Star Weekly - Wyndham - 29th November 2023 by Star Weekly

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Giants pitch for pride The Werribee Giants Baseball Club will be adding a dash of colour to their play this weekend when they host a pride round. Players from the Giants men’s and women’s senior teams will don rainbow colours on December 2 and 3 in support of the LGBTQI+ community and to raise money for the Minus 18, a not-for-profit organisation for queer youth. Werribee Giants player Connor Wilson explained why the club felt a pride round was needed. “I think it’s important that everybody is given a safe place to play sport regardless of gender, sexuality, race, ability or any other societal characteristics,” Mr Wilson said. “I think there is an issue of homophobia in sports and this is our way of showing that we support members of the LGBTQI+ community in our club and externally.” Along with rainbow apparel and decorations, kids activities and a raffle will be held and merchandise sold. The weekend starts at 11am on Saturday, All games will be at Presidents Park on McGrath Road, Wyndham Vale and entry is free. Werribee Giants baseball players Bronwyn Gell, Connor Wilson and Jessica Curnow sporting rainbow colours they’ll wear during pride round this weekend. (Damjan Janevski) 375506_04

Jobs would drive billions Werribee, Sunshine and Bundoora would benefit from increased productivity and improved public transport and amenities if public service jobs were moved there according to a new economic analysis. Planning firm SGS Economics and Planning last week released an analysis on the impact of relocating all new public service jobs created over the next 30

years to five outer suburban locations. The analysis, contained in the report ‘Unlocking the potential: Promoting investment in Greater South East Melbourne’ was conducted on behalf of a group of councils in Melbourne’s south east interested in attracting more jobs and investment to the region. “They were interested in what Melbourne might look like if the role of the CBD changed

a little bit, if the future jobs growth that may have gone into the CBD, if some of that was relocated” said report co-author William Boadle, adding that while Werribee, Sunshine and the area around La Trobe University in Bundoora were not in the south east, they were included to give the study more heft. “If our report just focused on shifting jobs to south east Melbourne the state government would think it was unbalanced so we took a

metropolitan wide approach to illustrate how decentralisation could impact Melburnians,” he said. The report assumed that Werribee, Sunshine, La Trobe, Monash and Dandenong would absorb all new public service positions over the next 30 years and that for every government job relocated, another two private sector positions would follow. n Continued page 5

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NEWS

New bus interchange for Tarneit A new bus interchange at Tarneit station has been welcomed but will make little difference without an increase in services according to a public transport advocate. Public and Active Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams opened the new interchange, funded by the government’s Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution Fund, on Wednesday November 22. Featuring eight new bus bays, the new interchange is on the southern side of Tarneit Station, one of the busiest stations on the V/ Line network, with more than 1.24 million

commuters annually. The new interchange also features new passenger information displays, lighting and CCTV. Ms Williams said the new interchange would help meet every growing demand. “Whether it’s the new bus interchange, or expanded parking and bicycle facilities at Tarneit station, we’re improving public transport infrastructure for one of Melbourne’s fastest growing communities,” she said. “We’re making it easier for everyone to travel around Melbourne’s west.”

However, the Public Transport Users Association’s Daniel Bowen said while good, the new interchange didn’t go far enough. “What would be even better would be for government to invest in a boost to bus services for this busy part of Melbourne,” he said. “With congested roads and such a busy station, running local bus services every 10-20 minutes, including in the evenings and on weekends, would be justified to get more people out of their cars and onto public transport. If more people have a viable alternative to driving to the station, then they

can avoid the stress of traffic, and get relief from the cost of living pressures of running multiple cars per household.” One alternative to driving the new interchange is cycling, with a new a new bike rack included which can be expanded to meet future demand. Wyndham mayor Jennie Barrera said “New bike parking facilities will also provide 132 new bicycle hoops as part of these works. “This is an extremely welcome addition for Wyndham commuters and residents who use Tarneit station.”

Two arrested after home invasion

Giving young artists space to shine Two Year 12 students passionate about art, have founded a group to exhibit student art at the Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre in Altona. Aidan Doyle and Mak Woltsche both attend Williamstown High School and together founded Pulse Art Collective, aiming to promote community through youth based contemporary art. “We are in the process of planning and curating our first exhibition at the Louis Joel Gallery in Altona for early next year,” said Aidan. “Anyone between the age of 15 and 25

located in the western suburbs can submit any art form, from digital, paint, installations and more. “All they need to do is submit their work through the google form link or QR code.” The boys said they were inspired to create their own exhibition after noticing a gap in the market. “Compared to the northern and eastern suburbs we noticed that the west doesn’t have much of an art scene,” said Aidan. “There are a few galleries but nowhere near as much as the north and south.

“In addition to the fact that at school there are a lot of people who feel like their voices and opinions aren’t heard. “We think art is very powerful and a great way to express your opinions, we thought the best way to do that would be with a community focused exhibition.” With this exhibition the boys hope to engage with young people and those with an interest in art and expressing their experiences. All pieces need to be submitted by December 10. The exhibition will run from January 12, to February 1.

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Mak Woltsche and Aidan Doyle. (Jacob Pattison)368159_07

A 35-year-old Lalor man and a 43-year-old Point Cook man have been arrested following an alleged aggravated home invasion in Templestowe Lower. The two men were arrested in Carlisle Street in Balaclava about 4.30pm on Wednesday 22 November. Emergency services were called to Linton Avenue just before 1am on Thursday, November 16 after reports a home was broken into and a shot was fired. Officers have been told that four people were home at the time. One of the occupants, a 32-year-old man, was allegedly assaulted and taken to hospital with serious but non-lifethreatening injuries. No one else was physically injured during the incident. At this stage, police believe the parties involved were known to each other. The Lalor man was charged with a number of offences, including aggravated home invasion (firearm), reckless conduct to endanger life, intentionally and recklessly causing serious injury, false imprisonment, two counts of common law assault, and the possession of cocaine and a controlled weapon. He was remanded overnight to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday. The Point Cook man was also arrested but remained in hospital under police guard for a pre-existing injury, and will be charged shortly. Police seized a quantity of cash, two knives, OC spray and a quantity of what appears to be cocaine during the arrests.

Wednesday, 29 November, 2023 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 3

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Night works are safer: Ventia By Cade Lucas The company responsible for conducting night time tree maintenance that has upset Werribee residents, has defended the practice, arguing that working after dark is safer. Infrastructure services provider Ventia maintains roadside trees for six local governments – including Wyndham council – on behalf of Vic Roads. Since early October Ventia crews have been performing maintenance works on sugar gums along Geelong Road in Werribee at night, angering local residents who claim the noise has caused them to lose sleep. In a statement, a spokesperson for Ventia said tree maintenance, which includes general

pruning, the removal of dead limbs and dead and dying trees, was vital for public safety, especially ahead of the fire and storm season. “The work is conducted at night under strict council guidelines, again primarily for safety reasons,” the Ventia spokesperson said. “Tree removal is a complicated and potentially dangerous activity. Conducting night work also reduces the impact on traffic and pedestrians.” Residents along Geelong Road have complained that the works have taken place anywhere between 8pm and 1am and that the noise from chainsaws and tree shredders operating just meters from their homes, has deprived them of sleep and affected their wellbeing.

“I had a toddler who was woken up each night and my son he missed a couple of days at school because of being kept awake by the noise,” said Geelong Road resident Anna Rebesco of the impact the works had throughout October and into November. Her neighbour Lisa Markovic agreed that the trees needed to be maintained but not at night. “It’s not an appropriate time of day and in my 13 years there I’ve never had this sort of work happening at this time,” Ms Markovic said. “I can’t operate power tools in my house after a certain time because of noise restrictions so I don’t even know if this is allowed.” While apologising for the disruption, the Ventia spokesperson reiterated that their

workers operated within strict guidelines and took residents concerns into account. “We appreciate that conducting this essential work may impact some residents and do our best to minimise this, such as restricting the heaviest work to early in the evening and notifying residents ahead of work in their area,” the spokesperson said. “Resident notifications were letterbox dropped on the 25 September and again on 15 November.” Geelong Road residents have argued these notifications are inadequate and that they are unaware how long the works will go on for. After a brief hiatus, the evening tree maintenance is believed to have resumed this week.

Three parks upgraded

Upgraded play equipment at Times Square Park in Sanctuary Lakes.

Kids, it’s time to get out and play The time has come to play at the new Times Square Park in Sanctuary Lakes. Work is now complete on a $544,000 upgrade that has delivered a new playground and swing set (including play elements for pre-school aged kids), nature play, a table tennis table, sheltered seating area, additional bench seating and new bike loops. Other features include an accessible ramped path connecting the play space to the existing pram crossing and path network, expanded

car park, new rubberised surface to the existing exercise equipment and pet-friendly features, including a drink fountain with dog bowl and bin with dog-bag dispenser. Wyndham councillor Peter Maynard said these works have enhanced the park’s appeal and accessibility. “Times Square Park is a valued open space for Sanctuary Lakes residents, and this upgrade ensures that the park remains a go-to destination for nearby residents and the local

community,” Cr Maynard said. “Young families will particularly appreciate how pram-friendly the park is, as well as the play equipment for pre-school aged kids. I’m pleased to say that community feedback was pivotal in shaping this project. The existing large open lawn space remains, as it has proven to be immensely popular for activities like kick-to-kick and other games, reflecting the park’s significance as a communal gathering place.”

Wyndham’s park renewal program has continued, with new playgrounds and landscaping completed at Brougham Avenue Reserve in Wyndham Vale and Karobran Kindergarten and Wilmington Kindergarten in Hoppers Crossing. Work is also underway on playground upgrades and associated works at Southampton Drive Park in Point Cook and Thames Boulevard Reserve in Werribee, with work on track for completion by the end of 2023. Meanwhile, The Grange Kindergarten and The Grange Early Learning Centre playgrounds in Hoppers Crossing will get a spruce up over the summer school holidays, while playground upgrades at Werribee’s Thomas Chirnside Kindergarten and Little River Kindergarten are scheduled for the term 1 2024 school holidays. Wyndham councillor Peter Maynard, said these upgrades would make the nominated play spaces more accessible to the local community and encourage increased usage. “Improvements are tailored for each play space depending on the condition of the equipment and requirements of the local community,” Cr Maynard said. “We know how important it is to have quality open spaces close to home, and for our kindergartens to have exciting and stimulating outdoor areas for children to play and learn – and these enhancements are delivering just that.”

