WEDNESDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER, 2026
Wyndham finds its orphan Annies Wyndham Cultural Centre has selected its leads for the upcoming production of Annie the Musical following auditions with over 60 young performers from Melbourne’s west. Eleven-year-old Victoria Glenn and 13-year-old Emma Curtis will share the title role, performing in January. Director Sam Siddiqui praised the exceptional talent pool, noting that “the number and standard of young performers who came through the auditions was extraordinary.” The production features classic numbers like It’s the Hard Knock Life. PerformX Productions presents the musical with the Werribee Concert Band, celebrating its 40th anniversary, providing live orchestral accompaniment. The beloved musical follows young Annie as she escapes an orphanage and unexpectedly moves into billionaire Oliver Warbucks’ home in Depression-era New York. For the full story turn to page 9
Victoria Glenn and Emma Curtis at Wyndham Cultural Centre ahead of their January season of Annie the Musical. (Nick Watkins)
No upgrade vote There will be no upgrade of the Featherbrook Reserve Pavilion in Point Cook – or even a feasibility report done – for at least the current financial year. Following a lively debate and a 5-5 vote at the 22 September Wyndham Council meeting, Mayor Mia Shaw used her casting vote twice to put a stop to further review about the pavilion’s upgrade. Council instead adopted the officer’s recommendation to assist and guide tenant clubs with funding options. At the 28 July meeting, councillors voted to request a report for the September meeting
on the feasibility of upgrading the facility. Constructed in 2012, Featherbrook Reserve is home to the Point Cook Centrals Sporting Club and Point Cook Centrals Cricket Club. In her report, council’s acting director of city life Jenna House stated that while technically feasible, a council-funded project was not currently viable due to policy, financial, and capital planning considerations. She noted the project was not included in capital works forecasts and would deliver facility components beyond standard provision levels. Indicative costs were $1.35 million for a change room expansion and $4.67 million for a two-storey social room expansion. Ms
House recommended council adopt a support and guidance role rather than a funding role. Cr Jasmine Hill moved an alternate motion to spend up to $60,000 for a review into feasibility, concept design, costs, staging, and government funding advocacy. Supporting the alternate, Cr Preet Singh said council should consider cases on merit. “Undertaking this work does not commit council to funding or construction... This is about gathering facts and exploring options,” he said. Other councillors opposed the expenditure.
Cr Kim McAliney noted other Wyndham sporting clubs were still waiting for upgrades, while Cr Susan McIntyre stated the project was not in the budget. Cr Robert Szatkowski added that clubs must first demonstrate sustainability before conversations could happen. Following the vote, Cr Hill posted on social media that she was “simply asking council to do the homework first.” She expressed disappointment that the proposal did not progress to the investigation stage, but promised to “continue advocating for Featherbrook Reserve, its sporting clubs and the Point Cook community.”
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By Glenn Fisher
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Heritage shield secured By Glenn Fisher Heritage protections will be placed on almost 50 properties across Wyndham after councillors unanimously voted to adopt a planning scheme amendment at the 22 September council meeting. Amendment C270wynd to the Wyndham Planning Scheme will place a heritage overlay on 15 individual heritage places and one heritage precinct across Werribee and in Little River. The report to the council meeting about C270wynd incorporated a planning officer’s report and 11 attachments totalling 813 pages in the meeting agenda. The amendment was publicly exhibited in late 2025 and early 2026, with submis-
sions received during exhibition referred to an independent Planning Panel for consideration in June. The panel issued a report in July recommending its adoption, subject to minor changes. One of the Werribee properties affected, 15 Anderson Street, is noted by council in its Planning Scheme as being a place of local aesthetic significance as a substantially intact, externally preserved, cream brick veneer bungalow from the 1950s. The home features distinctive post-war “waterfall” styling cues, including two chimneys with curved capping, and “a corner window with fine aluminium framing”. Council planning and liveability director Eric Braslis’s report recommended updating the Statement of Significance for 15 Ander-
son Street to “improve the factual accuracy of the citation in relation to the aluminium window frames”. This minor correction came after a series of phone calls, letters and meetings between council officers and the property owner, who objected to their property’s inclusion in the Heritage Overlay. All of this occurred well after the close of the amendment’s submission period, the conclusion of the Planning Panel hearing and the publication of the panel’s report. Mr Braslis noted in his report to council on 22 September that council officers confirmed the owner was notified in writing of the inclusion of 15 Anderson Street in the Heritage Study and proposed Heritage Overlay in November 2023, June 2024 and
again in September 2025 before the public exhibition of the amendment. The owner did not make a submission in response to the amendment in response to these opportunities, Mr Braslis stated. Noting that the letter was provided 290 days after the date required by council’s notice of exhibition, officers recommended council did not consider the letter as a late submission. Mr Braslis said council officers still assessed new information supplied by the owner and obtained advice from its heritage consultant, which confirmed 15 Anderson Street continued to meet the Heritage Overlay threshold. The adopted amendment will be sent to the Minister for Planning for approval.
Phillip Gordon, Bruce Wheeler, Robert Shaw and Sharlene Gordon. (Damjan Janevski). 580067 08
Motorcyclists to rally for the fallen
Keeping busy during the school holidays were Will 9, Issy, 8, and Charlie, 9. (Damjan Janevski). 580512 01
Holiday fun continues in Wyndham There are still plenty of activities throughout Wyndham to keep the kids active and entertained during the final days of the spring school holidays. Wyndham Cultural Centre in Watton Street is hosting the annual Fam Bam LIVE children’s theatre festival until this Sunday, 4 October, featuring live theatre, dance, magic, comedy, music, and hands-on workshops. On Friday 2 October, 7pm, Wolfgang in the Stars, is a dazzling delight for everyone but especially children aged 3 years and older. With truly gravity-defying acrobatics,
live video projections, puppetry, music and a heart-warming message of connection. For tweens, Reputation – The Ultimate Taylor Shift Show returns on Saturday 3 October at 7.30pm will have the audience singing along to many well-known favourites. Ella and Sienna (The Voice 2022), known for their gorgeous sibling harmonies and unique pop sound, along with their incredible band, bring every era of Taylor Swift’s story to life and brilliantly showcases country music’s fastest rising star to the global pop sensation we know today. Wyndham City Council has a full Active
Kids calendar of events that run from 9am until 6pm every day until Saturday, 3 October, including come-and-try dance classes, basketball, lacrosse, taekwondo, soccer, karate, athletics, cricket, tennis and gymnastics. And if you’re looking for something a little quieter and crafty, all seven Wyndham libraries still have activities this week ranging from art and craft workshops to rhyme and storytelling sessions, along with chess, coding, Lego, writing workshops, theatre performances and even beekeeping. .
Residents invited to have a say on new waste and litter strategy Wyndham counncil has opened its draft Waste and Litter Strategy 2026-2040 for public feedback, outlining an ambitious blueprint to shift the municipality toward a more sustainable, circular economy. The strategy frames waste management as a collective effort, emphasising that councils, communities, industry and government must work together to achieve meaningful environmental outcomes. Rather than focusing solely on disposal, the new approach prioritises resource recovery, leveraging council’s
comprehensive waste services to provide residents with accessible and affordable waste management options. The strategy includes several specific targets for the municipality by 2030: - Recycling 62 per cent of kerbside and council waste - Reusing or recycling up to 65 per cent of hard waste service materials - Recovering 35 per cent of materials from transfer stations - Reducing illegal dumping - Maintaining high customer satisfaction levels
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Council says it plans to achieve these goals through education, innovation and strong local leadership, ensuring the system remains user-friendly and affordable for all residents. The strategy aligns with broader Victorian and Australian waste policy objectives and builds on insights from previous community consultations. Residents are invited to provide feedback by 21 October via the Loop Wyndham website: theloop.wyndham.vic.gov. au/waste-and-litter-strategy-2026-2040
Motorcyclists from across the state will ride to Parliament House in Melbourne to raise concerns about road conditions and to remember those who have lost their lives on Victorian roads. The Broken Roads = Broken Promises rally will take place on Sunday 4 October, with riders travelling from meeting points across the state before gathering at Parliament House for a peaceful rally at 11am. Following the Parliament House rally, riders will take part in a police-escorted ride to Pirates Tavern in Williamstown for the official Ride for the Fallen event. Ride for the Fallen president Philip Gordon said the road condition rally was organised separately from his group, but both events shared concerns about motorcycle safety. “The ‘Broken Roads = Broken Promises’ rally was arranged after one of our fellow riders passed away after hitting a pothole on the Western Highway, Trawalla, on 13 September,” he said. “Current road conditions are hazardous for all vehicles, not just motorcycles.” Mr Gordon said the issue was not limited to a particular road or region, with riders reporting concerns across Victoria. “Every municipality has its own ‘worst’ road in the district,” he said. The Ride for the Fallen event was established to honour Marielle, a young learner rider who died while riding to work in 2024. Mr Gordon said the event also reflected his own experience after he was involved in a motorcycle crash on the Western Highway at Pentland Hills in November 2025. He said greater input from motorcyclists, improved awareness of riders as road users and more comprehensive training and support for learner riders were needed. The Ride for the Fallen event will be open to riders from all backgrounds and motorcycle clubs. “Gone from our sight. Never from our hearts. Forever on the road,” Mr Gordon said. Details: https://www.facebook. com/groups/1787794398120912/ posts/4584136565153334/.
