Free cycling safety check
Maribyrnong cyclists out for a ride of a Saturday morning can now get a free bike safety check courtesy of the Community Bike Hub.
Stationed next to the Footscray City Rowing Club down by the Maribyrnong River, the bike safety checks will be offered from 9.30am to 10.30am for the next few Saturdays.
“Our main mission is to remove barriers to cycling and any way we can do that we’ll do,” explained Community Bike Hub manager Daniel Seidel of the safety checks which usually double as a service too.
“More often than not I give the bikes a bit of tune up to make sure they’re running well.
“I generally pump the tyres, oil the chain, check the gears.”
Mr Seidel said ensuring brakes were working properly were his main priority, while minor repairs were available too.
“Anything that I can lift into the stand, I’m happy to have a look at.”
Train assault allegation
By Cade Lucas
Police are investigating the alleged assault of a childcare worker and international student by ticket inspectors at Middle Footscray Station. Twenty-five year old Daphnie Palomo, originally from the Philippines, said she was pinned to ground for at least an hour by authorised officers, after they found her riding the Sunbury line train without a valid ticket on January 14.
Ms Palomo, who was returning home from her part-time job at a West Footscray child care centre, said she didn’t touch on her myki card because she couldn’t afford to and had no other way of getting back to her home in Carlton.
Speaking to StarWeeklytwo days after the
incident,MsPalomosaidwhentheauthorised officers asked to check her myki, she didn’t know how to react.
“All I could do was stand there. I couldn’t speak. I didn’t know what to do.”
Ms Palomo and the five ticket inspectors then got off at the next station at Middle Footscray, where the situation escalated, she said.
“From there I was still quite unresponsive out of pure fear. I just tried to walk away from them because I was scared because from the moment we hopped off they’d surrounded me in a circle.”
Ms Paloma said the five officers then each placed their hands on her shoulders and arms in an attempt to restrain her.
“Thehandsonmeweregettingsoextremely
painfulthatIfeltoneofmyhandsgoingnumb and going purple and that’s when I started holding back my hands to get them off me and I started speaking out,” she said.
“Multiple times I said this is not okay, it hurts, stop.”
Ms Palomo claimed this was when the authorised officers pinned her on the ground, holding her there for about an hour until police arrived.
When police arrived, Ms Palomo said she they placed her in handcuffs.
Shedeniedbeingviolenttowardstheofficers, but said she may have accidentally scratched one of them with her long fingernails.
Police issued Ms Palomo with a fine.
A later trip to hospital found extensive bruises on her arms and wrists and a scratch on her neck.
However, Ms Palomo said the mental scars were much deeper and that she had been unable to work or study since.
“Yesterday I wanted to see one of my friends and needed to hop on the train but I just couldn’t.”
A Victoria Police spokesperson said investigatorshavereviewedbodyworncamera footage of the incident and are satisfied with the police response.
A spokesperson for Department of Transport and Planning, which oversees PTV and authorised officers, said the safety of passengers and staff on public transport was taken very seriously, but would not comment while an investigation is underway.
Community Bike Hub manager Daniel Seidel is offering free bike safety checks on Saturday mornings in Footscray Park. (Attie Mohebali) 453929_03
Union warns of fire truck ‘crisis’
By Cade Lucas
The United Firefighters Union claims a ‘fire truck crisis’ at Newport’s Fire Station 42 recently forced its members to choose between using a faulty and inadequate truck or none at all.
According to UFU western district delegate, leading firefighter Charlie Williamson, ongoing issues with old and unreliable trucks at the station came to a head on the weekend of January 10 and 11.
“They (Newport firefighters) were put in a position where they had to decide to use a truck with no working pump and rely on a smaller pump which is inadequate for fighting structure fires, or put a truck
out of commission knowing there wasn’t a replacement,” said Mr Williamson, adding that Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) had already informed the station that no spare trucks were available.
Newport firefighters eventually decided to keep their largest truck in service for the weekend with support from a smaller truck.
Mr Williamson said it was lucky no major fires occurred during that 48-hour period.
“With Newport only having an auxiliary pump last weekend they would’ve been unable to commit to entering a house fire and would’ve had to wait on a truck coming either from Altona or Brooklyn.”
The 21-year-old truck has now been put out of commission and replaced by a 25-year-old
Ultra Large Pumper normally used for training.
Mr Williamson said both trucks being well past their 15-year service life, demonstrated just how out of date Victoria’s fire truck fleet was.
“The rolling replacement program for our fleet was stopped sometime in the last 10 to 12 years which means we now have a fleet this year with 60 per cent of trucks past their 15-year service life,” he said.
A spokesperson for FRV said the safety of firefighters and the community was paramount.
“At all times, Fire Rescue Victoria ensures that appropriate equipment is deployed to emergencies to protect firefighters and
Seaworks prepares for ocean event
Staff at the Seawork’s in Williamstown are putting the final touches on preparations for one of the maritime precinct’s biggest and most ambitious events yet.
Opening January 29, the The Ocean Photographer of the Year exhibition will showcase more than 100 photos recently judged as the world’s best at competition in London.
“We’re building it out now and it looking amazing,” said Seaworks executive officer Glenn Jones of the exhibition which will be on display for six months.
He said visitors will quickly realise the quality of photography on display.
“The first one that welcomes you is one of a whale about to devour a whole school of sardines,” he said.
“It’s actually the winning photo of the whole competition and it’s about two and a half metres by three metres in size. It’s a large image.”
The rest of the images on display are from a variety different categories, including adventure photography, best female photographer and young photographer of the year, there’s a fine art category.
Mr Jones said photography aficionados should look for images from fine art category in particular.
“They’re quite obscure photographs that you have to look at a few times to work out what they’re about.”
However, he said the broader theme of the exhibition was much more obvious.
“It tells the story of the ocean in different waysandhowimportantitistousashumans.”
Seaworks is the only place in Victoria to host The Ocean Photographer of the Year exhibition, which is expected to return with the 2025 winners by the end of the year.
Tickets and information: www.seaworks. com.au
the community. There is no single point of dependency.”
The spokesperson said that because fire trucks were specially built, they could remain in service for long periods depending on workload.
They said FRV received seven new firefighting appliances last month, with more to come.
“FRV has 21 additional appliances currently in the design or construction phase. This includes five new Pumper Platform appliances, funded by a $15.4 million commitment from the 2024-25 Victorian Budget.”
Melbourne’s west is well known for its significant wetlands on the Port Phillip Bay coast between Point Cook and Williamstown.
The wetlands are home to thousands of shorebirds that migrate from the northern hemisphere every year, as well as large numbers of Australian shorebirds, seabirds and other waterbirds.
But local residents will soon have the chance to learn even more about these wetlands and the birds that call them home when ornithologist Kevin Wood runs a series of masterclasses throughout February and May.
One of Australia’s foremost authorities on bird conservation in Port Phillip Bay, Mr Wood will run in-person and in-depth masterclasses on birds in the inner-west coastal region over eight Saturday mornings from February 22 to May 3.
The masterclass series is being presentedbytheHobsonsBayWetlands Centre which was appointed guardian of the coastal wetland region by Birdlife Australia in 2020 and regularly monitors bird populations in the area.
The centre’s Heather Meyer-Tinning said Mr Wood was the ideal person to deliver the masterclasses which double as training sessions for the their volunteers.
“He has a long professional career in coastal, wetland and waterway management and has provided many yearsofvoluntaryserviceworkingwith community groups monitoring bird populations in Port Phillip’s coastal wetlands,” said Ms Meyer-Tinning.
To book and for further information, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ birds-of-altonas-coastal-wetlands-amasterclass-with-kevin-wood-tickets1076206876739?aff=oddtdtcreator
Partnership helps women transit to new careers
West Footscray based bus operator Transit Systems and not-for-profit WomenCAN Australiahavejoinedforcestoempowerwomen by training them to become bus drivers.
Aimed at providing opportunities and supporting women to excel in industries where they are underrepresented, the partnership has resultedinfourlocalwomenbecominglicensed drivers for Transit Systems who operate public bus services between the western suburbs and the Melbourne CBD. The four newly qualified bus drivers, Annette, Biftu, Souzet and Sarah, all come from multicultural backgrounds and received assistance such as work readiness training, resume writing assistance and
interview techniques from WomenCAN Australia before even being chosen for the bus driving program at Transit Systems.
“I felt very nervous and filled with anxiety but with the support and guidance from WomenCAN Australia and the team at Transit Systems, I felt empowered, knowing I had a team behind me that believed in my potential,” saidAnnette,ayoungmotheroffouroriginally from Uganda. Biftu agreed, saying the support continued once they were selected for the bus driver training program itself.
“As a Muslim woman who is newly arrived in Australia, entering a traditionally
male-dominated field, having WomenCAN Australia and Transit Systems support was life-changing,” she said.
“Their support transformed my nervousness into excitement, and now I’m ready to hit the road and drive towards a brighter future and I hope to inspire other women.”
AlongsidepartneringwithTransitSystemsto help women become bus drivers, WomenCan have similar partnerships with businesses in warehousing, heavy vehicle transport, aged care, and childcare.
“Wearededicatedtobreakingdownbarriers in male-dominated fields, creating pathways for greater inclusivity and opportunity,” said
acting chief executive of WomenCAN, Ann Smith in explaining the partnership program. Transit Systems managing director John Stormssaidhiscompanywashappytoreapthe benefits.
“We’re thrilled to welcome these four amazing women into our team,” Mr Storms said. “This partnership is all about helping women build the confidence, skills and support they need to thrive in our industry. We look forward to seeing their growth and contribution to the community.”
Cade Lucas
Cade Lucas
Seaworks executive officer Glenn Jones stands in front of Rafael Fernandez Caballero’s winning entry in the Ocean Photographer of the Year awards which is on display at the Williamstown venue from January 29. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 452872_11
Long-serving MP remembered
By Harper Sercombe
One of the north-west’s longest serving members of parliament, Bob Sercombe, has died aged 75 after a lengthy battle with vascular dementia.
Mr Sercombe served at all levels of government within the north-western suburbs, beginning his career as a councillor for Essendon City in 1983 and 1984 before representing the seat of Niddrie in state parliament from 1988 to 1996. He then moved to federal parliament to represent the seat of Maribyrnong from 1996 to 2007.
In state politics, he was deputy leader of the opposition 1993–94 and a member of the shadow ministry across portfolios including Corrections, Police and Emergency Services as well as Tourism, Sport and Racing.
In federal parliament, Mr Sercombe was an oppositionwhipfrom1998until2001andwas elected to the shadow ministry after the 2004 election and appointed shadow minister for Pacific Islands. His portfolio responsibilities were expanded some time later to include overseas development.
Yet it was within the western suburbs where he did some of his most beneficial and rewarding work. In his maiden speech to the Victorian Parliament, Mr Sercombe highlighted some of the issues that he wanted to address while serving his community.
“Agedcarehasbeenoneofthegreatpositive initiatives of the Cain government. Of course, moreneedstobedone,”hetoldtheparliament in 1988.
“When one examines the ageing population trend in the Niddrie electorate.
“I shall be pressing for prompt funding for a community health centre. The City of Keilor and the City of Essendon do not have one at present. It will provide a base for preventative programs and home-based care.
“There is already a shortage of nursing homes and hostel facilities in the City of Keilor.”
Mr Sercombe stuck true to his word on this very issue, launching the Holloway Hostel, named after his maternal grandmother, in 1994 in Keilor East.
The aged care facility has provided low-cost care to thousands of ageing residents from across north-western suburbs in its three decades.
Another issue Mr Sercombe worked incredibly hard to resolve during his time in office was the notorious and deadly level
crossing in St Albans.
Mr Sercombe lobbied hard for the removal of the crossing throughout his parliamentary career, with the crossing finally removed in 2016.
