JANUARY 12, 2021 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
12476492-LB03-21
A year to never forget YEAR IN REVIEW ... STORY OF THE YEAR 2020 was a year like no other. It’s the year that “staying apart, kept us together”, that words like ‘rona’, ‘iso’ and ‘lockdown’ found their way into everyday language, strangers fought over toilet paper in supermarket aisles and we were shut off not only from the world, but our families, our friends, our neighbours. The coronavirus pandemic dominated headlines as it swept across the world, both dividing and uniting us. It has brought with it undeniable hardship and heartbreak, social and economic ramifications that will be felt for years to come. But it has also highlighted our fighting spirit, our compassion and an inspiring ability to adapt. Australia’s first confirmed case of coronavirus was identified in Victoria on January 25, 2020. At it’s peak, Victoria had 7000 active cases. We look back on how COVID-19 unfolded across the northern and western suburbs. By March 24, a drive-thru coronavirus clinic in Melton West was helping to ease the strain on local health services. More than 350 people were tested in the first two days the clinic was open. Meanwhile, local business groups called on residents to shop local as the impact of the virus hit hard. On March 31, more than a dozen cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Melton, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. The figures came as Victoria recorded its first deaths from the virus and stage three restrictions were introduced. By April, Melton and Moorabool councils announced a raft of stimulus measures to help residents though the ongoing pandemic. Melton council put discussions for its draft 2020-21 budget on hold and mayor Lara Carli unveiled a series of support measures for the community. On April 21, the spread of COVID-19 was brought to a virtual standstill across Melton and Moorabool, with only one new case identified. But on May 5, three new cases in Melton served as a reminder that the pandemic
Nurses Tiffany Chuo and Jenny Copes test for COVID-19. (Marco De Luca)
was far from over. On May 12, the Grant Lodge nursing home in Bacchus Marsh went into lockdown after a staff member tested positive, and two McDonald’s restaurants in Melton were among 12 across Melbourne’s north-west to be shut down for deep cleaning on May 19, following a truck driver testing positive. On May 20, Melton council approved an assistance package for residents affected by the pandemic due to loss of income or job, with the new measures to come into effect immediately. It came as Premier Daniel Andrews began to wind back restrictions. In June, the Victorian Football League and Essendon District Football League both announced a start date for their 2020 season. But on July 7, after weeks of low numbers,
active cases in Melton jumped and Albanvale was one of 10 Victorian hotspots back in lockdown. On July 14, while Melton and the rest of metropolitan Melbourne returned to stage three lockdown measures, Moorabool was exempt. Police and ADF personnel monitored a ‘ring of steel’ preventing unauthorised travel from one region to the other. By the end of July, Melton was among the worst affected regions in Melbourne battling the pandemic with 211 active cases. Despite being outside of the lockdown region, Moorabool had a sharp rise in virus cases, with nine cases. On August 4, Mr Andrews declared a ‘State of Disaster’ for Victoria and introducesd a raft of new restrictions, including a curfew and a five kilometre radius. As metropolitan Melbourne
entered strict stage four restrictions. Melton had 583 active cases. Moorabool had 17. Numbers began to stabilise across the state throughout August but the 2020 Djerriwarrh Festival and Lakeside Alive were cancelled. At the end of September the state’s roadmap to COVID recovery was clearer, with a number of restrictions lifted. On-site schooling resumed for VCE, VCAL and primary school students from October 12. On October 27, Mr Andrews delayed a decision on lifting more restrictions while life was slowly returning to normal in Moorabool with more businesses and local services re-opening. On November 3 the ‘ring of steel’ was to be removed, including a police checkpoint on the Calder Freeway that divided Melton from Moorabool for months. 12476326-CG03-21
SECTION STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
Live or Invest by the sea at one of holiday lifestyle’s amazing locations Phillip Island | St Leonards | Portland | Wyndham Cove
Contact Holiday Lifestyle today! www.holidaylifestyle.com.au | sales@holidaylifestyle.com.au / Peter 0418 900 041
House & Land from just $350k Multiple Single & Double Story Plans • Invest 6% • owner occupiers • holiday homeowners
Inspection by appointment 656 O’Connors Road, Werribee South 12475483-CG03-21
2 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 12 January, 2021
YEAR IN REVIEW ... NEWS
STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
EPA toxic soil backflip DECEMBER 15 Melton and Moorabool councils are demanding an urgent review of the state government’s approval for toxic West Gate Tunnel soil to be dumped in Ravenhall and Bacchus Marsh after the state’s environmental watchdog admitted it may have lacked the legal grounds to sign off on the plans earlier this year. The Environment Protection Agency announced last week that it had begun taking steps to rescind the approval of the Environment Management Plan for Maddingley Brown Coal in Bacchus Marsh to receive the soil on the grounds it hadn’t met
all the conditions at the time it was signed off under new regulations. The decision came on the eve of a Supreme Court showdown with the Moorabool Environment Group and Bacchus Marsh Grammar school. The EPA then revealed on Friday that it was taking the same steps to scrap its approval for Melbourne Regional Landfill in Ravenhall and Hi-Quality in Bulla. A spokesperson said each of the plans had been thoroughly reviewed and approved on the basis EPA was satisfied they met the strict conditions designed to protect human health and the environment.
