Star Weekly - Hobsons Bay Maribyrnong - 25th February 2026

Hospital history

By Cade Lucas

Almost a decade since it was first announced and half a decade since it first broke ground, the new Footscray Hospital is now open.

The doors of the $1.5 billion hospital on the corner of Ballarat and Geelong roads swung open at 8am on Wednesday 18 February,withthefirstofabout180patients being transferred from the old hospital on Gordon Street, arriving soon after.

One of the first patients transported the 1.3 kilometers down Ballarat Road from old hospital to new, was 84-year-old Lucy, who wassettledinherbedintheacuteagedcare ward on level 9a by 8.30am.

“I’m in awe,” Lucy said as she enjoyed the view of Flemington Racecourse from her bed.

It wasn’t just new patients who were left in awe on Wednesday morning, with plenty of Western Health staff stopping to take pictures and selfies outside the new hospital before starting their shifts.

In the spacious main foyer, crowds began gathering for the official opening to be presided over by Premier Jacinta Allan.

Shortly after 8.30am the premier, flanked by Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas, Health Infrastructure Minister and WilliamstownMPMelissaHorne,Footscray MP Katie Hall various other dignitaries and staff, arrived to unveil the plaque and formally declare one of the state’s largest ever health infrastructure projects, open.

“This is a new hospital for Footscray, and anewfutureforhealthcareinthewest,”Ms Allan said before she, her colleagues and gaggle of media went upstairs for a press conference while the new hospital slowly came to life.

Doctors with stethoscopes over their shoulders, nurses wearing scrubs and running shoes, and security guards with walkie-talkies began criss-crossing the foyer with increasing frequency.

Loungesandworkingspacesbegantofill, delivery vans arrived at the front entrance to drop off goods that were then ferried aboutontrolleysandqueuesbeganforming behind coffee machines at cafes.

Observing all this mundane hospital activitywithpridewasWesternHeathchair and former health minister and Altona MP, Jill Hennessy.

“Everyone is walking a million miles tall today in Melbourne’s west,” Ms Hennessy said of the new hospital which she first announced as health minister in 2018 and which she’d been working towards for years prior to that.

“Twenty years ago I was on the board of Western Health and we were talking about trying to get a new hospital for Footscray then,” she said.

Also watching on with pride, but more so relief, was Western Health chief executive

Professor Russell Harrison, who said that after two years of planning, the opening and transfer of patients appeared to be going well.

“We’ve got about 24 patients now transferred from across from Footscray, that’s to time, our first surgery is underway, that’semergencysurgerysothat’sobviously a big test as a functioning hospital, and our ED has got three or four patients in it I’m told,” Mr Harrison said just after 10am on Wednesday.

He said the closure of the old hospital after more than 70 years also added a tinge ofsadnesstoanotherotherwisetriumphant day.

“Some of our staff had worked there for 30, 40 years, 52 years is our longest serving staff member, so a lot of feelings trapped in that.”

ThelastpatientwillleavetheEDattheold hospital at 8pm on Wednesday night.

More coverage: Pages 2 & 3.

Health union workers rally

By Cade Lucas

Thousands of striking health workers have rallied outside the new Footscray HospitalonitsopeningdayonWednesday, despite a personal intervention from the premierleadingtoabreakthroughinwage negotiations.

On Tuesday 17 February Victoria’s Health Workers Union (HWU) called a statewide strike after more than a year of unsuccessful enterprise bargaining talks withthestategovernment.

More than 10,000 health workers including cooks, cleaners, orderlies, security guards, ward clerks, allied health assistants, theatre technicians and phlebotomists walked off the job after being offered an increase of about 3.3 per cent a year over three years by the government,wellbelowtheirdemandof12 percentovertwoyears.

With a mass rally planned outside the newFootscrayHospitaltocoincidewithits grand opening on 18 February, the union saidapersonalinterventionbythePremier Jacinta Allan led to a breakthrough in negotiationsovernight.

“Thepremier’sinterventionhasdelivered a much-needed investment in low-paid healthcare workers and recognition of the essential role they play across Victoria’s health system,“ HWU’s lead organiser Jake McGuinnesssaid.

The government’s revised offer is for wage increases of 12 per cent over two and a half years, but while the HWU said they wouldrecommendthedealtoitsmembers, theindustrialactionstillwentahead.

“Thisdisputeisn’toveruntilwe’vesigned onthedottedline,“MrMcGuinnesssaid.

“Butwe’reclosertoadealnowthatwe’ve beeninoverayear.“

Speaking at the opening of the new hospital, Ms Allan didn’t deny intervening in the dispute, but said the government had negotiated in good faith and wage

agreementstaketime.

“I’m really pleased today that we’ve reached an in-principle agreement because we always back our health care workers,”MsAllansaid.

On Wednesday morning, health care

Footscray Hospital’s opening day

The opening of the new Footscray Hospital on Wednesday 18 February was a landmark event for the western suburbs, with the state of the art health care hub on the corner of Ballarat and Geelong roads finally replacing the beloved but outdated old Footscray Hospital on Gordon Street. The $1.5 billion hospital was a hive of activity from early in the morning as doctors, nurses and other staff members began arriving for the start of operations at 8am. Star Weekly photographer Damjan Janevski and reporter CadeLucasweretheretocapturethemoment ofhospitalhistory.

Volunteers happy

ThenewFootscrayHospitalismuchbigger, more modern, offers many more services and is much more conveniently located thanitspredecessor.

But according to Western Health volunteer visitor guide Sharon Gorton the newhospital,whichopenedonWednesday 18 February, is a big upgrade in another areatoo.

“Oh I think the design,” Ms Gorton said of the biggest difference she’d noticed in herrolegreetingvisitorsatbothhospitals.

“Ninety per cent of people coming through the front doors at the (new) Footscray Hospital all need the services located just here at main reception,” she said while speaking to Star Weekly in the foyerontheopeningmorning.

“We no longer have to take people from the Gordon Street entrance all the way throughtoEleanorStreetforemergencyor outpatients.

“Most people are not in an ambulance when they’re coming for specialist appointments and they’d come to the wrongentranceanditwasreallyastruggle, whereas now they come to the main entranceandeverythingisrighthere.”

Ms Gorton has been volunteering as a visitorguideforWesternHealthforthelast seven years, and has lived in the western suburbsformuchlongerthanthat.

She said it was exciting that something that had been talked about for so long was

finallyareality.

“Itwilltakealotofpressureofftheother hospitals in the area and provide such a wonderful service to people like myself,”

Ms Gorton said, before adding: “I don’t wanttobeapatient.”

Doctor leads by design at new hospital

Like dozens of his colleagues, Western Health anaesthetist Dr David Bramley was enjoying the spacious and modern surroundings of the new Footscray Hospitalonitsopeningdayon18February.

But unlike most, Dr Bramley was admiringthefruitsofhislabourtoo.

For the past five years Dr Bramley has juggled his clinical role with being the medical lead on the new Footscray Hospitaldesignteam.

“It was recognised early that you get a better functional outcome when you involve the people who actually work in

thespace,”DrBramleysaidofwhyheand other doctors, nurses and hospital staff contributedtoitsdesign.

Having contributed to the design of the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Sunshine, Dr Bramley said he was keen to the same when the new Footscray Hospital was first announced.

Beginning in 2021, he said he’d spent at least 20 per cent of his time ensuring the new building would be fit for medical purposes.

Sodidheandthedesignteamsucceed?

New hospital no treatment shock

By Cade Lucas

It might’ve been an exciting moment for many residents in Melbourne’s west, but for Maidstone couple Josh Preston and Sophia Tremethick, the opening of the new Footscray HospitallastWednesdayprovedtobe aletdown.

The previous evening, the couple had been driving along Rosamond Road when they were caught up in a violentroadrageincidentthatleftMr Prestonwithabadlycutlip.

After attending the nearby emergencydepartment(ED)attheold Footscray Hospital, the couple were advised to wait until the following day when Mr Preston could receive treatmentatthenewhospital’sEDon itsopeningday.

But after waiting from 12pm-4pm on 18 February, the couple left with the gash in Mr Preston’s top lip still remaining and both of them wondering what the point of the $1.5 billionnewhospitalwas.

“We came to the emergency department today for facial stitches, only to be told they don’t have a plastics team available to perform this type of treatment,” Ms Tremethick wrote in a comment left on Western Health’s Instagram page lastWednesday.

“What is the purpose of investing in such a large, modern hospital if essential specialist services aren’t availablewhenpatientsneedthem?”

Mr Preston’s wound required plastic reconstructive surgery which the couple were told could only be doneatSunshineHospital.

On Friday 20 February, Mr Preston was called in for surgery and is now recovering.

But speaking to Star Weekly afterwards, Ms Tremethick said it wasn’t just the lack of plastic surgery at the new hospital that was concerning, but the absence of paediatrics and maternity care as well.

AspokespersonforWesternHealth said the new hospital was never supposedtohavetheseservices,with all three based at Sunshine Hospital and the neighbouring Joan Kirner Women’sandChildren’sHospital.

“Western Health continues to provide the same clinical services at thenewFootscaryHospitalthatwere previously provided at the former Footscray Hospital,” a Western Healthspokespersonsaid.

The state government was contactedforcomment.

“Yes and more is a genuine answer,” Dr Bramley said, pointing to features such as peri-operativeprecinctswherevarious specialistscouldworktogethertoprepare patientsforsurgery.

“Intheoldbuilding,ifweneededtogive anaesthetictoapatienthavingaradiology procedure, we’d have to go down to the basement.

“What we lovingly refer to as the old FootscrayHospitalreallywasold.

“What we’ve got here is fabulous to look at, but the design incorporates lots of elementsthatsupportwhatwedo.”

BECAUSE OUR WATER STORAGES ARE DROPPING

With drier seasons and growing towns, Victoria’s water supply is under pressure. This summer make every drop count.

‘Shame’ as trial extended

By Cade Lucas

Security guards will continue to patrol the Footscray CBD until June after Maribyrnong council voted in favour of extending the controversial program at its meeting on 17 February.

