Star Weekly - Sunbury Macedon Ranges - 11th June 2024

Wonderful witches fair

Get your broomsticks and cauldrons ready – The Lancefield Witches Fair is returning to the Lancefield Mechanics Hall for another day of magic.

Starting last year for a successful run of three markets, the event boasts about 25 stalls offering products and services like tarot readings, altar tools, incense, amulets, protection poppets, oracle cards, herbal tea, and more.

Event organiser Guy Walter, a practising witch for over 35 years, said that the focus of the event is not just the witch-related products but the local benefits.

“When we put the idea together, we not only wanted to promote what the people in the market offer, but also Lancefield,” Mr Walter said.

With 450 people attending the first market in June last year, Mr Walter said the event also helps other Lancefield businesses.

“If they want to get lunch they go to the brewery, or the pub, or the bakery, or the fish and chip restaurant … it‘s a way of promoting what’s in Lancefield,” he said. “It was really successful – we were thrilled with the response.”

The event started when Mr Walter and his friend, Michelle Richards, wanted to create an event with a strong point of difference that brings together the witchcraft community.

The fair will be held from 10am–2pm on Sunday, June 16, at the Lancefield Mechanics Hall.

Ranges locals honoured

By Oscar Parry

A Macedon maternal health nurse and Malmsbury stalwart have been awarded MedalsoftheOrderofAustraliaaspartofthis year’sKing’sBirthdayHonours.

Nurse and lactation clinic head Samantha Turner was recognised for her for service to nursing and to the community. Malmsbury Town Hall, Village Fayre committee, Mail committee, Farmers’ Market, Advance Association and the Collingwood Children’s Farm volunteer Susan Love was recognised for

herservicetotheMalmsburycommunity.

From volunteering in Nepal and Mongolia to working across the Northern Territory, Ms Turner has had a long career of serving communityhealth.

Ms Turner said it was a “big surprise” to receive an email notifying her of the award, andthatshewasinastateofdisbelief.

“I had just spent about $300 getting a virus out of my computer, and I said to my son ‘can you come and have a look at this email? It looksveryofficial…itsoundslikeascam,”Ms Turnersaid.

Appliance Repair

“I had tears. I was stoked, I was shocked, honoured…andgrateful–itdidfeelnicetobe recognised.I’mgladitwasn’tspam.”

Ms Turner grew up in Ballarat, and in her early career, she moved to the Northern Territory to serve clinics in Catherine and Arnhem Land. “I got dropped off at a petrol station and realised no one was speaking English … I thought ‘how am I going to work here? How am I going to make a difference … whentheclientsdon’tspeakEnglish?,”shesaid.

Ms Turner said these roles taught her important lessons that have served her

throughouthercareer.

“Iworkedoutthatsecondarycommunication … is very powerful, and that women communicate quite well and intuitively … by secondary communication through all differentculturesintheworld.”

Ms Turner has also volunteered with the Rotary Club of Gisborne and Rotary International, offering her skills to maternal and infant health projects in Mongolia and Nepal.

■ Continued: Page 5.

Lancefield Witches Fair event organiser Guy Walter and administrator Michelle Richards. (Damjan Janevski) 410897_03

VU students volunteer to help

By Gerald Lynch

Hume university student Reema Elalfy is volunteering with Lifeline Australia to help make a difference to people in need.

Ms Elalfy is undertaking a psychology degree at Victoria University and has been volunteering at Lifeline’s Crisis Call Centre on the university’s St Albans Campus.

It is the first Lifeline Crisis Call Centre in the state to operate from a university campus.

The crisis call centre opened in June, 2023, and has 14 volunteers answering calls to support Victorians in need, with more than 1000 calls answered so far.

The centre provides real-world placements and opportunities for VU students studying youth work, psychology, counselling, community services and social work to train as Lifeline crisis-support volunteers.

Ms Elalfy said it has been made achievable to balance all her studies and commit to volunteering at the crisis centre due to the block model at Victoria University.

“The block structure has allowed me to manage my schedule very well,” she said.

She said the experiences afforded to her through the program have been invaluable, and it has been rewarding to be able to make a real difference on people’s mental health and wellbeing.

“I’ve been given the opportunity to gain extensive training on crisis intervention techniques and work on good communication skills, building connections with people who call lifeline,” she said. “My passion for supporting and advocating for mental health stems deeply from a personal place.

“The ability to build a genuine connection with an individual and make a positive difference in their life is extremely rewarding.

“I’ve witnessed first-hand the impacts of mental health challenges and the barriers individuals can face in accessing care within

Ranges locals honoured with OAMs

■ From page 1.

Now serving Woodend as a maternal child health nurse, she said she enjoys working in a community where she can effectively apply her knowledge.

“Because I’ve worked really hard to collect a lot of knowledge in a lot of areas, I can hand back all that … and I feel like I can be really super helpful and really help develop the community, so it fulfils me,” she said.

Ms Turner encourages people considering nursing to pursue the career if they want to make a tangible difference in communities.

“If you want to be in what I think is the

most substantial role in health and make a real difference to improve morbidity, mortality and life trajectory outcomes – nursing is it.”

Passionate about her town, Ms Love said that volunteering “came naturally” to her.

“After my 31-year teaching career, I joined the Collingwood Children’s Farm. I … started a flower stall using flowers and herbs from the farm to create bouquets,” she said.

In Malmsbury, Ms Love was instrumental in starting the farmers’ market in 2019 and the flea markets, which she said has helped bring visitors to the town.

“It was a pretty big effort to get that up and running. It brings a lot of people into

Movement for the mind

With a focus on both mind and body, a new initiative that combines exercise, socialisation and wellbeing discussions is coming to the Macedon Ranges.

Launched by The Macedon Ranges Suicide Prevention Action Group (MRSPAG), the 12 month ‘Mindful Moves’ campaign will be led bylocalfitnessinstructorsandaimstopromote physical and mental health in the region.

Suitable for all fitness levels and abilities, instructors will guide attendees through low-impact circuit training

Focused on creating a social and supportive environment, there will also be discussions about mental health and wellbeing from MRSPAG members and local professionals. The event will be held at multiple venues throughout the Macedon Ranges over the next 12 months.

the community, and I’m passionate about addressing these barriers and working towards dismantling stigma… feelings of shame, fear, and judgement are often what deter people from seeking help, and I think it’s so important to strive towards a world here mental health is prioritised and people are empowered to seek help.”

Ms Elafly is also completing The Push-Up Challenge, an initiative aimed at raising awarenessandfundsformentalhealthservices.

From June 5 to June 28, participants are completing 3249 push-ups, with different daily targets each day which correlate to key mental health statistics.

Donate and learn more: https:// www.thepushupchallenge.com.au/ main-donate-page If you or someone you know is in need of support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Purple hues for WEAAD

A town hall and several trees in the Macedon Ranges will be adorned with purple in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD).

A global event, WEAAD is held annually on June 15 to raise awareness ofelderabuse,neglectandexploitation.

The facade of the Kyneton Town Hall will be illuminated with purple light in recognition of the day.

“Elder abuse is often hidden, so it’s important we as a community look out for any signs of it and empower and support our vulnerable residents to report this behaviour or seek help,” said Macedon Ranges Council community director Maria Weiss. Trees in the Macedon Ranges will be decorated with purple bow ties, raising awareness of the day and cause.

The first event, led by Woodend personal trainer Adrian Migani, will be held from 10am–12pm on Saturday, July 6, at Buffalo Stadium in Woodend.

Fitness instructors and personal trainers who have joined the campaign will complete Mental Health First Aid training, offered through MRSPAG.

TheMRSPAGisanon-for-profitorganisation thatcombineslivedexperienceandprofessional expertise to offer services and initiatives that aim to prevent suicide. These include peer support groups, suicide prevention training sessions, talks, and educational resources.

Details: https://events.humanitix.com/ mindful-moves-launch-event

If you need support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467

An open day named ‘Kindness to Elders’ will be held at Jubilee Hall on Smith Street in Macedon from 10.30am to 3.30pm on Saturday, June 15, including a ‘Stories of Life’ segment from esteemed elders of the region.

Elder abuse can take many forms and is often carried out by a close relation of the victim.

If you are experiencing elder abuse, or concerned about an older person, you can get help by calling Seniors Rights Victoria on 1300 368 821

Reema Elalfy. (Supplied)

Left: Samantha Turner OAM at Manna Gum Gisborne MCHN service. (Damjan Janevski) 411622_02 Right: Susan Love received an OAM for her commitment to Malmsbury. (Damjan Janevski) 411307_01

More awards for park

The Romsey Ecotherapy Park has been recognised with more awards, receiving two landscape architecture prizes from the The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA).