Princes Freeway inbound overnight closure in December In early-December 2023

The Princes Freeway inbound between Kororoit Creek Road and the M80 interchange is due to be closed overnight in early-December 2023. This is so crews can safely remove an overhead gantry. Plan ahead and check the exact closure date and time at bigbuild.vic.gov.au More freeway closures will be happening over the coming months. Stay up to date at bigbuild.vic.gov.au/disruptions Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne 12652347-RR48-23

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Pub safety questioned

Jobs would drive billions

By Emily Woods, AAP The grief-stricken family of a woman and child, among five people killed in a car-crash tragedy, have questioned why a pub allowed their loved ones to sit outside. A coronial investigation has begun into the crash this month where a BMW SUV mounted the kerb and hit 10 patrons seated outside the Royal Daylesford Hotel in regional Victoria. About 6pm on November 5, the BMW was travelling on Albert Street, towards the Midland Highway intersection, in Daylesford. It reached the bottom of the hill, mounted a kerb and hit wooden tables outside the pub. Police are yet to decide whether they will charge the 66-year-old driver, as they continue to investigate if his diabetes was a factor in the incident. The five victims included two children and another five were injured. The family of victims Pratibha Sharma, 44, and her daughter Anvi, 9, attended the Coroner’s Court in Melbourne on Wednesday for a hearing. Ms Sharma’s partner, Jatin Kumar, 30, and their friend Vivek Bhatia, 38 and his son Vihaan, 11, also died in the incident. Outside court, Ms Sharma’s brother Vikas questioned why the hotel would allow people to sit outside, in a high-traffic area, if it’s not safe. “There’s no bollard there, no fence, nothing. If they cannot make it safe then why do they allow people to sit over there?” he said. He asked why the man was allowed to drive if he had a medical condition. “How was he driving? Why a doctor didn’t send a report to VicRoads, why the doctor allow him to drive?” Coroner Katherine Lorenz will make recommendations to promote safety and the administration of justice.

NEWS

n From page 5

Vikas Sharma, brother of Pratibha Sharma (left) breaks down in tears outside the Coroner’s Court. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

the victims in court. “It has been a terrible loss for your families, your community and indeed for the community as a whole,” Ms Lorenz said. “It’s a sad and tragic outcome of what was a very pleasant day out for those people. “We’ll do our best to accommodate the families involved and make our proceedings as expeditious as possible.” She adjourned the matter until police are ready to provide another update.

Major Collisions Unit Detective Sergeant Peter Romanis was called to give an update to the court on the police investigation. He said the driver, who was the only occupant of the car, was taken to Ballarat Hospital for treatment and interviewed by police, but he has been released pending further inquiries. “A decision on whether charges will be laid has not yet been made,” Det Sgt Romanis said. The coroner acknowledged the families of

The resulting 58,000 jobs would produce $22 billion in productivity benefits, almost $4 billion in transport benefits and $1 billion in amenity benefits. Mr Boadle explained what such a scenario could mean for Werribee. “If decentralisation really plays out in a big way, public transport investment would occur, investment in civic spaces would occur and if you relocate 5000 jobs to Werribee, that’s potentially good for local residents and business because suddenly the whole Werribee community has access to more services. They’ll need more hospitality and retails services and that’ll spill over into the broader community.” Werribee and Sunshine and La Trobe have long been earmarked as potential satellite cities, with all three named National Employment and Innovation Clusters (NEICs) in the state government’s Plan Melbourne blueprint aimed at guiding the city’s development over the next 35 years. Wyndham mayor Jennie Barrera supported the report’s findings and said the proposed East Werribee development was the ideal location for relocated jobs. “The notion of a polycentric city is something that Wyndham City wholeheartedly supports and has for some time,” Cr Barrera said. “East Werribee provides the perfect parcel of land, at 774 hectares, to see this realised. For many years we’ve made clear our strong view that this parcel of land be developed with a primary focus of job creation, as per the plan unveiled a decade ago.”

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2020 Paralympian Alexandra Viney addressing Iramoo Primary School students. (supplied)

Paralympian inspires Students at Iramoo Primary School were inspired earlier this month by a visit from 2020 Paralympian Alexandra Viney. Ms Viney, a rower who was a member of the PR3 Mixed Coxed Four team that competed in the 2020 Paralympics, visited the school as part of the the Wyndham council facilitated Sport4All program. Sport4All aims to make sport more inclusive for students with disabilities and increase opportunities for them to participate. Ms Viney was a promising young rower when at 18 she became disabled following a serious car accident. Eight years later, after achieving a successful career as a sport scientist and strength and conditioning coach, she was introduced to rowing as a para-athlete. Hard work, dedication

and a love of rowing led Ms Viney to quickly achieve international success. She shared her story with the students to “start conversations and highlight potential opportunities for people with impairments and disabilities in sport,” Ms Viney said. Wyndham mayor Susan McIntyre said Iramoo Primary School has been working through the Sport4All program. “The Grade 3s and 6s who participated in the program will build their awareness that all disabilities are different and that everyone can get involved in sport if activities are adapted,” she said. “Students took part in games such as goal ball and seated volleyball, which provided an experience of how sport could be adapted for people with disability.”

A man has been arrested following a series of post office burglaries in Melbourne’s west over the last three months where almost $10,000 worth of parcels were stolen. On Monday, November 20 police executed four warrants across Melbourne’s west, after two post offices in Werribee and Point Cook were allegedly broken into five times between September and October this year. A 30-year-old man was arrested during a search of his Werribee property and subsequently charged with five counts of burglary and possessing a drug of dependence. Police believe he allegedly sold the contents of the parcels overseas. The Werribee man was remanded to appear before Sunshine Magistrates’ Court in December .

Werribee man stabbed A 25-year-old Werribee man is fighting for his life in hospital after allegedly being stabbed at a wedding reception in Sunshine West early on Sunday morning. It’s believed the man was stabbed outside a venue on Fitzgerald Road, about 12.30am on November 26. It’s been reported that the man was stabbed in the neck with a screwdriver while attending a wedding reception at the venue which turned violent. He was transported to the Royal Melbourne Hospital soon after and underwent emergency surgery. FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Wyndham Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

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Squadron leader Mark Lees back at RAAF Base Point Cook where he started in 1989. (David Jones)

NEWS

Mark Lees working at RAAF Base Point Cook in 1992. (SQNLDR Mark Lees)

Career circles back to Pt Cook Since starting his career as an engine fitter at RAAF Base Point Cook in 1989, squadron leader Mark Lees has come full circle - in his current role as senior engineering officer for 100 Squadron, squadron leader Lees is maintaining precious heritage aircraft in the same hanger he worked in during that first posting. Born and raised in Geelong, squadron leader Lees joined the Air Force in 1988 and after completing his training at RAAF School of Technical Training, was posted to 1 Flying Training School (1FTS) Point Cook, where he maintained CT4A aircraft until the school’s closure in 1993. Reflecting on his career highlights, squadron

leader Lees remembered his initial posting to the training school as a pivotal point. “My posting at 1FTS allowed me to expand my knowledge of general aviation aircraft types, while I continued my external flying passion and obtained my commercial pilot licence, here in Melbourne,” he said. Squadron leader Lees’ career continued to expand in a variety of roles, including 76 and 77 Squadron, and 2 Operational Conversion Unit. “Working as the Air Combat Group simulation manager for the F/A-18, F-111 and Hawk 127 Lead-in Fighter aircraft was an amazing insight into the world of contracts,

working alongside very talented contracted support staff at RAAF Bases Williamtown, Amberley and Pearce,” he said. “The opportunity to attend the national test pilot school operational test and evaluation (OT&E) short course, and fly a number of aircraft while studying and learning basic flight test principles, concepts and processes of OT&E was an absolute highlight for me.” Squadron leader Lees was a key player in the formation of 100 Squadron in 2021, and will complete his current posting as senior engineering officer at the end of the year. The squadron maintains priceless artefacts of Australia’s national heritage in airworthy

condition and conducts flying displays in order to commemorate those who have fallen in service of the country, to promote the Royal Australian Air Force and inspire future generations. “Being selected as the 100 Squadron SENGO (senior engineering officer) was humbling and daunting at the same time,” squadron leader Lees said. “The memories were still very clear as I returned full circle to the original 1FTS hangars that I had left some 30 years prior, and it was a great opportunity to set up a warbird maintenance facility that our aircraft engineers and public would be proud of and admire.”

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Mental illness explainer for kids By Cade Lucas Mental illness is difficult to talk about especially when children and family are involved, as Werribee’s Dr Monika Schott can attest. “I had young children and they were seeing what you would describe as strange behaviour from family members, my brother being one of them,“ said Dr Schott of the incidents which occurred over a decade ago when her boys were aged 10 and 8. “They were seeing behaviours coming out of a psychotic episode, schizophrenia, depression.“ Needing to explain what was happening to their uncle, Dr Schott searched for help. “I began looking for books to help me chat with my children about that and I couldn’t find any,” said the writer and researcher who decided to take matters into her own hands and write one herself. The result is ‘My Dad built me the best and wackiest cubby ever’ a story aimed at explaining mental illness to children which was published in September. “It’s about a child and a father who set out to build a cubby house and the father becomes mentally unwell, so it’s a story about love and patience and compassion as the father recovers,” said Dr Schott of the book which was rejected by multiple publishers for not being marketable, but which has since resonated with children and adults alike, including former Australian of the Year, professor Patrick McGorry. “Twenty years ago, we wouldn’t have seen a book like this. But every one of us will have somebody in our family that will suffer from periods of poor mental health, and Monika’s book is a way for younger children to learn about mental illness in a very optimistic and

Werribee author Dr Monika Schott has published a book that explains mental illness to children after having to do so herself. (Damjan Janevski) 372534_01

positive way,” said professor McGorry when launching the book. While she was busy writing a book for others, Dr Schott still had to explain mental illness to her own kids. “To be honest really, to explain what was happening in the brain and that we can’t see anything wrong with the brain but there is a

chemical imbalance going on that you can’t see and it’s that imbalance that influences behaviours,” she said of the explanation she eventually settled on and which her boys understood. As for her brother, medication and treatment have meant that these days ’he’s a functioning adult’ as Dr Schott puts it, as well as being an

accomplished artist and now, the inspiration for a book. “He likes it. It’s not a story about him. It’s a story about mental health that kids can relate too,“ she said. ‘My Dad built me the best and wackiest cubby ever’ is available now at: https://www. monikaschott.com/published-works

PFAS Independent Review Call for submissions Public submissions for the Australian Government’s Independent Review of land uses around key Defence bases impacted by per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination opened 9am AEDT Monday 23 October 2023 and close 9pm AEDT Sunday 3 December 2023. The Review will focus on communities around RAAF Base Williamtown (NSW), Swartz Barracks (formerly known as the Army Aviation Centre Oakey) (QLD) and RAAF Base Tindal (NT). However, other communities affected by Defence’s historic use of PFAS are also able to make submissions. In addition to calling for submissions, public hearings have been held at the three sites, details for remaining hearings are below. Learn more about the public hearings on our website.

Upcoming public hearings: Details on how to join the virtual hearing will be provided upon registration.

Virtual hearings Wednesday 29 November 2023 • Session 1: 10am – 1pm • Session 2: 5:30pm – 8pm

One of just two carp caught for the day. (Supplied)

Learn more and register Scan the QR code or visit the website below to learn more about the Review, including how to make a submission. Scanning the code will also provide details to register to speak at a public hearing or attend as an observer. www.pfasindependentreview.com.au Contact 1800 879 142 (9am – 5pm, Mon-Fri) pfas.submissions@defence.gov.au PO Box Q1084 Queen Victoria Building NSW 1230

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8 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 29 November, 2023

Carp are hard to hook The second annual Catch a Carp: Come & Try Fishing Day took place at Manor Lakes Reserve on Saturday, November 25. Run by the Werribee River Association, the event is aimed at promoting the removal of carp from local waterways, while allowing experienced anglers to share their knowledge with beginners. The Werribee River Association’s Jess Fairfax said while the carp weren’t biting on Saturday, an enjoyable day was still had. “It was a great turn out with a wonderful community feel,“ Ms Fairfax said.

