Star Weekly - Brimbank North West - 1st September 2026 by Star News Group

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1 SEPTEMBER, 2026

Litter blitz across the west Community members gathered recently to clean-up Steele Creek as part of the broader Maribyrnong River Litter Blitz campaign. Spearheaded by the Maribyrnong River & Waterways Association (MRWA) the campaign aims to remove litter before it reaches local waterways. According to MRWA, litter dropped or dumped across the catchment can ultimately make its way into local waterways, where it can harm wildlife, affect water quality and detract from the places communities use and enjoy. The Litter Blitz works in partnership with local councils, community organisations, businesses, schools and residents to support clean-up activities in their own neighbourhoods. “Litter is a shared community issue, and there are real opportunities when councils, businesses, community groups and residents work together,” Litter Blitz leader Lisa Field said. Anyone interested in joining the Litter Blitz team or organising a local clean-up can contact Lisa on 0433 559 530 or email litter@maribyrnongriver.org.au. Environmental clean up at Steele Creek. (Damjan Janevski) 574172_01

Club’s pitch push By Sebastian Conidi The Western Suburbs Soccer Club (WSSC) has launched a petition calling on Brimbank council to provide access to a second soccer ground, as interest in the sport booms in the west. The club claims its current ground cannot adequately accommodate its 11 teams, forcing it to turn down opportunities and leaving young players without enough room to train and play. “All we’re asking for is access to one more,” a club spokesperson said. “Our current facilities are insufficient for the growing number of keen youngsters

who come to train every week.” The club has launched the petition calling for access to a second soccer pitch, arguing additional space would not only support its growing player base but strengthen community connections and give young athletes room to develop. “We believe we deserve it. We’re one of the oldest clubs in the municipality with a longstanding history. We provide an important service to the community.” WSSC currently competes in the Victorian State League Division 1 North-West and has previously competed in the Victorian Premier’s League. “The need for additional space is not

merely about expanding a club; it’s about nurturing our future community leaders and fostering healthy lifestyles,” the petition states. “In providing a second training ground, the council will be affirming its commitment to supporting youth development programs and promoting an active, engaged community. This action will show that the council values its young residents and invests in their future.” Brimbank acting director of community wellbeing Georgie Hill said soccer participation in Brimbank – among the highest in Victoria – has resulted in an extremely high demand for local soccer

facilities. “We have been in regular contact with Western Suburbs Soccer Club officials over the years and have previously provided access to additional training spaces at Lloyd Reserve and Bon Thomas Reserve,” she said. “We are always open to working with the club and any other sporting club within Brimbank about how we may be able to best support their needs with the existing facilities we have available for use.” The petition, titled ‘Urge Brimbank to support local youth and sports development,’ can be found on change.org

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West election priorities By Cade Lucas Councils representing Melbourne’s western suburbs are demanding more infrastructure investment, a dedicated precincts plan, and a housing strategy for the region as part of a list of priorities they’ve released ahead of November’s state election. The West of Melbourne Economic Development Alliance (WoMEDA) is a body representing the Maribyrnong, Hobsons Bay, Brimbank, Wyndham, and Melton local government areas that are currently home to almost one million residents. With the election less than 100 days away, WoMEDA last week released its list

of immediate priorities that it wants addressed, regardless of who forms government after the 28 November poll. Chief among them are infrastructure projects such as expediting construction of the Melbourne Airport Rail Link and the electrification of the Melton train line, as well as the reallocation of V/Line trains to boost services on the Wyndham Vale line and a redesigned bus network with significantly more services. While applauding major infrastructure investments in the west such as the recently opened Metro Tunnel and the Westgate Tunnel, WoMEDA chair, Professor Peter Dawkins, said more was still needed.

“However, further major investment in rail and bus connections must continue, especially in the outer west, where road congestion is reaching an unsustainable level,” Professor Dawkins said. WoMEDA executive director Giulia Baggio agreed, arguing that with the region’s population estimated to almost double to 1.8 million by mid-century, infrastructure investment had to keep up. “This booming population will become the foundation of Victoria’s future economic strength if we can lock in the next stage of critical infrastructure,” Ms Baggio said. “For major industries currently ex-

panding across the west, it would spur productivity and employment growth and connect our communities to local jobs and services.” To further this aim, the WoMEDA also wants a precincts plan for Melbourne’s west that would stimulate private and public investment in specific areas such as Footscray, Sunshine and East Werribee. The alliance also wants a housing strategy developed for the whole region to help meet the state’s housing targets, while demanding more tertiary education options for students in Wyndham as well. WoMEDA’s election priorities can be found at: https://www.womeda.com.au/

Council advocates for stronger gambling reform

Mr Chaviaras and his team pulled together to reopen the gym. (Supplied).

Taylors Lakes gym rises from the ashes Genesis Health + Fitness Taylors Lakes has reopened after it was set alight in August under circumstances police have deemed suspicious. On August 4, two masked offenders broke into the business and warned two staff on duty to leave before setting the building alight. A cleaner upstairs at the time was also able to escape uninjured. Since then the business has undergone significant renovation and is now back to relatively normal operation. Co-owner Chris Chaviaras said that whilst he is relieved that the gym is oper-

ating, he harbours mixed emotions. “It still hasn’t hit me,” Mr Chaviaras said. “We completely renovated 80 per cent of the gym in two weeks.“ Mr Chaviaras said he was initially skeptical of how fast the business would recover. “Looking at it when we first walked in, I thought we’d be closed for months. Once the dust settled after a day or so we started planning it. Not all the equipment was heavily damaged. We were lucky the fire only lasted a few minutes.”

Mr Chaviaras said that although he’s still reeling from the suspected arson attack, he is proud of what the team has achieved in such a short time. “It was a shock when it happened. We worked day and night to open it. But we’re just proud of what we’ve done.” The business has engaged after hours security to make members feel safe and comfortable. The investigation into the fire remains ongoing. Contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or anonymously at http:// www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Tin shed to host RUOK day offering community connection The St Albans Tin Shed is inviting community members to come together, connect, and check in on each other for RUOK day this month. On Thursday 10 September, from 11am to 1 pm, the community hub will host a special gathering with the theme ‘Say Hello, Stay a While’. The event is designed to remind locals that no one has to go through difficult times alone. Those connected with the Tin Shed be-

lieve community is about more than just being in the same space, but rather creating a space where people feel welcomed, connected and supported. RUOK day is a national day of action dedicated to reminding people to check in with those around them. It is focused on starting meaningful conversations, listening without judgment, and letting friends, family, and neighbours know they are supported. The event is being supported by IPC

4 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 1 September, 2026

Health, a large, not-for-profit community health provider in the west that offers affordable medical, dental, and wellbeing services. The partnership is part of the ongoing Spotlight on Health series, which aims to bring vital health resources and community-building opportunities directly to local residents. Organisers encourage everyone to drop by, have a chat, and enjoy friendly company. Whether you can stay for a few minutes or the entire two hours, everyone is welcome.

Brimbank council will advocate for tougher gambling reforms at a state level, mayor Virginia Tachos announced. “Brimbank is home to the state’s highest gambling losses for over a decade,” Cr Tachos said. According to Cr Tachos, locals lost a total of $1.36 billion from electronic gaming machines (EGM) between July 2014 and July 2024. “Reducing gambling harm in Brimbank is one of council’s key advocacy priorities because we know the wide ranging effects it has in contributing to financial stress, relationship breakdowns, family violence, housing insecurity, homelessness, social isolation and mental health challenges,” she said. The Alliance for Gambling Reform (AGR) – of which Brimbank council is a member – recently issued a statement declaring gambling harm a public health crisis and called on the state government to do more. According to AGR, the state government committed to mandatory carded play in 2023 – a system that made every pokie machine user set a loss limit before gambling. After trials across 43 venues, the limit was made optional. In addition to making this feature mandatory, AGR are also calling for a statewide mandatory shutdown of gambling venues from 10am to midnight. Brimbank council is advocating for these reforms in support of AGR. Council is also backing further reforms including reducing daily EFTPOS withdrawal from $500 to $200 and a reduction of the number of EGM’s in Brimbank over time “While council has no power to regulate gambling, we have consistently called for stronger gambling reforms,” Cr Tachos said. “We expect both the federal and state governments to deliver stronger gambling protections and we will continue to hold them accountable until real change is delivered.” The state government has acknowledged the impact of gambling and said it is committed to tackling the issue. “Gambling harm doesn’t just impact the person playing - it has consequences for everyone, which is why we’ve already introduced nation-leading reforms that put control back in the hands of Victorians,” a state government spokesperson said. “We’ve capped machine numbers until 2042, slashed load-up limits from $1,000 to $100, and trialled mandatory carded play to back safer gambling.”

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THE WEST DESERVES BETTER

‘Street over station’: Police As part of an ongoing series on the causes and solutions to crime in the west, Jack O’Shea-

Police on the beat

Ayres spoke with Victoria

Maribyrnong, Hobsons Bay and Wyndham:

Police about how resources are

As at June 2026 Full time equivalent of 508.58 police officers

allocated in the west. Almost 60 police officers have disappeared from the ranks across Melbourne’s west in just 12 months. Maribyrnong, Hobsons Bay and Wyndham have lost about 49 police positions, with police numbers falling from 557.03 in June 2025 to 508.58 in June this year. Brimbank and Melton have also recorded a drop, with numbers falling by about eight officers over the same period, from 495.74 to 487.50. The figures come as Victoria Police reduces public access at five western suburbs stations and councils increasingly call for greater police visibility in their communities. Public access to Footscray, Caroline Springs and Keilor Downs police stations were reduced to three days a week, while Altona Police Station was closed overnight and on weekends. Victoria Police says the changes are designed to get police out from behind desks and onto the streets, amid a statewide shortage of about 1500 police officers. “This is why we are prioritising street over station,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said. “We want to ensure

In a statement to Star Weekly, Victoria Police confirmed it had introduced a number of dedicated resources at a local level to combat crime. These include the Crime Investigation Units, Divisional Response Units, Highway Patrols, Proactive Policing Units, Family Violence Investigation Units, and Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Teams. Police maintain resources are allocated according to demand and operational needs.

As at June 2025 Full time equivalent of 557.03 police officers

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Brimbank and Melton: As at June 2026 Full time equivalent of 487.50 police officers As at June 2025 Full time equivalent of 495.74 police officers

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Victoria Police employee numbers for the west comparing June 2026 to June 2025.

our highly skilled officers are out in the community preventing crime and quickly arresting dangerous offenders, rather than sitting behind a desk at a police station.” The spokesperson said despite the reduction in desk hours, police officers in

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the western suburbs continue to respond to calls for assistance around the clock. “In the western suburbs, general duties police patrol the community and respond to calls for assistance at any time of the day and night.”

The statistics ... don’t matter when people don’t feel safe and that is a reality for many in the community - Victoria Police right now The spokesperson said Brimbank had experienced a relatively stable crime rate, increasing by less than one per cent compared to the previous year. However, the force acknowledged that statistics did not necessarily reflect how safe residents feel. “While the statistics show the actual rate of crime in Brimbank is stable, they don’t matter when people don’t feel safe and that is a reality for many in the community right now.” Victoria Police said it had increased patrols in Footscray and Sunshine following recent events, including the death of Sunshine grocer Van Viet Truong.

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BEHIND THE NEWS

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A gem that keeps shining Alice Pung thought her memoir of life growing up as the daughter of Asian migrants in the inner-west would barely make it to the shelves of Footscray Library. Two decades, thousands of copies and a swag of awards later, the 20th anniversary edition of Unpolished Gem was recently launched there. She spoke to Cade Lucas about her book that just keeps on going.

hen contacted to see if she’d be available for a photo to go with this story on the 20th anniversary edition of her debut memoir ‘Unpolished Gem,’ Alice Pung kindly replied that the week from 22-28 August wasn’t a great time. In fact, it may well have been the 52nd most ideal week of the year to try and find space in the Footscray born author’s diary. “I’m so sorry - you’ve caught an author at the busiest week of the year next week (Book Week),” Pung replied via email, in what must be one of the nicer ways in which one person has told another that he or she is an idiot. As the author of 14 books, many of them children’s titles, of course Pung was going to be in great demand at libraries, bookshops, and schools during Book Week. And given her award-winning memoir about growing up in Melbourne’s inner-west in the 80’s and 90’s as the daughter of Chinese-Cambodian migrants has been re-released to mark two decades since it was first published, of course this year’s book week was going to be busier than usual. After all, Pung credits Unpolished Gem’s continued presence on school curricula as a big reason for it being remembered at all. “Every single year there is at least one school, either in Australia or overseas, studying it. It just keeps going and going,” Pung said of the enduring appeal her 2006 release has with English teachers and students. Given many debut authors barely sell 20 copies of their books, let alone have them remain in circulation for 20 years, it’s no surprise Pung wanted to spend book week with some of the readers who’ve helped make this possible. Which is a long-winded way of saying no photos could be taken with Pung for this story and that book week is probably not a great time to try and organise them with authors. Fortunately some excellent pics were taken with Pung and her family at the 2Oth anniversary edition launch in July. That took place at Footscray Library, the same place where Pung spent countless hours writing her memoir two decades earlier after attracting the interest of a publisher through a magazine article she’d written. Back then the library seemed about as far as the book might go. “I’m always surprised,” Pung said of Unpolished Gem’s success in an interview with Star Weekly done (thankfully) before book week. “I thought it’d be in print for six months and there’d be a few copies in the Footscray Library and my dad would buy up the rest.” Pung’s dad, Kuan, and mother, Kien, loom large in Unpolished Gem, as do their extended family who all fled to Australia from Cambodia in the early 1980s to escape the murderous regime of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. Settling in Footscray and then Braybrook, Pung’s parents started running an electrical goods store on the corner of Barkley and Donald streets more than 40 years ago and can still be found behind the counter of the now Betta Electrical outlet today. Pung worked there as a teenager in the 90’s, not long after Victoria’s large psychiatric institutions were closed and many of the patients ended up on the streets of suburbs like Footscray. “We had a lot of these eccentric and really wonderful and interesting people suddenly in the community and a lot of them came

Alice Pung (centre) and family at the 20th anniversary edition launch of her memoir Unpolished Gem at Footscray Library. (Pictures: Supplied)

The books that were being published ... told a very specific narrative of immigrant success. - Alice Pung Hardship and success. My book is full of losers into my dad’s shop where I’d worked since I was 16, so I got really used to these eccentric people,” she recalled, noting that it was these types of stories that helped the book stand out, especially compared to other memoirs about growing up in Asian families. “I guess, at the time it was published, it was a little bit unusual. The books that were being published came from America or they came from Asia and had titles, such as Wild Swans, Falling Leaves, Ten Thousand Sorrows, and Chinese Cinderella, that told a very specific narrative of immigrant success. Hardship and success,” Pung said. “My book is full of losers.” Not that there wasn’t pressure to succeed at home for Pung too. Combined with cultural differences, prejudice and the emotional toll that being a teenager can have on anyone, it led to a moment that definitely marked Unpolished Gem as not your garden variety migrant memoir. “I had a nervous breakdown at 17 which no Asian Australian puts in a book, but I document it in all its details which was something kind of unexpected at the time,” Pung said in an upbeat tone completely at odds with the content, before adding: “it’s not a misery memoir, it’s pretty funny,” just to make sure. Having people misunderstand Unpolished Gem is something Pung has dealt with since the moment it came out. By way of example, she recalled the book’s original launch which took place after she’d graduated from university with a law degree and had begun working as a solicitor. “My dad invited all his friends,” Pung said of the crowd of fellow Footscray shop owners and factory workers from the local Chinese community who came along and bought copies for $25 each. “It was an hour’s salary back then.” However it was the reaction of their children who also came along that caught her eye.

