From pre-World War I motorcycles to a striking red 1964 Mercedes Benz –a retired farmer is moving interstate and auctioning off his vintage vehicle collection at a Clarkefield property.
Car and motorcycle makes include Triumph, Studebaker, Mercedes Benz, Precision, Velocette, and Ariel. The classic collection is set to go under the hammer on September 7 and 8. Pictures: Page 6.
By Tara Murray
The Lancefield Gift was a staple of the running calendar before it disappeared in the 1960s. The race used to feature some of the country’s best runners, with many aspirants using the event as a warm up for the famous Stawell Gift. This year the gift is being revived, with the Bendigo Bank Lancefield Gift to be run on November 16.
Athletes and fans from across the country are expected to converge on Lancefield for the
event that will be highlighted by the running of the richest men’s and women’s 400-metre races in Victoria, featuring $6000 in prize money each.
The winners of the 120-metre men’s and women’s races will win $5000 each.
Gift organising committee president Gina Morgan launched the event at a function at Lancefield Park.
She said there was a lot of excitement at being able to bring back what was once one of Lancefield’s biggest events each year.
“It’s exciting for Lancefield to be holding an event of this magnitude,” she said.
“To be able to bring back something like this after so long is great but to have it include the richest 400-metre race in Victoria in our very first year back is incredible.”
Ms Morgan said organisers were expecting the event to bring a lot of people from around the Victoria and interstate to the town.
“Early indications are that athletes should number in the hundreds and then they bring their own support teams on top of that. It’s a
great opportunity for us to show off Lancefield.”
Also on the organising committee is the 1980 Stawell Gift winner John Dinan.
His long and successful career in athletics will help ensure the event focuses on providing the best event for the athletes.
He said organisers were hoping this was the start of something special.
“One of the really exciting aspects of this event will be having the finals run at night under lights,” he said.
“It will look spectacular.”
Macedon Ranges council is taking the next step in developing a master plan to guide the future of Woodend Racecourse Reserve, with more detailed proposals developed for community consultation.
Informed by initial consultation undertaken with key user groups and the community in early-mid 2023, an issues and opportunities paper has been developed for the reserve, including two potential concepts that either keep limited equestrian facilities on the site, or relocate them elsewhere.
The reserve offers residents and visitors a variety of formal and informal recreational activities and is centrally located within the Woodend township, council said.
In addition to being the home of Buffalo Stadium, it currently plays host to a number of user groups and activities including basketball, netball, pétanque, cricket, football and pony/riders clubs.
Council acting assets and operations director Simon Finlay said it was important to closely align progress on the future of Woodend Racecourse Reserve with the complementary Draft Macedon Ranges Community Equestrian Facilities Plan, also currently out for community consultation.
“Woodend Racecourse Reserve is a really important recreational area for so many people – from regular users of Buffalo
Stadium, to those who might go for an occasional walk or run through the area using existing paths,” he said.
“Whether you’re a local, a regular user or even if you’ve already provided feedback on our shire-wide plan for equestrian facilities, we’d really appreciate your considered feedback on these proposals specific to what is a key recreational site in Woodend.”
Examples of potential opportunities identified for the area include new courts at Buffalo Stadium and outdoors; a second oval/new rectangular pitches; and looking at removing some of the site’s existing older buildings to open up space and
Two Macedon Ranges vineyards were involved in a Melbourne Water study on the benefits of using urban recycled green waste, finding its use provides benefits throughout spring and summer.
The three-year project aimed to investigate benefits of recycled urban green waste mulch and compost to these high-altitude vineyards, with results showing benefits to vine health and grape yield while suppressing weeds.
The project also aimed to find solutions for reducing the labour-intensive work involved in maintaining optimal temperatures for vine roots and grapes at these sites.
The study found recycled urban green waste mulch led to the vine roots and bunch zones
being warmer in spring and cooler in summer, providing benefits to the vine health and grape production.
In regards to the green waste compost, the studyfoundthatthematerialvarieddepending onthebatchanditsnutrients,butfounditcould be used to save fertiliser with a consistently high-nutrient and regulated product.
Whilethecompostdidnotsuppressweedsin the trial, the mulch did.
Melbourne Water sustainable agriculture facilitator Karen Thomas said the results of the trial show that these options could be considered in place of conventional methods.
“The use of recycled green waste as mulch under vines resulted in higher yields, and
reduced need for chemicals compared to conventional practices such as brush cutting, herbicides, or application of other mulch types such as straw,” Ms Thomas said.
“This is great news for the wine industry, as well as the environment, and we hope will encourageothervineyardstolookatusinghigh quality recycled green waste.“
The project was delivered by Melbourne Water in partnership with Macedon Ranges Vignerons Association, Bio Gro and GrapeLinks, and is funded through the Sustainability Victoria Circular Economy Markets Fund - Organics on behalf of the state government.
Oscar Parry
improve security.
Examples of issues identified for the area include the site’s heritage overlay; the limited car parking available for larger scheduled events; and the site’s tendency to become waterlogged particularly during winter and spring.
Feedback received during this consultation period will be considered by officers, to help develop a draft master plan for the reserve which will go out for further consultation once finalised.
Feedback on the draft paper is invited until Thursday, September 5.
Details: https://yoursay.mrsc.vic.gov.au/ racecourse-reserve-issues-and-opps
Hume council has begun enforcement proceedings in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) in regard to earthworks on land at Riddell Road, Sunbury, it alleges are in contravention of the council’s planning scheme.
Planning schemes include policies and provisions that control land use and development, and they are made up of maps and ordinance. Ordinances arethepoliciesandwrittenclauses,and maps depict where zones and overlays apply within a planning scheme area.
Council said it “recognises that the ongoing works could pose a significant risk to the environment and the community,” and it has “commenced these proceedings as a means of ensuring that any immediate risk is swiftly and appropriately managed”.
The owners and occupier, who Hume alleges carried out the unlawful works, have been bound by VCAT to apply for a planning permit for these works by a specified date and to immediately cease work and fill importation on the property, which is located at 430 Riddell Road.
Whiletheseorderstoceasetheworks and importation of fill do not apply to the property at 370a Riddell Road, they acknowledge that if the occupier chooses to continue carrying out works on that property, those works are not with Hume’s consent.
Council said it will “continue to seek orders from VCAT that the unlawful works cease and that the properties be restored and rehabilitated to their condition prior to the works,” and that anenforcementorderhasbeenfixedfor a hearing in March next year.
The state premier and Sunbury MP visited Sunbury Community Hospital, which will be a single-storey expansion of Sunbury Hospital on Macedon Street.
Victorian premier Jacinta Allan and Sunbury MP Josh Bull visited the hospital on Friday, August 16.
According to the state governmenbt, the first stages of the project, including urgent care, dialysis, and oncology spaces, are set to be completed by the end of this month, and the remainder of the project is on track to be completed in the coming months.
Managed by Western Health, Sunbury Day Hospital has been in operation since February 2011, and once the Sunbury Community Hospital is complete, the organisation will be able to provide more public urgent care
services.
The works are funded under the state’s Community Hospitals Program.
The urgent care services will include x-ray, ultrasound rooms and CT scans, pharmacy and pathology services.
Day Medical has also been expanded to include additional chairs to treat patients in dialysis and oncology.
The Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) is responsible for delivering the Community Hospitals Program. The program aims to create new developments in Whittlesea and Point Cook, relocate and expand on existing health services on a new site at Cranbourne and Pakenham, and upgrade or expand existing health services at Craigieburn, Phillip Island, and Sunbury.
Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health is calling for more early childhood educators for its Our Village Family Childcare service across SunburyandMacedonRanges,withashortage leading to excessive wait times.
Family day care differs from childcare centres in that services are provided in educators’ homes in a smaller group setting, as opposed to typically larger groups at childcare centres.
Our Village manager Amanda Urban said their family day care service is struggling to source childhood educators in Sunbury and
the Macedon Ranges, and with high demand fortheservice,waittimescurrentlyrangefrom anywhere between six months to three years.
“We have a high demand for family day care in Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges on our waitlist because I think parents are looking for that care in a small group setting while their children are young,” Ms Urban said.
“The parents want the one-on-one care and thebondthattheycanbuildwiththeeducator.“
MsUrbansaidfamilydaycareservicescould help contribute to further improving childcare centre accessibility in the Macedon Ranges.
Macedon and Mt Macedon Landcare group is hosting an information session with climate scientist Dr Linden Ashcroft, focusing on the Mount Macedon region in a statewide and global context.
A lecturer in weather and climate science at Melbourne university, and formerly a climatologist with the Bureau of Meteorology, DrAshcroftsaidthesession,titled‘Wind,Rain, Cloud and Sun’, will explain the interesting weather patterns of the Macedon Ranges.
“Inthissession,we’lllookatthebroadpicture of our weather, and we’ll look at the micro level – the way clouds congregate and wind moves around a mountain, the way storm cells build and ridges create lee sides,” Dr Ashcroft said.
“Together we’ll develop a greater understanding of the weather, climate and microclimates of Mount Macedon and Macedon.”
Macedon and Mt Macedon Landcare Committee president Kate Lawrence said the
session aims to help people better understand climate, and the ways that it is ever-changing.
“The storms of 2021, the floods of 2022 and the ever present threat of bushfire are all weather events. When you add a changing climate into the mix – it can all just seem like chaos,” Ms Lawrence said.
“But there is much we can learn to improve ourunderstandingofweatherandclimate,”she said.
The event will be hosted at Jubilee Hall in Macedon on Thursday, September 12, from 7.30pm.
Entry is free but booking is required.
Details: https://events.humanitix.com/windrain-cloud-and-sun
Oscar Parry
Climate scientist Dr Linden Ashcroft is coming to Macedon to present a talk on the local climate in a state and global context. (Supplied)
“Family day care would close the gap on the need for childcare centres in the Macedon Ranges … in regards to families needing that flexibility – educators can look after siblings togetherasweofferupto12yearsold,”shesaid.
“[It also] closes the gap in regards to shift workers,soparentswhoworknights,weekends – our educators can look after the children out of hours as well out of normal business hours.“
MsUrbansaidthelocalshortageofeducators could be due to the fact that they use their own home for the service, financial concerns, or an aversion to running their own business.
