Werribee’s Savannah Scifo may only be six-years-old but she is showing that she is brave beyond her
The
has rallied around the cheerful St Andrew’s Primary School pupil as she fights leukemia. A fund-raising event will be held at the Werribee Racing Club next month. For the full story turn to page 6.
Nude beach review
By Laura Michell
Nudistscouldlosetheirrighttoswiminthebuff, with Wyndham council announcing a review of Werribee South beach’s clothing-optional status.
e council is considering forcing visitors to Campbells Cove to keep their bathers on by revoking the right to bathe nude at the beach. Campbells Cove is one of only four official clothing-optional beaches in Victoria.
e others are Sunnyside North at Mount
Eliza and Point Impossible and Southside at Torquay.
Mayor Bob Fairclough said the review was warranted because the beach was not as secluded as it used to be.
“With encroaching urban growth, increased usage of the foreshore and Wyndham city’s intent to upgrade landscaping in and around the Campbells Cove precinct, a review of whether the clothing-optional status can remain is necessary,” he said.
e review has the support of the Ratepayers
of Werribee South, who raised their concerns about the beach with the council last year.
Group president Marisa Berton said the community felt that having a nudist’s beach in Werribee South was no longer appropriate given the area’s population growth.
“ ere is a new car park there and it looks like a family beach … times have changed and maybe that needs to change too,” she said.
But a spokesman for Solar West, a group which organises nude swimming nights at Werribee and Doveton, said having a
clothing-optionalbeachatWerribeeSouthwas ideal.
“Having a clothing-optional beach relatively close to the city is a good thing. It makes it easier to get to and, access to this particular beach can also be seen as disabled friendly.”
Any decision to change Campbells Cove’s status will need to be approved by Planning Minister Matthew Guy.
Submissionsonthereviewcanbemadetothe council by emailing campbellscovefeedback@ wyndham.vic.gov.au by June 3.
Dog owner fights ‘wrong’ fine
A Brookfield man is demanding answers from Wyndham council a er an elderly friend received a $289 fine for having an unregistered dog, despite the dog being registered in his name.
Reno Joubert o en leaves his American staffordshire terrier, Zeus, with elderly family friendsinHoppersCrossingwhileheisatwork.
Documents show that Zeus is microchipped and registered to Mr Joubert. On May 13 the council issued an infringement notice to the grandmother at the Hoppers Crossing address.
Mr Joubert said he phoned the council to try and explain that the dog was his and that it was registered, in the hope they would dismiss the fine. “ ey basically just said if I wasn’t happy with it I could take the matter to court.”
Mr Joubert said it was “wrong” that the council would fine someone without doing its homework first.
“ ey’ve just assumed the dog is not registered, but if they scanned the microchip they would see that it’s registered to my home address.”
Wyndham council chief executive Kerry ompson said that the woman who received the fine had obtained a pensioner-discounted desexing voucher for a dog in January.
“As a condition of receiving this subsidy, Wyndhamcityrequestedtheanimalbedesexed before being registered,” Ms ompson said.
“Later checks on Wyndham city’s database showed this animal was not registered and a er several attempts to contact the resident, a council officer visited the residence and issued an infringement notice.
“Under the Domestic Animals Act, [a] dog must be registered in the municipality where it resides.”
Ms ompson said that Mr Joubert could object to the fine by contacting the council’s internal review officer.
For more details about pet registrations visit www.wyndham.vic.gov.au
Insults
By Xavier Smerdon
Hearing urges lower tip level
e Environment Protection Authority has been advised to consider lowering the proposed height of a new cell at Werribee’s Wests Road tip to ease community concerns.
e advice is one of eight recommendations made by PCB Consulting following a public hearing about Wyndham council’s application to the EPA to build a new cell at the landfill. e council is seeking permission to build cell 4C to 25 metres above ground. e hearing was held last month, a er the EPA received 673 submissions in six weeks about the application.
As reported by Star Weekly, opponents of the council’s plan have called for the cell to be kept at tree level.
In her recommendations, hearing
chairwoman Cath Botta said the council needed to justify to the community the need for the new cell to be 25 metres above ground.
She also advised the EPA to investigate complaints about odour issues at the tip and assess the council’s plans to rehabilitate the site. It was also suggested the council consider making compliance and monitoring reports from the landfill publicly available to address concerns about compliance breaches.
While the council and EPA are not boundbytherecommendations,Western Region Environment Centre’s Harry van Moorst said he hoped they would be given serious consideration. “We hope we can find a way forward with the EPA.” e EPA did not respond to questions about whether any of the recommendations would be adopted before Star Weekly went to print.
fly over advocacy goals
A ri has formed between Wyndham’s main advocacy group and the state government.
Western metropolitan MP Andrew Elsbury criticised the Committee for Wyndham for running an “overtly political” campaign.
“Previously, the Committee for Wyndham has been very good,” Mr Elsbury said.
“ e way the Committee for Wyndham is running now it is not putting forward any different points of view – it is running an agenda.
“ e agenda is aligning very much with my political opponents in the Labor Party, which
brings a lot of questions to bare on just what the committee is trying to achieve.
“Once upon a time I could actually talk to them – we’d have a disagreement but we could talk to them. Now I’m not so sure.”
Just days a er last month’s state budget was released, Committee for Wyndham chief executive Chris Potaris described it as a vote-buying budget.
“ e Committee for Wyndham view the 2014-15 state budget as the state government’s need for an overt political gain and the need for desperately needed votes ahead of the needs of a growing community and region,” Mr Potaris said.
One of the committee’s grievances is that WerribeeSecondaryCollegereceivednomoney for vital repairs, despite the group running an advocacy campaign on behalf of the school calling for $7 million in urgent funding.
Asked if he thought the advocacy campaign had been worthwhile, Mr Potaris said:
“Absolutely, our campaign and engagement with the state government has just begun, now that we know where they stand with their contempt for this region.”
He said that the committee would continue its campaign with the school.
But Mr Elsbury said projects such as the westernsectionoftheEastWestLinkandanew
school in the Wyndham area showed that the state government was not just investing in its own electorates.
Mr Elsbury said Werribee Secondary College had missed out on funding because other schools, such as Sunshine College, had greater need.
“Get the worst buildings in Werribee Secondary College, move them to Sunshine and they’d [Sunshine] have a better school than what they’ve currently got,” he said. “ at was the decision we had to make. e maintenance for that school was costing absolutely millions of dollars and we needed to fix that school.”
Xavier Smerdon RENO JOUBERT WITH HIS DOG ZEUS
(Damjan Janevski)
Council should do better: survey
By Laura Michell
Wyndham residents have told the council to improve its performance, saying it needs to do more to improve traffic congestion and fix public transport shortages and local roads.
A recent survey of 800 residents conducted by Metropolis Research for the council found that 15 per cent of people were dissatisfied with the council’s overall performance.
e figure is three times higher than the Melbourne metropolitan council average.
e survey found that issues relating to population growth were significantly affecting residents’ satisfaction with the council.
Residents also revealed they were unsatisfied with the council’s governance and leadership, rating it lower than the western region and Melbourne metropolitan council averages.
e results revealed more than 40 per cent of residents wanted the council to address traffic management issues, while 31 per cent listed road maintenance and repair as a big problem in the city.
Sixteen per cent said the council needed to
Choc-full of love, hope
Like most six-year-old girls, Werribee’s Savannah Scifo loves chocolate, sparkles and fancy shoes.
But Savannah’s fight against the leukaemia that has overtaken her body proves she is no ordinary child.
Last November, Savannah was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a form of cancer that starts from white blood cells in bone marrow.
e St Andrews Catholic Primary School pupil has been undergoing chemotherapy, and while her doctors are confident she will win her battle, the slightest illness can present a major hurdle. She spent 16 days in the Royal Children’s Hospital in April a er developing a cold sore.
“We were absolutely devastated when we found out she had cancer,’’ mother Suzanne Scifo says. ‘‘We didn’t event know how to react. If we could have it instead of her, we would.”
Savannah says the worst thing about being sick is getting needles.
Family friend David Fitzgerald is organising a fund-raising family fun day on Sunday, June 22 to help Savannah and her family.
“My wife and I were also devastated when we found out,” Mr Fitzgerald says. “Our daughter Stephanie is the same age. It could have easily been her … we just wanted to do something.”
e fun day, at Werribee Racecourse from 10am-5pm, will include a market with about 40 stalls, with most profits going to the Scifo family. ere will also be pony rides and a jumping castle.
As for what she plans to do a er she beats her illness, Savannah says she hopes to one day make chocolate for a living.
For more details about the fund-raiser, visit on. .me/1raVLSi.
address public transport problems.
Mayor Bob Fairclough said it was frustrating that the council was being marked down for issues that were not its responsibility.
He added that the survey results validated the need for the council’s $2 million congestion campaign directed at the state government.
“Weareputtingalotofeffortintotheadvocacy campaign.
“To leave Wyndham and return [by car] you are hitting congested satellite roads. at was the driving force behind the congestion campaign.”
Public toilets, footpath maintenance and repairs, and the provision of permanent public art were also areas where residents were unhappy with the council’s performance. ey were most satisfied with the council’s garbage collection services, libraries and youth services, as well as its customer service.
Cr Fairclough said the council had scored well in services it was responsible for.
He said the proposed 2014-15 budget included funding for improvements to roads and footpaths and a public toilet strategy to boost community satisfaction.
Xavier Smerdon
SAVANNAH WITH SISTERS CHARLOTTE, 2, AND BRIDGETTE, 4
(Joe Mastroianni)
Cycle shop thief takes a dive
Schools alert to stranger danger
By Xavier Smerdon
Wyndham parents and schools are on high alert a er an unidentified man approached pupils at a Werribee primary school, sparking a police investigation.
Assistant principal at Manorvale Primary School Lily Ibrahim sent a letter to parents the same day the incident occurred, telling them what had happened.
She said a man riding a bike along Greaves Street North had approached three school pupils who were playing near the fence.
An older student who was playing nearby also heard the man speak to the pupils. A teacher on yard duty walked over to the group and was able to provide a description of the man to police.
Principal Helen Watson told Star Weekly the man allegedly told the children to “come with me”.
“ e school is on high alert, especially around the fence line,” Ms Watson said.
very concerned but sensible.” Last week reports started circulating on social media that angry parents were planning on hunting the unknown man down.
Victoria Police spokesman Sergeant Kris Hamilton said the incident was being investigated, and he discouraged residents from taking matters into their own hands.
“Victoria Police always discourages any type of vigilante behaviour,” Sergeant Hamilton said.
‘‘ The school is on high alert, especially around the fence line ’’ - Helen Watson
“Our advice to parents is that if they have any information at all in relation to these types of incidents, they are encouraged to notify the police via triple-0 or Crime Stoppers.”
A would-be thief has caused thousands of dollars in damage at a Werribee business after falling through the roof and ceiling. The manager of Ted’s Cycles, Garry Hope, said he was alerted to the break-in after an alarm was triggered just before 1pm last Sunday. When he arrived, he found the thief had fallen almost three metres to the floor of the Watton Street shop. Mr Hope (pictured) said a beam in the roof appeared to have snapped under the weight of the criminal, leaving him to fall into the store’s workshop. About 13 ceiling panels were broken along with the beam, but nothing was taken. “I was surprised no one heard anything, especially with the cafe next door,” Mr Hope said. “They couldn’t have taken any cash because there’s almost no such thing as cash any more – everyone uses EFTPOS.” Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000
“We continue to develop our school value, which is caring for others and, in this case, it was great to see an older student caring for her fellow students.”
Ms Watson said there were occasionally similar incidents of pupils being approached. As a result, a permanent rule was in place where the children needed to stay at least five metres from the fence line.
“Everything that should have worked did work very well in this case,” she said.
Xavier Smerdon
“Our community seems to be keeping cool heads at the moment. Everyone is, of course,
e man is described as being Caucasian, tall, of thin build, with blond, scruffy hair. He was wearing a black top, black pants and a helmet.
Our Lady of the Southern Cross Primary School in Manor Lakes also issued a warning lastweeka eramanmatchingthisdescription was spotted around the school. Anyone with informationshouldcontact CrimeStopperson 1800 333 000.
(Wayne Hawkins)
CONTACT US
PHONE \ 03 9249 5327
FAX \ 03 9741 7925
LOCATION \ Suite 1/75 Watton Street, Werribee
DISTRIBUTION \ 1300 656 678 distribution@fermax.com.au
ADVERTISING
SALES DIRECTOR \ BEN SUTTON bsutton@starweekly.com.au
SALES MANAGER \ JAMES STUART jstuart@starweekly.com.au
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF \ STEPHEN LINNELL slinnell@starweekly.com.au
GENERAL EDITORIAL INQUIRIES westeditorial@starweekly.com.au
COMMUNITY CALENDAR ENTRIES communitycalendar@starweekly.com.au
jgillespie@starweekly.com.au ACCOUNT MANAGERS
Restaurants are no place for UFC telecasts, writes Kevin Hillier
Iam not against boxing or martial arts. My family actually has quite a history in boxing, so while I appreciate the sport I don’t follow it to any great degree.
