Star Weekly - Melton Moorabool - 23rd May 2023

Bus crash support swells

Liam McNally

When Exford Primary School principal Lisa Campo spoke outside of the school the day after a tragic bus collision involving her students, she said the school had been “inundated with messages of love and support and food and flowers”.

“It’s just lovely to know that our community is right there with us,” she said.

In the week following there has been an outpouring of support from Eynesbury and surrounding communities, with multiple fundraisers and donations of food

and toys to support those affected by the incident.

A GoFundMe page, which had raised more than $30,000 when StarWeekly went to print, was set up by Jessica Hodges, Pam McGuire, Sam Bonnici and Shanny Fiteni – parents of Exford Primary School students.

Ms Hodges, who has a nine-year-old and a five-year-old enrolled at Exford who were not involved in the accident, said the aim of the fundraiser was to help with immediate and unexpected costs parents are dealing with while children are in hospital, from having

time off work to parking fees.

“The school is run off their feet, we want to help start the fundraising process to eliminate some of the work that the school would need or want to do,” she said.

“There’s a lot of stressed out parents and families at the moment … Most people are trying to come together, we’ve opened our arms …

“I did not come close to expecting anything like $25,000. It’s been incredible, it just shows the support that we’ve got around our community.”

TheEynesburyEaglesFootballNetballClub

has also rallied around the students and their families.

On Friday, May 19, the Eynesbury Eagles Football Netball Club brought together more than 1000 community members to raise funds during its Riddell District Football Netball League Club 18 match against Wallan.

AsofMondaymorning,clubpresidentPeter Berry said the money raised was at “$25,000 and counting“.

“The community came out in droves to support the fundraiser,“ he said.

■ Continued: Page 3

Emergency Services at the scene of the bus crash at the intersection of Exford Road and Murphys Road at Eynesbury. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

Truck driver faces four charges

A truck driver has faced court charged with dangerous driving causing a school bus crash thatresultedinchildrenrequiringamputations.

Jamie Gleeson, 49, was granted bail during a hearing in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday, May 17.

He’s charged with four counts of dangerous driving causing serious injury over the crash at Eynesbury on Tuesday afternoon.

It’sallegedhewasbehindthewheelofatruck that collided with a school bus carrying 45 students from Exford Primary School.

Prosecutor Ben Kerlin said the bus driver

had noticed the truck approaching quickly frombehindbeforeitwasstruckabout3.40pm.

Gleeson, a truck driver for 18 years, told police he would normally “take it easy” in school zones and was accelerating out of the 60km/h zone outside Exford Primary School when he noticed flashes of sunlight coming through the trees. He said he hit the brakes after seeing the brake lights on the bus in front of him, but he didn’t have enough time to stop before hitting the back.

“If I could have swerved around it I would have,”hetoldofficersduringhisinterviewwith

police on Wednesday morning.

His lawyer said this was Gleeson’s first time incustodyandhehadnopriordrivingorother criminal matters.

Magistrate Andrew McKenna agreed to grant bail for Gleeson, noting there would be a delay in bringing the case to court.

Prosecutors have asked for 16 weeks to preparethebriefofevidenceagainsthim,given the size of the collision scene and the number of children who will need to be interviewed.

Mr McKenna said Gleeson had co-operated with police at the scene.

The father-of-two’s bail conditions include that he not drive a heavy vehicle.

The charge s against Gleeson specifically relate to four children - two each aged nine and 10.

Mr Kerlin said there may be further charges laid.

Wearing an orange and blue hi-vis shirt, Gleeson sat with his hands crossed in his lap while appearing by video-link from Sunshine. He’s due back in court for a committal mention on October 18.

Support swells for bus victims

■ From page 1

“The way the community rallied together was amazing. People are still saddened and shocked by the event that felt so close to home for everybody, many of us had kids attend the school or currently at the school, so we have a very close connection with Exford Primary School.

“We hope for the the children and the families a speedy recovery.”

The Country Women’s Association (CWA) of Bacchus Marsh has donated almost 40 hand-knitted teddy bears to the school. CWA president June Webb said everybody feels for the children after the “dreadful” incident.

“When kids are upset and hurt they need something to cuddle,” she said.

School wraps arms around students

Exford Primary School principal Lisa Campo was about to begin a staff meeting on the afternoonofTuesday,May16,whenshegotthe call from a community member that a bus that had left the school had been in an accident.

Ms Campo said she was expecting a “fender bender”, instead she and her staff were confronted with the incident where a bus carrying 45 children had flipped on its side.

Children were trapped inside the bus before witnesses and emergency workers pulled them from the wreckage and took them to hospital. Nine children between the ages of five and 11 were admitted to Royal Children’s Hospital, seven of whom were admitted with serious injuries including including partial and

complete amputations, multiple crush-limb injuries, severe lacerations to head and body, head injuries, glass shard injuries, and potential spinal injuries.

“I didn’t ever expect to see that and I hope I never see that again,” Ms Campo said.

“It’s just distressing knowing what our kids have been through and I can only just imagine their fear, being confronted with that scene.”

Victoria Police Superintendent Michael Cruse commended the “heroic” acts of passers-by and emergency services in assisting with the “horrific” incident, including the driver of the bus who helped free trapped children despite being injured himself.

“Undoubtedly their actions have potentially

prevented further injuries … some of them are heroes,” he said.

“It’s unimaginable to think the children were in there classrooms and such a short time later so seriously injured so close to school.

“At this time it’s really important to remind the community about the messaging that we continue to provide around road safety … we don’t see any more incidents of this nature.”

- Liam McNally

Combined Caring Churches Melton (CCCM) have also put their hands up to act as a centralised drop-off point for people wanting to donate food to the school. CCCM’s Michelle Retimana said that rather than having lots of individual drop offs to the school, CCCM has the facilities and capacity to store food people would like to donate, until the school is ready for it to be dropped off in one go.

“It’s impacting the whole community, everyone is shaken and Melton is a very tight community ; when things like this happen we all rally together as a family,” she said.

In her address outside of Exford Primary, Ms Campo also thanked the “amazing staff” of the school, passers-by whostoppedtohelp,andthe“emergency services who turned out in full”.

Details:\https://www.gofundme. com/f/exford-families, CCCM: 9747 6811

Exford Primary School principal Lisa Campo and Victoria Police Superintendent Michael Cruse. (Liam McNally)

‘Marathon’ bus protest

By Liam McNally

Mt Atkinson Residents Group held a demonstration to highlight the need for more public transport in newly developed areas in Truganina on Saturday, May 20.

The group held a “Bus Marathon” walk to highlight the distance residents need to walk to their closest bus stops, including along roads that don’t have footpaths.

The Truganina area comprising the Mt Atkinson, Grandview and Olivia estates currently hosts more than 1400 houses, but is yet to be allocated a bus route, requiring residents to walk more than 30 minutes to access public transport.

Mt Atkinson Residents Group member GirishKharasaidthelackofpublictransportis creating “island communities” in new estates. “Public buses are the last mile connectivity, we don’t have access to basic things like train stations, shops, medical centres or the wider world,” he said.

“This situation is compounded by the surrounding roads in the new estates not being accessible for pedestrians or cyclists.”

Mr Khara said the lack of public transport is having severe knock-on effects for the community, which is largely made up of first generation immigrants and single-car households.

He said once the only car in the house leaves fortheday,there’snoeasyoptionfortherestof the household to get around, leading to social isolation and economic disempowerment at a time of rising costs.

Mr Khara said that on a macro-economic level it can lead to a “vicious cycle” where Australia needs more migrant workers to fill gapsintheworkforce,butthenisnotproviding opportunity for all of those migrants to engage in the economy.

“In worst cases it’s leading to depression where residents don’t feel like they are part of the developed country they have moved to,” he said.

“First generation immigrants have bought into this Australian dream, but if we can’t get to the world because of public buses, how can we make that dream happen?”

A state government spokesperson said the

government is working to “deliver a more modern, efficient and reliable bus network in Melbourne’s west“.

“We’re reforming the bus network and through Victoria’s Bus Plan, we’re also improving existing routes and adding new ones, as well as rolling out more electric buses to support our transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable bus fleet.”

Pool left out of federal budget

Moorabool council is “disappointed” by the federal budget, after again missing out on funding for an indoor pool.

Council has been seeking $15 million infederalgovernmentfundingforseveral years,tomatch$15millionfundingfrom council and $10 million from the state government for the Moorabool Aquatic and Recreation Centre in Taverner Street, Bacchus Marsh.

Moorabool mayor Rod Ward said the project is “shovel-ready”.

“All that’s missing to turn it into reality is federal funding,” he said.

“It’sdisappointingit’smissingfromyet another federal budget, and even more disappointing that recently-released guidelines show that projects for the Growing Regions Fund (GRF) have to be outside of the greater Melbourne area, with Bacchus Marsh just inside the ineligible area. This is in contrast to the federal government’s Building Better Regions Fund under which Bacchus Marsh was eligible.”

Hawke MP Sam Rae said he will continue to advocate for the pool, and it may be eligible to be funded under a new federal fund.

“As part of the budget we are establishing the Thriving Suburbs program which projects in Bacchus Marsh will be eligible for,” he said.

Cr Ward said the pool project is “so important” for the community, and the precinct it is planned to be a part of will generate $100 million in economic activity and help create more than 200 direct and indirect jobs.

Students win paint to colour their learning

Christ the Priest Primary School in Caroline Springs has been announced as the state winner of the Haymes Paint and Keep Australia Beautiful (KAB) Paint Australia Beautiful competition.

The inaugural competition required students from across the country to design murals inspired by the environment and how they can care for it.

Christ The Priest Primary School has been chosen as the Victoria winner and the school will receive $750 in paint and supplies from Haymes Paint to bring its mural design to life.

Visual arts teacher Audrey Buttigieg Cardona said the school community is “very

excited” by the win.

“You should have heard the kids scream when I told them we won,” she said.

“They cant wait to start painting and put it up…Thatarealooksquitegreyatthemoment, it’s going to bring some bright colours and joy and colourful ambience to the area.”

Christ The Priest Primary School will go into the running for the overall national competition, with a grand prize of $2000 up for grabs.

Voting will run once all state winners have painted their murals.

Liam McNally

Art teacher Audrey Buttigieg Cardona with the students at the site of their upcoming mural. (Damjan Janevski) 335148_03.

Mt Atkinson Resident Group member Girish Khara. (Damjan Janevski) 335768_03

School road safety blitz

By Liam McNally

A new police campaign targeting driver awarenessaroundschoolshasbeenlaunchedin Melton and Brimbank to coincide with Walk Safely to School Day on May 19.

The operation, which was formed in consultation with councils and schools, involves an increased police presence around nominatedschoolsduringpick-upanddropoff times to encourage better driver behaviour.

Police have nominated eight schools they believe will benefit from the operation, which will run until June 17.