6 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 1 September, 2026

“Their children looked a bit disgruntled and I kept wondering why and then I realised on the back of the book cover it said ‘Alice Pung is a Melbourne born writer and lawyer.’ “These parents had focused on the word lawyer and thought oh this must be a manual on how to make it for their kids so they were buying it for their kids as a book of inspiration,” Pung said of the moment she realised that many of the young people in the audience probably hated her as a result. “I would have too,” she added, before noting that it didn’t take long for some of them to change their minds. “But then I got all these emails from young Asian Australians who’d read my book including of some of the disgruntled kids at my book launch and they said “oh gosh” I had no idea you had a nervous breakdown’ and “I said to my parents, see this is what happens if you push me too hard.” Pung now lives with her husband Nick and three children near Melbourne University where she is the writer in residence at Janet Clarke Hall, though she still returns to the inner west to visit family at least once a week. “I see wonderful things,” she said of her regular visits to Footscray, expressing excitement at the proposed Creative West development at the library.

“But I also see all the poverty there. I live and work near the university which is a very privileged area and then when I go back to Footscray you do see a direct contrast.” Pung said a book like Unpolished Gem could still be written in the Footscray of today, though it would come from a different migrant perspective. “It would be someone like Mayor Mohamed (Maribyrnong mayor Mohamed Semra) or a young Burmese resident of Footscray, because that’s the new generation experiencing the same social and financial issues and also the prejudice,” she said, noting that many of the labels attached to young African Australians today are the same as those given to young Asian Australians of her generation. “We were the druggies, we were the gangs back then.” But as much as the skin colour and origin of those on the receiving end of racial prejudice may have changed, Pung said the person inspiring it was depressingly familiar. “The one constant in my life is Pauline Hanson. “When I was 16 she was around and now 30 years later, she’s still around. This story is still exactly the same because the counter force in our lives is still the same woman.” Unpolished Gem 20th Anniversary Edition is out now, published by Black Inc.

Betta Electrical, Footscray, where author Alice Pung worked as a teenager and which her parents still run. (Damjan Janevski)

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NEWS

Anthony Ashman has built strong friendships and become an integral part of the DSCH network.

A Sunshine man was arrested on Tuesday 25 August following the assault of two people in Melbourne’s CBD. Officers were told a boy was assaulted to the upper body on Spencer Street near the corner of La Trobe Street about 1pm. The boy’s mother intervened and was stabbed in her the upper body. The 10-year-old boy and 46-year-old Cowes woman were hospitalised with non-lifethreatening injuries. Police arrested a 27-year-old Sunshine west man and seized a pair of scissors. The man has been charged with affray, intentionally cause injury and unlawful assault, conduct endangering life and conduct endangering serious injury.

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Healthy cooking

Community service awarded Anthony Ashman, has been recognised as a Victorian finalist in the Coles Community Food Relief Champion Awards after nearly six years of dedicated service at Duke Street Community House’s (DSCH) weekly food relief market in Sunshine. Mr Ashman lives with both physical and intellectual disability and continues to volunteer weekly. He plays an important role welcoming community members, assisting with registrations and helping distribute food each week, bringing warmth, positivity and a friendly presence to the program. Mr Ashman has been commended for his kindness, reliability and positive outlook. “If you’ve ever met Anthony, you’ll know exactly why he’s being recognised. He’s

always got a smile on his face, loves a chat, and makes people feel welcome the moment they walk through the door,” said Mr Ashman’s carer of 20 years – Anthony Jobe. “We’re lucky to have him as part of our community, and seeing him receive this recognition is just wonderful.” DSCH receives weekly Foodbank deliveries and through the program. These, combined with donations from a range of other local organisations and businesses, provide a weekly food relief pop-up market for more than 130 people each week. Five Champions have been recognised nationally, alongside 11 finalists including Mr Ashman, whose work shows the vital role community volunteers play in helping people access food relief.

As part of Adult Learners Week, the Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre will host a healthy cooking demonstration Friday 4 September from 10am-11.30am. This event will feature complimentary food tasting whilst participants learn how healthy eating can improve mood, energy, and mental wellbeing. There will also be an exploration of mindfulness and practical stress management techniques.

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tication codes, or a full card number, anything that helps them take over an account orgain unauthorised access. They may even ask you to download remote access software to access your computer. The other version is a direct request for money, and it tends to arrive in the same words. “Often they’ll use language like, make a payment to a safe account, and that’s a really big redflag,” Brown said. Stop. If a call or text claiming to be CommBank seems suspicious, take a breath so you can think clearly before you act. Check. Look for a different way to verify it. If the contact claims to be from CommBank, hang up and reach us through official channels like the CommBank website, CommBank app or thenumber on the back of your card. Reject. Cut off the contact, don’t make a payment and don’t hand over your information. Find out more at CommBank Newsroom

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HISTORY

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Discarded on the dump In December 1949, 12-year-old Ivan Lawson, scrounging in the Footscray rubbish tip for bike parts, got the shock of his life when he found a woman’s body 200 yards behind the Hume Steel Works. In tears, the boy raced home to tell his father, who immediately notified the police. This was the penultimate day of the year and the fourth murder of that week in Melbourne. The badly battered deceased was Maisie Marsh, nee Oakley, of no fixed place of abode, 26 years old but looking twice her age. Her jacket, dress and underwear had been ripped, and nearby lay a length of bloodstained timber. The back of Maisie’s head had been crushed, and her throat slashed several times. There was a five inch gash across her throat and a broken razor was embedded in the wound. Newspapers had been wrapped around her neck to prevent the blood from leaking, presumably over the killer and/or his car. Detectives had no doubt that Maisie’s last journey had been in a car, and initially it was theorised that she had been murdered inside a motor vehicle before being discarded in Footscray. A car could have been driven on the track from Dynon Road or from the New Footscray Road end of the dump. Because the body was found where the piles of refuse were largest, thus affording some privacy, they believed that she had met her death at the Dynon Road end. Police found the cabby who’d picked up Maisie, accompanied by a foreign gentleman, outside the Menzies Hotel that morning, He had driven them to New Footscray Road, where they had alighted near the docks. Maisie had suggested to her companion that they enjoy a stroll in the unsavoury Dudley Flats, near which were piles of garbage from the Dynon Road factories. The couple walked off in the direction of the tip. If the cabby had been at all curious about this unusual pair,- the man was Jamaican – he made no indication of it. He had collected his cash and driven off in search of other fares in the busy pre-new year period. Apart from their differences in age and colour, the couple’s relationship was somewhat unusual. Oscar Skyers, a crew member on the interstate freighter, SS Amicus, had first met Maisie five months previously in Little Bourke Street. Since then, they had met up at various ports, with Skyers smuggling his girlfriend on board to enjoy several free trips. She had always displayed an enthusiastic interest in him, not, as he would have preferred, for his dashing good looks, but for the plump wallet he carried in his pocket. Somewhere along one of their clandestine voyages, he had paid her generously for services rendered, only to discover that she had also picked his pocket of the thirty pounds which he’d saved for his brother’s widow. Sadly, Oscar had no immediate opportunity to tackle Maisie with her treachery. Someone, resentful of his shipmate’s onboard capers, had informed the captain that an unauthorised passenger was plying her trade on the Amicus. Maisie was unceremoniously shown the gangway and left to make her own way back to Melbourne on terra firma. But now, reunited with his beloved, in the unromantic environs of Dudley Flats, Skyers challenged Maisie with the theft of his hard earned money during their last time together. She admitted it, adding that

she had handed it all to “her man”. Given the nature of the transaction, the fact that she was separated from her husband and that she spent a lot of time around the Melbourne docks, it would appear that she referred to a pimp, if one existed. Skyers called her a cheat and a thief. Taking exception to his manner, Maisie wrenched off a shoe and gave Skyers a good whacking for his insolence whilst taunting him for his naivety. Skyers lost control, seized the length of wood and wielded it savagely. Then, horrified by what he had done, he hurried away and caught a train to New South Wales. Maisie was identified by fingerprints. Twenty five detectives searched the docks and questioned people in the vicinity, whilst the Special Branch guarded the docks on the lookout for a coloured seaman. At dawn on New Year’s Eve, police from

8 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 1 September, 2026

Footscray and homicide did a sweep from Williamstown to Spencer Street bridge, accompanied by photographers and fingerprint experts. The post mortem was performed by Assistant Government Pathologist, Dr Flemming, who found that Maisie had died of multiple blows to the head and that her throat had been cut after death. Skyers was arrested in Newcastle and taken to Sydney. Unlike most homicide suspects, he was so well behaved that he didn’t need handcuffs for his extradition. On 4 January, 1950, Oscar Skyers, aged 51, married, Jamaican-born but resident of Cardiff, Wales, was remanded at the City Court until 10 January after being refused bail. Spectators in court included Maisie’s estranged husband, Leo March, of Forbes, New South Wales. The court learned that the couple had two children, aged six and four years, who lived with their father.

Maisie was often seen near the Melbourne docks, presumably touting for business, and had reverted to her maiden name, Oakley, for some years. What had led to their separation, whether drug or alcohol addiction, infidelity, mental illness or domestic violence, is not known. Skyers resolutely denied using the razor, admitting only to hitting Maisie with a length of timber. Why? “She insulted me. She thought because I’m black, I’m a fool and that’s why she took my money.” Then he wept, “I loved her. I lost my temper.” Evidence was given that the accused was illiterate and that he suffered mild brain damage from a World War I injury that impaired his judgment. On 22 February, 1950, Skyers was acquitted of murder and found guilty of manslaughter. After serving his sentence of eight years’ jail, he was deported.

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NEWS

Chamilla returns to school After teaching for 27 years in Sri Lanka, Chamila Baddesvitha found herself starting over at the age of 51. After moving to Australia and settling in Cairnlea, Chamilla set out to improve her English in order to pursue her goal of working in education again. In mid-2025, Chamila enrolled in the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) at Djerriwarrh Community & Education Services in Sunshine. Funded by the Department of Home Affairs, AMEP helps migrants to develop the English skills they need. Chamila embraced the opportunity, eventually receiving the Anita Cut-

ler Award for Most Improved Student in Djerriwarrh’s AMEP program. While attending AMEP classes during the day, Chamilla also studied education support two evenings a week. Most recently, she undertook a placement at St Albans Primary School bringing her decades of experience in the classroom one step closer to a new career in Australian education. Chamilla is now an Adult Learners Week ambassador and hopes her experience can show other adults that having to learn something new doesn’t erase the skills, knowledge and experience they already bring with them.

For Chamila, becoming a student again has created a pathway towards becoming an educator once more. Adult Learners Week is coordinated by Adult Learning Australia, the national peak body for adult and community education. It will run this year from September 1-8. The UNESCO initiative is supported by the Australian Government and has been celebrated annually in Australia during the first week of September since 1995, with hundreds of events and activities held around the country and online. Chamila Baddesvitha. (Supplied).

Hands-on learning St Paul’s Kealba was thrilled to receive a free garden incursion last week through the Victorian School Gardens Program (VSGP). VSGP is a school program that dates back to 1977, and aims to introduce school-aged children to gardening and nature education. The program provides opportunities for students to learn about productive cultivation, biodiversity, and sustainable practices. Students are provided with the opportunity to explore important ideas in response to climate change and get involved in the development of their schools’ green spaces. Students from years 2-6 explored sustainable gardening, discovered the importance of healthy ecosystems and planted insect friendly plants. They were invited to get their hands dirty, play with worms and gain valuable knowledge about sustainability. “By establishing or expanding green environments within your school, not only does it improve the aesthetic appearance but can make an exciting outside learning environment, with further benefits to student’s health and wellbeing,” VSGP said. “By involving students in the process, they take ownership, pride and care in the natural environment.” According to VSGP, gardens have been attributed to improving mental health for young children. Time in and around green-spaces has been linked to reduced stress, increased happiness, improved concentration and lowered anxiety. The school community is eagerly anticipating watching the garden grow.

