Star Weekly - Hobsons Bay Maribyrnong - 3rd April 2024

A taste of creativity

Maribyrnong council will present an afternoon of music and live performance in the heart of Footscray on Saturday, April 6.

‘Get a Taste of Creative West’ will bring an array of artists and performers together to wow locals.

Headlining the day will be acclaimed artist Jen Cloher who said she is excited to be a part of such a day and even more pumped to be joined by T’HONI.

“I love free shows that are outdoors and all ages because it means that it’s accessible to everyone in the community,” she said.

Cloher is a singer, songwriter, and record producer and will bring to the table a five piece rock band experience.

“We will also have a horn section, so we will have three players and a couple of others who will Kapa haka which is a cultural performance group,” she said, In addition to Cloher and T’HONI, other performances will include Nikodimos and his Orchestra, Snuff Puppets, and Women’s Circus.

The event will be held at the car park on the corner of Paisley and French streets, from 2.30pm.

Hazardous concerns rise

By Jennifer Pittorino

A Spotswood community member has highlighted growing community concern regarding the proper regulation of the Newport Major Hazard Facilities (MHF) and pipelines.

Rex Allum said there are concerns that the application of MHF government regulations may be dysfunctional in ensuring the community’s protection.

“We’ve been trying to get some sort of response from regulators for quite some time now,” he said.

“We’re not getting any feedback at all, from the five regulators that are involved, they are

just ignoring us.”

There are five government agencies responsible for the regulation and granting of five year licences, which are meant to ensure community safety.

TheresponsibleauthoritiesareHobsonsBay council, WorkSafe, Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Department of Energy, Environment,andClimateActionandEnergy Safe Victoria.

“Our concern is that the MHF are encroaching on the buffer areas as residential sensitive use areas,” he said.

One MHF of particular concern to Mr Allum, which incorporates several operators, is located on Douglas Parade.

“We are asking them to be brought to a published safety standard, and have some transparency on the degree of safety,” he said.

“We believe these facilities are unsafe because when any application comes up for a planning permit, within a kilometre or so within the MHF , they are being refused on the grounds that the MHF boundaries have expanded.

“But at the moment, there’s thousands of houses that exist right next to them.

“And so they’ve expanded the boundaries by incorporating those existing houses in the boundary.”

A Hobsons Bay council spokesperson council makes decisions regarding changes

to the Newport major hazard facility in accordance with relevant policies, legislation and other regulatory requirements.

“This includes permitting certain variations to the operations of MHF, within the limits of the Victorian Planning Scheme.

“Council works closely with the Victorian Government on issues relating to state-significant sites such as the site in Newport.

“Communityconcernsareincorporatedand managed in accordance with consideration of all of council’s obligations.

The EPA, WorkSafe, Department of Energy, Environment,andClimateActionandEnergy Safe Victoria were contacted for comment

Jen Cloher with T’HONI. (Supplied)

A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

We recently released the 2023 Community Survey results, with Council’s overall performance at an equal second-highest score ever recorded. We received a satisfaction score of 6.9, and I was pleased to see not only the level of satisfaction increase but also the level of dissatisfaction decrease.

Facilities that received a score measurably higher than the average include recycling and waste collection, hard rubbish collection, Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre, library services and maintenance of playgrounds.

The survey, while helpful in showing us what you feel we are doing right, also shows us where you want us to change or add focus.

This includes parking enforcement, footpath maintenance and repairs, maintenance and cleaning of Footscray CBD, maintenance and repair of sealed local roads, and public toilets being rated measurably lower than average. Similarly, road maintenance and repairs, and traffic management are the top issues ‘at the moment’ the community wants Council to address.

Council continues to work with other levels of government to secure better outcomes for our community. One of our current advocacy priorities is ‘Creative West’, which aims to deliver a much needed arts and cultural precinct for Melbourne’s west. To experience the potential of Creative West, check out the family-friendly showcase, Get a Taste of Creative West, next to the Footscray Library on 6 April from 2.30pm.

One of the things I love most about being Mayor of the City of Maribyrnong is meeting members of our wonderfully diverse community. Recently I was able to get involved in local events like Yarraville Festival, West Footscray Festival of Colours, and an International Women’s Day lunch, where the community was able to come together and celebrate each other’s cultures, backgrounds, and interests.

Another way I like to chat with the community is at the ‘Meet the Mayor’ sessions, where community members are able to talk to me about matters relating to our City. The next session will be held at Maribyrnong Library on 23 April at 11am.

Mayor

Cr Cuc Lam’

APRIL COUNCIL MEETINGS

Tue23: 6.30pm Council Meeting

Tue30: 6.30pm City Development Delegated Committee

These meetings will be held at the Braybrook Community Hub and livestreamed via Council’s YouTube channel. Community members can submit questions for public question time online on/before the day of the meeting. Visit maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/meetings or phone 9688 0200 for more information.

OUT AND ABOUT

City of Maribyrnong Councillors have been busy.

1. Mayor, Cr Cuc Lam with performers at the Yarraville Festival.

2. Mayor, Cr Cuc Lam, Deputy Mayor, Cr Michael Clarke, Cr Sarah Carter and CEO Celia Haddock hosted the Hon. Tony Burke MP, Minister for the Arts and Employment and Workplace Relations, Daniel Mulino MP and members from L2R Dance and Inner West Symphony Orchestra to seek support for Creative West.

MY VIEW

MY ENVIRONMENT, MY RESPONSIBILITY

Manager

4. Mayor, Cr Cuc Lam, and Minister for Children, the Hon. Lizzie Blandthorne MP celebrating National Playgroup week at Maidstone Child and Family Centre.

Over the years, I’ve watched our parks and gardens evolve and develop due to the efforts of Council and local community groups. Cruickshank Park is a good example of this –what was once designated as ‘waste land’ has transformed into a beautiful community asset in the inner west thanks to community plantings.

Former Councillor Frederick Maddern OBE and local residents Lola and Peter Anderson initiated the efforts to reclassify the derelict site. The key to this potted history of Cruickshank Park is that with community effort, we can transform our environment. Similarly, Friends of Stony Creek have shown that with years of careful recovery efforts, we can turn a stream into a major local waterway that is cherished by all.

Join a Friends group and make a difference – our environment is everyone’s responsibility.

Cr Michael Clarke Yarraville Ward

3. Mayor, Cr Cuc Lam joined Footscray Police Inspector Paul Morgan and Superintendent Craig Peel for a joint ‘Meet the Mayor' and ‘Coffee with a Cop’ session at Highpoint Shopping Centre. They were greeted by Amanda Leary, Operations Manager and Kate Rooney, General

Les’s ‘profound contribution’

By Jennifer Pittorino with AAP

Prominentyouthoutreachworkerandwestern suburbs heart and soul, Les Twentyman has died aged 76.

Growing up in Braybrook, Mr Twentyman used his upbringing to dedicate his life to help youths from the western suburbs suffering from disadvantage. The Les Twentyman Foundation works to engage young people withtheireducation,familiesandcommunity.

Hisdedicationtohiscommunityandyoung people led him to receiving an Order of the

Medal of Australia (OAM) in 1994 for his service to youth as an outreach worker.

The foundation announced his passing on Saturday, March 30. The statement read “Les inspired us all with his lifelong dedication to helping those in need and his profound contribution to our community has positively changed the lives of thousands of young Victorians and their families. Our thoughts, loveandprayersarewithLes’swifeCherieand his family at this most difficult time, and we will wrap our arms around them.

“Les was larger than life, a true social

Recreating historic trip

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first flight around Australia, Sun Theatre owner Michael Smith will take off on a solo journey around the country, copying the same flight path. The Australian Geographic Adventurer of the Year 2016 will retrace the historic journey following the original anti-clockwise route in the modern seaplane ‘Southern Sun’. Michael will take off from the same spot as the 1924 crew at the Point Cook air base for the adventure of a lifetime, which he is eager to begin.

“I think it is a big deal because at the time aviation was in its infancy. In 1919 they managed the first flight from England to Australia,” he said as he recalled the trip he replicated in 2019.

“It’s amazing to think that it took five more years before they could fly around Australia, because Australia was so undeveloped compared to going through Asia and Europe.” It took the original aviation pioneers 44

days to complete the trip which Michael will retrace.

“I will be using the same landing places on the same dates. My plane will be a bit more reliable giving me a fair bit of time to go around,” he said.

With a mixture of excitement and nervousness, Michael will begin his trip on Saturday 6 April.

“I have installed a satellite dish in the front of the plane, so I have internet as I go around the country so that I can do some live broadcasting.

“My aim is to tell the story of that original trip as I go along during the trip myself.”

Sponsored by Australian Geographic and Bremont, the voyage will be photographed, journalled and filmed.

Those eager to follow along can tune in to Southern Sun TV YouTube on Facebook and Instagram.

Jennifer Pittorino

Partnership to ease burdens

Western suburbs charity, West Welcome Wagon (WWW) is facing a daunting financial reality. Currently supporting more than 600 households of 2300 asylum seekers and refugees in the western suburbs, the organisation has found itself with only two months of funding remaining.

In a bid to help the charity’s financial situation and support asylum seekers and refugees in the west, White Possum has teamed up with local producers to launch the Western Melbourne Gin Flight Pack. A portion of the proceeds from each pack sold will be donated directly to WWW.

The collaboration between White Possum and West Welcome Wagon aims to not only offer locally produced gin but also make a meaningful impact within the community.

warrior who was never afraid to say what was needed to be said. He gave a voice to the voiceless and through the Foundation he created leaves a legacy of helping young people to a brighter future that will continue beyond his extraordinary life and all at the Les Twentyman Foundation take great pride inthetrusthehasplacedinustocontinuethis importantworkinhisname.Hewillbegreatly missed by all who loved and knew him.”

In his spare time, Mr Twentyman loved sport, working as a physical education teacher early in his career and was a coach and player

for the Yarraville VFL football team.

He was also extremely passionate about the Western Bulldogs Football Club.

“He was always one of those people who thought that just a little thing can snowball into a really big thing, reach critical mass,” said Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge “I admire him greatly for that. We’ve lost a great person.”

The state government has confirmed Mr Twentyman will be remembered with a state memorial service. Details of the service are being arranged with the Twentyman family.

White Possum founder Paul Peng said the partnership supports local makers while also aiding those making the difficult transition to a new life.

“The work that West Welcome Wagon does is so important for the newest and often most vulnerable members of our community. It’s an honour to have been considered as a contributor albeit in one small way,” he said.

