Star Weekly - Melton Moorabool - 23rd January 2024 by Star Weekly

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23 JANUARY, 2024

Feds urged to dive in By Liam McNally A new advocacy group in Bacchus Marsh is hoping to provide the push needed to convince the federal government to provide the final third of funding for an indoor pool in Bacchus Marsh. Since before World War 2, Bacchus Marsh has had its aquatic needs met via a single outdoor pool, open only through the summer months. In the decades following, the population swelled and so did the need for another option, and from the 1980s to today it seems as if once per decade governments have ebbed closer to, then flowed away from the idea. In 2022 the project received a positive push, with $15 million and $10 million being pledged toward the indoor pool by Moorabool council and the state government respectively.

‘‘

It’s a bit presumptuous that we’ve thrown the word “aquatic” in there with no aqua to be seen

’’

- Lauren Tudball

Now, the Moorabool Aquatic and Recreation Centre (MARC), also funded by council and state government, has opened. However, there’s still no pool in the stadium, and all the other branches of government say is missing is a $15 million dollar commitment from the feds. A spokesperson for the new community group, Moorapool, Lauren Tudball said now is the time for residents to “make some noise”. “Whilst we’re very excited about the opening of MARC, it’s a bit presumptuous that we’ve thrown the word “aquatic” in there with no aqua to be seen,” she said. “The opening of MARC goes to show exactly what can happen when a number of different sources rally and work together so whilst it’s frustrating, it does show what the light at the end of the tunnel could possibly look like. “The pool project is so important for our community – the precinct which includes the indoor stadium, bowls and community hub and the aquatic centre will generate $100 million in economic activity, and help create more than 200 direct and indirect jobs.” Moorapool is encouraging the community to join its Facebook page to follow what actions the group will be taking in their advocacy, and also sign a petition that has been launched by Eureka MP Michaela Settle.

Dale Missen and Lauren Tudball from MooraPool. (Damjan Janevski) 383580_01

Ms Settle said the formation of Moorapool shows the community isn’t giving up in its long fight for an indoor pool, and that her petition can be signed before it is presented to parliament at the end of April. “We need the federal government to dive in and help make the indoor pool a reality,” she said. Federal Hawke MP Sam Rae agreed that the campaign for an indoor pool has been long. “I’m pushing Moorabool Shire to get together a strong application for Labor’s Thriving

Suburbs fund so we can get this pool built,” he said. Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister, Catherine King also encouraged Moorabool council to apply for the Thriving Suburbs Fund. Moorabool mayor Ally Munari said Moorapool and Ms Settle’s petition are important initiatives that demonstrate to the federal government that there is widespread community support for this much-needed

facility in the shire. “While council is disappointed Bacchus Marsh was ruled ineligible for consideration for funding under the federal Growing Regions Program, we look forward to receiving the guidelines for the metro-centred Thriving Suburbs Program and the opening of the grant rounds,” she said. Details: http://tinyurl.com/beyav2ns or https://www.michaelasettle.com.au/ important-issues/fund-the-bacchus-marshindoor-pool/

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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.” Melton mayor Kathy Majdlik said the council appreciates the investment of $650 million to upgrade the Melton line but duplication, electrification and separation of the Melton line is needed to meet the rapidly growing demand from commuters. “Everyday more than 70 per cent of our workforce makes the commute to work outside the City of Melton,” she said.

“With our rapid population growth, we are projecting that will rise to more than 110,000 daily commutes in 2050. That’s 65,000 more commuters on the roads and using public transport daily. “Independent analysis by Clarity Consult, based on the Victorian Integrated Traffic Model, found that electrification would see present value benefits of $910 million over 30 years.” 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.

Differences aside, twins’ time to learn Helping kinder enrolments

Aintree Primary School is in for double-trouble from the Brama family this year with twins William and Sofia preparing to start prep. Mum Bianca Brama said she’s excited for her kids to join their brorther Charlie at school, but worries the house will be quiet without them. Sofia said she’s “excited and happy” about the new adventure, while William said he’s happy but also a little nervous and “will miss mummy and daddy“. Ms Brama said despite their similar appearance, her twins are quite different children. “William is a very outgoing kid, he loves to make jokes and give everyone a big cuddle. He loves dinosaurs and playing with cars,” she said. “Sofia is a little shy when you first meet her, but once she gets to know you she’s a very funny and sweet little girl, she loves her dolls and being creative. “They are very different children, but both love a good chat!” Ms Brama said despite their personality differences, the twins are tight companions. “They are very close and love playing together and watching TV shows and movies,” she said. “They also look out for each other. If one needs to get something done or they’re getting their own drink or snack, they’ll make sure the other one has theirs also.” Aintree Primary School opened in 2021 and in 2023 expects to Cater to 950 children. Term one commences in Victoria from the week of January 29.

Families in the Moorabool will be able to save up to $2500 per child every year following a boost in funding for local council central enrolment systems. On January 15, Children Minister Lizzie Blandthorn announced the increase in funding to expand the Central Registration and Enrolment Schemes (CRES) Administrative Support Grants program. It will support operating costs to enable councils to provide registration and enrolment services at no cost to families- helping up to 140,000 children and families. Nearby Macedon Ranges council will also receive the funding, and Ms Blandthorn said it will help ease the cost-of-living pressures for families. “[It will also make] it easier for them to find kindergarten places so more children can access the free, quality kindergarten programs they need,” she said. The federal government said a CRES is a single point for families to apply for multiple services within a local government area, helping them secure a kindergarten place to best meet their needs. As well as simplifying the registration and enrolment process, a CRES can work with other services such as maternal and child health to engage vulnerable and disadvantaged families who need more support. This new investment will see all CRES councils offered an increase in their annual base funding, and will include extra supports for those councils with high numbers of enrolments and rural councils.