Art that’s fur real A mural celebrating humanity’s special furry friends has been unveiled at the Sydenham Basin Reserve. Brimbank council is set to open a new dog park later next month, which will include improved pathways, dog play elements and picnic settings. To mark the occasion, local artist Lukas Kasper was commissioned to deliver this stellar work. According to Kasper, the mural was inspired by the dog-friendly nature of the space, the plant life found in the area, and the fact that it acts as a water basin. “You’ll see elements of all three woven throughout the design,” he said. The project took a lot of preparation. “When I first arrived, it was deteriorating and in rough condition, so I spent many hours getting it up to scratch and ready for the coats of paint to follow.” Kasper said he wanted to represent dogs from the local area as closely as possible, undertaking research into the most popular local breeds. Kasper had one final message for the community. “If you’re reading this and your dog is bored at home, whack a leash on them, go for an adventure down to the park, and give them a pat for me!”

Guided by gardener Tom, students learn which plants were best suited for the garden. (Supplied).

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Moving Ahead

1 September 2026

Mayor’s message Cr Lara Carli

Stay Informed At last week’s Council Meeting, Council made a decision to call for a moratorium on data centres until the Victorian Government develops a coordinated framework to guide the assessment and delivery of data centre developments across Victoria. While data centres support the broader digital economy, developments of this scale also raise important planning, infrastructure, environmental concerns and considerations that need to be carefully assessed. Council wants to ensure that decisions regarding data centres are informed by thorough sound evidence, planning legislation robust guidelines on location, local impacts and community input. We have heard our community loud and clear on their concerns about data centres in the City of Melton, and we will continue to advocate for transparent, evidence-based planning processes that provide meaningful opportunities for community engagement for our residents.

Quickly and easily connect with us online: melton.vic.gov.au facebook.com/cityofmelton Instagram @cityofmeltonofficial

Naming Fraser Rise’s new Aquatic and Leisure Centre Earlier this year, residents were invited to help name the new aquatic and leisure centre being built in Fraser Rise. The most popular naming theme was linking the name to place, which received more than 72 per cent of the vote.

As the State Election approaches, advocacy remains a key focus for Council. It was fantastic to see such a strong turnout at our recent Melton Transport Forum, which gave residents the opportunity to share their transport challenges and priorities directly with local candidates.

The shortlisted name is Tides Fraser Rise. It reflects both the community’s preference for a place-based name and the centre’s role as a destination for aquatic activities, leisure, health, wellbeing, connection and more.

The forum focused on key issues including Melton rail line electrification, road upgrades, active transport, bus services and improved public transport connections across our city.

Council is now inviting feedback on the proposed name before making a final decision.

As one of Australia’s fastest-growing areas, we need infrastructure investment to keep pace with growth. Council will continue to advocate strongly on behalf of our community to help secure the transport improvements our residents need and deserve.

To have your say, visit our City of Melton Conversations page conversations.melton.vic.gov.au Consultation closes on Thursday 24 September 2026.

Tips for bin collections

Vacation Care is back!

Remember to have your bins out by 6am on collection day. While your bin might usually be emptied around the same time each week, times can change, so trucks may arrive anytime between 6am and 6pm. Make sure there’s clear access around your bins so the collection truck can reach them easily.

Council’s popular Vacation Care Program is back for the September school holidays. Open to primary school-aged children, the program runs from Monday 21 September – Friday 2 October, 7am–6pm (excluding public holidays) at Bridge Road Children’s and Community Centre.

To find out more about waste and recycling visit melton.vic.gov.au/ waste

For information or to register, visit melton.vic.gov.au

Hilltop Ward with Cr John Verdon As our suburbs continue to grow, it’s important that families have access to the facilities and services they need close to home. That’s why the recent announcement of $9 million in funding from the Victorian Government to construct the Diggers Rest Children’s and Community Centre is such fantastic news for our community. The centre will support the delivery of kindergarten, Maternal and Child Health services and other important programs in one welcoming location. Projects like this show what can be achieved when different levels of government work together and focus on what residents need now, and into the future. In the lead up to the November State election, Council continues to advocate for major transport and road upgrades across our City.

Feel free to contact me about Sugar Gum Ward or our City more generally on 0409 951 020 or email at: lara.carli@melton.vic.gov.au

In July, we launched our Let’s Get the

City of Melton Moving campaign, calling on all major parties to commit to electrifying and duplicating the Melton rail line by 2030, along with urgent upgrades to key roads and interchanges. Congestion, overcrowded trains and lengthy commutes already affect our community, and we need investment to keep pace with our growth. Find out more by visiting melton.vic.gov.au/ lets-get-moving I’ve also been hearing resident concerns about proposed data centres across our City. While Council understands no formal proposal has been received by the State Government for a proposed data centre in Plumpton, I want to acknowledge the community’s concerns and reassure that I’ll continue listening and advocating so your voices are heard as part of the conversation. Feel free to contact me regarding Hilltop Ward, or our City more generally, on 0418 444 883 or by emailing John.Verdon@melton.vic.gov.au

Your Councillors – Visit melton.vic.gov.au/councillors to find your ward Councillors and their contact details

Deputy Mayor Cr Dr Phillip Zada

Cr Steve Abboushi

Cr Kathy Majdlik

A welcoming and liveable City accessible to all 10 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 1 September, 2026

Cr Brandi Morris

Cr Sophie Ramsey

Civic Centre 232 High Street Melton VIC 3337

Cr Julie Shannon

Cr Bob Turner

Cr Ashleigh Vandenberg

9747 7200 melton.vic.gov.au cityofmelton

Cr John Verdon

12842648-LD36-26

Mayor Cr Lara Carli

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COMMENT

Movies deliver cinema magic Cool Hand Luke - M

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

The Odyssey - M There was so much anticipation for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey I thought it could never meet the astronomical expectations. Then it did. The Odyssey is the story of the Greek warrior Odysseus’ His quest home after a vicious battle, being met time and time again by an array of mythical beasts, witches, and the wrath of the gods themselves. Christopher Nolan delivers on every promise, an in-your-face story that shows every last detail. Whether it was bloody battles, the grim realities of the 40 men sealed in a wooden horse for days, or the twisted intricacies of a magical transformation, you see it all. As much of a visual feast as it was, the

Evan Turok. (Damjan Janevski) 545799_04

immersion reached its peak with the use of immaculate sound design. A specific scene comes to mind in which the point-of-view character blocks his ears with wax to avoid hearing the dangerously deceptive siren song. At first, one half of the cinema was dulled and then, separately, the other half. Soon, all you could hear was the gentle wind and

a lulling horn amidst the chaos. It was a surreal experience. The Odyssey is the best film in the last 12 months and demands to be watched in the best format possible. If you have a chance, take advantage of the fact that we live in the city with the largest screen on the face of the Earth, watch it in IMAX Melbourne, and enjoy the experience as it was intended. 4.5/5

The charismatic Paul Newman gives his finest performance in the 1967 film Cool Hand Luke. Sent to a prison labour camp for a senseless crime, Luke’s defiant positivity makes him a target for the spirit crushing warden. Cool Hand Luke is a story about brotherhood, learning to lean on one another and enjoying the little things that hold us together. Newman is a master of expressing the full range of emotions, making the most of every second of screen time. The film’s most powerful scene comes when Newman sings a song to honour his late mother. As the passion pours out on the screen, a single tear rolls down his cheek, expressing more raw emotion than words ever could. Using the camera to tell a story is the first priority when shooting a film. There’s always a straightforward way to tick these boxes, but director Stuart Rosenberg never takes the easy way out. Shooting scenes through the reflection of a prison guard’s sunglasses or interchanging the foreground and background in and out of focus with artistic precision are just some of the ways this film stands out visually. I often try avoiding diving too deep into the endings of a film. But in this case, you have had 59 years to see Cool Hand Luke – this one’s on you! The film’s devastating ending was not only ahead of its time, but left me absolutely shattered and loving every second of it. Taking bold risks, both visually and story-wise, makes Cool Hand Luke a film that sits above the standard. 4/5

MY PLACE Dr Lutfiye Ali is president of the North Cyprus Turkish Community of Victoria. She talks with Sam Porter about her connection to west and its Cypriot Turkish community. What’s your connection to Melbourne’s north-west? For me, Brimbank symbolises connection to family, community, and cultural identity. Although I was born in Footscray, my childhood memories begin in Brimbank after my parents moved from Deer Park in the late 1970s, when I was a pre-schooler. One of my earliest memories is our backyard which was filled with grape vines, olive and fruit trees, and seasonal vegetables that my parents grew in effort to create sense of home connected to their roots in Cyprus. My connection to Brimbank is also shaped by family gatherings at my grandparents’ home in St Albans, where we had barbecues, sang, danced, and listened to my grandfather’s stories. I feel deeply connected to Brimbank because it is home to a large Cypriot Turkish community, including many of my own relatives. At the same time, I value Brimbank’s Indigenous history and acknowledge that our lives here are built on the unceded lands of the Bunurong and Wurundjeri peoples, the Traditional Owners of the land. This awareness developed in my adult years and has become an important part of my connection to Brimbank. What do you like about Brimbank? The cultural diversity of Brimbank. It is one of Victoria’s most culturally diverse local government areas, home to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as well as communities from many cultural backgrounds. More than 160 languages are spoken in Brimbank, and the majority of residents speak a language other than English at home. I value the way this diversity has shaped Brimbank’s economic and social landscape. I believe there is a

Dr Lutfiye Ali. (Damjan Janevski) 546038_01

strong sense of social cohesion, with people from different backgrounds living, working, and learning alongside one another. Schools, neighbourhoods, and community spaces create opportunities for meaningful relationships and greater understanding across cultures. What’s something people would be surprised to know about you? I would say my sewing skills and how it has shaped my personal and academic development. Although they may seem unrelated, I see a strong connection between the two. As a child, I was introduced to sewing by my mother. Inspired by her, I began sewing at a young age, and later these

skills led to employment. For many years, I worked for designer while studying and raising my children as a single mother. What do you like about being the president of the North Cyprus Turkish Community of Victoria? The centre holds deep importance for both the Cypriot Turkish community and for me personally. I see it as the heart of our community, it’s a place where community members come together to celebrate cultural and social events. It is also home to many other community groups who regularly use the space. It is a privilege to serve as president of the North Cyprus Turkish Community of Victoria. Being the president allows me to

make a direct contribution to the community while applying my background in community psychology in meaningful ways. In this role I work also closely with community members and Brimbank council to establish and support social wellbeing initiatives. One that I value deeply is Minik Hearts Playgroup, which a group of mothers, grandmothers and I established in October 2025. It is a weekly program that creates a welcoming space for the Cypriot Turkish, Turkish, and broader Brimbank community to connect. Through play, music, and storytelling, children are encouraged to learn Cypriot Turkish language and culture, while families come together to socialise, build relationships, and support one another.

Tuesday, 1 September, 2026 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 11

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FROM THE ARCHIVES Star Weekly looks back through the pages of our predecessors

40 years ago

30 years ago

20 years ago

10 years ago

3 September, 1986

4 September, 1996

29 August, 2006

30 August, 2016

Federal Minister for Planning and Environment, Jim Kennan, last week announced the names of the committee members who will recommend future usage of over 500 hectares of land in the West.

Braybrook Primary School children, recently terrified by a siege in nearby Lawn Crescent, are being further upset as a constant stream of gun owners walks past the school, weapons over their shoulders, to hand them in.

Taylors Lakes teacher Andy Flouris has won a national science teaching award.

A disabled St Albans man has been reunited with his beloved dog, a fortnight after it was snatched from him in broad daylight.

Werribee Secondary College students Tamieka, Krish and Layla are starring in Shrek. They are pictured with director and head of drama Jayden Anderson. (Damjan Janevski).

Melton resident Ivan Pollock is hoping to save the Melton Weir family picnic area. (Damjan Janevski) 572547_07

573126_07

Above: Salesian College Sunbury student Willow was named as a recipient of the Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize. (Damjan Janevski) 572007_04

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

Bill Meeker is one of the organisers of the Kyneton Daffodil Festival.

Holy Eucharist School St Albans principal Michael Bonnici (front) with students, staff, parents and workers at the school’s construction site.

(Damjan Janevski) 571340_03

(Damjan Janevski) 572572_05

12 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 1 September, 2026

Left: A Brass plaque commemorating fallen soldiers was stolen from the Toolern Vale cenotaph much to the disappointment of Reginald Cooke Melton RSL president and member Eric Philpot. (Damjan Janevski) 572864_03

Point Cook Homestead Restoration Group is trying to locate old pictures to learn about, the exterior and the surrounds. Julie Connell is a member of the group. (Damjan Janevski) 572898_05

FEATURING ... SENIORS

Advertising feature

A fresh new chapter in the heart of Caroline Springs Imagine a lifestyle where everything you need is close to home, maintenance is minimal, and more time is spent enjoying the things you love. That’s exactly what’s on offer at Caesia Gardens by Keyton, with a brand-new release of contemporary two and three-bedroom homes now under construction and available for sale in the heart of Caroline Springs. Designed for those looking to rightsize without compromise, these thoughtfully designed homes offer the perfect balance of comfort, convenience and independence. It’s a chance to embrace a lifestyle that feels easier, more connected and more secure, while enjoying greater confidence for the years ahead. Located just moments from CS Square Shopping Centre, residents have easy access to cafes, supermarkets, medical services, public transport and local parklands. Within the village, an indoor heated pool, gym, library and welcoming community spaces make it easy to stay active, social and engaged. What truly sets Caesia Gardens apart is the sense of connection and belonging. Residents enjoy the peace of mind of a secure community, supported by a dedicated village management team and 24hour emergency call system, while sharing in a vibrant lifestyle centred around wellbeing, friendship and everyday convenience. Join us at our Village Open Day on Wednesday 16 September, from 11am to 1pm, and experience the community firsthand. Meet the team, explore the selection of brand-new homes and discover why so many people say they wish they’d made the move sooner. Brand-new two-bedroom homes from

$500,000 and three-bedroom homes from $690,000 currently under construction.*

Visit caesia-newhomes.com.au or call 1800 550 550 to find out more.

