Star Weekly - Brimbank North West - 4th July 2023

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Chin leader lauded

After arriving in Melbourne as a refugee from Myanmar 11 years ago, the most important thing Jacob Thang brought with him was a strong sense of connection to his culture.

A figurehead of the Chin community, Mr Chang has been recognised with the Leadership Award at the 2023 Victorian Refugee Awards for his tireless work to support people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and refugee-like backgrounds, as well those in Myanmar.

Mr Chang says leadership is “not about power, it’s about responsibility”. “It’s not about being the best, it’s about making everyone better. I want to preserve my culture and show how it’s important for the next generation.”

Mr Chang is the founder of Chin Myanmar Community Care. He also runs a candle making factory and a landscaping company employing people from the Chin community, all of which are in Sunshine North.

“I want to stand up for my community and help them to strive, and to show how we can be better citizens for Australia.”

University jobs set to go

By Hannah Hammoud

Victoria University (VU) has placed 300 jobs on the chopping block in an attempt to save $40 million.

The National Tertiary Education Union said the university is aiming to shed 300 full-time equivalent roles by September through a “voluntary separation program” (VSP) which involves staff choosing to be made redundant.

In an email to staff, Vice Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker said the cost savings target is required as the university’s spending currently exceeds its revenue.

“The VSP is voluntary, but the cost savings target is a very real one,” he said.

The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) has accused the university of failing to meet its legal obligations under the enterprise agreement to consult with staff or the union before making a decision.

NTEU Victorian division secretary Sarah Roberts said university management’s decision was incredibly disappointing.

“Deciding to cut 300 jobs without talking to staff or the NTEU is completely unacceptable, and inimical to the welfare of staff who have already endured multiple redundancy rounds in recent years,” she said.

NTEU Victoria University branch vice president Dr Matthew Klugman criticised the process.

“Staff are shell shocked. It’s simply unfathomable that the university refuses to work with staff, and instead has sprung on them a massive set of redundancies without even consulting,“ he said.

“It is time for the university to create an ethical, sustainable workload for all its staff. We will stand side by side with our colleagues throughout the entire process.”

Professor Shoemaker acknowledged that this is a challenging time for everyone at the university.

“In saying this, my confidence in VU is very strong. We have outstanding people who care about our students, our values and our purpose. It is a place of undoubted excellence,” he said.

Professor Shoemaker told staff the VSP was an immediate action taken by the leadership team as part of the university’s roadmap for the future, the ‘Towards One VU Program.’

“It will set us up for sustainability now –and growth in the future – across the whole institution and in all areas of our operations,” he said.

VU declined to make any further comment at this stage.

Jacob Thang won the Leadership Award at the 2023 Victorian Refugee Awards. (Damjan Janevski) 344024_06

Quickly and easily connect with us online: melton.vic.gov.au facebook.com/cityofmelton Instagram @cityofmeltonofficial

Council budget adopted

A $114 million capital works program, $8.3 million to support older people and people with a disability, $8.1 million for maternal and child health services, and $1.6 million towards 18 initiatives submitted by our community are just some of the highlights in Council’s 2023/24 budget. The average rates increase is $1.05 per week with nearly half of all households seeing an increase less than that. An $85 pensioner rebate will also be available to eligible property owners.

Mayor’s message

Cr Lara Carli

With the City of Melton now the fastest growing municipality in Victoria – and one of the fastest growing in Australia! – it’s more important than ever to deliver the high-quality programs our community needs to thrive.

Short Story Competition

Melton City Libraries’ annual Short Story Competition closes in two weeks!

Now in its 18th year, the competition is a great opportunity for budding storytellers of all ages to develop their creative skills, have their work reviewed by popular authors, and have a chance to win a share of $3000 in prize money.

Entries can be presented in any format including text, illustration, video, verse, voice, or a combination of any of the above.

To learn more, go to melton.vic.gov.au/MCLshortstory or visit your local library

Cambridge Ward with Cr Goran Kesic

It was an honour to be in Canberra on 13 June when Melton City Council was announced as the winner of the National Award for Local Government in Productivity through Infrastructure for our Moving Melton Transport Prospectus.

The Moving Melton Transport Prospectus is an innovative platform created to show how State and Federal Government investment in road and transport projects will save travel time, improve productivity, and attract significant economic value to

our region.

Winning this prestigious award is a huge achievement, and recognition of our outstanding leadership and innovation.

Last Monday, Council approved its 2023/24 budget, which is centred around a $114 million capital works program, including $29.4 million for roads upgrades, $14.2 million for parks and streetscape upgrades, and $14.1 million for recreation, leisure, and community facility upgrades. To see the budget in full, visit melton.vic. gov.au/budget

At the same meeting, we received a report on the updated Plumpton Aquatic Leisure Centre business case and funding strategy, paving the way for work to commence on a masterplan and design for this much-anticipated community. The masterplan will outline the planned components of the facility, such as an indoor pool, gym, and community café spaces. Please feel free to contact me on 0437 241 436 or goran.kesic@melton.vic.gov.au regarding any Council issues.

Melton tied with Camden in Sydney’s western suburbs to be Australia’s fastest growing municipalities, growing by 6.4% last year, according to population analysis .ID.

It’s with that rapid population growth in mind that Council this month passed our budget for the next financial year that will deliver essential services and the new and upgraded facilities our community expects – and Australia’s fastest growing municipality needs.

Some highlights include the extension of Bridge Road, Cobblebank, duplication of Hume Drive from Calder Park Drive to Gourlay Road, completing the Diggers Rest Community Pavilion, redevelopment at Caroline Springs Town Centre Oval and construction of Aintree Children’s and Community Centre.

Work is set to commence on the design and masterplanning process for the Plumpton Aquatic Leisure Centre, which will run over the next 12 months and give the public a chance to let Council know how they want their aquatic centre to look. With nearly 170,000 people expected to live within the Plumpton catchment area by 2040, Council is committed to delivering the kind of aquatic centre our community deserves.

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

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

Community consultation wanted

Brimbank council is seeking feedback on the draftSunshineEnergyParkVisionPlan,which aimstocreateavisionforanewmajorparkland destination next to the Sunshine CBD.

The proposed works include large-scale tree planting,apossiblesolarfarmlocation,cycling and walking tracks, sports fields and stadium, play spaces, a large urban forest and wetland system, and more.

The Sunshine Energy Park is 54 hectares of closed landfill in Albion, which is part of the closed Sunshine landfills, and was a former basalt quarry.

The site is bordered by Ballarat Road, St Albans Road, the Western Ring Road and Jones Creek.

Brimbank council said the closed Sunshine landfills are now suitable to consider opportunities for recreation and community use after extensive rehabilitation works and aftercare management, which will continue into the future.

The draft vision plan provides opportunities for connection to country, sport, leisure and recreation, education, events, recycling and repurposing, energy production, food

growing, habitat creation, social interaction, and play.

Residents are invited to share in the vision of this development through the council’s online, ‘Your Say’ feedback portal.

Alternatively, council will be hosting two in-personinformationsessionsattheBrimbank Community and Civic Centre located at level 6, 301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine on Monday, August 7, from 11.30am-1.30pm and Wednesday, August 9, from 5-7pm.

MayorBruceLancashiresaidthisanexciting opportunity to transform Sunshine Energy

Greening Deer Park for the future

More than 50,000 trees, plants and grasses are set to be planted in Deer Park, including more than 500 saplings that will grow into mature trees.

