Children across Melbourne’s western suburbs, including Harrison, 9, are eagerly counting down the days until the big man in red arrives. As the end of 2024 draws near, the team at StarWeeklywould like to wish readers and advertisers a Merry Christmas and safe and happy 2025. The first edition for 2025 will be out on Tuesday, January 7.
By Oscar Parry
Sunbury residents are calling for a local 24-hour veterinary emergency centre, raising concerns about the travel distance to the nearest dedicated animal hospitals of this kind.
StarWeekly understands that the nearest emergency veterinary centres to Sunbury include ARH Essendon Fields Veterinary Specialists and Advanced Vetcare Kensington –approximately25and30minutesdriveaway from the suburb respectively.
Sunbury resident and pet owner Caitlin Grima said this distance and the local need
for an emergency vet creates “worry as a pet owner”, especially after her dog died about four years ago when it went into cardiac arrest fromawaspstingandwasunabletobetreated in time.
She said she took her dog to Sunbury Animal Hospital, which was closing at the time but was “amazing and rushed him to the Essendon Fields Animal Referral Hospital”.
out of that seizure, and … obviously that could potentially lead to death as well.”
Ms Grima said it would be ideal to have a regular and ongoing after-hours service with in-centre treatment for pets, such as ICU equipment.
“The vets in Sunbury are amazing and I’m sogratefulforthem,butitwouldbegreattobe able to access them more regularly.”
“Even on Sundays, there’s nothing really open,” Ms Meade said.
“We all know no one gets sick Monday to Friday, nine-to-five. That’s been stressful when I’ve had an unwell pet. It comes to Friday [and] I think ‘I’ve got to go’ … you have to think about it – ‘what am I going to on Sunday?’” she said.
“I feel like if Sunbury potentially had the facilities, yes – he would have had a chance,”
Ms Grima said.
“We have another Staffy – he has been diagnosed with epilepsy. That anxiety around him having a seizure, not being able to come
Sunbury resident and volunteer animal rescuer Rachel Meade said the lack of local after-hours emergency animal care in the suburb “forces your hand” in terms of planning for the worst case scenario with an unwell pet.
She said the distance to the nearest after-hours emergency animal hospital could also pose driving safety issues for those who decide to transport their unwell pets themselves due to the distress and urgency.
“I’d hate to think of myself having to drive … I think it would be a horrible drive.”
By Prealene Khera
Police will be asked to investigate a “malicious” and potentially illegal clandestine recording made during a private Hume council briefing, which emerged on social media during the November local government elections.
At the Hume council meeting on December 9, councillor Carly Moore raised a motion pushing for an inquiry into a non-consensual recording made during a closed meeting, without the knowledge of its participants.
Confidential items were also discussed at the same briefing.
Recording a person without consent is unlawful and a breach of section 11 of the Surveillance Devices Act 1999, the report tabled at the recent council meeting stated.
In addition, the report said, section 125 of the Local Government Act 2020 prohibits the disclosure of information a person should reasonably know is confidential information.
Cr Moore said the “unauthorised and undisclosed” recording went against the standards council representatives needed to abide by.
“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept, and I’m not willing to accept that
this conduct is acceptable,” she said.
“We must act with integrity and honesty. We must treat all persons with dignity, fairness, objectivity,courtesy,andrespect.Therecording that this [motion] refers to was circulated on social media through an account in the name of someone who was not a party to the meeting where the recording was taken.
“How did this person get the recording? If they believed this conduct is acceptable, why were they not willing to put their name to it?”
Council will now refer the matter to Victoria Police, requesting an investigation.
Cr Naim Kurt said it was important to
After nine weeks of planning and effort, students from Sunbury Downs College will host a colour fun run this week to raise funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Organised by year nine students and titled Fight for the Kids, the idea was formed through a nine-week project during which students were required to plan and execute a community learning project.
The students created a presentation of their idea to pitch to teachers at the college before beginning the planning stages, then seeking sponsorship from local companies for the
event once the date was confirmed.
Students Hannah, Makayla, Eliot, Sarah, and Xavier, they said they were “looking forward” to the fundraising event, making a difference in others’ lives, and celebrating the end of the year.
“Honestly, we wanted to do this project because to contribute to something bigger than ourselves, and by raising funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital, we have succeeded in our goal,” they said.
“We came up with the colour fun run idea when we went to Gnurad-gundidj, a school
Families will no longer have to pay an application fee when enrolling their children at Hume council-run kinders, with the move eliminating financial barriers to access.
At the council meeting on December 9, councillors adopted the kindergarten central registration policy to implement a number of changes in the enrolment process.
According to a report tabled at the meeting, the redeveloped policy paves way for the removal of paper-based registration, swapping it with an online system.
It has also slashed the $17.50 application fee, which the report said, is a “barrier for families to access kindergarten and aligns withthestategovernment’sfreekindergarten reform”.
“The adoption of the policy will allow
for equitable access to kindergarten for all families including those that are vulnerable and those from culturally and linguistically diverse families,” the report added.
Councillor Karen Sherry echoed the sentiment.
“The application fee was a barrier to some families, particularly in the tough times that we’re facing lately with the cost of living crisis,” she said.
“I’m also pleased to say that for people who have difficulty accessing the online system, support will be provided as well in accessing that system.
“The kindergarten policy has been streamlined for better access all round.”
Prealene Khera
understand the legal ramifications of the deed.
“[How many] of those briefing sessions were recorded and how many years worth of recordings exist out there, and how [might] they be used in the future?” he said.
“So it’s really important I think to get the answers on this.”
Council is also expected to seek direction from the local government minister on how councillorsandcouncilofficerscanbeprotected from breaches of this nature reoccurring.
StarWeekly has chosen not to disclose the contents of the recording since it is believed to be illegally obtained.
based on teaching year nine students how to step up and take on leadership roles.”
They added that they were also “super excited” to be able to throw colour powder at their teachers and friends.
College year nine co-ordinator Nathan Snelson said he really enjoyed working alongside the students to organise the event, wheretheytook“initiativeandresponsibility” for the event and made plenty of effort to seek sponsorship and promote the event.
Oscar Parry
Vandalism to one of the lifts in the Sunbury multilevel car park has left it out of service at the “busiest time of the year”, with new parts required to bring it back into operation.
Hume mayor Jarrod Bell said the builder responsible for post-construction maintenance of the car park attended the site on November 21 to perform repairs on the lift, determining that the level of vandalism required parts replacement.
These parts were ordered, with a delivery date yet to be confirmed.
In a statement to Star Weekly , Cr Bell said that the car park has “been successful in relieving parking congestion in the Sunbury CBD,” and this “thoughtless act is unnecessarily inconveniencing people at the busiest time of year”.
“The necessary parts for the lift repair havebeenordered,andweareinregular contact with the lift company who’ve assured us they are in transit,” he said.
“While we have CCTV cameras installed at the facility, the monitoring of footage – which doesn’t always identify offenders – and ongoing repairs is an unfortunate drain on ratepayers money.”
Cr Bell added that reducing lift access “disproportionately impacts people with a disability”.
The council is urging anyone who noticessuspiciousbehaviouratthesiteto notify police immediately by contacting triple-0, and to report damage through the council’s Snap, Send, Solve service or by calling 9205 2200.
Oscar Parry
By Oscar Parry
Students in Sunbury and Macedon Ranges received their ATAR results last week, with outstanding results across schools in the region.
This included Sacred Heart College Kyneton, where three students achieved an ATAR above 96 and the college had a median study score of 30 – with study scores ranked out of 50.
College dux Frida Foerster received an ATAR result of 99.4 and dux proximus Claire Freeman scored 98.55.
Frida said her result was a “pleasant surprise” and that it has not fully sunk in yet. Her advice to next year’s year 12 students – make sure to maintain a healthy study-life balance.
She said plans to take a gap year before pursuing an arts and science double degree at Monash University the following year.
Sacred Heart principal Darren Egberts congratulated students for their efforts and said the results are the “culmination of six years of dedication, perseverance, and individual effort”.
At Salesian College Sunbury, college dux Will Vavallo received an ATAR of 95.45 and said he was “absolutely delighted” to receive this score and be awarded as this year’s dux.
“Moving into 2025, my aspiration is to commence engineering (honours) at RMIT University and navigate me towards becoming a specialist in my career field of choice,” he said.
The dux of Braemar College was Dempsey Smith with an ATAR of 99.55 and a perfect score in politics, with dux proximus Caitlin Shaw receiving 99.50 and a perfect score in English language.
Dempsey said he “couldn’t believe it” when
he saw his result and was “very, very pleased.”
He plans to study politics through a bachelor of arts at Melbourne university next year and said he recommends next year’s year 12 students to choose subjects they’re
(Damjan Janevski) 394047_01
Applications are open for an aquathon-style competition coming to Sunbury Aquatic Centre early next year, where sports clubs will form teams and face off for prizes.
