Star Weekly - Melton Moorabool - 25th February 2025

Life-saving defib stolen

By Tara Murray

A heartless thief stole a life-saving medical device from the main street of Ballan earlier this month.

A man was seen on camera taking a defibrillator [AED] from a public access cabinet in Ballan on Wednesday, February 12.

The incident occurred about 8.30pm on Inglis Street, outside the Ballan Newsagency. IanIrelandwasoneofthepeoplebehindthe decision to have the defibrillator installed in thestreetmanyyearsagotoprovidethepublic with 24-7 access to it. He was left shocked that someone would take it.

“It’s taking it away from the community that it was put there for,” he said.

“The community has used it over the years.

“Hopefully it is not needed to save a life in the near future as it is the only device in Ballan available 24-7.”

The defib was installed in Ballan after the end of the service provided the Ballan Ambulance Auxiliary Volunteers in 2007.

The volunteers provided an ambulance service to Ballan community for 43 years prior to the full-time Ambulance Victoria branch being established.

They also raised money for the local community.

Mr Ireland said the volunteers campaigned to have leftover funds used to install a defibrillator in Ballan, instead of the money going back into the system.

The auxiliary, which does not fundraise any longer but still exists, has just celebrated

“It’s been there eight or nine years and some lowlife stole it on Tuesday night. They just helped themselves to it, leaving a poor community vulnerable.

its 60th birthday. Unfortunately it cannot afford to replace the defibrillator, which was uninsured.

Mr Ireland notified police about theft and police have since released an image and video of a man they believe can assist with their inquiries.

The man is seen throwing items on the ground outside the newsagency before the defibrillator was stolen.

Mr Ireland said there had been support from the community, with some offering to help replace the defibrillator.

He said it was wonderful to have others put their hands up to help, but they shouldn’t have to be in this position.

“This saves lives,” he said.

Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at https:// www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Ian Ireland is devastated that someone stole a defibrillator from Ballan. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 460044_01

Police are wanting to speak to this man about the theft. (Victoria Police)

Werribee poll indicates a pox on all major parties

With the dust settled on the Werribee by-election, attention has turned to what the result means.

For Emeritus Professor of Politics at Monash University, Paul Strangio, there’s one obvious takeaway.

“Clear disaffection with the Allan Labor government,” Professor Strangio said.

“There’s a powerful ‘it’s time’ factor.”

Yet, voters in Werribee didn’t think it was time for the opposition Liberal Party either, with their candidate, Steve Murphy, attracting just four per cent of the 17 per cent swing away from Labor.

Professor Strangio said this indicated that

voter anger extended beyond just the Labor government.

“The second big takeaway is disenchantment with all of the established parties and by that I mean Labor, Liberal and the Greens,” he said, noting that while Werribee was not a Greens stronghold, their vote stagnated.

“It was most disappointing for Labor, but it’s not a great result for the Liberals and it was a poor result for the Greens so the voters were saying a pox on all your houses.”

Professor Strangio said this wasn’t a new trend, with the last federal election providing a precursor. “If you go back to the 2022 federal election and you look at the western suburbs,

the outer western and outer northern suburbs, there was a very similar pattern. Labor’s primary vote came off in a lot of its safest seats in those suburbs by about 10 per cent or so,” he said, adding that few of those primary votes shifted to the Liberals.

Professor Strangio said population growth and mortgage stress made the political environment in Melbourne’s north-west especially volatile, but that the trend away from the established parties wasn’t unique to Labor heartland. “We’re seeing these patterns pretty well everywhere,” he said pointing to the success of the Teal movement in winning Liberal heartland seats as an example.

Call for action on lights

By Gladys Barreta

A Melton community action group, Leakes NeedsLights,iscallingonthestategovernment to take action and listen to the community’s long-standing concerns about road safety.

A protest is set for Tuesday, February 25, at 5pm, as fears of more fatal accidents occurring at the Leakes Road and Western Highway intersection grows.

LeakesNeedsLightsisurgingthegovernment to prioritise the installation of traffic lights at theintersection,whichisnotoriouslyknownas a hotspot for accidents.

The community has also emphasised the need for solutions to the challenges faced at Rockbank train station, including security concerns and a lack of amenities such as parking and connecting buses.

These requests and concerns were raised as motions at the December Melton council meeting by councillor Phillip Zada.

“These issues have been one of our strongest advocacy points, and council has submitted numerous letters and requests to the minister for transport,” Cr Zada said.

“They just keep responding time and time again saying there’s ‘nothing planned,’ so we just want to keep fighting.”

Cr Zada said that it is unfortunately not within the council’s authority to make these decisions, as the roads are state governmentcontrolled assets.

“If the council wanted to put lights at Leakes Road, they would just be removed within days,” he said. “There have been multiple petitions, letters, and meetings over the years, but nothing seems to get through.

“When the protest idea came about, I was definitely very happy to support it.”

Leakes Needs Lights facilitator Donna Southernsaidtheprotestisresidents’laststraw.

“It could be at least 10 years before the government does something, and we can’t wait that long,” she said.

“Weareharnessingabitofcommunityspirit to push our issues forward with this protest, and with the election looming, we are hoping to get more traction.”

MeltonmayorSteveAbboushihaswelcomed the community highlighting these issues.

“Significant population growth on both sides of the highway in Rockbank and Aintree, has resulted increased congestion and safety

Register for health program

Registrations are now open for a free health program designed to improve physical, mental and social wellbeing for men aged 18 and over in Melton.

Sons of the West is a life-changing 10-week program that will cover fitness, nutrition, mental health and more.

The weekly sessions provided by health professionals, facilitators and men-alike will see participants learn about the best way of looking after themselves and will be introduce to resources and local services to help continue to support their journey.

A previous participant of the program, Jim Adamopoulos said through the program he was able to increase my physical activity, improve my mental health and psychological wellbeing, and most importantly increase my

confidence and feelings of self-worth.

“Sons of the West was part of my recovery journey, having battled depression and anxiety for some time and being the primary carer of a child with a disability which can be isolating,” Mr Adamopoulos said.

Sons of the West is delivered by the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation in partnership and will run in two locations in the Melton.

Sessions will be held in Cobblebank on TuesdaysfromMarch18toMay27(excepton April 22), from 10am-noon, at Cobblebank Stadium.

The program will be held in Fraser Rise on Wednesdays from March 18- May 28 (except April 23), from 6-8pm at Fraser Rise Children’s and Community Centre.

Details: melton.vic.gov.au/sonsofthewest

In Werribee, independent Paul Hopper performed strongly, capturing 15 per cent of the vote and plans to run candidates in all 11 western suburbs seats at the next year’s state election under the banner of the West Party.

ProfessorStrangiosaiditwasstilltooearlyto predict how Mr Hopper’s party or anyone else would go at the November 2026 poll, but that it would ultimately hinge on whether voters had faith in the Liberals to do a better job than Labor.

“Will they believe they’re a viable alternative government,thatremainsabigquestionmark.”

Celebrating area’s diversity

Melton council will celebrate Cultural Diversity Week with an all-inclusive festival featuring cultural performances, family-friendly activities, and storytelling.

Cultural Diversity Week will run from March17-23,withthisyear’sthemebeing My Melton, Your Melton, Our Melton! Council will host a free event on Saturday, March 22 at Melton CommunityHallforallagesandabilities to come together and celebrate the city’s rich cultural diversity.

The event will kick-off at 11am with cultural performances and fun activities for the whole family including First Nations performances, Indian sari trials, Henna, face painting, hair braiding and a silent disco.

There will also be a range of delicious multicultural food on offer, and a chill out zone for those needing some quiet time.

Throughout the week, council will featureinspiringstoriesfrom12residents who have played a vital role in making the City of Melton a more inclusive and welcoming place for all residents to call home.StartingonMonday,March17,the video series called The City of Melton –My Home, Your Home, Our Home can be viewed on our social media channels.

concerns along the highway and leading to Rockbank train station,” Cr Abboushi said.

“With the business case for the Western Highway upgrade now complete, we look forward to the Victorian Government prioritising the Western Highway as a major road project, and for the Australian and Victorian governments to jointly fund this critical project.”

The annual festival also recognises the United Nation’s Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, also known as Harmony Day, on March 21.

Mayor Steve Abboushi said Cultural Diversity Week “is an opportunity to recognise and embrace the many culturesthatmakeupourwonderfulcity and come together to celebrate and learn about one another”.

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Leakes Needs Lights facilitator Donna Southern said this protest is the last straw to push for road safety measures. (Supplied)

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Free recycling drop off

Many household items can be taken to a Moorabool Shire transfer station for

Transfer station locations & hours of operation:

Maddingley: Osborne Street

Open: 10am-4pm Friday to Monday

Ballan: Monteville Lane

Open: 1pm-5pm Wednesday to Monday

Mount Egerton: Ballan-Egerton Road

Open: 12pm-5pm Saturday & Sunday

Call-out for information on death

By Tara Murray

Police are seeking to speak to anyone that may have information about the death of Melton teenager Alana Cecil nearly 30 years ago.

AlanawasfounddeadonNovember10,1996, with the coroner determining the 16-year-old’s cause of death was heroin toxicity with acute asthma.

Alana had previously been in rehab for drug issues, with a toxicology report finding there had been no drugs in her system for three months prior to her death.

DNAfromtwomenwasalsofoundonAlana and wasn’t matched until six years later.

Lastmonth, StarWeeklyreportedthatpolice had decided to reopen an investigation into Alana’s death.

Local detectives are reviewing the original investigation and the coronial inquest finding to determine whether there are any new avenues of inquiry.

Last week, police said they would like to speak to anyone with information in relation to Alana’s death, particularly a person who previously submitted information anonymously.

Alana’s dad Peter has always believed his daughter was murdered and pushed for the case to be reopened.

In January, Peter told Star Weekly he had mixed emotions about the latest investigation.

“I feel positive, but it’s been explained to me that all stops are out in terms of a thorough investigation,” he said.

“The family is desperate for the answers.

“I love my daughter. If she was here, she’d be fighting for herself.

“It’s been so long so nothing is guaranteed and I understand that, the family just wants closure, and a proper chance to grieve.”

LighthasbeenshoneonAlana’scasethrough New Zealand-based podcaster Ryan Wolf and his series, Guilt, which was released last year.

Lastyear,Wolftold Star Weekly thathereally connected with Alana’s case.

He said he felt like he was getting to know Alana even though he has never met her.

InapodcastupdatereleasedinJanuary,Wolf said he had provided police with information and assistance in their investigation.

“Throughout the final months of my investigation, I had been working increasingly closely with Victorian Police on new developments in the case, evidence that I did not include in the podcast,” he said. “At this point, I felt the appropriate move was to pass this new evidence onto police so that they may use their vast resources to investigate further.

