Star Weekly - Sunbury Macedon Ranges - 19th December 2023 by Star Weekly

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proudly serving Sunbury and Macedon Ranges

19 DECEMBER, 2023

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Merry Christmas, everyone! As excited kids across the west eagerly count down the days until Santa visits, preps from Braybrook’s Dinjerra Primary School are soaking up the last days of their first year of school by enjoying Christmas themed activities, inattentive to the rush of last-minute preparations as the holiday draws closer. As the end of 2023 draws near, the team at Star Weekly would like to wish our readers and advertisers a Merry Christmas and safe and happy 2024. The first edition of the new year will be published on January 9. The office will reopen on January 2.

Dinjerra Primary School preps: Florencia, Marianne and Tobias. (Damjan Janevski) 378530_02

Misconduct ‘shambles’ By Tara Murray Hume council has conceded it wouldn’t have started disciplinary action against councillor Trevor Dance had there been clarity around the meaning of ‘serious misconduct’ under the Local Government Act. At the December 11 council meeting, councillors voted to write to Local Government Victoria and the local government minister providing a transcript of the Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court proceedings, following the council’s decision to drop its legal action into whether Cr Dance had committed serious

misconduct. Cr Dance and councillor Jodi Jackson both voted against writing letters. As previously reported by Star Weekly, Cr Dance was cleared of serious misconduct by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) in December 2022, after a Councillor Code of Conduct Panel (CCP) had earlier found that he was responsible for serious misconduct. The CCP had found Cr Dance breached council’s internal arbitration process by failing to attend two arbitration hearings in June 2021, in relation to his allegations that councillor

Jack Medcraft had made false and misleading statements. Cr Dance had cited his mental health for his inability to attend the hearings in person. Hume appealed the VCAT decision at the Court of Appeal. It withdrew its action in August during the hearing when the judges of the Court of Appeal indicated that non-attendance by a complainant at a CCP arbitration was not necessarily serious misconduct as defined in the Local Government Act. At the December 11 meeting, in their report council officers highlighted Court of Appeal

Justice David Beach’s views relating to the definition of serious misconduct as defined by the act. Officers advised councillors that had the court’s definition been commonly understood at the start of the process, that CCP would not have been convened in December 2021. “Officers form this view, as the effect of the interpretation as discussed at the appeal would mean no sanctions should apply to a councillor who initiates an arbitration process, and then does not comply with it,” officers wrote. ■ Continued: Page 8.

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Tuesday, 19 December, 2023 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 3

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A school cleaners rally took place on December 6, with more than 100 people in attendance. (Pictures: Supplied)

Cleaners dirty over contracts By Zoe Moffatt School cleaners are warning that teachers across Melbourne’s north-west may have to vacuum their own classroom floors following a new deal which could slash cleaning contract hours by more than 50 per cent. In a major shake-up of cleaning contracts, the state government has awarded school cleaning contracts to Serco and Tradeflex for 2024. The new contracts will run from January 15 to Christmas Day 2024 and will replace ISS Facility Services, whose contract formally ends on December 22, according to the United Workers Union (UWU).

‘‘

The children and the teachers ... might have to finish up vacuuming their own floors, that’s how bad this is going to get

’’

- Mick Lynch

Star Weekly has been told many existing cleaners have not yet been offered contracts, been told their hours will be reduced or have been offered only verbal contracts following the change of providers. Mick Lynch has been a leading hand cleaner at a western suburbs school for three years and received his new contract from Serco on December 11, cutting his hours in half. “I’ve got seven days to sign… accept or decline,“ he said. “I do six hours a day and they’ve cut it back to three hours a day. “I’m a leading hand, they’ve taken that off… and they’ve turned around and said you’re going back to a level one [from a level two]. We’ve got a massive school we’ve got to try and clean. “The ones that are going to suffer are going to be the children and the teachers in the classrooms. “They might have to finish up vacuuming their own floors, that’s how bad this is going to get.” Not only are the cleaners facing having their

The school cleaners rally from the start of December.

hours being cut in half, but Mr Lynch said they will lose income from the public holidays during this period due to the gap in the contract changeover. “[The new contractors] are not starting anybody until after the New Year,” he said. “Which means that nobody gets their Christmas holidays or New Year holidays. They’re basically starting straight off from January 15. “They are putting a lot of pressure on these cleaners just before Christmas and it’s… doing some serious damage. People are stressing big time.” UWU property service organiser Corey Matthews said the contract change from ISS to Serco in the west will affect 104 schools and 290 cleaners by UWU’s count, in the federal electoral divisions of Lalor, Gellibrand and Maribyrnong. In the north, the change to Tradeflex covers 118 schools and 286 cleaners by the UWU’s count in Jagajaga, Scullin, McEwen and Cooper, he said. “Serco has only put out the contracts and given hours to people after we’ve been pushing them,” he said. “At about 5pm [Monday] they started sending out people hours. “This is where Mick’s story comes in. Currently [Mick] is earning $1024 before tax, working 48 weeks a year. His new wage would

4 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 19 December, 2023

be $469.35 a week, 42 weeks paid. “He’s taken a cut from $49,000 a year to $19,000, [which equates to] losing 60 per cent of his wage. “For people like him, it’s more than a job. He’s clearly a member of the school community and he’s well loved. “Mick can’t continue at this wage, which is a similar story we’re hearing from all of our members that are contacting us.” Mr Matthews said UWU is not aware of any cleaners being offered more than four hours of work a day for Serco. He agreed with Mr Lynch that cutting back these hours will affect the cleanliness of the school. “Even before ISS left, we were already dealing with workload issues at these sites,“ he said. “Most cleaners have four hours as it is and to be cut back further than that, it can’t be done. It’s impossible. “Already a lot of these cleaners stay back extra hours… not because they feel forced to but because they want their school to be clean. It’s their community.” For Tradeflex, Mr Matthews said the main problems are that cleaners have not been offered contracts yet or they have been offered verbal agreements. “We are still seeing cuts across the board [but] not as serious as Serco,’ he said. “Some are getting more hours, but they’d be responsible

for multiple schools instead of one. “The UWU’s advice has been that the department’s expectations to Serco and Tradeflex were for a smooth transition, no reduction in hours or levels of pay, nor services.“ Mr Matthews said public school cleaners have been outsourced since the Kennett government in the 1990s and the current situation is evident of the inherent flaws with the contractor system. “Essentially going into the last election, the government promised that they will be doing a review into school cleaning. [This is] from the union’s ask to directly employ the school cleaners. “That review (the School Cleaning Review Working Group) came out with only one recommendation. That the current contractor model is broken. “The only solution would be to bring all the cleaners in house directly employed by the government.” He said this direct employment model is currently in place in Western Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and Queensland. “It’s ended up being cheaper for the Queensland government, and with better outcomes,” he said. “Victoria is lagging behind.” A Department of Education spokesperson said the department is exploring opportunities to further strengthen the delivery of cleaning services in government schools. “We are facilitating the transition and actively working with the service providers to ensure a smooth process for schools and cleaning staff, which will be in place until late December 2024,” they said. A spokesperson for Tradeflex said they have actively reached out to ISS employees to offer the opportunity to meet and discuss working with Tradeflex. “[Tradeflex] is offering all candidates, including these former ISS workers, a range of permanent full time and part-time work, based on the shift requirement per school and the level of experience required,” they said. “Recruitment remains in progress and we hope to complete this process by the end of December.” Serco was contacted for comment.

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6 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 19 December, 2023

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NEWS

Drug busting harder than it looks By Gerald Lynch Hume police told a community forum that a new approach to drug trafficking was having a positive impact. At a neighbourhood police forum in Hume on Thursday, December 7, Inspector Paul O’Loughlin spoke to the approach of lessening focus on a small amount of possession and usage of drugs, and taking aim on mid-level trafficking, ensuring the community that a lot of work goes into catching dealers. There has been a decrease in drug trafficking in Hume according to police. Despite being aware of the trends and

prevalence of recreational use of illicit substances, police said they are more interested in catching it from the start, focusing on traffickers rather than casual users. Inspector O’Loughlin did note the increases of drug usage in recent times and pointed the finger at numerous causes. “There’s a lot more mental health issues nowadays, so people are looking for a release from that,” he said. “The cost of living has played a part… there’s a lot more dance parties happening, and people would rather spend $50 on a pill than $300 on alcohol. “Drug use is not going away and looking

at news and media, you can see there is no end to the amount of drugs being imported to Australia.” The community echoed its concerns about possibly living amongst drug dealers at the forum, asking the police to search more houses when alarming signs appear. A local resident spoke about his experience in Craigieburn, wanting more to be done. “There’s a house we think is drug trafficking,” he said. “We see cars coming in, someone getting out and within two minutes they’re back in their car - multiple cars, all day coming in and out. “Wearing fancy clothes, driving expensive cars and they’re our neighbours so we know

that they don’t have a job. They carry around multiple phones, trying to prevent being caught, these are dead giveaways.” However, Inspector O’Loughlin said singular claims like this aren’t enough to bust someone who people might think are a trafficker. “One report doesn’t allow us to go in and bust down the door, people forget we’re not on NCIS,” he laughed. “So just because you might call the police station with a report like this and not see us arrive, don’t think we’re not following it up. “It takes multiple reports from multiple sources over a period of time for us to build a case.”

Using ‘mussel’ power A Sunbury resident is gathering mussel power to clean Jacksons Creek. Robert Irvine is trying to get a research project approved with Melbourne Water, Greater Western Water and Arthur Rylah Institute, using the concept that native freshwater mussels purify water. According to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment freshwater mussels live on the bottom of streams and lakes, sometimes in dense beds containing thousands of shells. Described by some as nature’s water purifiers, mussels can filter large volumes of water to extract their food, through removing nutrients, algae, bacteria and organic detritus. The waste that mussels produce are then, in-turn, food for other animals, according to the NSW department. Mr Irvine said through this project he is

hoping to raise awareness for waterways and the environment. “I have been snorkeling in Jacksons Creek and I found freshwater mussel shells,” he said. “I looked a bit further and found some alive ones. “Mussels are extremely robust, they can… live in water from four degrees to 30 degrees. “[I’m hoping] to find some way to use them in the water to keep Jackson Creek clean which would benefit the platypus and fish.” NSW Department of Planning and Environment said freshwater mussels have an unusual life cycle, and can live from about 10 to 40 years. Mr Irvine said anyone who is interested in the project can email him at Robert.irvine614@ gmail.com. Zoe Moffatt

Robert Irvine holding mussels in Jacksons Creek, Sunbury. (Damjan Janevski) 377956_01

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Tuesday, 19 December, 2023 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 7

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Character stops development By Zoe Moffatt Neighbourhood and township character have been cited as the main reasons for Macedon Ranges council’s refusal to grant a permit at 35 Cherry Lane, Gisborne. The application seeks to remove two native trees and subdivide the land into 1851, 1171 and 1027 metres squared lot sizes at 35 Cherry Lane, Gisborne. At a meeting on December 5, councillors voted to issue a notice of decision to refuse to grant the permit, which went against officer recommendation to issue a notice of decision to grant the permit.

