Star Weekly - Northern - 15th December 2020

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Australia Day axed ‘‘ ’’

Australia Day should be as inclusive as our country is - Craig Lloyd

“We’re a country that includes everyone, we take care of each other and we believe that every Australian deserves a fair go. Australia Day should be as inclusive as our country is,” he said. “But current celebrations on Australia Day don’t include all Australians. For Aboriginal Australians in particular, January 26 represents a very painful time in our history. “We’re at a point now where we need to review our events on January 26 out of respect to our whole community, to ensure we can live our vision to make the City of Whittlesea a place for all.” Community consultation on future festival and events will commence in the first half of 2021. The council will pilot a community awards program at another time in 2021 in lieu of Australia Day awards. A citizenship ceremony will still occur on January 26, in line with federal government requirements.

Craigieburn Salvation Army’s Di Morabito and captain Peter Brookshaw. (Damjan Janevski) 223481_02

Christmas wrapped up Dislike wrapping Christmas presents? The Craigieburn Salvation Army has the answer. The Salvation Army has set up a Christmas present wrapping station at Craigieburn Central and will wrap presents for a small donation. Money raised will help the Salvos provide for others across the Christmas period. The wrapping station will be opposite Big W every day until Christmas. The Salvos have also set up food collection points at Coles Craigieburn Central and Roxburgh Park Shopping Village, and Woolworths Highlands. For support, call 8339 4987. Tara Murray

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Whittlesea council has pulled the pin on Australia Day celebrations in 2021. The council’s administrators voted in favour of changes to the city’s celebrations on January 26 as part of a broader review of all festivals and events to ensure they are inclusive, safe and offer the best value. Council normally holds an event from 6-9.30pm on January 26, which includes music, entertainment, food and fireworks. It also holds a citizenship ceremony and announces the Whittlesea Australia Day Awards winners. Just 1500 people attended this year’s event, which cost $83,740 to run, more than $8000 over budget. Whittlesea chair of administrators Lydia Wilson said the decision to take a different approach to January 26 was multifaceted. It includes complexities around the date, particularly for the local Aboriginal community, summer risks with fireworks, rising event costs and evolving restrictions around gatherings due to COVID-19. “We want to ensure [our festivals and events] are aligned with our community’s expectations around cultural appropriateness, value for money, seasonal risks and community health. “Council acknowledged that January 26 is a complex and contested date to celebrate Australia Day. We recognise this causes distress for many people living in our community, and we are committed to moving forward in a way that will build relationships and understanding.” Whittlesea has the second-highest Aboriginal population in Melbourne.

In February 2019, the Whittlesea Reconciliation Group submitted a joint letter to council calling for the date of Australia Day to be changed. In response, the former council voted to proceed with planned Australia Day festivities but to also include a ‘mourning service’ as part of the day. Council chief executive Craig Lloyd said there is a lot to celebrate about being an Australian.

MENT R

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By Tara Murray

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This year is quickly coming to a close. For many, 2020 will long be remembered as the year our lives were dominated by COVID-19. Through it all, our community has been incredibly resilient. We’ve found new and creative ways to connect, do business, and support one another. In 2021, Council will work closely with our community to develop a COVID-19 recovery plan. There will be more about this in the new year so please keep an eye on our website for opportunities to participate in our engagement program. If you haven’t already, please make sure you prepare your property for the upcoming

fire season. Our City has been impacted by bushfires in recent years, and grassfires are a risk for many living on the urban fringe. Visit www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/stayingsafe for more information about staying safe over summer. On behalf of Council, which includes the Hon Bruce Billson and Ms Peita Duncan, and staff at the City of Whittlesea, we wish you a happy, healthy and safe Christmas. We look forward to being out in the community a lot more in 2021.

Chair Administrator Ms Lydia Wilson & CEO Mr Craig Lloyd

Public holiday bin collection If your normal bin collection day is Friday, it won’t be emptied on Christmas Day (Friday 25 December) or New Year’s Day (Friday 1 January). We’ll pick it up the next day – Boxing Day (Saturday 26 December) and Saturday 2 January. Bins will be collected as normal at all other times. Holiday opening hours for Hanson’s Wollert Landfill and the recycling facility at 480 Cooper Street in Epping are available on our website.

Shop Local and win

Win a $200 voucher to a local business for you and a friend by telling us where you shop in the City of Whittlesea and tag someone you want to go shopping with. Follow us at /WhittleseaUnites to enter.

Reach out for support Whittlesea Community Connections Provides people in need with food, financial assistance and support. Call: 9401 6644 (Monday to Friday, 9am-1pm) Visit: www.whittleseacommunityconnections.org.au

Lifeline Call: 13 11 14 (24 hours/7 days) Visit: lifeline.org.au Beyond Blue Call: 1800 512 348 Visit: coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au

Council continues to deliver essential services, and works are progressing on community infrastructure projects. Other Council programs and activities have also adapted so we can stay engaged and connected while physically distancing. Find out more at whittlesea.vic.gov.au/coronavirus For health information and guidance on current restrictions visit www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus or call 1800 675 398.

Headspace Call: 1800 650 890 Visit: www.headspace.org.au Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support Call: 0437 425 903 Email: shontia.saluja@whittlesea.vic.gov.au

Financial relief If you are having difficulty paying Council rates, fees and charges, you may be eligible for an interest free payment plan or deferral until 30 June 2021. View the COVID-19 Financial Hardship Policy at whittlesea.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

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Battle over nature strip display By Tara Murray A Craigieburn man’s Christmas spirit has been dashed after Hume council asked him to take down some of his decorations and lights. Aaron Cowman has had Christmas lights and decorations outside his house in Stoneleigh Place and on the nature strip for the past eight years. For the past three years, he’s donated money to the Starlight Foundation. But this year, he has come afoul of the council. Mr Cowman said the issue arose when a rubbish truck hit one of the sleepers outside his property causing damage to some of the decorations. He complained to Hume council and later

Aaron Cowman’s Christmas lights and decorations. (Supplied)

had a council road management officer leave a written message asking him to remove the sleepers and move the Christmas decorations from the nature strip.

The nature strip goes right up to the front of Mr Cowman’s property, with no footpath in front of the house. “They broke some Christmas lights,” he said. “I didn’t want anything back from them, I just wanted to make them aware. “It was only ever since I complained about the garbage truck they’ve told me to take them down. I’ve had no issues ever before. “I love Christmas time and it’s my favourite time of year. It puts a smile on everyone’s face and after the year that we’ve had, we need things like this.” Last year Mr Cowman raised $750 for the Starlight Foundation from his lights and decorations. Hume sustainable infrastructure and