Five-year-old twins, William and Sofia. (Damjan Janevski) 383869_01

Melton residents rank among the least likely to swear in Australia, according to a recent survey. Online learning platform Preply surveyed more than 1,500 residents of the 22 largest metropolitan areas in Australia, asking residents about their swearing habits, looking at behaviours such as frequency of swearing and where they’re most likely to hear naughty words. Melton ranked number three for the least likely city to swear in Australia, averaging only 10 naughty words per day. The survey found Australia’s most profane city is Bendigo, with an average of 21 swears per day, while Hobart is the least, with six per day. On average, Australians swear about 14 times per day. Young people have the foulest mouths, and

Australian men are more likely to swear than women. The most common place for Aussies to swear is while driving, with 70 per cent of respondents revealing this as their place of anger. Preply language expert Sylvia Johnson said the science behind expletives exposes deeper layers of human cognition and societal norms. “Swearing serves as a multifaceted linguistic and psychological tool, enabling individuals to express intense emotion, establish camaraderie, or assert dominance,” she said. “It embodies a raw form of communication that not only encapsulates feelings but also reflects our inner psychological state. “It lends itself to diverse expressions, woven into both the banality and fervour of everyday language while illustrating the remarkable plasticity of linguistic structures.”

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Kirrip moots crisis housing plan By Liam McNally A rental crisis and rising living costs are pushing housing services in the west to “breaking point” according to Kirrip Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Peter Webster. A Council to Homeless Persons (CHP) report in December said Aboriginal homelessness in Victoria is at record levels and Mr Webster said the issue is worsening in Melton. “We have seen a large increase in the calls for assistance with housing, from rental assistance to community going without food so they can pay the rent,” he said. “This has also been seen in crisis housing,

the cost of putting a person into a motel over a weekend or just over night so they are not on the street is getting harder… services are at breaking point with little or no funds to pay for emergency accommodation.” Mr Webster said to help address the issue in Melton, Kirrip has submitted a funding proposal to the government to purchase a property that it hopes to use as its own crisis accommodation centre. “[Kirrip providing crisis accommodation] will allow our partner services, [such as the] Salvation Army, time to get a more permanent solution,” he said. “During this time we can assist with other

needs such as connection to culture, food support through our foodbank, counselling services and advocacy with any other need.” The CHP report said Aboriginal providers receive three per cent of Victoria’s overall homelessness funding despite representing 12 per cent of all people accessing homelessness services. As Kirrip awaits a response to its funding application, Mr Webster said services trying to provide solutions with what they have currently is like “learning to swim against the current”. “It is extremely sad that in 2024, we still have people homeless. Other countries have

solved this yet we still struggle,” he said. “We are still seeing parents [and] grandparents living in cars or under bridges, alongside rubbish bins. This should not be allowed and we as a nation should be ashamed, the organisations out there are working hard to support people living rough but it’s like learning to swim against a current. “Homelessness affects our justice system, our kids attending school, these are all connected and the dollars that the government could save by working harder to fix this problem would have a much larger effect on the health, education and wellbeing for all Australians.”

V/Line strike on Thursday

Lleyton Hewitt unveiling the new mural with, Max (7), Charlie (9), Georgia (9) and artist Paink. (Provided)

Truganina tennis legend mural a hit A 22-metre-long mural of Australian sporting legend and former world number one player, Lleyton Hewitt, has been unveiled on a tennis hit-up wall in Truganina. Grandview developer Stockland commissioned Melbourne artist Paink to create the mural which features two portraits of Lleyton Hewitt at the recently opened Highline Park. Stockland development director Jackie Kent said the hit-up wall provides a dedicated space for tennis enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels to practise and enjoy the sport. “Recreational spaces like this encourage

residents and the local community to lead an active and healthy lifestyle,” she said. “We’re excited to incorporate the talent and legacy of Lleyton Hewitt to Stockland Grandview, which I’m sure will inspire a new generation of tennis players. The hit-up wall is a timely addition to the community with the Australian Open just around the corner, and we look forward to seeing families make great use of Highline Park this summer.” Located on the corner of Highline Boulevard and Altezze Drive, Highline Park also includes a large grassed area, a playground with a 10-metre-tall tower, and a multi-use sports court.

Artist Paink said the mural took approximately 100 hours to complete. “It was an honour to be part of this project. Lleyton is an Australian icon and I wanted to capture his energy and celebrate his remarkable career,” he said. Melton mayor Kathy Majdlik commended Stockland. “We applaud Stockland for their commitment to community engagement and the development of facilities that enhance the quality of life for residents. The mural is a fantastic addition, inspiring locals to stay active and healthy,” she said.

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

Man accused of hitting pedestrians pleads not guilty By Cassandra Morgan, AAP A Melton West man who allegedly drove into pedestrians and cars in central Melbourne, killing a philanthropist, has been committed to stand trial. Zain Khan fronted Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday January 15. When asked how he pleaded to nine charges, he answered: “I don’t know ... not guilty“. Prosecutors and his lawyer Julia Munster argued against media being allowed access to the brief of evidence. After considering the circumstances of the case, Magistrate Marita Altman said the brief contained witness accounts that were yet to be tested. 4 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 23 January, 2024

