Star Weekly - Hobsons Bay Maribyrnong - 11th March 2026

Koay is next big thing

Point Cook author Tzeyi Koay is appearing at the Footscray West Writers Festival (FWWF) later this month on a panel entitled The Next Big Thing, but when discussing her decision to give up a legal career to write fantasy novels, it becomes clear that Malaysian-born Koay is a big thing already.

“I’m very lucky, I sold my book at auction for six figures so I’m full-time now,” Koay said of the deal she signed with Simon and Schuster to release her debut ‘A Curse Carved in Ink,’ in January next year.

Such a deal for a new Australian author is big indeed, though it was the least Koay expected when she began writing a book mixing Chinese vampires with queer culture.

“I was really worried it wouldn’t sell because traditionally it’s been harder to sell LGBTQI+ books and books by people of colour.”

Fortunately, vampires remain popular with readers, but as Koay explained, the Chinese version is subtly different.

“They don’t siphon blood they siphon life or energy,” she said, FWWF is from 27-29 March: http:// www.fwwf.com.au/

Police shortages

By Cade Lucas

Staff shortages are behind the decision to close Williamstown Police Station for two weeks.

Late last month Victoria Police announced that Williamstown station would close temporarily from Sunday 8 MarchtoMonday23March,havingearlier announced that reception hours at the stationwouldbereduced.

InaFacebookposton23February,police announcedthatthestation’sopeninghours were being reduced to 10.15am-5.45pm on MondaysandFridaysonly.

TwodayslateranupdatedFacebookpost said the station would close entirely for a

two weeks, with police maintaining 24-7 patrols throughout Hobsons Bay and that 24-hourstationswereavailableAltonaand Footscray.

It’s understood that once the station reopens on 23 March, the previously announced reduced opening hours will apply.

In a statement to Star Weekly, Hobsons Bay Local Area Commander, Inspector Damien Madden, confirmed that high staff vacancy rates were behind the decision.

“It is a reality Victoria Police has a significant number of vacancies, and we must put our valuable resources where they have the biggest impact,” Inspector

Maddensaid.

“The best place for highly skilled police officersisoutinthecommunitypreventing crime and keeping people safe, not sitting behindadesk.”

The move comes as Hobsons Bay experiences a spike in crime, with recorded offences increasing by 14 per cent in the year to September 2025, according to data from the Crime Statistics Agency.

Last year, Hobsons Bay councillor and Williamstown ward representative Lisa Bentleycalledforincreasedopeninghours at Williamstown station to address crime inthearea.

“The community in Williamstown are

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concerned about the reduced hours at Williamstown Police Station, in fact many believe this is exacerbating the crime rate in Hobsons Bay,” Cr Bentley said at a councilmeetinglastAugust.

When asked about the station closure, the now deputy mayor referred to a statementfromacouncilspokesperson.

“Councilissupportiveofourlocalpolice, and recognises the challenges they face,” thespokespersonsaid.

“We would be supportive of advocacy to provide resources needed to keep the communitysafe.

“Community members can still access the help they need by calling Crime Stoppers,ortriple-0inanemergency.”

Police keep pulse on centre

By Cade Lucas

Police and Protective Services Officers (PSOs) will remain at Highpoint Shopping Centre until the end of this year after Operation Pulse was extended by the state government.

The operation targeting crime at Highpoint and seven other major shopping centres, was launched in December last year following a number of high profile incidents at retail precincts across Melbourne.

According to the state government, the operation involving highly visible and police and PSO patrols at shopping centres such as Highpoint, Northland and

Eastland, had resulted in a 73 per cent drop in retail theft stock loss and a 50 per cent drop in violent events.

“We’re putting police and PSOs where the problems are, protecting you where you shop, work and spend time,” Premier Jacinta Allan said in announcing the $6.5 million extension.

“Operation Pulse is delivering results – Victoria Police is stopping crime before it begins, responding quickly and removing dangerous weapons before they can be used,” Police Minister Anthony Carbines added.

Police have made 452 arrests, laid 971 charges, seized more than 100 weapons and conducted 3,800 vehicle checks

since starting shopping centre patrols as part of Operation Pulse.

News of its extension was welcomed by the Shopping Centre Council of Australia (SCCA), the peak body representing Highpoint and the other centres involved.

“Operation Pulse has been a major success,” SCCA chief executive Angus Nardi said, adding that feedback from staff and shoppers had been positive.

“Our community surveys have identified strong and consistent feedback, with 84 per cent of customers at one centre highlighting that Victoria Police’s presence makes the centre feel safer, and 94 per cent of retail tenants wanting Opera-

Day of family fun at inaugural bike fest

West Footscray’s Community Bike Hub is holding its inaugural Bike Fest on Saturday 21 March with all manner of bike- themed activities on offer.

“We’re putting on a community day for locals and beyond and introducing them to what we do,” Community Bike Hub operations manager Scott Butler said of the event which is supported by the West Gate Neighbourhood Fund.

Mr Butler said Bike Fest would cater

for bike lovers of all ages and interests.

“For families we’ve got some fun activities like a bike obstacle course and bike and blend which is making smoothies on an exercise bike (turning the pedals operates a blender).

“We have a garage sale for second hand bike parts, we have a bling my bike activity which just gets kids to supe-up their bike with decorations and we also have a bike packer talk, so

someone’s gonna come and show the practicalities of what to take on a bike packing tour during a question and answer session.”

And for those who simply want to get their bicycle fixed or maintained, free health checks will be available too.

Bike Fest will take place from 10am3pm at Community Bike Hub’s shop, 608 Barkly Street. Entry is free. Details: https://communitybikehub.com.au/

tion Pulse to be extended”, Mr Nardi said.

“Other community members have commented that Victoria Police officers have been approachable and engaging. As one customer said: “I feel much safer with police around”, and another saying; “Great having them here, very reassuring!“

“The experience of our centre-management teams is that Victoria Police have undertaken proactive and effective early interventions, including identifying suspicious behaviour, deescalating incidents and intercepting offenders.”

Under the extension, Operation Pulse will continue to operate with existing staff numbers.

Survey for road safety solutions

Residents in and around South Kingsville are being urged to complete a survey as part of efforts to develop a community road safety strategy for the area.

‘Better Roads, Safer Lives: A Community Strategy’ is a joint initiative of the South Kingsville Community Centre (SKCC) and local residents group Better West aimed at identifying and fixing road safety issues in South Kingsville and neighbouring suburbs.

The initiative is funded through a $50,000 Transport Accident Commission (TAC) community road safety grant that SKCC and Better West were awarded last year.

Better West chair Rosa McKenna said the two organisations came together to apply for the TAC grant due to the unique traffic problems faced by South Kingsville residents and those in nearby Spotswood, Newport and Altona North.

“Most services are not in South Kingsville so residents have to travel out or travel through,” Ms McKenna said, adding that road infrastructure in the area also contributed to its safety issues.

“There’s increasingly narrow roads with only one car able to go down at a time and being able to see small children in that situation where you’ve got parking on both sides of the road is difficult.

“It’s a problem anywhere but a particular problem here as we’ve got denser housing.”

While Ms McKenna said the strategy was an attempt to prevent any major incidents rather than a response to them, SKCC manager Alexandra Jedlicko said a close shave outside the centre two years ago convinced her of the need for action.

“In early 2024, I was crossing Brunel Street and had a near miss by a speeding driver,” Ms Jedlicko recalled.

“It horrifies me that people speed full stop, but next to a park, soccer ground, playground and kindergarten? It is an accident waiting to happen.”

Maribyrnong marked International Women’s Day with a photography exhibition celebrating local women nominated by their community for their leadership, care and influence.

Matriarchs of Maribyrnong is an online exhibition that showcases the portraits and stories of 26 women thought to have strengthened Maribyrnong’s social fabric and who reflect the diversity, resilience and leadership that exists across the municipality.

Matriarchs are the women who hold families and communities together, who advocate for others, share knowledge and culture, and create change through everyday actions.

They are mentors, carers, organisers and connectors whose impact often extends far beyond what is seen.

Women who embody these qualities were chosen earlier this year by community members who were invited to nominate the matriarchs in their lives – those who lead with strength, love and quiet determination.

The result is a collection of women who’ve demonstrated leadership in many different places and forms, including homes, workplaces, neighbourhoods and community spaces.

Among them are long-time community activist, councillor and former Greens MP, Colleen Hartland; Vietnamese Aus-

tralian transgender woman, advocate and community leader Anastasia Le; former chief executive of Australian Multicultural Community Services and current president of Footscray Rotary, Elizabeth Drozd; lawyer, author and founder of Kind Rebel, Donna Sherwani and Somalian refugee, change-maker and founder of Skilling, Employment and Aid Enterprises Australia Inc. Halima Mohamed.

The Matriarchs of Maribyrnong photography exhibition is available to be viewed ahead of International Women’s Day on Sunday 8 March and will remain online afterwards.

Detailst: www.maribyrnong.vic.gov. au/matriarchs

In order to address speeding and other issues in the road safety strategy, more survey responses are needed, before a series of workshops and a co-design process with local and state authorities takes place, with the final strategy set to be finished by mid-year.

The survey can be found at: https:// shorturl.at/reFoS

Council workers set to strike

By Cade Lucas and Courtney Black

Bins could be left overflowing, streets uncleaned and services understaffed in the inner-west next month if a major local government strike is approved by the Fair Work Commission (FWC).

