Werribee Devils hang on to beat Eltham by a point in their Big V basketball season opener
Ԃ PAGE 42
TRAFFIC TROUBLES
Fifteen residents will “race” to Melbourne’s CBD to highlight the plight of local commuters
Ԃ PAGE 4
INSIDE STORY
Philanthropist Ray Lodder is the driving force behind Australia’s
first bone-marrow registry
Ԃ PAGE 13
LIVE ON THE LAWN
Pete Murray steals the show at Werribee Park
Ԃ PAGE 19
incorporating Victor and Bree Scorsis know the emotional roller coaster faced by the families of premature babies. Their son Conrad weighed 884 grams when born more than 14 weeks early last June and faced a massive battle to survive. They are grateful for the support of the Life's Little Treasures Foundation. The Wyndham branch will hold a one-off Saturday meeting next month for parents who can't make its regular meetings. Ԃ STORY BY SUE HEWITT, PAGE 16
(MICHAEL COPP)
CITY STYLE Urban Trends
STYLISH BEAUTY BARS
Wednesday 26 - Sunday 30 March
Sit back and be pampered by our hair and make-up experts, demonstrating with the latest products, as they help you create new season looks.
POP-UP FASHION PARADES
Thursday 27 - Sunday 30 March
Be inspired by our New York Autumn/Winter fashion displays throughout Werribee Plaza to help you create an amazing new season wardrobe. Plus enjoy our stylish beauty bars and pop-up parades where you can learn all the latest fashion tips for the season.
Enjoy our Autumn/Winter pop-up fashion runways showcasing the latest in men’s and women’s fashion.
Werribee Park will come alive this Sunday as Wyndham celebrates its cultural diversity.
A multicultural fiesta will feature live music and entertainment, food, workshops and children’s activities run by representatives of Wyndham cultural groups.
Among those taking part in the festival will be Yimer Tassau and Belet Belay (pictured), representing the Ethiopian community.
Cr Gautam Gupta said people from more than 40 countries called Wyndham home.
“Wyndham is home to such a diverse group of residents and the fiesta will allow people to learn more about these countries and their people and cultures and celebrate all they bring to our community.”
e fiesta will be held on the great lawn at Werribee Mansion from 11am-4pm. \ LL » experiencewyndham.com.au
slur on western suburbs
TRANSPORT
e state government has been accused of ignoring the needs of public transport users in the western suburbs a er announcing it will spend up to $2.5 billion upgrading train lines in the eastern suburbs.
e new rail project will increase peak-hour services on the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines to 18 trains each hour, boosting capacity by 30 per cent. It will also allow high-capacity signalling to be installed and will fund the removal of four level crossings at Murrumbeena, Carnegie and Clayton.
Commuters and the opposition have slammed the government for prioritising level crossing removals in the eastern suburbs.
Werribee’s deadly Cherry Street level crossing was ranked 13th in a 2008 report into the state’s most dangerous level crossings.
In 2012, it was the site of three accidents in 13 days, including one fatality. Last year, train drivers voted it as one of the most dangerous crossings in Victoria.
crossings. e conflict between trains and cars is one of the biggest transport problems we have.”
Opposition public transport spokeswoman Jill Hennessy said it was clear the project was “a desperate electioneve stunt”. Ms Hennessy said Labor, if elected in November, would remove the 50 worst level crossings.
Public Transport Users Association president Tony Morton said the rail project would have no benefit to the western suburbs and it confirmed that the government lacked the money to invest in network-wide public transport improvements while it remained committed to building the east-west link.
eastern ‘bias’ seen as election pitch
Commuter and Greens candidate for the Tarneit electorate, Rohan Waring, travels from Wyndham to the eastern suburbs for work. He said the government should improve capacity on the Werribee line by building a metro rail tunnel.
Latest figures from Public Transport Victoria reveal the line is the second-mostovercrowded in Melbourne.
ere has been no increase in the number of peak services on the line since October 2010.
Mr Waring wants Wyndham’s level crossings removed to reduce congestion on the city’s roads and to allow buses to run more frequently.
“ e fact the state government has focused yet again on the eastern suburbs is a disgrace,’’ he said. ‘‘ ere needs to be a systematic process to remove all level
“It is a shame the improvements are entirely confined to the south-east of Melbourne, and a sign the government is handicapped by its singleminded devotion to the east-west link.” Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder’s spokeswoman said the government had invested in major transport projects, such as the Regional Rail Link, to cater for population growth in the western suburbs.
“A new station recently opened at Williams Landing, and Regional Rail Link will build new stations for Tarneit and Wyndham Vale, connecting these growing communities to the rail network for the first time,” she said. \
LAURA LITTLE
(MICHAEL COPP)
Entertain in style in this luxurious family dwelling with an in-ground pool in Point Cook’s coveted Alamanda estate.
Only three years young and in the zone for Alamanda College and its International Baccalaureate organisation with kindergarten, junior and middle school, the single-level house of more than 30 squares is on a 605-square-metre block on the corner of Malibu Boulevard.
Behind a rock garden and side drive that leads to the remote-controlled double garage, the rendered gem with portico entry has a
carpeted study to the right of the entry. Double doors lead into the main-bedroom suite with a walk-in wardrobe, retreat and en suite with shower, toilet and stone-topped, twin-basin vanity.
The sleeping wing houses the second, third and fourth bedrooms with built-in wardrobes and ceiling fans, laundry, bathroom, separate toilet and the versatile play room, guest room or fth bedroom.
The kitchen incorporates stone benchtops, Blanco 900-millimetre, stainless-steel stove with ve-burner gas cooktop, glass canopy rangehood, dishwasher, island bench, Blum
soft-closing drawers, double sink with Teknobili pull-out spray tap, and a walk-in butler’s pantry with sink. The kitchen serves the adjacent open-plan family room and dining zone.
The carpeted rumpus room, which could be converted to a home theatre, and a sitting room complete the informal entertainment areas.
Stained stacker doors open to a covered entertainment area. There’s a built-in barbecue to the side, kids’ play area with arti cial grass and fenced in-ground swimming pool with deck surround, solar heating, solar blanket and new Zodiac automatic pool cleaner.
The house’s ve-star energy rating is a
highlight among many features, such as solar hot water, 2.59-metre ceilings, ducted heating, Kelvinator reverse-cycle air-conditioner, alarm, blockout blinds, hardwood oating oorboards, termite protection, Telstra smart wiring and bre optics, shed and Colorbond roof.
Located about 20 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD, Alamanda Estate includes a $6 million recreation and community centre, café, ve hectares of wetlands, landscaped parks, stunning sculptures, walking and cycling tracks, childcare facility and new prep to year 9 Alamanda State College. \
ROSS MCGRAVIE
race highlights commuters’ daily battle
TRANSPORT
Fi een residents will brave morning peak traffic next month to draw attention to their daily struggle to access Melbourne’s CBD from Wyndham by car, train, bus and bicycle.
e residents will set off from Manor Lakes, Point Cook and Truganina at 7.30am on April2, racing each other to Federation Square as part of the council’s Race to the City.
Among those taking part is Point Cook’s Leone Brunato, who will cycle to highlight the lack of continuous bicycle tracks between Wyndham and Melbourne.
Councillors Marie Brittan and Peter Maynard have also signed on.
Mayor Bob Fairclough hopes the race will highlight the limited travel options available to Wyndham residents.
“ ere is only one major road route [into the city], which is o en congested, a train line which is the second-most-overcrowded on the metropolitan network, and five of our six bus routes in Wyndham don’t run past 9pm on weeknights,’’ he said. ‘‘Our cyclists also lack a safe, fast and continuous route.
“Every peak hour, thousands of our residents face the stress of racing to work by train, bike or car and spending valuable time away from their family.”
e race is part of the council’s Get Wyndham Moving campaign, which will be launched at the civic centre this ursday night. e campaign urges the state government to provide more funding to improve roads and public transport in Wyndham.
e council has a ‘‘road solutions’’ wishlist, including state and federal funding for arterial road duplications, construction of the western end of the east-west link, the removal of level crossings, and more buses and trains.
Cr Fairclough said governments needed to boost funding before things got worse. \ LAURA LITTLE
» getwyndhammoving.com.au
HAVE YOUR SAY
www.wyndhamweekly.com.au
peak hour travel ‘added stress’
POINT COOK
Point Cook’s Alice Osborne knows all too well the impact that commuting from Wyndham to Melbourne can have on families.
Fed up with cancelled trains, traffic jams and constantly struggling to make it home in time to pick up her children from day care, Mrs Osborne decided to give up her job in the city.
“We were travelling around peak hour, but it wasn’t good for any of us. Driving two and a half hours home when you have got kids in day care and being worried you can’t get home in time to pick them up, it’s added stress we didn’t need.”
“we didn’t get to spend time together”
“I would get up at 5am and leave before 6am to get to work by 7am, so I could leave at 3pm to pick my kids up from child care,’’ she said. ‘‘My husband would drop them off in the morning, so he wouldn’t get home until late at night. We didn’t get to spend time together.
In a bid to encourage the state and federal governments to invest more money in transport infrastructure in Wyndham, Mrs Osborne has signed up to the council’s Get Wyndham Moving campaign. She wants state and federal governments to fund duplications to arterial roads around Point Cook and a bypass from Point Cook to Altona Meadows.
She is also encouraging parents to walk their children to school to reduce “horrendous” traffic and boost health. \ LL
MY TOWN
Wyndham council is seeking suggestions about how to solve our ongoing traffic problems as it prepares to host a community forum. I’ll leave that discussion to wiser heads than mine. But I thought it an opportune time to mention my newly discovered way to cope with our stressful traffic issues.
It comes in the form of a CD containing lots of favourites from my bogan teenage years.
Turned up just enough to cover my pitch-imperfect singing voice, No Lies by Noiseworks is my song of choice for navigating the busy right-turn lane into Forsyth Road.
But it’s the Baby Animals belting out One Word that gets me through the disappointment of getting stopped at every single red light down Derrimut Road.
I can almost picture Rose Tattoo singer Angry Anderson’s bald pate as he growls the words to Rock ’n’ Roll Outlaw, a song perfect for Leakes Road which, let’s face it, resembles a car park most mornings. And you can’t help but forget your traffic woes when legendary Cold Chisel frontman Jimmy Barnes shouts the story of the Vietnam veteran in Khe Sanh, although I reckon it’s taken me the best part of 20 years to learn all the words. I recommend you try your own over-enthusiastic, karaoke-style warbling with added finger tapping and a dash of air guitar while stopped at the lights. You’ll be at your destination before you can say “I’m an 80s Aussie rock tragic”. Perhaps not the type of feedback the council is looking for with its Get Wyndham Moving campaign. But every little bit helps, right? e forum is at the civic centre this ursday. Inquiries and ideas to info@ getwyndhammoving.com.au \
EMMA SUTCLIFFE
Emma Sutcliffe is a Little River-based freelance writer. You can find her on Facebook at ‘‘Little River Emma’’
MARIE BRITTAN AND PETER MAYNARD WITH LEONE BRUNATO (WAYNE HAWKINS)
If your family feels like they’re living in a shoebox, then this spacious, four-bedroom property could be the solution.
The brick-veneer house can be comfortably lived in now and updated later.
An open-plan family-meals zone and separate, carpeted lounge room give adults and kids their own havens and parents have their own main-bedroom suite with walk-in wardrobe and en suite. There is a family bathroom and separate toilet.
The kitchen has plenty of storage and bench space, a dishwasher and stainless-steel appliances.
Features are a wood heater, ducted heating and air-conditioning, ceiling fans, an alarm, skylights and slate ooring.
There’s a double carport out front with back access and room for a caravan and play equipment.
The 585-square-metre property is in a quiet court and has plenty of potential.
It’s in a handy spot for families, too, with childcare and Werribee Recreation Centre within strolling distance, and Werribee station and Thomas Chirnside, Iramoo and Manorvale primary schools a short drive away. \
Wyndham residents are being urged to get vaccinated against influenza amid predictions that this year’s flu season will be the most dangerous on record.
e warning by the Influenza Specialist Group comes as new Health Department statistics reveal Wyndham recorded a 71 per cent increase in flu cases last year, with 163 cases reported to the department.
In 2012, 95 cases were recorded. Ten Wyndham residents have already been diagnosed with the flu this year.
Free vaccination is available for people aged 65 and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 15 and over, pregnant women and anyone over six months with a medical condition that can lead to severe influenza.
