Faith and friendship
The Church of the Cross is searching for young adults to join a social group in Keilor.
Operating out of the Brimbank Anglican Church, the group has been out of operation for the past year and is looking to re-launch.
What started as a way for young churchgoers to socialise fell over amid the pandemic, but years on, organiser Paul Homer said there are many young people at the church who are ready to get things started back up.
“We’ve got a good number of young adults coming into the church now, and they’re looking for a forum where they can meet together and discuss their issues together,” he said.
“We want them to be able to discuss world issues and their own issues, and how their bible can apply to that.”
There is a bowling night on August 16 in Watergardens that all young people aged above 18 are urged to attend and meet other members of the group for some fun and a discussion about the group’s future.
Inquires: Paul, 0411 555 569
Jobless rate still high
By Gerald Lynch
Brimbank’s jobless rate has dropped but is still well above average, according to new data.
National Skills Commission data reveals Brimbank’s unemployment rate fell to 6.4 per centinSeptember2023,downfrom7.2percent 12 months prior.
Despitethedrop,Brimbank’sunemployment rate ranks third highest in metropolitan Melbourne, trailing only Hume and Greater Dandenong with 7.1 and 6.6 per cent respectively.
Kings Park and St Albans North are among some of the suburbs with the highest unemployment rates in the state, with 9.1 and 8.8 per cent respectively.
The Victorian unemployment rate was 3.8 per cent.
Future Connect chief executive Deirdre Hardy noted a number of barriers that lead to a higher youth unemployment rate throughout Brimbank.
The Taylors Hill-based not-for-profit organisation helps create opportunities that lead to improving education, training and employment pathways for young people in Brimbank.
“In Brimbank, there’s often situations where young people don’t have the social capital or networks to easily find full time employment,” she said.
“Young people whose parents are born overseas don’t have the networks where the
parents can assist them to find work they’re interested in, whereas people with that greater social capital have a lot of networks … Able to ask friends to give their children work experience or voluntary work to build their experience.
“There are opportunities for work in the area, but sometimes even entry level positions still want experience … or they may have a requirement for a driver’s licence.
“I think employers can be a bit set in their ideas of what they’re looking for from an employee, and they’re not always able to be flexible in their approach to recruiting.”
Brimbankcityfuturesdirector KelvinWalsh said unemployment, particularly in youth, was an ongoing concern that council continued to
address and strived to improve.
“This is a consistent long-term trend and these rates are associated with higher levels of socioeconomic disadvantage in parts of the municipality,” he said.
“There are a range of activities delivered by council and in partnership across several areas to help support and improve employment in Brimbank.
“Council’s economic development unit works with local employers and employment providers to encourage and support employment of local people including through jobs fairs, forums, social procurement and council’s Joblink website.
■ Continued: Page 3.
Paul Homer outside of Brimbank Anglican Church. (Damjan Janevski) 422063_03
Keeping children out of trouble
A new project is on its way to the west, aiming to prevent young people from a life of crime.
Westjustice and the Centre for Multicultural Youth have announced the Paul Ramsay Foundation (PRF) will fund their ground-breaking Target Zero project, a $7.5 million funding partnership over the next five years to enable a coalition to work together to support young people and their families to thrive,achievetheirfullpotentialandavoidthe criminaljusticesystemandtherevolvingdoors of the courtroom.
Target Zero will bring together partners from different parts of the community to end
the criminalisation of young people aged 10 to 25 in the Brimbank, Wyndham and Melton municipalities.
Italsoseekstoaddresstheover-representation in the criminal justice system of First Nations young people, multicultural young people, and young people in residential care.
WestjusticechiefexecutiveMelissaHardham said Target Zero’s partnership with PRF was a step forward in addressing Victoria’s revolving door youth justice system for young people experiencing disadvantage.
Westjustice’s youth law program legal director Anoushka Jeronimus said the funding
is a game changer.
Through Westjustice’s youth law program and partnership work, she and her team are constantlyconfrontedwiththedifficultrealities and complex disadvantages experienced by young people and their families within these communities, and the number of challenges they face just to stay healthy and safe.
“Target Zero partners believe that the issues affecting criminalised and over-represented western suburbs young people can only be solved by everyone working together on the rootcausesandcritically,withthecommunities most impacted,” Ms Jeronimus said. “In a first,
Brimbank’s bringing the laughs
September is set to be taken by a storm of laughter, with the Brimbank Comedy Festival coming to town.
The festival has been created by local comedian Drago Ivan who wants to bring the magicofentertainmentbacktothecommunity.
“My motivation was growing up in the west, I always heard from my grandparents and parents that there was always something to do in the west, entertainment related,” he said.
“I thought that bringing the festival will get others influenced to bring entertainment to Brimbank, a great place to showcase and there are heaps of people here that would support it.”
On Thursday, September 19, enjoy Witty women of the West, an all-female stand-up show at Double Deuce Bar and Billiards, starting at 8pm.
The evening continues with the after party at Sunshine City Club, featuring a variety of stand-up acts at 9pm with free entry.
Friday,September20kicksoffwithFried-day at Abol Africa in Footscray at 7.30pm, with free entry. At 8pm, Double Deuce Bar and BilliardspresentsReadySteadyComedy,where the audience votes for the funniest performer.
Tickets are $10.
Meanwhile, the Plough Hotel features Brimbank Born showcasing local comedians,
also with free entry. The night wraps up at Sunshine City Club’s after party from 9pm.
On Saturday, September 21, Abol Africa hosts Dark Humour Night at 9pm featuring dark humour by an all-female lineup.
Taco Bill in Keilor Downs presents Comedy Vision at 9pm, with free entry.
The Footscray Hotel’s after party starts at 8pm, showcasing festival stand-up, also with free entry.
The festival concludes on Sunday, September 22, with another dark humour night at Footscray Hotel at 8pm.
Gerald Lynch
Target Zero is bringing together all facets of the community to work towards ending youth criminalisation and over-representation.” Centre for Multicultural Youth chief executive Carmel Guerra echoed this sentiment.
“Young people in Melbourne’s west should be in schools and in jobs, not jails,” she said.
“We know from our work with multicultural young people and communities that a new game plan is needed, to effectively tackle the criminalisation and over-representation of particular cohorts of young people in our justice system.”
“Brimbank Libraries and Neighbourhood Houses also deliver a range of programs and services which are designed to improve employment pathways, upskilling and job readiness. This includes Brimbank Learning Futures, which provides help to young people with training, education and employment opportunities.
“Council also seeks to attract investment and build capacity in local industry to create employment, including through transformative investment like the state government’s Melbourne Airport Rail and Sunshine Super Hub projects which have the potential to deliver meaningful and generational change for the Brimbank community.”
Ms Hardy said the work of Future Connect is aiming to bridge the gap between those experiencing a lack of social capital, while aiming to have employers see things in a different light.
“We work with young people to encourage them to develop their skills and network, and to articulate their skills better to an employer,” she continued.
“But we also work with employers to talk to them about exactly this.
“We are working on a program called future recruit … It’s been designed for employers to provide feedback to young people on what they did and didn’t do so well in a job interview.
“But what has come out of it, when employers are filling out these feedback sheets … it confronts them about the unconscious biases they may have … somebody who may have a name that indicates a particular ethnicity or has come from a particular school.
“We’ve found when they are systematically looking through applications, they’re less likely to just dismiss them.”
Residents’ data leaked in EPA contact centre breach
Brimbank residents who reported odour pollution around the Kealba landfill are among those whose personal information was stolen after the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria’s external contact centre was hacked.
The EPA was advised by the external service provider of its contact centre that data of thousands of customers had been illegally removed from its internal systems by an unknown third party.
The stolen information was from October
2021, September 2022, and October 2022.
EPA staff and about 2800 members of the public have had some of their details hacked.
A combination of customers’ names, email addresses, residential addresses and phone numbers were illegally shared.
The environmental regulator notified the affected customers lat month.
“We have taken immediate action to rectify this as soon as becoming aware of the incident. We have written to those who have been impacted by this breach to personally inform
them of the incident and what we have done to rectify it,” an EPA spokesperson said.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconveniencethismaycauseourstakeholders, partners, employees and the community.
“We have worked closely with relevant government agencies and specialist security partners to remove the threat from our systems, with all sites purged of unauthorised access, resetting of passwords and other robust security measures. “The data and privacy of our community, stakeholders, and employees
are important to us.”
The spokesperson said EPA had a dedicated security incident response team in place coordinating activities focused on ensuring the privacy of the information they hold was protected and ensuring they could effectively continue to protect the Victorian community and our environment from the harms caused by pollution and waste.
“EPA is continuing to monitor the situation andensurealldatasharedwithusissecureand confidential,” the spokesperson said.
Drago Ivan Milinkovic has organised the Brimbank Comedy Festival, coming in September. (Damjan Janevski) 411682_02
Council is starting on an exciting project to develop a new four-year Council Plan 2025-2029 and other strategic documents that will help shape the future of Brimbank.
Be a part of shaping our Community Vision 2050 and the Council Plan 2025-2029 by having your say on what you want Council to focus on to make Brimbank better. We need you and your ideas to make sure we get it right.
It will be our roadmap to achieving our community’s hopes, priorities and aspirations. The plan will outline the practical strategies that Council will take to achieve a vision of a transformed Brimbank, making it an even better place to live, work and play. Visit yoursay.brimbank.vic.gov.au after consultation opens on 20 August, to share your thoughts by 16 September 2024.
Local Government Candidate Training
The next local government elections will be held on Saturday 26 October 2024 If you would like to stand for council, now is the time to complete the online Local Government Candidate Training. All candidates in any council election in Victoria are required to complete the online Local Government Candidate Training. The online Candidate Training is available on the Local Government Victoria website localgovernment.vic.gov.au Candidate nominations for council elections will open on Monday 9 September and close at midday on Tuesday 17 September 2024 – so it’s a good idea for candidates to complete the training before nominations open. Visit localgovernment.vic.gov.au/ council-governance/candidatetraining to learn more.
Youth Fest 2024
Throughout September young people can enjoy a variety of events and activities across Victoria especially for them. In Brimbank we’ve got an awesome line up of events that recognise, celebrate, and support the young people in our local community. Visit brimbankyouth. com/youth-fest-2024/ to register and learn more.
Supporting teen drivers
This free workshop is for parents and carers supporting a young person who is learning to drive. It aims to build the confidence and skills of instructors helping a learner driver. It covers first steps for a beginner driver, how to approach the 120 hours of driving, communication, and instruction skills. Visit events. brimbank.vic.gov.au to learn more about the in-person and online events in August.
Your Councillors are always happy to hear from you
Cr Victoria Borg 0429365527 CrBorg@brimbank.vic.gov.au
Cr Sarah Branton 0407836064 CrBranton@brimbank.vic.gov.au
Cr Thuy Dang 0437744803 CrDang@brimbank.vic.gov.au
Cr Sam David JP 0429355239 CrDavid@brimbank.vic.gov.au
Cr Maria Kerr 0437796630 CrKerr@brimbank.vic.gov.au
Cr Bruce Lancashire 0429637689 CrLancashire@brimbank.vic.gov.au
Cr Jasmine Nguyen 0437740042 CrNguyen@brimbank.vic.gov.au
Cr Thomas O’Reilly 0409210431 CrOReilly@brimbank.vic.gov.au
Cr Jae Papalia (Deputy Mayor) 0437838710 CrPapalia@brimbank.vic.gov.au
Cr Ranka Rasic (Mayor) 0437861296 CrRasic@brimbank.vic.gov.au
Cr Virginia Tachos 0428915671 CrTachos@brimbank.vic.gov.au
Budget cash for reserve pavilion
By Gerald Lynch
ApavilionwillbebuiltatJRParsonsReservein Sunshine, after a flurry of community support to include it in this year’s Brimbank council budget.