Khan’s defence team wanted him fast tracked to the Supreme Court without a formal committal hearing during which allegations are usually aired. “The public has as much interest in an individual’s right to a fair trial as it does in understanding and being privy to the workings of a court,“ Ms Altman said. Media lawyers unsuccessfully argued further details should be released because the case was a matter of public interest and safety. Khan was charged with one count of murder and three counts of attempted murder after a car was driven into pedestrians and other vehicles in Bourke Street on September 8, 2023. A 76-year-old Brunswick man, identified in media reports as philanthropist John Haasz,

was killed and five other people were injured in the alleged rampage. Khan’s mental health and fitness to plead would be an relevant to the case, with those managing his care aware of his issues, Ms Munster said. Khan, from Melton West, earlier complained in court about his “disgusting“ conditions in prison and his lack of clean clothes, repeatedly interrupting the magistrate and asking to return to hospital. Melbourne’s CBD was crawling with police officers and business owners were concerned about customers avoiding the city after the September incident, which was the city’s fourth car rampage in six years. Six people died and 27 were injured when

James Gargasoulas ploughed into them after driving into Bourke Street Mall in January 2017. In December the same year, a driver rammed pedestrians crossing on the corner of Flinders and Elizabeth streets, killing an elderly man and injuring 17 others. In November 2018, Hassan Khalif Shire Ali parked his ute on Bourke Street and set it alight before stabbing three people, killing Melbourne cafe owner Sisto Malaspina in a terror attack. Ms Altman formally committed Khan to trial. He is due to appear in the Supreme Court of Victoria for a directions hearing on February 2. Lifeline 13 11 14

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Stitching up memories

Expansion overturned

By Liam McNally The mother of a Melton artist who died last year from a rare illness plans to reproduce her daughter’s works as embroidery designs that will be sold to raise money for researching the condition. A few days after her 26th birthday in May, Rebekah Cole had her first ever seizure and lost consciousness, which she never regained. She was taken by ambulance to the ICU at Sunshine Hospital, then Royal Melbourne Hospital where she was put into a coma. The following three weeks, Rebekah had thousands of seizures and was treated with every medication and treatment that was known to help until her body gave up. Her mother, Alison Cole, was told Rebekah was diagnosed with New Onset Refractory Status Epilepticus (NORSE). NORSE is a clinical presentation in which healthy people are suddenly struck by prolonged seizures that do not respond to at least two anti-seizure drugs and do not have a clear structural, toxic or metabolic cause. Ms Cole said NORSE is such a rare condition that RMH had only seen a handful of cases over a number of years. “We were told that Bek had the worst case that they had ever seen,” she said. “This rare condition takes about a dozen lives each year worldwide.” Now, Ms Cole is turning to fundraising in the hope that in the future other families won’t have to experience what hers has. Ms Cole is involving her daughter’s love for art in the fundraising and is in the early stages of turning some of Rebekah’s artworks into embroidery designs that will be sold to raise funds and awareness for the NORSE Institute. She is also working on a book due to be released later this year, and will donate 50 per

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has overturned a decision by Moorabool council to block an expansion of The Village Bacchus Marsh Shopping Centre. The proposal included an 1100 square metre retail premises over most of the existing car park near main street as well as a double storey commercial building on Bennett Street, intended for office space, a new east-west road access way near Gell Street. The planning application originally came before Moorabool council in June and was rejected with council officers noting that the proposed layout and design of the development would compromise pedestrian safety and amenity and does not adequately address the need for safe and convenient car parking and vehicle access. At the time the proposal drew 27 objections during public exhibition and Elms Medical Centre general practitioner Dr Woodrow Wu spoke in opposition to the application. “The proposal will cause disadvantage to patients of the Elms Family Medical Centre due to issues of safety, access, parking, visibility, and amenity,” he said at the time. An appeal against the decision came before VCAT on January 10, at which member Shiran Wickramasinghe sided with the applicant, which will allow for the future expansion, including the reduction in car park spaces.

Rebekah Cole with her artwork. (Damjan Janevski) 268508_05

cent of the cover charge to the institute. “I have to think that some good has to come out of the hell that we have all been through in the past months,” she said. “Bek was a vibrant, active, young artist who was loved by everyone that met her. She had a

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strong work ethic and love to help people. “Her face lit up talking to both adults and children at the market stalls where she sold her art. She lived life to the max and never wasted a minute.” Details: https://www.norseinstitute.org/

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Real estate prices hold steady By Liam McNally House prices in Melton largely held above the drop greater Melbourne experienced in the last financial quarter, however there were some larger fluctuations in the municipality’s eastern suburbs. The latest data from the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV), said greater Melbourne experienced a 2.2 per cent drop in median house prices, but only six of 31 suburbs in Melton dropped by this amount or more. There were 11 suburbs that recorded a rise

in median value, while another 10 either experienced either no change or didn’t sell enough houses for measurable data. Taylors Hill was the most expensive suburb to buy a house in Melton, and it also experienced the biggest median price rise, jumping 15 per cent to $960,000. Taylors Hill is the only suburb in Melton to be more expensive than Melbourne’s median of $909,000. Just next door to Taylors Hill, Burnside Heights saw the largest drop in median house prices, falling by 10.4 per cent to $686,000. The Melton suburb rose by 2.2 per cent, but

remained the cheapest suburb to buy a house in the municipality with a median price of $480,000. YPA Estate Agents Caroline Springs sales consultant Andrew Migliorisi said it’s good the market is still accelerating in Melton. “This corridor is affordable buying - you get a lot of house for your money,” he said. “We’re seeing new suburbs pop up and being developed and attract new buyers to come over this way, but we’re also experiencing a little bit of a lack of supply which is keeping those house prices steady, there’s not really a flood of properties for sale.

Mr Migliorisi said Taylors Hill has always been a “hotspot”. “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 also be that houses were being sold while they were leased, which reduces competition.