Titled ‘Who Is Sunbury’s Toughest Team?’, the event on February 16 will involve a 300 metre swim and a 2 kilometre run.
Teams will consist of five participants from anygivenlocalsportsclub,withamaximumof two teams per club.
Clubs with multiple sports, such as football and netball clubs, can form teams across the sports.
Organiser Brian Millett said that he has had positive feedback from previous aquathon events and decided to organise the competition to promote connection among clubs and physical exercise.
“It builds better companionship and
camaraderie within the clubs, and teamwork,”
Mr Millett said.
“Instead of partying over the Christmas period, this event can give you something to focus on to put your energies into. Over Christmas, it gives them a goal to work on.”
He said that the event will be a “great showcase” of what can be done with the Sunbury 50-metre outdoor pool and the aquatic and leisure centre facility.
Top centre: Sacred Heart College Kyneton dux proximus Claire Freeman.
Top right: Salesian College Sunbury dux Will Vavallo.
Far left: Braemar College dux Dempsey Smith.
Left: Braemar College dux proximus Caitlin Shaw. (Pictures: Supplied)
passionate about, as it helps to “get through all of the work if you’re really interested in it.”
Students formally received their ATAR results on Thursday, December 12.
Sunbury Connected Communities is calling for community groups to apply for grants, aiming to support those that are “uniquely Sunbury.”
The group partners with the Sunbury Bendigo Bank branch to allocate funds raised from flagged accounts back into the Sunbury community and local organisations.
Connected Communities president Michael Osborne said the organisation is aiming to provide one million dollars to the Sunbury community through its grants and is encouraging applications.
“What we’re after is any form of community group within Sunbury and surrounds that … is uniquely Sunbury … has little opportunity to raise funds elsewhere, and … where the grant is going to make a huge difference to the members of that group,” Mr Osborne said.
He said examples of the group’s assistance to the community includes funding 25 large defibrillator units and 50 single-use units and providing direct support to local organisations including Sunbury StreetLife Festival, SunFest, Sunbury Neighbourhood Kitchen, and the Sunbury and Goonawarra neighbourhood houses.
Mr Osborne said that the committee loves to support smaller and lesser known organisations that might not get funding from other sources.
Further information and details on how to apply for a grant can be found on the group’s website. Details: sunburyconnectedcommunities.com.au
The event is open to anyone who is 18 or older and registered with a local sports club.
The top prize will be $10,000, with $3000 up for grabs for second place and $1000 for third.
Registration costs $20 per person or $100 per team.
Applications can be made by contacting Mr Millett for further information.
Contact: Brian Millett, 0425 759 706
you need to know how to claim your entitlements and when. That’s where Grainger Legal comes in. We will act on your behalf for claims for:
As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re building the Metro Tunnel. Work is underway with the fit out of five new underground stations at Anzac, Town Hall, State Library, Parkville and Arden. We’re now testing trains through the tunnel and fitting out the station interiors, making sure they operate smoothly, safely and they’re accessible to all.
While we work, disruptions could affect your travel
Train disruptions: Buses replace trains in both directions
Sunbury Line 1.30am 2 Jan to 3am 12 Jan
North Melbourne to Sunbury
Road disruptions: Closed road, lanes and ramps
Watsons Road, Diggers Rest Until late 2025At the level crossing
West Gate Freeway, Spotswood 9pm 6 Jan to 9am 17 Feb
Outbound lane from Williamstown to Millers roads
Outbound exit ramps to Millers Road and Grieve Parade
9pm 6 Jan to 5am 8 Mar
Citybound lane from Millers to Williamstown roads 5am 15 Feb to 5am 8 Mar
Williamstown Road, Spotswood 9pm 6 Jan to mid Apr
Millers Road, Brooklyn 5am 15 Feb to 5am 8 Mar
Grieve Parade, Brooklyn 5am 15 Feb to 5am 8 Mar
Citybound exit ramp to Williamstown Road
Outbound entry ramp to West Gate Freeway
Citybound entry ramp to West Gate Freeway
Citybound entry ramp to West Gate Freeway
Alex Lopes is a pelvic health physiotherapist, the director of Pelvic Health Melbourne in Altona North, and past national chair of the Australian Physiotherapy Association’s Women’s Men’s and Pelvic Health Group. This week she explores pelvic pain.
Pelvic pain is an umbrella term to describe pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic and intimate areas.
The pain is usually caused by:
• painful periods (35-50% )
• endometriosis or excessive uterine tissue in the abdominal cavity (10%)
• adenomyosis which is when glandular tissue of the uterus goes into the uterine wall (20-50%)
• polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) the symptoms of which are possible high testosterone, irregular periods, cystic ovaries, increased hair growth, weight gain, acne (8-12%)
• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) which can cause constipation, diarrhea or both with pain (3.5-10%)
• overactive bladder when you get the urge to go more often (12 %).
Overtimetheseconditionscandeveloppain sensitisation where you become more sensitive to pain.
How can I fix my pelvic pain?
With pelvic pain it is important to have the right team around you and, thankfully, in Australia the government has invested significantly in developing endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics. Your pelvic health physiotherapist will be a part of this team.
The physical stuff
Your pelvic health physiotherapist can help.
• How often are you clenching your body? Tension and gripping behaviours can aggravate your pain. Draw a big circle on your hand and every time you see this circle scan you body for tension and take notice. Are you gripping? Where? What percent? LET IT GO!
• Ice or heat can also help
• Breathing and stretches. Try box breathing –in for 4, hold for 4 out for 4 and repeat.
• Stretches – refer to the Pelvic Pain Australia
website for great stretches https://www. pelvicpain.org.au
• TENS – electrical current over your painful area to help calm the nerves
• Massage, dry needling, spinal mobility, exercises for pain and movement
The mental stuff
• Try to limit the amount of time you are thinking about your pain
• If you do think about your pain try saying to yourself “I will get better”
• Challenge yourself to stop avoiding activities
due to pain. Gently push your boundaries
• Mindfulnessandmeditation,whateverworks for you to relax and breath
The biological
Seeing your GP or a pain physician for appropriate pain medication can be the turning point - this is not codeine or opiates but medication that works on the brain and spinal cord to help normalise the pain signals to your body. We wish you well with your pelvic health journey and know that help is now out there.
The end-of-year holiday period can be heaps of fun – an opportunity to catch up with friends and family and generally celebrate the good things in life.
But it can also turn into a time of stress, exhaustion and sadness.
However, there are ways to manage the different demands at this very busy time of year. Here is our handy guide to taking care of your mental health as 2024 ends and 2025 begins.
Don’t be afraid to say no: From work functions to family gatherings, the holiday period can be full of invitations and expectations. Opportunities to catch up with colleagues, friends or relatives can quickly turn into a packed social schedule. When the prospect of a get-together makes you feel more worried than excited, then it’s probably time to gently decline the invitation.
Pace yourself: It can be good to realise that you have invitations to lots of different occasions in a short period of time – but it can be exhausting to accept them all!
It’s important to protect your energy reserves and your privacy during this period. Think carefully about which invitations to accept. Make sure you schedule some rest time between events. If you’re tired and grumpy, neither you nor anyone else will enjoy themselves.
Be kind: When talking to friends and family about holiday season commitments, using polite and considerate language just makes everything flow more smoothly.
Declining an invitation to a party can feel
challenging – we may feel pressure to please others – but doing so gently and firmly makes the process much easier.
Practice self-care: What do you like to do to relax? Perhaps you like to go swimming, or ride a bicycle, or read a book, or do yoga. It’s important to make sure you quarantine time for yourself. Everything works better when you’re rested and refreshed.
Watch your wallet: At this time of year it is very easy to spend lots of money, and run up hefty credit card bills. Buying presents for people we care for can make us feel good and fulfilled – but that feeling can turn to sadness and resentment if we drain our bank accounts to do so.
It’s a cliché, but it’s not the cost of the gift that counts – it’s the thought.
Manage your expectations: Sometimes, with the best will in the world, things don’t go as planned. Trains run late. Cars break down. You can wake up feeling poorly – or just more tired than you expected.
Sometimes you’re going to disappoint others, or disappoint yourself. And you know what? It doesn’t matter. Forgive yourself. Let go of the idea of perfection. Enjoy the moments that happen, and forget about the ones that don’t.
Not all family moments are happy moments: The holiday period can be a time of big family gatherings. For some this can be an occasion for joy and togetherness. For others, though, it can be a time of friction and argument.
Some family members may hold views with
which you disagree. Is a big reunion the right time to mount a challenge, or is it better to simply avoid the subject?
Your mental and physical health are more important than once-a-year family obligations. Don’t be afraid to turn down invitations if the thought of attending doesn’t fill you with joy.
A chicken is not a vegetable: Family feasts and end-of-year work dinners can be stressful for people with dietary restrictions. What you choose to eat is no one’s business but your own.
