Star Weekly - Melton Moorabool - 12th November 2024

There was plenty of sporting action on the weekend across Melton and

Sub-District Cricket Association north-west against

Familiar faces voted back

By Laura Michell

Voters in Melton and Moorabool have backed familiar faces and incumbent councillors to represent them on council.

Counting across Melton’s 10 wards and in Moorabool Shire concluded on Thursday, November 7.

Melton residents will be represented by one more councillor over the next four years after the municipality’s ward structure was change from three wards, each with three councillors, to 10 single-councillor wards.

Sevenofthenineincumbentcouncillorswere re-elected. Justine Farrugia did not contest the

election, while Goran Kesic was unsuccessful in his bid for re-election.

ThereturningcouncillorsareSteveAbboushi (BullumBullumWard),BobTurner(Cambrian Ward), Ashleigh Vandenberg (Jackwood Ward), Kathy Majdlik (Lake Caroline Ward), Julie Shannon (Stringybark Ward), Lara Carli (Sugar Gum Ward) and Sophie Ramsey (Watts Ward).

The three new faces joining council are Brandi Morris (Coolibah Ward), John Verdon (Hilltop Ward) and Phillip Zada (Mount Atkinson Ward).

In a statement on social media, Mr Verdon saidhiselectiontocouncilwastheculmination

of many years of hard work advocating for the community.

“However, it’s also just the start. What I’m mostpleasedabout,istheopportunityafforded me to make a meaningful difference for the people of the Hilltop Ward and the broader City of Melton,” he said.

Mr Zada said it was an honour to be elected.

“Thank you to everyone who voted, supported, and believed in our vision. To those who didn’t vote for me, I look forward to earning your trust as we work together to create a better future for all,” he said.

In Moorabool, 15 candidates were vying for nine vacancies. The shire was previously

represented by seven councillors.

Five incumbent councillors – Paul Tatchell, Ally Munari, Moira Berry, Rod Ward and Tom Sullivan – sought re-election and were successful.

Outgoing councillors Tonia Dudzik and David Edwards did not contest the election.

The four new faces joining the council are Jarrod Bingham, Steven Venditti, John Keogh and Sheila Freeman.

Mr Tatchell received the highest percentage of first preference votes (13.04 per cent).

Melton council will meet on Thursday, November 21 to elect the mayor and deputy mayor.

Joshua Luca. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 442424_04

Dogs deliver workplace danger

By Gerald Lynch

Caroline Springs is a posties’ nightmare, according to new data listing the suburb as having the most dog-related incidents in Victoria.

Australia Post is calling on local councils to adopt stricter measures in response to the alarming number of dog-related incidents involving posties.

New data has revealed more than 49 posties a week across the nation have fallen victim to dog-related incidents in the past six months - an average of ten per day – with fears these numbers will continue to rise in the lead up to

holiday season.

In the past six months, 1277 dog-related incidents have occurred nationwide, with one in three dog-related incidents occuring at the customer’s front door during parcel deliveries, increasing the risk to posties ahead of the upcoming Black Friday sales and Christmas season.

To help mitigate continued threats, all posties are equipped with a hazard device to log aggressive dog behaviour, with councils alerted to more serious cases.

Australia Post general manager of safety and wellbeing Rod Maule stressed the importance of councils implementing stronger measures

to prevent dog attacks, including increased monitoring and enforcement of animal management laws.

“Asweheadintoourpeakseasonanddelivery volumes increase, there is a serious concern for the physical and mental wellbeing of our posties, particularly around dogs,” he said. “Aggressive or dangerous dogs are reported to councilandlocalrangers,howevertoooftenwe see risks are not properly mitigated. This often leads to multiple instances of the same dog repeating aggressive behaviour.

“As the holiday season approaches, dog owners need to be mindful that all visitors, includingposties,shouldhavesafeaccesstothe

Students learn about renewables

Year 10 Melton Specialist School students swappedtheirclassroomsfortheconstruction site of one of the world’s biggest batteries and discovered some of the many careers on offer in the renewables sector.

The year 10 students were part of the State Electricity Commission’s first school visit to the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub in Plumpton, a partnership between the SEC and renewable energy investor Equis Australia. The visit gave students a tour of the hub which is due to come online next year and deliver 1.6 gigawatt-hours of energy storage,

enough to power around 200,000 homes during peak times.

SECchiefexecutiveChrisMillersaidMelton Specialist School students are neighbours to the exciting project.

“Through school visits like this, the SEC can help students learn about the many opportunities in the renewables sector and see how they could be part of the crucial efforts to enableVictoria’srenewableenergytransition,“ he said.

The students saw some of the site’s 444 battery units up close.

During a careers session, some of the workers on the project provided the students with insights into how they were helping create the giant battery.

The project has already seen around 650 people, including apprentices and cadets, workonthesiteduringtheinitialconstruction phase.

“A key focus of the SEC is helping build the renewable energy workforce our energy transition requires, and we are looking forward to hosting more students in the coming months,” Mr Miller said.

frontdoorwithoutbeingstoppedbyadog.Dog ownership comes with responsibilities, and we need council support to effectively enforce laws and regulations to ensure the safety of our people.”

A Melton council spokesperson said council investigates all dog related issues that are reported and enforces any offences.

“WearecommittedtoworkingwithAustralia Post to identify any concerns they have with particular properties within the City of Melton to reduce these types of incidents occurring,“ the spokesperson said. “We encourage dog owners to be proactive in addressing any issues to help protect community safety.”

Police officer struck by car in Diggers Rest

A Fraser Rise man has been charged after allegedly striking a police officer with a stolen vehicle in Diggers Rest on Wednesday, November 6.

Police said stolen Toyota RAV4 was seen in Diggers Rest about 1.30pm, with officer deploying stop sticks on Aviation Drive in a bid to halt the vehicle.

The driver, a 33-year-old Fraser Rise man and his passenger, a 27-year-old man from Mernda, sped off in the car, which allegedly struck a police officer.

The male senior constable was taken to hospital with serious but non-lifethreatening injuries.

Police said the Toyota was then dumped on Plumpton Road near the Melton Highway and the occupants jumped into the tray of a Ute, which was allegedly driven by a female.

The Ute was then dumped at the carpark of Watergardens Shopping Centre in Taylors Lakes.

The two men were arrested inside the shopping centre.

Police said the female fled the scene and investigators are making inquiries into her whereabouts.

The Fraser Rise man was charged with multiple offences including aggravated intentional exposure of police officer to risk by driving (motor vehicle stolen), dangerous driving causing serious injury,recklessconductendangeringlife, dangerous driving while being pursued by police, theft of a motor vehicle, possession of a prohibited weapon without exemption or approval and possession of a drug of dependence.

TheMerndamanwasreleasedpending further inquiries.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 33 000 or at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Recycling message found in bottles at Scienceworks

To mark the first anniversary of Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic) and coinciding with National Recycling Week, a new interactive installation has opened at Scienceworks.

The ’Message in a Bottle’ installation was launched at the Spotswood museum last week and demonstrates the recycling journey of a plastic bottle.

In keeping with the name, messages written by primary school students about what recycling means to them have been placed inside the plastic bottles used to create the installation aimed at highlighting the importance of recycling and how it shapes

the planet.

The installation was officially opened Friday, November 1, which was also the first birthday of CDS Vic.

The scheme which allows Victorians to return eligible drink containers for a 10-cent refund at over 640 return points across the state, has recycled one billion drink containers sinceitstartedonNovember1,2023,generating $100 billion.

Chief executive of scheme co-ordinator VicReturn, Jim Round, said the CDS was just getting started.

“The journey doesn’t stop here,” Mr Round said.

“We are committed to seeing the scheme go from strength to strength over the next 12 months and the years ahead.”

Mr Round said the CDS’s community fundraising outreach was a key part of this.

ThosewantingtovisittheMessageinaBottle installation to learn about recycling, can then put that knowledge into practice by bringing their empty drink containers and depositing them at the CDS Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) located in the Scienceworks carpark.

The interactive installation is on display until January 27 next year.

Cade Lucas

Melton Specialist School Year 10 students are the first student visitors of the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub. (Bernie Wright)

Brighton Beach Primary School students

Anastasia Diamantara (front) and Izaiah Tuma (back) at the Message in a Bottle installation at Scienceworks. (Supplied)

Arts collective is moving

By Faith Macale

Community-based gallery Ballan & District

Artist Collective is moving to a new space, but before it does, it needs the community’s help.

ThecollectiveisclosingitsInglisStreetdoors soon but plans to move to a better location.

Member Miranda Williamson said the building was recently sold, but the collective has found a new place.

“We’re just trying to secure enough funding for it at the moment,” she said.

“We’re still going to be in Ballan, right in the heart of town. It’s actually a better location.”

The collective is a not-for-profit group with 60 members, and has been raising funds in order to secure the new location and have enough to renovate it too.

“We’ve got an online fundraiser going through mycause, and we’ve had our Hide and Seek Festival in Ballan over the weekend,” Ms Williamson said.

“We did a big indoor installation for that, and we’ve had a lot of people making cash donations over the weekend.

“Alotofourmembersaremakingdonations, andafewofthebusinessesaroundtownaswell have chucked in some donations.”

So far, the online donation page has raised $320 out of the target of $3200.

Currently, the group is organising its last exhibition of the year, and then will be closed throughout January.

“We’re hoping we can utilise that time [to move] and not interrupt our schedule of exhibitions,” Ms Williamson said.

“I think everyone’s just focusing on the fundraising part of it at the moment.”

The group’s new exhibit, Through The Looking Glass, opened on Friday, November 8 and will be on display until Friday, November 22.

“All of our crafty people will be putting Christmas stock in the shop, decorations and earrings,” Ms Williamson said.

“All sorts of things like that pine cone, Christmas trees, and reindeers.”

Prostate cancer support

Prostate cancer is a major threat to the health of Australian men, with more than 70 men diagnosed each day.

Nationally it’s the most commonly diagnosed cancer but has a low rate of death, When it comes to support, however, Australia performs poorly.

All that is set to change dramatically, thanks to the efforts of a growing movement of Prostate Cancer support groups Australia-wide.

There are around 130 support groups nationwide who are affiliated with Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA). All are run by volunteers, the majority being men and their partners who have been directly impacted by the disease.

One of those groups is the Melmarsh Prostate Cancer Support Group, that covers Melton, Bacchus Marsh and surrounds.

The group is celebrating 15 years support

and friendship to prostate cancer men and their partners this year.

In Victoria there are about 30 support groups which recently formed the Victorian Council of Prostate Cancer Support Groups.

A new Victorian Council are currently working with PCFA on bold plans to raise awareness of the network’s existence, developing an iconic Blue Man campaign to help spread the word.

New council chair, support group convenor and prostate cancer survivor, Peter Gebert said times are changing with support groups providing men and their families with valuable information and understanding about living with prostate cancer

Watsons Road works begin

Major works on the Watsons Road level crossing in Diggers Rest will begin this month, with the crossing then closed until 2025.

Level crossings at Old Calder Highway and Watsons Road in Diggers Rest are being removed and replaced with two new road bridges, aimed at increasing safety and improving travel times as the community grows.

As part of these works, Watsons Road will close at the level crossing from 7am on Tuesday, November 19 until late 2025.