Cries of ‘shame’ rang out in the chamber as a packed public gallery reacted angrily to the decision to approve a four month bridging extension for the patrols before transitioning to a ’civic led’ approach that would include enhanced cleaning, rapid response maintenance, lighting upgrades, CCTVrenewal,wayfindingandstreetscape improvements.

The move was recommended by a

mid-term review of the Footscray CBD security plan commissioned by council which found that since beginning last September, the patrols had provided short term safety improvements without dealing with the underlying causes of violence and anti-social behaviour in the area.

The review recommended continuing the trial until a council led civic presence team was ready to take over by the middle of the year.

The findings were at odds with a study from Footscray Community Response (FCR), a local organisation opposed to the trial, which found it had made Footscray less safe.

Prior to the vote, FCR members rallied

outside the Footscray Town Hall, calling for an immediate end to the patrols and for supports such as emergency housing and healthcare to be offered instead.

Attending the rally were Greens councillors who voted in favour of the security guard trial last year, including Cr Bernadette Thomas, who as deputy mayor, moved the original motion.

Inside, Cr Thomas said she regretted doing so.

“To those who may feel let down but my vote, I’m sorry,” Cr Thomas said to cheers from the gallery while announcing she would vote no.

Her colleague, Cr Elena Pereyra, also announced her opposition, while a third

Footscray fish icon, Con Goulas, dies

Footscray’s Con Goulas has been remembered as a giant of Melbourne’s seafood industry and the Greek community following his death last week aged 91.

The founder of Conway Fish Trading, Mr Goulas died on Monday 16 February after years of ill-health.

His daughter-in-law, Stacy Goulas, said despite his health struggles and advancing age, Mr Goulas remained committed to the Footscray fish business he founded in 1969.

“He was a tough cookie, we’re talking John Wayne tough,” Ms Goulas said of her father-in-law.

“What kept him going was that he kept coming to work every day regardless of his frailties.

“He had an office overlooking the retail shop. He’d just look down and feel a part of the business.”

That business began as a fish wholesaler on Wingfield Street, before it slowly expanded to the Whitehall Street corner withafreshfishstorein2006andafishand chip shop in 2015.

The Goulas family and their business becamepillarsoftheFootscraycommunity, especially its Greek diaspora, and in 2023

that contribution was honoured when they were featured in the Footscray Hidden Hellenism mural painted on the Yewers Street side of the Conway Fish Trading building.

The mural also features in the recently opened new Footscray Hospital.

Ms Goulas said it served as a fitting tribute to her father-law.

“He was such a charismatic, charming, jovial, joking personality,” she said.

Con Goulas is survived by children

Yvonne and Dimitrious, daughter-in-law Stacy, and grandhildren Kosta, Nik and Alex,

Council approves Bulldogs community childcare lease

The future of the Bulldogs Community Children’s Centre at Whitten Oval has been secured, with Maribyrnong council approving a 10 year lease agreement with the football club last week.

Under the lease agreement, approved at the council meeting on 17 February, the WesternBulldogswillonlybeabletosublet the childcare centre to a not-for-profit organisation.

It was council’s decision to remove this clause at the end of the Western Bulldogs’ previous lease that led to an outcry from local residents fearful that the club would

sublet the centre to a for-profit childcare provider instead.

The backlash forced council to reverse course and reinstate the not-profit clause at its meeting in July last year.

Based on community feedback, council alsoremovedtheclub’srightoffirstrefusal for any future lease agreements at the Hocking Street property.

Speaking in support of the new lease agreement at last week’s council meeting, Cr Bernadette Thomas, who was deputy mayor when council was forced to reinstate the not-for-profit clause last year,

saidtherightoutcomehadultimatelybeen achieved.

“A bit of long and winding road but we got here in the end,” Cr Thomas told the chamber.

In a statement, the Western Bulldogs welcomedcouncil’sdecisiontoaapprovea 10-year lease for the childcare centre.

“As well as providing certainty and stability for parents, this timeframe ensures we can work with all stakeholders to realise maximum community benefit for years to come,“ the statement read.

Greens representative, deputy mayor Samantha Meredith, said she would abstain, arguing the state government needed to help more rather than leaving council on its own.

Mayor Mohamed Semra struggled to be heardovershoutinggallerymembersashe spoke in support.

“What I’ve heard consistently is that people do want to feel safe,” Cr Semra said of the feedback he’d received.

Cr Pradeep Tiwari, who was mayor when the trials was introduced, said stopping them immediately would be counterproductive.

The final vote was 4-2 in favour with one abstention.

Briefs

Teens arrested

Police have arrested five teenagers after an incident where a male was allegedly assaulted and dragged into a vehicle before being involved in a pursuit across Melbourne’s western suburbs on 18 February. It is alleged a man was walking along Harrier Circuit in Deanside when he was assaulted by four male offenders and dragged into a Toyota Camry sedan about 8.30am. The Toyota continued along Taylors Road with all five occupants, where police pursued the vehicle through Caroline Springs and back into Deanside. Police then deployed Stop Sticks on Neale Road, before the car crashed into a pole on Hopkins Road in Truganina. The five male occupants of the Toyota were arrested at the scene, including the boy who was forced into the vehicle.

Hit-run investigated

Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed a hit and run collision in South Kingsville on 19 February to come forward. Emergency services were called to Blackshaws Road about 11pm to reports a pedestrian had been struck by a car. The vehicle did not stop at the scene and the as yet-to-be identified male pedestrian was taken to hospital with serious injuries. Police are keen to speak with anyone who may have seen it or has footage.

Drugs charges

A 48-year-old Sunshine North man and a California Gully man have been charged as part of an investigation into alleged drug trafficking in the Bendigo area. Police were originally called to a department store at Pall Mall, Bendigo, where two bags had been left unattended on 6 February. The bags were searched, and police located a large amount of cash and drugs. On Monday 16 February police intercepted a black Mercedes on the Calder Highway. Police seized what is alleged to be methylamphetamine, ecstasy, cocaine, heroin, Xanax, testosterone tables, ketamine and cash. The Sunshine North man was charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence. On 18 February police observed a Black Amarok Ute parked at Albert Richardson Reserve in Bendigo about 1am. Police located what is alleged to be methylamphetamine, GHB, ecstasy, heroin and $6000 cash. Police will allege the incidents are linked.

Search goes on for killer

Thirty-two years ago, 79-year-old Leah Buck was attacked and robbed in Williamstown in broad daylight. The severe injuries she sustained would result in her death the following day. Her attacker remains unidentified and the case is still unsolved with police issuing a $1 million reward for information relating to the murder. Sam Porter looks back on the cold case.

In September 1994, about 150 people attended a service at Altona Memorial Park crematorium to pay their respects to Leah Buck, one week after her tragic murder.

At the service the reverend told of how MrsBuck,whoraisedthreechildrenonher own, was a courageous woman.

“She was extremely independent. She loved to walk along The Strand to feed the seagulls or have a yarn with someone up the street,” the reverend said, according to a Williamstown Advertiser article at the time.

“She had a big heart and a big welcome for anyone who came. She was a great spirit; a great Australian woman who was loved by all who knew her.”

Advertiser journalist Elisabeth Tarica, who wrote the article, was present at the funeral.

She was invited by Mrs Buck’s family who hoped ongoing media coverage might help lead to the perpetrator’s arrest.

Ms Tarica described the “overwhelming shock and sadness that swept through the community”.

“Everyonepresent[attheservice]seemed to be grappling with the senselessness of Leah’s loss, and there was little conversation as people paid their respects in quiet solidarity,” she said.

“It was clear that the pain ran deep, not just for Leah’s loved ones but for the whole communitywhichwasfeelingthesadness, shock and anger.”

The previous week, on Tuesday 20 September, about 12.30pm, Mrs Buck mentioned to a family member she had an appointment with a local optometrist.

About two hours later, she was seen by a witness pushing a shopping trolley towards a friend’s home on Dover Road, Williamstown.

Investigators believe she had also just left the optometrist.

At about the same time, a second witness found Mrs Buck, disorientated and bleeding, kneeling against a brick wall along Dover Road, her shopping trolley lying next to her.

Mrs Buck repeatedly told the person something had hit her, according to the witness.

Mrs Buck, who had sustained several severe injuries to the back of her head as a result of the attack, was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery.

She fought for her life for 12 hours and then sadly died.

On the day Mrs Buck was attacked, a similar incident was also recorded in the neighbouring suburb of Newport about 30 minutes earlier.

Seventy-three year old Elizabeth Davies wasrobbedonNewcastleStreet,alsofound lying on the ground with head injuries.

Police were investigating whether there was a link between the two incidents and another in Sunshine that occurred on the same day, according to the news article by Ms Tarica published on 28 September, 1994.

Ms Tarica said the attacks and Mrs Buck’s subsequent death left the close-knit Williamstown community deeply shaken.

“There was a palpable sense of fear, with many genuinely worried for the safety of their loved ones,” she said.

“As a local, I was worried for my own mother and grandmother, whose daily routines – shopping or running errands – mirrored those of the two victims. The community, feeling anxious and vulnerable,begantakingextraprecautions and looking out for one another.”

Ms Tarica said her colleague was writing about similar incidents in the western suburbs at the time but there was no evidence to connect them.

AVictoriaPolicespokespersonconfirmed there was a spate of incidents reported in and around the western suburbs, about the time of Mrs Buck’sdeath,where elderly women had been targeted in a similar manner.

“In these cases, the victims were struck from behind and had their handbags and purses stolen,” the spokesperson said.

“To this day, investigators have been unable to establish any link between these incidents however it has not been ruled out.”

In the Sunshine Western Suburbs Advocate, Ms Tarica’s colleague Deborah Goughwroteastoryaboutthreeviolentbag snatchings in St Albans and one in Albion that occurred during the same month.

The story appeared the same week Ms Tarica’s article on Mrs Buck’s murder was published.

Of the incidents in Ms Gough’s report, the most serious occurred in Albion where a 67-year-old woman was targeted after

catching thetrainfromSunshineto Albion Station.

The offender hit the woman over the head and stole money from her.

The other attacks on the three women in St Albans occurred in separate incidents, all taking place at the rear of the Safeway (Woolworths) car park after they had finished their shopping.

They were aged 72, 55 and 39 years old at the time.

The 72-year-old was walking home when a man ran past her and snatched her bag, according to the report.

