Star Weekly - Melton Moorabool - 24th March 2026

Striking a charitable chord

Students at Caroline Springs’ Creekside College are ready to play music with a purpose this month, raising funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal as part of its annual busking event.

The tradition has struck a chord with the school community for nearly two decades now.

Acting assistant principal (years seven to nine) Katia Gerovasilis said it’s a big day for everyone involved.

“It’s run by our student leadership team. [Students] love it. They really look forward to it and they’re really involved,” Ms Gerovasilis said.

“We have a lot of talented kids at our school who are really keen.”

As part of the event, students from all classes organise and run stalls, games, performances and activities to help create a festival-like atmosphere.

The day features separate events for primary and secondary students.

This year the school has set its sights on a $10,000 target.

Locals are encouraged to donate to the cause online to help the school hit a high note for charity.

Details: fundraise.goodfridayappeal. com.au/fundraisers/creeksidek9college

Panel requested

By Jack O’shea-Ayres

Mooraboolcouncilwillseekanindependent planning panel to review community feedback on a proposed amendment to its planning scheme which is designed to shapetheregion’sretailfuture.

At the 4 March meeting, councillors voted to request the minister for planning appoint a panel to consider submissions received during the public exhibition of AmendmentC115moor,whichunderpins theimplementationoftheMooraboolRetail Strategy2024.

The amendment proposes changes to the Moorabool Planning Scheme to reflect

the vision outlined in the Moorabool Retail Strategy, which the council adopted in September 2024. The strategy will guide how and where shops and commercial centres develop across the shire over the nextdecade,supportinggrowthinkeyareas includingBacchusMarshandBallan.

Eleven submissions were received when theplanwaspubliclyexhibitedlatelastyear.

While several supported new neighbourhood activity centres in growing areas, others raised concerns about commercial locations, potential impacts on Ballan’s heritage and character, traffic pressures, and requests for site-specific changes.

One submission also called for delaying the amendment until the completion of a separateplanningstudyforMaddingley.

Raph Krelle of Centrum Town Planning on behalf of the BMS Retail Group, which operates IGA supermarkets in Darley and Maddingley, and Darley Plaza owner Velardo Trading addressed councillors and raised issues regarding the redevelopment ofDarleyPlaza.

“... My clients have been working on the potential redevelopment of Darley Plaza for…probablyover15years,”MrKrellesaid.

He claimed flooding issues were delaying redevelopment work that would double the plaza’s size and add more retail, gym and

officespaces.

“We would have to raise the floor level of Darley Plaza by 400 to 500 millimeters, whichwouldresultintheneedtoeffectively demolish the existing shopping centre and stop trading, which is not a possibility,” Mr Krellesaid.“...there’sacomplicatedseriesof issuesweneedtoworkthrough.”

Councillors Paul Tatchell and Tom Sullivan moved a resolution requesting the minister establish the panel, which the councilsupported.

When the panel concludes its report, the council will decide whether to adopt the amendment as exhibited, adopt it with changes,orabandonitaltogether.

Family violence tops crime

By Jack O’Shea-Ayres

Crime rose in Melton and Moorabool last year, according to latest data.

The Crime Statistics Agency revealed that in the year ending 31 December, 2025, Moorabool’s crime was up by more than 35 per cent compared to the previous year, with 3502 offences recorded across 2025, compared to 2590 in 2024.

Bacchus Marsh took home the title as Moorabool’s hotspot for the year, with 1386 recorded offences, followed by Darley with 645 and then Maddingley with 440.

Breaching family violence orders was the number one offence committed across Moorabool, with 482 offences recorded during 2025 .

Other theft followed at 434, then stealing from a motor vehicle (320), criminal damage (257), and motor vehicle theft (155).

The Melton local government area’s crime was up by more than 10 per cent compared to the previous year, with 16,851 offences recorded across the area for 2025.

Melton led as the crime capital for the area with 2244 recorded criminal offences, followed by Melton South and Caroline

Springs at 1418 and 1295 recorded offences respectively.

Other types of theft remains the most popular offence recorded across the Melton area, with 2564 recorded offences, followed bybreachingafamilyviolenceorder(1958), stealing from a motor vehicle (1779), criminal damage (1210), and motor vehicle theft (907).

Houses were the most common offence location for both local government areas, with 6200 offences occurring in peoples’ homes in Melton and 1287 across Moorabool.

‘Low act’ leaves Rotary members’ heads spinning

Members of Bacchus Marsh Rotary Club have been left saddened and confused after the alleged theft of a donation box from a shopping centre in Bacchus Marsh. Police are investigating the incident, where it is believed an unidentified man and woman stole the donation box from inside the centre on Main Street about 9.45pm on 7 March.

Bacchus Marsh Rotary Club uses the box to collect vital funds for its community projects, with fundraising coordinator Kathy Cairns calling the theft a “low act.”

“To think somebody’s gone and walked outwithit-I’mjustreallyshattered.Ican’t believe someone would take it,” she said, Police said it is not known how much money was inside the box at the time it was stolen.

But Ms Cairns said the likely only small amount inside would mean little to the alleged thieves, but everything to the Rotary Club.

“It wouldn’t have had much in it. It’s only a money spinner,” she said.

“But it’s consistent money for us. Over

Free men’s health program returns in April

Melton’s free health program for men, Sons of the West, is back for 2026.

Registrations are now open for the program designed to improve men’s physical, mental and social wellbeing across Melton.

Delivered by the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation in partnership with Melton council, Sons of the West is a 10-week program for men aged 18 years and over, covering fitness, nutrition, mental health, gender equity and more.

Through weekly sessions participants will get the opportunity to learn how to best look after themselves and be introduced to resources and local services to help continue supporting their journey, with the program designed to suit all fitness levels and abilities.

The program includes presentations from experts and people with lived experience.

Mayor Lara Carli said the program is about more than fitness education.

“Sons of the West is so much more than just a short fitness program. It really creates social connectivity and instils a passion and drive in people,” she said.

“The program is a great way for men of all ages and fitness levels to access practical support and advice for living a healthier lifestyle.”

Support is provided along the way by health professionals and guest speakers, with the program running in Brookfield at the Botanica Springs Children’s and Community Centre and at the Taylors Hill Youth and Community Centre between late April and June.

Details: melton.vic.gov.au/sonsofthewest or visit the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation website for more details.

Streets, lanes and footpaths followed second with 2378 offences recorded for Meltonand441forMoorabool,thenservice stations third at 954 and 232 respectively.

The data showed a steady increase in recorded offences for Melton since 2023, after a slight decrease between 2021-22.

Car theft, retail theft, and child offending increased all around Victoria, with car theft reaching its highest offence rate since 2001. Hume burglaries, however, decreased around the state for the first time since 2020.

Diggers Rest hub needs a name

A new children’s and community centre is coming to Diggers Rest, and it needs a name.

The modern space is being built to support the growing needs of the Diggers Rest community and is set to include kindergarten facilities, maternal and child health services, and a first of its kind library lounge for Melton.

The community is currently being called to vote on which naming theme should guide the naming of the new building and to share name suggestions for consideration.

The four naming themes include linking name to place to support connection to the local area, recognition of traditional owners where traditional owner languages are encouraged, promoting gender equality in an aim to create gender-diverse and inclusive places, and commemorative names in honour of those with meaningful contributions to the community.

Following voting, a shortlist of name suggestions will then be presented to the community for further consideration.

a year, that income means everything, it’s going to impact our fundraising.”

Ms Cairns said the Rotary Club now also faces the issue of replacing the donation box.

“We’re tossing up replacing it, but it costs around $1800 to $1900 to replace one of these things,” she said.

“We’d simply just love to get it back so we can continue to raise funds for the community.”

Police said the investigation remains ongoing. Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000

Voting closes on Friday 3 April, with construction on the new community hub set to begin in August this year and commence by August 2027.

Details: https://tinyurl.com/yexnxt7w

Early win for west drivers

By Jack O’shea-Ayres

Motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians are set to benefit from smoother and safer journeys, with the Melton Highway upgrade completed ahead of schedule.

The project has been delivered a month earlier than expected according to the state government, with an extra lane now open in each direction between Crown Drive and The Regency.

The project targets congestion on one of the region’s key arterial roads, which services rapidly growing suburbs including

Hillside and Fraser Rise.

The upgrade includes new safety barriers and improved street lighting along the corridor, as well as extended shared walking and cycling paths. These paths now connect with the existing network on the south side of Melton Highway, providing better access for pedestrians and cyclists.

Roads and Road Safety Minister Melissa Horne said completing the project ahead of schedule meant drivers could enjoy the benefits sooner.

“Finishing this project ahead of schedule means drivers in Melbourne’s outer west

can enjoy safer and more reliable journeys sooner,” she said.

“These upgrades are improving traffic flow and helping our road network keep pace with the rapid growth in communities like Hillside and Fraser Rise.”

Works are also continuing nearby on the Melton Highway and Leakes Road Intersection Upgrade, which is now entering its final stages.

The upgrade is designed and planned to align the northern and southern approaches of Leakes Road to create a traditional crossroad intersection, with new turning

Sheza Lyle and Samarjeet Singh are the subjects

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Exhibition celebrates Melton’s diversity

Portraits and personal stories celebrating the many cultures which shape the City of Melton will be on display, with the arrival of a new exhibition opening at the Melton Library & Learning Hub this month.

Titled Culture Connects Us All, the exhibition by artist Miguel Andres Villanueva launched on Monday 16 March as part of Cultural Diversity Week and will remain on display throughout March, April and May.

The exhibition features portraits and stories of 12 community members whose efforts have helped make Melton

a more inclusive and welcoming place.

Through their work with cultural groups, community events and advocacy initiatives, each subject has contributed to strengthening social connections across the municipality.

Residents featured in the exhibition represent a diverse range of cultural backgrounds, including across First nations, Fiji, Singapore, Pakistan, China and South Sudan, reflecting the broad mix of communities that now call the city home.

Melton mayor Lara Carli said the exhibition celebrates the people behind

the stories of cultural connection and community leadership.

“Cultural Diversity Week is a wonderful opportunity to recognise and embrace the many cultures that shape our City, and to come together to celebrate, share and learn from one another,” she said.

“Sharing our stories helps us pass on traditions, deepen understanding and build stronger connections across our community.”

The exhibition is open to the public during library hours. Details: https:// tinyurl.com/ytkabrst.

New women’s health clinic will be established in Bacchus Marsh

Women in the west will soon have greater access to specialist care close to home, with the announcement of a new women’s health clinic to be operated by Western Health in Bacchus Marsh.

