Star Weekly - Brimbank North West - 23rd January 2024 by Star Weekly

Established in 1924 as the

proudly serving Brimbank and the North West

23 JANUARY, 2024

Westvale turns blue The Westvale Community Centre (WCC) has embraced the Blue Tree Project, turning a once ordinary tree into a symbol of mental health awareness. The initiative, to foster conversations about mental health, has seen blue trees cropping up across the globe. The blue transformation of the tree is a conversation starter for people visiting the WCC, and a reminder that, ’It’s OK to not be OK’. Recognising the need to raise awareness among children, often an overlooked cohort in mental health discussions, the WCC organised the project for kids aged five to 11 during the school holidays. Children participated in activities focused on understanding and managing big emotions and feelings. The session also delved into coping strategies and the concept of the “helping hand,“ where kids listed adults they could turn to on each finger. The hands-on involvement extended to physically painting the blue tree and planter boxes. To reinforce the theme of using hands and coping strategies, children left their handprints all over the planter boxes. The transformed space at the WCC is now a focal point, designed to spark conversations about mental health for all ages.

Roshi, 9, kickstarts the conversation tree with a splash of blue. (Damjan Janevski) 381927_01

No go zones for trucks By Tara Murray Several Brimbank streets will become ‘no truck’ zones after years of campaigning by Brimbank council. The council has been working with the Department of Transport and Planning to install signs to prevent trucks from accessing selected residential streets, outside certain approved criteria. The new zones are Windsor Boulevard between Mt Derrimut and Robinsons roads, Derrimut, Foleys Road between Mt Derrimut and Robinsons roads, Deer Park, The Avenue and Wright Street between Fitzgerald

and Fairbairn roads, Sunshine West, and Hatchlands Drive, Derrimut. All signs are expected to be in place by February, with letters sent out to residents and businesses in those streets. The council said residents in these areas have expressed concern about trucks, including large heavy vehicles, using these streets for no reason other than to by-pass the arterial road network. The roads are in close proximity to schools, kindergartens, shops, local playgrounds and public facilities such as sportsgrounds and reserves. “Following this change residents should no

longer be constantly disturbed by the noise of trucks accelerating, using engine breaks, or alleged speeding in these residential areas,“ the council said. “Windsor Boulevard, Foleys Road, The Avenue and Wright Street are not truck routes or truck layover parking facilities. Other than the occasional truck driving down the street to service shops, schools and residential properties, heavy vehicles should not be using the street.“ Brimbank mayor Ranka Rasic said the council had worked hard over many years to get trucks off Brimbank streets. “Not only will these streets be quieter, but

they will also be safer for pedestrians including kids walking to and from school,“ she said. “The introduction of the ‘no trucks’ zones is a clear win for local community in these areas. Only trucks that have a specific reason for entering, such as construction or deliveries, are able to do so. “While Brimbank acknowledges the important role trucks play in keeping our community moving, these roads are not short cuts or designated for heavy vehicle use, they are roads for community to use.” The new zones will be enforced by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator. Breaches can be reported at, 1800 931 785.

12602249-RR45-23

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Real estate prices hold steady House prices in Brimbank largely held firm despite prices dropping across greater Melbourne last financial quarter, however there were some fluctuations across parts of the municipality. The latest data from the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV), show greater Melbourne experienced a 2.2 per cent drop in median house prices, but only three of the 31 suburbs in Brimbank fell by this amount or more. There were 17 suburbs that recorded a rise in median value, while another six either experienced either no change or didn’t sell enough houses for measurable data.

Keilor remained the most expensive suburb to buy a house in Brimbank, with the suburb experiencing a quarterly price increase of 10 per cent, raising the median house price to $1.32 million. The median house price in Delahey and Taylors Hill also jumped significantly, with the suburbs recording a quarterly price increase of 17.6 per cent and 15.4 per cent respectively - the two largest increases for Brimbank. The increase raised the median house price in Delahey to $700,000 and in Taylors Hill to $960,000. Just next door to Taylors Hill, Burnside

Heights recorded the largest drop in median house prices, falling by 10.4 per cent to $686,000. Deer Park was a close second recording a 10.2 per cent decrease in median house prices, with a median house price of $613,000. YPA Estate Agents Caroline Springs sales consultant Andrew Migliorisi said Taylors Hill had always been a “hotspot” suburb. “The land is bigger than the newer suburbs around… which might contribute. Fraser Rise, for example, you get big-house-smallblock, while Taylors Hill is big house on big block,” he said.

Mr Migliorisi said that in his experience, not a lot of houses were sold in Burnside Heights, so the price slump may be coming from a small data pool, however, another contributor may be that houses were being sold while they were leased, which reduces competition. In both Sunshine and Braybrook the median house price rose by 11 per cent to $840,000 and 10.9 per cent to $765,000 respectively. With a slight increase of 0.8 per cent, Albanvale remained the cheapest suburb to buy a house in the municipality with a median price of $605,000.

Have a say on carpark sale

Volunteers of Families Helping Families at the community pantry. (Jacob Pattison)382778_01

Community pantry needs your help A community pantry in Albanvale is seeking more community help to meet growing demand. Families Helping Families Community Pantry was established last year by a group of local residents keen to help those in the community. One of the volunteers running the group, Kerry Davies, said they were seeing many people seeking help regularly.

“We’ve been going about nine months now,” she said. “We can get between 50 to 60 people every Friday. “We give out pantry products, clothes, toys and bread. There are a lot of people in the community that need help.” At Christmas, the group gave out 190 gifts to families, while they were seeing more faces start to turn up. Ms Davies said the group needs donations to

help meet the needs of those in the community. “The main thing we’re after is pantry things like pasta sauces, long life milk and things like that. “People have given gift cards before and other people have done big shops and dropped it off. “Hopefully we can get fully registered and get fruit and veg on board.” Details: https://www.facebook.com/ groups/630901882336642

Brimbank council is seeking submissions regarding the proposed sale of part of the Durham Road car park. Sunshine is positioned to become the home of the Vietnamese Museum Australia (VMA) with council entering a Memorandum of Understanding with the VMA to explore the opportunity. The council-owned Durham Road car park site has been cited as a potential location for the museum. The Vietnamese Museum Australia has expressed interest in moving to Sunshine after withdrawing its contract with Maribyrnong council. Brimbank council said a national visitor and cultural museum near Sunshine Station would add to a strong list of already committed investment in Sunshine, invite more investment and help establish a visitor economy. Council is proposing to sell a parcel of land at 119-125 Durham Road, Sunshine. The parcel of land is 1,000 square metres, which is not the entire car park site which is approximately 2,750 square metres in total. If approved it will be sold to Vietnamese Museum Australia and can only be used for constructing a nationally significant cultural museum. Community submissions on the proposed sale will be given as feedback to councillors for review. Councillors will then make a decision on the proposal at the council meeting on March 19. Details: https://yoursay.brimbank. vic.gov.au/durham-road-car-park

New bus interchange now operating at Deer Park Station Construction crews are wrapping up work on the Mt Derrimut Road level crossing removal as they put the finishing touches on the new Deer Park Station precinct. The level crossing was removed in April with a new rail bridge installed to ease congestion and improve safety for local drivers. The Level Crossing Removal Project crews then continued work on the elevated Deer Park Station, bus interchange, with 150 new and upgraded car parks, and more than 50,000 trees, plants and shrubs planted to create a new transport hub in the heart of the suburb. Powered by 121 solar panels, the state

government says the improved bus interchange will make it easier and safer for commuters, delivering a seamless connection between buses and trains at Deer Park Station. Up to 93 bus services will use the interchange and new signalised intersection onto Mt Derrimut Road every weekday. The new and upgraded car parks were funded by the state government’s Car Parks For Commuters program, and include better lighting, pedestrian paths and CCTV. The upgrades bring the total number of car parks to 550. The station precinct also includes ramp and lift access to both platforms, and landscaped

2 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 23 January, 2024

forecourts on both sides of the rail line which are connected by a pedestrian walkway, plus an air-conditioned waiting room that will provide shelter from the weather for local commuters. In a Victorian first, the station also features two rooftop gardens on the station buildings. The additional greenery aims to help reduce the heat island effect of the surrounding buildings. Victoria’s Level Crossing Removal Project said the Mt Derrimut Road boom gates were down for up to 60 per cent of the morning peak, causing traffic chaos for the 23,000 vehicles that passed through every day.

Deer Park Station has received a face-lift from the Level Crossing Removal Project. (Supplied)

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

NEWS

Bus services ‘woeful’: Airport By Hannah Hammoud Melbourne Airport has joined in the chorus of calls urging the state government to increase local bus services and has described its current services as ’woeful’. The airport, which is the largest employment precinct outside the Melbourne CBD, said an upgrade to local public bus services will better serve the needs of passengers and staff living in surrounding suburbs, particularly Keilor, Sunbury, Taylors Lakes, and Sunshine. Currently the airport is served by just four bus routes, one that doesn’t run on weekends, which has only one bus operating after 7.45pm or more than once an hour. Melbourne Airport chief of ground

transport Jai McDermott said the airport remained committed to building a rail line, but also needed a significant improvement to local transport connections. “Skybus does a great job serving people coming from the city or the Mornington Peninsula, but staff and passengers from the city’s north and west are being let down by a lack of local bus services,” he said. “We remain committed to an airport rail line with a fit-for-purpose, future-proof and cost-effective underground station, but while we work towards a link that puts passengers first, immediate action is needed to fix the airport’s woeful local bus services.” With about 18,000 people working at the airport, Mr McDermott said the airport needs

more PTV buses that, “start early, finish late and run every 15 minutes”. Mr McDermott said improved bus services could help connect more people in Melbourne’s north-west with job opportunities at the airport. “Many airport staff are shift workers, but the current lack of services mean public transport is simply not an option for people who live in our surrounding suburbs,” he said. “Taxis are sometimes reluctant to take local passengers to nearby destinations, meaning travellers and staff living in the surrounding areas have few options but to drive. “Improved suburban bus connections would help overcome this problem while unlocking more job opportunities for more people in

Melbourne’s north and west by providing better transport options.” In December, an Infrastructure Victoria report, ‘Fast, frequent, fair: how buses can better connect Melbourne’, detailed how reforms to Melbourne’s bus network would significantly improve access to jobs and recreation for thousands of people. It found the west is a constant front-runner when it came to being unserved by the state’s bus system,. Speaking in response to the report at the time, a spokesperson told Star Weekly that the state government was focused on reforming the bus network across the state, including improving existing routes, adding new bus routes and supporting a transition to zero-emissions buses.

Oxygen plan for hotspot

The Sunshine Lunar New Year Festival will take place along Hampshire Road, Sunshine on Sunday, January 28, from noon-10pm. (NP Creative)

Hampshire Road lights up for Lunar Get ready for a vibrant celebration of culture and community at the Sunshine Lunar New Year Festival, set to transform the bustling Hampshire Road precinct in Sunshine on January 28. The Sunshine Lunar New Year Festival, also known as Tét Festival, promises to the local community together in a safe and fun environment. Hampshire Road, between Devonshire and Foundry Roads, will be traffic-free, and will come alive with multicultural entertainment offering something for everyone. Families can enjoy a day filled with free activities, including live entertainment,

children’s rides, street performers, music, dancing, street food, face-painting, magical Lion and Dragon dances, red-pockets and firecrackers ending with spectacular fireworks. The stage will also feature Diana Nguyen, with red-pocket giveaways and the Fastest Pho eating competition. Live multicultural bands and dance groups will also take to the stage to showcase their talents. The Snuff Puppets will join the celebration with their new production, THE BEASTS, featuring a huge Koala and Frilled-Neck Lizard wandering the street. Later in the day there will be the vibrant Lion and Dragon dance at 6pm on the main

stage, followed by a traditional Lunar New Year fireworks display at 9pm. Sunshine Business Association President Vu Du said this year’s highly anticipated 2024 Lunar New Year celebrations marks the year of the Dragon. “Where we’ll be encouraging our patrons to discover our multicultural culinary delights, have a dance and laugh with Diana Nguyen on stage where she’ll be handing out an abundance of red pocket (yes, they all have money in them) where all the children can then go enjoy the entertainment and experiences once again on offer in Sunshine on January 28,” he said. Details: www.sunshinebusiness.com.au

Barro Group is planning to use oxygen suppression to extinguish the remaining landfill hotspot at the Kealba Landfill. Underground fires have been burning for more four years at the site, having caused much anguish and resulted in Barro’s licence being cancelled. The Environment Protection Authority Victoria gave its latest update to community members this week. “EPA continues to inspect the landfill,“ western metropolitan region regional manager Steve Lansdell said in the update. “The last inspection was on 19 December. We are continuing regular inspections in January. “We have completed a review of Barro Group’s landfill hotspot remediation design. We expect further monitoring and updates from Barro before they finalise the design. “The design details how Barro Group plans to extinguish the remaining landfill hotspot. The plan is to use oxygen suppression. This means sealing the hotspot off so the hotspot can’t continue to burn. Their design will also include smoke, dust, and odour suppression techniques.“ Lansdell said Barro plans to install gas bores around the hotspot during January and February and it will use these bores to monitor any changes in the hotspot. The next community meeting will likely be February 29 subject to venue availability.

