Star Weekly - Wyndham - 17th June 2026

Mental health gap

By Glenn Fisher

Despina Havelas understandably finds it difficult to find much humour in the tragic loss of her younger sister less than two months ago after a long battle with a mental health illness.

But a doll is the one and only keepsake from the belongings of Dr Anastasia Kalantzis that brings a smile to Despina’s face.

Not just any doll.

“Ana loved horror movies and heavy metalmusiclikeMetallicaandMegadeath, and I’ve kept her Chucky doll to remind me what a vibrant, bubbly, spirited woman she was,” Despina said.

We just want more rights for caregivers, so others don’t have to go through what we did

- Despina Havelas

While Ana’s doll from the Child’s Play horror movie franchise might help lighten the mood for Despina and her daughter Aristea, who live in the west, the fact they were not legally allowed to know about Ana’s medication or treatment plan during and after any of the numerous stays inside a mental health facility definitely remains a bone of contention.

Ana’s long battle with her mental health ended shortly after she was discharged from the last in a long line of public and private mental health facilities across Melbourne and returned home to be with her 80-year-old mother in Glenroy.

Dr Kalantzis was a respected lecturer at the Royal Dental Hospital in Melbourne and in dentistry at the University of Melbourne,admiredandacclaimedforher compassion and dedication to dentistry, education and mental health advocacy. She was 44.

Now a new battle has started, with Despina and Aristea pushing for Victoria’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Act (2022) to be either changed or for a nationwide piece of legislation to cover all states and territories.

“Whenever Ana was in a facility, we as caregivers and close family members had no legal right to get information about her medication, treatment plan or to even be included in discussions about her health, because it’s all deemed as private,” Despina said. “We just want more rights for caregivers, so others don’t have to go through what we did.

“Ana was discharged without a safety plan, and there was no discussion about her family history or past. We could see the change in her every time she was discharged, but the medical people in those facilities couldn’t,” she said.

“She stopped eating, her mood changed … we know she was masking her illness to the medical staff while in those facilities.”

Since Ana’s death, Despina and Aristea have attempted to contact and meet with

state MPs from both sides of parliament, to raiseconcernsaboutthecurrentlegislation blocking loved ones from getting access to more information about a patient.

While changing the laws is the aim, Aristea says they are not on any political witch hunt.

“Mental health is not a political issue, it is both a health and educational issue,” she said.

“We are just trying to help the process, not hinder it.”

On Friday, Deputy Premier Ben Carroll’s office notified Despina that he would be “unable to meet” with them to discuss mentalhealthinVictoriaandsenthis“best wishes”.

Star Weekly also sent a list of questions to Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt last week, but there had been no response

before this newspaper’s deadline. While Despina and Aristea can never get Ana back, her memory will live on after the family started the Anastasia Kalantzis Memorial Dentistry Scholarship (advancement.latrobe.edu.au/giving/ anas-legacy) in partnership with La Trobe University, where Ana completed her bachelor of health sciences/master of dentistry at the Bendigo campus. Donations will help support students pursuing a pathway into dentistry, who demonstrate a dual commitment to dentistry and mental health.

If you, or anyone you know, is experiencing mental health challenges and/or dealing with suicidal thoughts, contact Lifeline on 131114, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

Greenlight for pork plant

By Laura Michell

Construction of a pork rendering plant in Laverton North has been given the greenlight by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA).

The EPA said it granted a development licence to JBS Pork Australia on 11 June, allowing it to construct the rendering plant at 52-58 Pipe Road, Laverton North.

The EPA said the licence was granted with strict conditions.

In deciding to approve the plant, the EPA said it had concluded the application included measures to “eliminate or

reduce risk of harm to human health and the environment, so far as reasonably practicable” and “does not pose an unacceptable risk of harm to human health or the environment”

According to the EPA, the plant will source porcine waste from its adjacent existing abattoir, which the authority said wouldreducetransport-relatedodourimpacts.

The proposed facility includes construction of a rendering plant, a building to house the plant, and technology to minimise impacts to the local community.

Dark dinos at Werribee zoo

Dinosaurs are taking over the night at Werribee Open Range Zoo these school holidays. From 4–11 July, visitors can experience Dinos After Dark, an afterhours adventure featuring towering illuminated dinosaurs, dazzling light shows, roving performers and family-friendly entertainment.

Guests can bring a torch and explore the glowing Dino River Trail as prehistoric giantscometolifeafterdarkthroughspectacularlighting,specialeffectsandimmersive experiences. The zoo’s African village lawnwilltransformintoaprehistoricplayground, complete with a disco glow zone, where families can groove to dino-tastic tunes under brilliant glow effects, grab a hula hoop or spinning plate, and learn

new tricks from a circus performer.

Little adventurers can also cool down in the bubble snow zone, running, jumping and dancing amongst the snow as the African village is transformed into a snowy, immersive playground. Visitors can enjoy roaming entertainment throughout the night, including stilt walkers, fire twirlers and circus performers, before gathering aroundthefirepitstotoastmarshmallows.

A special dinosaur-themed food and beverage menu will also be available, with grazing boxes available to pre-book. Dinos After Dark will run from 5.30-9pm. Tickets: From $50 for members and $55 for non-members. Children’s tickets available from $26 for members and $29 for non-members.

EPA said it undertook an evidence-based assessment of the application under the Environment Protection Act 2017, which considered cumulative risks, relevant environmental policies, science, community and stakeholder feedback, and advice from external agencies.

The community had expressed concerns about odour and noise from the facility, but the EPA said the licence conditions require JBS Pork Australia to install and use the best available control techniques and technologies.

“This includes keeping the plant under negative air pressure so the odour is cap-

tured and treated biofilters that are appropriately sized for odour treatment equipment to control the noise from the site,” the EPA said.

Prior to the commencement of any operations, JBS Pork must demonstrate compliance with the conditions of the development licence and then apply for a separate EPA operating licence.

Residents who are unhappy with the EPA’s decision have 15 business day from 11 June to apply for a review by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Details: https://engage.vic.gov.au/jbspork-australia-pty-ltd-app048479

Get ready for school holiday fun at gallery

Families and children are encouraged to visit Wyndham Art Gallery during the winter school holidays to experience a huge new program of free activities from Polyglot Theatre.

Wyndham Art Gallery will transform into an energetic, hands-on creative playground from Tuesday 7 July until Sunday 12July,from10amto4pmdaily,asinternationally renowned Polyglot Theatre deliver two playful and immersive experiences designed especially for children and families.

Wyndham councillor Mia Shaw said the freeschoolholidayprogramwouldprovide hands-on, family fun, where children get to take the lead and imagination leads the way.

“Featuring two of Polyglot Theatre’s most beloved participatory works, Paper Planet and Sound of Drawing, the gallery will become a living, evolving artwork shaped by the creativity of its young participants” Cr Shaw said.

“The free school holiday program is designed for a wide range of ages and abilities, making it easier for families to share in thefuntogetherandcelebratethepowerof play, participation and imagination.

In Paper Planet, children become makers and world builders to construct a fan-

tastical paper universe and collaborate to construct an ever-changing paper landscape surrounded by towering cardboard trees using simple materials like paper and sticky tape and imagination to build structures, creatures, and landscapes. “

The installation grows organically throughouttheweek,rewardingrepeatvisits as participants contribute to a strange and wonderful environment that transforms day by day.

In Sound of Drawing, every line, scribble and shape is transformed into a live, responsive soundscape.

As children draw, their marks are translated into a live audio soundscape experience, creating a dynamic, collaborative artwork where creativity can be seen and heard.

The programs are suitable for children up to 12 years old and bookings are not required.

These school holidays, families will also be able to enjoy a packed program at Wyndham Cultural Centre with the shows Room on a Broom and Wurrtoo: The Wombat Who Fell in Love With the Sky.

Details: www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/ whats-on/polyglot-theatre-takes-over-gallery

Election priorities

Wyndham council has released its state election wish list, launching a major advocacy campaign demanding action on clogged roads, overcrowded trains, stretched health services and missing community infrastructure.

Branded ’A Way Forward for Wyndham’, the campaign calls on all candidates contesting the 2026 Victorian state election to commit to 16 priority projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars across transport, health and recreation.

With Wyndham’s population expected to surge from 337,000 to 500,000 by 2040, council said the municipality can no longer afford to play catch-up.

“Wyndham is home to 337,000 people and growing to 500,000 by 2040,“ deputy mayor Jasmine Hill said.

“Our roads are congested, our trains are overcrowded, our families wait too long for health care and community facilities.

“There is a way forward for Wyndham, but it requires the state government to invest in our future.“

The campaign has been built around four key investment areas – roads, rail, recreation and health – and is backed by council’s advocacy prioritisation framework.

Among the headline projects are the long-awaited Outer Metropolitan Ring Road and Wyndham Ring Road, three new train stations at Truganina, Black Forest Road and Sayers Road, and a complete redevelopment of Werribee Station.

Council is also pushing for the electrification of the Regional Rail Link, describing it as critical to meeting future transport demand.

On the recreation front, Wyndham is seeking state funding for a $50 million Riverdale Aquatic Centre, a $30 million indoor sports facility in Tarneit, upgrades to the Point Cook Homestead Precinct and several community sporting projects.

Health funding is also firmly in council’s sights, with calls for long-term support to secure the future of Mercy Hospital and establish a new mental health service in Wyndham North.

Cr Hill said the campaign was far more than a political wish list.

“Every one of these 16 priorities has been selected because it is evidence-based, council and community-endorsed, and a state government responsibility,“ she said.

“Wyndham’s community is watching, and they deserve answers before they vote.“

The campaign will include candidate forums across Wyndham’s electorates in the lead-up to the November election, while members of Wyndham’s People’s Advisory Panel will help lead a community voice campaign through social media, video and public events.

New outdoor youth space

Young people in Manor Lakes and surrounds now have a new space to hang out, following the completion of a youth space in the suburb.

The outdoor space is located next to the Youth Services Hub at Manor Lakes Community Learning Centre, within the northern edge of the car park.

After announcing the premises’ rejuvenation last September, the council installed several new features.

The space includes a basketball half court, a mini volleyball and badminton court, a foursquare court, seating and colourful artwork.

In addition to the sporting amenities, the space has shade and seating, designed to support activities and casual play year-round.

Local youth crafted the space for local young people.

Between October and November last year, the project was put out to residents aged 12-25 years for consultation, with the final design being directly taken from the feedback received.

During earlier consultation with young people who use the centre, a basketball ring and futsal goal were the most popular suggestions.

Anyone keen to check out the space for themselves can attend the opening event on Wednesday 10 June between 2.45pm-5pm. You can enjoy basketball activities, live DJ and dance performances, arts and crafts, and a free sausage sizzle, among other things.