“Some educators feel that their home isn’t suitable and they don’t realise that they don’t have to register their whole home … we are under the same regulations as long day care services,” she said.
“I think they’re worried that their rate of pay won’t be as good … but they can set their own rate.”
She said the service assists educators with administration, such as managing waitlists and enrolment paperwork and collecting fees.
Details: https://sunburycobaw.org.au/ job-opportunities/
By Jaidyn Kennedy
TOMRA Cleanaway’s Victorian Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) has been making a difference in the lives of many in the north and west since its inception last November.
Alysha Constable from Melton started collecting bottles and cans with her son during covid as an activity and to teach him how to play his part in helping the environment. When they began depositing them for refunds in November, her life changed for the better.
The ongoing cost of living crisis has made the already challenging task of being a single mother to a nine-year-old even trickier.
“It’s given me the opportunity to actually do some work and make some money in an unconventional way,” she said.
“Knowing that even though I’m on a pension and have a disability, I am still going to be able to make enough money for my son and I.”
Financial relief is far from the only benefit the CDS has provided Alysha, it has also helped her overcome tough timesandgainasenseofpurposethrough meeting others and immersing herself in nature.
Dealingwithsocialanxietyhasprovided a barrier to working in conventional workplaces for Alysha, so being able to choose her own hours, locations and workload has given her a sense of independence.
As a lifelong advocate for the environment, cleaning up her local area has become a mission of sorts for Alysha, who wants to leave theplanetingoodshapeforthelikesofherson.
“If we can reduce the amount of pressure that the next generation is going to feel that’s awesome,” she said.
However, the sheer amount of litter she sees
means that there is still plenty of work to do.
“It’s just so sad to see people still doing it. I wantmysontolearnit’ssoimportantnottodo that,” she said.
Theabilitytoexercisewhiledoingsomething purposeful has been an added bonus.
“TOMRA, inadvertently I’d say, has actually givenmeallofthesenewthingsinmylifethatI just didn’t see coming – and it’s been fantastic.
“This actually working, it’s making a difference in people’s lives- and it’s definitely made a difference to my life.”
While unable to recall the exact amount she has recycled, Alysha estimates it has been at least her own body weight.
TOMRA Cleanaway surpassed its goal of installing 180 sites by August 2024 reaching 196, including 16 in the last two weeks.
Almost $30,000,000 has been refunded in Victoria.
Residents of the West Zone can download the CDS Vic West Zone app to check on the live status of their local refund point, verify container eligibility, and manage and track container refunds.
Details: mytomra.com.au/locations/viccontainer-deposit-scheme/
Macedon Ranges actor Felix Cameron has won two TV Week Logie Awards for his role as Eli Bell in Australian Netflix series ‘Boy Swallows Universe’.
At the awards night on Sunday, August 18, Felix won the Graham Kennedy award for ‘Most Popular New Talent’, and the Silver Logie for ‘Best Lead Actor in a Drama’.
In his acceptance speech at the ceremony, Felix thanked several people, including voters, Boy Swallows Universe author Trent Dalton, family members, and dramaturg
Nadia Townsend.
“[Nadia] had a saying that we were climbing amountain,and…sheneverclarifiedwhether it was Everest or the Dandenongs, but I think we got there,” Felix said.
In an interview with TheProject, Felix said that after winning the awards, he met with his brother and sister at the apartment they were staying at, replied to friends’ messages, and watched the AFL Hawthorn versus Richmond game.
In a previous interview with StarWeekly,
There was a real buzz about the latest meeting of the Friends of the Melton Botanic Garden as they were joined by a special guest.
On August 14, horticulturist Rebecca Light from Diggers Rest honey producer, Bee Responsible, spoke to attendees about the importance of bee health and sustainable beekeeping.
Encouragement and education were her main priorities for the session.
“If people want to beekeep … or learn about sustainability practices … our aim is to tell them how to go about it,” said Ms Light.
“We explain pollination and the role the honeybee plays in your everyday life.”
The Friends of the Melton Botanic Garden met Ms Light in the sustainability lane of the DjerriwarrhFestivallastyearandinvitedherto speak at one of their monthly meetings.
Ms Light said most people do not recognise
the integral role bees play in nutrition and sustenance on both local and global scales.
“A lot of us don’t understand where our food comes from – one in three foods we consume has been pollinated by a European honeybee,” she said.
“Without the honeybee, the crops would decline and we’d have less to eat.”
There are two major ways to help out bees –planting flowers and “not killing them,” said Ms Light.
“Plants that are full of nectar and pollen can sustain the bee for pollination, which in turn helps us eat.
“Don’t be scared of them. They aren’t out to hurt you, no honeybee goes out to sting somebody – that’s not their aim.”
Ms Light runs Bee Responsible with her husband Shane.
Eddie Russell
Catholic schools in Sunbury and Macedon Ranges will benefit from a funding boost.
Under the ‘Building Fund for Non-Government Schools – Catholic’ program Holy Cross Primary School in New Gisborne, and Salesian College and Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School in Sunbury received grants for a range of improvements.
Salesian College received $6 million, which will go towards the construction of stage 1 of a new VCE campus, with the completion of the project expected by 2028. The campus will include general learning areas, breakout spaces, and amenities.
Holy Cross Primary School received $2.3 million for drainage, removing portable classrooms and replacing them with a wetland area for outdoor education, and creating a state-of-the-art science, technology, engineering, and mathematics hub.
Felix spoke about how living in the Macedon Ranges has had an influence on some of his acting roles.
He said that as part of the audition for the 2020 film ‘Penguin Bloom’, actors were asked to tell an interesting story relating to animals. Felix told the story of a goshawk that got stuck in his family’s chicken pen in the Macedon Ranges and how he and his friends set out to rescue it in the dark, saying that some of the adventures he has had in the area helped him to play Rueben in the film.
Holy Cross Primary principal Aoife McCarthy said that the funding was a good opportunity to upgrade facilities to “provide the best possible outcomes for our children”.
Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School received $5 million to build a general learning space with student and staff toilets.
Across the state, 65 low-fee Catholic schools received funding under the program.
Sunbury’s Catherine Bebbington was appointed as the new unit controller at Sunbury SES this month. Oscar Parry spoke with Catherine about her connection to Sunbury, her history with the SES, and what she is looking forward to about her new role.
What is your connection to Sunbury? Sunbury is my home. I’ve lived here my entire life, grew up here and went to local schools, commuted out to go to university, and now I’m a volunteer here with the Sunbury SES.
What do you like most about Sunbury?
The people. Sunbury locals are friendly and welcoming. Volunteering with the Sunbury SES, I’m surrounded by highly trained volunteers who give so generously of their time to help the community every single day of the year. My friends who I’ve made in Sunbury will stick with me for my entire life.
What, if anything, would you change about Sunbury?
I like some of the changes I’ve been seeing recently – I think community connection is really important and I have really loved watching our locals work to bring back those bigcommunityeventswhereweallgettogether and celebrate what makes Sunbury amazing.
What are you looking forward to most in your new role as unit controller at Sunbury SES?
I think being the new unit controller is going to be a real growth challenge … I’ve been volunteering with the Sunbury SES for 10 years now, so I’ve commanded out in the field and turned out to jobs all across Sunbury, be they trees down, stopping people’s roofs from leaking, or turning out to more serious things like car accidents. As the unit controller, being abletobuildonthewonderfulunitthatisthere to continue to serve our community and help those volunteers to be even better. That’s what I’m looking forward to – the ability to build on
our existing achievements and be there for the community when they need us.
What is your history with the Sunbury SES?
I volunteer with the Sunbury SES. We’re all volunteers, there are no employees in the
Sunbury SES. I’ve volunteered with them for just over a decade now and it was an absolutely life-changing decision to join the SES – it has been amazing. In my day job, I’m a public servant, and being able to go out and be hands-on with the kinds of tools
A retired farmer from the Grampians, Roger Benns, will auction his considerable collection of classic vehicles, including Studebaker passenger cars from 1922, a 1928 Triumph motorcycle, and a red 1964 Mercedes. The collection also includes go-karts, car parts, collectible bottles, lanterns, tools, and more. Stored on a collector’s property in Clarkefield, the range is set to go under the hammer on September 7 and 8.
Details: https://tinyurl.com/4udp5tp2
and equipment that we use was something completely different. And being able to help people on what might be one of the worst days of their lives or [during] the big emergencies across the state has been really inspiring – it’s definitely a good way to give your life purpose.
The vehicle turnout area for the Hume and Hovell monument on Oaklands Road in Bulla has seen an increase in dumped rubbish.
Littered with a range of materials, the area has accumulated hard waste, cardboard, and dumped earth material.
The turnout area and monument is located nearby to the Woodlands Historic Park.
The site features a cairn, marking the nearby area where Hamilton Hume and William Hovell camped while searching for grazing land.
This was erected in 1924 as a 100-year commemoration of their camp.
The monument was referred to in a notice of motion raised by Cr Joseph Haweil at the June 11 Hume council meeting, where the council
contacted the state about maintenance work.
Hume mayor Cr Naim Kurt said that he would like to see the litter-affected site maintained by the state, noting its significance and the ongoing issue of dumped rubbish.
“TheOaklandsRoadReserveisanimportant historicallandmark,andweareaskingthestate government to give the same care to this site as they do to other heritage sites across Victoria, particularly with the ongoing issues of rubbish dumping,” Cr Kurt said.
The state government was contacted for comment.
Illegally dumped waste can be reported to the Environmental Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) online or by calling 1300 372 842.
The 2024 Victorian Community History Awards are now open for entries. The 10 categories include Best History Publication, Article, Collaborative Project, Oral History, Community Diversity and Digital Storytelling. All entrants go into the running to receive the Victorian Premier’s History Award ($5000 prize). The Victorian Community History Awards are presented by Public Record Office Victoria in partnership with the Royal Historical Society of Victoria. Details: historyvictoria.org.au/victoriancommunity-history-awards-2024
Creative learning partnerships
The state government announced applications are open for a program that links schools with artists, creative collectives, and companies in a residency project linked to the curriculum. The state is inviting public, independent, and catholic schools to apply for the 2025 Creative Learning Partnerships program, which offers grants of up to $10,000 for a residency project with an individual artist or up to $35,000 with a creative collective or company. Applications for the 2025 round of the Creative Learning Partnerships program close Thursday, September 12. Details: creative.vic.gov.au/creative-learningpartnerships.
FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au
Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly
Discover the very best that downsizing in Melbourne’s West has to offer at Lifestyle Woodlea.
Explore our display homes and tour the multi-million-dollar Clubhouse. There’ll also be a presentation at 12pm from My Pension Manager on Age Pension applications and dealing with Centrelink.
When: Saturday 31st August
Time: 11am to 2pm
Where: Lifestyle Woodlea, 17 Tranquil Road, Aintree
Scan the QR code to find out more. Call 1300 50 55 60 to RSVP or walk-in on the day!
Bulla Park in Diggers Rest is Australia’s largest organic mushroom farm and uses indoor vertical growing and artificial intelligence-informed farming practices. Oscar Parry spoke with Bulla Park chief executive Georgia Beattie about the future of indoor food production and the role of artificial intelligence at her farm.
Georgia Beattie said her decision to buy her farm was not just to learn how to grow food – but how to grow food indoors.
Bulla Park’s indoor mushroom facility is vertically-integrated, meaning mushrooms are grown in stacked layers.
The farm grows mushrooms for food and health purposes, with Coles recently providing it funding to produce an Australian-grown dehydrated range.
Georgia said that as indoor-grown produce is protected from outdoor climate-related threats, pests, and diseases, she believes supermarkets will become increasingly interested in partnering with indoor growers.
“If you have a look at the supermarkets, they’re wanting to make sure that they’ve always got a range of food on the shelves. So rather than have these dips if there’s a major floodintheareaoramajordroughtandthey’re unable to get products, I think that they’ll always have anywhere between 10–30 per cent of their [supply] base grown indoors – [where] they know that regardless of what’s happening, they’ll be able to draw down some products,” she said.
“The benefits of [growing] indoors is that we’re able to … control the environment.”
Georgia said while indoor-grown produce is pricier in the short term, she believes that as the indoor growing industry expands, costs to consumers will reduce.
She said the vertical farming techniques used by Bulla Park, and historically used for growing mushrooms, could be applied to a broad range of produce.
“There’s no reason why we wouldn’t set up similar farms in each state, close to high
consumption areas, so that we can efficiently get nutrients to people,” she said.
“What I want to do is … deeply understand howtofarminAustralia.Sothat’sfromanasset perspective … and how we most efficiently are able to get products to shelves, [and] there’s also a people and training perspective.”
Georgia said that over 60 per cent of her staff have an IT background, proving useful in understanding and contributing to the company’s data focused approach to farming.
“They have that systems mentality of scaling products, and the benefit of growing indoors is that in any one minute, I’ve got thousands of data points … we’ve been recording these in the grow rooms for the last 30 years, but I’ve … added another 2000 data points since I’ve taken over the farm,” she said.
Using Google Gemini, a generative artificial intelligence chatbot, Georgia said the company
is constantly using this data to analyse and experiment with growing conditions and practices.
“Staff are thinking in this way – they’re not going to do something unless we are capturing that data point. And then we need to think about how we are capturing it – where does it go? Where is it stored? How do we [access] it later? So that systems thinking is … really important going forward,” she said.
“It’s critical that agriculture starts to have this data and intelligence so that they’re building up this muscle. Because it does take time, and you’ve really got to invest in cleaning up the data, but it is going to be critical.”
Georgia said that she hopes to investigate educationpipelinesandhowtoincreaseinterest in people with IT and robotic engineering skills in indoor food production.
“I think we’ve got a generation coming up
that really cares about the environment, they want to align their careers with purpose.”
Victorian Farmers Federation vice president Danyel Cucinotta said artificial intelligence, alongwithothernewtechnologies,areproving to be important tools for food producers.
“Artificial intelligence, or any technology for that matter, is vital for agriculture – whether that’s horticulture or any type of commodity … it’s all about becoming more efficient, more effective, about producing food through lower costs, lower emissions, better soil health … [it] will be part of the future and already is,” she said.
“Dronesarebeingusedtoidentifysoilhealth, moisture levels, rainfall, and [capture data] … traditional farming is across acres and acres of farmland … so [farmers are] using drones to capture a much larger look at their farms and the way that they’re working.”
By Laura Michell
Alice Davy has lived with chronic, life-limiting pain for most of her life.
The Eynesbury mum-of-two was diagnosed with endometriosis 12 years ago and in that time has had “countless” operations and organ removal procedures.
Three years ago following the birth of her second son, she was diagnosed with Multiple sclerosis (MS).
However like her battle with endometriosis, Alice’s journey to diagnosis wasn’t straight forward.
The new mum’s condition was initially written off as postpartum psychosis because her MS symptoms began five or six weeks after her son was born.
“The symptoms would start on the first day of my period,” Alice said. “In the end it turned out I had 100 symptoms of MS.
“I know it wasn’t mental health – I could recall everything that happened.”
Alice’ssymptomsincludedvertigo,footdrop, tremors, rapid eye movement, urinary issues, cognitive issues which prevented her from communicating clearly and sleep deprivation.
“The longest I went was three and half days without being able to sleep. I had a nine-year-old and a baby but it wasn’t them keeping me awake,” she said.
DoctorsalsosuggestedthatAlice’ssymptoms were the result of her overusing medicinal cannabis.
Alice began using medicinal cannabis about a year and half earlier to treat the chronic and debilitating endometriosis pain.
Eventually, she was diagnosed with MS.
Alice said life has been rough since her MS diagnosis, but she believes it would have been even worse if she wasn’t already taking medicinal cannabis.
The suggestion to try medicinal cannabis
More needs to be done to reduce the stigma aroundmenopause,asenateinquiryintoissues relating to menopause and perimenopause has heard.
The Senate Community Affairs References Committee is conducting the inquiry which is examining the economic consequences of menopause and perimenopause, their physical health impacts, the mental and emotional wellbeing of people experiencing menopause and perimenopause and the impact on caregiving responsibilities.
The inquiry is also considering medical professionals’ awareness of menopause and perimenopause symptoms and treatments and cultural and societal factors influencing perceptions and attitudes.
During an inquiry hearing in Melbourne, Women’s Health in the North sexual and reproductive health co-ordinator Tilly Mahoney said perimenopause and menopause are often not talked about within society, due in part to the pervasive stigma and taboo that surrounds reproductive health issues.
“Ongoing stigma can lead to isolation, ignorance, delays in seeking help for physical and mental health impacts, reduced workforce participation and discrimination,“ she said.
“Normalising menopause and emphasising the positive or neutral aspects of this life stage can combat that narrative of loss or decline, which is tied to the intersection of sexism and ageism.”
Ms Mahoney said that while there has been plenty of work done to explore the relationship between the experiences of menopause and workforce participation, there is little research on the impact of menopause on participation in arenas other than employment.
She said key contributors to good mental
health include social independence, feeling valued, physical activity, good nutrition and having faith and belief, adding that further understanding of whether these areas are impacted by menopausal symptoms could inform approaches to holistic, clinical and social support and the prevention of mental ill healthamongpeopleexperiencingmenopause.
“While physical symptoms may contribute in part to this mental ill health for women and gender-diverse people who experience menopause, we also need to consider the social determinants of mental ill health: social connectedness; freedom from discrimination and violence; and economic participation, which are all influenced by the broader context of gender inequality.
“Attributing mental ill health solely to the biology of the menopausal transition renders this social context irrelevant and risks further entrenchingtheviewsofwomen’sunsuitability for the workforce or lack of resilience due to ’biological needs’. Interventions focused on improving the mental health of persons experiencing perimenopause and menopause need to be coupled with investment in broader strategies to address gender inequality.”
The inquiry is expected to table its report to Parliament on September 17.
“Withinsixmonthsmylifestartedtochange.
“Iknownowthatmedicinalcannabisdoesn’t have the same effect as [cannabis did] when I was younger.”
Prior to taking medicinal cannabis, Alice was maxed out on opioids to manage her pain and antiemetics to subdue the nausea.
Her pain was so severe that she also had a spinal cord stimulator implanted in her spine. This required surgeons to cut her back open in two places and sow a TENS machine into her spine.
“I look back and think, ‘how did I not die with all the drugs I was on?’” Alice said.
“My life before, even though I worked two or three jobs to support my then only child, I was in severe pain all day.
“If I went out anywhere, I was in bed for three days. I was parenting from bed.
“I couldn’t plan in advance because I didn’t know when I would have [an endometriosis] flare up.”
Alice said she uses medicinal cannabis safely and feels less impaired on it than she did on opioids.
And while she still needs to take pharmaceuticals from time to time, she said medicinal cannabis has given her back her life. She boxes regularly and is training to complete a half marathon – something that would have been impossible to do before.
“Life is very different now.
“I do still have pain but not as much
came from a friend who was battling cancer.
Alice said that while she was aware of the drug’s pain-relief benefits, she was also skeptical about taking it.
“I smoked twice when I was younger and it was a horrible feeling … but I also knew how beneficial medicinal cannabis was. I was a bit skepticalbecauseIdidn’twanttofeellikethat,” she said.
“I can only imagine this is how life would have been for the last 15 years if my endo was treated the way it needed to be.
“I lost my entire reproductive system, had a bowel resection and lost part of my bladder.
“It is wild how this disease has affected my body.
“I can’t go back to my life before [medicinal cannabis]. I don’t have a choice.”
Star Weekly wants to hear from you about the health issues affecting women in Melbourne’s western and northern suburbs.
Our Women’s Health Matters survey will help inform our reporting during our 12-month women’s health campaign.
The confidential survey will take less than five minutes to complete and can be found by scanning the QR code.
Each month, Stephanie Martinez will share an exciting craft project designed to inspire and spark creativity.
Stephanie starred in the first season of Making It 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
This month, Stephanie is creating a flying bat that you can make for Halloween or just for fun.
Enjoymakingyourspookybat!
Flying bat
Materials:
Black, red and white cardstock
60cm black yarn
Googly eyes
Straw
Equipment:
Flying Bat template
Sticky tape
Glue stick
Scissors
Pencil
Step 1:
Scan the QR code to download the bat template. Use the template to cut out the flying bat.
Step 2:
Glue on the googly eyes.
