WEDNESDAY, 19 AUGUST, 2026
Try trugo at open day The Footscray Trugo Club has had a big year. Not only did the club move into its new pavilion at the end of March, but 2026 is also its 100th birthday. So what better year for locals who’ve long heard about this unique game that’s native to the western suburbs but never played it to head down to the Footscray Trugo Club and give it a try? And what better time in this, the club’s centenary year, to do so than at its annual open day on Sunday 30 August? Held at the club’s headquarters on Buckley Street from 11am-3pm, the open day will offer newcomers the chance to have a “tonk” for the first time and for more experienced players to challenge their family and friends to a trugo shoot-out. The club will be running teaching sessions and games on the day as well as a barbecue. Entry is free. For more information: footscraytrugo@gmail.com Victorian Trugo Association president Paul Thomas (left) with Footscray Trugo Club members Michele Mercier, Jon Ellis and Stuart Lucca-Pope ahead of the club’s open day on 30 August. (Damjan Janevski) 570601_01
Traffic mall call By Cade Lucas Footscray MP Katie Hall has floated the idea of reopening the Nicholson Street Mall to traffic in an effort to revitalise the area and improve public safety. Following a spate of violent incidents in the mall last week, including the Maribyrnong mayor and chief executive being threatened with a knife, Ms Hall has written to council asking it to investigate the possible reintroduction of traffic. The section of Nicholson Street between Paisley and Barkly streets has been closed to vehicles since the creation of the
mall, the fi rst of its type in the country, in 1971. In the letter, Ms Hall said the mall was created for the retail environment of the early 1970’s, which the development of shopping centres like Highpoint and the more recent move to online shopping, had made obsolete. “Nicholson Street Mall is not generating the level of activity, visitation and business investment needed to support a thriving central Footscray,” Ms Hall said, adding that despite the best efforts of traders, council, the state government and police, the problem of violent and anti-social behaviour in the mall remained.
“I believe it’s time to consider a different approach,” she said in asking council to investigate if reopening the mall, along with the northern end of Albert Street, between Paisley and Barkly streets, would improve the area. In response, Maribyrnong mayor Mohamed Semra said the reintroduction of traffic to Nicholson Street was one of a number of options being assessed as part of the Footscray Structure Plan project currently underway, “Once the feasibility of the various options has been assessed, council will undertake community engagement before considering the fi ndings and determining
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a preferred approach,“ Cr Semra said. However, one of Cr Semra’s predecessor’s as mayor, Fred Maddern, slammed the idea of reopening the mall to traffic. “It would be a retrograde step,“ Mr Maddern, who was Footscray mayor when the mall was created, said. “It’s conceding defeat.” While acknowledging that the Footscray CBD was in a “terrible state,” Mr Maddern said council should consider moving into the mall itself. “If they take over a shop in the mall to provide council services, it would provide a greater visible safety presence,” he said.