Short Stays

Long Stays

Maritime history captured

Fifity years ago next week, Laurie Dilks had a front row seat to one of the most dramatic events in Williamstown’s history and has the photos and the memories to prove it. He spoke to Cade Lucas.

As a shipwright with the former Victorian Ports and Harbours Branch in Williamstown, Laurie Dilks didn’t normally bring a camera to work.

“I never carried a camera normally unless I thought there was something worthwhile to take a photograph of,” Mr Dilksrecalled.

Sowhenhemadesuretopackhiscamera before heading to work on the morning of 23 June, 1976, Mr Dilks clearly knew he was about to witness something worth capturing for posterity.

“I thought I’ll get a photograph of this,” Mr Dilks, now 81, recalled thinking that morningnearlyhalfacenturyago.

“AndI’mverypleasedIdid.”

So too are many other people, especially those with an interest in maritime history of which Williamstown and Hobsons Bay hasplenty.

But of all that history, few moments resonate like the one Mr Dilks photographed 50 years ago next week: the burning down of the Point Gellibrand Pile Light.

It’s a moment that locals who were alive at the time can recall like it was yesterday and even those who weren’t are still well awareof.

The images Mr Dilks took that day are a bigreasonwhy.

He and his fellow shipwrights were standing on a boat about 25 metres from the historic lighthouse, roughly a mile off Williamstown’s Shelly Beach, when the fire began at about 11am on a sunny, still Wednesdaymorning.

Floating nearby were a number of other craftincludingonepackedwithjournalists fromtheeveningTVnewsandMelbourne’s thenafternoonpaperofrecord,TheHerald.

They all watched as the lighthouse, perched above the water atop 33 wooden piles, its living quarters surrounding the bottom of the tower and its pile light at the top, became enveloped in smoke, then engulfedinflames.

Then the tower and its pile light, which had guided ships into Hobsons Bay since 1906, preventing them from crashing into Gellibrand Reef, crashed into the water itself.

“Thesupportaroundit(thetower),which was the house, diminished and it fell into thewaterandwastrappedbythepilesthat held up the lighthouse so it didn’t go to the bottom,”MrDilkssaidofthetowerandpile lightwhichwouldlaterberecovered.

The pile light itself now sits on display at the Seaworks Maritime Precinct in Williamstown, near where Mr Dilks and his fellow Ports and Harbours shipwrights used to work and where a Winter Solstice Festival will be held on 19 June that will double as a 50th anniversary commemorationofthelighthousefire.

“Of all the iconic structures that Williamstown’s history has produced, the Gellibrand Light must be the most cherished and best known” Seaworks executiveofficerGlennJonessaid.

“Not only by seafarers, for whom it had a special significance, but by the thousands of residents and tourists. After a long journey from the bottom of the bay, to besidethePollyWoodsideandevencentral Victoria, it’s now back in Williamstown andSeaworksisitshome”.

Along with seeing the pile light itself, those attending the winter solstice festival can also visit a special display on the lighthouse inside the Seaworks Maritime Museum.

Included in the display are some of the dramaticimagesMrDilkstookthatday.

While the photos capture the pile light’s

fiery end, they don’t explain how it came about; how the state government of the day found itself in the extraordinary position of having to set fire to a beloved historic landmark.

Fortunately, Mr Dilks’ memory remains asvividashisphotos.

“I was working in the depot and the officer in charge, a Mr Jack Manser, came out into the yard where I was working with a couple of other fellows,” he recalled of the morning two days before the fire on Monday21June.

“He said ‘I’ve heard the Gellibrand Lighthouse has been struck by a ship’. He said apparently it’s been quite extensively damaged and we’ll have to get out there andhavealookwhenwecan.”

Thiswasabout8.30am.

Roughly an hour earlier, the Melbourne Trader, a 7000 tonne roll-on roll-off cargo ship, had ploughed into the Point Gellibrand Pile Light while returning from itsregularruntoTasmania.

The thick fog that blanketed Port Phillip Bay that morning and was already blamed forthecollisionandwasalsopreventingMr Dilksandhiscolleaguesfromimmediately headingouttoinspectthedamage.

Oncethefogclearedlaterinthemorning and they did get out to the pile light, not muchofaninspectionwasrequired.

“It was severely damaged,” Mr Dilks recalled.

“Manyofthepileshadbeenbroken.”

With the many of the piles supporting thelighthousesnappedoffatthewaterline, itstowerwastiltingbadlytooneside.

The lighthouse keeper’s residence at the base of the tower was also badly damaged, though, remarkably, the keeper himself wasunscathed.

He’d spent the night ashore, a decision whichprobablysavedhislife.

Returning to the depot, the shipwrights reported what they’d seen to Mr Manser whothensentitupthechainofcommand.

Thingsweremovingquickly.

Thenextday,MrDilksandhiscolleagues arrived at the depot to be told that a decision on the pile light’s future would be madelaterthatday.

Inthemeantimetheyweretogobackout thereandstripitofanyofanyvaluables.

“Wehadtobeverycarefulbecauseit(the lighthouse) was on a precarious angle and the boat landing there was underwater,” Mr Dilks said, adding that once on board they removed and took whatever they could, though some items would soon go missing.

“We got up and removed the windvane of the tower but we don’t know what happenedtothatintheend.”

Theyalsoclearedoutthekeepersquarters whichMrDilkslikenedtoafloatinghome.

“It was a unique situation as seaborn lighthousesare,”hesaid.

“Before the current lighthouse keeper, on occasion there had been others who’d lived there with their wives. It was a house withabathroom,kitchenandbedroom.”

Sadly,liketherestofthestructure, itwas also damaged beyond repair and given its

importance to nearby shipping lanes, it had to be removed and replaced as soon as possible.

Before the shipwrights left for home that day,theirbossdeliveredthenews.

“Mr Manser had told us that the lighthouse was to be burnt at 11am on the morning,23June,1976,”MrDilkssaid.

“It was a unique situation, but we understood that was what the government hadordered.Itwasasadsituation.”

With camera in hand, he and his colleagues returned to the pile light for the finaltimethefollowingmorningtoprepare itforburning.

They were joined by another crew from Ports and Harbours who’d travelled up by boatfromQueenscliffe.

Mr Dilks suspects it was they who finally setitalight.

“Theyhadasmalldrumofkerosenewith them and were sprinkling it around when meandmyworkmatesrealiseditwasclose to11amand we’dbetter begetting off.”

From there, it took about 20 minutes to destroy70yearsofmaritimehistory.

A navigational light was installed in place of the lighthouse and there hasn’t beenanothercollisioninthe50yearssince.

Mr Dilks lamented that if only today’s shipping technology was available back then,thePointGellibrandPileLightwould stillremain.

“Unfortunately that incident happened because in that era they didn’t have the navigationalaidstheyhavenow,”hesaid.

“At the time everyone wished it hadn’t happened but it did and thank goodness nobodywasinjured.”

League’s grant is in the post

The Western Football Netball League (WFNL) is one of a number of local sports organisations and clubs to have received fundinggrantsfromAustraliaPost.

The WFNL along with the Williamstown Swimming And Life Saving Club and Footscray’s Women’s Circus have been awardedgrantsaspartofthePeopleofthe Postfundingprogram.

This year the program has awarded $500,000 worth of grants to 251 organisations nationwide to help them tackle some of Australia’s?most?critical social?challenges?such as mental health, disaster resilience, literacy, and environment.?

For the WFNL, its funding grant will go towards implementing the Learning Life Through Sport program across its junior competitions.

“The funding will support the education ofcoaches,players,parentsandsupporters increatingpositive,respectfulandinclusive sporting environments, with a focus on

strengthening club culture, increasing respect for umpires, promoting positive behaviours and teaching important life skillsthroughsport,”WFNLchiefexecutive DavidJenningssaid.

“This initiative aligns strongly with the league’s commitment to participant wellbeing, mental health and community connection, and will help ensure our clubs continue to provide safe, welcoming environments where young people can develop, thrive and learn valuable life lessonsbothonandoffthefield.”

Australia Post general manager of community and stakeholder engagement, Nicky Tracey, said the People of the Post program supported local organisations makingarealdifferenceintheircommunity.

“We’re incredibly proud to play a role?in supporting so many mental health organisationsandotherdeservingcharities acrossAustralia,andtocontinuedelivering forcommunitiesinwaysthattrulymatter,” MsTraceysaid.

Briefs

West Party registration

The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) has received an application from The West Party for registration as a political party. Objections to the proposed registration must be submitted to the VEC in writing no later than Sunday 12 July. Valid reasons for objection include: the party is not an eligible political party as defined under the Electoral Act 2002, the application is not in accordance with the requirements of section 45 of the act or the proposed name should be refused under section 47 of the act. Objections can be made to rppregistration@vec.vic.gov.au or posted to the VEC, Level 11, 530 Collins Street, Melbourne Vic, 3000. Objections must be signed and include the objector’s address.

Police survey

Wyndham residents are encouraged to complete Victoria Police’s Community Sentiment Survey. The annual survey helps Victoria Police understand the safety concerns that matter most to Victorians and find ways to tackle them. This is an opportunity to provide feedback on interactions with police and Protective Services Officers. The survey takes about five minutes to complete, and responses are anonymous. The survey closes 30 June.

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The two public servants

As we all know, English cricket suffered an ignominious defeat at The Oval on 29 August, 1882, when the colonials beat MotherEnglandatherowngame.

The lion was declawed, unable to give even a feeble swish of its tail. Beaten? Yes, but not for long, by Jove. Three weeks after their crushing humiliation, captain Ivo Bligh and his team boarded the RMS Peshawur with every intention of resuscitatingthelion,recoveringtheashes andrestoringEngland’sglory.

Mr Michael Crawcour, pawnbroker of 31 Nelson Place, Williamstown, was most interested in the Peshawur and avidly followedherprogressintheshippingnews. Not that Mr Crawcour liked cricket. He didn’tcareahootaboutBligh’sunshakeable determination, nor was he even remotely excited about the forthcoming Australian Eleven banquet to be held in Melbourne’s TownHall.

His interest in the Peshawur became acute anxiety when she collided with the barque Glenroy out of Colombo on Sunday 15 October. Owing to substantial damage to her masts and hull, repairs took several days. Mr Crawcour didn’t like shipping delays at all, but he cheered up when finally, with no lives lost, the Peshawur washeadingoncemoretoAustralia, She arrived in Melbourne on 22 November, 1882 and this put Mr Crawcour inaverysunnymood.

Her arrival was noticed by others. Constable William Walkinshaw of the Williamstown Water Police happened to be in Nelson Place, eavesdropping on a conversation between two ship stewards. What he heard sent him running off to inform customs officer William Evans that Michael Crawcour was planning some wickedness on the Peshawur. William Evans couldn’t hide his glee; an arrest warrant had been nestled in his pocket for the last 12 months and he had nearly abandoned all hope of ever catching the slipperyeel.

