Democracy back in 2024
Democracy returned to Whittlesea in 2024 – four-and-a-half years after the council was sacked by the state government. But a shadow was cast over the council election after the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) announced it had launched a probe into alleged vote tampering in the municipality’s Lalor ward.
The (VEC) referred voting irregularities to police and the Local Government Inspectorate (LGI) for investigation after it detected a high number of multiple ballot papers appearing to be from the same voters.
The irregularities were also referred to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) for a review of the election result.
Electoral commissioner Sven Bluemmel said 128 ballots in Lalor ward were detected as suspicious.
Mr Bluemmel said he could not speculate what had happened, or who was behind the suspectedvotetampering,butsaidit“indicates nefarious intent rather than being accidental”.
The VEC is unable to determine which candidate the suspicious votes were directed to as the ballot is secret.
The new council comprised three former councillors - Lawrie Cox, Stevan Kozmevski and Christine Stow – and eight fresh faces, including former Freedom Party deputy leader Aidan McLindon who was elected Whittlesea mayor for 204-25.
There was also drama for the newly-elected Hume council, which referred a “malicious” secret recording to police for investigation.
The recording was made during a private
Hume council briefing and emerged on social media during the November local government elections.Confidential items were discussed at the briefing.
Councillor Carly Moore said the “unauthorised and undisclosed” recording went against the standards council representatives needed to abide by.
In September, as youth knife crimes continued to hit the headlines across Melbourne, a Bundoora mum called on schools to do more to stop the violence.
Moetu Tawha’s breaking point came when her 13-year-old daughter had a knife pulled on her by another student.
She spoke out amid concerns that knife crime would have long-term consequences on school environments if no one broke the silence.
Roadworks continued to make an impact on the lives of Whittlesea and Hume residents throughout 2024, with the state government upgrading Bridge Inn Road, Mickleham Road and Craigieburn Road. Thankfully for motorists, works on all three projects wrapped up late in the year – six months ahead of schedule in some cases.
But perhaps the most debated infrastructure project of 2024 was the airport rail link. As the state government and Melbourne Airport debated while the airport station should be built above or below ground, the project spent a large part of the year in limbo, before a compromise was reached in July, paving the way for the project to proceed with an above ground station.
Amedeo Gallicchio’s Halloween display drew a crowd in October. (Damjan Janevski) 438977_01
Whittlesea welcomes new faces
November 12
Councillors have been elected to represent the City of Whittlesea for the first time since March 2020.
The new council will likely feature three former councillors, including two who were partoftheteamsackedbythestategovernment in 2020, and eight fresh faces.
The state government has appointed two municipal monitors to oversee the new councillors in a bid to prevent the governance issues that led to the sacking of the previous council.
The council was sacked by the government following a report from municipal monitor Yehudi Blacher that found serious governance failures at the council.
MrBlacherwasappointedbythegovernment to oversee the council in December 2019, following the sacking of former chief executive Simon Overland and complaints of bullying at the council.
His report to the government said the governance of the council had collapsed, “along with its reputation”.
He labelled Whittlesea a “broken council” in which “poisons run deep”, and found that the council’s deep divides and personality conflicts had rendered it “dysfunctional”.
Administrators were appointed to the council to perform the duties of councillors untillastmonth’selection,meaningWhittlesea ratepayers were unable to elect councillors at the October 2020 election.
Lawrie Cox and Stevan Kozmevski, who
were members of the sacked council, were declared the winners in Ganbu Gulinj and Lalor wards respectively.
As reported by Star Weekly, Mr Cox said he was contesting the election because he believed “a couple of old heads” were needed to guide the new generation of councillors.
He said he wanted to bring strong governance to the council.
Mr Cox served on council from 1979-1986 and then from October 2016- March 2020. Mr Kozmevski had been a councillor for more than 20 years when the council was dismissed.
Former councillor Christine Stow was elected in North Ward. Ms Stow was originally elected to council in May 2014 on a countback following the death of councillor Nicola Davis,
Joy as students dance their way to award
October 1
The Lakes South Morang College’s performance at the Wakakirri Story-Dance Festival has earned it a state award – and a national nomination.
The school performed its story, The Fabric of You,atthefestival’sstateawardsonSeptember 13 and won the Health and Well-being Story Award.
The school is now in the running for a national award.
The Wakakirri Story-Dance Festival is a
national program that helps schools develop student engagement and wellbeing throughm participation in the performing arts.
Schools participate by creating story-dances.
The Lakes’ story was about the journey of embracing uniqueness, the school’s performance co-ordinator Aimee Freind said.
“Along the way, we may encounter alienation, doubt and the temptation to conform. Embracing our individuality allows self-acceptance, confidence and may encourage others to do the same.”
MsFriendsaidcreatingastoryforWakakirri
had been transformative for the students.
“The lockdowns took a toll on their self-esteem and confidence in performing, but these opportunities have allowed them to rediscover their passion and talent for dance and drama,” she said.
“We have witnessed our students shine in new ways, forging strong connections across all secondary year levels and demonstrating impressive commitment and determination. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and the meaningful work they have created.”
and served until 2016.
Joining them will be Former Freedom Party deputy leader Aidan McLindon, who was elected in Kirrip Ward.
Mr McLindon lead a team of “community ndependents”, including Nicholas Brooks, who was elected in Thomastown.
Mr McLindon said he was honoured to represent the area he grew up in and pledged to ensure the new council did “the basics brilliantly”.
“We need to make the city apriority in every decision we make,” he said.
“[The councillors] need to be a strong united team regardless of political persuasion.”
Also elected were Daniela Zinni, David Lenberg,JarrodLappin,BlairColwell,DeGunn and Martin Taylor.
Upgrade delay ‘shambolic’
May 14
The state opposition has slammed the state government for failing to allocate funding to and get work started on the the Yan Yean Road upgrade, following last week’s state budget.
Northern Victoria Liberal MP Wendy Lovell said the government’s handling of the road has seen it fall into disrepair.
“Yan Yean Road is a disgrace, and the process for planning and delivering the stage two upgrades to Yan Yean Road has been “shambolic”.
“This future road infrastructure is critical for connecting the growing northern suburbs.
“The government must stop delaying this project, and get on with funding and completing the upgrades to Yan Yean Road.”
The project has been in its planning stage for multiple years, and the opposition said cars are regularly being damaged by potholes and “chronically congested roads” between Bridge Inn Road and Kurrak Road, meaning the upgrades are urgently needed.
The stage two upgrade involves widening Yan Yean Road between Kurrak Road, Yarrambat, and Bridge Inn Road, Doreen.
According to the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP), the project underwent an environmental effects statement process (EES) in 2020, which was presented to the planning minister in February, 2021.
The minister gave the upgrade the green light in March, 2021, pending changes to the scope and design of the project.
Major Road Projects Victoria is currently working to refine the project design, obtain environmental and planning approvals required and address theoutcomesoftheEEStoensurethebest outcome for road users, the community and the surrounding environment.
Birds are no myna issue and ‘terrors in the air’ according to a Hume
August 6
A Hume councillor is waging war on the Common Myna bird in an effort to eradicate the “pests”.
Councillor Jack Medcraft said addressing the Common Myna bird and its impacts has been a goal of his for about 20 years.
“When I see these damn birds … they’ve got the yellow beaks and those spooky eyes,”
Cr Medcraft said. “These birds are absolute terrors in the air.”
He said the species’ behaviour posed a threat to native birds.
“What they do is that they’ll invade a nest and they will either kick the eggs out and take over or they’ll attack the young and kill them and then use it for their own,” he said.
“They sit on your fence and they watch you – and if anything happens to one of their
mates, they really do get defensive, they’ll attack anything. So, I really want to get these declared as a pest.”
During a recent Hume council meeting, Cr Medcraft urged his colleagues to support his push for a statewide approach in eradicating Common Myna birds and the development a Common Myna community action group.
He asked council to write to Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos to advocate for
councillor
statewide management of the species. Cr Medcraft admitted he has also taken mattersintohisownhandsonsomeoccasions.
“I … took it upon myself to grab some traps, and I went out and caught these birds and –see you later alligator – you were gone,” Cr Medcraft said.
Cr Jarrod Bell said he supported the motion and Cr Medcraft’s “war on the mynas” has been going on for as long as he could
The Lakes South Morang College students have won a state Wakakirri award. (Damjan Janevski) 432046_01
Company found guilty over fire
December 10
A jury has found SKM Services guilty over the 2017 fire at its Coolaroo recycling facility that burned for more than a week, forcing the evacuation of homes in Dallas.
Following a criminal trial in the County Court, the company was found guilty of aggravated pollution by negligently causing or permitting an environmental hazard which resulted in a substantial risk of a serious threat to public health.
The jury also found the company guilty of three charges of polluting the atmosphere.
The company and its sole director, Robert Leo Italiano, now face possible fines in excess of $1.5 million in relation to the incident.
Mr Italiano had earlier entered a plea of guilty to a charge of polluting the atmosphere as a result of the fire. The case will return to court on 12 December for sentencing.
The July 2017 fire started in a pile of waste at the SKM plant and spread to stockpiles of cardboard and other recyclables.
It burned out of control for two days and spread smoke and ash over nearby suburbs. Continuing to burn for more than a week, it triggered a state-wide emergency
management response.
Dallasresidentsneededtobeevacuated,with witnesses at the time feeling unwell, describing a disgusting and acrid and chemical smell.
Building delays hurt sporting club
June 11
The Tullamarine Sporting Club has become nomadic. While it faces an endless wait for the completion of its social rooms, the 57-year-old club has had to battle fear of folding.
Newly-appointed senior cricket coach and sporting club president Peter Laddad said while he didn’t want to put the blame on anybody in particular, delays in work on the council-funded rooms have caused difficulties for the club on and off the pitch.
In August, 2021, Hume council announced an $1.4 million investment to upgrade Leo DineenReserve.Apromisedpavilionincluded accessible change rooms and public amenities, as well a new social room, canteen, bar, and an external covered viewing area.
The upgrades were originally due to be completed in mid-2022, but as of June, 2024, works are at a standstill.
After the old rooms were demolished and newonesbegantobebuilt,thebuilderentered voluntary administration, halting the works.
The club played its football matches at Jacana Reserve last year, and will potentially bethereagaintostartthisyear’scricketseason in September, a move that Mr Laddad said is dangerous for the club’s present and future standing. “Cricket really struggled because our members just wouldn’t come (to Jacana), and we had no one cooking meals,” he said.
“We lose a lot of our income weekly because of canteen food and money going behind the bar being lost as a result.”
He said a temporary setup has been put in place at Leo Dineen Reserve to see out the
football season for the Tullamarine Demons, but the lack of amenities and a proper kitchen has still resulting in the club losing out.
Hume council echoed the community’s frustration due to the delayed completion of the Leo Dineen Reserve upgrade.
“The cost-of-living crisis is creating challenges for everyone in our community, and the issues experienced by the contractor leading to them needing to pull out of the
project were beyond council’s control,” a council spokesperson said.
“In spite of this, we have been working to support the clubs impositioned by not having a home ground, including additional investment following the contractor going into administration, fee waiving to mitigate financial challenges, erecting portable facilities and offering temporary relocation to similarlocal facilities.”
