Comic brings show home
Comedian, actor and screenwriter Damian Callinan has performed his acclaimed show ‘Double Feature,’ about his parent’s lives in post-war Australia, all over the country since he first debuted it in 2022.
But on October 1, the Yarraville resident will bring it to his home for the first time, with a performance at Mantra Studios.
Since relocating from Preston last year, Callinan has quickly settled into life in the inner-west, where many of his comedy contemporaries also live.
Having never performed there before, Yarraville was the obvious choice for Callinan to begin his latest run performing Double Feature, his first since last year.
“Blowing the cobwebs off,” he said of the purpose of the Yarraville show, which will then be followed by dates through NSW, the ACT and Victoria until early November.
“There’s places in Australia I haven’t got to yet,” Callinan said in explaining why he was reprising the show rather than moving on to new material.
“This one’s close to the heart though, telling my mum and dads story, It feels special.”
Details: https://mantrastudiokitchenbar. com/events/
Techno turmoil takes toll
By Cade Lucas
For the past 16 months, Lara Week and Matt Robinson, from Williamstown’s Techno Park Drive estate, have run a stall at the Altona Market.
There they gather signatures and support for their campaign to remain in the homes, which in May last year Hobsons Bay council abruptly tried to evict them from.
“For me personally, for the last 16 months it’s been a full time job,” said Ms Week of the Save Techno Park campaign, which has so far staved off council’s attempt to suddenly enforce zoning rules and remove them.
Andwiththeprospectofanewcouncilbeing voted in at next month’s municipal elections (only two of seven Hobsons Bay councillors are seeking re-election), there’s hope that an end to the saga could be imminent.
Despite this optimism, Ms Week, a theatre worker who as lived at Techno Park Drive since 2020, said the fight to remain had come at a cost.
I’m an independent worker and I’ve lost I’d say a third of my income last year because of campaigning,” she said.
For Mr Robinson, who has lived at Techno Parkforfiveyearsandsupplementshisincome doing maintenance around the estate, it was
the prospect of lost income that was worrying.
“It’s my livelihood,” he said of the maintenance work which estimates makes up 50 per cent of his income.
Ms Week said the months of uncertainty had also taken a physical toll.
“I can say that the stress and the impact of that on people’s jobs and family life and relationships, health has been severe,” she said.
“One of our neighbours was hospitalised for mental health last year and her husband said it was a direct result of living in terror of the council coming to remove them from their homes.”
Despite this, Mr Robinson said the last 16 months had brought some unexpected benefits.
“We’ve built up this amazing community, it’s like we’re one big family,” he said of the way the campaign had galvanised the Techno Park community.
“TwoyearsagoIwouldn’thaveknownthree quarters of the people up the road (in the estate). Now, because of this, I know everyone up the road. It’s interesting that a bad thing, a good thing comes out of it.”
Hobsons Bay council was contacted for comment.
Cade Lucas Yarraville comedian Damian Callinan will perform in his adopted home for the first time on October 1. (Damjan Janevski) 432544_07
Old and new names nominate
By Cade Lucas
It could be a case of back to the future for Maribyrnong council with no less than three former mayors seeking to return at next month’s municipal elections.
Controversial former upper house MP, CatherineCumming,andformerLabormayors
John Cumming and Cameron McDonald are allattemptingcomebacks,whilecurrentmayor Cuc Lam and sitting councillors and former mayors Michael Clarke and Anthony Tran are also standing.
A total of 38 candidates will contest this year’s election in Maribyrnong, the first to be held with single member wards.
Greens representative Simon Crawford is the only sitting councillor not seeking re-election.
Ms Cumming, who spent more than two decades on council before being elected Western Metropolitan MP in 2018, is contesting Bluestone ward against Victorian Socialists Brad Reich, entrepreneur Pradeep Tiwari, unionist and lawyer Wallace Huang and the Greens Pierre Viaro.
In Braybrook, sitting mayor Cuc Lam is up against the Greens Chris Wilson, Victorian Socialists Catherine Robertson and Lochlann Clarke.
In Burndap, current councillors and Victorian Socialist Jorge Joquera is being challenged by artist Sally Walshe, lawyer Minh Quan Nguyen, social advocate Mohamed Semra, Fletcher Bubb, Pete Thomas and Thuy-Kim Le.
IncumbentandformermayorAnthonyTran is seeking to hold River ward against another formermayorinCameronMcDonald,previous ALP candidate Susan Yengi, former state and federal candidate Ken Betts, the Greens Danny Cash, Edward Merrifield, and Brendan Laws.
JohnCummingwillcontestSaltwateragainst
Maribyrnong council candidates:
Bluestone Ward (one vacancy)
Brad Reich
Catherine Cumming
Wallace Huang
Pradeep Tiwari
Pierre Vairo
Braybrook Ward (one vacancy)
Lochlann Clarke
Chris Wilson
Cuc Lam
Catherine Robertson
Burndap Ward (one vacancy)
Minh Quan Ngyuen
Pete Thomas
Mohamed Semra
Thuy-Kim Le
Fletcher Bubb
Jorge Joquera
Sally Walshe
River Ward (one vacancy)
Susan Yengi
Ken Betts
Edward Merrifield
communityadvocatesSamanthaMeredithand Terri Soumilas, Labor’s Aman Gaur, Victorian Socialists Lucinda Kelly and Jenny Harrison.
In Sheok, the Greens Bernadette Thomas will look to retain her place on council against Labor’s Ari Casanova, previous candidate PaulNam Le and Victorian Socialists Oskar
Councillors clear out in Hobsons Bay
Hobsons Bay could soon have an entirely new council, with just two of seven councillors nominating for re-election next month.
Nominations for the October poll closed on September 17, with only former deputy mayors, Daria Kellander and Diana Grima, standing again.
While some such as sitting mayor Matt Tyler and former mayor Antoinette Briffa had already announced their intention to not stand again, a failure to renominate has brought the career of Hobsons Bay’s longest serving councillor, Peter Hemphill, to an end.
A three time former mayor, Cr Hemphill was first elected to council in 1999 and also stood as an independent candidate for Williamstown at the 2018 state election.
Just last week Cr Hemphill was handed a one-month suspension from council after an independent arbiter upheld allegations of misconduct brought against him by Cr Briffa
Another former mayor, Cr Jonathan Marsden will also depart after being elected in 2016, while current deputy mayor Pamela Sutton-Leaguad will leave council after one four-year term.
Councillors Kellander and Grima are no certainties to be re-elected, with both facing numerous challengers in their respected wards of Altona and Altona Meadows.
In Altona, Cr Kellander will face local businessmanTimRippon,VictoriaSocialists and former Greens candidate Susan Miller, Phillip Paull and Irene Brown.
The new Hobsons Bay council map showing the electoral structure and internal ward boundaries that will apply at the council
In Altona Meadows, Cr Grima is being challenged by libertarian candidate Liam Roche, environmental waste auditor Matthew Phelan and migration agent Ranbir Lambra.
Just two candidates are contesting the Williamstown ward, the Greens Ingrid Martengaard and independent Lisa Bentley. In Williamstown North, former federal election candidate Alex Anselone, small businessman Michael Disbury, Wajde Ghazi Assaf and Nicholas Norton will contest.
FootsurgeonDrOmarBaarini,community advocate Rosa McKenna, previous candidate Daniel Kade, Kristin Bishop and Hayley Royal will vie for Spotswood, while Labor’s Paddy Keys-Macpherson, Paula Morgan and Tori Mikula will contest Laverton.
Real estate agent Alexandra Damasoliotis, lawyer Rayane Hawli, Greens candidate Rowena Joske and Ryan Thistlethwaite are in the running for Altona North.
Cameron McDonald
Anthony Tran
Danny Cash
Brendan Laws
Saltwater Ward (one vacancy)
Jenny Harrison
Terri Soumilas
Samantha Meredith Aman Gaur
Lucinda Kelly
John Cumming
Sheok Ward (one vacancy)
Paul Nam Le
Oskar Martin
Bernadette Thomas Ari Casanova
Wattle Ward (one vacancy)
Elena Pereyra
Julien Macandili
Michael C Clarke
Clint Lingard
Miles Parnall-Gilbert
Martin
In Wattle, Maribyrnong’s longest serving councillor, Michael Clarke, will again seek re-election against the Greens Elena Pereyra, Victoria Socialists Julien Macandili, Labor’s Clint Lingard and independent Miles ParnallGilbert.
Hobson Bay candidates:
Altona Meadows Ward (one vacancy)
Liam Roche
Diana Grima
Matthew Phelan
Ranbir Lambra
Altona North Ward (one vacancy)
Alexandra Damasoliotis
Ryan Thistlethwaite
Rowena Joske
Rayane Hawli
Altona Ward (one vacancy)
Irene Brown
Daria Kellander
Susan Miller
Paull Phillip
Tim R Rippon
Laverton Ward (one vacancy)
Paula Morgan
Paddy Keys-Macpherson
Tori Mikula
Spotswood Ward (one vacancy)
Kristin Bishop
Hayley Royal
Daniel Kade
Rosa McKenna
Omar Baarini
Williamstown North Ward (one vacancy)
Alexander Ansalone
Nicholas Norton
Wajde Ghazi Assaf
Michael Disbury
Williamstown Ward (one vacancy)
Ingrid Martengaard
Lisa Bentley
Left: The new Maribyrnong council map showing the electoral structure and internal ward boundaries that will apply at the council elections in October. (Supplied)
elections in October. (Supplied)
Cade Lucas
Plastic safety barrier criticised
By Cade Lucas
The use of a plastic sheet as a temporary traffic barrier along a busy Footscray street has been described as “not fit for purpose” and a “cheap and easy option” by concerned locals.