In Melton police will increase their presence around Melton Secondary College, Wedge Park Primary, Melton South Primary and Springside Primary.

In Brimbank police will be visible at Kings Park Primary, Keilor Downs College, Taylors Lakes Secondary and St Albans Secondary.

Highway Patrol officer in charge, Senior Sergeant Jason Dolman, said the operation follows a period of “significant problems for pedestrians” over the last 18 months, which have resulted in multiple deaths.

“Weareawarethattherehavebeenanumber of pedestrian related fatalities, they are related to pedestrian and driver awareness risk,” he said. “The roads unfortunately are a risky place and the only thing that can keep people safe is a high level of awareness. We will be out there actively ensuring the community drive safely

in high-risk areas.”

Senior Sergeant Dolman said police are also stepping up other patrols, including a targeted operation at Woodgrove Shopping Centre followingahighnumberoflow-levelcollisions, and increasing the number of locations of road traffic cameras to capture “extreme driver behaviour”.

“The really extreme drivers should expect us to arrive at their doorstep to follow up and the likely outcome of that is that we impound their vehicles,” he said.

“It’s an unfortunate consequence of really bad driver behaviour that we have to do that, butthosepeoplearethemostdangerouspeople on the road.”

Ferris Road works begin

The Ferris Road level crossing in Melton South is one step closer to being replaced with a new road bridge over the rail line, with the state government beginning site investigation works in the area.

Site investigation works include conducting geotechnical, land and utility surveying across the site, conducting traffic surveys on Ferris Road and adjacent roads, carrying out survey work in the rail corridor and undertaking environmental assessments.

Work will be conducted Monday to Friday, from 7am to 6pm along with some out of hours work, and is expected to continue until mid 2023.

Traffic management may be in place at times while the work is being done, and residents can expect work crews, construction vehicles and equipment in the area and moderate levels of noise while the geotechnical works are taking place during the day.

Melton MP Steve McGhie said the Ferris Road level crossing being removed is the “first important step to make Melton level crossing free”.

“The Andrews Labor Government committed to remove all three crossings and we are delivering on that promise,” he said.

Leading Senior Constable Danny Wakelin will join other police patrolling road safety around schools. (Damjan Janevski) 335463_01

‘‘ We will be out there actively ensuring the community drive safely in high-risk areas ’’- Jason Dolman

Crackdown on domestic builders

By Callum Godde, AAP

Victoria’s domestic building industry is facing a major regulatory crackdown following the collapse of Porter Davis sparking chaos for hundreds of home buyers.

The state government will reform the Domestic Building Contracts Act and beef up insurance requirements, Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Tuesday, May 16.

Under the changes, a new offence will be created for companies who fail to take out domesticbuildinginsurancewiththeVictorian Managed Insurance Authority on behalf of paid-up customers.

Mr Andrews said Victoria’s regulatory systems are no longer fit for the modern housing market, with the Porter Davis saga

exposing “gaps” in the current laws.

“We want people to be protected,” he said.

About 1700 homes across Victoria and Queensland were left in limbo when Porter Davis suddenly collapsed in late March.

Some 560 clients were not covered by insurance despite paying the company a premium before it went into liquidation, forcing the state government to set up a $15 million bail-out scheme.

Exact penalties for the new offence are yet to be determined but Mr Andrews flagged they would be significant.

“We want to make sure that the way it’s structured is an active disincentive,“ he said.

“You’d like to think that people will behave and do the right thing without having to have a specific offence but clearly there are some in

this industry who are intent to do the wrong thing.”

The incoming offence won’t be applied retroactively.

Mr Andrews said the Domestic Building Contracts Act will be analysed line by line, with the aim of progressing the reforms later in the year.

The Victorian Building Authority and Consumer Affairs Victoria will also be reviewed.

Victoria’s inaugural Commissioner for Better Regulation, Anna Cronin, has been appointed as the building authority’s chief executive after Sue Eddy resigned on Thursday, effective immediately.

Ms Cronin has accepted a two-year contract to oversee the massive reform project, Mr

Andrews said.

No reason was given for Ms Eddy’s sudden departure after it was revealed last week some plumbing inspections were still carried out virtually, in addition to physical audits.

The measure was introduced at the height of theCOVID-19pandemicbutcontinueddespite advice they should stop.

The authority was also investigated over allegations of a toxic workplace culture after a long-term employee died by suicide in 2022.

Victorian Greens Leader Samantha Ratnam offered in-principle support for the proposed sector overhaul but said the Andrews governmentwaspartlytoblameforitstroubles.

“This is what happens when you privatise the system,” she said.

Lifeline 13 11 14; beyondblue 1300 22 4636.

L2P celebrates driving mentors

Djerriwarrh Community and Education Services has been recognising volunteer week from May 15 to 21 by celebrating its TAC L2P volunteer driving mentors.

L2Pisafreeprogramdesignedtohelplearner drivers under 21 years of age who do not have access to a supervising driver or appropriate vehicle gain the driving experience required for a probationary license.

TheMeltonL2Pprogram,learnerdrivershas mentored 197 disadvantaged young drivers to gain their license over almost 15 years.

Steve Staunton has been mentoring with Melton L2P for seven years, and said he “gets

a buzz” out of seeing someone develop from having no driving skills, all the way through to getting their p’s.

“Some don’t like driving when they start, and seeing them learn to enjoy driving, and helping them become good, safe drivers which helps them move onto other goals they have - I love seeing success come out of a not so good situation,” he said.

“I’m more than a supervising driver … I feel like a life coach, there hasn’t been one [mentee] that I haven’t become good friends with through the process.”

Akima Manoah is a mentee who is just three

weeks from going for her P’s and said she has “loved” the program.

“You create a connection over 120 hours, my mentorwasgreat,wehadthebestconversations and they also taught me about the safest way to be on the road,” she said.

“For people like myself it was such a great program to be a part of.”

Djerriwarrh is currently looking for volunteers with a full license for the TAC L2P Program. Training is provided.

Details: 8746 1000 or L2P@djerriwarrh.org.

Liam McNally

Power bonus claims soar across Melton

Almost 40,000 Melton and Moorabool households make up the more than 1 million across Victoria that have claimed $250 directly into their pockets through the fourth round of the Power Saving Bonus.

Applications for the payment can be made through the Victorian Energy Compare website, an independent comparison website where customers can also find the best energy offers in their areas.

The latest round of the program has seen 40 per cent of applicants find a better energy deal through the Victorian Energy Compare

website.

Premier Daniel Andrews said “the best way to lower energy bills is to look for a better offer, that’s why we’re encouraging Victorians to take advantage of another round of the Power Saving Bonus to make sure they are on the best deal ahead of winter,” he said.

For people experiencing hardship there is also the The Energy Assistance Program, a free service providing energy consumers experiencing hardship with one-on-one assistancewhichhashelpedover500applicants tonavigatetheenergymarket,applyforeligible

Principal ready for next year

Aintree Secondary School has officially appointed its principal, John Mitsinikos, in preparation for its 2024 opening. Serving as principal at Kurunjang Secondary College for the past seven years, Mr Mitsinikos is focused on maximising outcomes for every student and building a strong learning culture for all students and staff.

“I am proud to be named as the first principal of Aintree Secondary School (interim name). It is a privilege to be the foundation Principal of this new school,” he said. “The opportunity to work with a community from day one, establish a teamofoutstandingteachersandsupport staff and grow a secondary school is an exciting one. I value the opportunity to buildonthestrongfoundationsthatexist in this community and build a school that allows each and every student to thrive in an inclusive environment.

“I also want to thank the Kurunjang Secondary College community for their wonderful support over the past seven years. I leave the school with so many treasured memories and look forward to this new challenge.”

Construction is under way for the school near the intersection of Taylors Road and Frontier Avenue.

Upon completion of the first stage the secondary school will be able to accommodate 550 students.

and Moorabool

grants and concessions, find and switch to better offers and address billing errors.

For those without internet access, over-the-phone and in-person support is available through community outreach partnersincludingBrotherhoodofStLaurence, Ethnic Community Council Victoria, Good Shepherd, State Trustees and hundreds of Neighbourhood Houses across Victoria.

Victorians can also save on their household energy bills through the $1.3 billion Solar Homes Program.

Households that accessed both solar panel

and hot water rebates saved up to $1,500 on their annual energy bill.

Energy and Resources Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the government is “helping Victorians take more control over their energy bills and helping to bring down the cost of power, with our record investment in renewables and bringing back state owned government energy through the SEC”.

The $250 Power Saving Bonus can be accessed online or by phone.

Details: compare.energy.vic.gov.au or 1800 000 832.

John Mitsinikos. (Supplied)

Education manager Sue Tantaro and volunteer driver mentors Trevor Rosan, Anthony MacCartin, Michael Dowling, John Candy, Wayne McKnight and Steve Staunton. (Damjan Janevski) 335609_01

Vandals target rotunda

By Liam McNally

Rose Carers of Maddingley Park volunteers are “disappointed” by consistent vandalism being done to the park’s 117-year-old rotunda.

The heritage George Dickie Pavilion and rotunda was donated to Maddingley Park by the family of councillor George Dickies J.P, chairman of the Board of Park Trustees, in 1906.

Over the past year the state of the rotunda has been declining due to vandalism, according to the Rose Carers of Maddingley Park, a volunteer group which oversees two commemorative gardens in the park.

Following a fire lit at the rotunda last year, which scorched the floor, there has been increasing damage done in the last six months, resulting in broken slats, seats and fret work.

Rose Carers of Maddingley Park organiser Elaine Greenhall said on Wednesday, May 10, the group arrived to find the hand rails on the rotundastaircasewerebothcompletelybroken.

“Just about every time we go up there’s a bit moredamagedonetoit…It’ssheervandalism” she said.

“It’s very disappointing that some members of the community show no respect for the rotundaandit’soneoftheheritagemonuments in the garden.

“We just hope it gets fixed very quickly.The more it gets damaged the more it’s going to attract damage.”

Moorabool council chief executive Derek Madden said council has received several reports of damage to the rotunda and have “carried out works each time to rectify the situation and make the rotunda safe”.

“In addition, we will be undertaking a number of repairs on the rotunda in the coming months, as recommended in the draft Maddingley Park Master Plan,” he said.

335079_03

“It’s incredibly disappointing this has happened several times. The George Dickie Pavilion and rotunda is of heritage significance and it’s frustrating there are members of the

community who do not appreciate this.

“We encourage any community members who witness acts of vandalism to report it to CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 00.”

Survey to help health services

Residents of Melbourne’s north-west are being urged to help improve health services in their areas by taking part in a new survey.

The anonymous survey, conducted by North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN), asks locals to share their experiences of accessing health care services.

“We’d like to hear about what’s working and what’s not,” NWMPHN chief executive Christopher Carter said.

“We want to know about when the health care system isn’t functioning as well as it should. Are some things too costly? Are some services too far away, or too difficult to reach? If you have a chronic condition such as diabetes, can you get the help and advice you need?