Youth centre at risk as funding expires
February 20
Five hundred young people in Whittlesea will beleftwithoutayouthcentre,withInnovation Youth Centre to close at the end of this month. The centre has received federal government fundingtorunitsprogramsinWhittlesea,but that funding expires at the end of this month. Attemptstogainmorefunding,throughthe state and federal governments and Whittlesea council have so far been unsuccessful.
Youth programs co-ordinator Michael Jakubowski said it was heart-breaking that they would have to shut the doors.
“We’re the only direct youth service in the municipality,” he said.
“We’ve gone to government and the council and no one has been able to help us so far.
“We have 500 young people who we have
served the last two years. They have nowhere to go after we close.”
Mr Jakubowski said the centre had been funded through the Safer Communities Fund. He said it had exceeded all their its performance indicators, but funding still hadn’t been renewed.
He said the centre had become a safe space for young people.
“I feel for them,” he said. “They don’t know what will happen in three weeks’ time.
“We don’t have funding to support them. There’s other avenues but they’re not always the best avenues to go down.”
The centre has a case worker who provides one-on-one support which is vital with other services having long waiting lists.
It has mentors who help provide positive role models, as well as a drop-in program
Some residents were not able to return to their homes for several days and nearby businesses were also affected.
The clean-up that followed took weeks to complete and involved the removal of 30,000 tonnes of burnt waste and the diversion of 140 million litres of contaminated water into the sewerage system from Merlynston Creek.
While the site had operated under planning permission from local government rather than an EPA licence, EPA officers immediately launched an investigation into possible breaches of the Environment Protection Act 1970, which was in effect at the time.
The verdict follows charges which were originally laid by EPA Victoria under the Environment Protection Act 1970.
In the wake of the Coolaroo fire, EPA initiated a statewide Fire Prevention Program thatinvolvednearly1,000proactiveinspections at hundreds of industrial sites around the state, issuing more than 1,300 notices requiring fire prevention actions and more than 60 legal sanctions.
Third runway for airport approved
September 17
Melbourne Airport’s third runway has been given the green light by the federal government, but not everyone has welcomed the decision.
Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King approved a development plan for the new north-south runway – submitted to the government 19 months ago.
She said the runway meets the demands of a “growing city”. It will be completed in 2031.
“Melbourne’s third runway will bring it in line with Sydney and other globally competitive airports,” she said.
“Throughout my consideration of this proposal, the needs of the local community have been front of mind.”
Ms King said “certain conditions” had been imposed on Melbourne Airport to reduce community impact, including restoration of the east-west runway to maximise the opportunities for noise sharing, and the implementation of a noise amelioration program to communities most impacted.
“The noise sharing plan will be developed by the airport, and in consultation with local communities, over the years to come,” she said.
twice a week which provides safe places for anyone in the area.
There is also a driving program to help young people get their hours up to get their licences and an uplift group.
As well as having nowhere for the young people to go, eight staff including Mr Jakubowski will lose their jobs.
“Anyone who can do anything to help would be appreciated.”
A spokesperson for the attorney general’s office said project activities in that round of the funding are to be completed by April 30 and that future grant opportunities will be made public.
Whittlesea council chief executive Craig Lloyd said the council wasn’t in the position to contribute funding for IYC’s ongoing operations.
Hume council said while it supports the airport’s growth, the development must occur in a manner which minimises potential adverse effects on the community.
“We will continue to advocate for our community’s health and for noise abatement measures to be recognised, and we expect Melbourne Airport and the federal government to uphold these standards when engaging with our council and community on the third runway’s development,” mayor Naim Kurt said.
Melbourne Airport chief executive LorieArgussaid,“Thenewrunwaywill require new flight paths, and as part of this project we will be facilitating noise attenuation for dwellings in the most impacted areas”.
Peter Laddad in front of the unfinished rooms. (Damjan Janevski) 411239_02
Thousands sign waste petition
July 23
A petition created in a bid to stop the development of the waste to energy facility in Wollert has been signed by over 5000 people.
Cleanaway is proposing to build the Melbourne Energy and Resource Centre (MERC)at510SummerhillDrive,whichwould use up to 380,000 tonnes of waste material that would otherwise have gone to landfill.
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) said the waste to energy process is forecast to generate approximately 46.3 megawatt (MW) gross of electricity, 4.7MW of which would be used to power the facility itself. The remainder of 41.6MW will be exported to the grid as base load electricity.
It said waste ash produced from the process would be treated at the facility to be used as an alternativeconstructionproduct.Metalswillbe recovered from waste ash for recycling and sale.
Wollert resident Adriano Di Girolami said he was concerned about the possible health affects that the polluted air will have on such a populated area.
“It should not go where it is going. You have aged care … childcare centres, private residences and a gated community down the road that it will wreck altogether,” he said.
“Where they are proposing, less than four kilometres away they just put up 400-1000 townhouses.”
Fellow Wollert resident and creator of the petition Julie Ahmed is concerned about the
Kindergarten turns 21
November 12
Lalor’s Jacaranda Preschool is turning 21 –and the community is invited to join in the celebration.
The preschool will host a 21st birthday celebration on Saturday, November 16, to celebrate the achievements of the kindergarten and to recognise the hard work and love that the teachers and educators have poured into the service over the years.
The preschool was established in 2003 when Kingsway Drive Kindergarten and Lalor Park Kindergarten amalgamated. Jacaranda educational leader Jo Argyropoulos said the preschool is run by a voluntary committee of management, consisting of parents whose children are enrolled at the service or are on the waiting list for the kindergarten.
“We love engaging with families and building amazing relationships with them, some of these families feel like our family.”
Thelongestservicingteacher,LeanneNaum, has been with the preschool for almost 31 years, having worked at Lalor Park. Another teacher,RosePennacchia,hasworkedtherefor almost 25 years. Ms Argyropoulos described the preschool as a “special service”.
“The kinder provides early childhood education to almost 200 families ... we are the first kinder in the City of Whittlesea to start up an outdoor bush kinder program,” she said.
“We also have four-year-old groups who participate in an Auslan program through Expression Australia and have been running a breakfast program at the kinder for children who don’t have access or time to eat breakfast before they arrive.”
effects the facility will have on the area and its residents.
She said there is very little information available regarding the potential long-term health impacts of such facilities.
“Sowefeelthatthisisbeingpushedthrough without even hearing the concerns of local residents, nor looking at the evidence from overseas and the and the accumulative health effects and environmental effects,” she said
“The thing is, there’s still a large proportion of the community that are unaware [of the proposal], because we still find people every single day that do not know about it.
“I don’t think there is any other option here that we do. We will not stop unless it.
It’s the whole proposal is scrapped.”
Cleanaway, in its online response to community submissions, said the Summerhill Drive site was chosen following a review of 200 potential sites and is 1.4km from existing residential areas in Wollert and1.2 km from future residential developments.
“The proposed waste-to-energy facility offersanappropriateandproductiveuseofthe land, which is already surrounded by several industrial facilities making it unsuitable for residential development,” Cleanaway said.
It said a human health risk assessment(HHRA) identified no unacceptable risks to community health, noting that the risk of odour impacts was low.
The EPA said the application is underassessment.
Jacaranda Preschool teachers Angie Tolefsky and Emma Reimers with some of the kids from the centre. (Damjan Janevski: 439105)
Healthcare access a top priority
October 15, 2024
Access to healthcare and the costs associated with seeing a doctor are the top health concerns of women living in Melbourne’s western and northern suburbs, a Star Weekly survey has found.
As part of the Women’s Health Matters campaign, Star Weekly ran a six-week online survey asking women to share their health concerns with us.
The campaign is stiving to address the systemic obstacles and barriers women must
overcome when managing their health.
Survey respondents told us that their top health concerns were access to healthcare, affordable healthcare, healthcare providers’ lackofknowledgeaboutwomen’shealthissues, cervical cancer, breast cancer, menopause and incontinence. A massive 76 per cent of survey respondents said they travelled outside of their suburbs to access healthcare.
Women who took the survey told us they travelled between 20 and 50 minutes to access healthcare.
The most common reasons were to access
specialist care and to see a trusted GP.
The survey also found that women living in the northern and western suburbs are typically waiting at least one month to secure an appointment with a specialist.
Thirty-two per cent of respondents said they had seen a specialist for a women’s health issue in the past 12 months, while 84 per cent had visited their GP for a women’s health issue in the past six months.
Women told us that most commonly, they had booked a GP appointment for concerns about menopause and heavy periods, and to
access cervical screening.
Sixty-eight per cent of women said they had accessed preventive health screening such as cervical and breast screening in the past year.
The results of Star Weekly’s survey mirror theoutcomesofastategovernment-runsurvey earlier this year, in which women and girls shared their experiences of feeling ignored or dismissed by clinicians who attributed their pain to psychological and personality factors, as well as culturally unsafe care. They also told the government about cases of delayed diagnosis, and the high cost of care.
Public fertility service staff thrilled to welcome first baby
December 10, 2024
The family of the first baby born due to intervention from Northern Health’s fertility service recently made a special visit to the health service’s women’s health hub to celebrate her birth.
Sarah and Matt Rowe had been trying for a baby for some time. All around them, their friends were having babies, and they were concerned with why it didn’t seem to be happening to them.
Whileitappearedtocomeeasytoothers,they were really struggling and the disappointment was beginning to take its toll.
The couple became aware of the state government’s new Public Fertility Care through their GP.
Theyobtainedareferralandanappointment was made for them at Northern Health, their closest satellite service.
The service is offered by Northern Health in collaboration with The Royal Women’s Hospital.
The couple undertook nurse-led ovulation induction, a process where medication is used to stimulate and induce regular ovulation, allowing for more accurate timing of intercourse.
“We really had no idea about the fertility process and we assumed we would go straight to IVF. Instead, we went through ovulation induction which was a different experience to what we thought we would have, but a successful one,” Sarah said.
This proved successful, and resulted in their beautiful baby girl, Lola.
Sarah, Matt and Lola paid a special visit to Northern Health’s Women’s Health Hub when Lola was just two weeks old.
“Having access to the service and being able to access it so close to home is huge for people and families in our situation,” Sarah said.
Northern Fertility Service registered nurse Jacque Dulson said Patients who never thought having a family would be possible are now overjoyed that they are able to access a free fertility service.
Paramedics say they are fed up with ramping and lack of vehicles
April 16, 2024
The opening of a new ambulance station in Craigieburn isn’t something to celebrate say paramedics.
The new Yuroke Ambulance Station was opened on March 18 at 13 Sustainable Drive, Craigieburn.
Thestategovernmentcommittedtobuilding a new ambulance station in the northern suburbs in 2016, although the location wasn’t settled upon until September, 2022.
The station was initially expected to be completed by the middle of 2023, but delays pushed the opening back to March.
The state government said the station would be staffed 24 hours a day and have enough bays to fit four ambulances, but will now only have three vehicles, of which two are being re-deployed from a nearby branch.
Paramedic Glenn Wilson said he is fed up with promises not being met, and a lack of work life balance for he and his colleagues.
TheVictorianAmbulanceUnioniscurrently taking industrial action over a pay dispute with Ambulance Victoria.
