Tuesday, 21 January, 2025
Wandin florist is set to showcase her skills nationally
Young Yarra Junction violinist on the rise in the world of orchestra
Best pictures at the 2025 Yarra Valley Rodeo
See Real Estate liftout inside
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A Star News Group Publication
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Dan Sanders takes out Dakar Rally victory Three Bridges’ Daniel Sanders has secured his first-ever victory in the 2025 edition of the Dakar Rally, becoming only the second Australian to win the race. Sanders established a strong lead early with three consecutive stage wins and it was one he never relinquished, crossing the finish line with a comfortable eight minute and 50 second lead over second-placed Spaniard Tosha Schareina. The win puts Sanders in the box seat in the 2025 World Rally-Raid Championship, with events still to come in Abu Dhabi, South Africa, Portugal and Morocco. The Upper Yarra local is in fine form too, having taken out the last event of the 2024 edition of the championships, the Rallye Du Maroc. The win is a redemption and opportunity to exercise his Dakar demons for Sanders, having also seen a promising start to the 2022 Dakar Rally lost after he crashed out seven days into the race with his bike unrideable and a nasty fractured elbow to nurse back to health. He had finished fourth in his rookie rally in 2021, seventh in 2023 and eighth in 2024. Turn to page 33 for more
Triumphant. (Kin Marcin/Red Bull Content Pool)
Strategy locked in By Dongyun Kwon The federal government has released the National Autism Strategy and an associated Action Plan for the first time at the commonwealth level. The strategy and the action plan aim to improve inclusion, support and life outcomes for all autistic Australians, focusing on four key outcome areas; social inclusion, economic inclu-
sion, diagnosis, services and supports, and health and mental health. The seven-year strategy was developed with the guidance of the National Autism Strategy Oversight Council and involved extensive consultation with autistic people, their families and carers, and the broader autism and disability sectors, researchers and experts. Federal social services minister Amanda Rish-
worth said the new strategy reflects the government’s vision for a more inclusive Australia where all people with disability are supported to participate in all spheres of life. “Our Labor Government is committed to improving the lives of the almost 300,000 autistic people living in Australia and it’s why we have delivered the first National Autism Strategy,” minister Rishworth said.
“Addressing the barriers autistic people face in areas like education, employment and diagnosis is long overdue and we are proud to deliver a strategy that will change lives for the better. “This is not a strategy that has been done in isolation. It has been built in consultation and collaboration with autistic people living in Australia.” Turn to page 5 for more
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