Star Weekly - Wyndham - 29th July 2026

Art flows at new exhibition

Remnants: What Remains and What Flows is a compelling group exhibition curated by local Congolese-born, Melbourne-based artist and curator Wani Toaishara on show now at Wyndham Art Gallery.

The exhibition brings together six internationally recognised artists: Idil Abdullahi, Anu Kumar, Latai Taumoepeau, Tace Stevens, Hussein Abdirahman Mohamud and The Unbound Collective to explore the past and the present.

This free exhibition invites audiences into a space with unsettled archives, where what went before, the yesteryear and present, here and now converge, and where more equitable futures can be imagined.

Spanning film, photography, performance, sound and ceramics, the exhibition uses soil, water and the body as material and metaphor conduits through which fractured histories are revisited, reimagined and renewed.

A dedicated Auslan tour on Saturday 8 August at 10am is designed for deaf and hard of hearing audiences. Join Wani Toaishara for a curator talk and tour also on 8 August from noon to 1pm. This tour will have Swahili translation.

The exhibition is open Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm and on weekends Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 3pm until 18 October.

Job’s a shaw thing

By Laura Michell

In November last year, Wyndham councillor Mia Shaw handed the mayoral robe and chain over to her colleague Josh Gilligan. Fast-forward eight months and Cr Shaw is once again leading the council after Cr Gilligan was suspended and his successor, Cr Preet Singh, resigned as mayor.

Cr Shaw was elected to the role for the remainder of the current mayoral term –which ends at 6pm, 11 November – during a special council meeting on Thursday 23 July,defeatingCrPeterMaynard.

Cr Singh announced his resignation as mayor just two days earlier following three-and-a-half months of pressure from thecommunityandhiscolleagues.

As reported by StarWeekly , Cr Singh had endured widespread criticism since 30 March when it was revealed he wrote a character reference for a paedophile in 2024,priortobeingelectedtocouncil.

In the months that followed, the embattled councillor refused to relinquish the mayoral role despite weeks of pressure fromresidentsandhisfellowcouncillors.

On Tuesday 21 July, Cr Singh said he had made the decision to “hand over the mayoral chain” because he believed it was therighttime.

“It is my decision made on my own terms,”hesaid.

“Not because the work is finished but because I believe it is the right time for another councillor to carry that work forwardwithoutdistraction.”

In returning to the mayor’s chair on Thursdaynight,CrShawacknowledgedthe difficultiesfacedbyhercolleaguesoverthe past six months and chose not to don the mayoralrobeandchain.

“The past six months have been extraordinary. For me, they have been the most difficult six months I have experienced in my 10 years as a councillor, andIknowthathasalsobeentrueformost of my colleagues around the table, each for differentreasons,”shesaid.

“This has been a mayoral year like no other, and for me, stepping into this role now is about getting down to business and delivering for our community for the remainderofthemayoralterm.

“... Leadership is not something you put on. It is how you show up, the decisions you make, the standards you set and the responsibilityyoutakeon.”

Homestead funding joy

By Narelle Coulter

What was planned as a community information session turned into a celebration on Saturday when the state government announced $1.2 million to help save Point Cook Homestead.

The money will be used to begin restoring the historic homestead and improve access to Point Cook Coastal Park.

Member of the Point Cook Community Activation Group Julie Connell thanked everyone in the community who spoke up, shared their memories, signed the petition and supported the campaign.

“Your voices helped make this happen,” she said.

Ms Connell said the money would

help secure the site against unauthorised access and vandalism,  deliver critical electrical, heating and cooling, roofing and accessibility upgrades, allow the homestead to open to community groups, clean up the site and begin restoration of the gardens.

She thanked Point Cook MP Mathew Hilakari, whose announcement “set the room on fire”.

“This is not the end of our work, it is the  beginning of a much more positive chapter for Point Cook Homestead,” she said.

Momentum to save the homestead and grounds had been growing with an online petition attracting more than 1000 signatures.

The announcement was particularly poignant for 98-year-old Norm Lawler. Norm and his wife Peg lived at the homestead from 1978 to 1995 where Mr Lawler served as caretaker. He has been advocating for the homestead’s preservation for the last 30 years.

Councillor Susan McIntyre paid tribute to Mr Lawler who was present for the funding announcement.

“Today’s announcement belongs to people like Norm who never stopped believing this special place was worth saving and those prepared to stand up and save it,” Cr McIntrye said.

Councillor Jasmine Hill said the announcement ticked off one of the items on Wyndham council’s election advoca-

Students help green Newhaven Dog Park

Student leaders from Wimba Primary school have planted trees and native shrubs at Newhaven Dog Park to mark National Tree Day.

The students conducted the planting with the help of developer Preet.

Wimba Primary School principal Paul Schwartz said the experience taught students the value of active community participation.

“Our students aren’t just learning about environmental care from inside a classroom. They are stepping into their own neighbourhood to work alongside industry professionals and bring those

lessons to life,” Mr Schwartz said.

“This partnership with Peet gives our students an opportunity to build relationships and make a tangible contribution to the broader community.”

Wimba students and Preet have joined forced to green the grounds of the primary school over the past two years.

The program began in 2024 to support Wimba Primary during its first year of operation, with students planting native grasses and shrubs near the school gymnasium and Yarning Circle,

Peet development director Victoria Leavold said the annual partnership was

designed to give local children a chance to directly impact the growth of their neighbourhood.

“We have spent the last two years helping Wimba Primary establish its own school gardens, so moving this year’s project into Newhaven’s community Dog Park is a natural next step for the program,” Ms Leavold said.

“The trees they plant will grow alongside the Newhaven community, helping to develop a space for their own families and neighbours to enjoy.”

Polly Parade officially opens for outdoor active recreation

Tarneit’s newest active open space is officially complete, with Wyndham council celebrating the opening of Polly Parade Reserve following the completion of a centrally-located pavilion.

The $14 million project was completed over two stages and has delivered sports fields for soccer and cricket, tennis courts, cricket practice nets, a children’s play space, pathways, sports lighting, barbecue and picnic area, fencing, landscaping and irrigation to cater for Tarneit’s growing community.

The final stage – a new-pavilion with six female-friendly changerooms that is cen-

trally located within the reserve to cater for soccer, cricket and tennis – is now complete and being used by tenant clubs, Tarneit North Cricket Club and Tarneit North Football Club.

Hoppers Crossing Tennis Club will also operate from the reserve while the courts at its home base are being reconstructed, with council to commence the development of long-term activation of the tennis facility at Polly Parade Reserve in 2027.

Polly Parade Reserve was officially opened on 21 July by deputy mayor Jasmine Hill and Tarneit MP Dylan Wight.

Cr Hill said she was thrilled to see Polly Parade Reserve come to life.

“We want to ensure Wyndham remains a liveable city where our residents have access to the facilities they need, near where they live,” Cr Hill said.

“Polly Parade Reserve is a great example of this, providing the Tarneit community first-class sporting facilities to help them connect, get involved and be active.

“The completion of the pavilion is the final piece of the puzzle, providing modern amenities that will support local sporting clubs for many years to come.”

cy list.

“While council’s advocacy request is for an $8 million investment, this commitment is a welcome first step towards restoring one of Point Cook’s most significant heritage sites and improving community access to our beautiful coastal environment,” Cr Hill said on Facebook.

“I also look forward to council continuing to work with all candidates and all levels of government to secure the full investment needed to preserve Point Cook Homestead and deliver the infrastructure our growing community deserves.”

The Point Cook Community Activation Group hopes to hear from Parks Victoria about next steps at its meeting next week.

Police Briefs

Charges follow sexual assault Police have charged a man following a sexual assault in Hoppers Crossing. The 39-year-old was charged with two counts of rape and one count each of aggravated burglary and threat to kill. The man from Williams Landing was taken into custody on 24 July about 11.40am. The charges follow an incident on 23 July, where a man, armed with a knife, allegedly forced entry to a property on Whitsunday Drive about 11.30am before sexually assaulting a woman. Investigations are still ongoing into a second incident where a woman was outside a primary school on Langridge Street on 24 July when a man allegedly followed her into the school building shortly before 7am and sexually assaulted her.

ATM thefts

Two men have been charged as part of an investigation into the alleged theft of nearly half a million dollars believed to have occurred during the transport of cash to and from ATMs, including in Wyndham. The men were arrested on 22 July. Officers were told of more than 10 alleged incidents where a discrepancy in cash following an ATM run has been identified, between April and July. The incidents are alleged to involve runs to and from ATMs in Melbourne, Tarneit, Keilor Downs, Delahey, Craigieburn, Sandringham, South Melbourne, Clifton Hill, Essendon, Pascoe Vale and Mill Park to the value of nearly half a million dollars. A 25-year-old from Dallas and a 44-year-old from Mickleham were both charged with 11 counts of theft.

Drugs, rifle seized

Police seized a traffickable quantity of drugs along with a rifle following the arrest of two men in an allegedly stolen car in Melton on 13 July. The pair, a 37-year-year-old Footscray man and a 36-year-old Melton South man and have been charged with theft of a motor vehicle and possessing cannabis and methylamphetamine. The Footscray man was also charged with trafficking methylamphetamine and assaulting police. The Footscray man is also alleged to have pushed one police member over and used his head to strike another member in the face while resisting arrest.

Young mum’s brave battle

By Glenn Fisher

“I’m not scared.”

Rebecca Arden is also not old. Not even close to middle-aged. So nowhere near the age when medical experts recommend getting checked for something such as bowel cancer.

Married for six years to Jesse and a loving mum to two young daughters aged five and two , Rebecca is just 37.

But this brave Sunbury woman’s world was turned upside down on 18 June when she was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel and liver cancer.

