Star Weekly - Northern - 29th October 2024

Shiver me timbers

Amedeo Gallicchio and his family love Halloween.

For the past two years, Mr Gallicchio has built a spooky display in the garden of his Craigieburn home for his children and locals to enjoy.

This year’s display has a pirate theme, complete with a pirate ship built out of recycled and refurbished materials.

His wife, Jess, said construction works commenced more than a month ago.

“We have been in Halloween mode for a while now,” she said.

“My husband just really likes Halloween and likes to build stuff.

“We have gone bigger this year.”

The family is expecting a large crowd on October 31, after last year’s display drew people from all over Craigieburn despite not being advertised.

Halloween lovers young and old are encouraged to dress up for their visit to the display at 8 Swansea Court, with entry by gold coin donation.

Details: https://tinyurl.com/mtzhdnxa

 For more frightful Halloween fun, turn to page 14.

Cousin’s life-saving actions

Almosttwoyearsago,PeterReynoldsreceived the greatest Christmas gift: a family member saved his life.

The 66-year-old, from Westmeadows, had a cardiac arrest and is sharing his story during Shocktober to encourage others to learn lifesaving skills.

Mr Reynolds was helping his cousin, Stephen Gustus, move house on December 23, 2022, when he suddenly collapsed, hit his head and became unresponsive. Mr Gustus moved his cousin onto his back and checked his vital signs while calling his mum, Shar, who was downstairs. After realizing Mr Reynolds wasn’t breathing, Mr Gustus immediately started cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

while his mum called triple-0.

Working together, the pair took turns performing effective CPR until firefighters and paramedics arrived on scene. After spending six days in intensive care at Royal Melbourne Hospital, Mr Reynolds returned home and recovered with no lasting effects.

Mr Gustus said he had learnt CPR through a first aid course but had never needed to use it before.

“I thought he was going to die if I didn’t act fast, so I wasted no time starting compressions,” he said.

“Thegravityofwhathappenedhasdefinitely sunk in now and I realize how precious life is.”

Ambulance Victoria acting area manager

Lucy Claridge said Peter’s story shows how important early bystander intervention is for cardiac arrest cases.

“We want everyone to know that you don’t have to be a paramedic to save a life, you just have to remember to call (call triple-0), push (perform CPR), shock (use an AED).”

Thanks to the quick thinking of those around him, Mr Reynolds has made a full recovery.

“In my eyes, Stephen is the real hero as he overcame the emotion of seeing a loved one like that and focused on my health and what he needed to do to save me,” he said.

“His quick thinking made all the difference. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for his efforts.”

Amedeo Gallicchio has built a Halloween display at his Craigieburn house.

(Damjan Janevski) 438977_01

Stephen Gustus helped save his counsin, Peter Reynolds’ life after he had a cardiac arrest. (Supplied)

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Whittlesea jobs land unlocked

By Laura Michell

Land for an employment precinct in the City of Whittlesea’snorthwillbeunlockedbythestate government as a part of a decade-long plan to boost development in greenfield areas.

The government’s greenfields plan aims to provide a pipeline of new homes with backyards for growing families and will release of unzoned land sequenced to align with the provision of infrastructure and community needs so that new communities are liveable, green and adequately serviced.

On Wednesday, October 23, Premier Jacinta Allan and Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny

announced the first three greenfields plans would be released by the government in 2024-25.

They are the northern freight precinct in Beveridge, Kororoit part two in Melton and Cardinia Creek south part two in Cardinia.

The northern freight precinct will be an employment precinct next to the Beveridge West and Lockerbie precinct structure plans.

Kororoit part two and Cardinia Creek south part two will be residential developments.

The government is also planning to built 70 per cent of new homes in Melbourne’s inner and established areas over the next 10 years, with the remaining 30 per cent to be built in

outer suburban greenfield areas.

The government said this will reverse the pressure placed on growth suburbs over the past 30 years.

“Familyhomesandbackyardsareabeautiful thing for those who want it – that’s why we are delivering 10years’ worth of them in one big plan for the first time ever,“ Ms Allan said.

“Whether it’s a new house with a backyard that’s fit for a big family, or a unit in the inner suburbs near a train station for a first home buyer – I’m about more homes and more opportunities for everyone.”

Ms Kilkenny said the government’s plans was about getting the balance right between

Show has something for everyone

The Whittlesea Show is back for another year with all the favourites set to delight show-goers.

One of the big events on the local calendar, the show has something for everyone. Heritage, sheep and the ever-popular animal nursery will be back and there will also be new competitions to enter, including the pygmy goat obstacle course.

There will be pull tractors to see, toy tractorstodriveandarangeoffreeattractions includinginteractivesimulatorsandanallday

circus and a range of skill demonstrations.

This year there will be additional rides, a new look education pavilion and attractions to entertain both young and old.

Whittlesea Agricultural Society president Jayson Munro tries to honour both the show’s history and agriculture in the area, continuing to introduce both subtle and obvious changes with each year.

It’s his first year as president.

“My grandparents lived in Wollert and were always involved in the Whittlesea Show,

he said. “I have been involved with the show for about 30 years so it’s just the natural progression.”

Munro said there were plenty of new things around the ground including junior handling, pavillon hunter showbag, drones and all the usual things.

Munro himself quite enjoys cooking and baking and has won a number of prizes

The show is on November 2 and 3 at the Whittlesea Showgrounds.

Tickets: ticketebo.com.au

development in the outer suburbs and development in the inner city.

Growth areas will also benefit from a $150 million in funding through contributions from property developers as part of the new round of Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC) funding.

Submissions will open later this year. Through this scheme, developers contribute to funding for important projects like roads and public transport services, school upgrades, health and community facilities, sport and recreationfacilitiesandopenspaceinCardinia, Casey, Hume, Melton, Mitchell, Whittlesea and Wyndham.

Australia’s largest pubs operator will coughup$177,000forrepeatedlyflouting underage gambling laws.

An underage teenager was allowed to gamble on multiple occasions at five Melbourne pubs from September 2022 to October 2023, Victoria’s gambling watchdog said.

TheAustralianLeisureandHospitality Group-run venues involved were the Albion Charles Hotel in Northcote, Cramers Hotel in Preston, Doncaster Hotel, Excelsior Hotel in Thomastown and Rose Shamrock & Thistle Hotel.

Separately, an eight-year-old child with an adult was not stopped from entering the poker machine area of Laverton’s Westside Taverner, another venue operated by the company.

The adult was spoken to by staff and asked to leave, before the incident was reported to the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission.

The operator pleaded guilty to 24 chargesinMelbourneMagistratesCourt, which ordered it pay a $177,500 fine plus $45,000 in costs to the watchdog.

All venues have a legal and social obligation to protect children from gambling, the regulator’s chief executive Annette Kimmitt said.

“It is well established that minors who gamble are more likely to experience severe harm from gambling as adults,” she said in a statement. “We have zero tolerance for operators that flout the law, especially when children are involved.”

National Gambling Helpline 1800 858 858.

Lifeline 13 11 14 - AAP

Jayson Munro. (Damjan Janevski)

Sacked Qantas workers seek $200m justice

Qantas has apologised to employees unlawfully retrenched during the COVID-19 pandemic as it faces calls to pay more than $200 million in compensation and penalties.

The Transport Workers’ Union had a major win in the Federal Court on Monday October 21 after deciding to pursue the airline over its decision to outsource almost 1700 ground staff jobs in November 2020.

After redundancies commenced, these employees were eventually all jettisoned from the airline by March 2021.

Justice Michael Lee ordered Qantas pay $170,000 in non-economic loss to cover the hurt and distress suffered by three test-case

workers: Christopher Carney, Nicholas Bennett and Leonie Piggott.

The decision paves the way for compensation for other sacked staff following a long and bitterly fought legal battle Qantas unsuccessfully took to the High Court.

In July 2021, Justice Lee found the lay-offs were designed to deprive workers of being able to bargain for a new enterprise agreement and, as such, contravened employment law.

In his 74-page judgment, he found the workers would have been retrenched by late 2021 anyway given the airline’s “laser-like“ focus on cutting costs.

The judge awarded Mr Carney and Ms

Piggott $30,000 and $40,000 respectively due to their hurt, humiliation and psychological distress from being made redundant.

But he awarded Mr Bennett $100,000 after finding the lay-offs had triggered a major psychiatric illness in the ex-airline worker with symptoms including depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance and problematic alcohol use.

After four years of legal skirmishes, Justice Lee urged the union and airline to swiftly resolve any further disputes.

“Apart from any public benefit, finality would help bring a degree of closure to those affected workers who have been wronged,

A celebration of nursing

By Tara Murray

As health demands and changing technology have forced change in how people’s health is treated, the La Trobe University nursing program has had to change with it.

The program recently celebrated 50 years of nursing education with a celebration at the Bundoora campus.

School of Nursing and Midwifery Dean Professor Lisa McKenna said it was a pretty special milestone to celebrate.

In 1974, La Trobe adopted the first nursing pre-registrationdiplomaprograminAustralia from the Lincoln Institute of Health Sciences, which was formerly introduced by the Royal College of Nursing.

La Trobe took over running the program in 1987 when state legislation was passed incorporating the Lincoln Institute of Health

Sciences into La Trobe University

“Health care changes so rapidly now,” she said. “Education has had to change rapidly as well to keep pace.

“The growth of telehealth and COVID.. It’s constantly evolving.”

Professor McKenna has been Dean at La Trobe for eight years.

She said even in that time, the university had to build new laboratories and research has had to change.

In the QS World University Rankings, which compare universities across the world, La Trobe’s nursing program is now in the top 50 after being outside the top 250.

Across all the La Trobe campuses there are more than 3500 nursing students currently enrolled across a number of different courses.

With significant population growth, Professor McKenna said there were lots of jobs

for nurses.

“There’s lots of jobs in the north and west and our graduates are highly sought after,” she said. “With the population growth we’re seeing Northern Health continue to grow.”

As part of the La Trobe nursing program, there are now four clinical schools housed in hospitals to help give that hands-on experience, including at the Northern Hospital.

Professor McKenna said it helps make that transition into nursing easier and more and more are going to the Northern.

She said with the celebration of 50 years, it made her look back at her own career.

“I was hospital trained,” she said. “How it has changed.

“The skills, the personal care … Nurses are now doing a different scope of tasks.

“Fifty years ago it was really different.”

particularly for those who experienced emotional and financial stress,“ he said. ThematterwillreturntocourtonNovember 15. Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson apologised and said the company would work to expedite compensation payments.

TWU NSW assistant secretary Nick McIntosh said the union would seek a compensation claim in excess of $100 million for all retrenched workers as well as a penalty of a similar amount.

Lifeline 13 11 14

Bulla ready to restart hearts

Bulla residents are now better equipped to save lives from cardiac arrest after a community program aimed at improving public awareness and preparedness.

The 12-month Heart Safe Community initiative by Ambulance Victoria and the Heart Foundation aims to improve survival rates for cardiac arrest by teaching residents in selected communities how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use an automated external defibrillator (AED).

The initiative also aims to promote the GoodSAM service, where a phone application is used to connect with local responders trained in CPR.

Over the past year in Bulla, the program provided training to 225 community members, installed two public AEDs, and assigned two GoodSAM responders.

Ambulance Victoria metropolitan regional director Vanessa Gorman congratulated the Bulla community.

“Minutes matter in a cardiac arrest, and I’m so pleased these communities are now in a better position to save more lives, understanding the importance of bystander intervention and calling Triple Zero immediately,” Ms Gorman said.

“Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere and at any time,” she said.

Every day, about 21 Victorians have a cardiac arrest and only one in 10 survive, with CPR and use of an AED more than doubling a person’s chance of survival.

October 16 marks Restart a Heart Day – a global initiative that encourages people to learn CPR and how to use an AED.

Oscar Parry

Tips to avoid health issues from thunderstorm asthma

October brings the start of grass pollen season, generally lasting until December 31. Warmer weather, increased amounts of grass pollen in the air and certain types of thunderstorms, when combined, can result in an Epidemic Thunderstorm Asthma (ETSA) event triggering severe asthma. Thunderstorm Asthma can cause serious health impacts for people with known and unknown conditions of asthma. Symptoms of ETSA include an itchy and runny nose, sneezing, coughing, wheezing and/or chest tightness.Someofthesesymptomscanbecome very severe, very quickly, and may require

urgent medical assistance.

Sharon Rukavina, respiratory clinical nurse consultant – asthma and allergy at Northern Health, said during the 2016 event, thousands of people suddenly had asthma attacks, therefore, finding it hard to breathe.

