 0439 994 705 or jill.mackenzie111@gmail. com

sheet with the route and points of interest provided each week. Walks are leisurely and we usually end at a café for a tea/ coffee.

■ John, 0418 377 336

West Footscray Festival of Colours The West Footscray Festival of Colours is taking over Barkly Village from 11am to 5pm on Saturday, March 11. Coinciding with the Indian Festival of Holi, one of the main attractions is the throwing of the colours. In addition, you can expect loads of family friendly entertainment including rides, market stalls, craft activities, face painting, henna tattoos and live music.

Comedy talent For one night only, Williamstown Town Hall will play host to some of the biggest names in comedy, including Bob Franklin, DeAnne Smith, Celia Pacquola, Nick Cody and Dane Simpson. Williamstown Town Hall, 104 Ferguson Street, Williamstown. Friday, April 7 from 8pm.

■ www.comedyfestival.com.au/2023/ shows/neighbourhood-sessions

Cultural cuisine Every year in March, Victorians come together to celebrate our rich diversity through food, cultural games and more with Cultural Diversity Week (March 11 to 21).

Annually, Braybrook Community Centre puts on a large community lunch and this year, will be hosting a range of smaller luncheons during the week on Wednesday, March 15, Thursday, March 16 and Friday, March 17 from 1pm to 2pm.

■ www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/Events/ Cultural-Diversity-Week-2023

Free walking group

Motoring group Eat Drink Westside A regular fixture of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, Eat Drink Westside is a unique collaboration between Melbourne’s western region councils and MFWF, shining a light on the area’s culinary gems and enviable food community. The 2023 festival offering features Westside Wanders, a special series of moveable feasts or ‘Wanders’ across Melbourne’s west.

■ www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au

The Hobsons Bay Men’s Shed Motoring Group club run to the Bostock Reservoir is being held on Sunday, March 19 to raise money for two members who have entered a car in the Mystery Box Rally, which raises money for cancer research. The group will host its container sale on Saturday, March 25, where members will be selling off excess tools at bargain prices.

■ HBMS.MotoringEvents@gmail.com or 0417 531 670

Heritage walks

Walking group

Enjoy a leisurely one-and-a-half hour walk around historic Williamstown and nearby suburbs with guide John. Walks start at 9.20 am each Tuesday outside the Visitor Information Centre in Nelson Place. Each week is a different week and a printed

The Altona Meadows and Newport Heart Foundation Walking Group is a local community of men and women committed to walking together, socialising together with a post-walk coffee and chat and enjoying the natural beauty and birdlife

Computer classes for beginners A wide range of times and days, at both Altona North Community Centre, and Joan Kirner House in Williamstown.

■ Lynne, 9397 6168

Musicians wanted Established in 1979, the Westgate Concert Band is seeking new members. Do you play woodwind, brass or percussion and are looking for a welcoming place to play enjoyable and challenging music?

Rehearsals held Saturday mornings during school terms, 9am to 12noon at Braybrook College.

■ westgateconcertband@gmail.com

Would you like to develop confidence in communicating, competence with language and clarity in writing? AeroSpeakers Toastmasters Club would like to invite any and all residents to join them on the first and third Thursday of every month to help develop public speaking, communication and leadership skills. The group meets at the Laverton Community Hub, 95-105 Railway Avenue, Laverton from 7-9.30pm.

■ Vimi, 0411 530 944

Woodcarving workshop Aimed at all levels of ability in the ancient and international craft of woodcarving.

Women are welcome. Bring your own tools and projects if possible. Or do you have Grandpa’s old gouges to donate? Tuesdays from 9.30am to noon at the Hobsons Bay Men’s Shed at 280 Queen Street in Altona.

■ jah2802rot@gmail.com

Willin Wimmin choir Williamstown-based women’s community choir Willin Wimmin is currently welcoming new members to take part in a free no-obligation try out session. The group meets each Wednesday evening in school terms in the Church of Christ hall at the corner of John Street and Douglas Parade in Williamstown from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

There are no auditions and you don’t need to be able to read music.

■ willin.wimmin@gmail.com

Wednesday, 8 March, 2023 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 19

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

9

7

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

5

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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”.

