Star Weekly - Melton Moorabool - 22nd August 2023

‘Drivers watch riders’

By Liam McNally

Just before 5pm on Friday, August 11, Mario Attard set out for a fairly standard ride on his motorbike to Supercheap Auto in Melton, unaware that the journey would change his life forever.

Mr Attard said he remembers coming through an intersection on High Street, when he was stuck.

“I remember being hit,” he said.

“I remember the car hitting my ankle and jamming it into my engine, because as I went flying the bike went with me.”

From there, he said he remembers images of people,paramedicsandfriends“cominginand out like picture frames”.

“I knew I was in a serious way … I knew that my life was going to change forever,” he said.

Mr Attard’s riding friends happened to be setting out for a trip nearby and became some of the first responders to the incident.

Sarah Whyte said it was heart-breaking finding Mr Attard hurt.

“When Mario went into shock an adrenaline rush came over him, I wanted to assure him people he knew were there for him,” she said.

“It will stick with me for the rest of my life.”

That weekend, Mr Attard had his leg amputated below the knee as a result of the accident.

Following surgery, Mr Attard floored friends and doctors with his positivity. Within days he was getting himself out of bed and around his room under doctors’ supervision, and he is even planning his next bike ride.

“I’m going to remain positive … If there’s something wrong and there’s nothing we can do about it, well let’s look forward,” he said.

“I am going to get back on the road, my brotherswillbepickingmeupfromthehospital and we’re going to be riding back home.”

For Mr Attard, getting back on the bike is about freedom.

“When you’re riding you forget about the

world. It’s a different feeling and you have to have a passion for it,” he said.

“Am I excited? Hell yeah. Am I scared? F**k yeah. Of course I’m scared. But am I going to let it worry me? No, I’m not. Life is too short. If he wanted to take me, he would have taken me there and then.”

Mr Attard’s biggest takeaway from the incident is a message for the wider community – drivers watch riders.

“I just want everybody to be aware of who is on the road – from cars to buses to trucks to bikes,” he said.

“I forgive this guy. But … I’ve got to live the

rest of my life with no leg. Is that really fair?”

Mr Attard is the sole income earner of his household, which consists of himself, his wife, and two grandchildren.

Ms Whyte said friends have come together to set up a GoFundMe page to cover rent for the household while Mr Attard is out of work.

“The biking community is quite close … If we can take that pressure off over the next couple of months then that’s what we’ll do to help,” she said.

The group will also be selling ’Drivers Watch Riders’ stickers to raise money for the family.

In the past 12 months there were 49 fatal

collisions involving motorcycles in Victoria, and in 2022 there was 940 hospitalisations, according to TAC data.

Police have confirmed they are investigating the High Street collision and officers have spokenwitha46-year-oldHarknessdriverwho stopped at the scene and rendered assistance until paramedics arrived.

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

Details: https://www.gofundme.com/f/ mario-and-michelle

‘‘ I forgive this guy. But ... I’ve got to live the rest of my life with no leg. Is that really fair?

- Mario Attard

Sarah Whyte has started a GoFundMe for her friend Mario following a motorbike accident. Sarah is pictured with Mario’s wife Michelle Attard and Damien Spiteri (front) and at the back are Mario’s friends. (Damjan Janevski) 354109_03

Road safety audits under review

By Liam McNally

Melton council may increase its number of road safety audits, following a report into its current management of the road network within the municipality.

The report was conducted following a motion at a May 29 council meeting.

Councillor Ashleigh Vandenberg said she moved for the report to be conducted following the collision between a truck and school bus on Exford Road on May 16.

“Given the tragic incident on Exford Road,

this notice of motion is calling on council to undertake a report on our road networks and to determine if additional measures are required” she said.

“Like many I have been deeply impacted by the incident on Exford Road and I want to ensure we do all we can to identify and mitigate any possible risks on our road.”

The report, presented at a meeting on July 31, found that council is fulfilling its obligations as required under the Road Management Act 2004 through the developmentandimplementationofa“robust”

road management plan.

The report said the plan prioritises maintenance, conducts road safety audits, promotes education programs, and engages in long-term planning to enhance road safety and meet the needs of the community.

However, the report said there is room for council to increase the number of road safety audits undertaken per year as an additional measure.

Council historically conducts two road corridor audits per year and typically another two to four for other specific issues.

Students go ‘down the rabbit hole’

Staughton College is busy rehearsing for a variety show prepared, written and adapted by performing art students, and the whole community is invited to attend.

Alice’s Adventures Absolutely Anywhere follows the titular Alice as she journeys into different worlds featuring famous scenes and songs as well as original creations.

The show will be performed by students between year seven and 12 on Thursday and Friday, September 7 and 8 from 7pm.

Performing Arts co-ordinator Riley Beech saidthemoststudent-ledproductiontheschool has undertaken has been an exciting form of “controlled chaos”.

“While having students write, direct and produce performances is initially nerve-wracking, The students have made themselves and our entire production team very proud,” he said.

“Our student leaders have really been the ones driving and controlling rehearsals while I’ve had the privilege to watch the magic happen and offer help and give suggestions to help students see their visions come to fruition.

“The performers will be moving throughout the entire venue from the stage to up close to the audience to completely immerse everyone in the fun and madness.”

Violet, 14, who will play Alice, said

she’s nervous, excited, happy, scared and mind-blown that the show is in 2 weeks.

“It’s very exciting, we all have been working really hard and everyone has had an amazing time,” she said.

Robin, 16, said they’re playing George, “the most popular boy in school” and leading the show has been “so fun”.

“It’s been exciting to see the groups come together and work so well, the students have worked so hard and I can’t wait to see the final product,” they said.

Tickets are available from TryBooking.

Details: https://www.trybooking.com/ events/landing/1087755

To decide whether the Road Safety Audit Programwillbeexpanded,councilofficerswill provide additional information to councillors to consider as part of the 2024-2025 budget.

Cr Sophie Ramsay welcomed the report, from the perspective of a councillor who has been on road safety committees “for the last umpteen years”.

“We need at all times to make sure we’re on top of all the OH&S and risk,” she said.

Star Weekly is not suggesting road conditions cause the May 16 bus and truck collision.

New stadium needs teams

Moorabool council wants to hear from sports and recreation teams wanting to use Bacchus Marsh’s new indoor stadium as home-base.

Expressions of interest to use the new indoor stadium at Moorabool Aquatic and Recreation Centre, in Bacchus Marsh, open from Monday, August 28.

The new sporting complex in Taverner Street, is due to open pre-Christmas with the facility to be managed by an external contract manager.

Representatives from sporting groups, clubs and associations that are interested in the site are encouraged to let council know through a formal EOI process.

The newly constructed centre will be approximately 4,752m2 in size and comprises four indoor highball courts, a 340 seat stadium with stand-alone change rooms, entry, reception, kiosk, office and administration areas, Public toilet facilities, Multi-purpose program spaces, a function room with kitchenette, first aid room and referees room, change room facilities including toilet and shower amenities, storage and plant room and car parking for 118 spaces

Moorabool mayor Rod Ward said if this sounds like it would be a great fit for your sporting club, council would love to hear from you.

Expressions of interest will be open until September 22 and can be completed online.

Details:moorabool.engagementhub. com.au/marc-indoor-stadium-eoi

Stolen Generation marker

A marker will be established within Melton to acknowledge and commemorate the Stolen Generations.

At a meeting on July 31, Melton councillor Ashleigh Vandenberg moved for council to work with the Reconciliation Advisory Committee (RAC) to plan and establish a marker within the municipality.

Cr Vandenberg, who is a proud Wiradjuri woman and is a daughter of a member of the Stolen Generation, said a marker was “long called for within our community”.

“It is an act of reconciliation and a symbol of acknowledgement for those who are the Stolen Generation,” she said.

“Those that have passed, those that are struggling, those that have found their way home, those that are still searching and those

that never made it back home. In honour of their resilience.”

The addition of a marker commemorating the Stolen Generation is in line with the state government’s recommendation 37 of the Stolen Generations Reparations Steering Committee Report 2022.

The Steering Committee recommends that all LGAs, directed by the Minister of Local Government, establish plaques to honour and commemorate Stolen Generations in consultation with Stolen Generations living in their region.

The motion passed unanimously and council officers responded to the motion that they will work closely with the Melton RAC to plan for a Stolen Generation Marker within the Melton council area.

Students Violet (front), Darcy, Bethany, Robin and Madison. (Damjan Janevski) 353937_01

Protest rolls into Spring Street

By Liam McNally with Cameron Godde, AAP

Fired-up farmers rumbled into Melbourne to take their fight against two contentious transmission projects to the front steps of the Victorian Parliament.

Tractorsandtrucksrolledupforthe“stopthe towers“ protest on Tuesday, August 15, over the proposed VNI West and Western Renewables Link projects.

Moorabool and Central Highlands Power Alliance (MCHPA) chair Emma Muir said she was there with supporters from Melton, Bacchus Marsh, Darley and Myrniong.

“It’s going to have a huge impact on our food supply, and in Melton it will impact where people are living around MacPherson Park and the pony club,” she said.

“I think there’s a better way to transport renewable energy cheaper and more efficiently without impacting communities, food supply and jeopardising our safety.”

VNI West has been billed as a second transmission link between Victoria and NSW that will harness renewable energy zones and increase network reliability as coal-fired power stations are retired.

The Western Renewables Link would also carry renewable energy from Bulgana in Victoria’s west through Moorabool and Melton to Sydenham through 190km of overhead transmission lines.

