Star Weekly - Brimbank North West - 27th June 2023

Chicago hits the stage

Students from Keilor Downs College are jazzing into the roaring 1920s with a teen production of Chicago The Musical. With a cast of about 45 students from year 7 to year 12, the show will launch on Wednesday, July 19.

Cast member Mikki, who plays the role of Kitty Baxter, said working collaboratively on the group project was a highlight of the production journey.

“It’s allowed us to foster new connections with each other and develop these strong bonds with other students both old and new, which is really what KDC is about … community,” she said.

Kayla, who plays Mary Sunshine, said the cast has been rehearsing for almost six months.

“We all started this musical not knowing each other very well … so we’ve all had to not only work on the production side of the musical but also the social side of it which is a huge aspect of a great musical,” she said.

“Knowing that it’s less than a month away is bittersweet, we all want to showcase our work but we also don’t want it all to end.”

Details: https://www.trybooking.com/ events/landing/1071461?eid=1071461&

Sports club budget win

By Hannah Hammoud

The hard work of the Keilor Sports Club (KSC) community has paid off in the form of an extra $550,000 funding allocation in Brimbank council’s 2023-24 budget.

It has been a long road for those lobbying council for more funding to upgrade the outdated facilities at the Keilor Sports Club.

Club president Hayden Kelly said the funding decision made at the council meeting on June 20 was a “big step” for the sports club community.

“We’re really happy with the decision and we can now adequately cater for our member base of more than 1400 people,” he said.

“ … I want to thank Virginia Tachos who represents the Horseshoe Bend Ward and spoke to the motion at the meeting, she’s a fantastic councillor to the Keilor community. Thanks as well to the guidance from the mayor Bruce Lancashire.”

A round of applause echoed across the public gallery as Cr Tachos moved a motion to add an additional $550,000 in funding for the KSC to the budget.

The extra funding follows from the allocation of $150,000 from council, along withacontributionfromthestategovernment to upgrade the kitchen at the KSC social rooms.

Cr Tachos noted the extra funding would be subject to a further report to council detailing the available budget, funding, procurement, project supervision, final project staging, risk management plan, proposed legal agreement with the club and clarification that the project can be delivered.

Cr Lancashire said there was certainly

money in the budget to make this project happen.

“We have been very diligent in how we’ve approached this matter,” he said.

“The staff, community, club, councillors have all worked very hard to make sure the checksandbalancesareinplacetoseethatthis project will go ahead and will be successful.”

Brimbank’s 2023-2024 budget was adopted with a further change that included an additional $10,000 of operating budget for arts and culture programming for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Cast members Ongegu, Lilly, Sachi, Kayla, Brianna, Mikki and Ruby.

(Damjan Janevski) 342890_01

Annual Budget and Annual Council Action Plan delivers on community priorities

Community health and wellbeing, improvements to parks, roads, and town centres, upgrades to sporting and community facilities, and sustainability projects are the priorities of Council’s 2023-2024 Annual Budget and Council Action Plan.

The financially responsible Annual Budget and Council Action Plan was adopted at the June 2023 Council Meeting. It has been shaped by the thoughts and ideas shared during Council’s extensive community engagement process that included more than 200 people engaged in the community, and 155 online community contributions.

The budget will invest $55.9 million on capital works to deliver essential

infrastructure projects, services and facilities across our city, including:

• $12million for sports facility upgrades

• $25 million to improve roads, and replace footpaths and kerbsides

• $6.3 million for playgrounds, parks and gardens

• $2.2 million for community facility improvements

• $1.4 million on traffic management and safety improvements

• $1.1 million on drainage rehabilitation

• $830,000 to upgrade town centres

• $500,000 for sustainability projects.

To view the 2023-2024 Annual Budget and Annual Action Plan visit brimbank.vic.gov.au

Classic cars on show

The first Clarke Street Classic Car Show will be rolling into Sunshine on Sunday, July 9.

Car buffs are invited to get up close to an impressive collection of over 60 historic, modern and classic cars.

The free, family friendly day will take place in the heart of Sunshine at the Withers Street car park from 11am-3pm.

Holden VH commodore restored, and a 1987 Holden VL show car.

The day includes entertainment, activities and an outdoor lounge area. Locals can meet members from the Road Kings Motorcycle and Car Club, and enjoy the array of delicious and diverse food choices from across Sunshine.

Visit yoursay.brimbank.vic.gov.au to share your ideas and feedback on issues and projects that matter to you. Learn more about projects that are open for comment including:

• Copernicus Way Reserve upgrade – give your feedback on our proposed park upgrade

• Sunshine Energy Park – help create a vision for a new major parkland destination

• Dempster Reserve Park upgrade – share your thoughts on draft design

• Draft Governance Rules 2023 - provide your feedback

Clarke Street Classic Car Show

The first ever Clarke Street Classic Car Show is on Sunday 9 July – a family fun day in the heart of Sunshine. Get up close to an impressive collection of over 60 historic, modern and classic cars –including a DeLorean feature car, like the one from Back to the Future.

The no charge event goes from 11am-3pm at Clarke Street, Sunshine. Visit brimbank.vic. gov.au/ ClarkeStCarShow to learn more.

Brimbank Community Grants Program

The Brimbank Community Grants Program for 2023/2024 is open for applications till 16 July. For information on how to apply, grant categories, and eligibility, visit brimbank.vic.gov.au/grants, or call the grants hotline on 9249 4036

NAIDOC Week in Brimbank

We’re celebrating the unique and important place Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have in our community during NAIDOC Week, from 2-9 July 2023 Visit brimbank.vic.gov.au/naidoc

to learn more about the many events, including traditional Aboriginal games, an art exhibition and art workshops. School holiday footy fun for the kids

Test your skills at our AFL handball competition at Deer Park Library! You can also test your skills alongside Western Bulldogs Football Club members on Saturday 8 July, 12noon-1pm at 4 Neale Street, Deer Park. Visit brimbanklibraries.vic.gov.au for more fun things to do.

Your Councillors are always happy to hear from you

Cr Victoria Borg 0429365527 CrBorg@brimbank.vic.gov.au

Cr Sarah Branton 0407836064 CrBranton@brimbank.vic.gov.au

Cr Thuy Dang 0437744803 CrDang@brimbank.vic.gov.au

Cr Sam David JP 0429355239 CrDavid@brimbank.vic.gov.au

Cr Maria Kerr 0437796630 CrKerr@brimbank.vic.gov.au

Cr Bruce Lancashire (Mayor) 0429637689 CrLancashire@brimbank.vic.gov.au

Cr Jasmine Nguyen 0437740042 CrNguyen@brimbank.vic.gov.au

Cr Thomas O’Reilly 0409210431 CrOReilly@brimbank.vic.gov.au

Cr Jae Papalia 0437838710 CrPapalia@brimbank.vic.gov.au

Cr Ranka Rasic (Deputy Mayor) 0437861296 CrRasic@brimbank.vic.gov.au

Cr Virginia Tachos 0428915671 CrTachos@brimbank.vic.gov.au

Classic cars will line the carpark, including the 1985 DeLorean Movie prop car as an exact replica of the vehicle from the movie ‘Back to the Future.’

Other cars that will be on show include a1987 Holden VL extensively modified by RajabRacing,a2009LamborghiniMurcielago, a 2008 Holden VE show car which has won numerous awards at Summernats, a 1983

Brimbank mayor Bruce Lancashire welcomes everyone to come along to this no charge, all-inclusive event.

“Wehopethiseventwillattractmorevisitors around Clarke Street to enjoy its great food and retail options, as well as getting up close to some impressive cars,” he said.

Details: https://www.brimbank.vic.gov.au/ events/clarke-street-classic-car-show

Clarke Street Clarke Clarke

Hannah Hammoud

Brimbank mayor Bruce Lancashire with DJ Dan Dixie, owner of the Ferrari F355 Spider and member of the Road Kings Motorcycle and Car Club. (Supplied)

Community pitches in

Young people from the Brimbank community have banded together to brighten the space at the Westvale Community Centre.

The Westvale Mural Project brought together five young Brimbank locals to collaborate in creating the design of a new mural with local artist, Lukas Kasper.