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

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No. 123

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

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

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8 LETTERS GORILLAS HOLSTERS TEENAGER TEXTURED 10 LETTERS MONARCHIES NEWSLETTER

10-03-23

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

A R E

S

20 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 8 March, 2023

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

E

1

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

2

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

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QUICK QUIZ

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hard

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WORDFIT

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

4

In what year did the Victorian gold rush begin?

5

What is the most populous state in the US?

6

Who recorded Manic Monday in 1986?

7

Siddhartha Gautama is the name of which sacred figure?

8

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

9

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

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SUDOKU

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SIG N U P N O W !

Festive gifts

Gifts of any size or

price will be accepte

d as part of the initiative . (Picture: Damjan Janevski)

Yarraville residents are deep for disadvantagedencouraged to dig children across the western suburbs this The Yarraville Traders festive season.

Association is once again teaming up with the Les Twentyman Founda tion to provide gifts to disadvantaged children as part of its giving tree initiativ e.

Association preside said visitors or residennt Chris Byrne ts can donate to the initiative at the Yarraville Grill’d restaurant from Thursda “A small gift can makey, December 1.

Christmas a little bit better for kids in the community,“ he said.

Mr Byrne said donatio unwrapped to reduce ns should be left processing time.

“It’s really a commu nity initiative,” he said.

“A lot of the traders will be donating gift vouchers.”

Yarraville Village will also have a number of special visitors Christmas Day, includin ahead of g Santa Claus on Saturday, Decemb er 10 and Saturda y, December 17 from 3pm to 4pm, the Pitchface choir on Saturday, Decemb er 17 from 4pm to 5pm and a skating elf and The Grinch on Friday, December 23 from 5pm to 6pm.

308513_05

Division over sp orts plan

By Matthew Sims

request a further report on the final McIvor Friends of McIvor Reserve Reserve Master Plan “From the first round spokesperson Miles in March Gilbert has expresse A new six-court indoor 2023. we have been concern of public consultation, citing a preferen d the Yarraville group’s sports centre and ed about the sincerit disappointment in ce to address the recreation and leisure of the council’s engagem y Maribyrnong council Indoor approval of a draft ent process with the Sports Stadium Strategy before looking ’s 31 proposed projects facilities were among commu master plan for the nity. at the McIvor Reserve Master outlined in the approve reserve, McIvor Reserve which includes a new Plan. d “Going forward, we six-court indoor sports Draft Master Plan.

“I think we’re sort will look centre. of putting the cart According to council options before and compromises that at alternative the horse a little bit ’s 2018 Indoor Stadium The decision followed here,” better fulfil the Strategy, up to a needs of all users at Maribyrnong mayor he said. months of public dozen new indoor the park and we plan consultation during sports Sarah courts Carter said she need to contribu to community membe which a number of demand across be built to meet growing council te to the ongoing consultation with would dispute Cr Crawford’s stance on rs .” the issue. the municipality. opposition to the stadium expressed their Mr Gilbert said the Councillor Michae due to its impact on “We have followed approval of the draft l Clarke said the green space and the due process,” she said. was an “unfortunate plan master plan draft existing dog park facilities Maribyr and frustrating outcom and During its meeting on . for parkland at e” aimed to encoura its recommended projects commu nong council is hosting five the reserve. nity engagement ge more council passed a motionTuesday, November 15, “It’s disappointing sessions at the social linkages, especial physical activity and McIvor Reserve to note that the the significa majorit ly within the younger hockey pavilion on community interest nt councillors who y of our populat Thursday, in the master plan ion.

December 1 (5pm for the that has caused were present believe a plan Yarraville reserve, to “Whether it’s part approve the release such division in the 7.15pm) and Saturda 6pm and 6.15pm to of an indoor of draft master plan for community or outdoor y, December 3 (10am community commen the is worthy of delivering to the public , we need more opportu game... 11am, 11.15am to 12.15pm to t and consultation,” for further commu and 12.30pm to nity for 1.30pm he said. nity interaction,” he ). said.