“By gathering this information, we and our partners will be able to see where new services are needed, or where existing services need to work more closely together,” Mr Carter said.

“By working together and with input from the community, we can can take real steps to improve the quality of care and service for everyone in the region –making us all healthier and happier.”

Responses to the survey will add valuable local-level detail to data already provided by organisations such as the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

The survey takes about 20 minutes to complete, and can be found at nwmphn. org.au/west-metrocommunity-hna until June 9.

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

The Rose Carers of Maddingley park are fed up with vandals damaging the rotunda. (Damjan Janevski)

Poet shares his Culture stories

Barry Gilson visited St Pauls Uniting Church Hall on Sunday, May 21, to share stories about the deep history and Culture of the Moorabool region.

Mr Gilson is a Wadawurrung man and an award winning poet, storyteller, narrator, and singer.

He has lived in Kerrit Bareett (Gordon) all his life, where Bundjil the Eagle, created the first two men in the Wadawurrung creation story.

From 2pm to 4pm Mr Gilson shared stories and poetry about history around the Ballan area, his family and personal history, and the importance of representing Culture

“I’ve been doing storytelling events for quite a while now, I’ve always been a storyteller and entertainer of sorts,” he said.

“I’ve found some pretty obscure stories about places and the countryside that really aren’t in the history books… [it’s good] to hear thestoriesofthepastsowecanbuildastronger foundation for the future of the communities in and around Ballan.”

Mr Gilson told the story of how the Werribee and Moorabool rivers were formed in Korweinguboora, which means “fires from the mountain”, and how volcanic activity caused a big underground aquifer to break and create two rivers.

Mr Gilson said that it was a good event, and that people loved hearing the stories and seemed to get a lot out of it.

“It’s important that people hear the stories of the past around here because Ballan actually has a lot of history… but it’s something that has never been told down there, and

people need to know about the areas so they can have a stronger connection to the place,” he said.

Melton South boy dies

Police have interviewed two teenage boys as part of an ongoing investigation into a fatal stabbing in Sunshine on May 18. An 18-year-old from Burnside attended a police station on Friday evening, where he was interviewed and released pending further inquiries. Police also interviewed and released a 17-year-old Caroline Springs boy who was arrested in Braybrook on Friday. Police are continuing to search for a third teenage boy believed to be involved in the incident and are urging him to come forward and make contact with police. Police were called to Station Place about 3.45pm on Thursday, after reports a male had been stabbed. The 16-year-old Melton South boy was treated by paramedics but died at the scene. A 16-year-old Sunshine North boy was taken to hospital with minor injuries. Investigators are yet to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the incident and the investigation is ongoing.

Sports club grants

Melton MP Steve McGhie has announced successful sport grant applicants. Recipients include Melton Basketball Association which scored $1900 and Specialist Hoops Basketball which will receive $1000.

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Barry Gilson. (Picture: SUPPLIED)

Data shows big economic divide

By Liam McNally

Melton has suburbs among the five per cent most disadvantaged in Australia, and other suburbs among the least disadvantaged, according to recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) Ranks areas according to their relative socio-economic advantage and disadvantage using Census data.

At the local government area level, Melton’s level of relative economic advantage dropped between censuses in 2016 and 2021, moving it

from the 40th to 28th most disadvantaged in Victoria, and Melton is currently in the 55th percentile for disadvantage nationally.

Within Melton though, there are large differences in relative socio-economic advantage between suburbs.

Areas around Melton’s core all generally scored higher for relative disadvantage, with MeltonandMeltonSouthamongthe5percent mostdisadvantagedinthecountry,andMelton West and Kurunjang in the 20 per cent most disadvantaged.

Further out, newly developed areas generally rank much better, with Thornhill Park, Fraser

Workshop was a buzz

Hillside artist Adelai van Loggerenberg held a workshop with the Melton Men’s shed to encouragebuzzingbuddiesintolocalbackyards for World Bee Day on Saturday, May 20.

The 1.5 hour workshop taught guests about local native insects and habitat structure, and taught them to build their very own native bee hotel to take home.

The bee hotels are structures made out of natural materials that sit in your garden to attractcertainspeciesofsolitarybeestonestin.

van Loggerenberg said that different species prefer different densities of wood or bamboo, and like different sized holes to crawl into, but they all need to be placed in a sunny place without too much wind or rain, with nearby vegetation that can provide nectar.

van Loggerenberg was joined by environmental educators Uta Meyer, and Sam Poker for the event

The event also complemented van

Loggerenberg’s current exhibition, Pyrrhic Victory, at Melton Library and Learning Hub.

The paintings in Pyrrhic Victory explore the relationship between human development and the natural environment, with a central focus on wildlife habitat for all creatures big and small.

vanLoggerenbergsaidshewas“veryexcited” to host her first public workshop and engage with the local community to provide ideas for people to participate in the promotion of local wildlife.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to raise issues around the environment and encourage positive actions community members can undertake in their own backyards,” she said.

Liam McNally

Rise, Deanside, Truganina, and Strathtulloh all between the 64th and 78th percentiles, with zero being the most disadvantaged.

Aintree and Eynesbury ranked in the 15 per cent least disadvantaged in Australia.

Jesuit Social Services (JSS) housing and complex needs general manager Leanne Acreman said the differences between suburbs may be due to areas that favour long term rentals verses home ownership.

“A lot of those [less disadvantaged areas] are home ownership places as opposed to rental places in Melton central. You get a very different demographic among those going

into home ownership than those in long term rentals,” she said.

Ms Acremen said the overall LGA decline is “consistent” with the experience of the people that JSS are seeing and supporting.

“We really have seen an increase in people feeling the pressure,” she said.

“The areas that demonstrate disadvantage with access to housing, public transport, employment, education … It’s about looking at what amenities and services and infrastructure are available around those areas, and how they impact people’s ability to have economic participation.”

Adelai van Loggerenberg. (Damjan Janevski) 335474_04

Mayor’s message

Our thoughts are with the students, their families, the school community and all impacted by last week’s bus incident on Exford Road.

To all the first responders, emergency services personnel, health care workers and all those providing support, we express our gratitude.

We were all deeply saddened to learn of the serious injuries.

I recently visited Diggers Rest Recreation Reserve to check on the progress of the new community and sports pavilion and upgrades to Oval 2. It was great to see the project taking shape with the first floor concrete slab poured and the steel walls up. The turf has also been laid so it can start to establish.

By the end of 2023, Diggers Rest Recreation Reserve will have a new multipurpose community pavilion, a redeveloped oval, new cricket nets, electronic scoreboard, more car parking and new access road.

Community sports is such an important part of our lives. Good local community infrastructure delivers what our community needs to stay active and connected.

This project is being delivered by Melton City Council in partnership with the Victorian Government.

Last week, I met with the Hon Kristy McBain, Federal Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories and Sam Rae Member for Hawke, to outline Council’s advocacy priorities, including the pressing need to deliver the business case for upgrading the Western Highway. Our close working relationship with the state and federal government means we can deliver the infrastructure our community needs. Feel free to contact me about Watts Ward or Council related issues on 0409 951 020 or email at: lara.carli@melton.vic.gov.au or visit my Facebook page at: facebook.com/Cr.LaraCarli

Community Satisfaction Survey

Our ninth annual community satisfaction survey is about to begin with our survey takers from Metropolis Research knocking on doors throughout June.

Our survey reveals many important views held by the community – which

in turn helps guide our decisionmaking for the year to come.

Council looks forward to learning more about what our community thinks we are doing well, and what they’d like to see improved in the future.

To learn more about the survey, visit melton.vic.gov.au/satisfactionsurvey

Mount Atkinson community hub open day

Mount Atkinson Children’s and Community Centre at Clara Avenue in Truganina will host a community open day with arts, crafts, food, entertainment and more from 10am to 1pm on Saturday 27 May.

Learn more at melton.vic.gov.au/MtAtkinsonOpening

Coburn Ward with Cr Bob Turner

It came as no surprise when the latest release of Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed the City of Melton was once again Australia’s fastest growing municipality.

With an estimated population of around 192,865 (June 2022), our City grew by 6.42 per cent in 2021, which is equal to 72 families moving in, and 58 babies being born here, every week.

In view of these figures, Council will continue to advocate to the State and Federal Governments on behalf of our community to ensure we receive the quality road, health, and education infrastructure we not only need, but deserve.

Our community has had a tough week, following the tragic school bus crash in Eynesbury. We are thinking of everyone dealing with the aftermath of the accident and thank

passers-by, and emergency responders, for their courage at the time of the incident.

I’m looking forward to celebrating the 50th anniversary of Melton SES this Saturday. What would we do without these dedicated, and brave volunteers? A heartfelt thank you to everyone who gives so freely of their time to help others in their hour of need.

Finally, good luck to the participants of Council’s Hot House project who will participate in their Pitch Graduation this week. I look forward to seeing your business ideas flourish and thrive.

I am available to meet with residents most Saturday mornings from 9am, by appointment. Please contact Barb McKenzie on 9747 7200 to book a time, or contact me on 0412 584 224 or bob.turner@melton.vic.gov.au

STAY INFORMED

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

facebook.com/cityofmelton Instagram @cityofmeltonofficial

Community Achievement Awards

Do you know someone who is doing something amazing within our city? Nominations are now open for the Melton City Council’s Community Achievement Awards.

Whether it’s someone who encouragescommunityparticipation, breaks down barriers or readily helps others, nominating them is a really special way to say thank you.

To nominate someone or to find out more about the Community Achievement Awards, visit melton.vic.gov.au/ CommunityAchievementAwards

Fair Go 4 Youth

Council has just launched our Fair Go 4 Youth program to make extra-curriculars more affordable for more families so every child can learn, grow and reach their full potential.

The program covers up to $400 per year in registration costs for someone aged 8 to 16 to attend clubs like AFL, baseball, Scouts and Guides, dance and martial arts, and even cooking and theatre hobby groups.

More details are available at melton.vic.gov.au/fairgo4youth

Mayor Cr Lara Carli

Deputy Mayor Cr Julie Shannon

Cr Steve Abboushi

Cr Justine Farrugia

Cr Goran Kesic

Cr Kathy Majdlik

Cr Sophie Ramsey Cr Bob Turner Cr Ashleigh Vandenberg

Cr Lara Carli

Grand opening planned for new children’s hub

The new Mt Atkinson Children’s and Community Centre is holding a grand opening event on Saturday, May 27.

Melton council is inviting the community visit the amazing facility and explore what the centre has to offer.

There will be free activities for the whole family to enjoy including arts and crafts, food, roving entertainment and more.

The $6.8 million centre was completed at the end of last year with funding from council and the state government.

The site boasts a four-room kindergarten, outdoor play spaces, Maternal Child Health facilities, a community centre with two community rooms and community kitchen, a

community outdoor space and a carpark with two EV charging stations.

Jennifer Flemming is the mother of Annabelle, who has been attending the kindergarten in its first year of operation.

