Star Weekly - Melton Moorabool - 4th April 2023 by Star Weekly

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4 APRIL, 2023

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Dane Swan hits Rockbank AFL Brownlow Medallist Dane Swan was the star of the show as the Riddell District Football League kicked off on Saturday. Swan pulled on the jumper for the Western Rams for their season opener against local rivals Melton Centrals. The match was played as a standalone game, with a big crowd to watch Swan and the Rams. While known for his inside work, Swan spent most of the game in the back half, finding plenty of the ball. He was named in the Rams best as the side proved no match for Centrals. Swan then stayed at the club for a sold out sportsman’s night, which the club was hoping would help them raise funds for the season ahead. For more on the match and the opening round of the netball, turn to sport.

Dane Swan in action for the Western Rams. (Jacob Pattison) 323330_24

Hub timeline undecided By Liam McNally Melton council will most likely build a community hub dedicated to the municipality’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, but the question of when has been kicked down the line by councillors. A scoping report on an Aboriginal Controlled Community Hub (ACCH) was brought before council at a meeting on Monday, March 27. The report found a “range of complex and inter-related health, wellbeing, social and education and employment needs are present amongst the local First Nations population that demonstrate demand for more services”

and that current local provision of culturally specific services “does not meet levels of need”. An ACCH would help address these issues by providing community members and families a variety of support services as well as a place to make social and cultural connections, the report said. Cr Ashleigh Vandenberg moved a motion for council to note the report and to refer the development of a business case feasibility study, to council’s 2023-24 budget. “The report identifies that first nations people are the most marginalised group in Australia … supporting self determination requires choice for our local first nations community to exist when accessing either

mainstream or culturally specific services … it would be of great benefit to our community,” she said. Multiple councillors voiced support for the ACCH, but were split on whether the development of a business case feasibility study could be added to budget deliberations, which begin on Wednesday, April 5. Council budget submissions were supposed to be in by the end of February, although other motions at the March 27 meeting were referred to the upcoming budget. Cr Kathy Majdlik said Melton does “desperately need” an ACCH but it’s “just a matter of timing”. “Unfortunately it didn’t cut the budget

discussion so hopefully it can be done soon and we can talk about it at the next budget,” she said. An alternative motion by Cr Steve Abboushi was passed to note the scoping report, and for council to hold “further discussions on the ACCH at a councillor briefing with all relevant information including costings”. Cr Vandenberg said Monday night’s meeting is a “core example of how and why we have a gap in Australia today”. “ … Where other topics are prioritised over Aboriginal lives, and there is not enough time to add the words ‘business report and feasibility study’ to a budget template that isn’t finalised until June 2023.”

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Rooming house permit rejected By Liam McNally Melton council has rejected a planning application for a deregistered aged care facility to convert its site into a rooming house. The application was for the former site of Grace disability services’ Gracemanor (formerly Meadowbrook), an aged care facility which had its registration revoked last June by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. The facility had its licence revoked after a government investigation found instances of bullying, intimidation, unsafe and unhygienic living conditions and insufficient quality and

quantity of food, and inadequate provision of personal and health care. The application for the site to be converted into a 30-room rooming house was brought before council at a meeting on Monday, March 27, with council officers recommending the proposal be approved. Melton council planning services manager Bob Baggio said advertising of the application attracted 11 objections “which were largely based on the applicants alleged mismanagement of the previous use of the land”. A council report stated the objectors were concerned that “vulnerable people would be taken advantage of at the rooming house”.

“The objections were from previous residents, relatives of previous residents, and previous employees of the Meadowbrook SRS,” it said. Mr Baggio said the main concerns for council’s assessment are whether the proposal is supported by state and local planning policies. “Council officers are of the view that the proposal is consistent with these criteria and should therefore be supported by council if appropriate conditions are submitted in the report,” he said. Councillor Sophie Ramsay called for the planning application be rejected.

“On planning grounds and planning grounds alone, because had it been on other grounds I would have been a lot different, the recommendation I’m moving is that council refuse the application,” she said. Cr Ramsay’s grounds for rejection included the existing building and surrounds are considered to provide a substandard level of amenity to future residents, the site is located outside the walkable catchment area and the scale of the proposed rooming house has the potential to detrimentally affect the amenity of surrounding residents. Cr Ramsay’s motion was moved unanimously by councillors.

Melton dental jobs boost

Ruth Knight, principal Damian Schuster, Agnes Sheehan and Kalma Rathouski with students. (Joe Mastroianni) 326063_03

Students Nourish and Flourish St Anthony’s Primary School in Melton South celebrated the launch of its Flourish and Nourish program on Tuesday, March 28. Guests were given a student-led tour of different sites the program operates in, before a special assembly and ribbon-cutting, with lunch provided by the Flourish and Nourish Cafe. Flourish and Nourish is delivered in partnership with CatholicCare Victoria and is built around three projects aimed at working with communities to discover opportunities to remove health and wellbeing barriers for children and young people who need support.

The program includea a Breakfast Club providing breakfast and exercise opportunities twice a week to 260 students, a Cafe in which grade four students utilise cooking to work on literacy and numeracy, and provides meals to community members for a donation once a week, and a community garden which will provide space for the school’s Garden Club classes. CatholicCare Victoria strategic projects manager Ruth Knight said she was “thrilled” with the work that has gone into the program so far. “Melton is a fabulous community. It has got so many strengths, and to build a thriving

community is about collaboration; people, organisations and the community working together, and this is an initiative that has all of those ingredients.” St Anthony’s Wellbeing and community leader Lauri Plummer said the program helps students learn about real world experiences. “It has been a wonderful journey watching the cafe, the breakfast club and now the community garden come together under the umbrella of the Nourish and Flourish program and sharing that for our wider community to also see and enjoy,” she said.

A drive to recruit 100 new dental assistants across the state is already delivering improved access to oral health care for thousands of Victorians, including in Melton. The Dental Assisting Traineeship Program is providing recruits with the required training, mentoring and supervision to undertake the certificate III dental assisting traineeship. A key feature of the program is the earn and learn model where trainees are offered a paid position for 12 months followed by further opportunities for ongoing career progression. Through the program 24 trainees have commenced work with another ten due to start over the coming weeks. Of the 34 new hires, 10 will work with the Royal Dental Hospital Melbourne, 15 in metro dental agencies, and nine in regional Victoria. Melton MP Steve McGhie said the recruitment drive for dental assistants is “simultaneously improving the oral health of our kids and providing stable careers for members of the Melton community”. Health minister Mary-Anne Thomas said Victorians “deserve quality dental care with minimal wait times, and we’re building up our dental system and workforce to ensure that we provide this now and into the future.”

Liam McNally

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Shogaki Drive talks underway By Liam McNally Melton council is continuing to negotiate the purchase of a key piece of land needed for construction of a new road connecting Thornhill Park to Cobblebank. More than 500 signatures were added to a petition calling for the road to help ease congestion. The petition, tabled last July, called on council and VicRoads to build the road connecting Shogaki Drive to Mount Cottrell Road. At its meeting on Monday, March 27, council considered a motion to respond to the petition and continue land acquisition discussions with the landowner of 2-82 Shogaki Drive,

Cobblebank, to facilitate future construction of the road link from Shogaki Drive to Mount Cottrell Road The petition stated that with the City of Melton forecast to be bigger than Canberra by 2035 “more vital infrastructure is required”. “With the nearby Melton Hospital due to begin construction in 2024 and open by 2029 now is the time for this vital project to be started,” it stated. “Serious congestion and safety issues plague City of Melton roads every single day. For too long the City of Melton has missed out on critical infrastructure investment. Now is the time to invest in main roads to reduce congestion, improve safety and unlock jobs.”

According to a council report, the construction of a road between Shogaki Drive and Mt Cottrell Road would halve the distance it currently takes residents to drive from Thornhill Park to Cobblebank station. At present commuters must use either the Western Freeway or Alfred Road. Councillor Steve Abboushi urged councillors to “really think about supporting” the motion. “These poor residents in that area right up to Thornhill Park, it is an absolute nightmare and I think it’s time that we did everything we can in our power … to support these residents,” he said. The land for the proposed road is currently owned by Saizeriya Australia Pty Ltd.

The council report states $1.35 million was earmarked in the 2020-21 budget to acquire land but negotiations remain ongoing. At the March meeting council’s decision was to continue land acquisition discussions with the landowner to facilitate future construction of the road link. Council expects negotiations, purchase, and subdivision of the land to take six to 12 months, and construction of the road to take another two years. If negotiations don’t move forward council can look at compulsorily acquiring the land, which would add about two years to the process. Saizeriya Australia Pty Ltd was contacted for comment.