The park won a Regional Achievement Award and a Landscape Architecture Award in theParksandOpenSpacescategoryatthe2024 Vic State Awards night on Wednesday, June 5.

The project, led by ACLA Consultants, was a 14-year community-led initiative to transform an abandoned primary school into a nature-based recreation and relaxation site.

The park includes therapeutic gardens and water features for healing and wellbeing, an ‘active nature space’, arts and cultural spaces, and a picnic area.

The jury of the AILA awards said that the park was a welcoming and safe space for people of all ages, demonstrating a community and

environmentally-focused design.

“Romsey Ecotherapy Park demonstrates an exemplary process and outcome – a park that sustains the wellbeing of the community along withanactivedesignprocessthatprioritisesthe community through an educative approach,” they said.

“The community was empowered through climate positive and culturally sensitive design practices, transforming an abandoned primary school into a community heart that integrates diverse activities, play, wellbeing and culture.”

The AILA honoured 25 winners from a total of 68 entries across 14 categories, including three Regional Achievement Award winners. Romsey Ecotherapy Park was awarded ’Park of the Year’ at Parks and Leisure Australia’s Vic/Tas Regional Awards of Excellence on June 9, 2023.

Oscar Parry

Briefs

Sunbury man charged Police charged a 38-year-old Sunbury man who is a patched member of the Rebels OMCG on June 5, and seized a firearm and weapons as part of an investigation into the possession of a firearm with alleged links to extortions. The man was arrested shortly before 1pm on 5 June, at a shopping centre in Sunbury. The man attempted to flee and a taser was deployed during the arrest. A warrant was then executed at a residential address in Sunbury, where investigators seized a .22 calibre handgun, a handgun magazine containing two .22 calibre rounds, a Rebels OMCG vest, knuckle dusters, an ASP baton and three vials of steroids. He was remanded to appear at Broadmeadows Magistrates Court on June 6. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Apply for school grants

Victorian government schools can now apply for grants to help fund small scale projects as part of the state government’s new Capital Works Fund (CWF). Schools can apply for grants of up to $500,000 depending on the size of the project. Details: https:// shorturl.at/43psS

FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au

Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Romsey Ecotherapy Park. (Supplied)

Coffee & Cruising at Lifestyle Woodlea

Join us for a morning of discovery

Learn about exciting upcoming cruises and travel options from Flight Centre, Trafalgar, CostSaver and Insight Vacations & Norwegian Cruise Lines.

Bring your friends, stay for morning tea and explore our brand-new Clubhouse and incredible homes.

When: Tuesday, 25th June, 10am-2pm

Where: Lifestyle Woodlea, 17 Tranquil Road, Aintree

Principal takes a swing

Three thousand balls hit or a hole in one – a chief executive will spend up to five days on Woodend Golf Course until he achieves one of these, raising funds for Down syndrome advocacy.

Down Syndrome Victoria chief executive Daniel Payne will tee off on Saturday, June 22, at the Woodend Golf Course, for the event, named ‘A hole in one for T21’.

The event will raise funds for his organisation that advocates with and for people with Down syndrome in Victoria.

‘‘ If I am hitting

golf balls day and night for

four days, I just hope my body holds up ’’ - Daniel Payne

Mr Payne will attempt a hole in one throughout the day and into the night for four tofivedays,remainingon-sitefortheduration and sleeping in a caravan.

Mr Payne, a long-term member of the Woodend Golf Club, said that he is looking forward to the challenge of achieving a hole in one but is remaining realistic in his expectations.

“If I don’t have any success, I’ll probably be there until Tuesday or Wednesday I’d say … I don’t think 3000 balls is going to cut it,” Mr Payne said. “I’m a bit nervous – if I am hitting golf balls day and night for four days, I just hope my body holds up.”

Organised through the Woodend Golf Club committee, Mr Payne said the club has supported the idea “One hundred per cent from day one”.

Long service school honour

A Gisborne teacher has been recognised with an award after being named as one of Victoria’s longest-serving teachers.

The Gisborne Primary teacher received a Recognition of Service to Victorian Education award for their 40-year commitment to the school.

Two hundred and seventy-five Victorian staff received an award for their dedication to schools, students, and families.

Education Minister Ben Carroll congratulated staff for 40, 45, 50 and 55 years of service to public education in Victoria at the official celebration on Sunday, May 19.

“I know everyone in Macedon will join us in offering their congratulations to these dedicated professionals, who have spent decades tirelessly supporting our children and young people,” Mr Carroll said.

Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas thanked the teacher for their service to students.

Growing up in Woodend, Mr Payne attended Kyneton Secondary College and now lives with his wife and three children in Sunbury.

“I have three children … two girls Abbey and Holly who are 14, and Tyson who’s 11, and Holly has Down syndrome,” Mr Payne said. It was through Holly that Mr Payne discovered Down Syndrome Victoria, later joining the organisation to become the chief executive.

“When Holly was born, we knew very little about Down syndrome … Down Syndrome Victoria were an incredible support to my wife Karina and I in those early days,” he said. Residents can also take part in the challenge of getting a hole in one or make a donation to go into the draw for a prize.

Details: https://www.mycause.com.au/ events/holeinonefort21

“The teachers being honoured for their service have helped deliver a world class education to countless students in Macedon. We thank them for their hard work and dedication to our schools and the local community,” Ms Thomas said.

Across the state, 166 people are being honoured for 40 years of service, 49 for 45 years, 49 for 50 years, and 11 for 55 years.

Oscar Parry

Down Syndrome Victoria chief executive Daniel Payne and his daughter Holly, 14. (Damjan Janevski) 411231_05

Build delays hurting club

By Gerald Lynch

The Tullamarine Sporting Club has become nomadic. While it faces an endless wait for the completion of its social rooms, the 57-year-old club has had to battle fear of folding.

Newly-appointed senior cricket coach and sporting club president Peter Laddad said while he didn’t want to put the blame on anybody in particular, delays in work on the council-funded rooms have caused difficulties for the club on and off the pitch.

In August, 2021, Hume council announced an $1.4 million investment to upgrade Leo Dineen Reserve. A promised pavilion included accessible change rooms and public amenities, as well a new social room, canteen, bar, and an external covered viewing area.

The upgrades were originally due to be completed in mid-2022, but as of June, 2024, works are at a standstill.

After the old rooms were demolished and new ones began to be built, the builder entered voluntary administration, halting the works.

The club played its football matches at Jacana Reserve last year, and will potentially be there again to start this year’s cricket season in September, a move that Mr Laddad said is dangerous for the club’s present and future standing.

“Cricket really struggled because our members just wouldn’t come (to Jacana), and we had no one cooking meals,” he said.

“We lose a lot of our income weekly because of canteen food and money going behind the bar being lost as a result.“

He said a temporary setup has been put in place at Leo Dineen Reserve to see out the football season for the Tullamarine Demons, but the lack of amenities and a proper kitchen has still resulting in the club losing out.

“We can’t cook proper meals, we’re having to

try and do a barbecue every night and it’s been hard,” he said.

“Being away from home, we’ve lost our identity, we’ve lost everything.

“We don’t have the money for player payments, we’ll just be rebuilding our club.”

Hume council echoed the community’s frustration due to the delayed completion of the Leo Dineen Reserve upgrade.

“The cost-of-living crisis is creating challenges for everyone in our community, and the issues experienced by the contractor leading to them needing to pull out of the

project were beyond council’s control,“ a council spokesperson said.

“In spite of this, we have been working to support the clubs impositioned by not having a home ground, including additional investment following the contractor going into administration, fee waiving to mitigate financial challenges, erecting portable facilities and offering temporary relocation to similar local facilities.“

Council said the procurement for a new builder has been completed with more details to be made available later this month.

Enjoy Sunday string session

From cellos to banjos, the sound of strings will fill the Trentham Neighbourhood House for an all-ages string band workshop.

After a sold-out workshop in January, Community Music Victoria will be hosting its ‘Introduction to Old Time Session’ again on Sunday, June 23, at the Trentham Neighbourhood house.

Old time is a North American folk music genre played on acoustic stringed instruments, with a strong focus on improvisation.

The two-hour workshop, led by local singer and multi-instrumentalist Cat Moser, immerses attendees in this genre, where they will learn how to ‘shuffle along’, develop deep listening skills, and learn new songs by ear.

People of all ages and skill levels can practise their stringed instrument of choice and are encouraged to bring their violins, fiddles, violas, banjos, guitars, mandolins, ukuleles, double basses, or cellos to the event.

Ms Moser performs with several bands and ensembles both nationally and internationally.

She is also a community arts worker and music teacher, and recently completed her Masters of Therapeutic Arts Practice at MIECAT Institute.