South Western Melbourne Medicare Local chief executive Gaylene Coulton (pictured right) urged all Wyndham people to visit their doctors. “Making sure you’re vaccinated for the upcoming flu season is vital in maintaining immunity to influenza,” she said. \ LAURA LITTLE
» betterhealth.vic.gov.au
dawn raids yield cash, drugs, weapons, arrests
TRUGANINA
Properties in Truganina, Point Cook and Tarneit were raided by police early yesterday as part of an operation targeting a Middle Eastern crime syndicate.
More than 700 police executed 45 search warrants at properties across the northern and western suburbs.
Warrants were issued following an investigation by the Santiago taskforce, which was set up in October 2008, to address serious and organised crime including shooting incidents involving a number of families and their associates.
Twenty-seven people were arrested by
police yesterday. More than 12 firearms, including a handgun with a silencer and a high-powered assault rifle, were seized in the raids, which began at 4.30am.
Drugs, including 100 kilograms of cannabis, and $55,000 cash, ammunition, vehicles and stolen property were also confiscated.
Assistant Commissioner Steve Fontana said significant commercial drug trafficking charges were expected to be laid relating to methamphetamine.
‘‘real bonus’’. Police were supported by the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Taxation Office and customs officers.
“we’re not going to stoP”
He said there was enough evidence to charge 19 people before the raids began, but additional charges and arrests made were a
“ is was a high-risk operation involving a number of people we consider extremely dangerous,’’ Mr Fontana said.
“We have charged a number of significant individuals who we consider were leading the syndicate, but when you take a group of individuals out, there is always someone to come in and try to fill the void.
‘‘We’re not going to stop our investigations. If they want to be involved in this criminal activity … we are going to target them.’’ \ LL
valuables in cars an easy target Wyndham residents are being reminded not to leave valuable items in their car, following a spate of thefts. Leading Senior Constable Craig McDonald said it took thieves less than 20 seconds to smash a car window and grab an item. \
easy steps to teen fitness
Students are being encouraged to take part in a new walking program aimed at increasing exercise rates. A ‘Healthy Together Wyndham youth steps challenge’ starts Friday and is open to all secondary school students. Participants must wear a pedometer or download a walking smartphone app and, for two weeks, record how many steps they take each day to go in a draw to win one of three $100 Rebel Sport vouchers. Details at Youth Resource Centre, 86 Derrimut Road, Hoppers Crossing. \
community grants available
Community groups in Laverton and Laverton North can apply for grants of up to $20,000 to fund projects that will improve the health and well-being of residents. Applicants can find out more about the grants by attending a South Western Melbourne Medicare Local information session at the Laverton Community Hub today from 6pm or tomorrow at noon. Applications close April16. \
Join in Persian celebrations
Wyndham’s Iranian community will celebrate the Persian New Year with an event at Wayaperri House, 106 Duncans Road, Werribee, tonight. The celebration marks the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere according to the solar calendar. The celebration is from 5-8.30pm. \
Memorabilia wanted
Former players, supporters and administrators of Little River Football Club are being asked to share their memories and memorabilia at a reunion next month. The April 6 reunion is at Little River Reserve from 1pm. Details: 0409 432 215 \
(MICHAEL COPP)
Hamlin Cottage Ex-Display Charm
Stunning presentation throughout on offer with this gorgeous cottage charm. Loved and cared for by its owner, this beautiful home offers high pitched Colorbond roofing and all the facets you would come to expect with this style of home.
Comprising three fitted bedrooms, with the master offering two-way bathroom access via a walk-in robe. The open plan living design offers a detailed kitchen with modern appliances, and adjoins a spacious meals and large living room. Complete with gas heating and ducted evaporative cooling, high ceilings also feature. Outdoors is an entertainment delight with a superbly finished entertaining area, while for the cars a carport is on offer next to the handy side access made possible by the well above average block size, compared to the average for this type of home.
Absolutely nothing to do but move into this pretty setting. What a rare and wonderful combination!
Published by Metro Media Publishing Pty Ltd (ACN 141 396 741). All material is copyright and The Weekly
your voice
WORK STARTS ON WYNDHAM SCHOOLS
(Weekly, March 12)
Ԃ I honestly want to know why almost every time a new school is built in Wyndham it’s a prep-9. What happens when you have thousands upon thousands of year 9s moving into year 10 and you’ve got just a few schools in the municipality to accommodate them? Are Wyndham students not expected to continue schooling after year 9?
DARREN \ VIA WEB
Ԃ Williams Landing needs child care and schools urgently!
SAM \ VIA WEB
Ԃ When is the government going to complete the school it built in Leakes Road?
It’s basically one main building, then portables and no landscaping.
www.reviewproperty.com.au
The artist’s impression depicted in your paper showing a lovely landscaped school looks nice in the paper, but can the concept become reality? The principal of the Tarneit
P-9 school even complained of a lack of funding to complete works at his school.
YPE ZEE \ VIA WEB
CARDS ON THE TABLE FOR RAFAEL
(Weekly, March 12)
Ԃ Cards on the way from Boston! Lots of love, Rafael.
MARLENE AUSTEN \ VIA WEB
green army needs coverage
Ԃ The announcement that a new environmental workforce for 18-25year-olds – the “green army” – will not be covered by any workers compensation scheme is extremely worrying for people who care about the consequences of workplace injuries.
Under usual work arrangements, employers are required to ensure their employees are protected by a compensation scheme and health and safety standards.
We are concerned that members of the “green army” will not be
protected in the same way as other workers. These young workers will undertake heavy manual labour, including clearing local creeks and waterways, fencing and tree planting – work that carries a high level of physical risk.
If state and federal governments are serious about providing these young workers with a fair and reasonable opportunity to join the workforce, they should work together to provide them with the same workplace injury protection as other employees in Australia.
RACHAEL JAMES \ SLATER & GORDON
The WEEKLY welcomes letters no longer than 200 words. All letters are subject to editing and must include a name, address and phone number.
POST \ The Editor, PO Box 740, Niddrie, 3042 EMAIL \ westletters@mmpgroup.com.au
POST A WEB COMMENT \ to any story at www.wyndhamweekly.com.au
my shout
Of the many political contradictions that filter into the community, none are more galling than those surrounding asylum seekers. Like the notion that someone can be very concerned about asylum seekers’ safety at sea while happily leaving them to rot in internment camps with scant regard for their safety or mental well-being. Then there’s the opposition to spending millions on resettling asylum seekers while condoning billions spent on locking them up offshore. Locking up asylum seekers is a cruel smokescreen that makes people think their way of life is being protected, while taking the focus off threats under their noses, such as a push to tighten worker entitlements, including penalty rates. Meanwhile, while we prevented several thousand asylum seekers from making a life here, we happily allowed 126,000 people to come into Australia on 457 visas. \
DAVID BONNICI \ EDITOR
Near NewTarneit Four Bedder, A ShortWalkToTheTarneitTrain Station
With all the work done and ready to go with this family sized residence, there is absolutely no need to consider the stressful and lengthy building process. Take advantage of this genuine four bedroom plan complete with ensuite to master bedroom, separate modern kitchen finished with select Caesar stone bench tops and stainless steel upmarket appliances including dishwasher. A large meals room adjoins with a second family room while there is also a formal lounge. Ducted evaporative cooling and gas ducted heating also feature, while for the cars a double garage with both internal and automated access are here too!
For your peace of mind the balance of the home owners warranty and termite protection are included as this home is only a few years old. With the soon to be completed Tarneit train station close by and pending Tarneit East Shopping Centre just as close. With all these benefits in your hands, it makes perfect sense to move on this one quickly.
Tarneit 1 Woolybush Drive
parking plans on agenda
wyndham
Wyndham’s commuter car park shortage could be eased, with Metro Trains and a private shopping centre considering plans to provide more spaces, according to council.
As commuter frustration with inadequate parking grows, the council has revealed two options to ease overcrowding at Wyndham’s three stations.
Council chief executive Kerry ompson said the council had “made representation to Metro Trains about commuter parking”.
“Metro Trains are currently considering plans to increase parking in the Werribee area, on their land, and a decision on the style and location of this parking will be made by them.” She did not reveal where the new commuter car parks would be.
commuters, residents and shoppers all need to be considered.
“In the residential streets north of Werribee and Hoppers Crossing stations, [the council] has implemented a system with two-hour parking on one side of the street and all-day parking on the other to allow for the parking needs of all road users.”
Shopping centre management confirmed talks were under way to provide commuter parking.
motorists complained on social media
A severe shortage of commuter parking hit social media in the lead-up to the March long weekend, when people complained that numerous motorists were fined at Williams Landing station.
thomas and family say ‘thanks’
“[ e council] is in conversation with [Hoppers Crossing shopping] centre management about the possible use of parking at the rear of Target for commuter parking, and this project is progressing.
“It is expected there will be some commuter parking in local streets around railway stations, where the needs of
A Public Transport Victoria spokeswoman said there were “no immediate plans to extend or build a multi-deck car park at Williams Landing”, which had one of the largest metropolitan railway car parks, with 500 spaces.
“PTV is working closely with Wyndham City Council to investigate options for increasing station parking in the Wyndham area,” the spokeswoman said. \
SUE HEWITT
Alison and Chris Anderson know how important the Royal Children’s Hospital is to Victorian families.
eir son, omas, now 16 months, spent six days at the hospital last December having his skull remodelled to treat scaphocephaly.
So skull plates, whose joining points are known as sutures, had closed too early, leaving him with an abnormally shaped head.
e condition meant omas had an
increased risk of pressure building up on his brain which can cause developmental delays, speech difficulties and vision impairment.
e Andersons, who volunteer at Point Cook CFA, are supporting this year’s Good Friday Appeal on April 18, saying they can’t thank the hospital enough.
e CFA will also collect money at Sanctuary Lakes shopping centre and Point Cook Town Centre on April 17 and 18. \ LL
» To volunteer: 9395 3827
POINT COOK
ALISON, THOMAS AND CHRIS ANDERSON WITH BREE NESBITT (WAYNE HAWKINS)
thousands tipped to move into new estates
HOUSING
Two new housing estates to be developed over the next year are expected to attract several thousand residents to Point Cook and Tarneit.
Satterley Property Group, one of Australia’s largest private developers, will develop 2000 housing lots on a 125-hectare site on Hacketts Road, Point Cook, which it purchased from the state government for $100 million.
It will also develop a 64.3-hectare site on Sayers Road, Tarneit, with 150 of the 850 lots fronting 11 hectares of central, open space, according to Satterley’s state general manager, Jack Hoffmann. He said the government had promised to build a road interchange for the as-yetunnamed Point Cook estate, with direct access to the Princes Freeway.
“ is is a huge benefit … and it will be built before the first resident moves in”. Mr Hoffmann said construction of the Point Cook estate would begin about April next year. e estate will eventually have
about 5000 residents. He said Satterley bought the Tarneit site in 2010, but “there have been some delays in development approvals” because of a precinct plan being drawn up for the area. But it was expected to be on the market in the first quarter of next year.
Mr Hoffmann said the Point Cook estate would have some retail developments and was only a kilometre from the Point Cook town centre, while the Tarneit development was close to a town centre in Davis Road.
He said Satterley was still going through the planning process for both projects with Wyndham council.
Satterley, which started in Western Australia, moved into the Melbourne market four years ago with estates in Doreen and Coburg.
“We have set ourselves a target of 10 per cent market share,” Mr Hoffmann said.
“ at means selling about 1000 lots a year, which would make us one of the largest residential developers in Victoria.” \
SUE HEWITT
basics a luxury at bush hospital
CHARITY
Point Cook midwifery student Lisa Pollard will spend two weeks in Vanuatu this July, but it will be no holiday.
While many cruise ships dock in Port Vila, Ms Pollard will volunteer in a bush hospital in the village of Santo, where the things that Australians consider to be the basics are pure luxury.
She is raising funds to get basic supplies for the Northern Provincial Hospital, rated as a secondary hospital a er the main hospital in Port Vila.
“People think of Vanuatu as a tourist spot, but where I’m going they need the basics,” Ms Pollard said.
e final-year Australian Catholic University student said pregnant patients of the hospital had less medical help than in First World countries.
Ms Pollard will also travel to treat people in outlying villages.
She’s among six midwifery students hoping to raise $2000 to provide hospital supplies. \ SH
» gofundme.com/7959p8
(MICHAEL COPP)
Exquisite, Charming Federation Inspired Family Home!