*Prices are correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice. Availability is limited.

Caesia Gardens Limited collection of brand new homes now selling Enjoy modern, low maintenance living, just moments from shops, parks and everyday essentials. 2-bedroom from $500,000* 3-bedroom from $690,000* Be part of a welcoming, established community and retire in the heart of Caroline Springs. Enquire today.

1800 550 550 | caesia-newhomes.com.au 48–58 Central Parkway, Caroline Springs

*Price and information correct as at 26/06/26. Photographs are for illustrative purposes and may depict decorative items not actually provided by Keyton. Published by Keyton Realty (VIC) Pty Ltd ABN 55 124 646 484. Artist impression 12875313-VP36-26

Tuesday, 1 September, 2026 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 13

FEATURING ... SENIORS

Advertising feature

Making the move: Transitioning from home to a retirement village Transitioning from your cherished family home to a retirement village is a significant life change that comes with a mixture of emotions and practical considerations. While the process can feel overwhelming, proper preparation, both emotionally and logistically for your move into a retirement home can make the transition smoother and more comfortable. Preparing Emotionally Moving from a long-time family home can trigger a range of emotions, from excitement to nostalgia and even anxiety. It’s perfectly normal to feel this way. Acknowledge your feelings and allow yourself to experience them. Maintain connections with friends and family. Keep in touch with your loved ones and assure them that the move doesn’t mean the end of your relationship. In fact, it often leads to more quality time together without the burden of household responsibilities. Many retirement villages offer a variety of social and recreational activities. If possible, get involved even before the move to start building connections and feel more at home. know the layout, amenities and your future neighbours. 5. Review the contract, and terms of your new residence in the retirement village. Understand the financial aspects, services included, and seek legal advice if needed to make an informed decision. Embracing a New Chapter with the Support of Your Loved Ones Moving into a retirement village is a significant life transition, but with

emotional preparation, careful planning, and the invaluable support of your family, it can be a positive and fulfilling step towards a more relaxed and enjoyable lifestyle. By addressing the move’s emotional and practical aspects, you can make the transition smoother and look forward to the exciting opportunities that retirement village life offers. At Centennial Living, we understand the significance and importance of moving to

a senior living community. Our retirement villages offer a comfortable and welcoming environment and a sense of community that will make you feel right at home. Our dedicated staff is here to support you every step of the way, ensuring that your move into our retirement village is as seamless and stress-free as possible. If you would like to learn more, please call 1300 098 000 or visit www. centennialliving.com.au to book a tour today!

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Practical Planning In addition to the emotional elements of this move, careful planning is crucial when preparing for retirement village life. Here are practical senior relocation tips and steps to make the transition smoother: 1. Declutter and downsize your belongings 2. Decide what to keep, donate, or sell. 3. Consider what items hold sentimental value and ensure they have a place in your new home. 4. Visit the retirement village and get to

14 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 1 September, 2026

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Tuesday, 1 September, 2026 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 15

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The exhibition acknowledges the work done by women both during and after WW2.

Materials used for explosives.

An explosive exhibition The Hunt Club Community & Arts Centre in Deer Park has been hosting a special exhibition to mark the 40th anniversary of the closing of Albion Explosive Factory. With the aid of the Sunshine & Districts Historical Society, the exhibition showcases photographs, plans, clothing and other material from the factory. Star Weekly photographer Damjan Janevski captured the esoteric collection of historical artefacts. The exhibition is open Monday - Friday, 9.30am-4.30pm until 18 September.

A 105mm tank catridge case commonly used in armed conflicts during the 20th century.

Above: The original facility manufactured vital materials for WW2. Left: The exhibition features an assortment of materials from the factory’s operating days. 574294

YOUR DONATION HELPS KEEP THEIR HOMES CLEAN.

PROTECTED BY PEOPLE LIKE YOU. 12897763-JD36-26

16 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 1 September, 2026

PUZZLES

easy

8 9 2 5

7 1 9 3 9 4 7 5 8 1 6 7 4 9 4 5 8 8 1 9 4 7 3 6 8 3 medium

3 8 4

9 8 5

3 8 6 6 9

23 26 27 28 29

6 1 7 6 2

3 1

2 4 5 1

9 4 5 3

14 16 17 19 22 23 24 25

8 1

25 9

18 8

4 8

22 19

18 5

19 6

20 7

21 8

22 9

E Y M R J 10

1 7 8 9 3 6 4 2 5 3 2 9 4 8 5 6 1 7 4 5 6 7 1 2 9 8 3 9 1 2 8 4 3 7 5 6 5 8 3 1 6 7 2 4 9 7 6 4 2 5 9 1 3 8 8 3 1 6 9 4 5 7 2 2 9 5 3 7 1 8 6 4 6 4 7 5 2 8 3 9 1

4 5 6 1 3 8 2 7 9 9 2 7 5 6 4 8 3 1 3 1 8 7 9 2 4 5 6 5 4 9 8 2 6 3 1 7 7 3 2 9 4 1 5 6 8 8 6 1 3 5 7 9 4 2 6 8 3 2 1 5 7 9 4 2 9 4 6 7 3 1 8 5 1 7 5 4 8 9 6 2 3

W Q

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: 18 words: Good 27 words: Very good 36 words: Excellent

E E S

G I

24 25 27

WORDFIT 3 LETTERS ADO APE ARK ASH ATE AWE BOA COT CUP ERA FEN GIG GOD MOW MRS NUN ORE OVA OWE WAG WIN YAK

No. 305

T E N E T S

BREWS CARAT CARGO COLDS CREPE DIGIT DOONA ENTRY ERASE ERRED ERROR FLIRT GATES GENRE GONER LARGE METRO RARER REMIT RESET RINSE RISER

4 LETTERS ACTS BINS DAIS FRAY MOSS SMOG SNOB STEM STEW WAGS 5 LETTERS ABORT ACORN ARENA ATONE AVAIL AWARE BRAID

SASSY SCOFF SCRAM SEATS SECTS SEEDY

6 LETTERS CACKLE CRINGE MEMORY SLEETS TAGGED TENETS

SENSE SLOGS SPADE STRAP SWARM TANGO TENOR

7 LETTERS AMASSES EMOTION NEURONS NUMERIC OVERRAN RANCHER

8 LETTERS CAREERED IGNORANT INSPIRES RETRACED 10 LETTERS PERFORMERS SUPERSEDES

TONNE TOTES TRITE TUNES TWINE WAVER

04-09-26

No. 412 Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down. NOTE: more than one solution may be possible

L A K E S A T O N E S T A T E T I L E D S C A R S

genii, gins, grin, grins, grip, gripe, gripes, grips, hinge, hinges, hiring, neigh, neighs, nigh, pegs, PERISHING, ping, pings, prig, prising, reign, reigns, resign, rigs, ring, rings, rising, sigh, sign, signer, sing, singe, singer, siring, sprig, spring

8 6 3 9 2 4 1 5 7 7 4 1 8 5 6 3 2 9 2 9 5 3 7 1 4 6 8 6 1 4 5 8 9 7 3 2 3 5 7 6 1 2 8 9 4 9 2 8 4 3 7 5 1 6 4 3 2 1 6 8 9 7 5 1 8 6 7 9 5 2 4 3 5 7 9 2 4 3 6 8 1

S N

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

9-LETTER WORD

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F B H L U G A D N P X W Q

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O Z K S C T V I

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No. 337 6

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hard

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Intimate (4) Heavenly figure (9) Grave mental condition (9) Get to know (5) North American bison (7) Combination (5) On show (9) Former Indigenous people of Peru (4) Saint Petersburg, formerly (9) State of bliss (5,4) Idée fixe (9) South-East Asian country (7) Sight-related (5) Thinking organ (5) Lay bricks (4) Reticulation (4)

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DECODER 9

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Greeting (Ital) (4) Entranced (10) Unnaturally strange (7) Business (7) Long footrace (8) Cancel (5) Book’s leaf (4) Science of the mind (10) 'Idiot box' (9) Second-hand (4) Gas layer in the stratosphere (5) Hungarian city (8) Domed building (7) Bill (7) Recorded (10) A unit of length in imperial measure (4)

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ACROSS

No. 305

QUICK QUIZ

Who is the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Hera?

In which year was the first iPhone released?

How many main rings does Saturn have?

Who discovered the double helix structure of DNA?

Julia Stiles (pictured) stars in which film franchise as Nicky Parsons?

And in which year?

Clownfish are most commonly what colours?

What sport do the Los Angeles Kings play?

What colour are the 11 and 3 balls in a standard pool set?

10 Which popular song by KISS is also a girl’s name?

ANSWERS: 1. Juno 2. Seven 3. James Watson and Francis Crick 4. 1953 5. Orange with white and black markings 6. Ice hockey 7. Red 8. 2007 9. Bourne 10. Beth

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

QUICK CROSSWORD

S T R A P B R E W S T O T E S R E M I T A W A R E C R E P E R I S E R A T O N E G E N R E A T E F L I R T W A G G O D D A I S M E M O R Y M E T R O A R K C O T A D O S W A R M T E N E T S W A G S C A R E E R E D M O S S B O A O V E R R A N N E U R O N S S N O B I N S P I R E S F E N F R A Y C R I N G E E N T R Y A S H N U N M R S C A C K L E S M O G S E A T S E R A E R A S E C U P O V A L A R G E C A R A T D O O N A T W I N E E R R E D D I G I T S E C T S S E N S E S L O G S

No. 305

C I A O S P E L L B O U N D H R I S E U N I A F F A I R S U N C A N N Y H C C R F O P M M A R A T H O N A N N U L N O L A P S Y C H O L O G Y P A G E E E I L B E U S E D T E L E V I S I O N R I U E O Z O N E B U D A P E S T G P T R N A S M I N V O I C E R O T U N D A A I A I N E O S I N C H D O C U M E N T E D

SUDOKU

Tuesday, 1 September, 2026 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 17

COMMUNITY

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

COMMUNITY CALENDAR WANT YOUR EVENT LISTED? Community Calendar is made available free of charge to not-for-profit organisations to keep the public informed of special events and activities. Send item details to Star Weekly Community Calendar, Corner Thomsons Road and Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park, 3042, or email to westeditorial@starweekly.com.au by 9am Wednesday the week prior to publication Be Bold Festival This celebration of arts and culture in Melbourne’s west will feature live music, global food vendors and creative workshops for all to enjoy. Saturday 3 October, 3-7pm at the Bowery Theatre, St Albans Community Centre & Errington Oval Reserve, 33 Princess Street, St Albans. Free of charge. All welcome. CLOSER by Patrick Marber Set in contemporary London, a quartet of strangers meet, fall in love, and become caught up in a web of desire and betrayal. Both romantic comedy and brutal analysis of modern love, it is a play about the kindness of strangers and the cruelty of desire. Directed by Del Jordan, the show opens on 4 September and runs for three weekends at St. Albans Senior Citizens Centre. Tickets are available online www. powderkegplayers.com/shows or at the door. ■ 0406 840 481 Garden club The Sunshine Golden Age Garden Club meets on the second Wednesday of the month at Glengala Community Centre, corner Simmie Street and Glengala Road, Sunshine West at 7pm. New members welcome. ■ Helen Reid, 9746 3933 or reidhm@hotmail.com Master of the Mic Build confidence in public speaking, communication and leadership in this fun, supportive club for young people aged 15–25. Enjoy interactive speaking activities, challenges, feedback and opportunities to meet new people.No experience required. Meets on the last Wednesday of each month. ■ blfvisycareshub@brimbank.vic.gov.au INFuse Lab Looking for a relaxed space to create alongside other local artists? Join us weekly for an open studio style session where you can work on your own projects, meet new creatives and enjoy genuine conversation in a supportive environment.Takes place Wednesdays during the school term 3:30pm to 6pm at St Albans Community Centre. ■ 9249 4600, creative@brimbank.vic.gov. au Albion Primary School Albion Primary School is pleased to be celebrating 100 years of education Saturday 17 October from 9am-3:30pm. The day will include music, house competitions, a photo gallery, the opening of a time capsule from 1976, the planting of a 2026 time capsule, a community art project and a scavenger hunt. The school hopes to have as many past students, staff, and families as possible attend on the day. ■ 9311 1325 St Theresa’s Catholic Church St Theresa’s Catholic Church in Albion will celebrate 75 years on Sunday 4 October. There will be a mass followed by refreshment where past and present parishioners, past nuns and priests from St Theresa’s and Mother of God will be represented. There will be history boards, memorabilia and a slideshow of

This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of Donna Jackson who is doing her comedy show Art Accidents & Underpants at The Yarraville Club. (Damjan Janevski) 573578_01

parish memories. Women’s Wellbeing Day Flourish is a free community wellbeing event being delivered during Women’s Health Week. It brings together local health, wellbeing and community organisations to provide health education, free screenings, movement activities like yoga, zumba and pilates, nutrition session on women’s health, free chair massages for women in Brimbank, with the aim of improving preventative health, increasing service awareness and strengthening community connections. Join the team Wednesday 11 September upstairs at Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre. ■ EHartley@comm-unityplus.org.au BELONG – A Cultural Festival BELONG is a free multicultural community festival celebrating the diversity of Melbourne’s west. Held at commUnity+ Neighbourhood House and aligned with the Mid-Autumn Festival, it will bring together culturally diverse communities through interactive cultural experiences including lion dance, Bollywood dance, African drumming, lantern making, mooncake activities and multicultural food. Join the tean on Thursday 17 September at 822 Ballarat Road, Deer Park. ■ EHartley@comm-unityplus.org.au Maltese Folklore Association All seniors are warmly invited to join Klabb Ghannejja Maltin (Maltese Folklore Association) and enjoy the friendly atmosphere the club provides. The club is open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday,

