Star Weekly - Sunbury Macedon Ranges - 5th May 2026

Volunteers are vital

Neighbourhood houses across Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges are celebrating their volunteers ahead of National Volunteer Week.

Sunbury Neighbourhood House (SNH) currently has 50 volunteers helping to run the programs, and house manager Hope Jenkins said volunteers are vital to the success and sustainability of SNH.

“Without volunteers, SNH would simply be unable to deliver the breadth of programs and opportunities our community relies on,” she said.

“Funding constraints allow for paid staff to be on site only three days per week. Thanks to our volunteers, SNH is able to provide programming across six days each week, dramatically increasing access for our community - an imperative in a rapidly growing population like Sunbury’s.”

Volunteers help run many sessions, including Messy Play, with three volunteers helping make the sessions happen.

SNH is always looking for more volunteers to help assist programs at the house.

Details: sunburyhouse.com.au/

No road in sight

By Georgia Tacey

Jacksons Hill residents have hit a roadblock withavitalroadconnectiondelayedforthe foreseeablefuture.

The decades-long promised project to connect Jacksons Hill with Sunbury’s south and Vineyard Road has been all but abandoned by Hume council, after all but twocouncillorsvotedtodelaytheYirrangan Road to Watsons Road connection at the 27 Aprilmeeting.

Officers said in a report to the meeting that there was too much financial risk associated with the project, and referenced the lack of development occurring in the Sunbury South Precinct Structure Plan (PSP).

Council already received $3.2 million in funding from Development Victoria for the project,andplannedtocontributeafurther $27 million as part of its capital works programfrom2025-26to2031-32.

Cr Naim Kurt, in moving the motion to delay the delivery of the road, said the delivery of the level crossing removal and the removal of the Horne Street and Gap Road roundabout has reduced the need for the Yirrangan Road connection to be completednow.

“Unfortunately the situation is that this project is simply costing too much money. It’s looking around $30 million, even with that $3.2 million grant from Development Victoria,”hesaid.

Officerssaidthesectionoftheroadwithin

the PSP is funded through Infrastructure Contributions Plan (ICP) revenue, however insufficient funds have been collected to date.

Council previously agreed to forward fund the works to enable early delivery, accordingtothereport.

Cr Jarrod Bell, who represents Jacksons Hill,saidcouncilneedstoforwardfundthe project.

“Mycommunityispoisedtodoubleinthe next 20 years … that growth was supposed to be effectively the funding for this road,” hesaid.

Cr Bell said its clear council is worried aboutthesuccessoftheSunburySouthPSP.

Officers said development in the PSP has progressed too slowly, with the area

impacted by significant cultural heritage artefacts which prevent the necessary approvalsneededforpermits.

To combat that, council will write to the planning minister to request the state government undertake a review of the sections of the PSP impacted by cultural heritageapprovalsandamendtheplanning schemeasnecessary.

“I will continue to advocate strongly to ensure that this road stays on our agenda,” CrBellsaid.

Cr Bell and Cr Steve Gagen were the only councillorstovoteagainstthemotion,with CrKateHamleyanapology.

Council will also engage with Development Victoria to reinvest the fundingcontributionintoSunburyprojects.

Rally supports Hume strikes

By Courtney Black

A community rally supporting striking Hume council workers was held on the steps of the Hume Global Learning Centre in Broadmeadows on the evening of 27 April .

More than 20 supporters gathered in solidarity with Australian Services Union (ASU) members and workers across eight councils who are fighting for a 10 per cent pay increase.

Eight councils, including Hume, Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay, faced a disruption of services including bin collections in April. On 7 April during a 24-hour stoppage no bins were collected in Hume.

Rally organiser and Meadow Heights resident Zane Acorn said the demonstrators condemned Hume council for hiring external contractors for catch-up bin collections

“I don’t know if they [Hume council] realise the gravity of bringing in strike-breaking dump trucks. I think that’s completely unacceptable,” Mr Acorn said.

“It’s a very aggressive tactic you would expect from a mining tycoon, not a local government.”

According to Hume council, it has an obligation to meet the needs of the community, so external contractors were engaged on two weekends to catch up on missed bins.

Mr Acorn said like every other group of workers, council workers need a pay increase to stay on top of inflation.

“Thatisonlyfair,theydoimportantwork in the community.”

ASUVic/TasbranchsecretaryTashWark said council Hume council worker wages have fallen 9.6 per cent behind inflation over four years. Hume council did not confirm whether this is accurate.

“That forms our members’ claim for a 10 per cent wage increase in the first year and 4 per cent in each of the three years thereafter,” Ms Wark said.

“That doesn’t fully make up what they have lost during the period of the rate cap policy, but we are trying to be realistic.

“We are in this fight for the long haul with Hume and the other councils.”

She said the ASU’s planned 24-hour

Ranges falls into colour

Autumn has well and truly arrived in the Macedon Ranges, turning the townships into a stunning array of gold, crimson and amber.

Star Weekly photographer Damjan JanevskiwasoutandaboutinMacedon in the last week of April to capture all the magic scenes in the region’s most spectacular annual display.

stop-work action across the eight affected councils is deliberately timed to coincide with the state budget on 5 May .

“We want to be at parliament [house] by 11.30 right before the state budget is handed down at 12.”

Merri-bek councillor Sue Bolton made a speech at the rally and said councillors are often restricted from speaking publicly on such issues.

“[Council management] keep referring to clauses in the local government act that say councils are not meant to interfere in operational decision-making,” Ms Bolton said.

Members from other unions also spoke attheeventandjoinedinwithattendeesin chanting “shame”.

Therallyconcludedbeforethestartofthe Hume council meeting at 7pm. No Hume council workers were present at the rally.

Hume chief executive Sheena Frost said councils continue to negotiate with unions in good faith.

“This withdrawal of industrial actions (before 5 May ) is a welcome reprieve particularly for our communities most affected by the ASU’s industrial action,” she said. “Councils respect the ASU’s right to take protected industrial action, and we’re working to minimise disruption to our community where possible.

“It’s regrettable the Australian Services Union’s industrial action has affected our community and customers.“

Urgent road safety call

By Georgia Tacey

Woodend parents are terrified to let their children walk and ride to school after two kids have been hit by cars leaving school.

Police confirmed two incidents on Romsey Road about 3.30pm on Tuesday 21 April and Tuesday 28 April.

In each incident, a child was hit by a car while leaving school.

Both incidents occurred at the section of Romsey Road where parents have been tirelessly advocating for safety improvements for a number of years, most recently in February.

Woodend parent Kathryn Toller-

ud talked to the Star Weekly only three months ago about how scared she was of her children crossing the Romsey Road intersection where it meets High Street and the Avenue of Honour.

She started a petition in February which gained over 150 signatures from frustrated parents.

Now, she’s worried if no action is done, more children will be injured.

“We can’t wait for a fatality and that’s the reality,” Ms Tollerud said.

“This shouldn’t be the reason things move in the right direction … it’s absolutely not okay to wait for children to be hurt.”

Ms Tollerud said she and other parents from the local schools won’t let their children walk or ride to school.

Macedon Ranges mayor Kate Kendall and chief executive Bernie O’Sullivan have sent a letter to the roads and road safety minister calling for urgent safety improvements.

Cr Kendall and Mr O’Sullivan said in the letter that council previously raised concerns about pedestrian safety at this location with the Department of Transport and Planning, which is the authority for this road.

Council is now requesting DTP to undertake an urgent and comprehensive

Annual art prize winners announced

April was a busy month at Mount Macedon’sTheGallery,withamonth-long exhibition running for its annual art prize. Now in its fifth year, the competition showcases artists from across the MacedonRanges.Followingthesuccessoflast year’s open competition, artists were not restricted by theme and have responded with a range of portraits, landscapes and mixed media.

Justine Hutchinson took out the top

Ranges

prize for her painting ‘Weeping Cherry Blossom’ , taking home $1000.

Highly commended was Caroline Smyrk, who was awarded $500 for her piece ‘Light Over the Lagoon’

During May, the People’s Choice Award will be announced, alongside the next exhibition to feature at The Gallery.

The May exhibition is all about a local identity and fan favourite of Mount Macedon; Mildred the Cat. He is often

found waiting at the door of The Gallery to meet and greet visitors for pats and photos, with an exhibition from gallery members filled with plenty of creative works across a variety of mediums.

There will be photography, jewellery, textiles, hanging art and miniatures on display, with all works available for purchase. The May exhibition will run from Tuesday 5 May until Sunday 31 May. Details: thegallerymtmacedon.com.au

shire makes an exception its to Anzac funding policy

Macedon Ranges council has altered its Anzac Day funding guidelines following multiple events being excluded from funding.