The project includes removing the boom gates at Watsons Road, installing T beams at Old Calder Highway, performing track and signalling work, and upgrading services in the rail corridor.

According to the Level Crossing Removal Project team, detours and traffic management will be at the site and the team has been in contact with Diggers Rest locals to assist during this period.

The road bridge at Watsons Road will include a separated pedestrian path and aims to provide connections between future developments north of Diggers Rest.

From9pmonWednesday,December4 tothelastserviceonThursday,December 12, buses will replace trains on sections of the Sunbury Line.

Ballan & District Artist Collective will also beholdingacelebrationonSaturday,December 7 at the Twilight Market, and its Secret garden installation will be open again. Details: https://shorturl.at/cPdz5

Injured

Buses will also replace trains on sections of the Bendigo, Swan Hill and Echuca lines during this period.

Details: https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/ disruptions

The Melmarsh group meets on the first Thursday of every month at 12.30pm at the Melton South Community House.

Details: Grenville 0412 741 865 or Rhonda 0411 264 166.

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Douglas Milne, Trevor Boyd-King, Wayne Evans, Greenville Kerton, John Gausden and Bob Mead. (Damjan Janevski) 441651_03

Ballan & District Artist Collective members Tracey Taylor, Miranda Williamson and Lou Callow. (Damjan Janevski) 442139_02

In his father’s footsteps

Mawien Ariik is striving to follow in his father’s selfless footsteps. His father was killed in the war in Sudan and he was separated from his widowed mother, living in refugee camps before arriving in Australia. Now the Deer Park resident is working to improve healthcare in his family’s village, as Afraa Kori reports.

Deer Park’s Mawien Ariik is one of many war orphans alive today thanks to his father’s selfless sacrifice.

Born in war-torn Sudan and raised by his widowed mother, Mr Ariik was eventually separated from his family and spent many years in refugee camps in Uganda and Kenya before arriving in Australia in 2005.

“Ever since my father was killed in the war, I tookitpositivelyanddidn’tcryatthattime.He fought for my freedom, now I’m free, safe, and living in a great country,“ he said.

“Given the opportunities I have in Australia, hissacrificeinspiresmetogivebacktothosehe fought for and make a difference in his honour. I’m also inspired to pass forward the help that I received from people who helped me during my disruptive childhood and helped me come to Australia as a young refugee boy. I want to leave a legacy as someone who was helped and continues to help others.”

When Mr Ariik returned to his home village asanadult,hewasdevastatedtoseepeoplestill suffering after his father had fought and died for them to be free.

“I went back to Sudan in 2017 and saw that nothing has changed since I left as a little kid,” he said. “When the war was happening, it stopped people from providing basic health care services, and I thought after Sudan’s independence, these services would be delivered to people. There’s still nothing in the village where I was born and where my family lives, even in the capital city [Juba] people are sick on the floor when they go to a public hospital.

“The health conditions affected my family membersandIlostoneofmynephewsbecause

‘‘ If you see something wrong and you don’t say or do anything, then you are the same or equal to the person committing those atrocities ... it’s a collective responsibility, if we join hands that will make a difference ’’ - Mawien Ariik

oftheoutbreakofdiseaseinthevillage.Mysick grandfather was hand-carried by 10 villagers for over 10-hours to get him to medical care. Young girls are also missing a lot of days of school due to having no access to menstrual products.”

After noticing the need for sustainable healthcare initiatives and health education programmes, Mr Ariik and his friends launched South Sudanese Health Matters Incorporated (SSHMI), a non-government and non-profit organisation to improve the health and life chances of people living in Sudan.

Over the course of 12 months, SSHMI supplied over 1000 sanitary hygiene kits to girls and women in Lou-Ariik village, as well as employing and training community health workers to educate the community about hygiene practices.

SSHMIisnowprogressingwithitslong-term projectstobuildandmaintainaprimaryhealth

care clinic and school within Lou Ariik.

“Before my father passed, he said he’s a chief of the orphans and the needy and that’s exactly what he did for 55 years in his village,” Mr Ariik said. “So we put a memorial clinic in his honour and hopefully expand this vision to other villages. I might not be able to impact the whole village but I’ve got to start somewhere andtheremightbeotherpeoplelateroninthat impact journey that will join me.”

For the Dhour Ariik memorial clinic, SSHMI raised $25,756 with the support of diverse communities at its first fundraiser in Braybrook.

It featured diverse speakers, including Western Health junior medical doctor Anei Ochan-Thou, Melbourne University postdoctoral research fellow, Dr Mark Deng, Shepparton registered nurse Akuot Wundit and Geelong author Kgshak Akec.

“The fundraiser’s theme was resilience and we carefully selected a young group of panellists, to discuss their experiences and their journeys, whether it’s schooling, work or life. So we were raising funds for the good cause and at the same time, motivating and mobilising the community,” Mr Ariik said.

“The goal was to leverage this to champion and advocate for basic services like healthcare, schools and menstrual products for the people in the village. If you see something wrong and you don’t say or do anything, then you are the same or equal to the person committing those atrocities or denying basic health services to the people. It’s a collective responsibility, if we join hands that will make a difference.“

Melton resident and SUDD foundation founder Ambrose Mareng is another South

Sudanese who recently visited his country of birth. He said many Sudanese-Australians will depend on SSHMI as a lifeline to bring health careservicestotheirextendedfamilyinSudan.

“South Sudanese Australians are directly affected, as they have family in South Sudan. The dire situation there – a maternal mortality rate of 1 in 10, for example – weighs heavily on them,” he said.

“To my knowledge, Mawien is the first member of the South Sudanese diaspora in Australia to initiate building a hospital back in South Sudan ... Sudanese Australians want to helpbutmaynotknowhow.Theyneedsystems in place, motivation, and encouragement. Seeing progress like this would spur them on.

“Existing healthcare facilities are primitive andfarfromtheneediestareas.Theareawhere the proposed hospital would be built is 200 miles from town and conditions deteriorate every rainy season. Heavy rains and flooding cut people off from towns; makeshift roads wash away. In emergencies, people die because there’s no way to transport patients to hospitals, even the hospitals themselves are poorly equipped.

“If the Australian community, both Sudanese and otherwise, support this effort, it could make a massive difference in the Tonj NorthAreaofWarrapState.WhiteAustralians visiting or contributing to South Sudan would make a profound impact, changing lives with their skills, knowledge, and resources. By building the hospital, we send a message that Australians care about South Sudan and want to improve their lives there.”

Details: https://southsudanesehealth.org/ donate/

Mawien Ariik. (Damjan Janevski) 431600_02

Grant for victim healing

The Western Region Centre Against Sexual Assualt (WestCasa) has received a $5000 grant tocontinueassistingsurvivorsofsexualassault in the western suburbs.

The Werribee centre was awarded the grant as part of the CommBank community donations grant and was voted for by staff and the community through the CommBank Melbourne West area.

WestCASA acting head of operations Michelle Conelius applied for the grant and saidthefundswillbeusedforavictim-survivor led program to promote healing through art.

‘By providing the opportunity to give victim survivors a chance to connect through art, we aim to elevate survivor voices and heal,” Ms Conelius said. “Our service vision is for a world where everyone lives free from the fear of sexual violence, and this funding will be a major step in helping survivors work through

their trauma.”

CommBank Altona branch manager Margaret O’Neill said, “In the western suburbs area, there is an extreme need for services like WestCASA which bring many services under the same roof”.

“This survivor-led program will empower victims to find their own voice and feel that they are not alone.”

WestCASA is a not-for-profit sexual assault counsellingserviceoperatinginthethewestern metropolitanregionofMelbourneaimstohelp survivors of sexual assault on their path to recovery and provide community education.

Anyone seeking support in relation to sexual assault or related traumas for themselves or someone they know can call WestCASA on 03 9216 0444 or visit westcasa.org.au

Jaidyn Kennedy

Briefs

Home Invasions

Six Taylor Lakes males have been arrested following a string of alleged home invasions and carjackings in the north-west last week. It is alleged that a group of offenders, using edged weapons, made demands for victims’ vehicles on Gillespie Drive in Weir Views, Featherwood Drive in Aintree, and Sheila Mews in Darley between 11pm on Saturday, November 2, and 12.20am on Sunday, November 3. It is alleged that the same group of offenders broke into a residential property on Cooloongup Crescent in Harkness at about 2am. Police arrested a 19-year-old Taylors Lakes man and five boys, aged 14, 15, 15, 16, and 17 years old. Officers seized weapons and clothing, and the 17-year-old was charged with aggravated home Invasion, aggravated carjacking, assault, criminal damage, and weapons offences.

Summer swimming lessons

Water safety is again a focus this summer with applications open for the VICSWIM Summer Kidz Program. The program teaches kids basic swimming skills as well as crucial water safety education at a subsidised cost of $35 for a week of lessons.Families with kids aged four to 12 can choose to enrol in five 30-minute lessons, which run over the course of a week, or four 35-minute lessons.

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WestCASA staff with Commbank Altona branch manager Margaret O’Neill. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 438389_01

fighting fatigue,

Working 17 continuous hours causes impairment equivalent to .05 blood alcohol concentration level.

Working long, multiple days in a row by yourself can be part of the job but consider the cost to you and your family.

Check in with yourself and others around you.

Know the signs of fatigue, visit worksafe.vic.gov.au/farmfatigue

It’s never you, until it is.

Boost for Vic maternity services

care as close to home as possible.

The taskforce will identify opportunities and address known complex challenges that can have an effect on the service delivery of Victoria’sworld-classmaternitycare,including workforce recruitment and retention.

A taskforce will be set up to help improve maternity services across Victoria.

Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said thetaskforcewouldfocusonensuringhospitals have the best workforce and models of care in place – so families have access to safe, reliable

It will be made up of nursing and midwifery experts–includingtheAustralianNursingand Midwifery Federation (ANMF) Vic Branch and representatives from regional and rural health services.

A targeted expression of interest process to join the taskforce is underway, with work to review Victoria’s maternity system to identify

strategies for improvement commencing shortly.

The taskforce will work with health services, community and experts to consider models of care that support women to have choice in their pregnancy and birth experiences, while strengthening rural and regional maternity workforces.

“Victoria has some of the world’s best and safest maternity and newborn services in the world – this taskforce is an opportunity to continue improving these services, so women receive the best support during pregnancy and birth,“ Ms Thomas said.

“It’s so important to ensure all of our maternity health service providers whether they are in the city or the most remote areas of Victoria – the taskforce experts will help to implement the changes we need to see.”

ANMF (Victorian branch) assistant secretary Madeleine Harradence said the ANMF was looking forward to contributing to the taskforce’s work.

“Weknowtherearemultiplewaysofworking that result in sustainable and professionally satisfying workforce outcomes and enable womentoaccessmaternitycareclosetohome,“ she said.

Supportive abortion care at Northern Health

For the past six years, the abortion service at BroadmeadowsHospitalhasbeenprovidingan essential service to the community.

The service offers both early medication and surgical abortion in a pro-choice, safe, and supportive environment. Operating on Thursdays and Fridays, the clinic is staffed by a multidisciplinary team including clinical midwives, doctors, a counsellor-social worker, and a research midwife. Together they ensure that patients receive the highest level of care and support throughout their journey.