On Thursday 5 March, the Australian Services Union (ASU) filed for protected industrial action with the FWC as part of its long running campaign to win wage increases for workers at eight councils, including Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong.

ASU spokesperson said union members have been pushed to a point of last resort.

“Our members have been pushed to this point by a decade of low wages that have been going backwards in real terms during a period of soaring cost of living,” the spokesperson said on Friday 6 March.

“We’ve filed for protected action yesterday and are undertaking the necessary legal steps to secure a protected industrial action order from Fair Work in the coming weeks.”

In a social media post, ASUVicTas representative Tash Wark said if approved, it would be the biggest local government strike in Victorian history.

“This time, we’re not just pushing back,

Get active in Maribyrnong

It’stimeforinner-westresidentstogetphysicalwiththeMaribyrnongGetActiveExposet to return for a 13th year.

Beginning on 15 March, the four-week expo features more than 230 activities spread throughout Maribyrnong with dance, soccer, Yoga, boating, tennis, Muay Thai and roller skating among the options participants can choose from.

Along with opportunities for people to get active and try something new, the expo also gives participants the chance to win prizes while doing so.

Everyone who takes part goes into the draw for prizes, while those who collect five stickers from the many activities on offer can receive a five-visit pass to RecWest Braybrook and the Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre.

TheexpokicksoffwithaSundaymorning

opening event from 10am-noonat Footscray Park where participants can come and grab their event passport.

There will also be a jumping castle, face painting,coffeecart,minigolf,beachtennis, cricket, AFL, soccer, the Western Bulldogs mascot and more.

Those who can’t make it will still have plenty of opportunities to get involved during the month-long expo which is billed as the ultimate ‘try before you buy’ event, with expert local trainers on hand to create programsfor alldifferentabilities,goalsand ages.

The 2026 Maribyrnong Get Active Expo runs from Sunday 15 March to Sunday 12 April.

Details: https://www.maribyrnong.vic. gov.au/Get-Active-Expo

Random acts of gentle expression exhibited

What started as a series of conversations between a bunch of artists, has, unsurprisingly, led to a new exhibition which has just opened in Footscray.

R.a.g.e. - random acts of gentle expression – is an exhibition that brings together five Melbourne artists reflecting on the realities of sustaining a creative practice today.

Now on display at Tocadero Projects in Leeds Street, the exhibition explores the space between persistence and doubt, asking how creativity survives alongside uncertainty, exhaustion and hope.

Rather than presenting resolution, the works hold space for ongoing questioning and reflection.

The exhibiting artists come from diverse backgrounds, such as Poland, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, and Chile and from across community, education and independent art contexts, experiences they bring into the exhibition.

we’re fighting back big,” Ms Wark said. If approved, workers across a range of local government services including, libraries, home care, waste removal, parks and gardens and recycling will walk off the job.

ASU and the councils have confirmed that a multi-employer bargaining process was approved by Fair Work in late December 2025.

According to the ASU, the councils involved have agreed to hold the first bargainingmeetingon24March,threemonths after the bargaining order was issued.

In a joint statement, the eight councils

involved - Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Greater Dandenong, Darebin, Hume, Melbourne, Merri-bek and Yarra - said it is too earlytocommentonongoingnegotiations.

“The Fair Work Commission authorised the multi-employer bargaining process in December 2025,” the statement said.

“Since then, councils and unions have been preparing for negotiations, including appointing an independent chair to oversee bargaining meetings.

“The first formal discussions are expected in the coming weeks – and it is too early to comment on negotiations or any potential industrial action.”

Among them is Polish born artists Aldona Kmie who emigrated to Australia in 2009 after studying photography in London.

Describing her own practice as focusing on diaspora memory and belonging, Kmie explained how r.a.g.e came about.

“It is a project born out of monthly meetings within the Trocadero Projects Peer-toPeer program, supporting emerging and mid-career women artists,” she said.

“We asked ourselves a very simple, yet fundamental question: how do we sustain a creative practice? How do we not give up? How do we survive moments of frustration?”

Kmie and fellow artists, Fiona Barbetti, Catalina Labra Odde, Florence Wang and Stephanie Siuin have attempted to answer those questions through r.a.g.e which is on display at Trocadero Projects until Saturday 4 April.

Details: https://shorturl.at/H21Eg

Holi celebrations saved

By Cade Lucas

Holi celebrations in the inner-west will look a little different this year, with the popular Festival Of Colours in West Footscray changing locations.

After weeks of uncertainty about the future of this year’s event, it was finally confirmed on Thursday 5 March that the 2026 Festival of Colours would go ahead, but in the car park of SIMS IGA rather than taking over an entire section of Barkly Street as usual.

The Holi celebrations will now take place from 11am-5pm on Saturday 14

March, with the change of venue and the late announcement being attributed to change within the West Footscray Traders Association (WFTA) who normally organise the event.

“After careful consideration, the West Footscray Traders Association will not be running the Holi Festival this year,” WFTA committee member Emily Re wrote in a post on Facebook on Thursday.

“ As a newly elected committee, we are currently focused on getting our core governance, compliance and planning processes in place so we can deliver events to the highest standard in the fu-

ture.

“However, we’re very pleased to share that our local councillor, Pradeep Tiwari, will be hosting a Holi celebration for the community this year at the IGA car park in West Footscray.”

Soon after, Cr Tiwari, who served as WFTA president before being elected to Maribyrnong council and who has numerous business interests in the area, confirmed that he’d stepped in to organise this year’s event, arguing it was too important to go into recess.

“It would just disappoint too many people,” Cr Tiwari said of the Festival of

Footscray feast for freedom

The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) is teaming up with the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival for a special dining event to raise money for refugees.

A Longer Table will be held at the ASRC’s Home of Hope in Footscray on Wednesday 25 March as part of the Feast for Freedom fundraising campaign.

Running from 6pm–9pm, the immersive dining experience offers guests the chance to eat together at a communal table, sharing a curated menu created by refugee cooks Noha Elramlowi from

Palestine and Nigethan ‘Nige’ Sithirasegaram from Sri Lanka, the 2026 Feast for Freedom Hero Cooks.

For Ms Elramlowi, Palestinian food is a way of holding onto culture for her daughters and showing the beauty of Palestine beyond the headlines.

Her recipes, grounded in za’atar, olive oil and harvest traditions from Gaza, carry family history and memory.

For Mr Sithirasegaram, food became a lifeline after fleeing Sri Lanka and spending six years in detention where he learnt

Maintenance funding for inner-west schools

Two schools in Hobsons Bay are among 55 across Victoria that will benefit from maintenance works funded by the state government.

Newport Gardens and Seaholme primary schools will share in the $35.077 million allocated in the latest round of the Planned Maintenance Program (PMP) announced by Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ben Carroll on Wednesday 4 March.

Newport Gardens will receive $714,703.88 worth of maintenance upgrades, one of the largest amounts awarded to any primary school across the state,

while Seaholme will receive upgrades valued at $320, 263.93.

The maintenance works will include practical measures such as upgrading emergency shelters, replacing windows, painting, resurfacing floors and installing outside lights and paths.

These upgrades are aimed at providing modern, safe and high-quality spaces for principals, teachers and staff and better learning experiences for students.

Mr Carroll said the latest round of PMP funding was part of the state government’s continued investment in public education.

Colours. “I ran it for 10 years when I was part of the association so I know it by the back of my hand,”

He said the event would take place in the IGA car park because it was too late to get approval for road closures, but that the site footprint was not much smaller than normal.

“I still expect thousands of people to come,” Cr Tiwari said, adding that while Maribyrnong council was supporting this year’s festival, no funding had been provided and that the WFTA would resume organising the event in 2027.

Police Briefs

Firearms charges

A man has been charged and several firearms, tasers and ammunition seized as part of an investigation into the manufacturing of illicit firearms in Melbourne’s west. Police executed a search warrant at a Kingsville residence about 8am on 6 March, arresting a 49-year-old man allegedly manufacturing and storing firearms at the Bishop Street address. During the search, officers seized allegedly privately manufactured firearms and parts, a 3D-printed crossbow and firearm, 3D printers, mobile phones and laptops, tasers and ammunition

The man has been charged with numerous offences including possessing a prohibited weapon, a prohibited person possessing an imitation firearm and possessing equipment to manufacture firearms.

Murder charge

A Werribee man has been charged following the fatal shooting of a man in Strathtulloh on 5 March. Police were called to reports of a man with critical injuries in the street of the intersection of Snipe Drive and Spadefoot Place about 12.40am. Emergency services arrived at the scene and worked on the 36-year-old man, however he died at the scene. The 31-year-old Werribee man was arrested on Sunday 8 March in Skye, and has since been charged with one count of murder.

Rockbank collision

to cook by phoning home for instructions from his mum and wife.

His recipes reflect the vibrant flavours of Trincomalee and the joy he finds when people share his meals.

“At a time when fear and division are being used to decide who belongs, A Longer Table is about choosing connection instead,” ASRC chief executive and founder Kon Karapanagiotidis said.

Details: www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/events/feast-for-freedom-a-longer-table/

“Not only have we opened 121 brandnew public schools, we’re also ensuring our existing schools are in the best shape for our students,” Mr Carroll said.

“Practical improvements like a fresh coat of paint or upgrading emergency shelters mean Victorian students can learn in modern schools with up-to-date facilities.”