After initially being snubbed in council’s draft budget, Grand United Cricket Club and SunshineParkTennisClubmembersandother reserve users rallied to present a petition to council,callingfortheprojecttobeincludedin the 2024-25 budget.
The result was an allocation of $400,000, with construction to commence this year.
Thenewsportspavilionwillbebuiltbetween both ovals at the reserve and will feature four gender neutral changing rooms, a First Aid room, two umpire change rooms, kitchen, social area, an administration office, and storage areas.
Grand United Cricket Club president Alan Hale said the strong support of the community was thoroughly appreciated, and he looks forward to the works getting under way.
“Our current facilities are located on the opposite side of the car park, meaning all of our players and spectators need to cross a busy car park to get to the pavilion … it’s got asbestos signs everywhere, there’s no dedicated changing rooms … it is not fit for purpose,” he said.
“That’s the continual feedback we’ve had fromourmembersoverthelast20years,which is just about how long this campaign has been going on. “It takes our volunteers an hour to take all the equipment over to the other side … chairs, tables, scoreboards … so it is just going to be massive on all fronts.
“We’ll be able to have better engagement with our past players and members, having a space where they can sit and socialise in the comfort of the club.
“Everything is fit for purpose, it’s just going to be great.”
Shopping under lights
The Keilor nightlife is set for a boost, with the Village Night Market returing on August 7.
Jodie Robinson launched the monthly market at the end of 2021 to encourage people to get outside and to help build a strong sense of community.
“The market was created to bring the local community back together after covid and to support over 40 small and local businesses that missed out on business through lockdowns,” she said.
“ThemarketbringsthebowlsclubandVillage Night Market communities together, and the
bowling club have been great supporters of the market.
There are 34 indoor and six outside vendors, as well as a food truck and coffee van.
A gold coin donation is asked for upon entry, with the proceeds going to a different charity each month, inlcuding the Horseshoe Bend Community Group and the Keilor Primary School, with a total of $6908 going to local charities.
The market is on the first Wednesday of each month at the Keilor Village.
Gerald Lynch
JR Parsons Reserve, Sunshine.
Market organiser Jodie Robinson with Keilor Bowls chairman Joe Watkins and maintenance manager Barry Dean. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 421738_01
‘‘ Homelessness can be much closer than you might think ... all it could take is one unfortunate circumstance ... to fall on tough time ’’ - Nic Marchesi
Homelessness hardships
Amid a cost-of-living crisis, homelessness and poverty is picking up in prevalence, and support services are feeling the demand pinch as much as ever, Gerald Lynch discovers.
It’scloserthanyouthink.That’sthemessage this National Homeless Week, which runs August 5 to 11.
As Australians struggle to afford basic needs, defer crucial healthcare and work extra hours to keep afloat, homelessness support services are reporting a surge in demand for their services.
Recently released research by free mobile laundry and shower service, Orange Sky, revealed that 57 per cent of Australians struggle to make ends meet annually, with 27 per cent struggling as often as monthly.
The new research came as government data indicates household inflation rates have skyrocketed by 3.6 per cent over the past 12 months, with housing, food and health costs climbing by over 3 per cent in the same period of time.
The research reveals three in five (59 per cent) Australians have had to moderately or significantly adjust their lifestyle due to the rising cost-of-living.
Orange Sky St Albans team leader Ben Campbell originally joined the organisation during covid as a way to get out of the house, but four years later he couldn’t imagine not being involved.
“When everyone was locked down, I was like OK, I need to get out of the house, and one of the loopholes essentially, to do that was volunteering,” he said.
“It really helped open my eyes to appreciate what I had, because of course through the pandemic, we all thought it was an extremely tough time but then on the other side of it, people were living on the streets not having a place to live or living in potentially dangerous situations who were having it a lot worse than I was.
“So it gave me this fresh perspective. It gave me a greater appreciation for what I have and what others have and just trying to help them
make it through the weeks.”
Mr Campbell is mainly involved with the Orange Sky’s laundry service, a mobile service that washes people’s clothes and also provides meals.
He said while the service is used less in the winter,justasmanypeoplecomedowntohave a chat and a smile, a service that is intangible yet invaluable.
“Not all the attendees use our service but it doesn’t really matter, they … just come for a conversation where they can feel heard,” he said.
“Most of the time the homeless feel invisible, feel like they’re ignored by society and not really appreciated in any way shape or form. So we’re just there to kind of give them that support.
“To give them an ear and just listen to them and just make them feel a bit more normal, because they are normal.”
He said there are misconceptions about homelesspeoplethatmakethemfeelunworthy of interacting with other people sometimes, and he hopes to see further education and change in public perception.
“There’s the whole idea of homelessness, I imagine for the general public, that they’ve put themselves in this situation and they can’t bring themselves out of it,” Mr Campbell said.
“The reality is there are so many factors that can contribute (to a person becoming homeless), there is often trauma, domestic violence, mental illnesses and all sorts that can really contribute to people getting into the situation.”
Orange Sky co-founder Nic Marchesi said growing costs and expenses are placing unsustainable pressure on everyday Australians, who are having to make tough sacrifices just to keep up.
“No one deserves to go without essentials,
clean clothes, a hot shower and a safe place to sleep,” he said. “However, rising costs are increasingly forcing everyday Australians to choosebetweenlivingessentials,billsandrent, and people who may have never thought they would be struggling financially are turning to us for help.
“We have seen a 21 per cent increase in demand for our services since last financial year,andthisincreaseiscomingfromfamilies, retirees,studentsandmiddle-agedwomenand men. Even people with current employment are coming to us for help.
“To support the growing number of Aussies experiencing homelessness and hardship, in the last financial year, we launched services in five new locations. In addition to the brand-new services, we launched 36 new shifts in already existing services.
“Concerningly, escalating costs are seeing Aussies not only struggling to afford the essentials, but also to find safety and security, with the research revealing more than one in 10 have had to forego a meal due to a lack of
funds, while over one in six have borrowed money, sold something or taken out a loan just to pay rent or bills.
“Amid a national housing crisis which has seen mortgage prices hit an all-time high in June of this year, weekly rent prices rising by 8 per cent in the past 12 months, and rental vacancy rates sitting at the lowest they’ve been in a decade, it’s no surprise there’s an increase of Australians heading into tough times.
“Homelessness can be much closer than you might think it is. These statistics are people, people that we see each and every day, and people who need our support. Homelessness can impact anyone, and as we see financial hardship escalate, all it could take is one unfortunate circumstance for you or someone you know to fall on tough time.”
Orange Sky receives government funding, but with more and more people being forced to live on the streets, help from those who can afforditisbeingencouragedthisHomelessness week.
Donate at orangesky.org.au
Main: Orange Sky founders Nic Marchesi and Lucas Patchett.
Above: St Albans volunteers Simon and Ben with a local at a laundry session. Left: Volunteers and users of the service enjoying a chat.
(Pictures: Supplied)
Sign up as a volunteer
The Uncle Bob’s Club is calling for volunteers to join its state committee.
The term is a 12-month position, beginning in October of each year and consists of monthly meetings that can be attended remotely.
Committemembersalsoparticipateinstrategic planningandcommitteeworkandoccasionally represent UBC at events throughout the year.
Since its founding in 1942, UBC has raised vital funds for children’s hospitals and medical equipment across Victoria with the mission of ensuring no child in Victoria goes without the medical equipment they need.
UBC raises money through hosting events such as garage sales, morning teas and sausage sizzles, while aiming to keep the funds in the area they were raised.
Being a grassroots charity with only one paid staff member and no government funding,
UBC relies on the generosity of donors and volunteers to continue its mission.
Fundraising and volunteer manager Stacey Ramadge described the ideal volunteer as being anyone passionate about raising funds to help the children of Victoria.
“Everything that we fundraise goes directly to children’s health, either through local hospitals or the Good Friday Appeal,” she said. Despite the abundance of donations that pour in, the shortage of manpower limits the work UBC is able to do.
UBC recently started a new group in the western suburbs, with ambitions to launch two more in the northern and eastern suburbs.
More details: https://ubcvic.org.au/ get-involved/volunteer-2/
Jaidyn Kennedy
Briefs
Correction
StarWeekly would like to clarify that Cr Thomas O’Reilly raised an alternate motion in relation to Brimbank council’s Glengala Road Village streetscape plan during the July 16 council meeting. A story published in StarWeekly on July 23 inaccurately said Cr O’Reilly had supported the plan put forward by council officers. Rather, Cr O’Reilly was attempting to raise an alternate motion to create an additional plan to maintain the number and configuration of angled parking spaces on Glengala Road, which would be referred for further community consultation alongside the original council plan.
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Tyre & Auto Service
Paulm Etherington and Stacey Ramadge with her daughter Sadie, 3. (Damjan Janevski) 420649
Breastfeeding support for all
By Oscar Parry
WorldBreastfeedingWeekisaglobalcampaign
aiming to raise awareness of the importance of breastfeeding and the benefits it provides to mothers, children, and public health.
Running from August 1–7, this year’s theme is ‘breastfeeding for all’ – a vision for increased inclusivity and further efforts in addressing barriers to accessing breastfeeding support.
Macedon-based lactation consultant Samantha Turner-Dunne is passionate about breastfeeding and its broad benefits.
“If you had to introduce one public health program to benefit the health and the wellbeing of your community the most and decrease maternal and infant morbidity – and even mortality – the most successful thing you could do is teach, educate, and promote breastfeeding, because the long-term effects on the health and wellbeing for babies and for people is profound,” Ms Turner-Dunne said.
She said language barriers are just one of the challengesmanyfaceinaccessingbreastfeeding support.
She said in many cases, women may avoid seeking support from resources such as lactation consultants because of several other issues that require time and attention.
Ms Turner-Dunne said breastfeeding also has important protective effects on babies.
“The mothers have less chance of breast cancers and … [It also] helps immunise and vaccinate the babies because it hands over all the immunoglobulins,” she said.
“They’ve realised that there [are] stem cells and white blood cells and enzymes … in breast milk and all the different roles that they play … it’s profound.”
Ms Turner-Dunne said her job is rewarding, and she enjoys making a positive impact on families and public health.
“I love my job – lactation consultants are reallypassionateaboutbreastfeeding,andthat’s why we go and study and make a specialised career out of it. We try [to] create safe spaces … we just want good emotional attachment between mothers and babies and the best health outcomes for all,” she said.
She said it is important to have widely accessible support, and that while breastfeeding is not an option for many women, lactation consultants will try to help where they can.
“When breastfeeding is successful, it’s one of the most enjoyable bonding experiences of their life … for 30 per cent of women, it is a challenge and they do need support … and we’re here for them. Sometimes it doesn’t work because it can’t.”
“They’ve become refugees, or they’re so busy focussing on trauma that [breastfeeding] is just another challenge that they’ve got to put further down the food chain, [and] because they’ve got other really important things that they’re trying to deal with, they are less likely to get … support,” she said.
performing assessments.
Ms Turner-Dunne said lactation consultants sometimes have access to interpreters and interpretive services to help with their consultations, but if these are not available, consultants will still do their best to help through other forms of communication and
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“Part of the way that … women learn to breastfeed, there’s some intuitive basis to it. There are also demonstrative [ways] you can learn things … and there can be no speech. So there’s a lot of demonstrative work that can be done that … is helpful if English is a second language.”