Constable Walkinshaw knew this. He also knew that this was a job for customs, not the police, but willingly agreed to help hiscrime-bustingfriend.

At 8.30 pm, Walkinshaw saw Mr Crawcour leaving his shop with lines and bait and greeted him. “Hello. Doing some fishingtonight?”

MrCrawcouraffablywavedhislinesand bait. “And where are you off to, Constable Walkinshaw?”

‘I’m going to check the Potosi,” the policemanlied.

VeryrelievedthatitwasnotthePeshawur, Mr Crawcour decided that assisting the constabularywasalwaysawisepolicy.“Let me row you there, and save you a walk to thepier.”

Crawcour soon had both men at their destinations. Constable Walkinshaw headedofftowardsthePotosiandwatched asCrawcourboardedthePeshawur.

At the gangway of the Potosi, the policeman met Officer Evans for a brief chat. He then boarded a lighter which was moored outside the Peshawur, crouched downandwaited.

Before long, he spotted Mr Crawcour quietly lowering some packages from a porthole into his fishing boat. The constable clambered from the lighter into the pawnbroker’s boat and felt the packages.Heknewwhattheywere.Cigars. Over three thousand of them. Dutiable cigars on which Michael Crawcour had no

intentionofpayinganysortoftax,ever.

ConstableWalkinshawhadaslysenseof humour. As soon as Crawcour returned to hisboat,heasked,“Howwasthefishing?”

The pawnbroker also had a sense of humour.“Lookatthat!Iturnedmybackfor five minutes and some scoundrel got into my boat and stuffed these strange objects intoit!”

Walkinshaw grinned. “Well, you just wait for the rightful owner to show up and claimhisproperty.”

Mr Crawcour knew that the joking was over. “I suppose this means trouble for me?”

Walkinshaw grabbed the cigar boxes and marched off to hand them to customs officerEvans.

On 2 December, 1882, the Williamstown Court was packed to the rafters with spectators eager to enjoy HM Customs vs Crawcour.

Mr Crawcour was looking very unhappy. So were the cigar-craving gentlemen sprinkled throughout the courthouse. In Mr Crawcour’s view, the authorities had no right whatsoever to persecute hard-working smugglers who performed a valuable public service in providing cheap goods to those who desired them, but lacked the wherewithal to pay the extortionate duty. His customers were in completeaccordwithhim.

Mr W.H. Croker, solicitor, put up a passionate defence. Where was the proof that it was his client who had lowered the cigars into the boat? There was none at

all. Indeed, Mr Crawcour had been most shocked to find the boxes in his boat. Further, when his client returned from his fishing, who was already in the boat with the boxes, but Constable Walkinshaw himself!Thiswasaplant,anunderhanded, sneaky scheme, typical of policemen who longed for rapid promotion and were not overly burdened by conscience how they obtainedit.

The Bench demonstrated its lack of credulity by fining Mr Crawcour one hundredpounds.

There was a lot of the never-say-die about Michael Crawcour. Knowing that this conviction prevented the renewal of his pawnbroker’s licence, he persuaded a friend, Joseph Abrahams, to apply for one intheHothamPoliceCourt,fullyintending touseithimself.

TheWilliamstownpolicegotwindofthis and alerted Constable Walkinshaw, who spedafterthepairtosquashtheirscheme.

ButMichaelCrawcourwasinpossession of a secret that Constable Walkinshaw had keptfromhisfriends,familyandtheforce.

Prior to joining Victoria Police, Walkinshaw, as a youth of 16, had been apprenticedonthetrainingship,Cerberus. The bored teenager had attempted to run away on an outward bound ship, and for this breach of the Naval Discipline Act, he was court martialled and given a month in MelbourneGaol.

Mr Crawcour instructed his solicitor, Mr McKean, to show the court that Constable Walkinshaw was a very bad character

indeed, and not to be believed when persecutinghimorhisfriends.

Thusprimed,MrMcKeanbarkedinrapid succession:

“Have you ever been in trouble? Have you ever been convicted of an offence? Have you ever been sent to gaol? Have you everspentamonthingaol?”

Toallthese,Walkinshawanswered“No.” Documentary evidence to the contrary was swiftly produced, and Constable Walkinshaw soon found himself being triedforperjury.ToMrCrawcour’sdismay, his old foe was acquitted and immediately rushed out of the court to issue a writ againstthepawnbroker.

One thousand pounds damages for malicious prosecution was sought by Constable Walkinshaw. Michael Crawcour quickly engaged the future Governor General, Isaac Isaacs, with every expectationofcelebratingalegalvictory. Alas,inMay1883,thejurychosetoignore the documentary evidence and believe Constable Walkinshaw. He was awarded 350 pounds damages. Mrs Walkinshaw generously overlooked her husband’s youthfulpranksandbeganplanningsome delightfulshoppingsprees.

Life resumed its normal course for all parties involved, until the body of Joseph Abrahams, 25-year-old pawnbroker’s assistant of Chapel Street, Prahran, was foundfloatingintheYarraon12December, 1883. What connection, if any, this had to MichaelCrawcourandhisfailedcourtcase willneverbeknown.

$26m retail centre approved

By Laura Michell

A large format retail centre anchored by Harvey Norman will be built in Wyndham Vale after receiving the green light from Wyndham council.

Councillors considered an application for the development at 2 Hirata Boulevard and 462 Ballan Road during council’s planning committee meeting on Tuesday 9 June, voting to approve the proposal.

A report to the council meeting stated that the development would comprise three separate buildings that include a

large format retail premises, restricted retail premises and offices.

The estimated cost of the development is $26 million.

Urbis director Christina McRae addressed the council meeting on behalf of the applicant, telling councillors that Harvey Norman was the lead tenant and developer of the proposal.

The site’s other tenants are not yet known.

She described the development as significant, given its estimated $26 million price tag, and said the construction target

was early next year.

Several councillors spoke in favour of the development, noting it would benefit Wyndham Vale residents and the wider Wyndham community.

Cr Peter Maynard said it was great to see retail premises being constructed in the area.

“One of the things that this council does, and does well … we do advocate for local jobs,” he said.

“It is probably only three or four years ago there was farmland there.

“A $26 million development in Wyn-

Economy on the menu at business lunch

More than 110 business leaders, community representatives and government stakeholders gathered on Wednesday 10 June for the Committee for Wyndham’s 13th State Treasurer’s Lunch.

The event provided a valuable opportunity to hear directly from Victoria’s Treasurer Jaclyn Symes on the 2026-27 Victorian BudgetanditsimplicationsforMelbourne’s fastest-growing region.

Supported by Williams Landing Town CentreandCedarWoods,theeventbrought together Wyndham’s business community to discuss the investments and policy decisions that will shape the region’s future.

Committee for Wyndham CEO Leanne Down said the strong attendance demonstrated the business community’s commitment to ensuring Wyndham remains a priority for government investment.

“Wyndham continues to lead the state in population growth and economic opportunity, but investment in infrastructure, transport, health, education and jobs must keep pace with the needs of our growing community,“ Ms Down said.

“The Committee for Wyndham is committed to advocating for the projects and investments that will support our residents, businesses and future workforce.“

Committee for Wyndham chair Craig Kennedy reinforced the importance of sustained investment in one of Victoria’s most significant growth corridors.

“Wyndham is a major contributor to Victoria’s economy and will continue to play an increasingly important role in the state’s future prosperity,“ Mr Kennedy said.

“Strategic investment today is essential to ensuring our infrastructure, services and employment opportunities keep pace with growth and support the quality of life our community expects.“

Attendees also heard from event sponsor Karen Huang, development manager

MP Sarah Connolly, Committee for Wyndham CEO Leanne Downs, Werribee MP John Lister and James Bovell representing Cedar Woods. (Lizzy Jacobs Photography)

at Cedar Woods, who spoke about the role of long-term investment and development in creating thriving communities and supporting economic growth across Wyndham.

Werribee MP John Lister also addressed the room outlining the government’s budget priorities and highlighting several investments benefiting Wyndham and Melbourne’s west. These included funding for the expansion of the Werribee Mercy Hospital Emergency Department, investment in the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital, a new secondary college in Wyndham Vale, school upgrades, additional rail capacity and improved public transport connections for local residents and businesses.

The event also featured an interactive

question-and-answer session, sponsored by Banksia Strategic Partners, providing business leaders with the opportunity to raise issues and ask Ms Symes questions.

As part of the event, the Committee for Wyndham presented Wyndham City Council’s State Election Advocacy Priorities, highlighting the critical projects and investments required to support Wyndham’s continued growth.

Ms Down said collaboration between business,governmentandcommunityleaders would be critical to ensuring Wyndham receives its fair share of future investment.

“Events such as this provide an important platform for constructive dialogue and ensure decision-makers hear directly from the businesses and communities driving growth in our region.“

dham is certainly going to create some jobs.”

Mayor Preet Singh said the development would be a “great addition” to the city.

“People will not need to drive to Hoppers Crossing or Werribee,”he said.

“Having this sort of development locally will be a great addition and will certainly help the residents out.”

Cr Maria King noted the development aligned with council’s strategic vision for Wyndham and said it would open up opportunities for jobs.

Following a successful trial on the Craigieburn, Upfield, Ballarat and Seymour lines and City Loop stations, tap and go has expanded for more commuters.

On 7 June tap and go was enabled on the Sunbury, Werribee, Williamstown, Pakenham,Cranbourne,MetroTunnel, Sandringham, Frankston, Stony Point, Bendigo, Gippsland and Geelong lines.

Passengers on the Mernda, Hurstbridge, Lilydale, Belgrave, Alamein and Glen Waverley lines could tap and go starting 14 June.

Following this rollout, passengers will be able to tap on and travel using a bank card, smartphone or smartwatch at every myki-enabled train station across Victoria.

MinisterforPublicandActiveTransport Gabrielle Williams said “Victorians are already saving money with halfprice fares. Now we’re making public transport easier to use too.”

“Tap and go means one less card in your wallet and one less thing to worry about on your journey.”

More than 88,500 tap and go trips have been taken since trials began in March, with four in five of those made using a phone or smartwatch.

Station staff will be on hand to help passengers as the rollout continues.

The government will share more information in the coming weeks about the next stage of the rollout to trams and buses.

Concession passengers, seniors and those under 18 should continue using their concession or free Youth myki.

Passengers who prefer to use their myki can continue to do so.

More information is available at: transport.vic.gov.au/tap-and-go. Ready set tap and go

A surprising hit and a polarising miss

Romsey movie buff Evan Turok is Star Weekly’s film reviewer. Each month he shares his take on recent releases, cult classics, modern favourites and everything in between.

The Drama - MA15+

Going into the cinema, I had a feeling that Kristoffer Borgli’s 2025 film The Drama wouldn’t be for me … I was wrong.