Top gong for cheesemaker Thomastown’s Floridia Cheese has taken out the top award at the 2020 Northern Business Achievement Awards. Businesses from across seven municipalities were recognised at the awards, which are run by NORTH Link and its partners. Floridia Cheese, which has been in the north for 65 years, claimed the Business of the Year award, along with the Export Award and Student Placement of the Year Award. Floridia Cheese general manager Rosabala Portella said the Business of the Year Award came as a complete surprise. “We’ve never really won a business award,” she said. “We normally enter our cheeses in awards. “We’ve got quite a large export market, so we thought we might be in the running for the export award. “It’s overwhelming and we’re stoked about the award.” Ms Portella said the year had been difficult for the business, with its wholesaler distribution section struggling as a result of larger venues it supplies forced to close because of COVID-19 restrictions. The retail side of the business picked up, she said. The business managed to keep all staff working during the two lockdown periods. It has been a big year for the company, with two major upgrades happening during lockdown. Ms Portella said the future was looking bright for the company. “We’re looking to expand the site,” she said. “We’ve outgrown the site and everything we make we are selling. If we make more, we Floridia Cheese’s Fabio Portella, Daniel Montalto and Mauro Montalto. (Damjan Janevski) 209491_05 will sell that too.” NORTH Link executive director Chris “These awards gave us the opportunity community.” James said: “COVID-19 has made this year to recognise the persistence and resilience Other winners include Sage Business Group very difficult for everyone, particularly our businesses have shown this year, in Sunbury and Repurpose It in Epping. local businesses. which makes us very proud of our

services director Peter Waite said the council encouraged Christmas decorations, but not on nature strips. “Christmas is a special time for many people in Hume – especially this year – and council has always encouraged residents to create a festive display in their front yards to bring the community together,” he said. “This year, council invited businesses and residents to brighten up their streets with the Make Hume Shine Christmas Lights Competition. It’s been uplifting to see so many houses and businesses getting involved. “The council encourages decorations to be placed safely in front yards, and not on areas such as footpaths or nature strips as pedestrians may trip and fall over them.”

New driving test centres open Two new VicRoads licence testing centres have opened in Coolaroo and South Morang to help ease the backlog of people waiting to take their driving test. Licence testing was suspended twice this year due to COVID-19, leaving many drivers unable to take to the road. Seven licence testing centres, including Coolaroo and South Morang, have been set up to help ease the demand. The Coolaroo centre, on Pascoe Vale Road, opened last week. The centre will offer driving test services only, with about 500 driving tests to be conducted each week. The South Morang centre, on Danaher Drive will offer driving and computer test services. It has the capacity to conduct about 500 driving tests and about 1000 computer tests per week. Bookings are required at both centres and can be made online or via phone. Broadmeadows and Bundoora remain the closest VicRoads customer service centres. Customers with suspended appointments who have been given priority to rebook their tests are able to contact VicRoads on a dedicated number previously provided to book an appointment. Tara Murray

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Northern Health Annual Meeting and Open Access Board Meeting Thursday, 17 December 2020 at 12 pm held virtually via Microsoft Teams. You are invited to attend the Northern Health Annual Meeting and Open Access Board Meeting. You will hear about Northern Health’s highlights and achievements over the past 12 months and have the opportunity to ask our Board and Executive any questions you may have. Questions can be submitted via email or through live Q&A during the meeting. Please RSVP or submit your questions to Northern Health Public Affairs via corporatecommunications@nh.org.au

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50-metre pool back in the mix By Tara Murray A 50-metre pool could be included in the new Mernda Aquatic and Indoor Sports Centre, with Whittlesea council deciding to investigate two new options for the centre’s design. After much conjecture in the community about the centre and previous plans, the council decided to understake a feasibility and comparative analysis of two new options. The first one, known as option eight, has a 25-metre pool, and the second one, known as option nine, will include a 50-metre pool.

Both options include a warm water pool, water play section, learn to swim pool, spa, steam room and sauna, gymnasium, program rooms, creche, health suites. A number of sporting courts will also be built as part of the project. The council’s financial forecasting states the capital cost would be $51 million for the 25-metre pool option and $55.7 million for the 50-metre pool option. The overall cost of the centre, including sports courts, is expected to be $75.6 for the 25-metre pool option and $80.3 million for the 50-metre option.

A report to last week’s council meeting stated recent community consultation found the two previous council-endorsed options from 2019 did not appropriately address the community sentiment for lap swimming, nor would they provide a balanced community health and wellbeing outcome. As reported by Star Weekly, plans for the centre were presented to the former council a number of times in 2019, with councillors initially opting to develop business cases for a centre with and without a 25-metre pool. The decision resulted in community

backlash, with residents calling for a 50-metre pool to be included in the centre. At the time, the council said it couldn’t afford a 50-metre pool. Speaking at last week’s council meeting, chief executive Craig Lloyd said the council wanted to get an overall view of the two options before moving forward. Administrator Bruce Billson said the project hasn’t progressed at a great speed with a number of resolutions in the past. Council said the project will need support from government and/or private partners.

Choir united by video The Greenbrook Singers have made the most of their time during COVID-19, releasing a music video. The group of 10 singers, who have been together for more than 15 years, were forced to find new ways of performing and rehearsing during lockdown, taking their music online. Group leader Margaret Crichton said all but one of their members were able to be involved online. “We had to learn how to use Zoom,” she said. “It’s a challenge for music, as you can’t have everyone unmuted, as it isn’t all in sync. We had some technical challenges.” The choir usually rehearses at Greenbrook Community House. The house’s community development officer, Liz Skitch, suggested the choir make a music video during the lockdowns, Ms Crichton said the choir found the perfect song – Pass Over, written by Philadelphia singer Avi Wisni. The song is

about resilience, positivity and a celebration of the simple joy of singing together. The choir enlisted artists from Mernda and Greenbrook community houses to provide artwork for the video. Community Music Victoria helped put the clip together. “It comes together so well,” Ms Crichton said. “It’s not as polished as a MSO [Melbourne Symphony Orchestra] performance, but it’s a great representation of us.” The group has started to practice face-to-face again and is hoping to start performing in person next year. But before then, they’ve found a way to keep busy. “We’re working on another video to release it before Christmas” To watch the group’s version of Pass Over, go to https://youtu.be/F-BCqfmv1Q4. Tara Murray

The Greenbrook Singers practising for their second video. (Supplied)

M80 RING ROAD UPGRADE

Season’s Greetings Wishing you happy holidays and a new year filled with health and prosperity.

M80 Edgars Road closure Temporary works in December

1800 105 105 contact@roadprojects.vic.gov.au roadprojects.vic.gov.au For languages other than English, please call 9209 0147

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To sign up for email and SMS updates about the M80 Ring Road Upgrade, please visit roadprojects. vic.gov.au/subscribe

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We’ll have detours in place via the Hume Freeway, Mahoneys Road, Cooper Street and Dalton Road to maintain connectivity for road users.

For more information visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au

1978 | Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re upgrading the Edgars Road interchange to the M80 Ring Road. To do this, we’ll close the interchange from 8pm, Monday 7 December to 5am, Monday 21 December.