The event is supported by Community Music Victoria and the Helen McPherson Trust as part of the ‘Growing Community Music’ project.

Oscar Parry

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Applicants will need their own reliable vehicle for which we will provide an allowance. The position is salaried, plus we offer an open ended commission scheme.

Send your application letter and resume to: Advertising Sales Manager, Mandy Clark mandy.clark@starnewsgroup.com.au

Peter Laddad in front of the unfinished rooms. (Damjan Janevski) 411239_02

Celebrating a diverse community

Star Weekly photographer Damjan Janevski visited the Pride in the North exhibition at the Gallery at Sunbury Hume Global Learning Centre.

The exhibition presents artworks from Hume’s diverse LGBTIQA+ community, includingworkfromvisualartistMichelle Venne-Rowe.

Other works were made as part of self-expression workshops celebrating sexuality and gender identity for IDAHOBIT: The International Day Against LGBTIQA+ discrimination in 2022 and 2023.

Contributors range in age from secondary school students to adults.

The exhbition is on display until Sunday, July 14.

We invite dentists to utilise our state-of-the-art day hospital for their patients.

Geelong Day Surgery provides a range of dental, endoscopy and minor surgical procedures using the latest technology available. The newly-opened day hospital features two state-of-the-art operating theatres and seven recovery room beds.

The Pride In The North exhibition featured a diverse range of artists and styles (Pictures: Damjan Janevski) 411046

Family’s twin fight for Kiwi rights

Tarneit’s Mackay family moved from New Zealand to Australia 20 years ago. The family is now fighting for the right for their twin daughters, who were born in Australia, to access the NDIS and disability support pension, Cade Lucas reports.

July 1, 2023, was a bittersweet moment for Tarneit’s Angela Mackay.

Originally from Auckland, Angela, her husband, Jeremy, and then 10-year-old daughter,Stella,emigratedtoAustraliain2004 and have lived here ever since.

However, like scores of others from across the Tasman, the Mackays were disadvantaged by the 2001 law passed by the then Howard government which established a new Special Category visa for New Zealanders in Australia, allowing them stay, but restricting their access to some government payments and obtaining citizenship without first being granted permanent residency.

But at the start of the last financial year, the “direct pathway to citizenship” changes brokered by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his then New Zealand counterpart, Chris Hipkins, came into effect, allowing the 350,000 Kiwis living in Australia to become citizens after four years of residency. The right to vote and access to government benefits were among the other rights Australian-based Kiwi’s now had access to that they previously didn’t.

Well, not quite.

While the path to citizenship for New Zealanders has been made quicker and easier, the so called ‘stand down’ periods required for them access to some government services and welfare payments, remain in place.

Effectively waiting periods introduced as a means to collect enough taxes from people in order to offset possible future social security claims, stand downs can range from one to 10 years depending on the type of payment being sought.

For New Zealanders like Angela , who’ve spent years working and paying taxes in Australia as permanent residents before becoming citizens, the stand downs can come as a particularly rude shock.

Knowing that shock was coming for many of her fellow Kiwi’s tempered Angela’s joy on July 1 last year.

“A lot of Kiwis will be in our same situation and don’t even realise it, and won’t until they need help,” she said. “This goes against the equalityandfairnessthatAustraliapridesitself on by looking after its citizens.”

Angela is speaking from experience.

While Jeremy and Stella, are now in the process of becoming Australian citizens and Angela - due to having lived here in the 1980’s and having a return residency visa – was able to become a citizen in October 2023, there are two other members of the Mackay family who became Australian citizens long before any of them.

“In 2007 we had identical twins born in Australia with a rare chromosome deletion, they both have a intellectual disability,” said

AngelaofherdaughtersKyahandLuca,whoas a result of their birthplace, became Australian citizens upon turning 10.

But as Angela explains, this was no cause for celebration.

“Because of our immigration status (both being Kiwis) our children were not granted citizenship at birth. Although my husband paid taxes and paid taxes into the NDIS our children could not access the NDIS until 10 years old as they were not citizens, missing out on years of valuable therapy.”

Turning 17 later this month, Kyah and Luca have been citizens and had access to the NDIS for seven years and have attended Warringa Park Specialist School’s Werribee South campus since they were in prep.

Yet rather than being a figment of the past, standdown periods blocking their access to much needed public support is now a more acute problem for the Mackay twins than ever before.

“They’re now finishing their schooling years so we have applied for the disability pension,” said Angela.

“Both girls qualify under the medical side

ErinaMorungaisanAdelaide-based migrationagentwhosaidex-patKiwi’s make up an increasing amount of her business.

“Over the past seven years, most of our work has focused on assisting New Zealanders who are eager to become Australian citizens because they or theirfamilieslackfullrights,privileges, and entitlements – despite paying full taxes for one or two decades,” said Erina who has assisted the Mackay’s.

She said the 10-year stand down period for access to the DSP should be scrapped and that more consideration should be given to the needs of long-term ex-pats.

“These should be taking into account the unfair legislation that have occurred over the past two to three decades which has unilaterally disadvantaged all New Zealanders who came after February 26, 2001, including those who have been tax-paying, law-abiding, community-driven, English-speaking, often skilled, long-term residents of Australia,” Erina said, pointing out that those who paid thousands of dollars in visa charges under the old scheme, should be reimbursed.

The Mackay’s case has been referred to Federal NDIS Minister Bill Shorten and the Department of Social Services (DSS).

A spokesperson for the DSS said Australia’s social security system was a non-contributory, residence-based system and to qualify for the DSP, a person must generally have resided in Australia as a citizen or permanent visa holder for 10 years and at least five continuously.

but were declined on residency status.”

Access to the disability support pension (DSP) still requires a 10-year stand down periodfromthemomentcitizenshipisgranted.

Despite being Australian born and citizens for the best part of a decade, Kyah and Luca still fall three years short of eligibility.

“This is ridiculous,” said their mother who is worried about what the twins will do without full-time education, but unable to perform full-time work.

“When my girls finish school they can possibly get the jobseeker (which has a shorter stand down period). If they do get the jobseeker, they will have to actively look for full-time employment and report every two weeks which is ridiculous when having a learning disability. Worse case they will getnothingandmyselfandmyhubbywillhave to fully support them until the age of 20,” she said.

The Mackay’s might be an extreme case, but they’re far from the only Kiwi’s who’ve spent years living and working across the ‘ditch’, but who’ve found their rights don’t match their contribution.

The spokesperson said anyone who meets the residence, disability/early intervention and age criteria under the NDIS Act will receive supports through the NDIS.

NZ immigrant Angela Mackay says a loophole has meant her disabled twin daughters Kyah and Luca (inset) have been denied a disability pension despite being born in Australia and being Australian citizens. (Damjan Janevski) 404992_01

Immigration agent Erina Morunga says ex-pat New Zealanders make up an increasing amount of her work. (Pictures: Supplied)

Melton’s best kept secret garden?

It’s a Thursday morning and a group of fluoro-clad, hat wearing volunteers are gatheredunderanexpansive,shadyeucalyptus tree near the lake within Melton Botanic Garden (MBG) enjoying a morning tea break with freshly baked goods and a cuppa. As a volunteer for over a year for the Friends of the Melton Botanic Garden, I am but one of many who have played an active role in developing and maintaining the garden.

The gardens encompass a 25-hectare area of natural beauty and endless discovery made up of indigenous plants and exotic plants from similar climatic conditions. Melton Botanic Garden can be discovered tucked in between Melton’s High Street and the freeway. The land on which the garden is developed is on Kurun jang balug land of the Wurundjeri-willam clan, a clan of the Woi wurrung people. These rich, diverse gardens celebrated their 20th anniversary earlier this year.

The garden is very popular with dog walkers, people exercising and young children exploring the nature space playground which is beautifully designed with natural materials and overlooking the lake. Many community groups visit on a regular basis to enjoy the peaceful public space.

I work in the Koori Student Garden, a space originally designed by a team made up of a landscape designer and a group of Melton primary and secondary Aboriginal students. The garden is designed around a

serpentine-typeshapewithgravelpathsleading into circular spaces and planted throughout with indigenous species of Melbourne’s Western Plains.

A typical day might find me pruning the correas, cutting back the rampant salt bush varieties and mulching the garden beds with the pruning cuttings in a method called ‘chop and drop’. There is very little irrigation throughout the garden and plants are watered

only during their establishment phase, for the first year or so.

While it is impossible to do justice to the variety and expansiveness of the whole garden, some of the plant collections include: Dryland Eucalypts, West Australian, South Australian, EasternAustralianDryland,SouthernAfrican, Mediterranean region, Californian, Central and South American, Victorian Volcanic Plains and Bushfoods.