But while having Sunday lunch at a local venue last week, I was most uncomfortable with the fact they had UFC fights on several screens in the restaurant area. I think it’s fine in the sports bar or gaming areas, as these are mostly frequented by adults. In the restaurant area, though, there are young children. One boy was mesmerised by the UFC (ultimate fighting championship) bouts. Whether this was the first time he had seen it or whether he watches it regularly at home is irrelevant.
For me, it’s a bit like passive smoking; there is no way to avoid it invading your space.
I think a venue that has a children’s play area should have visual entertainment that’s appropriate. e last thing we need is Billy and Johnny imitating the UFC at the bottom of the indoor slide. Do you agree?
As a shopper, I know what I want and how
I want to be treated. In the past few weeks I’ve made some significant purchases and met some interesting people in the process. e first experience was not pleasant.
e salesman was pushy and made it seem like he was doing us a favour every step of the deal. e second experience was brilliant. We were greeted, asked if we needed help and then given the information – not a sales pitch –and allowed space to make up our minds. Sale complete; well done Bev Marks in Hoppers Crossing.
e third experience was mixed. I was a er a device of which I have limited knowledge. So a er locating the area, I was pretty much ignored until someone said, “Hello, how are you?”. He wasn’t wearing anything that identified him as a staff member, so I said hello back and, a er a few minutes of being ignored, went elsewhere. e next shop was a different experience. “Hello, are you OK or do you need help?” at to me is the perfect opening. So I can say the Good Guys really are good guys. Ԃ
If you have any news or events please let me know on the email kevin@howdypartnersmedia. com.au
Briefs
Probe into man’s death Police are investigating the death of a man whose body was found at a Hoppers Crossing unit on Monday afternoon. Police were called to the Heaths Road property about 1.30pm. Detective Senior Sergeant John Johnston said the body of a man aged about 45 years old was found at the unit. “Another person was present at the address and they are assisting police with their inquiries.” A post-mortem was expected to be completed yesterday. A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Fears for missing teen Police are searching for a Wyndham teenager who has been missing since March 5. Detective Senior Constable Chris Watson said police feared for the safety of Margaret Mahina, 15. Margaret is known to frequent areas around Werribee, Sunshine, Dandenong, Noble Park, Frankston and Hallam. She is 165 centimetres, about 70 kilograms and has black hair, an olive complexion and brown eyes. Information to Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.
Proud Sponsors of In The Doghouse & The Hillier View
Proud Sponsors of In The Doghouse, The Hillier View and Foodbytes Corner Heaths and Morris Road Hoppers Crossing Ph: 9749 6444 Web: www.westpointford.com.au
Landowners are being invited to learn more about how to sustainably manage their land and increase productivity. A workshop, featuring experts from the Department of Environment and Primary Industries, will discuss topics such as deferred grazing. It will be held at Truganina Hall, corner of Dohertys and Woods roads, on Thursday, June 5. Details: 9742 0777.
Make us a suburb: Lakes petition
By Laura Michell
Manor Lakes estate could be a step closer to being separated from Wyndham Vale, with Wyndham council seeking an exemption from state government guidelines.
e Manor Lakes Residents Association presented a petition with 1050 signatures to the councillastSeptember,askingforManorLakes to be recognised as a separate suburb.
Because the request went against Office of GeographicNamesguidelinesandthecouncil’s own geographic naming policy, a report to
council on Monday night recommended that the petition be rejected.
e council’s corporate services director, Steven Lambert, said Manor Lakes could not be recognised as a suburb because government guidelines prevented suburbs from being named a er businesses or commercial entities.
Manor Lakes is a registered trademark of the Dennis Family Corporation.
Mr Lambert also advised that the council’s policy required requests to rename suburbs to have complete community support. Hesaidthe council had received 12 submissions against the
Olympic gong inspires
Natalie Vercher is on a path she hopes will lead her to an Olympic medal.
e MacKillop College student recently won a Pierre de Coubertin Award from the Victorian Olympic Council, recognising her achievements in swimming and her commitment to the values and spirit of the Olympics: sportsmanship, teamwork and fair play.
e award is named a er the founder of the modern Olympics and was presented to 170 Victorian students in years 10-12 at the MCG last Sunday. Schools had been invited to nominate a student they believed was worthy of the accolade.
To be eligible, students were required to be actively involved in their school’s physical education program, to have represented their school in a sport and displayed a consistently positive attitude.
Ms Vercher said: I was so happy that my teachers thought I was worthy of the award.”
Ms Vercher (pictured) has been swimming competitively since she was six, training at Werribee and then the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.
She has represented Victoria numerous times and last year was invited to represent Australia at a competition in Japan.
Ms Vercher has also taken part in Olympic, Commonwealth Games and world championship trials.
At school level, she is sports captain and holds 15 swimming records.
Ms Vercher says her dream is to one day compete at the Olympics.
“I think it’s possible with hard work,” she says.
“We heard a lot of Olympians speak at the awards, which gave me goose bumps and made it clear that was where I wanted to get to. It’s what I have always wanted to do.”
Laura Michelll
‘‘ We have numerous signs with Manor Lakes on them ’’ - Peter Maynard
proposaltorecogniseManorLakesasasuburb.
However, councillors voted to write to the Office of Geographic Names, seeking an exemption from the guidelines.
e decision did not have the support of all councillors, with mayor Bob Fairclough,
Glenn Goodfellow, Intaj Khan, Gautam Gupta and Adele Hegedich opposed. But Cr Peter Maynard said the council had a right to ask for an exemption and should do so because most people considered the area to be Manor Lakes, not Wyndham Vale.
“We have numerous VicRoads signs with Manor Lakes on them and buses that say Manor Lakes,” he said.
Cr Goodfellow warned granting of the renaming request would lead to similar moves in other Wyndham estates.
(Damjan Janevski)
Daw fires up footy’s next gen
One of the highest profile football players to come out of Werribee was back in town this week to launch a program that could help develop the stars of the future. Majak Daw helped launch the Werribee Football Club’s Multicultural Auskick Centre, which will run out of Wyndham Park Primary School. The seven-week program will run on Mondays from 3.15-4.15pm and is designed to promote inclusion in the game among kids who speak English as a second language. Daw was the first Sudanese-born player to be recruited by an AFL club when he was drafted by North Melbourne in 2009.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Tarneit library cuts
The proposed Tarneit library is an example of the kind of social infrastructure we need to see in Wyndham and in Melbourne’s west more generally. The City of Wyndham is growing at an unprecedented rate of 8.8 per cent, or 12,000 people, a year. This makes Wyndham the fastest-growing municipality in Australia in percentage terms.
Tarneit forms an integral, vibrant, and growing part of this great city. But population growth is only a good thing when it is accompanied by adequate levels of investment in community infrastructure and facilities. I was pleased when the former federal Labor government announced in September, 2013, it would contribute $1.05 million to the library project. Like many, I was displeased when the federal Abbott government decided to rip that money out of the project.
These are the sort of unnecessary cuts that we have unfortunately become accustomed to from our current federal government. In the recently released Wyndham City Council proposed budget for 2014-15, the council has decided to make up the funding shortfall from its own funds. The council should be applauded by the Wyndham community for choosing to invest in the future.
Western Metropolitan MP Cesar Melhem
East West Link
Public transport will not work in the west unless more high-density residential areas are built/allowed, especially near train station or bus stops. Will the Greens and Labor allow that? If not, then please build the damn road!
Shawn, via web
Councillors, staff ‘in denial’ It is good to see some Wyndham councillors concerned about transparency and the need to more effectively consult the community. Some progress has been made in this direction under the current council. But the legacy left to it by the previous council was appalling, typified by the dismal handling of the rates fiasco in that council’s dying days.
Some councillors and staff are clearly in denial about how badly that issue was handled and have little insight into what effective stakeholder engagement looks like.
Most government agencies are very poor at engaging with non-government stakeholders effectively.
Appointing recent former councillors to council advisory committees is highly dubious, both in practice and appearance. This is even more questionable in any circumstances where a former councillor so appointed might seek re-election to council. Unless the appointee is prepared to give an undertaking that she/he will not be running for council election, the issue of more serious conflict of interest needs to be considered.
Those councillors who raised this issue were right to do so and council should revisit it as a matter of urgency. When it does so, some councillors really need to give the issue more serious thought than they seem to have mustered to date. Bro Sheffield Brotherton, via web
Star Weekly welcomes letters no longer than 200 words. All letters are subject to editing and must include a name, address and phone number.
e western suburbs have become home to a perfect harmony.
Six men from across the west have created a team that is the rst of its kind in the region and they need more members to be able to represent the place they call home on the national stage.
Chris Daria is the music director of the Western Melbourne Men’s Chorus which was formed in February and sings popular songs in the style of a barbershop quartet.
Member Garry Wood said he had performed in choruses all over the world but he had never sung with a group in Melbourne’s west – until now. “Previously I had to drive about an hour to nd someone to sing with in either Geelong or Doncaster,” he said.
While the men love busting out magical melodies, they need at least six more members to be recognised as a Barbershop Harmony Australia (BHA) chartered group, which would allow them to compete at the BHA National Convention in September next year.
Member Paul Newham said he was hoping he could represent the west at a national level.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to catch up with 1500 other guys who have a common interest.”
e Western Melbourne Men’s Chorus rehearses every Tuesday from 7pm to 9.30pm at 330 Derrimut Road, Hoppers Crossing. For more information call 0400 414 215.
Xavier Smerdon
Kate Ellis and Joanne Ryan meet with local principals
Shadow Minister for Education, Kate Ellis, met with the Wyndham Network principals last Wednesday to discuss the impact of the Federal Budget on local schools.
JoanneRyan,aformerschoolprincipal and now Federal Member for Lalor, was keen for the Shadow Minister to hear firsthand from affected school leaders about the budget changes. Local principals expressed deep concern about future education funding,given theAbbott Government has reneged on the Gonski school agreements.
Many highlighted the important work undertaken due to the additional funding money schools had received
under the Labor government. It enabled schools to employ extra staff, literacy and numeracy coaches, extra trainingandprofessionaldevelopment for teachers and parents. All of these programs are now at risk.
Schools in Wyndham showed the marked improvement in student results in recent years because of the additional funding; this Federal budget means that success is now at risk.
‘Kate Ellis and I will be fighting hard, with our Labor colleagues in Canberra, to put pressure on the Abbott Government to deliver school funding in full, as promised prior to the election’ concluded Ms Ryan.
(Damjan Janevski)
PETER KING, GARRY WOOD, PAUL NEWHAM AND MUSIC DIRECTOR CHRIS DANA
Get into the game of life
Wyndham men are being asked to focus on small changes in a new program aimed at improving their physical and mental health.
e Sons of the West 12-week program encourages men to live healthier, eat better and improve their mental health.
It is an initiative of the Western Bulldogs based on a program run by English Premier League powerhouse Liverpool and has already gained the support of lobby group LeadWest and western suburbs councils.
Former Bulldogs player and present Hoppers Crossing Football Club coach Stephen Kretiuk is Wyndham’s ambassador for the program. Kretiuk said the program focused on men making small changes for better health. “It might be as simple as taking one bad thing from your diet for 12 weeks. A er 12 weeks,
you definitely see some results and that’s what makes people stick to it.”
Western Bulldogs player Will Minson said the club was launching the program because the health outcomes of people in the western suburbs weren’t as good as they could be.
“Our program is going to be a 12-week program that is designed to get men into the game of life.”
A registration expo will be held at Glen Orden football pavilion today from 6.30pm, giving people an idea of what to expect during the program. Participants who drop a shirt size during the program will receive a Western Bulldogs jersey. For details visit www.sonso hewest.org.au.
Laura Michell
Fast net a big click for Werribee
By Xavier Smerdon
Werribee residents will be among the first in Melbourne’s west to benefit from having fast broadband.
NBN Co has released its latest construction map, which shows where fibre and fixed wireless technologies will be installed next in Victoria.
Werribee, Yarraville and Seddon are named as the next recipients of fast broadband.
NBN Co spokesman Corrie Withers said that with construction in Werribee having started in April, residents were a step closer to receiving the technology.
“ e NBN can open up opportunities for families and business owners to participate in the digital economy,” Mr Withers said.