The Level Crossing Removal Project team is preparing for spring landscaping works to increase tree coverage in Deer Park and complement existing native plants following theremovalofthelevelcrossingatMtDerrimut Road.

Theteamhasintroducedmeasurestoprotect significant plants while works continue, including an almost half a century old succulentthatstandsatthewesternentranceto the new rail bridge.

Located at the end of Railway Parade South

Community

at Deer Park, locals first informed the project team of the succulent’s heritage when works began to gear up last year.

Also known as aloe arborescens, the four-metre-tall succulent was planted in 1975 by resident Douglas Cartledge, and will soon stand alongside a revitalised, greener station precinct when works are completed later this year.

Mr Cartledge moved to Deer Park in 1974 and created the rock garden that includes the plantattheendofhisstreet.Backthen,hisDeer Parkhomewassurroundedbyemptyfields,but over multiple generations development in the area has increased the amount of traffic.

Mr Cartledge said he was pleased with the

project team’s efforts to preserve the succulent and willingness to work with locals during the works.

“When all the landscaping is finished, when thestationbuildingsarefinished,itshouldlook really good,” he said.

“When I moved here the rail line was there, and the station, but there was much less traffic. That has been the biggest change over the years.”

The project team has taken steps to protect local fauna and set up exclusion zones around native vegetation and grasslands, including the Spiny Rice Flower.

Hannah Hammoud

Park into a future landmark of the west, and a major recreational and community hub.

“I’d encourage people to share their feedback on the draft Vision Plan, and help create a destination of cultural and ecological significance for the Brimbank community, long into the future,” he said.

The draft vision plan is an action from Brimbank council’s ‘Transforming Brimbank’ agenda that has been informed by multiple council plans.

ConsultationwillcloseonFriday,August11. Details: yoursay.brimbank.vic.gov.au

Become a Justice of the Peace

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is looking to appoint new Justices of the Peace (JPs) in Brimbank.

Justice of the Peace volunteers play an important role in the justice system and provide a valuable and accessible authorised witnessing service to all members of the community.

TheroleofaJPvolunteerisprimarily focused on attesting to the execution of a document, witnessing a statutory declaration, witnessing an affidavit for use in court, certifying true copies of an original document and certifying a person’s identity.

Forthoseinterested,theDepartment of Justice and Community Safety will be holding a one-hour online information session, at 6pm on Thursday, July 6, to provide more detail about the role and give people the opportunity to meet JPs and staff from the Honorary Justice Services Support team.

JP volunteers can provide service from a range of different locations ,including document signing stations across Victoria.

JP volunteers operate out of local sites such as police stations, libraries, community hubs and members of the public attend to have their documents certified.

People of all cultural and professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply and attendance at an information session is mandatory to proceed to the application and recruitment stages.

Details: https://www.volunteer. com.au/volunteering/196661/ Become-a-Justice-of-the-Peace-forthe-Brimbank-community

money drips down thanks to water authority

GreaterWesternWater(GWW)hasannounced 26 community groups and organisations will receive funding this year through its annual Thriving Communities Grants and Sponsorship Program.

This year’s recipients will share in $176,000 to increase opportunities for community participation and development throughout the western region.

TheAustralianDentalFoundationreceiveda $20,000grantforits‘HealthySmilesforGreater Melbourne’ project, which provides mobile dental services to more than 100 schools, childcare centres, kindergartens and 107 aged care facilities.

Chairman and clinical ambassador Dr

Greg Miller said the grant would allow the foundation to expand its service across the west by 25 sites and 1000 patients through the purchaseoftwonewmobiledentalkitsandtwo new sensors for portable X-ray units.

“Our aim is to move the dial on Australia’s oral health future by reaching as many young people and their families as we can,” he said.

GWW general manager strategy and partnerships Kessia Thomson said applications had been received from every LGA across the water corporation’s service area.

“We’re so impressed with the quality of submissions we received. We received 50 per cent more applications than last year and each one was excellent. There is such amazing work

happening in our communities,” she said.

“We have funded a range of projects that make our region a great place to live, including environmental initiatives, community care projects, art exhibitions and family and cultural events.”

Sharing in the pool of funding are other notable community groups and organisations, including the Friends of Kororoit Creek, the Rotary Club of Keilor and the Chin-Myanmar Community Care.

Details: https://www.gww.com.au/about/ community/grants-sponsorships

Hannah Hammoud The Australian Dental Foundation team members. (Supplied)

Residents Douglas and Annie Cartledge. (Supplied)

VU paramedicine boost

By Hannah Hammoud

Victoria University’s Sunshine Campus (VU) has been announced as the future home to a new $10 million Centre of Excellence in Paramedicine. The hub will allow paramedics atalllevelstodeveloptheirskillsatadedicated training centre that will operate seven days a week. It contains advanced virtual reality technology as a training and simulation tool, along with purpose-built spaces designed specifically for paramedics.

As the demand for emergency healthcare services continues to grow across Victoria, the hub and the Centre for Excellence are set to helpupskillthecurrentandfuturegenerations of paramedics.

Ambulance Services Minister Gabrielle Williams and Ambulance Victoria chief executive Jane Miller joined VU Vice-Chancellor Adam Shoemaker and VU paramedic students and graduates to welcome the initiatives.

OverthepasttwoyearsAmbulanceVictoria has recruited more than 1300 paramedics, with many graduating from VU with a bachelor of paramedicine.

Professor Shoemaker said VU graduates have a long and proud history of providing a widerangeofinvaluablehealthcareservicesto the region, including nursing, aged care and midwifery, and a decade-long collaboration with Ambulance Victoria.

“The opening of the Ambulance Victoria Operational Capability Hub, along with the future Centre of Excellence in Paramedicine are two crucial events for VU,” he said.

“Our paramedicine students will have the unique advantage of studying and learning alongside top professionals in the field, and of being at the cutting edge in emergency care every day of the week.”

Through the new hub, VU paramedic students will be able to connect directly with Ambulance Victoria’s highly experienced

workforce,whichprovidesemergencymedical response to more than 5.8 million people in Melbourne’s west.

Spooky time in Sunshine

The events scene in Sunshine will be attracting more visitors with $25,000 from the state government to help deliver the Sunshine Halloween Street Party.

Run by the Sunshine Business Association, the family-friendly street party will take place on Tuesday, October 31, from 4-6pm, at Hampshire Road in Sunshine.

The party is a chance for kids to get dressed up in their scariest outfits after school.

Hampshire Road will come alive with roaming ghouls, scary characters, trick or treating, flash mobs and four decorated Halloween dens for kids to have their face painted and grab lots of free treats.

Laverton MP Sarah Connolly welcomed confirmation that the event will proceed in October, as part of the state government’s Small and Medium Events Program.

“For an evening of family friendly fun this Halloween, come down and check out the Sunshine Halloween Street Party,” she said.

The Small and Medium Events Program supports a diverse range of activities including cultural, sporting and creative events.

The program will help create ongoing jobs across the industry, connecting organisers with local businesses and suppliers and attracting more visitors to experience the best Melbourne’s suburbs have to offer.

Tyre & Auto Service

Ambulance Victoria graduates James Edwards and Jade McKenna, chief paramedic officer of Victoria Associate Professor Louise Reynolds, Victoria University Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker and Victoria University paramedic students Corey Kelly and Sibel Unalan. (Supplied)

Thunderous opportunity

Keilor Thunder’s under-14 basketball team is headed to the Australian Junior Championships, with the boys gearing up for a chance at the title.