“I firmly believed that these leads were the strongest in the case to date, and that the truth of what happened to Alana was finally, after 28 years, getting very close.”

Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www. crimestoppersvic.com.au

‘The system failed us’: What happened to Alana?

Last year, a podcast series by New Zealand-based podcaster Ryan Wolf began exploring the death of Alana Cecil in Melton in 1996. Her death was ruled to be the result of a drug overdose, but that finding has never sat right with her family. Last week, police appealed to the community for any information about Alana’s death as they begin re-examining the case. Star Weekly has chosen to republish this story from June 2024 about the podcast and the toll of Alana’s death on her family.

Peter Cecil has been living a parent’s worst nightmare, every day, for nearly the last 28 years.

On November 10, 1996, his 16-year-old daughter Alana Cecil was found dead from an apparent drug overdose.

Police at the time said they didn’t think the death was suspicious, but that didn’t sit well with Peter.

Since the day Peter lost his beloved daughter, he has dedicated his life to find out what happened to his girl.

“I haven’t had a chance to grieve,” he said. “I go to the cemetery and talk to Alana.

“It’s been difficult and I’ve had to hold it in all of this time. I’ve missed out on a lot of things with Alana … To live with that and not share things that normal fathers do with their daughters.

“I was robbed of that and also the fact the worst part about it was that she was treated like an animal, dumped like an animal.”

Alana was found at a vacant house on the corner of Barrys and Stations roads in Melton. She had been out the night before with friends. Some reports said she was last seen in Brimbank, other people say they saw her at the Djerriwarrh Bonfire Festival.

There were drugs in Alana’s system and needle marks in both arms.

The autopsy report showed she hadn’t had drugs for three months beforehand, having successfully been through rehab.

Peter claims the initial investigation was botched. He said evidence was missed and statements from key people weren’t taken until years later and some never at all.

DNAfoundinandonAlanawasn’tmatched to two men for six years and Peter said the autopsy report proved that she was raped.

One of those people, who was much older, was known to police and gave a no comment interview. The other said there was consensual interaction between the two.

Her belongings that were with her were never found and she was found near the house of one of her friends.

There were two coroner’s inquests and others delayed and postponed, which left the family with no answers and feeling that the system had failed them again. The first inquest gave an open finding which remains today.

A Victoria police spokesperson said a report was prepared for the coroner who determined

the cause of death was heroin toxicity in a young girl with acute asthma.

Peter said there’s never been a criminal investigation and police said at the last coronial inquest that they didn’t think they would find anything 13 years down the track.

community, the communication [from police] was shocking.”

A Victoria Police spokesperson said the matter has been investigated by detectives and reviews of the investigation have found it was thorough. They said allegations of wrongdoing by the detectives were unsubstantiated.

Peter has spent the past 28 years searching for answers, most of that alone.

But not anymore.

Earlier this year, podcaster Ryan Wolf was looking for a top for his next series of Guilt, which looks at unsolved crimes.

He received an email about Alana’s story and it stuck with him.

“I was struggling to find a case to pick up, for me personally I emotionally invest so much into a case,” Ryan said.

“People had sent through tons of cases to look at and I knew I wanted to do an Australian case, for some reason this particular case … it just connected with me.

Peter said he missed the chance to seek and appeal, as he sought help for his mental health, which had deteriorated.

“Once I saw what was in the autopsy and toxicology report I needed to know what happened to her pretty quickly,” he said.

“I ended up chasing a lot of people and doing the investigation [for the police] which I shouldn’t have been doing.

“I put myself in a lot of jeopardy. The system has failed the family and Alana.

“As a father and a normal person in the

“It was such a young girl and clearly something wasn’t right here.”

Ryan quickly made the trip to Australia from New Zealand and headed to Melton, a place he had never heard before.

He said there was a lot that had surprised him as he started to investigate the case.

Ryan, like Peter, has found there are “definitely” holes in the work that the police have done.

He said that Peter has taken this all on his shoulders until now.

“He’s been amazing really, in a way it has ruined his life. He’s lost his daughter, he has just dedicated his life to trying to find out what happened.”

Episodes of the podcast are released weekly, with the eighth episode becoming available for free on June 3.

Speaking after the first three episodes had been released, Ryan said there had been people forward with new information.

He has spoken with friends, family and those who spent time with Alana growing up. Some have never spoken before.

“It’s to give it a chance that there could be some justice for her after all these years,” he said. “It’s always good when people start coming forward, that is what I do this for, to make a difference, try and get a resolution.

“I have a new witness that they’ve never had before and it could change this entire case.

“It’s not just about making content for me, it’s about the investigation first, podcast second. There are some big revelations to come in this case and I hope more people come forward.

“I know there’s more people out there that know more of what happened.”

Ryan said he feels like he’s getting to know Alana even though he has never met her. He saw some video for the first time recently and it was incredible to put a voice to her. He said he wants to be able to do her justice and get the truth whatever that truth is.

Ryan started the podcast in February and said Peter’s research had made it a lot easier for him.

He said the podcast was an ongoing thing and dependent on what new information comes available, but at this stage expects it to be about 20 episodes.

“I want Australians and locals to have the podcast make their blood boil,” he said. “Think what if that was my daughter?”

For Peter, he’s hoping this podcast will finally give him the answers that he has been after.

And, he doesn’t want any other family to go through what he has.

“Hopefully I finally get a chance to grieve and have peace, I’ve never had peace,” an emotional Peter said. “It’s also for Alana getting her justice for that they did to her.

“Talking about it like this, is pretty hard for me. This is what has happened to me an my family, I don’t want it to happen to another family.

“How we’ve been treated by the system ... It’s been unfair, it should have been solved by now.”

The police spokesperson said if new evidence, or witnesses were located, detectives would make an assessment as to their value before considering next steps.

Tolistentothepodcast:https://open.spotify. com/show/3LxK0NL9Dz4wuW5xp4SMRa

Above: Alana Cecil as a child. Right: Podcaster Ryan Wolf. (Supplied)

Alana Cecil. (Supplied)

Splendour through the lens

The Milky Way set behind Hanging Rock and the enchanting fungi of Sanatorium Lake are just some of the subjects that have been captured by members of the Macedon Ranges Photographic Society. Oscar Parry goes behind the lens to talk those passionate about capturing the world as they see it.

Founded in 1983, the Macedon Ranges Photographic Society has provided competitions, photography skills, and a sense of community for local photographers for over 40 years.

Now with about 67 members – varied in age and gender – society president Jeni Marinier said that local photographers join for myriad reasons.

“In the rural areas, we’re more spread out. And a lot of us are on large properties so you don’t really have your neighbours to chat to … it is really nice to have that opportunity to get together with people and share the experience,” Ms Marinier said.

“I think a lot of people who join are looking for that social aspect but also learning with something that they enjoy,” she said.

“It’s just rewarding. Seeing your images in print … up on a wall or up on display is very fulfilling.”

Members enter their photography into the society’s judged competitions and are given the opportunity to enter external competitions – with a major one being the annualVictorianAssociationofPhotographic Societies Interclub Competition.

‘‘ It was interesting to see what [members] came back with ... everyone sees things differently through their lens ’’ - Jeni Marinier

The society hosts four themed competitions each year with an accompanying open category, with this year’s topics being water, macro, double exposure, and flora or fauna.

Ms Marinier said that the association provides members technical and practical sessions relating to the upcoming competitions, along with general meetings covering photography tips and image critiquing.

Outside of this, members have the opportunity to attend weekend photography getaways – with past trips including Lake Tyrrell and Mungo National Park.

As a hobby, Ms Marinier said that photography can serve both as a way of recording moments and creating art.

“I think capturing a moment in time or an expression on someone’s face is priceless and very rewarding,” she said.

“Your holiday snaps can become beautiful works of art that you’re proud to hang on your wall … they’re not just happy snaps on your phone anymore. And then you can turn your work into gifts … like calendars or cards.”

She said that part of the joy is not realising how good your photo is until you see the colours and details on a larger screen.

“You can surprise yourself. My [husband] and I went to the [Halls Gap Zoo] back in October, and I was walking around with my camera, and there was a peacock with his tail up – absolutely beautiful. I just snapped away, didn’t really think much of it, until I came home and put one shot up on the computer and went ‘oh my God,’” she said.

“I was absolutely amazed at what I’d caught … you really don’t know what you’ve got until you get home. It can be quite a surprise, or it can be disappointing – I’ve had that before!”

Fortunately for the photographers of the group, the Macedon Ranges and Sunbury is full of photogenic locations.

Ms Marinier said attractive Macedon Ranges sites include the historic buildings of Malmsbury and Kyneton and local gardens in bloom during spring, and Sunbury highlights include Spavin Lake and The Nook.

“Goldenhourinsummerwouldbebeautiful

on a lot of those buildings … it’s getting the lighting right, [the] time of day,” she said.

“Summer can be very harsh, I’m looking outside now and it’s bright, bright sunshine. People say ‘you’ve got a good day for photography’ – it’s actually the opposite. You’ve got to pick and choose your times in summer.”

Along with the joys of creating appealing photographs, Ms Marinier said that another key aspect of being a society member is the

opportunity to present your work.

“In 2022, we did an exhibition called Magnificent Macedon Ranges, and then in 2023–24 … we did another one called Ranges in Focus, and the members had to photograph the area,” she said.

“It was interesting to see what [members] came back with … just how they view the Ranges … everyone sees things differently through their lens.”

With the rise in quality of phone cameras,

MsMariniersaidthatitis“encouraging”tosee a continued interest in DSLR and traditional cameras – but keen phone photographers are still welcome to join as members.

“It’s the image, not the camera.”

After recently relocating to Jubilee Hall in Macedon, the society has expanded its capacity for members and has more space to present works.

Details: macedon-ranges-photography.org. au

Macedon Ranges Photographic Society president Jeni Marinier at the Jubilee Hall in Macedon. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 460067_03

‘The Heartland’ by society member Colleen Mahoney.

‘Landing’ by society member Nicola Donald.

‘Venice Canal’ by society member Greg McMillan.

Join the fun with Probus

The Ballan and District Probus Club is looking for new members after a year of success and growing its members.

The group creates a semi-structured opportunity for retired and semi-retired individuals to connect with other similar people.

The group has upwards of 20 members and meets on the third Monday of each month at 10am at the Ballan Scout Hall to connect individuals.

Activities for the members include trips away,coffeeandlunchdates,gardeninggroups, walking clubs or anything that the individuals choose to connect over.

Club secretary Ross Bullock says that the group is open to anyone that is keen to join in Ballan and all surrounding districts.

The initiative has clubs looking for members across Australia and New Zealand including Melton, Daylesford and Bacchus Marsh, which includes a ladies only group.

“I think it’s important for people when they’re retired to maintain or create new strong social connections and relationships and stay involved with the things they are interested in” said Mr Bullock.

