Star Weekly - Sunbury Macedon Ranges - 25th February 2025

Toy library volunteer call

The Sunbury Toy Library is calling for more volunteers across a range of roles, offering a chance for community connection in a role that supports local children.

Founded in 1990 and open on Thursdays and Sunday mornings, the library aims to provide low-cost toys, games, and puzzles for children up to seven years old.

Library president Julie Smart said volunteering with the organisation has connected her with “lots of like-minded local families” and given her the opportunity to make new friends.

“It’s helped me learn new skills, and that’s through our other volunteers as well. We’ve had a few volunteers who have used their volunteer experience at Sunbury Toy Library to step into new roles working with children,” Ms Smart said. “It’s a really nice sort of social gathering, coming in and having a sense of purpose … [it’s] rewarding work.“ Ms Smart said there are volunteering roles to suit a range of skillsets and availability, including assisting with one of the hour-long borrowing sessions on Thursday or Sunday mornings, cataloguing or performing behind the scenes administration duties, or roles within the committee.

Budget cash wish lists

By Oscar Parry

AnelectriccarchargeratRiddellsCreek,tennis court upgrades and increased security for the storage of sporting equipment were among the budget wishes put to Macedon Ranges councillors last week.

Sports club and community group venue upgrades were just some of the requests made at a Macedon Ranges draft budget committee meeting held on February 19.

The meeting gave representatives from local organisations the opportunity to verbally present their budget wish lists.

Lancefield Park Football Netball Club vice president Chris Dynon requested funding for upgrades to the club’s football oval, fences, and

coach’s box – with a recent ground hardness test to the oval revealing that it is excessively hard, posing a safety risk to players.

“A reading between 80 and 120 is considered within the acceptable range for competition, although a reading of 120 is approaching the threshold for safe play. The reading for Lancefield Park was 152 indicating the surface is excessively hard and poses a significant risk of injury,” he said.

“Ifacouncil-managedovalreturnedasimilar reading,structuredsportingfixtureswouldnot be permitted to proceed on the surface until appropriate remediation had taken place.”

Lancefield Park Recreation Reserve committee of management member Judy Stammers requested funding for a storage

extension at the facility – pointing out that storage containers at the reserve that had been the target of thefts in the past six months.

Gisborne Tennis Club secretary Shaun Rafferty asked councillors for funds to resurface tennis courts, with four determined by Tennis Victoria to be in poor condition.

It was the second year in a row that the club had asked for money to resurface courts.

In this year’s submission, Mr Rafferty asked for support for resurfacing two of the courts instead of four as requested last year.

“Particularly in inclement weather, we have difficulty or we cannot use the courts,” Mr Rafferty said.

“The main impact … being felt with these courts is mostly for junior players, girls and

boys … we’re having to book courts at other venues in order to play their competitions,” he said.

Otherbudgetsubmissionsincludedarequest that the council prioritises upgrades to a pedestrian, cycling and horse bridge north of the Carre-Riddell Road bridge, shared paths and an electric car charging station in Riddells Creek, and a request to exempt non-profit and voluntary community projects, such as the annual Darraweit Guim town Christmas tree decorations, from local laws permit costs.

The council received 58 submissions to its draft budget. The submissions will be considered as part of the council’s 2025–26 budget at a council meeting in the next few months.

Sunbury Toy Library president and social media manager Julie Smart and treasurer and grants officer Georgie Prewer with Theodora, two months old, and Jeremiah,3), at the toy library. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 459162_01

Paedophile’s death a ‘big relief’

The death of notorious paedophile Gerald Ridsdale last Tuesday was a “big relief” for Sunbury resident Paul Levey, who hopes to see more men’s counselling services available in Sunbury and beyond.

Ridsdale died in jail at age 90 on Tuesday, February 18, having abused more than 70 children during his time as a Catholic priest.

A survivor of child sexual abuse committed by the former priest, Mr Levey said he was expecting Ridsdale’s death from Monday.

“I heard the day before that his death was imminent and that sort of brought on a bit of anxiety … waiting to hear the next lot of news, but[we’d]heardthathe[had]beeninpalliative

care for quite a while,” Mr Levey said.

“I and others were hoping that it wasn’t going to be another … long drawn out wait, so it was under 24 hours that we found out that he’d passed away.

“It’s a mixed bag of emotions for some people. ‘It’s finally over,’ you know? ‘Good riddance’.”

As reported by Star Weekly, Mr Levey has advocatedonbehalfofotherchildsexualabuse survivors, including visiting Rome for George Pell’s Royal Commission appearance and advocating locally on behalf of survivors of historic abuse – including at Salesian College.

Mr Levey said in Sunbury and “across the

board,“ there is still a need for more men’s counselling services.

“I’m glad to see the end of Ridsdale [in] the media … all of that sort of stuff blows up in your face whenever he gets charged or he ends up in court, he’s on the TV, but it’s a little bit of a double-edged sword,” Mr Levey said.

“IfindthebiggestreasonIspeaktothemedia about it is after something like this, we … have two or three, if not more, come forward … I think that’s where that double-edged sword comes in.”

“[For] some people it [can] be traumatic, triggering, and yet other people look at it and go ‘well, if they can do it, I can do it.’”

Walk along Sunbury’s garden trail

Sunbury Neighbourhood House announced a one-day event focussed on growing edible gardens in Sunbury, where a selection of local residents will welcome visitors as they talk about and showcase their gardens.

Announced at the Hume Community Grants celebration on Wednesday, February 12, the Edible Garden Trail will be hosted in Autumn 2026, where a series of vegetable gardens grown by Sunbury residents in front yards,backyards,balconies,andvergeswillbe showcased.

Each gardener will talk about their garden, sharing growing tips and knowledge.

Neighbourhood house program co-ordinator Christie Mcintosh said that the

event could be a good introduction for those curious about producing vegetables at home.

“I believe a lot of people want to take back some … control over their food and are curious about growing food but don’t really know where to start,” Ms Mcintosh said.

“It’s time to get back to reality, and what better way to do that than check out what’s growing in your own neighbourhood?”

Ms Mcintosh said that many Sunbury gardeners keep chickens and bees in their properties and maintain composting, irrigation systems, and espaliered fruit trees – much of which will be on show during the event.

“I hope that seeing what’s happening in

local backyards will uncomplicate things for budding new gardeners. Even seasoned gardeners still have plenty to learn - especially as our climate evolves,” she said.

“We are keen to demonstrate that you don’t need a lot of money or an elaborate set-up to start growing food, which I think surprises a lot of people.”

Beyond building gardening confidence and knowledge, Ms Mcintosh said that getting to know local gardeners can mean the sharing of plants, seeds, and cuttings – all which can help you start your own edible garden.

Details: sunburyhouse.com.au/ediblegarden-trail/

Oscar Parry

VEC ask to

please explain

Closeto530,000Victorianswhoappear to have failed to vote in the October 2024 local council elections will have an opportunity to explain why when they receive an ‘Apparent failure to vote notice’ in the coming days.

Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel says the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) is urging people who receive a notice to respond with a detailed explanation, as the VEC is required to issue a fine of $99 if a person fails to respond in writing within 28 days.

‘An ‘Apparent failure to vote notice’ is not a fine – it’s a chance to explain why you appear not to have voted,’ Mr Bluemmel said.

‘If you respond to the notice in writing with a valid reason and evidence, you are much more likely to be excused.

‘Completing and sending the notice back to us within the 28-day timeframe gives us a chance to consider your explanation and whether you can be excused.’

