Star Weekly - Hobsons Bay Maribyrnong - 21st January 2026

All eyes on bridge

By Cade Lucas

When Clarke Towson and his brother moved into their elderly mother’s Spotswood home to care for her 10 years ago, one thing quickly became apparent: the Cullen Street property had a clear, uninterrupted view of the West Gate Bridge.

Thisisunsurprising,asthenear60-metre high and 2.5-kilometre long bridge is almost omnipresent in Melbourne’s inner-west, sweeping across the skyline likeagiantslotcartrack.

But with the two-storey house wedged up against the West Gate Freeway , the view from front porch is unique, offering a clear line of sight along the freeway reserve, over Williamstown Road and Donald McLean Reserve and straight up onto the bridge itself.

If he really wanted, Mr Towson could’ve passed the time by counting the vehicles climbing up the western side of the bridge as they headed towards the city, but as a computer scientist with the Defence Science and Technology (DST) Group, he wasfartoobusy.

Even after retiring in 2021, he was pre-occupied with looking after his mum, negotiating with their neighbours - the Department of Transport - over zoning issuesandsettingupanot-for-profittrailer hirebusiness.

It was these latter two pursuits that lead him to taking a much closer look at the bridge.

“I set up a trailer business and thought tomyself’ifpeoplehiretrailers,theymight wanna know if traffic on the bridge is stuffed or no’. Mr Towson said, adding that asolutionwassittingrightnextdoorinthe

freewayreserve.

“What I noticed was that VicRoads used tohavesomecameras,butthey’veallbeen blackedout,“hesaid.

While the cameras might’ve been be blackedout,theinsideofMrTowson’shead wasn’tasalightbulbsuddenlyswitchedon.

“If they’ve been blacked out, I’ll solve the problem,” he said of the moment he decided to train a lens of his own on the bridge.

After spending $1200 on a suitable camera, attaching it to his mother’s front porch and using some of the technology skills gained from years as computer scientist, Mr Towson switched on his own 24-7 live stream of traffic going over the WestGateBridgeonThursday8January.

Judging by the response since, it’s solved aproblemformanyotherpeopletoo.

“I’ve been getting a lot of messages

and feedback and a Facebook post about it got over a thousand likes,” Mr Towson said.

As for the actual number of people accessing the stream via the Spotswood Trailers website and on YouTube, Mr Towson said he’d yet to do an analysis, but a recent visit by Star Weekly found nearly 400 subscribers to the YouTube channel andhundredsofcomments.

Along with vision of the traffic flow on the bridge, the live stream includes estimated travel times, traffic alerts, the weather, UV index and air quality, all of which is set to the sounds of the Aussie Drive playlist.

“It’s also got quotes about Melbourne, everything we know and love about Melbourne,”MrTowsonadded.

View the live stream at: https://www. youtube.com/@spotswoodtrailers/live

Unit prices are on the rise

By Cade Lucas

Seddon and South Kingsville led the innerwest real estate market for the final quarter of 2025 according to the latest data from the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV).

Unit prices in Seddon jumped by 54 per cent in the three months to December 2025, hitting an average sale price of $895 thousand, while houses in South Kingsville rose by 53.5 per cent to $1.5 million, the second highest median in Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong.

Seddon was one of just a handful of Melbourne suburbs where unit prices rose by

more than 50 per cent, as the market overall grew by 2 per cent, with a median price of $656,500.

The nearby suburbs of Kingsville, Yarraville, Footscray and Maribyrnong also recorded doubled-digit increases, as did Seabrook and Altona Meadows, while growth elsewhere was more modest.

However, in Williamstown there was no growth at all, with unit prices crashing by 32 per cent to a median of $586,000.

Altona North also experienced a substantial drop, falling by 18 per cent to a median of $776,000.

By contrast, housing market was mostly

positive,withonlyafewmodestreductions.

Ironically, Seddon was among them, with house prices dropping by 5.6 per cent to a median of $1.1 million, while Maidstone, West Footscray and Williamstown also suffered reductions of under 5 per cent.

Williamstown’s fall of 0.6 per cent didn’t prevent it retaining the highest median house price in the inner west at $1.6 million.

Seaholme experienced the biggest drop in house prices, falling by 10 per cent to $1.2 million.

Williamstown North house prices rose

Gallop into Lunar New Year in Footscray

Celebrate the Year of the Horse this Sunday at Footscray’s annual East Meets West Lunar New Year Festival.

Hosted by the Footscray Asian Business Association (FABA), the 36th annual festival is one of Australia’s largest and most vibrant Lunar New Year celebrations, with 15,000 people expected to attend across the 10-hour event.

Originally established to celebrate Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, East Meets West has since expanded to include

many other cultures, as the name suggests.

Along with Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Thai and other Asian cultures, attendees will be able to enjoy food and performances from Africa, the Pacific and many other parts of the world too.

There will be unique markets stalls selling a wide variety of goods, kids will be catered for with a range of fun activities, and as with every Lunar New Year celebration, lion and dragon dances will be a highlight.

The festival will once again be held in Byron Plaza, near the Saigon Welcome ArchinLeedsStreetintheFootscrayCBD.

A spokesperson for FABA said they hoped East Meets West would help efforts to revive the CBD.

“This is one of the biggest items on the FABA agenda, to bring Footscray back alive economically,” the spokesperson said.

East Meets West Lunar New Year Festival runs from 11am-9pm on 25 January.

Community members wanted for council committees

Maribyrnong council is seeking expressionsofinterestfrommembersofthepublic to join three of its advisory committees. Those interested in joining council’s active and healthy aging, disability and LGBTIQA+advisorycommitteeshaveuntil Friday 27 February to put their names forward, with the successful applicants to be informed by Wednesday 18 March. The three advisory committees provide advice to council on issues, barriers and opportunities to promote equality, inclusion and accessibility.

Members of the active and healthy aging committee provide insights to help shape strategies, plans, and programs for residents over the age of 55, while those on the disability committee not only provide advice relating to those who are disabled, but also their carers and families.

The LGBTIQA+ committee not only provides advice to, but also informs council of any emerging needs, issues and barriers facing the community in Maribyrnong.

Being a council advisory committee

by 10 per cent to $1.4 million, behind only Williamstown and South Kingsville, while Altona and Newport both jumped by more than 20 per cent to $1.3 million, the same price as Yarraville which increased by 8 per cent.

Director and auctioneer at Woodards Real Estate in Yarraville, Leo Dardha, said judging by the start of 2026, the positive results were likely to continue.

“There’s been a surge in buyers walking through our doors in the last two weeks,” Mr Dardha said.

“Compared to January last year, we’ve probably seen a 50 per cent increase.”

Police briefs

SOG arrests

Two western suburbs men have been charged after being arrested by the Special Operations Group (SOG) in Melton West on 13 January. The arrests formed part of several ongoing investigations into incidents, some involving firearms, since October last year. A 29-year-old man from Altona is facing 12 charges including stalking, prohibited use and possession of a firearm, reckless conduct endangering death/life, possessing a drug of dependence, cultivating cannabis and handling stolen goods. The charges relate to an ongoing dispute between parties where it is alleged a tracker was installed onto a vehicle on 7 December, as well as an incident on 28 December where it is alleged several shots were fired at various objects in the street in Altona using a 3D printed firearm and a warrant executed at a property in Altona where suspected stolen goods were seized. A 29-year-old man from Sunshine is facing 10 charges including prohibited use and possession of a firearm, reckless conduct endangering death or life, burglary and theft. The Sunshine man’s charges also relate to the same incident in Altona on 28 December, as well as the alleged theft of a mail parcel on the same day, an alleged burglary and theft at a property in Dromana on 7 December and the theft of food and drink from a convenience store in Dromana on 24 October.

Flat tyres stop stolen truck

An offender who fled a fast food drive-thru in Altona North in an allegedly stolen truck has been arrested. Police said the truck was stolen from Footscray about 5.15am on 16 January, however, the driver didn’t get very far, making a stop at the yellow arches on Blackshaws and Millers roads. Police deployed stop sticks as the stolen truck left the drive thru. With a warm breakfast – but flat tyres – the driver continued down Blackshaws Road. The Hoppers Crossing man came to a stop on Chambers Road where he was arrested.

Demolition site thefts

member is volunteer role and involves attending four meetings a year, with meetings scheduled to take place in MarchApril, May, August and October.

Attendance at an induction meeting and a combined committees debriefing session in November, is also required.

Only people with a connection to Maribyrnong and the community focus area of the advisory committee they wish to join are eligible.

For more information and to apply, go to: https://shorturl.at/gQYJk

Officers were called to reports of a theft in progress at a demolition site on Modal Place about 9.20pm on 7 January. Two vehicles were spotted by officers leaving the scene. The van was followed to Freya Drive in Williams Landing where it was dumped. A 50-year-old West Footscray man has been charged with theft, trespass, handle stolen goods and possess methylamphetamine.

FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au

Maribyrnong & Hobsons Bay Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Second monitor appointed

By Cade Lucas

A second municipal monitor has been appointed to oversee Hobsons Bay council, while the term of the existing monitor has been extended due to ongoing governance concerns.

Former Glen Eira council chief executive Rebecca McKenzie joins John Tanner in monitoring the council which was found to have a ‘toxic’ workplace culture in an independent report released in July.

The report, based on the testimony of council employees who took part in listening and support process into its workplace culture, concluded sexual harassment,

bullying and an excessive workload were among the issues causing the toxic environment at the council.

Former chief executive Aaron Van Egmond was suspended when the allegations first came to light in January last year and resigned from the position in April.

Mr Tanner, a former Brimbank council administrator, was appointed as monitor on 29 May by Local Government Minister Nick Staikos.

“MrTannerwillworktoensuregoodgovernance is restored so that council services are delivered effectively, the health and wellbeing of council staff is prioritised, and the community is better involved and rep-

resented,” Mr Staikos said in announcing the appointment which was originally six months.

In early January, citing ‘ongoing governance concerns’ at the council, Mr Staikos announced that Mr Tanner’s term would be extended until 30 June and that Ms McKenziewouldjoinhimasco-monitor,whilealso performing the same role at Mornington Peninsula council.

The minister’s office was contacted.

In a statement on its website, Hobsons Bay council welcomed Ms McKenzie’s appointment.

“Ms McKenzie brings considerable experience and expertise in local government,

Artist restores iconic Spotswood sign

Just over a month after it was almost destroyed in a graffiti attack, the iconic ‘Welcome to Spotswood’ sign has been restored to (most of) its former glory.