A West Welcome Wagon (WWW) board member said the charity is “incredibly grateful” for the partnership.

“The support generated through this collaboration will help us to continue our vital work of welcoming and assisting newly arrived individuals and families in our community,” he said.

Details: https://shorturl.at/bIOQ6

West Welcome Wagon is a volunteer run not-for-profit providing material aid and support to asylum seekers in Melbourne’s west. Pictured are volunteers Larissa Beech and Melanie Chea.

(Damjan Janevski) 354213_01

Michael Smith is ready to fly. (Ljubica Vrankovic.)

Satisfaction with council ‘good’

By Jennifer Pittorino

Satisfaction with Maribyrnong council rates slightly below the average metro Melbourne mark in the 2023 annual community survey.

In its meeting on Tuesday, March 19, council released the results of the survey, displaying council’s overall performance of 6.9 out of 10, which is marginally below that of metropolitan Melbourne average of 7.0.

The council said this result is sitting at a ‘goodlevel’andisonparwiththe2021results, which is the equal second highest score recorded and only slightly below the record

high achieved in 2020.

Consistent with previous years, road maintenance and repairs and traffic managementarethetopissues‘atthemoment’ the community wants council to address.

The five services and facilities that recorded scores measurably lower than the average were, parking enforcement, footpath maintenance and repairs maintenance and cleaning of Footscray CBD, maintenance and repair of sealed local roads, and public toilets.

The same eight services and facilities as last year received a score measurably higher than the average.

These were fortnightly recycling, weekly garbagecollection,libraryservices,fortnightly green waste collection, annual hard rubbish collection, Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre, provision and maintenance of playgrounds, and additional paid hard rubbish collection.

Councillor Micheal Clarke said council has seen an increase in ‘very satisfied’ responses and decrease in ‘dissatisfaction’.

“The object of the research is to measure the level of community satisfaction with a range of services and facilities, aspects of governance,leadership,training,development and customer service,” he said.

By design: A united sport uniform

One primary school in Hobsons Bay has connected to its traditional land by holding a traditional smoking ceremony to launch its new sport uniform, designed by Indigenous artist Mandi Bartom.

Williamstown’s St Mary’s Catholic Primary School hosted the smoking ceremony on Tuesday,March26tosignifythenewuniform.

“TheschoolandIconnectedforthisproject, they gave me the history of the school, the importance of the school and the values,” Ms Barton said.

“I went away and looked at the country and its honour, the traditional custodians of the land as well as looking at how everyone

connects on that land.”

The final design of the uniform is a mainly blue t-shirt with colourful patterns and symbols, which Ms Barton refers to as silhouettes of nature and animals.

“Weusedthesilhouetteoftheshadowofthe eagle (Bunjil), we wanted to incorporate that somehow because it is the creator in stories and watches over us,” she said.

The uniform also features many elements of water which Ms Barton said reflects the landscape of the area.

“This refers to the actual shape of the area and how water flows around, we have the travelling of water and how that connects to

people and the sea life,” she said.

Ms Barton said purple colours on the uniform symbolise canoes travelling over the water, in reference to the traditional custodians of the land.

Hundreds of students and teachers all celebrated the uniform in the smoking ceremony which Ms Barton said further solidified the schools connection to culture.

“It was really great to be able to connect the kids to give them that experience and connect them with culture when they might not have had the opportunity.”

Jennifer Pittorino

Cr Clarke said the survey also indicates that Maribyrnong residents are looking to engage with council over the phone or online rather than in person.

“Historically it has been face-to-face, today we find that only nine per cent of respondents actually reported contacting counsel in person,” he said.

“Over 90 per cent of contacts are using the electronic social media systems that we have access to.”

Council seeks feedback on hospital site

Maribyrnong council is seeking community feedback on what should be done with the old Footscray Hospital site.

The state government currently owns the majority of the site and has recently completed its own consultation process about the site’s future once the new hospital opens in 2025.

The council has prepared a draft advocacy plan to champion the community’s vision for the future.

The plan identifies four key priority areas including open space, access and movement, housing and social infrastructure, and also includes a map of how the site could be used.

The council has organised two upcoming opportunities for locals to participate in the conversation in-person.

These will be held on Wednesday, April 10 from 4-6pm at Berbert Park, 4 Swan Street, Footscray.

The second is Saturday April 13, from 10am-noon in front of the former Psychiatric Centre building at the hospital, 160 Gordon Street, Footscray.

The Reimagining Old Footscray Hospital community group said council’s plan aligns very well with the plan that The Reimagining Old Footscray Hospital Group created last year.

“Overall council’s plan aligns with council’s strategies and the feedback received from the three public consultation sessions we held in 2022-23 and feedback received by the state government more recently,” they said.

Feedback on the draft Advocacy Plan is open until April 21.

Details:

http://yourcityyourvoice. com.au/footscrayhospital

Push for railway workshop’s UNESCO world heritage listing

The Newport railway workshop has been a part of Victoria’s history for 134 years, which is why Hobsons Bay councillor Peter Hemphill thinks it belongs on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

If Cr Hemphill is successful in his attempts at gaining global protection, the site will become the 21st world heritage site in Australia, and the third in Victoria.

“This is a unique site, there are trains, locomotives and carriages as well as some of the original equipment on the site, that were manufactured there,” he said.

“I believe that is rare in the world, so hence

the push for a UNESCO World Heritage listing.”

There are currently three preservation railway groups at the site including Steamrail Victoria, Diesel Electric Rail Motor Association of Victoria (DERMPAV) and 707 operations.

In 2023, Hobsons Bay council voted in favour of pushing ahead with a formal request to VicTrack to update a conservation management plan for the site.

In order to obtain a heritage listing, VicTrack must work with Heritage Victoria, council and other rail groups, as well as a

nomination from the federal government.

Cr Hemphill believed there is an obligation on VicTrack to do a number of things to get the ball rolling.

“VicTrack are the owners of the railway workshops side in Newport, there is an obligationonthemtocarryoutaconservation management plan, a strategic land use plan, and a heritage interpretation plan,” he said.

“These will identify what is there and what needs to be protected, at the moment they haven’t done that so it is very important.”

In addition to the work by VicTrack, Cr Hemphill said commitment and recognition

by the state government is also required.

“The state government need to recognise that they have a heritage gem in their backyard,” said Cr Hemphill.

“Consequent of that we need some funding, we can’t just put all our money into new rail infrastructure.

“...Like rail loops and so forth, they are important but it is always important to preserve what we already have and make sure that we do not lose it.”

VicTrack and the state government were approached for comment.

Jennifer Pittorino

Principal Anthony Hockey, Bunurong Aboriginal Land Corporation’s Mark Brown, Williamstown MP Melissa Horne, artist Mardi Barton and parish priest Father Greg Trythall. (Supplied)

Wheels turn on charity

By Zoe Moffatt

Almost a decade ago Riddells Creek resident Tom O’Connell was cycling along the Maribyrnong River when he discovered a community bike shed.

While he was already involved in the world of cycling and considered himself a serious amuatur cyclist, the Brox-native was on the beginning of a path that would lead him to donating $60,000 to local and international charities.

Tom said members of the Community Bike Hub in Footscray invited him to see what they were doing, and shortly after he began volunteering with the group on Saturdays. “They were taking in donated bicycles and

POINT

then donating them to asylum seekers and refugees,” he said. “I was with them for four years and worked alongside bicycle engineers [to fix up the bikes].”

When COVID-19 struck and the world turned indoors, Tom said two bicycles appeared in his carport and he called his son to investigate the curious delivery.

“I called my son up and asked if it was his doing and he had told a few people I could repair bicycles. I wasn’t intending this because I don’t need the money so I thought okay I’ll donate it to charity.

“Most of the cash flow comes from servicing and repairs… I don’t donate bikes, I raise the money for charity. I’ll take in [donated] bicycles occasionally but they have to be in

near new condition.”

Tom said he has been involved with charities outside of Australia for a while now and through his extensive travel saw the need for smaller charities to receive support.

“I lived and travelled for 10 years and I visited 47 countries. During that time I spent time in third world countries, and I taught English in Cambodia.

“I became involved with someone setting up a school teaching young students and I was her first volunteer and so I started donating to her.”

Tom’s Bicycle Workshop also works closely with the Riddells Creek Neighbourhood House and can be found on Facebook.

Details: https://rb.gy/ndr7pk

More cash containers

Two more Reverse Vending Machines have been installed in Hobsons Bay under the state government’s Container Deposit Scheme ‘CDS Vic’.

The new points are located at the Scienceworks car park and Altona Gate Shopping Centre.

TOMRA Cleanaway said these machines are the 11th refund points installed in Hobsons Bay.

LocationsinHobsonsBayincludethe Altona Hockey Club, Williamstown Newport Anglers Club and Laverton Magpies Football Netball Club.

TOMRA Cleanaway said Hobsons Bay residents can also download the CDS Vic West Zone app to check on the live status of their local refund point, verify container eligibility, and to manage and track container refunds.

Since the scheme commenced in November residents across Victoria including in Hobsons Bay have been collecting and recycling eligible drink bottles, cartons, and cans and returning them to receive 10 cents per item in return.

If residents are looking to make a deposit outside of Hobsons Bay, there are currently 149 total refund points across the CDS Vic West Zone.

A complete list of eligible containers can be found in the Container Deposit Scheme Regulations.

Details: legislation.vic.gov.au/ as-made/statutory-rules/circulareconomy-waste-reduction-andrecycling-container-deposit-scheme

Tom O’Connell in his bike workshop. (Damjan Janevski) 394851_04

Congratulations to our Dux Sophie Page who received an ATAR of 99.15

50

Williamstown High School 2023 VCE RESULTS

“Congratulations to the students from the class of 2023 on achieving outstanding VCE Results.”

Congratulations to Katie Hogan our VCE Vocational Major, outstanding student of the year. 28

Four perfect study scores. Media, Literature, Outdoor & Environmental Studies & Creative and Visual Media

54% Of our students received an ATAR above 75

Congratulations to all of our students for their achievements. We are extremely proud to report our VCE students, amazing Year 12 results. Our DUX achieved an ATAR of 99.15. We are proud of all of our students and their achievements. We thank all students for their resilience, perseverance and commitment. Additionally, we thank and acknowledge the unwavering support provided by families and teachers throughout 2023.

Metro Trains grants up for grabs

Non-for-profit organisations in Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay have the chance to apply for anotherroundofgrantsbeingofferedbyMetro Trains.