“Although only two carp were caught, it was still a fun day with many people, young and old, able to learn new fishing skills from our experienced volunteers. Dreambuilders ran a delicious barbecue and many new friends were made.“ Considered a pest due to their destructive feeding habits, carp populate areas rapidly, with a 4–5 kg carp able to produce over 1 million eggs. Removing them from waterways is known to increase native fish numbers and improve water quality.

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NEWS

Residents taken for a ‘free ride’ By Hannah Hammoud

Sustainable Cities Collective coordinator Elyse Cunningham at the Sunshine bus interchange. (Hannah Hammoud)

routes, we want a complete reconfiguration of the routes so that they will run along logical straight and direct paths and actually connect people to where they need to go.” Ms Cunningham said for residents in Melbourne’s west, the average bus trip can take twice as long or more in comparison to other parts of Melbourne. “In our experience the blame is always shifted from the state government, to the department,

to the bus company, and they all just point the finger at each other and really we just think it’s come down to a matter of political will,” she said. “We think that consecutive Labor governments have taken the west for granted for decades now and it’s getting to a point now where the community in the west are starting to get really frustrated with this and they’re really sick of being taken for granted.

“That’s why we’re working with communities in the west to build that momentum for better buses and demonstrate to Labor that people aren’t going to let them take advantage of them …they’re sick of being taking them for a free ride.” Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams and former Transport Minister Ben Carroll were contacted for comment.

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Residents in Melbourne’s west are calling the state government’s bluff, demanding urgent reform to the bus route network. The Sustainable Cities collective has been actively campaigning for better buses in the west for two years. Now armed with a petition of more than 200 signatures, organisers are insisting the state government commit to a pilot reform in the west. In May this year the state government announced changes to the process for recontracting bus companies, moving away from one-on-one negotiations to instead putting contracts out to a public tender for bus companies to bid on. Sustainable Cities Collective coordinator Elyse Cunningham said the changes were highlighted by the state government as a way to make reforms to the bus network easier. “The state government said that something they identified as a blocker to bus reform in the past was the fact that there were so many different bus operators that were running one to two routes across different parts of the network,” she said. “In some parts of metropolitan Melbourne that was the case and we could see how that could be an issue that might make reform more difficult. But in the western suburbs, one company – CDC Victoria, runs the majority of the bus routes. So now we’re asking, if this one company is dominating most of the network in the west, why can’t the state government work with that contractor to reform routes in the west so that we can get bus reform now?” Ms Cunningham said the organisation is calling for a “complete overhaul” of the bus network in the west. “We don’t just want one or two new bus

2nd December 2023 (Sat) 11am to 3pm

QUEST WERRIBEE 69 Synnot Street, Werribee Wednesday, 29 November, 2023 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 9

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MY PLACE Little River businesswoman Emma Costin uses her life-long love of horses to teach leadership skills. She tells Cade Lucas about her life in Wyndham. What’s your connection to Wyndham? Wyndham is where I work and play! My husband and I moved to our Little River home back in 2012 and we’re raising our two little boys (aged 4 and 6 years) here. I also run my social enterprise EQ Leaders here – providing nature-based leadership and team development experiences with horses to organisations in our picturesque, peaceful setting. What do you like about where you live? We love the natural environment and the peace of living in a designated green wedge zone. We have an abundance of local fauna visit our home including a variety of birds, frogs, native reptiles, and even an occasional kangaroo! Little River has the feel of rural country community, with all the benefits of being so close to the convenience of Werribee and surrounds. The cultural diversity of the Wyndham community brings a richness and vibrance unrivalled by most municipalities. What, if anything, would you change about where you live? The smaller population of Little River means our roads and community facilities receive less attention than other areas. It would be great to see some improvement to roads and community facilities like the children’s park in the town, especially given it’s such a hotspot for visitors to the area.

Where is your favourite local place to spend time? We love spending time at the You Yangs; the stunning backdrop to our home is our favourite place to visit as a family. In fact, it’s where I was married in a beautiful ceremony overlooking the town we bought our first home together. My sons and I love to bushwalk and learn about the cultural significance of the area to our First Nations people. We also love exploring the natural local surrounds; walks along Little River, visiting the beautiful Wyndham Park precinct along the Werribee River, and Werribee Park mansion and surrounds, including the K Road Cliffs. There are so many beautiful places to explore in the area. Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you. Prior to starting a family, I was a race car driver! I raced a 1967 Ford Mustang across a number of Victorian Circuits, Phillip Island being my favourite track. I was also co-driver in a number of tarmac rallies each year, with Targa Tasmania being the highlight of the calendar. While current priorities are raising a family and running a busy social enterprise, it’s something I’d like to get back to one day. Little River’s Emma Costin with one of the horses she uses for leadership and team development training. (Supplied)

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Council suspends cat trapping A nationwide cat vaccine shortage has forced Wyndham council to pause its cat trapping service. Cat trapping services are no longer being performed or offered in Wyndham in order to reduce the number of cats taken to the council owned pound and the service provider, The Lost Dogs Home, and to reduce the potential exposure to disease in shared spaces. The Lost Dogs Home is experiencing a shortage of cat vaccines due to international production issues and council plans to keep its cat trapping service on hold until vaccines are again readily available. Wyndham mayor

Jennie Barrera, said that council would work closely with The Lost Dogs Home to monitor the situation and encouraged residents to consider alternative options before surrendering healthy cats. “This may include speaking to your local veterinary practice regarding veterinary costs, seeking support from friends or family members, or contacting welfare agencies if you are struggling to meet the costs of pet food,“ Cr Barrera said. An RSPCA Victoria spokesperson said the shortage of vaccines includes those that prevent illnesses like cat flu and panleukopenia.

“While faced with these delays, we recommend keeping cats indoors and separated from feline visitors until vaccine supplies normalise,” they said. “Cats with a strong vaccine history may have lingering immunity… however, owners are urged to speak to their vet about these delays and their cat’s needs.” The spokesperson said RSPCA Victoria is actively monitoring the situation, but it has not impacted its ability to admit and care for cats in shelters. “As a result, feline vaccines are temporarily paused at our community outreach programs,

although other general health checks and services such as deworming will continue where possible.” The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) released a statement on October 26 said it has already had a major impact on shelters and some have had to close its doors to new felines. “The key message is to prioritise kittens and delay adult boosters if possible,” AVA said. “Feedback from vaccine suppliers has confirmed the issue is being effectively managed with the highest priority, with some supply available in the latter part of 2023, before normalising in early 2024.”

Festive fun in Werribee

Point Cook’s Yeukai Ota is competing in the Mrs Australia competition and raising money for wheelchairs. (Damjan Janevski) 375351

Mrs Australia hopeful raising funds Businesswoman, author, gold miner - Point Cook’s Yeukai Ota has a resume as impressive as it is eclectic. And if she has her way, the title of ’Mrs Australia’ might soon be added to it. The mother of two who migrated from her native Zimababwe in 2004, is a finalist in the pageant, which unlike it’s namesake competitions, rewards fundraising rather than beauty. “It’s a leadership pageant where you get to pick a cause and my cause is to raise money for wheelchairs for children in an orphanage in Zambia,” Mrs Ota said. “I want to raise funds for 100 wheelchairs for children in desperate need. Each wheelchair costs $400, so that’s $40,000.” It’s an ambitious target, but one Mrs Ota 12 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 29 November, 2023

is setting about reaching with a series of fundraising events beginning with an auction in Hoppers Crossing this Saturday. “The auction is on the 2nd of December at Encore Events Centre. We are going to auction a weekend stay at Crown Casino,” she said of the event which is being held in conjunction with Afro Aussie Women in Business and has a fundraising goal of $2000. Mrs Ota has further events on International Women’s Day on and Mother’s Day scheduled and is also selling copies of her book ‘Fierce and Fabulous’ which she describes as “a dedication to the lives and achievements of 16 women who are changing the world.” Mrs Ota co-authored the book with Nkandu Beltz, the patron of the orphanage in Zambia that she is fundraising for and also

her unlikely conduit into the world of mining. “Nkandu is also my mentor,” she said. “I own a gold exploration company in Zimbabwe and she’s mentoring me as she owns a copper mind in Zambia and is changing the lives of people in her local community and I want to do that in my community where we are mining in Zimbabwe too.” Mrs Ota said the mine is only in it’s early stages and hasn’t made much money yet. Instead she’s focussed on raising money for wheelchairs ahead of the Mrs Australia pageant in Sydney on February 3. Depending on the result, it could be followed by the world final in America later next year. To attend the auction on December 2 visit: https://aawib.com/events

Visitors to Werribee city centre will be under no illusions as to what time of year it is, with a new nine-metre Christmas tree dominating Station Place. The arrival of the new tree signals the beginning of the festive season in Wyndham with a host of fun activities and events planned for central Werribee in the weeks leading up to December 25. Wyndham mayor Jennie Barrera encouraged residents to embrace the Christmas period and get involved. “It is a great opportunity to get into the festive spirit and support our wonderful local retailers and the hospitality sector including our cafes and restaurants,” Cr Barrera said. “We know that many of our residents are doing it tough, battling increases to the cost of living and the impact of higher mortgage interest rates. Bringing the Christmas spirit to our City Centre will hopefully provide some festive fun for families to enjoy.” The festive fun starts with Santa and Friends greeting children on Watton Street from 4pm to 7pm on Friday December 1 and then every Friday and Saturday in December. Also on Saturday in December, the Elves will be bring their interactive Elf house to life at the Piazza from 9am to 12noon. Retailers in the Werribee City Centre are organising a special shopping day on Sunday December 17 to thank and reward customers for shopping and supporting local and customers can expect discounts and in-store treats. Wyndham council is hosting a ‘12 Days of Christmas Giveaway’ campaign on the Werribee city centre Facebook page for the first 12 days of December featuring exclusive offers from local traders. Hoppers Junction is joining in on the festive spirit, with the Twilight Bazaar on Friday December 15 from 4pm. to 8pm.

Santa outside the new tree in Station Place Werribee. (supplied)

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COMMENT

Rhino opens wide for check-up ‘‘ Stress-free dental checks are a humungous success at Werribee Open Range Zoo with Kifaru the Southern white rhino mastering the skill of voluntarily opening his mouth. Responding to verbal cues and a tasty treat, the 14-year-old male presents rows of large, impressive teeth for keepers and veterinarians to easily and safely monitor his oral health. Werribee Open Range Zoo Savannah keeper Resistance Manyepera said that it’s a huge healthcare achievement to be able to check his teeth and gums without any anaesthetic required. “The first thing we do is ask Kifaru to enter a behind-the-scenes training area that is purpose-built to ensure both the animals’ and keepers’ safety,” he said. “We then ask him to touch a target, before the clicker sounds and he opens his mouth for some tasty hay and pellets. “Kifaru is able to leave at any time which aligns with our ethos of choice and control for the animals.” As herbivores, Southern white Rhinos have a distinctive flat, broad mouth and large teeth designed for grazing short grasses on the savannah. My Manyepera said Kifaru’s curious and calm personality really shines through during his open-mouth training sessions. “Kifaru is a fast learner and enthusiastically participates in his own healthcare,” he said. “He voluntarily keeps his mouth open for

Kifaru is able to leave at any time which aligns with our ethos of choice and control for the animals

’’

- Resistance Manyepera

Male Southern White Rhinoceros, Kifaru. (Jo Howell)

a few seconds while we check for fractures, decay or any medical issues, which is an incredible achievement in under a year. “He has also been trained to participate in voluntary blood draws from his ear and injections in his foot.” Animals of all shapes and sizes are participating in the open-mouth training

program at Werribee Open Range Zoo –from large animals such as giraffes and gorillas, to smaller species including monkeys, meerkats, reptiles and tortoises. The animal training program is a Zoos Victoria-wide initiative that also occurs at Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Kyabram Fauna Park.