Five charged, 140 offences

Melton West Primary School community engagement officer Tolley Cacavas and 123Read2Me founder Melinda Shelley. (Suppied)

Charity helps children turn the page A charity that has provided more than 2,500 free books to Melton children said it now has the capacity to provide to more organisations in need. 123Read2Me is a charity that has distributed more than 800,000 free books to children in lower socioeconomic areas. In Melton the charity distributes new and second hand books through council-run groups and schools. The charity is now processing about 2000 books a week in greater Melbourne, and is keen to hear from organisations which have children

in need of the tools required to begin their lifelong reading journey. “We’re on track to do one million by the end of this financial year, starting from one little box of books 11 years ago,” she said. “Having grown up in a little country school, and I struggled with reading and writing, it’s been massive in overcoming my limitations and fears and being able to make a difference for all these children is really exciting… yet the more I get into it the more need I realise there is,” she said. “Reading a book to a child is the easiest way

to help them learn to read and a wonderful way to bond and create lasting memories.” Along with children’s organisations, Ms Shelley said the organisation is keen for volunteers, and to find a fish ’n’ chip shop in the Melton area to set up an “Operation Takeaway” distribution point in the municipality. Melton council families and playgroups officer Leanne Hickey said the donated books offer a joyful learning experience to families within Melton, some of whom are still finding their feet in Australia. Details: https://123read2me.org.au/

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, the majority of them in Brimbank. 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. During the warrants this month police also arrested a 28-year-old Kurunjang man and charged him with cultivating and possessing cannabis. Another 17-year-old boy was arrested and released pending summons. 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.

Plumpton Aquatic and Wellness Centre one step closer The Plumpton Aquatic and Wellness Centre is a step closer after Melton council acquired a parcel of land that will be home to the much-anticipated project. The acquisition of the 3.6 hectare parcel of land on Beattys Road in Fraser Rise is a key milestone in a project that will transform this rapidly growing area with a state-of-the-art district level aquatic facility. Council’s design and master planning process for the project is continuing and the community will be invited to have their say on how they want the aquatic centre to look. The masterplan will outline features to be included at the facility, such as an indoor 6 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 23 January, 2024

(Unsplash)

pool, an outdoor pool, a gym, warm water pools, program pools, community cafe spaces, other allied health spaces and a water sensory experience. It will also inform the final design

and scope of inclusions for the facility. Melton mayor Kathy Majdlik said securing a home for the Plumpton Aquatic Leisure Centre is an important step forward for the project and the community. “This will be a facility where residents can swim, play, exercise, connect and seek support from allied health professionals,” she said. “With a project of this scale there are a number of important steps in place to make sure we deliver a facility that best meets the needs of our community. We appreciate the community’s patience as we move ahead with delivering with this vital aquatic centre. “Council has invested $250,000 this

financial year to finalise the master plan and we also look to other levels of government for support. “Council has applied to the Victorian government under the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution Funding program for funding to support this transformational project. We look forward to the announcement of this round of funding and Melton City Council getting its fair share of these funds for this major facility. “With nearly 170,000 people expected to live near Plumpton by 2040, we’re committed to delivering the kind of aquatic centre a growing community deserves.”

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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 Janevski) 383416_01

Special 2024 delivery 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.”

Police arrested three teenagers following an alleged affray in Melton West on January 16. Officers were called to reports of a physical altercation between two groups at a shopping centre on High Street about 2.45pm. One of the groups fled the scene into a nearby supermarket, where they were allegedly followed by the other group and threatened with a knife. There were no injuries. Three male teenagers fled the scene on foot and were arrested in the shopping centre car park. A 16-year-old, a 15-year-old and a 14-year-old, all from Brookfield, are assisting police with their inquiries. Officers allegedly seized a machete and a knife from the group. It is believed the parties are known to each other. Contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www. crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Strategy feedback wanted Melton council has drafted an Employment and Industrial Land Strategy and is seeking community feedback. The strategy sets the strategic vision, directions, and a framework to guide the long-term use and development of industrial and commercial land in Melton. It also establishes employment precincts in the municipality. Feedback closes February 29. Details:https:// conversations.melton.vic.gov.au/MEILS FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

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Tuesday, 23 January, 2024 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 7

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3 FEB M E LT O N E N T E R TA I N M E N T PA R K

FREE ENTER TAINMENT FOOD TRUCKS KIDS ACTIVITIES OUTDOOR MARKET LIVE MUSIC GOLD headline COIN ENTRY News in here 36pt G R O U P

DOUBLE HEADER S E N Tr a c k

A .G headline HUNTE R CUP goes in space here 30pt News YA B B Y D A M FA R M S

GRE AT SOUTHE RN S TA R

VISIT THE TROTS.COM. AU 12664956-KG04-24

8 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 23 January, 2024

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

NEWS

a School zone speed alert Honour stroke hero 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.

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.

Nominations are now open for the 2024 Stroke Foundation Stroke Awards. A new category has been added to the 2024 Stroke Foundation Stroke Awards with a focus on the indigenous community. The award recognises excellence in stroke prevention, treatment, recovery or research in First Nations communities. Stroke Foundation executive director of public affairs Sarah Meredith said the new award aims to highlight the impact of individuals and organisations working to achieve health equity within the First Nations sphere. “I’m so thrilled that we are able to recognise those in the stroke community who are doing amazing things to enhance and demonstrate there is life after stroke,” she said. “We are so lucky to have so many inspirational members of our community who make the future brighter for people impacted by stroke.” A stroke strikes the brain and can change lives in an instant. It is one of Australia’s biggest killers and a leading cause of disability. There are more than 445,000 people with stroke living in our community. The eight award categories this year are the Stroke Warrior Award, Courage Award, Creative Award, Fundraiser of the Year Award, Improving Life after Stroke Award, Volunteer of the Year Award, First Nations Stroke Excellence Award and President’s Achievement Award. Nominations close on February 24. Details: https://strokefoundation. tfaforms.net/104

12659071-MP02-24

Tuesday, 23 January, 2024 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 9

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Matthew, 2, extra traffic-safe in his high-vis.

