Star Weekly - Brimbank North West - 10th February 2026

By Sam Porter

Brimbank residents have been left disappointed in light of the planning minister’sresponsetoacommunitypetition calling for new inclusions to Development Victoria’s proposed development in Cairnlea.

Addressed to Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny – the responsible authority for the planning approvals – the petition calls for two conditions for the Cairnlea Estate masterplan at 147a Cairnlea Drive and 265 GlenbrookAvenue.

One petition condition urges the plan to include a diverse range of housing options thataren’tsolelyhigh-densitydwellings.

The second condition calls for plans to includeanindoormulti-purposesportsand recreational facility incorporating aquatic facilities.

In her response, Ms Kilkenny said the

development plan overlay (DPO) did not require such a facility to be included in the plan.

She pointed to 6.4 hectares of open space in the plan, which she said comprised areas to support recreation, environmental values,andcommunityamenity.

Ms Kilkenny also mentioned a landscape plan under consideration, which she said will include playgrounds, teenage play equipment, picnic areas with shelters, barbecues,treeplantingandlawns.

Advocate and Cairnlea resident Graeme Blore said the community felt Ms Kilkenny haddisregardedthe2119peoplewhosigned thepetition.

“We’re extremely disappointed that the minister has failed to grasp the fantastic opportunity that there would be for the community,”MrBloresaid.

“It’s a derisory response that we feel lacks absolutely any insight and any boldness or

vision, and that is what we need to actually improvethefutureofthiscommunity.”

Mr Blore said he felt the response lacked clarity.

“The minister refers to DPO [schedule] 4 yet we don’t have any idea what DPO4 actuallymeans,whatareasitcovers,soit’sa highlymisleadingresponse,”MrBloresaid.

Hesaidthepetitionsoughttoincorporate additional services and facilities into the plantobetterengagecommunitymembers, particularly those who are disadvantaged, and to help deter at-risk residents from gambling at nearby venues, which he noted are just a short walk from the proposed estate.

“We need to provide opportunities. We need to provide training, jobs, education and pathways that actually engage our youngpeopleandtherestof ourcommunity, and a sports facility and recreation centre, includingaquatics,isanidealopportunity,”

hesaid.“Thisisnotawishlist,thisisamust to actually improve outcomes and a golden opportunity for the government to actually seize upon, but we need them to have the boldnessandvisiontodothat.”

Brimbank mayor Virginia Tachos said council’s position on the Cairnlea development remains unchanged since council was removed as the responsible authorityinJunelastyear.

“It’s very clear that there are significant gaps in the Cairnlea Estate master plan, and these are of major concern to the communityandcouncil,”CrTachossaid.

“Council strongly believes that further community engagement on the draft developmentplaniscriticalbeforedecisions arelockedin.

“We strongly believe local governments arebestplacedtoensurethatlocalplanning and development meets community needs andexpectations.”

Metro tunnel ‘bottleneck’

By Sam Porter

The new timetable for the train network’s ‘Big Switch’ has come into effect, integrating the new Metro Tunnel with the wider transport network – but not everyone on the Sunbury line is happy about it.

Brimbank resident Linda Marijanovic boards the train at Keilor Plains Station and gets off at Southern Cross Station to work her job in the Docklands precinct.

She said her commute has become longer and more tedious since the Big Switch.

To get to Southern Cross Station Ms Marijanovic must now transfer to the Werribee-Williamstown line at Footscray

Station, which currently runs directly to Flinders Street Station.

On the first day of the timetable change she described “hordes” of people transferring lines at Footscray Station.

“It was very hectic. There were so many people jumping off the train. It looked like more than half the train,” Ms Marijanovic said.

“We had to go through the barriers, tap off, walk to platform five, tap on again. So you lose time.

“The tap on, tap off does cause a bottleneck.

“For the elderly it’s not so easy anymore …. What about people with disabilities

and wheelchairs?”

On social media, Sunbury Line travellers had mixed responses to the changes.

One commenter wrote it would have been easier for commuters to stick with the city loop.

“My journey to work is now 20 minutes longer with an additional train and tram included,” the commenter wrote.

Another commenter pointed out plusses to the changes.

“Don’t forget too, the biggest benefit of the tunnel is the uplift in [service] frequency,” they wrote.

The Gorillas celebrate 100 grand years

A century on and this local cricket club doesn’t look too shabby for its age.

Grand United Cricket Club (GUCC) is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year with a gala celebration and a trip down memory lane.

Committee member Michael Brasher said the club has always stayed true to its roots.

“We’re a battling club. We’ve never forgotten our heritage,” he said.

The club was formed in 1926 out of the Grand United Order of Oddfellows, National Health Insurance lodge locat-

Brooklyn Recycling

ed in the Sunshine-Albion area.

“Which makes us the oldest cricket club in the Sunshine area,” Mr Brasher said.

He said the club found success hard to come by in its early days.

“It was 57 years before we won our A-turf premiership,” he said.

“We weren’t very successful for a long time but that didn’t stop us. The club was still full of great people.”

The Gorillas have since won 12 first XI premierships with the top sides currently playing in the VTCA.

“The character of the club laid the foundation of the success that we’ve had of late.”

Mr Brasher described GUCC as a community-focussed club that’s open to all.

“I started there in under-12s. I’ve been there for the best part of 45 years,” he said.

The club will host a gala on Saturday 21 February at 6.30pm for a 7pm start at the Deer Park Club, 780 Ballarat Road.

Tickets are $60, including a buffet dinner and entertainment.

Group’s plan approved for year two

Brooklyn Recycling Group (BRG), comprising Delta Group, ResourceCo, EcoGypsum & Fertiliser(SunshineGroupe),andCityCircle, hasannouncedithasreceivedapprovalfrom the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to enter year two of the state’s first environmental improvement plan.

The ‘better environment plan ’(BEP) aims to provide a strong framework for cleaner air, enhanced local amenity, and improved collaboration between industry, community, and government.

BRG said that over the past year, BRG businesses have demonstrated a shared

commitment to reducing dust, upgrading site operations, and supporting a more resilient circular economy through responsible resource recovery.

In its second year of the program BRG said it will deploy an integrated dust monitoring and response system across all sites, launch a large-scale vegetation planting project to act as natural windbreaks, and advocate for improved road maintenance to minimise dust from traffic.

According to BRG, the EPA acknowledged the group’s achievements outlined in its ‘year one’ report and provided feedback,

Outside the peaks, trains will run at least every 10 minutes between the city and Watergardens from 6am-9pm.

The Werribee and Williamstown lines will temporarily run directly to Flinders Street, before connecting with the Sandringham Line later in the year to form a new cross-city service, the state government said.

Public and Active Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams said the changes will take time for passengers to get used to.

According to the state government, during peaks on the Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines, service frequency will be up to every three minutes between Dandenong and West Footscray.

Five arrested by Gang Crime Squad

Two 19-year-old men from Taylors Hill have been arrested as part of an ongoing police investigation into a series of organised crime-related incidents across Brimbank and Melton.

On Wednesday 4 February, detectives executed four search warrants at properties in Melbourne’s north-west, including Broadmeadows, Roxburgh Park and Taylors Hill.

Along with the two Taylors Hill men, police arrested an 18-year-old man from Roxburgh Park, an 18-year-old man from Broadmeadows and a 17-year-old boy from the Moreland area.

Police will allege the five have been linked to targeted home invasions, arson, attempted arson and firearms incidents since 7 January, where offenders have targeted the victims, their property and family members.

Investigators believe these incidents have been directed by an offshore crime figure.

They are alleged to be linked to an incident about 12.45am on 7 January, when five offenders attended a home on Flinders Place, Caroline Springs.

The occupants were not home, and the victims later received a threatening phone call demanding a large sum of money, according to police.

On 9 January, two unknown people attended a property on Lucas Terrace, Taylors Hill, attempting to set fire to the exterior before fleeing. Later that morning, a number of shots were fired outside the Caroline Springs property, striking a neighbouring home. No one was injured.

At 1am on 10 January, two unknown offenders returned to the Lucas Terrace address, forcing entry and setting a number of items inside the home alight.

At 3.45am the same morning, three offenders armed with machetes and a hammer forced entry into a property on Carfin Circuit, Thornhill Park.

The occupants barricaded themselves inside a room and the offenders left empty-handed.

including the need for clearer and more measurable key performance indicators, stronger alignment between goals, and ongoing community communication.

Speaking on behalf of BRG members, EcoGypsum’s Christian Buxton said the EPA’s approval for year two reflects confidence in BRG’s commitment to environmental improvement and transparency.

“Our members remain committed to delivering practical, measurable improvements that benefit both the local community and the environment,” Mr Buxton said.

On 12 January at 3.40am, the 17-yearold male sustained a non-fatal gunshot wound to the upper body while exiting his vehicle on Connor Road, Burnside Heights.

He was taken to hospital under police guard.

Most recently, on 2 February, shots were fired into the front of a property on Penshurst Court, Hillside. No one was injured.

All five remain in custody and will be interviewed in relation to the incidents.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Housing crisis in the west

The Council to Homeless Persons’ (CHP) homelessness heatmap has revealed 3279 people in Brimbank sought help from specialisthomelessnessservicesinthe2024–25financialyear,placingthemunicipalityin the second-highest heatmap category.

CHP chief executive Deborah Di Natale said the heatmap exposed how Victoria’s housingcrisiswasdevastatingcommunities, with services lacking the resources to cope with surging demand.