Theteamissettoplayoffatthechampionships in September in a unique opportunity to play against some of the best players in the country.

Belinda Hill’s son Nicholas is part of the Thunder team. Ms Hill said the under-14 age group is the only year that involves whole teams qualifying for the event.

“We are all so excited, this is a pretty huge deal because it only gets to happen once,” she said.

“It is pretty rare to have a team of players with enough depth to make it through to the championships. You need to have the right combination of kids and we have just that.”

Ms Hill said the experience offers the young

stars a chance to follow in the pathway of hometown heroes, like former Thunder players Ben Simmons and Dante Exum, who went on to be drafted in the NBA.

“This experience will help to set players up for the state and national pathway because they are some of the strongest players in the country,” she said.

“If any team can do it, it’s our boys. There is a little bit of pressure on them but we know they can do it.

“We are all ridiculously excited, we’ve seen the team come together.“

As the team prepares for the championships, the club is looking for sponsors to help cover some of the travel, accommodation and uniform costs.

Briefs

Teenage boy dies after attack

A 14-year-old boy killed in St Albans was hit by a car and knifed by two attackers. Police said the Braybrook teen and two friends were walking home from a railway station late on Monday, June 26, when an SUV approached the group. The car turned and struck the boy, before two men in face coverings armed with knives got out and attacked him. His friends were not physically hurt and managed to run away. They called emergency services but the boy died on the way to hospital. Investigators believe the 14-year-old boy was targeted but it was not gang related.

Deer Park carjacking

Police are appealing for assistance following an aggravated carjacking in Deer Park in February. Investigators have been told two unknown males approached the victim while he was parked on Davitt Drive on February 28 about 1am. It is believed the victim exited his vehicle before falling onto his driveway. One of the males allegedly produced a firearm and threatened the victim. It is believed the victim then fled, while the offenders stole his vehicle. Both males are perceived to be 20-30-years-old.

FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT

Web: starweekly.com.au Brimbank & North West Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Hannah Hammoud

The Keilor Thunder under-14 boys are headed to the Australian Club Championships in September.

(JAG Imaging)

Commuter pain across the west

By Hannah Hammoud

Passengers are bracingthecold as the queuefor replacement buses grows across Melbourne’s west.

Works on the West Gate Tunnel Project have caused major disruptions to the state’s train network, forcing those in the western suburbs tousereplacementbusservicestoreachthecity.

Public Transport Victoria (PTV) has scheduled buses to replace trains on the

Sunbury, Werribee and Williamstown lines as Victoria’s Big Build undertakes work to widen andstrengthentheexistingDynonRoadbridge.

Commuters are being urged to allow extra time for their journey, with replacement buses running until the last scheduled train service on Sunday, July 9.

For the next two weeks, more than 30,000 passengers will need to catch the replacement buses.

During the week, the normal commute

Ten years of joyful song

The Western Health Singers are celebrating 10 years of joyful music-making in Melbourne’s west, and have no plans of quieting down.

For those living or working in Melbourne’s West, the singers are extending an open invitation for anyone interested in joining the choir. With no auditions required, the group embraces individuals from all backgrounds, including shower singers and car karaoke enthusiasts.

Jonathon Welch established the Choir of Hard Knocks 17 years ago in Melbourne’s western suburbs in collaboration with Opera Australia and Brimbank council. Originally known as the Voices of Brimbank, the choir later joined forces with Western Health, supported by inclusive community arts group Play It Forward.

The choir’s debut performance at the Myer Music Bowl, accompanied by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Opera Australia, captivatedanaudienceof10,000people,leaving a lasting impression on the singers.

“Many of our singers had never been part of a

choir before, and the sheer thrill of performing in front of an audience inspired them to continue singing together,“ Mr Welch said.

Since then, the choir has been rehearsing at Sunshine Hospital and performing at venues across Melbourne.

MrWelchsaidasthegroupcelebratesits10th anniversary, it has planned an exciting line-up of performances in the upcoming months.

“Our 10th anniversary celebration is going to be a Rock Choir, singing all the greatest hits from Queen, U2, Bon Jovi, Fleetwood Mac, BirdsofTokyo,BetteMidlerandmore,”hesaid.

“Through the transformative power of music, we not only enjoy singing together but also forge meaningful friendships. All are welcome, see you at rehearsal.”

Rehearsals occur every Thursday during school terms at Sunshine Hospital, with the next term of singing commencing in mid-July.

To join the Western Health Singers contact Patricia Tissera via patricia.tissera@wh.org.au or 8345 7148.

Boutique living in Armstrong Creek Looking

to work for St Albans resident Kristina Barr involves a one-hour train ride to Southern Cross station. But while these works go on, Ms Barr will be forced to queue for a bus that will take her into the city.

“I prefer to take the trains because I don’t trust the buses, they are unreliable,” she said.

“But what can I do? That’s life.”

The state government has encouraged those living in Melbourne’s west to consider working from home to avoid the chaos.

However, it is not all doom and gloom, with some residents applauding PTV’s organising to get the replacement system running smoothly. Burnside resident Rodney Hollingworth gets his son to drop him off at Sunshine station to catch a replacement bus as he heads into work in the city.

“It’sabigjobtodoandIthinkthewaythey’ve set this up is really good. I’m 74 and it works for me, I can’t complain,” he said.

Western Health Singers performing at Sunshine Hospital under the direction of Adam Przewlocki, co-music director of the Choir of Hard Knocks. (Supplied)

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regional Victoria, complemented by stunning amenities that engender connectivity and wellbeing.

You can choose to live where the holiday never ends. At Lifestyle Communities, you can spend your days soaking up the serene surroundings or spruce up your daily grind with access to stunning amenities a short stroll from your front door.

Located at the heart of each community, the clubhouse is architecturally designed with plenty of space for you to relax, recharge or re-energise.

Across all communities, the Lifestyle team has designed, installed and delivered a range of resort style amenities and surrounds for homeowners to call their own.

Ifthere’sonethingLifestylehasalwaysstayed committed to in two decades of business, it’s helping homeowners upsize their lifestyles when they downsize to a Lifestyle Community.

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Above: The clubhouse is the heart of the community. Right: Amenities are second to none.

Glenice and Ian are future-proofing their ageing needs

Some things are just meant to be. Glenice Henderson says one of the best decisions she and her husband Ian, ever made was to move into Uniting AgeWell’s Amarco Apartments in Melbourne’s inner west a couple of years ago.

They’d been looking for a place that had an aged care facility paired with independent living apartments to cater for Ian’s decreasing mobility. Their wish list also included ground floor access and a large courtyard – and Uniting AgeWell’s Kingsville Community and Amarco Apartments fitted the bill.

It proved to be a fortuitous decision. The couple sold their Torquay home and had only been in their spacious apartment for five months when Ian needed more specialised care, and moved into Kingsville Community.

Glenice, 80, visits Ian every day, and he often spends time in the apartment watching football and having lunch with her. They’ve been married for nearly 60 years and still haven’t run out of things to talk about!

Glenice, who has osteoarthritis, uses her mobility scooter to visit him.

“It takes me five minutes to get there,” she says. “How handy is that!”

Their children visit Ian, 82, as often as they can, and because the apartment has two bedrooms, their Wangaratta-based daughter is able to stay over.