18 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 1 September, 2026

and Sunday with traditional Maltese folk music held every Friday night and social nights hosted once a month on Saturday nights. Come to 4/6 Gooding Street, St Albans, meet new friends, and enjoy the wonderful Maltese culture and entertainment. ■ 9356 4638 Free Bingo Locals, especially seniors, can enjoy bingo but with a twist. binGO move encourages participants to get active, make friends and improve physical and mental wellbeing all while enjoying a classic game. Sessions run fortnightly on Thursdays from 1.30-2.30pm at St Albans Tin Shed, 309a Main Road East, St Albans. ■ 9366 4302 St Albans Bowls Club Everyone is welcome at St Albans Bowls no matter age, gender or ability. Whether you’re an experienced bowler or just curious to give it a try, the club would love to see more locals on the green. The club hosts social bowls every Thursday and Saturday at noon at Kings Park Reserve, off Magnolia Avenue, Kings Park. Come along for a friendly game, meet new people and spend time in great company. ■ stalbans.bowls.com.au, stalbansbowlsclub@bigpond.com, 9366 0290 Deer Park Probus Club The Deer Park Probus Club meets at the Deer Park Club, 780 Ballarat Road, Deer Park on the second Wednesday of the month from February to December. Meet at 10am followed by lunch available from 12pm. The club offers bus trips, lunches,

morning melodies etc. ■0427 495 584 Keilor Park Tennis Club social night Join the club on Monday nights for a free social hit and get to know other club members. All levels are welcome. Female players are also required for Thursday competition from 10am-2pm and also for the B-grade mixed team on Wednesday, 7-9pm. ■ keilorparktennis@gmail.com Brimbank Book Group Be inspired by thought-provoking books with a group of like-minded, literary fans with our Brimbank Book Group. All welcomed. This group, for adults, meets on the first Monday of the month, from 2-3 pm, at Deer Park library. Bookings are not essential, but please feel free to register your interest. ■ l i b ra r y @ b r i m b a n k . v i c . g ov. au St Albans senior citizens St Albans Senior Citizens group meet at the centre at the corner of Alfrieda and William streets, St Albans, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 9am-2pm. Annual membership: $10. Cost: $1 entry on attendance day. ■ Beverley, 040 3685 632 Caroline Springs Rotary The Rotary Club of Caroline Springs is inviting new guests to join its meetings in person or via Zoom. Meetings are held every Wednesday at the Western Emergency Relief Network in Ravenhall, from 7pm. ■rotarycarolinesprings@gmail.com

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

ENTERTAINMENT

Spend your Fridays in Footscray enjoying creativity A new series of free Friday night events is set to transform the Footscray Library courtyard. Running from 28 August to 18 September, Creative West Nights will feature live music, spoken word, Afro beats and comedy from some of Melbourne’s most exciting performers. The four week series begins on Friday 28 August with Footscray Unplugged in an intimate evening of live music featuring Ella Thompson, Grace Robinson and Ruby Gill. On Friday 4 September, spoken word,

poetry storytelling take centre stage with Words by Candlelight, where Wani Toaishara, John Englezos, Fleassy Malay, Konker Malual and Zaynab Farah will share their powerful voices and local stories. The following Friday 11 September is Afro Beats, a high-energy night of live music led by Sam Manzanza with support from Jarabi Band. Comedy Roast will close out the series on Friday 18 September with comedians Geraldine Quinn, William Wang and Oliver Clark bringing the laughs and Lauren Bok acting as MC.

Presented by Maribyrnong council,Creative West Nights is designed to cement Footscray’s status as the cultural heart of Melbourne’s west following a period where the suburb has been in the news for the wrong reasons. The series is also aimed at supporting Footscray’s night time economy, with patrons encouraged to visit nearby bars and restaurants both before and after each performance. Each Friday night event runs from 6-9pm at Footscray Library. For more information and the full program,: bit.ly/4fuoVsv

Jungle City is led by professional dancer and educator Cat Sweeney. Award-winning Australian songstress Amber Joy Poulton will bring Honky Tonk Queens to the Bacchus Marsh Public Hall on Saturday 9 October. (Supplied)

(Supplied)

Country vibes with Honky Tonk Queens

Street dance skills As a hub for street and cultural dance, Jungle City is set to liven the Bowery Theatre, as part of the wonderful 2026-27 residency artist program. Jungle City has sustained a thriving street dance community through regular street style classes, major events, youth mentoring, camps and tours and festivals. The street dance hub has built partnerships with dance crews, major art institutions and festivals such as Moomba and Fringe to help street dance grow. Their residency will help build skills through the creative development and

presentation of Let’s Get Married, an invitation to street dancers and the broader community to understand the importance of ritual and ceremony. The Bowery black box will be transformed into a glamorous wedding reception to wed a cast of street dancers inspired by the rich cultural tapestry that makes up the Brimbank community. The Bowery Theatre Residency program enables artists and arts organisations to make and present work with and for the Brimbank community. The 2025-2026 community-engaged projects span theatre,

music, expanded cinema, and site-specific public performance. As part of the residency program, the selected artists will take risks and shape new works to be presented at The Bowery Theatre. The program offers financial and in-kind support, to enable creativity, connections, and artist development. This residency is supported by Creative Victoria and is part of the Assemble project. Local theater-goers can look forward to a spectacular night of dance, culture, and celebration.

All aboard the Gisborne miniature train After the winter break, the Gisborne Vintage Machinery Society is getting ready to welcome you back to the Gisborne Steam Park for its monthly fun run day. Society member Ian Northcote said the group had been running for over 40 years, and invited the community to come on down with the whole family and enjoy the miniature train rides. This month, the society will also host a Town and District Garage Sale, alongside the train rides. “You never know what you will find at a car boot sale,” Mr Northcote said. “Sometimes people spend five bucks on something and its worth $500. “You can just open your boot, empty out your stuff and put a price on everything. “This is the first time we’re doing something like this.” Mr Northcote said alongside the miniature train rides, there will also be an indoor model railway display and a sausage sizzle to enjoy. The open day and garage sale will be held on Sunday 6 September from 10am to 2pm at the Gisborne Steam Park, Webb Crescent, New Gisborne. The event is free to attend, with $10 for sellers on the day. Details: gisbornevmrs.com

Country music fans are being invited to take a trip down memory lane when Honky Tonk Queens plays at the Bacchus Marsh public Hall on Saturday 9 October at 11am. Fronted by multi-award-winning Australian songstress Amber Joy Poulton, the live show celebrates some of country music’s biggest female voices, including Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt. Presented as part of the Victorian Seniors Festival, the daytime performance promises a lively outing for audiences who enjoy classic country songs, storytelling, and world-class live entertainment. Poulton is renowned for her powerful voice, heartfelt songwriting, and uncanny ability to channel the spirit of country music legends. Her career spans original music and acclaimed theatrical productions, including Coal Miner’s Daughter, a tribute to Loretta Lynn, and Man, I Feel Like a Woman, celebrating powerhouse women across country and pop. Since 2017, Coal Miner’s Daughter has toured Australia, telling the inspiring story of Loretta Lynn from humble beginnings to becoming the first ever female Entertainer of the Year, while featuring songs from the likes of Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette and Parton. Poulton has also continued to release her own music, including her latest album, Pretty Pennies, which explores life, love and the strength of women. With a love for country music’s old-school sound, Poulton continues to draw inspiration from her idols while bringing their timeless songs to new audiences. Honky Tonk Queens promises an afternoon of classic country favourites and a celebration of the women who helped shape the genre. Details: https:// welcometomoorabool.com/ e vent s-bac c hu s m a r s h-ba l l a ngordon-black wood-g reenda le/ honk y-tonk-queens-at-bacchusmarsh-public-hall.

Gisborne Vintage Machinery Society members Chris Dixon, Len Redway, Ian Northcott and John Beaty, and dog Theo. (Damjan Janevski) 573848_04

Tuesday, 1 September, 2026 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 19

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SPORTS QUIZ 11. Carlton coach Josh Fraser played for which two AFL teams in his career?

3. Which basketball team did Knox Raiders defeat to win the 2026 NBL1 Women’s National Championship?

1. Which team finished in last place on the 2026 AFL ladder? 2. Who did Carlos Alcaraz team up with to play mixed doubles at the 2026 US Open?

12. Game two of the 2027 men’s State of Origin series will notably be played in which city?

4. Which basketball team did the Gold Coast Rollers defeat to win the 2026 NBL1 Men’s National Championship?

13. In soccer, a blue card is used in some leagues to signify what?

5. Australia’s two-Test cricket series versus Bangladesh was played in which two cities?

Carlos Alcaraz

Nick Kyrgios

14. The Shrachi Bengal Tigers and the Ranchi Royals play for which Indian sports league?

6. Which American band is set to perform during halftime at the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers MCG game?

15. Was the Heroes character played by late actress Hayden Panetierre a sprinter, cheerleader or swimmer?

7. AFL coach Mark McVeigh played 232 games for which club?

16. In what year is Australia set to host the 11th edition of the Women’s Rugby World Cup?

8. Australia’s women’s national rugby union team’s 100th Test match resulted in a 66-19 loss to which country?

17. Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli achieved what life milestone in August 2026?

9. Which 2014 film starred Kevin Costner as Sonny Weaver Jr., the fictional general manager of the Cleveland Browns?

18. With season four currently being released, what sport features in the TV series Ted Lasso?

27. What is the name of the WAFL’s best-on-ground medal?

21. At the 2026 Cincinnati open, which two Americans made the women’s final?

28. In which year did Italy last win a men’s FIFA World Cup?

22. The Aussie Steelers are the national team in which sport?

29. How many volleyball players from the same team are on the court at one time?

23. What does the acronym DNF stand for in relation to Formula One?

30. NRL team CronullaSutherland shares its nickname with which NHL team?

24. Which US rock group with a hockey-related band name has released the albums Copacetic and Shapeshifter, among others?

19. The East Compton High Clovers and Rancho Carne High Toros are cheerleading teams from which movie?

10. Dez the Snapping Turtle and Dot the Arctic Hare are costumed mascots for which WNBA team?

26. And what do the initials stand for?

20. Nick Kyrgios is facing a four-year ban after testing positive for what?

25. UIPM is the governing body of which Olympic sport?

0409

1. Essendon 2. Serena Williams 3. Bankstown Bruins 4. Forestville Eagles 5. Darwin and Mackay 6. The Jonas Brothers 7. Essendon 8. New Zealand 9. Draft Day 10. Toronto Tempo 11. Collingwood and Gold Coast Suns 12. Auckland 13. Player has committed a minor offence and must leave the field for a short period 14. Hockey India League 15. Cheerleader 16. 2029 17. Became a father 18. Soccer 19. Bring It On 20. Cocaine 21. Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula 22. Men’s softball 23. Did Not Finish 24. Knuckle Puck 25. Modern pentathlon 26. Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne 27. Sandover Medal 28. 2006 29. Six 30. San Jose (Sharks)

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landfill Landfill operations at Sunshine walk away from the site and leave after the are set to permanently cease (EPA) taxpayers to foot the bill Environment Protection Authority licence. Victoria revoked Barro’s operation - Joss Crawford on The EPA announced its decision Monday 27 July . However, Barro Group said the decision and was to cease operations was voluntary that it driven by the community’s message at the doesn’t want operations to continue landfill. said it In a statement, Barro Group it had notified the EPA on 3 April that accepting decided to voluntarily cease landfill waste on a permanent basis at the its surrender voluntarily to and wished operating licence for the landfill. been Underground landfill fires have , burning since 2019, with residents calling Brimbank council and local MPs of years. for the site’s closure for a number strong In December, the EPA took the duty regulatory action and notified the holder of its intention to suspend Group licence because it believed Barro risks was unable to effectively manage landfill to the community arising from operations at the site. The EPA said through this process, demonstrate to the Barro Group failed risks to it could effectively manage the landfill the community from ongoing to the operations and did not respond would be permanently closed. were delighted to hear that the landfill notice of intention to suspend. Siovhon Brister and Nicole Power its right Diane Capelli, Noelene Wattie, “Instead, Barro Group conceded and (Damjan Janevski) 568522_03 to work to continue the landfill operations Barro has stated it will continue where we have been the EPA has revoked its operating licence,” with EPA and Brimbank council to foot the bill. We Sunshine community than 50 years,” he said. closely a direct site and leave taxpayers and ultimate remediate the operating for more EPA said. “[Monday’s] outcome is our in regards to remediation EPA have directed them to fully “Having a strong relationship with operation. result of the strong regulatory action community, the closure of the landfill intends to continue and as a landfill site,” she said. been neighbours, the broader commenced in December 2025 Barro Group said it “We know local communities have and the EPA is and toll the Brimbank City Council result, the landfill will never reopen.” operating its concrete batching plant frustrated and understand the to us. and Rock The EPA said Barro Group must continue landfill has taken on community members. extremely important large resume operation of its Concrete site “Last year we conducted a in Recycling Facility (CRF) at its Sunshine no in us left The community can now take comfort which permissions being again community survey and the subject to necessary knowing that Barro Group will never doubt our surrounding neighbours EPA. did not want obtained from the operate a landfill at the Kealba site. EPA’s hotspot local community in general Residents have welcomed the “We look forward to the day the continue operations. to council landfill the Brimbank while us and decision, is out, and the landfill is remediated.” “This is an important decision for director a “significant win” for the managing Group Barro see it for what described it as took its we hope the community in rebuilding community. Raymond Barro said the company in it is – a show of good faith the responsibilities to all the communities our relationship with our neighbours, More coverage: Page 4. which it operates extremely seriously. of the community and stakeholders.” “Barro Group is a proud member