Kasper sat down with the participants in a two hour workshop where they each drew their unique designs that would be included in the mural.

“I took inspiration from their designs for the general direction of the mural and then we brought them in to paint those elements directly onto the wall,” Kasper said.

“It’s important to collaborate with the local community, it gives the youth a completely different level of not just a sense of attachment to the artwork, and appreciation for what it is, but it also helps to teach them technique and

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develop their own practice.

“This project is not just a fun opportunity, but could be a launching pad to inspire the next big artist for the west.”

Kasper said the design of the mural is based around vibrancy, local flora and fauna, and artistic expressionist elements.

“The mural is a beacon of community engagement, most of the inspirational elements are taken from the history of the place and the future of what it’s going to be,” he said.

“The outcome is a place that anybody can rock up to and feel included. It’s lively and colourful and makes for an engaging space.”

Locals can head down and check out the bright colours that paint the space at the Westvale Community Centre in Kings Park.

Hannah Hammoud

Briefs

Donate blood

Brimbank locals are being asked to roll up their sleeves and make a crucial blood donation this July. From July 11 to 15, Red Cross Lifeblood will be running a pop-up blood donor centre in Sunshine. The Sunshine pop-up blood donor centre will be at the Croatian Catholic Centre, 22 Fitzgerald Road, Sunshine West. With one in three people needing blood during their lives, locals are encouraged to make a blood donation booking via the online website, on the app or on 13 14 95. Details: https://rb.gy/wu0fr

Seven teens charged

Seven teenagers have been charged following a pursuit and crash in Cairnlea in the early hours of Monday, June 19. It is alleged police spotted a Toyota Prado speeding through roadworks on the Western Ring Road at about 1am. Police attempted to intercept the vehicle but it sped off. The Prado was later involved in a collision with a Holden Commodore at the Ballarat Road off ramp. A 19-year-old man from Wyndham Vale faced Sunshine Magistrates Court last week, while Two 16-year-olds from Truganina, two 17-year-olds, one from Tarneit and one from Trugania, and two 15-year-old boys from Truganina will face a children’s court at a later date.

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First

7 stages 99% SOLD! only 3 stages remaining

Lauri Pavlovich, San-San Huang, Jag Yien Thiang and artist Lucas Kasper. (Damjan Janevski) 342406_06

We’re building big in Melbourne’s west and there will be disruptions

As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’ve removed 15 level crossings in Melbourne’s west and finished tunnelling for the West Gate Tunnel. As works continue to build better connections across our city there will be road and rail disruptions.

West Gate Tunnel Project

Nearly nine hectares of new parks and wetlands and 17,000 new trees

New 2.8km

citybound tunnel

New 4km

outbound tunnel

To find out more about disruptions in the west scan the QR code or visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au/westworks

Connections to the city and CityLink

Footscray

Works progress in the west

Major works are progressing on the West Gate Tunnel Project. The vital alternative to the West Gate Bridge will give drivers a choice – the tunnel or the bridge – and provide direct port access for the freight industry, taking thousands of trucks off local roads.

Footscray Road has reopened on 16 June after more than 400 massive concrete segments, each weighing 100 tonnes, were lifted into place to build the new elevated road.

To make it easier to get to and from the west, the bridge over the rail lines at Dynon Road will be widened and strengthened to join a new exit ramp from the West Gate Tunnel. To get this done safely, Dynon Road will be closed over the rail lines near CityLink from 16 June for 11 weeks. The bridge is above major train lines meaning some trains will be disrupted during these works.

Dynon Road closed

Dryburgh Street

Over 14km of new and upgraded walking and cycling paths including a new 2.5km elevated veloway

new paths existing paths

Train disruptions: Buses/coaches replace trains in both directions Sunbury

until 9 July Flagstaff to Essendon

Upfield Line 8.30pm to last train, at times until 9 July Flagstaff to Coburg/Upfield

1 to 2 July

Geelong Line 10 July to 13 AugustPeak weekday Wyndham Vale and Tarneit trains

Road disruptions: Closed road and ramp

Dynon Road, West Melbourne Until 5am 31 AugustInbound exit ramp from CityLink to Dryburgh Street

Geelong Road ramp Until 2 AugustGeelong Road to Princes Freeway outbound ramp

Add disruptions directly to your calendar and you’ll always be up to date

1. Visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au/calendar

2. Select your train line

3. Click Subscribe to calendar

4. Select your calendar type

While we work, road and rail disruptions could affect your travel

Major train lines run underneath the Dynon Road Bridge, so to complete works safely trains will be disrupted.

Be part of every part of life

A career as a nurse or midwife means you’re part of an incredible workforce with all the support, training opportunities and job security you need.

Right now we’re recruiting 5000 nurses and midwives. To be part of it, start your career in nursing or midwifery now at health.vic.gov.au/jobs

Warm winter hospitality

Feeling the wintry weather recently? Why not go out in it?

Yes, you heard us right. It is cold, so why not go outside? That is the only way you will get to the City View Bistro.

The bistro has a range of dining options for everyone, and is where greyhound racing will warm you up for sure.

Who doesn’t get the blood pumping when you are cheering on your favourite greyhound?

Food that’s hard to beat

Come and enjoy Silo’s Bistro, the warm and friendly establishment located at the Sunshine City Club, 24 Talmage Street, Albion.

Experience Silo’s Bistro’s delightful menu and welcoming ambiance.

Open for lunch and dinner, Tuesday to Saturday, and lunch on Sunday.

Enjoyvaluelunchesfor$14fromTuesday to Saturday, noon to 2pm.

Indulge in pasta Tuesdays with $16 dishes, from 5.30pm to 8.30pm.

Join Silo’s Bistro for parma Thursday

and savour the parmigiana specials priced at $17, available from 5.30pm to 8.30pm.

On Sundays, relish the carvery from noon to 2pm, featuring a leg of pork and a choice of beef, lamb, chicken, or turkey with all the trimmings. One course is $15.90, or enjoy three courses for $20 including soup, roast, and dessert.

Starting July 1, kids eat free (conditions apply).

Silo’s Bistro also offers catering for functions and Barefoot Bowls. Contact the bistro for a menu.

TREAT YOURSELF.

We have been feeling the chill in the air, so come and warm yourself inside and out with a delightful offering from City View Bistro at The Meadows.

Open every Saturday Race Night from 5.30pm it’s the perfect way to experience the thrill of greyhound racing in the heart of Melbourne.

Book Online at themeadows.org.au or call (03) 9355 5222 to reserve your (warm) spot today.

Open from 5.30pm every Saturday, the City View Bistro has a thorough menu so let the staff treat you by doing the cooking.

From a hearty steak to a hot chocolate, you will not need the winter woollies to keep you warm when you visit the City View Bistro.

Book online themeadows.org.au/ race-night-dining or call 9355 5222.

City View Bistro is at 80 Northcorp Boulevard, Broadmeadows.

Stay warm this winter at City View Bistro. (Supplied)

Uproar at LGBTQIA+ action plan

By Hannah Hammoud

The endorsement of the draft Brimbank LGBTQIA+ Action Plan was overshadowed by an unruly public gallery at a council meeting on June 20.

On multiple occasions, Brimbank mayor Bruce Lancashire asked members seated in the gallery to remain quiet.

Words of “grooming”, “evil” and “paedophiles” were shouted across the meeting room as upset members of the public contested the action plan.

As the gallery continued to grow out of control, the council meeting was adjourned for 15 minutes to allow security to escort disruptive people out.

Themeetingrecommencedinamuchquieter fashion, with the draft LGBTQIA+ Action Plan endorsed unanimously by the council.

TheLGBTQIA+ActionPlancontainsaseries of strategic actions that will be implemented to ensure the Brimbank LGBTQIA+ community feel included, empowered, safe and supported. Through community consultation, there were four key focus areas that were identified

Bike education plea

Brimbank council is calling on the state government to fully subsidise bicycle education classes for schools at the Brimbank Bicycle Education Centre (BEC).

At a council meeting on June 20, councillor Virginia Tachos moved the motion to request statefundingtogivepre-schoolsandprimary schools better access to learn to ride a bicycle safely.

Cr Tachos said schools are bearing the cost of using a bus to travel to the BEC.

