Established in 2003
proudly serving the Northern Suburbs
17 MARCH, 2026
Wheels of support BroadyBikes is more than just a bike repair workshop, it is a program helping young volunteers who are disengaged build their work skills and education. Banksia Gardens Community Services (BGCS) runs BroadyBikes and spokesperson Donna Stoddart said the program has mentored young people in mechanics and supported them to enter the workforce. “It provides young people with a supportive place to build confidence, learn practical bike repair skills and gain real work experience,” Ms Stoddart said. “Participants learn by doing, repairing bikes, working with customers and developing the workplace skills that prepare them for future jobs while also delivering a valuable service to the local community.” On 10 March, it was announced that the program will receive $15,000 in funding through the Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Association (ANHCA) supporting stronger communities (SSC) grant program. Located at Kangan TAFE, the BroadyBikes workshop operates each Wedwnesday during school terms and every weekday during holidays. The program is always looking for donations of good quality bikes.
BroadyBikes coordinator Isaac Wattis. (Damjan Janevski) 540004_03
Vigil heartbreak By Courtney Black A heartbroken community gathered at twilight on Friday 13 March to commemorate the life of local hero Aidan Becker. Mr Becker, 22, died on the evening of Friday 6 March while protecting a 14-year-old schoolboy who was allegedly attacked by a group of teenagers at Mernda station. Four people, a 16-year-old from Whittlesea, a 17-year-old from Geelong, an 18-year-old Mill Park Park and a 17-year-old from Yarra, have been charged
with murder and armed robbery. A week later, more than a thousand people joined together at the station for a candlelight vigil which began just after 8pm. Mr Becker’s mum Nathalie Becker huddled together with a few of her son’s family and friends on a dais and addressed the vigil crowd. “We stand here tonight as a family broken,” Mrs Becker said. “I don’t know how we’re here and I don’t know what tomorrow looks like, but I know that my beautiful boy would have done it all again in a heartbeat, because that’s the boy he was.”
Th rough tears and broken words, she thanked the “overwhelming” number of people in attendance. “The only reason we’re here and not curled up in a ball somewhere is because of each and every one of you,” she said “We’ve read your letters, we’ve read your comments, we see your flowers every night and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.” Mrs Becker also thanked the bystanders who she said nursed her son before paramedics arrived at the scene of the alleged attacks. “Anthony you are my hero … thank you
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Anthony for telling my boy his family loved him, because those would have been the last words he heard.” She also thanked an unnamed couple, who she said were unforgettable. “I will know you when I see you, because I’ll never forget your face and the shock.” A moment of silence followed Mrs Becker’s speech, during which vigil attendees raised their candles into the darkness and were asked to reflect. The vigil concluded shortly before 8.30pm and was followed by a slow walk to the station’s main entrance where the community laid flowers.