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Hobson Bay City Band has been going strong for 30 years and will mark the milestone its annual concert on Sunday 23 August with at the Altona City Theatre. Billed as ‘Light and Colour’, the concert promises a big afternoon of exciting live band music ranging from popular artists such as Adele, Beach Boys and The Doors to classic and evocative band music. Conductor Wayne Bowden has put Australian Dental Prosthetists (Victoria) Associationtogether a diverse and challenging 12832170-LD30-26 program and said the band had so far risen to the challenge. “I am very impressed with the way in which the musicians have accepted the challenges put to them for this fabulous variety of repertoire,” Bowden said of the band he has led since 2018. Bass clarinet player Murray Smith said he loved the the challenge of playing a wide range of music and the camaraderie amongst the band members. “Wayne has been working with us to reach a higher and higher standard and we’re proud of the music we’re making,” Smith said. Details: www.hbcb.org.au Hobsons Bay City Band members (L-R) Queenie Lim, Wayne Bowden, Murray Smith and Robin Zakharov are preparing for their annual concert on 23 August. (Damjan Janevski) 568810_06 4 AUGUST, 2026

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Wonderland goes west

“I do believe that he gave it a really good shot and he was believed by the people of

Nearby venue Pride of Our Footscray Bar has since launched T-shirts with a Porter, Elizabeth locals positive Bacchus Marshmore spin on the suburb such as Barby, and Elizabeth Renee Pedretti,“Footscray is Character will Building,” and better known as Team Wonderland, on take off on this year’s Variety Bash Tuesday 18 August, raising vital funds for children who are sick, experiencing disadvantage, or are living with disability. The 10-day, 5200-kilometre journey will take them from Halls Gap in Victoria to Exmouth in Western Australia, featuring a colourful convoy of classic visit vehicles and inviting participants to schools and community organisations way. the along “Every dollar raised helps create it brighter futures for children who need most,” Ms Porter said. “Participants experience the incredible landscapes of Australia while seeing has firsthand the impact our fundraising on families and communities.” Since its inception in 1985, the Variety for Bash has raised millions of dollars children’s programs across Australia. This year marks Team Wonderland’s eighth event in its ‘85 Mercedes Benz 280SE sedan, with hopes of raising

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for an urgent council’s has Hawke MP Sam Rae has called secretary Tash Wark condemned A council spokesperson said, “Council and the ASU. with affected meeting with council decision. any away maintained communication “While I have not received “Melton council has decided to walk work groups and union representatives communication from Melton Council on Established care in our in community, 1981 as theand it’s and does not from aged processSunbury the serving these proudly first,” she throughout and Macedon matter, I was concerned to hear thisRanges breached workers who are paying the price accept the allegation that it has said. 4 AUGUST, 2026 said. the Enterprise reports,” Mr Rae with days its obligations under “I have sought an urgent meeting “Around 95 people who spend their ASU to discuss on their Agreement”. was both Melton Council and the caring for older residents, checking Mayor Lara Carli said the decision detail.” at home receiving these matters in more wellbeing and keeping them safe made in the best interest of those Council reassured residents currently are now facing an uncertain future.” personal leaving care. receiving CHSP services, including Ms Wark slammed the council for “This change will ensure our community care, respite care, meals, social support process. flexible out of the decision-making before can continue to access appropriate, under and domestic assistance, will continue to “Council didn’t consult the union available 2027. a clear and comprehensive care receive services as usual until 30 June, making this decision, and that’s she said. the to under the new aged care system,” Ms Wark said the ASU would fight lightly taken breach of what they’ve committed been not has “This decision the enterprise agreement,” she said. a detailed review decision. We’ve on the by our council, and follows “This decision needs to be reversed. “Workers found out their jobs were in an increasingly this.” did, after of our ability to operate raised a dispute with the council over line the same way everyone else complex and changing aged care system.” the fact.”

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Voluntarily plunging into an Nick Danoucaras and Sam Robertson ice bath, reservoir and the ocean in the middle Kathy Danoucaras, 192 Main Road East, St Albans 9364 3677 of KND Denture Clinic, 8361 9722 winter just once sends a shiver down the Also at: Suite 8, 242 Caroline Springs Boulevard, Caroline Springs. spine of most of us – but how about 70 such dips in 70 days? That’s the challenge Sunbury woman Brigid Evans set herself as part of this year’s 40th anniversary of Daffodil Day on 20 August, a fundraising event to support life-saving cancer research and stand alongside those affected by cancer. And Brigid, 36, has a very personal reason for immersing herself in cold water 70 times as she edges closer to her goal of raising $7000 for the cause. On 18 August last year, her “incredibly fit and healthy” father, Les, suddenly died after battling through a bowel cancer diagnosis he received just before his 70th birthday.

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There just has to be a better way. My goals in all this are to help research for better treatments and support - Brigid Evans Brigid was in hospital herself at the time, having just given birth to her and her husband’s first child, Melody, three days earlier. “Dad was usually the person looking after everyone else,” Brigid told Star Weekly . Brigid Evans is dipping in cold pools “He had been declared cancer-free, and ice baths 70 times to raise money for Daffodil Day, in memory of her but dad, Les. (Damjan Janevski) 566309_01 the chemotherapy treatment proved too Brigid, who has a doctorate harsh on his body, and he had in philosophy. “Melody is such a livewire now, and a sudden “My goals in all this are to help research she sailing spot, Lake Eppalock. downturn, then a heart attack after adds another layer into all this … more for better treatments and dad only While there will no doubt be tears support.” gastro-intestinal issues,” she said. got to meet his first grandchild over mixed After launching her Daffodil Day a video in with the cold winter An avid sailor on Lake Eppalock quest phone call just before he water of Eppalock near with her first dip on 31 May, passed, but I’m when the final Bendigo who also kept fit on Brigid is due sure he would be dip is done, Brigid says she a rowing to notch up dip number proud of me.” will not be done – she not only 50 as Star Weekly machine every day, Les had also As the 2026 Daffodil Day date gets plans to donated went to press – dips closer, continue cold water dipping that have included Brigid said his plasma hundreds of times and, after Daffodil she had some special dips Day at the many 6C ice baths at Thrve because of the health benefits, time of his diagnosis, wasn’t even in Sunbury, planned for the last but due for in the ocean down the week, when she will has promised coast, in Macedon take annual his routine colonoscopy to check to also shave her hair if she leave from her Disabilities reaches for bowel Reservoir and during swimming lessons Victoria policy her $7000 fundraising goal. problems. and research role. for herself and Melody at Sunbury Donations In the end, Brigid said, it wasn’t to Brigid Evans’ 70 dips in Aquatic A group of her close friends will join the and Leisure Centre. her 70 days winter challenge cancer that took her dad’s life on the weekend of 15 and 16 can be made and she “I’ve found the ice baths good https://www.daffodilday.com.au/ believes the harsh concoction of chemicals for my dip in Macedon Reservoir, August for a at mental health and learning to swim while mum fundraisers/brigidevans/daf as part of his treatment was a major has Leonie – who recently moved fodil-dayfactor. been a positive out of a to Sunbury dip-2026 dark period,” she from Bendigo “There just has to be a better way,” – will be by Brigid’s side on 22 70-dip and you can also follow Brigid’s said journey at www.instagram.com/

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The owners of a Footscray record store have defended the suburb after the previous occupant of their shop released a T-shirt emblazoned with ‘Footscray is a Shithole’ and claimed he had to close due to the area becoming an “absolute dumpster fire”. Kynan O’Meara and Jason Richmond opened their record store and cafe Coco Bananas in Chambers Street, between the Nicholson Street Mall and Maddern Square, in October 2023 after the closure of Counterweight Vinyl and Espresso. On Saturday 25 July, a picture of a white T-shirt splashed with dark blue, baseball-style font denigrating Footscray

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4 AUGUST, 2026

North West

By Tara Murray and Sebastian Conidi

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Star News Group is an independent, Australian, family-owned media company and a leading provider of trusted local journalism. We publish newspapers and digital news services across Melbourne’s south east, the Shire of Yarra Ranges, Melbourne’s west and north, as well as selected regions in Queensland. Our network also includes a growing portfolio of niche and specialist titles. With a strong commitment to digital innovation, Star delivers news across multiple platforms – print, ePapers, websites aligned to each masthead, newsletters and thriving social media channels. As a progressive publisher, we continue to invest in quality local journalism and products that strengthen community connection. About the Role A rare opportunity exists to join our newsroom as either an experienced journalist or a graduate/cadet entering the industry. These positions are based at our Keilor Park office and form part of a broader network of newsrooms producing weekly newspapers and daily digital content. Our journalism is hyperlocal – focused on the stories, people, issues and decisions that shape the day-to-day life of our communities. You will work within an experienced independent publishing team with strong editorial leadership and a commitment to publicinterest reporting. What We’re Looking For We are seeking motivated and community-minded reporters – from experienced journalists to high-potential cadets – who can demonstrate initiative in news gathering and a passion for storytelling. Key duties include: • Reporting on general news, community issues, local government, sport and events • Producing engaging digital and print editorial content • Supporting special features and sponsored editorial as required • Covering events across the region (including occasional after-hours commitments) • Meeting deadlines and working within weekly production cycles • Assisting with proofing and preparing content for print Qualifications & Experience • We’d love to hear from applicants who have: • A tertiary qualification in journalism, communications, media, marketing or similar (or currently completing) • Strong writing skills and excellent command of the English language • A news sense and curiosity about local people and issues • The ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a busy newsroom

The Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995 makes it unlawful for an advertiser to show any intention to discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, race, age, marital status, political or religious belief or physical features, disability, lawful sexual activity/sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status or on the basis of being associated with a person with one of the above characteristics, unless covered by an exception under the Act. As Network Classifieds could be legally liable if an unlawful advertisement is printed, Network Classifieds will not accept advertisements that appear to break the law. For more information about discrimination in advertising, contact your legal advisers or the Equal Opportunity Commission.

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Tuesday, 1 September, 2026 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 21

Wrangler loves to rough it By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring Jeep Wrangler needs no introduction. If you’re into off-roading, it’s up there with the best of them. In fact, out of the box, Wrangler probably delivers more 4x4 capability than just about anything, with plenty of room for further customisation. But this ability comes at a cost, because it’s not the most comfortable car to drive and these days it is available only with a petrol engine which is a major drawback.

Styling In the UK the 4x4 scene is about mud and bog holes. In the United States, it’s more about water crossings and rocky hill climbs. In this great land of ours, it’s likely to be a mix of both, with the Outback regarded as the pinnacle of off-road adventure. It’s a market dominated by Toyota in its many shapes and forms as we discovered on a trip to the Top End not so long ago, behind the wheel of a Prado wagon. Jeeps and Land Rovers are a comparatively rare sight on the corrugations of the Gibb River Road which stretches more than 600km between Broome and Kununurra in Western Australia. Conspicuously absent is the darling of the western suburbs, the Ford Ranger. Where does the Jeep Wrangler fit into this scenario? It’s very much a lifestyle choice, with the focus on play rather than work. It’s about going bush for the weekend, with the fam or your mates and maybe dirt bikes. When we started driving Jeeps, they had two doors and a cramped, emergency rear seat. Then the four-door Unlimited came along, opening up a whole new world. Since then, the market for 4x4 dual cab utes has exploded and they account for three of the top 10 selling vehicles in Australia. Jeep saw this coming and in June 2020 added the Gladiator (great name) to the mix, based on the four-door model, with a proper ladder chassis. Fast forward and we suspect Jeep is doing it tough, not off road but in the showrooms with sales well and truly down. You want a Wrangler, the lineup has been rationalised to just the one top-spec Rubicon grade, available in two- or four-door form with the occasional special edition thrown in to spice things up. There’s Wrangler Rubicon two-door ($81,990) and Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon four-door ($84,990), along with a four-door 85th Anniversary edition ($88,490). At the moment, there’s also a strictly limited edition four-door Rewind ($73,990) which at this price represents a good deal. On-road costs must be added to all of these prices. Premium paint adds $1490 to the cost and the Sky-One-Touch Power Top is a hefty $6450. With removable roof panels, the Wrangler is billed as a driving experience unlike anything else. It’s just getting these panels off and figuring out how to put them back on (and the time it takes) that is likely to deter the majority of people. Jeep’s website Visualiser encourages you to build your Jeep, with an accessory list that disappears over the horizon – but it could also be a big deterrent. It’s confusing, cumbersome and time consuming. Rubicon features 17-inch alloys with BF Goodrich off-road rubber, dual zone climate air with rear vents and heated leather seats along with a heated steering wheel. There’s also LED lighting front and back,

Jeep Wrangler is a car designed for roughing it, not an urban environment. (Pictures: Supplied)

LED daytime running lights, auto lights and wipers, auto dimming rear view mirror, plus front and rear parking sensors. Wrangler comes with a five-year/100,000km warranty, lifetime roadside assistance if you service the vehicle through Jeep and needs to be serviced every 12 months/12,000km.

Infotainment Infotainment consists of a 12.3-inch touchscreen, 7.0-inch driver info panel and nine-Speaker Alpine audio, with built-in navigation, Bluetooth phone and audio, AM/ FM/DAB+ radio, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The lower dash offers USB-C, USB-A and AUX ports, along with a 12-volt outlet. There’s another USB-A in the console box, plus two USB-A and USB-C ports in the back, together with a 240-volt outlet.

Safety Standard safety extends to four airbags (two front and two side), with Autonomous emergency braking (City and Interurban) and a blind spot monitor. There’s also Forward Collision Warning Plus, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop, Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Path Detection. Lane Keep Assist (LKA) and Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK) systems are not available. Be aware, however, Wrangler is currently unrated for safety. The previous three-star rating expired in December last year.

Engines/transmissions The 2.0-litre turbo in question generates 200kW of power at 5250 rpm and 400Nm of torque from 3000-4500 rpm. Transmission is via a ZF eight-speed conventional auto with part-time high and low range four-wheel drive, plus auto engine-stop-start (to save fuel).