The Australian Energy Market Operator’s preferred route option is to link the projects at Bulgana.

In February, the state government flagged farmers with transmission easements on their land would receive standard payments of $8000 a year for 25 years.

But landowners remain concerned about construction disruptions, health and

biosecurity risks, environmental impacts, the bushfire threat from high-voltage power lines and towers, land devaluation, farming limitations and ceding access to their properties.

“I know it’s disruptive,” Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters on Tuesday before the protest.

“It’s a very meaningful thing to have people come onto your land and say they’re going to build a big transmission easement through your farm.”

Mr Andrews insisted an environmental

Villa Open to View +

assessment process must run its course and farmer’s views would be heard through that.

Victorian Farmers Federation president EmmaGermanoaddressedthecrowd,accusing thegovernmentoffailingtoadequatelyplanfor the renewable energy transition.

“Farmers and regional communities have been taken for a ride since these projects were announced and I’m not surprised that frustration led directly to Spring Street,” she said.

The peak body has launched a petition calling for an immediate halt to the planning

and construction of both projects.

Ms Muir said the protest was a good opportunity to highlight the issue to broader-Melbourne.

“So they understand we aren’t against renewables but it has to be done sustainably and we shouldn’t have to do it at such a high cost,” she said.

“It’s a very complicated issue, and it’s not simple to fix, but we are prepared to meet anyone at the table to talk about it, and it’s important for the state government to be the ones to talk to us.”

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After we enjoy morning tea morning tea, we will show you around the village so you can discover all there is on offer and meet some of our welcoming community.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Stop the Towers protest at Spring Street on August 15. (Pictures: Supplied)

Petition asks for park upgrades

By Liam McNally

A Bacchus Marsh mum has started a petition to encourage Moorabool council to upgrade Lidgett Street Reserve in Bacchus Marsh.

Melissa Spiteri, who has lived on Lidgett Street for 13 years, launched an online petition which has collected 55 signatures in five days and is in the process of letterbox dropping physical forms.

The petition seeks a range of upgrades for the park including all abilities access, toilets and drink taps, a gym area, water play for kids, a half-football oval, a fenced off dog park, a barbeques area with more seats and shelter and a car park.

Ms Spiteri said there’s so many families in the growing neighbourhood now it would be nice to see more kids on the street.

“Every family function we have we’re at that park … but I’m having to give people my house keys to go to the toilet and come back to the park because it ha no amenities,” she said.

Michelle Ross is a mother who lives nearby, whose son requires a wheelchair.

Ms Ross said even the steps to the slide are too deep to get her son up them.

“It would be amazing for us, we live only a minutewheelchairrideorwalkaway.Council is expecting us to use local parks instead of having big back yards, so why aren’t they

making them accessible for everyone?” she said.

Moorabool council chief executive Derek Madden said Lidgett Street Park received an investment of $640,000 in 2020, with works including a half basketball court, a new playground, new shade sails, new irrigated grassed area, new park furniture, new shelters, tree planting and landscaping.

“Council is invested in upgrading and maintaining parks and open space within the shire, with works across the entire municipality assessed with all parks and open spaces in mind,” he said.

“Lidgett Street Park is identified within Moorabool as a local park and as per the

Leeann’s

empowerment pathway

Leeann Nguyen said she is a proud Aboriginal and Vietnamese woman, who has always worked hard to play her part helping First Nations people.

Currently,heroutletforthatworkisthrough managing the Killara Cafe in Mt Atkinson.

Killara Cafe is an Indigenous social enterprise that has been delivered through a partnership between The Killara Foundation, the Edmund Rice Foundation and Stockland Mt Atkinson.

The cafe is run by the community and provides opportunities for employment, on-the-job training, and education for

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Ms Nguyen said part of her role is empowering staff.

“It’sourwayofgivingthesepeople,whohave lots of potential, a leg up they might not have had.,” she said.

“We started off a bit quiet, but now every day isbusyatthecafe.Iamlovingtrainingmystaff, we’re building a great environment…”

Ontopofhelpingothers,MsNguyensaidshe gets great personal satisfaction from her role.

“Iampassionateaboutcustomerservice,and how it can uplift both the customer and the server,” she said.

“It’salsoapersonalmissionofminetoalways be learning and growing in order to be the best version of myself. It has been hard work getting to where I am, but I have always enjoyed that.

“I decided early on that I would not let my learning disability hold me back, and I have taught myself I am so much more than that. I hope other people with learning disabilities can realise the same thing for themselves.”

Ms Nguyen said she’s excited for the future of the cafe and the prospect of welcoming more customers and training more Indigenous community.

current draft Open Space Strategy, this has all the essential items and a number of optional items for a local park.

“All parks and open spaces in future budgets will be considered for future upgrades based on need, condition and policies.

“We are thankful for the information provided from the residents which will be used in future discussions.

When the future budget is allocated, community consultation will take place prior to any future works taking place.”

Rubbish bin petition fails

Moorabool council has opted not to expand garbage and recycling collection to residents who reside on the Ballan-Meredith Road.

At a council meeting in February, a petition containing 41 signatures was received requesting garbage and recycling services be extended along Ballan-Meredith Road from Ballan to Mount Wallace.

Currently council’s waste collection zonesdonotincludetheBallan-Meredith Road and the garbage truck does not travel along this road.

A council survey found that only 13 households confirmed they want the service.

“Introducing this service as a non-compulsory area presents a risk if residents choose to opt-out of the service, it could result in council providing a 14km round trip service to a small number of households making the service cost-prohibitive or non-viable,” council officers wrote in the report on the matter.

“Introducing the service as a compulsory service will eliminate the risk of low numbers as all 24 households located on the Ballan-Meredith Road would be subscribed and have waste charges applied to their properties.

“However, this will result in dissatisfaction among households who did not want the service as they will be automatically subscribed and have a garbage/recycling charge applied to their property rates.”

Councillors rejected the petition at a council meeting on August 2, in line with council officers’ recommendations.

Leeann Nguyen. (Damjan Janevski) 349421_02

Listening will help close the gap

By Liam McNally

A draft review of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap by the Productivity Commission has said progress on the agreement’s priority reforms has been inadequate, which Kirrip Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Peter Webster said largely matches the local experience.

The National Agreement on Closing the Gap is an agreement between all Australian governments and a Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations that aims for stronger efforts on getting equal life outcomes between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians.

The agreement is divided into four priority reforms: formal partnerships and shared decision-making, building the communitycontrolled sector, transforming government organisations, and shared access to data and information at a regional level.

Mr Webster said locally, there has been some movement but there is a “big shortfall on closing the gap in many, many areas”.

For the first two reforms Mr Webster said issues remain around different and complex funding applications and acquittal processes required for government funding, that aren’t uniform across different departments and ask questions that aren’t reflective of the way Aboriginal Community Controlled

Organisations (ACCOs) operate.

“Government needs to listen to grassroots community and start asking community what’s the best way to work with them, not have people sitting in offices saying this is what we think is the best way to do it,” he said.

One positive model he pointed to was one being used by the Department of Fairness Families and Housing (DFFH) who would utilise committees of ACCO representatives on a local then regional level, before deciding where funding would go.

For priority reform three, Mr Webster pointed towards the importance of cultural safety training and cultural awareness training as a starting point for transforming

Funds to grow African youth group

The African Youth Initiative (AYI) has been awarded $150,000 in state government funding to support its initiatives in Melton and across the west.

AYI is a youth not-for-profit founded in Melton in 2020 in response to the disengagement of African youth growing up in the western suburbs of Melbourne.

AYI co-founder and chief executive Robiel Abraham said the initiative runs a range of projects and works with other groups to help young people be the best versions of themselves.

AYI delivers a range of activities including mentoring and workshops and work with and sponsor other local groups such as Faithful Coalition – a youth-led Christian men’s group, Girl Chat - a social group for young South Sudanese Australian women, Grace

Community – an outreach of Melton Uniting Church and Home Court which hosts weekly basketball games.

AYI is also working on a documentary series called the Reclaimed Voices Project – a documentary series showcasing the stories of youngpeopleinMeltonwhohaverehabilitated after contact with the justice system.

Mr Abraham said he’s “thankful to God and really happy that the group has gotten this backing”.

“There’s a very big problem in the western suburbs and we need to find new ways to address it,” he said.

“We’ve got new and innovative ideas and we’re happy that we’ve gotten this backing and we hope the community continues to support us.

“At the end of the day we’re hoping to make

Melton a better place.”

Melton MP Steve McGhie said this project by the African Youth Initiative will “help to ensure our South Sudanese Australian young people can fully participate in the vibrant community we have here in Melton”.

government.

“We need our government buildings to be a culturally safe place and that’s not just for our Aboriginal community, that’s for all communities … governments are supposed to be leading this, not waiting for everybody else to drag the government along behind it,” he said.

MrWebstersaidthatforMelton,thebiggest focuses for closing the gap should remain health, justice and education.

The federal government is accepting submissions for the final review until October 6.

Details: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/ current/closing-the-gap-review#draft

AYI co-founder and chief executive Robiel Musie Abraham and marketing and design senior Abak Dhieu. (Jacob Pattison) 353959_01

Happy homes wanted

Moorabool mayor Rod Ward is encouraging residents to think about fostering or adopting a cat or dog from Moorabool pound following his own positive experience.

Cr Ward has been fostering Koda, a Kelpie X Poodle, and he and his family have made the decision to make their home Koda’s permanent home.