Dig deep on Good Friday codes, allowing donations to be made via direct debit. Along with calling on Bacchus Marsh residents to donate generously, Mr Atterbury also said they’re keen to get more volunteers to help collect donations. “If anybody is available to shake a can with us for a short time on Good Friday then just turn up at the Bacchus Marsh fire station in the main street any time after 9am,” he said. The Good Friday Appeal is in its 92nd year, and has supports projects in ground-breaking research, state-of-the-art equipment and technology, patient and family centred care programs, fostering staff excellence through education programs, scholarships and fellowships to attract and retain the brightest minds. Liam McNally

Bacchus Marsh Lions Club members Ben Noble, Bob Colvin and David Atterbury. (Damjan Janevski) 324146_01

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The Bacchus Marsh Lions Club is gearing up for its yearly participation in the Good Friday Appeal, and is calling on locals to dig deep and donate. The club partakes in the fundraiser for the Royal Children’s hospital each year, last year raising more than $30,000. The 2022 donations contributed to a record-breaking total tally of $22,328,154, which brought the total amount donated over the history of the appeal to more than $421 million. Bacchus Marsh Lions Club appeal area manager David Atterbury said the donation drive he’s been organising for 12 years is his “baby”, and that he’s “always very keen for it”. He said the club is planning on beating their record this year, and one of the ways they are working toward that goal is by introducing QR

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EASTER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

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Egg-cellent Easter activities When it comes to Easter, egg decorating is somewhat of a tradition. And if you haven’t given it a go, here’s a how-to on dyeing, painting and marbling hard boiled eggs. The first step may be simple but place the eggs in a pot of water and bring to the boil on the stove. Then let them simmer for ten minutes and cool. Now it gets to the creative part. Let’s start with dyeing eggs. Fill some cups halfway with hot water, a teaspoon of vinegar and a teaspoon of food colouring - repeat with all the colours you want to use. Carefully place the egg in the coloured water and leave for five minutes - when it’s done, you’ll have one completely coloured egg. If you want to go one step further, use string, tape or elastic bands to create patterns. Should marbling your eggs take your fancy, here’s two ways to try. Using shaving cream or whipped cream (if you’d like to eat your eggs). • Place the eggs in a bowl of vinegar and leave for 20 minutes. • Using a large dish, fill with a layer of shaving cream and add some drops of food dye - even

divide the dish into two to four sections and do multiple colours. • Using a skewer, swirl and marble the colours together, then roll the egg gently over the surface of the shaving cream and once covered, place on some paper towel for 20 minutes. • Wash off excess shaving cream using a bowl of water. Using oil • In a glass bowl, add one cup of hot water, a teaspoon of white vinegar and five to ten drops of food colouring (be sure to use a light colour for the base of the egg). • In another bowl, one cup of water with about 20 drops of food colouring and a tablespoon of vegetable oil. • When the egg is completely dry, place it into the bowl of oil mixture with a spoon and gently roll. • Take it out when marbled and dry on paper towel. Other options include using watercolour paint or acrylic paint to make patterns and designs of all sorts. Don’t forget to wear old clothes or an apron and maybe gloves too, it can get messy.

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Egg decorating is a tradition when it comes to Easter.

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Pricing under the pump

Pricing under the pump By Benjamin Millar

‘‘

strongly encourage residents to complain to the ACCC

’’

- Steve McGhie

Mr McGhie said he has taken the issue up with the Consumer Affairs Minister Melissa Horne and will be contacting federal Gorton MP Brendan O’Connor to discuss this issue soon, as fuel prices are regulated by the federal government. “In the interim I strongly encourage residents to complain to the ACCC [Australian Competition and Consumer Commission]” he said. The ACCC’s latest petrol monitoring report showed that average petrol prices rose in the 2020 September quarter after a record low earlier in the year. Although the ACCC does not set fuel prices, it does monitor retail fuel prices on a daily basis. A spokesperson said it has the power to investigate where it sees issues of concern. “Where we find sufficient evidence we will take action to protect consumers against misleading and anti-competitive conduct by fuel retailers.” Mr McGhie’s promise to take action was widely welcomed on social media, where some residents said they had seen price differences of up to 50 cents per litre between Melton and Watergardens.

Fuel prices at Melton petrol stations last week. (Damjan Janevski) 226880_01

Melton’s Andre Peters said the lack of independent competition makes it easier for the major fuel companies to keep prices inflated well above those in neighbouring suburbs. “Sadly there is no competition in Melton as there are no independents,” he said. “Generally we pay at least 20 cents a litre more at times in Melton.” A BP spokesman said petrol prices at the pump can be impacted by a number of different factors.

He said while there are currently about 1400 BP branded sites across Australia, about three quarters are owned by independent business partners who set their own retail pricing. “When it comes to retail fuel pricing, our aim is to be competitive and attract customers to our sites,” he said. “Generally speaking, the price at the pump is impacted by a number of different factors. In particular, international product prices and competition between service stations in a local

area. There are also other factors including exchange rates, taxes and local operating costs.” On Monday, unleaded 91 pump prices at Melton’s BP, Coles Express and 7/11 Mobil were all at 155.9 cents per litre, according to price comparison website Petrol Spy, with Woolworths Caltex at 168.9. Meanwhile Bacchus Marsh BP, Coles Express and 7/11 Mobil prices were 129.9 cents per litre – 26 cents less per litre – and independent outlets were just 119.9 cents per litre.

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By Benjamin Millar

Melton’s petrol prices are coming under greater scrutiny with a local MP vowing to help take action to bring prices in line with neighbouring areas. Melton MP Steve McGhie said the area’s families are being unfairly hit with higher prices than people in neighbouring suburbs, often paying more than 20 cents per litre extra at the pump and spending at least $10 more every time they fill up. “I have had many constituents raise concerns regarding the prices of petrol in Melton being noticeably higher than in other areas,” Mr McGhie said. “I am deeply concerned that families in Melton are paying more than they should be.”

EASTER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

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What’s on to keep the kids busy these school holidays Easter school holidays are upon us, and after four days of chocolate-egg eating goodness, kids in Melton and Moorabool are sure to have plenty of energy to burn across the fortnight that follows. Luckily, Melton and Moorabool councils are offering a full spread of activities young people can get involved in during the break. In Melton, the library team has an action-packed school holiday program with sensory story time, arts and crafts, cartooning classes, and events to celebrate the 2023 Heritage Festival. Western BACE STEM Squad will also return to the library for some “tech-tastic” activities to challenge even the most cluey of coders. Melton community centres have a range of different programs and events including LEGO building, a rice paper roll workshop, cupcake decorating, painting, yoga and hip-hop classes. Young Communities have a range of free and low cost fun. Design your own T-shirt, go bowling, try African Drumming, learn financial skills or take part in sporting activities. There are also trips to the movies, ArtVo and the theatre. Cobblebank stadium and Caroline Springs leisure centres are open on alternating Wednesdays for three hours of jam-packed fun offering a whole range of sports and activities, Give-aways, mini competitions and prizes. More holiday sports action include The Melton Basketball Association’s 3v3 competition, the Melbourne United Basketball Camp and the Melton Thoroughbred Big V Game. Melton mayor Lara Carli said the holidays are a time “for having fun and making memories”. “Our holiday programme helps busy parents fire up their child’s imagination and exploration skills these school holidays,” she said. “These hands-on activities give every kid a

Cupcake decorating is one of the many activities on offer these school holidays. (iStock)

chance to meet new friends, learn new skills, develop healthy habits and take a break from screens.” In Moorabool, Ballan and Bacchus Marsh libraries have busy holiday programs that celebrate the release of the new Mario movie including Yoshi Egg painting, Mario Kart tournaments, Pipe Craft, and Mario Pixel Art sessions.

Around the shire there are also writing competitions, the Heather Anthony exhibition, and a Children’s Pop-Up event in Egan’s Reserve. Moorabool mayor Rod Ward said there’s an “exciting array” of activities within the municipality. “There are activities for young kids, such as egg painting and crafts, and fun activities for

older kids such as a Mario Kart tournament,” he said. “Parents should keep in mind that our library service’s annual young writers competition is open at the moment, so if kids are at a loose end during the holidays, get them writing and enter this ever-popular local competition.” Event details can be found on each council’s website.

Monday 10 April - Sunday 23 April 10am - 2pm Located in front of Woolworths Join us these school holidays at Woodgrove for a 50’s themed carnival. Enjoy free carnival games like rope toss, basketball and more! For more details visit: woodgrove.com.au

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Police target FPOs A loaded shotgun, ammunition, explosives, various drugs and cash were seized by police during a Firearm Prohibition Orders (FPO) blitz on 17 properties including in Melton and Moorabool on Wednesday, March 29. Targeting FPO holders, the blitz formed part of an operation to disrupt and deter illicit firearms use across the state. Police said cannabis plants were seized from an address in Melton West, and blank driver’s licences and imprinting machines were seized at an address in Darley.

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The Edge Exhibition at CS Gallery Nana Tracy Brown with Jackson and Anne Lamont. (Joe Mastroianni) 325645_01

Stiring up epilepsy help Happy Feet Early Learning Centre, Melton, has spent a week supporting one of its pupils and raising money for the March 26 Purple Day epilepsy fundraiser. Jackson, who attends the kindergarten, has epilepsy as a symptom of a rare genetic condition, and can have up to 17 seizures a day. To show support for Jackson, the Happy Feet community spent the week after Purple Day doing a bake-sale fundraiser. Pupils, teachers, and parents made muffins, rum balls, slices, cookies, brownies and more, which were then offered for sale to parents at pick up time. Proceeds from the sale were donated to the Epilepsy Foundation. Happy Feet early childhood educator Anne Lamont said the kids were “really excited” about the fundraiser. “We sat down and spoke about purple day and why we’re doing it … and they got

really involved and loved it because they love Jackson,” she said. “To be part of it is awesome and to see that things might get better with money and awareness.” Jackson’s mum, Kate Brown, said Happy Feet had shown “amazing” support towards Jackson. “Throughout not only his diagnosis but their ongoing support and willingness to adapt to Jackson’s epilepsy has just been fantastic,” she said. “Jackson’s been going there since he was 9 months old, they’ve seen him go through peaks and troughs … his whole diagnosis and learning with me the entire time. “It’s great that Happy Feet are willing to raise awareness, and the generosity of every parent and every family… It makes a huge difference to families like ours.” Details: https://fundraising. epilepsyfoundation.org.au/event/purple

A new exhibition exploring the precarious but persistent state of nature at the edge of urban growth will opened at CS Galley in Caroline Springs on March 23. The Edge will exhibit works by Alice Duncan, Pie Bolton, Rebecca Mayo and Aunty Vicki Kinai at CS Gallery until July 9. Public artwork by Heather Hesterman will be installed at the Amphitheatre at Melton Botanic Gardens from April 20.

Free hard waste drop-off Moorabool residents are entitled to drop off 1m3 of hard waste to a Moorabool shire transfer station at no cost before June 30, 2023. You must present your rates notice upon entry at the Bacchus Marsh, Ballan or Mt Egerton transfer stations. FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

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E-petition seeks new bus service By Liam McNally An e-petition for a bus connecting Melton to Watergardens station is currently open for signatures on the Victorian Parliament website. The petition is sponsored by Melton MP Steve McGhie and asks for a new bus service that travels along the Melton Highway and through the new suburbs of Bonnie Brook, Plumpton, Aintree, Deanside, Woodlea and Fraser Rise. The principal petitioner is Manjit Singh

Dhillon, a volunteer at Khalsa Shaouni, a popular Sikh Temple that acts as an important cultural and religious gathering place for thousands of members of the Sikh community particularly those in the western suburbs. Mr Dhillon said that the temple gets a few hundred people through its doors during the week, and thousands on weekends. Many regular attendees are older, and can only visit on weekends when family are available to drive them. “If we had a bus service, imagine how many more people could attend,” he said.