Approximately half of the sign, including much of the lettering, was covered in graffitiwhenvandalsattackedinearlyDecember.

Local Spotswood artist and business owner Tony Mead hand-painted the sign on the water tank on the corner of Booker Street and Hudsons Road during the pandemic.

Thephonecallhereceivedfromalocal

resident informing him that the sign had been attacked, was one he’d been dreading ever since.

“When you have work out in the public spacesyoualwayshaveabackgroundfear that it will get graffitied at some point,” Mead said.

Unfortunately, the extent of the attack was even worse than Mead had feared.

“I was really shocked and thought it mightmarktheendofthismuralafterfive years,” he said.

Fortunately, having helped fund the sign in the first place, Hobsons Bay coun-

Big Switch train timetable released

The new timetable for the train networks ‘BigSwitch’hasbeenreleased,withthestate government saying it will deliver more than one thousand extra weekly services.

Public and Active Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams released the new timetable on Monday 12 January ahead of the Big SwitchonSunday1February,sopassengers can find out how their journey will change and where to interchange when new services are added on 1 February.

“We’re excited for passengers to be able to enjoy more of the benefits of the Metro Tunnel with more than one thousand extra services being added from February in the biggest change to our network in 40 years,” Ms Williams said.

The Big Switch will integrate the new Metro Tunnel into the wider transport network, with thousands of individual timetable changes at once.

This will include the first of 260 new bus timetables to better connect to Metro Tunnel services. All services on the Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines will switch to run exclusively through the new tunnel and 1000 new weekly services will be added to these lines to kick off a turn-upand-go network.

During the peak, a train will arrive at each of the new Metro Tunnel stations up to every three minutes.

Trains will run at least every 10 minutes between Watergardens and Dandenong stations in both directions between 6am to 9pm.

On 1 February, the Frankston Line will also return to the City Loop, while Werribee andWilliamstownlineswilltemporarilyrun directly to Flinders Street before connecting with the Sandringham Line later in the year to form a new cross-city service.

cil offered Mead the use of its graffiti removal team to restore it.

Combined with Mead’s knowledge of the paint types used for the sign, they were able to find materials and methods to remove about 90 per cent of the graffiti.

However, Mead credits the anti-graffiti coating he applied when painting the sign asthemainreasonitwasabletobesaved.

“Without this protective barrier the spray paint would have bonded to the artwork and made removal impossible.”

having previously served as a chief executive officer and senior executive,” the statement said.

“The monitors’ roles are to provide advice, assistance and support to council in strengthening governance processes and practices, building on recent significant improvements already undertaken across council.”

Hobsons Bay council declined to comment any further.

The appointment of Ms McKenzie and extension of Mr Tanner comes just days before Hobsons Bay’s new permanent chief executive, Phu Nguyen, takes up the role on 19 January.

No awards in Hobsons Bay on Australia Day

Australia Day will look a little different in Hobsons Bay this year, with no citizen awards ceremony being held.

Since 1997, the Hobsons Bay Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year has been announced at Williamstown Town Hall on 26 January, but following a review recommending broader community recognition, council endorsed a new awards program at its meeting in December.

The inaugural Hobsons Bay Community Recognition Awards will be held during National Volunteer Week celebrations in May and will feature six categories: helping others; change maker; sporting spirit; community strengthening; young leader and community leader.

“We’re looking forward to better recognising the great work being done in our community by expanding our awards program in 2026,” a spokesperson for Hobsons Bay council said.

The new awards will be launched next month, with nominations opening in March and closing in April.

The move brings Hobsons Bay in line with many other councils that have already transitioned from stand-alone ‘citizen of the year’ awards programs, including Maribyrnong, whose annual civic awards feature nine categories, with this year’s winners to be announced at a ceremony in either March or April.

Council will still host citizenship ceremonies at the Williamstown Town Hall on Australia Day.

Edwards Land Surveyors has lodged a planning application for the removal of restrictive covenant A828943 from Lot 12 on LP44872 (Vol.08287, Fol.167). The application and supporting documentation may be inspected via Council’s online permit management system ‘Greenlight’, at www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au.

If you do not have internet access, contact Council on 1300 179 944 between 8.30am and 5.00pm to make other arrangements. Any person who may be affected by the granting of the permit may object or make other submissions to the Council in writing by 10 February 2026, including the reasons for an objection and stating how the objector would be affected. Objectors will be advised of the decision. For further information, please contact Rebecca Tang on 1300 179 944.

Odour plagues residents

By Sam Porter

Locals have complained of a consistent strong and sickly odour affecting suburbs including Altona North, Brooklyn, Sunshine West,SunshineNorth,DeerParkandArdeer.

Brimbank resident Liz Barrow first noticed the pungent smell on Monday 5 January when she was driving near Little Boundary Road and Pipe Road in Laverton North. “It‘sprettyrevolting.Itmakesyoufeellike you want to throw up ... Just imagine a rotten, chemical smell and you can’t escape it,” Ms Barrow said.

Ms Barrow said the odour was likely

worsened by extreme hot weather days and wind this month.

“[The odour] is not constant at least,” she said.

Ms Barrow was among multiple locals who submitted odour reports to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) throughout the week.

In an email response to Ms Barrow, sent on Tuesday 13 January, EPA said its officers conducted odour surveys on Wednesday 7 January, and believed the odour was coming from a meat waste processing plant in the Brooklyn area regulated by the EPA.

In the email, the EPA said it will “assess

compliance by the established deadlines” but did not provide specific dates.

“Ifcomplianceisnotachieved,escalation via other enforcement tools will be applied,” the EPA stated in its response to Ms Barrow.

EPA west metro regional manager Julia Gaitan told Star Weekly the EPA prioritises odour reporting, particularly in the Brooklyn area.

“In this instance, our officers have inspected a business, a local rendering plant known to us, they believe was the source of multiple reports from the public,” Ms Gaitan said.

“We have been in contact and expect the

Singing workshop for willing women

A much-loved local women’s choir is inviting the Williamstown community to raise their voices and experience the joy of singing together, with a free workshop next month.

Hosted by the Willin Wimmin Choir, the workshop will be held on Wednesday 11 February at and is open to anyone who identifies as a woman - no auditions, no prior singing experience required. Local residents Leanne Ivory and Ally Lacey both attended the work-

shop last year and joined the Willin Wimmin Choir soon after.

“The singing is fun, but the people especially are wonderful,” Ms Ivory said of the choir.

“You meet lots of different people and it’s just a really nice time.”

Ms Lacey said she hadn’t sung since high school and nearly talked herself out of coming until she saw a flyer.

“It was the little push I needed,” she said.

“The workshop felt like a welcoming sign that new members were really wanted. I haven’t looked back since.”

Ms Lacey described the choir as supportive and encouraging, with structured learning that still allows singers to challenge themselves.

The Willin Wimmin Free Singing Workshop takes place from 7.30pm9.30pm at Dennis Reserve Centre in Williamstown. Details: www.trybooking.com/DGEZS

Family of film festival finalists hail from the western suburbs

A western suburbs family has been selected as film festival finalists for each of their short films.

Filmmaker Tez Frost (Tez Vi Truong), his seven-yearolddaughterAlexisandhisfiveyearoldsonCharliewillheadtotheSydney Opera House in January for the SmartFone Flick Fest (SF3) gala finals, with all three of their films to be screened on the night.

SF3 is one of the world’s biggest smartphone film festivals, celebrating stories shot entirely on smartphones and tablets.

Tez said the whole family is excited by

the news.

“For us it’s quite a big deal, all three of us. The reason why I wanted to join is so I could be a part of this event for my kids,” he said.

Alexis entered the festival last year as the youngest director in the competition

This year, her brother Charlie will take the title as SF3’s youngest creator.

Alexis’ short film is titled, ‘Maxton and the Moon’, and Charlie’s stop motion film, ‘Looking for Parking,’ was completed when he was only four.

business will look into their processes to ensure they’re doing as much as possible to reduce the risk of odour releases, as is required under the general environmental duty provisions of the Environment Act.

“Further action is likely by EPA but as with any legally enforceable action, EPA must respect due process and limit its public commentary while those processes are worked through.

“EPA encourages community members to report odour so we can track it down and take appropriate actions.”

The EPA said it was not able to name the company, citing legal reasons.

Western waterways protected

Waterways across Melbourne’s west are now subject to extra environmental protection under new rules announced by the state government.

The Maribyrnong River, Werribee River, Stony Creek, Skeleton Creek, Cherry Creek and Kororoit Creek are among the 17 waterways across metropolitan Melbourne now covered by the new protections aimed at preserving their long-term health and protecting natural habitats and wildlife corridors.

Under the new rules, landowners will now require a planning permit for certain activities near protected waterways, including removing native vegetation, undertaking significant earthworks, or constructing high or solid fencing.

“From the Werribee River in the west to the Gardiners Creek in the east, our rivers and creeks make our communities greener, cooler and healthier,” said Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny in announcing the protections.

“This is about protecting what makes our city such a great place to live today and ensuring future generations can enjoy these special places too.”

Along with the 17 metropolitan waterways, the new protections which will also extend to parts of the Barwon, Leigh, Moorabool and Yarrowee rivers in regional Victoria.

More than 1300 members of the public contributed to community consultation on the new protections, while Traditional Owners were also involved, something inner west environment group Maribyrnong Catchment Resilience Association Inc (MCRA) president Madeline Serle, welcomed.

“MCRA supports better protection of the Maribyrnong River (Mirrangbamurn) in collaboration with First Nations,” Ms Serle said.

MCRA was established following the 2022 Maribyrnong River floods and Ms Serle said the new rules would hopefully help prevent a repeat.

Tez’s short film, ‘The 5-Minute Empire,’ will be the first film ever to be screened in SF3’s AI (artificial intelligence) category.

Tez said he wanted to demonstrate that AI can support creativity without losing the human touch.

“The storytelling is still human centred. AI just allowed me to create worlds and moments that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible,” he said.

The SF3 Gala Finals will be held on Friday 23 January at the Sydney Opera House Playhouse Theatre.

“We are still considering the detail of the new protections but we know our flood risk is connected to climate change, so protecting our river and riverine habitat will help tackle the impact of climate change,” she said said.