“Myself, my wife Annette and our three kids, especially our youngest Tahla, 17, have fallen for Koda. He is being horribly spoilt by us all,“ he said. “When I heard there were dogs available to foster through the pound it was a no-brainer, we were definitely ready and eager to welcome Koda to our family and we’re so happy to adopt him.”

Council’s community health and safety acting co-ordinator Mel Tatenhove said there were currently several dogs and cats benefiting

from foster home placement.

“Placing animals in foster has so many advantages,” she said. “Firstly it provides relief from the often unavoidably noisy and stressful pound environment. Placing a pet in a home setting allows us to more accurately match a pet with its new owner.

“Without our dedicated foster carers, we couldn’t do the work we do ... I can’t stress enough how amazing and vital fostering and adoption are for the animals that are dropped off at the pound. We are always grappling with increased demand at the pound so it’s such a win every time we house a pet in a loving home,” she said.

If you’re interested in fostering or adopting a dog or cat contact council or follow the Moorabool Pet Adoption page on Facebook.

Details: 5366 7100

Briefs

Gentleman’s club stabbings

A Cobblebank man has been charged and another man arrested after the alleged stabbing of three people at a gentlemen’s club in the Melbourne CBD. Police believe two groups of men had an altercation at The Men’s Gallery on the corner of Lonsdale and King streets about 6am on Sunday 13 August. A 23-year-old Dingley Village man and a 20-year-old man from Lysterfield were taken to hospital with serious injuries. Another 20-year-old man from Dingley Village self-presented at hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening. Detectives have arrested and charged a 21-year-old Cobblebank man with intentionally causing serious injury and possessing a prohibited weapon. He was remanded to appear before the Melbourne Magistrates Court on August 30. Another 18-year-old man from Sydenham was arrested and is assisting police.

Help reimagine Lake Caroline Melton council is developing a new masterplan for Lake Caroline and wants to hear from the community. The consultation will help determine what facilities would improve the area to promote community use. Share your thoughts online before September 17, or attend community drop-in session at Caroline Springs Library on September 9 from 10am to noon.

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

Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Moorabool mayor Rod Ward with Koda, the newst member of his household adopted from Moorabool pound. (Supplied)

West land sales holding steady

Land sales in Melbourne’s western growth corridor held steady during thequarter, despite a significant surge in sales rates across the city’s northern and south-east growth regions, according to new data from RPM.

The figures show sales in the western corridor, which includes the local government areas of Melton and Wyndham, grew by just one per cent in the June quarter to 814 lots, while the median lot price shrank marginally by 0.6 per cent to $382,500.

The area’s median lot price fell behind the broader Melbourne figure of $385,000 and was also out of step compared to the significant

quarterly escalation in gross lot sales of 32 per cent in the northern growth corridor and 31 per cent in the south-east.

Gross lot sales in the western corridor were 60 per cent below the same period in 2022 with its market share of all growth corridors at a three-year low of 38 per cent.

RPM project marketing national managing director Luke Kelly said the western corridor, like Geelong, failed to see the sales increase experiencedacrossothercorridorsthisquarter.

“Having said that, we can see supply coming back,witha12percentincreaseinnewreleases to 839 lots for the quarter, which was due to the

number of new lots doubling in Wyndham,” he said.

“Wyndham has an attractive price point, as its median lot size is larger than Melton’s, despite offering a more affordable median lot price, and subsequently more competitive square metre rate.

The latest Greenfield Market Report from RPM shows the first increase in sales across Melbourne and Geelong’s growth corridors since the September 2021 quarter when sales grew to about 7850 lots.

However, sales remain 53 per cent lower year-on-year with purchasers facing persistent

Walking to help prem babies thrive

A Bacchus Marsh mother will be walking with her family to raise money for a cause that has become a lot closer to their hearts in the past year.

Kimberly Gerlach’s son, Lucas, was born prematurely at 35 weeks at the Bacchus Marsh Hospital.

Ms Gerlach said Lucas spent the first 10 days of his life in two different hospitals.

“We were hoping to have a best case scenario, but we had to leave the hospital empty handed,” she said.

“We were in the unknown, you don’t know what’s going to happen next. In that

environment you’re scared the whole time – you don’t know what the next five minutes will be like, let alone the next day.”

Lucas is now at home and reaching all his milestones, but the experience has inspired Ms Gerlach and her family to participate in the Life’s Little Treasures Foundation (LLTF) Walk for Prems.

Thewalkisthelargestannualfundraiserby LLTF, Australia’s foremost charity dedicated to supporting the families of babies born sick or premature.

In its 14th year, Walk for Prems will take place at nine locations across Australia

during the month of October.

Ms Gerlach said the family are walking 6kms in Ballarat on October 15 to raise money and awareness for LLTF.

“We just wanted to help make sure other families in similar situations to us have access to the resources Little Treasures can assist with both in and out of the hospital.”

Donations to Ms Gerlach’s campaign, and options to sign up for your own walk are available online.

Details: https://www.walkforprems.org. au/my-fundraising/5150/lucas-preemiewarrior

affordability and serviceability challenges.

Mr Kelly said while there were encouraging signs for the market, it was too soon to speak of a recovery.

“Quarterly lot sales remain well below the previous peak with buyers battling multiple challenges from reduced borrowing capacity through to the increasing cost of living,” he said.

“However, there is light at the end of the tunnel with the RBA’s recent decision to leave the cash rate on hold at 4.10 per cent for the second consecutive month, which indicates a more cautious approach to future rate rises.”

IBAC finding under review

Moorabool and Melton councils are reviewing the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission’s (IBAC’s) Operation Sandon report to examine best practices for council interactions with property developers.

IBAC’s Operation Sandon, was an investigation into whether any Casey councillorshadacceptedpayments,gifts or other benefits, including political donations, in exchange for voting on or influencing council decisions on planning matters that favoured the interests of developer and planning consultant John Woodman and his clients.

The report puts forward 34 recommendations that could impact the ways councils interact with developers building in their communities.

The Local Government Inspectorate said last year that issues raised by Operation Sandon are important for growth areas on Melbourne’s outer-fringe.

Moorabool chief executive Derek Madden said council is currently undertaking a detailed review of the recommendations coming out of the report.

“Council will take a pragmatic approach when considering potential changes and continue to ensure current governance practices are maintained to ensure the integrity and transparency of council and councillor interactions,” he said.

Melton council confirmed it is reviewing the report on Operation Sandon and no decisions have yet been made.

Principal appointed for Melton’s newest specialist school

A new specialist school in Aintree, now formally named Dharra School, has officially appointed its principal, Lizzie Tout.

The school will provide educational programs for students with mild to profound intellectual disabilities.

Located in Woodlea, the school delivered by the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) is scheduled to open for term one in 2024.

‘Dharra School’ was recently chosen as the new school’s name following consultation with the community.

Dharra is a Woi-wurrung word of the Wurundjeri people, meaning white hawk.

Serving most recently as the principal of Hamilton North Primary School, principal

Lizzie Tout said she is focused on creating a supportive and responsive learning environment for the students at Dharra School.

“Inaspecialistsetting,wehavetheresources to respond to the needs of each pupil by working with the student, their families, and support team to individualise their education program,” she said.

“Our top priorities are ensuring we recruit to a high standard, have supportive high-level processes in place for enrolment, and that the families feel welcomed from the moment they meet us.”

School facilities will include a library and community centre, two learning neighbourhoods and a hard court.

Dharra will be located next to the soon-to-open Yarrabing Secondary College, north of the intersection of Taylors Road and Frontier Avenue.

Woodlea project director Matthew Dean said he’s proud the new community can offer inclusive education options for all stages and abilities.

“This specialist school will add to the range of public and private primary schools, secondaryschools,andearlylearningfacilities available by 2024, achieving our vision of offering an education option for every young student at Woodlea.”

Enrollments are now open.

Details: https://www.schoolbuildings.vic. gov.au/aintree-specialist-school-interim-name Dharra principal Lizzie

(Supplied)

Kimberley Gerlach and her five-month-old son Lucas. (Damjan Janevski) 351073_01

West cheers on its heroes

Like the rest of the country, the western suburbs came to a stand-still on Wednesday night last week for Australia’s FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-final against England. A crowd of more than 1500 people – most of them clad in green and gold and barracking for the Matildas – packed a live site set up at Werribee’s Wyndham Park, while elsewhere, pubs, clubs and loungerooms were filled to capacity too. Many of them emptied before the finish though, as two late goals sent England to Sunday’s final; the euphoria of Sam Kerr’s second half screamer proving short lived. The legacy of this tournament certainly won’t.

Young Milla and Deon watched the Matildas from their homes.

Matilda fans, most decked out in green and gold, gathered at the Wyndham Park live site to watch the action unfold. (Pictures: Supplied)

Bulldogs ready to bite in AFLW

With the AFLW season quickly approaching it’s time to check in on how the Western Bulldogs are approaching the year. Harper Sercombe chatted with Gemma Lagioia from the Bulldogs to hear her thoughts on the pre-season and what to expect from the Dogs in season eight of the AFLW.

Western Bulldogs young gun Gemma Lagioia is ready to take her game to the next level as the Bulldogs set their eyes on season eight of the AFLW

After spending her first three years within the AFLW system as an outside midfielder, Lagioia has been setting herself up for a season kicking goals.

“I’ll spend some more time in the forward line for sure,“ she said. “That’s where I’ve been training in the pre-season, so I think that’ll be my main position.

“Kate McCarthy is the new forwards coach so it’s been great working with her and she was a small forward as well, so learning off her has been really good.”