She pursued him however he was able to get away by jumping a fence.

The 55-year old woman was pushed over by an aggressor who demanded she hand over her handbag, Ms Gough reported.

Police at the time believed the three St Albans incidents were linked, according to Ms Gough’s article.

Three decades later and no one has been charged with Mrs Buck’s murder despite significant investigations.

Quoted in the 1994 article by Ms Tarica was Mrs Buck’s granddaughter, Coreena Price.

“You could prepare yourself to cope with her death if it was a heart attack but not something like this. She was bashed senseless,” Ms Price said.

“My nan didn’t have a say whether she wanted to live or die – they made that choice for her.”

Reflecting on the conversation with the family, Ms Tarica said she was grateful to Mrs Buck’s daughter and granddaughter fortakingthetimetospeakwithherduring their period of grief.

“Both were incredibly generous in sharing their experiences despite the emotionaltollandgrief.Thefamilywanted to keep Leah’s story in the public eye to encourage someone with information to come forward and I am sad that it is still unresolved,” she said.

According to police, Mrs Buck’s family have never given up hope that the person who attacked their loved one would be found.

Anyone with information that could assist investigators is urged to contact CrimeStopperson1800333000orsubmita confidential report at www.crimestoppers. vic.gov.au

Helping students thrive academically and socially

St Aloysius College proudly continues its transition from an all-girls institution to co-education,ajourneythatbeganin2023.

With over 135 years of rich history, the college has embraced this evolution, responding to the strong desire of families in Melbourne’s inner north-west for a Catholic education that serves both sons and daughters. Parents, students and staff have embraced the transition, helping shape a college culture where students thrive academically, personally, and socially.

Rooted in the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy, St Aloysius College goes beyond academics, exemplifying the profound benefits of a values-based education. Guided by the Mercy Education values, students are not only prepared for academic success, but also empowered to navigate modern complexities with a holistic approach to mind, body, and spirit.

St Aloysius College’s comprehensive curriculum integrates academics with the Universal Learning Program (ULP) and a diverse range of co-curricular activities spanningSTEAM,sport,languagesandthe Arts.Thisapproachprovidesstudentswith opportunitiestoexploretheirinterestsand develop essential skills, nurturing critical thinking and intellectual curiosity. The college’scommitmenttoanindividualised approach recognises the needs of the whole person, equipping students with the interpersonal skills, adaptability, and resilience needed to thrive in an ever-evolvingworld.

Central to the college’s educational vision is a dedication to individual wellbeing. Recognising the uniqueness of each student, St Aloysius College programs prioritise wellbeing and lay the groundwork for academic and personal brilliance.

engage meaningfully, challenge ideas with respect, and contribute to their communitieswithintegrityandcourage.

The co-educational curriculum cultivates confident, empathetic leaders who know how to listen, collaborate and lead with purpose. Students learn to

Graduates of St Aloysius College emerge with compassion, a strong sense of self, and the courage to make a meaningful impact on the world around them.

Enrolments for Year 7 in 2028 are now open, with applications closing on Friday, 14 August 2026. Families are invited to join a campus tour and see first-hand how a values-driven environment shapes curiosity,preparingstudentsforabrilliant future.

A less than jolly royal visit

This week she recounts a drama-filled

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

The first royal visitor to Australia was to lay the foundation stone for the Alfred Graving Dock, a monumental feat of engineering that had taken tons of locally quarried basalt to build, and Williamstowners were in party mode. It had also taken years of civic wrangling, exhausting manual labour, thousands of pounds, and was still unfinished, but none of that seemed to matter. Williamstown was determined to put on a good show and enjoy itself.

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

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

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

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

three children.

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

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

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

beaten back by the mounted police using equally vicious determination.

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

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

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

something of an anti-climax when all went off without a hitch, and the foundation stone was laid. Yes, there were miles of flags and bunting, noisy crowds, and the inevitable speeches, but the day was spent in a festive atmosphere, and nobody in Williamstown shoved him into cow sheds or even burned buildings to the ground. To farewell the visitor, the residents illuminatedthewindowsoftheirshopsand homes at night, delighted that Alfred was gliding off to Sydney with happy memories of our port.

His pleasure in the last leg of his journey was soon dimmed when on 12 March at a fundraisingpicnicinClontarf,HenryJames O’Farrell, a rumoured Fenian, fire a shot at Alfred. The bullet was deflected by his braces, and a maddened crowd descended on the would-be assassin and tried to tear himapart.Hewasrescuedbythepolicefor astateexecution,andAlfredrecovered.He was scheduled to go to New Zealand, but his medical adviser considered that the strain would be too great to bear. With secret relief, the prince returned to England. Alfred’s ordeal has not deterred other royals from visiting Australia, which, having shown just what it’s capable of doing to bluebloods, is truly remarkable.

New strategy

By Cr Michael Disbury

Transportaffectseverypartofdailylife.

It shapes how we get to work and school, connect with friends and family, and enjoy ourbeautifulcity.

That’s why it’s so important that our community has its say as we build a new 10-yeartransportstrategy.

We’re currently looking for community feedback to shape the strategy, so it’s your opportunity to let us know things that are working well or suggest things we can look to improve, or advocate to other levels of governmenttoimprove.

Whether you walk, cycle, drive or rely on public transport, your feedback will help ensure we prioritise the right projects and advocate effectively for the improvements ourcityneeds.

Our population is expected to grow to 105,000by2036,soit’simportantweputthe right measures in place now to cope with thatgrowthinthefuture.

While we focus on our transport future, it’s also important to celebrate some recent significanttransportsuccesses.

Last year we saw the completion of the new bridge across Kororoit Creek at Racecourse Road, which has seen immediate positive results. The old road was prone to flooding and causing traffic issues, but the new bridge has done a great jobresolvingthisissue.

Andjustrecentlytheheritage-listed1880s bluestone bridge in Brooklyn was renewed, withstructuralrepairs,graffitiremovaland improvedlighting.

I have a passion for maintaining the historyofourcity,soit’sfantastictoseethis historicbridgegivenanewleaseonlife.

ThebridgecrossesoverKororoitCreekon themainroadlinktoGeelongandcreatesa welcominggatewaytoHobsonsBay.

Andwhilewelooktoourtransportfuture, it’s important we still address issues today. So, if you come across potholes or places of concern, jump on the free Snap Send Solve app to let us know so we can take a look, to continue to make our city as easy to get aroundaspossible.

Visit the participate Hobsons Bay website to have your say: https://participate. hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/

Briefs

Safe phones

Hobsons Bay residents with old phones lying around are being urged to have them factory reset and then and drop them off at any Hobsons Bay library branch. These donated phones will then be provided to charity DV Safe Phone who will then distribute them to domestic violence victims. The reset phones are designed to give victims a secure and untraceable way to stay connected with loved ones, reach support services and rebuild their lives. Android phones that work on 4G networks and iPhone models from six and above are suitable. Details: https:// dvsafephone.org/donate-phones, or https://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/ Libraries

Phoenix hub

Maribyrnong residents are being asked how to attract more 12 to 25 year olds to the Phoenix Youth Hub in the Footscray CBD, the only dedicated youth space in the municipality. Feedback can be provided until midnight Sunday 29 March and will be used to help improve the hub’s spaces and services and determine its direction over the next 10 years. In order to help locals gain a greater understanding of the Phoenix Youth Hub, it will be hosting tours every Wednesday throughout March. Details: yourcityyourvoice.com.au/ phoenix

FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au

Maribyrnong & Hobsons Bay Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Star Weekly looks back through the pages of our predecessors

40 years ago 26 February, 1986

Williamstown will not get its promised $1.2 million boat launching ramp.

30 years ago 21 February, 1996

Arevisedbudget,tobesetnextTuesday, willlockthenewlyelectedHobsonsBay council into spending the $14.6 million Solaris windfall on projects chosen by outgoing commissioners.

Learn to

make

a spin drum

Eachmonth,StephanieMartinezwillshare anexcitingcraftprojectdesignedtoinspire and spark creativity.

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

JoinStephanieassheexplorestheendless possibilities of crafting and turn everyday materials into something extraordinary. This month, Stephanie is creating Chinese New Year spin drums.

20 years ago 22 February, 2006

A community leader has praised the firstfruitsofaprojectthataimstomake Lavertonabetterplacetoliveandwork.

10 years ago 24 February, 2016

A Yarraville man received a good behaviour bond and was ordered to pay more than $1200 after pleading guilty to assaulting two Maribyrnong councillors at a council meeting in November.

Chinese New Year spin drums

Materials - cardboard - cord - 2x beads - rounded craft stick

Equipment - scissors - glue gun

- awl (or something sharp to poke a hole) - pencil - ruler

Step 1: Cut out 2 cardboard circles (9cm) and 1 cardboard strip (3cm wide) long enough to wrap around the circle.

Step 2: Curve the strip and glue it around the edge of one circle to form the drum.

Step 3: Before closing the drum, poke one hole on each side, directly opposite each other.

Step 4: Thread a piece of cord through both holes and tie a bead to each end on the outside.

Step 5: Poke a hole in the centre of the bottom of the drum. Slide a rounded craft stick into the hole and glue it in place to make the handle.

Step 6: Glue the second cardboard circle on top to close the drum.

Step 7: Decorate the drum.

Step 8: Hold the handle and twist the drum side to side to play. Happy Chinese New Year!

A more sustainable Bali

By Kylie Mitchell-Smith TRAVEL WRITER/PODCASTER www.travellingsenorita.com

BALI has always been a popular ‘go to’ destination for antipodeans, and more recentlytheWorld.

Tourists are now travelling far and wide for some of that island magic.

The island is steeped in tradition with a large Hindu population, who are some of the kindest, most patient people on the planet-where nothing (like two-hour traffic jams) is too much trouble.

It is home to more than four million people, the main industry is tourism, followed closely by manufacturing and trade exporting.

Bali is also a popular destination for entrepreneurs and expats to call homenaturally beautiful with vibrant beach clubs and a burgeoning food scene that spans Uluwatu to Cangguu.

Butwiththetouristtradeandpopulation growing rapidly the need for a sustainable tourism model is imperative-for the local people and the natural environment.