Lily D'Ambrosio MP State Member for Mill Park Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change and Minister for Solar Homes Shop 2/30 Oleander Drive Mill Park 3082 Tel: 9422 5171

Funded from Parliamentary Budget

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6 NORTHERN STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 December, 2020

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New solution for Masons Road By Tara Murray A series of speed humps will be installed along Masons Road as part of Whittlesea council’s ongoing efforts to reduce traffic and accidents on the busy thoroughfare. The popular east-west shortcut is a hotspot for road accidents, with residents calling on the council to make the road safer and help reduce the risk of accidents, especially on the gravel part of the road. Earlier this year, council conducted a one way trial on Masons Road, but community

feedback found residents were in favour of the road remaining two-way. Council then proposed to build a modified T-intersection on the road, but the proposal drew strong opposition from residents, with a petition signed by 112 people presented to council. Chair of administrators Lydia Wilson said the road had been a long term issue which had seen plenty of different resolutions. “A number of online consultation sessions have made it clear to all of us, administrators and officers, residents are calling on council

to make the road safer and reduce the risk of accidents. “Emergency services weren’t happy with a full or partial closure, or restricted to one way. “We’ve considered the outcomes and a petition.” The 15 speed humps on Masons Road will be installed between Plenty Road and Texel Drive in the new year. Ms Wilson said the council would continue to work closely with residents and would review the installation of the raised pavements within 24 months of installation.

Administrator Bill Billson said the road wasn’t designed to carry the volume of traffic that it had been. Administrator Peita Duncan said the council would look to avoid these problems in the future. “It’s really important to note, as Whittlesea is one of the fastest-growing municipalities, that we will advocate to upgrade infrastructure,” she said. “Duplication of Bridge Inn Road will further ease pressure on local roads such as Masons Road, which we are discussing today.”

Cash boost for SES Broadmeadows SES has received a boost with the Melbourne Greyhound Racing Association donating $10,000 to the unit. The donation comes off the back of Greyhound Racing Victoria’s pledge to contribute $250 to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal for every ‘red dog’ that won in Victoria in the month of February. They raised $100,000. Broadmeadows SES deputy controller of operations Shane Lapworth noted how important this donation was to the unit’s ongoing operations. The Broadmeadows SES is a general rescue unit which predominantly responds to requests for help relating to severe weather events, but also supports and assists other emergency agencies where required. “We are very grateful for the generous donation of $10,000 for our Broadmeadows unit,” he said. “This money will help us to purchase a more advanced response vehicle.“ MGRA director Terry Davis noted the

incredible contribution the Broadmadows SES made throughout the bushfire crisis, particularly in the Gippsland fires, at the presentation at the Meadows last week. “This year has been one of unimaginable devastation and disruption to all Victorians,” Mr Davis said. “When we made the decision to support those affected by the bushfire crisis, we could not have foreseen the sacrifices forced upon all Victorians to combat the COVID-19 virus. “But once again we have seen the greyhound racing community demonstrate remarkable resilience, banding together to support those in need and ensure the racing industry was able to continue to operate throughout the pandemic.” Mr Davis said the MGRA was fortunate to have the support of participants and greyhound racing fans from all around Australia. Tara Murray

MRGA presented $10,000 to the Broadmeadows SES. (Supplied)

M80 Edgars Road closure As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re upgrading the Edgars Road interchange to the M80 Ring Road. To do this, we’ll close the interchange from 8pm, Monday 7 December to 5am, Monday 21 December. We’ll have detours in place via the Hume Freeway, Mahoneys Road, Cooper Street and Dalton Road to maintain connectivity for road users.

Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

1978

Find out if you’re affected at bigbuild.vic.gov.au

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Hume Swimming club members in their new uniforms. (Supplied)

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New uniforms a hit

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Hume City Swimming Club members will look slick when competitions return next year after receiving a grant to get new uniforms. The club was one of 15 community groups across Hume and Whittlesea to receive a $1000 grant from Stockland’s CARE grants. Club president Jonie Walker said the new uniforms couldn’t come at a better time, after COVID-19 restrictions left them out of the pool for most of the year. “Thanks to Stocklands for the grant,” she said. “It’s amazing and such a great thing for us coming back from such a long time off.” The club used the money to enlist Hume-based company to create personalised uniforms for each swimmer.

Ms Walker said it was good to give back to a local provider, Meant 2 Be in Tullamarine. The club, which is based at Splash in Craigieburn, has returned to the pool and is slowly building up its sessions. Hume Men’s Shed Craigieburn, Probus Club of Craigieburn, Hume Valley School, Mickleham Darts Club, the Craigieburn War Memorial and Remembrance Committee, Willmott Park Primary School, Hume City Squash Club, Craigieburn Historical Interest Group, Bandicoot Chess Club, Beveridge Riding Club, Craigieburn Eagles Basketball Association, Northern Suburbs Fibromyalgia Self Help Group and Whittlesea Scout and Guide Hall Committee also received grants.\

Whittlesea’s food and organics waste will continue to be processed locally, with Repurpose It Pty Ltd awarded a 10-year contract to deliver the service. Following a trial of the service in 2019, council’s new opt-in food and garden waste service was rolled out municipal-wide in July.

Xmas message From everyone at Star Weekly we’d like to wish you a safe Christmas and a happy New Year and thank you for your support throughout 2020. We’re taking a short break and look forward to bringing you the latest local news and pictures in our first edition back on January 12.

FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Northern Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

EVERY TEST HELPS Every test helps us keep on top of this virus. So even if your symptoms are mild, or you’ve been tested before, every test helps.

For testing locations visit CORONAVIRUS.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

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Gambling losses raise alarm By Tara Murray Hume councillors have voiced their concerns about the ongoing harm electronic gaming machines are causing to local residents. The council’s annual report of gaming and other gambling matters was tabled at last week’s council meeting. While losses decreased in the municipality for the past financial year due to COVID-19, the council said the figures showed a worrying trend. In the 2017-18 financial year Hume residents

lost $109.62 million on gaming machines, the seventh highest in the state. That increased to $111.70 million, an average of $306,016 per day, in the 2018-19 financial year. There were 20 new EGMs installed in Hume during that year. In the past financial year, Hume residents lost $85.94 million with gaming venues trading for only 267 days due to COVID-19 lockdown. The losses are the fifth highest in the state. The report stated that had venues not been closed, in all probability Hume would have experienced an annual gross loss of $117 million.

Gladstone Park Hotel generated the greatest amount of losses with a total of $14.41 million, ranking it the third highest among all venues across Victoria for 2019-20. Councillor Naim Kurt said the report painted a concerning picture. “The report highlights the staggering amount of money our community has lost to electronic gambling machines over the last two years,” he said. “Concerningly, the research is showing us the harm from gaming machines is leading to significant levels of death, bankruptcy, relationship conflict, stress, depression and

absenteeism from both school and work across Hume”. Hume council is working with a Local Government Working Group on Gambling (LGWGOG) exploring ways to minimise the harm of gambling in the community. It is also working with neighbouring Mitchell and Whittlesea councils on a joint project, investigating how the Victorian planning system, including relevant policies, Acts and organisations, can support new communities to build resilience in the first years of their development.

Seniors step up Exercise parks built specifically for senior citizens, including one located at Thomastown, can significantly improve older people’s physical and mental health, according to a new study. Research carried out by the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) has found that the exercise parks help seniors to sustain these health improvements in the long-term. As part of the study, 80 people aged 60 years and older underwent a three-month structured, supervised physical activity program using the Seniors Exercise Park equipment, which has been designed for older people. This was followed up with six months unstructured, independent use of the exercise parks. Participants were assessed when they started out, at three months and nine months and were evaluated for physical activity, physical function and health-related quality of life measures.

