Star Weekly - Melton Moorabool - 20th June 2023

10 years of library fun

Melton Library staff and the community celebrated the library’s 10th anniversary last week with a day of fun-filled activities.

The celebrations kicked off in the morning with a special edition of family story time followed by a morning tea featuring a magician and face painter. Students were able to join the fun after school with Fizzics Education’s Big Science Big Fun Show, while Australian bush band Drongo and the Crow took to the stage at night. The library opened in 2013 and is visited by 800 people per day, according to Melton council.

■ Pictures: Page 13

Family violence top crime

By Tara Murray

Criminal offences in Moorabool increased by seven per cent, while increasing slightly in Melton in the 12 months to March, according to new Crime Statistics Agency data.

ThedatareleasedonThursday,showedthere was an increase of 144 offences in Moorabool in the reporting period, increasing from 2041 to 2185.

Breachofafamilyviolenceorderwasthetop crime in the municipality increasing to 305 offences in the 12 months to March. Family violence incidences were up by six per cent from 502 to 532 in the same period.

Moorabool Acting Inspector Lisa MacDougal said while overall crime across

Moorabool has increased over the past 12 months, it remains at its second lowest level in eight years.

“An additional positive is that firearm and prohibited weapon offences are down in Moorabool,” she said.

“Crimes driving this increase include theft from a motor vehicle and residential burglaries. “We want to reassure residents that we will continue to police proactively to prevent and disrupt criminal activity and keep the community safe.

“Family violence will continue to be a major priority for Victoria police. An increase in family violence order breaches can be attributed to the proactive work of dedicated detectives, who are knocking on the doors of

victims and perpetrators to ensure offenders know they are being monitored, victims feel supported, and breaches are more easily identified.”

In Melton, criminal offences increased by 0.6 per cent from 12,082 to 12,154 in the 12 months to March.

The Melton township was where the most offences occur with 1983 offences which was an increase on previous reporting period.

Breachofafamilyviolenceorderwasthetop offence in the municipality for the reporting period, despite a drop on the previous 12 months. Family violence also decreased from 2915 incidences to 2855.

Melton Inspector Lisa Prentice-Evans said while crime in Melton has increased slightly,

we are seeing an overall decrease by 6 per cent when compared with pre-COVID levels from the year ending March 2020.

“While it is pleasing to see a decrease from these levels, we are focused on doing everything we can to keep crime down and ensure the community is safe,” she said.

“Theissueoffamilyviolencewillcontinueto be a major priority for Melton police.

“While overall family incidents have decreased slightly in Melton, the statistics indicate we are continuing to arrest offenders for breaching family violence orders which highlights the proactive approach taken to monitor offenders and hold them accountable for their actions.”

Nimar, 5 joined in the anniversary celebrations at the library. (Damjan Janevski) 341076_08

Mayor’s message

Cr Lara Carli

I’m proud to announce that last week, Melton City Council won the National Award for Local Government in Productivity through Infrastructure for our Moving Melton Transport Prospectus.

The Productivity through Infrastructure Award recognises local government initiatives that innovate in delivering better connections, safer and more efficient transport links and strengthen local economies – and it’s an honour that Melton won against incredibly stiff competition from thirteen nominees across Australia.

This is a huge achievement and a testament to the hard work our Council team does every day in advocating for more investment in Melton.

The Moving Melton Transport Prospectus outlines detailed road, rail, bus and active transport projects that better connect our community and attract investment.

You can check out our Moving Melton Transport Prospectus yourself at movingmelton.com.au

And a quick reminder to nominate someone who makes a real difference in your local community for our Community Achievement Awards by 7 July.

Whether it’s someone who encourages community participation, 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

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

School holiday fun

With winter school holidays fast approaching, now’s the perfect time to book your kids into our exciting holiday activities!

From cooking to laser tag, pyjama parties to Christmas in July, a day at the movies, slime-making, dance and more, there’s something for everyone this holiday season.

Business Awards nominations open

Do you know a local business that goes above and beyond with excellent service, products and follow-up? Then nominate them for the 2023 City of Melton Business Excellence Awards!

Nominate your favourite local business today at melton.vic.gov.au/mbea

STAY INFORMED

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

facebook.com/cityofmelton

Instagram @cityofmeltonofficial

Short story competition

There’s something for everyone –and almost all of it free – so jog on down to your local library, community centre or leisure centre, or hop on melton.vic.gov.au/schoolholidays to book in.

She Will exhibition

She Will, a new exhibition from Nanchok Santino Chol celebrating women in our South Sudanese community will open this month as part of the City of Melton’s Groundwork emerging artists program.

Watts Ward with Cr Justine Farrugia

A $114 million capital works program and $1.6 million towards 18 initiatives submitted by our community are two major features of Melton City Council’s 2023/24 draft budget. This includes $8.1 million for maternal and child health services, $8.3 million for services and programs for older people, and people with a disability and their carers, and $4.4 million for children, family, and youth services.

In addition to Council’s ongoing services, a capital works budget of $114.35 million has been allocated for new and upgraded infrastructure,

A vibrant, safe and liveable City accessible to all

including $29.4 million for local roads, $15.2 million to improve road safety, $14.2 million to upgrade local parks and streetscapes, $14.1 million to upgrade recreation, leisure, and community facilities, and $6.2 million for footpaths and cycleways.

Highlights for Watts Ward include $4 million for Hume Drive duplication (Stage 2) Calder Park Drive to Gourlay Road, $3.3 million for the construction of Diggers Rest Community Pavilion and Oval 2, $2.7 million for construction of Plumpton Community Centre and Neighbourhood House, $2.1 million for the construction of Macpherson Park

Melton City Libraries’ annual Short Story Competition is back – giving creatives across the city a chance to tell their story and showcase their talents. The competition is a chance for budding storytellers of all ages to develop their skills, have their work reviewed by popular authors, and have a chance to win prize money. To learn more, go to melton.vic. gov.au/MCLshortstory or visit your local library.

She Will pays homage to women from the South Sudanese community through a series of photographic portraits and interviews, drawing inspiration from Nanchok’s personal archives to highlight the stories of the women in her community. She Will is open at Melton Library and Learning Hub from 20 June.

Rugby Pavilion and Pitch (Stage 3) and $250,000 to finalise the master plan and schematic design and commence the detailed design for the Plumpton Aquatic Centre.

An $85 pensioner rate rebate will again be available to eligible property owners.

This is great news for local residents and provides positive outcomes for our community.

Feel free to contact me about Watts Ward or Council related issues on 0475 907 616 or email at justine.farrugia@melton.vic.gov.au

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

Homelessness soars in the west

By Tara Cosoleto, AAP

Homelessness rates have fallen in Melbourne’s inner suburbs but tight rental markets are driving up the numbers in the west.

TheCounciltoHomelessPersonshasreleased an electoral breakdown of Victorians sleeping rough or living in unstable accommodation between 2016 and 2021.

It found there was a 465 per cent increase in homelessness in the South Barwon electorate near Geelong.

TheMeltonelectoraterecordeda134percent rise, and Eureka, which takes in a large part of

Moorabool Shire, recorded a 113 per cent rise.

Fewer people were sleeping rough, instead moving into unstable boarding houses, temporary accommodation or severely crowded dwellings.

“It’s not long-term sustainable or safe accommodation,”CounciltoHomelessPersons chief executive Deborah Di Natale said.

Therisinghomelessnessnumberscamepartly from better data collection practices, especially around boarding houses, Ms Di Natale said. But a lack of rentals was contributing to the spike in the western region.

“Anything less than two per cent vacancy

rates in rental properties is considered a really tight rental market,” Ms Di Natale said.

“In those areas, it’s one per cent so you could say the rental market is almost non-existent.”

Minimal service providers in those areas alsodidnothelp,saidpeersupportworkerJoal, who also experienced homelessness.

“The nearest service for Melton is Sunshine, which is half an hour away, and Brimbank covers 25 suburbs,” she said.

But the abundance of support around the city was part of the reason why homelessness rates were declining in the metropolitan area.

The Melbourne electorate had a 29 per cent

drop between 2016 and 2021, while Richmond in the inner east fell 30 per cent.

