Star Weekly - Brimbank North West - 1st April 2025

Vandalism withers garden Burning love for Elvis

By Prealene Khera

Brimbank’sonlyheritage-listedgardensshould be blooming, instead they have been marred following continuous acts of vandalism, with their caretakers withering in frustration over the“anti-social“behaviourthathastakenroot.

The HV McKay Memorial Gardens in Sunshine is renowned for its rich flora and even richer history, but lately according to locals, the spot has taken on an unfavourable reputation.

“People don’t feel safe in the gardens anymore,” Friends of McKay Gardens volunteer Helen Reid said.

The Friends of McKay Gardens are responsible for the upkeep of the space

alongside Brimbank council. However, in the last couple of months, on top of their general duties, members of the group are contending with a rise in vandalism in the garden.

From uprooted plants, garden beds set on fire,tosmashedwindowsattheon-sitechurch, and squatters at the Manse house – there’s a surge in illegal activities, Ms Reid said.

“It seems to have gotten worse in the last couple of months and it’s quite sad,” she said.

“Sunshine has this wonderful asset, we want people to come and enjoy it, not destroy it.”

It remains unclear who the perpetrators are, but the group is concerned there might be a linkbetweenanincreaseincampingwithinthe garden and the rise in anti-social behaviour.

At a recent council meeting, Catherine

McDonald questioned council about the damage in the gardens, asking if it intended to enactby-lawsforbiddingpubliccampinginthe gardens.

In her response, mayor Thuy Dang said campingwasalreadyprohibitedonpublicland, however iterated that there [was] a distinction between “camping and persons affected by homelessness”.

But,accordingtoFriendsofMcKayGardens president Speroulla Christodoulou, the group needs more clarity on the situation.

“… It’s the anti-social behaviour that’s concerning and if [council] are not prepared to move ‘campers’ on then they need to tell us what measures they are putting in place to ensurecommunitysafetyatalltimes,”shesaid.

For 25 years, Sean Spiteri has captivated audiences with his dedication to honouring Elvis Presley’s legacy.

Spellbound by Elvis’ 1968 comeback special at the age of just three, Spiteri said he had the spark for all things ‘The King of Rock ’n’ Roll’ from then on.

At 12, he performed his first tribute act at the Copacabana International in Fitzroy.

Now, for his 25th anniversary show, he brings Pure Elvis to the stage.

Spiteri said Pure Elvis is about authenticity, passion, and respect.

His costumes, sourced from B&K enterprises in Indiana, USA – the company that worked with Elvis’s own tailors Bill Bellew and Gene Doucette –add a layer of authenticity, he said.

“Elvis’s music is just timeless. I have fallen in love with him as a performer, him as a human being … what Elvis stood for.”

Spiteri’s 25th anniversary show will take place at Deer Park Club on May 17.

Audience members will get to hear the classic hits and be immersed into Elvis’ journey with iconic dialogue from his performances.

Details: https://www.123tix.com. au/events/46528/pure-elvis-25thanniversary-celebration Katya Ewing

Acouncilspokespersonsaidtheorganisation shared in the community’s concern.

“Council works closely with Victoria Police and recently conducted a joint operation to address anti-social behaviour in McKay Gardens,” the spokesperson said.

“This operation was executed in a thoughtful, respectful and methodical way, with considerable planning and notice provided to people who frequent the gardens, including rough sleepers. We know that people experiencing homelessness or sleeping rough are some of the most vulnerable in the community.

“We are committed to finding long-term solutions to these society wide issues, with community safety being our utmost priority.”

STAY INFORMED

Quickly and easily connect with us online: melton.vic.gov.au facebook.com/cityofmelton Instagram @cityofmeltonofficial

Night Market this Friday!

Don’t forget to join us this Friday 4April for our Oceania Night Market, the last one in our night market series.

Enjoy Polynesian dancing including the Haka and Hula, indulge in Pacific-inspired dishes, and browse

School holiday fun!

the market stalls with handcrafted products, jewellery, and unique gifts.

The night market will run from 5pm to 9pm at the Melton Town Centre Amphitheatre. For information, visit melton.vic.gov.au/night-markets

Council will be hosting a range of activities this April school holidays for kids and young people. Check out what’s on offer at melton.vic.gov.au/schoolholidays

Hilltop Ward with Cr John Verdon

As a first-term Councillor, I am deeply committed to community advocacy and supporting residents not only in Hilltop Ward, but all residents of the City of Melton.

It’s been inspiring to see our community grow and come together through new groups and initiatives. Connecting with the many sports, cultural and social clubs across Hilltop Ward has been a truly rewarding experience. I’m proud to be part of such a connected and engaged community.

Looking ahead, it’s crucial that Council continues to plan and deliver community assets that meet both current and future needs.

The new Diggers Rest Recreation Reserve and Pavilion has played an important role in supporting the local community as it grows. The need for a full community centre has also

been identified to help residents access the programs and services they need to thrive. Council has commenced the design phase of this project, and I’ll keep residents informed of its progress in future Ward Talks.

As a long-time resident, I have spent four years strongly advocating for the Victorian Government to upgrade of the Vineyard Road/Plumpton Road corridor and will continue to be passionate about improving road safety throughout our municipality.

I look forward to getting out and meeting more residents of Hilltop Ward to hear your concerns and ensure our community remains a great place to live and grow.

Feel free to contact me regarding Hilltop Ward or Council related issues on 0418 444 883 or email at John.Verdon@melton.vic.gov.au

Night works: Caroline Springs Boulevard

The Caroline Springs Boulevard and Rockbank Middle Road intersection will be closed between 8pm-5am from Sunday 30 March to Thursday 10 April for night works (excluding Friday and Saturday nights).

Works include final road surfacing, traffic signals and line marking. These works are weather dependent, in the event of inclement weather, works may need to be rescheduled.

For information and updates, visit melton.vic.gov.au/roadworks

Pet registrations due

A reminder to pet owners across the City of Melton to renew your pet registrations before they expire on 10April 2025.

Registrations allow Council to reunite pets with their owners if they go missing and help keep the community safe.

Under state law, cats and dogs older than three months must be microchipped and registered with their local council.

To renew your registration, visit melton.vic.gov.au/petrego

The Federal Budget 2025-26 was handed down last week and it was great to see confirmation of the $1billion commitment for the Western Highway and $325 million towards the Melton rail line upgrades, noting the State Government has also contributed $325 million to the upgrades.

We would like to see continued investment in infrastructure, in particular roads and rail, from both the Federal and State Governments, to align with the rapid housing growth we are experiencing in the City of Melton. In the lead up to the Federal election on 3 May, our key priorities now are for a firm commitment to the electrification of the Melton rail line and new train stations in Mt Atkinson and Thornhill Park, as well as upgrades to the Melton Highway, Hopkins Road, and Palmers Road Corridor.

It was wonderful to spend some time last week with young people in our community, who participated in our 2025 Youth Forum. The forum was a fantastic opportunity for young people to come together and share what matters most to them with community leaders, sparking conversations that will help shape the future of our City.

Finally, this week Muslims across the world and in the City of Melton will celebrate Eid al-Fitr. Eid marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, prayer and reflection.

Eid-al-Fitr is celebrated by coming together with family, prayer, gift giving, and feasting. It is also a time for forgiveness and helping those in need.

May this special occasion bring peace, joy and blessings to our Muslim community.

Eid Mubarak!

You’re welcome to contact me regarding Council matters at Steve.Abboushi@melton.vic.gov.au or on 0437 231 680.

Mayor Cr Steve Abboushi Deputy Mayor Cr Lara Carli

Cr Kathy Majdlik

Cr Brandi Morris Cr Sophie Ramsey Cr Julie Shannon Cr Bob Turner Cr Ashleigh Vandenberg

Cr John Verdon Cr Dr Phillip Zada

Action plan to put lid on dumping

By Prealene Khera

Brimbank council will crack down on the “serious and growing problem” of illegal rubbish dumping in the area, with the development of a comprehensive waste-focused plan in the works.

Declaring it as an “urgent priority”, council will deliver an action plan to tackle the issue and put a lid on the on-going dumping saga plaguing residents.

Tighter controls, stronger deterrents and tougher enforcement measures will form part of the council’s new undertaking to keep “Brimbank clean and beautiful”.

Council said it will also run

‘‘ It’s illegal, it’s ugly, it’s hurting our environment ’’ - Thuy Dang

community-wide information and education programs, to make it easier for everyone to dispose of waste responsibly and to report illegal dumping.

Mayor Thuy Dang said the community was “frustrated” as the issue continues to pile up.

“It’s illegal, it’s ugly, it’s hurting our environment – and it costs council and ratepayers to clean it up,” she said.

“Keeping our streets clean is a whole

community effort, and we are grateful to everyone who does the right thing and disposes of waste responsibly.”

The announcement of the draft an anti-dumping plan follows two questions raised by Lachlan Mackay at a recent council meeting.

Mr Mackay inquired whether Brimbank had a comprehensive education program on responsibly recycling and disposing of rubbish in place, pointing to the “alarming amount of litter on the side of roads, in parks, in carparks, around public buildings, and around private properties”.

His questions also delved into the possibility of issuing heftier fines for littering

Facelift for beloved cow sculpture

The iconic bronze sculpture in central Sunshine, Man Lifting Cow, has been painted for the first time since its installation – bringing its artist, John Kelly’s original vision for the local landmark to life.

Boasting fresh black and white hues, the recent revamp aligns the piece with Kelly’s other cow artworks, which have starred in London, on the Champs Elysee in Paris, and in Melbourne’s Docklands, where Cow up a Tree is a popular selfie spot.

Kelly emigrated from Ireland to Australia with his family, and grew up in Sunshine before going on to international artistic acclaim.

Mayor Thuy Dang said painting the sculpture will bring a renewed appreciation for the formidable piece and the artist himself.

“Man Lifting Cow has delighted both locals and visitors and not only reflects local history but is the work of John Kelly, who grew up in Sunshine,” she said.

“Painting the sculpture will give this much-loved public artwork a new lease of life, to be enjoyed for many.”

The Sunshine sculpture honours the west’s agricultural past and Kelly’s father, Ben, who worked in Mountain View Quarries on the Maribyrnong River.

The sculptural form of the Man Lifting Cow, alludes to the physicality of hard work and labour which is a subtle reference to the industrial history of Sunshine.

Sunshine’s Fundere Fine Art Foundry fabricated the artwork in 2016 and carried out the recent restoration.

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and irresponsible disposal of rubbish.

In responding to those queries, Cr Dang said council was continuing to explore ways to tackle the problem.

She added that infringements for rubbish dumping and littering offences are issued under the Environment Protection Act 2017, which is state legislation.

“The act includes penalty amounts applicable to various offences. These amounts are set by the Victorian government and are unable to be increased by council,” Cr Dang said.

“For large-scale dumping, council can also prosecute offenders through the magistrate’s court,andhasdonesoonmultipleoccasions.”

With the Easter school holidays fast-approaching, Brimbank council is ready to host a range of ‘other-worldly’ activities to keep families entertained.

From a stars and planets workshop and a galaxy slime party, to a space adventure show, there will be plenty of extra-terrestrial enjoyment on offer from April 7 onwards.

The upcoming school holiday program will include a minibeast wind chime session where kids will be able to make big things grow from small things while learning about the Brimbank Seed Library.

On April 8, at a meet and greet with volunteer members of the State EmergencyService(SES),participants will enjoy a unique story-time session and acquire information about staying safe in extreme weather and natural disasters.

Other noteworthy events on the agenda include a screening of a stellar space-themed movie, with a self-guided activity available before and after; a fantastic forces workshop which will explore the science of movement, both within and beyond the world and will dive into Newton’s Third Law of Motion; and a burst of gooey fun with a slime-making workshop.

Finally, Easter crafternoons will also be available at each library branch starting from April 14, with families encouraged to get egg-cited for the sessions.

Details: www.eventbrite.com/cc/ school-holidays-2556819

Council highlights airport rail as priority in submission

Brimbank council has doubled down on its infrastructurepriorities,withitssubmissionto a westwide consultation paper reinforcing its stand on the Melbourne Airport Rail project and the Sunshine Energy Park.

Council recently responded to a draft report put together by the West of Melbourne Economic Development Alliance (WoMEDA) to create a cohesive growth strategy for Melbourne’s west.

WoMEDA released the consultation paper in December 2024, seeking feedback from key stakeholders, which includes the Brimbank, Wyndham and Maribyrnong councils, to identify priorities for the next decade.

In its submission, Brimbank council

welcomed the opportunity to collaborate, develop and champion strategies that foster economic development in the area.

It said it broadly supported the direction, issues and opportunities identified within the consultation paper, while also highlighting a range of matters tasked for further consideration by WoMEDA.

These key priorities cover the airport rail link, the Sunshine Energy Park, and the development of an “employment precinct” in Sunshine.

Council’s submission said WoMEDA should “elevate the importance for the state government to urgently recommence works to construct airport rail so it is completed before

the third runway at Melbourne Airport”.

These works include the Sunshine Super Hub and Albion Station redevelopments and constructionofanewrailstationatKeilorEast.

