Star Weekly - Brimbank North West - 25th April 2023

Open day set to fire

A Black Powder Mill open day will be held on April 29 to commemorate the site of the explosives factory that manufactured gunpowder used during World War II.

The historic mill is on the corner of Parklea Avenue and Grassy Point Road, Cairnlea.

“The mill is the only building remaining from the Albion explosives factory set up by the federal government during World War II,” Sunshine District Historical Society secretary Shaun Crosbie said.

“It is located on its original site with plant still intact and in working order. It is a reminder of the thousands of ammunitions produced by workers during wartime and after.

“By attending people will get a greater sense of some local, national and international history of the mill.” The mill ceased munitions operations after the war but continued operating manufacturing other products.

The open day is from 10.30am-3.30pm. Details: Shauncrosbie@hotmail.com or 0417 519 043.

Millions for roads, drains

By Sibanengi Dube

Brimbank council is proposing to spend $55.9 million on infrastructure and facilities next financial year as part of its draft budget.

The 2023-24 draft budget was endorsed by councillors on Tuesday, April 18, and also includes a 3.5 per cent rate rise, in line with the state government’s rates cap.

Council’s capital works budget for 2023-24 is$5.5millionlessthan2022-23,whencouncil spent $61.4 million.

Top of the council’s priority list are roads and drainage systems, which were allocated $27.5 million.

Coming second on the list of primacies

are sports facilities that gulped $9.01 million of the $55.9 million total budget set aside for capital works program.

Cr Victoria Borg hailed the budget as a product of wide consultation aimed at delivering services to communities and promote mental wellbeing.

“It is important to note that there is an allocation of $55.9 million in capital works to deliver essential infrastructure projects services. Mental wellbeing was one of our priorities considered in supporting people in communities. Mental health related problems continue to contribute to the silent pandemic that is inflicting our community,” Cr Borg said.

Playgrounds, parks and gardens were allocated $7.1 million, while $5.4 million, will go into upgrading community amenities and early learning facilities.

A total of $4.5 million was allocated to assets management, including $800,000 for library books and $1.8 million for the cyclical replacement of plant and vehicle fleet. Another $1.9 million will be used for maintaining and upgrading walking and cycling paths.

Cr Jae Papalia said financial constraints did not deter them from allocating more money for parks, gardens, walking and cycling paths.

“Mental health and sports facilities was put on our agenda again this year and the catch up

work is still being done. It is good to see that even in such challenging time we could see these things being put through,” Cr Papalia said.

Brimbank councillors identified shifting demographics, changes to government policy and constrained financial environment as budget challenges which were creating pressureonthewayservicesandinfrastructure were funded and delivered.

Brimbank council is inviting members of the community to provide a feedback on the draft budget for 2023-2024 until Thursday, May 18 and community members who are keen to contribute should visit yoursay. brimbank.vic.gov.au

Black Powder Mill: curator Alan Dash and researcher Katrina Pang. (Damjan Janevski) 330040_05

Mayor’s message

Cr Lara Carli

Lest We Forget.

This Anzac Day we commemorate the 108th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli and remember the sacrifice of Australia’s servicepeople in the horrors of war. Australians of all stripes have answered the call to serve, here and abroad, and Anzac Day is an important time for everyone to come together and hold those sacrifices in their hearts.

Your councillors are attending Anzac Day ceremonies across our city. I look forward to seeing many of you there as we thank our brave veterans for their service.

Our community’s connection with the armed forces is an important part of our city’s heritage. This month is Melton’s Heritage Festival and an opportunity for everyone to learn more about the city they call home.

Running alongside the National Trust Australian Heritage Festival, our festival recognises the cultural heritage of our First Peoples, as well as the historic buildings, places, landscapes, and stories that contribute to City of Melton’s history. Today also marks the last day of the autumn school holidays for many and the start of term two. Our school holiday program was very successful and well attended, with African drumming, hiphop dance lessons and more.

There’s still plenty to do in term two with a range of free and low-cost courses available for all ages via meltonlearning.com.au

Feel free to contact me about Watts Ward or Council related issues on 0409 951 020 or email at: lara.carli@melton.vic.gov.au or visit my Facebook page at: facebook.com/Cr.LaraCarli

Keep up to date with roadworks and closures in your area

Did you know that you can look up roadworks and road closures in your area to help plan your travel around the City of Melton?

Whether it’s closures due to planned works or weather conditions like flooding, we have a map that shows the location of works that may cause delays. You can also see a list of roads that are closed or recently reopened. Visit our website at melton.vic.gov.au/roadworks

Learn something new – enrol in a course!

Activities, workshops and courses for term two are now open on the Melton Learning Directory. Learn how to cook delicious recipes, new arts and craft skills, get active, use computers or a sewing machine, or even a new language Find out more at meltonlearning.com.au

Join a free parent group

Parents of babies and toddlers, join us as at a free parent group. If you want to know if your child is reaching their milestones, wonder about your toddler’s behaviour, are looking for new play ideas, need help with fussy eating or are ready to toilet train, we can help. Our face-to-face sessions provide lots of opportunities to hear from other parents and ask questions.

STAY INFORMED

Quickly and easily connect with us online: melton.vic.gov.au

facebook.com/cityofmelton Instagram @cityofmeltonofficial

Explore our local history at Heritage Fest!

Melton Heritage Festival, our annual celebration of all things history and heritage, runs until 18 May with an exciting slate of activities – from family history digitisation workshops at Melton Library and tours of Melton Cemetery guided by the Melton Family History Society.

For more information, go to melton. vic.gov.au/heritagefestival or call your local library on 9747 5300.

Cambridge Ward with Cr Steve Abboushi

Council has certainly hit the ground running since the start of the year with our draft 2023/2024 draft budget really taking shape.

We’ve been deep in the development phase for the past several months and are looking forward to sharing the details with residents when we go out for consultation in coming weeks.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the residents, community groups and sporting clubs who put in submissions as part of the budgeting process and for providing input on the types of projects, services and facilities community really needs. Check melton.vic.gov.au for more information about community budget consultation next month. This is your budget, and we want to hear from you.

With Anzac Day falling this week, it was an honour to attend the dawn

service in Caroline Springs with my fellow Councillors, and many members of our community. It was a humbling opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made by fallen and scarred servicemen; and to demonstrate our respect for those who gave the best of themselves in the pursuit of peace, freedom, and democracy, in conflicts and peacekeeping missions since WWI. Lest we forget.

Finally, I hope our Muslim residents enjoyed their Eid al-Fitr celebrations and feast over the weekend, to mark the end of Ramadan. I hope you had the opportunity to join with family, friends, and neighbours to mark this very special occasion.

Please feel free to contact me for Cambridge Ward or Council related issues on 0437 231 680 or steve.abboushi@melton.vic.gov.au, or like my Facebook page @AbbsMelton

Mayor Cr Lara Carli

Deputy Mayor Cr Julie Shannon

Cr Steve Abboushi

Cr Justine Farrugia

Cr Goran Kesic

Cr Kathy Majdlik

Cr Sophie Ramsey Cr Bob Turner Cr Ashleigh Vandenberg

Airport rail link delay confirmed

By Tara Murray and Hannah Hammond

The Melbourne Airport Rail project won’t be completed by 202, according to deputy premierandTransportMinisterJacintaAllan.

Days after reports about the uncertainty surrounding the immediate future of the project, Ms Allan said on ABC Radio on Monday that “challenging” negotiations with Melbourne Airport were a contributing factor to the delay.

“It has been challenging to negotiate with the airport about how the project will be delivered on the land that they lease from the

federal government to run the airport,” Ms Allan told ABC Radio.

“It’s been slower than I would have liked.”

Ms Allan could not confirm the expected timeline for when the rail link will be completed.

In the state government plans, the station at the Melbourne Airport, while the airport said at the time a decision had not been made on whether the station would be above or below ground.

A Melbourne Airport spokesperson said the airport remains a strong supporter of airport rail.

“Melbourne Airport has been working

constructively with Rail Projects Victoria to progress the project and achieve a rail link that is fit for Victoria’s international gateway,” they said.

“We note that the airport rail station needs toworkforallpeoplewhocometotheprecinct, not just those who will come by train.

“Melbourne Airport is subject to planning requirements as set out in the federal Airports Act (1996) and is working through these with Rail Projects Victoria.

“The timing of this project is a decision for government, and we await further clarity.”

The state and federal governments both committed $5 billion to the project, with close

Thirty new defibrillators rolled out

Thirty defibrillators will be installed in St Albans, Kings Park and Kealba as part of St John Ambulance’s Defib in Your Street program.

The initiative will provide residents with vital access to defibrillators and life-saving CPR training, in the event of sudden cardiac arrests (SCA), one of the leading causes of death in Australia, according to St John.

The program was rolled out in Reservoir last year.

For close to five years, St Albans and other suburbs in the 3021 area code topped the charts for the number of SCA in Victoria, with nearly 300 cases recorded over a five-year period, St John stated.

Despite this, St John said there are no 24-7 publicly accessible defibrillators (PAD) available in the community prior to the program roll out St John stated that only one in three patients received CPR from a bystander, lower than the state average of 40 per cent.

“The survival rate from a sudden cardiac arrest is very low, at below five per cent, and decreases with every passing minute. However, if a bystander performs effective CPR, the survival rate more than doubles,” St John Ambulance Victoria chief executive Gordon Botwright said.

“Even better, if the patient is shocked by a PubliclyAccessibleDefibrillator,theirchances

of survival can increase to as high as 70 per cent – as seen in some parts of the world. This is why CPR awareness and training, along with the availability of defibrillators, is crucial.”

St John Ambulance Victoria aims to build resilient communities and transform survival rates for SCA in St Albans and its neighbouring suburbs.