Ms Di Natale cited the state government’s homelessness to a home program, saying it had been incredible in providing people with stable accommodation.

She wants to see that program expanded.

“At this point with the funding, we can’t see howthatgrowthwillhappenbutwe’llcontinue to lobby for it because we know it works.”

The council is also calling on governments to increase housing stock, provide more rental assistance and invest in evidence-informed support models.

Cannabis haul

Morethan$1.2millionworthofcannabis plants have been seized and eight arrests made across Brimbank and Melton.

Police made the arrests as part of an operation targeting those stealing electricity to manufacture plants. Brimbank Divisional Response Unit DetectiveSeniorSergeantKylieSnartsaid detectives are intent on disrupting illicit drugs being grown or manufactured in thearea,includingcannabiscrophouses.

“The cultivation of cannabis is dangerous as crop houses are often linked to wider criminal networks that are looking to boost their coffers to fund further offending in our community,” Detective Senior Sergeant Snart said.

“Crop houses also pose a significant community risk themselves, with a number of well-documented instances of fires in homes that were growing hydroponic cannabis crops.”

Earlier this month, police executed 13 warrants in Brimbank and Melton, and identified nine hydroponic cannabis set ups with three containing a commercial quantity of cannabis.

Throughout the week 618 cannabis plants were seized, with an estimated street value in excess of $1.2 million.

Embrace the chill at the Eynesbury Winter Festival. (Supplied)

Winter festival returns to Eynesbury

Embrace the chill at the Eynesbury Winter Festival during the upcoming school holidays.

The two-week festival, which runs from June 23 to July 9, will feature activities for the entire family, including cookie decorating classes, pony rides, reptile encounter, magic shows and roaming Disney characters. There will also be circus performances by Cirque Mystique.

The festival will be launched at 5pm on Friday, June 23, with Eynesbury Quarter transformed into a winter village square.

Festival-goers will be able to roast marshmallows over the firepit and strap on skates and hit the ice rink.

Eynesbury Quarter general manager Brad Alton is excited about what’s on offer at this year’s festival.

“It’s a great mix of activity – who

The grid of the future

doesn’t love the chance to glide across the ice? – and relaxation, with a big focus on keeping holidaying youngsters happy and entertained,“ he said.

“On Saturday, July 1 we have the Winter Solstice celebration from 5pm with a bonfire, fire performers, African drummers, food trucks and a fireworks display.

The festival will be held at 487 Eynesbury Road, Eynesbury.

Police also seized 11 electrical bypass units which were allegedly used to steal electricity, and were diverted to facilitate the hydroponic set up.

Seven people have been charged with cultivating cannabis and theft of electricity, including a 29-year-old Brookfield man, a 51-year-old Burnside women, a 44-year-old Burnside man, a 64-year-old Caroline Springs man, a 62-year-old Caroline Springs man, a 51-year-old Caroline Springs man and a 42-year-old Taylors Hill man.

Police said they will continue to make inquirieswiththeeighthpersonwhowas arrested.

Briefs

Election officials needed

Would-be election managers keen to work at the 2024 local government elections can apply now to join the Victorian Electoral Commission’s (VEC’s) pool of senior election officials. Senior election officials are responsible for coordinating elections for entire council areas and will work for almost four months during the council election period leading into and following October 2024. Applications are open until Friday, July 14.

Operation Regal results

Elder abuse awareness

MooraboolseniorsgatheredatBacchusMarsh

Public Hall on Thursday for an interactive chat about elders’ rights and potential abuse.

The session was organised to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Elder abuse is any act which causes harm to an older person and is carried out by someone they know and trust, such as a family member or friend. The abuse may be financial, emotional, psychological, physical, social or sexual and can include mistreatment and neglect.

Western Health’s Peter Randall was the guest speaker at the event.

Moorabool council said events such as the interactive chat are important because

council is committed to increasing awareness and understanding of elder abuse in the community.

“We promote information on support services, distribute elder abuse resource information and deliver elder abuse education activities,” the council said, Council’s session followed the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day keynote address on Wednesday at the State Library, during which Safe + Equal chair Maria Dimopoulos spoke aboutwaystoaddressageismintheworkplace and how services can be more inclusive of older people in their responses to family violence.

Police detected 151 traffic offences in Melton and Moorabool over the King’s Birthday long weekend. The four day operation targeted high-risk driving behaviour across the state from 12.01 am June 9 to 11.59 pm June 12, in an effort to drive down road trauma. In Melton, police detected 21 speeding offences, 28 unregistered vehicles, four drink driving offences, six drug driving offences, five disqualified drivers, five seatbelt offences, one mobile phone offence, 10 offences of disobeying signs/signals, seven impoundments and 10 unlicensed drivers. In Moorabool, there were 30 speeding offences, eight unregistered vehicles, one drink driving offence, three drug driving offences, three unlicensed drivers, two offences of disobeying signs/signals, six seatbelt offences and one mobile phone offence.

FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au

Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Western Health’s Peter Randall speaks to seniors at Moorabool council’s World Elder Abuse Awareness Day event. (Damjan Janevski) 341075_04

Schools ramp up tax pressure

By Callum Godde, AAP

Non-government Victorian schools are sharpening their campaign against a proposed new tax on high-fee providers, despite it being watered down.

Dozens of principals and leaders from independent and non-denominational schools converged on Victorian parliament on Thursday8JuneforaforumwiththeVictorian Liberals.

The hour-long forum focused on a plan unveiled in the state budget to remove the longstanding payroll tax exemption for non-government schools in Victoria from

Green guide launched for landholders

Bacchus Marsh Rotary Club has funded a new guide to help small landholders create productive and environmentally sustainable properties.

Moorabool Healthy Hectares is based on a similar guide compiled in 2018 for the Goulburn Broken region before being adapted for north-eastern Victoria.

Rotary’s Alan Morton said the club became aware of an opportunity to adapt the guide for Moorabool, working with Green Gecko Publications’ Mary Trigger and consultant Helena Lindorff to create the local edition.

Moorabool Healthy Hectares covers topics such as planning, biodiversity, pests and pasture and includes links to useful resources such as Landcare Groups, council and indigenous nurseries.

Mr Morton said Rotary funded the guide after searching for a worthwhile project to contribute to.

“Rotary Clubs around the world are making a much bigger conscious effort to promote activity that will help our environment,” he said.

“Locally the pressure is always on to find money to promote environmental projects and ideas.”

The guide was recently launched at the Country Women’s Association rooms in Bacchus Marsh by Rotary president Donna Martin and Moorabool deputy mayor Ally Munari.

mid-2024.

About 110 so-called high-fee schools were initially forecast to lose the exemption, but Premier Daniel Andrews last week said that number would be fewer, with the threshold to be set higher than the current mark of $7500 in fees a year.

That would spell good news for Heathdale Christian College, which has average fees of $8050 a year across its Melton and Werribee campuses in Melbourne’s west.

But executive principal Ross Grace said he and his school re main fundamentally opposed to the proposed tax.

“This is a tax on learning,“ he told reporters

at state parliament.

Schools are expected to know if they are still exemptfrompayrolltaxbySeptemberthisyear before the change takes effect from July 1 next year.

If Heathdale climbs above the threshold, Mr Grace expects the school’s costs to increase by more than $1 million a year and admits fees will have to be reviewed.

“There’s a potential we could lose families because of the increase of the fees,“ he said.

Mr Grace said the school was formulating its budgetfornextyearandhadbeenfrustratedby the lack of detail.

Opposition Leader John Pesutto said the

government was yet to explain whether more schools could lose their payroll tax exemption in coming years as fees slowly rise with inflation.

“There’s no protection for our independent and non-denominational schools, and they need to plan,“ he said.

The coalition is in discussions with the crossbench after vowing to oppose the schools tax and repeal it if elected in 2026.

The Greens are withholding support for the government’s suite of tax reforms, seeking rental safeguards ahead of the legislation coming before the upper house later this month.

Ballan ageing advice boost

Leading aged care service provider mecwacare has announced a healthy active ageing advisory service for Ballan and surrounding areas.

The service, which will commence on July 1, will promote physical and psychological well-being, health education and community information to the local farming community.