COVID-19 hospitalisations up in the west over summer COVID-19 hospitalisations and community transmissions are increasing in the west due to a new COVID-19 variant, according to Western Health. The latest quantitative wastewater measures indicate high COVID-19 viral loads in Victorian wastewater and this increase in community transmission is linked to the new variant JN.1 which is causing similar impacts internationally. Western Health is urging the population to take steps to limit transmission, especially to protect those at greatest risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19, including

people aged 65 and above, people with a disability or chronic medical condition and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Western Health infectious diseases unit head Dr Marion Kainer said it’s important not to become complacent about COVID-19. “It is still a serious illness, and infections, particularly repeated ones, have been linked to increased risk of heart attacks and strokes among other serious conditions,” she said. Western Health suggested six action to protect the community. Wear a high-quality and well-fitted mask, stay up to date with your COVID-19

vaccine which is available at your GP or local pharmacy, let fresh air in by opening windows and doors when you can, get tested if you have symptoms, stay at home if you have COVID-19 for at least five days and until you have no symptoms and take antivirals if eligible. Dr Kainer said well-fitting P2 or N95 respirators provide excellent protection from infection. “If you do become infected, masks also make it much less likely that you will infect your loved ones. Wear masks or respirators in indoor areas or outside if crowded,” she said.

“The outdoors is your friend during this time of increased transmissions. The risk of getting infected outdoors is 20 times lower, and doing things outside as much as you can is one of the easiest and most practical ways to keep safe. “If you’re indoors, open doors and windows as much as possible. If this is not possible due to inclement weather, investing in a HEPA air filter and running it on the highest setting can also reduce the risk of transmission. When traveling in a car, wearing masks or respirators and opening the window, even a little bit, can make a huge difference.”

Tuesday, 23 January, 2024 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 3

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Young doctors are ready to heal Western Health has welcomed 105 junior intern doctors who are choosing to start their careers in Melbourne’s west. Western Health’s internship program runs across Footscray, Williamstown, and Sunshine hospitals, and this year they have their largest ever intern cohort. A wide range of clinical opportunities are available to interns, including rotations in anaesthetics, paediatrics, and radiology. Acting chief medical officer Dr Rupert Sherwood said he is excited to see what the new crop of doctors can do. “We’re thrilled to welcome this amazing group of talented junior doctors to Western

Health,” he said. “Internship is an exciting time in every doctor’s medical career, and we provide a lot of support to our interns, starting from our 5-day orientation, right through to the completion of their year. “We actively develop the skills, strengths and career interests of our junior doctors, and our senior medical staff make the effort to get to know our interns personally and give them a great start to their careers. “The size of Western Health’s catchment area, the diversity of population we care for, and our culture of valuing and including interns all adds up to a phenomenal

experience for a first-year doctor. “We celebrate the diversity of backgrounds, outside interests and life experiences that our interns bring to Western Health, and we’re very supportive of work-life balance. Last year, through flexible rostering and great mutual communication, one of interns was even supported to play in the AFLW grand final while completing her internship year.”

The 105 interns are all keen to get started at Western Health. (David Johns)

Mum Chloe with her 19-days-old son Wyatt, who was the first to be born at Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s at Sunshine Hospital for 2024. (Damjan

V/Line strike on Thursday

Janevski) 383416_01

Couple welcome Wyatt with a bang As the sky lit up with a sea of colours raining down from Melbourne’s New Year fireworks, first time parents Chloe and Josh Grundy watched the celebrations from their room in Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s at Sunshine Hospital. Chloe and Josh had picked the name for their newest family edition and they already knew the gender, but baby Wyatt was hesitant to be born in 2023. Arriving four days late, Chloe said she went into hospital on December 28 to be induced as Wyatt was on the bigger spectrum. “It was funny because I always said, I

wouldn’t mind having a 2024 baby and then it happened,” Chloe laughed. “We watched the fireworks from the bedroom on New Years Eve and then they came in to tell us we had to have the c-section because he wasn’t budging. “We [had] thought, oh this year (2023) we’ll scrape in but he didn’t want to come out.” Following a successful c-section, Wyatt was born in the early hours of New Year’s Day morning, a moment which Chloe describes as ‘perfect’. “It was very surprising because he [moved]

his head up a little bit and it was ah, just the perfect moment. “He’s very settled now, going to sleep and feeding a lot.” Chloe said she will be taking about half the year off before returning to work, and is looking forward to a year without ongoing morning sickness. “On the 31st [of December] I was throwing up as well. [I’m looking forward to] no back pain, no morning sickness, no heartburn, [I’m] happy it’s all gone away.”

Victoria’s regional rail network is set to be brought to a standstill as workers take industrial action over conditions. Operations staff at V/Line, including conductors, train controllers, stations and customer staff and authorised officers, plan to walk off the job for four hours between 3am and 7am on Thursday, January 25. At this stage only non-driving grades will participate in the action. Rail, Train and Bus Union Branch Secretary Vik Sharma said despite bargaining since June, V/Line was yet to address key concerns raised by workers. “In the current climate of automation, major changes and an uncertain economy, members are fighting for what all workers across Victoria deserve – job security and decent conditions,“ he said on Monday. “V/Line continues to drag their feet and seems to be in no rush to reach an agreement.“ Mr Sharma said his union would continue to meet with V/Line and negotiate in good faith as members would prefer to avoid industrial action. V/Line chief executive officer Matt Carrick also said talks would go on. “We have been continuing to negotiate in good faith and have made progress towards reaching an agreement,“ he said in a statement. “We strongly encourage the union to work collaboratively with us to reach a fair and reasonable agreement.“ Passengers are encouraged to keep up to date with the latest scheduling and coach replacement information on the V/Line website and social channels. Melissa Meehan, AAP

Zoe Moffatt

Five charged with 140 offences following home invasions, car thefts Five people have been charged with more than 140 offences following a series of home invasions in Melbourne’s west last year. Following an extensive investigation, police executed eight warrants and arrested eight young men. Three men, aged 18, were each charged with about 30 offences each including multiple counts of aggravated home invasion, burglary, theft of motor car and intentionally causing injury. Two teens, aged 16 and 17, were charged with more than 45 offences including aggravated home invasion and theft of motor car.

The arrests followed a dozen alleged home invasions in the past year including, an aggravated home invasion in Albanvale on May 18, an aggravated home investigation in Keilor Park on May 24. an aggravated home invasion in Altona Meadows on August 16, an attempted aggravated home invasion in Sunshine on August 23, a burglary and theft of car in Sunshine on October 11, an aggravated home invasion in Braybrook on October 11, which left a male occupant with serious injuries to his hand, an aggravated home invasion in Kings Park on October 17, an aggravated home invasion in St Albans on

4 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 23 January, 2024

October 20, an attempted home invasion in Sunshine West on November 11, an aggravated home invasion in Deer Park on November 16, an aggravated home invasion in Delahey on November 16 which left a male occupant with serious injuries to his face and an aggravated home invasion in St Albans on November 22. Two of the 18-year-old men charged, from Footscray and Caroline Springs, were bailed by the courts and will re-appear in court in March. The third 18-year-old man, also from Caroline Springs, was remanded to appear on the same day. The 16-year-old and 17-year-old

boys charged were bailed to appear before a children’s court a later date. Brimbank Crime Investigation Unit Senior Constable Samantha D’agostino said everyone has a right to feel safe and secure in their own home. “We take these kinds of offences extremely seriously and will investigate thoroughly until we can hold people to account.” Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www. crimestoppersvic.com.au.

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

NEWS

arson School zone speed alert Sixth attack arrest By Liam McNally

With kids returning to school at the end of the month, so will pick-up and drop-off traffic, and police will be on alert for unsafe road behaviour near schools. Police will be focusing additional attention on school precincts in Melton and Brimbank from the day students return to school on January 29, to February 2 as part of Operation Education. Police will be enforcing the school zone speed limits and dangerous parking which reduces visibility of children in and around school access points and crossings. Brimbank highway patrol Acting Senior Sergeant Emile Caggiati said police are focused on making the area safer for children attending school. “Children are some of our most vulnerable road users we have, usually due to age as they are unable to identify the dangers when exiting vehicles or walking or riding on or near a road,” he said. “We have had multiple injury-collisions with school children, some due to restricted view due to illegally parked cars restricting the view for pedestrians and the motorists. “Fortunately it appears in these cases the motorists were travelling below the speed limit.” Acting Senior Sergeant Caggiati said drivers need to be alert when the school term begins. “Driver complacency occurs due to six weeks of school holidays where school zone variable speed zones are suspended during this time,” he said. “Simple maths 40 kilometres per hour is 40 kilometres per hour, every kilometre above increases the stopping distances and risk to children. Acting Senior Sergeant Caggiati also encouraged children to be careful.

Police have arrested a Sunshine West man as part of a series of arson attacks in Melbourne this year. The 23-year-old Sunshine West man is the sixth man to be arrested as part of the investigation. He was arrested on January 17 and later charged with three counts of criminal damage by fire and aggravated carjacking. The charges are related to the following incidents involving a fire at a café on Lobelia Drive, Altona North on January 9, a fire at a tobacco store on Pier Street, Altona on January 12, a fire at a store on Glengala Road, Sunshine West on January 12, and a carjacking in Braybrook on January 12. Lunar Taskforce Detective Inspector Graham Banks said these fires have caused significant property damage and have a direct impact on people’s livelihoods. “We’ve also been extremely clear from the start that these fires have the potential to seriously injure or even kill someone,” he said. “I want to assure the community that we are doing everything we can to hold everyone involved in this risky behaviour to account – this includes those lighting the fires, those stealing vehicles to undertake this offending, and those commissioning the fires as part of the ongoing dispute.” Police currently have 29 active arson investigations, which include tobacco stores, vehicles, gyms, restaurants and private addresses.

Senior Constable Daniel Timothee. (Damjan Janevski) 384167_02

“Please use pedestrian crossings when available and always look both ways before crossing even if you have right of way,” he said. The operation follows the worst year for deaths on Victorian roads in 15 years, with 296 deaths in 2023.

Acting Senior Sergeant Caggiati said it’s important to focus on road safety in the new year. “On the back of our worst road toll in recent history, pedestrian and driver safety is paramount,” he said.