Councillor Rob Guthrie moved the alternate motion and said the application does not support sustainable growth or maintain the distinctive and semi-rural character of Gisborne. “My alternative motion… is mainly based on neighbourhood character grounds,” he said. “[The application] will create lots that detract from the existing and preferred character of the area and sense of place.” Cr Guthrie said an appropriate outcome would be a two lot subdivision, as it would be in keeping with the emerging pattern of development and neighbourhood character

in that area. “It would allow for a single story building with generous setbacks and landscaping,” he said. Councillor Dominic Bonanno agreed and said “just because someone can do something, doesn’t mean they should.” It comes after at a planning meeting on November 9, submitters raised concerns about the lot sizes, impact on neighbourhood character, increased noise and traffic and lack of consideration for strategic context. Councillor Christine Walker disagreed and said an area’s character encompasses far more

than the size of a block. “This discussion about this area seems to be limited only to that,” she said. “The character of Cherry Lane includes gardens and wide street frontage, no curb and channelling and views of Gisborne. These can all be maintained with the proposed subdivision. “There’s really not strong evidence provided as to why this subdivision does not provide sustainable growth and development. “The character of the streetscape will not be altered, it will still look like a big house on a big block with a large garden area.”

Misconduct ‘shambles’ ■ From page 1

Emily and Sally Anglin getting their car ready for shitbox rally next year. (Damjan Janevski) 371717_01

Nacho Average Sisters in fundraiser Two Bullengarook sisters are getting ready to drive from Melbourne to Alice Springs to raise money for Cancer Council as part of Shitbox Rally. The event runs three times a year to raise money for cancer research, with participants driving cars worth $1500 across Australia. The Nacho Average Sisters team of Emily and Sally Anglin said they were introduced to the rally in 2019 and decided to participate after a close family member was diagnosed with cancer. “We always said we wanted to do one and

this year when our father was diagnosed with cancer we decided it was the perfect time to register,” Emily said. “We are very excited and a little nervous. It’s a long drive and it’ll be a long time away from [my] young children.” The pair have already raised more than $5000 for their June departure date and said they hope to double that amount. “We’ve raised $5350 [by December] so we’ve raised what is required to leave the starting line in June 2024,” Emily said. “But we set a goal of $10,000 and believe that

if we can raise $5000 in just over two months we can raise another $5000.” When chatting about the name, Emily said it suits them perfectly and is reflective of their love of Mexican food. “I’m not sure how we came up with [the name] but it suits us perfectly,” she said. “We can be known to bicker a lot but we’re best friends and do nearly everything together, plus we love Mexican food.” Details: https://winter2024.shitboxrally.com. au/nacho-average-sisters Zoe Moffatt

Officers said the court’s view “further supports there are issues with the legislation”. “This view complements already acknowledged concerns regarding the legislative framework and its ability to manage councillor conduct matters in a timely and efficient manner. “The timely and inefficient processes relating to councillor conduct matters had a detrimental impact on both councillor and staff health and wellbeing as well as being time consuming and costly.” Speaking at the meeting, Cr Dance said the matter had “been a time of hell and shows what the bureaucracy of a council and self-interested persons can do to an individual”. “The total cost to ratepayers and insurers will be more than $300,000. Not the costs because of me as some try to say, but contributed directly to council,” he said. “I was accused of serious misconduct, it’s not serious misconduct because I had a paper bag full of money for example, but it was serious misconduct simply because I was unable to attend an arbiter’s hearing face to face. What a crime.” When questioned by Cr Dance about the total cost to council, chief executive Sheena Frost said Hume had paid its insurer a $50,000 excess but she could not confirm the total cost of the matter as council was awaiting advice from the respondent’s lawyers. Cr Medcraft also mentioned the toll on his mental health before saying the “whole system is a shambles.” “Whoever designed it should be taken outside and spoken to because it has no relevance. It has more holes in it than a piece of Swiss cheese. And basically it doesn’t work, the code of conduct procedure could have been solved without all these costs.”

Hotel crash driver freed on bail with $250k condition A driver accused of killing five people by crashing into a pub beer garden after allegedly ignoring alerts about his low glucose levels has been freed on bail with a $250,000 surety and a condition he not drive. William Swale, 66, was charged with culpable driving causing death, negligently causing serious injury and reckless conduct endangering lives over the November 5 crash. Swale’s SUV mounted the kerb and hit several patrons seated on the front lawn of the Royal Daylesford Hotel just after 6pm. Pratibha Sharma, 44, her daughter Anvi, 9, and partner Jatin Kumar, 30, and their friend

Vivek Bhatia, 38, and his son Vihaan, 11, all died. Prosecutors took a neutral position on Swale’s application for bail, telling the court the Mount Macedon man had been returning from a clay shooting tournament in Clunes when he stopped in Daylesford. Swale, who was diagnosed with diabetes in 1994, was wearing a blood glucose monitoring device which sends an alert to his phone when his glucose levels are outside the normal range. It is alleged the 66-year-old retiree scanned his blood glucose levels at 5.17pm on the day which returned a low reading and an alarm

8 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 19 December, 2023

sounded one minute later indicating he should check his levels. CCTV footage showed him entering a restaurant opposite the pub a few minutes later asking for a table but he returned to his car as there were none available, Sergeant Peter Romanis told the court. Swale was then seen on CCTV at 5.42pm driving his car around the area, performing a U-turn to drive down another street, before it crashed into the pub patrons about 6pm. Prosecutors alleged he received and ignored nine alerts in the lead-up. Swale’s barrister Dermot Dann told

Magistrate Brett Sonnet there were more than a dozen compelling reasons supporting Swale’s release on bail. Among them were Swale’s lack of criminal history, his family support, the lack of risk alleged by police, and his vulnerability in custody because of his medical condition and publicity surrounding the case. Mr Dann said there had never been a case like this one, prosecuted on the basis of a person’s blood glucose levels. He’s due to face Ballarat Magistrates Court for a case conference on April 18, 2024. Karen Sweeny, AAP

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Improving safety around schools By Gerald Lynch Hume council is looking to adopt a Safe Routes to School program. In August, a councillor proposed an idea to reward safe drivers by having police reward good driving by handing out fuel cards as incentives to do the right thing on the road. The idea was knocked back by police, with Acting Senior Sergeant Megan Cartledge telling residents at a December 7 police forum that the idea was too difficult to conduct fairly, and would not be a good

use of police time. “My issue with it is that we pull over a lady and give her a voucher for doing the right thing, and five minutes before that she could have sped through a school zone,” she said. “All of the other parents who see that are going to be thinking how did she get chosen, where’s mine? “The other thing is, do we want to reward people for simply abiding by the law and doing what they’re supposed to be doing?” As an alternative solution to keeping

pedestrians safe especially around schools, council has now opted to look at introducing a Safe Routes to School project. Councillor Jarrod Bell said that reducing pedestrian and student injuries and providing safer journeys is an “outstanding opportunity”. “We all too often see a whole bunch of close calls happening in and around schools,” he said. Safe Routes to School projects are centered on improving road safety around school pickup and drop-off times and creating safe walking, cycling and scooting routes to

encourage active travel. Such projects typically comprise of identifying and delivering a mix of improvements through engineering, education, engagement and enforcement, identified in partnership between council and the school community. Cr Karen Sherry said the program could solve some school traffic issues. “The government cannot seem to provide enough space at schools for pick up and drop offs… “I think this is a practical workaround of that,” she said.

A year of connection Sunbury Neighbourhood House (SNH) has wrapped up another year filled with play, conversation, connection and learning. Manager Hope Jenkins said it has been a testament to the sincere support and dedication of the amazing community. “We cannot express enough gratitude for your continuous participation,” she said. “Behind SNH there is a small team of very part-time staff members and volunteers, including our board of management, who work tirelessly to create numerous opportunities for our community. “[This includes] organising workshops, managing administrative tasks and ensuring each program runs smoothly six days a week, 50 weeks of the year.” The house party in May brought in more than 1000 friends for a free day out with family activities and opportunities to connect with other community groups.

The children’s programs were able to incorporate more play equipment for new activities and improved accessibility, and SNH reported it welcomed many new and returning families. The neighbourhood garden continued to develop, and is taking shape due to many volunteer-led working bees. However, it was the #sustainablesunbury programs which recorded the largest growth in attendance and participation, including the Repair Cafe Sunbury, Boomerang Bags and the Garden Group. SNH is closed from December 20 and will reopen in January, with drop in programs on January 10, 17 and 24. Details: www.sunburyhouse.com.au Sunbury Neighbourhood House staff members Hope Jenkins, Maddie Cross, Ebony Finn and Cathy Grose (Damjan Janevski). 376587_02

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Tuesday, 19 December, 2023 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 9

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Macedon Christmas hours Macedon Ranges council offices in Gisborne, Kyneton and Romsey will be closed from 3pm on Friday, December 22, and the Woodend office will be closed from 5pm on Thursday, December 21. All offices will reopen on Tuesday, January 2. For urgent inquiries during this time residents can call 5422 0333.

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Birds of the Feather attendee Ernie Pinder with guest speaker Annie Smithers. (Damjan Janevski) 373894_05

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Special lunch guest

Published by MMP Star Pty Ltd ACN 168 220 399 Head Office Corner Thomsons Road and Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park, 3042 Publisher/Managing Director, Paul Thomas All material is copyright to MMP Star Pty Ltd. Responsibility for election comment is accepted by Paul Thomas. All significant errors will be corrected as quickly as possible. Distribution numbers, areas and coverage are estimates only. For our terms and conditions please visit starweekly.com.au

Local culinary celebrity Annie Smithers was the guest speaker this year’s last Birds of a Feather gathering in Woodend. As one of Australia’s most well-known chefs and someone who has led the way with the paddock to plate philosophy, Ms Smithers has lived and worked in the region for more than 25 years. She creates award winning fare at her Trentham restaurant, Du Fermier, from the produce in her garden and runs her popular cooking masterclasses from her home in Lyonville. Ms Smithers’ name is synonymous with wholesome, French homestyle cooking. Lunch organiser Belinda Brain said she is a

local legend, cook, farmer and author. “She has been blazing a trail unapologetically for decades and we [were] delighted to welcome her as our final guest for 2023,” Ms Brain said. Birds of a Feather lunches are held in venues across the Macedon Ranges and are organised by Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health’s Country LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Program. They offer an opportunity for adults who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex to come together in a safe and affirming space, to share stories and feel a sense of belonging. Details: belinda.brain@scchc.org.au or 5421 1666.