“MCRA’s work on mitigation solutions is committed to a proper balance of landscape use, long-term river health, flood safety and resilience. We love and respect the beautiful Mirrangbamurn - nothing will change that commitment.”

Williamstown High School 2025 VCE RESULTS

“Congratulations

Williamstown High School

Declan

Chloe

Amelia

Jack

Callum

Maddison Camillo

Chloe Hodgman

Anais

Darcy

Thomas

Lucius

Samuel

Matthew

Auston Hoang

Meera Kavar

Stella

Annabel Hough

McKinley De Jager

Alexandra Kokolios

Imogen

Stephanie Lonie

David Paull

Abiye Woldemariam

Lily Keegan

Ella Macleod

James Cribb

Viola Coladonato

Frankie Norris

Amelie Miller

Sudes Salahadin Hagos

Julian Clarke

West is best this Midsumma

Midsumma Westside is back again, with plenty of events happening across Melbourne’s western suburbs between 18 January until 8 February. Georgia Tacey dives into all the events happening over the festival, including a chat with First Nations drag artist Cerulean, who is cohosting Blak & Fabulous in Footscray.

Over 22 jam-packed days, Midsumma Westside will take over Melbourne’s western suburbs in one of the biggest celebrations of the LGBTQIA+ community in Victoria.

With 25 events across the west, expect to find performances that move you, exhibitions that inspire and conversations that matter, all falling under this year’s theme of ‘Time and Place’; exploring the past, current and futures of the community, including First Nations voices.

Venues like Pride of Our Footscray are set to host a variety of events, with one of their most popular highlighting an important section of the community.

Blak & Fabulous will bring an intimate evening of performance and discussion featuring drag and variety performers who will share both their talents and stories, in this showcase celebrating LGBTQIA+ First Nations performers.

Cohosted by First Nations (Meriam/ Erub Kebi and Torres Strait Islander) drag artist Cerulean and Kija drag artist and singer 2JOOCEE, a variety of performers will take the stage for a night celebrating culture and community.

Cerulean, a resident performer at Pride of Our Footscray, said they have been involved with the showcase for a number of years, and was excited to host the event for the second time.

Cerulean said this event will not only be a teaching moment, but also a space for the community to celebrate black joy in the queer community, alongside plenty of drag and performance.

“This is a really cute event where we get to discuss being queer and First Nations within Melbourne.

“I feel like there aren’t many (queer) First Nations events around, so it’s really cool to see that Pride of Our Footscray is supporting that.

“I’ve done it for the last few years and every year it’s been amazing. It’s been sold out as well, so make sure to get tickets.”

Cerulean has been heavily involved with Midsumma, performing at some of the biggest events like street party in Melbourne.

“I love the community. I feel like Midsumma is a great time for the queer community to come out together.”

The Melbourne-based artist said Tarsh Jago, a proud Palawa woman and stand-up comedian and Tharawal and Yorta Yorta artist and dancer Jyden Brailey will also take to the stage for Blak & Fabulous, with moreFirstNationsartiststobeannounced.

“This is a really cool opportunity to be able to hear First Nations voices within

this space and also to see up and coming First Nations drag artists as well,” Cerulean said.

“We’ve got a new generation of drag artists that are coming through that we hope to see on the night at Blak & Fabulous, so make sure to come down and support them.”

Blak & Fabulous will be coming to Pride of Our Footscray Community Bar from 7pm on Saturday 31 January.

Blak & Fabulous is an 18-plus event, with tickets ranging from $19 to $25.

Find a full list of events at: midsumma. org.au/whats-on/events/queer-westside-studios-session/

Your guide to Midsumma Westside

Stand Out Exhibition, 18 January-8 February, Altona Meadows Skatepark, AltonaMeadows

Presented by Hobsons Bay artist Tara Mathews, this exhibition brings bright colours and their distinctive style, in a display dedicated to queer women and gender-diverse individuals who feel like they don’t fit in.

2099: Messages to Our Queer Future, 20 January- 4 February, Louis Joel Gallery,Altona

This exhibition invites artists, creatives

and makers of all ages to create a love letter, in any medium, to the future of queer community, exploring the hopes of queer liberation in the future and showcases a time capsule of the unique intricacies of queer culture today, curated by The Artist Known as Foot.

Stories for All Seasons, 20 -21 January, 100StoryBuilding,Footscray Open for LGBTQIA+ teens aged 12 to 17, these creative writing workshops offer fun writing exercises, creative activities and guidance from experienced facilitators. Participants will develop confidence, explore identity and connect with like-minded peers.

Queer Comedy Gala, 7pm on 22 January, Pride of Our Footscray CommunityBar,Footscray The gala features a stacked line-up of seven LGBTQIA+ comedians ready to make you laugh, hosted by the iconic MC Dolly Diamond and Reuben Kaye.

All Star Pride Drag Bingo, 7pm on 23 January, Pride of Our Footscray CommunityBar,Footscray

Join four fabulous drag hosts for an evening of fun bingo games, camp drag shows, comedy, cocktails, prizes and much more. Balls drop 7.30pm sharp, so

please ensure you arrive with plenty of time before the show starts. Pride Pool Party, 10am on 24 January, SunshineLeisureCentre,Sunshine Celebrate Brimbank’s vibrant LGBTQIA+ community with a fun day out in Sunshine, featuring activities, inflatable slides for the little ones, live music, catering and much more in this inclusive event.

Save the Bears!, 6.30pm, 28 January, PrideofOurFootscrayCommunityBar, Footscray ‘Save the Bears!’ is the pilot episode of a new animated show Summontown by Jimmy Twin, inspired by fantasy role-playing games and 1980s sitcoms. Come and have a drink while viewing the pilot episode, followed by a Q&A. A small exhibition of concept artwork and select artworks by Twin will also be on display.

Queer Westside Studios Session, 5pm, 5 February, Newport Community Hub, Newport

Open for LGBTQIA+ youth aged between 15 and 24 years, this special Midsumma Edition of Westside Open Studios is a chance to create, connect and chill in a fun and supportive space. Youth can hop on the mic, jam with others, perform for peers or just catch a set.

The Self Possessed, 5 -7 February, BluestoneChurchArtsSpace,Footscray TheSelfPossessedisashowcaseofperformance and vocal repertoire from over three centuries, featuring works written by Handel, Gluck, Scarlatti, Gilbert and Sullivan, Noel Coward, and Billie Eilish.

Snuff Salooon, 6-7 February, Footscray DrillHall,Footscray

Step into the shadowy heart of Snuf Puppets’ workshop turned salooon, where spectacle descends into fun chaos. The first half of the night unleashes chaos: queer performance art, live music, puppet shows that shouldn’t be left unsupervised. Loud DJ music takes over and the whole room transforms – giant puppets loom over the dance floor, live drawings flicker overhead liketransmissionsfromanotherdimension. Sprawlonhugebeanbags,lettheSaloonatic cocktails flow, and become one with the spectacle.

Sunset Safari this summer

Sunsetsareprettygood,butsunsetsonthe savannaharewild.

Werribee Open Range Zoo’s Sunset Safari event is returning this year and will featureabigaddition–tosaytheleast.

For the first time, guests can witness the zoo’sherdofnineAsianElephantsroaming around their incredible 21-hectare world-classhabitat.

While elephants have been stealing the show in Werribee, visitors are reminded that there is more to the savannah than tusksandtrunks.

Guests will have access to the zoo’s waterhole walking trail to view zebra, ostrich,camelsandoryxonfoot.

Asafariguidewillteachthosewhocome along about the behaviours of African wildlife,theplightofthreatenedspeciesin thewildandhowtosupportZoosVictoria’s conservationefforts.

Three new cheaters ready to make

their names will be around the scene, and Jabulani the rock star rhino will be struttinghisstuffforallandsundry.

Humans will be able to enjoy some culinary pleasure as well, with access to cocktails, an African-inspired barbeque, anddiningintheMeerkatBistro.

The sounds of the savannah are also not to be missed, with African drumming keeping the rhythm steady for the summer.

SunsetSafarihelpsZoosVictoriasupport international conservation partners, not-for-profits and other causes that promotetheprotectionofwildlife.

The eight-week event is held between 5.30pmto9pmonSaturdays,runningfrom 10Januaryto21February.

Entry costs $62 for adults and $32 for children. Tickets can be pre-purchased onlineviaZoosVictoria’swebsite. More:www.zoo.org.au/sunsetsafari

Briefs

Pop-up park

A Seddon street has been closed to make way for a trial pop-up park. Construction work on the Austin Street pop-up park began on 19 January and is expected to be complete by 13 February as workers install timber decking, lawn, garden beds, concrete safety bollards, and furniture for the 18 month trial which was endorsed by Maribyrnong council last year. Located near the corner of Austin and Victoria streets, the pop-up park will be closed to traffic during the trial, but will provide access for walkers and cyclists and shaded seating for visitors and members of the local community. The $150,000 pop-up park will be subject to public feedback, both during and after the trial, to determine if it should be made permanent.

E-Bike crackdown

Hobsons Bay police have announced a crackdown on illegal E-Bikes. Officers are now seizing dangerous and illegal E-Bikes which will then be forfeited at court and not returned to the owners. Police are also urging parents to be careful when purchasing E-Bikes for their children by ensuring they’re legal and not overpowered and that their child has appropriate safety gear and is responsible enough to be riding on the road.

FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT

Web: starweekly.com.au

Maribyrnong & Hobsons Bay Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

MY PLACE

Yoga teacher HONG VU moved to the inner-west during the Covid pandemic. Six years on she tells Cade Lucas why Maribyrnong now feels like home.

What’syourconnectiontoMaribyrnong?

It’s been home since 2020. Just a chance opportunity to put roots down. Rolled the dice on a good feeling. I’ve lived mostly in Carlton and the inner-north before moving to Footscray. The west has grown on me. I feel really invested in my neighbourhood and community.

Whatdoyoulikeaboutlivinghere?

The proximity to the city. The proximity to originality, diversity and nature. This part of the world is underrated. Somehow both povo and affluent. Some businesses out here are unbelievably ratty like the Footscray Hotel (I say this with appreciation) and then two blocks away there are restaurants like Navi and Matsu! On a single street there could be a designer modern eco house and a block of flats that look like they’ve been squat in since the ‘80s.Peoplefeelrealouthere.Themixofall of it makes the west special. Even as more peoplemigratethisway,itstillhassomuch character.

What, if anything, would you change aboutthearea?