“Some had never had asthma symptoms before,” Ms Rukavina said.

“In Victoria, from October to December, thunderstorm asthma results from a combination of high grass pollen counts, such as ryegrass, and specific weather conditions.

Strong winds carry the pollen, while storms or moisture break open the pollen grains,

releasing ultrafine particles into the air.

“Theseparticlesaresmallenoughtopenetrate the lower airways, potentially triggering severe asthmasymptomsinthosethataresusceptible. Acomprehensivereviewofthe2016Melbourne thunderstorm asthma incident revealed that it primarilyaffectedindividualssensitivetograss pollens,” explained Ms Rukavina.

“Consequently, those with springtime hay fever or poorly controlled asthma –characterised by asthma symptoms on many days of the week or frequent ongoing use of a reliever inhaler – will require additional protection against thunderstorm asthma. If

you think your asthma may not be controlled or you have spring hay fever, then please see your GP as soon as you are able.”

Ms Rukavina urges everyone in the community to be able to recognise the symptomsofsomeonehavinganasthmaattack and to know the four steps of asthma first aid.

“It is very important not to ignore any symptomsofasthmasuchaswheeze,persistent coughorunexplainedbreathlessness.Everyone should be able to recognise the symptoms of someone having an asthma attack and to know thefourstepsofasthmafirstaid,”MsRukavina said.

Miklos Bolza, AAP

La Trobe University celebrated 50 years of nursing at the university. (Supplied)

Visitor visa disappoints family

Sunbury mother Sukhdeep Kaur has decided to surrender her recently granted visitor visa and go into immigration detention, placing herfateinthehandsofthefederalgovernment.

AsreportedbyStarWeekly,Sunburyparents

Sukhdeep Kaur and Jaswinder Singh and their two children arrived in Australia in 2015.

Both parents applied for ministerial intervention in June 2023 seeking permanent Australian residency after Sukhdeep’s employerfailedtolodgeapermanentresidency application on her behalf.

Since that time they have received multiple visa extensions but their long-term fate remained uncertain.

Jaswinder is currently in India and is reluctant to return to Sunbury with the visa situation so uncertain.

He left Melbourne in early October to see a severely ill family member, despite an exemption to travel claim not being processed at the time of his departure and risking a three-year ban on returning to Australia.

The family member died during his visit.

Sukhdeep said that on October 10, she and her husband were notified their bid for permanent residency had failed and they were instead granted visitor visas allowing them to stay in Australia until April 10, 2025. They were also given the option of applying for a contributory parent visa or an aged parent visa.

Mrs Kaur said applying for a parent visa would be costly and would require both parents to return to India.

DaughterRavneetsaidacontributoryparent visa costs $48,495 with a processing time of about 14 years, while the aged parent visa costs $5100, with a 31-year wait time.

“Why do we deserve to pay the government? We worked hard, we came here legally, we gave 10 years of life to this country. Why have they

ignored our hard work and 10 years of our life?” Mrs Kaur said.

“We are hard workers. We are good people. We love to live here.”

While the recently granted visitor visa would allow Sukhdeep to return to India and visit her mother, who has breast cancer, she decided that it would be too difficult under the circumstances.

“It’s better I go to the detention centre and

follow their decision if they give me justice or not … then I will decide,” she said.

“The government has sent me again in limbo … it’s really really stressful, I can’t explain in words … What is the reason? Where is our fault?”

She said she has packed up most of her belongings, is investigating how to rehome her dog, and is mentally preparing to go to a detention centre in the next few weeks.

Ravneet said politicians including Hawke MP Sam Rae, a Greens senator, and a Liberal MP wrote letters of support for the family.

A spokesperson for Home Affairs said the department cannot comment on individual cases for privacy reasons.

The spokesperson said that once a minister grants a visa, their ’ministerial intervention’ is finalised and they can’t intervene any further.

Mr Rae was contacted for comment.

Sunbury family Sukhdeep Kaur, Ravneet Kaur and Jaswinder Singh. (Damjan Janevski) 340494_01

Honouring their sacrifice

By Tara Murray

Remembrance Day is a special occasion for Alistair Traill.

Each year he attends the service at the Craigieburn War Memorial and thinks about his family and his mates who also served.

“I’m one of five in my family that has served in the defence forces,” he said.

“My father was in the Second World War in the British Air Force. My brothers, one served in the navy for 20 years-plus, the younger brother served in the army for 25 years -plus

“My niece was in the air force and myself in the army reserves. It’s just remembering what they went through to make this place a lot safer.”

Mr Traill joined the army reserves in 1983. He was in the ballot for Vietnam before that, but his birth date was not drawn.

“I was going to join when I was 15 but my father said no and told me to do an apprenticeship first and then when you finish your apprenticeship, you can go into the army, the air force, navy, whatever you want to do.

“I never joined the army reserves until I was 33, by that time I had a young family.”

Mr Traill spent 12 years in the reserves but was never stationed overseas.

He spent his time training in the Royal Australian Army Ordinates Corp and moving into petroleum operations.

Mr Traill said it was a matter of being in the right place or not.

“I was lucky in one way, my younger brother was like when he came back from Iraq, he got hit with post traumatic stress disorder.

“It’s hard when you see them. He’s come out of it alright. You sign up and if you’re called up you have to go.

“A lot of my mates never went and some of my mates went. I respect them for doing that

and I hold them in the highest regards.”

Mr Traill said he goes to the Craigieburn War Memorial to pay his respects on Vietnam Veterans’ Day, Anzac Day and Remembrance Day.

He is also a member of the Craigieburn War Memorial and Remembrance Committee (CWMRC).

“I met a number of blokes in 1983 and I’ve

kept in touch with them ever since,” he said of those he met in the army.

The CWMRC will again hold a service on Remembrance Day. It will start at 10.50am on November 11 with one minute’s silence at 11am.

It will be held at Craigieburn War Memorial, Anzac Park. Details: https://www.facebook. com/profile.php?id=100071090047116

BUSINESS IN FOCUS

Jewellery heist charges

A man has been charged following an alleged armed robbery at a jewellery store in Craigieburn last weekend.

Officers were told two people entered a jewellery store at Craigieburn Central shopping centre about 11.10am on Sunday, October 20. It is alleged display cabinets were smashed with steel bars and jewellery stolen, before two people fled the store on foot.

No one was injured during the incident.

Shops surrounding the jewellery store closed their doors and evacuated shoppers.

A large police presence remained at the shopping centre for a number of hours following the incident.

Police executed a search warrant in Heidelberg Heights on Thursday, October 24.

A 33-year-old Heidelberg Heights man was charged with two counts of affray, two counts of theft, two counts of criminal damage, theft of motor vehicle and possessing an imitation firearm.

A second person who may be able to assist police with their investigation is yet to be identified and the investigation remains ongoing.

Join the GOswim program

Dive into the fun and build essential water skills with the GOswim program, powered by Swimming Australia available at Mill Park Leisure, Thomastown Recreation & Aquatic Centre (TRAC), and Whittlesea Swim Centre.

The program offers a supportive, safe, and engaging environment for swimmers of all ages and abilities to grow their confidence in the water. Plus receive access to pools outside of your swimming lesson.

Whittlesea Swim Centre will be reopening on November 1, and GOswim lessons will begin there from the week of November 11. It’s the perfect time to secure your spot and jump into the new season!

Why choose GOswim? The friendly, qualified instructors focus on water safety, stroke development, and overall enjoyment, making every lesson a step forward in your health and wellbeing journey. Plus, smaller class sizes ensure more one-on-one guidance for your child.

Join the GOswim program before October 31 and you could win a $1000 travel voucher— it’s the perfect time to get the kids ready for summer!

Take the plunge and secure your spot today at Mill Park Leisure, TRAC, or Whittlesea Swim Centre. Dive into a fun and rewarding swim journey with GOswim!

Alistair Traill. (Damjan Janevski) 438541_05

Donation drives away

Broadmeadows families in crisis now have access to a safe and reliable vehicle, thanks to Western District Lodges and the Freemasons Foundation Victoria.

The Freemasons donated the car to Banksia Gardens Community Services to use to transport clients, particularly families in need or in crisis, as well as the child protection and youth justice team.

Banskia Gardens marketing and commuications co-ordinator Olive Mavromati Bourke said having the car has been “transformational” for Banksia Gardens.

“People in crisis need kindness and support so having a safe vehicle has been essential,” Olive said.

The Freemasons were introduced to Banksia Gardens in 2020 by the late Father Bob McGuire.

Since then, members have helped to fund the centre’s food pantry and after-school program, and have supported the food relief program which feeds about 200 families each week as wellastheBroadyBikessocialenterprisewhich specialises in bike repair and restoration and associated vocational training.

Briefs

Whittlesea attempted kidnapping

A man has been charged following an alleged attempted kidnapping in Whittlesea on Friday, October 25. It’s alleged a man approached a woman walking along Forest Street before attempting to drag her into a grey Mitsubishi Tritan utility about 6.20pm. The victim, a 27-year-old Moonee Ponds woman, escaped uninjured before the man drove away towards Church Street. It is believed the same man earlier approached two teenage girls riding scooters on Oak Bank Boulevard just after 6pm. The girls from Whittlesea, aged 13 and 14, fled and were unharmed. A man driving a ute was intercepted by police while driving on Midland Highway, Shepparton, on Saturday about 9am. A 39-year-old Mill Park man has been charged with aggravated burglary, two counts of aggravated assault and attempted kidnap.

Factory fire

Sparks from cutting equipment that ignited flammable materials have been blamed for a fire at a Campbellfield factory last week. Thirty firefighters responded to the blaze at the Bolinda Road factory about 4.45pm on Monday, October 21, to find the factory well alight. One person suffered burns as a result of the fire. WorkSafe has been notified of the incident.

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Freemasons members and Banksia Gardens Community Services staff celebrate the donation.

(Damjan Janevski) 422352_03

Developer contribution change

The state government is changing ways property developers contribute to funding for local infrastructure, parks and services in the suburbs where they build more homes.

Premier Jacinta Allan visited Edgars Creek Secondary College in Wollert on Tuesday October 22 to announce the changes which are set to make the system simpler and apply to new home developments everywhere.

A new pilot developer contribution system will be trialed across the first 10 metropolitan Activity Centres, including Epping and Broadmeadows, where the government plans to deliver more homes near transport, jobs and

services over the coming years.

Meanwhile seven growth areas on Melbourne’s urban fringe, including Hume andWhittlesea,willhaveaccessto$150million ininfrastructurefundingpaidforwithexisting developer contributions – with submissions for grants to open this year.

According to the government, through these short-term and long-term changes, suburbs that absorb more homes will get more funding for the things like roads, paths, and public transport services, new and upgraded schools, upgrades to health and community facilities, plus parks, playgrounds, sport and

Legends to host Cup

The Melbourne Cup Tour is coming to Hume for a fun filled day at Living Legends.

With the usual Melbourne Cup parade in the city unable to go ahead due to construction works, the tour will make a final stop at Living Legends the day before the race that stops the nation.

The event kicks off with an official ceremony at 11am, concluding at noon. Guests will have the unique opportunity to take photos with the 2024 Melbourne Cup before it departs for Flemington.

Three-time Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva headlines the day.

Living Legends will remain open until 4pm, giving people the opportunity to meet past Melbourne Cup winners and other racing stars face-to-face and hear captivating stories from those who were part of these historic victories.

Melbourne Cup winners Prince of Penzance, Brew, Almandin, Twilight Payment and

Efficient live at the Greenvale property.

The day is packed with fun for the whole family, including face painting, pony rides, and lawn games. Enjoy a snack or light lunch from the Homestead Café or one of the food trucks on-site, making it a delightful day out for all ages.

Living Legends chief executive Dr Andrew Clarke said the event was a good opportunity forpeopleofHumetohaveafunfreedayoutin their own backyard.

Victoria Racing Club chief executive Kylie Rogers said the club was pleased to host a free public event.

“Thehorseisattheheartofeverythingwedo at the Victoria Racing Club and we are excited to host a free public event at Living Legends so that everyone has an opportunity to celebrate our retired Lexus Melbourne Cup champions,” she said.

The event will be held on November 4.

recreation and open space. Statewide developer contributions for local infrastructure, parks and services

Currently, 43 of 79 councils collect developer contributions in different ways, and there are 133 separate developer contribution plans in place across the state.

A ministerial advisory committee found that the system is inequitable, complex, uncertain and wasn’t providing more infrastructure funding in all the areas where more homes are getting built.

