Garden of grandeur
vegetable
Building change for Lacey
A Macedon family is raising money to build a comfortable and accessible home for their daughter.
Lacey Duffield has Vulto-van Silfhout-de Vries syndrome – a rare hereditary condition – and Von Willebrand disease – a bleeding disorder relating to low levels of clotting protein in blood.
A fundraiser was started on behalf of the family by friend Terri Scanlon, with funds going towards altering the family’s home to make it suitable and accessible for Lacey to receive care at home.
Lacey’s mum, Elyce Duffield, said the fundraiser will help Lacey to spend more time in a familiar environment with her siblings, including her twin sister.
“She’s got such a close bond with her sisters and even our neighbours … because she doesn’t
speak … she does have that vulnerability around her,” Elyce said.
“We need to really make sure she is safe and she’s in a loving environment, because she picks up a lot on people’s nonverbal cues.
“The standard respite, it doesn’t fit Lacey’s challenges. She’s a very outdoor kid, she loves to go on the trampoline and go on the swing … it’s great that we can still have friends and family come over and have [her] live a life with people in it.”
Elyca said the alterations to the family home will help give Lacey’s sisters “peace of mind”.
“As the kids grow, being able to visit her at our block, it’s what we desire, what we’d like – because it has been a very hard journey for them. We’re in and out of hospital all the time … so it gives them … that reassurance … she’s not hidden,” she said.
Elyce said the family is “eternally grateful” for the donations made to the fundraiser so far, and for the community’s ongoing support.
“We are more than thrilled at how people have been selflessly putting money towards our daughter’s campaign … she’s much loved by our community,” she said.
“We’ve got some beautiful support here … I can’t fault this community, it’s … been amazing to have this country lifestyle without the hustle and bustle, which really does affect Lacey.
“Lacey loves people – she likes to wave and be recognised, just like anyone else. If you do see her in the street with a carer or with myself, give a wave. We’re always happy to say hello.”
Donationscanbemadeononlinefundraising site My Cause.
Details: mycause.com.au/p/353318/help-usbuild-a-safe-home-for-lacey
Bruce Honey’s Tylden garden has a feel that is reminiscent of an English country garden but with an Australian twist. The retired landscape designer will be opening the nine-acre Verdicus garden to the public later this month as part of Open Gardens Victoria. The stunning garden features 11 different types of oak trees, along with more intensive flower and
gardens. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Tylden CFA. Story: Page 3.
Lacey Duffield. (Supplied)
Call for Neighbour Day support
By Oscar Parry
Sunbury Neighbour Day is set for March next year, with organisations involved encouraging businesses and community groups to consider taking part.
An initiative of Relationships Australia, Neighbour Day is an annual Australia-wide event that promotes local events that increase social connection in communities.
Sunbury Neighbour Day is set for Sunday, March 30 next year, with organisations
involved in the day including Goonawarra Neighbourhood House, Sunbury Neighbourhood House, Sunbury Cobaw Community Health, and Multicultural Resources Hub.
Goonawarra Neighbourhood House community projects co-ordinator Adalae Bowen said that the day is all about bringing the community together.
“Sunbury, as many people … know, is in the midst of a population boom, and there are a lot ofpeoplecomingintoSunburywithallthenew
estates. We’re also aware that rates of loneliness and social isolation are really on the rise as well,” Ms Bowen said.
“We’re looking at businesses that are keen to getinvolvedandmaybeprovidesomediscounts on the day for people who are hosting events, and any community groups or organisations that are keen to get involved and host a public event,” she said. “We are reaching out to some local organisations, and the estates are really getting involved … there will be a list of public events available for people to attend.”
Gardening glory for visitors to enjoy
SetonnineacresinTylden,Verdicusgardenisa stunning display of horticulture and landscape design and will be open to the public over one weekend this month.
The property is owned and was designed by retired landscape designer Bruce Honey, who was also a gardening writer with Home Beautiful magazine.
Mr Honey said that the property was designed with a detailed master plan that he “stuck to.”
“Itlookslikeit’sbeenhereforever…itcomes down to plants I’ve used … I wanted to achieve a country garden that was reminiscent of England but had an Australian twist,” he said.
“There are all sorts of the trees that you can’t grow on a normal block – cedars, oaks, elms, tulip trees, there’s a massive variety. I think there are 11 different types of oak tree, for example.”
He said that the magnitude and detailed work of the garden often surprises guests when they first walk into his property.
The garden includes private screened areas, avenues, boundary hedging and birch groves, along with more intensive flower and vegetable gardens.
Bought in 2001, the property was once farmland that was riddled with blackberries and gorse.
The garden was built over 15 years with, and Mr Honey said that unlike most gardens, he “put the house in to complete the garden.”
Verdicus will be open to the public for ticketedentrybetween10am–4pmonSaturday, November 16, and Sunday, November 17.
Mr Honey will also lead two tours per day, and proceeds from the event will be donated to the Tylden CFA.
The event is hosted by not-for-profit organisation Open Gardens Victoria, which promotesthebenefitsofgardensandgardening forallVictorians.Details:opengardensvictoria. org.au/Verdicus-2024
Oscar Parry
Gisborne home to new public defibrillator
Gisborne is now home to a new public automated external defibrillator (AED), after a donation from community members. AEDs are automated devices used to shock a person’s heart back to normal function after bloodstopspumpingeffectivelyduetocardiac arrest.
Gisborne’s new AED is located at the town’s ambulance branch on Robinson Street and is available to use at all times, enabling a quick response in the event of a cardiac arrest in town.
The new AED was donated by two community members – Braeden Strahan and Jonathon Wieckourski – who raised money after their friend Scott Newell died from
cardiac arrest one year ago.
Ambulance Victoria Macedon Ranges senior team manager Tim Fraser said the device is an important addition to Gisborne.
“Every day, around 21 Victorians will suffer a cardiac arrest but only one in 10 survive,” Mr Fraser said.
“We know that bystander intervention has the greatest impact on improving someone’s chance of surviving a cardiac arrest.
When a patient receives cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and a shock from an AED before paramedics arrive, their chance of survival more than doubles,” he said.
“This new AED will help locals in Gisborne respond and save lives when there’s a medical
Hume council will also host a council-wide ‘community challenge’ in recognition of the day, where residents will go into the draw to win one of 20 $100 gift cards if they share a story and image on how they have connected with their neighbours, and will also promote the day and its events through the council’s social media and newsletters.
Details can be found on the Sunbury Neighbour Day Facebook page, including an email address for enquiries. Details: https:// www.facebook.com/sunburyneighbourday
emergency in town.”
The device was installed during Ambulance Victoria’s Shocktober campaign, which is a month-long cardiac arrest awareness campaign aimed at teaching Victorians how to perform CPR and use an AED.
The campaign also urges Victorians to sign up to the GoodSAM phone app, which links those experiencing cardiac arrest with community member responders who are willing and able to perform CPR before paramedics arrive.
According to Ambulance Victoria, a local GoodSAM responder helped save the life of a Gisborne father of three last year.
Details: ambulance.vic.gov.au/shocktober.
Macedon Ranges volunteer emergency service organisations received funding for equipment under an annual state grants program.
In the region, grants included $140,833 to CFA Bullengarook for a new ultra light tanker, $71,000 to CFA Malmsburyforafieldcommandvehicle, and $101,500 to VICSES Gisborne for a Toyota Hilux support vehicle.
Romsey CFA received funding for two projects, including external station renovations with a generator upgrade.
The annual Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) provides funding to Victorian emergency services volunteer groups to purchase essential operational equipment, vehicles and appliances, and to complete minor facility improvements.
Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas congratulated the successful recipient groups.
“Thank you for your tireless work across our community. The Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program is an important annual program providing a critical boost to local volunteers, ensuring their equipment and facilities are up to date,” Ms Thomas said.
Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes said the grants will support “our selfless volunteers who are always there for Victorians when they need them”.
Through this year’s round of grants, there were 268 projects that received funding across CFA brigades, SES units, Life Saving Victoria clubs, and Marine Search and Rescue crews.
Tylden resident and retired landscape designer Bruce Honey is opening his garden in Tylden to the public for one weekend, with proceeds donated to Tylden CFA. (Damjan Janevski). 440083_06
Twenty years for beloved market
By Oscar Parry
Kyneton Farmers’ Market is turning 20 this month, marking the milestone with a community raffle that will raise funds for a local primary school.
The market was established in 2004 by St Paul’s Anglican Church in Kyneton, led at the time by former rector Father Snell.
Market manager Chris Whiting said he thanks all community members who have helped contribute to the longevity of the market.
“We appreciate the foresight of those who commenced the market, as well as for the contributions that so many folks from the St Paul’s community who have contributed to the market’s 20 years of success and the many stallholders who have traded with us,” Mr
Whiting said.
Hesaidthatthestrongattendanceratesatthe market is proof of its appeal, with the variety of produceavailablebeingoneofitsstrongpoints.
“The market is unique in that it offers a diversity of products from the Central Victoria region. We offer some of the best olives and mushrooms grown in the region,” he said.
“Wearealsodifferenttoalotofothermarkets [due to] the number of craft providers … with items ranging from clothing, to jewellery … to pottery.”
To celebrate the anniversary, the market will host a raffle that will raise funds for Kyneton Primary School’s music program.
Attendees to the market’s 20th anniversary onSaturday,November9,canpurchaseasingle ticket for $2 or three for $5, with the prize draw including hampers of products from local and
The market will run from 8.30am–1pm at St
Alan Moor is a top Victorian senior
AMacedonRangesresidentreceivedaVictorian Senior of the Year Award for his dedication to community service and education within the community.
Kyneton resident Alan Moor was recognised at Government House on October 24 with a Council on the Ageing Award for his commitment to community service and organisations within the region.
Since moving to Kyneton 10 years ago, Mr Moor said he has been very involved with the local University of the Third Age (U3A) group and its activities.
One of these activities is the Kyneton Men’s Kitchen, which he was instrumental in setting up in partnership with volunteers from the Daylesford U3A.
“It’s gone from strength to strength, largely through the support of our chef Robert Wooller, ever since we restarted that course ten years ago … we run two series of five low-cost sessions,” Mr Moor said.
“Partofit[isteaching]kitchenskillsand[it’s] also a men’s discussion group … discussing men’s health issues,” he said.
Mr Moor is also chair of the Kyneton Community House board and a committee member of the Kyneton Connections Organisation, which publishes the Kyneton Connect newsletter.