The30defibrillatorswillreducethedistance between each resident and help to less than 400 metres.

St John Ambulance will also provide free training to community members, with up to 5000 free places in CPR courses offered to all residents.

to $700 million allocated in last year’s state budget for early works.

As reported by Star Weekly , both the state and federal governments said future funding decisions would be announced in the upcoming budgets.

The Geelong Fast Rail is also anticipated to be put on hold.

Brimbank deputy mayor Ranka Rasic said they understand from media reports that the delivery of the Melbourne Airport Rail project could be pushed back. “Council is committed to working with the government to ensure this transformational project for Melbourne’s west is delivered over the next decade.”

Third runway email protest

Stakeholders against Melbourne Airport’s establishment of the third runway urged residents to send emails and make phone calls to local MPs and ministers to express their objections.

The self-styled group, No3rdtullarunway released contact details of five local MPs and four ministers at a rally on Saturday, April 15 in Keilor, which was attended by more than a hundred stakeholders. Addressing attendants in Old Shire Hall, speaker after speaker vented anger over the ministers and local MPs’ silence over Australia Pacific Airports (APAM)’s thethird runway proposal.

Brimbank councillor Virginia Tachos fired the first salvo calling upon Melbourne Airport and federal government to be sensitive to the health impacts of the runway to the community.

“Melbourne Airport’s proposal for a third runway does not fully explain the significant health impacts this runway will have on the community, or propose any meaningful measures to mitigate these impacts.

“That is why council is continuing to call on the federal government to require an independent health impact assessment of the proposal to be completed, considered and released to the public before the Federal Minister makes a decision on the Major Development Plan for the third runway,” Cr Tachos said.

No3rdtullarunway spokesman Frank Rivoli called upon Melbourne Airport management to respect and engage neighbouring community members.

Another speaker, Alana Bacon, lamented the impending destruction of greyboxforestoccupying136.5hectares of land where the $1.9 billion third runway is proposed to be premised.

Sibanengi Dube

State government to bail out 560 Porter Davis customers

Some 560 families impacted by the collapse of builder Porter Davis will be able to get their deposits back.

TheVictoriangovernmentbail-outappliesto customers who paid deposits before the builder went into liquidation last month but were left without insurance coverage.

Premier Daniel Andrews said he believed the scheme would cost about $15 million, with insurance capped at a five per cent deposit and averaging about $25,000 per customer.

“They didn’t do anything wrong. They have acted in good faith,“ Mr Andrews told

reporters on Thursday. “Porter Davis for some inexplicable reason have not forwarded on the insurance premiums that have been paid.

“So those people will get, just like any other insured person, they will get that five per cent deposit back.”

About 1700 homes across Victoria and Queensland were left in limbo when Porter Davis went into liquidation last month.

The Victorian Building Authority is investigating whether Porter Davis has breachedanylawsaftercustomersclaimedthey were left without domestic building insurance

despite paying their deposits.

PorterDaviscustomerRichardWilliamstold AAP he was relieved by the announcement.

“The messages in the group’s WhatsApp chats show tears of joy and relief, with people hugging their families,” Mr Williams said.

“We will be able to sleep tonight for the first time in three weeks.”

The state government is working with liquidator Grant Thornton to understand exactlyhowmanycustomerswithoutinsurance had already started building.

Mr Andrews signalled those customers

would also be eligible for support in the future and it would make sense if incomplete projects could be sold on to other builders.

“We just need a little bit more time to firm that up, to have a better sense (of how many are impacted),” he said.

On Wednesday it was revealed the company collapsed owing close to $33 million to the Commonwealth Bank on top of other debts. The liquidator is still trying to determine Porter Davis’s overall financial position.

Deputy mayor Ranka Rasic tries her hand at CPR. (Jacob Pattison) 329429

Corso bounces back

Sunshine-born singer Daniela Corso is back on stage, with her batteries fully charged, after a 10-year break.

The western suburbs singer-songwriter is firing up for her first live comeback show at The Palace Hotel in Camberwell on May 6.

After an extended break to look after her special needs son, the singer, who now resides in Werribee, is raring to hit the stages.

Backed by the Screaming Jets’ Paul Woseen, Mark McLeod and former Catwitch guitarist Lawrence Rhoads, Corso will showcase new songs including Part Of Us.

“This song has a country feel to it,” says Corso, who recorded it with longtime collaborator Michael Zammit in his Altona studio. She hopes new track will land her a spot at Tamworth’s famous country music festival.

But that doesn’t mean she’ll abandon her love of full-on rock and roll, as her audience will discover in the Palace gig.

“I wrote this song (Part Of Us) because we all have a part of us that keeps us going. It’s about the things in life that lift us and ignite our fire,” she says.

Corso also does charity work when she is not behind the mike.

After breast cancer claimed the life of a relative, she wrote and recorded a song to raise money for breast cancer research and awareness.

She also persuaded Monique Brumby and Rob Farnham, John’son, to join her in a big fund-raising concert in Williamstown for the Les Twentyman Foundation and kids at risk a few years ago.

Briefs

Woman slashed

Police are appealing for public assistance following a stabbing in Sunshine North on April 11. It is believed a man and a woman entered a takeaway business on Furlong Road about 7pm. The woman ordered and paid for food, waiting near the store entrance with the man. Police were told the woman was collecting her food at the counter when the man reached over and slashed the female attendant across the face with an edged weapon. A 45-year-old St Albans woman was taken to hospital with minor facial injuries. Both the woman and offender had their faces covered with black masks and they were wearing hoodies with the hood covering their head.

Firearm charges

Police have charged a man with firearm related offences after finding four firearms, weapons and ammunition during a warrant search in Albion on Monday morning 17 April. They seized

•฀ Four firearms, including a replica AK 47, a semi-automatic pistol, a sawn off shot gun and a cut down rifle

•฀ Two bags of gun powder

•฀ Ammunition

•฀ Two large knives

•฀ Compound bow and three arrows

•฀ Firearm stock and barrel

A 22-year-old Albion man has been charged with various offences.

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Daniela Corso is back with a bang. (Supplied)

Barro court hearing adjourned

By Tara Murray

The criminal hearing into the charges laid against Barro Group in relation to underground fires at the Sunshine Landfill have been adjourned.

The Environmental Protection Authority provided residents an update of the events occurring at the site from an EPA perspective.

The EPA laid charges against the company and three of its directors last year, with breaches of the General Environmental Duty (GED) under the Environment Protection Act

2017. The matter went before court on March 31 and was adjourned to June 5.

It comes after the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal refused Barro Group’s application for a stay on enforcing the licence revocation.

The licence was cancelled in January, which means Barro can no longer accept waste.

The EPA said the decision to cancel the licence followed assessment of information Barro Group provided in response to a show cause notice issued by EPA on October 28, 2022.

Early Anzac Day march

Sunshine residents cheered and whistled as members of their local Returned and Services League (RSL) marched through the streets on Sunday, April 18 to commemorate Anzac Day.

The flag waving marchers started at 2.30pm from the Lynch Gardens in Hampshire Road and proceeded to Sunshine RSL offices at 99 Dickson Street where a short service was conducted.

This was followed by afternoon tea.

Sunshine RSL president Garry Collins said the march provided an opportunity for the Brimbank community to pay their respects to people from their area who served Australia in war.

“Itenabledresidentstogivethankstopeople who served in all wars,” Mr Collins said.

“Residents responded to our invitation to join the march and others just cheer as the march progresses through the streets of Sunshine.”

Those who partnered in the Anzac Day commemoration included:

• Brimbank mayor and councillors

• Local and federal Members of Parliament

• Brimbank Highway Police

• Salvation Army representative

• Sunshine City Band

• Army and Air Force cadets

• Club veterans and members

• Scouts sroups

• Local Brownies and Guides

• Schools

The matter is still before the tribunal, with a final hearing scheduled for October and November.

While the legal action is being carried out, the EPA has issued a further two regulatory notices on Barro.

“Firstly [is], a notice to investigate,” the EPA’s western metropolitan region regional manager Steve Lansdell said in the update.

“This requires Barro Group to do further temperature monitoring along parts of the landfill boundary and batter walls.

“A scope for the required works, verified by

an independent auditor, is due by May 15 A final auditor-verified report is due by August 25.

“We also issued a further improvement notice. This requires a new auditor-verified remediation and monitoring design. Barro Group must provide a draft of this design to us by May 15. Barro Group must provide the final version with the auditor sign off to us by June 13.”

The EPA is also following up concerns raised at a community meeting in March about a ‘Pongo’ deodoriser and dust impacts.

Members of RSL Sunshine branch marching through the streets to celebrate Anzac Day.

New housing strategy adopted

Brimbank council is planning to revamp its housingstrategytoaccommodatethechanging needs of a diverse population.

The council adopted a housing and neighbourhood strategy report at its recent meeting which outlines the housing needs of existing and future residents. The report also provides opportunity for a broad mix of housing in the right locations.

Thereportrevealed80percentofBrimbank’s

housing supply is separate houses, which does not match everyone’s housing needs. Building of more apartments and townhouses were suggested as answers to varying housing needs.

Cr Jae Papalia welcomed the new housing strategyandcalleduponthecounciltofactorin different housing needs of Brimbank residents from diverse backgrounds.

“The Brimbank projected growth is synonymous with housing needs and

One last show for Hains

Acclaimed musician, and Caroline Springs School of Music founder and principal Brendan Hains is playing one final show at Marian College on April 30 before he retires from gigging.

Hains is an acclaimed guitarist who, after picking up the instrument at age seven, has been refining his expertise for almost 50 years.