The state government will work with key members of its Housing Affordability

Partnership–thePropertyCouncilofAustralia, Urban Development Institute of Australia, HousingIndustryAssociation,MasterBuilders Victoria and Assemble – to deliver long-term change that links more infrastructure with more homes.

TheworkinggroupwillmeetfromNovember to look at models before reporting back in March. The contributions system in 10 Activity Centres will commence in January 2027 to give industry time to prepare.

Ms Allan said the government’s principles are that communities that build more homes should get more funding for things they need.

Living Legends operations manager Auriane Jordar with Melbourne Cup winner Prince of Panzance. (Damjan Janevski) 437624_01

Rent hike price concern

By Oscar Parry

A Lancefield grocery store owner is concerned about the impact announced rent increases at the Melbourne Market will have on produce prices and availability.

The state-owned Melbourne Market Authority announced that rent prices for traders at its produce market in Epping will rise by 6.7–7.6 per cent each year over the next 10 years.

The market is the state’s largest fruit and vegetable trading site, where store owners meet with growers and traders – many who do not supply to the larger supermarkets – to buy and sell fruit and vegetables.

‘‘

There will be less product and price choice supplied to the market ... prices will almost invariably increase ’’

- Greg Cheatley

Lancefield Providore owner Greg Cheatley said he is concerned about the flow-on effects of the rent increase.

“What it will mean is that the smaller growers will probably stop coming to the market and may then sell their produce to the larger wholesalers who can afford to stay at the market,” Mr Cheatley said.

“There will be less product and price choice supplied to the market and the other knock on effect will be that prices will almost invariably increase,” he said.

“Either we absorb increases or pass them on, and increasingly it becomes more difficult to absorb costs … that’s a fact in any business.”

AMelbourneMarketAuthorityspokesperson said the rent prices at the wholesale market have been held below market rates for almost 10 years.

“This decision will ensure the Melbourne Market is sustainable into the future and can continue to provide Victorians access to

What’s on

Seniors Festival is back!

Get ready to go for gold this November and December as we host the City of Whittlesea Seniors Festival.

With the theme ‘Young at Hearts Games’, the festival offers an exciting lineup of activities suitable for all abilities. Enjoy getting active with friendly competition, meet new friends and connect with others in the community. For more information, visit www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/seniorsfestival

If you require assistance with booking, please call City of Whittlesea’s Ageing Well team on 9217 2170.

affordable fresh produce. As the adjustment is spread over 10 years, it means rent will remain below market rate for years to come,” the spokesperson said.

Star Weekly understands that the rent adjustmentsarebasedonavaluationconducted through the Valuer-General Victoria (VGV).

Grants for kinder costs

Enrolling children in kindergarten will be easier and cheaper for families in Hume following a state government funding boost for a central enrolment system.

The government will provide $5.2 million to support council to operate the Central Registration and Enrolment Scheme (CRES) services for kindergarten, making it easier for families to apply for multiple services in their area.

The CRES grants enable councils to provide registration and enrolment services at no cost to families.

More than 1000 kindergartens across Victoria are being supported to operate a CRES.

The government said more than 70,000 children across Victoria are enrolled through CRES, representing more than half of all enrolments.

Centralised systems also allow services to identify families who may be experiencing disadvantage and proactively engage with them, with direct links to other council-run services such as maternal and child health programs, the government said.

Kalkallo MP Ros Spence said the grant would help ease cost-of-living pressures for families.

“Families in Kalkallo can now access free, centralised kinder enrolment – saving time, reducing costs and ensuring every child gets the best possible start in life,” she said.

Get your green on at EnviroFest

Enjoy a free day of fun for the whole family at EnviroFest while learning about how you can look after your local environment.

Not only will there be live animal displays and craft making with Eco Explorers, there will also be a Circular Fashion Market next door and the launch of the Doreen Dirt jumps on the same site.

When: 12pm to 4pm, Saturday 30 November

Where: Painted Hills Community Centre, Eminence Boulevard, Doreen For more information visit www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/events

Lancefield Providore owner Greg Cheatley is concerned about the Melbourne Market rent increases announced this month. (Damjan Janevski) 438861_01

Free early learning showcase events at Papilio Bundoora

Bundoora’s newest early education and childcare centre is inviting families to a free Daily Showcase Program.

Centre manager Kim Cassar, who has more than 13 years’ experience in early education, offers the free sessions for 30-45 minutes attended by parent and child together with bookings available via EventBrite.

“Our Free Showcase Program is a fun and informative ‘taster’ of what we offer daily for children, so come and experience the Papilio difference!” Kim said.

Get to know Papilio Early Learning Bundoora:

Papilio Early Learning Bundoora is proud to offer the Lifelong Learning Curriculum, Australia’s most advanced approach to early years education.

There areare 88 places per day. Occasional care and casual enrolments also available. The centre is open from 6:30am to 6:30pm. Age groups are nursery care for babies from 6 weeks to 18 months, toddler program for children 18 months to 3 years, and School Readiness program including approved Victorian Free Kindy Program for children 3-5 years.

Team qualifications and experience include seven Diploma educated and three Bachelor qualified educators and teachers.

Fees include three fresh cooked meals and two fresh snacks per day, nappies, sunscreen and sheets.

Dance at Papilio: Three of Papilio Early Learning Bundoora’s educators are professionally trained instructors, who offer weekly dancing sessions.

“We encourage the children to become confident in moving to different music styles, modern dance,” explained Kim.

Play Sport at Papilio: With passionate sports enthusiasts on the team, multi-sport classes are offered weekly teaching children coordination, early ball skills and concepts of

Cook at Papilio: “Chef Maree’s children’s cooking classes are incredibly popular with the children each week, as they explore tastes, textures and try new recipes,” Kim said.

Create at Papilio: In the weekly Art and

‘Perfect Playdoh’ recipe and take home what they create.

Families can book their free showcase event from Monday to Friday via the centre Facebook page or search EventBrite for

Family fun on Cup Eve at the Melbourne Greyhounds

The first Tuesday in November gifts everyone a wonderfulopportunitytogatherwithfamilyand friends and watch the ‘race that stops the nation’. It also offers a chance to roll into that Tuesday with a little Melbourne Cup Eve celebrating.

If you’re looking to do just that, the Melbourne Greyhounds is the place to head. Melbourne Cup Eve is Family Night at ‘The Meadows’. For those who’ve never attended before, this is a signature event.

TheMelbourneGreyhoundRacingAssociation puts this night on, with a big focus on children. It’s all about free entertainment, centred around their favourite friends – the greyhounds.

So, what’s happening on Cup Eve at ‘The Meadows’? Heaps! Plotted around the grounds there’ll be giant inflatable games, jumping castles (each set up for different age groups), face painting and an hour long magic show.

All track food and beverage facilities will be open and kids can grab a free carnival snack should they like. If family dining is important, The Meadows City View Bistro will be open. Children’s meals are just $12. Offering great food, great city views and great entertainment the City View Bistro is a hidden gem when it comes to bistro dining. A booking is essential and can be made by calling the venue.

And it wouldn’t be a Cup Eve family night without freebies. This year there are 300 free kids showbags to be handed out and a chance to win a prize in the $3000 Family Prize Draw! Entry in the draw is free, but you must be present to claim a prize.

So, don’t forget to pop this great event in the calendar and let friends know that there’s plenty of free Melbourne Cup Eve fun to share in at the Melbourne Greyhounds this Monday night. Entry and car parking is free.

Visitwww.melbournegreyhounds.org.au or call 9355 5222 for more information.

Relief for adenomyosis sufferers

By Oscar Parry

Adenomyosis is a uterine disease where the tissue that normally lines the uterus, the endometrium, grows into the muscle of the uterus, the myometrium.

Seen in women during their reproductive years and typically between the ages of 30–50, Symptoms of the disease include heavy and painful periods; cramping; pelvic, back and leg pain; painful intercourse (dyspareunia) and fatigue.

Adenomyosis and endometriosis can both produce pelvic pain symptoms that can be difficult to distinguish, however, endometriosis is where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus is found outside of the uterus.

Not-for-profit advocacy group QENDO’s states that “some patients may find a relief from or reduction in pain or bleeding, and thus hormonal therapies can be helpful in an individual’s management plan, however they will not cure the disease itself,” and that “hormonal birth control including the Mirena IUD may have an impact on the junctional zone, however any regression is temporary

and progression will often occur when these medications are removed”.

One curative option for adenomyosis is a hysterectomy – the surgical removal of the uterus.

According to the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare, there is concern that hysterectomy may be overused in Australia for the treatment of non-cancerous conditions.

While a hysterectomy is one of the treatment options, Melbourne mother Kate said when she was first diagnosed with adenomyosis, she was initially offered just a hysterectomy as the only option for her disease from a gynaecologist.

“Incontinency, prolapse, these are just a few of the risks I would be facing. Someone has to be in the percentage where things don’t go well, and I didn’t want that to be me – but I felt like I was running out of options,” Kate said.

Wanting to avoid a surgical treatment, Kate instead discovered uterine artery embolisation (UAE) as an alternative treatment, which is performed by an interventional radiologist.

UAE involves injecting tiny particles into uterine arteries to block blood flow and starve the tissue to alleviate the painful symptoms.

Kate said barriers preventing women being diagnosed and treated for adenomyosis could be a lack of public awareness of its symptoms.

She also said she feels there is a lack of centralised information in regards to the treatment options available from a range of specialties.

“My general advice would be to be an advocate for yourself … take in as much information as you can and decide what is best for you,” she said.

Interventional Radiology Society of

Australasia (IRSA) spokesperson and interventional radiologist Professor Warren Clements said that he was excited to see increasedresearchtrialsandclinicalworkshops in the field of women’s health.

“These efforts are helping to expand the applicability of minimally invasive treatment options, like UAE, for other common conditions like endometriosis,” Mr Clements said.

Mr Clements said that receiving a diagnosis for adenomyosis can be a “difficult and scary time.”

“I think the first thing to do is consider advice from major and informative resources, and one of those is probably the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare (ACSQHC) heavy menstrual bleeding standard,” he said.

He said while UAE is not a new or emerging treatment, recent research and trials have shown that it is a more cost-efficient option than surgery.

“There are public hospitals that do these procedures so there are options for women that have no out-of-pocket expense,” he said.

“Our message is just really about women having options and access to information.”

TheHeavyMenstrualBleedingClinicalCare Standard, updated this year, can be viewed online.

Details: https://www.safetyandquality.gov. au/standards/clinical-care-standards/heavymenstrual-bleeding-clinical-care-standard

Medication abortion: why access is important

InVictoria,accesstosafeandlegalabortionhas been a hard-won right, marking a significant achievement for reproductive justice.

Early medical abortion is the preferred method of induced abortion of nearly 50 per cent of people worldwide who experience unwanted pregnancy. The procedure is safe, effective and legal. However, despite the legal status of abortion in Victoria there remain challenges to equitable access and widespread understanding of how early medical abortion works.

Early medical abortion involves taking medication to end a pregnancy. It is highly effectiveandcanbetakenupto63days(ornine weeks) into the pregnancy.

The medication is a combination of two types: mifepristone and misoprostol.

The first tablet, mifepristone, blocks the hormone progesterone, necessary for the pregnancy to continue.

This is followed 36-48 hours later by the second medication, misoprostol, which causes the contents of the uterus to be expelled from your body.

Medication abortion can be done in the privacy and comfort of your own home.

To obtain a medication abortion in Victoria, you first need to consult a general practitioner (GP) or visit a specialist clinic.

Telehealth services, which expanded significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, have been instrumental in increasing access by helping to remove some geographic and cost-related barriers.

The GP will confirm the pregnancy, confirm that this procedure is suitable for you and obtain informed consent. They will explain the medication abortion process, including the need for an ultrasound and blood test before the procedure,

However, some challenges remain. Not all GPs are trained or willing to prescribe medicationabortion,whichmeansthatpatients may have to search for a provider, delaying care in what is a time sensitive procedure.

If your GP does not provide medication abortion, they are legally required to refer you to another health professional who does

co-ordinator.

provide the service.

Although early medical abortion is safe and effective, it remains shrouded in shame and stigma for many.

Fear, shame or judgement can make people reluctant to seek the care they need or discuss their experiences openly.

Addressing this requires a cultural shift where reproductive rights are seen as an essential part of healthcare.

Education plays a role in this shift. Organisations such as Victorian Women’s Health Services are working to break down these barriers by providing clear, accessible, pro-choice information.

At Women’s Health In the North, we work with partner organisations to deliver professional development to GPs and other

health professionals, increasing the number of providers across our region.