The plastic sheet is currently filling a gap in the traffic barrier along Hopkins Street in Footscray that was created by a recent accident.
The barrier is near the intersection of Hopkins Street and Moore Street, right outside the Moon Dog brewery in the former Franco Cozzo building.
The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) installed the barrier as part of a road safety upgrade.
DarrellPittfromtheFootscrayCommunity Action Group said the plastic replacement had been there for at least a couple of months and wasn’t good enough.
“Obviously the barriers are there to help keep people safe but they’re not fit for purpose,” Mr Pitt said.
“The repairs have reached an all time low when what is now in use is a piece of glad wrap. It’s just a plastic sheet.”
MrPittaccusedbothMaribyrnongcouncil and DTP of putting savings ahead of safety.
“I think they’ve just gone with the cheap and easy option rather than going with a long term more robust option.”
Maribyrnong mayor Cuc Lam said council was working closely with the DTP, which is the primary authority for Hopkins Street, to improve safety at the intersection with Moore Street.
“Asasafetymeasure,DTPinstalledfencing to enhance safety and to prevent pedestrians from stepping onto the road,” Cr Lam said of the plastic sheeting.
“They have been informed about the damaged section, and Maribyrnong City Council is working with DTP to have this
Be a junior ranger in the holidays
With the school holidays under way, students livinginMaribyrnongcanswaptheclassroom for the great outdoors.
For the first time, Maribyrnong council is running a junior ranger school holiday program at parks across the municipality.
The program began at Cruickshank Park in Yarraville on Monday, September 23, and will continue at Pipemakers Park in Maribyrnong on October 1 and Newell’s Paddock in Footscray on October 4.
Two of the three sessions can be attended free of charge.
“It’s for young people in the community
to connect with nature and to learn how to connect with nature,” said Maribyrnong council park ranger Martin Forster, who will help co-ordinate the program.
Mr Forster explained what activities the junior rangers will get up to.
“We’re going to going for a walk to learn abouthabitatandhowhabitatsarecreatedand also how we can create them, such as making holds in logs for skinks and insects, spiders bees etc,” he said.
“We’ll be checking nesting boxes we’ve got in all the parks and that’s where we have a telescopic camera and the junior rangers have
a monitor that they all get to share and they gettoseewho’sathome.Isitaringtailpossum or a spider or a micro bat?”
Children participating in the program are encouraged to wear enclosed shoes, a hat, bring sunscreen and a water bottle and come dressed in comfortable clothes that are OK to get dirty. Mr Forster said the program was open to school kids and their families.
“We’ve had families come with their toddlers through to 14 year olds.
Details: https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov. au/Events/Junior-Rangers-School-HolidayProgram
repaired.Wearecommittedtoensuringthese measures are effective and are collaborating with DTP to monitor and address any safety issues. DTP has also introduced a 40km/h speed limit reduction along Hopkins Street to further improve safety for both cyclists and pedestrians.”
DTP is working with council to repair the fence.
Mr Pitt said the problem went beyond the use of plastic as a temporary replacement, saying better stronger barriers were needed.
“They should build it once and build it properly.“
Pair charged over shooting
Two men have been extradited from South Australia over a firearms incident in Altona North last week.
ThepairwerearrestedinVictorHarbor on Tuesday, September 17, by South Australian police and subsequently charged in relation to the matter. They faced Christies Beach Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday where Victoria Police successfully made an application to extradite them to Victoria. Both men are expected to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today. The first man, a 23-year-old from Yarraville, is facing eight charges including discharging a firearm at a vehicle with reckless disregard for safety, using a firearm in a dangerous manner, and reckless conduct endangering life. The second man, a 27-year-old from Werribee, was charged with reckless conduct endangering life, a prohibited person possessing a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm in a public place and possessing a loaded firearm in a public place. As part of the investigation, detectives also executed two search warrants in Yarraville and Werribee on Thursday, seizing three gel blasters.
The arrests follow an incident outside a licensed premises on McArthurs Road about 2.45am on Thursday, September 12. A group of men were in the car park when they were allegedly approached by a vehicle. A verbal exchange followed before multiple shots were allegedly fired at the vehicle as it drove away. One of the roundshitanearbybusiness,howeverno one was inside at the time.
No one was injured during the incident.
Williamstown Rd inbound exit ramp closed
The Williamstown Road inbound exit ramp will be closed from 9pm Tuesday 1 October until 5am Sunday 17 November. During this time, one lane on the West Gate Freeway inbound between Millers and Williamstown roads will also be closed. Detours will be in place, but please allow extra travel time.
Pasquale, 10, taking part in the junior ranger school holiday program at Cruickshank Park in Yarraville. (Damjan Janevski) 432692_04
‘‘ Do not allow yourself ever, ever to sit in a situation where you are feeling impoverished and overwhelmed ’’
- Maria Ruberto
Seminar offers safe space to talk
By Afraa Kori
Young women impacted by mental health can expect a brighter future, thanks to a partnership between Werribee Rotary Club and MacKillop College.
They held an annual seminar on September 12 featuring diverse speakers and panellists, including clinical psychologist Maria Ruberto, Matilda’s midfielder Alex Chidiac and Mackillop’s student councillor Samantha Zahra. There was also a special performance by a young local singer Taysha Farrugia.
Ms Ruberto said the community valued preventative behaviours, but actions speak louder than words.
“We are in the middle of an epidemic where we are seeing that mental health issues for our young people and even across our lifespan seems to be rising. With all of our efforts and especially on the day where we ask each other R U OK? There seems to be an anomaly, there seems to be a difference between what we are trying to do and yet what our data is telling us,” she said.
“We have so many resources available to us; counsellors, psychologists, free online programs, school and community support.”
While the NAB Health Insights Special Report may be “hard to hear”, Ms Ruberto gave attendees a reality check regarding the wellbeing of the nation and community.
According to the report, one in five Australians are diagnosed with a mental health disorder.
One in three people may not have the diagnosis but they are suffering really high psychological distress, the report found.
Seven in 10 young Australians between 18 and 24 needed professional mental health support in the last year, according to the report, while one in four Australians suffer anxiety and depression chronically.
Females and young people between 18 and 24, are twice as likely to report poor mental health, including those in rural and regional areas.
Ms Ruberto highlighted personal responsibility and collective action are key elements of change.
“Reach out, talk to somebody, see your GP and counsellor, connect to people at school, go online and call support line numbers.
“Do not allow yourself ever, ever to sit in a situation where you are feeling impoverished and overwhelmed, if it’s more than two weeks that’s a real marker. Support is required and it’s so important to be able to get help as early as possible,” she said.
“The triangle check is an easy way for you to try and think about where am I mentally? The triangle check has three points; thoughts, feelings and behaviours. So if our thoughts, feelings and our behaviours are all in check wecallthisgoodmentalhealth.Thisisareally easy way of doing it and I hope you will never forget this!”
Athlete Alex Chidiac reassured young women that she walked in their shoes and saw a light at the end of the tunnel.
“It was definitely tough growing up because there were a lot of expectations. I did get scouted at quite a young age and there was not a lot of hope as people didn’t really make it
out of Adelaide as a professional footballer,” she said. “I was really closed off as a kid and I didn’t like talking about how I was feeling. It would seem from the outside that I was doing well because I was making these teams and I was going away to Asian Championships with national youth teams and things like that. But I was really struggling and once I mentioned it to one of my friends and they were like ‘me too’. That’s when I realised everyone’s struggling and it’s so normal to feel that way. Even now as a 25 year old, I get anxious and nobody in this room has it together, all of us are winging it.
“My grandma came to Australia not speaking any English and found her community in Adelaide and built that up. I think growing up around that and watching what she was able to achieve, how her friends helped her out in that, I really loved that sense of community. It wasn’t until I got into football that I had that. So having teammates that you can rely on, people that you can open up to, I think that’s where that connection was for me. It’s just being with people, even if you don’t necessarily have to speak, just the comfort of sitting with somebody and sharing.”
To foster ongoing growth, MacKillop’s student wellbeing director, Andrew Exton, encouraged students to never miss out on future opportunities to attend the annual mental health seminar.
“The seminar provides a safe space where people can discuss the unique challenges young women and girls experience with regards to their mental health and wellbeing. We hope the information discussed tonight both assists and inspires but also challenges us to care a little bit more about ourselves and each other.”
Maria Ruberto, Alex Chidiac, Samantha Zahra and Taysha Farrugia making a difference.
President of Rotary Clu Robert Fava united with Wyndham councillors Jasmine Hill, Peter Maynard and Susan McIntyre.
Life ladder unveiled
It was a fun Friday at Louis Joel Arts and Community (LJAC) in Altona on September 20, with the unveiling of a ladder sculpture.
The ladder was constructed by members of Fridays by the Bay, an activity group that meets at the centre every Friday with the aim of increasing social participation for people who would otherwise miss out.
The program began at the start of last year and the ladder sculpture was conceived as a way of recognising the steps participants had made since.
With help from local artist and sculptor Dovey Dee, participants worked on the ladder for the past few weeks.
LJAC manager Karen Ingram explained the process.
“It took three workshops to create the ladder, from initial construction using fallen branches from a gum tree, and wooden stats that were drilled and screwed together,” Ms Ingram said.
