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3 FEBRUARY, 2026
Twins are ready for a great year
Nahin and Hafi, Yehan and Rehan, and Maryah and Maryam, are ready for their first day of school at Hume Anglican Grammar. (Damjan Janevski) 529035_02
Like many others, these students are starting at a new school this year, but they won’t be walking into their first day alone. Maryah, Maryam, Hafi, Nahin, Rehan and Yehan, will all walk into Hume Anglican Grammar alongside their identical twins. They make up three of the six pairs of twins that the school will welcome on 4 February. That’s a total of 24 new school shoes, 12 uniforms and an exciting new chapter for six families. Farah Safa said her four-year-old girls Maryah and Maryam are very excited to start prep at the Kalkallo campus. “They are going to be separated in different classes which they haven’t gone through ever since they were born,” she said. Hafi and Nahin, both 5, are also entering prep, and their parents Saad Ahmed and Tayyba Atta said they are happy the boys will be in the same class. Rehan and Yehan, both 12, may already have completed seven years together at school, but starting year 7 at Donnybrook campus will bring a new adventure. The boys are most excited for the sports programs and maths class, but especially the LEGO club.
Food van blocked By Courtney Black A neighbourhood house’s hopes to host a small food trailer on its property have been squashed by planning regulations. Creeds Farm Living and Learning Centre manager Antoinette Ioannou said she wanted to situate an açai van at the back of the neighbourhood house property. Ms Ioannou said the açai van would also connect people through healthy food options. “I do not understand why we are unable to rent our space for this small food trailer … it’s the size of a rectangle table … and
located within our premises,” she said. “Açai is similar to ice cream but a healthier food choice for our local families. “We are trying to make a connection with the community, a lot of people don’t know we are here.” According to Whittlesea council, Creeds Farm is in a general residential zone where takeaway food premises, including food trucks, are prohibited. The only exception to this rule in the Whittlesea planning scheme is if the location adjoins or has access to a main road. The food van would be located off of Redding Rise, which council said is not
considered to be a main road. According to council, these regulations are consistent across all planning schemes in Victoria, not just Whittlesea. Whittlesea planning and development director Emma Appleton said the council is legally bound by the planning scheme and cannot approve uses that are prohibited. “Council acknowledges the important role Creeds Farm … plays in the community and appreciates its efforts to explore new initiatives,” she said. “If Creeds Farm wishes to explore other options, such as establishing a café or similar activity on the site, our planning team would welcome further discussions.”
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Ms Ioannou said the location of the van off of Redding Rise would be safe and accessible. “The street is located sufficiently far from our venue to allow safe manoeuvring of vehicles without issues.” Ms Ioannou also said the van would support the neighbourhood house’s non-for-profit work. She said she has had to start charging locals for programs to pay for administration and wages. “The revenue generated would assist in maintaining our building and revitalising resources needed to support our community.”