Voting in local council elections is compulsory in Victoria if you were enrolled to vote.

Voters are encouraged to sign up to receive VEC VoterAlert updates to receive reminders about future state and local council elections at: vec.vic. gov.au/VoterAlert

Summer irrigation struggles for Macedon Ranges farmers

MacedonRangesfarmershavebeenchallenged by low water levels in private dams and creeks, following a winter of reduced soil moisture.

Wildwood Farm owner Benjamin Dunn said as the property does not have access to municipal water mains, the irrigation for his farm is sourced from the Bolinda Creek, dam water, surface water and bore water. He said his dams have dried and the Bolinda Creek level is low, leading to various growing challenges this summer.

“Thecreek’snotflowing,sothealgaetendsto bloom – and that blocks our filters,” Mr Dunn said.

“It becomes a daily management practice, and sort of takes you away from the actual growing of vegetables … because your whole day is taken up with water management,” he said.

Mr Dunn said he has had to ration water, meaning that some of his crops have gone without water or had reduced water input, and those crops have not produced as well.

This was especially an issue during the weekend of hot weather from February 1–2.

“Lettuce is the main one … because in this hot weather, if you’re not watering lettuce two times a day it will get stressed out really easily,

and once it does that it tends to bolt or go to seed and you can lose hundreds or thousands of heads of lettuce in a day,” he said.

While there are still storms in summer, Mr Dunn said not many have passed over his farm, and that due to the irregular nature of these storms, the rainfall in winter and spring is critical for summer growing.

A Department of Agriculture spokesperson said across the state, most pasture sites are currently less than 25 per cent which is typical for this time of year, but the spring depletion of moisture started earlier.

“Last year, there was reduced time during

winter … when soil moisture was [less than 75 per cent], which is traditionally the conditions that enable runoff into catchment dams, which explainswhydamsinsomeareasaredrierthan normal,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said monitoring deep stored social moisture is a valuable dry season tool to make informed decisions regarding climate change and season variability, which can be performed with moisture probes. They said that the SoilWater app and the Bureau of Meteorology are also useful resources for soil moisture monitoring.

Sunbury Neighbourhood House members Pat Dunn, Christie McIntosh, and Yvonne Ching at the Sunbury Neighbourhood Garden. (Ljubica Vrankovic)

456339_10

Clergy abuse survivors Gordon Hill and Paul Levey hug each other in Rome after George Pell’s Royal Commission appearance.

(AAP Image/Lloyd Jones)

Rate cut, confidence increased

By Gladys Barreta and Oscar Parry

An increase in buyer confidence is anticipated following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s recent interest rate cut.

The RBA announced a rate cut on Tuesday, February 18, reducing the official cash rate rate by 0.2 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 hope for local businesses regarding an increase

in consumer confidence.

Sunbury and Gisborne IGA operations manager Jay Morgan welcomed the news but said more needs to be done before people can truly enjoy shopping.

“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 said the high interest rates in the past 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,” he said.

Sunbury home and business owner Adhishwar Ghose said the rate cut will help

Autumn flower show set to bloom

More than a century of horticultural history returns to Mount Macedon in March with the annual Autumn Flower and Produce Show. The show is open to all residents in the Macedon Ranges, with no charge to submit exhibits. Entries from children are especially welcome, with separate categories available for different age groups.

This year the Autumn Flower and Produce ShowwillbeheldintheMtMacedon&District Horticultural Society hall at 583 Mt Macedon Road, Mt Macedon, where it co-locates with

the Mt Macedon Golf Club.

The show will be held over the weekend of Saturday15andSunday16March,withvisitors welcome on Saturday afternoon from 3pm and on Sunday from 10am when Devonshire teas will be available.

The Mt Macedon & District Horticultural Society was formed in 1922 and has held autumn shows almost every year since. However, president Stephen Ryan says the spirit of the show dates back even earlier with a competitive show held to show off flowers

and produce from many grand gardens in the area, several of which had teams of gardeners employed on a full-time basis.

Whilethosetimeshavegone,therearemany large and small gardens in Mt Macedon and surrounding towns where the owners continue thetraditionofgrowingawiderangeofflowers, plants and produce.

The full list of categories, together details for entering, can be found at mountmacedonhorticulture.org.au or on the Society’s Facebook page.

him more so as a mortgager.

“In terms of the mortgage … it would probablybemoreof[a]help–itwoulddefinitely leave more money in the bank account at the end of the month,” Mr Ghose said.

He said he has needed to moderate spending in the past two or three years due to cost of livingpressures,withtheratecutareliefinthis regard.

“Nowthatthere’slessofamortgagepayment we’ve just got more money to spend on other things,” he said.

Be aware of rental scams

The Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) is warning people to be on the lookout as a fake rental scam has resurfaced with prospective renters targeted through fraudulently modified rental listings on social networking sites.

Reports indicate that scammers copy genuine listings and share them with altered rents, tenancy conditions, and contact details to appear legitimate.

The REIV is urging renters seeking properties on social networking sites to check before they engage.

Before transferring any money for the bond, first month’s rent, or any personal or sensitive information, renters are urged to verify the agent’s website, office location, and contact details.

They can do so by referring to established sources such as the REIV – Find & Choose a Member, the Business Licensing Authority, or Consumer Affairs Victoria.

“Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and it is important that we all take the necessary precautions before we engage,” REIV chief executive Kelly Ryan said.

“One of the ways to verify a legitimate listing is to look for an agency-specific internet domain, as scammers tend to use personal emails.

“It is good practice to seek out the agent’s contact details directly from their website or by calling the registered office. If in doubt, REIV members and their contact details are listed on reiv.com.au.”

New Lancefield Children’s Centre a boost for families

The Lancefield Children’s Centre was officially opened this month, providing new kinder places and an additional maternal and child health service venue.

Located at 76a High Street in Lancefield and opened on Friday, February 7, the three-room facility has the capacity for 99 children at a time and includes indoor and outdoor spaces, nature play equipment, and shade sails.

Macedon Ranges mayor Dom Bonanno said the new centre is well-equipped and conveniently located next to the Lancefield Primary School – assisting parents who

might have children attending both facilities.

“This new facility ultimately means providing a better learning environment, betterfacilitiesforstafftoutilise,andensures a more convenient option for families with children at the important early years of life,”

Cr Bonanno said.

“We thank all involved – particularly the Victorian Government – in supporting this priority project for council, enabling us to expand on vital education and health services for the community.“

In a Facebook post announcing the completion of the centre, Macedon MP

Mary-Anne Thomas said that the capacity for 99 children and the maternal and child health room is “great news for families in this growing community.”

“I know everyone is going [to] love playing and learning in the fantastic outdoor spaces too – thank you to everyone involved in the build,” Ms Thomas said.

“And a big thanks to the wonderful staff, Macedon Ranges Shire Council, Lancefield Primary, Lancefield Playgroup, Lancefield Recreation Reserve Committee, and the Lancefield Men’s Shed.”

According to Macedon Ranges council, the

naming of the centre involved consultation with children who attended Lancefield Kindergarten last year, with the children “placing an importance on the title reflecting their home and continuing the legacy of the previous service“.

The building of the new kindergarten was funded and led by the state, supported by a $3 million grant.

Macedon Ranges allocated $16,000 in its 2023-24 budget towards fully furnishing the centre and committed $120,000 towards environmental and sustainable design elements.

Mt Macedon & District Horticultural Society president Stephen Ryan. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 460114_01

Caring for Clarkefield

Clarkefield and District Farm and Landcare group is hosting a community information meeting next month to promote local interest inthegroupanddiscussitsplansandpriorities.