The union served a log of claims on Ambulance Victoria on February 1 2023, with improved sick leave, overtime entitlements and travel allowances among its requests.
“In addition to no new ambulances being made available to respond to the ever-expanding Craigieburn community, us paramedics are also concerned about being held back at hospitals due to ramping,” Mr Wilson said.
“AmbulancesfromotherareasofMelbourne such as Sunbury and Epping are often dispatched to emergency cases in Craigieburn and Mickleham, causing significant delays for locals to receive help when they need it most.
“This includes cases of potential extreme emergencies where lights and sirens are used for patients who can’t breathe properly, might be having a heart attack or are unconscious.”
Paramedics in Craigieburn and Mickleham are concerned about the ongoing issues, and feel that the community is being tricked by the appearance of “new” resources that are not new, just relocated.
“We are concerned that Ambulance Victoria is simply redeploying existing ambulances and paramedics to the Yuroke branch to make it appear to the community that the ‘multi-million-dollar branch’ is being staffed, when in fact it is not currently providing any further benefit to the community,” Mr Wilson said.
It is reported that Ambulance Victoria members work upwards of 800 hours of
involuntary overtime each day, and while Mr Wilson said he understands it can come with the job, paramedics feel like their patience and boundaries are being pushed.
“Any ambo will tell you they expect to work some overtime when a patient urgently needs their skills, but our call taking system categorises people calling triple-0 because they can’t afford a GP as an emergency,” he said.
“Members are ignored when simply requesting an on-time finish. One member was dispatched to a non-urgent patient in a health facility just three minutes before the end of her shift. She pleaded with AV management that she had to pick up her child from daycare but was refused.”
A combined survey conducted by Swinburne and RMIT University of Victorian Ambulance Union members saw that one in
five paramedics are considering leaving their job within the next year.
A spokesperson from the state government said shortages weren’t an issue.
“There are no paramedic shortages. The Craigieburncommunityiswellsupportedwith the Craigieburn Ambulance station operating 24 hours a day to respond to emergencies in the community,” the spokesperson said.
“We’ve made record investments to support and grow our workforce – investing $2 billion since 2014 to strengthen our ambulance service, deliver more ambulance branches, and doubling the size of our paramedic workforce to what is now the largest of any Australian service.”
Ambulance Victoria was contacted for comment.
Paramedics outside of the new Yuroke Ambulance Station, sending a strong message. (Supplied)
Sarah, Matt and Lola Rowe, and staff members from the Northern Health Women’s Health Hub. Inset: Baby Lola. (Supplied)
McLovin’ it 50 years on
By Mikayla van Loon
As a mere 19-year-old George Caruana had his dreams come true with a job opportunity at one of the first McDonald’s stores to open in Melbourne.
Now, 50 years later he’s the longest standing employee in Australia for the multinational company and loves every minute he gets to spend with customers.
Celebrating the milestone at his current store in Lilydale, the Epping resident was commended by locals and head office staff over the course of February 23 and 24.
Visiting the Collingwood store in 1974, just after it opened, Mr Caruana never expected to walk away employed.
“Me and mum decided to go and get somethingtoeatandtrythisnewMcDonald’s. It was the third McDonald’s in Melbourne and as we were enjoying our food, a manager came out exactly like I do today.
“He comes out into the dining room and says, ‘G’day, is everything okay with your food? Do you like it?’ And I said, ‘Yeah, I love it’.
“He said to me, ‘would you like a job?’ and he started showing me around the store and he came out to mum and said, ‘I gave your son a job’. I started the week after.”
For Mr Caruana, getting offered a position at Maccas was more than just a job, it was a chance to shift his future.
“I got sick of working in a factory because I started working at 12-years-old to support mum and I always wanted to get involved in food,” he said.
Moving his way up from the kitchen to customer service to manager, Mr Caruana soon found his calling in promotion and training.
“Once they knew all the stuff I learned, they started moving me from store to store to open them and train new managers and new staff and I just love it so much.”
Still to this day, seeing young people starting their employment journey brings joy to Mr Caruana but he said he wished more would see the potential in making a career at the company.
“I really like to show how important customers are and how to be treated by customers and how to handle them,” he said. “I want to be involved with the new generation. Hopefully I can encourage them to stay on like me. I don’t think I could see it because a lot of people do not like the food industry anymore or any restaurant business I believe.”
Seeing and meeting lots of people over the five decades, one moment in particular remains stark in Mr Caruana’s mind.
“One day, I was on my shift and we were ready to close the door. In those days we used to shut by 11 o’clock, and we had to be out by 12 o’clock.
“I was so young that I didn’t think I should take a photo with Bette Davis. I didn’t realise how big she was.”
A second star meeting Mr Caruana had and still cherishes is the day he met McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc.
“I’ve still got him in my heart and I honour him,” he said.
Continuing every year to support Mr Kroc’s legacy in the charity space, Mr Caruana has been a big supporter of the Ronald McDonald House.
When it came to Australia, Mr Caruana said people were rather apprehensive about where the money was going but over time it has become a well-loved aspect of the brand.
“WhentheRonaldMcDonaldHousecame to Australia, I think I was the first person to start raising money and I remember I raised $8,000.
“It’s 33 years this year and I am still collecting money. I think I’ve collected $157,000. I usually raise about $7000 a year just selling McDonald’s and other stuff in McDonald’s and let customers know every penny goes to the kids.
“And I always go and visit the house. And we put on barbecues for them and
‘‘ I want to be involved with the new generation. Hopefully I can encourage them to stay on like me ’’
- George Caruana
feed them for nothing.”
Seeing the phase out of Ronald McDonald and other characters like Hamburglar, is something Mr Caruana said he was sad to see go.
“Because of the McCafe it’s more of a restaurant compared to in the old days where there used to be families with kids. It’s still happening but not as much as with the characters.”
While the characters may not feature in store anymore, Mr Caruana doesn’t have to look far to see one, with his collection of memorabilia being so extensive.
From original food trays, burger boxes and happy meal toys, over the 50 years, Mr Caruana has collected items showcasing the changes from each decade.
Having worked in up to 40 stores over the years, Mr Caruana said Collingwood would always be his favourite as the first one he ever worked in but Lilydale is certainly up there.
Locals can expect to see Mr Caruana around for many years to come, with his love for the work still driving, and a small sense of competition.
“I’ve just been nominated number one in Australia [as the longest employee] but I am number two around the world.
“There’s a lady in America who is beating me by three years. She must have started in 1970 but she’s older than me.
“If I can stay another five years to beat that record [I will]. I just want to be a proud Australian all around the world. I don’t think afterwards they’ll ever beat me.”
Above: George Caruana celebrated 50 years of employment at McDonald’s with a burger cake and certificates at the Lilydale store on Friday 23 February. (Supplied) Inset: Mr Caruana started as a 19-year-old at the Collingwood store.
Below: Staff from head office presented Mr Caruana with a certificate of congratulations in store on Friday. (Mikayla Van Loon)
Above: From the 1974 designed food tray to the burger boxes throughout the decades, Mr Caruana has quite the collection. (Mikayla Van Loon) Left: Dating back 50 years, Mr Caruana prizes himself on the collection of memorabilia he has been able to acquire. (Maree Beveridge)
Mr Caruana’s very own Ronald McDonald.
DISTRIBUTION
Supported into work
Syrian refugee Tarek Dawahra was caught in a dilemma shortly after settling in Lalor.
Tarek was keen to study to be able to resume his professional career in IT, but he also needed to support his family financially.
Thanks to a collaboration between AMES HSP and employment staff, he has been able to achieve both goals.
Shortly after arriving in Australia, Tarek, who has bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from Syria, enrolled in a Certificate IV course in Cyber Security. But Tarek was struggling financially and advised his AMES case manager that he would like to work.
He was supported through a fast-track registration with the federal government’s Workforce Australia employment program. Refugees are not required to register with the program for 12 months.
AMES senior employment mentor Alexandra Shamoon sent a letter to Services
Australia requesting Tarek’s early activation in the Workforce Australia System.
“He expressed an interest in obtaining a forklift licence and starting work in this field while also completing his study,” Alex said.
“We utilised the Workforce Australia Employment Fund and arranged a forklift courseforTarekinMaytocoverthelicencefee. We also used the fund to purchase personal work equipment and fuel vouchers to help Tarek begin his work journey in Australia.”
Tarek found a job as a forklift driver early in June but wanted more shifts as he was only working two days a week. He found fulltime employment with DNATA in August.
“I’m doing well and enjoying working. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work to support my family while also studying towards resuming my career in IT,” Tarek said.
“Life is good and I’m looking forward to the future.”
Council rate cap
This year’s rate increases will be capped at the forecast Consumer Price Index for 2025-26 of 3 per cent, up from 2.75 per cent in 2024. The decision was announced by Local Government Minister Nick Staikos on December 23. The rate cap limits the amount all Victorian councils can increase their total revenue from general rates and municipal charges. Rates fund services and facilities like local parks, libraries, and community centres. Councils may apply to the Essential Services Commission for a higher rate cap if they can demonstrate a critical need for spending on services or projects that would require a rate rise above the capped amount.
Lives lost on Vic roads in 2024 Road safety will remain a key priority for Victoria Police heading into 2025 following another devastating year on the state’s roads. There were 282 lives lost in 2024 compared with 295 in 2023. While the number of lives lost is slightly below 2023, there has been an overall increase in the number of fatal collisions. Police are determined to drive down road trauma in 2025 and are urging all road users to consider their actions and behaviours when getting behind the wheel.
Tarek with AMES senior employment mentor Alexandra Shamoon shortly before Christmas. (Supplied)
Wollert dad running for a cure
October 15, 2024
Over 11 days in November, Wollert father Steve Trowbridge will run 700 kilometres from Adelaide to Melbourne to raise money for a cause close to his heart.
His four-year-old son, Levi, has a rare genetic condition called KCNQ2 Early Infantile Encephalopathy.
The condition is an alteration of the genes and effects Levi in all aspects of his life.
His mum, Karsha Trowbridge said KCNQ2 effects Levi’s salt cells in his brain, which causes seizures to occur.
She said the conditions causes severe learning delays in all areas of development and currently has no known cure.
Levi is one of about 1000 kids worldwide to be diagnosed with KCNQ2.
Karsha said Levi was rushed to the Royal Children’s Hospital at three days old after he became stiff and held his breath for about 15 seconds.
“The next day we were rushed to NICU as Levi was having multiple seizures that were lengthening in duration each time lasting as long as five minutes, every one resulting in Levi not breathing,” she said.
“At seven days old Levi was placed under a video camera, wired up to a brain wave monitor and placed under heaters with a breathing tube.
Levi always required two nurses for just himself as his fight had just gotten tremendously harder.
“Steve and I weren’t sure what to expect as our first baby was essentially on life support. We honestly weren’t sure if he would make it as he was so little and had undergone so much trauma already through multiple tests and seizure activity. Every seizure felt like it lasted a lifetime and seemed like we held our breath with Levi just praying for the seizure to be over, to just hope he took a breath.
“In Levi’s short life, he has faced countless challenges and many hospital trips making
it our second home, but Levi’s determination and resilience continues to push Steve and I as parents to advocate for him with more passion than ever.”