“What I’m asking is that the trip for the child is fully subsidised and that every child has the opportunity in Brimbank to learn how to ride a bike,” she said.

Cr Tachos said that as the rising cost of living continues to bite, parents and families are struggling to send their children to programs such as swimming and bicycle lessons and often children’s only access to these programs are through schools.

“I have attended classes where kids have

come from very disadvantaged backgrounds, where riding a bike is not something that they’ve ever done or ever seen … those kids walk away [from BEC] with a sense of confidence, independence and freedom from a few hours spent in this Bicycle Education Centre,” Cr Tachos said.

Bicycle Education Centre committee president Michael Donnelly said helping kids learn about bicycle education and road safety is increasingly important.

“If we’re going to have kids on the road as both pedestrians and cyclists … they need to have an understanding of road laws, it’s a critical element,” he said.

“We have to try and enable more people to walk or cycle, it’s a great form of physical recreation that’s great for mental health and has positive environmental outcomes as well.”

Hannah Hammoud

to inform a range of strategic actions, which included providing opportunities to celebrate, engage with and reflect on the LGBTQIA+ community through events such as the Midsumma Festival and IDAHOBIT Day.

Cr Jasmine Nguyen said she was proud to see the action plan presented to council.

“I’m quite proud that our council is trying to be as inclusive as they can to our community,” she said. “I think council has come a long way to get to this point of establishing an action plan and I think we really are dedicated to doing real action about helping people within

our communities, including minorities.

“Everybody is entitled to their opinions and they can provide it in the consultation process, but we want to do this in the most respectful way possible.”

The draft LGBTQIA+ Action Plan will commence a four week period of public consultation which will include, online engagement through the Your Say – Brimbank Community Voice portal and targeted engagement activities with key LGBTQIA+ communities and organisations and local Brimbank services.

Brimbank Bicycle Education Centre trainers Neil Hunichen and Mary Akmacic (Damjan Janevski)

Sustainability school success

By Hannah Hammoud

Threelocalschoolsareleadingthewaytowards environmental sustainability, each emerging triumphant at this year’s ResourceSmart Schools Awards.

The awards were held on June 15, and are Victoria’s largest sustainability celebration for primary and secondary school students, teachers and school volunteers taking remarkable sustainability action.

Braybrook College took out two accolades, with the sustainability-savvy school winning the Community Leadership School of the Year in the secondary division and Rowena Archer crowned Teacher of the Year for the secondary division.

“Everyone involved is excited we have been recognised and awarded for our efforts in sustainability,” Ms Archer said.

“Itfeelsgoodtoberecognised,itgivespeople the impetus to do more and makes us really excited to keep going.”

Withcarbonneutralityambitions,theschool encourages recycling and reuse with stations for old batteries and mobile phones as well as book exchanges.

With Ms Archer’s vision and dedication, the school has increased its solar panels from three kilowatts to 100KW, conducted a carbon audit and installed new water tanks and waste and biodiversity facilities.

Ardeer South Primary School in Sunshine West took the title of Emerging School of the Year,acategorythatcelebratesaschoolthathas recently joined ResourceSmart Schools.

With a new urban forest, community greenhouseanda‘HopeGarden,’ArdeerSouth Primary School has increased its biodiversity and embarked on a green journey led by the school’s foresters and farmers student leaders and the gardening blub.

Advertising feature

Overnewton Anglican Community College won the 2023 Student Action Team of the Year (primary) award, which celebrates the student teams that best demonstrate environmental leadership.

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

Sustainability Victoria regions and community action director Katie Pahlow said the awards celebrate the young people and schools who are leading the way on sustainability, creating real impact for

Victoriancommunitiesbeyondtheschoolgate. “It’s important to remember that no action is too small and together we can achieve great things for our environment and generations to come,” she said.

Keep the kids active these school holidays. (Pictures: Supplied)

Keeping kids active at VU

The VU Sport School Holiday Program is a great opportunity for kids to stay active whilst developing new, or improving on their current skills while making new friends and, of course, having fun!

VU Sport offers both sports and swimming programs during each school holidays, making sure there is something for everyone!

The sports programs include a range of streams such as multisport, where you can try a range of different sports and activities, as well as AFL, basketball, netball and soccer programs. The programs are great to participate in a current sports you play, or try out something completely new! Experienced coaches ensure kids have a fun-filled day.

The swimming program is run by qualified instructors who all have an immense

knowledge of swimming and water safety. During the school holidays VU offers both intensive lessons and private lessons. During an intensive lessons, each child takes part in a 30-minute class daily Monday to Friday. Continual learning is promoted at VU Sport as it is extremely beneficial to ensure your child is building and expanding on their swimming and water safety skills. Private lessons are available as a one off, or a series of lessons. Also on offer is a highly sort after Learn to Swim Program that runs during the school terms, Monday to Friday, from 4pm and on weekends.

For more information please visit https:// www.vu.edu.au/school-holiday-sportsprograms or call 9919 4460.

Left: Rowena Archer from Braybrook College won Teacher of the Year at the 2023 Sustainability Awards. (Damjan Janevski) 341736_01 Top right: Ardeer South Primary School teacher Ruth Cronin with students. Right: Environment Minister Ingrid Stitt with Overnewton Anglican Community College volunteer Stephanie Mitten and teachers Sasha Koomen and Suzan Kasif with students. (Pictures: Supplied)

Writing marathon for sick kids

By Hannah Hammoud

Taylors Lakes Secondary College students put their creative thinking skills to the test as they participated in a 12-hour writing marathon to raise money for kids with cancer.

Huddled into four groups, each group of students were tasked with writing an entire book in one day to raise money for The Kids’ Cancer Project, an independent national charity which supports childhood cancer research.

English teacher Stephanie Burrafato said the students were excited to put together their unique ideas to write something that may engage other children their age.

“This is for a good cause, where the students can learn about how the work they do can impact their community in a positive way,” she said.

The four groups were each given different topics to write on and given the parameter to include a unique Australian identity or culture to their stories.

Each of the four stories dives into a separate story plot ranging from, finding buried treasure,agiftofkindness,ajourneytoanother planet and a roof caved in.

Working together to write from 8am to 8pm, Ms Burrafato said she enjoyed watching students buzz with excitement in the morning when they first got to see their topics.

“… It is great watching them identify the strengths in each of their group members and using their strengths to work on perfecting different parts of their book. They recognise who is a strong illustrator, writer and even editor,” she said. “At the end of the day, it is great watching them walk out of the library with great grins on their faces, excitedly telling their parents or guardians how much fun they had with their friends throughout the day.”

Main: Alannah brainstorms ideas. Top right: Molika gets to work (top); James, Maya and Amelia participated in the 12-hour marathon.

Above: Eve, Oliver, Tahlia and Sahana share ideas (left); Francesca took part in the writing marathon. (Pictures: Damjan Janevski) 342513

Flexible care offered in a friendly, family environment

Our Village Family Childcare offers high-quality family day care for children from six weeks to 12 years.

With over 40 years’ experience and proudly not-for-profit, Our Village has early childhood educators in a number of suburbs across west and north-west Melbourne as well as in the regional towns of Woodend, Romsey and Lancefield.

Family day care offers flexible care for your child in the warmth of a family environment delivered by qualified early childhood educators. The groups are small with a maximum of four pre-school aged children at one time and seven children in total.

Our Village is like an extension of your family and your child will receive care and education tailored to their individual needs.

Educators recognise that children are unique and understand that they develop at their own pace.

Individual programs are created based on approvedlearningframeworksandyourchild’s interests and abilities.

Families are encouraged to contribute to the development of their child’s program.

Children will benefit from the continuity of having the same educator which assists children in forming long-lasting bonds with their educator.

They also benefit from being with children and babies of various ages and it allows the opportunity for siblings to stay together rather than being separated by their age group. Educators can offer all-day or part-day care, evening and overnight care, casual care, respite care, before and after school care and school holiday care.