Metro’s Moving Melbourne Community Grants support not-for-profit organisations across Melbourne doing important work to help improve people’s mental health.

Organisations can apply for one of three funding categories – $5,000, $10,000 or $20,000.

With a total grant pool of $100,000, projects or initiatives must fall into one of the following focus areas; wellness for preventative care to reduce the risk of poor mental impacts,

education with activities that inform and promote awareness of good mental health or support services which assist people through counselling, psychiatric support or crisis care that directly supports people experiencing mental health challenges.

Last year Metro’s grants program helped Footscray’s McAuley Community Services for women with a $20,000 grant used to design a women’s peer support program.

McAuley head of innovation and new business Emma Constantine said they applied for the grant to offer more peer support in the women’s residential programs.

The project titled the ‘Acacia project’ is to

Composting at the YCC

Yarraville residents now have access to new community composting hubs at the Yarraville Community Centre (YCC).

YCC chief executive Christine McCall said thenewhubswereinstalledinpartnershipwith Maribyrnong council’s My Smart Gardening Program and have already been well used by the community.

“Through our nourish program we get a lot of food waste and green waste which needs disposal,” she said.

“We want to be able to close the loop as we use the program to cook food for people , so we want to save all that waste from the food we cook in preparation.”

To save space, the YCC approached its neighbouring apartments about working collaboratively on a compost program.

“We are really fortunate they agreed and then we got permission from council to put the

compost bins there,” she said.

“The bins are open to the YCC and the residences at the back of the centre.

“We are all working out the process and working together, but we will put our food waste from our cooking into the compost bin.”

Ms McCall said the community is enjoying the hub and all that comes with it.

“This is just displaying the community engagement in action,” she said.

“We have no local residents, we just have the community centre, and even though they are not participating in any way except by sharing the compost, it is still great.

“I think it is a display of generosity of everybody and the willingness to work together to solve what is a problem of of kitchen waste going into landfill and we don’t want that.”

Jennifer Pittorino

co-design a peer support plan also known as a ‘journey map’, with women who are part of the residential program.

“The women who are living in this particular house are recovering from violence, homelessness, and mental health issues so it really needed to be quite specific to the needs of these women.”

More than 12 women have been involved so far which Ms Constantine said would not have been possible without the grant.

“Ithasallowedustopayemergingleadersand lived experience leaders who are engaging with theotherwomen,”shesaid.“Itallowsustogive them paid work which is really important too.

The other benefit is they get an opportunity to be a role model for the women who are there.”

The project will run until June, giving a few more months for the women to continue their healing.

“The feedback is that women feel really excited that they get to be part of this,” said Ms Constantine.

“People don’t always feel that their voice gets heard, they don’t always feel that they get a chance to say how they want things to be.“

Applications close on April 4, successful applicants will be announced in June.

Details: metrotrains.com.au/ community-grants

(Front to back) Christine McCall, Susan Stojanova, James Wetter and Yoonjung Kim. (Damjan Janevski) 391835_01

Wetlands Centre works to begin

By Jennifer Pittorino

Work at the Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre will begin this year, with early works planned for centre in HD Graham Reserve in Altona Meadows.

Hobsons Bay council has committed $1.5 million to the project which will establish a temporary activity hub for the Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre (HBWC), while council continues planning and advocating for the long-term vision for the site.

The council said the early works will include an activity and meeting room for Wetlands Centre volunteers and the community,

undercover outdoor activity space, offices, toilets, early landscaping and walking paths.

Thecounciliscallingonthestateandfederal governments to partner with it to bring to life the dream of an urban oasis in Hobsons Bay.

Wetlands centre committee chair Dr Marilyn Olliff said the team are pleased with this first step.

“We are thrilled that council is supporting our vision for the centre,” she said. “It has been a long time coming so we look forward to welcomingeveryonetothisspecialplacewhere everyone can connect with nature.”

The HBWC group was formed in 2018, working with several other organisations on

getting the project off the ground.

“We have a memorandum of understanding with eight partners including council and Deakin University,” Dr Olliff said.

“Our role has been building the organisation to be an environmental community education organisation.

“We provide nature based activities for the community.”

Currently operating from the Truganina Explosives Reserve, HBWC has spent the last five years lobbying for the centre.

“Once the hub is built we will be able to operate from there, but for now we are quite happy to be at the first stage, as time goes on

Celebrating Diversity Week together

It was a vibrant celebration for the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation’s (WBCF) Cultural Diversity Week 2024 at the Bowery Theatre and Errington Reserve in St Albans on March 21.

The WBCF joined hands with inTouch, The Youth Junction, and Empowering Communities to host the event. Embracing the stategovernment’stheme,’OurSharedStoriesCelebrating Together’, the partnership brought together 200 community members.

The day kicked off at 10am with an outdoor festival at Errington Reserve, featuring a varietyofperformances,workshops,andsports activities. Attendees were treated to the joy of Bollywood dancing, the rhythms of African drumming, as well as the grace of Vietnamese

dancing, and were encouraged to participate in workshops teaching each of these.

Withsomethingforeveryone,fromhands-on activities to delectable multicultural bites, the festival showcased the diverse tapestry of cultures enriching the local community.

Transitioning to the Bowery Theatre at 12.30pm, a sold-out audience enjoyed a keynote speech and panel discussion exploring the significance of multiculturalism, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Western Bulldogs chief executive Ameet Bains shared personal insights into the importance of multiculturalism, drawing from his own background as the son of Indian migrants.Thepaneldiscussionfeaturedarange of talented guests including Fred Alale, Hamed

Allahyari, Sama Morad, and Tarni Jarvis, offering diverse perspectives on the theme.

The event also marked the announcement of the WBCF awards, honouring inspirational advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the west.

Zac Petrevski received the Diversity Advocate of the West award for his impactful work as a physical education teacher at the Western English Language School, while year 10 student Ihaab Ahmad was recognised as the Young Diversity Advocate of the West for his leadership in youth issues within the Braybrook community. The East African Women’s Foundation was celebrated for its impactful contributions to the East African community in Melbourne.

that will of course change,” Dr Olliff said,

While council gets working on the centre, the HBWC encourages residents to attend workshops and activities.

Hobsons Bay mayor Matt Tyler said the HBWC will be one of the city’s great assets.

“Theseworkswillhelpusshowcaseourvision for the site, which will be a state-of-the-art wetlands centre near the internationally recognised Ramsar-listed Cheetham Wetlands,” he said

“When it’s finished, the Wetlands centre will be an incredible environmental education centre and ecotourism hot spot for our region.”

Details: shorturl.at/qE358

Smart garden recognition continues

On the heels of being recognised as a community champion winner at the Premier’s Sustainability Awards in 2023, My Smart Garden has been chosen as a finalist in the 35th National Banksia Sustainability Awards in the healthy planet, healthy people award category.

TheNationalBanksiaSustainability Awards are the longest-running sustainability awards in Australia.

Thisyearwillmarkthe35thBanksia awards which celebrate excellence in 14 categories, highlighting the diversity of sustainability practices across the country.

My Smart Garden tackles many issues through the popular gateway of gardening by providing free workshops in 11 partner council areas including Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay.

The goals are to create behavioural changes across five themes food, habitat, waste, shelter, and water.

The free program provides resources to help grow food, habitat and shelter, while staying healthy, cutting grocery bills and meeting neighbours.

It helps teach everyone from expert green thumbs to novice gardeners how to make the most of their garden, even if you’re renting or have limited space.

My Smart Garden has won previous awards including a Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria award in November.

Winners of the Banksia Awards will be announced on April 4,

Footscray Hospital connecting footbridge finds its footing

With the new $1.5 billion Footscray Hospital set to officially open in 2025, a new constructionmilestonehasbeenreachedwith thefootbridgeconnectingVictoriaUniversity (VU) to the hospital installed.

The footbridge was unveiled at the new Footscray hospital by Premier Jacinta Allen on Monday, March 25.

The footbridge creates a link between the new hospital and VU’s Footscray Park Campus future education and research centre.

“This connection is crucial to the future success of Footscray becoming a destination for health, education and research,” VU said.

VU Chancellor Steve Bracks said Footscray is transforming into a leading precinct for health, education, and employment.

“The unveiling of the pedestrian footbridge linking the New Footscray Hospital and Victoria University’s Footscray Park campus is a shining example,” he said.

“For VU, this bridge symbolises a vital connection. It will strengthen our collaboration with Western Health and will amplify opportunities for VU students and researchers – the region’s future skilled health professionals.”

In 2023, VU provided 48 per cent of Western Health’s graduate nursing positions, the highest proportion of any university.

According to VU, each year, almost 1000 VU students complete more than 110,000 hours of clinical placements at Western

Health locations.

SecondyearVUbachelorofnursingstudent and state government nursing scholarship recipient, Teaghan Wilton, said having the hospital on VU’s doorstep will be of huge benefit to her and her fellow students.

“To have a major tertiary hospital with the newest technology on VU’s doorstep is a fantastic professional development opportunity for me and other nursing students, with huge potential for upskilling the workforce in Melbourne’s west,” she said.

MsAllansaidthenewhospitalwillnotonly provide Melbourne’s west the best care closer to home, but it will also give generations of aspiring nurses access to a world-class education.”

The footbridge connecting Victoria University (VU) to the hospital. (Supplied)

The Western Bulldogs Community Foundation celebrated Cultural Diversity Week in style. (Supplied)

Global concern is a local issue

By Cr Jorge Jorquera

Understandably, some in our community have questioned the role of local government in addressing global matters.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been ongoing for over 75 years, but the attacks that occurred following October 7, have been the deadliest and most intense in the 21st century.

According to Oxfam, the Israeli military have killed roughly 250 Palestinians per day since October 7.

Of the 30,000 plus killed so far, at least 13,000 have been children according to UNICEF, that’s one child every 15 minutes.

I wanted to take the time to scroll through the list of names of these children, I couldn’t get past the list of those who didn’t make their first birthday.

The first name on that list I will never forget.

It is the single proudest moment of my time as a councillor that the City of Maribyrnong took a stand with humanity in November.

We condemned Israel’s war on Palestine and called for an end to ‘all military, economic, political and diplomatic ties with the state of Israel until it complies with its obligations under international law’.

The motion is a step in the right direction.

