Star Weekly - Northern - 9th May 2023

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New toxic dump plans

By Hannah Hammoud

MAB corporation has bypassed Hume council and is seeking the planning minister’s approvalforthreeplanningpermitstodevelop thenotoriousformerTullamarinetoxiclandfill “buffer land” in Westmeadows.

Through three draft planning permits MAB corporation is collectively seeking approval for the subdivision of land (34 lots), use and development of land for a warehouse and data centre and reduction in car parking.

The draft planning permits and draft planning scheme amendment are currently with the Department of Transport and Planning and the minister is considering whether to prepare, adopt and approve them.

TheprocessmeansPlanningMinisterSonya Kilkenny will be the responsible authority for the application, bypassing Hume council.

In 2022, MAB corporation sought to build on the land as part of an amendment to Hume’s planning scheme, but the plans were rejected by a majority of Hume councillors in a 7-2 vote.

Council received 326 submissions on the proposal, the majority of which were opposed to it as they argued the buffer land was needed to protect existing residential areas from the former landfill site.

This most recent planning scheme amendment is the fourth proposal for the Western Avenue land in recent years, but is the first time it has been taken directly to

Inclusion Services

Visit inclusion.ymca.org.au or call 1300 699 622

the planning minister.

An environmental audit in 2014 found the land’s groundwater was contaminated to a depth of 15-25 metres, and found that the land is suitable for industrial and sensitive uses, including residential as long as construction did not interfere with the groundwater and access to landfill monitoring boreholes on the site was maintained.

Planning documents submitted by MAB corporation in 2022 stated the land was no longer needed as a buffer between the landfill and existing houses and was safe to develop.

Terminate Tullamarine Toxic Dump Action Group secretary Helen Van Den Berg said the health concerns from residents are not being heard and is calling for a public, transparent

process regarding the best use of the land.

“When does the community get considered? Here the only thing that matters is the profitability of a developer,” she said.

“We got inflicted with a toxic dump for the benefit of industry in Victoria. We’re still exposed to airborne toxic chemicals from the dump’s stack. Now we’re supposed to take further impacts from development.

“…Howmuchburdendoesthis community have to take? We want a fair process that considersourconcerns,notjustthedevelopers’ concern.”

Residents can have their say until 5pm on Wednesday, May 10 via https://shorturl.at/ oqy56.

Hume council was contacted for comment.

Terminate Tullamarine Toxic Dump Action Group members are calling for their concerns to be considered. At the front is president Kaylene Wilson. (Damjan Janevski) 324123

• Campbellfield Chris and Marie’s 1477 Sydney Road

• Campbellfield Barry Road Milk Bar 331 Barry Road

• Coolaroo Meadow Heights Newsagency Shop 16, 55 Paringa Boulevard

• Coolaroo Melba Vale Country Club 1390 Pascoe Vale Road

• Craigieburn Craigieburn Convenience Store 19 Bank Street

• Craigieburn Hume City Council 75-95 Central Park Avenue

• Craigieburn Coles Service Station 42-44 Craigieburn Road

• Craigieburn Connections - Craigieburn 59 Craigieburn Road

• Craigieburn Craigieburn Central Shopping Centre 340 Craigieburn Road

• Craigieburn Harry Brown Liquor G03/420-440 Craigieburn Road

• Craigieburn The Foodary Caltex 420-440 Craigieburn Road

• Craigieburn Freshplus Craigieburn 420-440 Craigieburn Road

• Craigieburn Woolworths Supermarket 10 Craigieburn Road

• Craigieburn Coles Supermarket Cnr Craigieburn Rd & Windrock

• Craigieburn Woolworths Supermarket Cnr Craigieburn Rd & Aitken Rd

• Craigieburn Quality Food Store Cnr Craigieburn Rd & Aitken Rd

• Craigieburn Milk Bar Store 100 Fairways Boulevard

• Craigieburn Nanak Indian Grocery Highlands SC 300 Grand Boulevard

• Craigieburn Woolworths Supermarket 300 Highlands SC Grand Boulevard

• Craigieburn Highlands News & Lotto 300 HighlandsSC Grand Boulevard

• Craigieburn Hothlyn Drive Milk Bar Hothlyn Drive

• Craigieburn Foodworks 130-132 Hothlyn Drive

• Craigieburn Caltex - now Ampol 315 Hume Highway

• Craigieburn Metro Petroluem 330 Hume Highway

• Craigieburn IGA Xpress Grand Boulevard 27-29

Princes Circuit

• Craigieburn Moey’s Milk Bar 2

50-metre pool a reality

Feedback for potential Mickleham Road upgrade

Residents and businesses are being invited to help shape a potential future stage two Mickleham Road upgrade between Dellamore Boulevard and Craigieburn Road.

UntilMay14,MajorRoadProjectsVictoria is seeking feedback from residents and local businesses to help inform planning of the potential future upgrade, which would help reduce travel times, improve safety, and cater for population growth and increased vehicle movements.

Major Road Projects Victoria project

development director Michael McClean said they want to hear from local people who use this section of the road

“… We want to know how you travel through the area, any concerns you have and what we should consider in our planning to help ensure the potential future upgrade deliversthebestoutcomeforthecommunity,” he said.

The information will be used to better understand how the community and local businesses currently use Mickleham Road between Dellamore Boulevard and

Craigieburn Road, with views sought on safety, traffic flow and what should be considered during the planning process.

Planning work is under way to gather a complete picture of the area, understand the environmental and social impacts of the project, develop design options, and confirm the scope and costs of different options.

Roadside technical investigations began work in March and are expected to be complete later this year.

New site for old church

By Hannah Hammoud

The heritage-listed Wollert Methodist Church has found a new home courtesy of a careful relocation and restoration project.

The historic church was officially unveiled on Friday, April 21, at the Carome Homestead in Mernda.

Built in 1878, the Carpenter Gothic-style church, featuring distinctive timber cladding and lancet windows, had stood for more than 140 years on the corner of Lehmanns and Epping roads in Wollert.

However, in 2018 the announcement of the Epping Road upgrade clouded the future of the church, which had fallen into disrepair following its decommissioning in 2006.

Whittlesea council and Major Road Projects Victoria formed a partnership to preserve the church and ensure its historic, social and architectural value was not lost forever.

From March to May 2022, the church was carefully disassembled and then transported in pieces by truck to Carome Homestead at 10 Hathfelde Boulevard.

Upon arrival at its new home, the church was meticulously rebuilt and restored to its former glory using traditional materials and finishes.

In a stroke of good fortune, council officers carrying out a sweep of the Wollert site discovered the original 19th century key buried in the ground. The 13.5cm long key, thought to have been lost since the late 1800s, was professionally restored and will now take pride of place in the restored church.

Whittlesea council chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the project was a fantastic example of two levels of government working together to honour and preserve local heritage for future generations.

“It is gratifying that members of our community will have ongoing access to this building and that it will be cared for in perpetuity by asset managers at Working Heritage Inc on behalf of Parks Victoria,” Ms

Wilson said.

“This charming church has been given a second lease of life and I congratulate everyone involved for their hard work and dedication.”

Feedback will build on community input received in 2022 to inform planning for stage one of the Mickleham Road upgrade, between Somerton Road and Dellamore Boulevard, which is currently under construction.

Details: engage.vic.gov.au/micklehamroad-upgrade

Hannah Hammoud

Power bonus claims soar

More than 70,000 households across Hume and Whittlesea have applied for thelatestroundofthestategovernment’s Power Saving Bonus.

Theseresidentsjoinedoveronemillion households across Victoria who received the $250 payment via the Victorian Energy Compare website.

In Hume, Craigieburn households had the highest number of applications locally, with 10,317 households applying for the payment.

This was followed by Mickleham (3241 applications), Greenvale (3173 applications), Roxburgh Park (3141 applications) and Meadow Heights (2048 applications).

In Whittlesea, Epping households had the highest number of applications locally, with 5423 households applying for the payment. This was followed by Bundoora (4667 applications), Mill Park (4616 applications), Wollert (4417 applications) and Doreen (4022 applications).

The state government said 17,000 households across Victoria have received the $250 Power Saving Bonus through a community outreach partner, with 73 per cent of these applicants receiving additional energy affordability advice.

Community outreach partners involve the hundreds of Neighbourhood Houses across Victoria, including Hume’s Dallas Neighbourhood House which has a booking system and a dedicated team ready to help locals save money by applying for the bonus.

Dallas Neighbourhood House’s Will Maloneysaidlocalsarewelcometocome downtothecommunityhousewiththeir mostrecentpowerbillandreceivehelpto apply for the bonus.

Lynn Vearing, Pam Vearing, Dianne Draper, David Freeman, Roger Bodycoat, Wilma Cotchin, Glenda Pittaway, Working Heritage’s Kerry Anderson, John Greer, Iris Justice, Thomastown MP Bronwyn Halfpenny and Yan Yean MP Lauren Kathage at the ceremony welcoming the former Wollert Church to its new home. (Supplied)

‘‘ This charming church has been given a second lease of life ’’ - Lydia Wilson

Families needed for GenV study

By Hannah Hammoud

One of the world’s most significant medical research initiatives is taking place in Victoria, and researchers are calling on participants from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) groups to get involved.

GenVisaresearchprogramopentoallbabies born in Victoria between October 2021 and October2023,andasksthefamiliesinvolvedto shareinformationoveratwo-yearperiodabout themselves and the health and development of their newborn.

GenV equity deputy director Professor Sharon Goldfeld said that culturally and

linguistically diverse (CALD) groups are often missing from population research, which meansthattheycanalsomissoutonitsbenefits such as better disease prediction, prevention and care.

“The areas of Hume and Whittlesea are highly diverse with almost half of the population speaking over 140 languages other than English at home including Arabic, Assyrian, Turkish, Punjabi and Urdu,” Ms Goldfeld said.

“We want to ensure that communities have a voice in GenV.”

GenV is the largest and most up-to-date health picture ever mapped out in Australia,

CWA talent on show

Country Women’s Association (CWA) Craigieburn branch members took home a bag of prizes after showcasing their talent at the CWA Creative Arts Exhibition.

CWA Craigieburn branch treasurer Jennifer Oostindie said this year was a huge success with each of the five members who submitted an entry winning prizes.

“The exhibition is a highlight for the whole group, we work hard the whole year to make these things and get going,” she said. The annual exhibition was hosted at the Lancefield Mechanics Institute and featured entries from 11 CWA branches with skilled arts, crafts, baked goods and preserves submitted for awards.

MsOostindiesaidthattheannualexhibition is a sisterhood collaboration between the branches as they all come together to display their skills.

“It is very much in our CWA briefs to be kind to women, to do things for women and to encourage the companionship and friendship between branches and groups, and this [exhibition] does that,” she said.

Ms Oostndie said that all of the CWA branches work quietly to raise money and produce handmade goods for their local area, group area or for a state project.

The Craigieburn group regularly donates crafts including beanies and scarves in winter to those who need them, usually through the Craigieburn Salvation Army.

Among many other community charity initiatives, the group also makes donations of knee rugs, premature baby booties and hats as well as birthday and sympathy cards to the Northern Hospital.

Hannah Hammoud

providing insights into how genetics, environment and other factors impact the health of young Victorians.

The study will help provide answers to complex health issues like asthma, allergies, obesity, and mental illness in children, and give into the health of young Victorians, with a numberofstudiesalreadyunderwayusingdata from GenV.

Medical Research Minister Mary-Anne Thomas visited the Royal Women’s Hospital on April 24 to announce more than 90,000 Victorians are already taking part in GenV, and called on more families to sign up to the landmark study.