Some Hume services will be impacted by the holiday period from December 22 to January 2. The customer service centres will be closed on December 25, 26 and January 1. Leisure centres will be closed on December 25, tips/ resource recovery centres will be closed from 12pm on December 24, and all day on December 25 and January 1. Libraries will be closed on December 24, 25, 26, 31 and January 1, and waste collection on December 25 and January 1 will be pushed back by one day. This will mean all household bin collections during the week (after the public holiday) will be pushed back by one day. Details: https://shorturl.at/eiCLQ

FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

NO ONE’S UNSINKABLE To all those Unsinkable Guys out there – You might think it’s safe to have a few drinks around water, skip the life jacket when you’re out on the boat or go for a swim without checking the conditions. But statistics prove that 4 out of 5 drownings are men. Just remember that no one’s unsinkable.

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Students’ hard work pays off The anxious wait for year 12 students was finally over last week when they received their VCE results. Students in Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges scored some outstanding ATARs and look forward to exciting futures as Zoe Moffatt reports. Braemar College

Kyneton High School

VCE results are in and Edward Clough has duxed Braemar College with a 99.40 ATAR, followed by Julia Smith with a 99.25. Year 12 students across the state awoke nervously on Monday morning to see their ATAR results. It was the first year returning to many pre-COVID traditions, and for Braemar students, it was an important part of their experience. Edward said getting to experience those traditions and events was special, and made the stressful year a time to remember. “It was stressful at times, but it was probably the most fun year I had at school,” he said. Looking back on the year and his score, Edward said it feels amazing and his ATAR is better than he ever could have expected. “If I’m being honest I wasn’t too worried… I felt good coming out of most of my exams. [I studied] english, maths methods, specialist maths, physics, chemistry and last year I did software development.” Edward said he is thinking of studying engineering at university and his advice to anyone going into year 12 would be to “enjoy it, try hard and work hard but make sure you have fun. “Do subjects you enjoy as well,” he added. Julia was the school’s dux proximus and said she is hoping to study medicine next year but is keeping her options open to different universities around the country. “I’m feeling pretty good, I was shocked and surprised, my results were a bit different to what I was expecting,” she said. “It’s a nice weight off my shoulders…

It was a year of surprise, hard work and resilience for Kyneton High School students, who recorded the school’s highest ATAR results in more than five years. Twenty-seven students from the school completed their Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and received an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), with more students not receiving a score or completing Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL). VCE coordinator Rosemary White said the highest students got the best ATARs in more than five years. “It was a great bunch of students, they had most of their year 9 and a bit of year 10 in COVID, so they are very resilient,” she said. “From our scored VCE students, almost all of them are hoping to head to university… [and] it looks like most of them would have gotten their top choice.” For the school’s dux, Zoe Bespalov, it is all still sinking. When she opened her results to see a score of 94.05, she said she was shocked and taken aback. “I would have been delighted with the low 80s, so this was really so far beyond what I was expecting,” Zoe said. “It was an intense and stressful [year]. It was really long, and it was exhausting.” Looking forward to next year, Zoe said she is hoping to study a bachelor of arts, and highlights the amount of impact teachers have on students during their final year. “I think there’s a definite correlation that I’ve observed between the subjects where I’ve done really well and the amount of time that the teachers of those subjects have given me,” she said. “They’ve been so available throughout the year and that, I think, is what has really helped me to do as well as I possibly could in those areas.” While celebrations are on the horizon for students across the state, Zoe said she is still in shock and is yet to decide what to do to celebrate her unexpected result.

Braemar College dux Edward Clough, and dux proximus Julia Smith. (Pictures: Supplied)

it feels like a long time coming, it was quite a relief to be done. I feel really ready for the change and excited to have more independence.” Julia studied drama, English literature, chemistry, maths methods, French, and biology last year, which she said inspired her

to pursue medicine. She said her advice to any current year 11’s is to have faith in the work they have done. “You can actually get any score you want… if you want to get a score there’s no barriers…. It can all just be so random in the end,” she said.

Sunbury College

Sunbury College dux Kaeynaat Kaur.

Sunbury College students have celebrated the end of another successful year, with the school’s dux Kaeynaat Kaur highlighting the importance of sleep to avoid burnout during the challenging year. Kaeynaat received an 88 ATAR and said she is happy the year is done, but felt sad when she saw her score as she was expecting a higher mark. “I’m really confused and am still sad and depressed that I didn’t get what I wanted because I studied so hard,” she said. Kaeynaat’s feelings from the year are ones that students around the state can relate to. She said if she had any advice to offer future students it would be to focus on sleep. “I didn’t finish my biology exam, I studied until like 1 or 2 am. Prioritising sleep in year 12 and the exam period is really important. “I feel really burnt out from the year… but [being awarded dux] makes me feel better.” Looking towards the future, Kaeynaat said she wants to go straight into university and is looking at Deakin or RMIT.

“I want to study a bachelor of medical imaging. My cousin works in that field and I’ve been able to see how much they enjoy their work.” Other high achieving students from the year include Charlotte Finn, who wants to study a law and arts degree, and Lili Richold, who wants to study biomedicine. Lili also completed human biosciences this year, which is a first year university subject with La Trobe University. She was one of only 256 students to undertake a university subject in Victoria this year, and completed it through the Centre for Higher Education Studies. Assistant principal Fiona Scott-Young said it is exciting to see the students achieve their academic potential. “We are really proud of our year 12 cohort and the way in which they approached their VCE and VCE VM studies this year,” Ms Scott-Young said. “Pathway choices have been diverse and we look forward to following their progress in 2024 and beyond.”

“Being able to say that I finished it and survived it was a highlight. “It was lots of excitement, relief and accomplishment. The year definitely challenged me and was hectic at times but it was definitely a fun year overall. “I’m hoping to get into a communications design course at RMIT or any pathway into the creative industry. I’ve always loved art and design so I would love to make that my career. “Despite being a lot of work, the creative subjects [during year 12] were the funnest.” Abbey said her advice to any future year 12 students is for them to believe in themselves and their work throughout the year.

Gisborne Secondary College dux Rue Kelly, and dux proximus Abbey Holburt.

Kyneton High School dux Zoe Bespalov.

Gisborne Secondary College When the results came out on Monday morning, tears were flowing in Gisborne, along with the feelings of relief and accomplishment. The title of Gisborne Secondary College 2023 dux was awarded to Rue Kelly, with Abbey Holburt claiming the title of dux proximus after achieving an ATAR of 92.5. Abbey studied art making an exhibiting, visual communications, general maths, English literature and psychology, and is hoping to work in graphic design or marketing after university. “I got up 10 mins early just to prepare myself, and when I found out I just cried,” Abbey said.

Tuesday, 19 December, 2023 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 11

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Increased demand for relief By Gerald Lynch Hume neighbourhood houses are seeing increased demand for help as the festive season approaches. Many residents are facing tough choices between covering basic needs and allocating funds for festive celebrations. This has caused many locals, in Hume and neighbouring municipalities, to turn to their neighbourhood houses and the Salvation Army for assistance and support. Goonawarra Neighbourhood House manager Isabella Rosinsky said in the last six months the number of requests for food relief had increased dramatically.

“There is no doubt that cost of living is a factor, with some clients telling us they’ve never been in this situation before, and they hope it’s only temporary,” she said. “There is a great sense of embarrassment and shame among some of the clients. “There are five other food relief providers in Sunbury, but regardless, the demand keeps increasing. All the food relief programs operate on specific days only, which can be a challenge to clients.” Banksia Gardens Community Gardens manager Rana Tbaileh said this year the demand for support is huge and volunteers are working tirelessly to ensure that no one in the community goes without the essentials during

this challenging time. “On a weekly basis, we support 150-160 families every week from our centres in Broadmeadows and Meadow Heights,” she said. “The demand is increasing due to the rising cost of living. “People are even coming across from different LGAs [local government area] to our service to receive food relief.” Dallas Neighbourhood House manager Leanne Cacoyiannis said the increased demand is “really sad to see.” “There has been a heavily increased demand, due to the current financial situation the state is in. “We are supplying 130 parcels per week and

giving out food to people that are coming in day by day for emergency relief of food.” Additionally, the Salvation Army has ramped up its commitments to provide support to families in need. Salvation Army Major Rebecca Inglis said that the need for charity organisations this year is greater than ever across the state. “Christmas is the busiest time of year for The Salvation Army, and we consider it a privilege to be able to support individuals and families right across the country with gifts and toys to make their Christmas that bit more special,” she said. “Our hope at Christmas is for no one to have to do it alone.”

Residents discuss pokies

Mount Macedon Anzac Day Dawn Service attracts around 2000 people. (Supplied)

Honouring every role, every sacrifice Planning is now underway for the 2024 Mount Macedon Anzac Day Dawn Service, with the theme of ‘honouring every role, every sacrifice’ unveiled by the volunteer organising committee. This focus for next year’s event will showcase the different ways that Australians have served, and continue to serve, in wartime, conflict or peacekeeping. Mount Macedon Anzac Day Dawn Service (MMADDS) committee president Leona Latcham said the roles that constitute :service” are so varied. “Our minds often jump to the commonly represented images of those who served,” she

said. “Such as soldiers on the ground at the front line at the most familiar places of conflict throughout history, like Vietnam and Gallipoli. “We want to acknowledge the many ways that Australians work to serve and protect our country, from the mechanics who maintained the army’s fleet of vehicles to the peacekeepers in Rwanda. “The stories, sacrifices and contributions of all who served are powerful, important and deserving of our thanks and attention.” Ms Latcham said the committee wants to hear from any locals who may want to help out in the lead up to the event and on the day. “The event now attracts around 2000

attendees from the central Victorian region and also Melbourne and broader Victoria,” she said. “Many people don’t realise that the [service] is put together by a small, dedicated group of volunteers with the generous financial support from our sponsors. “On the day of the service, we have wonderful assistance from community groups including CFA, SES and Scouts, but we are always in need of additional hands to help coordinate.” With Christmas almost here, Ms Latcham said financial contributions can also be made to the event as a gift in somebody’s name. Details: mtmacedondawnservice@gmail. com