InVictoria,wearefortunatetohave1800My Options, a confidential and free phone line and online service, providing information about contraception, pregnancy options (including abortion) and sexual health. With a directory of hundreds of trusted healthcare providers in Victoria, 1800 My Options can link people seeking care to the services that best suit them – whether that’s in terms of location, cost, or languages spoken by staff.

The right to access safe abortion services is an essential aspect of reproductive autonomy and promotes gender equality.

In Victoria, medication abortion offers a safe, non-invasive option for those seeking to end a pregnancy, and it is crucial that these

services are accessible to everyone, regardless of location, income or background. By normalising conversations around abortion and reproductive healthcare, we can all help dismantle stigma and ensure people feel supported to make decisions about their own bodies.

If you are experiencing an unwanted pregnancy and need free, confidential, pro-choice information about options available to you, call 1800 My Options on 1800 696 784. You can find an abortion provider in your area at: https://www.1800myoptions.org.au/ find-a-service/ To read more about Women’s Health In the North’s work in sexual and reproductive health, see our strategy Freedom, Respect and Equity in Sexual Health 2022-2026.

Tilly Mahoney is Women’s Health in the North’s sexual and reproductive health

Women’s Health In the North sexual and reproductive health co-ordinator Tilly Mahoney (right) and health promotion officer Amelia Arnold. (Supplied)

Melbourne mother Kate received a uterine artery embolisation procedure for her adenomyosis, choosing to avoid a hysterectomy. (Supplied).

Is your gut health normal?

Alex Lopes is a pelvic health physiotherapist, the director of Pelvic Health Melbourne in Altona North, and past national chair of the Australian Physiotherapy Association’s Women’s Men’s and Pelvic Health Group.

Gut health is a big conversation and getting more media airtime recently. So how common are gut based issues?

Around 24 per cent of all Australians experience constipation and many more experience incomplete emptying, straining, episodic diarrhea, haemorrhoids, fissures, smelly wind, excessive wiping and/or gut pain. Sodoyouhaveagutproblem?Tobestanswer this we first need to know what is normal.

What is NORMAL

How often per day / week 3 times a day and 3 times a week

How long should I sit 30 second to 7 minutes

What size should it be 20-50c piece

What length is normal 8-13cm

Is farting normal Yes up to 24 times a day is normal

How many wipes are normal 2-4

Should my poo float or sink Does not matter

What is normal?

What should my stool (poo) look like? Check out the Bristol stool chart below to see if your stool is normal. Ideally it should look like a smooth Teflon coated sausage and slip out without any need to wipe. This in reality is rare and we can all relate to times where our stool has changed from type 1 all the way to type 7. As a general rule type 1 and 2 where you have hard pellets (like rabbit droppings) or hard logs means you are constipated. Type 6 and 7 where your stool is sloppy is more diarrhea and type 3-5 is what most of us experience most of the time.

So how do I manage constipation?

The general advice is drink plenty of fluids, eat a fibre rich diet and exercise but many of you will have tried these strategies, and you are still constipated, straining or experience incomplete emptying. For some of our patients they may be pushing incorrectly, or their anal canal is too tight. Yes, there is such a thing as a poo shute that is too tight.

Stepone:Optimiseyourpoopositionandget your push mechanics right. Leaning forwards with your heels on the ground and your elbows on your knees helps straighten out the poo shute. If you need to push a little make sure you are pushing your belly out – not sucking it in. When we push our belly out we open the poo shute. When we suck the belly in we close the poo shute. Are you pushing through a closed or open shute? Not sure, try it on the toilet and check it out. Currently around 40 per cent of us are sucking in as we push - no wonder we have such issues with emptying.

Step two: Is your poo shute too tight?

A challenge for you – draw a very large circle on your hand as a reminder. Every time you seethatcircleonyourhandbringyourattention to your butt and the muscles around your butt and relax them – you will be amazed how often you are gripping there. Some of us are jaw grippers, some of us are shoulder grippers and yes some of us are indeed butt grippers. So let yours go and see how much easier it is to poo.

So how can I fix pasty poo?

Who knew so many people were bothered with thisissueanditissosimpletofix.Inmostcases pasty poo is the biproduct of a very healthy fruit and veg diet. How do I know if I have pasty poo? Well you have to wipe more than four times and you often leave skiddies on the toilet bowel.

So how do we fix pasty poo? So simple. Increase fibre in your diet or speak to your pharmacist about a gentle bulking agent like benfibre or Metamucil. Natural options are

chia seeds, leaving the skin on your carrots, potatoes and sweet potatoes. Hopefully these simple tricks help you.

The last poo based issue I would like to talk about is one which causes our clients and maybe you great distress and is sooo easy to fix. It’s called the post poo soiling. Do you find you havealittlebitofleakageofpoowithinanhour ofgoingtothetoiletThisisusuallybecauseyou have pasty poo and instead of the ideal Teflon coated sausage you have the sticky peanut butter ot toothpaste going down the poo shute. It sticks to the sides and just with movement and body heat it oozes out in the first hour after emptying. To fix this issue you just need to bulk up your stools a bit so the stool pops out the shute like that Teflon covered sausage with no residue rather than that annoying peanut butter that sticks to everything!

If you would like to chat further about issues or concerns you are having with your gut health, you can chat to your local pelvic health physiotherapist.

Alex Lopes (front right) and the Pelvic Health Melbourne team. (Supplied)

‘‘ The mothers tend to laugh the more their kids cry, but by the end, everyone is happy ’’ - Patrick Blume

Zombies rule in spooky Sunbury

In what started as something to keep his kids entertained, Sunbury’s Patrick Blume quickly found his own new hobby: decorating his home for Halloween. He speaks to Gerald Lynch as the spooky season approaches.

In the heart of Sunbury at 3 Donnelly Close, Jackson’s Hill, Patrick Blume has become something of a local legend with his extravagant Halloween displays.

His passion for crafting eerie experiences began humbly, inspired by the creative possibilities he stumbled upon online back in 2016.

“It started just by seeing some sort of DIY projects on the internet,” he said.

“We are a fairly crafty family and always do crafty things with the kids. When Halloween rolled around, it felt like a perfect opportunity to do something fun together.”

Initially, his decorations were nice and innocent – a collection of little ghosts made from two-litre milk bottles, lovingly painted and styled.

“You coloured those in, and you could melt them with a hair dryer,” he explained.

“It was really cute at the start.”

However, as the years passed, Patrick’s ambition grew along with his collection.

“Once we got into it, I started finding more and more projects. Every year, it gets a little bit bigger.”

As his children gradually lost interest in the Halloween preparations, Patrick found himself diving deeper into the world of Halloween décor.

“I started to discover things like animatronics, spooky noises, and voice effects. It turned into something a bit more Halloween than cute,” he said.

“I liked building stuff, so it just sort of took off from there.”

Balancing a career in software development, PatrickfoundthathisHalloweenhobbyoffered him a unique outlet.

“I work on a computer all day, building software that didn’t really exist in the physical world,” he said.

“I couldn’t show people what I did for a living, so this became my way to create something tangible. It was about giving people joy, and that was probably the best part of it.”

“I don’t just do it for myself; it’s because a thousand people turn up, and we all have a great time together.”

Despite the countless hours and dollars he spends on putting the display together, Patrick insists he will never charge visitors a cent.

“I do everything because I want to. This is purely for the love of it. I have a job, and trust me, the haunt business isn’t something you get rich off of. I do it purely for the joy it brings.” he said. “I usually start from the beginning of October, gathering materials and planning out the theme.

“I take leave for the week before Halloween, and by then, everything ramps up.”

“I tend to find bits and pieces around as I needthem,andonceIhaveenough,everything falls into place.”

Patrick has noticed a significant shift in the Halloween landscape over the years.

“When we first started, we’d maybe get a handful of trick-or-treaters. We aren’t in a fantastic location for foot traffic, but it started to grow.”

The pandemic played a surprising role in expanding interest.

“During COVID, people really longed for real-world joy and excitement,” he said.

“I built something where I could throw candy down a six-metre-long pipe to give it to kids while keeping a distance. It became a community thing. People weren’t just visiting for the haunt; they were hanging around, talking to each other for hours. It was about connection.”

Reflecting on the future of Halloween in Australia, Patrick believes there is a genuine upswing.

“Anythingthatprovidesfunandjoyisonthe rise,” he said. “People were looking for reasons to get out and be together, and Halloween seemed to be one of those opportunities.”

He emphasised the importance of community events, especially those that brought people together for the sake of enjoyment.

“We really don’t have enough of that, and I think people truly appreciate it,” he said.

Ashegearsupforthisyear’sdisplay,heisfull of excitement.

“Last year, I did a hunting cabin, and it was a lot of fun,” he said.

“Thisyear,Iamgoingforazombielabtheme.

“I am decking out the whole garage with a walk-through tunnel, pop-up zombies, and one of my friends will be jumping out to scare people.”

But how scary is it? Patrick reassured visitors that while there is an element of fright, it is all in good fun.

“We always tell people it could be a bit scary, but the more we tell them not to bring tiny

kids, the more they do!

“The mothers tend to laugh the more their kids cry, but by the end, everyone is happy. It’s all about enjoying the experience together.”

As he puts the finishing touches on his display, Patrick expects and encourages upwards of 1000 attendees to show up this Thursday, October 31.

Amid the fun of the festivities however, it is importanttostaysafeandvigilantwhenletting your children dress up and go out.

While costumes are a popular part of Halloween celebrations, it’s important to make sure they are clearly visible if you’re wearing them outside.

If you’re wearing black or other dark coloured costumes for Halloween, add glow sticks or a reflective strip to your costumes and carry a torch to ensure drivers and other trick-or-treaters can see you.

If you’re completing your look with fake tattoos, face paint, makeup or fake blood, ensure they come with ingredients labels, and keep them handy throughout the night.

If someone in your group has an allergic reactiontoaproduct,havingalistofingredients available for doctors can save them vital time. When buying button battery-powered Halloween novelty toys, check the battery compartment is secured with a screw or similar fastener to prevent small children gaining access.

EverydayinAustralia,atleastonechildgoes tohospitalafteringestingoneofthesebatteries. Warnings are now required on packaging or in the accompanying instructions, and packaging must also be child resistant.

If you suspect a child has swallowed or inserted a button battery, immediately call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26. If your child is having any difficulty breathing, call triple-0.

Patrick Blume has put together a massive Halloween display at his house with a zombie theme. (Pictures: Damjan Janevski) 438518

Patrick said it isn’t “too gory”.

Labor’s education plan headache

The federal government is pushing ahead with plans to cap international student numbers, despite fierce opposition, including from its own side. Cade Lucas reports.

‘Chaotic’,‘flawed’,‘notfeasible’,‘beingheld to ransom by political incompetence’ and even ‘a distressing version of waiting for Godot.’

Theseareasampleoftheresponsestofederal government’s October 10 decision to again defer its controversial bill to cap international student numbers in Australia

Despite receiving a Senate committee report recommending the bill be passed – with significant amendments – the government deferred it to late November with no explanation as to why.

Thedecisionmeansthegovernmenthasonly has two sitting weeks left this year to pass the legislation which would cap new international student enrolments at 270,000 for 2025 and which is supposed to come into effect on January 1.

By closing the already tight window to pass the bill even further, the government is now facing calls to delay its introduction to at least January, 2026.

There are many others who want it delayed permanently.

‘‘ It’s in the best interests of the nation that this piece of legislation is delayed indefinitely, or better still scrapped altogether ’’

- Vikkie Thompson

As unpopular as the latest deferral was, it’s nothing compared to the opprobrium levelled at proposal itself since it was first mooted in May’s federal budget, with much of it coming from the government’s own side.

A “fundamentally destructive decision” was the recent assessment of Victorian Treasurer TimPallas,whoarguedthepolicybeingpushed by his federal Labor colleagues would have an “adverse effect” on his state’s finances to which international education is a big contributor.

The other ALP state and territory governmentshavealsovoicedtheirdisapproval, as have the government’s opponents, with the federal opposition claiming the bill was full of “incompetency, secrecy, uncertainty and unfairness,” and the Greens calling for the “disastrous” policy to be dumped.

Given international students provide a huge slice of their revenue, the university sector was always likely to be opposed, but the fact not a single institution provided a submission in support of the bill to the recent Senate inquiry, illustrated just how trenchant that opposition was.

Chief executive of the Group of Eight, which represents the country’s oldest and most prestigious universities, Vikkie Thompson, explained why.

“A blunt cap on international students will destroy Australia’s $50 billion international education sector and have long lasting impacts on the economy,” said Ms Thompson in statement released after the bill’s deferral.