“The following workshops included the decoration and positioning and fixing the chosen objects onto the ladder. We then mosaiced the runs of the ladder. Objects that were placed on the ladder were wooden dolls, and wooden custom cut birds and fish, which represented nature and environment.”
The ladder now has a permanent position on the outside balcony at LJAC where Ms Ingram said it would send a powerful message to those entering the building.
“The ladder is a universal symbol of growth and transformation, and is a beautiful reminder of one’s journey through life in the pursuit of reaching our full potential,” she said.
Friends by the Bay is supported by Hobsons Bay council and is open to people aged between 18 and 64 who live in the municipality and are not eligible for other support programs.
Cade Lucas
Briefs
Trio arrested
Three youths, including one from West Footscray, were arrested after police followed them across Melbourne’s northwest driving an allegedly stolen car on Thursday morning. Officers spotted a grey Audi S3 sedan displaying stolen registration plates travelling along Ballarat Road, Cairnlea about 2am on September 19. With the assistance from the Air Wing, police followed the Audi to the Western Ring Road, St Albans, where the two males and one female were arrested without incident.
A 19-year-old Deer Park youth, a 19-year-old West Footscray youth and a 19-year-old Burnside Heights youth were interviewed by police.
Break-in charge
A man has been charged following an alleged home invasion in Altona North last week. Police charged a 21-year-old Truganina man with home invasion, recklessly causing injury and assault with a weapon. Police allege two male offenders forced entry into a property on Mangan Court about 7.15pm on Monday, September 16. Allegedly, they were armed with axes and attacked one man inside.
A 36-year-old Altona North man sustained minor injuries, while a 34-year-old Point Cook man received no physical injuries.
FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au
Maribyrnong & Hobsons Bay Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly
From left, Sandra, Shannon, Manny, Amanda, Dovey Dee, Robert and Marie from the Fridays by the Bay group in front of the ladder sculpture they created at Louis Joel Arts and Community in Altona. (Damjan Janevski) 430447_01
Maribyrnong cadidates quizzed
By Cade Lucas
CandidatesstandingforMaribyrnongcouncil in October’s election are about to have their environmental credentials put to the test.
A survey asking candidates where they stand on a variety of environmental and climate related issues is currently being distributed in an attempt to provide voters with more information before they head to the polls next month.
The survey is part of the statewide Streets People Love campaign which aims to rate council candidates on their environmental priorities and whether they will lead to safe
and sustainable streets.
“We want streets that people love – safe and pleasant streets that enable people to live fulfilling lives while moving safely through their local communities,” said Streets People Love spokesperson Jeremy Lawrence.
“And we want to see 2024 council election candidates commit to delivering streets people love–startingbysigningourpledgeandtaking our survey.”
Thepledgecandidatesarebeingaskedtosign is posted on the Streets People Love website.
“If elected councillor, I pledge to allocate budget and street space to build streets people love, and ensure that residents of all ages and
abilities can safely move around our council area, irrespective of whether they choose to walk, cycle, wheel, use public transport or drive.”
The survey questions cover topics such as greenery and tree cover, public and active transport, traffic density and speed limits.
“Each candidate gets scored on their answers and they get a tick rating and the more ticks the higher the support is for safe streets,” explained Georgia Maret from Climate Action Maribyrnong, which along with Bike West, helped bring the Streets People Love campaign to the municipality for the first time.
“The campaign ran in a different form in
Family soccer program to kick off
A new soccer program for Maribyrnong families has kicked off.
An initiative of Active Maribyrnong, GO Family is a six-week program aimed at introducing parents and their children to the world game while also improving their health and fitness.
Rather than goals and wins, the innovative program focuses on pressure-free movement andconnectionandisdesignedforindividuals of all abilities and experience.
Maribyrnong council hosted a special launch event for GO Family on Saturday, September 21 at RecWest in Braybrook.
Participantswereabletogetapreviewofthe program’s offerings while also enjoying a fun, family day out, with activities such as skills training, mini-games and practice matches taking place.
Those who were unable to attend Saturday’s launch event will still have plenty of opportunities to get involved though, with the program running weekly from October 8 through to November 14 at three different venues across Maribyrnong on three different nights of the week.
Tuesday night sessions will be hosted by Maribyrnong Swifts FC at Johnson Reserve in
Beginning on October 9, Wednesday night sessions will be run by Footscray United Rangers at Robert Barrett Reserve.
Commencing on October 10, Yarraville Glory will run Thursday night sessions at their home ground at McIvor Reserve.
All sessions begin at 6pm.
To register, visit: https://www.gofootball. com.au/play/Pick-your-location/ GO-Family-Events
the last council elections, but it ran in different areas, not the west.”
Ms Maret said while the campaign was driven by climate and sustainability issues, it wasn’taboutpromotinganyparticularpartyor candidate, just better informing voters.
“It’s about helping people figure out who aligns with their vote,” she said.
“So if they don’t want sustainable, healthy streets where people have a good time then they’ll see candidates that align with that.”
RatingsforMaribyrnongcouncilcandidates are expected to start appearing on the Streets People Love website on September 26.
Details: https://streetspeoplelove.org/
Veloway hits halfway mark
The elevated cycle path or veloway from Footscray to the city has hit the halfway mark with a long stretch of the path now connected.
The path is set to open next year and those who’ve had a sneak peak inside have remarked on how spacious it is, with ample width, depth, distance, height and a view into the distance that seems endless.
The semi-transparent electric-green walls are said to provide a great view over the Port of Melbourne outside, while also orientating and locating riders to their geographic position.
The assembled section is complete structurally, but work is ongoing to connect drainage and services, and to fit panels to gaps being used for access.
The stainless-steel mesh covering at the top, and the anti-slip coating on the floor are still to come.
Work on lifting and suspending the remaining panels has moved towards the city end, and will cross the traffic lanes below, requiring closures of Footscray Road to traffic.
Once those works are complete, construction workers will return to the Footscray end and begin assembling slightly longer segments required for alignment in that zone.
Bicycle Network chief executive Alison McCormack recently inspected the veloway saying “I never imagined it would be this attractive.”
“Despite being enclosed, it has the full-on care-free feeling that bike riders love. I think riders in the west will find riding this route irresistible – it will be like a magnet pulling them to and from the city each day.”
Football Victoria’s Leo Mercaldi, (Footscray Rangers FC’s Anthony Lo Guarro, Yarraville Glory FC’s Kaulla Panopoulos, Maribyrnong Swifts FC’s Megan Roussel and Maribyrnong council’s Chloe Dupont and Grace Van Der Merwe. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 431885_01
West Footscray.
Cade Lucas
Cupcake express arrives
By Cade Lucas
When Flinders Street Station celebrated its 170th birthday last week, the milestone was marked with cupcakes being handed out to commuters as they passed through the famous landmark.
The chocolate and vanilla cupcakes were especially designed for the occasion, but rather than being the work of some celebrity chef, Metro trains turned to a 20-year-old William Angliss student from Newport to bake them instead.
“It started around August last year,” said Harrison Archbold of when his meteoric rise from cooking student to culinary star began.
“We had made hot cross buns that day (in class) and I would usually give half to my brother, but that day he cancelled on me,” said Mr Archbold, who suddenly found himself travellinghometoonthetrainwithtwodozen freshlybakedbunsandnoonetogivethemto.
“And then I just decided on a whim to stop by Newport station and drop off a dozen.”
Unsurprisingly, staff appreciated a batch of buns being delivered out of the blue and so began a weekly ritual of Mr Archbold dropping off whatever sugary goodness he’d been cooking up in class at Newport station on his way home.
After a few months of feeding staff everything from strawberry champagne cake, to pastries, tarts and high end specialty cakes, word of Mr Archbold’s cooking skills spread around, first through Metro’s internal communication and social media teams, then onto ABC radio where 774 breakfast host, Sammy J, presented him with the 2023 Melby award.
Metro corporate affairs executive director ClareAbbottsaidwhenplanningacelebration for 170 years of Flinders Street Station, getting
EPA tips to avoid trouble
Mr Archbold to do the catering was the obvious choice.
“We are so impressed by him. We couldn’t think of anyone better to create custom cupcakes,” Ms Abbott said.
Mr Archbold said he made 320 cupcakes for the occasion, half chocolate and half vanilla and all with Italian meringue butter cream.
“They all got eaten,” he said stating the obvious.
While still occasionally making deliveries
to Newport, Mr Archbold is now focussed on finishing the final year of his patisserie and commercial cookery course at William Angliss.
He then hopes to embark on culinary career that’s unlikely to see him cooking in train stations again.
“I definitely want to travel and work in France,” he said.
“That’s really the homeland of patisserie.”
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria is offering guidance to local businesses to ensure they are protecting the environment. Industrial accidents, such as spills, fires, and explosions, have been an ongoing issue in the inner west, which is home to many factories, warehouses, and depots. Companies responsible for such incidents can be found in breach of the General Environmental Duty (GED) under the Environment Protection Act 2017, facing significant penalties. The GED requires companies to understand the risks to health and the environment from their activities and take reasonable steps to minimize those risks.
The EPA has provided five key tips to help companies comply. Firstly, companies should install devices like air filters,managestockvolumes,andensure staff are trained in safety procedures to minimize the risk of harm. Secondly, companies should identify and control sources of risk, such as monitoring heat and gas levels and checking for damage or corrosion. Thirdly, companies must have systems in place to minimize harm if an incident occurs, including in-house firefighting equipment and regular emergency response training. The fourth tip is to store, handle, and transport substancessafely,aslargerquantitiesand volatile substances carry greater risk.