Despite Mr Sercombe having left politics at the time, he was credited as one of the key champions of the campaign’s success.
Former St Albans retail owner Asip Dimiri tooktosocialmediaafterthenewsofhisdeath to highlight his contribution.
“Bobwasinstrumentalingettingthewheels in motion to remove the very dangerous level crossings in St Albans as well around
Noah’s surf coast swim success
Most teenagers head down to Victoria’s surf coast over summer to relax, party and catch a few waves.
Williamstown 15-year-old Noah Chapple clearly isn’t your average teenager.
OnSaturday,January11,Chapplewasdown on the surf coast and was certainly in the water, but there was nothing relaxing about it.
There was plenty of success though.
Chapple won the junior race at the famed Pier to Pub event in Lorne, completing the 1.2 kilometre course in 13.45.
Winning that race in the morning earned him a start in the Super Fish race in the afternoon.
“That’s invite only,” Chapple said.
“If you win an age group you get invited to do that with Olympians and stuff.”
Despite it being his second race for the day and facing far tougher competition, Chapple more than held his own, coming 16th in a time of 11.12, two and a half minutes faster than his winning time in the morning.
“The tide was going back in when we did the Super Fish and when we swam the junior race in the morning that I won, the tide was going out,” he explained of why his second race of the day was so much faster than his first.
Chapple started swimming at just 6 months old before joining the nippers program at the Williamstown Surf Life Saving Club.
It was until Covid hit when he was 12, that Chapple put the two sports together.
“I started doing open water swimming during Covid because we couldn’t go to any pools,” he said.
Along with open water swims, Chapple still races in the pool in events from 100 to 1500m, while also competing in surf life saving with the Anglesea SLSC.
No wonder he has no time to relax over summer.
Melbourne. Rest in peace my friend,” he wrote.
Mr Sercombe also championed the diverse community he served, regularly going out of his way to talk to multicultural clubs and groups to discuss their needs and wants within the community.
“It has been a very great honour to serve the electorate of Maribyrnong,” he said in his valedictory remarks to the federal parliament in 2007.
“Maribyrnong is an interesting electorate. I am continually impressed by the significant number of people who want to make a difference to the life of the community by contributing.
“It is also an extraordinarily culturally and socially diverse electorate. There are probably in excess of 100 different cultural groups in the electorate. It is rich and diverse.
“I particularly enjoyed working in that part of Melbourne with organisations that are interested in building bridges.
“It is great to be able to work with organisations that are not interested in dividing people; it is interested in uniting them.
“There are the Maltese soccer clubs George Cross and Green Gully. Whilst they have a Maltese heart they bring together people from that rich mosaic of cultures that are the western suburbs of Melbourne. The Italian Community of Keilor Association is another fine organisation.
“My interest in interethnic and interfaith communication and dialogue was reflected in some modest way in this place when I was able.”
It is evident that Mr Sercombe’s legacy throughout Melbourne’s north-west will live on for years to come.
* Harper Sercombe is the grandson of Bob Sercombe.
Ceative space opportunities
A pilot program aimed at turning vacant commercial properties in Footscray into creative hubs, is about to move to the next stage.
Maribyrnong council is calling for expressions of interest for the next phase of the creative places pilot program which gives artists, arts organisations and creative businesses accesstovacantshopsandcommercial spaces in central Footscray.
Mayor Pradeep Tiwari said the second stage of the program would build on the initial stage which began in December.
“The creative places pilot program has already created some exciting activations in the Footscray CBD and councilisexcitedtoseethesesuccesses continue into the future for our creative community,” Cr Tiwari said.
The first stage of the creative spaces pilot program involved the utilisation of available spaces in the Metro West Building at 136 Nicholson Street. Among them is Liew Ceramics – located in shop 32 – which is offering hand-building workshops and courses for the community along with a shopfront where ceramic wares are sold and a studio space where collaborations with other artists of other mediums can take place. Applications for the second stage of the creative places program must be submitted by midnight on Thursday, January 30.
Details:
https://tinyurl.com/muuh8whr
Bob Sercombe served in state and federal parliament.
Mentor makes the difference
By Cade Lucas
MarieDowlinghadalreadydecidedonacareer change when she passed a flyer on a notice board in Yarraville in the middle of 2024.
“Iwasaself-employedgardener,butIdecided to get out of the sun and retrain to be a teacher aide,” she recalled.
“Last year when I was studying, from March until September, I saw a flyer at the Yarraville Community Centre and contacted Shelley then.”
Shelley was Shelley Hosking, the community engagementcoordinatoratCounciloftheAgeing (COTA) Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria, and the flyer was advertising their employment
support program for women over 50.
Andnow,almost12monthson,MsDowling is a fully qualified teacher aide preparing to return to work at a Maribyrnong primary school when classes resume at the end of this month.
It’s a career change she said had been made quicker and easier by having an employment mentor like Ms Hosking to guide her through it.
“I may have (gotten the job without the program) but it just provided an extra person to help me and it was very targeted at women over 50 like me,” Ms Dowling said.
“Shelley just helped me to rejig my CV, practice job interview techniques, re-write
cover letters and just built my confidence because when you’re over 50 you can feel a bit invisible.”
According to education and engagement manageratCOTAandSeniorsRightsVictoria, Frankie Freeman, the invisibility felt by women over 50 was one of the reasons why the employment support program was established.
“The program was developed initially after identifying that older women have increased economic challenges relative to other cohorts, namely:lackofsuperannuation(approximately 25 per cent less compared to men); long term unemployment rates, often relating to caring roles; underemployment; and the compounding effects of ageism and sexism in
Survivor reunites with her saviours
A woman has been reunited with two people who saved her life on a West Footscray footpath last year.
JustenPetchandStaceyEarsmanperformed CPR on Kellie Delaney after she suffered a cardiac arrest on June 23.
Mr Petch, a sessional academic, and Ms Delaney already knew each other, having last met a day earlier in his role as her mentor for a placement as part of her early-childhood education studies.
He’d just wrapped up a teaching session the following day when he saw his mentee had collapsed.
“I’dliterallyjustfinishedcongratulatingthe students on a job well done and let them know we were wrapping up, when I turned around and saw Kellie was on the ground,” Mr Petch recollected.
After calling triple-0, Mr Petch commenced CPR.
Ms Earsman – the owner of a nearby cafesoon came to help.
“My business partner came into our cafe and asked if anyone in West Footscray had a defibrillator – so I knew that obviously something was wrong,” she said.
“I ran outside and saw Justen performing CPR and he looked exhausted, so I took over.”
Soonafter,paramedicsarrivedanddelivered Ms Delaney a shock from a defibrillator which re-started her heart. She was then rushed to hospital where she spent just over two weeks before being discharged.
Six months on, Ms Delaney recently met with Ms Petch and Ms Earsman for the first time since they saved her life.
“It’s thanks to them that I’m able to be here
Police jet-ski speed warning
Jet-ski users are being warned to slow down and keep clear of swimmers after a spate of dangerous incidents across the first two weeks of the year.
Police say many of their call-outs so far in 2025 have related to dangerous jet-ski behaviour including speeding, travelling too close to crowded areas, and in some cases, collisions with other vessels.
With warm weather predicted to continue, police are urging vessel operators to take extra care when on the water and to expect breath tests, marine license checks and safety inspections.
Thesmallboatteam,partofthewaterpolice squad, will also be out in force - using a mix of jet -kis and inflatable rescue boats to respond to search and rescue incidents on the water and deter those putting others at risk.
Water Police Squad Inspector James Dalton said the hot weather at the start the year had
made it a busy time for his officers.
“While most people do the right thing, there are some who show blatant disregard for the safety of other water users,” Inspector Dalton said.
“Already we’ve seen multiple serious collisions on the water. These young people are lucky to be alive, but instead of enjoying the summer they’re now recovering in hospital with serious injuries. People need to remember that a split-second decision can have lifelong consequences.”
Inspector Dalton said jet-ski users and vessel operators needed to be responsible when on the water.
“That means wearing a life-jacket, respecting the safety of other water users, and carrying the mandatory safety equipment.”
the workplace setting.”
Ms Freeman said older women in Melbourne’s west were considered particularly vulnerable to these challenges, which is why they, along with women in Melbourne’s south-east, aged 50 to 64, were eligible.
Once assigned a mentor, participants receive support with in resume writing, job applications and job interviews, but Ms Freeman said the strength of the program was that it was tailored to the individual.
“We support our participants to identify and achieve employment or training goals that are important to them,” she said. Details: https://cotavic.org.au/our-programs/ employment-support.
Green funds
Maribyrnong council is again offering a community scholarship to support women who want to become environmental leaders.
Applications are now open for the 2025 Maribyrnong Council Community Scholarship, part of a national scholarship program offered by Women in Environmental Leadership (WELA). The Maribyrnong WELA scholarship is open to women and gender diverse people who live in the municipality and work (paid or unpaid) for environment or climate in non-profits, government, business, or as volunteers. Those from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities, or from culturally and linguistically diverse communities within Maribyrnong are particularly encouraged to apply. Established in 2016, the WELA scholarships have supported the development of 187 women and gender diverse leaders across Australia.
for my kids and my husband going forward,” she said.
“My whole family are forever grateful to them – I had my guardian angels looking after me.”
Ms Earsmen said 23 years of CPR training through her work as a flight attendant made her feel confident helping Ms Delaney.
Despite doing similar training for his work, Mr Petch was much less confident, but surprised himself with how calm he was.
“It really hit home when we were trying to get her contact details and you open up her wallet to look for licences and there’s a photo of her two children,” he said.
“To have been able to do something that meaningful is phenomenal.”
Cade Lucas
The scholarship covers the costs for one community member to take part in WELA’s National Leadership Program, which will enable participants to identify theirownapproachtoleadership,support them to use their power and influence andconnectthemtoanetworkofwomen and gender diverse people making a positive impact on the environment and efforts to combat climate change.
Maribyrnong is one of a number of local governments and organisations to offer the WELA scholarships, with Merri-Bek council, the Victorian National Parks Association and Natural Resources Conservation Trust also involved. Applications close on February 2. Details: https://wela.org.au/programs/ wela-national-program/
Kellie Delaney (centre) with (from left) paramedic Sophie Patsialaridis, Stacey Earsman, Justen Petch and paramedic Mark Lunn, who saved her life after she suffered a cardiac arrest in West Footscray last year. (Ambulance Victoria)
Police close in on sex attacker
By Rachael Ward, Aap
Investigators are closing in on a sex attacker who targeted an elderly woman in her home twice in as many years, believing the offender lived within streets of his vulnerable victim.
Advances in DNA technology and tip-offs have provided vital clues, with police now appealing to the woman’s neighbours and anyone else with information about the assailant to help finally solve the brutal crimes after more than four decades.
A man armed with a knife first forced his way into Jessie Grace Lauder’s Newport home on September 22, 1981 and confronted the 82-year-old woman as she was in bed. He then took her into another room and
sexually assaulted her before rifling through her purse for money and making his escape over her back fence.
Less than two years later, Ms Lauder was again attacked in her own home.
On July 6, 1983 a man forced his way into her house as she was in her lounge room getting ready for bed.
Police believe he then led her into the kitchen to check no one else was home before taking her back into the lounge room and sexually assaulting her.
The man referenced the earlier assault and told Ms Lauder not to call police.
The widow lived alone at the time and had been in the same home for 55 years. She died in 1993.
The offender was described as being aged
between 20 and 30 with dark hair, a fair complexion, about 175 centimetres tall and having an Australian accent.
It’s believed he was wearing gloves, a beanie and work boots and had concealed his face.
Police believe people who lived nearby at the time would have known the offender and have urged anyone who may have witnessed or heard anything about the attack to come forward.
MsLauderlivedonMasonStreetinNewport and investigators are particularly keen to hear from anyone who remembers a man matching the offender’s description who may have lived on that street or surrounding roads including Johnston Street, Oxford Street, Lucius Lane and Cunningham Lane.