“I’ve been told my cancer is incurable, which was devastating to hear,” Rebecca told Star Weekly last week.

“But I’m not scared. I’ve had the conversation with Jesse about if I pass. But I’m also a warrior.

“I’m optimistic, like always, and I believe miracles can happen.

“I’m choosing to focus on treatment, which is chemotherapy at the Sunbury Day Hospital, and time with my family, and making the most of every day.”

Busy with her young children and a regular volunteer at Sunbury Toy Library, Rebecca said she had “many vague symptoms of being unwell“, iron deficiencies and anaemia, heavy and painful menstrual cycles, and various treatments for PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome formerly known as PCOS) and hormonal issues.

It wasn’t until fatigue set in about January this year, followed by a raft of blood tests, treatment for a stomach bug, and more severe gastro-intestinal pain

in April that she was sent for a bowel screening test, colonoscopy and finally an ultrasound in June.

On 18 June, an oncologist told her there were cancerous spots on her liver and that a biopsy confirmed she had Stage 4 bowel cancer that had spread to her liver.

One week later, Rebecca had a port inserted into her body, where IV lines are

Debut book weaves a tale of resilience

Wyndham-based author Kathy Kuteesa says her debut novel, ‘Woven in Favour: Unconsumed by Fire’ is a reflection on how experiences shape our identity, refine our beliefs, and reveal the power of faith in unexpected ways.

Kathy, who was born in Uganda, writes under the pen name Desdemona Bennet, an amalgamation of two of her favourite literary heroines, Desdemona from Shakespeare’s Othello and Elizabeth Bennet from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

“I chose the pen name quite deliberately. It brings together two literary figures who stayed with me long after I first encountered them many years ago during my literature classes in high school,” she said.

“In fact, I loved the name so much that I began using it as a pseudonym during my school years. So when I eventually be-

gan writing, it felt only natural to return to a name that had been part of my story for more than 20 years.”

From the red soil of Uganda to the wide skies of Australia, Bennet said her memoir encourages readers to hold on to hope, embrace resilience, and remember that no season lasts forever.

“Sometimes the very loss that threatens to undo us becomes the doorway to the next breakthrough. I have come to believe that our stories matter, especially the difficult ones.”

She hopes readers will see themselves in the pages of her book, reflect on their own journeys, and recognise the threads of grace woven through their own stories.

The book will be launched on Saturday 1 August at the Truganina Community Centre from 4pm. All welcome.

had been considered sooner.

“But my goal isn’t to blame anyone or cause unnecessary alarm.

“If sharing my experience helps even one person receive an earlier diagnosis or encourages someone to trust their instincts, then telling my story will have made a difference.”

Rebecca continues to look ahead as she receives her treatment, saying she wants to “continue to be the mum I was” and get back to participating in events, return to the toy library, to kindergarten and be there when the couple’s eldest daughter starts school next year.

Despite her own situation, Rebecca said she was so grateful for her support network of family and close friends, including her husband, parents, in-laws and sister, and had “huge respect” to frontline medical teams and especially the caring nurses at Sunshine Hospital and Sunbury Day Hospital.

“I’m sharing my story because I want other young women to know that bowel cancer isn’t just a disease of older people, and that persistent or unusual symptoms deserve to be investigated,” she said.

now hooked up for fortnightly chemotherapy sessions at Sunbury Day Hospital and which continue at home for two days via a portable vessel before the IV is detached until the next session.

“I was also told it was a slow growing cancer, that it didn’t just appear overnight, so maybe I have had cancer for a few years,” Rebecca said.

“Looking back, I wish bowel cancer

You’re Invited

Open Day!

Aspire Early Education Lollipop Hill, Manor Lakes

Early-onset bowel cancer (diagnoses for people aged under 50) now accounts for about one in nine new cases. According to the Victorian Cancer Registry, rates have surged by 65 per cent in the past 20 years.

Rebecca is posting personal blogs about her journey on a GoFundMe page (https://www.gofundme.com/f/rebeccas-cancer-journey-9grjj) that was started by her family to help cover the family’s many unforeseen costs.

Saturday 1st August, 10am - 1pm 201 Maracana Ave, Manor Lakes VIC 3024

Explore our brand-new centre, meet our educators, and enjoy free activities and food sampling. Fun for the whole family!

Police on the theft pulse

A Mickleham man and an Attwood man are among those who were charged as part of a boosted police safety effort during the winter school holidays at shopping centres.

An alleged drug trafficker, two young males carrying hunting knives and a pair of thieves stealing from a department store were among 200 people arrested as part of the effort.

Operation Pulse involves police and Protective Services Officers (PSOs) patrolling Melbourne and Geelong’s major shopping centres in an effort to prevent crime, detect any offences and improve safety.

Patrols were boosted over the busy

school holiday period across nine shopping centres.

Throughout the school holidays, 209 people were arrested with about 400 charges laid.

Majority of the charges related to thefts from retail outlets.

Among those charged were a 21-yearold from Mickleham and a 20-year-old from Attwood who were located in a carpark of a shopping centre after allegedly ditching two bags they were carrying.

Police located the bags which contained two large hunting knives and drugs, including cocaine and cannabis.

Two 31-year-olds, a male and a female,

both from Parkville, were arrested after police were alerted to an alleged theft from a department store. The pair was located by officers after a brief foot chase. A search of the pair located more than $1000 in items stolen from the store, a small quantity of methamphetamine and a stolen bank card.

A 36-year-old man from Parkdale was charged with drug trafficking and weapon offences after reports were made about someone allegedly harassing people outside a shopping centre. Police located the man and a search uncovered a traffickable quantity of 1-4 Butanediol, a small payment device, mobile phone and a knife.

With school holidays all wrapped up,

Kiss fanatic’s face-paint fence

Visitors to Phil Cassar’s home in Altona Meadows will notice a new addition to his backyard, one that is as striking as it is unsurprising.

As someone with one of Australia’s largest collections of Kiss memorabilia and the founder of a Kiss Facebook page with 9000 followers, it’s fitting that the mural recently painted on Mr Cassar’s back fence features the four face-painted members of the 70’s rock icons.

“When I was a little kid Kiss were like

real life super heroes,” he said of where his devotion to the band came from.

Following a visit to his nan’s place one Christmas, that devotion extended from Kiss’s music to their merchandise too.

“My aunty took me and my sister over to road to a milk bar and she bought us a Kiss key ring which I still have.

“I have thousands of items, but even though I collect every item, I focus on the vintage merch.”

Mr Cassar’s obsession led to him start-

ing a Kiss collectibles Facebook page 13 years ago, however it was a post on another local Facebook page from a young artist called Seb, that led to him having a mural painted of the band.

“He was looking for wall space so he could practise his art. I reached out and said can you do Kiss?“ Mr Cassar recalled.

“He’s like i’ll give it a go.“

As far as Mr Cassar’s concerned, Seb gave it a very good go indeed.

“He did an awesome job.“

Western suburbs company chosen to drive electric truck trial

A western suburbs transport company will soon have an electric truck in its fleet after being chosen as the first participant in the state’s electric heavy vehicle trial.

Laverton North based Cahill Transport will take part in the $1.5 million Victorian Electric Heavy Vehicle Trial, a two-year program aimed at helping the sector integrate electric heavy vehicles into their day-to-day operations and collect operational data and user feedback.

Delivered in partnership with the state’s peak trucking body, the Victorian Transport Association (VTA), it’s hoped that by giving

transport companies real world experience in operating zero emission freight vehicles, the trial will make it easier and cheaper for the transport sector to transition to net zero.

Ports and Freight Minister and Williamstown MP Melissa Horne announced Cahill Transport as the first participant in the trial on Wednesday 15 July.

“We’re helping businesses play a leading role in reducing emissions in our transport sector by supporting a low-carbon economy,” Mr Horne said.

“The work we are doing is critical to meet our target of cutting emissions by transition-

ing to cleaner, more reliable technology.”

VTA chief executive welcomed Peter Anderson welcomed the start of the Victorian Electric Heavy Vehicle Trial and the selection of Cahill Transport as its first participant.

“Decarbonisation of the road transport industry needs to be understood by operators and data from this initiative will create a transitional pathway,” Mr Anderson said.

The Chinese-made Sany, the Mitsubishi Fuso eCanter and the Mercedes-Benz eActros from are among the electric truck models that will be used in the trial.

Operation Pulse will continue with four of the nine shopping centres receiving daily patrols.

Plans are underway to ensure the expanded approach to the nine centres will occur during the next school holidays and high demand periods.

This includes Pacific Werribee, Bayside Frankston, Highpoint, Fountain Gate, Northland, Watergardens, Southland, Eastland and key CBD retail locations in Geelong.

All shifts are voluntary, meaning there is no impact on the rail networks or frontline policing as officers are working at shopping centres in addition to existing shifts.

Bid to attract funding

Calls for an airline attraction fund for Avalon Airport are continuing to grow to support the next wave of industrial growth across areas like Wyndham.

The G21 Alliance has joined the airport’s election advocacy for all parties to commit to funding the initiative for more than three years ahead of the upcoming state election.

Avalon Airport chief executive Ari Suss said the airline attraction fund would help attract new international services to the region and enable the expansion of the state’s second international airport.

“It’s an investment that strengthens Victoria’s visitor economy while creating jobs and economic growth across the region,“ he said.

“We know that Avalon Airport sits in the fastest-growing corridor in the country with population growth, and the Wyndham region is really growing rapidly when it comes to housing.

