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25 NOVEMBER, 2025
Stories of migration
Front: Thi Do, Kim Nguyen, Filomena Parente, Le King, Ann Chung, Fatima Braganza. Back: Felicia Oleka, Augustine Ang, Sharlaine (Charlie) Cairns, Blangine Hikolo, Emma Price and Paramjit Shergill. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 516067_16
A group of 11 migrant women living in Melbourne’s west have celebrated the completion of a creative community storytelling project that will be made into a book. The initiative by Duke Street Community House (DSCH) and Angliss Neighbourhood House, funded by Borderlands Cooperative, highlights the experiences, perspectives and memories of the women. DSCH community development officer Rajdeep Kang said the women were initially nervous, but once a safe space was established, they were able to share their stories. The women participated in four workshops, including writing workshops led by an accredited editor and expressive art workshops facilitated by an art therapy student. The artworks, self-portrait collages of the women, were a reflection of their written stories. One participant said, “I kept this story in my heart for 40 years and now I can finally share it with everyone.” The books will be given to the participants and their families.
Platform problems By Sam Porter Residents across the state are calling on the state government to reinstate a platform at Sunshine station that would allow travellers from Victoria’s north-east to easily access Melbourne’s west, the Metro Tunnel and the future Airport Rail Link (ARL). XPT (express passenger trains) from NSW and passenger trains from Albury already pass through Sunshine station, on the same standard gauge line used by freight trains, however passenger trains aren’t able to stop at the station as there hasn’t been a platform for the line since 2004. The Albury V/Line service passes through areas including Wangaratta, Benalla, Euroa, Seymour and Broadmeadows.
Rail Futures Institute president John Hearsch said he would like the platform included as part of the $4 billion Sunshine Superhub project. “It’s meant to be a major connecting point for all rail services that pass through there but there’s one rail service that passes through there that can’t stop at Sunshine because there’s no platform,” he said. “Our argument is that this becomes more important once the Metro Tunnel opens shortly. “People who come from that part of the state often want to access places like Melbourne University or, more likely, the hospital precinct. “They can’t do that easily whereas if they stop at Sunshine they just do one change and get to Parkville.”
Once the Metro Tunnel opens on 30 November, travellers on the Sunbury line will be able to directly access the five new stations. Mr Hearsch also said a platform on the standard gauge line in Sunshine would better connect travellers to regional V/Line services to Geelong and Ballarat which already pass through Sunshine. “Yes, you take the Geelong train at Southern Cross but you’re doubling back onto Sunshine,” he said. “It doesn’t make sense. It just adds about 40-45 minutes to the journey, taking in waiting time, for no reason. “It’s pretty basic really and in our view it’s not a big deal to put [the platform] back.” Mr Hearsch said reinstating the platform
would not cost much in proportion to the cost of the Sunshine Superhub project. Sunshine Business Association vice-president John Girardi said reinstating the platform would encourage more people to stop and visit Sunshine. “I think it’s a real shame because this is going to be a massive, transport, interchange hub,” he said. “It just means that that whole station is not as functional as what it should be. Eventually [Sunshine] will become like a second city. [The platform] will make Sunshine the true superhub they’re wanting to make it.” Border Rail Action Group is an advocacy group working to improve rail services in Victoria’s north-east. Continued: Page 12.
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