At the 22 April council meeting, not all councillors were in agreement on whether they should should remove compliance with its Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy from the guidelines for the Anzac Day Commemorative Services Support Fund.

Under the Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy, council will not provide financial support or grants for any activity that receives sponsorships from gaming venues, online betting companies or other gambling providers for that same activity in that financial year.

The Anzac Day Commemorative Services Support Fund, introduced in 2024, was brought in to assist local services across the shire with traffic management for 2026, after a recent state government ruling.

To receive funding, applicants must comply with all council funding, which meant the Kyneton and Malmsbury events were rejected due to their relationship with the Kyneton RSL.

It forced both groups to either find alternative funding sources or risk not hosting a service.

Cr Daniel Young called it an unintended consequence of council policy.

“It highlighted that the Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy is in fact a bad policy when applied in some areas, and the impacts its had on a couple of RSLs and organisations trying to run events has been pretty significant and caused a lot of angst in the community,” he said.

Cr Young said when the issue came to council last year, he did try to find a way to circumvent the policy to allow funding, which wasn’t supported at the time.

Cr Cassy Borthwick however voted againstthemotion,withherconcernabout carving out exceptions for council policy.

The changes mean that applicants now must comply with all policies except the Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy.

assessment of this location, including the consideration of a safe, controlled pedestrian crossing.

It also wants a review of speed environment and traffic conditions, assessment of sightlines, traffic volumes and pedestrian movements, and any interim safety measures to be identified.

Cr Kendall urged the Woodend community to write to ministers to advocate for the issue.

DTP said in February it would continue to monitor the intersection and consider possible pedestrian safety upgrades as part of future planning.

Freeways to be cleaned up in road blitz

Rubbish and graffiti will be removed from freeways across Melbourne’s western and northern suburbs as part of a state government road maintenance blitz.

According to the government, the 2026-27 state budget, which will be handed down on 5 May, will include $36.9 million to clean-up the state’s 10 busiest freeways.

Among the freeways to be targeted in the blitz are the Western Freeway, West Gate Freeway, Hume Freeway, Calder Freeway, Western Ring Road and Tullamarine Freeway.

The blitz will include rubbish and graffiti removal, mowing and more, the state government said.

The government said the clean-up would be part of a $1.04 billion investment to rebuild, repair and resurface roads across Victoria.

Seventy per cent of the funding will go to regional Victoria, according to the government.

The money will be used to rebuild, repair and resurface arterial roads, maintain bridges and traffic lights, deliver emergency roadworks, mow, slash and spray grass and weeds along roadsides and repair or replace signs.

Premier Jacinta Allan said the budget cash would fund the “biggest roads blitz in the state’s history”. Road and Road Safety Minister Ros Spence said the government would rebuild and repair the roads motorists depend on daily.

“Victorians are already seeing the results with 187,000 potholes removed this year – now we’re doubling down,” she said.

Speed reduction approved

By Georgia Tacey

A road safety audit of Three Chain Road foundanumberofsafetyconcerns,Macedon Ranges council has revealed.

The findings of the independent road safetyauditwerenotedatthe22Aprilcouncil meeting,aftercouncilannouncedearlierthat month that it had pursued a speed reduction on the Newham road.

The safety of the Three Chain Road, Egans Lane and Dons Road intersection has been under scrutiny following a crash in February which killed a Kyneton man.

Residents living nearby called the intersection dangerous and said the speed

of 100km/h approaching the intersection needed to be changed.

On 15 April, council announced its application to have the speed reduced to 80km/h approaching the intersection was accepted,withformalsignagetofollowsoon.

In the officers’ report, it said a number of key safety issues were identified with the intersection, including restricted sight lines caused by the crest on Three Chain Road, sun glare impacts and concerns relating to the speed.

The audit identified several potential treatments for council to implement, includingphysicalchangestotheintersection layout, speed reduction measures, warning

signage, and vegetation management and line marking improvements.

Officers also said the recently collected traffic count and speed data from the site is currently being assessed to support further consideration of any interim or longer-term safety treatments.

Linemarking maintenance works, signage renewalandvegetationmaintenancearealso planned for the coming weeks, officers said.

Following the resolution, Cr Jennifer Anderson said community advocacy was very important, and thanked Newham residents for coming to council with their concerns.

“This is not over. Other safety measures

Piping returns to Rupertswood Mansion

The sound of bagpipes echoed at Rupertswood Mansion on Saturday 18 April, as the Victorian Pipers Association (VPA) hosted their first competition of their 2026 Solo Piping Season.

A record 41 competitors took part, with the association saying it was one of its most successful events to date.

TheVPA’schoicetoholdthecompetition at Rupertswood Mansion carried special significance as their way to pay tribute to H.V. McKay who owned the mansion from 1922 up until his death in 1926.

Mr McKay, known as the inventor of the Sunshine Harvester and founder of the Sunshine Harvester Works Ltd, also left a lesser-known legacy in piping.

In 1909, he founded the Sunshine Harvester Works Pipe Band which still exists today as Victoria Scottish Pipes and Drums. A photograph of Mr McKay with his pipe band on the steps of Rupertswood provided inspiration for the event.

To mark the occasion, overall winners in each grade were presented with the inaugural H.V. McKay Award.

have been suggested by the community and as noted in the resolution tonight we will certainly look at whether there are some other safety measures that may occur,” she said.

“One hundred to 80 is going to make a hugedifference,butweknowit’snotgoingto stop there.”

MayorKateKendallsaidthiswasalldriven by the community.

“The incredibly swift action from the Department of Transport and Planning and council in conjunction with steadfast commitment from the community and councillors showcases that anything is possible with the right advocacy,” she said.

Securing raw materials in Hume

Oaklands Junction will be safeguarded as a site for a future quarry.

Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny announced her approval of three new Strategic Extractive Resource Areas (SERAs), including one in Oaklands Junction.

This will ensure the land will be safeguarded for future quarries, making sure builders have access to rock and sand needed to deliver infrastructure across the state.

The state government said extensive consultation with communities, industry and local councils helped to shape these areas, including refinements to boundaries and stronger assessment requirements.

“Every home, every school, every hospital starts with rock and sand –we’remakingsurethesupplyisthere,” Ms Kilkenny said. “These areas set clear boundaries for where quarries belong, with strong planning controls still in place.”

The event also welcomed Jonte Shaw from the The Sunshine Foundation, the charitable trust formed by the McKay family in 1954, whose support helped make the day possible. Both The Sunshine Foundation and Salesian College Sunbury were presented with commemorative awards in recognition of their support.

To close to the day, competitors and supporters gathered on the mansion steps to recreate Mr McKay’s historic pipe band photograph from a century ago.

The state government said the planning controls will help ensure homes aren’t built too close to extraction sites, with developments like homes, schools and shops carefully assessed the protected areas. It also confirmed it will protect criticalresourcesfrombeingbuiltover as suburbs grow, and said any new quarry will still need to go through the full approvals process.

The state government also confirmed SERAs for Lang Lang and Trafalgar.

Business award nominations now open

Nominations are open now for the 2026 Macedon Ranges Business Excellence Awards.

The awards –held every two years in interchange with the Community Choice Awards – recognise local businesses for their outstanding service, innovation, professionalism and products, while highlighting the important role they play in creating local jobs and supporting community activities.

Nominations opened 27 April, with eligible businesses encouraged to selfnominate by completing the online application form. Any businesses which have their primary business location/ operations (or who have an outstanding trainee or apprentice) within Macedon Ranges are encouraged to enter.

Macedon Ranges mayor Kate Kendall said the Business Excellence Awards are about recognising the businesses that help

keep the shire strong and connected. Businessescanenteracross10categories, including excellence across a number of sectors, people’s choice and business of the year.

Additionally in 2026, council is introducing a Business Excellence Awards Hall of Fame, recognising businesses that have won the same award category for three consecutive awards, celebrating sustained excellence and long-term contribution to the community. Once a business is inducted into the Hall of Fame, they are no longer eligible to enter the Business Awards again in that same category.

The community will also have an opportunity to participate through the People’s Choice Award, with all finalists eligible for public voting.

Award winners will be announced at a gala celebration in November.

Details: mrsc.vic.gov.au/business-awards

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From feel-good to boring

Movie buff Evan Turok is Star Weekly’s film reviewer. This month he is critiquing a movie for film lovers by film lovers and a 1984 film that left him questioning his decisions.

Project Hail Mary (M)

When the sun begins to cool off, you send Ryan Gosling into space; when the cinemascenebeginstocooloff,yousend for directing duo Chris Miller and Chris Lord.

Project Hail Mary has everything a film needs and takes it all to new intergalacticheights.