A full-time registered nurse with regional experience will be appointed andaphysicalhubatmecwacare’sBallan Health and Care Services will offer a range of medical, physical rehabilitation, tele-health and pathology services, as well as an on-site pool and gym which is available for rehabilitation and general fitness. In addition, the advisor will provide outreach services in the community, visiting farmers and getting to understand their health concerns.

The new service hub will also support older community members who need assistance navigating the aged care system including how to apply for My Aged Care services.

Workiswellunderwayonmecwacare’s $20 million redevelopment and expansionofitsagedcarewithanall-new 60-bed luxury aged care home expected to be completed in late 2024.

mecwacare’s chief executive Michele Lewis said commitment to delivering high quality care and support services to the Ballan community and surrounding areas is high on mecwacare’s agenda.

“We are one of the town’s largest employers and look forward to creating further new local job opportunities with this new service,“ she said.

Alan Morton with Helena Lindorff. (Supplied)

Awards success brings recognition for top businesses

When Ravenhall gaming cafe Pro Gamers was nominated for the 2022 Melton Business Excellence Awards, few people in the business community were aware such a business was operating locally.

But owner Emanuel Cachia believes that changed when Pro Gamers won the Mayoral Achievement Award.

The award is judged across all Melton Business Excellence Awards finalists, and recognises outstanding performance in the judging criteria for their nominated category.

Pro Gamers had been nominated for the Adaptability Award.

“There was nothing like this in the area,” Emanuel said.

“There were similar offerings in America but there was nothing in our area.”

Emanuel said he was hopeful Pro Gamers would be nominated for the 2023 Melton Business Excellence Awards and encouraged people to nominate local businesses they felt were going above and beyond.

“Thereisalotofbenefittobeingnominated,” he said.

“Iwasjusthappywewerenamedasafinalist. It is a great reward for our hard work.”

Businesses can also self-nominate for the awards. This year the award categories are: innovation and transformation; equality, diversity and inclusion; disability and inclusion initiative; sustainable product or process; health, wellness and care; visitation and hospitality; new business or start up; professional services; and young entrepreneur of the year.

“Winning brought us recognition in the business community,” Emanuel said. “We were already quite well known in our community Australia-wide but a lot of the business community hadn’t come across us before.”

Emanuel and his wife started Pro Gamers to providelocalgamersaplacetobelongandmeet people with the same interests.

The cafe features board games, card games such as Pokemon, hobby models, posters and more, and provides gamers with a free space to play, as long as they purchase food and drinks from the cafe. It also runs weekly tournaments which are promoted on the cafe’s website and social media.

It has been operating in Ravenhall for nine years.

The Business of the Year Award will be decided by the judging panel from the individual category award winners.

Mayor Lara Carli said the awards were among the many council initiatives helping businesses thrive in Melton.

“Whether you’re a small, family-run operation, a large, well-established business, or something in between, it’s a fantastic chance to promote your achievements and the everyday services and products you provide to the community,” she said.

“Our businesses are the lifeblood of our community and council is proud to showcase their innovation, resilience and strength.”

Nominations close midnight July 7. The awards will be presented on September 27.

Details: melton.vic.gov.au/mbea

Pro Gamers’ Emanuel Cachia with mayor Lara Carli at the 2022 Melton Business Excellence Awards. (Ivan Kemp) 309827_46

‘‘ Winning brought us recognition ... a lot of the business community hadn’t come across us before ’’

- Emanuel Cachia

Support is key to learning

A learning disability, according to British charity Mencap, is a reduced intellectual ability and difficulty with everyday activities – for example household tasks, socialising or managing money – which affects someone for their whole life.

People with a learning disability tend to take longer to learn and may need support to develop new skills, understand complicated information and interact with other people. The level of support someone needs depends on the individual.

Forexample,someonewithamildlearning disability may only need support with things like getting a job. However, someone with a severe or profound learning disability may need fulltime care and support with every aspect of their life – they may also have physical disabilities.

People with certain specific conditions can have a learning disability too. For example, people with Down’s syndrome and some people with autism have a learning disability.

There are different types of learning disability, which can be mild, moderate,

severe or profound. In all cases a learning disability is lifelong.

It can be difficult to diagnose a mild learningdisabilityastheindividualwilloften mix well with others and will be able to cope with most everyday tasks. However, they may need support in other areas of their life such as filling out forms.

People with a severe learning disability or profound and multiple learning disability (PMLD), will need more care and support with areas such as mobility, personal care and communication. People with a moderate learning disability may also need support in these areas, but not definitely.

For any parent, the greatest concern will be your child’s wellbeing and their future. As a parent, you can help your child by encouraging their strengths and getting the right support to help them overcome the things they find difficult. Every child is an individual with their own needs, but with the right support children with a learning disability can lead fulfilling lives in the way they choose.

Tailored living solutions

Empowered Liveability was founded to create tailored living solutions for people with complex requirements, including young people forced into aged care. With a plethora oflivedandvocationalexperienceincomplex care provision, including direct care, support coordination,trainingandcounsellingwithin disability, mental health, and aged care, the team is made up of passionate advocates that believe in people with disabilities living life on their own terms.

Combining expert disability knowledge with property expertise, the Empowered Liveability team supports participants to choose where, how, and who they live with and who they are supported by.

With over 40 SDA funded properties on large blocks throughout Australia, Empowered homes are considered equivalent to large luxury homes. Working with ethical

and heart centred investors, who often have a connection to the disability or mental health sectors supports the Empowered Liveability purpose of empowering people to thrive through independent living options.

The Empowered team are also able to facilitate complete choice and control in aidingparticipantsandfamiliestobuildtheir very own dream home. With a view to create many options for disabled people to choose from, the team is adamant that co-creation of Specialist Disability Accommodation is the way of the future, working hand in hand with participants to encompass every possibility of creating life-long homes, not workplaces.

Empowered Liveability ensures the process of finding or creating your forever home, is enjoyable and an empowering process end to end.

Empowered homes are considered equivalent to large luxury homes.

Offering a positive impact for those needing support

First Support Australia’s mission is to inspire positive change and make a meaningful impact on the lives of those needing support.

The registered NDIS provider operates in Victoria and certain rural areas with a team of over 100 dedicated professionals, including registered nurses, case managers, support coordinators and other specialists.

Together, the team provides over 3,000

hours of service each week to valued participants.

First Support Australia’s wide range of services include accommodation support services, and specialist care including high intensity 24 hour care.

Theteamiscommitted to makinga positive impact on the lives of those they support, and staff pride themselves on their ability to

discharge and commence services within 72 hours, ensuring participants receive the care and support they need, regardless of their location.

First Support Australia specialises in providing a comfortable and safe living environmentforparticipantswhorequire24/7 care, including those who require complex support, such as those with behavioural,

mental, and high-intensity needs.

First Support Australia also offers NDIS accommodationservicesconvenientlylocated close to local amenities such as hospitals, local shops, schools public transport, and other useful facilities to meet clients’ needs.

Call 1800 008 989 or email info@firstsupport.com.au

Let’s talk about incontinence

One in four Australians aged over 15 suffer from incontinence. This statistic may come as a surprise to many as incontinence is one of Australia’s great taboos. But as Hannah Hammoud discovered, the team at the National Continence Foundation is on a mission to change that.

Affecting over five million Australians, incontinence can range in severity from a small leak to complete loss of bladder or bowel control.

Celebrations for World Continence Week have kicked off, running from June 19 to June 25, with an aim to raise awareness of incontinence related issues.

Programs and projects manager at the Continence Foundation of Australia Daniyela Rob said one of the biggest challenges surrounding incontinence is simply having the conversation.

“It’s something that people don’t want to talk about, but the more people that do talk about it, the more they will realise just how many people it affects,” she said.

“Because people don’t talk about it, often someone who is experiencing incontinence is thinking, ‘oh it’s only happening to me, and I don’t want to share that’.”

Data from the Continence Foundation reveals that 46 per cent of people who experience incontinence are under the age of 50. Ms Rob said a common misconception surroundingincontinenceisthatitisanatural part of ageing.