“Every day, services across Victoria are forced to turn people away – not because they don’t need help, but because we don’t havetheresourcesorhousingtoofferthem,”

Ms Di Natale said.

“This is the human cost of decades of underinvestment in social housing.”

While the number of people seeking help in Brimbank has decreased, dropping slightly from 3312 in the 2023-24 financial year, Ms Di Natale said the geographic spreadofthecrisisreinforcedInfrastructure Victoria’s call for 60,000 new social homes over the next 15 years.

“We need the Victorian government to commit to lifting Victoria’s amount of social housing to meet the national average. But we also need immediate investment in the services that keep people safe today,

particularly in these growth areas where demand is skyrocketing,” she said.

While metropolitan Melbourne accounts for 61 per cent of those seeking help, or 59,524 people, CHP said regional Victoria shoulders a disproportionate burden in demands for homelessness services.

AustralianInstituteofHealthandWelfare data show 105,125 Victorians sought help from specialist homelessness services in 2024-25 – a 2.9 per cent increase.

A state government spokesperson said increasing social housing in Brimbank has been a major part of its social housing programs, receiving significant investment.

School is dancing towards inclusivity

Local dance teacher Emma Scott has been nominated for the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards (YAA) for creating a positive and inclusive community through her all-abilities classes and youth mentorship programs.

Ms Scott, the director of ELS School of Dance in Kealba, said she was motivated to create change after reflecting on her own dancing journey and seeing how restrictive and exclusive the dance world can be.

“Then deciding to start my own studio, I really wanted to have that [inclusivity]

attheforefrontofmymindwhencreating our class programs,” she said.

“It’skindofgrownandevolvedoverthe years as I’ve educated myself more and learnt more about what our community needs but now I’ve got a really structured all-abilities program.”

The school offers separate all-abilities classes for kids, teens and adults.

“My goal is always just to break down barriers and let every student discover the joy of dance,” Ms Scott said.

Shesaidsheaimstoempowerteachers at the school to feel confident changing

up routines to accommodate dancers, and to understand participants’ different learning styles.

“... To make sure, in our mainstream classes as well, there is a place for everyonetolearnandeveryonetothrive.”

The studio has also received recognition for its mentorship program, which develops leadership and confidence skills in younger members.

Ms Scott also credited the wider team for the studio’s success.

The 7NEWS YAA winners will be announced on 1 May.

Residents complain that ‘nauseating’ odour still persists

A month on and residents across Brimbank are still complaining of a foul odour, resembling rotting-meat, present in multiple suburbs.

As reported by Star Weekly, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) confirmed the odour was coming from a meat-processing plant in Brooklyn.

The odour has spanned suburbs including Sunshine West, Sunshine North, Brooklyn, Deer Park, Ardeer and Altona North, Brimbank resident Liz Barrow said

she’s shocked the issue has been going on this long.

“[The odour] is nauseting. You feel sick. God knows what it’s doing to our health,” she said.

Ms Barrow said she hasn’t been able to open her windows due to the smell.

Instead, she has relied on air conditioning to cool her home which she said is getting expensive.

Ms Barrow noted the intensity of the odour is also affected by the direction the wind blows.

“Through the Big Housing Build and other social housing programs, we’ve invested more than $250 million in the Brimbank local government area with 317 homes completed and 195 underway,” the spokesperson said.

“We’re using every lever in our control to house as many people as quickly as possible.”

The state government said its $6.3 billion investment in social and affordable housing isdeliveringmorethan13,300homesacross Victoria, and that it also invests more than $300 million into specialist homelessness services every year.

Police briefs

Shots fired

Police are investigating a firearms incident in Hillside on Monday 2 February. Shots were fired outside a Penshurst Court home about 1am. There were no injuries reported. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Train assault

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a sexual assault incident on a Sunbury bound train last year. It is believed the offender approached the victim on a train travelling between Melbourne and Middle Footscray station about 5.15pm on 15 October. The offender, described as a man in his late 50s to early 60s, is believed to have then sexually assaulted the victim.

Pedestrian dies

A man has died following a collision in Maidstone. Emergency services were called to reports a car had struck a pedestrian near the intersection of Richelieu Street and Ballarat Road about 12.15pm on 29 January. The pedestrian, a 68-year-old Maidstone man, was transported to hospital with critical injuries where he has since died. The driver of the vehicle, a 32-year-old Maidstone woman, stopped at the scene and was not injured.

Police cars rammed

Police have charged a teen after two police vehicles were rammed in Hoppers Crossing on 2 February. Officers from the dog squad spotted an allegedly stolen Hyundai Getz parked on Geddes Crescent about 1.30am. Police attempted intercept the vehicle, when it’s alleged the driver deliberately rammed two police vehicles. It is alleged the two occupants fled on foot but were located by a police dog and its handler nearby. The alleged driver, a 16-year-old boy from the Wyndham area, has been charged. His alleged passenger, a 14-year-old boy from the Wyndham area, was cautioned. It is alleged the vehicle was stolen from a Tarneit gym on 31 January.

Over the last month, Ms Barrow has sent numerous enquiries to the EPA about the issue yet nothing has changed.

“Why can’t they shut it down? I just don’t get it,” she said.

On 4 February, Laverton MP Sarah Connollywrotealettertotheenvironment minister seeking clarification on the steps the EPA has taken to resolve the issue.

“This has become a major nuisance for residents,” she wrote.

The EPA was contacted for comment.

FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Brimbank & North West Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

How does your MP behave?

By Jaidyn Kennedy

Federal politicians are used to the public and pundits scrutinising their every word, but now AIhasjoinedthelonglistofwatchdogskeeping tabs on our elected officials in Canberra.

AMPLIFY, styling itself as an independent community-led organisation working to rebuild broken political promises, analysed how MPs in Melbourne’s north and west spent their parliament speaking privileges.

According to the data, veteran MPs Andrew Giles and Rob Mitchell spent more than half their time engaging in partisan attacks or spruiking their own party’s accomplishments.

As skills and training minister and Scullin MP, Mr Giles spent 54.6 per cent of his time on political theatre, while Mr Mitchell spent 51.5 per cent doing the same on behalf of the McEwen electorate.

Mr Giles said it was a privilege to speak on behalf of the people of Scullin in the parliament.

“AsaMP,Iusemyvoicetocelebratethebestof thecommunity,highlighthowourgovernment is delivering for Scullin, and progress the work I do as minister for skills and training,“ he said. ChiefgovernmentwhipandLalorMPJoanne Ryan was a distant third at 40.6 per cent.

When it came to discussing actual policy, Assistant Treasurer and Fraser MP Daniel Mulino came out on top with 59 per cent of time at the lectern spent discussing legislation. Hawke MP Sam Rae also fared well in this regard, spending 54.8 per cent of his time on policy.

Mr Mitchell (25.4 per cent) and Gellibrand MP Tim Watts (25.7 per cent) spent the least amount of time on this category.

Recognition, defined by paying tributes, community recognition, shout outs and

promotion, was another category measured.

Mr Watts emerged as the region’s master of the shout out, using 36 per cent of his time to praise others.

First-term MPs, Maribyrnong’s Jo Briskey (29.3 per cent) and Calwell’s Basem Abdo (26.1 per cent) were the next likely to give acknowledgements.

AMPLIFY’s report also scanned for bad behaviour, based on what was perceived as personal insults, attacks or heckling.

Compared to the rest of the country, all MPs across the north and west were relatively well-behaved.

OutofthepackBendigoMPLisaChesterwas the worst behaved, spending 2.9 per cent of her timefeuding,whileMrRaewasthebestatonly 0.1 per cent.

First-time Gorton MP Alice Jordan-Baird’s split was 36.2 per cent on policy, 38.4 per cent on political theatre, 23.5 per cent on recognition, 1.1 per cent on bad behaviour and 0.7 on formalities.

“When I’m in parliament, I’m fighting for the issues that matter most to our wonderful community in Melbourne’s western suburbs,” she said.

“I’vespokeninparliamentabouttheneedfor improved infrastructure in the west, including upgrading Calder Park Drive interchange and the Western Freeway – because westerners deserve to spend less time on the roads, and more time at home with their families.”

AMPLIFY used AI to categorise more than 625 hours of speeches from mid-July 2025 and December 2025 to compile the data.

MrMitchell,MsRyan,DrMulino,MrRae,Mr Watts, Ms Briskey, Mr Abdo and Ms Chesters were contacted for comment.

Details: https://www.amplifyaus.org/ our-work/housemonitor

Trauma on Gamon Street

Williamstown amateur historian Barb McNeill is Star Weekly’s history columnist. This week she tells the heartbreaking story of a family tragedy that struck a Yarraville family in 1898.

Filicide, the crime of deliberately killingone’sownchild,is familiarto mostof us,thankstomediacoverage.

In the first 12 months of a child’s life, the killer is more likely to be the mother, but thelawallowsforthechargeofinfanticide, recognising the reality of post-natal depression or psychosis suffered by some women after giving birth. Apart from filicide committed because of mental illness, there are revenge filicides, mostly committed by fathers, and these are the oneswhichcreatethemostoutrage.

Filicide is not a modern phenomenonEuripides’s play Medea, written well over 2,000 years ago, has lost none of its power to horrify. Psychosis and vengeance are as oldashumanity.

In Yarraville, 1898 , the former tragedy struckanordinary,workingclassfamily.