Steve’s run from Adelaide to Melbourne will be the culmination of a five-month fundraising campaign for the KCNQ2 Foundation in the hope of finding a cure to create a better future for those who have been diagnosed with this rare condition.
Steve’s run will span 11 days to reflect the amount of time Levi spent in the NICU, and he will cover about 65 kms per day – the number
of seizures Levi had during his threeand-a-half-week stay at the Royal Children’s Hospital.
“ThiswillbeoneofthetoughestthingsIwill do in my life (both physically and mentally), but it’s nothing compared to what Levi has endured in his short life to date,” Steve said.
Karsha, Steve, Levi and brother Beau, 2, hope to raise $40,000 for the foundation.
Karsha said the family conducts annual fundraisers for the foundation, raising close to $60,000 over the years.
“We don’t know what the future can hold for Levi or others diagnosed with KCNQ2,
but we know that we will do everything in our power to create change and generate much needed funding to a cause that is close to our hearts,” she said.
“We want to raise as many funds and exposure for awareness as possible as we continue to rally and pray to find a cure for all those diagnosed.
“We don’t want Levi to be defined by the unknown of KCNQ2 or the number of ‘one in1000 in the world’. We see Levi as our one in a million-miracle boy, our shooting star in the night sky and hope for a better future to find a cure.”
Family violence award for dedicated policeman
November 12, 2024
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 Sergeant Phillips found his passion and nearly 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, SexualOffences andChildAbusePractitioner 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.
SeniorSergeantPhillipssaiditwasasurprise 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-AssistantCommissionerChrisGilbert 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.”
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.”
Acting Deputy Commissioner Cindy Millen, Senior Sergeant Stephen Phillips and Glenn Paton’s daughter, Molly Paton (Supplied)
Steve, Levi, 4, and Karsha Trowbridge. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 436254_02
Nuts support a healthy lifestyle in older Australians
Regular consumption of nuts is associated with maintaining a healthy lifespan, new research from a Monash University-led team has found.
Published in the Journal Age and Ageing, the researchers said the findings may help guide older individuals and their health professionals in making dietary choices that can support health in older age, including in those whose diet quality may not be optimal.
The study involved 9,916 adults aged over 70 years, who reported on their usual diet as part of the *ASPREE Longitudinal Study of Older Persons (ALSOP) sub-study. Those who reported frequent consumption of nuts, including every day or several times a day, regardless of the type or form of nut, lived longer without dementia or persistent
disability, compared to those who never or infrequently consumed nuts.
First author Holly Wild, a PhD candidate and lecturer from the Monash University School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, said that nuts were a good source of protein, micronutrients, unsaturated fats, fibre and energy, but whole nuts can be difficult to eat for those with poor oral health or chewing difficulties.
“Our study was able to account for poor oral health and other foods that people usually ate, and after adjusting for these and other factors, eating nuts remained positively associated with a healthy lifespan in later life. Nuts can be a good choice for a snack or as part of a meal, even if your diet might not be optimal in other ways,” Ms Wild said.
“Ifyouarewantingtoincorporatemorenuts into your diet, nuts are available in multiple different forms in supermarkets these days, including whole nuts, chopped or crushed nuts, nuts meals, and nut butters or pastes. The latter options may be much more accessible to those with oral health issues, and chopped nuts can be added to salads, cereals and smoothies.
“However, we do recommend keeping salted nuts, and candied and chocolate covered nuts to a minimum.”
The current Australian Dietary Guidelines suggest that adults should be consuming 30 grams of nuts, which is equivalent to 1/3 of a cup or a small handful, or approximately two tablespoons of nut butter on most days of the week, though previous research has reported
that Australian adults over 65 years only average between 4-4.6 grams per day.
“What 30 grams of nuts looks like depends on the type of nut, but typically a ‘handful’ is equivalent to around 25 almonds, 10 walnuts or 40 peanuts,” Ms Wild said.
“Choosing a mixture of nuts means you get thebenefitsofthevaryingamountsofnutrients found in different types of nuts. Nuts taste best and have the highest nutritional content when fresh, so store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place to maintain freshness.
“Nuts are a great way to incorporate protein andnutrientsintoourdietinamoresustainable way. For this reason, nut consumption has been recommended by leading scientists as part of the Eat Lancet Commission report for planetary health.”
Advisory committee to help make seniors’ voices heard
Older Victorians will have their voices heard as part of a new advisory committee establishedbythestategovernment.
MinisterforAgeingIngridStittrecentlymet withthemembersofthenewSeniorVictorians Advisory Committee who will provide an importantcommunityvoicetogovernmenton thelivedexperiencesofolderpeople.
With more than 1.5 million Victorians 60 years and over – or almost one quarter of the Victoria’s population – the committee will highlight the priorities and challenges of older Victorians, as well as emerging issues that are importanttoolderpeople.
More than 240 older people from across Victoriaappliedtobeapartofthecommittee, demonstrating the high level of interest and passion to advocate on issues affecting older Victorians.
The committee membership represents the diversity of the Victorian community, with members including Aboriginal Victorians, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds,LGBTIQA+peopleandregional Victorians.
The inaugural eight community members of the committee, appointed for a term of up to three years, includes associate professor in Rural Health Sue Harrison, who will serve as a the chair and has more than four decades of medical practice in Echuca and Swan Hill; Brenda Appleton, trans and gender diverse communities’ leader and LGBTIQIA+ rights advocate;DrChukwudozie(Dozie)Ezigbalike, former educator and geo-information specialist, community advocate for people from new and emerging communities; Gabrielle(AuntyGabby)Gamble,anadvocate for elders who are survivors of the Stolen Generation and community volunteer; Jan Laidlaw, who is passionate advocate for older people’s access to information, services and transport, with a professional background in local government as a mayor and councillor;
Linette Harriott, a family violence and gender equality professional and mentor for LGBTIQA+ young people; Mariamma John, a
communityvolunteerandsupporterofseniors of all cultural backgrounds; and Van Pho, an experienced corporate professional, avid community worker, and supporter of seniors’ mentalhealth
The eight community members will be complemented by four sector members from Council on the Ageing Victoria, Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria, the Municipal Association of Victoria, and Switchboard, ensuring representation and expertise across a range of sectors working witholderVictorians.
The committee’s work will focus on providingadviceontheimplementationofthe Ageing Well Action Plan 2022-2026 and the livedexperienceofolderVictorians.
In addition to this, the committee will raise awareness of the positive contributions and meaningful participation of older people in social, economic and cultural life, as well as promoting rights and respect for older Victorians.
“TheSeniorVictoriansAdvisoryCommittee will provide older Victorians with a seat at the table and the opportunity to provide advice on their needs and rights that informs governmentprioritiesandprograms,”MsStitt said.
“We know older Victorians are not a uniform group – that’s why the new Senior Victorians Advisory Committee is made up of diverse individuals who each bring their unique perspective and lived experiences.”
Ms Harrison said it was a privilege to be appointedtothecommittee.
“Itisaprivilegetorepresentasignificantpart of the Victorian population, raise awareness of matters impacting older Victorians and provide advice that embeds older perspectives atitscore,”shesaid.
Doutta Galla offers permanent residential and respite care across seven convenient locations in Melbourne’s West, with comfortable retirement living in Moonee Ponds.
If you’re looking for quality, affordable aged care close to home, call us on 9680 3300 or visit us at www.dgas.org.au
North-west Melbourne’s Dr Dozie Ezigbalike is a member of the first Senior Victorians Advisory Committee. (Damjan Janevski) 447543_01
A van full of food relief
April 16, 2024
In an attempt to address food insecurity, Anglicare Victoria’s food relief van will soon roll into Craigieburn.
Generous donor Peter Manger paid for the van in full and also for it to be equipped with fridges, after learning about the situation experienced by many families across the north, where putting food on the table every night has become a difficult task.
Now retired, Mr Manger had a successful career as an engineer and said he wants to give back to those less fortunate.
“Growing up in a lower middle class family… I’ve seen the other side of it,” he said. “It’s important that we give back, so I donated money for the van and for some fridges.”
Anglicare Victoria program manager dioceses and parish partnerships Chris de
Pavia said it was a huge boost to be able to bring necessary support to families in need.
“A lot of our current sites don’t have the capacity to store fresh fruit and vegetables so we give out food vouchers, but with the van, we’ll be able to top up our services, and people will walk away with twice the amount of food,” he said.
“We want to give out as much food as we can. At the moment we are really under the pump with demand, since pre-covid times the amount of people we are supporting has doubled.
“ThedemandinCraigieburnisreallystarting to pick up, lots of people with mortgages are really struggling.”
As the sun fades and the cold weather creeps back as winter nears, Anglicare Victoria is also launching its winter appeal, to make more initiatives such as the relief van possible.]
Looking to take hunger off the table for all
families, Anglicare Victoria chief executive Paul McDonald urged everyone to give what they can to ensure a winter of full stomachs.
He explained that in the last 12 months, there has been 53,000 relief assists provided by Anglicare Victoria, a major increase on previous years, and said it was alarming how many people were reaching out for the first time.
“In the last year, four in 10 of the families we see have never been to an emergency relief service before,” he said.
“Thishasledustotakingfoodandprovisions straight out to the community, through efforts such as a van.
“We are launching our appeal, and we are seeing how we can bring relief services more effectively and more impactful than just giving people a bag of groceries, we want to give further support to families in need.”
You’ll never walk alone in Mernda
May 14, 2024
When Mernda local Anthony Brancatisano moved to the area three years ago, he had two goals; meet new people and explore the area.
Upon searching the web and community forums, he couldn’t find any programs suitable for what he had in mind, so he took matters into his own hands. The Mernda Menergise walk and talk group walks weekly on Thursdays from 7pm, and Mr Brancatisano, who is also on the committee for Men’s Wellbeing Australia, said it’s the perfect opportunity for men to shoot the breeze in the breeze.
Whilethehour-longwalkdoeswonders for physical health, he said its benefits go far beyond that.
“It’s just that get together, outside of the normal sporting or pub aspect, hence why we hold it on a Thursday night,” he laughed.
“I wanted to create that sense of community, and connection among men.
“For the mental side it’s really great … you’re working all day, it’s hustle and bustle … we have a lot of family guys, single guys, and guys going through a lot of stuff, and we find that they all open up and have a chat, it’s really positive.”
Hesaidthegroupisbuiltonsovereignty and confidentiality, which has built a mutual respect that fosters a safe and comfortable environment for all men who attend.
The group meets at the Mernda Neighbourhood House to begin the walk, and with the colder, wetter months approaching, some nights will instead be spent within the comfort of the centre, still giving the group a space to chat when the weather doesn’t permit.
The group typically has anywhere from five to 15 walkers currently, with ages ranging from early 20s to their oldest walker who is 82.
Students’ hopes fade as education centre closes down
December 10, 2024
It was during one of her business classes that 35-year-old Hiba Fathi first felt the rush of entrepreneurialism, which later morphed into a dream of opening her own eatery — ‘Dusty Coffee’.
However, the impetus of that vision no longer exists, and with it, neither does Ms Fathi’s dream.
ForthelastfouryearsupuntilNovember29, she had been studying English and business at the Meadow Heights Education Centre.