On Monday 2 March, Eureka MP Michaela Settle confirmed Bacchus Marsh will host one of 20 dedicated multidisciplinary women’s health clinics to be established across Victoria. The new clinic will allow women to see specialists including gynaecologists, urologists,specialistGPs,nursesandalliedhealth

professionals locally, all in a bid to reduce the need to travel while cutting costs and improving timely access to care.

The Bacchus Marsh service will reportedly offer specialised treatment for pelvic pain, alongside support for conditions such as endometriosis, heavy bleeding, prolapse and incontinence, contraception, abortion and menopause.

Ms Settle said the clinic would address long-standing gaps in access to care in the region.

“For too long, women in our communi-

lanes, traffic lights and pedestrian crossings, all in a bid to improve safety and traffic movement.

The improvements are expected to help ensure the road network keeps pace with Melton’s growing population, which is projected to exceed 400,000 residents by 2050. Construction began in July 2025 and was completed one month ahead of schedule, with all lanes on Melton Highway open on 6 March 2026.

For more information, visit transport. vic.gov.au/news-and-resources/projects/ melton-highway-infill-duplication.

Council strives to create better parks throughout Melton

Melton council is aiming for a greener city, with parks and open spaces across the municipality getting some needed love as a part of a reserves and parks upgrade program.

The initiative has already upgraded more than 20 local parks and reserves across the municipality over the past two years, with upgrades also scheduled at more than 20 additional parks over the next three years.

The Melton South Recreation Reserve is the latest park to enjoy a facelift thanks to the initiative, as increasing growth throughout the municipality has driven the need for new all-abilities and ages play equipment.

Mayor Lara Carli said the program aims to create safer and more enjoyable spaces for community members to enjoy, while driving use of the open spaces.

“Through the parks upgrade program, parks and reserves in our city are being transformed with new trees and landscaping, and modern facilities, creating greener, safer and more enjoyable spaces for families to relax, play, and connect,” Cr Carli said.

Under the initiative, Melton council is alsoendeavouringonplantingmoretrees and greenery throughout the municipality, under the tree planting program in support of cooler suburbs, cleaner air, and more comfortable neighbourhoods.

Thousands of new trees are being planted each year in streets, parks and open spaces, which are projected to reduce urban heat and create shady, more welcoming places for community members.

Each year, the tree planting program reportedly adds around 3700 trees throughout the municipality, including 2000 trees delivered under a supplier contract, and around 1700 delivered directly by council, according to council’s website.

Last year, about 5000 trees were planted in new subdivisions, with tree planting taking place throughout autumn and winter each year.

Cr Carli said the initiative was working in bringing the community together.

“Our city’s open spaces are bringing people together,” Cr Carli said.

ty have had to travel, wait, or pay more to access specialist care. Having a women’s health clinic right here in Bacchus Marsh will make a real difference - giving local women access to expert care close to home,” she said.

The new service builds on reforms introduced following the Victorian Inquiry into Women’s Pain.

The inquiry drew on the experiences of more than 13,000 women and girls who reportedgenderhealthgaps,medicalbiasand feeling dismissed when seeking treatment.

“More trees and better parks make more places to walk, exercise, meet neighbours, and enjoy nature.”

Parks and reserves across Kurunjuang, Caroline Springs, Burnside, Harkness, Rockbank, and Hillside are just some of the spaces set to receive upgrades throughout the 2025-26 financial year.

Details: https://tinyurl.com/58twp5su

Merrimu housing boost

By Jack O’Shea-Ayres

Plans for a new community north of Bacchus Marsh in Merrimu are currently underway, in a bid to meet the municipality’s growing needs.

The development is set to unlock thousands of new homes, with community consultation now open to the public on the new plans.

The Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) is working with Moorabool council on the development of an updated precinct structure plan (PSP), a development con-

tributions plan (DCP), and a native vegetation precinct plan (NVPP) after the Merrimu precinct was identified as a priority growth area in the Bacchus Marsh Urban Growth Framework plan.

The plan expands on the existing Merrimu PSP and aims to deliver infrastructure which responds to growing community needs and proposes to rezone the Merrimu precinct and make other changes to the Moorabool Planning Scheme to guide its future development, all in an aim to keep in line with projected growth across the municipality.

Approximately 1800 jobs for the surrounding area and new community and 8000 homes for an estimated 24,000 residents are expected to be delivered through to new plans and is set to act as a major contributiontowardsthe20,000household target for Moorabool Shire by 2050, under the state government’s Housing Statement. Public information sessions will be held at The Village shopping centre in Bacchus Marsh between 10.30am and 1.30pm on Saturday 28 March, with two online sessions scheduled for between 6 and 7pm on Wednesday 25 March and Thursday 2

New barbecue for foodbank set to sizzle

A simple sausage sizzle has sparked a lasting partnership between the Melton Men’s Group and Combined Churches Caring (CCC) Melton’s Emergency Foodbank, culminating in a practical gift which will keep giving back to the community.

What began as a one-off donation of leftover food from a community barbecue has grown into an ongoing effort to support locals doing it tough.

The men’s group has since regularly supplied excess food and contributed men’s hygiene packs, offering dignity and relief to those in need.

The relationship deepened last year when Foodbank staff revealed plans to

celebrate their 30th anniversary, and the Men’s group stepped up for the cause without hesitation, volunteering to man the barbecue for the occasion.

Former president Les Chitts and secretary Trevor Boyd-King took charge of the barbecue.

It was on the day of the celebration that another need emerged. Foodbank chief executive Michelle Retimana mentioned the organisation did not own a barbecue of its own.

In true community fashion, a quick conversation between Mr Chitts and Mr Boyd-King led to an immediate offer of a new barbecue.

To make it happen, the group turned

to its annual International Men’s Day dinner fundraiser. With the help of guest speaker Kevin Sheedy, whose donated memorabilia was auctioned on the night, enough funds were raised to purchase the barbecue.

“The foodbank is a big part of our community. They support so many men doing it tough, so it’s only fair we support them, too,” Mr Boyd-King said.

Foodbank manager Sara Mason called the donation a blessing.

“It’s such a blessing for the community. We’re really grateful, they do some tremendous things,” she said.

The CCC’s Emergency Foodbank is located at 98-100 Coburns Road, Melton.

April. Consultation on the Merrimu PSP is open until Thursday 9 April.

Melton MP Steve McGhie said the community consultation process will assist in guiding how to best deliver on community needs.

“Thisisaboutlisteningtoourcommunity on how we can best deliver more homes and jobs for more Victorian families alongside the infrastructure and community facilities they rely on,” Mr McGhie said.

Details: https://haveyoursay.moorabool.vic.gov.au/merrimupsp

Rural residents say no to FOGO

Residents across several Moorabool townships may soon have the option to opt into a kerbside food and garden organics (FOGO) bin service, following a council investigation into expanding the service beyond urban areas, despite a strong number saying no.

At its 4 March meeting, council noted a report examining the feasibility of introducing green waste bins to Gordon, Mount Egerton, Myrniong, Greendale, Dales Creek and Blackwood.

The investigation was prompted by a motion in September last year, requesting officers explore the costs, logistics and community interest in expanding the service.

A targeted survey was sent to 2802 rural properties receiving 616 responses, with results showing 71 percentofrespondentsdidnotwant a kerbside FOGO service, as many revealed they preferred to manage organise waste through home composting. Yet further analysis identified five townships, in Blackwood, Dales Creek, Greendale, Myrniong, and parts of Gordon, where interest and collection logistics could support an optional service.

Across the five areas, about 950 properties would be eligible to opt in, with council estimating around 360 households would initially sign up. If implemented, the service would operate on a user-pay basis, with residents paying about $75 for the delivery of a bin and kitchen caddy and an annual service fee of around $100.

Quiet idol stealing hearts

Before the spotlight found her, Jacinta Guirguis was already fighting to be heard, not just as a singer, but as herself. Now, on one of the country’s biggest stages, she talks to Jack O’Shea-Ayres about turning vulnerability into her greatest strength, and being backed by the unwavering support of the people who know her best.

On a stage built for big voices and even bigger personalities, 25-year-old Jacinta Guirguis is quietly stealing the hearts of the nation, letting people in to see the parts of herself she once tried to hide.

The Bacchus Marsh forklift driver has emerged as one of the most compelling contestants of Australian Idol’s 2026 season,notjustforthewayshesings,butfor the way she completely opens herself up, despite describing herself as unconfident. Behinditallisconstantanddeepflowing supportfromherfamily,andespeciallyher twin sister Chantel.

“My other half, my best friend,” Chantel said of Jacinta.

Long before the lights, the cameras and thenationalaudience,thereweretwolittle girls singing around the house.

“A lot of people don’t realise that Jacinta and I are actually twins,” Chantel said.

“From the very beginning we’ve shared an unbreakable bond - we’re inseparable andhavealwaysbeeneachother’sperson.”

Chantel’s connection has undoubtedly anchored Jacinta through everything, from childhood performances to the emotional highs and lows of the music industry, Chantel remembers recognising something special in her sister early on.

I feel like it’s starting a movement for those people who feel a little bit quirky, like a little bit of an outsider

“From when she was little, she was constantly singing…there was always so much emotion and heart behind it,” she said.

“It was never just a hobby, it was always part of her.”

That very emotional depth would later becomeJacinta’ssignature,somethingthat caused her to stand out from the rest, but also, at times, her greatest challenge.

Jacinta first began singing at just eight years old, after a friend brought her along to a lesson. What followed was nearly two decades of dedication, gigs across Melbourne’sinner-north,originalmusicin local venues, and countless auditions.

“I was getting a lot of rejections,” Jacinta said.

“There’s a lot of singers who sound the same …and when they hear me, they go back and think she doesn’t really fit the mould.”

Again and again, she watched others move forward while she was left behind, a feeling which slowly chipped away at her confidence.

“I didn’t know where I fit,” she admitted. For a time, she stepped back entirely. She didn’t even apply for Australian Idol in 2026, but she was accepted for an audition anyway.

“They looked back over my previous applications and accepted it for this year. It’s like the universe didn’t want me to stop,” Jacinta said.

Even as her talent has quickly grown, Jacinta has been fighting a quieter, constant battle.

Diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disordernearlysixyearsago,shedescribes it as something that never truly leaves.

“Idon’tthinkIwilleverovercomeit,it’sa 24-7 illness,” she said.

The pressure of national television has only intensified those feelings for Jacinta, with every performance and critique, every result carries weight.

“The anxiety is definitely heightened on the show,” she explains.

