Star Weekly - Northern - 18th July 2023

Pieces that connect

Hume-based Yorta Yorta, Gunaikurnai, Gunditjmara artist Teena Moffatt has created an art exhibition named ‘Pieces of Me’ at the Hume Global Learning Centre in Craigieburn.

‘Pieces of Me’ explores themes of identity, family and home inspired by Moffatt’s ancestral stories and presented in a variety of traditional and contemporary media. From possum skin burrai (baby carriers) adorned with ochre, to traditional woven baskets and totem stories depicted as visual elliptical narratives on canvas.

She said her art enables her to communicate, connect and share her knowledge across generations, mixing the old with the new.

Moffatt said that her work is guided from a deep place of her dreaming.

“My art connects my past, present and future,” she said. “In honour of my grandmothers and grandfathers, my family and my bloodlines, to ensure my children feel a strong connection to their people and traditional ways.”

‘Pieces of Me’ was launched in the lead up to NAIDOC Week and will be showing until Sunday, August 27.

Calls for station upgrade

By Harper Sercombe

The state opposition is calling for the redevelopment of Broadmeadows station. The upgrade of the station has long been a priority of the community and Hume council. The redevelopment remains a contentious issue with $18 million allocated to the project by the then Brumby Labor government in 2010.

However, that funding was redirected in 2013 following a change of government. Council has been calling for the money to be reinstated ever since.

Mayor Joseph Haweil has been a strong public advocate for the project.

“A full-scale major redevelopment of the Broadmeadows Railway Station should have occurred years ago,” he said in a statement.

“Council continues to urge the Victorian government to provide a realistic roadmap for theredevelopmentofthisimportanttransport hub of state significance.

“We will continue to advocate for the investment the site so desperately needs.”

In 2020, The Northern Councils Alliance, with support from business group North Link, released its Building Communities,

Connecting People : Northern Horizons 2020 report, which outlined the infrastructure needed across the north to keep pace with population growth. The report called for an upgrade to Broadmeadows station by 2024.

The state government has committed to upgrading the station as part of the Suburban Rail Loop.

The station is embarked to become a ‘transport superhub’ but not until 2056.

Liberal Northern Metropolitan Region MP Evan Mulholland and opposition public transport spokesperson Richard Riordan said this isn’t good enough.

“This critical upgrade cannot wait any longer. Broadmeadows station needs to be upgraded now, not sometime in the next 30 years,” Mr Mulholland said.

Mr Riordan said “Broadmeadows doesn’t have a government willing to move a cent to invest in it”.

“This government has shown that its promises are nothing more than fairy tales.”

Broadmeadows MP Kathleen Matthews-Wardsaidthestationisthegateway to Melbourne’s north and should be “modern and accessible” but did not elaborate on a timeline for redevelopment.

Harper Sercombe

Teena Moffatt.

(Ljubica Vrankovic)

Four charged over truck thefts

Police have charged four people and seized firearms, cash and drugs following the theft of two tow trucks and a firearms incident in Mickleham.

Police allege that about 5.30am on July 9, three people broke into a heavy haulage depot on Technical Drive, Craigieburn, where they allegedly stole two Kenworth tow trucks.

CCTV alerted the victims to the theft and they tracked the location of the allegedly stolen trucks via GPS.

When the victim arrived at the location of one of the trucks on Rosehill Boulevard,

Mickleham, a man exiting the vehicle fired two shots in his direction. He was unharmed during the incident.

The second vehicle was located in Roxburgh Park and intercepted by police.

A 42-year-old Craigieburn woman and a 36-year-old Meadow Heights man were arrested at the scene and later charged with theft of motor vehicle and drug possession.

A 34-year-old Glenroy man, believed to have discharged the firearm on Sunday, July 9, was arrested on Monday, July 10.

A significant quantity of cash, as

well as quantities of what appear to be methylamphetamine and 1,4-Butanediol and a round of ammunition were seized from his vehicle.

A search warrant was executed at his Glenroy address on Tuesday, where police subsequently located a AR-15 assault rifle, a WWII Thompson submachine gun, a handgun, a gel blaster handgun, detonation cords, ammunition, false registration plates, various amounts of what appear to be a crystal substance, GHB, methylamphetamine and other prescription medication, ammunition

100 helping packs for the homeless

A Dallas mother of four is continuing on her mission to give back to the community.

Helen Halwani, with the help of her local community and family members, will be creating 100 ‘homeless packs’ to be distributed throughout winter.

“I’ve been doing it for over 12 years, I’ve been just working in the community, doing my own projects, helping wherever I can,” Mrs Halwani said.

Yet this is her biggest personal project yet.

The packs will include, soap, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a packet of wipes, face masks,

cotton ear buds, a blanket, gloves, a beanie, a nail clipper set, a raincoat, and a backpack to hold all the goods in.

To create these she has raised over $1300 frommembersofhercommunityandafurther $800 from the Roxburgh Park Basketball club, where she is treasurer.

The rest of the items have been donated by generous parents from the club, family members, and club members.

Mrs Halwani said this is the most packs she has ever made, surpassing her former record of 50.

New name for animal centre

The Epping Animal Welfare Facility has a new name, wat djerring Animal Facility. Wat djerring means ‘we together.’

The name was chosen after consultation with the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural HeritageAboriginalCorporationtoreinforce the connection with the animals and the important role the facility plays in reuniting pets with their owners and finding them new homes.

Whittlesea chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the new name represented a new era for the facility.

“The facility operates as the pound for three councils (Whittlesea, Merri-Bek and Darebin councils), and we wanted a more inclusive name that acknowledged the cultural heritage of the land on which the

facility is located and reflected the purpose of the facility, to reconnect people with their pets and to give animals a fresh start,” she said.

“The new name, pronounced ‘wot jerring’, really captures the strong values our community places on pet ownership.

“While the name has changed, the great service provided to our pets at the facility has not.”

The new name is complemented by a new visual brand designed by Aboriginal artist De Greer-Yindimincarlie at YindiArtz that represents how an animal, despite the challenges of its journey can flourish and thrive with love and care.

Harper Sercombe

“It’s just something that I love,” she said.

The packs will be distributed through the charitable organisations, Homeless Aid, Inspiring Connections and Brothers In Need.

Mrs Halwani said she is extremely grateful for the organisations and the work they do.

“These organisations are doing amazing things, we’re nothing compared to what they do,” she said.

Mrs Halwani has been a part of over 35 charitable events across the last 12 years.

Harper Sercombe

and identification in various names. He was charged with over 15 offences, including reckless conduct endanger life, use firearmwhenfirearmprohibitionorderapplies, possess firearm when FPO applies, two counts of commit indictable offence whilst on bail, trafficking methylamphetamine, trafficking 1,4-Butanediolandtwocountsoftheftofmotor vehicle and was remanded in custody.

A 32-year-old woman found in the company of the Glenroy man was charged with possession of 1,4-Butanediol and was bailed to appear in court at a later date.

New plans for Whittlesea Park

Whittlesea council has adopted a new master plan to guide decision-making around Whittlesea Park for the next decade. The plan was adopted at a meeting on Tuesday, June 29, which consisted of 13 recommendations.

The proposal was developed by the council in collaboration with the Whittlesea Showgrounds and Recreation Reserves Committee of Management.

Located on a 25-hectare reserve in Whittlesea,theparkcomprisesanumber of reserves, facilities and amenities.

The approved master plan outlines upgrades to the reserve’s entrances and improvements to the playground to meet the needs of children of all ages.

Council will build new picnic areas with barbecue facilities and furniture and create a three-metre-wide circuit path with pedestrian bridge crossings andfitnessstations.Undertheplan,atree strategy will be developed that provides for an audit of all existing trees, while parking arrangements along Laurel, Forest, Walnut and Beech streets will be formalised.Dogownerswillbenefitfrom an upgrade to the existing off-leash dog park, the planting of additional trees and a quiet dog zone.

Skate park and playground users will enjoy the convenience of public toilets being built at the Walnut Street entrance, while council will investigate the option of future toilet facilities at Laurel Street.

“Counciliscommittedtoensuringour parksmeettheneedsofourcommunities and support the active, outdoor lifestyles residents enjoy so much,” chair administrator Lydia Wilson said.

Details: https://www.whittlesea.vic. gov.au/whittleseapark

Harper Sercombe

Helen Halwani setting up the 100 packs. (Damjan Janevski) 344782_04

Briefs

Opposition rail plans

The Victorian state opposition is calling for the Suburban Rail Loop to be paused and for the resources to be reinvested into the Melbourne Airport Rail Link. Opposition transport and infrastructure spokesperson David Southwick said due to the state’s current debt levels projects must be prioritsised based on the needs of the community.

Hume changing banks

Matildas right at home

The Bundoora home base for the Matildas has officially opened.

TheLaTrobeUniversitysiteispartofan$101 million investment by the state government into the campus’ sports grounds.

The team is gearing up for its much anticipated start to the FIFA Women’s World Cup on July 20 against Ireland.

The state-of-the-art facility includes two hybrid turf pitches, two FIFA-grade synthetic pitches(withanothertobeconstructedlaterthis year), twelve change rooms, a fully-equipped gym, medical facilities, wet recovery areas, function rooms, coaching development spaces and an 800-seat grandstand.

Sports and Major Events Minister Steve Dimiopoulos said this facility is for the now and the future.

“It will help to develop the next generation of champions inspired by this year’s Women’s

What’s on

World Cup,” he said.

Thousandsofcommunitysoccerplayerswill also have the opportunity to train and play on the world class facilities, to create a tangible pathway from the grassroots to the elite at a single venue.