Step 3:
Cut out a half circle out of red paper. This will be the bat’s mouth. Cut 2 small triangles from white paper. These will be the bat’s fangs. Glue the fangs to the top edge of the half circle mouth, making sure they point downwards. Glue the mouth right below the eyes.
Fold the yarn in half and thread it through the straw. Tape the 2 ends of the yarn to the 2 wings of the bat. Tape the straw to the centre
To make the bat ’fly’ hold the other end of the yarn and gently pull it up
By Lara Prust
Two Macedon Ranges roads are among the most dangerous in Victoria according to an RACV survey.
The 2024 My Country Road survey identified Tylden-Woodend Road and Kilmore Road as being the second and third most unsafe in the state.
Infamousforitsaccidents,Tylden-Woodend Road has been the scene of multiple fatalities in the past few years and frequent collisions. Poor road conditions were identified as the
main safety issue by 64 per cent of survey participants. Dangerous motorist behaviour was the top concern in the previous survey conducted in 2021.
“Victorian regional roads are in ruins,” said Northern Victoria Region MP Wendy Lovell.
Ms Lovell said that in terms of infrastructure, Macedon had been taken for granted.
According to the RACV public responses will be used to “encourage the state government and local councils to make
commitments that deliver safer regional roads.”
After the previous RACV survey in 2021, 16 of the top 21 most dangerous roads were upgraded.
RACV head of policy James Williams said “Fifty-eightpercentofthesurveyparticipants told us that they use the road they identified every day, and that level of local knowledge has been invaluable to identifying Victoria’s most unsafe roads.”
A Macedon Ranges Shire Council spokesperson said the council “appreciates
Those doing it tough in Melbourne’s west will now be able to enjoy hot meals at home.
Ravenhall charity Western Emergency Relief Network (WERN) has been able to deliver “a year’s supply” of microwaves to struggling families with help from Altona and Laverton Bendigo Bank branches.
AdministrationmanagerRossButterworth said the microwaves would make a “big difference” to people in need, which includes refugees, domestic violence victims, and homeless people.
“For people going into a home for the first time in a long time, a microwave gives them an opportunity for a hot meal,” he said.
The demand for electrical goods like washing machines, fridges, and microwaves is high, Mr Butterworth said. “There are 12 to 15 families that come through our warehouse every week .. most of them want that [microwaves] amongst other things.
“We always struggle to get enough goods of any sort but certainly microwaves … so support from Bendigo and other organisations makes a huge difference.”
WERN is a community service project supportedandmanagedbylocalRotaryclubs, with help from councils and businesses.
It services nine municipalities in the north and west of Melbourne. Mr Butterworth said
covering such a large aew was not always easy.
“It’s a big catchment but today we’ve managed to do that reasonably well.
“Commercial support is critical to making the program work – most items that we buy are second hand but Bendigo gave us the opportunity to purchase new stock.”
Bendigo Bank Altona and Laverton senior branch manager Daniela Guertler said “We got involved with WERN because they are a local organisation addressing a crucial need for people trying to establish their households. Being involved in these efforts is incredibly rewarding.”
thattheconditionoftheseroadsisfrustrating toroadusersandnotattherequiredstandard, posing some safety issues.”
“Council has reported these issues to the Department of Transport and Planning and raised them formally at a senior level. We understand that the Victorian government is currently working to prioritise maintenance worksintheregionandCouncilisadvocating for the urgent repair of these roads.”
Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas said she would keep advocating for more investment and maintenance work on these roads.
Primary school students can lend their voice to an interactive message in a bottle installation at Scienceworks until September 20.
The installation is being created to mark the first anniversary of the launch of Victoria’s container deposit scheme (CDS) and to showcase the importance of recycling.
It will be on display at Scienceworks from November 1 until January 27.
Primary school students are being encouraged to share a message about why recycling is important. Selected submissions will be included in the installation as a message in a bottle, with visitors to Scienceworks able to read students’ responses as part of the display.
The message in a bottle installation will showcase the recycling process of PET plastic bottles and will be made from recyclable materials that will either be processed into new products, or repurposed at the end of the exhibition.
VicReturn chief executive Jim Round said the CDS is proud to be launching this installation to raise awareness and encourage recycling in the state.
“We’ve already seen kids get excited about returning their eligible drink containers – from watching the containers go into the reverse vending machines and onto conveyor belts at depots, to getting pocket money they can put towards something they would like to buy,” he said.
“Now we’re focusing on ensuring kids and families understand the value of a circular economy and recycling.”
Morethan750millioncontainershave been returned across the state since the CDS launched on November 1, 2023.
Four local athletes are competing for Australia in the Paralympic Games starting August 28. Tara Murray chatted with them about their journey and what they’re hoping to expect come the Games.
‘‘ It was devastating and was the catalyst for deciding to try rowing. I had one simple goal ... making the 2024 Paris Paralympics ’’
- Jess Gallagher
The realisation that she’s competing in another Paralympics won’t settle in for Seddon’s Jess Gallagher until she gets to the velodrome in Paris.
The 38-year-old, who is the only Australian to have won a medal at the summer and winter Paralympics, has been selected as part of Australia’s cycling team for 2024.
“IthasbeeneightyearssinceIlastcompeted at the Paralympics and having attended five Paralympics in the eight years prior to that I’m proud to be back on the team having experienced some challenges throughout this Paralympic cycle,” she said.
Gallagherwonbronzeatthe2016Olympics in the tandem time trial B and was on track to compete in 2020 at Tokyo. She won a silver medal in 2019 at the world championships leading into the Games.
But it wasn’t to be for the Seddon resident.
“At the time my tandem pilot made the decision to retire and consequently the sports system was unable to find a replacement leaving me with no ability to participate in track cycling let alone aspire towards Paralympic selection,” she said.
“It was devastating and was the catalyst for deciding to try rowing. I had one simple goal of giving myself every opportunity of making the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
“Over those years of learning to row, I also found a tandem pilot as well. It led to the unique privilege of representing Australia concurrently in two sports across 2022 and 2023 culminating in qualifying the Women’s tandem (cycling) and PR3 4+
(rowing) for the Paralympics.”
Gallagher, who won .two golds at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, decided to focus on cycling for the Olympics.
It was a hard decision.
“Unfortunately, with direct schedule clashes at the Games I was forced to choose which sport to prioritise for the Paralympics with track cycling being my decision.
“I’m proud of the work I have put in to ensure the circumstances outside of my control would not dictate my ability to compete at another Paralympics. It will be special to see that work come to fruition in Paris.”
Gallagher said for her personally she has the expectation to deliver her personal best, but knows there’s an array of external variables that could impact it.
“I focus on what is in my control and ensuring I finish the race feeling that I have done everything within my control to deliver my personal best,” she said.
“So far, our preparation has been pretty smooth. There are always challenges and bumps along the way however I’m in great condition and looking forward to the opportunity to put my best performances out on the track.”
Gallagher is currently with the Australian Paralympic Cycling Team in France to the lead up to the Games.
The track cycling program begins day one of competition so there won’t be much time to rest once they get to Paris.
“For the women’s tandem our one kilometre time trial qualifying and final are Friday, August 30,” she said. “We’d love you to cheer us on.”
Nathan Pellissier
Para-table tennis
Making the Paralympics the second time round is more exciting for Williamstown’s Nathan Pellissier.
Pellissier, who competed at the 2020 Tokyo Games, will represent Australia in the para-table tennis events.
The 28-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, saidhewasexcitedtogetanotheropportunity.
“I’m very fortunate,” he said. “It’s a bit more exciting this time with friends and family getting to come.
“I’m really excited for this one. Mum and dad and four friends are coming and it will be a bit of fun.
“It’s especially good my parents can come, they have supported me throughout my teenage years.”
Pellissier, who is ranked number one in Oceania in his category, felt that he had done enough to be selected.
But said it was still a relief when he heard that his name was called out.
He’s part of a 12 person Australian table tennis team, the largest team since 1968 and the second biggest ever for Australia.
Pellissier said it shows that Australia is becoming more competitive in the sport.
Pellissier said his focus was trying to get the best out of himself at the Games.
He won silver at the 2020 Games in the men’s team event with Lin Ma and Joel Coughlan.
“There’s so many experienced players heading over,” he said. “For myself, if I can
string a few results together, anything can happen .
“I want to keep my mind on the small task at hand at every point the bigger tasks will hopefully fall my way.”
Pellissier will compete in the singles, men’s team and mixed doubles events.
He and Ma won bronze at the world championships last year and take some good form into that event.
“It will be tough,” Pellissier said. “We don’t take in too high expectations, hopefully we can perform really well.”
Paris is a long way for Pellissier from a Paralympic talent day in 2011 when he first picked up a bat.
Table tennis wasn’t his first choice.
“I wanted to play basketball,” he said. “It was wheelchair only so I couldn’t play.
“Table tennis was an option and I never looked back.
“I thought it was to be just a bit of fun and it’s taken over my life and took me all over the world.”
One key piece of Pellissier’s development was getting a scholarship at Maribyrnong Sports Academy.
He said they allowed him opportunities to travel overseas and allow him to be part of a high performance environment at such an early age.
“It has helped my development and results in the last seven years.”
Pellissier took take part in a training camp in the lead up to the Games in Melbourne.
He said he’d work hard those next four weeks, before heading to Paris.
Patrick French Para-Archery
The Romsey community is getting behind Patrick French in his quest for gold at the Paralympics.
French has been named in the six-person Australian archery team for the Paris Games which start next month.
French said it was pretty special to be heading to the Games. Australia didn’t have Para-Archery teams in 2008 or 2012 and there has been a resurgence of the sport.
“It’s unbelievable,” he said. ”It is awesome and it’s been such a quick rise for me through the ranks of the sport.
“It’s been just on two years from when I first started.
“PrettyearlyIsetmyselfalittlechallenge[to make the Paralympics].and thought I would give it a red hot crack.”
French had a workplace accident in 2015 that left him paralysed from waist down and with an acquired brain injury.
Before his accident he’d only done archery a couple of times as a child for a bit of fun.
“I got a bow and I thought I would try my luck with hunting,” he said. “I never did that, I got the bow and got into target archery and it became full on.”
FrenchshotanAustralianindoorrecordlast year, but as he wasn’t qualified it didn’t count.
It’s just more motivation for him to do it again.
French said many people didn’t think he would get an opportunity like this after his accident.