“We know Avalon is situated perfectly to support both sides of that growth, and it’s really important that we keep engaging with Melbourne’s west.“

Mr Suss said the airport would continue to call for targeted investment at the Avalon Employment Precinct through a $1 billion Regional Infrastructure Fund to deliver growth and workforce capability.

“Many companies are setting up here as an alternative to being in other parts of Melbourne’s West, because this is very much growing into an extension of that area,“ he said.

“Airports are huge operators of infrastructure, but they are also gateways for people and freight, so we’ve also invested significantly in cargo operations here in the last year or so.

“We’ve spent about $10 million on building a new dedicated cargo terminal to support the produce in agriculture, including beef, lamb, and dairy that comes out of this region for export, but also to support incoming freight.“

G21 chair Jason Schram said targeted investment was needed to help meet future economic demands across the region.

“Unlocking industrial land is essential to supporting business growth, job creation and economic resilience across our region,“ he said.

“Avalon Airport is going to be a great driver, and if we can get that economic precinct, it’ll create thousands of jobs and opportunities for people.“

Recycling for food

Victorians can turn empty drink containers into meals for those doing it tough this winter through a new partnership between the state’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic) and Foodbank Victoria.

The ’Your Empties, Full Tummies’ campaign was officially launched at Foodbank’s Altona warehouse on Thursday 16 July.

As part of the three month campaign, Victorians depositing their empty drink containers with CDS Vic will be encouraged to donate their 10-cent container refunds to Foodbank Victoria, with every five donations helping to create one meal for those experiencing food insecurity.

Donations can be made by selecting Foodbank Victoria on the screen at a CDS Vic reverse vending machine or choosing the charity as a payout option on the CDS Vic app.

Those depositing their empty drink containers at over-the-counter refund points and depots can personally request that their donations go towards Foodbank as well.

Since the scheme started in November 2023, more than 3.3 billion containers have been recycled through CDS Vic, returning more than $330 million to Victorians, including almost $4 million to charities and community groups.

Foodbank Victoria accounts for more than 70 per cent of all hunger relief efforts across the state and has reported a 10 per cent increase in demand in the past six months as cost-of-living pressures squeeze household budgets.

At the launch of the CDS Vic and Foodbank Victoria “Your Empties, Full Tummies” campaign at Foodbank Altona on Thursday are (from left)TOMRA Cleanaway general manager Victoria, Tony Catania, EPA chief executive Joss Crawford, Foodbank chief executive Dave McNamara, CDS Vic mascot Can-Do, VicReturn chief executive Matt Davis, Visy executive general manager recycling Tierry Lauren and Return-It government and community relations manager Jessica Rice. (supplied)

Foodbank Victoria chief executive Dave McNamara said that as the state’s largest food charity, it made sense to join forces with such an effective fundraiser.

“Foodbank’s partnership with CDS Vic makes it easy for Victorians to turn their empties into something that truly matters – meals for people doing it tough,” Mr McNamara said.

“With demand for food relief at a record high, simple actions like donating your 10cent containers can create real change for

the 76,000 Victorians who rely on Foodbank every single day.”

Chief executive of CDS Vic scheme coordinator, Vic Return, Matt Davis, agreed.

“We’re proud to partner with Foodbank Victoria to give people another simple way to turn their recycling into meaningful support for fellow Victorians this winter.“

The campaign runs until mid-October.

New paramedics ready to help

A group of 53 new paramedics have joined Ambulance Victoria’s ranks.

The group is the first intake of new paramedics for 2026/27 and will hit the road from 17 August. Thirteen graduate paramedics will be placed across Melbourne, including Tarneit, Cobblebank, Hadfield, Reservoir, Rowville, Brighton, Dandenong, Kew and Somerville.

The graduates commenced their four-week induction to Ambulance Victoria on 27 July.

The training covers areas such as clinical education, driving, manual handling and occupational violence.

The course builds on the knowledge and experience gained during their three-year university degree.

They’ll then begin their on-road training in August – in a boost to branches right across metro and regional Victoria.

A further 35 graduate paramedics and five qualified paramedics will be in regional Victoria, including Wonthaggi, Cowes, Ballarat, Bendigo, Echuca and Swan Hill.

Ambulance Services Minister Harriet Shing said the new recruits will strengthen ambulance services as Ambulance Victoria continues to experience high demand.

Between January and March this year, paramedics responded to nearly 95,000 Code 1 cases.

Artefacts of Altona

Altona has long been defined by heavy industry and its skyline dominated by factories, gas flares and smoke stacks. Now a group of locals are working to preserve the suburb’s industrial heritage as its factories, refineries and plants rapidly disappear. Cade Lucas reports.

From Spotswood to Seaholm, Point Cook to Point Gellibrand, Skeleton Creek to Stony Creek, residents of Melbourne’s west woke up on Sunday morning asking themselves the same question:whatthehellwasthatnoise?

Facebookgroupswerefloodedwithposts aboutwhatwasvariouslycalledabigbang, a loud boom and a big bang boom that got people out of bed, shook their homes, rattledtheirwindows,frightenedtheirpets whilemakingtheirheartsstopandbowels suddenly spring open at about 2am on 19 July.

Lights began flashing and sirens start blaring as dozens dialled triple-0, while some excitable types hypothesised about earthquakes,explosionsorcosmicthunder claps.

When it soon became clear it was none of these things but rather the decommissioning a giant piece of machinery at the old Mobil refinery in Altona,mostofthosewhowerequestioning wheretheysoundcamefrombeganasking whytheyweren’ttoldaboutitbeforehand?

The uncomfortable answer of course is thattheywere.

“How Altona’s Skyline Is Set to Change” declared the advertisement from Mobil running across the bottom of page 5 of the 15 July edition of the Maribyrnong & HobsonsBayStarWeekly.

After a preamble about how in 2021 the company closed its Altona refinery and began converting it into a fuel storage terminal, demolish of a number of tanks and other pieces of infrastructure as a result,thecompanygottothepoint:

“Soon you will notice a more significant change to the Altona North skyline as we commence demolition of the Fluid Catalytic Cracking unit and associated infrastructure.”

While most ads overstate things Mobil’s didtheexactopposite.

Morecommonlyknownasthe“Cracker”, the Fluid Catalytic Cracking unit weighs 900tonnesandisaslongastheMCG.

When it arrived from Japan in 1996, Williamstown was quite literally brought toastandstillasafleetofsemi-trailersthat were made look the size of matchbox as carsdraggedittotheAltonarefinery.

Anyone of the thousands of people who lined the streets that day to witness it would have known that demolishing the something of that size was never going to be a small or silent exercise, though Mobil didtheirbesttopretendotherwise.

“The unit will be felled entirely within the Mobil site and then progressively demolished on the ground, with all works approved by WorkSafe Victoria,” the advertisement read, before adding: “The fellingwilltakeplaceon19July.”

Even if the language was remarkable in its understatement, anyone who read the adwould’veknowntoexpectsomethingto happenonthethirdSundayinJuly.

Left: A photo of the old Qenos site in Altona when it was first established in 1961.

Below: One of the old photos of the Qenos site that have been collected as part of a project to preserve Altona’s industrial heritage.

But while just about everyone in the west heard the final crack of the “Cracker”, not all were surprised.

In fact, some were even expecting it, like Graeme Reilly from Altona Laverton HistoricalSociety.

“They are large structures and I guess you can’t pull them apart bit by bit, there’s somepartsthatarejustgonnahavetocome down at once and make quite a noise,” Mr Reillysaidofthedemolition.

Mr Reilly is paying closer attention than mosttothedemolitionoftheformerMobil refinery due to his role in a new project aimed at preserving Altona’s industrial heritage.

With help from a Make It Happen Grant from Hobsons Bay council, Mr Reilly, former Hobsons Bay mayor Sandra Wilson and one of the last engineers on site at the former Qenos plastics manufacturing plant, Nikki Gaskell, have joined forces to source, sort and save images, artefacts and stories about Altona’s state significant industryoverthedecades.

“The industrial skyline has defined Altona for over half a century and it is rapidly changing before our eyes; we feel theneedtocapturewhatweknowbeforeit istoolate,”MrReillysaidofthemotivation for the project which is focused on the former Mobile refinery, the Qenos site on Kororiot Creek Road and also the former ToyotaplantinAltonaNorth.

Ofallthesesites,it’sQenoswhichclosed

most recently, with operations finally ceasing there at the beginning of last year. However, it’s also the site which is being demolished the quickest and which the group has been able gain access too, makingittheimmediatefocus.

“Half of Qenos has already gone and there’s another part that’s about to go and onceit’sgoneallthatindustrialstructureis going to disappear and once that happens, people will quickly forget what was there, why it was there and what they did,” Mr Reillysaid.

“And it’s not often that we get in at the ground level to get artefacts from the company.It’sgenerallymuchlaterthatyou tryandsearchforartefactsbutinthiscase we’ve been able to get them before they’re goneforever.”

So far the more than 4000 images, some dating back to the plant’s beginnings in 1961, have been sourced, as well as 25 videosandevenafullscalemodel.

Some of the material will be digitised and catalogued for future history buffs, but other artefacts will be displayed in an exhibition to tell the story of Altona’s changing industrial landscape as part of the2027HeritageFestival.

And while the group has access to the QenossiteandisinnegotiationsMobiland Toyota about doing the same, Ms Wilson said there was an even greater resource they were hoping to tap into: former

employees.

“Webelievethereisrichhistorytocollect from our community so we’re curious to gather anything from people’s photo albums, work files, cupboards, drawers and memory banks!” Ms Wilson said, notingthateventhoughallthreesiteswere being torn down, former employees and theirfamilieswerenothardtofind.

“Just about everyone you speak to in Altona will say “oh I know someone who workedthere,mydad,myuncle.