“Fast broadband can help deliver improved access to e-health resources, online education, teleworking opportunities and entertainment on demand.
‘‘ The NBN can open up opportunities for families and business ’’ - Corrie Withers
“For many homes, farms and businesses in rural and regional Victoria, the rollout of the NBN will provide access to internet speeds and bandwidth that many in the big cities take for granted.”
e latest NBN construction map shows the
phase
Future stages of the NBN are in doubt, though, with the Abbott government committing to replace it by installing a fixed fast-fibre network that will connect to nodes on streets and then connect to people’s homes through the old copper network.
Wyndham will not get more year 10 to 12 schools until the population growth calls for it, Education Minister Martin Dixon has declared.
Mr Dixon, who was in town with Premier Denis Napthine last week to announce another $8 million to complete Point Cook’s Alamanda K-9, said Wyndham was well served by the P-9 and P-10 schools already in the area.
Dr Napthine said the money would be used to complete the second stage of construction at Alamanda.
Dr Napthine said Alamanda college would get the money by the start of the next financial year. “ e Coalition government is delivering the infrastructure and services that our fast-growing areas like Point Cook need,” Dr Napthine said.
“ is is why we committed $10 million in 2011 for stage one of the Alamanda College development, and I’m pleased to now announce a further $8 million for stage two.”
e second stage of works will provide dedicated learning areas for years 7 to 9, a new
gymnasium, and food technology and music facilities.”
Mr Dixon also visited Truganina P-9 College togetanupdateonbuildingworks.Helatersaid he expected the school would be completed by the end of this year and a principal would be appointed by the end of the year.
Mr Dixon said Wyndham was well served by the P-9 and P-10 schools that were being delivered and there was not yet a need for more years 10 to 12 schools.
“We’re monitoring all the time with the local council, with developers, with our existing schoolsandobviouslywiththeABS[Australian Bureau of Statistics], using their statistics so that when there’s that need for another years 10-12 school we can work in advance,” Mr Dixon said.
Xavier Smerdon
MP Andrew Elsbury, Education Minister Martin Dixon and Savills project manager Tim Millier at Truganina P-9 College. (Damjan Janevski)
first installation
in Werribee will stretch from Ballan Road to Derrimut Road, and will be one of the largest single phases undertaken so far in Melbourne.
Turning the corner
By Xavier Smerdon
Laverton children are being given the chance to embrace reading, thanks to a new project that helps build community resources.
e Laverton Community Centre recently received bookshelves and ottomans built by prisoners at the Metropolitan Remand Centre and offenders on community correction orders.
e work is part of e Learning Corner, an initiative of the Justice Department.
Department community work partnership manager Stephen Cadman said the idea behind the project was to ensure that reading resources were available to children.
“ ere are enormous benefits to reading as a child and reading should be an integral part of
growing up,” Mr Cadman said. “Unfortunately, for those less fortunate it is not always possible to have engaging books available.
“With the resources, hopefully more children in the area will be given the opportunity to embrace reading from an early age.”
Residents will be encouraged to donate books to help keep the bookshelves full.
Mr Cadman said that for the offenders and prisoners involved, the program provided an opportunity to give back to the community.
“ is is also a chance for offenders to develop skills that are transferable to the outside world which, in turn, helps reduce the likelihood of their reoffending,” he said.
e Laverton Community Centre is at 95-105 Railway Avenue, Laverton.
(Joe Mastroianni)
TEACHER EDUCATORS MIMMA AND EMMA WITH JAKE, ELIJAH AND DEXTER
Last week my fellow Councillors and I had the very
15,000
‘No certainty’ for schools
By Xavier Smerdon
More than 20 school principals in the Wyndham area have united to share their concerns about the federal budget.
Shadow education minister Kate Ellis and Lalor MP Joanne Ryan met with the principals last week. Ms Ryan said questions about whether schools would need to axe programs and lose teachers or support staff was at the top of the agenda during the meeting.
Roar power in royal drama
everyone to support this worthwhile cause.
Last Wednesday, Wyndham City had the opportunity to host a visit from our
were Wyndham City Councillor’s, Wyndham’s CEO and Council Directors who presented a strong case to the premier on the urgent need for
highlighted for urgent funding included
grade railway crossings, community
schools and support for the extensions at the Werribee Mercy Hospital.
Regards, Bob.
Audiences will be transported to medieval France by the Wyndham Theatre Company’s latest performance. The company takes to the stage of the Wyndham Cultural Theatre from June 4-7 to perform The Lion in Winter. Set in 1183, the play depicts the personal and political conflicts of England’s King Henry II, his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine and their children Richard, Geoffrey and John as they try to work out who will be Henry’s successor. WTC president Alan Thompson said the company was pleased to be performing at the cultural centre this year. “These partnerships mean that the company can continue to bring engaging theatre to the Wyndham community,” he said. The curtain rises on The Lion in Winter at 7.30pm on June 5 and 6 and 2pm and 7.30pm on June 7. Tickets, at $35 for adults and $20 for concession, are available from www.wyncc.com.au
“ is time last year, schools were excited about the future for education,” Ms Ryan said.
“ eGonskifundingreviewwasundertaken in a deep and measured way, and it showed a way forward.
“ is year’s Victorian budget was silent on Gonski funding. [Last week’s] federal budget just rips money away. It’s all bad news and, worse still, there is absolutely no certainty.”
But Education Minister Christopher Pyne said the government would be investing
$64.5 billion in recurrent funding for schools over the next four years.
“ e government’s commitment over the next four years will provide funding certainty for all schools while it works with all states and territories to deliver stable and sustainable funding into the future,” he said.
“Schools can and should do what they judge appropriate in their circumstances and within their budgets to ensure adequate progress in literacy and numeracy for all students.”
Warrick Smith and Vicki Russell prepare for their roles (Joe Mastroianni)
TARNEIT ROAD HEALTH CLINIC
□ Bulk Billing for small procedures, ultrasounds and skinchecks
□ Pap Smears □ Childhood & travel Immunisations
□ Practice Nurse on site □ Diabetic Management and Education
□ Podiatrist □ St. Vincents Pathology on site
□ Health Assessments □ Employment Medical (fees payable on day)
□ Physiotherapy □ Mental Health care nurse on site
□ Dietician □ Chronic Disease Management
□ Dutch, Russian, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu speaking doctors
– Friday :8am – 6pm Saturday 9am – 1pm
□ Exercise Physiologist □ Exercise Weight loss programs available
phone or Book online to make an appointment with any of the
Dr. Naomi Bronzite
Dr. Cees Ferwerda
Dr. Vishal Sharma
Dr. Kirsta Craig
(Photographs by Damjan Janevski)
Above left: Mum Amanda, of Tarneit, with two-day-old baby Oscar.
Left: Three-day-old Ansh Holagunoz with mum Shubha, of Point Cook.
Above: Sara and Trav Hand, of Truganina, with their two-day-old baby Lexi May.
A kinder in our own backyard
More children will be able to go to kindergarten close to home a er the state government announced a new kindergarten will be built in Werribee.
e new kinder will o er 165 places for four-year-olds. It will be built at omas Chirnside Primary School.
Children and Early Childhood Development minister Wendy Lovell visited Werribee last ursday to announce $650,000 for the project.
Wyndham council has provided $550,000.
Ms Lovell said locating the kinder on the omas Carr Primary School site made sense for families and would help children transition from kindergarten to prep.
“ is is not only more convenient for families, it allows a child’s progress to be better supported as they grow and ensure a smooth transition to school.”
Ms Lovell expects the new kinder will ease the demand for places in Wyndham.
Morethan2000childrenattendkinder in the city.
“ is is great news for current and future generations of local children,” Ms Lovell said.
Kindergarten places have also been boosted in Truganina, following the opening of Westbourne Grammar School’s $6.3 million early learning centre. e six-room centre will allow an extra 98 children to attend kinder in Truganina.
Laura Michell
In the right headspace
Alyce Galea wishes Wyndham had an organisation like headspace when she was growing up. As a child, Ms Galea experienced bullying at school, fell in with the wrong crowd and started self-harming, before battling with depression and seeking support from her school counsellor. Speaking last Friday at the of cial opening of headspace’s Werribee centre, part of the National Mental Health Foundation, Ms Galea said she hopes to help young people overcome the stigma associated with mental health problems. The Duncans Road centre, which is run by Orygen Youth Health, offers access to professionals who specialise in mental health and counselling on issues ranging from drug and alcohol problems to general health, sexual education and contraception, and relationships.
Laura Michell
Professor Patrick McGorry and Senator Helen Kroger at the opening. (Damjan Janeski)
members who want to know our centenary plans.
•Memorabiliathatwe can borrow, copy, or keep
•Anybodywithdetailsof
FROM THE ARCHIVES
As Star Weekly becomes the future, Laura Michell looks back through the pages of our predecessor, the Werribee Banner
40 years ago
May 29, 1974
Watton Street residents have claimed that a council proposal to reclaimriverbanklandintheheart of Werribee will cause flooding of their property. Council’s plan was to fill the land on the west side of the river between the railway bridge and convert the area into park and gardens. Residents claimed that the filling would cause a rise in the river level at flood time.
30 years ago
May 30, 1984
A verbal brawl broke out at the Werribee council meeting on Monday night when East Riding councillors fought to delay a planning permit application. e application was an edible-rendering works at Laverton North. Cr Stuart Southwick refused to “rubber stamp” council officers’ reports and threatened to walk out.
20 years ago
May 25, 1994
A railway underpass at Derrimut Road will be completed by 1996. Following recent announcements that the federal government had $2 million on offer to match the Werribee council’s $1.5 million to build the underpass, the state government finally agreed last week to allocate the additional $3 million needed to allow traffic to driveunderthebusyrailwaylines.
10 years ago
May 26, 2004
Werribee detectives say there is no evidence to link the recent spate of school fires in Wyndham, followingafourthsuspiciousblaze in three months. e library and an office in the administration block at Galvin Park Secondary Collegeweretorchedlastweekend, a er suspected arsonists broke windows before lighting two fires. About $200,000 damage was caused.
NOTICE TO AFFECTED PERSONS OF TREE CUTTING / REMOVAL
Under the Code of Practice for Electric Line Clearance
Powercor Australia Limited (Powercor Australia) must maintain vegetation clearance around powerlines in compliance with the Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2010 (Vic) (Regulations) and the Code of Practice for Electric Line Clearance set out in the Schedule to the Regulations (Code).
Notice is hereby given by Powercor Australia pursuant to Clause 5 of the Code of cutting and removal works on trees that are on public land and within the boundaries of private properties.
These works are scheduled to occur in the municipalities of Wyndham, Melton, Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Moorabool, Golden Plains and Greater Geelong over the next 60 days in order to maintain the required clearance space around powerlines prescribed by the Code.
Where cutting or removal works are to occur on known trees of cultural or environmental significance (as defined in Clause 5 of the Regulations), the relevant party will be contacted and information pertaining to the (a) details of the impact of the cutting or removal and (b) the actions to be taken to minimise that impact, will be provided.
Enquiries can be made on 5338 3300.
Joanne Ryan Federal member for Lalor
FB: How would you rate your cooking skills?
JR: Typical of a busy working mum – nutrition over taste. With three hungry boys, carb-loading is always a feature!
FB: What is your signature dish?
JR: Lasagne with a salad.
FB: If you could only have one more meal, what would it be?
JR: My partner John’s roast lamb, apple pie and ice cream.
FB: What is your favourite food?
JR: Prawn dumpling soup (the one from Jaffa’s in Watton Street is pretty good!)
FB: What is your favourite drink?
JR: Daytime – vanilla milk shakes. Night time – red wine
FB: Which five people would you most like to invite to dinner?
JR: Julia Gillard, Paul Keating, Billy Connolly, Rachel Griffiths and Janet Turner Hospital.
FB: Do you have a kitchen tip for us?
JR: Be nice to your mum!
MR NICE GUY
It was pleasing to see a great business in Melbourne’s west featured among Urban List’s “Fifty Meals You Should Have Eaten If You Live In Melbourne”. There – alongside the eight-course tasting menu at Attica and the Wagyu beef at Vlado’s – was the red velvet cupcake at Mr Nice Guy’s Bake Shop. Based in Ascot Vale, Mr Nice Guy bakes cupcakes and other goodies using organic and fair-trade ingredients. Its products are 100 per cent free of eggs, dairy products, cochineal and gelatine. The bakery’s philosophy is that anything you need in a recipe can be found in a cruelty-free way. Having been given Mr Nice Guy cupcakes as a gift from a workmate, I can truly say they are delicious little works of art!