Football Victoria president Antonella Cares said this is where ambitions of female soccer will be supported like never before.

“This precinct has the power to drive tangible change in our game. We’re thrilled to unveilthisprecincttoourfootballcommunity, a place we can all call home,” she said.

The precinct will also officially host the Jamaican women’s team during the World Cup.

Aspirations of further grandstand seating and community facilities to support the needs of soccer players across Victoria are now being worked on.

Hume council has implemented parameters to broaden its investment portfolio. The policy will provide some flexibility to consider investing outside of the ‘big four’ banks, or opt for subsidiaries of these financial institutions. Council is also taking an “aggressive approach” by considering banks with eco-investing or green investment products. “It is important that this council applies a social lens to its investments,” Councillor Naim Kurt said. The diversification aspect of the policy will also stop council from investing more than 75 per cent of its cash into one financial institution.

Broadmeadows TattsLotto win

A Broadmeadows woman is now a millionaire after taking out the $1.25 million TattsLotto top prize. “I’ve been playing for a very long time. I just don’t know how we got so lucky,” she said.

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

Northern Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Community Grants info sessions

A new City of Whittlesea Community Grants program will kick off on 1 August 2023.

The new program offers six grant categories- small, medium, large, individual, unincorporated groups and emergency grants and will be available year-round, with approval rounds conducted on a monthly or quarterly basis.

Come along to an information session, hosted by our Community Grants team, and learn about the new program, including what is available and how to apply

To find an information session, visit www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/events

VR Michael Reserve

Council is developing a master plan for VR Michael Reserve in Lalor to improve accessibility and further upgrade the park.

Tell us what you would like to see at the reserve to help make it a safe and inclusive place that everyone can enjoy.

We’d also like to hear about your current experiences and feedback on topics such as connection and access into and through the reserve, visibility and safety, and new opportunities for recreation activities.

To have your say, visit www.engage.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/vr-michael-reserve

whittlesea.vic.gov.au

The opening of Bundoora’s state of the art facilities. (Mark Avellino/ Football Victoria)

Jet fuel pipeline secured in works

By Harper Sercombe

Works on the Mickleham Road upgrade are ramping up through winter.

Construction to protect part of a pipeline to help secure Melbourne Airport’s jet fuel supply is now under way, as part of the road upgrade.

Specialised crews will add significant layers of protection to about 665 metres of the high-pressure jet fuel pipeline running underneath Somerton Road, where upgrades take place for the Somerton Road-Mickleham

roads roundabout to a signalised intersection with additional lanes and dedicated turning lanes.

Progressive dayworks will take place over several months to minimise disruption for the more than 25,000 people that travel on Mickleham Road every day.

Trenches up to 2.5 metres deep will be excavated and to allow crews to add protective layers to the existing fuel line under and near Mickleham Road, to ensure an uninterrupted supply of jet fuel to the Melbourne Airport.

The complex nature of these works will

Snap to it, enter now

Phone-friendly film directors still have time to enter their films in 2023’s Smartfone Flick Fest (SF3) until August 1.

The Aussie-born international film fest for movies entirely filmed on a smartphone or tablet is open to filmmakers of all ages.

Kerry Peter is a Craigieburn entrant, who directed, produced and filmed ‘Don’t Go There’, as a university project back in 2021. Mr Peter, 23, studied an advanced diploma of filmmaking at Swinburne University.

In this film he discovers themes of depression, and cycles of negative thinking. As he said, it’s reminiscent of the pandemic. “Feeling really flat and not motivated … I felt that way and I think a lot of people did,” he said.

Mr Peter said he wasn’t well versed in filming using only his iPad but said he enjoyed the challenge.

“It’s always exciting to see what you can achieve with the limitations you have,” he

said.

SF3 gives filmmakers from Australia and across the world the chance to snag a share in $50,000 worth of prizes and 35 awards across five categories.

Categories include the feature films, short films up to 20 minutes, films up to 3 minutes with a theme of ‘Up’, films in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and 360 degree genres and more.

Last year’s festival attracted over 300 films and festival director Angela Blake expects even more this year.

“It’s an exciting time for creativity. There truly are no limitations, no borders. Never before has story-telling on the big screen been more relevant, affordable … and accessible,” she said.

(Damjan

require crews to navigate in and around the temporary dual-lane Somerton Road roundabout. “The extensive work we’re doing now to protect and relocate essential underground services is paving the way for this important upgrade to Mickleham Road,” Major Road Projects Victoria program director Adrian Furner said.

As part of the Mickleham Road upgrade, works are also under way to relocate a vast array of critical underground services includingtelecommunications,power,gasand drainage infrastructure servicing thousands

of homes and businesses across Melbourne’s north.

The protection and relocation of underground services beneath Mickleham and Somerton roads is a large and complex process involving carefully moving and reconnecting almost 10 kilometres of wires, cables and pipes.

The Victorian and federal governments have invested $222 million to build stage one oftheMicklehamRoadupgrade. Majorworks began in March, with completion expected in 2025.

Boutique living in Armstrong Creek

Kerry Peter filming with his phone.

Janevski) 344985_01

Modern over 50s living, comingsoontoMickleham.

Empowering people to live fulfilling lives

Providing inclusive, personalised and supportive programs for people of all abilities is a key priority for the Y which operates a number of 1:1 support programs throughout Melbourne and the Greater Melbourne areas.

Theprofit-for-purposeorganisation,whichis also a Registered National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider, has worked in the disability sector for over 30 years across camps, in home supports, holiday programs, youth/ social support programs and NDIS support coordination.

Its 1:1 support program is a crucial aspect of providing assistance and care to individuals with disabilities. It involves the provision of dedicated support and personalised attention to meet the specific needs and requirements of each person. This approach recognises that every individual has unique abilities, challenges, and aspirations, and aims to empower people to lead fulfilling lives.

“We have seen our program triple in the number of hours of support we provide our participants in the past 12 months” explains Y home and community director Sarah Gleeson. “It is important we build rapport and spend the time to get to know our participants to enable them to overcome barriers, enhance their independence, and participate fully in all aspects of their life”.

This has lead the Y to develop a number of new support programs which provide people with disability who have similar goals and interests the opportunity to actively participate in community activities together. These include organised outings to sporting events, art classes, girls pamper days, ten pin bowling and day trips to regional Victoria, just to name a few.

“We have taken the participants lead in designing support their way,” said Sarah. “Ourcommunityhavetoldustheywanttobe

abletohavethe1:1supportofasupportworker, so they could get individualised support for their needs but also wanted to be able to access community programs amongst their peers to

createfriendshipsandenjoysocialexperiences. Our Adventure Dayz, Lad and Girlz Club, Saturday Youngsters and Sunday Funday allow participants this opportunity.”

To enquire about Inclusion Services by the Y’s 1:1 support programs please call 1300 699 622 or visit inclusion.ymca.org.au.

Participants enjoying a day out at the NGV. (Supplied)

Crime gang arson crack down

Police have announced an operation targeting organised crime syndicates believed to be linked to a recent series of arson attacks within Hume and across Melbourne.

Authorities are linking at least 11 incidents dating back to June 24 believed to be linked to ongoing disputes between two criminal groups with links to Middle Eastern organised crime entities.

Including an incident just after 5.35am on June 25, where a vehicle pulled up outside a

house on Greenvale Drive, Greenvale, and one oftheoccupantsofthecarpouredanaccelerant over two cars in the driveway and attempted to set them on fire.

Detectives are still working to determine the motive for the overall ongoing dispute and are speaking further to the residents and business owners of the addresses, as well as any associates, in order to try and understand the reason for the attacks. Other incidents include ones in Oakleigh, Fawkner, Caroline Springs,

College celebrates 60th

Lalor Secondary College is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2023.

Theschoolhasapproximately45nationalities amongst its students, producing a culturally and linguistically diverse cohort.

To mark the occasion the college is hosting two special events, the first is the ‘celebrations day’ which will be a school fair that will showcase the history of the college as well as carnival rides, foods and information stalls, on October 15.

The second is the ‘gala dinner’, on November 18, which is a dinner dance with a band, where speeches will be made to comment on the history and changes to the school and local area over the past 60 years, College principal Corey Jewell has been at the school for 23 years and principal for the last eight. He said the school has transitioned over time to become a calm place that allows high levels of student engagement with their learning.

“[When I started] there were 490 students … the school currently has 1150 students which

has meant significant changes to the physical surrounds of the college,” he said.

“More students has allowed increases in subject choice and variety in subjects being delivered as well as the development of a strong and proud student culture.”

However, there are many changes to come for the thriving school with the current undertaking a state government $27 million capital works project that will change the landscape of the college.

“It will see a new double court championship basketball stadium as well as a new wellbeing hub, arts precinct, senior school precinct, fitness centre and food technology wing,” Mr Jewell said.

“This will continue to allow for the evolution of the school curriculum and therefore it’s teaching and learning program.”

Harper Sercombe

Fraser Rise, Port Melbourne, Collingwood, Maribyrnong and Ravenhall.

Police are looking at whether any other incidents are linked to this series, however at thistimetheydonotbelieveanumberofrecent fires at tobacco stores are connected.

Arson and explosives squad Detective Inspector Chris Murray said it is lucky no one has been killed by these attacks yet.

“A fire can very easily get out of control and effectively cost innocent parties either their

lives or their livelihoods. It’s behaviour that is utterly reckless and completely criminal,” he said. “The use of arson by criminal groups to target and intimidate others has a significant impact on the whole community and won’t be tolerated.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure those involved are held to account.”