At three months, many participants recorded significant increases in physical activity levels, physical function, self-rated quality of life. They also had a reduced fear of falls, less depressive symptoms and felt less lonely. NARI Professor Pazit Levinger said participants in the ENJOY Seniors Exercise increased their physical activity levels “from sedentary to being sufficiently active to gain health benefits”. “The excellent physical gain benefits we saw at three months were sustained at the nine-month mark,” Professor Levinger said. “People continued to use the exercise park without a supervised program. Not only were they motivated, they enjoyed the equipment and the socialising opportunities. “This sustained engagement provides promising results for the potential benefits of scaling up the ENJOY program to reach a greater number of older people.”

Ray Matthew using the Seniors Exercise Park at Central Park, Hoppers Crossing. (Supplied)

Congratulations to all of the lucky winners in our Take off with Avalon competition! Thanks to Avalon, Style E Hair Studio, Williams Landing Shopping Centre, Altona IGA, Werribee Football Club, Deer Park IGA and Chemist Discount Centre Altona for donating some fantastic prizes to give away to our readers!

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Out and about Funfields is bringing back the fun with the aquatic park reopening after a hiatus during the COVID-19 lockdown. Funfields welcomed back patrons last month. Star Weekly photographer Damjan Janevski caught up with some of the people looking to cool down in the water attractions, try their hand at mini golf or enjoy some good old-fashioned fun on the park’s many rides.

JARROD WITH SONS JORDAN, 3, AND MASON, 5

(Pictures: Damjan Janevski) 222764

FUNFIELDS GUARDS BIANCA, TOM AND DARCIE

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By Tara Murray Job-generating projects and transport infrastructure are needed to help Melbourne’s north recover from the impacts of COVID-19, according to a new report. The latest Northern Horizons report, produced by economic development body NORTH Link and the Northern Councils Alliance, outlines a 50-year strategy urging job-creating infrastructure to help new industries to fill the gap in the job market. The region has been heavily affected by COVID-19, with about 80,000 jobs lost during the pandemic. NORTH Link and northern councils, including Hume and Whittlesea, say that

Poppy appeal

Blueprint for jobs By Tara Murray Job-generating projects and transport infrastructure are needed to help Melbourne’s north recover from the impacts of COVID-19, according to a new report. The latest Northern Horizons report, produced by economic development body NORTH Link and the Northern Councils Alliance, outlines a 50-year strategy urging job-creating infrastructure to help new industries to fill the gap in the job market. The region has been heavily affected by COVID-19, with about 80,000 jobs lost during the pandemic. NORTH Link and northern councils, including Hume and Whittlesea, say that economic confidence and jobs are needed urgently. The report identifies short and long-term infrastructure investments needed to stimulate job creation in the region. Among the key short-term projects is making the La Trobe NEIC [National Employment and Innovation Cluster] a Victorian government Priority Precinct; the continued development of metropolitan activity centres at Epping, Broadmeadows and Cloverton; building major activity centres in places such as Sunbury; the expansion of the Melbourne Market at Epping; increased mental health support services; and committed construction of community hospitals in Whittlesea, Craigieburn and Sunbury. Short-term transport projects include bringing forward Suburban Rail Loop construction in the north to connect precincts; the construction of the Beveridge Intermodal Freight Terminal; completing the Outer Metropolitan Ring Road and E6 business case; bus network changes; railway station upgrades including Broadmeadows; and outer north arterial roads including the Bulla Bypass. These projects are expected to bring thousands of jobs to the area, according to the report. In the medium term, the construction of the Outer Metropolitan Ring Road and E6 , Wollert rail extension and new hospital – likely in the Hume corridor – are key items. Report taskforce chair and Hume chief executive Domenic Isola said there is still a lot of work to be done in the north. He said the region’s rate of population growth meant there was a “large and rapdily growing” need for new infrastructure and services.

Poppy appeal Craigieburn War Memorial and Remembrance Committee is asking the local community to get behind Remembrance Day by putting poppies out to mark the day. Committee president Kevin O’Callaghan said with normal Remembrance Day services unable to go ahead because of COVID-19, the group was looking at different ways to remember those who served. He expects Remembrance Day to be quieter than usual. “We’re friends of the RSL, so anything we do has to be in accordance with the RSL,” he said. “It’s not likely to be a big service unless things change dramatically. “We’ll look at what we did on Anzac Day. The flags will be up at the memorial and we’ll look to get people involved through a live service on Facebook.” Mr O’Callaghan said one way the community could get involved was by placing poppies in front yards or mail boxes from the start of November. “We would love to see kids painting poppies on a rock or put poppies outside where people can see then and then send us photos. “It’s good to get the kids involved. People really got behind Anzac Day [light up the dawn] hopefully people will do this and send through photos to us.” This year’s poppy appeal has also gone online. Details: https://poppyappeal.com. au/

(Supplied)

Craigieburn War Memorial and Remembrance Committee is asking

CHARLOTTE, 3

Tara Murray

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11 NORTHERN STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 December, 2020

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

The coronavirus chronicle The lollipop lady waiting for children who never come, a chilling experience of a COVID ward, families separated by borders. Together Apart: Life in Lockdown is a coffee table book about Melbourne’s experiences during the coronavirus pandemic. Altona photographer Jude van Daalen and journalist Belinda Jackson live next door to each other and together they documented 60 stories. The book is available now. Details: lockdownstories.com.au The auThors: “Like so many others, I felt more isolated than I’d ever felt before. I needed connection, and taking these photographs was a way to reach into our community and bring people together.” – Jude van Daalen “Although we live side-by-side, Jude and I weren’t allowed into each other’s houses until the week before we went to print. So this book was co-authored virtually, through hundreds of phone calls, thousands of emails and a gazillion WhatsApp and text messages zapped between our home offices, 20 metres apart.” – Belinda Jackson

The DocTor: “More than 3500 healthcare workers have been infected. A lot of us have burnt out from working so many months without time off, so those of us who are healthy are all trying to cover their shifts.” – hany

The hopscoTchers: Sadie taught her little sister Layla to hopscotch on a chalk-drawn obstacle course, which they refreshed after each downpour. They often received little notes in their letterbox from parents, thanking them for a diversion on their daily walks.

The Bear hunTers: “We have gone on many bike rides around our neighbourhood during lockdown, and have been delighted to see all the teddy bears in the windows of so many houses; the Teddy Bear Hunt is such a lovely idea, and a bit of comfort in an uncertain world.” – erica

The Boxer: “My partner and I were going to elope to New Zealand on March 30, but when the NZ prime minister put an isolation policy into place on March 14, we couldn’t stick to our original plans. So we cancelled work and beat the self-isolation policy by 12 hours. We were married on top of a mountain near Queenstown. Just my wife and I.” – cameron

The heaDsTanDers: “Headstands are just a fun thing we like to do together and it’s a great practice for our balancing and core strength. For now, our back and front yards are our go-to locations. It makes people smile when they walk past and see us upside down, like the world is right now.” – emma & carla The LoLLipop LaDy: “Each day, I wait patiently for children to arrive and greet them with a smile, but it has become a long wait. You feel isolated wearing a mask, and you cannot see or give smiles, just mutter, ‘Hello’.” – sue 12 NORTHERN STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 December, 2020

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

NEWS

MY PLACE Having worked in many places, including New York, Loren Peavey is excited to be the first principal of Keelonith Primary School in Greenvale, which will open next year. She speaks with Tara Murray. What’s your teaching background? I’ve been teaching 32 years. I started in the Macedon Ranges, before taking on some consultation work for the Department of Education and worked right across Victoria. I then worked in New York City and in the Bronx. I then came back to Victoria and have been an assistant principal and principal the last five years at Romsey Primary School. What attracted you to the role at Keelonith Primary School?