His career was kickstarted in the late 1980s when he attended Guitar Craft courses overseas with legendary King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp, and has always been drawn to a style influenced by jazz and progressive music.

In the years that followed, Hains said some of his biggest achievements were launching his solo album at Melbourne Town Hall in 2007, and being invited to play in Fiji with master musician Nathan East in 2017.

Hains is performing his final show with teachers from his music school who he said are “some of the best” he’s ever played with.

“We’re doing fun rock songs with improvised and extended guitar sections…

it’s been a lot of fun. Almost to the point where I don’t want to quit, but not quite.

“I feel like my playing is at a really good level at the moment and I’d just like to go out while it’s still good… I’m happy with what I’ve achieved, and I’m happy to call it a day.”

Hains said he’s happy to give up the performances and focus the “thriving” music school.

“They’ll be wheeling me out of here when I’m 100 years old I reckon.”

Details: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ brendan-hains-the-cs-music-ensemblethe-stop-being-melodramatic-tourtickets-542609980057

Liam McNally

neighbourhood character is imperative to take intoconsiderationasitisimportanttonotealso that the neighbourhood character varies from one residential suburb to another,” she said.

Cr Papalia however lamented the housing growth constraints which she said will present challenges in delivering the additional 14, 000 houses required in the immediate future to meet the need of a growing population.

The report singled out land contamination,

Melbourne Airport, cultural sensitive areas, heritage sites, flooding, road and rail barriers as major constraints to Brimbank’s housing growth. The constraints are mainly found on the southern part of Brimbank.

Sunshine faces the most constraints due to industrial interfaces, and heritage sites. Brimbank’s aging population is also eliciting a different kind of accommodation needs, which the new strategy intends to address.

We’re building the West Gate Tunnel

As

Brendan Hains is playing his final show on April 30. (Damjan Janevski) 329807

MY PLACE

Tell us more about yourself and what you do?

I am a supervisor in the water industry. I oversee repairs of water assets.

What is your connection to Sunshine?

I was born and raised in Sunshine

For how long have you been involved with community soccer in Sunshine?

As a young boy in the early 1980’s I played at SunshineHeightsandnowasafatherIhavemy daughters playing there. I have been involved helping and coaching currently for about 4 years.

What brought your family to Australia from Ukraine ?

My grandparents came to Australia after being displaced by World War II. After being separated from family by force to work in Germany they could not return because Communist retributions saw them as traitors working for the enemy. So in an ironic parallel to today they had to flee to Australia.

What do you like about where you live?

The diversity of the community around Sunshine. From the post war European migrationtothecurrentnewarrivals,Sunshine has a rich blend of cultures.

Where is your favourite local place you spend time?

The green space along Kororoit Creek is a wonderful pocket where one can enjoy viewing native wildlife and get a true feel of nature.

What is your favourite meal?

Ukrainian cabbage filled dumplings (Varenyky) with sour cream and dill.

Greek Souvlakia would be close second.

New NDIS rec centre

Easy Healthcare will soon launch its new Disability Recreational Centre in Laverton.

The grand opening of the activity centre, which is the first of its kind in Victoria, was held on Sunday, April 23 at 2/32 Westside Drive, Laverton North.

The opening included a tour of facilities, demonstrations of the centre’s available services and speeches from NDIS Minister Bill Shorten and other key stakeholders.

The centre is intended to be a safe, enjoyable environmentwherepeoplewithdisabilitiescan engage in recreational activities.

Support coordinator Tony Allen said Easy Healthcare is excited to provide the facility and its services to the community.

“This is a first for Victoria, so we’re very proud that we’re able to offer this to NDIS participants,“ he said.

“It’s been about finding what participants

wanted as far as activities.

“We found that they wanted things like gym access, so we’ve included a gym area and are employing a personal trainer.“

Mr Allen said there are a number of other activities planned.

“We’re going to provide art and craft classes, we’re currently trying to resource a dance teacher, we have games like snooker and table tennis and air hockey,“ he said.

“Later down the track, we want to include things like cooking, reading classes, all these sorts of things that will be useful in the future.”

Mr Allen said the centre’s services would be available to any NDIS participants.

“We’re providing our service to NDIS participants regardless of whether they are signed up with us or other providers,” he said.

Details: easyhealthcare.com.au/openingnew-recreational-activity-centre-april-2023

Tell us something our readers would be surprised to know about you?

Last year March, to raise awareness of the importance of community and mental health

(especially after COVID), I rode my bike 500km in four days, from the Victorian border to Port Phillip Bay. I retraced the path of post WW2 migrants after they arrived in Australia, in the late 40’s, when they had to work two years in regional areas to pay off the cost of their passage.

Tell us more about the girls’ soccer team you are coaching.

SunshineHeightsisaclubthathasbeenserving thecommunitysince1955.Itiswonderfultobe a part of a program that promotes friendship and sport with open arms. Our girls are of all levels and backgrounds. Soccer brings them together, with a focus on fun and friendship. The confidence and memories they get from this is something I am proud to be a part of.

I know you are the leader of the Ukrainian community staying in Australia or Melbourne. What services or assistance do you give to the Ukrainians staying in Australia?

Our Ukrainian Hall in Ardeer serves as a community gathering place for concerts, cultural events and social interaction. We have members assisting new arrivals with things such as English language classes, social supportnetworksandhelpingrefugeechildren settle in Australian schools as well as sporting outlets.

Do you have plans to visit Ukraine?

Andrew Makohon is a coach of Sunshine Heights Junior Soccer Club and president of the Ukrainian community in Australia. The Sunshine resident was born in Australia after his grandparents were displaced by World War II. (Supplied)

I have visited Ukraine as a student and most recently with my family 2013, before the outbreak of Russian aggression. I was hoping to return in 2018 before first COVID and then the Russian invasion prevented us travelling.

Easy Healthcare support coordinator Tony Allen. (Jacob Pattison) 327220_02

From Canberra to the lively west

Star Weekly journalist Sibanegi Dube and his family recently made the move from Canberra to Melbourne’s west. He shares his first impressions of Melbourne.

My transition to the busy concrete jungle of Melbourne’s west, from our laid-back Canberra home, was triggered by our son, Nkazimulo’s relocation to Victoria without notice in December 2021.

Our teenage son visited Melbourne for a Christmas holiday and never returned home. Instead, the young Dube called us to announce that he landed himself a good job with a mobile service provider, in Melbourne and was moving in with family members in Taylor Lakes.

The cyber-security graduate excitedly narrated how Melbourne was full of both energy and opportunities. As if that was not enough loss, our daughter Monalissa, followed a few months down the line. We only approved the transfer when she assured us that she will remain a full-time student and work part-time. She enrolled for studies at a tertiary institution and moved in with her brother.

Our four-bed-roomed house in the upmarket suburb of Crace turned into a ghost home overnight by the exodus of the duo. Three bedrooms lay empty, and silence instantly enveloped a home that has been bustling with laughter and activities for the past 15 years. I and my wife Essy felt empty and lonely.

Even though we had been to Melbourne’s west many times before to attend weddings, graduations, and family Christmas holidays, the thought of abandoning our ACT home for Victoria never crossed our minds.

A 10-minute discussion with Essy was enough for us to finalise the decision to move.

Before I knew it, my wife, a registered nurse, was serving a notice period at the hospital she worked for 17 years.

The following weeks saw us applying for both rental homes and jobs in Melbourne, with the assistance of family members

staying in the western suburbs. Everything started conniving with our desires to move to Melbourne. Everything fell into place so fast. We had not yet even secured accommodation by the time we relocated. Neither had we acquired employment. None

of that delayed our relocation to Victoria. We were confident of getting employment upon landing in Melbourne. And that is exactly what happened. We both secured our first jobs in Melbourne a few days before moving to Victoria. Armed with determination to move to a big city, we raced our way from the sleepy town of Canberra through M31 highway and landed in Truganina, where we briefly stayed at a relative’s house before moving to our current home in Rockbank.

Victoria is completely different from ACT. There is life in Melbourne. A lot of exciting activities continue into the late hours of the nights, unlike Canberra where the streets would be completely empty by midnight. Only a few selected outlets in Canberra town would be open during the late hours of the night. People ‘rock and roll’ until the early hours of the next morning in Caroline Springs next to my home.

Although Rockbank is inhabited mainly by new home seekers from diverse backgrounds with very little in common but some of our new neighbours stopped to welcome us as we were moving in. Our children have settled well in their respective jobs and schools.

I found the cost of living in Melbourne to be cheaper than Canberra. There are more grocery, furniture and clothing shops to choose from and their prices are lower than Canberra. The same applies to accommodation. Tenants renting our home in Canberra pay more than what our new bigger Rockbank home costs us in rentals. Canberra motorists pay more for fuel as compared to their Melbourne counterparts.

More trees to help cool the west

More trees will be planted across Melbourne’s west during the next phase of the state government’s More Trees for a Cooler, Greener West program.

On Friday, April 21, Environment Minister Ingrid Stitt announced the next round of grants and locations for 131,504 new trees that will be planted by mid-2024.

This will add to the 192,000 already planted since the beginning of the program, the state government said.

This round is investing over $2 million

to plant both mature and young trees at 76 locations across Melton, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Brimbank, Moonee Valley and Wyndham local government areas.

Thenewtreeswillbeplantedoutsideschools, along trails, in parks and on residential streets, creating more shaded, cooler spaces for local communities, according to the state government.

An urban forest is also being delivered in Brooklyn, with 3000 tubestock trees being planted in an area of underutilised public

Kids can sing out loud

Brimbank boys and girls are encouraged to warm up their singing voices, as the Australian Boys Choir launches a number of training programs.