When mysterious cells are found to be eating away at the sun, the world’s governments are forced to unite their best scientists and astronauts in a race against time; their goal: to stop the sun fromcoolingbeyondthepointnecessary forhumansurvival.

Against the odds, school teacher and former scientist Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) wakes up alone aboard the spaceship named the ‘Hail Mary’ and, with the help of a charming alien friend, must find a way to save the world and returnhomesafely.

No matter if you are a casual fan or a movie fanatic, it’s impossible to watch thismovieandnothaveagoodtime.

Breath-taking visuals were abundant

in this film, from distant planets to the endless void of stars; there is no doubt this was created for film lovers by film lovers.

The mix of dramatic symphonies and uplifting comfort songs created a balance of comedic fun and devastating stakesthatfeelfeasibleinsteadofforced.

There is something for everyone to enjoy inProjectHailMary.

I had reservations about the alien at first. I wasn’t sure I would be able to find myself caring about something so inhuman, but as the faceless rock alien wasgivenmoretimetosettlein,themore I felt myself, and the people around me, treating this creature as if he was one of us. All the credit for this feat goes to the incredibleactingofGoslinghimself.

Gotoyourlocalcinema,sitclosetothe screen, and let the music vibrate your chair; let the comedy take the edge off; lettheheartfillyouwithemotion;andlet thebeautyofthevisualsremindyouwhy agoodfilmissometimesallyouneed.

ProjectHailMaryreceives4/5stars.

Paris, Texas (M)

Wim Wenders’ Paris, Texas is one of the highest-rated films of all time, and for the life of me I can’t work out why.

Made with a modest budget of $1.7 million, the 1984 independent film follows Travis Henderson (Harry Dean Stanton), who is found stumbling around in the Texas desert unable to speak.

The film quickly takes a jarring left turn, becoming the story of a shy, but completely capable, Travis reuniting his estranged son with the boy’s long-lost mother.

With such high praise thrown at this film, I expected to be invested; you’d have more of a chance of making a pyramid out of marbles than getting the average viewer engaged in all two and a half methodical hours. It’s never a good sign when you know exactly what part of a long film you would leave on the cutting room floor had you been in charge.

Paris, Texas started off strong and brought me back at the very end, but

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Star Weekly looks back through the pages of our predecessors

35 years ago

7 May, 1991

Revolt is brewing in the Shire of Romsey over proposals to include new industrial zones in the townships of Lancefield and Riddles Creek.

20 years ago

9 May, 2006

A fundraiser at Sunbury Primary School on Saturday helped net more than $10,000 for little Patty Carlyon and her family.

15 years ago

3 May, 2011

Community food provider agencies in Hume are struggling to cope with the rising demand for help from residents hit by the increasing cost of living.

don’t be fooled by the bittersweet ending; the hour and a half of plateaued plot isn’t worth the reward.

At its very core, film is meant to be entertainment; Paris, Texas committed the ultimate sin: it. was. boring. I can look past bad acting in other films, and I can excuse shaky writing, but at the end of the day, what was the point of watching a movie if all you want by the endofitisahaircutandwhatfeltlikethe last three months of your life back?

I’ll be the first to tell you this is a pretty-looking film; the neon lights, complemented with the beauty of the Texas landscape, are given a spotlight, especially since the film is so thin with dialogue. Unfortunately, my neck is still sore from the whiplash of such an aggressive change of pace, and the slow, contemplative shot wears thin very quickly.

There is no doubt there was a vision here; it’s just not a vision I can get behind.

I give Paris, Texas 2/5.

10 years ago

3 May, 2016

Like most toddlers, Izzy adores The Wiggles and regularly dresses up in a tutu and yellow skivvy to dance along to Rock-A-Bye Your Bear.

Speeding? Expect a minimum

fine of $254 and 1 demerit point. Police and speed cameras can be anywhere, so why take the risk? Chances are you will be caught. Anywhere. Anytime. Anyone.

Lion cub duo make their debut

Thesavannah’snewestsuperstarsiblingduo have made their public debut at Werribee Open Range Zoo.

On Tuesday 21 April, the two nine-week old lion cubs welcomed their first visitors –who watched them rest, wrestle and wander among their pride.

Soon to be named by keepers, the brother and sister are spending their days lounging in the sun, hanging out with their parents and grandmother and honing their play fighting skills.

The pair were born on 14 February to eight-year-old mum Asali and nine-year-old pride male Sheru, making them the first cubs born in more than two years. They had been out and about for about five

days before visitors first caught a glimpse of them and are starting to eat meat.

Zookeeper Tatjana Fraser said the little cubs are developing big personalities.

“The female is probably a little more bold than her brother that we have seen so far but definitely that can change as time goes,” Ms Fraser said.

While it is too early to tell, some signs indicate that the little male might be a chip off the old block.

“Wearedefinitelyseeingsomebehaviours that would lead us to believe that he is a lot like his dad Sheru,” Ms Fraser said.

“Definitely a beautiful– strong but calm male– so we are hopeful he is going to grow up to be like his dad.

Briefs

Lancefield woman charged

A Lancefield woman has been charged with hindering police as part of Taskforce Hawk investigations. On 22 April, police executed a warrant at a Mill Park address and arrested a 32-year-old Mill Park man, charging him with blackmail and possess proceeds of crime. During this investigation, police became aware information had been provided to the man ahead of the warrant occurring. On 29 April, police interviewed and subsequently charged a 49-year-old Lancefield woman with hindering police. Police will allege the woman, who is employed at a real estate agency, provided occupants of the Mill Park property with information about the impending police warrant. She was also alleged to have been detected driving whilst suspended and is expected to be charged at a later date.

Meet your mayor

Hume mayor Carly Moore is starting drop-in sessions across council’s 11 wards over the coming months. Council will share alerts for each ward’s meet up closer to the date. Macedon Ranges mayor Kate Kendall is also hosting weekly meetings in her office at the Kyneton Town Hall. Residents can discuss concerns, ask questions, or share ideas. Residents can sign up for a session on council’s website.

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Web: starweekly.com.au

Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

How to future-proof your home against rising energy costs

A free online webinar is helping local homeowners beat rising energy costs and take back control.

Energy bills have changed how families think about their homes.

More local households are looking for waystotakebackcontroloftheirpower.Th costofelectricity,gasandfuelkeepsshifting, andmanyhomeownersarestartingtothink about how to protect their home as part of the all-electric future.

Technologyisnowatatippingpointwhere you can combine five core electrical home solutions, all working together to protect yourhomefromrisingenergycostsallwhile increasing your comfort and convenience.

Solartomakeyourownpower.Acorrectly sized solar system is the foundation. Without it, the rest of the home cannot run on your own energy.

A battery to store it. Most households use the bulk of their electricity between 3pm and9pm.Abatterysavesthesolaryoumake during the day so you can use it when you need it most.

Heat pump hot water and efficient electric heating and cooling to do more work with less power. For example, a heat pump uses about 75 per cent less electricity than a traditional electric system. Pair it with an induction cooktop and you can disconnect the gas meter for good, saving you approximately $450 a year in supply charges alone.

An EV charger is the final piece. Using your solar to power your daily drive, not just your home.

But here’s the thing … it only works when you get it right. It’s not as simple as it sounds and each home and family is different. People make three avoidable mistakes that can cost thousands.

That’s why your local all-electric experts, Bluegum Electrical, are hosting a free information session to help you avoid those mistakes and future-proof your home against rising energy costs. It’s happening online on Thursday 14

May at 7.30pm. Limited places available. Claim your free spot at: realsecret. bluegumelectrical.com/star

Relax, connect and thrive at Bellbrook Gardens Country Club

Discover a peaceful, social, and secure lifestyle amidst resort style amenities at Bellbrook Gardens Country Club in a highly sought after community for individualsandcouplesaged55-plus.

Now is the perfect time to secure your dream home and live the lifestyle you deserve.

This very popular home design provides comfort and style. The many features of this beautifully appointed villa, include three generous bedrooms, a study, luxurious ensuite with double vanities, guest bathroom and a spacious open plan livingareaincorporatingawell-appointed, functional kitchen offering ample storage, stonebenchtopsandqualityappliances.

Gas central heating, split system air conditioning, and ducted vacuuming add to the comfort of this home. The private, rear garden and alfresco area will allow for easy outdoor entertaining and a low maintenancelifestyle.

Bellbrook Gardens Country Club is part of the Country Club Living group and is locatedat168UnderbankBoulevardandis convenientlylocatedlessthanfiveminutes to the centre of Bacchus Marsh and 15 minutesfromMelton.