Finns Beach Club-a mega beachfront club with pools, restaurants, dancefloors and roaming performers-is one business taking its responsibility for keeping the beaches clean, seriously.

Fromlaunchingasolarpoweredrubbish collecting beach robot, to funding the first airandsearescuehelicoptertosponsoring Stella’s Child-an organisation that educates and integrates Balinese youth into businesses.

JustuptheroadPotatoHeadisfollowing suit, with circular creations, turning rubbish into usable art.

Bali-owned and operated, Ini Vie Hospitality group employs local people, preserves the natural environment and upholds the islands cultural traditions. From the intimate garden villas at Monolocaletotheluxurious,localdesignof Sini Vie Seminyak to the thriving gardens (and monkeys) of Kamala Ubud-with newly opened Habitat Bistro, a showcase of the surrounding food bowl.

Catch a ferry from Padang Bai on the mainland to Gili Air, for an authentic and serene island experience.

There’s an array of accommodation optionsfromCaptainCoconuts-traditional Javanese rooms and bamboo lodges-to Santorini a newly opened beachfront hotel and Greek restaurant.

The remote island has grown in popularity, but no cars or motorbikes are allowed, and there’s a waste management program to deal with the Islands rubbish.

Back on the mainland visit the latest foodie destination, Uluwtatu- known for itsepicsurf,clifftopabodesandsupersized beachclubs-there’sanexpatscenedriving a culinary change.

‘Artisan’ is a Bali born brunch café that has industrial styled venues with a touch of the tropics-serving quality local coffee, baked bread and fresh garden salads. Up the street is Papi Sapi, all about fire and flavour, pairing high quality meats and seafood with bold sauces in a laid-back setting. Across the road is Kala, a stylish dining experience inspired by the Mediterranean- smells of sizzling haloumi and lamb kofta waft out of the open plan kitchen.

There’s a buzz about Uluwata, although it’s changing rapidly, there’s a sense of community where innovation and design are considered. Lyvin Melasti Villas, a sanctuary set high above Melasti Beach, is a property that flows seamlessly with nature. Stay tuned for the opening of their signature restaurant and spa later this year.

HeadintothehillsofUbud,toSyrcoBase by talented Chef Syrco Bakker. A culinary destination, with a regenerative garden, cooking workshop space, contemporary dining and artisan shop- showcasing local talent. Syrco Base is the future of

food in Bali, nurturing young talent and community-a place that invites you to eat and live more consciously.

LocalorganisationssuchasSungaiwatch are on a mission to stop plastic going into the ocean and river inlets. They actively remove rubbish built up on the land that ends up blocking the waterways, leaving lasting impacts on the environment particularly in the wet season.

A more sustainable Bali starts with the locals and ends with the tourists, it’s up to us to respect the deep history of the island and leave a light travel footprint. Bali is one of the world’s treasures, a wellness destination that’s blessed with kind people-treat her well.

EATSyrco Base, Ubud Kala, Uluwata Santorini, Gili Air Bar Vera, Canggu

PLAYFinns Beach Club

Tropical Tempataion Beach Club Gili Air

STAYSantorini, Gili Air Monolocale Resort, Seminyak Lyvin Melasti Villas, Bukit Kaamala Resort, Ubud

PARIS TO THE SWISS ALPS

Paris to Zurich or vice versa

Explore Roman Trier and taste Moselle Rieslings in Bernkastel-Kues. Sail past Sankt Goar and the Lorelei Rock. Visit fascinating Worms and historic Heidelberg.

12 DAYS • 4 COUNTRIES • 10 GUIDED TOURS SET

• JUN, JUL, AUG-NOV 2026; MAR-NOV 2027; 2028

From $6,895pp in Standard Stateroom From $8,495pp in Veranda Stateroom

CITIES OF LIGHT

Paris to Prague or vice versa

Sail Europe’s most iconic rivers: the Main, lined with quaint villages; the castle-studded Rhine; and the Moselle with its steep vineyards.

12 DAYS • 4 COUNTRIES • 10 GUIDED TOURS SET SAIL • APR-NOV 2026; MAR-NOV 2027; 2028

From $6,995pp in Standard Stateroom From $8,795pp in Veranda Stateroom

RHINE GETAWAY

Amsterdam to Basel or vice versa

Explore one of Europe’s best-loved rivers. Discover the turreted fortresses, grand cathedrals, historic cities, medieval towns and stunning scenery of the Middle Rhine.

8 DAYS • 4 COUNTRIES • 6 GUIDED TOURS SET SAIL • JUN-NOV 2026; MAR-NOV 2027; 2028

From $5,495pp in Standard Stateroom

From $6,695pp in Veranda Stateroom

Trial ordered over ‘83 rape

By Emily Woods, Aap

A magistrate has committed a man to stand trial over the rape of a grandmother more than 40 years ago.

However, he has been cleared over an alleged second rape of the same woman 21 monthsearlierduetoinsufficientevidence.

Michael Francis Martin, 70, had initially been charged with seven offences over two alleged sex attacks in the early 1980s.

He faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday 18 February where he was committed to stand trial on three charges over the alleged 1983 rape of grandmother Jessie Grace Lauder.

DNA evidence from the scene was found

of sufficient weight for a jury to decide whether he was guilty or not guilty of those offences, allegedly committed on 6 July,1983, at Ms Lauder’s Newport home.

Martin denies all offending and was askedtostandashepleaded“notguilty“to each of the three charges.

Hehadalsobeenaccusedoffourcharges over a 1981 alleged attack on Ms Lauder, then-aged 82, with the prosecution relying on coincidences and similarities between totwoeventsastheylackedDNAevidence.

Martin had been charged with offences including intent to commit assault with an offensive weapon and aggravated sexual assault.

Prosecutors alleged 13 factors pointed

to Martin being the offender in both rapes, including that each incident occurred at the same place, against the same person and around a similar time.

The Crown argued the offending circumstances were similar as they said Ms Lauder was told to lie on the floor on each occasion, remove her clothing and had been asked not to call police.

Martin’s defence team submitted six features were dissimilar between the two events, including use of a weapon, demands for Ms Lauder to be quiet and the taking of money.

Magistrate Rohan Lawrence said the offending was “most serious and certainly traumatic“ but found the prosecution’s

Footscray to hear the drums Wadaiko

Fresh off hosting the annual East Meets West Lunar New Year Festival, Footscray’s Byron Plaza will stage another Asian cultural celebration next month when the traditional Japanese art event, Wadaiko West! takes place.

As the name suggests, the free afternoon event involves Wadaiko, aka, Japanese drumming,beingperformedinthewestern suburbs, as well as other traditional music and dance performances.

It’s the drums that will be the star attraction, with Melbourne-based eight-piece Wadaiko Rindo set to make the grounds of Byron Plaza and beyond shake

like a Japanese earthquake.

Following their thunderous beats will be Noriko Tadano showcasing her virtuoso skills on the tsugaru shamisen, a three-stringed traditional Japanese instrument known for creating a bluesy, soulful sound that’s sometimes called ‘hard-rocking folk’.

The award winning Tadano will be joinedbyatroupeofOkinawadancerswho will graze Byron Plaza during her performance.

Wadaiko West! Is presented by Thin Ozone, an art studio that specialises in installations,performancesandtraditional

world-culture events.

Thin Ozone’s Alejandra Diaz said the Japanese culture on offer would go well beyond just music and dance.

“You will have the opportunity to have yournamewritteninShodoCalligraphyby the great artist Miho Araki,” Ms Diaz said.

“There’s be some kids activities, then we’ll end the afternoon with dancing and more surprises.

“So bring your kimonos, friends, and children.“

Wadaiko West! is on Saturday 14 March at Byron Plaza Footscray from 2-7pm.

Entry is free.

features were common across “many instances of sexual offending by an intruder“.

“I do not believe there is a reasonable possibility that the Crown would be permittedtorelyoncoincidencereasoning to argue that the accused was responsible for the first offending,“ he said.

“Accordingly, I will discharge Mr Martin on charges one to four.“

Additionally, Ms Lauder died in 1993 and cannot be called as a witness to give evidence about the incidents.

Martin was placed on trial bail and will face the County Court for a directions hearing on 18 March .

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

Pelligra joins recycling group

Property developer Pelligra has formally joined the Brooklyn Recycling Group (BRG) under Victoria’s first statutory Better Environment Plan (BEP).

As a major landholder within the industrial precinct, Pelligra will work alongside Delta Group, ResourceCo, EcoGypsum & Fertiliser (Sunshine Groupe), and City Circle Group as contributors to Brooklyn’s future redevelopment.

According to BRG, the BEP, authorised by the Environment Protection Authority in July 2024, provides an adaptive framework that enables businesses of varying sizes and operations to work collectively toward cleaner air, improved local amenity and stronger collaboration between industry, community and government.

BRG foundation member Christon Buxton, of EcoGypsum & Fertiliser, said Pelligra’s involvement strengthens the shared vision for the precinct.

“Our goal has always been to work progressively with industry, communityandregulatorstoachieve better outcomes for everyone. Having Pelligra formally join the BEP strengthens our collective capacity andreinforcesthatthisisalong-term commitment”, Mr Buxton said.

The BEP, now in its second year, is a three-year statutory agreement designed to drive higher standards of environmental performance.

BRG said dust management remains a central priority.

PUZZLES

To solve a Sudoku

ACROSS

1 Tinned meat (4)

3 Collection and study of data (10)

10 Fluids (7)

11 Make a big profit (coll) (5,2)

12 Manliness (8)

13, 25-down Carnival and parade (5,4)

14 Frustrate (4)

15 Synchronous (10)

18 Unnecessary (9)

20 Unattractive (4)

21 Bonus (5)

23 Dormant (8)

26 Whistleblower, Edward – (7)

27 One who does parkour (7)

28 Skilled craftsmen or inventors (10)

29 Requests (4)

DOWN

1 Old sailor (coll) (4)

2 Quietly comply (9)

4 Evidence (9)

5 In bad taste (5)

6 Kitchen utensil (7)

7 Part of a target (5)

8 Use of false, but clever arguments (9)

9 Woman’s calf-length clothing (4)

14 Indigestion (9)

16 Transformer (9)

17 Designer of goods and structures (9)

19 In support of (2,3,2)

22 Fish (5)

23 Of sound waves (5)

24 Fuel cut from bogs (4)

25 See 13-across

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

Today’s Aim:

15 words: Good 23 words: Very good 31 words: Excellent

N F A I T E M

3

Casablanca is a port city in which African country?