Zayne, 5, and his brother Zidan, 4, excited about the new park.

Max, 8, learning the rules of the roundabout.

A cycling celebration

Benji, 4, carving the pseudo-streets.

Children got to experience a wheely good time at the launch of the Atherstone Traffic School on January 18. Atherstone Traffic School provides a fun and engaging space for children to develop important road safety skills and gain confidence on bicycles, tricycles and scooters. After Melton council couldn’t find a company to take the tender for the traffic school, which was built in 2022, it decided to relaunch the area as free a public space. Photographer Damjan Janevski visited the launch, and it looks like kids couldn’t be happier with the result. Jayden, 8, showing of peak helmet-fashion.

April, 3, showing it’s never too early to learn road-rules.

Far left: Ari, 2, finding his balance. Left: Kobe, 4, was all-smiles at the traffic school launch. Above: Atherstone Traffic School mimics the features of a real traffic experience within a more controlled environment. (Pictures: Damjan Janevski) 383223 10 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 23 January, 2024

FEATURING ... HEALTHY LIVING

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Doctor Bill Crawford loves his patients and his work Doctor Bill Crawford is the senior associate dentist at Main Street Dental Practice Bacchus Marsh. Bill has an abundance of experience and knowledge, that’s why his patients trust him so much. Along with a great sense of humour he gives confidence to his patients. Dr Bill Crawford’s journey began in 1989. Since then, his interest has been in orthodontics, oral surgery, and cosmetic rehab. His real passion is surgery and implants. Dr Crawford has enjoyed being able to service all his patients, previously being the director of Gisborne Dental Group for over 30 years. Dr Crawford graduated from Melbourne University in 1989 and completed several postgraduate studies in Implants throughout Australia, particularly in Sydney Medical Facility along with Westmeade Hospital. He also completed a postgraduate in Germany with Professor Aidi Palti and he also completed an implant and implant crowns course withAssoc Prof. Stephen Chen and Dr Tony Dickinson. Dr Crawford also performs many surgical extractions, as well as implant surgery, fillings, crowns, bridges, veneers, inlays and onlays under general anaesthetics in hospital facilities. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and children and making memories at their beach house. The team at Main Street Dental offer general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry and othodontics. Your oral health can affect your overall health if not cared for properly. Some of the issues that could be experienced are facial pain, oral infections or gum disease.

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Tuesday, 23 January, 2024 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 11

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

Melton South Community Centre Melton South Community Centre’s term 1 program of courses is now available and open for enrolments. The program is available for viewing at meltonsouth.org.au, with hard copies available at the centre as well as being delivered to local households. For information and enquiries, call the centre. ■ 9747 8576

Men’s Fella-Ship The free Men’s Fella-Ship social group returns to Melton South Community Centre for 2024, meeting each Wednesday at 1pm. Men of all ages are invited to come along for a cuppa, a chat and the opportunity to make new friends. No bookings required. For more information, call the centre. ■ 9747 8576

Chatty Cafe Melton 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

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

Women’s Support Group Women’s Support Group Melton is for any women who feel they would like to 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 Ladies Probus Meets from 10am on the second Wednesday of each month at Melton Country Club on Reserve Road, Melton. All visitors are welcome. ■ Dianne, 9743 7446

The Gap on Graham The Gap provides a place for Melton youth to hang out, socialise, play games and learn new skills. The centre holds a night for girls aged 10 to 18 years at 5 Graham Street, Melton, on Wednesday evenings. There is also a drop-in night for anyone aged 12 to 25 years old. ■ Val, 0414 769 605

Parkinson’s support group The Melton Parkinson’s Support Group meets on the second Thursday of the month 10.30am-12.30pm at Kurunjang Community Centre, 33-35 Mowbray Crescent, Kurunjang. New members and carers are welcome. ■ Helen, 0409 186 576 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

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

Take weight off naturally Struggling to lose weight? Struggling to get motivated? Want to try and do it in a friendly and less stressful atmosphere? Come and join TOWN (Take Weight Off Naturally) every Tuesday at 6pm at the Darlingsford Barn, Darlingsford Boulevard, Melton. ■ Catherine, 0416 612 517, or Bob, 0411 824 739

The Melton Probus Club meets on the first Tuesday of each month at the Melton Dart Club, 63a Reserve Road, from 9.45am. ■ 9746 0271

Rose Carers Of Maddingley Park The Rose Carers meet Wednesdays from 10am-noon at Maddingley Park, corner of Grant and Taverner streets, Bacchus Marsh, to maintain two beautiful rose gardens. New volunteers are always welcome – with or without experience. ■ Elaine Greenhall, 0418 171 119, or 0400 052 857

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

Melton Cycling Club meets for regular Sunday rides. There are three different riding groups to cater for different abilities starting at 7.30am. The rides finish at Lazy Moe’s for a cuppa. ■ 0403 057 003

Melton Valley Ladies Probus Club

Community singing group

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

If you love to sing, come join the Melton Singers. The group rehearses regularly and also performs at aged care facilities. The group is very relaxed and sings songs mainly from the 1960s and 70s. It meets Tuesdays at 10am. ■ Val, 0418 667 150

Melton Friendship Group.