(Damjan Janevski) 221804_01

It’s a supported inclusion school. It’s a brand new type of school and universally designed for every single student. Every child has every opportunity to be the best that they can be. That is the belief for the school. The enrolments allow for up 10 per cent of students who have an intellectual disability. All students learn from each other and there are no labels. It’s based on equality for everyone. Before taking on this role, did you have much connection with the Greenvale and Hume community? I was acting principal at Roxburgh Park and decided that I liked the area. It’s the perfect location and perfect that it worked out well. What impact do you want to leave on not only the school community, but the community as a whole? I want to set up the culture from the beginning and build from the ground up. The motto

of the school is learning without limits. We don’t put any limits. We want everyone to feel comfortable in the school, not just the kids, the staff and parents. Everyone is a learner in our school. There is a lot of talk about inclusion and people are showing apathy to be inclusive. I want to be at the forefront of changing opinions

and values.

been able to speak or meet every family so far.

How are things looking ahead of the school opening?

What are some things you’re interested in outside of teaching?

We aren’t huge, but it’s a good size. We can build together and get to know each other. I’ve

I love plants and succulents, knitting and I’m into yoga.

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Plan. Act. Survive. Go to emergency.vic.gov.au

Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne 12468496-SN51-20

13 NORTHERN STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 December, 2020

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

FROM THE ARCHIVES Star Weekly looks back through the pages of our predecessors

15 years ago

10 years ago

5 years ago

December 13, 2005

December 14, 2010

December 15, 2015

New unemployment figures could be masking the extent of problems for the jobless in the City of Whittlesea, according to Scullin MP Harry Jenkins.

Secret gardens: Unearth some hidden treasures.

Descendants of one of Mernda’s pioneering families fear an historic Mayfield home is being left to rot as Woolworths stalls on plans for Mernda’s town centre.

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14 NORTHERN STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 December, 2020

STAR WEEKLY FEATURE

(iStock)

Proof of the pudding is in the eating

By the mid-1600s, plum pudding was sufficiently associated with Christmas that when puritan Oliver Cromwell came to power in 1647 he had it banned, along with yule logs, carol-singing and nativity scenes, as pagan. Thankfully, that thinking has long been well and truly been dismissed, with a Christmas pud (served with cream or brandy custard) the embodiment of Christmas dessert – no matter how hot the day. Baby boomers will remember well the tradition of adding threepences, sixpences and florins into the pudding, with kids vying for the biggest haul. Once decimal currency arrived, that tradition was sadly lost due to

the different metals used, but the making of the pud each year is still a tradition in many households. Sisters Robyn Flatman, 74, and Sharyn Epps, 72, life-long Braybrook/Sunshine residents, make Christmas puddings every single year – some to give away, some to treat the extended family. The delicious puddings are made the old-time way, boiled in a cloth then hung for weeks in a cool place to mature. Although artisan Christmas puddings are now readily available, the homemade variety prepared with love and care always seems to taste best. Robyn and Sharyn have kindly shared their recipe with Star Weekly readers.

Christmas puddings, handmade with love and care. (Pictures: Supplied)

BOILED CHRISTMAS PUDDING Ingredients: 1¾ cup (250g) coarsely chopped seeded dates 1½ cup (240g) dried currants ¾ cup (120g) sultanas ¾ cup (120g) chopped raisins 1 ⁄3 cup Cointreau ½ tsp baking soda and 1 tbsp boiling water 250g softened butter 2¼ cup firmly packed dark brown sugar 4 eggs 1 cup plain flour 1 tsp ground ginger 4 cups stale breadcrumbs Method: 1. Combine fruit and Cointreau in large bowl, add soda and water, mix well. Cover overnight at room temperature. 2. Beat butter and sugar in medium bowl until just combined, add eggs one at a time, beating only until combined. 3. Stir butter mixture into fruit mixture, then sifted flour and ginger plus breadcrumbs. 4. Boil a 60cm unbleached calico square for one minute, squeeze out water, then rub flour in a 40cm diameter area (thicker in the centre). 5. Wrap mixture (patted into ball shape) in the calico square. Tie tightly, close as possible to mixture, with kitchen string. 6. Lower pudding onto a plate in rapidly boiling water in tightly covered pot. Boil for 6 hours, replenishing boiling water as required. 7. Boil for another 2 hours prior to serving.

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15 NORTHERN STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 December, 2020

PUZZLES SUDOKU

No. 007

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

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS

easy

2 5 4 9

1 8 3

8 7 5 4

7 2 6 5 7 2 9 4 5 1 7 2 8 6

3 2 1 8 4 2 6 medium

3 1 6

8

11 12 15 16 18 20 21 23 25 26 27 28

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 13 14 17 19 20 22 24 25

Donated (11) Country with capital Jakarta (9) Suburb of Melbourne (7) Meaning (10) Adolescent (4) Island in the North Atlantic (7) Leaves out (5) Annoy (3) Fruit scooping tool (5,6) Skill of writing by hand (10) Purpose (9) Name of desert in Central Australia (7) Pilot (7) Shine (5) Conceal (4) High tennis shot (3)

DECODER

No. 007

8

9 1 2 3 7 9

6 3

DOWN

Tweeted (7) Capital of Libya (7) Push gently (5) – the Great, Prussian king (1712-1786) (9) Mobile phone sound (8) Kidnap payment (6) Wild ox (5) Exercise machine (9) Change (9) English soccer team, – Villa (5) Aspirations (6) Emblem (8) Key expert (9) Test (5) Equilibrium (7) Associate (7)

1 5 9 10

No. 007

6 7 3

7 4

9 2 6 1 7 1 9 5

5 2

hard

5 6

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8

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10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Y

19

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22

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24

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26

2

3

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7

8

9

10

11

12

13

9-LETTER WORD 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 words ending in “s”.