But instead of hiding it, Jacinta has proudly embraced her vulnerability as a strength.

“I’mtryingtoshowpeople…justbecause you have this illness doesn’t mean you are any less of a human being.”

Jacinta’s Australian Idol journey has unfolded like a slow-burning revelation, withastrippedbackrenditionofSomebody

That I Used to Know by Gotye and Kimbra earningheraGoldenTicketandimmediate recognitionofthetruetalentshepossesses.

Jacinta’sperformancewasraw,emotional and deeply personal, and perfectly fitting for her style as a musical artist.

“Ihadalotofpeoplewalkoutofmylife… that song resonated with me,” she said.

Fromthereshebuiltmomentumthrough the Top 30 performances that showcased both versatility and vulnerability, from Sting’s Fields of Gold to a reimagined take of Ariana Grande’s Problem, sung with two other contestants, but again, Jacinta’s talent shined through.

Then it was Jacinta’s performance of No Doubt’s Don’t Speak which further captured the public’s attention.

The performance was picked up and circulated online and gained massive attention from fans.

Posts began circulating online showing Jacinta’s picture plastered all around town back home in Bacchus Marsh, proving no doubt was ever on the minds of anyone showingsupportfortheirlocallegendback home.

By the time Jacinta had reached the top 21 performers and performed Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac, audiences could see the shift in her, and beyond that, Jacinta is making the songs she performs her own, with Dreams by the Cranberries sounding like it was written just for her as the shakiness begins to leave her voice.

While Jacinta navigates the whirlwind of the competition from Sydney, her family remains her emotional centre, even from a distance.

“I’m a real homebody. I miss my family so much,” she said.

“But I know they’re just a call away.”

ForChantel,watchinghersisterstepinto the spotlight is both surreal and deeply moving.

“There truly aren’t enough words to express how proud I am,” Chantel explained.

“Her journey hasn’t always been easy… but she’s never let that stop her.”

The separation has been difficult for a family so close-knit, but their support has never wavered: through visits, phone calls, and constant encouragement, Jacinta hasn’tquestionedthesupportofherfamily and local community for a second.

“I feel like the whole community is on

this journey with her,” Chantel said. The community connection has run deep, with Jacinta’s success feeling like a shared victory. Flyers posted outside the newsagentsinBacchusMarsh,Jacinta’sold workplace , show just how far reaching her talent is.

“I feel like I’m carving a path,” Jacinta said.

“I feel like it’s starting a movement for thosepeoplewhofeelalittlebitquirky,like a little bit of an outsider.”

For her sister Chantel, that journey is as inspiring as it is emotional.

“Herdetermination…hasshownmethat with time, patience and belief in yourself anything is possible,” she said.

Regardless of how the competition unfolds from here, Jacinta is certain of one thing, it’s only the beginning.

“I’ve always wanted to be a successful, well-known artist,” she said.

“I want to write songs, tour…all of it.”

For now, Jacinta is focused on the moment, taking each performance as it comes and holding tightly to the people who got her there.

And somewhere just offstage is the presence which has always steadied herher biggest supporter, her best friend, her other half.

While Jacinta stands tall, alone with the silent confidence of someone with enough talent to go far beyond winning 2026’s Australian Idol, her family and local community are standing with her.

Faces of the west

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

Harmony Day at Diggers Rest Primary School

Students and teachers from Diggers Rest Primary School came together to celebrate Harmony Day on Wednesday 18 March, kicking off the day with a parade celebrating all the different cultures within the school, followedbygroupactivitiesthatbrought the whole school together over a mix of different cultural foods. Star Weekly photographer Damjan Janevski captured thefun,laughsandsmilesoftheday.

Easter entertainment galore

Families across Melton will have plenty of opportunities to celebrate Easter this year,withapackedcalendarofcommunity events,activitiesandfamily-friendlyfun.

Melton is embracing both the spiritual andsocialaspectsofEaster,offeringawide rangeofeventsdesignedtobringthewhole communitytogether.

A busy weekend is on the cards between Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 March featuring Easter Bunny roadshows, family days and community celebrations in Diggers Rest, Caroline Springs, Truganina, andRockbank.

Highlights include the Diggers Rest Football Netball Club Family Day, with free activities such as an Easter egg hunt, jumping castle and animal meet-and-greets, as well as the Bridgefield Easter Family Bash and events at Mt AtkinsonandOpaliaPlaza.

In the lead-up to Easter, residents can also enjoy chocolate giveaways at selected local cafes, with free treats available alongsidehotbeveragepurchases.

Early April brings even more to enjoy, with Easter Bunny appearances popping up across Melton, including at Woodgrove ShoppingCentre,MeltonTownCentreand CobblebankVillage.

A major drawcard will be the Caroline Springs Easter Family Fun Day on 4 April, offering free entry and activities for all ages.

For those looking to celebrate with food and family, an Easter lunch at Russo Estate in Diggers Rest will round out the festivities.

Withsomethinghappeningalmostevery day, this year’s program offers a chance for residents to celebrate the season of renewal,connectwithothers,andenjoyall thatthelocalcommunityhastooffer.

Details: https://www.melton.vic.gov.au/ Out-n-About/Events/Easter-in-the-Cityof-Melton.

Briefs

Fifty Fifty Bike Ride

Cyclists of all abilities are invited to take part in the upcoming Fifty Fifty Bike Ride, rolling out from Ballan on Saturday 28 March. The event, described as “half bike ride, half party”, promotes and celebrates pedal-powered gender inclusivity, encouraging riders to come together in a supportive and social environment. Starting at Mill Park in Ballan on Saturday 28 March at 9am, participants will ride through the region before finishing at an overnight camping spot near Dean. Organisers say the regional event is about more than cycling, aiming to build connection and inclusivity within the biking community while enjoying the outdoors.

Easter cookie decorating

Families are invited to get creative at an Easter cookie decorating session at Ballan Library this weekend. The drop-in program will run on Saturday 28 March from 10.30am to 12pm at the Ballan Library and Community Hub on Inglis Street. Participants can decorate their own Easter-themed cookies using colourful icing, sprinkles and a range of fun toppings. No bookings are required, making it an easy activity for families to join at their convenience. Children under 12 must be supervised by a parent or guardian. The session offers a relaxed and festive way for the community to celebrate the Easter season.

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MY PLACE

Chloe Teah chats with Jack O’Shea-Ayres about her recent move to Kuranjuang, and how easy, comfortable, and accessible living has eased her into her new life.

What’s your connection to Kurunjang? Through my previous job, I spent a lot of time in and around the area, which really opened my eyes to what a great place Kurunjang is to live. The more time I spent here, the more I noticed how peaceful and family-orientated it feels, with a strong sense of community that’s hard to find in busier suburbs. Even though I didn’t personally know anyone living here at the time, when my husband and I started house hunting I just had a feeling this was the suburb we would eventually settle in.

What do you like about where you live?

One of the things I love most is that it’s not the constant hustle and bustle you experience closer to the city. It feels calmer and more relaxed, which makes everyday life a lot more enjoyable. At the same time, everything you need is still very close by. The shops, services and small local businesses around Melton and Kurunjang arefantasticandsoeasilyaccessible,which makes living here really convenient while still maintaining that quieter suburban feel.

What, if anything, would you change about where you live?

Overall, I really enjoy living here but if I could change anything, it would probably betoseemoresocialnetworkingforpeople intheir20sand30s.Ithinkthatwouldmake the already strong sense of community here even stronger.

Where is your favourite local place to spend time?

I spend a lot of my time at Woodgrove Shopping Centre – mainly because I have a “slight” shopping addiction. You’ll usually find me wandering in and out of stores, somehow managing to buy something everysingletimeIvisit.Ialsolovespending time at Urban 35 Café in Cobblebank. The coffee is always great, the ambience is really relaxing, and it’s the perfect little spot to sit down, unwind and enjoy a good catch-up.

Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you… Something people might be surprised to know is that I run a TikTok page @thee. chloe.teah.xo where I love sharing parts of my life and connecting with others online. I create relatable content around beauty, lifestyle, shopping and little vlogs of my

FROM THE ARCHIVES

30 years ago

20 March, 1996

More teenagers were charged with drunkenness and possessing liquor in Melton last year than in any other western suburb.

day-to-day life. It’s become a really fun creative outlet for me and a way to connect with people who enjoy similar things.

What originally inspired you to move here?

Oneofthebiggestfactorswasthatproperty pricesintheareawererelativelyaffordable

compared to many other suburbs. Beyond that, the suburb offers everything we were looking for in terms of lifestyle - a quiet, family-friendly environment with plenty of space and room to grow. It felt like the perfect place not just for where we are in life right now, but also for the future we hope to build here.

Star Weekly looks back through the pages of our predecessors

20 years ago

21 March, 2006

Learning to shoot with his father, Melton South youngster Daniel Repacholi could only have dreamed of rising to the pinnacle of his sport.

15 years ago

22 March, 2011

Melton council has been accused of tryingtoweeditselfoutofresponsibility in caring for its land.

10 years ago

22 March, 2016

Robberies have halved in Melton in the past 12 months, and a special police taskforce is getting the credit.

Chips will fly in Blackwood

Howmuchwoodcouldawoodchopchopifa woodchop chopped all through Blackwood?

Well, you may find the answer with beloved former winner of Moorabool’s Community Event of the Year, the Blackwood Woodchop and Easter Carnival, as it’s set to return with an action-packed, fun-filled day out for the whole family on Saturday 4 April.

In its milestone 125th year, the event features one of the oldest woodchopping competitions in Victoria.

This year’s carnival is set to kick off with

a street parade, followed by everyone’s favourite woodchop, plus loads of other fun activities, including gold panning, gumboot throwing, a pet show, treasure hunt, and loads of novelty games and races for the little ones.

Among the already jam-packed fun is also face-painting, tug-o-war, market stalls, delicious treats and licenced bars.

The parade starts off on Main Street, weaving down to the reserve for a final victory lap, with everyone invited to follow

alongorwatchtheparadeatanypointalong the way.

All are being invited to join in on the parade. With no set theme, keen participants are encouraged to let their imagination run wild and enter with friends, family, and even pets for a chance to win prizes for best dressed, most colourful, and most creative.

But it wouldn’t be the Blackwood Woodchop and Easter Carnival without plenty of great music acts lined up to provide the perfect soundtrack, with the Gordon Gypsies,

Festival’s new beginnings in Brimbank

A 3000-year-old tradition of renewal and hope is coming to Sunshine this month with locals invited to join in celebrating the solar year 1405.