Residents from Romsey and surrounds gathered on Monday last week for a keep Romsey pokies free (KRPF) event. The KRPF committee held the event on December 11, at the Romsey Mechanics Institute, with a kitchen table discussions model featuring special guests. It follows the Romsey Football Netball Club’s application to the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission for approval of 50 gaming machines at the Romsey Hotel. Local resident Cassy Borthwick said about 60 people attended the event and there was a positive consensus. “We invited representatives of community organisations and businesses, and we had a diverse and good representation of the community,” she said. These groups included Sunbury Cobaw Community Health, the Victorian Alliance for Gambling reform, along with a performance from Three Sides of the Coin. Ms Borthwick said It’s important to have conversations about pokies because it is a big issue for the community. “It’s important that people engage in conversations and understand what the consequences are when approving something like this. “It’s important so that people can make informed decisions.” If residents want to learn more about KRPF or attend events planned for next year, Ms Borthwick said they can access the groups Facebook or Instagram pages. In February this year, the Romsey FNC committee announced its plan to reopen the Romsey Hotel. Owner and long-time hotelier Jim Hogan closed the pub in October 2017, leaving the town without a pub for the first time in more than 150 years. Details: https://shorturl.at/dMPQ9

Macedon Ranges plays its part to tackle climate change Macedon Ranges council has adopted its Climate Emergency Plan 2023-30 (the plan), with the aim of accelerating action to address climate change. Councillors moved the motion at a meeting on December 13, following council declaring a climate emergency on March 24, 2021. The plan includes 56 action across six themes of nurturing nature, climate ready communities, post fossil fuels, health and wellbeing, waste and the circular economy and response and recovery. Speaking to the motion, Cr Jennifer Anderson said feedback included the potential

to have stronger outcome measures and performance indicators for the plan. “What I really love about this document is it does cross reference all our existing strategies and policies, so it’s not going to sit in isolation,” she said. “It really is setting that collaboration scene to work in partnership and to support our community to be able to reduce their emissions and to address climate change. “Everyone has their part to play, but if we’re playing it together and we’re all acknowledging the way we can do this, we can achieve much more.”

12 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 19 December, 2023

Cr Mark Ridgeway moved the original climate emergency motion and said he has been looking forward to this plan since joining council. “There’s been a lot of work and action along the way, including the Cool Changes program, which has also largely driven a lot of the outcomes we’ve seen in this climate emergency plan,” he said. “[The plan] provides a way of looking at improving our council recovery and resilience programs, particularly in relation to emergencies and so forth which have been [ongoing]... and will probably get worse rather

than better.” The plan was released for community consultation from September 27 to October 27, resulting in minor amendments and community group advising of additional collaboration opportunities. Some of the key flagship actions proposed include a new climate action grant from council, a comprehensive integrated transport strategy, more community lead recovery opportunities, and a program to enable an equitable home energy transition for low income households. Zoe Moffatt

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MY PLACE Sixth generation Sunbury resident and ABC journalist turned author, Erina Reddan, chats to Zoe Moffatt about living in Sunbury and her new book. Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do? I am a Walkley Award-winning ex ABC foreign correspondent who now writes crime novels. What’s your connection to Sunbury? My family on both sides have lived here for six generations. I grew up on a farm between Diggers Rest and Bulla and after living in Sydney for over twelve years and travelling the world as a foreign correspondent, when we had our two kids we decided to bring them up here. What do you like about where you live? I love its old wineries and bluestone buildings, its bike paths and cafes. How many small towns get a book shop and a cinema? We’re so lucky. Author Erina Reddan with her book. (Damjan Janevski) 371085_01

Where is your favourite local place to spend time? The bush along Deep Creek up past the Wetlands. Pure Magic.

Your book, Deep in the Forest, is now available in bookshops. Tell us about it and your writing journey? Deep in the Forest is all about secrets, lies and

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But the message leads to Charli making a grisly discovery. Being an outsider, Charli’s an easy target to frame so she has to do her own investigation into what has really happened, uncovering dark and terrible secrets. She ends up not only happening to prove her innocence but running from a fate worse than death. Deep in the Forest was inspired by a local religious community in the Macedon Ranges. It’s a book with a lot of twists and turns with a shocking conclusion that nobody sees coming.

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cults. Charli is an ostracised young woman, desperate to get out of Stone Lake, an imagined town in the Victorian highlands, but before she can leave, she gets this cryptic message from somebody who lives behind the locked gates of The Sanctuary, a local closed religious community nestled in the forest. The town’s people love The Sanctuary because its organic produce and artisanal furniture bring a lot of tourists into the town when so many rural towns are dying.

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Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you? I was the only Australian journalist invited to the nuclear test site just minutes after a nuclear bomb was detonated in Muroroa, French Polynesia.

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What, if anything, would you change about where you live? I do not like the cranky magpie that is a terrible swooper, just outside our gate in spring. I’d also love to have a kind of culture club in Sunbury where artists, musicians, writers and people who are interested in story telling can get together.

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Man accused of ignoring alerts By William Ton and Kaitlyn Offer, AAP A man charged with killing five people after a car rammed into a pub beer garden is accused of ignoring repeated alerts to treat his low glucose levels for almost an hour before the crash. William Swale, 66, was charged with five counts of culpable driving causing death, two counts of negligently causing serious injury and seven counts of reckless conduct endangering life. Emergency services responded to reports an SUV mounted the kerb and hit several patrons on the front lawn area of the Royal Daylesford Hotel just after 6pm on November 5. Pratibha Sharma, 44, her daughter Anvi, 9,

and partner Jatin Kumar, 30, and their friend Vivek Bhatia, 38, and his son Vihaan, 11, all died. The Mount Macedon man appeared in Melbourne’s Magistrate Court via video link from a police station last week. In his summary to the court, Sergeant Peter Romanis said Swale had been returning from a clay shooting tournament in Clunes when he stopped in Daylesford. Swale, who was diagnosed with diabetes in 1994, was wearing a blood glucose monitoring device which sends an alert to his phone when his glucose levels are outside the normal range. It is alleged he scanned his blood glucose levels at 5.17pm on the day which returned a low reading and an alarm sounded one minute later indicating he should check his levels.

CCTV footage showed him entering a restaurant opposite the pub a few minutes later asking for a table but he returned to his car as there were none available, Sergeant Romanis told the court. Swale was then seen on CCTV at 5.42pm driving his car around the area, performing a U-turn to drive down another street, before it crashed into the pub patrons about 6pm. Prosecutors alleged he received and ignored nine alerts leading up to the crash. “The decision to return to his vehicle and continue to drive whilst knowing his blood glucose levels were low and without sourcing the required treatment has caused catastrophic and fatal consequences for all the families involved,“ Sergeant Romanis said. Swale’s defence lawyer said his client often

monitored his glucose levels and put to the police informant the possibility Swale was already in the midst of a medical episode. Swale’s decisions caused catastrophic and fatal consequences for the families, the prosecutor said. “Other than he had a low reading, you don’t know whether he was in a position to adequately understand the reading,“ the defence said. “We don’t know what condition he was in other than that he was driving, performing U-turns and went to a restaurant.“ He pointed to his client’s clean criminal history barring more than 30 driving infringements. Swale was remanded in police custody until his bail hearing on Friday.

YOUR SAY Hope for re-think Regarding the article ‘Help keep koalas safe’ (Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Star Weekly December 5 ) and the mention of Donalds Road, Woodend. I know for a fact there are many koalas travelling back and forth across this road. The road is a hilly, narrow residential road with a speed limit of 100km. Myself and others have contacted council and VicRoads over the years to ask for it to be reduced to 60km. The reply is there have been no human fatalities. Perhaps the safety of koalas using this road will prompt a re-think on the 100km speed limit At the moment the road is dangerous for koalas, school children and people exiting their driveways. Have a look and see how bizarre the current speed limit is. Rose Latimer, Woodend.

Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas with the Woodend Primary School community. (Supplied)

Children’s garden benefits trickle down Woodend Primary School’s community children’s garden has had benefits trickle in, with a new irrigation system set to save valuable time ahead of the school holidays. In partnership with Woodend Landcare, the school was awarded $3780 from Greater Western Water for a new irrigation system with a timer. The garden has been a feature of the school for about 15 years and the watering previously took place with a roster of students and volunteers. Volunteer community garden coordinator

Nicole Middleton said they are very grateful for the new irrigation system which will help them continue to grow a range of produce while educating the students. “We grow lots of things like potatoes, broad beans, leaks and berries, and there’s a sensory garden and an indigenous garden,” she said. “[The garden] gets the kids outside doing team work, and a big focus is about learning to grow produce and the life cycle of the plants. “[Another focus] is trying new foods and then we let some go to seed, so the kids can see the flowers and pollination.”

Ms Middleton said the irrigation system will allow the plants to be watered deeper, which will help them survive hotter days. “It will be fabulous because the garden is run on tank water so efficient use of water is essential,” she said. “During school holidays it’s hard to get people at school to water [the garden at the best times].” Ms Middleton they are very thankful for the funding and the help from Woodend Landcare.

HAVE YOUR SAY Star Weekly welcomes letters to the editor as well as comments and story tips on our websites and Facebook pages. Post: Corner Thomsons Road and Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park, 3042 Email: westletters@starweekly.com.au Web: starweekly.com.au Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Zoe Moffatt

‘Sense of belonging’: Inclusive support for Macedon schools Macedon and Mount Macedon primary schools will receive funding for inclusive play areas and sensory gardens, as part of the inclusive schools fund. Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas announced the round nine recipients on December 8, which will take a share in more than $9 million. Macedon Primary School will receive $297,773 for an inclusive adventure track space, which will support students with diverse learning needs by engaging them in opportunities to play and regulate their emotions through the outdoors.

Mount Macedon Primary School will receive $268,942 for an inclusive playground and sensory area, which includes a diverse range of play experiences, adaptable equipment, and sensory elements. Mount Macedon wellbeing and inclusion coordinator Olivia Desormeaux said the funding will be transformative for the school. “This support is a game-changer, enhancing our commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive environment that addresses the diverse needs of all our young people,” she said. “It means fostering a sense of belonging and

14 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 19 December, 2023

well-being for every member of our school community.” Ms Desormeaux said the outdoor inclusive learning space will go beyond traditional play areas. “This outdoor space will serve as a hub for socialisation, skill development, and learning through play. “Adaptable equipment and sensory elements play a crucial role in creating an inclusive learning environment. “It’s about fostering an environment where every child feels valued and can thrive

emotionally, socially and academically.” Since the program’s establishment, about 420 creative projects have been funded, with nearby Daylesford Primary School also receiving funding in this latest round. Ms Thomas said the funding will help to ensure every Macedon child can meet their potential and access great education. “[This is] regardless of their background, abilities or differences,” she said. “I’m thrilled that Daylesford, Macedon and Mount Macedon students are getting the full range of benefits from these upgrades.”

