Helping sick children
Year 12 students at Salesian College in Sunbury have been raising funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital through its Sponsor a Bed program.
Their efforts included a pyjama day with gold coin donations, a sausage sizzle and entertainment fundraising day, and seeking donations from local businesses for a raffle.
The funds were donated to the Banksia Ward, which provides crucial mental health services to children and adolescents. At last count students had raised $6700.
Shakira, a Salesian student who has faced her own mental health challenges, said she understands the significance of such services.
“Without services like these, my mental wellbeing would be in a much harder place,” she said.
Shakira is grateful to be part of this meaningful effort that helps so many others.
Another student, Meagan, particularly enjoyed contacting local businesses to seek donations for the raffle
“It was very encouraging to know that the wider Sunbury community believed in our efforts, and it was great to see them supporting the cause,” Meagan said.
Market rent concerns
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.
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.
“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 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).
Salesian College Year 12 students Meagan, Shakira and Tiara, were part of the effort in raising funds for the Banksia Ward youth mental health unit at the Royal Children’s Hospital. (Damjan Janevski) 438714_01
Lancefield Providore owner Greg Cheatley is concerned about the Melbourne Market rent increases announced this month. (Damjan Janevski) 438861_01
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Call for safer resort intersection
By Oscar Parry
The Kyneton Bushland Resort owners corporation chair has launched a petition that will be lodged with state parliament calling for safety improvements at the intersection leading to the resort.
The petition calls for the legislative assembly to arrange the construction of a dedicated right hand turning lane into Melville Drive for northbound traffic on Edgecombe Road in Kyneton.
Accordingtothepetition,MelvilleDriveleads to Kyneton Bushland Resort and continues as an internal road on a subdivision of 126 lots, withtheusersof120oftheselotsregularlyusing
theintersectionastheonlywaytoenterandexit the area.
Thepetitionalsostatesthatbetween2019and 2023, there were four accidents – three of which were major and one leading to a person being hospitalised.
Resort owners corporation chairperson Jim Noy said a dedicated right hand turning lane would make the intersection “much safer”.
“It’s a designated road for heavy vehicles, and there are a lot of big trucks [that] use the road … with all the people who come into the resort … a lot of them aren’t familiar with the intersection,” Mr Noy said.
“Until we have some more bad accidents there, they’re not really interested in doing
anything. But quite frankly, everyone who goes to the intersection will realise it’s not the [best] of intersections to serve a big subdivision.
“There’s just a lot of traffic movement at the intersection…andbasicallytheonlyexittothat big area.”
Mr Noy said that an unofficial traffic count throughout a day in May last year recorded 1636 traffic movements.
Star Weekly understands that after a 2003 meeting between Macedon Ranges, VicRoads, and Kyneton Bushland Resort representatives, VicRoads did not recommend a dedicated right-turning lane due to traffic volumes and a lack of crash history – instead suggesting other actions, such as for the council and resort to
Youth take to the woodworking tools
A Sunbury woodworking club has seen increased interest among youth this year, with local teenagers trying their hand at the craft.
Sunbury Woodworkers Club president Anita Blume said that she has noticed a renewed interest in the hobby among youth in the last twelve months, which has been “really fantastic.”
“We currently have a group of young people aged between 14-18 that we’re working with, teaching them woodturning, some scroll work, and pyrography, which is using a hot tool like a pen to engrave images into timber,” Ms Blume said.
She said that the teenagers have been particularly enthusiastic about trying
woodturning, which is the craft of using a lathe and handheld tools to carve the wood as it rotates on an axis.
“They’ve made whistles, Christmas decorations – all sorts of bits and pieces that they can be proud of.”
Ms Blume said that the renewed appeal to young people could be due to the fact that it is a slower activity that offers a relaxing break from faster-paced activities.
“I think that teenagers these days are so connected with their devices and time just kind of flies by for them … woodworking allows them to step away from that … and slow down, concentrate, and focus,” she said.
“They get immense satisfaction from what
they make at the end; it’s really great to see.”
Along with attracting interest from youth, Ms Blume said that the club also hopes to see more women becoming involved.
“It’s great to share these skills with demographics that are generally left out of the trades … passing these skills onto women is a real joy,” she said.
Sunbury Woodworkers meets on a Wednesday night twice a month and welcomes new members, with further information available on its Facebook page.
Details: https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=100064655323722
Oscar Parry
increase the entrance’s visibility.
Council’s interim director of assets and operations Rebecca Stockfeld said that the council“canplayanadvocacyroleandisbroadly supportive of any proposed improvements to road safety,” but “given DTP is the authority who will be assessing the need for a right-turn lane … we do not have a formal stance on whether this particular proposal is justifiable at this stage.”
The department of transport and planning was contacted for comment.
The petition closes on December 14. To sign visit: https://www.parliament.vic. gov.au/get-involved/petitions/intersection-ofedgecombe-road-and-melville-drive-kyneton/
CASA lands in Kyneton
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) hosted a pilot safety seminar in Kyneton, providing education to pilots of all licence categories.
Held on Monday, October 21, the free session was provided by CASA aviation safety advisors as part of their Australian-wide program that helps pilots to refresh their skills, broaden their knowledge, and increase flight safety.
The seminar, titled Loud and clear –Effective Communication, covered what constitutes clear communication and how to avoid misunderstandings in the air.
CASA aviation safety advisor Tim Penney said the forum was designed to complement any level of technical knowledge.
“Communication is vital for building situational awareness, which is an essential tool for maintaining safety margins, especially at non-controlled aerodromes,” said Mr Penney.
“These seminars offer pilots of all experience levels the chance to refresh their knowledge, avoid common errors, and apply lessons learned from case studies and discussions to their own flying,” he said.
“Pilots … also pick up practical tips to help manage risk and understand the critical role communication plays in the airborne environment.”
Topicscoveredintheseminarincluded the basics of human communication, aviation communication rules and procedures, real-life examples of how things can go wrong, techniques to improve communication, and using an AFRU (Aerodrome Frequency Response Unit).
Liberals select Hawke candidate ahead of federal election
The Liberal Party has endorsed local Simmone Cottom to be its candidate for Hawke at the next federal election, after she was chosen by a meeting of party members in Melton.
Ms Cottom works as a senior tax consultant and says she is determined to give the people of Hawke the strong, local voice they deserve in Canberra.