The Nowruz Festival in Sunshine, presented by Afghans Hope Hut, will be the first public event of its kind hosted in Brimbank.

Afghans Hope Hut Victoria president and founder Khalida Dawran said she’s excited and proud to be part of it.

“It is a special moment for our community because it is the first time we are celebrating Nowruz publicly in this way. In the past we have celebrated it on a smaller scale, mainly indoors and often only among women,” Ms Dawran said.

“This festival represents a new step forward for our community. There has been a great deal of preparation, but the enthu-

siasm and support from volunteers and community members make it incredibly rewarding. I’m really looking forward to seeing families and people from different backgrounds come together to celebrate.”

Nowruz Festival marks the first day of the solar year and the arrival of spring.

The festival has been celebrated for more than 3000 years across many cultures and countries including Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kurdistan, among others.

“The festival symbolises renewal, hope and new beginnings,” Ms Dawran said.

“For many families who now call Australia home, celebrating Nowruz is a meaningful way to preserve our traditions while also sharing our culture with the wider Victorian community.

“The festival in Brimbank will feature

live cultural music, traditional performances and a display of the Haft-Seen table, which is a central symbol of Nowruz.

“Visitors will also experience traditions such as Haft Mewa, Nowruz cookies, traditional egg-tapping games for young people, and henna art for girls and women.”

There will be tea and sweets, family-friendly activities, and opportunities for people to learn about the meaning and history of Nowruz too.

“Our hope is to create a joyful and welcoming atmosphere where locals can experience different traditions and celebrate together,” Ms Dawran said.

The Nowruz Festival, supported by Brimbank council and the state government, will run from 11am-4pm on Saturday 28 March at Sunvale Community Park, 20 Neil Street, Sunshine.

Craig Woodward and Friends, Fingerbone, Gumbo Express and Rock & Co. booked to rock your socks off.

The family favourite event is all set to place with a picturesque backdrop at the beautiful Blackwood Reserve.

Ticketpriceincludesallactivities,including woodchop and live music. For tickets and information: https:// blackwood3458.com.au/2550-2/. For registration in the parade, email blackwoodprogress@gmail.com.

The third installment of the breaking dancing competition and hiphop celebration Double Trouble will come to the streets of central Footscray on Saturday 28 March.

Funded through Maribyrnong Council’s Love Your West Grants Program and supported by local not-for-profit street dance organisation Cypher Culture, Double Trouble is described as a ‘Breakin’ event for the people by the people.

Taking place at Maddern Square in between Leeds Street and the Nicholson Street Mall, the event will be based around a break dancing competition with two categories: 2 VS 2 Breakin’ and 1 VS 1 Under 14 Breakin.’

Both competitions will see crews and individuals go head-to-head, backed by a line-up of live DJs and drummers, and overseen by respected judges from across Australia.

With custom Double Trouble jackets and prize money up for grabs,thecompetitionwillbefierce. Inner west break dancers who think they have what it takes to compete still have the chance to do so, with applications to take part still open.

Running from 12pm-6pm, Double Trouble is free to attend and promises to provide dynamic performances, positive vibes and plenty of crowd-pleasing moments as dancers showcase their skill, style and teamwork.

Details: https://shorturl.at/ vKO1W or :www.instagram.com/ dtjamofficial/

Crafty Easter fun

Each month, Stephanie Martinez will share an exciting craft project designed to inspireandsparkcreativity.

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

JoinStephanieassheexplorestheendless possibilities of crafting and turn everyday materialsintosomethingextraordinary.

This month, Stephanie is creating an Easterchickbonnet.

Materials

3x A4 yellow sheets of paper

Orange paper

White paper

Black paper

Coloured feathers

Equipment

Ruler

Pencil

Scissors

Glue stick

Step 1: Create the brim and strips

Place a yellow A4 sheet in portrait.

Measure 6cm in from one long edge and draw a straight line from the top to bottom to form the brim. On the larger section, draw vertical lines every 3cm to create 10 strips. Cut along the lines up to the brim, then cut off every second strip. Repeat with the second sheet.

Step 2: Form the hat base

Glue the sheets together side by side, slightly overlapping one sort edge. Curve to fit your head and glue the ends together to form a circular hat.

Step 3: Create the bonnet top

Bend the strips up and over the top, glue them together in the centre, then continue with the remaining strips.

Step 4: Decorate your chick

Cut out circles for the eyes (white and black), an orange beak, and glue them onto the chick. Cut two yellow wings and glue them to the sides and add some feathers to the top.

Immerse in Greek culture

By Lee McCarthy

One of the added joys of travelling on a Viking cruise in Europe are the mini vacations offered in buzzing cities before and after sailing.

Thesetripsgivegueststheopportunityto soakupthecultureandvibeoftheportcity while preparing for departure.

As part of their packaging, Viking offer three-day extensions on their cruise options where everything is taken care of inthesameperfectfashionthatpassengers become accustomed to onboard.

They have just launched a new three-night pre or post cruise extension on their ‘Greek Traditions’ cruises available on select Mediterranean ocean voyages from 2026 onwards.

The extensions are available on the following itineraries: the Ancient Mediterranean Treasures cruise, Italy, the Adriatic, and Greece cruise; Journey to Antiquities cruise; Mediterranean Antiquities Venice cruise and the Adriatic and Greece cruise.

Based in Nafplio in the Peloponnese, the extension immerses guests in Greek culture and cuisine, with olive oil, honey andwinetastings,avisittoancientNemea, guided walking tours, and time to explore one of Greece’s most charming historic towns.

Greek Traditions extensions include hotelnightsinNafpliowithsevenmeals, three guided tours: Nemea and Nafplio; Honey and Wine Tasting; Olive Oil Factory and Tasting.

With extension prices starting from $2,699 and fully escorted by a Viking Tour Director, with all transfers included these extra days on land offer a divine opportunity to absorb the essence of Europe and the mediterranean.

For those considering the ‘Venice, the Adriatic and Greece’ option, this eight-day, four country cruise with six guided tours is now very affordable with pricing starting from only $6695.

The cruise leaves from Venice and takes in the spectacular Adriatic Sea with stops in Split, Croatia, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, Katakolon and Athens. An exceptional holiday taking in all the yearned for destinations in one cruise.

Those booking now can save up to $2500 with a ‘companion flies free’ option available on selected 2026-2028 voyages (check with Viking for full terms and conditions).

This cruise with allow travelers to

discover Venice exploring St Marks Square, or the Doge’s Palace, the famed Rialto Bridge or learn about Venetian mask crafting.

Another city to discover is Split, one of Croatia’s oldest cities, it has a promenade which commands majestic views over a bay and the Adriatic Sea. There is time to explore the city centre and Diocletian’s Palace, journey to Trogir or the Krka Waterfalls.

In Split, take the opportunity to join the Executive Chef for a unique, market to table experience where guests take an interactive culinary adventure. Immerse yourself in local culture and cuisine at the local market and handpick ingredients under the guidance of the chef.

Later that evening, dine on regional dishes prepared by the culinary team, using produce from the market.

NextstopisDubrovnikwherevisitorscan

walk the marbled Stradun in Dubrovnik, passSponzePalaceandseethe15tCentury Onogrio’s Fountain or sample some of the best of Croatia’s wines during a winery tour and tasting in the beautiful Konavle Valley.

Sail through scenic fjords to the remarkably preserved Kotor, Montenegro’s historic gem. Explore its Medieval Streets, visit the Cathedral of St. Tryphon or immerse yourself in the Maritime Museum.

In magnificent Corfu in Greece stroll the streets of Old Town, see Mouse Island and the Vacherna Monastery. For those chasing more physically challenging activities explore Corfu’s spectacular natural landscapes and inviting villages by bicycle on an invigorating tour.

Katakolon is huddled around a pretty little harbour dotted with colourful fishing

boats. Nearby, the fertile valleys of the western Peloponnese are a bounty of olive groves, vineyards and orchards, and lead to the legendary city of Olympia. In Olympia visit the Olympic park, see the Temple of Zeus, and browse the Olympic Archaeological Museum.

This truly stunning eight-day cruise sadly ends at magnificent Athens. This is one of the best ways to visit these much-loved cities especially for those over fifty who want a little bit of luxury without having to decide where the best place is to stay, eat, drink, exercise, or shop.

Guests can extend their holiday in Athens by joining another extension tour to absorb more of ancient Greece for a few days before leaving for home.

Find out about this and many more cruises available from Viking at www.viking.com or phone 138 747.

MUST END 31 MARCH 2026

This is your last chance to fly free, upgrade to business class or save up to $5,000 per couple on 2026-2028 river, ocean and expedition

Purpose-built for the Brahmaputra River, Viking Ganges joins Viking Brahmaputra, bringing Viking’s signature Scandinavian design to India. Explore the Taj Mahal in Agra, wander Old Delhi’s historic streets and discover Jaipur’s Palace of Winds as you journey through India’s Golden Triangle.

THESE SAILINGS WILL SELL FAST. BOOK NOW.

From $16,295pp in Veranda Stateroom

The great AI content heist

By Paul Thomas*

In a recent Australian Financial Review opinion piece, “There is nothing creative about AI not paying for news content”, Rod Sims made a point Australia cannot afford to ignore.

Sims is now chair of The Superpower Institute and an Enterprise Professor at the Melbourne Institute at the University of Melbourne. He is also the former chair of the ACCC, and when he warns about market power and unfair extraction, people should listen.

His point is blunt, and correct. There is nothing creative about AI companies taking professionally created content, building commercial products on top of it, and then refusing to properly pay the people who made that content in the first place. That applies most urgently to journalism, but it also reaches writers, photographers, artists and other creators whose work is being vacuumed up to make these systems more useful and more profitable.

That is not innovation. It is extraction.

And for regional Australia, the damage will be greater than it is in the cities.

In a capital city, people may still have a range of big media outlets, institutions and voices competing to keep public life under scrutiny. In regional Australia and local areas, the local paper is often the trusted source. It is the paper that covers the council meeting, the court matter, the hospital issue, the fire warning, the local business, the sporting club and the decisions that shape daily life.

If that journalism weakens, country communities feel it first.

That is why the Canadian research on this issue is so important. The study is called AI News Audit. It was published in March 2026 by Taylor Owen and Aengus Bridgman of McGill University’s Centre

COMMUNITY STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

for Media, Technology and Democracy and the Media Ecosystem Observatory. It is some of the clearest evidence yet of whatAIcompaniesareactuallydoingwith professionally produced news content.