A fantastic resource developed in 2011 is the Garden Explorer | Melton Botanic Garden on which you can explore the specific name and details of all the plants found within the garden.Thereisevenanextensiveplantnursery on site where you can pick up plants for your own garden. Opening hours for the nursery are 9.30am-12.30pm Tuesdays, Thursdays, and 2nd and 4th Sundays.

In the South African beds, you can find Cussonia paniculatas or Highveld Cabbage Trees.Thisdistinctiveevergreentreeisstriking in the garden, especially against the backdrop of rocks and boulders. The cabbage tree has an unusual shape, interesting, gnarled bark and stunning, large, grey-green leaves. The tree is primarily from South Africa and can grow up to 5m in height although it tends to be slow growing. Did you know that the Zulu name, Zoeloekiepersol, refers to the cabbage tree as goats’ food?

From January to April cabbage trees bear small, green, stalked flowers; in short dense spikes, making up a large, branched inflorescence at the end of the trunk or branches. Flowers are followed by fleshy and purple-maroon fruits, which mature in May to June. The flowers produce a sticky nectar that birds love to devour. The thick root can be peeled and eaten raw as food or as a source of water (Van Wyk & Gericke 2000).

Pruning is completed in autumn and the new growth of leaves emerge from the pruning wound on the plant. The best method of propagationisbymeansofseedharvestedfrom fresh ripe fruits. Remember to allow room for the tubers to develop in the propagation pots. Seedlings can be transplanted at about 4 months but be very careful not to damage the fleshy roots when transplanting.

Melton Botanic Garden – A Public Car Park is located at 40 Lakewood Boulevard, Melton.

In the South African beds, you can find Highveld Cabbage Trees (bottom left).

(Pictures: Damjan Janevski) 411705

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Star Weekly looks back through the pages of our predecessors

30 years ago June 14, 1994

A dynamic new focus for Bulla region tourism which has gained powerful impetusfromtheinternationalBirthplace oftheAshespromotionwasforeshadowed bystepstakenlastweek.

25 years ago June 8, 1999

An appeal by a group of Romsey residents at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) to prevent a light industrial earthmoving business from relocating to the edge of town, has backfired.

|LANCEFIELD,VIC

• Anexceptionalopportunitytosecurealargehomesteadsite withdevelopment potentialwithinLancefield.

• Primeinfillresidentialdevelopmentsitewithanattractivescaleof4.795ha*

• Largehomesteadsitewithdevelopmentpotential

• EaseofaccessontoChaunceyStreetwith60.35m*frontage

• FavourableGeneralResidentialZoning(GRZ1),servicing& infrastructurecertainty

• 69km*northoftheMelbourneCBD&offersstrongconnections tothebroader MetropolitanMelbourneRoadTransportNetwork

20 years ago June 8, 2004

Hopes for more than three Macedon Ranges towns to be connected to the pendingpipedgasnetworkmaybedashed, when the state government announces its finaldecisioninSeptember.

10 years ago June 10, 2014

A proposal by Villawood Properties to subdivide Davies Hill in Woodend could still become a reality after changes were made to the scale of the proposed development in response to “community concerns”

• Suitableforanumberofpotentialdevelopmentoutcomes(STCA)

• PositionednearbyanumberofsurroundingtownshipsincludingKilmore,Wallan, Kyneton&Seymour

• Situatedwithinanestablishedcommunitywhichprovidesan abundancerecreational, convenienceretail&educationalamenitysuchasLancefieldPrimarySchool,Cleveland Winery&LancefieldRetailStrip

• Thepropertyishighlyaccessiblefromanumberofmajorroad linksincluding Melbourne-LancefieldRoad,Lancefield-KilmoreRoad,RochfordRoad&theCalder Freeway

of Charles Dickens – Twist (6)

Preferred things (10) 15 First book of the Christian Bible (abbr) (3)

Happen (9)

Smooth transition (5)

Settler (9)

‘Not on your – !’ (coll) (5)

3 LETTERS

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”.

15 words: Good 23 words: Very good 31 words: Excellent Today’s Aim:

No. 189

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

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

Repair Cafe Sunbury

Bring an item that needs repair and volunteer repairers will do their best to fix it with you. Or just drop in for a cuppa. Saturday June 15, 10am-12.30pm. All are welcome. Sunbury Neighbourhood House, 531 Elizabeth Drive Sunbury. ■ www.sunburyhouse.com.au or 9740 6978.

Neighbourhood Garden

Become part of Sunbury’s Neighbourhood Garden and grow edible and useful plants in a social group at Sunbury Neighbourhood House, 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury. All skill sets are welcome at the next working bee Saturday, June 15, from 10am-12.30pm ■ www.sunburyhouse.com.au or 9740 6978

Sunsets Boulevard

The Sunsets present “Sunsets Boulevard” Head to Gisborne Uniting Church for an exciting matinee of musical theatre, featuring songs from Oliver!, Les Miserables, Wicked, West Side Story, Mamma Mia, Chicago and many more. The event will be held at Gisborne Uniting Church, 23 Brantome Street, Gisborne, Sunday,June 23, from 2pm. Entry for adults is $25 and $20 for concession/ students. Afternoon tea to follow the concert. Tickets at the door or contact Maree.

■ Maree, 0423 051 318

Bible Expo

Macedon Ranges Seventh-day Adventist Church at 18 Barringo Road New Gisborne would like to invite you to a special event happening on Saturday, June 22, 11am–12.30pm. Come along and see ancient texts that changed the world, including a replica of the First Bible printed on the Gutenberg Press in 1450, an original 12-13th century Ethiopic New Testament manuscript, an original 1567 Latin Psalms Bible, an original 1549 Tyndale leaf and many more fascinating items.

■ Melissa, 0413 871 921 or Graham, 0409 794 498.

LGBTIQ Social Club

The Sunbury and Surrounds LGBTIQ Social Club has an ongoing catch up every third Saturday at the Brown Cow Cafe in Rosenthal at 1pm. They can also be found on Facebook where they have chats, discussions and other events advertised.

■ https://shorturl.at/jtAO1

Neighbourhood garden

Become part of Sunbury’s Neighbourhood Garden and grow edible and useful plants in a social group at Sunbury Neighbourhood House, 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury. All skill sets are welcome.

■ www.sunburyhouse.com.au or 9740 6978

Sunbury Woodworkers Club

Join the Sunbury Woodworkers Club to learn woodturning. No experience or tools required. The club is a welcoming environment open to men and women who wish to learn. Meetings for new guests are held on the third Wednesday of every month at 730pm. Circular drive, Jackson’s Hill, Sunbury. Facebook: Sunbury Woodworkers Club.

■ Anita, 0417 402 795

VIEW Club

Sunbury-Macedon Ranges VIEW Club is a friendly women’s organisation and a valued part of The Smith Family. Members meet on the third Friday of each month at 11am at Club Sunbury, Riddell Road, Sunbury.

This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of comedian Deborah Barrese dressed up as ‘Carmen’, a character from her upcoming live comedy. (Damjan Janevski) 410912_01

New members warmly welcome

■ Lee-anne, 0403 047 909

Yoga in Sunbury

Yoga classes at Sunbury Neighbourhood House focus on supporting participants to slow down and move well. Special attention is given to mindful awareness of movement that builds strength in a healthy and safe way, Monday mornings, Thursday evenings and Friday mornings

■ www.sunburyhouse.com.au or 9740 6978

VIEW club

Sunbury-Macedon Ranges VIEW Club is a friendly women’s organisation and a valued part of The Smith Family. We meet on the third Friday of each month at 11am at Club Sunbury, Riddell Road, Sunbury. New members warmly welcome.

■ www.view.org.au or Facebook: Sunbury

Macedon Ranges VIEW Club

Art group

The Woodend Art Group holds classes and workshops in the studios in the Woodend railway station complex. It also has a social Tuesday where members and interested people can come along in the morning, have a coffee and paint together in a social environment.

■ Colin Robinson, 0407 426 252

Sunbury Art Society

The Sunbury Art Society meets every Friday and Saturday, from 10am- 3pm, at the Boilerhouse, Jacksons Hill, to paint or draw over a cuppa with other like minded people. New members welcome.

■ Ken, 0407 062 568 or Yvonne, 0429 994 828

Amateur radio club

The Macedon Ranges Amateur Radio Club meets on the third Saturday of the month at the Woodend RSL Hall, 32 Anslow Street, Woodend, at 10am. If you are interested in amateur radio or already have a call sign, this could be for you.

■ http://www.mrarc.org.au

Scottish country dancing

The Macedon Ranges Scottish Country Dancing Group meets every Thursday afternoon 1-3pm at Buffalo Stadium, Woodend. The dancing involves social country dancing, and no special clothes needed, just soft flat shoes.