Take time before each event to gently let hosts know of your food needs. You’re not being picky or fussy – you’re being true to yourself.
Remember, not everyone has a family: This time of year is full of family catch-ups, but not everyone is connected.
For some members of your community, this can be a time of loneliness and isolation. Perhaps think about reaching out and checking in on your acquaintances, making sure they are okay.
Reach out when you need to: At this time of year, it’s not unusual to feel lonely or sad. Friends and family can sometimes provide help – but sometimes too it’s good to reach out to others.
Head To Health is a free national service that can help you find the help you need, in the right place at the right time. Dedicated mental health counsellors will talk with you andlinkyouwiththemostappropriateservice to provide you with support and care. Youcanmakecontactthroughthewebsite–headtohealth.gov. au -- or make a free call on 1800 595 212 between 8.30am - 5pm weekdays (except public holidays).
If it’s urgent, here’s what to do: Head to Health is not a crisis or emergency service. For urgent support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. If you need immediate help or are at risk of harm to yourself or others, call 000.
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Christmas is the perfect time to explore the joy of reading with children.
Librarian Jessica Strong said there are plenty of books that capture the twinkle and magic of the festive season.
“One of my favourite Christmas books this year is the lyrical 12 Days of Bush Christmas by Megan Van Den Berg and Emma Bamblett,” she said.
“This adaptation of the familiar classic is a welcome Koorie spin on the story.”
Ms Strong said every generation of children the world over ponder just how the big feller gets down the chimney.
A reasonable question that often leads to another equally reasonable question – what does Santa do when there is no chimney?
The hilarious picture book ‘How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?’ by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen Might have the answers to these pressing questions and shows two of the biggest names in children’s books at their best.
Ms Strong said Sophie Beer’s The 12 Days of Kindness celebrates the “joy and anticipation young children have for the festive season”.
While many tales, and our screens, often depict white Christmases and winter wonderlands in the Northern Hemisphere, there are stories more tailored to the ‘Great Southern Land.’
Ms Strong said there is something comforting about festive stories set down under.
“It’s wonderful to see local stories that reflect our summer Christmas experience. A delightful recent addition is Christmas Is, by Philip Bunting.”
For younger children (or anyone who is not too cool or proud to admit it), shared bedtime reading stories are a great way to bond and slip into a slumber.
Alex T Smith’s How Winston Delivered Christmas, and The Grumpus are a fun way to end a day, while Dr Suess’s ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ will never go out of fashion.
The state is expanding its Free Period Products in Schools initiative with free pelvic pain and menstrual health education for years 5–10 students from next year.Sexual Health Victoria will deliver the pelvic pain and menstrual health education program, aiming to reach 400 government schools by 2027. The education sessions will help students develop the skills and confidence to recognise when and how to seek help and support. The sessions will also cover endometriosis and other conditions that can cause pelvic pain –many of which are only diagnosed after significant delays.
An RACV online poll has revealed the majority of Victorians are confused about the legal use of car horns. Responding to the question: ‘When is it legal to use your car horn?’ only 11 per cent of respondents selected the correct answer: ‘To warn others of the position of your vehicle.’ Victorian road rule 224 states that motorists can only use a horn to warn other road users or animals of the approach or position of your vehicle. The only other legal use of a horn is if it is part of an anti-theft device or alcohol interlock fitted to the vehicle.The current fine for breaching Victorian car horn rules is $184.92.
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Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly
By Prealene Khera
In an effort to address serious and overwhelming levels of socio-economic disadvantage in the municipality, Hume council has backed a bid to establish a dedicated group to draw up solutions to tackle the debilitating challenge.
The decision follows councillor Kate Hamley’s impassioned plea to do the “right thing” at the December 9 council meeting.
Cr Hamley moved a successful motion to push for the formation of a working committee to investigate options to address
socio-economic disadvantage in Hume.
It comes after the Victorian Council of Social Service’s (VCOSS) Mapping Poverty in Victoria 2023 report found the region had the highest rate of poverty in the state.
“[This] report emphasises how serious a problem social economic inequality has become in Hume,” Cr Hamley said.
“Modern day poverty is hidden behind record housing unaffordability, high rents, and household debt.
“You might not see it, but there are people in our community that can’t afford food, that can’t afford heating or cooling and can’t afford
to leave their homes.”
Accordingtothereporttabledatthecouncil meeting, VCOSS’ findings highlighted a pressing need for action, which Cr Hamley’s appeal also mirrored.
“With our community in crisis, it’s our duty to act,” she said. “Hume is one of the first local government areas in Victoria with a social justice charter, which even preceded the Victorian charter of human rights and responsibilities.
“We have a history of standing for fairness. This motion isn’t a criticism of this council’s action to date, but an invitation to do more,
Sunbury Village Green is home to a new plaque commemorating land surveyor Henry Wade, with officials and community members gathering at the reserve for its unveiling last week.
Hume mayor Jarrod Bell, Sunbury MP Josh Bull, descendants of Mr Wade, Surveyor–GeneralVictoriarepresentativesandmembers of the Sunbury Family History and Heritage Society were in attendance at the event on Tuesday, December 10.
The plaque memorialises Mr Wade, who performed significant work as a land surveyor
in Victoria in the 1800s, helping to establish the Victoria–South Australia border line.
He died while surveying Sunbury’s boundaries in 1854, with his final works surveying Yangardook establishing him as an important historical figure in Sunbury and surrounds.
Hume council worked with Surveyors–General Victoria to replace the plaque after a previous one at Gap Road and Napier Street in Sunbury was stolen last year.
Cr Bell said Mr Wade holds an “important place in Hume’s history“.
“The restoration of the Henry Wade Memorial Plaque in the middle of Sunbury, where all can view it, honours Henry Wade’s legacy and enables us to reflect on the significance of his work in shaping the land we call home,” Cr Bell said.
The new location at the Sunbury Village Green was chosen with co-operation from the Wade family as a more central and accessible location.
The ceremony coincided with the 150th anniversary celebration of the Institution of Surveyors Victoria.
because we can, we should and because it’s the right thing to do.”
Other than giving the green light to the working group, these motion included the council formally recognising the harm that socio-economic disadvantage is causing to the community, as well appointing the mayor and chief executive to oversee the development of a terms of reference document to guide the purpose, scope and functioning of the working group.
Any recommendations arising from this process will be referred for consideration as part of the council’s 2025-26 budget process.
A new bus network has arrived in Gisborne, with the state government aiming to improve public transport services and access in the region.
The new network started on Sunday, December 15, and introduced a fixed-two-way loop service with no booking required, and a pre-booked service direct from Bullengarook to Gisborne Station.
Routes 473 and 474 will be replaced with new routes 73 and 74, aiming to create a simple and fixed two-way loop around Gisborne.
The pre-booked service from Bullengarook to Gisborne Station via town centre, route 77, will have more services on weekdays and new weekend services.
It will be available for four return trips per weekday, three return trips on Saturday, and two on Sunday.
Bookings for this route can be made on the Gisborne Transit website and must be made by 6pm the day prior to travel.
The state government said the introduction of the new bus network “follows extensive community consultation,” with local feedback proposing the loop to be extended past the station to pick up and drop students off at Holy Cross Primary School.
Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas said that “local voices have helped us shape the new bus network.”
Information regarding the new services can be found on the Public Transport Victoria (PTV) website, through its journey planner app, or by calling 1800 800 007.
By Faith Macale
During the holidays, most people would be home with friends and families, but one place you wouldn’t expect to be busy would be a hospital.
This isn’t always the case, with Western Health’s Footscray Hospital staff getting ready for the holiday rush.
Emergency department nurse Alicia Kane is a veteran when it c omes to Christmas Day shifts at the hospital.
“I kind of like working Christmas,” she said. “I like it because you get a lot of people who don’t have a very nice Christmas Day, so you get to make an extra effort to try and make someone else’s day a little bit nicer.”
Ms Kane will be working the morning shift on Christmas Day, which gives her time to spend with her family as well.
“Our work is also our family, so you get to spend Christmas with your work family,” she said. “That’s what I really like.”
On the admin side of things, Mary Scuticcio sees families visit their loved ones at the hospital on Christmas Day.
She said visiting hours on Christmas Day are pretty lenient so families can spend lots of time with their loved ones.
“I’ve seen them come in and visit with Christmas hats, they bring flowers, and some will bring gifts,” she said. “I do wish them a MerryChristmasandhopefully,they(patients) get out of the hospital soon.”
Footscray Hospital’s intensive care unit nurse Charmaine Malapitan said staff were aware that Christmas is not a happy time for everyone.
“We know it can be a lonely time for many people,“ she said. “If you could find someone to be with, spend the special occasion with a
special someone.” Ms Malapitan is working a night shift this year,andwillcelebratewithco-workerssharing food and laughter.