“The construction of airport rail is a city shaping transport investment that will deliver significant economic benefits to Brimbank and Melbourne’s west,” the submission said.

“Airport rail is essential infrastructure required to support an airport forecast to service 83 million passengers annually by 2046, which is more than double the current activity levels.”

This consultation paper feedback comes amid council’s ongoing Rail before Runway campaign which is calling on both levels

of governments to ensure the rail link is completed at the desired time. Alongsideputtingthepressureontheairport rail development, the submission also asked WoMEDA to include the Sunshine Energy Park as a key infrastructure investment, given it could be a “premium parkland” for Melbourne’s west.

It also noted a need for the state government to develop a comprehensive transport strategy for Melbourne’s west.

WoMEDA will release its final strategy in August, after taking relevant submissions into consideration.

Prealene Khera

Brimbank mayor Thuy Dang with the repainted Man Lifting Cow sculpture. (Damjan Janevski)

We’re building big and there will be transport disruptions

As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re putting the finishing touches on the new West Gate Tunnel, an alternative to the West Gate Bridge. When the tunnel opens in 2025, you can enter on the West Gate Freeway near Williamstown Road, and take advantage of new exits to Footscray Road, Dynon Road or CityLink. We’re also building the Metro Tunnel and its 5 new underground stations, with 3 stations now complete.

Train disruptions: Buses replace trains in both directions

Sunbury Line 5to6April

NorthMelbournetoSunshine 14to15AprilNorthMelbournetoSunbury 17 April

Road disruptions: Closed roads

M80 Ring Road, Laverton North AttimesuntilearlyAprilBetweenWestGateFreeway andWesternFreeway

Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road, Diggers Rest

Until6am,14April

BetweenWelcomeRoad andPepperClose

Crime is on the rise in Brimbank

Criminal offences across Brimbank have increasedby8.7percent,accordingtonewdata released by the Crime Statistics Agency (CSA).

Brimbank recorded more than 1000 additional offences in the 12 months to December 2024, compared to the previous year, with a total of 18,524 crimes impacting the area.

Theft from a motor vehicle continues to dominate the list, followed by other theft — with 2600 and 1711 offences recorded respectively.

Other common crimes included family

violence order breaches (1668), criminal damage (1318) and deception-related offences (937).

St Albans and Sunshine remain the main hot-spots for crime recording 3614 and 3553 offences respectively.

Sunshine North (1543), Sunshine West (1523), and Deer Park (1472) took out the subsequent spots on the list, with crime continuing to rise in each of those suburbs.

Across Brimbank, the top location for crime are houses with 5596 offences recorded compared to 5386 the year before.

Streets and footpaths are the second-most common locations for incidents to occur in the area, after numbers rose from 2696 to 2882 in the 12-month period.

Overall,thecrimerateincreaseinBrimbank is lower than the state’s 15.7 percent, but despitethatdifference,thetopcriminaloffence remains the same according to a spokesperson from Victoria Police.

“Theft from motor vehicles is the most commonly reported and detected crime across the state,” the spokesperson said.

“About a third of all thefts from cars relate

Community house rallies for votes

Duke Street Community House has been nominated for a CommBank Donations Program funding boost, but it needs the community’s help to get it over the finish line.

To increase its chances of receiving $5000, the organisation needs locals to put in a vote for the centre.

The centre’s manager Emma Price said the community’s support could make a huge difference.

“We can make $5000 go a long way to

improving the lives of our community,” she said. “With 52 years of experience serving this community, [we] support over 300 community members each week to access education, food relief, and social activities.”

Ms Price said the centre receives minimal government funding and relies on grants and donations to continue to provide high quality and vital services to the community.

“These vital funds will be used to provide meals and food to [those] in need as well as purchase essential items for the community

house to allow [us] to continue to deliver free education,” she said.

“Duke Street is at the heart of our community, every cent will go directly back into the community.”

To vote for the centre visit www. commbank.com.au/communitydonation and choose the local CommBank Branch: Central West (Braybrook), Sunshine or Brimbank (Deer Park) and then click on Duke Street Community House to vote for it as your favourite charity.

to the theft of number plates, which is why we encourage the use of anti-theft screws.”

The spokesperson urged the community to work in partnership with police to deter opportunistic crimes.

“Local and specialised police units continue to patrol hotspots in Brimbank to detect and deter offences,” the spokesman said.

“There are also simple measures the community can take to prevent falling victim — always lock your car, remove valuables, neverleaveyourcarunattendedwhilerunning, and where possible, park off the street.”

Opiod help for health services

Fifteen community health services will share in $8.4 million to expand the availability of pharmacotherapy.

Pharmacotherapy is the use of medication (such as methadone and buprenorphine) to help treat opioid dependence and is an essential part of Victoria’s efforts to reduce drug harm, with around 15,000 Victorians using pharmacotherapy each day.

Until now, pharmacotherapy services have largely been provided by GPs, nurse practitioners and state-funded clinics across Victoria – making these new grants for community health services a critical toolinfillingservicegapsbyproviding these services where they are needed most.

Funding will be provided over three years to a range of metro and regional community health services including Western Health.

Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt said making pharmacotherapy accessible at these services will mean up to an additional 1,500 Victorians will be able to undertake this life-changing treatment.

“Pharmacotherapy is a proven, lifesaving treatment for people with opioid dependence, which is why we are making it more accessible through community health services right across Victoria,“ she said.

“Victorians struggling with addiction deserve the best care, no matter where they live – and our Statewide Action Plan will change and save lives.”

The Statewide Action Plan includes a further $7.2 million investment to deliver Victoria’s first hydromorphone trial and the establishment of 20 naloxone vending machines.

Playtime improved for St Albans North kindergarten kids

Children attending the St Albans North Preschoolaresettobenefitfromtheadditionof new accessible play equipment, after the school received thousands to build on its recreational offerings.

The preschool is one of nine local kindergartens, including those in Keilor Downs and North Sunshine, to share in funding worth nearly $100,000 as part of the state government’s inclusive childhood facilities grants program.

Using funding of close to $10,000, the St Albans-based kinder will be able to create

a more safe and inclusive play environment for the children, according to the preschool’s manager Harpreet Kaur.

“We’ll use this funding to enhance the play environment for children, so they have more options to explore and develop,” she said.

“There’s a lot we can do with our space but our focus is on perhaps getting some mobile equipment in, an obstacle course and a shaded area.”

Ms Kaur said that an upgraded space will increase engagement, and improve learning outcomes while strengthening inclusive

learning environments for kids of all abilities.

“It’s going to make that area more inviting and accessible which is very important,” she said.

“We want it to be an inviting space that kids can move around safely, while enjoying and learning.”

This area, when refurbished, will be a very important part of the preschool experience Ms Kaur said.

“Access to a play space like that is so crucial for some of our kids,” she said.

“They’re only here for two days, and they

spend the rest of the week at home — we don’t know how often they get to go outside on those days.

“So, when they’re at the kindergarten, we want to maximise the opportunities for them to be outdoors and explore the natural world more than the indoors.”

Time spent outdoors is a crucial part of children’s development, Ms Kaur added.

“It’s healthy for the cognitive side of things, as well as for maintaining physical health,” she said. “They get to connect with nature while being social — it’s great.”

Duke Street Community House’s Emma Price (front), Louis Beunder, Rajdeep Kang and Filomena Parente are asking residents to vote for them as part of a grants program. (Damjan Janevski) 467900_04

Stage is set for federal election

By Prealene Khera

The stage is set for the 2025 federal election, and while Melbourne’s western and northern seats have historically played a robust supportingrolefortheincumbentgovernment, a Monash University politics expert says these strongholds could be thrust into the spotlight asshiftingallegiancesstarttobecomeapparent.

Emeritus Professor of Politics Paul Strangio believescost-of-livingpressures,housingcrisis, and high mortgage rates will drive voters’ decisions when they go to the polls on May 3.

He also believes there’s another prominent factor that will impact Labor locally.

“There’salong-termsentimentintheseareas ofneglect,votersfeellikethey’vebeentakenfor granted,” he said.

Professor Strangio said the dynamics within these traditionally safe Labor seats have been rapidly changing, as evidenced in the 2022 federal election.

“There were very large primary vote swings against Labor, especially in the western suburbs, the outer western and outer northern suburbs,” he said.

Recycling helps SES unit

Brimbank residents can now hit two birds with one stone, with the local State Emergency Service (SES) unit receiving crucial donations every time people choose to recycle through the Container Deposit Scheme (CDS).

In the past nine months, as part of its partnership with CDS, Brimbank SES has benefitted from hundreds of dollars in donations.

Now, SES Brimbank unit deputy controller BaileyLambertishopingtogetmorepeopleon board to secure additional funding.

“[We are] a not-for-profit, 100 per cent volunteer-rununitandCDSallowscommunity memberstodonatetousthroughtheirrecycled cans and bottles,” he said.

“Thatnotonlysupportsus,butalsopromotes sustainability in our community.”

According to Mr Lambert the donations are an important part of keeping operations running efficiently.

“As a volunteer organisation, we are always

seeking funding for new and replacing vital equipment, and also for training facilities and upgrades,” he said.

“The donation funds raised will be allocated to the [local] unit to support the Brimbank municipalityandsurroundingcouncilsuburbs during natural disasters.”

Residents interested in donating to the unit as part of the CDS partnerships can do so by: downloading the CDS VIC West App, looking up VICSES Brimbank under ’charities’ and pressing ’set as payout’, then scan the app barcode at your local machine, insert your eligible bottles or cans, and finally press ’transfer’ on your screen at the CDS container return.

Details: www.facebook.com/BrimbankSES/

SES Brimbank unit deputy controller Bailey Lambert is encouraging residents to recycle bottles to support the unit. (Ljubica Vrankovic)

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“Yet, that didn’t translate into a swing towards the Liberal party either. Instead, the fallingawayoftheLaborprimaryvotebenefited a melange of minor parties and independents.”

It’sapatternheexpectstoseeagainthisyear.

Out of the 10 seats in the west and north-west, Professor Strangio said McEwen, which includes Donnybrook, Whittlesea and Mernda, could be one to keep an eye on.

“Liberals are talking about the possibility of picking up McEwen, so they’ve got a chance there,” he said.

Broadly, Professor Strangio believes

the unpopularity of the Victorian Labor government could play out adversely for its federal counterpart.

“There seems to be little doubt about that, it willbeadragonthefederalLaborparty’svote,” he said. “It’s one of the reasons the Liberals believe Victoria is the state where they can make headway in this election.”

As far as Melbourne’s western and northern seats go, Professor Strangio said he’ll be watching the electorates closely.

“If Labor loses votes again, where will those votes go?”

Gender equality award

Taylors Hill Youth & Community Centre taken has taken out top honours for promoting gender equity at the 2024 NHVic Awards held by Neighbourhood Houses Victoria last week.

Alurkkar, the win was an acknowledgement that “when women support women, entire communities rise”.

“This recognition belongs to every woman who dared to dream, and to our incredible volunteers whose passion made this possible,” she said.

Melton mayor Steve Abboushi also praised the program’s efforts.

The council-run centre won the Fiona Richardson Award for Gender Equity for its Women in Business & Entrepreneurship project (WIBE), which was delivered in partnershipwithlocalnotforprofitcommunity organisation, Multicultural Association of Community Empowerment (MACE).

The project, which is aimed at empowering womeninMelton,addressedgenderinequality amongst Indian women in the areas of economic empowerment, education, social connection and well-being.

More than 500 women participated in the program which included workshops, business coaching, and education and training support.

According to MACE President Deepti

“This is testament to the valuable role communitycentresandneighbourhoodhouses play in supporting social connections and skill development at a local level,” he said. “It’s importantthatwecontinuetochallengegender stereotypes and look at ways we can empower women and girls to achieve their best.”

Hillside Community Centre was also a finalistinthisyear’sawardsintheGoodHealth andWell-BeingcategoryforitsAgeingArtfully Art Project.

Melissa Dumbrell and Smita Pimputkar are thrilled by the Taylors Hill Youth And Community Centre’s recent win. (Damjan Janevski) 467901_04

Run or walk to help fight cancer

Australia’s most loved national fun run and walk, the Mother’s Day Classic (MDC), is primed for another record-breaking year, with organisersannouncingarenewedcommitment to funding research to reduce deaths and improvesurvivalforbreastandovariancancer.

Launching the 2025 Classic, Mother’s Day Classic Foundation (MDCF) chief executive Zara Lawless welcomed new principal partner, AIA Australia, and an upswing in early event registrations, particularly in regional areas, whichpointstomorethan90locationshosting runs/walks nationally on Sunday, May 11.

Last Mother’s Day, more than 85,000 Australians gathered for the Classic in 75 locations nationally.

Those numbers are on track to be exceeded in2025withearlyregistrationsatrecordlevels.

Ms Lawless said the 28th Mother’s Day Classic,foundedbyWomeninSuper,willbuild on the relationship with the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF), which joined longstanding beneficiary National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) as part of an extended MDC family in 2024.