EducatorsreceivesupportfromOurVillage’s co-ordination unit who regularly visit the educatorsandchildrenathome.Plus,educators andchildrengettomeetwithotherOurVillage

Learn, grow and have fun at Our Village. (Supplied)

Family Childcare groups at Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health for facilitated playgroup sessions as well as attend community outings. Our Village currently has vacancies with

educatorsinthefollowingsuburbs:KeilorPark, Sunshine West, Cairnlea, Hillside Sydenham, Delahey, Airport West and Avondale Heights. For more information about Our Village Family Childcare and your childcare needs

please contact, 9744 9534 or email ourvillage@ scchc.org.au.

Our Village is also keen to speak to qualified educators who are interested in starting up a family day care service in their home.

Ameristralia: Melton’s micronation

As part of Melbourne’s sprawling growth corridor, Harkness in the outer west is home to an increasing number of new dwellings – and as Cade Lucas discovers, the micronation of Ameristralia.

Parentscangotogreatlengthsandexpense to advance their child’s education.

Some pay thousands in private schools fees and tutors, while others invest in sports equipment and musical instruments.

Or, if you’re Melton father David Brooke, you start your own country and appoint your kids to run it.

Yes, you read that correctly.

“We were having a conversation about how thingswereintheworldandhowgovernments go about their policies and treating their citizens and we thought ‘why don’t we make a country,” Mr Brooke said.

“My children are home-schooled and this was just a way to help teach them about government, civics and community engagement.”

SoonFriday,August13,2021(acoincidence according to Mr Brooks), the family’s 650 square home in Harkness near Melton was declared the Sovereign Municipality of Ameristralia. Mr Brooke became His Sovereign Highness Prince David, his wife Her Sovereign Highness the Duchess of Brookfield and each of his five children assumed ministries of state.

A flag, constitution, coat of arms and currency were also established as a suburban street in Melbourne’s outer-west became home to the country’s newest micronation.

DefinedbyEncyclopaediaBritannicaas:“an entity that claims to be an independent state but whose sovereignty is not recognised by the international community,” micronations are something of an Australian specialty.

“Australia really is micronation central,” said professor George Williams, a

constitutional lawyer and academic at the University of New South Wales, .

“We’ve got maybe a third of these being

calculated worldwide, so more than any other nation that we can see,” said professor Williams who co-authored the book ‘How

to Rule Your Own Country: The

weird and wonderful world of micronations’, late last year.

“And you know, we tolerate them and I think it’s sort of part of the Australian spirit, thumbing your nose at authority.”

Rather than thumbing their nose at authority,someofAustralia’smoreprominent micronations have shook their first at it.

The most famous of all, Western Australia’s Hutt River Principality, was formed in 1970 out of a dispute with the WA government over wheat quotas and lasted for half a century before closing in 2020.

In Victoria, the Independent State of Rainbow Creek was created in 1979 by farmers seeking compensation from the state government for a bridge damaged during a flood in the state’s alpine region.

At one point Rainbow Creek issued its own currency and stamps and even declared war on Victoria, before its leader Thomas Barnes retired to Queensland due to ill-health.

But for every separatist movement there are dozens more that are far less serious .

“Look, most of these do have an element of humour,” said professor Williams

Some, such as Jimland, the April Fools joke made earlier this year by Jim Penman, owner of the franchise empire of the same name, are outright parodies.

While more serious than that, Professor Williams suspects a bit of fun is being had with Ameristralia.

“I mean, even the idea of setting up your owncountrywiththesymbols,givingyourself the title, in this case, the Sovereign Prince, it’s clearly tongue in cheek and good on them.”

Sovereign Prince David Brooke, Ameristralia Head of State. (Pictures: Supplied)

Even the name, an unsubtle reference to MichiganbornBrooke’sduel(oristhattriple?) nationality, suggests that His Sovereign Highness might be having us on.

“A lot of people kinda laugh ‘oh so you started a country haha,” said Mr Brooke of the initial reaction he gets, before noticing a change when explaining it more.

“When I tell people why they say that’s a pretty nifty idea man.”

Given that idea was to teach his kids about theworkingsofgovernment,MrBrookeleaves the running of Ameristralia to them while he maintains his day job as a mobile technician to pay his family’s and country’s bills.

“You would compare to me to the monarch, I’m the head of state” said Mr Brooke of his largely ceremonial role.

“All of my children are the cabinet.

“We have a minister of immigration

and citizenship, minister of education, we have a minister of environment and natural resources, a minister of treasury and investment, health and human services and then foreign affairs and trade, but I am actually acting in foreign affairs in trade.”

And the Prime Minister?

“So instead of a prime minister we have a chief minister and a cabinet and my 14-year-old son Kyson is chief minister.”

A teenage boy as a national leader?

“He does alright,“ said his father,

“I try to get him to be as formal as I can, but they’re kids.“

Along with gaining hands on experience in civics, Mr Brooke hoped his kids would benefit from Ameristralia’s politics

“We’re very socially progressive country, we don’t believe in war.

“People solve problems by sitting down and

having a discussion.

“Maybe this is a good way for them to learn about that so when they grow up they can take that outlook into the world.”

This more left-wing worldview explains another feature of Ameristralia that separates it from many other micronations.

“We pay taxes to the Australian government,” declared Mr Brooke, a contrast to many other micronations that have a secessionist, anti-authoritarian bent.

Professor George Williams said this just reflects the reality that there’s no way for micronations to secede from Australia, even if they really wanted to.

“None of this affects Australian law, none of this affects the fundamentals so it’s performative.”

Professor Williams said this was why governments usually ignore micronations

as they are largely harmless and only crave attention.

Neither the Victorian government or Melton council would comment on this story.

However, Professor Williams said micronations can still play a role in drawing attention to certain issues, such as the Gay and Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Islands which promoted LGBTQI rights and various Indigenous groups who have declared themselves sovereign, a hot topic in the lead up to the Voice referendum coming. In the case of Ameristralia, having almost 50 registered citizens worldwide means it is effectively a social club.

According to Mr Brooke, it’s a club that continues to grow.

“Some people just kinda go ‘oh really” and theygotothewebsiteandnextthingyouknow a citizenship application comes through.”

‘‘ I think it’s sort of part of the Australian spirit, thumbing your nose at authority ’’ - George Williams

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

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

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 Cafe 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

Be Bold Blakout art exhibition

Brimbank council has partnered with Aunty Jean Mason and Jinkigi Consultancy to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Artists and Youth that work and live in the Brimbank area. The exhibition is free and will run from June 30 to September 6 at the Brimbank Community and Civic Centre. The official opening NAIDOC event will be held on Wednesday, July 5. ■ https://creativebrimbank.com.au/be-boldblakout-exhibition

Cultural Identity Celebration

Brimbank council is inviting locals to celebrate the Independence Day of Burundi. There will be time to learn about the history of Burundi, enjoy traditional performances, and dance with Burundian Drums. The celebration will take place on July 1 at Glengala Hall from 2-5.30pm.

■ Ezechiel, 0405 695 194, or Belthrand, 0421 821 640

Traditional Aboriginal games session

Brimbank locals are invited to join in on a games session, with games that were created by First Nations people to build interpersonal and communications skills, develop physical agility and grow stronger mentally, physically and socially. The free session will be held at Keilor Library on July 3, from 1.30-2.30pm.

Decorate a wooden animal shape

Locals are invited to celebrate NAIDOC Week by doing an activity that was designed by Indigenous Artist Kerri-Ann Taggart. The free event will run at the Deer Park Library on July 4, from 10.30-11.30am.

■ https://www.brimbanklibraries.vic.gov. au/index.php/what-s-on/events-calendar/ children-event-6-12/45710-paint-awooden-indigenous-animal

Aboriginal art workshop

Brimbank Youth Services and Wanyara are inviting locals to a one hour art workshop to celebrate NAIDOC Week. The free event will run at 33 Princess Street, St Albans on July 5, at 3pm.

■ https://www.eventbrite.com. au/e/aboriginal-art-workshoptickets-641826178377

Creating vertical gardens

Brimbank locals can learn how to design and manage vertical gardens with Edible Eden Design during a free session held at Sydenham Library on July 8, from 10am-12pm.

■ https://events.humanitix.com/ vertical-gardens

Card games

Love playing the card game 500? Card games are played every Monday from 7 -10pm at the Sunshine RSL offices, 99 Dickson Street, Sunshine.