Cr Simon Crawfo rd opposed the motion Details: www.yourcityyourvoice , mcivor .com.au/

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Altona Altona Sports Club 11 Altona Road Altona Library 123 Queen Street Altona RSL 31 Sargood Street Altona Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre 5 Sargood Street Altona Kooringal Golf Club Wilga Avenue Altona Convenience Store 41 Civic Parade Altona City of Hobsons Bay 115 Civic Parade Altona Chemcare Wellness Pharmacy 8 Harrington Square Altona Altona West Newsagency 12 Harrington Square Altona Borgs Cakes 20 Harrington Square Altona Sweeney Real Estate 54 Pier Street Altona Mancini Real Estate 61 Pier Street Altona Bendigo Bank 64 Pier Street Altona Altona IGA plus Liquor 103/110 Pier Street Altona First National Real Estate - Barlow McEwan Tribe Altona 24-26 Pier Street Altona Altona Newsagency 84-86 Pier Street Altona Chemist Discount Centre 88-90 Pier Street Altona Meadows Sweeney Real Estate Shop 10a, 1-23 Central Avenue (Central Square Shopping Centre) Altona Meadows Central Lotto Shop 14, 1-23 Central Avenue (Central Square Shopping Centre) Altona Meadows Hunter French Real Estate Shop 22, 1-23 Central Avenue (Central Square Shopping Centre) Altona Meadows Benetas St George’s 13 Howard Street Altona Meadows Altona Meadows Library and Learning Centre 2 Newham Way (Central Square Shopping Centre) Altona North Sweeney Real Estate 15 Borrack Square Altona North Westgate Health and Fitness Club Corner Grieve Parade & Dohertys Road Altona North Altona Fresh 62-76 Second Ave 9399 1390 Altona North The Circle Pharmacy 53 The Circle Altona North Hunter French Real Estate 21 Borrack Square Altona North Borrack Square News & Lotto 32 Borrack Square Altona North Altona North Community Library Corner Millers Road & McArthurs Road Altona North Altona Gate Shopping Centre Lvl.2/ 124-134 Millers Road Altona North Altona North Community Centre 180 Millers Road Altona North Altona East Newsagency 63 The Circle Braybook Central West Plaza Management 65-67 Ashley Street Braybook West Central Properties Shop D2, 67 Ashley Street Braybook Braybook Hotel 353 Ballarat Road

• Braybook Braybook Library 107-139 Churchill Avenue • Deep Park Deep Park Newsagency 823 Ballarat Road • Footscray Trimson & Partner Real Estate 169 Barkly Street • Footscray French Baguette Cafe 181 Barkly Street • Footscray Whitten Oval 417 Barkly Street • Footscray Footscray Community Arts Centre 45 Moreland Street • Footscray Phoenix Youth Centre 72 Barkly Street • Footscray Di Natale Real Estate 225 Barkly Street • Footscray Mig Real Estate 329 Barkly Street • Footscray Nguyen Real Estate 11/158 Barkly Street • Footscray Greg Hocking Real Estate 145-147 Geelong Road • Footscray Footscray Hospital 160 Gordon Street • Footscray Caltex Petrol Station 62-68 Gordon Street • Footscray Maribyrnong City Council 61 Napier Street (Cnr Napier & Hyde Streets) • Footscray TattsLotto 81 Nicholson Street • Footscray Victoria University at MetroWest 138 Nicholson Street • Footscray Wards Newsagency 100 Nicholson Street • Footscray Health Works 215 Nicholson Street • Footscray Footscray Library 56 Paisley Street • Footscray Paisley Clinic Pharmacy 85 Paisley Street • Footscray National Hearing Care 123-125 • Paisley Street • Footscray Coles Supermarket Albert Street (Footscray Plaza Shopping Centre) • Footscray West IGA West Footscray 511 Barkly Street • Footscray West Neighbourhood House Level 1, 539 Barkly Street • Footscray West Compton Green Real Estate 1/240 Geelong Road • Footscray West Kingsville Newsagency 339 Somerville Road • Keilor Park Star Weekly Office Unit 6/1-9 Thomson Road (Cnr Keilor Park Drive) • Kingsville BP Petrol 88 Williamstown Road • Laverton Laverton Newsagency Shop 12-14 Aviation Road • Laverton Bendigo Bank Shop 3/28 Aviation Road • Laverton Ace Real Estate Shop 4/4 Neville Avenue • Laverton Laverton Community Hub 95-105 Railway Street • Maidstone MJs Café Unit 9/72 Hampstead Road • Maidstone Fix at Mick’s Motors Petrol Station 95 Rosamond Road • Maidstone Maidstone Milk Bar 154 Ballarat Road • Maribyrnong Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre 1 Aquatic Drive • Maribyrnong Maribyrnong Community Centre 9 Randall Street • Maribyrnong Supanews Lotto Shop 2138/120-200 Rosamond Road (Highpoint Shopping Centre) • Maribyrnong Gloria Jeans Shop 3/120-200 Rosamond Road (Highpoint Shopping Centre) • Maribyrnong Plush Think Sofas Shop 3 / 179