Volunteering with the Kyneton Community House, Mr Moor said one of the projects he is most proud of is its ongoing food hub service on High Street in Kyneton.
“We provide a weekly community lunch on Wednesdays, food service courses, cookery courses, we fitted out a restaurant … so It’s used as a community meeting place and …for courses,aswellasawholeprogramofsupplying food … and takeaway meals,” he said.
Mr Moor said he was glad to be recognised
with the award, thanking other volunteers in the region.
“It’s certainly a privilege, but it’s as much due to the other volunteers who I work with on
Club pitched a Jemena grant
Sunbury Softball Association received a grant that will go towards training sessions, games, and canteen costs.
Provided by energy company Jemena, the $3100 grant towards Sunbury women’s and children’s softball teams will cover the costs of 16 training sessions, four games, and canteen operationalcostsandsecuritymeasures.
Association vice president Erin Wilson said the grant will assist players and families by covering costs, which will encourage participation.
“Providing low or no cost sporting opportunities means everyone can get involved, enjoy getting some fresh air, and build some great friendships,” Ms Wilson said.
“Grants like the one we received … mean even when families are feeling the pinch due to the rising cost of living, they can still remain active in the club,” she said.
Jemena group communications manager Michael Pintabona said the company aimed to provide funding to community organisations in its service areas to address cost of living pressures in practical ways.
Jemena’s grants program started in 2019,andthisyear’sgrantrecipientswere chosen from about 100 organisations in its electrical and gas distribution areas in Victoria and New South Wales.
board,” he said.
Architecture awards for park
Romsey Ecotherapy Park received two national awards for landscape architecture, celebrating its design and community benefits.
Designed by ACLA Consultants, the park received two Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) National Landscape Architecture Awards at a ceremony on October 24 – an Excellence in the Parks and Open Space award and a Regional Achievement award.
In June this year, the park also won two AILA state awards in these same categories.
In a statement from the AILA jury, it said the awards were offered in consideration of the park’s therapeutic gardens, water features, artistic and cultural elements, play area with picnic facilities that caters to all ages, and spaces for outdoor performances and community events.
“The project is a stunning example of the profound impact that collaborative design and community agency can have in crafting spaces that resonate with social and environmental values,” the jury statement said.
According to AILA, the Romsey Ecotherapy Park was the result of a 14-year community-led initiative by the Romsey Ecotherapy Park Inc., aiming to transform the abandoned town primary school site into a nature-based space for passive recreation.
The park officially opened in October 2022 and is accessible from Main Street, Palmer Street and Williams Street in Romsey.
Oscar Parry
the U3A committee, the Kyneton Connections group, and the volunteers on the Kyneton Community House
Oscar Parry
Kyneton resident Alan Moor received a Council on the Ageing Award at the 2024 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards. (Damjan Janevski). 440119_01
Melbourne-based stallholders.
Paul’s Park, Kyneton. Details: instagram.com/ kynetonfarmersmarket
Kyneton Farmers’ Market manager Chris Whiting. (Supplied)
Netballers pass 50 years
By Oscar Parry
The Sunbury Netball Association is celebrating its 50th anniversary this month, marking a long history on and off the court.
A celebratory afternoon is set for Sunday, November 17. The event will feature past committee members and presidents and Netball Australia representatives to discuss the association’s history and celebrate the sport.
Association vice president Amanda Azzopardi, who has played netball in Sunbury for about 43 years, said that the association originally started as a small ladies team in 1974 that began playing on an asphalt court at Sunbury Recreation Reserve.
She said the game has changed since she began playing at age seven.
“The pace of the game has certainly increased, also now there’s male participation, and we’re actually quite encouraged from Netball Victoria to encourage boys to play so that’s really good,” Ms Azzopardi said.
“It’sagreatteamsport.Theball’sgottotouch every third (of the court), so you can’t just have onedominantplayer,youneedyourteammates around you to actually be a great team … it really encourages team morale,” she said.
“We’ve got women that still play in their 60s … netball’s a game for any age or any skill.”
Ms Azzopardi said she felt “very honoured” to be vice president in the association’s 50th
skin cancer clinic
year.
“I’ve been involved since I was a little girl … [the association has] always been volunteer-based and it’s still volunteer-based. I’m still proud that it’s run by volunteers,” she said.
Association president Tracie Quigley said that throughout its history, the association always had a team of passionate volunteer committee members who strive to support young netball players.
The association will celebrate its 50th year at Witchmount Winery in Plumpton from 1pm–5pm on Sunday, November 17.
Bookings are required before November 1.
Details: trybooking.com/CVHJM
Pick my park set to launch
The Pick My Park initiative has been announced and is set to launch next year, giving Victorians aged 16 and over the opportunity to propose ideas for new parks or park upgrades in their growing community and then submit them to the public for their vote.
Grants for winning projects will range from $20,000 to $250,000 and will be available in two streams, including improving and upgrading existingparksandopenspaces,aswell as funding for turning underutilised land in growing urban areas into new parks.
When the votes get counted, the most popular ideas will get a grant to deliver the local project – whether it’s a new park, a green space, a ‘pocket park’, a park upgrade, a playground, a basketball court, a sporting field, a barbecue fitness equipment, tree planting, accessibility upgrades, new landscaping, shade and seating, urban greening, and more.
Geographical quotas will apply so all growing areas share in funding, and a set portion of the funding pool will be reserved for growing urban areas in regional Victoria.
There is a total of $30 million in funding available to ensure all areas have the opportunity for new and improved spaces.
Sunbury Netball Association life member Ronny Lobb, vice president Amanda Azzopardi, and life member Kathy Gillard. (Damjan Janevski) 440299_13
Upgrades for netballers
Lancefield is set to benefit from resurfaced netball courts and new lights at the Lancefield Recreation Reserve, funded by a community grant.
The court resurfacing and light installation will be funded thanks to a $70,000 grant from Community Bank Lancefield and Romsey, which is part of Bendigo Bank.
Lancefield Football Netball Club senior netball coordinator Kerry Hammond said the upgrades will benefit both players and the wider community.
“[Now,] we can actually hold night games there on that asphalt court, which is where all the facilities are … it also improves the safety for the training throughout winter,” Ms Hammond said.
She said that the resurfacing works, set for 2025, will address the current eroding courts
Where curiosity comes alive
with a new asphalt surface, and was one of the main issues identified by the club earlier this year.
Other issues were a lack of lighting and courtside coach boxes.
Ms Hammond said she was grateful to Bendigo Bank for the grant and what the planned upgrades mean for players and court users.
“Todothatfortheclubisgoingtohaveahuge benefit…ourcourtsareopenforthepublic,so at any time, anybody can go down there and shoot some hoops and use it for recreational use,” she said.
She said that the club plans to install the new lighting before the end of November.
The club accepted the grant at an evening hosted by Bendigo Bank on Thursday, October 24.
Briefs
Rental disputes
The state government has announced a new free service that aims to give renters an easier way to resolve landlord disputes. Resolution Victoria (RDRV) is designed to reduce the amount of time it takes to resolve simple disputes between landlords and renters. Through RDRV, renters can call up, go online, or attend in-person to access highly skilled dispute resolution experts who will help bring parties together to resolve rental disputes, with no cost involved. Set to begin in mid-2025, legislation will be introduced in November to make orders at RDRV binding and enforceable.
Pool barriers
Kidsafe Australia and Royal Life Saving Australia are urging pool and spa owners to check their barriers and help reduce the number of toddler drownings. The call for action comes after figures from Royal Life Saving Australia’s National Drowning Report revealed that 15 Australian toddlers aged under four drowned in 2023–24. Most incidents occur in home backyard swimming pools, accounting for 40 per cent of all infant drownings. Drowning continues to be one of the most common causes of accidental death for Australian children aged under four.
FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT
Web: starweekly.com.au
Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly
Adventure through Kyabram Fauna Park’s expansive wetlands and bushlands, and explore a stunning array of birdlife and unique native animals.
Relax at the Fauna Park Café with our playful meerkats, or enjoy a BYO BBQ while the kids are entertained at the playground.
Kids visit free on weekends, public holidays and Victorian school holidays.*
Lancefield Netball Club B Grade 2024 best and fairest winner Tarnee Hammond, senior coordinator Kerry Hammond, and junior coordinator Deb Baltrame. (Supplied)
Free mosquito vaccine available
Macedon Ranges residents are now eligible for a free Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vaccination in time for the fast-approaching mosquito season.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas visited Springs Medical in Kyneton on Friday, November 1 to announce that the eligibility for the state’s free JEV vaccination program has expanded to include people living in Macedon Ranges, Alpine, Mansfield, and Mitchell local government areas.
The announcement follows advice from
Victoria’schiefhealthofficer,withtheprogram focussing on regional local government areas, mainly inland riverine regions, where there is higher risk of exposure to the virus.
MostofthoseinfectedwithJEVpresentnoor mild symptoms, but one in 250 people develop severeinfectionofthebrain–otherwiseknown as encephalitis.
The symptoms may include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and muscle aches, and in severe cases, those who develop encephalitis or meningitis are at risk of dying from
Charity cars muscle in
Engines were roaring at Macedon Primary school when 27 muscle cars rolled onto the oval for a charity event.
Run by children’s charity Variety, the Aussie Muscle Car Run is an annual event that consists of about 30 teams that raise funds throughout the year for children with disability and illness or experiencing disadvantage.
Thisyear’srouteinvolvedastopatMacedon Primary School’s oval on Tuesday, October 29, where the cars – including replicas of vehicles that have raced at Bathurst – were on show for students to enjoy.
Macedon Primary principal Andrew Bloomfield said the students “loved it.”
“It was a great community event and it was able to raise money for something that’s really useful for the school community,” Mr Bloomfield said.
“The fundraising that Variety does is valuable to a lot of school children, and the 8000 dollars they’ve given us will be a great
support for all our neurodiverse children, so we’re very lucky,” he said.
“This wonderful contribution will go towards creating a sensory room, designed specifically to support and enrich the experiences of our neurodiverse students … which will make a meaningful impact on our students’ daily lives.”
This year’s Aussie Muscle Car Run route was from the Adelaide Hills to Phillip Island, open to entrants with cars built from 1963–88 or that are replicas of models raced at Bathurst.
the infection.
Ms Thomas said that there are additional measures people in higher-risk areas can take to protect themselves from infection.
“Summer provides mosquitos with an ideal breeding ground – as well as getting vaccinated against JEV, Victorians in high-risk areas should take simple actions, like wearing loose-fitting clothes and using mosquito repellent,” Ms Thomas said.