■ Leisa, 0425 768 808

Keilor Evening View Club

The Keilor Evening View Club meets at 6.30pm on the first Tuesday of each month at The Atrium at Taylors Lakes Hotel. The Club is inviting locals to come along and

enjoy a meal and fun night with a friendly group of ladies.

■ Robyn, 0425 387 880

Clarke Street Classic Car Show

Brimbank council is inviting local car buffs to get up close to an impressive collection of over 60 historic, modern and classic cars. The free, family fun day will run at 12 Clarke Street in the Withers Street car park in Sunshine on July 9, from 11am-3pm.

■ https://www.brimbank.vic.gov.au/events/ clarke-street-classic-car-show

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

■ 9313 5700 or MPCVolunteerCoordinators@mercy.com.au

Deer Park Lions Club

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

■ Michael, 0417 307 572

Sunshine Community Brass

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

■ Andrew, 0419 444 620

St Albans senior citizens

St Albans Senior Citizens group meet at the centre at the corner of Alfrieda and William streets, St Albans, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 9am-1.30pm.

Annual membership: $10. Cost: $1 entry on attendance day.

■ Roma, 0435 991 064

Sunrise Social Groups

GenWest Sunrise Social Groups are currently seeking new members for their Melton, Brimbank and Wyndham programs. The free groups are organised by Genwest and provide a social space for women,

gender diverse and nonbinary people, who have a disability, chronic health issues and/ or mental health challenges.

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

The Gap on Graham

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

■ Val, 0414 769 605

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 Ladies Probus Club

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

■ Diane, 0438 611 552

Melton South Knit & Natter

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

■ 9747 8576

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

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

This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of Xavier, 3, looking at the mirror at Melton Library which marked 10 years with face painting and other activities. (Damjan Janevski) 341946_01

PUZZLES

SUDOKU

No. 75 9 2 3176 4958

QUICK CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Feudal workers (5)

4 Assumes the worst (9)

9 Awe-inspiring (7)

10 Progress (7)

11 Yellowish-green colour (4,5)

5 Reading or copying machine (7)

8573 4167 3 47 9

12 Body of troops (5)

13 Film special effects (acronym) (3)

14 Insect before butterfly

16 Agreement (11)

19 Type of fish (3)

20 Former US president (5)

22 Man-made (9)

25 Refractory (7)

26 Visuals (7)

27 Named for office (9)

28 Support (5)

DOWN

1 Actress, – Sarandon (5)

2 Armed resistance to authority (9)

3 Throw (5)

4 Ostensible reason (7)

easy 38 52 18

DECODER WORDFIT

92 14 4 836 46

3

71 692 7 27 53

5 839 79 92

medium 265 7 61 9 625

84 58 258 3

hard

Today’s Aim:

14 words: Good 21 words: Very good 29 words: Excellent

N L A

R E

U

I B N R G

begun, bruin, brume, burg, burin, burn, burning, ennui, enuring, erbium, grub, gunmen, gunner, imbrue, imbue, inure, menu, numb, number, NUMBERING, numbing, ruin, ruing, rumen, rune, rung, umber, urge, urine

No. 139

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

Y R S H U F F S A L L A H S T O K E T R U E D Y A R D S

QUIZ

2 Which superhero disguises himself as a reporter for the fictional DailyPlanet newspaper?

3 Which Australian author released their debut novel, MonkeyGrip, in 1977?

4 What genus of primate has the scientific name papa?

5 The de facto head of the Eastern Orthodox Church is the archbishop and ecumenical patriarch of where?

6 In what year was the Republic of Türkiye established?

7 How many member states currently comprise the European Union?

8 What is the majority language of the city of Brussels, Belgium?

9 What does the dutch word ‘handschoenen’ mean?

10 What is the musical stage name of US actor Donald Glover (pictured)?

LETTERS ADD ALL ASH ATE COD CUP DEN EGO ERA ERR EVE EYE HUM MEN MOP ONE OVA SEA SKI SPY TOO TOT USE WAD 4 LETTERS AEON APES AWAY BABE BAWL BEEN CYST DART HOSE INNS OATH ONES SCUM SHES 5 LETTERS AISLE ALIKE ALONE AMASS AMBOS ANGER ARISE AROMA ARROW BALMY BARES BEAMS BLASE CARVE DAUNT EATEN ENSUE EVENT GRUEL IOTAS MESSY MOTOR OLIVE OUSTS PERIL RISEN ROACH ROARS SANDY SCENE SCENT SEEPS SERUM SHEEN SHEET SMITH SNOOP STAND STUDY SWEPT SWOOP TESTY TIRES UDDER VISIT WAVES WEAVE WORST WROTE YESES 6 LETTERS EDDIES ODDEST SENSES TETHER 7 LETTERS BAGGAGE GUESTED MOTTOES NURTURE ORDAINS PRESENT 8 LETTERS GIGANTIC OVERLONG OVERSTEP PATIENCE 12 345678910111213 1415 1617181920212223242526 I E S R M X N T C J B G H O V D Q Z U A P Y F K L W 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 30-06-23 Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com 435679128 573461892 157346289 761832945 816925734 648297513 982154367 294783651 329518476 easy medium hard 364817952 573961428 657198243 721359864 892543176 149236587 985624731 416782395 238475619 392651847 569243718 937462581 678394152 741586923 425817639 154728396 283179465 816935274 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 KW ANSWERS: 1. The Danube (10 countries) 2. Superman 3. Helen Garner 4. Baboons 5. Constantinople 6. 1923 7. 27 8. French 9. Gloves (hand shoes) 10. Childish Gambino

No. 139

No. 139

No. 139

local

Sadie Black Cafe Albion

Sunshine City Club Albion

Coles Supermarket Braybrook

Central West Shopping Centre Braybrook

Braybrook Hotel Braybrook

Braybrook Community Centre Braybrook

Braybrook News & Lotto Braybrook

Burnside Hub Shopping Centre Burnside

Burnside News and Lotto Burnside

Milkbar Burnside Heights

Cairnlea Town Centre Cairnlea

The Club Caroline Springs

Caroline Springs Civic Centre/Library Caroline Springs

CS Square Centre Caroline Springs

Smart Smile Dental Deer Park

Deer Park Club Deer Park

Community Neighbourhood Centre Deer Park

Foodworks Deer Park

Cellarbrations Liquor Store Deer Park

Australia Post Deer Park

Deer Park IGA Deer Park

Brimbank Shopping Centre Deer Park

Derrimut Village Shopping Centre Deer Park

Coles Supermarket Deer Park

Deer Park Library Deer Park

IGA Delahey Delahey

Delahey Community Centre Delahey

Sunshine Golf Club Derrimut

Wards Newsagency Footscray

Foodworks Hillside

Parkwood Green Community Centre Hillside

Hillside Neighbourhood House Hillside

Keilor Community Hub Keilor

Keilor Newsagent Keilor

Centro Shopping Centre Keilor Downs

Frank's Supermarket Keilor Park

Fergusson Plairre Bakehouse Keilor Park

Westvale Community Centre Kings Park

Melton Shire Offices Melton

St Albans Library St Albans

St Albans Senior Citizens St Albans

IGA St Albans St Albans

Sunshine Hospital St Albans

Joan Kirner Women's & Childrens Hospital St Albans

Club Italia Sporting Club St Albans

St Albans Newsagency St Albans

Brimbank Community Centre St Albans

St Albans Sports Club St Albans

Speedway Sunshine Petroleum Sunshine

The Youth Junction Sunshine

Brotherhood of St Laurence Sunshine

Sunshine RSL Sunshine

The Glengala Hotel Sunshine

Sunshine Library Sunshine

Brimbank City Council Sunshine

Sunshine Plaza Sunshine

Sunshine Marketplace Sunshine

Woolworths Supermarket Sunshine

North Sunshine Post, News and Lotto Sunshine North

Morgan's Super IGA Supermarket Sunshine West

Bottler Sunshine West Drive in Liquor Sunshine West

West Sunshine Community Centre Sunshine West

Coles Supermarket Sunshine West

Watervale Shopping Centre Taylors Hill

Taylors Lakes Lotto Taylors Lakes

Watergardens Hotel Taylors Lakes

Watergardens Shopping Centre Taylors Lakes

Centrelink Watergardens Taylors Lakes

BRIMBANK PLANNING SCHEME NOTICE OF AN APPLICATION FOR A PLANNING PERMIT

is: JR EDWARDS LAND SURVEYORS

The Application Reference Number is: P209/2023

You may look at the application and any documents that support the application at:

•WWW.BRIMBANK.VIC.GOV. AU/ADVERTISED-PLANS

•CONTACT CITY PLANNING ON 9249 4606 OR EMAIL info@brimbank.vic.gov.au, FOR A COPY TO BE POSTED

•BRIMBANK COMMUNITY AND CIVIC CENTRE, 301 HAMPSHIRE ROAD, SUNSHINE (Monday to Friday, 8:45am to 5:00pm)(unless closed due to Covid lockdowns)

The Responsible Authority will not decide on the application before: 05/07/2023

The Contact Officer is: Candy Chan, (9249 4598)

Any person who may be affected by the granting of the permit may object or make other submissions to the responsible authority. Any comments received will be placed on the electronic file associated with this application and will be available for inspection.