Anyone with details is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestoppersvic.com.au

We’re building big near you and there will be transport disruptions

Road disruptions: Closed roads and lanes

Craigieburn

As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re continuing works on North East Link making travelling around Melbourne and to the airport quicker and safer. We’re also removing 110 dangerous and congested level crossings, with 70 already gone.

Sienna, principal Corey Jewell, Jed and Violetta. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 346506_03

A taste of retirement lifestyle at Bridgewater Lake

Bridgewater Lake Retirement Estate is an retirement village operated by Benetas, an aged care provider in Australia. Located in Roxburgh Park, Victoria, Bridgewater Lake offers independent living options for seniors in a picturesque setting.

Tucked away in a quiet neighbourhood in Roxburgh Park among lush, well-tended gardens, the retirement community cultivates a warm and welcoming environment for residents to live in comfort and security and to enjoy the good times.

With its new phase of homes completed and upcoming pre-loved homes for sale, Bridgewater Lake Estate is excited to embrace the evolving needs of residents.

Bridgewater Lake Estate would love to share its unique culture with prospective residents and their families.

Thevillageprovidesarangeofamenitiesand servicesdesignedtosupportacomfortableand active lifestyle for its residents. These include community facilities, such as a clubhouse, library, gymnasium, and outdoor recreational spaces. The village also offers social activities, events, and opportunities for residents to connect with their peers.

And, because they know pets are an importantmemberofyourfamily,Bridgewater Lake Estate welcomes your furry friends too (some conditions apply).

For detailed information about the Bridgewater Lake Retirement Village, including specific services, accommodation options, call Peter Harry 0419 028 518 or visit official website www.benetas.com.au

Residents from Bridgewater Lake enjoying leisure time. (Supplied)

Youngsters dreaming of the AFL

Harper Sercombe finds out more about the key draft prospects from Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs who could work their way onto an AFL list come November.

As the boys’ under-18s championships come to end, it’s time to start working out who may work their way onto an AFL list.

The Calder Cannons, Western Jets and Northern Knights have long been touted as ‘footy factories’ producing some sensational AFL players such as Dane Swan, Eddie Betts, Marcus Bontempelli, Trent Cotchin, Matthew Lloyd and many, many others.

However, it’s been a long nine years since a first round boys’ selection has come from all three clubs, but that could change come November.

Of the 36 boys selected in this year’s Vic Metro squad, 11 came from the three Coates Talent League clubs. Five as bottom agers, six as draft candidates.

Of the eligible, three stand tall, the Knights’ Nate Caddy, the Jets’ Logan Morris and the Cannons’ Jordan Croft.

The trio are poised for early selections on draft night.

Caddy, the highest ranked of the three, is a powerful 192 centimetre forward-mid, with elite aerial prowess and goal nous.

The Knight had an interrupted start to his draft year, missing round one of the talent league season due to a hairline fracture in his leg.

Since then Caddy has gone from strength to strength, building upon the fitness that he says was lacking upon return from injury.

“[I] probably [came back] a bit too quick, but I was very eager to get back,” he said.

“It’snormallyaboutasixweekinjury,Ithink I only gave it about three and half, four weeks.

“I came in with not much fitness … but I

used that time over the community break to really build on it.

“I think I’ve come back a better player and a lot more fit.”

This is evident in his performance. Caddy has only played the four games for the Knights this season. In rounds two and three he had

a combined five goals, three behinds and 25 disposals.

That’s compared to his 10 goals, six behinds and an average of 23 disposals from his two most recent appearances.

The fitness Caddy gained has allowed him to be utilised as a burst midfield weapon for the

Knights, being placed in the guts for the first five minutes of each quarter.

Vic Metro coach Rob Harding said Caddy is the complete package.

“Nate’s obviously a fantastic talent, his aerial power and his ability to follow up, and get after the ball on ground level, he’s smart around the goals, he just does everything well,” he said.

The dangerous forward also demonstrated his abilities in his Victorian Football League debut for Carlton where he scored two goals.

Caddy missed the first of Metro’s four carnival games to illness, but returned in its loss to the Allies on July 2.

Metro teammate of Caddy, the Jets’ Logan Morrisisanotherhighlyrankeddraftprospect. Morris is a 191 centimetre hybrid player who has been dominating up forward for the Jets booting 21 goals in his six outings for the club. However, he has been thrown down back for Vic Metro in an attempt by recruiters to test out his versatility.

Harding said the move was to try and fill a void within the AFL for key defenders.

“In our case at Metro this year we have Ollie Murphy (Sandringham Dragons) and Christian Mardini (Northern Knights) as genuine tall defenders ... there’s probably a lack of key defenders at the moment,” he said.

“For Logan … it’s about giving those guys an opportunity in a role where there’s a clear need.”

Morris said he sees the change as a major positive for his football.

“It’s just great having that flexibility to be able to play both forward and back,” he said.

“I think I fit in pretty well, and I’m enjoying playing down back.”

EXECUTIVE

PRINT AND PRINT AND PRINT AND ONLINE SALES ONLINE SALES ONLINE SALES YOURNEWCAREER ...startshere Star Weekly seeks an enthusiastic sales executive to work across our print, digital, social and online platforms. Star Weekly is an independently owned company which prides itself on its long history of community experience but also its investment in the future. The successful applicant will need to possess good people skills to enable them to meet with local businesses to sell solutions through our advertising platforms to help promote their business. Applicants will need their own reliable vehicle for which we will provide an allowance. The position is salaried, plus we offer an open ended commission scheme. Send your application letter and resume to: Advertising Sales Manager, Mandy Clark salescareers@starnewsgroup.com.au 12570945-JC40-22

Northern Knights gun forward Nate Caddy celebrating a goal.

(Chris Hyde/ AFL Photos)

Morris said he could see himself playing a more permanent role as a defender and enjoying the freedom that comes with it.

“It’s probably a bit easier to read the ball and I find it a bit easier to play back than play that forward role,” he said.

For Morris, fitness has also been a major focus point to get himself prepared for the year, with running sessions three times a week in the preseason trying to get really fit.

Western Bulldogs father-son prospect Jordan Croft from the Calder Cannons is another that has been turning heads.

Son of Matthew, who played 186 games for the Dogs, is 200 centimetres and has been in outstanding form.

Kicking 14.3 from his last four talent league matches as well as a four goal performance for Vic Metro against the Young Guns and a three goal display against South Australia in the champs.

“He’s got a fantastic work rate to get up the ground and reset.. when he gets on the move he’s pretty hard to stop at the size that he is, I reallylikethatpartofhisgame,”Hardingsaid.

With forwards such as Croft and Caddy,

complemented by a whole host of other exciting players like the highly ranked Nick Watson from the Eastern Ranges, the Metro forward line looms as an extremely dangerous threat.

“I think we can be the most dominant forward line in the champs,” Caddy said.

Harding added, “our forward line has a lot of creativity and flair in it.

Mahmoud Taha (Cannons), William Green (Knights) and Christian Mardini (Knights) are also live chances to be selected on draft night after all contributing for Vic Metro.

Taha, a next generation academy prospect for Essendon, scored a goal in the clash against South Australia.

Green, a 202 centimetre ruckman, had 11 disposals and 30 hit outs against the Allies. While Mardini “acquitted himself pretty well,” in his first game for Metro, Harding said.

Vic Metro played Western Australia on July 9 before facing the old foe Vic Country to round out the championships on July 16.

“I think we’ll finish the next two champs games off pretty well,” Caddy said.

Left: Western Jets’ Logan Morris shrugging off a tackle against South Australia (Sarah Reed, AFL Photos) Right: Calder Cannons’ Jordan Croft taking a huge pack mark. (Morgan Hancock, AFL Photos)

Hundreds of jobs on offer

Lalor Library hosted a jobs event on Wednesday, July 12, in a push to increase employment within the area.

The event was focussed on key priority workforce projects. With over 500 jobseekers to be placed in these sectors.

Whittlesea economic participation officer

Simon Scrase said the idea is to understand the career interest and support needs of these jobseekers and help then place these candidates into suitable jobs.

“Thisincludesjobpreparation,trainingand supporting both jobseekers and employers in the placement of these candidates,” he said.

Mr Scrase said the current cost of living crisis is impacting on the local community, and was a contributing factor in creating the event.

A range of permanent jobs either part time or full time that range from entry level jobs to traineeships/apprenticeships to customer service and front of house, packer/processing, forklift operators, metal fabricators to trades were all on offer.

$5,000

We’re

Ray Jopling from Workforce Australia.

Left: Ash Avda from Brotherhood of St Laurence. Centre: Inelda Layoro from Spark North East Link. Right: Jarrad Carey and Michelle Isherwood from Council. (Pictures: Ljubica Vrankovic) 346211

Mindy Reza R from Syc.

Grant refusals ‘disappoint’ mayor

By Zoe Moffatt

Hume mayor Joseph Haweil has called out a council events grant assessment panel for knocking back applications over “trivial matters”.

At a meeting on June 26, Hume council approved round one of the event grants to distribute $97,250 to 11 applicants.

Cr Haweil opposed the recommendations and said he was concerned at the concentration offundingandwasdisappointedatthenumber of unsuccessful applicants.

“I cannot vote to endorse this officer’s recommendation … because of my

disappointment as to the number of unsuccessful applicants,” Cr Haweil said.

“I fully support [the successful applicants] but … I’m concerned that 70 per cent of the entirefundinginroundone–ornearly$70,000 – is going to projects in the Jacksons Creek Ward alone.