“I’m hoping it’s not going to be too busy because everyone will be celebrating,” she said.“Thenagain,youcan’treallycontrolwhen people get sick or not so we’re always open.”
Radiographer Steven Pham is also working
on Christmas Day and despite his expectations of a busy shift, he hopes everyone will stay safe during the celebrations.
“I’m expecting quite a few patients to come in because of falls,” he said. “Given we work in the medical imaging department, that’s generally what makes up a good chunk portion of the patients.”
“They come in, they’ve fallen and they fracture something.
“Some circumstances just happen, they just fall and it’s not any fault of theirs or anyone else’s,” he said.
“Please do be safe out there at this time, and try to do things in moderation so you don’t end up in a hospital.”
“That’s probably the last place you want to be.”
The Deeble family is synonymous with baseball in Melbourne’s west and across the world. Tara Murray chats with Jon Deeble, who has just returned to Australia after winning his sixth Major Baseball League World Series championship.
Jon Deeble is living the dream as he spends his year chasing the baseball seasons.
Deeble, who grew up in Melbourne’s west, was raised around baseball and has continued his father’s legacy.
He is currently the coach of the Melbourne Aces in the Australian Baseball League, while also a director with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“I’m sort of on the road for half the year around the world,” he said. “I’m in Melbourne for a couple of months, coaching the Melbourne Aces.
“I’ve been doing it for eight years. I come home and do the Melbourne Aces in the off season, and then get back on the road.”
Deeble said it can get busy going from one to the other but it’s something he loves.
It’s been a long journey for Deeble since his first visit to America in 1993.
Coaching in Melbourne at the time, Deeble initially said no to moving to the states when he was first asked.
“IwasplayingwiththeMelbourneMonarchs down at Altona, then their licence was taken away,” he said. “I played for the Waverley Reds for a couple of years, then the Monarchs were coming back into existence and they were owned by the Western Bulldogs and they were going to be affiliated with the Florida Marlins.
‘‘ I got to LA and thought, ‘what am I doing as an Australian guy teaching Americans how to play baseball?’ ’’ - Jon Deeble
“They asked me to coach the Melbourne Monarchs. From there, John Boles and Rick Freeman, who were both with the Marlins, offered me a job in the states.
“The first year I didn’t accept it, as I was working with the Bulldogs, but ended up going over there the next year.
“I got to LA and thought, ’what am I doing as an Australian guy teaching Americans how to play baseball?’
“So that is why it started.”
Deeble was with the Marlins when he won the world championship in 1997 before he moved to the Boston Red Sox when the Marlins owner bought the Sox.
He was there for 16 years and won three more championship rings, before he was head hunted by the Dodgers.
“I coached Major League in 2005. I’ve spent a lot of time coaching in the minor leagues and at the same time scouting Asia.
“I’ve sort of had multiple jobs.”
The Dodgers recently won the World Series Championships to give Deeble his sixth championship ring and second at the Dodgers.
Deeble said every ring was different.
“At the start it was really exciting and it’s still really exciting, because you want to win,” hesaid. “MypartofitistheAsiandepartment, director of the Asia Pacific.
“We had Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitch the second game of the World Series and he dominated, he’s one of the guys that I’ve signed.
“Shohei Ohtani is another. We’ve been very active in the Asian region, not just with major league guys, but minor league guys as well.
“That part of it is really interesting and exciting.”
Deeble said he could have never imagined where his career would take him when he first started out.
He said how it has ended up as a dream come true.
“It’s all I’ve known for work for the past 33 years,” he said.
“Tommy Lasorda, who is a legend of the Los Angeles Dodgers, passed away a couple of years ago. He is the original Mr Dodger and
he signed a photo of himself and gave it to me in 1978 and it said ’Jon, a future Dodger’.
“I’ve still got the photo which is really unreal that I would end up working there as an Australian guy.
“It’s been a great ride and I’ve met a lot of people and I have a lot of friends in the states.
It’s been a hell of a ride, the Dodgers have been an unbelievable organisation.”
It’s no surprise that Deeble entered into baseball when he was young.
His father Don Deeble played for Australia and was among the first inducted into the Baseball Australia Hall of Fame.
Star Weekly is a sponsor of the Sunshine and
Western Region Sports Club’s Don Deeble award which recognises him.
Jon Deeble is also a member of the hall of fame, while his brother Michael Deeble also played for Australia.
“I’m sure he would be pretty proud,” Jon said of his father. “He was also one that was very quiet, never one to pat you on the back.
“He was very quiet or never gave any advice, he just stayed out of it to be honest.”
Deeble said he’s happy with where his career is and doesn’t want to climb any higher up the ladder in the states.
Among his achievements is coaching the Australian Olympic baseball team for 19 years.
For now, Deeble is focused on the Aces’ season. It hasn’t been the ideal start with rain affecting several of their games, but the Aces were still sitting in second spot heading into the weekend’s matches which were after deadline.
“Expectations were to win everything, win the final and that has not changed,” he said.
“The first week we lost our Australian players, they were away on the Australian team that is six players.
“That was a little tough, now home for two weeks it will start to tell the tale, we need to get better.”
Lifestyle Deanside dazzled in a display of lights for one unforgettable evening, welcoming the wider community into a festive wonderland created by the dedicated homeowners.
Forthesehomeowners,thiseventhasbecome a cherished tradition, but for many first-time visitors, it offered a rare glimpse into the vibrant and connected life enjoyed by over 50s, filled with warmth and genuine connection.
More than 28 beautifully decorated homes twinkled under the night sky, inviting guests to wander through glowing streets and marvel at the community’s creativity. Among the highlights was a handcrafted Santa’s workshop, ingeniously made from egg cartons – a true community effort that showcased the resourcefulness and spirit of teamwork within Lifestyle Deanside.
The night’s success was a testament to the collective effort of many, creating an evening that restored nostalgia and sparked excitement for everyone who attended.
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
Family History & Heritage Society
The Sunbury Family History & Heritage Society Inc. will resume their meetings for 2025 on Thursday 16th January at 1.30pm in Room 5 at the Sunbury Global Learning Centre, Macedon Street. The Society will continue to meet at that venue on the third Thursday of the month at 1.30pm throughout 2025 until the final meeting for the year on 20th November 2025. Everyone welcome.
https://bit.ly/3jvM6oJ
Scottish country dancing
The Macedon Ranges Scottish Country Dancing Group meets every Thursday afternoon 1-3pm at Buffalo Stadium, Woodend. The dancing involves social country dancing, and no special clothes needed, just soft flat shoes.
Meg 0409 166 783, or Linda 0408 476 317
Community. Connect. Create.
If you are needing support or looking for a social group to join, you can visit Community. Connect. Create, which is an online resource listing support and community groups in the Macedon Ranges. if you would like your group listed or would like to work to help this project grow please email: fiona@communityconnectcreate. com.au
Communityconnectcreate.com.au
Amateur radio club
The Macedon Ranges Amateur Radio Club meets on the third Saturday of the month at the Woodend RSL Hall, 32 Anslow Street, Woodend, at 10am. If you are interested in amateur radio or already have a call sign, this could be for you.
http://www.mrarc.org.au
Take off weight naturally
Struggling to lose weight? Struggling to get motivated? Want to try and do it in a friendly and less stressful atmosphere? Come and join TOWN (Take Off Weight Naturally) every Thursday at 9am at the Sunbury Neighbourhood House, 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury.
Rhonda, 0409 740 924
Kyneton Badminton Club
Kyneton Badminton Club is a welcoming, fun and social group that plays on Mondays, at 7pm at the Kyneton Toyota Sports and Aquatic Centre, Victoria Street. All skill levels are welcome.
kynetonbc@gmail.com
Sunbury Macedon Ranges Lodge
Meets monthly on the second Wednesday of the month at 7pm, 73 Main Street, Romsey. New members welcome.
Wayne, 0404 034 737, or Ian, 0438 240 402
Rotary club
The Sunbury Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at the Ball Court Hotel, 60 Macedon Street, Sunbury, from 7pm.
sunburyrotary@gmail.com
Ladies probus
The Woodlands Ladies Probus Club of Sunbury meets on the fourth Monday of each month at the Sunbury Bowling Club at 9.45am.
Leonie, 0401 764 182
Probus Club Of Sunbury
Join the Probus Club of Sunbury on the first Wednesday of the month at the Sunbury Bowling club at 9.30am. It’s a friendly men’s group open to visitors and new members, with a number of great events held each month.
Greg, 0417 593 035
Sunbury Ladies Probus Club
The Sunbury Ladies Probus Club meets at 9.30am on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Sunbury Football Social Club rooms.
Pat, 0433 789 754, or Sylvia, 0417 170 142
Sunbury Combined Probus Club
The Sunbury Combined Probus Club meets every fourth Thursday of the month at the Sunbury Bowling Club at 10am.
Jo, 0410 834 272
Camera club
The Macedon Ranges Photographic Society is your local camera club for friendship, photographic outings, workshops, guest presenters, competitions and more.