Mr Dhillon said that the temple runs its own volunteer bus service that picks people up from nearby suburbs but it can’t meet demand. “We desperately need something to get the elderly out of their homes and keep them a part of the community,” he said. “Personally speaking I think it’s about time and I feel good that at last something has been done.” The petition had 165 signatures at the time of writing, and closes on April 7. Once a petition is finalised Mr McGhie will lodge it with Parliament and send it to Public

Transport Minister Ben Carroll. Mr McGhie voiced his support for the bus service. “As Melton continues to expand, we need to provide adequate public transport services which will allow people access to places of faith, shopping precincts and educational facilities,” he said. “A new public bus service between Melton and Watergardens will allow residents improved and easy access between Melton and Brimbank” Mr Carroll was contacted for comment.

An egg-cellent festival Diggers Rest Football and Netball Club and Diggers Rest Bulla Village Cricket Club hosted the inaugural Diggers Rest Community Festival on Friday, March 31. The rain caused a last minute change of plans to the event, but the hosting clubs still managed to put on an afternoon of free community fun between 5pm and 7pm. The spirit of Easter was alive at the festival with a kid’s Easter egg hunt, and other children’s activities included a petting zoo and face painting, as well as a free sausage sizzle and ice cream. The event had also planned free sport clinics and a 400m “gift” race, which had to be cancelled due to the rain. The event also accepted gold coin donations for the Diggers Rest Lions Club. Diggers Rest Football and Netball Club president Ben Morse said it has been good to be able to get the club back among the community.

“Last year coming out of COVID we’ve had to focus on getting ourselves back up and running, and we haven’t been as inclusive of the community as we’d like to be,” he said. “This was a good opportunity to invite the community down and be around the sporting club and see what we’re all about and put something on for the community. “It’s our little way of putting something on for everyone.” Liam McNally

Mialana, 4 and other attendees pushed through the weather for an event for families to enjoy. (Supplied)

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FEATURING ... MY BUSINESS

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There’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy, and walking the kids to the school won’t feel like a chore at Atherstone, with tree lined walkways. (Pictures: Supplied)

Make the move to tight-knit Atherstone by Lendlease Lendlease has been developing great places to live for over 60 years, so the team knows what it takes to create a thriving community. When you live in Atherstone, you’ll have the flexibility to walk the kids to the school along tree-lined streets and pick up your groceries at the supermarket around the corner. Your front door is just a few 100 metres from a village

playground, a few minutes from the local gym or sporting facility, and only 40 minutes* to Melbourne CBD from Cobblebank train station. It’s a tight-knit neighbourhood that has everything your family needs already available. And there’s even more to come. Atherstone is placed right next to the emerging

Cobblebank CBD, a future Metropolitan Activity Centre offering commercial, civil, education and retail facilities^, as well as the future Melton Hospital^. Buy a land lot and design your dream home, or browse the range of house and land packages and townhouses crafted by Lendlease’s trusted builder partners. There’s a home buying option

to suit everyone. Search atherstone.com.au for more information. Start your dream home journey today. Call 1800 981 644 or email at atherstonecustomerservice@lendlease.com. *Indicative distance sourced from Google Maps. ^Subject to planning approvals.

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ANAIYA AND JANVI

A show to remember Diggers Rest Primary School held its 2000 piece art exhibit on Thursday, March 30. The Great Glow Show art exhibit included work from all pupils at the school. Diggers Rest art teacher, Taryn Paterra said she wanted to create a glow in the dark disco cave with fluorescent works of art. “The kids [entered] four pieces of art each, with 3D glow worms, disco balls, neo clay sculptures, paintings and more,” Ms Paterra said. “We have over 400 kids … so the event [featured] over 2000 art pieces.” This art exhibition will be the final celebration of the art room before it gets demolished and the class moves into the new art room in the specialist hub. Diggers Rest Primary pupils were proud to show their pieces for the exhibition. (Pictures: Damjan Janevski) 325779

HARLYN AND ETHAN

IVY, HOPE, RUBY AND NOEL

ISAIAH

Emma Bäcklund U&I Label Torquay, Great Ocean Road Our swimwear takes inspiration from the colours of the Great Ocean Road coastline. We wanted to create a women’s surf culture, with timeless designs for female surfers and everyday women. You can go from one world-class wave to another along this coast. There aren’t many other places like it.

Stay close, go further. VISIT GREAT OCEAN ROAD

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Tuesday, 4 April, 2023 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 11

BEHIND THE NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

‘‘

There’s a lot of other strengths that we have that really make us unique and really powerful individuals

’’

- Matthew Le Nepveu

Tilly after a little athletics competition, and right, Mathew Le Nepveu. (Pictures: Supplied)

Learning to understand autism April 2 is annually recognised as Autism Awareness Day, but since the day’s inception in 2007, there has been a push to move away from awareness and focus on understanding, as Zoe Moffatt discovers.

hen 11-year-old Tilly learnt she had autism, she remembers feeling relieved. The Bacchus Marsh girl was diagnosed when she was eight years old but wasn’t told about the diagnosis for one year. She remembers feeling frustrated with herself on the day she learnt she had autism. “I was getting really upset because I was getting mad at myself for some reason,” she said. “[When I was told] I felt relieved.” Tilly, who plays the piano, goes to swimming lessons and wins little athletics competitions in her spare time, said she wished there were a few things people understood about autism. “I want people to know that telling someone that they don’t look autistic isn’t a compliment,” she said. “I mean, how is an autistic person supposed to look and is it that bad? It’s called a hidden disability for a reason, because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.” For Mathew Le Nepveu, 25, who was diagnosed with autism when he was four years old, autism means a different way of thinking. “I think autism makes an individual special,” he said. “For myself, I have my struggles, but I also have my strengths … I feel like in certain areas … I’m a lot more passionate or more determined. “I feel like being autistic is a way of thinking differently and being passionate, and I think that’s something that can be really celebrated.” Since leaving school Mathew has moved to Ballarat from his home in Woodend, and currently works for IBM after getting hired through a neurodiversity company. Mathew said he felt people misunderstood his diagnoses as a weakness. “I think for me personally, what I always kind of thought people got wrong about me was that … being autistic was a weakness,” he said. “I think a lot of people thought just because 12 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 4 April, 2023

Macedon Ranges Autism Network president Fiona Le Nepveu. (Damjan Janevsk) 325392_04

I struggle a bit with eye contact or face-to-face chatting … those soft skills … it can be taken [that I’m] not as good as someone that’s not on the spectrum. “It’s pleasing to see that people are sort of flipping the table on that, and realising that there’s a lot of other strengths that we have that really make us unique and really powerful individuals.” Matthew said since growing older, he has become more comfortable with his diagnosis. “I’m not shy to admit that I’m autistic,” he said. “I used to be [shy about it] as a little kid to be honest, but I think now I feel more comfortable with talking about that, and being identified as someone who’s on the spectrum.” Matthew’s mother, Fiona Le Nepveu, lives in Woodend and is the president of the Macedon Ranges Autism Network.

‘‘

Parenting an autistic child … is a different set of skills and supporting parents is really important - Fiona Le Nepveu

’’

Before Matthew was diagnosed, Fiona said she knew a little bit about autism through her work as an occupational therapist. “Matthew as a baby developed OK for a little while … until he was about 18 months old,” Fiona said. “He essentially stopped talking and retreated into his own world, I guess is the best way to say it.” Matthew’s diagnosis came a few years later

and Fiona and her husband were invited to be a part of a 20-week education program. “We [would] have individual sessions and group sessions, and that taught us so much about what autism was and how we could support Matthew.” Fiona went on to meet other parents whose children had been diagnosed and from that the Macedon Ranges Autism Network was born. Through this network and support groups, Fiona said she would still like to see more awareness of autism, along with understanding. “I think we still have to push that awareness and I guess, awareness and understanding can come together,“ she said. Fiona said tat having great awareness and understanding will help people to know that while autism can exacerbate feelings of anxiety, depression and worry, they are separate diagnoses with different treatments. “If we understand autism, then we can understand that anxiety is actually a separate treatable condition, depression is a separate treatable condition, and we do need to support all of those different diagnoses,“ she said. “If we make just simple accommodations and understanding, then the world doesn’t have to be as [much as] a scary or confronting place. “Autistic people have so much to offer.” Fiona said she wanted to highlight the importance of educating and supporting parents and carers of children with autism. “The evidence is that if you educate parents, and if you provide support to parents when children are young, that the outcomes for the whole family are better and there’s really good research and evidence around that,” she said. “Parenting an autistic child … is a different set of skills and supporting parents is really important.” Details: https://www.autismspectrum.org. au/

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

NEWS

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

25 years ago

20 years ago

15 years ago

April 7, 1993

April 1, 1998

April 1, 2003

April 1, 2008

Bacchus Marsh council has applied to the Housing Department for a demolition order to pull down an old miner’s cottage which nearby residents say has become a potential death trap for local children.

Underbank Lodge, the historic 153-hectare horse stud overlooking the Western Highway near Bacchus Marsh, has been sold.

Sixty new staff might be employed at Djerriwarrh Health Services (DjHS) during the next five years to provide new health services, health professionals from Melton and Bacchus Marsh heard at a meeting last Wednesday.

The Victorian Electoral Commission has recommended that Melton Shire be split into three wards, two represented by two councillors, and the other by three.

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30 years ago

Tuesday, 4 April, 2023 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 13

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Sustainability key for local news Local print newspapers like Star Weekly may survive the onslaught of online media. A national report into local news sustainability is challenging the perception that print newspapers are dead. The report is calling on governments to revise their advertising rules to help local news providers and better target regional and rural communities. “Local and regional newspapers continue to play a significant role for local communities,” said Star News Group managing director Paul Thomas. “They provide a voice, an opportunity for informed public debate and hold the powerful to account. “Star News Group is proud to continue to provide quality local news with balance and fairness but the conditions are tough.” The report Media Innovation and the Civic Future of Australia’s Country Press made 22 recommendations. The finding was the culmination of a three-year Australian Research Council project, led by Deakin University. Deakin partnered with Country Press Australia, the nation’s peak local news lobby, and RMIT University.