On the Australian Breastfeeding Association’s (ABA) website, it reports that many mothers feel a deep sense of loss, grief, and remorse when they are unable to breastfeed, and that families, friends, and counselling could be forms of support.
Ms Turner-Dunne said other resources provided by the ABA that could assist mothers include online multi-language information flyers and a network of volunteers who can provide peer-to-peer support.
Low milk supply links
Low breast milk supply is being linked with low breast growth during pregnancy in a new study.
La Trobe University researchers led a survey of almost 500 women in Australia, the US, and the UK.
They found that women with low milk supply often did not notice an increase in breast size during pregnancy; could have breast hypoplasia; or might have been overweight as a teenager.
La Trobe PhD candidate and study lead Renee Kam said it had long been suspected by breastfeeding specialists that a lack of breast growth during pregnancy could be associated with low milk supply, but this study was the first to show evidence of this link.
“This study showed that 72 per cent of women with low milk supply reported that their breasts did not change appearance during pregnancy,” Ms Kam said.
“Most pregnant women notice that their breasts increase in size as their pregnancy progresses, so lack of change could now be considered a sign to health professionals that milk supply may become an issue after the baby is born.”
The study, conducted with the universities of Cincinnati and Bristol, also connected high body mass index around the time of puberty and a low milk supply.
Ms Kam said this was the first time such a link was made, and its connection needed to be confirmed in population-based studies.
She said the researchers did not know how many women in the study had breast hypoplasia, but more than two-thirds (about 70 per cent) reported at least one irregular-shaped breast.
Breast hypoplasia is not the same as small breasts, but refers to breast tissue that is underdeveloped and might give the breast a tubular shape or asymmetry between the breasts.
Study participants shared their experience of not being able to produce enough milk for their babies, despite seeing lactation consultants, expressing breast milk, taking lactation cookies, and drinking lactation teas.
Professor Lisa Amir from La Trobe’s Judith Lumley Centre said some women had physical andphysiologicalreasonsthatpreventedthem from producing a full milk supply.
“Like every other organ, the breast may not be fully functional in some people,” Professor Amir said.
“Weneedtosupportwomentoachievetheir optimum milk production, and make sure people don’t equate successful breastfeeding with being a good mother.”
Lactation consultant Samantha Turner-Dunne. (Damjan Janevski) 411622_02
Storming in to inspire junior league stars
The Sunshine Cowboys were thrilled by a visit lastweekfromapairofMelbourneStormstars.
Tui Kamikamica and Jahrome Hughes headed to More Park in Ardeer on Tuesday, July 30, for a run and a chat with the brightest rugby league talents in the west.
Kamikamica, who originated from Fiji, said it was a great experience to see the next generation of league stars.
“I always love coming to clinics with the kids, because I see myself growing up, having anNRLplayercomingtomyjuniorclubwould put a smile on my face,” Kamikamica said.
Hughes also loved the chance to chat with the juniors, and was taken aback by the growth
of the code in Melbourne’s west.
“It’s good to see the coaches, kids, and parents making an effort to get out here and grow the game,” Hughes said. “
Youcansortoftakeitforgrantedwhenyou’re in our position and not really feel like you have a big impact on the kids, but you soon realise what we can do from them and the smiles we can put on their faces … It’s pretty special for us to have the opportunity to give back.
“They say it’s a big AFL state, Victoria, but I feel like rugby league is getting bigger and bigger here.”
Gerald Lynch
Change of gears a success
A Derrimut worker is in the running to be named construction and forestry technician of the year.
RDO Equipment’s Andrew Moat has been named as a finalist at the 2024 John Deere Technician of the Year Awards.
After completing an apprenticeship as an aircraft mechanic, Mr Moat switched gears to undertake a diesel mechanic apprenticeship and work on heavy machinery.
He said he enjoyed the challenge of diagnosing faults and the sense of achievement in repairing them, building lasting relationships with customers by providing outstanding service, and being out on the road seeing different places every day. He said he loved the feeling of satisfaction he receives from customers who show their appreciation of his work and the role he plays in keeping them up and running.
John Deere Australia and New Zealand managing director Luke Chandler congratulated the finalists and recognised the huge value they bring to their dealerships, communities and the broader industries they support.
“Technicians require a unique combination of mechanical knowledge, proficiency in digital technology and advanced problem-solving skills to support customers’ operations, helping them to increase their uptime, enhance productivity and promote sustainable practices across their business,” he said.
“All the finalists should be extremely proud that their dedication, hard work and commitment to excellent customer service was recognised by their dealerships and congratulated on passing the first round of internal judging.”
The sunset was out at More Park. Right: This young player won’t be washing his shirt for a while.
Some of the local players who welcomed the Storm stars.
The Cowboys turned out in number to see the Storm stars. (Pictures: Supplied)
Andrew Moat from RDO Equipment in Derrimut is in the running for a technician of the year award.
Legionnaires’ linked to Derrimut
ThesourceofMelbourne’slegionnaires’disease outbreak has been linked to a water cooling tower in the Laverton North and Derrimut area.
Victoria’s chief health officer Clare Looker confirmed the link on Friday, August 2.
As of Sunday, August 4, health department teams had visited and inspected and tested 54 of the highest-priority sites with cooling towers in the area. “While we’ve not yet identified a single cooling tower, there is a high likelihood that we have already tested and treated the source,” Dr Looker said.
The department’s investigation has found no link between the outbreak and a recent
industrial fire in Derrimut. It also found no evidence to suggest Legionella outbreaks are directly caused by large industrial fires.
The department is working with the Bureau ofMeteorologyandairscientiststounderstand how weather patterns in July might have contributed to the outbreak.
It comes as a woman in her 90s and a man in his 60s died from legionnaires’ disease.
Health authorities said the disease is spreading through Melbourne’s north and west. As of Sunday, there were 77 confirmed patients while test results for seven suspected cases are due soon.
“In the last 24 hours, we’ve seen an increase
Crossing champ lauded
One of Brimbank’s much-loved school crossing supervisors, Sally Stellini, is the winner of School Crossing Victoria’s 2024 Supervisor of the Year award.
Sally has been working as a school crossing supervisor for 20 years, with most of that time spent at the Monash Street Sunshine crossing, servicing the nearby Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School.
The school community recognises Sally for her passion and dedication to her crossing, and for her warm and positive nature.
It is said that Sally makes everyone feel special by knowing their names and goes so far as knowing their dogs’ names too.
Aswellassharingherroadsafetyknowledge, Sally teaches everyone how to correctly cross the road, while making sure it’s safe to do so.
“I look forward to going to work every day because the kids are delightful, and the
parents are always so nice,” she said.
“It’s very rewarding knowing that I contribute to the safety of the kids and people in my community.”
Sally was awarded alongside seven other Brimbank Crossing Supervisors nominated for their exceptional service, including Hai Chu, Lena Calfapietra, Areniel Montoro, Carol Spencer, Gordon Gambian, Margaret Cockinos and Michael McGrath.
School Crossings Victoria established the school crossing supervisor of the year award back in 2010 to acknowledge the contribution and spirit of the work undertaken by school crossing supervisors throughout Victoria.
Sally Stellini keeps the school community safe and happy. (Supplied)
of two cases, and that’s compared with an increase of 24 a few days ago,” Dr Looker told reporters. “This strongly suggests that the number of cases is decreasing and the situation is stabilising.”
Most of the cases have occurred in adults agedover40andhaverequiredhospitalisation.
“This is a nasty type of pneumonia … so peoplecanbecomequitesickquitequickly,”Dr Looker told ABCRadioMelbourneon July 30.
Those with underlying diseases, particularly people who are immunocompromised, elderly people and smokers are at greater risk of infection. Anyone who has visited or lives in metropolitan Melbourne and develops
symptoms including chills, fevers, a cough, or feeling unwell has been urged to seek medical attention.
Legionnaires’ disease is caused by the legionella bacteria and tests indicate the outbreak is caused by legionella pneumophilia serogroup 1. The bacteria is found in natural bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, creeks and hot springs but can also be found in spas, warm water systems and artificial systems that use water for cooling, heating or industrial processes such as cooling towers and potting mix.
Join us for an afternoon of Rock with The Treblettes
Spend an afternoon with us to see what premium retirement living is all about.
Dust off your dancing shoes and get ready to rock with our special guests “The Treblettes”! This sassy local vocal trio is coming to Rivervue to perform all your favourite, iconic songs from the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s.
Sing along to The Andrews Sisters, groove to Motown, sway to Elvis, or twirl to Bill Haley and the Comets, and many more.
Enjoy a delicious afternoon tea and tour our Village. This is your opportunity to experience luxury living, with unparalleled views of the Maribyrnong River. Find out why our residents say “Life Begins at Rivervue”.
Bring a friend and join us for an unforgettable afternoon!
Numbers strictly limited – RSVP today! Call 1300 298 439 or visit www.rivervue.com.au
Free Event
Date: Wednesday 14th August
Time: 1.00pm
Tips to keep kids engaged when the family is dining out
When dining out at a restaurant with kids, it’s essential to have a few tricks up your sleeve to keep them entertained and engaged. Here are some creative ideas to ensure a pleasant and enjoyable experience for the entire family:
Bring quiet activities: Pack a small bag with colouringbooks,crayons,stickers,andpuzzles. These quiet and portable activities can keep kids occupied while waiting for their food or during lulls in the conversation.
Play interactive games: Engage the kids with interactive games that require minimal materials. For example, play ‘I Spy’ or ‘20 Questions’ to encourage observation and critical thinking skills. You can also create a restaurant-themed scavenger hunt by giving them a list of items to find in the restaurant.
Storytelling: Encourage storytelling by taking turns telling a story. Start a story with a sentence, and each person adds a sentence to continue the narrative. This game not only entertains the kids but also stimulates their imagination.
Tablecloth doodles: If the restaurant provides paper tablecloths, let the kids unleash their creativity by drawing and doodling. It’s a fun and mess-free activity that keeps them occupied.
DIY placemats: Create personalised placemats for the kids using plain paper or colouring sheets. They can decorate their placemats with drawings,stickers,ortheirnames.Thisactivity adds a personal touch and keeps them engaged during the meal.
Memory games: Play memory games by listing items on the table and challenging the
kids to remember as many as they can. You can make it more challenging by removing an item and seeing if they can spot the missing one.
Conversation starters: Keep the conversation flowing by using conversation starters. Ask thought-provoking questions like, “If you could have any superpower, what would it be?” or “What’s your favorite thing to do on weekends?” This not only keeps the kids engaged but also encourages communication and bonding.
Origami or paper folding: Bring a pack of origami paper and teach the kids how to fold simple origami figures. There are numerous tutorials available online, ranging from easy to more complex designs.
Portablegames: Bringalongtravel-sizedboard games or card games that the whole family can enjoy. Classics like Uno, Connect Four, or Spot It! are compact and suitable for restaurant settings.
Engage with the menu: Involve the kids in the
menu selection process. Ask for their input on what they would like to order or encourage them to try new foods. Discussing the menu notonlykeepsthemengagedbutalsopromotes their decision-making skills. Remember, it’s also crucial to set expectationsandestablishgoodbehavioratthe restaurant.Encouragegoodmanners,patience, and gratitude towards the waitstaff. With a combination of these entertaining activities and proper behavior, dining out with kids can becomeapleasantandenjoyableexperiencefor everyone involved.