The researchers found AI models had absorbed Canadian journalism at scale and usually did not say so. In the technical brief, the researchers found that among knowledgeable responses, 92 per cent providednosourceattributionatall.Inthe policy brief, they found AI systems gave no source attribution 82 per cent of the time, and when asked about specific recent articles, produced substitute answers in 54 to 81 per cent of cases while naming the original outlet in the response text only one to 16 per cent of the time.

That is the heart of the problem.

Thejournalismisbeingused.Thevalueis beingcaptured.Thesourceisbeingerased. AI companies do not send reporters to council meetings. They do not sit through court hearings. They do not verify facts during floods, fires or elections. They do not employ the local journalist, the editor,

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

the photographer or the creator who actually did the original work. But they increasingly want to scrape that work, absorbitintotheirsystems,andprofitfrom it as if it were their own.

For regional and suburban Australia, that is not some distant policy debate. It goes to whether local journalism survives.

The Canadian research also found that the outlets getting the most AI visibility were the biggest, free, nationally prominent organisations, while paywalled and regional and local publishers fell well below proportional representation. That should ring alarm bells here. It means smaller publishers can be mined for value while losing the audience and revenue they need to keep reporting.

And the consequences go well beyond business.

We are already living through an era of misinformation, half-truths and outright falsehoods spreading across social media at extraordinary speed. Much of it is unchecked. Much of it is designed to inflame, divide and mislead. If AI systems

now scrape reliable journalism, strip out thesource,andserveupconfidentanswers that people cannot easily verify, the danger only grows. The Canadian policy brief warns that when AI delivers answers drawn from journalism but stripped of source and context, the public’s ability to judge reliability is diminished.

That is a direct threat to democracy.

Democracy depends on trusted, checkable and accountable information. People need to know where a fact came from. They need to be able to judge the source, test its credibility and read further for themselves. If AI becomes a black box that swallows journalism and other original creative work, then spits out unattributed answers, the public loses one of its most important safeguards.

Australia should be clear about this. If AI companies want to use local journalism and other professionally created content, they should pay for it. If they use original reporting and creative work to build commercial products, they should compensate the people and businesses that created that value. And if they rely on trusted journalism to make their systems useful, they should be required to clearly identify the source so readers can verify what they are being told.

That is not anti-technology. It is pro-fairness, pro-creativity and pro-democracy.

Rod Sims is right. There is nothing creativeaboutnotpayingfornewscontent. And in regional Australia, there is nothing abstract about the consequences. When local journalism is stripped for value and not sustained, it is our towns, our readers and our democracy that pay the price.

* Paul Thomas is co-owner and managing director of Star News Group, Today News Group and SA Today. He is a past president and life member of Country Press Australia.

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

Taekwondo lessons

Free Taekwondo. Come & try for Women & Girls 10 years or over at the Melton South Community Centre on 25 and 30 March between 5-6.30pm. Registration essential. 9747 8576 for bookings & information

Melton South Community Centre

Term 1 Program of classes out now. A range of computer, craft, cooking, music, First Aid Classes available as well as kids activities.

meltonsouth.org.au for a full copy of the program or call 9747 8576

Rose carers of Maddingley Park

The group meets every Wednesday from 10am-noon at the Commemorative Rose Garden, Maddingley Park on the corner of Taverner Street and Grant Streets, Bacchus Marsh. They maintain the two rose gardens at the park. Volunteers are welcome and no experience is necessary to join .

Elaine, 0400 052 857 or Judy, 0428 463 538

Cancer Support Group

MelMarsh Prostate Cancer Support Group is for prostate cancer patients and their carers and meets on the first Thursday of the month, from 12.30-2pm, at Melton South Community Centre. Attendees are encouraged as members share their

journeys through what could be a very traumatic time of their lives. Explanations of medical terminology used in the treatment of this cancer are given in this group.

Grenville, 0412 741 865

Chatty Cafe Melton

Are you feeling lonely, isolated or just wanting to make some new friends? If so, Chatty Cafe is for you. The group meets on Friday mornings at 10am for delicious free coffee from Latin foods and wines at 10 Wallace Square, Melton. https://www.facebook.com/ groups/352071857283331

Friendship Group

For all aged 60 and older – are you looking for some new friends? Then this group is for you. The Melton and Surrounding areas Friendship Group meets fortnightly for a coffee and chat night and organises affordable outings such as dinners, movie nights and many social events – plus occasional weekends away, and local or overseas holidays.

Shirley, 0419 006 525 or Vera, 0406 493 734

Over 50s games and cards

Melton Club 50+ runs a games and cards

afternoon every Sunday from 2-4pm at Kurunjang Community Hub, 33 Mowbray

Crescent, Kurunjang. Join this friendly group and make new friends over games and a cuppa.

Denise, 0403 840 241 or Sharon, 0407 461 069

Women’s Support Group

Women’s Support Group Melton is for any women who feel they would like to attend a peer support group which is relaxed, friendly and non-judgemental. The group meets weekly at 1pm on Mondays (except for public holidays) at Djerriwarrh

Neighbourhood House, 239 Station Road, Melton. The group can discuss most subjects that may be of help https://ow.ly/QVwJ50Q5g42

Caroline Springs Rotary

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

rotarycarolinesprings@gmail.com

A less than jolly royal visit

week she recounts a drama-filled

The morning of 4 January, 1868 heralded a public holiday for the people of Williamstown, for who was to grace the town but Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, second son of Queen Victoria!

ThefirstroyalvisitortoAustraliawastolay thefoundationstonefortheAlfredGraving Dock, a monumental feat of engineering that had taken tons of locally quarried basalt to build, and Williamstowners were in party mode. It had also taken years of civic wrangling, exhausting manual labour, thousands of pounds, and was still unfinished, but none of that seemed to matter. Williamstown was determined to putonagoodshowandenjoyitself.

Prince Alfred was feeling a little less jollythatday.Thecolonieshadtreatedhim somewhat roughly since he first arrived on the Galatea on 31 October, 1867 at Glenelg, SouthAustralia,wherethetemperaturewas doing its best to bake the inhabitants alive. Unaware that he was to face a marathon endurance trial throughout his entire tour, he listened politely to the obsequious word salads uttered by the welcoming committee, made the right responses, and waslaunchedintoadizzyingwhirlofballs, receptions, corroborees and banquets. The grand finale came when 20 huge bonfires blazedtheirfarewells,addingconsiderably tothedangerofbushfires.

Exhausted, he sailed to Melbourne, where 200,000 eager royalists deafened him with cheers, fanfares and yet more interminable speeches. Members of parliament, various mayors, dozens of councillors, more bonfires, and scores of white-clad girls strewing flowers in his path formed the welcome. Brass bands that had been frenziedly rehearsing for weeks blasted their tunes, and 11,000 schoolchildren sang the national anthem. Cricket matches and agricultural shows soon followed, as did military reviews, sporting fixtures, tree-planting, and more corroborees.

A huge free public banquet for the poor was scheduled to be opened by His Highness, with seating for 20,000 low-income citizens. Word sped around Melbourne–afreefeastwasontheagenda! In no time, the venue was surrounded by 50,000 extra persons all claiming extreme poverty, hence eligibility to don the nosebags and tuck in. They waited for Prince Alfred. And waited and waited. He never arrived. Police Captain Frederick Standish –former sly grogger and future Chief Commissioner of Police –became extremely jittery about the ugly mood of the mob, intercepted Prince Alfred en route to his latest test of endurance, and suggested he cross the banquet off his list of things to do. Alfred complied, and the crowds, famished and angry, rushed the tables and brawled savagely for fish, pies, roast bullocks, and five hundred gallons of freewine.

At a military review in Flemington, a cannon salute fired prematurely, blowing off a gunner’s hand. Festivities in Bendigo also had their share of tragedy, A model of theGalateawasparadedthroughthestreet, mannedbyacrewofsmallboysdressedin sailor suits. A shower of fireworks hit the little ship, burning it to cinders and killing threechildren.

Later in the week, a ball was to be held in the newly built Alfred Hall. The interior walls were tastefully draped with calico sheets on which were printed colourful designs. A gas bracket flared, igniting the sheets, and within minutes the hall was a raginginferno.

Having kept an eye on Victoria’s antics, New South Wales saw no reason why Prince Alfred should escape the full treatment. Arriving at Port Jackson, the noble visitor was promptly soaked in a torrential downpour which effectively extinguished both the welcoming bonfires andthetourorganisers’droningspeeches. Ah, well. Behind every cloud is a silver lining … Storms notwithstanding, Alfred manfully did his duty by getting drenched to the bone whilst laying innumerable foundation stones and being deafened by massed bands playing uncomfortably closetohisears.

Impatient to shower the prince with northern hospitality, Queensland bleated indignantly for the royal guest to show himself. Alfred was greeted by a tropical monsoon in Brisbane, where a hot and crankycrowd,tiredofwaitingforaglimpse of him, commenced picking fights with one another and brawled ferociously until beaten back by the mounted police using

equallyviciousdetermination.

Then the people of Ipswich started raising a racket. Ipswich had a substantial number of German settlers, all eager to welcomeapersonagewhomthey regarded asthoroughlyGermanviahisancestry.The unfortunate fact that Germany was not his landofbirthwastactfullyoverlooked.With a fine crash of brass bands, they called for Prince Alfred to show himself to his loyal Germans. Unhappily for them, Premier Sir Robert McKenzie loathed the townspeople with a violent hatred. Ipswich barely saw a few fleeting minutes of the royal visitor before the premier bundled him off to Jondaryn. There he spent a terrible night in Jondaryn’s sole accommodation of a derelictcowshed,fightingoffsquadronsof ravenousmosquitoes.

Enraged at this treatment of a German prince, Ipswich lost no time in constructing,withTeutonicthoroughness, an effigy of Premier McKenzie, which, accompanied by stirring brass bands, was paraded through the town before being burnedtoacrisp.

Small wonder that Prince Alfred, on returning to Victoria, was mentally and physically spent and dreading what Williamstown had in store for him. It was somethingofananti-climaxwhenallwent

off without a hitch, and the foundation stone was laid. Yes, there were miles of flags and bunting, noisy crowds, and the inevitable speeches, but the day was spent in a festive atmosphere, and nobody in Williamstown shoved him into cow sheds or even burned buildings to the ground. To farewell the visitor, the residents illuminated the windows of their shops and homes at night, delighted that Alfred was gliding off to Sydney with happy memoriesofourport.