NorthernHealthclinicalmidwifeconsultant and clinic co-ordination Kate Chaouki said the abortion service at Broadmeadows Hospital is an integral part of Northern Health’s ongoing efforts to provide accessible reproductive healthcare services for women in the region.

“Access to safe abortion is an essential part of reproductive health care. We are proud to offer this service at Northern Health and enjoy

working collaboratively with primary health care providers and other major health services to ensure ongoing provision of high-quality abortion care to our community,” she said. Counsellor- social worker Sarah

Wotherspoon joined the abortion service in June 2023. The addition of social work has broadened the scope of the clinic and allows access to non-directive pregnancy counselling, family violence support and other vital

assistance to patients who need it.

“We knew that social work was important in thisspace,buthadnotquiteanticipatedthehigh level of demand for Sarah’s skills in the clinic. We recently celebrated Sarah’s 200th referral for abortion counselling-social work and could not provide this level of comprehensive care without her,” Ms Chaouki said.

Ms Wotherspoon said she enjoyed working in this space and consistently receives positive feedback from patients whose experience of abortion care is enhanced by her support.

“I am proud to work with this highly skilled, supportive and kind team, providing an essential health service to our patients,” she said.

Those who are pregnant and seeking pregnancy options counselling can contact 1800 My Options which is available Monday toFriday,9am-5pm,viawww.1800myoptions. org.au or 1800 696 784.

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Midwife Kylie Johnston, counsellor-social worker Sarah Wotherspoon, Dr Eliza Robinson, clinical midwife consultant Kate Chaouki and research midwife Eleanor Johnson. (Supplied)

Family violence officer honoured

By Tara Murray

Senior Sergeant Stephen Phillips wasn’t sure it was the right move for him when it was mentioned that he join Victoria Police’s Family Violence Investigation Unit.

While he was hesitant early on, Senior SergeantPhillipsfoundhispassionandnearly a decade later is a key member of the unit.

A member of the Broadmeadows Family Violence Investigation Unit, Senior Sergeant Phillips was recently announced as one of the winners of the Glenn Paton Family Violence, Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Practitioner of the Year Awards.

The awards – which are run by Victoria Police’s Family Violence Command –recognise employees who have gone above and beyond while working in family violence, sexual offences and child abuse.

The awards are named in honour of the late Senior Constable Glenn Paton to recognise the positive impact he had on a victim experiencing family violence.

Senior Sergeant Phillips said it was a surprise to receive the family violence practitioner of the year award

“The organisation has come a long way in developing the way we respond,“ he said. “There are a lot of great practitioners. It’s nice to be recognised.”

Senior Sergeant Phillips won his award for his experience managing family violence matters, working as the family violence training officer and for regularly engaging family violence support agencies to ensure victim survivors are supported.

Senior Sergeant Phillips was based at Sunshine when a back injury relegated him to desk duties.

Now-Assistant Commissioner Chris Gilbert was in charge at the time and was

looking at ways to employ Senior Sergeant Phillips.

“He suggested that I do rostering and I was useless as roasting,” he recalls. “I said I’ll do anything else you want me to do.

“He came back a couple of days later and said I want you to be a full time officer in the family violence office.

“I thought can I go back to rostering.”

Senior Sergeant Phillips said while he was initially not sure of the role, it ended up being the first time in his career that he felt he was helping improve people’s lives.

After spending most of his career in Brimbank and Melton, he moved across to Broadmeadows where he is now a trainer and gets to help the next generation of police develop the same passion that he has.

“I want to help people in saving lives by removing women and kids from family violence.”

Senior Sergeant Phillips said a lot had changed in the way that family violence is handled and the perception of it in the community but there was still plenty of work to be done.

He said that the psychological trauma can be much worse than the physical trauma and that a lot of the community was still too afraid to report incidents of family violence.

Senior Sergeant Phillips said he was hoping to inspire more police officers to represent what Glenn Paton stood for.

“He was working in his police station, just doing his job,” he said. “Many others would not have done what he did.

“He listened and took some action. The more constables like Glenn Paton, means I’m doing my job.”

Acting Deputy Commissioner Cindy Millen, Senior Sergeant Stephen Phillips and Glenn Paton’s daughter, Molly Paton. (Supplied)

Khan’s deputy bid fails

By Laura Michell

Melton property developer Intaj Khan has failed in his bid to become deputy lord mayor of the City of Melbourne.

Mr Khan was contesting the City of Melbourne election as part of ‘Team Kouta’ led by former Carlton great Anthony Koutoufides.

The pair polled 12.91 per cent of first preference votes – the fourth highest – but failed to overtake incumbent Lord Mayor Nick Reece and Deputy Lord Mayor candidate and incumbent City of Melbourne councillor Roshena Campbell on preferences.

Mr Khan said he thought Team Kouta was “reallyintheracetowin”,butpreferencesdidn’t

flow the way the team thought they would.

He also said team’s nine-week campaign was not long enough.

“It was not enough time to tell a lot of our good policies. More work was required to meet the community,” he said.

Mr Khan, who served as a Wyndham councillor from 2012-2020, said put his hand up to be deputy lord mayor because he believed Melbourne was not the city it used to be.

“It’s not the same city it was three to four years ago,” he said.

“There are a lot of vacancies, a lot of empty leases.

“It needs x-factor.

“You need a business progressive lord mayor

and deputy lord mayor to run Town Hall.

“If you were looking for change, you haven’t achieved it.”

He said the city, which is home to his business, is “such a great place”, adding that he had thoroughly enjoyed the election.

“Wyndham is totally different to the City of Melbourne,” he said.

“There is a diversity of voters with different issues across the city.

“People were more engaged with the election.”

And, he hasn’t ruled out running again in four years’ time.

“A lot of people out their trust in us,” he said.

“You only lose when you quit.”

Milestone for public IVF

Fifty babies have been born during the first two years of Victoria’s free public IVF service.

The service, which began in 2022, has been access by more than 4300 Victorians, including 600 from regional and rural areas.

As it enters its third year, locals in Melton looking to start their fertility journey are being encouraged to speak with their GP or specialist, as the service has capacity to help more Victorians start their family.

This call out is specifically focused on people who will benefit most from the public service, including those with financial barriers to accessing private services, rural and regional Victorians, multicultural and multifaith communitiesandLGBTIQA+Victorians, and those undergoing medical treatment impacting fertility.

Patients can access a range of free treatments including in vitro fertilisation, intrauterine insemination or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, as well as fertility preservation like egg freezing for people undergoing medical treatment for illnesses that may compromise their fertility.

Delivered in partnership with the Royal Women’s Hospital, several satellite sites have also opened across the state , including at Sunshine, ensuring more people can access fertility care closer to home and helping hopeful parents cut down on unnecessary travel time and other indirect expenses.

Over 50? Discover downsizing in the North-West

Bringing together our vibrant North West communities, our open day will showcase the very best of Lifestyle Communities®

Enjoy complimentary coffee and food trucks while you explore our stunning display homes and take a guided tour of our state-of-the-art clubhouses. Our friendly homeowners and Lifestyle team will be on hand to answer any questions and share what makes these communities truly special.

Lifestyle Deanside | 85 Mushu Street, Deanside Lifestyle Woodlea | 17 Tranquil Road, Aintree

Lifestyle Deanside | Indoor pool

Lifestyle Woodlea | Clubhouse

Melton property developer Intaj Khan was vying to become deputy lord mayor of Melbourne.

(Damjan Janevski) 413388_02

Free community event to mark International Men’s Day

International Men’s Day (I M D) is celebrated annually on November 19, and to get a head start, the Melton Men’s Group is hosting a free event this coming Saturday, November 16 at the Melton Library between 11am and 3pm. Melton Men’s Group committee member, Dennis Wright, said the free event will be a fun family day, but also educational.

“International Men’s Day is a day of promotingglobalawarenessforthemanyissues that men face, including parental alienation and abuse, homelessness, suicide and violence. It also seeks ways to improve gender relations and promote gender equality,” he said.

Melton Men’s Group, which has around 80 members from all walks of life, is celebrating International Men’s Day to raise awareness on issues that men deal with.

“We feel that men’s health and mental issues are very important and that is the purpose of our group … to support men.

“Melton Men’s Group is aware of all these issues and would like to bring awareness to our community, and that is why the group is hosting this free event.”

The activities will kick off at 11am at the Melton Library & Learning Hub, with keynote speakers starting at 12.45pm in the Balam Balam Room at the Library, and the rest of the activities will continue until 3pm.

“We are inviting all members of our community to celebrate this day with us,” Mr Wrightsaid.“Therewillbeafreesausagesizzle, theCommunityBandwillprovidebackground music, there will be community information tables inside the library, and other outdoor activities will be giant chess and disc golf. The event will close with afternoon tea provided by the library”

Keynote speakers will be Tony McManus from Beyond Blue and Ken Stewart from Relationships Australia. These are both

organisations that share the Melton Men’s Group’s concern for the physical and mental health of men in our community.

The Melton Men’s Group will also host a celebratory International Men’s Day Dinner on Tuesday,November19atMeltonEntertainment Park, with 120 guests expected to attend and hear a talk by Doug Hawkins a former player with the Western Bulldogs Football Club.

ThisisMeltonMen’sGroup’sfirstcelebration ofInternationalMen’sDay,andeveryoneinthe group is excited.

“Everything’s organised and we’re looking forward to 11am on Saturday morning, to begin the activities. This is a free community event, and the library and ourselves are very keen for this to be a success, because we all want to see International Men’s Day celebrated next year and beyond, to do it each year.”

Melton Men’s Group began in 2018 and has been very active in the community, even increasing its membership during the Covid lockdowns.

“We meet at the Arnolds Creek Children &

Community Centre every Thursday from 5pm until 8pm - come when you can and go when you must,” Mr Wright said.

“We chat, sit around, have a cuppa. We have tabletennis,carpetbowls,andapooltable.You can also participate in card games and board games. And every month or so we will have a guest speaker to come and talk about men’s issues. We are very welcoming and would love to see you at our Thursday night meetings. All men are welcome to come along and just generally have a good time.”

Melton Mens Group will Celebrate International Men’s Day

Melton Men’s Group members Dennis Wright, Trevor Boyd-King, Rudi DeGraaff and Les Chitts. (Damjan Janevski) 440548_01

$100m refunded back to the community in CDS first year

Victorians have saved one billion drink containers from landfill in the first 12 months of Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic). That’s $100 million back in the community’s pockets, making it Australia’s most successful container deposit scheme in its first year of operation.

The scheme allows Victorians to return eligible drink containers for a 10-cent refund at more than 640 return points across the state. Containers are then processed to make new products, working towards a

VICTORIA’S CONTAINER DEPOSIT SCHEME

circular economy.

Before CDS Vic launched a year ago, drink containers were the second most littered item in Victoria. In just 12 months, the scheme is returning containers at a rate of one in three via CDS Vic refund collection points.

Charities and community groups have become involved in the scheme to raise more than $950,000 for grassroots activities across the state. Alexandra Football Netball Club raised more than $14,000 towards club supplies, while Hamilton Bowling Club’s

$5,300 funded a new green. CDSVicispartoftheVictoriangovernment’s $515 million investment to transform the state’s waste and recycling sector. CDS Vic is a product stewardship scheme, funded by contributions from the beverage industry.