“I’mdisappointedthatsomeeffortcouldhave been made to support unsuccessful applicants to fill any gaps in their application, rather than simply knocking them back on the basis of an on the paper assessment.

“[This includes] for trivial matters like not identifying the venue of an event, which could easily have been addressed with an email or

Freight hub under way

Works have begun on Somerton’s $400 million freight terminal.

The site, which is expected to open in 2025, is set to take 500,000 trucks off the roads, significantly reduce carbon emissions, and create over 1500 local jobs.

ThesignificantinvestmentbytheIntermodal Terminal Company (ITC), which is backed by Aware Super, is the first of its kind.

On July 10, industry representatives were joinedbygovernmentofficialsandstakeholders to officially launch the works.

“[It’s the] first privately funded, independentlyownedandoperatedintermodal terminal in Australia,” ITC chief executive Mishkel Maharaj said. “Rail freight is the lifeblood of our supply chain.

“A win for industry, win for our supply chain and a big win for taxpayers.”

The site will create about 400 jobs during

construction, 90 ongoing full time roles and a further 1500 indirect jobs for locals once in operation.

Ports and Freight Minister Melissa Horne said the works beginning are “an absolutely fantastic milestone in this important project”.

“Thebenefitstothecommunityareimmense, by taking trucks off local roads, reducing carbon emissions and of course being able to move freight efficiently,” she said.

The $400 million investment from ITC and Aware Super is on top of a $16.9 million investment from the state and federal government towards the development of a train line connecting Somerton to the Port of Melbourne.

This freight terminal also supports the state government’s commitment to move more freight by rail to port through their port rail shuttle network.

IVF hub set for the north

Northern Health has introduced a state government-funded fertility services program. Thepublicclinicwillprovideeligiblepatients with access to a range of fertility services including specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, ultrasounds, medications and in-cycle management.

Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said it is all about bringing services closer to the homes of those wanting to start their own family, to cut down travel time and help avoid indirect costs.

“We’re so proud to be rolling out public fertility care,” she said.

“Your ability to start a family shouldn’t be limited by where you live.”

Access to the public fertility service at partner health services is available through a GP or specialist referral sent to the Royal Women’s Hospital, which will then organise for patients to receive their fertility treatment at the health service closest

to their home.

Those seeking to access public fertility care, including the use of donated eggs or sperm from the recently launched public egg and sperm bank will also need to be referred by their GP or specialist.

Once fully operational, the almost $120 million program will help up to 5,000 Victorians every year to start or grow their family, saving them up to $10,000.

Since launching the program in October last year, more than 550 Victorians have already commenced their fertility journey.

“This new clinic in Epping is all about bringing fertility care to the heart of the community, meaning it’s more accessible and affordable for those wanting to start a family,” Thomastown MP Bronwyn Halfpenny said. Details: betterhealth.vic.gov.au/ services-support/public-fertility-care-services.

Harper Sercombe

phone call, especially when more than $70,000 remains unallocated.”

Cr Haweil said he was disappointed that mostunsuccessfulapplicationsseemedtocome from multicultural community organisations.

“I’m disappointed that any events, bar one from multicultural community organisations, have received the lowest level of funding,” he said.

“I believe [they] will feel discouraged from applying in the future because of the recommendation.”

Cr Haweil also voiced his disappointment at the absence of councillor participation in the process.

“The absence of councillor participation in these grants processes robs the community of genuine on-the=ground lived experience to helpinformdecisionmakingorgivingdecision making power in its majority to unelected officers.”

The groups that were unsuccessful in their application include Assyrian Australian Social Development Club, Australian Chaldean Family Welfare Association, Australian Turkish Friendship Association, Chaldean League Foundation of Australia Victoria Inc, Chaldean Social Cultural and Welfare AssociationofAustraliaInc,OrninaArtGroup and People First Healthcare.

Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas meeting with the team at the Northern Hospital. (Supplied)

Krish Gandy, Mark Hector, Deanne Stewart, Cr Joseph Haweil, Iwan Walters MP, Port and Freight Minister Melissa Horne, Kathleen Matthews-Ward MP, Mishkel Maharaj (Supplied)

Lunch for the community

On Wednesdays, the Roxburgh Park Homestead Community Centre opens its doors for a free community lunch.

The initiative started by the Northern Turkish Women’s Association is celebrating its one year anniversary on Wednesday, July 19.

The women’s association prepares and cooks the lunches for the community, which can range from 25 to about 50 people coming for a meal.

Lead volunteer Ayse Koksuz said loves bringing the community together.

“It’s open to everyone, we have more multiculturalpeoplecominginatthemoment than Turkish people,” she said.

“[It’s about] all multicultural communities socialising together.

“It’s a very good cause for everyone.”

The lunch runs entirely on donations from DPV Health, Foodbank and Hume council however, they refuse to take donations from the public.

“Your donation is just coming to us, and having lunch and nice chats,” Ms Koksuz said when a community member attempted to make a donation to her association.

Details: www.hume.vic.gov.au/ Eventbrite/Weekly-Community-LunchHomestead-668611

Sriyani P, Amelia B, Deepika A Ayse K, Nevin F, Clare S, Aysel B, Gordana K, Susanthi F, out the front of the Homestead centre. (Pictures: Ljubica Vrankovic) 345931

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Creative arts and fitness

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

■ 9309 8531

Craft and Conversation

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

■ humelibraries.vic.gov.au

Community lunch in Roxburgh Park

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

■ www.hume.vic.gov.au/Eventbrite/

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

Tai Chi for health

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

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

Adult education

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

■ 9309 8531

Senior citizens meet

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

■ Beulah, 0411 422 398

Homestead walking group

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

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

Bicycle riders wanted

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

■ Glenn, 0434 730 163

Education and community centre

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

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

Community Phone Connect Program

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

■ 8301 8863

The Whittlesea Historical Society

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

■ 0414 740 778, or www.whittleseahistoricalsociety.org.au

Open day

Westmeadows Indigenous Community Garden Members are hosting a monthly open day on the first Saturday of each month 10am-noon, to showcase the gardens. Address: Corner Toora Drive and Redan Court.

■ Eva Mazzei, emmmazzei@gmail.com

Wellah Together

Clothing the Gaps Foundation will take participants on a journey using Six Deadly Dares that give everyone simple and sustainable tools to kick-start and keep a healthy lifestyle. Tuesday’s from 6-8pm at Kirrip Community Centre Wollert, 135 De Rossi Blvd, Wollert

■ 0413 840 002

Vietnamese Cultural Group lunches

Join the Vietnamese Women’s Group in a shared experience of preparing and enjoying lunch together. This program welcomes older people and Vietnamese speakers who would like to connect with others, meet new friends, and celebrate culture over a nice warm meal. Mondays until September 11, 10.30am- 3pm. Homestead Community and Learning

Centre, 30 Whiltshire Road, Roxburgh Park.

■ 9205 2760

Meditation classes

Weekly meditation and mindfulness workshop conducted by the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga. This practical, hands-on workshop teaches effective, practical techniques that can easily be added to your daily routine. Thursdays, 11am to 11.45am, Greenvale West Community Centre, 7 Ventura Way, Greenvale.

■ 9205 2200

Cat DIY enclosure workshop

The City of Whittlesea is offering free DIY workshops to learn how to build your own cat enclosure in preparation for the new regulations that come in on August 1. At the workshops, you will be taken through simple and easy instructions with ideas of what you can build on your property. The workshop is on Tuesday, July 18, 6pm to 7.30pm, at the Whittlesea Community Activity Centre 57/61 Laurel Street, Whittlesea.

■ 9217 2452

Tuning into kids

A free six-week course to learn more about managing everyday parenting challenges and practising more emotionally tuned methods of parenting. This course is facilitated by ParentZone and KidsFirst Australia. Starting from Tuesday, August 1, 6pm to 8pm. Online.

■ 0409 006 126

Meditation sessions

Looking to improve your overall well-being, reduce stress and anxiety, increase focus and productivity, or find a way to attain inner peace and balance in your life? Join these meditation and mindfulness workshops conducted by the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga. Thursdays

until September 14, 1pm to 2pm. Homestead Community and Learning Centre, 30 Whiltshire Road, Roxburgh Park.

■ https://www.hume.vic.gov.au/Eventbrite/ Meditation-666513097617

Circle of Security Parenting

Every Thursday for parents with children aged 0 - 5, for eight weeks. This program helps to understand children’s behaviour. From Thursday, August 3 to Thursday, August 31, 10am to 12.30pm. Boori Maternal and Child Health Centre, 21a Winchester Avenue, Epping.

■ 8401 6205

Free pop-up recycling collection

To get rid of cardboard boxes, soft plastic packaging and polystyrene from new furniture in an environmentally friendly way, bring them to this free collection event. Wednesday, August 9, 11am to 1pm. Whittlesea Showgrounds.

■ 9401 0579

GLITTER Craigieburn

Glitter is a fortnightly social group for LGBTIQA+ young people and allies aged between 14 - 18. A place to hang out, connect, share, and learn with likeminded people. Registrations essential, walk-ins not available. Tuesday, July 25, 4pm to 5.30pm. Craigieburn Youth Centre, 59 Craigieburn Road, Craigieburn.

■ 9205 2556

Manufacturing Jobs Expo

There will be over 100 real jobs on the day. Meet and chat with local manufacturing businesses face to face about their job opportunities. Meet with experts and learn about the exciting career opportunities and pathways in manufacturing.