See the full range at www.misterniceguy.com.au
Speaking of sweet treats, I’ve become a tad obsessed with the lemon pie bites in Lola Berry’s 20/20 Diet Cookbook. I know, I know – I’m SO not a diet person. And I was more than a little sceptical when a friend at work showed me the recipe – gluten-free, sugar-free (well, just a few tablespoons of maple syrup) and apparently guilt free! But she raved about them to the point where I had to try them out. The verdict? If you love a burst of citrus, the zesty, refreshing feel of a lemon sorbet on your tongue and the smooth texture of a lemon mousse all in one, you’ll love this. Admittedly, I added a little extra dollop of maple syrup just to counteract the zing of the lemon. They’re so easy to make and keep really well in the freezer. I now plough through these while I’m sitting on the couch at home, watching The Golden Girls, instead of ploughing through half a family sized block of Old Gold Dark Chocolate.
LOLA BERRY’s LEMON PIE BITES
1 and a half cups almond meal (or just one 150-gram packet)
½ cup desiccated coconut
3 tablespoons maple syrup (I used closer to four!)
Juice of three lemons
Zest of one lemon
1 vanilla pod, split and scraped
½ cup coconut oil, melted
Pinch of salt
1 cup shredded coconut, for rolling.
Put all ingredients (except the coconut for rolling) in a food processor and blitz for 30 seconds. Roll into little balls then roll into shredded coconut and refrigerate until firm.
As always, if you have any recipes, tips or other info you’d like to share, email me at sarah@ howdypartnersmedia.com.au
“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one” – Mother Teresa
Modern asian cuisine
A spherical touch for town centre
Artists Robert Owen and Joanna Buckley found inspiration in the moon for the latest installation at Point Cook Town Centre.
The piece, Under The Sun, was commissioned by Point Cook Town Centre parent company Stockland 18 months ago.
The artists’ idea was selected from four shortlisted proposals for the centre.
Under The Sun pays homage to the relationship between the sun and the moon and the role they play in the environment.
Owen says the moon significantly affects the cycle of tides, which is particularly meaningful for Point Cook and the surrounding wetlands.
He says they want to incorporate the notion that the moon is often referred to as a feminine entity as a nod to the role women play in this community.
“In researching the area, we read somewhere that Point Cook has a large population of mothers and children,” he says. “So in keeping with that idea, we wanted to use that symbolism to pay homage
to women and tie it in with the waterways, which are another significant part of this area.
Buildings are very male-oriented, very big and have hard lines … we needed to add a feminine touch into the town centre.”
Under The Sun is a round, predominantly metal artwork suspended by cables outside the centre. It is lit up at night, casting an impressive visual effect on the ground below.
“We hope that it brings a sense of identity to the area,” Owen says.
“Art does that for a community.
When people think of Point Cook, they can think, ‘Oh there’s a big moon hanging there’.”
EstherLauaki
Point Cook Town Centre, corner of Main Street and Murnong Street, Point Cook. Opens9am5.30pm Monday to Wednesday, 9am-9pm Thursday and Friday, 9am-5pm Saturday and 10am5pmSunday. Inquiries:93946200or www.shoppingcentres.stockland. com.au
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
WANT YOUR EVENT LISTED? Community Calendar is made available free of charge to not-for-profit organisations to keep the public informed of special events and activities. Send item details to Star Weekly Community Calendar, 12 Howes Street, Airport West, or email to communitycalendar@starweekly.com.au. Deadline for copy and announcements is noon Tuesday.
Cuppa for cancer
Have a cuppa and raise money to help fight cancer at the Italian Sports Club of Werribee’s annual Biggest Morning Tea. Thursday, May 29 from 10am. Includes raffles and stalls. Tickets cost $25.
Ԃ www.iscw.com.au
Live music
Show your support for local music by attending Wyndham council’s Live At The Stage event. Werribee singer Jack Gramski will perform his original folk songs during the intimate performance, with the audience seated on the stage. Friday, May 30 from 7pm. Tickets $20.
Ԃ www.wyncc.com.au
Driver safety
A senior driver expo will be held in Altona on Saturday, June 14. RoadSafe Westgate Community Road Safety Council will provide information about road laws, health and the effect of medicines on driving. Participants can get a free and confidential driving assessment in their own car and an assessment of their car’s safety and roadworthiness. A free lunch will be provided. Places are limited.
Ԃ Bookings: Leigh, 9315 9464
Coping with stress
Learn tips and tricks for dealing with life’s stresses and meet local sports heroes at Wyndham Vale Football Club on Saturday, June 21.
Ԃ chrismcminn70@hotmail.com
bowls Give barefoot bowls a go at the Werribee Bowls Club. Social games are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The club offers social or full memberships.
Ԃ 9741 3229
Computer tutors for seniors
Werribee Men’s Shed is seeking volunteer trainers to teach seniors how to use computers, covering basic Windows, Word, email and internet use. Tutors need to be available for half a day every week.
Ԃ james@werribeemensshed.org.au
Craft group
Wyndham Patchwork meets at Manor Lakes Community Centre on the second Saturday
of each month from 11.30am-3.30pm.
A ‘‘sit and sew’’ day is held on the fourth Saturday of the month from 9.30am-3.30pm. Cost: $4.
Ԃ 9748 6887
Free community workouts
The Grange Community Centre in Hoppers Crossing is hosting free community fit clubs on Mondays and Tuesdays from 6.30pm.
Ԃ 0402 729 930
WYNDHAM VALE
* Some of Melbourne’s
WIN THIS
This year’s Melbourne International Jazz Festival is from May 30 to June 8, and for one of the main shows, Davi Sings Sinatra, Star Weekly is giving away six double passes, each valued at $178. On June 7, US actor and singer Robert Davi will sweep you away with classics like I’ve Got the World on a String and Day In Day Out. For more festival details, visit www.melbournejazz.com.
To enter, visit winthisnow.com.au and follow the prompts. Entries close on Sunday at 11.59pm and will be drawn the next day at 10am (Melbourne local time) at the offices of MMP Group, 214 Park Street, South Melbourne, VIC 3205. Winners will be notified in writing and their names published at winthisnow. com.au. Terms and conditions are available at this site.
Neat as a pin in the heart of Hoppers Crossing, this brick-veneer residence is on about 655 square metres and perfect for a family or smart investor. The living areas include a lounge room – with timber-lined ceilings and fireplace with brick feature wall –leading through to the large meals-family area with exposed timber beams. The kitchen is original and features a pinky-peach colour scheme. It could benefit from an upgrade, but is fine to use as is. The three bedrooms share a central family bathroom. Outside, the paved entertainment area with pergola is flanked by low-maintenance gardens, leading to a solar-heated in-ground pool with spa. Further appointments include ducted heating, evaporative cooling, roller shutters, gas appliances, floating timber floorboards and a triple garage, extending this property’s appeal to a tradesperson or car enthusiast. It’s all within walking distance of Werribee Plaza, transport, restaurants, schools and medical centres.
313
For first-home buyers, investors or those looking to downsize, this low-maintenance property has broad appeal. In a quiet court location, the freshly painted, three-bedroom residence is ready for new owners. There’s nothing to spend as everything has been done, including new side and back fences. Other features are a new hot water system, freshly polished timber floorboards and new floors in the bathroom and laundry. The bathroom features new tiles, a two-way shower and separate toilet. The three bedrooms have built-in wardrobes, and there’s plenty of storage and a study alcove. The tidy property features large front and back yards, ideal for pets and kids to play, or for someone to restore their car. It also presents a great opportunity for garden projects or a vegie patch. The house is a short walk to a playground, buses, restaurants and Tarneit village, with Werribee Plaza, the railway station, schools, day care and sports facilities nearby.
TARNEIT 5 Cockatoo Court, 3029
This modern and stylish four-bedroom house in Tarneit invites relaxation.
Built by the reputable Boutique Homes, the house has a contemporary facade with timber feature windows and porch.
Its low-maintenance, landscaped yard re ects a seaside design scheme with a timber boardwalk-style pathway to the entrance and crushed shell, tall grasses and smooth pebbles as ground cover.
Distressed American oak oorboards throughout soften the cream and black decor of the house. The main bedroom, at the front of the house, includes a sophisticated double vanity en suite with sleek black-and-white porcelain tiles and matching stone benchtops, plenty of storage and a frameless glass shower with monsoon showerhead.
In the heart of the house is a large, high-quality kitchen with long stone benches, stainless-steel appliances including a 900mm oven with gas cook-top and rangehood, dishwasher and walk-in pantry.
An island bench looks out to a spacious family room and meals area with adjoining rumpus room, which can be easily converted into another lounge room or retreat. This area opens to a covered outdoor area on timber decking for year-round entertainment.
Three other tted bedrooms are at the rear of the house, along with the family bathroom, which features a black-tiled bath under a window and a frameless glass shower.
The house has gas ducted heating, evaporative cooling, solar-boost hot water, a double garage with internal access and landscaping to both front and backyards.
This elevated property is in a premier location in a quiet court of the popular Rose Grange estate.
The estate is handy to shopping, parklands and schools and is an ideal choice for a family wanting to get a foot into Tarneit.
Esther Lauaki
Barry Plant Real Estate: 8744 8888 Price: $439,000 – $459,000 Private Sale
l Leadlight & sashwindowsandopenfireplaces l Castironstoveinsurroundingbrickfireplace l Zonedsplitsystemheatingandcooling l Alfrescoareaandoutdoortimberdecking
Nowthere’s such a thingasBlueChipRealEstatebutwhat’s onofferhere isquiteextraordinary! A very specialproperty(oneof WattonStreetsfirst)isavailableforpurchaseandboasts a wonderfulsized allotmentspreadingrightthroughto rearlaneaccess(approx300sqm).SweetingJewellersare closing downand a wonderfulopportunitytoinvestorlocateyourbusinessisyoursforthetaking.Theoriginal shopoffersexcellentopenspaceandhas a rearworkshopatthebackfollowedby a store roomwhich wasextendedsomeyearsago.Thedwellingoffershotandcoldwater,a separatetoilet,splendid terrazzofloor, sophisticatedalarmsystemandfireproofsteeldoorattheexit.Thecurrentshopfittings maybeavailableatsettlementdependingonbuyers requestsandthetotalallotmentboaststremendous off streetparking(approx 5 carsinsize)!
Saturday21stofJune12:00pm INSPECT Sat31stMay-11:45am-12:15pm PhotoIDrequired MELWAYS 206C6 CONTACT MatthewHowden0409805990 SALE BY
Thismagnificentfamilyhomehaseverythingyouneedtowork, restorplay Boastinghugelivingzones thiswonderfulhomecomprises 3 largefittedbedrooms,masterwithensuite,generousformallounge / diningandsizablehostesskitchenandmealsareas.Movingthroughyou’llfindthespaciousrumpus roomandstudywhere there are viewsofthein-groundpool & spathatleadaroundtotheextensive outdoorareacompletewith 6 bay Vergolaallowingyear roundentertaining.Thequalityappointments consistofalarmsystem,gasductedheating, refrigeratedcooling, 4 cargarageandworkshop,aswell aseasyaccesstoalllocalamenitiesandarterials.Setonanallotmentof838m2(approx)thischarming propertypresentstheperfectopportunityforanastutebuyertocreatetheiridealfamilyhome.
WERRIBEE 97318888
SOUTHSIDESERENITY
Thehomeexudesqualitythroughoutwiththebeautifullycraftedsolidtimberkitchenoverlookingthe builtinentertainersbarcompletewithservery & thefamilymealsareaenclosedwithin a lovelyglass atrium. A largestudywithfittedshelvingpresentsanidealhomeofficeforworkorhobbies.
WERRIBEE 62SlatteryStreet SOUTHSIDESERENITY
All 4 fittedbedroomsare of a generoussizewiththemasterhaving a largewalkin robe & ensuite featuringspabath & doubleshoweraswellas a gym.Enhancingthishomescharacterare themany qualityappointmentsincludingairconditioning,ductedheating & dualhotwaterservices.Anoversized double remotegaragecombinedwiththe3-6carcarportoffersabundantstorage.Stepoutsideto immerseyourselfintheprivate resort-stylegroundswithin-groundpool(solar & gasheated),tennis court,sauna,allweatherpergolawithBBQareaprovidingyear roundoutdoorentertaining.
Thehomeexudesqualitythroughoutwiththebeautifullycraftedsolidtimberkitchenoverlookingthe builtinentertainersbarcompletewithservery & thefamilymealsareaenclosedwithin a lovelyglass atrium. A largestudywithfittedshelvingpresentsanidealhomeofficeforworkorhobbies. All 4 fittedbedroomsare of a generoussizewiththemasterhaving a largewalkin robe & ensuite featuringspabath & doubleshoweraswellas a gym.Enhancingthishomescharacterare themany qualityappointmentsincludingairconditioning,ductedheating & dualhotwaterservices.Anoversized double remotegaragecombinedwiththe3-6carcarportoffersabundantstorage.Stepoutsideto immerseyourselfintheprivate resort-stylegroundswithin-groundpool(solar & gasheated),tennis court,sauna,allweatherpergolawithBBQareaprovidingyear roundoutdoorentertaining.
