Established in 2003
proudly serving the Northern Suburbs
17 FEBRUARY, 2026
Celebrate year of the fire horse
Sok Cheng, (back) Cam Ly, Sandra Cheng, Jessie Chan, Ann Lo and Albert Yew. (Damjan Janevski) 532926_01
Whittlesea Chinese Association (WCA) is welcoming the year of the fire horse in style, with traditional, vibrant Chinese New Year celebrations. WCA president Albert Yew said he is excited to bring the community together for a day of festivity. He said the event on 28 February, will be particularly special for anyone born in the year of the fire horse 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 and now 2026. “We will give away what we call ‘lucky money’, which is the red packet to those people,” he said. “The red packet passes good fortune and prosperous money to them.” He said the year of the horse encourages people of all Chinese zodiac signs to embrace new beginnings. “The 2026 Year of the Horse encourages all signs to move forward confidently, to act boldly, trust your instincts, and follow passions that light your inner fire.” Mr Yew said the event will reflect this passion and fire through the traditional lion dance. You can celebrate this Chinese New Year with the WCA at the Epping Memorial Hall from 1pm to 4pm.
Plea to save stops By Courtney Black An Epping man is calling on his neighbours and the wider community to help save the bus stops along Lyndarum Drive and Rockfield Street. As part of updates to Wollert and Epping North bus routes and services plan, the state government is proposing to abandon the bus stops along these roads where Tony Francis often relies on the arrival of the 357 bus. “I regularly use the 357 bus, getting off and on at Abercrombie Grove-Lyndarum Drive because of its reliability in getting
me to the train at Epping rail station ... and major, often medical, appointments on time,” Mr Francis said. He said is unable to drive, and now relies on buses because he is at risk of having epileptic seizures. “This is something urgent to deal with, I am a bit nervous and anxious about losing these bus stops.” According to a state government report out for community feedback, removing the route along Lyndarum Drive would speed up services. “It means a faster and more direct journey between the estates north of Craigieburn
Road and key destinations such as the shopping plaza and train station,” the report said. According to the report, people who currently use the Lyndarum Drive and Rockfield Street stops will need to use stops at Edgars Road, Epping Road and Manor House Drive, a walk of a further 300-500 metres. Mr Francis said that under the proposed changes, passengers from north of Cooper Street would need to travel back and forth to access Thomastown station. He said the changes would result in the bus travelling via the Northern Hospital and
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Pacific Epping Shopping Centre to Epping station, turning around and going to the same stops before Thomastown station. Mr Francis said it is important that locals have their say on these proposed changes, and keep themselves informed. “Most bus travellers will have little idea of the full bus route system for Epping North and Wollert,” he said. “It is challenging to find out what bus needs are for other passengers, so it is important that the survey reaches as many people as possible.” Details: https://engage.vic.gov.au/ project/WollertBus/
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