“For the avoidance of any doubt, EPA has now determined all three parties will need to submit new applications for consideration.” Melton mayor Kathy Majdlik said the “alarming admission” now raises serious concern about the approval process and Planning Minister Richard Wynne’s subsequent green light for the soil to be dumped. “The minister for planning must urgently review the state government’s own approval for toxic soil to be dumped in Ravenhall based on this development,” she said. “We cannot simply accept this approval from the state government after the EPA got its assessment so wrong.”
Lighting up the dark
Cr Majdlik said the failure in decision-making is an alarming admission from a regulator that is responsible for ensuring the safety of the environment and community. “How can we trust that the disposal of toxic soil will be managed effectively and safely?.” Moorabool council said the EPA backflip came as a “shock” to the council and it has requested the minister reverse the amendment to the Moorabool Planning Scheme. “The amendment relies heavily on the EPA approval that has been quashed,” the council said in a statement. “We are extremely disappointed in the level of incompetence in such a high risk project.”
Hope for homeless youth
JUNE 2 When Maddingley couple Bridie and Christopher Murphy noticed their son was unwell in May last year, they could not have imagined what the next 12 months would bring. Five-year-old Hunter is battling acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, meaning regular trips to the Royal Children’s Hospital and weeks of intensive treatment at a time. It’s more than any young child should have to endure. “It took about a month for us to get a diagnosis, because it presented as basically an infection at first,” Ms Murphy said. “He wasn’t eating or drinking and wasn’t getting better, and eventually a GP sent him to get some blood tests. We got a call about 10 at night from the pathologist telling us to take him straight into the hospital … he was in intensive care for about five days. “He had a blood transfusion and was on to chemo pretty quickly, and from there it’s been a long road. “It’s devastating. It’s hard to put into words, and it’s heartbreaking to see your child go through something like that. “He’s doing better now, back at school for the first time in nearly a year, but sometimes a quick trip to the hospital would mean a two week stay.” While Hunter was receiving treatment in the hospital, a visit from the Starlight Children’s Foundation gave the family a chance to brighten his day. Hunter’s one wish was for a new puppy for Five-year-old Hunter and his dog Rocky. (Damjan Janevski) the family – enter Rocky the dalmatian. “Hunter’s favourite movie is 101 Dalmatians his day to see Rocky when he comes home. Foundation for helping us. I think it’s a really and we’ve probably watched it 100 times in “It’s that light at the end of the tunnel … it’s special thing to help kids going through a hospital,” Ms Murphy said. “He’s [Rocky] been something to help in the tough times. tough time and bring some happiness and joy a great addition to the family, and it brightens “We’re really grateful to the Starlight into their life.”
JULY 28 A state-of-the-art youth homeless refuge is about to open its doors in Melton. The Hope Street First Response Youth Service will provide short-term crisis accommodation and 24/7 support to more than 100 young people (16-25 years old) and young families experiencing homelessness each year. Until now, the nearest refuge for homeless youth was in Sunshine. Hope Street chief executive Donna Bennett said it was a landmark moment for a sector that has unfortunately seen high demand for its services as the local population boom continues. “Our services will provide critical homelessness support to young people in Melbourne’s north-western growth corridors at a time when it is needed most, allowing them to receive the support they need whilst remaining connected to their local community.” Hope Street has been operating out of temporary accommodation for the past 15 months, and in that time, it has supported more than 140 young people. The new refuge is funded by the state government, built on land provided by Melton City Council and supported with cash and in-kind contributions from about 40 local businesses and philanthropic partners, as well as donations from community members. Melton mayor Lara Carli said improving support for the most vulnerable in the community was important for the growing region.