As a diverse, multicultural, and multi-faith community, we deplore and actively stand against all forms of racism, including Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism. If local government can’t declare its sympathy for peace and human rights, at best it can be

Briefs

Footscray man arrested Detectives have charged a man following an alleged burglary in Southbank overnight on Monday March 25. It is alleged the man broke into a convenience store on Southbank Boulevard around 3.30am. The man allegedly attempted to flee with a quantity of cigarettes. The owners of the business were alerted by an alarm and arrested the man. They handed him over to police a short time later. The man was transported to hospital with minor injuries. A 50-year-old Footscray man was later charged with burglary and unlawful assault. He was bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on the June 14.

Williamstown Italian Festival

Williamstown Italian Social Club president and organiser Carlo Abate invites the Hobsons Bay community to the Williamstown Italian Festival on Sunday, April 7. “It is a free event where people can sample all the food of Italy,“ he said “There will be lots of entertainment on the day, including a gnocchi making workshop.“ Held at 30 Garden St Williamstown, there will be plenty of history on the Empress Theatre and the club itself. “We are trying to bring a mini version of the Lygon festival to the west and include everyone in the area to maintain the Italian culture of food and music.”

called an apparatus, but certainly not a government.

Whatever else may need improvement in our municipality, and I understand there’s lots, at least we can proudly say the City of Maribyrnong stands with Palestine. Cr Jorge Jorquera.

FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT

Web: starweekly.com.au

Maribyrnong & Hobsons Bay Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Altona Sports Club’s tribute to compassion and unity

In the heart of our community, a remarkable event unfolded, embodying the essence of compassion and generosity. The Royal Children’s Hospital Fundraiser, orchestrated by the Altona Sports Club and supported by localbandsandbusinesses,hasleftanindelible mark on our collective consciousness. The sold-out event serves as a poignant reminder of the power of unity in the face of adversity. Local bands, with their talent and passion, selflessly dedicated their time and energy to entertain and uplift attendees, all in the name of charity. Their willingness to forgo personal

gain in favour of a greater cause is truly commendable and speaks volumes about the values ingrained in our community. Moreover, the unwavering support of local businesses further underscores the interconnectedness of our society. Their contributions, whether financial or logistical, have been instrumental in ensuring the success of this event. It is heartening to witness businesses leveraging their resources to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, showcasing a profound commitment to social responsibility.

The sold-out status of the fundraiser speaks volumes about the depth of empathy and solidarity within our community. It demonstrates that when individuals and organisations come together with a shared purpose, remarkable feats can be achieved. The overwhelming response from attendees underscores the significance of the cause and reaffirmsourcollectiveresolvetosupportthose inneed.

Beyond the tangible impact of the funds raised, this event has fostered a sense of camaraderie and belonging among community

members. It serves as a reminder that in times of adversity, we are stronger together. As we reflect on the success of the Royal Children’s Hospital Fundraiser, let us be inspired to continue spreading kindness and compassion, knowing that even the smallest gestures can makeaworldofdifferenceinthelivesofothers. In the tapestry of our community, events like these serve as threads of hope, weaving together a brighter future for all. Let us cherish this moment as a testament to the boundless potential of humanity when fueled by empathy andsolidarity.

Jenn Allas and Michael Zammit.

The bands with David Smith and Gavin Comport.

Nonno’s Pizzeria

Experience the authentic taste of Italy at Nonno’s Pizzeria in Williamstown. Our old school pizza brings the nostalgia of traditional flavours, handcrafted with love. Whether you’re planning a corporate event, birthday party, or family gathering, let Nonno’s cater with our mouthwatering pizzas. Dine in and soak up the cosy ambience or order in the comfort of your home with our take-away option. From classic margaritas to gourmet specialties, our pizzas are made with the finest ingredients and a sprinkle of tradition. For a tastethattranscendsgenerations,visitNonno’s Pizzeria – where every bite tells a story of heritage and passion.

Williamstown Automotive

Williamstown Automotive, nestled on Tennyson Street in Williamstown North, is a trusted destination for automotive services. With a commitment to excellence, the team offers a comprehensive range of services including mechanical repairs, diagnostics, maintenance, and provide efficient solutions tailored to each customer’s needs. Whether it’s routine maintenance or complex repairs, WilliamstownAutomotiveensuresatop-notch service with attention to detail. For all your automotive needs in Williamstown North, Williamstown Automotive stands out as a reliable choice. Receive 5% discount if you mention the Star Weekly.

Indeed Convey

Indeed Convey staff pride themselves on offering clients friendly and professional conveyancing services Victoria wide. With over 25 years’ experience in conveyancing, Indeedhasallyourresidentialandcommercial propertyconveyancingneedscovered,whether you are subdividing, developing or simply transferring a property.

Establishedin2013andownedandmanaged by Mary Commisso, Indeed Convey boasts an experienced team of 11 conveyancing specialists who operate from three locations; the Albert Park head office, Williamstown and Yarraville. Indeed Convey takes a simplified approach to property conveyancing. The team’s focus is to deliver exceptional and tailored customer service, free of legal jargon – put simply, they will guide you through the conveyancing.

Lukumades

At Lukumades™ we specialise in creating hand-crafted Greek doughnuts with a modern twist. Whether you like your doughnuts smothered with nutella, sprinkled with crushed oreos or drizzled with salted caramel sauce, we have a little something for everyone! We began our doughnut journey in 2016 out of a food truck that roamed the streets of Australia’s‘foodie’capital–Melbourne.Wehit the ground running and given our immense popularity, we ventured into our very first bricks and mortar store in just 9 months!

‘Excited’ doesn’t even come close to describingeveryone’sreactionwhenAustralia’s first store dedicated to Greek doughnuts was born! It has been one hell of a journey and we

havethoroughlyenjoyedteachingthepeopleof the world about ‘Lukumades’. Given our huge success, naturally, franchising has been the next step!

Williamstown MP Melissa Horne

This time of year there’s so much to do in and around Williamstown, Altona, Altona North, Newport, Spotswood and Brooklyn. Whether it’stakingawalkonthenewAltonapier,taking a walk around Point Gellibrand or popping into some of our new great bars in Newport and Spotswood. There’s a couple of wonderful parks in Brooklyn that are hidden gems. And if the arts scene is more your vibe, Louis Joel Arts Centre in Altona and the Substation in Newport always have fabulous exhibitions on. I’m always keen to hear what’s important to you and the improvements you’d like to see in our area, so please email me at melissa.horne@ parliament.vic.gov.au

Williamstown Specialist Centre

Williamstown Specialist Centre is located in the lovely seaside suburb of Williamstown, which is approximately 10 kilometres south west of the Melbourne CBD. The centre is surrounded by free parking spaces both on the main and adjoining streets. All-day parking spotscansometimesbefoundonLyonStreetor ElectraStreets.Specialistsincludeearnoseand throat, cardiologist, endocrinologist, general paediatrician,orthopaedicsurgeon,respiratory physician, sleep physician, vascular specialist and endovascular specialist, urologist and musculoskeletal sports podiatrist. If you are consideringrentingoneofthecentre’sspacious spaces,roomsareavailableonasessionalbasis.

Dream Academy Dance

Dream Academy Dance (DA) and Refinery School of Music (RSM) are both conveniently located in the same venue in Williamstown North, offering an array of dance classes and music lessons to all ages and levels. Established in 1995, both schools specialise in their craft andpridethemselvesonqualityandaccredited teaching, offering highly experienced and established teachers within their field. Operating out of a professional studio facility, within a nurturing and safe environment. So, whether it be for fun, fitness or career, this is the time to make your dreams a reality, by contacting them now for your free trial lessons on 1300 600 111.

Melbourne River Cruises

Melbourne River Cruises operates the Williamstown ferry, transporting passengers betweenthecityandWilliamstown.Thisscenic voyage includes informative commentary, complimentary tea, coffee, and a fully-stocked bar for relaxation. Enjoy stunning views of the city skyline and the bay area throughout the journey. Departures are conveniently located at Southgate Berth 2 in the city and Gem Pier in Williamstown. Embrace the opportunity to bring along pets or bicycles, enhancing the experience as a delightful day excursion. Experience the charm of Melbourne’s waterways while relishing the amenities aboard this iconic ferry service.

Ferguson Street Pier, WIlliamstown.

No limits of father’s love

Looking down at the world from 8848 metres above sea level, Williamstown’s David Morgan knew he was among a special group of people – those who had conquered Mount Everest. However, he also knew that his daughter Finlay was fighting a battle which she would face for the rest of her life – type 1 diabetes. Matthew Sims spoke to him about why he decided to climb seven mountains and run seven marathons for diabetes research and his new book ‘Fin’s Mountains’.

In February 2018, David Morgan and his partner Heidi’s life changed forever, when their four-year-old daughter Finlay received a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.

Mr Morgan immediately knew he wanted to do something significant to raise awareness and donations for Diabetes Australia.

While he had done a few extreme things in his life, including yacht races, hiking the Kokoda Trail and deep-sea diving on the shipwreck of the SS President Coolidge in Vanuatu, Mr Morgan had no experience with mountaineering or marathons.

Despite this, Mr Morgan launched the 7x7 Challenge, conquering the seven highest summits on the world’s seven continents and completing seven of the world’s greatest marathons, raising $68,000 for type 1 diabetes research in the process.

‘‘ Mountaineering teaches you resilience. It humbles you, both physically and mentally ’’ - David Morgan

What was a three-year journey came to a close on June 2022, when Mr Morgan completed the Cairns Ironman.

However, Mr Morgan said his hardships were nothing compared to what Fin had faced with her diagnosis.

“In the first weeks following diagnosis, a sick and frightened little Fin cried and screamed and fought every time Heidi and I checked her blood sugar levels and administered her life-saving insulin injections,” he said.

“Can you imagine pinning down your small, defencelesschild,tooyoungtofullyunderstand what is happening to her, and puncturing her perfect skin with a needle several times a day?

“Toouryoungdaughter,itmusthavefeltlike her parents were torturing her.”

With initial symptoms including excessive thirst, increased toilet frequency, unexplained weight loss and extreme tiredness, 134,000 people are living with the disease in Australia.

Type 1 diabetes is an incurable and lifelong autoimmune condition where the body’s own immune system is activated to destroy the beta cells in the pancreas which produce insulin.

Mr Morgan said people who were diagnosed

with Type 1 diabetes have done nothing to cause the condition to present itself and anybody can get it.

“Type 1 diabetes should not be confused with type 2, which is a completely different condition,” he said. “Type 2 diabetes is not caused by an attack from the immune system.

“Rather, there are several risk factors that contribute to its development – age, family history, ethnic background, weight, diet and physical exercise, which can all be treated with lifestyle change and medication.”

Mr Morgan said managing the condition was a full-time job.