With the season just around the corner, Lagioia said her focus is to play some more consistent footy to help her team stay within the top eight.

Lagioia played four games in AFLW season sevenaftersixgamesinthefirstseasonin2022.

“As a team we just want to improve on how we went last year,” she said.

“We think we can win the whole thing, that’s our aim.

“We just want to play some really good exciting footy and just do as well as we can.”

Already written in Bulldogs folk law as the three time All-Australian and four time best andfairestwinnerissettoembarkonherfourth year as stand alone captain, Ellie Blackburn will be instrumental in returning her side back to the premiership successes of 2018.

“She’s amazing. She’s the best captain I’ve played under and I look up to Ellie so much,” Lagioia said.

“She’s had a great pre-season, there’s no doubt she’ll go into the season and just play the exact same as she has in the previous five seasons, if not even better.

“I’ve just learnt so much off of her, I’m really appreciative of playing under her.”

The Dogs added some depth and experience to their list in the off season through Maggie GorhamfromGreaterWesternSydney,Brianna McFarlanefromtheBrisbaneLionsandmature aged draftee Dominique Carruthers.

“All three of them have fit in so well and all of them have made quite big moves down here, and they just fit in with the girls so well, they add so much to the group and I’ve really been enjoying getting to know them,” Lagioia said.

Along with the fresh recruits there has

been plenty of progress made at the kennel throughout the preseason.

Midfielder turned key forward Gabrielle Newton and winger Aurora Smith, who is comingoffanACLinjuryfromseasonsix,have particularly caught Lagioia’s eye.

“(Newton), in the forward line, I’ve been able to play pretty close to her all pre-season, I think she’ll be great and kick goals every game hopefully,” she said.

“(Smith) has been able to have a pretty full pre-season, so I’m looking forward to seeing how she goes.

“I think everyone has taken really big steps

this pre-season, we’ve all been working really hard, so I’m looking forward to seeing how everyone goes.”

The Dogs moved back into their traditional home of Whitten Oval during the off season following ongoing works to the ground and facilities.

“That’s been really good, the girls have been loving it,” Lagioia said.

The Bulldogs had their first hit out against Hawthorn in mid August in a pre-season match.

The Dogs won and Lagioia impressed in her new position kicking one of the Dogs’ five goals, although the focus was playing the way the team wanted to play.

“Our focus has been on working really hard defensively… we just want to get our game plan right and do what we want to do, as opposed to focusing too much on the opposition,” Lagioia said.

The Dogs were to face last year’s preliminary finalists North Melbourne in their last game before the season begins on Saturday, after deadline.

They start their season on September 2 with a clash against Geelong.

The Bulldogs are looking to improve on last season when they finished in seventh spot, six points outside the top six.

“I’m so looking forward to round one, GeelonginGeelong,I’mreallylookingforward to that,” Lagioia said.

“Looking more into the future, we’re so excited about our first game at Whitten Oval in round five.

“There’s just so many points along the way that I’m excited for.”

The Dogs will play the Saints under lights in their return to Whitten Oval on Friday, September 29.

Gemma Lagioia at training.

‘‘ We think we can win the whole thing, that’s our aim ’’ - Gemma Lagioia

Gemma Lagioia (far left) with Ellie Blackburn (middle left). (Pictures: Western Bulldogs/Ruby Harkness)

MY PLACE

What is your connection to Melton?

I moved to Melton in 1989, enticed by lower housing prices and the parklands, gardens, openspaces,andthecloseproximitytocountry areas. Through local community groups such as scouting and band, I have made many wonderful friends. I think any group of people with like goals and interests can work together to create amazing results.

What is your favourite place in Melton?

I considered Woodgrove Shopping Centre, Melton’s Botanical Gardens (especially when I play there with the Band), Reading Cinema which is just across the road from me, Friends’ houses for a chat and cuppa...Then I realised it canbeanywhereatallaslongasafriendortwo are there with me.

What, if anything would you change about Melton?

I would love to see the creation of a performing arts centre with a large audience capacity, to be envied by all other communities. The centre would be home to organisations such as Greater Western Community Band, the newly formed Melton Performing arts group and singing and dancing groups. This would serve as a permanent home for the individual groups to have regular rehearsals and on-site storage for each individual group.

What is something about you people would be surprised to know?

I once sang while in the Choir Box of the Melbourne Arts Centre Hamer Hall while the audience applauded thunderously. I was at a concert. The Choir Box was opened for the audience as it was a sell-out concert. During

theapplause,Iwarbledafewlinesfrom“Sound of Music”.

Tell us about your work with Greater Western Community Band (GWCB)?

I am a proud founding member of GWCB. The band was formed in 1991 with a core of dedicated adult musicians and many music students from local schools. We quickly developed to become a well balanced group of

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musiciansperformingregularly.Welovetoplay at community events and special events such as botanical gardens open days, Djerriwarrh Festival, Platypus Festival, Dream Big Festival, Christmas carols, and concerts. In the past we have played for Zonta’s, Probus Club, Singing with the Stallions and many others. Like many groups,thenumbersofmembershavedropped since Covid. We’re slowly rebuilding. Recently we have seen a shortage of student musicians.

Originally, about 75 per cent of members were school aged music students. That number has declined.

Any school music students are more than welcome to come along to GWCB.

If you are an adult who used to play an instrument but gave it away due to the pressures of family and a busy working life, or any adult who is now learning an instrument, we welcome you to come along!

Sally Hamond is a retiree who is excited to now be spending more time on family and music. Ms Hamond plays clarinet and is the Greater Western Community Band public officer and treasurer for. She spoke to Liam McNally.

David Ashworth, Jan Thorley and Sally Hamond. (Damjan Janevski) 348006_05

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The Big Apple Cafe Bacchus Marsh

Foodworks Bacchus Marsh

Coles Supermarket Bacchus Marsh

Shell Coles Service Station Bacchus Marsh

APCO Service Station Bacchus Marsh

Bacchus Marsh UFS Pharmacy Bacchus Marsh

7/11 Service Station Bacchus Marsh

Baccus Marsh Newsagency Bacchus Marsh

Bacchus Mart Indian Grosery Store Bacchus Marsh

Bacchus Marsh Village UFS Pharmacy Bacchus Marsh

Australia Post Bacchus Marsh

Milk Bar the Avenue Bacchus Marsh

Baccus Marsh Information Centre Bacchus Marsh

The Village Shopping Centre Bacchus Marsh

Laurels Education & Training Bacchus Marsh

Bellbrook Gardens Country Club Bacchus Marsh

Ballan Newsagency Ballan

IGA Plus Liquor Ballan

Moorabool Shire Ballan

Ingenia Gardens Village Brookfield

Pharmasave Darley Pharmacy Shop Darley

My Little Mates Convenience Store Darley

Champions IGA Darley

Moorabool Shire Darley

Bacchus Marsh Gold Club Darley

Vans Milk Bar Darley

Diggers Rest Pharmacy Diggers Rest

Foodworks Diggers Rest

Diggers Rest Post Office Diggers Rest

Gordon Post Office Gordon

Foodworks Harkness

Foodworks Hillside

United Petrolium Hillside

Kirkton Drive Milkbar Kurunjang

Kurunjang Village Store Kurunjang

Bacchus Marsh West Golf Club Maddingley

Champions IGA Maddingley

Melton Milkbar Melton

Melton Waves Leisure Centre Melton

TAB Corp Park Melton

Melton Shire Council Offices Melton

Australia Post Melton Central Melton

Advance Stationers Melton

Melton Lotto Melton

Freddy's Fruit & Veg Melton

Melton Toyota Melton

Amcal Pharmacy Melton

Morgans Supa IGA Melton

MGS Melton

Melton Pharmacy Superstore Melton

NQR Melton

FoodWorks Melton

Woodgrove Shopping Centre Melton

Woolworths - Woodgrove SC Melton

Woolworths - Coburn SC Melton

Coles Supermarket - Woodgrove SC Melton

Tatts Kiosk Melton

Melton Library Melton

Melton Country Club Melton

Melton Indoor Sports Centre Melton

Coles Supermarket - Melton Station Square Melton

Lee Merchants Melton

Woolworths Opalia Melton South

Yes Yes Indian Supermarket Melton South

Hume Milk Bar Melton South

Shell Coles Epress Melton South

MGS Melton Melton South

Australia Post Melton South

Station Square Shopping Centre Melton South

Melton Indian Grocery Store Melton West

Your Chemist Shop Melton West

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Plough Inn Hotel/Motel Myrniong

Rockbank Newsagency Rockbank

Sundowner Rockbank Caravan Park Rockbank

Toolern Vale General Store Toolern Vale

Real Estate Agents Everywhere

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

WANT YOUR EVENT LISTED?

Calendar,

Fundraiser for Exford families

Calendar

Bacchus Marsh Anglican Social Team are holding a Devonshire Tea on Saturday, August 26, to raise money for families affected by the Exford Road bus crash. From 2pm to 4pm in the Anglican Church Hall at 19A Gisborne Road, Bacchus Marsh. There will be a Trading Stall. Admission $10 for adults or $5 for children.

■ Heather, 0410 773 280

DNHLC events and classes

Darley Neighbourhood House and Learning Centre has a range of upcoming events and classes including a Marsh Mender Repair Cafe on Sunday, August 27, from 10am to noon, with a Bike Puncture Workshop on the same day at 10.30am. There’ll be a Wire Sculpture Light Feature Workshop on Sunday, September 10 from noon to 2.30pm, and a Buttercream Icing on Cupcakes session on September 13 from 10am to noon. Prices vary.