Formed in 2001, the group has completed several land care projects on private and public land in the region, including its major effort in performing weed control and revegetation along Jacksons Creek at Knox Bridge, Riddell Road.

Jacksons Creek EcoNetwork landcare facilitator Ammie Jackson said that current members of the Landcare group have been “been involved for a long time and have achieved a lot over the years.”

“Some of them are getting more elderly and would like to let newer community members know about land care and about opportunities to join the group,” Ms Jackson said.

“They’ve assisted landholders with revegetation,weedcontrol,andputtingthemin

contact with other agencies who have funding opportunities and technical advice,” she said.

“Weeds are one of the major issues that the Landcare group focuses on. In that Clarkefield area, artichoke thistle and serrated tussock would be the main weeds of concern.”

Ms Jackson said that local landholders are concernedaboutthespreadofweeds“especially with more absentee landholders and land use changes in the region in more recent years.”

She said that the benefits of joining a local Landcare group include community connection, receiving the support of a Landcare facilitator, funding opportunities, and receiving advice on how to make their property more sustainable and profitable.

The meeting will be held from 6–8pm on Monday, March, 24 at Clarkefield Recreation Hall. Details: udc.landcare.facilitator@gmail. com or 0436 333 079

Oscar Parry

Briefs

Clean up Hume

The next Hume Clean Days will be held on Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2. On Hume Clean Days, residents can visit Resource Recovery Centres, including in Sunbury, to drop off up to 15 tyres, couches and mattresses free of charge. Residents can also drop off up to four cubic metres of organic garden material such as leaves, grass clippings and pruning waste. E-waste (anything powered by a cord, battery or plug) is free to drop off at the Resource Recovery Centres at any time.

Meet the councillors Macedon Ranges council will be hosting a series of community catch-ups, giving residents the opportunity to meet their ward councillors. Residents can meet West Ward councillors Jennifer Anderson, Kate Kendall, and Janet Pearce from 10.30–11.30am on Friday, February 28 at Social Foundry, 86 Mollison Street, Kyneton. South Ward councillors Dom Bonanno, Alison Joseph, and Christine Walker can be met from 10am–1pm at the Gisborne Village Shopping Centre on Saturday, March 1. East Ward councillors Cassy Borthwick, Andrew Scanlon, and Daniel Young will be available for a chat at the Lancefield Hotel from noon–2pm on Saturday, March 1.

FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT

Web: starweekly.com.au

Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Jacksons Creek EcoNetwork landcare facilitator Ammie Jackson and Clarkefield and District Farm Landcare Group member Julie Macdonald at a mural in Clarkefield. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 460020_07

The wounds of conflict in focus

By Oscar Parry

Planning and preparation for the Mount Macedon Anzac Day dawn service is well underway, with this year’s theme focusing on the tragic costs of war.

Starting at 6am on Friday, April 25, at the Mount Macedon Memorial Cross, the theme for this year’s service will be The Unseen Wounds of Conflict.

Relating to the theme, the stories of local veterans will be shared.

Local high school students will present a

story on behalf of Woodend veteran Francis Donovan,whoservedasamedicinaninfantry unit during the Vietnam war.

Donovan said that they are proud of the theme of this year’s service.

“It’s not something we’ve taken quite so directlythisyear,andIthinkthat’smarvellous,”

Donovan said.

“Why? Because it’s really, really topical. The impact of warfare on those who get sent off to do the fighting and those at home is really quite life-changing for many, many returned veterans,” they said. “Everyone knows about

Not just cards and bingo

Sunbury Seniors is preparing for a “big year” ahead,callingfornewmembersandreminding residents that senior citizen’s clubs have adapted to suit modern interests.

With the new Sunbury Senior Citizens under construction on Oshanassy Street, with an expected completion of October this year, Sunbury Seniors president Louise Zambello said she is excited that it “seems to be all systems go“.

“It’s going to be a big year … we currently have 52 active members, which has been the most members that we’ve had for many, many years,” Ms Zambello said.

She said she feels that senior citizens’ clubs “are often perceived as old-fashioned and unappealing to the modern retiree,” but clubs like Sunbury Seniors offer a range of activities to suit modern and diverse interests.

“As soon as you mention we’re a seniors citizens’ club a lot of people shut down and think we’re a traditional senior citizens club …

they imagine all we do is play bowls and cards and that’s about it,” Ms Zambello said.

“It’s much more than that now.

“Today’s retirees are more likely to seek activities that align with their personal preferences and lifestyles, which may not always be reflected in the offerings of a traditional senior citizens club.“

She said the ages of current members range from 65–95, and the club is looking for new members – especially hoping to attract more interest from senior-aged residents in their 60s and 70s.

Interested senior-aged residents are invited to drop in for a free cup of coffee or tea during the club’s opening hours between 9.30am and 2.30pm on Mondays and Fridays at the clubs temporarylocationoftheSunburyCommunity Centre, 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury.

Details: sunburyseniors.com.au

Oscar Parry

Green bridge construction

A construction site in Diggers Rest has been cutting carbon emissions by using volcanic rock and other materials that use a limited amount of energy.

The Level Crossing Removal Project team has sourced more than 10,000 cubic metres of volcanic rock from a local quarry to use as backfill for the new road bridge over the rail line, permanently separating vehicles and trains and improving safety and easing congestion.

Throughout the morning peak, there are 36 minutes of boom gate down time across rail crossings at Old Calder Highway and Watsons Road interrupting the 8000 cars which cross them.

Transporting the mix of soil and crushed rockfromaquarrylocatedjustsevenkilometres from the site has cut the distance trucks have travelled and saved about 616 tonnes of

the impacts of warfare … not everyone knows about the ongoing costs … we need to know what the downstream costs are in human terms. and why is that topical? Because as we speak, we’ve got at least two major wars … that have our attention.”

Donovan will perform their song Bleed on Down, with lyrics that portray that warfare “bleeds on down through the families of those directly involved,” reflecting the service’s theme.

Donovanisoneofthefoundersofthenational Vietnam Veterans Counselling Service, now

titled Open Arms, and the Western Australia branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia.

They were honoured with an Order of Australia in 2017 for service to Australian veterans.

Those planning to attend the Mount Macedon Anzac Day dawn service are encouraged to book a seat on one of the free bus services operating across Sunbury and Macedon Ranges, with further details to be provided closer to the event.

Details: mtmacedondawnservice.org

carbon emissions

Theprojectteamsaidthevolcanicrocksaved 616 tonnes of carbon emissions, while the glass fibre straps and reinforced polymer bars used require five times less energy to produce than steel alternatives. They are also two times stronger and 75 per cent lighter according to the Level Crossing Authority. These bars are used to support the bridges retaining walls made of 450 concrete panels.

The construction began in August with foundation holes being set 10 metres into the ground.

Crewsarealsoworkingtoremovethenearby level crossing at Watson’s Road, Diggers Rest. Both road bridges at Old Calder Highway and Watsons Road will both open in 2025 as part of a movement to make the Sunbury Line level crossing free.

Kaija Du

Volcanic rock is being used as part of level crossing works. (Supplied)

Sunbury Seniors president Louise Zambello and secretary Frank Zambello at the construction site of the new centre. (Ljubica Vrankovic). 459811_03

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.”

“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 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 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 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 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.

‘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, socancersareshrinking,orevendisappearing, 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’mverygladIdidn’thavetohaveawireput in, that sounds so scary,” she said.