Jim Round, CEO of scheme coordinator VicReturn, is proud of the community’s enthusiasm for recycling in the first year.

“We are committed to seeing the scheme go from strength to strength over the next 12 months and the years ahead. We are working

with community groups like Scouts and major sporting organisations like AFL Victoria and Tennis Victoria to reach as many Victorians as possible,” he said.

ZoneoperatorsVisy,Return-ItandTOMRA Cleanaway, play a crucial role in making recycling accessible, efficient, and rewarding for all Victorians.

To find out more about CDS Vic and locate your nearest refund collection point, visit cdsvic.org.au

Roach settling in at Western

By Tara Murray

The move to Melbourne has paid off for new Western United midfielder Emily Roach as she relishes another opportunity in the A-League women’s competition.

Having played seven games with Canberra and Newcastle, Roach missed out on a contract for last season.

Having graduated, she made the move to Melbourne and joined South Melbourne in the National Premier League women’s competition where she had a really strong season.

From there it led to a phone call from Western coach Kat Smith.

“Kat reached out and I come here,” she said. “I was hoping to get back into the A-League. “It was something that I had been working towards and I’m happy at Western United.”

Roach, who grew up on the Sunshine Coast, saidMelbournehadbecomehersecondhome.

The love of sport and the level of soccer down here were two things that attracted her to make the move.

Roach said having been in A-League environments before had helped her transition into Western United.

She previously played with vice-captain Grace Maher which had also helped.

Roach said the environment at Western United was different from anything she had experienced before.

“I’ve been getting to know the girls and get back into intensive training, it’s a step up from the NPLW,“ she said. “There’s a real sense of togetherness with the club and the

support in the team has been amazing.

“You don’t get that at other clubs and there’s a lot of quality girls.“

Roach started in the opening game of the season, where Western beat Wellington Phoenix 4-2.

She said it was an unbelievable experience.

“It was unreal and it was very exciting,” she said. “That atmosphere was unreal.

“I’d heard a little bit about it through the girls but experiencing it was really cool.

“The facilities and field were unreal.”

Roach said that she had wanted to try and get a start early on and thought she had a good pre-season.

She said getting the start was one thing that she could tick off.

“It’s a long season and I just want to be available whenever.”

Like the rest of the group,there’s plenty of high expectations after two straight finals series.

Roach said they felt like they were trending in the right trajectory.

Personally, she has a couple that she would like to tick off.

“I would like to score soon,” she said. “I wantedtobreakintotheteamandgetasmany minutes as possible and grow as a player.”

Western was in action on Friday night in round two against the Central Coast Mariners.

Roach starte don the bench and was unused in the 0-0 draw.

Roach said she was expecting a tough challenge and that the Mariners came in with some good form after beating Sydney.

Emily Roach.

A safe haven in the west

Members of Sunshine West’s Eritrean community have marked 30 years of brutal religiouspersecutionintheirhomeland–with no end in sight for their fellow worshippers at home.

According to Jehovah’s Witness regional spokesman Joshua Wilson, on October 25, 1994, a presidential decree revoked the citizenship of Eritrean-born Jehovah’s Witnesses, leaving them suddenly stateless and without the right to own property, complete schooling, run a business or find employment.

Sunshine West residents and Eritrean refugees Biniam Tseggai and his wife Yosan were two such “non-citizens”.

In the mid to late 90s, Biniam, a marine biologist, was arrested multiple times for exercising his faith.

HesayshelaterlosthisjobattheMinistryof Fisheries because of his religious convictions.

Four months later he was apprehended by the military police and taken to a camp.

“After being tortured on the first night, I ran away and trekked for three days to Sudan where I sought asylum. I stayed for over six years working as an interpreter and clerk for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR),” he said.

From Sudan, Biniam and Yosan were part of a group of 100 Jehovah’s Witnesses assisted by the Australian Government to escape indefinitely without being charged. AccordingtoMrWilson,inthelast30years

reminder to not take anything for granted.”

Now parents of four children, Biniam and

Search

for pets following house fire

A man has been taken to hospital following a house fire in Melton South.

Firefighters were called to the Hunter Street property about 10.30am on Monday, November 11, after callers to triple-0 reported a house fire.

Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) said crews arrived on the scene within five minutes tofindabrickveneerdwellingwellalight. The blaze caused substantial damage to the roof of the property.

Crews wore breathing apparatus to conduct a search of the property as one person was initially unaccounted for.

A short time later it was confirmed the occupant was outside. He was taken to hospitalbyambulanceafterbeingtreated by Ambulance Victoria paramedics for possible smoke inhalation.

Firefighters conducted a search of the property amid concerns about the safety of three dogs, who were later found safe and well.

A community warning was issued for smoke in the area.

VictoriaPolicealsoattendedthescene.

were

Senior years you can enjoy

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.

Biniam and Yosan Tseggai with their four children. (Supplied)

Firefighters

called to a Melton South house fire on Monday morning. (Faith Macale)

Melton marks Remembrance Day

By Faith Macale

Remembering veterans who served and fought for the country is an important part of Australia, and every year on November 11, Remembrance Day is celebrated.

The Melton RSL Sub-branch honoured veterans at the Melton War Memorial on Monday, November 11, observing a minute of silence.

Partners of Veterans Association president Noela Rose was in the air force with her now husband, Geoff, during the Fall of Saigon in 1975.

She said it’s very important to remember veterans and the country’s history because it is the reason why we are alive.

“I went to Gallipoli in 2015. I was one of the 10,000 chosen to go to Gallipoli and it was an amazing experience because I knew that my grandfather had landed on those shores,” Ms Rose said.

“He was in the second wave of boats to go in and he was there for eight months until they pulled out seven or eight months and I wouldn’t be here if he didn’t make it back, so I’m very lucky to be here.

“That’s why and it’s very important that our children, our grandchildren and the school children know what happened all those many years ago.”

Ms Rose’s message to the young people of AustraliaistoalwaysrememberthatNovember 11 is a special day.

“We honour those who left our country, and so that we would all have a better life at the moment,” she said.

“People don’t realise that we do have a good life.Itisabetterlife,andwemustappreciateit.”

Christmas craft

Eachmonth,StephanieMartinezwillsharean exciting craft project designed to inspire and spark creativity. Stephanie starred in the first season of Making It on Network 10, where she discoveredandignitedherpassionforcrafting. Join Stephanie as she explores the endless possibilities of crafting and turn everyday materials into something extraordinary. This month, Stephanie is getting into the festive spirit with a crafty reindeer.

Christmas cheer reindeer

Materials: 16 mini craft sticks 2 googly eyes Brown and gold foam paper Twine 1 red gem

Equipment: Glue gun / glue stick

Scissors Craft knife Craft mat

Step 1

Body: Glue 2 craft sticks side by side for one side of the body and repeat this with 2 more sticks for the other side of the body. Glue them together to form one body.

Step 2

Legs: Glue 2 craft sticks at an angle on one side of the body for the legs. Glue 2 more craft sticks on the other side, lining them up with the first set of legs.

Step 3

Tail: Take 1 craft stick, cut it in half, and glue one of the halves to the back of the body to form the tail.

sticks for the back of the head.

Step 5

Antlers and ears: Cut out 2 antler shapes from brown glitter foam. Glue the antlers and the ears (half craft sticks) to the back of the head.

Step 6

Hanging string: Attach a piece of twine between the antlers. Glue the face to the head.

Step 7

Eyes and nose: Glue 2 googly eyes to the face. Cut an oval shape from the gold glitter foam for the nose base and glue in place. Glue the red gem for the nose.

Step 8

Attach the head to the body.

Stephanie Martinez.

Students of St Anthony’s Primary School in Melton honours veterans.

Women of Partners of Veterans Association lay flowers to the bench dedicated to the partners that stood by the veterans side. (Pictures: Faith Macale)

Wreaths and poppies were laid at the memorial.

Gears shift on cannabis driving

Victorians prescribed medicinal cannabis will soonbeabletodrivewithoutfearofmandatory loss of licence if unimpaired behind the wheel.

On October 31, Legalise Cannabis Victoria secured an amendment in the Upper House to allow magistrates to exercise sentencing discretion for drivers who test positive for the cannabinoid chemical tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), if they hold a valid prescription for medicinal cannabis and are unimpaired while driving.

Legalise Cannabis and Western Metro MP David Ettershank said the change, which

comes into effect on March 1, 2025, is a fantastic result.

“Roadside saliva tests can detect tiny traces of THC more than a week after consumption, but these miniscule remnants have negligible impact on driving ability,” he said.

“Under the old law the mere presence of this remnant chemical meant a compulsory loss of licence for six months and a steep fine, but the driver had only taken their medicine as directed by their doctor.

“This change means a current prescription holder, who is unimpaired and has taken their

medication as directed, can appear before a magistrate, explain their circumstance and the magistratecanallowthemtokeeptheirlicence.

“The presence of THC in the system remains an offence, the only change is that magistrates will be given this discretionary power.”

Alice Davy from Melton is a single mother with stage-four endometriosis and Multiple Sclerosis who uses medicinal cannabis.

She has also welcomed the change.

“Thank you for listening to patients.

Changing these outdated laws and providing magistrates with discretionary powers will

Sign onto app and help saves lives

Western suburbs firefighter Rohan Rizzoli has been helping save lives through the GoodSAM app, and now he wants to get the word out to the community.

Anyone who is qualified to perform CPR, including those without a medical background, can sign up for the program and aid those in a medical emergency- usually within walking distance from their own location.

“I just enjoy helping others in the community,” Mr Rizzoli said.

He estimates that he has attended 15 alerts through the app since signing up in 2018.

Having a leg up on most with his background as a first responder, Mr Rizzoli described some traits that make a good volunteer responder.

“Experience comes to mind, having good emotional intelligence and being able to deal with what’s at hand and then later on being able to deal with your own emotions,” he said.

One of the more memorable emergencies Mr Rizzoli attended occurred when he was getting dressed for a CFA event.

Responding to a woman who was not breathing less than 100 metres from his home, he performed CPR for 17 minutes, an

exhausting feat, much less in firefighting gear.

Witnessing unsettling scenes can be a reality of responding to emergencies, which is whyGoodSAMparticipantsreceivefollow-up calls and various forms of ongoing support.

“You can walk away with your chin up and your head held high knowing that you’ve put your skills to the test and done the best you can for that person,” Mr Rizzoli said.

“It’s a good feeling knowing you’ve done your best for someone in the community.”

More: ambulance.vic.gov.au/goodsam/

Jaidyn Kennedy

mean patients who are too afraid to take their prescribed cannabis, can now do so,” she said. Ms Davey had tried an array of medication, but found medicinal cannabis offered her the most relief.

“I was very sick, cannabis saved my life. I now maintain a healthy weight, I’m calmer for mykidsandtheseveretremorinmyrighthand is gone,” she said.

Alice never drives when she is impaired.

“I follow my doctor’s directions -a doctor is the expert to tell you how to take a medication and its safe usage.”

Free green waste drop off

Moorabool residents can drop off their green waste during November.

To assist residents with preparations for the upcoming fire season, Moorabool council announced on Monday that it will accept garden organics free of charge at all transfer stations for the rest of November.