The Australian Boys Choir’s non-auditioned Early Learners program for both boys and girls aged four to seven is now up and running, with expressions of interest now open for boys aged seven to nin to join the Probationer level of the formal training program from the third term.

Early Learner classes for girls and boys are running on Mondays during school terms at the Koomail Tardy Community Centre at 117 Alcock Road in Truganina.

Australian Boys Choir artistic director said they are “thrilled” to be offering the Early Learners program in Truganina and the Probationer program in the western suburbs for the first time in the choir’s 84-year history.

“Early Learners commenced at Koomail Tardy Community Centre in Truganina in Term 1 and have been so well received that we

are now in a position to consider offering our auditioned Probationer program as well,” he said.

“It is tremendous to potentially be able to provide access to this training for boys in the western suburbs.”

Early Learners teacher Rachael Joyce said the classes focus on teaching a number of skills through exploration and play.

“Our students learn music-specific skills, such as keeping time, matching pitch, and melody recognition, and on top of this, pick up countless other transferable skills,” she said.

“Theyexpandtheirmemorycapabilitieswith remembered songs; develop fine motor skills through playing different instruments each week; improve their language and subsequent reading competence; and build confidence in connecting with their peers through singing together.”

Details: www.australianboyschoir.com.au/ our-programs/join-us

land with guidance from the Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek.

Western Melbourne has the lowest tree canopy cover in metropolitan Victoria, with just 5.5 per cent of urban tree cover in Melbourne in 2018, compared to 17.4 per cent in the inner south-east and 25.9 per cent in the east, the government said.

“We’re planting more trees for a cooler and greener west. Together with our investment in parks, we’re boosting liveability, improving air quality and tackling climate change to reach

net zero emissions by 2045,” Ms Stitt said.

“We’re partnering with councils, land managersandschoolstoinvestincommunities in the west and understand the needs of locals in an effort to increase tree canopy coverage where it is needed most.”

Laverton MP Sarah Connolly said the government was creating green spaces for residents of the west for generations to come.

“Hundreds of thousands of trees will enhance biodiversity, create more open green space and improve air quality across the west,”

Australian Boys Choir Early Learners teacher Rachael Joyce is excited to offer the program for singers in the western suburbs. (Supplied)

Siba and Essy Dube in at their new place in Melbourne.

(Jacob Pattison) 328824_04

Whether it’s responsibilities piling up, the housework never getting done, or people in your life who need your attention, it can feel like you never have enough time.

When you’re putting the needs of others before your own it can be challenging to take time for yourself, or even realise that you need to.

Those who help out a family member or friend with disability, mental illness, age or health issues can sometimes struggle to look after their own care needs. If this sounds like you, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and exhausted. Finding enough time to keep on top of the housework can be tough, let alone finding any time for your own self-care or social needs.

‘‘ If I don’t look after myself who is going to look after the people I care for? ’’ - young carer

But it can be different – Carer Gateway can help. It’s a free support service especially for unpaid carers that is making a real difference in the lives of carers like 20-year-old Naomi.

Naomi has been a carer since the age of seven and is considered a young carer as she is under 25.

“I am someone who is chronically ill and it wasn’t until I was admitted to hospital that I realised if I don’t look after myself who is going to look after the people I care for? That’s when I reached out for support,” Naomi said.

A carer may provide varied levels of assistance to support someone. Some carers look after people who are mostly independent butmightneedhelpwithtaskssuchasbanking,

Caring

for a loved one can often leave your own needs

transport, shopping or housework. Other carers provide more hands-on physical care such as helping a loved one with daily hygiene and dressing assistance.

All these responsibilities can be time-consuming and take its toll on the carer’s mental and physical load if they never get to step away from it all. Isn’t it time to put your

Where carers can find support

Fans get behind Western United

Western United’s women’s side might only be in their first season, but the side has started to get a dedicated fan base. With the team playing in the A-League Women’s grand final this Sunday, many fans are planning to head to Sydney to watch the side in action and hopefully claim the championship. Star Weekly caught up with some of the dedicated fans ahead of the big game.

Western Core

Brooke Muscat has been a member of Western United since day one.

Part of the men’s active supporter group, Muscat was one of those who put her hand up to help run the club’s women’s active supporter group when the club finally got a women’s side this season.

Muscat and the group have had a season full of highs so far and they’re hoping a championship will cap it off this Sunday.

“A group of us run it, a little group of about eight of us run it behind the scenes and helped create it” she said.

“I’m a supporter of the men’s team and an inaugural member. With the commitment factorsomeonehadtostepupwiththewomen’s teamandwe’vebeensupportingthemeachand every week.

“The boys do a lot of work with the men’s side, so we’re sharing the load and each of the partiessupporteachotherasmuchaspossible.”

Muscat has made several interstate trips this season to watch United, including being at the club’s semi final win in Sydney.

She said it was an incredible experience.

“It was an awesome experience and how the game transpired was incredible to watch.

“Seeing all that hard work and the tight knit community they’ve put together was such a great experience.

“To watch it live, there were only about 10 of us, it was really cool to have played a little part in it.”

While many people have been surprised by United’s success in its first season, Muscat said she didn’t think that it was such a big surprise, with so much belief in the team.

“I’m so proud of them.”

Muscat has already booked her flights, accommodation and tickets for the grand final. She’shopingthattherewillbeaheapofother United fans making the trip.

“There’s been a fair bit of interest in a few of the Western United supporter groups,” she said.

“The club is looking to put a bus on if there’s enough support. There should be a decent amount of people there.

“We want people to come and join us in the

active supporter bay.”

Muscat said the only disappointing aspect was that many supporters will miss out on coming to the match, with it being held in Sydney after Football Australia decided both A-League grand finals would be held in the Harbour City.

The Woollam family

Western United fans Jenni Woollam and her family from Hoppers Crossing are flying up to Sydney to watch the game and support their team.

“As soon as we heard we booked flights up to Sydney,” Ms Woollam said. “We were just in Adelaide for the men’s [game].”

“My husband and two of my kids are coming … [we] leave at 6am and get back at 10pm … and there’s about 12 [friends] going as well.”

Ms Woollam said the family have been following Western United for a few years now and said it’s been a really exciting season.

Western United men’s active group Western United men’s active support are ramping up to get out and show their support for the women’s team in the upcoming A-League Women’s final.

One of the men’s active support leaders Mason Ahumada said he’s enjoyed watching the women’s success throughout their first season.

“It’s been very good,” he said.

“Because I’ve been such a big part of the men’s support, I’ve been able to see a lot of the women come up through Calder United, who they merged [formed a partnership] with last season.

“Just seeing the passion they’ve instilled in the first season has been great to see.”

Now, he’s preparing to head up to Sydney to show support during the final.

“I’m very excited, who would’ve thought that we’d come this far,” he said.

“Throughout the season a lot of the players have showed a lot of heart and they keep continuing to prove all the doubters wrong, and here we are with the biggest game next weekend.

“To lift the trophy, and following the success of the men’s last season, to lift two trophies, would be awesome.”

He said many members of the men’s support will be joining on the Sydney trip

Ahumada said it’s normal for the club’s men and women’s support groups to all come together and support each other.

“We all chat as a collective and try our best to support each other … The club try and instil that. It’s mostly just us trying to have a good outcome for the club,” he said.

“I’m bringing some of the boys with me, so there’ll be a lot of hometown support at the game, so we’re all gonna be there in numbers for sure.

“The club try to instil that. It’s mostly just us trying to have a good outcome for the club.”

Western United fans will be in full voice on Sunday. (Supplied)

Active support group the Western Core. (Supplied)

The Western Core at the semi final (Supplied)

The Woollam family on their way to a Western United game. (Supplied)

Bigotry can be a health hazard

By Christopher Carter, chief executive, North Western Melbourne Primary HealthNetwork

Love it or loathe it, the classic Australian soap opera Neighbours has notched up many firsts in its long life. One of these was making a star oftransgenderactorGeorgieStone,whoplayed the role of Mackenzie Hargreaves.

And Georgie herself marked her own first recentlywhenshebecamethefirsttransperson to give a speech at the National Press Club in Canberra.

“This last month has been incredibly difficult for us,” she said. “I am holding the hearts of fellow trans Australians in my mind and acknowledge the collective trauma and pain caused by recent events.”

She was referring to some small but noisy gatherings that targeted trans people. When these sort of things happen, they are not just ugly expressions of bigotry – they are genuine and serious health hazards.

The trans community, especially its younger members, is one of the most at-risk groups in Australia. Research has found that among trans and gender diverse people aged between 14 and 25, almost half have attempted suicide and 80 per cent have self-harmed.

In the general population, the proportion who attempt suicide is 3.6 per cent.

In the US, LGBTIQ+ people under 29 make up a quarter of all suicides. Several studies suggest that this is because LGBTIQ+ people in general, and especially trans people, face high levels of discrimination and harassment. As it would for anybody, this leads to mental health distress.

It’s fair to say that many people don’t understand the particular challenges faced by trans, non-binary and other gender diverse members of our community.

Because of this, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network works hard with some wonderful organisations to make sure that they can access mental and physical health care geared to their needs, delivered by people who know what they are going through.

One of these, for instance, is Queerspace, an organisation that provides all kinds of counsellingandadviceforthebroadLGBTIQ+ community, aimed at improving health and wellbeing. Queerspace is part of the amazing community health organisation Drummond Street Services, which in our region has centres in Brimbank, Wyndham, and North

Melbourne.

Another valuable organisation is Switchboard, which provides peer-driven support services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, gender diverse, intersex, queer and asexual people, their families, allies and communities.

Younger trans people in need of help for mental health or substance use can find it with the Youth Support and Advocacy Service, or YSAS. This mob have an office in Carlton, but operate across the city and beyond.