Meetings on the first Tuesday of the month, followed by the next Monday. Doors open at 7pm, meeting starts at 7.30pm at Dromkeen, 1012 Kilmore Road, Riddells Creek.
https://bit.ly/41j5BEw
Breast cancer support group
On the first and third Tuesday of the month breast cancer survivors are invited to head along to the Gisborne Golf Club at 10.30am to take part in a breast cancer support group.
Lesley, 0484 691 226
Arts and games night
Get creative at the Sunbury Youth Centre each Wednesday, from 3.30-5.30pm. The free program is for people aged 12 to 18 years old, at 51-53 Evans Street, Sunbury.
Village connect
Enjoy free coffee and cake while connecting with fellow Macedon Ranges residents 55 years old and older. Happening on Tuesdays and Thursday at cafes across the municipality.
https://bit.ly/3AMUrxm, or 5422 0262
HarmoniX Vocal Company
All-male singing group happening on Thursday, 7-9.30pm, in Sunbury, with a mixed choir, DynamiX Vocal Company, rehearsing Tuesday, 7-9.30pm. Rehearse at Dulap Wilim Hub, Leichardt Street, Sunbury. No auditions required.
harmonixvcinc@gmail.com
Jacksons Creek Combined Probus
The club meets on the second Monday of each month at the Sunbury Bowling Club at 10am. This friendly group of men and women enjoy outings and meetings each month and twice yearly trips away staying in cabins and caravans. Visitors and new members are warmly welcomed
Doug, 5428 3317, or Teresa, 0417 373 006
Craft and conversation
Head down to the Sunbury Library on Mondays at noon for the craft and conversation group. The program is free and open to people aged 15 years and older.
https://bit.ly/39BIu2O
Chill Out Sunbury
Chill Out Sunbury is a free event for 12 and 18 years old to participate in activities such
as trivia, games, and more. Happening every Wednesday, 3.30-5.30pm, at the Sunbury Youth Centre, 51-53 Evans Street.
https://bit.ly/3lmVgVhv
Sunbury Ladies Badminton Club
Come along and be part of Sunbury Ladies Badminton Club and enjoy the benefits of physical activity. Social games are on Mondays, 9.30am- noon, and team competitions are on Thursdays, 9.30am-12.30pm, at Eric Boardman Stadium, Wilsons Lane.
sunburylbc@gmail.com
Come have a chat
Delve into deeper topics and enjoy intriguing conversations by joining the Table 8 Discussion Group. Chats every Tuesday, from 10.30-11.30am, at Macedon Lounge, 40 Victoria Street, Macedon.
Carol, 0431 186 575
CWA Woodend Eves
The CWA Woodend Eves Branch is part of the Central Highlands group and meets every third Tuesday at 7pm at the Woodend Golf Club. All women are welcome. cwawoodendeves@gmail.com
Sunbury Badminton Club
The Sunbury Badminton Club plays social games on Tuesdays and Wednesdays nights, from 7.30-9.30 pm, and on Wednesdays, 10am-noon. Monday night is a round robin competition from 7.30-9.30pm. All welcome to attend at Clarke Oval Stadium, 49 Riddell Road. sunburybc@gmail.com
Werribee Open Range Zoo (WROZ) is the place to be this Christmas Day, with the zoo open from 9am to 5pm with a full schedule of fascinating keeper talks and walking paths.
Guests can gander at gorillas, lions, hippos, monkeys and all types of African wildlife doing their thing on the savannah.
The iconic safari buses will be shuttling to-and-fro, giving visitors the opportunity to learn about species like giraffe, zebra and antelope.
If you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of Jabulani– the 3-month-old southern white rhino calf who has become something of a celebrity these days.
Christmas will be jolly, but the fun will last all summer.
From January 26, the splash park will be in full swing at Hippo Beach where kids can beat the summer heat and play in the water while looking out at the three gorgeous hippo girls.
There will also be a kid-friendly DJ playing jungle beats at hippo beach daily.
Every Saturday from January 4 to March 8, WORZ’s iconic Sunset Safari event will also be up and running.
Visitors will be able to adventure onto the savannah for an intimate, extended safari tour in the evening and delight in immersive Africanperformances,whileenjoyingcocktails
and snacks at Hippo Beach or feast with family and friends on a traditional African braai barbecue.
Christmas may be a holiday for us, but Zoos Victoria wants the public to know it is important to respect other creatures.
While research suggests that anthropomorphising wildlife may increase visitor-animalconnection,itrisksperpetuating the idea that the animal would make a good pet.
Giving animals in captivity the control and choice is key to maintaining their positive welfare.
Jaidyn Kennedy
For 30 years, Melton local Sandra Brogan has spread Christmas cheer around her neighbourhood with an annual Christmas display at her home.
The annual display started when Sandra’s dad started decorating for Christmas with some blow-up reindeer and Father Christmas at his home, and when he moved to Melton, he continued to do it for the kids in the neighbourhood.
Three decades later, Sandra continues the tradition.
“One Christmas Eve, we had nearly 300 people come,” Sandra said. “You can’t get a park in our street or the street opposite me.
“Theyparkaroundthecornerandwalkback.
“It’s really quite nice.”
The theme changes yearly – this year’s is white Christmas – but one consistent part of it is her daughter, Kelli, performing carols.
“Growing up we didn’t have expensive decorations,” Kelli said. =“As a family we made decorations, always had a Christmas tree and always celebrated together.
“WewouldwatchChristmasmoviesandtalk about how cool it must be in America to see the houses decorated.”
Last year, she released her Christmas song, Joy When we Believe, to celebrate the holidays.
“My family’s love of Christmas was the inspiration for my song Joy When We Believe,” Kelli said. “The lyrics describe the pleasure and wonder we see in children at Christmas time and the togetherness of families at Christmas. “EverythingIexperiencedasachildandeven now at Christmas is what I tried to capture in the lyrics of that song.”
Kelli said she loves performing at her mum’s
house for Christmas.
“In the past, when I was living at mum’s, I performed most nights during December,” she said. “I will perform this weekend and every night from next Thursday through and including Christmas Eve.
“It is always so much fun as the community enjoys the live music and the atmosphere it creates while looking at the lights.
“Some even have requests, as they come back each year.”
Besidesthedisplayandmusicalperformance byKelli,Sandrahasalsopreparedasurprisefor the children.
“On Christmas Eve, we have characters coming,” she said. “This year, we have Bluey and Bingo, Father Christmas, The Grinch, Mother Christmas is coming.
“We’re also having Olaf and Elsa from Frozen.”
Faith
The Gallery Mt Macedon is hosting its annual Christmas at the Gallery Exhibition, featuring handmadeworksfrom26ofitsartistmembers.
Running until mid-January, the exhibition will include paintings, textiles, photography, and jewellery.
All of the artworks in the exhibition are also for sale, offering a great opportunity to find a unique gift in time for Christmas.
Gallery president Colleen Weste said the exhibition spans across two rooms, with the gallery’s Focus Room looking “very much like Christmas.”
“They’re all very talented people who have put together things from ornaments to go on trees through to gifts to give to any age group,” Ms Weste said.
“We have everything in every medium … paintings, jewellery, textiles, photography.”
The Gallery Mt. Macedon features a new themed exhibition each month, presenting works from its local member artists across a wide range of media.
The gallery is open from 10am–4pm, Friday to Tuesday, at 684 Mount Macedon Road, Mt Macedon.
Details: thegallerymtmacedon.com.au
Set the date in your calendar’s now, as the busy Sunshine shopping precinct on Hampshire Road is set to be overrun by The Sunshine Lunar New Year Festival on Sunday, January 26.
Presented by the Sunshine Business Association, the free multicultural event runs every year, celebrating the lunar calendar, a time of renewal and for friends and family to come together to celebrate the start of a new year.
The Sunshine Lunar New Year Festival or Tét Festival will bring the culturally diverse community together in a safe and fun environment.
A huge day of free family fun, live entertainment, children’s rides, street performers, music, dancing, street food, face-painting, magical Lion and Dragon dancing, red-pockets and firecrackers ending with spectacular fireworks.
A large performance stage with seating area will burst with exciting musical acts, live multicultural bands and dance groups will entertain the communityandshowcasetheircultural heritage and talented musicians.
A wide array of street food stalls of many nations, super fun small and large children’s rides including the massive Ferris Wheel, face-painting, showbags, street-performers cultural kid’s activity zone will take over Hampshire Road.
Sunshine’s favourite local sporting groups will also attend and present fun kid’s activities.
A vibrant Lion and Dragon dance complete with long string fireworks will take place at 6pm at the stage ending with a traditional Lunar New Year display of fireworks at 9pm. Hampshire Road, between Devonshire and Foundry Roads will be closed to traffic on the day.