The drama follows the soon-to-be-married couple of Charlie Thompson (Robert Pattinson) and EmmaHarwood(Zendaya).

While preparing for their big day, the pair and some of their friends begin discussing the worst things each of themhavedone.

In a drunken state, Emma lets out a secret from her past that turns the entire situation upside down, leading to a series of painful situations unfolding until finally coming to a head on their weddingday.

The two most important aspects of a filmareifitentertainsandifitcanaffect youremotionsintheintendedway.

Two big ticks for the drama. There were countless occasions where the tense, awkward situations, paired with realistic dialogue and naturalistic acting, left me wanting to curl up into a ball and disappear into the chair in the bestwaypossible.

TheDramawasfunny,heart-breaking, andartisticallycreative.

Eachnewscenewaswillingtobebold and true to life, leaving us with a film that was so easy to relate to and get lost in.

This is why I was so disappointed in its ending, which so quickly abandoned therisk-takingstylereplacedbyaforced happy ending that took away from the filminitsentirety.

From the first second The Drama started,therewasabeautifullooktoit.It wasn’tlongbeforeInoticedsomeflashes of white on the screen and immediately realised what made this movie so easy ontheeyes,wasthefactthatithadbeen shoton35millimetrefilm.

Borgli’s decision to make a movie the old-fashioned way added so much to the tone and atmosphere of the film and doubled as indisputable proof that 35 millimetre film should once again become the standard for capturing moviemagicinitspurestform.

The drama shows us that it’s impossible to know someone truly is until you have seen every side of them and begs the question, how would you reactinthesamesituation?

Awell-madefilm,earning4/5.

EraserHead - M

DavidLynchisapolarisingfilmdirector, no one would be more opinionated and passionate about his films than him, a trueperfectionisttohisimagination.

His film EraserHead 1977 is without a doubt the strangest film I have ever watched.

Jack Spencer and his wife Mary are suddenly thrust into parenthood as the motherandfatherofahorrificalienbaby.

The constant screaming and lack of sleep gets to Mary who leaves Jack as the sole parent, soon a series of unnerving, grotesque visions plague Jack while he strugglestocareforthecreaturethebest hecan.

EraserHead is a visual and cinematic masterclass, starting with wide, still simplistic shots that demonstrate the nature of life in the melancholic urban environmentthefilmtakesplacein.

It steadily transitions into a truly unsettling horror that is so incredibly uncomfortableontheeyes.

Lynch follows the philosophy of ‘the only way past is through’ and leans so hard into the style that you can’t bring yourselftolookaway.

There is so little dialogue in this film it’shardtoknowexactlywhatthestoryis, andIbelievethatisexactlythepoint. When people watch EraserHead they are desperate to find a cohesive beginning, middle and end style story thatsimplyisn’there.

Although EraserHead is thin on story and hard to follow, it isn’t about leaving you confused, it’s about leaving you curious, the film demands to be rewatched, debated, studied and ultimately, never agreed upon. That’s what makes EraserHead such a revolutionaryfilmforitstime.

At the end of the day this isn’t my type of film, it is very slow paced and made ninety minutes feel much longer than it was.

The story is replaced with strange and striking visuals that can sometimes be hardtogetonboardwith.

Ultimately this film made about as much sense as a football bat, so, if you are willing to take a risk and leave a film thinking to yourself ‘what the heck just happened?’ then EraserHead is for you, ifnot,giveitamiss.EraserHeadgets3/5.

Big futures begin at Aspire’s new Early Learning Centres

We are excited to welcome families to AspireEarlyEducationandKindergarten’s newest purpose-built early learning centres, designed to provide exceptional care, education, and nurturing environments for children during their most important years of development.

We are proud to bring four new early learning centres to the Wyndham community,includingAspireLollipopHill in Manor Lakes, Aspire Harpley Estate in Werribee, Aspire Manor Lakes Village in Manor Lakes, and Aspire Windermere in Mambourin.Familiescannowbookatour ofour centres, with all locations set to be operational by the end of 2026.

At Aspire, we are committed to helping children grow, learn, and connect, with our newest centres designed to inspire curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning. Featuring modern indoor learning environments, engaging outdoor play spaces, and innovative educational programs, each centre supports every child’s individual journey.

We understand that choosing an early learning service is one of the most important decisions families make. That’s why we place a strong emphasis on creating warm, welcoming communities where children feel safe, supported, and valuedfromtheirveryfirstday.Ourhighly qualified educators work in partnership with families to foster meaningful relationships and provide enriching experiences that support children’s development.

The opening of our new Aspire centre represents our continued investment in local communities and our mission to provide high-quality early childhood education that prepares children for a successful future. Families can expect thoughtfully designed programs, exciting incursions, nutritious meals prepared fresh daily, strong family communication, and environments that encourage explorationand discovery.

Families interested in learning more are invited to enquire now and book a tour and discover what makes Aspire Early Education a place where children truly belong.

Visit Aspire Early Education today or contact the team on 1800 978 429 to secure your child’s place.

Waste drones hard at work

Pollution-seeking aerial drones are helping to spot illegal waste dumped in the west.

Operated by Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria, the drones’ new laser-based technology helps find illegal stockpiles and map the dump sites for detailed evidence to use in court.

EPA operations executive director Rachel Gualano said the drones also make routine inspections faster and more effective.

“EPA’s pilots conducted more than 600 flights for 2025-26, and we’ve trained more

of our field staff to use this technology, bringing the number of qualified drone pilots to 40,” Ms Gualano said.

“They worked across the state, completing dump site surveys, thermal scans, and airborne gas sampling, and taking on jobs that would otherwise be time consuming or hazardous,” she said.

EPA’s drones can inspect a large landfill site in minutes, give investigators an aerial viewofanindustrialfireoranassessmentof the hazardous debris it leaves behind, and

Dawn’s donut van depiction

Artists find inspiration in all sorts of places and for western suburb creative Dawn Tan, itwastheclosureofamuch-lovedlocalbusiness earlier this year that led to her most recent paintings.

“I have been painting custom house and food portraits for over a decade and when my local chicken shop treasure, McManos in Seddon, closed, I knew I had to paint the shopfront before the business sold,” Tan recalled.

“One thing led to another and soon I was down a rabbit hole painting Melbourne food places that no longer exist.”

Given the impact that the pandemic and then the cost of living crisis had on the hospitality sector, Ms Tan hasn’t had to think too hard to come up with restaurants, takeaways and milk bars that are no longer with us.

After finishing her painting of McManos, Tan then reimagined former

North Melbourne bakery, Beatrix, before taking on arguably her most iconic lost venue yet: Olympic Donuts.

Greek migrant Nick Tsiligiris began selling jam donuts from a van next to Footscray station in 1979 and remained there until 2017 when he retired due to ill health.

Tsiligiris died in 2021.

Tan said that since completing her Olympic Donuts painting she’d tried to get in touch with the Tsiligiris family, but to no avail.

“I would love to gift them my art,” she said.

To put Tan in touch with the Tsiligiris family, suggest other former food outlets she should paint or to just view her work, visit: www.dawn-tan.com

alsocompletegassamplingandinfrareddetection of hotspots.

More recently, the drones were called in to measure the damage after the Pacific MetalsGroupfireatLavertonNorth,andthe ACB fire at Derrimut, two major fires that triggered official investigations.

They also took to the air to help calculate the volume of chicken manure that set off a waveofodourreportsintheGeelongareain early April, and they surveyed illegal dumping sites at Wildwood, Kilmore, Sunbury

and Diamond Creek.

EPA’s drones are still at work, flying over suspected dumping sites, surveying larger sites that require ongoing regulation to bring them into compliance, or gathering evidence for upcoming court cases.

EPAsaiditsdronesaddtotheintelligence gathering and enforcement capacity of the Illegal Waste Dumping Taskforce, in which EPA works with fellow regulators, councils and land managers to identify dumping hotspots and catch those responsible.

Plumbers tap into success

By Glenn Fisher

From a plumber starting out on his own morethan20yearsago,AnthonyPantehas certainly seen plenty of water under the bridge – as well as water flowing through the thousands of kilometres of pipework installed by his Wyndham plumbing business.

Mr Pante’s Tarneit-based business, AquaTapPlumbing,wascrownedBusiness of the Year in 2019 and from the early days of domestic plumbing jobs around Point Cook, AquaTap Plumbing has grown into a company employing more than 80 staff covering a huge area as far as Donnybrook inthenorthdowntoTorquayonthecoast.

There are now more than 50 company vehicles hitting the roads daily to help complete hundreds of plumbing jobs every week, whether it’s at a new build in a housing estate or at one of the area’s numerousindustrialsites.

Fostering relationships with Victoria’s six largest volume home builders in the state’s fastest growing council area means AquaTap Plumbing is not slowing down anytime soon, and Mr Pante told Star Weekly the business award achievement hadpositiveeffectsfromtoptobottom.

“The recognition that you’re doing something right is the first result, but the whole process of the awards – the overall feedback, the very thorough judging process – gave me a 360-degree view of my entireoperation,”hesaid.

“I would not deter anyone from entering these awards, it’s only going to help in the longrun.Andthegaladinnerawardsnight is so well done, it’s a credit to Wyndham Council and all the organisers and sponsors.”

There’s little doubt that AquaTap Plumbing has been a leader in its field for many years, with an extremely high staff retention rate and added bonuses along theway.

“I employed an apprentice 12 years ago, Bradley Merryweather. He’s become not onlyagoodfriendbuthe’snowapartowner

ofAquaTapPlumbing,”MrPantesaid.

Entries for the 30th anniversary awards are now open and close on Sunday 5 July.

An information session will be held on Thursday 18 June 9.30am-10.30am at the SPARKBusinessandInnovationHub.

Whether you’re a small start-up, an established enterprise, or a local leader in your industry, the Wyndham Business Awards offer an incredible opportunity to gain recognition and celebrate the impact yourbusinesshasmade.

Faces of the west

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

Two new focused impactcategorieshave been introduced this year: Technology Innovation and Corporate Social Responsibility. For more information or to enter, visit: to www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/ business-awards

Homes designed for a new era of value and functionality

With affordability pressures and certainty concernscontinuingtogrow,expectations around what a home should provide, and how it should perform are changing. We’re seeing this shift, with more scrutiny placedonlong-termlivability,withbuyers needing the confidence that their homes betterreflecttheneedsofreallife.

It’s easy to get caught up on inclusions, size and the number of amenities. Far too often buyers have been left with oversized layouts, disconnected spaces andday-to-daylivingthatisspreadtoofar apart.

We’re seeing size become less of a primary factor in the decision-making, and day-to-day functionality becoming farmorepresent,includinghoweasilyyou move through spaces and adaptability of the home as life changes. This has created a strong shift towards efficient use of space, stronger zoning, connected living andfutureflexibility.