Glenice, who does her own cooking and shopping, also loves to read. She’s thoroughly enjoying all the friends she’s made at Amarco. “We always stop and chat – they’re all so warm and friendly.”

She also has peace of mind that Ian, a retired university lecturer, is getting the best possible care.

“The staff at Kingsville are so capable and kind,” she says.

Aside from offering residential care

and retirement living options, Uniting AgeWell supports older people as their needs change through a range of in-home

care services, home care packages, social connections programs and allied health and wellbeing services.

Glenice and Ian Henderson have found the perfect solution to suit their needs at Uniting AgeWell’s Amarco Apartments and Kingsville Community.

Independent retirement with Centennial Living

Centennial Living is a company that prides itself on generating a relaxed friendly atmosphere in its villages, where residents feel welcome and have a sense of belonging to a community.

The benefits of social connection and friendship, stimulating activities in a range of amenities, a safe environment and the feeling of support being there when needed has made Centennial’s villages happy places in which to live.

Centennial Living Keilor offers two levels of accommodation – independent living and serviced apartments.

Whilst maintenance and gardening is provided in the village, people who choose independent living reside in their own home and have the freedom to take care of meals, cleaning, laundry, and other household tasks how they wish.

When people may need more help, serviced apartments can be a good choice. Daily meals are served in the dining room or delivered to the apartment and weekly cleaning and heavy laundry is provided for serviced apartment residents. Other in-home care services can also be arranged to suit individual requirements.

Both styles of accommodation are fitted with emergency call systems.

While the seven Centennial villages in Victoria vary in some aspects, recreational facilities include indoor heated swimming pools, barbecue areas, a community centre and lounge, hobby garden, games room, arts and crafts, senior’s gym, bowling green, indoor bowls, men’s shed, aqua aerobics and a hair and beauty salon. Pets are also welcome.

The resort-style living is ideal for people who want to downsize from the family home and have a lifestyle that offers social connection and absolute independence.

Inez, who has asked to have her surname omitted from publication, has been living in the Keilor village for eight years. She says that she really enjoys village life, and that the activities are very popular at Keilor but with no pressure to participate.

“You’ve always got support. You’ve always got someone here,” Inez says.

“You can do as much or as little as you want. There’s so much offering at the village, you’ve just got to tap into it and most people do.”

Like all Centennial Living villages, the Keilor village is close to shops, amenities, and recreation in the wider community. It is particularly close to health care – there’s a medical consultation suite near the entrance of the village.

For more information, visit www.centennialliving.com.au.

Inez has resided at Centennial Living’s Keilor village for eight years and absolutely loves it.

Staying active in the school holidays

School holiday fun has kicked off across Brimbank, with a range of creative and educational activities on offer.

The Brimbank Bicycle Education Centre (BEC) hosted a series of free open days inviting local kids to get active during the holidays and bring along their bikes, scooters and most importantly, helmets to the centre.

Star Weekly photographer Damjan Janevski paid a visit to one of the open days to capture all the fun.

The BEC has been operating since 1993, and is managed by a team of dedicated volunteers.

Top left: Logan, 10, Cr Bruce Lancashire, Mila, 5, Ivy, 7, Cr Virginia Tachos, Richard Carthew and Neil Hunichen.

Top right: Logan exerts some pedal power.

Far left: Mila and Ivy stop traffic.

Above left: Grace, 8, and Holly, 6.

Left: Lennox, 6, and Hamish, 5, raced into the BEC.

(Pictures: Damjan Janevski) 344097

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A week of cultural excellence

NAIDOC Week, running from July 2- July 9, is a time for celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Jennifer Pittorino finds out how the week will be marked in the west.

NAIDOC (National Aboriginals and Islanders Day Observance Committee) Weekisatimeofreflection,celebration, history, culture and excellence.

This annual celebration acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Kirrip elder Peter Webster said it is uniting for the community.

“It’s for our people, so we can come together and celebrate our history and our culture and who we are,” he said.

“... It celebrates where we have come from and recognises the fantastic things those who came before us, our ancestors have achieved for us.”

Peter is referred to as Uncle Peter by his community, as a sign of respect for who he is given his position in the work he does as chief executive of Kirrip, an organisation he joined in 2016.

Kirrip Aboriginal Corporation began in 2007 as a safe place for community to connect socially and culturally, to celebrate culture, and to promote self-determination and healing.

“Wehaveahousingworker,ajusticeworker, a food bank, we run elders, men’s, women’s programs , homework clubs, a playgroup and more,” Peter said.

“In my role here I sit as an elder to advise and support , I personally don’t consider myself an elder but my community do.

“I consider myself a community leader because of the position I am in, an elder is someone who has been given this position by their community to hold knowledge.

“Elders share their knowledge, they are

someone the community can go to to confide in and be someone they trust, which is what NAIDOC week is all about.”

Peter said he has had many previous jobs, but nothing has made him as happy as what he does now.

“My wife says I forget to come home at times, she needs to send me a text sometimes to remind me where I live,” he said.

“For me it’s about giving back to the community. If someone told me 10 years ago that I would be doing what I am, I would’ve laughed at them, but I love what I do.

“I am Stolen Generation so I didn’t grow up culturally or with my community. I look at this as my way of paying back those people who have supported me and given me the connection to my community and culture that I didn’t previously have.”

NAIDOC week comes at a time when Peter feels there is still great racism.

“We still see racism towards people who have come from other cultures, we still see it far too much,” he said.

“People forget we are a multicultural country, we will always have our own cultures but we can become one Australia.

“NAIDOCisaboutallofuscomingtogether, regardless of whether you are on traditional country; all of us standing together and being one people.”

Kirrip will mark NAIDOC Week with the ’Western NAIDOC ball’ for its elders.

“These events are about passing on cultural knowledge and giving our youth the chance to see we are not a forgotten culture, we are still here,” Peter said.

“We are the oldest surviving culture on earth and we are very proud of it, NAIDOC is the time for us to stand up proud and let everyone know we are still here and not going anywhere.”

Peter Webster from Kirrip Aboriginal Centre. (Jacob Pattison) 342893_01

Youth Support and Advocacy Service’s (YSAS) Scott Krakouer said its upcoming NAIDOC week celebration will bring together the large Aboriginal community in the west.

“The western suburbs Aboriginal community have been crying out for a big event like this for years,” he said.

YSAS works with 10-17 year olds across the west who are having contact with police to try and steer them away from the justice system.

‘Mob Run This’ is a running festival expected to bring together 700-800 people from all over Victoria, to get the community moving. It will be held at Presidents Park, Wyndham Vale, on Sunday, July 9 at 10am.

“I know from when I was young, connection to sport and connection to health

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

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 Café in Brimbank. Events happen once a month and are an opportunity to meet others in the community and share your skills while helping fix broken household items.

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

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 until 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

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-noon.

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

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

Better Health Program

The Better Health company is hosting a free, 10-week online healthy lifestyle program for children aged 7-13 who are above a healthy weight and their families, in partnership with Monash University as part of a research trial. The online program will start on Friday, July 14, at 4pm.