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

Discover new skills

Join Outlets Newport Community Education Centre for classes in English conversation, computers, devices, sewing, crafts and more. All welcome.

Phone 9391 8504, outlets@ outletsco-op.com.au or visit 43 Mason St, Newport.

The Newport Lakes Bush Dance

Newport Fiddle and Folk Club’s annual bush dance is on 15 March and has been made possible through funding from Hobsons Bay council’s “The Make it Happen” grant initiative. The bush dance aims to get families and local residents involved in a good old fashioned bush dance environment with a dance caller assisting participants to learn a few bush dance steps. The Newport Bush Orchestra will be the star attraction for this event, providing fun family entertainment and Australian bush tunes. The free event will be held in Newport Lakes, with signs pointing to the location from the main car[park on Lakes Drive.

Danny Civitico - Newport Lakes Bush Dance Coordination Team 0425 769 253, or https://www.nffc.org.au/bush-orchestra

Cards and conversation

Do you like cards and games? Whether its Canasta, 500 or board games, come and join us weekly at Altona North Library. All levels welcome. Tuesdays from 10am-noon. Free of charge, morning tea provided and no bookings required. Altona North Library Corner of Millers and McArthurs Road, Altona North.

1300 179 944

Craft and laugh

Join us for a fun, calming session filled with creativity and connection. All craft styles and skill levels welcome (no painting please). A great way to meet people, connect with your library and explore new creative activities. Basic supplies available for beginners to try. Tuesdays from 1-3pm at Altona North Library Corner of Millers and McArthurs Road, Altona North. Free of charge, no bookings required. 1300 179 944

Join Hobsons Bay Community Fund as a committee member

The Hobsons Bay Community Fund is seeking new volunteer committee members to help support local community initiatives. We currently have opportunities available for treasurer and social media roles. If you’re passionate about making a positive impact in Hobsons Bay and would like to contribute your skills, we’d love to hear from you.

Craig Eyes on 0408 055 125 or email: @hbcommunityfund.org.au

Altona North Grandparent Playgroup. A friendly weekly opportunity for grandparents and their grandchildren to play, have cuppa, cake and chat, $5. During school terms, Monday 10am-noon at Eastona Park Community Facility, 13 Collins Avenue, Altona North (old kindergarten venue).

Marnie, 0478 011 981

Bridge Club

The Williamstown Bridge Club has bridge sessions each week on Weds night at 7.25pm 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, Altona. All levels welcome and partners can be provided.

Sandi, 0417 315 760, Alan, 0430 309 255or visit www.bridgewebs.com/williamstown

This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of comedians Geoff Paine and Ross Daniels. (Damjan Janevski) 534644_01

Sing with WIllin Wimmin choir

Discover the joy of group singing with the friendly women at WiIlin Wimmin choir in Williamstown. New members are always welcome, no audition. The choir sings contemporary, folk, choral and world repertoire in acapella style. Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings during school terms, 7.30 - 9.30pm at the Dennis Reserve Centre, 109 Ferguson Street, Williamstown. willinwimmin.org.au, or willin.wimmin@gmail.com

Altona VIEW Club

VIEW stands for Voice Interest and Education for Women. Altona VIEW Club has just celebrated its 27th year and is not-for-profit. The club welcomes ladies from the Wyndham, Hobsons Bay and other areas to join us on the third Wednesday of each month, at 11.00a.m, at the Altona RSL. The Club is closely affiliated with The Smith Family and sponsors ten children through the “Learning for Life” programme. Come along and join us for lunch and enjoy the speakers each month. Other outings are arranged. Great opportunity to make new friends.

altonaview@gmail.com, or Julie, 0421 315 846

Westgate diabetes support group

Meets on the first Tuesday of each month at Altona bowling club at 10am. Elaine, 0415 030 996

Social square dancing

Come along to the Maribyrnong Community Centre on Thursday nights from 7.30-10.30pm to learn social square dancing for beginners in a safe and friendly environment. The teaching is in a group but is self paced so there is no pressure to maintain a rate of learning.

Janine, 0421 371 883, or contact@essendonsquares.com

Free English conversation classes

If English is your second language and you want to improve your English language skills, practice speaking with friendly volunteer tutors in informal and interactive group sessions held every Monday at 1-3pm in the meeting room at Altona Library, 123 Queen Street, Altona. Light refreshments provided.

Jill MacKenzie, 0439 994 705 or jill.mackenzie111@gmail.com

Chit Chat Tuesdays

A ladies chit chat group which is on every Tuesday from 1.30-3pm at Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre in Altona. As an extension of this sometimes we host guest speaker events for women in the community.

Dione, 9398 2511 or LJAC.com.au

Williamstown seniors

The group meets every Tuesday at 1-3pm at Denis Reserve. It is a small group looking for more seniors both male and female. Members enjoy two hours of singing as well as afternoon tea. Cost is $5 for the afternoon.

Marlene, 0402 769 204

Laverton Community Choir

It’s that time of the year - the Laverton Community Choir are busy rehearsing Christmas songs for the festive season, and would love to add more voices. Everyone is welcome, and you don’t need to be able to read music - just come and experience the joy of singing in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The choir meets on Thursday evenings from 7-9pm to sing, have supper and a chat, and then sing some more. You will leave feeling so much better! Laverton P12 College, 91 Bladin Street, Laverton Sue 0418386147 or lavertoncommunitychoir@gmail.com

Yin Yoga

Yin Yoga Classes are running at Brooklyn Community Hall and the Healing Garden Williamstown. Classes are held every

Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Classes are costed for the community: $8-$25 per class. Star Weekly readers can get a complimentary first session to try it out. Yin Yoga is a gentle, passive practice that invites stillness and subtlety - offering up powerful physical benefits by targeting the body’s connective tissues, joints, and fascia. For all bodies - stiff, sore, injured or just in need of deep release! Hong 0412 112 422, or yogawithhong. com

Craft, laugh and connect

Join us for a fun, calming session filled with creativity and connection. All craft styles and skill levels are welcome. Bring your favourite craft - knitting, drawing, colouring, puzzle, anything that brings you joy (no painting please). It’s a great way to meet people, connect with your library and explore new creative activities.The craft sessions are held at Altona North Library from 1-3pm. Free of charge and no bookings required. 9932 3005, 0407 247 087 or https:// www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Libraries

Mouth Organ Band

Yarraville Mouth Organ Band is looking for new members. Band practice is held on Friday evenings at 8pm in the band hall at 203 Williamstown Road, Yarraville. For great music in a friendly atmosphere feel free to call in one Friday evening. Heather, 9399 2190 or ymob1933@ yahoo.com.au

Woodcarving Workshop

Held weekly at Hobsons Bay Men’s Shed, but women are welcome too. Aimed at all levels of ability in the ancient, international crafts of carving, whittling and chipping. Starter gouges and timber are available, but participants are advised to bring their own tools and projects if possible. Held on Tuesdays, 9.30am-noon, 280 Queens Street, Altona. John, jah2802rot@gmail.com.

Eskimo Joe heads west

Australia’s beloved alt-rock power trio Eskimo Joe are sure to have audiences up on their feet when they headline the Lincoln Park Twilight Festival.

Held on Saturday 28 February at Lincoln Park, Essendon, the free festival is sure to be a destination live-music event for the west.

Twilight Festival is set to rock as Eskimo Joe celebrates 20 years of their award-wining album Black Fingernails, Red Wine, while also performing their recent singles. They will be joined by rising alt poprock group Joan & the Giants, fresh off Australian tours supporting Pink and The Fray.

Crowd favourite DJ Be Kind to Other People will return, hitting the decks to get the party started.

Local emerging pop singer Ken Shing rounds out the line-up with his upbeat tunes.

The event will be hosted by popular radio and television personality Zan Rowe.

The sport of kings gallops into Werribee

What many call the sport of kings will be on full display at Werribee Park as the historic Urquhart Cup polo tournament gallops into town on Sunday 1 March.

More than 50 competitors aged 13 to 73 will be battling for the silverware in Victoria’s premier open-handicap event.

About 200 horses, many retrained thoroughbreds associated with Racing Victoria’s Off The Track program, will take the field in the mixed gender event.

There will be plenty on offer for the whole family, including children’s activities, roaming activations, entertainment, food, and more. Grab your family and friends, pack a picnic, sit back and enjoy a freetwilight concert

TwilightFestivalwillrunfrom5-9.30pm. Details: mvcc.vic.gov.au/twilight

Autumn fest returns

Ballan’s favourite community festival is set to return for its 50th annual event on Sunday 15 March, celebrating local culture, creativity, and community.

The Ballan Autumn Festival is one of the oldest regional country fairs in the Moorabool Shire, with around 5000 people flocking to the festival each year.

This year’s festival is promising to be one of the best ever, complete with a centre stage for live entertainment, surrounded by artisanal market stalls, and plenty of seating and shade in the festival’s food court.

Heritage and horsepower will blend as friendly yet fierce rivalries will ensue.

Thegameswillbeplayed‘off-scratch’, meaning no handicap headstarts are given to lower-rated teams so that only raw skill determines the winner.

This year, veteran Australian captain Jack ‘Ruki’ Baillieu will lead defending champions Mingela against a field of rising talent including German-Argentine prodigy Franz Spurgin, France’s Dorian Butteau and New Zealand’s Jimmy Wood.

The tournament is presented by

Families and thrill-seekers are invited to enjoy a team sport that combines the speed of racing, the precision of golf and the physicality of rugby.

Hexham Polo Club, founded in Victoria’s Western District in 1884 and Australia’s oldest continuously operating polo club.

Established in 1935, the Urquhart Cup honours one of Australian polo’s founding families.

Angus Urquhart rode in Victoria’s very first polo match at Warrnambool in 1874 – less than 40 years after the colony was established.

Gates open at 11am for the John Kelly Shield, followed by the Merrang Cup and Palmer Cup, before the Urquhart Cup championship final from late afternoon.