“Diabetesmanagementis24/7,”hesaid.“You never have a day off, let alone an hour.

“Those days can feel really long when your child isn’t well.”

Mr Morgan said it was also important for Fin to know she was not alone in her battle, rememberingFin’sfirstDiabetesVictoriacamp she attended when she was six years of age.

“It might be difficult to understand how a weekend camp can do this, but over two days

a team of educators and professionals achieved progresswiththemanagementofFin’sdiabetes that I would not have believed possible had I not witnessed it all unfold,” he said.

“After having many, many reservations about even attending the camp, on day one a beaming Fin proudly held up a pink star cut-out that read, ‘I did my injection for the first time—Finlay.’

“She got to stick it on the board, front and centre of the room, with everyone else’s achievement star.”

Mr Morgan said he was a complete amateur in mountaineering when he decided to take on the 7x7 Challenge.

“I was definitely naive in the undertaking,” he said. “We wanted to do something big hoping to raise lots of money and donation towards research for Type 1 diabetes.”

Mr Morgan said training for the challenge quickly became a full-time job.

“You’ve just got to be prepared as best you can be,” he said.

Mr Morgan’s mountaineering efforts were

full of hardships, including contracting COVID-19 at the base camp of Mount Everest,

“It was definitely the biggest challenge,” he said.

“I had to be evacuated to Kathmandu,” he said. “It was just an unknown.”

Mr Morgan also battled altitude sickness and suffered from frostbite during his final climb of Denali in Alaska after his boot heaters failed during his descent of Mount Everest.

“Mountaineering teaches you resilience,” he said. “It humbles you, both physically and mentally.”

However, he said months of putting another foot in front of the other thousands of times over in harsh conditions gave him a new perspective on what he was able to accomplish.

“You look at a whole new perspective on the world,” he said. “The outlook it’s given me is what is possible if you stick at it.”

Closing out the challenge with Cairns Ironman, Mr Morgan swam 3.8 kilometres and cycled 180 kilometres before running his seventh and final marathon.

“I wanted to do something big to conclude the challenge,” he said.

“I wanted to get back to the fitness I had.”

Suffering from salt depletion and cramps during the cycling leg of the event and then passing out five kilometres through the run, doctors told him to stop.

However, he completed the event at 11pm, 15 hours after the event started at 8am.

Mr Morgan said he hoped his efforts would inspire his children to aim high and remain strong in the face of uncertainty.

“I hope one day that the kids would see it for what it was so they can do what they want to do,” he said.

“My hope is I inspired her to try to do something.”

Mr Morgan said despite connecting back home frequently via satellite phone, it was still difficult being apart from his family.

“It always is hard not seeing the kids,” he said. “You miss out on all the small moments.”

Mr Morgan said he was relieved to have finished the challenge, but was set to undergo corrective surgery ahead of planning to run in the Chicago Marathon in October and climb more mountains in the future.

For more information on type 2 diabetes, visit jdrf.org.au or diabetesaustralia.com.au or phone 1800 177 055

David Morgan with his daughter Fin. David climbed the seven highest summits across all seven continents over three years. (Pictures: Supplied)

The Denali summit, and left, The Denali descent.

Journey back in time

Grandparents can take grandchildren to the zoo for free over the school holidays and embark on an unforgettable journey back in timeaszoosacrossthestatebecomeprehistoric playgrounds.

At Melbourne Zoo, visitors can venture along paths not normally open to visitors to discover 16 huge dinosaurs, their nests, and newly hatched young. For budding palaeontologists, there’s the chance to uncover a fossil in the sandpits, watched over by the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex.

In an Australian first, Dinos at the Zoo will also provide unprecedented access to the deaf and hard of hearing community, with Expression Australia creating a series of videos in Australian Sign Language (Auslan) to provide information on every exhibit, which is instantly accessible by scanning a QR code.

At Werribee Open Range Zoo, expect the unexpected as you encounter 14 awe-inspiring dinosaurs, smoking volcanoes, bubbling swamps, dino footprints, and unearth life-like dino fossils.

For an evening adventure like no other, Dinos After Dark will be available at Werribee for one week from April 7, offering a unique nighttimeexperiencewiththeseancientgiants.

Within the Yarra Valley, step back in time along Healesville Sanctuary’s bushland Nature Trail where 16 dinosaurs roam, or for those who prefer a guide, join a free walking tour with a ranger.

Entry to all zoos is free for children under 16 years on weekends, school holidays, and public holidays. Dinos at the Zoo will be free with zoo admission and run until the end of the winter school holidays.

Explore dinosaurs after dark at Werribee Open Range Zoo. (Zoos Victoria)

FUNdraising will help feed many

No one expected this small school of 320 students to raise $15,000 for Yarraville’s Foodbank, but St Leo the Great Primary School in Altona North has done just that and in a short six weeks.

“Aspartofoursocialjusticeinitiative,which we do to support our local community, we have joined up with Foodbank,” said religious education leader Christine Kutniewski.

“This is a great cause because the money we have raised will go towards feeding lots of Victorians.” With an initial goal of $7000, Ms Kutniewski, the school and Foodbank have all been left gobsmacked with the end result. To celebrate, the school and Foodbank hosted a Food Fight Fun Run Day on Thursday, March 28, which Ms Kutniewski described as the “messiest food fight ever”.

“Foodbank organised a website for us to donate to, we put that in our newsletter along with little incentives which helped the students raise money,” she said.

“However our goal was not at all anywhere near $15,000, we thought $1,000 per year level would be nice.

“So Foodbank came out to help us organise with the food fight.“

Foodbank chief communications officer Matt Tilley said the Foodbank team thinks the school’s effort is amazing.

“We haven’t really been pushing people on

the fundraising and it seems we haven’t needed to,” he said.

“It shows how strong the community can be

when they come together, it is lovely they want to lean in and give a bit back.

“We loved letting the kids do some naughty

Fun on the run for school students

Dinjerra Primary School students in Braybrook hosted a school fun run to celebrate the money raised for their active outdoor spaces.

AdministrationofficerKarleeGriffithssaidthe school raised $10,500 across three weeks in the lead up to the event held on Tuesday, March 27.

“Themoneywillgotowardstheredevelopment of the oval for AFL goalposts and resurfacing the oval,” she said.

More than 200 students participated in the fun runcompletewithanobstaclecourse,hurdles,an activity run, jumping castle and more.

things. The food fight has been the real appeal of it which led to a wonderful result.”

Dinjerra Primary School in Braybrook celebrated its fundraising efforts with a school fun run.

Jennifer Pittorino

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Holy Family Parish

The Holy Family Parish in Maidstone is hosting an Alpha Night including a free meal and chance to chat. People from all backgrounds, faith, and walk of life are welcome at the events which will run every Wednesday until May 22, at 6.45-8.45pm, at Holy Family Parish Small Hall, 15 Lyons Street, Maidstone.

■ Angelo Ramnac, 0409 406 611 or aramnac@bigpond.com

Everyday English language course

For women of all ages and backgrounds with English as a second language. Practise speaking English in different situations, and make new friends! Fridays 10am-noon. ■ 9391 8504 or outlets@outletsco-op.com. au or visit 43 Mason Street, Newport.

Laverton Community Choir

The choir is currently welcoming new members, especially male voices. If you love singing and would like to be part of a choir, come along and try out your vocal cords with our fun and welcoming group of singers. There are no auditions and you don’t need to be able to read music. The group meets on Thursday evenings during school terms at Laverton P12 College, 91 Bladin Street, Laverton from 7-9pm. ■ Sue, 0418 386 147 or lavertoncommunitychoir@gmail.com

Newport Jazz Festival

Running from 3-5 May. This year’s festival will feature a stellar line-up of musicians in 38 bands, with headliners: jazz legend Bob Sedergreen, dynamic traditional band Shiraz, the groovy Adam Rudegeair plus Newport’s own and Melbourne’s sweetheart vocalist… Julie O’Hara. For further band lineup and ticket info please go to:

■ www.melbournejazzjammers.com.au

Free parent support

Hobsons Bay Council’s new support group, ‘Tuning in to Teens’ is designed to help parents with a range of teenage topics. These include understanding your teen better, helping your teen to manage difficult emotions, helping to prevent behavioural issues in your teen and teach your teen how to deal with conflict more effectively. Tuning in to Teens is a free six-session parenting program. The next term will run on Mondays from 6.30-8.30pm, commencing May 20 running online.

■ 9932 4000 or youth@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

Friendship group

Altona Day Voice Interest and Education of Women [VIEW] Club meets at 11am on the third Wednesday of the month at Altona RSL.

■ Janet, 9394 6522 or 0412 010 176

Diabetes support group

The Westgate Diabetes Support Group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at the Altona Bowling Club at 10am.

■ Elaine, 0415 030 996

AeroSpeakers Toastmasters Club

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

■ Vimi Gaoneadry, 0411 530 944

Art workshops

The Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre presents MonArt, workshops for people

of all abilities facilitated by community art specialist Amanda Neville, Mondays 10-11.30am. Cost is $5 casual fee.

■ admin@ljac.com.au, or 9398 2511

West Footscray Rotary

The Rotary Club of West Footscray meets at the Medway Golf Club in Maidstone for lunch, fellowship and guest speakers each Wednesday from 12.30-2pm.

■ Mike, 0417 622 372

Cherry Lake Market

Set between Millers Road and the stunning Cherry Lake in Altona, this market has something for everyone. The market hosts more than 60 stalls, selling plants, bric-a-brac, handcrafts, hot jam donuts, tools, clothing and much more. There is live music every month from the Cherry Lake Cultural Series, showcasing local musicians from across Hobsons Bay. From 9am-1pm on the first Sunday of every month.

■ www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Community/ Whats-On/Altona or cherrylakemarket@ gmail.com

Point Gellibrand Rotary Club

Rotary Club of Point Gellibrand meets at Customs House Hotel, 161 Nelson Place, Williamstown, on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 6pm for a dinner meeting. The club has some great speakers and needs new, energetic, enthusiastic members who want to make a difference in their community.

■ www.rotarypointgellibrand.com.au, Pam, 0418 347 691, or rotarypointgellibrand@gmail.com

Altona Day View Club

The Altona Day View Club meets on the third Wednesday each Month at 11am, at the Altona RSL 31 Sargood Street., Altona..

■ Marion, 9394 6557

Woodcarving workshop

The woodcarving workshop meets on Tuesdays at 9.30am-noon at Hobsons Bay Men’s Shed, 280 Queens Street, Altona. All levels of ability in this ancient, international craft are welcome, women included, starter tools and timber available.