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Family’s gratitude
The Gunna family. (Supplied)
tics over these last few days, every single gesture has given me hope.“ Mr Gunna said Neha was planning a trip for their daughter to meet her 87-yearold grandmother and extended family for the first time. “I am now fulfilling that commitment to bring Neha and my mother home to be with our elders for their final rites. Due to
this very short timeframe, I offer my deepest apologies to our friends and community in Australia for not being able to organise a local funeral service before our departure. “Please know that your prayers are a blessing to my young children—I truly believe those prayers will shield and protect them throughout their lives.“
Help name centre Wyndham council is inviting residents to name the new community centre, which is expected to be built in the Riverwalk Community Precinct, in Werribee from 2027. The new community centre, including a kindergarten, will be a great place for locals to meet, connect, participate in community life, and access local services such as maternal and child health services. This is the second stage of the naming process for the centre. Proposed names refer to the area’s history, its street address and its proximity to the Werribee River. The three names that residents are invited to vote on, include: Liberator Community Centre referring to the area’s historic link to the B-24 Liberator aircraft and the nearby memorial museum in Werribee. Dutchelm Avenue Community Centre, referring to the community centre’s street address at 23 Dutchelm Avenue, Werribee and the nearby existing mature Dutch Elm trees. Platypus Community Centre, referring to the breeding population of wild platypus that live in the nearby Werribee River. Council will consider the results of the community vote and the preferred name for the community centre. The proposed name will then be subject to a 30-day public notice period before it is submitted to Geographic Names Victoria for final approval. For more information and to vote by 21 October, visit: theloop.wyndham. vic.gov.au/help-name-new-community-centre-coming-werribee
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Varun Gunna, whose wife and mother were killed in a fatal collision in Point Cook on 16 September, has spoken publicly about the tragedy, expressing profound gratitude to the community that has supported him through the darkest days of his life. Neha Bommali, 33, and Rama Devi, 67, died at the scene when their Toyota Corolla and a Porsche Macan collided at the intersection of Boardwalk Boulevard and Innessfail Drive about 9.40pm. “In the blink of an eye, my life companion and the mother of my two young children, Neha, was taken away from us,“ Mr Gunna said in an emotional statement. “In that same heartbreaking moment, I lost my mother, Rama Devi, and my father GT Prasad lost his wife of 43 years—a lifetime of love, partnership, and shared memories vanished in an instant.“ Mr Gunna specifically praised the bystanders and first responders who attended the scene, saying their compassion provided comfort in the tragedy’s final moments. He also acknowledged the ongoing support from police, emergency services, medical staff, and healthcare workers. However, it was the community’s response that he credited with helping him through his grief. “The incredible support system around us is what helped me stand back up,“ Mr Gunna said. “Friends, neighbours, and the community around me have been an absolute pillar of strength.“ “From close friends to complete strangers, people have been extraordinarily kind to my family and me. Whether it was a simple pat on the back, a kind word, or helping us navigate daily chores and logis-
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Council trucking dilemma By Glenn Fisher Wyndham council has conceded that enforcing penalties on trucks illegally parked in residential areas is unlikely to change drivers’ behaviour. Council planning and liveability director Eric Braslis reported to the 22 September council meeting with research and options to address the illegal truck parking issue, which he described as a significant community concern that impacted neighbourhood amenity, road safety, visibility and noise. Mr Braslis’s report said truck parking was governed by Victoria’s Road Safety Road Rules, which make it an offence for the driver of a heavy or long vehicle to park for lon-
ger than one hour in a built-up area, unless loading or unloading. A truck is a vehicle that is greater than 4.5 tonnes or more than 7.5 metres long. The current infringement penalty for this offence is $125. Council issued 14,288 truck-related infringements over the past three years, representing about 10.5 per cent of all infringements and warnings in that period. In trying to address the issue, Mr Braslis said Wyndham Council had implemented a dedicated after-hours parking patrol, with 2389 infringements issued to trucks who parked for longer than one hour, compared with 1159 issued during the same period in the year before.
However, he warned council that targeted enforcement might improve compliance and provide valuable data to inform future action, but “enforcement alone is unlikely to deliver long-term behaviour change”. “Current infringement penalties are often absorbed as a business cost by operators, reducing their effectiveness as a deterrent,” he said. Councillors voted unanimously to conduct an education and information blitz, combined with continued enforcement, as well as consider the introduction of a second evening patrol in 2027-28 budget deliberations. Cr Preet Singh successfully moved an addition, requesting CEO Stephen Wells to
“explore options to fully utilise the spread of hours to support targeting of parked trucks”. “Enforcement alone is not working,” Cr Singh said. The motion directs council officers to combine existing enforcement activities, which include after-hours patrols, response to complaints and pro-active hotspot patrols, with a targeted education and awareness campaign. While a final decision as not been made on what that campaign may look like, Mr Braslis said it may include distribution of educational material, social media communications encouraging residents to report illegal truck parking, website updates, and targeted signage.
Police seize more than $57m worth of drugs
Dr Rabindra Nath Shaw, Ananya Dasgupta, Susan (6), Harini Rathnakumaran, Rhana (9), and Subrajit Basak. (Damjan Janevski). 578982 01
Hindu festival makes its way to Hoppers Encore Events Centre in Hoppers Crossing will host a weekend of culture, food, family entertainment and unity at the West Melbourne Durga Utsav 2026. Sponsored by Wyndham City Council and organised by not-for-profit community organisation Bongosathi – The Bengali Cultural Association, Durga Utsav 2026 will run for two full days over the weekend of October 10 and 11. Bongosathi founder Dr Rabindra Nath Shaw said Durga Utsav 2026 would be a spectacular and free cultural program featuring 30 groups, including group dances, group songs and live bands. Apart from a literal smorgasbord of de-
licious food – including from local restaurant Apur Rannaghor, which specialises in authentic, home-style Bengali cuisine, Indian dishes and traditional sweets – the event will also feature market stalls offering hand-crafted fashion, jewellery, accessories and much more, as well as plenty of exciting activities for children and teenagers. The event will include a traditional Durga Puja with performances from influential santoor player Tarun Bhattacharya, dubbed the “master of 100 strings” who has recorded more than 150 albums. Durga Puja (or Utsav) is a major Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of the goddess Durga over the evil demon king
Mahishasura. It marks the triumph of good over evil and welcomes the goddess as she visits her earthly maternal home with her four children – Ganesha, Lakshmi, Saraswati and Kartikeya. Rooted deeply in Bengali culture, the traditional celebration combines sacred rituals, community gatherings and detailed artistic craftsmanship. While the entire weekend offers free entry, attendees are asked to register at https://bongosathi.eventbrite.com.au/ Further details via email at info@bongosathi.com.au or visit https://www.facebook.com/bongosathi1
Relocated mental health service opened in Tarneit The state government has officially opened a relocated mental health service in Tarneit, bringing specialist care closer to families across the west. Minister for Health Ingrid Stitt opened the Royal Children’s Hospital South-West Infant, Child and Family Mental Health and Wellbeing Service at Penrose Promenade Community Centre on Monday 21 September, marking the end of its temporary relocation to Travancore following the closure of the Hoppers Crossing site.
The community-based service provides assessment, treatment and care for children aged 0 to 11 years, with a focus on early intervention and family-centred care. The newly fitted-out facility includes eight consulting rooms, a speech pathology assessment room, a paediatric room and dedicated observation spaces. “Labor is providing the critical health infrastructure that communities need, regardless of where they live – keeping Victoria’s mental health system the best in Australia,“
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Minister Stitt said. The service operates Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Tarneit MP Dylan Wight said the service fills a vital gap as the area continues to grow. “Tarneit is only growing, so having critical mental health services close to home is absolutely necessary for our community,“ Mr Wight said. “The right care at the right time gives young people every chance possible to thrive in life.“
More than $57 million worth of drugs were seized by police, while police arrested 137 people, issued 247 charges and executed 59 search warrants during a national week of action targeting illicit drug and organised crime activity. The operation, conducted from 1418 September, was coordinated by the Australia and New Zealand Illicit Drug Working Group (ANZIDWG). The week of action involved every Australian state and territory police agency, New Zealand police and customs, AFP, ABF, ACIC, AUSTRAC and Home Affairs. It focused on disrupting organised crime networks involved in the importation, trafficking, production and distribution of illicit drugs to impact the availability of drugs in our communities and reduce the harms associated with drug supply and use. More than 95 kilograms of various drugs including heroin, methylamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA, ketamine, cannabis and synthetic opioids were seized in Victoria, along with 565 kilograms of various pre-cursor chemicals, 180 cannabis plants and just over 23 litres of 1,4-butanediol. A total of $67,000 in cash was seized as well as two firearms. Two significant investigations of interest in Victoria include a clandestine laboratory in Balnarring and the arrests of three people allegedly responsible for trafficking a commercial quantity of methylamphetamine in Melbourne’s western suburbs. Earlier in September, police executed search warrants at properties in Balnarring, Rye, Maribyrnong and Preston. A commercial-sized clandestine laboratory was located at the Balnarring address. Two men, a 31-year-old from Rye and 30-year-old from Maribyrnong were charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of methamphetamine and MDMA, trafficking commercial quantities of Ketamine, and possessing substances, material and equipment to manufacture drug of dependence. On 19 September, police located three people allegedly in possession of approximately 250 grams of methylamphetamine, a quantity of GHB and $25,000 cash. A 39-year-old woman from Truganina and two men, a 31-year-old from Mill Park and 30-year-old from Reservoir were charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of methylamphetamine, possessing 1,4 Butanediol and dealing property suspected proceeds of crime.