The money provided to Newport Gardens and Seaholme primary schools follows the more than $2 million allocated to Bayside and Laverton P-12 colleges in the previous round of PMP funding in November last year.

Police are investigating a collision in Rockbank just after midnight on 5 March. It is understood a silver Mercedes sedan was allegedly driving on the wrong side of the Western Freeway, near Leakes Road, before it collided with a red hatchback. The two occupants of the hatchback, a man and a woman, were both taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The male driver of the Mercedes was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Ardeer man charged

A 27-year-old Ardeer man has been charged following a collision in Melbourne’s CBD. The charges follow an incident at the intersection of Flinders and Williams streets on 2 March where an allegedly stolen black wagon was seen driving erratically before it collid Police arrested the Ardeer man after he unsuccessfully allegedly tried to steal another vehicle parked on the street nearby.

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Smarter water use starts with everyday choices. Run full laundry loads, take shorter showers and turn the tap off when brushing your teeth.

Cafe’s purposeful blend

Soulful Spreads is a social enterprise cafe located in Tarneit that helps young women and people with disabilities gain hands on experience. Jaidyn Kennedy paid the cafe a visit and learned its story.

Coffee, catering and confidence might sound like an strange brew of concepts, yet they are exactly what a local cafe in Tarneit serves to its customers and team.

Tucked away near the Julia Gillard Library is Soulful Spreads, a social enterprise that supports young people and women with disabilities by providing hands-on hospitality training.

Put simply, a social enterprise is a business that reinvests the majority of its earnings into a cause it supports rather than chasing profit.

Founded in July last year by Samira FazalwiththehelpofhersisterNoshi,the purposealwaysstemmedfromapersonal calling.

“It is a bit of a personal story, because I have two sisters with disabilities, and I have always wanted to work to help people,” Ms Fazal said.

“Until last year, I worked in the corporate world and in community service, but I just didn’t feel much fulfilment from it.

“Then I gave up my job in April last year and that is where this came about.”

Everything staked on one sentiment.

“I have always said disability is not inability,” Ms Fazal said.

There are lots of fancy cafes out there–don’t expect fancy and that’s because there is a bigger cause you are supporting

- Samira Fazal

Which is where the name was born.

“My sister and I were just chatting about, and it is the spread of abilities we wanted to be looking at – instead of just looking at disabilities that people have.”

Now in the swing of things, the cafe provides five-week programs, opportunities for volunteers and community catering services.

The program is designed as a stepping stone to confidence, independence, and a pathway to meaningful employment.

Everything on the menu – from cappuccinos to toasties – is deliberately capped at $5.50 to make it affordable for locals.

The weekly menu is also designed by those participating.

“They select what they want to put on the menu, so I get them the ingredients and we cook it together,” Ms Fazal said.

“Our menu is very simple on paper but changes all the time.”

She was asked why designing and implementing a menu is an important operating feature.

“They need to be able to decide things and exercise that decision making power, because not all of them have it yet.

“Peopleneedtohaveabitofcontroland autonomy over their space, I want them to be able to have that control because when they go out in the real world, they have to make a lot of decisions.”

Program participant Anjali Manral is currently learning on the job.

“I love coming to the cafe because it helps give me lots of confidence that I am able to do something,” Ms Manral said.

“I really enjoy meeting people, making coffee and learning different skills.

“My skills have improved, if someone orders multiple choice, I’m confident withallthepricesandknowI’mnotgoing to make a mistake.

“AndifIdo,it’sokaythere’snopressure on me, so it’s good like that.”

Silky Somani volunteers and gains something slightly different from her involvement.

“It has played a major role in my life because I have two kids and so back home I’m occupied with them most of the time, but here it is just me time.

“Which gives me a lot of satisfaction, happinessandIlookforwardtoMondays, so I can come and make some coffees.

Learning has not been a one-way street.

“I have learned a lot, but I think the most important thing I have learned is just being patient,” Ms Fazal said.

“I put a sign up in the cafe saying please be patient.

“I have become very humble and patient, so personally I have grown learning from them, too.

“There are lots of fancy cafes out there– don’t expect fancy and that’s because there is a bigger cause you are supporting.”

Ms Fazal wants to carry on the momentum she and her sister have built.

“The goal for the next year is to get more people in the program.

“My vision for the next five years is to open a cafe and employ more people.

Integraltothatvisionistakingthesting out of the word disability.

“Ihavecomefromabackgroundwhere disability is hidden, it’s a taboo, but I want to be able to talk about it,” Ms Fazal

said. “As mothers, sisters and daughters we need to talk about it.

“I strongly believe that everyone has a purpose and something they can give back to the community.

“It’s just human nature to focus on what we can’t do— and not what we can do.

“So why don’t we build on the abilities we have and build that up for them.

“It’s made a huge difference, not only for me but for the community.”

Soulful Spreads certainly seems to have the community part of the equation down pat, with a mixture of youth and experience showing an interest in their mission.

On Mondays, many retired residents have made a bit of a tradition of gathering at the cafe.

“For them it is really about getting out and avoiding isolation, they come and socialise– so a big part of this is providing that safe space for the community.

“Most of them come from the retirement community next door or pop in after their Tai Chi sessions.

“They see it as a nice place to chat instead of just going back home.”

“There is storytelling, there is knowledge sharing – we gain so much learning from them through their stories and experiences.

“Someone taught us how to make scones, which are now on the menu.”

The youth volunteers are certainly contributing to that sense of community.

“We have a bimonthly book club which encourages young people to come– that is open to everyone,” Ms Fazal said.

“Last holidays, they ran three workshops, including origami and arts and crafts– everything was organised by them.”

She said she hopes to see more social enterprises pop up to have more of this community spirit in Wyndham.

“It is not a competition, we should worktogethertomakeWyndhamaglobal village instead of competing with each other.”

In the meantime, there is plenty to do.

“We are always looking for volunteers, especially on the days we have cooking classes,” Ms Fazal said.

There’s even a way for customers to feed into spirit of giving.

“We have a pay it forward model in where you buy a coffee for someone else, and then they buy one for the next person,” Ms Fazal said.

“Giving back to the community is very fulfilling – knowing someone is not going to sleep hungry or start their day.”

Me Fazal said she is eternally grateful forthosecommunitymembersandwants everyone to pop by if they get the chance to see the work they do.

“If we work together, we can make so many changes, and the community support is what makes this happen.”

Soulful Spreads is open 8.30am-noon onMondays,WednesdaysandThursdays. Details: https://soulfulspreads.com

Paisley petition launches

Amid growing calls for the reinstatement of a train station at Altona North, one local resident has taken it upon herself to petition state parliament for one.

Ariel Beninca has lodged a petition with Victoria’s Legislative Assembly calling for a train station to be built on the Werribee line at Altona North which has been without one since the former Paisley Station closed in the mid-1980’s.

The closure of Paisley Station left Altona North in the midst of a 14-kilometre gap between Newport and Laverton stations, one of the largest in Melbourne, and a source of frustration for those who moved in as the

suburb transformed from an industrial to residential.

Among them were Ms Beninca and her partner, both of whom work in the city.

“I found that I would leave the office around 4.55pm and sometimes not arrive home until 6.30pm,” Ms Beninca said of how long her bus commute took before she moved to a role requiring less office time.

“We’re not that far from the city, so it shouldn’t take that long, but the 232 bus is at the mercy of peak hour traffic and often had to detour around the West Gate.”

When Ms Beninca did try and take the train, the distance to the nearest station

meant she had to drive, which caused its own problems.

“Parking at Newport station was often impossible and very stressful,” she said.

Ms Beninca’s petition needs to attract 10,000 signatures by June in order to be debated in parliament, but has received some early support, with Williamstown MP Melissa Horne sponsoring it.

A new Altona North station was also recommended by Infrastructure Victoria in its 30-year strategy released last year, while Western Metropolitan MP David Ettershank recently demanded the state government commit to building it by 2030.

Responding to Mr Ettershank, a state government spokesperson touted the recently completed West Gate and Metro tunnels and level crossing removals on the Werribee line as projects that would benefit Altona North commuters.

“We’re always looking at how we can improve public transport in growing communities like Altona North,” the spokesperson said.

Melissa Horne was contacted for comment.

The petition: https://www.parliament. vic.gov.au/get-involved/petitions/altona-north-train-station/

Vegetation cover almost doubled at Kororoit Creek

Vegetation surrounding Kororoit Creek has nearly doubled over the period from 20112025 with new plantings supporting 19.84 per cent of the milestone, according to new data from InCanopy.

In collecting the data, information technology company InCanopy said it analysed vegetation within 50 metres on both sides of Kororoit Creek, across more than 100 kilometres of the waterway.

Friends of Kororoit Creek (FOKC) president Jessica Gerger welcomed the news.

“It is fantastic to know that the dedication and hard work of everyone involved, across all municipalities, is paying off,” she said.

According to InCanopy, vegetation along the creek has increased by 28.68 per cent since 2011.

Ms Gerger said, in the Brimbank area, FOKC members have established a rich mix of Indigenous plants over approximately 50,000 square metres of creek reserve with added habitat features, signage and artworks.

“We have done mass plantings of beautiful wildflowers and grasses with groundcovers, shrubs and trees sprinkled throughout,” she said.