E

I

Today’s Aim: 19 words: Good 29 words: Very good 39 words: Excellent

C

L

D

C O

O

R

3 LETTERS ADO ALE ANT APT ARE ART CAM CHI EGO EKE ERA ERR IDS IRS MOO ODE OPT RED REV SAC TNT URN UTE VIA 4 LETTERS EDGE EMIR GEED HINT KING KISS MESS PASS SOBS TIDY USED USES VARY WASH 5 LETTERS ADAGE

ALIAS APPLE APTER ATONE AWAKE AWARE BELCH BESET DETER DODGE DOERS DREAD EDGED EDGER EERIE EGGED GENRE GIDDY HANDS HARMS IDIOM KARAT

No. 007

LAMER LASER LEDGE MADAM MOANS NOBLE OKING OLIVE PLIES POSED PRESS REEDS RIOTS SADES SALAD SENDS SMELT SPARE STAIN STARE STAVE TENTS

TIARA VERGE VISTA WASPS WEIRD

FONDEST LISPING MONSOON REVVING RIBBING

6 LETTERS REELED REMADE RESIDE SENDER

8 LETTERS AVERAGED DEFINITE DWINDLED MOLESTED

7 LETTERS EDDYING

ceorl, cicero, cider, circle, circled, cleric, clod, code, coil, coiled, cold, colder, cole, colic, cooed, cool, cooled, cooler, coolie, cord, core, cored, credo, cried, CROCODILE, deco, decor, dice, dicer, docile, iced, lice, loci, loco, locoed, oleic, recoil, relic, rice

18-12-20

9 1 3 8 2 5 6 4 7

9 4 2 6 3 1 5 8 7

3 1 7 4 5 8 9 6 2

5 6 8 2 9 7 4 3 1

6 5 9 3 1 4 2 7 8

7 3 1 8 2 5 6 4 9

2 8 4 7 6 9 1 5 3

4 7 5 9 8 2 3 1 6

8 2 3 1 4 6 7 9 5

1 9 6 5 7 3 8 2 4

6 8 5 9 4 7 1 3 2

4 7 2 1 6 3 9 8 5

1 4 7 6 5 2 3 9 8

2 9 8 4 3 1 7 5 6

5 3 6 7 9 8 2 1 4

3 2 4 5 1 6 8 7 9

8 6 9 3 7 4 5 2 1

7 5 1 2 8 9 4 6 3

6 9 5 4 2 1 7 8 3

8 1 2 9 3 7 5 4 6

3 7 4 5 8 6 2 9 1

9 3 6 8 1 5 4 7 2

4 5 8 7 6 2 1 3 9

1 2 7 3 9 4 6 5 8

7 8 1 2 4 3 9 6 5

5 6 9 1 7 8 3 2 4

2 4 3 6 5 9 8 1 7

$70

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16 NORTHERN STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 December, 2020

X

1

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

5

18

hard

4

17

medium

3

16

easy

2

15

4 3 8 9 6 3 5 6 8

1

G S N F Q P J Z B H C A V

1

T D LWKO R I ME U Y X

4 3 6

14

9 7 3 2 6 4 9 5 8 1 7 2 8 6

WORDFIT

KIDS’ CHRISTMAS CORNER

ALL CONTENT ©PAGEMASTERS PTY LTD, THE PUZZLE MASTERS

KIDS’ QUIZ

Junior crossword

1

Which vegetable is known as a kumara in New Zealand?

6

Which dinosaur had three horns on its head?

2

What are the names of the twins Dove Cameron played in the Disney TV show?

7

What’s the name of Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande’s new single?

8

3

True or false: dolphins are mammals?

Tiramisu is a cold, layered dessert, but what flavour is it?

4

In which country would you find the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

9

Who (pictured) plays the role of Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games?

5

Earth is located in which galaxy?

10 What country did Christmas trees originate from?

Solve all the clues and an eight-letter word will be spelled out.

ANSWERS: 1. Sweet Potato 2. Liv and Maddie 3. True 4. Italy 5. The Milky Way galaxy 6. Triceratops 7. Rain On Me 8. Coffee 9. Jennifer Lawrence 10. Germany

WORD WREATH Can you work out what the missing letter is that spells an 8-letter word? It could read either clockwise or anti-clockwise.

?

N

E

I

R E

Joyful, smiling

5

2

St Nick’s sleigh is full of precious _____

Child’s toy, name of famous country singer

6

Mr. Claus

3

What you do to a candle

7

Mmm, delicious!

4

Short-legged breed of dog

8

Presents

ANSWERS: HAPPY, CARGO, LIGHT, CORGI, DOLLY, SANTA, YUMMY, GIFTS (HOLIDAYS)

D

1

EASY SUDOKU

R

1 2 4 8

ANSWER

2 3 5 7 9 8 4 1 6

4 8 9 3 6 1 7 2 5

8 6 3 9 1 2 5 4 7

5 9 2 6 4 7 8 3 1

7 4 1 8 3 5 2 6 9

6 2 7 4 8 9 1 5 3

9 5 4 1 7 3 6 8 2

3 1 8 2 5 6 9 7 4

All blank squares must be filled in using numbers from 1 to 9. Each number can only appear once in each row, column and in the nine 3x3 blocks.

1 7 6 5 2 4 3 9 8

ANSWER: The missing letter is E and the 8-letter word is REINDEER.

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

6 9 4 2 5 3 2 7 9 1 2 6 8 4 8 5 7 8 2 6 2 4 9 3 2 4 6 5

ANSWERS: 1. Star on tree 2. Left present colour 3. Gift tag colour 4. Bauble missing 5. Right present ribbon colour

WORD STEP SALE ____

Q. What do elves do after school? A. Their gnome-work!

____ ____

Complete the list by changing one letter at a time to create a new word at each step. There may be more than one solution. ANSWERS: SALE, SALT, SILT, SIFT, GIFT

christmas cracker joke

GIFT 17 NORTHERN STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 December, 2020

ALL CONTENT ©PAGEMASTERS PTY LTD, THE PUZZLE MASTERS

ENTERTAINMENT CROSSWORD

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

T

H

WORD FIND

DOWN US reality series, Blood, Sweat & – (5) 3 Originally presented by Peter Cundall, – Australia (9) 4 Maeve O’Meara’s Food – (6) 5 2017 Claire Foy film, the directorial debut of Andy Serkis (7) 6 The voice of Bart Simpson, – Cartwright (5) 8 Recurring character in Riverdale, Sweet – (3) 9 Jack Black and Michael Cera’s 2009 comedy movie, – One (4) 11 Character played by Gerard Butler and Klaus Kinski (7) 12 Dome-headed supervillain in The Lego Batman Movie (7) 13 This French premium TV channel is a plus (5) 16 An upcoming BritishAmerican action TV series, – of London (5)

2

The leftover letters will spell out a secret message.

SOLUTIONS ALL PUZZLES ©PAGEMASTERS PTY LTD

24 11

25 12

26 13

CODEWORD WORDFIND Secret message: wake up

4x4 ACROSS

DOWN

1 Adolescent 5 Suffix with soft or hard 6 Egyptian god 7 Chap

1 Stick 2 Simplicity 3 Irish girl’s name 4 Bird’s home

ANSWER: ACROSS: 1. Teen, 5. Ware, 6. Isis, 7. Gent. DOWN: 1. Twig, 2. Ease, 3. Erin, 4. Nest.

4. In which war is Catch-22 set? A. Gulf War B. Vietnam War C. World War I D. World War II

10

2. What was the name of Clooney’s character in ER? A. Ross Dean B. Dave Reid C. Ryan Douglas D. Doug Ross

23

3. What are the names of Clooney’s twins? A. Elthan and Alexandra B. Anna and Edward C. Ella and Alexander D. Evan and Ally

SOUP TEA WAFFLE YOGHURT

9

1. How many times has Clooney won ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ title? A. One B. Two C. Three D. Four

22

GEORGE CLOONEY

MUESLI MUFFIN OATMEAL ORANGE JUICE PORRIDGE SNACK

8

CROISSANT EAT EGGS HAM LOX MILK

7

BACON BRAN BUFFET COFFEE CORNFLAKES CREPE

21

Secret message:

20

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW...