“Whether it’s paying the bills, buying your first home, or accessing a doctor, life is so much tougher under Labor,” Ms Cottom said.
“I am honoured to be the Liberal Party’s candidate in Hawke for the next federal election. Labor has taken this electorate and Melbourne’s west for granted for far too long, and local residents have had enough,”
Ms Cottom said.
Ms Cottom completed her secondary schooling at Salesian College in Sunbury and has called Sunbury home for more than 20 years. Her first job was working locally at Big W.
“As a member of Peter Dutton’s team, I am committed to working hard to get Hawke back on track,” Ms Cottom said. “From Ballan to Bacchus Marsh to Keilor, from Balliang to Sunbury, I will be campaigning in every corner of the electorate to learn more about the issues which matter to local residents.
“This includes discussing the opportunities under our $5 billion Housing Infrastructure Program, and fighting Labor’s high-voltage
powerline,” Ms Cottom said.
Ms Cottom is passionate about serving her local community. As a teenager, she was a member of the youth Rotary group, Interact, and has volunteered for the Good Friday Appeal for the past 15 years. For several years, she sang in the community choir ‘Divine Divas’ which would perform locally including in aged-care homes.
Ms Cottom is also deeply committed to greater investment in mental health services.
“After losing someone close to me who struggled with their mental health, this is an issue very close to my heart. One of my top priorities is to fight for greater mental health support,” Ms Cottom said.
Liberal candidate for Hawke, Simmone Cottom.
Sunbury Woodworkers president Anita Blume and members Russell Ball, Marry Williams, and Trevor Odering. (Supplied)
YOU CAN TEACH IN THE MACEDON RANGES
The future is calling, and we need your help to educate the next generation. With secondary teaching scholarships, employment-based degrees, and a range of supports to help get you into the classroom, there’s never been a better time to become a teacher in Victoria.
Why medical abortion matters
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.
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.
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
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.
abortion, they are legally required to refer you to another health professional who does 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,
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
Women’s Health In the North sexual and reproductive health co-ordinator Tilly Mahoney (right) and health promotion officer Amelia Arnold. (Supplied)
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,MelbournemotherKatesaidwhenshe 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
‘‘ Be an advocate for yourself … take in as much information as you can and decide what is best for you ’’
- Kate
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.”
Melbourne mother Kate received a uterine artery embolisation procedure for her adenomyosis, choosing to avoid a hysterectomy.
(Supplied)
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
“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
Postcards in Woodend
Woodend Landcare group were in front of the camera this week during the filming of an episode for television series Postcards.
Visiting Woodend on Tuesday, October 22, Postcards presenter Brodie Harper interviewed WoodendLandcaretreasurerNicoleMiddleton about the group’s activities and revegetation efforts during a stroll along Five Mile Creek in Woodend.
The group has focussed on revegetation works along this stretch of creek throughout the last 30 years.
“There are many reasons why people should join a community group such as Woodend Landcare…[including]gettingoutinthefresh air, doing some exercise, helping to protect and enhance the local environment, meeting new people, and socialising,” Ms Middleton said.
“Our caterers Chris and Kate put on a
delicious morning tea for everyone who helps out at our Sunday working bees,” she said.
During the filming of the episode, Woodend Landcare members demonstrated the planting of a seedling of an endangered eucalypt species – Eucalyptus aggregata – at one of the group’s planting sites.
The planting of this species, which is endangered in Victoria and only grows within fourkilometresofWoodend,ispartoftheBlack Gum BioLink Enhancement Project funded by Macedon Ranges and Bendigo Bank.
Ms Middleton said that people can get involved with the community group by joining in on one of its Sunday or Thursday working bees or signing up as a financial member.
The episode featuring the group will be aired early next year.
Oscar Parry
Briefs
Copper wire thefts
Macedon Ranges council is calling for information regarding a recent spate of copper wire thefts at council-owned facilities. StarWeeklyunderstands that the buildings recently targetted include the Romsey Recreation Reserve, Hanging Rock Reserve and the Macedon Ranges Sports Precinct. According to the council, the thefts cause expensive damage and can render buildings unusable for long periods of time while they are repaired, often placing the community at a disadvantage.
Phishing focus
Police are encouraging Victorians to learn more about phishing scams in the last week of Cyber Security Awareness Month. Phishing is a common scam tactic used by cybercriminals. Police are urging people to protect themselves by keeping an eye out for the tell-tale signs of phishing scams. These can include something that sounds too good to be true, someone you know behaving in an odd way, being pressured to act quickly, being asked to help out someone with money or being asked to pay in an unusual way. Emails with a subject line or greeting that is generic or unspecific and that contain strange links or attachments are also common indicators of phishing.
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Web: starweekly.com.au
Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly
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WorkSafe provides cover for injured Victorian workers to claim:
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Let us get you your full entitlements to help get back you on your feet.
offered.
Woodend Landcare group member Mark Horner, Postcards presenter Brodie Harper, and Landcare group members Dave Bower, Peter Yates, Nicole Middleton, and Heidi Fisher. (Supplied).
Local timber miller branches out
By Jaidyn Kennedy
Julia’s Onsite Timber is trailblazing in the world of timber through portable milling and thesustainablerepurposingofdiscardedwood.
Located in the aptly named suburb of Attwood, the newly established mill’s team of arborists and woodsmiths has been utilising a portable mill to transform wood they source into timber products.
The venture’s roots can be traced back to when founder and owner Paul McKay purchased a mill over 10 years ago.
Initially starting as a fun project to save as many urban trees as possible, it soon sprouted into an obsession.
After completing training in mill operation, he mustered up the courage to post an ad on Facebook offering milling services.
The ambition of milling in an urban setting was not without its critics and detractors.
“I was saying that surely we can mill in an urban area and they’re all telling me why you can’t,“ Mr McKay said.
Gaining traction and a permit from Hume council, the small operation expanded and his crew grew.
Putting one of his staff through a certificate III in arboriculture, planted a new idea in his mind – becoming qualified as a climbing arborist.
MrMcKay,whoactuallyhasafearofheights, said that “I persisted and persisted, and it’s almost fun these days”.
With jobs ranging from clearing up sites for government infrastructure projects to just freeing people of their unwanted firewood, no two days are the same for Mr McKay and his team.