Details: https://forms.gle/fSuTHYph8YwBXsxR8

Kaija Du

Briefs

Teens arrested

Police have arrested two teenagers after an allegedly stolen car evaded police twice in Melton and Bacchus Marsh on Monday, February 17. Officers spotted a gold Holden Commodore allegedly driving erratically on O’Keefe Crescent, Bacchus Marsh just before 1pm. Police attempted to intercept the vehicle on Young Street before it sped off. The commodore was later seen by police travelling on Maidstone Street in Altona. Air Wing and police units on the ground followed the commodore along the Western Highway through Melton where it allegedly drove towards oncoming traffic. Stop sticks were successfully deployed near Coburns Road in Hopetoun Park before the car came to a stop on Hopetoun Park Road about 3.30pm. The occupants, two 16-year-old boys from the Bacchus Marsh area, were arrested at the scene.

Community grants

Moorabool council’s next round of community grants will open on March 1 and close March 31. To help groups prepare a submission, an online grant writing workshop will run on Thursday, February 27, from 6pm to 7pm. Drop-in sessions are also available in March. Details: moorabool.vic.gov.au/ communitygrants

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Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Ballan and District Probus Club is after new members. (Supplied)

Body exhumed in murder probe

Williamstown amateur historian Barb McNeill is Star Weekly’s history columnist. This week she revisits the sad tale of Margaret Mould whose body was exhumed when police suspected she had been the victim of a poisoning during an “illegal operation”.

At the Williamstown Magistrates Court in January 1932, Claude William Mould, respected estate agent who had formerly had his office in Pier Street, Altona, was charged with having between 11 May 1931 and 1 September 1931 at Altona converted to his own use over 28 pounds received as an estate agent.

He had been instructed by Green, Dobson & Middleton, Solicitors, to collect the rent of three Altona properties on behalf of the mortgagees, Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows, and pay the monies into the solicitors’ account.

ConstableCowdonstatedthatforover three years, Claude Mould had run his Pier Street agency, C.W.Mould & Sons - the sons being Jack and Claude, aged 19 and 16 respectively. The defendant vigorously denied the charge, having discovered, 12 months previously, a cashboxdeficiencyof150pounds.Thishehad paid from his own pocket, and, suspecting that Jack had been helping himself, had tackled him with it. Jack denied it, blamed other members of the family, but was given the sack in May 1931. To Claude Mould’s grief, Jack was now busily getting into trouble in Adelaide and his father was still repaying the missing money.

As devastating as this family trouble was, it was a minor matter compared to a previous court case involving the family, one that shocked Altona in 1930 and led to a murder trial at the Melbourne Criminal Court.

On 6 August that year, a woman who called herselfnurseSylviaCook,orNurseSylvia Koch - there seems to be some doubt as to which was her real name – paid a visit to Claude Mould’s wife, Margaret. Two days later, Mrs Mould, aged 38, was dead in her Pier Street residence. A death certificate was duly issued and the much-loved lady was believed to have died of heart failure.

Her funeral on 11 August 1930 was well attended, her civic spirit honoured by wreaths from The Altona Cycling Club, the Altona branches of the Girl Guides and Boy Scouts, the Australian Natives Association, the Altona Baseball Club and the Church of England Ladies’ Guild.

The mourning community accepted the cause of death as misfortune, but the police had a shrewd idea why Mrs Mould had died, and obtained an exhumation order. The post-mortem was carried out by government pathologist, Dr Crawford Mollison on 1 September.

Mrs Mould had not died of heart failure but blood poisoning, following, in the coy language of the times, “an illegal operation”. Senior Detective William Jones hurried to arrest Nurse Cook and seize certain surgical instruments from her premises. She was whiskedtoWilliamstownPoliceStation,where she allegedly confessed to murder, though this she would later vigorously deny. The 44-year-old unregistered nurse was allowed bail of 500 pounds, with two sureties of 250 pounds each, an indication of the seriousness of the charge.

At the City Court, Sylvia Evelyn Cook, the name under which she was charged, was represented by none other than high profile solicitor, Naphthali Henry Sonnenberg, who had clocked up an impressive 29 homicide cases, the most infamous being the doomed ColinCampbellRoss,wronglyexecutedforthe Gun Alley atrocity.

Sylvia Cook, manageress of the Waverley Private Hospital in Queen Street, Altona, was

committed for trial by the coroner. Many of her patients were new mothers, who gladly gave her their 5 pound baby bonus in return for her care. Where and how she had gained midwifery knowledge is unknown, but she was never a registered nurse, and without a properly qualified person on the premises, her hospital could not be registered.

How she and Mrs Mould came to meet is unknown, and mystery surrounds the case to this day. There is no record of any of the Mould family having fore-knowledge of Margaret Mould’s intentions.

Contraception in the early thirties was limited, abortion unlawful unless warranted by extreme circumstances, the deceased at 38 was considered middle aged, the Depression was creating great hardships for Australians, she had previously suffered the tragedy of a stillborn son, and already had eight children.

Was it economic uncertainty which led her to take this dangerous step? We can speculate, but it seems very likely. She worked for the business, as well as being a home-maker. Was her husband anxious about the market when moneywastight? Didthethoughtofyetanother mouth to feed in such frightening times alarm her? Without the family’s words, we will never know.Likethousandsofwomenwhocouldnot affordtheoutrageousfeesdemandedbysociety doctors, Margaret was forced to risk her life.

The woman charged with murder before Chief Justice Sir William Irvine, was in danger of losing her life on the gallows. The Crown allegedthatMrsCookhadadmittedtopolice,“I knew what I was doing. I knew the law and took therisk…butIdidn’tmakemoneyoutofit.”

This the accused flatly denied, claiming that Detective McGuffy had threatened to pull her tongue out until she confessed. Her feisty response to him had been, “I’ll go to the gallows but I won’t admit to anything.”

On Friday 31 October 1930, the jury took four hours to acquit Sylvia Evelyn Cook, alias Koch, of murder.

The following year, she was fined 5 pounds for being an unregistered proprietress of Altona’s Waverley Private Hospital. In 1945, she was served with a Bankruptcy Notice , after which this mysterious woman disappeared from headlines and died in 1962 at Pearcedale.

Today, Pier Street is a leafy commercial thoroughfare.

Amateur historian Barb McNeill.

Parking pain at Station Square

By Gladys Barreta

Business owners at Melton Station Square are claiming that trade has dropped significantly due to a congested car park.

AlargeareaoftheMeltonStationcarparkis closed due to works to remove level crossings and rebuild the station, and as a result commuters are parking at Station Square.

Business owners and shoppers have expressed their frustration, with some fearing the potential for road rage.

Owner of Austar Salon located in Station Square, Thao Huynh, said trade has decreased by 40 per cent since the construction started earlier this month.

“The problem with not being able to find a park has been really bad for business,” Ms Huynh said.

“Some customers are coming in and saying theycouldn’tfindapark,andIfeelresponsible. I feel that I have to do something about it for my customers.”

Ms Huynh said she has had fewer walk-in customers as a result.

“Before they closed the other car park, there was a lot of space here, and anyone could come in.

“But now people are too stressed to find a park, so no one is really coming here.”

Ms Huynh suggested the best solution going forward would be to put a three-hour timelimitontheparkssomorepeoplecanuse them throughout the day.

Local shopper from Melton South, Gurhan Araci, said it took him at least 10 minutes to find a park and that he had never seen the car park this full before.

“Usually, there’s only about a third of the cars parked here,” Mr.Araci said.

“Knowing it’s this busy, I’m probably going to go somewhere else next time.

“Until the construction is over, I wouldn’t be coming here again. It’s not worth it because there’s no guarantee you’ll even get a park.”

A Level Crossing Removal Project

spokesperson said the project team is working closely with Melton council and the local shopping centre to reduce the impact of temporary station car park closures during construction.

“Major construction on the Melton level crossing removal project is underway, with four sets of boom gates set to go and the new Melton Station featuring 940 car parking spaces opening in 2026.”

Owner Austar Salon, Thao Huynh said trade at her store is down by 40 per cent as a result of the congested car park. (Ljubica Vrankovic_460440_04)

Local shopper, Gurhan Araci said the struggle to find a park will discourage him from coming back to Station Square. (Ljubica Vrankovic_460440_02)

Construction across the road. (Ljubica Vrankovic_460440_08)

Interest rate cut welcomed locally

By Gladys Barreta

An increase in buyer confidence is anticipated bylocalbusinessesfollowingtheReserveBank of Australia’s recent interest rate cut.

The RBA announced a rate cut on Tuesday, February 18, reducing the cash rate by 0.25 per cent bringing it down to 4.1 per cent – the first cut since November 2020.

The cut has been hailed as a financial relief for homebuyers and has sparked a glimmer of hopeforlocalbusinessesregardinganincrease in consumer confidence.

IGAMeltonoperationsmanagerJayMorgan welcomed the news but said more needs to bedonebeforepeoplecantrulyenjoyshopping.

“More work will need to be done for people to be able to pay their home loans. Once they can do that, then we will see more people truly enjoying their shopping,“ he said.

Mr Morgan noted that the high interest rates have significantly impacted shopping patterns, with consumers making fewer big purchases.

“Interest rate decision time always leaves us uncertain because of what we’ve had to go

through as businesses in the last few years,” he said.

“People are now shopping four or five times a week as a norm with smaller purchases, and we’re seeing that they’re shopping at multiple retailers where they can get the best price and value for money.”

YPA Real Estate director Shane Spiteri said the rate cut would boost buyer confidence.

“The interest rate cuts will give buyers confidence and time to work out their finances, knowing there won’t be another rise for a while,” he said.

Cricket club cools it down with grant

It’ll now be easier for players from the Sydenham Hillside Cricket Club to cool down post-match, with their canteen set to get a new ice-maker machine owing to a competitive grants program.

The club received $2750 from the CitiPower andCricketVictoriaCanteenfundinginitiative, which helps local sporting organisations ensure their canteens are upgraded with new appliances, resources and facilities.

Sydenham Hillside Cricket Club president Bob Kunesevic said he is grateful for the support.

“I was very happy and very thankful for the assistance along the application journey as well,” he said.

“Everyone was very generous with their time as well and in explaining the process, it made it a lot easier.”

Mr Kunesevic said the ice-maker will be a great addition to their facility.

“We spoke to our members to see what was necessary to improve our canteen area, and it was decided that we should invest in an ice machine,” he said.

“We were looking at purchasing one and so

we’re very lucky to be successful for the grant.”

Theclubhasbeenhopingtobuyanice-maker for a while, Mr Kunesevic said, given its many advantages.

“We needed one for various reasons — it’s great for drinks, for afternoon teas, for when we run barbecues and to help with injuries,” he said.