All are welcome to join this social crafting group, running at the Melton South Community Centre each Monday from 10am-noon. Bring along any knitting or crochet projects and work on them while sharing tips, learning skills and catching up over a cuppa. ■ 9747 8576

Neighbourhood House 2-5pm. ■ https://63ec55b8628d6.site123.me/

Garden Club Melton Combined Probus Club

Melton Bridge Club

Melton South Knit & Natter Melton Men’s Group

are retired or semi-retired who wish to stay mentally and physically active. ■ 0419 563 016

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

The Bacchus Marsh and District Garden Club meets on the second Tuesday of each month except January, from 7.30pm, at The Laurels, 229 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh. Guest speakers and supper provided. Yearly membership $15. New members welcome. ■ Michelle, 0421 106 268

Community Band The Greater Western Community Band holds rehearsals on Thursdays, 7.30-9.30pm, at Blackwood Drive Hall, Melton South. The group welcomes musicians young and old to come along and join in with the band. Also available to perform at events and festivals. ■ Sally Hamond, 0401 474 582

Over 50s Social Group A friendly group of people aged 50 and older who enjoy each other’s company while attending events and outings such as dinners, shows, dancing, cinemas and more. If you live in the Melton area and would like to meet new friends, in a welcoming group environment, this is for you. ■ Marlene, 0498 329 290

BusyFeet Hillside BusyFeet is a dance and movement class for children with intellectual and physical disabilities. Classes create a fun and inclusive environment for kids aged six to 16 to try new things and build social skills, as well as giving a chance for parents’ respite. It’s held from 11-11.45am Saturday mornings. ■ Ross, 0411 228 311

Melton Trauma Teddies Zonta club meets Zonta is an international organisation bringing women together to support other women. The Zonta Club of Melton meets on the first Monday of each month at Melton Country Club, Reserve Road, Melton. ■ Suzanne, 0417 512 420

U3A Melton U3A Melton offers among its activities a book group, Australian history and a gentle exercise class for those 55 and older who

12 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 23 January, 2024

Melton Trauma Teddies are seeking volunteers to assist with knitting, stuffing, or stitching teddy-bears that go to children in their time of need. ■ Jean 0412 931 498

Boomerang Bags Bacchus Marsh Boomerang Bags Bacchus Marsh make reusable shopping bags from rescued fabric. They need people to cut, sew, iron and market our bags. The group meets on the first Sunday each month at Darley

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

PUZZLES 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

Tuesday, 23 January, 2024 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 13

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SPORTS QUIZ 1. Tiger Woods recently announced he was ending a $500 million partnership with which major sporting brand? 2. Which NBA team does Aussie star Dante Exum play for? 3. Following a first round loss at Adelaide International, Thanasi Kokkinakis slammed the tennis balls and compared them to what fruit?

4. How many losses did Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali concede in his career? 5. Which country is traditionally associated with caber toss? 6. In 2023, which US swimmer surpassed Michael Phelps’ record for the most individual gold medals in swimming World Championships? 7. Which female tennis player won the ‘Golden Slam Slam’ in 1988 after winning the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open? 8. In skiing, what does the term ‘moguls’ refer to? 9. In which decade did Mike Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in boxing history? 10. At which summer Olympics did US swimmer Michael Phelps set a historic record by winning eight gold medals in a single Games?

Thanasi Kokkinakis

11. Alex Chidiac plays for which A-League side?

12. How many countries have been represented at every Olympic Games since their inception in 1896?

Mike Tyson

13. And which countries are they? 14. Bree Walker recently won Australia’s first World Cup bronze medal in which sport? 15. Which team won the inaugural Major League Cricket competition in 2023? 16. Patrick Mahomes plays for which NFL team? 17. In the Big Time Rush TV show, which sport were the band members previously involved in? 18. Who won the Brownlow Medal in 2014? 19. In what year did the Wallabies fail to make it past the group stage of a World Cup for the first time? 20. The BWF governs which sport internationally? 21. Which WNBL team is the only major women’s sporting team located in the northern half of Australia?

22. How many years have passed since an Australian won the Men’s Singles title at the Australian Open? 23. Which Women’s Super League club does the Matildas' Mary Fowler play for? 24. Which batsman was announced as the replacement test match opener for David Warner? 25. What day of the week did the 2024 Australian Open tennis tournament start on?

27. How many teams make up the South African Twenty20 tournament, the SA20? 28. By what nickname is LeBron James’ son LeBron James Jr. better known? 29. The 1993 movie Ruby revolves around which sport? 30. Iffy Lie is a term used in which sport?

26. In what year did the West Coast Eagles and Brisbane Bears join the AFL/VFL?

2601

12536910-CG08-22

1. Nike 2. Dallas Mavericks 3. Lemons 4. Five 5. Scotland 6. Katie Ledecky 7. Steffi Graf 8. Mounds of snow, also known as bumps created by skiers 9. 1980s 10. 2008 Beijing 11. Melbourne Victory 12. Five 13. Greece, Australia, France, Switzerland and the UK 14. Bobsleigh 15. MI New York 16. Kansas City Chiefs 17. Ice hockey 18. Matthew Priddis 19. 2023 20. Badminton 21. Townsville Fire 22. 48 23. Manchester City 24. Steve Smith 25. Sunday 26. 1987 27. Six 28. Bronny 29. American football/Gridiron 30. Golf

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Tuesday, 23 January, 2024 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 15

MOTORING 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 MELTON & MOORABOOL 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

NEWS

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. Across 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 the 24th of January at Saltwater Reserve in Point Cook from 11am to 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 1 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

Melissa Sambrooks (AFL Photos)

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. For more information or if you would like to register head to the Western Region FL Facebook page.

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.

VTCA Caroline Springs suffered a loss in its first game of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association T20 competition. 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.

Matthew Grimaldi with captain Josh Risdon.

VSDCA

(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.

“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.”

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.