Ms Gerger thanked the wider community, Brimbank council, Landcare Australia, the state government, and corporate sponsors, among others, for their support.

“As the old adage goes, it takes a village! And of course, our indefatigable FOKC team,” she said.

Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek (FOLKC), which is active along the creek in Brooklyn and Altona, has planted hundreds of thousands of locally Indigenous trees and plants since the group began in 2001, according to president Jason Hocking.

He said Kororoit Creek in the Altona area previously resembled an ignored industrial drain.

“Almost all native vegetation had been removed by 150 years of agriculture and the destruction of the natural land surface by quarrying, the use of old quarries as rubbish tips and the addition of huge quantities of waste dirt from construction,” he said.

Mr Hocking said the sediment at the base of the creek, as well as the water itself, was formerly contaminated due to industrial activity.

“Added to this was the domination of the environment by pest animals,” he said.

“These threats are still present today but thanks to the establishment of tree cover,

the removal of most destructive illegal access and noxious weeds, and the reduction in industrial pollutants, there is now far more viable habitat for native animals.”

He thanked Melbourne Water, Hobsons Bay council and numerous corporate sponsors for their support, as well as former FOLKC president Geoffrey Mitchelmore.

The InCanopy data show vegetation cover along the creek is forecasted to reach 83.31 per cent by 2035.

Mr Hocking said FOLKC will focus on re-establishing natural tree cover in the Altona-Brooklyn sections of the creek.

“What we are still missing is the ‘ground storey’ or the native grasses and wildflowers that used to surround the trees,” Mr Hocking said.

Ms Gerger said FOKC will continue improving and extending vegetation along the creek.

“We do a huge amount of maintenance at our sites so endless planting extension is only possible with more people power (and of course funding!). Come get involved,” she said.

Details: facilitator@naturewest.au (FOLKC) and www.fokc.org.au

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Star Weekly looks back through the pages of our predecessors

40 years ago 12 March, 1986

Williamstown’s 5000 north ward residentswillgotothepollsonSaturday toelectanewnorthwardcouncillor.

30 years ago 13 March, 1996

An impressive field of 25 candidates will fight for a spot on Hobsons Bay councilinSaturday’selections

Faces of the west

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

20 years ago 14 March, 2006

The state government has finally put thewheelsinmotiontogetthesporting excellence program at Maribyrnong SecondaryCollegeunderway.

10 years ago 9 March, 2016

West Footscray business owners have praised residents who came together to quickly wipe out a racist weekend graffiti attack on shopfronts and properties.

Go into Spag’s black hole

Inner-west youth theatre company

Dramawerkz is launching its debut production this month at Altona’s Louis JoelArtsandCommunity(LJAC)centre.

Spaghettification follows young people acting as the arbiters of what survives the apocalypse,astheydefendtheentranceto a black hole that is slowly sucking up the world’ssmalljoys.

Inside a blanket fort they have built to protect themselves from danger, they decide what and who should be taken into the abyss, and watch reality warp as they

getclosertothecentreofitall.

Spaghettification will play out both on stage and on the walls of the LJAC gallery, withanexhibitionrunningconcurrentlyto theproduction.

This exhibition will exist as a starry, blanketyinstallationduringtheday,before comingtolifeasastageshoweachnight.

The stage show opens on Friday 13 March and will be followed performances on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 March, beforereturningforthefollowingweekend from 20-22 March and then finishing from

27-29March.

All shows begin at 8.30pm and most seating will be on the floor of blanket fort, with rugs and cushions provided and chairsavailableonrequest.

The Spaghettification exhibition opens on10Marchandrunsthroughuntil1April. Details: https://events.humanitix.com/ spaghettification

Spaghettification cast members Sascha Davidson, Jayme Lau and Amelie Barham. (Supplied)

Artists come together to inspire through the power of art

Six local artists, based at the Hunt Club and Community Arts Centre, have come together to host an open day and foyer exhibition to inspire locals through the powerofart.

The foyer exhibition will feature works by Brimbank council resident studio artists Lee Agius (Artful Warrior), Lukas Kasper, Fiona Clarke, Kenneth McKean, AmraPajalicandElzetteBester.

Theworksshowcaseeachartists’unique discipline and artistic voice, which contributetoBrimbank’sculturallife.

Artists will also run free community workshops on their different creative practicesatanopendayon14March.

Curator and studio artist Lee Agius came up with the open day idea last year.

“I just thought, people don’t realise that the artists are at the Hunt Club. [The event] would be a good way to bridge that

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

gap between the studios upstairs and the communities,”shesaid.

“Even though we all work individually, we’vealldonecommunityworkbefore.”

Ms Agius, a qualified creative arts therapistandmentalhealthanddisability practitioner, has worked in creative arts therapyformorethantwodecades.

“I found that working in a creative context with other people was a bit more satisfyingtome,”shesaid.

Artist Elzette Bester is a graphic designer and illustrator who has worked inthecreativeindustryfor25years.

She said she wants locals to know the studioartistsareaccessible.

“I think [locals], apart from doing something creative, can take away that there are some exceptional artists in

Brimbankcouncilthatarereadytobepart of the community, be part of community projects,”MsBestersaid.

“Come and have a coffee with us. We want some engagement so we can continue to do what we love and help the communityatthesametime.”

The ‘Creative Ground - From Studio to Community’ exhibition, supported by Brimbankcouncil,willbeondisplayuntil 2 April at Hunt Club Community and Arts Centre,775BallaratRoad,DeerPark.

The exhibition open day will run from 12.30-4.30pmonSaturday14Marchatthe samelocation.

Registration for free workshops is essential,andspacesarelimited. More info and registration: shorturl.at/ kVflK

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

Eid in the Park

Mark the end of Ramadan with an Eid celebration at Aeroplane Park next to the Braybrook Community Hub on Friday 27 March. There will be a coffee ceremony followed by a halal sausage sizzle and a sweet treat. Enjoy an evening with the community, meet some furry friends at the animal petting zoo, decorate your hands with a lovely henna design or kids can get their face painted. All are welcome. Bring a rug and a picnic basket filled with your favourite Eid goodies and have a fabulous evening. The picnic is free and will be held from 5-7pm.

9188 5800 or nam.nguyen@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au

Book sales

Friends of Altona Libraries (FOAL) hold monthly book sales at the rear of Altona Library during the first week of each month. Books no longer required by the library are sold for as little as $2.. All money is returned to the library to support community programs. New members who are happy to volunteer to help organise and sell books for only a few hours per month are welcome.

Ann Nicol, 0408 460 062

Discover new skills

Join Outlets Newport Community Education Centre for classes in English conversation, computers, devices, sewing, crafts and more. All welcome.

9391 8504, outlets@outletsco-op.com. au or visit 43 Mason Street, Newport. Learn digital devices

Know someone who needs help with their mobile phone or tablet? Outlets Newport Community Education Centre offers small, weekly classes that teach all the basics, tips and tricks to meet your needs. Register

now. Classes are Mondays 10am-noon. 9391 8504, outlets@outletsco-op.com. au or visit 43 Mason Street, Newport.

Cards and conversation

Do you like cards and games? Whether its Canasta, 500 or board games, come and join us weekly at Altona North Library. All levels welcome. Tuesdays from 10am-noon. Free of charge, morning tea provided and no bookings required. Altona North Library

Corner of Millers and McArthurs Road, Altona North. 1300 179 944

Join Hobsons Bay Community Fund as a committee member

The Hobsons Bay Community Fund is seeking new volunteer committee members to help support local community initiatives. We currently have opportunities available for treasurer and social media roles. If

you’re passionate about making a positive impact in Hobsons Bay and would like to contribute your skills, we’d love to hear from you.

Craig Eyes, 0408 055 125 or @hbcommunityfund.org.au

Altona North Grandparent Playgroup. A friendly weekly opportunity for grandparents and their grandchildren to play, have cuppa, cake and chat, $5. During school terms, Monday 10am-noon at Eastona Park Community Facility, 13 Collins Ave Altona North (old kindergarten venue).

Marnie, 0478 011 981

Bridge Club

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

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

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

Mainly music

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

Marking IWD

By Cr Daria Kellander

International Women’s Day on Sunday was an opportunity to pause and recognise the many women who help shape our community - in families, workplaces, businessesandvolunteergroups.

It’s a day to celebrate their contributions and to acknowledge the quiet, everyday effortsthatoftengounseen.

Last week, council was proud to host two events to mark the occasion: a community worldcaféandabusinesslunch.

Both brought together remarkable local women who are making a real difference here in Hobsons Bay, and it was wonderful to see such strong support from across our community.

This year’s theme, “Balancing the Scales”, resonatedwithmepersonally.

Like many women, I juggle several roles in my life, as a councillor, as a professional, andmostimportantly,asamum.

Each role brings its own responsibilities and rewards, and like many mums, I’m constantly learning how to manage that balance.

But balance doesn’t mean doing everything perfectly. It’s about focusing on what matters most, leaning on the support of family and friends when needed, and remembering that leadership and contributioncomeinmanydifferent forms.

I’m also proud to see strong female representation in our council, with women elected to the roles of mayor and deputy mayorinconsecutiveyears.

When young girls see women taking on leadership roles in their community, it shows them that those paths are open to themtoo.

International Women’s Day also reminds us not to take these opportunities for granted.

Aroundtheworld,manywomencontinue to fight for the basic freedoms, rights and opportunitiesthatallowthemtoparticipate fully intheir communities.