‘‘

We found people in many regional and rural towns and cities were passionate about their local mastheads but rejected an over-reliance on syndicated content

’’

- Kristy Hess

Project lead Professor Kristy Hess, of Deakin’s School of Communications and Creative Arts, said the project’s aim was to examine the local media landscape to identify challenges and opportunities for sustainability and innovation. “We wanted to examine the challenges facing small-town news providers given the commentary in recent years about the crisis they are facing in Australia and across the world,” she said. This was the first comprehensive report of its kind in Australia and its recommendations provide a blueprint to preserve and grow rural and regional news for future generations. Country Press Australia president Andrew Manuel said the Media Innovation and the Civic Future of Australia’s Country Press report should be seen as a beginning and not an end. Mr Manuel said the report highlights the essential role local papers play in serving their communities and delivering civic journalism. “This is arguably the most comprehensive study of our industry ever undertaken and the report stands as a beacon for government, for policy makers and for the community to take the appropriate and necessary actions to ensure newspapers can continue to play such a vital role,” he said. The study began at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic resulted in the temporary or permanent closure of dozens of local mastheads across Australia and a shift among some to digital-only platforms. “The first thing we did was conduct a major national survey to find out what people valued about their local mastheads,” Professor Hess said. “We found people in many regional and rural towns and cities were passionate about their local mastheads but rejected an over-reliance on syndicated content, in print and digital, sourced from neighbouring areas or other parts of the country.” The research team conducted two main national surveys – one with local news audiences and one with those who do not 14 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 4 April, 2023

Professor Kristy Hess with a copy of her report.

engage with local news. There were 35 interviews with Australian news editors and proprietors and seven interpretive focus groups with editors, journalists and advertising managers within the Country Press Australia network. One key finding was the strain on local mastheads hit with lost revenue from local, state and federal government advertising. Advertising in recent years has prioritised social media and metropolitan news outlets with a larger digital reach. “Our research found there is this obsession with digital reach,” Professor Hess said. “That’s all well and good, but a local masthead, whether in print or online, isn’t designed to reach one million people. “If we use the digital reach metric as an indicator as to which news outlets should get government advertising, these independent regional and rural outlets are going to lose out every time. The report supports a recent Parliamentary Inquiry recommendation that stipulates 20 per cent of all federal government advertising expenditure be directed to regional and rural news organisations. “Communities without a newspaper rarely have a platform that enables them to be fully informed,” Mr Thomas said. “They no longer have professionally trained journalists providing balance and seeking out the details. “They become reliant on social media which has no balance, and most often simply coughs up someone else’s bias.”

Data from the study also showed government funding schemes for local news outlets were often tied to digital innovation. Funding is often given to buy drones and other technologies. The report describes a ‘digital shiny things bias’ towards digital innovation at the expense of supporting initiatives that may be most beneficial to rural and regional audiences. A greater appreciation for place-based

public interest journalism and the need for collaboration among publishers were other key findings. While what local news providers needed was financial support to upgrade print infrastructure or to hire more staff. Professor Hess said print is not dead for many regional and rural communities. “We need to remember there is a digital divide in Australia that means some communities still struggle with poor-quality and unreliable Internet connections. “Some segments of the community, including older citizens, find it difficult to use newer technologies. “Younger audiences also like the look of a printed newspaper.” The report also recommends better incentives, including pay, to attract seasoned reporters to the regions. Governments are also urged to provide seed funding for journalist-led news start-ups to counteract local “news deserts” developing in some parts of Australia. “Our research shows people in these communities want more local news content, including stories on locals’ achievements, successes and milestones. “They also want news on local events and more investigative-type pieces.” Mr Manuel noted that regional newspapers are unique in their ability to give readers an insight into their close community. “Our members continue to provide the local and civic news that readers crave more than ever, often as the only local media outlet serving a particular region,” he said. “Coming out of the pandemic, many publishers have reported a strong revival in their readership, underpinned by a focus on hyper-local and unique news that has been a common denominator of country papers since their inception.” The research also found there is more capacity for regional and rural news providers to develop collaborative advocacy and solutions-style reporting campaigns that address important rural and regional issues that span multiple communities. Mr Thomas said the state government is very supportive of the industry, ensuring important government communications are “provided to local communities through the local newspapers”. However he stipulates that this dedication is not reflected in the federal government, who place their announcements solely online. “Government messages can easily be misconstrued online or end up next to inappropriate material,” he said. “We call on the federal government to ensure that they provide information to local communities across appropriate platforms and commit to the recommendations of this report by Deakin.” The report was launched at a national event in Melbourne on March 23.

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

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

Melton Men’s Group Melton Men’s Group meet every Thursday from 5pm to 8pm at Arnolds Creek Children’s and Community Centre, 19 Claret Ash Boulevard, Harkness. Focusing on Senior Men’s mental and physical wellbeing. Join the group for a cuppa and a chat, listen to guest speakers and participate in activities including carpet bowls, pool or table tennis. ■ meltonmensgroup.home.blog

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

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

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

The photographer’s choice this week is Diggers Rest Primary School ‘Great Glow Show’ featuring teacher Taryn Paterra with students Kodi and Skye.

Melton Bridge Club

Melton Friendship Group.

Community singing group

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

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

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

can book into Perform CPR (HLTAID009), Provide First Aid (HLTAID011) or Provide an Emergency First Aid Response in an Education & Care Setting (HLTAID012). For enrolments and more information, including prices, times and course components, call the centre. ■ 9747 8576

Rotary Club of Melton

Power-saving bonus

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

Melton South Community Centre is here to help anybody wanting to apply for the Victorian Government’s $250 Power Saving Bonus payment. Free 30-minute appointments are available on Wednesday afternoons; call the centre for available dates and times. ■ 9747 8576

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

(Damjan Janevski) 325782_01

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

Melton Combined Probus Club

Melton Trauma Teddies

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

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

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

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

U3A Melton

Melton Cycling Club

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

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

Zonta club meets

Boomerang Bags Bacchus Marsh Boomerang Bags Bacchus Marsh make reusable shopping bags from rescued fabric. They need people to cut, sew, iron and market our bags. The group meets on the first Sunday each month at Darley Neighbourhood House 2pm-5pm. Find out more details on Facebook group their website. ■ https://63ec55b8628d6.site123.me/

First Aid Courses Melton South Community Centre is now taking enrolments for First Aid courses running on Saturday April 1. People needing to obtain or renew a certificate

Melton Gardening group The Melton South Community Centre’s gardening group meets on the 4th Thursday of each month, and is always on the hunt for new volunteers. Work together to maintain and cultivate the centre’s Community Garden area, and enjoy seeing your efforts pay off. ■ Trinity, 9361 9300 or contact the centre on 9747 8576

Garden Club Bacchus Marsh and District Garden Club meets on the second Tuesday of each month except January. 7.30pm at The Laurels, 229 Main Street Bacchus Marsh. Guest speakers and supper provided. Yearly membership $15. New members welcome. ■ Michelle, 0421 106 268 Tuesday, 4 April, 2023 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 15

PUZZLES SUDOKU

No. 127

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.

7 4

8 5

9 3 8 5 1 3 9

6 1 1 3 2 8 9

7 5

6 medium

3 4 7 5 2 6

DECODER

No. 127

1 3 4 7

9 7 6 2

1 9 6

6 7 8 9 2 9 3

7 hard

1 9

10 11 12 13

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

C X 17

ALIBI ALLOT ARENA AROMA BASIC BASIL BONED BUFFS CYSTS DEATH DOILY DRESS EASEL EERIE ENDER ENEMA ERASE ERODE FLEES GRIPS HOSES

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

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

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

Today’s Aim: 6 words: Good 9 words: Very good

L C

4 LETTERS BEES BOOS DILL DOES ERAS FORT KISS LASS PANS PAWS RODE SACK TAGS TRAP

8 LETTERS EMPTIEST INTENSER REDEFINE TERMINAL

Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down.

In the human body, which organ stores bile before it is released into the small intestine?

In which country would you find the worlds only alpine parrot, the kea?

Is denim made from cotton or polyester?

NOTE: more than one solution may be possible

The Boer War took place in the area that is now what country?

What is geochronology?

Who did artist Salvador Dalí collaborate with on the films Un Chien Andalou and L’Age d’Or?

In what year was the first King James Bible published: 1522, 1611, 1619 or 1699?

Clint Eastwood (pictured) first found fame in his role as Rowdy Yates in which 1960s TV series?

C T

O C A L L I B I I V A L

F A R

16 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 4 April, 2023

6 LETTERS ADEPTS ADULTS CASINO STRINE

Which species has a larger nest, bumblebees or honey bees?

C K S

7 LETTERS POISONS RENEWAL REPLETE REREADS RESPOND TENDONS

No. 127

TEPEE TONES TREES TWEET ULTRA USERS VIPER

07-04-23

IGLOO KNIFE LLAMA LOINS OVERS PASTE PETAL PIANO PLANE RARER RATES RESET RUMPS SEEDS SLEWS SPATS STEEP STEER STRIP TAMED TENET

ally, call, clan, clay, cynical, CYNICALLY, inlay, lacy, laic, lain, lilac, lily, nail

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No. 127

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5 LETTERS ADORE

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Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

13 words: Excellent

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

WORDFIT

QUICK QUIZ

10 The high-speed railway lines of Japan are known by what name? ANSWERS: 1. Honey bees 2. New Zealand 3. South Africa 4. The science of dating rocks 5. 1611 6. Rawhide 7. Gall bladder 8. Cotton 9. Luis Buñuel 10. Shinkansen

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Surgical instrument (7) Tableland (7) Reference book of Roget (9) Mock assault (5) Dining (6) Table of days (8) Clear river bed (6) Dispense, allot (4) Skulk (4) Association (6) Ponder (8) Long-distance racehorse (6) Latin (5) Users (9) Manors (7) Garments (7)

No. 127

Diaries (8) Old stringed instrument (4) Corridor (10) Anglo-saxon king, – the Great (6) Miscreant, malefactor (8) Inverted (8) Cheating on a spouse (9) From the menu (1,2,5) Convey from here to there (8) Travelling bag (8) Type of finch (6) Hose (6) Outer parts of loaves (6) Bitter quarrel (4)

3 4 5 6

ACROSS 1 5 9

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QUICK CROSSWORD

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

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ing Melton

and Moo

rabool 22 NOVE

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AL EDITIO

MBER, 2022

SIG N U P

NOW!