Built by the renowned Belani Homes is this beautiful masterpiece with ‘WOW’ factor that is sure to set hearts racing and boasting size, excellence and a lovely tranquil court location. Downstairs presents four fitted bedrooms, lovely formal lounge with a gas fireplace, large central kitchen that overlooks the meals arrangement and a fantastic rumpus room with French doors leading through to a timber decked merbau verandah area. Upstairs is a generous master bedroom with full ensuite and walk-in robe. Executive appointments include gas ducted heating, ducted evaporative cooling, ceiling rosettes, decorative cornicing and fretwork, both bathrooms are also finished with lovely tessellated tiles, a massive Tasmanian Oak kitchen with butler’s pantry and high quality cabinetry with self-closing doors, remote garage with internal and drive through access and there is also 2 x 2500L water tanks to keep your gardens lush and green all year round. It doesn’t stop there, entertain friends and family all year around under the huge entertainment area with café blinds, or watch the kids play around the fully landscaped backyard with matured trees. This stunning family home is set amongst fine house-proud properties and is within walking distance to Manor Lakes Shopping Centre, schools, child-care, parklands and the soon to be opened train station.
191 Watton Street, Werribee
fire raises alarm over home safety plans
POINT COOK
A Point Cook resident returned from buying lunch on Sunday to find his house destroyed by fire.
Firefighters from Point Cook and Hoppers Crossing were called to the Foxwood Drive house about 12.40pm.
Point Cook senior station
officer Steve Attard said the fire had posed a threat to neighbouring properties, with wind making it difficult to contain the blaze.
He said damage to the house was so extensive that it “would need to come down”.
e cause of the fire is being investigated.
Mr Attard said while the house’s occupants were out at the time of the fire, it provided a timely reminder for people to check their smoke alarm batteries and create a fire evacuation plan.
Latest CFA figures reveal that Wyndham crews were called to 86 house fires last year, up from 77 in 2012.
“People should practise their evacuation drills and make sure there are no blocked exits,” Mr Attard said. “People should ensure that deadlocks aren’t locked while they’re home.”
CFA deputy chief officer Steve Warrington said residents should change their smoke alarm batteries at the end of daylight saving on April 6. He recommended that residents check their smoke alarms each month and vacuum around smoke alarm vents once a year.
» Fire safety checklist: bit.ly/1hqY76d practising evacuation drills saves lives
“Smoke alarms are crucial in giving you and your family the early warning needed to escape a fire,’’ Mr Warrington said.
‘‘When it comes to protecting your family and yourself, a working smoke alarm tested regularly and a rehearsed home escape plan are easy tasks to ensure everyone in the family is given plenty of warning and knows what to do should a fire occur.” \
LAURA LITTLE
(WAYNE HAWKINS) MAMBOURIN CLIENTS BRENDAN ALLWOOD AND MARK FULLARTON
Exquisite Classy Contemporary Jewel In Reflections!
In a class of its own this ex-display home is sure to blow you away with its excellence, sophisticated design & abundance of space. Stunning façade with a lovely timber decked entrance leading you through to an amazing floor plan which presents a huge master BR with a hotel style ensuite & WIR, study with built-in shelving, state of the art theatre room set up, central bathroom, open plan family/meals area & a gorgeous tiled alfresco with built in overhead heaters. Appointments includes hostess kitchen with stone benches, stone bathrooms, high ceilings, tiled feature walls, ducted heating, evap cooling, security system, halogen lighting, SS appliances, water tank with pump, timber decked seating, double remote garage with internal access & low maintenance landscaped gardens.
Private Sale $500,000 - $520,000
Inspect
11.30-12noon
Werribee 59 Church Street
Hot Property On The South Side In Prime Werribee!
Werribee CBD, cafés, restaurants, shops, train station, Werribee River bike trails & walking tracks all within a few minutes from this solid DF 3 BR plus study home with original terracotta tiles, cedar timber walls, high ceilings, decorative cornicing & more. Spacious fitted bedrooms; master with ensuite & BIRs, study/nursery/4th BR, central bathroom, step down formal lounge, large family/meals area & rumpus room with vaulted ceilings & bar/servery area. Appointments inc ducted heating, refrig cooling & nearly 5-cars accommodation undercover with workshop area/garage to park all your cars & toys. This is a dynamite opportunity to secure a hot property with an array of schools all within walking distance & the Werribee Open Range Zoo, Mansion, Werribee South beach only 10 mins away.
2 2 1 3
Auction Sat 5th April at 12noon (Unless sold prior)
Inspect Sat 3.15-3.45pm
Photo ID required
Contact Bassam Tofaili 0411 449 821
James Antonio 0401 889 248
Watton Street, Werribee
worldwide ‘thank you tour’ on birthday wishlist
POINT COOK
Point Cook cancer sufferer Rafael Moraes is being inundated with cards and presents from around the world as his milestone 10th birthday approaches – giving him a new goal. “I want to go and visit all these people who have been so kind,” the Westbourne Grammar pupil told the woman who organised a ‘card-a-thon’ for his birthday.
Tierney Randall, a Point Cook family day care educator, organised the card-a-thon because Rafael loves receiving cards.
She delivered a box of about 100 cards last week and has hundreds more to pass on.
e card-a-thon has grown a er Channel 7 and other outlets picked up the Weekly’s original story.
“he left an indelible impression on everyone”
Cards have arrived from the Netherlands, Ireland, Canada, the United States, New Zealand and Brazil.
Westbourne Grammarians Football Club got behind the grade 4 pupil last week, inviting him to a special photo shoot with players. ey also gave him a singlet bearing the words ‘‘number one ticket holder’’.
Club spokesman Jeremy Heffernan said the picture of Rafael with the players was being
made into a special birthday card because the boy “loves everything Westbourne”.
“He beamed from ear to ear throughout the whole evening. He had a kick with club
president Simon Christo and his best friend from school,” Heffernan said.
“Everyone at the club was moved by the courage and strength of character in Rafael,
Come home to bay water views...
as he can hardly remember life without cancer.
‘‘He le an indelible impression on everyone.” No one realised at the time of last Tuesday night’s training session that Rafael would be in hospital the next day. His father,
Domingoes Moraes, said Rafael finished his latest round of chemotherapy on March 10 to treat neuroblastoma, a solid tumour cancer of the sympathetic nervous system.
But by Wednesday, he was running a fever and was hospitalised until Friday, when it was established he had a cold.
Rafael is counting the days to his birthday on March 25 and the Moraes family have been astonished at the number of cards already sent. \
SUE HEWITT
» Cards can be sent to PO Box 1617, Werribee, 3030
Baywater Estate, Curlewis, is the only residential estate on the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula with lots fronting Port Phillip Bay.
Bayfront residential land doesn’t come on the market very often, especially on the Bellarine.
e Baywater Estate really does overlook the bay.
e couple enjoying panoramic views across the water to the You Yangs are pictured on the balcony of the superb two-storey waterfront home which is currently our Land Sales Office.
e couple strolling along the water’s edge are pictured on the beach immediately below the estate, accessed directly via a new boardwalk down the cliff face.
Happy birthday: Rafael Moraes with Westbourne footballers. (JEREMY HEFFERNAN)
RAFAEL MORAES
Renovated Family Residence With Park Views
With all the hard work done, you will be ever impressed with the joys that lay within this beautiful home. With 3 BRs, a huge main living & formal dining with solid polished hardwood flooring, central kitchen adj meals room & renovated main bathroom. Features ducted heating & evap cooling, lock-up garage & a heap of backyard for the kids to play free all in view. Close to park grounds, Werribee River & the Werribee CBD.
Private Sale $280,000 - $299,000
Inspect Sat 1.45-2.15pm
Photo ID required
Contact John Camilleri 0414 778 940
Kirsty Cunningham 0414 344 475
Central Location, Stunning Renovations
This gorgeous residence entails a renovated kitchen, adjoining separate meals room & formal lounge. Features double glazed windows, full Euro laundry, polished solid hardwood flooring t/out, roller shutters, gas heating & A/C. Outdoors a lavish alfresco with merbau decking, a tandem double carport & a double garage/workshop.Werribee CBD, train station & schools are a simple stroll away with easy freeway access.
191 Watton Street, Werribee
Private Sale Contact Agent Inspect Sat 2.30-3pm Photo ID required
Contact John Camilleri 0414 778 940
Leslie Goodwin 0419 110 582
3 Bedrooms, Ensuite, Central Position!
Opportunity knocks with this fantastic first home, investment opportunity or a well suited property for a low maintenance lifestyle. Centrally positioned, walk to public transport, schools, childcare, parklands, bike trails, walking tracks, Skeleton Creek & shops. Three fitted BRs, ensuite & WIR to master, lounge, neat kitchen/meals area, single lock-up garage, a great sized paved pergola area, ducted heating & split system A/C.
Private Sale $270,000 - $285,000
Inspect Sat 10-10.30am
Photo ID required
Contact Bassam Tofaili 0411 449 821
James Antonio 0401 889 248
Vale 8 Pembroke Lane
Gorgeous Hamlyn Cottage
Beautifully presented Hamlyn cottage comprising 3 fitted BRs, with the master offering 2-way bathroom access via a WIR. Features 2.7m high ceilings, open plan living with the kitchen overlooking the large family room & spacious meals area. Extras inc gas ducted heating, split system A/C, dishwasher, remote semi-enclosed garage, outdoor undercover entertainment area, garden shed, all this in the tranquil estate of Wyndham Green.
ONE DAY ONLY
WEDNESDAY 19 MARCH AT DAVID JONES HIGHPOINT
SAVE 20% on full-priced womenswear from David Lawrence.
WOMENSWEAR
SAVE 25% on full-priced womenswear from Sportscraft and French Connection
SAVE 20% on full-priced womenswear from Saba, Seed, Marcs and Alannah Hill
SAVE 15% on full-priced womenswear from Veronika Maine Excludes accessories.
SHOES
SAVE 25% on full-priced shoes from Nine West
SAVE 20% on full-priced shoes from Midas.
SAVE 20% on full-priced menswear from Saba.
MENSWEAR
SAVE 25% on full-priced menswear from Sportscraft and French Connection.
SAVE 25% on full-priced men’s suits from Anthony Squires.
SAVE 20% on full-priced menswear from Industrie Excludes shoes, accessories and leather items.
ACCESSORIES
SAVE 25% on full-priced accessories from Nine West
SAVE 20% on full-priced accessories from Mimco Excludes Mimco ‘Loves’ collection and Limited Edition accessories.
SAVE 30% on full-priced manchester from Sheridan.
HOMEWARES
SAVE 50% on full-priced cutlery from Royal Doulton and Vera Wang for Wedgwood.
SAVE 30% on a great range of homewares from Villeroy & Boch.
SAVE 20% on full-priced homewares from Georg Jensen
MANY MORE GREAT OFFERS INSTORE
9 Riversdale Drive 4 2 2 4
Tranquil Location Near Werribee River
This immaculately presented home presents 4 fitted BRs, master with BIR & ensuite, formal lounge, open plan hostess kitchen, meals & 2nd family living area along with a study. Includes heating, cooling, laminate floors, double remote garage plus a 2nd double garage at the rear with attached shed & ample side access for your boat/caravan. Outdoors, a fab entertainment area, and with established gardens there is no work to be done.
Only a stone’s throw to parklands & Lollypop creek is this magnificent & fastidiously maintained home. Presenting formal lounge, large kitchen with north facing meals area downstairs & 3 fitted BRs, master with FES & balcony. Well appointed with ducted heating, evap cooling, gas cooking, high ceilings, beautiful gardens & a lovely array of mature trees. A fantastic opportunity to secure a well-kept home in the Wyndham Green Estate!
Private Sale Contact Agent
Inspect Sat 10.45-11.15am
Photo ID required
Contact James Antonio 0401 889 248
Tony Vercher 0421 734 414
In The Werribee South Coast
This luxury residence features solid Tas Oak flooring & a detailed solid timber staircase, 2-pack kitchen adjoining open meals room with attached study alcove & separate formal living. The master suite includes ensuite & there are a total of 3 bathrooms. The huge pergola is ideal for entertaining & can act as an additional carport on top of the adjoining garage complete with internal, auto & rear access.
Exquisite, Picturesque Establishment!
This stunning family home features 3 fitted BRs, ensuite & WIR to master, study/4th BR, formal lounge with OFP & formal dining, open plan family/meals area, all-weather entertainment area & double remote garage with rear access. Includes Tas Oak timber floors in living areas, Tas Oak timber kitchen, heating, cooling, 2 sheds & more. Set on approx 1011m2, close to parks, schools,Werribee River bike trails/walking tracks, shops & all amenities.
Sale $490,000 - $530,000
Sat 11.30-12noon
ID required
Bassam Tofaili 0411 449 821 Tony Vercher 0421 734 414
THREADS OF LIFE
A lifesaving foundation was started when one man dared to hope, writes SARAH HARRIS
Impish Wilson Jackman, 4, is among many who owe their lives to the slim umbilical thread of one man’s hope that he could save his son.