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No jail plea after friend’s death A Victorian woman who killed her best friend after crashing into a pole while high on cannabis has asked to be spared jail time. Jessica Glennie, 24, was driving with Janelle Noonan-Long in Diggers Rest just before midnight on September 25, 2021, when she lost control of her car. The driver’s side of the Holden ute crashed into an electricity pole on Plumpton Road and the car flipped onto its roof before landing upright. Ms Noonan-Long was crushed by the ute’s roof and pronounced dead at the scene, while Glennie needed to be airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries. Glennie cried throughout her plea hearing

in the Victorian County Court on Tuesday, December 12, where she admitted dangerous driving causing her best friend’s death. She also pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence of cannabis. Her lawyer Naomi Smith said the 24-year-old loved Ms Noonan-Long and was acutely aware she was to blame for her death. “She made me a better person,” Glennie said in a statement through her lawyer. “It’s hard for me to think of a future without her.” Ms Noonan-Long’s family also made victim impact statements to the court, describing their ongoing grief after losing their beautiful, kind-loving soul. The victim and her partner Taylah Modrich

had been planning to start a family together, but that was taken away from them. “Losing Janelle has not only stolen the joy from the present but also cast a shadow over the future,” Ms Modrich said in her statement. Glennie cannot remember the day of the crash nor explain what caused her to lose control of the vehicle. Evidence showed the ute was in good condition, the road was clear and Glennie had not been speeding. There was 3ml of cannabis found in Glennie’s blood sample after the crash. Ms Smith said Glennie had been diagnosed with cannabis use disorder, major depression and anxiety.

The 24-year-old also had a four-year-old son with developmental delays to whom she was the primary carer, Ms Smith said. The defence counsel urged Judge Peter Lauritsen not to send Glennie to jail, and said her already ailing physical and mental health would suffer in custody. Being separated from her son would also be detrimental to her health and the young boy’s development, Ms Smith said. The prosecution called for a jail term to be handed down alongside a community corrections order. Judge Lauritsen will hand down his sentence in February, with Glennie’s bail extended to her next court date. –AAP

Off to VCAT

Principal Matthew Forrest and Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas staying sun safe. (Supplied)

Sun smart students making waves Macedon Primary School has been celebrated for 23 years of promoting sun safe practices. With summer now here, the sun’s ultraviolet radiation (UV) is already reaching high levels and means it’s important to take steps to protect children from harmful UV radiation exposure. Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas recently visited the school to acknowledge its ongoing commitment to skin cancer prevention and the importance of continuing sun protection. “We are so lucky in Macedon to have fantastic outdoor places where people can connect, be active and explore,” she said.

“We want to ensure everyone enjoys the great outdoors by being sun safe and follow the lead of Macedon Primary School. “The good SunSmart behaviours children learn in primary school do influence their parents and carers’ sun protection behaviour as well, so you can’t underestimate the influence of schools on preventing skin cancer.” SunSmart Victoria head Emma Glassenbury said the SunSmart Schools Program currently reaches about 462,000 Victorian children and families. “Together with schools like Macedon

Primary School, SunSmart has reduced the significant burden of skin cancer,” she said. “In Victoria we have seen a decline in melanoma rates in Victorians under 50 years and the good SunSmart practices we see in primary schools across the state have undoubtedly contributed to this. “We know skin cancer is largely preventable, with UV radiation being the leading cause of at least 95 per cent of skin cancers, including melanoma.” Ms Glassenbury said more than two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime.

Coliban Water will appeal its new Kyneton Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) licence at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, it announced on December 13. Managing Director Damian Wells said it was in the best interest of the customers to exercise the right to appeal at VCAT. This follows the technical and legal assessment of the new operating licence received from the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) last week, and Coliban’s ability to comply with these conditions, he said. “We submitted our licence amendment application in May 2022 where we are proposing to ‘lock-in’ new environmental performance standards consistent with our new environment and sustainability policy. “We are long-run custodians of the Campaspe River water cycle and we stand behind the environmental credentials of our recent work at Kyneton where we acknowledged historical non-compliance issues. “ Coliban Water said it has, together with its recycled water partners, invested more than $20 million at the site over the past three years, to deliver a dramatic step-change in environmental performance. Coliban Water is seeking further ecological and scientific evidence and justification from the EPA to support their decisions in relation to the new operating licence conditions, it said. “In what should be a 42-day process, the decision took in excess of 500 days which has been extremely disappointing”, Mr Wells said. “Our licence amendment application contained an evidence-based environmental risk assessment and supporting documentation that demonstrated our proposal would not create an unacceptable environmental risk to the Campaspe River.”

Championing one idea at a time across the Hume region As 2023 wraps up, Hume council has taken a look back at the success of its Enviro Champs program, and the recent launch of a children’s garden at the Sunbury Community Garden. The successful launch, which took place in November, was filled with planting, kids activities and family fun. It wouldn’t have been possible without Enviro Champ graduate Angela Cook-Lee. Ms Cook-Lee completed the free 10 session course after becoming a Sunbury Community Garden member at the start of the year. “It was suggested I get the [children’s] garden going through the Hume Enviro Champs Program,” she said.

“So I went into it with what I wanted to achieve, and I found it super helpful in terms of giving me ideas on how things actually worked… and what the process is.” At a time where we’re told we can all make a difference, Ms Cook-Lee said making that a reality still requires the knowledge of how to have it all run smoothly. “There was more to [creating the garden] than I had realised and so getting a lot of support and advice on how to make it work and how to get it out to the community [was important],” she said. Along with the support and information from idea to launch, another useful take-away

for Ms Cook-Lee was access to start-up money as seed funding for her idea. This has resulted in the free kids gardening club, The Little Ladybirds, operating on the first and third Sundays of the month at Sunbury Community Garden. “I believe strongly in kids getting out, learning to grow food, healthy eating, knowing where food comes from. “Money is the next thing we need. We have enthusiasm, but we need resources and things for the kids to be able to do.” She recommends anyone else with even the smallest thoughts about the environment or sustainability should consider getting involved.

Children’s garden launch at the Sunbury Community Garden. (Supplied)

Tuesday, 19 December, 2023 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 15

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Above: Henry enjoying a freshly picked purple carrot. (Supplied) Above right: Patrick gets amongst the toys.

The children have been able to take some produce home to enjoy with their families. (Supplied)

Henry enjoying the outdoors.

Plant and play fun Goonawarra’s youngest residents have been busy in the garden this year, with a neighborhood house play group aimed to grow their knowledge. The sessions take place every Tuesday 9.30-11am at Goonawarra Neighborhood House, with the children learning about the journey of growing and harvesting food. Throughout the year, the children have even been able to take some produce home to enjoy with their families. The playgroup facilitator is on hand at every session to keep the kids entertained with play activities, while the keen volunteer gardener teaches them basic gardening skills. Bookings for term one are now open. Details: https://www.goonawarranh.com.au/

Lucas and Jude having fun at Goonawarra Neighbourhood House. (Pictures: Damjan Janevski) 377813

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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

Sunbury Seniors Sunbury Seniors (55 or older) meet on Mondays and Fridays at 8 O’Shanassy Street, Sunbury, from 10am-3pm. A variety of activities are offered – indoor bowls, cards, snooker, guest speakers, day excursions, subsidised lunches or just a cup of coffee and a chat. ■ 0434 400 754

This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of fans at the Werribee Cup patting the steward’s horse. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 379743_01

Probus Club Of Sunbury Join the Probus Club of Sunbury on the first Wednesday of the month at the Sunbury Bowling club at 9.30am. It’s a friendly men’s group open to visitors and new members, with a number of great events held each month. ■ Greg, 0417 593 035

CWA Woodend Eves The CWA Woodend Eves Branch is part of the Central Highlands group and meets every third Tuesday at 7pm at the Woodend Neighbourhood house. All women are welcome. ■ cwawoodendeves@gmail.com

Hume Men’s Shed The Hume Men’s Shed (Sunbury) is a non for profit organisation, meeting every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at 158 Evans Street Sunbury. The group caters for men be it carpentry, welding, metal work, gardening or just to chat. ■ sunburymensshed.com or 0438 677 425

Drop-in guitar Bring your guitar and your favourite sheet music and join an informal guitar session for adults. Share songs and learn new ones, all skill sets welcome. Tuesdays, 9am-noon, at Sunbury Neighbourhood House, 531 Elizabeth Drive Sunbury. ■ www.sunburyhouse.com.au

Sunbury Badminton Club The Sunbury Badminton Club plays social games on Tuesdays and Wednesdays nights from 7.30pm to 9.30 pm, and on Wednesdays 10am to 12pm. Monday night is a Round Robin competition from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. All welcome to attend at Clarke Oval Stadium 49 Riddell Road. ■ sunburybc@gmail.com

Sunbury Ladies Probus Club The Sunbury Ladies Probus Club meets at 9.30am on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Sunbury Football Social Club rooms. ■ Pat, 0433 789 754, or Sylvia, 0417 170 142

Sunbury Combined Probus Club The Sunbury Combined Probus Club meets every fourth Thursday of the month at the Sunbury Football Social Club at 10am. ■ Carmel, 0416 477 271

One Voice Sunbury community choir rehearses each Tuesday from 6.30pm at Goonawarra Neighbourhood House. Fun and welcoming choir, new members welcome, no prior singing experience required. Just join in the fun. ■ sunbury@withonevoice.org.au

Chill Out Sunbury Chill Out Sunbury is a free event for 12 and 18 years old to participate in activities such as trivia, games, and more. Happening every Wednesday, 3.30-5.30pm at the Sunbury Youth Centre, 51-53 Evans Street. ■ https://bit.ly/3lmVgVhv

Delve into deeper topics and enjoy intriguing conversations by joining the Table 8 Discussion Group. Chats every Tuesday from 10.30-11.30am at Macedon Lounge, 40 Victoria Street, Macedon. ■ Carol, 0431 186 575

Family History and Heritage Society If you’ve got a hankering to learn more about Sunbury and your own family history, come along to meetings at 1.30pm on the third Thursday of each month at the Sunbury Senior Citizens Centre, 8 O’Shanassy Street, Sunbury. ■ https://bit.ly/3jvM6oJ

Rotary club Sunbury Ladies Badminton Club Come along and be part of Sunbury Ladies Badminton Club and enjoy the benefits of physical activity. Social games are on Mondays, 9.30am- noon, and team competitions are on Thursdays, 9.30am-12.30pm at Eric Boardman Stadium, Wilsons Lane. ■ sunburylbc@gmail.com