Ms Flemming said her daughter was nervous about going to kindergarten but the staff have been “fantastic”.

“The teachers are awesome, friendly, welcoming, respectful and kind, since day one it has felt really welcoming and like we belong there,” she said.

“They’ve been proactive at collaborating with parents … they explained what goals they had for Annabelle, and listened to what goals I had.”

For Ms Flemming, the new facility is “everything you could want in a kinder”.

“They’re brand new great facilities … it’s really really nice,” she said. “If we didn’t have a kinder there we would have to travel 10-15 minutes to the nearest one, it’s a big help to have one within walking distance.”

MeltonmayorLaraCarlisaidthenewfacility is a space for all in the local area to access “lifelong learning opportunities.

Liam McNally

An egg-citing discovery

By Liam McNally

Steven Szrenko and his wife Rita were having a friendvisittopickupatrayofeggsonSaturday, May6,whentheymadeanegg-citingdiscovery – one of the eggs was a perfect sphere.

When the group gathered around to study the egg, Mr Szrenko joked to his kids that it looked that way because it had a chicken in it, and the kids wanted to crack it open and find out.

Mr Szrenko had an inkling to do some more research before breaking it open, and was glad he did when articles online told him the egg was potentially one in a billion.

“It’s really weird,” he said.

“It’s lucky we saw it and didn’t throw it into breakfast or scrambled eggs or something.”

Mr Szrenko isn’t sure where exactly the egg came from, as they had visited a few shops and markets that week, but thinks it might have been from St Albans Market.

Outside of online articles, Mr Szrenko has had trouble finding a primary source to tell him exactly how rare his find is.

“Most collectors do cars and antiques, but not eggs – so I’m a bit lost with where to go with it,” he said.

Chooks at the Rooke founder Xavier Prime said he has packed about five million eggs in

seven years, and none that he’s seen have been spherical.

“You do get weird things – we’ve had a triple-yolker before, on the odd occasion we get an egg inside another egg, the sphere is probably up there with that, which we haven’t ever had,” he said.

Mr Szrenko put the egg on eBay after seeing spherical eggs had sold in the past for more than $700, he said if someone purchases it he’ll have to “hand deliver it so it doesn’t break”.

Eggsperts with advice for Mr Szrenko, or prospective buyers can contact him via email.

Details: stevie.rita@gmail.com

Face to face council survey

From late May, randomly selected Melton residents will receive a visit from a professional field researcher, asking them about how satisfied they are with council services and facilities.

Residents will be asked about everything from their satisfaction with local planning and council programs, to the sense of community and local issues.

The data can help guide council’s ongoing service delivery by showing where they are meeting people’s needs as well as any gaps to address.

This is Melton council’s ninth annual community satisfaction survey.

This year, the survey is returning to a face-to-face method, following phone surveys being conducted in 2021 and 2022 due to pandemic impacts.

The survey is conducted independently by Metropolis Research.

Melton mayor Lara Carli said the survey is a great way for council to understand how people feel about the broad range of services and facilities that they provide.

“Our community satisfaction surveys reveals many important issues and attitudes held by the community – which in turn helps guide our decision-making for the year to come,” she said.

“We look forward to learning more about what our community thinks council is doing well, and anything they’d like to see changed in the future.”

Details: visit melton.vic.gov.au/ satisfactionsurvey

Rugby Union club advocates for upgraded playing facilities

The oldest Rugby Union club in Melbourne’s west has been offered a home after four years, and is calling on Melton council to provide upgraded facilities.

The Melton Warriors Rugby Union Club has been competing for almost 50 years, and has almost 300 members, with about 20 players playing at a state level. However, the club has never had its own specific rectangle pitch, and has been without a permanent home-ground since upgrades to MacPherson Park began in 2019.

Club treasurer Sefo Finau said the club has been “moved around a lot”, first to Frontier

Reserve in Aintree, and then this year to Blackwood Reserve.

“We tend to lose members [when we move] because when people come back between seasons they don’t know where the club is, which is not good,” he said.

“For a club that has been involved for almost 50yearswithoutapermanentground,Ifeelfor the kids whose number one sport is rugby.”

Mr Finau said the club has been granted a home at Blackwood Drive Recreation Reserve and is calling on council to upgrade the reserve’sfacilitiestomakethemfitforpurpose.

“We are currently working on it at the

moment with the council … We quite like [Blackwood Drive Reserve], it’s central, easy access for other clubs on competition day, it’s a big area with potential for expansion,” he said.

“With the current facility there’s not much storage, the club room is too small, the kitchen needs to be commercialised … If they do up the ground we will have the potential to host finals.

“It would help everyone feel like they belong to the club in a permanent place … and It would benefit the local kids in Melton, take them off the street, and keep them engaged.”

Melton MP Steve McGhie, who visited

the club on May 11 with Community Sport MinisterRosSpence,committedtoadvocating for upgrades including a new pitch and club rooms.

Melton mayor Lara Carli said council has a plan to “help us accommodate all rugby codes in our city”.

“We adopted the Rugby Strategy in November last year to help plan for our city’s future needs and to better work with rugby clubs to make sure there’s always a home for them in Melton,“ she said.

Liam McNally

Community activation and learning officer Rachel Ellis and nominated supervisor teacher Louise Vuk. (Damjan Janevski) 333944_05.

Steven Szrenko comparing his spherical egg to a regular egg. (Damjan Janevski) 334074_01.

Whistle blows on ump shortage

Sporting contests from the grassroots to the elite can’t happen with umpires and referees. But with both in short supply across many sporting codes, Cade Lucas took a closer look at what is turning people off officiating matches .

Like many migrant families who arrive in Melbourne looking to meet people and make friends, the Lush family were recommended to give the local religion of Aussie rules football a try.

“My daughter and son started doing it and then after a month or so my wife started and then maybe a couple of weeks to a month later, I got in and started doing it,” said Wayne Lush of how his family became hooked on the sport soon after relocating from New Zealand at the beginning of 2022.

“It started last year and then by the end of last season we were all doing it.”

This rapid conversion of rugby mad Kiwi’s to Australia’s Indigenous code is even more remarkable considering Wayne, wife Jacinda and children Chaise and Ezabella don’t actually play footy.

They umpire it.

AllfourLushfamilymembersareboundary umpires in the Western Region Football League, the result of a Facebook post asking for recommendations on nearby sports clubs and activities.

“They’re fantastic for us,” said WRFL umpiring director Steve Keating of the Lush family before adding this telling observation:

“We’d love to have more of them.”

While grateful for the unexpected boost, Keating knows it doesn’t change the reality that he has less whistle-blowers than he needs.

“It’s not getting worse but still at a critical stage,” Keating said.

“We haven’t reached critical mass to fill all our games,” said Keating of the shortage which is particularly prevalent among field umpires, resulting in many reserves games being officiated by club volunteers.

A minor consolation for the WRFL is that it is hardly Robinson Crusoe in this regard. The entiresportisaffected,withtheAFLreporting a shortage of 5000 umpires nationwide and outgoing chief executive Gil McLachlan admitting the issue had ‘gotten away from us.’

And while AFL’s popularity in Victoria and the sheer number of umpires it requires for each game (anywhere from six to 10 depending on level) makes it the most notable example, finding people to officiate any sport has become a problem whether they’re called umpires, referees or whatever else.

“Numbers were around 500 which was leaving a lot of games without a referee,” said Football Victoria’s referring director Tony Peart of the situation he inherited when he took on the role two years ago.

Numbers have since doubled to more than 1200, with Peart hopeful of reaching 2000 in the near future.

While a vast improvement, it’s still well short of the ideal amount for the state’s largest participation sport.

“We’d like it to be around the 5000 figure, that’s the dream figure,” Peart said.

Proving cold weather isn’t the reason, cricket is also affected.

Mercantile Cricket Association Umpires president Paul Grant said the shortage had increased the burden on existing umpires.

“Some older umpires are finding it challenging to double up on Saturday and Sunday,” said Grant, who also umpires Aussie Rules.

The reasons are many and varied and as

Keating points out, aren’t new.

“It’s always been a challenge attracting senior field umpires, ” he said of a role where the reward for a good performance is being ignored, but a bad one can bring torrents of abuse and worse.

As with most issues in 2023 though, the spectre of COVID-19 looms large.

Grant said the flow on effects of border closures were still being felt in cricket umpiring.

“We rely on international students and while they’re filtering back, there’s still not as many as before,” said Grant of students from the Indian subcontinent whose passion for cricket leads them to officiate it as well as play.

He said a broader problem though was the way the pandemic had altered people’s interests and outlook..

“The overriding issue is people have moved on post-COVID.

People have just thought “I’ve had enough of umpiring, I’m onto something else.”

“I think we lead busier lives as well” added Steve Keating, pointing to issues of work life-balance that saw people walk away from umpiring pre-pandemic but which have been exacerbated since.

For Peart, the post-COVID environment had exacerbated the other long-time scourges of umpires and referees: abuse and even

violence.

“That’s what the overall global studies show,” said Peart of what refereeing bodies overseas had found and what is considered a societal problem not just a sporting one.

Recent months have seen a number of ugly incidents involving umpires and referees make the news, with last month’s assault on a football referee in Sydney that left him with a broken jaw and the perpetrator remanded in custody, the nadir.

While concerning, Peart said the problem wasn’t so much the isolated incidents of violence, but the long-term build up of abuse and disrespect.

“If someone does six games a weekend and in every one of those games the players have a go at the ref, are they going to wanna come back the next weekend?” he said.

Football Victoria is trying to counteract this by investing in welfare and support for referees, including an app where they can rate their interactions with both teams and identify those more likely to cause problems.

“It (the app) allows us to target the problem and work positively with the club,” Peart said.

Keating said while violence and misbehaviourmakesithardtoretainumpires, on odd occasions it can aid recruitment too.

He said after recently witnessing an assault onaplayerinareservesgame,anex-footballer

contacted the WRFL and has since become an umpire.

“Through all the chaos, we got a recruit out of that,” Keating said.

As for long-term solutions, all point to something that in the short-term has been considered a problem: the rise of women’s sport.

While the extra fixtures have stretched resources even further, women’s sport also presents a huge source of new umpires and referees for both female and male sport.

Keating said 50 female women umpires had joined the WRFL, while for Football Victoria, the upcoming FiFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand presents an unprecedented recruiting tool, with two Victorians Kate Jacewicz and Joanna Charaktis among those officiating.

It’sachancePeartisdeterminednottomiss.

“We’re looking forward to building on their legacy.”