The free JEV vaccine is available for eligible people through GPs, Aboriginal health
services, community pharmacies and some local councils.
Victorians can contact their local public healthunitforfurtherinformationorassistance withfindingtheirlocalimmunisationprovider.
JEV typically occurs in many parts of southern and eastern Asia, and in recent years, has extended beyond its traditional boundaries to eastern Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Torres Strait.
It was first detected in Victoria, and several other parts of Australia, in 2022.
Macedon Primary School principal Andrew Bloomfield, school captains Rupert and Arwen and Variety chair Will Langdon. (Damjan Janevski).
431284_01
See what the others
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Your Will is your voice after you die. It reflects your wishes and distributes your assets in the event of your death. If you die without a Will, the law decides who gets your assets. It is important to review your Will regularly and update it when you have a significant event in your life, such as marriage or divorce.
Grainger Legal can draft you a Will or review your current Will and, if necessary, update it for you. We also prepare Powers of Attorney and Appointments of a Medical Decision Maker. Call our team on 9744 5519 to arrange an appointment.
MY PLACE
Melyssa Kelly is a lifelong Sunbury resident and volunteer and founding member of community group Boomerang Bags Sunbury. Oscar Parry spoke with Melyssa Kelly about her connection to Sunbury and the Boomerang Bags movement.
What is your connection to Sunbury?
I have lived in Sunbury my whole life; I went to Sunbury West Primary School and Sunbury College for high school.
What do you like about where you live?
I like that Sunbury still has a country town feel while being close enough to Melbourne for commuting. We have fantastic cafes and restaurants here in Sunbury.
What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
IfIweretosuggestchangesforSunbury,itmight be [to improve] public transport connectivity to Melbourne to reduce reliance on cars and make commuting easier. During the off-peak times, the trains only run every 40 minutes. Additionally, expanding local amenities like healthcare facilities and recreational spaces could further enhance the town’s appeal as it grows.
Tell us a bit about Boomerang Bags and the aim of the movement.
Boomerang Bags Sunbury
founding member Melyssa Kelly. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 436331_01
Boomerang Bags is a grassroots movement that began in Queensland in 2013 and has spread throughout Australia and worldwide! The movement connects and empowers local communities to tackle plastic pollution by making bags out of donated fabrics to divert waste away from landfills. I started the Sunbury Boomerang Bags chapter in 2017; sincethen,SunburyBoomerangBagshassaved over 14,000 kilograms of waste from landfill. We have made and distributed more than 5000 bags to the local community. You can find our bagsattheSunburyLibrary,HomeGrown,and theSunburyNeighbourhoodHouse.Thegroup meets on the first Saturday every month from 9 am–12 pm at the Sunbury Neighbourhood House on Elizabeth Drive. Boomerang Bags will have a stall next to the Sunbury NeighbourhoodHouseattheStreetLifeFestival on Sunday, December 1. Please come by to pick out your very own bag and say hi.
What do you enjoy most about being a member of the Boomerang Bags Sunbury group?
Being a member of the Boomerang Bags Sunbury group offers a unique opportunity to build strong connections within the community while also forming meaningful
friendships. It’s a rewarding experience to collaborate with like-minded people who are passionate about environmental sustainability, all while making a positive impact by reducing plastic waste. The blend of social interaction and environmental action makes the group truly special.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Primary School principal Julie Freeman and visual arts teacher Anne-Maree Scown with students: Eva, Clem, Chloe, Beau, Chad, Olivia and Harry.
The students proudly displaying their colourful artwork. (Pictures: Damjan Janevski) 440728
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Country and Western Night
The Rotary Club of Sunbury is hosting its annual country and western night from 6.30pm on Saturday, November 16 at Memorial Hall. Come down and support this great community event, which will raise funds for people in need in Sunbury and charity Kits of Hope. Wear your best country and western outfit to be considered for a prize, with the evening also including live music and entertainment, fundraising raffles, and a silent auction. BYO supper and drinks. Entry is $30.
trybooking.com/events/landing/1297909
Community. Connect. Create. If you are needing support or looking for a social group to join, you can visit Community. Connect. Create, which is an online resource listing support and community groups in the Macedon Ranges. if you would like your group listed or would like to work to help this project grow please email: fiona@communityconnectcreate. com.au
Communityconnectcreate.com.au
Amateur radio club
The Macedon Ranges Amateur Radio Club meets on the third Saturday of the month at the Woodend RSL Hall, 32 Anslow Street, Woodend, at 10am. If you are interested in amateur radio or already have a call sign, this could be for you.
http://www.mrarc.org.au
Take off weight naturally
Struggling to lose weight? Struggling to get motivated? Want to try and do it in a friendly
and less stressful atmosphere? Come and join TOWN (Take Off Weight Naturally) every Thursday at 9am at the Sunbury Neighbourhood House, 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury.
Rhonda, 0409 740 924
Rotary club
The Sunbury Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at the Ball Court Hotel, 60 Macedon Street, Sunbury, from 7pm.
sunburyrotary@gmail.com
Kyneton Badminton Club
Kyneton Badminton Club is a welcoming,
fun and social group that plays on Mondays, at 7pm at the Kyneton Toyota Sports and Aquatic Centre, Victoria Street. All skill levels are welcome.
kynetonbc@gmail.com
Sunbury Macedon Ranges Lodge Meets monthly on the second Wednesday of the month at 7pm, 73 Main Street, Romsey. New members welcome.
Wayne, 0404 034 737, or Ian, 0438 240 402
Ladies probus
The Woodlands Ladies Probus Club of
Sunbury meets on the fourth Monday of each month at the Sunbury Bowling Club at 9.45am.
Leonie, 0401 764 182
Sunbury Ladies Probus Club
The Sunbury Ladies Probus Club meets at 9.30am on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Sunbury Football Social Club rooms.
Pat, 0433 789 754, or Sylvia, 0417 170 142
Sunbury Combined Probus Club
The Sunbury Combined Probus Club meets every fourth Thursday of the month at the Sunbury Bowling Club at 10am.
Jo, 0410 834 272
Probus Club Of Sunbury
Join the Probus Club of Sunbury on the first Wednesday of the month at the Sunbury Bowling club at 9.30am. It’s a friendly men’s group open to visitors and new members, with a number of great events held each month.
Greg, 0417 593 035
Camera club
The Macedon Ranges Photographic Society is your local camera club for friendship, photographic outings, workshops, guest presenters, competitions and more. Meetings on the first Tuesday of the month, followed by the next Monday. Doors open at 7pm, meeting starts at 7.30pm at Dromkeen, 1012 Kilmore Road, Riddells Creek.
https://bit.ly/41j5BEw
This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of Friends of Taylors Creek member Gary Bealley, Grassy Plains Network facilitator Adrian Marshall and Ella Ryan at The Lakes grasslands. (Damjan Janevski) 439184_02
End the anxiety: there are other ways to access university
AsVictorianstudentsbracethemselvesforthe stress and scrutiny of VCE exams, a familiar ritual plays out: teachers teaching explicitly to the examiners’ preferences, late nights of cramming and crippling anxiety. All for a three week exam period that students are told will “define their life”.
Peter Hutton, executive director of Global Village Learning (GVL), argues that ATAR’s influence has overshadowed more diverse and equitable pathways for too long.
The ATAR facilitates intense competition directly between students, pitting one directly against the other based on an extremely narrow definition of success.
The senior schooling system discourages collaboration, personal growth, creativity, and a deep love of learning – qualities that today’s world demands more than ever. It is testing student’s resilience, but certainly not building it.
There are increasing concerns over the ATAR’s impact on young people’s mental health and self-worth.
GVL is pioneering a new approach: Ignore the ATAR. Focus on what actually matters for your future, sidestep the ATAR and scored VCE completely.
You can still have a clear pathway to the field of study of your choice.
In 2025, GVL is opening the Pathways and Futures Hub, a senior program focused on building confidence, entrepreneurship and citizenship skills in young adults - qualities that are well aligned with a rapidly changing world of work. Enrolments are now open to “Our program provides students with the community are invited to attend every young person’s dream. Global Village Learning is a dynamic educationalcommunityofferingpersonalised, skill-focused pathways for students at all year levels, from early learning through to senior years, preparing them for meaningful futures
You don’t have to be stressed in year 11 and 12. Introducing the Pathways and Futures Hub at Global Village Learning. Our senior program is underpinned by the VCE Vocational Major (VM) and Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) but also offers so much more - internships, entrepreneurial training and a qualification. ( ) 2 2 | gvl.vic.edu.au Book a tour of the GVL Campus in Gisborne Thursday, 14 November 2024 7pm Information Session 57 Barringo Rd, New Gisborne VIC 3438
Duo are survivors to the core
Western suburbs creatives Bill Marshall and Patricia Stewart share stories of abuse, mental health battles and resilience through their podcast series, Billy and PS At the Core, as Afraa Kori reports.
Having walked the path themselves, Yarraville visual artist Patricia Stewart and West Footscray writer Bill Marshall have launched a podcast to guide others through darkness.
Billy and PS At the Core, a podcast currently in its 10th series, reveals their true stories of abuse, survival and resilience.
Marshall shared his 50-year battle with schizophrenia, which fuelled his mission to eliminate mental health stigma and misconceptions through conversations.
“I was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1972 when I was 17 and I became very lonely, unhappy and alienated from people. I had a protracted writer’s block for six years and not being able to write was quite disastrous for me,” he said.
“Some people think all schizophrenics are dangerous, violent and have multiple personalities. There’s a lot of misinformation and misconceptions about mental illness and schizophrenia, so I thought talking about it openly would be helpful for other people.
‘‘ The podcast gave me such a sense of empowerment ... sharing stories brings healing for you and others ’’ - Patricia Stewart
“I do hope that I can enlighten people about it and get rid of the stigma around mental illness. I want listeners to understand that mental illness is not a death sentence and you’re not condemned to a sort of a ghetto of mentalillness.There’shopebeyondadiagnosis of schizophrenia or any other form of mental illness. You can still lead a healthy, productive, enjoyable and rewarding life after your diagnosis.”
Stewart discusses her 52 years of abuse at the hands of her mother who suffered from Munchausen (factitious disorder).