“There’s always a need for ice.”

The Sydenham Hillside Cricket Club was among twenty-one clubs from across the state to receive funding totalling $78,000 in grants this year.

“It’s given confidence to people to come out and buy again – especially to buy new homes before the market explodes in the next six to 12 months.

“It has also shown people that the market is safe, giving those everyday people encouragement to get back into the market.”

Mr Spiteri said people have been waiting for an interest rate cut for some time, especially in areas where the housing market is difficult.

“This weekend, we anticipate we will see more buyers out and about. Instead of window shopping, contracts will start to be signed.”

Caroline Springs or Hillside locals from multicultural backgrounds, looking to exploreemploymentopportunitiesinthe construction, transport or warehousing industry can now make use of a free program to nail their chances.

Melton council is delivering two accredited training courses at Hillside Community Centre in March, April and May, for members of the Arabic, Punjabi and Chin Haka speaking communities, who are looking to gain qualifications to support their employment options.

Thefirstsessioniscalled‘Construction Induction Card’ — before commencing any work on a construction site, it is a requirement that workers hold this credential.

This one-day course will give participants an understanding of basic occupational health and safety principles,currentlegislation,emergency procedures, hazards, risks and control measures.

The second session, which also runs for a full-day, will cover first-aid basics — teaching attendees the skills and knowledge required to respond to medical emergencies and provide a first aid response.

It is a requirement that interested locals attend both days of training, from 9 am to 5 pm.

Before participating in these training sessions people will need to complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) assessment, to make sure they have the necessary reading, writing and mathematics skills required to complete the course. An interpreter cannot assist in completing this assessment. Details: meltonlearning.vic.gov.au/free-whitecard-first-aid-training-in-hillside/

Sydenham Hillside Cricket Club president Bob Kunesevic is excited to get the new ice-maker. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 460438_01

Pedophile priest dies aged 90

The death of one of Australia’s worst pedophiles, defrocked Catholic priest Gerald Ridsdale, is not the end of victim-survivor trauma, advocates say.

Ridsdale, convicted of abusing more than 70 children over three decades, died aged 90 on Tuesday 18 February in Port Phillip Prison’s medical unit.

His appalling history of child abuse began in 1961, the year he was ordained.

He spent the next three decades abusing dozens of children across regional Victoria, often using his status as a priest to earn the

trust of his victims and their families.

The impacts of Ridsdale’s crimes would echo long after his death, chief executive at child protection organisation Bravehearts Alison Geale said.

“While some may see his passing as the end of a dark chapter, for survivors, the trauma and its impacts remain,“ she said.

“Bravehearts stands with all those affected, reminding the world that justice is not just about the fall of an offender, but about ongoing support, recognition, and healing for survivors.“

Eynesbury’s cleaning up

Friends of Eynesbury and Eynesbury Environment Group will be hosting a joint Clean Up Australia Day event to give the town a tidy up on a day that matters.

Clean Up Australia Day held on Sunday, March 2 encourages all neighbourhoods and communities to come together and pick up rubbish and conserve the environment.

This year’s clean up efforts will focus on the Grassland Conservation Area at Greenhill Road and the nearby waterways.

Eynesbury Environment Group president Chris Lunardi said Clean Up Australia Day is important for highlighting the issues of litter and waste in the streets, particularly for a small community like Eynesbury.

“The particular area we are focusing on this year is a new part of the housing estatein this part there is a constant supply of building wastes (polystyrene, plastics and food wastes),” he said.

“We will be picking up all the wastes and makingsureitdoesn’tendupinthegrassland or woodland next door.

“And being so close to Werribee River, we are wanting to prevent all the waste ending up in the river.”

Mr Lunardi said there was a good turnout of family and friends at last year’s clean up but they anticipate this year will be bigger.

“Clean Up Australia Day is an amazing event for pulling new people together and uniting over a common goal -which is a clean and waste free community making sure our places remain wild and natural.”

Meet to sign in at the parkland at the corner of Greenhill Road and St Arnaud Road at 10am, Eynesbury.

Find a site near you and register to join the clean up by visiting Clean Up Australia Day: https://register.cleanup.org.au/

Ridsdale had been in prison since 1994 for the abuse of more than 70 children in Victoria, and was to become eligible for parole in 2028. His victims were among survivors who travelled to Rome in 2016 for the late Cardinal George Pell’s testimony to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Pell, who was found guilty in 2018 but later acquitted of raping one 13-year-old choirboy and molesting another at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in 1996, was a former housemate of Ridsdale’s.

The commission found Cardinal Pell was among a large number of senior church officials who knew about complaints of abuse by numerous priests and Christian Brothers in the 1970s and 80s.

Ridsdale was also accused of abusing children in NSW and the United States, where he underwent church-connected sex offender treatment.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 - AAP

Eynesbury Environment Group’s Chris Lunardi at last year’s Clean Up Australia Day event. (Supplied)

‘Gamechanger’ for breast cancer

By Prealene Khera

More than 100 people with breast cancer across Melbourne’s west are among the first public patients in Australia to benefit from an innovativetechnologythathasbeenlaudedasa “gamechanger” for breast cancer surgery.

Sunshine Hospital is first public hospital in the state to use Scout, a small insertable device that streamlines the surgical removal of hard-to-feel tumours.

In late 2023, the hospital introduced it using ultrasound and mammogram, in a joint initiative between its breast surgery and medical imaging teams.

A year later, it became the first public hospital in the country to offer MRI-guided Scout placement, further enhancing accuracy.

Scout is a tiny reflector that can be directly inserted into small, hard-to-feel breast tumours.

Once inserted, the device emits a radar signal that is easily detectable by a hand-held device during surgery.

In pinpointing the precise location of the tumour for the surgeon, it improves accuracy of the procedure, and therefore outcomes for patients.

According to Breast Imaging director and radiologist Dr Joseph Paiva, the device’s introduction has been ground-breaking for patients and surgeons alike.

“Many of these cancers, they’re very small so they can’t be felt by the surgeon. We detect

themthroughultrasoundsorMRIandweneed to be able to precisely allow them to be located during surgery but there needs to be a way of guiding surgeons to it,” he said.

“Previously, that was done with a metallic wire which was put in before surgery.

“It wasn’t very nice. We didn’t like doing it and the patients generally didn’t like it either.”

Inserting the hook wire requires multiple procedures on the day of surgery and can be uncomfortable for patients, with part of the wire remaining outside of the breast.

“It’s not a great experience, but that was pretty much the gold standard all over the world up until recently,” Dr Paiva said.

He said Scout had huge benefits on multiple fronts.

“The patient has less anxiety on the day of surgery, and it’s just a better patient experience overall,”hesaid.“We’rejustexcitedthatwecan

offer this in the public sector to the women of the west because it’s a great technology.”

Breast surgeon Dr Sophie Nightingale, who led the introduction of Scout to Western Health, agreed with her colleague.

ShesaidScoutwasofparticularbenefitwhen pre-surgery chemotherapy had been successful in reducing the size of tumours.

“Many patients now have chemotherapy before surgery, because there is better survival, so cancers are shrinking, or even disappearing, with treatment so Scout is more useful than ever,” Dr Nightingale said. “It can be placed before chemotherapy starts, so no extra procedures are required before surgery.

“So far, the patients have all been very happy with the new technology, and we haven’t had anyinstanceswherethelocalisationhasfailed.”

Since Scout was introduced at Sunshine Hospital in October 2023, more than 110

procedures have been performed.

Among the patients to benefit from this technology is 71-year-old Marie Considine, who had her breast cancer removal surgery in November.

“I’m very glad I didn’t have to have a wire put in, that sounds so scary,” she said.

“I am so grateful that Scout was used instead because it was a really good experience, it didn’t hurt – you don’t really feel like it’s inside you.

“It was a smooth, seamless and quick procedure, all in all my surgery went quite well.”

Sunshine Radiology nurse unit manager Warren Gooch said this is a common response among patients.

“It’s so much better for our patients. It’s a great step forward. Scout has simplified the day of surgery for all parties,” he said.

Left: Marie Considine was one of the patients who benefited from Scout. 459001 Right: Dr Joseph Paiva and Dr Sophie Nightingale holding the device in its casing. ( Ljubica Vrankovic) 459346

Disorders give food for thought

By Christopher Carter, CEO, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network

Some illnesses you can see, and some you can’t. Most illnesses can be cured by pills, or bed rest, or an operation, but some can’t.

And there is a group of conditions that fit into both these categories. They are usually very difficult for others to notice, and treatment requires a lot of time, a lot of different approaches, and a lot of support.

We’re talking about eating disorders here. Melbourne’s western and northern suburbs have one of the highest rates of these conditions in Australia, with estimates putting the number of people with an eating issue at about 80,000 – more than four per cent of the residents.

Most of us know about the eating disorder known as anorexia nervosa – which causes people to self- starve – but that is actually one of the least common. Others manifest in different ways, including binge eating, fear of food, obsession with weight or body image, excessive exercising and suicidal thoughts. Treating eating disorders is challenging. It generally involves not just a GP, but also a mental health professional and a dietitian. And time. A lot of time.

So how do you know if you or someone you love has an eating disorder? Different disorders have different symptoms, but there are some pretty common red flags.

Anincreasinglytenserelationshipwithfood isabigone.Thismightinvolvedodgingeating, stressing out at the thought of food, revulsion, forced vomiting, binge consumption, building elaborate rituals around eating, or the compulsion to exercise straight after meals.

Some eating disorders can lead to thinning hair,constipation(ortheopposite),heightened

sensitivity to cold, muscle cramps or problems with concentration.

None of it is good, and because cause and treatment are complex issues, some people are tempted just to struggle and endure.

Some parents – at wit’s end – try to believe a disorder in their child is just a phase that will eventually sort itself out. Maybe it will – but maybe it won’t.

The good news is that help is at hand.

The state government funds an excellent

service called Eating Disorders Victoria. Its website contains heaps of helpful advice and contacts. It also operates a free helpline on weekdays between 9.30am and 4.30pm. It can be reached on 1300 550 236. The website can be found at eatingdisorders.org.au

The Butterfly Foundation also has a telephone helpline. This one operates seven days a week, between 8am and midnight. You can call it on 1800 33 4673. It also has a chatline on its website: butterfly.org.au

Another really useful option is to make an appointment to see a GP. The doctor will be able to confirm or discount an eating disorder diagnosis, and provide information and resources to help you, or your loved one, get started on the road to recovery.

Eating disorders often cause despair, because they can seem impossible to conquer. It’s not true, however. It might not be easy, but it can be done – and life can get so much better!