1. The Mighty Jills compete for Australia in which sport?
2. Former AFL players James Hird, Gary Ablett Snr and Nathan Buckley all wore what number guernsey?
3. A standard game of table tennis is a race to what score?
4. Ronnie O’Sullivan and Stephen Hendry are famous players of what sport?
5. Who is the current interim coach of the Matildas?
6. Which high jump technique was popularised by a US gold medal winner at the 1968 Olympics?
7. Originating in Finland, which humorous hobby sport is most popular with teenage girls?
8. The PWHL has announced teams will play how many regular-season games, an increase from their inaugural year?
The festive 2024 rom-com ChristmasintheSpotlight is inspired by the real-life relationship of which famous athlete?
Before starting her career as a rugby player, NZ powerhouse Portia Woodman played which other team sport professionally?
11. Which Australian racing driver made his Formula One debut in the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi?
Which Australian fast bowler missed the second Test against India due to a side strain injury?
13. How many goals did the Brisbane Lions score in their loss to North Melbourne in the AFLW grand final?
14. Basketballer Bryce Cotton scored how many points in an NBL game in the Perth Wildcats’ win over New Zealand?
15. True or false: Australia finished ahead of France in the Paris 2024 Olympics medal tally.
16. Which Aussie Rules club was known as the Prince Imperials in 1880–81, named in honour of Napoleon III’s only son?
17. South African-born Brydon Carse took 10 wickets in a match representing which Test cricket nation?
18. Which Kookaburras legend has retired from hockey with a record 451 international appearances for Australia?
19. Grey’sAnatomy star Patrick Dempsey finished in what position in the 2015 Le Mans 24 Hour motor race?
20. Gout Gout is the name of a 16-year-old Australian competing in which track and field discipline?
21. Olympic medallist skateboarder Arisa Trew was recently given which pet animal as a reward for her win?
22. The International Cricket Council recently criticised Australia for refusing to play which nation?
23. How many Matildas players scored their first international goals in their first friendly match against Chinese Taipei?
24. Which Australian city recently withdrew its bid for the 2030 Gay Games?
25. Jerry West is the player silhouette featured in the logo of which sporting league?
26. The NHL has a new team in 2024/25 based in which US state?
27. How many teams are competing in the 2024/25 WNBL season?
28. How many games did the North Melbourne AFL Women’s side lose in the 2024 season?
29. The late Neale Fraser was a champion in which sport?
30. With her 2024 win, how many consecutive Best and Fairest awards has AFLW player Monique Conti now won at Richmond and the Western Bulldogs?
To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.
ACROSS
1 Rule (3)
3 Request form (11)
9 Determination (7)
10 Bestowed (7)
11 Negatively charged subatomic particle (8)
12 Reddish metal (6)
14 Tavern (3)
15 Means (11)
17 Regions (11)
19 Possess (3)
20 Eight-legged animal (6)
21 Resonant (8)
24 Realm of an independent Islamic chieftain (7)
25 Grain from cassava (7)
26 Leader of a cause (11)
27 Prosecute (3)
apostrophes or plural nouns ending in “s”.
DOWN
1 Thief (9)
2 Cowboy literary genre (7)
3 Assign (5)
4 Extraordinary thing (10)
5 Formerly Persia (4)
6 Comparative conclusions (9)
7 Thoroughgoing, exhaustive (2,5)
8 Lowest point (5)
13 Rotorcraft (10)
15 Suppress (9)
16 Painting of the countryside (9)
18 Wetter in terms of weather (7)
19 Redolent (7)
20 Sugary (5)
22 Of equal value (2,3)
23 To dispense, to – out (4)
1 Riga is the capital of which country?
2 Actor Ryan Reynolds (pictured) is co-owner of which UK soccer team?
3 Which film won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2001?
4 Where in the human body does carpal tunnel occur? 5 How many times was England's King Henry VIII married? 6 In chess, how many different game pieces are there?
7 Which Brontë sister wrote the 1847 novel AgnesGrey?
8 And under what pseudonym was it published?
9 In what century was Genghis Khan born?
10 Which Chinese city is situated at the mouth of the Yangtze River?
RATINGS
Looks: 8/10
Performance: 7/10
Safety: 7/10
Thirst: 5/10
Practicality: 7/10
Comfort: 7/10
Tech: 8/10
Value: 6/10
By Derek Ogden, Marque Motoring
Intheidealautomobiletrifectaofperformance, economy and little nasty pollution Alfa Romeo has its money on plug-in hybrid electric vehicle technology, with the Tonale Plug-in Hybrid Q4 carrying top weight.
The new edition to the premium SUV line-up has form – sprinting from rest to 100km/h in 6.2 seconds, the ability to travel up to 60 kilometres on electric power alone with 34g/km CO2 tailpipe emissions. Top speed is 135km/h in full electric mode and 206km/h in hybrid.
While the figures speak for themselves, like SUVs of this ilk, the Veloce spec vehicle comes at a hefty price – from $77,500, plus on-road costs. Options of 20-inch alloys add $1500, or two premium paint finishes $1600 or $2500 respectively.
Equipped with the Alfa Q4 all-wheel drive system, the front wheels are powered by the petrol engine, the rear wheels by an electric motor, providing up to 208kW of power. The car takes advantage of a 7.4kW AC on-board charger and a Type 2 Smart Charging Port that enables home AC or public AC charging.
The Tonale Veloce Plug-in Hybrid Q4 is covered by a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty and Alfa Romeo roadside assist support package.
Styling
On the outside there’s plenty going on with Dark Miron body kit with matte inserts, Dark Miron ‘Scudetto’ front grille finish, Veloce badging and in line with the ‘electrification’, Alfa’s historic logo has been reinterpreted in an elegant elettro-biscione serigraphy on the dark tinted privacy glass left rear window.
Automatic LED matrix headlamps with adaptive beam and dynamic turn indicators share space with gloss black painted power foldingheatedexteriormirrorswithItalianflag.
The Tonale Plug-in Hybrid rolls on 19-inch diamond cut alloy wheels with stand-out Brembo red brake callipers.
Inside the cabin is luxury all round with perforated black leather-accented seats with embroidered Alfa Romeo logo and dark grey doublestitching,plusdarkgreyaccentstitching on front centre armrest and door trims. Front seats are heated and ventilated.
Aluminium door sills, steering wheelmounted shift paddles and floor pedals add a sporting touch, while customisable ambient lighting has found its place on board from post-September models.
Infotainment
A 10.25-inch touchscreen taps into infotainment and navigation, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto join Alfa Connect services and DAB+ digital radio being fed through a supreme 465W 14-speaker Harman/ Kardon sound system. There is a wireless charging pad and front and rear USB-A and -C ports.
The Tonale Plug-in Hybrid Q4 powertrain combines a 132kW 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated with a six-speed automatic transmission providing traction to the front axle with an electric motor supplying 90kW of peak power and 250Nm of torque to the rear axle.
A 306V 15.5kWh lithium-ion battery is good
for up to 60km electric range or in tandem with the petrol engine. A 7.4kW AC on-board charger and a Type 2 Smart Charging Port enables domestic AC charging or public AC charging.
Alfa Romeo says it takes less than two-and-a-half hours to fully charge the battery from the on-board system. The test car battery was topped up by 20 per cent in 90 minutes through a home three-pin plug set-up.ThelocalType2publicchargerrequired a BYO cable. Sadly, this Tonale was bereft of one.
The Tonale Plug-in Hybrid has earned a five-star Euro safety rating. Nothing from ANCAP yet. Autonomous driving features include active blind spot assist with rear cross trafficalert,adaptivecruisecontrolwithstop and go, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, lane support system, and driver behaviour alert. There’s a 360-degree camera with dynamic guidelines, front, rear and side parking sensors and Magic Park, plus traffic sign recognition and intelligent speed control.
Driving
Alfa Romeo has attached to the Tonale Plug-in Hybrid that much (over)used term DNA to describe a series of driver assistance systems
that point the way to an incomparable driving experience.
From the get-go there’s a hint of excitement from the Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce Plug-in Hybrid, with its instant torque electric motor. And there’s no letting up with a surprising rangeofadvancedautomobilesystemsonoffer. For example, with its rotary drive selector, it is capable of calling on Dynamic, Natural or Advanced efficiency (DNA), plus ESC Off modes, to arouse the interest of any driver. Dynamic has the petrol engine and electric motor combining for sporty performance; Natural produces optimum power with minimum fuel consumption; and Advanced Efficiency uses electric power only for low emissions in city traffic. ESC Off has the driver in full mechanical control of the vehicle in Dynamic mode.
Alfa Link stumps up the suspension with variable damping for optimum handling and comfort, and rear axle geometry comes into action on fast cornering. Then there’s e-Coasting Descent, which intervenes in place of the exhaust brake, even when the throttle is released, to recover energy when slowing, even when the brake pedal is released.
Summary
AlfaRomeohastakentheTonaleVelocePlug-in beyond the range of the run-of-the-mill petrol/ electric hybrid.