Ladies probus The Woodlands Ladies Probus Club of Sunbury meets on the fourth Monday of each month at the Sunbury Bowling Club at 9.45am. ■ Leonie, 0401 764 182

The Sunbury Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at the Ball Court Hotel, 60 Macedon Street, Sunbury from 7pm. ■ sunburyrotary@gmail.com

Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Toastmasters helps its members develop their public speaking, communication and leadership skills. The group meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month, from 7.20-9.30pm, at the Sunbury Senior Citizens Hall. ■ vpm-4185@toastmastersclubs.org

Jacksons Creek Combined Probus The club meets on the second Monday of each month at the Sunbury Football Club at 10am. This friendly group of men and women enjoy outings and meetings each month and twice yearly trips away staying in cabins and caravans. Visitors and new members are warmly welcomed ■ Doug 5428 3317, or Teresa 0417 373 006

Connect with other carers in your local area, share a light lunch, have a chat at noon on the first Wednesday of the month. Head to Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health, 1 Caroline Chisholm Drive, Kyneton. ■ 0491 174 550, or rebecca.lees@scchc.org.au

HarmoniX Vocal Company All-male singing group happening on

Bring your instrument or your voice to a social group for adults. Songs with lyrics and chords can be viewed on the big screen, all skill sets welcome. Wednesdays 9am-noon, at Sunbury Neighbourhood House, 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury. ■ www.sunburyhouse.com.au

Local camera club The Macedon Ranges Photographic Society is your local camera club for friendship, photographic outings, workshops, guest presenters, competitions and more. Meetings on the first Tuesday of the month, followed by the next Monday. Doors open at 7pm, meeting starts at 7.30pm at Dromkeen, 1012 Kilmore Road, Riddells Creek. ■ https://bit.ly/41j5BEw

Breast cancer support group Craft and conversation Head down to the Sunbury Library on Mondays at noon for the craft and conversation group. The program is free and open to people aged 15 years and older. ■ https://bit.ly/39BIu2O

On the first and third Tuesday of the month breast cancer survivors are invited to head along to the Gisborne Golf Club at 10.30am to take part in a breast cancer support group. ■ Lesley, 0484 691 226

Village connect Sunbury Art Society

Carer connect chat

craft items. Every Tuesday at 1pm-3pm during school terms, all welcome. Sunbury Neighbourhood House, 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury. ■ www.sunburyhouse.com.au

Music and Singalong Toastmasters

Come have a chat One Voice Sunbury

Thursday, 7- 9.30pm in Sunbury, with a mixed choir, DynamiX Vocal Company, rehearsing Tuesday. 7-9.30pm. Rehearse at Dulap Wilim Hub, Leichardt Street, Sunbury. No auditions required. ■ harmonixvcinc@gmail.com

The Sunbury Art Society meets each Friday and Saturday from 10am-3pm at the Boilerhouse, Jacksons Hill, to paint or draw over a cuppa with other like minded people. ■ Ken, 0407 062 568, or Robyn, 0438 383 639

Enjoy free coffee and cake while connecting with fellow Macedon Ranges residents 55 years old and older. Happening on Tuesdays and Thursday at cafes across the municipality. ■ https://bit.ly/3AMUrxm, or 5422 0262

Arts and games night Crafternoon Get crafty over a cuppa at a social group for adults. Some supplies and equipment are available or bring your own projects and

Get creative at the Sunbury Youth Centre each Wednesday from 3.30-5.30pm. The free program is for people aged 12 to 18 years old, at 51-53 Evans Street, Sunbury.

Tuesday, 19 December, 2023 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 17

PUZZLES Slump (6) Support (4,2) Purchaser (5) Everyday people – literally ‘the many’ in Greek (3,6) Spaciousness (9) Bumbling (5) Habitations (6) Stopper (4) Show sullenness (4) Large monkey (6) Beautiful maiden in Muslim paradise (5) Competitor (9) Heights (9) Happen (5) Guarantee (6) Knowledgeable (6)

easy

5 2

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

8 5 6 9

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

10 11 12 13

U J N Z A H Y S R B X WC 2

9-LETTER WORD 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”.

Today’s Aim: 18 words: Good 27 words: Very good

delving, DEVOLVING, devon, dive, dove, envoi, evil, evolving, give, given, glove, gloved, involve, involved, levin, live, lived, liven, love, loved, loving, novel, olive, oven, ovine, veil, vein, vend, vide, video, vied, vile, vine, viol, void, voile, vole

WORDFIT 3 LETTERS AIL ARE ATE BOG BRA DOE DUO EGO EKE ELM END ICE LID MOD NET ORE PEA PEG PRO PRY SIP TIN

No. 164

3 2 1 & + 2

ANTIC ARMED AROMA AVERT AWARD AWOKE BEARS CACAO CADET CARED COCOA EDGED EJECT ENROL FEAST FRUIT GAITS GLINT GOATS HIKER IDEAL

4 LETTERS ACTS DRUM ERAS HAND KISS NECK OGRE RAIN SASH STAB 5 LETTERS ACTED ADOBE ALIBI ALOFT

IVIES LOCAL MUDDY NURSE ODOUR OPERA PARSE PASSE PASTA RACER RASPS RINSE RIVAL ROBOT RODEO ROUND SEEDY SLEDS SLIMS STUNT TABLE

TALES UPSET 6 LETTERS BEAGLE CEASES GRAPES PLEATS PONCHO REAPER 7 LETTERS KEELING NEAREST

OPPOSES PERFUME SECTION STUTTER 8 LETTERS ANTENNAS AVOCADOS RESPONSE RETURNED 10 LETTERS DETERRENTS SEPARATING

22-12-23

No. 164 Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down. NOTE: more than one solution may be possible

E D S

G G E D U S E D S I D E A N G E

18 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 19 December, 2023

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

F A R

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

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

V E

Q K D P GME F V O L T I

37 words: Excellent

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

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

hard

medium

easy

5x5

hard

No. 164

7 2 9 6 4 5 4 3 7 5 8

2 4

DECODER

Residential (8) Contradictory or incongruous phrase (8)

19 21 22 23 26

DOWN 1 2

25 27 28 29 30

12 13 14 15 19 20 24

5 6 7 8 9 16 17 18

3 5

A compound consisting of carbon and a metallic or semimetallic element (7) Rampaging (7) Simple lifting contraption (6) Indicates (6) Footwear (4) Foremost (7) Candied citrus peel (7) Leads an orchestra (8) A wavelength that sits outside the visible spectrum (8) Hint (7) Paint thinner (7) Part of a sentence (6) Fancy hotel rooms (6) Roost (4)

ACROSS 1 4 10 11

No. 164

QUICK QUIZ

In what city would you find the world’s deepest swimming pool?

In which year did King Edward VIII abdicate the British throne?

How many Lisbon sisters are there in Jeffrey Eugenides’ novel The Virgin Suicides?

Sana’a is the capital of which country?

And who directed the film adaptation released in 2000?

What food is made by coagulating soy milk?

The face of which 1980s movie character was supposedly modelled after poet Carl Sandburg, Albert Einstein and a pug dog?

Which musician released the single Starman in 1972?

What is the longest-serving lighthouse in Australia?

10 In the original Knight Rider TV series starring David Hasselhoff (pictured), what did the car’s name, KITT, stand for?

ANSWERS: 1. Dubai 2. Five 3. Sofia Coppola 4. E.T. 5. David Bowie 6. The Macquarie Lighthouse 7. 1936 8. Yemen 9. Tofu 10. Knight Industries Two Thousand

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

QUICK CROSSWORD

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

No. 164

SUDOKU

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Notice of intention to construct inlet works and sewer connections This is a notice under section 175 of the Water Act 1989 (Vic). Due to population growth Greater Western Water intends to replace the existing inlet works at the Riddells Creek Recycled Water Plant, construct necessary sewer connections, and carry out required construction works. These construction works would ļɪŧŘǵхƺȕưŧǠǨхļưşхƺŘŘǽǝƎŧǠǨхļǵх Sutherlands Road and Websters Road Riddells Creek and properties directly adjacent to the Recycled Water Plant. You can inspect information about the plans for the intended works on Greater Western Water’s website at yoursay.gww.com.au/ riddellscreekrwp

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Tuesday, 19 December, 2023 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 19

MOTOR STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Volvo XC60, there’s plenty to like By Derek Ogden, Marque Motoring What’s in a name? Plenty for Volvo, the Sino-Swedish car maker with its new mid-size luxury SUV, the XC60, tagged with a string of descriptors to separate each model from one another. Take, for example, our test vehicle, the Volvo XC60 Ultimate B5 Bright: phew! And that mouthful comes without mentioning vital specifications such as the powertrain – in this case 2-litre turbocharged, four-cylinder petrol engine, plus eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. ‘Ultimate’ relates to the trim level, B5 to the engine, a turbocharged petrol motor enhanced by a standard 48V mild hybrid system to achieve higher fuel economy and lower emissions, while ‘Bright’ (or ‘Dark’) refers to core design elements. While Volvo is now owned by Geely Automobile, a major automotive brand based in China, the XC60 exhibits sleek Scandinavian styling, efficient four-cylinder engines and quality cabin ambiance. Range-topping Ultimate trim gets matrix LED headlights, 20in alloy wheels, adaptive dampers, air suspension, a head-up display, a powered passenger’s seat, power-folding rear headrests and a panoramic roof. While Volvo was initially slow to catch up, a move to a longer five-year warranty and fixed-price servicing puts the XC60 on a par with the opposition.

Styling Apart from the Volvo front grille and Thor’s Hammer headlamp display, the XC60 Ultimate is pretty much out of the standard premium SUV catalogue design-wise. For example, the vehicle shows off pleasing, if not striking, dimensions from all directions. The Bright theme of the test vehicle is standard, keeping the same exterior elements as the core model while the Dark theme, offered at no extra cost, gives new Volvo vehicles a sportier appearance inspired by the former R-Design model by replacing the chrome accents with black elements and making way for a more aggressive stance.

The refreshed Volvo XC60 continues to hold its place high in the mid-size premium SUV market. (Pictures: Supplied)

Interior With its ‘driftwood decor’ inlay inspired by the natural forces of water, wind and waves, the XC60 is a genuine five-seater, with optional Nappa leather accented front seats including seat ventilation and optional ten-point massage. A panoramic sunroof allows natural light to flood in, creating a feeling of space for everyone in the cabin. A word about the gearshift. Situated on the centre console it’s hard to ignore this genuine work of art. A product of Swedish crystal glass manufacturer Orrefors, according to Volvo, it’s all about capturing light to produce a warm feeling for the user more used to freezing weather conditions. Verdict: Tactile and easy to operate, it also works well in the Aussie subtropical environment.

