WEDNESDAY, 4 FEBRUARY, 2026
Ellen’s big ballet boost Local ballet teacher Ellen Montgomery loves what she does and has received a nice little boost to keep doing it. Ms Montgomery is the Bursary Recipient for the Royal Academy of Dance in Ballet for 2026. In lay person’s terms she will be the only person in Victoria or Tasmania to receive support to obtain the prestigious academy’s Certificate in Dance Teaching. Originally from South Australia, Ms Montgomery is a dance teacher by trade at That Dance Place (TDP) in Hoppers Crossing. Already versed in other syllabus, Ms Montgomery said she was thrilled to win the spot and hopes it will help her pass on the joy of ballet to more people. “I am really excited to be chosen, it is very special and I can’t wait to see where it goes. “My boss Lisa George is my biggest supporter, and at TDP we are a family who help each other through more than just dancing. “I think it is a very unique style of dance, and I feel like ballet is the basis of all dance– if you can dance ballet, you can dance anything.”
Ellen Montgomery. (Damjan Janevski). 530747_02
Dumping disgrace By Jaidyn Kennedy
Authority Victoria (EPA) nor Wyndham council had confirmed an source site of the waste at the time of going to press. An EPA spokesperson said the organisation has received a report of illegally dumped construction waste in Werribee South. “The matter has been referred to the land manager, Wyndham council, for clean up,” the spokesperson said. “Illegal waste dumping is a growing issue in Victoria, and an offence that can attract significant financial penalties where EPA or other authorities can identify those responsible.“ A Wyndham spokesperson said council
arranged to pick up and remove the waste. “Illegal litter dumping is a significant and growing problem for all councils, particularly in growth areas and has cost Wyndham City ratepayers $6.1 million over the last five years,” the spokesperson said. “Wyndham City takes a zero-tolerance approach to illegal rubbish dumping. “Council is liaising with the complainant that notified the illegal rubbish and we are investigating the information provided.” The spokesperson encouraged residents to use free waste services and to report any dumped waste they spot. At Wyndham, residents are provided
with a tip token each year, as well as three free hard rubbish collections. “We encourage everyone to help keep Wyndham clean by reporting incidents of dumping. “We also encourage residents to take note of anyone dumping rubbish and record details including description of items dumped to assist council in undertaking enforcement action.” To report illegal dumping within Wyndham, contact council on 1300 023 411, or the EPA on 1300 372 842 or contact@ epa.vic.gov.au
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Illegal dumping continues to plague Wyndham, with a popular beach spot being among the places recently hit. Local resident Chris Cobbledick said he recently encountered a truckload of building site waste that had been dumped next to the Campbells Cove boathouses in Werribee South. Mr Cobbledick said he believed the waste was dumped some time between 7am-noon on Thursday 21 January, and that it is becoming a regular occurrence. Mr Cobbledick claims the dumping contained addresses and definitive details leading to a building site in Point Cook. Neither the Environment Protection