“The strength of togetherness was on full display last year, as the Mother’s Day Classic celebrated the addition of the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation while retaining our commitment to the National Breast Cancer Foundation – with incredible lifesaving results,” Ms Lawless said.

“Events like the Mother’s Day Classic and the public support of medical research have facilitated a significant improvement in

survivalratesformorethan21,000Australians diagnosed each year with breast cancer.

“TheMDCcommunityhasshownthatitcan and wants to strive for more, to also improve theoutcomesforwomenwithovariancancer,a diseaseforwhichthereisstillnoearlydetection test.”

In 2024, the fundraising total of $3.3 million represented a jump of 30 per cent on the previous year and was the biggest in a decade. Mother’s Day Classic participants were given the choice to fundraise for breast cancer research, ovarian cancer research, or both.

“We believe this marks a crucial milestone in transforming the landscape of ovarian

cancer research — driving increased funding, improving survival rates, and raising vital awareness within the community about the importance of research.’’

Every day in Australia 63 people are diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer. Every day 12 people die from those two diseases. The MDC provides not only the hope that the day willcomewhennomoreliveswillbetaken,but the means to help fast-track that outcome.

The MDC is the largest donor to NBCF, having donated more than $46.1 million over the past 27 years, contributing around 20 per cent of NBCF’s total research grant funding throughout that period. In that time the

death rate from breast cancer in Australia has reduced by 35 per cent.

Associate Professor Cleola Anderiesz, National Breast Cancer Foundation CEO, said “We eagerly look forward to the 2025 Mother’s DayClassicandthepotentialbreakthroughsin breast cancer and ovarian cancer research that will be made possible through the generous funds raised from this event.”

“Together we can make our shared vision of Zero Deaths from breast cancer possible.” Registrations are now open for the 28th Mother’s Day Classic at mothersdayclassic. com.au. Register online: https://www. mothersdayclassic.com.au/registration

Troodia’s life of love

Brimbank resident Troodia Arcaduo marked a significant milestone recently — celebrating the centenary of her birth on March 25.

Acenturyoflove,goodhealthandhappiness has carried Troodia to the century milestone.

Her secret to a long life is simple.

“I have been surrounded with a happy family, one that has loved and looked after me,” she said.

“Myparentslivedalongandhealthylifeinto their mid 90s too and I have never smoked or drank much alcohol.”

According to her son George, it’s heartwarming to look back at his mum’s life and to see how far she’s come.

“I’m very excited, it’s such an incredible accomplishment and she’s still in very good

health so that’s a big plus at her age,” he said.

“I think she’s had an extraordinary hundred years, especially living through World War 2 was obviously a very daunting experience for her at such a young age.

“She’s lived through some enormous amount of change over that period of time.”

With five children, 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren to share in her milestone, George said his mum has lived exactly the kind of life she wanted.

“Mum had a very family-orientated mindset, with a lot of love around her,” he said.

“I think that’s what has allowed her to live such a healthy life and hopefully she’s got many more years ahead of her.”

Briefs

Money laundering arrest

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has charged a Braybrook woman as part of a money laundering investigation that resulted in the 2023 seizure of luxury watches, gold bullion and cash valued at almost $400,000. The 43 year-old was recently arrested at her Braybrook home. The AFP will allege the woman used a cafe she opened in mid-2022 to conceal proceeds of crime. The woman allegedly made 40 cash deposits under $10,000 into the business’s bank account between July 14 , 2022, and November 23, 2023. AFP inquiries allegedly revealed the woman’s declared income was manifestly inadequate to account for the wealth she possessed, including funds in bank accounts and properties.

Information call-out

Police are calling for additional information to aid their investigation of a motor vehicle collision on Ballarat Road at the intersection of McIntyre Road in Sunshine. At approximately 12.10 pm on March 18, a black Haval and a Gold Honda collided. Police are asking for relevant information from anyone who may have witnessed the incident. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au and quote reference T20250007300.

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Troodia Arcaduo turned a 100 years old on March 25. (Damjan Janevski) 467905_02

The benefits of living in a retirement village

As Australians age, ensuring a comfortable and fulfilling lifestyle becomes a growing priority. For many older Victorians, a retirement village offers an ideal solution, combining independence with a sense of belonging to a community. Well run retirement villages that have trusted operators, such as Centennial Living are popular because they offer a range of benefits that support both overall well-being and life enjoyment.

Safetyandsecurity

One of the primary advantages of living in a retirement village is the enhanced safety and security it provides. In Victoria, retirement villages (unlike other lifestyle, land lease communities) are subject to the stringent regulations of the Retirement Village Act 1986 that ensure residents are protected. Retirement villages are typically gated or equipped with security features such as surveillance cameras, well-lit paths, and emergency call systems in every unit.

Lowmaintenanceliving

Retirement villages are designed to relieve residentsoftheburdensofhomemaintenance.

Lawn care, home repairs, and maintenance tasks are generally taken care of by the village management, which allows residents to focus on leisure, hobbies, or spending time with family. This reduces stress and eliminates the physical strain that comes with managing a larger property and home.

Accesstoservicesandamenities

As people get older they often prefer to be located close to essential services such as healthcare facilities, public transport, and shopping centres for ease and convenience. Many villages offer on-site amenities like

gyms, swimming pools, and libraries, fostering an active and social lifestyle.

Sense of community and social opportunities

One of the most valued aspects of retirement village living is the sense of community it fosters. Many Victorians find that as they age, their social circles begin to shrink. A retirement village offers an opportunity to form new friendships and engage in social activities such as exercise classes, movie

nights, and group outings. This social network is vital for mental health, helping to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation that are common among older Australians.

Financialpredictability

Retirement villages in Victoria typically offer a range of accommodation options and pricing structures which can provide financial stability. For many, moving into a retirement village helps to simplify finances, particularly when compared to maintaining

a home. The predictable fees for services and maintenance ensure that costs are transparent, helping retirees manage their budgets more effectively.

Retirement villages offer a supportive environment where older Australians can enjoytheirlateryearsincomfortandsecurity.

To find out about Centennial Living Retirement Villages near you call 1300 098 000 or fill out the Contact Us form on the website.

A lifestyle you’ll love and care that feels like home

Are you looking for residential aged care that’s truly special? Discover Keilor East Manor Care Community and be among the first to experience its new accommodation.

The Care Community features a new two-storey wing and a full renovation of the existing building, offering residents modern design for later living.

Located in the heart of Keilor East, close to localcafes,restaurants,MillearaandHighpoint shoppingcentres,withpublictransportoptions nearby.

Residents enjoy all the wonderful amenities and community spirit of Keilor East, with the

city of Melbourne and its attractions just 15 minutes away.

Keilor East Manor Care Community offers permanent, respite, palliative and dementia care – but not as you know it.

Keilor East Manor Care Community takes the time to understand the big and the little details about how you like to live, so you can enjoy your day, your way. And you’re guaranteed a friendly welcome.

Keilor East Manor Care Community offers a relaxing environment with the compassionate andpersonalisedcareof24-7registerednurses.

Enjoy nutritious, tasty meals created by the

head chef and take a walk in the light-filled courtyard or shaded terrace.

KeilorEastManorCareCommunityisaplace you’ll love to call home, with all parts of the Care Community complemented by beautiful furnishings, indoors and out. And pets are welcome visitors to the Care Community, bringing companionship and delight.

Keilor East Manor Care Community is a warm, family-oriented environment, designed to create a sense of kinship, and it encourages and supports residents to keep the connections they’ve built within the local community.

With spacious indoor and outdoor areas,

balconies and garden beds, you’ll find so many places to enjoy the company of family and friends.

“I appreciate the freedom to make my own decisions, and everything here feels just right,” says resident Carmela.

Call Shanice on 1300 734 251 to learn more and book a personalised tour at Care Community. Keilor East Manor Care Community is at 188a Sterling Drive, Keilor East. Details: opa lhealthcare.com.au/ keiloreastmanor

Our brand-new, purpose-built accommodation is now open, and our friendly team is excited to welcome you for a personalised tour.

Keilor East Manor Care Community offers spacious outdoor and indoor spaces where residents can enjoy the company of family and friends. (Pictures: Supplied)

Treating high blood pressure to prevent Alzheimer’s

Research from the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) suggests that high blood pressure treatment should be part of Alzheimer’s disease prevention strategies.

Hypertension is the most common risk factor for dementia, affecting an estimated 1.3 billionpeopleworldwide,includingoverhalfof all people over the age of 65. Antihypertensive medication is known to help prevent strokes but up to this point there have been few studies investigating whether antihypertensive medication can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia.

Latest research published in the journal Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, and led by Dr Matthew Lennon from UNSW Sydney’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), looked at data from 31,250 individuals across 14 nations, to investigate whether previous hypertension or antihypertensive use modifies Alzheimer’s disease risk in those older than 60 years of age.

“Previous trials and longitudinal studies have indicated that ongoing antihypertensive use in late life reduces dementia risk, but the specific impact on Alzheimer’s disease and non-Alzheimer’s disease risk remained unclear,” said Dr Lennon.

“In our new study we found that those with untreated hypertension over the age of 60 had a 42 per cent greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s dementia compared to those with treated hypertension. However, if you had a diagnosis of hypertension and were receiving treatment, your risk for Alzheimer’s dementia was no different from those without hypertension.

“The findings of this study suggest that antihypertensive use should be part of any Alzheimer’s disease prevention strategy throughout later life,” said Dr Lennon.

The study also found that the effect of the antihypertensive medication did not significantly diminish in older participants.

“This is an important result as studies

often have difficulty including participants over the age of 80. Our study, incorporating a collaboration of researchers from all around the world and a large number of older

participants,indicatesthatevenaspeopleenter their 80s there are still associations between antihypertensive use and reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

“Clinicians should consider this when balancing the risks and benefits of stopping medication in older patients,“ said Dr Lennon.

The study also found that the effect of antihypertensives for Alzheimer’s disease were not significantly different between males and females or those from different ethnic backgrounds. Populations in developing countries have been historically underrepresented in medical research and our study importantly included large numbers of participants from Nigeria and the Republic of Congo, amongst other diverse nations.

“The largest growth of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease cases over the next few decades is going to come from the developing world and as such it is important that we understand whether prevention strategies that are effective in one nationality or country are similarly effective in others.“

This study is part of the research that has emanated from the international COSMIC consortium that currently comprises 57 cohort studies from 39 countries and is supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health, USA.

Professor Perminder Sachdev of CHeBA, UNSW, who leads this consortium added: “Over the next 30 years the number of people living with Alzheimer’s disease around the world is likely to more than double to over 130 million people. Hypertension, a common contributor for dementia, may be undiagnosed in over two thirds of patients with the disease.”

“Treating this often silent but deadly illness willbecrucialintacklingthepressingcrisiswe are seeing with increasing rates of dementia,” said Professor Sachdev.

Share delicious Easter food for togetherness this April

Easter is a great time to share food because it is a holiday rooted in themes of renewal, togetherness, and celebration. Across cultures and traditions, food plays a central role in marking the occasion, whether through symbolic dishes, festive feasts, or communal gatherings.Herearesomedishestosharewith loved ones this Easter.

Roast Lamb

Roast lamb has been a staple of Easter feasts for centuries, with its roots in Jewish Passover traditions. The lamb represents sacrifice, referencing the lambs sacrificed in the Old TestamentandJesusbeingcalledthe“Lambof God“inChristiantheology.Inmanycultures, particularly in Mediterranean and European countries, roast lamb is the centerpiece of Easter Sunday meals.

The lamb is typically seasoned with garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Some recipes call for marinating the meat overnight to enhance its flavor. The lamb is then roasted in the oven until tender, often accompanied by potatoes, carrots, and other root vegetables. Greek-style roast lamb, for instance, is commonly served with lemon-roasted potatoes and tzatziki sauce. In theU.K.,amintsauceorredcurrantjellyoften complements the dish.

Hot Cross Buns

Hot cross buns are small, spiced sweet rolls filled with raisins or currants and marked with a cross on top, which symbolises the crucifixion of Jesus. Traditionally eaten on GoodFriday,thesebunsdatebacktomedieval England, where they were considered a sacred food. Some legends even suggest that sharing a hot cross bun with someone ensures friendship throughout the year.

The dough is enriched with butter, eggs, and milk, making it soft and slightly dense. The spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, add warmth and depth of flavor. The cross on top is usually made from flour and water paste or piped icing after baking. Many people enjoy these buns warm with butter or jam.

Easter Ham

Baked ham is one of the most popular Easter dishes, especially in the U.S. and parts of Europe. Unlike lamb, which has religious symbolism, ham became an Easter tradition mainly due to its practicality. In earlier times, pigs were slaughtered in the fall, and the meat

was cured over the winter. By spring, the ham was ready to eat, making it a natural choice for Easter celebrations.

Easter ham is often glazed with honey, brown sugar, maple syrup, or pineapple juice for a sweet and savory balance. Cloves may be inserted into the skin for added flavor and decoration. It is commonly served with side dishes such as scalloped potatoes, green beans, or sweet potatoes.

