MAY 31, 2016 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
(Luke Hemer)
Old dog, new tricks Sunbury pupils who were previously unable to read even short stories have started new chapters in their lives, thanks to a three-legged dog named Stumpy. The placid golden retriever and owner Cindy McGregor visit Our Lady of Mount Carmel Primary School once a week, spending time with children experiencing literacy difficulties. The kids are taken to a quiet space and encouraged to read to the friendly and non-judgmental Stumpy as part of Story Dogs, a growing literacy movement based on a successful program in the US. Mount Carmel is the first school in Melbourne’s north-west to offer the program. It’s a simple concept, but one that has led to life-changing results. Curriculum co-ordinator Trish Cairns says the four children involved so far have blossomed. ‘‘One little boy didn’t have the confidence to read to his teachers,’’ she says. ‘‘Now, he’s always practising and reading to adults to make sure he’s ready for when Stumpy visits.’’ Ms McGregor is keen to get other schools, volunteers, dogs and sponsors involved. ‘‘Once a child can read, it opens up a whole world to them forever,’’ she said. Details: www.storydogs.org.au CONNOR, 6, READS WITH STUMPY
Matt Crossman
Time’s up for ‘black spot’ By Matt Crossman Sunbury’s most notorious traffic hotspot will get a $6.4 million upgrade, with lights set to replace the roundabout at the intersection of Gap Road and Horne Street. Roads Minister Luke Donnellan joined Sunbury MP Josh Bull at the dangerous intersection on Monday to announce longawaited works designed to improve safety and ease traffic congestion. The project, which is expected to be completed in 2018, will include turning lanes
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Lights will … allow locals to get where they need to go - Luke Donnellan safely
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from all directions, pedestrian crossings and bicycle lanes. ‘‘The new traffic lights will reduce queuing at the intersection and allow locals to get where they need to go safely and quickly,’’ Mr Donnellan said.
‘‘The upgrade will ensure that residents are able to drive through this intersection safely.’’ About 21,500 vehicles travel on Horne Street each day, and 18,000 on Gap Road. The intersection, which connects to Riddell Road and the Calder Freeway, is an official ‘black spot’ junction, with VicRoads figures showing seven casualty crashes in the most recent five-year period. It was rated as the state’s eighth-worst traffic congestion hotspot in the 2014 RACV redspot survey. A growing number of vehicles, combined with boomgates at the level crossing 200
metres south, have made for significant traffic disruptions in the town centre, especially during school and work peak hours. Mr Bull said he had fought hard for the upgrade after many years of active campaigning by residents, groups including Sunbury Residents Association and Hume council, and state upper house MP Bernie Finn. ‘‘Installing traffic lights will improve safety and ease congestion,’’ Mr Bull said. Footpaths will also give pedestrians safer routes to the town centre, schools and public transport.