“I am so grateful that Scout was used insteadbecauseitwasareallygoodexperience, 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 greatstepforward.Scouthassimplifiedtheday 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, forcedvomiting,bingeconsumption,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!

Bombers jump on board with EDFL

The Essendon Football Club will further increase its support of the Essendon District Football League.

From this year, the league’’s junior competition will be branded as ‘EDFL Junior Competition presented by Essendon Football Club’, as the Bombers continue to invest in its local community and support grassroots sport in the north-west corridor.

It’s an investment that has borne fruit for the Bombers with two of last year’s exciting draft crop in Isaac Kako (Northern Saints-Pascoe Vale) and Jayden Nguyen (Avondale Heights-Aberfeldie) each hailing from the EDFL as juniors, as well as being participants in Essendon’s Next Generation Academy programs.

The EDFL junior competition has a long and detailed history with the Bombers, highlighted in both elite programs, with Peter Wright and Jayden Laverde (AFL), as well as the trio of Amy Gaylor, Amelia Radford and Maddy Prespakis (AFLW) all having represented the league in their junior careers.

Having established a new framework for the club’s pathway programs and community strategy in recent years, Essendon chief executive Craig Vozzo is excited by the opportunities ahead for both parties as a result of the official sponsorship and working relationship.

“We’re really pleased to be able to announce our partnership with the EDFL junior competition,” Vozzo said.

“The EDFL plays a crucial role in the development of young players within our NGA and broader north-west corridor, and we’ve been the beneficiary of that just this year in our AFL program with Isaac (Kako) andJayden(Nguyen)comingaboardfromour NGA Academy program.

“We have also had many other important

players over the years across our AFL, AFLW, VFL and VFLW squads that have come through the same pathways. We’re committed to playing our part in supporting thedevelopmentandgrowthofjuniorfootball in these areas.

“Following on from our current work in the Essendon area with local sporting clubs and the Windy Hill redevelopment, we’re very excitedtoworkcloselywiththeEDFLthrough this partnership and provide our support to a cornerstone of our local football community.

“We’re proud of our connection to this area and it’s something we want to continue

well into the future. Given our longstanding history with the EDFL, this partnership is a very natural and important fit.”

EDFL chief executive Andrew Johnston echoed the sentiment of Vozzo, highlighting the importance of the Dons’ presence within the local community and aiding the growth of the sport within the Essendon Next Generation Academy zone.

“This partnership will bring together two strong organisations with a shared commitment to excellence and community engagement,” Johnston said.

“The Essendon District Football League

and Essendon Football Club will work collaboratively to support and promote grassroots football in the north-west of Melbourne.This partnership will enhance the league’s ability to shape the next Maddy Prespakis and Isaac Kako through our junior pathways to hopefully one day represent the Bombers.

“We are confident that this partnership will bring great benefits to both organisations and to the broader football community. The EDFL looks forward to working with Essendon FC to achieve our shared goals and create a positive community impact.”

Essendon and the EDFL have further boosted their partnership.

(Essendon FC)

Poll indicates a pox on all parties

By Cade Lucas

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

AI finds threatened bird in the west

Using artificial intelligence, the elusive and critically endangered Australian endemic Plains-wanderer has been rediscovered roaming in Melbourne’s west for the first time in more than 30 years.

Zoos Victoria has deployed 35 audio recorders, known as ‘song meters’, in Victoria’s Volcanic Plains. Using a set of AI call recognisers designed by Museums Victoria Research Institute and Queensland University of Technology, the song meters are identifying the species’ unique calls where it was once abundant but not been recorded since 1989.

Tens of thousands of hours of acoustic monitoring, recorded by Zoos Victoria’s conservationists, have detected Plains-wanderer calls from one private and onepublic-ownedsite.Furthermonitoringwill continue until the end of 2026.

Plains-wanderers are commonly said to be the ‘Goldilocks’ of the animal kingdom as they require very specific habitat conditions to thrive and survive. They are genetically distinct from any other species on the planet and have their own evolutionary line, ranked number one on the Zoological Society of London’s Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered bird list.

Once widespread throughout the grasslands of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, it’s now estimated there are fewer than 1000 Plains-wanderers remaining in the wild, primarily in two remaining strongholds in Victoria’s Northern Plains and the New South Wales Riverina.

Zoos Victoria threatened species program coordinator, Chris Hartnett said the rediscovery in Melbourne’s west provides significant opportunities to protect precious Plains-wanderer grassland habitat, of which less than just 1 per cent remains in Victoria, and supports future efforts to reestablish a self-sustaining wild population.

“This is a monumental discovery that providesgreathopeforthefutureofthisspecial species. We’re excited to work with landowners and managers across Victoria’s Volcanic Plains to protect this precious bird and its native grassland habitat,” Mr Hartnett said.

The rediscovery is a major milestone in national recovery efforts to save the

Plains-wanderer from extinction. In a multi-state crossagency team effort, conservation organisations have established a thriving population of Plains-wanderers in a

nationalzoobreedingprogram,whichincludes Victoria’s Werribee Open Range Zoo. The program aims to replenish wild populations through wild releases of the precious species.

of the Teal movement in winning Liberal heartland seats as an example. 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.

Professor Strangio said it was still too early to 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, that remains a big question mark.”

Drink driving reminder

Drink driving remains one of the most significant contributors to Victoria’s road toll.

According to the Victorian government, since 2023 around one in five drivers who lost their lives on Victorian roads had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05 or above. New penalties for drink drivers were introduced on October 17, 2024. Under the new law, those convicted of a drunk driving offence must drive withabloodalcoholcontentofzerofor at least three years.

Many drivers are not aware that in Victoria every drink driving offender has to pay a heavy fine, lose their licence, need to complete a behaviour change program, have an alcohol interlock installed in their vehicle and drive with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of zero for three years after successfully completing their court-mandated Alcohol Interlock Program.

“While most Victorians do the right thing, drink driving continues to be one of the Fatal Five risks and alcohol greatly increases the chance of being involved in a crash,“ RACV head of policy James Williams said.

“The new minimum penalties introduced in 2024 send a clear message to motorists that driving after drinking alcohol is just not worth the risk.

“Drink driving offences may also result in vehicle impoundment or, for serious cases, possible imprisonment. The exact penalties will depend on a range of factors, including BAC level, age and licence type.”

January sets a new Melbourne Airport passenger record

January was the busiest month in Melbourne Airport’s history, with a record 3,393,977 passengers welcomed through the terminals, surpassing the previous record of 3,322,940 passengers set in December 2019.

The airport also set a new monthly record international travellers with 1,238,829 people passing through the international terminal, including a record 671,135 arrivals.

The previous record for international travel at Melbourne Airport was set only a month earlier in December 2024, with 1,147,533

passengers, as seat capacity into Australia’s largest 24-hour airport reached an all-time high.

The record number of international passengers was up 14 per cent on January the previousyear,whiledomestictrafficwasupfive per cent. January also included the busiest day in more than five years, with 122,751 people travelling through the airport on Friday 24 ahead of the Australia Day long weekend and Australian Open final.

With foreign carriers accounting for 72 per

cent of international capacity into Victoria, Melbourne Airport says it has worked closely with the state government and airlines to restore flights and encourage new services.

In the past 12 months, airlines including Turkish Airlines, Vietjet, Cebu Pacific, China Southern and China Airlines have added extra capacity into Melbourne, with US giant Delta Air Lines and Virgin Australia due to launch flights to Los Angeles and Doha respectively in December.