Paska (Easter Bread)

Paska is a traditional Eastern European Easter bread, especially popular in Ukraine, Russia, and Poland. This rich, egg-heavy bread is slightlysweetandoftendecoratedwithintricate braids or religious symbols. The name “Paska” comes from the Greek word for Easter, Pascha. The bread is made with flour, eggs, sugar, butter, and yeast, resulting in a soft yet sturdy loaf. Some variations include raisins, orange zest, or vanilla for extra sweetness. Paska is often blessed in church before being served at theEastertable.Itpairswellwithbutter,honey, or cheese.

Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are a simple yet classic Easter appetizer,perfectforusinguphard-boiledeggs from Easter egg hunts. The dish originated in ancientRomebutbecamepopularinAmerican cuisineinthe19thand20thcenturies.Tomake deviled eggs, hard-boiled eggs are cut in half, and the yolks are mixed with mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, salt, and paprika. The mixture is then piped back into the egg whites. Some variations include relish, bacon, or avocado for added flavor.

ThesedishesreflectEaster’sblendofreligious tradition and seasonal ingredients, making them cherished holiday staples worldwide.

Roast lamb is a staple of Easter feasts.

Green Gully is not only a hub for soccer enthusiasts

Green Gully Soccer Club in Keilor Downs is not only a hub for soccer enthusiasts but also a versatile venue for various events.

Looking for the perfect venue for your next function? Green Gully Soccer Club has you covered! The club boasts a spacious function room that can comfortably accommodate 180 guests, making it an excellent choice for parties, gatherings, and special occasions. With great facilities, dedicated staff, and a variety of catering options, the team will ensure your event runs smoothly and leaves a lasting impression.

Green Gully Soccer Club has an exciting bistro menu. Whether you are vising for lunch or dinner, you will find a range of delicious options to satisfy your cravings. The bistro has something special for you most days of the week with unbeatable specials! Wednesday’s offer a classic favourite $16 Parmas.

Treat yourself to a juicy $20 steak on Thursdays, cooked to perfection served with all the right sides. And do not forget about Seafood Saturdays, where we serve up an amazing variety of fresh, flavourful seafood dishes that will satisfy all your seafood cravings. These specials are a perfect way to enjoy great food while supporting your local soccer club. The bistro also has a play area where kids can have fun and enjoy themselves.

JoinusforMembersNightonWednesdays, where you must be here to take part in the fun! You will have the chance to win fantastic prizes and enter the draw for our rolling jackpot. Plus enjoy happy hour from 5pm to 8pm.

We also offer happy hour on Fridays from 6pm to 8pm. Don’t miss Bingo Night on Thursdays, with eyes down at 7.30pm, it is a great way to enjoy your evening.

GREEN GULLY SOCCER CLUB

TRADING HOURS

MON - WED 10AM TO MIDNIGHT

THUR - SAT 10AM TO 1AM SUN 10AM TO MIDNIGHT

WEDNESDAY

HAPPY HOUR

Culinary wander in the west

The Westside Wanders tour on March 26 through Sunshine was a delectable experience with guests entertained by roaming performers and treated to dishes from Korea, Afghan and Thailand. Here’s a delicious snapshot of the event which was delivered by council in conjunction with the Sunshine Business Association.

Creativity on display

Getting into the spirit of all things creative, Caroline Springs residents with a flair for art and craft got together on March 27 to meet new friends and create something memorable as part of the Creative Corner program. Melton councilisencouragingothercommunity members to give it a shot at the Caroline Springs Library and Learning Hub. Star Weekly photographer Damjan Janevski went along to the session to capture some of that creativity on the lens.

Left: Hannah Tran and Justin Nisperos loved having people over. Right: David Fitzgerald, Jane Wenlock, Dianne Fitzgerald, Richard Cornish (host), John Girardi and Tracey Cammock enjoyed the festivities.

Sunshine was the place to be during the event, with the Bright Bros Duo keeping everyone entertained.

A packed crowd enjoyed the event.

One of the Botanic Beauties, who roamed around the event. (Pictures: Jorge de Araujo)

Facilitator Amber Waugh (standing) with participants Saana Kelly, Mollie-Rose Chislett, Jenni and Josie Mallia.

Josie loved getting creative.

Top: Saana threaded in a good time. Above: Jenni enjoyed the session. Left: The creative corner session was bustling with creativity. (Pictures: Damjan Janevski) 467068

Reserve a cruising dream

WITH the official start of Spring in Europe, Viking is celebrating the start of its 2025 European river season as its award-winning fleet of Longships embark on their journeys across the continent’s most scenic waterways.

This season, Viking will continue to expand its destination-focused offerings with the introduction of seven new sister ships, which host 190 or fewer guests and are designed specifically for European rivers. The company will also sail three new itineraries this year, as well as its popular Viking journeys.

Earlierthisweek,thecompanytookdelivery of its new river vessel, the Viking Nerthus which is built specifically to sail the Seine River, and the company continues to grow its capacity across its fleet.

They expect to take delivery of twenty-five additional river ships by 2028 and nine additional ocean ships by 2030. With these orders, Viking will have 109 river ships in 2028 and 21 ocean and expedition ships in 2030.

Viking’s River Voyages in Europe:

SailingMarchthroughDecember,Vikingwill introduce three new itineraries on the Rhine, Main, and Seine rivers, offering guests the opportunity to explore more of Europe in the Viking way; and it will continue to offer its popular European river voyages.

Highlights of the 2025 river season in Europe include: New Rhine and Main Explorer (Eleven days;

Nuremberg – Basel) – Discover the hidden gems of southern Germany, Switzerland, and France. Visit Basel, Switzerland’s capital of culture, explore Frankfurt’s vibrant cityscape, and admire the charming medieval towns of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. Turreted castles, rolling vineyards, and a fascinating blend of old and new await.

New Christmas on the Rhine and Main (Eleven days; Nuremberg – Basel) – Experience the magic of Europe’s Christmas markets along the Rhine and Main rivers. Browse festive stalls in Basel and Karlsruhe, discover Strasbourg’s Alsatian traditions, and wander through Nuremberg’s worldfamous Christkindlesmarkt while savouring mulled wine and handcrafted holiday treats.

• New Christmastime in Paris and Normandy (Eight days; roundtrip from Paris) – Celebrate the holiday season in the ‘City of Light’ before setting sail through the serene landscapes of Normandy. Visit the charming riverside town of Rouen, soak in the festive atmosphere of Christmas markets, and return to Paris to enjoy its world-famous holiday illuminations.

• Rhine Getaway (Eight days; Basel – Amsterdam) – Explore one of Europe’s best-loved rivers.Discovertheturretedfortresses,grand cathedrals, historic cities, medieval towns and stunning scenery of the Middle Rhine— a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Taste the region’s renowned white wines, the roots of its terraced vineyards reaching back to Roman times. Savour the various culinary traditions

of Alsace. With calls in Amsterdam, Cologne and Basel, this journey reveals a rich landscape of beauty and culture.

• Danube Waltz (Eight days; Budapest – Passau) – Soak up soothing steam at a Budapest thermal bath. Learn to waltz at a Viennese dance school. Savor Austro-Hungarian cuisine in Vienna and Budapest. Admire the Wachau Valley’s beauty. Explore lesserknown Central European cities like Bratislava and Passau. Witness daily monastic life on an exclusive visit to Göttweig Abbey. This eight-day itinerary reveals the best of these places while cruising leisurely through spectacular scenery.

Romantic Danube (Eight days; Budapest –Regensburg) – Visit Budapest’s Castle District and cross the famous Chain Bridge. Explore Göttweig Abbey, one of Austria’s most revered monastic centres, and make dumplings with Wachau Valley apricots. Visit historic Salzburg. Spend two days in Vienna and celebrate the city’s musical heritage at a concert featuring works by Mozart and Strauss. With medieval towns, grand cities and stunning scenery, this eight-day journey on the “Blue Danube” is one you are sure to love.

• Paris and the Heart of Normandy (Eight days; roundtrip to Paris) – Dock in the heart of Paris, admiring views of the Eiffel Tower and a replica of the Statue of Liberty from the ship. Experience history firsthand at the Normandy beaches and delight in Rouen’s Gothicarchitecture.ExploreGivernyandthe charming house and gardens where Claude Monet lived and worked, the setting inspir-

ing many of his masterpieces. This voyage celebrates history, art, food and customs in France’s most alluring urban and pastoral settings.

Grand European Tour (Fifteen days; Amsterdam – Budapest) – Admire Rhine Valley vistas from a 900-year-old castle. Sample the culinary delights of Austria’s Wachau Valley. Learn the Viennese waltz, visit Melk’s Benedictine Abbey and delve into Nuremberg’s World War II history. Indulge the senses on this 15-day journey spanning the best of Europe, tracing the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers between the windmill-dotted waterways of Holland and the stunning landscapes of Hungary, with engaging encounters at every bend.

Portugal’s River of Gold (Ten days; Lisbon – Porto) – Experience the renaissance of Lisbon, newly invigorated with trending galleries and restaurants. Explore two of Iberia’s oldest university towns: Coimbra, Portugal and Salamanca, Spain. Roam the port warehouses of Porto. Enjoy traditional cuisine, wine and fado singing. Cruise the Douro River Valley, the world’s oldest demarcated wine region and a UNESCO Site. Their 10-day cruise tour includes a hotel stay in Lisbon and the added bonus of a visit to Spain.

For more information visit viking.com or phone 138 747 for further information.

Enjoy the scenery and learn the history of the region aboard a Viking Longship with 190 or fewer guests.

While relaxing on board enjoy the sleek and sumptuous surrounds of the Explorer Suite, Living Room.

Uncover Normandy’s heart

Experience the joy of European river cruising with Viking’s eight-day Paris and the Heart of Normandy voyage from Paris to Rouen and back to Paris.

Dock in the heart of Paris, admire views of the Eiffel Tower and a replica of the Statue of Liberty from the ship. Experience history firsthand at the Normandy beaches and delight in Rouen’s Gothic architecture.

Paris is one of the most romantic destinations in the world. Over the centuries, Parisian culture has been built on the wings of inspiration.

Music, film, architecture, literature, dance and the visual arts all have their brilliant place in the museums, theatres, bookstores and remarkably preserved buildings of this magnificent city.

At the centre of it all is the Champs-Élysees. With its inviting riverside promenade, graceful bridges and splendid views of all things Parisian, from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre Museum.

Explore Giverny and the charming house and gardens where Claude Monet lived and worked, the setting inspires many of his masterpieces. This voyage celebrates history, art, food and customs in France’s most alluring urban and pastoral settings.

One of the most pleasurable activities in Paris is whiling away the time in one of the city’s outdoor cafes. Whether sipping a cafe au lait or a kir royal, there is no better way to feel like a Parisian.

Listen to stories that tell the tale of the

area’s historic past while navigating medieval passages brimming with some of the city’s finest eateries and hidden gems tucked away on every corner.

The Parisian culinary journey takes guests to a selection of vendors that showcase a range of sweet and savory treats. Stop at one ofParis’srenownedchocolatiersorbakeriesto sample a sweet delight and pause for tastings of savory delicacies, accompanied by a glass of wine or soda.

Life in Paris revolves around the Seine River, with 37 bridges crossing the river, each tellingastory.Perhapsnonearesoextravagant as the Pont Alexandre III, a graceful span named for the Russian tsar who signed the Franco-Russian Alliance in 1892.

Downriver, the five-arched Pont d’Iena is belovedforitssceniclocationlinkingtheEiffel Tower to the Trocadero district. The Pont des Arts, set between the Louvre and the Institut de France, was famed for its thousands of padlocks, attached by couples to the railing grate as a sign of their devotion to each other.

Enjoy the Seine as it meanders through the mellow vistas of Normandy. As it makes its sleepy and serpentine way to the English Channel, it winds along for 240 miles from Paris, more than doubling the distance of a crow’s flight.

As it sails, guests enjoy viewing swathes of fields unfurl toward groves of apple orchards, sources of the region’s famed Normandy cider. Calvados apple brandy is also a regional specialty, and a celebrated staple ingredient in Normandy cuisine. It is a chance to gaze upon picturesque villages and historic abbeys on these bucolic banks.

There are few more pivotal moments in history than the D-Day landings that ushered in the end of World War 11. Visit the sacred Normandy Beaches and recall the day’s monumental sacrifices.

Explore one of the most fantastic fortresses of Normandy while admiring sweeping views of the Seine as it winds its way through the countryside.

Discover the Château Gaillard is the most scenic castle ruin in the Seine Valley and the strongest and most magnificent castle of its age. It guarded the Seine River Valley and was the key structure in a vast system that defended Normandy during the Wars of Religion

Rouen, founded by Romans, is situated amid chalk cliffs along the Seine. The Norman capital boasts many pleasures, from the 700 charming half-timbered houses of the Old Town to the glorious Rouen Cathedral, which so captivated Claude Monet that he painted it many times in varying light.

The city is perhaps best-known as the site of Joan of Arc’s last stand; the patron saint of France was tried and condemned here for heresy and burned at the stake in 1431.