“A person with Munchausen creates made up illnesses and they can transfer it to a child or someone they are close to. For example, my mother would act out her illnesses when she wasn’t getting the attention that she wanted. She would then put me to bed and tell me I was dying,hopingtogettheattentionfromlooking after me. She also gave me no education, no clothes, no toys. I know it sounds all crazy, but this was the reality. I was the only girl and that could have been a big part of her learning. She was very jealous of me and she didn’t want me near my father. My dad was very disengaged from the family so he didn’t influence her in any positive way that I could see,” she said. “I
have found my nervous system is completely abused and traumatised by her treatment of me. I’ve been in trauma groups that speak about self-care and I realised I had no concept, because of my mother’s treatment of giving me nothing.
“The experience of forgiveness has come with a deeper knowledge and understanding thatthere’ssomethingwrongwiththesepeople and they did not deliberately do this. If they were, they could have been daunted by what workwouldhavebeenrequiredtoworkonthat and they were not resilient enough.
“It’sextremelyhardgettingoverthepainand the suffering it causes to the nervous system, to our development and heart. What inspired me to go public now is, I actually have a sense of my own identity and I feel that what I want to say is helpful to other people.
“The podcast gave me such a sense of
empowerment about my own experiences and how I handle them. I learnt how to find the words to express what I’ve experienced and those words came with the help of others. I’ve talked to people who have experienced bad trauma and they immediately become on the same page as me. Many have shared their painful experiences with me, things they don’t usually tell others. They don’t find me judgmental so I suppose I’ve been through so much, I just haven’t got any judgement left in me. So sharing stories brings healing for you and others.”
Avid listener and supporter Marty MonStar said At the Core provides a relaxed and honest conversation of trust and openness about mental health.
“Bill and Patricia take you on a journey exploring the topic of each podcast. They both slowly and gently guide us At the Core of the
discussion. The relaxed and honest approach to the ‘sometimes’ difficult discussion about our and others mental health is liberating. I felt I can share my struggles with my own mental health without being embarrassed and shameful,” he said.
“The podcast is very much relatable to myself as I have suffered from Bipolar almost all of my adult life. The friendships I have developed with Bill and Patricia over the years and through the podcast has provided another platform to share our inner selves. I believe honest and open communication about our personal experiences with our mental health must continue. I do not see mental health as an illness. It is a part of what makes us beautiful and unique.”
Billy and PS At the Core series is accessible on all podcast streaming platforms. Details: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2347868.rss
Bill Marshall and Patricia Stewart in their element. (Damjan Janevski) 434842_03
Dessert options beyond the traditional plum pudding
While plum pudding, also known as Christmas pudding, is a traditional festive dessert in many parts of the world, some people prefer to explore alternatives that offer different flavours, textures, or dietary options. Whether you’re looking for something lighter, more modern, or a treat that caters to various dietary preferences, there are plenty of delicious options. Here are some popular alternatives to plum pudding for Christmas Day dessert:
Yule Log (Bûche de Noël): The Yule log is a classic French dessert traditionally enjoyed during the holiday season. Made from a light sponge cake rolled with a rich buttercream or ganache filling, it is shaped and decorated to resemble a wooden log. The cake can be flavored with chocolate, vanilla, or even fruit, offering a delightful contrast to the heavier plum pudding. Decorated with festive accents like powdered sugar (for snow), meringue mushrooms, or fresh berries, the Yule log is both visually stunning and delicious.
Trifle: Trifle is a layered dessert that’s perfect for Christmas, as it can be made ahead of time and looks festive in a clear glass bowl. It typically consists of layers of sponge cake (often soaked in sherry or another liqueur), custard, whipped cream, and fruit. Popular fruits include strawberries, raspberries, or peaches, and some versions include jelly (gelatin) for an extra layer of flavor. You can customise it to be as rich or as light as you prefer, making it a versatile dessert for guests with different tastes.
Panettone: Panettone is an Italian sweet bread that has become a popular Christmas treat worldwide. Its light and airy texture, studded with dried fruits and candied peel,
These Christmas tarts from Dairy Australia, taste great, look fantastic and are super easy to make. (Supplied)
offers a more subtle sweetness compared to plum pudding. Panettone can be served on its own, with a dusting of powdered sugar, or toasted and served with butter, mascarpone, or a drizzle of chocolate sauce. Its slight citrus flavor and fluffy texture make it an appealing alternative, especially for those who prefer a less dense dessert.
Pavlova: For a lighter, more summery alternative (particularly popular in Australia and New Zealand), pavlova is a fantastic option. This dessert consists of a crisp meringue shell with a soft, marshmallow-like interior, topped with whipped cream and fresh fruits such as strawberries, kiwis, and passionfruit. Its light texture and refreshing fruit toppings make it a perfect end to a rich Christmas meal, especially in warmer climates.
Raspberries and cream tarts
Continuing the dessert theme, for a tasty festsive treat look no further than these raspberries and cream Christmas tarts. This tart recipe from Dairy Australia only take about 20 minutes to make, is incredibly easy and only need a few simple ingredients.
Ingredients:
2 sheets shortcrust pastry
125g cream cheese, cut into 18 cubes, softened
3/4 cup raspberry jam
3/4 cup slivered almonds
Icing sugar, for dusting
Method:
1/ Using a 7cm diameter round cutter, cut 18 rounds from the pastry sheets. Press pastry into a greased patty pan or mini tart tins.
2/ Squash 1 square of cream cheese in each tart case and spoon over a teaspoonful of jam, sprinkle with almonds.
3/ Bake at 180°C for 10-12 minutes until pastry and almonds are golden. Cool for at least 15 minutes before dusting with icing sugar and serving warm or at room temperature.
Cooking tip: Tarts are best served the day they are made, but can be kept refrigerated for 2 days.
Fruitcake: For those who enjoy the fruitiness of plum pudding but want something a little different, fruitcake is a great option. Traditional fruitcake is packed with dried fruits, nuts, and spices, often soaked in rum or brandy for added flavor. It’s dense, flavorful, and lasts for weeks, making it a popular choice for Christmas. There are also lighter variations, such as a light fruitcake made with fewer dried fruits and a fluffier batter, offering a balance between richness and lightness.
Tarte Tatin: This French upside-down caramelised apple tart is a delicious, elegant alternative to plum pudding. The combination of buttery pastry, soft caramelized apples, and a hint of cinnamon creates a comforting and indulgent dessert that pairs beautifully with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla
ice cream. For those who enjoy fruit-based desserts, tarte tatin offers the perfect balance of sweetness and richness without being overly heavy.
Chocolate Mousse or Chocolate Tart: For chocolate lovers, a decadent chocolate mousse or tart can be a sophisticated yet indulgent alternative to traditional Christmas pudding. A rich, silky chocolate mousse served in individualglassescanbetoppedwithwhipped creamandberries,offeringaluxuriousdessert that’sstilllightintexture.Alternatively,adark chocolate tart with a buttery crust and a rich ganache filling is both elegant and satisfying, perfect for those who prefer a more modern twist on Christmas desserts.
Ice Cream Sundae Bar: For a fun and customisable alternative, an ice cream sundae bar is a crowd-pleaser, especially if you have children or guests with different preferences. Offer a variety of ice cream flavors, from classic vanilla and chocolate to more seasonal options like peppermint or eggnog. Provide an array of toppings such as hot fudge, caramel sauce, sprinkles, nuts, and fresh fruit, allowing guests to create their perfect sundae. This option adds an interactive element to the dessert course and provides a lighter, refreshing end to the meal.
While plum pudding is a traditional Christmas dessert, many alternatives can be just as festive and delicious. From the light and fruity pavlova to the rich and indulgent sticky toffee pudding, there’s a dessert option to suit every taste and preference. Whether you’relookingforsomethinglight,chocolatey, or fruit-based, these alternatives offer a wide variety of flavors and textures to complement any Christmas feast.
Shoes designed for your comfort
Arcare Gisborne, offering a new age of care
Australian owned and operated for more than 40 years, Arcare is renowned for creating stunning architecturally designed living environments with luxurious interiors and spacious courtyards and gardens. Arcare has over50highqualityagedcareresidencesacross Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales.
Introducing Arcare Gisborne After its success in Castlemaine and 24 other locations across Victoria, Arcare recently opened a new state-of-the-art residence in Gisborne.
Arcare Gisborne can accommodate up to 96 residents, each with their own spacious suite and ensuite. Every resident will enjoy Arcare Gisborne’s own café, hair salon, private
dining room and Gold Class style theatre. At meal-time, food is freshly prepared on site by our chef.
Award winning care
Everyone who joins an Arcare residence will enjoy our unique relationship-first approach where nurturing honest, respectful and consistent relationships with residents is the most important thing that we do.
Central to this are our ‘dedicated relationships’ where each resident has their own support team consistently working with them. Our commitment to continuity fosters friendships and trust between residents, team members and families.
These friendships are at the heart of our
residential communities, where everyone looks out for each other and a sense of security, belonging, continuity, purpose, fulfilment and significance is felt by all.
Open day
You can book a private tour at any time at: arcare.com.au Plus, you’re invited to attend the Arcare Gisborne Open Day, 10am - 2pm on Saturday 23 November at 159 Willowbank Road, Gisborne. Tour our beautiful residence, enjoy a barista made coffee or tea and meet with our friendly team.
To learn more about quality aged care at Arcare, call 1300 ARCARE or visit arcare.com.au
Discovering cardiac rehabilitation in the Macedon Ranges
Cardiac rehabilitation (cardiac rehab) plays a crucial role in helping individuals recover from heart-related events, such as heart attacks or surgeries, and in managing chronic heart conditions.
The Macedon Ranges Health (MRH) Cardiac Rehab program is designed to provide comprehensive support that empowers participants to lead healthier, more active lives while reducing the risk of future heart problems.
The program at MRH combines expert-led
exercise routines, personalised education, and ongoing support tailored to each individual’s needs. The focus is on fostering long-term lifestyle changes that not only enhance physical health but also improve overall well-being. Cardiac rehab helps to support individuals to lower their chances of hospital readmission and can also reduce their risk of death from heart conditions.
Cardiac Rehab at MRH typically begins during the transition to outpatient care, whether at home or within the community,
ensuring continuity in the rehabilitation process. MRH offers flexible options, including face-to-face sessions in a group setting or one-on-one appointments, based on the patient’s preference and comfort level.
A key component of the MRH program is the initial assessment with an exercise physiologist. This assessment ensures that each participant is ready to engage in group exercise sessions safely and effectively. The program is designed not just to restore heart
function but also to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle.
For those seeking a structured and supportiveenvironmenttoaidtheirrecovery, the Heartsmart Cardiac Rehab Program at MRH is an excellent resource.