To become a football referee visit: https:// www.footballvictoria.com.au/resources/ referees/become-a-referee

To become a WRFL umpire visit:https:// www.wrfl.com.au/umpires/

To become a cricket umpire with the Mercantile Cricket Association go to: http://www.mca.asn.au/content. aspx?file=2%7C10094v

‘‘ If someone does six games a weekend and in every one of those games the players have a go at the ref, are they going to wanna come back the next weekend ’’ - Tony Peart

Main: A young Football Victoria referee being mentored. Above: WRFL boundary umpires Jacinda Lush and daughter Ezabella. (Pictures: Supplied)

Right: WRFL umpires training at Hamner Reserve in Seddon (top), and the WRFL umpire club rooms at Hamner Reserve. (Pictures: Cade Lucas)

MY PLACE

Tell us about your connection to the Brimbank area?

I have lived in and around the Brimbank area my whole life. The Brimbank area is close to my heart as it is where I went to school, graduated, learnt to drive and its where my family is.

What’syourfavouritethingsinBrimbank?

My favourite thing about the Brimbank communityaretheareastoexplore.Brimbank Park is one of my favourite places to go for walks or picnics.

You finished top 20 in the Miss Australia competition. What made you enter that and howwastheexperience?

When I was 21 I started doing things that I had always wanted to do. I grew up watching the Miss Universe pageants and my favourite movie growing up was Miss Congeniality. I decided to enter my first pageant in 2022, placed fourth runner up, gained the title Miss Amethyst international and fell in love with it. I absolutely loved my experience in the Miss Australia Pageants. The directors are so beautiful and extremely helpful. This competitionturnedintoafamily. Ifyouwould like to join me on my pageant journey follow my Instagram at @abbskebabz and Facebook

page Abbey O’Mara– Miss photogenic Australia 2023 finalist

You also play football for Burnside Heights? How does a Miss Australia contestant end updoingthat?

I started playing football as apart of doing the things that I had always wanted to do. When I started playing football I could barely kick the ball. Playing football took a little more convincing than continuing pageants. It was hard and I had to learn to do things I had never done before. I think it’s important to show people and yourself that you can do things that contradict each other; playing a contact sport in the mud versus gracefully walking up and down a stage.

You raise money for Endometriosis Australia. Tell us about why you support thatcause?

I raise money for endometriosis Australia as an Endo Warrior. I was diagnosed and underwent surgery in March 2021. I always struggled with pain but was told for a long time that it was normal. Endometriosis affects one in nine women in Australia. There is not a lot of research or funds to support this research, therefore, I try to raise awareness and funds as much as possible.

You don’t normally relate a Miss Australia contestant as someone that plays football, but Hillside’s Abbey O’Mara does both. Abbey speaks with Tara Murray about what made her take up both passions and about a cause close to her heart.

New help for dementia patients

By Christopher Carter, Chief Executive, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network

There is a well known saying about how it takes a village to raise a child.

We could suggest that it also takes a village to properly care for people affected by dementia, but while everyone is happy to talk about looking after the young, the realities of taking care of older people are all too often spoken of, if at all, in a whisper.

Dementia is a progressively devastating condition that affects more than 400,000 Australians.LatestfiguresfromtheAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare reveal that it is the leading cause of death for women and the second leading cause for men (after heart disease).

As the condition develops, people with dementia need many different types of care and support to ensure that their lives continue to be comfortable and dignified.

Only about one-third of people with the condition are looked after in an aged care facility, or by professional carers in their own home. The remainder rely almost totally on the support and help of family members and friends.

These are acts of love – of course they are – but they can also be exhausting, frustrating and saddening, extracting a huge toll on the carers as well as the cared.

Help, for people with dementia and those who love them, is available from many different organisations, in many different ways – but finding it, even knowing where to look, is often difficult.

Recognising this, North Western Melbourne PrimaryHealthNetworkhasbuiltMelbourne’s first Dementia Directory – an easy-to-use online resource with which carers can find all

sorts of help and local community support.

The directory is designed to complement information available through My Aged Care and the NDIS.

This might be social groups or outings for people with dementia, support groups from particular faiths or among communities united by common languages. It contains information translated into Italian, Greek, Vietnamese and Simplified Chinese.

Importantly too the Dementia Directory

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Star Weekly looks back through the pages of our predecessors

lists organisations that provide help, respite and support for carers – so the people who spend so much time looking after people they love can get a short break, find some help or even just swap stories with others doing the same thing.

The Dementia Directory covers almost all of Melbourne. It is a joint venture between us and our colleagues over at Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network. Over the next while, we hope to see it grow to cover services

and supports in even more areas.

The directory can be found at dementiadirectory.org.au

Andmoreresourcesandinformationcanbe foundonPreciousTime,ourwebsitededicated to people with life-limiting conditions, their families, friends, and carers. You can find it at precioustime.org.au

Because, indeed, it takes a village to care for people with dementia – and now it’s just a bit easier to find some of those villagers.

30 years ago

May 26, 1993

The construction of a $6.5 million indoor aquatic centre in Melton – hailed as the most innovative and exciting in Australia – will begin later this year.

25 years ago

May 27, 1998

A transport company’s plan to further develop its Bacchus Marsh depot site has brought heated objections from neighbouring householders and a rebuke from VicRoads.

20 years ago

May 27, 2003

Melton’s proposed multi-million dollar harness racing centre of excellence is one step closer to becoming a reality, with Harness Racing Victoria entering into discussions over the project.

15 years ago

May 27, 2008

Melton shire’s business owners have been banned from keeping bars and padlocks on their front doors.

Dementia Directory is an online resource where carers cna find help and local community support. (iStock)

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

WANT YOUR EVENT LISTED?

The Gap on Graham

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

■ Val, 0414 769 605

Melton Men’s Group

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

■ meltonmensgroup.home.blog

Take weight off naturally

Struggling to lose weight? Struggling to get motivated? Want to try and do it in a friendly and less stressful atmosphere?

Come and join TOWN (Take Weight Off Naturally) every Tuesday at 6pm at the Darlingsford Barn, Darlingsford Boulevard, Melton.

■ Catherine, 0416 612 517, or Bob, 0411 824 739

Parkinson’s support group

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

■ Helen, 0409 186 576

Melton Bridge Club

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

■ Rosemary, 0407 894 817

Melton Friendship Group

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

■ 0406 493 734

Melton Valley Ladies Probus Club

The Melton Valley Ladies Probus Club meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 10am at Melton Country Club. New members welcome.

■ Ann, 0425 705 150

Zonta club meets

Zonta is an international organisation bringing women together to support other women. The Zonta Club of Melton meets on the first Monday of each month at Melton Country Club, Reserve Road, Melton.

■ Suzanne, 0417 512 420

U3A Melton

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

■ 0419 563 016

Melton Combined Probus Club

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

■ 9746 0271

Breadmaking workshop

Discover

■ 9747 8576

Rose Carers Of Maddingley Park

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

■ Elaine Greenhall, 0418 171 119, or 0400 052 857

Melton Cycling Club

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

■ 0403 057 003

Community singing group

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

■ Val, 0418 667 150

Rotary Club of Melton

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

■ meltonrotary@gmail.com

Boomerang Bags Bacchus Marsh

Boomerang Bags Bacchus Marsh make reusable shopping bags from rescued fabric. They need people to cut, sew, iron and market our bags. The group meets on the first Sunday each month at Darley Neighbourhood House 2pm-5pm.

■ https://63ec55b8628d6.site123.me/

Garden Club

The Bacchus Marsh and District Garden Club meets on the second Tuesday of each month except January. 7.30pm at The Laurels, 229 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh. Guest speakers and supper provided. Yearly membership or $15. New members welcome.

■ Michelle, 0421 106 268

Melton Trauma Teddies

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

■ Jean 0412 931 498

Sunrise Social Groups

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

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

First Aid courses

Melton South Community Centre offers a range of First Aid courses, including HLTAID009, HLTAID011 and HLTAID012, and is now taking enrolments for Saturday, May 27. Call the centre for information or to enrol.

■ 9747 8576

Candle making workshops

Learn how to make your own soy wax candles in Melton South Community Centre’s upcoming workshops. Beginners can book into the session on Monday, May 29 and discover the fundamentals of creating unique candles, or more advanced students can book into the flexible workshop on Sunday, May 28, where you’ll have the opportunity to purchase wax and get more tips from the tutor as you use your own jars and other materials to make your own candles. For more information or to enrol call the centre.

■ 9747 8576

Petit Fours workshop

Learn how to prepare stunning high tea or dessert cakes in Melton South Community Centre’s upcoming Petit Fours workshop, scheduled for Saturday, June 3. Create a selection of traditional bite-sized cakes and take them home with you at the end of the class. Everything is supplied. $50 or $45

concession; call the centre for information and enrolments.

■ 9747 8576

Bacchus Marsh Senior Citizens

Join to play cards, bingo, indoor bowls or pool. Visitors are encouraged to come and see how much you will love the activities and the company. After two weeks, you’ll be anxious to become a member. Meet at the Andy Arnold Centre, 10 Bennett Street, Bacchus Marsh. Different activities at different times.

■ Hope, 0417 905 364

Sunshine Repair Cafe

Do you enjoy fixing things or have skills in mending clothing and textiles? Kororoit Neighbourhood House is looking for volunteer repairers for the newly launched Repair Café in Brimbank. Events happen once a month and are an opportunity to meet others in the community and share your skills while helping fix broken household items.

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

Melton South Knit & Natter

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

■ 9747 8576

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

the art of breadmaking in Melton South Community Centre’s two-day Breadmaking for Beginners workshop, happening on Saturday and Sunday, June 17 and 18. Make your own basic bread loaf, sourdough starter, brioche and flatbread and learn about ingredients and additions. Everything you need is supplied. $85 or $80 concession. Call the centre for information and enrolments.