How plants recover after fire
On February 13 this year, a bushfire raged through the beautiful Grampians area of Victoria where my family and I are fortunate enough to have a property. The bushfire began at Bellfield and ravaged an area of 2726 hectares.
The fires began because of lightning strikes as extreme storms hit Victoria after a series of hot days. The other contributing factor was that the bushfire fuel, such as grasses, leaves and undergrowth, had a low moisture content after a long, dry summer, meaning that combustion was rapid, and the fire spread easily
When we finally witnessed the damage to our 2.5-hectare property a week later, a large shed and its contents had been destroyed and the landscape across the whole area was a moonscape, charred and shrivelled with tree trunks still burning and smoking. Our family have a dedicated firefighting crew to thank for the survival of our house, which fortunately remained untouched.
What has struck me as remarkable about the recovery after the fires is that the plants have intuitively begun the regeneration processwithoutanyintervention.Theinternal mechanisms and processes plants undergo ensures that they are equipped to tackle post-fire recovery better than any animal, including humans.
Some trees and plants refuse to die even in the face of 1100 degrees celsius flames,
the maximum temperature at the base of tall flames. To the naked eye, plants scarred very recently by fire can look as if they have died. However given a week or so, the plant springs into action and begins to regrow in the way it knows how. Plants that can survive a fire are called ‘resprouters’ and those killed by fire are called ‘fire sensitive’.
There are three main ways that a plant resprouts after fire: 1/ Trees and some shrubs have dormant buds beneath their bark and these buds survive the heat of a fire. This growth known as Epicormic growth can occur in Eucalyptus and small trees. What you will see is sprouting leaf
growth that is almost feathery in appearance along most of the tree’s trunk area and into its branches.
2/ Many shrubs, grasses, sedges, lilies, terrestrial orchids and ferns regrow after fire from dormant buds in underground organs. These are protected from the heat of fires by the soil. This is particularly striking in the grass trees on our property which have resprouted like bright green fibre optics from the blackened trunk.
3/ Some plants regrow from buds protected fromtheheatoffiresbyleavesoroldleafbases. These tiny plants emerge from a seemingly arid, empty patch in the darkened soil.
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Then there are the plants that are fire sensitive. Of the plants that do die when burned by fire, these plants have two ways of regenerating that rely on accessing the plant’s seed bank. Firstly, the plant may store these seeds in the woody fruits of the branches, and they will be opened by fire. Alternatively, the plant stores it’s seeds in the soil and the seeds will wait until the fires have passed before germinating . Just goes to show the resilience of the plant world!
So, four months on from the fires, the plants have begun to assert themselves once more. Blackened tree trunks and branches have a leaf cover of epicormic growth, bracken ferns have replaced the blackened sandy soils and fresh sprouting leaves emerge from what appears to be a barren, bare and flimsy shrub.
Where possible, it is best to leave plants to recover with minimal human intervention after bushfire. The fires were tough on animal life too; accordingly, part of the recovery humans can help with is to leave behind burnt logs and some debris as homes for wildlife. If you are interested in being more prepared for a fire, you may wish to know more about fire resistant plants. The key to using fire resistant plants is to choose plants with high water content to reduce and slow the spread of fire. It is also smart to use trees or hedges, where possible to reduce wind speed, radiant heat and to filter embers.
There are books and websites that can offer advice on plant choice and provide you with further information. A couple of reliable sources are The Diggers Club website The Diggers Club – Australia’s No.1 Gardening Club and Lesley Corbett’s thoroughly researched book called Safer Gardens: Plant Flammability & Planning For Fire Safer Gardens: Plant Flammability & Planning For Fire – Australian Scholarly Publishing.
Get STEM superpowers
Scienceworksissettohostweekendworkshops, each themed around an extraordinary superpower, to inspire future women in STEM.
These workshops are created specifically for girls and non-binary tweens.
Research shows that 10-12 is a crucial age when many young girls drop out of STEM subjects and interests, and it’s vital to keep interest high with engaging and safe spaces.
OnSeptember7,atCuriosityisaSuperpower, children can learn all about design and innovation in astronomy and space.
Attendees will experience the wonder of the Melbourne Planetarium, chat with a STEM expert, and participate in a design challenge to create a place for humans to live on the Moon.
On October 5, at Kindness is a Superpower workshop, attendees will hear from an invertebrate researcher about biodiversity and the value of being kind to the environment and
spend some time thinking about the future in the Think Ahead exhibition.
OnOctober26,atCalmnessisaSuperpower, children can learn ways to calm their minds while clarifying their STEM skills.
During the workshop, participants will be delighted by a Planetarium show, chat with an expert scientist and participate in STEM activities that are good for a healthy mind, including movement, mindfulness and making.
On November 16, Strength is a Superpower, a half-day STEM workshop, will allow children touncovernature’shiddenstrengths.Thisclass features hands-on physics and engineering challenges and will explore the requirements of strong materials and how clever engineering can make difficult tasks easier.
Details: museumsvictoria.com.au/ scienceworks/whats-on/weekend-workshops/
Grace and Lottie at Scienceworks Museum.
(Damjan Janevski) 416336_06
A gum tree recovers after being damaged by fire. (iStock: Lovleah)
Operation Cavalcade a success
Police are satisfied with the results of a month-long operation aiming to catch and reduce crime in Brimbank and Melton.
In part two of Operation Cavalcade, local police teamed up with a range of specialist officers to saturate hot spot areas in Brimbank and Melton throughout July.
Officers honed in on busy community locations including Watergardens and Woodgrove shopping centres, as well as parks and train stations in Sunshine, Melton and St Albans.
Three teenagers who allegedly evaded police in an unregistered vehicle were among the 30 arrested during an operation targeting serious and violent crime in the western suburbs.
During patrols on July 11, officers attempted to intercept an allegedly unregistered vehicle on Bulmans Road in Melton, but the vehicle allegedly sped off.
Theairwingtrackedthevehicletoanaddress in Brookfield and three boys, two aged 15 and a 16-year-old, allegedly fled on foot.
All three were arrested a short time later without incident.
Earlier that day, police were patrolling a shopping centre in Melton West when they received reports of a boy allegedly threatening people with a weapon.
Officers arrested a 14-year-old boy before seizing a knife. No one was injured during the incident.
Throughout the operation, the local crime reduction team carried out a range of proactive enforcement activities to ensure accountability of known offenders, including conducting bail compliance checks, firearm prohibition order compliance checks and executing outstanding warrants.
Police also patrolled roads, checking more than 1000 vehicles, and issued more than 20 penalty notices for a range of traffic offences.
Brimbank tasking and co-ordination
Acting Inspector Nick Di-Mieri said he felt the increased number of officers in hot spots worked well.
Funding boost for Holy Eucharist
St Albans’ Holy Eucharist Primary School has been granted $1.4 million to refurbish its classrooms, bathrooms and breakout spaces.
Principal Michael Bonnici was thrilled with the funding.
“This is wonderful news for our school community. This funding will assist us by upgrading the building in the junior school,” he said.
“This will enhance student, as well as staff wellbeing, which in turn will help improve student learning outcomes.
“At Holy Eucharist, we are committed to ensuring that all our students, regardless of their socio-economic background, have access to a high-quality education.
“The proposed refurbishment is not just a renovation; it’s an investment in the future of our students and the quality of education we provide.”
The project is being delivered through the Catholic stream of the state government’s building fund for non-government schools.
Education Minister Ben Carroll said the funding program ensures that schools can be at their best.
“Thousands of Victorian kids go to a low-fee Catholic school every day – and we’re making sure those kids are learning in the best environments,” he said.
“We’re supporting our low-fee Catholic schools to expand, build new classrooms and open new campuses.”
St Albans MP Natalie Suleyman said Holy Eucharist is a fantastic and popular school.
“This project will mean their teachers have thebestfacilitiestogivetheirstudentsthebest education,” she said.
Gerald Lynch
“Our highly visible and proactive presence certainly worked to deter crime at our most busy community locations,” he said.
“We know how much the community appreciates seeing us at their shopping centres and train stations, so rest assured that presence will continue.
“We will continue to work with specialist policeincludingPORT[PublicOrderResponse Team] to deter crime and make sure our community feels safe.
“We hope the message is now loud and clear – if you seek to cause harm or trouble you can expect to see police and you will be held to account.”
Brimbank residents are almost out of time to ensure they are registered to vote for this year’s council elections.
Electoral commissioner Sven Bluemmel has issued a call to voters to be ready to cast their vote in the upcoming Brimbank council, which will be conducted by post.
‘Make sure you’re enrolled correctly by the close of roll, which is 4pm on Wednesday, August 7,”he said. “As this is a postal election, it’s important to check your address details are correct – this includes any alternative postal address.
“If you’re an Australian citizen and recently turned 18, or moved and haven’t updated your address, or if you’ve just closedyourpostofficeboxwithAustralia Post,youcanenrolorupdateyourdetails online.”
Non-Brimbankresidentswhopayrates for a property they own in Brimbank, non-Australian citizens who occupy and pay rates on a property in Brimbank, or a representative of a company or business operating in Brimbank can apply to the council to enrol.
Mr Bluemmel said voting in council elections is now compulsory.
“In previous elections it was not compulsory for council-enrolled voters to vote – now everyone must vote if they are on the voters’ roll,”he said.
Voters who will be away during the election period can have their ballot pack redirected by completing an online form by September 9.
Voting is open between October 7 and 25.
Details: 131 832 or vec.vic.gov.au
Holy Eucharist Primary School principal Michael Bonnici, speaking at the grant announcement. (Supplied)
Get crafty for Children’s Book Week
Each month, Stephanie Martinez will share an exciting craft project designed to inspire and spark creativity.
Stephanie starred in the first season MakingIt on Network 10, where she discovered and ignited her passion for crafting. Join Stephanie as she explores the endless possibilities of crafting and turn everyday materials into something extraordinary.
This month, Stephanie is creating monster bookmarks in honour of Children’s BookWeek(August17-23).
Happy crafting!
Monster bookmarks
Materials:
Googly eye
Marker
Coloured cardboard
Coloured yarn 30cm x four pieces
Equipment: Template
Glue stick
Scissors
Hole puncher
1/ Can the QR right to download and print the template for the monster bookmark and nose.
2/ Use the template to cut out the monster and the nose.
3/ Create a hole at the top of the monster. Fold the pieces of yarn in half, thread through the hole and tie a lark’s head knot.
4/ Glue googly eye in place. Fold the top of the nose and glue the folded part to the monster.
5/ Glue some colourful strips at the bottom of the monster.
6/ Draw an eyebrow and a mouth for the monster. Cut out a tooth and glue it in place.
7/ Give the monster some spots by hole punching some cardboard and randomly gluing them.
READY, SET, BUILD!
31 WILDLIFE CIRCUIT, FRASER RISE
• Titled and ready to build • Situated in a brand new estate – Taylors Run • Land size measuring approx. 238m 2 • Build your dream first home, downsize or the perfect investment opportunity • Bordering on Caroline Springs and Taylors Hill, within close proximity to Caroline Springs town centre (approx. 4.5 kms), Taylors Hill Village (approx. 3 kms), quality schooling options, shops and public transport • The estate will feature market leading landscaping, a community park and playground, and an abundance of walkways and bike paths, parkland and recreational facilities. Enquire today to secure this allotment, you don’t want to miss out!