“People might think that their incontinence is an inevitable part of ageing, or after giving birth assume that it is bound to happen,” she said. “It becomes normal for them and so they don’t seek help, but there is help available. The Continence Foundation champions people finding the right assistance, and speaking to a health professional about what the right way to manage their continence might be.”

MsRobsaidthatformanyAussiessuffering from incontinence their quality of life is significantly impacted. For those living with incontinence, leaving their home for everyday activities can be a difficult task due to the fear of not having access to appropriate facilities.

This year, the Continence Foundation ran theGreatDunnyHuntcampaignencouraging Australians to take pictures of their favourite public toilet and upload them to the National Public Toilet Map (NPTM) website or app.

Submissions to the hunt closed on the first day of World Continence Week on Monday, June 19 with more than 600 photos uploaded across the nation.

Ms Rob said the Continence Foundation continues to garner huge support and gratitude from people with lived experience of incontinence.

“It helps raise awareness and opens up the conversation about bladder and bowel incontinence” she said.

“It also means more people know where to seek support and that’s always a good thing.

“It is really important that people seek help and talk to their GP or ring our National

Continence Helpline because there is help available for people.”

The continence services offered at Western Health include help to treat, better manage and even cure incontinence related issues.

Sunshine Hospital continence clinic managerSusanCroninsaiditisimportantthat people living with incontinence understand that there are many treatments and strategies available to them.

“Part of our service once people do reach out, is to say that it’s okay to talk about it and it’s okat that you’ve sought assistance,” she said.

“We’re here to help you and you’re not alone in this.”

The Western Continence Service offers assessment and management of urinary and faecal continence issues, with a goal of promoting self-management whenever possible.

For those wishing to seek help, it is important to have a referral from a medical doctor, which includes GPs, specialists and hospital departments.

Ms Cronin said Western Health offers a multidisciplinary service to assess and treat adults experiencing both bowel and bladder continence issues.

“Often we will contact people by phone to ascertain what their challenges or issues are and also plan how we can help them achieve their goals. We then make a clinical decision with them as to what pathway they’ll take, such as seeing a nurse or physio or having

diagnostic testing,“ she said.

“Once we gather everything we need, we put a plan in place to help them, and we then work with patients on how we can achieve their continence aims.”

Ms Cronin said it is important to open up the continence conversation and remove the taboo that has long accompanied it.

“Where I think the shift needs to occur is people not feeling embarrassed to say that they have continence issues,” she said.

As part of World Continence Week, the ContinenceFoundationwillbehostingalived experience panel webinar on Wednesday, June 21. The webinar will feature a group of panellists discussing their lived experience of incontinence, barriers to seeking help, common misconceptions about incontinence and how to change the narratives around this common condition.

Australians can reach the National Continence Helpline for free, confidential advice from Nurse Continence Specialists on 1800 33 00 66, from Monday to Friday from 8am-8pm.

1 in 4 Australians are incontinent

Sunshine Hospital continence clinic manager Susan Cronin. (Damjan Janevski) 341459_01 Inset: Continence Foundation of Australia programs and projects manager Daniyela Rob. (Supplied)

MY PLACE

Don Journet is a Bacchus Marsh man

with a passion for botany who has spent his life volunteering at a variety of organisations. He spoke to Liam McNally about his community groups and his connection to Moorabool.

What’s your connection to Bacchus Marsh?

I moved to Bacchus Marsh in 1979 after leaving London. I taught at the Footscray TAFEuntilmyretirementuntil2002andhave done a variety of voluntary work in the area.

What do you like about where you live?

[When I moved here] I loved it for being a very small rural town, it’s the type of place I was really impressed with. I was fortunate in gettingapropertythatfacesoutontoWerribee Vale Road and I planted a lot of Australian Native trees on Bacchus Street 30 or 40 years ago. The area is a little pocket of green.

Tell us about your work with the CFA?

During the 1984 fires in the west I volunteered with a local staging area for fighting fires near Bacchus Marsh. I was inspired to volunteer after seeing all the carnage created by bushfires.

I was perceived as a greenie at the CFA but I putinthehardyards.Ibecametrainingofficer and 2nd Lieutenant for the Coimadai Brigade. Last year I felt very honoured to be given life membership of the brigade. I’m one of five since the 1930s to be given that honour. I was also awarded the National Medal for fighting the Kinglake fires as a crew leader in 2009.

Tell us about your work with Rose Carers?

I’ve always been botanically inclined, I’m currently an administrative officer for Plant Trust, I have a collection of plants called Lachenalia registered with the Ornamental Plant Collections Association. I’m also president of Bacchus Marsh and district garden club. I was on the management committee of Maddingley Park. Rose Carers

formed out of Friends of Maddingley Park. The entrance from Taverner Street was just grass so I set up the Memorial Rose garden in 2005, and then a friend offered heritage roses to us, so we set those up around the

Rotunda in Maddingley Park in about 2007. I started digging flower beds from a dust bowl where people used to do wheelies in their cars and I made the garden beds in the shape of eucalyptus leaves.

What, if anything, would you change about where you live?

I’m not keen on the high density development in Bacchus Marsh, it’s changing Bacchus Marsh and I worry a little bit.

Johnson stays at United

Young star Kahli Johnson will return to Western United for the 2023-24 A-League Women’sseasonafterputtingpentopaperona new deal for the upcoming campaign.

The 19-year-old joined the club from Sydney FC and became a key part of Mark Torcaso’s inaugural United side, featuring in 17 matches and winning the team’s young player of the season award alongside Alana Cerne.

Johnson has just completed a camp with the Young Matildas where she played a starring role, scoring three goals in two starts to help the side qualify for the 2024 AFC under-20 Women’s Asian Cup.

Upon confirming her place in next season’s squad, Johnson said she was pleased to remain ingreenandblackandtakethenextstepinher

“I’m very happy to be re-signing with Western United for the upcoming season,“ she said. “This past season was such a great opportunity for me to get some game time and

really develop as a player, and I’m excited to continue to do that next season.

“I’m very keen to keep being successful here. I think last season was an awesome starting point for us and I can’t wait to keep growing and achieving more with the team.”

United football general manager Mal Impiombato said Johnson’s quality and potential was cause for great excitement in the club’s women’s program.

“Kahlihadatremendousbreakoutseasonfor usin2022-23andwearedelightedtoretainher for the following campaign,” he said.

“In addition to her obvious talent on the pitch, we have been thoroughly impressed by her mentality, work ethic and her eagerness to continue to learn and improve as a footballer and as a person.

“That is reflected in her impact on the group andherregularopportunitieswiththenational team,andweareeagertowatchhercontinueto progress over the coming season.”

Kahli Johnsonm. (Supplied)

Don Journet in Maddingley Park, Bacchus Marsh. (Damjan Janevski) 338636_05

A fairy good time at the library

Star Weekly photographer Damjan Janevski visited Melton Library on Thursday to capture its 10th anniversary celebration. The day included a special storytime and morning tea, featuring a fairy face painter.

Above: Fairy Facepainter Susie Kazda and Zachary, 4. Above right: Susie shows Mehar, 3, her handiwork. (Pictures: Damjan Janevski) 341076

Spend, play, win for the ultimate nostalgic experience

Woodgrove Shopping Centre is inviting customers to indulge in an iconic journey down memory lane as the centre pays homage to the most cherished toys and characters of the 1990s.

In conjunction with the highly anticipated annual Big W Toy Sale, Woodgrove is offering customers the chance to win their favourite classic toys, along with a grand prize of $10,000.

Kicking off from Thursday, June 15, shoppers have the opportunity to test their luck at the ’Spend, Play and WIN’ giant gumball machine. Each participant will have a shot at scoring exclusive 90s-themed prizes, including Tamagotchis, Polly Pockets, Cabbage Patch Kids, Transformers, and more! To play, customers simply spend $30 at any participating retailers and take a turn at the machine. Every participant will automatically be entered into the draw for the grand cash prize.

Kylie Robertson, Woodgrove centre manager, is thrilled to be bringing the 90s back to Woodgrove.