Have a transcendental experience as Merzbow brings noise

For almost five decades now, Tokyo-based artistMerzbowhasheldanundisputedposition as the iconic forefather of noise music.

It’s said his work, which catapults the listener into an utterly unfamiliar but wholly compelling cosmos of sound, has grown over time to represent one of the most fully realised music projects to have emerged in contemporary sound.

Merzbow’s concerts are the stuff of legend; they exist as near-transcendental experiences where the body and ears are consumed by a mass of sound the likes of which

are almost impossible to describe.

And soon, this experience will come to the inner west as Merzbow plays The Substation in Newport on Saturday 28 February and Sunday 1 March.

For both shows, Merzbow will be joined by fellow vibrationalist Lawrence English.

Known for work that tests at the very edges of harmonic ambience and low energy sound pressure, English’s live performances evoke a sense of unerring speculative atmospheres – a dense and physically affecting sonic fog.

CombinedwithMerzbow’sfull-spectrum eruption, both shows promise sound at its deepest, densest and most profound.

Concert goers are warned that these shows, unsurprisingly, contain sustained loud noises as well as haze, and flashing lights.

However,bothshowswillbepresentedin low lighting only.

It’s a standing event, though wheelchair access will be available.

Details: https://thesubstation.org.au/ program/merzbow-australia-2026#tickets

Inglis Street is set to come alive from early morning with market stalls, live performers, local producers and community groups, all culminating in the much-loved street parade, a colourful showcase of regional creativity, schools, clubs and local businesses.

The festival is also set to boast more than 100 market stalls, with a focus on handmade and homegrown goods and wares.

Festival president Kevin Harper says the 50th year carries particular significance.

“For half a century this festival has brought people together - families, farmers, artists, volunteers, children, and grandparents - all sharing one main street and one great sense of community,”

“In a time when so much of life feels rushed and divided, the Ballan Autumn Festival reminds us what regional Victoria does best , we gather, we celebrate, and we look after one another. This 50th anniversary isn’t just about looking back. It’s about showing that community still matters and that the community has a very bright future.”

Volunteers are also being encouraged to step forward to help deliver this landmark event. Even two hours of time makes a meaningful difference.

Details: www.ballanautumnfestival. com.au

SPORTS QUIZ

1. US golfer Anthony Kim won the 2026 edition of which LIV Golf tournament?

2. Which NRLW player won the Trish Hina Medal at the 2026 Maori All Stars v Indigenous All Stars match?

3. Sixth-tier club Macclesfield FC defeated

4. Which Western Australia player won the Graham Moss Medal at the 2026 AFL Origin match?

5. Which Victoria player won the E.J. Whitten Medal at the 2026 AFL Origin match?

6. Marc Kennedy represented which country in curling at the 2026 Winter Olympics?

Which Portland Trail Blazers player won the 3-Point Contest held during the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend?

Which Miami Heat player won the Slam Dunk Contest held during the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend?

The short-lived 1991 US cartoon television show ProStars featured the likenesses of which three athletes?

Which Australian tennis player won the 2026 Rotterdam Open men's singles title?

Planning and Environment Act 1987

HOBSONS BAY PLANNING SCHEME Notice of Approval Amendment C133hbay

The Minister for Planning has approved Amendment C133hbay to the Hobsons Bay Planning Scheme.

The amendment came into operation on 11 February 2026 when a notice was published in the Victoria Government Gazette.

The Amendment implements the findings of the Newport Structure Plan 2021 and Inner Newport Heritage Gap Study 2022.

The Amendment achieves this through the introduction and application of local policy, schedules to residential zones and overlays, and associated mapping and related changes to the Hobsons Bay Planning Scheme.

A copy of the Amendment can be inspected, free of charge, at the Department of Transport and Planning website at www.planning.vic.gov.au/public-inspection or by contacting 136 186 to arrange a time to view the Amendment.

A copy of the Amendment can also be inspected, free of charge, during office hours, at the offices of the Hobsons Bay City Council, 115 Civic Parade, Altona and on the Hobsons Bay City Council website at www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

11. In rock climbing, what does the term ‘crux’ mean?

12. Prior to adopting his iconic number 7 jersey, what number did Cristiano Ronaldo wear?

13. Which Mexican-born runner mistakenly thought she had another lap remaining before winning bronze at the 2025 World Athletics Championships?

14. And in doing so, she secured the firstever World Athletics Championships medal for which country?

15. What is considered to be the national sport of Greece?

16. Who was awarded the John Eales medal (Wallabies player of the year) for 2025?

17. In which year did Victoria and an All-Stars side last face off in a State of Origin match?

18. And what was that match raising funds for?

19. CoolRunnings follows the Jamaican bobsleigh team at which year’s Winter Olympic Games?

20. In which country is the world’s longest golf course?

21. Who captained Western Australia during the AFL’s recent State of Origin?

22. What is the nickname of Darts champion Phil Taylor?

23. How many teams play in the Australian Ice Hockey League?

24. Which NBA and AFL team respectively go by the moniker ‘Suns’?

25. Which AFLW team was the inaugural premier?

26. What is the nickname of the Australian team in the Fed Cup?

27. Which team are the current reigning NBL champions?

28. Which actors play the two main characters in the 2007 film Blades of Glory?

29. And which sport is the focus of that film?

30. True or false: silly mid-off is a fielding position in cricket?

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The stars are all aligning

By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring

Great Wall’s Haval H6 PHEV is the third plug-in hybrid that we have driven in as many weeks.

Dating back to 2011, the third generation H6 made its debut at the 2020 Chengdu Motor Show.

And, all jokes aside, it’s the first Haval to sit on the ‘Lemon’ platform – we kid you not.

H6isGWM’sall-time,best-sellingmodel, with more than 4 million sales globally.

The plug-in version was added in 2021, with a new-look front and available in petrol, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid form.

“Every inch of the H6 has been meticulously considered,” we’re told.

Styling

There’s an H6 for just about everyone, with prices ranging from $35,990 for the entry level petrol model through to $50,990 for the top-of-the-line plug-in hybrid with all-wheel drive.

The standard, self-charging hybrid is priced from $40,990, while you can get into the plug-in version from as little as $44,990. Premium paint adds $495 to the price.

Plug-in hybrids have really taken off in the Australian market with the arrival of cheaper, more accessible Chinese models.

The attraction is their versatility, with their ability to operate in pure electric or fuel-saving petrol-electric mode – without any range fears.

H6’s Chinese competitors include the BYD Sealion 6 and Geely Starray EM-i. These wagons are all roughly around the same price and offer the same kind of performance and range.

Our test vehicle, the front-drive H6 Ultra PHEV is priced from $47,990.

All-wheel drive takes this figure to $50,990 – all prices before on-road costs.

The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) with a turbocharged engine was introduced here with the facelift in July 2025.

Up front, the cascading grille carries the Haval logo, thankfully no longer in garish red.

At the rear, the full-width light bar has been replaced by sharply angled, individual tail lights giving the wagon a more contemporary look.

However, the ‘Haval’ badge at the back has been replaced with ‘GWM’, reflecting the brand’s transition to a single, unified identity.

Of greater note, the facelift saw the introduction of GWM’s AT1 program (AustralianTuning)thatdrawsontheskills of former Holden engineer Rob Trubiani to tune ride and handling.

It’s the same path taken by both Kia and Hyundai years ago, and could turn out to be a game changer for the brand.

H6 is the first model to benefit from this tuning and it shows in spades.

Standard kit includes artificial leather andtwo-zoneclimateair,withrearoutlets, power-adjustable heated and cooled front seats, with driver-seat memory and a heated steering wheel.

There are also 19-inch alloys, push-button start, adaptive cruise control, head-up display, auto high beam, traffic signrecognition,LEDlightsall-round,auto lightsandwipers,auto-dimmingrear-view mirror, rear privacy glass, electric tailgate and panoramic sunroof.

The PHEV comes with rear parking sensors,butforsomestrangereasonmisses out on sensors for the front.

H6 is converted by a seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty, along with

an eight-year unlimited-kilometre battery pack warranty. There’s also five-year roadside assistance and five-year capped price servicing.

Infotainment

Infotainment consists of a 14.6-inch touchscreen powered by the GWM’s Coffee OS.

There’s Bluetooth, voice control, AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio, built-in satellite navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus eight-speaker audio (PHEVs boost the number of speakers to nine).

Telematics provides remote access and controlofvariousvehiclefunctions.

Two USB A-ports are provided in the front, a USB-A and USB-C port in the rear, andadashcamportlocatednearthemirror, with 12-volt sockets in the front and in the luggage area, along with wireless phone charging.

Safety

H6 carries a full five-star safety rating from ANCAP.

Inordertoconfirmintegrityofthebattery andsafetyofhighvoltageelectricalsystems in hybrid and PHEV variants, additional frontal offset and oblique pole tests were conducted.

As a result, the previous five-star safety rating was extended to all petrol, hybrid, andPHEVvariantsofH6.

Seven airbags are standard, including a centre airbag to stop those in the front from bangingheadsinasideimpactcrash.

A 360-degree camera with 180 degree overheadtransparentchassisviewisfitted. Autonomous emergency braking applies to car-to-car, vulnerable road user and junctionassistscenarios.

There are also blind spot alert and a lane support system with lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and emergency lane keeping,plusanadvancedspeedassistance systemthatkeepstocurrentspeedlimits.

Engines/transmissions

The hybrid powertrain in the H6 PHEV produces 240kW of power and 540Nm of torque in front-wheel drive form, with a dual-speeddedicatedhybridtransmission.

With all-wheel drive, this rises to 268kW and760kW,givingita0-100km/htimeof4.8 seconds.

Eitherway,they’reimpressivefigures.

Driving

H6 is a mid-sized, five-seat wagon that is 4703mm long, with a 27638mm wheelbase and between 560 and 1445 litres of luggage capacity–thelatterwithrearseatsfolded.

Apartfromrealleathertrim(Comfort-Tek is a euphemism for artificial), there’s not muchmissingfromtheequipmentlist.

Oddly, that is, except for rear parking sensors and automatic parking which are unaccountablymissinginthisgrade.