MELTON & MOORABOOL
Like us on Facebook
SPECIALISTS IN ALL PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS
GET THE POWER OF AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST INDEPENDENT
Work Cover TAC – Motor Vehicle Accidents Slipping & Tripping Claims Asbestos Claims Sexual Assault Claims
Nicholas Lyons
www.tyrepowermelton.com.au 146 High Street Melton 12478426-DL03-21
Terms & Conditions apply.
Ph: 9743 5592 *Conditions apply
Voted as one of the best lawyers and law firms in workcover and TAC claims in Victoria in 2018, 2019 and 2020 by Doyles Guide to the best lawyers in Australia. 33 Bakery Square, Melton
Phone: 5332 1584 (Ask about No Win No Fee)
12476624-CG03-21
January 1st - January 31st 2021
12475792-NG03-21
Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law
3 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 12 January, 2021
NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU Briefs
STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
CONTACT US
Road safety blitz
GENERAL SALES INQUIRIES westads@starweekly.com.au
Almost 220 speeding offences were recorded in Melton and Moorabool during Victoria Police’s Operation Roadwise, from December 18 until January 6. There was 272 infringement notices issued in Melton, including 142 for speeding offences, 49 for unregistered vehicles and 21 for unlicensed drivers. In Moorabool, there was 94 notices issued. Of those notices, 77 were speeding offences.
CLASSIFIEDS \ 1300 666 808 EMAIL \ sales@networkclassifieds.com.au
Celebrating community
PHONE \ 03 8318 5777 LOCATION \ Corner Thomsons Road and Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park, 3042 DISTRIBUTION \ 1300 656 678 distribution@fermax.com.au
ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR \ BEN SUTTON ben.sutton@starweekly.com.au
REAL ESTATE SALES DIRECTOR \ JACK GILLESPIE jack.gillespie@starweekly.com.au SENIOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER \ JONATHAN BAKER jonathan.baker@starweekly.com.au Mobile \ 0421 841 321 Office \ 03 8318 5763
EDITORIAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF \ LISA KORYCKI lisa.korycki@starweekly.com.au GENERAL EDITORIAL INQUIRIES westeditorial@starweekly.com.au COMMUNITY CALENDAR ENTRIES communitycalendar@starweekly.com.au
Published by MMP Star Pty Ltd ACN 168 220 399 Head Office Corner Thomsons Road and Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park, 3042 Publisher/Managing Director, Paul Thomas All material is copyright to MMP Star Pty Ltd. Responsibility for election comment is accepted by Paul Thomas. All significant errors will be corrected as quickly as possible. Distribution numbers, areas and coverage are estimates only. For our terms and conditions please visit starweekly.com.au
MacPherson Park.
Oval contracts signed The next stage of the redevelopment of MacPherson Park is a step closer with Melton council appointing a contractor for the second oval redevelopment. Local business McMahons Pty Ltd has been awarded the contract for the $2.45 million project which will include a new purpose-built, competition-standard sports ground with new turf table and all associated infrastructure, including new access road, car parking, sports ground lighting and other reserve landscaping. The council has also outlined plans to employ local contractors to complete lighting, paths, carpark and irrigation works. The oval is set to be ready later this year. The works will form part of the $6.5 million stage two redevelopment at MacPherson Park,
which will also include construction of a new multipurpose soccer pavilion, and a third rectangle pitch for rugby and gridiron. Stage two is funded by council, with the state government contributing $1.18 million towards the soccer pavilion. Stage one, which included new facilities for the main sports oval, was completed last year. Melton mayor Kathy Majdlik said the project would benefit the wider community and local jobs. “I’m really pleased that the best contractor for the job is also a local contractor who is supporting local workers.
Star Weekly is launching a new community page to celebrate all that is great about the people that call Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs home. So if you’ve got an event you would like to promote, a milestone to celebrate or an achievement you want to share, please send an email with your photos (be sure to include first names of everyone pictured) or event details by 9am each Wednesday to westeditorial@ starweekly.com.au.
Local sport Have you got a sports story to share? Send in your stories and photos (be sure to include names) by 9am each Wednesday to tara.murray@starweekly. com.au. Please ensure stories are no longer than 350 words, include a contact name and phone number. FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly
Tara Murray
New Villas Featuring:
$380K
• • • • •
No deposit required to reserve your villa. Nothing to sign until you sell your house.