To learn more, call (03) 5428 0300 and ask for Louise Beer, the program coordinator. She can provide additional details and help you take the first step toward a healthier heart.
Burgess supported by her husband Jacob and their 20-month-old son Oakley. (Damjan Janevski) 437420_10
Lynn defies a ‘common’ cancer
thought about it.
“I lost all my hair, I gained weight from being pregnant and gained more weight from steroids. I didn’t really look in the mirror that much, I had no idea who I was. I just kept reminding myself that internally, I am the same person. It’s just externally that doesn’t really match up.”
‘‘ I had no idea who I was. I just kept reminding myself that internally, I am the same person ’’ - Lynn Burgess
By Afraa Kori
After a courageous battle, Myrniong’s Lynn Burgess conquered cancer in just over a year.
She spotted a lump on her armpit while shaving while pregnant with her son.
“I found the lump when I was about eight months and I was diagnosed when he was three weeks old,” Lynn said.
“When I was diagnosed, it was a bit of a shock because I was first told it was melanoma and then I was told it was triple negative breast cancer. My mum and my husband were just silent.
“I texted my other family and friends, because I just didn’t know how to tell them in person. I know that’s awful, but it’s the only way I could do it. The hardest part was seeing my loved ones, really sad. It’s easier for you to go through it, than watch people you love go through it.”
Lynn endured an extremely heavy course of treatment, including a mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy.
“The original lump was in my armpit and it spread to my lymph nodes. It grew pretty quick, it’s about the size of a golf ball,” she said.
“To be honest, I gave myself a day to be shocked. Then I just said to the doctors, you can do whatever you want with my body, but you can’t take my mind. So, I had treatment once a week and that was the only day I
For Lynn, cancer did not stop her life, motherhood and self-expression.
“My son got me through it because I woke up in the morning and he just wanted me to be a mum, so that’s what I did,” she said.
“Even after my mastectomy, I developed a way to get him out of the cot with one arm. Nothing stopped me! I made sure I was there for that baby every single day. He had no idea that I had cancer and he didn’t care that I was huge from steroids or bald. Cancer made our bond stronger because he just loved me for who I was.
“I just made sure I was out doing normal, everyday things as best as I could. I did have days where I was very scared of the inevitable and that happens to everyone. But I just spoke to family and friends about how I felt.
“I know it may be confronting for people but I think it’s important to find someone that you can confide in that won’t judge you. If you don’t have that, write it down and burn the piece of paper. That’s what I did a lot and got it out of my system.
“At the time, I used to be like why me? But now I look at myself in the mirror and say, ‘you beat that’. Obviously, science helps, but my body is phenomenal. It carried a human and it beat cancer. I’m just so thankful that I’m here and I’m starting to feel more myself.”
Lynn said her journey is proof that misconceptions about breast cancer exist.
“I just want everyone to be aware that it’s very common. You always hear from someone
else, but it can be you tomorrow. I know that’s awful to say, but I always heard of everyone else being unwell. I have no breast cancer history and no one in my family has had breast cancer,” she said.
“I did the genetic testing and it came back negative. I thought it had to be in your family to get it and I learned fairly quick that it was the roll of a dice and it just picked me for whatever reason.
“Men need to understand compassion, that’s a big thing in listening to a woman. If it is your wife, your sister, your auntie, your mum, just tell them they’re beautiful. Never tell them, your hair will grow back, or it’s just a boob or you don’t need a boob. Just say, ‘I don’t understand but what can I do to help?’ Don’t try and presume you know how someone feels because everyone is different.
“I also had a lot of people tell me, you don’t look like you have cancer. But just because you don’t look like you have cancer doesn’t mean you don’t have cancer. Don’t presume that someone’s doing really well with having their breasts removed or their hair falling out and their eyelashes gone. Just don’t put words in their mouths!”
WesternHealthbreastcarenurseconsultant Sue Komp urged women to prioritise their health.
“The most important thing is being aware of your own body and then acting on it as soon as you’re concerned. So if you feel a lump
or you feel something is not right, see your GP as soon as you can. They can organise mammograms,ultrasoundandthenareferral into an outpatient clinic,” she said.
“If you exercise for 30 minutes a day, you’re going to improve your chance of staying healthy. This is why Western Health runs the gym program for our breast cancer ladies because we know the value of exercise. Good nutrition, reducing your alcohol, no smoking and just leading a healthy lifestyle is really the most beneficial. I cannot emphasise enough exercise and how important it is.”
Sue said Lynn’s positivity was infectious.
“Lynn was exceptional because she was so positive the whole way through. She always had this attitude of ‘what do we need to do next? We need to get on with this and get it done’,” Sue said,
“Lynn’s positive attitude is infectious. When she comes into the clinic, she really does make everything lighter. Even when she was going through all her treatment, it reminds you that this is why you do what you do. Not everybody is going to be as positive as Lynn,butit’sreallyimportanttotryandbring some of that positivity that she brings to you to pay it forward.
“Her positivity is quite specific to her and you would like to think that by putting out that positive message may make it less confronting for people, particularly young mums her age. At the end of the day it’s really an individual thing.
“I think people maybe without cancer will read the story and just be in awe of her but that’s not denigrating those people who don’t have the same zest for life. It doesn’t mean that they’re managing it any worse, it’s just how they manage it. I think Lynn sends a real positive message that I think a lot of people should and could embrace.”
Lynn
It’s a wonderful life in St Albans
By Gerald Lynch
Local community theatre group Powderkeg Players is gearing up for a re-telling of the classic Christmas story “It’s a Wonderful Life” in St Albans this month.
The group stages theatre shows at the St Albans Senior Citizens centre at the corner of William and Alfrieda Street after moving from their former Sunshine North location earlier this year.
The famous story tells of George Bailey meeting his guardian angel on Christmas Eve 1945 in his hometown of Bedford Falls. Over the years, the movie has become a Christmas tradition for many people.
The 10 cast members have been in rehearsal since August, crafting the show for the much
smaller confines of the stage at the senior citizens centre.
The group includes fresh-faced locals who are jumping into community theatre for the first time, as well as veteran performers making the trip to the western suburbs to join in the production.
Director Stephen Andrews said the show will get people in the festive spirit ahead of December.
“We’re so proud to be bringing It’s a Wonderful Life to the stage, for so many people it will remind them of their childhood and good times Christmas can bring,” he said.
“Being part of a local theatre company is just fantastic, you get to meet so many wonderful people and share time together creating something special which stays
with you forever.”
Local resident Adria Bonacci is playing Violet Bick in the show and after performing in some high school productions, she is excited for our first local theatre appearance.
“It’s turned about to be an awesome time and a brilliant project to work on, I’m really excited about getting up on stage again,” she said.
“The show is lovely and tender and a beautiful reminder about how precious life is. It will appeal to everyone and is a great way to spend time with your family.”
The show opens on Friday, November 8 at 8pm, with dates from November 8-10 and November 14-16.
Tickets are available online at powderkegplayers.com or at the door.
Make a beeline for big craft festival
The annual Werribee Craft Festival is back for the 44th year and organise are aiming for it to be bigger than ever.
Running between 5-9pm on Friday, November 8 and 9am-5pm on Saturday November 9 at the Encore Events Centre in Hoppers Crossing, everyone is invited to get crafty at the free event.
Over70stallswillbeshowcasingandselling a diverse range of handcrafts and homemade foods, including homewares, Christmas crafts, cakes, wine, jewellery, candles, toys and garden products to name a few.
The event will not be short of celebrity cameos, with Peppa Pig, Chase from Paw Patrol and, last but not least, Santa making an appearance.
In addition to spreading holiday cheer, Santa will also be posing for photos.
Any kids coming along will not have to fear boredom, as they will be able to engage in many fun handcraft activities and even get their faces painted.
Festival secretary Chris Mitchell said that “seeing all the regulars who wait with anticipation for the craft festival each year” was among the most exciting elements of the spectacle.
The festival is not just about crafts, it is about celebrating and giving back to the Wyndham community, with the majority of the stall holders and crafters calling the area home.
Werribee Girl Guides will be the lucky local group supported by the festival, keeping in line with a yearly tradition.
Cash and card alike will be catered to, with a cashless kiosk and ATM facilities on site, and parking is free.
More: https://werribeecraftfestival.com.au/ or @werrribeecraftfestival on Facebook and Instagram.
Jaidyn Kennedy
Double Trouble on stage in Bacchus Marsh
It’s a case of Double Trouble for the Moonlite Theatre. The Bacchus Marsh and Melton district theatre company is staging its latest production,DoubleTrouble–whichisactually two separate plays.
Vice-president Tim Hawthorne said Double Trouble comprised Donut’s Can Kill You and Room 326.
“Bothhavebeenwrittenbylocalplaywrights and produced locally,” he said. “Both plays are comedies and people get in trouble.
“One is about family trouble and the second one is about a bank robber and hotel guests.
“Both plays are fun and it’s a good night out to have a laugh.”
Hawthorne said the theatre group tries to stage productions written by local playwrights.
Moonlite Theatre normally produces two
Dr Hes tells lakeside stories
Hobson Bay academic and author Dr Dominique Hes is launching her seventh book,TheStoriesofNewportLakes,next weekend.
Not only is the title self explanatory, but her reason for writing it is pretty straight forward too.
“I wrote this because I love Newport Lakes,” said Hes of the book she began working on during the pandemic.
While the title and Hes’ reason for writing it might be succinct, the book itself goes into great detail about the 32-hectare site, half of which is playing fields and dog park and half of which is the preserved and revegetated quarry holes.
“It is about how it has changed from whentheYalukit-william(thetraditional owners) cared for it before settlement, to when the Europeans arrived and started taking the bluestone for construction, roads and ballast for ships returning to Europe,” said Hes, describing the book’s central premise, adding that bluestone from the quarry was also used to make cobblestones for the streets of London.
It’s one of numerous factoids included in the book, which then examines what happened after its 1968 closure and the fight over whether to turn it into lakes or landfill.
A 1986 compromise resulted in the biggest hole being filled and becoming what is now the dog park and the two remaining two lakes being retained, creating what is today “ a hive of activity, life, animals, people, music, and peace,” as Hes described it.
“A place like the lakes is a jewel in the community’s crown,” she said, adding that during the pandemic it was “a life-saver.”
Fortunately, Hes lived to write the tale andwilllaunchitonSaturday,November 9, at the Sun Theatre in Yarraville, from 4.30-6pm.
productions a year, while also performing at local libraries and retirement villages throughout the year.