■ https://betterhealthprogram.org/

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

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

Learn to Relax

IPC Health’s Living Well team is starting a new free Learn to Relax Group at IPC Health Deer Park, 106 Station Road, on July 17. The group involves a six-week program and is for people over 18 years who are interested in learning how to relax and finding ways to effectively manage their stress. Registration is required before attending the group ■ livingwell@ipchealth.com.au or 1300 472 432 and ask to speak to Leanne or Sarah from the Living Well program

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PUZZLES

SUDOKU

No. 316 2 48125 95 6

QUICK CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Ancient Mexican (5)

4 One of the two major US political parties (9)

9 Indigenous language (NZ) (5)

10 Citrus preserve (9)

5 Related to money and trade (10)

6 Of the finest type or standard (7)

7 Body-structure science (7)

8 Scale of colour (8)

13 Imaginative quality (10)

11 Playground equipment (6)

48 1 19473 4 156

12 Document for travel (8)

14 Dictatorial (10)

15 The solver (3)

17 Ovum (3)

19 City in South Carolina, US (10)

23 Fearless (8)

24 Indian deity (6)

26 Ancient Greek goddess (9)

27 River in Russia (5)

28 Trite (9)

29 Sierra – (5)

DOWN

1 Nearly (6)

2 US writer (1817-62), Henry David – (7)

3 US city known as ‘The Windy City’ (7)

4 Titled woman (4)

16 Leave by will to another (8)

18 Vivid (7)

19 Simple humorous drawing (7)

20 Wither (7)

21 Shakespeare character (7)

22 Leave empty (6)

25 Fast-growing plant (4)

easy 45 7 9658 84 3

DECODER WORDFIT

78 13 62 38 1

24 1 86 94 35

hard

medium 78 12 469 53 21

3 87 5 17 4

39 8 93 5 1

9-LETTER WORD

19 words: Good

I A I

L N

29 words: Very good

T M F R A O

anoint, anti, atom, faint, fiat, font, forint, format, fort, front, infant, INFORMANT, into, intra, iota, mart, martin, matron, mint, moat, mort, motif, nation, nota, omit, raft, rant, ratio, ration, rift, riot, rota, tarn, taro, torn, train, tram, trim, trio

No. 140

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”. N N P A S

QUICK QUIZ

M S Y P E A L S R A T I O I G L O O S L A N T M E S S Y

1 Which Looney Tunes character has the trademark catchphrase 'you’re despicable'?

3 What drink’s secret ingredient is code-named ‘7X’?

4 In 2004, Angelina Jolie (pictured) had an image of which animal tattooed onto her lower back?

5 Who played the nefarious J.R. Ewing in the television series

?

Dallas

7 What is the only word in the English language that ends in ‘mt’?

8 Do cars travel on the left or right side of the road in Japan?

9 Diverticulitis is a disease that affects which part of the body?

10 What is the highest point in Portugal?

39 words: Excellent Today’s Aim: 3 LETTERS AGO ALE BEE BIT COB EKE ERR GEE ICE ICY ITS KEN KIN NIT OIL POT RIG RIP RUE TIE TIN UFO 4 LETTERS DESK MAPS OFFS RIBS SARI SEEM SLEW SNUB SOFA WOOP 5 LETTERS ABATE ABYSS AGREE ALTOS ARENA ASSET BUTTE CADET DARES DRABS DRUMS EERIE ERASE ETHER EVOKE FILET FORTE FRONT IRATE MANIA MARIA MEDAL METED MINES MOWED NEEDS OCEAN OPENS OUTED PAPER PASTA PEAKS ROARS ROBES SEATS SEEDS SHAMS SMEAR SMOKE SPADE SPATE SPITS STAGE TESTS TIARA TOKEN UNSET WEIGH 6 LETTERS CARNAL CAUSES ORIENT PAPYRI STAGES UTTERS 7 LETTERS BREWERY CONSORT GONDOLA INHABIT ONESELF WORSENS 8 LETTERS OVATIONS PATRIOTS RETREATS RETURNED 10 LETTERS EASTERLIES PERMISSION 12 345678910111213 1415 1617181920212223242526 W P G H A F E D X O V N M Z C I S Q J R K T U L B Y 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 07-07-23 Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com 419257638 294615387 951846723 582369471 865723914 627931845 736184259 173498562 348572196 easy medium hard 524317698 653972841 365789214 831695472 748163925 219546387 976428153 192854736 487231569 784916235 572469183 965734821 259378614 416283759 127895346 631542978 893157462 348621597 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 LY ANSWERS: 1. Daffy Duck 2. Rosa Parks 3. Coca Cola 4. A Bengal tiger 5. Larry Hagman 6. 225 7. Dreamt 8. Left 9. Large intestine 10. Mount Pico 16 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 4 July, 2023

No. 140

ANY TREES LOPPED

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

Giulia is designed to turn heads

By Alistair Kennedy, Marque Motoring

Alfa Romeo Giulia is a stylish Italian sports sedan built on a rear-drive platform and designedtotacklethemarketsegmentcurrently dominated by the premium European brands.

Although the name Giulia (pronounced Julia)wasaroundinthe1960sandearly1970sit didn’tre-emergeuntil2015when,tothedelight of Alfistis everywhere, the company broke away from using the bland numeric names 156 and 159 and returned to such a distinctively Italian one.

There are five models in the Giulia range: Ti, Veloce, Quadrifoglio, GTA and GTAm.

There’s a huge difference in price, starting fromaround$70,000fortheTiandVeloce,then doubling once to the $143,000 Quadrifoglio anddoublingagaintothetrack-readyGTAand GTAm.

Our test car was the Quadrifoglio, which is Italian for four-leaf clover and has been the symbol for Alfa racing cars for close to 100 years. In modern times Quadrifoglio, often abbreviated to QV, indicates high-performance road cars.

Styling

Giulia Quadrifoglio is a real stunner. It’s very svelte and Italian in its shape and drew plenty of attention wherever we went due in no small partbytherichMontrealGreenversionthatwe tested.

Indeed, one Irish colleague was so smitten by the combination of the colour and the shamrock/clover badges (there is a difference apparently) on the sides that only my mention of the price tag stopped him from rushing off to buy one.

The exterior is highlighted by the traditional triangular shield grille flanked by two lower-mountedgrillesintheapron.Thebonnet has two cooling outlets for the engine bay

There’s a carbon-fibre splitter and large air intakes for the intercoolers as well as the brakes. The side skirts also feature carbon-fibre inserts and there are gill-style outlets either side at the front to allow air to escape from the wheel housings.

The “angry-eyes” headlights, narrow on the inside and swept-back over the front fenders, add to its striking appearance.

Unlike some of its competitors, there is no wagon variant for the Giulia although the recently-released Stelvio SUV Quadrifoglio is there if a more functional interior is needed.

Interior

Giuliaisbuiltclosetothegroundmakingentry and exit difficult for less supple occupants. Consequently, the driving position is lower than we normally like but Giulia is a sports sedan so that’s to be expected.

The dashboard tilts slightly towards the driver.

Our test QV came with optional black leather with Alcantara inserts and green/ white stitching. The front seats have tall rigid bolsters which will challenge ample-buttocked occupants but do provide excellent support.

Cabin storage is adequate, with dual cup holders and a sizeable smartphone-sized alcove at the base of the dashboard and an adjacent USB socket. There are two more USB ports in a smallcentreconsolestorageboxwithawireless phone charging pad next to them.

There’s also a useful small slot in the centre console to fit the keyfob.

The rear does have three seatbelts but the centre seat is not only narrow but it sits on top of a very high transmission tunnel that makes seating, even for children, all but impossible. Perhaps a child seat might just be squeezed in but not much else. Otherwise the fold down armrest, with twin cupholders, will be in place all the time.