■ Meg, 5427 1100, or Linda, 0408 476 317

Community. Connect. Create. If you are needing support or looking

for a social group to join, you can visit Community. Connect. Create, which is an online resource listing support and community groups in the Macedon Ranges. if you would like your group listed or would like to work to help this project grow please email: fiona@communityconnectcreate. com.au

■ Communityconnectcreate.com.au

Shuttles and pickleballs

Macedon Ranges Badminton Club is inviting residents to come and play badminton, or pickleball, or both at Macedon Community Centre. Badminton is played on Tuesdays from 7.30pm and Thursdays at 9.30am. Pickleball is played on Mondays at 6.30pm, Wednesdays at 10.15am and on Tuesday from 10am at the Romsey Recreation Centre.

■ David, 0419 589 425, or macedonrangesbadminton@gmail.com

Take off weight naturally

Struggling to lose weight? Struggling to get motivated? Want to try and do it in a friendly and less stressful atmosphere? Come and join TOWN (Take Off Weight Naturally) every Thursday at 9am at the Sunbury Neighbourhood House, 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury.

■ Rhonda, 0409 740 924

A journey of Vietnamese history

By Hannah Hammoud

Embark on a cultural journey with Bach Viet Danceastheypresent‘TheEmperorCity(From Past to Present)’, a captivating performance showcasing the rich history and traditions of the imperial city of Hue in central Vietnam.

This cultural show will feature a blend of traditional court music, contemporary music, and poetry recitations, brought to life through costumes, singing, and traditional dance. DiTran,thepassionateorganiserbehindthis cultural showcase, emphasises the importance

ofsharingVietnamesehistoryandculturewith the broader community.

“To understand our culture is to appreciate its beauty, and this applies to all cultures,” Tran said.

“I have always had a personal passion for introducing Vietnamese history and cultural aspects into the mainstream so that children and people from other ethnic backgrounds can understand and appreciate our heritage.”

Since its establishment in 2019, Bach Viet Dance has been dedicated to fostering cultural understanding and cohesion within the

community.

The group, consisting of 14 members aged 36 to 62, has previously collaborated with other organisations and continues to receive strong support from the community.

Last year’s cultural show focused on North Vietnamese culture and attracted a diverse audience. This year, the group is excited to expand their reach and share the beauty of Vietnamese culture with even more people from various backgrounds.

“It’s been about five years now since we started and we’ve done a number of events that

Bukjeh’s Hakima performance will take over Town Hall Broadmeadows on Friday, June 14. (Supplied)

Cultural performance coming soon

Bukjeh’s performance, Hakima, is coming to Broadmeadows.

Hakimameans‘Wisewoman’inArabic,and embodies the essence of strength, wisdom and resilience of women.

The performance brings together local poets with roots in Africa and the Levant to honour and uplift the stories of women in times of war and displacement.

Through stories, poetry and songs, Hakima shares the experiences of mothers of survivors and martyrs, of women who couldn’t say goodbye, and mothers who are amplifying

theirvoicesanddrawinginspirationfromtheir resilience, faith and unwavering fortitude.

It’s an exploration of the wisdom that emerges from challenges, offering a platform for these wise women to share their invaluable life lessons and tales of perseverance.

The performance has support from Hume council’s arts grants program, and will take place on Friday, June 14, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, at Town Hall Broadmeadows.

Also coming to the Town Hall is a Hakima exhibition in the gallery.

Opening up on June 14 and staying until

Friday, September 13, the multimedia installation that transports visitors into a sensory experience of the bustling markets, kitchens and serene landscapes of the Levant, inviting an exploration of the connections between the food we savour, the stories we tell, and the art that transcends time and borders.

The exhibition celebrates the artistry of preparing traditional dishes, as well as the communal spirit of sharing meals with loved ones.

Free tickets: https://bukjeh.org/etn/hakimaexhibition-opening-performance/

Stockroom visual art spectacles on show

Kyneton Stockroom is hosting two new visual art exhibitions – ‘Dystopia’ by Guillaume Dillée and ‘Homage’ by David Doyle.

French-bornandself-taughtartistGuillaume Dillée moved to Australia with his family 10 yearsago,andwasconfrontedbytheharshness of the Australian natural environment.

“When we arrived in Australia, we had to face almost every day hearing the news about all the climate change issues with the huge fires we had ... with all the issues with water, with the air, with pollution, with climate change,” Dillée said.

From observing this, Dillée was inspired to begin creating artworks that reflected the link between humans and the Australian natural landscape.

“I started to understand that nature was struggling against all types of human activities and also humans were struggling against nature – so that balance was very inspiring for me and it was one of my main concerns,” he said.

In his exhibition statement, Dillée said that the title ‘Dystopia’ refers to the dreamlike

quality of his work and a “conceptual world where the relationship between man and nature is perpetually at odds”.

David Doyle is a Barkindji/Malyangapa man based in Broken Hill, NSW, and presents his

benefit the community,” Tran said.

“This year we’re lucky enough to continue to be supported to produce this cultural show focussing on Vietnamese culture. We have been rehearsing relentlessly every week, twice a week.”

TheEmperorCity(FromPasttoPresent)will hit the stage at the Bowery Theatre in St Albans on Saturday, July 6, from 7-9.45pm. Tickets are $15, or $10 for children 12 years and under.

The show will be presented in both English and Vietnamese.

Details: https://shorturl.at/KMLYr

Art honours Mother Earth

HopetounParklocalTanishaQuilliamis probably one of the most accomplished 15 year olds in Victoria.

The Bacchus Marsh Grammar year 10 student has displayed her artwork in the LUME Melbourne and spoken at the United Nations.

Now, the three time Koori Heritage Trust winner is displaying her art in an exhibitfortheMooraboolcouncilaspart of Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week.

Quilliam said she is proud First Nations artists are getting a spotlight.

“It’s really amazing that they wanted to include more Indigenous people in exhibiting art and I just love sharing my culture with everybody,” she said.

Titled ‘The Art of Destruction and Rejuvenation’, Quilliam’s exhibit explores the different understandings that Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians have with nature.

“I’ve noticed that the Indigenous community is struggling with trying to show that burning off the land is a way to rejuvenate it and bring back the natural growth and cycle of the land,” she said. “I really wanted to showcase that because I’m very connected to Mother Earth.”

Quilliam said her favourite part of the exhibit was the end piece.

“It’sa3Dfacewhichhastheillustration ofpartoftheWerribeeRiveranditshows her beauty after all she’s been through.”

Quilliam’s father, Wayne, is a renownedphotographerandcurator.She said he inspires her in organic ways.

“He helps me grow in my creative ability but he pushes me in a way that creates my own sense of what I want to do.”

The outdoor exhibit, at The Village Green, 197 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh, will be open until Monday, July 29.

exhibition ‘Homage’ covering three different series: Glass Coolamon, Unbroken Shields and Curved Parrying Shields.

In The Glass Coolamon series, Doyle uses the glass art medium to pay tribute to his grandparents, ancestors, Barkindji country, and his Malyangapa heritage.

The two shield series communicate his cultural identity and the struggles of preserving it, with some designs hailing from his ancestors.

“When creating these works, I made sure to do extensive research into shields and designs pertinent to my Aboriginal heritage,” Doyle said.

“A shield is like an ID, individual to the owner, so I didn’t want to take the identity of anyone else … I made small changes to ensure they were unique but still followed the Barkindji design principles.”

The shields are part of a larger story that can be viewed on the Kyneton Stockroom website.

Details: https://stockroomspace.com/gallery

Oscar Parry

Eddie Russell

Tanisha Quilliam in front of her exhibit. (Supplied: Moorabool council).

A painting from Guillaume Dillée’s exhibition ‘Dystopia’. (Magali Gentric)

YOUR NEW CAREER

Star Weekly seeks an enthusiastic Full or Part Time sales executive to work across our print, digital, social and online platforms.

Star Weekly is an independently owned company which prides itself on its long history of community experience but also its investment in the future.

The successful applicant will need to possess good people skills to enable them to meet with local businesses to sell solutions through our advertising platforms to help promote their business.

Applicants will need their own reliable vehicle for which we will provide an allowance.

The position is salaried, plus we offer an open ended commission scheme.