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River dance by the river
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Wyndham Council is inviting community members to the performance of The River, a new contemporary dance at Bungies Hole along the Werribee River this Saturday 3 October. The River, created by acclaimed choreographer Zoë Bastin, will be performed live on Bunurong Country by two dancers. Tender, physical and deeply atmospheric, The River is a work that causes you to reflect deeply on love, loss and human connection. Beside the deep-water pools and ghost gums of the Werribee River, The River tells a story about how relationships carve pathways through our lives and take us on journeys, just as rivers move through and shape the landscape, the ecology and the community. Bungies Hole, just behind the Werribee Bowls Club, is also home to the Werribee & District Anglers Club and is a historically significant site that was once a popular swimming hole along the Werribee River. The River by Zoe Bastin Dance is commissioned and co-presented with Wyndham Council as part of the 2026 Melbourne Fringe Pulse Program with generous support from Next Wave. There are only two showings of this 60-minute performance on Saturday, one at sunrise at 7.30am and the other at sunset at 6pm. The River is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all ages. Tickets are $15 concession and $20 adult and are essential as there is limited capacity. To find out more information and to book visit https://www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/ whats-on/river-zoe-bastin-dance The River by Zoe Bastin Dance is part of the 2026 Melbourne Fringe Pulse Program (Supplied)
Police are investigating a home invasion in Truganina last month. It is understood four unknown male offenders gained access to a property on Fiore Way about 9pm on Tuesday, 11 August. Once inside the property, the offenders confronted two occupants in a hallway. One resident, a 35-year-old man, was threatened with a machete while demands were made for cash. The second occupant, a 40-year-old woman, was not physically injured during the incident. The group rummaged through a number of rooms, before fleeing the scene with multiple pieces of gold jewellery. It is understood the group arrived and left in a silver Holden Commodore. Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www. crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Community grocer The Community Grocer Werribee is open every Tuesday from 8.30am - 12.30pm at Wyndham Park Community Centre, 55/57 Kookaburra Avenue, Werribee. This neighbourhood market provides access to low-cost fruit and vegetables for everyone - with prices on average 30 per cent cheaper than surrounding fresh food outlets. The market is more than a food security solution, it is an inclusive and vibrant place for community to gather, connect and share food. The next market will be held on Tuesday 6 October. FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Wyndham Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly
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% 20-50 OFF an amazing range* Ends Sunday Snooze Hoppers Crossing 283-293 Old Geelong Road, Hoppers Crossing, VIC 3029 | 9748 6100 | snooze.com.au It's amazing what a little snooze can do *Offer ends 4 October 2026. Advertised prices and savings shown are based on Snooze Management Pty Ltd RRP. Snooze stores are predominately operated by independent franchisees and therefore the price for products prior to the sale will vary from store to store. Snooze stores can offer discounts on any ticketed prices in store meaning that products may be sold at less than the RRP at any time. Exclusions apply. Offer not available on floor stock, Snooze Deals products, clearance, delivery, assembly and recycling services. As our stores vary in size, it is possible that not all products are displayed in all stores but all products may be ordered on request. While we aim to ensure the information provided is correct, sometimes errors occur and we reserve the right to correct any errors. New orders only. Snooze’s standard terms and conditions of sale otherwise apply. Images are for illustrative purposes only. 12894992-EA40-26
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A new path for Wyndham Wyndham is set to spend the next decade joining up its bike paths, walking trails and long-distance routes under a new strategy aimed at making it easier for residents to ditch the car. Councillors endorsed the Wyndham Active Transport Strategy 2026-2035 (WATS) at their September 22 meeting, following community feedback on the draft strategy exhibited in May. Connecting long trails and paths across Wyndham emerged as one of the top priorities raised by both pedestrians
and cyclists during consultation. Other shared priorities included separate paths for pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooter users, better access to train stations and nature and waterways, and safer, more accessible routes for people of all ages and abilities. The priorities have been incorporated into the final strategy under its Network Planning actions. Planning and liveability director Eric Braslis said the refreshed strategy would build on council’s work to date and sup-
port its vision for Wyndham to become a leader in active transport by 2035. The strategy is built around three key areas: creating an integrated active transport network, ensuring infrastructure meets the needs of all users, and improving education, promotion and communication around healthier and more sustainable travel choices. The push comes as transport emissions remain a major contributor to Wyndham’s environmental footprint. Council’s report found transport ac-
counted for 24 per cent of the municipality’s greenhouse gas emissions in 202324, with on-road vehicles responsible for 43 per cent of transport emissions. The report said encouraging walking, cycling and other forms of active transport could help reduce car use and emissions by giving residents more alternatives for getting around. The strategy will now guide council’s active transport planning and investment over the next decade.
Expo for experienced
Tristan Hooper, Shaun Hooper, Aria McLaren, Wyndham Brickfest president Andrew Elsbury, Wyndham Health Foundation chief executive Christine Medrano, Brett Robinson and Makayla Robinson. (Supplied)
Hospital donation built brick by brick Wyndham Brickfest is proud to announce a $10,000 donation to the Wyndham Health Foundation, supporting the purchase of two TOM 2 Children’s Cots for the emergency department at Werribee Mercy Hospital. “This result is outstanding and a credit to every volunteer and member of the organising committee who helped deliver the 2026 event,” Wyndham Brickfest president Andrew Elsbury said. “We are proud to present these funds to the Wyndham Health Foundation so they can combine this contribution with other donations to purchase the cots, valued at $7,500 each. These beds will ensure children
attending the emergency department can receive care comfortably and appropriately.“ Wyndham Health Foundation chief executive Christine Medrano welcomed the support. “We thank Wyndham Brickfest for helping deliver much-needed medical equipment to our public health service at Werribee Mercy Hospital,” Mrs Medrano said. “The contribution from Wyndham Brickfest has been combined with donations from the Fragapane family and the Wyndham Lions Club to ensure these cots are available as soon as possible, giving children access to beds designed specifically for their needs in the new emergency
department.” Planning for Wyndham Brickfest 2027 is already underway, with strong encouragement for LEGO builders and creative minds to consider displaying next year. “This year we had a record number of displays, record attendance, and record funds raised. Our volunteer committee is eager to build on the success of 2026 and deliver an even bigger event in 2027,” Mr Elsbury said. Those interested in assisting with the organisation of Wyndham Brickfest 2027 can visit: www.wyndhambrickfest.com.au/ membership or email wyndhambrickfest@ gmail.com.
Have your say on ways to create a sustainable lifestyle Wyndham council invites feedback to update its sustainable home and lifestyle program, which aims to help residents create comfortable, efficient and sustainable homes and also reduce environmental impacts. Feedback will build on existing programs to better understand topics residents are interested in, this is in line with government direction to promote economic, social and environmental sustainability, including mitigation and
planning for climate change risk. Wyndham has been running a range of sustainability programs for the past 12 years. Highlights include: * My Smart Garden - which encourages and supports residents to grow native habitats and their own fruit and vegetables, and participate in initiatives such as food swaps at markets. * Wyndham Seed Library - free seed packets to grow native plants, fruit and vegetables are available through Wynd-
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ham’s libraries, to promote native habitats, healthy eating and a reduction in food packaging. * Energy Smart Home – offers tips to improve a homes’ heating and cooling without reliance on electricity and gas. Residents who provide feedback before 30 November go into the draw to win sustainable lifestyle prizes. For more information and to take the survey visit: theloop.wyndham.vic.gov.au/sustainable-home-and-lifestyle-survey
Wyndham seniors won’t have to travel far to experience a range of free events during this year’s Victorian Seniors Festival running throughout October. Wyndham City Council will host the 2026 Wyndham Seniors & Carers Expo on Tuesday, 6 October as part of the wider festival, bringing together a range of local services and organisations, giving seniors and carers the opportunity to find support, plan for the future and discover what’s available in their community. This free event will take place between 10am and 3pm at Encore Events Centre in Hoppers Crossing will offer a comprehensive, one-stop shop for everything from aged care services to health and wellbeing programs. Wyndham Mayor Mia Shaw said this year’s Seniors & Carers Expo aimed to create a vibrant and supportive environment where attendees can discover a wide range of services and connect with local providers. “The annual Seniors & Carers Expo is an important initiative that empowers seniors and their carers with knowledge and practical support,” Cr Shaw said. “By bringing services together we hope to make it easier for our community members to access them, enabling our senior residents and their carers to enjoy happier, healthier lives.” The month-long Victorian Seniors Festival also offers a line-up of free activities and events in Wyndham throughout October, following the 2026 festival theme of Connect, Create, Celebrate. Victorian Seniors Card holders can access free public transport across Victoria from 3 to 11 October, including travel across all metropolitan services, V/Line train and coach services, and selected regional bus services outside of the myki-enabled area. Other local community events in Wyndham during October include Seniors Festival at The Grange on 1 October at The Grange Community Centre in Hoppers Crossing, Blossoms Above the Bay art classes on 6 October at Featherbrook Community Centre in Point Cook, Art workshops at Arndell Park Community Centre in Truganina on 7, 15 and 20 October, Dance through Decades on 8 October at Saltwater Community Centre, a garden craft workshop on 8 October at Point Cook Community Learning Centre, Senior’s Day Out on 8 October at Mainview Blvd Family Learning Centre in Truganina, a Bollywood Dance Workshop on 12 October at Koomail Tardy Community Centre in Truganina and a Healthy & Active Morning of exercise at Central Park Community Centre in Hoppers Crossing on 13 October. For the full schedule of events during Victorian Seniors Festival in Wyndham, visit https://www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/ events-experiences/whats
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crime Early intervention key Wyndham trends down As part of an ongoing series examining the causes and solutions to crime in the west, Jack O’Shea-Ayres spoke with IPC Health chief executive Jayne Nelson about the role of disadvantage, trauma, and early intervention in preventing offending.
I
PC Health is a not-for-profit community health provider of affordable and holistic health and wellbeing services to support people to be well for life across the western suburbs. Ms Nelson said drivers of crime were complex and needed to be addressed through a range of services, rather than focusing solely on the justice system. “The drivers of offending are multi-layered and need to be seen that way,” she said. “Disadvantage matters, but it isn’t destiny. Multiple disadvantage and vulnerability has a cumulative effect, often due to trauma experienced in childhood and adolescence.” Ms Nelson said early intervention was important in helping people experiencing disadvantage before they come into contact with the justice system. “That’s why holistic, multi-disciplinary early intervention and prevention services, like those we deliver at IPC Health, are so important,” she said. While youth offending in Victoria fell by six per cent in the year to March 2026, adult offending rose by about 10 per cent, driven in part by breaches of bail and orders, and by retail theft. IPC Health noted there is a need to understand the circumstances that could precede offending, rather than focusing solely on its impacts. Young people in Victoria’s most disadvantaged areas are about six times more likely to be under youth justice supervision as those living in the least disadvantaged areas, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), suburbs like St Albans, Sunshine, Deer Park, Ardeer, and Braybrook are consistently ranked as some of Victoria’s largest and most severe urban clusters of disadvantage. Rapidly expanding outer-western growth corridors like Melton and Wyndham drive infrastructure lag, lower employment access, and a lack of education and support resources, leading to socio-economic disadvantage for many of the suburbs residents. However, IPC Health sourced data suggests the majority of young people experiencing disadvantage do not enter the justice system. Accumulated adversity, including experiences of trauma and contact with the child protection system, served as an
Social worker Andrea Mejia and senior manager Danielle Barth from IPC Health’s Child, Youth and Family Services team. (Supplied)
important factor for many people who later became involved in offending. Many people who experienced adversity never come into contact with the justice system, yet it’s believed the right support provided early on can improve the odds. IPC Health’s Well for Life model provides early intervention and prevention services across a range of issues, including family violence, gambling harm, alcohol and other drug use, mental health, and homelessness. During the 2025-26 financial year, the organisation supported 52,177 clients across its services, an increase of 4.7 per cent from the previous year. This included more than 3700 clients accessing mental health and wellbeing services, almost 500 adults supported by its Gambler’s Help team and 587 children and parents through the Brimbank Melton Children’s Health and Wellbeing Local.
But Ms Nelson said demand for support services was outstripping available capacity. “We’re grateful for funding from both state and federal governments, and more can be done,” she said. “Demand for our services exceeds capacity, which means people in vulnerable populations miss out on support that could help them find a more positive path.” IPC Health’s modelling suggests crime in disadvantaged communities can’t simply be understood as a policing issue. Many people who become involved in offending are shown to have experienced multiple forms of disadvantage and trauma throughout their childhood addressing the underlying problems early may help prevent later involvement in the justice system.