There are fewer than 20,000 Southern White Rhinoceros remaining in the wild with populations under serious threat from illegal poaching and habitat destruction. The rhinos at Werribee Open Range Zoo form part of a regional breeding program to maintain an insurance population in the fight against extinction.

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Desperate walk for visa equality Twenty-two refugee women were welcomed home on Sunday, November 19, after walking 640km from Melbourne to Canberra calling for an end to 10 years of visa uncertainty for 10,000 refugees living in Australia. Liam McNally went to the homecoming and heard about their plight and hopes for a permanent future in their adopted home.

arini Rathnakumar, spent her formative years in Melbourne’s west - going to school, making friends and working in Sunshine, which she calls home. It wasn’t until after high school when she attempted to attend university to become a doctor that she learnt the difference between a “normal” Australian citizen, and someone going through the Fast Track visa system. “That’s the moment that I realised that I’m not a complete Australian,” she said. “That’s when I came to know that Australia didn’t really want me here.” Now 21, Harini fled the Sri Lankan civil war with her family when she was just three. Her Tamil family first sought refuge in India where they were constrained to what Harini called a “limited, poor life” and at 10 years old she left her siblings and mother behind to come to Australia with her father. She hasn’t seen her mother and siblings since. Despite having been in Australia for nearly a decade, when she wanted to apply for university she was asked to pay the international student fee of $95,000. Even with the expensive fee and not having access to loans, Harini managed to enter a biomedical science degree, but due to rising costs and her father falling ill, she fell behind on payments and had to pull out of the course four months before finishing. “The only thing I had was my education… I was going to give back to Australia by becoming a doctor but they didn’t give me the opportunity,” she said. “We want to be a part of this country, it is our home.” Early this year the federal government announced it would provide a pathway to permanent residency for 10,000 refugees with Temporary Protection Visas (TPV) and Safe Haven Enterprise Visas (SHEV). At the time, Immigration Minister Andrew Giles said it makes no sense - economically or socially - to keep people who pay taxes, start businesses, employ Australians and build lives in our communities “in limbo”. However the Resolution of Status (Ros) visas offered to these refugees was not offered to Harini, and about 10,000 others on Bridging Visas and engaged in the ’Fast Track’ visa process. Once it became clear to Harini her family would not be offered RoS under the change, she found it difficult to speak to her family in India, who were expecting to finally see her. “That kind of caused a drift between me and my mum because I didn’t want to shatter her hope,” she said. “I kind of distanced myself from my family. They would ask me when they can see me. I used to talk to them very often. I used to be very hopeful. I used to give my mum hope that she would be able to see me very soon… I don’t talk to them as often now.” It was these experiences that inspired Harini to join the Refugee Women’s Action for Visa Equality group, made up of 22 Tamil and Iranian women united by living under the limitations of short term bridging visas, in walking for 27 days from Melbourne to Canberra.

Harini Rathnakumar. (Barat Ali Batoor)

On September 22 they embarked on the walk because of the desperation they said that they and about 10,000 others affected by Australia’s ’Fast Track’ visa policy feel after waiting for more than a decade for permanent visas. The group battled blisters, snakes and weather along the way. Harini said that there were days she woke up dreading another 30km walk, but she was determined to finish the journey. “It was very physically challenging, but my will pushed through all that, I wanted to bring it out into the light, I wanted our voices to be heard,” she said. On their arrival to Canberra on 18 October, the women met with a number of politicians to express the devastating impacts caused by the lack of permanent visas. Independent Senator David Pocock spoke about their plight in parliament shortly after meeting them. “An hour ago I had the privilege of meeting a courageous group of women who’ve just finished an epic 640 km journey on foot from

Melbourne,” Senator Pocock said. “They have come to this place, parliament house, the people’s house, to ask us for safety, security and certainty to rebuild their lives. “Here with them are their daughters and granddaughters, many of them born

in Australia. After 10 years living in our communities, working, learning, and growing together with all of us, their home is here. “…so many young people who have grown up here feel like they’re not being appreciated despite wanting to contribute, desperately wanting to be part of Australia and contribute.” On November 19 a homecoming event was held for the group at Trades Hall in Carlton co-hosted by the Refugee Advocacy Network, Rural Australians for Refugees and the Health and Community Services Union, three of the groups which supported the women. The evening included speeches from Greens Senator Janet Rice, Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michele O’Neil and a discussion around how to continue momentum and advocacy action. Samira Zadeh, an Iranian refugee from Mill Park, said she came to Australia in 2013 because of the lack of freedom and safety for women in Iran. “It breaks my heart that I have not been able to see my mother for 10 years. Without permanent visas, my children will never be able to meet their grandmother,” she said. “We all have such pain in our hearts. Without permanent visas, none of the 10,000 can ever be reunited with family overseas. We worry every day about whether we will see them again. “Our three beautiful children were born in Australia but they don’t have access to Medicare. My 4-year-old twins don’t even have bridging visas and can’t attend childcare.” Harini said she had a message for Andrew Giles. “We were forced to flee our countries… I have come to call Australia home, and I don’t want to be separated from this country. I want to belong here,” she said. “This has become our country, we have friends and families and we’re a part of this community. Why does he not see that? “I want him to step into our shoes for a minute… It just takes him one signature to change all our lives.” Andrew Giles was contacted for comment. Below: The 22 women pictured with Senator Janet Rice, Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michele O’Neil, HACSU state secretary Paul Healey and Human Rights Law Centre acting director Sanmati Verma.

Refugee Women’s Action for Visa Equality on their 640km walk. (Barat Ali Batoor) Wednesday, 29 November, 2023 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 15

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Diwali lights up Tarniet Blazing firesticks and fireballs, a brilliant kaleidoscope of flashing colour and dance, and heaving drumbeats were highlights of a mass Diwali celebration at Tarneit’s Alamora estate earlier this month. Some 800 people turned out for the Festival of Lights revelry in a melting pot of community, culture and tradition. Other features included Bollywood and belly dancers, henna artists, silk scarf acrobats, workshops, stalls with traditional clothing, food and candles, and giant illuminated ladybug stilt artists. Organised by Alamora developer Villawood Properties, the festival was staged around a circus marquee at its new Feronia Avenue Park. Estate manager Sree Datti said the celebration was thoroughly enjoyed by all, with numerous overseas visitors delighted to discover such a vibrant traditional event.

Performers entertain the 800 strong crowd at the Diwali celebration at Alamora estate in Tarneit. (Pictures: Supplied)

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Karen humanitarian fundraiser Wyndham’s Karen community came together over the weekend for a humanitarian fundraising event to support schools and students in Myanmar. The Generations Music Concert was held in Presidents Park on Saturday November 25, with singers, artists and dancers entertaining a crowd of between 300 and 500 people. All proceeds will go towards Karen schools in Myanmar where they’re are a persecuted minority. Head organiser Eh Su was pleased with the outcome. “The event went well,” Mr Su said. “So far we have raised between $5000 and $7000.” He said the funds were badly needed. “The money will go towards education and to support schools and students in Karen state in Burma (Myanmar). Three high schools in Karen state that don’t have proper electricity or shelter. We’re supporting them with school needs, facilities and education materials.” Since staging coup in 2021, Myanmar’s military junta has re-established authoritarian rule and has targeted political opponents and ethnic minorities such as the Rohingya and Karen people. Eh Su said students at the schools they were fundraising for had been affected. “On the same day we had the fundraiser the military were dropping bombs near where the school is,” he said. “During this month lots of children were not able to study at school because it is not safe or secure.” To donate to the schools contact Eh Su at: mettaehsuau@gmail.com Cade Lucas

Wyndham mayor Jennie Barrera and councillor Peter Maynard with members of the Karen community in traditional dress at Saturday’s fundraiser. (supplied)

Wyndham mayor Jennie Barrera addresses the Karen humanitarian fundraising concert on Saturday. (supplied).

Cr Barrera (right) onstage as a fundraising raffle is drawn. (supplied)

Water safety funding With summer holidays fast approaching, more young Victorians, including those in Wyndham, will be able to understand water safety through the extended statewide swimming program. Community Sport Minister Ros Spence joined Niddrie MP Ben Carroll at the Keilor East Leisure Centre on November 23, to announce the extension of the program for another two years. The investment will include $800,000 to continue the VICSWIM Summer Kidz Program, which will prevent drownings and ensure all Victorian kids get the chance to learn water-safety basics. Ms Spence said summer in Victoria means fun by the water. “This cost-saving program ensures kids from all backgrounds across our state get their

chance to learn the water safety skills needed to have fun in and around the water. “The importance of water safety knowledge and swimming skills cannot be overestimated – we encourage all families to sign up their kids and take advantage of the week-long program.” Last summer, a record 17,000 Victorian kids took part in the program across 190 locations across the state –including more than 140 locations across regional Victoria. The program includes lessons to develop foundation swimming skills and water safety education for children aged four to 12. The lessons are subsidised and priced at $35 for five 30-minute lessons over one week in the summer holidays. Registrations for the VICSWIM Summer Kidz Program open on November 29. Details: visit vicswim.com.au

Registrations for the VICSWIM Summer Kidz Program open on November 29.

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COMMUNITY

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

Point Cook VIEW The Point Cook Day VIEW Club meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at the Point Cook Library 1-21 Cheetham Street, Point Cook. New members welcome. ■ Catherine, 0407 726 852.

Watton Group A support group providing a social space for carers to get together in a safe and compassionate environment. Gives carers an opportunity to connect, share their experiences and offers emotional and practical support. The group meets at the Eco-Living Centre at 10am every fourth Tuesday of the month. ■ Patricia, 0434 487 360 or wattongroup131@gmail.com.

All Abilities Netball All Abilities Netball for 10 to 25-year–olds is run by Wyndham Netball Association every Saturday morning during school terms from 10.30am on outside court 14 at Eagle Stadium, Ballan Road, Werribee. Intellectual, physical and social disabilities are catered for in a fun and supported group. Come and try your first session for free, with stadium entry $2. ■ Phil, 0437 078 739

Walking Netball Walking Netball is a low impact, no running, no jumping version for those that love the fun, friendship and activity of a weekly game of netball. Sessions are run every Thursday during school terms from 8pm at Eagle Stadium, Ballan Road, Werribee. Come and try your first session for free, with stadium entry $2. ■ Phil, 0437 078 739

This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of Mary Jane Amos who was awarded a scholarship to help her business, Muvebox, a sustainable alternative to cardboard moving boxes. (Damjan Janevski) 374073_01

and to engage with other diabetics Meetings are at the old council shire buildings at 10am every second Friday of the month. ■ Bob, 0409 252872.