A $500,000 reward for information announced in 2016 remains on offer, or the option of indemnification from prosecution.
Detective Inspector Mark Burnett said new information provided so long after the attack can still make an enormous difference.
“ThoughJessieissadlynolongeralive,these brutal attacks have had enduring effects on her family,“ he said.
“Jessie was a vulnerable older woman who should have been safe in her own home.
“On the other hand, this man has lived these last 40 years with relative freedom and no repercussions yet for what he did.
“It is as important as ever that the person responsible is brought to justice and I absolutely believe that with the right information, it can be solved.“
Big birthday for Williamstown Botanic Gardens
The Williamstown Botanic Gardens have reached a significant milestone, celebrating their 165th anniversary earlier this month.
The gardens officially reached the 165-year mark on January 2, having been formally opened on the same date in 1860.
While the official anniversary has already passed, Hobsons Bay council is planning to mark the occasion by holding various events throughout 2025, including tours, talks, a giant plant sale, art workshops, plant propagation days and many other activities.
The milestone will be capped off with a garden party in November, emulating those of 19th century Williamstown in an ode to the gardens’ history.
Hobsons Bay mayor Daria Kellander said the Williamstown Botanic Gardens are a special place, not just for the Hobsons Bay community, but for all Melburnians.
“It is a testament to curators and gardeners to have the gardens remain a place of significance for more than a century and a half,” Cr Kellander said.
“From enjoying nature, sharing a picnic, to family gatherings and even weddings, the gardens have something for everyone.”
The 10 acre site bordered by the Esplanade, Garden Street, Griffith Street and Osborne Street, was originally set aside in 1856 following a petition by local residents.
The gardens were designed by prominent artist and landscape designer, Edward La Trobe Bateman and laid out by William Bull, the first surveyor to the Williamstown
MY PLACE
453004_01
Council.
The gardens are the second oldest botanic gardens in metropolitan Melbourne behind the Royal Botanic Gardens which opened in
1846.
The St Kilda Botanic Gardens opened in 1861.
Today the Williamstown Botanic Gardens are listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. For more information, visit: hobsonsbay. vic.gov.au/WilliamstownBotanicGardens
Former Footscray mayor, school teacher, marriage celebrant and poet, Ted Logan, is still going strong at 92. The West Footscray resident tells Cade Lucas about his life in Maribyrnong.
What’s your connection to Maribyrnong?
I was born in England and came to Australia as a child. I went to Melbourne High School, becameaprimaryteacherandtaughtmainlyin the bush until I decided I needed a promotion and needed to move to Melbourne. My school was Middle Park Primary School and it was too dear to buy a high house there so I looked around and bought a house in West Footscray. That was in 1944 and I’m still here.
What do you like about living here?
I just like the people. It’s cosmopolitan and there’s everything here you need. People are friendly and in no way standoffish. Everybody mucks in. After the quietness of the country I kind of preferred city life.
What, if anything, would you change about the area?
I’d like to see our team win more games (The Western Bulldogs). I don’t like so much the high rise (towers) that are going up now. What was part of our local identity was all the small
houses and close togetherness of people and we’re losing a bit of that. I understand people need somewhere to live though and high rise is what some people want.
Where is your favourite local place to spend time?
I just got back from a walk along the Maribyrnong River. I have a carer that comes onceaweekandwegoforawalkalongtheriver or sometimes Cruikshank Park (in Yarraville). I like to do that. I also enjoy the local shopping centre, Central West on Ashley Street.
Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you
In my career as a marriage celebrant I’ve solemnised over 5000 weddings and also with funeral services, I’ve presided over a thousand.
I’m still writing poetry and just published my fifth book of verse. I sent some copies of my poems over to England, to the Royal Society of Literature in London and they sent back a letter saying my poetry was fascinating.
Former Footscray mayor, Ted Logan, at his West Footscray home with his latest book of poetry. (Damjan Janevski) 283984_03
Hobsons Bay mayor Daria Kellandar and councillor Michael Disbury at Williamstown Botanic Gardens which turn 165 this year. (Ljubica Vrankovic)
Enjoy a summer of fun
By Cr Kristin Bishop
Summer in Hobsons Bay truly is one of the best times of the year.
With the warmer weather, it is the perfect time to get out and about and explore all our city has to offer.
In my ward of Spotswood, Council’s pop-up ‘The Village Spot’ (found at the Hudsons Road end of Forrest Street), has proved a popular way for people to enjoy the town’s shopping precinct.
The temporary pop-up space, in place until March, was set up to create an outdoor dining space, and to be a place where the Spotswood community and visitors can sit, socialise, and enjoy the Spotswood Village.
The site is part of Council’s Better Places program, and is a result of community feedback about suggestions for the area.
I’ve enjoyed seeing people out and about, enjoying themselves in our social village.
There will be plenty happening at the pop-up, including live music performances.
I was at the first Spotswood Summer Sessions on Saturday, courtesy of the Spotswood Traders Association.
Enjoy connected retirement living
It was great seeing people enjoying the warm weather and community feel.
There are three more taking place in the coming weeks, so I woulD encourage everyone in the community to get out and have a look.
There is plenty else happening around Hobsons Bay over summer to get out and about, do and see.
Council’s Summer in the Bay series is back thisyear,withfreeorlow-costactivitiesaimed at young people aged 12 and over.
There are more than 30 Summer in the Bay activities and events in January and February.
Movies by the Bay screenings will also take place in Altona and Seabrook for all the film lovers to catch a movie in the moonlight, after a successful event in Williamstown.
Anddon’tforgetthegreatnaturallandmarks like our beaches, reserves and parks to get your dose of the outdoors.
There’s so much to do and see for everyone in our community without breaking the bank this summer.
To check out all that’s happening this summer, head to hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/ Community/Whats-On
Briefs
English classes
Jobseekers looking to improve their English in 2025 are invited to join Maribyrnong council’s language and literacy program. The program helps learners build literacy and language skills for pathways into accredited language courses, volunteering, or employment and is considered ideal for culturally and linguistically diverse attendees. The program is free and will take place at the Maribyrnong Community Centre, from 9.30am to 1.30pm, on Wednesdays from February to July. Details: 9687 1560 or info@ycc.net.au. Eligibility criteria applies.
Lower speed limits
Transport Victoria has announced the speed limit on Blackshaws Road, between Millers Road in Altona North and Melbourne Road in Newport, will be lowered to 50 km/h by the end of the month. The new speed limit will become legally enforceable when static signs are installed and is aimed at reducing the likelihood and severity of road crashes and making the road environment safer in a residential area. A new 60km/h speed limit for Kororoit Creek Road, between Maddox Road and McGuire Crescent in Williamstown, will be introduced at a later date.
FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au
Maribyrnong & Hobsons Bay Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly
Hobsons Bay mayor Daria Kellander and Cr Kristin Bishop at the Village Spot pop-up venue on Forrest Street. (Attie Mohebali) 453976_06
Let’s talk about intimacy pain
Alex Lopes is a pelvic health physiotherapist, the director of Pelvic Health Melbourne in Altona North, and past national chair of the Australian Physiotherapy Association’s Women’s Men’s and Pelvic Health Group. This week she writes about intimacy pain.
One of the major reasons women come into our clinic is due to new or long term intimacy pain.
Intimacypaincanbeamajorsourceofstress for women and their partners. The pain means both partners refrain from being intimate which can lead to guilt, anger, anxiety and miscommunication.
Why do women experience intimacy pain?
Young women may get pain due to tight pelvic floor muscles or because the area is pain sensitised. Pain sensitisation usually involves a nerve problem. This pain sensitisation can develop from excessive painful periods, endometriosis, adenomyosis or polycystic ovaries (PCO) or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
For pregnant or postnatal women hormonal changes may contribute to vagina dryness causing new intimacy pain or from new increasing pelvic floor muscle tension. After childbirth women may experience pain from recovering scarring from birth trauma or tissue dryness.
Perimenopausal women (from 40 - 44 years oldandbeyond)oftenexperiencenewintimacy pains as the vagina shrinks both in length and width as well as vaginal dryness.
So how can I fix my intimacy pain?
It depends on the cause, so getting help from an excellent women’s health GP, gynaecologist or pelvic health physiotherapist is ideal to diagnose the cause and address all the factors that are contributing to your pain.
But some good tricks to try at home include:
• Forvaginaldrynesstryasiliconbasedlubeas this does not absorb into the tissue like water
BUSINESS PROFILE
basedlubesdo.Itcanalsoincreaseyourtissue sensitivity for the mature woman.
• For just a little bit of pesky scar tissue don’t be afraid to gently feel your bits and you can massage that scar tissue away just like you would on any other part of your body. If you are unsure see your pelvic health physio for guidance.
• If you are perimenopausal talk to your GP about the merit of a topical oestrogen cream which can bring back the bounce in your vagina making the tissue stretchier and improves your natural lubrication significantly. Please note the cream needs to be applied to the outside as well as inside. Ovestin cream is better than the vaginal pessaries.
Finally a word of caution. If you have pelvic pain, which means your intimacy pain is burning and lasts for the duration of intimacy and continues afterwards beyond minutes, then this is normally a nerve issue and needs treatment.
Conditions such as vulvodynia, vestibulodynia, clitorodynia, vaginismus, anal pain, proctalgia, perineal pain and abdominal pain are all under the umbrella term pelvic pain.
Discover your next adventure at cruise expo
Geelong Travel’s highly anticipated Travel and World Cruise Expo returns to the city on Sunday, February 2, at GMHBA Stadium.
The annual event promises to be packed with fantastic holiday ideas, exclusive travel deals and expert advice – all with free entry.
With more than 25 engaging travel presentations covering everything from luxury ocean and river cruises to outback Aussie adventures, this expo is your one-stop destination for travel planning.
It’s your chance to meet representatives from the world’s top travel companies, who are ready to help you design your dream itinerary and secure exclusive offers.
Among the expo guests will be celebrity chef Gabriel Gate who will serve up a French cooking demonstration and highlights of Scenic Tour’s luxury European river cruises.
Stuart Coffield, who heads up the family-owned and operated Geelong Travel company, said the popular event’s winning attraction is its lineup of expert travellers.
“We don’t have people reading from brochures or clicking on YouTube links,” he said.
“You get to talk to people who have been on the tours and have real experience – their presentations are amazing.”
Geelong Travel’s 20 experienced team members will be on hand to help expo visitors with enquiries and bookings.
And there’s a travel experience to suit everyone. Among the exciting presentations will be:
· The Ghan and Indian Pacific – Australia’s Great Rail Journeys;
· The wonders of Canada and Alaska with APT and Travelmarvel; Explore the new world of Viking’s Ocean, Rivers & Expeditions;
Trafalgar’s Tour Differently – the experts, the icons, and hidden secrets of travelling with ease; Bucket list adventures including The Kimberley, Africa, South America and Asia with APT and Travelmarvel; Mustsee places and Immersive cultural experiences throughout Asia and beyond with Wendy Wu;
· Travelling to Antarctica and the Arctic with Quark Expeditions;
· New Zealand coach tours with Grand Pacific Tours; and Small group fourwheeldrive expeditions throughout Australia with Outback Spirit.
The team at Pelvic Health Melbourne.
The Cinque Terra.
Gabriel Gate will serve up a French cooking demonstration and highlights of Scenic Tour’s luxury European river cruises. (Supplied) Santorini.
Benevolent bushfire brigade
Founded in the early 1900s and known to be one of the first bushfire brigades in Australia, the Riddells Creek Fire Brigade has always played an active role in protecting and serving the bushfire-prone town and its surrounds. Visiting the brigade during a day of extreme heat and elevated fire danger, Star Weekly reporter OSCAR PARRY spoke with Riddells Creek CFA volunteers about bushfire preparation and the unique role of country fire brigades.