This production is part of Moorabool council’s Hide and Seek Festival.
“Room326tiesinwiththethemeofHideand Seek and it works out really well,“ Hawthorne said.
MoonliteTheatreisalwayssearchingfornew members, for both on-stage and production roles.
“The more people we have, the bigger productionswecanproduce,”Hawthornesaid.
Double Trouble is on November 8, 9 and 16 at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church Hall.
Details: https://www.trybooking.com/ CWGYS
Tara Murray
Books will be available in hard copy and e-versions.
Cade Lucas
Werribee Craft Festival committee members Chris Mitchell and Lee Mitchell. (Damjan Janevski) 440933_01
Irena Fitzsimon, Michelle Gonzalez, Carl Reeson and Tim Hawthorne rehearse Donut’s Can Kill You. (Supplied)
Dr Dominique Hes with her new book The Stories of Newport Lakes. (Damjan Janevski) 434572_02
Cast members Del Jordan, Ross Tempest, Gil Gauci, David Prince, and Adira Bonacci. (Lee Cook)
NOTICE OF UPCOMING
ROAD WORKS IN
ROMSEY
Road works on the Main street of Romsey are scheduled to begin in mid-November 2024 and continue through to February 2025. These works are essential to allow access to the new supermarket and will result in minor impacts, as a 7-meter clearance will be maintained for traffic throughout the duration.
Scope of Works:
Southbound Lane: Pavement strengthening, subsoil drainage at pavement joins, new pavement makeup, and deep lift asphalt.
Northbound Lane: Construction of new accessways between Melbourne Lancefield Road and the service road (3 locations), drainage installation, swale drains, subsoil drainage behind the kerb and pavement join.
Footpaths: Works will also include improvements to footpaths along the service road.
Thank you for your patience as we work to enhance access to local facilities.
DECLARATION
Fire Danger Period
Period will commence at 0100 hours on the date shown and unless varied by a subsequent
will end at 0100 hours on 1 May 2025.
MunicipalityDate of Commencement
City of Greater Bendigo 11/11/2024
Mt. Alexander Shire11/11/2024
Central Goldfields Shire11/11/2024
Certain restrictions on the lighting of fires are in force during the Fire Danger Period.
Information about fire restrictions within the Country Area of Victoria can be obtained from www.cfa.vic.gov.au, your local CFA District Office or Municipal Fire Prevention Officer.
Jason Heffernan Chief Officer –
Star Weekly seeks an enthusiastic Full or Part Time sales executive to work across our print, digital, social and online platforms.
Star Weekly is an independently owned company which prides itself on its long history of community experience but also its investment in the future.
The successful applicant will need to possess good people skills to enable them to meet with local businesses to sell solutions through our advertising platforms to help promote their business.
Applicants will need their own reliable vehicle for which we will provide an allowance.
The position is salaried, plus we offer an open ended commission scheme.
Send your application letter and resume to: Advertising Sales Manager, Mandy Clark mandy.clark@starnewsgroup.com.au
Antennas
SPORTS QUIZ
1. Who recently became the first father-son duo to play together in an NBA game?
2. Which country won the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup?
3. What are the two pieces of wood placed on top of cricket stumps called?
4. Which athlete was nicknamed ‘The Great One’?
5. Which country’s team was the Challenger of Record for the 2024 America’s Cup?
6. Russell Crowe is a co-owner of which NRL team?
Name the only NBA team based outside of the USA.
Which country has won the second-most Rugby League World Cups?
What is the name of the competition played between AFL and Gaelic football teams?
10. In which sport would you perform a spike hyzer?
11. According to Forbes, which 39-yearold global soccer star is the highest-paid footballer of 2024?
12. A recent controversial decision has dwindled the Commonwealth Games to how many sports for the 2026 edition?
13. And which city will host the 2026 Commonwealth Games?
14. The AFL Indigenous All Stars team will play against which AFL club in 2025?
15. Which Brisbane Broncos NRL player was recently involved in a serious traffic accident?
16. Which cricketer has stated that he is available for selection despite his international retirement?
17. Which opening batter has been the leading run scorer in the Women’s Big Bash for the last four seasons?
18. In which three consecutive years did Makybe Diva famously win the Melbourne Cup?
19. Former soccer player Diego Forlán has announced he will make his professional debut in which sport?
20. Which cricketing country scored a remarkable 4 for 344 in a T20 international match against Gambia?
21. Which state lost a record 8-1 while batting in a recent One-Day cricket match against Tasmania?
22. Which two teams recently played in the first AFLW Dreamtime Match held in Darwin?
23. Jockey James McDonald recently notched up how many Group 1 wins with his Cox Plate victory?
24. Which Formula 1 driver was recently branded as ‘dangerous’ by Lando Norris?
26. What are the two colours worn by new A-League team Auckland FC?
27. Which country recently won the Constellation Cup series?
28. What is the nickname of the NBA team based in Indiana?
29. The Matildas recently drew 1-1 in a friendly against which country?
30. In what year did NBL team Melbourne Tigers change their name to Melbourne United?
25. Sitcom star Frankie Muniz will drive full-time in which 2025 racing series?
Diego Forlán
Russell Crowe
PUZZLES
To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.
ACROSS
1 Sweet sauce made with milk and eggs (7)
5 Tableland (7)
9 Gloomy (9)
10 Distort (5) 11 SleepingBeauty protagonist (6)
12 Elegant (8)
14 Mother or father (6)
15 Fur (4)
19 Web auction site (4)
20 To present (6)
24 Small blade (8)
25 Marketplace (6)
27 Town famed for witchcraft trials (5)
28 Largeness (9)
29 Ocean creature (3,4)
30 Region (7)
No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural nouns ending in “s”.
DOWN
1 Occasional (6)
2 A planet (6)
3 Relating to cultivated land (8)
4 Speaker’s platform (4)
5 Showing something to a group (10)
6 Movement (6)
7 Main action of a play (8)
8 Inverted (8) 13 Horrific (10)
16 Fierce storms (8)
17 Flowering shrub (8)
18 Initial service fee (8)
21 Cloisonné (6)
22 Female Arabic name meaning captivating (6)
23 Stick of wax used for writing (6)
26 Neglect (4)
1 TheDictionaryofLostWords and TheBookbinderof Jericho are novels by which Australian author?
2 Avatar, ClashoftheTitans and HacksawRidge are all movies starring which actor?
3 What is the name of Australia’s famous portraiture art prize?
4 From which language are ballet terms derived?
5 Calcium carbonate is more commonly known as what?
6 Sauerkraut primarily consists of what?
7 What ocean
No. 211
No. 210
Test driving the GWM Haval Jolion
By Alistair Kennedy, Marque Motoring
The growth in sales of Chinese vehicles continues to gain momentum.
While the SAIC subsidiary, MG Motor, is leading the way with its big-selling SUVs the original breakthrough was made a decade ago with the Great Wall company targeting the tradie market with cheap workhorse utilities of questionable safety quality.
That’s all changed and Great Wall, now re-branded as GWM and with improved quality, and an expanded range that now includes three SUVs sales have jumped to such an extent that in September 2024 GWM broke through into Australia’s top 10 highest selling brands.
Somewhat confusingly the larger two SUVs, the large H6 and mid-sized Jolion, carry both GWM and Haval badges.
The Jolion, which we’re testing here, is by far the biggest-selling GWM vehicle. Indeed, it currently sits third in the booming Small SUV category behind its fellow Chinese MG ZS and the Hyundai Kona.
Jolion comes in three equipment levels: Premium, Lux, and Ultra each with the choice of turbo-petrol or petrol/electric hybrid. Prices, which are all driveaway, range from $26,990 for the petrol Premium up to $38,990 for the Ultra hybrid.
Styling
On sale here since 2021 Jolion was given an upgradeinApril2024withchangestothefront grille and front and rear bumpers providing a sportier look.
GWM badging is added for the first time, although the previous Haval label remains prominently at the centre of the grille.
The entry-level Premium gets halogen headlights, Lux and Ultra step up to LEDs. Ultra rolls on machine-finished 18-inch alloy wheels, Premium and Lux on 17-inch alloys.
Interior
Our first impression was that Jolion is larger than we expected, most noticeably on the inside. A comparison of its exterior dimension with other vehicles in its class confirms that it is around the longest (4472mm) but clearly the widest (1898mm) making for excellent all-round interior space.
Headroom is compromised by the sloping roofline and sunroof, as is the rear view is restricted by the angled window. Storage is taken care of by a central bin and a pair of cup holders in two sizes in the centre console, while door pockets can fit bottles.
A blend of soft touch surfaces, aluminium-style accents and leather wrapped steering wheel give a premium look to the cabin.
There are plenty of sensible storage options on and below the centre console with USB ports at both the front and rear. There’s a large centralbinandapairofcupholdersintwosizes in the centre console, while door pockets can fit bottles.
TheUltrathatwetestedcomeswithawireless smartphone charging pad at the bottom of the front console.
Boot space with the rear seatbacks in place is 337 litres, expanding to 1133 litres with the 60:40 second row stowed. That’s in the petrol models, the battery reduces that down to 255 and 916 in the hybrids.
Petrol variants get a space-saver spare wheel, hybrids rely on a tyre repair kit.
Powertrains
Although all variants come with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine outputs vary. The petrol Premium and Lux models get 105 kW and 210 Nm while the petrol Ultra puts out 130 kW and 270 Nm.
The three hybrids combine 70 kW and 125 Nm from the petrol engine and 115 kW and 250 Nm from the electric motor to produce 140 kW and 375 Nm.
There is no all-wheel drive option, all models are front wheel drive through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Drive modes are Standard, Eco, Sport and Snow.
Infotainment
The best that can be said about the Jolion’s infotainment system is that it looks great with its 12.3-inch high-resolution colour multimedia touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard.
Unfortunately, as we’re seeing far too often nowadays, too many features are accessed through the screen instead of the more convenient, and safer, physical rotary dials. In Jolion’s case the air conditioning controls sit in a glass touch control horizontal bar below the touchscreen which is difficult to use as well as being all but invisible in broad sunlight.
Wired access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard.
Screen sizes vary. The Premium petrol has a 3.5-inch LCD digital instrument cluster, all others have a 7.0-inch screen behind the steering wheel with a range of system information.
The infotainment screens are 10.25-inch in the Premium and petrol Lux, 12.3-inch in the Ultra and hybrid Lux.