Idealforowneroccupiersorinvestorsalike.Here is a homethefamily willfallinlovewithdesignedforcontemporaryliving.Comprisingneutral decor,4 fittedbedrooms,masterwithensuite & walkin robe.Thelarge family roomadjoins a modern hostesskitchen & mealsareawhichlooks outoverthefullylandscapedbackyard.Appointmentsincludedouble garage,ductedheating & splitsystemcooling.
Comprisingfivefittedbedrooms,masterwithspaensuite,largeformallounge/dining,modern designer kitchenwithupgradeappliances,stonebenchesandplumbingforthefridgespillingoutto a monstrous openplanoffamily, mealsandseparaterumpus roomwithcustombuiltincabinetry Appointments includegasductedheating, 3x reversecycleair - conditioners,alarmsystem,ornatecornices,high ceilingsandlavishporcelaintiles.Itdoesn’t stopthere– Outsideboasts a wonderfulhostofextrassuch as a huge20,000litre watertankplumbedto rearandfrontirrigation,double remotegaragewithinternal accessand 3 phasepower, shed,unrestrictedsideaccesslargeenoughfortrucksand a tremendous sizedallotmentof1045m(approx)!
WYNDHAM VALE31LeichardtDrive
UnlockafantasticLifestyle
Offering 3 fittedbedroomsincludingmasterwithlargewalkin robe & en suite,centralbathroomwithspabath,formaldining room &a studywith internalaccesstothedoublegarage.Anabundanceofentertainingzones include a largeformallounge,family room,secludedrumpus room & an enormouspergola. A hostofappointmentsincludeductedheating & cooling, a storageshed & splitsystemcooling/heating.
Harcourts Wyndham City 175A Watton Street Werribee 03 9741 9000 www.wyndhamcity.harcourts.com.au
Harcourts are proud to offer for public auction this stunning family home set on approx. 1600m2 of prime land in the much sought after Werribee south.This home will go to Auction on the 31st may at 11am, benefiting from a wealth of features that are too long to list and really needs to be inspected to take in the location, convenience and quality of finish.
View www.harcourts.com.au/VWC4568 Open Saturday 31st 10.30-11am
Michelle Chick M 0416 007 949 E michelle.chick@harcourts.com.au Jay Radbourne P 03 9741 9000 M 0422 280 465 E jay.radbourne@harcourts.com.au Werribee South 805 Duncans Road
Crossing 6 First Ave
View www.harcourts.com.au/VWC4634 31 4 258m Short Walk To The Train Station & Local Shops!!
E nicole.o@harcourts.com.au
Harcourts Wyndham City
Tarneit 5 Spring Haven Blvd
43 2 Spacious, Stylish With Magnificent Views
This immaculately presented large, four bedroom plus study family residence is within easy walking distance to Wyndham City Shopping Centre, parks, public transport and schools,there are spacious formal living and dining rooms, An enormous kitchen, meals and family area with stainless steel freestanding 900 stove & oven, dishwasher, breakfast bar, a study, a bedroom with its own ensuite, a powder room and laundry.Upstairs leads to three generous size bedrooms, main with ensuite, wir and balcony.
For Sale Price by Negotiation $439,000 - $459,000 View www.harcourts.com.au/VWC4648
Michelle Chick & Nicole Occhibove M 0416 007 949 M 0438 578 275 E michelle.chick@harcourts.com.au E nicole.o@harcourts.com.au
Harcourts Wyndham City
Hoppers
For Sale $389,000 View www.harcourts.com.au/VWC4579
Werribee 225 Princes Hwy
Harcourts Wyndham City
175A Watton Street Werribee 03 9741 9000 www.wyndhamcity.harcourts.com.au
Werribee 50 Nantilla Crescent
A Hidden Treasure On The South Side Off Wattle Avenue, Never 4 Bedrooms, BIR, master with ensuite & WIR,Numerous Living areas, Formal Lounge, Formal Dining, Family Room, Meals Area and Sun Room. Generous size Kitchen, plenty bench & cupboard space, dishwasher, Situated on generous 675m² (approx) block, Oversized double garage with a separate enclosed kitchenette.
Ducted heating, evaporative cooling, and an open fireplace.
For Sale $495,000 - $525,000 View www.harcourts.com.au/VWC4429
Nicole Occhibove M 0438 578 275
E nicole@harcourtswerribee.com.au
Harcourts Wyndham City
Werribee 15 Little John Court
Stylish Home In Prized Location South Side Of Werribee
Situated in the popular Wattle Avenue Estate, this home offers versatile living at its very best. From the second you step through the front, you will be blown away by the space and quality this property has to offer. Situated on the ever popular and highly desired South side of Werribee.
For Sale $630,000 - $648,000 View www.harcourts.com.au/VWC4489
Michelle Chick M 0416 007 949
E michelle.chick@harcourts.com.au
Nicole Occhibove
M 0438 578 275
E nicole.o@harcourts.com.au
Harcourts Wyndham City
For Sale Price by Negotiation over $950,000 View www.harcourts.com.au/VWC4588
NewListing
Werribee 1/7CaperCourt
IdealFirstHomeorSuperbInvestment Opportunity!
Offering3Bedrooms,accompanying ahugeliving/dining roomofgenerous proportionsserved by separatemodern kitchenwithlotsofstorage,separate laundry, centralbathroomandseparate toilet.
Sell your home through Brian Mark Real Estate with no advertising or marketing charges and no hidden costs.
Home-sellers love our simple fee structure. Combined with our no sale no charge guarantee, this is one of the reasons why so many Wyndham home owners choose us first.
For a free market opinion on the price of your home give us a call today.
The Pinnacle Of Opulent Federation Family Sized Luxury
Presenting one of the finest homes to be built in the City of Wyndham that is now up for your taking! Boasting some 69sqs (approx) of pure indulgence, the detail & appointments will rival most luxury resorts that you may ever hope to holiday within, yet this could be your next home! Inspired by federation detail, the sole owners have selected only the finest materials on offer to complete this masterpiece. Lavished with battened Tas solid oak flooring throughout, the custom kitchen is of solid Jarrah construction & entails all Smeg appliances, walk-in pantry & has been finished with granite bench tops. An open meals & informal living adjoin while also featuring a granite topped wet bar. Comprising 4 bathrooms in total, with 2 bedrooms featuring a private ensuite. Most bedrooms offer walk-in robes, while there is also an enclosable large theatre room & separate upstairs living retreat. Zoned ducted heating & refrigerated cooling will keep you comfortable all year round. As to be expected there are many period features throughout to replicate the federation standings & detail. An entertainer’s paradise waits for all occasions all year round with the undercover pergola area complete with gas BBQ yet handy to the smart 2nd kitchen contained within the triple oversized garage. A huge synthetic deck with a sail shade leads to the impressive indoor pool house complete with a huge games room, sauna & bathroom. Set in the premier St James Wood Estate of Tarneit within a short stroll to Westbourne Grammar, Wyndham Village SC & many adjacent parklands & walking tracks.
Tarneit 14 David John Drive
Overflowing With Sumptuous Character
Presenting a true home with all the warmth and touches that most quest, yet never find and end up settling for second best. Certainly not your home buying experience with this stunning example if you’re quick enough! Upon arrival, the mood is quickly set as a wonderful water feature greets whilst you enter the formal entrance and are treated to the soaring timber lined cathedral ceilings. While the formal lounge offering fireplace and open wet bar, the central solid timber kitchen is completed with upmarket appliances including dishwasher and adjoins a separate meals area and second family room. The master features walk-in robes and ensuite while there is an added surprise of the separate attic study or retreat perfect as a home office, study nook or retreat! Split system heating and cooling are also here with additional retractable ceiling fans. Outdoors becomes an opulent choice blend of indoors/outdoors living thanks to the merbau decked timber lined enclosable pergola complete with bi-fold doors and feature stack-stone finished walls. For the cars a sizable double garage with high clearance is here while the backyard is manicured to perfection and offers the perfect opportunity for the kids to explore within these private confines. Such a wonderful family endowed experience that really sets itself part from the average home.
A Great Place To Call Home
It’s time to sit back, relax and unwind in this beautiful 3 bedroom home. Offering an open plan design with flowing living areas and a wonderful outlook of large trees and established gardens. The lounge leads on to the family/meals area and large west facing kitchen.
Extremely well maintained and with a host of extras such as gas heating, split system cooling, timber floating floors and an extremely large ensuite with corner spa.
Located within walking distance to schools, local bus stop and shops, what else could you ask for?
Werribee 1 Margaret Street
Reminiscence Of A Yesteryear - Inspiring Character & Charm
WOW factor from the moment you enter this outstanding weatherboard home. With its originality presenting soaring 10ft ceilings, terracotta tiles, ceiling rosettes, decorative cornicing, elegant light fittings & the list goes on. Three generous BRs, central bathroom with a lovely porcelain pedestal sink, gorgeous claw-foot bath & a lovely sun drenched lounge leading through to a large meals/family area with stunning French doors taking you out to a good sized low maintenance backyard. Executive appointments include sensational floating
Bamboo floor boards, breathtaking kitchen with abundance of cupboard space, breakfast bar area, stone bench tops, mosaic tiles complimenting your 900mm upright stove, dishwasher & a reverse cycle heating/cooling split system. A perfect location, Werribee CBD, cafés, shops, Werribee train station all just a few minutes’walk from this character filled property.
Auction Sat 14th June at 12noon (Unless sold prior)
Price Range Contact Agent Inspect Sat 10-10.30am Photo ID required
Bassam Tofaili 0411 449 821
Werribee 49 Iluka Drive
Mesmerizing, Exquisite Family Home On Over 1000m2 Land!
Sheer class, sophistication, pristine contemporary décor is what this outstanding family home presents. A super spacious floor plan offering 4 fitted BRs, master with ensuite & WIR, study/5th BR, massive formal lounge with access to a large open alfresco area, open meals area leading thru to a rumpus/entertainment area & central bathroom. Includes 9ft ceilings, decorative cornicing, polished porcelain tiles, halogen lighting, a dream 2-pak kitchen with stone benches, glass splashbacks & 900 mm SS appls, floor to ceiling tiles in the bathrooms, alarm, video intercom & camera surveillance, ducted heating, evap cooling & the list goes on… Outdoors, a stencilled concrete entertainment area wrapping around the home & overlooking the solar heated IG pool with matured landscape surrounding, lock-up garage with rear access to a carport & this entire turnkey establishment is set on over 1/4 acre land.
The Perfect Start
Perfectly located in the heart of Manor Lakes is this unique opportunity. Only 5 years young this beautiful residence entails 4 BRs, master with FES & WIR, while the remaining BRs are fitted with BIRs. With 2 separate living areas, a hostess kitchen overlooking the meals area & opening out to an informal living area. Outside presents an abundance of space for entertainment & includes side access & remote double garage with internal access. Currently tenanted periodically at $315pw, this home is close to all local amenities.
Living In A Superb Location
Located in a central Tarneit location is this beautiful family residence presenting you with 4 BRs plus an extra study, a formal lounge & a sep study area with access to the backyard. Comprising a master BR with a FES & WIR while the remaining BRs are equipped with BIRs, kitchen with all the luxuries, a 2nd informal living zone opens out to the alfresco area where the backyard has no compromise on space. Includes heating, cooling, intercom, alarm & double remote garage. Currently leased periodically at $330pw.
Hoppers Crossing 13 Sier
Dona Homes Double Brick Splendour
This wonderfully presented double brick home comprises 3 BRs with BIRs & the master offering ensuite. An open plan design reveals a solid timber kitchen adjoining a large separate meals, formal lounge & dining zones while updated gas heating & an A/C keep thing happy all year round. For the cars there is a double garage & you can entertain from the covered pergola within the large backyard. Close to public transport & shopping, adjacent to established parklands, a small lake & Lollypop Creek.
Residence With A Difference
Outstanding master built home on 840m2 with 100m2 approx brick building that could easily be a secure independent residence. This large deep back garden has potential for subdivision & redevelopment, STCA. The home has 4 BRs, all with BIRs, downstairs family bathroom with spa, upstairs master with ensuite, the timber kitchen looks out onto an open
Remarkable Location & Pristine Presentation!