“I was just down at Bendigo Bank in Altonaputtingupsomeflyersandsomeone said “oh my uncle worked there, he died thereinanindustrialaccident.”

Ms Wilson said Altona’s industry has played a significant role in the community, making preserving its history and documenting its end, all the more important.

“This change is happening before our eyes and I think people will notice it once it’s gone. Some people will be glad to see it gonebutit’spartofourhistorywhetherwe likeitornot.”

From July – September a series of drop-ins are scheduled at Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre, the Hobsons Bay Men’s Shed and Truganina Explosives Reserve for people to share anything that providesaperspectiveonAltonaindustry.

The group is also seeking volunteers to help digitise documents and images into Victorian Collections, an online database. Trainingwillbeprovided.

Contact:SandraWilson,0432161777.

Ready to leave the station

The Sunshine Model Railway Club is gearing up to celebrate its 28th annual exhibitionoverthefirstweekendofAugust.

The event will feature roughly 20 model layouts of townscapes and landscapes designed by the community’s most eager railwaymodelenthusiasts.

Layout designer and railway model enthusiast Ted Allen is excited to be presentinghislayoutEddingtonQuay.

Mr Allen has presented four exhibition layoutsandremainsdedicatedtotheartin hissparetime.

“It’s either a hobby or an obsession. SometimesIdon’tknowwhichoneitis,but

it’sdefinitelyoneortheother,“hesaid.

The layout features a small wharf area and the bottom end of a town. Key structures include a pub, general store, marine engineer, and service station. The diorama took approximately two years to build.

“It took a very long time. It’s all made out of cardboard with the finer details 3D printed,“hesaid.

The exhibition will take place at Braybrook College Stadium on Saturday 1 August,from9.30amto5pmandonSunday 2August,from9.30amto4pm.

Briefs

Rego rebate closing

Motorists have until midnight, Friday 31 July claim 20 per cent off their rego. A driver with one car gets up to $186 back while someone with two cars can claim up to $372 back. Motorists get the full rebate whether they paid their rego yearly or in instalments. Details: https://service.vic.gov.au/rego-rebate

Census support

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is reminding Australia’s multicultural communities of the support options available for households to complete their Census next month. The Census website includes translated information in 26 languages to help people complete their Census. The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) is also available on 131 450 to assist those requiring additional in-language support. TIS provides access to interpreters who speak more than 150 languages. Census night is Tuesday 11 August. Details: census.abs.gov.au/ language

FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT

Web: starweekly.com.au

Wyndham Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

A less than jolly royal visit

Williamstown amateur historian Barb McNeill is Star Weekly’s history columnist. This week she recounts a drama-filled visit to Australia by Prince Alfred, the son of Queen Victoria.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

equallyviciousdetermination.

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

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

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

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

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

With secret relief, the prince returned to England. Alfred’s ordeal has not deterred other royals from visiting Australia, which, having shown just what it’s capable of doingtobluebloods,istrulyremarkable.

Stitches of connection

Wyndham Park Primary School Community Hub’s Stronger Together: Connecting Women, Building Communities program is helping women from diverse cultural backgrounds build confidence, develop new skills and strengthen community connections through sewing classes, workshops and communityactivities.

A grant from the Soroptimist International Victoria Foundation funded the purchase of 12 sewing machines, three overlockers and sewing equipment to enable sewing classes to be introduced. The hub ran a beginners class with 12 women last term and this term they have progressedtothenextlevel.

“We have introduced a new beginners program so we now have 24 women accessing sewing classes,“ explained communityhubleaderLouiseHolley.

“We have a strong partnership with WyndhamCommunity&EducationCentre who facilitates the sewing programs and providetheamazingteacherTirion.“

On Tuesday 28 July, a group of 35 participants also visited the Melbourne Immigration Museum to explore Australia’s migration stories and share theirownexperiences.

“Our participants are building confidence, developing new skills and creating friendships that extend beyond thecommunityhub.Ithasbeenwonderful to see women encouraging one another, trying new experiences and becoming more connected to their community. Stronger Together is about empowering women to participate, belong and thrive,“ MsHolleysaid.

Get along to the footy

Werribee and Footscray will play off for the Health West Cup on Saturday in the Victorian Football League, while Reclink Australia will also take centre stage.

The Tigers will host the Bulldogs in theirpenultimatehomegameofthe2026 home-and-away season on Saturday, before North Melbourne Werribee will face the Western Bulldogs in the AFLW aspartofadoubleheader.

The day will be jointly sponsored by Stockland Harpley and Reclink Australia.

Stockland Harpley are a local organisationwhohavebeenalong-term sponsor of the Werribee Football Club and supporter of the Wyndham community.

Reclink Australia is a not-for-profit charity organisation whose mission is to provide and promote sport and art programs for people experiencing disadvantage.

Founded by Werribee local Peter Cullen in 1990, Werribee Football Club and Reclink Australia have enjoyed a long and prosperous relationship which will be on full display as part of the matchdayonSaturday.

As well as featuring as the jointly-dedicated organisation at the traditional pregame function, Reclink Australia’s work will be showcased first-hand via a half-time exhibition gameofitsfootballleague.

Mr Cullen said they were hoping to make the day a big community event, in the hopes of maximising crowd attendance at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval and generating a wave of momentum for Werribee as they preparetolaunchtheirfinalscampaign.

“Reclink Australia has a vision for sport to become an essential service in supporting community health,“ Mr Cullensaid.

MY PLACE

Wolf Heidecker is passionate about promoting artists through his performing arts management company and as a board member of Wyndham Art Works. He speaks with Laura Michell.

What’s your connection to Melbourne’s north-west?

In 2000 I moved from Albury-Wodonga where I was general manager of The Flying Fruit Fly Circus to Werribee to manage the final stages of the construction and first year of operations of the Werribee Cultural Centre that opened in May 2001. Once the cultural centre was up and running, I resigned from Wyndham City Council and established WHAM, my independent performing arts management company. Soon after I arrived in Werribee, I became involved in the local arts community. I was instrumental in registering CAA-Wyndham Community Arts Alliance Inc and became a volunteer member of the still active group that is today trading as Wyndham Art Works, with its home in Laverton North.

Whatdoyoulikeaboutwhereyoulive?

established to support the building of the Wyndham Cultural Centre in Watton Street. After the completion of the building in 2001 I was asked by some local artists to maintain the group as the ‘home’ for local artists which I then took over as a resident, not as the first manager of the cultural centre,andbecamethefoundingpresident of the incorporated association. I am still member of the board as their treasurer and business manager. It is still the only not-for-profit organisation in Wyndham dedicated to support local artists of all genres, e.g. studios for painters, glass artists, writers and workspace for the local branch of the Egg-Decorators-Guild, and performers from ethnic groups with South Pacific Islander, Samoan and Maori backgrounds.

WAW is entirely self-funded and run by volunteers; our arts centre with 10 studio spaces and two common rooms have been leased from Wyndham City Council for a token rental fee. In 2027 WAW will be negotiatingwithourlandlordforapossible extension of the lease.

Tell us something people would be surprisedtoknowaboutyou...

Where is your favourite local place to spendtime?

Coming from the northern border of Victoria I enjoyed the more rural feeling of living in Werribee with the benefit of being so close to the ‘Big Smoke’ of Melbourne. Sevenyearsago,mywifeandIswappedour house in Werribee and relocated to Tarneit where we are living in a retirement village since. It’s just five kilometres from where we lived in Werribee for nearly 20 years, therefore could maintain our connections to friends and the community without any interruption. Though Wyndham experienced significant growth as a city andlotsofarchitecturalandinfrastructure improvements, the ‘old’ centre of the municipality still has its charm, homely and inviting image. In the surrounding vicinity we can enjoy the Werribee River and many green areas as well as all the new leisure developments, e.g. in Werribee South.

Werribee Open Range Zoo.

How did Wyndham Art Works come about?

WyndhamArtWorks(WAW)isthe‘trading as’ name of CAA-Wyndham Community Arts Alliance that was a community group

For the last 25 years I have produced and directed about 30 theatre productions, volunteered managing the local Maori group Te Karangatahi Mana until they movedtoWAlastyear,theChineseSeniors Choir You Yi Zhi Qiao in Collingwood, ongoing, and officiated numerous weddings in Wyndham and surrounding areas until my retirement as a registered marriage celebrant.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Star Weekly looks back through the pages of our predecessors

40 years ago 30 July, 1986

There is a “very real” possibility that the toxic waste dump could end up in Sunshine, but it would still be on the Laverton North boundary, a Werribee councillorsaidonMondaynight.

30 years ago 31 July, 1996

OlympianRussellMarkstandstallafter winning Australia’s second gold medal atAtlanta,Georgia,lastweek.

20 years ago 26 July, 2006

A coronial inquest into the death of a Werribee woman killed by a drug-affected driver moments after police called off a pursuit of him has recommended a review of chase procedures.

Faces of the west

Each week, Star Weekly photographers are out and about capturing the people and events across Melbourne’s north and west.

10 years ago 27 July, 2016

Five design options are being consideredaspartofpreliminaryworks to remove the level crossings at Cherry andWerribeestreets.

Bells ring on pay dispute

By Jack O’Shea-Ayres

Victoria’s education workers have again walked out of the classroom in pursuit of better pay.

Tens of thousands of Victorian public school teachers, principals, and education support staff walked off the job on 23 July in a 24-hour statewide strike.

The strike was the latest escalation in a disputeoverapayincreasebetweentheVictorian Branch of Australia’s Education Union (AEU) and the state government since mid 2025.