“It could be climbing trees and taking them down, it could be milling on site, it could be going away for a few days milling farmer’s logs
they just want cleared from paddocks,” Mr McKay said. “There’s a wide variety of tasks and skills that we need too.”
Sourcing trees from all across Melbourne, Mr McKay and his team often find themselves out in the west.
“The trees out in the western suburbs are dryland trees, which generally means that they are durable,” he said. “We’ve milled a lot out there and there’s some beautiful trees.”
According to Mr McKay, disasters – such as the storms that lashed the Macedon Ranges three years ago, leave no shortage of
lingering trees, a phenomenon he referred to as “horizontal forests.”
“Those storms that happened three years ago – we’re still going to sites where people have just got logs and trees everywhere,” Mr McKay said.
Another important aspect of the operation is forecasting potential hazards and disasters –often identifying trees that could pose a risk up to a 100 years into the future.
“We never chop a tree down for timber, it’s always for some other reason and then we turn the rubbish into something,” Mr McKay said.
Thestoriesofwhattheseformertreesbecome are just as diverse as the reasons they were milled, with furniture, playground equipment and entire house framings being among the creations.
The sustainable model allows it to cater to a market for rarer woods that would otherwise be unattainable for other businesses.
When asked about what he enjoys most about the operation, Mr McKay pointed to its novelty.
“No one has really done this before- It’s a big experiment for us.“
The Victorian Government is making it easier for families to find a three and four-year old kinder learning program they can count on.
TEACHER
The Kinder Tick recognises kinder programs that are led by a qualified teacher.
PLAY-BASED LEARNING PROGRAM
It highlights kindergartens and long day care centres that offer play-based programs to help children learn and grow, before they start school.
It also identifies services that are approved for Victorian Government funding.
Paul McKay, owner of Julia’s Onsite Timber milling, and inset, with one of his milling machines. (Pictures: Damjan Janevski) 438897
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The many unique features of this villa include a walk-in robe and ensuite to master bedroom, a second bedroom with adjoining bathroom, a spacious kitchen with stone bench tops, quality appliances and an open plan dining and living area, complete with a large laundry and extra storage.
Additional inclusions are gas central heating, split system air conditioning, ducted vacuuming and secure internal access to the villa from the single garage. With a private rear garden, an alfresco area for entertaining and all within a short stroll to the club house and all facilities.
Bellbrook Gardens Country Club is part of the Country Club Living group and is located at 168 Underbank Boulevard. It is conveniently located less than 5 minutes to the center of Bacchus Marsh and 15 minutes from Melton.
The Bellbrook Gardens community residents and visitors are delighted by the bright and happy atmosphere. You can embrace life and live your retirement just the way you want with independent, secure living and reassurance for yourself and family.
The country club boasts a community centre that contains a hairdressing salon, library, billiards room, craft room, and bar. Additionally, residents have access to an indoor heated pool, gym and an outdoor and
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The country club bus also commutes residents on shopping trips and social outings.
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Recycling for hall improvements
Sunbury Scout Group is calling on residents to consider donating Container Deposit Scheme refunds to their organisation, with funds raised going towards hall renovations.
The Victorian Container Deposit Scheme encourages recycling by offering a 10 cent refund per container – offering the option to donate this refund to a group of your choice.
Sunbury Scout parent’s committee want donations for repairs and maintenance of the hall on Miller Street.
Hall committee chair Lyall Clewer said that
donating to hall renovations would help “a lot of people in the community.”
“There’snosetstreamofincomethatprovides support for these buildings, so we’re kind of on our own. We rely on parent volunteers who have skills and knowledge to help make these improvements,” Mr Clewer said.
He said that planned improvements are based on a professional assessment of the building and include foyer and bathroom improvements and ensuring that it is inclusive and accessible.
Tackling the wildlife toll
Macedon Ranges Wildlife Network has been busy raising awareness of how to reduce the wildlife road toll and who to contact when finding an injured animal, as part of Wildlife Awareness Month.
Network president Lynda Pope said one of the key messages the group has been pushing is to take care around animal crossing hotspots in the region.
“The Wildlife Victoria CEO has pointed out that [in the Macedon Ranges] between 2019 to June 2024, more than 4000 animals have been hit and rescuers have been called out … but how many actual deaths, we just don’t know because many wouldn’t have been reported,” Ms Pope said.
According to Wildlife Victoria data, the Macedon Ranges has a 200% higher rate of animal rescues than the second highest rescue region.
Ms Pope said the group has also been asking residents to save Wildlife Victoria’s phone number to their mobiles, so they are prepared
in the event that they do hit an animal or find one injured on the road.
Ms Pope said most of the call-outs that rescuers in the group receive relate to kangaroos, with a responder often needing to rescue a joey – which can survive in a mother’s pouch for “quite some time.”
To make the rescuing process safer for rescuers on sections of road with barriers, she said that the group is fundraising for magnetic signs that alert oncoming traffic of a rescue in progress.
She said the high road toll in the region was the subject of a community forum in February, hostedbyMacedonRangesinconjunctionwith Wildlife Victoria and involving representatives from Hume and Bendigo councils, local residents, and wildlife rehabilitators.
“The basic message really is slow down, especially if you know it’s an animal crossing hotspot.”
Details: https://www.facebook.com/ MacedonRangesWildlifeNetwork/
The renovation works will also seek to preserve and present historical items such as flags and photographs.
“We’re helping our kids grow, they’re getting life skills, they’re getting personal development … the leaders encourage the kids to self-lead,” Mr Clewer said.
“It’s a worthy organisation.”
The Container Deposit Scheme includes depot locations in Sunbury and surrounding suburbs.
Details: https://cdsvic.org.au/locations
1st Sunbury Scouts Henry, 14, and Leo, 11, at a Container Deposit Scheme depot. (Supplied)
Macedon Ranges Wildlife Network members Sue Fawkner, Lukas Krug, Erin Ashmore and president Lynda Pope. (Damjan Janevski) 438779_03
MY PLACE
Jayson Munro is busy putting final plans in place for this year’s Whittlesea Show. Jayson is serving his first term as show president and hopes the community will flock to the event on Saturday, November 2 and Sunday, November 3.
What’s your connection to Whittlesea. My grandparents lived in Wollert and were always involved in the Whittlesea Show. I lived in Whittlesea when I got married then moved to Wallan where we have lived for 22 years.