■ https://darleylearning.com/ term-3-4-dnh-2023/

Free tax help

In partnership with the ATO, Melton South Community Centre is offering free Tax Help to individuals looking for help completing their personal 2022-23 tax return. 45-minute appointments are available on Thursdays from July to October. Eligibility criteria apply. Call the centre to find out more or book an appointment with our volunteer.

■ 9747 8576

First aid courses

Melton South Community Centre offers a range of First Aid courses, including HLTAID009, HLTAID011 and HLTAID012, and is now taking enrolments for Saturday, September 16. Call the centre for information or to enrol.

■ 9747 8576

Herbal Foot Bath workshop

Discover a new world of relaxation and self-care in Melton South Community Centre’s new Herbal Foot Bath workshop on Saturday, August 26. Learn about the history and ingredients, then make five jars of herbal blends to take home with you. Everything is supplied. $60 or $55 concession. Call the centre for information and enrolments.

■ 9747 8576

Melton Ladies Probus

Meets from 10am on the second Wednesday of each month at Melton Country Club on Reserve Road, Melton. All visitors are welcome.

■ Dianne, 9743 7446

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

Take weight off naturally

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

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

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

Parkinson’s support group

The Melton Parkinson’s Support Group

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

■ Helen, 0409 186 576

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

■ meltonmensgroup.home.blog

Melton Bridge Club

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

■ Rosemary, 0407 894 817

Melton Friendship Group.

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

■ 0406 493 734

Melton Valley Ladies Probus Club

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

■ Ann, 0425 705 150

Melton South Knit & Natter

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

■ 9747 8576

Zonta club meets

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

Country Club, Reserve Road, Melton.

■ Suzanne, 0417 512 420

U3A Melton

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

■ 0419 563 016

Melton Combined Probus Club

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

■ 9746 0271

Rose Carers Of Maddingley Park

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

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

Melton Cycling Club

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

■ 0403 057 003

Community singing group

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

■ Val, 0418 667 150

Rotary Club of Melton

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

■ meltonrotary@gmail.com

Melton Trauma Teddies

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

■ Jean, 0412 931 498

Boomerang Bags Bacchus Marsh

Boomerang Bags Bacchus Marsh make

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

■ https://63ec55b8628d6.site123.me/

Garden Club

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

■ Michelle, 0421 106 268

Community Band

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

■ Sally Hamond, 0401 474 582

Over 50s Social Group

A friendly group of people aged over 50 who enjoy each other’s company while attending events and outings such as dinners, shows, dancing, cinemas and more. If you live in the Melton area and would like to meet new friends, in a welcoming group environment, this is for you.

■ Marlene, 0498 329 290

BusyFeet Hillside

BusyFeet is a dance and movement class for children with intellectual and physical disabilities. Classes create a fun and inclusive environment for kids aged 6 to 16 to try new things and build social skills, as well as giving a chance for parents’ respite. 11am, to 11.45am Saturday mornings.

■ Ross, 0411 228 311

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/

Community

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

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

Photographer’s choice. Hume Anglican Grammar is putting on a production of the Addams Family. Pic of students: Treesha, Aria, Freddie, Logan, Stephanie, Harriet and Gurleen. (Damjan Janevski) 353474_01

SUDOKU

No.

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

QUICK CROSSWORD

5

9

DECODER WORDFIT

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”.

8 words: Good 12 words: Very good 17 words:

snug, SUFFICING, suing, sung, using

cuffs, fisc, fusing, gins, guns, nisi, scuff, scuffing, sign, sing, sniff, snuff,

No. 147

1 In which US city was Motown Records founded in 1960?

2 Director Duncan Jones is the son of which musician?

3 Which actress stars as Alice Chambers in the 2022 film Don'tWorryDarling?

4 On which bay is Cape Town situated?

5 What element has the symbol Au and the atomic number 79?

6 In which film did George Clooney (pictured) play the character Ulysses Everett McGill?

7 What song contains the line 'How can you have any pudding if you don’t eat your meat?'?

8 Who wrote the poem Donotgogentleinto thatgoodnight?

9 Iona is a small island off the western coast of which country?

10 Who played the lead role opposite Cary Grant in the 1963 film Charade?

No. 147

No. 147

$

•All advertisements must be pre-paid. For $29.00 you get a 4 line, ONE ITEM ONLY advertisement, restricted to “For Sale” or “Motoring” items only for private advertisers, run initially for 13 weeks or until sold. Additional lines will be charged at $3 per line per publication.

•After your advertisement has run for 13 weeks you must call us each fortnight to renew it for a further 2 week period AND reduce the price of your item by a minimum 5% for items in the “For Sale” section or 3% for items in the “Motoring” section. This process may continue until you have sold your item. If we do not hear from you we will assume you have sold your item and your advertisement will not appear.

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

• Business advertisements, rental hire, pets & livestock and real estate are not included in the offer.

• The publisher reserves the right to decline any booking for the purpose of ongoing gain.

SPORTS QUIZ

1. How many penalties in total were taken in the shootout between Australia and France at the FIFA Women’s World Cup?

2. What other sport has netball star Ash Brazill played at the highest level?

3. Which Canberra Raiders legend recently announced his retirement at the end of the 2023

4. Which US city will host two NRL matches in 2024?

5. What is the nickname of the NBL team based in South East Melbourne?

6. What country is ranked number one in baseball in both Men’s and Women’s competitions?

7. The 1992 movie The CuttingEdge revolves around which Winter premiership player for Geelong announced his retirement recently?

In what year did St Kilda win their sole AFL/VFL premiership?

forward plays club football for Manchester

Which four teams made it to the semi-finals of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup?

12. Italian tennis professional Jannik Sinner defeated which Australian to win the 2023 Canadian Open?

13. Twin brothers Brad and Chris Scott are the head coaches of which respective AFL teams?

14. How many gold medals did Australian swimmer Inez Miller win at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games?

15. Which national team did Kristie Mewis play for at the 2023 Women’s World Cup?

16. How many times has Australia hosted the Commonwealth Games?

17. What position are Mackenzie Arnold, Teagan Micah and Lydia Williams all able to play for the Matildas?

18. NSW-born Jarrod Croker played his entire NRL career for which club?

19. Which Australian golf professional won the 2023 LIV Golf Invitational Bedminster tournament?

20. US basketballer Jaylen Brown signed a five-year US$304 million deal with which NBA team?

21. In what year did the Canberra Raiders NRL team win their last premiership?

22. What is the name of the Matildas documentary on Disney+?

23. Which team won the 1995 AFL grand final?

24. And which team did they beat?

25. The Duckworth-LewisStern method features in which sport?

26. How many disciplines of fencing are there?

27. What is the highest target you can peg in darts?

28. Reece James is the captain of which English Premier League side?

29. Adam Zampa will play for which BBL club in the upcoming season?

30. How many players make up a curling team?

Telstra plans to upgrade the existing telecommunications facility located at 273 Gisborne-Melton Road, Toolern Vale, Victoria 3337 (Lot 1 on PS411317) www.rfnsa.com.au/3337003

1.Telstra Limited (A.C.N 051 775 556) are currently upgrading existing mobile network facilities to allow for the introduction of 5G to Telstra’s network. As part of this network upgrade, Telstra proposes the installation of NR850 (5G) technology in the Toolern Vale locality and surrounds.

2.The proposed works at the above site include the removal of three (3) existing panel antennas, the installation of six (6) new panel antennas (each no more than 2.8m long) as well as the installation of associated ancillary equipment (including but not limited to the removal of the existing turret headframe and installation of a new triangular headframe at the top of the existing monopole). All internal equipment will be housed within the existing equipment shelter located at the base of the facility.

3.Telstra regards the proposed installation as a Low-impact Facility under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 based on the above description.

4.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 written submissions should be directed to Adi Ananda, Aurecon Australasia Pty Ltd (A.B.N 54 005 139 873) via email to: adi.ananda@aurecongroup.com or via post to: Adi Ananda, Aurecon Australasia, PO Box 23061, Docklands, VIC, 8012 by 5pm on 5/09/2023.

DISCRIMINATION IN ADVERTISING IS UNLAWFUL

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

Honda ZR-V VTi X $40,200

Honda ZR-V VTi L $43,200

Honda ZR-V VTi LX $48,500

Honda ZR-V e:HEV LX $54,900 SPECIFICATIONS

Honda ZR-V VTi L 1.5L Turbo 4-cylinder petrol, CVT automatic, FWD

Note: These prices are drive-away.

Honda sets out its SUV future

By Derek Ogden, Marque Motoring

Honda has shown its hand for the future with a deft shuffle of its SUVs, including the addition of a new model, the ZR-V, slotting in between the present HR-V and CR-V.

While the newcomer is different, it does go somewhat to cramping the style of its older siblings. However, Honda assures us that the coming of the all-new CR-V in 2024, as a bigger, more spacious model than at present, will resolve the situation.

“The Honda ZR-V is Honda Australia’s first, brand-new core model to be introduced in Australia in 20 years and uses an enhanced version of Honda’s global architecture,” said Honda Australia director Carolyn McMahon.

The Civic-based ZR-V comes in three petrol-only grades and a range-topping petrol / electric hybrid. Prices start at $40,200 for the VTi X with the hybrid e:HEV LX costing $54,900.OntestwastheZR-VVTiLat$43,200. All prices are drive-away.