There is no restriction on the volume of green waste received from properties as long as it is received in a residential vehicle or trailer.

To use the service, residents must show proof of residency such as a driver’s licence or utility bill. No commercialcustomerswillbeaccepted. Items that will be accepted include undergrowth and fallen branches, leaves from gutters and grass.

Tree stumps, branches more than 200 millimetres in diameter and green waste mixed with garbage, recyclables, building materials or any other contaminant will not be accepted as part of the free waste.

The council said anyone planning to remove, destroy or lop native vegetation will likely need to apply for a planning permit with the native flora playing a critical role in sustaining local ecosystems.

Moorabool council has transfer stations in Ballan, Maddingley and Mount Egerton.

The three have different opening hours, with at least one open every day of the week.

Details: https://www.moorabool.vic. gov.au/Events/Free-green-waste-dropoff-in-November

Werribee CFA firefighter Rohan Rizzoli with the GoodSAM app on his phone. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 439740_01

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

WANT YOUR EVENT LISTED? Community Calendar is made available free of charge to not-for-profit organisations to keep the public informed of special events and activities. Send item details to Star Weekly Community Calendar, Corner Thomsons Road and Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park, 3042, or email to westeditorial@starweekly.com.au by 9am Wednesday the week prior to publication

Over-50s Sunday games

Life Activities Club Victoria is running a games and cards afternoon every Sunday from 2-4pm at Kurunjang Community Hub, 35 Mowbray Crescent, Kurunjang. A newly-created friendly group which enjoys sharing a laugh and making new friends. Everyone is welcome.

 Deb, 9614 3017 or office@life.org.au

Crystal healing

Learn about crystals and their various healing properties at Melton South Community Centre’s intro to crystal healing workshop on Saturday, November 16, 10am-noon, at 41 Exford Road, Melton South. Participants will discover the history of crystals and how to choose the right crystals. Each student will take home their own crystal. Cost: $60/$55 concession.

 9747 8576

Springtime desserts workshop

Learn how to make mini Aperol spritz trifles, lemon meringue pie and chocolate or mango mousse at Melton South Community Centre’s springtime desserts workshop on Saturday, November 16, 10-noon, at 41 Exford Road, Melton South. Everything is supplied. Cost: $65/$60 concession.

 9747 8576

CPR and First Aid

Melton South Community Centre is now taking enrolments for CPR and First Aid courses coming on Saturday, November 30 . Courses available include HLTAID009, HLTAID011 and HLTAID012. At 41 Exford Road, Melton South.

 9747 8576

Christmas workshops

Choose from a range of fun Christmas workshops at Melton South Community Centre this festive season. Learn to make sweet and savoury treats, floral arrangements and handmade Christmas cards. At 41 Exford Road, Melton South.

 meltonsouth.org.au or 9747 8576

Darley Neighbourhood House

The Darley Neighbourhood House and Learning Centre is at 33-35 Jonathan Drive, Darley. It offers free and low cost activities for all. There is a monthly repair cafe, a community pantry, a fortnightly chatty cafe and venue hire is available.

 www.bit.ly/DNHnow or 53674390

National seniors meeting

On the first Wednesday of every month at 1.30pm, the metro west branch of national seniors meets at The Club in Caroline Springs, with meals available to purchase. The branch also holds lunches on different Fridays each month, as well as activities such as theatre visits, bus trips and more.

 0425 713 004 or lesley1.collins@outlook.com

Rose carers of Maddingley Park

The group meets every Wednesday from 10am-noon at the Commemorative Rose Garden, Maddingley Park on the corner of Taverner Street and Grant Streets, Bacchus Marsh. They maintain the two rose gardens at the park. Volunteers are welcome and no experience is necessary to join .

 Elaine, 0400 052 857 or Judy, 0428 463 538

Bacchus Marsh Ladies Probus Club Meets on the first Thursday of every month from 10am to noon at the Avenue Bowling Club on 254 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh

 Krystyna, bacchusmarshladiesprobus@ gmail.com

Melton Valley Ladies Probus Meets from 10am on the second Tuesday

of each month at Melton Country Club on Reserve Road, Melton. All visitors are welcome.

 Ann, 0425 705 150

Fishing club

Didyabringyarodalong Angling Club of Melton and Bacchus Marsh is a fishing club that welcomes and encourages people of all ages, genders and fishing abilities to partake in enjoying the outdoors in a relaxing and friendly environment. The club holds monthly fishing competitions at various locations, fresh and saltwater. New members are most welcome. Upcoming events will be listed on this page.

 Andrew, 0407 303 438, or Wayne, 0414 785 366

Chatty Cafe Melton

Are you feeling lonely, isolated or just wanting to make some new friends? If so, Chatty Cafe is for you. The group meets on Friday mornings at 10am for delicious free coffee from Latin foods and wines at 10 Wallace Square, Melton.

 https://www.facebook.com/ groups/352071857283331

Women’s Support Group

Women’s Support Group Melton is for any women who feel they would like to attend a peer support group which is relaxed, friendly and non-judgemental. The group meets weekly at 1pm on Mondays (except for public holidays) at Djerriwarrh Neighbourhood House, 239 Station Road, Melton. The group can discuss most

subjects that may be of help.

 https://ow.ly/QVwJ50Q5g42

The Gap on Graham

The Gap provides a place for Melton youth to hang out, socialise, play games and learn new skills. The centre holds a night for girls aged 10 to 18 years, at 5 Graham Street, Melton, on Wednesday evenings. There is also a drop-in night for anyone aged 12 to 25 years old.

 Val, 0414 769 605

Take weight off 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 Weight Off Naturally) every Tuesday at 6pm at the Darlingsford Barn, Darlingsford Boulevard, Melton.

 Catherine, 0416 612 517, or Bob, 0411 824 739

Parkinson’s support group

The Melton Parkinson’s Support Group meets on the second Thursday of the month, 10.30am-12.30pm, at Kurunjang Community Centre, 33-35 Mowbray Crescent, Kurunjang. New members and carers are welcome.

 Helen, 0409 186 576

Melton Bridge Club

The Melton Bridge Club has weekly social bridge sessions at the Melton Library on Fridays from 10am-noon. Come along to play an exciting, social card game and have loads of fun. Bridge offers the suspense of poker, the cerebral qualities of chess and

the excitement of athletic sports, all in a relaxed and social setting. If you like playing cards this is for you.

 Rosemary, 0407 894 817

Melton South Knit & Natter

All are welcome to join this social crafting group, running at the Melton South Community Centre each Monday from 10am-noon. Bring along any knitting or crochet projects and work on them while sharing tips, learning skills and catching up over a cuppa.

 9747 8576

Melton Combined Probus Club

The Melton Probus Club meets on the first Tuesday of each month at the Melton Dart Club, 63a Reserve Road, from 9.45am.

 9746 0271

Community singing group

If you love to sing, come join the Melton Singers. The group rehearses regularly and also performs at aged care facilities. The group is very relaxed and sings songs mainly from the 1960s and 70s. It meets Tuesdays at 10am.

 Val, 0418 667 150

Garden Club

The Bacchus Marsh and District Garden Club meets on the second Tuesday of each month except January, from 7.30pm, at The Laurels, 229 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh. Guest speakers and supper provided. Yearly membership $15. New members welcome.

 Michelle, 0421 106 268

This week’s photographer’s choice is of Amedeo Gallicchio and his Halloween display. (Damjan Janevski) 441340_01

Get creative with ‘Lady Mohawk’

Local legend Sally ‘Lady Mohawk’ Walshe is heading to Brimbank to develop and inspire budding artists of any skill or experience level with three art courses.

The sessions are free and open to all community members of all abilities, providing a fun way for individuals, families and groups to work for a common purpose.

Starting at the Sunshine library on Monday, November18,MsWalshewillrunalinoprinting workshop from 10.30am to 1.30pm. She has been printmaking for more than 15 years and will teach people to make their own linoprints.

This three-hour course covers design techniques,transferringandcarvingdesignsas well as inking and printing original art pieces.

Participants will walk away with their own carved linocut.

Thisclassisgreatforindividuals,friendsand couples as well as a team building activity.

Later in the week, Ms Walshe will head to the St Albans Community Centre, offering a chance for day time workers to join in, on Wednesday, November 20 from 4.30pm to 7.30pm for a repurposing art workshop.

Participants will use recycled materials to create works of art, encouraging sustainability and creativity, whilst teaching people how to make art resourcefully. All art will be crafted entirely from reusable and recycled material.

Finally, she will be out at Sydenham Library on Saturday, November 23 from 11am to 2pm

for another linoprinting session.

Ms Walshe said the classes are a great blend of creativity and sustainability.

“I love to be environmental in my art classes and artwork. For the linoprinting classes, I use sustainable inks, paper and linocut and for the repurpose workshops everything is made entirely from recycled or disused materials,” she said.

“These are great ways to explore creativity as afamily,withafriend,orjustbyyourself,whilst also being considerate of the environment.”

Although classes are free, registrations are essential: creativebrimbank.com.au/whats-on

Revolution, rock and rubber gloves

“It’s a funny, feisty cabaret,” is how Newport performer Donna Jackson described her new show premiering at Kindered Bandroom in Yarraville on Friday, November 15. With a name like ‘Art Accidents and Underpants’ it seems a pretty apt description and even more so given the content.

“It’s me telling a story about all girl bands in the 1980’s and it’s about an incident where I got caught driving around with lots of girls in a car and got taken to the police station and wouldn’t tell them my name so there was a strip search involving rubber gloves,” said Jackson of the show which fortunately focuses

less on all rubber gloves and more on all girl bands.

“If we don’t tell our stories how will the next generation know there was a time in the 1980’s when women picked up guitars and set up dance parties all over Melbourne and across Australia,” she said of her motivation for writing the show.

Jackson’s band, Nice Girls Don’t Spit, were so popular at the time they were able to fly around Australia performing to huge crowds of dancing women.

However, rather than a nostalgia trip, Jackson said the show was a celebration of

a feminist movement which she recalled as ‘trying to change the world’ while dancing, singing and driving fast at the same time.

EachsceneofArtAccidentsandUnderpants covers one of these themes in what Jackosn described as a “fast moving storytelling musical slam.”

After three performances in Yarraville on November 15, 23 and 30, Jackson hopes to go back to her rock band roots and take the show around Australia.

Bookings: kinderedbanroom.com.au

Cade Lucas

Carols by Candlelight will light up mansion

Wyndham Carols by Candlelight is returning to the great lawn of Werribee Mansion on Saturday, December 7, in what is poised to be a magical celebration of the holiday spirit.

The event, which has grown into Victoria’s largest Christmas celebration outside of Melbourne’s Christmas Eve concert over its more than 30 years of running, sold out last year with over 5000 attendees.

Renowned Australian soprano Silvie Paladino will headline the occasion, sharing the stage with Salvation Army Melbourne Staff Band who will be conducted by Ken Waterworth as his 30 plus year tenure as bandleader comes to a close.