“With the exciting Spend, Play and WIN! promotion we cannot wait to see shoppers revel in this nostalgic experience. It’s a chance to relive cherished memories, introduce a new generation to classic toys and characters, and celebrate everything that made the 90s so special. We welcome everyone to join us on this fun-filled journey back in time!“ said Kylie.

...startshere

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

EXECUTIVE EXECUTIVE EXECUTIVE

REQUIRED REQUIRED REQUIRED

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

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 meets 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

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

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

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

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

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

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, from 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

Community Band

Greater Western Community Band, (founded 1991) is based in Melton. Rehearsals are on Thursdays, 7.30pm to 9.30pm, at Blackwood Drive Hall, Melton South. The group welcomes musicians young and old to come along and join in with the band. Also available for performance at events and festivals.

■ Sally Hamond, 0401 474 582

Community centre term three Melton South Community Centre’s term three program is available now for viewing and enrolments. The centre is at 41 Exford Road, Melton South.

■ meltonsouth.org.au, or 9747 8576

Bingo for all

The Werribee RSL hosts Bingo every Monday, except public holidays. Eyes down from 12.30-2.30pm.

■ 9741 5525

Western Budgerigar Club

The Western Suburbs Budgerigar Club meets at 7.30pm on the third Thursday of each month at Masonic Hall, 223 Watton Street, Werribee. Meet other members who are also passionate about breeding Budgerigars.

■ Don, 0414 975 862

Wyndham Ladies Probus

Are you recently retired or semi-retired? Looking for fun, fellowship and to increase your social networks. The Ladies Probus Club of Wyndham meets on the first Wednesday of each month at Hotel520, Sayers Road, Tarneit, and normally has an outing or event on the third Wednesday of each month.

■ Rosa Sanderson, 0410 303 046

U3A Werribee

The group is a not-for-profit community organisation for semi-retired and retired Wyndham residents. They hold a variety of classes/activities specifically designed for Seniors, including, light physical and mental wellbeing sessions, arts, games and craft, and general classes such as current affairs, history and lunch groups. Most classes/activities are held at Wyndham Community Centres.

■ Rick, 0402 299 220

Lions Club

Lions Club of Werribee meets at the RSL Club 2a Synnot Street Werribee on the first and third Wednesday of the month 6.30pm for a 7pm dinner meeting.

■ Lou, 0409 331 271

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

This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of Dean Formosa celebrating his 500th WRFL match. (Ljubica Vrankovic)

PUZZLES QUICK CROSSWORD

SUDOKU

To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.

ACROSS

1 Swallows liquid (6)

4 Extreme anger (8)

10 Row of columns and arches (9)

11 Female name (5)

12 Falsehoods (4)

DECODER WORDFIT

3 LETTERS

Today’s Aim:

16 words: Good

24 words: Very good

32 words: Excellent

A U A

S O E

A E

B

G E E K R

aerobe, bake, baker, bare, barer, barge, bargee, bark, barker, beak, beaker, bear, bearer, beer, berg, boar, borage, bore, borer, brae, brag, brake, break, breaker, broke, broker, BROKERAGE, garb, grab, grebe, kerb, robe

No. 138

D E S C L A P S A U R A L S N O R E E A S E D D R E S S

QUICK QUIZ

1 What is the capital of Tahiti?

2 Is a mansard a type of roof, bug or soil?

3 Whose first novel was AnOpen Swimmer, published in 1981?

4 The vibraphone belongs to which family of musical instruments?

5 Suryavarman II was a 12thcentury king of what empire?

6 And in what country is the empire now located?

7 In what year did the Sydney Harbour Bridge open?

8 Independent senator Lidia Thorpe (pictured) won which electoral district in the 2017 by-election?

9 In a game of marbles, what is it to phernudge?

10 Molochhorridus is the Latin name for which Australian lizard?

ALE AMP ATE BOA CAP DUD EGO EKE EVE EWE FEE GOO IRE KEG KEN MEN NEE NOD NOR PAT PEA PEG SAC TIE 4 LETTERS ANEW ARTS DABS DADS ERAS GAPS INTO NEST PEAR SCAB SEWN SUBS TREK WEAR 5 LETTERS ACUTE AFTOS AGAIN ALIEN ALIVE ALTAR APING APRIL AROMA AWAIT BAGEL BELLY CARGO CHINA CIRCA CREPT DEEDS DIRGE DOING DUNGS EAGER EATEN HOVER IMAGE INEPT MANIA METRO NANAS NEARS NOSES OCCUR PACES PASSE PEACE PENCE PERCH POUCH RODEO SAGER SANER SCENT SEDAN SHEDS SNIDE SONGS STONY STOOL STREW TRADE TRUED 6 LETTERS APPEAR DAMNED KENNEL MAKERS 7 LETTERS ATONING CONTAIN DUSTMEN EVASION IMITATE TORPEDO 8 LETTERS CHAIRING CREDENCE ECONOMIC ROMANTIC 12 345678910111213 1415 1617181920212223242526 W V S A L K Z T J Y R P B I M G X E U F D N O H C Q 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 23-06-23 Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com 895432617 469173528 582347196 326719854 253864971 971286345 147658239 718925463 634591782 easy medium hard 842791356 316875924 634958271 593246817 478329165 187632549 761583492 259164783 925417638 198426573 419652837 987263145 632875419 853197624 364519782 745931268 276348951 521784396 1 14 7 20 2 15 8 21 3 16 9 22 4 17 10 23 5 18 11 24 6 19 12 25 13 26 HQ ANSWERS: 1. Papeete 2. Roof 3. Tim Winton 4. Percussion 5. The Khmer Empire 6. Cambodia 7. 1932 8. Northcote 9. To play one's shot improperly by edging one's shooter over the line 10. Thorny dragon

No. 138

No. 138

No. 138

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

Placing

SPORTS QUIZ

1. Which Hollywood star jokingly volunteered on social media to be Nick Kyrgios’ new coach?

2. Phil Waugh was recently appointed the chief executive of which sports association?

3. Marc-André Leclerc stars in which documentary about his life as a solo climber?

4. To date, how many AFL games has Adelaide Crows won this season?

5. Will Smith won the Academy Award for Best Actor for which tennis film?

6. Which team did former netball star Caitlin Bassett play for?

7. Which two AFL teams have defeated Collingwood this season? Which NBA star recently became the first NBA player to record at least 10 triple doubles in a single playoff run?

And which team do they play for?

At which event did Ariarne Titmus win gold in the the 200m, 400m and 800m Women’s freestyle?

In which sport do teams compete to win the Bledisloe Cup?

Arnis is the national martial art of which country?

13. Who served as captain of the Melbourne Demons AFLW team from 2017 to 2022?

14. Which of the following countries has never won an Olympic medal: Belgium, Bolivia or Brazil?

15. Bukayo Saka plays for which Premier League football team?

16. How many points is a drop goal worth in rugby league when kicked outside 40m?

17. James Brian Hellwig was the birth name of which US professional wrestler?

18. Who did Iga Swiatek beat to win the 2023 French Open women’s singles title?

19. Games of which sport are divided into four ‘chukkas’?

20. NBA player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar filmed a fight scene against which famous martial artist and actor

21. Which country won the first World Test Championship in 2021?

22.And who did they beat?

23. How many nonMelbourne based teams compete in the VFL?

24. The Australian men’s national under-23 soccer team is nicknamed what?

25. True or false: netball goalkeepers are allowed in the centre third of the court?

26. In what year was the first season of the Women’s Super League?

27. Leati Anoa’i is the birth name of which US wrestler?

28. 3x3 basketball debuted at the Olympics in which year?

29. How many shots are made by one team when a soccer match must be decided by a penalty shootout?

30.Which AFL club did Neale Daniher play for?

DISC

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

Genesis GV60 ‘goes like crazy’

By Ewan Kennedy and Julie Saville

TheGenesisGV60isthesmallestofthreeSUVs from Hyundai’s luxury sub-brand behind the mid-sized GV70 and large GV80.

Each of the three models get different powertrain choices, the GV80 comes with turbo-petrol or diesel, as does the GV70 but with an EV option added. Our test vehicle, the GV60, is electric only.

Genesis GV60 sits on the same platform as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 with potential buyers sure to line up the three siblings alongside each other.