“No other multi-billion dollar industry sector would be expected to set budgets for the next 12 months in a context of great uncertainty about a future revenue stream.

“It’s in the best interests of the nation that this piece of legislation is delayed indefinitely, or better still scrapped altogether.”

So to recap: a first term government that is struggling in the polls, is heading into an election year trying to pass a policy that threatens one of the nation’s largest industries andsomeofitsmostimportantinstitutionsand which almost everyone, including members of its own party, hates.

An episode of the West Wing it aint. Why the federal government is doing this is even harder to comprehend given education is one of Labor’s traditional strengths.

According to the director of the Mitchell Institute for Education and Health Policy at Victoria University, Associate Professor Peter Hurley, the answer isn’t much about education at all.

“This is down stream from the immigration issue,” said Mr Hurley, pointing out that the government first announced the the proposal to cap international students as a response to the housing crisis.

While education might be safe territory for the ALP, housing and especially immigration, are not, and with the opposition exploiting fears that a lack of the former is caused by growthinthelatter,thegovernmentwasforced to act.

Speaking to reporters on October 10, Education Minister Jason Clare was up front about the motivation for the policy.

“I make no apology, the government makes no apology for our commitment to return migration to pre-pandemic levels,” said Mr Clare who added that capping numbers would protect the integrity and public support for the international education system.

“International education is really important. It makes us money as a country, it makes us friends as a country, because when people study here and they go home, they take their love for Australia back home with them. But it is also important that we return migration to pre-pandemic levels, and this is one part of doing that.”

In a statement to Star Weekly, spokesperson for the Department of Education said the effects of the reforms on the education sector and other parts of the economy would be monitored closely.

Mr Hurley said there was nothing wrong with linking migration and education.

“Educationisamajorpartoftheimmigration program,” he said.

“It’s absolutely completely legitimate for government to be putting numbers on immigration programs. That’s what the immigration program is,” said Mr Hurley who argued that the explosion in international student numbers post Covid and the fact other countries such as Canada had already introduced similar policies, made them an obvious target for the government.

Mr Hurley said the problem with the caps was in the execution rather than the idea.

“There’s a lot of inconsistencies,” he said of the policy.

“The caps are being introduced on a flow measurenotastockmeasure,sowhatthatmeans is that they’re looking at commencements not enrolments,” said Mr Hurley of the caps which will apply to new students and be based on pre-Covid enrolment figures.

“Rather than looking at how many international students are there in a particular institution and then saying ok we’ll apportion it based on that, they’re doing it based on how many came in in 2019.”

This, along with other exemptions such as students on scholarships, those studying certain degrees and students from Timor Leste and the Pacific, mean the caps affect some universities much more than others.

Mr Hurley’s own employer, Victoria University, recently claimed the cap would cost it $17 million next year alone, arguing its international student enrolment for 2025 was capped 11 per cent below 2023 levels.

Other institutions such as Melbourne University will be able to increase their enrolment of international enrolments.

Even those students who are notionally exempted from the caps, are still concerned.

Twenty-eight-year-old Colombian student Sindy Hoyos has been living in Melbourne for 18 months studying at a private language

college to improve her English.

This makes her exempt from the caps, but not from another aspect of the bill, which is a dramatic increase in visa fees.

“Thesechangesmakeitalittlebitdifficultfor me because the government raised the price of thenewvisa,buttheywantustostillworkonly 24 hours per week,” said Ms Hoyos who lives in South Morang and works as a kitchen hand when not studying.

She wants to study a masters of international development at the end of her English course, buttheprospectoflifeinMelbournebecoming even more expensive and international student numbers being capped, has her looking elsewhere.

“I’m thinking of maybe trying to study in anothercountry,becausethechangesaregoing makemoredifficultthelifeofthestudentshere in Australia,” she said.

The recent world university rankings indicated others were having similar thoughts with Australia’s average international student metric dropping for the second year in a row.

Ms Hoyos said if international students started leaving Australia or stopped coming, locals will notice the difference.

“Students work in occupations that native persons don’t like to work in.”

Mr Hurley agreed.

“I don’t think people quite understand just how important international students are to lots of places across the country, not just the universities. I think there’s something in the order of 850,000 current and former international students in the country and they’re not all at universities, they’re spread out through suburbs, they’re important parts of communities and workforces.”

Just how important, is something the federal government, and the country as whole, might be about to find out.

Left: Education expert Associate Professor Peter Hurley from Victoria University said the problem with the proposed cap on international student numbers was the way the government was going about it rather than the idea itself. Right: Colombian student Sindy Hoyos said she was planning to study in another country due to the changes proposed by the federal government. (Pictures: Supplied)

Education Minister Jason Clare said the government made no apologies for attempting to bring migration back to pre-pandemic levels. (Mick Tsikas/AAP)

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

Explore Quarry Hills

Explore the stunning new Connecting Trails at Quarry Hills Parkland on Sunday, November 17, from 10am-noon. Each walk will be hosted by a guide covering a different theme and will take approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. Remember to wear comfortable shoes and bring water along for the journey. Please consider your abilities before booking as the trail has some steep sections.

 9217 2170

Youth Take Over

Young people will takeover Mill Park library on Friday, November 8 for the Youth Take Over. Enjoy a night of music, games, food, fun and a chilled-out vibe. This is the perfect opportunity to hang out with friends while the library is all yours to explore. From 6-9pm at 394 Plenty Road.

 9217 2170

Young at Heart Games

Step into the spirit of the Olympics as Whittlesea council opens the Young at Heart Games with the lighting of the City of Whittlesea Olympic Torch and a memorable torch walk on Tuesday, November 12. Join local walking groups and community members for this special event, symbolising unity and celebration. Enjoy morning tea and traditional Indigenous games. At Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre (PRACC), 35 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang, from 9am. Bookings essential.

 9217 2170

Working bee

Join a working bee at Alister Clark Memorial Rose Garden in Bulla on Saturday, November 9, 10am-2.30pm. Volunteers are encouraged to come along and learn about the roses, perennials and share their love of gardening. Please wear boots or sturdy shoes, a hat and gloves.

 helenc@hume.vic.gov.au

Community singing group

Join the Broadmeadows Community Singers on Tuesdays at 7.30pm. No previous experience needed, just a love of singing.

 Sonja, 0429 587 285

Chatty Cafe

Join Mill Park library’s Chatty Cafe for a coffee, tea, and biscuits and meet new friends. The cafe is open every Thursday, from 6.30-7.30pm, at 394 Plenty Road, Mill Park.

 https://www.yprl.vic.gov.au/

Carers group

Carers of people with disability, mental illness or aged persons are invited to joing the Kalkallo Walkers Carer Support Group. The group’s next meeting is on Thursday, October 31, from 6.30-7.30pm. Meet out the front of the Kalkallo Community Centre, 33 Toyon Road, Kalkallo. If it is raining, the group will meet indoors.

 Raquel, 9356 6420, or Karen, combrinck1@gmail.com

Adult education

Banksia Gardens Community Services is running adult education courses including an introduction to computers and brushing up on English skills.

 9309 8531

Senior citizens meet

The Gladstone Park Senior Citizens Club regularly meets for games of bingo, carpet bowls and a chat over a cuppa, at the coroner of Carrick and Elmhurst drives, Gladstone Park.

 Beulah, 0411 422 398

This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of piper Ian Domoney during a memorial service to mark the 54th anniversary of the West Gate Bridge collapse – Australia’s worst industrial accident. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 439683_01

TAC L2P Program

The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) L2P Program is a community-based program developed to assist eligible young Victorian learner drivers between the ages of 16 and 21 who do not have access to a supervising driver, or an appropriate vehicle to gain driving experience required for a probationary licence. Volunteer mentors needed.

 Cynthia Petridis, 0435 653 371

Broadmeadows Senior Citizens Club

The club meets on Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and first Sunday of the month. It also has indoor carpet bowls, bingo, and snooker and on the third Saturday, and a dance from 7-11 pm. All are welcome.

 Liz Munro, 0409 712 613,or lizmunro7@gmail.com

Craft and Conversation

Craigieburn library is hosting a Wednesday weekly craft group, from 1-3pm, and everyone is welcome. Join the craft and conversation group and share your love of all things crafty. Bring your current project and make new friends.

 humelibraries.vic.gov.au

Community lunch in Roxburgh Park

Join the Homestead Team, along with members of the community for a free lunch and make some new friends whilst you’re at it. Lunch will be prepared by the Turkish Women’s Association. The lunch will be held every Wednesday, from

11.30am-1pm, at Homestead Community and Learning Centre, 30 Whiltshire Road, Roxburgh Park.

 https://tinyurl.com/2wbet35x

Homestead Walking Group

Enjoy some fresh air, beautiful gardens and meet other locals. Volunteer leaders will meet at the Homestead Community and Learning Centre at 9.30am on Wednesdays for a 30–45 minute walk.

 https://tinyurl.com/2wbet35x

Craigieburn Toastmasters

Craigieburn Toastmasters supports community members in developing and practising their public speaking, leadership, and communication skills. It meets the first and third Thursday, from 7-9pm, at the Craigieburn Guide Hall, 33 Hamilton Street, Craigieburn.

Education and community centre

Do you or someone you know need help learning English or understanding technology? Craigieburn Education and Community Centre is offering free beginner English and computer classes to eligible residents. Small, relaxed and friendly classes, drop in and say hello at 20 Selwyn Avenue, Craigieburn.

 9308 1477 or https://www.craigieburn.org.au

Whittlesea Historical Society

The Whittlesea Historical Society welcomes anyone interested in the history

of the City of Whittlesea area. A meeting schedule is available on the society’s website.

 www.whittleseahistoricalsociety.org.au

Indigenous Community Gardens

Westmeadows Indigenous Community Garden members are hosting a monthly open day on the first Saturday of each month, 11am-noon, to showcase the gardens at the corner Toora Drive and Redan Court. All are welcome.

 Eva Mazzei, emmmazzei@gmail.com

Craigieburn Residents Association

Do you live in Craigieburn and wonder what’s happening re-roads and facilities, or have a concern you’d like to raise so it can be addressed? Go along to the Craigieburn Residents Association and tell them about it. The association liaises with Hume council, as well as state and federal government organisations to get the job done. They also give annual donations to a local charity each year. They meet on the last Wednesday of the month at Selwyn House, Selwyn Avenue, Craigieburn, 7.30pm.

 craigieburnresidents@gmail,com, or 0401 369 311

Menergise men’s walk and talk Every Thursday from 7pm, starting at the Mernda Neighbourhood House. A nightly walk for men to get some exercise and shoot the breeze in the breeze.

 0475 454 133

Diwali set to light up Wyndham

Wyndham Diwali is back and promises to be brighter than ever.

Running from 1.30-10.30pm on Saturday, November 2, the free event will bring an assortment of entertainment to President’s Park in Wyndham Vale.

Visitors will be able to experience a cultural and culinary tour of India through a variety of food stalls, arts and crafts stalls, jewellery and clothing vendors, and even Henna stations.

Astheeveningunfolds,guestswillbetreated to a series of Bollywood performances, Indian dance routines and a 15-minute firework

display- which will serve as the grand finale. Diwali,whichisamajorfeatureintheHindu calendar and also observed by other South Asian religions such as Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, is known as the festival of lights and symbolises the triumph of good over evil.

Despite its roots in South Asia, Wyndham Diwali is a multicultural event that welcomes all members of the community and seeks to bridge divisions.

Wyndham Diwali president Raja Reddy said cross-cultural celebrations. were important in communities like Wyndham.

“Such gatherings encourage inclusivity, making everyone feel valued and represented,” Reddy said.

“They offer a platform for dialogue- which can lead to collaborative solutions for local issues.”

Having hosted Wyndham Diwali for 15 years, Reddy expressed that the annual event is also an invaluable opportunity to help educate attendeesabouttherichtraditionsofHinduism and help Wyndham become a model for other communities.

Jaidyn Kennedy

Halloween hell in West Footscray

West Footscray will go to hell from October 31 when Halloween in the West returns for 2024.

Organised by the Op Shop West Footscray, the annual Halloween event will take place from 4pm to 9pm everyday from Thursday to Sunday, November 3.

Along with the obligatory trick or treating on Barkly Street and surrounding parts of West Footscray, other entertainment options will include jumping castles, a free photo booth, sausage sizzle and free face painting.

But as in previous years, the main attraction

will be the Halloween hell house at 594 Barkly Street.

For a five dollar entry fee (free for children under 12), entrants to the hell house will get to navigate a walk-through maze, complete with jump scares and amazing decorations, with all proceeds going towards the op shop.