Finally, the EPA stresses the importance of providing proper training and supervision to reduce risk, prevent human errors, and ensure harm reduction systems work when needed.
Newport cooking student Harrison Archbold with the cupcakes he baked for Flinders Street Station’s 170th birthday. (Supplied)
Convoy bashed it out for the kids
Life is a highway for participants in the Variety Vic Bash, who, after a 12 month fundraising campaign, embark on a 10-day trip through the heart of Australia to make life easier for underprivileged children. Eddie Russell reports.
You would think a seemingly endless convoy emerging from the desert haze was a scene straight out of Mad Max.
But instead of raising hell like the road warrior himself, those barrelling through the barren lands of rural Australia were raising money to help kids who need it most.
And for the 244 people travelling through the outback in 81 vintage cars last month, raise money they did – an enormous $1.6 million in total.
Their efforts were for children’s charity organisation Variety Victoria as part of an annual fundraising event, the Variety Vic Bash.
FromAugust16to24thisyear,participants drove more than 3300 kilometres starting in Swan Hill and finishing in Airlie Beach.
‘‘ We often forget we are in costume and it not only brings us a laugh with locals but some really nice donations along the way ’’
- Elizabeth Porter
In the thick of the action were six Bacchus Marsh locals in two themed vehicles –Apollo 11, piloted by Shane Jenkins, Paul Menzies, Mick Belcher, and Glen Burgin, and Wonderland, featuring Elizabeth Porter and Liz Barby.
Both crews were taking part in their fifth ‘bash’ and contributed more than $10,000 each directly to Variety.
Shane Jenkins said that “the challenge” and “the cause” were what enticed him and his mates to get involved.
“We felt like it was a good opportunity to give back a bit … and it’s a motoring event, which suited us because we are into cars,” he said
“Doing it for the kids and going away with your friends to places you would potentially never go were the driving force behind it.”
An important feature of the fundraiser is the themed component; its silly and uplifting nature is to give kids who are visited along the route something to smile about.
Elizabeth Porter, who dresses as Alice as partoftheWonderlandcar,saidthecostumes resonated deeply with young people.
“It’s a great opportunity for kids to reconnect with their childhood fairy tale characters and that’s been a hit every year,” she said.
It is also well received by confused and delighted onlookers, said Ms Porter.
“We often forget we are in costume and it not only brings us a laugh with locals but some really nice donations along the way.
“It’s a bit of fun rolling into a service station and out pops Alice and the Queen of Hearts
to clean off the windscreen and pump fuel.”
Crews are not informed of their route until the morning of departure – Ms Porter likened this experience to following the white rabbit.
“You never know where you are going from one day to the next and there is always an adventure to be had,” she said.
In 2019, Mr Jenkins and his lifelong friends decided to dress as the Apollo 11 crew to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, which they were awarded the best theme for.
Mr Jenkins said he thought it was a great idea because it was “appealing to kids” and also suitable for the landscape.
“The theme fits in well with the outback settings of central New South Wales and Queensland,” he said.
“We’ve had Variety take photos of us with an Australian flag out where there are no blades of grass and we joke that it is like a lunar landscape.”
While they are very much amateur astronauts – their space suits are made out of doonas and the rocket atop their 1988 Mercedes 300 SEL is made of PVC pipe – they are now veterans of the tour.
With the money raised by each car, Variety donate a variety of hardware and equipment fordisabledordisadvantagedyouth,aswellas
grants to assist those servicing kids in need.
On this year’s journey, more than 20 schools in remote towns were given $120,000, impacting more than 3000 kids.
Mr Jenkins said he got to see first-hand the disparity faced by some children in regional communities and how Variety aids them.
“One of the schools we went to, which was staffed by teachers who were predominantly volunteers, had a breakfast program because a lot of the kids don’t eat much at home.”
“Variety gave them a few thousand dollars and they do that a lot… there are a number of things that the money is used for and the idea of the bash is to stop in and donate those gifts.”
Ms Porter shares Mr Jenkins’ sentiment.
“It is life changing for recipients … I know that sounds very cliche but it is so true.
“Seeing children get out on the playground amongst their peers because they now have a wheelchair … it is so important for their development growing up.”
Despite the cost of living crunch and other “fantastic charities”, people have made the effort to pitch in for a range of reasons, said Ms Porter.
“The general public has contributed, whether it be buying a raffle ticket or giving a donation. It might be because they have been
affected or know somebody who has been a recipient of Variety’s work,” she said.
“We are also more than grateful for the continued sponsorship that goes towards the fundraising from some of our local businesses, who have supported us from day one.”
After donating to the Apollo 11 crew, Melton Toyota dealer principal Grant Harrison was inspired to get in on the action.
“For years I’d always wanted to do something like this but I am always too busy … but when we sponsored Shane I thought I should do it,” said Mr Harrison.
Mr Harrison has already purchased a 1985 Toyota Crown Royale for next year’s bash from Hamilton to Darwin, where the ‘Melton Toyota Emperors’ will join Apollo 11 and Wonderland at the starting line.
“We are paying our respects to where Toyota started back in 1930s Japan… we’ll dress ourselves up, raise a bit of quid, and have a bit of fun.
“Our goal is $10,000 but if we can raise $15,000 that’d be awesome because it’ll all go to the kids.”
One hundred per cent of proceeds from team donations go straight to Variety – there is no subsidising costs for vehicle purchases, costumes, petrol, or accommodation.
Paul Menzies, Shane Jenkins, Mick Belcher, Liz Barby, Elizabeth Porter and Glen Burgin. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 430980_01
Left: Liz Barby and Elizabeth Porter from the Wonderland car. Centre: The Apollo 11 team. (Pictures: Ljubica Vrankovic) 430980
Right: Grant Harrison with his 1985 Toyota Crown Royale. (Damjan Janevski) 428167_01
News has never been more vital
By Paul Thomas
On this World News Day, we are reminded of the invaluable role journalism plays in safeguarding our democracy, especially in regional and local towns across Australia.
While global headlines may dominate, it’s the local stories that are the heartbeat of our communities. Public interest journalism serves not only as a watchdog but also as a bridge between the people and their local governments, businesses, and neighbours.
Local newspapers are often the sole providers of information that directly impacts residents’ daily lives. From covering council meetings to reporting on issues like infrastructure development or the success of local businesses, these newspapers perform a critical function. When journalists shine a light on important issues, they empower their communities to engage, voice concerns, and demand accountability.
from fiction. This erosion of trust threatens the very foundation of informed communities and societies.
In contrast, local newspapers provide a crucial counterbalance to this tide of disinformation. Our journalists work tirelessly to deliver stories grounded in facts, verified by trusted sources, and shaped with balance.Whenyoureadyourlocalnewspaper, either in print or online, you can trust that the information is accurate, relevant, and serves the best interests of your community. Local newspapers are more than just sources of news;theyarethedefendersoftruthinanoisy and often confusing media landscape.
As technology and media consumption habits continue to evolve, local journalism must adapt. However, the mission remains the same: telling stories that matter, holding the powerful to account, and keeping the public informed. Newspapers, particularly in regional and local towns, have a duty
Joint missing persons operation
Volunteers from both the Footscray and Hobsons Bay SES units came together for a joint missing persons training session.
Held along the Maribyrnong River in Footscray, the three-hour training session involved 45 volunteers working to locate and extract three casualty dummies that had been thrown into the water.
Boating crews on the river supported the search with waterway coverage, while radio communications, casualty handling and incident management were also practised.
SES Footscray team leader Audrey Tan said the joint training session provided valuable experience for volunteers.
“It was as close to a life like scenario as we can get,” Ms Tan said.
“It’s not something we do every week but it’s good to do to learn how other units work.
When we come together all our skills are quite similar so we work as one.”
The joint training session came just two months after the real-life recovery of two bodies from the same stretch of the Maribyrnong River.
On the morning of Sunday, July 16, the bodies of 20-year-old Colombian national Diego Alejandro Barón, 20 and 85-year-old Footscray local Loelen Whitehand, were found within an hour of each other.
Ms Tan said the missing persons training session wasn’t a response to those two recoveries.
“It’s just normal training that we do. We normally train every single Monday at the same time.”
Those interested in joining the Footscray or Hobsons Bay SES units should visit: https:// www.ses.vic.gov.au/join-us
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
WANT YOUR EVENT LISTED? Community Calendar is made available free of charge to not-for-profit organisations to keep the public informed of special events and activities. Send item details to Star Weekly Community Calendar, Corner Thomsons Road and Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park, 3042, or email to westeditorial@starweekly.com.au by 9am Wednesday the week prior to publication
Stony Creek Music Festival
Rebecca Barnard and Shane O’Mare and some of the finest musos in the country will entertain with classic Rolling Stones hits. The day’s line up includes The Black Curtains, Rosaries, Bowlos, and Introducing Delsinki and the Quiet Coachman. The day will also feature Belle the princess on roller skates, face painting and lots of yummy food, and so much more. It’s a family day so bring a picnic. Saturday 19 October, from 1pm to 6pm at McNish Reserve, Court Street,Yarraville.
Michael Clarke 0434 473 734
Garden club
The Hobson’s Bay Garden Club is looking for new members. All new members who are keen gardeners and looking to make new friendships are welcome to join. Meeting consists of listening to guest speakers, taking part in the trading table, and most importantly enjoying afternoon tea while doing so. The group meets on the third Monday of the month at the Youth Hall on the corner of Civic Parade and Sugar Gum Drive at 1pm. The annual spring show will be held on Monday, October 21, at 1pm at the hall. All Welcome.