A well-designed home prioritises right-sized spaces, convenient clustering and natural flow, brings key living areas together, and increases functional space. Itconsidershowpeoplecook,move,gather and live, so the home flows naturally betweenspaces.

The evolution of our designs reflects this shift. With brand new Collections, and refined house designs that improve day-to-day usability while maintaining long-termvalue.

This approach prioritises long-term livability as a key design pillar. We know that as families grow and change, spaces need to adapt, supporting different life stages and helping reduce the need for future moves. Smart layouts provide confidence that your home has been designed for the long term, protecting liveability,whilstprovidingpeaceofmind thatitwillcontinuetogrowwithyou.

Our Hyland design brings this thinking

to life, prioritising flow, comfort and flexibility. Rather than increasing size, it refines room proportions to eliminate wasted space, maintaining openness. The main bedroom is privately zoned, secondary bedrooms positioned away from central living areas, and centralised core living spaces, making everyday living more efficient, without feeling disconnected.

For buyers needing a larger home, the challenge shifts to balancing space with functionality. Homes for growing families or multiple adult occupants require even stronger zoning and guest flexibility, whilstmaintainingconnection.

Our Portland design responds to this withclearseparationbetweenlivingzones, practical transitions and an architectural approach maintaining design and flow. Features such as cathedral ceilings and a central courtyard enhance light and openness. The true hero is the central

void, which opens every corner of the home to the other. Zoning maintains essential privacy, while the void ensures you’renevertoofarawayfromyourfamily, regardlessofwhereyouare. Byensuringhousedesignsaccommodate the needs of today’s buyers, we provide solutions for everyday living, all while helpingpeoplemoveintotheirhomeswith confidence. While our design pillars drive the functional and livability of our house designs,weplaceequalimportanceonthe journey. We know that certainty in your buildprocessismoreimportantthanever. OurBuildTimeGuarantees*reinforcethis commitment, offering clear and reliable site start and build-time assurances for all of our customers, so there’s no waiting in the dark, with a locked-in move-in month and consistent communication throughout the process. You’ll be able to plan the move, count the sleeps and start thinkingaboutyourhousewarming.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Star Weekly looks back through the pages of our predecessors

40 years ago 18 June, 1986

Werribee Lions Club’s annual country music festival has been barred from WerribeePark–becauseofsnobbery.

COMMENT

30 years ago 19 June, 1996

Fears that Wyndham council have to find more than $1 million because of a Federal Government decision to abolish sales tax exemptions for local and state governments were averted lastweek.

Turn an old sock into a puppet

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

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

JoinStephanieassheexplorestheendless possibilities of crafting and turn everyday materialsintosomethingextraordinary.

Thismonth,Stephanieiscreatingacrazy sockpuppet.

20 years ago 21 June, 2006

Hoppers Crossing boy Shannon Lawler lost his courageous fight for life on Saturday when his body gave in to the terminal cancer that controlled his shortlife.

10 years ago 15 June, 2016

Wyndham mayors could soon be elected directly by residents under sweeping changes being considered by thestategovernment.

Decorate your sock puppet with a mouth piece, tongue, polystyrene ball eyes, a pom-pom

PUZZLES

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

1 Meagre (6)

4 Egyptian god of the afterlife (6)

10 Principal singer, – donna (5)

11 Pink, wriggly creature that lives in soil (9)

12 Unduly prominent (9)

13 Lord (5)

14 Made (6) 15 Comely (4) 19 Casserole (4)

20 Lengthy recitation (6)

24 Propelled (5)

25 Hosiery (9)

27 Elusively (9)

28 Take place (5)

29 Creations (6)

30 Losses (6) DOWN

1 Assumed (8)

2 Aircraft pilots (8)

3 Ordinance (7)

5 See 6-down 6, 5-down Oxford student (6,7) 7 Seethe (6) 8 Prefix meaning half (4) 9 Store (7)

16 US dictionary maker (7)

17 Wooden panelling on the lower part of a wall (8)

18 Ugly buildings (8)

19 From Stockholm, say (7)

21 Irritating (7)

22 Word modifier (6)

23 Empty talk (coll) (3,3)

26 Black quartz (4)

Today’s Aim:

12 words: Good 18 words: Very good 24 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”. O E R V H R C A E

3 LETTERS ACE ADS ALL AMP AND BEE ELM ERA EVE GAL HAS IMP IRE MIX NIP ONE PEN PET RAP

4 LETTERS DASH DEFT EARN HISS NEST NEWT RANG REDS SALE SASH SAWS SLAY TYRE YAPS

5 LETTERS ABOUT AGILE

ALONE AMAZE ANGLE APING ARENA ARIAS AROMA BACON BASTE BEGUN DEEDS DEFER DOZEN DRESS EDGES EERIE EXERT FROND GIRTH GRAPE HATES HYENA

INANE LEAPS LINEN MENUS OARED OLIVE OUGHT PENCE REEFS REUSE ROADS SALAD SARIS SINEW SIZER SLEDS SPENT SUEDE TANGS TEENS TENSE TRADE

1 What comes between iridium and gold on the periodic table?

2 What is white embroidery on white material with eyelet and cutwork designs known as?

3 Bathurst Island lies off the coast of which Australian state or territory?

4 By what nickname is 1960s model, singer and actor Lesley Lawson more commonly known?

5 What is the term for the study of insects?

6 Complete this 1987 film title: Full Metal what?

TSARS USUAL WAVES ZONED

6 LETTERS ARBOUR GOATEE HURTLE LEASES

7 LETTERS ALARMED CONSULS

7 Kelly Rowland (pictured) was a member of which popular 90s girl group?

8 Tahini is a paste made from ground what?

9 Michelin, the company that publishes well-known restaurant guides, also manufactures what?

10 True or false: a dodecahedron is a polygon with 12 angles and 12 sides?

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

With One Voice Wyndham Choir

With One Voice Wyndham Choir is a community choir open to all. The community choir welcomes all ages, abilities, faiths, cultures and genders and is directed by a very experienced and friendly professional conductor. Fun weekly rehearsals and amazing performance opportunities are provided. They sing for an hour and then have a cuppa. The first two visits are free; and then payment is by tax-deductible donation. Tuesday evenings, 7-8.30pm, at Wayaperri House, 106 Duncans Road, Werribee. wyndham@withonevoice.org.au

Adult community garden group

The group meets on the first Wednesday of the month, 10-11am, at Iramoo Community Centre, 84 Honour Avenue, Wyndham Vale. Head down and join them as they maintain their rejuvenated community garden. Planting and harvesting produce that they grow.

8742 3688

Hoppers Crossing Ladies Probus

The friendly and vibrant group meet at Hotel 520 on the second Wednesday of each month from 10am. They have a guest speaker each month as well as social lunches, outings and theatre trips. Yvette, 0411 952 706

CWA Werribee South

The Country Women’s Association’s Werribee South Branch is inviting ladies seeking friendship, personal development and advocacy in support of social issues to come and join them. The group does everything from cooking, crafts and raising money for charity. Meets third Wednesday of the month at the Diggers Road Hall, Werribee South at 7pm. Julia, 0409 045 306

Social Pickleball

A fun blend of tennis, badminton and table tennis, pickleball is a fun, active and inclusive sport that has a low impact on the body and is easy for beginners of all ages to learn. Sessions run 10am-noon Tuesdays and Thursdays at Eagle Stadium. Coached sessions are also available. stadiumbookings@ westernleisureservices.com

Thee Coffee Table in Manor Lakes

Thee Coffee table aspires to be a safe space for the local community to share, to connect with others to create positive change in their home and communities. Runs Wednesday 9am-2pm at the Manor Lakes Community Learning Centre. theecoffeetable2022@gmail.com

Inclusive employment support

SYC’s Inclusive Employment Australia Program supports people living with disability to find and maintain meaningful employment. Through the free program, you will get the chance to create a personalised job plan to help achieve your work goals. Runs 9am-5pm on Fridays at the Tarneit Community Learning Centre. 9036 5350

Wyndham Probus Club

A social club for retired or semi-retired people. There is a broad range of social activities to suit all interests such as lunches and brunches each month, day trips, theatre outings and longer trips away. Hear interesting speakers and make new friendships. The group meets on the second Tuesday of each month at Iramoo Community Centre, Honour Avenue, Wyndham Vale. Meetings commence at 1pm.

Kaye Angel, 0407 551 694, or wcpc1306@gmail.com

Point Cook Combined Probus Club

Retired or semi-retired people are invited to join this active social group. Enjoy an impressive and interesting monthly guest speaker. Interesting monthly outings, and fortnightly lunches where the development of friendships are encouraged. The Point Cook Combined Probus Club meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 10am at The Brook Point Cook, 215 Sneydes Road, Point Cook. John Sloan, 0436 480 728 or sloanrisk@gmail.com

Lions Club

The Lions Club of Point Cook meets at the Featherbrook Community Centre on the third Monday of the month at 7.30 pm. The club is seeking to grow the Lions free vision screening in schools team. Volunteers needed to work with the region’s schools in combating undiagnosed children’s vision issues. You do not have to be a Lions member but must obtain a working with children check. Robert Eyton, 0417 549 684, or robeyton@bigpond.com

Wyndham Ladies Probus

Retired or semi-retired ladies are invited to join this very active social group. Enjoy impressive monthly guest speakers, interesting monthly outings and many lunches where the development of friendships is encouraged. The Ladies Probus Club of Wyndham meets on the first Wednesday of each month at Hotel 520, Sayers Road, Tarneit, at 10am. Pat, 0411 316 795

Community Breakfast Program

Life Community Kitchen and Dianella Community Centre are coming to together provide breakfast on Wednesdays and

Fridays. The program is free and runs 8-9.30am. dianellacc@wyndham.vic.gov.au

Rotary Bingo

Werribee Rotary hosts its weekly community bingo event on Monday evenings at the Italian Sports Club of Werribee. There are cash prizes and proceeds go to worthy causes that Rotary supports. 6.30pm arrival time. secretary@werribeerotary.org.au

Crafties at Iramoo

The Crafties meet at Iramoo Community Centre every Wednesday between noon-2pm and put their knitting and crocheting skills to use. The crew make items for themselves and participate in charitable causes. 8742 3688

Community Kitchen

Wyndham-based not for profit group Pulse with Purpose sells delicious meals each Tuesday 10am-5pm at the Dianella Community Centre in Tarneit. Each purchase helps provide free meals to families in need. Meals are by pre-order, the menu is typically updated every Sunday. bpulsewithpurpose@gmail.com

Wyndham Makers and Farmers Market

This market serves as a hub for talented artisans and small businesses to display their unique creations, connect with fellow entrepreneurs, and take their ventures to new heights. Food trucks, live music and children’s activities are regular staples. Runs on the third Sunday of every month at Werribee Racecourse. Gold coin entry.