Established homes now available From time to time selected villas become available for sale to new residents of RCA Villages. These are not brand-new units and, on occasion, have additions and/or improvements included.
Villa 127
Villa 105
$285K $320K 2
12476971-SN03-21
2 bedrooms plus study 2 bathrooms Brick & render construction Double garage Paved north facing alfresco
1
1
2
Call: 1800 123 131 83 Kulin Drive, Tarneit • wyndhamgrange.com.au
For more information about our range of retirement communities, visit: rcavillages.com.au 4 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 12 January, 2021
1
1
Prices correct at publication date.
The best in Tarneit retirement living
From:
YEAR IN REVIEW ... COMMUNITY
STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
A special delivery APRIL 7 Eynesbury residents got a very special delivery recently to help them through the coronavirus lockdown. With panic buying of toilet paper last month making supplies hard to come by, property developer Resimax Group ordered thousands of rolls and delivered them for free to locals’ doorsteps. Resimax founder Ozzie Kheir said they wanted to help in any way they could. “We wanted a way to help people through this, brighten their day and have a bit of cheeky
Resimax Group founder Ozzie Kheir.
fun with it,” Mr Kheir said. “A friend of mine works for a toilet paper company, so we were able to order it in bulk, and I got four pallet loads to distribute to the residents. “We just loaded them up in golf carts and delivered them to every home. “It’s amazing how much a pack of toilet paper can go to putting a smile on someone’s face. We had residents who’d missed out in the panic buying and were down to their last roll, so it was great to be there for them.” A total of 6000 rolls were delivered, and Mr Kheir said the company had more plans to help those in need in the community.
Act of generosity AUGUST 4
Karen Pinder has made nearly 400 masks for locals and community groups. (Damjan Janevski)
12476491-CG03-21
One Darley woman is doing her bit to help the community stay safe during the coronavirus. Karen Pinder started making face masks for friends and family who wanted them – she has now made nearly 400 masks for those in need in recent weeks. “When I saw people advertising masks and making a profit out of it I thought that was wrong, so I started with a few and just kept going,” Ms Pinder said. “People are struggling, and I had material here and I’m a basic sewer so I thought ‘why not’?” “They’re pretty easy to make, but people have been very thankful for them. A lot of people can afford to buy them, but there’s a wait now
so this works well for them.” Ms Pinder has donated all the masks she has made, including some to local charities that have been providing hot meals for those in need. “So long as my stocks of material and elastic holds up I’ll keep making them I think,” Ms Pinder said. “Making a mask is a small way of helping and hopefully it makes a difference in the community.”
5 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 12 January, 2021
SECTION STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
On Sale Wednesday 13th January until Tuesday 19th January 2021
C H E AP C H O O Ks !
BBQ ROAST CHICKEN REGULAR SIZE
6
99
$
SAVE $2
$ Coleslaw, Potato Salad or Pasta Salad 400g
ea
4
50 ea
$11.25 per kg
12474883-LB03-21
6 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 12 January, 2021
P R I C ES R E D U C E D ! In 2019, Morgan’s IGA reduced 1000’s of shelf prices. Come and check for yourself...
WAS $
LOW PRICE
9.29
SINCE 2019
(NOV 2019)
5
$ Kirks Soft Drink 10x375mL Selected Varieties $1.33 per Litre
ea
Community Co Water 24x600mL 42¢ per Litre
WAS
WAS
4.49
$
8.49 (NOV 2019)
(NOV 2019)
3
$ Twisties, Cheetos, Burger Rings 150-270g Selected Varieties
Melton Sunbury Gisborne Meadow Heights Delahey Glengala
ea
ea
Coca-Cola Cans 8x200mL Selected Varieties $3.75 per Litre
331-345 High St, 9743 4600 Cnr Station & O’Shanassy, 9744 4290 Cnr Brantome & Robertson, 5428 3200 Cnr Paringa & Hudson, 9302 4040 Cnr Kings & Taylor Rds, 9362 1207 Cnr David Drive & Fitzgerald Rd, 8390 6988
While stocks last. Some products or varieties may not be available at all stores. IGA Liquor supports the responsible service of alcohol. Tobacco and alcohol not sold to under 18’s.