At 5 am on Wednesday May 11, Gerald McCarthy, a 40 year old fireman at the YarravilleSugarWorks,lefthisneatGamon Street home for work, leaving behind his sleepingwife,Margaretandthreechildren, Alice, aged 9, Gerald aged 6 and Margaret, aged4.

This was the last morning that his life would everbedescribedasordinary.

McCarthy returned home at 2.30pm to an ominously silent home. Nobody answered his calls. Thinking that perhaps hisfamilywashavinganafternoonnap,he openedthebedroomdoortofindasceneof indescribablehorror.

His daughters were both dead, their skulls crushed to pulp. His son, barely alive, had also suffered fearful head injuries. His wife lay in a pool of blood, her throat slashed, her right hand clutching a double headed hammer, which McCarthy recognised as the one which he used to break up lumps of coal. Near her left hand washisrazor.

McCarthy raced to his neighbours for assistance. Senior Constable Rushford of the Yarraville Police attended the cottage and four detectives took statements from the neighbours. Nobody had noticed any strangers or heard any unusual noise. The McCarthy cottage was a cosy, workingclass home with well- tended vegetable gardens and its interior, apart from the blood-soaked bedroom, was spotless. Margaret McCarthy had once been in service to Governor Sir Henry Loch, and her marital home was as immaculate as the vice-regal rooms she had once dusted andpolished.

There was no sign of a break-in. The detectives concluded that Mrs McCarthy was responsible for the murders, though it puzzled them that if no burglar had enteredthehouse,whywerethehusband’s watch and chain missing? And where was MrsMcCarthy’sjewellery?

Rushford attempted to question Mrs McCarthy. All she could mutter was something about “skeletons in the cupboard”, but she did manage to say that nootheradulthadenteredthehouse.

AyoungFootscraydoctor,JamesRamsay Webb,examinedthe bodies andorganised transportforlittleGeraldandhismotherto Melbourne Hospital. He was sure that Mrs McCarthy was responsible for the deaths of her daughters and her own injuries. Dr Webb staunched her haemorrhages, noting bruises on her forehead , probably

inflictedbyhammerblows.

Mrs McCarthy regained consciousness after 6 pm when huge crowds from Footscray and Yarraville were milling aroundthehouse.

The distraught husband could only say that his wife had been a bit odd of late, complaining of headaches and exhibiting symptoms of confusion and forgetfulness since December. He had found bottles labelled ’Poison’ which actually contained medicine, and on her dressing table a box containing white powder, also labelled ‘Poison’. Rushford said it might be strychnine and removed it fortesting.

Gerald and his mother were driven to the Melbourne Hospital where the little boy died three days later. On Sunday May 15, the children’s funeral, with the three coffins lying in one hearse, was preceded by hundreds of pupils from St Augustine’s school and attended by thousands, including employees of the YarravilleSugarWorks.RequiemMasswas celebrated by the Rev. Father Maloney and the pall bearers included Senior Constable Rushford.

The inquest was held on 17 May. Margaret McCarthy left the hospital to attend, weeping piteously during the evidence.TheCourtwasgreatlyaffectedby her grief, and the distress of her husband who broke down several times as he gave evidencethathiswifenotonlycomplained ofheadaches,butbelievedthatpeoplewere

sneakingintotheirhometospyonher.

Dr Andrew Shields stated that Mrs McCarthyhadnomemoryofthefatefulday and was suffering dementia. In hospital, she had constantly asked for her children to visit, and Dr Shields was certain that she was genuinely unaware that they were all dead. As gently as possible he had told her shortly before the inquest what had occurred. She was stunned, disbelieving, horrified.

The witnesses spoke. Frederick Wren stated that the day before the tragedy, Mrs McCarthy had ordered a delivery of rabbit for the family dinner. She had seemed perfectly normal. Margaret Stanley of Smith Street had seen Margaret McCarthyhangingoutwashingat11.30am that morning. There was nothing odd about her. Mary Maher, the woman who had had the unenviable job of cleaning the blood-soaked bedroom, had found fragments of the missing watch and some broken jewellery under the washstand. No bloodwas oneither.Nothingelsehadbeen smashed.

Mr Keogh, the Coroner, stated that all evidence pointed to Mrs McCarthy as the perpetrator, and the jury had to return a verdict according to the facts adduced. The jury found that the children had died by wilful murder and a trial date was set for 15 June, 1898. Margaret McCarthy, still weeping bitterly, was taken to Melbourne Gaoltoawaithernextordeal.

On 19 July, 1898 in the Criminal Court,

Margaret McCarthy was charged with murder. The Prosecutor at once pointed out that the accused was unfit to plead and could not comprehend the court proceedings. The jury agreed. She was ordered to be detained at the Governor’s pleasureuntilshewasabletostandtrial.

There is no way of knowing the exact nature of this unfortunate woman’s illness or the treatment she received in the prison hospital, but not until 1900 was she considered well enough to return to court. The jury quickly found her not guilty, on the grounds that she had been insane when she killed her children and attempted suicide. Mr Justice Hood directed that she be kept n strict custody attheGovernor’spleasure.

That left Gerald McCarthy with the agony of his grief, alone in the cottage which had once echoed to the sounds of boisterous,laughingchildren.Foryearshe placed heart-wrenching memorial notices in the newspapers, with never the slightest mentionofhiswife.

Perhaps, thinking back to that ineradicable day, he wondered about Margaret’s true state of mind on 11 May, 1898. Why had she destroyed the jewellery hehadgivenher,plushiswatchandchain? Why had she used his coal hammer to slay the children, and his razor to cut her own throat? Was this some secret rage and hatred directedtowardshim?

Heandhistorywouldneverknow,forthe truthwasburiedwiththedead.

Filmmaking family talent

A western suburbs filmmaking family has returned from the Sydney Opera House with a major film festival milestone, after taking home a top award at the SmartFone Flick Fest (SF3) held from 23-25 January.

FilmmakerTezViTruong(TezFrost)won BestAIFilmforhisshortfilmThe5-Minute Empire at the SF3 Gala Finals, marking the first time the award has been presented in the festival’s history.

The win followed a landmark weekend for the Truong family, with Tez and his two children, Alexis, 7, and Charlie, 5, all having films screened at the Opera House.

The family previously made history as the first family of three to be selected as finalists at the festival in the same year.

The 5-Minute Empire was shot on an iPhone 12 Pro and was recognised for its

use of artificial intelligence as a creative support tool, while keeping the focus firmly on storytelling.

Mr Truong said the award was less about technologyandmoreabouthowitcouldbe used responsibly.

“The story still comes first,” he said.

“AI helped with ideas and visualisation, but the choices were still human.”

Alexis and Charlie both screened films in the SF3 Kids program over the weekend. Alexis returned to the festival after becoming the youngest director in SF3 history in 2024, while Charlie became the festival’s youngest-ever filmmaker, with his stop-motion short Looking for Parking, completed when he was just four.

Mr Truong said the weekend was one he and his family would never forget.

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

Scan the QR code to find out more or contact us

Briefs

Measles exposure sites

The Department of Health has listed three areas in Brimbank as recent measles exposure sites. The paediatric emergency department, and the emergency department (Ambulance Victoria corridor waiting area) at Sunshine Hospital were listed as exposure sites on Friday 30 January from 4.55am-1.30pm and 4.45am to 5.25am respectively. Level six of the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital was also listed as an exposure site on the same day between the hours of 1-3.40pm. The address of all three exposure sites is 176 Furlong Road, St Albans. Those present at the exposure sites during these times should monitor for symptoms up to Tuesday 17 February.

Brimbank SES achievements

The Brimbank SES (state emergency services) unit has had a big few weeks. Members rescued a black cat stuck in a reclining couch as well as a cockatoo trapped in a metal container. At the same time, four Brimbank members were down in Colac supporting other emergency services in response to the fires in the Greater Otways. On social media, the Brimbank SES Unit said it was proud of its members and all emergency service personnel.

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

Brimbank & North West Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

MY PLACE

Dianne Cappelli is a long-time Brimbank resident who loves getting out and about to local dog parks with her pooches Frankie and Toby. She spoke to Sam Porter about her community.

What’syourconnectiontoBrimbank?

I was born at the soon-to-be-closed Footscray hospital, but my family then moved to St Albans when I was a toddler. We lived in St Albans West, where I attended Albanvale Primary School for four years, then we crossed the train tracks to the east, where I attended St Albans East Primary School, Kealba Secondary College, then Vic Uni in St Albans! So, I’ve lived in Brimbank most of my life!

Whatdoyoulikeaboutwhereyoulive?

I am very familiar with the area, so I know where to go to eat, shop; attend events that interestme;parksandrecreationalareasto play sports, take the dogs for a walk or just chill out.

What, if anything, would you change aboutwhereyoulive?

I’d love for Brimbank to be cleaner. We all need to play our part, and of course the council needs to do their bit too. But it’s a shame to see our streets with litter, dumpedrubbishandovergrowngrassboth in public places, and private residences. I’d love to see this change and have people take pride in where they live.

Where is your favourite local place to spendtime?

You will likely find me at the local dog parks. My dogs love attending, and I can just relax on a park bench or chat to other locals about their pets. Brimbank has quite a few dog parks now that cater for large/ active dogs, and a separate area for small/ shy dogs which is great.

What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?