Retiring soon? Homes in Tarneit from $390K

VILLA 133

VILLA 129

VILLA 19

VILLA 14

VILLA 60

$400K

$390K

$580K

$530K

$525K

Book a tour with our sales specialist Andrea on 0458 603 047 to discuss your retirement living in these friendly and welcoming communities. 12660849-AA04-24

rcavillages.com.au

83 Kulin Drive, Tarneit

2 Availability and pricing correct at publication date 15.1. 2024

Tuesday, 23 January, 2024 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 5

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Electrification questions linger By Liam McNally A western metro MP has accused the transport minister of pushing the electrification of the Melton train line into the “never-never” after he questioned the project in state parliament. In August, David Ettershank asked Danny Pearson to confirm whether the electrification of the Melton line will proceed and provide a likely time line for its delivery. In an answer, Mr Pearson provided on January 9, he pointed to upgrades the Melton line will receive as a part of its $650 million upgrade, but described electrification as a

“potential” project. “The $650 million Melton line upgrade will see stations upgraded and platforms extended to make the line ready for nine-car VLocity trains by 2028, increasing train capacity by 50 per cent,” he said. “The Melton line upgrade will be future-proofed to allow for the potential future electrification of the corridor.“ The electrification of the Melton line, which would enable a metro service separate to the Ballarat V-line, was a promise made by Labor in the lead up to the 2018 election. Mr Ettershank said Mr Pearson’s latest

answer to the electrification question treated Melton residents as “second class citizens”. “‘Future-proofing’ the Melton line is just code for putting the electrification upgrade into the never-never,“ he said. “It’s just not good enough. “Adding a couple of carriages to the Vlocity train from Ballarat is possibly good news for the residents of Ballarat but will just result in Melton residents not being able to board a bigger, full train.” Brimbank council city futures director Leanne Deans said the existing V-Line line serves a large and growing area and trains

from Ballarat are often full by the time they get to Deer Park or Ardeer stations, which are both V-line stations. “Our current understanding is that the Victorian government is still committed to the Western Rail Plan, although delivery will be delayed from the original presented timeframes,” she said. When asked by Star Weekly, the state government indicated the Western Rail Plan will be delivered in stages, including the future electrification of the corridor, but did not provide any further clarification on a timeline.

Join in on all the Midsumma fun. (Supplied)

Queer festival on once again

SMCV chief executive Monica Majak and member Natalia Achol Kiir. (Jacob Pattison) 383009_03

Rising demand for food charity The Sudanese Mothers Coalition in Victoria (SMCV) has donated more than 40,000 food items in the past 13 years to people in Melton and Brimbank, and it’s seeking community volunteers to expand its reach. SMCV is a non-for-profit agency established in 2009 that works with South Sudanese Communities, particularly families, and young people at risk of disengagement from education, employment and other essential services. The SMCV’s mission is to support women and young people to improve their lives through confidence and resilience building, mental health and a sense of belonging to Australian society.

Among SMCV’s support work is its food donation program, which works with the state government, South Sudanese Communities, local grocery stores, and African United Farms to secure food delivery and donations to vulnerable young people and parents from Sudanese and South Sudanese community backgrounds. SMCV chief executive Monica Majak said the food program is hoping to expand, but needs more volunteers and resources to do so. “The food donation has increased due to rising living costs. There is a need to help young people and parents in need and be able to have healthy food and good nutrition,” she said. “The SMCV has a developed plan for cooking,

collecting, transporting, and distributing food items to the households. However, the SMCV do not have proper logistics, including storage facilities, transportation methods, and the frequency of pickups due to lack of resources,” she said. “We seek to recruit volunteers to assist with various tasks, including collecting, sorting, and distributing food. Volunteers are essential for the success of a food donation program.” The SMCV is also hoping to raise funds for a minibus, and is seeking computer donations. Details: 0431 023 688 or monmajak@gmail. com

Midsumma Westside is back in Brimbank for 2024, with a range of exciting events taking place across the west right up until February 11. Midsumma Westside kicked off on January 21 as part of Midsumma Festival, Australia’s premier queer arts and cultural festival. Midsumma Westside is a collaboration of Melbourne’s western local councils in partnership with the festival. It offers a jam-packed program of events taking place in the west. There are exhibitions, drag, live music, performances, circus, pool parties, and more. The annual Pride Pool Party is ready to make a splash at the Sunshine Leisure Centre on January 27. Locals are invited to celebrate Brimbank’s vibrant LGBTQIA+ community with a fun day out in Sunshine. The day will feature aqua aerobics and Zumba classes, inflatable slides for the little ones, live music, and free catering provided by Brimbank’s youth FReeZA committee. On February 3, Yummy by Joy Machine will hit the stage at the Bowery Theatre, an outrageous and joyful drag variety show with world class performers. Once again, Brimbank is partaking in the annual Midsumma Pride March. March with pride behind the Brimbank council banner at the Midsumma Pride March on Sunday, February 4. Details: Midsumma Westside program visit midsumma.org.au.

Liam McNally

Midsumma photo exhibition in the west Victoria’s premier queer cultural festival, Midsumma, comes to Melbourne’s west with the Queer Photo exhibition Held in conjunction with PHOTO 2024 International Festival of Photography and Creative Victoria’s Go West program, Queer Photo will feature large-scale outdoor artworks, gallery exhibitions and an interactive public performance program by local and international artists in Werribee, Newport and Footscray. PHOTO 2024 curator Brendan McCleary described what those attending the exhibition can expect. “Queer PHOTO celebrates 17 LGBTQIA+

artists, each in their own way using queer thinking to consider potential scenarios that lie ahead, and how current actions and activisms are creating future realities – from advances in technology, through to responding to climate crisis, and connecting with Indigenous ways of thinking,” he said. “There is a beautiful community found within these works, highlighting the incredible ways in which queer voices are shaping a better tomorrow.” Wyndham Art Gallery, Werribee Mansion and Werribee Station will host events in Wyndham, while the Substation, Trocadero Art Space, The Outside Gallery and Footscray

6 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 23 January, 2024

Community Arts Centre are the venues in Hobsons Bay. Among exhibiting artists are Queer Wiradjuri woman Karla Dickens who will use black humour to interrogate race, gender and injustice in ‘To See or Not to See’ at Werribee Park Mansion and Peter Waples-Crowe will perform ’Affirm’ based on his 25 years as a community health worker within Aboriginal and LGBTQIA2+ communities, at Werribee Station. The exhibition runs between January 27 and March 24. Details: https://www.midsumma. org.au Cade Lucas

Artist Karla Dickens will perform ‘To See or Not to See’ at Werribee Mansion as part of Queer Photo. (Sean Barrett)

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Briefs

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Dangerous driving

PHONE \ 03 8318 5777 LOCATION \ Corner Thomsons Road and Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park, 3042 DISTRIBUTION \ 1300 656 678 distribution@fermax.com.au

ADVERTISING GENERAL SALES INQUIRIES westads@starweekly.com.au CLASSIFIEDS \ 1300 666 808 EMAIL \ sales@networkclassifieds.com.au

GENERAL REAL ESTATE INQUIRIES reads@starweekly.com.au

EDITORIAL GENERAL EDITORIAL INQUIRIES westeditorial@starweekly.com.au COMMUNITY CALENDAR ENTRIES communitycalendar@starweekly.com.au

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

NEWS

‘Fractured, Fragmented Hill–After the Rain’ is on display at the Hunt Club Community Arts Centre until March 1. An official opening function will take place on January 31. (Supplied)

Connecting through art The inspiration behind artist Paul Borg’s exhibition, ‘Fractured, Fragmented Hill–After the Rain’ was first found as he wandered through the streets of Europe. Now on display at the Hunt Club Community Arts Centre, Borg’s exhibition can be traced back to his inaugural trip to Europe in 1990, before his return to Australia to explore the countryside. A journey that ignited a connection between the weathered statues in Europe and the lifeless native gum trees in Australia. “Australian art has historically emphasised the ‘landscape’, whereas European art leans more towards ‘religion and symbolism’,” Borg says. “In ‘Fractured, Fragmented Hill–After the Rain’ my aim was to meld these influences, bridging my European cultural heritage with

my upbringing in Australian culture. The realisation struck me that individuals like me, with European ancestry, are fragments of past cultures, progressively losing those ties with each succeeding generation.” Originally exhibited in 1994 at Wesley Uniting Church in Melbourne CBD, the painting, initially titled ‘Fractured, Fragmented Hill,’ took on a spiritual context over a traditional gallery setting. After remaining in the studio racks for years, a vivid dream in 2017 compelled Borg to rework the painting, with the work drawing a new connection to the turbulent times marked by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Now, as it graces the wall of the Hunt Club exhibition, the lingering question persists: what lies beyond the hill for us now?,” says Borg. Details: https://shorturl.at/cfoDJ

Police have arrested five people after a stolen vehicle was driven dangerously in St Albans on January 17. Police observed a black Mercedes speeding in the vicinity of Jefferson Street, St Albans about 3am. The Air Wing followed the vehicle and units on the ground attempted to intercept it but the driver sped off. The vehicle continued to drive at speeds up to 160km/h in before it was dumped in Gumtree Court. The driver, a 20-year-old Plumpton man and passenger, a 19-year-old Keilor Downs man, were seen to enter a Nissan X-Trail and were subsequently arrested by police along with three other occupants of the vehicle. A search of the Mercedes located a machete and other weapons. A 20-year-old Plumpton man, identified as the alleged driver of the Mercedes, has been charged with driving and weapons offences.

Fatal collision Police are investigating a fatal collision in St Albans on January 18, where a 41-year-old man from St Albans died. It’s believed a white Peugeot station wagon and a black Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle collided on Errington Road near Main Road just after 5pm. The motorcyclist died at the scene. The male driver of the Peugeot was not injured. FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Brimbank & North West Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Tyre & Auto Service • BRIDGESTONE • FIRESTONE • SUPERCAT • POTENZA • TURANZA • ECOPIA • DUELER • DAYTON

DEALER LOGBOOK SERVICE Minor Dealership Logbook Service

From only $229.00. Includes: Replacement of engine oil filter and semi synthetic engine oil up to 7 litres Inspect and top up fluid levels • Check headlamp and light operation Inspect drive belts and cooling system, hoses etc • Remove wheels and inspect brake and suspension components • Stamp warranty booklet if applicable. $229.00 - Suits most Japanese vehicles $269.00 - Vehicles requiring full synthetic engine oils, Ie, Fiesta, Mondeo and some late model Japanese vehicles $349.00 - European Vehicles - Some earlier models Diesel Service Most Japanese 4WD & Commercial Vans $449.00 - European - Mid luxury/prestige vehicles. Note: Some 4WD, luxury, prestige and sports models vehicles may incur an extra cost Price on application.

6 MONTHS INTEREST

FREE *

No Deposit No Interest No repayments for 6 months

• Fixed Price Servicing • Mechanical Repairs • Brakes • Clutch Repairs • Fleet Maintenance • Automatic Transmission

• Wheel Balancing • Wheel Alignments • Batteries • Licensed Vehicle Tester • RWC LVT License no: EX 6187

We use and recommend Valvoline Motor Oils & Ryco Filters 12656450-AI02-24

*Conditions Apply

PROFESSIONAL VEHICLE SERVICING & REPAIRS, WITH HONESTY & INTEGRITY

‘Offers apply on purchases made in participating stores between 01/01/2024 - 31/01/2024. Terms and conditions apply. Tyre images are for illustration purposes only. See bridgestone.com.au for details. Tuesday, 23 January, 2024 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 7

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Lauren Jackson and former Opals teammate Kristi Harrower ran the Keilor Basketball clinic. (Pictures: Supplied)

Girls take over Keilor By Tara Murray Australia’s greatest basketballer Lauren Jackson was the star of the show at Keilor Basketball Association last Monday. Jackson along with her former Australian Opals teammate Kristi Harrower ran two basketball clinics for junior girls, as part of Basketball Australia’s She Hoops program. She Hoops strives to empower women in basketball through visible pathways, mentoring, connection, insights, participation and education After the clinics were held, the young girls were able to ask the two stars a variety of questions, before getting the chance to get photos and autographs. Jackson, who is the face of She Hoops, said she loves getting out to the grass root clubs. She said girls just want to have fun and not be intimidated on the court.

“I guess to get out and do that with them, to be able to that every holiday period actually connect with the kids, with the likes Kristi, Maddy Rocci, other Opals come to just be viable and accessible to them, it’s so important,” she said. “We’re so lucky to be able to go out there and provide that service. I just think having something that is dedicated to women and girls in basketball, this is what She Hoops is all about and being able to go out in communities and it’s not all virtual. This is so important and I love doing it and I love the feedback and support we’re getting from the community.” Harrower, who grew up in a basketball family, said so much had changed since she was coming through as a junior. “I think it’s a good program BA [Basketball Australia] have put in place, having Lauren as the face of it,” she said.

“We struggled back in our day to get a little snippet in the paper, that is what it is like. It’s amazing what is happening.” For her, having a clinic at Keilor was extra special, having been recently announced as the Thunder’s women’s coach for the National Basketball League 1 South season. Several Thunder players were also there helping out with the camp. “It is good and of course having Lauren here makes a big difference,” she said. “A lot of people, kids these days wouldn’t even know who I was. “Keilor is probably one of the bigger associations on this side of town, but still competing with such large associations on the other side of town. “This one is still growing and they’re trying to bring, more people in, been at the higher level and that is maybe why recruiting me as a coach.”