To have fruit trees planted in public spaces and streetscapes. Wouldn’t it be beautiful?

A treat to pluck lemons, nectarines, plums and almonds on your way home?

Where is your favourite local place to spendtime?

Changes monthly or more often. Hanging out somewhere new is my favourite thing. Right now it’s Avondale Heights Library and the big wooden sun loungers at EdgewaterMarina.GreatplaceswhereIget a lot of quiet work done.

Tell us something people would be surprisedtoknowaboutyou.

My resolute optimism. For instance, I believeYinYogaisaquantumleaptoworld

HEALTHY LIVING

Start

peace via individual sovereignty. Happy bodies can pour from overflowing cups. Peacefulmindsandsoftenedheartschange the world for the better – immeasurably. Individual transformation seeds collective transformation don’t you think?

2026 on the right foot

Too often, aches and pains in the lower limbs are brushed aside as “just getting older” or the result of being on your feet too much.Butpainisyourbody’searlywarning system, and leaving it unchecked can turn smallproblemsintomuchbiggerones.

Dr Paul Dowie from Foot and Leg Pain Clinics explains - “The body works as a connected chain, so identifying the root cause of a problem – not just treating the symptoms – is essential. For example, a sore heel can affect the way you walk. A change in walking can overload the knees. Overloading knee joints can contribute to degeneration or injury, or alter posture. Altering posture can lead to hip or back issues.

“What starts as a minor niggle in one area can quietly spread. As a result, people often seek treatment for the wrong part of the body. If you address symptoms without tackling the cause, you’re likely to face a long, frustrating battle with recurring problems. Not to mention time and money spent on ineffective treatments.”

Dr Dowie is renowned for successful

patient outcomes by combining extensive studies in lower limb biomechanics and musculoskeletal medicine with 25 years of experienceasamusculoskeletalpodiatrist. Hisexpertise,useofappropriatediagnostic tools and evidence-based treatments has helped thousands of patients with conditions such as foot, heel and ankle pain, shin splints, arthritis, sports injuries, and persistent knee or leg discomfort.

“There is nothing normal about limping through the day, avoiding physical activities,needingtoseeaGP,osteopathor physiotherapisteveryotherweek,orrelying on painkillers and anti-inflammatories,” Dr Dowie says.

If foot, knee or leg pain has been holding you back, don’t wait for it to worsen. A thorough assessment could be the difference between another year of frustration and a year of confident, pain-free movement.

Appointments with Dr Dowie are available at Foot & Leg Pain Clinics in Williamstown. To book, call 1300 328 300 and start your year off on the right foot.

Faces around the west

Each week Star Weekly photographers are out and about capturing events and people across the west.

Keeping loneliness at bay

Loneliness is an increasingly common problem, with the World Health Organisation(WHO)declaringitaglobal health threat that affects an estimated one in six people worldwide.

More than just a feeling of isolation or sadness, loneliness can increase the risk of stroke, heart disease, cognitive decline and diabetes and according to the WHO, is linked to the deaths of 100 people per hour.

In the inner-west, attempts at tackling the problem include Fridays by the Bay, an initiative of the Louis Joel Arts and Community (LJAC) centre in Altona, which has just begun its third year.

Held fortnightly, Fridays by the Bay is a group for Hobsons Bay residents who are feeling isolated and looking for connection and activities.

The facilitated social activity group is open to local residents aged between 18 - 64 years who are not eligible for other support programs.

“Idealforsoledwellersandnewcomers to Hobsons Bay or long-time residents from all backgrounds,” LJAC manager

Karen Ingram said.

“Activities include art and craft, wellbeing, excursions and guest speakers.”

FridaysbytheBayhelditsfirstmeeting for2026on9Januaryandmeetsagainon 23 January, with the group to then meet every second Friday from 10am-1pm at the LJAC centre in Sargood Street.

Alightlunchisincludedforasmallfee of $6.50 and transport can be provided.

Details: 9398 2511 or community@ ljac.com.au

Fine for muddying waters

A chance discovery by Environment Protection Authority (EPA) officers driving past a West Footscray creek has resulted in a $6000 fine for a construction contractor.

Kapitol Group Pty Ltd will pay a $6105 fine after officers spotted muddy building site sediment flowing into Stony Creek while doing routine inspections at industrial sites around Footscray on 7 November last year.

Stopping to investigate, the officers found water carrying significant amounts

of sediment was flowing from a stormwater drain into the creek.

Water in the creek was clear upstream, but became an opaque, muddy brown below the point where the flow from the drain entered it.

EPA officers followed the flow of sediment back to Kapitol Group’s construction site on Paramount Road, West Footscray, where they found the site lacked sediment controls such as barriers to trap sediment-laden runoff.

Kapitol Group is currently expanding

Swim stories wanted

Melbourne’s recent heatwave sent many people beaches, pools and waterways across the western suburbs, but the Maribyrnong River wasn’t one of them.

Swimming has been banned in the lower Maribyrnong since 1923, however, from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s, bathers flocked to the river.

It’s this period that Cerdiwen Spark wants to know more about for a book she’s writing on the Maribyrnong.

“I want to talk to people who have swum in the river themselves or have relatives or ancestors who they know swum in the river,” Ms Spark, an associate professor of global, urban and social studies at RMIT, said.

Ms Spark said her interest in those who’ve swum in the river stemmed from reading about those who entered its waters but never came out.

“I’ve been reading a lot of material in the archives about people who’ve drowned in the Maribyrnong.

“And because I’ve collected a lot of stories about drownings, I also wanted to know more about swimming.”

While she’s lived in Footscray for 25 years and runs or walks along the Maribyrnong every day, Ms Spark said her motivation for writing a book on the river wasn’t just personal.

“It’s often been construed as the second river, in the same way that the west has often been considered secondary.”

To contribute stories of swimming in the Maribyrnong, email: ceridwen. spark@rmit.edu.au

There is power

a data centre on the Paramount Road site which borders Stony Creek.

EPA western metropolitan regional manager Julia Gaitan said even if the sediment was only mud, it could still harm aquatic life in the creek.

“Significant amounts of sediment entering a creek can block sunlight, affecting plant life, and it can reduce the level of dissolved oxygen in the water, killing the tiny invertebrates that are food species for fish,” Ms Gaitan said.

“And if runoff from a building site con-

tains significant amounts of sediment, it can just as easily contain residue from paint, glue, sealers, cement and other industrial chemicals.

“The moment it leaves the building site, it becomes pollution and represents a risk to the community and the environment.”

Under the Environment Protection Act 2017 and the Infringements Act 2006, the company has the right to have the infringement notice reviewed or be considered by a court.

515713_05

Did you experience child sexual abuse in a Victorian government school or certain non-government school prior to the year 2000?

The Forum is a safe space for you to share your experience and contribute to the public record.

Help Victoria better prevent and respond to child sexual abuse in schools now and into the future.

The Forum is open until 18 March 2026. 1800 967 933 (free call)

contact@truthandrecognition.vic.gov.au PO Box 256, Collins Street West, VIC 8007

Scan the QR code to find out more or contact us

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, Corner Thomsons Road and Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park, 3042, or email to westeditorial@starweekly.com.au by 9am Wednesday the week prior to publication

Free walking basketball

Love basketball, but not the running? Join the Westgate Basketball Association’s walking basketball program. Walking basketball is ideal for those returning from injury, looking to get back into fitness and perfect for seniors and active adults. A great way to connect with others. Starts 18th February 10am at Recwest Braybrook. Register your interest now. westgatebasketball.com.au/walkingbasketball-1 or contact Penny on 0409 014 121 for any questions.

Heritage walks

Enjoy a leisurely one/two hour walk around Williamstown and nearby suburbs with guide John. Walks start at 9-30 am each Tuesday outside the Visitor Information Centre in Nelson Place. Call John Becroft on 0418377336 for details.

Bridge Club

The Williamstown Bridge Club has bridge sessions each week on Weds night at 7.25pm and Friday afternoon at 1.25pm for experienced players and a supervised session Friday 10am at Hobsons Bay Sport & Game Fishing Club, 17 Altona Road, Altona. All levels welcome and partners can be provided.

Sandi 0417 315 760, Alan 0430 309 255or visit www.bridgewebs.com/ williamstown

Westgate diabetes support group

Meets on the first Tuesday of each month at Altona bowling club at 10am. Elaine, 0415 030 996

Mainly music

A music-playgroup program for kids and their carers from birth to school age. Held every Thursday from 9.30-10.30am during school terms at Westgate Baptist Community, 16 High Street, Yarraville. The cost is $7 per family, per week. Jenny, 0401 651 012, Ruth, 0409 635 468 or westgatebaptist.org.au/ mainlymusic/

Social square dancing

Come along to the Maribyrnong Community Centre on Thursday nights from 7.30pm-10.30pm to learn social square dancing for beginners in a safe and friendly environment. The teaching is in a group but is self paced so there is no pressure to maintain a rate of learning.

Janine, 0421 371 883, or contact@ essendonsquares.com

Free English conversation classes

If English is your second language and you want to improve your English language skills, practice speaking with friendly volunteer tutors in informal and interactive group sessions held every Monday at 1-3pm in the meeting room at Altona Library, 123 Queen Street, Altona. Light refreshments provided.

Jill MacKenzie, 0439 994 705 or jill. mackenzie111@gmail.com

Chit Chat Tuesdays

A ladies chit chat group which is on every Tuesday from 1.30-3pm at Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre in Altona. As an extension of this sometimes we host guest speaker events for women in the community.

Dione, 9398 2511 or LJAC.com.au

Williamstown seniors

The group meets every Tuesday at 1-3pm at Denis Reserve. It is a small group looking for more seniors both male and female. Members enjoy two hours of singing as

This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of young plane spotters Oakley and Arlo, both 5. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 528534_01

well as afternoon tea. Cost is $5 for the afternoon.