The Riddells Creek Fire Brigade was first formed in 1904 after a public meeting called by Walter J. Smith from Smith’s Nursery, with no specific incident known to have inspired the meeting.
Back then, firefighting equipment was basic, wherebrigademembersswattedoutfiresusing branches from gum trees and beaters – a stick with a piece of wet canvas attached.
Brigade captain Gill Metz has been involved with the brigade for 25 years.
She said the brigade was originally formed out of a community need, because without a united effort, fires could not be contained.
This community spirit remains strong in the brigade today.
“Forus,beingontheurbanfringe,we’revery much about needing to be in our community andworkwithourcommunitytohelpthembe safe,” Ms Metz said.
“We make sure that we are embedded in our community … you need to become trusted – we run the Anzac dawn service for the community so they know us, and it opens up those conversations to be had. The same [with] doing the Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal, it’s all about being in the community and part of it.
“We support the school in doing things, we support the kinders, we work with the neighbourhood house … we’re very much involved with the community.”
Riddells Creek Brigade firefighter David Thompson, a member of the brigade for 38 years, said this community spirit often extends beyond just Riddells Creek.
“All of [our] preparation is done with neighbouring brigades, so that we’re all working to a bigger picture … it’s not in isolation, and we have our things that we need to concentrate on, but it all has to fit into a bigger picture,” Mr Thompson said.
Firefighter preparation for the bushfire season begins in September, where brigade members complete skills maintenance training including burnover drills, tree hazard education, and several other training exercises.
Mr Thompson said that in country brigades, there is still a sense of self-preservation and necessity among landowners – who are often brigade members themselves.
“You still see a lot of brigades today where a lot of it is farmers … it’s all those farmers coming together and saying ‘we’ve got to stop this fire’, and they will come from all their farms … to the one farm where the fire is and put it out because they don’t want it spreading to their crops,” he said.
“It’s exactly the way it still happens in places like Mallee and the Wimmera and the grazing countries now out to the west and the north … they’re using their own trucks, they will go out and they will just get out in their own trucks and they will put the fire out, because they’re just looking after each other and themselves … it still goes on [today].”
Ms Metz said joining a fire brigade offers a chance to learn new skills, make friends, and “do things that you never thought you would”.
“We are always looking for volunteers from the community, because we need succession planning … some of us have been around in the brigade for a long time, but you need to get people coming continuously in,” she said.
“To grow those skills … it’s not just about getting that qualification, it’s about that experience. Being able to read what’s happening on a bad day, being able to read what’s happening at an incident. Every fire is a bit different.”
Mr Thompson said gaining this bushfire sense is like “an art form on top of a science”.
Ms Metz said preparing a bushfire plan, downloadingandsettinguptheVicEmergency
app with alerts, and learning what you can and cannot do during summer are some of the ways community members can prepare for bushfires.
She said the brigade can offer support
with these and regularly hosts community education sessions – including roadside fire preparation information meetings.
“Itdoesn’tmatterwhetheryou’re[on]abush block, a farm block, or in town. Everybody has
to have their own plan for fire,” she said. The brigade encourages expressions of interest from community members interested in joining, with an application form available on the CFA website
One of the brigade’s fire trucks. (Oscar Parry)
Brigade members performing a truck swap. (Oscar Parry)
Riddells Creek CFA Fire Brigade members at the front of the station. (Oscar Parry)
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
Walking group
The Mighty West Heart Foundation Community Walking Group meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10am. Walk at your own pace for up to 60 minutes. Discover the many health benefits (physical and psychological) of walking together. All welcome.
0411 566 862
Willin Wimmin choir
Join the wonderful women at Willin Wimmin choir in Williamstown for some singing fun! Term 1 begins on Wednesday January 29 and goes through to April 2. Try us out for free for two weeks to see if it’s your thing. The group is all about the joy of group singing, and we welcome new members. There are no auditions required. Members sing a mix of contemporary, folk, choral, and world music in acapella style. The choir meets on Wednesday evenings during school terms from 7:30pm to 9:30 pm at The Dennis Reserve, 109 Ferguson Street, corner Melbourne Road, Williamstown.
willinwimmin.org.au or email willin. wimmin@gmail.com
Women Working Together
A program connecting women aged 50 and above and in need of assistance, with mentors and mentees. Open to women across the western suburbs, including Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay.
9655 2131, EmploymentSupport@ cotavic.org.au, or https://cotavic.org.au/ our-programs/employment-support/
Musicians Wanted
Westgate Concert Band, Established in 1979 is seeking new members. Rehearsals are held on Saturday mornings during school terms, 9am to 12noon at Braybrook College and are returning for 2025 on January 25.
For more information email westgateconcertband@gmail.com
Williamstown Bridge Club.
The club has bridge sessions each week on Wednesdays at 7.25pm, Fridays at 1.25pm for experienced players, and a supervised session on Fridays at 9.50am at Hobsons Bay Sport & Game Fishing Club, 17 Altona Road, Altona. Beginners lessons begin in May. All levels welcome and partners can be provided.
Carol, 0401731260, Alan,0430 309 255, or www.bridgewebs.com/williamstown
Volunteers needed
Join the Hobsons Bay Community Fund (HBCF) as a committee member to support and strengthen your local community. It is seeking to fill the executive office role, (secretarial, governance and event management skills) as well as other voluntary positions.
eo@hbcommunityfund.org.au
Walking football (soccer)
For anyone aged 50 & over, any fitness level – no running allowed. This is a social activity for fun and a bit of exercise, no experience necessary. Supported by Hobsons Bay Council and Football Victoria, this is a free activity each Wednesday, from 10am to 11am, indoors at the Sports Centre, Andrew Park Drive, Altona.
Mike, 0423 291 708
Computer classes
Scams, MyGov, software, online shopping, banking, email, whatever. We all need to keep up with the internet, IT, computers, and changing technology. Classes every day of the week , mornings and afternoons, in Williamstown and Altona North.
Lynne, 9397-6168.
Laverton Bowls Club
Experience the fun and skill of lawn bowls, a game which is suitable for all ages. Laverton Bowls Club is recruiting new members, so if you are looking for a friendly atmosphere and the opportunity to bowl both socially or at pennant level Laverton is the place to be. Come to the club on Tuesday or Thursday mornings for practise beginning at 10am. All welcome at 77-87 Hall Street, Altona Meadows.
9369 1034 or email : secretary@ lavertonbowls.com.au
Musicians welcome
Do you play any percussion, brass or woodwind instruments? The Hobsons Bay City Band is seeking musicians to join their community band. Please note that rehearsals are held under the directorship of Wayne Bowden OAM every Monday evening from 7.30pm at the Spotswood South Kingsville RSL, 59 The Avenue, Spotswood.
Hannah Prouse, hbcityband@gmail.com or check URL www.hbcb.org.au
Fiddle group
The Newport Folk and Fiddle Beginner Play Along Group is a great place for beginners or those with some experience, to play music in a safe, casual and welcoming environment. Come on down, have some fun, make new friends, have a cuppa and maybe even learn something new. All instruments and levels of expertise are welcomed where the main aim is to enjoy music and have fun. Children are also most welcome. The third Saturday of the month, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, at 2nd Newport Scouts, 6 Market Street, Newport.
https://www.nffc.org.au/ beginner-playalong
Prep for employment course
Seeking a change in career or how to improve your employability? Receive face-to-face help with job searches, resumes, interviews, upskilling and more in a prep for employment course. Register today. At 43 Mason Street, Newport.
9391 8504, outlets@outletsco-op.com. au
Intro to computers course
For beginners and those looking to refresh skills. The computer lab is fully equipped
for interactive and hands-on learning. Accessing information, resources, file management, emails, Microsoft Office, AI and online safety. At 43 Mason Street, Newport.
9391 8504, outlets@outletsco-op.com. au
Positions vacant
Join the Hobsons Bay Community Fund (HBCF) as a committee member to support and strengthen your local community. It is seeking to fill the treasurer’s role as well as other voluntary positions.
eo@hbcommunityfund.org.au
Everyday English language course
For women of all ages and backgrounds with English as a second language. Practice speaking English in different situations, and make new friends. Fridays, 10am-noon. At 43 Mason Street, Newport.
9391 8504, outlets@outletsco-op.com. au
Laverton Community Choir
The choir is welcoming new members, especially male voices. If you love singing and would like to be part of a choir, come along and try out your vocal cords with this fun and welcoming group of singers. There are no auditions and you don’t need to be able to read music. The group meets on Thursday evenings during school terms at Laverton P12 College, 91 Bladin Street, Laverton, from 7-9pm.
Sue, 0418 386 147, or lavertoncommunitychoir@gmail.com
Mouth Organ Band
Yarraville Mouth Organ Band is looking for new members. Band practice is held on Friday evenings at 8pm in the band hall at 203 Williamstown Road, Yarraville. For great music in a friendly atmosphere feel free to call in one Friday evening.
Heather 9399 2190 or ymob1933@ yahoo.com.au
Drop in chess, cards and Scrabble
If you love playing chess, cards or a game of Scrabble in an informal and fun setting, visit Braybrook Community Centre on Tuesdays, from noon-2.30pm.
Woodcarving Workshop
Held weekly at Hobsons Bay Men’s Shed, but women are welcome too. Aimed at all
levels of ability in the ancient, international crafts of carving, whittling and chipping. Starter gouges and timber are available, but participants are advised to bring their own tools and projects if possible. Held on Tuesdays, 9.30am to noon, 280 Queens Street, Altona.
Contact John: jah2802rot@gmail.com.
Dementia Carers Group
IPC Health Dementia Carers Group is held on the first Tuesday of the month, from 12.30-2.30pm. The group is for people who care for someone with dementia or a similar condition associated with memory loss. It empowers carers through education, social connectedness and emotional support while socialising and meeting people in similar situations. Registration is essential.
Leah Hewitt or Joyce Chan, 1300 472 432 or https://bit.ly/48QFwBa
Western Melbourne Men’s Chorus Do you like to sing? The Western Melbourne Men’s Chorus wants you! Be part of a rewarding fraternity of fellow amateur musicians serving the community, sharing comradery and having fun. Rehearsals at 7pm Tuesday evenings at St. James Church, Hoppers Crossing.
Chris, 0400 414 215
Gardening workshops
Workshop 1: Planting with a purpose, Tuesday, February, 25, 1.00pm –2.00pm. Learn how to set up a Food Cube and plant seedlings that will flourish for everyone in the community to enjoy. Workshop 2: Composting made simple, Tuesday, March 11, 1.00 pm – 2.00pm. Discover how to set up a tumbler compost system and explore creative ways to compost at home. Transform waste into valuable garden gold Workshop 3: Resilient summer gardens: Tuesday, March 25, 1.00pm – 2.00 pm.Get tips on maintaining a vibrant communal space during the summer heat and learn techniques to build a resilient garden that thrives through the seasons. All workshops held at Spotswood Community House, 598 Melbourne Rd, Spotswood Vic 3188.
Almari van der Merwe, Cultivating Community, 0466 406 510, www. cultivatingcommunity.org.au
This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of Addison, Eva and Olivia escaping the heat at the Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre. (Attie Mohebali)
Discover the Viking difference
For those dreaming of a vacation experience created for curious travellers, let us introduce you to Viking and the Viking Difference.
The cruise line is destination focused and culturally enriching and for those who prefer an elegant, serene ship ambiance, more time in each port and an inclusive experience complete with exquisite dining and thoughtfully curated shore excursions.
Viking are often credited with inventing modern river cruising in 1997. In 2015, they turned their attention to ocean cruising. In 2022, they began perfecting expedition cruising with journeys to the ends of the earth and closer to their Norwegian home on board the Viking Polaris and the Viking Octantis.
The cruise line’s attention to detail and destination-focused approach is what has helped make Viking the world’s leading exploration company.