Wyndham Rotary Wyndham Rotary welcomes people interested in helping people in need in the community. Interested in finding out more, come to the Italian Sports Club each Wednesday at 6.30pm for a meal, to share ideas and to work for a common cause. ■ Julie, 0406 196 630

Hoppers Crossing Ladies Probus

Friends of Presidents Park

Sunrise Social Groups

The Friends of Presidents Park meets from 10am-noon on the first Thursday of the month, to undertake Landcare activities along the Werribee River through the park and surrounding areas. Bring your own gloves and water. Morning tea provided. Meeting at the carpark near the Shaws Road Bridge, Heaths Road, near the fenced dog park. ■ admin@werribeeriver.org.au

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/

Seniors House of Fun

U3A Werribee

The Grange Community Centre would like to invite the seniors of Wyndham to its weekly Seniors House of Fun. This is a free program running every Friday 11am-12.30pm, at The Grange Community Centre, 260-280 Hogans Road, Hoppers Crossing. ■ Vanessa, 8742 8000 or enquires@ grangecommunity.org.au

The group is a not-for-profit community organisation for semi-retired and retired Wyndham residents. They hold a variety of classes-activities specifically designed for seniors, including, light physical and mental wellbeing sessions, arts, games and craft, and general classes such as current affairs, history and lunch groups. Most classes-activities are held at Wyndham community centres. ■ Rick, 0402 299 220.

Seniors club The Werribee Senior Citizens Club meets at 80 Lonsdale Circuit, Hoppers Crossing. The group is open to all people 55-plus and it runs on Wednesdays, 10am- noon. Entry: $2, includes morning tea. ■ 0403 041 499

The friendly and vibrant group meet at Hotel 520 on the second Wednesday of each month from 10am. They have a guest speaker each month as well as social lunches, outings and theatre trips. ■ 0408 123 669

Lions Club Lions Club of Werribee meets at the RSL Club, 2a Synnot Street, Werribee on the first and third Wednesday of the month at 6.30pm. ■ Jorge, 0433 566 575

Diabetes Support Group The Werribee Diabetes support group has been active in our community for more than 18 years providing advice, information and support for members of the group. The support group provides an opportunity to hear from experts on how to manage your diabetes, to share information on diabetes

Bingo for all The Werribee RSL hosts Bingo every Monday. Eyes down from 12.30-2.30pm. ■ 9741 5525

Western Budgerigar Club

meets at 7.30pm on the third Thursday of each month at Masonic Hall, 223 Watton Street, Werribee. Meet other members who are also passionate about breeding Budgerigars. ■ Don, 0414 975 862

Wyndham Ladies Probus Are you recently retired or semi-retired? Looking for fun, fellowship and to increase your social networks. The Ladies Probus Club of Wyndham meets on the first Wednesday of each month at Hotel520, Sayers Road, Tarneit, and normally has an outing or event on the third Wednesday of each month. ■ Rosa Sanderson, 0410 303 046

Wyn FM Wyn FM is Wyndham’s community radio station, broadcasting on 88.9 and online from its studios at the Victoria University campus in Werribee. It offers a wide range of programming including music, sport, news and lifestyle shows as well as broadcasts in languages other than English. New broadcasters, volunteers, members and sponsors are always welcome. ■ 9919 8089 wynfm.org.au

Musicians welcome Hobsons Bay City Band is seeking musicians to join their community band. Rehearsals are held under the directorship of Wayne Bowden OAM every Monday evening from 7.30pm at the Newport Lakes Primary School, Elizabeth Street, Newport. Visitors and interested musicians any age most welcome. ■ Hannah Prouse at hbcityband@gmail. com or www.hbcb.org.au

Free WONDER-full Nature Walks Join Dr Liz Cyarto for Forest Therapy walks. Have fun, reduce your stress and boost your vitality. Guided walks offered in Newport Lakes Reserve on December 1 and 3, and Williamstown Botanic Gardens on December 10. Limited spots. Registration is open for spring and summer. ■ thehealthysenior@gmail.com

Boxing Maribyrnong Boxing Club has reopened. New and former members of the Maribyrnong Community Youth Club are welcome to attend training sessions on Monday 6pm-8pm, Thursday 6.45-7.45pm and Sunday, 10-11am. Boxing for fitness classes, beginners, youth, adults and also competition available. The club premises are located under the Grandstand on Maribyrnong Reserve, on the corner of Hortense Street and Middle Road, Maribyrnong ■ nugara.david@hotmail.com or 0413495836

Laverton Community Choir Laverton Community Choir is looking for people to join them as they start rehearsing Christmas Carols, as well as other popular songs in their repertoire. No experience necessary and no auditions. The group meets on Thursday evenings during school term from 7-9 pm at Laverton P12 College, Gate 1-91 Bladin Street, Laverton. ■ Sue 0418 386 147

Palliative volunteers needed Mercy Palliative Care is looking for volunteers to visit palliative care patients in their homes to offer social support. ■ 9313 5700 or PCVolunteerCoordinators@ mercy.com.au

AeroSpeakers Toastmasters Club Would you like to develop confidence in communicating, competence with language and clarity in writing? AeroSpeakers Toastmasters Club would like to invite any and all residents to join them on the first and third Thursday of every month to help develop public speaking, communication and leadership skills. The group meets at the Laverton Community Hub, 95-105 Railway Avenue, Laverton from 7-9.30pm. ■ Vimi Gaoneadry, 0411 530 944

The Western Suburbs Budgerigar Club Wednesday, 29 November, 2023 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 19

PUZZLES

SECTION STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

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.

easy

5 9 4 3 1 3 7 1 6 2 9 3 2 4 6 7 5 8 3 2 4 5 1 9 5 3 6 7 9 4 medium

8 2 3 4 9 2 3 6 3 2 2 4 6 9 1 6 9 7 2 8 5 3 4 8 9 6 2 1 6 8

QUICK CROSSWORD

Defeat (9) External forms of something (6) Copies data (9) Pink, wriggly creature that lives in soil (9) Express regrets (9) Official collection of data on a population (6) Jail (6) Machine for shaping wood (5) Fad (5) Pacifier (5)

8 10

ACROSS Plague insect (6) Coffee (8) Open shoes (7) Engine (7) Direction (11) Hormonal disease (8) Circumvent (5) H2O (5) Valuable hand-me-down (8) Keyboard instrument (11) Creates (7) Athletic ground (7) Extremely hot (8) Cure (6)

1 4 9 11 12 13 15 18 19 22 25 26 27 28

No. 161

13 14 16 17 20 21 23 24

DOWN Looped rope (5) Close friend (9) Country (5) Apex (6) Storyteller (9) Seasoning (5)

1 2 3 5 6 7

DECODER

No. 161

hard

8 7 7 5 6

10 11 12 13

Today’s Aim: 17 words: Good 25 words: Very good

20 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 29 November, 2023

* ( < 6 ( 5 6

ARENA CANON CELLO COCOA COMAS CORDS DENIM DOUSE DRONE ELUDE ENTER IDEAL INCUR ITEMS MEDAL MELTS NAVEL NOVEL OKING PACED

4 LETTERS DAIS DASH DISC EYES HATS SICS STEP STOW TSAR WRAP 5 LETTERS ABIDE ACIDS ADULT ALIBI AORTA AREAS

QUICK QUIZ

NOTE: more than one solution may be possible

R E A S

Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down.

H E S S O R T A A R E S

No. 161

3 LETTERS ACE ALL APT ARE ASH ASK BAD BAN CAR CAT DNA EBB END GNP HIM ODE RUE TNT TOO USE WOK YEN PASSE PAVED RISEN ROSES SAGAS SCABS SELLS SENSE SLABS SLEWS SMEAR STEAM SWATS TONNE TRADE TREAT TURNS UNCUT URGES WADED

INGRAIN PATTERN VERSING

WASTE WATER 6 LETTERS ACUMEN CEASES NEARER RIGOUR SCORER SNIPES 7 LETTERS DIARIES GEYSERS GIRDERS

8 LETTERS ALLERGIC AROMATIC VENERATE VETERANS 10 LETTERS PRECEDENTS ROTISSERIE

01-12-23

D D L Y

No. 161

condense, CONDENSED, cone, coned, cones, conned, cons, dense, descend, done, donee, donned, dons, encode, encoded, encodes, ended, ends, need, needs, neon, node, nonce, none, nose, nosed, once, scene, scone, second, seconded, seen, send, sodden

2 4 3 9 5 6 8 7 1 8 1 9 3 4 7 2 5 6 7 6 5 2 8 1 4 3 9 3 9 4 7 6 8 1 2 5 6 8 1 5 3 2 7 9 4 5 7 2 4 1 9 3 6 8 4 3 7 8 9 5 6 1 2 9 2 6 1 7 4 5 8 3 1 5 8 6 2 3 9 4 7

C A C

8 1 3 2 4 6 5 9 7 6 2 7 8 9 5 4 3 1 9 4 5 3 7 1 6 8 2 7 6 1 9 5 8 3 2 4 3 9 2 4 6 7 8 1 5 4 5 8 1 2 3 9 7 6 2 8 4 5 1 9 7 6 3 5 3 6 7 8 2 1 4 9 1 7 9 6 3 4 2 5 8

5 1 8 6 2 9 4 7 3 4 9 2 3 7 1 5 8 6 6 3 7 8 4 5 2 9 1 2 4 3 5 8 6 7 1 9 7 8 1 9 3 2 6 4 5 9 5 6 7 1 4 3 2 8 8 6 5 2 9 7 1 3 4 3 7 4 1 5 8 9 6 2 1 2 9 4 6 3 8 5 7

N D

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

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”.

34 words: Excellent

hard

medium

9-LETTER WORD

easy

S U 19

1 5

4 8

5x5

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

9 2 1 5 8 2

XQ T J D K A R H L Y Z G

3 6

E P O F I N V WM B C S U

WORDFIT

4 5

Pedro Pascal (pictured) and Bella Ramsey star in which TV series adapted from a video game? What are the two ingredients that form the Italian cheese burrata? Who is the captain of the Port Adelaide Football Club? Which radio station hosts the annual Hottest 100? Who won the 2022 Australian Open Men’s singles title?