Firstly, while the Ioniq 5 and EV6 comes with the option of front-wheel drive, that is with single motor on the front axle, the GV60 is AWD only with a second motor on the rear axle.

Power and torque when comparing the GV60 with the AWD Ioniq 5 and EV6, is almost identical at around 234 kW and 605 Nm with the GV60’s range of 454 km slightly less than the Hyundai (470 km) and Kia (484 km). The GV60 EV Performance variant lifts power to 320 kW but with no change in torque.

The most noticeable difference is price, with the GV60 EV selling for $107,700 compared with the Ioniq 5 AWD Techniq ($77,500) and the EV6 GT-Line ($87,590). All are before on-road costs.

Styling

Though it’s called an SUV by Genesis, the GV60 is very coupe-like in its appearance. It’s streamlined from the bonnet to the rear spoiler,hasashortfrontoverhangandsitsona long wheelbase at 2900 mm.

The Genesis signature Crest Grille is in a lower position than in other GV models that have internal combustion engines. This is to make for the different cooling requirements specific to the dedicated high-performance EV platform.

Julie says, “This is a beautiful car. It has this gorgeous feminine rounded shape with a beautiful bottom. It is sort of half way between SUV and sedan.

“By far the most beautiful thing about the GV60 EV we road tested is the colour aqua green sea glass. It is beautiful and light and jewel-like. Almost like an opal.”

Interior

The interior design of the GV60 has what Genesis says “the ethos of the Beauty of White Space’ while seeking to create a spacious and comfortable interior.”

Julie says, “Combine this gorgeous exterior withacreamandseagreenleatherinteriorand this vehicle is just a delight to be in. It brings a smile to your face. With the super sleek remote you are set to drive off into the wild blue yonder.”

Passengers in the rear seat have plenty of legroom although the floor is slightly higher because the battery pack is under the floor. Also, the sloping rear window may make it a little tight for those travelling there. We suggest you take anyone who will be travelling in the back seats to come along when you’re considering a GV60 and see how they find the seats.

To make the GV60 more sustainable, variouspartsarecreatedwitheco-friendlyand recycled materials. The seats, door armrests, console armrests, and crash pads are made with plant-based leather.

The seat covers and door centre trims have fabrics made with yarns extracted from recycled PET bottles and fishing nets.

Infotainment

TheGV60isthefirstGenesismodeltocombine the instrument clusters and navigation into a panoramic display where the content is connected throughout in clusters, navigation and head up display.

Sound is through a premium 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen with a sound control interface to provide a choice different sound mixes including Relax, Energetic, Bright and Warm.

Powertrain

GV60 has combined power of 234 kW, 74 kW from the front motor and 160 kW from the rear. The GV60 Performance steps that up to 360 kW, 180W at both front and rear.

Both variants feature a 77.4kWh battery which provide a driving range of 470km (WLTP) per charge for the base model and 466km (WLTP) per charge for the Performance variant.

Transmission in our test car is to all four wheels through what you could call a single-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Standard safety features start with 10 airbags including a rollover-resistant curtain ‘bags and advanced ABS brakes.

Other features include Lane Keeping Assist, High Beam Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist,RearCrossTrafficCollisionAvoidance Assist, Safe Exit Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Advance Rear Occupant Alert, and Multi-Collision Braking System.

Driving

Julie says, “The GV60 has space. It feels very comfortable getting into the driver’s seat. There is plenty of leg space and the seat is not toolow.Ihavesatinalltheseatsinthecarand

theyareallverycomfortablewithsufficientleg room. In the driver’s seat the feeling of space is increased by the sweep of the dashboard and the uncluttered instrument panel. Wait until you see the gear control at night!”

The door mirrors aren’t mirrors! Rather the view to the side-rear of the GV60 is provided by cameras that take a picture of the what is happening and transmits it to small TV screens inside the doors.

While this works well, we found it distracting at times because the screen on the driver’s door is too close. On motorways things are flashing past very quickly, particularly when in the fast lane.

Perhaps if I owned and drove a GV60 driving the car all the time I would learn to tune out from this. Maybe we should borrow a test car for at least a month and find out…

Anyhowlet’sgetawayfromthedoormirrors and talk about driving this fascinating car. This is a fascinating car in many ways, the door handles pop up when the driver approaches the car with their smart key.

The GV60 can recognise two faces, then adjust the settings for the driver’s seat, steering wheel and door mirrors.

There are three drive modes to choose from, Eco, Normal and Sport. The Eco setting makes the GV60 accelerate relatively gently. The Normal mode is the one we used for most our driving as we feel that’s what most

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

owners would do.

The Sport mode makes it go like a rocket and provide instant grunt to help you overtake in a short space when you see a chance to get past a slower car during country driving. Or you can simply use it just for the fun it provides!

The i-PEDAL regenerative braking mode enables a single-pedal driving strategy that allowsacceleration,decelerationandstopping of the vehicle using only the accelerator

Step into the back seats and the car’s nearly 2950 mm wheelbase affords rear passengers a hugeamountoflegroom,butasInotedabove, the higher floor (due to the battery pack) and sloping rear window line may make the back seat a little less pleasant for taller occupant. Try before you buy…

Summing up

The Genesis GV60 EV is a most impressive piece of automotive engineering. It goes like crazy when you give it a boot full yet is happy to run quietly and gently around town. Would I buy one? Not at this time, it’s very expensive and while the range is pretty good it still takes time to charge it up and that can be a pain at times.

It has a five-year unlimited distance warranty on everything with the exception of the high-voltage battery which is warranted for eight years and 160,000 kilometres.

The Genesis GV60 is a stylish and efficient electric vehicle. (Pictures: Supplied)

Lions lock in coaches ahead of the next season

Melton has locked in its coaching group for the next Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association season.

Mitch Stephens returns as coach for a second season after a successful first year in the job, with the club going from not winning a match to just missing out on finals.

Stephenswasoriginallysettobeanassistant coach in his first season back at the club from Victorian Premier Cricket, but weeks out from the season he stepped up into the head role after Sri Lankan Tharaka Gunaratna struggled to get approval to come to Australia to coach the club.

“The Melton Cricket Club is extremely happy to announce the re-appointment of Mitch Stephens for the upcoming season,” the club said on social media on Thursday.

“Mitch had a fantastic first year at the helm leading our first XI to seven wins just missing the six and also our third, fourth and fifth Xls to finals.”

Joel Mitchener has also re-committed and will move into a development coach role focusing on the Lions Academy and their J.G

Craig Shield squad.

Damien Costigan joins the club and will support Stephens as a senior assistant coach.

“Damien is passionate in continuing to develop the junior program whilst also stepping up to assist Mitch with the senior group,” the club said.

“Damo is back at the club after developing his skills as an assistant coach and captain at Keilor CC.”

The Lions have also announced their first new signings for the 2023-24 season

Stephen Shields is the first signing joining the club from St Bernards.

“After only 36 first XI games and already near50wicketsweareecstatictohaveSteveon boardandcannotwaittoseehimexcitefansin red and white this season,” the club said. “We look forward to seeing Steve add consistency, class and charisma to our bowling unit. With plenty of finals experience and exposure playing in Darwin, Gippsland and PremierCricketwithCasey-SouthMelbourne. Steve will be valuable asset and leader around the group.”

Rhys Berry continues the club from Gisborne and District Cricket Association club Diggers Rest Bulla.

He brings plenty of experience both on and off the field having previously coached for four seasons and captained the Burras for seven seasons.

“During his time in the GDCA he has captured 327 wickets at an average of 16.48 with best figures 7-21. Rhys’s impressive CV has seen him win a GDCA Sullivan Medal, three times team of the year honours and two times league bowling average recipient.

“The experience and skills of Rhys will become an important piece to our endeavour to climb up the ranks this season. “

Tara Murray

Devils win final rematch

Tara Murray

It was the match Darley had been waiting for all Ballarat Netball League season and the Devils came out on top on Saturday.

The Devils had been waiting for a shot to play against North Ballarat, in a repeat of last season’s grand final which North Ballarat won.

On Saturday, the Devils made the trip up to Ballarat and came away with the points, winning 41-39.