During the Covid lockdowns, I advocated to Brimbank council to upgrade Green Gully Dog Park. It went from being a square fenced patch of grass, to the

dog-friendly design it has today. That process took about two years and funding wasallocated,thentheparkwasupgraded the year after.

I had a senior dog at the time called Sammy who loved attending the Cairnlea

New school, new preps

Hillside Primary School has begun the new term as a standalone school, following the demerger from Sydenham-Hillside Primary School.

The school said the milestone marks an exciting new chapter for families in the Hillside community, and that it represents years of planning, community consultation, and investment in new facilities including a purpose-built learning environment designed to support contemporary teaching and learning.

Prep students have already settled into school life, making new friends and learning new skills.

StarWeeklyphotographerDamjanJanevski dropped by to capture some of the fun.

Dog Park (Kevin Flint Reserve), but unfortunately he passed away before Green Gully Dog Park opened, so to me –it’s Sammy’s park. Because if it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t have the park for the local dogs to enjoy.

Chaplain inspires drama

A new eight-part drama series called The Airport Chaplain, inspired by the real-life experiences of Melbourne Airport chaplain Martyn Scrimshaw, is set to bring the bustling world of an international airport to the small screen.

The series, co-created by Jude Troy and Elise McCredie, will explore the struggles and triumphs of the workers who keep the airport running, with a cast led by Australian screen legend Hugo Weaving and rising star Shabana Azeez.

“This prestige drama is inspired by a real-life encounter I had with an airport chaplain here in Melbourne and brings

to screen characters that connect us - literally and figuratively,“ said Troy.

The production, which will inject over $8 million into the Victorian economy and create an estimated 170 jobs, including opportunities to upskill emerging female screen practitioners, will film on purpose-built sets that recreate the interiors of airport terminals.

“Set in the controlled chaos of a high stakes,emotionallychargedenvironment that audiences will recognise, this series will change how they travel through that world moving forward,“ Troy added.

In 2023, Mr Scrimshaw told Star Week-

ly that his role as airport chaplain was to “provide spiritual and emotional support to passengers and staff“.

“Every day is different for my team but we usually drop our bags at the start of the day and begin our rounds. We go and visit the staff and say ‘G’day’. We bring a multi-faith approach to our chaplaincy, meaning any staff member can speak to us.“

He said he most enjoyed the pastoral element of the role.

“Coming alongside people, listening to their stories, and helping them find a bit of hope. That might mean helping

Colourful milestone for new museum

Australia’s first Vietnamese Museum, currentlybeingbuiltinSunshine,hasreached an eye-catching milestone.

Late last year, the full exterior painting of the museum was completed, supported by the Dulux Community Paint Program.

Vietnamese Museum Australia chief executive Tammy Nguyen said seeing the finished exterior has brought the building to life.

“It’s amazing. You see the drawings on paper, the concept and the redness for so long and to see the actual paint on the wall, it just makes it so much more real,” Ms Nguyen said.

“The [ochre] colour is to symbolise the red earth of Australia. Australia is our new home… It has welcomed hundreds and thousands of people, and given the Vietnamese refugee community a new beginning, so we really wanted to tie in elements of Australia into the building.”

Ms Nguyen said the paint program has helped move the project forward.

“It’s not just the paint, it’s the support, moral support, physical support,” she said.

“Practical completion will be done by the end of March at the latest which means we’re well on track.”

Ms Nguyen said the project is significant for the Vietnamese Australian community and multicultural Australia.

“I think the main thing is that it symbolises hope. To give people a sense of identity, especially those young people struggling with two cultures.

“Even in the darkest of times there are good outcomes.”

The museum also highlights the community’s contributions.

“IfyouthinkabouttheVietnamesecommunity in today’s society, we’ve brought food, culture, and there are professionals across the [career] spectrum,” she said

them with flights, or supporting them if they aren’t traveling for a good reason (such as a funeral).“

The Airport Chaplain has received support through VicScreen’s Victorian Production Fund and will premiere on SBS later this year.

“VicScreen is delighted to support The Airport Chaplain - an ambitious prestige drama that is set to resonate with audiences around the world through its powerful storytelling,“ said VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher.

Have your say

Brimbank council is seeking feedback for the draft of its Community Services and Infrastructure Plan.

Council said it uses the plan to ensure council-owned buildings are well-planned, well-designed, and continue to meet the needs of the community into the future.

The draft plan, for the years 2026-2038, is a full update to the 2018 version, according to council.

There are 147 facilities across 93 buildings covered in the plan that provide services including arts and culture programs, library services, meeting spaces, neighbourhood houses, and life-stage services such as maternal and child health, playgroups, parent groups, youth services, kindergartens, long day care centres, and programs for older adults.

Dedicated facilities including Guides and Scout halls, Men’s Sheds, bicycle education centres, and the housing of local heritage and historical artefacts are also covered. The latest draft includes an updated project list, changed priority of project and new recommendations.

Council said it used a range of evidence to inform the plan including demographic data, community needs analysis (number and type of facilities required), as well as audit and assessment of the physical condition of buildings.

Consultation for the draft policy closes Saturday 28 February. The draft will be finalised in March to present to council for consideration in April.

Feeding tubes nourish life

February 1-7 was Feeding Tube Awareness Week, which aimed to increase the understanding of tube feeding. Jena Carr spoke with two women with feeding tube experience - one who lives with a permanent surgical tube and another who is the mother of a toddler who relies on a feeding tube.

Tess Swift, 31, was diagnosed with gastroparesis, which means her stomach is partially paralysed and can’t digest food properly, after a trip to Thailand more than 10 years ago.

“The gastroparesis was caused by a really rare parasite, and it has done a lot of damage to other parts of my body as well,” Tess explained.

“I first got sick in 2015 after a family holiday to Thailand and battled with hospitals and doctors for the first two and a bit years before I was diagnosed with gastroparesis.

“I got my first feeding tube in 2018. I thought it would just be short-term, and hereIameightyearslater,soitwasapretty big adjustment in the early days.”

Tess now has a permanent surgical tube that goes into her small intestine so that her stomach doesn’t have to try so hard to digest food.

“I’ve got some pretty gnarly scars now, butIguessthebiggestthingformewasjust reminding myself that without having it, I wouldn’t be alive,” she said.

“I enjoyed not having it visible on my face, but I had to go through a large open abdominal surgery for that, and I was only 23 at the time, so it was a big change to my body.

“Unfortunately, my health is still in a pretty terrible position as, on one hand, having a feeding tube is great because it has helped keep me alive this long.

“In terms of tube feeding, it’s very up and down as it is kind of hard to live with a medical device that you need to survive, but can also cause a lot of problems at the same time.”

Tube feeding, also known as enteral nutrition, provides essential nourishment for people who are unable to eat or drink orally, or who require additional nutritional support.

Tesssaiditwasimportanttohelpeducate the wider population about feeding tubes, and there were a lot of different reasons why someone may need a feeding tube.

“There’sprobablyalotmorepeopleinthe world who have feeding tubes than people realise,” she said.

“I have no issue if people out in the real world or on social media want to ask questions because humans are curious by nature.

“I would so much rather have a conversation about my feeding tube and why I have it and what it’s for than deal with people speculating or judging.

“My advice for people who have either recentlystartedorarestartingonafeeding tubejourneyisnottobeembarrassedabout it, as everybody needs to eat and drink; it just looks different for some people.”

People of all ages may use feeding tubes, including babies, children, teenagers, and adults, with nutrition delivered directly intothestomachorsmallintestinethrough a feeding tube.

Two-and-a-half-year-old Alfie was born premature and developed an undiagnosed geneticdisorderthatmimicscerebralpalsy and requires him to live with a feeding tube.

Mum Jessica Willder said Alfie has had a feeding tube for about 12 months as he had trouble eating and drinking.

“What he doesn’t drink orally goes down his tube, which some days could be all of it and other days could be half or a quarter of it,” she said.

“His feeding tube goes down the nose and the back of his throat into his stomach, whichhastobereplacedeverytwotothree months.

It shouldn’t be a taboo subject...and it shouldn’t be something that people stare at or make assumptions about - Jessica Willder

“Then with all the tape on his face, we havetochangeitwheneveritstartstocome off, which could be every couple of days or once a week if we’re lucky.

“It’s rather traumatic as we have to wrap him up so that he can’t get his hands on the feeding tubes and pull them out while we’re changing all his tape.

“It takes me, my husband, and then my twodaughterstohelpholdhimstillandget allthetapeoffandputmoretapebackonto keep the tube in place.”

Jessica said it was important for people insimilarsituationstoknowthattheywere not alone and encouraged people to reach out to others.

“It shouldn’t be a taboo subject ... and it shouldn’t be something that people stare at or make assumptions about,” she said.

“You take each day as it comes, and each daywillbeslightlydifferent,butitcanhelp to link in with other parents who have that experience.

“The number of times that I have been asked what sort of cancer my child has has been a lot, but he doesn’t have cancer.

“Most people think feeding tubes are for people that have cancer ... and there are so many other reasons why people need feeding tubes.”

ManylocationsacrossAustraliaandNew

Zealand lit up blue and purple for Feeding Tube Awareness Week (1-7 February), which is held by charity ausEE.

Chief executive Sarah Gray said the annual week aimed to increase the understanding of tube feeding, share reliable information and resources, and foster connection and support within the community.

“Purple is a common colour of feeding tube supplies, while blue represents what flows through the tube; whether that’s formula, blended foods, breastmilk, or water,” she said.