(Pictures: iStock)

PUZZLES

SUDOKU

No. 7 954 9 125 684 17

QUICK CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Husks of corn (5)

4 Workers

9 Support (7)

10 Of sufficient quality (2,2,3)

31 679 425 1 273 1

2 Closest galaxy (9)

3 Public assembly (5)

4 Voter (7)

5 Former German state (7)

6 Social exclusion (9)

7 Discharge in disgrace (5)

11 Those sharing a house (9)

12 Edgar – Poe (5)

13 Exclamation of surprise (3)

14 Body of water to the East of Italy (8,3)

16 Not belonging to a time period (11)

19 Male sheep or goat (3)

20 Follow as consequence (5)

22 Speed of pulse (9)

25 Avoiding contact with others (7)

26 Print process

27 Complementary item (9)

28 Mystics (5)

DOWN

1 Understandable (5)

5178 456 7 29 7

easy 35 2 48 7

8 Bully (9)

13 Central American country (9)

14 Track and field (9)

17

71 5 8 264 1832

hard

65 82 17 9 64 8

medium 37 6 29 4

28 3 54 2 91 85

1 14

2 15

3 16

4 17

5 18

6 19

7 20

8 21

9 22

10 23

11 24

12 25

DECODER WORDFIT 9-LETTER

12 345678910111213

893614275

561872394

147596832 786925143

638241957 354168729

472359618

219437586

269735481

817952643

623874519

354128976 482397165

178469352 591246738

easy medium hard

945613827

736581294

653214978

539642781

127389546

925783461 318427695

491768352 964531827

782953164 275896413

846175239

good 39 ABOVE AHEAD ALIVE AMONG AROMA ASIDE AURAL AVOWS BOATS CLOVE COMET COWED DICES DONOR DROLL EDGES EERIE FONTS GOUGE GREEK

29 words: Very

1415 1617181920212223242526 M Y W D V P C B K Z X N O H I E S U J L G T F Q A R 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

guess, guest, guide, guided, guides, guise, guises, gusset, gust, gusted, gusts, guts, issue, issued, situs, stud, studied, studies, studs, sued, sues, suet, suit, suite, suited, suits, tissue, tugs, used, uses

disgust, DISGUSTED, disuse, disused, duet, dust, dusted, dusts, etui,

No. 134

B K D B V S A N E L E A E B A K E D A B O V E S L A I N T E L L S E R A S E U

HEAVE HOSTS INANE INLET ISLES IVORY MATTE MOTHS NOTES OOZED OPTIC OZONE RIVET SCOPE SEEDS SLATE SNORE SOAKS SPEAR SPEED

STEPS SWEAT TONIC TYING VENUE 6 LETTERS CEDARS DETACH EDGIER STEREO 7 LETTERS COMFORT DECLINE ROOMIER

SEARING SEASIDE TROOPER 8 LETTERS ARMOURED DISALLOW DISEASED HAMPERED 11 LETTERS COMMISERATE VACATIONING

26-05-23 Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

7 The name of which Adelaide suburb is a palindrome?

8 Scampi is a dish prepared from the tails of what?

2 What was the debut album of UK band Arctic Monkeys?

3 Joan of Arc lived in which century?

4 Which Chinese city is further north: Beijing or Shanghai?

5 In what year did the West Coast Eagles play their first AFL match?

6 What is the most abundant metallic element found on Earth?

9 What is the world's driest continent after Antarctica?

10 Jada Pinkett Smith (pictured) provides the voice of which character in the Madagascar film franchise?

13 26 QR ANSWERS: 1. b) baseball player 2. Whatever NotI’mWhatThat’sAm,ISayPeople 3. 15th 4. Beijing 5. 1987 6. Aluminium 7. Glenelg 8. Langoustine (lobster) 9. Australia 10. Gloria

No. 134

No. 134

No. 134

Marsh Bacchus Marsh Information Centre 215 Main Street

• Bacchus Marsh The Village Shopping Centre Main Street

• Bacchus Marsh Laurels Education & Training 229 Main Street

• Bacchus Marsh Bellbrook Gardens Country Club 168 Underbank Boulevard

• Ballan Newsagency 133 Inglis Street

• Ballan IGA Plus Liquor - Ballan 135 Inglis Street

• Ballan Moorabool Shire - Ballan 15 Stead Street

• Brookfield Ingenia Gardens Village 23-35 Coburns Road

• Brookfield Lifestyle Brookfield 111-139 Coburns Road

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

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

• Darley Champions IGA Grey Street

• Darley Moorabool Shire 182 Halletts Way

• Darley Bacchus Marsh Gold Club Links Road

• Darley Vans Milk Bar 1 Sheldon Ave

• Diggers Rest Pharmacy 2 Farm Road

• Diggers Rest FoodWorks 22 Glitter Road

• Diggers Rest Post Office 76 Old Calder Highway

• Gordon Post Office 65 Main Street

• Harkness Foodworks 17 Claret Ash Boulevard

• Hillside Foodworks 595 Melton Highway

• Hillside United Petroleum Hillside 821-899 Melton Highway

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

• Kurunjang Kirkton Drive Milk Bar 203 Gisborne - Melton Road

• Kurunjang Village Store 51 Kurunjang Drive

• Maddingley Bacchus Marsh West Golf Club Bacchus Marsh-Ballan Road

Highway upgrade pledge

• Melton Milk Bar 44 Burleigh Road

• Melton Waves Leisure Centre 206 Coburns Road

• Melton TAB Corp Park 2 Ferris Road

• Melton OP Shop 4/86 High Street

• Melton Shire Council Offices 232 High Street

• Melton Australia PostOffice 340 High Street

• Melton Sweeney Real Estate 266 High Street

• Melton Advance Stationers 283 High Street

• Melton Raine and Horne Real Estate 289 High Street

• Melton Lotto 293 High Street

• Melton Harcourts Real Estate 306 High Street

• Melton Professionals Real Estate 317 High Street

• Melton Freddy’s Fruit & Veg 393 High Street

• Melton Toyota 143-147 High Street

• Melton YPA Real Estate 272-274 High Street

• Melton Amcal Pharmacy 308-312 High Street

• Morgans Supa IGA 335-345 High Street

• Melton MGS Melton 358 High Street

• Melton Pharmacy Superstore 383-385 High Street

• Melton NQR Melton 405-407 High Street

• Melton FoodWorks Shop 1, 415-429 High Street

• Melton Woodgrove Shopping Centre 533-555 High Street

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

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

• Melton Woolworths Supermarket 533-555 High Street (Woodgrove Shopping Centre

• Melton Coles Supermarket 533-555 High Street (Woodgrove Shopping Centre)

• Melton Tatts Kiosk 533-555 High Street (Woodgrove Shopping Centre)

• Melton Allan Mance Holden 1 Holland Drive

• Melton Library 31 McKenzie Street

• Melton Country Club 28-30 Reserve Road

• Melton Indoor Sports Centre 65 Reserve Road

• Melton Coles 11 Station Street (Melton Station Square)

• Melton Lee Merchants 29 Wallace Square

• Melton South Woolworths Supermarket Opalia 179-253 Exford Road

• Melton South Yes Yes Indian Supermarket 201 Exford Road

• Melton South Hume Milk Bar 55 Hume Avenue

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

• Melton South MGS Melton 8B Station Road

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

• Melton South Station Square Shopping Centre 25 Station Road

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

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

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

• Myriong Plough Inn Hotel/Motel 17 Main Street

• Rockbank Newsagency 1157 Leakes Road

• Taylors Hill Gilson College 450 Taylors Road

• Toolern

• The sale price must be included in the advertisement and the only alterations you may make are to the PRICE of your item.

SPORTS QUIZ

1. Which children’s entertainer revealed their hopes to buy their favourite NRL club, the Balmain Tigers?

2. Victoria Azarenka and Beatriz Haddad-Maia recently won which title in Madrid?

3. Which continent will host the FIBA Basketball World Cup in August: a) Asia, b) Europe or c) North America?

4. Carlos Alcaraz became the first teenager to do what at the Masters 1000 event in Madrid?

5. In which year did New Zealand last win the Rugby World Cup?

6. Sports journalist Caroline Wilson is a regular panellist on which channel Nine AFL program?

7. In which year did Pat Cummins become the captain of the Australian men’s Test cricket team? The 2016 Netflix docoLast Chance U centres around what

In boxing, what is a dive? Which billionaire CEO won a gold medal in a jiu-jitsu tournmament?

Synchronised swimming has been part of the Summer Olympics since what year?

Where in Australia is TIO Stadium?

13. Who was the last Collingwood football player to win a Brownlow Medal?

14. And in what year?

15. Which F1 car brand does Valtteri Bottas race for?

16. How many international Test centuries does Steve Smith have?

17. Richmond recruited which two players from the GWS Giants in last year’s off-season?

18. English netball star Geva Mentor plays for which Suncorp Super Netball team?

19. In what year did the first season of the Netflix cheerleading show Cheer air?

20. In which year did the State of Origin series begin?

21. Who did Sam Kerr’s Chelsea team beat in the recent FA Cup Final?

22. What regional Victorian city do the Western Bulldogs occasionally play home matches in?

23. Which African country were swimmers Cate and Bronte Campbell born in?

24. What weight class does Australian boxer Jason Moloney compete in?

25. Jayson Tatum plays for which NBA team?

26. Which capital city will host the Australian World Swimming Trials in June?

27. Which NRL team plays home games at Moreton Daily Stadium?

28. Manchester, Leeds and which other English city will host an Ashes test in the 2023 series?

29. What Australian sporting competition recently held its first Inclusion Round?

30. The Gold Coast Suns recently recorded their biggest interstate win against which AFL team?

308 GT 1.2-litre turbo-petrol five-door hatch: $43,990

308 GT Premium 1.2-litre turbo-petrol five-door hatch: $48,990

308 GT Premium 1.2-litre turbo-petrol five-door wagon: $48,990

308 GT Sport PHEV: 1.6-litre turbo-petrol/ electric hybrid five-door hatch: $64,990

SPECIFICATIONS

Peugeot 308 GT Sport PHEV: 1.6-litre turbo-petrol/electric hybrid five-door hatch

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

Plug-in for a sharp performance

By Alistair Kennedy, Marque Motoring

Peugeot’s GT Sport Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV)

hatchback has become the fourth model to join the French carmaker’s 308 compact range. It joinstheGThatch,GTPremiumhatchandGT Premium wagon petrol variants.

First sold here in 2008, the 308 has never seriously challenged comparable models from Japan or South Korea for sales, but those loyal to the French brand have always loved it for its style, comfort and handling.

Thenew308PHEVisPeugeot’sthirdplug-in petrol-electric hybrid, joining the 3008 GT SportSUVand508FastbackGTwithtwomore settoarrivelaterthisyear-the2008smallSUV and 508 Sportwagon.

Also coming later in 2023 will be Peugeot’s first fully electric vehicles, the e-Partner small van and e-2008 compact SUV.

Styling

We love the looks of the latest 308 starting at the front where a large, intricate grille flanked by LED Matrix headlights and claw-shaped daytime running lights.

The 308 is the first Peugeot model to feature the latest iteration of the iconic Peugeot lion badge sitting in the centre of the grille as well as on the front side panels, boot lid and in the centre of the eye-catching black alloy 18-inch wheels.

The rear has also been given a serious makeover with tri-segment tail lights on either side and the lion-claw in the centre of each.

The battery charging socket is at the rear of the passenger side.

Powertrain

308 GT Sport PHEV combines a 1.6-litre 132 kW/250Nm 1.6-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine with an 81kW electric motor for combined power and torque outputs of 165kW and 360Nm.

Itisintegratedwithane-EAT8transmission,

which for this application has the traditional torqueconverterreplacedwithawet,multi-disc clutch.

As with the other 308 variants the GT Sport PHEV is front-wheel-drive.

The 12.4kWh Li-ion battery with 100kW of battery power and 3.7 kW onboard charger provides a WLTP test range of 60km in electric-only driving. Fuel tank capacity is 40 litres.

Three driving modes are available: Electric, Hybrid and Sport.

The 308 GT Sport PHEV comes as standard with a mode two charging cable, supplied with the vehicle at time of delivery. The on-board charger unit restricts the accepted charger to a capacity of 3.7kW.