His pleasure in the last leg of his journey was soon dimmed when on 12 March at a fundraising picnic in Clontarf, Henry James O’Farrell, a rumoured Fenian, fire a shot at Alfred. The bullet was deflected by his braces, and a maddened crowd descended on the would-be assassin and tried to tear him apart. He was rescued by the police for a state execution, and Alfred recovered. He was scheduled to go to New Zealand, but his medical adviser considered that the strain would be too greattobear.

With secret relief, the prince returned to England.

Alfred’s ordeal has not deterred other royals from visiting Australia, which, having shown just what it’s capable of doingtobluebloods,istrulyremarkable.

Trades & Services

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Location: Mildura, Victoria

Position: Full-time

Lead two important regional news brands and help shape trusted local journalism across print, digital and social.

An exciting opportunity is available for an experienced and energetic Editor to lead the editorial direction of the Sunraysia Daily and Broken Hill Times, based from our Mildura office.

This is a hands-on leadership role overseeing the Sunraysia Daily’s three-times-a-week printed edition, the Broken Hill Times, daily online publishing, and support for content across the company’s social channels.

You will lead the reporting team in Mildura and work closely with the small team in Broken Hill, while being supported by the Group Editor and our production hub team.

This is a strong role for someone who understands the importance of local journalism, can drive quality and consistency across platforms, and is committed to building audience and community impact.

About the role

In this role, you will:

•edit and oversee the Sunraysia Daily print editions published three times a week

•oversee editorial output for Broken Hill Times

•manage daily digital publishing across both brands

•assist with editorial content for the company’s social media channels

•lead, mentor and manage the team of reporters in Mildura and the small team in Broken Hill

•help drive strong news judgment, story generation, planning and follow-through

•work with the Group Editor and production hub team to ensure deadlines are met and quality standards maintained

•help grow audience engagement across print, online and social platforms

•maintain high standards of accuracy, fairness, balance and community relevance

•connect with the community, attend events and meet with key members of the community

About you

To succeed in this role, you will ideally have:

•experience in editing, newsroom leadership or senior reporting

•strong news sense and a passion for regional and community journalism

•excellent writing, editing and headline skills

•the ability to manage competing deadlines across print and digital

•strong people leadership skills and a collaborative approach

•confidence working across websites, digital publishing systems and social platforms

•an understanding of how to build audience through digital content and social distribution

•a commitment to accuracy, ethics and high editorial standards

•a great sense of community

What we are looking for

We are looking for someone who can:

•lead from the front

•support and develop reporters

•produce strong, relevant and engaging local content

•balance the demands of print, digital and social

•work positively with editorial, production and management teams across the group

Why join us

This is a rare opportunity to play a leading role in two important regional news mastheads and make a genuine difference in the communities they serve.

You will join a business that values trusted local journalism and supports its editors with experienced group leadership and central production resources, while still giving you the chance to have real editorial impact at the local level.

To apply

Please submit your application, including a cover letter and resume, outlining your relevant experience and why you are interested in this role to paul.thomas@starnewsgroup.com.au

SPORTS QUIZ

1. Gold medallist Alysa Liu was the first American woman to land which difficult jump in figure skating competitively?

2. And in which year did she accomplish this feat?

3. In rock climbing safety, how many points of contact should a climber maintain with the wall at

4. Which sport is played by ‘The Dude’ and his friends in the 1998 film TheBigLebowski?

5. True or false: ice rinks are calibrated specifically for different sports?

6. Which LA Kings player recently made history by achieving the most points in franchise history?

And which player’s record

13. The Sphere, an immersive sporting and entertainment complex, is located in which US city?

14. Which TV network will be the main broadcaster of Victorian Football League matches in 2026?

15. Dylan Moore is the former vice-captain of which AFL club?

16. Which sport is described as gymnastics on horseback?

Who played former Formula One racing driver Niki Lauda in the Billy Smith plays for which

17. Justin Holbrook is in his first year of coaching which NRL club?

22. And which Aussie driver did not start the race for the second Grand Prix in a row?

27. Sydney-born soccer player Adrian Segecic has decided to represent which country instead of Australia?

Seattle and Central Coast share which nickname in the MLB and A-League

What sport did former US president Richard Nixon partake in at the White House to relieve stress?

Which Australian cricketer scored a joint-record payday of $395,000 to take part in the 2026 Women’s Hundred tournament?

18. How many points did Miami Heat centre Bam Adebayo recently score, the second-most ever in an NBA game?

19. Which horseracing venue is located in Gloucestershire, England?

20. The Balgownie Rangers are the oldest running Australian club in which sport?

21. Which Mercedes F1 driver won the Chinese Grand Prix, his first victory?

23. Which state won Australia’s domestic 50-over One Day Cup cricket competition?

24. The official motto of which international sporting organisation is ‘Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together’?

25. How old is Max Dowman, who recently became the youngest goalscorer in English Premier League history?

26. Which country clinched the Six Nations rugby union title with a lastminute win over England?

28. Golfer Hannah Green has broken a 12-year drought to become the first Australian woman to win which tournament?

29. Two Grands Prix set to be held in which two countries in the Middle East in April have been cancelled?

30. Which iconic rivalry between Australia and England will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2027?

ROGERS

Colin 27/07/1953 – 16/03/2026

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

Fourth child of Tom & Dora Rogers. Loving husband of Cherrill. Beloved uncle & cherished friend. Much loved and will be dearly missed. The Funeral Service for Mr. Colin Rogers will be held at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 19A Gisborne Rd, Bacchus Marsh VIC 3340, on WEDNESDAY (March 25th, 2026) commencing at 2:00pm. Following the service, Colin will be laid to rest at the Maddingley Cemetery. IN

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

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.

ACROSS

1 Refrain; pass (7)

5 Social dance (coll) (5-2)

9 Young adulthood (11)

10 Reverential wonder (3)

11 Value (6)

12 Sound of wood burning (7)

14 Poke (4)

15 Normal or conventional (10)

17 Rival (10)

19 Book ID (1,1,1,1)

20 Fixed sum of money paid each year (7)

22 Brawny (6)

25 Bedridden (3)

26 Combined whole (11)

28 Leather factory (7)

29 Kings and queens (7)

1 Partly open (4) 2 Blizzard (9)

3 RollingintheDeep singer (5)

4 Unavoidably (11)

5 Knowledge (3)

6 Tastefully fine (7)

7 Predator (5)

8 Promotion (10)

12 Aficionado (11)

13 Doctor with superior knowledge in a specific field (10)

16 Vital, indispensable (9)

18 Territory ruled by an Islamic monarch (7)

21 Synthetic fibre (5)

23 Prepared (5)

24 Just (4)

27 Lively (3)

Today’s Aim:

13 words: Good 19 words: Very good 25 words: Excellent

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”. L I N A N M F I G

3 LETTERS

5 LETTERS

1 Swimmer Cate Campbell has won how many Olympic gold medals?

2 Angela Bassett (pictured) played which character in the Black Panther films?

3 Who released the album Small TownTemple in 2023?

4 The height of which US volcano was reduced by more than 400m after a massive eruption in 1980?

5 What breed of animal is a Brussels Griffon?

6 Which country introduced a Nuclear Free Bill in 1987?

7 Which song won the Best Original Song award at the 2026 Academy Awards?

8 The world’s longest-lasting light bulb was first switched on in what year: 1901, 1911 or 1921?

9 Which team won the 2025 Indian Premier League cricket final?

10 James Earl Ray is best known for assassinating which person?

Just a question of price

By Chris Riley, Marque

After a string of hybrid and fully-electric vehicles, including a full-blown electric ute, it was kind of refreshing to get behind the wheel of a no-frills turbo-diesel 4x4 ute like they used to make (and obviously still do).

The five-seat Mitsubishi Triton GLX double cab ’Pick Up’ (somewhere along the line they became pickups), in either 4x2 or 4x4 configuration, is just such a beast, complete with good old fashioned steel wheels.

Mitsubishi describes the GLX as everything you want in a tough, reliable and durable ute – whether it’s the 4x2 for workorthe4x4forplay,theywillgetthejob done anytime, every time.

Styling

The entry model to the Triton range retails for $44,090 in two-wheel drive form and $51,440 for the 4x4.

Our test vehicle was the GLX 4x4 double cab, Easy Select low and high range 4WD and all terrain tyres.

Firmly focused on work capability, it’s offered with a voice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions.

Our vehicle was fitted with almost $10,000 worth of accessories, including premium silver paint ($790), soft tonneau ($918), tray liner ($308), bullbar ($3779), snorkel ($1175), under front guard ($422), high-edge rubber mats ($154), plus a tow bar ($1551) with REDARC electric brake controller and harness ($865).

The Terrain pack includes some of these items and saves you $991.

The bullbar completely changes the look of the vehicle.

Vinyl flooring and cloth trim is of course de rigueur, with automatic air conditioning, ceiling mounted rear air circulator and electric lumbar support for the driver.

Entry is keyless but you need to insert the key in the ignition to start the ute, something of a rarity these days.

GLX is however quite sophisticated for an entry level model, with adaptive cruise control, intelligent speed limiter, auto high beam, traffic sign recognition, auto lights andwipers,frontandrearparkingsensors, and tyre pressure monitoring.

GLX is covered by a 10-year warranty, along with 10 years capped price servicing and 10 years roadside assistance.

Infotainment

Infotainment consists of a small rather thin 9.0-inch touchscreen, with Bluetooth, including voice control and audio streaming, plus built-in satellite navigation, AM/FM radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto and generic four-speaker audio.

The instrument cluster is formed by two analogue dials separated by a small digital info panel.

There’s USB A and C ports in the front, along with a 12-volt outlet, with another 12-volt outlet in the rear but no USB.

Safety

Triton was the first dual-cab ute to be awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating against the current criteria.

ANCAP notes the Triton demonstrated high levels of protection for occupants in crash tests.

Triton scored 86 per cent for Adult Occupant Protection, 89 per cent for Child Occupant Protection, 73 per cent for Vulnerable Road User Protection and 70 per cent for Safety Assist.

It comes with a 360-degree camera and a total of eight airbags, including a centre airbag, Autonomous emergency braking (Car-to-Car, Vulnerable Road User and Junction) as well as a lane support system with lane keep assist (LKA), lane departure warning (LDW) and emergency lane keeping (ELK), and a speed sign recognition system are standard.

Autonomous emergency braking (Backover) is standard on utility variants, but is not available on cab-chassis variants introduced from March 2025.

Two ISOFix and two top tether child seat anchor points are provided in the rear, requiring the seat belt to be threaded through a cloth loop.

But it says installation of child restraints in the centre seating position of the second row in dual cab variants is not recommended as there is no top tether anchorage.