Finally, there is Thorne Harbour Health, Victoria’s largest provider of health care for LGBTIQ+ residents. We work with them a

lot. Among other services, the organisation runs a dedicated, bulk-billing medical and counselling clinic for trans and gender diverse people. It’s called Equinox, and is located in Abbotsford.

So if you’re trans, don’t hesitate to get in touch with any of these organisations. If you’re not, but you know someone who is, maybe reach out and give them a smile. As Georgie Stone said, it’s been a tough month.

• Queerspace: ds.org.au

• Switchboard: switchboard.org.au

• YSAS: ysas.org.au

• Thorne Harbour Health: thorneharbour.org

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NWMPHN works with a number of groups to support transgender people. (iStock)

Springs Boulevard

• CAROLINE SPRINGS Professionals Caroline Springs RE Shop 16, 218-222 Caroline Springs Boulevard

• CAROLINE SPRINGS Brad Teal Real Estate Shop 4, 242-244 Caroline Springs Boulevard

• CAROLINE SPRINGS Ray White Real Estate Shop 8, 234 Caroline Springs Boulevard

• CAROLINE SPRINGS CS Square Centre

29-35 Lake Street

• DEER PARK Deer Park Club

780 Ballarat Road

• DEER PARK Bells Real Estate

813a Ballarat Road

• DEER PARK Biggin and Scott Real Estate

817a Ballarat Road

• DEER PARK Comm Unity Plus - Community Neighbourhood Centre 822-824 Ballarat Road

• DEER PARK Foodworks 803 Ballarat Road

• DEER PARK Cellarbrations Liquor Store

809 Ballarat Road

• DEER PARK Australia Post Office 827a Ballarat Road

• DEER PARK Deer Park IGA

8 Hatchlands Drive

Airport health ‘concerns’

• DEER PARK Brimbank Shopping Centre Cnr Neale Road & Station Road

• DEER PARK Derrimut Village Shopping Centre Foleys Road

• DEER PARK Coles Supermarket Foleys Road (Derrimut Village Shopping Centre)

• DEER PARK Deer Park Library 4 Neale Road

• DEER PARK Burnham Real Estate

93 Station Road

• DELAHEY Calder Real Estate 10/350 Taylors Road

• DELAHEY IGA Delahey 260 Taylors Road (Delahey Village Shopping Centre)

• DELAHEY Delahey Community Centre 80 Copperfield Drive

• DERRIMUT Sunshine Golf Club

475 Mt Derrimut Road

• DERRIMUT YPA Estate Agents Shop 9, 20 Mt Derrimut Road

• FOOTSCRAY Frank Trimboli Real Estate 169 Barkly Street

• FOOTSCRAY Wards Newsagency

100 Nicholson Street

• HILLSIDE Foodworks Hillside

49-69 Wattle Valley Drive

• HILLSIDE Parkwood Green Community Centre 88 Catherine Drive

• HILLSIDE Hillside Neighbourhood House

Recreation Reserve

• KEILOR Brad Teal Woodards

684 Old Calder Highway

• KEILOR Keilor Community Hub (Council Office ) 704b Old Calder Highway

• KEILOR Keilor Newsagent

700 Old Calder Highway

• KEILOR Keilor Retirement Village

868 Old Calder Highway Service Road

• KEILOR DOWNS Centro Shopping Centre

80 Taylors Road

• KEILOR PARK Star Weekly Office Unit 6/1-9 Thomson Road

• KEILOR PARK Frank’s Supermarket

• KEILOR PARK Ferguson Plarre Bakehouse Shop 32, 40 Keilor Park Drive

• KINGS PARK Westvale Community Centre

Kings Road

• MELTON Melton Shire Offices

• MELTON Harrison Hyundai

High Street

• MELTON Melton Toyota 143-147

NORTH Malaga Real Estate

3/23 Suffolk Road

• SUNSHINE WEST Morgan’s Super IGA Supermarket 475 Fitzgerald Road

• SUNSHINE WEST Bottler Sunshine West Drive in Liquor 79 Glengala Road

• SUNSHINE WEST West Sunshine Community Centre 25 Kermeen Street

• SUNSHINE WEST Coles Supermarket 136 The Avenue

• SYDENHAM Natalie Hutchins MP Shop 11, 28a Hume Drive (Aqua Gardens Convenience Store)

• SYDENHAM YPA Estate Agents Ground Floor, 15-17 Overton Lea Boulevard

• SYDENHAM O’Brien Real Estate 17b Overton Overton Lea Boulevard

• TAYLORS HILL Taylors Hill Land Sales Cnr Taylors & Gourlay Roads

• TAYLORS HILL Watervale Shopping Centre 2-14 Calder Park Drive

• TAYLORS LAKES Taylors Lakes Lotto Shop 8 3 Melton Highway

• TAYLORS LAKES Watergardens Hotel 431 Kings Road

• TAYLORS LAKES YPA Estate Agents Shop 5, 399 Melton Highway (Watergardens Shopping Centre)

• TAYLORS LAKES Watergardens Shopping Centre 399 Melton Highway

• TAYLORS LAKES Centrelink Watergardens 1/399 Melton Highway (Watergardens Town Centre)

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Star Weekly looks back through the pages of our predecessors

35 years ago

April 20, 1988

“It was a night of the long knives,” said Sunshine councillor Don Mckay after he come under attack several times at last week’s council meeting.

25 years

April 22, 1998

Keilor Basketball Association (KBA) has blown an opportunity to expand junior membership in Brimbank by refusing to hold home games in st Albans.

20 years ago

April 22, 2003

Residents of the Lakes Retirement Village last week welcomed the announcement traffic signals at one of the area’s most renowned blackspots have been funded.

10 years

April 23, 2013

A dramatic spike in the number of obese women giving birth in Melbourne’s west has led to a Victoria-first maternity clinic being established in Brimbank .

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

WANT YOUR EVENT

Volunteer repairers needed

An opportunity has risen at a Sunshine repair cafe to meet other in the community in a relaxed space and share your skills while helping fix broken household items. The project is supported by the Circular economy communities fund

■ sunshinerepaircafe@kcnh.org.au or 0413 434 082

Black Powder Mill open day

An open day will be held at the Black Powder Mill on April 29. The event will empower attendees with a general understanding of the history of the mill. Event runs from 10.30am -3.30pm There will be presentations at 11am and 1.30pm. The mill is at the corner of Parklea Avenue and Grassy Point Road, Cairnlea.

■ 0417 519 043 or Shauncrosbie@hotmail.com

Women’s Wellbeing Program

Women’s Support Network is inviting women to join a 12 week program that will run in Sunshine. The program, Root, Moss, Blossom, Feather, includes gentle movement, short meditation and art for wellbeing activities. No art experience required. The program starts on May 4.

■ info@wsn.org.au or Ko, 0458 947 507

Vaccine hub

A new Sunday vaccine service will run at IPC Health’s Deer Park GP clinic. The clinic will be open every Sunday as a walk-in vaccination hub from 10am-2pm. No appointments are needed and clients without Medicare cards are welcome. COVID-19 booster vaccines, Novavax, Pfizer first does for children older than five and MPox for monkeypox are available.

■ 0490 745 436 or vaccinations@ipchealth.com.au

Keilor Evening View Club

The Keilor Evening View Club meets at 6.30pm on the first Tuesday of each month at The Atrium at Taylors Lakes Hotel. Come along and enjoy a meal and fun night with friendly group of ladies.

■ Robyn, 0425 387 880

Deer Park Lions Club

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

■ Michael, 0417 307 572

Sunshine Community Brass

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

■ Andrew, 0419 444 620

St Albans senior citizens

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

■ Roma, 0435 991 064

Palliative volunteers needed

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

■ 9313 5700, or MPCVolunteerCoordinators@mercy.com.au

Sunrise Social Groups

GenWest Sunrise Social Groups are currently seeking new members for

their Melton, Brimbank and Wyndham programs. The free groups are organised by Genwest and provide a social space for women, gender diverse and nonbinary people, who have a disability, chronic health issues and/or mental health challenges.

■ genwest.org.au/what-we-do/healthwellbeing-programs/

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

Sunrise Social Groups

GenWest Sunrise Social Groups are currently seeking new members for their Melton, Brimbank and Wyndham programs. The free groups are organised by Genwest and provide a social space for women, gender diverse and nonbinary people, who have a disability, chronic health issues and/or mental health challenges.

■ https://genwest.org.au/what-we-do/ health-wellbeing-programs/

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

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

Melton Bridge Club

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

Melton Friendship Group.

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

■ 0406 493 734

Melton Ladies Probus Club

The Melton Ladies Probus Club meets at 10am on the second Wednesday of each month, at the Melton Country Club and is welcoming new members. Contact Diane.

■ 0438 611 552

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

Community singing group

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

■ Val, 0418 667 150

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

This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of kids having fun at Albanvale primary school’s cultural diversity day. (Damjan Janevski) 329177_01

PUZZLES

SUDOKU

341 872 169 3 43 6

No. 27 3 3 156 63 8947

QUICK CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Region of South Africa (9)

6 Just (4)

10 Atmosphere (3)

11 Donated (11)

12 Before chapter one (9)

13 Grower of crops (6)

14 – Von Bismarck (4)

15 Islands of the central and southern Pacific (7)

20 From Stockholm, say (7)

21 List of dishes served (4)

25 The person who controls the game in certain

25 26 8 76 2

easy 658 9387 975

43 9 61 4 89

hard

9 1785 48

medium 531 7 67 8 569

27 9713 5

DECODER WORDFIT

words: Good

15

cere, cheer, chore, coerce, cohere, COHERENCE, cone, core, creche, crone, echo, encore, erne, hence, here, hereon, hero, heron, hone, ochre, once

No. 130

R E C C R O O R E R D T E T R Y C A R G O H O A R D E R R E D S T E E L T A R D Y E O N C

3 Which revolutionary figure was known as El Libertador?

4 Which country gifted the Statue of Liberty to the US?

5 And in what style is the statue?

6 In which region of Italy is the city of Naples?

7 In which country is the endangered eastern lowland gorilla (pictured) found?

8 Which African capital city is found on the opposite shore of the Congo River from Kinshasa?

9 What is the primary ingredient of the Iranian dish pilaf?

10 Who directed the 2012 film Argo?

No. 130

No. 130

No. 130

Notice of Preparation of Draft Annual Budget and Draft Annual Action Plan (Year 3) 2023/2024

Draft Annual Budget and Draft Annual Action Plan (Year 3) 2023/2024

Brimbank City Council has prepared a Draft Annual Budget and Draft Council Plan Annual Action Plan for the financial year commencing on 1 July 2023 and ending on 30 June 2024.