David Falcone I 0413 116 717 I davidfalcone@atrealty.com.au atrealty.com.au /davidfalcone
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Get ready for Children’s Book Week by creating your own monster bookmark. (Supplied)
Instagram: Steph It Up with Stephanie Tik Tok: Steph It Up with Stephanie
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
Rock ‘n’ roll at Rivervue Rivervue in Avondale Heights is hosting an afternoon of rock with The Treblettes. The sassy local vocal trio will perform all your favourite, iconic songs from the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s. Enjoy afternoon tea and tour the village. Bring a friend for an unforgettable afternoon on Wednesday, August 14. Tour the village at 1pm and 3.30pm. The Treblettes perform at 1.30pm. Rivervue is at 25 Bellavista Drive, Avondale Heights.
■ RSVP: 1300 298 439 or www.rivervue.com.au
Deer Park Senior Citizens AGM AGM for 2024, held at the Deer Park Lions Club, 119 Station Road, Deer Park, on Monday, August 12 at 1pm. There will be an election of the committee and other general business.
■ 9363 7326
Women’s only conversation English Duke Street Community House is inviting locals to make friends, learn new skills and practice English in this fun and free women’s social group. Tuesdays during school terms, 9.30am-noon, at Duke Street Community House, 27 Duke Street, Sunshine.
■ 9311 9973, or dukest@dsch.org.au
Crafternoons
Duke Street Community House is inviting locals to a free adult social opportunity to get together and be creative. Learn a new craft or bring along your own craft projects. Tuesdays during school terms, 12.30-2.30pm, at the Duke Street Community House, 27 Duke Street, Sunshine.
■ 9311 9973, or dukest@dsch.org.au
Sunshine Heights Junior Soccer Club
The club is on the lookout for more girls to join its junior soccer teams from ages under-8s through to under-14. If you are keen to join, training is held every Tuesday and Thursday at Castley Reserve from 5.30pm – except for under 14 girls who train from 6.30pm.
■ theclub@sunshineheightsjsc.com.au
Girl Guides
Brimbank District Girl Guides is inviting locals to come and try guides before committing to join. Girls aged 5-18 and adults are invited to enjoy the fun and friendship of guiding.
■ Carolyn, 0418 536 084
Sunshine Repair Cafe
Do you enjoy fixing things or have skills in mending clothing and textiles? Kororoit Neighbourhood House is looking for volunteer repairers for the newly launched Repair Café in Brimbank. Events happen once a month and are an opportunity to meet others in the community and share your skills while helping fix broken household items.
■ sunshinerepaircafe@kcnh.org.au, or 0413 434 082
Al-Anon Family Groups
Al-Anon Family Groups is offering help and hope to anyone living in an unhappy home because a loved one drinks too much. There are no contracts to sign, just a voluntary donation to cover room rental. Confidentiality is protected. Confidential meetings held at the Sydenham Neighbourhood Centre (rear of library) every Wednesday, from 1-2.30pm. New members welcome. No appointment necessary.
Card games
Love playing the card game 500? Card games are played every Monday, from
Melton South Community Centre
Save money in the long term and get the nourishment you and your family need with classic, delicious soups and breads in Melton South Community Centre’s new course on Mondays from 10am-noon, until August 19. Escape the cold and join a small lively group making warm, nutritious meals that will become family favourites in no time. $65/$60 concession.
Melton South Community Centre’s term three program is available now and all courses are open for enrolments. Get the program at meltonsouth.org.au or pick up a copy at the centre, located at 41 Exford Road Melton South.
■ 9747 8576
7-10pm, at the Sunshine RSL offices, 99 Dickson Street, Sunshine.
■ Leisa, 0425 768 808
Palliative volunteers needed
Mercy Palliative Care is looking for volunteers to visit palliative care patients in their homes to offer social support.
■ 9313 5700 or MPCVolunteerCoordinators@mercy.com.au
Deer Park Lions Club
Deer Park Lions Club is looking for new members. It holds dinner meetings on the first Wednesday of every month at the Deer Park Senior Citizens Club, 119 Station Road, Deer Park.
■ Michael, 0417 307 572
Keilor Day View Club
The Keilor Day View Club meets at 11am on the first Thursday of each month at Green Gully Soccer Club, Green Gully Reserve, Club House Place, Keilor Downs. The club is inviting locals to come along and enjoy a meal and fun with a friendly group of ladies.
■ Robyn, 0425 387 880
Sunshine Community Brass
Sunshine Community Brass is looking for trumpet and percussion players to join its vibrant band of musicians. With more than 90 years of history, the band rehearses at 45 Furlong Road, North Sunshine, on Tuesdays, from 7.30pm.
■ Andrew, 0419 444 620
Seniors lunch
Deer Park Branch of National Seniors
Australia hosts a lunch on the third Friday of each month at different venues. The group also arranges activities each month, sometimes to the theatre, morning melodies, train or bus trip. The group also holds a general meeting at The Club in
Caroline Springs on the first Wednesday of every month at 1.30pm. Locals are invited to join in for lunch or just attend the meeting and make new friends.
■ Pamela, pcostello46@hotmail.com
St Albans senior citizens
St Albans Senior Citizens group meet at the centre at the corner of Alfrieda and William streets, St Albans, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 9am-2pm. Annual membership: $10. Cost: $1 entry on attendance day.
■ Roma, 0435 991 064
Caroline Springs Rotary
The Rotary Club of Caroline Springs is inviting new guests to join its meetings in person or via Zoom. Meetings are held every Wednesday at the Western Emergency Relief Network in Ravenhall, from 7pm.
■ rotarycarolinesprings@gmail.com
Bacchus Marsh Ladies Probus Club
Meets on the 1st Thursday of every month from 10am-12pm at the Avenue Bowling Club on 254 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh
■ Krystyna, bacchusmarshladiesprobus@ gmail.com
Community band
The Greater Western Community Band meets Thursdays from 7.30-9.30pm. Rehearsal venue is the Bridge Road Community Centre, Strathtulloh (Melton South). The band is available for events. Brass, woodwind and percussion players are always welcome.
■ Sally Hamond, 0401 474 582
Melton Ladies Probus
Meets from 10am on the second Wednesday of each month at Melton Country Club on Reserve Road, Melton. All visitors are welcome.
■ Dianne, 9743 7446
Women’s Support Group
Women’s Support Group Melton is for any women who feel they would like to attend a peer support group which is relaxed, friendly and non-judgemental. The group meets weekly at 1pm on Mondays (except for public holidays) at Djerriwarrh Neighbourhood House, 239 Station Road, Melton. The group can discuss most subjects that may be of help
■ https://ow.ly/QVwJ50Q5g42
Chatty Cafe Melton
Are you feeling lonely, isolated or just wanting to make some new friends? If so, Chatty Cafe is for you. The group meets on Friday mornings at 10am for delicious free coffee from Latin foods and wines at 10 Wallace Square, Melton.
■ https://www.facebook.com/ groups/352071857283331
Bands to unite for music festival
By Tara Murray
Musicians from across Melbourne’s west will have the chance to shine at the first Western Bands Festival.
ThebrainchildoftheWesternConcertBand, the festival will give concert and brass bands the opportunity to perform locally.
Western Concert Band musical director and conductor Harry Merrifield said he was excited for the festival and hoped it could become an annual event.
“It’s been inspired by a previous festival that had happened but it was only for concert bands only,” he said.
“This time we have expanded the program to include concert and brass bands.”
Five bands will be part of the first festival. The Western Concert Band will be joined by Suzanne Cory High School, Western Brass, Sunshine Community Brass and Westgate Concert Band.
The bands will all perform individually before taking the stage for two combined performances at the end of the festival.
Merrifield said a lot of concert and brass bands don’t get the opportunity to perform at concerts.
“It’s a great opportunity for bands to get critical feedback from a clinical professional and network without being in a competitive environment,” he said.
“It’s an opportunity for each of the bands to showoffwhattheycando.Wecannetworkand
there could be opportunities to work together in the future.”
YamahaeducationoutreachclinicianDrRob McWilliams and Haileybury College head of bands Dr Joanne Heaton will assess the bands
Health and wellness at the winery
People in Melbourne’s west who want to take control of their wellbeing are being invited to immersethemselvesintranquillityatStAnne’s Winery.
The Myrniong winery has teamed up with UrbanMarketstoruntheHealthandHarmony Expo on Sunday, August 18. The event will run from 10am to 4pm at 64 Garrards Lane. Iftheexposeemsfamiliar,that’sbecausethis is not the first time St Anne’s has collaborated with Urban Markets to run a wellness event.
Jake Currey, who does a “bit of everything” at St Anne’s, said it was exciting to be “making a comeback after a few years of hiatus”.
Mr Currey said while they were hoping to attract the same crowd, there would be plenty of different things on offer this time around.
“We are trying to make it more of an expo rather than a market where you wander around, there are a few little fun activities for people … to make it more interactive rather than just selling products,’’ he said.
“We’re trying to get a bit of everything – the usual candle and wellness related stalls as well as some tarot card readings.”
Urban Markets owner Felicity Ashman said yoga, meditation, exercise, and natural foods were all on the table for the expo.
“We are looking to promote local businesses that support a balanced lifestyle… and any type of health and wellness,” Ms Ashman said.
MsAshmansaidthecombinationofoutdoor and indoor settings at the winery made it a prime spot for the expo.
“Itisparticularlyexcitingtobebackworking with St Anne’s – it’s such a lovely atmosphere out there and a perfect location to have something like this.”
Details:https://stanneswinery.com.au/event/ health-harmony-expo-myrniong/
Eddie Russell
Show a tribute to the ‘first lady of rock’
Wild Dreamers will put on a show dedicated to Linda Ronstadt at Newport Bowls Club on August 31.
Attendees can enjoy a captivating Saturday night immersed in the timeless classics from Ronstadt’s extraordinary repertoire.
Ronstadt is an American singer who has won 11 Grammy awards and has performed in diverse genres, including rock, country, light opera, and Latin music.
Dubbed the “queen of rock” or “first lady of rock,” Ronstadt was the top-selling female rock artist of the 1970s and one of the most artistically diverse recording artists of the last 50 years.
Wild Dreamers band will perform 20 to 25 Ronstadt chart-toppers, including When Will I Be Loved, You’re No Good, It’s So Easy, Blue Bayou, and Different Drum.
Wild Dreamers vocalist Lisa Mio said the band wants to pay tribute to Ronstadt for her remarkable contributions as a performer and a great musician.
“I don’t want people to forget what an amazing contribution she made as a vocalist and as ... an activist,” Mio said.
“She’s, you know, very politically minded and always wants to stand up for the ones that can’t stand up for themselves.”
Wild Dreamers band members include Lisa Mio on lead vocals, Jo George on backing vocals, Gary Young on lead guitar, Cres Crisp on keyboards, Nigel Davis on drums, and Phil Smith on bass guitar.
Details: .trybooking.com/events/ landing/1236786
Anne Parisianne
and provide them with feedback. The festival is on August 10, from 9am-2pm, at the Suzanne Cory High School auditorium, 225 Hoppers Lane, Werribee. Entry is via gold coin donation.
A Maltese tradition
The Brimbank community will come together for a weekend of festivities to mark the 41st year of the Festa Santa Marija Assunta in Deer Park.
The traditional procession is a part of the Festa Santa Marija Assunta, celebrated on August 15 each year and marks the ascent into heaven by the Virgin Mary.
It will take place on Thursday, August 15, from 6.15pm, and the service in Maltese and English will include a presentation of flowers to Santa Marija and the carrying of the statue, with a celebratory mass accompanied by the M.W.F. Philippine Choir.
Following the service, The MMG Concert Band of Victoria will be playing Marian Hymnal Marches. This will be held at the St Peter Chanel, 800 Ballarat Road, Deer Park.