There will also be live music. From 10am4pm.

■ www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Community/ Whats-On/Williamstown-Craft-Market

Musicians Wanted

Do you play woodwind, brass or percussion and are looking for a welcoming place to play enjoyable and challenging music? The Westgate Concert Band is seeking new members. Rehearsals are held Saturdays during school terms, 9am-noon at Braybrook College.

■ westgateconcertband@gmail.com

Free English conversation class

Is English your second language? Do you want to improve your English skills and meet new people? Practise English conversation in informal interactive group sessions. Light refreshments provided. Mondays during school terms, from 1-3pm, at the Altona Library.

■ Joe Pellone, 0431 915 970, or joepellone@gmail.com, or Jill Mackenzie, 0439 994 705, or jill.mackenzie111@gmail.com

Free Willy Walking group

A free walking group meets every Wednesday, during school terms, at 10.15- 11am from Joan Kirner House, 14 Thompson Street, Williamstown.

■ Tahlia, 9397 6168

Free community morning tea

■ jah2802rot@gmail.com

Laverton Community Choir

Laverton Community Choir will recommence on Thursday, February 1 for the year. New members who would enjoy singing in a friendly group are welcome. No experience necessary and no auditions. The choir meets on Thursday evenings during school term from 7-9pm at Laverton P12 College (enter via gate 1,) 91 Bladin Street, Laverton.

■ Sue, 0418 386 147

Form Support

New and free at Williamstown Community and Education Centre. Need help filling in forms? Passport applications, Centrelink forms, housing assistance, medical, service provision, etc.

■ Lara, 9397 6168

Drop in chess, cards and Scrabble

If you love playing chess, cards or a game of Scrabble in an informal and fun setting, visit Braybrook Community Centre on Tuesdays, from noon-2.30pm.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Regular meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous are held at St Andrew’s Church Hall, Williamstown, Wednesdays at 7pm and Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Newport, Thursdays at 6.30pm and Saturdays at 8.30am. All welcome including friends and family of people with drinking problems.

■ 1300 22 22 22, or www.aatimes.org.au

Wednesday walking group

The Williamstown Community Centre offers a regular Wednesday walking group that walks the local area, 10.15-11am. New members are welcome. This activity is free and includes morning tea.

■ 9397 6168

Williamstown Craft Market Commonwealth Reserve comes alive on the third Sunday of the month for the Williamstown Craft Market. The market boasts more than 50 stalls showcasing everything from handmade craft, homegrown produce and food vendors.

A free community meeting tea occurs every Wednesday at 11am in Joan Kirner House foyer, 14 Thompson Street, Williamstown.

■ Tahlia, 9397 6168

Heritage walks

Enjoy a leisurely one-and-a-half hour walk around historic Williamstown and nearby suburbs with guide John. Walks start at 9.20am each Tuesday outside the Visitor Information Centre in Nelson Place. Each week is a different week with a printed sheet with the route and points of interest provided each week. Walks are leisurely and usually end at a cafe for a tea-coffee.

■ John, 0418 377 336

Conversational English

The Women Talk Group will be held on Mondays at 10am for women to learn and practice speaking English in the classroom and the local area and make new friends in an all-women class.

■ 9391 8504, or outlets@outletsco-op.com.au

Community Education Centre

Laverton Community Education Centre has started free AMEP classes in Williamstown Community Education Centre at the Joan Kirner House, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9.30am-3pm. Participants can build English, digital and employability skills with the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP).

■ 9369 2726

Altona Repair Cafe

The Altona Repair Cafe are looking for more repairers to help meet community demand for repairs at their monthly repair events! We are particularly looking for people with skills in repairing electricals and textiles! Repair cafes happen on the first Saturday of the month, noon-3pm.

■ Danielle, 0413 434 082

Social card games

Interested in playing social card games? Canasta, poker and/or others. Weekday mornings or afternoons at 43 Mason Street, Newport.

■ 9391 8504, or outlets@outletsco-op.com.au

This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of Belle Hadiwidjaja ahead of a Maribyrnong skating event. (Damjan Janevski) 397118_01

PUZZLES

ACROSS

1 Creates (6)

4 Not wanted (8)

9 Traditional English sponge cake (7)

11 Mournful (7)

12 Knick-knacks and souvenirs (11)

13 Exclamation of surprise (3)

14 Arduous (8)

16 Union territory of the Republic of India (5)

19 Relating to a sovereign (5)

20 Influenza strain (5,3)

22 Phone program (abbr) (3)

24 Reciprocal (11)

26 Annoying (7)

27 Deviate (7)

29 Accurate shooters (7)

30 Stylish (6)

DOWN

1 Cadge (3)

2 Something signed by a parent, – form (9)

3 Less wet (5)

5 Bug (coll) (6)

6 Girls’ name (9)

7 Fastening (5)

8 Senile decay (11)

10 Collections of songs or photos (6)

12 Prioritising material possessions (11)

15 Type of rocks containing silica (9)

17 Exaggerated self importance (9)

18 Climb (6)

21 In ancient architecture, a horizontal design (6)

23 Metal rod for stirring a fire (5)

25 Celestial being (5)

28 Utter (3)

LETTERS

3

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 nouns ending in “s”.

Today’s Aim:

19 words: Good

28 words: Very good

38 words: Excellent

LETTERS

5 LETTERS ALIBI ALLOT ALOUD AMONG AROSE ARSON ASIDE BASED CAGED CAPED CASTS CIRCA DENSE

No. 179

1 What is the largest train station in the UK?

2 In relation to trees, what does deciduous mean?

3 Pedro Pascal (pictured) starred alongside Nicolas Cage in which 2022 film?

4 Which continent are capybaras native to?

5 What type of food is a chimichanga?

6 The book cataloguing website Goodreads was launched in which year?

7 Is Paraguay a landlocked or coastal country?

8 True or false: Otzi the Iceman, a natural mummy from 3105BC, had tattoos?

9 The world’s first electric tram line operated in which country?

10 Hazard signs are typically black symbols on what colour triangular background?

No. 179

No. 179

No. 179

Summer season grand final joy

There’s been grand final fever across Melbourne’s north-west in recent weeks, as the summer sports finish up their seasons. There’s plenty of good stories from across all competitions and here are two of them.

Yarraville Club’s second XI came away with premiership glory in one of the most stunning fashions.

the winning runs with two overs remaining and only one wicket left in the shed.

The Clubbers finished 9-273 with 17-year-old Jacob Jebara, who was batting at 10 sealing the deal with 15 not out off 13 ballsandshowingcomposurewellbeyondhis years.

Altona Sports

Altona Sports third XI came out on top in the Western Suburbs Churches and Community Cricket Association division 6 competition against Vic Bangladeshi SC Green.

After securing second spot on the ladder in the home and away season, the team led by Varun Kumar played the arch-rivals and top of the ladder Vic Bangladeshi in what was anticipated to be a great game and a spectacle and it lived up to the hype.

Sports decided to bat and ended up scoring a mammoth 228 in 35 overs, led by Ravikiran Girradi who scored 53 and well supported by the veterans Amit Arora with 42, Nilesh Nerurkar with 34, Swapnil Kaushik with 27

and Ali Raza with 24.

Vic Bangladeshi didn’t have a good start with an early run out, but their batmen steadied the ship and were on track with the run rate until Ankit Batra (2-53), Ravikiran Girradi (3-38), Raza (2-12) and Sudhir Sharma and Kumar with one wicket each bowled the opposition out for 204 in 32 overs.

For his magical batting and outstanding bowling Ravi wherein he picked up two wickets in over to end the opposition innings and win man of the match.

It’s two premierships in the past three seasons, having made the grand final on each occasion for the side.

Yarraville Club second XI.

Yarraville Club

Facing Keilor in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association’s Patrick Quinn Shield, the match went down to the final over. Keilor made 8-270 before the Clubbers hit

Altona Sports third XI.

Petrol power fights back

By Derek Ogden, Marque Motoring

While the battle rages for the high ground of thetoptech,andexpensive,electrifiedterritory of the automotive world, a rear-guard action from the internal combustion engine bargain basement is taking place.

Micro cars such as the MG 3, Suzuki Ignis, Fiat 500 and Mazda 2 are leading the charge to defend ICE(land). The latest call to arms comes from Kia with its upgraded Picanto. What are its chances?

Sadly, gone ta-taas is the popular GT, replaced by a pair of GT-Line legionnaires. Kia says it has called on the company’s footy-like ‘Opposites United’ (How do they think of ’em?) philosophy for the new range, leading to a modern, sporty design highlighted by a new headlamp set-up, ‘ripped’ radiator grille and reshaped front bumper.

Out back, the tail lamps and bumper have been tweaked.

The new Picanto comes in two trim levels –Sport and GT-Line – with prices coming in at $17,890, plus on-road costs, for the entry-level five-speed manual. The four-speed automatic sells for $19,490, while the flagship GT-Line auto tops out the range at $21,290. On test was the latter.

Priceisnottheonlysellingpoint,ForPicanto buyersit’swelcometoKia‘seventhheaven’with the maker’s class-leading seven-year warranty and capped price servicing at 12-month intervals, plus up to eight years roadside assist.

Styling

On GT-Line, further from above, a daytime running light strip extends across the leading edge of the bonnet, pushing out the headlamps with emphasis on the width.

Newly designed wheels – 14-inch alloys on the Sport and a 16-inch machine finished diamond cut quartet for the GT-Line.

Power folding side mirrors with integrated warning indicators are now standard across both trims, with GT-Line boasting heating too. Seven exterior paint finishes are on offer, with Adventurous Green being new to Kia.

Interior

Premium leatherette features as standard on steering wheel and gearshift knob across the range, with the latter also scoring a D-cut sports steering wheel. Leg room, especially in the back is at a premium, while head room is not so.

The driver’s side footwell is not welcoming to larger feet. Pedal space is cramped. Keyless entryistaintedbytheneedtouseitthesteering column lock to start the motor.

Boot space, with rear seat backs up is briefcase-like 255 litres; with the seat backs folded, a respectable 1010 mm.

Infotainment

Gone are the analogue gauges, replaced by a 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster, making the perfect match for the carry-over 8-inch touchscreen–withAppleCarPlayandAndroid Auto – perched atop the central dashboard, beneathwhichareair-con(noclimate)controls with easy-to-operate large knobs.

GT-Linerearoccupantsalsobenefitfromthe addition of USB-C charging ports.