Guests will enjoy a day at the former home of French kings: the awe-inspiring Château de Versailles. The palace and its sprawling gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, began as a small hunting lodge. Over the years, it was enlarged by each of its three resident kings—most famously Louis XIV, the ‘Sun King’.

Visit one of the most celebrated districts in Paris, Montmartre. This bohemian enclave, in which Belle Époque (‘Beautiful Era’) artists,

writers and poets such as Dalí, Modigliani, Monet, Picasso and van Gogh spent hours and gained inspiration in cafes and at cabaret revues, still retains its charms from that bygone era.

During this cruise, guests can extend their holiday and spend time exploring more of France with Viking’s new fully guided three-night Reims & Champagne hotel extension. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Champagne region. Stroll through lush vineyards, savour a taste of Champagne and exquisite cuisine, and visit the grave of Dom Perignon. Admire the grandeur of Reims Cathedral and see the Châteaux de Vaux-le-Vicomte, an inspiration for Versailles. (Available as a pre-extension only with Paris & the Heart of Normandy.)

One of the pleasures of a river cruise is to simplyunpackonceandletthededicatedcrew takecareoftherestallowinggueststorelaxon boardtheiraward-winningVikingLongships. Local guides immerse travellers in the history andcultureofeachdestinationwithenriching excursions.

Enjoy onboard meals with complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner and enjoy endless specialty tea, coffee and bottled water, unlimited Wi-Fi, and all onboard gratuities, port charges and taxes. If this sounds too good to be true, visit viking.com and enjoy Viking guests recall how much they loved exploring the rivers of Europe on a Viking Longboat with less than 190 guests or phone 138 747 for further information.

Discover The Château Gaillard, the most scenic castle ruin in the Seine Valley on a Viking Longboat.

Life in Paris revolves around the Seine River, with 37 bridges crossing the river. Cruise and explore with an eight-day Viking cruise.

LEE MCCARTHY

43 Nights | 3 January 2026 | Prices fr $8,999pp

Savour an extraordinary adventure on board Noordam, where you’ll be immersed in a world of awe-inspiring sights, unforgettable experiences and endless adventure.

Embark on the ultimate adventure with a one-night hotel stay in Sydney before setting sail on a 42-night cruise across Australia, the South Pacific and New Zealand. Dive into Moreton Island’s crystal-clear waters, then journey to Brisbane, Townsville, and Cairns. Venture into Papua New Guinea, where you’ll discover the beauty of Alotau, the Conflict Islands and Kiriwina Island.

Immerse yourself in WWII history of Honiara, then be enchanted by Vanuatu and Fiji. Experience Tonga, explore New Zealand’s breathtaking coastlines and stand in awe at the historic Waitangi. Your adventure culminates with Tasmania’s natural wonders and Melbourne’s charm, before returning to Sydney.

Kiriwina Island

Alotau

Cairns

Townsville

Moreton Island

Brisbane

Sydney

Your itinerary

Burnie

Hobart

Honiara

Conflict Islands

Luganville

Dravuni

Waitangi

Covering 344,000 square kilometres and 900 islands, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest living organism. Experience its breathtaking beauty and vibrant tapestry of colours from a glass-bottom boat.

Your holiday includes Full-Board Cruise

42 night full-board cruise on board Noordam

Visiting: Sydney, Moreton Island, Brisbane, Townsville, Cairns, Alotau, Conflict Islands, Kiriwina Island, Honiara, Luganville, Port Vila, Mystery Island, Lautoka, Suva, Dravuni Island, Vava’u, Nuku’alofa, Waitangi, Tauranga, Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Timaru, Port Chalmers, Fiordland National Park (scenic cruising), Hobart, Burnie, Melbourne, Sydney

Sydney, Moreton Island, Brisbane, Townsville, Cairns, Alotau, Conflict Islands, Kiriwina Island, Honiara, Luganville, Port Vila, Mystery Island, Lautoka, Suva, Dravuni Island, Vava’u, Nuku’alofa, Waitangi, Tauranga, Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Timaru, Port Chalmers, Fiordland National Park (scenic cruising), Hobart, Burnie, Melbourne, Sydney

Noordam is an awardwinning ship offering excellent hospitality, luxurious amenities, and world-class restaurants. With ultra-modern entertainment and extensive spa treatments, you won’t be short of luxuries on board.

+Complimentary Ocean View to Verandah upgrade

Luxury Hotel Stay

1 night five-star stay in Sydney at the Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney with breakfast

Complimentary Flights & Taxes

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Enjoy the same exceptional value with our holiday packages featuring hotel stays, memorable tours, and iconic rail journeys around the world, all without transfers* included – travel your way with Imagine Holidays.

Advocating for homeless youth

As the demand for youth homelessness services in Brimbank continues to grow, local organisations have come together under a national coalition to launch a platform ahead of the federal election to address the issue.

The Home Time Youth Housing Coalition has launched its Federal Election Policy Platform, urging all parties and candidates to announce their plans to reduce the number of Australian children and young people who are alone with nowhere to live.

Home Time consists of 170 organisations from across the country, including the Melbourne City Mission (MCM) which

services Brimbank, with the coalition calling for the creation of a national target of 15,000 tenancies with support for young people, and removal of financial barriers that discriminate against young people trying to access community housing.

According to MCM’s youth and family homelessness services senior manager Lisa O’Brien, the campaign is of particular interest and benefit to Brimbank.

“Over the past 12 months we have seen more than 78 young people from the Brimbank area access MCM’s youth homelessness services, a 15 per cent increase from the year

prior,” she said. “As the data shows, more and more young people are seeking support and services — putting more strain on an under-resourced sector, and yet the housing system cannot meet nor fulfil the demand that is being placed on it.

“MCM strongly supports the Home Time call for dedicated tenancies for young people that will look at fixing the widening gap that has grown throughout the years.”

According to Ms O’Brien, accessible housing for young people in such a competitive market is non-existent.

“This campaign ensures that young people

Emergency services meet and greet

Local emergency services will come together on April 5 for a free community day event to engage with residents about issues that matter most to them.

From police officers and members of the State Emergency Service (SES), to paramedics and firefighters, locals will be able to interact with officials in a relaxed environment.

According to Brimbank neighbourhood policing co-ordinator and Leading Senior Constable Matt Mudie, the initiative is an opportunity for residents to have all their questions answered.

“For us it’s about getting out in the community,” he said.

“All of us will be putting on displays and will be available to residents.

“They can come have a chat, look at our vehicles and ask us questions about what we do — we are basically just reaching out to the community to interact with them.”

LeadingSeniorConstableMudiesaid itwas “really important” to set up an event like this for Brimbank locals.

“It’s about showing people that police and other emergency services are approachable,

that we’re on the same side and they can come talk to us whenever they want,” he said.

“People generally call us when they’re having a bad day, so we mostly only interact with them in stressful situations.

“That’s why the community event is crucial because we can have nice relaxed conversations with the residents — we’d love to see everyone come along.”

The Emergency Services Community Day event is being held at the Brimbank Shopping Centre on April 5 from 10am to 2pm.

will have the opportunity for secure housing thatiscurrentlynotavailabletothem,”shesaid.

“With a safe and secure house to make into a home means that work can continue in the other areas such as education, health and employment.”

Homelessness Australia’s Kate Colvin said the newly launched campaign will get the ball rolling on implementing necessary change.

“As we head into an election, we need strong commitments from all sides of politics to fix youth housing,” she said.

“Every homeless young person who can’t return home needs safe housing and support.”

Input wanted on strategy

Brimbankcouncilisworkingondrafting a new climate emergency strategy, with the community encouraged to give its input.

The council’s current plan is set to expire soon, and the fresh strategy will guide local climate action measures in the years to come.

According to the council, climate action is about halting climate change through the reduction of fossil fuel use and transitioning to renewable energy — it’s also about adapting to a world that will be affected by climate change.

Council is calling on Brimbank residents to detail their understanding of climate change, what concerns them the mostaboutitsimpactontheenvironment and what actions locals want council to take.

This information will help the council develop the key priorities of the new strategy.

The upcoming Brimbank Community Climate Forum, will be an opportunity to participate in a guided workshop and discussion to inform the draft of the ten-yearClimateEmergencyStrategyand thefutureofclimateactioninBrimbank.

“In Brimbank, we know that our community is committed to taking action to look after the environment and already feel the effects of heat waves,” the council said. “Because climate change affects us all, it’s important that the Brimbank community has a say in what actions the council takes.”

The forum will kick-off at 10 am on April 12, at the Brimbank Civic Centre in Sunshine. Details: events.humanitix. com/brimbank-community-climateforum

Kayla Parker from St John Ambulance and Leading Senior Constable Matt Mudie are calling on residents to attend the community event. (Damjan Janevski) 467906_06

A safe place for poets to perform

On the second Saturday afternoon of each month, spoken word echoes through the Woodend RSL as poets, musicians, and writers present their work to an keen audience in an event called Chamber Poets. Oscar Parry spoke with the convener and volunteers about the monthly event and the enduring power and importance of spoken word.

Formedin2013byWoodendpoetMyron

Lysenko, who has been an active writer since the 1980s, Chamber Poets is an event that welcomes writers and poets of all experience levels from across Melbourne to present their work to others who are enthusiastic about the power of language as an art form.

Lysenko, who has facilitated several poetry events across Victoria, said Chamber Poets was originally hosted in a cafe in the Woodend council chambers – but was put on hold during the Covid lockdowns.

It was the enthusiasm of other writers that helped bring the event back to life after this period, with a collective of volunteers now offering their time to facilitate the monthly readings.

“I was pretty tired of organising the event, andupuntilthatstage,Ibasicallyranitonmy own,” Lysenko said.

“A few of the writers from the area invited me for a coffee and they said ‘Myron, everyone’s demanding that Chamber Poets comes back’ and I said ‘well, I’m too tired for it to come back,’ and they said ‘well, we’ll help you run it’.”

‘‘ Chamber Poets feels like an enrapturing safety net. It feels like you can throw out a line and you’re just going to be caught in the safety net even if it misses ’’

- Talon Gostelow

Each event begins with a local band performing two songs, followed by an open poetry section, an interval for enjoying food and drinks together, and closing with a reading from a featured poet who then gives an award to a poet from the open section whose work they enjoyed most.

As the convener of the event, Lysenko said he enjoys organising “something for the poets and the audience to enjoy” and giving writers “a chance to speak.”

“People get up on the microphone and they can read whatever they want, and quite often in the [gloomy] and surreal world we’re living in now – sometimes poetry is an antidote to that,” he said.

He said the event is “multigenerational,” attracting younger and older people alike.

Woodend poet and collective volunteer Helen McDonald said the event welcomes “allcomers,” including people “who’ve been just writing for themselves and feel that they want to finally stand up and share that with someone because it’s important to them“.

“[They] are just as welcome as are very established, marvellous featured poets who come along … everybody is welcomed as equals, so you can find in any session of Chamber Poets someone who’s speaking for the first time,” McDonald said.

“Your knees knock and your voice shakes, but everybody is incredibly supportive.”

McDonald said that as a “shortish” literary art form, poetry is a powerful medium for expression.

“I think it’s a wonderful [way] of reaching the depths of one’s thoughts [and] emotions. It’s not linear – it’s not like writing a short story where you have a beginning, a middle, and an end,” she said.

“I think poetry’s just a wonderful form of expressing what’s going on within oneself.”

She said she finds the evolution of poetry to be “exciting,” with plenty of younger writers choosing to present forms like slam poetry at events.

“To my mind, a lot of young poets are taking things by storm by creating their own language and their own way of expressing –and slam poetry has become such a popular form,” she said.

McDonald said that with the breadth of styles of poetry, you can “read a beautiful poem by W.B Yeats … and be incredibly moved and swayed by that as you can by a three-line haiku.”

She said the Macedon Ranges is “so rich in imagery and great fodder for poets,” with many of the presenters at Chamber Poets from towns like Macedon and Trentham.

Apart from the locals, the event attracts attendees from as far as Frankston and Euroa.

Macedon Ranges poet and collective volunteer Talon Gostelow said he believes poetry is “still very much alive” among younger people.

“I go into Melbourne, and I see a lot of 20-year-olds, a lot of younger people – even teenagers as well – who have a great deal of involvement in poetry … I know so many of my friends who don’t go to events but who just write poetry and … journal at home,” Gostelow said.

He feels Chamber Poets is an inclusive and welcoming event where he feels comfortable to present his work.

“Chamber Poets feels like an enrapturing safetynet.Itfeelslikeyoucanthrowoutaline andyou’rejustgoingtobecaughtinthesafety net even if it misses … you can just go up and stage, and even if you’ve written the worst poetry known to man, you’re comforted and you fall into that safety net,” he said.

“It’s … a place where I feel free to express myself, I feel included, I feel welcome … it’s just really warming … everyone is so kind … it’s really heartening to be here.”

Gostelow said that poetry as a literary form is a great way to express “unconscious associations” and “subliminal … pent up feelings.”

“If you’ve been dealing with anxiety your whole life, and you just bottle that up … and it’s been sitting there under the surface just sort of bubbling away … being able to put that into a verse, being able to write to that, to express that and then people … acknowledge that that’s a shared experience – it’s very difficult to beat that feeling. It’s very difficult to beat that sense of catharsis,” he said.