“GenV will not only improve the health and wellbeing of this generation, it will support medical research that will deliver better health outcomes for the next,” Ms Thomas said. Of the 90,000 participants, more than one in five are from regional Victoria and almost one in ten live in a home where a language other than English is spoken with more than 70 different languages represented across the study. Headquartered at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute within The Royal Children’s Hospital, it also includes a robotic biobank to store biological samples provided by participants, such as breast milk and saliva.

Details: https://www.genv.org.au/

CWA Craigieburn branch treasurer Jennifer Oostindie won a special prize for ‘Best Embroidery Entry’ at the CWA show. (Damjan Janevski) 332510_03

Easing congestion in Kalkallo

By Hannah Hammoud

Donnybrook Road and the Mitchell Street roundabout will receive an investment of $6 million from the state government to improve traffic flow and cater to the demands of nearby growing estates.

This will include a dedicated continuous left-turn slip lane at the eastern leg of this intersection, which will provide commuters with direct access to the Hume Freeway for

citybound travel.

Additionally, the estate developer, Stockland, will extend Cloverton Boulevard over Merri Creek, forming a second exit and entry point for residents living in Kalkallo.

This new road will have footpaths allowing residents to access Donnybrook train station and will be overseen by the planning authorities at both Hume and Whittlesea council.

Kalkallo MP Ros Spence recently joined

Environmental recharge

Gilgai Plains Primary School pupils are collecting and recycling batteries as part of this year’s Big Battery Challenge in an effort to divert unnecessary landfill and hazardous environment waste.

GilgaiPlainsPrimarySchoolleadingteacher

Scott Woolcock said pupils have been bringing in batteries daily and are eager to fill up the schools battery buckets.

“Ourstudentsagreeitisimportanttosupport the challenge and recycle our community’s batteriestokeepthemoutoflandfillanddoour part for the environment for years to come,” he said.

“Our students have responded so enthusiastically to the challenge. They have been diligent in asking their families and friends to recycle their old batteries.”

Gilgai Plains Primary School is one of 23 schools taking part in this year’s challenge. Mr Woolcocksaidthattheschoolisalwayslooking for ways to support the environment and make the community more sustainable.

“We hope our students learn the importance

of developing sustainable practices in order to care for their community and its environment, for the benefit of themselves and all,” he said.

The Big Battery Challenge is hosted by Stockland together with the National Theatre Company and will run from March to December. Participants can recycle all types and sizes of single use and rechargeable batteries, button cell and mobile phone batteries.

Last year the challenge worked with more than 12,000 students and 500 teachers to divert nearly 7500 kilograms of batteries from landfill.

Roads and Road Safety Minister Melissa Hornetoshowherfirsthandtrafficcongestion in Kalkallo along Donnybrook Road.

“With planning now well under way, I look forward to seeing works on site get underway as soon as possible,” Ms Spence said.

Kalkallo is one of Victoria’s fastest growing suburbs, placing pressure on the local road network and leading to longer travel times, the state government said.

Work is also under ay with the Victorian

Planning Authority, Department of Transport and Planning (DTP), Hume council,andStocklandtodevelopanddeliver the nearby Hume Freeway interchange at Gunns Gully Road, which will provide an alternativeconnectiontoandfromtheHume Freeway.

In the meantime, temporary traffic signals were installed in late 2022 to help manage congestion during the morning peak commuter period.

‘Student Battery Ambassadors’ from Gilgai Plains Primary School are collecting batteries to recycle as part of the Big Battery Challenge. Year 1 student, Audrey stands at the front.

(Damjan Janevski) 331799_02

What’s on

E-waste drop-off Thomastown

We will be having a free E-Waste drop-off event next week in Thomastown. This is a great opportunity to get rid of your unwanted small household electrical items in an environmentally friendly way. Bring them down to Main Street Recreation Reserve in Thomastown and keep your house clutter-free!

Wednesday 10 May, 11am – 1pm

Main Street Recreation Reserve, 56-76 Main Street, Thomastown

For more information visit, www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/events

Cost-effective cat confinement

Are you a cat owner looking for a way to enclose your property? We have got you covered with some easy-to-follow tutorials!

Did you know that cat confinement can help prevent your cat from contracting diseases, serious injuries from traffic, getting lost or exposed to extreme weather? At City of Whittlesea, we want to help support you and your purry friends.

For more information on cat confinement and to view our tutorial videos, visit our website at: www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/cats

Hannah Hammoud

An emotional return

Coda Abbouchi made his return to the RoxburghParkFootballClubforhis50thgame in a timely celebration marking his journey to beating cancer.

In August 2021, Coda was due to play game 50 in the team’s final round game against East Sunbury. In the week leading up to the game, 12-year-old Coda had been feeling unwell and was taken to the doctors. Late in the week, he was diagnosed with Lymphoma and was admitted to the Royal Children’s Hospital to begin treatment.

Coda’sreturnonSunday,April23wasatwin celebration of his strength in beating cancer as wellashisdeterminationtocontinuetopursue his football dreams.

Roxburgh Park Football Club committee member Trevor Gladman said that Coda’s

returnwasahugelyemotionaldayforeveryone at the club.

“The journey he and his entire family has gone on in the past two years has been amazing,” he said. “Seeing them back at the club, and watching Coda play with his mates for his 50th, run through the banner and get the win was absolutely brilliant.

“He kicked a goal in the third quarter and all the boys ran from all ends of the field to celebrate with him.”

Senior players as well as Coda’s nurse and doctor were in attendance as the community came out to show support for the milestone man,withtheteamultimatelytakinghomethe win.

Briefs

Broadmeadows carjacking

Police have charged a man following an alleged carjacking in Broadmeadows on May 3. Police were told a 33-year-old woman was driving a Toyota Kluger with two children onboard in Broadmeadows about 5.30pm. It is alleged the vehicle stopped in traffic on Coleraine Street and a man opened the rear passenger door before getting in. The victim exited the vehicle and attempted to pull the man out but was pushed to the ground. The man allegedly climbed over the centre console and attempted to lock the doors. The victim managed to get into the front passenger seat before the man started to drive the SUV along Pascoe Vale Road. The pair struggled for control of the vehicle before it crossed onto the wrong side of the road and crashed into railway fencing. Police interviewed an 18-year-old man from Broadmeadows and have charged him with carjacking, theft of motor vehicle and other offences.

Longer scripts

The federal government has introduced a 60-day prescribing policy, allowing Australians to buy two months worth of medicine for the price of a single prescription. In an announcement on April 28, McEwen MP Rob Mitchell said he welcomed the decision, with the policy coming into effect from September 1, 2023, with a 12-month roll-out period.

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Hannah Hammoud

Coda Abbouchi marked his return in game 50 with his teammates. (Supplied)

Botancial estate launches The Willows neighbourhood

ThefirstlotsinTheWillows,thethirdandfinal neighbourhood in Satterley’s hugely popular Mickleham community, Botanical estate, have officially launched.

The neighbourhood, which is the largest of the three, will include an expansive 25 hectares of planned parks and open space, wetlands, bike and walking trails whilst providing a crucial link between the well-established neighbourhood one to the north and the fast-developing neighbourhood two (Evergreen) to the south.

Botanical’s development manager Jeremy Hughes said that The Willows will become a central hub, with the neighbourhood centred around local parks, open space areas and the proposed local convenience centre.

“The Willows is an enticing prospect for future residents, but it will also play an important role in the community as a whole. It will include the road connection that will link the three neighbourhoods, as well as providing road connections to both Mickleham road and Mt Ridley Road. This road will ultimately connect through to Donnybrook Road in the north and through Craigieburn to the south,” he said. “And thanks to the neighbourhood’s walking and bike paths, residents will easily be able to get to existing and planned amenities such as future sporting ovals, the future town centre, the local primary school, the childcare centreinneighbourhoodonewhichiscurrently under construction and more.

“TheWillowswillalsobehometoBotanical’s largest park, as well as a wetlands area. And there will be playgrounds and play facilities throughout.”

Jeremy said that The Willows represented the final opportunity to buy in a well-regarded, well- designed and fast-growing community.

“Botanical is a premium master-planned community in Mickleham and remains a

popular choice for a range of buyers. There are lot types and products to suit all different requirements and preferences: townhouses, lots ranging in size from 223sqm to 540sqm

and larger lots over 1500 square metres in size.”

The first opportunity to buy in The Willows will be in stage 25, and will include a limited

For those interested in finding out more, you can register your interest on the Botanical website, or contact their sales

The third and final neighbourhood in Satterley’s hugely popular Mickleham community, Botanical estate has launched. (Supplied: Artist impression of future Botanical Park)

Starlight rockets into hospitals

By Hannah Hammoud

Epping’s Northern Hospital has welcomed the launch of the Planet Starlight program, an innovative and interactive virtual platform designed to deliver engaging, positive distraction for sick kids.

The program established by the Starlight Children’s Foundation is free to register and easily accessible from an internet-enabled device.

Planet Starlight features daily, interactive

livestreams uniquely shaped by the participation of the kids watching and hosted by Starlight’s superhero of fun, Captain Starlight. The platform has been rolled out to patients in 19 metro and regional hospitals across Australia since its launch in November, including Northern Hospital, with another 20 nationwide planned by the end of the year.

Northern Hospitl children’s ward acting nurse unit manager Aleks Dimitrieski said she and her team are excited to partner with Starlight and bring Planet Starlight to

Melbourne’s northern community.

“Innovative digital projects such as Planet Starlight are really important for keeping the children distracted from their, sometimes scary, time in hospital,” she said.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing the positive impact this has on our patients.”

Planet Starlight was first trialed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when some of the most significant restrictions in children’s healthcare required Starlight to come up with innovative ways to deliver essential programs to isolated,

A helping hamper in difficult times

Turbans 4 Australia has launched the Food Hamper Project out of their Thomastown facilitytohelpprovideessentialnon-perishable food hampers for those in need.

Turbans4AustraliaisaSikh-ledcharitythat has been operating since 2015, specialising in providing emergency relief to community members faced with food insecurity, homelessness and unemployment, as well as those recovering from the impacts of natural disasters.

Chief executive Amar Singh said the charity works to supply essential food and grocery items to people in need regardless of their race, religion or ethnicity while at the same time

promoting multiculturalism and religious tolerance.

“We serve anyone and everyone in need, even if you are just a local community member goingthrougharoughtime,youaremorethan welcome,” he said.

The charity recently received $20,000 through the state government’s Priority Response to Multicultural Communities program to increase staffing capacity that will help keep the wheels of the organisation turning.

Mr Singh said that with incessant rise of cost of living pressures there has been a huge demand for their services.

“It is continuous, we have people who we have served before that are reaching out again for our help,” he said. “Many of the charity groups that we helped during lockdown are also reaching out to us again.”

Mr Singh said that the charity is always accepting the help of new volunteers to help continue to deliver essential relief for the community.

FoodhamperscanbepickedupeverySunday from 11am sharp at unit 4/44 Mahoneys Road, Thomastown.

Details: t4a.org.au/become-a-volunteer.

Hannah Hammoud

hospitalised kids. A virtual Starlight program was designed and delivered in a number of hospitals, where evidence confirmed the power of this live, interactive digital platform where kids led the play.

Starlight chief executive Louise Baxter said thatthegoalistodeliverPlanetStarlighttosick kids at every hospital in Australia.

“Planet Starlight takes Starlight into the virtual world for hospitalised kids in need of happiness and positive distraction. Whenever they need it and wherever they are,” she said.