Visit feedingtubeaware.com.au for more information and support networks.

Crushing for 60 years

Queensland’s Granite Belt comes alive this month for the long-running Stanthorpe Apple and Grape Harvest Festival - a celebration of food, wine and community.

The event, starting on Friday 27 February and running through to Sunday 8 March, marks its 60th anniversary this year, making it one of Queensland’s longest-running and most successful festivals.

For 60 years, the festival has celebrated what makes Stanthorpe and the Granite Belt so special – cool-climate wines, apples at their peak, passionate growers and producers, and a community that knows how to welcome visitors and put on a proper celebration.

The biennial event is a celebration of the GraniteBeltregion’sproduceandbooming wine industry, which attracts an average of 70,000 people, making it arguably Australia’s leading harvest festival.

The Diamond Jubilee honours that history while inviting people to experience it first-hand.

The main festival weekend brings the energy to the streets of Stanthorpe, with the town buzzing from morning to night.

TheQueenslandCountryBankthree-day Food and Wine Fiesta fills the park with Granite Belt flavours, 18 local wineries, breweries and meaderies, local producers and live music, while the streets host the much-loved Grand Parade, a vibrant

street carnival, bustling markets, and the challenge of the Ergon Energy Mt Marlay Run.

As the sun sets, the weekend is capped offwithcrowd-favouritefireworks,lighting up the Stanthorpe sky.

Across the full 10 days, festival-goers can also enjoy live music, Open Gardens broughttobyBraesideHomestead,cooking demonstrations, creative experiences like Bubbles and Brushes, orchard and farm tours, and hands-on harvest moments.

The festival has something for everyone, including things you might not expect – like the Australian National Busking Championships.

Buskers will be dotted along the street

on Saturday 28 Feburary with “Busking Tokens” available to drop in a favourite performers bucket and judges wandering the main street.

This all culminates in the Winners Concert at the Stanthorpe Civic Centre for announcement of the Grand Open Champion and all the other winners and a chance to enjoy more fabulous entertainment.

Then there’s the iconic Balancing Heart Grape Crush. This event is already nearly sold out, with only limited places remaining for those keen to take part in one of the festival’s most memorable experiences.

The foot stomping, grape crushing fun is

aniconichighlightoftheStanthorpeApple and Grape Festival with the community grape crush on Friday 6 March and Celebrity Crush just after the main parade inthemainstreetneartheStanthorpePost Office on Saturday 7 March just after the big Grand Parade.

Sponsors are Balancing Heart Vineyard – voted Best Small Cellar Door by Gourmet Traveller Wine – just one of the many Vineyards worth a visit while in the area for the festival.

The 60th anniversary is a significant milestone for both the festival and the region, according to the event’s president, Russell Wantling.

“This festival has been shaped by generations of volunteers, growers and community members, and reaching 60 years is something we’re incredibly proud of,” he said.

“The Diamond Jubilee is about celebrating our history, our harvest and the people who continue to make this festival what it is.”

With accommodation filling quickly and ticketed events close to capacity, visitors are encouraged to plan now.

Many experiences have limited availability and will sell out. Tickets, program details and the full festival calendar are available at www.appleandgrape.org.

7 Nights

Island Tour

Dec 2026 - Mar 2027

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

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, 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

All Flights, Taxes & Transfers

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Learn to make a spin drum

Eachmonth,StephanieMartinezwillshare anexcitingcraftprojectdesignedtoinspire and spark creativity.

Stephanie starred in the first season of Making It on Network 10, where she discovered and ignited her passion for crafting.

JoinStephanieassheexplorestheendless possibilities of crafting and turn everyday materials into something extraordinary. This month, Stephanie is creating Chinese New Year spin drums.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Star Weekly looks back through the pages of our predecessors

40 years ago 12 February, 1986

The five Centre Unity Keilor councillors last week used their majority in council to avoid debating Cr Bert Giulieri’s possible pecuniary (financial) interest in the Keilor-Essendon merger.

30 years ago 14 February, 1996

Work on the first $100 million stage of the $400 million Sydenham Regional Shopping Centre will be underway by June.

Chinese New Year spin drums

Materials - cardboard - cord - 2x beads - rounded craft stick

Equipment - scissors - glue gun - awl (or something sharp to poke a hole) - pencil - ruler

Step 1: Cut out 2 cardboard circles (9cm) and 1 cardboard strip (3cm wide) long enough to wrap around the circle.

Step 2: Curve the strip and glue it around the edge of one circle to form the drum.

Step 3: Before closing the drum, poke one hole on each side, directly opposite each other.

Step 4: Thread a piece of cord through both holes and tie a bead to each end on the outside.

Step 5: Poke a hole in the centre of the bottom of the drum. Slide a rounded craft stick into the hole and glue it in place to make the handle.

Step 6: Glue the second cardboard circle on top to close the drum.

Step 7: Decorate the drum.

Step 8: Hold the handle and twist the drum side to side to play. Happy Chinese New Year!

20 years ago 14 February, 2006

Tyler Fishlock just endured the biggest week of his life. The three-year old touched thousands of hearts across the nationasmediaoutletstoldofhisbrave battle with cancer.

10 years ago 9 February, 2016

Staff at a Tullamarine business have been forced to finish work early because, they say, they’re intimidated by hoons from as early as 6pm.

PUZZLES

13 Nations (9) 14 Flagrantly bad (9) 15 Grumpy (9) 17 Resident of Jerusalem or Tel Aviv (7) 18 Mildly irritates (7) 21 Opinions (5) 23 Shifts (5) 24 Small river (5)

1 How many legs does a butterfly have?

2 Which European country’s major cities include Brest, Grodno and Mogilev?

3 Who hosted the 2025 Logie Awards?

4 Harper Lee won the Pulitzer Prize for which novel, and in what year?

5 Swimmer Ian Thorpe (pictured) has won how many Olympic gold medals?

6 What does the term Terra AustralisIncognita mean?

7 Name the hurricane that passed through New York City in August 2011.

8 What abnormality do the words fly, myth and rhythm have in common?

9 Who was the first president of Türkiye, from 1923?

10 Who released the album Mayhem in 2025?

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

Polonia Cup

Hosted by the Western Eagles Soccer Club, this vibrant three-day tournament will run from Friday 20 February to Sunday 22 February at the club’s home ground, Polish Club, 19 Carrington Drive, Albion. It’s a weekend of community, culture, and connection. Across the three days, locals can look forward to high-energy soccer matches, family-friendly entertainment and activities for all ages, and great food and refreshments celebrating the club’s Polish heritage.

Sustainable Living Expo

Join Maribyrnong council for a day of hands-on learning, inspiring conversations, and practical ideas for living more sustainably while celebrating sustainability month. The free event will take place from 1-6pm on Wednesday 11 February at Braybrook Community Hub, 107–139 Churchill Avenue, Braybrook.

 shorturl.at/VTPNE

Sunshine Repair Cafe

Do you enjoy fixing things or have skills in mending clothing and textiles? Kororoit Neighbourhood House is looking for volunteer repairers for the newly launched Repair Café in Brimbank. Events happen once a month and are an opportunity to meet others in the community and share your skills while helping fix broken household items.

 sunshinerepaircafe@kcnh.org.au or 0413 434 082

Al-Anon Family Groups

Al-Anon Family Groups is offering help and hope to anyone living in an unhappy home because a loved one drinks too much. There are no contracts to sign, just

a voluntary donation to cover room rental. Confidentiality is protected. Confidential meetings held at the Delahey Community Centre, 70 Copperfield Drive every Wednesday, from 1-2.30pm. New members welcome. No appointment necessary.

 Helpline, 1300 252 666

Musicians Wanted

Westgate Concert Band is seeking new members. Do you play Woodwind, Brass or Percussion and are looking for a welcoming place to play enjoyable and challenging music? Rehearsals are held Saturday mornings during school terms, 9am-noon, at Braybrook College.

 westgateconcertband@gmail.com

Deer Park Lions Club

Deer Park Lions Club is looking for new members. It holds dinner meetings on the first Wednesday of every month at the Deer Park Senior Citizens Club, 119 Station Road, Deer Park.

 Michael, 0417 307 572

Avondale Heights Probus Club

The club meets at Doyle Street Community Centre, Avondale Heights on the third Wednesday of the month at 9.30am. For retired or semi-retired people. The club offers lunches, bus trips, card and games days, walking groups. New members welcome.

 Vee, 0400 886 758

Free workshops Plant lover? Food fanatic? Whatever your level of experience, pop along to the Patch to Plate Community Garden program. The commUnity+ Neighbourhood house runs a variety of free weekly workshops and activities: some weeks gardening, other

weeks cooking. Join the workshops each Wednesday from 1–2pm at commUnity+ Neighbourhood House in Deer Park, 822 Ballarat Road, Deer Park. No bookings required.

Free bingo sessions

BinGO MOVE Community is a bingo session to help residents stay active, make friends, and even win a prize. The bingo sessions run on the first Tuesday every month, starting 3 February, 12.15–1.15pm at commUnity+ Neighbourhood House in Deer Park, 822 Ballarat Road, Deer Park. No bookings required.

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

Card games

Love playing the card game 500? Card games are played every Monday, from 7-10pm, at the Sunshine RSL offices, 99 Dickson Street, Sunshine.