Lauren Jackson gives the junior girls some pointers.

Kristi Harrower during the clinic.

8 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 23 January, 2024

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

NEWS

Intergen battle of the paddle It was a battle of young and old at the Sydenham Neighborhood House for the intergen table tennis competition. Locals of all ages took to the tables for almost three hours of table tennis fun. Star Weekly photographer Jacob Pattison paid a visit to the Sydenham Neighborhood House to capture the age-old rivalry in action. It’s all about skill for Tang Se.

Linda Gervasi with her game face on, and Jarear Elkaram ready for action. (Pictures: Jacob Pattison) 382144

Dynamic duo George and Lani make for a competitive pair.

Kien Huyn in the zone, and Jon Salalila serves up some tricks.

Cool, calm and collected Stephen Lam.

Order now on aussietoysonline.com.au 12664824-ET04-24

Tuesday, 23 January, 2024 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 9

BEHIND THE NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Ahmed loving being back home Former Australian cricketer Fawad Ahmed made the decision to return to home club Hoppers Crossing this season. He chats to Harper Sercombe about the decision and what he wants next out of his cricket.

oppers Crossing’s hometown hero is back and is spinning a web around the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association. Back in August it was announced that former Victorian leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed would make his long awaited return to Hogans Road but no one could have pictured it would go as well as it has. The 41-year-old has long travelled the world bamboozling batsmen, collecting more than 200 first class wickets, 172 top level T-20 wickets and even playing white ball cricket for Australia across his 19 year professional career. Now, back to his roots in suburban cricket Ahmed said he feels right at home playing in the navy blue and white. “I always wanted to finish at Hoppers Crossing, I had some great memories there, that’s where I started,” he said. “Those couple of years after moving to Australia the club was an absolute powerhouse and a stepping stone for me to get into cricket. “I don’t forget my roots, I know where I came from and I can proudly say that it’s my home club. I always wanted to come back, honestly, I got better offers money wise, but I wanted to play for Hoppers. Right: Fawad Ahmed has returned home to Hoppers Crossing.

‘‘

It’s about the game we play, it’s about going out and playing, whoever you play for, whoever you play with and just enjoy the moment and be grateful

(Pictures: Ljubica Vrankovic) 383085

Below left: Fawad Ahmed in action in the T-20. (AAP Image/David Crosling)

’’

- Fawad Ahmed “Even though I didn’t know anyone in the team, they are young people from different generations. Fourteen years ago when I was there, most of them would have been in primary school… It makes me feel good as well, still running around with youngsters and trying to keep myself fit and up and running to try to perform well, so it’s helping me a lot.” The people Ahmed remembers at the Cats are still there and although they may not be necessarily in their whites, they are still instrumental to the club’s operations and inviting him back home. “It’s amazing to see some familiar faces, and they were keen [for me to come back] as well, so it’s ended up nicely,” he said. Cricket was more than just a career for Ahmed and now it is more than just a pastime for the veteran. He said he uses the sport as a place to grow, a place to learn, to teach what he has learnt and a way to keep fit by doing something he loves. Not only is it all of these things for Ahmed, but also a welcome distraction and escape for devastation in his personal life. “I had a tragedy at home and the last 10 months have been difficult,” he said. “It isn’t about being a professional cricketer or what you have achieved, it’s about the game we play, it’s about going out and playing, whoever you play for, whoever you play with and just enjoy the moment and be grateful. “There are going to be a lot of people who are wanting to play who may be younger or older, they might be injured, they might have family problems, job issues. “But I’m lucky, I’m still healthy and I’m still playing cricket at this age.” Ahmed is not just taking part for Hoppers Crossing but he has been a dominant force for the side, leading the association’s wicket tally with 31 wickets, eight more than the next best, at a staggering average of 6.68. While he said he enjoys playing the best cricket he can, that’s not what it’s about, for him, team wins and delivering success to his home club is what

truly matters. “You don’t take things for granted, I’ve had games where I’ve gone wicketless, I’ve had games that I’ve taken only one wicket, so it’s still not easy,” he said. “Wickets depend on luck, an umpire might make a bad decision, you bowl a good ball and it just keeps missing, you get a knick and the catch gets dropped. “The wickets mostly come from the bad balls, sometimes you bowl a half-tracker or a full bunger and you take a wicket. “I still enjoy my cricket, I want to give it 100 per cent and to help the young kids. But on a personal side I want to play well as well, I don’t want to come and whinge about the standards or whatever it is. For me it’s completely different, I really want to enjoy it, I want to play well, I want to take wickets, not for a personal milestone, but if I’m helping us win.” Ahmed said a premiership with the Cats would be an amazing outcome. “Winning the competition would be amazing for us, I think this is the third year for Hoppers in the Subbies (VSDCA) and it would be great for the club because it’s so multicultural,” he said. “We’ve got a couple of English guys, a couple of Aussies, a few Indians, Pakistanis, so it’s very multicultural and a true reflection of Australia. “It would be great to help my club, that’s

10 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 23 January, 2024

what I’m there for. But everyone has to play their part, it’s not just on me, it’s cricket, it’s a team game. Yet, it’s so individual, you win as a team and you have to perform as a team, but it’s individual in the sense that you get an opportunity to bowl and to bat and you have to perform. “But that’s cricket, and we love it and it just makes me happy to go there and train and to play on Saturdays. I think Saturdays without cricket are going to be really hard. “I don’t remember all the wickets or all the runs but what I do remember is the grand finals, when we were winning, I’ve got all the photos and the medals I still have at home. In 20 years time you don’t remember how you bowled, but you do remember the flags.” As Ahmed prepares himself for life beyond playing the sport he loves so much, he said he is excited to share the learnings from his 20 year career with the young spinners of today, not just at Hoppers Crossing but throughout the state and country. “It is most likely my last season, I might play here and there but I’m going to get more into coaching… I’ve just done my high performance coaching course with Cricket Australia,” he said. “There’s a lot of franchise cricket around, but also maybe trying to help the young cricketers here in Melbourne and maybe run

my own little academy… I don’t think there are any leg spinners in the world playing test cricket, so it would be an absolute pleasure to work with young spinners to really convince them and help them to play red ball cricket rather than just focusing on T20 cricket. “I work a lot with Peter Hatzoglou and Doug Warren… which is an absolute pleasure… I’ve spent a lot of time with Tanveer Sangha, he’s played for Australia and performed really well, he’s a breath of fresh air for Australia, he’s very young but very mature and very talented. “I spend a lot of time with those three spinners and they’ve been doing really well in professional cricket. So if I can help a few more young cricketers here in Melbourne and in the future they can play grade cricket or for their state or in the Big Bash would be amazing. “It’s good to give back to cricket itself and give back to the game. Plus going back to the club as well, there are two or three young kids that are really, really good, they want to play at the next level. Hopefully they can play grade cricket in a year or two, and I can share my experience, hopefully they can learn a little bit. But it’s up to each individual, if they work hard and what they want to achieve in the future.” Ahmed was again a standout for Hoppers Crossing over the weekend taking 3-11 as Yarraville broke the Cats’ five game win streak.

FEATURING ... SENIORS

Advertising feature

Independent retirement with Centennial Living Centennial Living is a company that prides itself on generating a relaxed friendly atmosphere in its villages, where residents feel welcome and have a sense of belonging to a community. The benefits of social connection and friendship, stimulating activities in a range of amenities, a safe environment and the feeling of support being there when needed has made Centennial’s villages happy places in which to live. Centennial Living Keilor offers two levels of accommodation – independent living and serviced apartments. Whilst maintenance and gardening is provided in the village, people who choose independent living reside in their own home and have the freedom to take care of meals, cleaning, laundry, and other household tasks how they wish. When people may need more help, serviced apartments can be a good choice. Daily meals are served in the dining room or delivered to the apartment and weekly cleaning and heavy laundry is provided for serviced apartment residents. Other in-home care services can also be arranged to suit individual requirements. Both styles of accommodation are fitted with emergency call systems. While the seven Centennial villages in Victoria vary in some aspects, recreational facilities include indoor heated swimming pools, barbecue areas, a community centre and lounge, hobby garden, games room, arts and crafts, senior’s gym, bowling green, indoor bowls, men’s shed, aqua aerobics and a hair and beauty salon. Pets are also welcome. The resort-style living is ideal for people who want to downsize from the family home and have a lifestyle that offers social connection and absolute independence. Inez, who has asked to have her surname omitted from publication, has been living

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

in the Keilor village for eight years. She says that she really enjoys village life, and that the activities are very popular at Keilor but with no pressure to participate. “You’ve always got support. You’ve always got someone here,” Inez says.

“You can do as much or as little as you want. There’s so much offering at the village, you’ve just got to tap into it and most people do.” Like all Centennial Living villages, the Keilor village is close to shops, amenities, and recreation in the wider community. It

is particularly close to health care – there’s a medical consultation suite near the entrance of the village. For more information, visit www.centennialliving.com.au

It’s a holiday every day!

TOP RATED VILLAGE

Experience a holiday-like lifestyle and be a part of a friendly community at the Keilor Retirement Village

Villa Units from $530,000

12638130-AI40-23

Convenient location Brick units, no steps A wide variety of amenities

COMMUNITY STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

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

National Seniors Australia The Deer Park Branch of National Seniors Australia holds a lunch on the third Friday of each month at different venues. The group also arrange activities each month, sometimes to the theatre, morning melodies, train or bus trip. The group also holds a General Meeting at The Club in Caroline Springs on the first Wednesday of every month at 1.30pm. All are welcome to join for lunch first, or just attend the meeting and meet new friends. ■ Pamela, pcostello46@hotmail.com

Sunshine Lunar New Year The Sunshine Business Association is hosting the Sunshine Lunar New Year Festival on January 28. The festival is a free multicultural community event taking place in the busy Sunshine shopping precinct along Hampshire Road, Sunshine on Sunday, January 28, from noon-10pm. The day will feature free family fun, live entertainment, children’s rides, street performers, music, dancing, street food, face-painting, magical Lion and Dragon dancing, red-pockets and firecrackers ending with spectacular fireworks. ■ https://shorturl.at/hHNP4

15th annual Show Off Locals are invited to enjoy the 15th annual Show Off, a bicycle and car show in conjunction with the Brimbank Bicycle Education centre to provide a family day out, and also promote bicycling, upcycling bicycles and bike maintenance, with music by DJ Rod G, food and entertainment. The event will take place on February 4, from noon-6pm at the Bicycle Education Centre, 7 Clubhouse Place, Keilor Downs. ■ https://www.saintside.com/

This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of Dinosaur Doctor Shaun, and Laith, 8, with ‘Toby the T-Rex’. (Damjan Janevski) 383278_01

Girl Guides Brimbank District Girl Guides is inviting locals to come and try guides before committing to join. Girls aged 5-18 and adults are invited to enjoy the fun and friendship of guiding. ■ Carolyn, 0418 536 084

and enjoy a meal and fun with a friendly group of ladies. ■ Robyn, 0425 387 880

Sunshine Repair Cafe

Palliative volunteers needed

Do you enjoy fixing things or have skills in mending clothing and textiles? Kororoit Neighbourhood House is looking for volunteer repairers for the newly launched Repair Cafe in Brimbank. Events happen once a month and are an opportunity to meet others in the community and share your skills while helping fix broken household items. ■ sunshinerepaircafe@kcnh.org.au, or 0413 434 082

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

from 7pm. ■ rotarycarolinesprings@gmail.com

Sunrise Social Groups

Al-Anon Family Groups Al-Anon Family Groups is offering help and hope to anyone living in an unhappy home because a loved one drinks too much. There are no contracts to sign, just a voluntary donation to cover room rental. Confidentiality is protected. Confidential meetings held at the Sydenham Neighbourhood Centre (rear of library) every Wednesday from 1-2.30pm. New members welcome. No appointment necessary.