Wednesday, August 2. 10am to 1pm. Town Hall Broadmeadows, 10 Dimboola Road, Broadmeadows.

■ joblink@hume.vic.gov.au

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

This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of Point Cook personal trainer Chevy Lowndes who collects sneakers and gives them to homeless people. (Damjan Janevski) 346254_01

PUZZLES

SUDOKU

142 598 2 93 52 87 39 4

No. 4279 3 52 78 9 231

1

QUICK CROSSWORD

5

9

easy 62 5 6 254 9 94 8

8291 72 16

74 36 7149

57 187 2 35 79

medium 61 35 16

hard

47 32 8 326 24

DECODER WORDFIT 9-LETTER

Today’s

15 words: Good

U H S

O T S

23 words: Very good 31 words: Excellent

E

I N G B N

begin, begun, being, bend, bending, benign, bide, binge, binged, binned, budge, bunged, debug, deign, dine, dune, ending, enduing, ennui, gibe, gibed, ginned, guide, gunned, indue, nine, nude, nudge, unbend, UNBENDING, unending

No. 142

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”. D N S E R

F N S S W E A R C H A S E O A T H S F L E E T F E N D S

2 Who were the invading force that utilised the wooden horse to enter Troy?

4 What is the title of influential sci-fi author William Gibson’s 2020 novel?

5 Oxides of which two metals are used in most sunscreens?

6 Which group performs the rap breaks in the Gorillaz song Feel Good Inc?

7 Which Japanese garage punk trio played themselves in the 1999 film Wild Zero?

8 Which Celtic mythological creature shares its name with a breed of dog?

9 What year was Al Green (pictured) ordained as a minister?

10 Anton Szandor LaVey founded which religious institution?

Aim: 3 LETTERS ADO AVO BRA DIP EEL EGG EKE ERR FAN IRE IRS KEN MRS NEE NOR PAR PRO RPM SET TIE TOT TRY TUG 4 LETTERS ACRE BEST BOSS DAFT EGOS EYES GETS MA’AM MERE ODES SAPS SICS SONS STEP VICE 5 LETTERS ABOUT ADORE AFOOT ALLOT AMASS AREAS ARENA ASIAN BASTE BLASE BROAD BUSTS DATUM DONOR EATER EDGES ENTER EVILS FONTS FORGE FROZE GAUZE GENIE GOUGE GREET INANE IVORY MATTE MEETS MINUS NOTES ROUGE SANER SCENE SHARK SLAYS STAKE STATE TIGER TORSO TWEET TYING ULTRA UNITY URGES VASTS 6 LETTERS EASIER ENGAGE STEREO UNSAFE 7 LETTERS COMFORT GOADING MILEAGE MONSTER NEITHER ROOMIER 8 LETTERS ARMOURED DEMEANED SADISTIC UNAWARES 11 LETTERS COMMISERATE VACATIONING 12 345678910111213 1415 1617181920212223242526 N C D X J P T W E O Z S I F L R M Y A B V K U G H Q Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down. NOTE: more than one solution may be possible 21-07-23 Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com 136247958 628351749 391564827 749815632 973426581 267183495 582639174 415798263 854972316 easy medium hard 617235948 864952173 243619857 428791635 352167489 975824361 539486712 791348526 186573294 837629451 423961578 194356827 645718932 578432619 782194365 219543786 961875243 356287194 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 GQ ANSWERS: 1. Marc Cohn 2. Greece 3. Kintsugi 4. Agency 5. Zinc and titanium 6. De La Soul 7. Guitar Wolf 8. Kelpie 9. 1976 10. The Church of Satan

No. 142

No. 142

No. 142

Grabacopyof your localnewspaper...

IGA Friendly Supermarket Broadmeadows

Broadmeadows Newsagency Broadmeadows

Milk Bar Broadmeadows

Hume City Council Broadmeadows

Broadmeadows Central Shopping Centre

Broadmeadows

Coles Supermarket Broadmeadows

Woolworths Supermarket Broadmeadows

Phil - Asian Grocery & Mixed Business

Broadmeadows

Foodworks Bundoora

Andrews Place Milk Bar Bundoora

Frank Milk Bar Bundoora

Good & More Asian Grocery Bundoora

Bundoora Fruit Market Bundoora

Mr Asian Grocer Bundoora

Uni Factory Outlets Bundoora

Uni Hill Town Centre Bundoora

RMIT Campus Store Bundoora

Gugu Asian Grocery Bundoora

Bundoora Hotel Bundoora

Woolworths Supermarket Bundoora

Shell Service Station Bundoora

Coles Supermarket Summerhill Bundoora

Caltex Woolworths Service Station Bundoora

BP Service Station Bundoora

Polaris 3083 Shopping Centre Bundoora

Woolworths Polaris Bundoora

Coles Supermarket Bundoora

The Lott Campbellfield

Chris and Marie's Campbellfield

Meadow Heights Newsagency Coolaroo

Melba Vale Country Club Coolaroo

Craigieburn Convenience Store Craigieburn

Hume City Council Craigieburn

Connections Craigieburn

Craigieburn Central Shopping Centre

Craigieburn

Harry Brown Liquor Craigieburn

The Foodary Caltex Craigieburn

Freshplus Craigieburn Craigieburn

Woolworths Supermarket Craigieburn

Coles Supermarket Craigieburn

Woolworths Supermarket - Craigieburn

Central SC Craigieburn

Quality Food Store Craigieburn

Milk Bar Store Craigieburn

Woolworths Supermarket - Highands SC

Craigieburn

Highlands News & Lotto Craigieburn

Hothlyn Drive Milk Bar Craigieburn

Craigieburn Supermarket Craigieburn

Ampol Craigieburn

Metro Petroluem Craigieburn

IGA Xpress Grand Boulevard Craigieburn

CCT Convenience Store Craigieburn

TSG Riverstone Convenience Cafe Doreen

Laurimar Centre Newsagency Doreen

Woolworths Supermarket Doreen

Doreen General Store Doreen

Northern Hospital Epping

Foodworks Epping

Pacific Epping Shopping Centre Epping

The Groove Train Epping

IGA Plus Liquor Epping

Greenbrook Milk Bar Epping

Gladstone Park Shopping Centre Gladstone Park

Pascoe Vale Road Market Glenroy

Glenroy Newsagency Glenroy

IGA Supermarket Glenroy

Coles Supermarket Greenvale

Greenvale Newsagency Greenvale

Woolworths Supermarket Lalor

Lalor Library Lalor

Dandy Mart Lalor

No 1 Fruit Market Lalor

Coles Supermarket Lalor

Lalor Plaza Newsagency Lalor

Lalor Plaza Shopping Centre Lalor

Coles Supermarket Lalor

Santino Continental Grocery Lalor

Afgan Supermarket Lalor

Everfresh Fruit Market Lalor

Coles Mernda

Mernda Junction Lotto & Tobacco Mernda

Riverdale General Store Mernda

Mernda Post Office Mernda

Woolworths Supermarket Mernda

Merrifield City Newsagency & Lotto Mickleham

Merrifield City - Coles Mickleham

Centenary Drive Milk Bar Mill Park

7 - Eleven Mill Park

The Stables Shopping Centre Mill Park

Grenda Milk Bar Mill Park

Coles Supermarket Mill Park

Westfield Plenty Valley Mill Park

Mill Park Community House Mill Park

Mill Park Library Mill Park

Shriji Supermarket Mill Park

Woolworths Mill Park

Rivergum Village Shopping Centre Mill Park

Woolworths Supermarket Mill Park

Zagames Hotel Reservoir

Reservoir Library Reservoir

Roxburgh Park Hotel Roxburgh Park

Coles - Roxburgh Village SC Roxburgh Park

Whittlesea Council South Morang

South Morang Milk Bar South Morang

Westfield Plenty Valley Shopping Centre

South Morang

Coles Supermarket South Morang

Foodworks Thomastown

Caltex Thomastown

Pipeworks Market Thomastown

Thomastown News & Lotto Thomastown

Thomastown Library Thomastown

BP Service Station Thomastown

APCO Service Station Thomastown

Shell Service Station Thomastown

Tullamarine Library Tullamarine

Claudio's IGA Supermarket West Meadows

Whittlesea Bakery Whittlesea

NewsXpress Whittlesea

Whittlesea Courthouse Information Centre

Whittlesea

IGA Supermarket Whittlesea

Coles Supermarket University Hill

Wollert Post Office Wollert

Real Estate Agents Everywhere

networkclassifieds.com.au (24/7)

Phone: 1300 666 808 (Open 8.30-5pm Mon-Fri)

Email: sales@networkclassifieds.com.au

(include your name, address and phone number)

by:

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMIT

(Section 52 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987)

The property affected by the application is located at:

7 Pasture Crescent MERNDA VIC 3754

The application is for a permit for: Vary Restriction No. 1 on Plan of Subdivision PS616078C to allow for an 18.7 metre wall on boundary

The applicant for the permit is: Install a Veranda

DISCRIMINATION IN ADVERTISING IS UNLAWFUL

money...

Deadline for all classifications is 3:00pm Friday.

You may look at the application and any documents that support the application on the City of Whittlesea website via the following link https://www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/building-planningdevelopment/planning/advertising/

The application reference number is: PLN-41256

You may look at the application and any documents that support the application at the office of the responsible authority: City of Whittlesea, 25 Ferres Blvd, South Morang.

This can be done during the office hours of 8:30am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday. This service is free of charge.

Any person who may be affected by the granting of the permit may object or make other submissions to the responsible authority.

An objection must be sent to the responsible authority in writing, include the reasons for the objection and state how the objector would be affected.