ThenonSaturday,August17,theLuxor function centre on Sydenham Road will play host to the annual Santa Marija Assunta dinner dance from 6.30pm. MusicwillbeplayedbyDJDominicand traditional Maltese band Philharmonic Society inc.
On Sunday, August 18, the festivities will return to the St Peter Chanel, for a Festa Day service at 2pm, and a procession parade from 3.30pm. Organiser Frank Galea said the celebrations pay tribute to the Maltese culturesomanylocalsfeelgreatnostalgia, with a strong Maltese community in the area.
Forticketstothedinnerdance,contact Frank: galeafrank@ymail.com
Gerald Lynch
Joanne George and Lisa Mio from Wild Dreamers. (Damjan Janevski) 421523_05
The Western Concert Band will perform at the Western Bands Festival. (Supplied)
Jake Currey. (Damjan Janevski) 422618_01
A previous celebration in Deer Park. (Supplied)
Making moments into memories
PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION AT TAYLORS LAKES INCLUDING 5G
Optus plans to upgrade the telecommunications facilities at the below mentioned address with the addition of new 5G equipment:
7 Melton Highway, Taylors Lakes VIC 3038 (RFNSA: 3038001)
The proposed 5G upgrade will consists of:
•Installation of three (3) new 5G antennas (each not more than 0.8m in length);
•Replacement of eighteen (18) existing remote radio units (RRUs) with twelve (12) new RRUs;
•Installation, relocation and removal of ancillary equipment including a GPS antenna, antenna mount, feeders, cabling, combiners, and other associated equipment; and
• Works within the existing equipment shelter.
Optus regards the proposed installation as a Low-impact Facility under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 (“The Determination”), the based on the description above. The proposed infrastructure will comply with ACMA EME regulatory arrangements.
In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code 2020, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Further information and/or comments should be directed to:
Vanessa Wan at Service Stream Limited, 0447 240 015, Optus.Submissions@servicestream.com.au or Zenith Tower
B, Level 3, 821 Pacific Hwy, Chatswood NSW 2067 by 5pm, Wednesday 21 August 2024.
If you would like to know more about the site, further information can be obtained from www.rfnsa.com.au/3038001.
To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from
ACROSS
1 Quandary (7)
5 Dead body (7)
9 Demolition (11)
10 Bolt or pin (3)
11 Beachgoer’s two-piece (6)
12 Apotheosis (7)
14 Island of Hawaii (4)
15 Personal items (10)
17 Dwarf (10)
19 Occurring before (abbr) (4)
20 Sink (coll) (7)
22 New Delhi native (6)
25 The Peacock Network (1,1,1)
26 Reciprocal (11)
28 Died (7)
29 Potentially guilty party (7)
DOWN
1 Prank (US coll) (4)
2 Languor (9)
3 Festival, – Gras (5)
4 Group of islands (11)
5 Digitally generated imagery (1,1,1)
6 Jogging (7)
7 White person (5)
8 Disruptive (10)
12 Efficiency increasers (11)
13 Significance (10)
16 Account of events (9)
18 Princess Diana’s maiden name (7)
21 Summary (5)
23 Ties (5)
24 Flesh (4)
27 Dowel (3)
7 words: Good 11 words: Very good 15 words: Excellent Today’s Aim: 3
1 Where was Queen Noor of Jordan born?
2 Who directed the
In which
No. 197
No. 197
Is this Honda’s best ever Accord?
By Derek Ogden, Marque Motoring
Few vehicles can match the Honda Accord for longevity.
On the road in Australia since 1977, the award-winning sedan, now in its 11th generation, shows no sign of going away anytime soon.
Surprisingly, despite it being one of the maker’s most important nameplates, the latest Accord, a petrol-electric hybrid, stands alone in its bid to keep the opposition at bay. In doing so the Accord e:HEV RS – touted as the best Honda Accord ever – claims to deliver an unbeatable combination of style, efficiency, performance and connectivity.
But does it?
Hondahasturnedtotweetypeofphilosophy to describe the essence of the new Accord, saying the development team wanted to create a vehicle that allowed the ‘passionate achiever’ to express their status and help them change their mindset as they headed to their next destination.
However, when it comes to choice of models and pricing the sedan comes down to brass tacks: a single model with an eyewatering sticker price of $64,990, far above most of the opposition. The Accord e:HEV RS is covered by Honda’s five-year unlimited kilometre warranty with eight years for the battery.
Styling
Honda is at it again, opining that a ‘creative black tie’ concept combines individuality with thebasicsofformalwearatahighlevel,making the driver appear accomplished and appealing. Sorry, Honda, the look is just bland.
Today’sAccordissoyesterdayinappearance, evenwithits‘long,cleanbodylinesandastrong powerfulfrontend,blackedoutheadlights,and wide upright grille flanked by air curtain inlets routing cooling air through the bumper and around the front wheels’.
Longerthanitspredecessor,afactemphasised by a ‘sharp upper character line’ and swoopy roof culminating in a fastback rear with distinctive LED flush tail lamps highlighting a wide stance. Machined matte black 18-inch wheels aim for a sporty appearance but fail to elevate it to the ‘black tie’ level.
The most modern feature up front is out of sight. The active shutter system behind the upper grille, commonplace on EVs these days, opens and shuts to control the amount of air flowing through the engine radiator and air-con condenser. Keeping shutters closed cuts aerodynamic drag, hence energy consumption.
Interior
While reasons for the Accord’s exterior is obscure, the cabin, happily, comes down to reality with up-to-date design using premium materials, highlighted by a honeycomb metal mesh strip across the dashboard separating audio and information displays and climate controls, while concealing the air vents.
Front seats are designed to stabilise the body, especially in spirited driving, enhance comfort and reduce fatigue on long journeys. Bigger exterior dimensions than before ensure more rear leg room and make space for 570 litres of luggage with the single rear seatback (no 60:40 split) up.
However, head room is limited by the sunroof and steeply sloping rear, and because of the hybrid set-up, there’s only room out back for a tyre repair kit.
Infotainment
The driver is the focus of the 10.2-inch instrument display with a new interface, which includes an energy flow meter in place of the tacho.TheupdatedHondaSensingisoneofthe user-selectable features.
A 12.3-inch touchscreen gives access to a revamped range of menus including audio and air-con. Honda says fewer embedded menus are easier to access. There’s still room for improvement here.
One nice touch, however, is the ‘Experience Selection Dial’, which has a circular display
defaulting to a digital clock, providing quick controlsofair-conditioninganddriverprofiles.
The new Accord features Honda’s first application of Google built-in, which includes Google Maps, Google Assistant and Google Play, plus satellite navigation and live traffic updates at the spoken request ‘Hey, Google’.
New-generation Honda Connect features a refreshed app interface, improved response time and other new features. Over The Air software updates are a feature of the audio/ connectivity ECU.
An 11.5-inch windscreen head-up display incorporates speedo, navigation and driver assist features. A dial under the screen allows the driver to call up pre-selected mood profiles while driving.
Quality sound comes from the standard Bose 12-speaker audio system developed by engineers working closely with Honda from early in the design process, while Dynamic Speed Compensation automatically adjusts volume and tone based on vehicle speed.
Engines/transmissions
A fourth-generation dual-motor hybrid system is made up of a refined two-litre Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine developing 108kW of power mated with a pair of more powerful electric motors mounted side by side. The E-CVT traction motor puts out 135kW of power and 335Nm of torque, while the generatormotorchargesthebatterypack.Total power output is 152kW. The E-CVT features
high and low speed lock-up for direct drive, a help on steep inclines.
Fuel consumption is claimed by the maker to be 4.3 litres per hundred kilometres on the combined urban/highway cycle. The test car recorded five litres per 100 kilometres in city and suburbs and 3.9 litres per 100 kilometres on the motorway. With a 48 litre fuel tank this adds up to around 1000 kilometres range, depending on driving style.
Safety
The Accord features the latest iteration of Honda’s ACE body structure through the use of high-strength steel and structure designed to dissipate crash energy efficiently around the cabin.
Honda Sensing safety and driver assistance has been made possible by updated front camera and radar. Four-wheel disc brakes incorporate a four-channel anti-lock system, electronic brake distribution and brake assist.
Eight airbags include driver and front seat passenger, driver and front passenger knee airbag, front side airbag and side curtain airbags.Anouterlapbeltpretensionerisusedon front seats, with a load limiter to prevent chest injuries. In the rear, outboard pretensioners are used, along with load limiters.
Driving
The hybrid system features a shift control which apes the gear shifting on a conventional drivetrainwhentheacceleratorisfullypressed.
Half a dozen levels of slowing are available through the shift paddles on the steering column.
Thevehicleautomaticallyswitchesseamlessly between EV, Hybrid and Engine drive modes optimising performance and efficiency. An ‘e’ button has the driver switching between Auto from to EV mode for pure electric driving and Charge mode which keeps the engine running longer to keep the battery fully charged.
New drive modes include Normal for balanced fuel efficiency and performance; Econ, which shifts to lower fuel consumption; Sport, for sharper throttle response with additionalsportysound;andIndividual,driver choosing the settings.
The new petrol-electric hybrid system has pushed the Accord top speed up to 200km/h. There’s no doubt much work has been done on the suspension and steering, combining a more engaging, yet comfortably smooth and quiet drive, while NVH is complemented by a quietened exhaust note.
New soundproofing and active noise control keep out intrusive cabin noise and construct ideal surroundings for the audio and passenger conversation.
Summary
There’s no denying the new Accord has a laundrylistofthelatestautomotivetechnology, driver aids and safety systems but do they add up to the $65K asking price? I’ll leave the potential buyer to make that decision.
Accord e:HEV RS is touted as the best Honda Accord ever, but it will cost you. (Pictures: Supplied)
Look back at the week that was
Here’s how the locals went at the Olympics during the last week.
Archery
After shooting the highest individual ranking round by an Australian since the current 72 arrow ranking, Laura Paeglis was drawn to face Caroline Lopez in the round of 32 elimination round. Paeglis led early with four points from the first two sets, but it was all Lopez after that taking the win 6-4.
Athletics
LongjumperChrisMitrevskicouldn’treplicate his form of the Australian championships at his first Olympics. Having jumped a jump that would have medalled in every Olympics since 1992, Mitrevski could only jump 7.79 metres in the qualifying rounds to miss the final. Amy Cashin was also in action in the 3000 metres steeplechase. She finished ninth in her heat, which included two runners breaking national records and another two getting personal bests.
Basketball
Both the Boomers and Opals are through to finals of the basketball competition. The Boomers had to rely on other results for them to qualify after losing to Greece in their final pool match.
In that match against Greece, Josh Giddey had nine points and Dante Exum had six. The Aussies now face Serbia in the quarter finals. The Opals had to win their final match with France to play finals, which they did 79-72. Tess Madgen led the way with 18 points, while Ezi Magbegor has 14 points.
Beach Volleyball
Thomas Hodges and his partner Zachery Schubert made it through to the lucky loser round of the men’s volleyball before losing to Americans Miles Evans and Chase Budinger 2-0 on Sunday, Australian time.
Boxing Marissa Williamson was knocked out in the round of 16 in the women’s 66 kilogram competition. Anna Luca Hamori won 5-0.
Cycling Road cyclist Lucas Plapp withdrew from the road race on medical grounds after undergoing abdominal surgery for injuries he sustained in the individual time trial. In the women’s road race, Lauretta Hanson was the best of the Australian’s finishing in 22nd.