Deer Park Lions Club Deer Park Lions Club is looking for new members. It holds dinner meetings on the first Wednesday of every month at the Deer Park Senior Citizens Club, 119 Station Road, Deer Park. ■ Michael, 0417 307 572

Sunshine Community Brass Sunshine Community Brass is looking for trumpet and percussion players to join its vibrant band of musicians. With more than 90 years of history, the band rehearses at 45 Furlong Road, North Sunshine, on Tuesdays from 7.30pm. ■ Andrew, 0419 444 620

St Albans senior citizens

Love playing the card game 500? Card games are played every Monday from 7-10pm at the Sunshine RSL offices, 99 Dickson Street, Sunshine. ■ Leisa, 0425 768 808

St Albans Senior Citizens group meet at the centre at the corner of Alfrieda and William streets, St Albans, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 9am-2pm. Annual membership: $10. Cost: $1 entry on attendance day. ■ Roma, 0435 991 064

Keilor Day View Club

Caroline Springs Rotary

The Keilor Day View Club meets at 11am on the first Thursday of each month at Green Gully Soccer Club, Green Gully Reserve, Club House Place, Keilor Downs. The club is inviting locals to come along

The Rotary Club of Caroline Springs is inviting new guests to join its meetings in person or via zoom. Meetings are held every Wednesday at the Western Emergency Relief Network in Ravenhall

Card games

12 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 23 January, 2024

GenWest Sunrise Social Groups are currently seeking new members for their Melton, Brimbank and Wyndham programs. The free groups are organised by Genwest and provide a social space for women, gender diverse and nonbinary people, who have a disability, chronic health issues and/or mental health challenges. ■ https://genwest.org.au/what-we-do/ health-wellbeing-programs/

Seniors lunch Deer Park Branch of National Seniors Australia hosts a lunch on the third Friday of each month at different venues. The group also arrange activities each month, sometimes to the theatre, morning melodies, train or bus trip. The group also holds a general meeting at The Club in Caroline Springs on the first Wednesday of every month at 1.30pm. Locals are invited to join in for lunch or just attend the meeting and make new friends. ■ Pamela, pcostello46@hotmail.com

attend a peer support group which is relaxed, friendly and non-judgemental. The group meets weekly at 1pm on Mondays (except for public holidays) at Djerriwarrh Neighbourhood House, 239 Station Road, Melton. The group can discuss most subjects that may be of help ■ https://ow.ly/QVwJ50Q5g42

Caroline Springs Rotary The Rotary Club of Caroline Springs is inviting new guests to join its meetings in person or via zoom. Meetings are held every Wednesday at the Western Emergency Relief Network in Ravenhall from 7pm. ■ rotarycarolinesprings@gmail.com

Melton Bridge Club The Melton Bridge Club has weekly social bridge sessions at the Melton Library on Fridays from 10am-noon. Come along to play an exciting, social card game and have loads of fun. Bridge offers the suspense of poker, the cerebral qualities of chess and the excitement of athletic sports, all in a relaxed and social setting. If you like playing cards this is for you. ■ Rosemary, 0407 894 817

Chatty Cafe Melton

Melton Friendship Group.

Are you feeling lonely, isolated or just wanting to make some new friends? If so, Chatty Cafe is for you. The group meets on Friday mornings at 10am for delicious free coffee from Latin foods and wines at 10 Wallace Square, Melton. ■ https://www.facebook.com/ groups/352071857283331

Join the Melton Friendship Group for singles 55 and older. Meet fortnightly for coffee and chat nights and organised affordable outings and events. ■ 0406 493 734

Women’s Support Group Women’s Support Group Melton is for any women who feel they would like to

Melton Valley Ladies Probus Club The Melton Valley Ladies Probus Club meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 10am at Melton Country Club. New members welcome. ■ Ann, 0425 705 150

PUZZLES

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

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

easy

7 1 2

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

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

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS

DOWN

Sweet egg and milk creation (7) Burning beacon (7) Spotted feline (7) Wash (7) Tinge deeply (5) Australia’s capital (8) Using analysis (10) Unwrap (4) Finishes (4) Battle (10) Coffee (8) Stifle (5) One who flees for safety (7) Island in the North Atlantic (7) Mollusc (7) Cut (wool) (7)

1 5 9 10 11 12 14 16 18 19 22 25 27 28 29 30

No. 169

Grows (10) Used to slide downhill on snow (9) Professional school (7) Subtraction (9) Breakfast favourite (5) Family members (6) Part of a target (5) Parts of face (4) Not supervised (10) Comparisons based on similarities (9) Extinct flying reptile (9) Defecate (7) Economical; sparing (6) Female name (5) Woolly mammal (5) Limbs (4)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 13 15 17 20 21 23 24 26

DECODER

No. 169

hard

9 5 3

6 7

5 4 8

1 7 6

10 11 12 13

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

4 6

1 5 4 2 8 6 7 9 9 1 3

N O WMQ E K T C D U G P 16

Today’s Aim: 10 words: Good 15 words: Very good

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

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

S R

F R

defer, deform, feed, feme, ford, fore, form, formed, former, free, freed, freedom, freer, from, perform, PERFORMED, prefer, reef, refer, reform, reformed

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

3 LETTERS ACT ADO APT ARE ASH ATE AVO AYE EAR ERA GEL HER LAB MOB NET OIL PIE RAM SEA SET SOW SUM TAR UFO

ALIVE ARENA BRIDE CAPER CEASE CORGI COULD CRUSH DREAD DUCTS ELECT ENSUE ENTER EVENT EXTRA FATES FORTY HORDE INNER LATER LINER LYRES

4 LETTERS ARCS ARTS AURA BIDE CLAW CUTE DAFT FETE HEIR MARS MERE SEEP USER WEPT 5 LETTERS ABYSS AFOOT

No. 169 Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down.

QUICK QUIZ

2 3

NOTE: more than one solution may be possible

T Y

D G E D

P E C A N A R O S E W O R S E

NESTS OASIS OWING PATTY PORTS REBUT RISEN SENSE STAGE STATE STEEP STEPS STOMP STUNT STYLE SUGAR TERSE THROB TONAL TORSO TOTED TOXIC

PARSNIP RENEGES UNICORN

ULTRA UNITE USAGE YEARS 6 LETTERS DEEPLY NEBULA PLASMA SCRAMS

8 LETTERS EGOTISTS EMERGENT LEVERAGE SCHEDULE

7 LETTERS ANTENNA ENCHANT OSMOSIS

26-01-24

No. 169

8 1 , & 2 5 1

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”.

21 words: Excellent

hard

A X J V L R I B S F Y H Z

medium

9-LETTER WORD

easy

5x5

WORDFIT

5 6

Aside from Australia, which other country has hosted the Australian Open? Brassy ringlets are a species group of which insect? Which actor starred alongside Adam Sandler (pictured) in I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry? What was the code name of the US program that produced the first atomic bomb during World War II? The Japanese condiment mirin is a wine made from what? What is the most populous city in Spain?

Who directed the 1978 film My Brilliant Career?

Yellowfin, southern bluefin and albacore are all types of what fish?

What is the name of celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal’s first restaurant?

10 Is the coping saw a type of hand saw or electric saw?

ANSWERS: 1. New Zealand 2. Butterfly 3. Kevin James 4. Manhattan Project 5. Rice 6. Madrid 7. Gillian Armstrong 8. Tuna 9. The Fat Duck 10. Hand saw

No. 169

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

SUDOKU

SECTION

Tuesday, 23 January, 2024 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 13

networkclassifieds.com.au Trades & Services V Deadline

V Trades Business Profile

V Plumbing

Placing your classified advert is so easy...

MIRMIC PLUMBING

Grow your business with

(include your name, address and phone number)

We accept payment by:

TRADES & SERVICES

VISA/MASTERCARD/EFTPOS (1.5% credit card processing fee applies. Cheques and money orders can be posted in or hand delivered to our local ofﬁce)

V Air Conditioning

AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING

• 40 Years Family FR QUO EE Owned & Operated TES • 25 Year Warranty nt cou Dis r ne sio • Senior/Pen S #1 in KEILOR DOWN

REPAIR, SUPPLY AND INSTALLATIONS

FAST FRIENDLY EFFICIENT lmyantenna.com.au Phone 7am-8pm | instal

JAD COOLING AND HEATING $2800

0488 816 557

0425 804 593 or 0425 876 176 12612983-KG24-23

AU 21094 Lic 42666 jadhc@live.com.au

AIR CONDITIONING COOLING & HEATING • House • Commercial, Evaporator Coolers • Ducted Heaters • Split System, Commercial Refrigeration System, % Supplying, Installation, Service Interest • Repair • Get done by us Payment Plans Industrial Ave, Hoopers Crossing 3029

G6795050AA-dc29Apr 1132314-LB19-14

V Rubbish Removal

CHEAP BIN HIRE AND RUBBISH REMOVAL • 2,3,4,6,8m3 Bins available • Bins starting from $150 Mixed rubbish accepted

PENSIONER DISCOUNT

CALL: 0415 177 388

☎ 9720 5111

& ARCHIE’S TREE SERVICE

Drain Cleaning, CCTV and all Drain Repairs.

12586003-MS03-23

฀

฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

฀

฀ ฀

฀

฀ ฀

฀ ฀ ฀

฀

฀ ฀

฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

Call Sam 0450 820 170 - 7 days

BRAD DUNCAN PLUMBING & GASFITTING All facets covered! s Free Quote s Pensioner Discount

0419 508 734

1233958-CG26-16

V Cabinet Makers

12360798-DJ33-17

12418345-SN21-19

Contact Adam 0422 250 675

฀ ฀

Lic 38337

AMAZING GARDEN SERVICES

• Stumps Removed • Fully Insured OR • Woodchipping TRIMMED & Mulching • Pensioner Discounts

REMOVED

Certiﬁcate in Tree Climbing & Tree Felling

0418 378 097

ANY TREES LOPPED Trees Pruned Reshaped Grubbed out. All Foliage/Rubbish Removed Fully Insured $10m Pensioner Discount

Free Quote 7 Day Service 45 yrs exp.

MELTON TREE & STUMP REMOVALS

Call Joe 0498 375 094 - 7 days

“Your Local Tree & Stump Removalist” • Fully Insured Tree Lopping • Mulching & Stump Grinding

Real Estate

14 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 23 January, 2024

on presentation of this ad

C & D Schroeder 9337 3695 or 0415 816 882

Specialist in • Lawn mowing • Edging Pruning / Hedge Trimming • Regular Maintenance • Rubbish Removals • Tree Lopping • Gutter Cleaning

section of Network Classifieds.

5% DISCOUNT

12340308-HM08-17

Call Tom on 0419 388 264 Lic 30742

A1 Garden Maintenance & Rubbish Removals

12661871-JC03-24

• No Fuss • No Mess • No Stress

12595228-MS12-23

฀ ฀

• LARGE TREE SPECIALISTS • HEDGE TRIMMING EXPERTS • STUMP GRINDING • MULCH AVAILABLE • CONSULTING ARBORIST • ARBORIST REPORTS

All Plumbing & Maintenance at low prices.

V Garden Services

TREE SERVICES

12553448-JC23-22

12621309-AP29-23

Gates & Pergolas ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ Lou 0412 339 445 Tony 0431 339 739

12589150-AI06-23

12416265-CG17-19

MAINTENANCE PLUMBER

All styles of Fencing and Gates • Colorbond • Picket • Wrought Iron and more

AK BRICKLAYING

Ring David – 0437 369 162

$20 MILLION INSURANCE

12586475-SN03-23

V Bricklayers

Free Quote – Big or Small Jobs – Pensioner Discounts

BEST STYLE FENCING

Lou’s Colorbond Fencing

www.topedgekitchens.com.au

• ALL GARDEN MAINTENANCE • DRIVEWAYS & PATH CLEANING (High Pressure)

V Plumbing

Call for a FREE QUOTE 0431 477 232

Showroom by appointment only Free Quotes & Mobile Ensuite Hire. terms & conditions apply Please note that we specialise in renovations - we do not do repairs or maintenance

DAWSONS

V Fencing & Gates

12555984-NG26-22

12619649-FC29-23

Phone Tony 0404 775 573

Kitchens & Bathroom Renovations

All Types of Bricklaying Restoration Work ฀Brick Fences ฀Repair Work

V Garden Services

LAWN MOWING

· Plumbing · Tiling · Electrical · Carpentry · Plastering · One stop shop - Kitchen, bathroom, laundries & renovation needs. · Complete service from start to ﬁnish, including kitchen 3D design. · Appliance packages available. · Bathroom tapware, accessories & tiles on display in our showroom.