“I’m not amazed that much,” he said. “When something happens like that you can sit around and be miserable or try and enjoy your life despite it.”
French has set big expectations for himself for the Games.
“I want to be up on the podium,” he said. “I’m not going just for the experience.
“I want to put Australia on the map for internationally for archery.”
French’s family won’t be able to make the trip to Paris, but they and the rest of the local community had gotten behind one of their own.
“It has been overwhelming the support I’ve had from them,” he said. “The local pubs in Lancefield and Romsey had a meat raffle.
‘I’ve had support from everyone there. The Romsey Football Club is doing a little fundraiser for me in the next few weeks.
‘It is awesome and they are happy for me, they don’t care if I do well or not.”
Chris Addis Para-table tennis
After taking some time off table tennis, the decision to return to the sport seriously has paid off for Melton’s Chris Addis.
Addis will be part of the Australian para-table tennis team for the Paris Paralympics and will compete in the men’s singles and doubles, and mixed doubles.
Addis said it was pretty exciting to get his shot at the Games.
“It is pretty special,” he said. “I probably thought from a year out or so that I might be a good shot of making the team.
“I trained hard and made all the tournaments. It’s incredible.”
Addis, who was born with Spina Bifida, tried a number of sports growing up before falling in love with table tennis.
He has been playing ever since.
“I’ve been playing for the last 20 years,” he said. “I started in high school and I was playing with a friend and he took me to the local club and I never looked back.”
He said his mum always believed that he couldgofar,buthecouldhaveneverimagined where he would get with his table tennis.
Addis made an Australian team for the World Championships in 2014 having made
Thecompellingstoriesof160athletesacross17
sports will form the next chapter of Australia’s Paralympic story at the Paris Paralympic Games.
The 2024 Australian team, co-captained by eight-time Paralympic medallist in athletics Angie Ballard and triple gold medallist in para-canoe Curtis McGrath, features record-breakers and change-makers.
Madison de Rozario and Brenden Hall will carry the Australian flag in the opening ceremony ahead of what is hoped to be a strong Games.
The Aussie team is brimming with the experience of a combined 196 Paralympic Games appearances.
Table tennis player Danni Di Toro will compete at her eighth Games, placing her equal-second only to Libby Kosmala (12) as Australia’s most enduring Paralympian.
The team is 56 percent male and 44 percent female,61athletes(38percent)willmaketheir Paralympic debut, and the average age of the Australian athletes in Paris will be 31.3 years.
Australian Paralympic team Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin acknowledged the vast amount of work that has gone into bringing the team together.
“This is a team that all Australians can get behind,” she said.
“They are incredible athletes, exceptional human beings and a wonderful example of what can be achieved with determination
his Australian debut in 2011.
He then took a break from the sport.
“I had some time off to have some kids,” he said. “I had not been playing internationally
for the last eight years or so.
“The kids are a bit older now, nine and six. They have a bit of an idea [what the Olympics are], especially the nine-year-old
“He is pretty proud.”
The 35-year-old takes inspiration not only from his family but Paralympian Kurt Fearnley, who he says became a leader in Para-sport at a time where the sport hadn’t been as prominent.
Addis said the Melton Table Tennis Club has been one of his biggest supporters since he started.
He said his aims for the Games are pretty simple.
“Basically I want to play my best,” he said. I want to really enjoy the experience, try to remember all the training and hope it pays off.”
Addis has one piece of advice for anything thinking of taking up the sport.
“Go and try it,” he said. “Get to a local club and see where it takes you.”
Team mate Nathan Pellissier was full of praise of Addis.
“It was really pleasing to see Chris come back and cement his spot in the Paralympic team. It was a really good moment for the whole team. It’s a shame for Caleb [Crowden, whomissedout],buthe’syoungandhastime.”
and resilience.
“A lot of the team delivery work was undertaken by some of the best operators in their field in the world. Others produced a hugeamountofgruntworkthatwasabsolutely essential to this campaign.
“This team has taken years to assemble and I hope everyone who has played a part in supporting and developing our athletes feels a great sense of pride when they see them representing Australia in Paris. This team is ready and raring to compete on the biggest stage of all and make all Australians proud.”
Among the highlights of the Australian teamisthelargesttabletennisteamsince1968 and the largest archery team in 40 years.
Australia’s triathlon squad of 13 athletes is the largest since the sport was introduced at Rio 2016, while powerlifters Hani Watson and Ben Wright will become Australia’s first Paralympians in the sport since London 2012.
Cyclist Jessica Gallagher will compete at her fifth Paralympics, which includes two appearances for Australia at the Paralympic Winter Games.
Gallagher also competed in athletics at London 2012.
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
Scone-A-Thon
Woodend CWA is holding a ‘Sconezilla’ to raise money for the community. For $12, pre-order a half-dozen freshly baked scones beautifully presented in a clear lidded gift box. Perfect with homemade jam or lemon curd made by members from local fruit for $4. Gluten free scones also available. Pick up is 7 September from the Woodend Newsagency, 10am–1pm.
Order at HTTPS://trybooking.com/ CKMKV
Toastmasters
Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Toastmasters helps its members develop their public speaking, communication and leadership skills. The group meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month, from 7.20–9.30pm, at the Sunbury Community Centre, 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury.
vpm-4185@toastmastersclubs.org
Sunbury Seniors
Sunbury Seniors (55 or older) meet on Mondays and Fridays from 10am–3pm. They are temporarily relocating to 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury. A variety of activities are offered – indoor bowls, cards, snooker, guest speakers, day excursions, subsidised lunches or just a cup of coffee and a chat.
0434 400 754
Scout Jamboree fundraising 1st Sunbury Scouts are fundraising to send Scouts to a Jamboree in Maryborough, Queensland in January 2025. Fundraising activities are: A Monster Raffle with $2 tickets and 140 prizes. Purchase tickets at: https://scoutsvic.raffletix.com. au/1stsunburyscouts/ Miniature Train rides at Bulla Hill Railway on Sunday, September 29 from 11am–3pm. Tickets per ride will be $5. There will also be a sausage sizzle and a coffee van. Tickets and info at: https://shoutforgood.com/ event-ticketings/1stSunburyJamboreeTr ain
Donations are also welcome.
scoutsjf@gmail.com
One Voice Sunbury
The WOV Sunbury community choir is changing the world one voice at a time by providing an opportunity for people to meet and experience the joy of singing, often making friends through the shared experiences of singing and performing; although performing is not required.
One Voice Sunbury community choir rehearses each Tuesday, from 6.30pm, at Goonawarra Neighbourhood House. A fun and welcoming choir, new members are welcome – just join in on the fun.
sunbury@withonevoice.org.au
Hume Men’s Shed
The Hume Men’s Shed (Sunbury) is a non for profit organisation, meeting every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at 158 Evans Street, Sunbury. The group caters for men be it carpentry, welding, metal work, gardening or just to chat.
sunburymensshed.com or 0438 677 425
Sunbury and Surrounds LGBTIQ Social Club
The club has an ongoing catch up every third Saturday at the Brown Cow Cafe in Rosenthal at 1pm. They can also be found on Facebook where they have chats, discussions and other events advertised.
https://shorturl.at/jtAO1
Neighbourhood garden
Become part of Sunbury’s Neighbourhood Garden and grow edible and useful plants in a social group at Sunbury Neighbourhood
House, 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury. All skill sets are welcome.
www.sunburyhouse.com.au or 9740 6978
Sunbury Woodworkers Club
Join the Sunbury Woodworkers Club to learn woodturning. No experience or tools required. Our club is a welcoming environment open to men and women who wish to learn. Meetings for new guests are held on the third Wednesday of every month at 730pm. Circular drive, Jackson’s Hill, Sunbury. Facebook: Sunbury Woodworkers Club.
Anita, 0417 402 795
VIEW Club
Sunbury-Macedon Ranges VIEW Club is a friendly women’s organisation and a valued part of The Smith Family. We meet on the third Friday of each month at 11am at Club Sunbury, Riddell Road, Sunbury. New members warmly welcome
Lee-anne, 0403 047 909
Sunbury Art Society
The Sunbury Art Society meets every Friday and Saturday, from 10am–3pm, at the Boilerhouse, Jacksons Hill, to paint or draw over a cuppa with other like minded people. New members welcome.
Ken, 0407 062 568 or Yvonne, 0429 994 828
Yoga in Sunbury Yoga classes at Sunbury Neighbourhood House focus on supporting participants to slow down and move well. Special attention
is given to mindful awareness of movement that builds strength in a healthy and safe way, Monday mornings, Thursday evenings and Friday mornings
www.sunburyhouse.com.au or 9740 6978.
Art group
The Woodend Art Group holds classes and workshops in the studios in the Woodend railway station complex. It also has a social Tuesday where members and interested people can come along in the morning, have a coffee and paint together in a social environment.
Colin Robinson, 0407 426 252
Shuttles and pickleballs
Macedon Ranges Badminton Club is inviting residents to come and play badminton, or pickleball, or both at Macedon Community Centre. Badminton is played on Tuesdays from 7.30pm and Thursdays at 9.30am. Pickleball is played on Mondays at 6.30pm, Wednesdays at 10.15am and on Tuesday from 10am at the Romsey Recreation Centre.
David, 0419 589 425, or macedonrangesbadminton@gmail.com
Scottish country dancing
The Macedon Ranges Scottish Country Dancing Group meets every Thursday afternoon 1-3pm at Buffalo Stadium, Woodend. The dancing involves social country dancing, and no special clothes needed, just soft flat shoes.
Meg, 5427 1100, or Linda, 0408 476 317
Community. Connect. Create. If you are needing support or looking for a social group to join, you can visit Community. Connect. Create, which is an online resource listing support and community groups in the Macedon Ranges. if you would like your group listed or would like to work to help this project grow please email: fiona@communityconnectcreate. com.au
Communityconnectcreate.com.au
Amateur radio club
The Macedon Ranges Amateur Radio Club meets on the third Saturday of the month at the Woodend RSL Hall, 32 Anslow Street, Woodend, at 10am. If you are interested in amateur radio or already have a call sign, this could be for you.
http://www.mrarc.org.au
Take off weight naturally Struggling to lose weight? Struggling to get motivated? Want to try and do it in a friendly and less stressful atmosphere? Come and join TOWN (Take Off Weight Naturally) every Thursday at 9am at the Sunbury Neighbourhood House, 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury.