Diagnosed with a particularly rare type of auto-immune de ciency at the age of 18 months, Wilson needed a bone marrow or stem cell transplant if he was to survive.
With no match to be found among family members, all hopes rested with the Bone Marrow Donor Institute’s (BMDI) Cord Blood Bank.
It was six agonising months – every day spent fearing the slightest germ could carry o the little boy – before the call came. In March last year, the Jackman family travelled from their central Victorian home to the Royal
Children’s Hospital for the transplant. A match had been found, but it was far from the end of their ordeal.
A er the transplant Wilson developed life-threatening complications.
“ ere were times when I thought that Wilson might not make it,” his mum Angie confesses.
“I will remember for the rest of my life how, every night, I would beg him to stay with me for just another 24 hours.”
e family’s vigil at Wilson’s bedside was made possible by the Fight Cancer Foundation which –in addition to funding vital research into cancer treatments and education support for young patients – provides a ordable accommodation close to
major treating hospitals. e development of this much-needed accommodation service is the latest chapter in a story that began 25 years ago.
Robbie Lodder was eight when he became the catalyst for the formation of Australia’s rst bone marrow registry from which the Fight Cancer Foundation grew. e plight of the charismatic, dark-eyed boy, who appeared on 60 Minutes, Today Tonight, A Current A air, in New Idea and on the front page of Melbourne’s Sun News-Pictorial, touched Australians, who signed up to become donors by the tens of thousands.
e highly public e ort to save Robbie became pivotal to the formation not only of the registry but to the BMDI Cord Blood Bank established in his memory –both of which have given so many, like Wilson, a second chance at life.
Today, re ecting on his son’s legacy, Ray Lodder will scarcely allow that he played his own part as a tireless fund-raiser and advocate.
e gravel-voiced retired manufacturer still lives in Woodend, surrounded by the community which rallied round Robbie a er his diagnosis. Robbie’s short life is celebrated in the Woodend’s Children Park with a walkway and lookout named in his honour.
Standing in the park watching children play, Lodder smiles. “It’s a lovely way to be remembered.”
He vividly recalls the shock when Robbie was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) in March, 1989.
“Back then the only cure for a CML patient was a bone marrow transplant. So in my naivety, I said ‘Oh well, we better get him one of those then’. When I was told there was no bone marrow registry in Australia, I was most indignant.”
Together with a handful of other Melbourne parents who had children with or lost to leukaemia, Lodder set about establishing the life-giving service.
“I was going to turn heaven and earth over to nd a cure for Rob,” he says.
“Linda [Robbie’s mother] and I went around the world. We went to the Anthony Nolan Register in the UK, we went to specialists in Holland, we went to Seattle to one of the biggest and most successful hospitals for the treatment of leukaemia.”
But no match on the edgling Australian registry or those overseas could be found for Robbie.
It was the world’s leading expert, Professor John Goldman, who pioneered bone-marrow transplantation for CML, who con rmed the worst a er reviewing results of thousands of tests.
“He said, ‘You know, you are not likely to get a match … he’s going to die’ – there weren’t any ifs about it. en he said: ‘Have you ever considered having more children, because at least one in four siblings is going to be a match’.”
e couple’s decision to have another child sparked controversy.
“Some people publicly accused us of having babies for spare parts,” Lodder recalls.
“It was really quite hurtful, but to some degree what was said touched a nerve because in a way – while we were happy to have another child and had never previously ruled the idea out – Matthew was born with some hope he could also save Robbie.
“He wasn’t a match, sadly, but he is such a lovely, lovely boy and we were – and of course always will be –so very glad to have him.”
Philanthropist: Ray Lodder helped found the rst Australia donor registry after his son was diagnosed with leukaemia. (WAYNE HAWKINS)
» ghtcancer. org.au/
In 1991, Robbie, aged 11, died from complications arising a er a bone marrow transplant from his grandmother which was a close but not complete match.
Lodder continued his work, driving his considerable energies to establishing, in 1996, the BMDI cord blood bank which is now part of the national AusCord network.
Last year there were more than 2000 life-saving bone marrow, cord blood and peripheral stem cell transplants in Australia and New Zealand.
But for Ray Lodder and his former wife Linda, it will forever be a story that began with one little boy. \ sharris@mmpgroup.com.au
e Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) yesterday launched a campaign to crowdfund $100,000 for a “food justice truck” delivering discounted food to people living on as little as $3 a day and prohibited from seeking work.
e ASRC’s director of aid, Patrick Lawrence, said the truck would deliver food to people living on up to 89 per cent of Australia’s lowest dole payment and even some “getting nothing”.
“ ere are 10,000 asylum seekers living in the community in Melbourne alone and none of them get the [full] Newstart allowance,” Mr Lawrence said. “Some of them get a percentage of Newstart, some of them get nothing, some of them have work rights, some of them don’t have work rights – and their food security situation is extremely dire.”
He said the food justice truck would visit several locations in Melbourne’s west, selling fresh fruit and vegetables, whole foods, non-perishables and other healthy items.
Mr Lawrence said food would be sold to the general public at market rates and to up to 2000 asylum seekers at a 75 per cent discount. “So that $10 or $20 that an asylum seeker might have will actually buy them $40-$80 worth of food,” he said.
“We can’t afford to just give food away to 2000 people so we’ve got this hybrid social-enterprise model. It will only have one paid full-time staff manager and 60 volunteers. ”
He said other organisations and private individuals had lined up to help “right some of the wrongs” against asylum seekers.
“[But] fundamentally, there’s only one institution that really can right the wrongs
and that’s the federal government – whichever federal government it might be at the time, that they finally decide that they’re going to change direction on this issue,” he said.
e ASRC is returning to 214 Nicholson Street in Footscray – “the suburb of its birth” – and will run the truck from Maribyrnong. \
GOYA DMYTRYSHCHAK
» http://bit.ly/1d8t56p
wyndham leads in solar power switch
ENVIRONMENT
More Wyndham residents are turning to solar energy, with the 3029 and 3030 postcodes leading the state in solar panel installations.
A new report from the federal government’s Clean Energy Regulator shows that more households in Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit and Truganina have solar panels than anywhere else in Victoria.
A total of 4268 solar panels were installed in the 3029 postcode in the year to February. In the same period, 3784 solar panels were installed in Werribee and Point Cook, while 1042 were added to houses in Wyndham Vale.
Sustainable Energy Association chief adviser Ray Wills said more outer suburbs residents were installing solar panels because they were concerned about energy costs.
“People who have installed solar panels for any reason do consider their energy use more closely,’’ Professor Wills said.
‘‘It makes economic sense to generate electricity from a solar panel.” \ LL
PATRICK LAWRENCE (SCOTT
M C NAUGHTON)
Home Road, Point Cook
this little treasure knows how to fight for his life
WYNDHAM VALE
Conrad Scorsis was born a fighter. He had to be, emerging into the world 14 weeks and three days early.
His arrival on June 22 last year shocked first-time Wyndham Vale parents Bree, 30, and Victor, 37, who had planned to take prenatal classes the next month.
“When Conrad came into the world he came out kicking and crying –we knew we had a fighter on our hands,” Bree says.
e 884-gram baby was put into a neonatal incubator, but Bree says it happened in such a rush “we couldn’t believe that we had a baby.”
realising that one day it would save his life. Soon a er he arrived home, Conrad “went purple and stopped breathing” but Victor revived him with CPR.
“In one split second I felt like I was going to lose him,’’ Victor says. ‘‘A er a few attempts of breathing into his lungs and compressions, our little boy was back.”
“we still need to be vigilant”
Conrad had an infection that shut his body down and saw him hospitalised for 20 days before he returned home in October. is was one of many visits to hospital.
“Although he is going great, thriving at eight kilograms, we still need to be vigilant in terms of germs,’’ Bree says.
She extracted milk via a pump in a ward where other mothers nursed their children, while Conrad was in an incubator “connected to so many machines”, fighting “day by day, minute by minute”. Bree remembers the importance of “kangaroo care”, where the miniature boy, measuring 33 centimetres, was handed to her for “skin on skin” contact and she felt her son on her chest.
e new parents rode a rollercoaster – any infection could hospitalise, or kill, Conrad.
e Scorsis family trained in first-aid before Conrad came home in September, not
‘‘ e Life’s Little Treasures Foundation for premmies in Wyndham means we can take Conrad to a place where people realise we are putting him in cotton wool to save his life.”
Life’s Little Treasures is holding a one-off Saturday meeting for parents who can’t attend its regular weekday meetings. It will be on Saturday, April 12, at Yerambooee Community Centre, Hoppers Crossing, from 10am to 3pm. \
SUE HEWITT » 0448 839 717
BREE AND VICTOR SCORSIS WITH CONRAD
(MICHAEL COPP)
pet pooch a matter of principal
WYNDHAM VALE
Iramoo Primary School principal Moira Findlay can be forgiven for having a “teacher’s pet”.
In fact, Farrow, a seeing eye dog in training, is everybody’s pet.
Ms Findlay brings Farrow to school every day. e playful labrador pup lounges in the office during class times and then bounds out to have fun with pupils during breaks.
“I love dogs but couldn’t commit to having one for years, but I could be a puppy carer for 12 months,” Ms Findlay says. “Farrow is in the [school] yard every day being exposed to noise, crowds, bikes and, of course, children.”
Farrow’s experiences will help her join the ranks of trained seeing eye dogs.
Ms Findlay will take the pup to Seeing Eye Dogs Australia’s open day at its new breeding and training facility in Kensington on March22 from 11.30am-2pm. ere will be dog training and vet health demonstrations. \
SUE HEWITT
» seda.visionaustralia.org
Training Centres
Partnerships brokered by WynBay LLEN have led to an $18.5m investment in vocational education and training –the largest in the region to date
Wyndham Trade Training Centres Locations: - The Grange P-12 College - Wyndham Central College
MacKillop College
Thomas Carr College Hobsons Bay Trade Training Centres Locations:
Point Cook Senior Secondary College
Emmanuel College
Bayside P-12 College
LavertonP-12 College
MOIRA FINDLAY AND PUPILS WITH FARROW (WAYNE HAWKINS)
MUSIC \ PETE MURRAY STOLE THE SHOW AT LIVE ON THE LAWN,
WRITES BEN CAMERON
Every memorable gig has a de ning moment. At Live on the Lawn, on a gloomy Sunday a ernoon in Werribee, it came through Pete Murray performing one of his more sombre hits in a C-cup bra and oppy gardening hat.
On loan from just some of his highly excited fans, it could have been an awkward moment for the hundreds of families in attendance if it hadn’t come on the tail end of a true master-class performance. But by then, Murray could do as he pleased.
It wasn’t lost on Murray either, who admitted he’d forgotten the last verse of Better Days in all the excitement of his high energy set.
Set in the regal surroundings of Werribee Park and featuring some of the country’s most popular musicians in Murray, Bernard Fanning, Josh Pyke and Clare Bowditch, it was le to the former Powder nger frontman to sing the setting’s nal praises.
“ is is an awesome set-up,” Fanning said. “We should do this every Sunday, hey?”
A er he had drained the contents of his glass to an approving crowd, one over-excited female fan screamed for Middle of the Hill, one of Pyke’s best-known numbers.
“I don’t play the hits, I’m an artist,” he quipped. “ e next song, ironically, is Don’t Wanna Let You Down …”
Live on the Lawn, formerly Legends on the Lawn at Werribee Park, represents a gradual shi to a more “relaxed style of music”, according to its website. But it seems Pete Murray didn’t get the memo, positively stealing the show from his contemporaries. Bearing those famous cannons in a navy blue tank top, Murray upped the swoon factor immediately with a little bit of help from lanky lead guitarist Pete Williamson.
“we should do this every sunday, hey?”
e weather threatened to turn sour for the thousands who turned up, but the rain held o until the closing minutes of Fanning’s set. By then, he was halfway through a rousing rendition of Wish You Well and nobody seemed to care.
Earlier, accomplished songwriter Pyke proved he’s equally un appable on stage, not letting a poorly tuned guitar kill the good-time vibes.
“My fault, I’m responsible, I didn’t tune it properly before the show,” he joked as the o ending instrument was put away.
“But I’m the kind of man who admits his mistakes … and has a whisky about it instead.”
While Murray is best known for his more navel-gazing numbers, the show cranked up a notch or three through the likes of Class A. en, given free reign to indulge his skills, Williamson stole the show right away from Murray with Passing Time
It seemed tting that Murray closed the set by wandering out among the revellers, tailed by security –to stop people bear-hugging him to death, we can only assume.