Gates will open earlier this year at 5pm, givingfamiliesmoretimetoenjoythepre-show fanfare that includes an expanded food truck

selectionandextendedkid’sactivities,aheadof the 7pm start time. The Nativity Procession, a unique mainstay of Wyndham Carols, will be on full display down the middle of the great lawn during the evening, with real camels and a donkey to

Games for the young at heart

Whittlesea’s senior residents will be taking centre stage over the next month for the municipality’s Seniors’ Festival. The festivities will be launched on Tuesday, November 12 with the Young at Heart Games at Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre (PRACC), 35 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang. The games for over-55s will begin with a community torch walk and opening ceremonyfrom9am,withthecompetition starting at 11am.

Epping’s The Y Leisure City will host seniors’ tennis sessions on November 14 and walking football on November 21.

Whittlesea’s first Silver Rainbows Café will be held at Laurimar Community Activity Centre on November 19, while Oz Ten Pin Bowling in Epping will host the festival on November 22.

Piano accordionist Phil Carroll will entertainthecrowdatKirripCommunity Centre in Wollert on November 26.

Thomastown Recreation and Aquatic Centre will hold a carpet bowls session on November28andtherewillbeacity-wide bus tour on November 29.

Seniors can give pickleball a try at Mill Park Basketball Stadium on December 4 or social golf at the Growling Frog Golf Course in Donnybrook on December 10. Whittlesea council said the seniors’ festival recognises and celebrates the contributions of seniors in the community.

There is something for everyone, including tennis, walking football, 10-pin bowling,carpetbowls,golf,pickleballand more.

Mernda resident, Bob Rampling, 76. is a golf enthusiast and is excited to be participating in the torch walk and golf competition.

accompany the show.

Those interested in contributing more to the festivities beyond the attendance are encouraged to reach out to Wyndham Carols via their website, while updates can be found at facebook.com/wyndhamcarols and @ wyndhamcarols on Instagram.

The Wyndham Carols by Candlelight is a non-profit event organised by the Wyndham Ministers Network that represents 17 local churches in Wyndham with support of Wyndham City Council.

All money raised will go back into maintaining the event for years to come.

Children under 12 can attend for free, while adult tickets are $18.90 and concession $13.

Tickets and information: https:// wyndhamcarols.org.au/

“The games bring people from all walks of life together, and it’s great to see everyone enjoying themselves. They provide an opportunity to try out new and different things,” he said. “It’s always good fun, good exercise, and a chance to getoutinthefreshair,talkingandmixing with like-minded people.”

Bookings are needed and spectators are welcome at all events.

Donna Jackson’s new cabaret show premiering in Yarraville on November 15. (Damjan Janevski) 441277_01

Werribee Park Mansion lights up for Wyndham Carols by Candlelight. (Supplied)

Bob Rampling is excited to be participating in the Young at Heart Games. (Supplied)

Gerald Lynch Sally Walshe at Sunshine Library, where she will lead a linoprint class. (Damjan Janevski) 442011_06

Bond Cleaning Brize

and being part of the land contained in certificate of title volume 11208 folio 537 and part of the hiatus land adjoining its eastern boundary shown enclosed by continuous thick lines and hatched on the plan below, being a road in Council’s municipal district, to be a public highway for the purposes of the Act (“the proposal”).

Further information regarding the proposal can be obtained from Sian Rainford, on 9747 5764.

Any person may make a submission on the proposal. Any person wishing to make a submission must do so in writing by 25 November 2024.

Any person making a submission is entitled to request in the submission that the person wishes to appear in person, or to be represented by a person specified in the submission, at a meeting to be heard in support of that submission.

All submissions will be considered in accordance with section 223 of the Act.

Submissions should be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, and can be hand delivered to Council’s

PROPOSED DISCONTINUANCE AND TRANSFER TO COUNCIL OF ROAD AT 137-

Following consideration of submissions, Council may resolve not to discontinue the road or to discontinue the road and either sell the land from that road or retain the land.

ROSLYN WAI Chief

Executive Officer

PROPOSED ROAD DISCONTINUANCE ROAD AT 40-66 RESERVE ROAD, MELTON VICTORIA

PUBLIC NOTICE INVITING SUBMISSIONS UNDER SECTION 223

Melton City Council (“Council”), gives notice under section 206 and clause 3 of Schedule 10 of the Local Government Act 1989 (“the Act”) that as the appointed Committee of Management, Council proposes to discontinue the road between Reserve Road and 40-66 Reserve Road, Melton shown enclosed highlighted on the below map.

Further information regarding the proposal can be obtained from Sian Rainford, on 9747 5764 or by email at SianR@melton.vic.gov.au.

Any person may make a submission on the proposal. Any person wishing to make a submission must do so in writing by 26 November 2024.

Submissions should be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, and can be hand delivered to Council’s Office at 232 High Street, Melton Victoria 3337 or posted to the following address:

The Chief Executive Officer City of Melton PO Box 21 Melton Victoria 3337

All submissions will be considered in accordance with section 223 of the Act. No further community consultation process will be undertaken.

Any person making a submission is entitled to request in the submission that the person wishes to appear in person, or to be represented by a person specified in the submission, at a meeting to be heard in support of that submission.

Any person requesting to appear in person or to be represented by a person specified in his or her submission will be notified of the day, time and place of the meeting of the Council or of a committee determined by the Council to hear submissions.

Following consideration of submissions, Council may resolve not to discontinue the road or to discontinue the road.

Wai

HEALTH RecordTransfer

Thepracticeknownas DiagnostiCarewillbe transferredtoImagingAssociatesonorabout29 November2024.The currentradiologists, includingDrStephen Fasulakis,areexpectedto continuetopracticeatthe practicefortheforeseeablefutureand,froma patient'sperspective, thereisnotexpectedto beanynoticeablechange. Allhealthinformation heldbyDiagnostiCare regardingpatientswill remaininthesecurepracticemanagementsoftwareforcontinuedaccess bythedoctorsandclinical staffuntilonorabout29 November2024andsubsequentlytransferredto andstoredbyImagingAssociates.Fromthedate thepracticeistransferred toImagingAssociates,the informationwillbeheldin accordancewithImaging Associates'privacypolicy availableonitswebsiteat https://imagingassociates. net.au/privacy-policy.If anypatientwouldprefer nottohavetheirrecords maintainedatthepractice,theywillbeavailable forcollectionatthepracticeorcanbesenttothe individualortheindividual'snominatedhealth serviceprovider(bycontactingthepracticeat info@diagnosticare.com.a ufromthedateofthis noticeuntilonorabout 29November2024).0393 378288info@diagnostica re.com.auwww.diagnosti care.com.au

Want to place an ad but not sure where to start? Call our helpful classified team between 8:30am-5pm Mon-Fri for FREE advice!

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

To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every

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)

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)

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural nouns ending in “s”.

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 lies to the west of Australia?

8 Campari, Gin and Red vermouth make up what popular cocktail?

9 What does an anemometer measure?

10 Musician Nick Cave (pictured) most often performs as part of which band?

Reviewing the Subaru WRX AWD

By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring

I remember the first time I took my father-in-law for a blast in a WRX.

It was the Club Spec Evo IV and it was the year 2000, or thereabouts.

“Are you ready?” I asked, preparing to floor it on a long straight.

He nodded.

Wooshda!

“Geez!” he managed, holding tightly to the armrest as he was forced back in his seat.

Tony’s dead now but nothing much has changed since those days 25 years ago.

The WRX – it’s just the WRX these days – is still one of the most exciting cars money can buy.

Competitors such as the EVO have come and gone, but the REX soldiers on. Its days must be numbered however as society moves away from the internal combustion engine.

Styling

The fifth and latest generation WRX was released in 2022.

Subaruhasstruggledtokeepthepricebelow $40K since launch in 1994, but somewhere along the line that battle was lost.

These days prices start from $44,990 for the manual or $48,990 for the auto – still very competitive.

I guess some people buy the auto, but those who fancy themselves as real drivers will be drawn to the manual, now with six gears and lockout reverse.

For $54,490 you can have the RS Manual, the subject of our review, while the top of the line tS Sport Lineartronic is $56,990 – that’s an auto.

Prices for the Sportswagon, known briefly as the Levorg, start from $49,990. All wagons are auto only.

Standard equipment is extensive across the grades. There’s cloth upholstery and two-zone climate air, 18-inch alloys, keyless entry and start, leather-wrapped tilt and reach adjust wheel, split-fold rear seats, auto lights and wipers (the LED headlights follow the wheels), electric parking brake, power-folding exterior mirrors and tyre pressure monitoring.

Our RS test vehicle ups the ante with Ultrasuede trim, power-adjust driver and front passenger seats, electric driver lumbar support, heated seats for front and outer rear seats, electric sunroof, ambient lighting, LED puddle lights, driver monitoring system, plus additional Vision Assist features including front and side view monitors.

WRX is covered by a five-year warranty, with five-year/75,000km capped price servicing and 12 months roadside assistance.

Infotainment

Infotainment consists of an 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen, AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth with voice control and audio streaming, along with six-speaker audio.

The latter consists of 4 x 160mm full-range speakers, in the front and rear doors, plus two dash-mounted tweeters that we’re told not only deliver better sound than before, but bring a 15 per cent weight reduction.

RS and tS sedans feature a premium Harman Kardon 10-speaker audio system with a 265mm subwoofer mounted on the rear parcel shelf.

It incorporates ‘Clari-Fi’ and ‘GreenEdge’ digital technologies designed to restore audio quality lost during compression.

The entry grade misses out on satellite navigation, but it’s standard across the rest of the range.

All score AUX, USB-A and USB-C ports in the front, while RS and tS sedans and all Sportswagons, get a second set in the rear.

Physical buttons are provided for such things as the aircon, volume and tuning as well as the demister.

And, believe it or not, our RS has a single

CD player hidden in the centre console.

But you won’t find wireless phone charging in any version of the WRX.

Safety

Oops. The safety rating for WRX expired in 2022 and it needs to be re-tested.

That said it does come with eight airbags, a reversing camera and Subaru Vision Assist which has finally been added to manual versions.

This includes Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning and lead vehicle start alert.

There’s also Emergency Lane Keep Assist, Lane Centring Function, Lane Departure Prevention,LaneSwayWarning,Pre-Collision Braking System, Pre-Collision Brake Assist, AutonomousEmergencySteering,BrakeLight Recognition and Speed Sign Recognition. Also fitted are Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), EyeSight Assist Monitor (RS), Front View Monitor (FVM) (RS), High Beam Assist (HBA), Lane Change Assist (LCA), and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).

However, the manual still misses out on Reverse Automatic Braking.

There are dual outboard ISOFix points, and three top-tether points for child seats.

Engines/transmissions

Under the bonnet is a larger, 2.4-litre turbocharged, horizontally-opposed fourcylinder engine (up from 2.0-litres).

Surprisingly, though, it produces just 5kW more than its predecessor, with 202kW of power at 5600 rpm and 350Nm of torque from 2000-5200 rpm.

The torque output is the same as before, but it’sproducedlowerintherevrange,generating high torque from lower engine speeds.

Drive is to all four wheels via a six-speed manual transmission (our test vehicle), or a

CVT style auto with eight steps or gears.

But don’t be confused by all this talk of ‘symmetrical’ all-wheel drive, because it doesn’t mean full-time four-wheel drive.

Most of the time the operates in front-wheel drive – the back wheels only come into play when needed.

Driving

It’s been said before but it bears saying again that the WRX still represents the best bang for your driver buck that money can buy.

It’s difficult to imagine anyone being disappointed with the performance of this car.