The industrial action came after teachers, principals, and education support staff

rejected a government pay offer of a 17 per cent increase over three years proposed in March, a revised 28.3 per cent increase over four years made in April, an improved offer in May, and another just this month.

Union members only narrowly rejected the most recent offer, with 51.1 per cent of participating members voting in favour of rejecting the offer, which would have included pay rises of 28.3 per cent to 32.4 per cent over four years.

Ifaccepted,thelatestofferwouldhaveincreased full-time teachers’ salaries by more than $1000 per month by October this year, and almost $3000 more per month by 2030.

Education staff would have earned up to

$1600 more per month by the same time.

The AEU sub-branch president and Melton Secondary College teacher Abanob Saad said the government could not ignore the striking teachers.

The AEU condemned the state government’s latest offer, with members highlighting teachers, education support staff, and principals are working up to 12 hours of unpaid overtime a week.

“I see passionate people powering our schools being pushed towards burnout,” Mr Saad said.

“Wheneducatorsburnout,studentsmiss out.”

The latest offer would have also halved

required meeting hours from 80 hours to 40 hours a year.

Education Minister Ben Carroll pleaded with the state’s teaching staff to call off the strike.

“Students should be in classrooms and parents shouldn’t be left scrambling for childcare or losing a day’s pay,” he said.

“Wesaidwe’dlistentoourteachers,principalsandeducationsupportstaffandthat’s what we’ve done.”

Negotiations between the union and state government are reportedly continuing,butunionmemberswarnanotherstrike couldoccuron4Augustifamoresatisfactory offer isn’t made by Thursday 30 July.

Local stars shine at the Commonwealth Games

By Tara Murray

ThefirstthreedaysoftheCommonwealth Games are done and there have been some good results for the locals so far.

On the court, the Australian Diamonds and women’s 3x3 basketball team remain undefeated.

The Diamonds started with wins against Tonga on night two and England on night three.

Former City West Falcons pair Kate Moloney and Liz Watson have played big rolesfortheDiamondsinthemidcourtas they’ve come away with two big wins.

It’s been two losses for Uneeq Palavi’s Tonga.

Palavi, who played two games for the Falcons this year, shot 30 goals in game one against the Diamonds despite a

dislocated finger.

She finished with 29 goals in game two against South Africa, with South Africa winning 96-42.

On the basketball court, Australia’s 3x3 women’s team are through to the semi finals.

After going 3-0 on day one, the Aussies, including Keilor Thunder’s Lara McSpadden went 2-0 on day three.

They beat the Cayman Islands, 21-3, and backed it up with a 21-9 win against Uganda.

McSpadden had her best game from a scoring perspective against the Cayman Islands, finishing with seven points.

The semi finals and medal games will be played on day six.

Taylors Lakes’ Jacob Cassar got his boxing campaign underway on day

three.

Competing in the men’s 65 kilogram event, Cassar sealed a quarter final berth with a 5-0 win against New Zealand’s Connor Campbell in the round of 16.

Cassarwillbebackinactionondayfive.

In the pool, Bundoora’s Tara Kinder just missed the final in the 100 metres breaststroke.

Kinderfinishedfourthinherheat,butit was enough for her to qualify 10th fastest for the semi finals.

Inthesemifinals,Kinderfinishedsixth in her race.

It was the faster of the two semi finals, with Kinder finishing ninth overall, just 0.03 behind Jamaica’s Sabrina Lyn who was the last finalist to qualify.

Kinder still has the 400 and 200 metres individual medley events to come.

In the lawn bowls, Deer Park Bowls Club’s Paris Baker and her Tongan teammate Milika Nathan lost a second straight tiebreaker on day three.

Having won the first set 10-0, the Tongan team lost the second set 6-4 before losing the tie break.

The Tongan side then lost to Namibia 2-0.

After three matches, Tonga sits fifth with one win.

InsectionD,theNorfolkIslandwomen’s pairs team including Deer Park’s Ellie Dixon sit second with three wins.

Ondaythree,thepairbeattheFalkland Islands 2-0.

The men’s pairs, which includes Deer Park’s Corey Wedlock and Aaron Teys, gets underway on day five.

PUZZLES

Worry (7)

Aesthetically pleasing (8)

Inexpensive (5)

Writer of verse (4)

Optical instrument (10)

motorway system (10)

animals (4)

Shoot (4)

Make reprisals (9)

17 Removed from power (9)

19 Act of refreshing (7)

22 UK singer Lily – (5)

23 Early form of Sanskrit (5)

24 Cousin of the oyster (4)

25 Self-satisfied (4)

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

Today’s Aim:

12 words: Good 18 words: Very good 24 words: Excellent

G R R I N O W O

3 LETTERS

1 A person with the condition anodontia was born without what body part? 2 What liquid is typically used inside disposable lighters?

3 What is the name of Spotify’s personalised end-of-year listening summary?

4 Which Muse of Greek myth shares their name with a rural town in

are

6 Name the capital city of Andorra.

7 To whom does Hamlet deliver his ‘Alas, poor Yorick’ speech?

8 What was the first name of the Austrian composer Haydn?

9 Australian musician James Keogh (pictured) performs under what name?

10 What does PVC stand for?

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Laverton Community Choir

Open to new members and everyone is welcome. If you enjoy singing, and are curious about joining a choir, come along and try out your vocal cords with our fun and inclusive group. No audience or musical knowledge required. Meets on Thursday evenings during school terms at Laverton P12 College, 91 Bladin Street, Laverton from 7-9pm, with supper provided. Sue, 0418 386 147 or lavertoncommunitychoir@gmail.com

Wyndham Rotary

If you have an hour or two to volunteer in a local project Wyndham Rotary would love to hear from you. If you have an idea and you want some help taking the idea to action, contact us. If you want to connect with friendly, like-minded people, come and chat to us. Meeting locally each week, you will be made welcome.

Julie, 0406 196 630

Rotary Club of Wyndham Harbour

Assist with service projects in the local community and overseas. The club meets at 7pm on the first Tuesday of the month at the ‘By the Bay Cafe’ in Wyndham Harbour. Mamode, 0469 888 126

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 Ave, 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 10 am 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

Adult drumming classes

If you ever wanted to try out your rhythmic skills, the first class is discounted and concessions apply for other classes. All hand drums supplied or BYO. No experience required, just bring an open heart and mind and enjoy making some great rhythms together. The class is friendly and welcoming to everyone. Thursdays, 7.30-8.30pm, during school terms, at Saltwater Community Centre, 153 Saltwater Parade, Point Cook. 0411 028 077 or bfmusic15@gmail.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

Watton Group

A support group providing a social space for carers to get together in a safe and compassionate environment. Gives carers an opportunity to connect, share their experiences and offers emotional and practical support. The group meets at 49 Watton Street, Werribee at 10am, every fourth Tuesday of the month. Patricia, 0434 487 360, or wattongroup131@gmail.com.

All Abilities Netball

All-abilities netball for 10-to-25-year-olds is run by Wyndham Netball Association every Saturday morning during school terms, from 10.30am, on outside court 14 at Eagle Stadium, Ballan Road, Werribee. Intellectual, physical and social disabilities are catered for in a fun and supported group. Come and try your first session for free, with stadium entry $2. Phil, 0437 078 739

Walking Netball

Walking netball is a low impact, no running, no jumping version for those that love the fun, friendship and activity of a weekly game of netball. Sessions are run every Thursday during school terms, from 8pm,

at Eagle Stadium, Ballan Road, Werribee. Come and try your first session for free, with stadium entry $2. Phil, 0437 078 739

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

Seniors House of Fun

The Grange Community Centre invites seniors of Wyndham to its weekly Seniors House of Fun. This is a free program running every Friday, 11am-12.30pm, at The Grange Community Centre, 260-280 Hogans Road, Hoppers Crossing. Vanessa, 8742 8000, or enquires@

grangecommunity.org.au

Seniors club

The Werribee Senior Citizens Club meets at 80 Lonsdale Circuit, Hoppers Crossing. The group is open to all people 55-plus and it runs on Wednesdays, 10am-noon. Entry: $2, includes morning tea. 0403 041 499

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

U3A Werribee

The group is a not-for-profit community organisation for semi-retired and retired Wyndham residents. They hold a variety of classes-activities specifically designed for seniors, including, light physical and mental wellbeing sessions, arts, games and craft, and general classes such as current affairs, history and lunch groups. Most classes-activities are held at Wyndham community centres. Rick, 0402 299 220.

Western Budgerigar Club

The Western Suburbs Budgerigar Club meets at 7.30pm on the third Thursday of each month at Masonic Hall, 223 Watton Street, Werribee. Meet other members who are also passionate about breeding Budgerigars. Don, 0414 975 862

Young ‘Newsies’ entertain

The Williamstown Musical Theatre Company (WMTC) is gearing up for its annual junior production at the end of this month.

This year’s production is Newsies Jr, a Disney Broadway musical based on a 90s film about New York newspaper kids, or “Newsies“, and their strike for fairness against some of the richest and most powerful people in Manhattan.

Director Stuart Dodge said he’d always liked the musical ever since he first saw it performed in the very city it’s set in.

“When I saw Newsies on Broadway, I was transportedto1899NewYork,andfromthe

second the orchestra started I was in awe,” Dodge said. “Newsies is a dance-heavy show... when watching the dancers in the Broadway production I thought, ‘surely these boys are on wires… there is no way any human can stay in the air that long, leaping across the stage!’”

Newsies Jr is WMTC’s 13th junior production and also it’s largest, with a cast of 41 children aged eight-18.

“As a team, our goal is always to not only put on a slick and entertaining show, but also to provide our cast of young people with a truly enjoyable experience from start to finish,” Dodge said.