Their courage is a powerful reminder of why democratic freedoms, equality and representation matter, and why we must continue to support and strengthen them wherever wecan.

ServingasmayorofHobsonsBaylastyear was a great privilege, and it continues to be an honour to represent our community as a councillor.

Here’s to celebrating the women around us, their resilience, their leadership, and their determination to build communities where every girl grows up knowing she has thefreedom,opportunityandconfidenceto chaseherdreams.

Briefs

Explosives reserve

Join proud Bunurong, Tyereelore, Trawoolway man, Rob Ogden, alongside Hobsons Bay council conservation rangers, Andrew and Suzette, for a tour of the Truganina Explosives Reserve. You will learn about the plants and animals of the area, hear cultural stories and learn more about the industrial history of the reserve. Those attending should prepare for the weather conditions, bring a water bottle and wear comfortable footwear. Children must be supervised. The tours are held from 11.30am-12.30pm on Sunday 15, 22 and 29 March. Bookings: https://shorturl.at/dYiFU

Drop in

Hobsons Bay’s youth drop-in program is a chance for those aged 12-17 to hang out and meet some new people in a space just for young people. The drop-in program offers a range of activities including outdoor games and sports, table tennis and foosball, art activities, cooking, board games, movies and more. It can also be used as quiet time for homework or an opportunity to chat with a youth worker. Drop-in sessions are on Thursdays from 3-5pm at Newport Community Hub. Details: youth@hobsonsbay.vic. gov.au

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

Maribyrnong & Hobsons Bay Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Fifteen day luxury cruise

Imagine sailing down the Mississippi and the Ohio Rivers for 16 days taking in the sights of colourful New Orlean, musical MemphisandlovelyLouisville.

Viking have announced their new itineraries for the region for 2027 and bookingsarenowopen.

Sailing on board the Viking Mississippi, guests can choose the new fifteen day Bayous, Blues and Bluegrass itinerary, which operates between New Orleans and Louisville, with ports of call along the MississippiandOhiorivers.

A shorter option is the eight day Mississippi and Ohio River Explorer itinerary which offers a journey between MemphisandLouisville.

Viking Chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen believes wherever they are in the world, Viking guests are interested in the history, culture and culinary traditions of thedestinationstheyvisit.

“The towns and cities along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers are close to home for quite a few of our guests and are fantastic destinations that many have yet todiscovering,”hesaid.

He believes the new itineraries expand the company’s destination-focused offeringsontheMississippiRiver.

The itineraries explore the rich heritage of the American South, birthplace of some ofthecountry’smostbelovedculinaryand musical tradition with the 2027 Bayous, Bluesand Bluegrass15dayNewOrleansto Louisvillecruise.

Along the Mississippi River, grand homes preserve the South’s past. Step into Civil War history at Vicksburg and feel the rhythm of the blues in Greenville. Further north, sample smoky barbecue in Tennessee and discover Kentucky’s legacy of craftsmanship, from the powerful LouisvilleSluggertosmoothbourbon.

Also new for 2027 is the eight day Mississippi and Ohio River Explorer from Memphis to Louisville. Sail on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers as they wind past scenic wetlands, quaint towns and storied cities.

Classic American musical genres with the blues, rock ‘n’ roll and bluegrass arose along these waterways. Discover the legacies of icons such as BB King and Elvis Presley in Memphis, Tennessee. In Kentucky, Louisville’s baseball museum preserves the spirit of America’s favourite pastime while its bourbon distilleries honour generations of craftsmanship.

The 22-day Mississippi River Odyssey

from New Orleans to St Paul gives guests the opportunity to revel in the charm of “America’sGreatRiver”astheshipsetssail alongtheMississippi.

Admire the historic mansions and grand homes atop its bluffs, and delve into America’sCivilWarhistory.

Delight in the region’s famed Southern cuisine and sample Memphis’s renowned barbecue, alongside artisan beers. Birthplace of American music, blues, jazz and soul, the Mississippi celebrates its musical heritage in the towns and cities thatlineitslegendaryshores.

The eight-day Mississippi Delta Explorer from New Orleans to Memphis allows guests to discover Darrow, the gateway to the grand homes of the Lower Mississippi and explore the fascinating towns along the banks of the Mississippi that preserve the memory of the American South’s early history.

Learn about Natchez’s French and Acadian heritage and pay respects at the Vicksburg battlefield. Savour delicious Cajun and creole cuisine, as well as Memphis’s famous barbecue, as you celebratemusicallegendsinthebirthplace ofrock’n’roll.

Discover the Heartland of America over eightdaysfromStLouisto StPaulasguests journey along the Upper Mississippi and hear stories of intrepid pioneers and the LewisandClarkExpedition.

Walk in the footsteps of famed writer MarkTwainandlearnabouttheNorwegian

migrationtotheMidwest.

Enjoy the view as the luxury ship navigates through the river’s intricate lock system and experience the region’s many culturaltreasuresfromragtime,polkaand NorwegianfolkmusictoWisconsincheese, craftbeerandheartystews.

On the eight day New Orleans and Southern Charms leaving New Orleans for a roundtrip, discover the Lower Mississippi’s rich charm, history and hospitality. Explore historic estates and visitnotableCivilWarsites.

Sample the bustling French-flavoured port cities of New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Sway to the tempos of Dixieland jazz, gospel and blues. Savour gourmet Cajun and Creole cuisine, as well as

traditional Southern fare. Join this special VikingcruiseandseewhylocalCajunssay, “Laissez les bons temps rouler” (Let the goodtimesroll).

The Viking Mississippi hosts 386 guests in 193 all-outside staterooms. The state-of-the-art Viking Mississippi is inspired by Viking’s award-winning river and ocean ships and features elegant Scandinavian design, as well as public spaces that are familiar to guests but reimagined for Mississippi River voyages. The ship’s cutting-edge design, expansive windows and comfortable amenities make the Viking Mississippi the first truly modernshipintheregion.

For further information please phone 138747orvisitwww.viking.com.

EUROPE

$5,695* pp

Book now and choose your preferred offer valued up to $5,000 per couple: Free economy class flight offers, upgrade to business class with an airfare credit, or save on your cruise fare.

Available until sold out on select river, ocean and expedition voyages*.

ROMANTIC DANUBE

Budapest to Regensburg or vice versa

Explore Göttweig Abbey, one of Austria’s most revered monastic centres and make dumplings with Wachau Valley apricots.

8 DAYS • 3 COUNTRIES • 5 GUIDED TOURS

• JUN-NOV 2026; 2027; MAR-NOV 2028

From $5,695pp in Standard Stateroom From $6,695pp in Veranda Stateroom

PASSAGE TO EASTERN EUROPE

Bucharest to Budapest or vice versa

Sail the Danube’s Iron Gate, witness Hungary’s Puszta horsemen, and behold Budapest’s grandeur—Eastern Europe unveiled.

11 DAYS • 5 COUNTRIES • 8 GUIDED TOURS SET SAIL • APR-NOV 2026; MAR-NOV 2027; 2028

From $7,595pp in Standard Stateroom From $9,495pp in Veranda Stateroom

CAPITALS OF EASTERN EUROPE

Bucharest to Vienna or vice

Discover the “City of Waltzes,” Austria’s elegant capital and European centre of classical music. In Bratislava, view grand palaces from the Hapsburg era.

17 DAYS • 7 COUNTRIES • 12 GUIDED TOURS SET SAIL • APR-NOV 2026; MAR-NOV 2027; 2028

From $11,495pp in Standard Stateroom From $16,795pp in Veranda Stateroom

Introducing our 2026-2028 River Voyages brochure. Uncover the immersive experiences that await you along the world’s waterways with Viking.

To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.

1 Assimilate (6) 4 Leads an orchestra (8)

Complementary item (9)

Throw (5)

Chits (abbr) (4)

Colouring matter (5)

Humming sound (4)

Musician, Jim – (8)

Provided (8)

Declare (4)

Beautiful maiden in Muslim paradise (5) 26 Web addresses (abbr) (4)

Black mineral (4)

Hat (5)

Harmony (9)

1 A Middle Eastern language (6)

Yield; submit (7)

Corrosion (4)

Contradictory or incongruous phrase (8)

Be full of censure (10)

Commentators (7)

8 An instance of seeing something (8)

9 Minute skin opening (4) 15 Central Asian nation (10) 18 Ban (8) 19 Embezzle money (8) 21 Unbiased (7) 23 Forest workers (7) 24 English city on the River Exe (6)

27 Old stringed instrument (4) 29 Self-referential (4)

3 LETTERS

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural nouns ending in “s”.

Today’s Aim:

17 words: Good 26 words: Very good 34 words: Excellent

N I T C O P L

URN

4 LETTERS AVOS AYES BASS BUSS EKES EVIL FADE FADS LEGS LOSS PEON SEWS SODA SWAP VERY

5 LETTERS ACING AGENT AGREE ALONE ANGLE AREN’T AROSE ASKEW

toil, tonic, topic, tulip, tunic, unclip, uncoil, unit, unlit, until

picot, pilot, pint, pinto, piton, point, politic, PUNCTILIO,

1 Steve Carell (pictured) and Timothée Chalamet play father and son in which 2018 film?

2 What is the title of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s debut cookbook, released in 1999?

3 Convallaria majalis is a woodland flowering plant better known by what name?

4 Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats was based on the 1939 poetry collection Old Possum’s Book ofPracticalCats by which author?