Using a domestic power socket with a 2.3kW single-phase 10A charger, the battery will be charged in around 5.5 hours. With a home

charging station such as a Wallbox this will reduce to about 3.5 hours.

Safety

There’s a comprehensive list of safety features across the entire 308 range. Highlights include autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, active cruise control with Stop & Go function, forward collision warning, long-range blind spot detection,rearcrosstrafficalert,lanedeparture warning with unmarked road edge detection, advanceddriverinattentionalert,speedlimiter function, tyre pressure warning and two Isofix child seat mounts.

GT Premium and GT Sport PHEV add active lane positioning assist while the PHEV gets Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) which generates sound when the car is travelling at low speed to alert pedestrians.

When tested by ANCAP in November 2022 the absence of a front centre airbag, which is a relatively new feature, led to 308 getting a four-star rating.

Infotainment

The infotainment system features satellite navigation, wireless smartphone charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, two front and two rear USB sockets, wireless phone mirroring, voice recognition, with Peugeot iConnect and the myPeugeot app.

Like so many recent new vehicles, far too many features, including climate control, need to be accessed through the touchscreen with the driver’s attention inevitably being taken away from the road ahead.

There is a power and volume knob for the audio system and there are short-cuts through a smaller horizontal screen called i-Toggles - but drivers will need to spend a lot of time learning how to access the various features.

Driving Peugeos have always been among our favourite

drivingcarsandtheinstanttorquefromthe308

PHEV further enhances that enjoyment. It’s great fun to drive both around town and in the hilly terrain segment of our rural drive route while it cruises effortlessly on the motorway.

While the PHEV’s battery adds around 230kg to overall weight over its petrol-only siblings it can still get from zero to 100km/h more than two seconds faster at 7.5 seconds. The ride is relatively firm but not uncomfortable while steering is light and direct.

Using the outdated NEDC test procedure Peugeot lists fuel consumption at 1.3L/100km forthe308PHEV.Theresultisbasedonstarting with the battery fully charged, travelling the claimed maximum distance in EV mode (60km) before automatically switching to hybrid mode for the remainder of the 100km trip.

The anomaly in the system is that, after travelling 100km the only way to repeat such low fuel usage would be to stop and fully recharge the battery before continuing.

During three separate tests the best battery-only distance we could achieve was 52km.

With the battery fully-charged we covered 100km using 3.4L/100km. Although that’s nearly double the listed figure it’s still pretty good. However, once the battery is flat, and running in normal hybrid mode including battery regeneration, we averaged a less-impressive 5.6L/100km.

Summing up

As enjoyable as the Peugeot 308 PHEV is to drivethebiggestproblemisitsprice.At$64,990 plus on-roads it’s between $16,000 and $23,000 dearer than its petrol-only siblings.

Do the sums and it’s very hard to financially justify spending that sort of money, but no doubt dyed-in-the wool environmentallyfocused Peugeot enthusiasts will be willing to do so.

Peugeot 308 PHEV combines great looks with sharp performance. (Pictures: Supplied)

Bloods celebrate after their first win for season

Melton got some reward for effort in the BallaratNetballLeague,withthesidewinning its first match of the season.

Having not had an A-grade team last season, the Bloods have worked hard to get a team back out on the court.

On Saturday, the team tasted winning success, beating Bacchus Marsh, 85-21.

Bloods coach Nichole Gleeson was ecstatic to finally get the result they had been hoping for.

“It is really good, we got wins in A-grade and B-grade,” she said.

“It was something we had wanted and something that we had worked towards. We knew it would be a struggle to get an A-grade sidetogether,togetawinisanamazingeffort.”

The Bloods faced a struggling Bacchus Marsh side, with many of the side having to play two games in a day.

Gleeson said once they started to get a good lead, they were keen to push the score past 80 and boost their percentage.

“We didn’t expect to have that good win,” she said.

“Bacchus Marsh are a great club and we understand what they’re going through. It was a really good contest and the game was played in really good spirits.

“The win will lift everyone’s spirits and it has done that for the girls.”

Maryrose Vitale shot 29 goals for the Bloods, while Paige Gilcrist shot 26 goals.

The win moves the Bloods up to eighth on the ladder, a game outside the top six.

Gleeson said for them this season is about the bigger picture and looking to the future.

“We’re using this season to build,” she said. “We’ve had a lot come from different areas.

“The players are working towards

structures, team work and team atmosphere to build a stronger team going forward.

“The team has taken a lot of steps forward.”

The Bloods this week face East Point.

Gleeson said they were hoping to build on this week and continue that good form.

With East Point yet to win a game, it’s another winnable game for the Bloods.

In other matches, Darley snuck home against Melton South in a thriller.

Two of last season’s finalists, the under strength Devils managed to win 48-47.

Rebecca Hicks shot 41 goals for the Devils, who remain undefeated.

Loia Tuafafo scored 27 goals for the Panthers.

The Panthers sit in seventh spot a game outside the top six.

Tara Murray

Sports shorts

A-League

Western United has announced the signing of Angus Thurgate for the next three A-League Men’s seasons. The talented young midfielder arrives from Newcastle Jets where he has spent the last six seasons, debuting as a 17-year-old in 2018. Thurgate said he was buzzing to start a new challenge with Western United and was looking forward to creating some history.

WRFL

Caroline Springs suffered an upset loss to Spotswood in the Western Region Football League division 1 competition on Saturday. The Woodsmen took an early lead and were able to blow the margin out to 33 points at the main break and 35 at the last break. The Lakers finally got going in the final quarter, kicking seven goals, but it wasn’t enough as they fell short, 10.11 (71)-10.4 (64). Brian Lake kicked three goals for the Lakers. The Lakers women’s side also lost to Spotswood, 5.13 (43)-1.2 (8).

RDFL

Panthers hit by injuries

By Tara Murray

The punches keep coming for Melton South in the Ballarat Football League.

Having made the decision to go with youth and look to rebuild this season, the Panthers have been hit hard by injuries.

Having been on the end of some one-sided resultssofarthisseason,thePantherssuffered their biggest loss on Saturday against Darley, losing 33.17 (215)-2.2 (14).

Panthers co-coach Jason Hamilton said it had been a tough few weeks.

“We couldn’t do much against Darley yesterday [Saturday],” he said.

“We had so many out and while it wouldn’t have made a difference, it wouldn’t have been 200 points.

“The hits keep coming, with injury after injury.”

Hamilton said they had 14 players out of their best 22, with the coaches having to make six changes after picking their team on Thursday night.

He said it can be hard at times having to change your mindset after having to play in a different side than they originally expected.

Hamilton said they had periods where they were competitive against the Devils, but they just couldn’t sustain it.

“In the third quarter we stuck with them for 25 minutes of the 29 minutes. It was two goals to one after 25 minutes and they kicked four goals in the last five minutes.

“We went to sleep for five to eight minutes patches and they scored 20 goals in those minutes.

“We have to work hard to make sure we’re sustaining it for the whole quarter.”

Hamilton said the Devils were the best side that they had played this season.

Cassius White and Rhys Lee were named the Panthers best.

For the Devils, Billy Myers kicked nine goals, while Trae Van Leth kicked four goals. Matthew Brett was named their best.

Hamilton said most clubs would struggle on the scoreboard, knowing the situation they are in.

“We had 10 to 12 players leave after last year and eight were in our top 12 players,” he said.

“Take into account everything that has happened over the pre-season and 2023,

everyone else would be batting the way we are.

“At the end of the day inside our four walls, we know where we are at. We’re taking it day by day and getting through the season and recruiting a few players for next year.

“For now we’re getting some games into young blokes which helps for next year.”

Hamilton said outside the Lake Wendouree game he had been proud how the group had gone about it and they had done everything that he had asked.

The Panthers this week face Ballarat at home.

Hamilton is hopeful with a few guys back they can put a bit more scoreboard pressure on this week.

“They are better than us, but they’re not up there with the top teams,” he said. “Hopefully we get a few back and it can be a bit more positive.”

In other matches, Melton also had a big win, accounting for Bacchus Marsh.

The Bloods were in control all game, winning 15.12 (102)-1.9 (15).

Brett McIntyre and Liam Carter were the Bloods best.

Diggers Rest had no issues against the Western Rams in the Riddell District Football League on Saturday. The Burras never had any issues and were able to build the lead throughout on the way to an 19.18 (132)-1.4 (10) win. Mitchell Day kicked eight goals for the Burras in a best on ground performance. Brandon Watts was the Rams best. Meanwhile, Melton Centrals lost to Macedon 11.12 (78)-10.7 (67). Dylan Jobson kicked four goals for Centrals with Jake Armistead named their best.

NPL

Caroline Springs George Cross had a day out against Ballarat City in the National Premier League 3 on Saturday. The Georgies hit the lead in the 13th minute and led by that goal at half time. Ballarat went a man down in the 53th minute and the Georgies made the most of it. They piled on six goals after that point to come away with a 7-0 win. The Georgies now sit sixth on the ladder.

FOR MORE SPORT, VISIT

Web: starweekly.com.au

Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly

@starweeklynews

@star_weekly

Melton’s Sarah Missen (Jacob Pattison)329130_10

Mitch Fino (Jacob Pattison)331334_07

Violet Stanford secures pay day for Nathan Jack

A tip from the best in the business led to a paddle going in the air to make a surprisingly cheap purchase, a succession of events that paved the way for a tremendous return for Nathan Jack at Melton on Saturday night

The reinsman paid just $3000 to secure Violet Stanford, a two-year-old trotting filly by Volstead out of Mingara, who produced an early payday in the $50,000 Vicbred Platinum Home Grown Classic final.

“I can’t take much credit for this one,” Jack told TrotsVision. “Clayton Tonkin told me it was a good type, it was in the ring and couldn’t get a bid.

“When Clayton Tonkin says he likes one you sort of have to listen. They were about to knock (the sale) down, it hadn’t had a bid and they were about to get it out of the ring, I just put my hand up, they said $3000.

“(Clayton) said they wouldn’t have sold it, they passed it in. I said, ‘nah, they took my

biding number’. He said ‘you’re kidding’.

“It turned out the bloke that bred it (Bruce Phillips with Kerrie Lee) was the bloke who

helps us out a lot.

I didn’t even know because I didn’t look at the catalogue to be honest with you.”

While the horse may have gone under the notice of many at her Bathurst sale, she had since impressed her trainer and Jack’s enthusiasm was only added to tonight when she improved her record to two wins from as many outings. It was a largely uneventful win, with Violet Stanford holding the front from gate one, seeing off a modest challenge by fellow heat winner Third Eye who then galloped out of contention.

David Aiken’s well rated Maoris Mac flirted with a challenge late but Jack’s lead was never in doubt and he held on to score by 4.2 metres.

“Quite a nice filly, very inexperienced but great action and a great gaited filly,” Jack said of Violet Stanford. “Hopefully a big future. She’s quite a strong filly but she’s exceptionally fast.