On the plus-side the two useable rear seats are large and supportive as well as heated. As with the front seats they are finished in leather and Alcantara. Head and legroom are reasonable and there are twin air vents and a pair of USB ports.

Boot size is a decent 480 litres although access through the narrow opening can be a squeeze. The latest upgrade added a powered tailgate.

Engines / transmissions

Both the Ti and Veloce are powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine with outputs of 206 kW and 400 Nm at 2250 rpm.

The 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 in the Giulia Quadrifoglio Verde (QV) is something special with its Ferrari-inspired 500 horsepower (375 kW) twin-turbocharged engine. That peak power comes in at 6500 rpm with the redline set at 7000 revs. There’s an impressive 600 Nm all the way from 2500 to 5500 rpm.

All engines are mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox with large aluminium manual gearshift paddles.

Safety

Although the Quadrifoglio hasn’t been tested by ANCAP the lower spec Veloce achieved a five-star rating including an adult occupation protection rating of 98 per cent.

Standard safety features in the Giulia QV include six airbags, active cruise control, rear cross traffic alert, intelligent speed control, driverinattentionalert,trafficsignrecognition, automatic high beam system, lane departure warning and lane keep assist and, forward collision warning.

There’s also active blind spot assist, autonomous emergency braking, tyre pressure monitoring, reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors and rear-view mirror auto-dimming, and Isofix child seat anchors in the outer rear seats.

Infotainment

Displayisthroughasmall8.8-inchtouchscreen

embedded in the top centre of the dashboard that can, and should be, operated by a new rotary dial on the centre console.

Traditionalists will be happy with the two large analogue instrument dials for the driver with a digital speedometer in between.

As is the norm nowadays there’s a lot of learning needed to operate what is quite a complex infotainment system including a triple split screen. As always, given that we only have most vehicles for a week, we try to avoid being too critical of features that owners will

quickly adapt to.

There’s built-in satellite navigation, DAB+ digital radio, wireless Apple CarPlay but wired Android Auto as well as an impressive 14-speaker Harman/Kardon system called Sound Theatre.

Driving

As good as the Giulia Quadrifoglio looks it’s also a brilliant car to drive. It’s a true sports model, with an all-new rear-wheel drive

architecturegivingit50:50weightdistribution. It’s the first Alfa sedan to be driven by its rear wheels since the early 1990s. Weight is kept down through the use of lightweight steel and composite materials such as carbon fibre.

Like an increasing number of new vehicles Giulia comes with a start/stop button, many of which are annoyingly tucked away out of sight behind the steering wheel. Determined to be different, the Alfa designers have cleverly positioned the button at the bottom of the steering wheel itself. At least it’s at the bottom oncethedrivergetsintothehabitofparking,as we all should, with the wheels pointing straight ahead.

Once pressed the fun starts with the 2.9-litre twin-turbo engine sending out a lovely V6 burble through the four tailpipes.

Around town the Giulia QV is a little awkward with ground clearance of just 100mm needing a fair bit of caution and angled approach around driveways and the like.

The Alfa DNA Driving Mode Selector offers four main drive modes: Advanced Efficiency (for poor traction conditions), Normal, Dynamic and Race. Each of these changes the settings for the dampers, torque limiter, steering, gear shifts, all-wheel drive system, exhaust valve, throttle sensitivity and torque vectoring.

Most drivers, as we did, will spend most of thetimeinDynamicratherthanNormalmode as it provided everything we required.

Extra-large piece aluminium paddle shifters are fixed to the steering column encouraging their use – just for the fun of it.

Fuel consumption is listed at 8.2 litres per 100 kilometres kept down by the combination of auto engine stop-start and cylinder deactivation which shutting down three of the six cylinders when not required. We averaged a touch over 10 L/100km during our test, still pretty good for such a sporty car.

Summing up

Alfa Romeo Giulia QV is a car with the character that you expect from Italy in that combines stunning looks with outstanding performance.

Anyone who is in the market for a mid-sized sports sedan should forget all their pre-conceptions about Alfa and at least take it for a test drive before rushing in and buying one of its mostly German competitors.

The beautiful lines together with the stunning green body is a real head-turner. (Pictures: Supplied)

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio 2.9-litre four-door sports sedan

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

A refreshed Clayton back in charge of Eagles

A refreshed Stuart Clayton is ready to lead the Sunshine Eagles again in Baseball Victoria summer league.

The long-time Eagles coach stepped down as coach of the Eagles last season, but wasn’t far from the club.

So when Cameron Deeble stood down as coach, Clayton was approached to take back on the role which he said yes to.

“I’ve come back again,” Clayton said. “Last year was a bit hard to coach with work commitments.

“I was always open to coming back. Cam has started a family and I don’t think he was 100 per cent able to do it.

“I was told that he was standing down and if I wanted to do it again.”

Clayton still attended training last year and played in the club’s lower grades.

The Eagles are coming off a tough season,

where they finished in 11th spot with seven wins from 20 games.

Deebleinhisoutgoingmessagetosupporters on social media said that last season presented a valuable opportunity for the growth and development of the young players.

“With a focus on playing our youth, we witnessed their remarkable ability to step up and contribute to the team’s efforts. Their enthusiasm and determination were truly commendable, and their performances on the field provided promising signs for the future of the Sunshine Baseball Club,” he said.

Clayton agreed and said the young players would only be better for the experience.

“We had a couple who were 14, 15, 16 who were getting opportunities,” he said.

“They were holding their own and doing a great job. This year they will be a little bit stronger and forge ahead a bit more.”

Clayton said they would welcome some players back to the club next season that would strengthen them.

Jamie Young is returning from college and

Devils showing strength

By Tara Murray

Keilor Park continues to show it won’t be easy beats this Essendon District Football League division 1 season.

While coach Paul Guicas floated the possibility of playing finals earlier this year, mostpeoplehadthesideamongtherelegation mix.

The Devils though have won four matches so far, while they faced bottom side Glenroy on Saturday after deadline, to have played everyone once.

Guicas said they were definitely happy with the season so far.

“We knew we had a tough period of three games against West Coburg, St Albans and Deer Park with being a young side.

“We’ve had 16 players under the age of 23 and our average losing margin was 39 points and we didn’t get blown away.

“I’m really proud of the boys. It’s been one quarter in each game that has cost us. Against West Coburg we were 10 points down at the beginning of the last quarter before we made some silly mistakes.”

With the side having four wins on the board, finals still remains a possibility even if they need a bit of luck to go their way.

Guicas said they needed to beat Glenroy and go from there. A win would also put them four games ahead of Glenroy and possibly three games ahead of the second last and the relegation battle.

“Four games clear of last would be good, you never know what can happen,” Guicas said.

“We win this week and we’ve played everyone once and be 5-6 we would be pretty happy.

“We win this week and could be one game outside the top five if other results go our way.

“We want to win this week and take it one week at a time.”

Guicas said they had a reasonable run home with only a second match against West Coburg and not Deer Park and St Albans.

He said they also had a number of matches at home that they want to capitalise on.

Now nearly have played everyone once, Guicas said for them the biggest thing was proving that they weren’t going to be easy beats this season.

“A lot of people were thinking that we were going to be easy beats and it’s only natural,” he said.