Engines / transmissions

Nothing (new) to see here – the Picanto carries over the existing 1.2-litre MPI non-turbo engine, mated with either five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission, putting power to the ground through the front wheels.

Safety

With young drivers in mind, the Picanto GT-Line is equipped with a range of Kia’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems as standardacrossbothtrims.Theseincludeblind spot collision avoidance Assist rear BCA, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist, and lane follow and lane keeping assist. difference in performance between the former 1-litre three-cylinder motor and the carry-over four-cylinder unit. Low on torque, the GT-Line auto is in no rush to get going, nor is it up There’s a reversing camera and rear parking sensors but nothing at the front, which is a pity because of the stubby nose.

Passive safety is in the hands of six airbags – dual front, front side and full-length curtain.

Driving

There appears to be little for smart overtaking while on the run. Tootling around town is more to its liking.

The maker puts the fuel consumption on the combined urban / highway cycle at 6 litres per hundred kilmetres. Over a week of average work the test vehicle recorded 7.1 k\litres per 100 kilometres.

The ride and handling were reasonably comfortable – some bumps and lumps along

AT A GLANCE MODEL RANGE

Kia Picanto Sport manual $17,890

Kia Picanto Sport automatic $19,490

Kia Picanto GT-Line manual $19,690

Kia Picanto GT-Line automatic $21,290

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

the way, considering the short wheelbase (2400 mm) and steering came up with good reaction to driver input.

Feedback was solid but the tyres could not avoid chiming in with annoying road noise on course surfaces. However, the Picanto gets a ‘gold medal’ for parking. Pick a spot – almost any spot – and the compact is quick to reward the driver in forward or reverse.

Summary

KialinesupitsPicantotobroadentheappealof its mini hatchback, sacrificing its popular GT in the move.

Kia Picanto GT-Line. (Pictures: Supplied)

Brookers start with a confidence boosting win

Braybrook kicked off the 2024 Western Football League season on a winning note, beating Laverton on Good Friday.

The division 2 match was the only match played on Good Friday and Braybrook was able to put out a strong performance.

The Brookers had nine scoring shots to three in the first quarter to lead by 11 points before extending that margin to 32 points at half time.

The Brookers continued to extend the lead in the second half, restricting the Magpies to just one goal in the second half.

The Brookers won, 15.18 (108)-4.7 (31).

Brookers coach Geoff Maddern said it was a really good start to the season.

“We haven’t played a lot of footy together,” he said. “We’ve still got some kinks to iron out.

“It was nice to get a win, especially first up.”

Maddern said it was a good game of football

and it was a bit of a tussle. He said the teams had very different game styles.

“We were able to outrun them on the ground, but they were able to out mark us.”

Maddern said it would have been nicer to kick a bit straighter to put the game beyond doubt earlier on.

Bradley Busuttil kicked six goals for the Brookers, while Justin and Matthew Condo kicking two goals apiece.

It was all single goal kickers for Laverton, with Ayang Nyanjok named their best.

Maddern said for his side, it was a really even performance.

He highlighted the Condo brothers and Brandon Watts were some of the standouts.

The win matches the Brookers win total from last season when they struggled in the division 2 competition, when there were still three divisions.

Maddern said the win was a good starting

point. He said they did a bit of work in the off season to help the side further develop.

“We have a bit of time to improve as the season progresses,” he said.

“We introduced a fitness strength and conditioning coach this year and that will be a big help.

“The attendance at training has been really good.”

The Brookers now have the weekend off, with the season not officially kicking off in full until April 13.

The only match this weekend is Sunshine against Albion.

The Brookers face Albion in their next match.

Maddern said they would probably get down and have a look at the match, with both teams expected to be up towards the top of the ladder.

Tara Murray

Seagulls sneak home

By Tara Murray

Williamstown remains unbeaten despite not playing its best football in the first two rounds of the Victorian Football League.

After a round one win against Frankston, the Seagulls faced another standalone side, Coburg, on Good Friday.

The match went down to the wire, with the Seagulls claiming the win, 12.11 (83)-11.11 (77).

Seagulls football general manager Jeff Andrews said while they were happy to take the win, they still have a lot of improvement to come.

“We would like to play a touch better,” he said. “Both teams Frankston and Coburg have improved a fair bit.

“They will shake a few teams. They have a crack, that is for sure.”

Andrews said for much of the game they were able to get out to a lead and then Coburg was able to real them back in., He said the difference came down to one area.

“We were able to play the important moments pretty well,” he said.

“We were able to hold the momentum.”

Nick Ebinger and Blake Coleman kicked three goals each for the Seagulls, while Toby Triffett and Jack Toner kicked two apiece.

Andrews said Finn O’Dwyer, who had 27 disposals, Riley Collier-Dawkins had good games while Ebinger and Coleman were both influential in the result.

Andrews said the team was slowly coming together after a number of changes in the off season. Among those the Seagulls lost, were key defenders Oscar McDonald and Marty Hore, who are both back in the AFL system, while Ben Jolley retired.

“We’re getting to know each other,” Andrews said. “We’ve got 10-11 new players who are starting to come together.

“There was a little bit more experience on [Friday] which was important in the one-on-one contests.

“It is coming together, we were missing James?>> Cousins and Tom Downie on the weekend.

“It takes time. As much training as you can get into them, nothing meets the experience of playing together.”

The Seagulls have a bye this week with a VFL team facing a South Australian National Football League representative side.

Downie and new recruit Brodie McLaughlin were the two Seagulls named in the initial squad of 50 which will be cut this week.

Andrews said the break would give them the chance to freshen up before a tough three game block at home.

“We’ve got Southport, Footscray and then Werribee on Anzac Day,” he said. “They are challenging games coming up.”

Doric joins Clubbers

Yarraville Club has beefed up its bowling attack for the next two Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division seasons, with the signing of Matt Doric.

Arightarmfastmediumbowler,Doric played 167 Victorian Premier Cricket first XI games, for North Melbourne and Essendon, taking 332 wickets at an average of 22.18, including 14 five wicket hauls. No bowler took more wickets in Victorian Premier Cricket between 2010 and 2020 than Doric.

Doric also played several games for the Victorian 2nd XI and was a Victorian one-day squad member in 2015.

The past three seasons, Doric has played for the Brunswick and has been one of the leading lights in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association.

Doric reunites with 1st XI captain and club coach Mitch Johnstone, with the pair having worked together for three seasons at the Essendon, while he also reconnects with his good friend Michael Hill who was also a team mate at Windy Hill.

While Doric arrives at the Clubbers, young spinner Jackson Martin is on the move. The Clubbers announced that Martin would be stepping into premier cricket next season.

“Jackson debuted in the first XI at 12 years of age in 2021-22,” the Clubbers said on social media. “Since then, he quickly established himself to be one of the best young spinners in the state, taking 41 first XI wickets over the last two seasons in senior division.

“Jackson was a pivotal player in our premiership in 2022-23 and was renown for taking big scalps when we needed them most. An ultra feisty competitor, improving fielder and more than capable batter who didn’t get much of a hit due to the older blokes ahead of him, Jackson is more than ready to launch into his premier cricket career.”

Matt Doric (left) has joined Yarraville Club. (Supplied)

Nathan Spackman (Ljubica Vrankovic) 353178_07

Meanwhile, the Seagulls women’s side had to settle for a draw in their VFLW clash with Essendon on Saturday.

The Bombers jumped out to an early lead and led by 21 points at quarter time. The

Bombers held a steady margin at the next two breaks.

The Seagulls came home strongly, with the only two goals of the final term, to level the scores, 5.5 (35)-4.11 (35).

Nick Ebinger kicked three goals on Friday.(Jacob Pattison) 357619_09

Gators aim to tweak leaky defence for success

Altona coach Josh Turton believes improving team defence is the key to turning around his side’s slow start in the Big V division 1 competition.

The Gators currently sit 0-2 this season with losses to Gippsland and Coburg.

Turton’s team earned promotion from division 2 after finishing second last season and went on to beat Whittlesea by three points in the grand final.

But the team has had some significant changes since then, with just Samson Rocker andNicholasPatelremainingfromthestarting five.

That includes the departure of Adam Anderson who led the charge in the Gators’ grand final win.

Andersonhad41points,ninerebounds,four assists, two steals and a block in 39 minutes of game time.

Reflecting on the first fortnight of

competition, Turton said scoring wasn’t the issue.

“We’ve been scoring at a very high rate which is great, but we still haven’t completely risen to the challenge of going up to division 1,” he said.

“The [Easter] break comes at a good time, we’ll reset and fix the things we need to fix.”

The Gators are currently averaging 107 points allowed per game, which is the highest among teams that have played two games.

Rocker and Thomas Georgiadis have so far provided the offensive spark this season.

Rocker is averaging 23 point across the first two games, while Georgiadis had 21 in round one against United.

Import Brian Adams has also had a solid start in his first season.

Sofarhe’saveraging13points,fiverebounds and is leading his team in assists, with five per game.

“He’s great, he’s a really good guy,” Turton said.

“We’re a pretty low market team and club so it’s great for us to have him with us.

“In terms of his play, he had a good round one before he got into a bit of foul trouble.”

The Gators’ next match up will be Warrnambool at the Altona Sports Centre on Sunday.

The Seahawks have also had a winless start to the year.

Turton said the game was significant for both teams.

“It’s a big game for both teams, both trying to get our first win,” he said.

“It will be a challenge for sure, they’ve got some stalwarts and new imports.”

The RMIT Redbacks currently sit on top of the division 1 table with three wins.

Consistency will be key

By Oliver Lees

Spotswood playing coach Tom German is hopeful a more consistent season will help his side challenge for finals Western Football League division 1.

The Woodsmen had an up and down campaign in 2023 that had them finish just outside of finals contention with nine wins and nine losses.

“That’s always going to happen when you have a new list,” German said. “We got hit hard early with injury, we had a lot of players missing.”

German said this year he feels his side is better placed in what will be his second season in charge.

“We had our ups and downs, we started the year poorly with our win loss ratio but thought we ended with some good results,” he said.

“We want to get the team playing with the new game style.

“We managed to retain nearly our entire list and we’ve had a really good pre-season, so we should be right come round one.”

The club has also made some new signings.

Nicholas Wright joins the team after playing for Newcastle Blues in New South Wales.

Julian Mosaresvki will also play for the club in 2024 after playing for Glenroy in the Essendon District Football League where he played the full season in the senior side.

German said he had also been impressed by new recruit Nathan Haylock in pre-season playing as a key back.

Haylock has played at Coates Talent League level and also represented the Hampden league.