The Draft Annual Budget and Draft Council Plan Annual Action Plan will be available from 20 April 2023 until 18 May 2023 on Council’s website www.brimbank.vic.gov.au.

Have your say - Written submissions

Anyone can make a written submission about the Draft Annual Budget and Draft Council Plan Annual Action Plan. The closing date for written submissions is 5pm on Thursday 18 May 2023.

You can make your submission online by visiting www.yoursay.brimbank.vic.gov.au

Council will meet to consider adopting the Annual Budget and Council Plan Action Plan (Year 3) 2023/2024, at the Council Meeting at 7pm on Tuesday 20 June 2023 at the Brimbank Community and Civic Centre, 301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine.

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SPORTS QUIZ

1. Which city hosted the AFL Gather Round?

2. What nationality was Formula 1 racer Niki Lauda?

3. How many coaches in the English Premier League have been sacked, at a

4. Which AFL team debuted their No.1 pick at the Gather Round?

5. In golf, what is an eagle?

6. Which country hosted the last FIFA Womens World Cup in 2019?

7. Which decorated AFLW player moved from Adelaide to Port Adelaide to follow her father’s legacy?

What type of tennis court is Wimbledon played on: grass, clay or hard?

In Round 7, how many Sydney NRL teams sat outside the top 8 ladder?

Which Premier League player is set to break the record for most goals in the season?

Which Australian golfer won the LPGA's 2023 Lotte Championship?

Which team won their way into the 202223 A-League Women's Grand Final, in their debut season?

13. How many more seasons has South Australia been locked in as host for the AFL's Gather Round?

14. Set to host a LIV Golf League event, in which Australian state is The Grange Golf Club?

15. What US state is home to Major League Baseball teams known as the Astros and Rangers?

16. Japanese basketballer Rui Hachimura plays for which NBA team?

17. Who is the current coach of the Australia Wallabies team?

18. Sponsorship from which country was recently cancelled by the FIFA Women's World Cup?

19. The son of which Indian cricketing legend recently made his debut in the Indian Premier League?

20. Mike Powell and Galina Chistyakova hold the men's and women's world records for which track and field event?

21. Brisbane Lightning beat the Central Coast Rhinos by how many goals in the opening round of the AIHL?

22. Which three teams has AFL player Jesse Hogan played for in his career?

23. How many points in front does a team need to be to win a set in volleyball?

24. The Bucks play out of which US city in the NBA?

25. Which English Premier League team currently sits on top of the ladder?

26. Australian men’s cricketer Mitchell Starc’s brother Brandon is a professional in which sport?

27. Which two NHL teams were announced to be playing two pre-season games in Melbourne in September?

DISCRIMINATION IN ADVERTISING IS UNLAWFUL

timeandcasualroles available.Ratesabove awardandnegotiable. Musthaveexperience. Emailyourresumeto office@griffithsgroup.co orcall(03)54141433or 0437900995(Sharon).

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.

28. True or false: a nonVictorian AFL team currently sits in the top 4 on the ladder after five rounds?

29. In what year did the Melbourne Storm last win the NRL premiership?

30. Which country currently holds the BorderGavaskar Trophy?

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Doin’ the Triton utility two-step

By Derek Ogden, Marque Motoring

The Triton tapped danced up and down the concrete ‘boards’ of the motorway, leaving occupantsshakin’allover.Thankfully,thiswas no polka: ‘three-sixties’ here would have been well out of order.

On minor-road bitumen the terpsichorean bobbing up and down stepped aside for the GSR dual cab ute to settle for the odd bounce when encountering surface blemishes. Let’s face it, most utes exhibit some degree of rodeoriding.However,thereisworktobedone here.

The new Triton is a relative late comer to the dual cab ute segment dominated by the Toyota HiLuxandFordRanger,theMitsubishirelying onvalueformoneyinitsappeal.Unfortunately, this has resulted in Triton being seriously challenged by the likes of the Mazda BT-50 and Isuzu D-Max, not to mention Chinese and Korean offerings.

Mitsubishi Australia offers the MY22 Triton in six variants, with the GLX from a bargain basement $44,240 drive away. The range is rounded out by the GSR from $65,740 drive away. The latter was on test.

Accessories across the range are designed to suit most needs. Select from a Work Pack, Tradie Essential Pack, Starter Pack, Polished Pack or Black Pack.

Out in front with its 10-year 200,000-kilometre Diamond Advantage warranty, the maker offers Triton cover, provided all scheduled servicing is done on time and by an authorised Mitsubishi dealer.

Styling

The all-over black GSR test vehicle sported 18-inch alloy wheels and blacked-out grille. clamshell-style doors, platform side steps and grab handles made for easy access.

Efficient LED headlamps and daytime runninglightsareinlinewiththelatestlookin pick-up truck design.

On the smaller side of the segment, the ‘tucked in’ Triton’s less than 12 metre turning circle does make for easier parking than many of its segment rivals.

Interior

The cabin décor certainly makes a statement with orange leather appointed seats, black leather door trims with orange stitching, the latter repeated on the steering wheel, gear shift knob and park brake lever.

The luxe look is let down somewhat by black plastic surrounds, which are present in abundance.

Front seats are heated, while two rear seat passengers are well catered for with generous legroomandareclinedseatbackangleallowing ample, head and shoulder room - three across not so.

The bench seat back folds to expose a slim storage space across the width of the cabin. Storage, in general, is well covered with cup holdersallround,acubbyupfront,deepcentre console and big-bottle door slots.

Out back, the tub dimensions - 1520 mm long, 1470 mm wide, 475 mm deep – are some of the smallest in the segment, while four integrated cargo hooks can safely secure a variety of loads.

Infotainment

In these days of tablet-style technology, a small(ish)touchscreen,coveringAppleCarPlay, Android Auto and DAB+ digital radio, dwells in the past, while a head-up display on the windscreen, covering speed and legal speed limits, catches up with present-day standards.

Analogue instruments literally dial up memories of the old workhorse, the layout relating to modern times only by a digital display between the two gauges.

Engines / transmissions

The MY22 Triton relies on the tried and tested (ageing) 2.4-litre Mitsubishi MIVEC common-rail, intercooled turbodiesel engine putting out 133 kW of power at 3500 rpm and 430 Nm of torque at 2500 revs.

Safety

The five-star ANCAP safety grade won in 2015 would not be up to today’s five-star standards.

However, Mitsubishi Intuitive Technology (MITEC) does incorporate such technical advantages as antilock braking with electronic brakeforce distribution; forward collision mitigation; ultrasonic misacceleration mitigation; blind spot and lane departure warning; lane change assist; hill descent control; all-round monitor; hill start assist; reverse parking camera and sensors; and rear cross-traffic alert.

Passivesafetyiscoveredbysevenairbagsand an audible warning to pedestrians when the vehicle is reversing.

Driving

Constructed in lightweight materials, including an aluminium block, it’s fuel efficiency over performance with the Triton 2.4-litre turbodiesel powerplant. Ponderous off the mark but relaxed and co-operative at cruising speeds.

Note: leave the steering wheel-mounted metal shift paddles alone. They add little to

the driving experience. It’s definitely a case of engine management knows best.

Mitsubishi puts fuel consumption in the combined urban / highway cycle at 8.6 litres per 100 kilometres. On test the GSR recorded 11 litres per 100 kilometres city commuting and 6.7 litres per 100 kilometres on the open road.

As mentioned above, a rigid ladder chassis; up front, double wishbones with coil springs and stabiliser bar; and above-axle leaf spring rear suspension had their moments.

Super Select II 4x4 system incorporates four modes - 2H, rear-wheel drive; 4H, full-time power to all wheels; 4HLC, 4WD high range with locked centre differential, minimises wheel spin with low grip; 4LCC, 4WD low range with locked centre diff, maximum traction at low speed. The switch between two andfour-wheeldrivecanbemadesafelyonthe fly at speeds up to 100 km/h.

Tow rating is 3100 kg braked and 750 kg unbraked. The test vehicle tonneau cover provided a test of strength to clip it down until it finally surrendered to perseverance. The high-set lined tub (aren’t they all, these days) also offered up a few loading challenges during the test.

Rear seat occupants commented on the efficiencyoftheclimatecontrolbacktherewith its dual air vents in the roof.

AT A GLANCE

MODEL RANGE

Mitsubishi Triton GLX from $44,240 (Drive away)

Mitsubishi Triton GLX-R from $47,490 (Drive away)

Mitsubishi Triton GLX+ from $48,490 (Drive away)

Mitsubishi Triton GLS from $53,240 (Drive away)

Mitsubishi Triton Sport Edition from $60,926 (Drive away)

Mitsubishi Triton GSR from $65,740 (Drive away)

SPECIFICATIONS

Triton GSR 2.4L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, sixspeed automatic, selectable 4x4 dual cab ute

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

Summary

While lacking in some of the niceties of the modern pick-up truck work-and-play combination, the Triton GSR does not carry the load of premium pricing of some of its opposition.