The Responsible Authority will not decide on the application before 1 August 2023.

If you object, the responsible authority will inform you of its decision.

For information regarding access to Planning documents relating to this application please contact Council’s Building and Planning Department on 9217 2259.

12619533-HC29-23

1. The proposed 5G upgrade will consist of:

• The removal of three (3) existing shared Vodafone and Optus panel antennas to be replaced with three (3) new shared Vodafone and Optus panel antennas (each measuring not more than 2.8m in length).

•The installation of three (3) new Vodafone 5G antennas and three (3) new Optus 5G antennas.

•The removal and installation of Remote Radio Units (RRUs).

•The installation of ancillary equipment including GPS antennas, antenna mounts, feeders, cabling, combiners and other associated equipment; and ancillary works within the existing equipment shelter.

2. Vodafone and Optus regard the proposed installation as a Low-impact Facility under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 (“The Determination”) based on the description above.

3. In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Further information and/or comments should be directed to: Ben Lavery at Service Stream Limited, 0497 833 252, TPG.Submissions@servicestream. com.au or Level 3, Tower B, Zenith Centre 821 Pacific Highway, Chatswood NSW 2067 by 5.00pm Thursday 3 August 2023

4. If you would like to know more about this site, further information can be obtained from www.rfnsa.com.au/3061002

12620775-HC29-23

The Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995 makes it unlawful for an advertiser to show any intention to discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, race, age, marital status, political or religious belief or physical features, disability, lawful sexual activity/sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status or on the basis of being associated with a person with one of the above characteristics, unless covered by an exception under the Act. As Network Classifieds could be legally liable if an unlawful advertisement is printed, Network Classifieds 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.

SPORTS QUIZ

1. Tennis professional Victoria Azarenka represents which Eastern European country?

2. Aussie cyclist Jai Hindley won which stage of the 2023 Tour de France?

3. Who is captain of the Australian Women’s cricket team in the 2023 Ashes Series?

4. Which Australian sporting stadium recently announced a proposal for a $2.7 billion upgrade?

5. Firmin Lambot, the oldest cyclist to win the Tour de France, was from which country?

6. Who is the only Gold Coast Suns player to have won a Brownlow Medal?

Which three countries will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

Which Australian tennis player had her first round match at Wimbledon disrupted by protesters? What piece of equipment was made mandatory for NFL players in 1943?

The Adelaide Thunderbirds made the 2023 Super Netball Grand Final, their first since what year?

With a scoreline of 60-59, which team did the Adelaide Thunderbirds beat in the 2023 Super Netball Grand Final?

In which year did cyclist Cadel Evans become the first Australian to win the Tour de France?

13. Headingley Cricket Ground is located in a suburb of which West Yorkshire city?

14. Which Australian golf professional won the 2023 LIV Golf London tournament?

15. Runner Ollie Hoare holds the Australian record for fastest time over what distance?

16. Which basketball player was traded from Brooklyn to Houston, Oklahoma City, then Atlanta during the 2023 NBA free agency?

17. Australian racing driver Oscar Piastri finished in what place at the 2023 British Grand Prix?

18. Whose record for most V/AFL games played by an Irish-born player did Geelong’s Zach Tuohy break?

19. During a Round 19 try celebration, players from which NRL team made fun of English cricketer Jonny Bairstow’s Ashes stumping dismissal?

20. Which five-time NBA Champion recently had an image of his girlfriend tattooed to his face?

21. In what year did Andy Murray win the US Open?

22. Which US city does MLB team the Mariners and NHL team the Kraken play out of?

23. Mason Mount recently signed with which Premier League club?

24. How many shots under par is an eagle?

25. Who is the current captain of the Adelaide Thunderbirds?

26. In what year did the Carlton Football Club last win an AFL premiership?

27. True or false: volleyball and beach volleyball were introduced in the same year at the Olympics?

28. Filming for Brad Pitt’s upcoming movie took place at which sporting event recently?

29. After beating the Gold Coast Suns in Round 17, Port Adelaide extended their winning streak to how many games?

30. Which Supercars driver is currently competing in the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series?

Cadel Evans

Trek drives into familiar territory

By Derek Ogden, Marque Motoring

‘‘Haven’t we met somewhere before?’ sprung to mind on my first encounter with the Subaru Crosstrek, for there is a lot in common here with the company’s XV sport utility vehicle.

In fact, says Subaru, the newly named compact is the latest iteration of the popular XV, including two petrol / electric hybrid models, aimed at anyone who wants a versatile, reliable, and stylish small SUV.

Priced from $34,990, the all-wheel drive Crosstrek comes in five variants - AWD 2.0L, AWD 2.0R, AWD 2.0S, AWD Hybrid L and AWD Hybrid S - offering those with an active lifestyle a versatile, reliable, and stylish small SUV.

However, there is a major point of difference between the Crosstrek and its antecedent. The Crosstrek has benefitted greatly from a visit to the doctor - a whole team of medics, in fact. Subaru collaborated with a medical school to study the structure of the human body and what causes driver discomfort,fatigueandlowerbackpainbehind the wheel.

Results found ride comfort is not solely affected by the vibration of the vehicle, but also by sounds and changes in visual information because of jerking and head swaying during driving.

Hence seats have been redesigned to reduce shaking of the head and roof damping has been improved to help reduce sound pressure fluctuations in the cabin.

Meanwhile, vehicle health is in the hands of Subaru’s standard five-year / unlimited kilometre warranty and 12 months complimentary Subaru Roadside Assistance.

The mid-range Crosstrek AWD 2.0R, selling for $38,490, plus on-road costs, was the test vehicle for a week and confidently took on widely varied road and weather conditions well during that time.

Styling

Once the domain of predominantly white or silver exteriors, or in this case ‘Subaru blue’, these days, subtle shades of colour are taking to streets around the world. Take for example the test Crosstrek with its Magnetite Grey Metallic paint job and dark machine finished 18-inch wheels. Who would have thought ‘dull’ could look so classy?

While the all-round appearance of the Crosstrek is generally a carry-over from the XV, the bonnet and radiator grille come in for a complete redesign, the latter maintaining the signature hexagonal shape, but in a larger more aggressively styled honeycomb.

Use of lightweight aluminium enables a newly designed bonnet to contribute to improved pedestrian protection with a softer headimpactzoneandasavingoftwokilograms in front fenders optimises weight distribution all round.

LED headlamps, plus cornering lights, improve visibility at night and add to power savings, while LED rear combination lamps feature a sharp 3-D C-shape. Rear-view mirrors are smaller, improving aerodynamics and presenting a less obstructive view.

Interior

The ‘doctors’ orders’ seats, clothed in premium material, provide exceptional comfort during longer drives (try 200-plus kilometres as we did), while leaving ample room for passengers to stretch out and relax.

Standard roof rails top off generous storage possibilities. However, a cramped cargo compartment weighs in at a stingy 291 litres with the rear seat backs up, and a maximum of 1278 litres with them folded. Under the floor sits a temporary spare wheel.

Infotainment

A fourth-generation infotainment system features, in the central dash, a large high-definition 11.6-inch portrait tablet-style touchscreenfocusingonentertainment,vehicle information and control switches within the centre display. Gone is the instrument strip

atop the dashboard, duplicating many of the functions displayed directly in front of the driver.

All Crosstreks feature full wireless Apple CarPlay and wired or wireless Android Auto connectivity, as well as AM, FM and Digital Radio, while WD 2.0L, 2.0R and Hybrid L come with a high-quality six-speaker system with 160 mm full range speakers in both the front and rear doors, as well as tweeters in the front instrument panel. Buyers can ‘turn up’ the sound with a premium harman / kardon systemonlyintheAWD2.0SandAWDHybrid S variants.

A 2.4-amp Type-A and one 3-amp Type-C USB port are located in front of the gearshift to power mobile devices. Two additional power supply USB ports are also provided for rear passengersatthebackendofthecentreconsole.

ForthefirsttimeinaSubaruvehicle,wireless charging of smartphones and other devices is on hand through a centre console tray.

Engines / transmissions

The petrol-only Crosstrek variants are powered by an upgraded version of Subaru’s 2.0-litre directinjectionFB20four-cylinderhorizontally opposedengine,deliveringmaximumpowerof 115 kW at 6000 rpm and top torque of 196 Nm 4000 revs.

An upgraded continuously variable transmission with more than 80 per cent new components compared with the previous generation XV, results in improved drivability. Best fuel consumption on test was a whisker under 5 litres per 100 kilometres. A combined 7.2 litres per 100 kilometres is claimed by the maker.

Subaru Crosstrek AWD 2.0L $34,990

Subaru Crosstrek AWD 2.0R $38,490

Subaru Crosstrek AWD 2.0S $41.490

Subaru Crosstrek AWD Hybrid L $39,590

Subaru Crosstrek AWD Hybrid S $45,090

SPECIFICATIONS

Subaru Crosstrek 2.0R 4-cylinder petrol, CVT automatic, AWD SUV

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

Safety

Crosstrek benefits from Subaru’s commitment to achieving no fatal road accidents in any of its vehicles by 2036 through the four pillars of primary, active, preventive and protective safety.

These already include advanced vehicle dynamics control with electronic stability control, anti-lock braking, electronic brake forcedistribution,brakeassist,tractioncontrol, active torque vectoring, a brake override and limited slip devices. Much more, no doubt, is on the way.

Driving

For some reason, the Boxer engine, on occasions, had some difficulty in settling when first accelerating, with a resulting surge in revs. A warmed-up motor showed no such stress.