The Bellbrook Gardens residents and visitors are delighted by the bright and happy atmosphere. You can embrace life and live your retirement just the way you want with independent, secure living and reassuranceforyourselfandfamily.

The Country Club boasts a Community Centre that contains a hairdressing salon, library, billiards room, craft room and bar. Additionally, residents have access to an indoor heated pool, gym and an outdoor and indoor bowls rink. The village is staffed with on site management and has

Gardens Country Club offers spacious freestanding living, embraced by beautifully designed landscapes. (Supplied)

a 24-hour emergency call system and on site caravan storage. The village bus also commutes residents on shopping trips and socialoutings. Now’s the perfect time to make your

move. Enjoy a high quality lifestyle and beautiful homes at outstanding value, and with no stamp duty to pay! Don’t miss your chance to embrace the lifestyle you deserve.

Visit Bellbrook Gardens on line at bellbrookgardens.com.au, call in or contact Denise today for your private tour on FreeCall 1800 633 672.

Nominate an inspiring senior who is making

The extraordinary contributions of older Victorians will be celebrated at the 2026 VictorianSenioroftheYearAwards.

Nominations for the 2026 awards are now open, with Victorians encouraged to nominate seniors who are making a real differenceintheircommunities.

For more than 30 years, these awards haverecognisedthelastingimpactofolder Victorians, from mentoring young people and supporting Victorians experiencing disadvantage, to promoting social connection.

Last year’s Victorian Senior of the Year, Patrick Templeton, was honoured for his work supporting disadvantaged young people through community outreach programs.

Other recipients were recognised for backing road safety programs, strengthening social cohesion and spreading awareness about reconciliation andsustainability.

Across the west, three locals were recognisedaspartofthe2025awards.

Point Cook’s Pradeep Kanthan received Council on the Ageing Award for his volunteer and advocacy work, while Sunbury’s Lesley McCarthy received the Council on the Ageing Award for her passionforvolunteering.

Broadmeadows’ Aunty Jo Russell was awarded the Emerging Impact Award for her work inspiring her community to learnaboutCountrywithcompassionand generosity.

There are six categories of awards in 2026, including the Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year , the Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria Senior Achiever Award and awards for positive ageing, emerging impact, promotion

of multiculturalism and service to the veterancommunity.

“Older Victorians play a vital role in keepingourcommunitiesstrong,safeand inclusive – these awards recognise the difference they make every day,” Minister

forAgeingIngridStittsaid.

“IfyouknowaseniorVictorianwhogoes above and beyond for their community, now is the time to nominate them so we cancelebratetheircontributions.”

Nominations close on 19 May and the

winners will be announced in October as part of the annual Victorian Seniors Festival.

To find out more and make a nomination, go to: seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/awards.

Discounted price of $300,000 for Classic rooms

If you are a new permanent resident moving into Bupa Aged Care Traralgon between 20 April 2026 and 31 May 2026, you may be eligible for a discounted room price of $300,000 for a classic room (usually $410,000)^

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

WANT

Youth justice worker careers

Malmsbury youth justice precinct has re-opened and is holding a special careers information session at 5.30pm on Monday 11 May at Malmsbury Town Hall. You can hear from staff and learn more about day and night shift opportunities as a youth justice worker. In this role, you will help guide young people on remand or in custody through life-changing rehabilitation and keep the facility safe and secure. If you’re a problem solver with great communication skills, this could be the perfect role for you. You’ll also have the opportunity to apply on the night and book in for an assessment centre. Refreshments will be provided and free parking is nearby. https://tinyurl.com/565x74tb

Chamber Poets Woodend

The next Chamber Poets Woodend will take place as usual on the 2nd Saturday of the month (9th May) at the Woodend RSL 1-3.30pm. Open readings, special guests, live music. $10 at the door.

North West District Pipe Band

North Western District Pipe Band meets every week at the Diggers Rest Bowling Club. They’re looking for any pipers or drummers out there, retired or beginners, for social play outs.

Hank, 0412 160 576

Messy Play in Sunbury

Join in the Messy Play fun with this toddler-focussed program, including messy and sensory child-led play. The program will run from 10–11.30am on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays. www.sunburyhouse.com.au or 9740 6978

Young Voices of Macedon A community choir for children of the Macedon Ranges and beyond, Young Voices of Macedon rehearses at the House of the Rock, 247 Station Road, New Gisborne.The choir has separate programs for young children aged five to eight and older children. Rehearsals assist children in developing vocal technique, part singing skills, and general musicianship, across popular, classical, folk and music theatre

styles. Rehearsals run on Thursdays, from 4.15pm, with afternoon tea and play time. yvmacedon.org.au

Macedon Ranges Photographic Society Are you into photography, just starting out, or a fully fledged professional? The Macedon Ranges Photographic Society is your local camera club for friendship, photographic outings, workshops, guest presenters, competitions and more. Come along to a meeting on the first and second Monday of the month. Doors open at 7pm and the meeting starts at 7.30pm at Jubilee Hall, 52 Smith Street, Macedon.

www.macedon-ranges-photography.org. au, or info@macedon-ranges-photography. org.au

Yoga in Sunbury

Yoga classes at Sunbury Neighbourhood House focus on supporting participants to slow down and move well. Special attention is given to mindful awareness of movement that builds strength in a healthy and safe way, Monday and Friday mornings. www.sunburyhouse.com.au or 9740 6978

Hume Men’s Shed

The Hume Men’s Shed (Sunbury) is a non for profit organisation, meeting every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at 158 Evans Street, Sunbury. The group caters for men be it carpentry, welding, metal work, gardening or just to chat. sunburymensshed.com or 0438 677 425

Craft and conversation

Head down to the Sunbury Library on Mondays from 1-3pm for the craft and conversation group. The program is free and open to people aged 15 years and older.

https://bit.ly/39BIu2O

Chill Out Sunbury

Chill Out Sunbury is a free event for 12 and 18 years old to participate in activities such as trivia, games, and more. Happening every Wednesday, 3.30-5.30pm, at the Sunbury Youth Centre, 51-53 Evans Street. https://bit.ly/3lmVgVhv

Africa’s Got Talent returns

Get ready for a night of rhyme, rhythm and raw talent as Africa’s Got Talent returns to Brimbank for its seventh year.

The talent show, hosted by Africa Day Australia (ADA), will showcase the creativity and skill of young performers aged between 13 to 25 within the African Australian community.

ADA president Qiniso Dube said the show provides a great opportunity for exposure.

“It gives them hope and keeps them interested,” he said.

Performers range from singers and

dancers to musicians and poets.

“We are always open to anyone within the creative space,” Mr Dube said.

On the night, judges will adjudicate the performances and award the top three spots of the competition.

“We try as much as we can when it comes to judges to have someone in the industry. That way they can pass on that knowledge,” Mr Dube said.

The talent show’s 2024 winner, Wanwue Tarpeh, made it into the top 10 of the most recent Australian Idol season.

Mr Dube said the ADA team is proud

to have been part of her journey.

“Those kinds of success stories for me mean a lot,” he said.

Head to the Mount this May for a dramedy

The Mount Player’s second show of the year is about to debut.

Mr Bailey’s Minder, a dramatic comedy by Debra Oswald, is set to open on 8 May.

Leo Bailey, an abusive, cantankerous and boozed burnout, is said to be one of Australia’s national treasures. A gifted painter and chronic alcoholic, he can no longer take care of himself.

His resentful daughter Margo has been through a succession of minders, until Therese comes along, fresh out of jail and

Where

Africa’s Got Talent, supported by Brimbank council, will run from 6-9pm on Saturday 16 May at Bowery Theatre, 33 Princess Street, St Albans.

Parental guidance is recommended for attendees under 16.

“This is real talent that we have,” Mr Dube said.

“We encourage young people to connect afterwards. Who knows what collaborations will come out of there.”

Details: creativebrimbank.com.au

An evening with Steve Kilbey in Yarraville

Better known as the bass playing front man for Australian music luminaries, The Church, Steve Kilbey will be replacing four strings with 12 when he plays a solo show at Kindred Bandroom on Tuesday 14 May.

The show is part of a run of Victorian dates that Kilbey will play early next month, offering the rare chance to see one of the country’s most revered songwriters in an intimate setting armed with nothing more than a guitar, his signature voice and catalogue of songs drawn from 26 albums with The Church and 14 solo records.

determined to make a go of her limited options.

Mr Bailey’s Minder is a tough, funny but big-hearted play. It’s about shame and judgement, about who deserves to be loved and forgiven. It looks at how people exploit each other and where they find the beauty; and the qualities of transcendence, letting go and forgiveness.

Mr Bailey’s Minder is showing at the Mountview Theatre in Macedon for a limited run from Friday 8 May until Sunday

24 May.

Shows will be held across Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with matinee and evening performances held on the weekend.

Ticketcostsare$30-$35,whichincludes a complimentary sherry on arrival, as well as a tea or coffee during interval. The bar will be open to purchase drinks before and after the show, and during interval.

Details and tickets: themountplayers. com

is that Green Sheep? Find out at Wyndham Cultural Centre

A beloved children’s book is set to come to life in Werribee this month.

Where is the Green Sheep? is an immersive visual theatre experience based on the book by Mem Fox and Judy Horacek and will be performed at the Wyndham Cultural Centre on Tuesday 19 May.

Blending puppetry and animation, this beautiful production invites young audiences to join our three farmers on their quest to find the elusive green sheep.

You will meet Blue Sheep who loves blue flowers and Red Sheep who loves to cart-

wheel in the fields, Bath Sheep who loves bubblesandBedSheepwholovestobounce ... but where will you see that Green Sheep?

Co-created with students from Bankstown West Public School, this production integrates their voices as narrators, ensuring the work resonates deeply with young audiences.

The production will be delivered by the Monkey Baa Theatre Company whose mission is to ensure that more young people have access to inspirational Australian stories, helping them navigate and shape their

own worlds.

This production contains the use of a mini smoke fog machine that is used twice in the performance creating a small amount of smoke.

The show will run 10.30-11.15am, can be viewed by anyone who wants to unravel the mystery, but is best suited to audiences aged between one and six years and their families.

All tickets cost $15.

Details: https://www.wyndham.vic.gov. au/whats-on/where-green-sheep

Among the 1500 odd songs included in these and other Kilbey recordings are classics like Under the Milky Way, The Unguarded Moment and Almost With You, tracks which will undoubtedly get an airing at the Yarraville show.

Speaking in a video posted to his social media, Kilbey said there’ll be plenty more besides tracks which are still a staple of radio stations across Australia and abroad.

“I will be doing the hits the misses, the covers, the deep cuts, the shallow cuts, tall tales and true from my legendary past, me and my 12 string guitar can’t wait to see all of you, any of you,” Kilbey said, adding that after nearly half a century on stage, he’s confident of putting on a good show.

“I think it’s gonna be a good night. I think I’m getting better at this.”

Details: https://kindredstudios. com.au/

From plumbers to pest control, carpet cleaning to building services, dry cleaning to computer repairs, lawn mowing and more, Network

SPORTS QUIZ

1. The 1996-1998 Chicago Bulls ‘Big Three’ consisted of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and who?

2. McDonald Jones Stadium is the home ground of which NRL team?

3. Name either of the two AFL players who have received the most Brownlow medal votes, yet missed out due to an in-season suspension.

4. Which Premier League club recently fired their coach after only 106 days

10. Which 90s NBA star was nicknamed The Admiral?

11. Which Collingwood player had 43 disposals and scored two goals in the Anzac Day clash against Essendon?

coach after on in charge?

12. And, currently the oldest active AFL player, how old is he?

What is the fourth-highest amount of points you can score with a single dart in

What is the fo poi score with a si darts?

13. Cricket star Ellyse Perry has played what other sport for Australia?

Who is the most recent Australian to win a grand

7. Who is the most recent player to represent Australia internationally in both rugby union and rugby

Who was the first person to run a sub-two-hour marathon in a non-official

And who was the first person to run a subtwo-hour marathon in an official event?

14. Australian surfer George Pittar claimed a maiden World Surf League title with victory at what event?

15. The Black Ferns scored how many tries in their comprehensive 40-5 win over the Wallaroos on Anzac Day?

16. Which five-event competition was an early precursor to the Olympics?

17. Which F1 team won eight consecutive Constructors’ Championships from 2014 to 2021?

18. The Liège–Bastogne–Liègeis an annual one-day cycling road race that takes place in which country?

19. What is a perfect score in ten-pin bowling?

20. Australian tennis player Daria Kasatkina, whose ranking has reached as high as No.8 in the world, was born in which country?

21. Who has won more Anzac Day AFL matches –Collingwood or Essendon?

22. Iva Jovic plays tennis for which country?

23. The world record time for a marathon was recently broken during a race in which city?

24. Which NRL team did Craig Bellamy briefly coach for two games in 2002?

25. In feet and inches, how tall is NBA star Victor Wembanyama?

26. In what year will the Papua New Guinea Chiefs join the NRL competition?

27. The ARC is a review system used by which sporting league?

28. How many rounds are there in the annual NFL draft?

29. Which nation will visit Australia to play four cricket Tests in December and January?

30. And who will Australia play in two cricket Tests in Darwin and Mackay in August?

PUZZLES

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

ACROSS

1 Egyptian solar deity (5)

4 Learning; erudition (9)

9 Slavic language (7)

10 African nation bordering the Mediterranean (7)

11 Dutch city (9)

12 Japanese dish (5)

13 Biological blueprint (1,1,1) 14 Excessive grief (11)

16 Question (11)

19 Minor falsehood (3)

21 File (5)

23 Sandwich meat (9)

25 Scholarly (7)

26 Breach of law (7)

27 Therapy (9) 28 Clip (5)

1 Top US university (7) 2 Impervious (9) 3 Seasoning (5)

4 Realm (7)

5 Former Turkish empire (7)

6 Visible features of an area (9) 7 CDs (5) 8 Avoidance (7)

Thief (9) 15 Pull (9)

16 Investigation into an unexplained death (7)

17 Indecent (7)

18 Plane hub (7)

20 Cause of annoyance (7)

22 Dodge (5)

24 Puts through a sieve (5)

Today’s Aim:

19 words: Good 29 words: Very good 39 words: Excellent

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”. S R D U E Y L S A

used, user, uses, yule

3 LETTERS

5 LETTERS

1 Who is often referred to as the Queen of Soul?

2 Does the Greek alphabet have more or less letters than the English alphabet?

3 The majority of the world's vanilla is produced in which Indian Ocean island country?

4 Alexander Skarsgård (pictured) plays the titular character in which sci-fi TV series based on books by Martha Wells?

5 ‘Business in the front, party in the back’ is a colloquial description of which haircut?

6 What is the only stadium in the world to have hosted the Olympic games more than once?

7 The Gulf of St. Lawrence is located in which country?

8 The sport borden ball is also known as what?

9 What colour is the roughlytextured rind of a lychee fruit?

10 Wagashi is a traditional confection of which country?

New Palisade got sexier

By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring

Releasedherein2020,Palisadeisthelargest of Hyundai’s SUVs – not counting the electricIoniq9.

Palisade is targeted at buyers of large SUVs who want a more car-like driving experience than that offered by traditional 4WDs.

It’s available in seven and eight-seat configuration, with two standalone ‘captain’s chairs’ occupying the second row intheseven-seatversion.

That leaves three people to squeeze into the split-fold third row of seats, making it more of a six-seater but six-seaters have neverdonewellinAustralia.

The Kia equivalent of Palisade is the Telluride, but unfortunately that is not available here, which is not to detract from thePalisade.

There’s not much to dislike, apart from the price. The more interesting question is whether to get one of these or the excellent Kia Carnival people mover which in top gradeisalsosumptuouslyequipped.

Styling Hyundai has just added a more budget friendlyElitegradetotherangepricedfrom $76,500.

The Calligraphy eight-seat is $89,900, while the top of the range seven-seater is $90,900 and the subject of our review – all pricesbeforeon-roadcosts.

It’s been five years since our last drove this car and Palisade has become a whole lotsexierandmorerefinedinthattime,with animpressivefaceandAmerican-styleroad presence.

Clearly, the message from Hyundai is why fork out a lot more for a Euro when you can drive home one of these babies that is optionedtothehiltandbuyasecondfamily carwiththechange.

The V6 has been replaced by a more frugal hybrid with drive on demand to all four wheels and a six-speed automatic transmissionacrosstheboard.

Launched in 2024, the current second-generation Palisade boasts a bolder look,sleekerprofileandcleanersheetmetal tocreateastrongyetluxuriousflagshipSUV.

Revised proportions include a shorter front overhang, more upright windscreen, an extended wheelbase and a lengthened rearoverhang.

An elevated bonnet flanked by vertical DRLs creates a confronting impression, with silver-coated hidden headlights featuring a grille-style graphic seamlessly tying into silver mouldings, rear lights, and roofrails–foraunifiedlook.

Standard kit includes just about anything you can think of as standard, right down to fingerprintrecognitiontostartthething.

Other goodies include a digital mirror, smart phone lock/unlocking, traffic sign recognition, auto high beam, hands-free parking, side, front and rear parking sensors, two sunroofs, electric tailgate, Nappa leather trim, heated and cooled seats, power-adjust and heated steering wheel, power-fold second and third row seats,andthree-zoneclimatecontrolair.

In fact, packed to the gills and heading down the coast for a week away with the kids, we finally found a use for the loathsome digital mirror which showed what was behind, despite the fact the rear windowwascompletelyblockedbyluggage. But it’s only good for a glance – anything more is liable to make your car sick as your eyesstruggletoadjust.

Palisade is covered by a seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty, provided you service the car with them – otherwise

it’sfiveyears.

The hybrid battery is covered for eight years/160,000km – most people do more than20,000kmayear.

Infotainment

Infotainment extends to navigation-based connected car services and incorporates advanced technologies such as biometric andvoicerecognition,allpresentedthrough anew,intuitiveuserinterface.

There’s satnav, voice control, Bluetooth which can accommodate multiple phones, AM-FM/DAB+ digital radio, plus wireless CarPlay and Android Auto and wireless phonecharging.

Bose premium audio delivers a rich, true-to-life audio experience through an externalamplifierand14speakers.

There are three USB ports in the front (1 x data, 2 x charge), two more for the second row (2 x charge) and another two for the thirdrow(2xcharge),butbearinmindthey are all USB-C, which rules out most flash drives.

There’s also 12-volt outlets in the front and rear as well as a 240-volt socket in the luggagearea.

Safety

With a five-star ANCAP safety rating, Palisade features a suite of eight airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag and a front centresideairbag.

A comprehensive suite of safety features, includes navigation-based smart cruise control, lane following assist 2, highway driving assist 2, and driver monitoring that we’re told improves ADAS accuracy and reliability.

Navigation-based cruise automatically slows the vehicle in anticipation when approachingbends.

Autonomous emergency braking (Car-to-Car,VulnerableRoadUser,Junction & Crossing, Backover and Head-On) as well as a lane support system with lane keep assist(LKA),lanedeparturewarning(LDW) and emergency lane keeping (ELK), and an advancedspeedassistancesystem(SAS)are standard.

The third row caters for small children with ISOFix and top-tether anchor points provided, but a supervision mirror would notgoastray.

Engines/transmissions

The 2.5-litre turbocharged hybrid powertrain is paired with a six-speed automatic and delivers 245kW of power and 460Nmoftorque.

Driving It looks big because it is big. At 5065mm it’s 70mm longer than the previous model, and at2970mmhasa70mmlongerwheelbase.

The bigger, blunter facade features an activeairflapthatcloseswhencoolingisnot

needed, reducing wind drag by up to eight percent.

The latest self-charging hybrid setup improves on the traditional transmissionmounted electric drive system with its innovativedual-motordesign.

Greater efficiency is achieved by dedicating one motor to the regeneration of energy and the other to driving the wheels, rather than using a single motor for both functions.

Enhanced regenerative braking combined with an efficient petrol engine extendsall-electricrangeandenhancedfuel efficiency,inarefinedandenvironmentally sustainablepowertrainpackage.

And here’s one just for the parents out there. Stay Mode lets occupants remain comfortable and connected even when parked, say at the weekend sport, drawing onthehigh-capacitybatterytosafelypower the infotainment system, climate control and other features – all with the engine switchedoff

Meanwhile, you can place personal items such as your phone, wallet and keys in the centre console box, push a button and they willbesterilisedusingultravioletlight.

Wealsolikethesensorthatkeepstherear cameraclear,sprayingitwithfluidwhenthe rearwiperisoperative.

The 2.5-litre turbocharged hybrid powertrain, paired with a six-speed automatic, delivers more power and torque than either the previous 3.8-litre petrol engineorthe2.2-litreturbo-diesel.

It delivers 245kW of power and 460Nm of torque,butwithlowerfuelconsumptionata claimed6.8L/100kmonthecombinedcycle. Outstanding.

Ride and handling benefit from local tuning, with evaluation of different suspension components, including springs and anti-roll bars. This led to Aussie passive damper and steering tunes, which have beenadoptedaroundtheworld.

Multi-link rear suspension features passive self-levelling dampers to maintain reartravelwhenheavilyladen.

Noise-reduction measures include acoustic foam-lined 21-inch tyres, layered soundproofing and new, 70 percent larger acoustic cabin floor insulation, plus a new rearquarterpanelacousticpad.

A curved panoramic display incorporates two 12.3-inch digital screens, one for the infotainment display and the other for the instrumentcluster.

In addition, 12-inch head-up display projects key driving, navigation and safety information onto the lower area of the windscreen.However,tothisday,itremains almost invisible if you wear polarised sunglasses.

Moving the gear selector to the steering columnfreesupspaceinthecentreconsole that houses two cupholders, wireless

charging pad, three USB ports, fingerprint sensorandtheUVsterilisationbutton. Mountedontheright,youtwisttheendto changefromdrivetoreverseandvice-versa, which prevents accidentally selecting the wrong gear – but it can be confusing at times.

All-new Palisade features relaxation comfort seats for the first and second row, with third-row powered seats with fold and dive,slide,andreclinefunctions.Seven-seat variantsalsofeatureawalk-intiltfunction.

The driver’s seat uses air pockets for optimal fit while dynamically adjusting lateralsupportbasedondrivingconditions.

While remote smart parking assist literally lets users complete perpendicular, parallel, and diagonal parking manoeuvres fromoutsidethecarusingthesmartkey.

AlthoughPalisadeisanSUVandall-wheel drive, the focus is on comfort rather than off-roadability.

Thisisavehiclethatwillhappilynegotiate rough and even muddy dirt roads and tracks,butwewouldn’tbetacklinganything morechallengingbecausethatisnotwhatit isdesignedfor.

Itdoeshowevercomewithafull-sizealloy spare, unlike the majority of hybrids which giveoverthisspacetothebatterypack.

There are three drive modes from which to choose: Custom, Eco, and Sport, but we found the latter a little sharp and happily left it in the default Eco mode which was plentyresponsive.

It’s a quiet cabin with very little engine noise unless pushed hard, but at around 2.3 tonnes it feels heavy and at times cumbersome, and the steering could do withsomeadjustmentoptions.

Itssizecanalsomakeitdifficulttopark. As well as buttons on the seats, there’s a control panel located on the left inside the back which takes some time to learn how to useproperly.

Both second and third rows slide and luggage space is abundant with the third rowfolded,andacavernous2081litreswith bothrowsstowed.

Moving the rear seats backwards and forwards for third row access is slow and theopeningcreatedisnothuge,sothethird rowisbettersuitedtochildren–twonimble adultsatbest.

The second-row passenger side seat sometimes failed to move at all and that’s the seat that needs to do all the work, becauseit’ssafertoenterfromthecurbside.

With a 72-litre tank it takes regular unleaded and has a range of more than 1000km.

After 1120km we were averaging 7.3L/100km, sometimes even lower than thisfigure.

It’sself-chargingandthe1.65kWhbattery seemstohoveraroundthe60percentmark.

Norangeanxietytobefoundhere.

Oh, and Palisade has a braked towing capacity of only 2000kg, way down on the benchmark3500kg.

Summing up

If you need to put bums on seats, the Kia Carnival is a no brainer. But if you want an SUV with the option of seating seven or eight (and can afford the ticket), then the Palisadecouldfitthebill.

However, the regular doors and slow-moving power-operated rear seats make entry to the third row tedious for adults, while the Carnival with its sliding reardoorsmakesshortworkoftheprocess. One other point to keep in mind. If you needtoseatthreeinthebacktheeight-seater is a better option as a third passenger in the six-seat version alienates valuable luggage space.

Last of the warm weather

Tough loss for Warriors

By Tara Murray

It was another frustrating performance from the Western Warriors in the Victorian Netball League on Wednesday night.

Coming off one of their best wins ever in the previous round, the Warriors were their own worst enemy at times against the Boroondara Express.

After an even first quarter, the Express opened up a five goal lead in the second quarter.

The Warriors responded early in the third quarter and took the lead, before the Express ran over the top to win, 59-53. Warriors’ coach Kim Bailey said it was disappointing not to come away with the win.

“Another frustrating one, they are just too common,” she said.

“Again, how do we win?

“A brilliant third quarter. That has been a little bit of our weakness with what we do in the third and that was probably our best quarter for the season.

“We just then couldn’t sustain it.”

Bailey said having to take Ruby Shannon off due to restrictions in the fourth quarter hurt them, but Express also had to deal with players on restrictions so it was no excuse.

She said it was disappointing to get in the lead and then let it slip.

“They just shut us down defensively,” Bailey said. “We just made silly errors, basic errors that we have to fix.

“They are easy to fix.

“The problem is we win ball and then we throw it away. We need to make sure that we are protecting the pass.”

Kim Borger shot 35 goals for the Warriors but was under a lot of pressure all night.

Shannon was strong in the midcourt again, while youngster Kiara Boyd again impressed in her minutes on the court.

The loss has the Warriors sitting 2-4-1 and ninth on the ladder.

All their matches have been decided by six or less goals this season, showing how close they have been.

Bailey said if they were in the same situation last season, they would have lost by 25 goals.

“There is that improvement,” she said.

“But now it puts a bit more pressure on us and we have to start to win games, not draw games or lose games by five or six.”

While the championship team wasn’t able to get the points, their 23 and under side won its fourth game for the season.

The second quarter set up the 70-51 win.

Ella Closter shot 38 goals for the Warriors, with Leona Hristovska shooting 22 and Charlize Bellette shooting 10.

It’s the first time that the Warriors have beaten Boroondara and they have now won as many games as they did for all of last season.

The Warriors face the City West Falcons this week.

Cats show they are still the team to beat

By Tara Murray

Macedon is focused on remaining switched on and setting the standard in the Riddell District Football League women’s competition.

The two-time reigning premiers have shown early that they will be the team to beat again this year, with two big wins in their first two matches.

For the Cats and new coach Matt Laing it was nice to just get out there get some games under their belts.

“We’ve got two under our belt and it was a bit of a relief for myself,” he said.

“The team is really good and it’s a focus on team first mentality.

“We’re seeing the development of some other players which is really good.”

Laing said it had been about understanding how to be more team disciplined for the group early in the season and building on what they had done the past couple of seasons.

He said some players were playing out of position to allow others to come into

the team and have an impact.

“It has been really exciting,” he said.

“We’ve got three or four new players.

“We have got some high end players and the good thing is they know it’s not always about them.

“They are excited as I am to see some of the new players step up.”

Georgia Asquith has crossed from Geelong Amateurs, Ella Clow returns to football for the first time since 2021, while Juliette Johnson is new to the sport.

Emily Consiglio has crossed from Lancefield and have all added to the side.

Some of the stars have started strongly aswellinBriannaWoodburn,RubyWatts, Charlotte Noonan and Taya Konias.

Konias has been named the Cats best by the coaching staff in both games

“She is fitter than ever,” Laing said.

“She’s been really good and working on her goalkicking and kicked five on the weekend.

“She has a really good work ethic.”

The Cats have started the season with wins against two sides that played finals

last season.

Laing said the match against Lancefield in round one was closer than what the scoreboard showed.

It was then a grand final rematch in round two against Riddell, which the Cats won easily, on Anzac Day.

Laing said it was a pretty special day for the side and club.

“We had Ruby Watts’ grandfather, who fought in Vietnam, speak about the values of what Anzac Day means and the privilege to play on the day,” he said.

The Cats had a bye on the weekend.

Laing said they were focused on keeping the group motivated and enthusiastic as the season progresses.

This season there’s just four teams in the competition.

“We want to set the standard and keep working and hope the other teams want to do that too,” Laing said.

“We want to build the league.”

Lancefield and Riddell played in the only women’s game on the weekend, after deadline.

Three Dogs named

Three Gisborne players have been named in the Bendigo Netball League’s open representative squad.

The league said coach Tarryn Rymer and the selection committee has assembled a squad that reflects the depth, competitiveness and high-level skill of netball across the BFNL.

The team will represent the league in the upcoming representative campaign that culminates with a head-to-head clash against the Ovens and Murray on 23 May at the Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Bulldogs defenders’ Charlee Kemp, Kirby Elliott and Tilly Shepherd have been named in the squad. Kangaroo Flat’s Abbey and Ash Ryan, Sophie Shoebridge, Chelsea Sartori and Ruby Barkmeyer, South Bendigo’s Gabe Richards and Sandhurst’s Meg Williams round out the squad.

Rymer, who is also the coach of Gisborne, said she was excited by the quality and balance of the selected squad.

“I’m incredibly excited by the group we’ve been able to assemble for 2026,” she said.

“The depth of talent across the BFNL has been on full display throughout the early rounds, and this squad reflects a strong mix of experience, emerging talent and versatility.

“What stood out most was the players’ commitment and competitiveness. There’s a genuine hunger to represent the league, and we’re looking forward to building a connected, high-performing environment as we prepare for the campaign ahead.”

League manager Tom King highlighted the importance of representative netball within the league’s broader pathway.

“Selection in the BFNL open representative netball team is a significant achievement and a testament to the hard work and consistency these players have shown at club level,” he said.

“Representative netball is an important part of our league pathway, and this program provides a fantastic opportunity to showcase the strength of BFNL netball while continuing to develop our athletes in a high-performance environment.”

The team will now commence preparations ahead of their 2026 campaign, with further details on fixtures and training schedules to be announced in due course.

Redbacks slowly building

By Tara Murray

Romsey pushed reigning premiers Woodend-Hesket for a half, but couldn’t stick with the Hawks for a full match in the Riddell District Netball League on Saturday.

The Redbacks again have a young side having built a strong under-19 program the past few years.

While the Redbacks are yet to get the results they’re after in the A-grade competition, there’s been plenty of positive signs for coach Justin Philby.

“We haven’t got the results yet but we have a really young side,” he said.

“We were really good for a half with the young talent on show. We’ve been slowly building through the under-19s and all the way through.

“To be in the game at half time was pleasing.”

The margin was just one goal at half time, before the Hawks had a 15-8 third quarter to open the game up.

The Hawks were able to finish it off, winning 52-36.

Philby said losing goal shooter Savannah Forbes just before half time with a shoulder knock didn’t help their cause.

TheHawksalsomadesomechangeswith playing coach Ty Coppinger moving herself into centre, which had a big impact.

Philby said they weren’t expecting that move.

Emma Grech shot 19 goals for the Redbacks.

At the other end, Kaylia Stanton shot 38 goals for the Hawks.

Philby said goalkeeper Ella Stoward did a good job against her despite not knowing who the former SSN netballer is.

“She held her own,” he said.

Philbysaidtherehadbeenreallypleasing signs in each of their three matches.

“You can see the improvement in the first three weeks,” he said.

“It’s good to see, while we haven’t got the results. Hopefully next week we can get the results.

“We’re building nicely as a team.”

Philby said Lizzy Crump in the attack end was one showing really good signs having come up from the under-19s.

He said Stoward, who had come across from Woodend-Hesket, was standing up strong in the absence of Kendra Vann.

Philby said they were hoping to see the

Redbacks bounce back against Hawks

By Tara Murray

After two weeks of stewing on a disappointing performance, Romsey was able to find a way to get the job done against WoodendHesket in the Riddell District Football League on Saturday.

The Redbacks returned to playing their type of football on Saturday and managed to sneak home against the Hawks, 10.13 (73)-10.9 (69).

Redbacks’ coach Nathan Blair said they were much happier after that performance having had a bye last week following a disappointing loss the round before.

“I’m very proud of how we went about it,” he said. “We worked on a few things we wanted to work on and got back to our brand of footy, and I’m happy with that.

“We stewed a little bit, but we had more than enough time to understand what we needed to work on and get back to being a competitive team.”

On Saturday against the Hawks, for much of the game it was a tale of two halves.

Romsey led by 21 points at half time before the Hawks kicked four goals to none in the third quarter to lead by five points heading into the final quarter.

It was a see-sawing final quarter, with the Redbacks able to kick four goals early in the quarter.

The Hawks came home hard late and got the margin within a goal late, but the Redbacks held on.

“We took the moments,” Blair said. “We were pretty good in the first half before Woodend came back in the second half.

“It came down to a kick at the end of the day. We took our opportunities and Jack Jedwab kicked three goals in the last quarter and that was pretty much the game.”

Blair said it’s performances like that are why Jedwab is the captain of the side.

Hefinishedwithfivegoalsforthegame.

Blair was also named among the best.

The coach said that Nathan Tessari down back took several great marks and set up the play from defence.

He said after putting it on their midfielders during the week, they also stood up.

Jack Binns kicked three goals for the Hawks and was also named their best. Cormacc Wilson and Andrew Macdonald also had strong performances.

The win moves the Redbacks to 2-1 for the season, having also had a bye.

Blair knows with how close the competition is, that every win is vital in the race for finals.

“You don’t know what will happen so when you have opportunities to get wins, you have to take them.

“We were able to hold on and we’re

now 2-1 and super rapt. I think we are starting to build now and hopefully we can get some consistency on the field.

“Hopefully we can string a few more wins together.”

The Redbacks this week face Riddell, which beat Lancefield, 27.11 (173)-8.10

return of Vann from injury in the next three weeks.

The Rebacks will be back in action on Saturday against Riddell.

It will be the battle between the young guns, with Philby saying it would be another good challenge for them.

The Bombers enter the match after losing a thriller to Lancefield on Saturday.

No more than three goals separated the two teams at any of the breaks, with the Tigers winning 45-44.

Shanae Brundell shot 31 goals for the Tigers, while Hayley Brown shot 22 goals for the Bombers.

In other matches, Wallan beat Kyneton, 54-37, Macedon was too strong for Diggers Rest, 60-37, while the Gisborne Giants beat Melton Centrals, 58-42.

Ballarat FL

The Sunbury Lions dropped another early game, this time losing to North Ballarat in the Ballarat Football League on Saturday. After a disappointing loss the week before, the Lions headed up to Ballarat to face North Ballarat. An eight goal to two second quarter gave North Ballarat momentum, which was able to carry through on the way to an 18.13 (121)-5.5 (35) win. It was all single goalkickers for the Lions. Riley Miller and Tyson Lever were named their best. The Lions are back at home in round five against Sebastopol.

Ballarat NL

The Sunbury Lions let slip the four points as they had to settle for a draw in the Ballarat Netball League on Saturday. The Lions had control of the game for three quarters and led by nine goals heading into the final quarter. North Ballarat came home strongly as the Lions made some mistakes. The match finished in a 45-all draw. Lani Fauonuku shot 27 goals for the Lions. The Lions face Sebastopol in round five.

EDFL

East Sunbury made it two in a row in the Essendon District Football League division 2 competition on Saturday. The Thunder entered Saturday’s match with Burnside Heights as favourites, but had to work hard to come away with the points. The Bears led at each of the breaks with the margin, four points at three quarter time. A six goal to none final quarter, sealed a 13.11 (89)-7.14 (56) win for the Thunder. Justin Waldron was the best for the Thunder. Elsewhere, the Sunbury Kangaroos suffered a second straight loss, losing to Keilor Park, 7.13 (55)-5.15 (45).

FV

Sunbury United was able to bounce back on Saturday as it claimed the three points against Brunswick Zebras in FV state league 3 north-west. Sunbury scored twice in first half before Liam Brian’s second in the 56th minute sealed a 3-0 win. After six rounds, Sunbury sits in seventh. In state league 7 north-west, Gisborne lost to Roxburgh Park United, 3-0.

(58).

Zak Saad kicked seven goals for the Bombersinabestongroundperformance.

Jack Hammerling and Jackson Wadden were also strong performers.

Diggers Rest, Melton Centrals and Wallan were the other winners on Saturday.

& Macedon

Gisborne votes to move

By Tara Murray

Gisborne will now sit and wait after members again voted to leave the Bendigo Football Netball League.

After having their wish knocked back last season, the Bulldogs are again trying to movetotheBallaratFootballNetballLeague for next season.

At a special general meeting on Thursday night, club members voted in favour of making the move for the 2027 season.

Bulldogs’ president Tony Brancatisano said they weren’t surprised by the outcome.

“It was a similar vote to last year,” he said. “It was 90.2 per cent in favour.

“We had a few less people vote as there were less people there.

“There were players away with the bye.

“It was the same sentiment as last sea-

son.”

Brancatisano said the vote was part of the process they needed to do, as they tick all the boxes to try and make the move.

He said members were keen to just get the vote done, having already voted on it last season.

Brancatisanosaidtheynowhadtogetthe paperwork done but June and hoped all the parties ticked it off.

“Bendigo will meet with Ballarat in about a week,” he said. “Bendigo has said that they won’t block us, but you never know.

“Marong met with club presidents about six weeks ago about coming across. I’ve heard that Echuca and Moama have pulled out of looking to come across in 2027.”

Brancatisano said changes to the process means that AFL Victoria can get involved in the process early on, instead of at the end.

He said they would be doing everything they can to make sure they make the move.

The club lost players across both their football and netball program due to the travel associated with the Bendigo league.

A move to the Ballarat league is also seen as a more financial decision for the club.

Flying finish returns Jets to winners list

By Tara Murray

The Sunbury Jets finally clicked in a final quarter as they returned to the winners list in the Big V men’s championship division.

The Jets have had their challenges the past few weeks, with injuries leaving them lacking a bit of height.

After losing to the Hume City Broncos in a local derby the week before, the Jets were able to get the job done on Saturday night against the Warrandyte Venom.

The Jets trailed all game, having been down by 10 points at quarter time.

They came home strong with a 26-11 final quarter to win, 90-86.

Jets’ coach Nathan Heywood said they were happy with how they finished the game.

“Last quarters is something that we’ve been working on as we’ve failed to finish off games strongly,” he said.

“We didn’t anticipate being that much down at three quarter time.”

Heywood had looked at the week before and how they had finished against the Broncos and how to make sure it didn’t happen again.

He said having no players taller than 6’2 in that game had played a role, but there had been a lot of positive signs against the team that is proving to be the early benchmark.

“It was about discipline, focus and sticking to the scout,” he said.

“It’s something that we focused on in the first couple of quarters. We stuck to the process and changed things in the last quarter to get it back on our terms.”

Heywood said the biggest change in the final quarter was making sure they were getting more players involved.

He said they were focused on Ish Sanders, as were the Venom defenders meaning they were playing into the Venom’s hands.

“We spread the load a little bit,” he said. “Rhys Lewis had an impact and Lachlan Gook on debut had nine points and four rebounds and really set the tempo.”

Sanders still finished with 24 points despite the heavy pressure, as did Milan Savic.

Heywood said Gook was a player who had got his opportunity up from youth league with Bb Chuks-mady and Dylan Cheyne both out injured.

“He has been playing really well and playing his role in youth league,” he said.

“It’s a young Sunbury local and junior that took the next step.”

The Jets sit third on the ladder with a 3-2 record.

Heywood said they hoped both Cheyne and Chuks-mady would be back in the squad for this week’s match with the Bellarine Storm.

“They have shown that they can stop teams,” he said. “We will have to go to work and how we can maintain our strengths and limit theirs.”

The Jets championship women’s side suffered a second straight loss on Saturday night.

“If they block us we will be at AFL House with all the players, like the Wedge-Tailed Eagles,” Brancatisano said.

“We can’t stay here.

“We’ve got under-17s playing in under-18s to have a team. We’ve got players recruited for next season as long as we’re in the Ballarat league.

“We will make more noise this year.”

Branticano said they would just have to wait now while the rest of the process plays out.

“We’ll sit and wait as we’ve done everything else.”

The Bulldogs had a bye in the Bendigo league on the weekend. Because the last round was a split round, it’ll be two weeks between matches.

They will resume against Castlemaine on Saturday.

Gisborne women sneak home

Gisborne enters the split round with a 3-1 record after another close win in the Essendon District Football League women’s division 1 competition.

The first week of the split round produced some close results and an upset win by Tullamarine.

Gisborne was able to sneak home against Coburg Districts, 4.7 (31)3.11 (29).

It was Coburg Districts that got off to the better start, but weren’t able to make the most of it only leading by nine points having been inaccurate.

Gisborne kicked the only goal of the second quarter to lead by four points at half time.

That margin was increased to 10 points heading into the final quarter.

Coburg Districts got the first goal of the final break to bring it back to four points.

The two sides were then able to go goal for goal, with the Bulldogs doing enough to get the win.

It was single goalkickers for the Bulldogs.

Maisy Crowther, Amy O’Kelly and Kirrily Mitchell were named their best.

Elsewhere, the Sunbury Lions and East Sunbury both suffered losses.

The Lions were at home against Craigieburn and it was the Eagles that jumped out of the blocks.

They had eight scoring shots to none in the first quarter.

It was a goal each in the second quarter before the inaccurate Eagles extended the lead beyond five goals heading into the final quarter.

It was one goal each in the final quarter as the Eagles won, 5.13 (43)2.1 (13).

Jorja Mckenna, Keeley Wicks and Karla Tentonello were the Lions best.

Meanwhile, Tullamarine got its first win of the season, beating East Sunbury.

After trailing 18-0 at quarter time, the Demons led a half time before the Thunder fought back.

The Demons kicked three goals to none in the final quarter to seal a 6.4 (40)-4.9 (33) win.

AlsofacingtheVenom,theJetslost75-58.

A 29-11 third quarter was the difference in the match.

Chloe Hildebrand top scored for the Jets with 14 points.

The Jets now sit sixth on the ladder with a 3-3 record.

Mariam Habib, Sophia Iosifidis and Cara Clarke were named the Thunder’s best.

The Sunbury Kangaroos had the week off.

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