Ambulance times improve

Both Whittlesea and Hume municipalitieshaverecordedthequickest response time for urgent care in over a year according to the latest Ambulance Victoria (AV) response statistics.

The average response time for patients requiringurgentcareinWhittleseafrom January to March was 15.11 minutes.

Of the 3164 responses in Whittlesea, 63.7percentofthemhadaresponsetime of less than 15 minutes.

For those in Hume, the average response time for patients requiring urgentcarefromJanuarytoMarch,2023 was 15.34 minutes.

Victorian Ambulance Union secretary Danny Hill said while the statistics show an uptick in response time, there is still a high dependence on ambulance services.

“It’sstillincrediblybusy,”MrHillsaid.

“The response time in the last report showsanuptick…[but]It’sgoingtotake alongtimeto[gettopre-COVIDtimes].”

Mr Hill said he would like to see further investment in alternative health pathways for people, as many triple-0 calls do not require an ambulance.

“We know that so many of the calls that come through don’t really need an ambulance … [people should] save triple-0 for emergencies,” he said.

“It’s about the strain being placed on the system across the country … It doesn’t just affect paramedics.

“The health system works like an eco system, when one part isn’t healthy it affects the whole system.”

Of the 4303 responses in Hume, 61.3 per cent of urgent paramedic calls had a response time of less than 15 minutes.

Thisisanincreaseof9.1percentofcalls receiving an ambulance in 15 minutes or less when compared to October to December last year.

Sabhi Singh, Harsimran Kaur and Taranjit Kaur are volunteers at Turbans 4 Australia helping to provide emergency food hampers for those who need it most. (Damjan Janevski) 332690_01

Whittlesea hires security guard

By Hannah Hammoud

As many of Victoria’s councils assess growing tensions from the public, Whittlesea council has hired a security guard to ensure safety at council meetings.

Security at council meetings has become a hot topic after a crowd of almost 200 people attended Monash council’s public meeting on April 26 in protest against a planned drag story time event at Oakleigh Library. Hostile protestors were met with police and security as council were forced to temporarily suspend proceedings.

A statement from Municipal Association of

Victoria (MAV) president David Clark said the unique dynamic of public council meetings is leaving councils vulnerable to the rising threat of public disorder.

CrClarksaidtheMAVwasinsupportofany council taking measures to ensure the safety of theircommunity,employees,andcouncillorsis their number one priority.

The Yarra Ranges council recently closed their public gallery for council meetings in the interest of safety, opting to allow public attendance via live stream only.

Cr Clark said because most council meetings provide a live-stream, closing council galleries from the public will not

Bring back The Barry

Support is growing for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival to reinstate ‘The Barry Award’ in honour of the late Barry Humphries, with an online petition clocking over 2000 signatures.

Mill Park resident and freelance writer Vanessa de Largie created the petition. She said the award must be reinstated following the recent death of Humphries as a tribute to the contributions he made to Australia’s entertainment industry.

“He was a one-off. A comic genius. And he continuously created his own work,” she said.

“I think most performers, myself included, would find Humphries artistic journey inspiring to say the least.”

Humphries co-founded the festival in 1987, and since 2000, ‘The Barry Award’ was presented to the best comedy show at the festival. However in 2019, the title was stripped

and renamed ‘The Melbourne International Comedy Festival Award’ following backlash over Humphries’ comments about transgender people.

Ms de Largie said regardless of whether you agree with Humphries’ opinions or not is beside the point.

“We are living in these strange times where people aren’t given the space and freedom to have their own thoughts and opinions,” she said. “… It is a scary climate for any artist. The whole point of art is to provoke and discuss ideas. Censorship of any kind is always dangerous.”

Known for his iconic character, Dame Edna Everage,Humphriesdiedinthesameweekthat the 2023 Melbourne International Comedy Festival was finished. Details: https://www. change.org/p/bring-back-the-barry-award-atthe-melbourne-comedy-festival

infringe on the opportunity for the public to submit questions.

“… That’s why even while taking these safety precautions, councils are fully committed to ensuring there are still options available for legitimate community questioning,” Cr Clark said. “They are committed to respectful engagement on genuine community concerns and will utilise online tools to do so if need be.

“We expect any council in the situation of having to close their public gallery will regularly review this and seek to return to in person galleries at council meetings as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Whittlesea council chief executive Craig

Lloyd said that to date, council meetings have continued to run in-person without major disruption, but council will still be closely monitoring the situation.

“Since the start of the year, the City of Whittlesea has seen an influx of people attending council meetings and asking public questions about topics including 5G and 20-minute neighbourhoods,” he said.

“Council is taking advice from Victoria Police and has employed security at its recent meetingstoensurethoseattendingthemeeting and our staff and administrators can feel safe.” Council did not offer a response in regard to how much security will be costing council.

Vanessa de Largie’s online petition is calling for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival to bring back ‘The Barry Award’. (Supplied)

A new shopping experience at Craigieburn Village

Craigieburn’s newest shopping destination opens its doors this week.

The new Craigieburn Village Shopping Centre, featuring Coles, Liquorland and many other speciality retailers, will welcome customers for the first time on Wednesday, May 10 at 9am.

Located on Highlander Drive, Craigieburn Village Shopping Centre will bring an elevated shopping experience to the local community – just in time for Mother’s Day!

The Coles Craigieburn Village store has created110jobsforthelocalcommunity,with many more job opportunities at Liquorland and the centre’s speciality retailers.

The Coles store will offer customers a Click &Collectdrive-through,helpingtomakethe weekly shop more convenient than ever.

The store also offers an impressive open front bakery, complete with hot flatbread flipped daily, sourdough, celebration cakes and a patisserie fridge bursting with sweet treats that are sure to tempt the whole family.

You can also satisfy your sweet tooth at the pick ‘n’ mix frozen dessert bar. Here, shoppers can choose from frozen mochi, mini gelatos and frozen macrons.

There will also be a fresh orange juice station where shoppers can grab a freshly squeezed juice, Halal meat offerings, a large convenience range allowing shoppers to pick up a tasty meal on the go, and there is even a treat bar for the family pet.

Shoppers will be spoilt for choice at Craigieburn Village’s speciality retailers includingDirectChemistOutlet,BlueHippo Laundry, Chiropractic Health Craigieburn, Craigieburn Master Cut, Will’s Nails Craigieburn, Authentic Spices of India, Craigieburn Luck & Gifts, Victoria’s Pizza & Beyond, Myfone Repairs, Daniil’s Cafe,

Zet & Zataar, Dumpling Guys, V-CH Nuts & Coffee and Bandhu Ram.

The centre also features 200-plus car parks, 36 bicycle parks and six motorcycle spaces.

Radio station Fox FM will be broadcasting

live from the centre on May 10 to celebrate the launch, with giveaways and live music.

The opening celebrations will continue on Saturday, May 13, with a free family fun day, from 10am-2pm, featuring Bluey, JJ from Cocomelon, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, live

music, a magician, Mother’s Day craft, face painting and more.

Craigieburn Village Shopping Centre is at 260 Highlander Drive, Craigieburn. Details: craigieburnvillage.com.au

Better Connected Care for our communities

Exploring how to deliver better healthcare closer

Northern Health and Kilmore District Health are exploring the potential benefits of a closer partnership, which may involve a voluntary amalgamation.

Have your say

As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re installing beams for the new bridge over Plenty River. Detours will be in place via Plenty Road, Hazel Glen Drive and McCrae Drive/Bassetts Road. Delays of up to 10 minutes expected.

Road disruptions: Closed road

Bridge Inn Road, Doreen 7pm 18 May to 5am 19 May

7pm 19 May to 5am 22 May

Between Schotters and Bassetts roads

Check before you travel at bigbuild.vic.gov.au

The new Coles Craigieburn Village opens on Wednesday, May 10. (Supplied)

Indigenous lookout art

By Hannah Hammoud

Residents in Mill Park and Epping have welcomed the new Darebin Creek Lookout, co-designed by Wurundjeri Willum traditional owners in collaboration with the Childs Road Upgrade team.

The lookout has created a new open space situated on the southern side of the Darebin Creek bridges, that links in with new walking and cycling paths and the Darebin Creek Trail.

The finished product incorporates feedback from the local community, particularly local Aboriginalpeople,ensuringmorethan40,000 yearsofAboriginalhistoryinEppingandMill Park were represented as part of the project.

On Saturday, March 4, Thomastown MP Bronwyn Halfpenny formally opened the space.

The opening coincided with a community event, where hundreds of locals joined the ChildsRoadUpgradeprojectteamtocelebrate the completion of the upgrade.

Central to the gathering and rest area, is an Aboriginal mosaic pavement designed by local and Wurundjeri artist Ashley Firebrace, complemented with interpretive signage. Locals were able to have their say on this final design.

The piece, entitled ‘Meeting place’, evokes thestoriesofhowtheirancestorsusedDarebin Creek and surrounds, drawing on parallels to the ancient movement and campsites of the Wurundjeri-balluk and Wurundjeri-willam clans.

Major Road Projects Victoria acting chief executive Andrew Williams said the team worked closely with the Aboriginal community to enlighten locals about the area’s Aboriginal heritage.

“We are constantly growing our

understanding about the role we can play to build better connections with Aboriginal communities,” he said.

“We’re digging deeper beyond the roads we build, celebrating the history and culture of Traditional Owners, on whose land we work on throughout the state of Victoria.”

The new rest area delivered by the Childs Road Upgrade features a drinking fountain, seating, extensive planting and landscaped gardens.

Details: roadprojects.vic.gov.au/ darebincreeklookout.

Stand up for rescue animals

Craigieburn’s Second Chance Animal Rescue (SCAR) will be hosting a charity evening and is inviting people to sit, stay, and laugh to raise vital funds for the organisationwithaneveningofstand-up comedy.

Comedian Lewis Spears will be supportedbyFrockHudsonastheybring a night full of laughter and fun in order to raise money and spread awareness for Second Chance Animal Rescue and the animals in their care.

Tickets are $45 and the night will run from 7-9pm at Moon Dog OG, 17 Duke Street, Abbotsford. All ticket proceeds as well as $1 from every schooner sold will go directly to SCAR.

SCAR is a not for profit charity that is run by vet professionals, animal-loving volunteers and foster carers.

To date the organisation has rescued and rehomed over 12,000 pets and they are calling on your help to raise funds to keep their crucial services running. Details: https://scar.as.me/ stand-up-for-SCAR

Free Kinder: Enrol for 2024

Free Kinder is available for three and four-year-old children in Victoria at participating services.

Free Kinder is available in sessional (standalone) and long day care (childcare) settings, saving families up to $2,500 each year, per child.

At kindergarten, your child will:

• learn language, literacy and numeracy skills through play, art, music and dance

• learn to express themself and make friends in a safe and caring environment

• build skills and confidence before primary school.

Contact your preferred kinder service or local council to learn about how to enrol for 2024.

Visit: vic.gov.au/kinder

SCAR chief executive Marisa Debattista is hoping to raise the woof with the upcoming stand-up comedy fundraiser. (Damjan Janevski)

Indigenous art on display and a smoking ceremony at the opening event of the Darebin Creek Lookout. (Pictures: Supplied)

St Monica’s College, Epping, is proudly co-educational

St Monica’s College, Epping, is a Catholic co-educational college established in 1964. The college has two campuses in Epping for students in years 7 to 12. It also has a country campus, Ostia at Strath Creek.