He said it “alleviates so much” and is “able to pull things from that unconscious in a really accessible way” that other media might require more time or energy for.

“Perhaps songwriting … painting, or drawing … those are things that I would say would have perhaps a higher skill floor, whereas poetry has a much more accessible skill floor [but] equally as high of a skill ceiling.”

Gostelow said that as someone who has worked with youth, he believes accessibility could be a factor at a regional level that might prevent younger Macedon Ranges residents from attending an event like Chamber Poets. Throughout April, Lysenko, who is the Victorian representative of Australian Haiku Society, will direct the Woodend Haiku Festival.

Thiswillincludeamonth-longhaikucontest with an autumn theme, pop-up haiku poetry recitals, a free haiku picnic from 10am–1pm on April 2 at the Woodend Children’s Park, and a haiku-focused Chamber Poets event from 1–4pm on April 12.

Details: facebook.com/groups/ ChamberPoets

Main: Chamber Poets convener Myron Lysenko, and collective volunteers Jenny Zimmerman, Helen McDonald, Wendy Purcell, Talon Gostelow and Linda Stuart at the Woodend RSL. (Damjan Janevski) 466737_01 Left: Poets Es Foong and Mary Stone at one of the events. Right: Chamber Poets collective volunteer Talon Gostelow reciting one of his works. (Pictures: Supplied).

New Woolworths supermarket now open in Hillside

A new Woolworths supermarket opened on Thursday March 20 in Hillside, offering a brand new shopping experience for the local Banchory Grove community.

The 2,600 sqm store brings exciting new innovation for local shoppers and welcomes over 40 new members to a team of over 150.

The Woolworths Banchory Grove store is located on the corner of Melton Highway and Banchory Avenue and has opened along with 20 speciality stores, with a large, shaded car park. Inside the store, customers will be able to choose from an extensive range of fruit and vegetables, as well as 100 per cent Australian meat from Aussie farmers and a great variety of fresh, local seafood from the fish market.

A key feature of the new store is the full production bakery, offering stone baked breads made from Australian wheat flour, with sweet treats and pastries on shelves every day.

A large Macro Wholefoods market range and a dedicated offering of plant-based protein can also be found in store. To cater for the local community, customers will also find an array of gourmet and international groceries across the fresh, frozen and grocery departments in the store.

Woolworths Banchory Grove offers a convenient shopping option for customers through its Direct to Boot service, with five dedicated parking bays. Customers place their grocery orders online and have store team members pick their order and then place it directly in the customer’s boot, with no additional charge. There’s also electronic ticketing throughout the store to reduce waste and share the latest updates on pricing for shoppers.

BanchoryGroveWoolworthsstoremanager, Sureyya Soyturk, who has been part of the Woolworths team for 36 years, said “We’re

incredibly excited to open this brand new Woolworths in Banchory Grove, introducing new and exciting ways for customers to shop. We’re sure that Hillside locals will find the convenience they are looking for at our brand new store, with a number of easy shopping

solutionsandmealideasonofferforthewhole family.

“Over 40 members of our team have just joinedWoolworthsinrecentweeks,anditwas great to work with the wider team in opening the store last week. We have had a great

response from local customers since opening the doors”

Woolworths Banchory Grove is located at 1 – 15 Banchory Avenue in Hillside and is open 7am to 10pm, 7 days a week.

The team at Woolworths Banchory Grove.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Keilor Park Tennis Club Social Night

Join the club on Monday nights for a free social hit and get to know other club members. All levels are welcome. Female players are also required for Thursday competition, from 10am-2pm and for the B grade mixed team on Wednesday, 7-9pm.

 keilorparktennis@gmail.com.

Brimbank Book Group

Be inspired by thought-provoking books with a group of like-minded, literary fans with our Brimbank Book Group. All welcomed. This group, for adults, meets on the first Monday of the month, from 2-3 pm, at Deer Park Library. Bookings are not essential, but please feel free to register your interest if you’d like to receive a reminder email.

¦ library@brimbank.vic.gov.au

Create & Chat

Dig out your craft projects and get inspiration from fellow like-minded crafters with the Create & Chat sessions at Sunshine Library, from 10-11am, on the first Tuesday of every month. All skill levels are welcome.

 library@brimbank.vic.gov.au

WeightWatchers

Join WeightWatchers every Tuesday from 5.30 pm at Parkwood Green Primary School, Hillside with sessions starting from April 8.

Women Working Together

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

 9655 2131, or EmploymentSupport@ cotavic.org.au, or cotavic.org.au/ our-programs/employment-support/

Family & Local History Help

Need help in researching your family or local history project? Reserve a spot

for this free tailored one-on-one 30 min session at Keilor Library to kickstart your project! Due to high demand and event waiting lists, please only book tickets for people participating in event. .

 library@brimbank.vic.gov.au

Connect & Chat at Sydenham Library

Join weekly Connect & Chat sessions to expand your local library community and social circle. Sessions for adults are held every Wednesday from 1.30 pm and sessions for young people aged 13 to 25 are held on the same day at 3 pm.

National seniors meeting

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

 0425 713 004, or lesley1.collins@outlook.com

Women’s only conversation English Duke Street Community House is inviting locals to make friends, learn new skills and practice English in this fun and free women’s social group. Tuesdays during school terms, 9.30am-noon, at Duke Street Community House, 27 Duke Street, Sunshine.  9311 9973, or dukest@dsch.org.au

Crafternoons

Duke Street Community House is inviting locals to a free adult social opportunity to get together and be creative. Learn a new craft or bring along your own craft projects. Tuesdays during school terms, 12.30-2.30pm, at the Duke Street Community House, 27 Duke Street, Sunshine.

 9311 9973, or dukest@dsch.org.au

Musicians Wanted Westgate Concert Band is seeking new

members. Do you play Woodwind, Brass or Percussion and are looking for a welcoming place to play enjoyable and challenging music? Rehearsals are held Saturday mornings during school terms, 9am to noon, at Braybrook College.

 westgateconcertband@gmail.com

Sunshine Repair Cafe

Do you enjoy fixing things or have skills in mending clothing and textiles? Kororoit Neighbourhood House is looking for volunteer repairers for the newly launched Repair Café in Brimbank. Events happen once a month and are an opportunity to meet others in the community and share your skills while helping fix broken household items.

 sunshinerepaircafe@kcnh.org.au, or 0413 434 082

Al-Anon Family Groups

Al-Anon Family Groups is offering help and hope to anyone living in an unhappy home because a loved one drinks too much. There are no contracts to sign, just a voluntary donation to cover room rental. Confidentiality is protected. Confidential meetings held at the Delahey Community Centre, 70 Copperfield Drive, Delahey (next to Copperfield Collegesenior campus) every Wednesday, from 1-2.30pm. New members welcome. No appointment necessary.

Keilor Day View Club

The Keilor Day View Club meets at 11am on the first Thursday of each month at Green Gully Soccer Club, Green Gully Reserve, Club House Place, Keilor Downs. The club is inviting locals to come along and enjoy a meal and fun with a friendly group of ladies.

 Robyn, 0425 387 880

Learn to Relax Group

IPC Health’s Living Well team is running a free Learn to Relax Group at IPC Health Deer Park, 106 Station Road, every

Tuesday at 11am. This group is for people over 18 years who are interested in learning how to relax and finding ways to effectively manage their stress. Registration is required to attend this group.

 livingwell@ipchealth.com.au, or 1300 472 432

Card games

Love playing the card game 500? Card games are played every Monday, from 7-10pm, at the Sunshine RSL offices, 99 Dickson Street, Sunshine.

 Leisa, 0425 768 808

Deer Park Lions Club

Deer Park Lions Club is looking for new members. It holds dinner meetings on the first Wednesday of every month at the Deer Park Senior Citizens Club, 119 Station Road, Deer Park.

 Michael, 0417 307 572

Sunshine Community Brass

Sunshine Community Brass is looking for trumpet and percussion players to join its vibrant band of musicians. With more than 90 years of history, the band rehearses at 45 Furlong Road, North Sunshine, on Tuesdays, from 7.30pm.

 Andrew, 0419 444 620

St Albans senior citizens

St Albans Senior Citizens group meet at the centre at the corner of Alfrieda and William streets, St Albans, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 9am-2pm. Annual membership: $10. Cost: $1 entry on attendance day.

 Roma, 0435 991 064

Caroline Springs Rotary

The Rotary Club of Caroline Springs is inviting new guests to join its meetings in person or via Zoom. Meetings are held every Wednesday at the Western Emergency Relief Network in Ravenhall, from 7pm.

 rotarycarolinesprings@gmail.com

This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of the Sunshine Eagles celebrating their Baseball Victoria summer league premiership. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 468176_01

Comedy show to entertain kids

Winni the Wacky Wizard is returning to the west next month and she’s bringing her friend Ditzy Dizzard along too.

Winni Wizard and the Ditzy Dizzard is the fourth edition of the Winni Wizard chronicles and the creation of comedians Lisa Gatenby andJacobSacherwhoareperformingtheshow at Yarraville’s Kindred Studios as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF).

A comedy show aimed at kids aged four and above, the story follows Winni the Wacky Wizard (Gatenby) as she visits her friend Ditzy Dizzard (Sacher).

Throughhijinxandmayhemtheysoonlearn

that there’s more to success than being good at magic. Being true to yourself and following your dreams count just as much.

Sacher said that with he and Gatenby being friendsinreallife,thiswasthepartoftheshow that was semi-autobiographical.

“Both of us have chased success in the corporate world, but ultimately found that success comes in many forms,” said Sacher, who like Gatenby, has been doing comedy for 10 years.

However, according to Gatenby, this was their first time sharing a stage.

“We’veworkedtogetherbeforebutthisisthe first show we’re doing together.”

The pair will bring Winni Wizard and the Ditzy Dizzard to Yarraville for five shows from April 12 to 17, except Monday, April 14.

It will is the only kids comedy show to be performed in Melbourne’s west during MICF and while aimed at those of primary school age,Gatenbysaidtherewasplentyoflaughsfor older age groups too.

“We say it’s (aimed at) 4 to 400 because there’s jokes for the adults as well,” she said.

Information and tickets: https://www. comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/winniwizard-and-the-ditzy-dizzard/

Cade Lucas

Autumn on display in open gardens

Celebrating the change of seasons, four gardens in the Macedon Ranges will be open to the public as part of the 2025 Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival.

With varying open dates between April 1–30, Duneira Estate, Viewfield Garden, ForestGladeGardens,andCamelotGardenin Mount Macedon will open their gates to the public so people can appreciate the autumn colours of these impressive Macedon Ranges gardens.

With its first opening date on April 11, Camelot Garden will present ancient gum trees, a grove of giant Sequoias and over 500 species of rare and exotic plants from around the world.

Forest Glade Gardens will showcase its variety of gardens and landscaping styles, including English and Japanese-influenced areas, while Duneira Estate will present formal and woodland-style gardens along with a 500-metre Dutch Elm avenue, chestnut groves, orchards, and paddocks containing resident llamas.

Owned by Macedon Ranges residents Vicki and Les Hawken, Viewfield Garden will present several European trees and Eucalypts, breath-taking views, a children’s fairy garden, afruitforest,perennialgardens,andatranquil stream.

Viewfield gardener Eve Archbold said that her favourite part of the garden is the variety

of flora on display.

“We’re always evolving the garden with a huge spectrum of different kind of plants and planting styles … so, I think the diversity in the plants is something that I really love,” Ms Archbold said.

The site also contains a productive kitchen garden and greenhouse.

Opening dates and pricing for each of the open gardens are available on their websites, with further details about the Autumn Festival provided on the Visit Macedon Ranges website.

Details: visitmacedonranges.com/ autumn-festival/ Oscar Parry

Stories of thriving Vietnamese community

Fiftyyearsago,Vietnameserefugeesarrivedon Australian shores, bringing with them stories of resilience, determination, and hope. Today, their legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of Australia’s multicultural society.

To honour this milestone, the Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association (AVWA) is hosting a memorable exhibition — Thrive 2025.

This exhibition celebrates the personal journeys,achievements,andcontributionsthat have shaped Australia over the past 50 years, according to AVWA chief executive Nicky Chung.

“Visitors will experience first-hand accounts of resilience, cultural heritage, and the remarkable impact of Vietnamese Australians across business, education, the arts, and

community leadership,” she said.

“Since their arrival, Vietnamese Australians have built new lives, contributing to a stronger,

Music

of the Anzacs set to entertain

Morning Melodies is making a marvellous and miraculous return for those whose heart yearns for music.

The‘SpiritoftheAnzacs’byPromac Productions will grace the Encore Events Centre in Hoppers Crossing on Tuesday, April 8.

Join in commemorating the gusto of the Anzacs and Vietnam veterans in the lead-up to Anzac Day, with wonderful songs, stories, and letters from the 40s, 50s, and 60s.

Across the 60-minute serenade, you’ll hear timeless tunes from The Andrew Sisters, Vera Lynn, Bob Dylan, John Denver, and Tom Jones to name just a few.