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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

Lights of Wisdom

The Bahá’ís of Moorabool invites you to Lights of Wisdom, a monthly event providing an opportunity to relax in a tranquil environment and reflect on inspiring themes. First Friday of every month, 7.30-8.30pm, at Lerderderg Library, Bacchus Marsh. This is a free community event open to all.

 mgilsant9@gmail.com

Candle making

Learn to make your own soy candles at Melton South Community Centre, with workshop on Saturday, March 15 for kids from 10.30-11.30am, and adults from noon-2.30pm. Kids aged 5 and over can safely make their own candles with no flames or fragrance, and adults can create their own candles with the fragrance of their choice. The kids’ workshop costs $17, while the adult workshops costs $90/$85 concession.

 9747 8576

First Aid course

Melton South Community Centre is offering engaging and informative First Aid courses on Saturday, March 29 for anyone seeking to obtain or renew a nationally-recognised certificate. Available one-day courses include HLTAID009, HLTAID011 and HLTAID012.

 9747 8576

Gold Panning Championships

The Australian Gold Panning Championships is on Saturday, March 1, at the Blackwood Cricket Ground Recreation Reserve Road, Blackwood.

 vicgoldpanning@gmail.com

Melton Night Market

Ignite your senses at Melton council’s vibrant Melton Night Market. Across two more unforgettable nights on the first Friday of March and April, from 5pm to 9pm, at the Melton Town Centre, immerse yourself in flavours, rhythms and traditions inspired by Asia, Europe and Oceania.

 melton.vic.gov.au/Out-n-About/ Events-Activities/Melton-Night-Market

Women Working Together

A program connecting women aged 50 above in need of assistance, with mentors and mentees. Open to women across the western suburbs, including Melton.

 9655 2131, or EmploymentSupport@cotavic.org.au

Over-50s Sunday games

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

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

Darley Neighbourhood House

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

 www.bit.ly/DNHnow, or 53674390

National seniors meeting

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

 0425 713 004, or

lesley1.collins@outlook.com

Zonta club

Zonta is an international organisation bringing women together to support other women. The Zonta Club of Melton meets on the first Monday of each month at Melton Country Club, Reserve Road, Melton. Meetings include guest speakers.

 Janet, 0421 080 923, or info@zontaclubofmelton.org.au

Melton Over 50s Social Group

Join a friendly group of people aged over 50 who enjoy each other’s company while attending events such as dinners, shows, dancing, cinemas and more. If you live in the Melton area and would like to meet new friends, in a welcoming group environment, this is for you.

 Marlene, 0498 329 290

Rose carers of Maddingley Park

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

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

Bacchus Marsh Ladies Probus Club

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

 Krystyna, bacchusmarshladiesprobus@ gmail.com

Community band

The Greater Western Community Band meets Thursdays from 7.30 – 9.30pm.

Rehearsal venue is the Bridge Road Community Centre, Strathtulloh (Melton South). The band is available for events. Brass, woodwind and percussion players are always welcome.

 Sally Hamond, 0401 474 582

Melton Valley Ladies Probus

Melton Valley Ladies Probus Club meets on the second Friday each month at 10am at Melton Country Club. New members welcome.

 Ann, 0425 705 150

Fishing club

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

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

Melton Concert Band

Rehearsals are on Thursdays from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at the Bridge Road Community Centre, Bridge Road, Melton South. Musicians of any age who able to read Music are welcome to come along with their instrument (oboe, bassoon, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, tuba, percussion). Please contact the number provided if you are intending to visit.

 0401 474 582

Cancer Support Group

MelMarsh Prostate Cancer Support Group is for prostate cancer patients and their

carers and meets on the first Thursday of the month, from 12.30-2pm, at Melton South Community Centre. Attendees are encouraged as members share their journeys through what could be a very traumatic time of their lives. Explanations of medical terminology used in the treatment of this cancer are given in this group.

 Grenville, 0412 741 865

Chatty Cafe Melton

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

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

Melton Trauma Teddies

Melton Trauma Teddies are seeking volunteers to assist with knitting, stuffing, or stitching teddy-bears that go to children in their time of need.

 Jean 0412 931 498

Boomerang Bags Bacchus Marsh

Boomerang Bags Bacchus Marsh make reusable shopping bags from rescued fabric. They need people to cut, sew, iron and market our bags. The group meets on the first Sunday each month at Darley Neighbourhood House, 2-5pm.

 https://63ec55b8628d6.site123.me/

Movies in the Marsh Movies in the Marsh is held at Lerderderg Library on the last Friday of each month. The next session is on February 28, from 10am-noon.

 5366 7100

This week’s photographer’s choice picture of Steve Scott, the owner of Woodend’s The Back Shed Gallery. Steve is pictured with one of his wooden puppet creations. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 460857_01

Catch up with Big Ted and friends

Beloved Play School presenters Rachael Coopes, Alex Papps, and Teo Gebert are hitting the road to bring joy, laughter and learning to little ones through fun-filled dance, nursery rhymes and storytelling. The Play School LIVE 2025 National Tour kicks off in March. The tour schedule includes Williamstown on 29 March, South Morang on 31 March and Bacchus Marsh on 4 April. This year’s live production, Once Upon a Time,invitesfamiliestoexperiencethemagic of classic nursery rhymes as each page of the storybook is turned. Featuring Australia’s favourite Play School presenters and toys, including Big Ted, Little Ted, Jemima,

Humpty and Kiya, the show promises exciting adventure filled with stories, songs, and dance.

Audienceswillenjoyallthenurseryrhymes and songs they know and love like Little Miss Muffet, Incy Wincy Spider, Humpty Dumpty, Der Glumph, and Heads and Shoulders, performed live for young fans.

Rachael Coopes is an accomplished Australian television presenter, writer, and yoga teacher. Best known for her role as a presenter on the beloved children’s program Play School, Rachael brings joy and education to countless young viewers.

Alex Papps is well known as being a

much-loved host on the ABC’s children’s show Play School. An accomplished actor, he graduated from the prestigious Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) and became hugely popular as original foster child ‘Frank Morgan’ on Home and Away, having previously also starred in The Henderson Kids.

Play School LIVE: Once Upon a Time is a wonderful opportunity for families to create lasting memories while celebrating the joy and imagination that Play School has brought to generations of Australian children. For tickets and venue details, visit: www. kidspromotions.com.au

Exploring a fresh queer perspective

As visitors step into the Bowery Gallery in St Albans, they will be welcomed to a tender exploration of identity, intimacy, and vulnerability as part of a fresh, and playful exhibition.

Created by local artist and educator Nathan McGlynn, ‘Darling Boy’ is a familiar and intimate collection of works centred around its primary protagonist.

“DarlingBoyisthemainrecurringcharacter in my work … [the] figure often reinterprets traditional heterosexual imagery from a queer perspective, with a focus on celebrating human connection,” McGlynn said.

“‘Darling” implies warmth and closeness, while “Boy“ both nods to traditional gender roles and invites a space to challenge and expand upon them.

“Through Darling Boy, I aim to create a figure who embodies the subtleties of queerness, offering a space to reflect on both personal and shared experiences of identity.”

McGlynn said the exhibition is retrospective, showcasing both his own pieces and large collaborative paintings.

“Many of the works feature people from my community – my friends often serve as the muses in these paintings,” he said.

Having his work on display for Brimbank residents to enjoy, has left McGlynn feeling “absolutely thrilled and honoured”.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to know that my art will be seen by such a diverse audience,” he said.

“It’s also exciting to bring queer art into public spaces, where it can challenge perceptions and spark important conversations about identity.”

Darling Boy will be up on display at the gallery until April 5.

Prealene Khera

Get creative and help make Penrose pretty

Your creativity can help make Penrose Place in Tarneit even prettier by coming along to the Penrose Repurposed - Sustainable Art Experiences! project.

Three hour workshops will run on February 28, March 1, March 14 and March 15 between 10am-1pm, and will give participants the opportunity to weave and paint their hearts out.

Sally Walshe, also known as Lady Mohawk, will lead the event in collaboration with Wyndham council.

“I believe that when people come together to create, something truly special happens,” she said.

“One of my biggest passions is sustainability in the arts, and this project is a perfect example of how we can give new life to discarded materials.

“By using recycled and excess paint, we’re not only reducing waste but also encouraging artistic expression and a deeper sense of community connection.”

The first three sessions will involve painting large artworks with the help of expert artist and muralist Justine McCallister.

On March 15, Master Weaver Aunty Vicki Kinai will teach weaving techniques to integrate between the paintings, further beautifying the fence.

Author talk on researching the Shrine

Melbourne writer and visual artist Laura J Carroll, will be discussing her debut bookMakingtheShrineatWilliamstown Library on February 27.

A collection of 25 compelling stories about Melbourne’s iconic Shrine of Remembrance, Making the Shrine brings the war memorial to life and traces its journey from it’s early 1930’s construction through to becoming the cherished landmark it is today.

“It’llbeaboutwhytheshrinecontinues to matter deeply in Victoria and why I think that young people especially have a right to feel like it’s a place that belongs to them,” said Carroll of her presentation which will also explore her experience researching the shrine and its history and include a special connection it has to Williamstown.

She said the rich backstory of the shrine was partly why she chose to lean on her artistic background and make it a graphic novel rather than just a written history.

“The format allows for deep imaginative engagement and I hope it will help readers get absorbed in the shrine’s changing story - which in many ways reflects the story of Australia since the end of the First World War,” said Carroll, adding that the project also allowed her to indulge in her love of history and researching archives.

“I found much archival material about the shrine which hadn’t really been explored before, and it was a fun challengetoworkthebestofthismaterial into my book.”

Thefreeeventwilltakeplacefrom6pm to 7.15pm and signed copies of Making the Shrine will be available for purchase.

Bookings: https://shorturl.at/irOjo

Once completed, the artworks will be displayed on fencing around Penrose, turning the space into a vibrant outdoor gallery and connecting the local community to the space with their own artworks for all to enjoy. People of ages are welcomed and encouraged to join in on the fun.

Anyvolunteersorbusinesseswhowouldlike to contribute supplies to the project can get in touch with Sally at Sally@ladymohawk.com.au

Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/ penrose-repurposed-a-creative-communitycollaboration

Jaidyn

Kennedy

Lady Mohawk, also known as Sally Walshe. (Anna Encio)

Alex with Jemima and Rachael with Big Ted. (Supplied)

Nathan McGlynn with this new Darling Boy exhibition. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 457579_14

SPORTS QUIZ

1. Which Chilean golf professional won the 2025 LIV Golf tournament held in Australia?

2. And which Australian state capital hosted the 2025 LIV Golf tournament?

3. Which cricketer was accused of a suspect bowling action after the recent Test series versus

4. Which current AFL/VFL club was once better known as the Pivotonians?

5. Which cricketer reportedly had tinned spaghetti and baked beans flown in from Australia during the 1998 tour of India?

6. How long was the suspension given to Italian tennis professional Jannik Sinner by the World AntiDoping Agency?

Which US basketballer recently won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest for the third consecutive time?