Installation of child restraints in single and club cab variants is not recommended as there are no top tether anchorages.

Child Occupant Protection scores therefore do not apply to the single and club cab variants.

Engines/transmissions

The 2.4-litre bi-turbo diesel produces 150kW of power at 3500 rpm and 470Nm of torque from 1500-2750 rpm and in our test vehicle was paired with a six-speed automatic, together with part-time four-wheel drive.

Driving

GLXstandslongandtall,at5320x1795mm, with a 3130mm wheelbase and 12.4-metre turningcircle.

Ground clearance is 228mm but without side steps fitted, it can be a challenge to get inandout,especiallyforsmallchildren.

Atleastagrabhandleisprovidedforeach ofthefourdoorstoprovidesomeassistance.

Thehighrideheightalsomakesitdifficult to reach in and fit a child seat, off balance andwithoutanyleverage.

The 17-inch steel wheels are shod with chunkier 265/65 series Toyo all-terrain tyresdesignedforoff-roaduse.

At 30.4 degrees the approach angle is pretty good, but that long tail tends to drag, reducing the exit angle to 22.8 degrees whichcouldpresentproblems.

Drive under normal circumstances is to the rear wheels with the ability to change gears with the shifter and auto engine stop-starttosaveburningunnecessaryfuel.

However, the GLX cannot be driven in four-wheel drive on dry bitumen – it requires some slippage to stop the diff binding.

Witha75-litretank,fuelconsumptionisa claimed7.7L/100km.

There’salsoasecondaryAdBluetankthat needs filling from time to time, but easily accessed sitting side by side with the fuel filler.

In our week behind the wheel the trip computer showed 8.3L/100km after almost 400km of driving, not quite as good as the maker’sclaim–butnotbadallthesame.

Heavydutyrearsuspensionisfitted,with ventilateddiscbrakesatfrontanddrumsat therear.

As expected, the ride is very much old school given the stiff suspension and unladen mass – bumpy, jiggly and at times shuddery.

Put a bit of weight in the back and it is

likelytosettledown.

Likewise, we wouldn’t go chucking the ute into any fast corners, but it’s certainly no slouch in traffic, with light easy on the armssteering.

Payload capacity by the way is 1083kg in thisconfiguration,withatubthatmeasures 1555mmx1545mmx526mm,with1135mm betweenthewheelarches.

Alas, it bucketed down in Sydney during the week we had the Triton and we were unabletotakeitoffroad.

But we’ve taken this vehicle off road beforeandcanreportitisaquitecompetent, medium-dutyvehicle.

Other points of note include the touchscreen which is really too small to accommodate both overhead and rear camera views at the same time when reversing.

Our major criticism however concerns the horrible, nagging, annoying driver monitoring system which is right up there withanythingofferedbytheChinese. Maybethat’swhereMitsugotit?

Summing up

GLX is what it is, a purpose-built work vehicle without any of the fancy stuff found insportsutes.

It’s surprisingly well equipped and presents as a solid, value for money investmentatthisendofthemarket. But many of the features that buyers will be looking for remain accessories, so the stickerpriceissomewhatmisleading. The main problem is that the same figure buys you a larger chunk of a Chinese ute and this is probably the main reason the Triton carries a 10-year warranty, provided yougetthecarservicedwithMitsubishi.

Finals action continues

Western Jets on the board

By Tara Murray

The Western Jets kicked off the Talent League boys season with a win on Saturday afternoon.

Facing the Calder Cannons, a six goal to none third quarter would prove the difference between the two sides in 16.8 (104)10.15 (75) result.

Jets’ coach Christian Stagliano said it was nice to start the campaign in that manner.

“Westartedreallywellbeforewegaveup a couple of late goals,” he said.

“The first 15 minutes of the third quarter was an arm wrestle and it could have gone one either way.

“In the last 10 minutes we capitalised on

the scoreboard, which was fantastic.

“It was warm out there and it slowed down in the last quarter.”

Billy Wigmore kicked four goals for the Jets,whileJakeMillerchippedinwiththree.

Staglianosaidalltheirforwardschipped in and there was an even spread.

He also highlighted the job of Kobe Williams, who had the most disposals in the game.

Jacob Marron led the defensive group really well.

Stagliano said the group had been focused all pre-season and they had been excited to get things underway.

“The pre-season has been super and not too much has changed about it with how the group has gone about it,” he said.

“We started with a larger group and then worked our way to the final squad.

“Pre-Christmas we did really well, then past Christmas we had a strong block as well.

“The commitment to it has been faultless.”

Stagliano said while they had turned over about half their squad from the previous season, this year’s group had a bit more experience which made a difference early on.

“We had about 26 players return,” he said.

“We had four debutantes [in round one], this time last year we had 14.

“We have more of a core group coming through than the year before.

Owen Krueger. (Riley White)

Krueger up and stroking towards success

By Peter Howe

There are many superlatives thrown at youngaspiringathletesfortheirdedication, resilience,focusandpassionfortheirsport.

This month’s Don Deeble Sports Star nominee, swimmer Owen Krueger, delivers these qualities everyday when his alarm clock goes off at 4.30am.

Only once in the last four years has his mum, Jacinta, had to come knocking on his door a second time to get him up.

“I was always organised but my daily routines, focus on my year 12 schoolwork, eating habits and structure has gone to another level,” he said.

“My ability to concentrate has even amazed me.”

Krueger enjoyed swimming and surfing with the family, but neither was a big focus in his life into his early teens.

During a school swim carnival Krueger was urged to give it a go by swim coach, Samantha Grant.

A win, a place at the regional finals and the rest is history.

Within 12 months Krueger was competing at a national level.

Krueger’s rise has much to do with his willingness to grind away at his craft as his natural ability.

Now his current coach, Jacob Sell says it’s about developing his technique.

“I am proud of my small Westbourne Swim Club, my coaches and how far it has come,” Krueger said.

“I do need to work on my turns, stroke rate and breathing technique.”

Krueger rates his starts, and the first 50 metres as his strength.

His training is split equally between the pool and in the gym.

Six mornings a week it is a 4.30am start in the pool typically swimming between four and six kilometres depending on the session.

He also swims two nights a week, is in the gym twice a week and it’s a combination of strength work and Pilates on a Thursday.

“I love competition,” he said. “It’s as much about beating yourself as it is about beating your opponents.

“I must be able to control my emotions when the starter’s pistol goes off.

“I will admit from time to time my race plan does go out the window, but I am getting better.”

Butterfly is Krueger’s favourite stroke and the one he finds easiest.

Hewontwosilverandabronzemedalat last year’s Victorian Long Course Championships in the under-17-18 age group.

It came after he won bronze at the 16 years boys 50 metre butterfly at the Australian National Championships earlier last

“A few played at the back end of last year. We had nine under-16s debut at the end of last year.

“They were a little more prepared coming into the summer.”

The Jets now have a couple of big weeks of action.

They head to Tasmania on Friday as they face Tasmanian Devils on Saturday in round two before they face Greater Western Victoria Rebels in round three in Ballarat on Good Friday.

“Nothing changes,” Stagliano said of the nextfewweeks.“We’llkeepworkingonthe improvements areas we had focused on over the summer.

“Hopefully the confidence and cohesion will come as we keep working away.”

Petrie to coach BFL interleague

Former North Melbourne and West Coast Eagle Drew Petrie will coach the Ballarat Football League’s under-23 interleague team.

After spending the past nine years living and working in Perth within the AFL system, Petrie has recently returned to Victoria and is eager to reconnect with the Ballarat football community that helped shape his early career.

A proud Ballarat product, Petrie began his football journey with the Ballarat Swans before being selected with pick 23 in the AFL draft by North Melbourne.

Petriewentontoenjoyadecorated AFL career spanning more than 300 games, becoming one of North Melbourne’s most respected figures across his 16 seasons at the club. He later added to his career with a season at the West Coast Eagles before transitioning into coaching roles.

Petrie said he was excited by the opportunity to lead the BFL’s emerging representative side.

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to coach the BFNL under-23 interleague team this year,” he said.

“When Paul Armstrong called to offer me the role, I didn’t hesitate.

year.

Krueger will compete at the Australian National Championships in April in the under-18 50 metres and 100 metres freestyle, backstroke and butterfly races.

The teenager has a number of idols in and out of the pool.

“Kyle Chalmers is one of my heroes as the best Australian swimmer in my events,” he said.

“He is also a good bloke. I do love Sam Short’s celebrations.

“Outofthepool,surferOwenWrightdisplays great resolve and resilience returning to competition after suffering a traumatic braininjuryinasurfingaccident. Ialsolike him because his name is Owen.”

Krueger has been invited to swim in the Australian Swimming trials for selection in the Pan Pacific and Commonwealth Games.

His focus is to make the Australian junior swim team and then progress to the senior team at Commonwealth and Olympic games.

The Don Deeble Sports Star Award is sponsored by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club, Strathmore Community Bank, the Deer Park Club, Ascot Vale Sports and Trophies and Star Weekly Newspapers.

If you would like to nominate a monthly winner, emailing swrsportsclub@gmail. com or 0408 556 631.

“It’s a privilege to represent the players and the league, and I’m committed to giving everything I can to the role.

“After nine years in Perth, I’m also excited to be back in Victoria and reconnecting with the local football community that gave me so much as a kid, especially the Ballarat Swans.”

BFL operations director Paul Armstrong said Petrie’s appointment is a major boost for the league’s representative program.

“Having Drew on board is fantastic for the BFNL and a big boost to our Interleague program.

His experience at the highest level of the game, combined with his strong connection to Ballarat football, makes him an outstanding person to guide this group of players.”

Planningfortheupcomingunder 23 interleague campaign is already underway, with the BFNL looking forward to bringing together the league’s most promising young footballers to represent the region on the representative stage.

Centrals appoint Roach

By Tara Murray

Melton Centrals has locked in their coach for next season’s Victorian Turf Cricket Association Russell Pollock Shield.

With Warren Haffenden having made the decision to step back, Centrals locked in Robbie Roach to take over as coach.

Roach joins Centrals from Keilor Park where he has coached the past few seasons.

Roach said he was looking forward to the new challenge.

“One door closes and another door opens,” he said. “It’s exciting and there’s talent there with the kids and they want to play senior cricket.

“That’s what incited me to take the role.”

Roach said he knew his time was up at Keilor Park having achieved what he set out to do, with the club not in a good place when he came in.

He said that journey was more than winning premierships, it was about fielding sides consistently.

“The club is in better hands than when I started,” he said.

For Centrals and Roach, the only way is up.