Send your application letter and resume to: Advertising Sales Manager, Mandy Clark mandy.clark@starnewsgroup.com.au

SPORTS QUIZ

1. Which team did Central Coast Mariners defeat 3-1 to win the 2024 A-League Men Grand Final?

2. Which Canadian city is set to become home to the WNBA’s 14th team?

3. Which 1977 NBA MVP and two-time champion (1977 and 1986) was the number one pick in the 1974 draft?

4. What women’s single sculls medal did Tara Rigney win at both the 2022 and 2023 World Rowing Championships?

5. Which Australian bowler was awarded player of the match after Kolkata defeated Hyderabad in the 2024 IPL final?

6. Jack O’Loughlin became the 38th Australian to play Major League Baseball, after debuting for which team?

7. A proposed NHL team in which US state is said to be choosing from names including Ice, Yetis, and Blizzard?

8. Which Slovenia-born NBA player wears number 77 for the Dallas Mavericks?

Michael Maguire coaches which rugby league State

Leek Aleer plays for which AFL club?

Which two Italian Serie A soccer clubs played a friendly match in Perth in late May?

Which Monégasque Formula One driver recently won his home race, the Monaco Grand Prix?

13. Which Indian batsman was the leading runscorer in this year’s IPL cricket tournament?

14. And which team were the eventual champions for the third time in its history?

15. Which golfer, the women’s world No.1 player, scored a 10-over par in the opening round of the US Women’s Open?

16. Which country has won the most men’s and women’s World Curling Championships?

17. Which Norwegian men’s tennis player finished runner-up at the French Open in both 2022 and 2023?

18. Phil Waugh is the CEO of which Australian sports governing body?

19. Which AFL team has had a continuous, active sponsorship with the Ford Motor Company since 1925?

20. In which country is the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee located?

21. In which year did Carlos Alcaraz win his first Grand Slam singles title?

22. Former Geelong captain Tom Harley is the current CEO of which AFL club?

23. In curling, what is the name of the circular target area on the ice that players aim to get their stones into?

24. In darts, how many points is a bullseye worth?

25. In which year did West Coast play its first AFL season?

26. Which country has emerged as a contender to become the first African nation to host the Commonwealth Games?

27. Which men’s Super Rugby team will be axed at the end of the 2024 season due to financial difficulties?

28. Which club has never been relegated since the foundation of the English Premier League in 1992: Aston Villa, Everton or Manchester City?

29. Only two countries have won Olympic gold medals in skateboarding: Australia (1) and which other country (3)?

30. In which year did Lance Franklin kick more than 100 goals in a season?

Carlos Alcaraz

Toyota banks on stylish new BEV

By Derek Ogden, Marque Motoring

What’s in a name? Plenty if you happen to be one of the world’s largest automobile manufacturers pumping out products by the boatload.

Take Toyota, for example. Nothing goes better to describe the Land Cruiser as a prestigious go-anywhere off roader; then there’s the Prius, relating to its being the first mass produced petrol/hybrid car.

Now comes Toyota’s first wholly electric SUV, the BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) bZ4X. The what? Surely that’s an internal maker’s code. Where’s the snappy showroom moniker? Was the marketing department on leave? ‘Oh, what a feeling’ . . . not!

So, what have we got? To say the car is simply a plug-in RAV4 is to undersell the bZ4X. Drawing on more than a quarter of a century of the company’s leadership in hybrid vehicle technology, this is the first Toyota in Australia to make use of the new BEV-dedicated e-TNGA platform, integrating battery and motor into the vehicle’s structure, providing extra rigidity and a low centre of gravity for stable driving dynamics.

The bZ4X is a midsize SUV that comes in two versions – front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive – priced from $66,000 and $74,900, respectively. A standard Toyota five years/ unlimited kilometres warranty applies, or seven years on motor and driveline with logbookservicing.Alsoofferediscappedprice servicing for the first five years/75,000km, witheach12-month/15,000kmservicecosting $189.

An optional full-service lease, covering maintenance, mechanical repairs, replacement tyres, roadside assist, Toyota Comprehensive insurance plus registration and third-party insurance, is on offer through one single monthly payment.

The FWD version is equipped with LED headlights, 20-inch alloy wheels and a list of convenience and safety features, synthetic leather trim, heated front seats, the driver’s eight-way adjustable and dual zone climate control.

The AWD bZ4X (the test vehicle) is taken to the next level with roof spoiler, panoramic sunroof, roof rails and gloss black bonnet highlight.

Styling

Designers were tasked with combining the character of a BEV with the stylish and functional look of an SUV. The bZ4X is the first model Down Under to display Toyota’s hallmark ‘hammerhead’ front, with the bonnet surface reaching out to the nose and each corner.

A spoiler above the horizontal tail-light line contributes to aerodynamics, along with the diffuser surfaces below the rear bumper. Other details that contribute to the car’s 0.279 coefficientofdragincludeafrontgrilleshutter that closes when limited cooling is needed, front air curtains that promote airflow down the body sides, and a fully covered underbody.

ThebZ4X20-inchdoublefive-spokewheels, with contrasting black and machined finish and grey resin accents for a three-dimensional detailed look.

One of six exterior colours, the test car’s was Feverish Red – or as one would-be influencer put it: ‘ A bit like a winter red nail polish.’ –with gloss black roof and bonnet panel.

Interior

The e-TNGA platform has allowed the wheels to be extended outward to the front and rear, making more room for occupants, and optimising the traction of all-wheel drive off road.

The AWD variant gains a nine-speaker JBL premium audio, Premium SofTex seat trim, Qi-compatible wireless charger, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel driver’s seat memory function and power tailgate with kick sensor.

Boot capacity is 441 litres for the AWD3, thanks to clever packaging of the AWD rear

e-Axle and JBL sound system. A further 10-litre storage space under the cargo floor houses the included charge cables and tool kit And. don’t go looking for a glovebox. There isn’t one. A large space under the floating centre console takes its place.

Infotainment

The latest Toyota multimedia technology is harnessed through a 12.3-inch touchscreen with access to DAB+ radio, wireless Apple CarPlay,andAndroidAuto.Voicerecognition, called up by the command ‘Hey, Toyota’, will control a range of functions such as opening windows.

This multi-media system provides access to the latest Toyota Connected Services online features, including the myToyota smartphone app, which is complimentary for a 12-month period.

BEV specific features include charge station locations and charge management. Over-the-air updates, cloud navigation and live traffic information are included.

A 7-inch driver multi-information display is cleverly situated directly behind the steering almost up against the windscreen but below the bonnet line, making it almost a head-up display and is visually sharp and easy to read.

The 350mm steering wheel, smaller than on other Toyotas, also aids visibility.

Powertrain

RATINGS

Looks: 8/10

Performance: 9/10

Safety: 7/10

Thirst: 7/10

Practicality: 8/10

Comfort: 8/10

Tech: 8/10

Value: 6/10

TheFWDmodelincorporatesafront-mounted e-Axle combining transaxle, motor and inverter into an integrated, compact unit, while the AWD variant uses front and rear 80 kW e-Axles with maximum combined outputs of 160 kW and 337 Nm.

Providing the power is a 71.4 kWh lithium-ion battery that is extensively tested for 20 days before being fitted to the vehicle.

Safety

As well as seven airbags, up-to-date Toyota Safety Sense, a combination of technologies is designed to protect passengers, the battery and other vehicles and pedestrians.

A pre-collision system can detect vehicles, motorcycles, cyclists in daytime only, and pedestrians even at intersections. Other features include active cruise control, emergency steering assist, lane trace assist, emergency driving stop system, road sign assist with speed signs only, and parking support brake.

Features above those of FWD include driver attention and blind spot monitors, safe exit assist, intelligent parking assist and 360-degree panoramic view of the vehicle.

Driving

The bZ4X set off almost in silence (road noise taking its place) with just a gentle push in the

back. The 337 Nm of torque was put to good use in all driving conditions, from stop/start city going to the freedom of an open-road rush.

Rideandhandlingqualitywaswhatwehave cometoexpectovertheyearsfromToyota,the small steering wheel outwearing its gimmicky introduction to come into its own, especially during tight manoeuvres.

Regenerative braking (using the electric motor to slow the car) was more ‘hands-off’ than some similar systems and needed brake pedal back-up to bring the car to a complete halt.

Energy efficiency is put by the maker at 18.1kWhper100kilometres.TheAWDontest averaged 18kWh per 100 kilometres.

Charging was a breeze at the local public fast charge station, with the tester going from 30 to 90 per cent in 45 minutes. I could live with that.

Off road, the all-wheel drive variant is helped by 212 mm ground clearance and dedicated X-Mode driving aids that optimise traction in snow/dirt or deep snow/mud and take in crawl and downhill assist.

Summary

For more than 25 years Toyota led the electrification way with the Prius petrol/ electric hybrid. I wonder if the bZ4X can do the same for the BEV.

Now comes Toyota’s first wholly electric SUV, the BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) bZ4X. (Pictures: Supplied)

Thunder are setting the foundations for success

East Sunbury is building the foundations for the future in the Essendon District Football League women’s division 2 competition.