Rhonda, 0409 740 924
Kyneton Badminton Club
Kyneton Badminton Club is a welcoming, fun and social group that plays on Mondays, at 7pm at the Kyneton Toyota Sports and Aquatic Centre, Victoria Street. All skill levels are welcome.
kynetonbc@gmail.com
By Eddie Russell
ThoseinthewestcangetatasteofSpainstraight “from the pan to the plate” with Pop-Up Paella on Saturday August 31.
‘The Paella Guy’ – chef Nathan Inglis – will return to St Anne’s Winery in Myrniong to deliver a culinary experience.
A chef since he was 15, Mr Inglis has put together an extensive resume, having worked in revered Spanish restaurant Bar Nacional in the CBD as well as living in Spain for four years.
He said that his time abroad was transformative.
“When I went over there, I couldn’t even say helloorhowareyou.ButbytheendIwasfluent and I carried back with me the cuisine and the passion for Spanish culture,” he said.
This is not the first Pop-Up Paella session Mr Inglishasconductedatthewinery–hesaidthe last one was a “raging success” and it is clear there is an appetite for more.
“It was fantastic. We exceeded my expectations… St Anne’s is the epicentre for people from Melbourne, Geelong, and Bendigo to go,” said Mr Inglis.
Food lovers can look forward to traditional paellas with mixed meats and seafood as well as vegetarian and vegan options.
If there is room left in hungry stomachs, churros are also on the menu.
St Anne’s Winery employee Jake Currey said he hoped the collaboration would continue in the future given the demand.
“The first one was so successful that we are going to try and make it a bi-monthly thing,” he said.
Tickets:https://stanneswinery.com.au/event/ pop-up-paella-at-myrniong/
Inglis, ‘The
Open year-round, Forest Glade Gardens on Mount Macedon showcases a variety of landscaping styles, including English and Japanese-influenced areas.
With no bad time of the year to visit, Stokes CollectionLimitedandForestGladeexecutive director Graham Cumming said that the spring colours at the garden are beginning to emerge.
“Spring is traditionally the second-most popular time of the year at Forest Glade,” Mr Cumming said. [The trees are] covered with buds that are
about to burst – some of them already are – the rhododendrons and the azaleas that really create the masses of colour, along with the thousands of daffodils and bluebells and tulips,” Mr Cumming said.
Mr Cumming said that the garden has an interesting history, with the themed sections emerging as a result of previous owner Cyril Stokes’ work in rehabilitating it after the Ash Wednesday bushfires.
He said that there’s “something for everybody” at Forest Glade, and it is a great place for a scenic picnic.
“I always make a point of coming on Christmas Day, because it’s a real pleasure to be there with young families who … bring a picnic and sit on the lawn and have a picnic with children playing … all-year-round it’s a destination for families.”
Forest Glade is open daily from 10.00am–5.00pm (last entry at 4.30pm) at 816 Mount Macedon Rd, Mount Macedon.
Admission is $15 per person. Details: https://www.forestgladegardens. com.au/
Oscar Parry
Locals and visitors are invited to The Wyndham Learning Festival, which is set to run from September 1-7, across the City of Wyndham.
The Wyndham Learning Festival is an annual series of events, led by Wyndham Community and Education Centre with support from Wyndham City Council. This year’s theme, Empowering Communities Through Lifelong Learning, promises an enriching experience and lifelong learning for all.
The festival provides a broad range of opportunities that match the needs, interests, and aspirations of the vibrant and varied
Wyndham community.
The festival launch will take place on August 31, from 12.30pm-4pm, at Encore Events Centre, Hoppers Crossing. As part of the festival launch, Dr Karl will lead an eco-expedition into sustainable science and climate.
There will be a cultural learning showcase to discover Wyndham Community and Education Centre, held on September 4, from 2pm-4pm.
Hannah Moloney will host Green Living Series on September 7, 10am-11.30am, at Italian Social Club in Werribee.
Meanwhile locals can join for an epic family
Light Touch, an exhibition featuring the compelling works of Dr Varga Hosseini and his father, Fari Hosseini, is on display at Altona’s Louis Joel Gallery until Septebmer 13.
Dr Hosseini, an academic and artist, explained that the title “Light Touch” reflects the techniques used in the creation of the pieces and the unique themes they explore.
“I suppose there are different elements to light that I’ve been interested in such as the physical element of visible light, and also there’s the metaphysical aspect, and the spiritual aspect of light,” he said.
“We are really looking at how it reacts with texture, paste, gloss and sudden varnish and the kind of effect it has on the viewers.”
The Brimbank artist said art helped him to bond with his father.
“My father comes from, I suppose, a more traditional generation. I’ve been raised in this country, so for many years we struggled to find common ground,” hesaid. “But,paintingiswherewefound a link to kind of create a dialogue and discuss different aspects of creativity. I think it’s at that level of beauty and aesthetics that we have managed to find common ground.”
Visitors are encouraged to absorb the artworksonmultiplelevelsandengagein self reflection.
“I would like the works to be reflective in two senses of the term. On the one hand they attempt to reflect the effect of light. But, on the other hand, it is hoped that the paintings would create an opportunity for people to contemplate things. So reflection is contemplation or meditation on those profound moments thatyoulookattheworldandyou’rekind of led to think about, you know, your place in it, or just think about how light makes you feel.”
game night extravaganza with Kip McGrath Education Centre in Werribee, on September 6, 7pm-9pm.
There will be business learning presented by Westend Business Hub and Wyndham CEC on September 5, 9am-4pm, at Hoppers Crossing.
ME Bank senior mobile bank manager Craig Archer will give an economic and property market update, providing further information on business at Hoppers Crossing, from 1.30pm-2.30pm on September 5. Details: wynlearnfestival.org.au/
Afraa Kori
To solve a Sudoku
ACROSS
1 Officiate (abbr) (3)
3 The study of knowledge (10)
10 Distribute (food) (5,2)
11 Web surfer (7)
12 The wedded state (9)
13 Luxurious (4)
15 Units of mass used for precious metals and gemstones (4,6)
17 Box (4)
19 Possesses (4)
20 Impersonation (10)
23 Just (4)
25 Colloquial (9)
27 Libyan capital (7)
28 Paraguayan monetary unit (7)
29 Ionised part of Earth’s atmosphere (10)
30 Headed (3)
DOWN
1 Picking up from where you left off (10)
2 Oldest child (9)
4 Process of producing a suggestive mental state (9)
5 Vestibule (5)
6 Gradually (6)
7 Mexican coins (5)
8 Story (4)
9 Evaluation (6)
14 Child of one’s child (10)
16 Forerunner, omen (9)
18 Colourful team shooting sport (9)
21 Relating to Samoa (6)
22 Soldiers (6)
24 Unearthly (5)
25 Hibernian (5)
26 Needlecase (4)
No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural nouns ending in “s”.
1 Dar es Salaam is the largest city in which country?
2 Which female artist released the album We Are Born in 2010?
3 Australia’s Great Dividing Range runs through which states?
4 What is the name of Sonic’s sidekick in the platform game SonictheHedgehog2?
5
is the main character in the
7 In the film Now and Then, Rosie O’Donnell (pictured) played Roberta Martin as an adult; who played the young Roberta?
8 Who wrote Invisible Man, published in 1952?
9 Which US soap opera centres around the fictional fashion
Forrester Creations? 10 What is the capital of Massachusetts?
By Derek Ogden, Marque Motoring
Quiet (tick), achiever (tick) – quiet achiever: withlittlemorethanthehumofthemotors,the EV9carriedoffacoupleofthemostprestigious prizes of 2024 – World Car of the Year and World Electric Vehicle.
A jury of 100 distinguished automotive journalists representing 29 countries, shouted out the innovative design, spacious seven-seat interior and competitive pricing of Kia’s first triple-row, all electric flagship SUV as being world beating.
Now Australia has the opportunity to find out, with the recent arrival of three variants, named with a nod to sustainability and the natural environment, Air, Earth and GT-Line.
The single motor, rear-wheel drive Air leads off, with dual motor, all-wheel drive Earth and GT-Line topping out the trio.
Prices range from $97,000, plus on-road costs for the single motor, front-wheel drive Air through the dual motor AWD powertrain Earth clocks out at $106,500 and the GT-Line $121,000.
The Air motor produces 160kW and 350Nm for a range of 443km, while the latter pair punch out 283kW and 700Nm for a range of up to 512km, with the GT-Line able to scoot from rest up to 100km/h in 5.3 seconds. The Earth variant was on test.
The SUV continues to set the standard for Kia’s sustainable theme with the use of eco-friendly recycled and natural materials, such as bioplastics, recycled PET fabrics and carpet, plus bio-paint all aimed at the company achieving carbon neutrality by 2045.
The EV9 is covered by Kia’s generous seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty, plus seven years for the battery. Pre-paid services range from $706 for three years or 45,000km up to $1997 for seven years or 105,000km.
Styling
Kia says it’s a matter of ‘opposites attract’ in designphilosophywithacombinationofrugged capability and serenity and sophistication. At five metres long and almost two metres wide there’s plenty of the former and a hint of what the latter has to show inside.
The front looks to the future for all Kia EVs with confident, clean lines. A bold body colouredgrilleisflankedbyverticalheadlamps forming the company’s signature Digital Tiger Face, and innovative LED daytime running
lights, which will be carried by all Kia EV models.
A strong SUV profile takes cues from an aircraftfuselage,whichtogetherwithaKia-first 3-D underbody cover, front air curtains, retractable flush door handles and jazzy aerodynamic 19-inch alloy wheels, achieves an exceptional drag co-efficient of Cd 0.28.
Fine detail is a complement to the fuss-free power tailgate in the form of three-pronged LED lamps that follow the lead of headlamps up front. New premium colours Iceberg Green and Pebble Grey are available across the range.
A ‘Technology for Life’ pillar was Kia’s way of getting the best out of space, comfort and technology while reimagining the family SUV. There’s a completely flat floor, thanks to the company’s award-winning modular platform, which allows occupants to relax in lounge-like surroundings.