Collegefacilitiesarefirstclassandbuildings continue to be upgraded. This includes a new science and technology building to better serve STEM students and the Cooinda Building which provides modern teaching and learning areas for students.

Thecollegestronglyendorsesco-education. Co-education reflects the real-life realities your child will face.

St Monica’s offers one of the broadest curriculum choices of any school and subject choices will meet the needs of almost any student.

Thecollegeisalsorenownedforanexcellent sporting program. The choice of sports is extensive and the coaching program utilises experts in their sports.

College sporting academies ensure athletes have whatever they need to excel in their chosen sport.

However, staff make sure that whilst students have the opportunity to develop their sporting excellence that they do not do so at the cost of their education.

The college also offers an accelerated learning program for students. HORIZONS caters for highly able students through a program that meets their advanced educational needs.

Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder are well supported by the Arrunga Inclusion Program.

This program focuses on the achievement of positive academic, social and emotional outcomes for each student to maximise their education and future employment opportunities.

The performing arts faculty is also well regarded. Whether it be dance, drama or music, students have the opportunity to developandshowcasetheirtalents.Thevisual arts faculty includes design, photography, media and art.

St Monica’s College, Epping, welcomes a diverse cohort of students with the assurance that staff will ensure that each and every one has the best opportunity to be their best.

At St Monica’s College, no student is left behind.

To book a college tour, please visit www.stmonicas-epping.com/book-a-tour For further information about enrolment, please contact the college registrar on (03) 9409 8444 or email registrar@ stmonicas-epping.com

St Monica’s believes in a co-educational education. (Supplied)

Holistic boys’ education offering endless opportunities

For over 150 years, Parade College has excelled in providing holistic boys’ education that will assist young men to thrive in today’s world.

The house system provides a strong foundation for student wellbeing at Parade College, with each house headed by a house leader who works with their team of tutor teachers to care for the students in the house. The student support services team is a large multidisciplinary team who provide assistance to students with additional needs.

Programs include the Altior program for highly able year 7-9 students where students are placed in classes with like-minded peers for English, mathematics, humanities, and science. The Yyar 9 ExCEL program, which occurseachWednesday,offersyear9students a variety of extended learning projects, as well as learning4life, a series of personal development seminars. Furthermore, students who are high achievers in year 9 are well-placed when applying to accelerate into available VCE unit 1 and 2 subjects in year 10 and VCE units 3 and 4 in year 11. There are over 70 VCE subjects and 32 VET certificates for year 11 and 12 students. Parade is a Registered Training Organisation.

With state of the art facilities, the specialist sport programs include the year 7 sport development program, the specialist high performance sport stream and the senior sport academy which provides direct entry into a number of undergraduate courses at La Trobe University.

Parade College is the first Manchester City Football School in Australia. Commencing in year 7, students accepted into the Manchester City Football School receive instruction from a Manchester City coach who is employed fulltime at Parade College. Students in the Manchester City Football School are trained

inthesamemanneraselitejuniorsworldwide who participate in Manchester City feeder programs. Participation in the Manchester City Football School is incorporated into

students’ daily timetables. ParadeCollegehasprofessionalpartnerships with La Trobe University, Manchester City Football Club, Diamond Valley Basketball

League, Melbourne United, and the Northern Knights.

Parade College offers a world of opportunities.

Students are challenged to be their best at Parade. (Supplied)

Assumption College students ready to shine on stage

Assumption College will bring a cherished childhood story to life when students and staff present the senior production ‘Charlie’.

Scheduled on May 25, 26 and 27 at the Plenty Valley Ranges Arts and Convention Centre, the stage will be filled with colour, and immense imagination with over 60 Assumption College students performing original songs and new hits in their rendition of the loved Charlieand theChocolateFactory

The character of Charlie will be brought to life by year 9 student Francesco in what will be sure to be an impressive debut. Willy Wonka will be played by year 12 student Elizabeth, in her final appearance with the production team.

“The production crew are in an intense preparation phase, and we could not be any more in awe of the skill and artistry of the performers,” said producation co-ordinator Jo Porch.

“Behind the scenes we are busy ensuring all elements of the show are in place and I have no doubt that at curtain call, the students will shine.”

Family, friends and community members are invited to book tickets to the show, in what will be a professional and fabulous fun filled night at an impressive venue.

Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at www.pracc.com.au

Charlie will be brought to life by year 9 student Francesco, while Willy Wonka will be played by year 12 student Elizabeth. (Supplied)

Book by David Greig Music by Marc Shaiman

Lyrics by Scott Wittman Marc Shaiman

‘‘ I have no doubt that at curtain call, the students will shine ’’ - Jo Porch

Discover the benefits of learning at Lalor North SC

By Timothy Cottrell, principal

Our small class sizes and highly experienced teachers are focused on every student being their best and having a successful journey through Lalor North Secondary College and beyond.

Inmyfirstyearasprincipalofourwonderful college, I find myself increasingly proud of our community’s achievements. We are no ordinary learning environment, we are innovative, focused on the individual’s

ability to flourish in learning, wellbeing and community.

Our school is passionate about academic rigour, positive student outcomes and developing young aspirational leaders. With growing enrolments at all year levels, our very beautiful grounds, and the great endeavour of our students in both in their studies and in extra-curricular areas – we can’t help but feel excited for the years ahead.

Our dedicated staff continue to work hard every day to bring every possible opportunity

to our students to enjoy success. We thank them,andwecelebratethecontinuouslearning of our students.

At Lalor North Secondary College, education is a journey that flows seamlessly from primary years providing excitement, growth and joy into adolescence and beyond. Currently, many prospective new families are contacting us about year 7 in 2024, and it is a great pleasure to share with them the range of innovations in learning planned for the college. Should anyone in our community

know of families seeking a fine education for their children, please encourage them to contactthecollegetofindoutmoreortoenjoy a tour.

It is pleasing also to note the many families of grade six children who continue to express interest in our new range of scholarships across the curriculum for 2024. Booking your personal tour with me will be the first step in achieving your child’s best opportunity to discover and achieve their goals.

DISCOVER LALOR NORTH!

Principal Timothy Cottrell with senior students. (Supplied)

New bus route for Mount Ridley

By Hannah Hammoud

A new direct public bus service will run to help make the commute to and from school easier for students from Mount Ridley College.

Theintroductionofanewschoolspecialbus service began on Monday, April 24, offering a new morning and afternoon school bus, providing a direct public transport option for students living in Kalkallo, Mickleham and Donnybrook who attend the College.

Mount Ridley College is among the first batch of schools benefitting from the new services as part of a state government investment to introduce, modify, and extend

school bus services across the state, with a focus on growth areas.

The new school special departs from Donnybrook Station along a route that includes Springs Road, Station Parade, Dwyer Street, Donnybrook Road, The Woods Boulevard, St Georges Boulevard, Blackmore Road, Ellscott Boulevard, Poppy St, Mickleham Road, Mount Ridley Road, Highlander Drive and Grand Boulevard.

The morning service leaves Donnybrook Railway Station at 8am, arriving at the school 10minutesbeforethe9ambell.Theafternoon service at 3.20pm retraces the morning route back to Donnybrook Station.

Kalkallo MP Ros Spence said that these

improved bus services will be available to students where they are needed most, in Kalkallo, Mickleham and Donnybrook.

“These services will be massively beneficial to students at Mount Ridley College, making it easier for them to get to and from school,” Ms Spence said.

Parents can contact Mount Ridley College for more information about the service.

Students from Mount Ridley College will be able to access a direct special bus service that departs from Donnybrook Station.

More help for breast cancer patients

Epping’s Northern Hospital will be home to one of six new McGrath breast care nurses in Victoria who will provide free care and support to local families impacted by breast cancer.

The appointment of six new nurses in Victoria brings the number of McGrath Breast Care Nurses across the country to a pivotal milestone of 200.

Melanie Bullock is the McGrath metastatic breast care nurse consultant based at Northern Hospital. Her role is to support women and men, as well as their families, from the time of their diagnosis and through the course of ongoing treatment.

Metastatic breast cancer refers to when the cancer has spread beyond the initial tumour site of the breast and into other parts of the body. Ms Bullock said that the focus is on prolonging life and ensuring quality of life is maximised.

“My role is to support patients, and their loved ones, through this stage of their treatment by offering clinical care, medical expertise and psychosocial support,” she said.

“By calling our patients and speaking to them regularly, we realise how important it is for them to have someone there to help them navigate the medical system.”

Every year over 4700 people in Victoria are diagnosed with breast cancer, and one in seven women in Australia will be diagnosed in their lifetime.

Research by the McGrath Foundation shows that early access to a McGrath breast care nurse improves both the outcomes and experience of a person with breast cancer.

The remaining five new McGrath breast carenursesarelocatedatTheAlfred,Western Health – Sunshine Hospital, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and Barwon Health’s University Hospital Geelong.

There are currently 50 McGrath breast

WIN

Helping end period poverty

Residents across Hume and Whittlesea donated 571 period products for the month of March in a bid to help end period poverty.

During March, Share the Dignity held their biannual Dignity Drive where they collected period products at collection points Australia wide to distribute toward 3000 charity partners.

Suburbs in Hume collected 304 period products closely followed by 267 products collected in Whittlesea to support those experiencing, or at risk of domestic violence, homelessness or poverty.

Share the Dignity founder and managing director Rochelle Courtenay said that she was grateful for the incredible support that they received from the community.

“Every period product donated helps someone experiencing period poverty and it’s heart-warming to see so many people join us to make a tangible difference,” she said.

“No one should have to use toilet paper, newspaper or socks to deal with their period and your support ensures less people have to.”

The March drive concluded with a collection of 117,458 period products Australia wide.

(Supplied)

care nurses throughout Victoria, in regional, rural and metropolitan areas. The support of a McGrath Breast Care Nurse is a free service, no matter where you live, and is available without a referral.

To get in touch your nearest McGrath breast care nurse, visit mcgrathfoundation. com.au/get-support/find-a-nurse

Hannah Hammoud

Share the Dignity runs the collection drive for two months of the year, with the next dignity drive scheduled for August this year.

WIN TICKETS to the 46th Historic Winton Races...

Australia’s longest-running and most popular all-historic motorsport event, Historic Winton, will be held on 27th and 28th May 2023 at Winton Motor Raceway, near Benalla.

Spectators will see more than 40 historic car, motorcycle and sidecar races and the traditional Sunday Parade Lap of selected display vehicles.

The 46th Historic Winton invites spectators to bring their historic cars, bikes, trucks, buses, caravans and other vehicles for a massive car park display.

Organiser, Austin 7 Club President, Len Kerwood said that visitors will be amazed by the impressive array of vehicles celebrating anniversaries as old as 120 years, alongside the two-days of historic motorsport action that people travel far and wide to see.

Tickets are now available online from ticketebo.com.au/historicwinton

Wehave20weekend doublepassesupforgrabs!

McGrath breast care nurse Melanie Bullock will be based at the Northern Hospital in Epping.

(Damjan Janevski) 332493_01

MY PLACE

Whittlesea Garden Club is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. Club secretary Bev Sutton speaks about her time at the club alongside her partner and club president, Keith Sutton.

Tell me a bit about yourself and how you came to be a part of the club.

Bev: We lived in Yan Yean for over 30 years, and we did talk about one day how we would have to size down from our little three acres that we dearly loved. So I thought I’ll join a club in Whittlesea to get to know a few people. So I joined the club in 1996, and then my husband Kieth joined me when we officially retired in 2007.

What is the Whittlesea Garden Club all about?