BCA Darley failed to get out of the first round of the Ballarat Cricket Association T20 Cup finals, losing on Tuesday night. After travelling to Russell Square to take on East Ballarat for the final, Darley lost the toss and was sent to the field. East Ballarat made the most of the decision to bat first piling on 8-233 from the 20 overs. Darley was unable to get anywhere near the total set, lasting just 17.3 overs, being bowled out for 104. Bacchus Marsh is through to the semi-final after beating Delacombe by 90 runs. FOR MORE SPORT, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Tuesday, 23 January, 2024 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 17

SPORT STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

RDFL seeks new umpires to take up the whistle Riddell Umpires are looking at different ways to try and attract and keep umpires ahead of the upcoming Riddell District Football League season. Riddell Umpires secretary David Hili said his team is paying particular attention to recruiting mature aged umpires for the 2024 season. “We’re going directly to the clubs and doing a promotion on more of the mature age people who we’re looking for,” he said. “We’re looking for retiring players, players that can maybe do some Sunday junior’s games or early games, so they can balance their football and umpiring. “Or if they are recently retired or long retired and just want to stay in the game, umpiring is a great opportunity to do that.” After last year’s recruiting drive focused on recruiting young umpires from junior clubs, Hili said it is important to strike a balance in the umpiring ranks. Also with female football on the rise, there is a higher demand for umpires which this drive will also help with.

“We have good up and coming umpires and as they progress from junior into seniors, you want to pair them up with more senior umpires and we’re lacking in that 25- 40, 45 age group of umpires,” he said. “So we want to fill that gap.” “Senior women’s football and junior girls football is certainly trending upwards and the numbers are expanding, the league had some new clubs on board last year so we certainly want some more umpires on board to cover those games.” Hili said there are many positives to joining the Riddell Umpires team, for all ages groups. “One of the draw cards for the younger ones is it’s some tax free dollars for them and we always say that it’s a lot better than some of the alternative [first jobs], you’re outdoors, you’re keeping fit and even for some of the mature age umpires, they like the idea that they keep a certain level of fitness,” he said. “We’re also just like any other sporting group. We have very good camaraderie between everyone, apart from all the stuff on the track and all the lectures, we always put on a hot meal after training and sit down and have

Riddell Umpires are after more umpires. (Supplied)

a meal together and that creates a really good environment. “Especially for the younger ones we believe it teaches them a lot of life skills with being organised, learning disciplines , learning how to be assertive when you need to be, good

communication skills, the list goes on.” Training begins on the second Wednesday of February, with a particular program for new recruits and especially the ones they are targeting. Details: recruitment@ riddellumpires.com.au.

Bacchus Marsh remain ladder leaders

Hasitha Wickramasinghe (Jacob Pattison)372629_09

Lions’ finals hopes alive By Tara Murray Darley kept its finals hopes alive with an outright win against Buninyong In the Ballarat Cricket Association on Saturday. It’s been an inconsistent season for the Lions, but the last two weekends they showed what they can do when they put it all together. Buninyong resumed at 1-9 on Saturday, with a seven run lead. Buninyong never settled in their second innings and lost frequent wickets throughout, with no partnership more than 30. It was eventually bowled out for 126 in the 46th over. Madushanka Ekanayaka took 4-27 for the Lions, while Ben Longhurst and Chamika Sattambi took two wickets each. It left the Lions needing 125 in their second innings for victory. While they were in trouble at 4-24, and a reverse outright now a chance, the Lions were able to steady. They managed to get the runs in just 27.3

overs, finishing 5-125. Drew Locke top scored with 61 not out, off 80 balls. Lions coach Dilan Chandima said it was nice to finally be able to put a performance like that together.’ “It’s been a long wait,” he said. “It’s a pretty good win. “Our bowling line up bowled really well and fought together as a team.” Chandima said consistency had been the biggest them this season, both with personnel and performances. He said at times their performances, his included, hadn’t been where they needed them to be. “My form hadn’t been great until the last three weeks and that [now he’s starting to find some] helps with the batting. “We haven’t been consistent through the year, that is the main thing that has happened for us this year. “We had a really good game and did the basics well and we want to do that for the last

18 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 23 January, 2024

three games.” The Lions now sit in sixth spot, 14 points outside the top four. It means they will need results to go their way if they are to play finals. “We’ve got a slight chance to make finals,” Chandima said. “We’re going to put all our effort into making finals.” In the Lions next clash, they host Brown Hill in a two-day match starting on Saturday. Meanwhile, Bacchus Marsh avoided an outright loss to Mt Clear. Mt Clear made 253 on day one of the match. The Bulls were bowled out for 101 in just 43.1 overs, in an innings littered with low scores, with no one reaching 20. They were sent back out by Mt Clear as it went in search of the whole 10 points. The Bulls were able to hold on despite some nervous moments and being 5-42, to finish 6-104. James Lidgett top scored with 41 not out off 100 balls as he looked to occupy the crease. The Bulls drop to seventh spot.

Bacchus Marsh remains at the top of the Bowls Victoria weekend pennant division 2, section 1 ladder. The club continued on its winning ways on Saturday, defeating bottom placed side City of Melbourne in the first match back after the Christmas break. Bacchus Marsh won three of the four rinks, and drew the other, to claim an overall victory, 81 (17)-56 (1). Matthew Young’s rink won 18-16, Phil Minniti’s rink had a 26-14 win, while Justin Webster’s rink won 19-8. However, Glenn Sargent’s rink drew 18-18. Bacchus Marsh this week faces Club Sunbury 2. Bacchus Marsh sits in a dominant spot at the top of the ladder, 23 points clear from second. Melton 2 suffered another loss on Saturday, losing to Buckley Park, 84 (16)-63 (2) Three of four of Melton’s rinks lost with Harry Plias losing 25-15, Craig Norris going down 19-12, David George was beaten 24-15, while, Garry Candy’s rink won 21-16. The side now sits in seventh spot with a two win, seven loss, one draw record. Melton’s top side though had a big win against Glenroy 2 in division 2, section 2. Last season’s runners-up had no troubles at all, winning 93 (18)-60 (0). Todd Trewarne’s rink won 23-12, Flynn O’Shaughnessy’s won 30-14, Todd Blackburn’s rink won 21-16 and Chris Barritt-Eyles’ rink narrowly won 19-18. Melton sits at the top of the section 2 ladder after six rounds with a 9-1 record. The top 12 players on the player ladder so far are all from Melton. Melton will travel to face Strathmore this weekend.