Devils coach Di McCormack was thrilled that the group were able to put out a performance like that.

“It was really good,” she said. “We should have won by about seven goals. We led by seven goals and then Becca [Hicks] rolled her ankle. Her movement wasn’t as good after that and the wind caught the ball a bit.”

McCormack said they had a lot of motivation to beat North Ballarat having been leftdisappointedafterlastseason’sgrandfinal.

Both teams entered Saturday’s match undefeated.

“We know on dry courts, we are a lot better team and we set up differently,” she said.

“We played some good netball and stuck to the game plan. Even when everything went haywire and we thought we might be a goaler down, we were able to settle down and get the win.”

McCormack said defender Matilda Elliot was the standout in the win, while the midcourt trio of Shannon Blackman, Prue Stanley and Ailish McCormack all had strong games.

Hicks shot 35 of the Devils goals.

McCormack said while she wasn’t shooting a massive amount of goals, that Monique Nagle had really stood up at goal attack.

“Mon is more involved in the game,” she said. “Becca still shoots a lot of the ball, but defenders have to decide whether to stick with Becca or split themselves to stop Mon.”

The Devils are set to get Olivia Cawthray

back in the coming weeks to give them a third goaling option in another boost.

The Devils now sit a game clear on top of the ladder.

Having been on the road every game so far this season due to work at Darley Park, the Devils are at home for the rest of the season.

Darley this week hosts Redan, which sits in third spot which McCormack said would be another challenge for them.

“We want to keep playing our brand,” she said. “We’ve changed a couple of little things and the line up is solid.

“They want to play with each other, it’s a good feeling.”

In other matches, Melton South was too strong for Bacchus Marsh, winning 74-16. The Panthers sit seventh on the ladder. The Sunbury Lions, Redan and Lake Wendouree were the other winners. Melton had the bye.

Sports shorts

Football

Bacchus Marsh’s Sam Lalor has been named in the Vic Country squad for the under-18 national championships. Lalor was named in the 31-player squad for the championships, with Country’s campaign getting underway on Sunday against South Australia. He’s the second Bacchus Marsh player named for the championships with Lucas Grego named in the Vic Metro squad.

RDFL

Diggers Rest came home with the points against the Melton Centrals in a low scoring affair on Saturday in the Riddell District Football League. There was nothing in it in the first half, before the Burras kicked four goals to nil in the third quarter to up a 27 point lead. That would be the difference in the 9.11 (65)-5.4 (34) win. Marcus Calvaresi was named the Burras best. Meanwhile, the Western Rams lost to Lancefield, 14.18 (102)-1.7 (13).

EDFL

Hillside had to work hard for its win against Glenroy on Saturday in the Essendon District Football League division 1. The Sharks trailed at quarter time before turning it into a 28 point lead at half time, having had 13 more scoring shots. The margin stayed steady in the third quarter, with the Lions winning the last quarter, but it wasn’t enough with the Sharks winning 8.15 (63)-5.10 (40). Tyson Gill was named the Sharks best.

Soccer

Western United duo Jaclyn Sawicki and Angala Beard have been named in the Philippine squad for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Sawicki has long been a member of the team, while Beard has been selected for the first time having previously played for the Matildas. She is eligible to represent the Philippines through her mother, who is from Cebu.The squad will be cut to 23 players for the tournament.

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Matilda Elliot (Jacob Pattison)334038_07

Mitch Stephens will remain Melton coach. (Supplied)

Georgies on a seventh heaven winning streak

CarolineSpringsGeorgeCrossisonlyfocusing on what is ahead of it despite now in National Premier League 3 promotion contention.

The Georgies have now won their last seven games to move up to second on the ladder after 14 rounds.

Coach Eric Vassiliadis said they were just worried about the short term and would take it from there.

“We tend to worry about each week as it comes,” he said. “We’ve put a few wins on the board and it’s good for mentality and confidence.

“We understand each week has specific challenges and opportunities and we just focus on us.”

On Friday night, the Georiges continued their good run with a 6-3 win against the North Sunshine Eagles.

TheGeorgiesopenedthescoringinthe15th minute, before the Eagles got one back five minutes later.

Georgies regained the lead in the 25th minute and made it 3-1 just before half time.

Joshua Whiteley scored his third and his

side’s fourth just after half time.

The Eagles got their second in the 61st minute and the Georgies got the lead back out not long after.

Both teams scored in injury time with the result already desired.

Vassiliadis said it was an important game for both teams.

“The most important thing for us was getting the three points,” he said.

“There are things that we can improve on. We scored six goals, but we conceded three goals.

“Weplayedagoodteamwhoarefightingfor something special themselves.”

Now second on the table, a second straight promotion could be on the cards.

Vassiliadis said they weren’t talking about that.

We have not set a target,” he said. “The way it has played out, we had a slow start. As a group, the club took stock and decided to focus on the next challenge, next challenge and next challenge.

“But when you’re at round 14 and sitting

in the top three or four the foundations are strong.”

Vassiliadis said it was the buy-in from the playing group this season that had seen them take their games to the next level.

“I think what we have done is put together an experienced group,” he said. “The team as a collectiveacrossthepark,wehavedonethings differently.

“So far we’re building together and focusing on the strengths of the squad to get it done, not just one or two people.

“It’s a shared responsibility and effort.”

Vassiliadis said the next five games would decide their season as they play against a lot of the other teams.

This week they face Nunawading City.

Tara Murray

Centrals comeback win

By Tara Murray

Melton Centrals overcame a slow start against Diggers Rest to score their fourth win of the Riddell District Netball League on Saturday.

The Centrals side struggled early in the piece against a Burras side that hasn’t had much luck this season.

TheBurrasledbyfourpointsatquartertime andatonestagebyeightinthesecondquarter, before the Centrals started to get going.

Centrals finally took the lead in the third quarter and were able to build that through the second half to seal a 37-27 win.

CentralscoachRandyPereirasaidtheywere happy to come away with the win despite not putting together a four quarter performance.

“We started off terribly,” he said. “We were down by five and one stage as much as eight in the second quarter before we got on top.

“We have six teenagers in the team. There are going to be some ups and downs. We are still in the top five, which is a good thing.”

Pereira had to make some changes before the game with Mariah Vankerkvoort hurting her knee during the week.

She will have scans to make sure her knee is fine, having previously had a knee reconstruction on that knee.

Taylor Pereira, who coaches the C-grade and under-19s, stepped in to play centre. Her sister and RDNL legend Rebecca Morabito also played a half up from B-grade.

Emma Winzar continued her good form in goals, shooting 25 goals, while Tahana Aitu continued her strong form at wing attack.

Pereira said the inclusion of Colleen Lavea, whohadplayedintheNewZealandequivalent of the Victorian Netball League had been a good inclusion.

ThewinmovestheCentralstoa4-4record.

Pereira said they were generally happy with how they had gone this year.

“We’re going well,” he said. “I’m still not over the loss to Riddell, we were nine goals up and lost by one goals.

“Riddell started to come back and our younger players tried to play faster and longer.

“It’s about the belief and they’re getting more games under their belts and get better.

“We’re tracking better than last year and you want to see improvement each year, which we are.”

Pereira, who is in his 15th year at Centrals and 20th year as a netball coach overall, said they’ve had some mixed results with their other teams. He said the 19s were getting wins, but hadn’t put four quarters together, while their C-grade side had a lot of new players.

Club seeking to expand

Sunbury Macedon Ranges Veterans Cricket Club’s is hoping to expand its playing ranks this season.

Theclubhasmanyplayersfromacross Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges, but are keen to tap into the talent in the Melton and the Moorabool areas and provide somewhere for people to keep playing cricket.

Commencing in Victoria in 2006, veterans cricket has attracted a high level of interest across all states and provides an opportunity for Australia’s ageing population to gather, get involved and celebrate all that is great about the sport.

For men in their senior years it encourages activity, promoting improved levels of physical fitness, social and mental wellbeing and general health.

The club’s Dale Thornton and Peter Dudderidge said the modified rules of veteran’s cricket makes for everyone to be involved in the game.