Melbourne Airport chief executive Lorie

Argus said the new records highlight the success of “Team Victoria” in making the state more accessible to foreign tourists while improving connections for local travellers and exporters.

“The challenge for us now is to deliver the infrastructureweneedtocaterforthisongoing growth,“ she said. “That’s why we’re building a new baggage system, a new road system and a new runway, as well as working with the airlinestoexpandtheinternationalterminalto give them the capacity they need to grow.”

Threatened species program coordinator Chris Hartnett with a Plains-wanderer song meter. (Zoo Victoria) Inset: The Plains-wanderer is critically endangered.

Carly Moore to stand for Calwell

By Tara Murray

Former Hume mayor Carly Moore has quit the Labor Party to contest the seat of Calwell as an independentcandidateattheupcomingfederal election.

Cr Moore said it was an easy decision to quit the party as she felt the Labor’s priorities were not quite right.

“I think as a community we have been let down,” she said. “We are in a pretty safe Labor seat and have been for a while.

“We haven’t seen our fair share. I don’t think that it is improving and the community has been taken advantage of for a long time.”

Rapping for the Congo

Cr Moore, who has been a Hume councillor for the past eight years and is a three-time mayor, announced her federal election plans on Wednesday.

The seat of Calwell is held by Labor’s Maria Vamvakinou, who is retiring before at election, which is due by mid-May.

Her former adviser, Palestinian-Australian Basem Abdo has been named as the Labor candidate for the seat.

The seat covers all of the Hume council area to the left of Sydney Road and the Hume Freeway.

Cr Moore said she believes that she’s the perfect person to represent Calwell.

At the Hume council elections last year, Cr Moore received 82 per cent of first preference votes in Aitken Ward, which is believed to be the highest in the state.

She said she first thought of standing in the federal election in October, and the more she thought about it, the more it made sense.

“I’ll support the community and hopefully they will support me,” she said.

“I’vebeenacouncillorforeightyearsandI’m happy to be a councillor. I live here and work here and I have the community’s best interest at heart. They trust me and I think I will have strong support. I think we do some really good work. I want to be part of a lot more to be able

Tarneit rapper Herve HK is ready to shine a light on the war in Goma with his new single ‘Congo is Bleeding.’ After hearing a beat about the Congo from his brother-in-law, the 33-year-old was immediately reminded of the plight of many in his embattled homeland. When he reached out to a childhood friend in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the musical direction wasn’t clear but the message was. With MC Treize, he embarked on an ambitious artistic undertaking, blending his native language of Lingala with English.

Aswitchoftonguemadeforaswitchofstyle.

“Rapping in Lingala allowed me to tap into a deeper emotional reservoir, bringing forth a

raw intensity that complemented the gravity of the song’s subject matter,” he said.

He said the resurgence of rebel group M23 in the DRC’s east and the subsequent capture of the city of Goma has made the situation increasingly dire. “I urge listeners in the west to reflect on the paradox that is the DRC—a nation endowed with vast mineral wealth, including coltan, gold, and diamonds, which are integral to modern technology.”

Global supply chains may prove a stronger link to the outside world than might meet the eye.

“By raising awareness, supporting humanitarian efforts, and demanding ethical

practices in global supply chains, we can work towards a future where Congo’s riches benefit its people, and peace prevails.”

He said music has the power to open eyes, move hearts, and inspire action.

“I aim to shed light on the plight of my people and encourage listeners to engage with the issue.

“Whether it’s through sharing information, supporting relief efforts, or simply standing in solidarity, every action counts.”

The single will release Thursday, February 20.

Jaidyn Kennedy

to make change.”

Cr Moore cited the cost of living as the biggest issue affecting Calwell residents.

“I see it through the council rate arrears reports and the mortgage stress,” she said.

Another big thing for Cr Moore is the lack of plans for a hospital in Craigieburn.

She highlighted a situation last year where her father spent seven hours ramped at Northern Hospital, saying it was one of the busiest emergency rooms which was catering for massive growth.

“We will have a population the size of Canberra and there’s no plans to build a hospital [in Craigieburn].”

Ambulance Victoria (AV) is urging all road users to exercise caution around ambulance responding to emergencies so paramedics and first responders can quickly reach those in need.

Executivedirectorqualityandclinical innovation Dr Tegwyn McManamny said it’s crucial for drivers to stay calm and know what to do when they see red and blue flashing lights or hear a siren.

“When you see an ambulance with its flashing red and blue lights or hear its sirens, it’s essential not to panic, but to safely move out of the way,” Dr McManamny said. “This helps paramedics, first responders and all road users stay safe while ensuring patients we are responding to receive emergency care without delay.

“Four out of five road incidents involving ambulances on a case occur whenlightsandsirensareactivated.This highlights the urgent need for greater public awareness and cooperation.” Here are some simple steps to follow when an ambulance is approaching with flashing lights and siren:

• Stay calm.

• Slow down and use your indicator before safely moving to the left, when possible.

• Avoid unpredictable or dangerous movements, such as slamming on the brakes or swerving into another lane.

• Keep the emergency lane clear so that paramedics and first responders can pass through quickly.

• Give way at intersections, even if you have a green light or arrow.

Herve HK has an important message to share. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 459041_04

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

Sunbury Badminton Club

The Sunbury Badminton Club plays social games on Tuesdays and Wednesdays nights, from 7.30-9.30 pm, and on Wednesdays, 10am-noon. Monday night is a round robin competition from 7.30-9.30pm. All welcome to attend at Clarke Oval Stadium, 49 Riddell Road.

 sunburybc@gmail.com

Ladies badminton

Sunbury Ladies Badminton Club invites women to be part of Sunbury Ladies Badminton Club and enjoy the benefits of physical activity combined with socialisation. Social games are held every Thursday morning, excluding public and school holidays, from 10am–12pm at the Eric Boardman Stadium in Wilsons Lane, Sunbury. You are also welcome to sign up to be part of a team, also playing each Thursday morning. Equipment and coaching is provided.

 sunburylbc@gmail.com

LGBTIQ Social Club

The club has an ongoing catch up every third Saturday at the Brown Cow Cafe in Rosenthal at 1pm. They can also be found on Facebook where they have chats, discussions and other events advertised.

 https://shorturl.at/jtAO1

Sunbury Woodworkers Club

Join the Sunbury Woodworkers Club to learn woodturning. No experience or tools required. The club is a welcoming environment open to men and women who wish to learn. Meetings for new guests are held on the third Wednesday of every month at 730pm. Circular drive, Jackson’s Hill, Sunbury. Facebook: Sunbury Woodworkers Club.

 Anita, 0417 402 795

VIEW Club

Sunbury-Macedon Ranges VIEW Club is a friendly women’s organisation and a valued part of The Smith Family. It meets on the third Friday of each month at 11am at Club Sunbury, Riddell Road, Sunbury. New members warmly welcome

 Lee-anne, 0403 047 909

Sunbury Art Society

The Sunbury Art Society meets every Friday and Saturday, from 10am- 3pm, at the Boilerhouse, Jacksons Hill, to paint or draw over a cuppa with other like minded people. New members welcome.

 Ken, 0407 062 568, or Yvonne, 0429 994 828

Yoga in Sunbury

Yoga classes at Sunbury Neighbourhood House focus on supporting participants to slow down and move well. Special attention is given to mindful awareness of movement that builds strength in a healthy and safe way, Monday mornings, Thursday evenings and Friday mornings

 www.sunburyhouse.com.au or 9740 6978.