If you like driving, especially along leafy winding roads, and you enjoy the sensation of braking, down-changing and getting the timing just right as the car fires out of the corner again – then you’ll want the manual.

Just be aware however that it is a commitment in traffic and sitting on hills, balancing the clutch and throttle, waiting for the lights to go green, one that becomes tiring very quickly.

And although the WRX is pretty quick off the line, it takes some practice to achieve this feat in the manual.

Our best advice is to give it a squirt and get out of first as soon as you can. After that, it’s all go, go go – but be sure to keep an eye on the tacho!

Suspension is fully independent with MacPherson struts at the front and double rear wishbones.

The ride is pretty firm, even harsh depending on the surface, but it works a treat, particularly threading corners at a rate of knots. Overtaking is a breeze.

RS rides on black 18-inch wheels with 245/40 profile rubber, producing impressive grip.

The brakes are excellent.

Fuel consumption for the manual is rated

RATINGS

Looks: 7/10

Performance: 8/10

Safety: 5/10 Thirst: 5/10 Practicality: 6.5/10 Comfort: 6.5/10

Tech: 7.5/10

Value: 8/10

Overall: 6.7/10

at 9.9L/100km on the combined cycle and it takes premium 95 unleaded.

We were getting 13.2L/100km after more than 400km of mixed driving including 60 minutes of getting up it.

One of the big changes with the latest Rex has been the move to Subaru’s new global platform and the improvements that brings. Stronger with less flex, it offers sharper handling and more comfort by reducing unpleasant road vibrations and shaking. It features full inner-frame construction for high body and chassis rigidity and gives all-new WRX some 14 per cent more front lateral flexing rigidity and 28 per cent more torsional stiffness.

The sedan also incorporates a number of performance-inspired exterior design influences, including air outlets located on the trailing edges of the front wheel openings, side garnishes and a lip-style boot spoiler.

Theairoutletsattherearofeachfrontwheel enhance the car’s aerodynamic performance by drawing air from inside the guards.

Inside, the cabin features stylish black and grey upholstery on the sedan and black upholstery on the Sportswagon, with red stitching and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The instrument gauges are old school, not digital — but that’s all you need.

Summing up

Like so many petrol-powered performance cars, the chances of getting your hands on a WRX are rapidly diminishing with the increasing take up of electric vehicles. They’ve already dropped the STI to concentrate on the next generation EV performance variant.

The Rex is sure to follow sooner than later, so if you’re sitting on the fence, waiting for the right moment – the time might be nigh. There’s nothing worse than missing out.

Like so many petrol-powered performance cars, the chances of getting your hands on a WRX are rapidly diminishing with the increasing take up of electric vehicles. (Pictures: Supplied)

A perfect day for a hit of cricket

Saturday was the perfect day for cricket and many teams made the most of it and were able to get some wins on the board. Star Weekly’s Ljubica Vrankovic was there to capture some of the action.

Spotswood’s Jackson Wadden. (442424_03)

Left: The Deer Park cheer squad. (442420_01) Above: Sunbury in the field. (442427_01)

Craigieburn’s Joshua Rasu. (442420_20) Right: Williamstown Imperials’ Will Metcalfe. (442427_07)

Left: Melton’s Stephen Shields. (442424_26) Centre: Keilor’s Robert Clements. (442422_04) Right: Kyle Lampery, Liam Hemkel, Todd Hughes, Akash Cheema and Dushantha Ranatunga cheer on their Epping teammates. (442418_09)

Above: Lachlan Fitzgerald celebrates a wicket. (442420_11) Below left: Westmeadows’ Rhys Gleisner. (442422_01) Below right: Epping’s Shanyn Kearney. (442418_02)

White keen to build the Melton women’s pathway

New Melton women’s coach Ryan White wants to ensure that the right pathways are in place for female football.

White, who has been coaching at Burnside Heights, was announced as the Bloods new coach for next year’s Riddell District Football League women’s season.

White said he was keen to take on the challenge.

“It’s exciting times ahead,” he said. “I’d been coaching for a couple of years and felt like I wanted to do it for myself.

“Things didn’t pan out at Burnside so I thought it was time to explore my options and applied for the Melton job and went from there.”

White said while he’d been coaching in men’s football, it was his young daughter who inspired him to look at coaching female football.

As well as being appointed to the senior women’s role, he’s applied for a junior girls

coaching role at the Bloods as well.

He said he wants the younger girls at the club to be able to look up to the senior women’s team.

“My daughter plays footy and is footy mad,” he said. “I know a lot of clubs are starting to get that pathway from juniors into senior women’s football.

“A lot of clubs, senior women’s teams aren’t looked on as highly. I want to make sure the right pathway is there, that is key and what attracted me to women’s footy.”

White said he didn’t know much about the RDFL competition, but was quickly learning.

Josh Fikret will be an assistant coach and continue to share his passion for the women’s side, which will help on that side of things.

White said they would play a different brand of football next year.

The club has made finals both years in the RDFL competition.

“I think the stuff we are working on in pre-season will make a huge difference to how we play football,” White said.

“There will be a lot of structures and the structures I’m putting in place will be a good learning pathway.”

White said he would like to bring some more youth into the side next season, with anyone interested in playing welcome to come down.

He said he wanted to have a bit more competition for spots to help drive the standards further.

“Somewomen’sfootballteamsgetoverlooked and it’s just a kick around and not as much required as senior men,“ he said.

“I think there will be different and just as much effort and we will look to be a threat.“

White said they were still waiting for confirmation but were hoping to start pre-season training this week.

Tara Murray

Willow wins Triple Crown

By Tim O’Connor

Jilliby Willow sealed victory in the Elizabeth Clarke Mares Triple Crown with a dominant front-running display in Saturday night’s Hygain Make Mine Cullen at Melton Entertainment Park.

Tied with Rakero Rebel heading into the Triple Crown’s third and final leg, a good barrier draw gave the Marg Lee-trained mare favouritism in the race and she didn’t let her supporters down in the $25,000 feature.

Driver Glen Craven quickly worked forward to lead from his barrier four draw and Jilliby Willow was able to get away with a 30.7sec quarter before ripping out a last half of 54.7sec. Atthepost,thedaughterofCaptaintreacherous had 1.8m to spare over Rakero Rebel, who charged late under the urgings of James Herbertson to grab second.

The result backed up Jilliby Willow’s win in leg two of the Triple Crown - The Angeliqueand gave her a three-race points total of 19 to defeat Queen Of The Pacific champ Rakero Rebel by three.

“We were lucky, the first 100m wasn’t quite

asquickasIthoughtitwasgoingtobe,”Craven said. “We were able to just use a little bit of tactical speed to get across to the running line, then work to the front quietly and dictate it from there.”

Jilliby Willow kick-started a winning double for Craven and Lee before Aldebaran Vera completed it with victory in the final event of the night, the Nutrien Trot.

Romsey trainer-driver Chris Svanosio also celebrated two winners on Saturday thanks to overseas imports Aldebaran Acrux and Lovemeto.

Aldebaran Acrux secured her third triumph since arriving from the United States last year with a great display in the 2Construct Trot before New Zealand native Lovemeto won the Haras Des Trotteurs Delvin Dancer 4YO Trotters Classic first-up in Svanosio’s care.

“Aldebaran Acrux is definitely going the best she’s gone since I’ve had her,” Svanosio said.

“She had a bit of racing in America and is by Chapter Seven, one of the greatest trotting stallions you’d ever know and will have a good career as a broodmare one day, but (owner) Duncan (McPherson) is pretty happy if we can

Sports shorts

A-League

Zach Clough has secured a come-from-behind victory for Adelaide United after scoring the match-winner in its 2-1 triumph over Western United in the A-League men’s competition. Western scored in the 10th minute through Kane Vidmar before Adelaide levelled scores before half time. Clough hit the scoreboard in the 71st minute when he received a clever pass from Jonny Yull deep in the box to give Adelaide the win. Western is without a win after three matches.

GDCA

Diggers Rest Bulla was able to hold off Kilmore in a thrilling Gisborne and District Cricket Association Johnstone Shield clash. Having made 276 on day one of the match, the Burras had to fight to the final ball. Kilmore needed six off the final ball to win, but could only get one, to finish 9-271. Meanwhile, Aintree lost to East Sunbury and Eynesbury lost to Wallan.

Baseball

It was a tough match for the Northern Western Titans in the Baseball Victoria state league 1 competition on Saturday. Facing Research, the Titans lost 7-0. After five rounds, the Titans are the only team without a win. It was a better day for the Titans women’s side in the regional west competition, having a 14-12 win against Alfredton. After five rounds, the Titans sit in third spot.

win a few before that. He’s been very patient with her.”

Lovemeto showed his class with a dominant Victoria Trotters Derby heat win for former trainersGraemeRogersonandDylanFerguson on our shores in 2023 and has recently joined Svanosio’s barn.

“He was just having a few little niggling problems, and Merv Butterworth and Graeme Rogerson who own him wanted him checked out at the Ballarat Vet Clinic. They’ve done a great job managing him through,” Svanosio said.

“He’s obviously got the ability to win some nice races, so it’s just a matter of keeping him sound and hopefully he can just keep progressing each run.”

Lovemeto has now won six of his 14 career starts for prizemoney earnings up over $130,000.

Nathan Jack claimed the other winning double on the card with Rocknroll Walla - who dead-heated with Spirit Of Arion in the GoodForm Pace– and The Bigboss, who prevailed in the Logical Staffing Solutions Pace for trainer Tayla Nicholson.

Ballarat CA

Bacchus Marsh claimed the points against Napoleons Sebastopol, while Darley fell short to East Ballarat on the weekend in the Ballarat Cricket Association. Playing Saturday and Sunday matches, the Bulls were able to restrict Napoleons Sebastopol to 151 before making 6-153 in reply. In Darley’s match, its bats failed to fire. The Lions made 145 which East Ballarat chased down with ease, finishing 8-258. The Bulls now sit third on the ladder and the Lions fifth. FOR

Ryan White, Matt Kerr and Josh Fikret. (Supplied)

Jilliby Willow. (Stuart McCormick)

EDFL and WFNL form new football partnership

The Essendon District Football League and Western Football Netball League have announced a co-operation agreement to strengthencommunityfootball,whichincludes the pausing of transfer of clubs between the leagues.

Thetwoleaguessaidthestrategicagreement, which was announced last week, aimed at fostering the growth and development of community football across both leagues.

This collaboration is set to bring increased stability and opportunity to member clubs, with a focus on enhancing the experience and success of players, coaches and supporters alike.

The agreement outlines key measures designed to strengthen the structure and sustainability of the competitions.

The agreement is set to provide stability and a stable framework regarding the composition of their major men’s competitions, helping clubs,players,andfansenjoygreatercontinuity

in their local football experience.

As part of the agreement, applications from clubs to join either league will be temporarily paused.

Deer Park and St Albans both made the switch across from the Western league to the EDFL in 2023, while there had been rumors about other clubs seeking to move.

“This will allow both leagues to monitor and assess the ongoing changes to competition structures and better support the evolution of local football,” said a joint release from the leagues.

“Postthisinitialtwo-yearperiod,theleagues have committed to continued upfront dialogue about potential club movement applications.“

Women’s football development is also a key part of the agreement.