Rosamond Road, Highpoint Homemaker Centre • Maribyrnong Forty Winks Shop 4 / 179 Rosamond Road, Highpoint Homemaker Centre • Maribyrnong Focus On Furniture Shop 5 / 179 Rosamond Road, Highpoint Homemaker Centre • Maribyrnong Adriatic Furniture Shop 6 / 179 Rosamond Road, Highpoint Homemaker Centre • Maribyrnong Snooze Shop 7 / 179 Rosamond Road, Highpoint Homemaker Centre • Maribyrnong Suave Furniture Shop 8 / 179 Rosamond Road, Highpoint Homemaker Centre • Maribyrnong Spotlight Shop 9-10 / 179 Rosamond Road, Highpoint Homemaker Centre • Maribyrnong Alex’s Furniture Shop 11 / 179 Rosamond Road, Highpoint Homemaker Centre • Maribyrnong Koala Living Shop 12 / 179 Rosamond Road, Highpoint Homemaker Centre • Maribyrnong Bev Marks Shop 13 / 179 Rosamond Road, Highpoint Homemaker Centre • Maribyrnong Bedshed Shop 14 / 179 Rosamond Road, Highpoint Homemaker Centre • Maribyrnong James Lane Shop 15 / 179 Rosamond Road, Highpoint Homemaker Centre • Maribyrnong Pet Barn Shop 16A / 179 Rosamond Road, Highpoint Homemaker Centre • Maribyrnong Barbecues Galore Shop 16A/B / 179 Rosamond Road, Highpoint Homemaker Centre • Maribyrnong Beds N Dreams Shop 16A/C / 179 Rosamond Road, Highpoint Homemaker Centre • Maribyrnong Carpet Call Shop 17 / 179 Rosamond Road, Highpoint Homemaker Centre • Newport Newport Newsagency 48 Challis Street • Newport The Substation 1 Market Street • Newport Newport Library 13 Mason Street • Newport Seagulls Nest Club 1 Mason Street • Newport IGA Newport Plus Liquor 2 Mason Street • Newport Cellarbrations 25 Mason Street • Newport Newport Community Centre 43 Mason Street • Newport Newport Newsagency 6 Hall Street • Newport Newport General Store 10 Hall Street • Newport Barlow McEwan Tribe 344-346 Melbourne Road • Seddon Seddon Newsagency 74 Charles Street • Seddon ALFA Café 97 Victoria Street • Seddon The Happy Apple Supermarket 176-178 Victoria Street • Seddon The Vin Wine & Spirits 180 Victoria Street • South Kingsville South Kingsville Community Centre 43 Paxton Street • South Kingsville Dukkah Restaurant 23 Vernon Street • Spotswood Spotswood Newsagency 81 Hudsons Road • Spotswood Scouns Pharmacy 17D Vernon Street • Sunshine Thomson Real Estate 3/473 Ballarat Road • Sunshine GL Lee Real Estate 275 Hampshire Road • Tottenham Milk Bar Sara Grove • Tottenham Tottenham Central LPO and Newsagency 159 Sunshine Road • Williamstown Steam Packet Hotel 13 Cole Street • Williamstown RT Edgar Real Estate 94 Douglas Parade