“It’s become a staple part of West Footscray festivals, and it’s always an amazing event with people, young and adults alike, coming to partake in their favourite costumes for Halloween,” said op shop manager Debbie Lanciana.

“It’s in its fifth year, and every year has attracted more trick-or-treaters from all parts of Melbourne.”

WithHalloweengrowinginpopularityeach year, Ms Lanciana encouraged those planning to dress-up and go trick or treating, to drop by West Footscray during the four day event.

“There is something for everyone, so please inviting the whole community and beyond to come down and celebrate with us.”

Tickets and details: https://rb.gy/qxmu0u Cade Lucas.

Seek

Moorabool’s musicians, artists and wordsmiths are out of hiding, and it’s time for everyone to seek them out as they gear up to perform in townships across the shire for the second annual Hide and Seek Festival.

Organised by Moorabool council, Hide and Seek is dedicated to celebrating arts and culture in Moorabool, bringing together local talent and inviting creativity from afar.

This festival offers a diverse range of events that foster community engagement and artistic expression.

Councilsaidthatafteraverysuccessful inaugural festival in 2022, it was excited to offer a bigger and improved take two. Along with music, there will be a big focus on art, literary events and food this year.

“This is an event, or more accurately a series of fantastic events, not to be missed,” council chief executive Derek Madden said. “Our entire shire is going to be humming with spring festivities during the festival and we encourage locals and visitors to get amongst it.”

The Hide and Seek Festival runs from November 1-10.

There will be unique experiences such as art trails and degustation dinners, as well as art workshops, a poetry open mic event, an evening of stargazing and exploring First Nations myths and stories,livemusicandrovingperformers. All events are free or low cost. Details: www.hideandseekfestival.com.au

Be bold festival returns with puppets, dance and fashion

On Saturday, November 9, the west will come together for another year of the Be Bold Festival.

The Bowery Theatre and the St Albans Community Centre will host a number of activities for the entire family to enjoy, with a focusoncelebratingthearts,culture,creativity, and the people of Melbourne’s west.

From painting sessions, music, markets, cultural performances, fashion, and food, the day will have something for everyone.

There will be cultural performances by Kala Dyuthi Academy of Indian Classical Dance,

Jana Garjana Dhol Pathak Music, Kiganda Dance Group, Maidens of Polynesia and more.

Also on show and performing will be the Giant Puppets of the West, created by Snuff Puppets. Puppet facilitator Lachlan Plain said while the puppets have featured at the festival previously, this is the first time all groups they work with will be represented.

Snuff Puppets has worked with multiple cultural groups to create many puppets that represent different cultures within the west.

“The puppets will be roaming around, interacting with people, it’s lots of fun,” Mr

Plain said. “The kids love them, they get a lot of squeals, but they’re great for adults too - they’re spectacular, they’re big, playful, fun and a bit mischievous at times.”

Puppets representing local Pacific Islander, Vietnamese, and Somalian communities will be present at the festival, greeting people and performing.

The day starts at 11am, and there will be plenty to see and do until it finishes up at 5pm. Full schedule: creativebrimbank.com.au/bbf

Gerald Lynch

Some of the Giant Puppets of the West that will be on show at the festival. (Supplied)

Tom Hughes, Charlie Farrell, Quilby Nelson, and Shafiah Nelson from the Gordon Gypsies. (Supplied)

Tanisha, 4, and Abigail, 5, get in the mood for Op Shop West Footscray’s Halloween in the West event from October 31 to November 3. (Damjan Janevski) 438274

Performers grace the stage for Wyndham Diwali. (Supplied)

The 2024 Melbourne Cup

1. Held by the Victorian Turf Club, the first Melbourne Cup was run in which year?

2. Winning connections of the first Melbourne Cup received what?

3. Which champion placed in the Melbourne Cup as a three-year-old before winning the race the following year?

4. The 1958 Melbourne Cup won by Baystone will be remembered for what?

5. In the last 40 runnings of the Cup, which is the only horse to have come from last position on the turn to win?

6. Which horse was the first Melbourne Cup winner to sire a Melbourne Cup winner?

7. What year did the Cup prize money hit $1 million?

8. Which American-bred Melbourne Cup conquerer holds the record-winning time for the race?

9. Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II’s only attempt at capturing Australia’s crown for stayers was with which horse?

10. The sire of which Melbourne Cup winner was a world champion polo stallion?

11. Who was the last southern hemispherebred three-year-old to run in the Melbourne Cup?

12. The dam of which Melbourne Cup winner won a Japan Cup?

13. New Zealand trainer Shelia Laxon became the first woman to officially train a Melbourne Cup winner with which horse?

14. The highest Melbourne Cup Day attendance of 122,736 was in which year?

15. And which horse won in that year?

16. Who was the last grey horse to win the Melbourne Cup?

Who was the last Melbourne Cup victor to earn their place in the field by winning the Lexus Stakes (Hotham Handicap) three days earlier on Derby Day?

Which of these Melbourne Cup-winning heroes won by the shorter margin: Empire Rose or Dunaden?

In which Melbourne Cup did they reel off the fastest final 600 metre sectional time?

Who is the only horse to have finished the runner-up in three Melbourne Cups?

Who was the last favourite to win the Cup?

Who was the last jockey to ride the winner of the W. S. Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup in the same year?

Barrier 1 last hosted which historic Melbourne Cup winner?

Who was the last eight-year old to win the Melbourne Cup?

25. Who was the last jockey to salute on a Melbourne Cup winner at their first ride in the race?

26. Who is the only horse to have won the Melbourne Cup from barrier 18?

27. How many Australianbred stayers contested the 2023 Melbourne Cup?

28. Who was the last top weight to win the Melbourne Cup?

29. Who was the last horse to claim the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup double?

30. Which Melbourne Cup-winning mare carried the most weight to victory?

18. Make a tear (3)

22. Racetrack observer (9)

23. Gallop off at high speed (4)

24. Floral wrist accessory (7)

25. Withdraw from competition (7)

Down

1. Vision-limiting headgear (8)

2. ‘– you good thing!’ (2)

3. Celebratory beverage (9)

5. Ornate, ostentatious 20-down (10)

7. Iconic NZ-born horse and winner of the 1930 Cup (4,3)

9. Obstacle race (12)

11. A horse that excels on wet tracks (7)

13. Horse’s patterns of leg movement (5)

16. Betting selection of the first three finishers in order (8)

17. Initials of the first woman to win the Cup (1,1)

19. Harness racing competition, the – (coll) (5)

20. Headwear item (3)

21. Young male horse (4)

PUNTERSEMTTHENR ACETHAGNEPRTSOT KCARTAOGLAORPIS MSTHCESABRPANHP AASDTIEPOAHCRSR KORNYEKMUDYECAI YIOTSRAAREBCAFN BSTTEATHNMTORHG EKAFSISCEPUUNJG DLNIRLEVGARRION IIIEOSOROLFSVCI VSCLHNUNDROEAKT ASSDAREASADDLET NYATHINGBHDUTYE STFELDIRBPSILLB

PUZZLES

ACROSS

1 Association football (6)

4 Science venues (abbr) (4,4)

10 British territory in southern Spain (9)

11 Delay (5)

12 Expression (4)

13 African country (4)

14 Happen (5)

16 Adolescent (4)

17 Flower merchants (8)

20 Pastoral (8)

22 Element’s smallest part (4)

25 Jet (5)

26 Scottish island (4)

28 Slight (4)

30 Verboten (5)

31 Insipid (9)

32 Becoming prominent (8)

33 Strain (6)

DOWN

1 The outstanding features to be seen on a visit (6)

2 Restaurant with entertainment (7)

3 Web auction site (4)

5 Dreadful (8)

6 Ordinariness (10)

7 Touches (7)

8 Astonish (8)

9 Sicilian volcano (4)

15 Stubborn (10)

18 Plastic unit containing audio or visual tape (8)

19 Southern Asian country (8)

21 Disintegrate (7)

23 People of Malta (7)

24 Outer parts of loaves (6)

27 Cosy retreat (4)

29 Flesh (4)

2 Which city was home to the world’s tallest buildings from 1908 to 1973?

3 What type of bird appears on

8

2.

3.

SPORTS QUIZ

1. In Australian horse racing what is the heaviest track rating?

2. Which of the following is not a legitimate wrestling throw: armbreaker, arm wringer or arm buster?

3. Archery was discontinued as an Olympic sport in 1924 then reintroduced in which decade?

4. What is the highest AFL score ever achieved by a

5. What sports are in a modern pentathlon?

6. Which cyclist won the Tour de France five consecutive times from 1991 to 1995?

7. Which country is considered the birthplace of taekwondo?

8. In cricket, what is the term for a score of zero?

9. What type of fruit is traditionally served at the Wimbledon tennis

Which Port Adelaide player has signed a oneyear contract extension, marking his 19th season

Which former player is the head coach of the Australian men’s national

Nineteen-year-old cricketer Sam Konstas scored two centuries in a Sheffield Shield game for which state

How many teams compete in the NFL?

14. AFL player Jake Stringer was traded to which non-Victorian team during trade week, his third club?

15. Which Australian tennis player lost in 39 minutes against 18-year-old American Learner Tien at a Challengers event?

16. Australia will play England in a one-off Test in 2027 to celebrate the 150-year anniversary of the first ever cricket Test match at which venue?

17. Which NRL club has been runner-up in the annual World Club Challenge for the last two years?

18. Racing drivers Brodie Kostecki and Todd Hazelwood recently won which Australian motor racing event?

19. The famous Major League Baseball stadium Wrigley Field is located in which US city?

20. Which English middleorder batsman scored a triple century in a recent cricket Test match against Pakistan?

21. Shai Bolton was recently traded to which AFL team?

22. Which US city is home to an NHL team known as the Penguins?

23. True or false: lifesaving was an unofficial event at the 1900 Olympic Games?

24. Which Australian city was recently announced as host of the First Test in the 2025/26 Ashes Series?

25. In what year did the National Basketball League play its first season?

26. Which country currently sits on the top of the men’s Test cricket rankings?

27. How many Australian Open singles titles did Rafael Nadal win during his career?

28. The fictional sport of Blernsball features in which long-running animated TV series?

29. Recently-retired basketballer Aron Baynes is one of only three Australians to have won an NBA Championship and which other medal?

30. How much prize money does the winner of the 2024 Everest race receive?

Wrigley Field Field

Rafael Nadal

Summing up Subaru’s Solterra

By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring

Let’s be frank.

Subaru’s first, fully-electric vehicle, the Solterra is basically a rebadged Toyota bZ4X.

Named for the sun and earth, it’s the second collaborative effort by the two car makers after the Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ sports coupe. Unlike the coupe, however, which is powered by Sooby’s boxer engine, you’ll struggle to find anything uniquely Subaru about the Solterra.

The junior partner in the relationship, Subaru reportedly had input into the car’s safety and all-wheel drive systems.

The mid-sized, five-seat SUV went on sale in mid-2022 in Japan, US, Canada, Europe, and China, but didn’t make it here until March this year.

Obviously, the two cars look a little different, while the Subaru is offered in all-wheel drive form only – that is at least in this country. In Japan (cough) it’s also offered with front-wheel drive.

Subaru claims ownership of the car’s e-Subaru Global Platform (e-SGP) but in reality, it’s just another name for the Toyota e-TNGA platform.

That’s about the size of it.

Styling

The major differences in styling can be found at the front where Subaru has adopted a blunter face for the Solterra, with an hexagonal-style grille opening plus the addition of fog lights either side of the lower air intake.

Bonnet, front guards and wheel arch flares remain the same to reduce production costs.

At the rear the changes are even more minimal, with alterations confined to the tailgate area.

Ironically, it’s the Toyota that scores a fashionable light bar across the back. When it was Subaru that pioneered the linked tail light look way back in the 1990s?

Inside, the finish is clean and modern, but it all looks very much Toyota, including the landscape-styletouchscreeninsteadofSubaru’s favoured portrait screen.

Solterra ain’t cheap either, offered in two grades:AWDandTouring,pricedfrom$69,990 and $76,990 respectively – plus on-road costs. Two-tone paint is available as a $1200 option with Touring.

Entry AWD runs on 18-inch rims (alloys with wheel covers) and low roll resistance rubber.

Itisequippedwithdusk-sensing,self-levelling LED headlights, LED tail lights, powered-fold mirrors, puddle lights, powered-operated tailgate, roof rails and roof carrier brackets.

Inside, there’s cloth trim and dual-zone climate control with rear air vents, heated leather steering wheel, heated front and outer rear seats, eight-way power-adjust driver seat with lumbar support, plus a mat set and cargo tray protector.