Safety
Jolion received a five-star ANCAP rating when tested in 2022.
There’s an impressive range of features including seven airbags, intelligent adaptive cruise control with stop and go, secondary collision mitigation, roll movement intervention, hill descent control, hill-start assist, tyre pressure warning, rear parking assist and rear view camera, intelligent cornering control, rear cross traffic alert and braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, blind spot detection with lane change assist, rear collision warning, door open warning; traffic jam assist and two ISOFIX child seat anchors.
hybrid: $38,990
Note:Thesearedriveawayprices.
There’s also a driver inattention alert system in the form of a camera located at the bottom of the A-pillar. Great feature of course and a potential life-saver but, because so many features require multiple taps on the touchscreen or the air-con bar, it gets activated far too often.
Variants above the entry-level Premium add a 360-degree camera.
All Jolion models get the same six-speaker audio system.
Driving
Despite its modest power (110 kW) and torque (220 Nm) outputs Jolion moves along nicely enough thanks partly to Haval’s new global lightweight modular platform.
Onthedownsidethereisnoticeableturbolag on take-off and some jerkiness at low speeds from the seven-speed dual clutch transmission.
Overall Jolion doesn’t have any performance credentials but that’s not going to be an issue for potential buyers.
Fuel consumption is listed at 8.1 litres per 100 kilometres from the petrol engine and 5.1 L/100 km from the hybrid. We averaged 9.4 L/100 km during our week of testing in the Ultra Lux.
Summing up
With the credibility of Chinese vehicles steadily improving, thanks in no small part to its MG rivals the Haval Jolion is certainly worth considering.
While it does have a number of annoying features there’s plenty in the Haval Jolion that will appeal. Technology is right up-to-date and there’s an excellent level of safety features. Pricing is very competitive pricing enhanced by a seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty, five years roadside assist and an attractive capped price servicing program.
While it does
number
annoying features there’s plenty in the Haval Jolion that will appeal. (Pictures: Supplied)
Summer of fun
Cricketers made the most of the sunny weather to take to the cricket pitch on Saturday. Star Weekly photographer Ljubica Vrankovic was out among the action.
Caroline Springs’ Flynn Rice. (440866_04)
Footscray Angliss. (440863_01)
Gellibrand’s Paul Hetherington. (440866_06)
Womajo Wotu. (440863_12)
Sunshine United’s Matthew Sipala. (440861_15)
Werribee’s Tim O’Brien. (440859_04)
Yarraville’s Matthew Kenvyn. 440859_06
Above: Caroline Springs’ Rukshan Fernando. (440866_01)
Left: St Albans’ Jason Udagedara. (440861_01)
Melton South’s Praveen De Silva. (440863_03)
O’Hare joins Kyneton to strengthen foundations
New Kyneton coach David O’Hare is hoping to laythefoundationsforthefutureintheRiddell District Netball League.
O’Hare takes on the coaching role as the Tigers head into their second season in the RDNL.
Based on the other side of the city, it will be a new challenge for O’Hare.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. “I hadn’t thought of coaching footy-netball next year but somehow [netball coordinator] Loryn [Savoia] from the club got my number and tracked me down.
“We had a discussion of where they are and where they are for the future and we rolled from there.”
O’Hare brings an extensive background to the program.
He is currently head coach at the Ariels, while has coached the Victorian mixed senior team the past two years at the national championships, including to a grand final this year.
O’Hare said didn’t have massive knowledge oftheleague,butknewanumberofplayersand coaches through other netball competitions.
He said the first step was to see where all the current playing group is at and look to build on that.
“No one likes finishing seventh,” he said. “We’llfindoutwhattheplayinggroupwilllook like and build the foundations.
“We’ve had good numbers for the registrations for pre-season and that is exciting.”
The Tigers have already announced the re-signings of Baylee Eve, Kelsey McColl, Brittany Nitschke, Charlotte Zan, Kristy Viete and Katie Turner, along with this year’s Ryan medallist Tilly Shepherd.
Michelle Fletcher, who played for Woodend-Hesket this year, is returning to the club.
O’Hare said he’d had some discussions with potential recruits as well.
“I’m based in the eastern suburbs, where the
Ariels [another club he coaches] are and it’s a long way to Kyneton.
“I’ve put some feelers out and I’m speaking to people. People think Kyneton is a bit further away than what it is.”
O’Hare said for him next year would be a good starting point for the future.
“It will be a bit of a foundation year and I get the lie of the land,” he said. “I’m not promising miracles in the first year in the job.
“We’lllaydownthefoundationsfortheyears moving forward. We’re getting some new club rooms and new courts coming through.
“Everything is pointing forward and I’m really looking forward to it.
Netball trial details: https://tinyurl.
com/2s25ud9x
Tara Murray
Sunbury opens account
By Tara Murray
Club Sunbury is on the board in the Bowls Victoria weekend pennant division 1, section 1 competition.
It was a big weekend for Sunbury, playing a catch up round on Friday night before backing up on Saturday for its round three clash.
On Friday night, Sunbury faced a red hot Brunswicksidewhichhadclaimedan18-0win the week before.
This time against Sunbury, Brunswick came away with the win, 79 (14)-72 (4).
For Sunbury, Kylie Lavis’ rink won 19-16 while Mark Cown’s rink came away with a 26-10 win.
Marc Bullows lost 26-13 and Carla Krizanic lost 27-14.
Sunbury’s David Glennon said it was always going to be a tough task against Brunswick on its green.
“They had another 18-0 win on Saturday,” he said. “The first few weeks were always going to be tough.
“To get four points and go two up, two down was a good result.
“Both losing rinks had the same margin, 13 shots. “
The players didn’t have long to dwell on the result as they headed to Yarraville Footscray 2 for round three.
Glennon said it was another tough match on paper and they were able to sneak home, 81 (16)-76 (2).
Bullows’ rink won 18-15, Cowan’s won 22-21 and Lauchlin Davies’ rink won 29-20. Krizanic’s rink lost 20-12.
Glennon said that Akasha Fortune had a good game on Saturday, as did Davies.
“Lauchlin was playing against his old club,” he said. “He played for them in round one before joining us.”
Davies’ move to Sunbury means he’s now playing with his sister, Emilee Davies.
Glennon said they still had some players to come back into the side in the coming weeks. Harvey McAlister, who skipped in round two, is one player that will be back in the side. Sunbury this Saturday faces Melton at Melton.
LikeSunbury,Mustangshaveonewinforthe season so far.
The two clubs have had a number of battles over the years, with a few former Sunbury players part of the Melton side, including Todd and Shane Trewarne.
“They are the old foes,” Glennon said. “It’s going to be tough.
“They’re coming off an 18-0 loss to Deer Park.”
In the Ballarat Highlands Bowls Region Highlands division 1 competition, the top four sides all continued on.
Joshua Leszczynski. (Jacob Pattison) 384240_15
TopsideKynetonbeatBroadfordinathriller, 66 (13)-64 (3).
John O’Donnell’s rink won 22-12 for Kyneton, while Anthony Mathison’s rink shared the points.
DiggersResthadabigwinagainstTrentham, 63 (14)-44 (2).
Scott Browne’s rink was the big winner for Diggers Rest, winning 26-9. Phil Robinson’s
Sports shorts
EDFL
East Sunbury has announced that Brendan Fevola has signed on for two Essendon District Football League seasons. The former star AFL full forward had previously announced that he was joining the division 2 club for next year, but took to social media on Thursday and announced that he had committed for the 2026 season as well.
GDCA
Riddell has lured another premiership player back to the Gisborne and District Cricket Association club. Luke Castle is playing with the club full time this season, while Matt Darby has played one game for them. The club announced last week that Hayden Castle would also be returning, joining his brother. The Jensen Shield competition had a bye on the weekend due to the Melbourne Cup long weekend.
Ballarat FL
The Sunbury Lions have announced their first new signing for the Ballarat Football League season. Daniel Johnston joins the club from the Goulburn Valley Football League, where he kicked 60 goals. He was also part of Coburg’s Victorian Football League leadership group this season, playing two games. Johnston is a key forward.
VTCA
Sunbury avoided an outright loss in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Steve McNamara Shield on Saturday. Having conceded first innings points on day one to West Newport, the Roar needed early wickets on day two. The Lions declared at 8-162, with Jason McGann and Brad Hunter taking three wickets each for the Roar. It was a shaky start for the Roar in its second innings, in trouble for 4-16. The middle order steadied and were able to bat out the day, finishing 7-143. Jordan Ballinger top scored with 65 not out off 107 balls. The Roar face Williamstown CYMS in round four in a two-dayer.
rink also got the points, winning 21-17. Kilmore beat Kyneton Golf, 65 (14)-59 (2).
Anthony Barker was the winning skip for Golf, winning 22-17.
RomseybeatGisborneintheothermatch,62 (12)-51 (4).
Kyneton remains on top just a point clear of Diggers Rest, while Romsey five points further back.
Star defender Tilly Shepherd has re-signed. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 400927)_07
East Sunbury continues to show development
East Sunbury’s core group is back and keen to further develop in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association Johnstone Shield.
The Thunder have fielded a young side in recent seasons and that hasn’t changed this year with the majority of the first XI under the age of 26.
Vice-president and coach Chris Watson said the group was continuing to build.
“It’s the exact same group with the only addition being Hammad Rashid, who has come back to the club,“ he said.
“We’ve got that continuity in the group and they’re starting to get a bit more confidence within themselves.
“We’ve strengthened our bowling with Alec Nichols giving us some assurance in that area.
“Hopefully we can keep them all together for at least another three to four years and become a McIntyre Cup club again in the future.“
LachieWilkinsandLiamWilliamshaveboth
started the season strongly for the Thunder in some good sides.
After a rain interrupted start to the season, the Thunder opened its account with a win against Wallan.
Watson said a win like that gave the group plenty of confidence.
“We were fantastic for the first half against Eastern Hill and then our batting let us down,“ he said.
“We had a good first game before we were washed out. Defeating Wallan will give us a massive momentum going forward.
“The group is starting to build a bit of belief. We’ve knocked off Wallan a couple of times the last couple of years and we see them as the benchmark.”
Watson said they were hoping to play finals this year. He said off field things were running well, led by president Mark Wilkins.
The two-day format starts on Saturday, with
the Thunder facing Kilmore. Watsonsaidbeforethematchthathethought the format suited them a lot better as it gave their players a chance to build their innings.
The Thunder enjoyed its day with the bat, batting out the overs and making 6-289.