What do you like about where you live? Wallan is a great little town nestled between the Northern Highway and the Hume Freeway. It’s great when you want to get away.
Why did you put up your hand to be president of the Whittlesea Show?
I have been involved with the show for about 30 years so it’s just the natural progression.
What do you find rewarding about volunteering and are you connected to any other organisations?
I am a natural problem solver so it’s good to feel useful. I enjoy hearing stories and learning from the older members about the history.
What can people expect if they go to the show?
There are new things happening around the ground with junior handling, pavillon hunter showbag, drones and all the usual things.
Where is your favourite local place to spend time?
Anywhere I can fish.
Tellussomethingpeoplewouldbesurprised to know about you.
I quite enjoy cooking and baking and have won a number of prizes.
LGBTIQA+ ageing training
Those working with older people are invited to take part in some free LGBTIQA+ awareness training next month.
The two-hour introductory training, delivered by Val’s LGBTI Ageing & Aged Care, is being offered at either Kyneton or Sunbury andaimstobuildawarenessandunderstanding around the needs and experiences of older LGBTIQA+ people.
Organised in partnership with Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health’s Healthy LGBTI Ageing project, ‘Rainbows Don’t Fade With Age’ will look at the use of language, terminology and identities, the impacts of history on the experiences of older LGBTIQA+ people as well as aged care sector requirements regarding the provision of
Delivered by Val’s - LGBTI Ageing & Aged Care
For staff and volunteers who work with older people
Topics include:
F LGBTIQA+ language, terminology and identities
F Older LGBTIQA+ people – their identities, histories, experiences and needs
F Contemporary impacts of history and experiences of ageing
F Aged care sector requirements
Wednesday 13 November 1pm - 3pm Hume Global Learning Centre 44 Macedon Street, Sunbury
Wednesday 20 November 1pm - 3pm Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health 1 Caroline Chisholm Drive, Kyneton
culturally safe and inclusive care for those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex.
The training takes place from 1pm to 3pm on Wednesday 13 November in Sunbury and Wednesday 20 November in Kyneton. The session will be followed by afternoon tea. This foundation training will be followed by further training in February 2025 which will be delivered online.
To register go to www.sunburycobaw.org. au/rainbows-dont-fade-with-age. You can contact the Healthy LGBTI Ageing team at Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health if you have any questions – call 5421 1666 or email admin@scchc.org.au
Free but registration is essential Scan the QR code or visit sunburycobaw.org.au/rainbows-dont-fade-with-age
Afternoon tea provided Contact: Tonye Segbedzi or Mez Lanigan P 5421 1666 E healthpromotion@scchc.org.au
Tickets to the Whittlesea Show are available online at Whittlesea Show 2024 (ticketebo.com.au) or at the gate on November 2 and 3. There is plenty to look forward to thanks to a lineup of new attractions, rides, and engaging entertainment from 9am to 5pm each day.
Whittlesea Show president Jayson Munro. (Damjan Janevski) 436079_01
Petition wants Amess Rd change
Northern Victoria liberal MP Wendy Lovell delivered a petition to the planning minister planning signed by Macedon Ranges residents opposed to the plan for the Amess Road development in Riddells Creek.
Containing 1278 signatures, the petition outlined residents’ concerns with the Draft Macedon Ranges Planning Scheme Amendment C161macr at Amess Road.
Asreportedby StarWeekly,thedevelopment application was accepted to be reviewed through the state’s development facilitation
program (DFP), which accelerates the assessment pathway for eligible projects and makes the planning minister the responsible authority rather than the council.
According to the Department of Transport and Planning, the DFP is an accelerated assessment pathway for projects that “inject investment into the Victorian economy, keep people in jobs and create homes for people”.
Theplanningministerreferredtheplantothe PriorityProjectsStandingAdvisoryCommittee (SAC)foradvice,withadatenotannouncedfor
Rhino makes his debut
Jabulani, the rhino calf that has been making headlines at Werribee Open Range Zoo, has made his public debut.
The eight-week-old southern white rhino is now exploring the zoo’s African savannah, going for a walk among herds of giraffe, zebra, ostrich and antelope.
Werribee zoo life sciences manager Dominic Moss said he is thrilled to see Jabulani taking life on the savannah in his stride.
“Since birth, Jabulani has been building up his strength and developing bonds with his mother, Kipenzi and his fellow rhino crash members in a keeper-only area.” he said.
“Just like rhino calves would experience in the wild, Jabulani has been nurtured closely by his mother to prepare him for this very moment.“
Jabulani was born to 15-year-old father Kifaru and 11-year-old mother Kipenzi following a 16-month pregnancy.
His birth and successful progress has been welcome news after his mother Kipenzi, who
washand-rearedherself,hadneverexperienced successful motherhood.
Weighing 55kg at birth, the calf is going from strength to strength and clocks in at over 200kg.
For the time being, Jabulani will be sticking close to Kipenzi and his rhino ‘bodyguards’, but he will begin to venture out more as a solo act in time to come.
Native to Southern Africa, southern white rhinos are classified as near threatened and it is estimated as few as 10,080 remain in the wild.
The Australasian Southern White Rhino zoo breeding program supports efforts to conserve wild rhino populations by connecting the public with the issues of the species, nurturing geneticallydiversegroupsinzoosandinitiating fundraising efforts.
Jaidyn Kennedy
Kipenzi and Jabulani take a stroll on Werribee Open Range Zoo’s savannah. (Supplied)
whenthiscommitteewillreviewtheapplication and submissions from the public.
Community action group Riddells Creek Planning Group co-lead Aaron Goldsworthy said some of the changes to the development plan the group is calling for are increased property lot size, better transport connections and walkability, and for the development to be matched with developer contributions to infrastructure in other parts of Riddells Creek.
“Theemphasisisonthelotsizesandthetown character, but there’s frustration that it’s in the
government program when it doesn’t meet the government criteria in terms of affordable housing … the current guideline doesn’t have a mandatory requirement for affordable housing across the entire site,” Mr Goldsworthy said.
Star Weekly understands that a public referralletterwillspecifytheissuestheplanning minister seeks advice on and once a date has been finalised, submitters will be notified.
The Department of Transport and Planning said the proposal remained under consideration.