Infotainment Those out of touch with the latest tablet-style automobile info systems, may find the XC60 set-up a little testing to start with. In keeping with the minimalist theme of the cabin the centrally positioned touchscreen is the key to control – buttons, knobs and dials are few and far between. Persevere, people. The upside is easy access to no-nonsense voice commands. With Google on hand to supply helpful features, the star of the show is undoubtedly an optional Bowers and Wilkins 1410W hi-fi audio system with 15 speakers and subwoofer tuned to cabin architecture to deliver impressive surround sound for all occupants. What’s more, the space can be transformed into varying room modes, including Studio, Individual Stage, Concert Hall or Jazz Club, via advanced acoustic technology.

Engines/transmissions Since 2013, Volvo Cars petrol and diesel engines for most markets around the world

AT A GLANCE MODEL RANGE Volvo XC60 Plus B5: $72,990 Volvo XC60 Ultimate B5 Bright: $79,990 Volvo XC60 Ultimate B6 Dark: $86,990 Volvo XC60 Ultimate T8 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid: $101,990 SPECIFICATIONS Volvo XC60 Ultimate B5 Bright 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder petrol, 8sp automatic, AWD SUV

have been made at their Skövde, Sweden, facility. Asian-market Volvo cars have had their engines produced at the Zhangjiakou, China, plant since 2016. The latter is the case for the XC60 in Australia with a 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 183 kW of peak power at 5400 rpm and 350 Nm of torque at 1800 rpm via an eight-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels.

Safety Volvo has built its brand on being a leader in vehicle safety – it developed the three-point lap/sash seat belt and shared it around, for example – so it’s no surprise that XC60 safety is five stars. Features include assisted cruise control, auto braking and parking, lane assist, blind spot alert and rear parking camera. A head-up display delivers speed, turn-by-turn navigation, and more. The brightness of the display adapts automatically to light conditions and can be set to suit personal preferences.

20 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 19 December, 2023

Driving Settling into any of the five seats on offer in the Volvo XC60 can be achieved with the minimum of fuss, none requiring a tall step up as in some SUVs. Shoulder space and leg room also are up in class. Firing the engine requires a turn of a centre-console situated switch, and it’s the same process for shutting it down. It’s a repeat to shut off the motor. Typically, of a Volvo, the XC60 offers comfortable, quiet and smooth riding, from the stop/start city commute to motorway cruising. The mild hybrid system unnoticeably doing its bit for added performance. Expect the XC60 Ultimate B5 Bright MHEV to use close to 7.6 litres per 100 kilometres of premium unleaded petrol in the combined urban/highway cycle while putting out 174g of carbon dioxide. The car’s active chassis with air suspension constantly adjusts ride height and adapts the shock absorbers to enhance stability and deliver a dynamic and refined ride with maximum energy efficiency at high speeds.

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

And on demand, Off Road mode can increase ground clearance. Steering, especially, provided positive feedback, while braking – ventilated disc front and rear – chipped in with the benefit of ‘B’ mode, harnessing engine braking to feed off kinetic energy produced when the foot is off the brake. Additionally, creep feature can help at low speed, for example in traffic queues or car parks. When active, the car moves slowly without use of the accelerator pedal.

Summary While the XC60 is well advanced with present-day automotive technology, it’s worth remembering that Volvo aims to go fully electric in Australia by 2026, four years before it does in the rest of the world. While the award-winning luxury mid-size SUV deserves a look now, it may be worth waiting to greet the new era.

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

SPORT

Back on the winners list

Gayan Welikalage (Ljubica Vrankovic)

Sunbury remain positive Sunbury are continuing to build towards its first win of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 2 season, however it will now have to come after the mid-season break. While captain-coach Kevin Barker is assured his club’s first win is just around the corner, it continues to be tough going with Sunbury going down again over the weekend, this time to Tullamarine. Sunbury lost the toss and was sent to the field on a batters friendly wicket on Saturday, with Tullamarine putting up a first innings score of 182 from its 40 overs. However, Sunbury were unable to chase the runs down as the wicket lost its speed and

bounce, being bowled out for 142 from 36 overs. “It’s the same kind of story we got off to a pretty good start and we just weren’t able to get it done in the end,” Barker said. “It was a bat first wicket, they batted pretty well and it just got a bit slower and lower as the day went on and made it a little bit harder to chase but 190 was definitely gettable if at least one of our batters would have gone on. “We learn a few lessons from this game, as far as I’m concerned we’re building, each week we’re doing something a little bit better. “I thought we were really good in the field, it was a really good batting wicket, first innings, so to keep them to 180 was a pretty good result. Pretty good performances from Gayan

Woodend gets a win Woodend got a much needed win to sit in the top four at the Christmas break in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup. Facing Rupertswood, Woodend showed some positive signs with first the bat and then the ball to come away with a good win. Woodend coach Greg Matthews said they’ve had an OK start to the season. “We would have liked to have been a bit higher on the ladder,” he said. “The game we lost against the Kangaroos we felt like it was one that we should have won. “The Sunbury United game we were in a relatively good position on day one and we were confident that we could roll them in the second week, but it wasn’t to be.” Matthews said Saturday’s match with Rupertswood was a must win for them. Woodend made 8-215 from its overs. Marcus Stewart top scored with 83. Matthews said like they had for much of the season, they had started well with the bat, but this time the middle order stood up as well. “We were pretty happy with that,” he said. “The oval was a bit slower than usual. “We thought 215 was about right. We made a good start before losing a couple of wickets. “After the opening partnership we are generally not taking advantage of the good starts. This time Marcus Stewart and Hayden Ingleton stepped up and got the run rate going. It was a defendable score.” For Rupertswood, Joel Muir, John Lane and Ned Crotty took two wickets each. Matthews said the aim for the group was to bowl Rupertswood out, something they’ve had struggles with this season. It would be a massive step forward, with Rupertswood bowled out for 113 in 27.2 overs. Max Howell made 42 in a lone hand for Rupo. “They came out pretty quickly with the bat,” Matthews said. “We were able to hold our nerve.

[Welikalage], Indika [Massalage] and even Jack McGann did a really good job towards the end.” It’s a good time for a rest at Sunbury, with hopes the team can re-set and snatch their first win quickly after the break “The guys have been working really hard, we completely changed our training structure, people are doing things a lot differently to the way that they’ve been done in the past and it’s been a long time, four or five months because we started training in July so guys are probably ready for a bit of a rest,” Barker said. “Everything’s still pretty good though, the vibe is good, standards are still good, it’s just that elusive win and unfortunately the longer it takes to get one the harder it seems to be.”

Club Sunbury bounced back in fine fashion against Aberfeldie CBC on Saturday in the Bowls Victoria weekend pennant division 1, section 1 competition. Coming off its second loss of the season, Sunbury had little trouble against Aberfeldie, winning 104 (16)-71 (2). Marc Bullows’ rink won 27-12, Paul Cullis’ rink won 24-20 and Mark Cowan’s rink won 31-14. Lee Wesley’s rink suffered a 25-23 loss. After 10 rounds, Sunbury has seven of the top 10 players on the player ladder. Sunbury remains in second spot, now only nine points behind Brunswick which suffered its first loss of the season on Saturday to Glenroy in a one-sided affair. Sunbury sits nine points ahead of third placed Flemington Kensington and 20 clear of fourth placed Glenroy. The gap back to fifth is 49 points. The competition will now have a break over Christmas and won’t resume until January 20. In the Ballarat Highlands Bowls Region Highlanders competition. Kyneton sits on top at the break, eight points clear of Romsey. Kyneton Golf and Kilmore round out the top four. On Saturday, Kyneton got the win against Trentham, Romsey was too strong for Gisborne, Kyneton Golf beat Broadford by one shot and Lanceifeld was too strong for Kilmore. Tara Murray

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“We got a few quick wickets and put the middle order under pressure. We kept the pressure on to finish the job and bowled them out. Warren Else and Hayden Ingleton took four wickets each. In a big plus for Woodend, Tom Robson returned from an ankle injury. Matthews said Robson played a massive role in their bowling line up and had he played more games, they could have had a couple more wins on the board. Woodend sits in fourth spot at the break. It faces the Sunbury Kangaroos and Sunbury United after the break. Matthews said both matches were must win. In other results, Romsey proved too strong for the Sunbury Kangaroos. The Redbacks, who are undefeated, made 9-208 from their overs with the Kangaroos finishing 8-160 in reply. An undefeated Gisborne had no issues in accounting for Diggers Rest Bulla. The Dragons made 8-290 on the back of 136 from Warren Kelly. The Burras could only muster 116 in reply. Sunbury United also had a big win, beating Macedon. United made 9-227, with the Cats bowled out for 152 in the second last over. Tara Murray

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Warriors trials exceed expectations A former Melbourne Vixen and a past Victorian Netball League best and fairest winner headline the Western Warriors inaugural squad. More than 100 people turned up for the Warriors trials for their championship and under-23 sides, a number that exceeded all expectations. Warriors coach Kim Bailey said they had been thrilled with the response for the team that will be based in Melton. “We had large numbers,” Bailey said. “We had 100 players and we were able to put together two really good sides and put together two development sides. “We knew we had interest but we didn’t realise that much interest. We’re in the middle of a growth area and there were lots of local girls, football-netball girls from the district. “It gives them another alternative in the inner west. We go right up to Ballarat and even further.” Bailey said the championship side had a real mix of experience and youth. Former Melbourne Vixen Kim Borger, who has been named the Warriors under-23 coach,

will play in the championship side. She will be joined in the shooting circle by Julia Woolley and Akira McCormack. Woolley has previously won the VNL championship most valuable player award at the Geelong Cougars, also previously played with the City West Falcons. McCormack, who has been playing with Melton South in the Ballarat Netball League, was named best on court in last season’s VNL under-19 grand final while playing for Melbourne University. Simona Di Filippo, who won the BNL best and fairest award last season while playing for the Sunbury Lions, will be a key in the midcourt. Riddell midcourter Ruby Shannon, who is in the Australian under-19 squad, is another player for the Warriors midcourt, along with Olivia Ellis, who joins the club from North East Blaze. Another Sunbury Lion Elly Randell is part of the team, while Georgia Hellyer is a training partner. Jasmine Fraser is another to join the club and

will be a key in the defence end. Ella Ogier, who comes from a basketball background is part of the squad, while Georgia Berry, who used to play for the Ballarat Sovereigns round out the list. “It’s a good mix of experience and youth,” Bailey said. “For some of those girls to have the chance to be on the same team as Kim and Julia is amazing what they can learn from them.” Bailey said they were excited by the under-23 team as well, with many of the girls from the local areas. Sunbury Lions’ Tara O’Grady and Eliza Gollant, Gisborne’s Kiralee Collings and Darley’s Ella Closter are among the team. Bailey said she had seen a lot of improvement in the group in their five weeks of training so far and they were looking forward to do more court structures after the Christmas break. The Warriors will kick off their season against the Peninsula Waves on March 6. They will play their first home game in Melton on April 28. Kim Borger has joined the Western Warriors.