 Leisa, 0425 768 808

Keilor Day View Club

The Keilor Day View Club meets at 11am on the first Thursday of each month at Green Gully Soccer Club, Green Gully Reserve, Club House Place, Keilor Downs. The club is inviting locals to come along and enjoy a meal and fun with a friendly group of ladies.

 Robyn, 0425 387 880

St Albans senior citizens

St Albans Senior Citizens group meet at the centre at the corner of Alfrieda and William streets, St Albans, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 9am-2pm. Annual membership: $10. Cost: $1 entry on attendance day.

 Roma, 0435 991 064

Caroline Springs Rotary

The Rotary Club of Caroline Springs is inviting new guests to join its meetings in person or via Zoom. Meetings are held every Wednesday at the Western Emergency Relief Network in Ravenhall, from 7pm.

 rotarycarolinesprings@gmail.com

Women’s only conversation English Duke Street Community House is inviting locals to make friends, learn new skills and practice English in this fun and free women’s social group. Tuesdays during school terms, 9.30am-noon, at Duke Street Community House, 27 Duke Street, Sunshine.

 9311 9973 or dukest@dsch.org.au

Popcorn Musical Fun and Learning

Join Popcorn Musical Fun and Learning, a free, evidence-based early education program that combines music, play, and connection for families with children aged 0-5 years. Running for eight weeks, on Tuesdays, 10.30am-12.30pm, this program is designed to incorporate singing, stories, and fun activities to support your child’s development. Running from 11 February onwards at the Sunshine Heights Playgroup Centre, 105 Glengala Road.

 9663 6733, or events@ds.org.au

Aussie icons head west

Powerhouse vocalist Casey Donovan will join a star-studded season of entertainment at The Clocktower Centre in a year that will also bring some of our country’s best-loved and most enduring performers to the north-west.

Morethan20yearsaftershewonhearts as the winner of Australian Idol, Casey Donovan has amassed an impressive theatricalresumeandcementedherselfas an icon of New Year’s Eve entertainment. Her new show, ‘THIS IS ME’, features highlights from The Sapphires, We Will Rock You, Chicago, 9 To 5, & Juliet and Sister Act, alongside NYE favourites and

never-before-heard original songs.

Donovan will take to the stage in Moonee Ponds on Sunday 24 May.

The 2026 Clocktower season will open on Friday 27 February when guitar virtuoso Slava Grigoryan joins Melbourne Chamber Orchestra for ‘Flexible Sky’.

On 27-28 March, musical theatre’s Rachael Beck will perform ‘In Their Own Words’, weaving anecdotes from the likes of Ita Buttrose, Marcia Langton and Carlotta, with the music of famous Australian songwriters such as Missy Higgins, Kate Miller-Heidke and Kate Ceberano.

In April, Na Djinang Circus will bring together Indigenous Australian, migrant, and colonial histories in one physical theatre performance; ‘Of the Land on which We Meet’, while on 1-2 May, audiences will have the chance to experience playwright Tom Holloway’s ‘Beyond the Neck’, a profoundly compassionate portrait of a community living with loss.

In August, music lovers will get the change to see a different side of The Whitlams’ frontman Tim Freedman at an intimate solo show, ‘Moonlit Deck’. As part of the show, Freedman will explore

Fleetwood Mac tribute band hits Melton

TUSK: The Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show is rolling into town on Saturday 28 February with a golden anniversary celebration that promises to be a night of pure dreams.

In 2026, TUSK is marking 50 years of Fleetwood Mac, turning back the clock on five decades of iconic harmonies, mystical lyrics and relationship drama that perfectly still lives up on vinyl - and even better live. With new songs, new moves and a fresh gypsy spirit, the show transforms the milestone into a full-scale

celebration that’s equal parts nostalgia and dancefloor therapy.

Fans can look forward to wall-to-wall hits in Go Your Own Way, Little Lies, Rhiannon, Landslide, Edge of Seventeen and of course, Don’t Stop.

It’sonebigFleetwoodMacfestival,and where better than Mac’s Hotel in Melton? Lead vocalist Penni Jones embodies the true essence of Stevie Nicks on stage, and said TUSK has been evolving for more than a decade, sparked by a throwaway commentthatledtothebirthoftheiconic

tribute act.

“A sound engineer once told me I sounded like Stevie Nicks after hearing me sing Dreams. I had no idea how significant that would be 15 years later,” she said.

Jones will be joined on stage by James Towers, Dalys Timpanaro, Grant Canterbury, and Marty Grech, who bring the same booming talent as their Fleetwood Mac counterparts.

TUSKcomestoMac’sHotel,Meltonon Saturday 28 February. Doors are 8pm.

Experience live Celtic music with instrumentalist Rennie Pearson

Multi-instrumentalist Rennie Pearson is bringing the warmth and mystique of Celtic musicbackdownthehighwaytoLittleRiver and Geelong this month.

Channelling the traditions of Ireland, Scotland and Maritime Canada, the virtuoso’s wooden flute, Irish whistles, guitar, fiddle, bodhrán, and voice will tell tales old and new.

He was down this way last year, but this time a new layer will be added to his sound.

“These will be the first two performances withapercussionistinvolved,”Pearsonsaid.

“I have been quite excited about doing something with percussion for a while, we have had a flute playing melody, keyboard doingharmonyandnowthepercussionwill

be driving the rhythm.

“Ithinkitisgoingtobeareallyfullsound.

“The reason why I chose this guy is becauseheisveryfamiliarwithCelticmusic and he is very sensitive.”

The intimacy of the music will not be

the untold stories behind some of his most loved songs. Everyone’sfavouritesisteract,Vikaand Linda, will bring their signature blend of harmonies and storytelling back to the Clocktower stage on 4 September, before ‘Temple of Desire’ – a sumptuous and subversive Indian dance piece that even audiencestostaybehindfortheafterparty – takes over on 6 November.

Schoolholidaysprogrammingincludes Junkyard Beats in April, a visit from Spot thedoginJuneandTheTeenyTinyStevies in September. Details: clocktowercentre. com.au/clocktower-theatre-season/

Who are these Australians?

The iconic ‘Three Well-Known Australians’ has made its way to Melbourne’s west for a limitedtime.

Thework,paintedbyMartinShawin1982, depicts three figures – a blue, a red and a greenperson–againstayellowbackground.

Shaw invites viewers to record who they think the figures are in the yearbooks, with some of the public’s answers displayed as partoftheexhibition.

He described the touring exhibition as a “passing parade” of Australia which forms a portraitofthecountryovertime.

“When I did the painting, I did have three Australians in mind, or Australian themes,” ShawtoldStarWeekly.

But he has never revealed who the identitiesare.

Thetouringexhibitionhasbeentravelling acrossthecountrysince1983,withitsstopin Brimbankmarkingits267thvisit.

“Some people put contemporary names, somehaveputthepast.Somehavegivenme realistic opinions, some are more abstract themes,”Shawsaid.

“Some people have put down the Reserve Bank, some put Bondi Beach. Other people putdownpoliticalparties.

“Ned Kelly, he’s the most prominent persontoberecordedinthebook.”

Among those who have provided answers is Premier Jacinta Allan who guessed Lauren Jackson, Uncle Jack Charles and Julia Gillard for the blue, red and green figures respectively.

Last year, the first person to ever record theirresponsesdied.

lost with the thudding of drumsticks, but it’s probably better to let Pearson try and describe what it’s like.

“The melodies have these ethereal qualities that go beyond the mortal realm, and the driving rhythms are dance music through and through.

“Another one is the connection with ancient times, it’s kind of got this otherworldly element where the tunes and songs have been passed down.

“It’s an absolute joy to be a part of.”

The music will flow at the Door Gallery Cafe 8pm on Friday 20 February and at the Little River Mechanics Hall 3pm on Sunday 22 February. Tickets: www. renniepearsonmusic.com/

On30April,1983IanGude,asolicitorfrom Mannerim, wrote his guesses of Malcolm Fraser, Andrew Peacock and John Halfpenny astheblue,redandgreenfigures.

Shaw said members of the public, especially those who are younger, may not recogniseanyofthenamesguessedbyGude.

Theonefigureinthepaintingthatdoesn’t remain a mystery is a small black and white dogpaintedtowardtherightsideofthework.

The dog is Shaw’s beloved Pea who died in1991.

“I’ve told you who Pea is, now you have to tellmewhotheAustraliansare,”Shawsaid.

‘Three Well-Known Australians’ can be viewed for free at the Brimbank Gallery and Sunshine Library, 301 Hampshire Road until Friday27February.

SPORTS QUIZ

1. Pakistan has announced that it will boycott its 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup group stage match versus which team?

2. Who won the 2026 Australian Open women’s singles title?

3. Which NBA player was recently suspended for 25 games for violating

4. What sport was at the centre of the 2017 ABC television series The Warriors?

5. Kylian Mbappé and Sam Kerr were the cover athletes for the Ultimate Edition of which FIFA video game?

6. Usman Tariq bowls rightarm off-spin for which country’s national T20 team?

Rocky Elsom represented Australia internationally in which sport?

8. Former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding represented which country at the 2002 Winter Olympics?

Which men’s singles title did Carlos Alcaraz win to become the youngest man to complete a ‘Career Grand Slam’?

In 2025, which performer headlined the Super Bowl LIX halftime

What does it mean to ‘free solo’ a skyscraper, as recently demonstrated by Alex Honnold?