Crime in Wyndham dropped at a higher rate than across the state in the last financial year, according to new data. After a massive jump in the previous 12 months, the recent Crime Statistics Agency data showed that for the year to 30 June, crime dropped by 3.1 per cent in Wyndham to 23,923 recorded offences, compared with 24,678 offences at the same time last year. In that same period, criminal offences across the state dropped by 2.1 per cent. The suburb of Werribee took home top spot for crime at 5348, but that figure was down from 5634 the year prior. Tarneit was the only Wyndham suburb in the top five that recorded an increase in 2025-26 with 4707, up from 4233, while Hoppers Crossing was slightly down to 3903 from 3909. Point Cook followed, dropping to 2706 offences from 3727 the previous year, and Truganina with 2169, down from 2370. Other theft was the top offence recorded in Wyndham with 3455 offences, up from 3035, followed by stealing from a motor vehicle at 3101 and stealing from a retail store at 1875. Total family incidents totalled 3926, a drop of 5.4 per cent on the previous 12 months 4149 incidents, with breaching a family violence order offences totalling 1822, compared with 2028 this time last year. Houses were the most common location for offences, with 7323 offences taking place in people’s homes across Wyndham, a drop from 8205 in 2024-25. Offences taking place in streets, lanes, footpaths (3272) were down on the previous year, but offences at shopping complexes (1068) and service stations (1023) were up across Wyndham. Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Bob Hill said while it was pleasing to see the overall state crime figures stabilising, it only reinforces the need for Victoria Police to maintain a strong focus on prevention and enforcement activities. “Victoria Police will continue to focus on prevention where we can, enforcement where we must, and maintaining the visible, proactive policing presence that communities in this state rightly expect and deserve,” he said.
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Wednesday, 30 September, 2026 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 7
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Offering refugees a voice A new four-part podcast series exploring Australia’s offshore detention regime has just been released, including firsthand accounts from people still detained on Naoero, and interviews with former detainees now living on short term visas in Australia. Cade Lucas reports.
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or a quarter of a century Footscray’s Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) has been supporting and advocating for the rights of refugees, and people seeking asylum, providing everything from legal advice and representation, to help accessing housing, education and medical care, to emergency food supplies through its foodbank. But earlier this month, the ASRC embarked on a new way of advocating for the rights of refugees: by simply telling their stories. “Out of Sight Out of Mind is podcast that is really critical for our times,” ASRC chief executive and founder Kon Karapandgiotidis said of the new four-part podcast series telling the stories of those who’ve been detained in Australia’s off-shore detention system, primarily on the island Naoero (formerly Nauru). “Out of Sight and Out of Mind is important because for the first time in Australia, it’s a podcast that gives a voice to refugees themselves.” Once a hot-button issue, especially when the Coalition led by Tony Abbott returned to power promising to ‘stop the boats’ and re-established Australia’s off-shore detention centre network, the plight of asylum seekers languishing in places like Naoero has receded from view as the boats stopped, the detention centers closed, Covid-19 happened and the Coalition was turfed out of office. But far from going away, Mr Karapanagiotidis said the issue had instead morphed from concern about asylum seekers arriving by boat, to a much larger and uglier debate about immigration itself. “At a time where we’re seeing a rise of racism, far-right parties and the dehumanising of refugees, migrants and pretty much all of multicultural Australia, more than ever we need to hear the stories of the people behind the dehumanisation and bigotry,” he said, adding that while the the debate had grown into something bigger and places like Naoro and Manus Island were now rarely in the news, Australia was still holding asylum seekers in off-shore detention, hence the title of the podcast. “It’s called Out of Sight Out of Mind because that’s the whole intention of keeping people detained off-shore; if they’re out of sight, they’re out of mind.” The series attempts to address this from the beginning, with episode one ‘Naoero Now’ featuring the first person account of Ravi, a young Bangladeshi man currently being held on the tiny Micronesian island nation while seeking asylum in Australia. “They treat us like animals, we are animals. We don’t have any hope, any dreams,” Ravi said of life in Naoero, where he’s been for the last two years; the first six months in detention and the rest in the community. “Like if we’ve got any problem in Naoero, no one responds to that. If we have any problems, like health problems, like legal problems here, we are helpless.” The situation is better for former Naoero detainees now living in Australia, though not by a lot. Among those interviewed for episode two ‘Women and Children Last’, is Ethiopian born Betelhem Tebebu, who arrived in Australia by boat in 2013 after fleeing her homeland in search of safety. Transferred to Naoero, Betelhem spent years in detention before eventually being transferred to Australia in 2017 on a short-term bridging visa.
Chief executive of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) Kon Karapanagiotidis at its Footscray’s headquarters. The ASRC has launched a new podcast series. (Damjan Janevski) 579773 03
More than ever we need to hear the stories of the people behind the dehumanisation and bigotry - Kon Karapandgiotidis Now a mother of a young daughter and working for a major public transport company in Melbourne, Betelhem said the impact of her time on Naoero lingered. “Still I am like a cracked mirror trying to collect all the pieces and put myself back together. Offshore detention hurt us so badly that it takes many years to recover,” she said, adding that uncertainty over visa status was itself a form of detention. “I am now a half free woman on Naarm (Melbourne), but my sadness still remains because of this temporary bridging visa.” Betelhem’s story is detailed alongside that of Reza and Yasmin, a father and daughter who along with the rest of their family, have spent 14 years on bridging visas, firstly on Naoero and since 2018, in Australia. “Fourteen years is a lifetime to live without certainty,” Reza said. “We spent years in detention, we endured what no family should have to endure, and we came to Australia hoping to rebuild our lives. We did rebuild them. Australia became our home.” Yasmin, who was just 10 when the family was sent to Naoro and is now in her 20s, said while the bridging visas were temporary, their lives weren’t meant to be. “We are ready to stop waiting and finally start living.” In episode three ‘Blowing the Whistle’, Nicole, a humanitarian worker who spent
8 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 30 September, 2026
two years supporting families detained on Naoero, and former Guardian journalist Paul Farrell reveal how whistleblowers, leaked documents and investigative reporting exposed the human rights abuses at the detention centre. Concluding the series, episode four ‘Taking Action’, contains interviews with refugee advocates and campaigners who helped release children from immigration detention on Naoero. The first three episodes Out of Sight Out of Mind are available now, while the fourth episode will be released on 1 October. An audio only podcast at a time when the industry is morphing into a type of cheap television, Karapangiotidis said the sensitivity of the issue and the fact many of those interviewed are still having their asylum claims heard meant a video version wasn’t really an option. With the exception of Betelhem, every other asylum seeker interviewed for the series has had their names changed and images withheld to protect privacy. Despite this, Karapanagiotis said the response to the first two episodes had been positive and that he was hopeful of partnering with a major podcast provider to help the series stand out in the crowded podcast space. “We’ve been in talks trying to see if one of the big podcast providers would be willing to profile it and push it out further, because you’re up against Joe Rogan and all these types,” he said. “We’ve just done it off our own bat.” Listen to Out of Sight Out of Mind at: https://action.asrc.org.au/out_of_sight_ out_of_mind A petition running alongside the podcast series demanding former off-shore detainees on bridging visas be allowed stay in Australia, can be found at: https:// action.asrc.org.au/let_them_stay_for_ good_petition
Former Naoero detainee Betelhem Tebebu is interviewed for episode two of the Out of Sight Out of Mind podcast. (Supplied)
Asylum seekers on Naoero. (Supplied)
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NEWS
The two Annies Rosslare Court Reserve.
After an extensive audition process that drew more than 60 young performers from across Melbourne’s west, Wyndham Cultural Centre has finally found the stars to lead its upcoming production of Annie the Musical. Eleven-year-old Victoria Glenn and 13-year-old Emma Curtis have been selected to share the coveted title role, which will take to the stage in January. The pair stood out among an extraordinary field of talented young performers who competed for the opportunity to play one of musical theatre’s most iconic characters. Director Sam Siddiqui praised the calibre of talent on display during the selection process. “Finding the performers who would lead the production was one of the most significant decisions of the casting process,“ he said. “Annie is such an iconic role and we knew there would be an enormous amount of interest, but the number and standard of young performers who came through the auditions was extraordinary.“ The production will feature a full company of young and adult performers, including a troupe of orphans who will bring classic numbers such as It’s the Hard Knock Life to life on stage. PerformX Productions is presenting the musical in association with the Werribee Concert Band, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and will provide live orchestral accompaniment.
Stage two finished
Victoria Glenn, 11, and Emma Curtis, 13, who will share the role of Annie in PerformXProductions’ Annie the Musical, outside Wyndham Cultural Centre.(Nick Watkins)
The beloved musical follows young Annie as she escapes the Municipal Girls’ Orphanage and unexpectedly finds herself living in the home of billionaire Oliver Warbucks during Depression-era New York.
Annie the Musical will be performed at Wyndham Cultural Centre, 177 Watton Street, Werribee, from January 21 to 24, 2027. Tickets are available at tickets.wyndham.vic.gov.au/Events/Annie-the-Musical/
GREAT OCTOBER SALE
The second stage of the Rosslare Court Reserve upgrade in Hoppers Crossing has been completed by Wyndham Council. The $471,000 upgrade has transformed the reserve into an even better space, with a large open lawn area, a half multi-sport court, outdoor fitness equipment and additional landscaping, creating a more active and welcoming community space. The works build on the new district-level play space, picnic areas, public toilet and on-street carparking improvements delivered in 2024. And there’s more to come, with construction beginning later this year to deliver a wetland within the reserve. Wyndham Mayor Mia Shaw said the staged upgrade had transformed Rosslare Court Reserve into a vibrant space that could be enjoyed by people of all ages. “The best parks are the ones that become part of people’s everyday lives, and these improvements will give local residents even more reasons to visit Rosslare Court Reserve,” Cr Shaw said.
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BUSINESS PROFILE
Advertising feature
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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
24 September, 1986 Construction of the $6.2 million Forsyth Road overpass project in Hoppers Crossing will continue on schedule following a government grant of $200,000 Werribee MLA Dr Ken Coghill announced last week.
25 September, 1996 Wyndham housing values will not be adversely affected by the proposed toxic dump, a CSR consultant claimed in an environment effects report last week.
20 September, 2006 Heathdale Christian College has rallied to help the family of a teacher and school captain whose Werribee house was gutted by fire.
21 September, 2016 Wyndham has smashed the state’s record for the highest number of candidates to contest a local government election.