Tara Murray

(Robabb Photography)

fixture Garcia growing at Saints RDFNL released By Harper Sercombe

Calder Cannons’ young-gun Hugo Garcia was one of just two Cannons selected in last month’s AFL draft and after spending a couple of weeks living out his dream, he is loving every minute of it. “It’s all pretty exciting, just doing what I love, coming in here, getting to work every day, it just feels like a dream at the moment,” Garcia said. The midfielder-forward was picked up by St Kilda with pick 50, with the Saints trading up in the draft order with Greater Western Sydney handing over a future third-round selection for pick 50 to secure the Cannons product. “Heading into the draft I didn’t have too many expectations, there were some nerves kicking in when I woke up for the second day [of the draft],” Garcia said. “I had all of my friends and family over, and they were there to support me throughout the day because I was pretty nervous but when my name got called out it was pretty overwhelming and I’m just thankful for the opportunity. “I had a rough idea [that St Kilda was going to select me] but nothing was set in stone, so when they called me out it was pretty overwhelming and one of the best feelings ever really. “I’m really thankful for St Kilda to give me the opportunity to fulfil my dream and I can’t wait to keep getting to work and improving every day.” The former Greenvale and Taylors Lakes speed machine had an impressive start to the Coates Talent League season with eight goals in the first five rounds, before finding more of the football further afield. He averaged 19.54 disposals across his 11 matches in the league, as well as seven tackles and 3.45 inside 50s. Being able to take his talents to Moorabbin has been an eye opener for Garcia, and has had some expert help under some great tutelage. “They’ve all been pretty welcoming but I’d say the main one is Lenny Hayes,“ he said. “He’s my lines coach, he’s been really helpful with me helping me throughout the day and coming to do extra work with me to help me improve,” he said. “From a players’ point of view Mason Wood has been really welcoming to me, helping me with extra stuff like vision and stuff out on the ground and in the gym. “Also Anthony Caminiti, I’ve been living with him from when I got drafted so he’s helped me at home with the off field stuff. “We have pretty similar personalities, so to live with him has been pretty cool, I go with

Hugo Garcia at his new home in Moorabbin. (St Kilda F.C.)

him into the club on the weekend, we do recover together, eat the same food and that type of thing so it’s been good.” With the Christmas break quickly approaching for the Saints and Garcia, he said he is remaining steadfast on his mission to continuously improve himself and his football. “At the moment I’m just trying to get my body right, I’ve got a bit of hamstring

22 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 19 December, 2023

tendonitis but I should be good in about a week’s time,” he said. “Once that’s right I’m just going to focus on getting better every day, doing the extras, extra tough, extra recovery, just try to learn as much as possible from everyone. “Just getting better every day is my main goal and an AFL debut in round one would be a bonus.”

Newcomers Kyneton will kick off the Riddell District Football Netball League season on Good Friday against Woodend-Hesket. The Tigers, who joined the competition in the off season from the Bendigo Football Netball League, will host the Hawks on the first day of the season on March 29. The Hawks had played Riddell on Good Friday the past two years, including winning this year’s football clash. The rest of round one will be hosted the following week with Lancefield playing Diggers Rest, Macedon taking on Riddell in the annual PUKA Up Cup and Wallan at home to Romsey in the CFA Cup. The Melton Centrals will have the bye in the opening round, with the competition remaining at nine teams with the Western Rams heading to the Western Region Football League from next season. Good Friday is one of two big marquee games for Kyneton, which will face Lancefield on Anzac Day in the battle of the Tigers. Macedon will host Diggers Rest on Anzac Day as well, continuing their annual tradition of playing on Anzac Day. The first of the senior football grand final rematches will occur in round five with Diggers Rest hosting Woodend-Hesket. The Burras were the only team that Woodend-Hesket didn’t beat last year. The A-grade netball grand final match up will occur the round before with Riddell hoping to get some revenge against Woodend-Hesket. The Hawks won the decider this year in extra time. The season will again be 18 rounds with every team playing each other twice and having two byes each. The final round of the season is August 17. The usual four week finals series would result in the grand final being played on the weekend of September 14. The senior women’s football, D-grade netball and under-19.5 football fixtures will be released next year once teams are finalised. The D-grade netball is a new competition next season, with the netball competition now having five grades next year.

Hawks hungry to go one step further in 2024 With fresh faces at the club and potentially more to come Woodend-Hesket is hoping to take one step further than it did this year under new coach Alistair Rae. Last season the Hawks fell short in the Riddell District Football League grand final to Diggers Rest in what was their first finals campaign since 2009. Since then the Hawks have announced the signings of Jack Duggan, Will Wiseman and Luke Cuffe to their senior list, all of which are ready to make an impact at senior level, Rae said. Duggan came to the Hawks from Strathmore in the Essendon District Football League, captaining Strathmore’s seconds to a premiership this season. He was also in and out of their firsts team who also made it to the grand final. Cuffe has also come across from Strathmore, after taking the year off in 2023 following

injury setbacks in 2022.. Wiseman is the brother of current senior player James Wiseman. He is a South Australian product and is making the move across to Victoria over the off season. He played under-18s and reserves at Glenelg in the South Australian National Football League across 2021 and 2022. “I’m really happy with the signings that we’ve got so far… pretty happy where things are,” Rae said. “We’ve injected some speed and youth pretty much. “I’ve known Jack Duggan in particular for 15 years since he was a young fella at Strathmore when his dad was assistant coach and I was a player.” Not only has Rae been happy with the recruiting but also the list retention has been solid with plenty of the Hawks’ a-grade talent locked in for next season.

“From our top 10 of our best and fairest we’ve kept seven or eight of them, we lost our ruckman Tim Martin, he’s gone back to Banyule where he played before he came to us, and a few of the Abers’ boys went back to Aberfeldie but we were sort of expecting that,” he said. “We’re not going to be putting any limits on anything now, we’ve got the list that I wanted in place so we’re pretty hungry to go one step further now. “The start of the pre-season has been really good, it’s been a bit more of a relaxed pre-season. I’ve given a bit more leeway on some of the more senior, established players before Christmas because we obviously played four weeks deeper in finals than what we have been. “So it’s been a good pre-season but a little bit more relaxed with some of the senior boys.”

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Briefs RDNL Lancefield has signed another young star for the Riddell District Netball League season. Bella Collodetti has come through the local pathways and now plays with Victorian Netball League club, the Melbourne University Lightning.

EDFL Mitch Church has been named East Sunbury’s coach for next year’s Essendon District Football League division 2 season. Church is in his second year at the Thunder and will lead a leadership group including vice-captain Lochlan Jones, and Daniel Paulete, Nathan Dent and Liam Watson. “From the minute Churchy arrived at the Thunder he has been all team, all the time,” the club said in its announcement. “He has helped with our young guys and led on and off the field. He has been active in our off season striving to make us a better side and now gets the chance to lead a side for the first time into the 2024 season. “

GDCA

Sam Graham (Jacob Pattison)351745_02

Young Dogs impress By Harper Sercombe Off the back of a premiership hangover season Gisborne is hopeful its young group can once again stoke themselves back up the Bendigo Football League ladder. After the Dogs 2022 premiership, coach Rob Waters resigned with club legend Brad Fox taking his spot, however, with three matches to go in the season, Fox was let go and Waters returned to his post. Skipper Jack Reaper said it has been comforting with Waters back in the coaching role and will help the youthful Dogs’ list continue to grow in 2024. “[Waters] was able to build some pretty strong relationships with a lot of players in his tenure from 2020 to 2022, and I think when he re-joined us and coached the last three games it was quite comforting for a lot of the players and the group as a whole,” he said. “He’s been around local footy for a long time so he understands how it all works and I think the group’s warmed to him pretty quickly. “We’re fully aware that our 2022 premiership had everything to do with developing our youngsters and getting those kids senior

experience. We’re seeing straight away from the pre-season some of the really impressive kids [we’ve got] and what they are able to do and jump up and match our intensity and match our levels of training and some of their running performances have been incredible. “At Gisborne it sort of always has been not about going out and getting recruits from out of town and spending big money, it’s about putting our time and resources into our kids because it’s evident in our junior premierships and our under-18s going back to back that the talent is there we’ve just got to nurture it.” That has been evident once again during this off season with player retention at the top of the club’s priority list, while also bringing in a promising young gun from the Essendon District Football League. “We re-signed a lot of our lost from last year which was the goal because we thought we had a pretty good foundation and some pretty young kids,” Reaper said. “We’ve been able to get Jackson Cardillo across from Rupertswood which is really exciting and some really young kids that have come across have impressed early.” While the Dogs finished in seventh last

season, Reaper said the ladder doesn’t tell the full story of the club’s season with plenty of positives can still be taken out of what appears lacklustre on paper. “We obviously had some pretty disappointing results last year and there were a multitude of factors that contributed to that. I think having Pat McKenna back full time and Brad Bernacki back full-time, those boys were VFL interrupted or injury interrupted pretty much the whole year so having those guys back is going to make a massive impact,” he said. “We had a few games that we lost by a goal or two and if they went the other way we might have been sixth or fifth or had a crack at finals, so we felt we weren’t too far off the mark. “So we feel the results are heading in the right direction and with a young group hopefully we can take the next step again next year. “[In 2024] we’ll aim for finals and once you’re in finals anything can happen from there, we’ve got a pretty young group again which is exciting because there’s so much talent coming through.”

Aintree and St Anthony’s both enter the Christmas break in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association Jensen Shield undefeated. Aintree won a highscoring affair with Malmsbury on Saturday. Aintree made 6-277 with Malmsbury finishing 223. Malmsbury sits in fourth spot. St Anthony’s held off Lancefield in a thriller. The Tigers were bowled out for 146 with three balls remaining in replay to 7-153. The Tigers sit in fifth spot.

GDCA Riddell was no match for Wallan in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association Johnstone Shield on Saturday. The Bombers were restricted to just 8-115 off their 40 overs. The Magpies made light work of the run chase, hitting the runs with more than 15 overs remaining, finishing 5-116. There was no score for Kilmore and East Sunbury’s match at deadline. Aintree was the other winner on Saturday. FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Tuesday, 19 December, 2023 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY 23

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