Kay 0411 793 534
Halloween Festival in Altona Meadows
Get ready for an unforgettable day of family fun and community spirit at the much-anticipated Halloween Festival in Altona Meadows on Sunday, October 27. Organised entirely by dedicated volunteers, this fourth-annual event takes
bowls, a game which is suitable for all ages. Laverton Bowls Club is recruiting new members, so if you are looking for a friendly atmosphere and the opportunity to bowl both socially or at pennant level Laverton is the place to be. Come to the club on Tuesday or Thursday mornings for practise beginning at 10am. All welcome at 77-87 Hall Street, Altona Meadows. 9369 1034 or secretary@lavertonbowls. com.au
Point Gellibrand Rotary Club
This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of Eloise and Isobel, two sisters who are participating in the Victorian State School Spectacular. (Damjan Janevski) 431738_01
Reserve in Hall Avenue, Altona Meadows. Entry is absolutely free and everyone is invited to enjoy the vibrant onstage entertainment throughout the afternoon. Jodie Martin, 0418 464 524, altonameadowsca@gmail.com
Laverton Bowls Club
Experience the fun and skill of lawn
The Rotary Club of Point Gellibrand meets at a local Williamstown restaurant on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 6pm for a 6.30 dinner meeting. The club has some great speakers and we need new, energic, enthusiastic members who want to make a difference in their community to join our fun club. Visit our website to find out more about our projects and community via www.rotarypointgellibrand.com.au, or Facebook https://www.facebook. com/pointgellibrandrotary, or call Pam on 0418347691 or email rotarypointgellibrand@gmail.com.
Fiddle group
The Newport Folk and Fiddle Beginner
Play Along Group is a great place for beginners or those with some experience, to play music in a safe, casual and welcoming environment. Come on down, have some fun, make new friends, have a cuppa and maybe even learn something new. All instruments and levels of expertise are welcomed where the
main aim is to enjoy music and have fun. Children are also most welcome. The third Saturday of the month, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, at 2nd Newport Scouts, 6 Market Street, Newport.
https://www.nffc.org.au/ beginner-playalong
Willin Wimmin Community choir, Discover the joy of group singing with the friendly women at WiIlin Wimmin choir in Williamstown. New members are always welcome, no audition. We sing contemporary, folk, choral and world repertoire in acapella style. The group meets on Wednesdays during school term, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm, at The Bridge Church hall, 119 Douglas Parade, Williamstown. The first two evenings of attendance are free.
www.willinwimmin.org.au or email willin. wimmin@gmail.com
Altona Day View Club
The Altona Day View Club meets on the third Wednesday each Month at 11am, at the Altona RSL 31 Sargood Street., Altona. ?Jan, 0419 159 783
Intro to computers course
For beginners and those looking to refresh skills. The computer lab is fully equipped for interactive and hands-on learning. Accessing information, resources, file management, emails, Microsoft Office, AI and online safety. At 43 Mason Street, Newport.
9391 8504, outlets@outletsco-op.com. au
Charlotte and Darren from the SES boating team on the Maribyrnong River. (supplied)
The 45 SES from volunteers who completed the missing persons training session on the Maribyrnong River on September 16. (supplied)
Volunteers from the Footscray and Hobsons Bay SES units hold a debrief after their joint training session on September 16. (supplied)
SES volunteers (L-R) Brett, Dylan, Mel, Mike, Sandy, Emrys after recovering a casualty dummy from the Maribyrnong River. (supplied)
SES commanders Audrey and Jon at the training session control centre. (supplied)
BRISBANE
SYDNEY SWANS - AFL GR
New exhibition deals with death
Emma Winkler’s exhibition, Shadow Puppets, has arrived at the Bowery Theatre in St Albans, delving into death, failure, and the absurd using collage, painting, and animation. Her work examines the way we respond to our own mortality, confronting the futility of attempting to ward off death.
Emma, who has had her work featured in Mooraboolpreviously,saidtheprojectexplores a number of ideas and puts them into one gallery.
“Shadow Puppets combines a range of references from Victorian magic tricks to slapstick comedy to explore reactions to death andanxietyaroundtheunknowntoencourage viewers to get more comfortable with the idea of dying,” she said. “Initially, I was exploring
‘the unknown,’ looking at topics such as pseudoscience, alternative belief systems and conspiracy theories to investigate how we approach topics at the limits or outside the bounds of our current understanding.
“Drawing on experiences of mental health conditions and encounters with death, my practice humorously reflects on the futility of fixating on our inevitable demise.
“The exhibition features works created in the past two years to fill the entire Bowery Gallery and includes large-scale paintings, multimedia works and an animation.
“This exhibition brings together many mediums and imagery, with pictures from outdated secondhand books that are collaged and used as painting references.”
With such a variety of works and visual material, there is lots to explore within each painting and the whole exhibition.
‘It’s All Soup in the End’ is a hand-painted stop-motion animation that is a unique addition to the exhibition created through an intensiveprocessusingoiltopainteachframe.”
The exhibition is now open and viewable to the public just in time for school holidays. Open hours are 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday, and 9am to 12.30pm on Saturdays.
Thereisalsoaclosingeventfortheexhibition that coincides with a number of other events at the Bowery gallery as part of Brimbank’s ‘Be Bold’ Festival on November 9.
Fringe to again go west in October
Fringe Westside 2024 returns next month, part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival which runs from October to 1 to 20.
This year’s line-up features a blend of creativity and community spirit, with live events taking place at both indoor and outdoorvenuesacrossMaribyrnong,including Maddern Square in Footscray.
The square just off the Nicholson Street mall will host one of the highlights of the festival, Free Fairy Floss on Sunday, October 13.
Designed to evoke wonder and celebrate the beauty in everyday moments, the family-friendly event will feature aerial performances, live music, and, of course, free fairy floss.
Another prominent venue will be Bluestone Church Arts Space which will host three compelling contemporary performances, showcasing the diverse talent in Melbourne’s west.
The Electric Cathedral is a multi-media experience where six a cappella singers will lead audiences through profound human questions, all set against the immersive backdrop of a virtual cathedral. The church willbetransformedintoaverydifferentsetting forDirtyOldTown,aplaywrittenbyemerging local playwright James Madsen-Smith.
Set in the suburbs of Melbourne’s west, the play explores the intersecting themes of youth andclassinanintimatetheatricalenvironment.
The work of another western suburbs playwright, Wyndham’s Alaine Beek, will then be showcased in the critically acclaimed Jack and Millie.
A reimagining of Beek’s own breast cancer journey, Jack and Millie is a gritty and witty exploration of the impact of a life-threatening diagnosis, inviting audiences into a world of resilience and humour.
Other venues to host shows during the festival include Footscray Community Arts, Kindred Studios, Pride of Our Footscray, Waterside Forge, and Mamma Chens.
For more information and to book tickets, visit: https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/ festivalcity/Festivals/Fringe-Westside-2024
Temple set to host flames and fireworks
As October approaches, so too does one of the “biggest days in the Hindu calendar.”
From 11am – to 6pm on October 13, the Sri Durga temple will host a special festival to commemorate Dussehra.
Visitors can attend the temple for free, locatedat705-715NealeRoadinDeanside,and join the millions celebrating across the globe.
Highlights of the festival include the ‘Devil’s Burning’, which is immediately followed by a large fireworks display to conclude the evening at sunset.
Sri Durga temple vice president Gary Verma said that the fiery display is deeply tied to the tradition of the event.
“Dussehra is the day where Lord Rama killed the devil, so we celebrate by burning a large 12-foot effigy of the demon,” he said.
“It is a precursor to Diwali, when Lord Rama came back to his kingdom after defeating the devil.”
However, there would be plenty on offer for patrons throughout the day, said Mr Verma.
“Therewillbemanyfoodstallswithavariety of delicious foods from different parts of India, there will be rides for kids, and if you are a fan of music and cultural dances, come and sit near the stage to watch the performances.”
Mr Verma emphasised that the festival was not exclusive to those of Hindu faith and that all walks of life were encouraged to attend.
“This is a cultural festival… we welcome people to celebrate the rich, colourful, and vibrant Indian community,” he said.
Eddie Russell
Legendary Australian band Noiseworks are set to rock Werribee Park for One Electric Day on Sunday, November 17
Frontman Jon Stevens, who has headlined the event as a solo act multiple times, expressed excitement at the prospect of returning.
“It’s a great line up and I am very honoured to be headlining that day,” he said.
Calling it “a one of a kind venue”, Stevens described the unique magic of Werribee Park.
“When you’re standing on that stage, you’re looking all the way down to the mansion- it is just a magnificent sort of viewpoint.”
The energy transfer between artist and audience has always been special to Stevens.
“It’s love, I suppose. It’s very, very humbling- and sometimes it can actually be emotional and sometimes it can be a little overwhelming when you’re up there.
“It’s such a beautiful exchange.”
When it comes to performing hits, Stevens said he values maintaining the integrity of the songs fans have come to love over the decades.
“I try to play everything true to the original as much as humanly possible,“ he said.
By no means relegated to the past, Noiseworks released ‘Evolution’ in November 2022, a record that Stevens said was “Probably my favourite Noiseworks album“.
While Noiseworks will be without founding member and guitarist Stuart Fraser, who passed away shortly after recording their final album in December 2019,thestageisthebestwaytopaytheir respects to their former comrade.
Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster. com.au/one-electric-day-tickets/ artist/1896257
Jaidyn Kennedy
Niow and Ania Reynolds from Free Fairy Floss which takes place in Maddern Square, Footscray on October 13.