Driving What’s hurting Jeep more than anything is the demise of the diesel and in the case of Wrangler, its 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol replacement. It gets along all right but, like the old Pentastar V6, is something of a sinkhole for gas – and it likes the good stuff – 95 premium unleaded. With an 81-litre tank Jeep quotes combined average fuel consumption at 10.2L/100km. Over the course of a week, we clocked up 940km in our test vehicle at a rate of 10.9L/100km.

22 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 1 September, 2026

Of note it was the first time in a long time that we had to dip into the kitty to top up a vehicle which says something. To give this some perspective, in previous tests, a two-door Wrangler with the V6 returned 10.4L/100km and a Gladiator with the same engine 14.0L/100km. It’s simply not good enough. At 4882mm in length, Wrangler Unlimited is fairly compact, about 71cm shorter than Gladiator, with an 11.8-metre turning circle. Weighing in at 2154kg, aluminium is used to reduce weight and boost fuel consumption, including the doors, door hinges, hood, fender flares, windshield frame and tailgate. Hollow track and stabiliser bars, aluminium engine mounts and steering gear also help to reduce weight. It has a braked tow rating of 2495kg. Inside it’s a mix of new and old, with a traditional flat dash that contains a long 12.3-inch touchscreen in this iteration that’s better suited to the demands of CarPlay and Android Auto. The dash consists of old-style analogue instrument gauges that flank a 7.0-inch information panel, where speed can be displayed digitally. Getting in and out of the Wrangler takes some athleticism, due to its ride height and the small doors. The driver sits close to the wheel and the swap from left to right hand drive hasn’t been seamless, with a smaller driver’s side footwell that leaves little room for a proper footrest, making it uncomfortable to drive over long distances. With some negotiation you can slot your left foot to the side of the brake pedal and fold your right leg sideways under it, but after a while even that becomes cramped. There’s not much easily accessible cabin storage either. Sure, there’s the netted door pockets, but with so little room for expansion between the doors and seat sides, their capacity is severely limited. Placing our phone and wallet in the pocket, sitting one on top of each other, resulted in the power seat adjustment controls being suddenly activated as they were squeezed against them. LOL. Rear legroom is good and the boot is deep and reasonably sized, with a hidey-hole under the floor, a big Alpine subwoofer built into the side and a 12-volt socket for things like car fridges. Although the tailgate and window glass

open separately, the tailgate must be opened and closed first which kind of negates any practicality. Fitting a child seat is difficult because the headrests are not removable. Rubicon features a long list of 4x4 accessories, with a high/low range Rock-Trac Active On-Demand 4x4 system with a traditional, short stubby transfer lever. Highlights include heavy duty Dana axles, Tru-Lok front and rear electronic diff locks, electronic front sway-bar disconnect, 77.2:1 crawl ratio and Fox aluminium-bodied two-inch diameter shocks front and back. With an approach angle of 43.9 degrees, break over angle of 22.6 degrees, departure angle of 37.0 degrees and a ground clearance of 255mm, it has a wading depth of 760mm. An Off-Road+ Button automatically adjusts throttle, Selec-Speed Control, Traction Control, Transmission Shift Mode. It has two modes: 4HI for higher speed sand performance and 4LO for very low speed rock hopping manoeuvres Wrangler gets the ‘Trail Rated’ stamp of approval testifying to its 4x4 capabilities, but as we have shown previously – its meaning is somewhat dubious. It’s a feisty thing, fun to drive with a decent turn of speed, but we would have preferred a diesel. The steering is rubbery and it has a tendency to wander if left unchecked, but the ride is surprisingly compliant and unlikely to generate complaints. The chunky off-road rubber is just what you want for the rough stuff but sets up a helluva din at 110km/h on the motorway. Convex exterior mirrors make judging distance to objects difficult. You see one thing in the mirrors and another in the rear-view camera which is a trifle confusing.

Summing up The iconic styling is a big drawcard as is the Wrangler’s prodigious off-road ability. This is a car designed for roughing it. For getting scratched and dirty and going back for more the next week. What it’s not, is a car designed for the urban environment. It might look cool but the novelty will soon wear off and you’ll find yourself wanting something with a bit more comfort. Land Rover has shown you can do this with the new Defender and perhaps it’s time Jeep bit the bullet and introduced something safer and more comfortable?

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SPORT

Just out of reach for West Footscray’s Archie Lorimer. 574818_17

Laverton’s Sina Mason and Yarraville Seddon’s Akec Makur Chuot file for the mark. 574814_02

Caroline Springs’ Tyler Gysberts. 574819_08

Finals action in full flight The sun was out as finals football ramped up another level on Saturday. Star Weekly

photographer Ljubica Vrankovic was out shooting some of the action.

Yarraville Seddon’s Zachary O’Halloran. _574819_03

North Footscray’s Samuel Gunesekera. 574818_20

Yarraville Seddon’s Susan Prashanth. 574814_06

Werribee Centrals’ Anna Be is tackled. 574813_22

Wyndhamvale’s Jessica Spall. 574813_02

Westmeadows’ Francis Keenan. 574816_11

Westmeadows celebrate a goal. 574816_24

Tuesday, 1 September, 2026 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 23

SPORT

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Georgies just miss out By Tara Murray There was no final miracle this year for Caroline Springs George Cross as it narrowly missed out on the National Premier League finals. The Georgies needed to beat South Melbourne in the final round on Saturday and hoped results went their way to sneak into the top six. While they finished with a 1-0 win, the other results didn’t fall their way. It meant the Georgies finished the season in seventh spot, one point outside the top six. For coach Eric Vassiliadis it was a bittersweet ending to the season. He said they had been playing to the

soccer gods, but it didn’t fall their way. “We’ve got a real history of doing well in the big games and in the end,” he said. “Extremely disappointed that we didn’t get there in the end, as our aspiration was to play finals, but you have to be proud of the players, and the staff. “They have been immense and never stopped believing and I think it’s given us a taste of what it takes and it’s important that the club goes to another level.” Vassiliadis said the playing group had given the absolute maximum that they could have gotten out of them in terms of mentality, energy and commitment. He said they also showed they belonged back in the top level. “As a coaching staff we showed a tacti-

cal maturity and a way of playing, a style of play that led to us losing only six games all year,” he said. “I don’t think we lost a game to anybody out of the top six and we beat three teams in the top six. “With 11 draws, I think the boys can be extremely proud of their outcomes, maybe a little bit more luck with some big decisions that went against us. “It’s fine lines, extremely proud.” Vassiliadis said they were happy with how they finished the season against South Melbourne, which will play finals. He said they had set a solid platform for next year. Vassiliadis said the supporters who had been there all year, had been a big

part in what they’ve achieved in recent seasons. “When we started this project seven years ago, as a club we had a vision that a strong George Cross would be good for the NPL. “We believe that vision was achieved. We think the club brings something special, from a football perspective we want more and we are disappointed. In other results, Green Gully finished with a 2-1 win against Melbourne City. The win moves the Cavaliers off the bottom of the table, but they will still be relegated. St Albans finished with a 6-0 win against the Dandenong Thunder. The Saints finished in ninth.

Rising badminton star loves the fast pace By Peter Howe As Australia was coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Luo family in Point Cook took to a nearby hall for exercise. This month’s Don Deeble nominee, Wanjiao Luo, who was barely eight years old, became very curious about badminton as it was played in the hall. “It was super fun and I met so many new people who I still play with today,” reflects Luo. “I tried a few other sports, including swimming, ballet and I even tried soccer for a year, but none were as enticing as badminton. “On court you must work out your opponent, it’s fast paced and I am extremely competitive. I love to compete.” Having fallen in love with the sport, Luo won her first tournament in a team event when she was 10. It was a national tournament making it more special. “I was so proud,” she recalls. “My friends joke with me that I should have a bed in the badminton centre. I love it so much. “It really is my second home.” Luo’s weekly training routine includes three, three-hour training sessions, a yoga session and running sessions. She trains six days a week before spending Sundays with her family. Luo runs about five kilometres, often with her father, at least once a week to improve her stamina for those long-fought games on court. When asked about her strengths, Luo said, “I like to change things up a lot to catch my opponents off-guard. “My consistency is improving as I mature and become more stable as a player. “I try to take the emotion out of my oncourt play, I don’t even hear the spectators around the court when I play, I am so zoned in.” Luo competes in singles, doubles and mixed doubles. She has a few Victorian titles in each format. However, it was her first national title in 2024 in the under-13 titles as an 11-yearold that brought her to prominence. Then as a 13-year-old Luo won both the singles and doubles under-15 national titles and won bronze in the mixed doubles. Earlier this year, Luo was awarded the Julie McDonald Trophy by Badminton Victoria as the most improved junior female player of the year. As under-15 national champion, Luo has met the criteria for the Badminton Australia’s Junior Falcon program, but at 13 is too young. She must wait until she turns 14 next year to join the Junior Falcons.

Minchan Kim. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 543459_06

Cup run over for brave Eagles

Wanjiao Luo. (@adamcyf_production)

Luo’s sporting hero is Taiwan’s Tai Tzuying and she wants to emulate many of her strengths. Luo has just returned from a training camp in China with her coach Nelson Oon. “The opportunity to train and play like a professional player was exciting,” she said. “We trained and played alongside champion badminton players from all over China. “These experiences will hopefully improve my badminton quickly.” While Luo has recently returned from overseas, she believes Australian badminton players lack overseas experience. “Badminton is not a major sport in this country, we need exposure to overseas players and competition,” she said. “The two things I have loved about

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travelling is testing myself against the best and equally making new friends.” Currently in year 7 at Alamanda P-9 College, Luo has her sights firmly set on the Olympic stage, perhaps even Brisbane in 2032. “Right now however, it’s about improving day-by-day, trying to find the balance between family, sport and education and of course to keep winning tournament titles, after all I am very competitive.” 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.

North Sunshine Eagles’ Australia Cup run came to an end after a stunning first half from the Lions on Tuesday night. The Eagles travelled to Brisbane as they looked to continue their remarkable run for another round. Having never made the national stage before, the Eagles were looking to win through to the final four. The Lions started the game on fire in front of their home crowd. They got an early breakthrough when Finn Beakhurst scored his first goal in all competitions this season. Mitchell Hore was responsible for goals two and three. He scored in the 31st minute before eight minutes later he added his side’s third. The game was effectively wrapped up when a header from Cher Deng, following a chipped free kick, made it 4-0 before the break. The Eagles didn’t give up in the second half. They came closest after a free kick from captain Corentin Chauve found Rai Dos Santos, whose cutback found Aidan Olds in front of goal. Olds could only fire over the crossbar. The Lions had some more chances later on but neither side could find the back of the net in the second half, with the Lions winning 4-0. The loss finishes a tough week for the Eagles, who are set to be relegated in Victorian Premier League 1. The Eagles sit second bottom heading into the final round. With Western United withdrawn from the competition, the Eagles have a bye in the final round.

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Lakers into the grand final By Tara Murray After some near misses, Caroline Springs will play off in its first Western Netball League division 1 grand final. After finishing as minor premiers last season, the Lakers were knocked out in straight sets. With a few key additions, the Lakers again claimed the minor premiership again this year. There would be no repeat of 12 months earlier, with the Lakers defeating Albanvale Cobras Blue in a qualifying final, 62-41. Lakers’ netball coordinator Nadine Oborne said it was a really good feeling for the group. “How exciting?” she said. “It’s the first grand final for the division 1 girls. They’ve played finals before but this is the first division 1 grand final which is huge.

“The girls are pumped.” Oborne said the group had worked really hard after last year to come back and be even better. Some key recruits in the attacking end also paid dividends. The Lakers finished the regular season with nine wins from the nine games they played to finish on top of the ladder, percentage ahead of the Cobras. It meant a bye in the first week of the finals before the two sides faced off in the qualifying final. Oborne said it was a really good performance from the group. “It was a convincing win,” she said. “We started off poorly in the first quarter. Charlize Bellette then turned it on and was unstoppable. “She is up and coming in netball and she’s in the Netball Victoria pathway top 25.

It’s been a strong season for Caroline Springs division 1 and 2 sides. (Supplied)

“She’s hitting her peak at the right time of the year.” Oborne said Bellette had benefited from the leadership of former Super Netball player Rahni Samson this season, helping her really grow as a player. Samson was the biggest signing for the competition heading into this year.

Anastasio relishes new role at Deer Park

The Lakers had the week off and will face the winner of Albanvale Cobras Blue and Hawks Sapphire. Oborne said it was about making sure they stuck to the routine and the basics in the week off and go from there. The Lakers division 2 and 3 sides played in preliminary finals on Friday night. The division 2 side won through to the grand final. Oborne said it would be the first time they’ve had more than one team in a grand final in the same year if those teams were to get through. “It will be huge,” she said of having more than one team in the grand final. “Our division 2 and 3 sides have a lot of young girls. In division 3, the majority are 16 to 21, it’s a really young team. “They are really making their mark and it’s promising for the future of the club.”

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By Tara Murray New Deer Park coach Anthony Anastasio thought the opportunity was too good to pass up when given the opportunity to coach the Essendon District Football League premier division club. Having joined the club as a playing-assistant coach this season, Anastasio will step up to replace Jamie Madigan. “I’m looking forward to it, a good opportunity,” Anastasio said. “When I left the VFL [Victorian Football League], I always thought I wanted to move into some sort of coaching eventually. “I didn’t think it would come this quickly. “I took on a little bit of an assistant coaching role this year to try and help out. “I got a bit of an insight into what the coaching domain at a local footy looked like and the opportunity came up and I thought this was too good of an opportunity to pass up.” Anastasio said Madigan encouraged him to go for the role, which helped him make the final call to put his hat in the ring. He said he’s loved his time at the club so far. “It’s very welcoming, a great group of players and support staff, great group of supporters and they have all been very welcoming. “I feel like I’ve got good insight into the feel of the club, what they are looking at and that is obviously success. “They moved over to the EDFL and want to be successful. “They want to try and replicate what they did in the WRFL [Western Football League] throughout the 2010s and hopefully we can work towards that.” Anastasio said he wouldn’t look to make too many changes, feeling they already have a lot of the pieces in place. He said from a playing perspective they already had a good core group there. “Player wise we’ve got a really healthy list in terms of a nice spread of talent and people that want to work hard,” he said “Hopefully try and add a few little pieces here and there, as I think the key pieces are there. “Off the field wise, I’ll try and make it a bit of a club where people want to come to and when they come they want to stay built on the culture and history it already has.” Anastasio will be a playing coach saying he loves the game too much not to be playing. The Lions finished off their season with a 23.8 (146)-6.7 (43) loss to Keilor on Saturday. The Lions finished the season in sev-

Keilor Park has received a boost with former captain Daylan Kempster back for the 2027 Essendon District Football League division 2 season. “After a year away from the club, he’s coming back with unfinished business, a point to prove and a whole lot of fire in the belly,” the Devils said on social media. “One year out. One year hungrier. One year closer to being ready to rip in.”