The leagues will collaborate on initiatives focusedonincreasingparticipation,improving facilities, and providing pathways for female players to advance in the sport.

“By pooling resources and expertise, both leagues aim to create robust infrastructure that will sustain the long-term growth of women’s football across affiliated clubs,” the leagues said.

EDFL chair Bernie Shinners said the agreement reflects the league’s commitment to supporting the long-term stability of the EDFL competition.

Campbell to lead Burras

By Tara Murray

New Diggers Rest coach Shaun Campbell wasn’t planning on coaching again, but that didn’t last long.

Having coached his own sides, including to premierships, and been involved in Western Bulldogs AFLW program as assistant coach, Campbell was content on finishing his career as just a player.

But after just one season at the Burras, he has been appointed the Riddell District Football League club’s coach replacing Jamie Lobb.

Lobb finished his time as coach after seven years with two senior premierships and another grand final appearance. The club won three reserves premierships during that time as well.

“I’m super excited,” Campbell said. “I did a 360 with my footy career to be honest.

“I wanted to train once a week and play. I was sick of training.

“Lobby [former coach Jamie Lobb] asked me if I would be interested in coaching and I jumped at it.”

Campbell said he was quite content never coaching again and if he did, it had to be the right fit.

He said the Burras were led really well off field and it had been a very welcoming environment which made it an easier decision to step back into coaching.

Campbell, who has claimed several league best and fairests over his playing career, said he loves the challenge of being a player-coach.

“There’s a unique set of challenges that I really enjoy,” he said. “Hopefully I can bring some of the things I’ve learned and utilise that going forward.”

Campbell said he had really enjoyed the move to the RDFL and that the footy was of a similar standard to what he had been playing.

He finished equal 11th in the Bowen Medal in his first season in the competition.

He said he loved the country feel it still had

“By working closely with the WFNL, we’re ensuring that the clubs and communities involved can continue to grow, thrive, and experienceahighstandardoffootball,”hesaid.

WFNL president Meredith Angwin said this wouldbenefittheleagueinafewdifferentways.

“This allows the WFNL to strengthen our competition structure in the new 12-and-12 team competition format, providing a solid foundation for future development,” she said.

“Working with the EDFL to grow female football participation is a positive step for our competitions.”

AFL Victoria supports the agreement.

AFL Victoria head Greg Madigan this would enable continued growth of community football in Melbourne’s north-west.

“The leagues are to be congratulated on taking this step to enhance interleague co-operation,forthebettermentoflocalfooty.”

Tara Murray

Tough time on the green

It was a tough weekend for Melton and Bacchus Marsh in the Bowls Victoria weekend pennant competition.

The Mustangs suffered a loss to Club Sunbury, 85 (14)-71 (4) in division 1, section 1.

The two old rivals were facing off for the first time in a number of years, with the Mustangs having several former Sunbury players in their team.

Todd Trewarne’s rink had a 21-19 win against Marc Bullows, while OscarJones’rinkhadthesamemargin win against Mark Cowan’s rink.

Flynn O’Shaughnessy’s rink lost 33-16 and Desmond Cann Junior’s rink lost 19-18.

After four rounds, Melton has just one win and is sitting in seventh position.

Melton is this week on the road, facing Glenroy on Saturday.

It was an even tougher result for Bacchus Marsh against Werribee in division 2, section 1,.

Facing off for the first time since last season’s finals when the Bees upset Bacchus Marsh, it was the Bees that came out on top again.

This time it was a comprehensive win, with Werribee winning 86 (18)-64 (9).

Matthew Young’s rink lost 19-15, Simon Cornock’s rink lost 25-15, Glenn Sargent’s rink lost 20-17 and Justin Webster’s rink lost 22-17.

After four rounds, Bacchus Marsh has a 2-2 record and sits outside the top four by six points.

despite being a metro league.

Campbell’s time in charge starts after a disappointing end to the 2024 season for the Burras after finishing third on the ladder.

“We went out in straight sets,” he said. “I’ve never finished a season like that.

“I thought we did a good job to get where we were with the injuries that we had. It was still disappointing though.”

Campbell said most of their core group was returning again and they would build their side around them.

He said they had added one or two players so far who were returning to the club and in talks with some others as they look to bolster their squad.

“We’ve lost one or two,” he said. “We have a core group of 20-22 guys and we’ve got some good depth with how successful our reserves have been going back-to-back-to-back.

“Hopefully we’ll be up there again.”

The Burras kick off pre-season training on November 20.

Bacchus Marsh this week faces Altona 2

Meanwhile in the Ballarat Highlands Bowls Region Highlands competition, Diggers Rest’s good form has continued.

On Saturday, it beat Romsey. It was a battle between two sides in the top four with Diggers Rest winning, 57 (14)-51 (2).

Scott Browne and Phil Robinson were the winning skips for Diggers Rest.

Second placed Diggers Rest is now 17 points clear of Romsey, which remains in third.

It remains one point behind Kyneton at the top of the table, but has played one more match.

The EDFL and WFNL have signed an agreement. (Ljubica Vrankovic)_432959_05

Shaun Campbell. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 420263_17

Lions battle on despite no wins as yet in Subbies

The tough run continued for Melton in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west on Saturday.

Without a win, the Lions on Saturday took on a Spotswood side keen to get back on the winners list after dropping its last two games.

The Woodsmen won the toss and decided to send the Lions in on their home deck in the one-dayer.

It was a solid start for the Lions who put on 57 for the first partnership.

The loss of both openers without a run being added changed the game in favour of the Woodsmen.

The Lions quickly crumbled to 4-67 as two more wickets also fell.

A couple of the Lions youngsters, including debutant Harrison Scardamaglia, got the Lions within sight of three figures with a 30 run partnership.

From there the Lions lost frequent wickets, including three players going for a duck, and were bowled out for 139 in the 41st over.

BrentonCooktopscoredwith36atthetopof the order as just two batters past 20.

Stephen Shields took two early wickets for the Lions to have the Woodsmen in trouble at 2-8.

From there it was all the Woodsmen, who went on to make 2-143 to get back on the winners list.

After four rounds, the Lions are one of two teams without a win.

This week the Lions will face Malvern in a Saturday-Sundaytwo-dayclashatMacPherson Park.

It was a better day for the Lions second XI which beat Spotswood.

Spotswood made 177 from its overs with the Lions hitting the winning runs with four balls

remaining.

They finished 6-179 with Matt Stead top scoringwith38asmostofthebattersgotstarts.

Falcons in good position

By Tara Murray

Caroline Springs is already putting lessons learned from the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Roy Picone Shield into place. After a disappointing result in round three with their bats failing to fire, the Falcons find themselves in a good spot after day one against Kingsville.

After sending in Kingsville, the Falcons bowled them out for 167 within 62 overs on Saturday.

The Falcons will resume at 0-46.

Coach Ian Shattock said it was a pretty good performance on day one

“We had a strong bowling performance,” he said. “We had some tough patches throughout the day, but we kept pressing to bowl them out for 167.

“It was a really good bowling performance and we had a run out and we had a really good one-handed catch.

Braedon Mulheran and Roshan Laksiri took three wickets each for the Falcons. The total is the same as the previous round against Gellibrand which they failed to chase down.

Shattock said they chatted after the Gellibrand game about how they needed to bat out that period.

“It was a little disappointing against Gellibrand as I thought we had bowled well,” he said. “We lost wickets early on day one.

“We couldn’t get a partnership going with Rukshan [Fernando], who was batting really well for us.

“We had a little bit of a chat about some things that we could do differently and the hard week that we needed to do.”

“This week was a lot better and we finished 0-46.”

Shattocksaidoneofthemostpleasingthings out of Saturday’s performance was the spread of wicket takers they had after Jermaine Levy took five wickets the round before.

He said they were confident of getting the job done this Saturday with several good bats still in the shed

After a strong season last season, the Falcons have kept their core group together while adding some new faces. Shattock has also taken over as coach.

“Farrukh Shahzad has come across from Pascoe Vale and is a quality bat,”

Meanwhile, the Lions women’s side also sufferedalossonSundayintheCricketVictoria Women’s Community Cricket Competition shield (2) competition.

Facing Melbourne University (2), the Lions decided to bat on their home deck.

The Lions ended up making 9-82 from their overs.

Candace Hulett top scored with 35 and Liz Trakosas made 21 as the only batters to reach double figures.

The Lions took a couple of early wickets before Melbourne University kick started its innings.

Melbourne University finished 2-83.

Amy Hibbert and Trakosas were the wicket takers.

After seven rounds, the Lions have two wins. This week the Lions are on the road against Point Cook Centrals in a one-dater on Sunday.

Shattock said.

“Rukshan [Fernando] has crossed from Maribyrnong Park, while we’ve got Jermaine Levy. They’re all fitting in well and they’re really good people.”

Shattock said the aim this season was to make finals again and build from there.

“That is the plan,” he said. “I think we have a good team and we want to get as many wins as we can especially early in the season and put ourselves in a good position.”

Meanwhile in senior division, Sydenham Hillside has continued its good form.

The Storm is 2-56 in reply to St Albans’ 167. Anthony Alleyne took four wickets for the Storm.

In the Evans-Clark Shield, Melton South Royalsare0-1afterbowlingWerribeeCentrals out for 200.

SamankumaraMuthuwadigecontinuedhis good form, taking four wickets, while Praveen De Silva took five wickets.

In the Russell Pollock Shield, Melton Centrals are 4-59 in reply to Wyndham Vale’s 132.

Donnybrook made 136 against Burnside Springs United.

New Bacchus Marsh coach Nichole Gleeson is excited to help the Cobras take the next step in the Ballarat Netball League.

Gleeson, who coached Melton the past two seasons, wasn’t planning on coaching next year until her home town club came calling.

Havinghadaconnectionwiththeclub, including her husband coaching there, it was an offer too hard to knock back

“I’m really thrilled to be working at Bacchus Marsh,” she said. “To be honest I didn’t foresee myself going on after my time was up at Melton.

“They [Bacchus Marsh] approached me and I couldn’t refuse, it’s my home team. When the offer was there, it was exciting to be able to take it on.“

Gleeson said while it had been a number of tough years for the club’s netball program a lot of good things had been put in place.

Many of the players were playing two games a day and continued to give back to the club to ensure the netball program was up and running.

“It’s a good challenge and I’m coming in and there is a pretty good foundation that they already have in place,” Gleeson said.“Theyhavesuchdeterminedplayers and I respect what they’ve done so far. HopefullyIcanbringsomesuccesstothe scoreboard next year.”

Gleeson said having coached in the competition it gave her a good understanding of what to expect and the opposition.

She said she will work with that advantage.

The Cobras A-grade side didn’t win a match this year.

The Cobras will have netball trials on November 16 for all grades between 9.30am-noon.

Gleeson said that she had some players from Melton coming across with her.

“It is good to have signed a few players which is exciting as we continue to build at Bacchus Marsh,” she said.

“We’ll be welcoming some players, both new and existing players, and I’m looking forward to seeing some of the new teams and a new playing group.

Trial details: https://tinyurl.com/ mr456asx

Tara Murray

Harrison Scardamaglia on debut for Melton. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 442424_18

Rukshan Fernando. (Ljubica Vrankovic0 440866_02