A six-speed automatic transmission and Super Select II 4x4 system cover the spectrum of on- and off-road capability.

The latest generation Triton GSR is no wallflower when it comes to the practicalities of a dual cab ute. (PIctures: Supplied)

Cobras aim to play a ‘different brand of football’

New Albanvale coach Nick Smith has stripped things back as the club tries to take that next step in the Western Region Football League division 3.

After being knocked out of the finals in straight sets after losing just one game in the regular season last season, the Cobras want to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen again this year.

Smith said the pre-season had been very different for the playing group.

“Theydidalotoflearninginthepre-season,” he said. “I have a different view on footy than the previous coaches.

“They’ve almost had to try and step back and learn everything. We want to play a different brand of football.

“Players often go through the motions in pre-season. We know it is not about winning now.

“We’re focusing on the game plan, structure and rationale.”

Smith said the group had shown positive signs in the pre-season that they were on the

right track with the game plan.

Hesaidthegrouphadbeenreallyexcitedfor round one, but much of that work was thrown out the window when they were confronted with wet and windy conditions.

Smith said he had never seen a first round of the season like that with the conditions brutal on the players.

“The game plan went out of the way along with structures. It was about just getting the win,” he said.

The Cobras led by three points at half time againstSunshineHeights,beforekickingaway in the second half to win, 12.16 (88)-8.11 (59).

Smith said he was proud of how the group adapted in the second half.

“We tried to play dry footy in the first half,” he said.

“The players trusted me in the second half and they didn’t panic and followed instructions and did all the team things.

‘They were able to adapt to the conditions and play a simpler brand of footy. We’ll get a lot out of the result.”

The one negative out of the match was an injury for David Ranno. Ranno, who played out the game with a punctured kidney, could be out for the season after having surgery.

Smith said the recruit had been almost their best player in the pre-season.

TheteamthattooktothefieldfortheCobras was different to last year, with six debutants who had crossed from other clubs.

Smithsaidhehadbeenkeentorewardthose whohaddonethehardworkinthepre-season, which meant there were some surprises at the selection table.

“I didn’t play anyone that didn’t do enough of the pre-season,” he said.

“The league best and fairest winner [Liam Montrose] played in the twos. We had a strong twos team.

“Being a new coach, I’m a new set of eyes on them. The responses have been really good.” Montrose responded with a best on ground performance in the reserves. Smith said his response had been really good.

The Cobras have a bye this week.

Emily runs on ambition

By Peter Howe

A love for long distance running sets the April Don Deeble Sports Star, Emily Mifsud apart from her peers.

“From a very early age I just loved to run around, run everywhere, whenever I got a chance to get outside, I ran,” said an effervescent Mifsud.

Mifsud has turned that love into a blossoming career having started when she was young following in her mother’s footsteps.

She started at Little Athletics, where she found her love of running.

“I competed in every event when I was in little aths including the discus and shot put, but running was all I really wanted to do,” reflected Mifsud with some satisfaction.

“I was never a winner of championships, I just loved to compete.”

Mifsud graduated to running at Aberfeldie with Athletics Essendon.

She started running 1500 metre events and graduated to 3000m as she got older and developed more strength. Mifsud puts her success to joining the Maribyrnong Sports Academy and training under Gregor Gojrzewski, and combining her athletic ambitions with her studies.

A typical week for Mifsud involves a training and competing program of six days a week with only Friday away from any athletic pursuit.

A typical Monday is a slow, eight kilometre run, Tuesday’s work is a threshold session including four six-minute repetition runs.

There’s another eight to 10 kilometre easy run on a Wednesday, followed by a speed endurance session on Thursday, that caps off her week.

Add three gym sessions early morning with a focus on core and leg strength and you can see she is a driven young person.

Misfud results resulted in her representing Victoria at the 2022 Australian Cross Country Championships and competing at the 2022 Australian Track and Field Championships.

Mifsud was then selected to represent Australia at the annual Simplot Games held in Salt Lake City in February.

Athletes from the USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia competed in the largest indoor high school track and field event of more than 2000 athletes competing in the carnival.

Mifsud made the final of the 3200 metres, an event she had never run before.

Following a third place in her heat, she finished fourth in the final only 0.6 seconds behind third.

“It was the best thing I have ever done,” reflected a very excited Mifsud, “I had never

Sports shorts

Australia Cup

Brimbank Stallions and Keilor Wolves are through to the fifth round of the Australia Cup after wins last week. The Stallions, whose match was postponed after the lights didn’t work, beat Gippsland United 3-0, after Gippsland forfeited the match. The Stallions face Altona Magic in the next round. The Wolves, whose match had to be replayed after the lights went out, beat Ashburton United 4-2. The Wolves will face Hume City in the next round.

Nike F.C Cup

Calder United is through to the next round of the Nike F.C Cup after beating Southern United on Tuesday night. The National Premier League side trailed at half time before two goals within 11 minutes gave Calder the lead and it was enough for the win. Caroline Springs George Cross was knocked out after losing to Essendon Royals, 4-0. Spring Hills was also knocked out in the fourth round

A-League

Angie Beard has been ruled out for the A-League Women’s grand final. Beard was substituted in the 78th minute of United’s 1-0 win in Sunday’s Semi-Final against Sydney FC after hunting her foot. Scans have revealed that Beard has sustained an injury to her foot, which will unfortunately rule her out for the grand final on April 30.

Western Region FL

The Western Region Football League netball competition will grow to six divisions this season, with the season tipped to start on April 28. This season will feature 15 clubs, with 44 teams taking the court in the Friday night competition. Games will be played at both Victoria University Community Sports Stadium at Whitten Oval and Victoria University Aquatic and Fitness Centre at the Victoria University.

run on an indoor track before, it is steep and only 200 metres long.

“I improved 20 seconds from my heat to the final. It was an amazing experience.”

Misfud said her hero is Australian champion, Jessica Hull.

Hullfinished11thinthe1500mattheTokyo Olympics and more recently finished third at the World Cross Country Championships at Bathurst in February.

Mifsud is hoping to emulate her career.

So what does the future hold for Mifsud?

“I am currently completing my VCE this year,” she said. “Post year 12, I’m considering

going to college in America, my schoolwork is very important to me.

“I want a high ATAR to get into a physiotherapy course. Naturally I’d love to represent Australia at the Olympics.”

The Don Deeble Sports Star Award is sponsored by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club, Strathmore Community Bank, the Deer Park Club, Ascot Vale Sports and Trophies and StarWeekly If you would like to nominate a monthly winner or attend a dinner at the Medway Golf Club, contact swrsportsclub@gmail.com or 0408 556 631.

Yarraville Seddon Eagles will be playing in the competition for the first time, while North Sunshine will return to the competition after being a part of the competition in 2019. The season will run for 16 rounds, with two byes scheduled across the season.

FOR MORE SPORT, VISIT

Web: starweekly.com.au

Brimbank & North West Star Weekly

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Ostinn Bellingham was one of Albanvale’s best in round one. (Joe Mastroianni) 285241_01

Emily Misfud and her coach Gregor Gojrzewski. (Supplied)

Cummings ready to take the fight up to Sydney

It’s business as usual for Sydney Cummings and her Western United teammates in the lead up to the A-League Women’s grand final.

In what has been an incredible season so far, the United girls are just now one win away from the fairy tale of a championship in their first season.

For Cummings, it’s a pretty exciting place to be in ahead of Sunday’s grand final.

“It’s everything that the team is fighting for,” she said.

“You want to be rewarded for the sacrifices thatyouhavemadeasateamandasindividuals.

“Wewereallreallyexcitedandtherewasabit relief as soon as the whistle blew.

“We are stoked to achieve what we set out to do. It’s nice to be there.”

Cummings, one of four internationals at Unitedthisseason,saidfromhearingaboutthe stories of the core group of players, who have played together previously, she said they’re not shocked how far they’ve come from.

She said many had played against talented

A-League players in the National Premier League previously and were more than capable of holding their own.

For Cummings, the opportunity to come to Australia was one that was too good to refuse. She said it was her first time having the chance and didn’t hesitate.

“I thought it was a great opportunity,” she said.

“Australia had been a league before COVID that players would flip flop from the NWSL [National Women’s Soccer League] and the A-League.

“It was a reputable league back home. I was excited for the opportunity to come and play and the idea of a new team and the expansion really excited me.

“It’s one of the best leagues and anyone can beat anyone.”

Cummings said playing for a new team meant they could help form things and build from the beginning.

She said while nothing surprised her about

the league, having done her research, but she was pleasantly surprised about how United went about things.

“People want to make things work,” she said. “You can have an opinion or problem even when things are going well and the likes of Mark [Torcaso] Amanda [Stella], Chris [Pehlivanis] and Mal [Impiombato] are listening to you.

“They’retreatinguslikepeoplewhichcanget lost in the transition. At the end of the day we are still people.”

Cummings said the other thing that stood about United was the culture that had been set up. She said that it was intimidating coming into the club at first.

“This group of girls is like a family,” she said “The way they accepted me with open arms, not only the internationals but the girls from interstate … We were accepted from the start.

“It’s a privilege to be part of.”

Tara Murray

Toper-Stanley calls it a day

Western United defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley will finish up his A-League Men’s career at the end of this season.

Topor-Stanley’s career has spanned 17 years since his debut for Sydney FC in 2006, taking him to Perth Glory, Newcastle Jets, Western Sydney WanderersandthenWesternUnitedas well as Hatta Club in the United Arab Emirates.