The not-for-profit institute was forced to shut its doors due to ongoing financial struggles, according to the centre’s board of management president Phillip Perroni.
“In a nutshell, our expenses far outweighed our income and we were losing money hand over fist for a while,” he said.
“Covid was the main factor, especially [post-pandemic] — we didn’t get enough students back in the classrooms but we continued to pay rent because we didn’t want to lose the premises.”
While the board implemented measures to cut-back costs, Mr Perroni said the deficit was a hurdle they couldn’t overcome.
“As much as it pains us to do so, we need to go in this direction,” he said.
The closure has left students like Ms Fathi in the lurch.
“It’s very sad — this is so hard,” she said.
“Where do we go?”
Operating for three decades, the centre provided educational opportunities to adults from diverse backgrounds. From language lessons, beauty and make-up training, to computer skills and general support, the space “empowered” people to “build strong and resilient communities”, according to the centre’s website.
“We were very happy here, we love it, and we need it,” Ms Fathi said.
“It was perfect for us because there’s also a
free childcare space within the centre so we didn’t have to choose between our education and our families.
“There’s also a school nearby and I know mothers who would drop off their kids and come to class.”
A core offering of the Meadow Heights Education Centre was “accessible education”.
This access has been stripped away from 24-year-old Nour Chaker.
“I am very angry and upset,” she said.
“I don’t have a licence, so for me the centre’s closure also puts a stop to my education.
“Not only will I not be able to learn, I won’t be able to socialise — it’ll be lonely.”
According to Meadow Heights Education Centre teacher and assessor Nikolas Kolendrianos, the closure is devastating for both staff and students.
“Let’s not forget a lot of these people were displaced, they’ve gone through extensive trauma and this can inflict those emotions again,” he said.
“The whole school community is devastated.
“We’re all saddened and everyone is trying to put on a brave face but it’s going to be a hard transition.”
With more than 200 enrolments, Mr Kolendrianos said as classes come to an end, its “ripple effect will be felt across the area”. Mr Kolendrianos said “miraculous funding“ was the only way the centre’s fate would be reversed.
“It can be saved if we have donors, or people interested in keeping the school running.
“I’m not sure how much money we need but I suppose if we received $500,000 that could keep us going for another year.”
Northern Metropolitan Liberal MP Evan Mulholland said the situation warrants immediate government intervention saying “I am concerned about reports [of] this much-loved facility closing down and the impact it will have on local residents and their access to education and training.”
Meadow Heights Education Centre students, including Hiba Fathi (front), teachers, and locals rallied against the education center’s closure. (Damjan Janevski)
Anglicare Victoria program manager dioceses and parish partnerships Chris de Pavia with the new food relief van. (Supplied)
Take steps to boost screen time
By Christopher Carter, chief executive, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network
In most cases, cancers are easiest to treat and control if they are detected early. And that means it’s best to catch them before they become a problem.
The best way to do this is through regular screening. In Australia we are very fortunate, because we have a health system that provides free screens for three of the most common types of cancer – cervical, breast and bowel.
And from July 2025 there will also be free screens for another major killer, lung cancer.
Forsomeyearsnow,allAustraliansbetween the ages of 50 to 74 have been sent a free bowel cancer screening kit every two years. This year, the Australian Government lowered the eligibility age to 45.
The test is straightforward and easy to do, and after it’s been dropped off at the nearest pathology lab, results are available in only a few days.
It’s surprising, perhaps, that only about 40 per cent of people who receive a bowel cancer screening kit actually use it.
Maybe it’s because lots of people are afraid of discovering something nasty, and that’s fair enough. However, the odds of discovering you don’t have cancer are overwhelmingly good.
Data from the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program showed that only six per cent of results warranted a follow-up appointment – and only one in 25 of those resulted in a suspected or confirmed cancer.
The chances of successfully treating bowel cancer when it is detected early are much, much better than when it has been left to grow until symptoms show.
Thesamegoesforcervicalcancer.Screening testsforthisarerecommendedeveryfiveyears
for eligible people aged between 25 and 74.
At present about 68 per cent have had at least one screen. That number is expected to increase as more people discover that the test doesn’t have to be done by a doctor or nurse anymore and is now available as a do-it-yourself exercise.
The test can be done in a private room at a general practice, clinic or hospital. Help will always be available if you need it, of course.
What’s on
Come and Explore at our Art Exhibition
Discover creativity and talent at the City of Whittlesea’s Art Exhibition. Featuring 170 stunning works by 140 local artists, this year’s theme, Hope: A Spectrum of Possibility, explores hope in all its forms - from personal dreams to shared goals, and everything in between.
When: Friday 17 January to Friday 7 February
Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday, Friday, 10am – 4pm; Thursday, 10am – 7pm; Saturday 11am – 2pm
Where: Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre, 35 Ferres Blvd, South Morang
For more information, visit www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/artexhibition
And again, early detection is the key to survival. Also, the odds are overwhelmingly on your side. Data shows that for every 1000 tests, just one comes back positive.
For breast cancer, about 50 per cent of eligible people -- those aged 40 to 74 – take advantage of the long-established free two-yearly screening program.
That’s a pity, because statistics show that regular mammograms really do save lives.
Data shows that that in 1991, before the BreastScreen program began, 74 out of every 100,000 women died of breast cancer. Today that has dropped to 37. This leads, perhaps, to a good idea for a New Year resolution. If you receive a test pack or invitation to have a screen in the mail, go through with it. Probably you’ll just feel relieved when your results come back, but maybe, just maybe, it will save your life.
Skate, play and climb these holidays
Ease into the long weekend by trying out the street-style skate park, shooting some hoops on the basketball and netball courts, and testing your strength on the rock climbing wall.
Bring your own skates, or use the ones provided, and enjoy roller skating lessons. There will also be lawn games, basketball activities, food trucks and some smooth tunes from a local DJ.
When: Friday 24 January, 4pm-7pm
Where: Whittlesea Public Gardens, 158 Barry Rd, Lalor
For more information, visit www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/events
Artwork credit: Lily Chen, The Harmony of Bloom and Flight
Smiles say it: Bundoora’s best nursery and toddler care
Papilio Early Learning Bundoora is quickly building a strong reputation, with more than 100 families already enrolled or on the waitlist for 2025 since the centre opened in late 2024.
After a “terrible experience“ at another childcare facility, Sonia Gee transferred her twin children to Papilio and says her children have “never been happier or more settled“.
“If you want somewhere your children can be developed and well looked after rather than just babysat, this is definitely the place to be,” Ms Gee said in a Google review publicly posted online.
“The staff use so many different techniques and activities with our boys and spend so much time with them – it’s obvious they love to be there,” she said.
Centre manager Kim Cassar says her team of educators focus on building positive social and emotional skills with children right from their first day.
“The early years are a critical period for growth and the right environment makes all the difference, we’re passionate about being the best option for families in Bundoora,” she said.
According to Kim, the benefits children receive when attending a safe, high quality early education and care environment are a positive surprise for many families.
“We know many parents feel guilt as they balanceworkresponsibilitieswiththeirchild’s care, but choosing high quality child care isn’t outsourcing parenting – it gives your child access to more resources, social interactions and learning opportunities,” Kim said.
“Our educators are also trained to support children with essential skills such as expressing their feelings, building friendships and resolving conflict – all in a fun and safe, happy environment.”
Papilio Early Learning Bundoora parent Chloe Smith said she felt “incredibly grateful“ for the care her son receives.
“From the moment we walked in, the warm welcome made us feel right at home – the educators are not only professional but truly passionate about what they do,” Ms Smith said.
Fiona Andrews, whose family was one of the earliest enrolled at Papilio Early Learning Bundoora, says the “warm and nurturing environment” has been of great benefit to her child.
“The facility is clean, well-organised and has great safety procedures in place. I feel confident knowing my child is in such great hands,” Ms Andrews said.
Best news photos from 2024
Star Weekly photographer Damjan Janevski has compiled his favourite photographs from 2024.
Left: Melton South Primary School students took part in a colour run in May. (408205_01)
Right: Shweta Pandya prepares for the Holi Colour Festival. (394134_01)
Science teacher Sharelle Brownbill received a $10,000 grant to further her STEM studies.
De’Arne Marshall has been at 979 radio for 25 years and puts together a rock’n’roll show.
Circus Latino ringmaster Allanah Le Du, hand balancer Tiffany Lee and Jojo th Clown. (416384_01)
Guy Walter and Michelle Richards ahead of the Lancefield Witches Fair in June. (413693_01)
Emmanuel College students Jarryd, Johnny, Seth, Chidi, Ella, Ninarika and Omar had a winter sleepout event to raise funds for homelessness.
Cathy James’ dog Heidi was voted people’s choice dog of the year in February. (388318_01)
Broadmeadows auctioneer Martin Evans. (384484_01)
St Peter’s Catholic Primary School wellbeing dog, Tilly celebrated her 1st birthday in July. (421792_01)
Comedian James Liotta. (402571_01)
Shaun the Dinosaurs Doctor and Laith, 8, with ‘Toby the T-Rex’. (383278_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.
Community singing group
Join the Broadmeadows Community Singers on Tuesdays at 7.30pm. No previous experience needed, just a love of singing.
Sonja, 0429 587 285
Chatty Cafe
Join Mill Park library’s Chatty Cafe for a coffee, tea, and biscuits and meet new friends. The cafe is open every Thursday, from 6.30-7.30pm, at 394 Plenty Road, Mill Park.
https://www.yprl.vic.gov.au/
TAC L2P Program
The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) L2P Program is a community-based program developed to assist eligible young Victorian learner drivers between the ages of 16 and 21 who do not have access to a supervising driver, or an appropriate vehicle to gain driving experience required for a probationary licence. Volunteer mentors needed.
Cynthia Petridis, 0435 653 371
Adult education
Banksia Gardens Community Services is running adult education courses including an introduction to computers and brushing up on English skills.
9309 8531
Senior citizens meet
The Gladstone Park Senior Citizens Club regularly meets for games of bingo, carpet bowls and a chat over a cuppa, at the coroner of Carrick and Elmhurst drives, Gladstone Park.
Beulah, 0411 422 398
Homestead Walking Group
Enjoy some fresh air, beautiful gardens and meet other locals. Volunteer leaders will meet at the Homestead Community and Learning Centre at 9.30am on Wednesdays for a 30–45 minute walk.
https://tinyurl.com/2wbet35x
The Broadmeadows Senior Citizens Club
The club meets on Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and first Sunday of the month. It also has indoor carpet bowls, bingo, and snooker and on the third Saturday, and a dance from 7-11 pm. All are welcome.
Liz Munro, 0409 712 613, lizmunro7@ gmail.com
Craft and Conversation
Craigieburn library is hosting a Wednesday weekly craft group, from 1-3pm, and everyone is welcome. Join the craft and conversation group and share your love of all things crafty. Bring your current project and make new friends.
humelibraries.vic.gov.au
Community lunch in Roxburgh Park
Join the Homestead Team, along with members of the community for a free lunch and make some new friends whilst you’re at it. Lunch will be prepared by the Turkish Women’s Association. The lunch will be held every Wednesday, from 11.30am-1pm, at Homestead Community and Learning Centre, 30 Whiltshire Road, Roxburgh Park.
https://tinyurl.com/2wbet35x
Craigieburn Toastmasters
Craigieburn Toastmasters supports community members in developing and practising their public speaking, leadership, and communication skills. It meets the first and third Thursday, from 7-9pm, at the Craigieburn Guide Hall, 33 Hamilton Street, Craigieburn.
