MAY 19, 2015 \ NORTHERN.STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
Think outside the cube
(Damjan Janevski)
While most of us give up in frustration after a few minutes, Ethan Pride can align a Rubik’s cube in just 12 seconds. The 16-year-old Ivanhoe Grammar student only started “cubing” in February last year but, since then, has taken it up with gusto. The year 10 student has organised Cube 4 Cambodia, a “speed cubing” competition that has quickly turned into the biggest of its kind in Australia. More than 100 people are expected to take part. “I could have placed a limit to 70 competitors but it developed into something more,” Ethan said. The tournament is on May 31, 8.30am until 6.15pm, at the Bridge Inn Road school. All funds raised from the $10 competition fee will go towards charities in Cambodia. Lexi Cottee
Medcraft terror storm By Matt Crossman An investigation is under way after a Hume councillor referred to the municipality as the ‘‘terrorist training centre of Australia’’ on a closed social media group. Cr Jack Medcraft, who made the comments in response to a link about counter-terrorism raids in the area earlier this month, has apologised for causing offence but said a serious discussion was needed about terror links in Hume. ‘‘Welcome to Hume, the terrorist training centre of Australia,’’ he said on Facebook. In a reference to a 2003 ban on ham and
pork at council functions, Cr Medcraft added: ‘‘First it was ham sandwiches we were known for, now this garbage. Watch out Sunbury, we could be next.’’ It’s understood the comments have since been deleted. Cr Medcraft last week returned from a 28-day suspension handed down after a probe into his alleged bad behaviour at a community meeting in Broadmeadows late last year. There have been several alleged terrorist links to Hume this year. Jake Bilardi, of Craigieburn, and Suhan Rahman, of Roxburgh Park, were reportedly killed fighting overseas for Islamic State, while a 17-year-old was arrested in a
counter-terrorism operation in Greenvale on May 8. Cr Medcraft said he was tired of people ‘‘fobbing off’’ the serious issue of terrorism. ‘‘My comments were tongue in cheek; they weren’t meant with any malice,’’ he said. ‘‘But a lot of people are very worried about what’s going on. I’m sick and tired of people looking at Hume for all the wrong reasons.’’ Cr Medcraft said he was disappointed that his comments had sparked a furore while little had been done about another councillor’s reference to Sunbury as a racist community. Hume council chief executive Domenic Isola confirmed Cr Medcraft’s latest comments
on Facebook are being investigated. He said the councillors’ code of conduct extended to statements made via social media. Mr Isola said Hume took enormous pride in the fact it is one of Australia’s most harmonious and multicultural communities. ‘‘Our residents come from more than 166 different countries and speak more than 120 languages, and we think that’s one of the best things about Hume,’’ he said. A spokeswoman for Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins said all types of racial or religious intolerance were unacceptable. ‘‘Every elected representative should behave in a way that reflects their leadership role.’’