(Phillip Gao)
Jon Stevens. (Supplied)
Gerald Lynch
Emma Winkler is the artist behind a new exhibition Shadow Puppets. (Damjan Janevski) 432300_01
Gary Verma in the temple. (Damjan Janevski)
SPORTS QUIZ
1. At the recent US Open, Queensland’s Benjamin Wenzel became the first Australian tennis player to do what?
2. Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner won the US Open singles and which other Grand Slam in 2024?
3. Which Hawks player was spotted at a pub the night before their elimination final victory?
4. The International Gymnastics Federation, commonly abbreviated to FIG, is headquartered in which country?
5. Name the 1970 biopic in which James Earl Jones played a character inspired by boxer Jack Johnson.
6. Which Asian celebration of traditional sports and culture, dubbed the ‘Great Gathering on the Steppe’, took place recently in Astana?
7. Held each March, the Brier is the Canadian men’s championship of what sport?
8. In which year were women first allowed to compete in the World Karate Championships?
Which Canterbury winger recently returned a positive drug test, according to police?
What was the nickname of sports broadcaster Graham McNeice, who died this month?
By what margin did Geelong defeat Port Adelaide in the second qualifying final of the AFL finals series?
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley was fined how much for his post-siren exchange with Hawthorn players?
13. In what position on the medal tally did Australia finish in the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games?
14. Slovenia’s Primoz Roglic recently won which major European cycling event for the fourth time?
15. Which country defeated the Australian men’s soccer team 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier on September 5?
16. In which year was the Norm Smith medal first awarded for best-on-ground in an AFL grand final?
17. Multiple championshipwinning F1 designer Adrian Newey has left Red Bull Racing to join which midfield team in 2025?
18. The Refugee Paralympic Team won how many medals at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games?
19. The English men’s cricket team were defeated by which country in the third match of the recent three-Test series?
20. Which professional men’s golf tour references the Roman numeral 54 in its official name?
21. Oscar Piastri’s victory at the 2024 Azerbaijan Formula 1 Grand Prix took his career tally to how many wins?
22. The Brisbane Lions came from how many points behind to win their semifinal against the GWS Giants?
23. Australian NBA player Josh Green was traded to which team in July?
24. The Matildas will play which nation in two friendly matches in December?
25. Australia will play India in how many Test cricket matches over the course of the 2024-25 summer?
26. Which AFLW teams are the only two undefeated after the first three rounds?
27. The 2026 Winter Olympics will be held in which country?
28. And what country will host the 2030 edition of the games?
29. AFLW star player Monique Conti also plays what sport at a professional level?
30. Which Australian batsman scored a century in the second match of the T20 international series against Scotland?
Oscar Piastri
James Earl Jones
ACROSS
1 Well pleased (9)
6 German automobile manufacturer (4)
10 Prefix denoting reversal (3)
11 Formal statement about another’s character (11)
12 Former US first lady, – Obama (8)
13 Counterreply (6)
14 Bird’s home (4)
15 Instructor (7)
20 Traditions (7)
21 Edible rootstock (4)
25 Recess (6)
26 In a smooth and effortless manner (8)
28 Donated (11)
29 Ocean (3)
30 Good fortune (4)
31 Preceding day (9)
DOWN
1 Lees (8)
2 Case that sets a precedent (4,4)
3 Furniture item (6)
4 Unable to pay (9)
5 Speaker’s platform (4)
7 Tandem (6)
8 Water-surrounded land mass (6)
9 Supervisors (7)
16 Finishes (9)
17 Corrupt (7)
18 Being admitted to a church (8)
19 Having multiple wives or husbands (8)
22 Package (6)
23 Picturesque (6)
24 Heckle (6)
27 Web auction site (4)
7 Dawn Tinsley is a character from which UK television series?
8
Brooke Shields (pictured),
Zellweger and Ashlee Simpson have all played which Chicago character?
4 Do sufferers of myopia have trouble seeing close or distant objects?
5 What was Beijing known as prior to 1949?
Which planet is the home of Olympus Mons, the tallest mountain in our solar system?
Sorento PE joins Kia pantheon
By Derek Ogden, Marque Motoring
Some sports utility vehicles are just big, others are bold.
The 2024 Sorento PE, for Product Enhancement, taking a lead from the EV9 World Car of the Year, veers to the latter, cementing its place in Kia’s modern pantheon.
The MY24 stays true to the outgoing model relying on the existing range of four powertrains. The 3.5-litre petrol front-wheel drive and 2.2-litre diesel all-wheel drive variants are available across four trim levels –S, Sport, Sport+ and GT-Line – with the last, home for the Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid.
“The award-winning fourth generation seven-seat Sorento took the large SUV segment by storm,” says Kia Australia CEO Damien Meredith. “When it was launched in 2020 with the enhanced model, what was really good is even better now.”
The two hybrids sell for $70,330 for the front-wheel drive and $73,330 the all-wheel drive – both before on-road costs. Warranty on both is the Kia seven-year, unlimited kilometre,whiletheKiaConnectisaseven-year complimentary car service providing owner benefitsinsafety,security,convenienceandlive services for real-time data such as weather and traffic info.
Smartstream 1.6L turbo petrol engine works in tandem with an electric motor and the 6-speed transmission. This allows the full output of both petrol engine and/or electric motor to be transferred in parallel through the transmission, with minimal energy loss.
Styling
The new Sorento features multiple refreshed design elements creating a unique appearance with cues from the EV9 electric car, it stands boldly with a new headlight graphic and a cleaner radiator grille and front bumper. Side on, the Sorento stands firm and true
to the rugged character of a big four-wheel drive wagon. The simplified rear offers a more modern look, with the rear lamps taking their lead from the new signature front lighting design.
Interior
The almost three-metre wheelbase dishes up a cabin with plenty of room for up to seven occupants in three rows of seats adorned with quilted Nappa leather. Up front seating has heating and ventilation, plus 14-way power adjustment for the driver’s side with two-position memory. The steering wheel also is heated. A shift-by-wire knob makes for a clean look for the centre console.
The second-row seats offer fore-aft sliding, which means getting into the third row is not difficult. A single touch of a button and the middle-row seat slides and folds for access to the rear or adjusts limited third-row leg room for comfort.
Reflecting the ever increasing take up of digital technology, the internal mirror launchedintheKiaEV9displaysasharpimage of what is behind the Sorento. Not instantly accommodating,itdoestakeasecondortwoto refocus the eyes from the road ahead to what’s behind the vehicle.
Infotainment
Twin 12.3-inch displays dominate the dashboard, with a touchscreen on the left and a digital equipment cluster offering clear, instant readouts for a relaxed driving experience. Following in the way of the Kia EV9, over-the-air system updates are available across the Sorento range, including GT-Line HEVs.
Bose has come up with premium sound system combining a dozen optimally tuned, high performance speakers and sub-woofer based on the company’s unique sound technology. As Bose claims, it’s a “rich” and immersive audio experience’.
Engines/transmissions
The Sorento GT-Line Hybrid makes use of a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine in tandem with a small electric motor putting out total power of 169kW at 5500rpm and 350Nm of torque at 1500rpm.
Unlike many petrol/electric hybrid vehicles, a 1kWh Li-po battery located under the floor, the Sorento HEV requires no external manual charging.Thesystemfuelsitselfbyusingenergy lost decelerating, braking, or by picking up excess engine power not used during cruising. The battery feeds the electric motor that can either run on its own for short stints or shares the load with the petrol engine.
Safety
The Sorento GT-Line Hybrid has earned a five-star ANCAP safety rating in the 2022
testing regimen. PE upgrades introduce Highway Driving Assist, the next generation of Advanced Driver Assistance System, which operates only on a freeway or motorway.
HDA advances adaptive cruise control with stop/go capability, combining with Lane Following Assist to keep the car centred in the lane even when driving through a curve. Parkingproblemsarealsoeasedbytheaddition of Parking Distance Warning (front, side and rear) that will warn the driver when a bump is likely during parking.
Driving
With a small, turbocharged engine and electric motor built into the six-speed automatic transmission, while the Sorento HEV sets off under electric power alone, the petrol engine can’t wait to join in, adding a buzzy note and slight vibration to proceedings.
Fuel consumption of 5.8 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined urban/highway cycle is claimed by the maker. The test vehicle returned eight in the city and 5.5 on the motorway.
As expected, Kia has tuned ride and handling for Australian conditions and results in a far from jumpy ride on the road. Control and comfort go hand in hand.
The Sorento has three drive modes – Eco, Sport or Smart – which, according to how the car is driven, monitors the manner and adjusts steering, throttle response, and transmission shifts to suit.
Terrainmodecantakethestressoutofsnow, mud and sand conditions to a certain extent but there’s no substitute for experience here.
Summary
The Sorento, we are told, was subjected to an extensive ride and handling program over thousands of kilometres across urban, country andoutbackroadsinAustralia.Withouttaking too many liberties the GT-Line Hybrid shows these efforts to great advantage.
The Kia Sorento PE is cementing its place in Kia’s modern pantheon. (Pictures: Supplied)
Season 2024 comes to an end
Local football and netball finals came to an end on the weekend with a number of finals across Melbourne’s north-west and surrounding competitions. Star Weekly’s Ljubica Vrankovic was out shooting some of theaction.