Education and community centre
Do you or someone you know need
help learning English or understanding technology?
Craigieburn Education and Community Centre is offering free beginner English and computer classes to eligible residents. Small, relaxed and friendly classes, drop in and say hello at 20 Selwyn Avenue, Craigieburn.
9308 1477 or https://www.craigieburn. org.au
Whittlesea Historical Society
The Whittlesea Historical Society welcomes anyone interested in the history of the City of Whittlesea area. A meeting schedule is available on the society’s website.
www.whittleseahistoricalsociety.org.au
Mesmerising Moments - Oznur Ates
Mesmerising Moments is and invitation to be spellbound by the dance of colours on water and to share in the enchanting effect of this mystical dance. Through the Turkish marbling art of Ebru, Oznur combines contemporary ideas with strong traditional techniques to harness the expressive qualities of flowers. The exhibition is open to visitors until March 9 at the Town Hall Broadmeadows Gallery.
Volleyball Tournament
Are you wondering what you can do during the school holidays? How about you make the most of them with Hume Youth
Services! Jump into some Volleyball action at Broadmeadows Aquatic and Leisure Centre. Please wear appropriate footwear. Snacks and drinks provided. Running on January 13, from 1 to 4 pm.
Hot Chocolate Day
Create your own “Hot Chocolate’ cup is a fun and creative activity, perfect for a day to chat with your neighbors and have a warm drink! Craft supplies and coffee cups will be provided. Children under the age of 12 must be supervised by an adult. Valley Park Community Centre, 44 Village Crescent, Westmeadows. January 15, 10 to 11 am.
Seed Propagation workshop
Growing from seed is a great way to have a low-cost, productive garden. This workshop covers germination, and caring for your seedlings. This seed propagation workshop includes a short presentation on the seed lifecycle, germination, looking after seedlings and preparing your vegetable bed as well as harvesting your produce and how to reduce your food waste. Includes a fun activity creating your own DIY seed propagation unit. At Valley Park Community Centre, 44 Village Crescent, Westmeadows on January 21, from 10:30 to 11:30 am.
Indigenous Community Gardens open
day
Westmeadows Indigenous Community Garden members are hosting a monthly open day on the first Saturday of each month, 11am-noon, to showcase the gardens at the corner Toora Drive and Redan Court. All are welcome.
Eva Mazzei, emmmazzei@gmail.com
Craigieburn Residents Association
Do you live in Craigieburn and wonder what’s happening re-roads and facilities, or have a concern you’d like to raise so it can be addressed? Go along to the Craigieburn Residents Association and tell them about it. The association liaises with Hume council, as well as state and federal government organisations to get the job done. They also give annual donations to a local charity each year. They meet on the last Wednesday of the month at Selwyn House, Selwyn Avenue, Craigieburn, 7.30 p.m.
craigieburnresidents@gmail,com, or 0401 369 311
Menergise men’s walk and talk Every Thursday from 7pm, starting at the Mernda Neighbourhood House. A nightly walk for men to get some exercise and shoot the breeze in the breeze.
0475 454 133
Star Weekly journalist Oscar Parry snapped this picture of the infamout Riddells Creek geese outside the local primary school late last month. The geese are well-known around town - although no one appears to know how they came to call Riddells Creek home.
SPORTS QUIZ
1. Which tennis player was the highest-paid female athlete of 2024?
2. Clay targets used in shooting are known by what avian term?
3. As well as reaching No.1 in the Women’s World Golf Rankings, Nelly Korda has won how many LPGA Tours?
4. Which sport is also
5. How many seasons did Michael Jordan play in the NBA for?
6. Who was named Time’s Athlete of the Year for 2024?
7. And which team does that athlete play for?
8. Which NBA player was nicknamed ‘The Round Mound of Rebound’?
In which sport would you perform a ‘ballooning
2028 Summer Olympics host Los Angeles last held the Games in which year?
What position did Oscar Piastri finish in the 2024 Formula One World Drivers’ Championship?
And how many Grands Prix did the young Australian driver win during the season?
Which 21-year-old Australian women’s cricketer scored an ODI century in just her second international match?
14. Morocco, Spain and Portugal will jointly host which major sporting event in 2030?
15. Baseballer Juan Soto’s record contract worth $A1.2 billion ($US765 million) with the New York Mets runs for how many years?
16. Who is the new coach of the West Coast Eagles for the 2025 season?
17. Which Australian men’s cricketer was named Player of the Match in the Second Test against India after smashing 140?
18. Who founded the Sherrin company?
19. Tennis star Alex de Minaur possesses dual citizenship of both Australia and which other country?
20. Which Australian former golfer will shortly be replaced as CEO of the LIV Golf Tour?
21. What number will Bailey Smith wear for Geelong during the 2025 AFL season?
22. Ezra Mam plays for which NRL team?
23. In what year did the tournament known as the NBA Cup debut?
24. And which team was crowned champion of the first tournament?
25. A First Nations team named The Black Swans will represent Australia in which sport?
26. Which AFL Women’s team had the first pick of the 2024 Draft?
27. NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers has played for which team since 2023?
28. How many glass backboards did Shaquille O’Neal break during his NBA career?
29. What three animals were the official mascots of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games?
30. NFL quarterback Josh Allen announced his engagement in November 2024 to which actress?
platypus and echidna
Hailee Steinfeld
Nelly Korda Korda
PUZZLES
To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.
ACROSS
1 Frisk (6)
4 Optimistic (6)
10 Earth (Lat) (5)
11 Reality (9)
12 Insurance (9)
13 Proficient (5)
14 English author Graham – (6)
15 Ornamental quartz (4)
19 Pig meat (4)
20 Two-piece bathing suit (6)
24 Japanese comics (5)
25 Impact; crash (9)
27 Globe-trotter (9)
28 Rome’s river (5)
29 Hue (6)
30 Approach (6) DOWN
1 Surroundings (8)
2 Condensed (8)
3 Monty Python member, Graham – (7)
5 Body of troops (7)
6 Cast out from society (6)
7 Japanese car brand (6)
8 West African nation (4)
9 Remaining; residing (7)
16 Sound of wood burning (7)
17 Lamentable (8)
18 Married Italian women (8)
19 High plains (7)
21 Very stupid (7)
22 Aid to vomiting (6)
23 Involve (6)
26 Old stringed instrument (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
1 What is the official language of Peru?
2 What liqueur is the primary ingredient in a grasshopper cocktail?
3 Beginning with ‘b’, what is another name for the tree known as sour gourd?
4 Stephanie Gilmore is a famous Australian: a) tennis player, b) surfer or c) footballer?
5 The ancient works The Iliad and TheOdyssey are attributed to which Greek poet?
6 What is epidemiology the study of?
7 Who was the Roman goddess of love, beauty, sex and fertility?
8 What does HIV stand for?
9 Name the man who Atticus Finch defends in Harper Lee’s classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird
10 Singer Sam Smith (pictured) wrote and performed the theme song for which James Bond film?
Triton tops up impressive new tech
By Derek Ogden, Marque Motoring
You have to hand it to Mitsubishi: they are not backward at going forward.
Take the latest Triton, for example, which had hardly hit the road Down Under in February this year before a technical upgrade in July and the addition of new payload options below 1000kg one month later.
Both, says Mitsubishi, were the result of real-world feedback across several key stakeholders, such as dealers, the media and all-new Triton customers. Of the original were the popular Pick-Up body style in Double Cab and Club Cab body; followed by enhancements totheDriverMonitoringSystemandfinallythe addition of Cab-Chassis GLS and GSR grades.
All are powered by a new bi-turbo diesel engine putting out 150kW and 470Nm, mated with a six-speed automatic transmission. The range kicks off with Triton GLX front-wheel drive Double Cab Pick-Up at $43,690, plus on road costs and checks out with the GSR Double Cab Pick-Up at $63,840. On test was the mid-range GLS at $59,090.
The Triton range is covered by Mitsubishi’s 10-year/200,000km manufacturer’s warranty provided that they are serviced exclusively at Mitsubishi dealerships. If not then it reverts to five years and 100,000 kilometres.
There’s 10 years of capped price servicing and up to four years complimentary roadside assistance.
Styling
From bottom to top the new Triton has taken on new design features, with the GLS riding on new 18-inch alloy wheels. The unique Mitsubishi embossed black grille is flanked by LED headlamps, side turn lamps, front fog lamps, plus front and rear combi lamps.
The door mirrors are heated and electrically adjustable. The tray bed gets a liner and six anchorage points. Load tub is 1520mm long, 1470mmwideand475mmdeep.With1085mm between the rear wheel housings, it will take a 1200mm x 800mm Euro pallet but not a standard 1165mm-square Aussie pallet.
Interior
TheallnewGLScabhasalevelofsophistication highlighted by soft padded surfaces with silver stitching, while the ute’s roots are hinted at by practical vinyl mats. There is a $1500 option, which ups the ambience with leather trim with silver stitching, driver’s seat power adjustment and heated front seats.
The Double Cab comes up with driver’s seat power lumbar support, seat back pocket with phone and tablet storage, while the second-row bench seat includes movable centre armrest with cup holders.
Up front storage includes a floor console box with lid, two cup holders, two bottle holders, sunglasses holder and driver’s side sun visor ticket holder.
Infotainment
There’s 7-inch part-digital-analogue display ahead of the driver and 9-inch dash-mounted touchscreen for the premium six-speaker multimedia system, including Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay and two USB ports. Sat nav is factory fitted.
There’sanewsteeringwheelwithdecent-size buttons to select tracks or radio stations, while air-con controls are off screen and easier and safer to use while driving.
Engines/transmissions
Key upgrade here is a newly developed 2.4 litre diesel engine with two turbochargers –one for quick response at low revs, the other larger turbo adding oomph at the top end – delivering 150kW at 3500rpm and peak torque of 470Nm between just 1500rpm and 2750rpm.
Mated with a six-speed automatic transmission and 4×4 drivetrain, plus stop/start engine system combined fuel
consumption and CO2 emissions for the GLS are a claimed 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres and 203g/km, respectively. The entry-level GLX Double Cab comes in front-wheel drive.
Safety
With a swag of airbags and advanced safety systems, the new Triton was the first Dual Cab ute to earn a five-star ANCAP safety rating.
Passive safety is in the hands of drive and passenger front airbags, centre airbag, driver and front passenger side airbags, driver’s knee airbag and curtain airbags.
Active safety includes adaptive cruise control, a suite of lane support, rear view camera and parking sensor, traffic sign recognition and driver monitoring. Braking and vehicle stability are covered by active stability control, traction control, brake assist and trailer stability assist.
Driving
Step up, literally to the Triton: it’s a bit of a climb, grab handles do the trick, as do oversized versions for the back seats. Theatre-style seating there helps to see over front occupants, improving visibility ahead.