Zonta marks three decades
The Zonta Club of Kyneton celebrated its 30th anniversary in October, with volunteers gathering to enjoy a lunch and reflect on the group’s history.
Chartered in September 1994, the group is a branch of Zonta International – a non-profit organisation that focuses on improving women’s rights and education, ending gender-based violence, and expanding opportunities for women and girls.
The Zonta Club of Kyneton has supported this cause through a range of local and international initiatives throughout its 30 years, including information seminars and significant donations to support women’s refuges, education programs, and palliative care services.
Zonta Kyneton president Annamarie Perlesz said that the anniversary lunch, held on
October 20, was a celebration of the club and the long-lasting friendships created through volunteering.
Sheencouragespeopletobecomeinvolvedin volunteering – both for themselves and others.
“Volunteering, even though we’re spending a lot of time helping others, we do get back more. That’s what I think I’ve got out of [Zonta] over 30 years,” she said.
“The best way to be part of the community is to get involved with one or other clubs … the privilege of living in a smaller community is that you meet so many people … you get to know people.”
Reflecting on the club’s history, Ms Perlesz said that charter member and former president Ronda Walker has been “a really good mentor to all members who’ve participated in the club over the years”.
Zonta Club of Kyneton members at the group’s 30th anniversary lunch on Sunday, October 20. (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”.
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
Merri Health
Merri Health Carer Services/Carer Gateway
is hosting pizza and movie events on a fortnightly basis at Sunbury Youth Centre 51–53 Evans Street Sunbury for young carers aged 12-18yo who assist with the care of a loved one, such as a sibling or parent who has a disability, mental illness or is an aged person. Upcoming dates are: November 11, November 25, and December 9.
http://www.merrihealth.org.au/
Durrol Open Garden
Enjoy a day exploring Durrol, a quintessential example of a hill station property. Visitors can wander the rock-walled paths, mossy steps and lawns whilst taking in the magnificent array of mature trees including maples, oaks, lindens, beech, weeping elms and ash to name but a few. This garden opening is hosted by The Mt Macedon & District Horticultural Society. Funds raised from visits will go towards a life-sized bronze statue of prolific and award-winning artist Ellis Rowan. The garden will be open on Saturday, November 16, and Sunday, November 17 from 10am–4pm. Entry is $10.
Stephen Ryan, tugurium@bigpond.com. au or 0433 067 813.
Family History and Heritage Society
If you’ve got a hankering to learn more about Sunbury and your own family history, come along to meetings at 1.30pm on the third Thursday of each month, which from May will be at room five at the Global Learning Centre in Sunbury.
https://bit.ly/3jvM6oJ
Insync Entertainment
Insync Entertainment is an all-female community choir, providing the opportunity to meet others who enjoy singing. The group is seeking new members to join the friendly choir. No auditions required. The choir rehearses at the Sunbury Baptist Church Hall every Monday from 7.15–9.30pm.
insyncentertainment@gmail.com
North Western District Pipe Band
The newly formed North Western District Pipe Band meets every Wednesday at 7.30pm at the Diggers Rest Bowls Club. It is seeking experienced pipers and drummers to join the band and are also offering tuition for learners of all ages.
Hank, 0412 160 576 or nwd.pipeband@ gmail.com. Visit https://www.facebook. com/NorthWesternDistrictPipeBand?mibex tid=ZbWKwL
WeightWatchers
Join like-minded community members wanting to achieve weight health. WeightWatchers meets every Wednesday at 5.30pm at Sunbury Neighbourhood House, 531 Elizabeth Drive Sunbury.
1800 958 288
Toastmasters
Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Toastmasters helps its members develop their public speaking, communication and leadership skills. The group meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month, from 7.20–9.30pm, at the Sunbury Community Centre, 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury.
vpm-4185@toastmastersclubs.org
LGBTIQ Social Club
The Sunbury and Surrounds LGBTIQ Social Club has an ongoing catch up every third Saturday at the Brown Cow Cafe in Rosenthal at 1pm. They can also be found on Facebook where they have chats, discussions and other events advertised.
https://shorturl.at/jtAO1
This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of piper Ian Domoney during a memorial service to mark the 54th anniversary of the Westgate Bridge collapse – Australia’s worst industrial accident. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 439683_01
Sunbury Seniors Sunbury Seniors (55 or older) meet on Mondays and Fridays from 10am–3pm. They are temporarily relocating to 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury. A variety of activities are offered – indoor bowls, cards, snooker, guest speakers, day excursions, subsidised lunches or just a cup of coffee and a chat.
0434 400 754
One Voice Sunbury
The WOV Sunbury community choir is changing the world one voice at a time by providing an opportunity for people to meet and experience the joy of singing, often making friends through the shared experiences of singing and performing; although performing is not required.
One Voice Sunbury community choir rehearses each Tuesday, from 6.30pm, at Goonawarra Neighbourhood House. A fun and welcoming choir, new members are welcome – just join in on the fun.
sunbury@withonevoice.org.au
Pernaperna Women’s Group
The group is currently knitting and crocheting blankets for First Nations peoples in palliative care across Australia. Pernaerna is a friendly group who meet fortnightly at Sunbury Neighbourhood House, 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury, on a Thursday, from 1-3pm. It has established a bush tucker garden at Sunbury Neighbourhood House. New members warmly welcomed. If you don’t knit or garden but would just like to drop in for a chat, the group would love to meet you.
Joan, 0418 302 676
Hume Men’s Shed
The Hume Men’s Shed (Sunbury) is a non for profit organisation, meeting every
Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at 158 Evans Street, Sunbury. The group caters for men be it carpentry, welding, metal work, gardening or just to chat.
sunburymensshed.com or 0438 677 425
Neighbourhood garden
Become part of Sunbury’s Neighbourhood Garden and grow edible and useful plants in a social group at Sunbury Neighbourhood House, 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury. All skill sets are welcome.
www.sunburyhouse.com.au or 9740 6978
VIEW Club
Sunbury-Macedon Ranges VIEW Club is a friendly women’s organisation and a valued part of The Smith Family. It meets on the third Friday of each month at 11am at Club Sunbury, Riddell Road, Sunbury. New members warmly welcome
Lee-anne, 0403 047 909
Sunbury Art Society
The Sunbury Art Society meets every Friday and Saturday, from 10am- 3pm, at the Boilerhouse, Jacksons Hill, to paint or draw over a cuppa with other like minded people. New members welcome.