Art group

The Woodend Art Group holds classes and workshops in the studios in the Woodend railway station complex. It also has a social Tuesday where members and interested people can come along in the morning, have a coffee and paint together in a social environment.

 Colin Robinson, 0407 426 252

Shuttles and pickleballs

Macedon Ranges Badminton Club is inviting residents to come and play badminton, or pickleball, or both at Macedon Community Centre. Badminton is played on Tuesdays from 7.30pm and Thursdays at 9.30am.

Pickleball is played on Mondays at 6.30pm, Wednesdays at 10.15am and on Tuesday from 10am at the Romsey Recreation Centre.

 David, 0419 589 425, or macedonrangesbadminton@gmail.com

Scottish country dancing

The Macedon Ranges Scottish Country Dancing Group meets every Thursday,1-3pm, at Buffalo Stadium, Woodend. The dancing involves social country dancing, and no special clothes needed, just soft flat shoes.

 Meg, 0409 166 783, or Linda, 0408 476 317

Community. Connect. Create. If you are needing support or looking for a social group to join, you can visit Community. Connect. Create, which is an online resource listing support and community groups in the Macedon Ranges. if you would like your group listed or would like to work to help this project grow please email: fiona@communityconnectcreate. com.au

 Communityconnectcreate.com.au

Amateur radio club

The Macedon Ranges Amateur Radio Club meets on the third Saturday of the month at the Woodend RSL Hall, 32 Anslow Street, Woodend, at 10am. If you are interested in amateur radio or already have a call sign, this could be for you.

 http://www.mrarc.org.au

Rotary club

The Sunbury Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at the Ball Court Hotel, 60 Macedon Street, Sunbury, from 7pm.

 sunburyrotary@gmail.com

Take off weight naturally

Struggling to lose weight? Struggling to get motivated? Want to try and do it in a friendly and less stressful atmosphere? Come and join TOWN (Take Off Weight Naturally) every Thursday at 9am at the Sunbury Neighbourhood House, 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury.

 Rhonda, 0409 740 924

Kyneton Badminton Club

Kyneton Badminton Club is a welcoming, fun and social group that plays on Mondays, at 7pm at the Kyneton Toyota Sports and Aquatic Centre, Victoria Street. All skill levels are welcome.

 kynetonbc@gmail.com

Masonic Lodge

Sunbury Macedon Ranges Masonic Lodge meets monthly on the second Wednesday of the month at 7pm, 73 Main Street, Romsey. New members welcome.

 Paul, 0479 127 476, or Rob, 0428 260 647

Ladies probus

The Woodlands Ladies Probus Club of Sunbury meets on the fourth Monday of each month at the Sunbury Bowling Club at 9.45am.

 Leonie, 0401 764 182

Sunbury Ladies Probus Club

The Sunbury Ladies Probus Club meets at 9.30am on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Sunbury Football Social Club rooms.

 Pat, 0433 789 754, or Sylvia, 0417 170 142

Sunbury Combined Probus Club

The Sunbury Combined Probus Club meets

every fourth Thursday of the month at the Sunbury Bowling Club at 10am.

 Jo, 0410 834 272

Probus Club Of Sunbury

Join the Probus Club of Sunbury on the first Wednesday of the month at the Sunbury Bowling club at 9.30am. It’s a friendly men’s group open to visitors and new members, with a number of great events held each month.

 Greg, 0417 593 035

Breast cancer support group

On the first and third Tuesday of the month breast cancer survivors are invited to head along to the Gisborne Golf Club at 10.30am to take part in a breast cancer support group.

 Lesley, 0484 691 226

Village connect

Enjoy free coffee and cake while connecting with fellow Macedon Ranges residents 55 years old and older. Happening on Tuesdays and Thursday at cafes across the municipality.

 https://bit.ly/3AMUrxm, or 5422 0262

Arts and games night

Get creative at the Sunbury Youth Centre each Wednesday, from 3.30-5.30pm. The free program is for people aged 12 to 18 years old, at 51-53 Evans Street, Sunbury. HarmoniX Vocal Company

All-male singing group happening on Thursday, 7-9.30pm, in Sunbury, with a mixed choir, DynamiX Vocal Company, rehearsing Tuesday, 7-9.30pm. Rehearse at Dulap Wilim Hub, Leichardt Street, Sunbury. No auditions required.

 harmonixvcinc@gmail.com

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 kicksoffinMarch.Thetourscheduleincludes 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 inthearts,andthisprojectisaperfectexample 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.

Peopleofagesarewelcomedandencouraged 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

PO Box 151

KYNETON Vic 3444

Tel: (03) 5422 0333

Fax: (03) 5422 3623

Email: mrsc@mrsc.vic.gov.au

Web: www.mrsc.vic.gov.au

NOTICE OF AN APPLICATION FOR A PLANNING PERMIT

Planning And Environment Act 1987 Section 52(1)

An application for a planning permit has been made which may affect you.

The land affected by the application is located at: LOT 3 PS 607574Q P/Gisborne Black Hill Road, GISBORNE SOUTH VIC 3437

The application is for a permit to: Removal of a restrictive covenant PS607574Q

A permit is required under the following clauses of the Macedon Ranges Planning Scheme:

The applicant for the permit is: Catherine Ann

Any person who may be affected by the granting of the permit may object or make other submissions to the responsible authority. An objection must:

•Be made to the responsible authority in writing or lodged online

•Include your name and mailing address

•Additionally for objections include:

•Reason/s for the objection

•State how you would be affected by the granting of a permit

•Any suggestions on how to address concerns (as applicable)

The responsible authority must make a copy of every objection available for any person to inspect free of charge until the end of the period during which an application maybe made for review of a decision on the application.

More information about the objection process, including our privacy collection notice and our prescribed objection/ submission form is located on Council’s website at https://www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/Build-Plan/Planning- PermitsApprovals-Forms/Object-to-an-application.

The responsible authority will not decide on the application before at least 14 days after the date the last notice under section 52(1) or (1AA)

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 ... starts here

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?

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)

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words

four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or

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?

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 TransitCustomtowardsthemiddleoftheyear.

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.

OtherfeaturesincludeFMandDAB+digital radio,Bluetoothwithaudiostreaming,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 215/65rubberandplasticwheelcoversfinished 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

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, unlessperhapsitwaspickinguptheexitlimits. 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

Macedon adds depth to teams across the board

Macedon’s depth is growing in the Riddell District Netball League with the club set to put out some strong squads again.

The Cats made finals last season and are hoping to build on that this year.

Coach Katie Clarke said they had people wanting to join the club which was really encouraging.

“We had heaps at trials,” she said. “It was really good and we’ve got some strong squads which is nice.

“We want to build that culture and environment that people want to be part of. We’re attracting quality players, who are quality girls.

“That is lovely and they are buying into the Macedon culture.”

The Cats A-grade squad has plenty of depth this season.

After having a number of injuries and unavailabilities, including five in one game last season, Clarke said they wanted to make sure they have all bases covered.

“We wanted to create some depth in the team,” he said. “Playing outside it a lot harder than indoor courts.

“Having extra girls we can rotate and bring up. We have some really good players across all

the teams

‘It strengthens squads for the future.”

The Cats have a number of returning players this season.

Caitlyn Alifraco, Chelsea Kemp, Hayley Birch, Alex Cameron and Bronte Green will lead the midcourt and will be joined by Rebecca Ingleton, who has played A-grade in the Bendigo Netball League.

Itwillbeanewlookattackwith lizaPetherick and Hetty Donoghue returning, while Molly McGrath crosses from Kyneton and Chloe Eyre from Melton Centrals.