A column-mounted gear selector frees up space on the centre console for additional storage and provides space for the wireless phonecharger.

Like the Geely, a small 10.25-inch screen sitsabovethesteeringcolumnandservesas theinstrumentcluster.

An automaticallyactivatedparkingbrake addstoeaseofuse.

With a 55-litre tank, H6 takes standard 91 RONunleaded.

Claimed fuel consumption with a fully charged battery is 1.0L/100km (1.1L for AWD).

If you’re slack and let the battery run down, consumption rises to 5.0L/100km (5.3LforAWD).

Sadly, we confess to being apathetic and were getting 5.9L/100km after more than 250kmofdriving.

With energy consumption at 18.4 kWh/100km, the PHEV has a pure electric driving range of 106km or 100km for the AWDversion.

Unfortunately,thesefiguresareunderthe older, more lenient NEDC test regime, that car companies continue to quote because

theylookbetterinprint.

A WLTP figure of 80km is closer to the mark.

The 19.09 kWh battery can be charged from30percentto80percentin28minutes using a DC charger (at a rate of 34kW), or from15percentto100percentusinganAC chargerinunderthreehours(at6.6kW).

Who we wonder wants to half-charge their battery when that presumably means halftherangetoo?

The hybrid system operates in both series or parallel mode, powering the wheels or battery, with EV, EV Priority and Intelligent Hybridmodes.

There’salsotheusualdrivemodeoptions: Normal,Eco,SportorSnow.

Steering weight can be adjusted, with comfortable,sportorlightsettings.

There is also adjustable regenerative braking with the option of one-pedal driving – although the latter does not bring thevehicletoacompletestop.

Driving the H6 PHEV feels much like its competitors around town, but with a bit moregetupandgo.

Find some twisty roads, however, turn up the wick and the wagon comes to life, with braking and handling that is superior to its Chinesecompatriots.

Handlingissafe,predictableandplanted, with strong mid-range throttle response andimpressivebraking.

The wagon has a substantial, dare we say Commodore, feel, absorbing bumps rather than crashing over them, with very little rebound.

Whatever Great Wall is paying Mr Trubiani,it’smoneyinthebank.

But it’s not all peaches and cream. The interior feels drab and dated in comparison to competitors, with too many features controlled from the touchscreen, taking attentionawayfromtheroad.

Then there’s the annoying driver seatbelt which must be locked in before the brakes willreleaseandthewagoncanmoveoff It’sagreatidea,safety-wisethatis,butnot averypracticalone.

The throttle exhibits some overrun, evident as the car continues to accelerate after lifting off the accelerator, forcing the drivertobrake–sometimeshurriedly.

Thiscanbeunnervinginstop-starttraffic and parking behind another vehicle on a steepish driveway, where the car tends to leap forward on liftoff, threatening to ram thecarinfront.

The column-mounted transmission lever hasanothertrapwaitingwhereitispossible to put the car into reverse if you mistake the gear lever for the indicator stalk with your foot on the brake (e.g. queuing for a left-handturn).

With little in the way of labelling it took sometimetoworkouthowtoengagecruise control which as it turns out is via – you guessedit–thegearselector.

Head-up display as usual is almost invisible with polarised sunglasses and the power-operated tailgate often refused to respond to the key fob. Other than this the PHEVisakeeper.

Braked towing capacity is 1500kg. A tyre repair kit is provided in the event of a flat tyre.

Summing up

Of the three so-called ‘super hybrids’ that we’vedriveninrecentweeks,H6isthemore expensivebutdynamicallybetter. It’s let down by a drab, rather uninspiring cabin fitout and in this regard, some contrasting trim would help to break the monotony.

Beauty is however in the eye of the beholder.

Sport around the grounds

Finals spots were on the line on Saturday, whileseverallocalclubsqualifiedforbowls grand finals. Star Weekly photographer Ljubica Vrankovic was out shooting some of the action.

Sports go into grand final

By Tara Murray

Altona Sports has ticked off its first goal of earning promotion and will now go for glory in the Bowls Victoria weekend pennant, division 4, section 1 competition.

Altona Sports won through to the grand final on Saturday, upsetting minor premiers Point Cook in the semi finals.

Altona Sports vice-president Alan Barham said it was pretty special for the club.

He said it had been more than five years since the club has had a side in the grand final.

“It’s very exciting,” he said.

“It’sabigthingforusaswehavenotbeen going so well in the last few years. We’ve been able to turn it around this year.”

Barham said to win against a strong Point Cook side which had hardly lost all year was a big achievement

Altona Sports came away with the win, 83 (16)-65 (2).

“We were behind at the break and managed to pick things up towards the end,” he said.

“Wewererunningawaywithitattheend. Itwascloseuntilthelastfewendswhenwe got our nose in front.

“It was really close all day.”

For Altona Sports, Rick Beran’s rink won 19-17, Nick Alderson’s won 23-12 and Neil

Lavelle Jnr’s rink won 26-14.

Richard Gale’s rink lost 22-15 but had been well down early in the match up and had been able to reduce the gap.

Barham said at the start of the season they wanted to get promoted into division 3 which they have achieved by making the grand final.

“We’re into the grand final now, hopefully we can win the flag and maybe some divisional finals,” he said.

“It will be a home grand final and it will be a totally different game. We have to bring our A-game this week.”

Altona Sports will face Point Cook in the grand final, after Point Cook bounced back against Altona 4, 86 (15)-67 (3).

Rams to go again in pursuit of finals spot

By Tara Murray

Newport Rams are hoping to be better for therunafteranervousstarttotheBaseball

Victoria summer league women’s premier 1 first finals on Saturday.

While the Rams are the defending champions, the side is very different to the group that won the title 12 months ago.

On Saturday, Springvale showed why they have been the team to beat all season with a 9-6 win and earning the first spot in the grand final.

Rams’ coach Dean Anglin said they were beaten by a better team on the day.

“It’s not ideal but we have a second chance,” he said.

“They blew us away at the start and we had to play our way back into the game.

“We didn’t start strong and they scored five runs in the first innings.

“It was 8-1 at one stage. To finish 9-6 is admirable but not the result that we wanted.”

Anglin said he thought nerves got to

their young pitching group early as they gave away too many walks and didn’t get enough strikes.

It allowed Springvale to get on the board and take control of the game.

He said despite the result, the way the team fought back was really pleasing and they were able to take something out of the game.

“That was the key part,” he said. “It can go two ways in these sorts of games.

“You can roll over and it ends in an ugly fashion or you can fight it out and take somelearningsandseewhatopportunities present.

“There were a few negatives that we will work on.”

Having finished in the top two, the Rams have a second chance and will face Doncaster in the preliminary final on Saturday.

It will be a big day for the Rams, with their women’s second side also in action at home as it kicks off its finals series.

The Rams, which claimed the minor

Altona Sports second side also won through to the grand final on Saturday. It will have the week off, with the grand final the following weekend.

The club’s midweek side was due to play Yarraville Footscray in a semi final on Tuesday, after deadline.

“They are top of the ladder,” Barham said. “If they make the grand final we’ll have three teams in the grand final which would be fantastic.

“A really great effort from everyone.”

Elsewhere, Altona 2 is through to the division 2, section 2 grand final and Yarraville Footscray 3 is in the division 3, section 1 grand final.

Stars coming to Altona North

International box lacrosse is coming to Altona North.

Both the Next Gen Series and the IIJL Commonwealth Cup are being hosted at Alan Lewer Box Court.

The inaugural Next Gen Series is an under-16 mixed championship is a three-match series where the champion is decided by total aggregate goals across all games.

The Next Gen Series develops young box lacrosse athletes through competitiveplay,sportsmanshipand community engagement, providing a national stage for emerging talent.

Thetwoteams,theKingsandSting are selected by a national draft.

The cup will involve players from Canada, New Zealand and Australia competing in a three-game round robin to select the ABL eastern and western Allstars.

The Allstars will face Canada in the final.

Australian Box Lacrosse president Richard Benedierks said it would be a pretty exciting event.

He is also the Next Gen Series Commissioner.

“We’re proud to present back-to-back national and internationalboxlacrosseshowcases at Alan Lewer Box Court,” he said. Benedierks said the under-16 event came about as there were no box lacrosse events internationally for that age group.

Box lacrosse is the indoor version of lacrosse and played on indoor hockey rinks in Canada.

premiership, will face Footscray in a knockout semi final with a grand final spot on the line..

The Rams had a bye on Saturday.

“Hopefully we’ll see a good crowd there to support the girls,” Anglin said.

The Rams third side, which finished outside of finals, finished their season on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Rams men’s side sits inside the top eight heading into the final week of regular matches.

On Saturday, the Rams lost to Essendon, 3-2.

TheRamssitineighthspot,thelastfinals spot, with two matches remaining.

Newport was set to be in action on Tuesday night against Williamstown, after deadline. The Wolves, who played in last season’s grand final, are set to miss finals.

A win for the Rams in that match should be enough for them to make finals.

The Rams then finish the regular season against Fitzroy, while Williamstown will play Upwey in the final round on Saturday.

In 2024, women’s box lacrosse came to Australia and it was a big success.

“We didn’t have a vehicle for a pathway,” he said. “We’d taken under-21 boys to Canada and now there’s an under-21 girls world championship.

“This is open to all kids. We’ve got kids from Canada coming down to our domestic seasons.

“These events celebrate skill development and international competition for emerging athletes,” Benedierks said they hoped there would be some locals involved in the Next Gen event.

He said getting Canada out for the All-Stars game was massive.

Both events will be held from 28 February to 2 March.

Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/ k2uavzy5

Cricket star on the rise loves the challenge of the game

By Peter Howe

“I love the beauty of playing cricket,” reflects this month’s Don Deeble Sports Star award winner.

Jasmine Kamboj was only six when she becamerestlesswatchingherolderbrother and father playing cricket and wanted to play.

Milo cricket enticed her before she joined mixed teams in the under-10s and under-12s with Sydenham-Hillside.

“I love the team environment cricket provides, meeting new friends and being challenged on the field,” she said.

Kamboj has had a meteoric rise through cricket ranks.

She was selected in North West Metropolitan Cricket Association rep teams three years in a row, including captain one year.