Judo Aoife Coughlan won her round of 32 match with a golden score before taking on Germany’s Miriam Butkereit in the round of 16. It came down to a golden score again, with Butkereit scoring an Ippon, the highest score in judo, to claim the final and move through to the quarter finals. Katherina Haecker was
knocked out of the judo women’s 63 kilogram event in the opening round. Haecker faced Great Britain’s Lucy Renshall losing 11-1.
Shooting James Willett made the final of the trap men’s final but couldn’t match it with the medal winners. Willett finished sixth in the six personfinalwith19pointsandwaseliminated on the second stage of the final. Great Britain’s Nathan Hales’ won with 48 points.
Swimming Johann Stickland finished in 66th spot in the men’s 100 metres freestyle heats. The Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre staff member was competing for Samoa. He finishedeighthinhisheatwithatimeof52.94.
Three teams earn promotion in Western FL
The Western Football League men’s competition will remain a two division competition for the next two seasons, but there will be 12 teams in the top tier.
On Wednesday, the league confirmed the structure for the competition for the next two years.
Albion, Sunshine and Newport will play in division 1 next season to increase the division from nine teams to 12.
The three teams are currently sitting in three of the first four places in division 2.
Wyndhamvalewasconsideredforpromotion but were deemed to not be in an equal position as to the other three clubs.
Division 2 would also be 12 teams, with GlenOlden,which didn’tfielda senior sidethis season, included.
There will be no relegation for the 2025 season along with no automatic promotion of the division 2 premiers, with this to return the following year.
In an email from league chief executive David Jennings to clubs, which has been seen by Star Weekly, the league outlined its plans going forward.
“The Western Football Netball League board has ratified the following senior men’s footballcompetitionstructureforthe2025and 2026 season,” it said. “Three division 2 clubs will be promoted to division 1 to make that a twelve-team competition in 2025 and 2026.
“For the league to return to a three division competition structure, we will need to have
twenty-six viable senior men’s football clubs competing with both a seniors and reserves in divisional football.
“This will include the ideal model for our division1premiercompetitiontobecomprised of ten (10) teams and a division 2 and division 3 with sixteen senior clubs divided between both.”
The document said the league hosted a competition structure forum on July 22 to explore the best possible model for 2025.
It said there was a consensus from clubs to retain a modified two division competition structure for 2025 to ensure stability, an even number of teams division 1 competition and restore a competitive balance for teams in division 2.
“Thereisagenuineneedforcertaintyaround the competition structure beyond 2025 and clarity for clubs in future considerations when and if we return to three divisions,” it said.
“Competitive balance will need to be addressed when fixturing both the division 1 and division 2 competitions.
“Itisworthnotingthatitmaynotsolveallthe challenges of the clubs competing in division 2 that are struggling to generate momentum. However, having a division 3 competition would also not solve some of these issues.
“The league will employ a number of fixture equalisationmethodstofacilitateacompetitive draw for all teams across both divisions.”
Tess Madgen. (Basketball Australia)
Tara Murray Albion and Sunshine will be in division 1 next season. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 418791_01
Burnside Heights given a wake up call in EDFL
Burnside Heights were given a bit of a wake up call as it suffered a first up loss in the Essendon District Football League division 1 women’s finals.
Facing Greenvale in a qualifying final for a second straight year, the result was the same with the Jets winning through to the grand final and the Bears having to try and do it the hard way.
Bears coach Michael Davis said it wasn’t the result they were after.
“We didn’t stay in the contest for long enough,” he said. “We had moments and we had opportunities.
“We didn’t stay engaged for long enough. This is the first time that this has happened.
“The first time they beat us, we were with them all day. This was something different, but we don’t want to take anything away from Greenvale.”
The Jets led by two goals at quarter time and increased the margin to 20 points at half time. With three goals early in the third quarter the margin was back within a goal and the
Bears had all the momentum.
That soon changed with the Jets leading by 19 points.
Davis said that was one of the key moments of the game when they weren’t able to keep control of the game.
“We kicked three in a row and they then went down the other end, that was the story of ourday.Hopefullywebouncebackthisweek.”
The Bears got the only goal of the final quarter, but the Jets did enough to win, 7.11 (53)-6.3 (39).
Bella Negri kicked three goals for the Bears and Kayla Ravanello kicked two goals.
Davis said Abbey O’Mara, Holly McGregor and Krissy Trang were their three best players.
The Bears will face Airport West in the preliminary final.
The Eagles beat Keilor Park in the elimination final, 7.10 (52)-2.3 (15). The Eagles were able to build the margin in every quarter.
Davis said the playing group had learned their lessons from last year when they went out in straight sets.
He said the loss to Greenvale had opened their eyes that they need to work harder.
“We’ve worked hard enough to create this opportunity if it did go pear shaped,” he said.
“We reset and wipe out that result.
“Tuesday we’ll have a bit of a chat. Airport West has made it a three team competition after what they’ve done there.
“I think we’re in a different peace of mind this year and we are better for the experience of last year.”
Meanwhile in premier division, Hillside finished the regular season with an 11.10 (76)-1.2 (8) win against Maribyrnong Park.
Coming off their first loss of the season, the Sharks bounced back in a big way.
Caitlin Sargent kicked four goals for the Sharks.
Mia Spiteri and Kiara Rigg were named their best.
TheSharksthisweekfaceOakParkforaspot in the grand final. Aberfeldie faces Essendon Doutta Stars in the elimination final.
Tara Murray
Thunder into grand final
By Tara Murray
KeilorThunderproduceditsbestperformance of the National Basketball League 1 women’s South to win through to the grand final.
In just its third season in the competition, the Thunder has the chance to claim its first title.
ThundercoachKristiHarrowersaidshewas so proud of the playing group and everything they have fought through this season.
“It was our best game of the season and hopefullywecanrepeatitnextweek,”shesaid.
“We’ve had so much adversity this season with Tera [Reed] having missed a number of weeks, and [Maddy] Rocci in and out with the Opals program and we’ve had to handle that.
“Grace [Graham] has stepped away from the set up for her own reasons.
“They are such a quality group. We focused on bringing in good people first and good players second.”
On Saturday night, the Thunder hosted the Ballarat Miners in a preliminary final.
The one they had met, the Miners won by 18 points before the win was stripped due to playing an ineligible player.
Reed and Rocci didn’t play for the Thunder on that occasion.
It was an even first quarter before the Thunder managed to open up a five point lead heading into the main break.
After half time, the Thunder took control of the game. The Miners wouldn’t go away, with the Thunder only locking up the 96-75 win in the dying minutes.
“To keep them to 75 points it was really pleasing,” Harrower said. “To score 96 was even more pleasing.
“It was a real team game and everybody who was out there for us played their role.”
Harrower said the match had a real WNBL feel to it, with so many high quality players on the court.
Shesaiddefensivelytheydidanoutstanding job to shut down some of their shooters, including Jaz Shelley Offensively, all five starters scored double figures led by Isabelle Bourne with 24.
Harrower said having a spread of scorers was really important.
“We want everyone to be able to score and the confidence to do it as a real team effort,” she said.
takes charge
It was a winning start to life under Guy Barbuto for Sunshine in the Western Football League division 2.
The Kangaroos announced during the week that Barbuto would coach the side for the rest of the season, replacing Ben Chapman.
“After ongoing discussions spanning several weeks, Ben advised the club this [last] week that he would no longer be able to fulfil his obligations, and as such the club has accepted his resignation, effective immediately,” president Chris Gatt said.
“On behalf of the club, I would like to thank not only Ben, but wife Alision and their family for investing into the Sunshine Football Netball Club and making it a better environment for all involved.
“Moving forward, Guy Barbuto has accepted the interim coaching position for the remainder of the season, as we continue our path forward.”
Barbuto joined the club Kangaroos as an assistant coach earlier this year. He was previously at Avondale Heights, having also been at the Calder Cannons and Keilor.
On Saturday, the Kangaroos bounced back from their second loss of the season, beating North Footscray.
“It’s a nice thing and we become hard to guard when everyone is stepping up for us.”
Harrower said she thought Reed played her best game for the season.
The Thunder now face the Mt Waverley Falcons at 4pm on Saturday in the grand final at Dandenong.
Harrower said it was disappointing that they didn’t get to host the grand final being the highest ranked team left.
She said they’re hoping to get a big crowd of Thunder supporters to make the trip over.
“Thecrowdhasbeengreatthelasttwoweeks with finals at home,” she said. “Hopefully they’ll travel down the highway.”
Harrower said they were hoping this would be the start of something big for the club.
Shesaidtheywouldstriptheirtrainingback a bit this week and focus on the game plan and freshen their players up.
Harrower said they were hoping that the Big V youth league women’s fixture would allow their youth girls to be part of it too.
“They bring the energy,” Harrower said. “Hopefully they’ll be here as they have been part of it all year.
“It would be a great experience for them.”
It was a dominant display by the Kangaroos, who won, 17.26 (128)-5.7 (37).
Mathew Medcraft kicked six goals for the Kangaroos, while Nathan Carroll kicked five goals.
Carroll now has 98 goals for the season.
Stuart Purves was named the Kangaroos best alongside the two main goal kickers
Sunshine remains in second spot, percentage ahead of Wyndhamvale with two rounds remaining.
The Kangaroos face Tarneit this Saturday.
It was a big week for the Kangaroos, with the WFL announcing the Kangaroos would play in division 1 next yearaspartofacompetitionrestructure. Albion and Newport will also both be in the higher division.
In other results, Albanvale smashed North Sunshine, Sunshine Heights beat Tarneit and Braybrook was no match for Albion.
Isabelle Bourne scores a basket. (sgp_media)
Barbuto
Ebony Stevens is tackled by Rhiannon O’Keefe. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 422916_29
North Sunshine Eagles had set their target on promotion as they headed into the Victorian Premier League 2 competition.
While the side under Ben Isai was trying to keep external expectations tempered, results meant that was hard to do.
In the third last round, the Eagles sealed a top two spot and with it promotion.
Isai said they were pretty excited to have that locked up.
“It only sank in on Sunday afternoon,” he said.“Wefoundoutwewereofficiallypromoted on Saturday.
“I’m super proud of the club. It’s not just a football program thing, it’s club wide recognition.
“It’s great for everyone and super happy to lock it in with a couple of games to spare.”
Isai said previously when they’d been in a situation to be promoted it had usually gone down to the wire.
For the Eagles, it was a crazy few hours in whichsawtheclubgetconfirmationithadbeen promoted.
“We had a chaotic game and got there in the last few minutes,” he said. “Essendon [Royals] then ended up beating Altona City which guaranteed it.
“We had gone to a sponsor’s pub to celebrate our win and we knew there were a few people watching it and a few at home giving us score updates.
“I tried to stay away from it until the last 10 minutes when Essendon were 3-1 or 4-1 up.”
It’s the Eagles second promotion in a short period of time, having won FV state league 1 north-west in 2019 to earn promotion into what is now VPL2.
Last season they finished in third spot, four points behind second placed Melbourne Victory which earned promotion.
“We had the right pieces in the team balance and we were able to go one step this year,” Isai said.
“It’s been a long time coming. This stuff doesn’t just happen. It’s pleasing that years of hard work have paid off.”
The Eagles had a bye on the weekend due to
the catch up round.
Isai said it had been a hectic few weeks and a littlebitofabreakaheadofthefinaltworounds would be handy.
It’ll be a big couple of weeks with a championship on the line.
TheEaglessittopwithtworoundstogo,goal difference ahead of Melbourne Srbija.
The Eagles celebrate after sealing promotion Wolves bounce back
By Tara Murray
After turning their season around, the Keilor Wolves are eyeing promotion in FV state league 4 west.