Ken, 0407 062 568 or Yvonne, 0429 994 828
Yoga in Sunbury
Yoga classes at Sunbury Neighbourhood House focus on supporting participants to slow down and move well. Special attention is given to mindful awareness of movement that builds strength in a healthy and safe way, Monday mornings, Thursday evenings and Friday mornings
www.sunburyhouse.com.au or 9740 6978
Sunbury Woodworkers Club
Join the Sunbury Woodworkers Club to learn woodturning. No experience or tools required. The club is a welcoming environment open to men and women who wish to learn. Meetings for new guests are held on the third Wednesday of every month at 730pm. Circular drive, Jackson’s Hill, Sunbury. Facebook: Sunbury Woodworkers Club.
Anita, 0417 402 795
Art group
The Woodend Art Group holds classes and workshops in the studios in the Woodend railway station complex. It also has a social Tuesday where members and interested people can come along in the morning, have a coffee and paint together in a social environment.
Colin Robinson, 0407 426 252
Shuttles and pickleballs
Macedon Ranges Badminton Club is inviting residents to come and play badminton, or pickleball, or both at Macedon Community Centre. Badminton is played on Tuesdays from 7.30pm and Thursdays at 9.30am. Pickleball is played on Mondays at 6.30pm, Wednesdays at 10.15am and on Tuesday from 10am at the Romsey Recreation Centre.
David, 0419 589 425, or macedonrangesbadminton@gmail.com
Scottish country dancing
The Macedon Ranges Scottish Country Dancing Group meets every Thursday afternoon 1-3pm at Buffalo Stadium, Woodend. The dancing involves social country dancing, and no special clothes needed, just soft flat shoes.
Meg 0409 166 783, or Linda 0408 476 317
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.
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 out arts and culture
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
Jaidyn Kennedy 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
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The position is salaried, plus we offer an open ended commission scheme.
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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.
The base model gets six-speaker sound, 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.
The dash is trimmed in a coarse, 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 storage available under the bonnet as is the case with many EVs.
is relatively expensive and doesn’t go nearly 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
East Sunbury get first win on the board in upset
East Sunbury pulled off an upset result against Wallan to get its first win of the Gisborne and District Cricket Association Johnstone Shield season on Saturday.
It has been a mixed start to the season for the Thunder with a washout, bye and a loss.
On Saturday, it faced Wallan which had shown some strong form early.
The Magpies made 8-186 from their overs with Bryan Vance top scoring with 86 not out.
Nathan Dent and Jay Brockman took two wickets each for the Thunder.
The Thunder got off to a good start in its run chase, putting on more than 50 for the first wicket.
It then lost three quick wickets to bring the Magpies back into the game.
After another partnership, the wickets then started to fall regularly.
It came down to the final over, with the Thunder hitting the winning runs with three balls to spare.
The Thunder finished 7-187.
Lachie Wilkins top scored with 60 not out, while Liam Williams made 40 at the top of the order.
Aintree continued its good start to the season, accounting for Diggers Rest Bulla.
After being in trouble at 5-28, the Burras managed to post 9-134 from their 40 overs.
Rhys Berry top scored with 43, while Stephen Davies put on a handy 37 not out at number 10.
The pair put on 67 for the ninth wicket partnership.
Maninder Singh took three wickets for Aintree.
Aintreetimeditsrunchaseperfectly,hitting the winning runs with an over to spare.
It finished 8-135 after being 8-111.
Vinay Kumar Sharma top scored with 39.
Bradley Fleming took 3-20 for the Burras, while Kawaljit Singh took two wickets.
Newcomers Eastern Hill made it two in a
row, beating Kilmore.
Eastern Hill made 7-187 from its overs with Ollie Bryant making an unbeaten 102.
It was a lone hand as the next highest scorer made just 16.
Stuart Partridge took 4-28 for Kilmore off his eight overs.
Kilmore was in trouble early and struggled to get any partnerships going.
While it managed to bat out its overs, Kilmore never got close as it was bowled out for 98 on the final ball.
Dale Tassone top scored with 34 not out, as seven players failed to reach double figures.
Eynesbury had the bye.
After four rounds, Wallan sits on top ahead of Aintree and East Sunbury.
The two-day matches are set to start this Saturday.
Wallan will host Eynesbury, East Sunbury is at home to Aintree and Diggers Rest Bulla plays Kilmore.
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.
“Ithinkit’sthankstomycoaches,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,
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.”
Sports shorts
RDFNL
The Riddell District Football Netball League will kick off on April 6. The league announced its senior season dates for next year for the senior men’s and netball competitions. The season will run for 18 rounds with finals to start on the weekend of August 23. The grand final is scheduled for the weekend of September 13. The junior season will also kick off on April 6, with the women’s football dates to be released next year when teams are confirmed.
RDNL
Diggers Rest has announced co-coaches for next year’s Riddell District Netball League season. Anica Wilson and Rachel Reeves will share the role of coaching the A and B-grade sides. Wilson was A-grade coach this year, while Reeves was A-grade coach last year. Netball tryouts are on November 7 and 14 from 6.30pm at Diggers Rest Recreation Reserve.
GDCA
Riddell’s good start to the Gisborne District Cricket Association Jensen Shield season continued on Saturday, while Lancefield had a big week. Facing Melton South Royals, the Bombers kept them to 7-169. The Bombers made the runs with seven overs remaining, finishing 6-170. Matt Darby in his first game back at the club top scored with 62. The Tigers bowled Wallan out for just 63, sharing the wickets around. The Tigers needed just 17 overs, finishing 2-66 in reply. Riddell is one of two undefeated teams after three rounds.
EDFL
East Sunbury has unveiled a number of new signings ahead of next year’s Essendon District Football League division 2 season. Mitch Trimboli crosses from the Sunbury Lions and is an inside midfielder, while Sam Lockett comes across from the Northern Tasmanian Football Association. Jacob Ottone switches from Glenroy after moving to Sunbury, while Jason Kelly is an experienced ruck with premier division experience.
East Sunbury got its first win. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 435787_04
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
Jin Woodman. (Tennis Victoria)
Heelers youngsters are stepping up to impress
Hanging Rock’s next generation is getting its opportunities in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association Jensen Shield seconds.
After losing a number of players in the off season, the Heelers have looked to their youth to fill the void in the top side.