It was always going to be a hard act to follow, even for the uber-talented Fanning, and he took a more sombre approach, covering Gordon Lightfoot on acoustic guitar.
“I’m the anti-Pete Murray,” he joked. “Although my biceps are massive under this jacket.”
Closing with George Harrison’s What Is Life, with a little help from Bowditch on backing vocals, only those
hard of heart – or ear – would have walked away from Werribee Park feeling shortchanged.
Live on the Lawn was magical in every sense. \ bcameron@mmpgroup.com.au
Werribee’s Travis Tunstall has been driven to help people a ected by cancer from a young age.
e former Werribee Secondary College student has taken part in Wyndham’s Relay for Life for the past 11 years.
Tunstall, 18, initially joined a team started by his mum a er members of his extended family were diagnosed with cancer. He has since formed his own team, Young Guns, with the help of friends.
Tunstall says about 30 of his friends will take part in next weekend’s relay at the Victoria University athletics track in Werribee.
“It has been really good to get so many people involved,” he says.
“Many of my friends have had family a ected by cancer and some had parents
diagnosed with cancer, so they wanted to help out.”
Tunstall says he continues to sign up for the Relay for Life every year because he knows he’s helping a good cause and money raised is for research.
relay regular glad to rope in his friends
“I enjoy the fund-raising side of the event because you know that you’re helping,” he says.
“ e candlelight ceremony and the survivors’ walk is also really special for me.”
Wyndham Relay for Life begins at noon on March 29, nishing at noon the following day. A celebration lap for survivors and carers will be held at 11.45am on the Saturday with a candlelight ceremony at 8.30pm. \ llittle@mmpgroup.com.au
» relayforlife.org.au
TRAVIS TUNSTALL
(WAYNE HAWKINS)
WHAT’S ON
SCHOOL FETE
Lumen Christi Primary School’s biannual fete is on this Friday, 3-7pm, at 260 Point Cook Road, Point Cook. There’s children’s rides, face-painting, raf es and show bags, cakes and plants for sale.
■ lcpointcook.catholic.edu.au
TWILIGHT FUN
Head to Werribee’s twilight street market this Friday to watch local entertainers, try exotic food or take in a tai chi demonstration. The market is at the Wedge Street Piazza. 3pm-dusk.
■ twilightsreetmarket.wordpress.com
CAR SHOW
Old and new cars will be on display at Werribee and District Collectable Vehicle Club’s annual show and shine at Moss el Reserve this Sunday, 9am-3pm. All cars welcome. Entry is $10 per car.
■ 9397 8181
RELAY FOR LIFE
Cancer survivors and carers are invited to join Wyndham’s Relay for Life. The fund-raiser is on March 29-30 at the Victoria University Athletics Track in Werribee.
■ relayforlife.org.au
COLLEGE CARNIVAL
Head to Baden Powell College’s Tarneit campus, Saturday, March29 for a family fun day. There will be rides, a barbecue and an auction. Devonshire teas and show bags will be available. It’s at 81 Baden Powell Drive, 10am-3pm. ■ bpc.vic.edu.au
BARISTA WORKSHOP
Develop your skills and appreciation of coffee-making by taking part in a barista workshop at Iramoo Community Centre, from 9am-noon on April 1. Bookings essential.
■ 8742 3688
HORSE SHOW
Watch horses and their rides compete at the Equestrian Victoria Masters Games from April 25-27. Categories include carriage driving, show-ring and dressage. At Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre.
■ 9013 0707
COMMUNITY BARBECUE
Help support homeless youth by heading to Masters’ Williams Landing store on April 26-27 and grab a sausage from Lions Club members. Proceeds to Whitelion.
■ 8744 1800 \
WIN THIS
The Weekly is giving away two double passes to The Rabble’s much-anticipated adaptation of Frankenstein. Part Gothic horror and part homage to the aesthetics of alchemy, Frankenstein will be an unmissable theatrical event at Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne, from this Friday to April 5. The passes are for the performance on Monday, March 31, at 7pm. The total prize value is $240. Details: malthousetheatre.com.au To enter the competition, visit winthisnow.com.au and follow the prompts. Entries close on Sunday and will be drawn the next day at 10am (Melbourne local time) at the of ces of MMP Group, 214 Park Street, South Melbourne, VIC 3205. Winners will be noti ed in writing and their names published at winthisnow. com.au. Terms and conditions are available at this site.
Young families on a tight budget can still live right in the thick of things in this Hoppers Crossing property. It’s also ideal for investors because of its handy location – with Werribee Plaza, Wyndham library, parks and St Peter Apostle Primary School within walking distance, and Moss el Primary School, Hoppers Crossing Secondary College and train station a short drive away. The brick-veneer house has three bedrooms, a bathroom with shower over a spa, an open-plan family-meals zone, lounge room with built-in bar and feature brick walls, and an updated kitchen with ample storage, stone benchtops and splashbacks and a 900-millimetre, stainless-steel cooker.
A wood heater, gas wall heater, air-conditioning and ceiling fans are sure to keep everyone comfortable.
Slate ooring, polished oorboards and feature walls add further character.
As well as a double garage, there’s plenty of off-street parking.
The back and front yards await landscaping and there’s room out back to build an entertainment area. \
UNDER THE RADAR
\ MYKE BARTLETT REVIEWS THE LATEST
FILM
Blancanieves \ Blu-ray and DVD, $39.95 (Reel DVD) » www.arcadiamotionpictures.com/14/blancanieves
TOP PICK
Pablo Berger’s homage to the lms of the 1920s had the great misfortune of arriving in the wake of The Artist – a far more accessible and comedic piece. But while it lacks the self-awareness of its Oscar-winning peer, Blancanieves has an endearing, sincere passion at its heart.
Transplanting the Grimm Brothers’ Snow White into Franco’s Spain, Berger recaptures the darkness we remember from rst reading those tales as children. This is a world of ghoulish acts and misshapen heroes, cast in the shadow of a dark sexuality. Our heroine Carmen is the daughter of a prize matador, struck down in his prime. Fleeing her deliciously evil and somewhat perverse stepmother (Maribel Verdú, best known for Y Tu Mamá También), she takes refuge with six bull ghting dwarves. On discovering a air for her father’s sport, she is recruited by this diminutive troupe, but her new fame engenders resentments. Relying on clever, beautiful compositions, Blancanieves reminds the viewer how dialogue can distract from the magic of cinema. As with authentic lms of its borrowed era, there is a sense here of peering through its grey glass into an enchanting, lost world. Stripped of the irony we’ve come to expect from modern retreads of fairytales, this is a joyous, wondrous and sensuous movie. \
MYKE’S SPACE
WATCHING \ House of Cards (showcase). The second season, approaching its midpoint, has blown away any hesitations I had about the rst. Addictive stuff.
LISTENING \ Mac DeMarco. His new LP isn’t out until April, but new single Brother is wonderfully wonky slacker rock. ATTENDING \ Underground Cinema’s Rome. Part- lm screening, part-costume party, part-theatre, these events are always great fun.
Ray White_Know How to raise the bar in property management
Last month we spruiked the cause of Mr Porter and his intelligent book on style. is month we continue our campaign to transform the blokes of Melbourne into chic, cool, well-dressed gents by introducing another must-read guy guide.
Like e Mr Porter Paperback-style series, Men’s File: Tracing e Roots of Style ($49.95, Korero Books) encourages its male readers to ditch their tracksuits and footy shorts, and replace them with tweed jackets, cricket whites, black leather bomber jackets and well- tted jeans.
e book also prompts a certain introspection of the “Who am I, and how do I present to the rest of the world?” variety – a good thing, we say.
Men’s File: Tracing e Roots of Style brings together the best pictorial spreads featured in UK photographer and writer Nick Clements’ glossy mag, Men’s File. Clements is also a collector whose passions include mid-20th century cars, bicycles and motorcycles, fashion and accessories.
magazine was born. Clements started the magazine in 2008 while doing a post-grad research degree at London’s Royal College of Art. His project – titled the In uence Of Revival and Re-Enactment Subcultures on Contemporary Men’s Fashion –struck a chord.
It was hip. It was intelligent. It found an audience – and so he started the magazine.
e new book, which features a collection of the best of Men’s File photo spreads, is divided into les: architecture le, auto le, style le, velo le and the like.
“there is magic that happens”
A few years ago, convinced there was a growing interest in heritage style, he decided to chronicle the movement through his photography.
Men’s File emerged from this folio of work and a new
whAT TO READ …
One of my favourite sections, titled endeavour le, pays tribute to some “exceptional individuals who o en combined considerable talent with much imagination in terms of personal presentation,’’ Clements writes.
e spread on legends of Californian skateboarding –Dave Hackett, Brad Bowman, Christian Hosoi, Steve Olsen and Lance Mountain – reminds us how sport can provide men with an uncomplicated and honest arena in which to forge friendships and build connections.
ese guys have known each other since the 1970s and early 1980s, when they hung out at the original skate parks of California. “We’ve all been riding pods for over 30 years
Men’s File: Tracing e Roots of Style \ by Nick Clements
» $49.95 (Korero Books)
e Non-Conformists \ by Martin Parr
» $49.95 (Aperture)
Business Profile
The experience of buying a car should be an exciting time – from choosing the model, taking it for a test drive and finally owning the vehicle. The team at Western Kia understands this and strives to make it an easy and memorable journey.
“We go further than just helping customers choose a vehicle,” says sales manager Paul Karlis. “Owning a car is an ongoing journey and, because of this, we pride ourselves on building long-term relationships with all of our customers.”
Western Kia is part of the Werribee Automotive Group, which has been trading for almost 20 years and includes more than 10 franchises. The latest addition to the group, the Western Kia dealership opened in January, offering new, demonstrator and quality used vehicles, finance and insurance, after-sales service and parts.
From its solid foundation, Western Kia’s philosophy also includes impressive customer service and after-sales care. The business has a large, loyal customer base and values its long-lasting relationships with clients. “The most important thing about our business is our commitment to provide excellent service to our customers,” adds Karlis. “Our customers having a positive experience with us is integral to our business plan and the reason for our ongoing success.”
Western Kia, at 8-9 Eucumbene Drive, Ravenhall, Opens 8.30am-6pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am-5pm Sunday. Inquiries: 9217 8600 or visit westernkia.com.au
Mayoral Column
Wyndham City came alive again last week with a number of iconic events. The World’s Longest Lunch, which was held at the Shadowfax Winery, was part of the ������������������������������������
Victoria as well as some interstate visitors.
with entrées, main meals and desserts served
event.
Live on the Lawn event held at Werribee
people from Wyndham, across Victoria and
Fanning, Pete Murray, Josh Pyke and Clare
precinct in the municipality for all of our residents and Wyndham City is proud to organise these superb events.
Our next upcoming event is the Pet and Animal Expo to be held at the Wyndham Civic
(GABE SULLIVAN)
CHRISTIAN HOSOI
Home buyers looking to live in an estate where there is plenty of recreational space, need look no further than Gateway in Truganina.
Developed by Central Equity Land, the community has just opened Truganina Gardens, an 8000-square-metre park for residents of all ages. It has a playground, basketball court, walking-jogging path, large shelter with chairs and tables, and additional benches.
The park was a signi cant asset for the new Gateway estate in Melbourne’s growing western suburbs, Central Equity Land marketing manager Jeremy Vile said, offering easy access to established shops, transport and recreational amenities.
“At just 20 kilometres from the city centre, Gateway is the eastern-most estate in
Truganina and has good freeway access and proximity to Williams Landing train station,”
Mr Vile said.
“Gateway provides a great environment for growing families, with major employment hubs and schools such as Truganina South Primary School and Westbourne Grammar close by.”
Nearby Lawrie Emmins Reserve has 80 hectares to explore, including an arts centre, archery facilities and cricket, softball and footy elds.
“Gateway provides easy access to Federation Trail, Doherty’s Creek Reserve, Cheetham Wetlands and Point Cook Coastal Park,”
Mr Vile said. “The estate is also home to an expansive nature conservation area that will help indigenous ora and fauna thrive.”
Werribee Mercy Hospital and medical centres at Wyndham Village, Laverton and Point Cook are nearby.
House and land packages within the estate start from $310,000. Home buyers can check out the new display village, which is under construction but has many “just-completed” houses by Melbourne builders open for inspection.
“Location and price make Gateway a great choice for buyers looking for real value,”
Mr Vile said. “This estate is rapidly becoming the destination of choice for new-home buyers in the area.”