5 In which year did construction on the Sydney Harbour Bridge commence?

6 If something is ephemeral, it is what?

7 Which four African countries border the Red Sea?

8 Which band released the 2010 album The Suburbs?

9 What is the name given to the Catalonian sauce made from tomato, garlic, nuts and capsicum?

10 Who wrote the 1985 novel OrangesAreNottheOnly Fruit?

SPORTS QUIZ

1. What was the first version of a snowboard called?

2. Which country is considered the hub of Formula One racing?

3. How many black pentagons are on a standard soccer ball?

4. What turf-related term is used to describe the most basic level of a sport?

5. Which of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments is played first in the calendar year?

6. Which US hockey player lost parts of his teeth before scoring the gold medal-winning goal at the 2026 Winter Olympics?

7. And what are the names of his two brothers who are also in the NHL?

Which Formula One driver recently married Alexandra Saint Mleux in Monaco?

Which WNBA team debuted in the league’s 2025 season?

Which fitness system incorporating martial arts techniques and choreography was popularised by Billy Blanks in the late 1980s?

11. Outgoing Australian Open tennis boss Craig Tiley has secured a new job in which country?

12. Mackay and Darwin will host cricket Test matches in 2026, with Australia playing which country?

13. David Beckham, Michael Jordan and Shane Warne all wore which number in their respective sports?

14. How many countries are competing in the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup soccer competition?

15. This year, broadcaster Emma Lawrence became the first woman to call matches for which league?

16. Former Carlton star Charlie Curnow moved to which AFL club for the 2026 season?

17. Stacey Marinkovich is the national coach of which Australian sports team?

18. Rookie Formula One driver Arvid Lindblad is what nationality?

19. Which Frenchman was EPL club Arsenal’s longserving manager from 1996 to 2018?

20. The 2026 NRL season kicked off in which iconic US city?

21. Who kicked the first goal in the 2026 Women’s AFC Asian Cup tournament?

22. And which country did the Matildas defeat in the opening match of that tournament?

23. How many AFL teams will now feature in the league’s finals series thanks to the new Wildcard Round?

24. Which Australian cricketer recently hit 158 in her final ever One Day International innings?

25. Steven May recently retired from the AFL after playing 251 games for Melbourne and which other club?

26. Ash Barty recently took part in what type of sporting event in New Zealand?

27. Which martial art made its debut at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games?

28. South Africa, India, England and which other country played in the semifinals of the 2026 Men’s Twenty20 World Cup?

29. Zac Lomax last played for which NRL team?

30. The Rip Curl Pro is a surfing event held at which Victorian beach every year?

Star Weekly seeks an enthusiastic Full or Part time Sales Executive to work across our print, digital, social and online platforms.

Star Weekly is an independently owned company which prides itself on its long history of community experience but also its investment in the future.

The successful applicant will need to possess good people skills to enable them to meet with local businesses to sell solutions through our advertising platforms to help promote their business.

Applicants will need their own reliable vehicle for which we will provide an allowance.

The position is salaried, plus we offer an open ended commission scheme.

Send your application letter and resume to: Advertising Sales Manager, Mandy Clark mandy.clark@starnewsgroup.com.au www.starnewsgroup.com.au

Is H7 aimed at ‘blokes’?

By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring

Haval has gone for a rugged, almost retro-look with its new the mid-sized H7 Hybrid, emphasised by bolt-on mudguard flares.

Well,theylookliketheybolton,butdespite the rugged exterior it is actually front-wheel drive and shares its underpinnings with the softer H6 plug-in hybrid that we tested recently – though you can’t plug this one in. Which is kinda funny, we had planned to grab a charge spot across the road from the Orpheum Theatre in crowded Cremorne –until we discovered it doesn’t have a charge port.

Nope.PlanBturnedouttobearatherlong hikebacktothetheatreandalonglinetoget in.

In any case, H7 is designed to bridge the gap between the H6 and larger Tank 300 (which is designed to go off-road with low-range four-wheel drive).

Haval claims the H7 strikes the perfect balance between weekend adventure and everyday versatility, and it has the best-selling Toyota RAV4 in its crosshairs.

Styling

There’s just the one H7 Vanta HEV, priced from $44,990 plus on-road costs, although there’s talk of an AWD and PHEV to come.

That’s only $5000 more than the similarly-equipped H6 Ultra HEV. Any colour but white adds $495 to the price.

H7’s squared-off proportions and upright stance create a rugged appearance, with assertive design elements like the round LEDheadlightsandabold,squared-offface.

Thegrilleandroundheadlightsremindus of something (an early Mitsubishi perhaps) while the hanging tail lights channel those of the Mazda CX-3 and CX-30.

Add to this 19-inch machined alloy wheels and a suite of blacked-out finishes, including the badging, front grille, mirror caps,windowtrims,roofrailsandtaillights.

Standard equipment includes artificial leatherwithrealleathergarnishes,two-zone climate air with rear outlets, a heated steering wheel, power-adjustable heated and cooled front seats, with driver-seat memory.

There are also 19-inch alloys, with 235/60 profile tyres, push-button start, adaptive cruise control, head-up display, auto high beam, traffic sign recognition, LED lights all-round, auto lights and wipers, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, front and rear parking sensors, rear privacy glass, with side blinds, along with an electric tailgate and electric, panoramic sunroof.

Not to mention push-button, automatic parking.

H7isconvertedbyaseven-yearunlimited kilometrewarranty,alongwithaneight-year unlimited-kilometrebatterypackwarranty.

There’s also five-year roadside assistance and five-year capped price servicing.

Infotainment

Infotainment consists of a 14.6-inch touchscreen powered by the GWM’s Coffee OS.

There’s Bluetooth, voice control, AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio, plus eight-speaker audio – but alas no built-in satellite navigation.

For that the general idea is to use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, depending on your poison – both connect wirelessly.

Two USB-A ports are provided, one in front and another in the rear, plus a 12-volt socket in the front, along with wireless phone charging.

It also misses out on telematics which

The H7 looks like it will go off road, but really doesn’t have the necessary credentials (Pictures: Supplied)

provide remote access and control of various vehicle functions.

Safety

H7 carries a full five-star safety rating from ANCAP. However, during the full-width frontal test, the head restraint dislodged from the driver’s seat back.

While ANCAP says this does not affect scoring under 2023-2025 rating criteria, it may increase the risk of injury to the driver.

Asaresult,GWMhasinitiatedavoluntary safetyrecallforvehiclesbuiltbeforeOctober 15, 2025.

Seven airbags are standard, including a centre airbag to stop those in the front from banging heads in a side impact crash.

A 360-degree camera with 180 degree overhead transparent chassis view is fitted.

Autonomous emergency braking applies to car-to-car, vulnerable road user and junction assist scenarios.

There are also blind spot alert and a lane support system with lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and emergency lane keeping,plusanadvancedspeedassistance system that keeps to current speed limits. Head-up display is part of the deal, but as we have pointed out on many occasions it does not work very well if you happen to wear polarised sunglasses.

Engines/transmissions

The self-charging hybrid powertrain is the same as that in the H6 and produces 179kW of power and 530Nm of torque in front-wheel drive form, with a dual-speed dedicated hybrid transmission.

Driving Inside the H7 blends versatility, comfort,

andtechnologytosupportanactivelifestyle.

The boxy, upright design and five-seat configuration deliver plenty of head and shoulder room, along with excellent visibility.

A removable boot floor reveals a tyre repair kit but no spare wheel in the event of a puncture – not very off-roady.

But Haval reckons you can use the boot floor as a picnic table – we’d like to see that.

Pseudo studs reinforce the utilitarian feel inside,withadigitalinstrumentclusterthat is inset rather than freestanding.

A forward-tilted top section displays the current gear but little else, while its major role appears to be as a sunshade for the lower section. Smart thinking.

A panoramic sunroof has a retractable shade that is power operated.

With a 61-litre fuel tank, it takes standard 91unleaded,withclaimedfuelconsumption of5.7L/100kmandaCO2outputof131g/km. We were getting 7.1L/100km after 450km of driving.

There’s the usual drive mode options: Normal, Eco, Sport or Snow.

Steeringweightcanalsobeadjusted,with comfortable, sport or light settings.

The regenerative braking also adjusts, right down to one-pedal driving, although it does not bring the vehicle to a complete stop.

With plenty of torque, the H7 gets up and going pretty smartly, with well weightedsteering,butbrakesthatarealittle touchy.

Althoughtheridequalityisnotasgoodas the Australian-tuned H6 PHEV, it’s not too bad either.

With 210mm of ground clearance, it rides a bit higher than the H6 and as such

doesn’t handle as well, but again it’s okay for an SUV.

Front-wheel drive means dirt roads are okay, but we wouldn’t be taking it any further off road than that.

More worrying was the throttle which failed to respond at all for two or three seconds when we punched the accelerator hard on two occasions.

Obviously, this could become an issue in some situations.

Lots of beeps and warnings from drive assist, but not as bad as some.

The eight-speaker sound system is interesting, with a DTS setting that makes a huge difference to the sound quality, so be sure to tick it. But getting the volume right can be an issue.

There are no physical controls provided, and control from the steering wheel is a bit hit and miss – perhaps missing?