It’s worked so far, with two wins from their two completed matches.
Heelers secretary Nick Maxwell said things were looking a bit dire in the off season.
“We’vehadagoodstart,”hesaid.“Weweren’t reallysurewithseniorcricketinparticularhow we would go with numbers.
“Wehadafewsayingtheywerehavingbreaks from cricket. We were thinking we would have one side… Closer to the start of the season we had enough for two teams.
“Kyneton doesn’t have a senior team and we picked up four players from their side.”
Maxwell said they had struggled a bit with junior numbers as well with the club only fielding an under-13 team and two under-11 teams.
He said they were still always looking for numbers for all their teams.
With some uncertainty over their side and
knowing it would be a young team, Maxwell said they asked to drop down a grade.
So far it has proven to be the right move.
“We’ve been in Jensen one the last couple of years,” he said. “We lost a little bit of experience from our senior side.
“A large portion of the side are aged between 15 and 20. The two games we’ve finished have been quite competitive games.”
Maxwell said early on they’d had contributions for a number of different players.
Andrew Warne has taken on the captain-coach role this season having been around the club for a number of years.
He has been in the runs in their first win with a half century.
On Saturday, 15-year-old Finlay Watt made 51tohelphissideputon145againstLancefield.
Maxwell said the game was still on the line with 12 overs to go, before the Heelers bowlers managed to get the job down.
The Tigers were bowled out for 111.
Mitchell Wearne and Maxwell took three wickets each. Maxwell said that the younger bowlers all had good line and length.
He said they were keen to give the younger
It’s been a family affair for Hanging Rock with three father-sons playing in the
two. (Supplied)
players a good opportunity.
“I’m normally the opening bowler and I didn’t bowl in the first game,” he said. “I’ve had abitofabackinjury,butit’sagoodopportunity to help them develop their craft.
“That’s our mantra across both our sides. Try to build through our juniors.”
Maxwell said off field there had been some improvements to the club’s facilities including the installation of a hot water service.
Kangaroos yet to click
By Tara Murray
ThingsareyettocometogetherfortheSunbury KangaroosintheGisborneandDistrictCricket Association McIntyre Cup.
Last season’s semi finalists are without a win after the first four matches but have shown patches of what they can do.
President Hayden Humphrey said it was always going to take some time to click this season.
“It does take time for things to come into effect,”hesaid.“Wefell10runsshortofagrand final last year.
“We’re looking to grow on that. We want to be as competitive as we can.
“We’ve had a few people leave and it’s been a bit tough on numbers. While the majority of the team is the same we’ve got a few new faces throughout both sides.
“It’sabitofanewlearningexperiencegetting to know everyone’s game and gel together.“
It was a tough one for the Kangaroos on Saturday against Sunbury United in a one-dayer.
The Kangaroos made 8-162 from their overs. Humphrey said they got off to a good start but they didn’t have much luck after that.
“From what I’m told it was hard,” he said. “But Sunbury United has always been a strong side.
“They knew 162 was not enough, particularly against a side like United.”
Skipper Jason King top scored with 53 at the top of the order, with Graeme Bennett in the middle order making 43.
The Kangaroos tried everything to break through the Bees batting line up, but didn’t have the answers.
The Bees finished 1-163 off 32 overs. Fabian Fernando made 59, with skipper Damien Edwards making 57 not out.
The Kangaroos used nine bowlers with Russell Phillips the wickettaker.
TheKangaroosareoneofthreeclubswithout a win so far.
While the first XI side is struggling, Humphrey said they were continuing to grow momentum in their junior program and have two sides again this season.
In other McIntyre Cup matches, Rupertswood upset Gisborne to continue its strong start to the season.
Rupo made 9-207 from its overs with Matt Twentyman top scoring with 40 in an innings with a lot of starts.
Leigh Brennan took five wickets for the Dragons.
The Dragons were bowled out in the final over for 195. Riley Vernon top scored with 73.
Rhys Bennett took three wickets for Rupo. Woodend made it two in a row, beating Broadford. Broadford was bowled out for 135 in the 44th over with Harry Lawson and Hamish McDonald taking three wickets each. Woodend made the runs in less than 30 overs, finishing 2-138. Marcus Stewart top scored with 72 not out.
Romsey remains undefeated after beating Macedon.
The Redbacks made 6-247 from its overs with Chris Burkett top scoring with 74.
After a slow start Macedon’s tail wagged to get it back into the game.
The late comeback fell short with the Cats bowled out for 210 in the 42nd over.
Harry Pender top scored with 79.
In other results, Malmsbury beat Blackwood convincely.
Malmsbury made 3-315. Matt Cox and Chris Ganim both made centuries.
Blackwood was restricted to 6-206. Trentham lost its match to Romsey. The Redbacks made 6-173 before restricting the Saints to 155.
Tigers, Rockies women win
The Kyneton Tigers women had to work hard for back-to-back wins on the weekend, while the Macedon Ranges Rockies women got their second win of the Country Basketball League north-west season.
The Tigers, who have started to build, beat both the Melton Thoroughbreds and the Maryborough Blazers.
Against Melton, the Tigers came from behind at three quarter time to win, 68-60.
They had a 25-14 final quarter to seal the win.
Michelle Fletcher top scored with 18.
The Tigers then backed it up with an 85-73 win on Sunday against the Blazers. Kyneton again finished strongly with a 26-17 final quarter to come away with the win.
Bridie Conway scored 21 points in the win.
The Rockies upset the Bacchus Marsh Lions to seal their second win of the season on Sunday.
Trailing at three quarter time, the Rockies finished with a 24-12 final quarter to come away with a 63-58 win.
Olivia Woods top scored with 24 points for the Rockies.
At the halfway mark of the season, the Tigers sit top while the Rockies sit in fifth spot.
In the men’s north-west competition, the Tigers lost both their games.
Against the Thoroughbreds, the Tigers were in the game at half time with just one point the difference.
The Thoroughbreds found another level in the second half, to win 85-67.
Nick Anderson top scored with 22 points for the Tigers.
On Sunday, the Tigers were made to pay for a poor second quarter against the Blazers.
The Blazers dominated that quarter 29-6 to set up the 10-73 win.
Lochlan Oellering top scored for the Tigers with 16 points.