Bev: This is a garden club that has been around a long, long time, this is our 35th year now. We visit gardens within an hour of Whittlesea. Sometimes we go to members’ gardens and it’s surprising to see what people have. They love their gardens and you can always pick up little ideas and tips when you visit on what you can do in your own garden. I also put out a monthly newsletter to share what we’re doing and provide a little bit of comment and photos on the last garden we visited.

What do you love about Whittlesea?

Bev: The community spirit, it’s a very country town. We’ve been in the district over 50 years now. Back then there were hardly any shops. Now we’ve got every amenity you can think of. It’s just great for people retiring, it’s not too busy.

Keith: I hope it doesn’t evolve over time, away from that country village feel, because in a way it’s still got a lot of that country element.

How do you go about scouting a garden to take people to?

Keith: There’s always something coming

up. We do a few repeats to first visit a young garden and then maybe go back five years later, and see it mature.

Bev: At the beginning of the year, we draw up a syllabus and come up with ideas of gardens we can visit. It’s just amazing what people find because they travel around and see things and make a mental note that the Garden Club

PRINT AND PRINT AND PRINT AND ONLINE SALES ONLINE SALES ONLINE SALES

EXECUTIVE EXECUTIVE EXECUTIVE

REQUIRED REQUIRED REQUIRED

would enjoy this place.

How did the Whittlesea Garden Club come about?

Bev: When the club first started back in 1988, it was actually called the Christchurch Garden Club. It emanated from a few women in the local Anglican church, she

loved gardening and she had a little spot in the local magazine that she wrote in every month. When we took over, and Keith became president, we decided it would need a name change because it had gotten away from just members of the Church and it was now a bit broader than that and so it became the Whittlesea Garden Club.

Whittlesea Garden Club members, Bev and Keith Sutton. (Supplied)

Remembering those who fought

On May 8, 1945, Nazi forces in Germany surrendered, ending Adolf Hitler’s reign, and sparking the end of the six-year conflict. Seventy-eight years on, May 8 or 9 marks a Time of Remembrance for those Who Lost Their Lives during the World War II. Zoe Moffatt talks to western suburbs locals about the importance of remembering those who served.

Sitting in an armchair, surrounded by family photos in his Melton South home, James Coghlan opens up about his time in the Vietnam War and growing up without his father.

“I was born five months after my father died [in World War II] in August ,1942,” Mr Coghlan said.

“[His death] shattered me, not so much as a young boy growing up, but it shattered me in later life.

“I’ve always wanted a father I could look up to and respect … but I didn’t have one.”

Mr Coghlan said his father, James Haining was born in Williamstown in 1913 and joined the navy when he was 18 years old.

Mr Haining was later posted to HMAS Canberra which sank in 1942, killing 84 men.

Looking back on his father’s story and his own experience, Mr Coghlan said it is important to have days dedicated to remembering veterans from all wars, not just the world wars.

“I have found that over the years they really haven’t accepted what we did [in Vietnam], no oneaccepteduswhenwecamehome,”hesaid.

“I remember in my first RSL … I was introduced and I heard one of the boys say in the background ‘why don’t you go back and fight a war’.

“[Those words] shattered me, I wanted to walk out of that RSL.

“A lot of us got that sort of reaction when we first came home … they didn’t recognise Vietnam as a war.”

Mr Coghlan said he feels this attitude has changed overtime and the army, and other services, are starting to understand the impacts of service life.

“We’re finding how … all services are starting to wake up to themselves. The training the younger veterans are getting is 1000 times harder than what we had.

“But they’re coming out and they can’t accept civilian life.”

Mr Coghlan said older veterans such as himself can connect with younger veterans through organisations like RSLs, and days of remembrance are important for everyone to connect.

Woodend resident Gary Andison who comes from a service family, with his father and grandfather serving in WWII, said he agrees that it is important to have days to remember.

“I think it’s important to keep the memory alive for those people, men and women for their achievements in helping to bring peace,” Mr Andison said.

“I used to think as a kid when I was really young, dad went to war, grandad went to war, so it would be my turn to go to war.

“I thought that was the norm, and then as I got older and understood things and that it wasn’t going to be the case.”

Mr Andison said he was very relieved when he realised he was not going to have to fight in a war.

“I was probably very relieved … because I don’t think I was looking forward to it,” he said.

“We’re fortunate enough in the sense that [going to war] isn’t an automatic call up …

now you volunteer to join the services or you join it as a career.”

Mr Andison said his father did not talk about his time spent at war, except for a story he shared about his time in Papua New Guinea.

“Grandad died when I was probably about five or six so I didn’t know about [his time in WWII], and dad never [really] talked about it.”

“He [did] praise the fuzzy wuzzies, he had a lotoftime[forthem]…andtheeffortandhelp they gave the allies during the war.”

After spending 11 months serving in Papua New Guinea, Mr Andison’s father, Allan AndisonJuniorwasdischargedfromthearmy andreturnedtohishometownofWoodendto work as a mechanic.

Mr Andison’s grandfather, Allan Andison Senior, had to return from WWII in 1943 to the repatriation hospital in Heidelberg and spent the rest of the war based at Victoria Barracks Melbourne and RAAF Laverton.

Through this family history, Mr Andison said he got involved with the RSL and looked to what he could do to assist them.

“Back then in 1981 … the Woodend RSL approached me … [to ask] whether they could tape me playing the Last Post so they could play it at the service.”

Mr Andison said he was then asked if he could play the song live, and has now been playing the last post for 40 years.

He said he feels a connection to his father and grandfather every year he gets up at dawn to play the song and honour the veterans.

“[Ifeelaconnection]foralltheotherpeople that served [as well], whether it be in the older wars or the newer wars.”

Gary Andison playing the Last Post at the 2023 Mount Macedon Anzac Day dawn service. (Jay Town)

‘‘ They really haven’t accepted what we did ... I heard one of the boys say in the background ‘why don’t you go back and fight a war’. [Those words] shattered me ’’ - James Coghlan

James Coghlan at his Melton South home, and a photograph of James Coghlan’s father James Haining who died in WWII. (Pictures: Zoe Moffatt) 333200

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Star Weekly looks back through the pages of our predecessors

9 years ago

May 6, 2014

There’s something rotten about the Bulla tip, neighbour Carmel Egan claimed last week.

7 years ago

May 3, 2016

Trains are set to depart Mernda by 2019 after the state government announced the allocation of $588 million to fund the long-awaited Mernda rail extension

5 years ago

May 8, 2018

Three Whittlesea councillors are pushing for a municipal monitor to be appointed to oversee the council for the next 18 months.

2 years ago

May 4, 2021

A state government proposal for a 500-bed COVID-19 quarantine hub in Mickleham has divided the community.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

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

Creative arts and fitness

Banksia Gardens Community Services is running yoga and jewellery making classes every Tuesday.

■ 9309 8531

Craft and Conversation

Craigieburn library is hosting a Wednesday weekly craft group from 1-3pm and everyone is welcome. Join the craft and conversation group and share your love of all things crafty. Bring your current project and make new friends.

■ humelibraries.vic.gov.au

Community lunch in Roxburgh Park

Join the Homestead Team, along with members of the community for a free lunch and make some new friends whilst you’re at it. Lunch will be prepared by the Turkish Women’s Association. The lunch will be held every Wednesday from 11.30am-1pm at Homestead Community and Learning Centre, 30 Whiltshire Road, Roxburgh Park.

■ www.hume.vic.gov.au/Eventbrite/

Roxburgh-Park-Homestead-Communityand-Learning-CentreWeekly-CommunityLunch-317411976767

Tai Chi for health

Come along to Homestead Community and Learning Centre in Roxburgh Park for a lesson in tai chi, a low impact exercise program to build strength. Everyone is welcome. It’ll be held every Monday from 10.30-11.30am.

■ https://www.hume.vic.gov.au/Eventbrite/ Tai-Chi-for-Health-317365848797

Adult education

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

■ 9309 8531

Senior citizens meet

The Gladstone Park Senior Citizens Club regularly meets for games of bingo, carpet bowls and a chat over a cuppa, at the coroner of Carrick and Elmhurst drives, Gladstone Park.

■ Beulah, 0411 422 398

Homestead Walking Group

Enjoy some fresh air, beautiful gardens and meet other locals. Volunteer leaders will meet at the Homestead Community and Learning Centre at 9.30am on Wednesday’s for a 30–45 minute walk.

■ https://www.hume.vic.gov.au/ Eventbrite/Homestead-WalkingGroup-493400784027

Healthy lifestyle programs for children

In partnership with Monash University, Whittlesea council are seeking children aged 7-13 who are above healthy weight to support them to improve their eating and activity habits. Until Friday, July 7.

■ Brooke McDonald, 1300 822 953

Community Phone Connect Program

DPV Health Community Phone Connect Program is a free community service for older people and people with disability, living on their own in the Hume and Whittlesea regions. Through the Community Connect Program, you will receive regular phone calls from a volunteer to check that you are safe, secure and well.

■ 8301 8863

Mill Park Library Carer Group

Are you a carer? Here is your opportunity to connect with carers in your area, get together and have a chat, share stories, maybe a little art/craft occasionally, and support one another over a cup of tea/ coffee. First group– every Wednesday

1:30-3pm at the Bluestone School

House, 879 Plenty Road, South Morang. Second group – each fortnight, Thursdays

1.30-3pm at the Mill Park Library.

Beginning March 23. All Carers are welcome.

■ 0401 673 842

Seeking volunteer minibus drivers

No special licence required, commitment time is one day a week 9am-3pm. The role involves supporting staff in picking up clients from their homes and taking them to an activity/ social event or outing and then taking them back home. Our clients are older people and people with disabilities. DPV Health has friendly and supportive staff, training opportunities, volunteer recognition and special volunteer celebrations.

■ Volunteer Coordination Team, 0417 351 220

Thomastown e-waste collection

Free event to get rid of your unwanted small household electrical items in an environmentally friendly way, bring them to this E-waste collection event. Held on Wednesday, May 10 from 11am-1pm at Main Street Recreation Reserve, 56 76 Main Street, Thomastown.

■ Kate, 9401 0579

Education and Community Centre

Do you or someone you know need help learning English or understanding Technology? Craigieburn Education and Community Centre is offering Free Beginner English and Computer classes to eligible residents. Small, relaxed and friendly classes, drop in and say hello at 20 Selwyn Avenue, Craigieburn.

■ 9308 1477, or https://www.craigieburn.org.au

The Whittlesea Historical Society

The Whittlesea Historical Society meets on the third Sunday of each month at Whittlesea Bowls Club at 2pm (except January), Visitors are most welcome to attend.

■ 0414 740 778, or

www.whittleseahistoricalsociety.org.au

Bicycle Riders Wanted

Whittlesea Bicycle Users Group runs weekly rides each Sunday morning commencing from various locations, including Epping, Lalor, Thomastown, Bundoora, Mill Park, South Morang and Mernda. We cater for women and men of all abilities. We offer both a shorter, easier ride and a longer ride. Each ride has a break midway at a café for coffee/snacks and a friendly chat. We invite all interested bike riders to come along and enjoy a social ride with other like-minded people. Newcomers are welcome.

■ Glenn, 0434 730 163

Jobs Expo

Looking for a career in Manufacturing?

Come along to Melbourne’s North Manufacturing Jobs Expo at Town Hall Broadmeadows on Wednesday May 10. Session one from 10-11.30am. Session two from 11.30am-1pm.