Starting up the Mitsubishi Triton GLS comes at the press of an obscure starter button down near the wireless charger, releasing a distinctive, now dated, diesel rattle until the motor warms up.
The Triton GLS is the most affordable variant to pick up Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4WD II system that allows for four-wheel drive on sealed surfaces. Having full-time four-wheel drive adds security on slippery surfaces. The ute can be left in two-wheel drive to minimise fuel use, claimed by the maker to be 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined urban/highway cycle. Average on test was 10 litres per 100 kilometres; best was 6.3 on a motorway run.
Fuel isn’t the only running cost with the new Triton, however, with the addition of a 17-litre AdBlue tank fitted to reduce nitrous oxide emissions. And so, to the engine stop/ start system that, according to the maker, does its bit with fuel savings – a jumpy operation
6/10
7/10 Value: 7/10
that borders on the annoying. It lost me.
Finally, a trap for the unwary. The upgraded drivermonitoringsystemhascomeinforsome complaints of its being too intrusive. I agree.
The new Triton has autonomous emergency braking, forward and reverse; there’s the rub. The test GLS was parked overnight on a driveway incline with its nose down when a heavy downpour caused the rain to puddle at the front of the tub, directly behind the cabin.
The unsuspecting driver (me), on reversing the ute up to the street, caused the
to rush to the rear, cascading under the tailgate onto the road. The vehicle was stopped in its tracks, brake sensors having picked up the waterfall as a solid external structure. However, shocked cabin occupants gave the benefit of the doubt to this surprisingly efficient active safety system.
Summary
Not for want of trying, the Triton continues to improve in many facets but is it enough to leave its mark on a crowded segment?
rainwater
From bottom to top the new Triton has taken on new design features. (Pictures: Supplied)
The best sport shots from 2024
American import Joe Jaco during a Werribee Giants game in November. 443946_18
Senad Jahic and William Sheffield. 448424_16
Werribee’s Nathan Cooper during the VFL grand final. 432956_56
Teofilo Seigafo. 430082_09
Sahara Ball and Georgia Bowkett. 431489_27
Calder United’s Larissa Walsh in March.
Josh Byrne in action for Sunshine Baseball Club in October. 436968_05
Keilor’s Nathan Colenso during the EDFL remier division grand final. 432959_18
Wyndham’s Adetomi Ayilara. 403557_28
Western United’s Raquel Deralas. 400164_28
Joshua Grabham and Chris Stewart. 414039_26
Adrienne Cameron on court for the Sunbury Jets in April. 403555_08
StarWeeklyphotographer Ljubica Vrankovic has selected her favourite sport photographs from 2024.
Laura Paeglis is shooting off to the Olympics
July 23
AfterjustmissingoutontheOlympicslasttime round, Doreen’s Laura Paeglis will be shooting for gold in the archery at these Olympics.
Paeglis was named in the two-person archery team to represent Australia at the Games.
“This time around I managed to come out ahead in the race for the single female spot available to Australia at the Paris Olympics,” she said.
“Againitcamedowntothreeofuscompeting at the last event in Turkey a few weeks ago.
“Last week in Sydney my selection was formally announced. I was over the moon, after so many years and the ups and downs of two selection campaigns I had finally made it.
“I think it took a few days to sink in but I’m finally feeling like it’s real.”
Paeglis’ love for archery started as many dreams do, by seeing something in the movies. She was just 10 when she tried archery after
watching Hunger Games.
“I really wanted to try and hassled my parents constantly to take me,” she said. “We were not an archery family and I don’t think they thought I was serious.
“My grandfather finally cracked and took me down to the local club for a come and try day. Which by the way is the best way for anyone to get involved.
“Diamond Valley archers in Yarrambat run them on most weekends.”
Living in Doreen, Paeglis has a range in her own back yard.
It means she can shoot daily right at home.
“The Olympic distance is 70 metres,” she said.“Inanormalweek,Iwouldshoot200-300 arrows per day and do two to three gym sessions per week. I am coached by my dad, who I think has probably spent as much time as I have training in researching technique, equipment and bow tuning.
“My early days of competition involved a lot of travel both within Australia and
Internationally and I could not have done any of this without the support of both my parents.”
In 2018, Paeglis represented Australia at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires.
It was her first taste of a huge multi-sport event including living in an athletes village and competing in front of grandstands full of people.
Archery Victoria then nominated her for a future talent scholarship at the Victorian Institute of Sport.
It gave her even more opportunities.
“Funded by the Carbine Club, who do amazing work supporting up and coming athletes, it introduced me to a real high performance environment,“ she said.
“I have access to training and gym facilities, strength and conditioning coaches, physio, nutritionists and sports psychologists. It’s an incredible place that prepares you for international competition in the best possible way.”
The Jets break through
August 20
It was third time lucky for Greenvale as it finally claimed the Essendon District Football League women’s division 1 premiership.
After winning the minor premiership the past two years before falling short in the grand final, the Jets were hoping history wouldn’t repeat itself this year.
Like the last two years, the Jets were the first teamthroughtothegrandfinalandhadaweek off before the game.
Their opponent in the grand final this time round, was minor premiers Burnside Heights, whichwasalsoaimingforitsfirsteverwomen’s premiership.
It was a high scoring women’s grand final with both teams having some really good patches of play in a tough contested game.
The Bears led by a goal at quarter time before the Jets kicked the first four goals of the second quarter.
A goal after the siren to the Bears made the margin 13 points at half time.
It was goal for goal in the third quarter.
Both teams missed shots early in the last quarter before the Bears kicked a goal after a 50 metre penalty nearly 11 minutes into the quarter to reduce the margin to a goal.
The Bears tried everything to get a goal to leave the scores, but with no success.
A point with a minute to go for the Jets was enough to seal an 8.4 (52)-7.3 (45) win and the premiership.
Jets coach Troy Newton said he couldn’t be prouder of the group.
“We had to work for it,” he said. “It was a tough game, a hard game and the players just never stopped.
“One of our mantras during the week was playing every contest and every second and that is what it took, couldn’t be prouder and happier for the players the way they played and they played out the full game.”
The game was set up in the second quarter when the Jets kicked four goals to one.
Newton said it was the type of football they want to be playing on a consistent basis.
“An awesome quarter and I think I said to the side that it’s probably the best quarter we’ve played all year,” he said.
“That’s the sort of brand of football that you know,wewanttoplayandweknowwecanplay at times.
“It’s very hard to play it against such a good side in Burnside but it was the difference and it was awesome to watch.”
Newton said there were a few nerves in the last quarter as the Bears came hard, but he had the confidence in his group to get it done.
“We trained a lot, we trained for this situation,” he said. “I had confidence we could do what we needed to.
“It probably got a bit close for my liking, but again the players are just so good and they deserve all the credit.”
Talia Motta and Alisa Magri kicked three goals each for the Jets. Magri took several big
Watson is now a Vixen
November 12
Whittlesea’s Tara Watson wasn’t expecting the call up to be a Melbourne Vixens training partner for next year’s Suncorp Super Netball.
Coming off her first season in the Victorian Netball League championship division,Watsonshowedwhyshe’soneof the rising midcourters in the state.
Havingbeenpartofseveralstateteams through the junior ranks, Watson was part of the Vixens squad for the reserves competition this year.
Despite this, Watson didn’t realise what was about to come.
“IhadbeencontactedbyDiHoney,the assistant coach at the Vixens, to organise a meeting just to talk about my future sort of thing,” she said. “I didn’t think muchofitcauseIwaspartofthereserves program this year so I thought that was what it might have been about.
“Then she let me know that they had an opportunity to be a training partner.”
hits in the game, but continued to fight on until the end.
“Sometimes she just gets judged on goals, but she has a lot more than that for our side,” Newton said.
Kiara Delia had a strong game in the middle of the ground and set up a lot of the Jets forays forward and was one of the standouts on the ground.
Having been an emergency for North Melbourne’s Victorian Football League women’s premiership team, she’s had a big few weeks.
“She’s an awesome player,” Newton said. She’s had a bit of a tough season with North Melbourne.
“She comes back down to Greenvale when she needs to and she’s just awesome around the group and she puts in like that every game.
“You can never question her effort and desperation, she was inspirational.”
TeaghanBrandhadanumberofgoodmarks late in the game, Sophie Pettman provided plenty of run forward, while Grace Matser had a good battle with Holly McGregor in the ruck.
Burnside Heights midfielder Krissy Trang was awarded the best on ground medal.
ThewinmeanstheJetswillbepromotedinto premier division for next season.
Newton said they weren’t worried about that at the moment. “I just want to celebrate it with the players because some of them have been through the heartbreaks with the losses and that’s why this one is so special.”
Watson, who has started pre-season training with the Vixens, said it was a pretty surreal experience to be training with some of her idols.
She said this was the next step in her netball journey.
“I think training all the Vixens under Di and Simone [head coach] being exposed to the professional environment,”she said.
“Ithinkjustlearningfromprofessional athletes... Hopefully one day if I do make it to SSN, I’m prepared and know what the go is.”
Watson said the experience in the Melbourne Vixens reserves had helped her prepare for the next level up.
She felt as the games went on, she was more at home on the court.
“I think for me this year it was a big step up,” she said.
“The year before I was part of the squad but I wasn’t in the team, so I didn’t actually play.
“To take to the court this year was a big step up and I felt the experience was overall so good, exposing us to the environment that the Vixens are in.
“I think that will help with the transition into the Vixens environment. Watson, who still lives in Whittlesea, makes the trek into Melbourne several times a week for her netball.
She said it isn’t that bad and the trip home relaxes her.
Laura Paeglis. (Supplied)
Greenvale is premiers. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 425636_66
South Morang’s stunning rise
September 17
A remarkable few years for South Morang has continuedwiththeclubwinningtheNorthern Football League division 2 premiership on Saturday.
Just two years ago, the club was celebrating finally breaking through in division 3 after a number of near misses.
It only took two attempts in division 2, beforetheclubaddedjustitsthirdpremiership to the cabinet and the first at this level.
It means they will be in division 1 next season.
Speaking the morning after the grand final, Lions coach Gary Hall said it still hadn’t sunk in what they had done.
“It’s a dream at the minute,” she said. “All the efforts by a lot of people to get to this point.
“The hardest thing about division 3 is getting out of it. Then those years of Covid held us back a little bit.
“It gave the boys time to mature and grow as a footy club, the result was yesterday [Saturday].
“We’ll probably get a reality check when we line up against Heidelberg in round one or something next year.”
On Saturday, the match went down to the wire like the Lions previous two finals. The first final between South Morang and Diamond Creek went to extra time.
This one, the Lions were able to hold on to win, 10.5 (65)-8.11 (59) at Preston City Oval.
Hall said the game was played in tough conditions.
“It was fairly windy to one end of the ground and it was so slippery,” he said. “It was always going to be an arm wrestle.
“You go back to the three games that we’ve played during the year, it’s been the same. I think we had a 10 minute patch in the third quarter when we kicked a few and that’s probably what won us the game really.”
The Lions led by seven points at quarter
time and six points at the main break with it anyone’s game.
Neither team kicked a goal for the first 22 minutes of the third quarter before the Lions kicked four quick ones to lead by 31 points at the final change.