10 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 30 September, 2026
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NEWS
MY PLACE Sunbury local Rodney Sciortino recently released his first book, Why We Golf: The Game was Never the Point. He chats to Georgia Tacey about his life in Sunbury, and how he become an author. What’s your connection to Melbourne’s north-west? How long have you lived in the area for? We moved to Sunbury in 1997 to raise a family. At the time I was working at Melbourne Airport, so Sunbury made a lot of sense, close enough to work, but still with a strong community feel and a great place to bring up kids. We ended up putting down real roots in the area over the years making life long friends and schooling our children here.
a book. I started journaling after an accident three years ago, mainly as a way of capturing thoughts and reflections that would otherwise just swirl around in my head. Somehow those notes eventually turned into a book. Tell us a bit about your recently released book. The book is called Why We Golf: The Game Was Never The Point. It isn’t an instructional golf book and it isn’t really about improving your game. It’s about the friendships, characters, humour, frustration, resilience and life lessons that seem to come with golf. For most golfers, the shots are only part of the story. What tends to stay with us are the people we played with, the conversations between holes, the bad rounds we can laugh about years later, and the characters we meet along the way. That is really what the book explores, why so many of us keep coming back to the game long after we have forgotten the score.
What do you like about where you live? I like the sense of community. Sunbury has grown a lot since we first moved there, but it still has its own identity and a strong local feel. There are plenty of people who have been part of the area for a long time, and I think that creates a real sense of belonging . Is there anything you’d change or like to see in Sunbury? Probably just continued investment in the things that allow Sunbury to grow without losing the community feel that makes it attractive in the first place. Growth is inevitable, but maintaining good local facilities, open spaces and places where people can connect is really important. Where’s your favourite local place to spend time? Goonawarra Golf Club would have to be high on the list. For me, golf has always been as much about the people and the conversations as the game itself, so the
Rodney Sciortino. (Damjan Janevski) 572481_05
course and clubhouse have been the setting for a lot of good friendships and memories over the years.
What’s something people would be surprised to know about you? Probably that I never really set out to write
Why did you decide to become an author? I’m not sure I ever consciously decided to become one. After the accident, I started writing down thoughts and reflections, mostly for myself. Over time, I noticed that golf kept appearing in those reflections, not so much the golf itself, but the perspectives that seemed to sit around it. Over the past few months I pulled those writings together, and, after a little prompting by a mate, I was convinced there may be a book in there. I’m still getting used to calling myself an author though.
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CALENDAR
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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. Garden swap Calling all gardeners. The Wyndham Community Garden Swap has been running for more than years. It is a friendly group of local gardeners who loathe waste and like to share surplus produce, plants,or all things relevant to gardening. The group meets at 10am on the first Sunday of each month at a park in Hoppers Crossing. It is free to join and no money is involved. ■ All queries to admin.wcgs@gmail.com Car show Classic, retro and special interest vehicles will roll into Williams Landing on 15 November for the Outwest Concrete Wyndham Retro Motor Show 2026, bringing the local community together for a morning of motoring, entertainment and family fun. The Outwest Concrete Wyndham Retro Motor Show 2026 is hosted by Wyndham Health Foundation and will be held from 9am to 1pm at 70 Overton Road, Williams Landing. Alongside the cars, visitors can enjoy live entertainment, food trucks, family activities and more throughout the day. Vehicle + Driver: $20, General Admission: $5, Children under 12: free. ■ wyndhamretromotorshow.com.au Bridge in the west The Williamstown Bridge Club has bridge sessions each week on Wednesday night at 7.15pm and Friday afternoon at 1.25pm for experienced players and a supervised session Friday 10am at Hobsons Bay Sport & Game Fishing Club, 17 Altona Road, Seaholme. All levels welcome and partners can be provided. Bridge lessons for beginners start on Friday 9 Oct 10am. ■ Peter, 0427 302 236, Alan, 0430 309 255, lessons Jan wtownbridge@gmail.com or www.bridgewebs.com/williamstown Pain support group Iramoo Community Centre hosts a Chronic Pain and Depression Support Group every second Wednesday, 10am- noon. Everyone is welcome. Find support, friendship, arts and crafts, barbecues, coffee and a listening ear. The centre is at 84 Honour Avenue, Wyndham Vale. ■ Admin@iramoocc.com.au CWA Werribee South Branch The Country Women’s Association’s Werribee South Branch is inviting ladies seeking friendship, personal development and advocacy in support of social issues to come and join them. The group does everything from cooking, crafts and raising money for charity. Meets third Wednesday of the month at the Diggers Road Hall, Werribee South at 7pm. ■ Julia, 0409 045 306 Social Pickleball A fun blend of tennis, badminton and table tennis, pickleball is a fun, active and inclusive sport that has a low impact on the body and is easy for beginners of all ages to learn. Sessions run 10am-noon Tuesdays and Thursdays at Eagle Stadium. Coached sessions are also available. ■ stadiumbookings@westernleisureservices.com Thee Coffee Table in Manor Lakes Thee Coffee table aspires to be a safe space for the local community to share, to connect with others to create positive change in their home and communities. Runs
This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of Micah, 8, with artist Jennifer Tran during a Patch by Patch workshop at St Albans Community Centre. (Damjan Janevski) 580445
Wednesday, 9am-2pm, at the Manor Lakes Community Learning Centre. ■ theecoffeetable2022@gmail.com Inclusive employment support SYC’s Inclusive Employment Australia Program supports people living with disability to find and maintain meaningful employment. Through the free program, you will get the chance to create a personalised job plan to help achieve your work goals. Runs 9am-5pm on Fridays at the Tarneit Community Learning Centre. ■ 9036 5350 Community Breakfast Life Community Kitchen and Dianella Community Centre are coming to together provide breakfast on Wednesdays and Fridays. The program is free and runs 89.30am. ■ dianellacc@wyndham.vic.gov.au One on One IT help Free IT help sessions run each Tuesday, 1011.30am, at the Manor Lakes Library, covering everything from using email, creating accounts and accessing the online library. People can get help with their Macs, PCs and phones. ■ 8734 8930 Rotary Bingo Werribee Rotary hosts its weekly community bingo event on Monday evenings at the Italian Sports Club of Werribee. There are cash prizes and proceeds go to worthy causes that Rotary supports. 6.30pm arrival time. ■ secretary@werribeerotary.org.au Community connectors Wyndham Council has launched a community connections and care service to support residents who may need help navigating life’s challenges. Whether you’re looking for
12 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 30 September, 2026
mental health support, food relief, or guidance accessing government services, this free and confidential service is here to help. Meets 8am-noon on Wednesdays at The Element’s Activity Park and Cafe. Crafties at Iramoo The Crafties meet at Iramoo Community Centre every Wednesday between noon2pm and put their knitting and crocheting skills to use. The crew make items for themselves and participate in charitable causes. ■ 8742 3688 Community Kitchen Wyndham-based not for profit group Pulse with Purpose sells delicious meals each Tuesday 10am-5pm at the Dianella Community Centre in Tarneit. Each purchase helps provide free meals to families in need. Meals are by pre-order, the menu is typically updated every Sunday. ■ bpulsewithpurpose@gmail.com Wyndham Turkish Coffee Club A place for older Turkish and Cypriot Turkish migrant women in Wyndham to gather, connect, learn and advocate for one another over coffee. Anyone is welcome to join the group at the Wyndham Park Community Centre from 1-2pm on the first Tuesday of each month. ■ Lutfiye, 0474 533 923 Beginners’ Code Club Code Club is for 8-14 year-olds and will cover the very basics of coding. Attendees can book into the whole term’s sessions. Each lesson builds on previously learnt skills and is designed to support beginner coding learners. Runs on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 3.30- 4.30pm. ■ CodeClub@wyndham.vic.gov.au or 8734 8999
The Creative Corner A program to create an inclusive environment for young people from different schools to come together and learn new skills and ways to be creative. The program will aim to teach a variety of different skills and allow young people to create projects with different mediums each week. Meets every Monday from 3.30-5.30pm at the Youth Services Centre, 1 Everton Road, Truganina. ■ Jordyn Griffiths, YouthInWyndham@ wyndham.vic.gov.au Soulful Spreads Community Cafe Soulful Spreads is a purpose-driven social enterprise based in Tarneit that looks to create meaningful work and training opportunities for women and young people with disabilities. Come meet for a meal and support inclusion, empowerment and connection. Meets 8.30am-12pm every Monday and Thursday at the Tarneit Community Learning Centre. ■ info@soulfulspreads.com National Seniors On the first Wednesday of every month at 1.30pm, the metro west branch of national seniors meets at the Deer Park Club, with meals available to purchase. The group also holds lunches on different Fridays each month, as well as activities such as theatre visits, bus trips and more. ■ 0425 713 004, or lesley1.collins@outlook. com Resume Help Wyndham council is providing resume workshops for young people aged 15-25. Book into a one-on-one session, online or in person, with an education and youth services librarian to get some help crafting your resume and answering interview questions. Sessions run at 9am, several times a week. ■ resumehelp@wyndham.vic.gov.au
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ENTERTAINMENT
Women tell stories Emerging theatre maker, performer, creative producer and director Izabella Day is bringing women’s voices to centre stage through pictureher, a new multidisciplinary performance being developed with the support of The Bowery Theatre’s 2026–27 Residency Program. Day is co-founder of Vixen Theatre Company, an Australian independent theatre collective established with Iris Warren, Roisin Wallace Nash and Natasha Pearson. Working under the ethos “by women, for women”, the collective creates bold feminist theatre exploring womanhood, identity and social issues. pictureher draws directly from interviews with women from across the west of Naarm, including retirement home residents, cultural and community leaders and young women. Their stories
Vixen Theatre Company. (Charli Bowers)
and perspectives will be brought together through theatre, dance, music and visual art. The work will feature women’s voices spoken aloud by an actor, interpreted by dancers and transformed onto canvas,
creating a layered exploration of how women see themselves — and how society sees them. For Day and the Vixen team, the residency provides an opportunity to take creative risks while developing a work rooted in the experiences of the local community. The Bowery Theatre Residency Program supports artists and arts organisations to create and present new work with and for the Brimbank community. The 2026–27 program features projects spanning theatre, music, expanded cinema and site-specific public performance. pictureher will culminate in a presentation at the Bowery Theatre, offering audiences a chance to experience local women’s stories through an energetic mix of performance, movement, music and art.