An objection must be in writing and sent to the Brimbank City Council either:

• Online at www.brimbank.vic.gov.au/forms/planningobjection-online-form

• Email info@brimbank.vic.gov.au

• By post to PO Box 70, Sunshine, Vic, 3020

• In person at Brimbank Community and Civic Centre, 301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine Objections must include details of the application you are objecting to, your contact details and the reasons for the objection. If you do object, the responsible authority will tell you its decision.

ANY TREES LOPPED

The Comptroller-General of Customs has cancelled warehouse licence number 001998W formerly held by DNATA Catering Australia Subsidiary 1 Pty Ltd in respect of 3 East Street, Melbourne Airport, Victoria 3045.

The owners of goods in the place that was the licensed warehouse at 3 East Street, Melbourne Airport, Victoria 3045 are informed that pursuant to section 87(4) of the Customs Act 1901 (Act) that they are required, within 7 days of this notice, to:

(a)pay to the Collector duty payable on respect of their goods in the warehouse; or

(b)remove their goods in the warehouse to another place in accordance with permission obtained from the Collector; and

(c)that, if the owners of the goods do not comply with the requirements of this notice, the goods in the warehouse will be sold.

Owners of the goods may contact the ABF for further information on: licensing@abf.gov.au quotingWarehouse Licence 001998W

DISCRIMINATION IN ADVERTISING IS UNLAWFUL

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.

Honda adds third SUV to range

By Alistair Kennedy, Marque Motoring

Unlike most of its competitors, that have up to five SUVs in their range, Honda currently has just two, the small HR-V and mid-sized CR-V. That’s about to change with a third variant, ZR-V, due for release in a few weeks and which will slot into the space between the other two. This week we’re reviewing the HR-V. When it arrived here in 1999 it was one of the first compact SUVs around and at once set the standard for what has since become one of the fastest growing segments of the automobile market.

Unfortunately, with its bland styling and three-door body, that original HR-V never really took off and it was subsequently discontinued in 2003. It remained off the Australian market until 2015 when the much more attractive five-door second-generation model arrived.

The third generation of the HR-V arrived here in 2022 with sleeker styling, advanced safety and driver-assist features.

It comes in two equipment levels with two different powertrains starting with the Vi X that’s powered by a 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine, and the e:HEV L hybrid powertrain. Our test was the petrol-only model.

Styling

The distinctive new HR-V grille design blends the intakes with the bumper and when combined with the sleek headlights, gives the HR-V a futuristic look. The grille is body-coloured (there’s a choice of five) rather than the more common contrasting chrome or black in-fill.

As is a growing trend the rear of the HR-V is a cross between an SUV and a hatchback in its lines but with embedded rear door handles suggesting that it’s a two-door coupe.

The lower-side panels are painted in black which makes them harder to see and therefore adds to the apparent ground clearance and SUV look.

Interior

The dashboard has the instruments in a binnacle with a curved top. The nine-inch

central screen is landscape in shape and therefore doesn’t give you a view ahead as is offered in a portrait screen.

Potential buyers need to be aware that the HR-V only comes with two rear seats. This isn’t necessarily a problem for two-plus-two families because the rear has comfortable and supportive bucket seats with a large padded armrest between them and a couple of cup holders.

Rearpassengersalsogetadjustableairvents, two USB-A ports and another drink holder in each door.

The rear seatbacks fold completely flat and the bases can be folded up to allow for taller objects to be carried.

Infotainment

The centre screen is a nine-inch touch unit but rather too shallow to give a long view ahead when using the satellite navigation. The problem for the interior designers is that there simply wasn’t isn’t enough room in the lower dash area for a better screen.

It has wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto.

Engines / transmissions

The four-cylinder engine isn’t turbocharged and has capacity of 1.5 litres with 89kW of power and 145Nm of torque. It is happy to run on standard unleaded petrol which can make a real difference given some of the crazy prices being asked for petrol at the moment.

It drives the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission.

Safety

The Australian ANCAP safety rating gives the HR-V five stars. The Honda suite of driver-assist and safety technologies includes forward collision warning, collision, mitigation braking system, lane keep assist system and lane departure warning.

Driving

The engine is relatively small and doesn’t produce as much power as we would like. It’s a typically Honda unit in that it likes to have plenty of revs on board before it really takes off. Keen drivers won’t mind this because once it’s given its head it’s a really pleasing unit to drive.

HRV 1.5 Vi X: $36,700

HRV e-HEV L: $47,000

SPECIFICATIONS

Honda HRV Vi X 1.5-litre petrol five-door wagon

Note: These are drive-away prices.

Handling is pretty good, with plenty of feel through the steering wheel. It’s able to easily take corners at speeds far higher than those who would be done by the typical family driver.

Ride comfort is a little on the firm side but after a couple of hours on our extended-drive part of our road test review the Honda HR-V westillfeltcomfortableso,again,thedesigners have done an excellent job.

Fuel consumption is rated at 4.3 litres per 100 kilometres in the hybrid variant and 5.8 L/100km in the petrol model. We averaged 6.6 in our petrol test car.

Standard warranty is five years and unlimited distance with the option of a two-year extension.

Summing up

Honda HR-V VI X is an interesting machine that, while it doesn’t have the straight-line performance that we like, it does have handling that we really enjoy. However, the lack of three seats in the back could make it difficult to sell when the time comes to do so.

HR-V gets a new body-coloured grille. (Pictures: Supplied)

Calder through to final four of the Nike F.C Cup

Calder United is back at the pointy end of the Nike F.C Cup through to the final four of the knock out of competition.

The five-time reigning champions played some of their best soccer of the season on Tuesday night to beat Heidelberg United, 5-2 and win through to the semi finals.

Calder co-coach Helen Winterburn said it was really exciting to be through to the last four again.

“It was a good game for the girls, backing up a good win on the weekend,” she said.

“We played some really good football and it was good to see.

“I think we played really well defensively and didn’t let them have too many chances. We were able to convert our chances in front of goal.

“Scoring five goals is a good thing, it was a great performance across the pitch.”

Calder had five different goal scorers, with

the first goal coming in the 22nd minute and the final in the dying minutes of the game in injury time, showing their dominance throughout.

Winterburn said the goals were a reward for all the hard work that the group has been putting in.

“It just shows the girls are putting in all season,” she said. “There’s been a few games played really and have not got the points.

“To see it all come together it is really good.”

Winterburn highlighted the game of Keiwa Hieda who had a couple of assists before finding the final goal on Tuesday night.

Winterburn said the club embraced the pressure that the Nike F.C Cup brings with the club’s recent success in the competition.

She said they were keen to win the competition for a sixth straight season and win the club’s second trophy of the season.

Calder’s focus also remains on the National

Premier League Women’s competition, which it also won last season.

Winterburn said things were starting to come together now.

“We’ve got some players back from injury and got players back from the A-League,” she said.

“AlanaCerneandNatashaDakicintheback have been really good for us and everything is coming together in the front third and we are scoring goals.”

Calder had a bye on the weekend.

Winterburn said they were ready for the back part of the season.