■ https://www.hume.vic.gov.au/Eventbrite/ Melbournes-North-Manufacturing-JobsExpo-604249014067#

IDAHOBIT Storytime

We’re celebrating rainbow families at storytime for IDAHOBIT! This day raises awareness of the work still needed to combat discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community. No bookings required. Wear your brightest colours! Wednesday, May 17, from 10.30am-noon, at Lalor Library, 2a May Road, Lalor

■ Lalor.Community@whittlesea.vic.gov.au

Community Grants Workshop

Hume council invites not-for-profit community groups or organisations to attend its 2024 Community Grants Workshop on Monday, May 15 from 6-8pm. Come join non-profit training and find out about the 2024 Community Grants program and how to write a great grant application.

■ https://www.hume.vic.gov.au/ Eventbrite/2024-Community-GrantsWorkshop-Online-518286879007#

Supporting children to be school ready Session presented by DPV Health on Tuesday, May 16 from 100-11.30am. This online event aims to provide practical tips to parents about how to help their child prepare for school. Recommended for: parents/carers of children and children ■ https://www.trybooking.com/events/ landing?eid=984040&

Whittlesea Cultural Heritage Network

Join the Whittlesea Cultural Heritage Network on Wednesday, May 17 to enjoy a meal while we network, brainstorm ideas and participate in some fascinating presentations on topics to do with our culture and our history. The workshop is free and will run from 6.30-9pm at the Fountainview Room, Civic Centre, 25 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang ■ https://www.trybooking.com/events/ landing?eid=1048425&

Mother’s Day Craft Activity

Craft activity for adults and children on Friday, May 12. Children can make a magnet picture frame. Adults can make cards in a card working workshop. Free activity that runs from 10.30am-12pm. ■ https://www.hume.vic.gov.au/ Eventbrite/Mothers-Day-CraftActivity-623391850807#

Rock ‘N’ Roll Rainbow

Join us for some Rock ’n’ Roll fun with classic ’50s tunes, dancing & Karaoke on Wednesday, May 17 from 7-8.30pm at the Whittlesea Community Centre 57/61 Laurel Street, Whittlesea. The event is free and bookings are essential.

■ https://yprl.spydus.com/ cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/WPAC/ EVSESENQ?SETLVL=&RNI=599870

Repair Café Sunbury

Head along for a cuppa and some skill sharing on how to repair broken household items, preventing landfill and promoting kindness. Runs every third Saturday of the month, 10am to 12.30pm at the Sunbury Neighbourhood House. 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury.

This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of Wyndham stalwart and long-serving councillor Heather Marcus in her quirky garden. (Damjan Janevski) 332180_01

PUZZLES QUICK CROSSWORD

SUDOKU

No. 5836 26 7 726

ACROSS

1 Fraudulent schemes (5)

4 Traditional (9)

9 Reason (5)

4 Give way (4)

5 Extremely greedy (10)

918 71 2 8579

10 Gluttony or sloth for instance (6,3)

11 Famous people (6)

12 Guests (8)

14 Brotherhood (10)

15 Savoury cracker biscuit (3)

17 French word for “me” (3)

19 Synchronous (10)

23 Asset (8)

24 A spice (6)

26 Antiquated US car manufacturer (9)

27 Confuse (5)

28 Heights (9)

29 Dollars (colloq) (5)

DOWN

1 Pick (6)

2 Sharp-cornered (7)

3 Old type of trombone (7)

easy 25 36 2 475 3 63 94

41 54 6518

7164 84 87

hard

medium 72 48 6 92 41

34 637 1 46 2

51 7 7 315 89

DECODER WORDFIT 9-LETTER

3

Today’s Aim:

9 words: Good

F R S

S E

14 words: Very good 19 words: Excellent

E

I I G T B

befit, BEFITTING, begin, being, bent, betting, binge, bite, bitten, feign, feint, fine, finite, genii, gibe, ignite, tent, tine, tinge

No. 132

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

T S S S A L A D P R O S E L O O S E A S K E D T E S T S

1 Pierogi are dumplings from which country?

3 Sterling silver is an alloy of silver and what other metal?

4 What was the first Olympics to be postponed rather than cancelled?

5 Supernatural aired its final episode in November 2020 after how many seasons?

6 The Melbourne Renegades and Brisbane Heat are teams in which sporting league?

7 Which Chinese politician tweeted a doctored image of an Australian soldier holding a bloody knife?

8 In what year was the Australian Bureau of Meteorology first given weather recording responsibilities: 1904, 1906 or 1908?

9 Former prime minister Scott Morrison (pictured) was the inaugural director of which government agency?

10 Which of the following novels did not begin as fanfiction: City ofBones (Cassandra Clare), After (Anna Todd) or Divergent (Veronica Roth)?

LETTERS ACE ADD ARM AVO BEE DNA EBB FEE HAS HIP IRE KIN NIT PEN PRO ROD ROE ROT RUB SAP SEA SHE UTE WIT 4 LETTERS ANON BEGS EBBS KERB MEEK NOOK POST SAWS SENT SICS SNOB SNOW STEM WEAR 5 LETTERS ABODE ADOBE ALERT ALIAS APING AREAS AWARE BEGIN BOOED BRASH BRINE CHAFE CIRCA CRUSH DEMON EDGES FENCE GIMME HALON HORDE INANE INEPT MEMOS OFTEN OLIVE OUGHT OUTDO REUSE RILED ROGUE SAGAS SEEDS SENDS SENSE SHAME SLEDS SODAS SPOUT STEAL STEAM STEEL TERSE THESE THOUS TILES TRUCE TSARS USERS USUAL WINCE 6 LETTERS CRANES NESTLE REUSES SCREEN 7 LETTERS ALTERED ENDEARS EROSION GOOIEST GREATER PORTION 8 LETTERS ASSUREDS ATTAINED SAUCEPAN TOBOGGAN 12 345678910111213 1415 1617181920212223242526 O K A Q V E W U Y R B I L Z G C N T X F H D M J S P Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down. NOTE: more than one solution may be possible 12-05-23 Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com 298753461 924178536 861397254 715649382 586934127 459812673 643281795 137526849 372465918 easy medium hard 617958432 831275946 269387514 582743691 926134857 175429368 493612785 754896123 348561279 761245983 415762398 597824631 384679152 629358714 148936527 952183476 873491265 236517849 1 14 7 20 2 15 8 21 3 16 9 22 4 17 10 23 5 18 11 24 6 19 12 25 13 26 JP ANSWERS: 1. Poland 2. Nathaniel Hawthorne 3. Copper 4. Tokyo 2020 5. 15 6. Big Bash League 7. Lijian Zhao 8. 1908 9. Tourism Australia 10. Divergent

No. 132

No. 132

No. 132

Trades &

advert is so easy...

Trades & Services

PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE TWO (2) MOBILE PHONE BASE STATIONS WITH 4G/5G AT MERNDA

1.The proposed works consists of:

144 Schotters Rd, Mernda VIC 3754 www.rfnsa.com.au/3754002

The proposed works on the monopole facility consist of:

The installation of three (3) new 5G panel antennas (279mm × 200mm × 130mm), mounted on the existing headframe

The reconfiguration of three (3) existing panel antennas, mounted on the existing headframe

The recovery of three (3) existing panel antennas from the existing headframe

The installation and removal of associated ancillary equipment, including RRUs, junction boxes, TMA, feeders, cables, etc.

Works within the existing equipment shelter

152 Cravens Rd, Mernda VIC 3754

www.rfnsa.com.au/3752002

The proposed works on the monopole facility consist of:

The installation of three (3) new 5G panel antennas (279mm × 200mm × 110mm), mounted on the existing headframe

The installation of one (1) new 5G panel antennas (819mm × 400mm × 254mm), mounted on the existing headframe

The installation of three (3) new 5G panel antennas (2533mm × 350mm × 208mm), mounted on the existing headframe

The reconfiguration of three (3) existing panel antennas, mounted on the existing headframe

The recovery of three (3) existing panel antennas from the existing headframe

The installation and removal of associated ancillary equipment, including RRUs, junction boxes, TMA, feeders, cables, etc.

Works within the existing equipment shelter

2.Telstra Corporation Limited (A.C.N 086 174 781) regards the proposed installation as a Low-impact Facility under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 (“The Determination”) based on the description above.

3.In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Further information and/or comments should be directed to: Ken Hsieh on behalf of Telstra, 0468 725 667, ken.hsieh@ericsson.com by Wednesday 24 May 2023.

PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE

TWO (2) MOBILE PHONE BASE STATIONS WITH 4G/5G AT SOUTH MORANG & BUNDOORA

1.The proposed works consists of: 360 Mcdonalds Road, South Morang VIC 3752 www.rfnsa.com.au/3752001

The proposed works on the monopole facility consist of:

The installation of three (3) new 5G panel antennas (each 279mm(h) x 200mm(w) x 110mm(d)) attached to existing mounts

The installation of three (3) new 4G/5G panel antennas (each 2533mm(h) x 350mm(w) x 208mm(d)) attached to existing mounts

The reconfiguration of three (3) existing panel antennas attached to existing mounts

The recovery of three (3) from existing panel antennas attached to existing mounts

The installation and removal of ancillary equipment, including feeders, TMAs, junction boxes and cabling Internal works within the existing equipment outdoor shelter 289W Mckimmies Road, Bundoora VIC 3083 www.rfnsa.com.au/3083007

The proposed works on the monopole facility consist of:

The installation of three (3) new 5G panel antennas (each 279mm(h) x 200mm(w) x 110mm(d)) attached to existing mounts

The installation of three (3) new 4G/5G panel antennas (each 2533mm(h) x 350mm(w) x 208mm(d)) attached to existing mounts

The reconfiguration of three (3) existing panel antennas attached to existing mounts

The recovery of three (3) from existing panel antennas attached to existing mounts

The installation and removal of ancillary equipment, including feeders, TMAs, junction boxes and cabling

Internal works within the existing equipment outdoor shelter

2.Telstra Corporation Limited (A.C.N 086 174 781) regards the proposed installation as a Low-impact Facility under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 (“The Determination”) based on the description above.

3.In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Further information and/or comments should be directed to: Ken Hsieh on behalf of Telstra, 0468 725 667, ken.hsieh@ericsson.com by Wednesday 24 May 2023.

1.The proposed facility consist of the addition of new Vodafone and Optus 5G equipment and associated works as follows:

•Replacement of existing Three (3) Vodafone and Optus shared passive antennas not more than 2.8m in length onto the existing headframe;

•Installation of Three (3) Vodafone and Three (3) Optus 5G antennas not more than 0.79m in length onto the proposed new mounts;

•Installation of ancillary equipment, nine (9) Mast Units, GPS antennas and other items associated with the safety and operation of the facility; and within the existing equipment shelter.

2. Vodafone and Optus regard the proposed installation as low impact under The Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018

Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite Should you require further information or wish to from Nokia Solutions & Networks on 0413 809 856 or at communityrelations.vha@groups.nokia.com

24 May 2023. Further www.rfnsa.com.au/3082003

What we offer:

•Great working environment & conditions

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•Rate dependant on experience, qualifications & ability

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Please call Justin to apply on 0411 617 190. 12603261-MS19-23

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

Outback gets better with age

By Chris Riley

After all these years, I still think of the Subaru Outback as a wagon rather than SUV -- the Forester too.

Unfortunately,youcan’tbuyadieselOutback anymore, but the latest turbocharged petrol version certainly addresses any perceived deficiencies in performance.

And, like a fine wine, Outback continues to get better with age.