Standard features for comfort and convenience include heated and ventilated synthetic leather front seats with lumbar support and heated synthetic leather trimmed steeringwheel.Entrytothethirdrowofseatsis made easy by remote folding of the second row.
A cantilevered centre console, while including limited storage, allows for a large open storage area at floor level underneath. It also houses vehicle start, park and driveselection functions, freeing space for more storage,chargingsocketsandwirelesscharging pad.
Boot space ranges from 333 litres, with all seatbacks up, to 2318 litres with second and third rows folded. There’s also a 52-litre cubby under the bonnet, which doubles as a charging cable store.
The dashboard is dominated by twin 12.3-inch touchscreens integrated with a 5-inch display producing a futuristic interface for the control of vehicle functions such as infotainment and instrument systems.
There’s no such thing as a perfect vehicle, trust me. And the EV9 has its little quirks. For example, the climate control information is displayed on the wide screen between the info and instrument cluster and is almost totally obscured by the steering wheel.
EV9 does debut Over-the-Air updates for its Kia Connect system, which enables continuous ‘wireless’improvementstomanyofthevehicle’s inboardsystems,andaHighwayDrivingAssist 2 system.
The EV9 Earth all-wheel drive model is powered by twin electric motors putting out a total of 283kW and 700Nm with the capability of a six-second sprint to 100km/h and a range of up to 512km on a single charge.
The wellbeing of World COTY occupants, inevitably, looms large, so it’s no surprise that the development of the EV9 involved focusing on safety, hence the top five-star rating reigns across the model range.
Kia Advanced Driver Assistance makes up the basis of this, which also extends to travellers in other vehicles and pedestrians and includes such features as Highway Driving Assist 2 with hands-on detection, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist 2 with Junction Crossing, Lane Oncoming and Lane Change Side functions.
Backing these up are Lane Keeping and
Lane Following Assist, Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist and Smart Cruise Control with Stop/Go, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance, front and rear Park Distance Warning and rear-view monitor.
EV9 Earth adds Blind-Spot Monitor, SurroundViewMonitor,plusParkingCollision Avoidance Assist – Reverse, while GT-Line chips in with Remote Smart Parking Assist 2 and Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist –Reverse. Front, side, curtain and front centre airbags add up to nine.
As mentioned in my introduction, the EV9 really lives up to the claim as a quiet achiever.
Little noise – motor, road or wind – intrudes into the passenger cabin. The same cannot be said for a plethora of audible safety warnings and intervention. All become a bit wearing. Turn them off and let the driver drive.
The other side of the coin is the ride and handling, which like most Kias has had the attentionofAustraliansuspensionexpertswith vast experience of our country’s roller-coaster road quality. And there’s no shortage of oomph when accelerating – zero to 100km/h in six seconds, to be exact.
Size does matter here with the bulky SUV showing some unsteadiness on changing direction at speed. Toning down the enthusiasm did the trick, while three braking regen and a one-pedal mode were as good as a new best friend.
Brakes were sharp enough to confidently pull up the two-and-a-half tonne wagon under normal circumstances. Towing is rated at 2500kg with a braked trailer, a 750kg rig with no brakes. Watch out here for a compromised driving range.
Over a week of work, from driver alone to a ‘full house’, the energy consumption averaged 20.2kWh (better than the maker’s combined claim of 22.3kWh). As for charging, the test carwastoppeduponapublicfastchargerfrom 30 to 80 percent, giving a range of 482km. The time taken was 46 minutes at a cost of a tad over $17. I could live with that.
The Kia EV9 the best car in the world? More than a hundred motoring writers can’t be wrong . . . can they?
Finals football and netball was front and centre on Saturday in Melbourne’s north-west. StarWeeklyphotographer Ljubica Vrankovic was out shooting some of the action.
Gisborne warmed up for the Bendigo Football League finals in stunning fashion on Saturday.
While they still had a chance of the minor premiership and first week off in finals, the Bulldogs were focused on finishing the regular season strongly.
Facing Kangaroo Flat, it was all one-way traffic at Dower Park.
The Bulldogs kicked eight goals in the first quarter, which would be their lowest scoring quarter for the game.
The margin grew to 97 points at half time. It didn’t stop there with the Bulldogs kicking another 20 goals in the second half to run away with a 37.14 (236)-6.3 (39) win.
Pat McKenna kicked eight goals, the second time he has kicked eight in a game this season.
It took him to third on the goal kicking for the season.
Harry Luxmoore, who finished second in the goalkicking, and Matthew Merrett kicked six goals each as 13 players hit the scoreboard.
Brad Bernacki, who kicked three goals, was named best on ground. Flynn Lakey and Shane Clough were other standouts for the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs win wasn’t enough to bridge the percentage gap to Sandhurst, which sealed the minor premiership with a win against Castlemaine.
The Bulldogs will now face Strathfieldsaye in a qualifying final in week one of the finals.
The final will be played on Saturday at Queen Elizabeth Oval. The under-18s will play a qualifying final, while the reserves have a week off after finishing top.
Off field, the Bulldogs have locked in a number of their stars for next season.
Jack Scanlon, Merrett, McKenna, Braidon Blake, Bernacki and Jack Reaper have signed
on. Coach Rob Waters has also signed on for next season.
In the A-grade netball, Gisborne locked in top spot and first week of finals off.
TheBulldogsfacedKangarooFlatinatopof the table clash.
Gisborne won 53-25 to finish eight points clear on top of the ladder.
The Bulldogs A-grade, A-reserve and B-grade sides all have this week off after finishing top.
The B-reserve side finished second and will play in a qualifying final, while the under-17s snuck into fifth and will play an elimination final.
Like the footballers, there’s been a number of re-signings for the netball program.
Tarryn Rymer will coach on next season.
Captains Claudia Mawson and Kirby Elliott, along with Charlee Kemp and Torie Skrijel are locked in for next season.
By Tara Murray
Riddell will be hoping to bounce back from a poor start to the Riddell District Netball League finals series.
The Bombers faced Wallan in a qualifying final on Saturday, which turned out to be a hard fought low-scoring affair despite the sun being out at Romsey Park.
The Magpies led by a goal at quarter time and it was the same margin at half time. Scores were level at the final break at 25-all.
The Magpies managed to hold their composure better in the last quarter to seal a 32-29 win.
Bombers coach Emily Ktona said it was a disappointing result for her side.
“Credit to the Wallan team,” she said. “It was a bit of a game of turnovers and we didn’t play the way that we wanted to play.
“It was pretty windy and neither side had the goal shooting percentage they would have liked. The rings were really bouncy as well.”
Ktona said they had chances in the last quarter to take the lead with their centre pass to come but they weren’t able to make the most of it.
“There were a couple of missed passes,” she said. “It was anyone’s game.
“It was back and forth all day and it was a tightly fought contest.
“We’ll look to bounce back and hopefully win next week.”
Ellen Close shot 13 goals for the Bombers, with Ktona said she really stood up. She was one of four goalers used by the Bombers.
While the Bombers made the grand final last year, it’s the first time this side has played finals together.
Ktona said they would be better for the run.
“We still have Ruby [Shannon] to come back into the side, she’s in Fiji with the Australian under-21 squad,” she said.
“We were missing Zara [Burge] as well. It’s the first time we’ve played finals with a squad of young girls, with girls as young as 16 in the side.
“You’ve then got the experience of Lauren [Nolan], Meredith [Ball] and Ellen Close.” It’s not all bad news for the Bombers, who have a second chance.
They will face Melton Centrals in a knockout semi final.
The Centrals won an elimination final against Macedon, 41-34. It was a tough day for the Cats, with coach Katie Clarke fracturing her wrist and going to hospital during the game.
Speaking before the elimination final between Macedon and Melton Centrals, Ktona said either side would give them a big challenge.
“The girls did it the hard way last year,” Ktona said. “They said after the game they
will do it again. “I have full faith in the side. We’ll look at our vision and vision from the elimination final. We’ve beaten both teams throughout the season which were tight contests.
“Both are physical sides and we match up well, we’ll see what happens.
will now play Woodend-Hesket in the other semi final with a grand final spot on the line.
East Sunbury will have a new coach for next year’s Essendon District Football League division 2 season.
The Thunder announced on Sunday that due to personal circumstances, that Travis Bishop has decided to transition into a senior assistant role for next season.
Bishop coached the side this season having been involved with the club.
The side this season failed to win a match for a second straight season as it continues to rebuild after not having senior sides in 2022.
“We extend our heartfelt thanks to Travis for his unwavering dedication during the 2024 season,” the Thunder said on social media.
“Hiseffortshavebeeninstrumentalin stabilising the club and nurturing our young playing group.
“Trav and his family are club stalwarts, and we are grateful for their continued support and contributions.”
While the Thunder will have a third coach in three years, they will have a bit of stability as it has gone within for a new coach.
Dave Morrice, who joined the club this year as a playing assistant coach, will step up to the senior coaching role.
Morrice has played at a number of clubs including Rupertswood, Diggers Rest and Macedon.
He has been an assistant coach at under-19 and reserve level before joining the Thunder.
“We look forward to this new chapter for the club and wish Dave and Travis all the best with their coaching in 2025.” the club.”
The club will also have a new reserves coach with Steve Atherton having previously announced he wouldn’t be returning.
The Sunbury Lions enter the Ballarat Football League finals on a winning note.
Having dropped their last two matches and with it losing the shot at a double chance, the Lions came home with a hard fought win against Bacchus Marsh on Saturday.
The Lions had 10 scoring shots to one in the first quarter to lead by 39 points at half time. They still led by 24 points at the main break.
After halt time the Cobras started to find their groove.
Five goals to three reduced the margin to 15 points at the last break.
The Cobras continued to come hard in the final quarter, but the Lions were able to do enough to come away with a 15.10 (100)-13.9 (87) win.
Lions coach Matt White said while the Cobras had nothing to play for, they fought really hard and made them earn the win.
“It would have been nice to rest a few blokes, but you want a good game of football before going into finals.
“We got off to a ripping start, there was a bit of a breeze going towards that end. I wouldn’t say we put the cue in the rake in the second half, but they made it a lot harder to move the ball.”
Mitch McLean kicked four goals for the Lions, while four players finished with two each.
Harry Power, McLean and Fraser Ampulski were named the Lions best.
White said Ampulski played a really strong game while Blake Watson contributed in his first game in a number of weeks.