German was among three Woodsmen named in the division 1 team of the year, with Brandon Walshe and David Iaccarino also named.

Walshe booted 33 goals across eighteen gamestofinishfifthintheleague’sgoalkicking leader board.

German said Iaccarino has been named to captain his side following a vote among the players.

“Dave’s very respected in the group and he had a very good year last year,” he said.

Sports shorts

A-League

Western United has confirmed forward Hannah Keane will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 A-League Women’s season due to injury. Keane left the pitch with a suspected injury in the 80th minute of United’s match against Western Sydney on Saturday March 23. The club has since confirmed Keane has ruptured the patellar tendon in her right knee and will need to undergo surgery.

Baseball Williamstown Wolves’ Dennis Neale has claimed the George Heron Medal after being named the Baseball Victoria summer league premier league men’s competition. Neale has been at the Wolves since the 2018-19 season having come out from America to play. Meanwhile, in the premier league minor firsts competition, Newport Rams David Tongue was named the most valuable player.

Australia Cup

Altona City and Altona Magic have both won through to the next round of the Australia Cup. The two teams played their first matches of the tournament on the weekend and came away with big wins. Altona City was too strong for Point Cook, winning 7-0, while Altona Magic beat the Sebastopol Vikings, 5-0. Altona East Phoenix also won through to the fifth round, beating the Boroondara-Carey Eagles, 6-2.

A-League

The Woodsmen will play their first game of the season against Hoppers Crossing on Saturday April 13 at Donald McLean Reserve.

The two teams met twice last year, both winning one a piece.

In round 3, the Warriors won the match comfortablyby70points,whiletheWoodsmen won by four points later in the year.

German said he was looking forward to the contest.

“It’s a very even competition, they finished last but played some good footy.

“Every game is going to be tough, you’ve got to be on your game.”

He said it was also encouraging that the club had good numbers turning up in pre-season.

“We have a third side this year, so anyone interested can come down,” he said.

“You speak to a lot of clubs that struggle throughout the season, so it’s encouraging we had really good numbers coming through.”

All teams will be chasing Werribee Districts whodefeatedPointCooktoclaimitsfirstWFL division 1 title.

Western United will host the Newcastle Jets in the opening round of the A-League Women’s finals. United will host the Jets at the Regional Football Facility in Tarneit on April 13, following the A-League Men’s match between United and the Central Coast Mariners. United’s women’s side finished in third spot after a final round draw against the Central Coast Mariners. The final will be an elimination final with the winner to move onto a best-of-three semi finals series.

Web:

Maribyrnong

Oliver Lees Samson Rocker. (Jacob Pattison)

Tom German. (Jacob Pattison)

SPORT

Western Jets mix new and old in rep teams

Western Jets’ girls coach Hayley Gossow is pleasedwiththemixtureofnewandreturning players selected for the 2024 Coates Talent League season.

On March 18, the final squads for the girls andboysrepresentativesideswereannounced.

In her second year as head coach and fourth year at the club, Gossow said she was looking forward to putting the team to the test.

“At the end of the day we’re a talent pathway competition, but if you do win a premiership, it’s an added bonus,” she said.

She said there are opportunities for players still in the system to grow, but for the most part, each year is a blank slate.

Sierra Grieves is one of those more experienced players returning to the side, after being named on the interchange in the last season’s team of the year. Grieves is part

of the AFL National Academy. Greives and Lou Lou Field were both part of the Vic Metro summer training squad.

Caitlyn Volpe, Mira Diab, Rylee Driscoll, Chloe Kropman, Mia Gordon and Sharni

Battye from Caroline Springs were all selected to the side.

Keilor have the most selections with 18 across the boys and girls squads.

This includes four girls, Estelle Grimaud, Dakota Reynolds, Lexi Kerry and Olivia Castello.

Last year the Jets finished in 14th place with three wins and 10 losses.

The Jets’ development program was well represented at the AFLW’s draft night in December, with three players selected to play at the highest level.

Most notably, Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner went with the number one overall pick to the Western Bulldogs.

Starting her football journey at Sunshine Heights, Weston-Turner became a stand out player at representative level.

Trembath’s solo journey

By Peter Howe

A golfer’s life can be a lonely existence, long hoursofpractisebyyourself,traveltoandfrom tournaments away from family and friends for long periods of time, but not so for the March Don Deeble nominee for this month, Jesse Trembath.

The 17-year-old, who hails from Point Cook has played football and cricket, made representative teams as an underage player of some ability.

But it wasn’t for him.

“I love individual sports, where you set the tempo and only have to rely on yourself,” he said. “I am comfortable in my own skin doing my own stuff. If I mess up, don’t practice the right way, it’s on me.”

Trembath took up golf when he was four years old under the guidance of his grandmother Susan, who spent many a time talking about her hole in one at Altona Lakes.

Playing on local courses at Kooringal and Sanctuary Lakes, Trembath continued his improvement and was soon identified by Golf Victoria.

A typical week for Trembath includes gym workfourtimesaweekwithafocusonstrength and movement for power and explosiveness.

On most mornings he will spend up to an hour on golf fundamentals, including his short game. After school it is match simulation, technical implementation and course playing.

“I learned very quickly that if you are not having fun you get down on yourself and you stop playing well,” he said.

“I practice with a close mate some nights and the loser has 100 push-ups to do. These are the little challenges that make the game fun.”

Trembath has been selected in the MetropolitanGolfClub’sdivisiononepennant team for 2024, something that he is very proud of.

“There are two of us who are the youngest in the team, it will be a great challenge.”

It comes after a breakout 2023 season.

He currently plays off +2.

He holds the current course record at KooringalGolfClubshootinga63inAprillast year, while he was a 2023 state team member, Golf Victoria high performance team and a Callaway “Next Program” representative.

Of his tournament wins in 2023 Trembath is most proud of his win in the Victorian Junior Amateur tournament.

“It was my first major title,” he said.

“I had to hang in there early and managed to prevail with a seven shot win.”

Trembath’s most recent achievement was as one of only two juniors to qualify for the Victorian Open at Thirteenth Beach.

He looked completely at home with the Pro’s

and the crowd, missing the cut after 36 holes by one shot.

Trembath’s strengths are his putting and short game.

He said his coach Brandon Rave has had a big influence on his career along with his father, Craig Trembath.

“Dad won a gold medal for Australia as a shooter in the Commonwealth Games.

“We have a great working relationship, the older I get the more I listen to what he has to say, especially around preparation and focus.

It’s a family affair with his mother, Rachael arranging his personal travel and logistics, with Jesse saying his mum probably has the toughest job.

Trembath is undertaking his year 12 studies

at Emmanuel College, with a focus on heading to the USA in 2025 having already has various college offers.

“Eventually when I finish college, I’d like to turn professional.”

He has just been selected by Golf Australia to represent Victoria at the upcoming 2024 Australian Junior Interstate Teams Matches in Perth in April.

The Don Deeble Sports Star Award is sponsored by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club, Strathmore Community Bank, the Deer Park Club, Ascot Vale Sports and Trophies and the Star Weekly Newspapers.

If you would like to nominate a monthly winner, emailing swrsportsclub@gmail.com or 0408 556 631.

Darley’s Tamara Henry went at pick 28 to the Adelaide Crows while Kiera Whiley from Caroline Springs went at pick 10 to St Kilda. Gossow said it was a pleasure to be able to watch her players develop.

“That’s the best part of being a part of this program, is seeing kids achieve their dreams,” she said.

“They’ve worked hard throughout the year… they deserved it off their own bat, it’s very exciting.”

The club won its only premiership in 2022.

The girls side start their season on April 16 on the road against Sandringham Dragons after having a bye in round one.

The Jets boys started their season with a loss to the Northern Knights.

In round two, the Jets faced the Calder Cannons on Good Friday, after deadline.

United men play at home

Western United’s A-League Men’s side will finally get to play in front of its home crowd in Tarneit.

John Aloisi’s side is locked in for its first official game at the Regional Football Facility on April 6, taking on Macarthur at 3.30pm.

The green and black family will then be treated to two matches within four days, starting with a clash against Central Coast Mariners on April 13 before a blockbuster against Adelaide United on April 16.

Kick-off for the Mariners encounter is set for 3.30pm, while the Adelaide fixture will have the Regional Football Facility in all its glory under lights for the first time, beginning at 7pm.

A bumper crowd of more than 2,000 people flocked to the Regional Football Facility for the inaugural women’s side and there are set to be many more for this next major milestone.

Matchdays will once again be a festival of fun for the whole family to enjoy with activities for the kids, games and giveaways and the return of the drummers and the fan-favourite Brazilian BBQ.

After 21 matches, Western United’s men’s side sits on the bottom of the table with five wins and four draws for the season.

United sits 12 points behind sixth placed Western Sydney Wanderers.

Before United plays at home, the side was due to face Adelaide United on Good Friday, after deadline.

The women’s side was due to play its finalhomeandawaymatchoftheseason against the Central Coast Mariners, which was also after deadline.

United had already qualified for finals.

Western Jets’ Sierra Grieves. (Joe MastroiannI)

Jesse Trembath. (Supplied)

Melbourne Brisbane

Port Adelaide

Sydney

Fremantle

Geelong Gold Coast

Richmond Collingwood

Melbourne Brisbane

Port Adelaide

Sydney

Fremantle

Western Bulldogs

GWS St Kilda Collingwood

Melbourne Brisbane

Port Adelaide

Sydney Carlton

Geelong GWS

St Kilda Collingwood

Adelaide Brisbane

Port Adelaide

Sydney

Fremantle

Western Bulldogs GWS

Richmond Collingwood

Adelaide Brisbane

Port Adelaide

Sydney

Fremantle

Geelong GWS St Kilda Collingwood

Adelaide Brisbane

Port Adelaide

Sydney Carlton

Western Bulldogs GWS St Kilda Collingwood

Melbourne Brisbane

Port Adelaide

Sydney

Fremantle Geelong GWS St Kilda Collingwood

Adelaide Brisbane

Port Adelaide

Sydney

Carlton

Geelong GWS St Kilda Collingwood

FRIDAy

(Norwood Oval)

Port Adelaide V Essendon (AO)

sATURDAy APRIL 6

West Coast V Sydney (Adelaide Hills)

Fremantle V Carlton (AO)

Western Bulldogs V Geelong (AO)

sUNDAy APRIL 7

Gold Coast V GWS (Adelaide Hills)

Richmond V St Kilda (Norwood Oval)

Collingwood V Hawthorn (AO)