ANSWER: 1B, 2D, 3C, 4C.

18 NORTHERN STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 December, 2020

13

6

30

12

19

29

11

5

27

10

18

23

9

4

22

8

17

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7

3

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5

2

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3

C Q F L Y VM Z P X E K G

10

2

1

7

1

AWU B R I J DN S O T H

5

Colourful entertainers (3,7) Matt Damon’s (pictured) amnesiac assassin (6) Quiz show where contestants answer with a question (8) Creator of Bridget Jones, Helen – (8) Couples look to – to the Country (6) Home town of North Norfolk Digital radio DJ Alan Partridge (7) Ben Kingsley’s 1982 bio-pic (6) London’s famous film studio (6) Kim’s “second best friend” (6) Steve Martin, Chevy Chase and Martin Short played the Three – (6) Eric Bana’s 2000 Australian movie (7) Featured guest stars Kate Winslet and Samuel L. Jackson (6) Harrison Ford’s 2006 American-Australian crime thriller (8) 1979 horror film remade in 2006, When a – Calls (8)

32 The third Mad Max movie, – Thunderdome (6) 33 What are Embry, Quil and Leah in the Twilight Saga? (10)

Each number corresponds to a letter. Can you crack the code?

14

1

18 Gimme Some Truth is a doco about the making of which famous album? (7) 19 He’s off to see the Wizard, if he can remember (9) 20 Animated US TV comedy series that first ran in 1965, – Ramjet (6) 21 Cold country in which Trapped is set (6) 24 2010 US legal drama starring Jimmy Smits (6) 25 Louis C.K. animated comedy, The Secret Life of – (4) 26 Erik Thomson’s 2005 Aussie drama series, The – (5) 28 Kevin Costner golf comedy, – Cup (3) 31 Crime series starring Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh, Killing – (3)

ENTERTAINMENT CROSSWORD

ACROSS

CODEWORD

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SPORT Three Calder Cannons players drafted Two diehard Bombers supporters have been recruited to Essendon as three Calder Cannons players found homes on AFL lists. Josh Eyre and Cody Brand found their way to Essendon, which they already had links with, while Matthew Allison joins St Kilda. Allison was the first Cannon drafted, with the Saints taking him at pick 26, their first pick in the draft. Speaking before the draft, Allison said he had put in a lot of work throughout the pre-season and during lockdown to try and make an impact. Among those to call Allison on draft night was St Kilda coach Brett Ratten. In vision shown by St Kilda, Allison, who played for Strathmore, couldn’t get the smile off his face. St Kilda head of list management James Gallagher said: “Matthew is a mobile forward who can also play down back. He’s a good kick and athletic and has great running capacity”. Eyre and Brand, who were both Next

Generation Academy [NGA] members with the Bombers, had a few nervous moments when opposition club’s selected them. Richmond picked Eyre at pick 39, which the Bombers quickly matched. From Kilmore, Eyre is a key forward who grew up a Bombers supporter idolising Matthew Lloyd and basing his game off Joe Daniher. Bombers list manager Adrian Dodoro said they knew there was interest in both Eyre and Brand. “When he [Eyre] was bidded by Richmond, it was incumbent on us to keep him at our footy club. “We couldn’t let him slip through and he’s a really good talent, he is going to excite our fans for many years to come.” Brand had a few nervous moments when his name was called out at pick 53. The Western Bulldogs selected Brand, and after what seemed like an eternity, it was announced the Bombers had matched the bid for the defender. Speaking before the draft, Brand, who played

for the Sunbury Lions, said playing for the Bombers would be a dream come true. “I grew up supporting Essendon and we’re an Essendon family through dad’s bloodline,” he said. “It would honestly be a dream come true to play for the Bombers … But I’m open to any club. “Anywhere would be a dream come true for me to play the sport I love, and do it professionally at the highest level. “I dreamt about it as a little kid running around the backyard.” Brand, a key defender, models his game on his mentor and Essendon legend Dustin Fletcher. Dodoro said Brand was the best Vic metro defender in the draft. “Cody is one of those guys who has amazing athleticism,” he said. “He could play on a wing, half-back, half-forward, pinch hit in the ruck, again too exciting to let go.” Tara Murray

Cox a top 10 draft pick By Tara Murray Northern Knights duo Nik Cox and Liam McMahon put in plenty of hours of hard work during lockdown and it paid off on Wednesday. Both were taken in the AFL draft by Essendon and Collingwood respectively. Cox, who was co-captain of the Knights this year, didn’t have to wait to hear his name called out, with Essendon using the first of its three picks in a row in the top 10 to pick the utility. Essendon list manager Adrian Dodoro said the most exciting thing about Cox, who was taken at pick eight, was that they didn’t know what his ceiling is. “He has an amazing engine, is super quick and kicks both sides of his body,” he said. “He’ll run around like a midfielder. Not having seen these boys playing this year we don’t know where they could have got to. “We thought he could have been higher in the draft had he played. “We’ve lost a lot of talls over the last few years and we really wanted to replenish the list in this draft and I think we did a good job of doing that.” While many people remain unsure of Cox’s best position, the man himself sees himself as a defender. “I think centre half-back or half-back flank in an interceptor role down back, that’s where I feel most comfortable and can be most damaging in that position,” he said before the draft. “I’ve watched a lot of Darcy Moore. I think he is a pretty similar player, over 200cm and really athletic, really co-ordinated, uses the ball well and makes good decisions. “He just plays that role down back where he can lockdown, but can also peel off, set up really well for the players in front of him.” McMahon soon realised his dream, with Collingwood taking him at pick 31. Collingwood national recruiting manager Derek Hine said McMahon helped fill a need. The Magpies have been crying out for key forwards, a role that McMahon can play. “He’s a key forward or key back, a really athletic boy,” Hine said. “He has a unique skill for someone his size. He has some real tools to work with.” McMahon worked hard during lockdown and put on seven kilograms to help with his game. He performed personal bests in all three of the tests at the combine in the lead-up to the draft. It was disappointment for co-captain Ewan Macpherson who wasn’t selected. The son of Steve Macpherson, who played 22 NORTHERN STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 December, 2020

Nik Cox was drafted by Essendon. (Damjan Janevski)

188 games for the Bulldogs, was nominated as a possible father-son pick. No club selected him in the national draft, with the Dogs choosing not to select him as a

rookie-draft selection under the father-son rule. Fellow Knight Liam Kolar, who also tested at the combine, also missed out on selection.