Hoppers Crossing’s Riley Fisher. 432961_01
Nick O’Kearney. 432959_53
Western Football League division 1 grand final crowd. 432961_06
Hoppers Crossing’s Jed Anderson. 432961_39
Werribee Districts’ Brock Spiteri. 432961_03
Keilor and the crowd. 432959_10
Mick McGuane and Keilor. 432959_09
Jack Bonnett and Harry Maguire. 432961_08
Cody Brand. 432959_43
Mason Thomas. 432959_24
Western Bulldogs get their first win of season
The Western Bulldogs have recorded their first win of the AFLW season, storming home to smash an injury-hit Collingwood by 42 points.
After beginning life under new coach Tamara Hyett with four straight defeats, the Bulldogs rallied at Victoria Park to pile more misery upon the Magpies on Sunday.
Trailing Collingwood by eight points at quarter-time, the Bulldogs slotted eight-straight goals to set up the 9.3 (57) to 2.3 (15) win.
It was the Bulldogs’ first victory since they beat West Coast late last season - their only victory for the 2023 campaign.
Still without superstar Ellie Blackburn, the Bulldogs’ younger guard stepped up and built on an encouraging performance against reigning premiers Brisbane last week.
Number one draft pick Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner enjoyed a breakout game, slotting the first goal of a career full of
promise.
The 19-year-old capped off a special day for the Bulldogs when she snapped a goal-of-the-year contender from the pocket in the last quarter.
Weston-Turner, Heidi Woodley and Jessica Fitzgerald finished with two goals each for the Bulldogs.
Bulldogs captain Deanna Berry was thrilled with the win. It’s her first win as skipper.
“We’ve been building so much over the last few weeks, and every week we’ve just continually got better,” she told the Seven Network.
“We wanted it today so bad.
“After Wednesday playing the Lions, we knew that we had the confidence to come out really put on a good show.
“Those girls, they’re working their butts off right now, and we’re proving that we’re going to be there soon.
“I’m just so proud of them.”
Coach Tamara Hyett, who coached her first win, said she was so happy for everyone at the club to finally taste a win.
She said it was reward for what the players have been committing too.
“The scoreboard looked flattering for us,” she said. “But what I’m most pleased about is that we stuck to our processes.”
Hyett said after a strong start they went away from a few things structurally and they had to reset at quarter time an the prove is in the pudding.
She said they were able to do the basics right and they’re continuing to build game awareness.
The Bulldogs will be back in action on Friday night against Sydney.
Hyett said they’ve shown glimpses of what they can do, they just have to do it for longer.
Tara
Brodie making his mark
By Peter Howe
Reikken Brodie was a frustrated kid for years watching his younger sister, Honor, train and play netball, coached by their mother Mary. He finally got his chance on court as a fill-in in under-13s.
“My first touch was a ball I punched out of bounds, my Dad, a footy convert, chipped in andsuggestedtheumpirepaydeliberateoutof bounds,” he recalls.
Brodie played cricket and basketball, as well as both football and rugby league as a youngster, but sometimes struggled with the physical nature of the sport played by bigger bodies in the latter.
Only now at 190 centimetres tall he is starting to grow into his body.
Brodie’s transition through the ranks of netball has been rapid.
He started with the Tarneit Titans then onto Wyndham Netball Association boy’s representative team.
HewastheTarneitTitansunder-15bestand fairest winner and made his first Victorian team in the under-17s in 2022-23.
Victoria won the national title in Perth and Brodiewasnamedintheall-starteamandwas the Victorian under-17 most valuable player. It earned him selection in the under-17 Australian team.
Brodie is always up for a challenge and is now more aware of the intricacies of netball.
“As a male, netball is a more aerial sport,” he said. “My height and arm span make me a little unique in the positions I play in the midcourt.
“Women’s netball is played more in close, they would win the ball against the males if it was played that way.
“My skills also include good hand eye coordination and the short sharp movement.”
Coupled with his rise in netball, he was also playing football with the Eynesbury Eagles in the Riddell District Football League and then Werribee Districts in the Western Football Netball League.
He made Western Jets summer squad for 2023-24.
“The skills required in both games are quite similar,” Brodie said. “The fitness requirements are similar, my height and reach compliment both sports.
“My spatial awareness and ability to read the play certainly helps me.”
Brodie spends two nights a week training for football plus playing on Saturday. He was recently part of Werribee Districts under-18 premiership which he said had been one of his main focuses.
He then plays netball on Wednesday and has state netball training on Sundays. He’s currently part of the under-23 squad.
“There is a growing number of men’s teams
now playing in the competition at the State Netball and Hockey stadium in Parkville,” he said “Victorian men’s netball has a fantastic pathway that sets them apart from the other states, which has seen a huge growth in the sport here.
“There are now seven really good premier men’s teams in the competition, as well as 10 division one teams.”
Having played every position throughout his years of netball, Brodie has found a home in the midcourt.
Hissinglecrowningmomentinhisfledgling netball career occurred at the 2024 Australian Netball Awards in Brisbane following his Victorian team’s under-23 victory at the State Netball Championships.
“I was awarded the most valuable player in the under-23 division as a 17-year-old. It blew me away. I was so grateful.”
Brodie was then selected to play for the
Sports shorts
Baseball
The Williamstown Wolves have signed import Spencer Taack for the upcoming Baseball Victoria summer league season. Taack pitched all five years of his college career at Henderson State University, originally a 2 way outfielder-pitcher before he converted to a pitcher-only later in his career.
Big V awards
Altona Gators Randy Shanklin has been named the Big V women’s division 1 coach of the year. Shanklin guided the Gators to a preliminary final despite a number of availability issues throughout the season. Tyla Paraha was named the division 1 youth player of the year.
Coates Talent League
Western Jets duo Sierra Grieves and Lucas Impey have been named in the Coates Talent League teams of the year. Grieves was named in the middle of the ground in the girls team in the latest honour for her having claimed the Vic Metro most valuable player. Impey was named in the ruck in the boys team. It’s been a big year for Impey, who made his Victorian Football League debut and played VFL finals.
VTCA
Australian under-20 team later this year.
The year 12 student at Mackillop College wasn’t giving much away in relation to which sport he loves the most.
‘I love them both, footy gives me a good fitness base which definitely helps me on the court,andnetballgivesmethat360awareness in tight spaces which conditions me for the midfield on the footy ground’.
His long term goal with netball is to play at the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane if the sport qualifies.
The Don Deeble Sports Star Award is sponsored by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club, Strathmore Community Bank, the Deer Park Club, Ascot Vale Sports and Trophies and Star Weekly Newspapers.
If you would like to nominate a monthly winner or attend a dinner, contact swrsportsclub@gmail.com or 0408 556 631.
Fixtures for the Victorian Turf Cricket Association seasons have been revealed for four of the six senior men’s divisions. The season starts with a one-dayer before the rest of the rounds before Christmas being two-dayers. Action resumes on January 11 after the break with two one dayers included on January 25 and March 1.
VTCA
Footscray United has announced the signing of Rajesh Magar for the upcoming Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 1 season. Magar has played top level cricket in his native country of Nepal, and comes to the Bulldogs from his previous club, Brunswick in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association. He is a batsman, who also bowls leg spin.
FOR MORE SPORT, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au
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Alice Edmonds and Sabrina Frederick in action on Sunday. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)
Murray, with Oliver Caffrey, AAP
Reikken Brodie. (Supplied)
Laverton to have co-coaches for season 2025
Laverton will have co-coaches for next year’s Western Football League division 2 season as it aims to continue to take the next step.
Tony Jofre, who has been coach since 2022, will continue on coaching the Magpies but he will have some more assistance this season.
Nick Waddell will join him as a co-coach. Waddell’s resume is extensive and he’s been involved in the league for a number of years. He started at Point Cook in 2004 coaching for four seasons where it made three grand finals before he moved across to Altona to coach under-18s.
Waddell made at least the preliminary final in all four years.
He spent three seasons at the Western Jets as the backline development coach, before being the inaugural coach of the now-Point Cook Centrals.
Waddell then returned to Point Cook and took the under-18s to two division 1 premierships. JofresaiditwasexcitingtohaveWaddellstep in and help him coach the side.
“We’re always learning and it’s always good to have a mentor,” he said. “Coaches always need mentors as well.
“Nick is fantastic. He’s a great person and his son played a few games with us last season and he’s got a wealth of experience.
“He’s best suited to help carry on what we’re trying to do at Laverton.”
Jofre said there’s only so much one person can do as a coach, so to have someone like that step in helps build things a lot bigger and stronger.
Jeff Magee and life member Dejan Samoukovic will be assistant coaches, while Daniel Rainbow will be the reserves coach.
Jofre said it’s exciting that more people want to get on board and try and help them out.
“It’s good to have a lot of hands helping out,” he said. “It means that we are growing and we’re growing in the right direction.
“More people wanting to help and get
Bunjaku battles through
By Tara Murray
Trying to win a world title is hard enough, let alone having to do it with a broken leg.
That was the case for Prince Bunjaku in his recent IKBF Championship cruiserweight world title fight against Atsushi Mori. Bunjaku entered the fight full of confidence with an undefeated record, but he thought his chances of winning the title were over early in the fight.
“I broke my leg in the first round,” he said. “I still had four more rounds to go with a broken leg, that was fun.
“I knew I had done something bad. I was struggling to stand up to be honest. When it happened, I didn’t know how I was going to get through the next round, let alone the rest of the fight.”
Lucky for Bunjaku no one else, including his opponent, had realised the damage that he had done.
He wasn’t going to let anyone know and he
changed his approach to try and claim the win and the title.
“I outboxed him,” he said. “I kept making it so he couldn’t kick my leg cause my left leg kept collapsing.