Specializing in: • Kitchens • Wardrobes • Vanities • Custom Built Storage Space For a free quote please contact Andy 0408 081 888 Showroom: 45 Knight Ave, Sunshine North Email: aacabinets@outlook.com.au

Registered Building Practitioner

Sell it local THE JOLLY GIANT

12420493-CG25-19

AA CABINETS

FREE SMOKE ALARM

PH: 9360 5357 Mobile: 0412 378 193

Need cash?

"We do all the small jobs that the bigger companies don't have time for" Up to 60 square metres Shed floors, paths, driveways etc. Coloured, plain, slate and stencil. FREE MEASURE & QUOTE Workmanship guaranteed, with over 30 years experience

V Bathroom & Kitchens

8348 5441

ALL SUBURBS ★ RAISING ★ LEVELLING ★ UNDERPINNING ★ RESTUMPING WITH CONCRETE OR REDGUM STUMPS ★ COUNCIL PERMIT ★ ALL WORK GUARANTEED

“Local paper is the most established and best way to reach our local community” - Sussan

SMALL SMALL CONCRETING CONCRETING JOBS JOBS

SAME DAY TV ANTENNA SERVICE

0488 816 557

NICK’S RE-BLOCKING SERVICE

V Tree Lopping/Surgery V Concrete Products & Services

V Antennas

FAST FRIENDLY EFFICIENT Phone 7am-8pm | installmyantenna.com.au

Reg No 8659

12664635-JB05-24

We accept

• 40 Years Family FR Owned & Operated QUO EE TES • 25 Year Warranty • Senior/Pensioner Discount #1 in KEILOR DOWNS

MEMBER OF MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION

Call 1300 666 808

12402755-RA44-18

12642070-ET42-23

Evaps from

12619649-FC29-23

Speak to our classified team and find out how easy it is to advertise. Start building your brand today and be seen every week in Network Classifieds Trades and Services. TENNA SERVICE SAME DAY TV AN

12434534-LB03-20

Deadline for all classifications is 2:30pm Friday.

Call 1300 850 696 or 0433 874 699 www.surefreeze.com.au L065074

V Reblocking/Underpinning

From plumbers to pest control, carpet cleaning to building services, dry cleaning to computer repairs, lawn mowing and more, Network Classifieds has been connecting local businesses with the local community with our Trades and Services each week.

Ask about our discounted ongoing advertising rates and how choosing more newspapers gives your advertising more impact and saves you money...

• EVAPORATIVE COOLERS • SPLIT SYSTEMS • HOT WATER SYSTEMS • DUCTED HEATING

FREE Quotes

Call Mick 0417 352 040

12558257-ET28-22

Online: networkclassiﬁeds.com.au (24/7) Phone: 1300 666 808 (Open 8.30-5pm Mon-Fri) Email: sales@networkclassiﬁeds.com.au

12530339-JW02-22

Lic 35031

• General Plumbing & Maintenance • Spouting & Roofing • Hot & Cold Water Services • Gas work

Andrew for a Free Quote 0421 836 152

General Notices

General Classifieds V Garage Sales

HAVING A CLEAN UP OR DECLUTTERING YOUR HOME?

SUBURB S

Public Notice

DRES

STREET AD

Proposed Sale of Part Durham Road Car Park, Sunshine for Museum Brimbank City Council (Council) acting in accordance with the statutory procedures required by section 114 of the Local Government Act 2020, proposes to sell a 1,000 square metre parcel within the land known as Durham Road Car Park at 119 – 125 Durham Road, Sunshine, directly to the Vietnamese Museum Australia Ltd for the purposes of operating a nationally significant cultural museum.

Rainbow Club

ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE

Call our helpful classiﬁed team between 8:30am-5pm Mon-Fri for FREE advice!

Submissions should be made via Council’s website, or provided in writing via email to durhamroad@brimbank.vic.gov.au or hard copy addressed to: Submissions Committee – Sale of Part Durham Road Car Park Brimbank City Council PO Box 70, Sunshine VIC 3020.

Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Star Weekly

Maribyrnong & Hobsons Bay Star Weekly

We are a long established furniture & joinery business seeking qualiﬁed Cabinet Makers with some experience using Cabinet Vision or Mosaik software to join our team in designing and producing custom high-end products for Melbourne’s best builders and developers. You will be working with qualiﬁed and skilled cabinet makers and designers with over 40 years experience in the trade.

SWA6566B

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

General Notices

To be successful you will need to have the following attributes: • Have strong work ethics • Keen interest and passion for joinery design • Be willing to learn and work in a team environment • Have some experience in Cabinet Vision or Mosaik • Have good communication skills • Be reliable and hard working

section of Network Classifieds.

Employment

12565959-HC35-22

12664338-JD04-24 MV1002

Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly

V Massage Therapists

WESTERN SUBURBS – ALTONA CABINET MAKER ARE YOU READY FOR THE NEXT STEP

The Offer: • Modern factory • Excellent working conditions. • Further training in cabinet Vision or Mosaik • Salary negotiable based on skill and experience • Full time employment

NEW STAFF?

To be eligible you must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent resident or have full working rights. If you believe you qualify please forward you resume to:tony@osirisfurniture.com.au or phone: 9398 8824 12664779-AA05-24

Fill your position online www.networkclassiﬁeds.com.au

Find your Local Professionals in our

Trades & Services section of Network Classifieds.

12663496-MS04-24

Brimbank & North West Star Weekly

48 Davies Avenue, Sunshine North 0468 693 833

V Positions Vacant

NEED

Call or visit us online! networkclassifieds.com.au

Thursday 25th January at 1.30pm

Open 7 days

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

V Positions Vacant

Further information regarding the proposal can be obtained at: www.yoursay.brimbank.vic.gov.au

Classified deadlines for Tuesday, 30th January issue of the Brimbank & Northwest Star Weekly as follows:

$110/ 30mins

Motoring

V Professional V Wrecking

DISCRIMINATION IN ADVERTISING IS UNLAWFUL

FREE CAR REMOVAL

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

ADVERTISE UNTIL SOLD*

Pay up to $500 for most cars Dead or Alive

12321532-HM36-16

As part of its Community Engagement Policy, Council is inviting submissions on the proposal to sell part of the land. Any person may make a submission on the proposed sale of land, which must be in writing and received by Council by 11.59pm Monday, 19 February 2024.

Australia Day

Only 33.00

Employment

12423634-SN31-19

Want to place an ad but not sure where to start?

CLASSIFIEDS EARLY DEADLINES

6cm (H) x 3cm (W)

V Pets & Services

section of Network Classifieds.

www.brimbank.vic.gov.au

CALL 1300 666 808 V Adult Services

12652832-AI48-23

Motoring

Following consideration of submissions, Council may or may not resolve to sell part of the land known as Durham Road Car Park.

or email sales@networkclassiﬁeds.com.au

Buy & Sell in the

Any person who has made a written submission and has requested to be heard in support of their written submission is entitled to appear in person in support of the submission, or to be represented by a person specified in the submission, at the Hearing of Submissions Committee meeting to be held at 6pm on Monday, 4 March 2024 at the Brimbank Community and Civic Centre, 301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine.

Advertise your GARAGE SALE here

12644936-SM44-23

V Public Notices and Event

LMCT 10268W

7 days a week service Call Gus for a free quotation on

0435 904 818 Buy, Rent & Sell in the

Find it in the

Celebrations

section of Network Classiﬁeds.

Real Estate section of Network Classifieds.

29 .00

• All advertisements must be pre-paid. For $29.00 you get a 4 line, ONE ITEM ONLY advertisement, restricted to “For Sale” or “Motoring” items only for private advertisers, run initially for 13 weeks or until sold. Additional lines will be charged at $3 per line per publication. • After your advertisement has run for 13 weeks you must call us each fortnight to renew it for a further 2 week period AND reduce the price of your item by a minimum 5% for items in the “For Sale” section or 3% for items in the “Motoring” section. This process may continue until you have sold your item. If we do not hear from you we will assume you have sold your item and your advertisement will not appear. • The sale price must be included in the advertisement and the only alterations you may make are to the PRICE of your item. • Business advertisements, rental hire, pets & livestock and real estate are not included in the offer. • The publisher reserves the right to decline any booking for the purpose of ongoing gain.

Wyndham Star Weekly Run my advert in:

Northern Star Weekly

2 papers - $7 extra 3 papers - $14 extra 4 papers - $21 extra 5 papers - $28 extra 6 papers - $35 extra

ADD A PHOTO FOR AN ADDITIONAL $8.00. 12593578-AV11-23

Tuesday, 23 January, 2024 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 15

MOTOR STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

CX90 – the largest Mazda yet By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring I must be seeing double. Apart from the difference in size, the Mazda CX-60 and CX-90 could be twins. They look the same. They share the same chassis, the same engines and transmissions and their performance is very much the same. Everything is the same, same, same – or is it?

Styling At 5120mm and 2220kg CX-90 is the largest Mazda to date and is available in six- and seven-seat configuration, with a choice of petrol or diesel engines – both of them hybrids. That’s 38mm longer than the CX-60 we reviewed recently, 45mm longer than the CX-9, 195mm longer than CX-8 and a whopping 545mm longer than the best-selling CX-5. Get the picture. If CX-60 is targeted at the BMW X3, then that means CX-90 has X5 customers in its sights, and that’s a pretty tall order. It’s like trying to climb Mt Everest without the right amount of oxygen. Take too little and you’re not going to make it. For the time being, CX-90 replaces the CX-9 which is in run-out, priced from just over $50,000 through to $74,400. Coincidentally the latter figure is the starting point for the CX-90. It gets you the hybrid, 3.3-litre Touring entry model, which is followed by the GT at $85,335 and the Azami at $94,435 – all before on-road costs. You won’t get much change out of $100K for the Azami by the time you add in on-roads. Add one of the $5000 SP or Takumi option packs and the figure reaches $100,935 – again before on-roads. That’s a heck of a lot of folding money for a Mazda, you might be thinking? So, am I. Our test vehicle was the seven-seat petrol-powered version of the Azami finished in the crowd favourite Soul Red. Mazda says CX-90 offers more luggage capacity than CX-9, but does not offer comparative figures. In total, you get 608 litres with three rows in use or 2025 litres with the second and third row folded. This is measured to the top of the seat back rather than the roof and includes under-floor storage. While CX-90 is all-wheel drive and marketed as an SUV, no one in their right mind is going to take this car any further off road than a dirt shortcut. In reality it’s more of a people mover and as such a dedicated MPV would be more practical. Standard kit for the Azami includes 21-inch machined alloys, Nappa leather, three-zone climate air, heated and cooled front seats, power-adjust heated steering wheel, LED ambient lighting and a panoramic sunroof. There’s also head-up display, a fully digitised instrument cluster, adaptive LED headlights, auto high beam, keyless entry and start, auto dimming mirror, auto lights and wipers, plus front and rear parking sensors. Not to mention intelligent speed assist, traffic sign recognition and the much-vaunted driver personalisation system. CX-60 is covered by a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty with five-year roadside assistance, with service intervals of 15 months/15,000km. Braked towing capacity is a conservative 2500kg. It comes in a range of eight colours including the aforementioned Soul Red Crystal Metallic (but it’s an extra $995).

Infotainment Infotainment consists of a large, narrow 12.3-inch screen, but as is the norm with Mazda it is not a touchscreen and must be operated from a central control knob. It is frustrating in the extreme that Mazda persists with this approach and irritating that the car must be in park with the handbrake applied before some features are accessible. There’s Bluetooth, built-in navigation, AM/FM/DAB+ digital radio, Apple Carplay

Shooting for the stars – Mazda’s flagship CX-90 SUV. (Supplied)

AT A GLANCE MODEL RANGE CX-90 Touring G50e M Hybrid: $74,400 CX-90 Touring D50e M Hybrid: $76,400 CX-90 GT G50e M Hybrid: $85,335 CX-90 GT D50e M Hybrid: $85,400 CX-90 Azami G50e M Hybrid: $94,435 CX-90 Azami D50e M Hybrid: $93,320 CX-90 Azami G50e SP M Hybrid: $100,935 CX-90 Azami D50e SP M Hybrid: $99,820

and Android Auto (wireless and wired, plus wireless phone charging. Audio is provided by a 12-speaker Bose audio system. There’s two USB-C ports for each of the three rows, plus a 12V/120W socket in the front, 150W AC socket in the back, plus another 12V/120W socket in the luggage area.