Kamboj was selected as an all-rounder in her early matches, making her first hundred in her under-14 representative year.

“It was pretty cool. I still really can’t believe it.”

Kamboj was then selected for Victoria in the under-16 and under-19 National Championships which again saw her standout.

However it was after playing in the Victoria Premier Cricket Marg Jennings Cup,Kambojwasidentifiedasanemerging pace bowler by Cricket Victoria.

Kamboj bowls consistently at 110km/h and has a top speed of 115km/h.

“I am not sure why I can bowl so fast, it has been a natural progression,” she said.

“There is some suggestion that I am hyperflexiblethatgivesmetheextrapace.”

At 14 she was playing senior women’s cricket with Sydenham-Hillside and Melton Centrals.

She then moved to Premier Cricket with Carlton playing in their second and third XI.

Kamboj was selected in an under-19 Australian team to tour Sri Lanka in September at just 15 last year.

“It was an amazing learning experience, to play in another country against international talent,” she said.

“I was one of the youngest players to be selected.”

Once she returned, she spent the WBBL pre-season with the Melbourne Stars and played in some of their warm up games.

“I was bowling to players I only watched on TV,” she said.

“I played with Meg Lanning in the T20 Spring Challenge in Sydney.

Finals hopes alive

By Tara Murray

Gellibrand just wanted to be competitive in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association

Steve McNamara Shield, now it’s a chance of playing finals.

After two straight promotions, Gellibrand moved into the division 2 competition which is shaping as one of the closest in the competition.

With back-to-back wins against sides sitting second the past two rounds, Gellibrandisinthirdheadingintothefinal round of the season.

President Mark Keating said there are no easy games in this competition.

“It’s our first year in division 2,” he said. “At the start of the year we wanted to be competitive and we’ve been more than competitive.

“We’ve had to make sure we’re getting wins and it’s been like that every week, we have to win [to play finals].

“We’re a chance to make the four and we want to make the most of it.”

OnSaturday,Gellibrandwasabletogeta vital win against Sunbury, which is also in the finals mix.

Gellibrand made 9-193 on day one of the match after being in trouble at 6-50.

Having put a competitive total on the board, Gellibrand’s bowlers stood tall and bowled Sunbury out for 105.

Jacob Macdonald took 4-12 for Gellibrand.

“We got into a spot of bother [on day one],” Keating said. ”We were able to get out of it.

“We got a couple of early wickets [on Saturday] and the boys bowled well.

“It was the best we had bowled all year.

“There was a little bit in the wicket and we bowled tight lines and lengths.

“It was a really pleasing performance.”

The win moves Gellibrand into third on the ladder.

It will face Williamstown CYMS in a one-dayer in the final round.

It will be a third straight match that Gellibrandisfacingasidesittinginsecond.

The CYs also have to make sure they win to assure a finals berth.

Keating said anything can happen from here in on.

“You have to make it there first and anything can happen,” he said. “We’ve beeninsemiandgrandfinals,whichworks in our favour.

“We’ve got those experiences the last couple of years.”

Keating said things were going well

across the club with the club having 15 sides and a strong female program.

In other Steve McNamara Shield results, Williamstown CYMS beat West Newport. Having made 174, the CYs were able to restrict West Newport to 115.

Trent Jones and Jakob Wojcik top scored with 23 each.

Hamish Cooper and Ben Johnson took three wickets each for the CYs. Meanwhile, Newport-Digman was

“I still can’t believe that. I was playing with women I’d pay to go and watch.”

Kamboj attends Maribyrnong Sports Academy and believes that their program of strength and conditioning has helped her bowling:

Kamboj, plays or trains six days a week, even choosing to play in an underage competition on Tuesday nights with her friends.

On Saturdays, she has personal one-on-one coaching sessions.

“My strength is my ability to bowl fast, but my weakness is to consistently put it into areas that will get batters out. I think I am improving.”

Kamboj’snextgoalistobeselectedinthe 2027 under-19 World Cup squad.

“That would be amazing.”

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, emailing swrsportsclub@gmail. com or 0408 556 631.

Sports shorts

NPL

Altona Magic couldn’t match it with the Oakleigh Cannons in the National Premier League on Saturday. After a win first up, the Magic got off to the perfect start against the Cannons, scoring in the first 10 minutes. The Cannons levelled the scores not long afterwards, before two second half goals to seal a 3-1. Meanwhile in the Victorian Premier League 2, Altona City beat Nunawading City, 1-0.

Baseball

Williamstown Wolves’ Roman Coote made his Melbourne Aces debut on the weekend. Coote plays for both the Wolves juniors and senior programs and is the latest western suburbs youngster to get his Melbourne Aces opportunity this season. Coote played in games for the Aces on Friday night before starting on Saturday night.

VTCA

Altona North claimed an upset win as it knocked off Yarraville Club in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division. Having made 248 on day one of the day, Altona North was able to bowl the Clubbers out for 212 on Saturday. Dilan Chandima top scored with 39 for the Clubbers, while George Dimitriou took three wickets for Altona North. The result sees the Clubbers slip to fourth and needing a win to ensure they play finals. Altona North is now a game clear in the relegation battle.

Premier Cricket

unabletogetareverseoutrightwinagainst West Coburg St Andrews.

The Redbacks made 6-172 in reply to the Bulls’ 166.

The Bulls made 8-194 in their second innings to try and get a reverse outright result. Jackson French-Wright top scored with 61 off 39 balls at the top of the order.

The Redbacks were 5-86 when the game ended.

Footscray has work to do if its to secure a top two spot in Victorian Premier Cricket. Facing Prahran in the final round of the season, the Bulldogs allowed Prahran to make 5-405 from 89 overs. The Bulldogs then had to face four overs at the end of the day and will resume on 1-4. It’s been a big week for a couple of Bulldogs with Dylan Brasher making his Victorian one-day debut, while Mitchell Jamieson making a century in his state second XI debuit.

Imperials on top, on a roll

By Tara Murray

Williamstown Imperials feel they are in a better spot than 12 months ago to attack the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Steve McNamara Shield finals.

The Imperials finished top last season, before missing out come finals time. They will enter finals on top again this season, as the clear favourites having sat on top all season.

Imperials’ coach Tom Burton said they wereinareallygoodspotandfelttheywere better placed than last year.

“We are riding a bit of a wave at the moment,” he said. “It’s been good since Christmas with some good results.

“We’ve got a different belief and team dynamic in the group this season. There’s a real comfort through the group and it’s resulted in the results that we have.”

Burton said with the quality of the playing group they felt that they would have a strong season this year.

He said the group had gelled really well

togetherandhaddonealotofhardworkon thetrainingtrackthepastsixmonthstoget where they are.

On Saturday, the Imperials came away with the points against Grand United.

The Imperials resumed at 2-35 in reply to the Gorillas’ 195.

Despite losing an early wicket on day two,theImperialswereabletochasedown the runs with ease, finishing 4-222.

Callum Herron scored 103 not out, while Burton finished on 61 not out.

Burton said it was good to win in a differentwaythantheyhadformuchofthe season.

“It was good to beat a team around us on the ladder and in finals contention,” he said.

“Wehaven’tdonemuchchasingthisyear so it was good to chase down close to 200.

“It’s good for the team to experience that in the last two-day game before finals and get that experience heading into big games.”

The Imperials finish the regular season

Bulldogs lose thriller

It was heartbreak for YarravilleFootscray as it fell just short of claiming a second straight Bowls Victoria weekend premier division premiership on Sunday night.

Having fired late in the season to win through to the grand final. the Bulldogs had to overcome Moonee Valley in Sunday’ decider at Dandenong.

Moonee Valley had been the side to beat throughout the season and had won the minor premiership and won straight through to the grand final.

The grand final would be one that would go down to the final bowl with the lead changing throughout. Moonee Valley was able to do enough to win, 75 (15)-72 (13).

Both sides had their chances. It was Moonee Valley that got off to a flier and led by 10 shots after 38 ends.

Like they did the previous weekend in the minor finals, the Bulldogs had to come from behind after a slow start.

They levelled the scores after 44 ends.

It was then the Bulldogs turn to go on a run and they led by 10 shots after 59 ends.

The two teams would trade shots throughoutthenextperiodwiththe Bulldogs still leading by four shots with eight ends remaining and one step closer to back-to-back titles. Moonee Valley continued to pick up shots and by the 81st end was leading again.

Moonee Valley would pick on shots on the next couple of ends to lead by four shots heading into the final end.

Yarraville-Footscray needed four off the final bowl, to send it to a bowl off

The Bulldogs could only pick up one shot to lose 75 (15)-72 (13).

in a one-dayer against West Coburg St Andrews on Saturday.

The Redbacks need to win in the final roundandhoperesultsgotheirwaytoplay finals.

Only the Imperials are guaranteed of a finals spot heading into the final round.

Before then, the Imperials will play in the pool A T20 grand final against senior division ladder leaders Deer Park.

The match was scheduled for Tuesday, butduetopredictedweatherwillbeplayed on Thursday night at Fearon Reserve.

Burton said they’d had some fun in that competition. He said they had been underdogsthroughalotofthecompetition.

“We’ve played some great cricket against somereallygoodsidesallthewaythrough,” he said.

“We’ll go out there and enjoy our cricket and play our best brand.

“We’llbedoingwhatwecanonThursday to be successful.“

Burton said they hoped to have a big crowd come out to watch them in action.

Brett Mahoney was the only winning skip for the Bulldogs, with his rink winning 22-15. The margin waslargerbutMooneeValleyledby Nathan Lynch picked up nearly 10 shots late in the piece to bring his side back into the match.

Jay Bye-Norris’ rink tied with Kane Nelson, 16-all, while Craig Mills’ rink lost to Dylan Fisher, 20-18

In the other rink, Nathan Black lost 24-16 to Mathew Rennex’s rink.

Speaking before the grand final, Bulldogs’ Waynes Roberts said a lot of people had written the side off early in the season.

“We never give up and we fight to the end,” he said. “We’ve been behind a number of times this year and fought back.

“We started off slowly and lost our first two games and at one stage three games in a row.

“Peopleweresayingthatwewould bethefirstteamevertoberelegated after winning a premiership.

“We were written off early.”