Altona VIEW Club

Altona VIEW is a not-for-profit club that welcomes ladies from the Wyndham, Hobsons Bay and other areas to join in for lunch the third Wednesday of each month, at 11am at the Altona RSL. Come along and enjoy the speakers each month. Other outings are arranged and it is a great opportunity to make new friends. altonaview@gmail.com or Julie, 0421 315 846

Soulful Spreads Community Cafe

Soulful Spreads is a purpose-driven social enterprise based in Tarneit that looks to create meaningful work and training opportunities for women and young people with disabilities. Come meet for a meal and support inclusion, empowerment and connection. Meets 8.30am-noon every Monday and Thursday at the Tarneit Community Learning Centre. info@soulfulspreads.com

National seniors meeting

On the first Wednesday of every month at 1.30pm, the metro west branch of national seniors meets at the Deer Park Club, with meals available to purchase. The group also holds lunches on different Fridays each month, as well as activities such as theatre visits, bus trips and more. 0425 713 004, or lesley1.collins@outlook.com

Lizzy Bizzy Food Swaps

Come along to the Manor Lakes Community Centre to exchange excess homegrown food. From vegetables, fruits, eggs to seeds and oils, members of the community are encouraged to participate and help reduce food waste. Runs between 10am-noon last Saturday of every month. Liz,

Metal bands make a noise

Five local heavy metal bands will take a stand against war when they play a charity gig in Footscray on the afternoon of Saturday 20 June.

Metal Against War is a multi-artist show at Mama Chen’s hosted by the Workers’ Weekly Guardian.

Allprofitsfromtheshowwillgotowards the Palestinian Australian New Zealand Medical Association (PANZMA), an organisation that places clinicians from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific in Palestinian hospitals.

Taking to the stage at Metal Against War will be Melbourne thrash outfit Electric

Funeral l who are no strangers to voicing their opposition to war and calling for peace.

Electric Funeral recently released a version of Men Behind The Wire in protest of Israeli president Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia in February.

“We’re very troubled by intensification of violence and repression over the past few years, particularly towards the people ofPalestine,Iran,Lebanon,Sudan,Congo, andVenezuela,”abandspokespersonsaid explaining why they were playing the gig .

“We think that as westerners living within the imperial core, it’s our

responsibility to not only make our ideological opposition to this clear, but also to materially contribute to the wellbeingofthesepeopletothebestofour ability.”

Joining Electric Funeral on the bill will be young Melbourne outfit Dehumanizer, death metal and grindcore act Hand of Fear, industrial death metal band Knife andso-called“crustydeathmetalsatirists ”Küntsqüad (pronounced Kountskard).

The first band starts at 1pm.

Tickets are available online now and will also be sold on the door.

Details: https://mammachens.com.

Saturday 20 June.

505720_02

Ballan plays host to a country hoedown

Ballan is set to go full country on Saturday 20 June, with the Ballan Bakehouse and Bar hosting an all-day Country Hoedown packed full with live music, dancing, and plentyofwestern-styleflair.

The festivities kick off from 12.30pm as Bryan Sadler takes the stage with live music to get the crowd warmed up. Then, from 4pm, Dean Smith will keep the tunes rolling into the afternoon, creating the perfect soundtrack for a laid-back country gathering.

From 7pm, the hoedown shifts into high

gear as bootscooting takes over the venue, with guests encouraged to dust off their cowboy hats, pull up their boots, and slip into their flannels to hit the dance floor for an evening of country-style line-dancing andwesternfun.

The event promises a relaxed atmosphere wherelocalsandvisitorscanrounduptheir friends,grabacolddrinkandenjoyaclassic SaturdaydayandnightoutinBallan.

Organisers say the hoedown is all about goodmusic,greatcompany,andembracing abitofthatcountryspirit.

Whether you’re a seasoned line dancer or just looking for a fun night out, the Ballan Country Hoedown is shaping up as one of the town’s standout entertainment events thiswinter.

So get on down to Ballan Bakehouse and Bar,locatedat110InglisStreet,Ballan,from 12.30pm for a jam packed day of country andwesternshenanigans.

Details: https://welcometomoorabool. com/events-bacchusmarsh-ballan-gordonblackwood-greendale/country-hoedownat-ballan-bakery-and-bar.

Somaia explores the Ranges

AnewartististakingoverTheGallery thisJunetoshowcasehernewhome.

Itta Somaia recently moved to the MacedonRanges,with herexhibition showcasing the dramatic beauty of hernewhome.

Anavidhiker,Somaiaregularlysets out with her painting kit, stopping to recordfleetingmomentsofcolourand lightthatdefinethelocallandscape.

Somaia said she is deeply influenced by the impressionist movement through her family of artists, prompting her to develop a bold intuitive style beginning with acrylic under-painting before completingeachpieceinwater-based oils.

She favours palette knives to build a rich textured surface and incorporates oils for the vivid colours andblazingsunsetsshe’sseenaround theMacedonRanges.

Her exhibition features a mixture of large and small works, with all pieces celebrating Somaia’s mission to bring abundant colour and light intohomes.

She invites the community to visit her exhibition and experience the Macedon Ranges as seen through the eyes of an artist who walks its trials andpaintsitsjoy.

Somaia’s exhibition is on display nowuntilSunday5July.

The Gallery is open 10am to 4pm Friday to Tuesday at 684 Mount MacedonRoad,MountMacedon.

There’s plenty to do in Brimbank in June to ward off the winter blues

From pickleball to the magic of butterflies, Brimbankhassomethingtoencourageyou outofthehousethiswinter.

As part of Men’s Health Matters on Wednesday 17 June, visit the Tin Shed in St Albans for a men’s health information session, circuit workout, a coffee and a relaxedchat.

On the same day, learn how to play pickleball at West Sunshine Community Centre.

On Thursday 18 June, Westvale

Community Centre will host Brimbank’s Men’s Health Day event from 11am-2pm.

Attendees can hear from former AFL footballer Russell Robertson, enjoy a fresh haircut from the barber, relax with a massage, grab a coffee from the barista, anddigintoasausagesizzle.

There’llalsobegiveaways,healthservice information,andmoretoexplore.

On Tuesday 30 June, an interactive educational and hands-on school holiday butterfly incursion will take centre-stage

at Westvale Community Centre in Kings Park.

Butterfly Kidz will demonstrate the fascinating life cycle of these amazing creatures.

Children will also have an opportunity to observe butterflies up close inside a special butterflytent.

Brimbank mayor Virginia Tachos said Brimbank’s jam-packed June events calendarhassomethingforeveryone.

“With cost-of-living pressures at the

front of all of our minds, I’m really looking forward to the food dehydration workshop at the Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness CentreonSaturday20June,”shesaid.

“Sustainability educator Anna the Urban Nana will guide you through all the techniques.You’llalsoenjoysomesamples and make your own blend of dehydrated foods to take home, so it should be a lot of fun.”

Details: www.events.brimbank.vic.gov. au

SPORTS QUIZ

1. Which two ice hockey teams competed in the 2026 Stanley Cup Final series?

2. Which American golfer recently won the 2026 US Women’s Open?

3. For which club was Carlton coach Josh Fraser the first pick in the 1999 AFL draft?

4. Australian athlete Kurtis Marschall competes in which track and field event?

11. Which German tennis player won the 2026 French Open men's singles title?

12. What sport is also known as ‘the sweet science’?

Which two Big Bash League cricket franchises are reportedly set to

13. In which film does Tom Cruise star as a sports agent?

Which Russian tennis player won the 2026 French Open women's

14. Who was the only previous Grand Slam champion to play in the quarterfinals at the 2026 French Open?

Defensive end Myles Garrett was recently traded to which California-based

San Antonio

Spurs guard Dylan Harper is the son of which five-time NBA champion?

Oscar Piastri recently appeared operating a tractor on which television series?

15. Which three AFL clubs reportedly have over 100,000 club members each in 2026?

16. What was the only world record broken at the 2026 Enhanced Games?

17. As well as performanceenhancing drugs, what else contributed to breaking the record?

18. Mat Hoffman is considered one of the greatest athletes to ever compete in which sport?

20. In 2026, who became the lowest ranked tennis player in history to reach the French Open final?

21. Which arena does the Canberra Brave play ice hockey out of in the AIHL?

22. What is the nickname of Jacksonville’s NFL team?

23. How many points is the black ball worth in snooker?

26. Wilhelm Steinitz is the first universally recognised champion of which sport?

27. True or false: tug of war was once an Olympic sport?

28. Which four Premier League teams have ‘United’ in their names?

29. Which company provides the official game balls for the WNBA, NBA and NCAA?

Which soccer superstar left PSG before the club went on to win back-to-back Champions League

19. Which soccer player gained five million followers after an influencer labelled him the least known player at the FIFA World Cup?

24. Which two NBA teams did Australian Andrew Gaze play for?

25. In which year did the Matildas reach the semifinals at the FIFA Women’s World Cup?

30. Who won the first AFLW Best and Fairest award?

Best value plug-in electric

By Alistair Kennedy, Marque Motoring

Inwhatisamajormilestone,monthlysales figuresreleasedbytheFederalChamberof Automotive Industries have shown that, in February,ChinabecameAustralia’slargest sourceofnewvehiclesovertakingJapanfor thefirsttimesince1998.

The data also showed four Chinese brands now sit in the top ten positions led by BYD, now the sixth biggest seller, ahead ofGWM(7th),Chery(9th)andMG(10th).

Almost half of BYD sales are of its four-model Sealion SUV range, with either fullyelectricorplug-inhybriddrivetrains.

The most recent arrival, and our review here,istheBYDSealion5.At4.7metresit’s around the same size as Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson but unlike them, it’sa plug-in hybrid (PHEV).

Marginally larger than the Sealion 5 is the Sealion 6, also a five-seat PHEV, but withtheoptionofasecondmotor,therefore AWD. The Sealion 7 is slightly larger again, still with five seats but EV only with single or dual motors. Top of the range is the Sealion 8, a seven-seat premium PHEV peoplemover.

RATINGS

Looks: 7/10

is barely noticeable and can be operated manually through a small switch on the centreconsole.

We were able to take the Sealion 5 over a couple of our favourite rural drives including plenty of hills, hollows and bends. As with most mid-sized SUV’s it doesn’t have any sporting pretensions but handlingissafewithlittlebodyroll.

Suspension is relatively firm but not at theexpenseofcomfort.

Performance: 8/10

Safety: 7/10

Thirst: 9/10

While there are the latest safety and convenience features that are now commonplace in the latest vehicles, many use physical controls rather than through the screens. Those that do are easy to locate and rather than the usual beeps and bongs most of the alerts are by voice and we found that the only feature we bothered turning off was the lane correction.