For more information on Gateway in Truganina, contact the sales team or visit the estate website. \
GATEWAY
Developer \ Central Equity Land
Price \ From $310,000
Address \ Sayers Road, Truganina
Phone \ 1800 235 263
Website \ gatewayland.com.au
and there is a magic that happens when we get together,’’ Hackett explains.
rough the book’s many outstanding images, thoughtful essays and extended photo captions, readers are presented with Clements’ artistic interpretation of what underwrites a healthy male culture.
is month we celebrate the work of another talented British photographer, Martin Parr.
e Non-Conformists ($49.95, Aperture) features Parr’s early work, taken 33 years ago around the Yorkshire mill town of Hebden Bridge, and captures many of the rituals of community life that have since vanished, or are swi ly disappearing.
Hebden Bridge presented Parr and writer Susie Mitchell (who later became his wife) with rich material.
As Mitchell explains in her introduction: “Beneath the traditions ran deep roots: people who had been neighbours and workmates for decades, long-standing communities, places that had been farmed by the same families for generations … this sense of connectedness was, to me, as exotic and alluring as life in the rainy city.’’
e Non-Conformists is the first time their work from this period has appeared in a book format. We are delighted to have it on our shelves.
Its images and words reveal aspects of English village life that may have been lost forever if Mitchell and Parr had not infiltrated the Hebden Bridge community.
If we needed a reminder why photography books are so vital to our visual culture, these two outstanding publications certainly provide it. \
cperkin@theweeklyreview.com.au
TO READ MORE REVIEWS www.theweeklyreview.com.au/books
THE POWER OF GLAMOUR: LONGING AND THE ART OF VISUAL PERSUASION
By Virginia Postrel
» $39.95 (Simon & Schuster)
Oh no, not another book of celebrity photos … Relax. is is a highly intelligent book on the fascinating subject of glamour, what it is and what it reveals about inner lives.
But there is a model on the front! Yes, but this beautiful image by Austrian photographer Reinfried Marass illustrates perfectly the book’s intent.
Which is …?
Why glamour is such a “seductive cultural force’’, and how it is used effectively by advertisers, fashion designers, make-up manufacturers, politics and entertainment to convey particular impressions and strategically evoke emotions.
And who is Virginia Postrel?
She is a respected 50-something former Wall Street Journal and New York Times writer. Her special subject is political and cultural issues and this is her third book.
With Hollywood celebrities, including Madonna and George Clooney, getting hot and sweaty with Bikram Yoga, certified Bikram Yoga instructor Shaan Lim says now’s the time for Wyndham residents to get in on it, too.
And Lim’s business, Bikram Yoga, is sure to heat things up for participants.
“I have more than nine years’ yoga experience and teach students a unique series of 26 postures (asanas) and two breathing techniques (pranayamas) in a room heated to about 39 degrees,” Lim says.
“All our classes are beginner-friendly and suitable for anyone looking to start hatha yoga.”
Lim says people are never too young, old or sick to do yoga and it’s never too late to start.
“Our instructors focus on trying to help everyone achieve their optimal health and self-empowerment.”
Lin has extended her business reach, opening another studio in Yarraville in May, 2013. It’s proving just as popular as her Werribee venture.
Bikram Yoga Werribee, at 1/99 Watton Street, Werribee, or
Business Profile
Fun-city for locals
“We
says. “We really do have something for everyone at Wyncity.”
The family-run business starting out solely as a ten-pin bowling alley in the mid-80s but has expanded to include laser tag,bumper cars,mini-golf,arcade games and more.
“During our time in business we’ve had many of our professional bowlers compete at local, state, national and international competitions.
“We also have state-of-the-art technology here, including bowling with social connectivity – the first in Australia!” And the entertainment centre has its own licensed restaurant with all the family favourites on the menu, including wood-fired pizza, burgers and pasta.
Owned by George and Bianca Scolaro until 2000, the business has since been operated by their four daughters who have continued the tradition of providing a great family entertainment venue to the Wyndham community.
“We’re proud to provide affordable indoor entertainment and dining under the one roof.”
THE NON-CONFORMISTS \ THE ANNUAL NEW YEAR SWIM, LEE DAM, TODMORDEN, 1977
My parents educated their three sons at one of Melbourne’s pricier private schools in the 1970s. e all-up cost back then? About $8000 a year, including a he y discount on fees for the third child.
e “family discount” for volume enrolments still applies at my alma mater but today you need to nd $23,976 to put a 12-year-old through year 7 – books, uniforms and extras not included. e fee for a student in years 11 or 12 is $25,760.
In fact, a recent survey by the Australian Scholarships Group found that parents of a child born this year who choose private education can expect to spend $504,742 in metropolitan Melbourne from preschool to year 12. Rises in education costs are relentless. ey outstrip in ation and salaries growth, and then there’s the prospect of large HECS fees a erwards. e only way to take the sting out of these charges is to plan and save.
FIND A STRATEGY
ere are several ways to structure education savings. A tax-neutral strategy is to make extra payments on your home loan, build a nest egg and draw on it when the bills start arriving.
If you’re on high marginal tax rates, you may be better o with the tax-paid options of investment bonds or special education savings plans, where the issuer pays tax on the returns at a maximum of 30 per cent.
Traditional investments can work, too. High-interest savings accounts, managed funds or investing in property or shares can cover most, if not all, school fees.
NEVER TOO LATE
e latest evidence indicates that about 60 per cent of Australian families make no provision for education costs. Of those who do, most don’t save all the money needed. Yet regularly setting aside even small amounts can make a signi cant di erence. If you put aside just
$100 a month, it will compound until the child is ready to start school.
Even if you educate your kids at government schools, the cost of a prep-to-year-12 public education is expected to reach $65,500 by 2030. e saving strategy you choose will be shaped by your income and marginal tax rates, what you can a ord to put aside, how long before you need the money, your saving discipline, and appetite for risk.
EDUCATION SAVINGS PLANS
ese education-speci c managed investment products, or scholarship plans, are o ered by non-pro t societies and have a tax bene t (30 per cent paid within the fund) if you are on higher marginal tax rates. Be careful, though. Relatively high management fees are deducted. Still, scholarship plans do o er a disciplined method for education savings, which can be made with weekly contributions. Lifeplan and the Australian Scholarships Group are two plan providers. Look at investment bonds, too. Because earnings and capital gains from bonds are tax-paid at 30 per cent and, in most cases, aren’t included as part of your taxable income, these long-term managed investment products can dovetail neatly with paying for schooling. ey’re certainly worth considering if you’re paying big tax and require somewhat more than $8000. \ editorial@theweeklyreview.com.au
Chris Tolhurst writes regularly for e Age and e Financial Review
MOTORING
\ ROD EASDOWN GETS BEHIND THE WHEEL
Last time I looked at Mitsubishi’s neat little ASX it had just one problem; the highly economical diesel engine wasn’t available with an automatic gearbox. Now it is, and the combination of generous torque and economy will win plenty of customers, even if the motor is a bit noisy.
e overriding factor is that the ASX is such a sensible package for the price, and prices start at just $24,990 for the base two-wheel-drive petrol model.
It’s a compact wagon that o ers optional four-wheel-drive and good ground clearance for the occasional bush track or shing spot, but has none of the traditional hallmarks of big, boofy four-wheel-drives. In other words, it looks and behaves like a regular car. is not only makes it easier to drive and park, it also saves you from the sideways looks from neighbours and friends who fret about the fate of the planet and vote Green. Pretty much the only complaint I have is the temporary spare tyre, a dumb idea on a car that could otherwise be used comfortably for a big round-Australia trip.
Bringing an automatic together with a diesel engine is never straightforward and that may be why Mitsubishi took its time doing it, but this combination works well.
e changes are smooth and fuss free in normal driving.
Only one thing to watch; the gearbox is calibrated for maximum fuel economy and that means it changes down at the earliest
possible opportunity, even when it means it’s grumbling along at 1200rpm, on the verge of labouring. But, given the generous torque available, this mostly works OK and is not something you notice until you oor the accelerator, when it takes a moment to sort itself out and get down to a lower gear. is is something to bear in mind when overtaking on the highway.
While the ASX is not a car that enjoys being chucked into corners, its handling is adequate for the bulk of drivers and the ride is pretty good. e tyres can get a bit noisy on coarse
bitumen at freeway speeds, otherwise this is a very comfortable package, and well speci ed. ere’s good cargo space and reasonable rear seat room.
e most attractive thing about it is its pricing; it presents top-class value along with excellent economy, and the warranty is among the best in the industry. \ reasdown@theweeklyreview.com.au
LADIES WELCOME 48 Davies Avenue Sunshine North 9364 0770
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL ADVERTISERS
The Competition and Consumer Act provides that advertised prices for goods and services which attract GST should be GST inclusive. Pricesshouldnotbequotedasbeing'excluding GST' or 'plus GST' or by the use of words or phrases conveying similar meaning.
Readers are entitled to expect that the advertised prices are the actual prices at which they can purchase the particular goods and services.
Metro Media Publishing will not knowingly accept for publication any advertisement which may be in breach of the Competition and ConsumerAct or any other relevant law.
Planning and Environment Act 1987 WYNDHAM PLANNING SCHEME Notice of Approval of Amendment Amendment C143
The Minister for Planning has approved Amendment C143 to the Wyndham Planning Scheme.
The amendment comes into operation on the date this notice is published in the Government Gazette.
The amendment applies to various parcels of land across the municipality. The amendment amends the Wyndham Planning Scheme to correct zoning anomalies and remove redundant controls.
Specifically, the amendment:
• Deletes Development Plan Overlays where, development in accordance with the development plan, has been completed.
• Rezones Melbourne Water owned land to Public Use Zone 1 (Service and Utility).
• Rezones Council open space reserves to Public Park and Recreation Zone.
• Rezones Council community facilities to Public Use Zone 6 (Local Government).
A copy of the amendment can be inspected, free of charge, at the Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure web site at www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/ planning/publicinspection and free of charge, during office hours, at the offices of the Wyndham City Council Civic Centre - 45 Princes Highway, Werribee 3030.
1st or 2nd year apprentice required. Full training and uniform is provided. Early starts. Must be enthusiastic and keen to learn. Send or drop off resume to: Bakers Delight Werribee Central 28 Station Place, Werribee 3030
REAL ESTATE / RECEPTIONIST
2 part time positions are available for a receptionist to be part of our friendly team, in our Werribee Office. Lots of variety and challenges.
The success applicants will have a positive enthusiastic attitude and possess excellent communication skills, professional image and ability to work under pressure.
If this sounds like you please submit your resume and cover letter to meral@sprintproperty.com.au
Team Leader Delivered Meals
Temporary Part Time: Job Share15:30hrs, until 30 June 2015
$60,128 pa plus superannuation (pro rata)
Title
Enquiries: Patricia Gardiner or Dianne Thielke (03) 8734 4547
Applications close: Sunday 30 March 2014
Please see our main advertisement in the (Title) Section.
For the full advertisement and a copy of the Position Description, please visit our website.
Getting to try out the latest tech gadgets at home may sound good but it’s o en disappointing. While these things usually do as promised, I’m seldom unhappy to send them back because I’ve discovered their annoying quirks and shortcomings.
Occasionally I get a product I want to buy. e last was an umbrella that stands up to high winds. Before that, in 2004, it was some noise-cancelling headphones. Even so, I’d been looking forward to getting a Bose SoundTouch 30. I’d used it at its launch and in the shops, but home is the acid test.
And at home something quite unprecedented happened.
My non-technical, only just iPhone-literate wife played with it for 30 minutes and told me we have to get one. She’s even gured out where it will go.
I’m not arguing. SoundTouch is neat. It’s a high-quality speaker system that hooks into your home wireless network and streams music from your phone, your tablet and your computer. Nothing new there. But it also has so ware built in to get internet radio and Pandora, and Bose says other music libraries are on the way. We’re big fans of Pandora, a predictive music library that takes your musical preferences and serves up the stu you like, along with stu it gures you’ll like. It guesses correctly most of the time, so you have a continuous stream of new and interesting music.
What makes Pandora-through-SoundTouch so
compelling is convenience. ere are six preset buttons on top and all you do is press one. is starts it, hooks it into whatever the preset is tuned for (one of your Pandora stations, an internet radio, the music on your phone) and starts playing.
It’s so simple, fast and convenient, and it sounds so good that you tend to use it all the time, so the house is always full of music. When you’ve nished co ee and can’t put o housework any longer, changing from background music to Johnny Cash takes one button press.
It goes so loud, without distortion, you can hear Mr Cash over the vacuum cleaner, important when he is integral to housework (I’ve found Elvis Costello also works well, as do the Doobie Brothers and Gypsy & the Cat).