Marsh Rodders Swap Meet and Show & Shine Marsh Rodders Swap Meet and Show & Shine will return to Maddingley Park on Sunday 18 October. (Damjan Janevski) 353426_05
Bacchus Marsh and surrounds motoring enthusiasts won’t want to miss the upcoming 29th Marsh Rodders Show and Shine and Swap Meet, returning to Maddingley park for another huge day celebrating classic cars, hot rods, motorcycles and everything in between this October. With more than 600 vehicles attending last year’s showstopper event, visitors can expect an incredible display of cars, bikes, trucks, buses, and other unique vehicles from across the region. On Sunday 18 October, Maddingley Park
will host the local spectacle, as guests are invited to wander through the packed swap meet, browse trade stalls, enjoy a bite from food vendors, and see who takes home the coveted Show and Shine trophies. Whether you’re searching for rare parts, admiring beautifully restored classics or simply enjoying a great family day out, there’s something for every motoring fan. Hosted by the Marsh Rodders Hot Rod Club, this popular community event also raises funds for local charities and organisations supporting the Bacchus
Marsh community. Public admission is $5, with free entry for children under 16 when accompanied by a paying adult. Vehicle entry is $20 and motorcycles are $10. Trade stands and swap meet sites are also available. Swap Meet stall holders can enter from 6.30am, while public entry opens at 7am and award presentations start from 12.30pm. Maddingley Park is located at 1 Taverner street, Maddingley. For details: https://tinyurl.com/ mvpd4r4t.
Katy Steele brings stripped back show to Yarraville Following the release of latest solo album, Undressed, earlier this year, Little Birdy frontwoman Katy Steele is taking her intimate live experience to the inner west early next month with a performance at Kindred Bandroom in Yarraville. Known for the soaring anthems of Little Birdy and the richly layered production of her solo work, Undressed represents a departure for Steele, with songs stripped back to their purest form; voice, piano, guitar and nothing to hide behind. The album features interpretations of songs from her extensive back-catalogue, as well as covers of timeless classics including Patti Smith’s ’Because The Night’, Lou Reed’s ‘Perfect Day’, and Michael Jackson’s ‘Ben’.
Like the album, Steele’s show at Kindred Brandroom on Sunday 4 October will represent a departure from the big stages she’s performed on in the past. Part of a she’s tour of small venues across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia, Steele’s Yarraville show will be a matinee beginning at 3pm on a Sunday afternoon instead of the usual Friday or Saturday night gig. And Steele will perform in an intimate duo setting rather than with the backing of a full band. It promises to be a raw and personal performance where the stories and lyrics take centre stage. For more information and tickets, go to: https://tinyurl.com/4x5sn8t7
Working bee group and building frame, c.1915 - Paul William Merlo.
Explore the past during October History Month is popping up in Lancefield and Kilmore to explore the history of both towns. This October, communities across Victoria will mark History Month in a state-wide celebration inviting locals to explore the histories of their own towns, suburbs and neighbourhoods. Around 100 local historical societies, museums, libraries and community groups from across the state are taking part, with the program including talks, walking tours, exhibitions, open days and community gatherings. Many participants are drawing on this year’s theme, “The places that made us,” exploring the buildings, streets and landmarks that shape local identity. Others are showcasing different aspects of their community’s history, with every organisation free to shape its event around whatever local history matters most to them. A two-day event will be held as part of the celebration across Lancefield and Kilmore. Hosted by the Historical Society Support Committee alongside Romsey and Lancefield Districts Historical Society and Kilmore Historical Society, this two-day event will explore the foundations of rural Victorian townships, with a focus on Kilmore and Lancefield. With the townships both dating back to the mid-1800s, the event will feature walking tours and talks on the development of Kilmore and Lancefield’s foundational institutions, including churches, schools, hospitals, banks, post offices and sporting clubs. Participants will also discover how the nineteenth century patterns of development remain visible in both these towns. On the first day, participants will start with a walking tour of Kilmore, before travelling into Lancefield for dinner and overnight accommodation and to hear from guest speakers Denis Graham and Chris Dynon from the Lancefield Football Club. On the second day, participants will take a walking tour of Lancefield, before spending the day hearing from guest speakers including Brain Clancy on the catholic church in Kilmore and Rosalie Triolo on the state schools and the school paper. You’ll also hear from Liz Dillon-Hensby and Fay Woodhouse about building hospitals in Kilmore and Lancefield, Craige Proctor who will tell the stories of pioneer women, and Paul Fearon on building the railways to country Victoria. The two-day event will take place on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October with the event starting at $45 with additional costs. Details: historymonth.org.au/ event/exploring-the-foundations-ofrural-victorian-townships/
Katy Steele will perform songs from her new album, Undressed, in Yarraville on 4 October. (Supplied)
Wednesday, 30 September, 2026 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 13
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14 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 30 September, 2026
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SPORTS QUIZ 1. Melbourne United guard Cole Anthony was drafted by which team at the 2020 NBA draft? 2. Kalyn Ponga captains which NRL team?
3. The Dick Howser Trophy is awarded to the national US player of the year in which college sport?
10. Who won the 2026 Wooden Award, playing college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils?
4. Which Australian was voted to the AllTournament Second Team at the 2026 Women’s Basketball World Cup?
11. In what sport can you find the épée, foil and sabre? 12. Which country won the 2026 FIFA World Cup? 13. What sport is featured in the TV show Heated Rivalry?
5. John Doyle and Greig Pickhaver are better known as what comedy duo?
14. What is the most common horse breed found in horse racing?
6. Who won the 2025 Heisman Trophy, playing college football for the Indiana Hoosiers?
15. The 2026 Men’s Rugby League World Cup will feature how many teams? 16. Gary Ablett Jr. and Patrick Dangerfield jointly hold the record for the most career Brownlow Medal votes with how many: 159, 207 or 262?
7. What sport features in the 2000 film Air Bud: World Pup (also known as Air Bud 3)? 8. The 'Bo Knows' advertising campaign for Nike cross-training shoes featured which dual-sport athlete?
17. Perth Wildcats guard Brandon Knight was drafted by which team at the 2011 NBA draft? 18. How many goals did the Brisbane Lions kick in the final 30 seconds of their preliminary final against Hawthorn?
9. Which Brisbane Bronco has signed an ambassadorial deal with the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks?
Cole Anthony
HYROX race
19. And which two Hawthorn players were fined for abusing an umpire in the same match? 20. What is the name of the Hobart-based NBL team? 21. How many workout stations feature in a HYROX race?
25. And what sport did this movie feature? 26. How many bases are there on a baseball field? 27. AFL player Ben King has announced his intention to play for what team in 2027? 28. How many teams has Latrell Mitchell played for during his NRL career?
22. What is the premier international team event in men’s tennis? 23. And what is the women’s equivalent?
29. An Australian Indigenous team playing which sport toured England in 1868?
24. Which 2004 sports film directed by Clint Eastwood won the Academy Award for Best Picture?
30. Which retired NRL great recently announced a return to boxing with a November bout against Nelson Asofa-Solomona?
0210
1. Orlando Magic 2. Newcastle Knights 3. Baseball 4. Stephanie Talbot 5. Roy and HG 6. Fernando Mendoza 7. Soccer 8. Bo Jackson 9. Reece Walsh 10. Cameron Boozer 11. Fencing 12. Spain 13. Ice hockey 14. Thoroughbred 15. 10 16. 262 17. Detroit Pistons 18. Two 19. James Sicliy and Tom Barrass 20. Tasmania JackJumpers 21. Eight 22. The Davis Cup 23. The Billie Jean King Cup 24. Million Dollar Baby 25. Boxing 26. Four 27. Hawthorn Hawks 28. Two (Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbithohs) 29. Cricket 30. Paul Gallen
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Wednesday, 30 September, 2026 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 15
PUZZLES
easy
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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'.
H
Today’s Aim: 10 words: Good 15 words: Very good 21 words: Excellent
C
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amid, calm, claim, clam, coma, domical, holm, HOMICIDAL, idiom, loam, macho, maid, mail, mica, midi, milch, mild, milo, mocha, modal, moil
Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down.
S
16 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 30 September, 2026
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ALIBI AORTA ARENA ARVOS AWING CLONE COOEE CRAFT DEARS DOONA EDITS ELUDE ERODE FACTS FARES FLUFF GRASS GREED GRITS GROWN GRUBS IGLOO
4 LETTERS DYED EDGE FART ICES PUTT SAGA SECT SHED STEP STOW TAGS TOSS WAGE WAIF 5 LETTERS ADAPT ALIAS
QUICK QUIZ
16
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IMAGE IRATE LYMPH LYRIC NOSES OPIUM PEONY RESET REVEL ROUSE SAGES SALLY SCOFF SENSE SHRED SNEER SOAPS SPEAR STEWS TENDS TESTS THESE
TOMES TONAL USHER WEAVE
URANIUM USURPED VERSION
6 LETTERS CLASSY FIDGET GARGLE REPELS
8 LETTERS DEMUREST DETECTED HERRINGS RELEASES
7 LETTERS GULCHES ROOSTER SEAWEED
02-10-26
1
Mozart’s famous Eine kleine Nachtmusik translates to what in English?
7
Which famous Australian bush poet appears on the country’s $10 note?
2
In which US state is Yosemite National Park located?
8
3
For which film did the late Diane Keaton (pictured) win the Academy Award for best actress?
Which Swedish car manufacturer filed for bankruptcy in 2011?
9
Famous music producer Brian Eno was a member of which 1970s glam art rock band?
NOTE: more than one solution may be possible
R A S P S A L L O T K O A L A E N T E R D E E D S
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Depression (coll) (4) Make reprisals (9) Roller (5) Any prominent feature in the terrain (8) Sloping type (7) Score (5) Major sale (9) Graceful bird (4) Multiply by four (9) Capital (9) Largest Jovian moon (8) One who seizes control or authority (7) Hawk (5) Grey (4) Improvise (2,3) Buddy (4)
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Digital protection (8) Alfresco meal (6) Paris cathedral, – Dame (5) City north of Sydney (9) Downhill ski race (6) Not one nor the other (7) Dilemma (8) Towards the back of the boat (6) Approach (6) Extremely small piece (8) Echo (7) Annual (6) Biological chemical made by phosphorus (9) Parasite (5) Wide-spreading dominion (6) Word-for-word (8)
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No. 309
4
Which F. Scott Fitzgerald novel was first published in 1925?
5
How many edges does a cube have?
6
Which transparent material is made from melted sand, soda ash and limestone?