Hall said the message at the last break was to make sure that they held their nerves and don’t panic.
The Lions kicked the first goal of the last quarter before Diamond Creek kicked the next five to get within a goal. It would be too late and the Lions held on to create history.
Nathan Stefanile was awarded the best on ground medal. It was special for the big man who missed the Lions division 3 premiership in 2022 through suspension.
Hall said he was rapt to Stefanile and said it was perfect conditions for him.
Tye Hall and Joshua D’Intinosante were other standouts.
D’Intinosante finished with four goals and Tye Hall with two goals.
“Just control the game,” he said. “Don’t do things that you don’t need to do and if you hang on you have just created history.
“They were all geed up with the reserves winning again as well. They came at us hard in the end, the boys to their credit held their nerve and hung on again.”
Hall said the grand final experience of the past few years had also helped them late.
Gary Hall said those guys can play well in any conditions and they lead by example.
Hall said that the Sunday would likely involve watching the replays of both the seniors and reserves wins amongst the celebrations.
He said they would have a weeks break before starting thinking about next year and being in division 1 for the first time.
Dreams come true as Raiders claim the flag
September 17
Old Paradians are still on cloud nine after claiming the Northern Football League division 3 premiership on Saturday.
A premiership was beyond the Raiders dreams at the start of the year having made the move across from the Victorian Amatuer Football Association.
On Saturday, it became a reality as the Raiders were able to overcome Fitzroy Stars, 17.8 (110)-13.17 (95).
Speaking on Monday, Raiders coach Ben Turner said it was still sinking in what they had done.
He said said in the lead up to the game that the club had no expectations heading into this year and it was all an unknown being in a new competition.
“It’s been a big couple of days,” he said. “I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet.
“Our first year in the Northern league and we’ve won a premiership. It’s very special.
‘It’s been quite an achievement what we have been able to achieve this year.
“I can not believe what has happened.”
The Raiders faced the Stars for a second time in the space of less than three weeks.
The Stars won the semi final matchup between the teams by six points after the Raiders were 39 points down at three quarter time.
Old Paradians then won the preliminary final against Mernda to earn another shot against the Demons
With all the celebrating, Turner, who didn’t have much of a voice left on Monday, said he hadn’t really reflected on the match itself.
“It was a great game,” he said. “It was pleasing from a supporter point of view, I
understand.
“We didn’t start the best and Fitzroy settled into the game better.
“Therewereafewkeymatchupsthatworked well for us and the backline held up under enormous pressure.
“Patrick Farrant kicking eight goals made it difficult.”
The Raiders were able to lead by four points at quarter time and still held that margin at the main break.
It grew to 19 points at the last change.
Turner said the message was simple.
“We couldn’t play it safe,” he said. “They had a slight wind advantage in the final quarter.
“We had to make sure we stayed composed and try to get a couple of goals into the wind.
“We were able to do that. We then looked to close it down.”
Turner said with about two minutes left on the clock they knew they had done enough to come away with the win and premiership.
He said it was nice to be able to celebrate the last few moments of the game.
Lachie Kerr kicked four goals for the Raiders and was awarded the best on ground medal by the umpires.
Turner said Jack Nicolo and William Gilmore both had strong games as well.
He said the experience of Sam Gilmore shone through late when they needed him as well.
“He spent some time on the bench in the third quarter,” Turner said of Sam Gilmore. “He had a big influence in the last quarter.
“The moments he had were pretty massive. A lot of players had good moments.”
The premiership is the Raiders first senior
one since 2015.
It also means the club will have a new challenge next season, promotion into division 2.
“It’s the second part of it,” Turner said.
“You win a flag and then you celebrate and reflect a little bit that you are going up a division.
“It’s exciting. We wanted to be relevant this year and we wanted to make it so people would want to join.
“Winning a flag should hopefully attract some players. I’m excited by what the future looks like.”
Meanwhile, the division 3 team of the year has been announced.
Sam Gilmore was named as the ruck in the team of the year, while his Raiders teammate Kyle O’Sullivan was named on the bench.
Left: Old Paradians claimed their first NFL premiership. Right: Ben Turner and Marcus Nolan. (Pictrus: Northern FNL)
South Morang celebrates. Inset: Tye Hall. (Pictures: Field of View Sports Photography)
The Bulldogs celebrate a special premiership
April 2
Twelve months is a long time in cricket with Bundoora United going from heartbreak to premiership joy in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association Money Shield.
After heartbreakingly just missing out on finals last season, the Bulldogs were keen to redeem themselves this season.
They firstly made finals and then won through to the decider, against Plenty which had been the standout team all season.
The Bulldogs took control of the match on day one in mid-March.
They resumed at 0-1 in reply 143.
The Bulldogs had no issues at all, chasing down the runs with ease, finishing 3-145.
Bulldogs captain Joel Thompson said it was an exciting moment for the whole club.
“It is bittersweet,” he said. “All the hard work we’ve put in and to see the result at the end.
“I’m happy for everyone. It was a really long
week and I haven’t played a Saturday-Saturday grand final in a long time.
“Itwasatoughweek,butitwasreallypleasing in the way that we did.”
Thompson said with all 10 wickets in hand and a deep batting line up they were full of confidence heading into day two.
He said there was a real focus of making sure they didn’t leave it up to someone else to do.
After losing an early wicket, the Bulldogs top order were able to get the job done.
They only needed 41 overs to get the runs.
Luke Joyce top scored with 52, while Thompson was at the crease when the winning runs were hit, finishing 43 not out.
“The top order got the job done,” he said. “FormepersonallyI’veputinalotofhardwork the last few weeks to get the result.
“It’samazingforthesideandtheentireclub.”
Scott Barnett was awarded man of the match for his 6-47 off 39.2 overs on day one.
Thilina Herath was the other standout with
three wickets and 39 runs.
Thompson said redemption was something they had focused on during the off season.
“We spoke about it at the start of the season,” he said. “It was a bitter pill to swallow and missing out by something like 0.3 per cent.
“Even this year the last game of the year was a must a win against Banyule. It just followed from there into the two finals.”
For Thompson, who returned to his junior club a couple of seasons ago, it’s a nice feeling to give back and help those who helped develop his cricket.
The win means the Bulldogs will return to the top flight, the Barclay Shield, next season.
It’ll be there first season back in that grade since the 2015-16 season.
“It’ll be a good challenge in the top grade,” Thompson said. “We want to challenge ourselves.
“We’ll look at our list and hopefully strengthen it.”
Eagles are Champions
September 3
Craigieburn Eagles are the kings of the Big V men’s division 2 competition, claiming the championship.
The best team all season, the Eagles capped off a massive turnaround this season as they accounted for Surf Coast late last month.
The Eagles finished second bottom last season with just three wins, the same as the bottom side.
A new coach and some key additions helped spark the Eagles, who claimed the minor premiership this year.
After winning through to the grand final, the Eagles had a week off before the grand final with the Chargers.
On Saturday night, the Eagles had to overcome a first half deficit to claim the championship, winning, 80-71.
Eagles coach Tim Annett said it was a pretty unreal feeling.
“Itwasaprettynervygameforthreequarters, but we managed to pull the win out,” he said.
“We probably thought with the tempo of the way the game was being played that we would probably be able to outrun them late.
“Credit to our guys who stood up in the last five minutes and got it done.”
In the first half, the Chargers seemed to have all the answers.
They led at three points at quarter time and doubled the margin to six at the main break.
They were able to hit key shots and import Dexter Graham was outstanding.
Annett said they never panicked about the margin and where the game was at.
“We’ve been on top all year and we’ve probably been the best team all year,” he said.
“We knew that we had to stay to our style of basketball.
“And over four quarters get the job done.”
The one man the Eagles needed to shut down in the second half was Graham.
The former Eagle finished with a game high 29 points, but didn’t have the same influence after the break.
“He is a tough player to stop and he gave us a bit of trouble in the first half,” Annett said.
“Once again, we had five guys contributing [on the scoreboard], they probably only had one.
“We knew that we would wear them down.”
Annett said everyone who came on the court stepped up and contributed when they needed themtooincludingsomeoftheiryoungerguys.
CrowdfavouriteLewayneGrantwasawarded the most valuable medal for his 19 points, 14 rebound, six assist and four steal performance.
Captain Max Viitala top scored with 21 points for the Eagles, while Gene Vocale scored 20 points.
Annett said the crowd support was great. It
Craigieburn snares victory
April 2
Craigieburn fired when it was needed to seal the Cricket Victoria Women’s Community Cricket Competition shield 3 one day premiership.
The Eagles upset minor premiers Coburg (2) in mid-March to win their third women’s premiership.
Playing coach Kirsty Klempel was just thrilled that they had managed to get another premiership.
“It has been a great season,” she said. “This has been my most favourite season.
“Everyone has done something and it wasn’t left up to one or two people like it has been sometimes in the past.
“It’s been like that all season and everyone has had a ball. One of the juniors,Ojal[Kurl]earlierintheyear,not only hit the middle stump but snapped it in half, it was so exciting.”
The Eagles were set for a big task in the grand final. The Eagles won the first game between the two teams, with the second game ending in a tie.
The Eagles were sent in and made 4-169 from their 36 overs.
Klempel said they were thrilled with that score.
was a packed house at the Craigieburn Sports Centre, with plenty of signatures and photos sought post game.
“The guys do a lot of work trying to put back into the juniors,” he said. “It’s been a really big focus not to just focus on our program but to get the junior program coming along and involve the whole club and try and grow the club as well.”
The championship is the Eagles first since 2012. Blake Dickinson was part of that premiership team as well.
Annett said they had made a real focus in the off season to get the club back on the right track.
“We still had eight guys return,” he said.
“Most of the group was here last year.
“We’re just a really solid group, the guys we’ve bought in are committed to the cause.
“Everyone gets along and we don’t have any guys that don’t fit. We’re a team mentality, hopefully got up to division 1 and so the same thing.
The club is set to return to division 1 for the first time since 2014.
Annett said the aim coming into this season was to get the club back into division 1.
“We wanted to go to division 1 next year and if we can keep building on that, who knows where we can get to over the next two to three years.”
“Tarz [Litara Va’auli] and her daughter Stefania [Pauga] did what we required. They are always there performing.
“Tarz is just the anchor and Stefania, I can’t get over how effortlessly she manages to do things.”
Va’auli finished with 55 while Pauga made 37. The Eagles managed to bowl Coburg (2) out for 107, with just two batters reaching double figures.
Klempel was the star with the ball, finishing with 6-17 off 7.2 overs.
“I was determined to win,” she said. “When I get in a zone, I’m so focused, I don’t know how I do it.
“I wanted the to win to reap the rewards for the whole effort.”
Klempel was named player of the match but said it could have quite easily gone to Va’auli or Pauga.
It’s the third women’s premiership for the Eagles. Kempel said the first one was 10yearsagoandtheythinktheotherwas about six years ago.
Kempel said there were four or five players playing in their first one.
“That was our main focus, we worked so hard to make sure everyone has a premiership,” she said. “We had four juniorsintheteam.Ashnoor[Saluja]and Stefania have been our young captains in training this season.
Bundoora United premiership team. (Supplied)
Craigieburn Eagles championship team. (Tara Murray)