Fielding a women’s side for the first time, the Thunder is yet to win a match and has had some big losses in the first part of the season.

Coach Lisa Borg said while the scoreboard could be tough to look at, there’s plenty of good signs for the group.

“We’ve got a few more numbers which has been good,” she said. “In the last month we’ve got four new players who have jumped on board.

“The scoreboard doesn’t reflect the team and their efforts. It can be disheartening, but the effort is there.”

Borg said they have struggled to convert and put scoreboard pressure back on the opposition.

She said while getting a win on the board would be really encouraging for the group, the focus is making sure they’re building the foundations.

“We want to have a strong culture and go

from there,” she said. “The club has been fantastic in giving us what we need.”

Borg said there were a number of players that were showing some good signs.

Steph Pontonio is a first year player who has improved heaps, while captain Sophia

Iosifidis has been a really good leader having come from a soccer background.

Jennifer Stevenson and Paris Latimer are a couple of others who have also improved heaps according to Borg.

For Borg one of the most pleasing things

Hawks on the improve

By Tara Murray

Woodend-Hesket’s Riddell District Football League season hasn’t gone to plan, but the Hawks are taking some positives out of it.

After making last season’s grand final, the Hawkshavewonjusttwomatchesthisseason, coming against the bottom two teams.

For first year coach Alastair Rae it’s been a less than ideal start, but the group has started to build into the season.

“The first two weeks we were so poor as a group,” he said. “The last six weeks we’ve played some good footy.

“We lost by less than two goals against Riddell and Romsey. Against Riddell we were in front until the last moments of the game.

“The other two games [we’ve lost] against Diggers Rest and Wallan, it was one poor quarter that cost us.

“With a young team you will get that.”

Rae said they’ve had to go with a younger

side than they were planning, with five players they had expected to play having not played at all.

He said most weeks they were fielding a team with more than half the players under-21.

“Three or four of those guys were in our best 18,” he said.

“Riley Patterson has not come back from Darwin. He was going to for a couple of games but said he wants to stay up there.

“Three of them will not play. We’re hoping Marcus Stapleton, who has been with us for a while will hopefully come back and we’ll get Riley maybe for a couple of games.”

Raesaidtheneedtoplaytheyoungerplayers would help fast track their development and would be a positive for the future.

He said Ryley Ferguson and Tobi Duff-Tytler, who both played a lot of football last year, were leading the young charge.

Xavier Tadd and Monte White are a couple

was the players were wanting to buy into what they’re doing.

“I expect a lot from them and at the start it was just my voice,” she said. “There are players who want to go places as well.

“They’re talking more about what we need todoandbackingmeupwhichisreallygood.“

There was a competition wide bye on the weekend, due to the King’s Birthday weekend.

TheThunderthisweekfaceCoburgDistricts for the first time.

Borg said she doesn’t know much about them. She said they were more focused on their game, than the opposition.

“We want to get our structures right,” she said. “This year we want to get the numbers and get out there and have fun.

“They keep coming back and trying harder and that is the culture we’ve been looking to build.”

TheThundermenalsofaceCoburgDistricts this week after having the last two weeks off.

Tara Murray

Berry goes back to Burras

A favourite son has returned home and will take on the coaching role at Diggers Rest Bulla for the Gisborne and District Cricket Association season.

The Burras announced that Rhys Berry will coach the side this season, having spent last season with Melton in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association.

Berry,theclub’salltimeleadingwicket taker, has previously been captain-coach of the side, while also winning the competition’s Sullivan Medal as the competition’s best player.

Berry said it was nice to be back at the Burras.

“There’s nothing against Melton and I enjoyed my opportunity and I enjoyed that standard of cricket,” he said.

“The Burras are home. I’ve got a one-year-old and a five-year-old and this gives me the opportunity to spend more time at home.

“I’mbackhometohelpthehomeclub.“

Berry said his season at Melton was about seeing if he could still compete at that level, which he proved he could.

He said there were discussions about him captaining the side had he stayed at the club for the 2024-25 season.

Berry admits to missing the coaching and captaining side of things.

“I knew they [Diggers Rest Bulla] were looking for a coach and a few conversations started and one thing led to another,” he said.

of others that have impressed.

Despite just two wins, the Hawks sit a game and percentage outside the top five.

Rae said the group believes they can win five or six of the games in the back half to move back into finals contention.

They had the competition wide bye for the King’s Birthday long weekend and then an actual bye.

Rae said they would assess each player and see whether they needed to de-load or maintain what they’ve been doing.

“We have a players function as well, which should be a good time,” he said.

“We’ll then reset again. We started the season with Kyneton and Macedon, but we now don’t play them until the end.

“We start the second lot of matches with Diggers Rest and Lancefield. Diggers will be tough first up, but at least it’s at home and our ground is a bit smaller and hopefully we can contain them and play our brand of footy.”

“They struggled last season and it’s a bit like I’m starting from scratch. I’m looking forward to being back.”

The Burras failed to win a match last season in the McIntyre Cup and will drop to the Johnstone Shield this season.

Berrysaidthiswouldbeabitofareset.

“When I first took over as coach we were relegated to C-grade and won the premiership the first year and then won B-grade.

“Theydidagoodjoblastyearofgetting games into the young blokes. There’s plenty of talent there.

“We need to just get back to winning.”

Berry said they will start training in August. The club will get to use the new facilities and nets that have now been finished.

“That’s the icing on the cake,” Berry said. “It’s all really exciting.”

Tara Murray

East Sunbury’s women’s team. (Supplied)

Daniel Toman. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 360899_53

Redbacks have ‘improved a hell of a lot’: Coach

TheimprovementhasbeenmassiveforRomsey as it continues to search for its first win in the Riddell District Football League women’s competition.

The Redbacks are yet to taste victory in their one and half seasons so far, but coach Aaron Paterson said they are heading in the right direction.

“Compared to where we were last year, we have improved by a hell of a lot,” he said. “We wanted to be a lot more competitive in games.

“We’re still really young in experience and we’re now getting experience which is a good thing.

“It takes time and things will come good as we stick to the plan.”

Patersonsaidwinsweren’ttheironlyfocusas they looked long term with the program.

He admits it can be difficult at times when they aren’t getting the results they would like.

“We don’t focus on winning, but we would like to have the chance to win.

“They are still enjoying it and the wins will come if we keep doing the right things and putting them into place.”

Paterson said they were doing a lot of high level drills at training but it was now about putting them into practice in games.

He said they would hopefully add a couple of A-grade talent next season, which he believes will put them in good stead.

“We have a good core group that is playing together,” he said. “We need to add a couple of A-gradersandwewillbealotmorecompetitive.

We are confident in the group we have.”

Paterson said he had been impressed by the development of their playing group.

“He said Elise Putyra had been outstanding in the ruck,.

“She is a superstar and will continue to be one of the dominant rucks in the league for a long time.

“She is still raw with her development. She takes everything on.”

He said Liz Worthington dominates in the middle and has a knack of not losing a contest and has taken a big leap this year.

Amelia Hodgson and Jemma Wilkins have joined the club mid season and despite being someoftheyoungestplayersinthecompetition are among the Redbacks best most weeks.

The Redbacks have had the last three weeks off.

They had a forfeit, then a bye and then there were no games on the King’s Birthday.

Paterson said the forfeit was the result of the scheduling with many in their side also having other sporting commitments. He would have missed the game due to playing at the same time.

Hesaidthey’veusedthebreaktodocontested physical training something they normally don’t get a chance to do.

The Redbacks face Woodend-Hesket this week on Saturday evening.

Tigers are stepping up

By Tara Murray

Lancefield has made massive inroads in the Riddell District Netball League this season.

Having not won a game last season, the Tigers have won two in eight rounds with plenty of good signs.

Tigers coach Ciara Stewart said she was thrilled with how the group had performed this season. The Tigers sit bottom but are one of three teams with two wins after the first round of matches.

“We’ve lost by 15 goals to the top teams, last season it was like 50 goals,” she said. “They’re showing a lot of improvement.

“The results are impressive for us. I’m more than impressed with the performance at both ends of the court.

“Only one game this season that we haven’t won a quarter.”

Stewart said for some of the players, they’ve never been this close to the top sides and it was giving them plenty of confidence.

She said it has been tough in relation to player points which has resulted in a number ofplayershavingtoplaytwogameseachweek.

She said had the players who trialled stuck with the club they would have been fine, but it wasn’t the case.

It has had an impact late in A-grade games and if they have any more injuries, Stewart said they would have to look to bring up C-grade players to make a full side.

“It’s a bit of jigsaw,” Stewart said. “Our shootingaccuracyislettingusdowningames.

“We’re not disappointed as someone like Tarnee Hammond is playing two hours in a row every Saturday and something has to give.