Led by star tenor Roy Best, international soprano Alison Jones and narrator/compere Christopher McKenna, with a little help from piano virtuoso William Schmidt, the act is making its way around the country.

While a few laughs are probably an inevitable side effect of a spectacular show, it is also an earnest ode to those brave people who gave their lives in service of our country.

2025 is a significant year for the tour and diggers, coinciding with the 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli Landings and the 80th anniversary of World War 2 ending.

Doors open at 10.30am, so come down, bring a friend and enjoy a jovial nod to Australia’s bravest men and women.

If you didn’t bring your lunchbox there is no need to stress, as the $14 tickets include a delicious morning tea.

Book your tickets: https://www. wyncc.com.au/

more diverse Australia.”

MsChungencouragedallresidentstoattend the exhibition.

“There are so many stories of Vietnamese refugees who have started their time in Australia just trying to survive but are now thriving,” she said.

“We welcome people of all backgrounds, community members, educators, students, families, and professionals, to attend, learn, and connect with these powerful stories.

“Schools, and organisations, are also encouraged to engage, share these stories, and help celebrate this milestone of resilience and contribution.”

The Thrive 2025 exhibition will be on display until May 1 at level one of the Sunshine Library.

Viewfield Open Garden owner Vicki Hawken among some of the incredible flora (Damjan Janevski) 467508_01

Chris McKenna, William Schmidt and Alison Jones are bringing you ‘Spirit of the Anzacs’. (Supplied)

Winni Wizard (Lisa Gatenby) and the Ditzy Dizzard (Jacob Sacher). (Damjan Janevski) 465765_01

Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association chief executive Nicky Chung. (Damjan Janevski) 467452_01

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

PUZZLES

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

ACROSS

1 Medicinal allotment (6)

4 Propagates (8)

9 Extrinsic (5)

10 Malformed (9)

11 Spiritual (5)

12 Beatles song, –Wood (9)

13 Band member (8)

15 Buy back (6)

16 Gruff (6)

18 Region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea (8)

23 Lasting (9)

24 Dance (5)

26 Pathological self-admirer (9)

27 Ancient (5)

28 Sapling (8)

29 Land surrounded by water (6)

DOWN

1 Division into two contrasted aspects (7)

2 Issue (5)

3 Non-specific (7)

5 Haunt (6)

6 Attain (7)

7 Pleasure (9)

8 Word with same meaning (7)

10 Japanese comic (5)

14 'Back to – –' (6,3)

16 Coniferous tree (7)

17 Labour (7)

19 A native people of Central America (5)

20 Traditions (7)

21 Examined (7)

22 Gentle and kind (6)

25 The press, collectively (5)

the nine letters in the

how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural nouns ending in “s”.

1 Which 1986 coming-of-age film is based on Stephen King's novella TheBody (1982)?

2 Psittacines are more commonly known as what animal?

3 Of the seven chakras, which one is located at the base of the spine?

4 The characters in Teenage MutantNinjaTurtles are named after Italian Renaissance a) artists, b) musicians or c) philosophers?

5 What is the

7 When Elle Fanning (pictured) made her film debut in I Am Sam, who played the older version of her character?

8 True or false: black bears are not always black?

9 In which country was the Battle of Waterloo fought?

10 Who played the titular king in both the 1951 Broadway production and 1956 film adaptation of TheKingandI?

S-Cross lags behind competitors

By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring

Originally known as the SX4, the current model dates back to 2021 and shares its chassis with the Vitara.

S-Cross brought a major makeover in styling, with a new front and rear-end design.

Inside, the dashboard was updated, with an instrument cluster and 4.2-inch LCD multi-info display from Vitara, A floating 7.0-inch touchscreen became the focus of the infotainment system.

Driver assistance was also upgraded with a 360 degree camera, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Interior space remains exactly the same as the previous generation.

The SX4 S-Cross is built at the Magyar Suzuki plant in Hungary.

All are powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged four cylinder petrol engine.

Styling

S-Cross comes in four grades, priced from $38,990 plus on-roads.

Kicking off proceedings is this the front wheel drive S-Cross, followed by the S-Cross Plus at $41,490, then the all-wheel drive AllGrip from $40,990 and ultimately the AllGrip Prestige from $44,490 — all prices before on-roads costs.

Our test vehicle was the top of the AllGrip Prestige.

Compared to its SX4 predecessor, the compact S-Cross is a step up, both visually, along with cabin trim and equipment.

An aggressive piano black diamond lattice grille and LED headlights have the SUV standing tall, while square wheel arches wrapping polished alloy and silver highlights onthebumpersmakeforamorerobustprofile than before.

Body-coloured power folding and heated exterior mirrors, and door handles contrast with 17-inch polished alloy wheels giving the SUV ground clearance of 175mm.

Likeallpresent-daySuzukicars,theS-Cross is covered by a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty and five-year capped-price service scheme, the latter at 12 months or 10,000km intervals.

Infotainment

A new 9.0-inch tablet-style touchscreen situated on the centre dashboard provides access to satellite navigation, voice command, DAB+ digital radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, with Bluetooth connectivity.

Audio consists of four speakers and two tweeters, with a single USB-A port in front, along with AUX and a 12-volt outlet in the centre bin.

Driver’s Information, consisting of analogue speedo and tacho separated by a digital display, includes instant and average fuel consumption, driving range and a gear position indicator.

Safety

S-Cross is still waiting for a safety review and that’s not good enough.

Featured are seven airbags, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop/start in heavy traffic; lane departure warning and mitigation, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, electronic stability program.

There’s also auto high beam, LED head lights, weaving alert, warning the driver if he or she lets the vehicle go wandering.

Also on hand are blind spot monitor; front and rear parking sensors; hill hold control on moving off on inclines; rear cross-traffic alert and dual sensor brake support.

A camera and sensor warn and brakes for pedestrians.

Front, side and curtain airbags are standard

and there are two ISOFix child seats, plus three child seat tether anchorages in the rear.

Engines/transmissions

The engine remains unchanged, with the 1.4-litreBoosterjetturbochargedfour-cylinder enginebeingmatedwithasix-speedautomatic transmission with manual mode and steering wheel-mounted shift paddles.

It produces 103kW at 5500 rpm and 220Nm of torque between 1500 and 4000 rpm.

In this model drive is to all four wheels through a conventional six-speed automatic transmission.

Driving Quality leather appointments are not enough to detract from the firmness of the seats.

Leg room for the average-adult is good, but the back seats lack air outlets.

The dual zone climate control air-con even includes a pollen filter.

Storage consists of a deep centre console box, with padded lid doubling as an arm rest, two cup holders, front and rear and a couple of front and rear bottle slots.

The boot has room for 430 litres of cargo withtherearseatbacksupand1230litreswith seat backs folded. A space saver spare can be found under the floor.

Suzuki’s engineers reckon they have turbo lag by installing the specially developed compact turbocharger attached directly to

RATINGS

Looks: 7/10

Performance: 7.5/10

Safety: 6/10

Thirst: 7/10

Practicality: 7/10

Comfort: 5/10

Tech: 7/10

Value: 5/10

Overall: 6.4/10

the cylinder head as well as incorporating the exhaust manifold into the cylinder head casting.

Can’t disagree.

Keyless entry and start provide easy access for the driver.

The carry-over powertrain is already well sorted and provides smooth take-off.

Overseas however it’s offered with a hybrid. It took ages to get the Swift Hybrid, S-Cross will probably be the same.

S-Cross is spritely thanks to the strong torquefactorandovertakingcanbeperformed with confidence.

Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts add a further level of driver input without dialling up too much excitement.

The driver is aided by an instrument cluster, comprising two old-style analogue gauges with a digital trip computer between, which includes a speedo.

This design has been around for a decade. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it?

S-Cross is rated at 1500kg, braked, and 600kg, unbraked, for towing.

AllGrip or all-wheel drive is summoned via a knob on the centre console behind the gearshift.

Auto mode switches between front-wheel and all-wheel drive when conditions demand; Sport sends more torque to the rear and improved engine response; Snow enhances traction on slippery surfaces, maximum

torque to rear wheels to get out of such as sand or snow.

A lock button delivers 50:50 front/rear distribution.

Our AllGrip Prestige exhibited good road manners on the bitumen in both wet and dry conditions.

But we wouldn’t be venturing too far off road.

Friends have an S-Cross. Before that they had the SX-4. They say voice command is useless and it is a bit noisy inside the cabin. Onceyoupairaphone,evenifyouselectradio, it often reverts to phone.

With a 47-litre tank, fuel consumption is a claimed 6.2 litres per 100 kilometres and it takes 95 premium unleaded.

We were getting 6.5L/100km.

Summing up

Like other Suzuki models, S-Cross needs to become competitive with the current crop of small SUVs, particularly those from the Chinese.

Once upon a time it was the bargain of the Japanese offerings. These days it has been eclipsedbyaswatheofcheaper,betterequipped offerings that perform the same function.

Suzuki’s management has been notoriously slow to respond to changes in the industry. Someone needs to sack the lot of them and bring some new, dynamic blood aboard – it’s not rocket science.

Like other Suzuki models, S-Cross needs to become competitive with the current crop of small SUVs. (Pictures: Supplied)

Taking pride in premiership joy

There’s been grand final fever across Melbourne’s north-west in recent weeks, as the summer sports finish up their seasons. There are plenty of good stories from across all competitions and here are five of them.

Altona Sports four XI

There were plenty of family connections as Altona Sports fourth XI claimed the Western Suburbs Churches and Community Cricket Association division 13 premiership. Facing the Altona Roosters, Sports made 193 as Dean McKenzie top scored with 92 at the topoftheorder.TheRoosterswereintrouble

early at 3-1. The Roosters never recovered and were bowled out for 81. Daniel Mulcahy and John Dimech took three wickets each. The side featured a group of friends some that first played together 25 years ago now playing together with their sons and nephews.

St Albans under-17.5s

St Albans under-17.5 team won a thrilling Western Region Junior Cricket Association division 2 premiership. The match was a thrilling contest, with the result decided in the final overs. It was a true team effort, where every player played a crucial role in securing the win. St Albans batted first before the Bulls played their innings over two days, making 9-156. Chris D’Agostin top scored with 85. Mitchell

Pittaway took three wickets for the Saints. The Saints hit the winning runs in the second last over, finishing 7-157. Jonathan Peacock top scored with 41. The team featured four under-14 players, under the leadership of captain Mitchell Pittaway and coach Tyler Hubery. The club said It was the younger players who made the difference on the day, with Logan Chamberlain hitting the winning runs.

Sunshine Heights under-13A Sandars

Sunshine Heights claimed the Western Region Junior Cricket Association mixed under-13A east premiership with a dominant win against Williamstown. Williamstown wonthetossandchosetobatfirst.Itsopeners looked dangerous early, but Heights struck quickly, thanks to a run-out by Vikhyath Kolipaka, removing Williamstown’s leading run-scorer. Heights spinners controlled the game, creating pressure that led to five run-outs. Williamstown finished with 107 off 24 overs. Arjun Reddy Patlolla

Sunshine Heights under-17A

Sunshine Heights’ under-17A Miller team secureditssecondconsecutiveWesternRegion Junior Cricket Association premiership, defeating Hoppers Crossing in a grand Final thriller. Losing the toss, Heights were sent in to bowl first on a wet, dewy surface. Despite the challenging conditions, seamers Heath Lehane, Hayden Roshier and Adnan Shiyas made early inroads, each taking a wicket to leave Hoppers at 3-86 after its first turn with thebat.TheRamseybrothers,JhettandNoah, got Heights off to a flying start with a 40-run partnership before Noah was dismissed. Jhett continuedtoanchortheinnings,scoring37off 58 balls, before falling late in the day, leaving

was economical, finishing with 1-6 off two overs. Chasing 108 for victory, captain Noah Ramsey and vice-captain Reyansh Reddy Manthena set the tone early, smashing 33 runs in the first three overs. Arjun Reddy Patlolla, Ruthwick Yarrapureddy and Shivam Sharma played handy roles, as Meet Shringarpure hit the winning runs with 10 overs remaining. Heights finished 4-111. Ramseywasplayerofthematchaftermaking 27 and finishing with 0-4 off his two overs and his wicketkeeping.

Heights at 2-87 in what was shaping up to be a tightcontest. Ondaytwo,AtharvSawantand Riyan Bhasin set the platform with a superb 80-run partnership for Heights, controlling the game before both fell in consecutive balls after scoring 46 (81) and 42 (60), respectively. Heights posted a competitive total of 9-211. Jhett Ramsey and Riyan Bhasin kept things tight with the new ball, restricting Hoppers’ scoring rate early. Heights shared the wickets withKarmannVirdiclaimingthefinalwicket with five overs to go. Sawant was the standout performer, scoring 46 off 81 with the bat and deliveringwiththeball,finishingwith2-19off seven overs.

Donnybrook under-13s

The Donnybrook Stars had a big win in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association under-12 (3) Friday north-east grand final. The Stars faced Pascoe Vale Hadfield in the grand final. Batting first, the Stars made 4-157 from their 20 overs.