At low-speed throttle openings, gear changeisinfinitelyvariableasinaconventional CVT, but at higher throttle openings it automatically adopts an eight-speed step control, creating a more conventional sound and feeling of acceleration, as well as holding engine speed higher for a sportier and more satisfying drive.

With its hallmark all-wheel drive system in fullaction,theCrosstrekhandledsomeextreme wetweatherontest,resultinginasmoothstable ride and confident handling. Not so positive was the driver monitoring system, which was able to give far from 100 per cent accuracy with its observations on distraction.

Front and rear springs and dampers have been retuned and optimised for improved ride comfortanddrivingstability,whilerecalibrated coil spring rates result in improved road bump absorption and body movement control.

Class-leading ground clearance of 220 mm encourages trips off the bitumen with rough rutted roads holding little angst for the driver. All variants feature X-Mode, a system that operates below 40 km/h and has two modes to take on deep snow and mud, or snow and dirt. Hill Descent Control (under 20 km/h) helps maintain the speed the vehicle is travelling at ontakingthefootoffthegasorbrakingtoallow the driver to fully concentrate on steering. This operates in forward or reverse.

Summary

It seems the Crosstrek refuses to let go of the past completely with styling cues to the XV. However, there is no lagging with upgrades to tech and comfort but the underpowered engine performance has not managed to keep up.

Subaru rings the changes of the XV for its new Crosstrek compact SUV. (Pictures: Supplied)

Split results for Broncos in tense lead-up to finals

The Hume City Broncos got an insight to what Big V men’s championship finals might look like in a few weeks time on the weekend.

TheBroncosenteredtheweekend’smatches, one of three sides at the top of the table equal on points.

The Broncos had back-to-back matches against those other two sides, Wyndham and the Sunbury Jets.

ThefirstofthosematchesagainstWyndham was disappointing, with Wyndham having a big win, 107-81.

Wyndham led by 19 points at quarter time and the Broncos never recovered.

All five starters scored double figures for the Broncos.

Sunday’s match against the Jets was much closer with scores locked at 97-apiece at the final whistle.

A 16-7 overtime period gave the Broncos a 113-104 win. Troyce Manassa top scored with 36 points.

Speaking before the weekend’s matches, Foster said they were keen to see how they

would go against the other teams in the top three.

He said it would have been massive to win both games, they would have been happy with splitting them and it wouldn’t have been good had they dropped both of them.

“They are the big sides,” he said. “Wyndham set the standard the last couple of years. Sunbury has had a couple of losses and they will want to get back to some form.

“To see where we are at with two weeks left beforeplayoffsisreallygood.Itgivesusalittle time to make any adjustments if we need to.”

The weekend’s results has the Broncos sitting in second spot, behind Wyndham and equal on percentage with Sunbury, which is third.

The Keysborough Cougars are only a game behind, while Melbourne University and the McKinnon Cougars are fighting for fifth spot.

Foster said with the closeness of the competition, they are in a good position heading into the pointy end of the season.

“We are pretty happy with how we are

going,” he said. “We lost a couple of games and we had a few injuries, but we are a bit healthier now.

“We’re pretty happy at the moment, but we can’t rest with how tight it is. We’re back to a full squad, it could come down to which team has everyone healthy at this time of year.”

Foster said they hadn’t looked too far ahead where they might finish with finals. He said finishing first and getting the week off might not be the best thing if the team is on a run, but could be helpful if they had injuries.

The Broncos this week face Keysborough before finishing the regular season off against ninth placed Western Port.

The Broncos women’s side lost to the Sunbury Jets on Sunday, 70-62.

The Jets won the first three quarters narrowly, before the Broncos won the final quarter, 24-22.

The Broncos now sit in sixth spot.

Tara Murray

Sports shorts

DVCA

Bundoora has announced the re-signings of two key players for the Diamond Valley Cricket Association Barclay Shield. Prince Singh, who won the Money Shield best and fairest last season, returns for a second season. He averaged 55 with the bat last season. While, Shanin Silva returns for a third season and was also a key batter for the Bulls in their grand final win, which resulted in them being promoted for this season.

EDFL

Greenvale is now just percentage outside the Essendon District Football League premier division top four. The Jets upset Pascoe Vale, which is second on the table, on Saturday, winning 14.14 (98)-9.10 (64) after trailing by two points at half time. Ben Speight kicked four goals for the Jets, with Mitchell Podhajski was named best on ground. The Jets play sixth placed Aberfeldie this Saturday.

Cricket

Cricket Victoria has confirmed changes to its player pathway model for junior cricketers across the state ahead of the 2023-24 season.

Lalor has seen big improvement this season. (NWM Studios)

Bloods on the improve

By Tara Murray

Lalor is playing with a bit more flair and it’s starting to pay off in the Northern Football League division 3.

While the Bloods are still without a win, the margins in games are lessening and the Bloods are being competitive for longer.

Bloods coach Angelo Lamanna said they were starting to see some real signs of improvement.

“We’re miles in front from where we were this time last year both offensively and defensively,” he said.

“We’ve had a really good month besides last week. We lost to Fitzroy by a couple of points andagainstElthamwewerereallycompetitive up until the last 20 minutes.

“We’ve been working on a different brand of footy, which is working.”

Lamanna said the playing group was slowly learning how to play with each other which

had impacted the results.

He said they had also changed how they wanted to play as well.

“We’ve given them the opportunity to be more self-driven with our brand and use their flair,” he said.

“The guys are using their flair out there and playing with a little bit more of a natural style. It’s a bit more free range, while still sticking with the structures which has been good.”

Lamanna said despite not having a win on the board, the atmosphere continues to strong around the club and the players are buying into what they’re doing.

“We know we’re not winning games and it can get disheartening and you can start not liking footy,” he said.

“It’s gone the other way. The losses aren’t as bad and there’s plenty of things that the boys are doing well.

“We’re much better than last year, the hype is good.

“I guess looking at where the club is at, having not won a game in the last 18 months, it could have dropped.

“I’m rapt with these blokes.”

Lamanna said they were hoping the improvement they’ve had would lead to a win before the season is out.

The Bloods had a tough day out on Saturday against Kinglake, with Kinglake winning 37.14 (236)-2.3 (15).

Nicholas Anastasi, Jarryd Baldasso and Michael Gravina were named the Bloods best.

This week the Bloods have a clash with second bottom side Reservoir.

In other division 3 matches, Laurimar was made to work hard for a win against Fitzroy Stars, winning 14.19 (103)-15.4 (94).

Mernda had a bye.

In division 2, Thomastown, Epping and South Morang all had losses.

Victorian Premier Cricket clubs will be part of an under-18s competition, while the existing Victorian Premier Cricket representative competitions of the Dowling Shield and Marg Jennings Cup will be shifted to younger age groups.

Netball

A new under-19 netball competition is in the works to fill a void left by changes to the Victorian Netball League. The Altona and Waverley District netball associations are driving the new league, with expressions of interest for the new competition being put out. There would be two conferences, one based at Altona and one at Waverley, with an overall winner crowned. Teams could come from VNL clubs, while local associations are also being sought to express their interest.

FOR MORE SPORT, VISIT

Web: starweekly.com.au

Northern Star Weekly @starweeklynews

@star_weekly

Troyce Manassa had a massive game for Hume on Sunday. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 347372_45

Basics work for Bulls in tough path to finals

Bundoora showed on Saturday there will be morethantwocontenderscometheimportant part of the Northern Football League division 1 season.

The third-placed Bulls have the toughest run in the competition, successive matches against second side Montmorency and top side Heidelberg.

On Saturday the Bulls ticked the first of those boxes, beating the Magpies 9.16 (70)-4.7 (31).

After an even first quarter, the Bulls blew the game open in the second quarter to lead by 41 points at the main break and were able to keep the gap in the second half.

Bulls coach Michael Ryan said the win would do the group the world of good as they aim to go deep into finals.

“We knew we had to go out there and best one of the good sides,” he said.

“Montmorency is one of those sides along with Heidelberg. This will give us confidence going into the back half of the season.”

Ryan said they didn’t do anything fancy in

the win, it was more about playing their brand of football.

He said their defence had lifted in recent weeks, after a tough run of results earlier in the season.

“We did all the basics well,” he said. “The pressure around the contest and the footy, our defence out of the backline.

“Our defence has been really strong all year. We’ve had a real team approach, focusing and competing to make sure we retain the ball in the front half, which is what we did.

“The mids around the ball are keeping the pressure on at the stoppages and the clearances.”

Sam Lloyd kicked six goals in a best on ground performance while Ryan Sturgess kicked two goals.

Ryan said Hamish Shepheard was strong in theruckallday,BenMcNiece,JacksonDavies, Lachlan East and Neville Jetta were the other standouts.

The win keeps the Bulls in third spot and a game ahead of North Heidelberg.

The Bulls are now just a game behind Montmorency.

Ryan said things were going really well.

“We are in a pretty good spot,” he said. “It’s such an even competition with any team between one and 10 can beat anyone on their day.

“Each week is a challenge.”

Ryan said they were keen for the challenge of facing Heidelberg this week, to see where the sides stacks up.

“Itisreallyexciting,”hesaid.“Montmorency and then Heidelberg, it’s something we were looking forward to.

“Heidelberg for the last 24 months has been tough to beat. We’ll be going out there Saturday and putting our best foot forward.”

Meanwhile, Whittlesea remains without a win after losing to Hurstbridge on Saturday. Hurstbridge led all day in the 21.13 (139)-7.7 (49) win.