Standard equipment on the base model includes premium cloth upholstery, a 9-inch infotainment touch-screen, eight-speaker sound system, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, dual-zone climate control, eight-speaker sound system, 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, 11 airbags, 17-inch wheels, rain-sensing wipers and parking sensors front and back.

In contrast, the VTi L takes on leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, 18-inch alloys, heated door mirrors, hands-free power tailgate, rear privacy glass, combination LED tail-lights and metal paddle shifts.

All ZR-Vs come under Honda’s five-year

unlimited kilometre warranty, with 24/7 roadside assist. Service intervals are 12 months or 10,000 kilometres and capped at $199 per visit.

Styling

At a tad over four-and-a-half metres long, the ZR-V is knocking on the mid-size SUV door. With a forceful front, the radiator grille shows off why black is the new chrome, cropping up in all classes of automobile, from bargain basement compacts to high-end aristocrats and anything in between – a ZR-V, for example.

By contrast, the headlamps flanking the front each share a home with daytime running lights and dynamic direction indicators under a single sleek clear plastic ‘roof’.

In profile the SUV is neither too tall nor too small – a genuine design Goldilocks – and leads to a rear as neat and tidy as a tucked-in shirt. Eighteen-inch alloy wheels are a step up from the entry-level 17s.

Interior

Seatingisfirmandcouldgiverisetocomplaints on long journeys. Head and legroom are excellent. However, in the back the high-set floor leaves little room for toes under the front seats.

Out back there’s also a fold-down armrest with cup holders, double USB-C charge points and bottle nest. ISOFIX points are fixed for the outboard edges of the rear bench.

Access to the 380 litres of boot space comes via a power tailgate operated from an external switch, or with a gentle ‘kick’, Sam Kerr-style, to the rear bumper. Fold the 60 / 40 seat backs and 1312 litres becomes available.

The under-floor comes in two parts and can be used to separate cargo. There’s room only for a space saver spare wheel.

Honda has hooked in to the floating centre console with decent-size cubby below.

Deep cup holders are situated ahead of the gearshift switch. Door slots will take 700 ml bottles.

Infotainment

A 9.0-inch touchscreen is small by present-day standards but is home to a simple menu layout for wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, eight speaker sound system.

The 10.2-inch digital information cluster screen displays a good amount of driver information. Up front are USB-A and USB-C, in the rear two USB-C points.

Engines / transmissions

The Honda ZR-V VTi L relies on a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine mated with a CVT automatic transmission driving the front wheels.

Maximumpowerof131kWcomesupat6000 rpm; top torque of 240 Nm between 1700 and 4500 rpm, making for flexible performance from go to whoa.

Safety

The Honda ZR-V leads the class in passive safety with 11 airbags, including a front-centre and driver’s knee airbag.

Active safety includes autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, driver attention monitoring, lane-keep assist, traffic jam assist, traffic sign

recognition, front and rear parking sensors, plus tyre pressure monitoring.

Driving

With 240 Nm of torque on tap from a low 1700 revs well managed by the CVT tuning, the ZR-V pulls away with little fuss. Acceleration into a motorway stream of traffic is likewise. Engine, wind and road noise are all-but absent, except in the last case on course surfaces. Ride and handling are competent thanks to a well-tuned suspension. Town work on test was as expected for a light vehicle, while body roll on fast bends was minimised and road blemishes ironed out with ease.

As a performer, of the three drive modes, Normal is, well normal, for day-to-day city traffic, while Eco saves fuel but obviously dumbs down the driving experience. Sport makes the best of the turbo for a taut response to right-foot input. Honda puts a combined urban / highway fuel consumption of 7.2 litres per 100 kilometres on the ZV-R petrol vehicle. On test the VTi L came up with 9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and as low as 5 litres per 100 kilometres on the open road.

Driver’s view all round is mostly good but is let down by limited rear-window glass. There’s a neat lock-as-you-walk-away form the vehicle when you have your hands full.

Summary

As a long-time possessor of a self-propelled Honda lawnmower and large house block I have been pleasantly surprised with the machine’sperformanceandreliability.Itmakes me wonder if the same could be applied to the company’s new SUV down the track.

New coach is focused on Lions’ development

NewBacchusMarshLions’CountryBasketball League women’s coach Josiah Smith is keen to build a strong program for the future.

Smith, who was earlier this year appointed Bacchus Marsh’s director of coaching, will lead the senior women’s side replacing Grace Bibby.

Smith said he was excited to get back into senior coaching after a couple of years off after COVID-19.

“It’s really good,” he said. “I’m relatively new to the association, having started at the start of 2023 for the junior season.

“I’ve been director of coaching and been coaching a junior team and I’m excited to help shape the senior program and integrate some under-16s and under-18s to stay around and aspire to be part of.

“I want to put a product on the floor that the young players want to come and watch.”

Smith brings a wealth of experience to the role, having been the Bulleen Boomers youth league championship men’s coach before COVID intervened.

He was an assistant coach at the Sunbury

Jets when they won two state championship women titles and has had experiences in WNBL, NBL and international settings.

He said he had learned a lot along the way and was looking to bring a lot of that to Bacchus Marsh.

Smith said joining the Bacchus Marsh association allowed him to expand the work he does with his coaching.

“I’ve lived in Bacchus Marsh the last 10 years,” he said. “There’s been a big shift after lock down with a young family.

“I was looking for coaching opportunities closer to home. The club is quite young and it was a great opportunity for my coaching and the development side, rather than just coaching.

“There was mutual interest there.”

The Lions finished fifth last season, with four wins and four losses for the season.

Smith said his first aim was to keep the squad together and go from there.

“We don’t want to bleed players out,” he said. “We want to retain as many of the existing group as possible.

“We will then look at recruitment and promotion for whatever holes that we have in the team.

“We want to promote some of our under-18s and those who have aged out.”

Smith said results this season wouldn’t be how they fully judge the season. He said it was about continuing to build on what they have already been doing.

“It’s not how many games we win this year, it’s how many over the next three seasons,” he said.

“If we win 10 games and then have to build from scratch again, that’s not what we want to do.

“If we can win five, then six, then seven with themajoritybeingthesamecoregroupcoming through with some juniors coming through, that’s a successful run in my opinion.”

Impey’s tough decision

By Harper Sercombe

A career in sport has always been on the cards forLucasImpey,theharddecisionisjustwhich one.

Coming from an elite basketball pedigree withhismotherJodiplayingmorethan300Big V games and his father Christian playing high school basketball in America and has coached for more than 20 years, Impey was aways going to step on the basketball court.

“They pushed me really hard to play basketball but they were always open to me playing two sports,” he said.

“They back me 100 per cent, and that’s something I really appreciate, having them in my corner.”

Impey was on track to follow in their footsteps, having made every state team from under-16s to under-20s. However, a call from the Western Jets in the Coates Talent League asking him to attend a pre-season training threw a spanner into the works.

Phoenix pulls off a big win

A stunning goal spree leaves Melton Phoenix needing just a draw in the final round of the FV state league 5 west season to seal promotion,

The Phoenix did a demolition job on Tarneit United, winning 14-0 on Saturday to ensure it remained in contention for second spot.

Phoenix led 4-0 at half time, but that was only the start of things for the side.

The Phoenix scored its fifth goal in the 55th minute and made it six just a minute later.

The goals kept going and there would be 10 all up in the second half to seal the massive win.

Reese Kelic scored four goals, while Alex Dimond scored three and Kyle Caruana, Lachlan Stafford and Jason Moody scored two goals each.

The win moves the Phoenix into second place on the ladder, equal on points with West Point, but importantly one goal ahead in goal difference.

The two teams face each other in the final round.

Balmoral has already sealed top spot and the first promotion spot, with the Phoenix and West Point fighting for the second spot.

Whichever team finishes three will go through to a play off to be promoted.

In state league 3 north-west, Westside Strikers fate remains in the air heading into the final round.

“I said, yeah why not? I’d put footy on the back burner for four years or so, I missed it,” he said.

“I came down for a run and I really loved it, ended up doing the pre-season and starting the season.

“I haven’t looked back since, I’ve played a couple of games of basketball but footy’s been the priority this year.

“I found a new love for footy and now that I’ve been away from basketball every time I’ve got to come back, I’ve really enjoyed it.

“Honestly, I think I really needed to change, it’s been good, it’s been an eye opener.”

While a decision between the two sports will have to be made in the future, Impey is in no rush to disturb what he has going at the moment.

Impey has been a ruck sensation since joining the Jets program, averaging 24 hit outs from his seven outings. He said a lot of credit hastogotohiscoacheswhohaveinstilledtheir confidence in the raw talent.

“They’ve backed me 100 per cent that I’m going to win every contest and it just drives me to want to play really well every game,” he said.

“My local coaches down at Darley have definitely helped me a lot, they’ve given me a lot of confidence to go out there and just try new things.

“They don’t care if I make mistakes, so it’s really the coaches pushing me to be better.”

Although, the transition into footy wasn’t as easy as Impey has made it seem with doubts creeping in at the start of pre-season.

“I was just really rusty, and I thought I didn’t really fit in,” he said.

“Once I kept going back to footy and everyone started to kind of get to know me a little bit, there were no doubts whatsoever that I made a good decision.”

With a decision on his sporting career still pending, Impey isn’t looking too far ahead in terms of career aspirations.

“Whichever sport I do pick, I’m going to try and go as far as I can.”

TheStrikershada2-1losstoDiamond Valley United on Saturday.

The Strikers sit third bottom ahead of the last round and can’t finish any higher, but can slip a spot.

The bottom two teams get relegated, while third-last will play off in a play off.