Fortunately hitting the mute button brings up a slider on the touchscreen after you un-mute it, allowing the volume to be adjusted.

It does leave the front passenger at a loose end, however.

There’s no physical controls for the air-conditioning either.

Summing up

You get the feeling the H7 is targeted at blokes.

My wife wasn’t fussed on the styling, but styling is as they say a very personal thing. Other than the minor quibbles that we have identified and lack of satellite navigation, it looks like being another winner for Great Wall which incidentally is doingagreatjobrespondingtothedemands of the market.

Finals action aplenty

There was plenty of finals action across Melbourne’s north-west on Saturday. Star Weekly photographer Ljubica Vrankovic was out shooting some of the action.

Altona Sports’ finals dream

By Tara Murray

Altona Sports is hoping to taste some premiership success in the Western Suburbs Churches and Community Cricket Association in the coming weeks.

All seven of Sports senior sides finished in the top four to qualify finals, with several teams finishing in the top two.

President Liam Brennan said while they set out to have as many teams as possible in finals, it doesn’t always pan out that way.

“It was awesome about four years ago when we had all four teams in finals,” he said.

“To do it with all seven is crazy.

“Everyone is performing well and most are in the top two which is even better.”

Brennan said they had looked to spread more talent across all their sides this season, which he put down as the reason for the success so far.

“Each team has some good players,” he said. “We have a good spread of talent and having guys stay in the same grades helps with that consistency and performance.”

Sports top side was aiming for back-to–back premierships in the A.E Lowe twoday competition.

Sports finished second on the ladder and hosted Williams Landing in a semi final on Saturday-Sunday with a spot in the grand final on the line.

Brennan, captain of that side, said it would be a good test for them before the game.

“We’ve had two close games with them,” he said. “They are a good batting side and we’re a good bowling and fielding side.

“They’ve got a few gun bats and getting them out early will be the key.”

Sports won the toss and decided to bat but it wasn’t the day they were after on Saturday.

Sports was bowled out for just 74 in 39 overs.

Lucas Meiers top scored with 20.

While Sports got two early wickets in the run chase, it was slim pickings from then.

Williams Landing lost just one more

Clubbers upset Deer Park to make grand final

By Tara Murray

Yarraville Club produced its best allround performance of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division season when it mattered most.

The Clubbers, who only qualified for finals in the final round, are through to the grand final after upsetting Deer Park at the weekend in the semi finals.

Clubbers captain-coach Mitch Johnstone said they were pretty pleased with the performance.

“We’ve had some good battles over the years but they’ve had the upper hand the last 18 months,” he said.

“It was good to put out a competitive performance. We had to change the philosophy we’ve had against them.

“It was a pretty sizable margin, which was great.”

The Clubbers were sent in by Deer Park on Saturday.

Trent Lawford moved to the top of the order as the Clubbers looked to get him set before Fawad Ahmed came on to bowl.

It paid dividends with Lawford making 124 off 97 balls to set up the Clubbers innings.

“He is an extraordinary cricketer and he continues to mature,” Johnstone said.

“He played some really good cricket shots. I’m glad he’s on our team.”

Johnstone said one of the biggest question marks on their team was their lower order batting.

Nadeera Thuppahi (70 not out), Josh Eaton (25) and James Damjanovski (46 not out) stood up and answered the question to push the Clubbers score to 6-335.

“They put on the best of 140 there,” Johnstone said. “There’s a lot of finals won by those guys.”

The Clubbers got off to the perfect start with the ball, getting Aaron Shellie caught on the boundary in the first over on Sunday.

The Lions came hard at the Clubbers, but Johnstone said they were able to hold their nerve.

“They had a fight back after tea and they were scoring quite quickly,” he said.

“We kept chipping away.

“They have so many batters. They are unrelenting at times.

“With a total of that size we were only one or two wickets away from ascendency.”

Matthew Doric took 4-62 for the Clubbers.

The Clubbers will face Airport West St Christopher’s in the grand final after the Eagles beat Keilor in the other semi final.

“We’ve got through Deer Park which has been the undisputed team the last three seasons,” he said. “Both sides will fancy their chances.

“They are a good side and have a quality batting line up and we have an experi-

enced bowling attack.

“It’s a four day final and the best team will win.”

It was a good weekend for the Clubbers with their second and third XIs winning through to grand finals as well.

The club’s under-18s have already won

wicket for the innings, finishing 3-172. Tom Harrison took both wickets for Altona Sports as they tried 10 bowlers to get the job done.

Brennan said he hoped the experience of having played in big games would help them this final series.

In the B-grade competition, Brennan said they thought they would continue on having finished on top of the ladder. He said Dean Bryden, who won the competition’s bowling award, would be the key.

Altona Sports will now face Point Cook Centrals in the grand final. The third, sixth and seventh sides are also through to grand finals this weekend.

Bulldogs through to grand final

Footscray United’s rise up the ladder is complete with the Bulldogs through to the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Isaacs Howarth Shield grand final.

The Bulldogs won just three games last season but have built on that and made finals for the first time since coming up.

Bulldogs’ coach Michael Deasy said it was amazing to see where they had come from last season to this season.

“We’ve got a lot of depth and we picked up a couple of recruits,” he said.

“Anyone on any particular day can stand up and we’ve had different players step up over the last few weeks.

“It was a real team effort in this game, they had us under the pump.

“To be 4-20 and to recover and win the game, it is unreal.”

Deasy said they always felt they would improve this season, it was a matter of how much.

In the weekend’s semi final, the Bulldogs were sent in by Doutta Stars.

At 4-20 it seemed it was the right decision, before the Bulldogs recovered to make 218.

Dulan Pabasara Waduge was the key as he made 101, while Will Sheffield made 51.

The Stars finished day one at 2-9 putting the Bulldogs in a good position.

With four wickets early on day two, the Stars were in trouble at 6-34.

“They made us work for it,” Deasy said

“George Hankins and Patrick Willach batted well. It was only after tea that we started to get wickets.”

Deasy said getting a breakthrough just after tea was key to getting the win.

He said if they didn’t the Stars could have gone on to get the win.

The Stars were bowled out for 142.

Sheffield took 5-39 and Isaac Heater took 4-31.

The Bulldogs will face Haig Fawkner in the grand final this weekend.

a flag.

Johnstone said the work they had done the past few years to rebuild their program with youth was showing through.

“We’ve got a dozen teenagers over the seconds and the thirds,” he said.

“It will be a big week for the club.”

As the highest ranked team, the Bulldogs will host the grand final.

“They are very rapt and a very happy group,” Deasy said.

Groves lays out priorities

By Tara Murray

New Williamstown women’s coach Paul Groves is keen for the new challenge at the Victorian Football League club.

The former AFLW premiership coach has been involved in a number of programs, most recently helping Essendon’s AFLW program.

Keen to coach his own side again, Groves is hoping to take the Seagulls to the next level.

“The aim was to coach a team again and when the job popped up it certainly piqued my interest in being a standalone club, as well the ability to work with [Justin] Plappy from a men’s sense who I have worked with before,” he said.

“It was really about taking the reins again, getting a better balance, being after hours, with my job as a teacher.

“One of the attractions of it, the real club sense. I’ve done a fair in the ammos [Victorian Amateur Football Association] over the years, the ability to have a community club at a higher level was probably the main attraction.”

Groves said he was already getting an understanding of the culture of the club.

He said he wanted to further embrace that.

“They are all very passionate about it and probably something picked up straight away,” he said.

“It’s about bringing the right people in and harnessing that a little bit and proba-

bly growing the connection with the men’s team and the whole of the club.

“That’s a bit of a focus ... certainly one of the higher priorities.”

Normally the side would be getting ready for the season to kick off, but this year the VFLW season won’t kick off until May.

Groves said while they were in full swing into the pre-season it had been a bit of a balancing act to make sure they didn’t burn the group out.

Most of last season’s squad has returned in a big boost for Groves.

“We have got some really exciting players that have agreed to come over that will be announcing pretty soon,” he said. “We felt like we have added to the list, which is great.

“We feel like we’re in a really good spot

Battle of Williamstown’s Fearon Reserve

By Tara Murray

It will be a big week at Fearon Reserve as Williamstown Imperials and Williamstown CYMS prepare to face off in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association McNamara Shield grand final.

The two neighbours won semi finals side-by-side on Sunday to win through to the decider against each other.

The banter between the two sides had already started hours after the semi finals were won.

The Imperials have been the best team all season and will go in as favourites.

Coach Tom Burton said they had set themselves for the grand final for the past 12 months after missing out last season.

“We have definitely targeted it all year and to get there is really pleasing,” he said.

“It [the weekend] was our most complete game of the season and hopefully we will continue it next week.”

Burton said having played all three formats in recent weeks, it was nice to come out and put that performance out on the weekend.

The Imperials faced West Coburg St Andrews on the weekend.

After winning the toss, the Imperials

made 8-365.

“The wicket was pretty flat and to score runs like we did was a great job,” Burton said.

“Andrew [Hendry] was unbelievable up front.

“We were potentially stuck in the middle but Shane [Jones] and Josh [van Zyl] made it a competitive score and at the end Tristan [Alsop] whacked it.”

Hendry top scored with 89, while Jones made 80.

Alsop and Jack Reynolds bowled strongly early on Sunday to put the side further on top.

The Redbacks were bowled out for 108 with Alsop taking three wickets.