With offerings on all seven continents, the company invites you to reawaken your spirit of discovery and celebrate a return to sailing and exploring the world in comfort.
Viking offers a shore excursion in every port and an onboard and onshore enrichment program that provides deep immersion in the destination through performances of music and art, cooking demonstrations, informative port talks and carefully selected guest lecturers.
In 2015, Viking introduced its first ocean ship with the naming of the 930-guest all-veranda Viking Star. One year later, they launched their second ocean ship, the Viking Sea, which was joined by sister ship the Viking Sky in 2017, the Viking Orion in 2018, the Viking Jupiter in 2019 and the Viking Venus in 2021. Identical sister ships the Viking Mars, and the Viking Neptune joined the fleet in 2022; the Viking Saturn joined in 2023. Ocean itineraries are designed to maximize the amount of time travellers spend in their destination. These enriching itineraries include base and combination voyages around the world, with particular focus in Scandinavia and Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand, Asia, Alaska, North and South America and Africa.
The popular European river voyages range from eight to twenty-three days, with itineraries featuring Europe’s Rhine, Main, Danube, Seine, Rhone, Douro, Moselle, Elbe, Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde Rivers.
Viking also offers voyages on Egypt’s Nile River and Southeast Asia’s Mekong River.
Sailing Europe’s storied rivers, the award-winning fleet of identical Viking Longships® offer a variety of stateroom
categories and true two-room suites with full-sizeverandas.Onboardamenitiesinclude a restaurant, bar and lounge, library and expansive sun deck. The ships feature al fresco dining on the revolutionary indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace, elegant Scandinavian design and environmentally considerate features, such as solar panels, an onboard organic herb garden and energy-efficient hybrid engines for a remarkably smooth ride.
Viking launched destination-focused travel experiences on the Mississippi River in 2022, with sailings ranging from eight to fifteen days between New Orleans, Louisiana and St. Paul,Minnesota.TheVikingMississippihosts 386 guests and features some of the largest staterooms across the cruise industry, where each guest has a sweeping view of the river and landscape beyond.
In 2022, they launched their expedition voyages with the arrival of the 378-guest Polar Class Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris. Both ships sail expedition voyages in Antarctica, the Arctic and North America’s Great Lakes.
The Viking Sun was renamed the Viking Yi Dun in 2024 and will exclusively sail the coast of China. Viking Vela, Viking’s twelfth oceanshipdebutedinNovember2024andthe Viking Vesta will launch this year. Viking are excited to also announce the Viking Mira is due to be delivered in 2026.
For further information visit www.viking. com or phone reservations (AU) 138 747.
LEE MCCARTHY
The 378-guest Polar Class Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris sail expedition voyages in Antarctica, the Arctic and North America’s Great Lakes.
Viking offers voyages on Egypt’s Nile River and Southeast Asia’s Mekong River.
Viking information sessions
Vikinghasopenedregistrationsforitspopular regionalAustraliainformationsessionsaimed atcurioustravellerslookingforinspirationfor their next voyage.
The sessions, to be held in 44 regional locations across all states and the Australian Capital Territory starting in Ipswich, Queensland, on Tuesday 4 February going through to 3 April.
The sessions provide the perfect opportunity for travellers to connect with VikingCommercialManagersandpastguests to discover the “Viking difference” through Viking’s award-winning river, ocean, and expedition journeys.
Attendees will also find out more about Viking’s newly launched Scandinavian, Northern European and Mediterranean itineraries, new Viking destinations, their culturally enriching onshore experiences and onboard enrichment.
The sessions are scheduled twice daily at 10am and 6:30pm, running for 75 minutes. Complimentary light refreshments will be served during the 30 minutes prior to each session, providing an opportunity for networking amongst new and past guests, travel agents and Viking Commercial Managers.
Viking believes attendees will not only leave the session informed and inspired to book their next Viking cruise but will also receive an exclusive offer, to assist them to secure their booking within 14 days of the event.
Registration is essential as availability is limited, and places are expected to fill fast.
For group bookings of four or more, please email infosessions.anz@vikingcruises.com.
Viking is planning a series of metropolitan Australian information sessions for travel agents and their clients in late 2025.
More information about these sessions will be available in the second half of the year.
Queensland
Ipswich: Tuesday, 4 February | 10.30 am & 6.30 pm
Mooloolaba: Tuesday, 11 February | 10.30 am & 6.30 pm
Noosa: Thursday, 13 February | 10.30 am & 6.30 pm
Bribie Island: Tuesday, 18 February | 10.30 am & 6.30 pm
Townsville: Tuesday, 25 February | 10.30 am & 6.30 pm
Cairns: Thursday, 27 February | 10.30 am & 6.30 pm
Toowoomba: Wednesday, 5 March | 10.30
am & 6.30 pm
Bundaberg: Tuesday, 1 April | 10.30 am & 6.30 pm
Hervey Bay: Thursday, 3 April | 10.30 am & 6.30 pm
To register please visit https://www. eventbrite.com/cc/viking-explorer-sessionsqueensland-3904113
South Australia
Victor Harbor: Tuesday, 18 March | 10.30 am & 6.30 pm
Stirling: Wednesday, 19 March | 10.30 am & 6.30 pm
Barossa Valley: Thursday, 20 March | 10.30 am & 6.30 pm
To register please visit https://www. eventbrite.com/cc/viking-explorer-sessionssouth-australia-3904203
Tasmania Hobart: Tuesday, 18 February | 10.30 am & 6.30 pm
Launceston: Wednesday, 19 February | 11.30 am & 6.30 pm
Devonport: Thursday, 20 February | 10.30 am & 6.30 pm
To register please visit https://www. eventbrite.com/cc/viking-explorer-sessionstasmania-3904183?just_published=true
Victoria
Brighton: Tuesday, 4 February | 10.30am & 6.30pm
Mornington Peninsula: Thursday, 6 February | 10.30am & 6.30pm
Ballarat: Tuesday, 11 February | 10.30am & 6.30pm
Sale: Thursday, 20 February | 10.30am & 6.30pm
Bendigo: Tuesday, 4 March | 10.30am & 6.30pm
Shepparton: Thursday, 6 March | 10.30am & 6.30pm
Warrnambool: Thursday, 13 March | 10.30am & 6.30pm
Geelong: Wednesday, 26 March | 10.30am & 6.30pm
To register please visit https://www. eventbrite.com/cc/viking-explorer-sessionsvictoria-3896763
Australian Capital Territory
Canberra: Tuesday, 11 February | 10.30 am & 6.30 pm
To register please visit https://www. eventbrite.com/cc/viking-explorer-sessionsact-3896753
New South Wales
HunterValley: Tuesday,18February|10.30 am & 6.30 pm
Newcastle: Thursday, 20 February | 10.30 am & 6.30 pm
Coffs Harbour: Tuesday, 25 February | 10.30 am & 6.30 pm
Penrith: Wednesday, 26 February | 10.30 am & 6.30 pm
Bathurst: Tuesday, 4 March | 10.30 am & 6.30 pm
Orange: Wednesday, 5 March | 10.30 am & 6.30 pm
Central Coast: Tuesday, 11 March | 10.30 am & 6.30 pm
Ballina: Tuesday, 11 March | 10.30 am & 6.30 pm
Wollongong: Tuesday, 11 March | 10.30 am & 6.30 pm
Southern Highlands: Thursday, 13 March | 10.30 am & 6.30 pm
Nelson Bay: Tuesday, 18 March | 10.30 am & 6.30 pm
Albury: Wednesday,19March|10.30am&
6.30 pm
Forster: Thursday, 20 March | 10.30 am & 6.30 pm
Port Macquarie: Tuesday, 25 March | 10.30 am & 6.30 pm
Tamworth: Tuesday, 1 April | 10.30 am & 6.30 pm
Armidale: Thursday, 3 April | 10.30 am & 6.30 pm
To register please visit https://www. eventbrite.com/cc/viking-explorer-sessionsnew-south-wales-3904123
Western Australia
Albany: Tuesday, 25 February | 10.30am & 6.30pm
Mandurah: Thursday, 6 March | 10.30am & 6.30pm
Bunbury: Wednesday, 12 March | 10.30am & 6.30pm
Busselton: Thursday,13March|10.30am& 6.30pm
To register please visit https://www. eventbrite.com/cc/viking-explorer-sessionswestern-australia-3904193
Michelle Black, from Viking said, “Our sessions are perfect for those new to Viking as well as our loyal past guests. Whether attendees are interested in polar expeditions, new ports, European river journeys, or Mediterranean, Scandinavian or Asia ocean voyages our information sessions are relevant to every curious traveller’s agenda,” said Michelle Black, Viking Managing Director ANZ.
“Thesesessionsaresovaluableineducating, engagingandmotivatingclientstomaketheir next travel booking, making attending these sessions a smart business decision for savvy agents,” said Black.
Guests and Viking Commercial Manager’s at Viking’s explorer information sessions 2023. (Supplied)
LEE MCCARTHY
SCENIC SCANDINAVIA & BALTIC JEWELS
Bergen to Stockholm or vice versa
15 DAYS | 4 COUNTRIES | 12 GUIDED TOURS
SET SAIL: MAY-SEP 2027
From $13,595pp in Veranda Stateroom
From $16,195pp in Penthouse Veranda
sessions
SCANDINAVIA & BALTIC CAPITALS
Oslo to Copenhagen or vice versa
15 DAYS | 8 COUNTRIES | 10 GUIDED TOURS SET SAIL: MAY-SEP 2027
From $13,595pp in Veranda Stateroom
From $16,195pp in Penthouse Veranda
EXPL RER
Sailing to all seven continents, the whole world awaits
Enjoy free flight offers with selected river, ocean or expedition voyages, valued up to AU$2,400 per person. Plus AU$500 shipboard credit with any ocean and expedition booking. Available for a limited time only, offers end 31 March 2025.
Bergen to Copenhagen
22 DAYS | 8 COUNTRIES | 17 GUIDED TOURS SET SAIL: MAY-SEP 2027
From $19,795pp in Veranda Stateroom
From $24,295pp in Penthouse Veranda
Curious about exploring the world with the most-awarded cruise line? Join one of our free information sessions and discover the unique Viking way of exploration. Book quickly, sessions fill fast.
VISIT viking.com/explorer-sessions or scan the QR code to register.
Luxury Mediterranean Cunard Voyage, Duo of Italian Lakes & Scenic Swiss Rail
Discover the enchanting Mediterranean, from the breathtaking Italian Lakes and the spectacular Swiss Alps to the remarkable treasures scattered along its coastline.
Following an overnight hotel stay in Rome, you will board Cunard’s elegant Queen Victoria for a luxurious 14-night Mediterranean cruise. The voyage will take you to stunning destinations, including Toulon, Alghero, and Messina, before continuing to Naples and Civitavecchia. You will also explore the idyllic islands of Cephalonia and Corfu, followed by the scenic beauty of Kotor and historic Dubrovnik.
Disembarking in Trieste, you will transfer to the serene Lake Maggiore for a five-night escape. Here, you’ll experience the beauty of the surrounding mountains and tranquil waters, including a scenic Centovalli Railway journey that offers breathtaking views and a tour of nearby Lake Como, known for its picturesque villages and stunning villas.
Queen Victoria
From her elegantly decorated public rooms and opulent lounge venues to her gourmet fine dining and luxurious, spacious cabins, Cunard’s illustrious vessel exudes class with the splendour evocative of great cruise liners past.