12. A triple axel is a signature move in which sport?

13. At the Australian Open, how much does a singles player earn for losing in the first round of the main draw?

14. As Swans fans celebrated Buddy Franklin’s 1,000th goal at the SCG, two supporters honoured their late grandmother in a very unusual way: what did they do?

15. In surfing, what is the term for catching a wave that another surfer is already riding, breaking surf etiquette?

16. Australian Open semifinalist Jessica Pegula’s father is the billionaire owner of which NFL team?

17. Mafaufau Tavita Lio Mafaufau Sanerivi Talimatasi is the birth name of a retired Samoan-New Zealand boxer, better known as who?

18. Which two countries are banned from competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics?

19. Name any of the three 2000 Sydney Olympics mascots.

20. Paul McBeth has accumulated over US $867,000 in prize money playing which sport?

21. Netflix show FindingHer Edge follows characters in which sport?

22. In which year was the stand rule introduced in the AFL?

23. How many darts is a perfect leg in a single game?

24. Australian Peter Siddle is known for what coincidental achievement?

25. How many bird-themed teams are there in the NFL?

26. And what are they?

27. In which year did ice hockey make its Olympic debut?

28. What is the nickname of Premier League team Brentford?

29. Who won the women’s WWE 2026 Royal Rumble?

30. And who won the men’s?

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Tucson hybrid quick yet quiet

By Derek Ogden, Marque Motoring

Hyundai’s mid-sized SUV Tucson has been around since 2004.

The current (fourth generation) was released here in February 2021 with the latest (MY2025) upgrade launched here in mid-2024 and adding a hybrid variant for the first time.

Tucson comes with a choice of 17 variants with Tucson, Elite, Premium and N-Line equipment levels and the choice of 2.0-litrenaturallyaspiratedpetrol,1.6-litre turbo-petrol and 1.6-litre turbo-petrol hybrid powertrains as well as two or all-wheel drive.

The Tucson has plenty of pull, boasting a 1900kgtowingcapacity,plusafirst-in-class panoramiccurved12.3-inchinfotainment/ driver display backed by wireless Apple CarPlay, Bluelink, connected car services and over-the-air remote software updates.

The maker’s SmartSense safety system now has Highway Driving Assist, while a new head-up display presents important driving and navigation information. On test was the Tucson Elite Hybrid N Line front-wheel drive, selling for $48,600, plus on-road costs.

The new hybrids are covered by Hyundai’s five-year unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty and eight-year 160,000 kilometre high-voltage battery warranty, as well as Hyundai’s Lifetime Service Plan, Premium Roadside Support and satellite navigation updates.

STYLING

We love the adventurous styling route that Hyundai has taken with the Tucson.

The large hatched grille gives a bolder look than before and is fringed by five LED daytime running lights in a crescent formation. The headlights are full LED and automatically adjust to the sides for improved cornering visibility.

Our test vehicle came with the optional N Line pack consisting of exclusive 19-inch wheels, grille, front bumper and skid plate, plus N Line badging. The rear sports a new rear bumper, skid plate and twin exhaust outlets.

Interior

The MY25 cabin has been given the once-over to especially appeal to the lifestyle active family. The steering column has a mounted drive-by-wire shift selector and floating centre console.

The Elite and Premium variants feature classy leather appointed seats for up to five while the N Line pack goes further with black leather and suede, red stitching, plus exclusive N Line seat and steering wheel emblems.

General storage includes large door pockets and a deep lidded console box. Cargo space runs from 582 litres to 1903 litres depending on the seats in use. The spare wheel is a space saver variety. A height and speed adjustable tailgate is operable via a button on the key fob or by simply standing at the back of the vehicle with the key.

Infotainment

A 12.3-inch touchscreen, introducing Hyundai’snextgenerationuserinterface,is standardacrossthe2025Tucsonrangeand comes up with four times the computing power and 15 times the graphical processing power of the previous system.

A host of functions is led by wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, AM/ FM/DAB radio, Hyundai Bluelink, Bluetooth multiconnection, USB-C input, quick control (swipe down) menu, and over-the-air updates.

RATINGS

Looks: 8/10

Performance: 7/10

Safety: 8/10

Thirst: 8/10

Practicality: 7/10

Comfort: 7/10

Tech: 7/10

Value: 8/10

Elite and Premium variants add Bluelink sat nav with turn-by-turn directions, live trafficupdates,voicecontrol,SMSplayback and split screen function. Bluelink connectionisfreeforthefirstfiveyearsand includes automatic collision notification, emergency call access, remote control climateandvehiclefunctions,amongother things.

A similar-size configurable digital instrument cluster takes on a classic look with needle-style gauges. Hybrid versions canbecustomisedtodisplayapowergauge or tachometer. Depending on the drive mode.

Engines/transmissions

Tucson Elite N-Line test vehicle was powered by a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder turbo-petrol/electric hybrid system, mated with a six-speed automatic transmission, driving the front wheels.

The petrol motor put out 132kW of power and 264 Nm of torque.

The electric motor contributed a further 47.7kW of power, making a combined maximum of 172kW. The latter made use of

a lithium-ion polymer battery of 1.49kWh and 270 volts.

Safety

The Tucson Hybrid has a five-star ANCAP safety rating on 2021 testing. The vehicle body features high-strength, lightweight constructiontomaximisetorsionalrigidity.

Active safety comes with Hyundai’s SmartSense suite, which includes forward collision avoidance, lane keeping assist, blind spot collision avoidance, safe exit warning, driver attention warning,highbeamassistandsmartcruise control.

A surround 360-degree view of the car and rear-view monitor, plus distance warning, are a great help when parking.

Driving Quick, yet quiet is the best way to describe the Tucson hybrid’s behaviour. The turbo dials up the power, while the electric motor plays its part in smooth going, as does the six-speed auto transmission.

Road noise on coarse road surfaces is the only intrusion into the cabin. The

suspension coped with generally few complaints, while the brakes had their sharp side if rushed into action.

Gear selector is a twist-shift to the right of the steering column which takes some getting used to but clears the way for an uncluttered centre-console controls such as drive modes.

These include Eco and Sport, of which the latter added sharpness all round to the drive.

Smart mode switched the car between Eco and Sport to ostensibly maximise economy and performance, if that’s possible.

Hyundai claims combined urban/ highway fuel consumption of 5.3 litres per 100km. The test vehicle came up with 4.6 litres per 100km on the motorway and averaged up to 9 litres per 100km during a week’s running around town.

Summary

It’s anybody’s guess whether buyers will take the hybrid route to Tucson electric vehicles. It’s a veritable traffic jam in this segment.

Cam West. 532917_01

The season’s heating up

With the summer sporting seasons coming up to the pointy end, there was lots of important action on Saturday.

Star Weekly photographer Ljubica

Knights’ new challenge

By Tara Murray

Melbourne Knights are focused on bringing some joy back to the fans in the Victorian Premier League 1 competition.

The Knights are coming off a season which saw them have a number of coaching changes, off field drama and below par results.

It saw the side drop to the VPL1 competition for 2026.

Coach Michael Calandrella said there had been a mountain of work put in during the off season

“We’re getting there,” he said. “The team is completely new and we’ve had to rebuild things.

“It’s been about getting the boys to gel and the signs in the pre-season are

promising.

“We’ve got a good group to work with. They are working hard to quickly get Melbourne Knights back on track.”

Calandrella said many of last season’s squad had departed after the club after it was relegated.

It’s meant recruiting has been a big focus.

“We’ve had to recruit players, the right players,” he said. “We have to get that right and so far it’s been really positive and we’ve been able to make sure we’re heading in the right direction after the tough year that we’ve had.

“They’re all doing so well.”

Calandrella said there were so many recruits that he was looking forward to seeing out on the pitch.

One of the big signings for the Knights is Luka Koli.

AfterabreakoutseasonwiththeKnights in 2023, Koli earned a move to Melbourne Victory, where he has spent the past two years.

“Missed the feeling of walking out at Knights in front of the fans,” Koli said on the club’s social media.

“This club means a lot to me and I’m ready to give everything on the pitch to get us back to where we belong.”

Joshua Divin, Mark Ochieng, Aisen Ishak, Michael Suski, Jake Ellenberger, Nathan Flanagan Jayson Ziro, Maurice Nugent, Massimo D’Argenio, Adam Oddo, Marco Tavella, Lucas Trenkovski, Atticus Gonzalez and Theo Aresti are among the other signings for the Knights.

Stewart takes out Deeble award for 2025

By Tara Murray

Don Deeble winner for 2025 Jobe Stewart was left speechless on Wednesday night as he was awarded the honour.

Stewart was the last of 10 monthly winners nominated for the award run by the Sunshine and Western Region Sports Club.

Theaward,namedafterbaseballlegend Don Deeble, recognises young sporting talent from across Melbourne’s west.

Stewart was awarded the $5000 first prize, ahead of co-runners up Smrithi Adepu and cricketer Jackson Martin, who were awarded $2500 each.

Cyclist Nicola Morris and the youngest monthlywinnerLouisKiangwereawarded encouragement awards.

Stewart, who is making his mark in taekwondo, said it was pretty special to win the award.

“I’m forever grateful to the people around me and the people in this room,” he said.

“So many people I’ve gone to school with, teachers, sporting staff. I’d like to thank the Western Region Sporting Club and all the sponsors making this happen.

“I had high confidence. I was a bit shocked that I had my name called and I came up and won the award.”