In defence, Clarke returns along with Taylah Chamra. Janelle Tate, who had last season off after having a baby, returns.

Clarke said that it was really good to have Tate back in the side and she was working her way back to her best.

While Tate is back from having a baby, star goaler Chloe Williams will miss this season as she’s pregnant with her third child.

Clarke said in the past they didn’t have the depth in their goaling.

“We’ve got strong goalers across A and B,” she said. “We’ve certainly got some goaling depth.

“Hetty and Chloe have that youth and are

building that partnership and are also at VNL together.

“Molly is another excellent addition.”

Clarke, who broke her hand in the finals last season, said she would play one more year and see how she goes.

“There’s certainly some girls in the club that

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 strongandwecanrundifferentcombinations.”

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.

One thing that Bailey is hoping will make thingseasieristheconnectionthatmanyofthe 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

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.”

are really starting to push for those positions,” she said. “That is what you need and you want them to push up to the next level. Pushing up into defence is exciting for me.”

The Cats will kick off their season against Riddell on April 5.

GDCA lose a thriller

The Gisborne and District Cricket Association women’s side fell just short of back-to-back representative wins.

After beating the Ballarat Cricket Association in its first rep game, the GDCA faced the Castlemaine and District Cricket Association on Wednesday night at Maddingley Park. Batting first, Castlemaine made an impressive 1-140 off its 20 overs.

Captain Tia Davidge made an exceptional 61 off just 47 balls, while Eve Righetti made 63 not out.

Taylah Logie was the pick of the bowlers, finishing 0-9 off her four overs.

Kim Bessell was the wicket taker for the GDCA, taking 1-14.

Bessell showed her class yet again with the bat, making a commanding 69 off just 45 balls to get the side in the hunt.

WhenBessellfellitlefttheGDCAwith a challenge.

It came down to the GDCA needing fouroffthelastball.Itcouldonlymanage two, finishing 4-138.

Nat Jeffery, coming off an 100 in the GDCA competition, finished with 36 runs in a 112 run partnership with Bessell.

It was the first time the GDCA has had women’s representative cricket.

“Bad luck girls, but as always - left the ground smiling,“ the GDCA said on social media. “Well done - doing the GDCA and yourselves proud. “ The win was Castlemaine’s first match of the Central Highlands region representative program.

While the GDCA has finished its campaign, Castlemaine is set to face Ballarat again this week.

GDCA women’s side. (Supplied)

Tara Murray

Tayla Chamra. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 416140_11

Jasmine Fraser. (Netball Victoria/Grant Treeby)

New shield for Sunbury Jets, Hume City Broncos

Therewillbemorethanbraggingrightsonthe line as the Hume City Broncos and Sunbury Jets do battle in the Big V championship from now on.

The two clubs announced that they would now play for the Milner-Sellwood Hume City Shield, which is focused on strengthening the Hume council area connection.

Inajointstatementtheclubssaidtheconcept of introducing a perpetual challenge shield as a focus for their competitive encounters on the basketball court and to showcase the sport at the Big V elite championship level, was born out of the clubs’ desire to connect more deeply with the wider Hume community.

“By establishing a challenge series such as this we are hoping that the current supporter base for both clubs can broaden our collective reachtoengagethosesectorsofourcommunity yet to experience this great family sport,” Jets president Glenn Ogston said.

Broncos president Peter Jackson echoed

those comments, adding “It’s great that SunburyandBroadmeadowshavecollaborated to stage an annual sports event that serves to reinforce positive community values for Hume City through the examples of teamwork and development pathways.”

The shield has been named after individuals who have not only achieved accolades for their achievements in basketball but have also been long-standing residential members of Hume, who continue to work tirelessly in advocating for, and implementing, sports based inclusive community programs.

Milner is one of the Broncos greatest players having played in the club’s first under-18 Victorian Championship and captaining four Big V championships.

She also had a long WNBL career.

Milner is currently working as project manager for the association driving community engagement and youth leadership programs focused on the diverse, marginalised

and under-represented areas of Dallas and Hume Central.

Sellwood played in more than 350 Big V games, the majority with the Jets.

Sellwood has been part of three championships – 1999, 2008 and 2009 – and was named his division’s most valuable player award in 2002 when he averaged 28 points a game.

He is currently the vice-president of the association, with the Jets saying his leadership extends beyond basketball, with strong contributions throughout the community, positively impacting both the association and the region.

The shield event format will feature points awarded for wins from Big V fixtured games between the Broncos and Jets men’s and women’schampionshipdivisionteamsin2025.

The inaugural Milner-Sellwood Hume City Challenge Shield will kick off on Saturday, March 29, at Boardman Stadium as both clubs

Heartbreak for eXtreme

By Tara Murray

It was positive signs for Melbourne eXtreme despite missing out on a finals berth in the Bowls Premier League, while its junior side fell just short of back-to-back titles.

eXtreme took a young squad into BPL21 with Jack McShane making his BPL due having replaced New Zealander Ali Forsyth, who was unavailable.

It was a close race for finals spots and it came down to the final game of the pool rounds to decide which sides would progress. For the eXtreme, it was heartbreak as they missed out on percentages.

eXtreme team manager Marc Bullows said he was really proud of how the team and coach Kelvin Kerkow performed.

“We were equal fourth, but finished seventh on percentages,” he said. “In any other BPL we would have made the finals based on win-loss ratio.

“We are far from disappointed in the result. We know if we made the finals, we could go all the way as we beat the eventual champions

Helensvale [Gold Coast Hawks] twice and the grand finalists in Geelong Jets once throughout the comp.

“Jack McShane’s induction into the BPL was brilliant and played as well as anyone in the competition, drawing several times with his last bowl for us to win.

“Kylie [Lavis, formerly Whitehead] and Nick [Cahill] were solid throughout. We lost a few games by a matter of millimetres, only if those games went our way, well, who knows, maybe it could have been us holding the trophy.”

Bullows said they were already looking forward to BPL22 in October at Pine Rivers.

In the Junior BPL Challenge which was also held last week, eXtreme fell just short in the final.

Afterasuccessfulfirsteditionin2024where eXtreme ran out victors, this year 11 of the 12 BPL franchises fielded teams with Bowls ACT sending a team in place of the Perth Suns.

Teams were placed in two sections with the ladder leaders of each section playing off in the final.

Sports shorts

GDCA

East Sunbury will need to have a good day with the bat if its to beat Eastern Hill in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association Johnstone Shield. With top two spots on the line, the Thunder is keen for victory against Eastern Hill, which sits above it on the ladder. Eastern Hill made 9-204 on Saturday with Nathan Hynes taking four wickets for the Thunder. in other games, Diggers Rest Bulla was bowled out for 241 against Wallan.

GDCA

The Gisborne and District Cricket Association has announced that McIntyre Cup final will be again held at Tony Clarke Oval in Macedon. Previously, the top ranked team would host the grand final, but the association changed that last season and decided on a neutral venue. The McIntyre Cup grand final will be held on March 29 and 30.

VTCA

Sunbury fell well short against West Coburg St Andrews in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Steve McNamara Shield on Saturday. Most of day one had been washed out, with the Redbacks batting first and making 6-192 off 41 overs. Virosh Wijesinghe and Ashan Ranaweera took two wickets each. The Roar batters never got going and was bowled out for 98. Sumedha Gamage top scored with 32. The Roar will finish its season in a one-dayer against West Newport.

The final was an all-Melbourne affair between the Melbourne Pulse and eXtreme with both teams putting on a scintillating display.