Your holiday includes Full-Board Cruise
ï 14 night full-board cruise on board
Queen Victoria
ï Visiting: Rome, Toulon, Alghero, Messina, Naples, Civitavecchia, Cephalonia, Corfu, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Trieste
Hotel Stays
ï 1 night four-star stay in Rome at the Starhotels Metropole
ï 5 night four-star stay in Lake Maggiore at the Zacchera Hotels Collection
ï All hotel stays include breakfast Fully Escorted Tour
ï Lake Como tour
Rail Journey
ï Scenic rail journey on board the Centovalli Railway
All Flights, Taxes and Transfers
ï Overnight flights
Journey on board the Centovalli Railway
This panoramic train journey from Domodossola in Italy to Locarno in Switzerland travels through the picturesque Centovalli “One Hundred Valleys”. It traverses the foothills of the Lepontine Alps, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Pass deep gorges and crevices with glittering cascading waterfalls. Glide across colourful alpine wildflower meadows, over numerous bridges and through vineyards and forests of chestnut trees. This scenic rail journey through a timeless landscape is unmissable.
Art honours mothers and daughters
A multimedia artwork currently displayed at the Brimbank and Sunshine Projection Galleries is a pictorial ode from a daughter to her mother.
Trước nhà con (at the front of my house) is a projection art piece by Liên Ta that incorporates poetry, photography, animation, and language to depict a familial love story recognisable to many immigrant parents and children.
“I wanted to create something to honour my mother, and also honour Sunshine’s Vietnamese community, where I grew up,” Liên said.
“In mother-daughter relationships with a language barrier, it’s difficult to communicate loveinawaythatseemstotranslate. Thiswork is how I communicate my love, and whether or not it translates, I’m glad I could be able to express it in a way that feels right to me.”
Liên said the work pushed viewers to come out thinking more about the poem and guardian-child relationships.
“The poem itself is intentionally vague, and I hope each person finds their own meaning in it,” Liên said.
“The projection can be viewed at 294 and 301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine — the projection at 301 Hampshire Road is at the rear of the building.
A bloomin’ good day out
Friends of the Melton Botanic Garden is promoting sustainable living through a guided tour on Sunday, February 9 at 10am starting at the garden’s depot and nursery.
The guided tour is a part of the National Sustainability Festival, an Australia-wide event that runs through February.
FriendsofMeltonBotanicGardenpresident John Bentley said the group operates with a set of underlying sustainability principles.
“Many years ago Sustainable Living Festival, as it was called when it started, we noticed they did garden tours, and we thought that that would fit very well with what we do in the garden,” he said.
“The plants themselves are the main thing that people come to the garden to see, and our
technique for planting plants helps maximise water capture from rainfall.”
The guided walking tour is a gentle 90-minute tour that will showcase the northern section of the Melton Botanic Gardentoseeplantsthattolerateadryclimate and have low water requirements.
The Friends of Melton Botanic Garden has beentakingpartintheNationalSustainability Festival since 2014.
“What they can learn through the tour are plants that are suitable for the Melton area, what we have done around the depot and the garden for reusing and repurposing, and work towards sustainability,” Mr Bentley said.
MrBentleysaidthegardenstrytobecarbon neutral.
“Wehavedonecalculations,andthroughout the extensive planting we’ve done, we’re doing great carbon sequestration in the botanic garden.
“Plus, creating a green environment helps to reduce the temperature, and the other great thing is we increase the diversity of flora and fauna.”
Mr Bentley encouraged others to “consider planting for sustainability, and look at ways that you can personally reduce your cost because sustainability starts with each of us.”
Tickets and bookings available at: https:// fmbg.org.au/
Faith Macale
Pride event at Kelly Park
Park Lounge is returning with pride and glory to Kelly Park in Werribee on Saturday, February 1 as part of Melbourne’s Midsumma Festival.
An evening celebrating queer culture and expression, Park Lounge will showcase a new line-up of LGBTQIA+ artists and allies who promise to dazzle with dance, music and performance between 6-10pm.
A fantastic stage arrangement will be front and centre, with host Aysha Buffet introducing audiences to performances by Saint Ergo, Barr Bee Doll, Squid Nebula, DJ Gaff E and the Arcoiris Queer Latin Group.
Country and disco will also feature as alt country crooner Leroy Macqueen, Sunshine and Disco Faith Choir and Disco Rodeo Boot Scooting will be strutting their stuff.
Now in its 13th year, the event is by no means confined to colourful performances, providing a little of something for everybody.
A range of craft stalls will allow attendeestotransformtheiroldclothes into interesting pieces of wearable art and jewellery.
Leading the charge will be the Ballarat Trans & Gender Diverse Swap Shop with many new outfits to be swapped or donated, in a bid to help people fit in.
Guests are encouraged to have a picnic, get something from one of the on-site food trucks or sample many of the diverse flavours found in the restaurants of Werribee.
Whilesomeseatingwillbeprovided, guests are welcome to bring their own chairs.
For more information on accessibility: https://www.wyndham. vic.gov.au/whats-on/park-lounge
Summer concert series to pop-up in central Spotswood
A street in central Spotswood has been convertedintoalivemusicvenueforaseriesof free concerts running from January to March.
The Spotswood Summer Sessions began last Saturday afternoon at a pop-up stage on Forrest Street, the first four concerts to be held at the makeshift venue called ‘The Village Spot’.
Organiser Cameron Tait said the concerts will make use of vacant council space on the street.
“I applied for some funding to activate that space and that’s where these concerts have come from” said Mr Tait who received a grant from the West Gate Neighbourhood Fund to make the Spotswood Summer Sessions possible.
Once the funding was locked in, he hired local musician Fem Belling and her company Bandwagon Live to put the line-up together.
“She’s booked a range of musicians such as jazzartists,smallpopduosandDJ’sandthey’ll
be doing hour-long sets over four dates,” said Mr Tait of Ms Belling who will also perform at the concert on January 30.
A member of the Spotwood Traders Association,MrTaitsaidthesummersessions would do more than just entertain the local community and showcase local artists.
“It’s about the traders giving back to the community and to increase the attractiveness of Spotswood and attract more visitors and celebrate all that Sportswood has to offer,” he said.
And if it goes well, the pop-up stage on Forrest Street could become more permanent.
“The goal would be for this to be an annual series,” Mr Tait said.
The Spotwood Summer Sessions run from 12-4pm on February 8 and March 1 and from 4pm-8pm on Thursday, January 30.
Details: https://www.facebook.com/ share/1FHYXoFMRy/ Cade Lucas.
A band performs on the Band Wagon pop-up stage which will be used for the Spotswood Summer Sessions. (supplied)
Liên Ta’s artwork was created to honour her mother and culture. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 453873_05
John Bentley, president of the Friends of Melton Botanic Garden, peeping through the lemon beauty heads (Ljubica Vrankovic) 453707_01
SPORTS QUIZ
1. Recently retired Tohu Harris was captain of which NRL team?
2. Phil ‘The Power' Taylor won a record 16 world championships in which sport?
3. Which Olympics was the first to include synchronised diving?
4. Noah Balta most recently played for which AFL club?
5. Which Australian basketballer was first to reach 1000 NBA games played?
6. Which two US college teams will play off in the 2025 national championship game?
Australia’s Daniel Sanders competed in which vehicle category of the 2025 Dakar Rally?
Luke Sayers was most recently the president of which AFL club?
In what year is a Papua New Guineabased team set to debut in the NRL?
What is the real name of US golf professional Fuzzy Zoeller?
Bernard Tomic made his only Grand Slam quarterfinals appearance at Wimbledon in which
What is the name of Britain’s top level rugby league competition?
13. Which Australian horse race has the highest prize value?
14. Who was the only cricketer to take over 30 wickets in the 2024–25 Border Gavaskar Trophy series?
15. Canadian basketballer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander plays for which NBA team?
16. What is the most popular sport in India?
17. The upcoming sports action drama film F1 will star which actor as driver Sonny Hayes?
18. Titleist is a popular brand that manufactures balls used in which sport?
19. Suncorp Stadium is located in which suburb of Brisbane?
20. In which year was the A-League Women’s division founded?
21. Glenn Maxwell plays for which Big Bash League team?
22. What is the title of the recent documentary charting the life of tennis great Jelena Dokic?
23. The Belinda Clark Medal is awarded to the women’s player of the year in which sport?
24. Brisbane Broncos player Ezra Mam recently received a ban of how many NRL matches?
25. How many matches make up the 2025 Women’s Ashes cricket series?
26. And which ground is hosting its first-ever daynight Test match during the Women’s Ashes series?
27. Who currently sits third on Australia’s all-time men’s Test wicket tally with 539 scalps?
28. How
29.
30. In what year was a pink cricket ball first used in Test matches?
many combined Olympic medals have sisters Jess and Noemie Fox won?
The Adelaide Giants, Sydney Blue Sox and Melbourne Aces are all teams that play which sport?
To solve a Sudoku puzzle,
1 Postal receipt (5) 4 Female cleaner (9) 9 US writer (1817–62), Henry David – (7)
10 Distribute (food) (5,2)
11 Rear (9) 12 ‘70s dance genre (5) 13 Twenty-first letter of the Greek alphabet (3) 14 Melodramatic (11) 16 Able to be maintained consistently (11) 19 Male sheep (3) 20 Baghdad native (5) 22 Lasting (9)
First (7) 26 Mournful (7)
US state (9) 28 Persuasion (5)
Scheme (3-2) 2 Qualities of a room that determine audibility (9)
Bit (5)
Wariness (7)
European country (7)
Universal (9)
Satisfies (5) 8 'Not to worry' (2,7) 13 Assumes the worst (9) 14 Keep steady (9)
Beatles song, – Wood (9)
Attacks with thickened petrol bombs (7) 18 Language of Myanmar (7)
21 Foreign (5)
23 Vigilant; observant (5)
24 Unspoken (5)
7
1 The prancing horse is the logo for which prestige car company?
2 Brass is an alloy of which two metals?
3 Who wrote the classic children's book TheVery HungryCaterpillar?
4 Name the British monarch that abdicated from the throne in 1936.
5 Which Dutch artist painted TheNightWatch?
6 Christoph Waltz (pictured) won an Oscar
9 In the title of the television series, what does
No. 222
MOTOR
Nissan’s latest and greatest
By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring
Meet Nissan’s latest and greatest X-Trail crossover, the N-Trek edition.
Originally conceived as a limited edition of 500 vehicles, X-Trail joins the Navara and Pathfinder N-Trek editions.
Based on the ST-L grade, back then it came with larger 19-inch alloys, built-in navigation, premium Bose eight-speaker audio, smoked coloured bonnet protector, slim line front and rear weather shields, front and rear kick plates and carpet mats in the five-seat version - all standard equipment.
Now it rides on 18s and has six-speaker unbranded audio. Satnav remains but the other nick-nacks have gone - what’s more the car costs an extra $10,000.
STYLING
N-Trek is available in two- and all-wheel drive form, and in five- or seven-seat configuration.
The five-seat is priced from $48,540, the seven-seater (they’re small) is priced from $51,640 - before on-road costs.
That’s around $3600 more than the mid-range ST-L on which it is based.
In effect N-Trek is not much more than a black edition of the X-Trail, with most of the changes of a cosmetic nature.
There’s a new dark finish for the Nissan ‘V-motion grille’, with a black finish for the door mirrors, handles and roof rails, while new and unique 18-inch alloys feature a black-and-silver theme.
Along with a redesign new LED fog lights have been integrated into the lower front bumper which is finished in a gunmetal colour.
Inside, N-Trek adopts the 12.3-inch infotainment screen and 12.3-inch digital dash from the flagship Ti, together with heads-up display.
The seats are trimmed in a new water-resistant synthetic-leather, designed to give owners the confidence to go further and get muddier.
In September wireless charging, walk-away locking, a hands-free automatic tailgate and wireless Android Auto were added, however none of these functions were present in our test vehicle.
Standard equipment includes synthetic leather and two-zone climate air, with rear air vents, heated front seats, power adjust driver’s seat, auto high beam, LED head and tail lights, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control,electricparkingbrake,auto-dimming rear view mirrors, auto lights and wipers, heated auto-folding exterior mirrors, plus front and rear parking sensors.