10 The Importance of Being Earnest and An Ideal Husband are works by which Irish playwright? ANSWERS: 1. A Little Night Music 2. California 3. Annie Hall 4. The Great Gatsby 5. 12 6. Glass 7. Banjo Paterson 8. Saab 9. Roxy Music 10. Oscar Wilde
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
A L I A S S H R E D F A C T S L Y M P H P E O N Y I G L O O E R O D E D O O N A I R A T E B I G D E A R S D U G N A P I C E S G R I T S R E P E L S N A G N E T A T E G R E E D G R OW N P U T T R E L E A S E S W A I F S H E U S U R P E D G U L C H E S T A G S D E M U R E S T B E D S T E P W E A V E F A R E S I C E G E T O F F G A R G L E A R E N A T O S S R O E A D S S C O F F P E A A R V O S E D I T S A W I N G C O O E E R O U S E S T E W S S A L L Y T E N D S T O M E S
No. 309
F I R E W A L L P I C N I C U E H A S T O L N O T R E N E W C A S T L E K A E D A L C A S L A L O M N E I T H E R I A C A A S T E R N Q U A N D A R Y U T K G X C A V E N U E P A R T I C L E D S N E R E S O U N D Y E A R L Y U W R R M D L C P H O S P H A T E L E E C H L O E B D I N U E M P I R E V E R B A T I M
SUDOKU
New Prado built for the bush By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring Toyota says the new Prado delivers comprehensive improvements in driveability, off-road capability, safety, technology and functionality – all wrapped in a bold, stylish redesign that will appeal to urban families and off-road adventurers alike. We’ve spent a lot of time in the previous Prado, clocking up thousands of kilometres in Outback Western Australia. With four adults and their luggage, it was a bit of a squeeze at times and I would have loved to remove the two intrusive, fold-down third row seats to free up space. The focus for designers this time around, according to Mr Toyoda himself, was ‘practicality, durability and dependability’. Correct us if we are wrong, but that has always been the focus. What’s changed?
Styling Ten years ago, prices for the Prado started from $56,090; the Kakadu from $85,900. Fast forward and Prado now comes in five grades, kicking off with the bare bones GX from $73,200. GXL is priced from $79,690 (five-seat) or $80,690 (seven-seat), VX from $88,100 (seven-seat), Altitude $90,340 (five-seat) and top of the range Kakadu from $100,690 (seven-seat), excluding on-road costs. The three-figure sum for the Kakadu is quite frankly outrageous, putting it well beyond the reach of most families. The rest don’t aspire to own a Toyota. They want a Land Rover or one of the German brands, which leaves us wondering who will buy the new Prado. All grades of the Prado are powered by the same diesel-electric hybrid and all come with an automatic. There are eight exterior colours. Premium paint adds $675 while a two-tone paint job is $1675. Entry-level GX comes with five seats, fabric upholstery, dual-zone climate control, manually adjustment for seats, smart entry and start, LED headlights, all-speed adaptive cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, panoramic view monitor and 10-speaker audio. GXL adds a third row of seats and synthetic leather, heated and cooled front seats with power-adjust driver seat, leather-accented steering wheel and shift lever, rear aircon controls, auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated and power-fold side mirrors and a powered tailgate. VX steps up to 20-inch alloys, a black vertical grille with the Toyota bullhorn logo, body-coloured bumpers and wheel arches. There’s also LED headlights with auto high beam, leather-accented upholstery, driver lumbar and seat memory, four-way power adjustable front passenger seat, power-adjustable steering wheel, refrigerated centre console box, a larger 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, multi-terrain monitor and 14-speaker JBL premium audio. Kakadu adds 20-inch wheels, heated and ventilated rear seats, manually-adjustable driver seat cushion length, illuminated side steps, and a limited slip diff. It also scores head-up display, a digital rear view mirror, heated steering wheel and tilt and slide panoramic sunroof. Our test vehicle this time was top of the range, seven-seat Kakadu.
Infotainment Multimedia across the lineup comes in the form of a 12.3-inch multimedia system
All variants of the Prado are powered by the same hybrid 2.8-litre turbo-diesel drivetrain, together with full-time 4WD and an eight-speed automatic transmission. (Supplied)
with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, built-in satellite navigation with cloud function, AM/FM/DAB+ radio, Toyota Connected Services and a 10- or 14-speaker audio system. There are six USB-C charging ports, one 12V accessory port and a 220V charging port, plus a wireless charging pad.
Safety With nine airbags Prado has been awarded a full five stars for crash safety. Driver-assist features are designed to work on- and off-road, with an improved camera and radar system that is able to scan the road with greater accuracy and over greater distances. Systems include the autonomous emergency braking pre-collision safety (PCS) system, rear parking support brake, lane trace assist and lane departure warning, road sign assist, blind spot monitor with safe exit assist, emergency driving stop system and a driver monitor camera. A full-size spare is sequestered under the rear.
Engines/transmissions All variants are powered by the same hybrid 2.8-litre turbo-diesel drivetrain, together with full-time four-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s the same diesel as used in Hilux and develops 150kW of power from 3000-3400 rpm and 500Nm of torque from 1600-2800 rpm (same outputs as before). But the new Prado is heavier than the old Prado and the power to weight ratio is worse, which means it won’t be as quick.
Driving Prado sits on the same GA-F platform as its larger sibling the Land Cruiser 300 Series. It’s 30 per cent stronger than before and it also means the ‘all-new’ Prado is larger, inside and out. The figures show it’s 16.5cm longer and 9.5cm wider, with a 6.0cm longer wheelbase plus wider front and rear tracks (distance between wheels). Access to the third-row seats is via the single, passenger side second row seat that folds and tumbles to make way. When not required the third-row seats fold flat, but not into the floor because there’s not enough room down there with the hybrid battery and spare sitting under the rear. With all seats upright there’s 182 litres of luggage capacity, with the third row stowed 906 litres and with both second and third row seats not in use 1829 litres. The previous model offered 120, 620 and 1833 litres respectively. We’re surprised by the second figure. Maybe the way they measure it has changed,
because despite the figures it feels like there’s less space with the third row folded – much less usable space anyway. Only the seat backs fold leaving an awkward space between the end of the seat base and the tailgate that Toyota has filled with a cheap felt-topped detachable storage box. If we were handing over $100,000, we’d expect something better, something that reinforces the Kakadu’s status as a luxury model – not this piece of crap. There’s also the problem of what to do with the privacy screen with the third row in use – there’s nowhere to put it. We previously tested the five-seat version of the vehicle which also has an elevated luggage floor. However, the problematic third row in the seven-seater is a deal breaker, as far as we’re concerned. Moving on to the rest of the cabin, the dash has been flattened, with an upright, squared off design, and clearly defined separation between driver and infotainment screens. The flat Beetle-esque design has presumably been adopted to create more cabin space. Aircon gets its own space tucked under the centre screen. Physical air-con and media volume controls are available, with buttons for transfer, drive modes and off-road settings grouped around the transmission lever. Electric power steering promises easier handling off-road, with improved manoeuvrability at low speed – plus it permits lane trace assistance to be introduced. Maximum approach and departure angles are 32 degrees and 17 degrees respectively, with a break-over angle of 25 degrees. Ground clearance is 221mm (210mm for the GX and GXL), compared with the 220mm of the previous model and it has a wading depth of 700mm. The 48-volt V-Active mild hybrid system that made its debut last year in Hilux, with a lithium-ion battery and electric motor to capture energy normally lost through braking. It contributes a mere 8.4kW and 65Nm to the equation and is unlikely to be responsible for saving much fuel. With auto engine stop-start and an eight-speed replacing the six-speed transmission, however, the wider spread of gear ratios will extract better performance from the drivetrain and contribute to better fuel economy. A higher final drive ratio delivers a more relaxed driving experience at cruising speeds. The end result is that claimed fuel consumption is down from 7.9 to 7.6L/100km.
Be that as it may, we were getting 9.2L/100km after more than 750km of mixed driving. A significant difference. Of note, that’s exactly the same result as the 9.2L we got from the non-hybrid Kakadu we drove back in 2022. Also down is maximum fuel capacity, which was 150 litres before if you elected to put the spare wheel on the tailgate. The new one sees the spare located underneath and a capacity of 110 litres across the board. This translates to about 520km less in range and is a big negative when it comes to getting off the beaten track. You’ll need to top it up occasionally with AdBlue too, with the addition of a 17-litre tank to reduce harmful engine emissions. On this point, our test vehicle started to continually flash warnings that it needed to be topped up – get this – in 2500km. Nothing like getting in early. WTF? The move to the larger 300 Series platform sees Prado’s tow rating increase from 3000kg to a more respectable industry-standard 3500kg. Kakadu has a full-time 4WD system, with low-range gearing and a rear Torsen limited slip diff (not all grades get this). During normal straight line driving power is split 40:60 front-to-back. Only VX and Kakadu are equipped with the variable suspension system. There are five drive modes, together with multi-terrain select and a multi-terrain monitor which provides a comprehensive view of the vehicle’s underfloor and surrounds when off-road. Other driver assistance systems for on and off-road environments include vehicle stability control with active traction control, downhill assist control and crawl control. Trailer sway control and a pre-installed wiring harness help facilitate the increased 3500kg braked tow capacity. Sure the ‘all-new’ Prado looks and drives better than the old one, and it would want to, given the price. With a lower centre of gravity and slightly lower ride height, the ride is noticeably less jiggly and there is less body roll in corners. But in typical diesel fashion you still need to wind the thing up. The cabin does not have the premium feel of the previous generation Kakadu nor do the front seats feel as spacious as before. In fact, describing the experience to a punter we realised it feels very like the Hilux from behind the wheel. On a final note, once again you can’t see the head-up display with polarised sunglasses and for those with multi-focal glasses, the digital rear vision mirror is a waste of space. To bring the image into focus you need to look towards the roof to access the lower section of the lenses.
Summing up The designers really need to go back and rethink the third row, because as it is the seats take up an enormous amount of room when folded. Toyota has filled the gap between the base and the tailgate with a silly, tacky plastic box which does not offer much utility, all in the name of a flat floor – or should we say elevated flat floor. That is to say for a large four-wheel drive the Prado does not offer much luggage space – how can that be seen as practical Mr Toyoda. The driver’s seat feels tight too, more like the Hilux than a luxury off-roader. If you’re not interested in going off-road the Kluger makes more sense. It’s much more comfortable and suited to city driving.
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Under-20 men A-grade champions, Heathdale Authority.
Under-18 girls A champions Truganina South Cavaliers.
Under-18 boys A champions Woodville Wolves.
Under-16 girls B champions St Andrews Sapphires.
Under-20 girls A-grade champions Tarneit.
Slam dunk for grand finals Wyndham Basketball Association has held its domestic grand finals the past couple of
weeks. The association and tjphotos shared some of the winners.
Under-12 boys C1 champions Corpus Hornets.
Under-14 girls A champions Iramoo Opals.
Under-14 boys C3 champions Western Wildcats Tigon.
Under-12 D champions Westside Magic.
18 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 30 September, 2026
Under-16 boys C1 champions Cambridge Cadillacs.
Under-10 girls B champions Good News Lightning.