Its one major gap in an otherwise impressive repertoire remains the fact that it seats only five.Infact,Subaruhasn’tofferedaseven-seater as part of its range since the propeller-nosed Tribeca in 2013.

Butyou’renotlikelytoreceiveanycomplaints from those five passengers in a car that really sets a benchmark for comfort and features, given its relatively modest price.

Styling

Prices for Outback start from $42,690. Two turbocharged versions are offered: Outback AWD Sport XT is $52,190 while Outback AWD Touring XT is $55,990 - $5000 more than their standard counterparts.

To distinguish turbo models, they feature dual tailpipes to go with the extra performance, although they are barely visible below the back bumper.

There’s also an ’XT’ badge (remember the powerhouse XT Forester) and LED fog lights that are made up of six LEDs - we’re told it’s an homage to the Subaru badge which features six stars.

Infotainment

Subaru was slow to the infotainment party, but has made up for lost time with a big, impressive system that’s dominated by a large 11.6-inch tablet-style touchscreen.

It has been redesigned to make it more user friendly, with new shortcut buttons, updated climatecontrolbuttonsandfullscreenAndroid Auto.

XT Sport features Bluetooth, voice control, AM/FM and DAB+ Digital radio, built-in satellitenavigation,pluswirelessAppleCarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, along with six-speaker audio. The CD player has gone to God.

Physical buttons such as the climate control panel have been integrated into the screen, with convenience and operability prioritised

through shortcut switches for some frequently used features.

Safety

Five-star safety starts with eight airbags, a rear-view camera and Autonomous emergency braking (Car to Car, Vulnerable Road User, Junction Assist and Backover).

EyeSight 4.0 features roadside speed sign recognition, adjustable speed limiting, and intersection crash avoidance using new cameras with a wider field of view and a lower profile inside the cabin.

There’s also a lane support system with lane keep assist (LKA), lane departure warning (LDW) and emergency lane keeping (ELK) and an advanced speed assistance system (SAS).

Driving

Apart from the turbocharged engine, the other big change is the switch to the Subaru Global Platform (SGP), which is stiffer and provides the scope to use alternative powertrains -- such as hybrid or fully-electric setups.

Withmaximumtorquekickinginfromalow 2000 revs, Subaru says the turbo does the dash from 0-100km/h about 22 per cent quicker than naturally aspirated models (but they don’t reveal what that time is).

Auto Stop-Start now incorporates “Change of Mind Control“ which as its name suggests, restarts the engine within 0.2 of a second -- if

you change your mind.

Althoughdescribedassymmetricalall-wheel drive, like most systems these days it is actually a part-time system with torque transmitted to the rear wheels as required (read the fine print).

In manual mode the CVT features seven steps or simulated gears, with the addition of Intelligent and Sport modes plus two-mode X-Mode for off-road driving.

With 213mm of ground clearance, X-Mode is designed for use below 40km/h with one setting optimised for snow and dirt and the other for deep snow and mud.

Fuel consumption from the 63-litre tank is a claimed 9.0L/100km compared to 7.3L/100km for the standard model, and it takes premium 95 unleaded.CO2 emissions are 204g/km.

The suspension has been re-tuned to accommodate the new engine, with different settings for the springs and dampers, and the result is first rate.

The extra torque of the turbocharged engine has also allowed the tow capacity to be increased 400kg, up from 2000 to 2400kg.

Outback is easy to get in and out of, with a cabinthatisaniceplacetobe.Theseatsarelarge and comfy, something Subaru has always done well, and the ride is quiet and buttery smooth (in contrast to the Jeep we drove previously).

All-round vision is excellent and you can see where the front of the bonnet is when it comes to parking.

AT A GLANCE MODEL RANGE

Outback 2.5: $42,690

Sport 2.5: $47,190

Touring 2.5: $50,990

Sport XT 2.4: $52,190

Touring XT 2.4: $55,990

SPECIFICATIONS

Subaru Outback XT Touring 2.4-litre turbo-petrol five-door wagon

The large physical blind spot lights that never fail to capture attention.

Elbow room is a bit snug however, so be sure to try it on for size.

The interior layout looks pretty much the same as the previous Outback that we drove a couple of years back, but the front seats have been redesigned with advanced shaping and support to reduce fatigue over longer distances. Although the infotainment system looks impressive, the instrument cluster has a bit of catching up to do.

It retains old-style analogue gauges that flank a small central driver info screen with fuel consumption figures etc.

We finished on 10.1L/100km after close to 400km of mixed driving, but expect this to be higher around town.

Summing up

The Subaru Outback is not perfect, but that is the word that springs to mind.

The turbocharged engine adds some punch and extra towing ability, but be prepared to pay a penalty in fuel consumption.

However, it’s the comfort and ride quality that leave a lasting impression -- one that you’ll want to take home.

The next step in the evolution of the wagon is a hybrid version, followed we assume by a fully-electric Outback sometime down the track.

Subaru’s Outback ... you won’t want to give it back. (Pictures: Supplied)

Alwis joins Warriors for the next two seasons

Westmeadows quest to return to the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division immediately has received a massive boost.

The Warriors, who will play in division 1 after finishing bottom of the senior division last season, announced the signing of Geeth Alwis for the next two seasons.

Alwis joins the club from St Albans where he played the last nine seasons, including winning the Roy Paxino Medal as the best player in senior division in 2021-22.

Warriors captain-coach Donovan Pell said they were thrilled to have someone of the likes of Alwis join the club

“He had good relationship with Thilina Masmulla,” he said. “To get a player of his standard is big.

“He resonates with our environment and he really wants to come the club.

“It’s a good sign what we are doing at Westmeadows is working.”

Pell said they were always looking to make their squad better and were never going to turn away a player like Alwis.

The signing is the first step in the club trying

to regain their spot in the top division, which Pell said was their number one aim next season.

“It was a bitter pill to swallow,” Pell said of

going down. “As a club, as a coach, we had the direction where we wanted to head in the next three, four, five years.

“We looked at the list at the end of the

New mentors for Roos

By Tara Murray

There’s plenty of hard work ahead for the new Greenvale Kangaroos coaching group, but they’re ready for the challenge.

The Victorian Premier Cricket side has unveiled its new coaching line up, headed by former Essendon coach Ash Cavigan, who will take on the director of coaching role.

Sunny Fernando has been appointed coach having been an assistant coach at Fitzroy Doncaster and Essendon.

Gavin Mackay, a premiership winning coach at Gisborne in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association, will look after talent development.

Mick Allen and Adam Dale have also come on board as mentors.

Cavigan said they were excited to get to work.

“We’ve gone through the pieces and talked about the role and what it might look like,” he said.

“It’s super exciting and we’ve got some really good people into the coaching structure. Now it’s time to get to work on the cricket side.”

Cavigan said he had worked with Fernando in the past and said he would be really good for the group.

“It was really important to me personally knowing the size of the job, that I couldn’t do it on my own,” he said.

“Sunny is a good coach. He’s super energetic and invested in cricket. He’s a level three coach and has some really good experience. I think the players will enjoy his style.”

Cavigan said one area he really wanted to focus on was having a local cricket connection, who knows the area and the players coming through.

That is where Mackay comes into it.

“Gav is a really impressive person and character,” he said. “He knows his cricket and his connection to the local area was something that was really high on the priority list.”

It was Mackay’s connection that got Allen

on board, with Mackay coaching the Ryder Medallist at Gisborne.

Dale, who played two test and 30 one-day internationals for Australia, is based in Queensland, but will play a vital role.

“Adam has been really good for me,” he said. “He was my director of cricket at Northcote.

“He’s been a sounding board for me and with his connection to North Melbourne, he has always wanted to get involved.”

Cavigan said they were under no illusions how much work they would have ahead of them. The Kangaroos won just two games last season and have struggled for a number of years before that.

“The president and committee were transparent with what has happened in the past and we are clear where we want to go in the future,” he said.

“Ultimately we want to be a destination club, that is where we want to be. We’ve got a structure in place with some good coaches and good leadership.

2021-22 season and how we go forward.

“We had a young list. It didn’t pan out the way we wanted it to after winning the first two games.”

Pell said now the key for the side was making sure they had that right mix of youth and experience. He said they had signed most of last season’s squad, while still looking to add other players.

“Aaron Evans has been a staple of the first XI, Ryan Nankervis came across from Plenty Valley,” he said.

“Myself, I’m not 30 yet. We have some younger kids coming through, especially in the second XI.

“Jordan Rein and Jake Johnston are 15-16,” he said.

“ Kye Attard won the second XI batting average after winning the bowling average the year before.

“Babar Aziz won the second XI champion last season. We’ve got depth, it’s about adding experience on top of the youth.”

Tara Murray

Sports shorts

NSW

CVWCCC

Craigieburn’s Litara Va’auli claimed the Cricket Victorian Community Cricket Competition shield 3 bowling award. Va’auli finished the one-day competition with 17 wickets at an average of 13.12. Va’auli was also named in the team of the year, encompassing players from all three divisions.

EDFL

The Essendon District Football League netball competition will take a different format this season. EDFL netball in 2023 will now be a short season social competition being played across 10 weeks. It will commence on May 13 and run through to August 5, excluding school and public holidays. Any clubs or umpires interested in joining the competition, contact netball@essendondfl.com.au.

NPL

It was a disappointing night out for Hume City in the National Premier League on Saturday night. Facing Port Melbourne, Hume struggled to match it with Port Melbourne, losing 3-0. Hume sits in eighth spot with three wins and draws from its 12 matches. Hume this week faces Dandenong Thunder on Saturday night. Hume will also be in action midweek against Keilor Wolves in the Australia Cup.

FV

There was no joy for the Whittlesea-based teams in the FV state league 1 north-west competition on the weekend. Whittlesea United, which played midweek in the Australia Cup, lost to Yarraville on Friday night, 2-0. Whittlesea Ranges, who also played in the Australia Cup mid week, lost to Corio, lost 4-0. Upfield also suffered a loss on Saturday, losing to Brimbank Stallions, 3-0. In state league 2 north-west, Mill Park had a day out against Epping City, winning 5-0. The win was Mill Park’s second for the season. Meanwhile, Hume United beat Lalor United 2-1.

FOR MORE SPORT, VISIT

Web: starweekly.com.au

Northern Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Jeff Hubbard and Geeth Alwis (Supplied)

Greenvale struggled last seaosn. (Joe Mastroianni).311937_06

David Scott steps up at Tullamarine

David Scott will have the chance to live out a childhood dream of coaching Tullamarine in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association.

Scott, who has captained the side in recent years, was late last month named the club’s captain-coach for the next two seasons.

Scott said he was pretty excited to take on the new responsibility.

“Obviously I’ve been at Tulla for a very long time, besides a stint overseas,” he said.

“It’s a proud moment to be appointed captain-coach. I mentioned to the guys that it was a boyhood dream to captain-coach Tullamarine.

“I played my first first XI game when I was 13, I’ve been at the club for a long time.”

Scott replaces Danny Law as coach, with Law standing down after two seasons in the coaching hot seat.

Scott said Law was likely to stay on as a player.

“He’s got a couple of kids in their teenage years who are pretty active with their sports and hobbies as well,” he said.

“He wants to just concentrate on playing.

The guy has 20 years of first class cricket. He finished second in our best and fairest.

“I’ll lean on him on the leadership side and tactics, I’m really happy to have him still here.”

Scott takes over the role at an interesting time.

The Demons top side will drop to division 2 after finishing the bottom of division 1 with just three wins.

Scott said it had been a disappointing season.

“We struggled to get that consistency and we were playing with maximum player points each week and had to rotate players through,” he said.