Matthew Allison. (AFL Photos)

2021 season start revealed Northern Football League players will have the first two weekends of April next year circled in the calendar, as they finally get to return to the field. After the 2020 season was cancelled due to COVID-19, footballers have been eagerly returning to training in preparation for the 2021 season. Two division 2 matches will be played on Good Friday, with every other team kicking off the following weekend. The top two divisions will have 10 teams each and have a top-five finals series, while division 3 will have eight teams and have a top-four finals series. Each team will play 18 home-and-away games. In division 1, Northcote Park will host Montmorency under lights on April 9 to kick off matches in that division. The other teams will all play the following day. Whittlesea will finally get to unveil its division 2 premiership flag when it hosts Greensborough. West Preston-Lakeside will host Bundoora, Heidelberg takes on Hurstbridge and North Heidelberg plays Macleod. There will be a split round in round 14, with finals to begin on August 28, and the grand final to be played on September 18. Division 2 will have two matches played on Good Friday. Eltham will host St Mary’s to kick-start the season at the usual 2.10pm time slot, with Epping to host Thomastown in a twilight match. Those teams will play two games in round one, before getting a bye later in the season. In other round one matches to be played the following weekend, Fitzroy Stars will host Banyule, Lower Plenty plays Epping, St Mary’s will take on Watsonia, Thomastown takes on Eltham and Panton Hill plays Diamond Creek. Finals will start on August 21, with the grand final scheduled for September 11. Division 3 will get under way under lights on April 9, when Heidelberg West hosts Old Eltham Collegians. The remainder of the division 3 round matches will be played the following day, with Laurimar playing Kilmore, Mernda hosting Lalor and Reservoir taking on South Morang. Finals will start on August 21, with the grand final to be held on September 4.

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Rivergum makes a flying start to the season There’s bad news for Rivergum’s rivals in the North Metro Cricket Association Jika Shield. After four rounds the Kookas have had their best start in a number of years and are yet to be at full strength this season. Kookas captain-coach Matt Perri said they were happy with their performance so far. “We’re normally slow starters, so to be 3-1 is good for us. It’s probably been three or four years since we started this well. We had one hiccup, but we were able to bounce back. “We’re getting games into players now which is good.” Perri said everyone had been keen to get back on the field after being in COVID-19 lockdown for so long and that showed in the early rounds and at training. The skipper, who made 74 in the last outing, said the key for the Kookas had been getting an even contribution across the board.

He said everyone was playing their role and having a number of high quality bowlers continued to be a strength. But he said batting collapses in each of their first three games was one area that needed work. In their last game, the Kookas moved Scott Morley up to number three, where he made 50. “Scott Morley had made a few not outs coming in at number seven or eight,” Perri said. “We thought we would give him a shot at number three and he did the job. “He used to open the batting, but has slotted down the order as he’s got older. We had him up our sleeves.” The Kookas, last season’s premiers, are only going to get stronger in the coming weeks, with a number of premiership players still to return. Kyl Ewart has played just one game this season, while James Bonnici and Kasey May are yet to feature. Corey Altis has returned to bowling the past

couple of matches, after being restricted in the first rounds. Nathan Bourke, a junior at the club, has returned from sub-district cricket, and is one player to step up in their absence. He took three wickets at the weekend. Morley is the other major addition after playing in the lower grades last season. Perri hopes they can continue their good form in the two rounds remaining before Christmas. Rivergum played Holy Trinity on Saturday. “Those games before Christmas are important to win,” he said. “We’ll go one week at a time and tick them off. “If we continue to play our cricket the results should take care of themselves.” Tara Murray

Warriors’ positive start By Tara Murray Westmeadows is happy, but not satisfied, with its start to the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division season. In the top grade for the first time, the Warriors sit 2-1 after three rounds, having beaten Keilor and Yarraville Club. The team sits sixth, equal on points with four teams above them. Only top-placed Sunshine United is undefeated. Warriors captain-coach Tarek Moughanie said things were heading in the right direction. “It’s good to be on the positive side of the register,” he said. “We were really disappointed to lose the first game of the year and there could be ramifications that could come back to bite us later in the season. “But I think our best cricket is coming after Christmas. There’s strong signs and we’re heading in the right direction.” Moughanie was pleased with the victory against Yarraville Club, which made last season’s grand final. While the Clubbers don’t have as strong a team as in the past, they still have some quality players. “It was the best we’ve bowled all year,” Moughanie said. “Chinthaka Jayasinghe and Danny put on over 100 at the top which went a long way to setting it up nicely.” Moughanie said it had been pleasing to see a number of different players step up and play their roles when needed. He had hoped that some of the younger players would rise to the higher level and the likes of Clayton Campbell and Aaron Evans had done that so far. He expects them to continue to do so. “It’s good to see different players stand up each week,” he said. “Our fielding has mostly been pretty good.” Moughanie said the biggest challenge for his side was learning to become a better one-day bowling side. “The key is how to play one-day cricket,” he said “We have a lot of aggressive players. “From a bowling perspective, that is the area we will improve the most in. We are better bowling as a two-day team, it’s about learning to curb when to have that aggressive nature. “When we get there, we’ll certainly climb the ladder.” Moughanie said they were happy with the batting line-up and said their top six is one of the strongest in the competition. He said they have more to give with the batting. They had lost late wickets in both their wins, with the victory in sight, while himself and recruit Malith Cooray are yet to fire a shot with the bat. Both made runs this week in other competitions, giving them a chance to spend some time in the middle and they will be hoping to convert that form into the one-day competition. The Warriors played St Albans at the weekend.

Rivergum’s Liam Henkel. (Shawn Smits) 201635_08

Warriors open T20 account Westmeadows got its first win of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association T20 competition, but it’s unlikely to be enough to automatically qualify for finals. Facing the past season’s runners-up Sunbury in the second round of the Ponsford group, the Warriors made 6-111 from their overs with skipper Tarek Moughanie making 44. Sunbury fell just short, finishing 6-103. Greenvale Kangaroos, who had a bye on Tuesday, sit ahead of the Warriors on percentage. The Warriors have the bye in the final round, while the Kangaroos face Sunbury. Royal Park Brunswick, which won both of its matches, is through to the finals, with all three Woodfull pool rounds having been played already. In the Simpson group, Altona North kept its finals hopes alive with a win against Altona Roosters. Spotswood, which had the bye, will face Altona North in round three for a spot in the finals. In the Waugh group, a win by St Francis de Sales against St Andrews Pascoe Vale secured a finals spot having won both their games. In the Ponting group, Sunshine United and Sunshine will play for a finals spot in round three, after Sunshine beat Sunshine YCW. The Doutta Stars opened its account with a win against Aberfeldie.The Doutta Stars will play Airport West St Christophers in round three, with the winner going through to the finals. Sanctuary Lakes made it two from two, with victory against Seabrook in the Taylor group. With two wins, it’s enough for Sanctuary Lakes to qualify for finals. A second win to Sydenham Hillside, this time against Tullamarine, has seen it qualify for the finals, with Haig Fawkner also joining them after two wins in the Lawry group. In the Hughes group, Newport Digman is through after winning both its matches. Gellibrand kept the finals race alive in the Paine group with victory against Grand United. A win to Gellibrand in round three will give them a finals spot. Victory for Tarneit Central against Wyndhamvale was enough to secure a finals spot. In the Morris group, Strathmore defeated Keilor. Strathmore sits on top after two rounds, with a big percentage gap on Keilor Park. Bellbridge had a big win against Laverton to sit atop of the Bradman group. Tara Murray

Westmeadows bowler Dean Pitts. (Shawn Smits) 200646_09 23 NORTHERN STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 December, 2020

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