Tara Murray

City

Hume City came home empty handed against Green Gully in the National Premier League on Saturday.

Searching for a win to further take it away from the relegation zone, Hume faced a Cavaliers side keen to get back into the top six.

Scores were level at half time with neither team able to score.

James Doyle would give the Cavaliers the lead in the second half and it would be enough to get a 1-0 win.

The loss resulted in Hume dropping a spot, with the side now sitting ninth after 23 rounds.

Hume is eight points clear of the bottom two.

Hume this week faces the Bentleigh Greens on Saturday night.

Meanwhile in FV state league 1 north-west, the Whittlesea Ranges cameoutontopintheWhittleseaderby.

Facing the higher ranked Whittlesea United, the Ranges piled on the goals after half time to come away with a 5-1 win.

Sedat Abdullah scored a hat-trick in the win.

The Ranges now sit in seventh spot, while United is in fifth spot.

Demons keen to kick on

By Tara Murray

Tullamarine has turned its season around in the Essendon District Football League division 1 the last two weeks.

Having become accustomed to being up the top of the table in recent years, wins have been far and few for the Demons this year.

After a big few weeks, which has seen a change in president and coach, the Demons were able to sing the song last Saturday, after beating Glenroy.

They backed it up on Saturday, beating Westmeadows.

Caretaker coach David Connell said before the Westmeadows match, it was nice to be able to have that winning feeling. Connell, who had been coach previously, took on the president role this year, but has since stood down.

The new committee asked him to step back into the coaching ranks for the rest of the season.

Connell said he was always planning to get back into coaching next year, but didn’t want

it to be under these circumstances.

‘Reliefisthebestwaytodescribeit,”Connell said.

“We were far from perfect but we hadn’t won for nine weeks. It was about controlling the controllables.

“The pressure, work rates and intensity. Those sort of things that we can control. We couldn’t question the guys for that.”

The win put the Demons a game outside the relegation zone, with two teams going down at the end of the season,

The win against Westmeadows means they are now two games clear of the Tigers.

Connell said while there had been some big matches between Tullamarine and Westmeadows in the last 10 years, he can’t remember one that means as much as this.

The Demons took the lead in the second quarter and were able to extend that in the third quarter.

The Demons were able to hold on in the final quarter, winning 14.9 (93)-8.10 (58).

Patrick Taylor was named the Demons best.

“We are under no illusion at all,” Connell

said. “Last week and this week and what they mean for the club.

“We’ve paired back the expectations and stuff and kept it outcomes based. Keeping it process driven and that side of the game.

“It’s hard to ignore what the weekend meant and what this weekend means though.”

The Demons have been boosted with the return of several key players from injury in recent weeks after being hit hard.

Connell said it had been good to get them back but there were still plenty of challenges.

“We’ve got a lot back but we have to get the conditioning of the guys,” he said. “They’ve missed so much footy and it’s hard to get fitness into them at this stage of the year.

“With winter and it being wet and having some sore bodies. We started to do three sessions this week and have a recovery session.

“We’ve got the personnel back, it’s now about the conditioning.”

In other matches, Craigieburn beat Keilor Park, while Roxburgh Park lost to Moonee Valley in a thriller.

UpfieldhadatoughdayagainstCorio, losing 3-0.

Corio scored early before scoring either side of half time to come away with the win.

Upfield sits sixth on the table.

In state league 2 north-west, Western Suburbs beat Epping City, 2-0, Lalor United beat Geelong Rangers, 2-1 and Hume United lost to Altona North, 3-0.

A tough loss for Hume

Josh Bingham (Ljubica Vrankovic) 347368_21

Jedd Longmire (Jacob Pattison)331317_08

Joshua Cowell (Ljubica Vrankovic) 341896_29

New Cannons lead ready for a return to strength

NewCalderCannonsregionaltalentoperations lead Sebastian Spagnuolo wants to get the club back to being one of the powerhouses in the Coates Talent League.

Spagnuolo started at the Cannons last week, replacing Matthew Burton, who has moved on to join Carlton.

Having been at Victorian Football League club Coburg for the past nine years, Spagnuolo said he was looking forward to the challenge.

“I’m really excited to have joined the Calder Cannons,” he said. “I wanted to continue to be part of the player pathway and I really enjoy the challenge.

“I wanted to stay in the region, it’s really important to me. I’m from this region, the north-west, and I’m passionate about it and the talent pathway system.

“It’s an important role to help the boys and girls where they want to go.

Spagnuolo said after nine years at Coburg and having held just about every role including chief executive most recently, he said it was time for a change.

He said when the opportunity came up, it was one that he had to jump into. With the connection between Coburg and the Cannons, he’s familiar with the set up.

“There’s a long connection between the two,” he said. “They used to be co-tenants at Coburg.

“There’s been a large number of players who ended up at Coburg and played some good football.

“Luke Ryan, Ahmad Saad played at the Cannons, then Coburg and then AFL.”

One familiar face at the Cannons for Spagnuolo is boys coach Andrew Sturgess, who previously coached at Coburg.

Spagnuolo said he was looking forward to working with Sturgess again, along with girls coach Ross Smith.

Coming in more than midway through the season, Spagnuolo said for now it was about getting settled in and continuing to help everyone succeed.

“I’ll play a role in the program in helping the players develop and give the staff every opportunity to succeed.

“I don’t want to come in half way through the season and make too many changes. I’m learning how the program is and learning from people in the club and AFL and seeing the boys and girls through to the draft.”

Spagnuolo said he was keen to get the Cannons back to where they should be, one of the strongest football regions.

Bats secure captain Omar

By Tara Murray

Plenty Valley has locked in a new captain for the Victorian Premier Cricket women’s season.

The club has signed Kuwait captain Maryam Omar to a three year contract as it aims to continue to build on the club’s strong foundation.

Bats head of female cricket Brett Cole said the signing of Omar, who had been playing at Carlton, was a massive coup for the club.

“Rebecca [Vandort] and Nipuni [Hansika] weretalkingtoher,astheybothknowherfrom Carlton,” he said.

“They sounded out her interest and it got the cogs turning. We were looking for someone senior, who had played a fair bit of cricket at the higher level.

“She has captained Kuwait and she was one of the top three in the Renegades Recruit, which was good as well.”

Cole said Omar was someone that had proventhatshewasaleaderonandoffthefield.

Omar and Cole did a level two coaching course together and saw first hand her passion and leadership abilities.

“She wants to show people back home that she can do it,” he said. “We’re heading in the right direction and it gives us a little bit more experience with someone who played at a higher level.”

Speaking to Star Weekly recently, Omar said her aim was to earn a WBBL contract and play against the best players in the country.

The signing of Omar comes as the Bats have locked in a number of re-signings for next season.

Jasmine Nevins, who has a Victorian state contract, is back on board for another year.

Cole said she would again be part of the leadership group and would learn from Omar as she continues to develop her game.

He said Nevins remains a captain in the future, but she doesn’t think she’s ready just yet.

Vandort and Hansika are both returning for a second seasons

Umasha Thimeshari is back from Sri Lanka, while the club is looking at signing another Sri Lankan and West Indian.

They’ve also signed two other players who have played cricket in Melbourne’s north-west, who will be pushing to play in the first XI, while a former Kenyan international, who has moved to the area, is also coming on board.

Cole said they were hoping to build on last

season, when they had some strong results in the first half of the season before falling away.

He said more depth would help across all their sides.

“We were looking super strong at the halfway mark and were on top of the ladder at one stage,” he said.

“We looked like we would play the T20

finals, but it didn’t go our way at the right time.

“We’ve got this fantastic group coming through and we expect them to be able to be playing some good cricket in three to four years.

“They’ve had a taste of playing ones and we will play them in the second XI where they should be at the moment and can come through and build on that experience.”

“We’re going to look to build on what we do,” he said. “The exciting part is how strong the talent coming through this area is. Not just this season, but the next couple of seasons.

“It’s an exciting time. We want the two teams to have fun and continue to develop.”

Tara Murray

Demons sign Englishmen

Tullamarine has added two Englishmen to its squad as it tries to regroup in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 2.

After finishing bottom of division 1 last season, it’s a new era for the Demons under new coach David Scott in the lower division.

Having announced a number of re-signings,theDemonshaveannounced two English imports who will be joining them this season.

The first is Ben Wright.

“Benisanaggressivetoporderbatsmen and first change bowler,” the club said on social media.

“Currently playing for Farsley CC in London and has already passed the 500-run mark for this season including one century and four half centuries.

“With a career batting average of over 30 with seven centuries to his name we can be assured that our top order has been well bolstered.

“[With] 152 career wickets and a best of 6-54, the depth in our bowling stocks has also had a valuable boost.”

Harry Meehan also joins the club.

“Harry is a quick bowler with an unorthodox action, which we are confident will put pressure on the opposition this upcoming season,” the club said.

“Over the past four seasons, he has taken over 100 wickets [and] 2021 was his best season yet as he bagged 51 scalps including a tremendous spell of 4 for 21 that helped Wallasey CC win the Ray Digman Knockout Trophy.

“There will be exciting times at Leo Dineen reserve this summer watching Harry steam in with the new pill.”

The Demons also announced a couple ofre-signingsinthepastcoupleofweeks.

Club games record holder and leading run scorer David Manktelow is back on board for another season, while Chris Kenney will be back on the field while also stepping up as chairman of selectors and assistant coach.

Mitchell Gibbs has also re-signed for another season.

Tara Murray

Calder Cannons girls side. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 338826_12

Maryam Omar has joined Plenty Valley. (Supplied)