Centrals finished bottom of division 5, the bottom division, in the recently completed season without a win.

“It’s a new team and new program and it’s in the same situation at Melton Cen-

trals as it was at Keilor Park, which is exciting,” Roach said.

“The opening came up and I had the interview and felt like I had the job.

“I know what they have got there and I’m looking to build on that and see what I can bring in.

“There is nowhere else but up.”

Centrals had 25 junior sides last season, so there’s plenty of numbers at the club coming through.

Roach said it was about making sure the senior program was in a good spot so those kids want to stay at the club in the future.

He said some of the 17-18-year-olds who are coming through, he had coached at junior football in Melton and already

Charlie Hammond-Collins. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 542473_01

Burra grand final loss ‘drives the hunger’

By Tara Murray

A fire has been lit for Diggers Rest Bulla after falling short in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association Johnstone Shield grand final on the weekend.

Eastern Hill on Sunday completed the perfect season and showed why the side had been clearly the best team all season with a commanding win.

For Burras captain-coach Evan Long there was plenty of disappointment with the result along with a sense of pride after the season they had.

“I’m proud but we couldn’t get there in the end,” he said. “Our twos last by 10 runs as well.

“It drives the hunger.

“After where they have been ... we’ve been talking at the club about what we have achieved and that it will take us forward.

“I’m super proud of the team and the club as a whole.”

Long, who joined the club this season, said one of the big things early on was about setting a good culture.

He said they had done that and it had reflected in the results that they had seen this season.

For the Burras, the grand final to Eastern Hill was lost on day one.

The Burras won the toss and decided to bat on Saturday.

They were bowled out for 104 in the 54th over which was never going to be enough.

Long said Eastern Hill was clearly the benchmark and it showed in the side’s grand final performance.

“Their bowling attack is relentless,” Long said. “They took advantage of that and held their catches.

“We lost a couple of wickets just before tea, myself included and it opened the game.

“We were five down at that point and we missed the opportunity to cash in.”

Jacob Grant top scored with the Burras as just four batters reached double figures.

Eastern Hill was 1-29 at stumps with one hand on the premiership flag.

Long said they bowled well, but Eastern Hill didn’t take any risks.

“Charlie Hammond-Collins arguably

had that connection.

Roach said he was ready to start getting to work and help the side rise up the ladder.

He said along with a strong junior program, the club’s women’’s side won a premiership and the men’s fourth XI made the grand final, so it wasn’t all doom and gloom with where things were at.

“We have to get the balance right in the ones,” he said. “The seconds were competitive.

“The thirds and fourths will have a lot of juniors and will have a father-figure in the team.

“We’re going to give them opportunity from junior ranks into the senior ranks and it’s going to be very exciting.”

Sports shorts

Ballarat NL

Bacchus Marsh has re-signed one of its key midcourters, while also bringing in two young defenders for the Ballarat Netball League season. Melissa Prismall, who joined the Cobras part way through last season, has re-signed with the side. The Cobras said Prismall’s strength as a formidable attacker, along with her role as a strong communicator on the court, has been instrumental to the team’s success. Avana Hobson joins the Cobras from Melton Centrals in the Riddell District Netball League and is a tall defender. Georgia Shattock, who is part of Boroondara Express’ Victorian Netball League program, crosses from Riddell.

Bowls

Melton has received a massive boost for next season’s Bowls Victoria weekend pennant, division 2 season. Former coach Todd Trewarne, who played with Deer Park in premier league in the recent season. returns to the club. “Todd was sorely missed while he was gone and we’re all looking forward to seeing him back on the green in the Mustang colours,” Melton said. The Mustangs finished top before a straight sets exit in the finals.

NPL

bowled the best he had all season,” he said.

“He took one wicket and created some chances.

“He’s a 20-year-old kid and will leap forward next year.”

Eastern Hill chased the runs down in a “canter” on day two, finishing 3-105.

Long took a couple of late wickets for the Burras

He said they tried their guts out but they just didn’t have enough runs on the board.

“They were a class above.”

Long said the conversation back at the club on Sunday night had already turned to next season and going one better.

“I wish I could bottle what’s here tonight [Sunday],” he said.

“The guys are asking when pre-season is and when we are getting back into it.

“They got a taste of how close they are to success.

“There’s motivation going forward and it’s not a failed campaign.

“We made a huge leap forward and hopefully this time next year we’re talking about going up into McIntyre.

“That is the goal.”

Caroline Springs George Cross suffered its first loss of the National Premier League season on Friday night. Facing the Oakleigh Cannons away, the Georgies were on the back foot early after conceding a goal. They were able to level the scores just before half time, through Leo Mazis. The Cannons were able to score the winner in the 79th minute. In the NPLW competition, Spring Hills lost to Heidelberg United.

FV

Melton Phoenix and Westside Strikers both started their FV state league 4 north-west seasons with wins on the weekend. The Phoenix started with a 1-0 win against Moonee Ponds United thanks to a goal to Sergio Galeano in the third minute. The Strikers were on the road against a strong Watsonia Heights unit and were able to come away with a 2-1 win.

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

Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Thoroughbreds’ star recruits

By Tara Murray

A new look Melton Thoroughbreds had a tough start to the Big V men’s division 2 season on Saturday night.

After some late injuries and changes, the Thoroughbreds were able to add some exciting pieces to their side.

In the week leading into round one, the Thoroughbreds announced two big signings.

Anthony Kimble, returns to the Thoroughbreds, having had a strong career in the Big V, while Elijah Davy also joins the Thoroughbreds.

Kimble played with the Thoroughbreds in 2014-15 where he dominated the division 1 competition and was among the leading scorers.

More recently he has played at the Camberwell Dragons, McKinnon Cougars and Western Port Steelers where he has continued to rack up the points.

He comes to the Thoroughbreds after winning the 2025 Melbourne Basketball League most valuable player award.

Davey is no stranger to the Big V competition either having played with the Chelsea Gulls and Western Port Steelers in recent seasons.

The new Thoroughbreds signings played together at the Steelers in the 2024 Big V season.

Thoroughbreds president Matthew Brooks said they were delighted to sign the pair.

“We are excited with the return of Kimble and the addition of Eli Davey with both add-

ing to the experience within the team and complementing the energy of the younger members of our line up.”

Kimble suited up as the Thoroughbreds kicked off their season on Saturday night against the Mildura Heat.

Just three players from the Thoroughbreds final round match last season, suited up on Saturday night.

Among the other signings to play for the Thoroughbreds on Saturday night was new captain Owen Stephens, who crosses from the Whittlesea Pacers, having played at the Sunbury Jets as well.

It took the Thoroughbreds a half to get into the game against the Heat on the scoreboard.

They trailed by 10 points at quarter time and the margin had increased to 21 points at

After siren goal secures Warriors’ first win

By Tara Murray

The Western Warriors are on the board in the Victorian Netball League by the barest of margins.

A goal to Kim Borger after the siren was the difference between the Warriors and Gippsland Stars on Wednesday night.

It was a slow start for the Warriors before they fought back, with the two sides going goal-for-goal a lot of the second half.

The Warriors snuck home, 54-53.

Warriors coach Kim Bailey said it wasn’t the prettiest game but they got the job done.

“We dug deep and come away with one goal,” she said.

“Kim Borger had the shot, what a player to have the ball in her hand.

“We started off slow and we come back and started talking about doing the basics extremely well.

“To their credit [the Stars] they had a great game as well.”

The Warriors were down by five at quarter time, with the margin back to two at the main break.

It was the Warriors leading by three goals

heading into the final quarter.

Bailey said they were able to move their side around to find which combinations worked best.

“We had the luxury tonight [Wednesday] to change our midcourt a fair bit, we rotated Ruby [Shannon] into wing attack and left her there,” she said.

“We brought Kiara Boyd in for her first game with champ and she did an amazing job in tandem with Kali Dolphin.

“They are games last year that we probably would have lost and it’s good to get the win.”

It was Fionnuala Mckeagney-Stubbs that was given the Warriors best for coming on and limiting the impact of shooter Sam Silvester.

Bailey said it was amazing to see her put out a performance like that.

“Finn had a job to do and she went out there and did it,” she said. “I’m really happy for her.

“It’s a really good story and that is one of the reasons why we coach.

“She had no confidence coming back to netball and I had tried to get her back for

the main break. It was a high scoring third quarter, with the Thoroughbreds putting up 35 points to reduce the margin back to 14 points heading into the final quarter and give themselves a shot.

That small hope was quickly sniffed out, as the Thoroughbreds were outscored 31-16 in the final quarter to lose 113-84.

Nicholas Hooper top scored with 25 points, with Stephens scoring 15 points and Daniel Salvatore scoring 14 points.

The Thoroughbreds will face the Warrnambool Seahawks in round two. The Seahawks also suffered a loss in round one.

Melton’s youth league side had a bye on the weekend.

It had started the season with a win in round one.

Tigers are back

The Bacchus Marsh Tigers Baseball Club is registering its seniors team for the first time in two years, whilst also working to rejuvenate its juniors program.

Both the senior and junior teams will participate in the Geelong Baseball Association during the winter season, and the T-ball program will operate entirely in-house.

The Tigers had been advertising for players for mixed division 3 and 4 teams, with their division 3 team winning a premiership in 2023.

The club is bringing back its juniors program to encourage the longevity of baseball, and support camaraderie amongst the community.

the last two years.

“When she gets on that court she just changes.”

Borger finished with 28 goals, while Mia Lavis scored 24.

Bailey said that combination was growing and Lavis stamped her authority on the game, to make it hard to take her off the court.

It was a really good night for the Warriors, with the 23 and under side, winning 66-38.

The side hasn’t had a margin like that before.

She was full of praise for Charlize Bellette, who shot 20 goals at 90 per cent.

Bailey said after their reserves side lost to the Stars on Tuesday night, it was nice to get a couple of results going back their way.

The Warriors now face the Bendigo Strikers in round three on 29 March at Cobblebank Stadium.

It’s the Warriors first home game of the season.

The Warriors are hoping that there will be a big crowd in attendance to cheer on the side.

The Tigers have produced professional players who have played in Australia and the United States, most notably one of only 38 Australians to reach Major League Baseball, Shane Lindsay.

Club member Jack Lindsay encourages others to try out a sport he finds real value in with a community he believes is built on connection.

“The Bacchus Marsh baseball community has always been known for being a tight-knit club where everyone looks out for one another and works together toward common goals,” he said.

For the club, a return of the senior team means a fresh start after two years away from competition and Lindsay said they were hoping this will bring leadership, pride and stability to the club.