“We hated hearing that and we wanted to play as hard as we can to make an impact on finals.”

Guicas said they were only going to get better the second half of the season.

Captain Daylan Kempster has played just two games so far.

“He is arguably our best player and we’re winning without him,” he said.

“We’re still young and going to make

mistakes. As long as we work hard and play good defence we will always be in the game.

“It’s not going to be easy but we’re really happy with where things are at, at the

moment.”

will re-join his brothers at the club. Clayton saidJeremyYoungwouldbebackafteraseason in Europe for next season, but wasn’t 100 per cent sure whether he would again play with the Melbourne Aces.

The is also currently talking to an import, who Clayton said would be really good for them if they can get them across the line.

While in a normal year, the Eagles would be dropping to division 2 after the poor finish but a change in structure means changes to how the competition will be structured.

“We’re staying in division 1,” Clayton said.

“They are restructuring it and bringing four teams up from division 2. Once every team has played each other twice, it will be split into two divisions, premier and division 1.

“We want to be in that top division.”

Tara Murray

Sports shorts

Renegades Recruit

Sunshine’s Maryam Omar is through to the final three of the Melbourne Renegades Recruit. Omar, who plays at Sunshine Heights and Carlton, excelled in the challenges on Tuesday night’s episode to claim a spot in the final three. A public vote along with the coach’s vote will decide the winner this week. To vote: https://formstack. io/93E08

NPL

St Albans Saints have made some changes to their squad for the rest of the National Premier League season. The club announced Aaron Oppedisano, Troy Ruthven, George Ott, Lathan Dunn and Gabriel Matti were departing the club. The Saints were sitting in 11th spot before the weekend’s matches after failing to capitalise on a strong start to the season. which were after deadline.

Basketball

Keilor Thunder’s Sa Pilimai has received a scholarship to the NBA Global Academy. The academy is a partnership with Basketball Australia and serves as the NBA’s hub for top male and female prospects from outside the U.S. Up to sixteen elite athletes attend NBA Global Academy each year at the Centre of Excellence in Canberra. NBA star Josh Giddey was the first graduate of the program to be drafted to the NBA.

Football

Several Western Jets players from Indigenous and multicultural backgrounds featured in a Victorian Diversity All-Stars game on Wednesday. Werribee Centrals’ Giselle Lambley, Maribyrnong Park’s Jade Cilla and Caroline Springs Mira Diab represented the Western Jets in the girls match. Sam Esokni (Altona) Alex Tsia (Hillside), Noah Eldebs (Keilor), Edwin Nyembo (Werribee Centrals), Isaac Abbay (Hillside) were the boys Jets representatives. Victorian talent manager – country, Lee Fraser said the Victorian Diversity All-Stars matches have been introduced this year to provide another opportunity for emerging young footballers from diverse backgrounds to put their talent on display.

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would make it harder.

Stuart Clayton. (Luke Hemer)

Guicas said before the Glenroy game they were expecting a challenge and with rain possibly predicted

Ben Chisholm. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 333186_73

Hatzoglou headed to Tasmania’s Hurricanes

Former Sunshine Heights junior Peter Hatzoglou is headed to Tasmania for BBL|13.

The Hobart Hurricanes announced the signing of the leg spinner last week, their first new signing for the upcoming season.

Hatzoglou comes to the Hurricanes from the reigning back-to-back champions, the Perth Scorchers, of which he was a member of the squad that won both the BBL|11 and BBL|12 titles.

Hatzoglou staged breakout season in BBL|10, after being plucked from relative obscurity by the Melbourne Renegades as a local replacement player after playing not many first XI Victorian Premier Cricket games with Melbourne University.

He went on to play 13 of the Renegades 14 games that season, taking an impressive 17 wickets at an average of 22.88.

Hatzoglou has since made a name for

himself as a short-form specialist, plying his trade the world over at tournaments including The Hundred in the UK, the Pakistan Super League, and the Abu Dhabi T10.

Now 24, Hatzoglou is currently playing for Glamorgan in the UK’s Vitality Blast competition.

“I’m really excited for my next chapter in the BBL with the Hurricanes,” he said.

“I’m one of those players whose career has followed a more non-traditional path to get to thepointI’matnow,soI’mjustreallythankful for every opportunity that comes my way.

“Watching from afar over the past couple of seasons, it is obvious that the Hurricanes have pretty much all the right ingredients within their program already.

“I’m looking forward to coming in, getting to know some of the guys and the staff a bit better, and contributing whatever small part I

cantohopefullytheultimateon-fieldsuccess.”

Hurricanes coach Jeff Vaughan said it was a coup to add a leg spinner of Hatzoglou’s experience to his squad.

He said while he’s still only relatively young, he has proven that he is game ready right from his BBL debut back in 2020.

“Leg spinning is a difficult craft to master, so to have a leggie of his ability and experience that is game ready and we can play at any opportunity I think will be a really valuable opportunity for our squad moving forward.”

Hatzoglou joins Tim David, Paddy Dooley, Nathan Ellis, Caleb Jewell, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Billy Stanlake and Matthew Wade as Hurricanes currently contracted for BBL|13.

Young stars on centre stage

A record number of Caroline Springs players featured in the Hockey Victoria Junior State Championships last week.

The club had eight players featured in the competition, five with the North West Metro Tigers and three for South West Eagles.

TheSpringershadsixplayerrepresent the club last year.

Royal Mann and Bailey Wright have been selected for the Tigers under-12 boys hockey5 competition.

Aaymaan Deol and Ky Lake were selected for the under-14 Tigers boys team, while Luca Sinnott has been named in the under-14 Tigers girls team.

Charlotte Wright, Luca Sinnott are in the under-14 Eagles team, while Alex Arsenoulis is an under-16 player for the Eagles.

The under-14 boys were playing to defend the title the North West Tigers won the championship last year when it was the under-13 age group.

Springers coach Melissa Lake said it was pretty exciting to have that many athletes picked for the competition which features the best players in the state.

“As a club we are very proud of all our juniors and how they are developing their skills,” she said.

Melbourne Knights are through to the national stage of the Australia Cup. (Mikko Robles)

Knights make final four

By Tara Murray

Melbourne Knights survived the Dockerty Cup play off match to win through to the final four of the competition.

With five teams left in the competition, the Knights and Northcote City were the unlucky teams drawn to play in the play off match on Wednesday night.

Knights coach Ben Cahn said it was a tricky situation, which none of the five teams left wanting to be in the play off game.

The Knights came away with a 3-1 win after a strong second half.

“We’re glad we got through it,” he said. “Both sides were cagey and kept some physical capabilities in tact.

“They are a good side and have lots of good players, it was a close game.

“We had a bit more depth in who we could bring on and were able to score three goals in the second half.”

Cahn said it wasn’t easy to get themselves

up for the game as they’re in the middle of a tough run in the fixture.

He said a number of players who had a lot of minutes stepped up and performed really well, while a couple of their new signings in Ben Collins and Anton Kinnander both scored.

Cahn said they knew they needed to strengthen their squad with a lot of games still to come.

“It was important we added to the squad,” he said. “We played seven games in June.

“For a team at any level that is challenging and it’s important to have extra depth and quality for the rest of the campaign.”

The Knights now face the Oakleigh Cannons in the next round of the Dockerty Cup on July 12.

On Wednesday, the Knights found out their opponent for the round of 32 in the Australia Cup.