Engines/transmissions While the 3.3-litre six-cylinder mild hybrid in the CX-60 produces 209kW and 450Nm, the same engine in CX-90 has been tuned to produce 254kW and 500Nm, the latter over a wide band from 2000-4500 rpm - no doubt to compensate for the extra weight of the larger vehicle. The diesel in comparison produces 187kW and 550Nm between 1500 and 2400 rpm, and uses 5.4L/100km (and amazingly is cleaner producing 143g versus 189 g/km of CO2). M Hybrid Boost consists of a 0.33kWh lithium-ion battery, an inverter, a DC-to-DC converter and an electric motor/generator rated at 12kW and 153Nm integrated into the transmission. An eight-speed conventional auto transmits power to the wheels, but with a clutch in place of a torque converter that is supposed to allow more accurate control of the electric motor but it’s not the smoothest car to drive.

Safety Although it hasn’t been crash tested for safety yet, there’s 10 airbags - front, side and curtain airbags, as well as a driver knee airbag and centre airbag designed to stop front seat occupants bumping heads in a side impact. There’s a 360-degree camera, Smart Brake Support (SBS) with Turn-across traffic and Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) with Vehicle Exit Warning. Autonomous emergency braking (Car-to-Car, Vulnerable Road User and Junction Assist) as well as a lane support system with lane keep assist (LKA), lane departure warning (LDW) and emergency lane keeping (ELK), and blind spot monitoring (BSM) are also standard.

16 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 23 January, 2024

There’s two Isofix and five top tether child seat anchor points.

Driving Apart from the same quirks as the CX-60, one needs to remember this hybrid is unlikely to deliver Prius-like levels of fuel consumption. That’s because it’s based on a larger capacity, six-cylinder engine and an in-line straight six at that, as favoured by the likes of BMW. With a 74-litre tank, Mazda claims 8.2L/100km, but bear in mind it takes premium 95 unleaded (it’s E10 compatible). During this period, fuel consumption ranged from a low of 8.6L up to more than 10.0L/100km over almost 1000km of mixed driving. Around town we’d expect to see about 9.8L/100km which is where it spent most of the time before making any longer excursions. The electric motor is designed to support the engine at low loads and low engine speeds, boosting efficiency over short distances. The battery is recharged by the engine or via regenerative braking. If it’s full, any surplus is used to power in-car electrical components. CX-90 like the CX-60 is all-wheel drive but with a rear-wheel bias, which gives it sportier handling and a tighter turning circle than you might expect. Torque vectoring has been joined by something Mazda calls Kinematic Posture Control (Mazda loves acronyms) to control the attitude when braking – a technology also found in the MX-5. There’s gear change paddles and four different switchable driving modes, ranging from Normal, Sport, Off-Road and Towing. The look of the dash changes with each drive mode but that is the extent of any customisation, and something of a missed opportunity, we might suggest. The gear selector is fiddly, there’s a lag when you plant the accelerator and it slumps into gear from time to time. The brakes can be abrupt too. Interestingly, when you back off and the engine is no longer under load, the tacho needle

CX-90 Azami G50e Takumi M Hybrid: $100,935 CX-90 Azami D50e Takumi M Hybrid: $99,820 SPECIFICATIONS Mazda CX-90 Azami G50e 3.3L turbo 6-cylinder petrol, 8sp automatic, AWD SUV

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

flat lines as the electric motor takes over. Once it gets going, acceleration in the CX-90 sounds and feels six cylinder strong. Belying its size and weight, the dash from 0-100km/h takes 6.9 seconds (same as CX-60). But it feels big and hefty, and this is confirmed by a frighteningly long profile. You need to keep this in mind when negotiating car parks and the like, as evidenced by the scuffed rims of our test vehicle (not us, just saying). The driver personalisation system is something of a disappointment. It uses facial recognition technology to store and automatically restore individual settings including the driver seat position. The problem is that the system doesn’t recognise you if you forget to take off your glasses or sunglasses after the initial setup. The ride quality is harsh at times, but likely to improve with some passengers aboard. There are air vents for all rows but the aircon in our test vehicle was a major disappointment. It seems to cycle down intermittently but generally takes too long to cool down the cabin, and even at the lowest setting is not very cold. I lost count of the number of times I banged my head on the tailgate. Try as I might, I couldn’t find a way of adjusting it. However, the big question and maybe the only one that really matters is does the CX-90 look and feel like the premium product Mazda believes it to be? It looks pretty good and it’s got that big sexy six, and if you close your eyes, you could pretend it’s a BMW. But in reality, it lacks the punch and sporty feel of a Beemer, and in the end, well it’s just a Mazda.

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

SPORT

League on the look out for female umpires The Western Region Football League is on the hunt for umpires particularly for its women and girl’s football programs. In January and February the league’s umpiring department is running an academy exclusively for females who may be interested in working for the league throughout the 2024 season. The program is set to be led by the AFLW umpiring Rising star award 2023 recipient, boundary umpire Melissa Sambrooks, who will share her experiences officiating football. The academy will take place across three sessions, starting on January 24 at Saltwater Reserve in Point Cook from 11am-2.30pm. WRFL director of umpiring Steve Keating said the first session will include a lunch followed by a series of presentations led by Sambrooks to start the education and see if it’s something those in attendance are interested in.

“The first one won’t differ much to what a normal coaching session might look like,” he said. “But for us it will be more about finding out exactly what the girls would want and like and then to see if we would be able to deliver that to them. “The desired outcome is around growth in women’s and girl’s football so we can try to make women’s and girl’s football self-sustaining in relation to officiating.” All who attend the sessions over the summer could possibly be umpiring an official WRFL match in round one of the 2024 season. “We’ll help them get prepared and confident and offer them some mentorship to start out with,” Keting said. “It’s essentially important that we can sustain our officiating numbers but also grow them.

“Otherwise, it’s left up to the reluctant parents to officiate games, it’s better to have an enthusiastic, trained person to officiate the games, rather than a reluctant parent who gets given a whistle on the day and doesn’t actually know what laws are required at the different age groups. “This is designed to overcome that and make umpiring sustainable now and into the future. “Within our program we will also be looking to provide pathways through to VFLW and AFLW as well, so there will be an opportunity there.” While registrations are not vital, Keating said they are recommended as he would like to see 100 names on the list prior to the session. Details: https://www.facebook.com/ WesternRegionFL. Harper Sercombe

Burnside eyes top four By Tara Murray There’s been no second season blues for Burnside Springs United in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Russell Pollock Shield. Having joined the VTCA last season late in the piece when a vacancy arose last season, it was a learning curve for the club. Now having played in the competition for a season, Burnside has started to make inroads on the competition. Secretary James Highgate said they had been happy with how the season had gone so far. “There has been massive improvement on last year,” he said. “Our coach Cass [Elorza] went out and recruited what he wanted. “We’ve been able to land those players and it has helped with the improvement. We’re happy with where we’re sitting.” Highgate said last season was like a free hit for them as they juggled the changes of the new competition. The club though is still without a turf wicket at their home ground, which they are hoping will be ready for next season. It means the sides are spending another season on the road. “We were hoping to see some improvement this year and we’ve seen a lot of that,” Highgate said. “We’ve seen some more consistent results. We’re still playing a lot of home grown players in that side.” Burnside sits in fifth spot after seven after seven rounds, a game outside the top four. Just 15 points separates first and seventh. It was set to play day two of its match against fourth placed Sunshine YCW on Saturday, after deadline. The YCW’s were bowled out for 175 with one over remaining. Amitoj Kang top scored for the YCW’s with 66. Joshua Kelly, Oscar Hodgetts and Shohan Rangika took two wickets each for Burnside. “One of our recruits Shoan took two wickets and is starting to work into it a bit more now and giving a bit with the ball,” Highgate said. “Josh and Oscar are two of our younger kids that have come through the junior ranks and stepped up.” With a top four spot in sight, Highgate said it was something that they had spoken about this within the club. “It definitely is,” he said about playing finals. “It has been spoken about, but we are taking it each week at a time. “We first want to get the runs this week.” Highgate said their second XI is also in a good position to play finals. He said it would be a massive confidence boost for the club if they were to get a couple of sides into finals this season. “It gets us a bit more experience.” For the results of this game and other VTCA games, go to www.starweekly.com.au.

Melissa Sambrooks. (AFL Photos)

PEGS get first T20 points PEGS opened its Victorian Turf Cricket Association T20 campaign with a win against Caroline Springs on Tuesday night. The Falcons were bowled out of 98 on the final ball of the innings. Shiran Rajakaruna top scored with 33 Priyank Chohan took 3-13 for PEGS It was an easy run chase, with PEGS finishing 1-102. Caroline Springs still has to face Sunbury in the remaining pool game. A win would secure Sunbury a finals spot, while a Falcons win means top spot would be decided by percentage with all three teams finishing on one win. Sunshine United ended its T20 campaign without win, losing to Maribyrnong Park St Mary’s on Tuesday night. The Tigers made 7-145 from their 20 overs, The Lions made the runs with nine balls remaining, finishing 2-146..The win secured the Lions top spot in their pool. In other matches, Haig Fawkner beat East Coburg on Monday night East Coburg made 6-109 from its overs Haig chased down the runs with more than five overs to spare, finishing 3-110. Haig is through to the next round Wyndhamvale got a consolation win against Werribee Centrals in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association T20 competition on Tuesday night. Werribee Centrals made 7-123 from their overs, with Nathan Griffiths and Jacob Carter taking two wickets each. Griffiths then made 85 not out off 52 balls to guide the Vales to 1-126. Point Cook Centrals had already won through to the finals from that pool. Glenroy beat Moonee Valley Moonee Valley bowled out for 82 with nearly five overs remaining Glenroy had little trouble, finishing 4-85 in reply, The win cemented Glenroy top spot in its pool Roxburgh Park piled on the runs against Jacana, making 9-193 from their overs. Feroze Khushi top scored with 48. The Jaguars could only manage 7-146 in reply. The winner out for Roxburgh Park and St Francis de Sales will go through to the next round. Williamstown CYMS made 158 as its was bowled out with one ball remaining. Seabrook 7-123 in reply. Kamaljeet Singh top scored with 36 at the top of the order.

Shohan Rangika. (Ljubica Vrankovic) Tuesday, 23 January, 2024 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 17

SPORT STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Cats on flag hunt after last season’s final loss Albion is setting out for revenge in the Western Region Football League division 2 season. After losing the grand final by, quite literally, a bounce of the ball last minute against Parkside, the Cats are remaining in the second string of the league, determined to do what they couldn’t in 2023. Now, the goal for the Cats is simple, premiership or bust according to coach Blake Richards. “Last year my personal goal or pass mark was to make finals, obviously we achieved that,” he said. “This year we probably do want to win the flag. “Then get into A-grade and potentially try to make finals in A-grade which would be a pretty big stepping stone over three years to go from winning four games to potentially making A-grade finals. “I think the list is good enough, the club’s in a really good position so there’s no reason we can’t. “[This year] the club had the option to go up which a few other clubs had in division 2. “Last year we had a really positive year so we just wanted to reiterate that and hopefully get these guys a premiership and then hopefully

Albion players after last years grand final lose. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 359359_66

get back into A-grade and have sustainability in A-grade which is our aim.” Richards said the hunt for the premiership is on the right track, with fitness levels building

and new recruits being dragged in by the Cats. “Last year was my first year coaching here, so I know the players and I know how fit they were last year,” he said.