The Wolves season got off to a rocky start when coach Slavce Sokolovski departed about round seven and with him a large chunk of players.
Assistant coach Johnny Cvetanoski, who had previously coached the side, stepped up into the head coaching role and they haven’t looked back.
With five rounds to go, the Wolves sit in third spot. The top side earns promotion, while the side that finishes second is set to play off for promotion.
“I had to rebuild the team,” Cvetanoski said. “Most of the players left when the coach left and we’ve had to get in other players.
“We were really struggling at round seven. We were able to recover from where we were.
“We had seven or eight players which I’ve
managed to bring in 20 players to top up.”
Cvetanoski said they had added five or six real top line players who have come from higher levels among that group as they were looking to help a side earn promotion.
He said it was a matter of word of mouth and friends getting friends to come along with them.
Cvetanoski said he could have never imagined the turnaround when he took over as coach.
“I didn’t think so,” he said. “I think everyone thought they we were done and dusted.
“It just goes to show the last six to seven weeks what we’ve been able to do.
“Out of the last six games we’ve won five games and drawn one. We are on a high and we are prepared to go for it.”
Surf Coast sits nine points clear of Melton Phoenix on top with the Wolves a further point back with five rounds to go.
Cvetanoski said if things went they’re way
in the run home they could still finish top, but it was more likely a battle between them and Melton for second spot.
The Wolves face both Surf Coast and Melton Phoenix in the run home.
“I think for us it will be between us and Melton [for second],” he said. “Our training sessions have been good and our striker
Steven Dimcevski, who came from Westgate, is scoring week in, week out.
“The whole team, every player is putting in so much and there’s a good vibe. We want to get promoted.”
The Wolves had the weekend off due to the catch up round. Cvetanoski said it came at a good time with a few injuries.
He said it gave them the chance to refresh ahead of a big back part of the season.
The Wolves start the last five weeks against West Point on Saturday.
Elsewhere in the club, Cvetanoski things were looking good with everything back on track.
The two teams face each other this Saturday.
“We
“If we are able to get that result we will be on top heading into the final round of the season.”
Sports shorts
VSDCA
Taylors Lakes has announced the signing of Dhanushka Lahiru Kumara for the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association season. Lahiru Kumara joins the club from Victorian Turf Cricket Association side Sunshine United. He is a talented left arm orthodox bowler and aggressive middle order batsmen. He will be an assistant coach and work with the club’s young spin bowlers.
Netball
Netball Victoria has announced its initial squads for the Victoria under-17 and under-19 teams for next year’s national championships.City West Falcons’ Charlize Bellette and Ella Leith have been named in the under-17 squad as have Western Warriors’ Kiara Boyd and Ebony Porter. St Albans and Caroline Springs Netball Association’s Haleina Tanoi and Westside Saints Emily Fitzgerald are also in the squad. Falcons’ Jacinta Todd is the coach of the under-17 side. Warriors’ Ella Closter has been named in the under-19 squad.
Cricket
Former Keilor cricketer Ruby Gibson and former Burnside Springs United cricketer Holly Nagpal have been named in Vic Metro under-19 female cricket emerging squad. The program aims to prepare players for the rigours of professional cricket through continued exposure to high level competition such as Victorian Premier Cricket and the U19 National Championships.
Soccer
Western United’s Anthony Didulica is back in the Joeys squad after receiving a call-up for the PacificAus Sports Football Tour in mid-August. The Western United Academy youngster will represent the national team for the first time since his dazzling performances at the ASEAN under-16 Boy’s Championship in June In his first ever camp with the Joeys. The Joeys face the Solomon Islands in two friendly matches before taking on Vanuatu.
want to finish first,” Isai said. ‘It’s another one of our aims and it’s in our own hands.
Tara Murray
North Sunshine Eagles celebrate promotion. (Supplied)
Steven Dimcevski. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 421579_06
Mohamed crosses to Sunshine
New Sunshine coach Shafraz Mohamed is keen to help his new club finally break through in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 1.
The Crows announced that Mohamed would join the club as captain-coach, replacing Troy Stone, Mohamed joins the club after spending last season at St Albans, having had success with Footscray United before that.
He said he was looking forward to the new challenge.
“I was talking to them throughout the last year,” Mohamed said.
“They wanted to make a slight difference to the way they go about things.
“They’ve played finals four years in a row and they want to go further. They want to add something different.
“In conversations with me they said they wanted to win something and we are on the same page. It was an easy decision to make.”
Stone, who held the role for 10 years, will continue on as a player.
Mohamed said it was massive for the club that Stone would remain part of the group.
“He is going to be brilliant for the group,” he said.
“We’ve got some young players and some experience around them.
“I think we have the perfect combination of experience and youth. It reminds me a lot of Footscray United.”
While Stone is staying, Kaushal Lokuarachchi is departing in a big loss for the club.
He has been one of the best players for the VTCA for a number of years.
Ashen Abeykoon follows Mohamed across from St Albans with the pair also working together at Footscray United.
Mohamed said Abeykoon was one of the best up and coming players in the competition.
They’ve also added a Sri Lankan first class player.
Mohamed said he would look to bring his style to the Crows, which helped him take Footscray United from division 4 to division
1 in three seasons.
“I play a really attacking style with the bat and ball,” he said.
“Cricket will definitely different to what it has been at Sunshine, the upside is key.
The Crows said Mohamed’s willingness to win and the success he’s had in the past made it any easy decision to pick him up as captain-coach for the season 2024-25 season was an easy one.
Pre-season gets under way this week.
“It’ll be a big pre-season,” Mohamed said.
“We’ll put in all the work in the pre-season.
“I’ve met up with a lot of them already and fitness will be a key thing. We’ll have a big pre-season and slightly ease up once the season starts with a lot of two-dayers.
“We want to be ready for round one.”
Tara Murray
Thunder talent to shine
By Tara Murray
Keilor Thunder’s next generation will be on show at the under-18 club championships.
Under-18s girls coach Megan Jarvis said it was an immense honour and privilege to qualify for the championships which includes 40 clubs from across Australia.
“The girls have demonstrated remarkable dedication and perseverance, earning them a well-deserved spot in this prestigious tournament,” she said.
“This achievement is particularly significant as it marks the first time a girls’ team from Keilor has qualified for the club championships.
“We are overwhelmed with gratitude and look forward to competing with the best in the country.”
To qualify for the tournament the Thunder neededtofinishinthetopthreeintheNational Junior Classic.
It finished fifth but two teams weren’t able to make the club championships, so the Thunder was invited.
Jarvis said much of the team had been together for a number of years.
“We have such a fantastic team of under-18 representative players, not only for their impressive basketball skills but also for their wonderful camaraderie.
“These girls are unwaveringly committed to improving their game and constantly strive for excellence.
“Their bond extends beyond the court, always supporting each other and sharing many laughs along the way.
“Five of our players, namely Amy Cullen, Amy Willoughby, Hayley Courts, L’oreal Hiko and Zara Cheel, have been playing together since the under-12s.
“Chiara Cuzzilla joined the team during the under-16s season. This season, we welcomed Alyssa Rodriguez, Audrey Li, Jana Marinkovic, Maddison Brady and Orla McMahon to our team.
“Having the opportunity to coach the girls this season and some of these girls over time has been a truly rewarding experience for me.”
For Jarvis and some of the girls it’s their chance of redemption
In2020,theunder-14.1girlsteamwhichwas coached by Jarvis were on their way to making the club championships when Covid hit and they weren’t able to attend.
“To be able to make club championships in under-18s is truly special,” she said.
“I am so grateful to Basketball Australia for running this tournament so our girls can take part in and experience a tournament at an extremely high level.“
Amy Cullen, who has played all her basketball at Keilor, said it feels surreal to get the opportunity to play with the best clubs from all over the country.
“Especially with a group of girls who are some of my closest lifelong friends,” she said.
“Personally, I am very optimistic about this tournament, especially with the potential and talent myself and all the girls can bring together,
“I’m going to work very hard and so will all the other girls leading up to September.“
Hayley said having missed out in 2014
Keilor’s big off-season
There’s still a couple of months until the Bowls Victoria pennant season kicks off, but things are buzzing for Keilor.
After a strong first season under coach Mark Jacobsen, which included a mid week premiership, the club has continued to put a lot of work in during the off season.
It has paid off so far.
“We have 25 new members,” Jacobsen said. “It has been good and we are going to be fielding a fifth [weekend] side.
“It has been a long time since we’ve had five sides. It’s my second season as coach and we’re hoping to build on the bit of success we had last year.”
Jacobsen said there was a real mixture of players who had joined the club and would flow through all their sides.
it’s pretty special to attend this year. Hayley is part of Keilor’s youth league side as well having started playing at Keilor at bottom age under-12s.
“Hopefully we can take the championship out, but looking at it as a great experience as a teamandanindividualtowitness-playagainst the best of the best of all the U18 clubs around Australia
Maddison said she was proud, nervous and excited for the event.
She has been at Keilor since 2022 having played her junior basketball at Melton.
“I’m hoping to make some great memories, gain experience and win for Keilor.”
Forsomeofthegirlsit’stheirlastopportunity to participate in a junior tournament of this scale.
Jarvis said they want to ensure that it’s not justatournament,butamemorableexperience that they will cherish
“Undoubtedly, our primary goal for the club championships is to clinch the gold.
“However, our ambitions extend beyond just winning. We aim to refine our skills, striving to become the best basketball players we can be, both on and off the court. We believe in developing our players to their full potential, and this tournament provides an excellent platform for that.”
The Thunder under-18s are one of two Thunder sides to qualify for the club championships this year, with the under-14.1 boys to compete in that event.
To donate: https://asf.org.au/projects/keilorbasketball-association/2024-kba-under-18girls-national-club-championships
He said the club had some good facilities and green, which helped attract them to the club.
“There are players from different clubs and ones that want to come back,” he said. “There’s been a good influx of guys that want to join and that is important.”
“We’ve got four to six players from Moonee Ponds who are in the same division as us.
“There’s a good feeling at the club and there’s still two months until the season.”
Keilor’s top weekend side featured in division 2 last season. It played finals but there was a gap between it and the top two sides.
Jacobsen said they were hoping with the new players that they could close that gap this season.
“Our top side is in division 2 and our second side is in division 4,” he said.
“We need the second side in division 3 as we look to close the gap between the sides. We want to get promoted for both sides next season.
“We’reheadingintherightdirection and there’s a good atmosphere at the club. We’re looking forward to the season and hopefully taking the next step.”
Tara Murray
Shafraz Mohamed. (Supplied)
Keilor Thunder’s under-18.1 girls team. (Supplied)
Weekend finals action kicks off
Finals action hit several football and basketball competitions at the weekend. Star Weeklyphotographer Ljubica Vrankovic shot some finals action and a couple of key matches in the lead up to finals.
Woodend-Hesket’s Mariam Habib. 422913_17 Greenvale’s Haylea Cooke. 422916_08
Roxburgh Park’s Dakotta Liddy takes down Aislinn-jayd Taiaroa. 422902_21 Sunbury Lions’ Taylah Brady. 422897_13
Sunbury Kangaroos’ Kelsie Gill. 422902_01
Taylors Lakes and Westmeadows fly for the mark. 422890_01
Burnside Heights. 422916_33
Taylors Lakes’ Lachlan Rayner. 422890_09 Melton’s Chelsea Lapsley. 422913_01
Some supporters enjoying Coburg Districts and Sunbury Lions. 422897_03
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