The Knights will be at home to Queensland team, the Lions, which Cahn said was a

massive bonus for them.

“The Lions are a team that I know really well,” he said. “I’ve coached against them in a number of big games, finals.

“I’m looking forward to the game and hopefullymoveintotheroundof16.We’vegot a lot of matches without having that strenuous travel and we’re happy to be at home.

“It’s nice and warm in Queensland, and it’ll be nice for them to come down to the cold and Melbourne Knights is an intimidating place to play with all of our fans.”

The Knights were back in action on Friday night in the National Premier League, after deadline.

It didn’t get any easier for them with a match up against ladder leaders Avondale. The Knights were in fourth spot.

Meanwhile, Western United has drawn Edgeworth Eagles on the road in its first match of the Australia Cup competition.

Australia Cup matches will be play in a two week period in August.

“Now that the club is in its seventh year we can really see the juniors coming through the club. So many are now playing seniors and also coaching the younger players.

“We are really proud of all our JSC playersparticipatinginthecompetition and honoured that they chose Caroline Springs Hockey Club to be their club.”

Tara Murray

Back: Ky Lake, Aayman Deol, Alex Arsenoulis, Laila Ward, Charlotte Wright.

Front: Bailey Wright, Royal Mann, Luca Sinnott. (Supplied)

Peter Hatzoglou. (AAP Image/Matt Turner)

Tara Murray

City West Falcons building nicely

The City West Falcons built nicely to come away with another win in the Victorian Netball League championship division.

Having played on Sunday, the Falcons had a short turnaround to Wednesday night’s match against the North East Blaze.

The short break didn’t do anything to hold the Falcons momentum, winning 71-54.

Falcons coach Marg Lind walked away pretty happy with the win against the fourth placed Blaze, which has a couple of teams in hot pursuit.

“We built across the course of the game,” she said.” We had a few errors here and there and gave them the opportunity to stay in the game longer.

“It as a pretty good performance over all.”

Lind said the short break meant they didn’t have the opportunity to work on anything that they wanted to in between games.”

The Falcons looked to use their options again with all 10 players getting on court.

Jane Cook was again the star in goals

with 47 goals.

The match up of the night was the battle between sisters, Sienna and Nyah Allen.

Lind said they weren’t anticipating that match up.

“I think Sienna would have got on top, it was a really good game by her,” she said.

“We didn’t expect that we thought they would go with their other goaling option or Nyah in goal attack, we were a bit worried and didn’t think it was ideal

“It was played in such good spirit and Sienna was awesome and had the upper hand as the older sister.”

Lind said the pleasing thing it was another strong cross court performance from the group, which has had just one loss for the season.

She said they again tried to get plenty of court time into Soli Ropati in her return from injury as they make sure she is qualified for finals.

“Soli fits like a glove,” she said. “The

defensive end really consolidated while the offensive end is high scoring and are working really hard on the centre pass and overall linking up really nicely.”

Lind said now with a full week between gamestheywouldlooktoworkonmorethings to have more tricks up their bags for finals.

She said they would also be working hard to make sure Ropati and Kim Borger in championship division and Olivia Cameron, in division 1, got qualified for finals.

The Falcons division 1 team suffered a two goal loss to the Blaze after a poor shooting performance, which will harm the side’s chance of a top two spot.

The under-19s won by the same margin and are now in the box seat for a top two spot.

The Falcons this week face Melbourne University, with the club’s championships side coming off four straight wins.

Lind said it would be a challenging game.

Wolves keep focus steady

The Keilor Wolves have a task ahead of them if they’re to have a chance at promotion in the FV state league 4 competition.

TheWolveswereinfourthspotafter14 rounds, nine points of top spot and five points off second.

The top team automatically gets promoted, while the second placed side is set to play in a play off match for promotion.

Wolves coach Sofiane Soufi said they know they have their work cut out for them.

“WelostanimportantgameattheSurf Coast,” he said.

“We had too many injuries and got a red card. Credit to Surf Coast, they were the better team on the day.

“We will keep fighting. Last year we were seven points ahead of everyone and didn’t get promoted.

“Second spot is only five points away. We have to believe and keep playing hard every weekend, we can’t afford to drop any more points.”

Cobras rue lost chance

By Tara Murray

Albanvale was left frustrated after blowing its chancestobeattheSunsintheWesternRegion Football League division 3 on Saturday.

Having lost the first meeting between the sides, the Cobras were the better team for much of the match up on Saturday.

One thing would prove the difference in the match, conversion in front of goal.

The accurate Suns ended up getting across the line, winning 12.3 (75)-8.13 (61).

For Cobras coach Nick Smith, the match is one that got away.

“It was frustrating,” he said. “We felt like we dominated most of the game but we couldn’t make them pay.

“They executed really well, kicking 12.3, which doesn’t happen many times either. As they say, bad kicking is bad football.”

Smith said the most frustrating part was there weren’t any excuses for the poor kicking in front of goal.

He said they were getting shots in good spots and where they wanted to have shots

on goal from.

Matthew Taylor kicked three goals for the Cobras, while Reece Field got two goals.

He said captain Jacob Maschewski was fantastic on Saturday, while a number of defenders were good despite some conceding some goals.

He said Corey Hall and Tito Nyawela were some of the other standouts.

While disappointed, Smith said there were some positives to take out of the match.

“We feel like there are some good signs and there’s things that we are still working on,” he said. “We had the game on our terms and we were sharing the ball and had lots of opportunities to score.

“We were just disappointed with our ability to finish. We’ve played them twice and haven’t been blown off the park. We’re looking forward to playing them for a third time.”

The loss has the Cobras now sitting a game behind the Suns at the top of the ladder. Sunshine Heights sits equal on points with the Cobras, but has played one extra match.

Smith said they wanted to make sure that

they sealed a top two spot in the back part of the season.

“We rate them,” he said of the Dragons. “They are a good side and we don’t think the top two races are over by any stretch.

“We want to ensure a top two spot and a fourth crack at the Suns in the first week of finals.”

Smith, who is in his first season as coach of the Cobras, said they were happy with the season so far.

“It’s explaining to the players, we are losing games, not the other teams winning the games,” he said.

“That’s hard to plan for as sometimes. We’re still in second spot, hopefully we can lock that away and have a real crack come finals.”

The Cobras this Saturday face North Sunshine.

The Roadrunners had a 30.20 (200)-6.2 (38) loss to Sunshine Heights on Saturday.

Kyall Parker kicked 13 goals in a best on ground performance.

West Footscray was the other winner on Saturday.

Soufi said injuries hadn’t helped them with 25 players playing in their top side this season so far.

He said they were starting to get everyone back.

Soufi said they were hoping their experiences of the past few years would hold them in good stead for the back half of the season.

He said finishing in top spot was probably too far away, but they were focused on the second spot and possible promotion play off.

“A couple of years ago we were able to turn things around,” he said. “We’ve learned from the past.

“We have beaten them all previously, Moonee Valley, Surf Coast. We’re capable of beating everyone in the league.”

Despitedroppingoffslightly,Soufisaid the vibe around the club continued to be strong and the environment was good as everyone works towards the one goal.

TheWolvesweresettofaceMelbourne City on Friday night, after deadline. Melbourne City entered the round in fifth spot, a point behind the Wolves.

Tara Murray

Corey Hall (Ljubica Vrankovic) 338828_31

Tara Murray Sienna Allen gets the rebound. (Robbab Photography)

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