Keanu Reeves’ character in the 1991 film Point had played football at which US college?

Which two San Antonio Spurs teammates were disqualified from the 2025 NBA All-Star Game skills challenge?

Prince Harry founded which annual sporting

Which Phoenix Suns player became the eighth NBA player ever to achieve 30,000 career points?

12. In which year did Hannah Green win the Women’s PGA Championship?

13. Who was the last Australian man to win a golf major?

14. Name the team coached by Ange Postecoglou from 2018–2021 in the J1 League, Japan’s top soccer league.

15. Who defeated Alex de Minaur in the 2025 Rotterdam Open final?

16. According to Sportico, how many of the top 100 highest-paid athletes of 2024 were women?

17. In which decade was the governing body Football Australia founded?

18. Which basketballer for the San Antonio Spurs is nicknamed ‘CP3’ and ‘the Point God’?

19. True or false: a badminton court is sized differently for singles and doubles games?

20. Sydney Swans player Caiden Cleary has been suspended for how many matches following his arrest by police?

21. Forward, back, inward, reverse, twist and armstand are the six classification groups of which sport?

22. Kirsten Stevens is the name of Lucy Liu’s sports journalist character in which film?

23. How many premierships have the Parramatta Eels won?

24. And in what year did they last win one?

25. Francesca Williams is the current captain of which national netball team?

26. Harry Perryman previously played for which AFL club?

28. Name the sports podcast hosted by Jason and Travis Kelce.

29. The Melbourne Aces play which sport?

30. Swimming has featured at every modern Olympic Games since what year?

YOUR NEW CAREER

Star Weekly seeks an enthusiastic Full or Part time Sales Executive to work across our print, digital, social and online platforms.

Star Weekly is an independently owned company which prides itself on its long history of community experience but also its investment in the future.

The successful applicant will need to possess good people skills to enable them to meet with local businesses to sell solutions through our advertising platforms to help promote their business.

Applicants will need their own reliable vehicle for which we will provide an allowance.

The position is salaried, plus we offer an open ended commission scheme.

Send your application letter and resume to: Advertising Sales Manager, Mandy Clark mandy.clark@starnewsgroup.com.au www.starnewsgroup.com.au

27. The 2025 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey event features which four countries?

PUZZLES

To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.

ACROSS

1 Fugitive (7)

5 Fierce wind (7)

9 Creator’s protection (9)

10 Shoals (5)

11 Verse (6)

12 Advantageously (8)

14 Instrumental work (6)

15 Area on the body consisting of pelvis and upper thigh bones (4)

19 Merit (4)

20 Surpass (6)

24 Pseudonyms (3-5)

25 Very small pool of rainwater (6)

27 Woody plants (5)

28 Everlasting (9)

29 Stableman (7)

30 Show (7)

DOWN

1 Formula (6)

2 City and port in Italy (6)

3 Studio (8)

4 Physical and mental discipline (4)

5 Online metropolitan guide (10)

6 Bottle for the table (6)

7 Superimposed (8)

8 Writer of essays (8)

13 Warden of wildlife on an estate (10)

16 Discharge (6)

17 Royal family member (8)

18 Leave by will to another (8)

21 Hanging tuft of threads (6)

22 Meaning modifier (6)

23 Michael Jackson song (4,2)

26 Impel (4)

1 How many 'Arabian Nights’ are there in the Middle Eastern folk tales?

2 Which singer-songwriter wrote and recorded the theme song for the hit series Orangeisthe New Black?

3 What ingredient makes a latte a mocha?

4 True or false: spruce trees are evergreen?

5 Papillon is a breed of what type of animal?

6 In which country are the Cliffs of Moher located?

7 What type of exercise relies on the continual use of oxygen?

8 Annie Lennox (pictured) partnered with Dave Stewart to form which '80s British pop duo?

9 Name the narrator of Herman Melville's 1851 novel Moby-Dick

10 What device helps musicians keep a steady tempo?

No. 258

No. 226

Summing up Ford Transit Custom

By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring

The van section of the market is totally dominated by the Toyota HiAce, with 47.7 per cent of the market.

Behind it trails the Hyundai Staria Load, with a 13.8 per cent share followed closely by the Ford Transit Custom, with 13.5 per cent.

The only other significant player is the Chinese LDV G10+, with 11.2 per cent.

Transit Custom is not to be confused with Transit (no Custom) which applies to a range of larger vans.

Sitting on an all-new platform, the latest version of Ford’s mid-sized van arrived here in the first half of 2024.

While it was awarded International Van of the Year, it remains one of the more expensive options in a highly competitive section of the market where operators are keen to cut costs to a minimum.

To put this in perspective, HiAce prices start from $48,886, Staria from $46,740 and the Chinese G10+ from a low $37,358. Transit is priced from $55,990.

Due later this year, the new VW Transporter will be a rejigged Transit Custom, in the same way that Amarok is a rebadged Ford Ranger.

A plug-in hybrid will swell the ranks of Transit Custom towards the middle of the year.

Styling

Transit Custom is one of the more stylish vans available, particularly the Sport model with its stripes and alloy wheels.

Prices start from $56,590 plus on-road costs for the short wheelbase, front-wheel drive Trend 320S.

Our test vehicle, the 320L long wheelbase version, is priced from $57,590, or $64,214 driveaway by the time you put it on the road. It has seating for three with cloth-trimmed front seats, a separate, manual-adjust driver seat and two-seater pew for passengers, together with driver armrest, fold down tray table, barn-style rear doors and kerb-side slide entry.

The two outer seats are heated, the middle seat folds down to reveal a tray table for paperwork, and the passenger seat hides under seat storage. The faux leather steering wheel is both height and reach adjustable.

Standard kit includes push-button start, single-zone climate air, auto lights and wipers, auto high beam, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, plus front and rear parking sensors.

Transit Custom is covered by a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, with 12 months roadside assistance.

Service intervals are 12 months/30,000km.

Infotainment

Infotainment consists of a 13.0-inch touchscreen with Ford’s Sync4 operating system, with voice-activated controls and an embedded modem compatible with FordPass.

Other features include FM and DAB+ digital radio, Bluetooth with audio streaming, built-in satellite navigation (12 month subscription to Connected Navigation Services), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus four-speaker audio.

There’s also wireless phone charging, USB-A and USB-C ports plus a 12 volt outlet in the front.

Safety

Transit Custom is by far and away the safest van available to buy today.

Not only was it awarded five stars from ANCAP, but recorded an overall score of 96 per cent.

It performed exceptionally well across all scenarios, solidifying it as one of the safest options in its segment.

Six airbags are standard along with a rear view camera with a 180 degree split view

and Pre-Collision Assist with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB).

There’s also Intersection Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring System with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Lane Keeping Aid with Lane Departure Warning. Add to this Roll over Mitigation,ReverseBrakeAssist,ExitWarning and Hill Launch Assist.

Emergency Call Assist will trigger your mobile to dial 000 in the event of an accident. Note, however, there is no provision for a children’s car seat.

Engines/transmissions

Power comes from a 2.0-litre, four cylinder turbo-diesel engine that produces 125kW of power and 390Nm of torque between 1750 and 2500 revs.

Drive is to the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission with a steering column-mounted gear selector. You don’t see many of them these days.

Driving

Ford engineers have worked hard to improve useability of this new generation Transit Custom.

The floor has been lowered to improve ease of loading and unloading, and the overall height has been reduced to under two metres to help access height-restricted areas such as multi-storey car parks, garages, and underground loading bays.

A new access step makes climbing into the load compartment easier and a rear camera with180-degreewideviewingcapabilityassists rear visibility.

At 5450mm in length, the long wheelbase version is 40cm longer than its sibling, with a 40mm longer wheelbase, and stands 1980mm high.

It has a 12.1 metre turning circle.

A full width metal bulkhead is fitted, separating the cabin and cargo area, with a window and load-through hatch.

Our test vehicle was fitted with a moulded vinyl cargo floor liner, with eight tie-down pointsandLEDlighting,butlackedanywallor roof panels to protect the bodywork.

The load area is 1425mm high and 3002mm long, extending to 3450mm with the load-throughhatch,with1392mmbetweenthe wheel arches.

Maximum load capacity is 6.8 cubic metres and it has a 2500kg tow capacity.

Unless you make use of the tie downs anything placed in the back is going to slide around and could possibly be damaged if you are forced to make an emergency stop. A combined alarm and immobiliser are fitted.

There’s auto stop-start and four drive modes from which to choose: Normal, Eco, Slippery, Tow/Haul.

With a 70-litre tank, fuel consumption is a claimed 8.0L/100km. It also has a 20-litre AdBlue reservoir that helps clean exhaust emissions and that needs to be topped up occasionally.

There’s disc brakes front and back, independent rear suspension and an electric parking brake.

Trend rolls on 16-inch steel wheels with 215/65 rubber and plastic wheel covers finished in ‘Sparkle’ silver.

A full size steel spare is provided which is located under the rear.

Now I used to work as a courier with Australia Post and the fleet consisted mainly of rear-drive LDV G10s, rear-drive Hyundai iLoads and front-drive VW Transporters.

Some people might think rear wheel drive is an advantage, but without anything in the back, which occurs as the day wears on — traction or lack of it can be a problem.

Ioncehadtobepulledoffagrassnaturestrip because the rear wheels simply could not find traction on the slick grass.

Front-drive vehicles with the weight of the engineoverthewheelsdon’thavethisproblem. I kid you not.

The entry model comes with a single, kerb-side sliding door and barn-style rear doors.

A second slider and/or a lift-style tailgate are optional, but must be specified at the time of order.

Most of the vans we drove were kitted out in this way and the liftgate was great in the rain because it provided some shelter.

Getting into the van for the first time, I was disappointed to find a grab handle is not provided. It should be standard.

The driver seat has eight-way manual adjustment including lumbar and the steering wheel is tilt and reach adjustable.

But the seating feels short and minimalist, and a long way from what we’d describe as comfortable. Check out the seat in the G10+.

Double-decker exterior mirrors are fitted, with a wide angle section at the bottom, a

RATINGS Looks: 7/10 Performance: 7/10 Safety: 8/10 Thirst: 7.5/10 Practicality: 7.5/10

Comfort: 6/10

Tech: 7/10

Value: 6/10

Overall: 7/10

driver’s footrest is provided and the floor covering is rubber.

The driver faces a 12.0-inch display which incorporates a 7.0-inch digital colour instrument cluster that is configurable.

Astartbuttonislocatednearthetoplefthand corner of the display from where it is a step up to the infotainment unit rather than flowing seamlessly from one to the other. Shrug. Alas, there are no physical controls for the climate system which is controlled from the touchscreen.

Like most diesel vans it gets along fairly briskly. You change gears manually with the shifter, but who’s going to bother?