Ben Cameron and McLean were others that impressed White.
The win ensures the Lions finish in fifth spot. They will face Ballarat in an elimination final.
The Lions will lose Jake Egan, who has done another hamstring, but are set to get Mitchell Lewis and Jack Newitt back from injury.
White said they also rested a couple of guys on Saturday, so there could be four or five
players pushing for selection.
While the Lions win-loss record hasn’t been great in the back half of the season, White said they had been focused on the way they were playing more than results.
“My focus was to get into a position to have a real title at finals,” he said. “We’ve played some good football to get us where we are.
“Darley and East Point put us to the sword and stunned us but we take more knowledge into next week.”
In the A-grade netball, Sunbury locked in top spot with a big win against Bacchus Marsh.
In the battle between top and bottom, the Lions won 78-31.
Rebecca Hicks shot 55 goals for the Lions as they tried a few different things.
The Lions, who lost just one game for the season, will face North Ballarat in a qualifying final.
By Tara Murray
There’s a sense of deja vu for Macedon in the Riddell District Football League on Sunday.
For the second time in three years, the Cats upset Romsey in an elimination final, having only just made it into finals.
Like 2022, the win sets up a knockout semi final with Diggers Rest at Gilbert Gordon Reserve.
CatscoachAlMeldrumsaidhewassoproud of the playing group for the 11.6 (72)-6.12 (48) win on Sunday.
“It was a strange day, a long day with the delay,” he said. “We’re a pretty young team overall and the young guys today, most of them in their first senior final ever.
‘To get a result and defeat a team above us for the first time this year, you know this obviously no better time to do it in a cut throat final
“A lot of pride. It makes all the training sessions, all the planning, it makes it all worth it.”
It was an even first quarter and it was still
game on in the second, with the Cats leading by a goal at the main break.
The margin increased to 14 points in the third quarter. Lightning in the area then halted the game.
Meldrum said he’d seen games interrupted through his work, but had never been involved in one at local level.
“It was all a bit different, all a bit new,” he said. “We didn’t know how long it would be.
“I told the guys to try and calm down and preserve energy and then we gave them correct information when it was coming through.
“It was a bit strange. When we came back out, Romsey kicked the first goal and then we were super in the last quarter.”
The Cats kicked five goals to three in the final quarter to lock up the win in now sunny conditions.
Meldrum said they had the game how they wanted it, with the youth on the outside getting the run and carry going.
He said the way the group was able to respond after the break was really pleasing.
“I’ve seen a lot of teams go into their shells
Diggers Rest wasn’t able to hold on against Wallan in the Riddell District Football League qualifying final on Saturday.
The battle between second and third was a topsy turvy one with both sides having their periods of dominance at Romsey Park.
The Magpies led by 13 points at quarter time before the Burras kicked six goals to no score in the second quarter to take a 28 point lead into half time.
The Magpies chipped away at the lead in the third quarter and managed to get the margin back to 11 points heading into the final quarter.
Wallan did most of the attacking in the final quarter and was able to put it on the scoreboard.
It kicked 4.3 to three points in the final quarter to come away with a 12.8 (80)-9.13 (67) win.
Chris Stewart kicked four goals in a best on ground performance for the Magpies.
Brodie Gilchrist and Reuben Rode were other standouts for Wallan.
For the Burras, Marcus Calvaresi and Brodie Meyers kicked two goals each.
Jaidyn Caruana, Calvaresi and Shaun Campbell were named their best.
The Magpies now face Riddell in a qualifying final, with a grand final spot on the line.
The Bombers had the weekend off after finishing first.
In the knockout semi final, the Burras will face Macedon.
in a final after doing all the hard work early,” he said.
“The guys played without fear which was really good. It was a bit of a theme for us this week, was the only real fear is fear itself.
“No matter how long the season goes we will be the underdogs. It’s a good space to be in.”
Jack Kernan kicked three goals for the Cats.
Brodie Hoyne, Xavier Morgan and Matthew Dick were named their best.
For the Redbacks, Matt Burkett, Corey Pertzel and Nathan Tessari were their best.
The Cats will face the Burras on Sunday.
The Burras lost to Wallan in the qualifying final on Saturday.
Meldrum said he watched the qualifying final and the Burras did a lot right in that game.
“Wallan changed a few things and threw it at Diggers and came over the top,” he said.
“I still felt like Diggers, their big game players still stepped up and played well.
“They are a super experienced team… We try not to read to much into the tail end of the season.”
The Cats surprised Romsey in the elimination final, 11.6 (72)-6.12 (48).
The Burras have won both clashes with the Cats this season, winning by 19 and 10 points respectively.
Rupertswood endured a tough season marked by significant challenges and ending in relegation, yet managed to close its Essendon District Football League division 1 campaign on a winning note.
The win provides a much needed morale boost for the club, having lost several players in the off-season and being relegated for season 2025.
Sharks coach Brad Fox said he believes this should still be an optimistic time for the club. The club won four games this season and finished second bottom. The bottom two teams will play in division 2 next season.
“As a coach of the club, we had to do a lot of learning throughout the course of this season as we have some talent that is very young, inexperienced and our focus all year is that we’re either winning or learning,” he said.
“And it all came together in the last round of the season to show how much the guys have learned.”
Fox said despite the nightmare season, there is no reason to suggest they can’t aim to taste the ultimate success in division 2 next season.
“Look, I think every team should have some lofty goals,” he said.
“If the league does put us into division 2, then our lofty goal is that we need to go and win the premiership to come back to division one.”
Fox said the main focus of the off-season will be looking for experienced players to help develop the younger, less experienced players currently in the squad.
But, he stressed that it will only be to compliment the younger talent the club already has and doesn’t want to take away the amazing culture he believes is already established at the club.
“We’ll be looking for a select number of recruits,” he said. “But in addition to that, one of the great things we had this season
was the atmosphere and the culture around the club was just, you know, fantastic.
“And all of our events have been sold out. We had great numbers at training, you know, we had over 70 players play for the club through the seniors and reserves this year.”
The Sharks have already announced a number of re-signings for next season, including all their leadership group.
Fox is supremely confident the club can rebuild and come back stronger, and he is making some key changes in the pre-season.
“We’ll be doing particular training over the summer around football craft, and then we’ll do a fairly balanced strength and conditioning period as well,” he said.
“We want to continue to help our younger players as they have so much more potential, and you know, the coaching team’s job is to make that potential become reality.”
By Tara Murray
Melton South members have voted in favour of the club making the move to the Riddell District Football Netball League for next season.
The Ballarat Football Netball League club held a special general meeting on Wednesday night to discuss the future of the club.
President Matthew Collins said the members made it clear that they wanted to move to the RDFNL for next year.
“It’snotaboutwinningflags,it’saboutbeing competitive,” he said. “We haven’t won a lot of [football] games in the last 10 to 12 years.
“Thevotewasunanimous.Itwas100-plusto one. The club needs this and we hope Riddell accepts us.
“The clubs have to vote on it.”
Collins said after some members came to them about the future of the club about two months ago and they then put together a sub-committee to look at the benefits of the Riddell, Ballarat and Western leagues.
He said that the committee came to the decision that the RDFNL was the best league for the club.
Collins said netball not being on the same day as football was one of the main reasons why the WFNL wasn’t seen as an option.
“It didn’t match with us,” he said. “We lose one team [in Riddell], E-grade.
“A lot of girls are playing two games to fill the teams so we shouldn’t lose too many players.”
The senior club previously played in the RDFNL before moving to the BFNL in 1997.
The club’s juniors are still in the Riddell league.
“It’s a good alignment for the club being in the same league,” Collins said.” In the Ballarat league we’re playing clubs with some having 20 junior sides.
“We have four or five. With the points system you need to have plenty of juniors coming through.
“Most of the clubs in Riddell have five or six which makes it a bit better.”
Having not won a senior football game in the past two seasons, Collins said they were under no illusions that they’re not going to come in and win a premiership straight away if the move to the RDFNL is successful.
RDFNL chief executive Jordan Doyle said the board felt Melton South is a natural fit geographically and from a competitive standpoint as well as satisfying the netball component, similar to Kyneton FNC when they entered at the end of 2023.
“The Melton South Football Netball Club have written to the RDFNL requesting to join the league,” he said. “The RDFNL will write to our member clubs advising them that a special general meeting will be called to discuss the matter and then a vote will take place on the acceptance or non-acceptance.
“The RDFNL Board upon request from the RDFNL clubs have been open to clubs looking to join the league who are a natural fit from a geographical and competitive point
Bowls
Club Sunbury’s Sophie Kurzman has received her first Australian call up. Kurzman has been named in the Australian squad for the Oceania Challenge in November. Australia has been invited by World Bowls to send a development team to the event with players from the emerging and pathway Jackaroos being selected. Kurzman will play in the triples and fours competitions.
Sunbury United came away with a win against Sebastopol Vikings in the FV state league 3 north-west on Saturday. Sunbury made the trip up to Ballarat and was able to come home with a 3-1 win. The win was Sunbury’s four of the season. It is one of four teams on 23 points from seventh to ninth. Sunbury faces Epping City on Saturday in the second last round. In state league 5 west, Gisborne had the bye. With two rounds remaining, the Sky Blues sit four points off second spot and promotion.
Sunbury Tigers kept their NRL Victoria first grade season alive on Saturday. The Tigers faced the Sunshine Cowboys in an elimination final with the Tigers winning 52-8. The Tigers controlled the game all day, scoring a try in the first minute and three in the first seven minutes. The Tigers will face the Casey Warriors in a preliminary final with the Truganina Rabbitohs awaiting the winner in the grand final.
RDFNL
of view. The RDFNL is also a football netball league so that does rule out some clubs as well.
“The Melton South Junior FNC have always been a RDFNL club and the Melton South FNC were previously apart of the league as well, so the league thinks the move ticks a lot of boxes. The final say will be with the member clubs and the SGM will reveal that.”
The Panthers will have all six netball teams play finals this year.
Macedon is on the hunt for a new women’s football coach among other roles for next year’s Riddell District Football Netball League season. The Cats are after a head and assistant women’s coach, men’s assistant coaches, reserves and under-19.5s coaches and assistants. The club is also after B, C, D and under-19 netball coaches.
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