The summer season is finally heating up and with it there has been some cracker matches including on Saturday. StarWeekly photographer Ljubica Vrankovic was out shootingthesomeoftheaction.
Lancefield is hoping to keep the momentum going after locking in its squads for next year’s Riddell District Netball League season.
The Tigers made massive inroads this year under coach Ciara Stewart, closing the gap between them and the top sides.
All but two players will return to the Tigers for n399223_12ext season across all grades, while they’ve added additional numbers.
Stewart said they were really excited about what they could achieve.
“We’re pretty pleased to have maintained every player bar two,” she said. “One is taking a year off and the second is going back to play in under-17s.
“We’ve recruited enough players that we will have teams of 10 in every grade. The hard work that Kerry [Hammond] had done had mention we’ve been able to get some players across.”
One of the Tigers biggest challenges this year was having many of their players back up in A and B-grade every week.
Stewart said it would be good to see the girls not have to back up each week.
“We were able to match it with the top teams and were in front at three quarter time in a lot of games,” she said. “Then we died of a slow death in the final quarter. The players put out the effort but ran out of legs.
“They were exhausted after playing two whole games.
“We are foreshadowing that it won’t be a problem next year.”
The Tigers A-grade side will have a lot of familiar faces with eight playing regularly in A-grade this season.
Stewart said this off season was about filling the gaps that they needed.
Tarnee Hammond, who won the league B-grade shooting award this year, will just play in A-grade next season. Stewart said with only one game they were hoping she would have an even greater impact.
BellaCollodetti,whowasinjuredearlyinthe
season, before playing in B-grade late in the season will play in A-grade as well.
ChloeHodgson,whowontheclub’swomen’s football best and fairest award this year, is returning to the netball court and will be part of the squad.
Tyla Evans, who used to play for Gisborne, returns to the court after not having played since 2019 and rounds out the squad.
Stewart said every player had to trial to see which side they were in.
They’ve already hit the court.
“We’ve done two sessions already just to get to around each other,” she said. “We’ll have a camp in February and it’s good that everyone already got their spots locked in.
“Theygetalongsowellandwithmorepeople attrainingwe’vebeenrunningdrillsweweren’t able to last season.
“We’ve been able to hit the ground running.”
Tara Murray
By Tara Murray
CalderCannonsrisingstarCooperDuff-Tytler had a tough decision to make.
The talented youngster from Woodend, was just at home on the basketball court as he was on the footy field.
He had represented Australia in basketball at junior level, while the small glimpses on the footy field had him part of the AFL futures game on grand final day on the MCG.
When he was selected in the AFL Academy, which includes 30 of the top players in the country, Duff-Tytler decided he needed to make a decision.
“Ithinkmyloveforthegameandultimately i chose what I thought would give me the best opportunitiesandmostsuccessfulin,”hesaid. “Ultimately it came down to what I wanted to do every day in my future.
“I could have continued playing both. For me I didn’t want to keep kicking along doing both and separating my time and trying to keep up with the others.
“I wanted to put all my time into one sport and try to excel and get the best out of myself.
“Hopefully I’ll utilise my opportunities and give myself the best chance to be successful next November.”
Duff-Tytler said he couldn’t have imagined being part of the AFL Academy 12 months ago.
He said while it was something that you always see others part of, it wasn’t something that had crossed his mind due to basketball.
The group earlier this month held its first camp with Duff-Tytler saying it was a really good achievement.
“It was a good experience to come together for the first time and meet all the boys,” he said. “It’s a good group of boys and I think we all got along well.
“I’ve got a back niggle at the moment which kept me out of training, but I was able do to do some running on the side and all the off field side experience.
“Getting to talk to some of Geelong’s AFL boys and just education around high performance and nutrition.
“Got to do some club interviews at the end which was exciting.”
Selection in the academy was on the back of his futures game performance and his back part of the Coates Talent League season.
He made his debut in round 12 and played six matches for the Cannons, named in the best in four of them.
“The last three months after basketball ended I got to play some consistent footy with Woodend-Hesket as well as Calder,“ he said.
“It was good just to get out there and put somegamestogetherandgelwiththedifferent teams that I was playing with.
“It was exciting to play down at Woodend
and make the senior debut for the local club as well as getting to put on the Cannons jersey with the boys I’ve done a fair bit of training with over the past three months.
“Hopefully a lot more to come”
With both schools footy at PEGS and Cannons commitments, Duff-Tytler said he was hoping to sneak in a couple of games in with his local side next season.
As part of the academy, the players will train with an AFL club during the pre-season.
Duff-Tytler will train with Essendon in the
There’s been a real positive vibe as East Sunbury has returned to the track for the Essendon District Football League division 2 pre-season.
It’sbeenabigoffseasonfortheThunder with new co-coaches announced along with a number of signings headlined by former AFL star full forward Brendan Fevola.
Co-coach Justin Belleville said it had been good to hit the track.
“Before Christmas you don’t have missive numbers with cricket,” he said. “We’re still a young group and the experienced guys are good for us.
“They’ve been massive when they have got down there.”
Belleville said they’d had 60 odd players take to the track already in the pre-season.
While Belleville wasn’t there last year, hesaidhebelievesitmorethanwhatthey had last off season. The club failed to win a game last year.
“It is exciting for everyone,” he said. “Everyone is doing what they can do without going over the top.
“We still need to at least win one game next season.”
FevolaisoneoftwoformerAFLplayers to have signed at the Thunder.
Todd Elton, who played with Richmond, will join Fevola in the forward line, giving the side a couple of good targets.
Wade Lees, who played in the VictorianFootballLeague,hasalsocome across. The pair are premiership players at Deer Park.
Tom George, Cooper Steenbuck, Steele Nason, Riza GashI, Jason Kelly and Sam Lockett have joined the club.
James Cree returns to the Thunder from the Sunbury Lions, while Mitch Trimboli has also crossed from the Sunbury Lions.
Belleville said they had wanted to bring local Sunbury players to the club. He said never say never when it comes to adding more players to the squad.
new year to allow him to recover from his back complaint.
He’s hoping that next pre-season he’ll be doing a full AFL pre-season.
“Watching the draft this year, with some mates and some people I play with… Just the motivation and reinforcement that it’s an exciting 12 months ahead,“ he said.
“If you put your head down and do the work you can get the results at the end ultimately what I’m aiming for come November {in the draft].
Belleville said the young guys at the club were already benefiting from the experiencetheseotherguyshavebrought in.
“We’ve got the young guys and kids coming up,” he said. “We’ve got a good junior program and they are getting amongst it at training with those boys.”
Tara Murray
Melbourne eXtreme has added a young gun to its squad for the 21st edition of the Bowls Premier League.
With Ali Forsyth missing the event due to international commitments, the Club-Sunbury based eXtreme has signed Jack McShane.
McShane,whoisjust19,isarisingstarfrom Merrylands in New South Wales, He has climbed to number seven in the Australian rankings.
McShane recently clinched his first Australian Indoor title at Club Tweed with his wins including beating Jackaroos stalwart Corey Wedlock and three-time champion Jeremy Henry in the final.
The victory follows his impressive wins in the Australian Open pairs earlier this year and an under-18 Australian singles title in 2023.
He was named the New South Wales male
bowler of the year in October for winning the state men’s triples, semi-finalist of the state men’s fours, round of 16 of the state men’s champion of champions.
eXtreme team manager Marc Bullows said they wished Forsyth, who has played 100 games for the side, all the best with New Zealand commitments.
McShane will join Nick Cahill and Kylie Whitehead in the team. Cahill joined the team as a permanent member at the last edition.
Bullows said they were excited to bring McShane on board for the February edition and were keen to see what the team they had put together could do.
“Jack was thrilled to get the phone call,” Bullows said. “He didn’t expect it but we were looking for someone new and exciting with a big future.
“The team is probably the youngest team
in the BPL and don’t have the experience that a lot of the teams have but really looking forward to surprising a lot of them
“Nick Cahill was brilliant and Kylie did what she does best in the last event.
“Both players rate Jack and were thrilled when I told them he was in.”
Kelvin Kerkow, who has been involved since the start, will continue on as coach of the side.
eXtreme made the finals in the 20th edition of the event in November, knocked out in tiebreaker in the elimination final.
The 21st edition of the event will be held between February 17-21 at Moama Bowling Club.
eXtreme will be hunting for their first title.
“I’m really looking forward to Moama in Feb and expect a few of our local members to be up there supporting,” Bullows said.
- Tara Murray
By Tara Murray
Macedon’s 150th anniversary celebrations started a little bit earlier on Saturday as it opened its account in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup.
It was a special day for the Cats who had a function after the day’s action with three hall of famers inducted.
On field, the Cats were able to account for Broadford.
Cats skipper Gary De Rosayro said it was a pretty special day for the club.