What is the heaviest bird in Australia, weighing up to 76 kilograms? 7 The Great Sphinx of Giza has the head of a human and the body of a what? 8 Who plays Saul Goodman in the TV series Breaking Bad? 9 For which US state did Kamala Harris serve as attorney general? 10 In which year was the luxury sunglasses company Ray Bans first released? 6

ANSWERS: 1. The Last of Us 2. Mozzarella and cream 3. Tom Jonas 4. Triple J 5. Rafael Nadal 6. The cassowary 7. A lion 8. Bob Odenkirk 9. California 10. 1937

No. 161

6 & $ % 6 : $ ' ( ' 6 : $ 7 6 0 ( ' $ / $ / , % , & 2 & 2 $ 6 / $ % 6 2 . , 1 * ( / 8 ' ( $ / / : $ 7 ( 5 & $ 5 ' 1 $ 5 2 7 , 6 6 ( 5 , ( & ( $ 6 ( 6 7 . * ( < 6 ( 5 6 3 $ & ( ' 5 , 6 ( 1 + $ 7 6 $ 5 2 0 $ 7 , & 6 , & 6 5 8 ( 9 ( 5 6 , 1 * 3 $ 7 7 ( 5 1 6 7 2: 9 ( 7 ( 5 $ 1 6 ( 1 ' ' $ 6 + 8 5 * ( 6 3 $ 6 6 ( , 1 * 5 $ , 1 < ' $ & 8 0 ( 1 3 5 ( & ( ' ( 1 7 6 % $ 1 $ 3 7 ' 5 2 1 ( $ 5 ( , 1 & 8 5 6 7 ( $ 0 1 2 9 ( / $ 2 5 7 $ , ' ( $ / ' 2 8 6 ( ( 1 7 ( 5 5 2 6 ( 6 0 ( / 7 6

SUDOKU

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SM & J Cleaning Service

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Painting Services ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

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Ph: 9360 0466 * DOMESTIC * INDUSTRIAL * COMMERCIAL

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PH: 9360 5357 Mobile: 0412 378 193

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LOCAL ELECTRICIAN 12619654-AP28-23

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Phone 0401 407 282

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SMALL SMALL CONCRETING CONCRETING JOBS JOBS

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House slabs

PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION AT EXISTING MONOPOLE AT 772 BALLAN ROAD WYNDHAM VALE VIC 3024 INCLUDING 5G 1. The Vodafone proposes to install a mobile phone base station on the existing monopole to provide 4G and 5G coverage to the local area. The proposal includes the installation of; • A new headframe on the existing 30 metre monopole. • Six (6) new Vodafone panel antennas (each measuring not more than 2.8m in length) on the headframe. • Twelve (12) new Remote Radio Units (RRUs) on the headframe. • An equipment shelter within the existing fenced compound. • Ancillary equipment including antenna mounts, feeders, cabling, combiners and other associated equipment; and ancillary works within the equipment shelter. 2. Vodafone regard the proposed installation as a Low-impact Facility under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 (“The Determination”) based on the description above. 3. In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Further information and/or comments should be directed to: Scott Sibly at Service Stream Limited, 0455 214 172, TPG.Submissions@servicestream.com. au or Level 3, Tower B, Zenith Centre 821 Paciﬁc Highway, Chatswood NSW 2067 by 5.00pm Thursday, 14th December 2023. 4. If you would like to know more about this site, further information can be obtained from www.rfnsa.com.au/3024021

12652207-AA48-23

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GEORGE FOX 0431 277 046 EVAN 0410 158 503

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Wednesday, 29 November, 2023 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 21

SPORTS QUIZ 1. What is the mostwatched sport in the US?

4. Emma Kearney plays for which AFLW team?

2. Founded in Germany, the IRF is the international federation for which sport?

5. Why are hockey pucks frozen before games?

3. The Tour Down Under is a cycling race that takes place in which Australian state?

13. In what year did David Beckham retire from soccer? 14. Who is the current captain of the Gold Coast Suns?

6. At the Cricket World Cup, Virat Kohli broke the record for most ODI centuries; who previously held the record?

15. LA King Jordan Spence is the first ice hockey player with what citizenship to play in the NHL? 16. Controversially, who won the 2019 Cricket World Cup final?

7. Name the first Australian to play in the NBA. 8. Ginga is the name of the rhythmic sidestepping footwork in which martial art? 9.

17. And why was it controversial? 18. What is the nickname of Ottawa’s NHL team?

In board sports, does someone who is goofy-footed lead with their left or right foot?

19. The Jillaroos are which Australian sports team? 20. When did Serena Williams win her first singles title?

10. Who was the number one draft pick at the 2022 NAB AFL draft, and which team did he go to?

21. How many times has Australia won the Men’s Cricket World Cup? 22. Which batsman topscored for Australia in the Men’‚s 2023 Cricket World Cup final?

11. An albatross in golf is how many strokes under par?

24. Which young footballer did West Coast select with the number one pick in the 2023 AFL draft? 25. By what scoreline did Australia defeat Bangladesh in their recent World Cup qualifier?

28. Jacob Jackomas most recently coached which NBL team? 29. For how many NBA games was Draymond Green suspended, for a recent incident involving Rudy Gobert? 30. In which boxing weight division are Dylan Biggs and Nikita Tszyu set to compete for an Australian national title?

26. What year is Football Australia’s recentlyannounced National Second Division set to kick off in? 27. From May 2020 until November 2023, Hamish McLennan served as chairman of which national sport governing body?

1. American Football 2. Rafting 3. South Australia 4. North Melbourne 5. To reduce bounce 6. Sachin Tendulkar 7. Luc Longley 8. Capoeira 9. Right foot 10. Aaron Cadman, GWS 11. Three 12. Adelaide 13. 2013 14. Jarrod Witts 15. Japanese citizenship 16. England 17. The winner was decided by the boundary count-back rule after a tie 18. Senators 19. Women’s rugby league 20. 1999 21. Six 22. Travis Head (137 runs) 23. Mitchell Starc (three wickets) 24. Harley Reid 25. 7-0 26. 2025 27. Rugby Australia 28. Illawarra Hawks 29. Five 30. Super welterweight

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Anyone advertising a puppy, dog, kitten or cat in Victoria for sale or re-homing will need a source number from the Pet Exchange Register and a microchip identiﬁcation number. It is now an offence to advertise unless the source number and microchip identiﬁcation number is included in the advertisement or notice. For further information, call 136 186 or visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au

ADVERTISERS, in this section are qualified practitioners and offer nonsexual services.

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BD Truck Driver

HAVING A CLEAN UP OR DECLUTTERING YOUR HOME? Advertise your GARAGE SALE here

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MATHS/PHYSICS Tutoring by an experienced tutor /former university instructor. Year 10 to VCE. Call Jude 0413 764 369

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We are a medium family owned business in the Western Suburbs, looking for BD Drivers with Refrigeration experience. Our company run the Eastern Sea Board and specialise in produce and offer great working conditions. Contact: Tony 0418 579 356

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Motoring

Massage Therapists

12565959-HC35-22

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

4. If you would like to know more about this site, further information can be obtained from www.rfnsa.com.au/3024022

Open 7 days

12474997-DL50-20

12652832-AI48-23

1. The Vodafone proposes to install a mobile phone base station on the existing monopole to provide 4G and 5G coverage to the local area. The proposal includes the installation of; • A new headframe on the existing 25 metre monopole. • Six (6) new Vodafone panel antennas (each measuring not more than 2.8m in length) on the headframe. • Twelve (12) new Remote Radio Units (RRUs) on the headframe. • An equipment shelter within the existing fenced compound. • Ancillary equipment including antenna mounts, feeders, cabling, combiners and other associated equipment; and ancillary works within the equipment shelter.

3. In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Further information and/or comments should be directed to: Scott Sibly at Service Stream Limited, 0455 214 172, TPG.Submissions@servicestream. com.au or Level 3, Tower B, Zenith Centre 821 Paciﬁc Highway, Chatswood NSW 2067 by 5.00pm Thursday, 14th December 2023.

$110/ 30mins

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ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE

Rainbow Club PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION AT EXISTING MONOPOLE AT 9/210 BALLAN ROAD WYNDHAM VALE VIC 3024 INCLUDING 5G

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23. Which bowler took the most wickets for Australia in the 2023 Cricket World Cup final?

12. Travis Head is from which Australian city?

David Beckham 0112

Serena Williams

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It’s a case of carry on, Corolla By Derek Ogden, Marque Motoring When the first Corolla made landfall in Australia in 1966, few people would have predicted half a century later the tiny vehicle, through sedan, hatch and wagon, becoming the world’s most popular car. Former Toyota Australia executive Rex Gilham, one of the men responsible for bringing Corollas Down Under, says just 15 cars were in the first shipment in November 1966, the first vehicles to be exported from Japan. These went on sale in 1967. A year later, first locally produced models left Australian Motor Industries’ plant in Port Melbourne, which previously had built Standard Triumph and Mercedes-Benz vehicles among others. Now, along comes a Cross version, a family-friendly small SUV squatting alongside the C-HR between the smaller Yaris Cross and family favourite RAV4. The all-new Corolla Cross comes to market in three grades – GX, GXL, and Atmos – in petrol and petrol/electric hybrid and two- or all-wheel drive. Prices open at $33,000 for the GX petrol 2WD, with hybrid adding $2500. Then comes three GLXs in petrol and hybrid in two- or all-wheel drive and on to range-topping Atmos, again in petrol and hybrid, signing off at $49,050. All totals are without on-road costs. On test was the GX hybrid at $35,500, which like all Corolla Crosses, is the first Toyota in Australia to feature the new-generation Toyota multimedia system. The Corolla Cross is covered by Toyota Warranty Advantage, which offers up to five years unlimited kilometre coverage extending to seven-years on engine and driveline, with capped-price servicing for the first five years/75,000 km and each 12-month/15,000 km service costing $230.

Something old, something new, there’s no stopping the latest Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid. (Pictures: Supplied)

Styling The GX is distinguished on the outside by 17-inch alloy wheels, LED head and tail-lights, automatic high beam, daytime running lights, heated and auto retractable door mirrors and a shark fin antenna. Character lines flow from the bonnet to the taillights. Black wheel arch and sill mouldings denote the vehicle’s SUV intent with a hatch-top spoiler adding a sporty look. The trapezoidal radiator grille is repeated at the rear with the taillight shape, while the rear fenders present a flared and tapered look, not least to the narrowed roofline and shape of the tailgate around the numberplate. A two-tone black-and-silver bumper completes the rear end.

AT A GLANCE MODEL RANGE Corolla Cross GX Petrol: $33,000 Corolla Cross GX Hybrid 2WD: $35,500 Corolla Cross GXL Petrol: $36,750 Corolla Cross GXL Hybrid 2WD: $39,250

Interior The Corolla Cross cabin mostly mirrors the Corolla hatch and sedan, with a roomier and airier space that retains the sharp styling and convenient layout of its siblings. The GX comes standard with automatic climate control, a 7-inch digital multi-information display, electric park brake, smart entry and start, fabric seats, 60:40 split-folding rear seats and a luggage cover. The interior offers a wide, spacious feel, thanks to extra headroom and greater vision of the Corolla Cross. Compared to the sedan, the eye level for drivers sits 130mm higher, allowing for excellent visibility all round. An extra 43mm of front headroom is available compared to the sedan, with an additional 81mm for rear passengers. Corolla Cross offers 436 litres of boot space with the rear seat-backs in place in GX and GXL petrol models. For Atmos petrol, and GX and GXL 2WD hybrid, rear boot space is slightly less at 425 litres.

Corolla Cross GXL Hybrid AWD: $42,250 Corolla Cross Atmos Petrol: $43,550

Through the myToyota Connect app, owners can undertake such things as remotely checking the status of the doors and lights, access information such as the vehicle’s last known location and recent trips, or start the engine or climate control. The first 12 months are complimentary, thereafter a basic connection fee of $9.95 a month or $12.50 including multi-media functions.

Engines/transmissions Hybrid 2WD versions of the Corolla Cross employ a 2-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine teamed with an electric motor on the front axle for a combined maximum power output of 146 kW. The all-wheel drives add a second electric motor on the rear axle, with consumption, according to Toyota, staying as low as 4.4 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle test.

Infotainment The Corolla Cross is the first Toyota in Australia to feature the new-generation Toyota multimedia system. This can be controlled via an 8-inch touchscreen display or steering wheel controls, and offers wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio and quality sound reproduction from a six-speaker audio system.