Marlene, 0402 769 204

National seniors meeting

On the first Wednesday of every month at 1.30pm, the metro west branch of national seniors meets at the Deer Park Club, with meals available to purchase. The group also holds lunches on different Fridays each month, as well as activities such as theatre visits, bus trips and more. 0425 713 004, or lesley1.collins@ outlook.com

Footscray CWA

Meet on the fourth Monday of every month from 7-9pm at Footscray Scout Hall next door to Footscray Police Station, 4a Hyde Street. cwaofvicfootscray@gmail.com or https:// www.facebook.com/CWAofVicFootscray/

Braybrook and Maidstone walking group

The Braybrook and Maidstone Neighbourhood House are holding a walking group from 9-10am every second Wednesday. The walking group is open to everyone and starts from the neighbourhood house at 113 Melon Street, Braybrook. 9317 5610 or jodie@bmnh.org.au

Computer classes

Scams, MyGov, software, online shopping, banking, email, whatever. We all need to keep up with the internet, IT, computers, and changing technology. Classes every day of the week , mornings and afternoons, in Williamstown and Altona North. Lynne, 9397 6168

Angling club

The Essendon Angling Club is looking for new members. If you are interested in fishing, come along and join fellow minded anglers and help our club grow strong. The club meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 7pm at the club rooms 44 The Boulevard Moonee Ponds. On the third Wednesday of the month there is also a social get together where people talk about fishing and make some great friendships president@essendonanglersclub.org.au or 0432 744 802

Musicians welcome

Do you play any percussion, brass or woodwind instruments? The Hobsons Bay City Band is seeking musicians to join their community band. Please note that rehearsals are held under the directorship of Wayne Bowden OAM every Monday evening from 7.30pm at the Spotswood South Kingsville RSL, 59 The Avenue, Spotswood.

Hannah Prouse, hbcityband@gmail.com or www.hbcb.org.au

Walking group

The Mighty West Heart Foundation Community Walking Group meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10am. Walk at your own pace for up to 60 minutes. Discover the many health benefits (physical and psychological) of walking together. All welcome.

0411 566 862

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Meetings - Williamstown

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) offers support to anyone who wants to stop drinking. The Western Unity AA Group holds weekly in-person meetings in Williamstown. If you think you may have a drinking problem, you are welcome to attend. Friends and family members supporting a loved one are also encouraged to come along. https://williamstown.aagroup.org.au/, aawilliamstown@gmail.com or 1300 222 222

Women Working Together

A program connecting women aged 50 and above and in need of assistance, with mentors and mentees. Open to women across the western suburbs, including Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay. 9655 2131, EmploymentSupport@ cotavic.org.au, or https://cotavic.org.au/ our-programs/employment-support/ Musicians Wanted Westgate Concert Band, Established in 1979 is seeking new members. Rehearsals are held on Saturday mornings during school terms, 9am-noon at Braybrook College.

For more information email westgateconcertband@gmail.com

Walking football (soccer)

For anyone aged 50 and older and, any fitness level – no running allowed. This is a social activity for fun and a bit of exercise, no experience necessary. Supported by Hobsons Bay Council and Football Victoria, this is a free activity each Wednesday, from 10-11am, indoors at the Sports Centre, Andrew Park Drive, Altona. Mike, 0423 291 708

Prep for employment course

Seeking a change in career or how to improve your employability? Receive face-to-face help with job searches, resumes, interviews, upskilling and more in a prep for employment course. Register today. At 43 Mason Street, Newport. 9391 8504, outlets@outletsco-op.com.au

Intro to computers course

For beginners and those looking to refresh skills. The computer lab is fully equipped for interactive and hands-on learning. Accessing information, resources, file management, emails, Microsoft Office, AI and online safety. At 43 Mason Street, Newport. 9391 8504, outlets@outletsco-op.com.au

Everyday English language course

For women of all ages and backgrounds with English as a second language. Practice speaking English in different situations, and make new friends. Fridays, 10am-noon. At 43 Mason Street, Newport. 9391 8504, outlets@outletsco-op.com.au

Laverton Community Choir

It’s that time of the year - the Laverton Community Choir are busy rehearsing Christmas songs for the festive season, and would love to add more voices. Everyone is welcome, and you don’t need to be able to read music - just come and experience the joy of singing in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The choir meets on Thursday evenings from 7-9pm to sing, have supper and a chat, and then sing some more. You will leave feeling so much better! Laverton P12 College, 91 Bladin Street, Laverton Sue 0418386147 or lavertoncommunitychoir@gmail.com

Every hall has a story

Valentine’s Day. Many will spend it over a candlelit dinner or a romantic movie.

If that is not the style for you or your beloved, then why not head down the highway and learn a little about Little River.

Damian Callinan will be delivering his show Hall Stories with his trademark irreverence and cheek.

The celebrated actor, comedian, and creator of the hit Netflix film The Merger will combine his storytelling skills and

stand-up knack to pull back the curtain on his own tour stories.

At the same time, he examines the quirks, traditions, and characters of Australian halls and meeting.

In this particular show, Callinan will also spend time with the local community to delve into the history and characters of the Little River Mechanics Institute Hall, and the role that it plays in the broader community.

As well as the show, he will later deliver a podcast to document the story of the Little River Mechanics Institute Hall.

There is barely a bakery in regional Australia that hasn’t had one of Damian Callinan’s show posters blu-tacked to its window– and it will be him at his absolute peakinwhatyoucouldcallacomfortzone.

Hall Stories is Callinan doing what he does best, where he does it best.

He knows how to talk over a bubbling

Start your engines, Bacchus Marsh

Get set for engines to roar and propellers to spin as Bacchus Marsh Wings, Wheels, and Coffee returns for 2026, promising a high-octane day where horsepower meets skypower.

Taking off on Sunday 1 February, the much-loved and jam-packed event will run from 9am to 4pm at the Bacchus Marsh Airfield on Cummings Road, Parwan, transforming the tarmac into a playground for motoring and aviation fans alike.

This open event welcomes all motorsport enthusiasts, showcasing an impressive mix of classic and modern cars, bikes and aircraft.

Whether you prefer your machines hugging the road or dancing through the clouds, there’s plenty to keep you grounded in excitement, and occasionally looking straight up.

One of the biggest drawcards is the aerobatic and classic aircraft flying displays, with some of Australia’s top pilots set to put on a show that’s sure to be plane awesome.

On the ground, car builders and enthusiasts will roll in with machines polished to perfection, offering spectators plenty of chrome, curves and craftsmanship to ad-

mire.

It’s not just for rev-heads and aviation tragics. The family-friendly day promises food trucks, activities for kids, and a relaxed atmosphere that makes it easy to park yourself for hours.

All car and aviation clubs are welcome, with a simple invitation: drive in or fly in.

Entry is $15 per vehicle or aircraft, and every dollar goes toward supporting local community and health charities, including the Royal Children’s Hospital, Blue Light Disco, Barista Blue, and local sporting clubs.

Clotheslined to clobber Footscray on Australia

Inner-west punters should prepare to get well and truly cleaned-up and checked for concussion when five of Melbourne’s toughest and hardest bands take over Footscray this Australia Day weekend.

Headlined by the appropriately named, Clotheslined, the night of ferocious, no-frills rock takes place at Mama Chens on Saturday 24 January. Renowned for blistering live shows, metallic hardcore lords, Clotheslined, top the five-band bill, and if the four bands coming before don’t knock you out, the Melbourne

four-piece surely will.

Helping them to kick-off the long-weekend will be local young guns Blackbird, who’ll be keen to demonstrate why their considered one of the best early-2000’s metalcore revival bands around.

If hardcore punk is more your go, Lockjaw, will have you covered with tracks from the recent self-titled demo.

Local bands also get a look in, with Footscray’s own, Knifepoint, bringing their heavily New York influenced hardcore to the inner-west.

Day weekend

And opening the night with a thump will be the so-called ‘westside beatdown crew’ Destroyed, with pit-inducing tracks such as their current single ‘Gambler.’

Don’t be fooled by the name though. The local four-piece sound nothing like Kenny Rogers.

The mayhem begins at 7pm and entry is free.

Mama Chens is located at 42 Albert Street, Footscray.

Details: https://mammachens.com. au/26-01-24-clotheslined/

urn; wind up when the Country Women’s Association heads into the supper room, and stack the chairs in fives at the end of the night.

This gig is better for mature audiences as it may contain coarse language and adult themes.

The show starts at 7.30pm on 14 February, and runs for 90 minutes with no interval.

Midsumma festival fun in Brimbank

The Midsumma Festival is coming to Brimbank this summer in a burst of colour and culture.

Running from 18 January to 8 February, the Midsumma Westside program brings events to Brimbank venues, celebrating local LGBTQIA+ stories and community.

Brimbank mayor Virginia Tachos encouraged locals to attend.

“We’re proud to be part of Midsumma Westside, supporting our LGBTQIA+ community by bringing the colour, creativity and connections of Australia’s premier queer arts and cultural Midsumma Festival to venues across Melbourne’s west,” Cr Tachos said.

A major highlight is the Brimbank LGBTQIA+ History Exhibition, supported by the Australian Queer Archives.

The exhibition maps and celebrates LGBTQIA+ history, showcasing the rich stories and connections that define Brimbank’s vibrant queer heritage.

“The exhibition contains objects and artworks of notable westies like Leigh Bowery, Kween Kong, Nathan McGlynn, Q West, Sunshine Gay Girl and more!” Cr Tachos said.

Locals are invited to the exhibition’s opening night gala at 6pm on Thursday 22 January at the Bowery Gallery, St Albans Community Centre, 33 Princess Street, St Albans.

While entry is free, bookings are essential for the gala.

The exhibition itself runs from 16 January to 4 April, giving visitors months to explore the exhibition.

Adding to the summer festivities is the pride pool party in Sunshine, an LGBTQIA+ inclusive event taking place on Saturday 24 January at Sunshine Leisure Centre.

The free event will feature inflatable slides for youngsters, live music and catering.

For full event details and free ticket bookings, visit Creative Brimbank or midsumma.org.au.

Discovering Dunedin

By Kylie Mitchell-Smith TRAVEL WRITER/ PODCASTER www.travellingsenorita.com

HAVING explored the tourist meccas of the South Island of New Zealand (Queenstown and Christchurch) I thought it was time to venture further afield and head to the more hidden gem that is Dunedin in the SoutheasternregionofOtago.

Dunedin often likened to a mini-Edinburgh (the Edinburgh of the south), complete with Scottish vibes, the four seasons in one day weather and even it’s own castle. And that was our first stop on our ‘Discover Dunedin’ itineraryLarnach Castle perched high in the hills above Otago Harbour.

The surrounding Peninsula is a hilly slither of volcanic land, abundant in flora and fauna – a place to see Sea Lions and Penguins and one of the few accessible places where Albatross nest.