Castle ba in busine ck ss

Kryal Castl e chief

executive Bart

Hamilton. (Damj

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Highway

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By Liam

6_05

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upgrade

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pledge

Labor has Melton coun business casepledged $10 milli on federal gove cil has been callin if it wins to upgrade the Wes dollars for a Our Road rnments to help g on state and Novembe the state election tern Highway s’ camp critical need fund in its r 26. State Tran aign. ” on Satur ‘Fix Last week In October for Melton commute day, Jacin sport Infra , the the Liber ta Allan structure announce state al Party rs. said a Minister million to upgrade governme d major arter re-elected commitm it would match Labor party part of a nt will the Western pledged $700 ial ent from and $1.5 billio Labo “More than road to standard. deliver improved federal Laboa $10 million in the year. n west road Highway, as safer road r elected. 5000 peop traffic Melton. “We Fix Our r made earli s package, The busin Melt ’re doing flow for families s er bette if our com Roads petition le have signed the what matt r road in pleas on mayor Lara and I’d like munity for along the ess case would explo ers, delivering Carli ed with Labo to safer,” she s to get Victorians stretch of re the r’s election said council is important to them showing all parti thank hom Melton throu that said. need Western e sooner and there s es what com behind the . Ther High Melt case will is more work need mitment, but The Westerngh to Caroline Sprin way from High on MP Steve McG campaign e’s still time to ’s provide a everyone ed. “A busin gs. get way was Highway hie and I’d said the Wes upgrade and to add their clear ess is one of the a “crit encourag voice “We look tern future-pro direction on how e six roads candidate for Koro ical road link” forward to . of this high to the . Labor of Australia’s faste said the busin roit Luba State and working way in one st growing “While Grig ess case woul closely Fede election d help addrorovitch not deliv we acknowledge areas,” she said. to ensure ral governments after with ess “the this er Melton get key for, it is an the critical upgrades funding will the attention roads in the City the important of they deser first step we’re asking ■ ve.” in bringing More Fix Our Road this s coverage : Page 5

Melton

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Toyota

143-147 High Stre et, Melton T: 03 874 6 LMCT 197 0300 6 meltontoy ota.com .au

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Melton Australia PostOffice 340 High Street

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Melton Allan Mance Holden 1 Holland Drive

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Brookfield Lifestyle Brookfield 111-139 Coburns Road

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Melton Sweeney Real Estate 266 High Street

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Darley Pharmasave Darley Pharmacy Shop Shop 5, 151 Gisborne Road (Darley Plaza Shopping Centre)

• •

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Darley My Little Mates Convenience Store Shop 12, 151 Gisborne Road (Darley Plaza Shopping Centre)

Bacchus Marsh UFS Pharmacy 25-27 Grant Street

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Bacchus Marsh Bellbrook Gardens Country Club 168 Underbank Boulevard

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Melton Library 31 McKenzie Street

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Melton Country Club 28-30 Reserve Road

Melton Advance Stationers 283 High Street

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Melton Indoor Sports Centre 65 Reserve Road

Melton Raine and Horne Real Estate 289 High Street

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Melton Coles 11 Station Street (Melton Station Square)

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Melton Lotto 293 High Street

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Melton Lee Merchants 29 Wallace Square

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Melton Harcourts Real Estate 306 High Street

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Melton South Woolworths Supermarket Opalia 179-253 Exford Road

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Melton Professionals Real Estate 317 High Street

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Melton South Yes Yes Indian Supermarket 201 Exford Road

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Melton Freddy’s Fruit & Veg 393 High Street

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Melton South Hume Milk Bar 55 Hume Avenue

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Darley Champions IGA Grey Street

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Darley Moorabool Shire 182 Halletts Way

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Bacchus Mart Indian Grocery Store shop 47&48/ 160 Main Street

Darley Bacchus Marsh Gold Club Links Road

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Darley Vans Milk Bar 1 Sheldon Ave

Bacchus Marsh Village UFS Pharmacy 66/160-192 Main Street

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Diggers Rest Pharmacy 2 Farm Road

•

Melton Toyota 143-147 High Street

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Melton YPA Real Estate 272-274 High Street

Melton South Shell Coles Express 1-9 Station Road ( Cnr Brooklyn Rd )

Bacchus Marsh Sweeney Real Estate 153 Main Street

Diggers Rest FoodWorks 22 Glitter Road

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Melton Amcal Pharmacy 308-312 High Street

Melton South MGS Melton 8B Station Road

Bacchus Marsh Australia Post Office shop 6/ 176 Main Street

Diggers Rest Post Office 76 Old Calder Highway

•

Gordon Post Office 65 Main Street

•

Morgans Supa IGA 335-345 High Street

Melton South Australia Post Office shop 9/ 11-17 Station Road

Melton MGS Melton 358 High Street

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Melton South Station Square Shopping Centre 25 Station Road

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Bacchus Marsh Stockdale and Leggo Real Estate 191 Main Street

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Harkness Foodworks 17 Claret Ash Boulevard

Bacchus Marsh Milk Bar the Avenue 208 Main Street

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Hillside Foodworks 595 Melton Highway

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Melton Pharmacy Superstore 383-385 High Street

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Melton West Melton Indian Grocery Store 533-555 High Street ( Woodgrove SC )

Bacchus Marsh Bacchus Marsh Information Centre 215 Main Street

•

Hillside United Petroleum Hillside 821-899 Melton Highway

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Melton NQR Melton 405-407 High Street

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Melton West Your Chemist Shop 533-555 High Street ( Woodgrove SC )

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Bacchus Marsh The Village Shopping Centre Main Street

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Keilor Park Star Weekly Office Unit 6/1-9 Thomson Road (Cnr Keilor Park Drive)

Melton FoodWorks Shop 1, 415-429 High Street

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Melton West Australia Post Office Shop 80 / 533-555 High Street ( Woodgrove SC )

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Bacchus Marsh Laurels Education & Training 229 Main Street

Melton Woodgrove Shopping Centre 533-555 High Street

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Kurunjang Kirkton Drive Milk Bar 203 Gisborne - Melton Road

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Myriong Plough Inn Hotel/Motel 17 Main Street

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Kurunjang Village Store 51 Kurunjang Drive

Melton EGF Solution - Woodgrove Shopping Centre Shop R30A, 533-555 High Street

Rockbank Newsagency 1157 Leakes Road

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Maddingley Bacchus Marsh West Golf Club Bacchus Marsh-Ballan Road

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Melton Woolworths Supermarket 523-531 High Street (Coburns Shopping Centre)

•

Taylors Hill Gilson College 450 Taylors Road

•

Toolern Vale General Store 1486 Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road

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0409 888 228 12469374-CG46-20

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Melton Tree & Stump Removals ฀

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

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Specialising in ✔ Pergolas and deckings ✔ Fencing ✔ Framing ✔ Home Renovations Free Quotes

SAIDA’S PAINTING

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G6638978

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REBLOCKING & UNDERPINNING

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12479887-JW04-21

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UÊ- i`ÃÊUÊ iÜÊ iÃÊUÊ >VÌ À iÃÊUÊ /6 UÊ >Õ ÌÊ,i«> ÀÃÊUÊ Ê } Ì }ÊUÊ,i Û>Ì ÃÊUÊ-Ü ÌV Ê >À`Ã UÊ-Ì ÛiÊEÊ"Ûi Ê,i«> ÀÃÊUÊ Ü Ê } ÌÃÊUÊ > ÃÊUÊ* ÜiÀÊ* ÌÃ UÊ-iVÕÀ ÌÞÊ } Ì }ÊUÊ/6Ê* ÌÃÊUÊ ÀiiÊ+Õ ÌiÃ UÊ* iÊEÊ >Ì>Ê* ÌÃÊEÊ

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ROSSCO ENGINEERING AND SALES

1229835-ACM22-16

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13 Reddrop St, Bacchus Marsh PH: 5367 1141 AH: 0418 301 841 www.rosscoengineering.com.au

18 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 4 April, 2023

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

Call Joe 0498 375 094 - 7 days

David: 0425 811 882 Ash: 0403 619 333 17 Years Guarantee 10% Pensioner Discount Council Permit Supplied Computer Levelling

NICK’S RE-BLOCKING SERVICE

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

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Call Troy 0436 411 12581422-HC49-22 867

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Notice of an Application for Planning Permit The land affected by the application is located at:

4 Wedge-Tailed Court STRATHTULLOH LOT: 110 PS: 502630S V/F: 10729/084

The application is for a permit to:

Use and development of the land for the purposes of a dwelling and variation of a restrictive covenant (Instrument No. AC154812J)

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The applicant for the permit is:

Draft Comps Services

The application reference number is:

PA2022/8180/1

You may look at the application and any documents that support the application at the ofﬁce of the Responsible Authority or alternatively at: www.melton.vic.gov. au/apa

Melton City Council Civic Centre 232 High Street MELTON VIC 3337

This can be done during ofﬁce hours and is free of charge. Any person who may be affected by the granting of the permit may object or make other submissions to the responsible authority. An objection must: • be sent to the Responsible Authority in writing, • include the reasons for the objection, and • state how the objector would be affected. The Responsible Authority will not decide on the application before.

18th April 2023

12597687-HC14-23

TD CARPENTRY

12593192-AI10-23

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T HE U LTIMATE F ENCE F ACTORY

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12532110-SG03-22

Pergolas • Decks • Retaining Walls • Renovations • Landscaping

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

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12568118-AV37-22

CONTRACTING

Very diverse in all aspects of specialised property services

12588416-SN06-23

12486015-NG11-21

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12402755-RA44-18

12533274-HC09-22

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SPORTS QUIZ 1. Volleyball has been a part of the Summer Olympic Games since which year? 2. Following that, in which year was beach volleyball introduced?