VTCA Caroline Springs has turned to a familiar face to guide its women’s side for the Victorian Turf Cricket Association women’s season. The Falcons announced that Winston Lawrence would take on the role. “’Winnie’ requires no introduction to Town Centre Reserve having made his mark on our club as a player, we are eager to see how he can shape the next generation of young female cricketers at the Falcons,” the club said on social media. “A proven winner, terrific communicator and all round leader, we are supremely confident Winnie will instil his wisdom and cricket knowledge on our young playing group, who are raring to go for another summer.” The Falcons had a combined women’s side with Burnside Springs United last season.

WNBL Macey Boyle is the latest Keilor Thunder player to connect with the Southside Melbourne Flyers for the WNBL season. A Keilor junior, who played both for the Thunder’s National Basketball League 1 and Big V youth teams, Boyle has been named a development player for the 2026-27 WNBL season. “Macey is a talented young player with a great attitude and a strong desire to improve,” Flyers coach Sam Mackinnon said.

FV The Western Eagles have secured promotion in the FV state league 2 north-west. The Eagles beat Corio on Saturday, 2-1, to lock up a top three spot heading into the final round. Three teams will be promoted after the withdrawal of Western United. The Eagles will finish second or third. Anthony Anastasio. (Ties Urie)569972_11

enth spot. Anastasio said while disappointing not to be playing finals, that would take some positives out of the year. “It was half through injuries and unavailabilities, and sometimes due to our lapses in concentration and inability to finish on

game days,” he said of missing out on finals. “The good side of that is the opportunity to blood some young boys and some kids coming through. “It will only hold the club in good stead and allow us to build a squad for the next couple of years.”

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Eagles secure finals spot By Tara Murray Keilor Park had always hoped to play finals coming up into the Victorian Premier League 2 competition, and it’s now a reality. The Eagles faced a new challenge this season after claiming the state league 1 north-west title the previous season. The group managed to put things together at the right time of the year, to lock in a top-six spot with a round remaining. The top two teams are automatically promoted, while the teams that finished third through to sixth play finals to decide the third team that gets promoted. Eagles’ coach Sergio Sabbadini said the

coaching and playing group were stoked at what they had achieved. “It was pretty good,” he said of locking up a top-six spot. “We could have done it the week before but we let a two-goal lead slip. “It made us focus the week after and it was all OK.” Sabbadini said they had always been keen to play finals in the VPL2 but they knew they had to work hard to get there. It hasn’t been all smooth sailing. “It’s not a bad thing to aim for,” he said. “We’ve been getting better as the year has gone on. We started off disastrously, but once we got a foothold, it all came good.

“The team has settled down now and we got over our injuries. A full list always helps.” The Eagles finished their regular season on Saturday against Altona City, which will be relegated at the end of the season. The Eagles had a 2-1 win. Altona City started quickly with a goal in the third minute, before Tyler Camilleri responded three minutes later. Tatenda Shamu scored the winner in the 48th minute. Sabbadini said before the game they were a bit hamstrung with three players on four yellow cards, so they didn’t want to take any risks.

If they receive any more yellow cards, they will face suspension. “We’ll leave them out,” he said. “Other guys will have the chance to play 90 minutes and hopefully it goes well.” The Eagles will face Essendon Royals in the first week of finals. There’s a week off before finals with Sabbadini saying he would have loved to have played on. The Eagles will then have a one-in-four chance of earning promotion. “It’s like a preliminary final,” he said. “Us and the other teams will have the same mindset and it will come down to who plays better on the day.”

Jets knocked out

Jordan Maksimov in the win against Craigieburn City. Ljubica Vrankovic_573284_09

Balmoral does it again in convincing fashion By Tara Murray Balmoral used to dream about having success but these days, the FV state league club lives it. The club secured the state league 3 north-west title with two rounds remaining, having previously locked up promotion the week before. The title is the third in four seasons for Balmoral, which will go from playing in state league 5 in 2023 to state league 2 north-west in 2027. Balmoral president Enver Malkic said it had been a few special years at the club. “It has been another successful season,” he said. “Not only three promotions but three titles. “We were able to wrap it up against Craigieburn City with a professional performance. “We’re excited for state league 2.” Malkis said they were keen to wrap up promotion and the title as early as possible. The 2-0 win against Craigieburn City and other results mean the side is 11 points clear of the chasing pack.

The club has 16 wins and two draws from its first 20 matches. Heading into the last two rounds, just four points separates the next four sides in a logjam for the second and possibly third promotion spot. While the championship and promotion are sealed, Balmoral wants to finish off the season strongly. It will play off in the overall state league 3 grand final against its sister club Heatherton United which has also wrapped up the title. “Hopefully we can get bragging rights and we’ll go into that game ready to tackle it head on,” he said. “We have achieved our objective but hopefully we can achieve the double.” Malkic said they had put a five year plan in place while the club was still in state league 5. The goal was to be in state league 2 in that time. “We worked hard on the culture and we’ve achieved things that we didn’t think were possible. “We spent a lot of time building the

26 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 1 September, 2026

foundations. It’s come to fruition and we’ve seen the results. “We’re not only dreaming of success, we’re achieving success. “We are one year ahead of our plan.” Now having achieved the goal of making it to state league 2 north-west, Malkic said they would return to the drawing board to see what is next for the club. Don’t expect the hard work and big goals to end. “We’ll have a look at what the next three years look like,” he said. “We will continue to put in the hard work. “It’s too early to talk about what next year looks like. “The coaching staff, who came in after round seven, did a tremendous job. “We’ll most likely look to go all in to try and go up again into state league 1 and on the door of semi professionalism.” Balmoral faced Epping City on Saturday before it will finish the regular season against Sunbury United. It was a disappointing result against Epping City, with Balmoral losing, 3-0.

It’s season over for both the Western Jets sides in the Talent League competition. The girls season came to an end at the hands of the Oakleigh Chargers on Saturday. The Jets were playing finals for the first time since 2022. While they entered finals on the back of a strong win, the Jets had their work cut out against the Chargers, who were the number one ranked metro team heading into finals. Despite that, the Jets led the Chargers by five points at quarter time after kicking two goals to one in the first quarter. The Chargers then switched into gear in the second quarter. They kicked five goals to none to lead by 27 points at the main break and have the game in control. It was one goal apiece in the third quarter, with the margin reducing by one point heading into the final quarter. The Chargers had the scoring end in the final quarter and made the most of it, kicking six goals to cap off a strong game. The Chargers won, 13.3 (81)-3.3 (21). Alana D’Ambrosio, Paige McHutchison and Taya Delaney were the goalkickers for the Jets. Aluk Kuol, Mylee Lake, Parsons Jones and Tayla Olivieri were named the Jets best. For the Jets boys, their 11-game winning streak came to an end at at the hands of the Chargers as well. The Chargers controlled the game throughout and kept the Jets to just one goal after half time in the 16.13 (109)-5.10 (40). It was all single goalkickers for the Jets. Angus Tippett had 30 disposals for the Jets, while Lachlan Hicks had 26. Hicks, Toby Round and Mac Dullard were named the Jets best. With minor premiers, the Northern Knights also losing, the Jets season came to an end with the Knights progressing as the highest metro loser.

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Lakers need to lift to win By Luke D’Anello Caroline Springs face a must-win clash this weekend to keep their Western Football League division 1 premiership dream alive after falling short in Saturday’s qualifying final. The Lakers conceded 10 goals to five after quarter-time in an 18-point loss to Yarraville-Seddon, 11.11 (77)-8.11 (59), and will face Albion in a sudden-death semi-final on Sunday. Brian Lake’s side trailed by just three points at the final change at Hogans Road Reserve before the Eagles booted three unanswered goals in the last term to set up an appointment with minor premiers Werribee Districts. “We were really good in the first quarter.

Our pressure was really good. We linked with hands and it was a good battle in the first quarter and all game really,” Caroline Springs football director Shaun Rainer said. “But we dropped intensity in the second quarter and allowed a couple of their guys to get off the chain a little. “We came back into it in the third and were still in it right up until the end. I don’t know whether we deserved to be or not. I haven’t seen the Premier Data stats yet, but I reckon our kicking efficiency and all of that will be lower than what we expect and where we set our standards at. I think we turned the footy over a lot and allowed them to rebound from it.” The Lakers entered the clash on a fivegame winning run and claimed victory in both games against Yarraville-Seddon

during the home-and-away campaign. But that mattered little on Saturday, with Rainer pointing to several close contests between the teams in recent years in what is a burgeoning rivalry. Caroline Springs co-captain Max Tessari led from the front and was his team’s best in the defeat. Alexander Paech, Bailey Raak, Reece Blackman, Zen Christofi and Tyler Gysberts also worked hard, while co-captain Cooper Pepi and Malik Elfakahani contributed two goals apiece. “We had a few guys who just had moments in the game, but probably not long enough moments,” Rainer said. Albion, who finished fifth, advanced after knocking off Parkside by 20 points in Sunday’s elimination final at Braybrook’s Skin-

ner Reserve. “They’ve got a real quality midfield and quality across all lines, but their midfield’s really strong, so we need to be prepared,” Rainer said. However, while Caroline Springs will need to take the long way to achieve backto-back grand final appearances, Rainer agreed the evenness of the top flight gave them hope of going one step further than 2025. “It’s a really even comp this year and if you don’t bring it for four quarters, which is what happened (on Saturday) … you get found out,” he said. “If we don’t bring four quarters of football next week, that’ll be the same, and if we’re lucky enough to go on further than that, we just have to bring it every week.”

James Mcvey. (Ties Urie) 568974_06

Cobras’ season over

Darcy McPherson. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 565909_11

Cats win through as Muir kicks four goals By Tara Murray Albion was just happy to be playing in the Western Football League division 1 finals, winning one was a bonus. Playing top flight finals in more than a decade, the Cats were able to get the job done against Parkside on Sunday. For coach Blake Richards, it’s a massive moment for the club to have beaten Parkside, 13.9 (87)-10.7 (67). “We were happy with our record and the progression we’ve made this season before today [Sunday],” he said. “To win an A-grade final is ahead of where we are in the scheme of things. “We’re playing good enough footy to win and we did.” Richards said they felt they were bringing in some good form to finals. Both the Cats and Parkside played Hoppers Crossing in the final two weeks of the season, with the Cats getting a win and the Magpies losing. It gave the Cats some confidence but

Richards said they were also realistic. “I went in thinking that we could lose it being our first final, but we could also win it which would be exciting,” he said. “We were a bit of an unknown to the other sides. We’ve got a few injuries at the moment and hopefully we’ll get a couple of boys back next week. “It was good to get the result.” Richards said the qualifying final on Saturday between Yarraville Seddon and Caroline Springs was based on ball movement and speed. Sunday’s final was completely different. It was an even first half before the Cats kicked three goals to one in the third quarter to lead by 23 points heading into the final quarter. It was an arm wrestle in the final quarter as the Cats held on. “There were big hits from both sides who had a fair dinkum crack at it,” Richards said. “We missed a few opportunities and they missed a few late. “We felt like we had some really good

opportunities in the second quarter but we were still up by nine points. “They copped a few injuries and it felt like the rotations had an impact. They were expected to beat us on the outside; the injuries equaled that out. Cooper Muir kicked four goals for the Cats, while Judd Brewster kicked three goals. Richards said ruck Johnathan O’Brien was massive for them. Josh Bench and Caleb McPherson were other standouts. The Cats will now play Caroline Springs in a knockout semi final this Sunday. Richards said there had been a lot of growth within the club this season. He said their home and away record showed they weren’t far off the top few sides. Carter Michael and Maysen Murgov were chances of returning for the semi-final. “The last 11 games we played everyone once and we would have finished close to top or second,” he said. “We know we’re good enough, it’s about executing on the day.”

Albanvale’s Western Football League division 2 finals run is over, with Wyndhamvale keeping alive its hopes of back-to-back premierships. The Cobras always had a tough task in Sunday’s semi final, with a big gap between them and the top three sides, including Wyndhamvale, all season.. The Falcons jumped out of the blocks and led by 28 points at quarter time before still holding a 20 point margin at the main break, After half time, the Falcons’ finals experience came to the fore as they kicked eight goals to three to seal their spot in the preliminary final, 13.10 (88)-5.14 (44). Reece Field was the only multiple goalkicker for the Cobras in the loss. Nathan Calleja, Jackson Williams and Darren Borg were named the Cobras best. Noah Cooney and Lewis Stanton kicked three goals each for the Falcons. The Falcons will play West Footscray for the second time in three weeks in the next round. The Roosters lost to local rival North Footscray in the other semi final. The game was all but over at half time, with the Devils leading by 48 points at the main break. After a strong season half last week, the Roosters didn’t have the legs as the Devils ran out 17.13 (115)-5.6 (36). Lynden Dunn and Mathew Serafino kicked four goals each for the Devils. Adam Petridis was named their best. The Devils will now have the week off after winning through to the grand final. The Devils reserves are also through to the grand final.

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