In state league 4 west, Spring Hills suffered another big loss, this time to championship hopeful Surf Coast, 6-2. Spring Hills will finish the season in second bottom and be relegated no matter the result in the final round.

In the National Premier League 3 competition, Caroline Springs George Cross made it a 15th straight win to win the season.

Having already secured promotion and the championship, the Georgies beat the Essendon Royals, 1-0.

Lucas Impey. (Felicity Elliott/AFL Photos)

Josiah Smith (Supplied)

Tara Murray

Devils take one step closer to the big dance

Darley is one step closer to the grand final in the Ballarat Football League women’s season.

The Devils were out seeking to avenge last year’s grand final loss against Redan on Sunday, to put them into a preliminary final face off.

The Devils dominated Redan from the outset, maintaining the lead throughout the day.

The Devils didn’t concede a goal until within the third term, leading by 42 points at half time, the lead grew at three quarter time, which proved too much for the home side.

After being the highest scoring team throughout the home and away season Redan only managed the three majors for the day, losing 14.13 (97)- 3.1 (19).

Both Darley and Redan only lost one game each for the season, which pointed to this final match up to being an even contest, however it was not to be.

“It was well and truly done at half time,” president Mark Shelly said.

“They (Darley) won the stoppage game, in

close, they had the likes of Lilli Condon, Zoe Attard, Madison Lister and they certainly dominated from the start.”

Condon, Attard and Lister were all amongst the goal scorers, with Attard and Lister booting two each, while Condon kicked one.

Alyssa Humphries was also amongst the scorers with three majors.

Goal kicking superstar Kim Bessell added to her 100 goal celebrations from last week, booting another five in the first final.

Although Shelly said Condon was his best on ground with her dominance in the midfield.

“She never gave up all day… it was a pretty good all round effort,” he said.

Cobras surprise Lions

By Harper Sercombe

Bacchus Marsh has recorded one of the upsets of the season in the Ballarat Football League.

The Cobras threw a spanner into the works of the Sunbury Lions’ hopes of playing finals, creating a mouth watering final round of the season with three teams fighting for two finals spots.

The Lions seemed to be in control of the game from the outset, taking a 19 point lead into half time.

The Cobras started to work their way into the game, cutting the lead to 14 points at three quarter time.

In the final term the Cobras came out firing, booting five straight goals to give the 11.13 (79)-12.9 (81) win.

Cobras’ coach Jason Williams said the three quarter time message was the same it has been all year.

“Just play with courage and confidence,” he said.

“Weconstantlytalkaboutouridentitybeing courage and discipline, so it was just about continuing to play with courage, continuing to be disciplined.

“Wealsotalkedaboutbeingreallycomposed with the ball.”

While on paper the result seemed to be an upset, internally the Cobras were confident.

A young side, the Cobras have shown improvement throughout the season.

“We knew we were building to this result,” Williams said.

“We expected to be in the contest and it was just a matter of executing.”

Alex Porter, Luke Goetz and Tyson Shea were named their best, while Cody Salmon was the star up forward with three goals.

With finals off the cards for the Cobras, Williams said he hasn’t turned his focus to the off season just yet with plenty still to play for in 2023.

The Cobras sit in eighth spot with five wins for the season.

“Our focus is to beat Ballarat,” Williams said.

“We set out a target four weeks ago to win the last four weeks of the year, so all we’re thinking about is beating Ballarat.”

After the bye in round 14, the Cobras have had three really strong wins in a row.

The first was a 106 point win against the winless Melton South.

Last week it was a 92 point victory against Lake Wendouree.

Now with the ninth placed Ballarat to come, their goal is very achievable.

While happy, Williams said there are some areas of the team’s game that will need tinkering in the off season, through recruiting

and internal development.

“I think we need a key defender,” he said. “Try and get them to the club… but they’re the priorities.”

Although in attack Williams seems content with what he has to work with, including the

teams leading goal scorer Jake Owen. “Ithinkourforwardlinecanbesuper,super exciting,” he said.

Elsewhere, Melton South lost to Redan 34.14 (218)-4.7 (31), while Darley beat Melton in the top of the table clash, 10.10 (70)-7.7 (49).

“Even young Katie Mcaloon who plays in the ruck and plays a bit up forward and Emmerson Hitch, they were switched on, they clearly brought their A-plus game today.”

With a win in the qualifying final, the Devils will now play Lake Wendouree to get them into the big dance.

The loser will play in the preliminary final.

“You would think the way the women’s draw sets up that they [Darley] would meet Redan again in the grand final,” he said.

“Redan are going to have to improve a fair bit if they think they can beat them in a grand final.”

In other results, Bacchus March’s season came to an end in an elimination final loss to East Point on Sunday.

The Cobras had only managed the two wins for the season and were outclassed by East Point.

It was all one way traffic for the Kangaroos running away with a 10.8 (68)-1.3 (9) win.

Harper Sercombe

Devils knock off Bloods

Darley knocked over ladder leaders Melton in a victory to set up its final campaign in the Ballarat Football League.

The Devils and Bloods were neck and neck all game in the top of the table clash with only two points separating the teams at half time.

Things began to open up in the second half with both sides getting in on the goal scoring, although the Devils lead grew to seven points at three quarter time.

In the last the Devils put the game to bed booting 2.4 to the Bloods two points to give them the 10.10 (70)-7.7 (49) win.

Darley president Mark Shelly was thrilled to come away with the points.

“It was a war of attrition, and we certainly out ran them late in the game … Leading up to three quarter time you could sort of sense that we were getting the ascendancy,” he said.

Billy Myers was one of the Devils best with five majors to continue his run of good form, following his haul of seven last week.

However, young gun Lucas Impey was awarded best on for the Devils in his return from playing with the Western Jets in the Coates Talent League.

It is almost certain that Darley will face the Bloods in the first week of finals where the winner will go into a preliminary final.

The Bloods remain on top, but Darley is only percentage behind them.

They are both a game clear of Sebastopol.

“We’re the only team that’s beat Melton, we’ve beat them twice this year,” Shelly said. “So it would seem with the draw, that we would probably meet them again in two weeks time in that qualifying final.”

The Devils will face the Sunbury Lions in the last round of the regular season where they will hope to steal top spot from the Bloods, who face Lake Wendouree.

Harper Sercombe

Darley women’s football (Supplied)

Jake Owen. (Damjan Janevski) 245808_12

Hall of fame honour for Bloods legend Stanley

BallaratFootballLeaguelegendDarrenStanley has been inducted into the league’s hall of fame.

Stanley played at both Melton and Melton South following his Victorian Football League career at Footscray.

Stanley is a legend at both BFL clubs having won two premierships at the Bloods, as well as best and fairest and Henderson medal in the 2000 premiership winning year.

At the Panthers, he was a two time best and fairest winner, and Henderson medal winner. Nowadays the annual clash between the two Melton sides is called the ‘Darren Stanley Shield’ which was introduced in 2018.

Bloods vice-president Brian McNabb and Stanley’s premiership teammate Marc Raak both talked to the BFL to pay tribute to Stanley’s legacy.

“When he arrived to be a social person at our club, he attracted people to talk about

football,” McNabb said.

“Darren was always highly regarded even when he was playing with Footscray, and also Melton South, a very respected person within the town itself.

“Total professional footballer, his preparation was first class, both on and off the ground. As a person he was a very enjoyable person and he was certainly a leader of people, and led by example.”

Raak touched on a similar note, paying particular attention to Stanley’s professionalism.

“He turned up to training ready to go, he was in great knick, he led the way from the front,” Raak said.

“He spent a lot of time with our junior sort of players… he improved their football heaps.

“His running capacity was huge but you would often see Darren running around the streets in the off season, keeping fit, he really

prided himself on being the fittest at the club and he probably was.”

Although Raak said his best memories of playing footy with Stanley come from the 2000 and 2001 premierships.

“He’s a great fella, his legacy was helping us to a grand final,” Raak said. “I’ll always remember him for the work he did to help us achieve our goal.”

Even though, clearly Stanley was a proven vote getter in league and club best and fairests, McNabb said this was never his aim.

“Darren was never worried about individual honours, it was more so when we did win the premiership, he certainly stood tall that day.” McNabb said.

“Anyone who can do 20 years of service in one particular league is just an outstanding effort.”

Encipher brings it home

By John Dunne

Outstanding racemare Encipher vindicated her selection in the world’s richest harness racing The TAB Eureka when she downed a stunning line up in the Westburn Grant Free For All at Melton on Saturday night.

Theraceboastednolessthaneightindividual Group 1 winners.

Kate Gath gave Encipher ($16) a perfect drive settling one out one back before pulling out three wide on the point of the home turn and the daughter of Captaintreacherous got the verdict by a head in a thrilling three-way finish.

A margin of a head separated the winner and the placegetters Rock N Roll Doo and Hurricane Harley in a slick 53.8 last 800 metres.

“I just love this horse and I’m not surprised she’s done that tonight,” Gath said after the race.

“She’s just a quality horse and those horses were coming at her on the line but she just knows how to win,” she said.

Gath believes Encipher is worthy of a berth in The TAB Eureka.

“I’ve thought that for a few weeks and have been surprised that no slot holder had picked her up for The Eureka and she thoroughly deserves her place in it and I’m rapt for the owners and Emma (Stewart) and Clayton (Tonkin), “she said.

She may not look as impressive as she can probably go but she will follow any speed and they can go as quick as they like but she will have no trouble following it and reeling off a quick last quarter.