5. Awer Mabil and which fellow Socceroos teammate scored in the first half of Australia's international friendly against Ecuador on Friday?

15. Which TV host came under fire for making a border security joke about South Australia?

3. Who won the AFL's NAB Rising Star award last year?

6. Which Women's Premier League cricket team took out the championship?

17. How many years had it been since Carlton beat a reigning premier team prior to their win against the Cats in round two?

4. 2017 was which female tennis player's last win at the Australian Open?

Sam Kerr

16. Where were the 2010 Winter Olympics held?

7. The Browns and the Cavaliers play out of which US city in the NFL and NBA respectively?

18. In which year did Sam Kerr become the captain of the Matildas?

8. How many sets of brothers took the field at the same time in Geelong's loss to Carlton in the second round of the AFL season? 9. When did the Parramatta Eels last win an NRL premiership? 10. Which A-League Men's team has won the most titles?

19. Rafael Nadal recently dropped out of the top 10 for the first time after how many weeks?

24. Which national team did Japan defeat 3-2 to win the 2023 World Baseball Classic?

20. Which surfing star announced they would be retiring after the World Surf League event at Bell’s Beach?

25. Which Japanese player was awarded Tournament MVP of the 2023 World Baseball Classic?

21. Which team did Townsville Fire defeat to win the 2022-23 WNBL Championship?

11. What is considered to be the national sport of Australia? 12. In basketball, what is a triple double? 13. Lleyton Hewitt is married to which former Home and Away star? 14. Where did the sport curling originate from?

26. Australian basketballer Jock Landale last played for which NBA team?

22. Which US-born Townsville Fire player won the Grand Final MVP Award?

27. The Final Four stage of the NCAA Division I women’s basketball tournament is set to be held in which US city?

23. Sydney Roosters player Joseph Sua’ali’i has signed to play with which Super Rugby team at the end of the 2024 NRL season?

28. A 2023 match between which two AFL teams had to be suspended for more than 30 minutes due to a March 24 power outage?

29. And a 2023 match between which two Super Netball teams had to be abandoned due to a March 25 power outage? 30. Which Canadian basketballer was selected with the first pick in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers?

Awer Mabil 0704

1. 1964 in Tokyo 2. 1996 in Atlanta 3. Nick Daicos 4. Serena Williams 5. Jackson Irvine 6. Mumbai Indians 7. Cleveland 8. Three (Tom and Sam de Koning, Cam and Zach Guthrie, Charlie and Ed Curnow) 9. 1986 10. Sydney FC (five) 11. Cricket 12. When a player scores 10 or more in three different categories 13. Bec Hewitt 14. Scotland 15. Mick Molloy 16. Vancouver, Canada 17. 13 18. 2019 19. 912 Weeks 20. Owen Wright 21. Southside Flyers 22. Tianna Hawkins 23. New South Wales Waratahs 24. United States 25. Shohei Ohtani 26. Phoenix Suns 27. Dallas, Texas 28. Brisbane Lions and Melbourne 29. Adelaide Thunderbirds and New South Wales Swifts 30. Andrew Wiggins V

Public Notices and Event

CLASSIFIEDS EARLY DEADLINES EASTER Classiﬁed deadlines for Tuesday, 11th April issue of the Melton Moorabool Star Weekly as follows:

Optus plans to upgrade the telecommunications facilities at the below mentioned address with the addition of new 5G equipment: 559 Coburn Road, MELTON WEST VIC 3337 (RFNSA: 3337011) The proposed upgrade consists of: • Installation of new headframe • Replacement of three (3) existing panel antennas with three (3) new panel antennas (each is not more than 2.8m long) • Installation of six (6) new panel antennas (each is not more than 0.8m long) • Replacement of six (6) existing RRUs with six (6) new RRUs • Installation, relocation and removal of ancillary equipment including RRU’s, antenna mounts, feeders, cabling, combiners, and other associated equipment; and • Works within the existing equipment shelter Optus regards the proposed installations as Low-impact Facilities under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 ("The Determination") based on the descriptions above. In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposals. Further information and/or comments should be directed to: Sophie Deng or 0427 459 605, or via the Service Stream Wireless Consultation inbox at Optus.submissions@servicestream.com.au or Zenith Centre, Level 3, Tower B, 821 Paciﬁc Highway, Chatswood NSW 2167, by 5pm, Monday 24 April 2023. If you would like to know more about this sites, further information can be obtained from www.rfnsa.com.au

THURSDAY 6th APRIL at 1.30pm

Farmhand, organic vegetable farm

12596546-ET13-23

PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE OPTUS MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION AT MELTON WEST WITH 5G

General Classifieds

Located in Keilor, Day's Walk Farm supplies vegetables to restaurants, independent grocers & our farmers market stall. Looking for applicants who enjoy outdoor work. $27 per hour Contact: Paul Miragliotta 0407 085 370 dayswalkfarm.com.au

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ADVERTISE with us and get better results

General Classifieds Adult Services

Rainbow Club 12561969-JC32-22

$110/ 30mins Open 7 days 48 Davies Avenue, Sunshine North 9364 0770 SWA6566B

For Sale

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

12598019-ET14-23

Massage Therapists

Positions Vacant

Excavator Operator Loader Operator and Labourer required.

Employment

PAINTER

Pets & Services

ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE Anyone advertising a puppy, dog, kitten or cat in Victoria for sale or re-homing will need a source number from the Pet Exchange Register and a microchip identiﬁcation number. It is now an offence to advertise unless the source number and microchip identiﬁcation number is included in the advertisement or notice. For further information, call 136 186 or visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au

ADVERTISERS, in this secV Tuition tion are qualified practitioners and offer nonA TEACHER Available for sexual services. tutoring. Mathematics, Science, Chemistry, Chinese and Japanese. Phone 0418 871 203

DISCRIMINATION IN ADVERTISING IS UNLAWFUL

Contact Norm after 5pm for further details:

Weighbridge Operator

RELAXATION MASSAGE 7 days, 10am - 8pm. St Albans. Phone 0458 891 066 or 0438 842 866.

CALL 1300 666 808

Professional

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

Duties include greasing, maintenance and adhoc.

0428 568 004

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

Massage Therapists

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

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Motoring V

Motor Vehicles

NEW STAFF? Fill your position online www.networkclassiﬁeds.com.au

Wrecking

FREE CAR REMOVAL

Positions Vacant

NEED 12565959-HC35-22

Positions Vacant

OPERATORS/ LABOURER /WEIGHBRIDGE OPERATOR

12423634-SN31-19

Employment

MG ZS ESSENCE 2018 Diamond red SUV auto sunroof & tinted windows. 4 tyres. 12 month rego IMW-IPN. 75,000 ks. One owner, full service history. $18,900. Contact Tony 0418 338 611 MAZDA 2012 BT50, tray, 2600x180, ladder racks, tow bar and nudge bar, steps, one with the lot, 2.2 turbo diesel, 6 speed, 6 months reg, RWC, will not fault, 265.000kms, $13,000 ono, IUZ 2TN, Phone 0425 775 955

Pay up to $500 for most cars Dead or Alive

12321532-HM36-16

General Notices

LMCT 10268W

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

0435 904 818

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Tuesday, 4 April, 2023 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 19

MOTOR STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Mazda CX-30 is a quality drive By Alistair Kennedy, Marque Motoring The Mazda CX-30 is a small-medium SUV that squeezes into the space between the company’s original SUVs, the compact CX-3 and the mid-sized CX-5. Between them, these three vehicles accounted for around 55 per cent of total Mazda sales in 2022 and were a major factor in the brand being locked solidly into second place behind Toyota in total sales. Adding to the mix is the MX-30 which shares the same platform as the CX-30, but with a sleeker design. All models have an EV component, either petrol/electric hybrid or pure electric. The CX-30 comes with five equipment levels, in ascending order: Pure, Evolve, Touring, Astina and Touring SP. Prices range from $30,210 for a manual Pure FWD through to $48,310 for an X20 Astina AWD mild hybrid. On-road costs need to be added.

Styling CX-30 has quite a conservative design which is likely to appeal more to owners at the older end of the age-scale. Our test car was Snowflake White, one of eight colour choices, and it didn’t really do justice to the look of the car compared to some of the brighter options. The shape of the CX-30 is similar to the Mazda3 hatch but taller, more ground clearance and a sportier profile that’s almost coupe like. At the front there are swooping headlamps flanking a large black version of the current Mazda family grille with an attractive textured fill. All variants get daytime running lights, LED in the Astina, halogen in the others The CX-30 Pure that we tested came with 16-inch alloy wheels, all higher-grade models roll on 18s. At the rear there are wraparound tail-lights, small roof spoiler, twin exhaust pipes and more black plastic in the bumper. Eight colours are available, three of which are metallic are costed options.

Interior Entry is relatively easy and the seats are supportive and comfortable. The steering wheel is height and reach adjustable and, even in the base level Pure, has leather wrapping as does the gear lever. The dashboard isn’t as expansive as others in the segment but is well laid out with an8.8-inch screen embedded into the top of the dash. A big plus for us is the use of physical knobs for adjusting air conditioning and audio breaking away from the growing trend of locating these in the screen. Pure and Evolve have black cloth seats, the others have two different grades of leather as well as an optional pure white. Pure has manual front seats, all others have 10-way powered adjustment for the driver. Versatile storage includes a good-sized centre console, and a space below the fascia thanks to the uptake of an electric parking brake, plus big door bins. In the back, CX-30 has good headroom but legroom for taller passenger could be a problem. The smallish centre-rear seat is not unusual in this size class in that it’s hampered for footroom by the central tunnel.

Infotainment The 8.8-inch centre screen - note that it’s not a touchscreen - in the CX-30 has sharp resolution and has the new Mazda Connect system controlled by a rotary dial and accompanying buttons, situated on the centre console. It’s large enough and within easy reach of the driver to minimise the amount of time taken away from looking at the road ahead. The system engages Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth pairing and DAB+ digital radio. All variants get satellite navigation. There are two USB sockets in the centre storage box.