Larnach Castle is like stepping back in time and swapping hemispheres. Commissioned in 1871 by local character William Larnach, the castle is a gothic masterpiece with plenty of stories to tell. The property was derelict for quite some time after William’s passing with a New Zealand couple - the Barkers – buying it in 1967 and bringing it back to life.

Thelibraryanddininghallhostlongtable dinners showcasing all the South Island has to offer. While the tastefully decorated stable and lodge accommodation offers breathtaking views across the harbour. There’s also a garden cafe and exquisite grounds to wander making the castle a true ode to the past.

Following our tour we check into Distinction - a downtown hotel in the centre of the city before we head out again to admire the colourful murals that adorn the streets. We wander the high street and devour a classic cheese roll at Good Oil Cafe, a locals juice at Buster Greens and a hearty pub meal at Speights Ale House. We are getting the sense that this city is all

about bakeries and breweries.

The next day we plan a trip on the Taieri Gorge Train. The train leaves from the Dunedin Railway Station – one of the city’s most prominent landmarks. Built in 1906 it’s famed for its renaissance architecture. The train takes us across Otago’s sweeping countryside, with towering viaducts and the gushing Taieri River below-while the onboard storyteller recounts tales of a gold rush era.

As the sun sets over Otago Harbour, we take a short trip to the surf beaches, stopping at St Clair for Cocktails at Piccolo, Pasta at the Esplanade and Dessert at Sorello-housed in an iconic beachfront location. We stroll along the promenade and admire the locals as they brave the newly opened (heated) saltwater pools.

The next day we jump on our trusty e-bikes and take on the newly opened bike and pedestrian path that follows the harbour to Port Chalmers, a quaint port town. From there we book a water (bike) taxiacrosstheharbourtoprettyPortobello, passing Quarantine and Goat Island along

the way.

Lunch is served at the local Portobello Pub, fresh Blue Cod and chips washed down with a local Speights ale and Central Otago wine, which really hit the spot. After lunch we cycle up the road to a new farm gate cafe, Augustine, for the tastiest of scones with lashings of berry jam and local cream.

We take in the sights of the University of Otago - billed as a leader in education it ranks in the top 200 Universities in the world. There’s a vibrant student population living on the outskirts which has attracted cafes like Strictly Coffee - a roaster with one of the best brews around.

We take a bespoke tour to the tip of the Otago Peninsula with local guides, ClearwaterWildlifeTours.Walkingthrough a working farm to the rugged clifftops and pristine beach of Cape Saunders, spotting sealions and yellow-eyed penguins along the way.

A trip to Dunedin isn’t complete without a visit to the Otago Farmers Markets, held each Saturday in the carpark adjacent to

therailwaystation.WetasteDunedinCraft Distillers Gin made from bread scraps and sample a delicious Short Black chocolate from local makers Ocho (Otago Chocolate Company).

Rug up and discover the delights of Dunedin, it’s the ideal stopover to explore the South Island, with direct flights from the East Coast it’s fast becoming the next ‘go to’ New Zealand destination. EAT-

LarnachCastledining

PortobelloHotel

• PiccoloStClair

• NobleDunedin PLAY-

• Speight’sbrewerytour

• ClearWaterWildlifeTours TairiGorgeTrain

OtagoFarmersMarket STAY-

• LarnachLodge

• DistinctionHotel

Iconic Experiences, Expertly Escorted

Full day Barossa Valley tour with lunch and wine tastings including: Saltram wine estate, lunch and wine tasting at Lambert Estate, visit to Barossa Valley Chocolate Company, photo stop at Menglers Hill Lookout, vineyard tour & wine tasting at Jacob’s Creek visitor centre, stop at Beerenberg Farm, and free time in Hahndorf to explore the historic German settlement

Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, and Flinders Chase

National Park

Full-Board River Elegance

3 night Murray River cruise on board PS Murray

Princess with all meals and sightseeing

Tour of Murray River Bridge and historic Roundhouse

Guided nature walk of Salt Bush Flat

Taste Riverland food and wine

Dragon-Fly flat-bottomed boat wildlife tour

Hand-Picked Hotel Stays

3 nights four-star hotel stay in Adelaide with breakfast

1 night four-star hotel stay in Kangaroo Island with breakfast, lunch and dinner

2 day Kangaroo Island tour including: Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery, Clifford’s Honey Farm, In-Flight Birds of Prey Display at Raptor Domain, Seal Bay Conservation Park guided beach walk, lunch at Emu Bay Lavender Farm,

All Flights, Taxes & Transfers HOLIDAY

Army Duck tour of the rainforest

wine and dine service and entertainment Iconic Experiences, Expertly Escorted Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway tour including^: Kuranda Village, Rainforestation Nature Park, Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience, Tropical Fruit Orchard, Dreamtime Walk, Koala and Wildlife Park, and Amphibious

‘Reef Magic’ Great Barrier Reef cruise, including: Airconditioned catamaran transfers, 4 hours of reef time, marine life touch tank, underwater observatory, and fish feeding presentations

Hand-Picked Hotel Stays

1 night four-star hotel stay in Brisbane at the Amora Hotel Brisbane

5 night four-star hotel stay in Cairns at the Crystalbrook Bailey

All hotel stays include breakfast

All Flights & Taxes

EUROPEAN SOJOURN

Amsterdam

From

GRAND EUROPEAN TOUR

Budapest to Amsterdam or vice versa

15 DAYS • 4 COUNTRIES • 12 GUIDED TOURS

SET SAIL • MAR-NOV 2026; APR-NOV 2027; MAY-DEC 2028

From $8,895pp in Standard Stateroom From $12,995pp in Veranda Stateroom

PASSAGE TO EASTERN EUROPE

Budapest to Bucharest or vice versa

11 DAYS • 5 COUNTRIES • 8 GUIDED TOURS

SET SAIL • MAR-NOV 2026; MAR-NOV 2027; MAR-NOV 2028

From $7,195pp in Standard Stateroom From $9,095pp in Veranda Stateroom

Dr. Tony Stubbs Eye Surgeon

MB BS BSc(Hons)B Med Sc MS FRANZCO

Dr. Tony Stubbs, Eye Surgeon, says that just about anyone can have their vision restored and be rid of their glasses for most of the time. And this is without the use of laser surgery.

Dr Stubbs formerly at the Royal Victorian Eye Hospital who has worked with the Fred Hollows eye department at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney, says he began his career through the inspiration of his father, Dr Maxwell Stubbs.

“My father was a pioneer in cataract implant surgery from 1963! He has now passed away but some of his patients still come in for a check-up. Not only is this inspirational, it also demonstrates that good surgery outlasts the surgeon,” Dr Stubbs says.

A specialist who helps people who have been advised they are unsuitable for laser surgery, Dr Stubbs is also committed to demonstrating that age, corneal distortion or astigmatism are no barriers to eliminating the need for glasses.

One of my best moments was treating a 12-year-old girl who was struggling at school because of poor vision due to congenital cataracts even with the use of thick glasses. Now 10 years later, she still has 20/20 vision without glasses. That inspires me.

“Seeing my patients’ bright smiles after surgery, as they stop squinting and can read without glasses, is definitely the best part of my job.”

No referral is needed and no out-of-pocket expenses are incurred for an assessment to enable all options available to be considered.

SPORTS QUIZ

1. Actress Lila McGuire portrays which retired Australian tennis legend in a 2026 mini-series?

2. Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young was recently traded to which NBA team?

3. Which Belarusian tennis pro won the women’s singles title at the 2026 Brisbane International?

4. Jessica Hull, Oliver Hoare, Linden Hall and Jack Anstey won World Cross Country Championships gold in which event?

5. Which Russian tennis pro won the men’s singles title at the 2026 Brisbane International?

6. Brazilian professional soccer player Gabriel Martinelli last played for which Premier League

Australian freestyle skier Laura Peel won which women’s aerials medal at the recent World Cup event at Lac-Beauport, Canada?

Which former Socceroo is head coach of the Australian men’s national under-23 soccer

Which country’s premier baseball league is home to teams including the Carp, Swallows, Fighters and Buffaloes?

Lachie Neale last captained which AFL

11. In which two Australian cities are United Cup tennis matches held?

12. Which NBA team holds the regular-season record with 73 wins and only nine losses?

13. Former Rabbitohs player Keaon Koloamatangi recently signed a fiveyear deal with which NRL team?

14. Seventeen-year-old tennis star Emerson Jones hails from which Australian city?

15. Which Aussie tennis player partnered with Nick Kyrgios during the Brisbane International doubles tournament?

16. Spanning 428 weeks, which men’s tennis player has spent the longest amount of time ranked as world No.1?

17. The recently built NBA arena, Intuit Dome, is the home of which team?

18. Which English Test cricketer was fined $60,000 following an incident at a Wellington nightclub last October?

19. True or false: Major League Baseball stadiums all vary in size and shape?

20. Starring Timothée Chalamet, the 2025 film MartySupreme centres around which sport?

21. Sacramento and Los Angeles teams in the NBA and the NHL respectively share which nickname?

22. How many red balls are there in a game of snooker?

23. And how many colour balls?

24. Which sport is the focus of the 1986 movie Youngblood and its 2026 remake?

25. On a tenpin bowling scorecard, what does a circled number mean?

26. What are the names of the two pieces that slot together to make up the majority of a dart?

27. Which stadium was formerly known as Telstra Dome?

28. Matthew Wade and Brad Haddin are both known for what sporting role?

29. In which year was the first FIFA video game released?

30. And since then, which FIFA release has sold the most copies?

PUZZLES

each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.

Spiritualists’ meeting (6)

Tramp (8)

Elicit (5)

Accept reluctantly (9)

Gather piecemeal (5)

Talents (9)

Tollway (8)

Lifts balloon (3,3) 16 Help (6) 18 Emblem of Islam (8) 23 Relating to the body (9)

Low woody plant (5)

Hosiery (9)

Person of English ancestry (5)

Astonishment (8)

At one (6)

Pronounce not guilty (6)

Japanese emperor from 1989–2019 (7)

Stubborn (9)

8 Sideboard (7)

10 Startled, disconcerted (5)

14 Storage tank (9)

16 Charges (7)

17 Cue sport (7)

19 Guidelines (5)

20 Support (7)

21 Forbidden (7)

22 Sport (6)

25 Just (5)

1 What is the capital of the Bahamas?

2 Who played Samuel ‘Sam’ Loomis in the 1998 remake of Psycho? 3 Who won the 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix?

What was the name of Julia Roberts’ (pictured) character in the film Pretty Woman?