• Williamstown Newsagency Rifle Range Shopping Centre Shop 8 , 71 -79 Kororoit Creek Road • Williamstown South Pacific health club The Strand & North Road • Williamstown Rifle Club Hotel 121 Victoria Street • Williamstown Smooth Curves 2A Wellington Parade • Williamstown Coles Supermarket 29 Douglas Parade • Williamstown Williamstown News and Lotto 16 Douglas Parade • Williamstown Jas Stephens Real Estate Shop 1/66 Douglas Parade • Williamstown Sweeney Real Estate Shop 1-3 Douglas Parade • Williamstown Crompton Green Real Estate 29 Ferguson Street • Williamstown Freechoice Williamstown Tobacco 31 Ferguson Street • Williamstown Gunn and Co. Estate Agents 49 Ferguson Street • Williamstown Williams Real Estate 75 Ferguson Street • Williamstown Get the News Unit 8/9 Kororoit Creek Road • Williamstown Porters Williamstown 49 Nelson Place • Williamstown Hobsons Bay Visitors Centre 1 Syme St.Cnr Nelson Place(Commonwealth Res) • Yarraville Sweeney Real Estate 346 Williamstown Road • Yarraville Woolworths Yarraville Metro 6 Anderson Street • Yarraville IGA Yarraville 12 Anderson Street • Yarraville Biggin and Scott 39 Anderson Street • Yarraville Yarraville Newsagency 59 Anderson Street • Yarraville Coracle Cafe Restaurant 63 Anderson Street • Yarraville For The Health Of It Natural Health Products 73 Anderson Street • Yarraville Pizza d’Asporto Shop 2-6 Ballarat Street • Yarraville Hocking Stuart Real Estate 33 Ballarat Street • Yarraville Doutta Galla Aged Services Cnr Fairlie Street & Somerville Road • Yarraville Yarraville Community Centre 59 Francis Street • Yarraville Coles Supermarket 1 High Street • Yarraville Antipasti Deli & Cafe Shop 3/1 High Street • Yarraville Rocco’s Delicatessen 122 Roberts Street • Yarraville Yarraville Club 135 Stephens Street • Yarraville Liquor Legends 6 Wembley Avenue • Yarraville Wembley Convenience Store 8 Wembley Avenue • Yarraville Fernwood Yarraville 5/290 Whitehall Street

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Trades & Services

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26 Hosking St. Williamstown. 3016

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• Gas Leaks • General Plumbing • Blocked Sewers

Call Sam 0450 820 170 - 7 days

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

• Carbon Monoxide Testing • Hot Water Services • Burst Pipes Lic No. 28336

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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.

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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

24 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 8 March, 2023

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.

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

SPORT

Polson gears up for his second season in charge After spending much of his first season as Williamstown captain on the side lines, Cameron Polson is hoping for a much better 2023.

Polson hurt his quad in round one, before a hamstring injury in his return game required surgery.

While he returned late in the season, the Seagulls were already out of finals contention finding themselves in the unusual position of second bottom.

Polson is positive as he looks to his second season in charge.

“I hope I don’t have a repeat of last year,” he said. “It was a really tough year as captain.

I’m more of a lead by example person and there were a few things I wanted to change by leading with my actions.

“I had to do a lot of talking which I didn’t love. I’m rapt to be voted in again. I wanted to go through the vote again and we have a new group and it’s good to be put back in with some really good support around me.”

Signs in the pre-season indicate a better 2023 for the Seagull. The club has added

several new signings, led by Oscar McDonald, Ben Jolley and Marty Hore.

Polson said the return of Jolley and Jason Pongracic had been really good from a leadership point of view.

“Fingers crossed we should be a bit better with a few more older guys,” he said. “There’s more depth at the club.

“Jason had come back as has Jolley. Their presence around the group.

“They [the older guys] did a good job on passing on the Williamstown way in my first year, but it might have gotten a bit lost last year.

“It’s really good to know what to do and having these guys around the club helps.”

With several new players in the squad, Polson said there was plenty of guys he was excited to see.

He had played school football with Jack Toner. Toby Triffett has come down from Brisbane. Connor Weightman is another while Harry Jones and Mat Walker, who came across from North Melbourne are another two he’s excited to see,

But it’s a familiar face that Polson is excited to see the most.

“Nick Ebinger is back,” he said. “That’s a big one for us. He’s the one I’m most excited about.”

Polson said they have no doubt that they will be a better side this season. The season kicks off on March 24.

The club faced Northern Bullants in a practice match on Saturday, fielding a strong side.

“Williamstown VFL teams are normally filled with guys in the 23 to 27 age bracket.

“We didn’t have that last year, the landscape has changed back.”

Tara Murray

Cameron Polson (Supplied)

Sports shorts VSDCA Spotswood and Williamstown got final round wins to lock in first and third respectively in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west. The Woodsmen chased down 201 against Bayswater, while Williamstown ended Melton’s finals hopes, winning by 99 runs. The Woodsmen will face Endeavour Hills and Williamstown will play Mt Waverley in the first week of finals.