Touring adds larger, 20-inch wheels, synthetic leather, panoramic glass roof, power adjustment for the front passenger, auto-dipping door mirrors and door mirror memory for the driver.

A digital rear vision mirror replaces a conventional mirror in both, bypassing the heads and headrests that usually block rear vision.

The price for both grades includes a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, complimentary five-year service plan (60 months/75,000km), five-year roadside assistance, 2kW (8A) AC charging cable with 10A wall plug for charging. The high voltage battery is covered by an eight-year/160,000km warranty.

Subaru’s Map Update Program provides map updates for the first three years.

Infotainment

In terms of infotainment, both grades feature a 12.3-inch touchscreen with built-in navigation, AM/FMandDAB+digitalradio,wirelessApple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus Bluetooth with voice control and audio streaming.

Thebasemodelgetssix-speakersound,while Touring benefits from premium 10-speaker

Harman Kardon audio, with a separate subwoofer and amplifier.

Wireless phone charging is confined to the more expensive grade.

There are two USB-C ports front and back, plus a single USB-A port and 12V/120W outlet at the front.

Safety Solterra scores a full five-star ANCAP safety rating.

There’s front, side and curtain airbags as well as a front seat centre bag to stop heads from bumping.

Subaru’s hallmark Eyesight system has made way for what’s called Subaru Safety Sense, with support for adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking.

There’s also emergency steering and brake assist, lane departure warning and lane tracing assist, road sign recognition and speed limiter.

Vision Assist incorporates adaptive high beam, blind spot monitor, front and rear parking sensors and parking brake support, with rear cross traffic alert, safe exit assist and a 360-degree view monitor.

Touring adds advanced parking assistance via displays and alerts.

There are three rear top-tether and two ISOFix child-seat anchors.

Engines/transmissions

Solterra features two electric motors, one for each axle, which delivers its all-wheel drive ability.

Individually, they deliver 80kW and 168.5Nm, but together produce a combined 160kW of power and 337Nm of torque.

That’s less power and torque than a WRX for example, while Solterra weighs another 500kg+.

Driving

Solterra is about the same size as a RAV4, but with the interior space of a Land Cruiser 300 Series.

That’s good news for passengers, with plenty of room in the back and a luggage area that is neither small nor large.

Thedashistrimmedinacoarse,Berber-style fabric, that might look swish, but is likely to attract dirt and dust (and might not look quite as flash in a couple of years).

There’s no glovebox, but the two-tier centre console offers extended storage space and is topped by a sliding armrest.

We found the manual buried in the boot along with the home charging cable.

And, before you ask, there’s no additional storageavailableunderthebonnetasisthecase with many EVs.

far enough on a single charge. (Pictures: Supplied)

Taking a leaf out of Peugeot’s playbook, a separate 7.0-inch digital cluster sits elevated above the level of the steering wheel, negating the need for heads-up display to some extent.

The large touchscreen incorporates push-buttons for audio volume and the like, with separate buttons for temperature, fan and air-flow settings.

Why do car makers feel the need to fit complex digital mirrors, when a standard rear vision mirror will suffice?

The switch that normally toggles between day and night changes between the digital and standard formats, and while the digital mirror may offer some benefits it is difficult to focus on quickly, especially with multi-focal glasses.

The navigation software lags and the screen does not respond to destination entry at times.

We quickly switched to Android Auto but it was plagued with constant disconnects.

Then there’s the stupid bloody eye on the wheel that monitors for signs of fatigue or lack of concentration.

If it can’t see your face, it starts complaining relentlessly. For Pete’s sake!

Power is supplied by a 71.4 kWh lithium-ion battery, with energy consumption a claimed 18.1kWh/100km.

The dash from 0-100km/h takes around 6.9 seconds, which is a bit pedestrian compared to other electric vehicles.

In contrast, the single motor fitted to the Toyota front-wheel drive version delivers 150kW of power. Imagine what Subaru could do with two of these babies working in tandem. Could we see a Solterra WRX?

Range depends largely on the size of wheel fitted to the vehicle. Entry AWD with 18-inch wheels is good for 416km, while Touring with 20-inch spinners has a reduced range of 357km (both figures WLTP).

This latter item of information does not seem to have been publicised widely and came as a surprise.

Unfortunately, the larger EV batteries become, the more redundant home charging cables are becoming.

In this case it takes 35 hours to charge Solterra from 0-100 per cent with a 10A household power point.

With three phase power and an 11kW Wallbox, this figure is reduced to 9.5 hours. In other words, basically overnight.

Using a commercial DC fast charger, at a rate of up to 150kW, charging from 0-80 per cent can be achieved in as little as 30 minutes.

However, it’s not advised to fully charge the battery repeatedly this way as it is likely to reduce battery life (and battery packs are super expensive to replace).

In terms of driving, Solterra feels overly large and heavy, with steering that is light and twitchy if you don’t watch it.

Acceleration is brisk, with plenty there for overtaking, but probably feels quicker than it is because of the instant torque.

Handling and ride quality are surprisingly good, but the electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering lacks feedback and the car feels isolated from the road.

Three drive modes are offered — Normal, Power and Eco.

There’s also a two-mode version of X-mode which coordinates engine, transmission, brakes and all-wheel drive — to negotiate “almost any” terrain.

Atthetouchofabuttononthecentreconsole, one of two modes can be activated: Snow/Dirt or Deep Snow/Mud.

Ironically, the Toyota offers three X modes. A range of regenerative braking levels are available via the steering wheel paddles, rightdowntobutnotquiteone-pedaldriving – it won’t bring you to a complete stop.

The level of braking is reflected in a series of chevrons next to the D symbol, while a green icon appears when maximum braking is selected.

Counter-intuitively, the minus paddle increases braking resistance, while plus decreases it.

In the event of a flat tyre, a puncture repair kit is provided in lieu of a spare wheel. You’ll need a proper spare wheel if you plan to go off-road.

After more than 500km of mixed driving, including a run up the coast and back, we were getting energy consumption of 18.6 kWh/100km.

Summing up

Some EVs drive better than others. But, at the end of the day, it comes down to a question of price and driving range. They’re what matter most.

Subaru’s Solterra is relatively expensive and doesn’t go nearly far enough on a single charge. What’s more, it lacks character, and looks and feels more Toyota than Subaru.

There’s no boxer engine and it lacks the signature engine note that Sooby drivers prize, nor is it any great shakes off the line.

Sure, it’s got all-wheel drive and X-Mode, but is that really enough?

Subaru’s biggest sellers are Forester, followed by Crosstrek and Outback in equal measures.

Solterra is nothing like these vehicles, nor any other Subaru and this could be a bigger stumbling block than the company might think.

Subaru’s Solterra is relatively expensive and doesn’t go nearly

Move to Victoria lands Benda Tulla job

A move to Victoria from Western Australia has paid off for new Tullamarine women’s coach Tyler Benda.

The Demons new coach made the move to Victoria as he went searching for senior coaching opportunities having been an assistant and development coach in Western Australia.

Things fell into place for Benda and he signed with the Essendon District Football League division 1 club.

Benda replaces Travis Fitzpatrick and said he was excited to take on the role.

“I moved here last week,” he said. “They’re a good group of girls.

“There’s more coaching opportunities in Victoria and after the past few years as an assistant coach and development coach I wanted to move into a role as a head coach.

“I’m excited to move over for the opportunity.”

Benda’s previous history includes playing in the Western Australian Football League for Perth and Peel Thunder.

He has six years coaching experience including being an assistant and development coach with Peel Thunder and South Fremantle women’s.

Benda said he didn’t know much about Tullamarine but had been doing some research on the local leagues before he moved across.

“My biggest coaching philosophy is to be able to give the playing group targets to reach and making sure I’m being consistent and engaging with the players,” he said.

“Allowing them to understand each role and allow them to play the game they love. There’s a lot of excitement in the group and a few of the younger players will come up into new roles.

“They’ll get to show through their ability

and we’re looking to keep the older girls as well and hopefully bring in a few new players.”

The Demons finished in fifth spot this season, two points outside the top four.

For the most part they were competitive with the sides above them, but struggled with depth to match it across the full four quarters.

Benda said a large part of the group had already been putting in the work before pre-season gets underway,

“I’ll look to bring in some different standards and professionalism,” he said.

The Demons have announced eight re-signings for the women’s side already including team of the member, Tricia Devine.

Benda said having club and change rooms back would be a massive plus for the group after not having them for a couple of seasons.

Pre-season kicks off on November 11.

Tara Murray

Woodman into top three

By Tara Murray

Sunbury’s Jin Woodman set his sights on a big 2024 after missing out on a wildcard for the Australian Open.

Keen to make sure he would be in the mix for next year, Woodman has taken his game to the next level.

The young wheelchair tennis star improved his junior singles International Tennis Federation ranking from outside the top 10 to number three.

He also now boasts an ITF singles ranking of 156 and quad singles ranking of 21.

Woodman represented Australia in the World Team Cup in Turkey, where the team finished in second place. He also won the Megasaray Cup (boys), Brisbane Wheelchair Classic (juniors) and Queensland Wheelchair Open (junior grade A) and was a finalist at the Melbourne Wheelchair Classic.

He added to the Tennis Victoria male junior athlete award to his achievements in late October.

Woodman said it was pretty special to receive the award. Former grand slam finalist Mark Philippoussis is the biggest name past winner of the award.

“I’m shocked,” he said. “The people in my category, everyone had a good chance.

“I didn’t really expect it. If I lost it didn’t really matter, at least I tried.”

Woodman said he felt he had a first slow half of the year. His game started to pick up from June,

“I think from June to the end of October my game changed a lot over the months,” he said. “I think it’s thanks to my coaches, especially from my school MSA [Maribyrnong Sports Academy], Hume [Hume Tennis and Community Centre] as well as people from TA [Tennis Australia].

Woodman said the sports academy had been massive for him in helping improve his game and off-court side of things.

He said he was pretty happy to be ranked number three in the world and hoped in the coming months that he could improve that.

One of the big moments for Woodman this year was competing in the US Open junior event. It was his first grand slam.

He beat fellow Aussie Yassin Hill in the opening round. The pair competed together in the doubles.

“I tried to think about it as a normal tournament,” he said. “It was nice to have an Aussie first round.

“It was a tough match going to a three setter. After that I felt happy.”

Woodman is hoping for a big Australian summer after he returns from competing in Turkey, which is his next event.

There will be two events held at the Hume, which is his home club.

Woodman said it was exciting to play big tournaments at his home court and also have the opportunity to watch the best in the world close up. He is then hoping to make the Australian Open in January via a wildcard. He said if that doesn’t happen, he’ll hopefully play juniors

there.

“This year my goal was to play the seniors,” he said. “Sadly that didn’t happen. I said to myself, next year is going to be mine and I put all the hard work and training to see where it pays off.”

Rising Bundoora star Ava Beck’s inroads on the tennis court were recognisedattheTennisVictoriaplayer awards.

Beck was named the junior female athlete of the year at the awards night in late October.

For Beck, it caps off a big 12 months which she’s hoping will continue.

The 16-year-old claimed singles wins in J30 events in Lautoka and Adelaide, as well as wins at J100 events in Canberra and Mornington.

She made the semi finals at events in Adelaide, Christchurch and Brisbane and has seen her ranking on the rise, reaching 192 junior ranking in the nomination period and boasting a 70 per cent win rate in singles.

That ranking has continued to improve, as she moved up to a career-high 103 as of October 21.

“I was proud of myself, there were great girls nominated,” she said. “It was greattoberecognisedformyhardwork for the past 12 months.”

Beck said she had been working with her coach John Hampson to grow and develop her game.

“I’m so happy with my results.”

Beck was just five when she picked up atennisracketandshehasneverlooked back.

“My parents wanted me to play a sport that I could play for the rest of my life, at five years old, my Dad took me to Bundoora Tennis Club,“ she said.

“I’m happy he did, I love it.”

Beck’s busy schedule will continue.

This week she’ll head to Europe for the Billie Jean King Cup juniors competition. Sixteen teams from across the world compete in the prestigious event.

“I am so excited to head to Turkey, it’s such an honour to represent your country and wear the green and gold,” she said.

“We finished number one at the Asia-Oceania qualifying in May this year, we have a strong team.”

Beck, who loves how Coco Gauff plays, has a wildcard for a women’s pro event on the Gold Coast later in November.

It will then be back to training for hopefully a big summer ahead.

“I’m hoping to play Australian Open Juniors in January,” she said.