This fabulous unit comprises 2 BRs, main with WIR & 2-way access to the bathroom, separate lounge with stunning floating floor boards, spotless kitchen with a good sized meals area, central bathroom & a great sized backyard with very low maintenance. Includes gas upright cooker, provision for a dishwasher, ducted heating, A/C, sun awnings & single remote garage. Walk to Werribee CBD cafés, schools, shops, Werribee train station & just a 10 minute drive to Werribee
SHORT WALK TO -TRAIN STATION,SHOPS,SCHOOLS&HOSPITAL Investors/Firsthomebuyerstakenote–This 10yroldbrick veneerunitofferstheconvenience oflivingatashortwalktotheH/xingtrainstation,shops,schools& WerribeeMercyHospital. Itfeatures:•2bedroomswithbuilt-in-robes.•Openplanliving,mealsandkitchen•Separate bathroom&toilet•Establishedfront&backyard•Single Garage•CurrentlytenantedtillAug, 2014@$1257percalendarmonth.•Landsize:234m2.Built-uparea: 12.76sq•Orientation:East.
Agent:HarryJoura0411775 327 WebId 6611987 $297,000 2 A 1 B 1 C
SHORT WALK TO -TRAIN STATION,SHOPS,SCHOOLS&HOSPITAL
Nestledin a quietcourtlocationwithinthe everpopularBellbridgeEstatethishome isseton a 630m2blockofland.Offering 4 goodsizedbedrooms, 2 bathrooms (masterwithensuiteand WalkinRobes. Thelivingareasare wellcateredfor with a spaciousformalloungesituated tothefrontofthehome, a familymeals
ForSale $375,000-$395,000
View Saturday12-12.30pm
areacentredoff theopenplankitchen & massiverumpus roomatthe rearofthe home. Anentertaininggardencourtyard is providedbehindtheoversizedgarage with rearaccessthrough rollerdoor Locatedclosetoschools,transport & shoppingcentresthishomeis a mustto
A wellestablished residencefittedwith alltheextrasforanenjoyablefamily lifestyle - comprisingof 3 spacious bedroomsplus a fourthorstudy/Office, allhave robes - masterhaswalkinplus ensuite. A spaciousformallounge,timber kitchenwithamplecupboard space andbenchtopsand a wellappointed
Large rearyard with a biggardenshedand singlegaragewithdrivethroughaccess Thekitchenhasgasapplianceswithplenty ofnaturalsunlight. A greatopportunityforthoselookingtolive inorforinvestment,closetoschools,shops & transport.
The controlling provisions are listed threatened species and communities (Sections 18 and 18A). The proposed action involves the removal of native vegetation from the development site to facilitate the development of a powder titanium manufacturing facility
Preliminary Documentation will be on display, free of charge between 28th May 2014 and 26th June 2014 at the following locations:
Wyndham City Council
Civic Centre & Functions Centre 45 Princes Highway
WERRIBEE VIC 3030 (Melway 206 B7)
Department of Environment and Primary Industries 8 Nicholson Street East Melbourne VIC 3002
Department of the Environment, Canberra: Email the Department at epbc.referrals@environment.gov.au to arrange a copy for viewing at the Department.
Preliminary Documentation will also be available on line at: www.ecologicalresearch.com.au/Notifications
Interested persons and organisations are invited to comment in writing on the Preliminary Documentation. Comments in writing must be received within 20 business days (no later than close of business 26th June 2014). Persons with special needs (i.e. for whom English is a second language or who have a vision impairment) may contact Brett Lane on 03 9815 2111 or blane@ecologicalresearch.com.au. Written submissions can be sent to:
These factors have prompted Council’s review as there is and will be a change in the dynamics of who using area and for what reasons they use the area.
As the responsible land authority, it is Council’s duty to undertake consultation through a request for comment. This will provide Council with feedback from interested parties ensuring that the end decision is an informed one. If the decision made is to seek a change to the clothing optional status of the area Council will need to provide the Minister for Planning with a written request to revoke the clothing optional status of the beach.
Anyone wishing to provide comments and supporting evidence either for or against a change in the ‘Clothing Optional’
Marc Carson – 0429 187 673 Applications close: Sunday 8 June 2014 For the full advertisement and a copy of the Position Description, please visit our website.
LABOURER REQUIRED PART
By Rod Easdown
Until a few years ago there were three basic building blocks in high-quality audio. Now there are four. e things you’ve always needed are an ampli er, a pair of speakers and a CD player. at’saCDplayer,notaDVDorBlu-ray.
Number four is a turntable. Yep, for playing records. If you’re sco ng, here are four sound reasons to get one:
1 \ ey sound great and vinyl is not going away.
2
\ e so ware is cheap and abundant. You can buy records at garage sales for a few bucks. ey’ll introduce you to music from times before digital manipulation.
3 \ ey’re fun. Slide the record from the sleeve, place it on the platter, clean it, lower the tonearm and be rewarded with pure, luxuriant music.
4 \ Turntables look great and mark you as a perfectionist.
So what do you need for fabulous sound? Start with the ampli er, a simple two-channel stereo unit with an inbuilt phono pre-ampli er fortheturntable.I’drecommendYamaha’snew AS201, a mighty performer for $400. Speakers are personal and it pays to listen around. I think the best sound-for-dollar equation is presented by Focal’s Chorus 705s at about $700 a pair, but then I have my ears and you have yours. You might prefer B&W 686s, also $700.
CDplayer?It’shardtobeatMarantz’sCD5004 for $490. It’s built with all the traditional values of expensive Marantz o erings, and much of
the technology. And so to turntables. Pro-Ject is the biggest seller in Australia. Pro-Jects are so popular that the importer just paid $31,000 to airfreight a load of them in from Austria.
ey start at $429 for the Essential II, but the $499 RPM 1.3 Genie performs better and looks more interesting. Appearances matter because your turntable is always on display. It should be a conversation starter and this one is.
If you want iPhone/iPod connectivity, budget another $180 on Yamaha’s YDS-12 universal dock.
row in some quality speaker cable and you’re at $2300-odd all up for a system that sounds rich, full and fantastic – likely way better than anything you’ve ever heard.
Final tip
Shop around specialist dealers because these guys know more than you do. Buy your system there and they might even come out and hook it up for you for free.
MARANTZ CD5004
PRO-JECT RPM 1.3 GENIE
FOCAL CHORUS
Hoppers cops a Woodsmen hammering
Hoppers Crossing proved no match for Spotswood in the Western Region Football League on Saturday.
Despite enduring a tough first quarter, the Woodsmen took control of the game for the rest of the a ernoon, sprinting to a 94-point win: 24.18 (162) to 10.8 (68).
Spotswood booted nine goals in the second term followed by eight in the third term to blow the Warriors away.
Jason Cloke was a standout for the Woodsmen, finishing with a game-high five goals. He was well supported by a host of goal kickers, 11 Spotswood players hitting the scoreboard with at least one major.
Outside the 50-metre arc, Justin Dorward and Matthew Fogarty were impressive for the Woodsmen.
e same level of consistency wasn’t there for Hoppers Crossing whose coach, Steve Kretiuk, paid credit to a strong Spotswood outfit.
“It was a tough day at the office and probably a bit of a reality check for us,” he said.
“In our eyes, they are the benchmark of the competition and have been for a long time. I said to the playing group at the end, where we
are now and where they are, there is a fair gap between the two.
“We just need to make sure we keep working hard to try and get to that level.”
Spotswood is in third spot on the division 1 ladder with a 5-2 record.
e Woodsmen are half a game behind second-placed Werribee Districts, with Deer Park undefeated on top.
Hoppers Crossing is hanging on to fi h spot, a game clear of Altona in sixth.
In round eight this week, Spotswood will take on Werribee Districts, while Hoppers Crossing will meet Yarraville-Seddon.
“I went and watched Yarraville play against Albion and they’ve certainly got some quality players,” Kretiuk said.
“ ey move the ball well when they’re allowed to.
“I said to our group that we need to learn from what we didn’t do and try and fix that up for four quarters next week.
“If we have 22 players contributing, we’re going to be very competitive.”
Liam Twomey
Bees soak up the shock
By Liam Twomey
Werribee moved to third spot on the VFL ladder with a 40-point win against Richmond at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday.
e home side didn’t have things all its own way, though, and was forced to fight during a hotly contested first quarter.
With AFL-listed players Aaron Edwards and Ricky Petterd inside Richmond’s 50-metre arc, the Werribee defenders had their work cut out.
Richmond had the better of play early and enjoyed a number of repeat forward 50 entries.
However, the Punt Road Tigers couldn’t make the most of their chances on the scoreboard.
Richmond managed just eight behinds from eight first-quarter scoring shots. At the other
end, Werribee was more economical in front of goal and finished the term with a seven-point lead.
From there, some of the sting went out of Richmond’s charge while Werribee was just getting warmed up.
Werribee won each of the next three quarters to secure a 17.14 (116) to 8.17 (65) win.
VictoriouscoachJohnLamontwasimpressed with how his side weathered the early storm.
“Richmond Football Club has had a pretty tough week,” Lamont said.
“In my experience, having worked at a league club [North Melbourne] for seven years, when outside things happen and the club gets criticised … it galvanises a playing group and it becomes a bit of an ‘us against them’ thing.
“ ey have come down here today with 16 listed AFL players and they came ready to play.
“For our boys to absorb everything that they threw at them and to end up in front at quarter-time, I was absolutely rapt.”
Around the ground, Jye Bolton, Scott Sherlock and Ben Speight were brilliant for the Tigers. Up forward, Ben Warren was the club’s leading goal scorer with three.
North Melbourne-listed player Ben Brown also kicked two majors in his second match back from injury.
With state league representative football on this weekend, Werribee will enjoy a week off.
Tigers Jesse Crichton and Jake Wilson have been selected in the Victorian squad, which will take on the South Australian National Football League at North Port Oval from 1pm this Saturday.
e VFL side will be coached by Damian Carroll.
IN THE DOGHOUSE
Ԃ I wish I was a collarbone expert because, from what I can see, that will be the next ‘popular’ injury in football. As more and more rugby-type scrums are permitted in our game there’ll be more close-quarter tackles, which will mean more player-on-player collisions with the ground and, presto, – more collarbone fractures. The more stoppages a game has the worse it is to watch. That was always the difference between our game and rugby. The cross-pollination of the codes has made rugby league, in particular, a better spectacle at the expense of our game, in my opinion. I see this suffocation of the game, with nearly every player at every contest, as the single biggest issue in our game. I love high marks, long kicking and the rudimentary skills of Rules. Am I a dinosaur with this view?
Ԃ Wednesday night (May 28) I will be uncontactable when Queensland meets New South Wales in the first of the Rugby League State of Origin games for 2014. I love it, and as a quasi-Queenslander who lived there for 20 years, I always hope the Maroons win, and win handsomely. The Melbourne Storm contingent who play for Queensland are legends of the game – Slater, Smith and Cronk – and of course they have a western suburbs connection as some of the boys play cricket at St Albans.
Ԃ The Big V will be out and about this weekend when the Victorian VFL side plays South Australia at Port Melbourne on Saturday. Werribee and Williamstown have several players in the squad. I know the players love the concept and the chance to represent their state. Let’s hope for all concerned it’s a Big V win.
Ԃ The WRFL publishes its tribunal results on its website and in its weekly Footy Record. Last week it included an under-10 player who was reported and suspended for abusive language towards an umpire. Let’s open the can of worms here, shall we, and let me state for the record that I do work for the WRFL as a broadcast consultant and event MC. That is irrelevant here. Firstly, I am not in favour of publishing junior players tribunal reports of any description. The facts in this case, as I understand them are, that it was not an under-10 player, but a club official who was at fault. We would all agree that this is totally unacceptable. Then the reporting of this incident has to be questioned. As I read it, it was a player who transgressed –which was not the case. I don’t see who wins in this scenario.
Kevin Hillier
Any news, let me know on email kevin@howdypartnersmedia and you can follow me on Twitter @KevinHillier plus check out the Howdy Partners Media website as well.
Hoppers Crossing’s Trent Rutherford (front) prepares for a ruck contest against Spotswood at the weekend. (Damjan Janevski)
Werribee’s Sam Wormald gets a handball away while being tackled on Saturday. (Damjan Janevski)
Tigers have the last roar
By Liam Twomey
Werribee Districts remains in outright second place on the Western Region Football League division 1 ladder a er a 40-point win against Albion on Saturday.
Despite the match being played at the Cats’ home ground at JR Parsons Reserve, it was Werribee that looked more at home early.
e Tigers kicked four first-quarter goals to take an eight-point lead into the first break. Both sides traded goals for the next half an hour until Werribee asserted itself a er half-time. Led by dangerous goal scorers Ryan Harrington, Andrew Panayi, David Briscoe and Ben Morton, the Tigers kicked clear with 10 goals in the second half to seal the 15.17 (107) to 10.7 (67) win.
e victory was Werribee’s fi h of the season. In what will be a huge test this week, the Tigers will take on third-placed Spotswood.