X-Trail comes with a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, five years roadside assistance and capped-price service plans are available to purchase when buying the car. Servicingintervalsare12months/10,000km.
A space-saver spare wheel is provided.
INFOTAINMENT
Infotainment consists of a 12.3-inch touchscreen and six-speaker audio, with built-in navigation, AM/FM radio and DAB+ digital Radio, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, with voice recognition, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
There’salsowirelessphonecharging,USBA and C front and back, and 12V outlets in the front console and luggage area.
SAFETY
A five-star ANCAP safety rating applies to all variants.
The rating for the Nissan X-Trail is based on testing of its partner model, the Nissan Qashqai, conducted in 2021.
ANCAP was provided with technical information and additional tests were conducted to show the Qashqai rating is also
applicable to X-Trail.
Dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting airbags are standard.
A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is also standard.
Autonomous emergency braking (Car-to-Car, Vulnerable Road User, Junction Assist and Backover) as well as a lane support system with lane keep assist (LKA), lane departure warning (LDW) and emergency lane keeping (ELK) and an advanced speed assistance system (SAS) are standard on all variants.
ISOFix child seat anchors are provided for the two outer second-row seats, as well as top tethers for all second row seats.
There are anchor points for the third row.
ENGINES/TRANSMISSIONS
The 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four cylinder engine in the N-Trek produces 135kW of power at 6000 rpm and 244Nm of torque at 3600 rpm, with drive to all four wheels on demand through a CVT-style continuously variable automatic transmission.
That’s an increase of 9kW/19Nm over the previous model.
With two electric motors the ePOWER version produces a combined 157kW of power (no combined torque figure is offered).
The petrol version has eight steps or simulated gears and gear change paddles for the especially enthusiastic driver.
DRIVING
At4680mm,X-Trailhasgrownintoamid-size SUV these days. While the original model was surprisingly adept off road, the latest version with a different mindset and just 205mm of ground clearance has taken a step back.
The only four-wheel driving it is up for these days is the odd dirt road, despite any advertising claims to the contrary.
At least we wouldn’t be venturing too far off the bitumen.
Although our test vehicle is a seven-seater, the pair of seats that comprise the third row are tiny and suitable only for small children and then over short distances.
The second row does, however, slide backwards or forwards to provide more legroom for the second or third row as circumstances dictate.
The seats are reasonably comfortable, with heating for winter and a steering wheel that is both reach and height adjustable, with power adjustment for the driver so you should be able to find a comfortable driving position.
There’s plenty of storage in the front too, with a two-tier console, good-sized bottle holders and a split-lid console box.
Glad to hear Android Auto has gone wireless. The wired connection of our test vehicle suffered from constant drop outs, making navigation difficult.
Meanwhile, built-in navigation could not understand even the simplest voice commands.
X-Trail ST, ST-L and N-Trek are offered in two-wheel drive with five seats or all-wheel drive with seven seats.
Power comes from a 2.5-litre petrol engine, or Nissan’s innovative e-POWER with e-4ORCE technology.
The latter pairs a turbocharged 1.5-litre, three-cylinder variable compression petrol engine with two electric motors - one for each axle.
Top of the range Ti and Ti-L are five seat and all-wheel drive, and both offer the option of e-POWER with e-4ORCE technology.
There are five drive modes: Off-road, Snow, Auto, Eco and Sport, selected via a rotary dial in the centre console.
Fuel consumption is a claimed 7.4L/100km and it takes standard 91 unleaded. We were getting a reasonable 7.5L/100km after more than 570km.
And it can tow a 2000kg braked load.
Performance is adequate without being exciting. Unless you prod the throttle hard enough, forward progress is likely to be sluggish.
Give it the boot, however, and the thing surges forward, albeit with some initial hesitation.
Although not designed to circulate quickly, we gave the N-Trek a bit of stick on the Old Pacific Highway out of Sydney and were pleasantly surprised by the amount of grip it exhibited.
Ditto for the brakes and steering.
Let’s just say it’s a lot more fun than many of the Chinese offerings that we have driven. Notably, the electronic assistance systems are refreshingly unintrusive, unlike many cars and SUVs that we have driven in recent times. Hallelujah.
SUMMING UP
To be frank, we expected more. More style, more power and more equipment. At least some decals identify this X-Trail as something special-thefactthatitdoesn’tspeaksvolumes.
Foravehiclethatsupposedlyhasanoff-road focus, some clarity is required because none of the additional features support this suggestion. Those considerations aside, the N-Trek is an attractive offering that is comfortable, well equipped and easy to drive. And that’s what most people want.
The N-Trek is an attractive offering that is comfortable, well equipped and easy to drive. (pictures supplied)
Weekend sport action heats up
There was plenty of action going on the sporting fields on Saturday, including some local rivalries. Star Weekly photographer Ljubica Vrankovic was out shooting some of theaction.
Werribee Centrals’ Jacob Russell. 454170_01
Bellbridge’s Henro Dias. 454169_17
Sunshine YCW’s Bailey Williamson. 454170_16
Laverton’s Palwinder Brar. 454169_04
Williamstown Congs’ Joshua Lanciana. 454171_01
Burnside Springs United’s Tim Stephens. 454171_07
Barkly St Uniting’s Raj Aiyappan. 454174_13
Barkly St Uniting’s Raj Aiyappan. 454174_04
Newport Rams’ David Tongue. 454166_09
Williamstown’s Samuel Reale. 454166_05
Former international player takes coaching role
New Footscray coach Cooper Vuna was looking to step away from rugby union when he returned to Australia at the end of his career.
The dual-code Tongan international and former Wallaby returned to Melbourne early last year and moved back to Melbourne’s western suburbs.
He attended a few training sessions with his former club, Footscray, and it kept him involved.
With his vast experience, Vuna has taken on the coaching role at the Bulldogs in the Rugby Union Victoria Dewar Shield.
“I didn’t know it was going to happen,” he said. “I had been overseas for a really long time.
“I thought I would step away from rugby in general. It is hard to come back home and the local team isn’t too far from home.
“Thepassionluresyoubackintothegameand it got me back into the game. The opportunity came to get me involved a bit more.”
Vuna said it was exciting to have the opportunity to share his experiences with the Bulldogs line up.
club.
The pair will take on the operations manager and director of rugby roles.
Vuna said it was important to keep them involved in the club.
“Without them, I don’t think I would be able to do it,” he said.
After a few tough years including losing their rooms to flooding, the Bulldogs had one of their best years on the field last year.
It had three sides make the grand finals.
The Bulldogs senior men’s team made the Dewar grand final which had not won since 1937.
While Vuna played for the Melbourne Rebels, he also played for Footscray.
“It’s quite exciting to share with the local and aspiring athletes that want to get to the top level,” he said.
“The main reason I came back was because I
He played in the NRL before moving across to rugby union. He played two games for the Wallabies and 16 games for Tonga as well as playing overseas.
played with them. I want to see the young ones flourish and grow at the club as well.”
With the Rebels no longer, Vuna said pathways for young Victorian players were made harder.
He said he was hoping he could use his contacts to help them to achieve their goals.
Tumai Edwards and Sione Puamau, who coached the club last year, will remain at the
Eagles rise to claim win
By Tara Murray
Things finally went Yarraville’s way as it came away with the win against Williamstown in theVictorianSub-DistrictCricketAssociation south-west on Saturday.
Both the Eagles and Seagulls have been rebuilding this season and haven’t had the results they would be used to.
The Eagles had just one win entering Saturday’s match, but could have easily had a few more on the board.
Despite a few nervous moments, the Eagles were able to get the job done.
Captain-coach Michael Sheedy said there was a bit of relief to finally get the win.
“It was much needed,” he said. “It was our most settled line up, balance wise.
“It made a big difference. Willy is in a similar position to us in a rebuilding phase and it was evident in the game.”
Sheedy said they felt they had been in every game but one this season, with their bowlers and fielders leading the way.
He said their batting had quite been where they wanted it to be.
On Saturday, the Seagulls won the toss and decided to bat.
They were bowled out for 131 in the final over with Brenton Hodges top scoring with 60.
Sheedy said they would have taken that at the start of the day but could have bowled them out for even less.
“We did have them at 7-59 at one stage,” he said. “They were always going to havea partnership and Hodges and Sean [Sturrock] didn’t take many risks and stayed out there batting some time.
“Ït was a good wicket and it was well under par. They tried hard with their batting group.”
Lewis Eldridge took 4-26 for the Eagles to be the pick of the bowlers.
The Eagles put on 40 for the first wicket before they lost three quick wickets, they were able to steady and hit the winning runs with more than five overs remaining.
They finished 5-132.
Sheedy said having Matthew Harrison, who made 55 not out, back made a big difference.
“He’s our best player,” Sheedy said. “He showed his class and it was a hard fought knock.
“Woody [Alexander Wood] is coming on now and they’re forming a nice partnership.”
Tejas Hari made 15 at the back of the innings in his first XI debut havingcome from Victorian Premier Cricket.
It’s the fifth debutant the Eagles have had this season.
Sheedy said with the group still learning how to win, they would take a lot out of it.
The challenges continue this week against top side Brighton in a one-dayer. Ït doesn’t get any easier,” Sheedy said. “We’ll take the same XI this week and it’ll be the first time this year we’ve had the same team two weeks in a row.”
In other matches, Altona had a big win
The Woodsmen finished 4-185 in reply to Caulfield’s 8-183.
The women’s side claimed their premiership, while their men’s second side also made the grand final too.
Vunasaidhewantedtocontinuetheprogress at the club and hopefully take the side one step further.
Off field, the club is hoping to get more of the western suburbs community involved, as well as lights at its ground.
Tara Murray
Sports shorts
A-League
Western United striker Noah Botic scored a spectacular brace to guide his side to a commanding 3-1 victory over Newcastle Jets in the A-League Men at Ironbark Fields on Friday evening. Botic scored twice, either side of half time after Riku Danzaki had lifted the home crowd in Tarneit with the opening goal after just 15 minutes. The 23-year-old now has six goals and four assists this season. United is up to fourth on the ladder after 14 games. United’s women’s side had a 1-1 draw with Melbourne City.
Big V
The Altona Gators have signed BB Chuks Maddy for the Big V men’s division 1 season. Maddy is from Hamilton in Ontario, Canada and played college basketball in America at Le Moyne winning two conference championships and having played in March Madness twice. Meanwhile, the fixtures for the Big V division 1 seasons have been released. The Gators man start their second on March 23 against the Bulleen Boomers, while the women start their season against the Craigieburn Eagles on the same day.
VTCA
Yarraville Club suffered its first loss of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division season on Saturday against Keilor. Chasing 166, the Clubbers were bowled out for 136 in the 56th over. Trent Lawford top scored with 56. The Clubbers remain on top despite the loss.
VTCA
The Altona Roosters and Altona North cemented their spots at the top of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Isaac Howarth Shield ladder on Saturday. The Rooster total of 9-332 was too match for Haig Fawkner which was bowled out for 237. Having made 8-309 on day one, Altona North was able to restrict Oak Park St Francis de Sales to 9-230. Footscray United and Seddon also claimed wins on Saturday against the Druids and Sunshine respectively.
against Hoppers Crossing.
The Cats were bowled out for 119, with the A’s finishing 2-121 in reply.
Spotswood was able to claim the points against Caulfield.
Akshat Buch. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 443945_11
Footscray has announces its coach for this year. (Supplied)
Dragons’ outright shoots them to the top
Barkly Street Uniting is hoping to continue its good form in the back half of the season to return to finals in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Russell Pollock Shield.
After a number of tough seasons on and off the pitch, the Dragons have started to turn things around this season.
An outright win against Wyndham Vale on Saturday, has the Dragons sit atop the table after seven rounds.