Yarraville and Altona both finished the season with consolation wins.

VFL Williamstown has added Ben Andrews to its list as the Victorian Football League season inches closer. A key defender who also has the ability to pinch-hit in the ruck as he did in NAB League with the Sandringham Dragons last season. The Seagulls put out a strong performance in its practice match against the Northern Bullants, winning 8.7 (55)-4.12 (36).

Williamstown’s women’s side played a practice match against Geelong, also coming away with the win.

Premier Gellibrand’s women’s side. (Supplied)

Strong Gellibrand finish

By Tara Murray The back end of the season has proved to be the key for Gellibrand for both its women’s and men’s first XI cricket sides.

After slower starts to their seasons, both sides came home like a steam train to seal finals berth.

The women’s side played off for their second straight premiership in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association on Sunday.

After winning the division 2 premiership last season, the side finished runners-up to Maribyrnong Park St Mary’s in division 1.

Gellibrand president Mark Keating said the side did a really good job.

“We went up to division 1 and a few weeks ago it didn’t look like we were going to make finals,” he said.

“We won three in a row to get into finals and finish second and then make the grand final.

“We faced the team on top all year. We gave them a run for their money, but we couldn’t get over the line.”

Gellibrand made 4-127 from its overs with Tenielle Potter and Daniella Viney top scoring with 29 each.

Maribyrnong Park made the runs in the 17th over, finishing 1-129.

Viney had the wicket for Gellibrand.

Keating said the club had dropped back to only one side this season after two the previous season.

He said they were focused on building up to have two teams again.

While the women’s season is over, the men’s finals are only just beginning. The club’s first three sides are all in the finals.

Keating said the first XI had a really mixed season.

“We won three in a row and then we lost five in a row,” he said. “At Christmas time it looked difficult to make finals.

“We won three of our four two-day games and it played us into third position. We finished really strong and got some good momentum.”

Keating said the strong two-day format

wasn’t planned it was the way that it had played out. He said with no two-day games the last couple of seasons with COVID-19, everyone had trained for the shorter format.

The side enter the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 4 finals on the back of an outright win against Moonee Ponds.

Moonee Ponds were bowled out for 63, before Gellibrand made 4-146.

Moonee Ponds in its second innings were bowled out for 129 leaving Gellibrand needing 46 runs for the outright.

They finished 2-49 off 9.3 overs to get the full points.

Keating is hoping that they can go one step further than last season when they lost the grand final in a best-of-three format.

Gellibrand faces Maribyrnong Park St Marys in the semi finals.

“We’re quietly confident,” he said. “We’ve finished strongly and we’ll take some momentum in.

“We won the semi final last season so we know that we can produce well in finals.”

Footscray finished the regular Victorian Premier Cricket Association season in second spot despite a final round loss to St Kilda. Chasing 4-311 after the Saints batted on early on day two, the Bulldogs were bowled out for 189.

Ryan Stingel top scored with 62, as the top order failed to fire. The Bulldogs will host Melbourne on Saturday and Sunday in a qualifying final.

Baseball Williamstown Wolves and Newport Rams both qualified for finals in the Baseball Victoria summer league division 2. The Rams had a 14-4 win on Saturday against the Werribee Giants to seal their spot, while Williamstown had a 10-3 win against Ormond Glenhuntly to return to the winners list having not won their three games before that. The Rams finish the season in third and the Wolves in fourth place.

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Yarraville Club through but the Druids miss out Yarraville Club will play finals, but a late attack by the Druids fell short in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division.

The Clubbers lost their final round match to minor premiers Haig Fawkner, but it meant little in the scheme of things with other results meaning the Clubbers remain in third.

Chasing 9-268, the Clubbers got off to a perfect start making 136 for the first wicket.

Two quick wickets put the Clubbers back but at 2-184 were still in a good position.

The wickets started to fall, with the Clubbers restricted to 9-247.

Allister Powell finished with 111 off 187 balls.

The Clubbers will face Aberfeldie in a knockout semi final for a spot in the grand final. Haig Fawkner will play Deer Park in the other semi final.

For the Druids, there was disappointment despite a final round loss.