Quirks and shortcomings: the set-up, although easy, can take 30 minutes; start-up station loading o en seemed to jam, which may be a rewall issue ( ipping between presets got it going). Track information, shown at the start of the track only, is eeting. e sound quality, while bass-oriented, is excellent. Add extra SoundTouch units and you get music wherever they are placed, too, with the same or di erent programs.
e only problem I face now is the $899 involved, although there are a couple of cheaper o erings – a portable and the smaller SoundTouch 20 are both $549. \ reasdown@theweeklyreview.com.au
Werribee is a game away from a Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west group grand final berth a er its quarter-final with Altona was disrupted by rain at Chirnside Park at the weekend.
e Tigers were not complaining, needing just a draw to move into the semi-finals, but the outcome was trickier than it appeared.
e home side had to see out 76 tense overs on day two.
“It was a draw, but it was a tough game of cricket over two days,” Tigers captain Shaun Dean said.
“Everyone was on edge for most of the day. It was backs to the wall. To manage to draw the game … that’s a win in the overall scheme.”
Set 164 to win, the Tigers saw the target as attainable and went in with a positive mindset. at thinking shi ed considerably when the top order crumbled to a worrying 4-40.
“I just said, ‘Go out and play as if it’s an 80-over game and we’ll get the runs’, bearing in mind that if we get ourselves in trouble, we can always retreat and we don’t have to play our shots,” Dean said.
“ en at 4-40, you just need to bunker down.”
Tim O’Brien (38) and Wade McCall (48no) took the wind out of the A’s’ sails with a gritty 54-run partnership.
SCOREBOARD
CRICKET
PREMIER FIRST GRADE
Quarter-finals
FOOTSCRAY EDGEWATER v CARLTON
At Merv Hughes Oval, Footscray
FOOTSCRAY EDGEWATER 1st Innings
D RUSS c Salm b Smyth.
Marathon effort: Heath Pritchard churned out 27 overs to take four wickets for Werribee. (WAYNE HAWKINS)
O’Brien was dismissed a er tea, but McCall and Jake Purton took the game away by safely negotiating the remaining overs with a minimum of fuss.
“Jake’s innings was just as important as the other two,” Dean said. “He only got 10, but he batted the last 26 overs.”
e Tigers bowled well on the opening day to
61
A BARTON c Pilon b Welsford 3
T DEAN lbw b Welsford 2
D KIGHT c McKenna b Smyth
S DISSANAYAKA c Ross b Smyth.
S GAUTAM b Salm
G WALKER c Pilon b Sidebottom
J HABERFIELD c Pilon b Smyth.
H WINTER-IRVING not out.
L DREDGE b Sidebottom.
M KELLY not out 4Extras.
Nine wickets for
66
7
41
10
17
21
10
10
252 Fall: 14, 18, 100, 112, 165, 185, 214, 216, 240 Bowling: R Sidebottom 19-1-56-2, T Welsford 22-8-45-2, C Salm 14-3-35-1, N Austin 11-326-0, T Smyth 34.1-9-82-4. Overs: 100
CARLTON 1st Innings
M PHELAN b Winter-Irving.
J HANCOCK b Haberfield.
L McKENNA c Kight b Haberfield.
N PILON c Dredge b Haberfield 30
T SMYTH c Kight b Haberfield
N ROSS not out
D PELL b Haberfield 3
T WELSFORD c Kight b Haberfield. . .
N AUSTIN b Haberfield.
R SIDEBOTTOM not out.
C SALM c H Winter-Irving b Walker
8
5
3
8
5
0
0
10
30 Extras (4b 1lb 1nb).
6
108
BRIEFS
Golf
Sanctuary Lakes has made a flying start to the Golf Victoria men’s division 2 pennant season. The Lakes had a commanding five rubbers to two win over Kingston Heath at Latrobe Golf Club on Sunday. In the colts pennant, the Lakes failed to pick up a match in a heavy loss to Yarra Yarra. \
Cricket
The Williamstown and District Cricket Association A turf grand final is evenly poised after the first weekend at Greenwich Reserve. West Newport scored 262 after stellar performances from Aaron Floyd (61) and Trent Jones (60). After losing 2-12, Grand United is back on track through Dillon Hinge (30) and Josh Macdonald (19), finishing the second day on 2-55. \
Cycling
restrict the run flow and make the A’s bat into the second day. Heath Pritchard continued his fine summer, taking 4-31 off 27 overs.
e Tigers will face Noble Park in a two-dayer at Chirnside Park starting on Saturday, with the winner to advance to the grand final. \
LANCE JENKINSON
Dom Dudkiewicz finished the Footscray Cycling Club criterium season the way he started: with a win. Dudkiewicz overcame a stiff westerly blowing into his face at Drake Boulevard in Altona on Sunday to claim victory from Miles DaCosta and Brett Hickford. Melbourne University rider Tristan Kennedy took out B-grade, while other winners were James Ogilvy (C grade) and Oscar Garrido De La Rosa (D grade). The FCC road season will begin on April 6. \
PREMIER LOWER GRADES: 3rds: Carl 2-139 (Corby 71no) bt Geel 138 (Rogers 52 Mills 5-34 Gilbert 3-46), Dand 183 (Rowe 39 P Boraston 52 Frith 3-49) bt Frank Pen 146 (Reid 48no McDonald 34 P Boraston 4-21), St K 224 (Chamberlain 38 Michelmore 64 Gilbert 52 Shimell 3-46) bt Mon Tigers 129 (McKenna 30 March 5-42 Barnett 4-46), Ncte 6-184 (D’Souza 69no Marrow 49) bt Melb 183 (Huddart 84 Minato 35 Ryder 4-59 Glover 3-34). 4ths: Mon Tigers 8-227 (Wilson 116no) bt St K 8 (dec)-225, Haw-Mon Uni 5-219 (Mayadunne 55 Jhala 36) bt Fitz Donc 5 (dec)-234, Frank Pen 4-192 (Harford 68 Bardwell 68) bt Ring 9 (dec)-188 (Kilby 46 Newman 35), Ncte 7 (dec)-310 (Volitakis 80no Maratos 71 Watson 56 Kaluthanthri 3-85) bt Dand 262 (Opanayaka 77 Vora 48 Fisher 42 Kaluthanthri 31 Brentnall 5-29).
Fall: 13, 13, 22, 52, 55, 63, 63, 65, 108 Bowling: J Haberfield 17-8-25-7, H Winter-Irving 13-5-17-1, L Dredge 8-1-19-0, G Walker 4.1-113-1, M Kelly 4-2-3-0, S Dissanayake 3-0-26-0
Overs: 49.1. FOOTSCRAY EDGEWATER won Umpires: S Craig & M Hanton
Grand f: Day 2: Sen: Sth Caulf 8-108 v Yarrav Club 169 (A Cristofaro 66, S Jeffree 5-28). Sen 2nds: Yarrav Club 185 and 1-27 v Strath 104. Nth Div: PEGS v Tulla 5-163. Nth 2nds: Spots 138 and 6-76 v Tulla 40 (S Fitzgerald 5-7). Nth A1: Suns Druids 4-162 (L Wilson 112no) v Seddon. Nth
A2: St Albans v Craigieb 8-142. Nth B1: Glenroy 3-21 v Avon Hts 131 (M Jinan 58no). Nth B2:
Merlyn Hadf 128 v Jacana 150 and 5-46. West B1: Suns Hts v Suns Utd 7-130. West B2: N’portDigm 147 v Suns Hts 211 and 0-18. Nth C1: Aberf 117 and 6-113 v St Fran bt Sale 72 (C Berzins 6-25). Nth C2: St Bern 7-141 v Spotsw 198. Nth C3: RMIT v Taylors Lakes 7-110. Nth C4: Doutta-Blue 172 (B Thomas 50) bt PEGS 68. Sth Div: Chels 0-28 v Hampton 292 (H Scully 118, J Carpenter 80). Sth 2nds: Bonbeach Tangy 2-10 v McKinn 170. Sth A1: Asp 174 and 2-35 v Highett 79. Sth A2: Mentone 1-79 v Caulf Gram/NCG 100 (C Gumbleton 5-18). Sth C1: Chelt 8-143 v McKinn 78. Sth C3: Hampton 103 (S Hay hat-trick) bt M’beena 7-86. WESTERN SUBURBS UNITED CHURCHES: Grand f: A: Altona Sports 7-287 v Charles Sturt Uni. B: Altona Roosters 7-197 (M Wilson 70 M Lundberg 46 M Robinson 41) v United Tarneit SC. C: Melton South PSCC 5-203 bt Western Lions 160. E: United Tarneit SC 7-283 bt Melton 129.
BOWLS
BV SATURDAY METROPOLITAN PENNANT: GRAND FINALS: Div 1: Yarra Glen (1) 81 Kew Hts (1) 82. Div 2: Lalor (2) 70 Altona (2) 78. Div 3: Essendon (3) 88 Glen Eira McKinnon (1) 68. Div 4: Buckley Pk (1) 78 St Kilda (3) 79. Div 5: Hurstbridge (1) 65 Middle Pk (2) 82. Div 6: Moonee Valley (3) 82 Burwood Dist(4) 70. Div 7: North: Williamstown (4) 72 Fairfield (2) 73. South: Camberwell Cent (2) 68 Middle Pk (3) 85. Div 8: Cardinia Waters (2) 49 Flemington & Kensington (3) 31. Div 9: Glen Waverley (7) 39 Doncaster (7) 42.
GOLF
GV METROPOLITAN PENNANT: Rd 1: Div 1 at Cheltenham: CHELTENHAM 5 bt VICTORIA 2 (B White bt R Ruffles 3-2 S Gallie lost to B Eccles at 19th B Kivimets bt W Hume 1 up T Redmond bt L Murnane at 20th M Costigan bt J Sandic 4-3 R Greenhill bt N Buck 2 up P Neal lost to G Thomson 6-4), METROPOLITAN 5 bt WOODLANDS 2 (T Sinnott bt B Coletta 4-3 L Michel bt M ledger 6-5 T Donoghue bt G McDougall 2-1 B Collyer lost to D Stafrace 1 down D Francis bt C Winkler 3-2 S Smith bt M Rixon 3-1 M Robertson lost to J DeftereosBrennan 4-3), COMMONWEALTH 5 bt THE HERITAGE 2 (G Drakeford bt DJ Loypur 4-2 L Herbert bt R Elward 7-6 Z Murray bt R Herron 5-4 M Hinkley bt J Usher 4-3 F Droop bt B Henderson 3-1 T Couling lost to D Seymour 1 down J lett lsot to J Lee 1 down), YARRA VALLEY 4 bt SOUTHERN 3 (A Schonewille bt A McCoy 1 up A Roberts bt J Besley at 22nd K Duncan bt L Cain at 19th A Ahern lost to M Long 4-3 C Maurel lost to E Barclay 2-1 D Shimmin bt J Ford at 19th A Msonda-Johnson lost to T Vallence 6-5). Div 3 at Rossdale: Rossdale 4 bt Huntingdale 3, Keysborough 7 bt Yering Meadows 0, Royal Melbourne 4 bt Kew 3, Rosanna 5 bt Peninsula 2. Div 4 at Northern: Northern 5 bt Goonawarra 2, Cranbourne 4 bt Gisborne 2, Medway 4 bt Eynesbury 3, Patterson River 4 bt Heidelberg 3 WOMEN: Div 1 at Victoria: YARRA VALLEY 4
bt VICTORIA 3 (C Bryant bt K Matsumoto at 20th G Thiry bt O Kline 1 up C Tan lost to S Thompson at 19th B Gilson lost to L Callow 1 down S Fernanado lost to A Gavardinas 5-3 L Nayna bt B Chignell 5-3 N Bickerton bt J Layton 3-2), SOUTHERN 4 bt COMMONWEALTH 3 (H Pascoe bt L Griffin 1 up G O’Callaghan bt L Briers 1 up C Odgers lost to S Laird 5-4 J Sellen lost to K Kennedy 4-2 N Crothers bt J Clyde 4-2 C Besley lost to E Pollock 4-2 A Johnson bt A Alston 3-2), HUNTINGDALE 6 bt WOODLANDS 1 (B Ling bt T Singham 3-2 E Smith lost to A Dunn 3-2 K Do bt B Hill 3-1 H Gellatly bt N Martin at 19th C McSaveney bt E Jones 5-4 L Teo bt J Furlong 4-3 T Kudelka bt K Smith 5-4), METROPOLITAN 5 bt HEIDELBERG 2 (S Oh bt J Borgolotto 3-1 M Hui bt S Robinson 4-3 S Anderson bt J Fletcher 5-4 G Ednie bt E Sinclair 6-5 T Crewes lost to I Noack 2-1 D Baulch lost to T Hodgson 3-1 L Kinsey bt G Haberman 5-4). COLTS: Div 1 at Victoria: Commonwealth 3 bt Victoria 2, Kingswood 3-1/2 bt Kooringal 1-1/2, Waverley 3 bt Royal Melbourne 2, Yarra Yarra 4-1/2 bt Sanctuary Lakes 1/2. Div 2 at Latrobe: Southern 3 bt Woodlands 2, Kingston Heath 4 bt Heidelberg 1, Metropolitan 5 bt The Heritage 0, Northern 4-1/2 bt Long Island 1/2. Div 3 at Rossdale: Huntingdale 4 bt Latrobe 1, Rosanna 3 bt Eastwood 2, Cranbourne 4 bt Medway 1, Sandhurst 5 bt Kew 0. Div 4 at Northern: Gisborne 3 bt Rossdale 2, Yering Meadows 4-1/2 bt Box Hill 1/2, Spring Vale 3 bt Peninsula 2, Riversdale 2-1/2 sq Goonawarra 2-1/2. SCHOOL SPORTS
Werribee City was handed a football lesson by powerhouse Green Gully Cavaliers in a 4-0 season opening National Premier League drubbing on the road on Sunday.