“I just tried to creep forward slowly and just try to use my hands.”
The world title is Bunjaku’s third and he has a 17-0 record.
He won the same weight category in 2019. Earlier this year, he won the heavyweight title against someone who was 30 kilograms heavier.
Bunjaku said he doesn’t think anyone else has ever done that, winning two different division titles in the same year.
It was one of three fights on the night between Australian and Japanese opponents.
Melbourne’s Nasar Kassab defeated Japan’s Aqil Bukhari, while Campbellfield’s Mini Nachar defeated Kimura to claim the IKBF championship heavyweight world title.
Yarraville promoter Lim Jeka organised the
involved in football again, which is great.”
TheMagpiesfinishedthisseasonin10thspot with six wins. It’s the most wins they’ve had in a season in 2011 when they won seven games.
Jofre said they were excited to keep building on what they’ve been doing.
“We’vecomealongwaysinceIfirststartedat theclub,”hesaid.“Ithasbuiltgraduallyandit’s gotten better and better.
“It’s been more positive each year and next year, we’re 101 years old next year. Let’s see what we can do at Laverton.”
Jofre said in the off season they would keep building and look to add some more players to the club, including through recruiting. He said they were a family club and wanted all people from the area to want to be a part of the club. “It’s an exciting year ahead and we welcome anyone to come along for the ride.”
Tara Murray
Team of the year revealed
Grand finalists Werribee Districts and Hoppers Crossing have led the way with Western Football League division 1 team of the year nominations.
The pair had four nominations each as all nine teams had players named in the team of the year.
The Tigers’ Harrison White, Dillon Viojo-Rainbow, Lachlan Rainbow and Sean Gregory have all been named in the team.
Viojo-Rainbow, Rainbow and Gregory havebeennamedintheteamforasecond straight year.
The experienced Braden Ferrari, Ashlin Brown, Ryan Kitchen and Jed Anderson have been named from the Warriors.
Brown was the only Warriors player in the team of the year last year. First year coach Jared Polec has been named coach of this year’s team of the year.
His skipper is Caroline Springs’ Ryan Allan,whohasbeennamedatcentrehalf back.
Max Tessari and Alex Paech are the other Lakers in the team
Altona’s Luke Whatman, Cooper Atchison, Point Cook’s Billy Kolyniuk, Point Cook Centrals’ Haidyn Shade and Daniel Rosenzweig, Yarraville Seddon’s Michael Selsby and Lachlan Green, Parkside’s O’Neil Moncrieff and Tom Condon and Spotswood’s Jack Charleston and Sam Cross make up the team.
three fights.
Bunjaku, who is the owner of AKB Altona Kickboxing, said he was back walking with the help of a cane.
He doesn’t have much time to rest his leg as he supports his two sons as they head to Japan to try and win their own world titles.
Naser and Dilan Bunjaku will compete at the Kyokushin World Championships in Japan.
“They are only 10 and 14,” he said.”They’re going to have a crack and they’ve got lots of fights already.
“They keep building. They’ve never had big events and titles like this for juniors. It’s the first one for the whole world.
“They had to qualify for it this year. They had to beat people from across Australia.”
Bunjaku said he didn’t think that there had been three members of the same family win world titles in the space of two weeks before.
“It doesn’t matter if they win or lose, as long as they fight their best,” he said.
The women’s team of the year was also revealed, with grand finalists Caroline Springs and Werribee Centrals having four players each named as every team was represented.
NyomiStowers,JacintaKondis,Caitlin Pretty and Dijana Vasilevska were named from the Lakers and Meghann Basto, Jessica Spall, Larissa Renaut and grand final best on ground Julia Nash were named from the Centurions.
Premiership coach Jade De La Rue was named coach of the year.
Laverton’s Magan Ristic-Keena, the Suns’ Mary Daw, Madeline Johnson, Akima Manoah, Yarraville Seddon’s KamalaCemeljicandRosieRonan-Yates, North Sunshine’s Dannielle Menzies, Wyndhamvale’s Mariah Burton and Chloe Prior, Parkside’s Rita Ceravolo, Taquila Ange and Aleisha Casley, and West Footscray’s Emily Gillespie and Kathleen Gannon make up the team. Daw was named captain.
Laverton has appointed co-coaches. (Supplied)
Prince Bunjaku (left) won his second world title this year. (Tamara Jane Photography)
United bolsters defence with two new recruits
Western United has fortified its young defensive core ahead of the A-League women’s season with the signings of Bulleen Lions stars Isabel Dehakiz and Claudia Mihocic.
Dehakiz won the National Premier League Women’s players’ player of the year at the Victorian Football Gala having previously played professionally in Colombia and been on the Portland Thorns roster as a replacement player.
Mihocic brings ready-made A-League experience to Ironbark Fields with 16 appearances for Perth Glory and has represented Australia with the Junior and Young Matildas.
Continuing their partnership together in the A-League, both players are ready to make an impact with United.
“It feels great to have signed my first
A-League contract, especially here at Western,” Dehakiz said. “That was my goal in coming here, and FC Bulleen gave me a great stepping stone to get there.
“I just can’t wait to meet everyone, to put on
the jersey with everyone and fill in whatever role on the field or off the field.”
Mihocic added,” I’m very excited to have signed with Western United. Every facet of the team over the past few years has been strong, and I’m really looking forward to hopping into that.
“Ironbark Fields is the perfect place for the fans to come out – the stadium is great, it’s green and black. I know the active support are loud on the drums and with the chants. That’s the type of culture we want to see at the games, so if everyone can come out that would be amazing.”
United coach Kat Smith said Dehakiz and Mihocic’squalitiesaddtoanincrediblyexciting defensive group for the green and black.
“We are delighted to bring Izzy and Claudia to the Club, further strengthening our talented
coreofdefensiveplayersinoursquad,”shesaid.
“Both players have shown their excellence in possession and their strength defensively which will help us in all phases of the game.
“We are looking to play an exciting brand of football, and it’s not just the attackers that will contribute to that. All of our defensive players are blessed with supreme talent and ambition and I can’t wait to see them come together.”
Meanwhile, Keiwa Hieda and Kiara De Domizio have signed new contracts.
Inherfirstseasonasaprofessionalfootballer, Hieda was one of only our Western United players to feature in all 23 matches, scoring three goals and registering two assists.
De Domizio was also in her first ever senior campaignandscoredarguablyUnited’sbiggest goal, a late equaliser against Central Coast Mariners that clinched a home final.
Instant success for coach Polec
By Tara Murray
Hoppers Crossing coach Jared Polec says it’s a surreal experience to take Hoppers Crossing to the Western Football League division 1 premiership in his first year in charge.
Polec took over the coaching role after a tough2023seasonwheretheWarriorswonjust two games and finished bottom.
They were able to turn it around and on Saturday claimed the ultimate prize, beating Werribee Districts, 13.12 (90)-14.5 (89).
“The bones was always there,” Polec said of the side. “The previous nine years before last year they had finished in the finals.
“They had the squad, it was just about resetting the beliefs and bringing in a new life and new system and they brought in.
“Once we became a finals contender, we thought we would become a threat. But to win it, definitely surreal.”
Polec said the most pleasing thing for him was to bring premiership joy to the group of playersthatstuckaroundafterthe2023season.
The Warriors had no expectations heading into the season and that continued into the grand final.
It was a strong start against the Tigers on Saturday and led by 27 points at half time.
Polec said they were able to get off to a good start, before the Tigers reduced the margin to one point heading into the final quarter.
“In the second quarter we broke clear and credit to Werribee, they are a really strong physical side.,” he said.
“They just never give up. Chris [Gilham] has done a good job with that side over three years, no doubt another premiership contender next year.
“They were the best side all year and we beat them on the day.”
Polec said heading into the final quarter that he always had faith in the group and that they could hold on.
He said there was a bit of panic but things had changed for this group.
“Previously we would have folded that game andlostby20-30points,”Polecsaid.“Especially early in the season.
“The boys stuck at it. It’s a good learning point and I think it’ll be a pressure release for a lot of those boys that had fallen short those couple of times.”
There were plenty of key moments late for both sides, with one standing out for Polec in ensuring his team got over the line.
“Chris Dounas’ effort on the wing late summed it up,” he said. “A young kid, played just enough senior games to qualify for the finals series.
“Came big a minute and half out and it summed up our day, key moments
that we won.”
Polec’s great mate Jed Anderson was named best on ground. The pair played together at North Melbourne.with Anderson joining the Warriors with Polec.
“From the playing point of view, we all know what Jed can bring,” Polec said of Anderson.
“He is tough, he is hard.
“It’s the work that he does away from the ball and the education that he gives to our group which is second to none.
“He has taught the guys… Having him play that style and you see the boys learning off him in game.”
The premiership is the Warriors first in 20 years. Polec said he was so happy for the club and certain people who had been around for a number of years.
He said he hopes that is the start of the beginning of something special and they can be finals contenders every year, like Werribee Districts which has played in the past three grand finals.
“We’ve signed pretty much every player and 80 per cent of our list are two years,” he said.
“Weareaverystableclubandthatissomething that I wanted to bring. I wanted to bring in a mindset of being a stable club, something it hasn’t been the last couple of years.
“Signing players to two year contracts, I guess it’s easier to recruit for certain players.
We’reinareallygoodpositiontogoatitagain.”
Isabel Dehakiz and Claudia Mihocic. (Supplied)
Harley Armstrong-Weston. (Pictures: Ljubica Vrankovic) 432961
Jared Polec and Liam McMahon.