The MacDonnell Ranges are in which Australian state or territory?

6 Who wrote the 2009 novel Wolf Hall?

A waltz is usually

The BYD Shark is coming

By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring

It’s BYD’s Shark and it’s coming for you.

At least it is if you’re in the market for a ute because the Shark, or Shark 6 to be exact, has been a runaway success for the Chinese company.

BYDhassoldmorethan10,000examples of the dual cab utility since launch 12 months ago and just to set the record straight, it’s not an electric vehicle - but rather a plug-in hybrid (PHEV).

That makes the Shark rather special but not quite unique with competitors such as the Ford Ranger and GWM Cannon Alpha which also come as PHEVs.

STYLING

There’s just the one grade offered, priced from $57,900 plus on-road costs. Premium paint adds $700.

Although the styling breaks no new ground, it’s a good-looking bus, especially at night with its full width LED light arrays front and back.

Interestingly, when you see one behind you in the traffic, it’s difficult to make out the brand because the BYD lettering is reversed in the mirror.

LOL.

Standard kit includes artificial leather trim, dual zone climate air with rear vents, a leather-cladsteeringwheelandpower-adjust frontseatsthatareheatedandcooled.

There’s also side steps, 18-inch alloys, head-up display, adaptive cruise control, auto high beam, traffic sign recognition, blingy LED head and tail lights, auto-dimming interior mirror, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry and start, front and rear parking sensors.

Shark is covered by a six-year/150,000km warranty.

A separate eight-year warranty is offered on the battery, along with roadside assistance for the duration.

INFOTAINMENT

Infotainment centres on a huge 15.6-inch centre touchscreen, with a separate 10.25-inch digital instrument.

There’s Bluetooth, voice control, FM and DAB+ digital radio, built-in navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as a 12-speaker Dynaudio sound.

The cameras and navigation look great on the big screen, but the computer voice that delivers the directions is diabolical, almost unintelligible at times.

The directions are also a bit hit and miss, sometimes warning you not to take turn outsandatothertimescompletelyignoring side roads.

USB A + C ports are provided front and back, along with wireless phone charging and over-the-air updates.

It also has vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, with three power plugs in the tray and another three-pin plug in the cabin.

SAFETY

Shark gets a full five stars for safety from the ANCAP organisation.

Seven airbags, including a centre airbag are standard, plus reversing and 360-degree cameras and auto braking are standard (Car-to-Car, Vulnerable Road User, Junction & Crossing, Backover and Head-On).

There’s also a lane support system, with lane keep assist (LKA), lane departure warning (LDW) and emergency lane keeping (ELK), Blind Spot Detection (BSD) and an advanced speed assistance system (SAS).

Two ISOFix and top tether child seat anchors are supplied, but it’s a juggling act to fit the tether to the rear anchor.

ENGINES/TRANSMISSIONS

The hybrid system consists of a 1.5-litre

turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, together with electric motors for the front and rear axles and a 30 kWh battery.

Combined output is an impressive 321kW of power and 650Nm of torque, with drivetoallfourwheelsviaareductionstyle one-speed automatic transmission.

DRIVING

Shark is 5457mm long with a 3260mm wheelbase, which makes it longer than Ranger.

It weighs a hefty 2710kg, with a big 13.5 metre turning circle, ground clearance of 230mm and a wading depth of 700mm.

Tow capacity falls well short of the mark at 2500kg, while the load capacity is cited at 790kg.

The cabin has an upmarket feel, with artificial leather trim, contrast stitching and bright, metallic orange garnishes.

The seats are reasonably comfortable and rear legroom is good, with aircon outlets for rear seat passengers.

The rear seat flips forward to provide access to child seat tether points, but it is almost impossible to pull the webbing taut to make it secure.

There’s USB A and C ports front and back, with a 12 volt outlet front and a 240 volt outlet in the back - plus wireless phone charging.

The Shark’s hybrid system is a bit of a mixed bag, operating in both series and parallel modes.

Below 70km/h it operates in electric only mode, above this speed the petrol engine kicks in to provide extra grunt to the front wheels.

Like the Nissan e-Power system the petrol engine acts as a range extender, recharging the battery on the go - up to a point.

Shark is surprisingly quick off the mark, with the dash from 0-100km/h taking only 5.7 seconds.

Drive modes include Normal, Eco and Sport, along with the addition of Mud, Sand, Snow and Mountain all-terrain options (not sure what Mountain is all about).

In Eco mode the rear electric motor basically shuts down.

With a 60-litre tank range is a combined 800km, or it can travel up to 80km on electric power alone.

Like most plug-in hybrids it has claimed fuel consumption of 2.0L/100km.

Energy or power consumption is rated at 21.2 kWh/100km.

But this low fuel consumption figure is entirely dependent on the support of the battery, which in effect means stopping and recharging the vehicle every 100km.

The battery takes its charge from the

petrol engine, as well as regenerative braking and of course when it is actually plugged into a wall charger.

That makes it a fairly clever system.

Around town it operates mainly in electric mode, which makes the ute quick and quiet.

But without electrical assistance, fuel consumption will revert to that of a conventional petrol vehicle.

We didn’t have the time or necessary access to recharge the battery. As such we were getting 6.8L/100km after just over 600km of driving, but that’s still pretty good for a vehicle this size.

We’renotsurewhythere’saneedforsuch a big touchscreen? Sure, it’s a selling point, but at 15.6 inches the one in the Shark is almost too big.

The screen rotates between portrait and landscape, but Android Auto and we presume Apple CarPlay doesn’t work in portrait mode.

Nor will you be able to see it in this mode if you are wearing polarised sunglasses.

Asmaller,separate10.25-inchscreensits in front of the driver.

Voice control implies that Big Brother is listening and listening indeed it was as we discovered.

We were discussing travel plans and maybe the Cook Islands while driving alongthemotorwaywhenGooglesuddenly piped up, declaring that it could help us with these plans - or words to that effect.

OMG?

Therearephysicalrollervolumecontrols, on the wheel and in the centre console, but for temperature control you have to access the screen.

The Shark impresses with its strong off the mark performance and lack of background cabin noise.

We can imagine passengers turning and saying: ‘Wow. This is all right. How much is it, again?’

It’s not until you get the ute out of town and on to some rougher roads that its poorlysortedsuspensioncomestothefore.

The setup features double wishbones and coil springs front and rear, promising better on-road performance.

But it’s jittery, juddery and crashes over larger bumps in the road.

The Tasman feels like a magic carpet in comparison.

The brakes are ventilated disc front and back and sophisticated for a ute.

They slow the vehicle smoothly, but tend to jerk it to a stop right at the end - it’s quite annoying.

Off-road?That’sanotherstoryaltogether.

Although Shark is all-wheel drive, it’s an unusual setup without the option of low range.

RATINGS

Looks: 7.5

Performance: 7.5

Safety: 7.5

Thirst: 7.5

Practicality: 7.5

Comfort: 7

Tech: 7.5

Value: 8

Overall: 7.5

The Dual Mode Off-Road (DMO) system is designed to provide a balance of power, efficiency and off-road capability, making it suitable for diverse driving conditions. Sure, it turns all four wheels, but without low range any physical connection between the front and rear wheels, there’s no apportioning of torque between the front and rear wheels (nor side to side for that matter).

So, despite the requisite ground clearance and approach/departure angles, this will be a limiting factor off road, with lots of wheel spin and a lack of forward progress.

A lack of suspension travel and what are basically Continental road tyres won’t be any help either.

Long story short, we wouldn’t be planninganymajoroff-roadexpeditionsin this vehicle.

The tub has a liner, but does not come with a tonneau, not just to cover the load buttokeepoutairturbulencefromcreating drag (which drives up fuel consumption).

A basic tonneau is $1162, a sports bar $1382 or a bullbar $3892.

There are six tie-down points, rear tray lights, and a damped tailgate, with three household power outlets for accessories. Afull-sizesparewheelisfittedasstandard.

SUMMING UP

It’shardtogetpastthepriceandimpressive levels of equipment offered by the Shark. It’s a looker too, although we’d gladly dispense with the glitzy, brightly coloured interior trim.

But does the touchscreen really need to be that big? You could attach a keyboard and call it a laptop for God’s sake?

Our main gripe however concerns the woeful ride quality.

There’splentyofshudderandshake,even on relatively smooth, well-formed roads. And without low range and any differential locks, Shark is going to be a bit of a show pony off-road.

Guys, the suspension really needs some work.

Sporting action heats up

Roosters break through

By Tara Murray

Altona Roosters are on the board in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Isaacs Howarth Shield.

It’s been a tough season for the Roosters, who are the only side out of finals contention, but there were plenty of smiles on Saturday.

The Roosters were able to hold their composure to come away with the win against Maribyrnong Park St Marys.

“It got the monkey off the back,” Roosters Nathan Moon said.

“There’s a lot of relief and a lot of hard work. We’ve been in winnable positions and

not been able to take our chances.

“This was the most consistent performance across two full days of play.”

The Roosters batted on day one and were bowled out for 242 late in the day.

The Lions lost 2-9 at the end of the day to put the Roosters well and truly on top.

Moon said they had been happy with that total and knew it would be challenging for the Lions to chase down.

Despite that, it wasn’t without its moments during the Lions run chase

“The boys were quite nervous,” he said. “We’ve had sides in positions where they’ve lost five or six for not many on the board.

“Captain Ash Peters was able to take cru-

cial wickets to settle us.”

The Lions were bowled out for 219 with 20 overs still remaining.

Dishnaka Manoj took 4-42 for the Roosters, while Peters finished with three wickets.

Despite the win, the Roosters remain bottom of the table but it has reduced the margin between them and other sides to 12 points.

Moon said they were hopeful this was the start of a strong second half of the season and if they play like they did against the Lions they were hopeful of positive results.

“Things didn’t go our way with recruiting, but the boys have stuck fat,” he said.

“We know finals are out of the way now,

Laverton’s promising season keeps going

By Tara Murray

It’s been more than 20 years since Laverton’s first XI has had this many wins in a season, and this one isn’t over.

Excitement is growing at Laverton as it aims for a finals berth and maybe end more come March in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Clark Shield.

Laverton currently sits second on the ladder, with the top two sides having opened up a gap on the other teams.

On Saturday, Laverton was able to account for Seabrook to claim the six points along with the Bruce Comben Trophy.

