OCTOBER 27, 2015 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + THE WEST’S BEST PROPERTY GUIDE
Cruelty spurs poll bid The 29-year-old, who grew up in Sunshine and St Albans, made his decision to run for council about a year ago. “My goal is simple – tackle the issues and build a better community that we all can enjoy,” he said. “It takes one action, one decision to change multiple generations for the better. I hope that we can do the same here in Brimbank. “Growing up in the west, I’m quite knowledgeable about the issues we face. “Community development is a skill of mine and is something council is currently lacking.” Mr Vallone said he was bullied by students, teachers and parents at a Brimbank primary school. Mr Vallone met his now fiancee while they were both in high school and her family took him in at age 22. “That’s when my fiancee and I decided we had to change things in our life – we wanted to focus on community and helping others.”
LUCIA FROM WINK MODELS IN HEADGEAR BY COOPERS COTTAGE FLORIST
Hats off for racing day florals Spring is a busy time of year for florists as spring racing fever descends on Melbourne. Florist Jodi Cooper is preparing for orders to pile in for custom-made floral crowns (pictured) – the latest trend in race-day headgear. She predicts floral headpieces will trump hats at this year’s biggest race meetings. The Spring Racing Carnival kicked off with the Caulfield Cup on October 17 and runs until Stakes Day at Flemington Racecourse on November 7. Each race day has its own particular flower – cornflowers for Derby Day, yellow roses for the Melbourne Cup, pink roses for Crown Oaks Day, and red roses for Stakes Day. Alexandra Laskie
INFOCUS FOCUS S E E
SPORTS BAR FREE DRINK IN t u o
HATS, HEELSIN& JBJ’s 2 FOR ONE 2 FOR 1 COCKTAIL HIGHLOUNGE TEA OURFINALS SPORTS BAR TERRACE MAIN MEAL AFL $49.50 pp
cocktail to equal or lesser value. One free drink per voucher, per person. Not valid with any other discounts. Valid until 10/11/2015
7 MELTON HIGHWAY
meal per voucher, per person. Not valid with any other discounts. Bookings are essential Valid on any Mon to Wed until 10/11/2015
PH: 9217 9500
Valid for $5.00 OFF ANY full priced SLAB in our Bottle Shop. One discount per voucher, per person. Not valid with any other discounts. Valid until 10/11/2015
✂
✂
*Carlton Draught and Bulmers
TAYLORS LAKES HOTEL
Valid FREE Main Meal with purchase of any Includes Bubbles & Exhibitors! Valid FREE Cocktail with purchase of any main meal to equal or lesser value One free
Valid for one FREE house beer, wine or soft drink. One free drink per voucher, per person. Not valid with any other discounts. Valid until 10/11/2015
✂
SAVE
HUGE SCREEN
SATURDAY TH $5.00 OFF SLAB 2015 28 NOVEMBER PURCHASE
Sunday 4th Oct 2pm to 5pm
✂
✃ 1199839-CG39-15 10024457-15
I N S I D E
Cut your FREE“Siren to Siren” $5.00* s& VoucherSchooners
(Shawn Smits)
An Ardeer mental health worker who says he was locked in a cage from the age of seven, will draw on his past to help other Brimbank residents if elected to council next year. Simon Vallone (pictured), who has worked with LeadWest, the Sunshine Business Association and the council on numerous programs and projects, is the first resident to declare he will nominate for next October’s council elections. Mr Vallone, who runs the popular Welcome to Melbourne’s West Facebook page, said working on transitional pathways for workers dealing with a changing local industry, addressing rising house prices and youth problems would be his key issues to tackle if elected. A victim of sexual abuse as a child, Mr Vallone hopes to use his personal experiences to assist others if elected next year. He said he has also used the pain of being a victim of sexual assault from the age of seven, as motivation for change in his own life. “[They] would lock me in bird cages and feed me pet food and … tie me up at times,” he told Star Weekly. “My story is not uncommon in Brimbank. After going to three friends’ funerals I decided something had to change.”
(Shawn Smits)
By Ben Cameron
www.taylorslakeshotel.com.au