Manraj Vir Singh finished 30 not out for the Stars off just 30 balls. The Panthers never got close, finishing 7-79. It was single wicket takers for the Stars. It was one of several grand finals for Donnybrook which has a growing junior program.

Crows hope to use the hurt for good next season

Sunshine is hoping to use the feeling of grand final defeat to spur it to greater heights in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Isaacs Howarth Shield next season.

It wasn’t the ending to the season the Crows were after as their bats struggled to get going and left them behind the eight ball after day one.

Crows captain-coach Shafraz Mohamed said the grand final loss really hurt.

“It was our worst performance for the season with the bat,” he said. “We couldn’t keep the momentum going those last 17 overs [on day one].

“It played a big part in losing the game.”

The Crows entered the grand final with Altona North as the only team to have beaten the minor premiers.

The Crows bowlers were able to restrict AltonaNorthto9-177withthebatondayone.

Mohamed said they thought their bowlers had done a good job.

“To be fair, the bowlers stuck to the plan,” he said. “If you had given me that they would make 170, I would have been happy.

“It was a quick outfield and we thought it was a really gettable total.”

With 17 overs to face on day one, the Crows were hoping to set up the run chase.

Instead it was a disaster as they finished the day at 5-45 and in big trouble.

“The boys couldn’t cope with the pressure,” he said. “We didn’t handle the pressure and it cost us the game.”

Sunshine showed some fight early on day two and took the score to 5-90 and gave themselves some hope of pulling off the win.

Mohamed said they only did half the job as they were bowled out for 126.

“We started really well,” he said. “We were

pretty much in the same spot as they were, 6-90.

“The set batsmen lost their wickets. Our grand final performance was our worst of the season.”

Mohamedsaidwhiletheyweredisappointed with the result, there was a lot to take out of the season which saw them finally reach the grand final after a number of near misses.

“We are a pretty tight team, a talented team,” he said. “I’m actually pretty thankful to play in the side this year.

“We had a dominant season but come the grand final when it mattered we dropped the bucket.

“We still have a fairly young side. I hope theymaturefromthisandabletohavesuccess in the finals next year.”

Tara Murray

Burton thrives on footy

By Peter Howe

This month’s Don Deeble

is one of the best young footballers in Australia.

From Point Cook, Burton plays with the Western Jets and is part of the AFL Academy for the best top-age draft players in the country.

LIke many young players, Burton started in Auskick aged six.

“I played tennis and basketball but didn’t love those sports like I loved AFL,” he said. “Footy is my passion.

“I was never the kid in the goal square making sandcastles or kicking the grass around, I just wanted the footy in my hands, I wanted to compete and I thrived on the opportunity to play.”

Withanattitudelikethat,itdoesn’tsurprise he had the simple mantra of hard work and discipline.

Atjust16,hemadehisseniordebutforPoint Cook in the Western Football League division 1 competition, in a grand final in 2023.

“I was in the senior training squad with a few others, sadly we had a few injuries leading into that grand final,” he said.

“Others in the group spent their time speculating, I just wanted to get in and train hard. I’m very grateful I got the nod.”

Even a cursory glance at Burton’s awards gives you an idea that he was driven to succeed.

There were best and fairest awards at Point Cookintheunder-11s,twiceinunder-12s and under-16s, with two league best and fairests thrown in as well.

He was elected in the Victorian Schoolboys under-15 team for the national carnival in 2022 and following a very consistent carnival, Burton was selected in the All-Australian schoolboy’s team.

Burton has also developed his leadership skills, captaining Point Cook’s under-16 team and being a vice-captain for the Jets under-16 team.

He said as a leader it’s important for players to know that you have their backs.

“My style includes use of voice to support but also through my actions both on field and at training,” he said.

“I feel that I must set the standards. I can see my younger teammates may be nervous or unsure, it’s my role to instill confidence in them.”

The AFL Academy opened up new opportunities for Burton. There are camps heldthatfocusonhighlevelskilldevelopment and intensity.

He said with so many top players in the game, it’s the small things that make the difference.

“Sleep, nutrition, injury management all play a part,” he said. “ So too does the mental aspects of the game.

“I think when you get to this level the game is more mental than physical. I spend a lot of time with the Western Jets wellbeing co-ordinator, Jack Rhodes.

“Hetaughtmehowtonotdwellonmistakes and remain in the present.”

Burton’s football talents saw him awarded a scholarship at Caulfield Grammar in 2023 where he played the past two years.

HeplayedontheMCGongrandfinaldayin theyounggunsgamelastyearandrepresented Vic Metro at the under-18 championships as a bottom after.

For Burton, Covid is the sliding door moment in his young career. He started working with a personal trainer.

“Footy was taken away from us so where do we turn, what do we do?” he said.

“We focused on strength and conditioning, makingmycorestronger. “Weworkedondiet and food.

Interleague squads named

The best of the best have been named in the Western Football League’s two senior interleague squads.

The league will face the Southern Football League in senior men’s and women’s football along with under-19 men’s football and netball.

The initial 39-member squad for the men’s side includes 2024 Barry Priest Medalist Alex Paech, two-time most valuable player winner Michael Selsby and last season’s division 1 leading goal kicker Tom Condon.

More than half the squad is currently or was previously VFL-listed with three players also AFL-listed at one point, the most recent of those being Altona recruit Emerson Jeka who has returned to his junior club after five years with Hawthorn and Geelong.

There are four players in the squad who represented the WFL in its last Interleague outing with Nick Buykx, Braden Ferrari, Nayef Hamad and Daniel Nielson all lining up against the Goulburn Valley Football Netball League six years ago.

Lachlan Green, Zac Pritchard and Colby Redpath who played in the under-18s match last time round have now been picked as members of the senior squad.

Players from all 12 clubs in division 1 are represented.

It will be the first time the league has had a senior women’s interleague side. Thirty-eightplayershavebeenpicked in the initial squad.

“Withoutdoubtitelevatedmyfootyjourney and made me even more focused.”

Burton believes his strengths are his speed, his ability to break packs and make those fast-closing tackles.

What does the future hold for Burton?

“I gained a place in the bachelor of business course at Deakin University,” he said. “ I will defer that for six months as I prepare for the footy season and improve my chances to be drafted at the end of the year. I am prepared to do what I need to, to achieve my dream of playing AFL.

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

If you would like to nominate a monthly winner or attend a dinner contact sswrsportsclub@gmail.com or 0408 556 631.

Last season’s league best-and-fairest joint winners Akima Manoah and Jessica Spall as well as 2024 leading goal kicker Larissa Renaut are among the squad.

Caroline Springs, which finished runners-up last season, has the more represented with nine players.

Players from eight of the nine clubs have been named, with North Sunshine the only club with no representatives.

Western Football League’s first women’s interleague squad. (Western FL)

nominee Thomas Burton

Thomas Burton. (AFL)

Pramud Hettiwatte. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 465515_12

City West Falcons continue their winning start

The City West Falcons continued their strong start to the Victorian Netball League season with a third-straight 80 goal performance to remain undefeated.

The three-time reigning premiers have started the season in strong form and it was no different on Wednesday night against the Casey Demons.

The Falcons came away with an 80-62 win.

CoachMargLindwasprettyhappywiththe performance.

“I think you’re always going to concede big goals to them, with Emma [Ryde] as she’s like Jane Cook at the other end,” she said.

“We were more focused on our scoreline which we were pretty happy with. I think we’recapableofaroundthat20goalsaquarter, [but] obviously there will be other teams that will make that difficult.

“Every time we’ve played them, they’ve scored a reasonable amount.”

Lind said they probably could have kept the

Demons to a bit less on the scoreboard, but instead decided to continue rotating players through. They had four players rotate in the defence circle, with Mel Oloamanu still out injured as well.

Lind said she thought Charity Nasalio got better as the game went on as she still learns to play against the likes of Ryde.

SophieHanrahanhadastrongperiodinthe secondhalfofthegame,whileLuciaFauonuku cameonatwingdefenceandstartedtoimpact on the centre pass.

Lind said offensively she thought they did really well and were pretty good across the whole game.

Jane Cook shot 65 goals from 66 attempts.

“We can’t complain,” Lind said.

TheFalconswerestillwithoutUneeqPalavi.

With Eleanor Cardwell to miss several weeks for the Melbourne Mavericks, the Falcons could be without Palavi, a Mavericks training partner, for even longer.

The Falcons are now 3-0 with a number of challenges coming up, including the Bendigo Strikers, Geelong Cougars and Boroondara Express.

Lind said they weren’t getting ahead of themselves despite the strong start,

The Falcons 23 and unders suffered their first loss of the season, losing 52-51.

Itwasafrustratingmatchtowatch,withthe Falcons hitting the lead late before conceding it.

“They started off too slow,” Lind said. “The defenders were a foot off, took a whole half to get into it. I thought the change of Matilda [McIntyre] on made a difference and made them more dynamic on the line.

“But then we stopped again.”

Lind said they made way too many errors across the whole game and were throwing away turnovers.

Thunder is looking good

By Tom Ingleton

Keilor Thunder coach Kristi Harrower is embracing the challenge of a new National Basketball League 1 South women’s season, confident in her group despite some early disruptions.

The Thunder were a revelation last season under Harrower making it through to the grand final before falling short at the last hurdle.

“It’s really exciting,” Harrower said.

“We are still missing a couple of players in our group, but it’s a new group which is a lot bigger this year, so it’s exciting.”

OneofthekeyelementsofKeilor’soff-season was maintaining its core squad, a decision Harrower believes will pay dividends.

Maddy Rocci, Madi Puli, Isabelle Bourne, Penina Davidson and Macey Boyle all return. Davidson will miss the start of the season.

“Keeping that core group together for me was really important,” Harrower said.

“Instead of going and getting an import overseas, I’d rather go for the imports here in Australia. To have two of the really up-and-coming players in Australia at the moment, in Isabelle Bourne and Maddison Rocci, makes a huge difference to our group.”

Harrower’s reputation as a coach has continued to grow, with several players expressing their desire to play under her guidance.

Harrower coached the Southside Flyers in the recently completed WNBL season.

“Oh look, it’s nice that they say that sort of stuff,” she admitted. “But I know myself, I still have a lot to learn as a coach. I’m the first to put my hand up and say that. I think it’s just the IQ that I had as a player that makes a big difference. As a coach, I try to teach them along the way and give them confidence. Even if players aren’t playing I make sure they still feel part of the group and I’m trying to help them.”

Keilor has also made roster adjustments to address last year’s depth issues, which saw the team shorthanded during the grand final.

“It was really important for me to get more depth into my group, get more players that weren’t playing in the youth league,” she said. “I didn’t like the fact that we only had seven players sitting on a bench or seven players warming up, so depth was a big thing.” With a stronger squad, Keilor has set high standards but is also aware of the challenges ahead.

“Look,we’regoingtohaveareallydisrupted season with a few key players missing,”

Harrower said.

“If we can finish top two, it will be nice, but I’m not sure how we will go this year.

That’s not downgrading us, but it’s just how disrupted this team is going to be with people in and out so much because of certain commitments.”

Ultimately, Harrower believes the team’s experience from last year will be invaluable.

“As long as we come good at the right time of the year, hopefully, the experience we had

Briefs

NPL

Green Gully had a successful trip up to Shepparton, coming away with the points against Melbourne Victory in the National Premier League. The Cavaliers led 1-0 at half time and that would be the difference as each side scored in the second half, with the Cavaliers winning 2-1. Kasper Hallam scored both goals for the Cavaliers.

FV

Westgate got its first win of the FV state league 1 north-west season on Friday night, beating Yarraville Glory. After a draw in round one, Westgate started well against the Glory, leading 2-1 at half time. Westgate was able to find another goal in the second half to come away with a 3-2 win. In other matches, Brimbank Stallions lost to Corio, Sydenham Park lost to Ballarat City, Keilor Park drew with Clifton Hill, Westvale Olympic lost to Upfield and Western Suburbs drew with Banyule City.

EDFL

The Essendon District Football League women’s competition will remain at three senior divisions this season. The league announced the rest of its female structure last week, having already previously announced the make up of the premier division. There will again be six teams in division 1, while there will also be six teams in division 2.

Western FL

last year can take us one step further.”

The Thunder started the season with back-to-back wins on the weekend.

On Saturday night, the Thunder beat the Diamond Valley Eagles, 90-74. Bourne finished with 39 points, while Rocci had 36 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.

On Sunday, the Thunder beat the Mt Gambier Pioneers, 100-70. Bourne finished with 24 points and Rocci with 23 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists.

The Western Football League women’s competition will remain at nine teams this season. The league announced the structure last week, with Point Cook Centrals returning to the competition and replaying Laverton, which didn’t have the numbers for a team. Braybrook had been aiming to get a side up, but didn’t have the numbers. Caroline Springs and Yarraville Seddon will field reserves sides in the Essendon District Football League reserves competition.

Maddy Rocci puts up a shot on Sunday. (@sarahprettycreative)

Tara Murray Sophie Hanrahan. (Robbab Photography)