Bees coach Nino Ragusa said it was always going to be a massive undertaking for his club to confront such a highly credentialled opponent first up.
“If you look at the two line-ups on paper, the difference in experience and age between the two sides is really one extreme to the other,” he said. “We finalised a squad of about 20 players and the average age is under 23. “ at’s been our policy for the past couple of years and that’s going to continue.
“ e reality is … the National Premier League is a very significant jump, and that was evident today.”
e Bees were not totally out of their depth. ey took the challenge right up to the Cavs
for 35 minutes but could not sustain that sort of high level.
“For 35 minutes, we were very good, on par with them,” Ragusa said. “ en, within five minutes, we were 2-0 down – that’s the ruthlessness of this level.
“As soon as the first goal went down, mentally we went a bit weak, which is the sign of a young side … they could sniff the kill, which is the sign of experience.
“It was disappointing the way we crumbled, but it was very encouraging that at least for 35 minutes, up until the first goal, it was a fairly even game.”
“He’s a talent, a class above anything that I have,” Ragusa said.
“His commitment and attitude to date has been exceptional … he pushed really hard today.
“I played him in the middle of the park, but he can play anywhere down the spine. He’s very big and very mobile for his size, and he’s strong.”
“they could sniff the kill”
Tommy Dunn was one of the best for the Bees in goals, but even he could not halt the Cavs’ onslaught once they found their groove.
Ryan Filipovic was one of the most damaging for the Bees, slotting into a central midfield role.
jets on right path
Football
e Western Jets built a reputation as one of the toughest nuts to crack in the TAC Cup under first year coach Torin Baker last season.
A fight-to-the-death attitude brought them within a whisker of victory late in most games, en route to an appearance in the second week of finals.
Just days out from the Jets’ 2014 opener against semi-final conqueror Calder Cannons at Highgate Recreation Reserve, Baker has implored the new crop of players to adopt the same work ethic, desire and stubbornness as their predecessors.
“I’m looking for real competitiveness among the group and a genuine effort level through the entire game, which is what we got last year,” he told the Weekly
“We were rapt with the way the boys were able to display that brand of footy. at’s the hallmark of a good side and if you can do that, generally the results pan out in your favour.”
e Jets showed flashes of their best in preseason hit-outs but could not sustain it over four quarters. ey need to take it up a notch to be first-round winners.
“Our form has been a bit patchy over pre-season,” Baker said. “ ere’s certainly been some good signs, but … we haven’t put anywhere near a four-quarter performance together yet. I want to see the players play a certain way, whether it’s five minutes into the game or five minutes from the end of the game.”
ere is always plenty of spice when the Jets and long-time rivals Cannons square off. e rivalry has increased in recent years with a number of tight finishes between the clubs and two finals meetings.
Irrespective of the opposition, round one
e Bees are looking forward to another tough hit-out against Oakleigh Cannons in the Dockerty Cup on Saturday evening.
A er a succession of games against lower-league opponents in the pre-season, Ragusa is ready to expose his youngsters to some of the teams they will be facing in the top flight this season.
“I prefer we start playing these big sides week in, week out because it’s the only way this young team will quickly catch up to the standard,” he said. \ LJ
plucky reds almost turn giantkillers
Dockerty Cup
You would not have le Quarries Park with the impression that Hoppers Crossing was a battler, four divisions below FC Cli on Hill, in any facet other than the scoreboard a er Dockerty Cup third round action on Sunday.
e underdog Reds from state league 4 were supposed to be fighting out of their weight division.
ey were facing an opponent from state league 1, but they gave as good as they got, lacking only a killer touch in the 2-1 loss.
Reds assistant coach Gus Dos Santos said it was a “bitter pill to swallow”.
He said the Hoppers Crossing players had control of the game for long periods, only to fritter away their scoring opportunities.
“ ey’re four leagues above us,” Dos Santos said. “Our boys did really well. We held our own and their side seemed a bit desperate at times. We just didn’t take our chances … that pretty much sums up our day.”
is always much anticipated. “A er a long pre-season, round one gets built up pretty big at whatever level you play and that’s certainly the case for us,” Baker said.
Mitch Norton, on the comeback trail a er a shoulder reconstruction, is a player to watch for the Jets.
e mercurial forward could be set to show his wares in the midfield a er spending most of last season closer to goal.
“He’s only played six quarters of footy in the pre-season but he seems to have gone to
another level,” Baker said.
Connor Menadue had a strong lead-up to the season and will be used in a variety of roles, while Liam Carter looks set to take the vacant key defensive post.
Dillon Rainbow was the stand-out Jet in the final practice match against Northern Knights, working across half forward and half back.
e first bounce will be at 11am, Saturday. \ LANCE JENKINSON ljenkinson@mmpgroup.com.au
e Reds were down on their luck, hitting the crossbar twice and the upright once. Kevin Smart had the travelling fans on the verge of a roar in the dying minutes, only to see his free kick ricochet of the crossbar.
Liam McDermott was the Reds’ only goalscorer, with all three goals being scored in an action-packed first half.
Even McDermott, one of the most influential players on the day, had kissed the woodwork with a shot moments before bulging the back of the net.
“It was just reward for him,” Dos Santos said.
“He got a cross at the far post, hit it first time and it deflected in.”
Zia Sherzai was best-on-ground for the Reds.
He made a number of his trademark marauding runs on the wing and was at times unstoppable.
“His speed is always going to be dangerous,” Dos Santos said.
“When he starts knocking it past players like he does, he’s hard to stop.”
Under second-year coach Alfonso Opazo, the Reds are expected to be title challengers in state league 4 this season. ey have recruited strongly, their retention rates are healthy and the youngsters are coming through the system.
So the foundations are in place for the team to hit the ground running for round one on March 29.
“ ere is high expectation this season,” Dos Santos said.
“We’ve had a very good pre-season and a good 10-week program … we’ve got a really strong squad.
“We’ll be fit and raring to go for the first round.” \ LJ
Hard edge: Torin Baker wants his Western Jets to be
one of the hardest teams to beat again in his second year. (MICHAEL COPP)
cliffhanger opens account
Basketball
Werribee Devils held on to defeat the Eltham Wildcats 82-81 in a cli anger Big V basketball men’s championship season opener at the Werribee Sports and Fitness Centre on Sunday.
e Devils regained the lead with 15 seconds to go, through two successful free throws from point guard Jordan Hughes.
e Wildcats made one final push in the dying seconds, only for new Devils import Aaron McCuin to secure the defensive rebound and run down the clock.
Devils coach Mark Hughes lauded a gritty performance from a team still getting used to its surroundings a er a number of off-season changes.
“It’s a new group so the hardest part is getting them all on the same page,” he said. “We had to tough it out with our defence and we just came through in the end.
“To win at home is always special. You want to try and go unbeaten at home, and that’s the aim.”
It was fitting that McCuin would end up with the ball at the final buzzer a er a stunning 26 points and 18 rebounds on debut for the Devils.
e 24-year-old, recruited from Fort Worth, Texas, via Paul Quinn College, was too much to handle on the inside for the Wildcats’ bigs.
“ ey found it hard to stop him because he’s so strong under the boards,” Hughes said. “He just competes on every possession, which is pleasing, and he demands a bit of respect in the paint.”
Jordan Hughes logged heavy minutes at the point, finishing with 25 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Hughes had his shooting struggles early in the game but came up with the big plays at the important times, including the game-winning free throws.
“He had a bit of a slow start, missed a few shots but then he got going in the second half and brought it home,” Hughes said.
“ at’s what good players do.”
Jordan Hughes’s workload is about to be lightened with the arrival of a second import, Rustin Dowd. Dowd can play at the one or two spot, as both distributor or shooter, and has a history of leadership roles, being a long-time captain of MidAmerica Nazarene University in Kansas City.
Jonathan Sonda made a successful return to the court a er a year away for study. He
Jack in the box: Jonathan Sonda gets some serious hang time in his first game back for the Werribee Devils. (SHAWN SMITS)
scored 17 points, reeled in eight rebounds and shot a perfect 7-from-7 from the free-throw line.
e Devils will play their first doubleheader of the season this weekend. ey hit the road on Saturday night for a clash with McKinnon Cougars and return home for a Sunday matinee against Sherbrooke Suns. \ LANCE JENKINSON ljenkinson@mmpgroup.com.au
devils’ victory fails to impress coach
Basketball
e Werribee Devils opened their new season’s account on Saturday with a 24-point win over Sunbury Jets in Big V basketball women’s division 1. en Devils coach Lloyd Klaman brought his team back to earth with a brutal assessment of their performance.
“Even though we won the game, I wasn’t very happy,” he said. “I thought we were average at best. If we play like that against Geelong next week, we’re going to be in a lot of trouble.”
e Devils were indecisive for most of the game, committing an unseemly 19 turnovers. ey shot a strong 44 per cent from the field but also missed countless easy baskets under the hoop.
“Offensively, we didn’t look very cohesive,” Klaman said. “We were pretty sloppy with the ball. We should’ve done a lot more damage than we did.
“ ere’s not many times you have a 24-point win and you’re not happy, but this is one of those times.”
e Devils secured the win thanks to a strong second period and a purple patch in the third.
Elisha Burnette was the diamond in the rough for the Devils.
e guard posted an impressive line of 22 points, five rebounds and five steals. She was one of the few efficient scorers, hitting seven-from-12 from the field and a perfect seven-from-seven from the freethrow line in her comeback game from an ankle complaint.
Alex Moss provided spark off the bench for the Devils with 11 points and two three-pointers.
Lisa Troyahn notched her first double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
e Devils will face one of the hot premiership fancies, Geelong, away at e Arena on Saturday night. \ LJ
lack of practice games a selection bind for rep coach
WRFL
Western Region Football League coach
Brett Jacobs and his team of assistants have the unenviable task of trimming back the interleague squad without practice matches as a guide.
e WRFL has been training for weeks, but without having players available for competitive match play, cuts are being made on training form, team balance and club practice matches.
“It’s not easy,” Jacobs told the Weekly a er cutting back the squad to 32. ‘‘It’s going to be even tougher next week when we have to cut
more players. at’s the role we’ve got and we have to make those decision and stand by them.
“It’s all about getting the right side together on the day and, hopefully, moving forward.”
e WRFL will take on the Southern Football League at Visy Park at 11.15am on March 29.
e two leagues are the lowestranked of the six involved in the AFL Victoria Metro Championships.
Jacobs can sense a real hunger within his squad to start making inroads on the higher-ranked competitions.
“the blokes didn’t hold back”
“ ey have really put their hands up and are training at a high intensity,” Jacobs said. “ ey play club practice matches on weekends and put their bodies on the line in training so they really want to be part of it.
“We did some defensive competitive work the other night and the blokes didn’t hold back. ey were flat out, so there’s a good vibe among the group.”
One of the biggest names in the WRFL squad, Jason Cloke, has been named captain. Cloke, 31, played 76 games and kicked 10 goals with Collingwood, but has since played
an integral role in Spotswood’s continued success in division 1. For Jacobs, reputations mean little; it’s what the players show on the training track that matters.
Cloke, along with vice-captains Jordan Robbins (Altona) and Tim Jenkins (St Albans), are head and shoulders above the rest.
“He’s been a standout at training,” Jacobs said. “He’s really excited about it and we’re delighted guys like him have bought into the concept and put their hand up to be a part of it.
“We want the good players to play so we’re really rapt at this stage.” \ LJ