“We want to make a push for finals,” she said. “We are in fifth and just outside the top four.

“We’ll control what we can control and push for finals.”

Tara Murray

Omar keen for next step

By Tara Murray

When Maryam Omar moved to Australia from Kuwait seven years ago, she was keen to earn a Women’s Big Bash League contract.

In the years since, the Sunshine resident has plied her trade with several different clubs searching to take the next step.

Her journey has led her to the latest series of the Melbourne Renegades Recruit, a series focused on finding the next best talent outside the WBBL.

The winner receives a unique high-performance opportunity with the Renegades to further develop their cricket, along with other prizes.

For Omar, she said this was an opportunity to put her name out there and hopefully earn a WBBL contract.

“I saw this as an opportunity,” she said. “To take that step to play in the WBBL.

“I’ve learned more about the game. Seven years ago I thought I was ready for the opportunity, but now is the best time in my life to try to hopefully get into the WBBL.”

Omar has played at several different clubs since coming to Australia.

She’s played Victorian Premier Cricket at Essendon Maribyrnong Park, Dandenong and before finding a home at Carlton.

If playing for one cricket club isn’t enough, Omar also plays men’s cricket.

She played with Port Melbourne before joining Victorian Turf Cricket Association club Sunshine Heights, playing in its second XI.

Omar said she enjoyed the challenge playing with the men’s teams.

“Both men’s teams have been really good,” shesaid.“Theydon’tcarethatI’mafemale,they put me in the nets and I love that challenge.

“They see me as an equal on the cricket field and it’s nice to get that experience as I want to get as much cricket as I can.

“You never know when an opportunity will arise.”

Omar said she made the move to play at Sunshine Heights as the constant travelling was taking its toll and wanted to play closer to home.

Omar said the experience of the recruit had been an incredible one and something she would take a lot out of.

“I gave it my best shot,” she said. “It was a really talented bunch, some that I have played with and some that I have played against.

“Hopefully it gets them one step closer to where they want to be with cricket. I was a bit nervous, but I backed myself and I can only control what I can control.

“Everyone was deserving to be there.”

Omar made the most of the opportunity to learn from Melbourne Renegades spinner Ella Hayward, saying she was already adding some of that information into her own game.

The first episode of the show aired last week with Omar making it through to the final six.

While tight-lipped about what may happen in the show, Omar said it was quite cool to watch the show come to air.

I was really nervous to be honest,” she said. “Relieving the movement again it was amazing, an unusual situation

“My mum is here from Kuwait as well. It was nice for her to see the experience.”

Sports shorts

VTCA

Keilor Park has announced Robbie Roach as its coach for the next Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 2 season. Roach began his coaching career with Grand United, where he coached junior sides to finals for four seasons, reaching the finals each year, including making three consecutive grand finals. Last year, Roach got a taste for coaching senior cricket as a co-coach at St Andrews-Footscray and is eager for the challenge ahead at Keilor Park.

VAFA

Two PEGS players have been named in the Victorian Amateur Football League Big V senior representative squad. A squad of 49 players has been named including players from the top four divisions, with the final team to face the Perth Football League on July 15. PEGS’ David Fahey and Darby Scott are among those in the squad based on their form which has seen PEGS loss one game this season.

NPL

The Melbourne Knights have announced the signing of former Western United player Ben Collins for the rest of the National Premier League season. The 23-year-old defender arrives at Somers Street from Western United where he made six appearances and was part of the squad that won the 2022 A-League Men’s championship. Collins, who played his junior soccer at Northcote City was also the inaugural captain of Western United’s youth team in the NPL. Collins was available for selection on the weekend against the Altona Magic, after deadline.

NPL

Green Gully has announced the signing of Danny Kim for the rest of the National Premier League season. Kim joins the club having previously played for a number of clubs including Hume City, Brisbane Roar, Geylang International, Bentleigh Greens and South Melbourne. Kim said he made the move to try and get some more game time and was keen to help the team push for finals.

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Alana Cerne has been a big inclusion for Calder United. (Mark Avellino/Supplied)

Maryam Omar. (Supplied)

Lions continuing to build with eye on finals spot

TaylorsLakesishopingtogetsomeplayersback from injury as it pushes for a finals spot in the Essendon District Football League division 2.

The Lions were in fourth spot after eight rounds, with six teams still fighting for a spot in the top four.

Lions coach Steve Burns said how close the competition is was crazy.

“It’s really even and you have to be on each week, if not any week you can be beaten,” he said. “It reminds me of the division 1 competition back in the day.

“If you had have told me we would be 5-2 having played everyone once at the start of the year, we would have taken that every day of the week.”

Burns said like several other teams in the competition,theyhadbeenhithardbyinjuries.

He said it had made the job of gelling a reasonably new squad together a lot harder.

“We’ve had nine players out for basically five to six weeks,” he said. “We played all the sides around us and managed to beat them, apart from the top two sides.

“We are below them at the moment. Once we get our best side on the park we will be competitive with both of them.”

The Lions got a couple of players back on the weekend against Oak Park. The Kangaroos though, who had been struggling with injuries, gotmoreback,andfieldedoneoftheirstrongest sides of the season.

Burns said they were confident of having a few players returning in the coming weeks.

“We got a couple back last week and we get a couple more back this week,” he said.

“We’re looking at another two to three weeks for everyone else. Hopefully we don’t lose anyone else to injury in the meantime.”

The Lions were due to face Hadfield on Saturday which was sitting seventh, after deadline.

Jacob finesses his craft

By Peter Howe

Jacob Cassar is a boxing devotee.

The sixteen-year-old son is the Victorian captain and part of a 36-member team about to head to South Australia for the National Boxing Championships in Adelaide.

“I spend three to four hours a week watching boxers from around the world box with my coach,” he said.

“I took up boxing after being bullied at school. I am passionate about anti bullying and helping young people to gain confidence through boxing the same way I have.

“I take different things from many boxers to improve my craft.”

Cassar has had 22 fights with a 22-0 record. He said his strength is in my ability to change my tactics mid fight.

“I can fight with a normal stance or quickly change to southpaw if my coach thinks that will give me an advantage,” he said.

“My coach, Igor Pocev is like a second father to me, we spend many many hours together and I am very grateful to him.”

Cassar played football as a junior with the Hillside but fell in love with boxing when one of his footy coaches got the players to put the pads on to improve their fitness

“What I love about boxing is the dedication it demands of you if you are going to succeed. It’s not easy to get up every day and train three times.”

“My role as Victorian captain is to get around all my team to ensure they are ready to train.”

The team ranges in age from twelve to eighteen and they train for two hours at a time.

It’s a skill-based session where all of us are matched in ability and weight.

“We spar for three to six minutes and change opponents,” he said. “It’s a tough two-hour session.

“I train three times a day, six days a week. A morning 90-minute walk with my dog starts my day, I then switch between swimming, pilates which is a strength and conditioning circuit and running around mid-day and then it’s off to Lionsden Boxing Academy every night for boxing.

“I am currently 60kgs and fight in the lightweight division. At 180cm tall I have a height advantage now, I can see myself getting to 67kgs as I get into my adult years.”

Cassar has won two Australian titles.

The first as a twelve-year-old and the second at 15, in 2022. As a featherweight he is ranked number one in Australia and the Commonwealth in his age group and 16th in the world.

In 2022 Cassar was selected as the best male boxer of the tournament in the under-19 Australian Championships.

Cassar was selected in the 2019-2023 Victorian Futures team by state coach Marcos Amado and was subsequently selected into

the AIS under-19s and emerging squad by the current Australian coach, Jamie Pittman.

Cassar has attended camps in Canberra at the AIS, which he is extremely grateful for the opportunity. There are only 12 boxers in that squad.

Cassar’s first overseas opportunity was with an AIS team that went to Thailand.

“It was an amazing experience; I have never had to cope with the heat and humidity that we had to box in,” he said.

“Thailand’s boxers are trained so differently to us in Australia. They also box so differently. It was an eye opener, that’s for sure.”

So, what does the future hold? With his parent’s support Cassar has left school to focus on his sport.

“My aim is to represent Australia this year in Germany and at the Youth World Championships in Croatia in 2024.