Newsies Jr features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken (composer of The Little Mermaid, Aladdin) and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (writer of Broadway musical Kinky Boots).

Thecastwillbeperformingitfrom31July to 9 August at Altona Theatre.

Details and bookings: https://www. wmtc.org.au/

ABBA classics set to light up Myrniong

Dust off your flares and warm up your singing voice, as a night of disco classics is coming to Myrniong this August.

SOS: The Australian ABBA Tribute Show has been dazzling audiences since 2011, bringing the music of one of the world’s most beloved pop groups to places all over Australia, and they’re set to bring their electric performance to St Anne’s Vineyards on Saturday 22 August.

Fans can relive the magic of Agnetha, Frida, Benny and Björn as SOS performs ABBA’s greatest hits in a spectacular live production featuring authentic costumes, choreography and a high-energy band.

The audience will have the chance to sing along to timeless favourites including Dancing Queen, Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!, Waterloo, and The Winner Takes It All, as the winery is transformed into a celebration of the Swedish supergroup’s enduring legacy.

“OurfavouriteABBAsongatthemoment is As Good As New,” band manager Sam Bennett said. “However there is always something truly special when audiences hear that first glissando of Dancing Queen, and the room just aligns. It’s pure magic.”

Promising a night of 70s and 80s nostalgia, the event is an opportunity for ABBAfansoldandnewtoenjoyanevening of music, food and drinks with friends.

“We see an incredibly diverse age range at our shows,” Bennett said.

“ABBA is truly multi-generational, and it isanabsolutejoytoseeawholeroomcome alive.”

Guests are encouraged to arrive early, grab a drink from the bar and enjoy a bite to eat before settling in for the show.

Doorsopenat5pm,withtheperformance scheduled to run from approximately 7 to 9.30pm.

Tickets are $25 per person and include reserved seating with your group, making it easy to gather a crew and enjoy the evening together.

With ABBA’s biggest hits on the setlist, SOS promises to be a fun-filled night of singing, dancing and nostalgia for fans looking to relive the golden era of disco-pop.

“This is our second time performing at St Anne’s Winery. Last time was incredible so we expect nothing but an electric dancefloor this year!” Bennett said.

Details: https://welcometomoorabool. com/events-bacchusmarsh-ballangordon-blackwood-greendale/sos-abbatribute-at-st-annes-winery-myrniong.

Contemporary, prog-rock opera After-Light will glow

Excitement is building for opening night of the original, contemporary, prog-rock opera After-Light, to be presented by the Mount Players for the first time on stage in its complete form.

Mount Players president Craig Lenaine-Smith and other committee members saw a scaled-down version of After-Light at the 2024 Melbourne Fringe Festival but, after speaking with composer Zac Vanstone and creator and musical director Tom Foster, it was decided Macedon’s Mountview Theatre should be the place for the duo to launch the show’s

full production.

After-Light is guaranteed to be a production full of excitement, provocation and entertainment. A seven-piece rock band will perform live on stage, in full view of the audience, as singers tell the story of Boy as he struggles through his past mistakes, exorcising his demons in a journey of self-discovery and ultimately redemption.

Penned during COVID, Vanstone said the 18-plus production explored some darker themes.

“This is a show about learning how to let

Show pays tribute to the King

A new show at Wyndham Cultural Centre is sure to delight fans of the King of rock ’n’ roll.

The Watton Street centre will host Elvis Tribute show, Elvis to the Extreme, on Sunday 16 August, from 4-5.50pm.

Celebratingthemusic,highenergy and charisma of Elvis Presley, the performancepromisestocapturethe magic and power of Elvis Presley’s iconic Vegas years.

Starring Marcus Jackson, a five-time, multi-award winning Elvis tribute artist recognised by Elvis Presley Enterprises, this electrifying production features the ETS Band, The BellaTones, and glamourous Vegas showgirls.

Elvis to the Extreme is more than a tribute, its high energy afternoon celebrating the King’s greatest performances, designed to thrill, move and captivate audiences of all ages.

Whether you’re a lifelong Elvis fan or simply love great live music, the show offers something for everyone.

Come along and sing along to favourite tunes, reminisce about the golden age of rock and roll, and enjoy an entertaining afternoon celebrating one of music’s most enduring stars.

Get ready to put on your blue suede shoes and enjoy an afternoon of classic hits and unforgettable entertainment.

The show runs for 110 minutes including an interval.

Tickets are $50 full price and $45 concession.

Details: www.wyndham.vic.gov. au/whats-on/elvis-extreme

go,” Vanstone said.

“Following the break-up between Boy and Girl, Boy falls into a life-threatening coma. In order for Boy to wake, he must forgive the past, reconcile with the future and learn to let go of Girl,” he said.

“If Boy fails, his intrusive thoughts of addiction, paranoia and depression will consume his soul.”

The season of After-Light runs from 14 August to 30 August at the Mountview Theatre, Smith Street, Macedon. Bookings at www.themountplayers.com or 0419 329 052.

SPORTS QUIZ

1. Which player scored the goal that won Spain the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

2. How many seasons did Brodie Grundy play for Collingwood in the AFL?

3. For which FIFA World Cup did Shakira release the hit song Waka Waka (ThisTimeforAfrica)?

4. Which former Fitzroy and Geelong player was announced as the inaugural coach of the AFL's Tasmania Devils?

What number has Taj Gibson worn playing for six different NBA teams including the Grizzlies, Pistons and Knicks?

Which player was awarded the Golden Boot for scoring the most goals during the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

Teams including the Heights, Hunters and Firebells will play what sport in the US's planned WPBL?

Which nonalcoholic mixed beverage of iced tea and lemonade is named after a US golf professional?

How many times has Spain's men's national soccer team won the FIFA World Cup?

10. Australia's women's national baseball team is known by what nickname?

11. What year did Spain's national women's soccer team win the FIFA Women's World Cup?

12. What is the boxing term for a right-handed fighter?

13. Chinese Taipei and the US are set to host which international baseball competition in 2027?

14. In 2024, Ariarne Titmus set a world record in the 200m event of which swimming stroke?

15. What kind of sports commonly use terms such as fartlek, bonking and negative splits?

16. Which other nation faced off against Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final?

17. And how many goals were scored in that match?

18. In tennis, which surface is considered fastest: a) clay, b) grass or c) hard courts?

19. In support of Jai Arrow, many athletes across multiple sports have celebrated scoring with what gesture?

20. In F1 racing, what does a HANS device stand for?

21. St Louis’ NHL team shares its nickname with which AFL team?

22. Who is the current captain of the Australian men’s T20 cricket team?

23. In which year did skateboarding first appear at the Olympics?

24. What is another name for the white ball in pool or billiards?

25. Cameron Bernasconi is the coach of which AFLW team?

26. In standard darts, which score does each player start with?

27. What was the name of the bowling team originally featuring Homer, Moe, Apu and Otto in TheSimpsons?

28. Which sport features in the film FightingWith MyFamily?

29. How many seconds is the shot clock in a game of basketball?

30. The Cleveland Guardians play in which league?

Super hybrid ticks the boxes

By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring

It’s more than three years since we first drove what was then called the MG HS +EV, or plug-in hybrid as they have come to be known.

And haven’t things changed in this time? Not only has the car grown in size, so has the battery and projected, electric-only drivingrange.

Now in its second generation, the HS has emerged from its cocoon, spread its wings andbecomeafully-fledged’SuperHybrid’–it’samuchmoreenticingproposition.

Styling

There are two grades from which to choose, ExciteandEssence.

Prices start from $42,990 for the Excite and $46,900 for the Essence – both prices driveaway.

Our test vehicle, Essence, was finished in Arctic Blue Metallic, with Classic Tan interiortrim–theyadd$700apiece.

Standard kit includes cloth trim and autoairconditioningwithrearoutlets,along with 18-inch alloys, keyless entry and start, LED lights front and back, power-adjust driver seat, head-up display, auto high beam, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, auto lights and wipers, rear parkingsensorsandsix-speakeraudio.

Essence adds larger 19-inch alloys, artificial leather, dual zone climate air, electric tailgate, panoramic sunroof, front parking sensors, eight-speaker audio, 360-degree camera and wireless phone charging.

There’s also heated front seats, power adjustment for the front passenger seat, driver seat memory, power lumbar adjustment, auto folding heated door mirrors, front parking sensors, rear privacy glass,anddoormirrormemory.

HS is covered by a 10-year, 250,000km warranty, provided the car is serviced by MG,otherwiseitrevertsthestandardsevenyear/200,000km.

Thehigh-voltagebatteryiscoveredforthe sameperiod,butforonly150,000km.

Each service must be performed within thespecifiedtimeorkilometrewindow.

Infotainment

Infotainment consists of a combined 12.3-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch instrument panel, together with Bluetooth, voice control, built-in navigation, AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio, wireless CarPlay andAndroidAuto,andeight-speakeraudio. There’s also wireless phone charging,

with two USB-C ports front and back, plus a 12-volt outlet in the front, with iSmart connected services that comes with 12-monthcomplimentaryaccess.

Safety

The MG HS has been awarded a full five starsforsafetywithsevenairbagsincluding a centre airbag to provide added protection for front seat occupants in side impact crashes.

The MG Pilot Safety Suite includes autonomous emergency braking (car-to-car, vulnerable road user, junction and crossing, backover and head-on) as wellasalanesupportsystemwithlanekeep assist(LKA),lanedeparturewarning(LDW) and emergency lane keeping (ELK), and an advanced speed assistance system (SAS) withaspeedsignrecognition.

There’s also blind spot detection, door opening warning, rear cross traffic alert, drive monitor system, unsteady driver warning,andtrafficjamassist.