The pair, who represented Australia at the over-60s World Cup earlier this year, have been selected in Australian teams to tour later this year, with Dudderidge to captain an over-60s Australian side.

“We have a lot of fun playing matches and enjoying a very unique social atmosphere afterwards with our wives or partners,” they said. “It’s a whole lot of fun

“When you’re batting it’s mostly a combination of slow singles and fours are hit with skills that remain to us.

“A two is applauded, a three is unusual and running a four is so rare that it’s become a myth.”

Since joining the club, both Thornton and Dudderidge agree that playing veterans cricket is more than just a competition to be involved with, it provides a unique blend of camaraderie along with the competitive spirit.

The club is looking for more new players for their 50’s, 60’s and 70’s teams for the 2023-24 season, with the club playing in the Veteran’s Cricket Victoria competition.

Details: 0458 408 000.

Tara Murray

Caroline Springs have won seven games in a row. (Supplied)

The Centrals this week face Lancefield. The Tigers lost to the Western Rams on Saturday, 64-47.

In other results, Macedon and Romsey had a draw, while Riddell beat Wallan to move to the top of the ladder.

Emma Winzar (Jacob Pattison)326148_10

A Cinderella story for Barker mare Sew What

Jackie Barker seized the moment and her “favourite” horse responded in a way she wasn’t sure the mare could, landing trainer Diane Giles a coveted Allied Express Cinderella Stakes.

Theheadlineronanine-racecardatMelton, the$30,000prizewassnaffledbySewWhaton a night that saw some high-class types shone and others upset by long-odds rivals.

Sew What, a $23 chance, was among that latter number, producing the richest win of her 96-start career after Barker capitalised when her lead rival, favourite Encipher, slid from contention.

“I really love this horse, she’s my favourite one to drive,” Barker told TrotsVision. That connection would have only been

enhanced by their performance on the night, when Barker worked forward from gate five only to be left exposed in the breeze after Emma Stewart’s class trio improved to the first three places on the pegs, with Encipher leading ahead of Petillante and Beach Life.

“It sort of didn’t really work out how I’d hoped it would mid-race,” Barker said. “(Sew What)’s not known for being that tough, she’s more of a sit-sprinter, so I wasn’t feeling overly confident in the run.

“But down the back I was obviously travelling better than the horse in front (Encipher), which was obviously having some sort of issues, and with the stablemates both locked up behind I let her roll a lot sooner than what I usually would and it just paid off.”

Stewards would later report that Encipher suffered an atrial fibrillation, which would see her fade from contention at the 600-metre mark. While Encipher’s trailing stablemates were shuffled back, Barker and Sew What made a break, grabbing a few much needed lengths.

Every millimetre would prove vital, with Sew What holding on in the run to the line to score by a short half-head from Petillante, with the photo finish required to split the first two home.

“I wasn’t too sure (I won) to be honest,” Barker said. “I actually said to Murph (driver David Murphy) when we were pulling up I think I might have got beat, because the other horse was coming with such momentum, but

Morris shows versatility

By Jonty Ralphsmith

He takes big marks, kicks straight, and runs his defender around.

They’re the traits to look for in key forwards andWesternJetLoganMorrisfitsthattoatee.

The sole Jet to represent Vic Metro in their first game of the under-18 national championships on Sunday, the 192cm draft prospect played in an unfamiliar backline role.

Morris held his own, though, winning his share of the footy and nullifying his direct opponent, who at one stage was the highly-regarded Ashton Moir, to contribute to a big win over South Australia.

It’s a position he might play again in the second half of 2023, either in the national championships or Coates Talent League.

His read of the ball in the air allows him to get to the right spots and impact, highlighting his versatility – a sure way to enhance his prospects.

But it’s inside 50 where the Werribee Districts junior’s stocks are known.

Morris has 48 goals across 19 Talent League games in the past 15 months, including three bags of at least four this year.

In the Jets most recent game, he kicked 4.1 and took nine marks, with his first half in particular laying the foundation for an upset

win over the Eastern Ranges.

When he gets a clear run and jump at the footy, there’s no stopping him. He has a clear understanding of his leading lanes and he’s the man his teammates look for inside 50.

“How he identifies the ball in the air separates him from the rest, which is what the gameisallaboutnow,”saidJetsforwardcoach Ali Hamad.

“He’s worked hard since he has come into the club – he’s got to work in the gym with Melbourne Athletic, and with the club on his smarts on-field, and his off-field habits have improved, so it’s all clicked together.

“He has got his body ready to play AFL and he has full belief in his ability.”

Speaking before the weekend’s game, Morrissaidhisfivegameslastyeartaughthim about the required fitness to stamp authority on a game, something particularly pertinent to a player of his height.

That has been on show this season as he has hit up further afield to provide an outlet down the line.

“Emptying out quickly, getting goal side of my opponent and then when we win the ball, if I’m on the fat side, lengthening back to goals and beating my opponent there with my running ability, that defensive side has improved definitely.

“Getting my GPS back after the games

last year, I was probably a bit poor, so I have used that as a benchmark this year which has shown with my results after fitness was a focus of preseason.”

After kicking 13.3 in the first month of the season, he kicked just one goal from five shots in the Vic Metro trial game, with the Jets coaching staff noting how hard he’s worked on it off the back of that performance, as well as in preseason.

It showed against the Ranges.

“IhaveselectedasetshotroutinethatIgoto everytime, soI’ve stuck to that all year and I’ll keep doing that going forward and hopefully kick a few more snags,” Morris said.

“It’s step right first, then six steps, then one slowoneonmyright,thenanothersixandkick away.Ifeellikeitwasanall-roundperformance on the weekend [against the Ranges].

“My marking, I thought, dropped off a bit at the start of the year, but then I felt it was back (last) weekend so it was good.

Having spent some sessions at the Werribee in the Victorian Football League, Morris made his VFL debut during the Coates Talent League community break, kicking two goals and impressing coach Michael Barlow.

Morris will next be in action for the Jets on June 24 in Wangaratta against the Murray Bushrangers, with Vic Metro’s next game is July 1 against the Allies in Queensland.

luckily we just held on.

“She’s definitely shown that she’s up to this grade. She hasn’t always had the best luck with barrier draws and things. Obviously coming up against a lot of Emma Stewart’s really nice mares it’s always going to be hard work.

“I think definitely she’s a horse if she gets the right run she’s always going to be deadly late.”

The last leg of the quaddie, the upset result contributed to the pool partially jackpotting, having followed wins by Cobber ($13) and CemeteryBay($61)inadditiontoshort-priced Dannemora winning the Congratulations Kerryn Manning AM Pace.

Michael Howard

United locks in keepers

Western United has locked in its goalkeepers for the next A-League Men’s season.

United has gone with youth, with Tom Heward-Belle and Matt Sutton joining the green and black.

Both keepers have signed for the club after their teams had participated in the finals series this year, with Heward-Belle arriving from Sydney FC and Sutton departing defeated grand finalists Melbourne City.

Ahead of their arrival in the west, Heward-Belle and Sutton each expressed their excitement ahead of a new challenge in the A-League.

Heward-Belle said, “I’m super excited to join Western United and I am honoured to be given an opportunity at the club.

“I’m keen to start pre-season, hit the groundrunning,applymyselfandgetto know my new teammates.

“ I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead and I’m proud to be adding to an already successful team culture.”

Sutton added,” “I’m absolutely stoked to be joining Western United, it’s a fantastic club with so much potential – I can’t wait to be part of it.

“I’m as keen to be involved on the pitch as I am off it, helping to grow the club in the west – I want to contribute in every way possible to help the club achieve greatness.”

United coach John Aloisi spoke of his delight at securing the signatures of two top goalkeepers for the upcoming campaign.

“We are extremely pleased to have Tom and Matt joining our club,” he said. “Both are top quality goalkeepers and people who will fit perfectly into our group.

“Both players have experience in top environments, being part of championship-winning teams and knowing what it takes to be successful even at such an early stage in their careers.

“Tom and Matt have a mixture of exciting qualities in goal and are eager to continue to learn and develop. We are looking forward to seeing them compete with each other throughout the season.”

Tara Murray

Logan Morris (Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos)