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proudly serving Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay
WEDNESDAY, 27 MAY, 2026
Showcase for young artists
Hobsons Bay artist Tara Mathews is a past winner of the Woods Street Youth Art Prize. (Damjan Janevski) 553750_04
Two past winners are encouraging aspiring artists in the western suburbs to enter the Woods Street Youth Art Prize. Open to artists aged 14-25 who either live or have a connection to Melbourne’s west, the prize is presented by Hobsons Bay council and has six categories including artist encouragement awards for both under 20s and over 20s and people’s choice. The overall winner will receive $1000 in prize money, while the runner up will get $500. Tara Mathews won the prize in 2024 and said it had served as a springboard for her career as an artist. “Now, two years later, I have exhibited as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival and had a solo exhibition for Midsumma Westside,” Mathews said. Maya Kirk won the artist encouragement award in 2024 and said doing so provided her with a lot of encouragement and support. “Any would-be applicants should take the plunge and apply,” Kirk said. Submissions for this year’s prize are open now and close on 12 June. Winners will be announced on 4 September and winning artworks will be on display at Woods Street Arts Space from 4-19 September. Details: hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/youthartprize
Cafe legal threat By Cade Lucas Two Footscray traders are threatening legal action against the Salvation Army for opening a new cafe and drop-in centre nearby, claiming it will harm their businesses. The Lighthouse Cafe, on the corner of Albert and Paisley streets in the Footscray CBD, was officially opened last week, providing support for people experiencing homelessness, alcohol and drug issues or mental health challenges. One door down from the new cafe on Albert Street is Double Degree Kebabs, which owner Latif Abdul has operated for
seven years. Mr Abdul said his business was already struggling to break even due to the amount of violence and anti-social behaviour in the area, and that locating a drop-in centre next door would only make the problem worse. “I’ve got hundreds of customers who just leave my premises when they see people who are intoxicated or high on drugs,” Mr Abdul said. “Even if I make the world’s best kebab, they’re not gonna come back again.” Mr Abdul spoke to Star Weekly out the front of his kebab shop on Wednesday afternoon while the launch event for the Lighthouse Cafe, which was attended by
Premier Jacinta Allan, took place next door. Standing alongside Mr Abdul was Murat Dokuzelma, the owner of Footscray Bakehouse and Red Apple Cafe, both located across the road from the Lighthouse Cafe inside Footscray Plaza. Mr Dokuzelma told Star Weekly he was exploring his legal options against the Salvation Army. “The lawyer is coming next week. Our lawyer will look after us,” he said. When asked whether he was considering legal action as well, Mr Abdul confi rmed that he was. “Yeah of course.” Both men said they supported the idea
behind the Lighthouse Cafe, but not the location, with Mr Dokuzelma claiming he recommended the hall of the nearby Anglican Church on Pickett Street as an alternative, but was ignored. Both Mr Dokuzelma and Mr Abdul were earlier seen having an animated discussion with Maribyrnong mayor Mohamed Semra outside the launch event. Maribyrnong council was contacted for comment. A spokesperson said the Salvation Army was aware of the concerns of some business operators in the vicinity of the cafe, but would not comment on possible legal action. More on the cafe opening: Page 3
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