Sitting seventh, the Druids needed to beat Craigieburn and hope that St Albans and Sunshine United both had final round losses.

While all three of those happened, eighth placed Deer Park got an outright win against Westmeadows, meaning the Druids needed an outright win to play finals.

The Druids made 9-196 in reply to Craigieburn’s 181 to secure first innings points.

Allister Powell after his century. (Yarraville CCC Facebook)

Buddika Hasaranga top scored with 79.

Craigieburn slipped to 9-86 to give the Wizards some hope, but the determined last

duo remained unbeaten.

The Eagles finished 9-139. Jarrod Parsons took four wickets for the Wizards.

In division 1, Altona North missed out on finals after a final round loss to PEGS. Altona North needed to beat PEGS and hoped that Doutta Stars lost to Tullamarine, neither of which occurred.

PEGS batted on to start day two after rain interrupted the first day of play.

They finished 9-258 from their overs.

Nathan Patrick took three wickets for Altona North.

Altona North was bowled out for 228 in the 55th over.

Trent Frydas top scored with 51. In division 2, Footscray United suffered a second straight loss, losing to Kingsville.

Kingsville, which will be relegated, made 138 before bowling the top of the ladder Bulldogs out for 131.

Altona Roosters beat West Newport.

With both sides assured finals, there wasn’t anything on the line.

The Roosters made 9-223 before bowling West Newport out for 68.

Williamstown CYMS ended the season with a win, as did Newport Digman.

In division 4, Williamstown Colts sealed the last finals spot, while an outright win to Footscray Angliss gave it the minor premiership in division 5.

Altona Magic get a win on the board

Newport pitcher Shiori Hoshino. (Joe Mastroianni). 322160_04

Rams are dreaming big

By Tara Murray Newport Rams premiership dreams remain on track with the side through to a second straight Baseball Victoria summer league women’s division 2 west grand final.

After losing last season’s grand final, the Rams have been focused on getting back to the last day of the season for another tilt at the premiership and earning promotion.

On Saturday, that all became a step closer with a 12-1 win against Essendon in their semi final.

Coach Dean Anglin was thrilled with how they played on the weekend. “It’s good, that’s two years in a row we’ve made the grand final,” he said. “It was probably as we expected. They are a good side, but we were in a fairly good position with the strongest team that we had all year.

“We were really confident that we would come away with the win.” The Rams started well with five runs in the first innings, before

another five in the second innings.”

The mercy role came into play midway through the fifth innings, with the game ending and the Rams moving through to the grand final. Anglin said they had some really good hitting from the likes of Morgan Doty and Tayla Wilmot.

The Rams hit two doubles and a triple in the first innings to set things up.

Shiori Hoshino was back on the mound for her first game since Australia Day when she injured her glove arm in another good sign for the Rams.

The Rams will face the Springvale Lions in the grand final on Saturday. The Lions claimed the minor premiership, having lost just one game for the season. Anglin said they are better prepared for this season’s grand final.

“To make the grand final is good, as playing to win a championship is what we play for,” he said. “Hopefully we’re in a better place, and we won’t get overawed by the situation.

“The girls are another year old and have a bit

26 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 8 March, 2023

more maturity. We have a pretty young group with most of them under-20 with a couple of more experienced players.

“We also have a bit more depth. Hopefully we can change the result.”

It was a big weekend for the Rams.

Their men’s second, third and fourth sides all qualified for their respective grand finals.

The club’s division 2 men’s side qualified for finals with a 14-4 win against the Werribee Giants.

They will play a best-of-three semi final series starting this week.

Anglin said it was pretty exciting for the club.

“To have five of our eight teams qualify for finals is really good,” he said. “To have four in the grand finals and the men’s first side still to play, it’s been a really good weekend around our club.”

Williamstown Wolves join the Rams in the division 2 men’s finals after beating Ormond Glenhuntly 10-3.

Altona Magic picked up its first win of the National Premier League season on Saturday against the North Geelong Warriors.

After a draw and a loss in their first two matches, the Magic were keen to come away with the full three points against the Warriors.

A Jonas Markovski goal in the 29th minute gave the Magic the lead, with the side having their chances to extend it.

The goal was Markovski’s second for the season.

Neither side was able to find the back of the net in the second half, giving the Magic a 1-0 win.