For the Rockies men, they lost to the Bacchus Marsh Lions, 87-57.
The Lions won the second half 48-22 to come back with the win.
Thomas Scott top scored with 12 for the Rockies.
After four rounds, the Rockies sit in seventh and the Tigers in ninth.
Adam Fearnley. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 435782_07
Tara Murray
second XI in round
Sunbury batters fail to fire in team’s first hitout
It was a day to forgot for Sunbury in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Steve McNamara Shield on Saturday.
After rain had washed out two of the three days of play previously, the Roar was keen to get out on the field against West Newport.
It was a rusty Sunbury side which conceded first innings points on day one of the match.
Roar’s Marty Kelders said it wasn’t the day they were after and that it could only get better from there.
“We had a really good start and were about 1-45,” he said. “I think it was then a combination of some really good bowling and some poor shot selection.
“The guys have to play 80 over cricket and that was the crux of it.”
The Roar won the toss and decided to bat. It lasted just 38 overs, bowled out for just 84. Paul Webber and Indika Massalage top
scored with 19 for the Roar.
Kelders said it was their first time batted in game and it showed a bit in their shots.
It’s not the first time in recent seasons the Roar have had some batting collapses.
“We’ve had an inconsistent team [over recent years] and that is part of the problem,”
Kelders said. “A lot of the players are playing together for the first time and we still need to gel.
“It is what it is.”
The Roar started well with the ball before West Newport responded and made it to 5-102 at stumps.
Kelders said they put them under a lot of pressure but the likes of Simpson Obed were able to steady.
Brad Hunter has three wickets for the Roar.
While the Roar conceded first innings points, Kelders said they were hoping to turn
it around on day two.
He said they know they’re playing one of the top teams in the division.
“They have passed our score but hopefully we can get a good start and we can play well enough to win on the second innings.
“They are a very good team and their captain Trent Jones. There’s some good things for us to learn from.”
Kelders said elsewhere things were tracking along nicely.
He said their wicket at Clarke Oval was in the best condition it had been in.
Kelders said Ashan Ranaweera was doing as well as their coach trying to make a few changes which won’t happen overnight.
He said they were excited how they would all come to fruition.
Tough start for Sunbury
By Tara Murray
Club Sunbury has a start to the season to forget in the Bowls Victoria pennant, division 1, section 1 competition on Saturday.
Havingrescheduleditsopeningmatchdueto playersawaywithstaterepresentation,Sunbury kicked off its season a week later on Saturday against Glenroy.
It was all one-way traffic, with Glenroy winning 94 (18)-59 (0) to continue its strong start to the season.
Carla Krizanic’s rink lost 21-14, Marc Bullows’ rink lost 27-12, Lauchlan Davies’ rink lost 21-19 and Harvey McAlister’s rink lost 25-14.
Club Sunbury’s David Glennon said it was a disappointing start for the side.
“Glenroy are a strong side and they had an 18-0 win in round one against Kingsbury,” he said. “We blew out the cobwebs.
“We were missing a couple of key players. Mark Cowan who is a regular skip was missing and Lee Wesley was unavailable and was on crutches.
“They were two crucial outs. Hopefully they’ll be back next week.”
On Saturday, Sunbury had three different skips to who finished last season skipping.
All three are new additions to the squad this season and are expected to have a big influence in the side.
Krizanic returns after not playing the past couple of seasons in a most coup for the club.
Glennon said the former Australian representative was excited to get back out there and play with her home club.
“It’s good to have her back,” he said. “She is one of the icons of the club.
“A lot of people look up to her and she’s a role model for the younger ones.”
McAlister is a player who has joined the club this season and will fly in and out each week. He is currently an ACT state player.
“He is a young up and coming player,” Glennon said.
Davies joined the club late in the off season from Yarraville Footscray. Glennon said his rink looked good on Saturday before falling away late.
After a disappointing exit from finals last season when it missed out on a grand final after being on top for much of the year, Club Sunbury is keen to be among the contenders this season.
Ithasbeeninthemixforanumberofseasons without tasting success.
“Idon’tthinkitwillbetoo longbeforeweare back on the winning side,” Glennon said.
Club Sunbury has six sides again this season in weekend pennant.
Kyneton keeps top position
Kyneton and Diggers Rest cemented their spots at the top of the Ballarat Highlands Bowls Region Highlands Saturday pennant division 1 competition.
Kyneton continued its good form with a win against Gisborne on Saturday, 79 (16)-34 (0).
Gregory Podesta’s rink won 23-10, Anthony Mathison’s rink won 32-10 and John O’Donnell’s rink won 24-14. It leaves Kyneton undefeated after four rounds, having had a bye in that as well.
Diggers Rest sits two points behind on the ladder, having played one extra match.
On Saturday, Diggers Rest beat Lancefield, 66 (14)-51 (2).
Phil Robinson (23-18) and Rod Treweek(28-12)werethewinningskips for Diggers Rest, while John Parks’ rink was the winning rink for Gisborne, winning 21-15.
Elsewhere, Romsey had a big win against Trentham.
Romsey had no issues at all, winning 91 (16)-40 (0)
All three rinks had big wins. Nathan Lynch’s rink won 30-9, Aaron Young’s rink won 30-15 and Matt Brundell’s rink won 31-16.
Romsey sits third on the ladder, three points behind Romsey.
Kyneton Golf, which rounds out the topfour,alsohadabigwinonSaturday. Golf claimed the win, 74 (14)-40 (2) against Broadford.
Anthony Barker’s rink won 32-6 and Peter Linehan’s rink won 27-7 for Golf.
In division 2, Romsey 2 claimed all 16 points in its win against Gisborne 2, Kyneton Golf won a thriller by two shots against Macedon, Woodend beat Kilmore 2 and Broadford 2 beat Diggers Rest 2. Woodend sits on top with no team undefeated.
Meanwhile in division 3, Trentham 2 claimed full points after Gisborne 4 forfeited, Lancefield 2 had a solid win against Woodend 2, Romsey 3 and Kilmore 3 had a draw, Mt Cottrell won a thriller against Gisborne 3 and Kyneton 3 was too good for Macedon 2. After four rounds Kyneton 3 sits on top undefeated.
Tara Murray Ashan Ranaweera. (Ljubica Vrankovic)
Carla Krizanic is back playing for Club Sunbury. (Shawn Smits) 203921_01