“We struggled to find that balance.

“We’re also better suited to two day cricket. We won two of the three two days matches at the back end of the season and it suited us more.

“We got bogged down in one-day cricket. We’ve got a good core that will continue on to next season and we will look to add some top class players.”

While the top side struggled, it was a better season for the rest of the club. Scott said overall they were in a really good position.

“I find it hard to assess the year as a club,” he said.

“The first XI were super disappointing, we were a couple of players short. We had 23 players play in the first XI and 40 in the second XI.

“We had five of our sides play in finals and four sides play in grand finals. We won two premierships.

“We’re in a pretty healthy position.”

Tara Murray

Young gun talent on show

Gisborne’s Rye Penny and Bundoora’s Jedd Longmire will be among those aiming to push their AFL mid-season draft claims against the state’s best under-18 boys footballers as part of the 2023 Young Guns series.

Thetwo-gameserieswillpittheYoung Guns team against Victoria Metro and Victoria Country under-18 teams.

The first of those games between the Young Guns and Victoria Metro was set to be played on Sunday, after deadline, with the second game between the Young Guns and Victoria Country set down for this Sunday.

The Young Guns team has been selected by AFL recruiters, with the team made up of players eligible for selection in the AFL mid-season rookie draft on May 31.

The team features prospects who compete in the Coates Talent League Boys as overage players and in the Victorian Football League.

Whittlesea Ranges after their round five win. (Supplied)

Ranges’ cup run alive

By Tara Murray

The magic of the cup is alive for the Whittlesea Ranges in the Australia Cup.

The Ranges are through to the sixth round for the first time after beating Ballarat City on Tuesday night.

A goal to Daniel Anagnostopoulos in the 31st minute would prove to be the difference in the 1-0 win.

Ranges coach Safi Ayoush said the win was really exciting for the club.

“It was a big win for us,” he said. “It’s the first time we’ve come that far.

“We’re now in round six and the top 10 teams in Victoria from about 182 clubs. We’re joining a lot of the NPL [National Premier League] clubs.”

A win in the seventh round would mean the Ranges are through to the national stage of the competition.

Ayoush said if they were to achieve that it would be massive for the club and show they’re on the right track with the work they are doing.

“It means what we’re doing from the start of

the year and giving opportunities to younger players,” he said.

“There’s a great culture with the players and the club, even the junior structure. We’re all working together as a team.”

Having already beaten one NPL side to get to the fifth round, the Ranges faced another one in Ballarat.

Ayoush said the playing group was up to the challenge.

“It was a great performance,” he said. “We faced a hard NPL side

“We saw the fight in the boys and they made me really happy as a coach. They worked as a team and continued to try and score.

“They were more than competitive against them.”

Ayoush said the most pleasing thing was that they weren’t relying on one or two players to get the job done, but spreading the load.

The Ranges will be back in action on Saturday in the FV state league 1 north-west competition against Corio on Saturday.

Ayoush said they were happy with their form in that competition as well. The side sits in ninth spot.

“We had a points deduction due to an admin error,” he said. “We’re still getting good results.

“The average age is 21 or 22 and some of them weren’t in the starting 11 last year.

“Stefano Giusti is 17 and was in the starting 11 for the first time on Tuesday night.

“We’re trying to provide for those young boys.

“I’m really proud to see those boys work really hard. It’s not easy to gel 22 players together.”

While the Ranges are through to the next round, Upfield, Lalor United and Whittlesea United’s runs came to an end.

Lalor United lost 3-2 to the Goulburn Valley Suns, with Ayodeji Omoboye scoring both of Lalor’s goals.

The Suns scored the winning goal in the 87th minute.

Upfield lost to Dandenong City 4-2 after scores were level at 2-2 at half time.

Whittlesea United lost to St Albans Saints, 2-0 having had chances in the first half to get on the scoreboard.

Penny, who is playing for the Calder Cannons this season, has been named in the Young Guns team. Penny was named in the Vic Metro squad for trail matches against Victoria Country last month.

Longmire is originally from the Murray Bushrangers and is also part of Collingwood’s VFL squad this season.

Victoria Metro and Victoria Country will use the Young Guns series as a trial ahead of selecting their final squads to compete at the national championships.

Calder Cannons assistant coach Matt O’Connor will again coach the Young Guns, with Ali Hamad (Western Jets), Jon Mole (Dandenong Stingrays) and Luke Williams (Calder Cannons) also part of the coaching panel.

Victoria Metro will be coached by Sandringham Dragons boys head coach Rob Harding. Western Jets coach Trent Dennis-Lane, Northern Knights coach Anthony Rocca and Calder Cannons’ Andrew Sturgess are assistant coaches.

Among those named in the metro squad are Calder Cannons’ Isaac Kako, Mahmoud Taha, Ryan Eyre and Jordan Croft.

Western Jets’ Lucca Grego and Jake Smith, along with Northern Knights Zak Johnson and Christian Mardini have also been named in the metro squad

David Scott (Supplied)

Solid Eagles still have ‘room for improvement’

Craigieburn Eagles are heading in the right direction in the Big V women’s division 1 competition.

After a tough 2022 season, the new look Eagles have split their results so far this season, digging in fifth spot having played eight games. Eagles coach Andrew Seidel said they had shown some really good signs. “We are middle of the road,” he said.

“We are happy with how things are going. “We still have some room for improvement.

We won three in a row a couple of weeks back and everyone started having a look at us.

“But we’re not quite where we want to be. “We’ll put a few things in place to put in place for the back end of the season.”

OnSaturday,theEaglesfacedladderleaders WesternPortontheroad.TheSteelersjumped outoftheblocksandledby11pointsatquarter time. The margin was reduced to one at

the main break.

TheSteelersfoundsomethingdifferentinthe thirdquarterandopenedtheleadbackupto14 points heading into the final quarter.

The lead would prove too much, with the

Steelers winning 70-57. Seidel, who wasn’t at the game, said he had received some feedback on how the match had played out.

“There were a couple of little errors that we made,” he said.

“We didn’t make some adjustments, hopefully we can get them next time. It was a good test against a top side.”

Import Courtney Strait top scored with the Eagles with 20 points. Seidel said Strait, who was in her first season in Australia, was fitting in really well and proving to be one of the best players in the competition, The Eagles this week host Mildura.

Intheirfirstmatchoftheseasonbetweenthe two sides back in round two, Mildura won by two points.

In the men’s division 2 competition, the Eagles lost a thriller to the Maccabi Warriors in double overtime. After trailing in the first

Thumping win for Eagles

By Tara Murray

Craigieburn got some reward for effort in the Essendon District Football League division 1 competition on Saturday.

The Eagles have shown plenty of good signs in the first three rounds and they were able to put that together against Moonee Valley.

The Eagles managed to get a good jump out of the blocks and they were able to continue the momentum throughout, winning 18.11 (119)-4.14 (38)

Eagles coach Shane Jacobs said they were pretty happy with the performance.

“It was a really good day and to get the win, was nice to get some reward for the effort,” he said.

“The boys have been working really hard andtowalkawaywithfourpointswe’rehappy with that.

“It was tricky conditions, a little breezy, but the conditions weren’t too bad for footy.

“We kicked 18 goals and played the conditions really well.”

Jake Carlisle continued his good form up forward, kicking four goals, while Sam Rexhepi and John Bellino got three goals apiece.

It was two inclusions into the side that were the standouts according to Jacobs

“Jamie Gorgievski, our captain, came back from injury and was really good,” he said.

“Brent Gordon, it was his first game of the year, and he was terrific.

“It was pretty hard to pick the best after that, it was a real team effort and everyone did what they had to do.”

The win moves the Eagles to 2-2 after the first four rounds. Jacobs said they would have taken that in the pre-season, while he was also happy with how they were playing.

“Two weeks ago against Hillside, we lost by six or seven goals, but we walked away happy with how we played,” he said.

“We had 25 scoring shots and took a lot of positives out of the game and that everyone was working together.

“Last year they won two games for the year, so we’ve ticked off those two games already.

“We’rereallyhappywithourformandwe’re working on a few things.”

Jacobs said one of the most pleasing things had been the opportunities that the younger players were getting.

He said they feel like they have the balance right.

“Wehaveanaverageageof21andtheyoung boys keep rocking up each week,” he said.

“We’ve got a good mix of top end talent around the 30 mark and then the younger guys.

“We don’t have many around that 25 mark. We do have a lot of experienced players, we broughtbackinfourpremiershipplayersfrom injury.”

The Eagles this week face Rupertswood, which is also 2-2 after the first round rounds.

Jacobs said it would be another good challenge.

InotherresultsonSaturday,RoxburghPark ended Hillside’s winning start to the season.

The Magpies hit the lead in the second quarterandwereabletoholdon,winning10.8 68)-7.10 (52).

Tullamarine was disappointing in its match against Deer Park, losing 22.17 (149)-2.6 (18). Westmeadows remain without a win after losing to Glenroy, 10.16 (76)-10.6 (66).

In premier division, Greenvale opened its account with a 17.16 (118)-14.6 (90) win against Avondale Heights.

half, the Eagles got back into the game in the third quarter to lead by one point. Scores were locked at 75-apeice at the final whistle. Both teams managed just three points in the first over time, before the Warriors outscored the Eagles, 8-5 in the second period to get an 86-83 win.

Meanwhile in the state championship division, the Hume City Broncos men beat Western Port 109-100 on Saturday night. Shaun Prendergast turned back the clock and top scored with 30 points in the over time win. In the state championship women, the Broncos lost to the Pakenham Warriors, 74-67.

In division 2 men, the Whittlesea Pacers continuedtheirgoodformwithan110-79win against the Melton Thoroughbreds.

Tara Murray

Power notches up a victory

An inaccurate Laurimar still came away with the points against the Fitzroy Stars in the Northern Football League division 3 on Saturday.

The Power took control of the game in the first quarter with 12 scoring shots to four, to lead by 28 points at the first break.

ThePowerwasabletoextendthatlead to 42 points at the main break.

The Power continued to pepper the goals in the third quarter without getting the result it deserved.

Neither team was able to score a goal in the final quarter as the Power ran out winners, 8.17 (65)-2.8 (20).

Noah Mooney kicked two goals for the Power and was named their best along with Ethan Bateman and Kalden Arthur.

Lalor found the going tough in its match against Kinglake.

Playing each other for the first time since Kinglake returned to the competition, it was all one way traffic.

Kinglake piled on the goals in every quarter on the way to a 26.21 (177)-1.1 (7) win.

In division 1, Bundoora suffered its first loss of the season to Montmorency.

Afterscoreswerelevelatquartertime, the Magpies kicked five goals to three in the second quarter to open up an 11 point lead at the first break.

Neither team kicked a goal in the third quarter.

The Bulls were able to win the final quarter, but it wasn’t enough with the Magpies winning, 11.11 (77)-10.6 (66).

Peter McEvoy kicked four goals for the Bulls, while Joel Fitzgerald was named their best.

Whittlesea came close to getting its first win of the season against Hurstbridge in a low scoring affair.

The Eagles led throughout the first quarter and still held a lead at half time. Threegoalstooneinthethirdquarter turnedthegameinHurstbridge’sfavour.

Neither team could find a goal in the final quarter, with Hurstbridge winning 6.6 (42)-5.4 (34).

In division 2, Thomastown beat Watsonia, while Epping and South Morang both suffered big losses.

Craigieburn’s women’s side (Supplied)

Craigieburn’s Jordan Lobosco. 289080_09 (Joe Mastroianni)