Dragons secretary Jeffrey Law said the club felt it was on the right track.
‘We have a little bit more depth this season,” he said. “We were struggling for quite a long time.
“Our second XI has had a few wins this year andhadanoutrightwinjustbeforeChristmas, which is something that hasn’t happened for a long time.
“Hopefully we can make the top four but we know it will not be easy. If we can get a few more wins, we’ll certainly play finals.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve played finals.”
Law said they started to make inroads last season with president Chris Lacey doing a lot of hard work.
Coach Lou Raffaele, who was appointed just before the start of last season, has had more impact helping put the side together this year as well.
On field, the Dragons had a big win against Wyndham Vale on Saturday.
The Dragons had already claimed first innings on day one of the match.
The Vales were bowled out for 77, with Barkly St Uniting 3-176 at stumps.
The Dragons declared heading into day two and sent the Vales back in.
It was much the same as day one, with the Dragons bowling them out for 96.
Jesse Gill took four wickets, while Eiffel Soza took three wickets for the Dragons.
“To have an outright win on the weekend
against a side that was in the top four was good,” Law said.
“To roll them again without having to bat again was a really fantastic performance.It’s not often you win outright, let alone against a top four side.”
Law said they had a tough run home facing three sides that are still in the finals mix.
ItstartswithBurnsideSpringsUnitedwhich beat the Williamstown Congs on Saturday.
Chasing 155, Burnside made 8-197 in reply.
Burnside went searching for an outright win, but the Congs batters proved stubborn, finishing 5-124 in their second innings.
In the Evans-Clark Shield, Laverton managed to avoid an outright loss to Bellbridge, while Seabrook beat Footscray Angliss and St Andrew’s Footscray lost out to Melton South.
Tara Murray
VTCA pull of a thriller
By Tara Murray
The Victorian Turf Cricket Association representativesidetimeditsruntoperfection against a Dandenong District Cricket Association team.
The VTCA was going for a hat-trick of wins after winning matches between the two teams the past two years and was made to work for it.
The VTCA managed to hit the winning runs with two balls remaining.
Coach Mitch Johnstone said it was another good day between the two associations.
“The DDCA probably had its strongest team in three years and our team probably wasn’t as strong as the other two years.
“We still were able to find a way.”
Johnstone said each of the three games that they had played had been slightly different way, but all had been good occasions.
The VTCA had a number of changes during the week from the team that was named.
Johnstone, who ended up playing after initially only going to coach, said it was hard
to attract some of the top line players, who had done a lot at higher levels.
“We’ve rewarded some players who have put their hands up each year, with Matthew Gaskett and Donovan Pell two of those guys.
“Hopefully we’ll hold on to them going forward. Both played pivotal roles.”
The DVCA got off to a flyer and were about 70 off eight overs
The VTCA was able to peg it back.
“We were going around the park early on,” Johnstone said. “We took the pace off the ball and bowled a lot of spin.
“We were able to restrict them for the rest of the day.”
The DDCA finished its 40 overs at 9-204.
Johnstone said they were happy with that total. Joel Brett took three wickets, while Gaskett, Johnstone and Ryan Metz took two wickets each.
The VTCA was in trouble early at 2-4 and with a longer tail than usual there were some nervous faces.
But the VTCA middle and lower order stepped up led by Aaron Maynard (39) and
Seagulls, Cats win thrillers
Williamstown and Hoppers Crossing bothwonthrillersintheopeninground of the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association T20 competition.
The Seagulls snuck home by one run against Strathmore at Lebanon Reserve on Tuesday night.
The Seagulls made 9-79 from their overs with Piran Kent top scoring with 20 at the top of the order.
The match went down to the final over with Strathmore needing 10 for the win.
A wicket on the second last ball left Strathmore needing four off the final ball. It could only manage two and was restricted to 9-78.
Sean Sturrock took three wickets for the Seagulls.
Hoppers Crossing also got over the line in the final over, beating Yarraville.
The Cats made 149 as they were bowled out with five balls remaining. Haseeb Qureshi top scored with 28.
William Sheffield and Tejas Hari took three wickets each.
The Eagles needed 11 runs off the final over for victory. A wicket on the second last ball didn’t help the Eagles case.
It left four needed off the final ball. They only got one to finish 6-147.
JoshHahneltopscoredwith45atthe top of the order.
Simon Lambert took two wickets for the Cats.
his son Kobi Maynard (10 not out).
The pair spent time at the crease together. Johnstone said it was really cool to see them out there together.
“Wetryandgiveaspotforayoungerbloke,” he said. “Kobi showed a lot of composure late in the innings.”
Gaskett was named player of the match.
While he had a mixed bag with his bowling, he made 42 off 53 balls after coming in at number seven to help get the side across the line.
Johnstone said it was a really even contribution across the side.
The VTCA is already starting to plan for next year
“I’ve spoken with Zoran [Havranek] and with other coaches Duncan Harrison and Mick Andriadis.
“Do we have the side more a development side or go with experience.
“Do we leverage the team of the year and they have the first opportunity to play and we fill the gaps around them, or look to some of the younger players?”
Melton came away with the points against Werribee in its match at Macpherson Park.
The Tigers batted first and made 5-103 from their overs. Jacob Knight top scored with 24 not out.
Joel Mitchener took two wickets for the Lions.
The Lions were able to put together a solid innings, hitting the winning runs with nearly four overs remaining.
WilliamChestermantopscoredwith 57 not out.
Spotswood had a convincing win against Altona in its match.
The A’s made 7-117 from their overs with Matthew Turcinovich top scoring with 52.
Patrick McArdle took 3-13 from the Woodsmen. The Woodsmen had no trouble in the run chase, getting the runs in 12.2 overs, finishing 2-118. Declan O’Brien top scored with 42.
Taylors Lakes lost its first game against St Bernard’s OC.
The VTCA representative side. (Supplied)
Raj Aiyappan. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 454174_04
Smith takes on Laverton women’s coaching role
It was the case of the right time for Brendan Smith when the Laverton women’s coaching job came up for this year’s Western Football League season.
Smith, who coached North Sunshine’s inaugural women’s side, had been coaching women’s teams elsewhere the past few years
Smith said he was excited to take on the role at the Magpies.
“We’ve got a great bunch of girls hanging around from last season,” he said. “That is going to make things a little bit easier.
“Last season I was at Melbourne Uni in the VAFA [Victorian Amateur Football Association].
“ComingfromGeelong,it’salittlebitcloser. I think it was a case it popped up at the right time.”
Smith said he still had a few contacts in the league and remembers coaching against Laverton.
“They were a good bunch to coach about,” he said.
With the late coaching appointment, Smith has hit the ground running.
He said a number of the playing group had alreadyrecommittedbeforehewasappointed.
“I think we are sitting at about 20 to 25 girls that are committed to having a run around this year,” he said.
“It’s always interesting at this time of year, you never know.
“Apparently the girls want this whole process to continue.
”I’m always looking for more players. It’s all good and well to say you have 25 committed, you never know from week to week.”
“Theclubhadits100thanniversarylastyear and this year we look to the next 100 years.”
“Hopefully we can have the girls in that history in a positive way.”
Smith said they were always looking for
more players and encouraged anyone who was interested to come down.
The Magpies won two games last season after the two divisions were merged having made finals in division 2 before that.
Smith said they were hoping to continue to improve.
“We are hoping to improve on the win-loss ratio,” he said. “Success is an interesting one.
“Success can be so many different ways. It could be premierships or it could be the fact that four or five girls who couldn’t kick over a jam jar at the start of the year can kick 25 metres at the end of the season.
Pre-season training has started. The team is currently training Monday and Wednesday night at Laverton Park from 6.15pm.
Anyone interested in playing can contact Steph on 0431 061 640.
Altona’s rising stars
By Tara Murray
The next generation of Australian Kookaburras are set to take centre stage with three Altona players keen to make their mark.
KookaburrascoachMarkHagerannounced the 2025 squad in late December which marks the start of a new era.
Altona’s Cooper Burns was one of three debutants named in the initial 17 man squad. His Seagulls teammates Nye Roberts and Connar Otterbach have been named in a further squad of 21.
The final seven players of the Kookaburras squad are set to come from the further squad.
Altona president Brian Fanning said it was exciting for the club to see the three named in the two squads.
“It is amazing,” he said. “We’ve had Kookaburras before and had a Hockeyroo in Danielle Schubach.
“We’ve been expecting it for a while with them being in a lot of the other development
teams, Australian under-21 teams.
“They have all played juniors at the club and then come through to seniors and were key members in our squad that made a premier league preliminary final.”
Fanning said all three had done a lot of hard work to come through the ranks and everyone was so excited.
He said they could tell when they were younger that they were going to be special.
“I’ve been watching Cooper and Connar since they first started,” he said. “I grew up next door to Cooper’s dad.
“Cooper’s nickname from some of the older guys was wizard as a kid due to the magic he can do with his hands.
“I played a game with Nye when he was 15 and coming up the ranks and I was going down. He was a really small fellow who had amazing vision.”
Fanning said several Altona club members were going to head to Sydney in February to see Burns hopefully make his Australian
T20 teams back in action
TheVictorianTurfCricketAssociation T20 competition resumed on Tuesday night with plenty of key match ups.
In the Border pool, Yarraville Club made easy work of Gellibrand Gellibrand made 7-142 with Jacob Macdonald made 58.
The Clubbers made the runs with more than five overs remaining, finishing 2-144.
Viraj Lakshitha top scored with 63 not out.
Seddon beat Seabrook in the other match. Seddon was bowled out for 104 in the 19th over, with Luke Powell and WeligamageBhanukatopscoringwith 22 apiece.
Hassett group
In the Waugh pool, Altona North continued its good form with a win against the Williamstown Imperials.
Altona North made 8-189 from its overs with Haydn Wilkinson top scoring with 75 at the top of the order.
Oliver Castro took four wickets for the Imperials.
The Imperials set a good platform at 2-102 but started to lose wickets at the wrong time.
They finished 7-162.
Point Cook Centrals got the win against Wyndham Vale.
The Vales were made 4-117 from their overs with Jessraj Badhaan top scoring with 66 not out.
TheSharksmadetherunsinthe16th over, finishing 4-121. Krishan Alang finished 56 not out. The Sharks have four wins from their four matches.
debut.
He said the Altona faithful had gotten behind the three and the other Altona players which were part of HC Melbourne in the Hockey One League.
“It’s a dream come true for them and the club,” he said. “We’ve seen them play since under-12s.
“Cooper is a hero to the kids, as is Nye and Connar. People want to go watch them.
“It’samazingforasmalllittlesuburbanclub candothis,havethreecomethroughfromthe same age group.”
Fanning said the trio would help inspire the next generation of players at Altona and further enforce what the club was doing.
He said just as important, it wasn’t just about the individual results for the three of them.
“They are genuinely good people and they do things off field for the club,” he said. “Nye runs the umpiring at the club.
“Theyaren’tjusttalentedkids,theyfocuson making Altona a better place.”
Point Cook came away with the win against Newport-Digman.
The Warriors made 8-184 with Bhavesh Seth top scoring with 51. The Bulls fell well short, finishing 4-147.
Shannon Evans made 78 not out.
Meanwhile in the Benaud pool, PEGS had a big win against St Andrew’s Footscray StAndrew’sFootscraywasrestricted to 4-73, before PEGS made the runs in 7.4 overs, finishing 2-74.
PEGS sits on top with one round remaining, with three wins from its four matches.
Maribyrnong Park St Marys beat Airport West St Christophers in the other match.
In the Taylor group, Keilor was too strong for Burnside Springs United, while Grand United won a high scoring affair with Sunshine.
Tara Murray Laverton is preparing for this year. (Ljubica Vrankovic: 410700_05)
Nye Roberts, Cooper Burns and Connar Otterbach. (Alex Tyrrell)