Safety The upgraded Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver assistance features new technologies including lane change assist and safe exit assist. Eight airbags and autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection adaptive cruise control including curve speed reduction, auto high-beam, lane

departure warning, lane keep assist and lane trace assist (centring), speed sign assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and reversing camera lead to a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

Corolla Cross Atmos Hybrid 2WD: $46,050 Corolla Cross Atmos Hybrid AWD: $49,050 OPTION Premium paints $675 SPECIFICATIONS

Driving Family friendly fits the bill here. As mentioned above, driving the Corolla Cross compared to its sibling sedans and hatchbacks takes on a new level of comfort and convenience through extra cabin dimensions and cabin glass. Ease of handling at low speeds adds to the confidence of parking in small spaces. Pity about the absence of parking sensors and 360-degree camera. On the road, the Corolla Cross gets under way under electric power, the petrol motor cutting in to lend a hand with any load increase and to help charge the battery, the latter continues under deceleration and braking. Revving hard the motor is noisy. Mated with a CVT, there’s nothing spectacular, just a competent feel. Fuel consumption of the test GX, with help from only one electric motor, returned values of between 4.3 and 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres over a range of town-and country driving conditions. Needless to say, the maker claims the lower value on the combined urban/

Toyota Corolla Cross GX 2.0L 4-cylinder petrol / hybrid, CVT, RWD SUV

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

highway cycle. The ride is comfortable and there is a lack of surprises in handling capability. The steering is light but accurate in pointing the car in the right direction.

Summary Issues such as the pandemic, semiconductor chip shortages, plus supply chain problems have stopped manufacturers like Toyota keeping cars flowing into Australia. The Corolla Cross is no exception, with wait times from six months for the 2WD petrol, extending to two years for the range-topping Atmos AWD Hybrid. It’s a far cry from the smooth Toyota terrain of the past, more’s the pity. Wednesday, 29 November, 2023 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 23

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Hitting runs across the grounds There was plenty of local sporting action across Melbourne’s north-west including in Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong on Saturday. Star Weekly photographer LJUBICIA VRANKOVIC managed to capture some of the action.

Brenton Cook (Ljubica Vrankovic)

Ben MacRae (Ljubica Vrankovic)

Dean Russ (Ljubica Vrankovic)

Geeth Alwis (Ljubica Vrankovic)

Dilum Weerarathna (Ljubica Vrankovic) 24 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 29 November, 2023

Devin Leay (Ljubica Vrankovic)

Saaransh Mahay (Ljubica Vrankovic)

Jeremy Young (Ljubica Vrankovic)

Dilum Weerarathna (Ljubica Vrankovic)

Thilina Masmulla (Ljubica Vrankovic)

Deakyn McIntyre (Ljubica Vrankovic)

Jordon Young (Ljubica Vrankovic)

Kaushik Jagannathan (Ljubica Vrankovic)

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

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Bilszta is tough under pressure Rosie Bilszta competes in a sport that is only fed into our lounge rooms every four years. The 15-year-old competes in artistic swimming, which is formerly known as synchronised swimming, and recently returned from Greece after competing in the 2023 FINA Youth Artistic Swimming Championships where Australia finished 14th out of 36 teams. “I was one of 12 selected to represent Australia following a series of training camps,” she said. “It was an amazing experience, one that I will build on to fulfil my dream of representing Australia at the Olympics.” Bilszta loved gymnastics, dance and swimming as a young girl growing up in West Footscray but wanted to try something different and fell in love with artistic swimming. She has an infectious tone and is full of passion for her sport. She said that it’s anything but easy. “Two girls in the championships had to be saved by pool lifeguards after getting into difficulty completing the routine,” she said. Like aerial skiers, artistic swimmers do most of their training on land with a typical week

consisting of four nights a week. All of the water routines are practiced on land. “We are then into the pool for two to three hours of rehearsal and practice,” Bilszta said. “Once in the water our warmup includes sprint training and then sync based routines called sculling, which is treading water and using your arms to stay afloat making figure eight patterns.” Bilszta’s strength is her strength with her role in the team to push or lift up the support swimmer with the performer on top of her. What she doesn’t tell you is for the whole routine her feet cannot touch the bottom of the pool. “If our feet touch the bottom of the pool we are immediately disqualified,” she said. “My body strength is required to push others up and out of the water.” Bilszta is part of a team based at Victoria University run by Anna Nepotacheva. Bilszta’s success has come off the back of some very hard work and undeniable talent. In the past two years alone, her team has won state and national titles in the various

forms of artistic swimming, including first place in the free routine 13-15 year old state championships earlier this year. “My aim is to represent Australia at an Olympic Games, whenever that might be,” she said. “The current Australian team consists of team members who range in age from 18 to 25.” Bilszta currently attends the Maribyrnong Sports Academy where her coaches work hand in hand with strength and conditioning staff at the college to help her develop her performances. The Don Deeble Sports Star Award is sponsored by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club, Strathmore Community Bendigo Bank, the Deer Park Club, Medway Golf Club, Ascot Vale Sports and Trophies and Star Weekly Newspapers. If you would like to nominate a monthly winner or attend a dinner, contact wrsportsclub@gmail.com or 0408 556 631. Peter Howe

Rosie Bilszta. (Supplied)

WRFL set for changes

Jed Anderson (centre) and Jared Polec (right). (AAP Image/Daniel Pockett)

Anderson joins Warriors By Harper Sercombe Hoppers Crossing’s decision to bring in a former AFL player as coach is already paying dividends. The Warriors announced in September that Jared Polec would be taking the reins at the club following a disappointing Western Region Football League division 1 season. Polec played 148 games and kicked 75 goals across Brisbane, Port Adelaide and North Melbourne, in a career spanning 11 years from 2011 to 2022. On Tuesday, the Warriors announced their first marquee signing of the off-season, with former teammate of Polec’s Jed Anderson joining the club. Anderson was in the AFL for 10 seasons, debuting for Hawthorn in 2013 before moving to North Melbourne for the 2016 season. He was then delisted by the Kangaroos and was signed to Gold Coast for the 2023 season as a supplementary selection period signing. The hard nosed midfielder played 99 AFL games and kicked 32 goals. Currently, he is applying his craft for Southern District in the Northern Territory Football League.

“He’s a massive in and no doubt he’ll help us win a couple of games,” Polec said of his former teammate. “And it’s what he can do to help educate the kids too. It’s a big inclusion but it’s big for development for the kids.” Polec said developing the club’s young list is one of his main priorities, especially with the expertise he has in the field after seeing how it’s done at the highest level. “I think it starts with the junior programs, I’ll start getting heavily involved through the whole football department,” he said. “I feel like my strong suit is development and hopefully I can help change the face of Hoppers and help rejuvenate the junior program which only flows into our senior program, it’s just tying everything together. “I think it helps that I’ve been around a few different clubs and seen how they operate and I’ve seen the strong points of clubs and I’ve seen the weak points of clubs. “It’s definitely something that I’ve learnt over the so many years in the AFL system that I’d like to bring to local footy.” While the Warriors were disappointing this season, only winning two games for the

year, Polec is expecting a big jump in his club’s performance. The club finished bottom in division 1 last season and were set to be relegated. With a competition restructure, Polec confirmed they would remain in division 1. “I think we are going to definitely push for finals,” he said. “It’s a really good group of lads and they’re all eager to learn and make the club better and more a more community proud footy club too which was a really big selling point for me. “We’re building towards hopefully playing a game before the Christmas break, it’s a bit unusual for the boys, they’ve never done it before but it’s something that we’re building towards. “We’re hoping we can keep building the energy around Hoppers and keep bringing new people in and making it more of a destination club as it does have the best facilities on the west side by a long way. “It is a VFL-club playing local footy, so we’ve got to make it that way.” The Warriors have also announced the re-signings of Braden Ferrari and Chase Guy.

The Western Region Football League is set for divisional changes but not as first thought. A report commissioned by the league and reported on by Star Weekly in September proposed division 1 change to a 10-team competition. The report named the Western Region Football Netball Review Draft Recommendations also called for division 3 to be scrapped. However, Star Weekly understands the report’s recommendations are not going to be fully endorsed by the league, with multiple clubs confirming to this masthead that division 1 will instead be a nine team competition Hoppers Crossing coach Jared Polec confirmed his side would remain in division 1 despite finishing bottom this year. Division 2 premiers Parkside will make the jump up, but unlike in the proposal Albion will remain in division 2. Division 1 teams are set to play 16 matches, with every club playing each other twice, and the top five playing off in finals, up from the top four system that has been in place this year. For the 2025 season the league is expected to increase the top flight to 10 teams with 2024’s division 2 premiers to make the move up. The number of teams in division 2 next year is still yet to be determined if it remains two divisions. Currently there are 13 teams, however there are two teams making a push to enter the league. Glen Orden is attempting to return to the WRFL after a hiatus in 2023. Riddell District Football League club the Western Rams have also expressed their interest in having a senior side in the league next season. Current WRFL clubs are set to vote on if the Rams join the league at its annual general meeting on December 5. As of November the current proposed division 1 teams are, Werribee Districts, Point Cook, Altona, Yarraville Seddon Eagles, Caroline Springs, Spotswood, Point Cook Centrals, Hoppers Crossing and Parkside. Division 2 would consist of Albion, Newport, Sunshine, Wyndhamvale, North Footscray, Braybrook, Suns, Albanvale, Sunshine Heights, West Footscray, Tarneit, Laverton Magpies and North Sunshine. The WRFL was contacted for comment. Wednesday, 29 November, 2023 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 25

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Dream finally comes true for Shaun Mannagh Werribee grand final star Shaun Mannagh has finally realised his AFL dream after being overlooked in eight drafts. After consistent form with Werribee the past few years, Mannagh put himself on the radar of AFL clubs this year. A six-goal best on ground performance in a losing Victorian Football League grand final, made sure clubs that weren’t looking, were now. Mannagh was the first VFL player selected in the draft, taken by the Cats early on night two of the draft at pick 26. Mannagh said he feels like a little kid, who has just started Auskick, having finally achieved his dream. He said draft night was low key, with a delay in the broadcast making it more interesting. “I was just at home with my wife, brother in law, best mate and my mum and then had the family on a zoom,” he said. “It was a bit interesting, they ended up finding out before us because we had a bit of

a delay on the tv. “It was really exciting and great to have everyone there and see the emotion on their faces as well. “My family is pretty exorbitant when it comes to that side of stuff. They are really good, we made sure it was correct and to hear for ourselves.” Mannagh said he had spoken to Geelong in the lead up to the draft, with the club keen on him for a while. He said that his grand final performance had made the club scared that someone else would pick him up. “[I] only met [Stephen] Wells and Andrew [Mackie] a couple of weeks ago, but they did allude to the fact that they were interested then,” he said. “Obviously after the grand final there was a little bit more interest,[and they were a] little bit disappointed in that, selfishly from a Geelong point of view. “But I’m happy for the year gone, nice to

have that interest and good to be here.” Mannagh, whose mum’s side of the family follows Geelong, said he would be trying to push for a spot come round and was happy to play whatever role he was given. “[There’s] 44-50 blokes all vying for the same spot, I’ve got as much chance as anyone else, like to think i would give my best shot, same chance as all the other draftees and everyone else who is already here, show everyone what i can do.” Outgoing Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said the club was delighted for Mannagh. “After nominating for eight drafts we’re absolutely thrilled to see Shaun get his shot on an AFL-list,” he said. “Geelong had shown some interest during the year and not just after his grand final performance, so it was great to see them select him and we all hope this is the start of a really successful AFL career.” Tara Murray

Shaun Mannagh (Ljubica Vrankovic) 362607_19

Sports shorts VTCA Williamstown Imperials got the win against Point Cook in the opening round of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association T20 competition. Facing off in the Paine group, the Imperials batted first and made 3-142 from their 20 overs with Shane Jones top scoring with 68 not out. It was all single wicket takers for Point Cook Point Cook fell just short as late wickets fell, finishing 9-137. Dasith Jayatilake top scored with 44. Ryan Schaufler took three wickets.