The opening pair of Williams (85) and Spencer Paton (74) did most of the damage.
Nichols, Alex Boorsma and Rashid were all in the runs as well.
In other matches, Diggers Rest Bulla was bowled out late on day one against Kilmore.
The Burras were bowled out for 276 with eight balls remaining.
Dylan Caruana top scored with 53 as a number of players made contributions with no one going on with it.
Wallan is in control against Eynesbury. The Magpies will resume at 2-65 in reply to 107.
Tara Murray
Dragons are yet to fire
By Tara Murray
Gisborne is hoping things start to click in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup soon.
Having not last a match last season on the way to the premiership, the Dragons have already lost two matches in the first three rounds this season.
Captain-coach Jarryd Vernon said it hadn’t been the start they were after.
He said while some sides like Woodend and Rupertswood had improved this season, they weren’t playing at the level they know they can.
“Wehaven’tgotgoingyet,”hesaid.“Youhave to be at your best each week.
“We are getting some parts right and some parts have been a bit off. “Hopefully we can get all the parts clicking sooner rather than later as we don’t want to be behind the eight ball heading into Christmas.”
On Saturday, the Dragons faced a new challenge as they faced Broadford for the first time ever.
It was day one of the first two-dayer of the
season.
Vernon said in the matches so far Broadford hadshownitcouldholditsowninthetopflight despite not getting the results.
After winning the toss at Gardiner Reserve, the Dragons made 251 as they were bowled out in the 73rd over.
Vernon said it was a solid score, but they weren’t completely happy with the total.
“We should have had more,” he said. “We were 0-140 off and then got bowled out for 251.
“We needed to bat out the 80 overs.”
Riley Vernon has continued on from where he left off last season, making 95 on Saturday.
Spencer Jones, who was promoted to open the batting, made 69.
“Riley is batting really well,” Jarryd said. “He has started the year well.
“Spencer James opened and they had a great partnership, but we needed some other guys to contribute.
“Spencer opening is something we will look at. We have a couple of players missing with injury.
“We’ll play it by ear, but if he keeps getting
Shannon
joins the Vixens
Western Warriors midcourter Ruby Shannon’s rise through the netball ranks has continued, being named a training partner for the Melbourne Vixens.
The Vixens announced five training partners for next year’s season, including four new partners.
MaggieCariswillcontinueinherfourth year as part of the squad, while more Victorian pathway products Shannon, Charlotte Sexton, Tara Watson and Mia Lavis have been added to the crop.
The training partners will train alongsidetheteamof10duringpre-season and throughout the regular season, allowing them to be fully entrenched in the Vixens’ environment .
Vixens coach Simone McKinnis said they were excited to have the five training partners onboard.
“Training partners play a vital role in our group and it’s an exciting opportunity for us to bring the next generation of Victorian talent into our Vixens environment.”
Shannon, who plays with Riddell in the Riddell District Netball League, was part of the Victorian under-19 state team last season.
This year she was part of the inaugural Victorian Fury team for the Super Netball Reserves competition and named in the Australian under-21 squad.
Shannon said she was super excited to be a part of the Vixens environment and can’t wait to embrace the opportunities.
runs he’ll stay up there.”
Broadford survived three overs late on day one, finishing 0-2.
Vernon said it would be a good test for them with the ball on day two.
In other matches, Rupertswood has set Romsey a competitive total.
Rupo, without captain-coach Matt Twentyman, made 228 as it was bowled out in the 75th over.
Max Howell top scored with 60. Taylor Stevenson took 5-61 for the Redbacks.
The Redbacks will resume at 0-8.
Macedon is in trouble against the Sunbury Kangaroos.
The Kangaroos made 9-250. The decision to declare was the right one, as the Cats slumped to 2-6.
GraemeBennetttopscoredfortheKangaroos with 76. Cameron Howlett took three wickets for the Cats.
Woodendhadagooddaywiththebatagainst Sunbury United, making 8-349.
Skipper Marcus Stewart made 120 at the top of the order.
Shannon, who joined the Western Warriors for their first year in the Victorian Netball League, has signed on for next season.
She had a strong back half of the season after returning from a broken nose early in the season.
Ruby Shannon. (Netball Victoria)
East Sunbury has kept its core group together. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 435787_04
Riley Vernon. (Ljubica Vrankovic)
Blythe steps into coaching role at the Kangaroos
One of the Sunbury Kangaroos inaugural women’s players has taken on the coaching reins for next year’s Essendon District Football League season.
The Kangaroos announced that Carly Blythe would coach next year, taking over from Chris Dunne.
Blythe said she had started to think about getting involved in the coaching side of things the past few years.
“I sort of the last year took a little bit more notice of the coaching role and all the ins and outs of it and thought it was something that I wanted to do,” she said. “Try and get a little more involved in that sense. The way that the group is sort of evolving, it’s a good time to jump on board and it panned out.”
Blythe said it was exciting to coach at the club where she had played all her footy.
The new coach has played 70 games for the club, including sharing the side’s leading
goalkicker award previously.
“You’re always there and if you can’t play forever, it’s something I would like to do,” she said. “They’ve been a great club always for women’s footy and supporting us and doing what they can.
“I thought why not a better place to do it.”
Blythe said she was hoping to still be able to play as well this season but that would depend on a few things including numbers.
TheKangaroosfinishedfourththisseasonin division 2, losing to Roxburgh Park in a semi final.
Blythe said it was a good base to build on.
“We had a lot of injuries,” she said. “We’ll get a few of those girls back which will hopefully help boost that up again.
“I think we did pretty well. There was a fair bit of experience by the end of it all and helped us push into finals.”
Blythe said she was hoping to continue on
building on the club being a place that players wanted to come back to.
She said she wants to get the side back up to where it was and hopefully make the Sunbury Kangaroos a place for women’s footy.
The Kangaroos have announced a number of re-signings for next season already.
Best and fairest winner Tylah Bell was the
Rockies gain confidence
By Tara Murray
The Macedon Ranges Rockies go into the second half of the Country Basketball League north-west women’s season full of confidence.
The Rockies had the bye on the weekend ahead of the last three rounds when they will be keen to build on their season so far.
After not winning a game in their first two seasons, the Rockies have won two this season already.
CoachStaceyStewartsaidthegroupwasrapt to claim that second win, beating the Bacchus Marsh Lions.
“We were 17 points down,” she said. “It was a different type of game and I tried different combinations.
“They fought really hard and had that grit and determination showed through at the end to do it.
“They all just got around each other and it was amazing to watch.”
Stewart said the group were starting to trust what she was doing and the confidence was growing in the group.
She said for many of the players they weren’t expecting to have the season that they’ve had so far.
“It’s a new group, a new coach,” she said. “They were down after two years and coming into the third season they didn’t know if they wanted to come back.
“They didn’t think we were going to achieve this.”
Stewart said it was exciting for those on the sidelines including assistant coach Tamara Collins, who missed the first win of the season.
She said everyone is buying into what they are doing.
“We’re seeing that growth on the practice court,” she said. “Grace Krstev is one of our training partners.
“She earned her spot on the bench in the last game. She’s always at training and every home game cheering on the girls
“The match development is there and she’s more confident as well.”
With the two wins so far, Stewart said they weren’t content with just that.
“I said on Sunday [after beating Bacchus Marsh] that I want one more and they said so do we,” she said. “We’ll take each week as it comes as the squad chances week to week.We’ll go out there and give it our best.”
The Rockies men were in action on Sunday against the Castlemaine Cannons.
After trailing by 18 points at half time, the Rockies got back into the game in the second half.
The comeback fell short with the Cannons
Alyssa Pace. (Jacob Pattison) 363952_08
winning 86-80. Ethan Fiegert top scored with 25 points for the Rockies.
Kyneton Tigers’ men’s side had a tough weekend.
On Saturday night they lost to the Cannons, 85-50. The Cannons won every quarter.
Lochlan Oellering top scored with 18 points for the Tigers.
first signing along with Teaghan Tweedly, Kiara Milici, Beth White, Holli Cecchinni and Nicole Cameron.
Blythesaidtheywerelookingfornewplayers to come and join the squad for next year.
“The more the merrier,” she said. “With the injuries we had last season, you never know what is going to happen.
“We would love a few more players. No experience or anything, just have some girls there that want to play footy.
“We encourage anyone to come down and have a go, you don’t need any experience. You can meet some new friends and hopefully become part of the Kangas family we’re trying to continue.”
Pre-season starts on November 13.
Interested players can contact the club’s Facebook page, https://tinyurl.com/4h2tsmkj
Tara Murray
Broadford’s plans clearer
Broadford will remain in recess next year with plans underway for the club to field sides for the 2026 Bendigo Football Netball League season.
The club had been accepted into the league, but it had been unclear when it would start fielding sides.
In a statement released on Thursday, the league confirmed the time frame for the Kangaroos and that it would be targeting the 2026 season.
The decision follows months of extensive discussions and strategic planning between the club and the league, ensuring that Broadford is well-positioned for a successful entry into the BFNL in 2026.
This recess year will allow the club time to build capacity and sustainability, setting the foundation for long-term success.
The league outlined a number of key steps to help the club be ready for the 2026 season.
The first is establishing a strategic plan for the club from the bottom up.
The recruitment and retention of coaches and players is another key one.
The Kangaroos will continue to focus on recruiting high-calibre football and netball coaches while bolstering its playing group with high-quality talent in both football and netball.
A key pillar of BFNC’s longevity will be maintaining strong junior pathways to ensure the sustainability of senior teams. Community engagement and strengthening ties with the local community is crucial as well as ensuring the financial sustainability of the club for long-term stability.
Bendigo FNL president Professor Carol McKinstry said they’re excited to welcome Broadford to the league.
On Sunday, the Tigers lost to the Bacchus Marsh Lions, 122-54.
Lunyjock Nien top scored with 16 points.
TheRockiessitinseventhspotandtheTigers are bottom.
The Tigers women beat Bacchus Marsh on Sunday, 68-59. Elsie Noonan top scored with 19 points.
The Tigers sit atop the table.
“While they will remain in recess for 2025, we are confident that the groundwork laid during this time will lead to a strong and sustainable future for the club in 2026 and beyond in the Bendigo Football Netball League.”
Broadford president Bonnie Cavanagh-Welch said “Our goal is not just to join the BFNL but to compete at a high level. We will use this time in recess to ensure we’re in the best possible shape to take the field in 2026, both on and off the field.”
Carly Blythe. (Supplied)
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