“The ones that have been training look like they’re a lot fitter and a lot stronger which is good. “I think health and fitness has really come into football a lot more since COVID. I think guys are really looking after themselves outside of football to get themselves really fit. “ “I’ve noticed that the guys are working harder at the moment, especially the ones in the senior group that missed out. So hopefully the work leads to a good result for them.” Headlining the recruits for the Cats is former player and star of the competition Joshua Bench. He returns to the club from Altona, where he was the Vikings’ best and fairest in 2022 and 23, with 2022 being a premiership year for the club. He has also been a part of the division 1 team of the year in each of the past three seasons. Amongst the club’s other recruits is, Brandyn Di Sisto and Jared Bond from Werribee Districts’ reserve team, Juy Capp from St Kilda City, Troy Clarke from Hill End and Josiah Garisto, who was on Essendon’s Victorian Football League list in 2022. Harper Sercombe

Baseball returns for Eagles

Matthew Grimaldi with captain Josh Risdon. (Western United)

Grimaldi finds his feet By Harper Sercombe It’s been a whirlwind 18 months for Western United young winger Matthew Grimaldi, who for the first time started as a professional soccer player earlier this month. The 20-year-old joined United from Melbourne City at the beginning of the National Premier League 2 season and was soon given opportunities to train with the A-League side. After dominating the NPL season, scoring five goals and providing nine assists from midfield in 26 matches, he was awarded his first professional contract. signing with United on a two-year scholarship contract. “It’s gone so quickly, it only feels like yesterday that I was playing in the NPL with the ‘23s,” he said. “We had such an amazing year and just fell short of promotion, but I feel like that season really kick started the confidence and new way I’ve been playing. “At City it didn’t work out but I got to come over to the west and have a new opportunity and it’s all kind of working out now. “Coming to United with a new team and new

coaches, it was a sense of falling in love with the game again, like I was a kid again. There was just something about Diogo (Ferreira, NPL coach and assistant men’s coach) and Dura (Andrew Durante, academy coach) and my new team and the way we played with expression. We are able to express ourselves on the pitch, and I think that was really evident in how we went last year.” Since being with United he has gone from strength to strength, with his career hitting its highest peak to date when he started in last Friday’s clash against Macarthur, assisting a goal just three minutes into the clash. He said it was an amazing feeling to step onto the pitch. “It was an amazing feeling,” he said. “It’s something that I’ve been working towards, everything has happened so quickly from being in the youth team last season to the first team now and to get an assist was a really good feeling. “It’s been a dream of mine to play professional football and now that it’s all coming together and I’m living that now I just want to take it to new heights, and try to start in more games and build off that and build more confidence.

18 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 23 January, 2024

“At the start of the year I set all these goals that have already happened, like making my debut, scoring a goal, getting an assist and making my starting debut. “Now I think it’s about just pushing new ones. “I want to start in even more games, score more goals. But I definitely want to play finals for Western United. With our recent form we definitely want to turn that around and make the top six. That’s one thing that’s definitely on my mind right now, I want to help the team and push up the ladder and make finals.” Despite having the weekend off, there is no slowing down for United or Grimaldi as they hope to turn their season around. United’s match with Adelaide United has been rescheduled. “We’ve got a bit of a bigger week of training and then an intra-club match on Saturday, and then we will rest and recover on Sunday,” Grimaldi said before the weekend. “We don’t want to slow down too much because we have a game next week against the Wanderers in Tasmania which should be a big test. We’re looking to get the result there and try to get some points on the board again.”

It was an unfortunate return to baseball for the Sunshine Eagles after the break as the Victorian Baseball summer season got underway for the year. With the league now split into the premier league and premier league minor, and Sunshine in the former, every game now is set to be a challenge. The Eagles had their first matchup of the new year in the league with the reigning back-to-back premiers Upwey on Tuesday, losing 9-4. “There are no easy games now, beforehand we could pick and choose games that were probably against sides that were just coming up from division two or whatever and we could pitch other people against them,” coach Stuart Clayton said. “Now everyone can beat everyone, so it’s going to be tough, every game is going to be tough. “Our pitching just wasn’t up to it. We didn’t throw enough strikes early. They out-hit us only 8-6, but I think we gave them five or six walks and a couple of pitch-hit balls which just gave them extra runners to get on top of us. “The fielding was good, the hitting was reasonably good, our pitching just wasn’t on. But the young fella is only 15 and that’s the only poor outing he’s had all year so he’ll learn from that.” Clayton said while it wasn’t an ideal performance, it was good to blow the holiday cobwebs off as the Eagles prepare to face Upwey again, at home on Saturday (past deadline). “We had a three and half week break, we came back to training last week and only had two sessions then straight into a game so everyone was a little bit rusty, but they were obviously better than us on the night,” he said. “Hopefully we can turn it around on the weekend and we can get them back. “The pitcher that pitched against us last time threw again last night, and we just couldn’t get a hold of him. But I’m sure on Sunday they’ll have a different pitcher and we’ll throw a different pitcher and it’ll be a good contest. “They’re a quality side, they’ve won it in the last two years, so it’s good to play them and work out where you are.”

The Lions bounce back with a ‘convincing’ win After a disappointing result last week, Taylors Lakes is back in the winners list, defeating Melton on Saturday in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association north-west. Taylors Lakes fielded first and was very successful in doing so, bowling Melton out for 155 from 42 overs. In the chase, Taylors Lakes was able to survive its early hiccups to get the runs just three wickets down, finishing on 3-156 after 38.2 overs. “It was quite a convincing win, we gave them their chances, we dropped a few catches, there’s definitely room for improvement, but as a whole to chase it three down, we’re pretty happy at our end, it’s a good chase,” captain-coach Aamir Raza said. “It was a fresh wicket, we thought winning the toss and bowling first would get some life out of it early, which we did. From that point

on it got a little bit easier to bat on, it was still up and down, but we got to watch it for 42 overs, so we knew what it was doing before we got our chance to score the runs.” With the ball Raza and Arafat Bhuiyan took three wickets each, while one went to both Melisha Deshapriya and George Pritchard, to go with the two run-outs. “We know what a class bowler Arafat is and he showed that yesterday,” Raza said. “Melisha bowled very well and he only got one wicket but he deserved more than that. “I think it just showed that with our bowling line up there is no let off in terms of bowlers coming on.” Raza was again strong in the chase making 62 opening the batting. He was able to bat in a 106 run partnership with Nilan Fernando, who finished on 66 not-out. “Being 2-6, I had to put a little bit of

responsibility on myself as coach and Nilan as a senior batsman to be able to see it off… It showed that we do have depth and we’re not just a one man team, it showed with Stef not getting many we could still chase a score,” he said. Now ninth on the ladder and with red-ball cricket to come, Raza said he is maintaining a positive and hopeful attitude. “We’re still in the chase for finals, it’s a very close race. I think we’re one win away from now,” he said. “Red-ball probably suits our fast bowlers a little bit more, being able to bash away at a length… I think it plays into us, having time to bat rather than having to go a little bit harder in the one day stuff. We’re looking forward to it a lot.” Harper Sercombe Arafat Bhuiyan (Ljubica Vrankovic)

Sports shorts A-League Western United will once again bring elite men’s and women’s soccer to Tasmania, touring the Apple Isle for the fourth time in the A-League. John Aloisi’s men’s side will face Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday, January 27 and Sydney FC on Saturday, February 3. The women’s squad will also be in Tasmania on the first Saturday of February as Kat Smith leads her side into a first-ever showdown against Central Coast Mariners.

VSDCA Taylors Lakes started its Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association T20 campaign with a win against Melton on Tuesday. After the opening round was washed out, Taylors Lakes won a thriller against Melton. Taylors Lakes made 9-122 from its overs with Aamir Raza top scoring with 29. Rhys Berry took three wickets for Melton. Melton fell just short, finishing 8-115. Conrad Farrugia top scored with 43.

FV Thomas O’Brien (Ljubica Vrankovic)

Tigers are in the hunt By Tara Murray Sunshine United continues to push the top teams without getting the rewards in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division. The Tigers sit in seventh spot with two wins for the season, but haven’t been able to quite pull off wins in games they were well and truly in. Tigers coach Michael Glowacki said they weren’t far away from turning some of those results into win, “It has been a bit tough the last four games, but we still have a few games ahead of us,” he said. “There’s still a few teams we have not played. We’ve played Deer Park and Yarraville Club twice so it makes it a bit harder. “We’re never out of games and even the two games that we’ve won, we’ve had to come back from tough positions. “We’ve been in every game and it’s one thing I keep reiterating to the boys that there’s been opportunities in every game.” On Saturday, the Tigers had their work cut out for them on day two of their clash with

Deer Park. The Tigers had made 200 on day one, bowled out with more than seven overs left in their innings. Glowacki said they always knew that would struggle to be enough against a strong Deer Park batting line up. The Lions started well with the bat and put on 50 before losing their first wicket. At 4-99, the Tigers had a small sniff, but the Lions had plenty of batting power still in the shed. The Tigers hit the winning runs in the 49th over, finishing 6-202. James Leach top scored with 49 not out. “We lost some late wickets on day one,” Glowacki said. “We could have made 260 and the way the game was played, it would have put us in the hunt. “We were in a favourable position at one stage. But 200 wasn’t enough to win the game.” Hamza Ali took three wickets for the Tigers. Glowacki said they still had the opportunity to turn their season around in the last few games. While sitting eighth, they sit 12 points behind third placed Aberfeldie after eight rounds. “There are good opportunities,” he said.

“We’re in the bottom three, so we’re not hard nosing up against anyone. “We’re going to be giving it 100 per cent and we know if we can pull something off and amazingly win four in a row, we keep our hopes of playing finals alive.” Glowacki said elsewhere in the club, they had been able to promote a few more juniors into their second XI to give them some more experience. “We’re not getting the results yet, but some of the kids are 16-17. We’re pushing forward future stars, so that’s really positive.” In other senior division matches, St Albans was way too strong for Keilor. Keilor was bowled out for 125 on day one of the match, with Saints making 236 in reply. Ashen Abeykoon top scored with 85. Sydenham Hillside’s finals hopes received a massive boost with an outright win against Craigieburn. Having already claimed first innings points on day one, the Storm was able to bowled the Eagles out for 144 on day two. It needed just 8 overs to get the runs needed for the full 10 points, finishing 2-45.

Sydenham Park has announced the signings of six new players ahead of the FV state league 1 north-west season. Gus Geer, Taira Yoshimura, Mitchell Trajcevski, Fuki Ishibashi, Lochie Johnston and Caroline Springs George Cross captain Gian Tapia have all joined the club. The Reds finished second last season in state league 1, just missing out on promotion.

Bowls Deer Park claimed the points against Bundoora in the first game back in the Bowls Victoria weekend pennant premier division on Friday night. The teams split the rinks, but the Parkers came out on top 89 (14)-79 (4). Jay Bye-Norris and Matthew Baus were the winning skips for Deer Park. The Parkers remain on top of the ladder, sitting nine points clear of second placed Moonee Valley The Parkers this week face Moonee Valley in a top of the table clash.

FOR MORE SPORT, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Brimbank & North West Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Tuesday, 23 January, 2024 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 19

One Stop Shopping Centre for the Entire Family H&D FAMILY BUTCHER

Discount Variety Store

Mostly $2 93077473

0469 347888

Taylors Corner Deli 93079969

VANKA’S Bakery and cakes 0421 829 282

Divine Floral& Giftware 93079813

�

NEW DRAGON GOURMET CHINESE

BLUE HIPPO LAUNDRY

93072888

0468 961 491

FREECHOICE

WATERVALE

MEMZ

-TOBACCONIST�

FISH &CHIPS

93079995

93072288

Charcoal Chickens Redrocks 93079818

8382 1101

HOME TOWN PIZZA & PASTA 03 8382 0500

Mini Punjab Foods Indian Supermarket

93079190

Australian Seafood Specialist 0403 027978

(!)�

�@;I!""'

f&Tatts A lottery fronchise

Watervale Lotto News &Gifts

Vanity Nails 93078488

HAIRDRESSER and beauty treatment. 8385 7575

90051414

PharmacySelect

fi1J<><{y (i?are, 0416 272 067

GRILL

MOBILE PHONEAND TABLETS REPAIRS 93070275

93077494 Woolworth Supermarket and BWS liquor store

9307 8153

8361 4713

WATERVALE MEDICAL CLINIC 93079161 DENTAL CLINIC 93078620

No hassle parking

Shopping !1!!!9.!�!1!s Cnr Taylor's Road, Calder Park Drive, Taylor's Hill

I www.watervalesh�gcent� .com.a.3/ 12602241-JC48-23