In other division 1 results, Altona upset Port Melbourne, Deer Park smashed Yarraville Seddon, and St Albans defeated Sunshine.
In division 2, Glenorden and Wyndhamvale remain unbeaten a er crushing victories on Saturday.
e Hawks smashed Sunshine Heights by 66 points:22.16(148)to12.10(82). MarcYateswas a standout for Glenorden, kicking six goals, while Sam Crea was also impressive with a bag of three majors.
Not to be outdone, the Falcons took care of last year’s finalists Manor Lakes by 96 points, 22.17 (149) to 8.5 (53). e two undefeated sides will play each other in three weeks.
In other division 2 games, Tarneit succumbed to Braybrook, Parkside defeated Caroline Springs, Laverton got the better of North Sunshine, and North Footscray was too good for Sanctuary Lakes.
Sport shorts
Netball
City West secured its 15th consecutive win of the Victorian Netball League season last week with an eight-goal win against Monash University Storm. As they have been all season, the Falcons were dominant from the early stages and took a seven-goal lead into the first break. Despite the Storm’s best efforts, the margin continued to grow in the next two quarters, with the Falcons’ goal combination of Alice Teague-Neeld, Kath Knott and Julia Woolley doing most of the damage. All three shooters were converting at above 80 per cent. Despite Monash winning the final quarter, City West eventually secured a 57-49 win. The Falcons have a perfect 15-0 record for the season and sit three games clear on top of the ladder. This week, they face Boroondara.
Football
The Western Jets completed a remarkable comeback to defeat the Northern Knights by 14 points in TAC Cup at the weekend. After trailing by 22 points at three-quarter-time, the Jets stormed home with seven final-term goals. At the other end, the Knights managed a single six-pointer for the term. The 16.10 (106) to 13.14 (92) win is the Jets’ fifth in a row and lifts them to third spot. Jackson Volpato and Connor Menadue were outstanding for the Jets, each kicking four goals. They were well supported by Dillon Viojo, who delivered a best-on-ground effort. The Jets take on Geelong at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday.
MaricWynnePetterdEdwards Helbig Conca. At Avalon Airport Oval. AFL VICTORIA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
4 S Pearce 3 M Shepperbottom 2 L Braun J Foster F Hoang A Burke. Tarneit: B Thomas 2 A Fletcher 2 J Ryan A Borg. Best: Braybrook: L Hung M Charenko M Mullenger L Wallace T Sinclair L Braun. Tarneit: B Thomas C Richards T Zervos C Desira A Borg M Waddell.
PARKSIDE 4.4 9.10 17.13 23.15 (153)
CAROLINESPRINGS0.4 2.4 3.5 5.7 (37)
Goals: Parkside: B Kelly 4 A McHutchison 4 M
Khartabil 3 N Grigg 2 D Stevens 2 N Grant 2 L Buttigieg M Licciardo C Muratore G Barbuto R Ryan A Gervasi. Caroline Springs: S Buttigieg-Clarke 3 J Ryan S Caterino. Best: Parkside: A Lochart M Licciardo C Muratore J Shaw A Gervasi D Vincent. Caroline Springs: S Caterino J Brook D Galea B Richards K Romao M Pisani.
GLENORDEN 4.3 8.6 17.12 22.16 (148)
SUNSHINEHGTS 1.2 5.4 8.6 12.10 (82)
Goals: Glenorden: NA. Sunshine Heights: J Stevens 4 J Lampi 2 R Munn 2 D Sidwell 2 H ArmstrongWeston L Demetriou. Best: NA.
LAVERTONMAG. 5.1 7.6 12.11 18.16 (124)
NORTHSUNSHINE1.3 3.4 5.5 7.8 (50)
Goals: Laverton Magpies: S Paone 5 D Mitchell 3 S Bell 2 C Foreman 2 C Beazley 2 R Murphy J Bublenik I Boxshall R Mulroy. North Sunshine: M Nnadiekwe 2 A Ryan J Hibbert J Portelli J Moody A Silva. Best: Laverton Magpies: D Mitchell S Paone C Beazley C Collins B Lawry S Mizzi. North Sunshine: J Moody S Hughes A Silva B Chan J Gage S Larizza.
WESTFOOTSCRAY6.913.11 20.13 29.19 (193)
ALBANVALE 3.0 4.0 9.3 12.4 (76) Goals: West Footscray: M El Houli 5 T Bray 4 D Yze 3 R Bucktin 3 A Magnabosco 3 M Newport 3 M Lindsey 2 S Young 2 J Trowsdale K Lewicki C Browne B Douglas.
Albanvale: D Bartolo 2 J Henderson 2 J Di Cicco 2 J Fisher 2 S Farrugia D Borg S Blake J Sirianni. Best: West Footscray: N Calleja T Bray R McGhie R Bucktin M Newport J Trowsdale. Albanvale: M Plummer J Fisher N Cuthbertson J Brook M Spatolisano B Cassar. Res: Parkside 16.11
Brunswick 9.6, Canterbury 21.12 d Dragons 15.8, Hawthorn 19.15 d Manningham Cobras 8.5, Point Cook 19.10 d Westbourne Grammarians 14.12, Box Hill North 26.18 d Chadstone 13.11. DIV 4 RESERVE: Rd 7: West Brunswick 24.17 d North Brunswick 7.0, Canterbury 9.10 d Dragons 7.16, Hawthorn 15.4 d Manningham Cobras 6.5, Westbourne Grammarians 18.10 d Point Cook 7.9, Box Hill North 21.16 d Chadstone 11.2. VAFACOLTS: Rd 7: University Blues 7.11 d Uhs-Vu/ Flemington 4.7, Mazenod 19.13 d Williamstown Cyms 3.3, Point Cook Afc 13.13 d Old Paradians 4.7, Westbourne Grammarians 8.7 d St Bernards 7.6. U-19SEC3: Rd 7: Old Ivanhoe 13.18 d Marcellin 7.9, Old Carey 12.13 d Old Camberwell 11.12, Williamstown Cyms 18.14 d Old Xaverians 11.12, Ajax 14.14 d St Mary’s Salesian 8.12.
CLUBXVIII: Rd 7: Richmond Central 11.8 d Emmaus St Leos 6.13, Therry Penola 8.13 d Eley Park Sharks 7.8, Williamstown Cyms 10.15 d Bulleen Templestowe 10.3. AFL VICTORIA COUNTRY C’SHIPS : Casey Cardinia 17.9 bt Bellarine 9.12, Hume 21.15 bt Picola & District North 11.5, Yarra Valley Mountain District 25.12 bt Mallee 8.7, Golden Rivers 15.10 bt Mininera 10.7, Ovens & King 17.9 bt Farrer 11.15, Murray 13.8 bt Sunraysia 10.13, Wimmera 21.15 bt North Central 11.11, Heathcote 16.10 bt Horsham 15.11, Central Highlands 19.16 bt Loddon Valley 11.12, Ellinbank & District 20.12 bt Mid Gippsland 6.7, Geelong 18.18 bt Peninsula 6.5, Bendigo 19.14 bt Gippsland 13.16, Alberton 16.8 bt Riddell 15.13, Warrnambool 14.7 bt Colac 12.12, Tallangatta 24.9 bt Kyabram 6.6, Ovens & Murray 29.16 bt Hampden 10.5, Nepean 16.12 bt Central Murray 9.15. U-18: Geelong 13.12 bt Peninsula 13.10, Sunraysia 20.8 bt Murray 10.8, Goulburn Valley 12.14 bt Ballarat 7.11, Ellinbank 15.10 bt Mid Gippsland 4.10, Colac 8.16 bt Warrnambool 9.3, Tallangatta 12.10 bt Kyabram 6.12, Wimmera 14.11 bt North Central 6.4, Nepean 24.14 bt Central Murray 8.12, Casey Cardinia 11.12 bt Bellarine 10.17. U-17: Central Highlands B 13.10 bt Central Highlands A 8.10. U-15: Wimmera 15.18 bt North Central 1.2. RUGBY UNION DEWAR SHIELD Prem 1: Footscray 31 bt Endeavour Hills 10, Harlequin 36 bt Sth Districts 15, Box Hill 37 bt
29 bt Melbourne G 26. RUGBY LEAGUE
VRL Round4:Snr:FirstGrade: North West Wolves 28 bt Altona 24, Casey 42 bt Werribee 22, Craigieburn 44 bt Doveton 32, Sunbury 48 bt Waverley 16. Div 2: Craigieburn 38 bt North West Wolves Red 12, Sunbury 56 bt Waverley 26, Northern Thunder 18 bt Altona 16, South Eastern Titans 30 bt Melton 28.
David Briscoe, shown playing against Deer Park earlier in the season, was a standout for Werribee Districts on Saturday. (Wayne Hawkins)
The world’s in her court
By Liam Twomey
Maddison Rocci’s talents on court are making the western suburbs basketball community sit up and take notice.
e 15-year-old is now showing her skills in other parts of the world.
Rocci had her first overseas tour last month as she joined the under-17 Australian women’s side for a series of games in China.
Competing in the provinces of Fujian and Jiangxi, the Werribee resident looked right at home on the big stage, despite an ankle injury keeping her out of the early games.
She finished in style as Australia’s leading scorer against America with a haul of 11 points, whileanothergoodperformanceagainstChina had the MacKillop College student rapt with her tournament.
“ e second game against the US, I topscored so that was a good game. e first one against China I was happy with as well.”
Rocci is now gearing up to play in the Australian under-17 women’s team that will compete at the world championships in late June.
Matches for the tournament will be played in Klatovy and Pilsen in the Czech Republic.
e point-guard is expected to find out if she has made the final squad this week.
When she isn’t scoring baskets for Australia, Rocci plays in the Big V competition for Werribee.
Although national commitments have allowed her to suit up in just three games this season, that hasn’t stopped her from having a big impact.
Rocci’s 11 points against the Whittlesea Pacers and 14 against the Latrobe City Energy helped the Devils secure two narrow wins in rounds 4 and 9.
Werribee women’s coach Lloyd Klaman is full of praise for the young star.
“She’s one of the quickest kids I’ve ever coached. She’s able to make plays that other kids wouldn’t even think about making and she makes the game look easy.
“ e other thing is, she’s fearless. She’s 15 and at the weekend she was playing against girls who are between 20 and 30.”
For her outstanding sporting achievements, Rocci has been named as a monthly nominee for the Don Deeble Rising Star award. e award is run
Bees all class in loss to NPL hot shots
Werribee City Soccer Club put up a strong showing against South Melbourne in the National Premier League before going down 1-0 on Sunday.
eBeesmayhavegoneintothematchas underdogs, but they looked far from out of place against one of the competition’s best teams.
e only blemish for Werribee came in the first half when South Melbourne eventually found a way through the club’s defences to hit the scoreboard, Milos Lujic putting the ball into the back of the net to give his side the advantage.
Werribee City spokesman Giorgio Pastorini was pleased with the way the team fought.
“ e match was quite even and I thought our team played very well,” he said.
“We lacked a striker late in the game. In the last 15 minutes, we put them under pressure, but we couldn’t get the goal.
“South Melbourne is the best team in the league. We played with heart and we played at our best e result is not a disgrace.”
Werribee is in eighth spot on the National Premier League ladder with five wins for the season.
e Bees are in the middle of a congested group of six teams, with one win separating fi h from 10th.
South Melbourne remains the competition’s front runner with a perfect 10-0 record.
Pastorini is hoping Werribee can stay in the top half of the ladder deep into the season.
“ is is a unique position for us, being the first year of the National Premier League,” he said. “We’re very happy to be in the middle of the ladder.”
In other National Premier League results, Green Gully defeated Hume City 3-0 and the Melbourne Knights proved too good for Port Melbourne in a 3-1 victory.
Liam Twomey
Sweet shooting fuels Devils’ home victory
A red-hot final quarter propelled Werribee to a 14-point win against the Whittlesea Pacers in Big V state championship basketball on Saturday night.
eDevilswereforcedtofightduringatough first half at the Werribee Sports and Fitness Centre, with the Pacers taking a three-point lead into the first break.
From there, Werribee began to chip away at the margin.
e Devils took the lead in the third term before producing some of their best basketball in the run home.
Werribee scored 27 final-quarter points, shooting 44 per cent from the field and 60 per cent from beyond the three-point line, to blow Whittlesea away and secure an 80-66 win.
Rustin Dowd was a standout for the Devils, putting up 27 points to be the leading scorer for either team.