Engines/transmissions

A 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine is paired with two electric motors;onetodrivethewheels,theotherto rechargethebatterywhennecessary.

Drive is to the front wheels through a dedicated,one-speedhybridtransmission.

Combined output is 220kW of power and 350Nmoftorque,withtheswitchfrompetrol toelectricpoweralmostimperceptiblemost ofthetime.

Driving

In Arctic Blue the HS really stands out. Otherwise, the styling is almost generic for thissectionofthemarket,apartthatisfrom thesidesteps.

They are not quite high enough or wide enoughtobepractical,buttheydoenhance thelookofthecar.

Even the kids commented how difficult theyweretouse.

Wider and longer than its predecessor, the second-generation HS offers generous head and legroom front and back, with a good-sizedluggagearea.

With the rear seats in use, it offers 507 litresofspace,withtheseatsfoldedtheboot expands to an impressive 1484 litres. Not so generous is centre storage for loose items, with much of the space given over to two cupholdersandwirelesschargingpad.

The doors are adorned in a fancy, quilted design, but closer inspection reveals they areinfactplastic–asismuchoftheinterior trim.Thedoorbinsareabletoaccommodate largersportsbottles.

ThehybridsystemintheHSSuperHybrid is underpinned by a 24.7 kWh battery pack, 23.2 kWh of which is usable. The previous modeloffered16.6kWh.

You can switch manually between hybrid and electric modes, but not easily, and we were inclined to let the system do its thing –mostdriverswill.

The dash from 0-100km/h takes 6.8 seconds.

Interestingly, although there is sport mode, there is no Eco mode to achieve minimum fuel consumption and no option tochangegearsmanually.

An indicator light and graphical interface reveal what mode the transmission is operating in, while the switch to fully-electric mode seems to depend on several factors – not just speed or throttle input(althoughbothplayapart).

Atonepointwelookeddowntofindthecar in EV mode travelling at a speed of 90km/h

onadownhillsectionofthemotorway.

During our week with the car we clocked up more than 1000km and can report the HS is a surprisingly easy and comfortable vehicletodrive,andifthebatteryischarged frequently–itusesverylittlefuel.

For a vehicle that has not been tuned for our poor Australian roads, ride quality is quitegood.

Grip from Bridgestone Alenza tyres is above average and pressed hard the wagon doesn’tmisbehave.

The brakes bite hard in an emergency stoppingscenario.

With a 55-litre tank, the HS takes premium 95 unleaded, with claimed fuel useof0.7L/100kmandenergyconsumption of18.0kWh/100km.

We charged the car three times using the supplied granny charger, averaging 3.4L/100km and 6.9 kWh/100km – with 230kmofpetrolremainingonreturn.

The battery in the HS can be charged at a rate of up 6.6kW using an AC charger which we’re told takes about four hours. It cannot be charged from a commercial DC fast charger.

Each time we charged the car with the granny charger however, the system told us itwouldtakemorethan13hours.Ofnotewe were surprised to find the supplied charger workedwithanextensionlead(thisisafirst forus).

We were also pleasantly surprised to find the dreaded Chinese driver warnings are notasDraconianinthisparticularcar.

But over the speed limit warnings are constant and annoying, and the system seems to have a problem differentiating betweenpostedspeedlimits.

Corners, roundabouts and carparks involveabitofguessworkbecausethefront roof pillars and large exterior mirrors block vision.

The rear-view camera was also distorted anddifficulttouse.

Summing up

We like it. It’s not perfect, but then no car everis.

Where the HS does excel is being a Super Hybrid,withultra-lowfuelconsumption and a range of more than 1000km, provided you recharge the battery at every opportunity.

With an electric-only range of 120km, the urbancommuteisverydoabletoo.

It’s easy to see why the popularity of plug-in hybrids is increasing exponentially –especiallyatthesekindsofprices.

Slow start proves costly

By Tara Murray

A poor start proved costly for the City West Falcons in their Victorian Netball League qualifying final on Wednesday.

Facing the Hawks, who have been the best team all season, the Falcons had a task on their hands.

Despite beating the Hawks the last time the two teams played, it was the Hawks that went in as favourites.

The Hawks led 22-15 at quarter time and by 12 goals at half time.

While the Falcons won the second half, the damage had already been done with the Hawks winning, 77-68.

Falcons’ coach Marg Lind said defensively they weren’t where they needed to be.

“We got off to a terrible start and defen-

sively, we were poor,” she said.

“We could not turn the ball over and then when you’re in that position, you can’t make errors and we did.

“That was the score in the end, what we gave them in the first quarter.”

Lind said she thought the Hawks did well offensively, but they went away from what their plan was.

She said the second half was better and they were a bit more patient.

They tried some different things and combinations to try and get things going.

“I thought we were a bit more patient and defensively we strategised a bit better and we problem solved,” she said.

“We ran some things we talked about running and didn’t commit to in the first half. I thought Lauren [Hucker] was a bit

more aggressive and able to do a bit more in defence.

“We put Maggie [Lind] into the centre so see if we could get a bit more, to try and get the defensive ending going as she’s a good leader and to get them talking.”

Jane Cook finished with 66 goals for the Falcons.

The Falcons get a second chance and will

Rising shooting star Young has an eagle eye

By Peter Howe

At just 16, this month’s Don Deeble nominee Darcee Young has already had the honour of representing her country on an international stage in Germany and Austria.

Young is an Olympic air rifle and .22 calibre 3P shooter and has been involved in the sport since she was eight.

It’s a family affair with her dad Shane and mum Kimberley and her two older siblings all having gained their shooters licences, just to help transport Young to and from training and to competitions, as minors need fully licensed adults to accompany them by law.

Young’s journey began when she was in grade 3.

“My family managed ski lodges at Mount Hotham for the winter and I attended school at Dinner Plain and Thursday sport was biathlon - cross country skiing and laser target rifles,” she said.

“The students were trained by the Italian Olympic coach based there for the winter with the Australian Biathlon team.

“I had little legs, so skiing was never my strength, so shooting it was.

“I tried dancing and swimming but my passion is shooting.”

After joining a small regional shooting club and participating in her school’s clay target program, Young was approached by the Victorian state rifle coach to come and try the Olympic disciplines of air rifle and 3P.

This is where Young found her niche and the family made the move to Melbourne in 2025 from East Gippsland, after a six-hour round trip every weekend to train became

too much.

She now trains at the Melbourne International Shooting Centre in Port Melbourne five times a week and attends the Maribyrnong Sports Academy.

“Going to school at MSA allows me to complete my strength and conditioning sessions at school and as well I have an external osteopath and my coach,” Young said.

“This sport requires you to hold a heavy rifle for a long time so the support from everyone is crucial.

“I hold my 5.5 kilogram air rifle in a standing position and aim for a bullseye the size of a tip of a ballpoint pen from 10 metres away with no telescopic sights.

“When shooting my .22 rifle I do so in three positions, standing, kneeling and laying prone on the ground. The target centre is the diameter of a five cent coin 50 metres away.”

Young travels interstate to competitions up to ten times a year.

Her shooting kit weighs 60 kilograms aloe.

Young’s air rifle is affectionately known as Frank.

now face the Bendigo Strikers in a knockout semi final on this Wednesday night.

Lind said they would be tougher again with Charlotte Sexton having an impact since returning to the Strikers side.

The Falcons 23 and under side kept its season alive with a 65-61 elimination final win.

Lind said it was pleasing for them to get the win in the end after it was tight all game. She said Molly Moylan was steady in goal attack with 30 goals, while Ella Leith and Manon Muir were both good in defence.

The Falcons will face Melbourne University Lightning in a knockout semi final as well.

Lind said that Tully Bethune would likely be available for selection after missing the elimination final through injury.

Falcons lose again

The rough patch for Wyndhamvale has continued as it dropped its third straight game in the Western Football League division 2 season.

The Falcons had been undefeated until three games ago before losing to the other two sides in the top three, North and West Footscray in back-to-back weeks.

On Saturday, it became three losses in a row as the Falcons lost to Braybrook.

The Falcons led at each of the breaks with the margin 11 points heading into the final quarter.

Braybrook kicked three goals to one in the final quarter to run over the top and come away with an 8.7 (55)-7.12 (54) win.

Isaac Fulton-Grover kicked three goals for the Falcons.

Riley Evans, Lewis Stanton and Rhyland Burgoyne were named their best.

The loss sees the Falcons slip to third on the ladder.

“I am only five feet tall and a standard rifle doesn’t work for my height,” she said. “We had to source parts worldwide to build a rifle to suit me.

“Even my .22 calibre rifle (known as Gru) was imported from Switzerland and designed for me.”

In 2025, Young competed at her first international competition. Traditionally a shooter’s scores can drop by 20 points,hers only dropped by 10.

She said you are taken out of your comfort zone.

“In the warm up area there are hundreds of athletes all talking different languages, but all with a common purpose,” she said.

“I kept telling myself to stay calm, don’t spiral, do what you can do and stay in control.”

Young holds 12 state records.

She is currently focusing on making the national development team and her longer goal to compete in the Junior World Cup and then World Championships.

Her pinnacle is to represent Australia in Brisbane 2032.

“Shooting challenges you on so many levels,” she said.

“There are always so many little things to get right to make that perfect shot.

“I am not daunted by the challenges; I want to meet them head on.”

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

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

In other matches, the Suns and Tarneit both suffered losses.

The Suns trailed all day against ladder leaders North Footscray.

A four goal to one second quarter would prove the difference in the 10.12 (72)-7.9 (51) loss.

The Suns are now six points outside the top five.

The Titans were left to rue a slow start against Sunshine Heights.