The 38-year-old has racked up an incredible 379 appearances in the A-League, just one game less than Leigh Broxham on the all-time appearances list.

Topor-Stanleysaidhewillcarryfond memories with him for the rest of his life after football.

“I’m immensely proud and grateful for the life football has given me. It’s allowed me to travel the world, given me perspective, allowed me to develop character I never knew possible, and most importantly led me to meet my wife and have a family,” he said.

Western

Partnership bears fruit

By Tara Murray

While many people have been surprised by the stunning rise of Western United’s women’s side, United’s women’s football manager Amanda Stella isn’t one of them.

Stellahashadafirsthandviewofmanyofthe squad, developing as players and people, before getting the opportunity with United. The club in its first season is through to the A-League Women’s decider to be played this Sunday.

While a key piece in the United women’s program,Stella isalso thepresidentofNational Premier League Women’s club Calder United.

“The idea was always to put together a Western United A-League Women’s’ side with a core group of players that had played together,” she said.

“The club had a partnership with Calder United and that has come to fruition. There’s 11 or 12 players who were at Calder, who are in that group.

“There’s some scholarship players and there’s some that have made a couple of appearances.

“There’s been four or five that have been

playing well and in the team every week like Mel and Adriana Taranto, Emma Robers, Stacey Papadopoulos and Julia Sardo.”

Stella said not many people were surprised that the squad consisted of the majority of Calder players.

The club’s development program had 90 per cent from Calder and was led by Calder coach Mark Torcaso, who would later be appointed Western United’s inaugural women’s coach.

Stella said having that core group was one of the reasons they were able to get a licence.

She said having had a core group together, they were then able to add in four amazing internationals along with some players with A-League experience.

She said the key for the group had been their togetherness,whichwasoneoftheirkeyvalues.

“The team has gelled and they are working for each other,” she said. “That was evident on the weekend’s game [semi final]. We weren’t as tactical as the other team but we were still able to find some sort of strength and fought through and got over the line in the end.”

Speaking to players throughout the season,

it’s evident that the culture that had been so successful at Calder United, helping winning a number of titles, had been brought into the Western United system.

Stella said it was pretty amazing to see all the hard work they had done, have such an impact.

“I started as team manager at the start [of Calder United],” she said. “I was secretary and then president … I’m still president.

“You put in seven or eight years into the club, allvoluntary.Itishardwork,itisreallydifficult work, you don’t have full time employees.

“It’s so special the culture we had was very successful, but we had to put in the hard work.”

Stella said while they had ticked so many boxesinthefirstseason,therewasstillsomuch more to come in the future which is exciting.

She said they had already re-signed 12 or 13 players for next season and were keen on having sustainable success.

As for winning a title in their first season?

“I would be so proud and so happy,” Stella said. “So much work has gone into it, it would be a little bit of a relief as not many people thought we could do it.”

“I’ve come to terms with retirement as it’s something that I’ve been contemplating for a few months now, so I’m at peace with my decision.

“It would be remiss of me to not acknowledge all the people that I’ve encountered that have helped me become the man I am today. To all of you, thank you.”

Topor-Stanley has been one of the league’s leading centre-backs for a number of years, having been a part of five grand final campaigns in his career.

He has played 21 times for United across its championship campaign last season, wearing the captain’s armband on a handful of occasions before injury cruelly robbed him of the chance to play during the finals series.

Topor-Stanley has followed that up with 14 appearances so far this season, remaining a key leader in the dressing roomwithhisexperienceatthehighest level.

Western United football general manager Mal Impiombato celebrated Topor-Stanley’s decorated career and the impact he has had on United in the past two seasons.

“Nikolai will go down as a legend of Australian football and it is a bittersweet moment to see him step away from the game,” he said.

Sydney Cummings. (GAZiPHOTO)

United are in this week’s grand final. (Supplied)

Knights finding form in the Premier League

Melbourne Knights have started to find their feetintheNationalPremierLeaguethisseason.

After taking four rounds to get their first win, the Knights have won five of their last six matches to move into the top half of the competition.

Coach Ben Cahn said things had started to fall into place the last few weeks.

“We’ve gone on a run and we’re looking good,” he said.

“It was going to take some time to come together the first couple of rounds with a new side, and a tough start in terms of opposition.

“Theboyshavebeenrelentlessinbelievingin what we have done.”

Cahn said while they were pleased with how they were playing there were still a lot of things that they needed to improve on.

He said they wanted to be more difficult to

play against.

“We’re heading in the right direction,” he said. “We want to be more consistent in games.

“We’ve had the second most chances and the second most shots on goal that are on target in the league.

“We now need to be a bit more resilient on the other end.”

Cahn said while they had reduced the number of lapses they had in games, they still had small lapses which proved costly at times,

He said they were getting better game by game.

Cahn said the focus at this time of the season was each week at a time. They were set to face Green Gully on Monday night, after deadline.

“We prepare well with a full focus on whoever we play next,” he said. “Green Gully is two points behind us, we jumped them on the

weekend in the league table.

“It’sateamI’vewatchedalotofthisyear.They playreallygoodfootballandwe’reconfidentwe can get the win and put on a good show.”

As well as focusing on continuing its good runintheNPL,theKnightsarestillaliveinthe Australia Cup competition.

They will face Box Hill United in round five on May 9.

“It’s a priority for us, we take the cup seriously,” he said.

“The players and coaches are taking it seriously. The club wants to play in big games.

“We had a good result in round four. We go toBoxHillinroundfiveandhopefullywe’llget a good result.

“The goal is to target the national stage.”

Lions over run Saints

By Tara Murray

It’s about racking up the wins early for Deer Park as it settles into the Essendon District Football League division 1 competition.

A new competition, new coach and a new line up, means lots of moving parts as the Lions try and find their feet.

Coach Heath Scotland said they know that will take time for the side to really click.

“I wouldn’t say that we are playing our best football, but a win’s a win,” he said.

“As long as we continue to chalk them up and keep building, building our brand and our method, the important part.

“We want to make sure that we are playing our best footy come finals, we have a long way to go but it’s been a nice start.”

The Lions faced a familiar foe on Saturday, facing St Albans which also made the move from the Western Region Football League in the off season.

Scotland said while it made it a little bit easier preparing, they were more focused on the way that they were going to play.

He said they were starting to see a bit more predictability in the way that they were playing.

“For us with so many new faces, people coming together,” he said.

“It’s getting stability and understanding our method and game plan, bit more predictably internally has been the challenge but it is still work in progress, with a new game plan and new method boys are still learning.

“Wearegoingtohaveourteethingproblems throughout the season and in games like we are seeing. As long as the time comes we have our noise in front come the final siren, that’s what is the important part now.”

Against the Saints, the match was still on the line heading into the final quarter.

After trailing by three goals at half time, the Saints controlled the third quarter to lead by four points at the last break.

The Lions kicked the first five goals of the last quarter to take control of the match, eventually winning 16.9 (105)-10.10 (70).

Scotland said they took their time to settle into the game.

“We weren’t playing great footy early, we shot ourselves in the foot early, “ he said.

“We had a decent lead by four goals or something at half time, most of our score came from turnovers.

“I think we were really sloppy with the football, hurt us in contest and then the third quarter, we just got beaten around the contest again.

“In the last quarter we simplified things, finding the contest, equalising numbers and ability and work ethic got us over the line.”

Keilor adds Japanese import

Keilor Thunder has signed a second Japanese import for the National Basketball League South 1 season.

The Thunder announced that they had signed NBL1 East All-Star five member and conference champion Ai Yamada.

The Japanese point guard star averaged 19 points, 5.7 assists and four rebounds a game alongside Australian legend Lauren Jackson.

Yamada played with the BBC Nyon in the Swiss Basketball League after the 2022 NBL1 season, where in 16 games she averaged 16 points and 5.3 assists. Yamada joins her fellow country woman Juna Umezawa in joining the Thunder this season.

Umezawa is a 6’2 Japanese national with a wide range of experience on the international and local level.

Umezawa is currently playing in the Japanese division 1 league and has represented her nation at the under-17, under-18, under-19 and senior women’s level.

The pair will be welcomed additions for the Thunder that is sitting 1-2 after the first two rounds, despite being under strength while waiting for its imports.

The Thunder got its first win of the season in round two against the Ballarat Miners, winning 64-54 with Grace Graham top scoring with 17 points.

The Thunder wasn’t able to back it up the following day, losing to the Melbourne Tigers 81-52, led by Women’s National Basketball League star Jade Melbourne.

ThunderskipperLanaHollingsworth top scored with 23 points in the loss.

The Thunder were back in action on Saturday night in round against the Mt Gambier Pioneers, after deadline. It will be a tough challenge with the Pioneers sitting undefeated on top of the ladder.

Lachlan Smart kicked four goals for the Lions, while Nash Holmes kicked three goals.

Kier Bol was the Lions best according to Scotland, while Holmes, Rodney Van Riet and Tom Mundy all had good games. Having made five changes heading into the match, Scotland said they would hopefully get some guys back this week.

Jack Dorgan is one, who is set to return,

while vice-captain Billy Cannolo will hopefully play his first game of the season.

Scotland said the depth at the club meant there was plenty of competition for spots. The Lions this week face last season’s grand finalists West Coburg.

Scotland said it would be a good test against one of the benchmarks of the competition.

The Thunder men’s team, which was sitting 2-1, also made the trek to Mt Gambier to face the Pioneers on the weekend.

The Pioneers men also entered the match undefeated.

Tara Murray

Kier Bol was best on ground according to coach Heath Scotland. (Jacob Pattison) 329464_08

Tara Murray Ben Cahn. (Melbourne Knights)

ROUND 7