“Longer term is to medal for Australia at the 2026 Commonwealth Games to be held in Melbourne and the 2028 Las Angeles Olympics.”.

“I took up boxing after being bullied at school. I am passionate about anti bullying and helping young people to gain confidence through boxing the same way I have.”

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 the Star Weekly Newspapers.

Burns said before the match that it wouldn’t be easy.

“If you are 10 per cent off, you’re not going to win,” he said. “It’s the second half of the year now.

“We’re only one game away from fifth and sixth and one game away from second.”

Burns said right now they were seeing some really good signs across the whole club. He said Taylors Lakes is getting its mojo back.

“The seconds are undefeated and the under-18s are a lot better than we thought they would be,’ he said.

“The seconds are only going to get stronger when we get players back. The club is in a good position off the field as well.”

Tara Murray

Thunder seize opportunity

The Keilor Thunder women’s program had an opportunity that money can’t buy with a match against the Philippines national team last Tuesday night.

The Gilas Pilipinas are in Australia for the Asian Cup which begins next week and are warming up with matches against a number of teams.

Thunder general manager Jackson Taylor said it was a pretty exciting opportunity for the club.

“We’re really excited to have the national team in town,” he said.

“In particular for us, we have a strong Filipino community in our area. It’s exciting any time a national team comes out.”

Taylor,whorecentlystartedintherole, said he wasn’t sure whether they had played a national team before.

He said the move in the NBL1 competition had opened up a lot of opportunities for them.

“Ever since we’ve been in the NBL1 the level of basketball we’ve had in the local community has increased.

“We had the Melbourne Boomers for pre-season, Melbourne United played here.

“It’s fantastic to get such quality basketball.”

Taylorsaidmanyoftheirplayerswould never get an opportunity like this.

The Thunder team was a mix of youth league girls and NBL1 girls. The Gilas Pilipinas dominated the game, winning 93-7.

“These girls get to go up against a high level of competition,” he said.” I think it’s a great opportunity for those girls and girls coming back from injuries to set some more minutes against high quality opposition.”

The Gilas Pilipinas also hold a clinic foryoungFilipinokidsfromMelbourne’s west which Taylor said was exciting.

He said it was a good way to get the community to engage in the sport.

Tara Murray

Taylors Lakes before its last game. (Supplied)

Jacob Cassar. (Archivist Media)

Logarzo named in provisional World Cup squad

WesternUnitedstarChloeLogarzo’sWomen’s World Cup dream remains alive after being named in Australia’s provisional squad for the cup.

Football Australia on Monday announced a 29 player squad which will participate in the final preparations for the cup which is being held in Australia and New Zealand.

Matildas’ coach Tony Gustavsson said the provisional squad reflects a significant commitment and hard work from players and staff over the past two and half years.

“From the first day of our first training session in 2021, we said it would take 23 in 23 for the FIFA Women’s World Cup and everyone would have a role to play in that journey,” he said.

“What we have seen is that it has actually taken more than 23 players to bring us to this moment and for that reason I am thrilled to work with the players named in this provisional squad during the final phase of

our preparation.

“I have been impressed by their full commitment at every step, and now we have the chance to fine-tune and solidify our game plan ahead of a phenomenally exciting couple of weeks.”

For Logarzo, the selection comes after a tough couple of years.

After an ACL injury, Logarzo joined Western United on a loan deal for the start of the season, coming off the bench as she regained her fitness.

She then returned to America, but was let go and she returned to United signing a deal until the end of the 2023-24 season.

A foot injury meant she didn’t get to play in thebackpartoftheA-LeagueWomen’sseason which included a grand final appearance for United in its first season.

Logarzo has played 49 games for Australia netting eight goals.

Members of the provisional squad and staff

will assemble on the Gold Coast, Queensland, to complete the final preparations for the tournament in a closed high-performance environment.

Australia will then move to Melbourne where they will host world number five France in its final pre-World Cup tune-up at Marvel Stadium on July 14.

Six players will be cut following the camp in Queensland.

Australia will commence its campaign against the Republic of Ireland on July 20 at Stadium Australia in Sydney before meeting Nigeria on July 27 at Brisbane Stadium, and completing their group play against Canada on July 31 at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

Westgate on

Darcy Cassar (Damjan Janevski) 243420_05

Blues show dominance

By Tara Murray

The top of the table clash between Keilor and Pascoe Vale turned into a one-sided affair with the Blues remaining undefeated in the Essendon District Football League premier division.

In an eagerly anticipated match, the Blues showed why they are the premiership favourites with a 14.16 (100)-6.5 (41) win.

Coach Mick McGuane said it was a really impressive performance by the side.

“There was a great balance of offensive and defensive,” he said. “We scored 100 points in thoseconditionsandkeptthemto35.Theyare a side that averages 100 points a game.

“That is the way that we build our game on. We’re number one for offensives and number one for defensive.

“You can’t pick and choose when you have effort.”

The Blues set the win up in the first quarter with seven goals and 12 scoring shots to one, to lead by 41 points at the first break.

McGuane said it was the Panthers that were the better earlier in the quarter.

“The start is always at the forefront of our minds,” he said.

“We started slowly and they were really good in terms of defensive pressure. After about 12 to 14 minutes we started to control the game and in the last eight to 10 minutes we kicked six out of our seven goals and opened the game up as we had the wind.

“The rain came and the wind still favoured one end. We were really good after half time.”

The margin was 33 points at the main break.

After that time the Panthers were kept to just one goal as the Blues increased the lead in trying conditions.

McGuane said they were able to strangle them defensively to make sure of another good win.

The Blues had 11 goal kickers in the win with Harrison Kennedy, Corey Ellis and Nathan Colenso kicking two goals apiece.

McGuane said the ability to have the spread of goal kickers they have had this season, continues to be a point of difference in the competition,

“The forwards we have the last couple of years, most of the personal are gone,” he said.

“It’s a point of different that is coming to fruition. We had 11 goal kickers yesterday [Saturday], it’s starting to fall into play.

“It’s not a reaction, it’s proactive coaching. More pleasing we were missing [Damien] Cavka, [Keighton] Matofai-Forbes, Ben Stillman and Jack Brown got a VFL [Victorian Football League] call up at 10am.

“Jovan Petric, who had eight scoring shots against Essendon Doutta Stars was back playing with the Western Jets.

“It’s working at the moment.”

In a scary sign for opposition sides, McGuane said they still have plenty of things to work on in the back half of the season.

After 10 rounds, the Blues are on top, two games clear of the Panthers.

“I think so,” McGaune said about improvement.

“We’ve got a lot of young guys that have not played a lot of senior footy or senior footy together.

“Everything is pretty good at the moment. Hopefully we maintain a healthy list and competitive edge and do not get complacent.”

The Blues this Saturday face Airport West.

the up

sitting in fourth spot

Westgate still has plenty of room for improvementasitcontinuestoimpress in the FV state league 1 north-west competition.

Sitting fourth after 13 rounds in its first season in the division after being promoted this season, Westgate has been really competitive and matching it with the top sides.

Coach Jim Gacovski said things were tracking along nicely with six wins and four draws among their results.

“We’re not going too bad,” he said. “We’ve had a couple of hiccups on the way, but that is football.

“We should be right to bounce back this week.

“I’m never happy, I think the side has the experience to go even further. We’re pretty content at the moment.”

Gacovski said defensively was the area that they thought they could improve on most to continue sticking with the top sides.

He said they were working hard on thetracktoensuretheystopconceding silly goals.

Gacovski said the club was keen to continue to keep pushing up the ladder and being among the mix for promotion.

“The club is very ambitious and we want to push to be number one,” he said.

“We take it one week at a time and we can do the best we can throughout the year to push for the top.”

Gacovski said they had a lot of confidence in the group that they belong at this level.

Westgate was set to face Corio on Saturday, after deadline.

Corio entered the match in 10th spot.

Gacovski said they were looking forward to the match, having lost the previous round to Whittlesea United, which jumped them on the ladder.

“It will be a tough game,” he said. “We don’t take anyone for granted in this competition.

“We beat them 2-1 last time.”

Chloe Logarzo has been named in the provisional Matildas squad. (Supplied)

ROUND 16