“It was a good day,” he said. “It was the 150th for the club and you can not put into words what that means.
“After a little bit of research it was found that the club might have been around even longer than 150 years.
“We decided to mark 150 years as it’s hard to find the history before that time.”
De Rosayro said they had a big crowd watching the two games, first and second XI, before 80 to 100 people attended the function on Saturday night.
He said that was one of the bigger
attendances they’ve had at a function.
“We have life members in attendance and family members of the hall of fame inductees. The three had passed away but had family members speak on their behalf.”
It was the second time in as many weeks that the Cats had faced Broadford.
The first of those matches was a one-dayer, on Saturday it was a T20 match.
De Rosayro said having never faced Broadford before they had got to know them well the last couple of weeks.
The Cats decided to bat on Saturday and made 5-187 from their 20 overs.
Alex Browne was the star of the show with an unbeaten 106 from 51 balls. He hit 12 fours and two sixes.
De Rosayro said they had been waiting for a performance like that from Browne.
“We got him across as a batter, but he had been performing more with the ball,” he said.
“We could see that an innings like that was coming and it came yesterday [Saturday].”
De Rosayro said they thought that total was well above par, but Broadford fought hard to
Rupertswood has added another former player to its squad for next year’s Essendon District Football League division 2 season. Joel Flanigan, who was a Rupertswood junior, made his senior debut for the Sharks in 2014 as a 17-year-old before joining Tullamarine. Flanigan, who is 200 centimetres, will add some more height to the Sharks squad and can play either end of the ground.
East Sunbury and Diggers Rest Bulla were both on the wrong side of the results in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association Johnstone Shield T20s on Saturday. In the final round before Christmas, the Thunder lost to Aintree, while Diggers Rest Bulla was beaten by Kilmore. Wallan was the other winner on Saturday. Heading into the Christmas break, the Thunder is still in second and the Burras have slipped to fifth.
The Sunbury Jets and Hume City Broncos will start their Big V championship seasons with a local derby. The Big V season will kick off on March 29, with the Jets to host the Broncos women’s and men’s sides. Both Jets sides will then be on the road the following day against the Bellarine Storm. The rest of the fixture was released late last week, with the other fixtures to be released next year.
make it a contest.
Broadford finished 6-170 off its 20 overs. Cameron Howlett took two wickets for the Cats.
De Rosayro said it had been a bit of a weird season results wise.
“Wedon’tfeellikewe’veplayingbadcricket,” he said. “There were a couple of games that we dropped that we should have won.
“We’ve improved a lot from last year, but we had more wins on the board at this time of the year last year.
“Everything finally clicked.”
De Rosayro said the Christmas break came at a good time to give them a break, but now they had a win on the board it would have been good to keep that momentum going.
In other matches, Gisborne secured top spotattheChristmasbreakwithawinagainst Woodend.
Romsey moved into second with victory against the Sunbury Kangaroos, with Sunbury United winning a thriller against Rupertswood.
The GDCA returns on January 11.
The Bendigo Football League has announced Simon Rosa as the league’s new Senior interleague coach for 2025. Rosa brings a wealth of experience to the role having played Golden Square, the Bendigo Bombers and Peel Thunder. Rosa has previous representative football experience including playing for the Bendigo league four times. His coaching journey includes with Golden Square Junior Football Club the AFL Central Victoria Academy while also being the midfield coach for the BFL Interleague team in 2019.
Sunbury’s Jin Woodman will make his Australian Open debut in January.
The rising wheelchair tennis star had hoped to make his debut at the event this year, but fell just short.
He then made his grand slam debut at the US Open in the junior wheelchair event, winning his first round before being knocked out in the semi finals.
His performances saw him named the Victorian male junior player of the year recently having won three titles.
Woodman is ranked world number three in the junior singles International Tennis Federation rankings, while is the youngest player in the top 25 of the men’s quad singles rankings.
The15-year-oldhasnowreceivedawildcard to the Australian Open in Melbourne. Speaking to Star Weekly following his Tennis Victoria award, Woodman said he was hoping to get a wildcard into the Australian Open and if he didn’t, he’d look to play juniors.
Woodman and Australian Paralympian Heath Davidson launched the Summer of Wheelchair Tennis at the Hume Tennis and Community Centre last week.
The summer wheelchair events include the Victorian Wheelchair Tennis Open from January, the Melbourne Wheelchair Open from January 12-17 and the Australian Open from January 20-25.
The first of those two events will be played at Hume Tennis and Community Centre, which is Woodman’s home court.
“This year I made the US Open juniors, it was amazing,” he told the Tennis Australia website at the launch.
“The World Team Cup in Turkey was also a great experience travelling by myself without a parent, relying on the coaches and myself.
“The Australian Open is going to be amazing considering it’s my first one. I am going to love it with all the Aussie fans who will come out to watch us. I am proud to be representing Australia on home soil.”
DavidsonsaidatthelaunchthatWoodman
is fearless on the court and works hard.
The Australian Open 2025 will also feature the inaugural junior wheelchair tournament, along with the inaugural wheelchair qualifying event for the men’s, women’s and quad draws.
Chief tennis officer Tom Larner said there had been significant investment in the Australian wheelchair tennis pathway system.
“This year saw record entries in the Australian Wheelchair Summer Series with more than 100 athletes on site, and its junior players like Jin who are the driving force behind this growth,” he said.
“Australia has the most junior players with an ITF ranking, and we currently have 14 players within the elite junior pathway – double the number from five years ago. Inclusion is a cornerstone of our sport so there’s a lot to be proud of as we continue to create opportunities and invest in this space.”
By Tara Murray
Sunbury fought hard to put itself in a solid position heading into the final day of play before the Christmas break in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Steve McNamara Shield.
After a tough couple of weeks, the Roar showed plenty of fight against Grand United on day one on Saturday.
The Roar’s Marty Kelders said it was a real positive day of cricket after a tough start to the day.
He said it was a really good day of cricket to watch.
“We had them under pressure for most of the day and were going quite well,” he said. “We lost Kyle Concaron, one of our main bowlers early.
“He was going for a catch and cut his knee and had to go to hospital. We spent most of the day a person down and he is one of our main bowlers.
“It could have been a bit better, but it’s fairly even between the two teams. I thought
they batted well towards the end when the wicket flattened out a bit.”
Grand United was bowled out for 209 in the 71st over.
Jason McGann took four wickets for the Roar, while Ashan Ranaweera took three wickets.
Kelders said that Virosh Wijesinghe was one that keeps showing some really good signs.
“He bowled really well and took some key wickets early in the day.”
The Roar then had to face six overs at the end of the day.
Despiteitstroubleswiththebatthisseason, the Roar managed to get through unscathed and will resume at 0-9.
Among those opening is 17-year-old Sandil Wijesooriya, who Kelders said was showing some really bright signs for the future
“We want to give the younger player the opportunity,’ he said. “That is where we are at and want to give them that experience.”
Kelders said he thought the match was evenly poised heading into day two.
The Ballarat Football Netball League season kicks off on April 5.
Theleaguereleasedadifferentlooking fixture to normal, with only 10 teams in the competition with the departure of Melton South.
All clubs will now face each other twice on both the football and netball courts with there no byes.
Round one kicks off on April 5, with Melton hosting Darley and Bacchus Marsh at home to Lake Wendouree. Ballarat will host North Ballarat in the first night match of the season.
The Sunbury Lions and Redan will start their season a week later, with their round one match to be played on Good Friday.
Bacchus Marsh and East Point will also play on Good Friday and will then have a bye in round four.
Lake Wendouree and Ballarat will do battle on Anzac Day under lights.
The first netball grand final rematch between the Sunbury Lions and Darley in round two at Darley Park, while the first footy grand final rematch will be held in round six with East Point hosting melton.
The first local derby between Bacchus Marsh and Darley will be played in round three.
He said if they bat well they were confident they could get the win on the board.
“I can’t see any reason why we can’t get the runs with the bowlers that we have got,” he said. “Hopefully it can kick start things. We have a few more home games after Christmas.”
Roar’s second side, which is on top of the ladder, is in trouble against Grand United.
The Roar was bowled out for 6, with the Gorillas to resume at 0-23.
Kelders said the pitch wasn’t where they wanted it to be and it was hard to make runs.
Meanwhile in the T20 competition, Sunbury was no match for St Albans on Tuesday night.
The Saints made 3-189 with John Moon top scoring with 59.
The Roar finished 7-90 in reply. Jack McGann top scored with 33. Akila Isanka and Daniel Blatherwick took three wickets each.
The Roar has a 2-1 record and will play the rest of its games in the new year.
The league has four themed rounds set for next year.
Wellness round will be played in round two, the Anzac Day round in round three, Indigenous round against round six and seven and the RMCH round in round 15.
Interleague will make its return in 2025, with the BFNL set to host Hampden for the annual competitions. FinalswillstartonAugust30withthe grand final set down for September 20.
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