The Melbourne Pulse team of Cooper Sutton, Jack Wardrope and Marlie Malcolm were dominant in section 1, qualifying for the final undefeated.

In section 2, the eXtreme team of Josh Leszcynski, 2024 Australian Open under-18 girl’s champion Akasha Fortune and Eridani Wheeler made it through to the final after only losing to the Gold Coast Hawks.

It was a completely different team to the one that won the previous time.

In a high scoring first set, the Pulse was able to hold off a determined eXtreme lineup by scoring a six on their powerplay to give them the set 9-7.

The reigning champions pushed back hard in the second set to run out 9-2 winners and force the game to a tiebreak.

With the title on the line, the Pulse’s skip in Sutton kept his nerve to draw a shot and ultimately win the title.

GDCA

Lancefield secured top spot in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association Jensen Shield on Saturday. Facing Harkness in the final round, the Tigers made 8-199 before restricting Harkness to 9-167. It means the Tigers finish on top, percentage ahead of Riddell. The Bombers beat Rupertswood in their final round match. In the first week of finals, the Tigers will host Rupertswood and Riddell will play Harkness. In the Jensen Shield seconds, Rupertswood will face Romsey and Malmsbury will play Hanging Rock.

kick off their seasons. Thewomenwillplayat6pmandthemenwill follow after at 8pm.

Tara Murray

Sharin Milner and Nathan Sellwood. (Shawn Smits)

Josh Leszcynski, Akasha Fortune and Eridani Wheeler. (Melbourne eXtreme)

Club ‘horrified’ by claims of unsafe environment

Kyneton Football Netball Club has said it is “horrified” at the thought members of the club have felt unsafe or unwelcome.

On Wednesday, the Tigers released a statement on their Facebook page, following a number of media reports speaking about the club and its environment.

As reported by StarWeekly , the majority of the Tigers’ women’s football side has left the club and formed a new club, the Kyneton Women’s Football Club.

The new club, which is known as the Eagles, has said it wanted to provide a safe and inclusive environment where women and gender diverse players can thrive.

The new club has yet to find a league to play in with the Riddell District, Central Victoria

and Ballarat leagues knocking them back.

The club is still seeking to join the RDFNL for this season. The RDFL said the club had missed the deadline for new clubs and had five proposals on the table.

It has launched a petition calling for the league to change its mind and has been seeking legal advice.

KFNC said in its statement that it would like to share some of its thoughts with the community.

It said it had been subjected to a “barrage of negative” reporting.

“We are horrified at the idea that women, gender diverse people or anyone else feels unsafe or unwelcome within our club,” the statement said.

“We have always tried to foster a safe environment for everyone, including our players, members, supporters and volunteers.

“Where issues have been raised with our committee, they have been dealt with in a timely manner.

“Our efforts were recognised by the AFL in 20201, when we were named the most inclusive club in Victoria.”

The club said there was always room for improvement and its recent efforts include contacting women who have long standing relationship with the club and asking them what they do well and where they can improve and pursuing certification as an AFL women’s charter club.

The club said some of its members had

Sunbury into grand final

By Tara Murray

After a number of near misses, Club Sunbury is finally through to the Bowls Victoria weekend division 1, section 1 grand final.

Sunbury produced its performance of the season in the semi finals on Saturday to knock off Glenroy and become the first team through to the decider.

Sunbury’s David Glennon said it was a massive performance from the side. Sunbury hadmadethefinalsthepastfewyearswithout getting into the grand final.

“It was a fantastic win,” he said. “Sunbury had not had a rink win against them with two losses of 18-0,” he said.

“It was on their turf as well. We started off strong and we were able to maintain a narrow lead all day.”

Sunbury led by under 10 shots for most of the day and would claim an 80 (14)-71 (4) win.

Joshua Leszczynski’s rink had a 24-15 win and Lauchlin Davies’ rink won 26-15. Mark Cowan’s rink lost 22-14 and Marc

Bullows’ rink lost 19-16.

Glennon said they had been quite steady all day as Glenroy continued to come at them.

Leszczynski and Davies were two of the standardsalongwithCowan.Leszczynskihad a big week as part of the Melbourne eXtreme junior side which was coached by Cowan.

“Despite losing he saved many shots,” Glennon said of Cowan. “He had a good day skipping and it could have been a different story if not for him.”

Glennon said the win would go wonders for the side moving into the grand final. Glenroy beat Deer Park 2 in the preliminary final on Sunday to set up a grand final rematch.

“It’s given them good confidence,” he said.

“We could play them again this week

“It’s given them a lot of self belief going into this week and we’re looking forward to this week.”

Sunbury’s second side also accounted for Glenroy and moved straight into the grand final. Sunbury will face Essendon 3 in the grand final.

Glennon said it would be a big week

been subject to insults in correspondence and social media posts and asked everyone to have a think before commentating.

“At our core, we’re a group of volunteers donating our time to provide sports programs for our kids and friends,” the club said.

“We are doing our best. We ask everyone in our community to think about whether you are contributing to making our community safer or more inclusive through your actions and comments.

“There’s one thing we all have in common: a love of community sport. We can all take positive steps from here for the benefit of our community.”

Tara Murray

Bees, Dragons on top after clashes

Sunbury United continued its good form with the bat, while Gisborne is on track for victory in the latest round of the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup.

The heat came out for the second last round of the season, with five teams still fighting for finals spots.

The Bees, who sit outside the top four, need to keep winning if they are to play finals and are on top after day one of their clash with Macedon.

The Bees made 7-302 from their overs.

Upul Fernando scored 105 for the Bees, while there were a number of contributions down the order to push the score beyond 300.

Edward Ferguson and Alex Browne took two wickets each.

Gisborne, which is trying to claim top spot, is well on top against the Sunbury Kangaroos.

The Kangaroos were bowled out for 172 with Simon Barry top scoring with 39. Joshua Wills took three wickets for the Dragons.

The Dragons quickly moved to 0-40 off nine overs at the end of the day.

for the club.

“There’ll be a lot of practice and teams will get together lots going into next weekend,” he said.

Sunbury’s third side was knocked out of the division 5 finals by Hoppers 2.

Meanwhile, the final round of the Ballarat Highlands Bowls Region’s Highlands division 1 competition.

Kyneton Golf had a 73 (14)-49 (2) win against Diggers Rest.

In the other match to get on, Romsey beat Kilmore in a thriller, 57 (13)-54 (3).

Broadford’s match with Lancefield and Gisborne’s with Trentham, both didn’t go ahead due to total fire ban in those regions.

In the first week of finals, Kyneton will face Romsey for a spot in the grand final on Saturday.

Kyneton Golf will face Kilmore in a knockout semi final.

The loser of the first game and winner of the second game will play off in the preliminary final on Sunday.

The grand final is on March 10.

Warren Kelly will resume at 19 not out and Spencer Jones at 18 not out. In a match with finals ramifications, ladder leaders Woodend was bowled out for 205 against Rupertswood.

In a battle between two sides in the top four, Woodend overcame a slow start to produce a solid score.

Warren Else top scored with 54. Deegan Campbell took 4-21 off eight overs for Rupo.

In the other match, Romsey didn’t completely fire but still managed to put 227 on the board against Broadford.

The Redbacks, who need to keep winning to ensure a finals spot, were bowled out with five and a bit overs remaining.

Skipper Ben Way top scored with 53, while James Jones took four wickets for Broadford.

Broadford survived three overs at the end of the day and will resume at 0-16.

Marc Bullows. (Jacob Pattison) 384240_09