Seabrook’s home ground is named after Comben, a former councillor, while he was a founding member of Laverton Cricket Club.

The two clubs play for a trophy in his honour every time they play.

“Our firsts are doing really well,” Laverton president Rahul Anhal said.

“To make finals, it would be huge for the team. We haven’t had this many runs in the ones since 1990.

“Obviously the first XI represents the club. We want our next generation to have

something to look up to.

“We had two focuses at the start of the season, to grow the juniors and we want to be competitive in the seniors. We’re doing that and our juniors are doing well.”

Laverton made 256 after deciding to bat on day one of the match.

Kamaljeet Sandhu top scored with 82 at the top of the order. Captain Karandeep Singh scored 58.

Siddh Dang, Khush Talati and Daniel Kilfoy took three wickets each for Seabrook.

Seabrook was bowled out for just 80 in its first innings, with only two players reaching double figures.

Zach Wilson was the best of the batters with 32.

Varinder pal Singh took five wickets for Laverton.

Seabrook was sent back in, with Anhal saying they were confident of getting the job done to secure an outright win.

Seabrook dug in and finished the day at 4-68.

“We were looking for the outright but they blocked it out for 50 overs,” Anhal said.

“Good on them for sticking it out.”

Laverton tried everything with the ball as all 11 players bowled.

Laverton faces Barkly St Uniting in the next round, while Seabrook faces the Werribee Centrals with only four rounds left in the season.

Elsewhere, Barkly St Uniting lost to Bellbridge.

Chasing 191, the Dragons were bowled out for 169.

Footscray Angliss also suffered a loss on Saturday.

Chasing Sunshine YCW’s 191, Angliss was bowled out for 129.

Meanwhile in the Roy Picone Shield, Kingsville had a big win against Moonee Valley.

Having made 75 on day one of the match, Kingsville was able to bowl Moonee Valley out for 199.

Kingsville sits in fourth spot.

In the Russell Pollock Shield, Williamstown Congs got the win against Glenroy, while St Andrew’s Footscray suffered a big loss to Donnybrook.

The Congs are now fifth on the ladder with a 4-4 record.

but we will be trying our best to make sure we stay in division 1 for next season.

“Staying in division 1 is important and we want to play at the highest level possible.

“We want to finish the year strong and push for two or three more wins and hopefully that will be enough to secure safety.

“We’re under no illusion it might be tight and we’re in a position that it’s out of our hands.”

In other results, Seddon got a big win against Footscray United, while Druids slipped up against Sunshine United.

The Druids and Footscray United remain in the top four despite their losses.

Sports shorts

VFL

One of Williamstown’s most important players has re-signed for the Victorian Football League season. Reigning best and fairest winner Luke Parks has re-signed and will play for the club for a third since. Since joining the club he has been pivotal in the Seagulls defence and won two club best and fairests. Williamstown chief Paul Northey said retaining Parks was a significant win for the club heading into the next phase of its VFL campaign. “Luke’s impact on and off the field has been enormous since joining the club,” he said.

VTCA

Yarraville Club suffered a shock loss in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division on Saturday afternoon. The Clubbers were on the back foot after day one against Westmeadows. The Clubber made 9-166 with the Warriors losing one early wicket in the run chase. The Warriors were able to do it with ease on Saturday, finishing 3-170. It was all single wicket takers for the Clubbers. The Clubbers slip to third on the ladder.

WSCCCA

Altona Sports was able to hold on and get the win against Williams Landing in the Western Suburbs Churches and Community Cricket Association A.E Lowe Shield. Having made 188, Sports was able to bowl Williams Landing out for 162 in the 49th over. Liam Brennan took 5-37 for Sports, while Tom Harrison took four wickets. Altona Sports sits second on the ladder.

VTCA

Williamstown Imperials missed out on an outright win in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Steve McNamara Shield on Saturday, Having made 435 on day one of its match with Tullamarine, the Imperials were able to bowl the Demons out for 118 on Saturday. The Demons dug in and finished 4-96 in their second innings. In other results, Gellibrand beat Newport-Digman, while Williamstown CYMS and West Newport both suffered losses.

FOR MORE SPORT VISIT

Web: starweekly.com.au

Maribyrnong & Hobsons Bay Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Eagles get important win

By Tara Murray

It was a line in the sand moment for Yarraville in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west on Saturday.

The Eagles had just two wins in the first part of the season and had struggled to put it all together.

But on Saturday, that changed as they were able to account for Croydon and get their third win of the season.

Eagles coach Michael Sheedy said there was a lot of relief among the group.

“To say we needed that was an understatement,” he said.

“It was nice to get the reward for sticking at it.

“We have not been good enough in key

moments but we were on Saturday which helps.

“It’s the first time we’ve banded together with bat and ball.”

The Eagles were sent in and made 7-181 from their 45 overs.

Sheedy said while no one was able to go on and get a big score they put a lot of partnerships together and there were lots of contributions.

Samar Partap Singh top scored with a run a ball 49, while Jack Brown finished 45 not out.

Only one Croydon batter got going and as a result the side was bowled out for 138 in a strong bowling performance from the Eagles.

Nikhil Suresh and Lewis Eldridge took

three wickets each for the Eagles.

Sheedy said they hoped this might kick start their season. The Eagles sit 12th on the ladder.

He said with a very inexperienced line up it was always going to take some time to settle in.

“We had to get through to Christmas,” he said.

“We had hoped to start to integrate everyone a bit more and what we wanted to do as a team.

“We are driven by results and we haven’t had the results. We had to draw a line in the sand and we had to get a result that was favourable to us.

“Hopefully we’re set up for the back half of the season and do some damage around

Bulldogs celebrate another outright win

By Tara Murray

Footscray further stamped itself at the top of the ladder with an outright win against the Greenvale Kangaroos on Saturday in Victorian Premier Cricket.

The Bulldogs, who entered the round in second spot, showed both its strength with the bat and ball to get the job done.

Coach Dale McDonald said it was really pleasing to take the full points out of the match with having to only bat once.

The Bulldogs won the toss at Mervyn Hughes Oval and decided to send the Kangaroos in.

The Kangaroos were bowled out for 177 in the 46th over.

“We were definitely happy with that,” McDonald said.

“It should have been 140 if I’m being hyper critical but definitely happy with 177 in 45 overs as it was a good wicket to bat on.”

The Bulldogs managed to secure first innings points late on Saturday before continuing to bat on Sunday morning.

The Bulldogs made 2-363 before declaring.

Mitchell Jamieson made it back-to-back 100s as he made 108.

Skipper Dylan Brasher scored his third 100 for the Bulldogs this season with 177 not out.

Dylan Kight also continued his good form, making 59 not out.

“The important part for Mitch was backing up his 100 from last week,” McDonald said.

“For Brasher to be selfless… Him and Kighty could have batted another 10 overs to the lunch break.

“Kighty would have closed in on another 100 and Brasher would have got 200.

“For him to declare the innings over individual success was really good.”

The Bulldogs bowlers then worked hard to bowl the Kangaroos out for a second time. They were able to restrict them to 183, meaning the Bulldogs had avoided having to bat for a second time.

Daniel Wilczynski took four wickets for the Bulldogs, while Max Birthisel took three.

McDonald said it was a breakout game for Wilczynski.

“He’s just 19 and he’s coming off age,” he

us.”

It was a good weekend for the Eagles with three sides getting wins and plenty of smiles about the place.

The Eagles face Donvale and Spotswood in the next two matches.

Sheedy is also helping coach the club’s J G Craig Shield side.

The side is undefeated after the first week of matches.

Sheedy said most of the squad was part of their senior program which was exciting for the future.

In other east-west matches, Altona got home against Noble Park, Spotswood lost to Box Hill and Williamstown’s four game winning streak game to an end against Mt Waverley.

Devils’ first women’s side

A new era will start at North Footscray as it is set to field a women’s side in the Western Football League for the first time.

The Devils announced in December they would look to have a side and has had enough interest to start advertising for coaches and sponsors.

Renee Bonnici, who is one of the driving forces behind getting a side up, said it was a really exciting time for the club.

“Quite a few of us played footy together previously,” she said.

“I was no longer at the old club and started watching North Footscray last year.

“The club culture seemed pretty good and I started speaking to [vice-president] Jason [Agrotis] and few other people down there and they were keen to get behind a women’s side.

“The club wants to make this happen and take the opportunity to run with it.”

Bonnici said they already had 18 players committed but were keen to get a squad of 30 together.

She said it had exceeded their expectations to have that many people keen in the space of a month.

“It’s been quite amazing being a new club,” she said.

said.

“He had only taken a couple of first XI wickets before this match and took seven for the match was good for him,

“He had one dropped on his first ball in the first innings.He didn’t drop his head and worked through it.”

The Bulldogs remain in second spot with the win.

It will be a big weekend for the Bulldogs.

They face Casey South Melbourne at Casey the next two Saturdays in the regular competition.

On Australia Day it will face Richmond in the T20 grand final.

McDonald said the match would be massive for both teams who will have players unavailable.

Travis Dean and Brasher will miss for the Bulldogs due to Victorian second XI commitments.

McDonald said he hoped that Jamieson might also get a look in after his strong season so far.

“It’s an opportunity for players like Max Hatzoglou, Declan O’Brien, Ashton Frost and Aayan Nadeem to get their chance.”

The club has advertised for a coach and are set to conduct interviews in the next couple of weeks.

Bonnici said they were keen to have a coach locked in by the end of January.

She said there was still time for people to apply for the role.

Bonnici said their first season was about getting a team up and going and everything else is a bonus.

“It’s getting the side together more than wins for me,” she said.

“A lot have played with a team that didn’t win many games, it was about having fun and improving the skills.

“Anyone who is interested can come down.There’s a lot of first time players that have come down

“I’ve played for a number of years and I’m still learning.”

The side will start training on 21 January and will have a come and meet day in the coming weeks.

OPEN DAY | DISCOVER RIVERVUE

See why residents say, “Life begins at Rivervue.” Join us for our Open Day and experience premium retirement living in a secure, gated community just 9km from Melbourne’s CBD.

Tour our stylish two and three bedroom homes, soak up views of the Maribyrnong River and Medway Golf Course, explore our extensive gardens and resort-style facilities, and meet our friendly team and residents.

On the day, enjoy lunch on us, live music and participate in village activities as you discover what life at Rivervue is really like.

WEDNESDAY

25TH FEBRUARY

11.30AM - 3.00PM