Dean Warner (Ljubica Vrankovic)

Burnside Springs elevated into VTCA top four 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 is continuing to make inroads on the competition. On Saturday, Burnside continued its good form, defeating fellow finals contender Sunshine. Last week, 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,” secretary James Highgate said before day two. “Josh and Oscar are two of our younger kids

Tim Stephens (Ljubica Vrankovic)

that have come through the junior ranks and stepped up.” On Saturday, Burnside were strong in the chase, reaching 7-178 from 76 overs. Radhakrishnan Venkata Subramanian top

scored for the club with 69. Burnside sits in fourth spot after seven after eight rounds. Just eight points separates second and seventh. Now, maintaining the top four spot is the goal for the club. Speaking before the game 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 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

Jones bowls up his 200 It was a special day for a couple of Melton legends, but the Lions couldn’t get the job done in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association north-west. Brad Jones lined up for his 200 first XI game, while Chris Hope played his 150th game as Melton took on Taylors Lakes in the battle of the Lions. Jones said it was pretty special to reach game 200 for the club, where he has been one of the standout players in the competition. Jones joined the club in 2008-09 and has taken a club high 373 wickets and has won the AJ Gale Medal twice and is a four-time premiership player. “It’s really nice being there at the club for a long time,” Jones said. “It’s a nice personal acknowledgement,” he said. “The last few years I had a few injuries, but I eventually got there.” Jones said the four premierships were his best memories at the club and the feeling of getting to celebrate them afterwards. He said the friendships were pretty special as well. Hope is also a premiership player at the club and part of the club’s hall of fame. Jones said it was disappointing not to get the points on Saturday against Taylors Lakes. “Unfortunately not,” he said. “We can’t put it all together in the same game, we’re doing bits and pieces here and there.” Melton batted first and was bowled out for 155 in the 43rd over. Alex Kerr top scored with 44, while Hope made 32. Melton needed early wickets and got that by taking two quickly, but the glimmer of hope would soon disappear. Taylors Lakes hit the winning runs in the 39th over, finishing 3-156. Rhys Berry was the only multiple wicket taker for Melton, taking two wickets. With just one win for the season, Jones said they need the next generation to start taking the next step. “They’ve got about 30-40 games under their belts,” he said. “We need them to step up and take the next step and help the club.” As for his future, Jones isn’t sure. “I’ve been asked this question a lot,” he said. “The body is still sore but I still enjoy it. “The injuries and older age, that will decide that.” Melton’s next match is a two-dayer starting this Saturday against Strathmore. It’s a bottom of the table clash, with Strathmore without a win this season. Tara Murray

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.” 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.” On the weekend, the first XI is set to travel to Bruce Comben Reserve to take on Seabrook. Seabrook sits just one point above Burnside in third position, which sets up a huge clash for both clubs.

8-0 win for Caroline Springs Caroline Springs’ dominance in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association women’s division continued on the weekend, with a strong win against Werribee. After being sent in to bat Caroline Springs were in a spot of bother early, losing a wicket within the first two overs. From there the innings began to take shape as star batter Caitlin Pretty arrived at the crease. Pretty has enjoyed a super season so far, scoring 395 runs at an average of 65.83. She continued her strong form, with a handy 38 off 30 balls. Yet, Amelia Sevior was Caroline Springs’ best batter on Sunday with an unbeaten 45, getting her side to 4-135 from their 20 overs. While Werribee got away to a strong start in the chase the runs on the board proved to be too much, finishing the innings at 3-98. Speaking before the game Caroline Springs’ coach Garry Pretty said the Tigers would be a good test for his side. “They’ll give us a challenge,” he said, “When we played them last time I was pretty impressed with a couple of their bowlers. So they will test us a bit with their bowling attack…. It’ll be a good test for us.” After being undefeated for the first eight rounds of the season, Pretty said he is excited by what the rest of the year holds for his side. “The girls have done well getting back into it after the break,” he said. “The real test starts now because we’re only about halfway through the season really, and winding up towards a finals series which we have pretty high expectations for. “Pressure is a good thing for us. We know what we have to do, we’re trying to go back-to-back. After winning it last year we were always going to have pressure on us. “We’re trying to lift the bar a little bit from last year. “We don’t want to look too far ahead to finals just yet but we do have an eye on what that ultimate goal is.”

Brad Jones (Shawn Smits) Tuesday, 23 January, 2024 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 19

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BACCHUS MARSH

VILLA 130 | $786,000 – Epping Design Spacious Living – Quality Fittings

New Display Now Open ONLY 45 MINS TO MELBOURNE CBD

21 Squares and well appointed kitchen Three large bedrooms plus study Vibrant, social and secure environment Resort style facilities & onsite management

Talk to Denise Sniegowski

0455 910 793

New 2 and 3 bedroom homes from $509,000 12652553-RR04-24

168 Underbank Boulevard, Bacchus Marsh

Sole agents for Country Club Living

FREECALL 1800 633 672