NOVEMBER 19, 2019 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
The money and the mo
(Shawn Smits) 200458_05
Matt Clark admits he might not grow the thickest moustache this month, but he’s making his mark in other ways as one of Australia’s biggest Movember fundraisers. The Bacchus Marsh man last year raised $12,615, putting him in the top 20 fundraisers in the country. This year he’s raised almost $10,000 at the half way point of the month. He said a cause as important as men’s health deserved a lot of support. “I put a fair bit of pressure on myself to get the word out and raise the funds, but it’s a great cause so it’s all worth it,” he said. “I’ve got to know the guys at the Movember Foundation a bit, and seeing how hard they work for this cause really drives me to do whatever I can each year. “Whether it’s prostate or testicular cancer research, or mental health awareness and suicide prevention, it’s all important work that’s being done and all causes close to my heart.” On top of raising the funds, Mr Clark said the best thing was seeing more and more moustaches out and about, and starting a conversation on the importance of good health among men. “It’s always encouraging to see all the Mo’s around town, and knowing that everyone’s doing their bit,” he said. https://mobro.co/mattclark2019?mc=1 Ewen McRae
Platform change uproar By Ewen McRae Changes to Melton station are causing unease among commuters, with city-bound trains set to depart from the opposite platform from next month. As part of upgrades to the Ballarat line, including a new station at Cobblebank and duplication of the line between Melton and Deer Park, the platform numbers are set to switch and city-bound trains will run from the current platform two when the new timetable begins on December 2. A number of commuters have complained that platform two is not equipped to deal with
the morning peak crowds, with less undercover areas, lack of toilets, and a single access point among their main concerns. Train user Luke Raisbeck said the switch made no sense. “It’s quite a short platform on that side, not at all suitable for a peak hour crowd,” Mr Raisbeck said. “There’s been no consultation with passengers, no information on it, just a notice saying that’s what we’re doing, and from mine and a lot of other passengers point of view it’s misguided. “It’s a cattle run between platforms to go through that tunnel, it’s also unsafe for anyone with a wheelchair, and there’s just no facilities
on that side of the station. “They’ve pumped all this money into Cobblebank and Rockbank stations, but not a cent has gone to Melton. It’s like they just want us to go to the other stations.” There is also concern for the kiosk currently operating on platform one, which will now be on the wrong side of the station at the busiest time of the day. An online petition has been set up by customers of the kiosk to get V/Line to reconsider the change, with more than 150 signatories in the first two days. The kiosk owner was unable to comment because of a contract with V/Line.
A V/Line spokesperson said the changes to the platforms were necessary to activate the track duplication between Melton and Deer Park and improve reliability of services. “Platform changes for services at Melton and Rockbank stations are an important part of realising the benefits of the Ballarat Line Upgrade,” the spokesperson said. “We’ll provide additional signage and customer service staff to help passengers while they are adjusting to the platform changes.” The spokesperson said repairs to the asphalt, tactile ground surface indicators and platform coping on platform two would soon be completed.
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