Stewartsaidforasportthatdoesn’thave a lot of funding and backing, this money would have a massive impact for him.

His 2026 schedule is already packed with tournaments across the world.

“We’re having a Europe trip coming up, this will be a massive help going over there and competing,” he said.

Having started taekwondo when he was just eight because his mum said he had too much energy, he has risen through the gradings and achieved his black belt.

Stewart soon made inroads and represented Australia in his first World Taekwondo Championships in China in the 80-87 kilogram men’s competition last year.

Hewasoneoftheyoungestcompetitors.

Stewart also competed at the under-21 World Championships in Kenya in December.

Whileonlyhavingjustturned20,Stewart isn’t shying away from the big goals.

“Next year I’m hoping to go to Kazakhstan for the World Championships and be world number one,” he said.

“I’m more focused on myself and the World Champs ... but definitely the Olympics along the way.”

Stewart, who owns his own business, said his parents had been massive in influencing his career and helping him get to where he wants to be.

His other big inspiration is his sister,

Reba Stewart, who has represented Australia at the Olympics at taekwondo.

Reba was a monthly winner of the Deeble award in 2019.

Jobejokedhewouldholditoverherthat he won the overall award.

“Istartedyoungandshewasmysparring partner,” he said. “I followed her and made my own path.”

The Don Deeble Sports Star Award is

Calandrella said they had played a heap of pre-season matches to help the group gel together

“It’sbeenreallypositive,”hesaid.“We’re trying to get the best out of the boys and bring some joy back to the supporters at the Melbourne Knights.

“If they can give their all every time they take to the pitch that is all we can ask for and the results will take care of themselves.”

The Knights start their season on 14 February against North Geelong Warriors at Churchill Reserve.

Calandrella said they had a tough five week block to start the season.

“I don’t think there’s any easy rounds,” he said. “You have to be on the biol week in, week out.”

VTCA T20 semi

set

Three of the four semi finals in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association T20 group A finals will be senior division teams, while two division 5 teamsareamongthesemifinalistsin the group B competition.

In pool A, Keilor had a good win against Grand United in its match at Keith Miller Oval.

The Blues won the toss and decided to bat, making 6-160.

Former Sri Lankan international Dimuth Karunarathna showed his class with 71 off 45 balls.

TheGorillashadastrongstartand at3-106hadplentyofwicketsuptheir sleeve. While they tried to increase the run rate the wickets fell and they lost to 4-10 and lost momentum.

The Gorillas finished 8-135. Kyle Welsh top scored with 43. Malith Cooray took 4-21.

Deer Park is also through to the next round, as it accounted for Oak Park St Francis de Sales.

The Saints made 8-128 with Jair McAllister taking 3-31 for the Lions.

TheLionsmade5-130toclaimthe win.

Airport West St Christopher’s are also through after sneaking home against Sunshine. The Eagles made 4-135 from their 20 overs.

After an early wicket, the Crows got back on track and were in a good place at 5-110. The wickets started to fall and the Crows were bowled out for 128.

Elsewhere, Williamstown Imperials won through with victory against Haig Fawkner.

In pool B, Barkly St Uniting beat the Greenvale Kangaroos.

Burnside Springs United won through on the final ball against Kingsville. Kingsville made 5-139 from its overs with Joshua Kelly taking 2-14 for Burnside.

Mathison King guided Burnside to the win as it hit the winning runs offthefinalball,finishing3-140.King finished 64 not out.

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Sunshine Heights run came to an end at the hands of Glenroy.

Glenroy made 6-123 from its overs. Kunal Minhas made 30 at the top of the order for Heights but no one else could get going and it was bowled out for 92.

Point Cook is also through to the nextroundafterbeatingEastCoburg.

Cavaliers are on the up

By Tara Murray

Green Gully is hoping to take the next step in the National Premier League competition this season.

After finishing mid-table after being in the finals conversation for much of the season, the Cavaliers have plenty of improvement in front of them this season.

Coach David Chick, who is going into his second season in charge, said they were a lot better placed than 12 months ago.

He said was itchy to get the season underway.

“It’s been a long pre-season and I’m itching to get going,” he said.

“We’ve done a fair bit of prep but we

still need the last couple of weeks of work to be where we want to be.

“I think it’s been one of the better pre-seasons that I’ve had.

“We’ve had good player availability from the start of the pre-season which is a big contrast to last season.

“We went to Tasmania … which was good for team cohesion.”

While happy with the pre-season, Chick knows that it doesn’t always translate into results on the pitch.

He said half the squad from last season had remained and they had been able to keep all but one player who they had wanted to keep for this year.

“I came in the year before and there were only a handful of players and I

wasn’t sure if they were staying or not,” Chick said.

“We’ve been able to bring in some exciting players which was not possible 12 months ago. They’ve decided to come to the club this year.

“Hopefully we can keep this group together for a while. I’m excited by the group.”

The Cavaliers have looked to add more depth to their attacking group, signing four attackers.

Chick said that was one area that they thought they lacked in.

Among the signings for the Cavaliers are two-time NPL goalkeeper of the year Michael Weier, Somali international forward Bilal Habib, midfielder Oskar Karls-

Cougars’ finals hopes take a hit after loss

By Tara Murray

Sunshine YCW’s hopes of playing finals suffered a setback on Saturday in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Clark Shield.

Hoping to regain its form of the past couple of seasons, the Cougars suffered a disappointing loss to Sunshine Heights.

The side sits in fifth spot, five points outside the top four.

With matches against two sides in the top six in the run home, the Cougars know they have work to do.

Cougars’ secretary Rory O’Connor said before the weekend’s match they know they are yet to put their best out on the park.

“We haven’t been as good and as consistent as we would have liked,” he said.

“There’ been a plethora of one-dayers [after days washed out] and that hasn’t worked in our favour

“We’ve had some unavailability challenges that have added to it. It’s still really positive within the playing group.”

O’Connor said there was still plenty of

competition for spots, with their second XI doing well.

He said the whole group was putting in the hard work.

“The training standard has remained really high,” he said. “The boys have been working really hard and the standard of the playing group is probably rising.”

“We’re in a position that we didn’t want to be in and we’re behind the eight ball with our expectations.

“I know the boys understand they have to crack down as we have high hopes for the season and want to meet them.”

The Cougars were in action on Saturday-Sunday against Sunshine Heights.

It’s the first time the two local teams have played each other this season.

Sunshine Heights need to keep winning to avoid relegation.

“There’s a lot in this one,” O’Connor said before the match.

“We have not played them for a long while as we haven’t been in the same division.

“I remember when they were really

son, Yusuf Ahmed, Kur Kur, Taofiq Olomowewe and Lucas Simao.

Chick said they had built a squad with plenty of talent and hoped it would show on the pitch.

The Cavaliers are hoping to return to finals this season, for the first time since 2022 this season.

“We were four points short last year and were in the middle of the table,” he said.

“We were near the bottom he year before and then moved into the middle.

“Natural progression is to play in those big games and into the top six.

“We need to find those points be in the top six. The league is even harder.”

The Cavaliers kick off their season on Friday night against Heidelberg United.

Taylors Lakes finals hopes took a hit in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west. The Lions were chasing Williamstown’s 228 on day two of their clash on Saturday. The Lions were bowled out for 151 in the 56th over. Chalitha Chamoda top scored with 42. The Lions sit in seventh spot, four points outside the top six with three rounds remaining. The Lions face Spotswood in a two-dayer this weekend.

Baseball

Sunshine Eagles made up for a midweek loss with a convincing win on Saturday in the Baseball Victoria summer league premier 1 first nine competition. The Eagles were at home to Sandringham on Saturday and came away with a 10-0 win. The Eagles remain on top of the ladder with second placed Essendon suffering an upset loss on Saturday.

Bowls

Deer Park locked in second spot in the Bowls Victoria weekend pennant premier division. The Parkers defeated Essendon, 96 (15)-75 (3) on Friday night. The Parkers will face Moonee Valley in the first week of finals. Keilor beat Buckley Park in its match up in division 2, section 1, 83 (13)-77 (5). Keilor is 11 points clear on top of the ladder heading into the final round.

VTCA

strong. We’ll bring everything that we have.”

It was a bowlers game on the weekend. Heights made 143 as it was bowled out in the 66th over. Alexander Hatzoglou top scored with 55.

Matthew Williams took 6-50 for the Cougars.

The Cougars were in trouble at 4-14 in the run chase.

Partnerships were hard to come by with the Cougars losing their lost four wickets for just eight runs to be bowled out for 72.

Dylan Payne top scored with 20.

The win was Heights third of the season and lifts it off the bottom of the ladder into ninth spot.

In good news for the Cougars, coach Lachie Lewin has re-signed for another two seasons.

O’Connor said it was an easy decision for the club to make.

“He is outstanding,” he said. “His knowledge is great and he’s helped build the team and the club to be successful.

“Every player is behind him and we’re so glad he’s here for at least the next two years.”

Keilor remains on top of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division ladder after a big win against Westmeadows on the weekend. Westmeadows made 132 after deciding to bat, with the Blues finishing 6-202 in reply. Elsewhere, Deer Park beat Yarraville Club in the battle of second and third to remain in second, while Sydenham-Hillside kept its finals hopes alive with victory against St Albans. The Storm now sit fifth on the ladder, three points outside the top four with St Albans behind it on the same amount of points.

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