I still think that Emma and Clayton will be able to screw her down a little bit more fitness wise and I think she will definitely be dangerous.”

Ironically Gath, who has driven Encipher throughout her career, won’t be holding the reins in The TAB Eureka as she will partner Catch A Wave who is trained by her husband Andy.

Meanwhile, trainer Michael Stanley would have been delighted with the return to the racetrack of reigning Victoria Cup champion Rock N Roll Doo who finished powerfully from the rear of the field in breaking the clock for his last 800 metres of the race.

The Jess Tubbs trained One Over All showed

his liking for the standing start when he scored a soft win in the Mimosa Homes Coulter Crown at Melton.

The son of Angus Hall began brilliantly from his 20 metre back mark settling mid field in the running line before producing a withering finale to score running away by 10 metres from Aldebaran Keepa and Anywhere Hugo.

Driver Greg Sugars acknowledged One Over All’s penchant for the tapes.

“There’s no doubt he really loves the standing start conditions and when his mind is on the job he’s pretty good from the mobile too,” Sugars said.

One Over All served notice of a pending win when he finished runner up behind Ollivici at Melton a week earlier.

“He hadn’t had a run or a trial for quite a while so last week was a pipe opener for this race and to see how well he ran last week gave us immense confidence going into tonight,” he said.

“He shows great speed when he is held up for one run and he nearly broke 27 for his last quarter coming wide last week, so we knew he was cherry ripe for tonight.”

Sports shorts

Cricket Darley’s Kim Bessell has been named in the inaugural Victorian Country Cricket League women’s team of the year. The team recognises the best women’s players across the state in the 2022-23 season. Bessell was named as an opener in the team, having made 398 runs at an average of 199, while also taking seven wickets.

VNL

Three new teams are joining the Victorian Netball League for the 2024 season, including a new Melton-based team, the Western Warriors. The inclusion of the Warriors addresses the fast-growing appetite for the game in Melbourne’s booming north-west fringe. Netball Victoria said the new team will help build the profile and reputation of the sport, while making the competition more accessible and creating additional opportunities for emerging talent. “We are excited to welcome three new clubs to the Victorian Netball League following a highly competitive application process,” said Netball Victoria chief executive Andrea Pearman.

BNL

Darley smashed Melton on Saturday in the penultimate round of the Ballarat Netball League season, winning 71-20. The 51 goal win has the Devils at the top of the ladder heading into the finals series. Rebecca Hicks top scored with 53 goals. The Devils will play North Ballarat in the first round of the finals, but will have to get through their clash with the Sunbury Lions first to conclude the regular season. Melton South were defeated by Redan, 6826. Percilla Hetaraka-Kelly top scored for the Panthers with 19 goals. Finals are off the cards for both the Panthers and the Bloods who currently sit in eighth and ninth respectively.

RDNL

In the Riddell District Netball League, Melton Centrals lost to Diggers Rest, 44-32. The scores were tight throughout the match, before Diggers Rest broke through in the last quarter scoring 18 goals to Centrals’ 10. Diggers Rest’s Erin Wallace was the games top scorer with 22 goals. The Western Rams hopes of finals were dashed, with Romsey winning its final round match.

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Darren Stanley 355087_01

Harper Sercombe

Encipher (Stuart McCormick)

Dennis returns to Melton as the ‘time is right’

The time is right for new Melton Thoroughbreds women’s Country Basketball League coach Brad Dennis to return to the club.

Dennis has had a long affiliation with the club, but has been coaching at Keilor Thunder the past few years.

ButtheopportunitytoreturntoMeltonand help shape the club going forward was one that was too good to refuse.

Dennis said he was excited by the new role andhelpingtheclubfurtherdevelopitsfemale basketball program.

“It’s something a bit different,” he said. “I’ve been out of Melton basketball for three years and I’m now making the move back.

“It’s the right time.

“The club wants to build on a few things and good things are happening at Melton, so I’ve

made the move back.”

Dennis hasn’t been involved at the senior program at Melton before having been part of their Victorian Junior Basketball League set up.

He was involved in the Keilor VJBL program as well and was assistant coach for the Thunder’s Big V youth league men’s team last year.

He has also been involved with Victoria Country state programs as well.

Dennis said one of the big things for him in coming back to Melton was helping establish the female pathways at the Thoroughbreds, including the reintroduction of a youth league women’s team next year.

The club didn’t have Big V senior women or youth league women teams last season.

HesaidhavingagoodCBLprogramwasthe first step in getting Big V sides back up and running.

“We want to make sure we have female sides,” he said. “We want to be nurturing Melton talent and striving to have that pathway for them.

“We didn’t have a youth league side this year and we need that pathway for them, so we’re not blooding talented youngsters and they go elsewhere.”

This will be the second season the Thoroughbreds will have CBL sides after joining the competition last year.

Last year they finished in sixth spot with three wins and five losses from their eight games.

Dennis said this season they would aim to add a bit more experience to the group after

Burras ready for finals

By Tara Murray

Diggers Rest is rested and ready for a big Riddell District Football League finals series.

With just one loss for the season, the Burras have known for weeks that they would finish on top of the ladder.

With that in mind coach Jamie Lobb has had his mind firmly on finals the last few weeks.

“It’s been nice to have a different scenario,” he said. “The final round last year we had to win to keep top spot.

“Last year we played a few guys in the final round and it hurt come the finals. We’ve been able to manage them and it’s made it a bit easier and hopefully we peak at the right time.”

The Burras have blooded a number of youngsters in recent weeks, while taking the opportunity to rest some guys.

On Saturday, the Burras faced Melton Centrals in their final game of the season.

Centrals led at quarter time before the Burras hit the front in the second quarter.

They were able to stay there without blowing out the margin, winning 10.11 )71)-8.3 (51).

Lobb said it was a stress free game for him on the side lines.

“Idon’tthinkthescoreboardreflectedwhere the game was at,” he said. “We dominated the game.

“Jaidyn[Caruana]cameofflateandthought we were 10 or 11 goals up and it was only 15-16 points.

“It was windy conditions and Melton Centrals were able to score when they went forward. With that in mind the guys played some good footy.”

Caruana kicked four goals in a best on ground performance, while Marcus Calvaresi had another good game.

Lobb highlighted the role of Glenn Stewart of league leading goalkicker Dylan Jobson, having come into the side the last three weeks.

Happy to come away with the solid win, Lobb had one eye on the reserves match earlier in the day.

Captain Mitch Jensen played just his fourth game of the season.

He hasn’t played senior football since Anzac Day.

Lobb said the return of Jensen would give him a full squad to choose from.

“Mitch got through a full game in the reserves,” he said. “He hasn’t played since round two and is captain of the club and one of our integral players.

“We’ve been trying to get the right mix up forward and tried a few different things. Him coming as an option adds three or four goals and however many he sets up.

“With players injured and unavailable I have not had to make too many calls. I would rather be in this position and picking who players and there will be a few who miss out.”

The Burras have the first week of finals off and will play the winner of Woodend-Hesket and Wallan for a spot in the grand final.

Lobb said they would just try and keep it as normal as possible.

“We’ll train heavier in the week and do some match simulation, so we don’t slip off.”

In the other final match up, Riddell play will Romsey in an elimination final.

having a really young team last season. He said there had about 30 players indicate they were keen to trail for the side this season, with trials occurring last week.

“We’ll go and get some outside talent that needs to come into the equation and add some support to the younger girls, the younger bodies.

“We’ll look to utilise those girls and they will help with the development of our girls.

“Some of the talent that played last year were top age under-16 players coming up against grown women.

“It was a tough ask. If they’re not in the mix for the team, we’ll look at them for development players and they’ll be at every training session.”

Tara Murray

Lakers rue costly loss

Caroline Springs’ finals hopes hang by a thread in the Western Region Football League division 1.

Oneofthreeteamsfightingforthelast finals spot, the Lakers had the chance to stake their claim on Saturday against bottom side Hoppers Crossing.

The Warriors started the game on top, keeping the Lakers goalless in the first quarter. The Lakers began to work their way back into the game in the second quarter out scoring the Warriors, four goals to one in the second quarter.

The Warriors proved they were up for the fight taking back the lead for the three quarter time break.

Inaccuracy cost the Lakers in the last quarter. While they had eight scoring shots for the quarter, they were able to kick just two goals.

It would prove costly, with the Warriors winning 8.11 (59)- 7.15 (57).

William Young was awarded as the Lakers’bestonground,withRyanAllan kicking three goals.

The Lakers remain in fifth spot, but are now a game outside the top four.

The Lakers face third placed Altona in the final round of the season and will need to win and hope Yarraville Seddon Eagles lose by enough to overtake them on percentage.

The Eagles face top side Werribee Districts, with Spotswood now out of the finals race.

The Lakers women will kick off their finals campaign this weekend.

The Lakers, who won last year’s premiership, finished the regular season in third spot, just percentage behind second. On Saturday, the Lakers ended Yarraville Seddon Eagles’ finals hopes.

The Lakers kicked the only goal of the first half to lead by eight points at half time. The margin was increased to 17 at the last change, with the Eagles goal less at that stage.

The Lakers were able to finish it off, to win 3.8 (26)-1.2 (8). Keyona De Satge kicked all three goals for the Lakers.

The Lakers this week face the Parkside Spurs in a knockout semi final. Spotswood will face the Werribee Centrals in the other semi final.

The Lakers division 2 side, which also made the grand final last year, had their season come to an end despite a final round win against Point Cook. They finished percentage outside the top four.

Joshua Flower. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 347360_19