Coach John Markovski was happy to come away with the points, even if it wasn’t their best performance.

“We had control of the game throughout the whole first half,” he said.

“We should have scored a few more, but 1-0 was enough to get the win and we’re happy with that.”

Markovski said their second half wasn’t quite where it needed to be, but the boys held their heads high and ensured they came away with the win.

With a new side and new coach, Markovski said they knew that it was always going to take some time to settle.

He said there were some good signs so far.

“The first game against Hume we were okay and got a draw when we had to play with 10 men,” he said.

“We lost the second game and losing was not good as we could have got something out of that game.

“A win on the weekend was good.

We’re starting to get there. A lot of new kids from last year in the squad, it was always going to take some time.”

Magic this Saturday face Moreland City which had a win and loss from its first two games.

Markovski said it was always a tough challenge against City with no easy matches in this competition.

Tara Murray

Altona North keen for state league 2 challenge Altona North is excited for the challenge ahead of it in the FV state league 2 north-west competition.

Having finished second in state league 3 last season and earning promotion, it’s a new challenge for the side.

Coach Alan Muscat said this season would be something new for them.

“It’s an exciting time for the football club and we’re really looking forward to the challenge this year,” he said.

“For us being new to the league, we want to try and find our feel. We want to be competitive.

“We’ve put together a really competitive team for this league and think we’re in a good position, let’s see where it takes us.”

Muscat said they had kept the core group from last season as they step up a grade. He said they had also added a number of new players who had joined the squad.

Muscat didn’t want to single out any of the new players, saying they would all make an impact.

“We’ve added some experienced players and we’ve added some more kids for some more fire power,” he said.

“We’ve added some players with some experience, players who have played at a decent level as a collective.

“We looked to see where the deficiencies were and where we needed to strengthen the side.”

Muscat said the journey the club has taken in his time at the club has been a really exciting one. The side was playing in state league 4 west when he took over as coach.

“When I started four or five years ago we were in state league 4 and we’ve only played two and half seasons [due to COVID] and gone up to divisions.

“It’s really good in relation to where the

football club wants to go. We’re not a big club, we’re a family club.

“Since COVID we’ve brought young juniors into the club. Previously we only had seniors, reserves and a thirds side.

“The club is building well.”

Altona North started its official matches on Saturday in the third round of the Australia Cup, hosting Hampton East Brighton. The side entered in this round of the competition with the other state league 1 and 2 sides.

Altona North led 1-0 at half time, but Hampton was too strong in the second half, winning 3-2.

In other results, Altona East Phoenix beat Brandon Park 4-3, Williamstown beat Peninsular Strikers 2-0, Altona City beat Melbourne SRBIJA 2-0 and Melbourne City lost to Westvale Olympic 4-0.

Tara Murray

Altona North coach Alan Muscat (Luke Hemer)

Sandral to lead Bulldogs

Kahli Johnson (Supplied)

Values drew new recruit

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. “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 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.”

Mary Sandral will lead the Western Bulldogs on field this season in the Victorian Football League Women’s competition.

The Bulldogs announced a new-look leadership group last week.

Sandral has played 38 games for the red, white and blue since 2019, averaging eight disposals and three marks while slotting 17 goals.

She was first elevated to the leadership group in 2021, before being elevated to vice-captaincy last year.

She replaces Riley Christgoergl, who captained the side the past two seasons.

This season Sandral will be supported by co-vice captains Mikayla Barnes and Melanie Freeman.

Barnes joined the Bulldogs last season after a stint with Carlton VFLW, combining for a total of 16 games. She plays her local football with Oak Park in the Essendon District Football League.

Freeman managed 13 games in her debut VFLW season last year, but will miss the opening month of this season after suffering an MCL tear in her elbow.

An exact return-to-play timeline will be established in due course. Freeman’s local club the last two seasons has been Spotswood in the Western Region Football League.

Trinity Skenderis and Freya Taylor make up the remainder of the five-player leadership group.

The 2023 playing list will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

The Bulldogs are set to meet Geelong in a practice match next Saturday morning at Deakin University Waurn Ponds, as they continue to ramp up preparations for an opening round home clash against Casey on March 26.

Western Bulldogs leadership group (Western Bulldogs)

Wednesday, 8 March, 2023 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 27

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