The Dragons led 41-0 at quarter time to set the tempo.

Tarneit managed to reduce the margin to four points at the final change, before the Dragons finished with eight goals in the final quarter to win, 20.9 (129)-12.8 (80).

Samuel Roberts kicked three goals for the Titans.

He was named among the best with Micheal Naawi and Jye Manic.

Meanwhile, the Titans announced during the week that James Foord had been reappointed as coach.

“Foordy quickly established himself as an organised coach with impressive football IQ and an unmatched knowledge in high-performance,” the Titans said on social media.

“Two wins and some impressive team performances in recent times show that the Titan stocks are rising under the great man.”

Wyndham’s finals win

By Tara Murray

Wyndham kept its Big V youth league 2 women’s season alive, with a first up finals win on Saturday.

Having finished the regular season in fifth, Wyndham faced the Hawthorn Magic in a knockout semi final on Saturday night.

After three quarters, Wyndham led by three points with the game either side’s for the taking.

A 17-4 final quarter from Wyndham sealed a massive 63-47 win.

Coach Renee Dayao said it was an incredible moment for the group.

“Incredibly proud of this group after another hard-earned finals win,” she said.

“For many of these girls, it was their first taste of finals basketball, but they stayed composed, made the right adjustments, and

finished with a dominant fourth quarter, holding Hawthorn to just four points while scoring 17.

“A huge thank you to the Wyndham faithful who made the trip to Hawthorn.”

Kiana Dayao scored 21 points for Wyndham, while also having five rebounds, two assists, three steals and a block.

Alana Poulton had 14 points and 15 rebounds, along with two steals.

The winner of Wyndham and the Collingwood All Stars will win through to the grand final.

Wyndham’s women’s side also had a win on Saturday night, beating the Craigieburn Eagles, 84-54.

Ahriahna Grizzle top scored with 37 points, while also having four rebounds and four steals.

Coach Matt Stephens said it was a really

well rounded team effort led by the massive scoring effort from Grizzle.

“I could not fault the team on any fronts.”

Wyndham will finish its season against the Collingwood All Stars and Camberwell Dragons this coming weekend.

Meanwhile in the championship men’s division, Wyndham had a 113-91 loss to the Camberwell Dragons.

Wyndham trailed 33-16 at quarter time

Centurions bounce back

By Tara Murray

Werribee Centrals started to show some of the form that has it sitting top of the ladder in the Geelong and District Football League.

After winning their first 11 games, the Centurions had lost their last three games and come back to the pack.

On Saturday, it was just about getting the points against Thomson, which they were able to do in an 11.23 (89)-10.9 (69) win.

Centurions’ coach Rhyce Prismall said it was nice to just get back on the winners list.

“The first loss was a tight one and we played two and half quarters of footy and lost by a kick,” he said.

“It was pretty evident that we had players out and our depth was tested a little bit.

“Fairness to North Geelong and Bannockburn they were good against us but we were poor and well beaten.

“Having lost three in a row we just had to find a way to win.”

Prismall said they got some players back on the weekend and could have as many as

six more available this coming week.

He said they would have pressure on for spots for the first time this year which is a pleasing sign for the club and where it’s at.

Prismall said they had a few players out of form entering the match with Thomson and a few low on confidence after the three losses.

He said the biggest challenge was mentally and they showed some good signs in the second half.

“Looking on paper we were the better side,” he said.

“They had some good players at the top end and we had to nullify those players.

Joshua Camm kicked five goals and Devon Smith played AFL.

“We were able to nullify thor impact and do what we do really well as a group in the second half

Prismall said their inability to convert their chances in front of goal meant the scoreboard didn’t reflect their control in the second half.

Carmelo Saliba kicked three goals for the

and never recovered.

Assistant coach Peter Muscat said for a second straight week they gave the opposition a jump in the first half.

“We gave Camberwell too much of a head start, and chasing the game from that point made it difficult to regain control,” he said.

“Our transition defence wasn’t where it needed to be, and we couldn’t string together the defensive stops required to shift the momentum back in our favour.”

Malik Miller had 28 points, six rebounds and one assist, while Supreme Cook had 17 points and seven rebounds.

With other results, it means that Wyndham will finish bottom.

The championship men’s side has a bye this weekend before finishing off their season the following weekend against Warrandyte Venom and RMIT University.

Sports shorts

VTCA

Point Cook Centrals have signed another former junior as it aims to improve on last season in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Roy Picone Shield. Josh Cowell will return to the club where he started his cricket career. “A former Point Cook Centrals junior, Josh returns home as an exciting, hard-hitting batsman who has developed into a genuine match-winner,” the Sharks said on social media. “With an attacking style of play and the ability to take the game away from the opposition in a matter of overs, Josh brings power, confidence, and excitement to our batting line-up. Having come through our junior ranks, Josh understands what it means to wear the blue.”

VAFA

It was a tough day for the Westbourne Grammarians on Saturday in the Victorian Amatuer Football Association women’s premier competition. Old Geelong dominated from start to finish as it won, 6.9 (45)-1.2 (8). Sarah Dickie, Mia Graf and Olivia Cavka were named the Grammarians best. The Grammarians faced Fitzroy in the next round.

VPL

Centurions, while three other players kicked two goals each.

Michael Culliver, Aaron Stone and Tate Camilleri were named the Centurions best.

The Centurions remain on top of the ladder, percentage ahead of Winchelsea.

Primsall said Winchelsea had the easier draw in the run home and expected them to claim the minor premiership.

He said they were aiming to lock in second spot and the double chance as they face three of the top five in the next three weeks.

The Centurions face Bell Post this Saturday.

In the A-grade netball, the Centurions lost to Thomson, 52-29.

After leading by three goals at quarter time, the Centurions were kept goal less in the second quarter.

The damage was done with Thomson going on to have a big win.

Alual Garang, Steph Kearney and Julia Nash were named the Centurions best.

The Centurions sit ninth on the ladder with three wins for the season.

Werribee City had to come from behind to share the points in the Victorian Premier League 2 competition on Saturday. It seemed dire for the Bees early in the clash with Moreland City as they trailed 4-0 at half time. The Bees fought their way back into the game and reduced the margin to one goal heading into injury time. In 93rd minute, the Bees scored through Stephen Appiah to level the scores at 4-4. The Bees sit 11th on the ladder, with five wins.

Talent League

Western Jets’ Billy Wigmore and Jake Miller were both named in the under-18 boys all-Australian team following that national championships. Wigmore was named in the back pocket, while Miller was named at centre half forward. The pair played key roles as Vic Metro went through the carnival undefeated. The Western Jets had a bye on the weekend.

FOR MORE SPORT VISIT

Web: starweekly.com.au

Wyndham Star Weekly

@starweeklysport

@star_weekly

Pavlidis’ special milestone

By Tara Murray

Jaelen Pavlidis grew up around the changerooms of the Werribee Football Club.

His father John Pavlidis spent five years as a player before being a runner, welfare manager and recruiting manager for the club.

It meant that Jaelen spent many hours at the club.

He returned in 2024, this time as a player himself, having started his Victorian Football League career at the GSW Giants.

On Saturday against the Footscray Bulldogs, Pavlidis will play his 50th game for the club.

“I’m stoked to be honest,” he said. “It has gone pretty quick over the last couple of years and I’m looking forward to it.

“I did kind of think this is where I would finish my career, however long that be.

“I’m just taking every game as it comes and going from there.”

Pavlidis said playing 50 games for his local VFL club was special.

He played his junior football at Werribee Districts and was the Western Jets captain growing up.

“We just had our past players’ day, bringingbackmemoriesfromthosetimes,” he said of being at the club as a child.

“Seeing a few older boys like Dom Gleeson, and Jarrod Mather, who I used to run around with as a little tacker, it was pretty special.”

Pavlidissaidthefamilyconnectionmade it all the more special to play 50 games for the club.

“Dad doesn’t give much away,” he said. “He’s obviously stoked as well as mum, she’s rode all the highs and lows.

“They’d be pretty proud I would say.

“I’m not quite sure of the number of games [dad] played, I know I have him covered in senior games, but he was there three or four years and racked up quite a few reserves games.”

The family connection has continued with Jaelen’s younger brother Rani, a train on player with the Tigers this season.

He said getting to play a VFL game with his brother would be massive. The pair played a practice match together.

“It has been good love having Rani down there and I try and teach him and get him to learn as much as possible so when his time comes, he is well prepared,” Jaelen said about his brother.

“It’s been a great experience just seeing him develop and having him down there

“We grew up playing together in the backyard and always watching him play, whenever I could get down and vice-versa “It would be a massive milestone not only for myself , but for my mum and dad as well [playing together].”

Having played 18 games with the Giants before joining Werribee, there’s one big major milestone that stands out, the 2024 premiership.

Pavlidis was in his first season at

Werribee and played a major role in that breakthrough.

“That was such an amazing year that 2024 year, hopefully go on and achieve something similar this year,” he said.

Sitting second on the ladder and on an eight game winning streak, Pavlidis said they felt like they were building something special again.

“Coming into this year Kyle Hartigan, the footy manager, recruited quite well,” he said.

“Theskywasdefinitelythelimitforus.To wineightinarow,weprobablydidn’tthink that was on the cards.

“We’re talking every game in our stride week by week, see what happens.

“After 7-8 wins in a row, the belief is definitely there. We’ll keep taking it week by week and see where it takes us.”

TheTigershadabyeontheweekendwith Pavlidis saying it had come at a good time.

The side will be back in action on Saturday at 12.05pm against Footscray, with North Melbourne Werribee and the Western Bulldogs playing a VFLW match following at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval.

TIPPING 2026