“We’ve put up an impressive volume in matches, we just need to learn how to finish off in key moments.”

The Tigers haven’t been helped with injuries with captain Mia Daly injured, while recruit Bella Collodetti is yet to play a game. Collodetti, who is also injured, has still be in attendance every game.

Stewart said while getting some good results on the board was good for them this season, they were working towards next year.

“The great thing coming from the Lancefield people is that they want to stay,” she said. I’m pretty confident that could come back next season.

“We’re already put some feelers out for next season.”

In the other grades, the Tigers are having some success with their B-grade side undefeated. Their under-19s are fifth and C-grade is in sixth.

The Tigers had the weekend off with no games due to the King’s Birthday weekend.

Storm offers female path

Melbourne Storm is targeting Melbourne’s north-west as it forms its inaugural Storm female development program.

Following the success of the Female Footy Festival held at the State Rugby League and Community Centre in Broadmeadows, the Storm is now establishing a new pathway for female players in Victoria.

The Storm is holding three combines, the first which was in Broadmeadows on Sunday.

The Storm west hub combine will be held in Wyndham on June 16, while the southeast hub combine will be held on June 23.

Storm’s female pathway program manager Pauline Poloai said it was exciting.

“There are 1300 females playing the game of rugby league in Victoria,” she said.“Weknowtherearegirlswantingto aspire to play NRLW.

“This Is a starting point of introducing females to our Storm family.”

Poloai said the Storm was preparing to launch an NRLW team for the 2028 season and they wanted to build the foundations now to get more Victorian females playing.

The three combine testing days gives the development squad selectors an opportunity to assess some key areas.

They will identify the top 30 players and they will be part of a 12 week program overseen by Melbourne Storm coaches and staff, before heading off on a three-day tour of New South Wales for trial matches.

“There will be off field education,” she said. “We’ll also teach them the Storm system.”

Poloai said they had development programs for the men’s side, now they were looking to implement that for women. She said they had targeted areas where they know there’s a lot of females playing the sport.

Poloai said it was important to have Victorian-born players as part of the Storm’s female program.

Just five Victorian-born players have played for the Storm in the NRL. Four have from the Hume municipality. “This comes off the back of these development programs,” she said. “These programs give kids a first hand look to see what the Storm program is. We have got some good talent in the north and also in the west and south.”

Tara Murray Aaron Paterson. (Supplied)

The Tigers this week face Riddell. In other matches this week, Diggers Rest will host Romsey, Wallan is at home to Kyneton while Macedon takes on Melton Centrals. Woodend-Hesket has the bye.

Eve Trainor. (Ljubica Vrankovic)

‘Aligned’ Sunbury fires on all cylinders

Everything clicked for Sunbury United in the FV state league 3 north-west on Saturday against Brunswick Zebras.

After a slow start to the season, Sunbury went into the match having claimed points in their last three matches.

That momentum continued on Saturday with a massive 7-1 win.

Sunbury started strongly and led 2-0 at half time.

It continued the momentum in the second half to run away with the win.

Sunbury coach Danny Moore said they weren’t getting ahead of themselves, but it would definitely help the group going forward.

“Itwasagooddayfortheclub,”hesaid.“Our reserveshadawinagainstBrunswick’sseconds who are top of the table.

“Ithinkyesterday[Saturday]isanexampleof whathappenswheneverythingclicks.Through the start of the season one area has been going and another not as strong.

“All the planets aligned.”

Damian Rastocic kicked four goals for the Sunbury, while Jake McIntyre, Rakan Filfel and Jason Hayne also got on the scoreboard.

The Zebras did finish with 10 men, but the score line was already 7-1 when that occurred.

The win was Sunbury’s third of the season.

Having been at the bottom of the ladder not long ago, Sunbury is now up to seventh on the ladder and is quickly closing the gap on the sides above it.

Moore said they know they still have a lot of work to do this season.

“We’re trying not to read too much into it as it doesn’t really change the ladder,” he said.

“We wanted to set ourselves for the second half of the year with a couple of strong performances. We haven’t picked up as many points we would have liked in the last couple of rounds, but the strong result like yesterday [Saturday] is a massive lift.”

There is a bye this weekend across the

competition.

Sunbury will be at home again, taking on AltonaNorthwhichisinthirdspot,fourpoints ahead of Sunbury.

Moore said while they would like to keep the momentum going the break would be a good opportunity to reset for the second half of the season. “We had a really tough start against the Altona North, the Western Eagles, Laverton and Williamstown and I think they are the top four teams. We know these games the next few weeks will be tough, but we want to reverse the tables and the boys are keen to learn from the process and the mistakes we made.”

Meanwhile in state league 4 west, Gisborne continues to push the sides at the top of the ladder with a good win on Saturday.

Facing ETA Buffalo Club of Victoria, the Sky Blues won 1-0.

The Sky Blues move to third on the table.

Bulldogs’ depth on show

By Tara Murray

Gisborne tried some different things on Saturday as it prepares for some tough challenges ahead in the Bendigo Netball League.

TheundefeatedBulldogsfacedadetermined Castlemaine side on Saturday, with the Magpies keen to claim a scalp.

The Bulldogs were able to do enough, coming away with a 67-53 win.

Bulldogs coach Tarryn Rymer was happy with the performance.

“They’ve been struggling a bit getting a side on the court each week,” she said. “It was a good hit out for us.

“They brought in Gabe Richards and it was a good chance for us to play against a quality opposition and trial some things we’ve been doing at training.

“Some worked and some didn’t.” Rymer said they were really strong defensively in the contest, winning a lot of ball and it was a strong team performance.

She said at times there were some wayward passes that aren’t normally in their game, which they need to reduce.

With Claudia Mawson playing in the Vic Fury in the SSN reserves competition and Kirby Elliott out for three weeks with concussion, Rylee Connell and Eloise Rodda came up into the side.

“Tori Skrijel and Rylee combined nicely,” Rymer said. “It’s really exciting to see Rylee get a chance.

“Bella Connors has also come up this season. It’s very exciting to see the depth in the A-reserve.

“With Claudia and Kirby out it gives other girls the opportunity to step up at that level. It’s a good chance to see what they can do.”

The Bulldogs remain in top spot ahead of a top of the table clash with Kangaroo Flat, which had the bye this week.

Rymer said there wasn’t much between the two teams along with Sandhurst at the top of the table.

“We need to bring our A-game next week.”

Sports shorts

VTCA

Sunbury will have a new coach for the next Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 2 season. The club announced that it had been unable to come to terms with Kevin Barker, who has decided to move on from the club. Barker took over coaching the side during the off season, after Jace Carton was set to coach the side. The club did enough late in the season to avoid relegation. The club said it has a strong capability to move to a team coaching structure involving experienced players and former coaches of the club.

GDCA

Woodend-Hesket has announced the re-signing of captain Marcus Stewart for the next Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup season. “As our first XI captain and a powerhouse player, Marcus brings a wealth of talent and leadership to our team,” the club said on social media. “With over 500 runs under his belt last season, he’s gearing up to take his game to new heights.”

GDCA

Mawson and Elliott will both miss that game as well.

Rymer said across the board it had been a good season for the club so far.

Like the A-grade side, the A-reserve and B-grade sides sit top undefeated. The B-reserve side sits second with just one loss for the season.

The under-17s sit just outside the top five after a costly loss on Saturday.

“Hopefully they will be better in the second half,” Rymer said of the under-17s. “They are all new this season but two of them.

“They are getting better each week.”

In the senior football, the Bulldogs also came away with a win against Castlemaine.

There was nothing in the game in the first half, before the Bulldogs kicked 10 goals to three in the second half to win, 15.9 (99)-9.4 (58).

Brad Bernacki kicked four goals for the Bulldogs, while Zac Denahy kicked three.

Braidon Blake was named the Bulldogs best.

The Bulldogs sit second on the ladder.

Gisborne premiership players Will Mackay and Warren Kelly have signed on for the Gisborne District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup season. Mackay had an outstanding 2023-24 season amassing 340 runs and scoring his first top grade century. Kelly made 602 runs at 50.17 last season, including two centuries. Kelly has been running the club’s junior development program during the off season.

Coates Talent League

The Calder Cannons had four players feature in Vic Metro’s first game of the boys under-18 national championships on Sunday. Isaac Kako, Jayden Nguyen, Damon Hollow and Harry O’Farrell were all in the team that faced the Allies. Meanwhile, Cannons’ Kyla Forbes, Ava Gerada and Jade McLay were of a trial match for the girls Vic Metro squad on Saturday.

Tara Murray Jake Mcintyre. (Ljubica Vrankovic)

Tiana Newman. (Jacob Pattison)