Tara Murray

Tricia Devine. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 402299_16

Jin Woodman. (Tennis Victoria)

Tigers welcome local talent back to the squad

The hard work over the past couple of years for Westmeadows is paying off, with the club welcoming back a number of players early this off-season.

After losing a heap of players after the 2022 season, things were tough for the Tigers and coach Ash Flavel, who had just taken over.

Now off the back of an Essendon District Football League division 2 grand final, the momentum is growing.

Flavel said it had been a really busy month since the season ended.

“We’ve been putting in a lot of work in the last few weeks and have managed to get a few guys who want to come back and play for the club,“ he said.

“After what happened a few years ago, the club is now back on its feet and heading in a good direction.

“We’ve worked hard to get to where we are and playing off in a grand final helped the cause as well.”

Flavel said the new editions would help fill some holes they thought they needed to fill.

Jordan Hollow, Harley Gleeson and Francis KeenanhaveallreturnedfromEpping,Michael Portelli from Hillside, Marcus Mammoliti from Airport West and Mitch Church from East Sunbury.

Flavelsaidtheywouldallbehandyinclusions into the squad.

Hugo Jenkins has joined the club from Strathmore where he played in the under-18.5 grand final, while Jake Butcher comes to the Tigers from Shepparton.

Flavel said they were still speaking to a few more players and were hoping to have a few more announcements in the coming weeks.

At this stage, the only confirmed out for the Tigers is Rex Hickman who is going to play in the bush.

With an influx of players, the Tigers are looking to field a thirds senior side next season.

Flavel said he couldn’t have imagined that they would be in this position after where they were when he took over.

“I was struggling to put together a side of 22 back a couple of years ago,”he said.

It’s been a good off season for Westmeadows. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 422890_03

“Now I’m looking at a senior squad of 35 that could possibly play seniors.

“We’ll have a lot of depth and strong seniors and it will flow from the senior side into the reserves.”

Flavel said they had also added a strength and conditioning coach and several of the boys had already hit the training track.

After exceeding expectations this year, the

Nguyen makes his mark

By Tara Murray

Calder Cannons defender Jayden Nguyen isn’t leaving anything to chance as he chases his AFL dream.

The Essendon Next Generation Academy talent finished third in the Morrish Medal this year, the award for the league’s best player.

Not content with just that, Nguyen was earlier this month one of the stars at the AFL state combine.

Nguyen finished in the top five of four of the tests across all the state combines.

The half backer said the combine was a really interesting experience.

“I guess it comes back to the body of work that I put through in preparation for the combine,” he said of his results.

“Obviously the season finished four weeks before the combine and during that time my focus was to improve my power and my speed and strength and I feel like it has come off well and the results have shown.

“I always knew that I had the ability to do it, but it was doing it at the right moment… I knew the combine was really important and would help my draft chances significantly and tried my best at it.”

The testing results come after what Nguyen thought was a consistent season with the Calder Cannons.

He shared the Robert Hyde Medal as the Cannons best player last season, so there were plenty of expectations heading into this year.

“I thought I had a consistent season,” he said. “I had a patch of quiet games in the middle of the year, but was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to suit up for Essendon in the VFL [Victorian Football League] and I think that gave me tremendous confidence to come back and finish the year at at the Cannons as strongly as I did.

“I was very happy.”

Nguyen said finishing third in the Morrish Medal was an honour to be up there with some real quality players.

He was also part of the Victorian Metro championship winning squad.

“It was a great experience,” he said. “You play with many highly touted players from around the country and share the same goal of getting drafted.

“In a way it motivates you to work harder as you’re in the right crowd of people that want to push you to be your best.

“Ithinkithelpedmeputmybestfootforward at the end of the year.”

If Nguyen is to be drafted later this year, it won’t be his first foray into an AFL club.

As an NGA player, he had the opportunity to do a pre-season with Essendon and continue to use their facilities.

Both of Nguyen’s parents were born in Vietnam and came to Australia as refugees with footy not prevalent in their culture, which allows him to fall in the NGA.

“It’s really good actually,” he said. “You get to use the facilities and it’s being around club, meeting the players and staff and you build relationships that can help you with your footy as well.

“Essendon have just helped me so much with my footy, I did pre-season at the start of the year.

“It helped me learn how the professional players go about their work, their body of work

they’ve put in behind every training session and how they’ve prepared themselves.”

Nguyen said it would be a dream come true to be drafted by Essendon, which has the opportunity to match any bid on him in the draft, while he would be excited to take any opportunity that arises.

Between now and the draft, he’s going to continue to stick to the plan.

“I’m going to keep chipping away, keep running, put best foot forward and if I do get a chance of getting drafted, make sure my body is 100 per cent ready to go into the AFL environment.”

Tigers are setting high expectations for next season.

“We are playing to go one better,” he said. “We’re not hiding from the fact that we want to finish top two.

“They boys know that and we’re looking to build on that next year. We’ll leave no stone unturned.”

Sports shorts

Northern FL

Sam Philip is making the switch to Old Paradians for next year’s Northern Football League division 2 season. The former Carlton-listed player combined Victorian Football League commitments with Port Melbourne and playing with Bundoora this year. He will still play VFL next year. His brother Tom Philip played in the division 3 premiership this year, while his dad Stephen Philip is a club legend.

VSDCA

Plenty Valley made it two in a row in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association north-west on Saturday. Facing Donvale, the Bats bowled them out for 110 with Musaddiq ali Hamza taking three wickets. The Bats wasted little time getting the runs, finishing 3-114 in 15.3 overs. Chenutha kavinda Wickramasinghe top scored with 63. The Bats this week face Kew in a one-dayer on Saturday.

Big V

The Hume City Broncos have locked in their first women’s import for next year’s Big V championship season. Kenna Holt, a standout player at Bishop Manogue High in America who spent two seasons as a scholarship player for the Nevada Wolf Pack, has committed to the Broncos for 2025. Broncos coach Brooke Davenport is excited about Holt’s signing.

“She participated in a couple of our team practices earlier this year when she visited Australia and I know that the energy and hustle she brings will be infectious and galvanise our efforts at both ends of the floor.

Northern FL

Thomastown has signed Deakyn Smith for the Northern Football League division 2 season. Smith was AFL-listed for three seasons and won the Casey Demons’ Victorian Football League best and fairest in 2023. After playing with North Melbourne’s reserves this year, he’s committed to the Demons and Thomastown for next year. He has predominantly played as a half back, but will look to play in the middle for the Bears.

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Jayden Nguyen and coach Sam Willatt. (Calder Cannons)

Tara Murray

Donnybrook continues its massive expansion

The growth continues for Donnybrook Cricket Club.

Once a small club, the club now has more than 20 sides across its junior and senior programs.

President Noel Seipolt said even five years ago they wouldn’t have believed the club would be where it is now in terms of the pure size.

“It is getting big,” he said. “We now have 21 or 22 sides this year.

“It just keeps getting bigger and bigger and it’s gone through starting at the juniors and through to the seniors.

“It is a pretty hard job at the moment but we are getting there. It’s now seven days a week organising it all.”

The club’s top side is in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Russell Pollock Shield competition for a third straight season.

Seipolt said the top side continued to develop each year in that competition and were a lot better than when they started.

“We have a few new players in the ones,” he said. “We have a new captain and few other new ones.”

On Saturday, Donnybrook started its two-day match with Barkly St Uniting.

Two of the first three days of play of the season had been washed out and there hadn’t been any results in the division 5 competition.

Donnybrook made 194 before being bowled out in the 70th over.

Tharik Alam top scored with 51.

Donnybrook was able to take an early wicket and the Dragons will resume at 1-7.

Vikram Mandhotra is the wicket taker.

Having made finals for the first time last season, Seipolt said there was definitely some motivation to go even better this season.

“There is more motivation,” he said. “To lose a final like that, it was so close.

“Hopefully this year we can go better. We want to go up a few divisions in the next few years.”

In other games, it was a tough day for Craigieburn in the senior division against Yarraville Club.

The Eagles were bowled out for just 111 in 49 overs.

Kevin Spaull top scored with 39, with just three players reaching double figures.

The Clubbers finished day one at 6-96.

Joshua Rasu had four wickets for the Eagles.

Westmeadows had a solid day against Airport West St Christophers.

The Warriors made 233 as they were bowled out in the 68th over.

Suresh De Silva top scored with 69.

Airport West faced nine overs at the end of day one and will resume at 1-16.

IntheMcNamaraShield,Tullamarineis2-26 in reply to Newport-Digman’s 20, while in the Evans-Clark Shield Roxburgh Park made 149.

St Andrew’s Footscray is 1-12 in reply.

Positives for Kangaroos

By Tara Murray

It was a tough day, but there were also positive signsfortheGreenvaleKangaroosinVictorian Premier Cricket on Saturday.

While the Kangaroos have started the season with a couple of losses, each game they show they are on the right track.

Coaching director Ash Cavigan said they were where they thought they would be early in the season.

“Our English boys are now here and they played on Saturday,” he said. “We have a big contingent of year 12 boys who are juggling premier cricket with year 12 exams.

“Weknewitwouldbelikethat,sowe’vebeen a bit stretched otherwise we’re travelling well.”

CavigansaidthearrivalofBenCliffandWill Luxton had provided a big boost to the group. While the pair are expected to play a big role onfield,Cavigansaidtheywerealsoexcitedfor what they would do off field as well.

“They are two really nice young guys,” he said. “We have a really young group and they are excited to have two professional cricketers here.

“To be around them and to learn from them, they are pretty excited. It’s more about what they do during the week and being able to watch them train.”

As well as the English pair coming into the side, Ryan Stingel played his first game back at the club having been at Footscray last season.

OnSaturday,theKangarooswereinactionat home on day one of their clash with Frankston Peninsula.

Frankston Peninsula made 8-308 from its 90 overs.

Cavigansaidthegroupwasabletofightback after a tough start.

“It was a bit worrying early with [Nicholas] Taranto and [Lucas] McConnell were batting really well and put on a partnership of over 100.

“It was tough but I thought we fought back really well. Ivan [Zmak] got a wicket and [Armann] Singh, a 6’8 medium-fast bowler, came back in his second spell and took two wickets and there was a dropped catch.

“We would have loved to have been chasing 250 but we fought back into the game.”

Cavigan said the most pleasing thing for the coaching group was seeing how the bowlers responded in their second and third spells after struggling early on.

He said that’s a big part of developing as a bowler.

Captain Justin Galeotti took 3-30 to be the pick of the bowlers with Singh and Cliff took two wickets each. Cavigan said Cliff bowled well in his first appearance for the side. With a target of more than 300 on the board, the Kangaroos have a good chase ahead of them on day two.

Bulls are on the board

Bundoora opened its account with a strong performance against Epping in theDiamondValleyCricketAssociation Barclay Shield on the weekend.

It was the case of Saturday-Sunday cricket in round three and there were plenty of surprises.

Bundoora decided to bat on Saturday against the Pingers and were able to put 215 on the board before being bowled out in the second last over.

Rubal singh Dhillon made 138 in the middle order to guide the Bulls innings.

Robert Tinsley took three wickets for the Pingers.

The Pingers run chase didn’t start well and they were in trouble at 6-53.

Tom Emmins and Liam Henkel set about rescuing the inning and put on nearly 80 for the seventh wicket.

Once Emmins went out that was it for the Pingers who were bowled out for 180.

Emmins top scored with 63 for the Pingers.

Jason Kaminski took 7-51.

Bundoora United wasn’t able to continue its good form, losing to Rosanna.

Rosanna made 245 before being bowled out in the final over.

Josh Henkel top scored with 92.

Steven Favrin took four wickets for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs got a number of starts in their innings, but no one could go on with it.

It resulted in the Bulldogs being bowled out for 126.

Corey Cogan top scored with 30.

In the Money Shield, Lalor Stars beat Banyule by three runs and Bundoora Park had a solid win against Plenty.

The Stars are one of two teams undefeated after three rounds, while Bundoora Park has one win.

Cavigansaidbeingabletogettherunswould be a good confidence boost for the group.

“Hopefully we can bat our overs and get some significant partnerships going,” he said. “Hopefully we can be in a position to have a crack.”

In the Mash Shield, Mernda avoided anoutrightdefeatagainstSouthMorang, Mill Park lost to Hurstbridge, Rivergum got the win against Thomastown on the back of a century to Matt Perri and Laurimar beat Thomastown United. Rivergumsitsatopthetablewiththree wins from as many games, three points clear of Panton Hill and Laurimar.

Tara Murray Mohan Singh. (Ljubica Vrankovic)

Ivan Zmak. (Jacob Pattison) 363944_05