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Narrow win for Kuol Mun By Tara Murray It was a count for the ages on Thursday night, with just three votes separating the top three in the Werribee Football Club’s Bruce Montgomery Trophy count. Ruck Ajang Kuol Mun, who missed the Tigers’ last game of the year in finals, managed to hang on to beat Charlie Lazzaro and Jack Riding. Kuol Mun polled 198 votes, one ahead of Lazzaro with Riding a further vote back. Jaelen Pavlidis finished fourth with skipper Jesse Clark rounding out the top five in fifth spot. Kuol Mun joined the Tigers this year and was a standout in the ruck. Kuol Mun, who grew up in Wyndham, missed the awards night due to having knee surgery, but had been earlier presented with the trophy.
The club’s media told him they were doing a re-signing video, but he was surprised with the trophy from coach Dan Lowther and Bruce Montgomery himself. “It’s a shock, I didn’t think I was going to win it,” he said. “Throughout the past few weeks the boys have been telling me, ‘You’re a chance.’ “I’m like, I don’t think so. Guys like Red [Riding], Charlie, boys like Brewy [Dom Brew]. “For me to win it, is wild.” Kuol Mun said when he first got a call to join Werribee, it was just about trying to reignite his love for footy. “It was a no-brainer to come over here. I think Brewy gave me a call, I believe it was after the Tassie game. “He just showed so much belief. He gave me a list of things that he thinks I could have done, that’s a lot of belief.
Dan Lowther, Ajang Kuol Mun and Bruce Montgomery. (Werribee FC)
“Throughout the year, I toiled away and tried to play my best and enjoy it.” Kuol Mun played soccer growing up, playing as high as the National Premier League before focusing on working. He then started football at Anakie and the rest is history. The connection to Anakie was through his cousin, older brother of
Werribee premiership player Bior Malual. After skipping the pre-season as he didn’t want to run, he fell in love with football in his first practice match. After one season at Anakie, Kuol Mun made Geelong’s VFL list. He joined Port Melbourne the following season and was told he had to work for his spot, which made him a better player. The family connection with Bior was a big part of the decision to join Werribee. The two managed to play together this year. Ajang Kuol Mun also won the trainers award and best first-year player. Among the other winners, Jay Dahlhaus won the property award, Rani Pavlidis the community award, Brady Wright added the most improved player to the goal kicking award, Sam Azzi won the coaches award and Mace Cousins won the defensive player of the year.
Sports shorts FV Point Cook has announced that that Tom Petreski will continue as men’s coach for a third season in FV state league 4 north-west. “Tom brings strong football knowledge, an infectious passion for the game and genuine dedication to his players and the club,” the Jets said. “Together with his coaching staff, he has worked tirelessly over the past two seasons to strengthen the senior program, develop a positive culture and set high standards. We’re excited to build on that work under his leadership as preparations for an ambitious 2027 campaign get underway.”
Western FL
Maddox Grima. (Archivist Media)
Grima continues on winning in the ring By Peter Howe Keeping things simple and focused works for this month’s Don Deeble Sports Star nominee, boxer Maddox Grima. Grima, who is the current Australian under-19 silver medallist in the 65 kilogram weight division, has just returned from the Oceania Championships in Samoa as the gold medallist. “It was an amazing moment and the highlight of my career so far,” he said. “It was the second time in two years Grima has represented Australia at the Oceania Games. While Grima now represents his country in boxing, the sport wasn’t his first sporting love. He played junior football for eight years with Werribee Districts. “I played junior footy for Werribee Districts for eight years. “While I loved playing footy, I wasn’t going anywhere in the sport,” he admits. “My dad wanted me to do boxing for self-defence at around the same time I started footy. “I could see my improvement in the gym and loved the challenge of getting better. “Eventually I had to choose between the sports and boxing won the day.” Grima’s first fight was as a 13-year-old in the 54 kilogram weight division for a
Victorian title. He won the event. “The adrenaline kicked in and having that immediate success gave me great hope for the future in boxing,” he said. Grima’s strict training regime includes a 6am wakeup call and a three to five kilometre run every Monday morning. The MacKillop College student’s days are filled with schoolwork until he hits the gym each night at 4.30pm. Training varies but normally includes skipping, sparring, bag and then pad work which all focuses on technique. While he doesn’t watch a lot of videos of fighters, Grima is quietly confident in his ability to work out his opponents while in the ring and on the move. Grima has had a stellar start to his career, winning three Victorian titles, while still striving for his first national win. He has represented Australia three times and is certainly on the pathway to success. He fought in his first national event when he was in the under-15 age bracket. Overall, his current record stands at 30 wins and five losses. Grima has had a very hectic 2026, with eighteen fights. “A normal year would see me have around five fights,” he said. “It has been exceptional. I made the
Australian under-19 team that went to Thailand. In the lead up to that event, I had three fights at the AIS, winning all three to make the team.” Grima said the lessons he learned from the trip will be invaluable. “I had to learn how to live by myself, become independent and learn to take instruction from someone other than my normal coach,” he said. Grima said his power, speed and defence are the keys to his fighting. “However, I must continue to work on all aspects of my fighting if I am to continue to improve. “I am not perfect and I will not stop trying to improve.” Grima has a passion for working with young emerging boxers and will often be found at his gym on a Saturday morning volunteering to put the young aspiring boxers through their paces. His goal is to represent Australia in the Commonwealth and Olympic Games and in the end would like to turn professional. 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.
Point Cook has announced the return of home-grown junior Jai Anderson for the Western Football League division 1 season. Anderson featured for the Bulldogs senior team back in 2023 before heading to Moonee Valley and most recently Marcellin in 2026. “A dashing defender/wingman, Jai brings plenty of speed, run and experience, and we’re rapt to have one of our own back in the red, white and blue for 2027.” Meanwhile, Bacchus Marsh has announced that Braxton Simms will be making the move to the Ballarat Football League from the Bulldogs.
Western FL The Suns have signed Joshua Dobbie for next year’s Western Football League division 2 season. The Suns said Dobbie joins them as a dangerous medium forward, bringing a strong marking game and a reliable set shot in front of goal. “A proven goal scorer, Josh is a three-time leading club goal kicker and has finished as a top 10 league goal kicker on three occasions,” the club said. “Josh began his football journey playing Under 19s at Mernda before taking his talents to country football, most recently playing with Leeton in the Riverina League and Benalla in the Ovens League.”
Western FNL The Western Football Netball League has announced its teams of the year. For who made the senior football teams, head to www.starweekly.com.au FOR MORE SPORT VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Wyndham Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly
Wednesday, 30 September, 2026 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 19
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Deeble rising star
Kuol Mun’s big win
Cats feeling confident By Tara Murray
Logan Morris celebrates after putting the Brisbane Lions in front. (Joel Carrett/AAP)
Morris magic By Tara Murray, with AAP
Former Werribee Districts and Spotswood player Logan Morris was the hero late as the Brisbane Lions claimed a third straight AFL premiership. The young forward had a quiet day in the decider against Fremantle, but stood up in the dying minutes. Fremantle seemed set for its first premiership when it led by 17 points with four minutes left on the clock. The Lions kicked two goals quickly to bring the margin back to five points with two minutes remaining. Enter Morris. Morris marked and kicked his second goal of the game to put the Lions in front in the dying minutes. He would then kick the sealer with only seconds remaining, as the Lions won, 14.12 (96)-12.17 (89). For Morris it’s a third premiership in just three seasons at the club. Speaking on the post game coverage, Morris said words couldn’t describe how he felt winning another premiership. “They got a lead and the ability to fight
back and put pressure on and get the goals that we wanted, so proud of the boys,” he said. “That was one of the more fun games to be apart of. “We said at the start of the game that we had to use it [Wharfie time] as energy and we did that and we were able to respond and get on top at the end.” The young forward admitted to nerves when he took the shot to put his side in front. “I was definitely s**ting it a bit (before the kick),” he told AAP. “I didn’t know how long was left, I knew there were about 90 seconds, so I knew that this kick was to put us up in a grand final. “I was nervous but I got back to what I do at training, what I do throughout the whole year, and I’m super stoked to be able to go back and kick it.” Morris revealed post game that he had been battling injury through the back part of the season. “I can probably say it now, but I’ve had a stress fracture in the left side of my back for probably the back half of the year,” the 21-year-old told AAP in the Lions rooms.
“I’ve been trying to juggle my load and it’s been a bit of a pain because you want to be fresh but you also want to be playing.” Despite his back issue, the only game Morris missed this season was in round one against Sydney due to a hand fracture. “It’s a credit to the medical staff in the way they’ve handled it and being able to get me up for games every week,” Morris said. “To be able to get the reward today in a grand final, it pays off when your back’s pretty sore throughout the year.” “I just don’t train at the start of the week. “You have to in the main training, but I don’t do much through the start of the week.” The forward, who also played for the Western Jets and played one game for Werribee, said he pinches himself having achieved the ultimate success three times in his short career. “It’s crazy to think that,” he said. “I put a lot of hard work when I got to the club, wanted to be a good player. So happy to obviously get another one, don’t know what to say at the moment.”
Hoppers Crossing has lost some key players but is hoping to again be in the mix in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association. After playing finals the past two seasons, the Cats have kept their core group together as they enter the north-west season. Captain-coach Simon Lambert said they felt they were in a good position to again be one of the contenders. “We will be OK,” Lambert said. “We lost a few that we would have liked to have kept. “We lost three players which wasn’t ideal but we kept the rest of the team and hoping to add an Indian lad that has played under-19s. “We’re waiting on the visa but we’re crossing our fingers on that.” Jaimin Patel, Haseeb Qureshi and Harshit Takkar are the players that aren’t returning. Lambert said looking across the competition it seemed like most clubs hadn’t strengthened their lists too much. He said with concerns about players being granted visas, many had been reluctant to sign international players. Lambert said they felt with the depth at the club, they would have players ready to step up and fill the voids. “We would have liked another seamer but we have good depth,” he said. “We’ve been a top five club in the championship and have some talented young cricketers coming through. “We’re hoping there’s some guys that take the opportunity like Bibek Virk did in the side last year. “Our 18s won the flag and they’re some talented young cricketers. They need to take that next step and have some more consistency to keep building. “We have no shortage of players. Guys taking the opportunities is the biggest challenge.” Lambert said they expected to again be strong through all the grades, with a squad made up mostly of local players. Lambert said the key for them was making sure that they were performing at the right time of the season. “Our best cricket was some of the best cricket in the competition last season,” he said. “We lost in the first week of finals, well before the grand final. “We weren’t able to put it together for three straight weeks. “If we put it together for three straight weeks, we would be unlucky not to go deep into finals.” The Cats will start their season against Brunswick on Saturday in a two-dayer. Elsewhere, Werribee will start its title defence against Ivanhoe.