He was well supported by Jonathan Sonda who finished with 17 points for Werribee, while Jordan Hughes continued his strong season with 16 points and eight rebounds.
For Whittlesea, Michael Petridis was leading scorer with 19 points.
e good news didn’t stop there for Werribee, with the club’s women’s division 1 side making it a Saturday night to remember, beating Craigieburn by 17 points.
A er restricting the Eagles to just seven in the first quarter, the Devils were always in control on the scoreboard, racing out to a 13-point lead at the first break.
anks to another strong shooting display, that margin grew to 19 by half-time.
Despite Craigieburn’s best efforts, there was no coming back and Werribee celebrated a 72-55 win.
Elisha Burnette, was unstoppable for Werribee, finishing with 22 points to be her side’s leading scorer.
e win li ed Werribee into second spot on the Big V women’s division 1 ladder, with the Devils on track to make finals.
In this weekend’s round 11, the Devils will take on the Geelong Supercats in a clash between first and second.
e game will be played at Werribee at 3pm on Sunday.
Liam Twomey
Aaron McCuin scored 12 points in Werribee’s win against Whittlesea on Saturday.
(Shawn Smits)
by the Sunshine Western Region Sports Club in conjunction with Star
Maddison Rocci is this month’s Don Deeble Rising Star nominee. (Kristian Scott)
Weekly. Rocci will receive $1000 donated by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club and other prizes to assist in her future sporting goals.
e Don Deeble Rising Star award recognises young athletes in the western suburbs who have achieved outstanding results at a state and national level.
Vixen duo stitches up Lightning
VU Western Lightning’s charge up the Victorian Netball League ladder slowed last weekwiththeclub’slosstoBoroondaraGenesis by 27 goals.
A star-studded Genesis outfit, including Melbourne Vixens duo Erin Hoare and Joanna Weston, lined up for the match.
With Hoare shooting goals at one end and Weston stopping them at the other, the game was a tough ask for the injury ravaged Lightning.
VU was 10 goals behind at quarter-time and 18 at the main break.
Despite the big margin, Sophie Gunn continued to work hard for the Lightning.
Gunn, who could only play half the match because of an injury sustained the week before, provided an important boost for her side.
She scored 16 goals from 20 attempts to keep the scoreboard ticking over for the Lightning.
But there was no slowing Genesis, which added another 25 second-half goals to its tally to secure a 66-39 win.
VU co-coach Robyne Dawson said there were still some positives for her side despite the loss.
“We are really focusing on what we can take away from the game,” she said.
“Dani Stewart was awesome. She is just such a little general.
“ e leadership she shows is fantastic. She just works so hard and is always encouraging the other players.”
Lightning is in seventh place on the ladder, six points outside the top four.
Despite the loss and a busy schedule that will see the Lightning play three games in the space of a week, Dawson remains confident her side can push into the finals, with training becoming more short and sharp.
“We have certainly changed our focus from physical to more on the tactical side to deal with that schedule,” Dawson said.
“We can still make finals and we still want to make finals. at is our goal.”
Liam Twomey
Falcons wanna have fun
By Liam Twomey
ere is no sign of the second-year blues at Wyndhamvale Falcons.
A er debuting in the Victorian Women’s Football League last year, the Falcons have enjoyed a brilliant start to their second season.
A er a round one bye, Wyndhamvale has posted three wins in a row, beating Deer Park, Port Melbourne and Cranbourne to jump onto the ladder’s second rung.
But it’s not just the onfield results that have the Falcons humming.
Enrolments have continued to grow, with the senior women’s squad adding about 10 players this year.
Coach Kerry Saunders says she’s rapt with the progress.
“Twelve months ago, we were scratching for numbers and just getting along,” she said.
“Now we have full numbers on game day and plenty of players at training.
“You can really see the difference in what the players didn’t know last year, compared to what they know now.
“ ey are all keen to get in there, have a go and take the marks they might not have tried for last year.
“It’s about putting themselves in the play more o en and giving themselves a better chance to win.”
Wyndhamvale secured a finals berth in its inaugural season in the then north-west
division 2 competition. e club moved into division 3/4 a er a VWFL restructure.
e newly formed 13-team division will break into two as soon as all the sides have played each other. e top half of the ladder will form division 3, the bottom half making up division 4.
“We’re hoping we can keep ourselves in the top half,” Saunders said.
“From there, finals would be a bonus. Because we’re in a new grade it’s hard to judge at the start. We want to win as many games as we can and have some fun at the same time.
at’s our aim.”
Wyndhamvale will hunt its fourth win in a row when it takes on Chirnside Park away this Saturday.
Ask the coach 3
Ask the Coach
The teams during the season play on different days and sometimes the Development team does not play. How do you juggle this for the players and coaches?
We had that situation on the weekend, the Senior team played Richmond at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday and the Development squad played on Sunday also at Werribee against the Northern Blues. It doesn’t happen often but it does bring some logistical challenges, and does stretch out the time commitment of our staff. The players just need to be organized and with their own preparation.
State football is coming up, Jake Wilson and Jesse Crichton have been named in the squad. Your thoughts on their selection and them playing, and was anyone unlucky?
Jesse Crichton has started well and deserves to be in the squad, Jake Wilson played last year and hopefully gets another opportunity. I am a supporter of representative football.
Ben Warren and Scott Sherlock, who also played last year in Western Australia, are unlucky not to be in the squad. But having said that, the most pleasing thing about our year to date has been the even contribution from our playing group, both North Melbourne listed and the Werribee listed boys. There has not been players “standing out”, just a more even spread of contributors so to speak.
Rotations are a big part of footy who has control over those?
The midfield rotations are generally covered by the players, with the forwards and defenders generally by the coach and runners. Hopefully players do understand the tempo and intensity that is required at VFL level, and also rotate themselves accordingly. When goals are kicked is the major time to rotate, that is why so many players go off the ground after they have kicked a goal. They were due to rotate. You can “Ask the Coach.” Send your questions via email askthecoach@werribeefc.com.au or post on our facebook or twitter pages #askthecoach
Andrea Cameron (with the ball) was a standout for the Wyndhamvale Falcons against Deer Park earlier this season. (Arj Giese)
Kate Thompson, shooting against the City West Falcons earlier in the year, scored eight goals for VU Western Lightning last week.
(Darren Howe)
With more than 25 years in business as a mechanic and company director, it’s fair to say Joe Azzopardi knows a thing or two about cars and motorbikes. His business, Azzco Mechanical Service, in Hoppers Crossing, has many loyal clients and it continues to grow, Joe says.
“I opened the business in 1989 and many of our customers are still with us after 25 years. We are now servicing their children’s cars too,” he says.
“We have highly experienced mechanics working at our workshop and provide ongoing training to keep them up-to-date with changing mechanical technology.”
As well, the business attracts new customers.
“We had a customer come and see us after receiving a $3500 quote from another workshop for repairs to the air-conditioning in her Volkswagen Golf,” Joe says. “The customer called in to have her wiper blades replaced … I discovered a blown fuse, which was the reason behind her air-conditioning problem so I replaced it at no cost and her air-conditioning worked again. Needless to say, she was ecstatic about not having an expensive repair bill.”
Joe and his two fellow mechanics, including 4WD specialist Darryn, are all qualified and accredited through VicRoads to provide roadworthy certificates, logbook servicing and repairs to all makes and models of cars, four-wheel drives and motorbikes without voiding warranties.
Azzco Mechanical Service is a stockist for Prestige Steering Centre and carries a large range of remanufactured steering components.
“We have a reputation for high-quality workmanship at competitive prices and are a member of the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce,” Joe says.
The business cares about its customers and its community too. It has supported charities including the Red Cross, Lions Club, Lort Smith Animal Hospital and the Starlight Foundation.
Rebecca Miller Azzco Mechanical Service, 2/411 Old Geelong Road, Hoppers Crossing. 8.30am-5pm Mondays-Fridays. Inquiries: 9360 0255
Joe Azzopardi … going strong since 1989.
Don’t let the all-new Nissan X-TRAIL’s sleek, stylish design deceive you. Beneath the immaculately presented exterior beats a
reliable heart, packed full of practical features ready to make every day driving a joy – whether it’s the school run or this weekend’s family adventure. The all-new X-TRAIL is ready for anything you can throw at it. Divide-N-HideTMStorage System* All MODE 4x4-i† 5 and 7 seat options
MOTOR
Briefs
Compact range beefed up Mitsubishi’s popular ASX compact SUV range has reappeared with improvements to overall drive performance and noise, vibration and harshness, along with new features and cosmetic updates. The company says the revised 15MY ASX is quieter, smoother, more refined and offers better on-road performance. It’s also gained daytime running lamps, new 17-inch alloy wheels, black roof rails, an emergency stop signal, privacy glass, chrome exterior and interior highlights as standard equipment on all models. A new ‘lightning blue’ paint has been added to the range of exterior colour options.
Power and glory
Holden recently celebrated a significant milestone with the one-millionth highfeature V6 engine built at its Fishermans Bend plant, 11 years after the first such engine rolled off the production line. The milestone engine, a 3.6-litre variant, powers the Adelaide-built VF Commodore SV6 and Calais V6 models. Holden Engine Operations (HEO) builds more than 34 variants of the HF V6 engine for local and international markets and can be found in the front of cars including Chevrolet Alpheon, Buick GL8 and the Opel Antara. The variants include 2.8L Turbo, 3.0L V6, 3.6L V6 petrol and 3.6L LPG. HEO also built the first pre-production compressed natural gas bi-fuel engine tailored for an international market. The one-millionth engine will be kept at the HEO plant.
Limited-edition Mégane
Australia is one of 20 countries in which Renault Sport will market its Mégane R.S. 275 Trophy, a new limited-edition version of Mégane R.S. Following its recent restyling, the Mégane range’s sportiest version now benefits from a technical upgrade for even sharper performance and a bespoke look. Renault Sport’s engineers have added an extra 10 horsepower to the two-litre petrol engine that now boasts 275hp, and peak power is reached at 5500rpm. Inside, the Mégane R.S. 275 Trophy comes with leather and Alcantara Recaro bucket seats with red stitching. No local prices have been announced, but its French price tag is 38,000 euros ($56,375).
New Melbourne festival
The VACC and RACV are joining forces to stage an exciting new motoring event in Melbourne next year. The Australian Motoring Festival will be at the Melbourne Showgrounds from March 26-29. VACC executive director David Purchase says the festival will differ from the traditional display-style motor show, providing visitors with multiple opportunities to interact with vehicles and car technology by combining displays and exhibits with interactive on and off-road driving experiences. New and historic cars and motorcycles will be on show. There will also be aftermarket exhibits, a major industry conference, the naming of Australia’s ‘best car award’ winners and family entertainment, including car-themed film screenings and children’s activities.
SUZUKI GRAND VITARA AUTO
Performance meets practicality
By David Bonnici
When a friend recently announced she had bought a Hyundai ix35, she had to endure questions such as: “What do you need a four-wheel-drive in the city for?”
Her meek response was the usual “I like sitting up high”.
What she should have said – apart from ‘‘mind your own bloody business’’ – was that like most small SUVs, the ix35 has big-car practicality with small-car economy, albeit with the ability to go some places the average car can’t.
e diesel-powered ix35 Series II has another feather in its bow: excellent performance.
e last thing I expected to like most about this car was its driveability. e 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo diesel has great get up and go. ere’s barely any lag through the six-speed automatic transmission’s gear changes and it has plenty of power up its sleeve from start.
Its fuel efficiency, particularly on the highway, is about as good as its little i30 hatchback brother. Climbing the West Gate Bridge at 80km/h, I was amazed to see the trip computer registering just 4.5l/100km. isisnotruck.Ithasalightrideandsteering that’s good around town. e suspension has been improved to absorb Australian conditions, making its all-wheel-drive train ride well on dirt roads.
e little off-road driving I did was fun. If you meet rougher surfaces, it has a selectable differential lock, plus hillstart assist and downhill brake control. Its main limitation here is its ground clearance.
Inside, the top-of-the-range Highlander I drove had a ‘Panorama’ glass roof leather appointedinteriorandthewelllaidoutgadgetry
The
(Supplied)
found in other top spec Hyundais, such as the user-friendly seven-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation, reverse camera display and Bluetooth connectivity. e front and rear seats are comfortable.
e back has enough room for three adults. As expected, there’s a decent amount of storage space in the rear cargo area despite the full-size spare wheel under the floor. Hyundai’s improvements to the ix35
Series II have made it a leading competitor in Australia’s cut-throat compact SUV market. I can see why. It is available at Werribee Hyundai, Cherry Street, Werribee. werribeehyundai.com.au