“Shehasn’tshownthespeedthatshe’sshown me at the races because she’s not concentrating 100 per cent yet.”

Violet Stanford went gone under the radar at her sale and Chris Svanosio believes his gelding may have also been overlooked ahead of tonight’s Vicbred Platinum Home Grown Classic for two-year-old trotting boys.

While many of his rivals miss-stepped and galloped out of contention, Kyvalley Maven didn’t put a foot wrong in winning comfortably, paying a handsome $14 to the trainer-driver’s surprise.

“I really thought I was on the best horse in the race,” he told TrotsVision. “He’s still got a fair bit to learn, but I was rapt with his (previous) run, running third at his first start in the heat during the week. We thought he could improve a fair bit.”

Michael Howard

The Melton Thoroughbreds lost another heartbreaker in the Big V men’s division 2 competition.

Having not won since the Easter break, the Thoroughbreds faced the one side below them on the ladder, the Craigieburn Eagles.

The Thoroughbreds jumped out of the blocks and led by 10 points at quarter time, which was then reduced to three points at the main break.

They kept the pressure on and managed to get the lead back to 11 points at the final change.

The Eagles fought hard in the last quarter and shut the Thoroughbreds down offensively.

The Eagles levelled the scores with three and half minutes to go, before the two teams traded the lead late in the dying minutes.

The Thoroughbreds took the lead back with 1.49 left on the clock. Two free throws by Calvin Jazmin reduced that margin back to one point with less than a minute remaining.

Tennis star is rising fast

By Peter Howe

There is an old saying, it is always the quiet ones you have to watch. This typifies Bridget Mihulk, this month’s Don Deeble Sports Star nominee, Bridget Mihulka.

The 16-year-old has a WTA singles ranking about 900 and a junior ranking of 400, but she still classifies herself as pretty average, with always more to do.

Her coach and mentor Marc Sophoulis sums it up more succinctly, “Eleven million people around the world play tennis,” he said. “Bridget is in the top 20 in her age group.”

Mihulka however is very quiet and self-effacingwholetshertennisdothetalking.

She started playing competitive tennis aged 10havingbeenonthecourtsinceshewasfour.

“Mum played when she was young and while I tried all sports I was drawn to tennis,” she said.

“It brings out the best in me. I’m very competitive and love the challenge of working out my opponent and how to win.”

Mihulka brings height, natural power and endurance to the court.

She is at school at 5.45am every day, where shehaslessonsbetween 6-7amwithSophoulis,

thenschooltrainingfrom7-8.30ambeforethe rigour of VCE classes sets in.

“We will hit hundreds of balls to develop rhythm and then go into match play scenarios and pressure points,” she said.

“We’ll play short point games to ensure we start fast; or we might play points from deuce or play tie break points.”

Mihuka also spends time with a sports dietician and sport psychologist, who are both readily available for students at Maribyrnong Sports Academy.

During the summer months, Mihulka plays Premier League and State Grade Pennant with the Royal South Yarra Tennis Club.

She’s using that to help build up her career.

“I have played with the club for about three years,” she said. “I love playing there because it provides a team focused environment which is different to my tournament play.

“My tournament play has gradually improved and so has my ranking.

“I play mostly in Australia but have played Junior ITF tournaments in New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand. I’ve had some good results.”

Sophoulis, however, has a slightly different view. He said that Mihulka shows amazing resilience.

“Let’s take two weeks ago at a junior ITF in Canberra, “B” saved 10 match points in the first round and dug deep to come back and win the match.

“She then went on to make the semi-finals. Weneedtocelebratethoseamazingsuccesses.”

Sophoulis goes on to say that we must remember she is only able to train a few hours a day when her opponents have generally left school and are training 6 to 7 hours a day.

Mihulka is very much school focused and wants a career in science or medicine.

“I would love to earn a tennis scholarship to a college in America where I can pursue both my tennis and school.”

“As for her tennis, her response is simple, “I want to go as far as I can go. Playing on the tour and winning a grand slam tournament would be amazing.”

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

It came down to the final shot of the game. Bradley Hassall hit a three point shot with two seconds on the clock to give the Eagles the lead and the win,

The Eagles won 92-90.

Blake Allison top scored for the Thoroughbreds with 27 points, while Koby Skenderis had 21 points.

The Thoroughbreds remain second last with just two wins.

This week the Thoroughbreds travel to face the Mildura Heat on Saturday night.

The Thoroughbreds youth league men’s division 2 side had a bye.

Blake Allison (Jacob Pattison) 326150_09

Bridget Mihulka with her coach Marc Sophoulis (Supplied)

Violet Stanford (Stuart McCormick)

Inaugural player Pierias leaves Western United

Western suburbs local Dylan Pierias is on the move having decided to leave Western United.

The A-League Men’s club announced last week that Pierias, an inaugural member of the United squad, had decided to take up other opportunities..

“The club had been working to retain Pierias over the past 12 months, but the player has opted to move on elsewhere,” the club said.

“Pierias was a foundation player at Western United, joining ahead of the club’s inaugural season in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men in 2019.

“He went on to play 94 league matches for the club, making him the second highest appearance maker in United’s history so far.”

After featuring regularly in the club’s first season,itwasthatsecondseasonwherePierias broke through, playing in all 26 matches – 20 of which were starts – and scoring six goals.

In the club’s championship game, Pieras

came off the bench in the dying minutes.

Last season he played 22 games, but had a run of games in the middle of the season where he came off the bench with not many minutes.

Western United football general manager Mal Impiombato thanked Pierias for his time and impact at the club.

“I wish to thank Dylan for his contribution to the club over the course of the last four seasons,” he said.

“We engaged in constant discussions with Dylan and his representative over the course of the last 12 months in order to extend his stay at the club.

“Unfortunately, Dylan has opted to pursue opportunities elsewhere and I wish him every success with his next steps.”

Pierais, who lives in Caroline Springs and has grown up in Melbourne’s west, took to social media following the news he was

moving on after four years of unforgettable moments.

“It’s been an incredible journey filled with growth, challenges, and triumphs,” he said.

“I am immensely grateful for the opportunities and memories I’ve made here.

“Thank you to the amazing fans who have cheered me on every step of the way. Your passion has fuelled my determination on the pitch.

“I also want to express my deepest gratitude to the coaching staff, teammates, and the entire Western United organisation.

“Together, we’ve shared laughter, tears, and unforgettable victories. It’s time for a new chapter in my career, and I’m excited to embrace new challenges and opportunities.”

Scuffle ends EDFL game

By Tara Murray

AnEssendonDistrictFootballLeaguedivision

1 match between St Albans and Hillside was called off early and police had to attend after a scuffle.

HillsidewasleadingatKingsPark,whenthe incident occurred about three quarter time.

Players along with spectators from both sides were involved and umpires made the decision to end the game with a quarter remaining.

Police were called to the ground to help with the situation.

A police spokesperson said that there were no injuries reported to police.

“Police attended a football game in Kings Park on Saturday, 20 May,” they said.

“It is understood players from both teams andspectatorswerefightingatasportsground on Gillespie Road about 4pm.

“Police arrived and separated the parties. There were no official complaints made to police and no one was taken into custody.”

The league said it wouldn’t be making any

comments pending further investigation into the game.

Both club presidents, St Albans’ James Perkin and Hillside’s Sebastian Buccheri, said they had no comment at this stage.

Hillside was leading 9.5 (59)-5.11 (41) at the time and have at this stage been awarded the four points.

Bailey Ryan had kicked three goals for the Sharks, while Lachlan Pettigrove was named their best.

For the Saints, Bol Kolang kicked two goals, while Jake Galea was named their best.

The Sharks now sit second on the ladder, while the Saints have slipped to sixth if the result stands.

The result marred an otherwise good round of football, which included a couple of upsets.

Rupertswood was able to hold off Deer Park in a thriller, winning 13.5 (83)-12.10 (82).

The Sharks ked throughout the game, with the margin 13 points at the last break.

The Lions had plenty of opportunities late, kicking 4-6 in the final term to snatch the win, but weren’t able to do so.

Todd Elton kicked five goals for the Lions, while Lachlan Smart kicked three goals.

Scott Greenhough was named their best alongside Tim Quick.

The Lions have slipped to third on the ladder, equal on points with Rupertswood and Roxburgh Park.

In premier division, Keilor won the battle of the undefeated teams, beating East Keilor.

The Cougars led at quarter time before the Blues kicked seven goals in the second term to take control of the match.

The Blues were able to keep the momentum going as they won 18.7 (115)-6.10 (46).

Kane Barbuto kicked five goals in a best on ground performance for the Blues.

In division 2, Taylors Lakes was too strong for the Sunbury Kangaroos, winning 16.6 (102)-12.7 (79).

Aaron Vendramini was named the Lions best.

Burnside Height was too strong for East Sunbury underlights, winning 15.19 (109)-3.2 (20).

Liyanabadalge claims the Holten Medal

Noble Park’s Janaka Liyanabadalge claimed the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association Val Holten Medal as the competition’s best player on Wednesday night. After not being in the top 12 after eight rounds, Liyanabadalge polled votes in all but one game for the rest of the season to finish on 20 votes.

He was level on votes with Hoppers Crossing captain-coach Simon Lambert heading into the final round.

Liyanabadalge polled three votes in the final round, while Lambert didn’t poll in the final two rounds.

Lambert finished in second with 17 votes and Caulfield’s Daniel Forbes was third, a further vote back.

Altona’s Adam Yates finished in fourth spot, while Yarraville’s Aiden Salvado, Plenty Valley’s Henry Cullen and Spotswood premiership coach Dan Schuppan all finished in the top 12.

Cullen had led the count after eight rounds. Salvado, who starred at the top of the order for Yarraville, was named the Anthony Gale Medal winner, as the best player aged under-21.

He made 653 rounds at an average of 65.3 with a highest score of 104.

Melton’s Ben MacRae, who was one of the favourites for the Holten Medal entering the night, was named captain of the team of the year.

JoininghimintheteamwereCaulfield’s David Tantsis-Hall, Salvado, Lambert, Cullen, Aaron Shellie, Liyanabadalge, St Bernard’s Nishal Perera, Brighton’s Peter Cassidy, Schuppan, Kew’s Will Sist and Strathmore’s Gayan Sirisoma.

Among the others winners on the night, Melton’s Gurpartap Singh shared the fourth XI division 2 Daryl Thiele Medal, Melton’s Matthew Stead won the Geoff Hart Medal for the third XI division 2 bestplayerandWerribee’sFayzanAbdul Sathaar shared the Bill Tucknott Medal for the third XI division 1 best player.

Meanwhile, Werribee’s Kirk Norton has been inducted into the hall of fame. Norton played a club record 386 first XI games for the Tigers, and played 409 games overall.

He was also a former president and given more than 50 years of service to the club.

The Hillside and St Albans game was called off. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 335901_06

Tara Murray Dylan Pierias (Picture: GETTY/SUPPLIED)