Safety Mazda has a long-standing and admirable 20 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 4 April, 2023

AT A GLANCE MODEL RANGE 2.0 G20 Pure FWD: $30,210 (manual), $31,210 (automatic) 2.0 G20 Evolve FWD: $32,910 (automatic) 2.0 G20e Evolve M FWD: $36,660 (automatic) 2.0 G20 Touring FWD: $36,810 (automatic) 2.0 G20 Touring SP FWD: $38,610 (automatic) CX-30 is built to Mazda’s usual high quality. (Pictures: Suppiled)

focus on safety and this continues in the CX-30 which achieved one of the highest ANCAP crash scores to date, with 99 per cent in adult occupant protection. All variants come with a comprehensive list of safety features including seven airbags, autonomous emergency braking in both forward and reverse, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with stop/go, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, rear parking sensors, reversing camera and an advanced speed assist system. The higher-spec models add surround-view cameras, cruising and traffic support (traffic jam assist), front cross-traffic alert, driver monitoring and front parking sensors

Driving The 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine misses the sharpness of the turbocharger that a number of its competitors provide. On the positive side, the six-speed automatic works smoothly with the power and torque available

to it. Mazda’s new-generation Skyactiv Vehicle Architecture contributes towards excellent ride quality and interior sound levels. Coarse-chip surfaces do increase noise levels although not to the same extent as others in this class. Handling is accurate and the steering wheel provides the right amount of feedback. Cornering is accurate enough, but this is not a sports sedan, and is certainly not planned to be one. Fuel consumption on our test route sat in the nine to ten litres per hundred kilometres in suburban, motorway and rural segments. It dropped to just over the claimed 6.5 L/100km.

2.5 G25 Touring FWD: $38,310 (automatic) 2.5 G25 Touring SP FWD: $40,110 (automatic) 2.0 G20 Astina FWD: $41,810 (automatic) 2.5 G25 Astina FWD: $43,310 (automatic) 2.5 G25 Touring AWD: $40,310 (automatic) 2.5 Touring SP AWD: $42,110 (automatic) 2.5 G25 Astina AWD: $45,310 (automatic) 2.0 X20 Astina AWD: $48,310 SPECIFICATIONS Mazda CX-30 G20 Pure 2.0-litre FWD five-door wagon

Summing up

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

The CX-30 was the first Mazda model to adopt the two-digit suffix which was introduced to highlight the brand’s aim of pushing into the premium segment and competing against the big-name Europeans. It will be joined shortly by the all-new XC-60 and XC-90 larger SUVs.

The CX-30 is a pleasant car to ride in and to drive. It’s built to Mazda’s usual high quality with a semi-premium feel, neat styling and, though not the cheapest in its class, offers good value for money.

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

SPORT

Modern Bliss pulls off miracle form turnaround Less than 24 hours after his 32 metre defeat behind Cant Top This in the Ararat Pacing Cup, Modern Bliss pulled a rabbit out of the hat to claim a long-odds victory at Victorian headquarters. The Ash Warton-trained 11-year-old stunned punters with success in the Nutrien Equine Pace, saluting at $61 for young driver Shannon O’Sullivan. It was a remarkable turnaround in form from Modern Bliss, who settled three back the pegs from gate one before pushing away from the inside approaching the straight and finishing too strong for his rivals. In the end he beat Gotta Smudge by a metre, with key market fancies Ever Hoping and Magnetic Terror close-up in third and fourth respectively. TrotsVision host Rob Auber was quick to ask O’Sullivan why it was that horses could

often perform better when racing after a run the day before. “I think they tuck themselves up pretty well and they lighten up a little bit overall if they have runs like that with a day apart or so,” she said. “To be fair, a lot of the horses now get trained interval and heat work, so they’re pretty used to it and I don’t think it really knocks them around too much. “He’s one I think thrives off it. He does very well for himself, so he probably lost a few kilos to lighten him up for tonight and I think it may have got him over the line because of that.” O’Sullivan said it was great to land a win with Modern Bliss after running a number of placings with him in the past. “I’ve been actually knocking on the door with him,” O’Sullivan said.

“I think there was a stage when I reckon I ran five seconds on him, and then Ellen Rixon jumped on and he won. I was hoping we would be able to break through with a win for him. “It’s good to partner up with Ash. He actually used to work for my Dad (Jim) when I was a little kid, so it’s really good nowadays to be able to drive for him and to get a winner.” Modern Bliss has been a marvel for Warton, with the horse boasting a record of 16 wins from 139 starts and almost $140,000 in prizemoney. Later in the night, connections of former top-liner Code Bailey were celebrating after the nine-year-old scored his first victory since the 2020 Terang Pacing Cup. Tim O’Connor Modern Bliss (Stuart McCormick)

Falcons are hitting form

It was a battle under the ring for Melton Centrals. (Jacob Pattison) 326148_07

Centrals surprise Rams By Tara Murray Melton Centrals held their nerve to get an opening round win against the Western Rams in the Riddell District Netball League on Saturday. Centrals entered the match as underdogs with the Rams, but it didn’t stop the young side stepping up. The two teams went goal for goal early, before Centrals broke out to a five goal lead. The Rams kept the pressure on in the second half, with both teams going on runs. The defenders were on top for both sides, with plenty of turnovers throughout the match. The Rams managed to take the lead in the final quarter, before Centrals settled enough to get a 45-43 win. Centrals coach Randy Pereira was thrilled with the result. “They have the two Tongan internationals and they picked by some players who have come back like DJ [Danni Jane Umaki],” he said.

“I think everyone thought that we would probably get smashed today, even the B-grade game, what a nail biter. “I’m really pleased for the girls, they worked hard.” With the Centrals bench only players who had previously played in the B-grade match, Centrals ran the same seven throughout, while the Rams made changes both in the midcourt and defence. Pereira said he was a little bit concerned about whether they would have the legs to run the game out. “Credit to the girls, they did a sensational job, I was just there [watching] and they did what they needed to do. “I was a bit worried, I had fresh players there on the bench that were b-grade players that had already played, “I was hoping the girls would get through and they did, I think they got in front in the last quarter by a goal, got it back again, good testament to their strength and mind and willingness to work.” The Centrals defenders Romina Barbuto

and Hayley Hill did a mountain of work getting ball back, while Emma Winzar and Avana Hobson provided targets in the goaling circle.” Hobson scored 27 goals for Centrals in the win. Pereira said after having an interrupted pre-season which included losing co-coach Doug Mitchell, it was good to start that way. “Especially to beat a team that are likely contenders,” he said. “Netball is a funny game and I put up a post on our Facebook page, it doesn’t matter how good the other teams are, ply as a team you will also win. “And they did that, they used each other well and yes they made some mistakes which allowed them back in again, but they worked hard to get some ball back again.” Centrals line up this season will again be a young one. Pereira said they were focused on continuing on that journey. “I want to keep giving the kids a go,” he said. “They’re improving every year. The first year they won two games, last year they won five games, we keep battling on.”

The City West Falcons are starting to hit their straps in the Victorian Netball League championship. After a slow start, the Falcons have put together two straight strong performances including a good win against the Hawks on Wednesday night. The Hawks stuck with the Falcons for the first quarter before the Falcons stepped it up and came away with a 67-51 win. Falcons coach Marg Lind said they were pleased with the win. “They normally stick with us for the first half,” she said. “They were good in the first quarter, before we got a bit of space. “We were able to rotate through the positions. Being really low on numbers, we need everyone to play at least two positions.” Zoe Davies got some more time at wing defence which adds to her flexibility, while Sophie Hanrahan has had the chance to play three different positions in the first three matches. Lind said they were keen to give Hanrahan a run in the centre position at some point. The Falcons rotated their goalers, with Uneqq Palavi and Maddy Gray starting the game. Lind said Jane Cook was really good when she came on in the second quarter shooting 20 goals for the quarter and 36 for the game. Tharjini Sivalingam was also given a quarter as she prepares for the world championships later this year. Lind said it was a really good team performance. “Jane had a really good second quarter when she came on,” Lind said. “Uneeq is shaping up a bit more at goal attack. She’s worked a lot more on her fitness. “It was a good team effort.” The under-19s remain undefeated. Lind said they were rotating 11-12 players through each week to give them all an opportunity. The division 1 side came back from 14 goals down to get a draw. Lind said it was their young players who ran out the match and it was a really gutsy performance. The Falcons this week the North East Blaze. “You don’t know where anyone sits at the moment,” Lind said. “ We won’t know until round six to get a good picture. “We want to go into the Easter break 3-1.” Tara Murray Tuesday, 4 April, 2023 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 21

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Sharks primed to bite in the EDFL A strong pre-season has Hillside in good stead ahead of the Essendon District Football League division 1 season. Kicking off the season on Good Friday against Keilor Park, the Sharks were one of the early movers in the pre-season. The side locked in many of their key recruits early in the piece, which is something that coach Charlie Denaro was keen to do. “It’s been a pretty good six months since last season,” he said. “With list management we had an idea about what players we wanted to target. “We got on the front foot and three or four who we targeted early, we were able to get in and get into pre-season with them already on board. “It’s helped them fit in with the squad.” Denaro said they had added 15 players to the club in the off season, Several have come from Caroline Springs, while they’ve been able to get back three or four who left last season but have now returned.Daniel Scerri and Jack Tarr are two who have crossed from Caroline Springs, with the Sharks having targeted them

previously. Scerri is a former Hillside junior. Lachlan Rzanovski has crossed from Werribee and is likely to hold down a key position. Ryan Lojko, Anthony Prestia and Alessio Gobbo were the three big signings early on, coming across from Tullamarine.Denaro said while they know they still have some work to do, there had been some good signs in the preseason. “We had a slow start last year which was to be expected,” he said. “The key parts we’ve brought in early and were part of the group before pre-season even started. “We’ve had three hit outs and training simulation. “We’re not quite playing where we would like to, but hopefully it doesn’t take half a season like last year. “We are ahead of the game.” Having had a strong half to last season, the Sharks believe they are in a better position this time round. Denaro said finals were again the aim. The

Sharks finished sixth last season, six points outside the top four. This year with the arrival of Deer Park and St Albans, it will be a top five that play finals. “We want to be competitive with the top two-three teams, we weren’t able to do that last year,” he said. “The West Coburgs, Tullamarine and we would put Deer Park on that list.” The Sharks will face Keilor Park on Good Friday. The Devils will be a new test, having come up from division 2 where they won the premiership. Denaro said he was expecting the Devils to surprise a few teams this season.The Sharks will again have plenty of activities for the kids and fundraising activities on Good Friday. The women’s side will kick off action facing Oak Park, before the Sharks and Devils reserves and seniors will play each other. Tara Murray Anthony Prestia is a key in for Hillside. (Shawn Smits)

Centrals’ winning start

22 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 4 April, 2023

Melton GDCA Darley’s Kim Bessell claimed the Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s women’s best and fairest award on Wednesday. Bessell, who made 349 runs throughout the season, finished on 21 votes, 12 votes clear of Lancefield’s Brooke Jeffrey with Bacchus Marsh’s Sarah Bamford a further three votes back.