VAFA Westbourne is relaunching its women’s program for next year’s Victorian Amateur Football Association season. The Grammarians took to social media announcing the signing of Ian Allen and Chris Grant as co-coaches of the women’s side for next year. The pair have had a successful coaching partnership at Spotswood, including winning the Western Region Football League division 1 premiership this year.

Sam Clohesy (Werribee FC)

Clohesy gets AFL nod By Harper Sercombe Werribee’s Sam Clohesy has had to do it the hard way, but he has finally achieved his AFL dream. He was one of three Werribee locals to land at an AFL club last week. Clohesy was the last to go of the trio, joining Logan Morris (pick 31 to Brisbane) and Shaun Mannagh (pick 36 to Geelong) in the big-time on Wednesday afternoon. The former Calder Cannon was picked up by Gold Coast with pick four of the rookie draft. Speaking just hours after being picked up by the Suns, Clohsey said it was a dream come true. “I’m pretty stoked at the moment, it hasn’t really sunk in yet the fact that I’m on an AFL list,” he said. “I got a call from my manager late last (Tuesday) night, saying that it was a likely chance to happen but I was still nervous going into today, because it’s not real until it actually happens.” While Clohsey’s journey into the AFL hasn’t been conventional, playing football at more than a dozen clubs he said he wouldn’t have had it any other way. “It’s been good, it’s really helped my footy a lot,” he said. 26 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 29 November, 2023

“It’s made me mature as a player and really reform my game into one that’s good enough to make a list and it’s the reason why I’ve been able to make it now.” The 20-year-old rebounding half-back won the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal in 2023 as the best young talent in the Victorian Football League, and joins a long list of that medal’s recipients to reach the AFL, with only one winner not breaking into the league since 2005. He was also one of Werribee’s best in the grand final against the Suns, where he recorded 22 disposals and seven marks. “All I really wanted to do was earn my spot and play as many games as possible and then about halfway through the year I started realising that I could do a bit more,” he said. “To cap it off with the Fothergill-RoundMitchell Medal was very nice and to reap the rewards now is very cool.” He is also following a similar trajectory to his former Werribee coach Mick Barlow. Like Clohesy, Barlow won the Fothergill-RoundMitchell Medal while playing at Werribee, he was then picked up in the rookie draft, and later ended up at the Suns. “He’s been huge for me over the past two years, he’s developed my football, really helped me out and I owe him a lot,” Clohesy said. “He’s a big reason why I’ve been able

to get here.” Clohesy is a former Suns academy player who played in the talent program from the ages of 14 to 16 before relocating back to Melbourne with his family. Being a former Queenslander, he said he is eager to head back north. “I absolutely love the lifestyle, the Gold Coast is one of my favourite places on earth,” he said. “I spent three years in the academy up there and loved every second of it, I can’t wait to get back up and see it all again.” Clohesy is the older brother of Geelong midfielder Ted Clohesy, although Ted is the younger sibling Sam said he has been instrumental in helping him reach this point. “I’ve been able to learn a lot from him and how professional he is and what an AFL player has to go through,” he said. “We’ve been able to bounce our feelings off each other and he’s really helped me through this year and the last couple of weeks.” Clohesy adds to the young exciting list at the Suns, who were able to welcome four first-round picks to their list, all coming from their academy program. “Those boys that got picked up on Monday night look like absolute stars, and I can’t wait to get to work with them and see how far we can go,” he said.

WBBL Wyndham cricket star Jess Duffin has announced her Women’s Big Bash League retirement. The former Australian star returned to cricket this summer after retiring from AFLW, playing with the Melbourne Renegades. She played 117 games for Australia including being a part of four world championships. Duffin played her final match on Saturday against the Melbourne Stars, which the Stars won on the Duckworth-Lewis system after rain ended the match early.

VTCA Point Cook will need 185 for the win against Sunshine Heights in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 3. Point Cook bowled Sunshine Heights out for 184 in the 78th over. Meanwhile, Werribee Centrals has a big run chase on its hands against Pascoe Vale Hadfield. The Panthers made 9-294 from their 80 overs. In division 4, Point Cook Centrals made 9-250 against St Andrews Footscray FOR MORE SPORT, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Wyndham Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Not all about winning for Tigers’ women’s team While results for Werribee’s women’s cricket side in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association aren’t falling the Tigers way, it has been a roaring success. Captain and team manager Ruby Ruby said she has not been phased by the mixed results that her side has been on the receiving end of, instead she said the connection and friendships sprouted from the team is what it’s truly about. “In terms of winning we are competitive, but at the same time there is a fun aspect to the game, we always make sure that fun takes priority,” she said. “I think it’s always great to play and looking forward to Sundays is the key, the weather is getting better which is amazing. “There are some teams who have really good quality players and are tactical, it’s hard to compete with them, we just try and give it our

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best shot and enjoy the game. “So far it’s going really well in terms of looking forward to the weekend and giving it a go. In terms of winnings and losing, it’s not going great, but we’re enjoying it so it’s going great. “The reason why we set up this women’s

team initially was because we wanted to have integrity in the club and we wanted to have a women’s team at the club for anyone who wants to explore playing the sport.” The club also harvests junior talent across its six girls teams, which is already paying off with some debuting in the senior side. It’s the first time the club has had its women’s side in the VTCA competition. “In this team we have a mixture of women and juniors and it’s a great pathway for our juniors to really enhance their skills,” Ruby said. “We have a mixture of players who played in the first year, we have some who played while they were at school, we have people like who had never played before and then we’ve got the juniors who are rock-stars because they are the ones who carry the team/ “The girls are learning a lot from the women

and the women are learning a lot of cricket from the young ones. “We have a good balance in our team, we don’t have extraordinary skills but it’s about the social aspect really, it’s just to keep fit, keep active and to get some cardio in for the day. “I get a sense of accomplishment when some of the girls reach milestones, it’s a powerful source of satisfaction, building those friendships with not just the girls but their families. “Building those relationships through the connections is absolutely fulfilling.” Werribee’s match against Point Cook on Sunday was called off after heavy rain. If you or someone you know is interested in joining the Tigers’ girl’s or women’s program reach Ruby on 0433 289 218. Harper Sercombe

Ahmed spins a web to win against Melton

Logan Morris (Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos)

Morris is heading north By Harper Sercombe Brisbane has added to its forward stocks securing the Western Jets’ Logan Morris at the AFL draft. The Lions picked up the dynamic forward with pick 31 of the draft on Tuesday night. “It’s pretty surreal to be finally on an AFL list, that’s something I’ve dreamt of my whole life and to finally be on one doesn’t feel real but it’s unbelievable,” he said. With the first round of the draft wrapping up on Monday night and Morris’ not selected after the 29 picks, it was a long wait in between rounds. Although he did have an inkling the Lions would pounce on him early. “Not going on the first night and then having to wait another 24 hours, it was the longest 24 hours of my life,” Morris said. “I didn’t get much sleep that night, but for it now to be finally over, it’s a big relief. “Going into the draft I knew the Lions were interested, with their first pick being early in the second round, it was on the table that they might pick me. “I didn’t really think anything of it until

they actually read my name and then it kind of felt real.” The Werribee Districts product is a 191 centimetre hybrid player who has proved himself at both ends of the ground, showcasing his range of talents and work ethic. Morris displayed a dominant year for the Jets booting 30 goals from his 10 outings for the club. The 18-year-old also applied his craft for Vic Metro, including a four goal haul against Western Australia, and slotted two in his Victorian Football League debut for Werribee. Now with a move up north imminent he couldn’t be happier. “I’m super excited to be up there, I’ve already got my living sorted and all the boys have been getting around me and making me feel welcome, so I can’t wait,” he said. “We’re flying up on Tuesday and then we come back over the Christmas holidays, but we go up for a couple of weeks and get stuck into pre-season.” Morris will be moving in with fellow draftee and hybrid forward Luke Lloyd from the Sandringham Dragons.

The Lions have been the attacking powerhouse of the competition over the last few seasons, with superstar forwards such as Joe Daniher, Charlie Cameron, Eric Hipwood and former Western Jet Cameron Rayner. “To learn off the likes of Hipwood and Daniher, I’ll definitely learn a lot and it’s great to have such experienced forwards to learn off,” Morris said. “Cam Rayner sent me a text the other day, he was a Jets’ boy and he’s pretty keen that he’s got another Jets’ boy coming up, so I can’t wait to meet him and train with him. “I’ll be leaning on him for a bit of advice or if I’ve got any questions or anything, it’s good to have people like that at the club.” Brisbane national recruiting manager Stephen Conole said the club was pleased with securing Morris early in the second round. “Logan is a competitive young man who adds some versatility to our forward group,” Conole said. “He is a terrific contested player, strong mark, presents well and reads the drop of the ball well, and is a forward who can play high or deep.”

Hoppers Crossing was clinical in its dismantling of Melton on the weekend in its Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association north-west two-day clash. The Cats took on the struggling Lions at Hogans Road Reserve and have now hit some form with three wins on the bounce setting the Cats up for a big end to the year. The Cats won the toss and bowled on Saturday afternoon with marquee signing Fawed Ahmed showing his worth. The former Victorian spinner was instrumental all weekend and did some of his best work early dismissing both opening batsmen after they were able to get away to a promising start. Ahmed continued to terrorise the Lions, taking the wickets of all of the top six batsmen leaving opening bowler Kaushik Jagannathan to clean up the tail taking the next four wickets. Ahmed finished the first innings with 6-25 from 19 overs, while Jagannathan had 4-16 off 12, bowling the Lions out for 115. The Cats were then able to chase the runs with ease making the 115 and batting on, declaring at 8-206. Opening batsmen Simon Lambert and Fazal Nawab were the Cats’ top scorers with 42 and 41 respectively. In the second innings, the Cats chased an outright and the inform bowlers Jagannathan and Ahmed were handed the task of bowling their team to victory. They did not disappoint, with Jagannathan taking 2-5 off seven overs, and Ahmed taking a huge 7-43 from 17.5 overs. Ahmed taking 13 wickets for just 68 runs over the weekend has him as the VSDCA north-west’s best performing bowler with 20 wickets at an average of 8.35. The Cats’ big win puts them in sixth place on the ladder after six rounds, this weekend they play Williamstown again at home. Werribee defeated Williamstown over the weekend, chasing down the 150 Williamstown put up in 39.4 overs. Shaun Dean top scored with an unbeaten 68. Wednesday, 29 November, 2023 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 27

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