The steering and brakes are excellent, while handling one way or the other is not really a consideration.

What’s not so good is the adaptive cruise/ autonomous braking system. Travelling through one of Sydney’s many underground tunnels generated numerous false alarms. It saw the speed drop from a nominated 90km/h to 60 or 70km/h for no discernible reason, unless perhaps it was picking up the exit limits. With daylight dead ahead, it false-alarmed again as we exited the tunnel, this time dropping to a low as 37km/h, much to the consternation of those around us.

What the hell?

The system also seems to have a problem reading electronic speed signs. All in all, it needs some work and in this context, it is difficult to understand how the judges missed this one?

Intermsoffuelconsumption,weweregetting a long-term fuel average of 7.8L/100km after 2124km, a little better than the manufacturer’s claim.

Summing up

Ford Transit Custom is as safe as it gets for this type of vehicle, with a near perfect score of 96 per cent in crash tests.

But, and it’s a big BUT, bosses generally put price before the safety of their employees, although they would never admit to it – and this is Ford’s Achilles heel.

It’s just too damned expensive compared with its competitors, all of which are several thousand dollars cheaper and as such much more boss friendly.

Given the choice we would, however, spend the extra $1000 for the long wheel base version as tested – you’d be silly not to.

Transit Custom is by far and away the safest van available to buy today. (Supplied)

Last week it was the rain and this week it was the heat that greeted players as they took to the greens, pitches and diamonds. While some games were called off due to the heat, many others went ahead. Star Weekly photographer Ljubica Vrankovic captured some of the action.

Weekend heat causes havoc

Sunshine Eagles’ Scott Maore. 460954_14

Sydenham Hillside’s Jack Harding. 460944_01

Taylors Lakes’ Chalitha Chamoda. 460947_01

Westmeadows’ Donovan Pell. 460944_04

Westmeadows’ Stephen Mihelakos-james. 460944_03

North Western Titans’ Blair Murphy. 460940_26

North Western Titans’ Nyssa Boath. 460940_03

Sunshine Eagles’ Jaimie Young. 460954_03

Sunshine Eagles’ Josh Byrne. 460954_01

Sunshine Eagles’ Susan Thomas. 460940_01

Taylors Lakes’ Nilan Fernando. 460947_09

Titans through to finale with dominant display

North Western Titans were firing on all cylinders as they locked in a grand final spot in the Baseball Victoria summer league women’s regional west competition.

The Titans set the tone early in their semi finalatMacPhersonParkagainsttheSunshine Eagles on Saturday and didn’t let up.

It was a dominant display with the Titans winning, 18-4.

Titans’ Danny Haymes said it was a really pleasing performance.

“It was a very good win and I think they were pretty pumped,” he said. “I think the best two teams in the competition are in the grand final.

“It’s going to be an interesting week and any team can win.”

Haymes said the focus heading into the semi final was to get off to a good start and put the pressure back on the Eagles.

Belinda Murphy. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 460940_20

They did exactly that and led 5-1 after the first innings.

“They played well for the whole two hours,” he said. “We got off to a great start and that was going to be the key for the whole day.

“We got on top early and then put the

pressure on them. We scored five runs in the first innings and then seven in the second innings.

“We played really well.”

The Titans scored one run in the third innings before finishing it off with five runs in the fourth innings.

Haymes said Debbie Said was the standout in the win.

“She batted really well and scored as well,” he said. “I think she hit a triple, a double and a single.

“It’s one of the better games I’ve seen from her in a while.”

Haymes said he was also really pleased with the performance of some of the junior girls.

The Titans will be going for their second premiership.

The women’s side won the division 3 west premiership in 2021-22 in their fourth season

Adepu rises to challenge

By Peter Howe

At just 14, this month’s Don Deeble nominee, Smrithi Adepu, is already a force to be reckoned with in the badminton world.

Last year alone, she became the Australian under-15 champion as she claimed gold in singles and mixed doubles, earned the Australian national under-17 silver medal in singles, and secured the prestigious Victorian Open women’s singles title.

Adepu’s journey in badminton began at seven when she was encouraged by her father Preyatham to pick up a racquet. What started as a casual activity soon blossomed into that deep passion.

“It challenges and pushes me every time I step onto the court,” she said. “I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

“I was drawn to badminton because it’s fast-paced with lots of long and exciting rallies. Although it’s not one of the typical sports you think of, it really challenges you in every way possible.”

Adepu didn’t see results right away. Her passion and determination drove her to push herself harder, training five days a week, with her coach Krishna Neelam.

“My dad didn’t think I’d last doing this for more than a month or two. But 12 months later, I was thriving,” she recalls.

Not getting the results she was after, Adepu questioned whether she truly wanted to continue in 2019.

She soon won her first title, the under-11 state championship at the Western Suburbs Badminton Association. The trophy was big and her name was written on it. It reignited her passion.

Covid stopped many people’s dreams, but it only drove Adepu to push harder.

She turned the downtime into an opportunity to improve.

After online school each day, Adepu and her dad would do workouts or skills training, using a makeshift net to refine her technique and on weekends they would run.

By mid-2021, she began doing physical sessionsinthemorningsandintheafternoons and continued her training with new coach Nelson Oon on video call.

Whencompetitionsresumedin2022,Adepu returned with even more drive.

At her first interstate tournament, she won the City of Adelaide Open where she won the A-grade women’s singles.

She also claimed gold as part of the Victorian team at the under-15 nationals team championships and earned two bronze medals at the under-15 individual national championships.

In addition, Adepu also secured gold in singles and silver in doubles at the under-13 national championships.

Her weekly training regimen consists of four mornings a week on the Maribyrnong Sports

Academy courts. On top of that, she dedicates six hours to strength and conditioning in the college gym, trains three nights on weekdays and attends a state training session every alternate week.

To assist with this training load, MSA has helped with her approach to games and has provided plenty of support.

“My training adjusts, especially towards the end of the week if I have a tournament,” she said. “Sunday is my main rest day, which I use to recover and catch up on schoolwork and family time.”

Her training group is mainly older boys, which pushes her speed and endurance although it has her challenges.

Shedescribesthatsomeofhermainstrengths are her strong mindset while playing, and the ability to stay quick and consistent to endure long rallies and games.

So committed to her sport, Adepu spent nearly three months from November through January training in Thailand. She competed in a Junior International tournament at the under-19levelandremainedtheretotrainwith some of the best junior players in girls’ singles.

of having a women’s side.

The Titans will face Alfredton in the grand final,afterAlfredtonbeatGeelongintheother semi final, 19-9.

The two teams last played each other in the final round, with Alfredton winning that match 18-3.

Haymes said they don’t take much out of that match.

“Both sides knew where it was going to finish and weren’t worried about the score,” he said. “The girls had switched off.

“Between us this season they’ve won two games, we’ve won one and there’s been a draw andbeentightforthemajorityofthosegames.

“Whoever is at their best on Saturday will win.”

The grand final will be played at Melbourne Ballpark on Saturday at 9am.

Tara Murray

Sports shorts

Bowls

Bacchus Marsh’s Bowls Victoria weekend pennant, division 2, section 1 semi final has been postponed. Bacchus Marsh was set to face Werribee for a spot in the grand final on Saturday, but the match was postponed due to the region being under a total fire ban. It was then set to be played on Sunday but was again postponed due to a fire ban. The semi final will now be played this Saturday, with the winner into the grand final and the loser to face Keilor in the preliminary final.

GDCA Harkness enters the Gisborne and District Cricket Association Jensen Shield finals on the back of a loss to Lancefield. Already locked into finishing third, Harkness took on ladder leaders Lancefield on Saturday. The Tigers made 8-199 from their overs with Rubal Singh and Harry Sandhu taking two wickets each. Harkness finished 9-167 in reply. Harkness will face Riddell in the first week of finals with a grand final spot on the line.

GDCA

“The heat was tough,” she said. “The Asian players train full-time, and their precision, skill, and attacking strength are on another level, and seeing them train puts a lot of things into perspective and motivates me to keep pushing harder to keep up with them.”

So, what does the future hold for Adepu?

She is already part of the Badminton Australia pathways squad, the Junior Falcons, and is focused on making the senior squad and competing in the Oceania Championships.

“My ultimate goal is to become a professional badminton player, represent Australia internationally and at the Olympics, prove myself on the World Stage and become one of the top players in the world.”

The Don Deeble Sports Star Award is sponsored by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club, Strathmore Community Bank, the Deer Park Club, Ascot Vale Sports and Trophies and The Star Weekly Newspapers.

To nominate a monthly winner or attend a dinner, contact swrsportsclub@gmail.com

Diggers Rest Bulla and Eynesbury both have the runs on the board in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association Johnstone Shield. The Burras are on the road against Wallan and were bowled out for 241. Rhys Berry top scored with 56. Meanwhile, Eynesbury made 9-181 against Aintree. Shaun Collins and Brandon Shearson scored 34 apiece for the Eagles, while Aintree shared the wickets around with three players taking two each.

Destanee Aiava (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)

Burnside Springs United bats fire ahead of finals

Burnside Springs United finally got the batting performance it had been after in the Victorian TurfCricketAssociationRussellPollockShield.

While Burnside had already secured a finals spot heading into the last couple of rounds, its batting had not been where they wanted it.

But that changed on Saturday, much to the delight of coach Cass Elorza.

“Itwasafantasticwaytoendtheyear[regular season],” he said. “We have been one of the best bowling and fielding teams, but we haven’t got the job done with the bat.

“We’ll now have a week off and then into finals.”

Elorza said on their ground they had defendedmultiplescoresunder100thisseason, so Saturday’s run chase against Moonee Ponds was always going to be a challenge.

Moonee Ponds had made 9-196 on day one of the match, leaving Burnside needing nearly 200 for victory. Burnside managed to get there with ease, finishing 5-199 with nearly 15 overs remaining to get the runs.

Elorza said the most pleasing thing was the way that they went about it.

“Thatisagoodscoreonourground,”hesaid.

“It’s massive and it’s slow.

“The batsmen had the opportunity to step up and they did that. It’s been a focus since Christmas.

“We haven’t had a decent score on the board, so it was good to do what we did.”

IsiraSilvatopscoredwith57whileMathieson King and Shohan Rangika both made solid contributions.

Burnside has a bye in the final round of the season. It currently sits in fourth spot and could go as high as third, depending on results.

Elorza said the competition has been so close that they could face any of the top three in the first week of finals.

He said it was a relief that they had already secured their finals spot and didn’t have to rely on results.

Darley still in contention

By Tara Murray

Darley against Bacchus Marsh on any sporting field is a big occasion, let alone when the two sides are fighting for a finals spot in the Ballarat Cricket Association.

Entering the final round of the season, Bacchus Marsh sits in fourth spot with Darley sitting two points behind.