By Tara Murray Melton Centrals spoiled the Western Rams party on the opening day for the Riddell District Football League season. Heading into the standalone match with the Rams, all the talk was about the Rams and Brownlow Medallist Dane Swan pulling on the jumper. But it was Centrals who gained an early ascendency and were never headed in the 11.6 (72)-2.2 (14) win. Centrals coach Matt Sproule in his return to the role said for then they didn’t really worry about Swan. “We didn’t really worry about it, he’s a champ of the game,” he said. “The Western Rams wanted him to play and we were more than happy to accommodate that … hopefully they made a bit of money. “It didn’t affect us, he would have worried us more if he had played out of the square, but he didn’t.” Sproule said they were happy with the result and getting the first game under their belt. He said windy conditions didn’t help with scoring though. Cramp hit several players midway through the third quarter and it was something Sproule had to manage throughout the last quarter. “We cramped up half way through the third, we probably should have won by another five if we ran the game out,” he said. “At three quarter time, the message was hold onto the footy as much as we can, I don’t care if we score. “Just get through the game and then we lost Jimmy Roberts, who has been our best midfielder all pre-season with an AC injury.” Sproule said he wasn’t worried about the number of players cramping. He said there were a couple of reasons for that. “Last week when we played the practice match we had six quarters in 26 degree heat,” he said. “We only had 27 and a lot played six quarters last week, “Early in the week we then had flu like symptoms through the joint, we didn’t train Tuesday night. “They were a bit lethargic Thursday night and I think that carried on today.” Dylan Jobson kicked three goals for Centrals, while Jake Armistead and Matthew Eberle kicked two goals each. Ruck Evan Donoghue, who is just 19, and Armistead, who is returning after not playing for seven years, were Centrals best. For the Rams, it was single goal kickers. Laughlan Orr was named their best, while

Briefs

GDCA Bacchus Marsh star James Lidgett was named in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup team of the year. Lidgett, who made 487 runs at an average of 81, was named in the team alongside Diggers Rest Bulla’s Milinda Sepala and Gayan Welikalage. Gisborne’s Jarryd Vernon claimed his first Sullivan Medal as the best player in the McIntyre Cup, finishing on 20 votes, seven clear of Dragons teammate Mick Allen.

NPL Caroline Springs George Cross produced its best performance of the National Premier League 3 season so far to knock off the North Sunshine Eagles. The Eagles entered the match undefeated and took an early lead courtesy of a penalty. The Georgies scored two before half time to take the lead, before getting a third to take control of the game. The Eagles scored one late, but it wasn’t enough with the Georgies winning 3-2. The Georgies now have two wins from their first three matches.

A-League A final round win wasn’t enough for Western United to clinch the premier’s plate in the A-League Women’s competition. United finished the regular season with 2-1 win against the Western Sydney Wanderers thanks to a double from Hannah Keane. United finished the regular season in second spot, with an equal competition high 13 wins. United faces Sydney FC in the first week of finals for a spot in the grand final.

Sam Apineru takes a mark. (Jacob Pattison) 323330_23

Swan, who spent most of the game in the back half, was also named in the best. Sproule, who is in his second stint as coach at Centrals, said he was enjoying being back in the coaching hot seat. “I’ve loved the last two months,” he said.

“They’re a great bunch of blokes. “I didn’t’ know what we had had. They’re a group of kids, all 12 to 25 and they are just starting their journey and I reckon at the end of these two years when I finish, I think they’ll be in a good position.”

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Strikers off to a solid start in state league 3 Westside Strikers continue to show they will be competitive in the FV state league 3 north-west this season. Last season’s state league 4 west premiers, the Strikers came up a higher division with a completely different side. The side has now claimed points in two of their three matches, after a 0-0 draw with Sunbury United on Saturday. Strikers president Sam Raniolo said they were happy with the result against Sunbury. “It was a pretty good result as Sunbury had won their first two games,” he said. “It was a close match. We had a lot of chances especially in the first half and in the second half Sunbury put the pressure on. “They had their chances to win it.” Raniolo said things had gone well early in the season and they were hitting their pre-season expectations. Despite doing that, he said they wouldn’t be looking to change their aims this early in the piece. “We’re pretty happy at the moment,” he said. “We have a fairly new team with only two

Westside Strikers came away with a draw against Sunbury United. (Jacob Pattison)326659_18

players from last year. “We’re starting to gel together and we’re happy with the results at the moment. We wanted to be competitive and we are doing that.” Raniolo said the key to the start of the season had been the willingness of the playing squad to put in the hard work.

He said the whole squad was coming to training and there were no egos, just a group wanting to get out there and play. Saturday was a big day off field for the Strikers, with their club rooms in Taylors Hill officially opened. Raniolo said they had a big crowd in attendance, who were able to enjoy the new facilities.

Win for Thoroughbreds

“We have everyone back at Taylors Hill now,” he said. “It makes it a lot easier for us volunteers. It rained yesterday [Saturday] and everyone was inside watching the games. “It feels like a real club now.” The Strikers have this week off with a competition wide bye for the Easter long weekend. Raniolo said it came at the perfect time for the group with a couple of injuries. After the break the Strikers face Heidelberg Eagles. “Heidelberg has been in state league 3 a few years now,” Raniolo said. “We’re confident we can get the job done.” In state league 5 west, Melton Phoenix continued is good form, beating Deakin University. The Phoenix scored just before half time and then scored two goals within a minute about 10 minutes into the second half to seal the 3-0 win. Tara Murray

Jets’ tough trip to Tassie

By Tara Murray Melton Thoroughbreds found their groove when it mattered to get a second straight win in the Big V men’s division 2 competition on Saturday night. After a tough shooting night for the first three quarters, the Thoroughbreds outscored Mornington Breakers, 28-16 in the final term to come away with an 84-75 win. Thoroughbreds coach Mick McCallum said they will take that result at their home court. “The boys worked hard for it,” he said. “We started off really slow, but were getting some good looks, which we would normally hit. “We stuck to what we do and stuck to our structures.” Despite a slow start, the Thoroughbreds led by five points at quarter time. The Breakers took control in the second quarter to lead by three points at the main break. The margin remained that heading into the final quarter. McCallum said they always backed their group in to get the job done. “As a group we know that we had to stick with what we were doing to get it done,” he said. “We could not play three bad quarters in a row. We weren’t at our best yet, but I always had a feeling that we would come good in the end. “Half way through the last quarter we started hitting our shots.” Koby Skenderis top scored with 24 points, including hitting four three pointers. The two Allison brothers, Liam and Blake, scored 20 points apiece. The match was Blake’s first for the season. He came off the bench as he still finds his game fitness. “Blake is still not 100 per cent,” McCallum said. “He brings the whole team together, strong and united.” The Thoroughbreds enter the Easter break with a 2-2 record. McCallum said he would have taken that at the start of the season. “We’ve still got players out at the moment,” he said. “Aaron Gadsden is a starter who is missing. “To come to the Easter break 2-2 with half the team missing, I’m really happy.” McCallum said they were hoping that Gadsden, who played in the opening round,

Koby Skenderis puts on a shot against Mornington. (Jacob Pattison)326150_18

would be back after the Easter break. He said they were then keen to make a good run of it this season, the first together as a group. “Once we get everyone back on the floor, hopefully we’ll have a good patch,” he said. “We’ll stick to the system and play solid defence.” The Thoroughbreds next match is against the winless Sherbrooke Suns in a 3pm Sunday

game on the road. It was a tough night for the Thoroughbreds youth league men’s side against the Sunbury. The Thoroughbreds trailed 26-0 at quarter time, with the Jets extending their lead in every quarter, winning 121-38. Tyson Hamilton top scored with 10 points for the Thoroughbreds. The Thoroughbreds are without a win after four matches.

The Western Jets girls just fell short in their season opener in the Coates Talent League. After having a bye the first two rounds, the Jets started the season on the road against the Tasmania Devils on Saturday. The Jets led by one point at quarter time, before the Devils kicked the only two goals of the second quarter to lead by 10 points at the main break. The Devils were able to increase their lead in the third quarter with three goals to one. The Jets showed some fight in the final term, kicking two goals to one, but still fell short. The Devils won 8.5 (53)-5.7 (37). Tamara Henry was the only multiple goal kicker for the Jets, with two goals. Sierra Grieves got plenty of the ball for the Jets with 32 possessions and was named the Jets best. Ella Tyson, Jade Cilia and Hannah Brodie were among the other standouts. The Jets boys were also in action in Tasmania against the Devils. The Devils took control of the game in the first quarter, kicking six goals to one, with neither team making the most of their opportunities. The Jets got back into the game in the second quarter kicking six goals straight, to trail by just five points at the main break. The margin was reduced to four points at the last break, with a goal a piece in the third quarter. The Devils were able to do enough in the final quarter to get the 10.10 (70)-8.7 (55) win. Jovan Petric was the start up forward for the Jets, kicking four goals. Diesel Moloney had 33 possessions in the loss, while Jake Smith had 22 and Jack Kovacevic had 21. Petric was named the Jets best along with Logan Morris, Moloney and Lucca Grego. The Jets boys this week face the Calder Cannons on Good Friday, while the girls have a bye.

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