Practicality: 7/10

Comfort: 7/10

Tech: 7/10

Value: 9/10

The Sealion 5 PHEV comes in two variants.Theheadlineactistheentry-level Essential which, with a price of $33,990 plus on-roads, is currently the cheapest plug-in hybrid vehicle on the Australian market.

The other variant, Premium, which comes with a larger battery and extra features is priced at $37,990 plus onroad costs.

Styling

Design of the Sealion 5 is relatively conservativeincomparisontootherrecent BYD offerings. It’s a relatively old-style boxywagonwithamildlyslopingroofline.

The front features what BYD calls a ‘Dragon Face’ design dominated by a wide boldgrilleflankedbyrecessedthree-beam LED headlights and daytime running lights.

Above the grille is a full-width satin metallicbarwithanintegratedBYDlogo.

Both variants get 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels.

The rear features a full-width LED taillight strip and an integrated roof spoiler.

Sealion 5 Premium adds a panoramic sunroof, roof rails, one-touch powered tailgate, heated and powered folding side mirrorsandauto-dimminginteriormirror.

There are four colour options: Aurora White, Cosmos Black, Atlantis Grey and HarbourGrey.

Interior

Synthetic leather seats with orange stitchingarestandard.Thechunkysteering wheel also gets the same finish. The driver andfrontpassengerbothgetpoweredseats with the driver’s also adding heating and ventilation.

Both models get a 8.8-inch digital instrumentpanel.Essentialhasa10.1-inch infotainment screen compared to the 12.8-inchscreeninthePremium.The resolution is sharp and clear on both screensbutareletdownseriouslybyavery smalltypeface.

The centre console has a cylindrical gear selector. It’s in piano black with the gear selection difficult to read in bright sunlight. The start/stop button start sits below it with a number of physical buttons oneither side.

There’s a large storage box as well as someextraspacebelowtheconsole. Premiumaddsawirelessphonecharger.

The 2.7-metre wheelbase together with the underfloor battery location provides excellent rearseat space.

There are large, easily adjustable air ventsbothatthefrontandrear.

Boot space is 463 litres with the rear seatbacks in place, 1410 litres with them folded. There’s some partitioned storage space beneath the boot floor but no spare wheel, just the rarely reliable puncture repairkit.

Powertrains

Both Sealion 5 variants combine a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine with a choice of two BYD Blade LithiumIronPhosphate(LFP)batteries.

The Essential’s battery has a 12.9 kWh capacity and a claimed 71km EV driving range. The Premium’s 18.3 kWh battery extendsthatrangeto100km.

However, these numbers come from the outdated NEDC testing method. Using the more real world WLTP system range drops toabout62kmand86km.

Power and torque from the engine are a modest72kWand122Nm.

During low-to-medium speed driving andwhenasurgeofaccelerationisneeded, both the engine and battery supply power tothedrivemotorinparallel.

Transmission is through BYD’s DM-I Super Hybrid system where the engine charges the battery and, most of the time, themotorpowersthevehicle.

Sealion5hasatowingcapacityof750kg, bothbrakedandunbraked.

Safety

Sealion5hasyettoundergoANCAPtesting but has a similar range of safety features as the Sealion 6 and 7 models which have gained five-star ratings so should achieve thesame.

Active safety features include front and rear collision warning, electronic brake force distribution, lane-keep assist and lane-change warning, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and an intelligent high beamsystem.

Infotainment

Premier gets a nine-speaker HD sound systemcomparedtothesix-speakersystem inthe Premium.

Other features are shared including satellitenavigation,wirelessAppleCarPlay andAndroidAuto,voicecontrols,frontand rear USB-A and USB-C ports, DAB radio and4Gcloudservices.

The BYD app provides a range of connected services including pre-setting climate control, unlocking and locking the doors, opening the sunroof, monitoring of charge levels and system functions, checking tyre pressures and Over The Air (OTA)updates.

Driving Fellow Boomers often find getting into and out of vehicles challenging so we were delighted to be able to slide into the front seatoftheSealion5withminimaleffort.

External visibility is excellent all round withalargewindscreenandsidewindows.

Likewise, the rear windscreen is large with low-slung headrests. Kids will appreciate the low sills on the rear windows.

Sealion5isarelativelyheavyfamilySUV so,whileithastheusualsharpacceleration that we expect from a battery powered vehicleit’smoresedatethanpureEVs.

Once underway the Super Hybrid drivetrain provides a smooth and comfortable driving experience. The transition from electric to hybrid and back

BYDclaimsacombineddriving rangeof1001kmwiththeEssential and 1030km from the Premium. Like the claimed electric only ranges quoted earlier these are based on the older NEDC test method. On the more realistic WLTP methodthesedroptoaround800km. Both variants only come with an AC charging port, with the Essential grade able to achieve maximum battery charge inaroundfourhours,thePremiumwithits largercapacitybatterynearsixhours.

A Vehicle to Load (V2L) function is standard, enabling the onboard battery to be used as a power source for external appliances,lightingorcamping.

Plug-in hybrids make a lot of sense, combining the economy of an EV but without the stress of being stranded away fromachargingpoint.

Regular readers can skip the next bit because each time we review a PHEV we need to explain how the manufacturers come up with extremely low fuel consumption numbers. In the case of the Sealion 5 Premium that we tested its around1.3litresper100km.

Such a number can only be achieved by starting with a fully-charged battery and driving until, when battery power drops below 25 percent, the vehicle switches to hybrid mode for the remainder of the 100 km trip To continue to achieve that 1.3 L/100km it will now be necessary to stop and fully recharge the battery. Without DC charging this isn’t an option so recharging on long-distance trips will typically be at overnight stays.

To its credit BYD does quote the fuel consumption after the battery drops out as 4.5 L/100km. Perfectly respectable usage foratypicalhybridSUVofsimilarsize.

Summary

Plug-in hybrid vehicles are still relatively rare in Australia. Indeed, during our week-long test of the Sealion 5, we often found ourselves having to explain the technologytofellowroadusers.

While its combination of EV economy without the risk of being stranded makes perfect sense, the price surcharge of previous PHEVs above conventional petrol and hybrids kept budget-conscious buyers away.

That barrier disappears with the price of Sealion 5 sitting around and even below those of well-established mid-sized non-PHEVSUVs.

The lack of DC, or even fast AC, charging is disappointing but owners will no doubt build their routines around these limitations.

BYDlookstobeonarealwinnerhere.

Sunny Sunday of action

Umpiring milestone looms

By Tara Murray

After umpiring more than 1400 football matches, you wouldn’t expect 83-year-old Paul Battaglia to get nervous.

But this Saturday, as he steps between the goal posts for the Western Football League division 1 match between Spotswood and Sunshine on 20 June, it’s anything but a normal game.

Battaglia will umpire his 500th division 1 match, with the league saying that it is an unprecedented record.

“It is special,” he said ahead of the milestone.

“I’ve heard from a lot of other umpires and I’m getting a bit nervous.

“I normally just go and do the game and not worry about anything. There will be

people that are coming to watch me, which I’m getting nervous about.”

Battaglia officially umpired his first match in 1995.

But he was umpiring before then.

“I’m a life member of the Kingsville Football Club, which is now Yarraville Seddon,” he said.

“I used to do boundary umpiring for the club. One of the field umpires in the under-17s on a Sunday, said why don’t you run the boundary, you’d get A-grade games.

“I thought who wants to be an umpire. A year later I went down.”

While he liked running Battaglia decided that being a goal umpire was for him and the rest is history.

“I’m lucky to do it,” he said. “I do two games on a Saturday, seniors and reserves,

and used to do a lot of games on a Sunday “I was getting old so I can’t do that much.”

Battaglia said his love of umpiring keeps him coming back each year and he wants to continue on for as long as he can.

Before umpiring, Battaglia was a trainer for Kingsville. He didn’t really play football

Ryley

Falcons close in on finals goal with eight wins

By Tara Murray

Wyndhamvale has almost ticked its first goal for the Western Football League division 2 season.

The reigning premiers sit atop the table at the midway mark, with eight wins and a draw.

Having set the focus on back-to-back premierships and promotion, coach Daniel Smith said they were happy with how the season had played out.

“We’ve almost completed the first goal,” he said. “We wanted to win enough games to qualify for finals.

“If we win the next two, we’re in good shape. Once we qualify for finals we start looking for everything else.”

With no byes left for the remainder of the season, Smith said finishing top and having a bye in the first week of finals would be massive for them.

HesaidtheirclashwithNorthFootscray, which sits second and was runners-up last season, would be massive in the fight for the minor premiership.

Smith said having looked to change

their game plan up slightly this season, it was all starting to come together now.

“We tried to add another dimension to our game and it’s taken a little while,” he said.

“We’ve used the different game, but have struggled to put the two games styles together for all four quarters.

“The conditions weren’t great on Saturday but we were able to put it together and that was positive.

“No matter the opposition we know we have to find a game.”

The Falcons missed much of the rain on Saturday as they faced the Western Rams.

It was all the Falcons on the scoreboard as they came away with a 24.15 (159)-3.2 (20) win.

Smith said while they were facing a side down the bottom of the ladder, they still needed to put the scoreboard on the board.

“We didn’t do that in the second semi final last year, we didn’t kick accurately and it cost us,” he said.

“They have to fully connect. At quarter time I said to them do they want to have a big win or run around and waste their Sat-

and only took to the field in the reserves when someone didn’t turn up and he played under their names.

Battaglia said the friendships were the biggest thing for him out of umpiring.

“It’s the friends around me that I love,” he said.

“I’ve been coached by some good coaches. I’ve been lucky in my life. My wife looked after me… Everything was done when I came home.

“It was good.”

Umpiring on the MCG is among the other highlights for Battaglia but for him, every game is a game no matter where it is played.

“I just go out there and do the best I can in the game,” he said.

“Umpiring is one thing, friendship is another thing.”

Sports shorts

Western FL

Werribee Centrals was able to hold off Laverton, while the Suns had a big win in the Western Football League women’s competition on Saturday. Centrals beat Laverton, 5.4 (34)-4.5 (29) with the Magpies coming home strong with the only five scores of the final quarter. Meanwhile, the Suns beat Caroline Springs, 24.15 (159)-0.2 (2) with Danielle Woods kicking seven goals. West Footscray accounted for Point Cook, 6.10 (46)-2.1 (13) and the Parkside Spurs were too strong for Wyndhamvale, winning 9.7 (61)-2.3 (15).

VPL

Werribee City slumped to 10th on the Victorian Premier League 2 ladder after a big loss against Whittlesea United on Friday night. For the first 57 minutes neither side was able to score before Whittlesea United scored four goals in quick succession to take control of the game and ultimately win, 4-0. Werribee City has five wins, four draws and eight losses for the season.

VAFA

urday.

“We focused on our KPIs and it was more about movement with the ball rather than the scoreboard at the end of the game.”