As luck would have it, the two local rivals face off against each other in the final round in a two-dayer.

While East Ballarat and Golden Point remain alive in the hunt for finals, they would need outright wins and other results to go their way.

It means a virtual elimination final between Darley and Bacchus Marsh in the final round.

Lions coach Nathan Yates said while they would rather already have secured their spot in the top four, they were just happy to be in with a shot.

He said if they miss out on finals they only have themselves to blame.

“It is how it has panned out,” he said. “We

were able to get the win [on Saturday] and have a few results go our way.

“We said to the group, keep winning and the results will take care of itself. If we don’t make it, it’s what it will be.

“We dropped some games earlier in the season, including against Bacchus Marsh, which costs us.

“It will add a bit more spice to a normally spicy affair.”

The Lions have been focusing on what they can and on Saturday, they beat Brown Hill.

Day one of the match was washed out, making it a one-dayer on Saturday.

The Lions batted first and made 8-241 from their overs. Sajith Dissanayaka made 90 at the top of the order.

Yates said they felt that score was above bar.

Brown Hill started well with the bat and were 0-70. They quickly lost six wickets, to crumble to 6-87. It never recovered and was bowled out for 145. Dilan Chandima took four wickets for the Lions.

“Hopefully we can go one step further this year and make the grand final.”

While the first XI has its finals spot secure, the second XI will have a nervous wait this Saturday. It sits outside the top four and will need results to go its way in the final round.

Elorza is hoping that a bit of finals success will cap off his time as coach of the club.

The club has been advertising for a new coach, with Elorza confirming it was his decision.

“I’m stepping away,” he said. “It’s nothing to do with the club and hopefully I’ll still have a small role.

“I want to give back to my family. The club knew half way through the year that it was likely my last year.

“I hope when I hand over the reins, I leave it in a better position than when I started.” In other results, Melton Centrals lost to Donnybrook outright.

Having already conceded first innings points on day one, Centrals were bowled out for 173 in their second innings to lost outright.

Tara Murray

Shock loss for the Falcons

Caroline Springs’ run in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association women’s competition came to a shock end in the semi finals.

Goingforathirdstraightpremiership, the Falcons had been flying heading into finals and went through the regular season undefeated.

On Sunday, that meant little as Aberfeldie produced a stunning performance to upset the Falcons.

Aberfeldie won the toss and decided to bat.

It managed to produce 7-89 from their overs with Molly McVeigh top scoring with 24.

Mariam Hussain took 4-15 off her four overs for the Falcons.

Itwasascorethatonpaper,lookedlike one that the Falcons could chase down but there was rain floating around.

Abers got off to a flier with the ball and had the Falcons in trouble at 4-15.

Among those back in the shed was star bat Caitlin Pretty.

The Falcons set about trying to rescue the innings and managed to get to 4-31 to give themselves some slight hope.

The loss of three quick wickets ended that with the Falcons eventually finishing 9-52 of their 20 overs.

Yates said the focus this week was to just continue on the form they had been showing.

“Post-Christmas we have been putting the runs on the board,” he said. “Our batsmen have stood up. Our bowlers have done the job all year.

“We want to continue with that and hopefully put a score on the board and defend it.”

On Saturday, the Bulls had the chance to lock in a top four spot against Buninyong, but fell short.

After day one was washed out, the Bulls made 8-177 from their overs.

Jayden White-Powell top scored with 37 at the top of the order.

At 3-150 the Bunnies were on top before the wickets started to fall.

Buninyong finished 7-178 despite losing four late wickets.

It’s not just the men’s sides that will face each other this weekend, with Bacchus Marsh to host Darley in a Gisborne and District Cricket Association women’s league semi final.

My Yen Au top scored with 26 at the top of the order, but was the only bat to reach double figures.

It’s the first time in five seasons that Caroline Springs will not be in the grand final.

Aberfeldie will face Maribyrnong Park St Marys in the grand final.

The Lions beat Glenroy in the other semi final.

Glenroy made 5-76 from its overs with the Lions finishing 6-77 in 17 overs.

ThegrandfinalwillbeheldonSunday.

Caroline Springs was knocked ou. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 457633_12

Shohan Rangika. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 454171_14

Bradley Barnes. (Jacob Pattison) 374059_08

Chucky sizzles in Trotting Championship romp

Keayang Chucky continued his stellar early-season form when he outclassed rivals in the Group 3 Australasian Trotting Championship at Melton on Saturday night.

Aided by the scratching of Arcee Phoenix, Keayang Chucky was enlisted as the short-priced popular elect and duly won as a $1.35 favourite should.

Keayang Chucky stepped safely from the tapes and Jason Lee gave the star six-year-old time to balance up before wrestling the lead off Lovemeto with two laps to travel.

The Yabby Dam Farms-bred son of Love You reeled off consecutive sectionals of 27.5 and 27.8 before cruising to victory with plenty in reserve from Harry Stamper and Lovemeto.

Keayang Chucky had already racked up wins in the Hamilton, Terang and V L Dullard cups, along with a placing in the Great Southern Star Final through the first couple of months of the season. Lee agreed the winner could have run

faster if he had been asked.

“He had a bit left, I didn’t pull the plugs or turn the whip around and if I had of asked

him, he probably could have broken 27 for his last 400,” Lee said.

“Jackie (Barker) was wanting to get up on Plymouth Chubb and have a bit of a look and was whistling her horse up and my bloke was wanting to get on with it for the last 1000 metres, hence why we went pretty quick off the back.”

Lee said Keayang Chucky is likely to head north this week to contest the Tough Monarch Free For All at Menangle before the Group 1 Hammerhead Mile on Miracle Mile night, where he will clash with Kiwi star

Oscar Bonavena and Inter Dominion winner

The Locomotive.

Outstanding mare Queen Elida is approaching $1m in prizemoney after she took out the Group 3 Lyn McPherson Memorial Breed For Speed Gold Trot.

Sent out a $1.55 favourite, Queen Elida sat parked outside Aldebaran Vera before surging to the lead half-way down the home straight to score by three metres from

Warriors looking to grow

By Tara Murray

Itwillbeanew-lookingWesternWarriorsoutfit in the Victorian Netball League championship this season.

The Warriors had a solid first season in the competition, but are keen to go further this season.

Coach Kim Bailey said they were really happy with where things were at.

“We have a lot of new combinations so it’s been about getting everyone familiar with each other,” she said.

“It’s been really great and there’s been some different combinations. The midcourt is really strong and we can run different combinations.”

The Warriors made a couple of big moves early on, signing Tayla Honey and Poppy Douglass from the Casey Demons.

Shannon Freeman has also come across. Bailey said they were excited to see Freeman in the coming weeks at training.

Honey will play a big role in the midcourt alongside Australian under-21 player and Melbourne Vixens training partner Ruby Shannon.

“We can run Ruby at wing attack and Tayla in the centre next to Poppy,” Bailey said.

“We’ve got Sarah Croft, who can play all three positions, and Simona into wing attack as well.

“Tayla can play in wing defence. There’s lots of different combinations and we’re trying them out.”

In goals, Kim Borger is back and will play a big role again.

Douglass will play as a goaler having switched between goals and midcourt at the Demons, while Rebecca Hicks and Abbey Ellis round out the goalers.

Hicks has been a dominant shooter in the Ballarat Netball League, and brings something different.

“Acoupleoftimeswe’verunthecombination ofKimatgoalattackandBecinshooter,”Bailey said.

“It’s really exciting and it gives us something different we didn’t have last season. We have a lot more variety than last year.”

The fourth goaler is Abbey Ellis, who Bailey said was a bit of an x-factor.

Ellis is currently playing with the Townsville Fire in the WNBL. Last week she was named the league’s Betty Watson breakout player of the year.

In defence, Eliza Gollant has stepped up from under-23s joining Elly Randall, Jasmine Fraser and Freeman in defence.

Jasmine Fraser. (Netball Victoria/Grant Treeby)

One thing that Bailey is hoping will make things easier is the connection that many of the group already have.

Bailey coaches seven of the squad in the Sunbury Lions in the Ballarat league.

In the under-23 side, the Warriors have had some turnover but have retained key players Ella Closter, Shaid Sasalu, Leona Hristovska and Brydi Hutchinson.

Bailey said they were excited to see what Grace Hay can do, while Eva Ryan was another

Aldebaran Acrux in a mile rate of 1:54.9 for the 1720-metre sprint trip.

Queen Elida now boasts an imposing career record of 37 wins and 31 placings for more than $982,000 in stake earnings.

Yabby Dam Farms principal Pat Driscoll is having a rethink about the racing future of his American-bred mare Nabrina after she scored an impressive win in the Lyn McPherson Memorial Breed For Speed Bronze Series Final.

Nabrina was caught wide early before working around to sit outside the leader Christmas Babe over the 1720-metre journey.

Despite the arduous passage, Nabrina bounded clear around the home turn when given more rein by Kerryn Manning and the daughter of Father Patrick was untroubled to score by eight metres from Lady In The Sky and Frosty Girl.

After the race Driscoll conceded he was surprised by the mare’s performance.

John Dunne

Melton Lions in the game

Melton will be hoping for a few early wickets on day two of its match with Yarravilletoputthepressurebackonthe opposition in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west.

After falling just short of their second win of the season the previous round, the Lions were on the road against Yarraville in the penultimate round.

Melton won the toss and not surprisingly decided to bat in hot conditions.

The Lions got off to a strong start before the wickets started to fall.

The lower order struggled as they were bowled out for 172 in the 65th over.

Ben MacRae top scored with 63 at the top of the order.

It meant the Eagles had to face 12 overs at the end of day one.

After a solid start, Brad Jones took three quick wickets to have the Eagles at 3-47 at stumps.

One of the highlights of the day for the Lions was Jhett Ramsey making his first XI debut.

He is another one of the youngsters who have come through the club’s ranks.

Meanwhile in the Cricket Victoria Women’s Community Cricket Competition shield 2 competition, the Lions fell short against Melbourne University (2).

exciting prospect.

Shesaidtheywereexcitedforwhatbothsides could do this season.

“We were really competitive in champ last year but we would fall away for the last few minutes,” she said.

‘We’ve worked on making sure under fatigue that we keep going. There were good signs at the end of last season.

“We’ll see what we can do in the under-23s as well.”

MelbourneUniversitymade6-210from its overs with Kareena Jacobsen-Logan taking two wickets for the Lions.

The Lions were in trouble early in the run chase at 2-6. While they were able to steady, they weren’t able to get the runs, finishing 3-181.

Candace Hulett made 68 not out and Jacobsen-Logan made 54.

The seventh-placed Lions finish their season on Sunday against Werribee.

Brad Jones. (Ljubica Vrankovic)

Keayang Chucky. (Stuart McCormick)