Burton said once their match was over they went and checked out the other semi final.

He said playing the old rival was one that would be more for the supporters than the players.

“We don’t care who we play,” he said. “We want to do what we do best and hopefully that is enough.”

CYs captain-coach Nick Duxson said it was a pretty good feeling to make it through to the grand final after they beat Sunbury.

talent wise.”

The club’s recent come and try day had an overwhelming response and ended with 28 players from across the state taking part.

Groves said some had been to some training sessions since, while they would keep tabs on them all for the future.

Groves said he wanted to continue to help the side grow this season.

The Seagulls have been thereabouts the past few seasons without tasting success.

“They have done a lot right the last five or six years,” he said “It’s identifying the areas that hold teams successful both in AFLW and VFLW.

“They are predominately a very good stoppage team and I’ll be looking for us to use the ball a little bit more.”

A’s, Woodmen finals battle

Spotswood and Altona will face each other two weeks in a row after finishing the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west in third and fourth.

Altona entered the final round on top of the ladder with the Woodsmen also having secured their finals spot.

Saturday’s one-dayer went down to the wire.

After being sent in, the Woodsmen made 9-161 from their overs.

Seamus Lynch top scored with 64 at the top of the order, with no other batter getting past 20.

Daniel Mackenzie took 3-21 for the A’s.

The A’s got off to a good start before crumbling to be 6-75.

A 60 run partnership put the side in the position to win the match.

The A’s then lost 4-22 to be all out for 157 with four balls remaining.

Matthew Turcinovich top scored with 42 for the A’s

Jakson Knight and Samuel Hope took two wickets each for the Woodsmen.

The result means the A’s finish in third and the Woodsmen in fourth, with the A’s to host the Woodsmen in the first week of the finals.

“We played well across the two days,” he said. “We’ve worked hard to earn that opportunity to take the title away from them.

“This week side by side makes it an interesting dynamic with neighbours playing in the grand final.”

The CYs set the win up against the Roar on day one of the match, making 260.

“The boys were fantastic with the bat,” Duxson said. “We had a spread across the board, hopefully that happens next week too.

“We had multiple players score between 20 and 40. Angus [Groen] batted really well and Alex Browne made a run a ball 40.

“At 3-150 we threatened to take the game away but Sunbury got back into the contest.

“Miles [Bradshaw] and Aaamir [Fernandes] both then hit 30 odd.”

The CYs then backed it up with the ball, bowling Sunbury out for 148.

Duxson said the wickets for Indika Massalage and Jason McGann were the keys to getting the win.

Browne finished with four wickets.

Duxson said the side will be going for its first premiership since 2006-07.

“We will go in as underdogs, hopefully we can get it done.”

Just three points separated the top four sides in what had been a close competition all season.

Meanwhile, Yarraville finished its season with a win, while Williamstown lost to Hoppers Crossing.

The Eagles made 267 as they were bowled out in the final over.

Tejas Hari top scored with 74.

The match went down to the final ball with Melton finishing, 9-265.

Samar Partap Singh took three wickets for the Eagles.

The Seagulls fell well short of Hoppers Crossing’s total at Hogans Road Reserve.

The Cats made 9-193 from its 45 overs. George Pinkney took five wickets for the Seagulls.

The Seagulls finished 7-149 in reply. Antone Harb top scored for the Seagulls with 52.

Williamstown finished the season in 11th and Yarraville in 12th with six and five wins respectively.

First up loss for Bulldogs

By Tara Murray

Footscray will need to make the most of its second chance after a first round finals loss in Victorian Premier Cricket.

The Bulldogs had a solid first day with the bat, but the total was nowhere near enough as Melbourne chased down the runs with ease.

Bulldogs’ coach Dale McDonald said Melbourne is a really good outfit and made the most of winning the toss and deciding to bowl.

“That was always going to make it a little more challenging for us,” he said.

“We tried hard and it wasn’t the result that we wanted.

The Bulldogs made 9-311 after being sent in.

McDonald said they worked really hard to make 300.

“Ideally we would have liked a few more than that,” he said.

“We had a 53-run final wicket partnership with Daniel Wilczynski and Dylan [Brasher], with Dylan scoring most of those runs.”

“The wicket had more in it on the Saturday which is very typical for Saturday-Sunday cricket.”

Brasher was the star for the Bulldogs making 145 not out.

The skipper flew back on Saturday morning from Tasmania having been 12th man for Victoria.

“He batted the house down,” McDonald said. “Gave himself another really good opportunity to push his case for playing state

cricket, which is ultimately what we want for Dylan and any players in that situation.

“It’s great to have him when we do. We were lucky enough to have him in this game but based on the way he batted on the weekend I think that’s the last time we see him depending on how far we go in the finals.”

Brasher’s innings including him breaking Ken Eastwood’s batting aggravate record that stood since the 1960s.

Brasher could have kept batting but stuck to the team plan and declared late on day one to make Melbourne face a few overs before stumps.

Melbourne got through unscathed and batted strongly on day two.

McDonald said there was nothing in the wicket on Sunday.

“They are the type of team that didn’t need to chase the runs,” he said. “They’re an aggressive batting team.

“I don’t think it would have mattered if it was 400 on the board, they would have still tried to chase it.”

Melbourne finished 3-315 in 84 overs.

It was all single wicket takers for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs now face Prahran in a knockout semi final this weekend at Merv Hughes Oval.

McDonald said it would be another good challenge.

The two sides played in the final round of the season which ended in a draw.

“We’re really confident and playing some really good cricket and hopefully it clicks all on the one weekend.”

Magpies in first grand final since 2011

By Tara Murray

Laverton is through to the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Clark Shield grand final after a journey years in the making

The Magpies were last in the grand final in 2011 when they lost to East Keilor and it had been tough going for a number of years.

This season has been different though, with the side putting more wins on the board than it had for a number of seasons.

President Rahul Anhal said it was pretty special for the club.

“It was a really good game,” he said.

“The last time we won a grand final was in 2010 in division 1 and the last grand final we played in was the year after.

“It’sbeenalongtimecoming.Ourthirds and fourths are through to the grand final as well as our division 7 churches side.

“Our under-18s won their VTCA grand final on the weekend.”

On the weekend, the first XI faced Werribee Centrals for a spot in the grand final.

The Centurions, who snuck into the fi-

nals in the final round, were the only team throughout the season to beat the Magpies.

Laverton won the toss and decided to bowl first. The Centurions were in trouble at 3-24 before a 41 run partnership added some runs to the board.

The loss of three quick wickets turned the game back in the favour of the Magpies.

The Centurions tail showed some resistance through Daniel Williams, they were bowled out for 137 in the 47th over. Williams top scored with 30 not out for the Centurions.

Varinder pal Singh and Mayank Sharma took four wickets each for the Magpies.

The wickets continued to fall late on day one, with the Magpies finishing the day at 5-54 and the game evenly poised.

Anhal said it was a tough chase ahead on a tricky wicket and they were a bit nervous after the first day.

“The innings got off to a shaky start with early wickets falling, but the boys showed incredible resilience to stay in the fight,” he said.

“The boys were able to hold their nerve

and get us into the grand final.”

The Magpies batted with patience on day two. They were able to get a couple of little partnerships going.

Laverton was able to hit the winning runs in the 51st over, finishing 7-138.

Gurpreet Singh top scored with 56 and kept the side in the game when they needed it. With pressure mounting late in the chase, Sharma (34 not out off 33 balls) and Gaurav Kamboj (eight not out) held their nerve to guide Laverton home.

Laverton will face Pascoe Vale Central in the grand final.

Pascoe Vale Central finished 4-121 in reply to East Coburg’s 120.

Anhal said they were hoping to have a big crowd at home to watch them.

He said the job was only half done for their side.

“We need to win so we can start going up the ladder,” he said. “We want to be where we were a few years ago.

“If we win we go up to division 3 which would be massive. “Hopefully we can get the fairytale ending.”

Clubbers out, Imperials in

Yarraville Club fell just short of a second straight grand final, while Williamstown Imperials won through without a ball being bowled in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association women’s competition.

After making a grand final in their first season, the Clubbers were hoping to make the Geoff Law Shield grand final this season.

On Sunday, the Clubbers faced Pascoe Vale Hadfield for a spot in the decider.

The Panthers batted first and made 2-162 from their overs to set a big target for the Clubbers.

Brittany McIntyre and Lisa Parisi were the wicket takers for the Clubbers.

It was a tough start for the Clubbers in their run chase, slipping to 2-11 when both openers were out.

The Clubbers had some small partnerships but were never really able to get going.

They finished 8-83. Natalie Cheesley top scored with 13 before being run out.

Meanwhile, Williamstown Imperials are through to a grand final in their first season.

Playing in the south-west competition, the Imperials were set to face Gellibrand’s second side, but it forfeited.

The Imperials will face Bellbridge in the grand final after the Bears beat Keilor.

The Imperials beat the Bears the last time they played in round 11, while they first match was washed out.

Imperials president Brett Pearce said before the season that they were keen to build so females of all ages could play at the club.

“We’ve got some junior girls’ sides and they have to move and go to other players to play when they get older,” he said.

“We want to have that pathway for junior players. They get that with the men and we want to create that for women now.

“Our club is an inclusive club for everyone. We want it to be a place women can come and enjoy cricket alongside their daughters.”

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