Lewis Stanton kicked 10 goals in a best on ground performance. He has 52 goals for the season and is on track for another 100 goal season.

Ryley McGaw and Luke Di Mauro were other standouts.

The win comes ahead of a big month for the Falcons.

They face the Suns and Albanvale, which are both fighting for finals spots, Laverton and then North Footscray.

Smith said this month could set up their season.

The Suns come into the match after losing to Albanvale on Saturday, 10.11 (71)8.5 (53).

Elsewhere, Tarneit lost to West Footscray, 17.16 (118)-2.3 (15).

In division 1, Werribee Districts lost a low scoring affair with Sunshine, Hoppers Crossing beat Spotswood, while Point Cook and Point Cook Centrals suffered losses.

Westbourne Grammarians had a tough day out against Old Scotch in the Victorian Amatuer Football Association premier women’s competition. Old Scotch jumped out of the blocks and led by 25 points at the first change. It was able to continue to extend the lead on the way to a 12.6 (78)-4.2 (26) win. Mia Graf and Paige Trajkovski were named the Grammarians best. The Grammarians have one win for the season.

FV

Hoppers Crossing had to settle for a draw against Diamond Valley United in the FV state league 3 north-west competition on Saturday. Both sides scored within the first 13 minutes before hitting the scoreboard late in the piece to finish with a 2-2 draw. The Reds sit sixth on the ladder with six wins for the season. In state league 4 north-west, Point Cook lost to Moonee Ponds United, 2-1. The Jets sit eighth on the ladder.

FOR MORE SPORT VISIT

Web: starweekly.com.au

Wyndham Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Reinforcements called in

By Tara Murray

Wyndham has added reinforcements as it hopes to put together a strong back part of the Big V season, as both its men’s and women’s sides suffered losses.

Wyndham’s men’s side was in action on Saturday night and suffered another tough loss, this time against the Bellarine Storm.

The Storm started strongly and led by 11 points at quarter time.

Wyndham was able to reduce the margin to six points at half time, before the Storm again took control of the match.

The margin was 16 points at the final break before the Storm won the last quarter on the way to a 97-77 win.

Assistant coach Peter Muscat said it was another tough loss for them.

“We felt we were in the contest early, but

after halftime we came out lacking the intensity and focus needed and strayed from the style of basketball we want to play,” he said.

“There were some strong individual performances and moments where we moved the ball well, but we weren’t able to put together a consistent four-quarter effort on either end of the floor. \It was great to welcome two new players into the lineup, and we’re confident they’ll continue to gel with the group as we build towards playing our best basketball in the weeks ahead.”

Nicholas Black had 23 points along with four rebounds and five assists in the loss.

Adetomi Ayilara scored six points and had four rebounds and three blocks in his return to Wyndham.

The championship winning player returned to the side after a couple of seasons

away, while Val Luka Jogovac made his debut with the side.

Muscat said that with the addition of the pair they were hoping it would help the team string together some wins and finish the season on a high note.

On Sunday, the women’s division 1 side faced the Altona Gators.

Werribee Centrals aim for a top two finish

By Tara Murray

Werribee Centrals have shifted the goalposts and are now aiming for a top two spot in the Geelong and District Football League.

After a perfect 9-0 start to the season, the Centurions sit three games clear at the top of the ladder.

Having missed finals last season, Centurions coach Rhyce Prismall said they couldn’t have imagined the start they’ve had to the year.

“Definitely not with the first six to seven games being pretty tough against sides that played finals last year,” he said.

“We would have been happy at 5-2 after seven matches and 6-3 after nine matches. To be 9-0, we’ve been on the right end of a few 50-50 games.

“Last year we started 0-3 and lost those games by a total of 10 points. You need a bit of luck which we probably deserve this year.”

Prismall said the aim this season was to always play finals, but now they were looking to try and lock in a double chance come finals.

He said that would set them up for a tilt of going deep into finals.

While the Centurions are on top, they aren’t taking any side lightly.

On Saturday, they faced Corio which is sitting towards the bottom of the ladder.

“They have a new look,” he said. “They are a bit younger now and move the ball better than previous years.

“We had a few leaders in the midfield step up and treat them like we were playing a top side.”

The Centurions jumped out of the blocks with six goals in the first quarter and another seven in the second quarter to have the game under control at the main break.

While Corio won the third quarter, the Centurions responded in the final quarter to come away with a 21.11 (137)-11.7 (73) win.

Prismall said the first quarter allowed them to set the game up well and it was always going to take a lot to come back from that, especially with rain falling through most of the game.

Josh MacDonald kicked four goals for the Centurions, while Joshua Stone kicked three

Wyndham stuck with the Gators early on and led by two points at quarter time.

The Gators then started to get going and with a 22-13 second quarter, led by seven points at half time.

The margin grew throughout the second half with the Gators winning 80-61.

Ahriahna Grizzle top scored with 24 points while also pulling down five rebounds.

Wyndham coach Matt Stephens said he was really pleased with the team’s effort and ability to compete.

“Going down by 20 is still a tough pill to swallow but the progress… is showing, really pleased,” he said.

“Altona is sitting second and a clear top talent of comp so to compete is great. Few things go a little different for us and the game could be slightly different.”

New coach for Bears

Bellbridge has turned to a former captain-coach to lead it into the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Clark Shield season.

The Bears announced that Lou Raffale had been appointed coach for next season.

“A former first XI captain and coach, some 30 years ago, Lou returns with a wealth of experience, including successful coaching stints at multiple clubs and most recently guiding Barkly St Cricket Club to promotion into div 4,” the Bears said on social media.

Raffale said in the club’s announced that he was excited by the potential of the playing group and is ready to help drive the club forward both on and off the field.

“Let’s make Bellbridge a place where players want to play, supporters love to support, and the opposition fear coming to face us,” he said.

Bellbridge has also announced that Julian Smith will be the club’s assistant coach.

“Julian brings a wealth of experience both on and off the field, including over 300 senior games, six premierships, life membership and team of the decade honours with Aberfeldie St Johns,” the Bears said on social media.

“Alongside his decorated playing career, he has also held coaching, captaincy and junior development roles throughout his time in cricket.

goals.

Michael Culliver and Tate Camilleri were named the Centurions best.

The only downside to the win was a thumb injury to Aaron Stone which saw him play limited minutes.

Primsall said scans had come back all clear and he is a 50-50 chance of getting up to play this week.

The Centurions face the Geelong West Giants on Saturday in a twilight match at Galvin Park.

It will be a battle between top and bottom.

“We will treat them like we are playing a good side,” Prismall said.

Meanwhile in the A-grade netball, the Centurions lost to Corio 42-31.

The Centurions led at quarter time by four goals before trailing by one goal at the main break.

The margin increased to three goals before a 12-4 final gave Corio a 42-31 win.

Jacinta Savory shot 15 goals in the loss.

Jacinta Savory, Alual Garang and Lauren Winter were named the Centurions’ best.

“Passionate about building strong club culture and developing young players, Julian is excited to work alongside our talented playing group and help continue driving the club forward.”

Smith said Bellbridge has all the ingredients for a successful future, and he’s excited to help build a strong culture and competitive environment both on and off the field.

The Bears missed finals last season, finishing in fifth just a point behind Werribee Centrals which finished in fourth spot.

The club announced that pre-season training would begin on 6 August and they were looking forward to seeing a number of new and returning players.

Weekend’s result

FINAL SCORE:

Werribee: 4.38.68.1312.16(88)

Brisbane Lions: 1.2 5.2 8.4 9.8 (62)

GOALS:

Werribee: Depasquale (4), Riding (3), Wright (2), McCluggage, Smith, Whyte

Brisbane: McCarthy (2), McFadyen (2),Thompson(2),Evans,Tiley,Waller

DISPOSALS:

Werribee: Lazzaro (28), Keighran (28),Riding(24),Pavlidis(23)

Brisbane: Marshall (24), Tilley (19), Zakostelsky(17)Smith(15)

Four in a row for Tigers

By Tara Murray

Werribee entered the bye on the perfect note as it continued its strong form in the Victorian Football League, having risen up the ladder the past month.

The Tigers sit second on the ladder having played 11 matches with wins in their past four matches.

OnSaturday,theTigersmanagedto get the job done against the Brisbane Lions, winning 11.16 (88)-9.8 (62).

Tigers coach Dan Lowther said that it had been a really good block of matches.

“We’re in the hot spot at the moment,” he said.

“We had been fortunate to have a four week block before the bye and wehavethesamebeforethenextone.

“The best outcome was to win all fourgamesandweachievedthatwith the game on the weekend.”

Lowther said they played well in patches against the Lions, who made them work for the win.

It was all the Tigers early and they led by 22 points at half time.

That margin was reduced to nine points heading into the final quarter before four goals to one in the final quarter made sure of the win.

“The first and last quarters we executed,” Lowther said.

“The middle part we weren’t at our best. We lost a bit of momentum in the middle part of the game.

“We were a bit up and down. We kicked seven behinds in the third quarter and a couple were gettable.

“It would have put a bit more scoreboard pressure on.”

There were plenty of highlights for the Tigers including Anthony Depasquale playing his first senior game in nearly a year.

He came in to replace Harry Maguire and had an instant impact.

“He kicked four goals and had eight shots on goal,” Lowther said.

“He had a lot of time off and played some local footy. He took his chance andhadeightscoringshotsinhisfirst game in a long period of time.

“We still had some firepower, but it was a bit of a smaller forward line.”

Jack Riding kicked three goals to go with his 24 disposals while Brady Wright kicked two goals.

Lowther said Charlie Lazzaro (28 disposals) was back to his dynamic best, while Ryan Eyers was strong in defence.

Jaelen Pavlidis and Zane Keighran were other standouts as they had

contributors across the board.

The Tigers now have a bye before they face Carlton the following week

ributors across e now have a before wther od time for them. He said some ers

Lowther said the bye had come at a good time for them. He said some players would play at local level this week and they would have a bit lighter week on the track.

ter week on the track.

“The lads are starting to feel the pinch after a long season,” he said.

Lowther said after the break there would be some selection headaches with some players coming back at local and trying to prove their fi

The h he wther e daches ing ve their fitness.

Among them is Daly Andrews who made his return to the fi forYarravilleSeddononSaturday.

mong return to field YarravilleSeddononSaturday.

“The next four weeks is an importantlittlepartoftheseason when it turns cold and wet,” Lowther said.

The next an ortantlittlepartoftheseason n it turns cold and wet,” ther

“We’ll look to get over that hump and then plan to lock in a top 10 spot or whatever we are after.

We’ll to over mp p r.

“It’s important to have a little reset.”

’s t.”

In the VFLW, North Melbourne Werribee beat Box Hill Hawks, 11.10 (76)-2.6 (18).\

ribee 2.6

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