6
$
ea
IGAVI8519_130121
$
6
$
12474849-LB03-21
7 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 12 January, 2021
YEAR IN REVIEW ... BUSINESS
STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
Council dishes up relief SEPTEMBER 22 Moorabool council is embracing the push for more outdoor dining across the municipality. As part of a state government call for more restaurants and food outlets to create outdoor dining spaces to help the hospitality industry recover from the coronavirus pandemic, Moorabool council has announced it is waiving permit fees for outdoor dining for the remainder of the financial year. It goes alongside an $87.5 million government funding announcement last week,
under which businesses can apply for funds to purchase outdoor dining equipment to help serve patrons outside while following customer limits and social distancing requirements. Moorabool mayor David Edwards said it was exciting to see more businesses reopening their doors as restrictions eased. “It’s very exciting to have hospitality venues opening up in our region again and a huge relief to many business owners and workers in this industry,” Cr Edwards said. “Council’s support to help these businesses operate under COVID-19 safe requirements
will hopefully help all our hospitality businesses, and importantly, it will help generate local spending again to keep our economy rolling.” Premier Daniel Andrews said businesses had to be willing to adapt as the state finds its way towards a ‘COVID normal’. “We’re the cultural and dining capital of our nation. That means, when it comes to reimagining what eating and entertainment means under COVID normal, there’s no one better equipped than Melbourne and Victoria,” Mr Andrews said.
“It will be our innovation, ideas and creativity that will help us find – and maintain – our COVID normal.” The government support will come in the form of grants of up to $5000, which will be available to licensed and unlicensed cafés, restaurants, takeaway food businesses, pubs, taverns, bars and clubs with a payroll of less than $3 million. Cr Edwards encouraged local hospitality businesses to apply for the grants, and to visit www.moorabool.vic.gov.au/outdoor-dining for free outdoor dining permits.
Back in business NOVEMBER 3 Melton traders were relieved to be back in business last week when months of hard lockdown forced by the deadly coronavirus pandemic began to slowly ease, but the outlook remains nervous as they try to rebuild. Shoppers slowly began returning to shopping centres and retail strips last Wednesday to find the outlook among traders was mixed. While some are relieved to have their doors open once again, others are wondering what the long term effects will be. Melton Florist owner Gary Moore said having an established online presence had helped the long-running business stay afloat, however the reopening of doors to customers was vital to be able to continue operations.
“We’ve been closed for about 24 weeks, trading online, but we’re pretty much exhausted trying to run the business like that,” he said. “Now we’re having people come in and browsing and having a chat to them, they seem to just be relieved to be able to be out.” “We feel like we’ve got our lives back, it’s great.” Melton Pho operator David said they had been able to continue operating a takeaway service during the lockdown, which helped make ends meet, however he was pleased to be able to invite customers back to outside dining. Ahmat Durali, who runs Melton Drycleaning, was less convinced the area would be able to bounce back. He said the situation was the worst he had experienced in more than 20 years of running his High Street business.
Melton Florist owner Gary Moore.
Mention this ad in store to get 10% off
Fish•Grill•CHIPS Prepared daily using locally sourced fresh and seasonal products Prepared daily using locally sourced fresh and seasonal products Melton South’s best seafood plus burgers, steaks, souvlaki & more! Open Tuesday to Sunday for pick-up and contactless delivery. 12469444-SN49-20
Delivery through DoorDash & MENULOG Open Monday - Sunday Order at our website online or Menulog • Ph 8732 9170 Shop 5/11 -17 Station Road Melton South (next to Ruby’s & Coles)
www.frilled.com.au 12458068-SN34-20
386 High Street Melton
Ben Davies (Adv. Dip. Dent. Pros.). Fabio DaSilva (Adv.Dip.Dent.Pros.) * Free Denture Health Check or Denture Consultation on mention of advertisement * limited time only.
* Private Health Insurance * Direct Billing * Veterans Affairs * Victorian Denture Scheme
For Appointments Ph: 9746 6882 info@meltondenture.com.au•www.meltondenture.com.au 8 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 12 January, 2021
12435818-NG03-20
Australian Dental Prosthetist Association (Victoria)
YEAR IN REVIEW ... HEALTH
STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
Michael Woods
Celebrating our frontline fighters Carmen Camilleri Altona North’s Carmen Camilleri hasn’t seen her grandchildren or children during COVID-19 because of her work in a hospital. The ward clerk in palliative care at Sunshine Hospital said her daughter was the most worried in her family. “My daughter was more concerned than anyone else because she’s got a three-month-old baby,” Ms Camilleri said. “So, about five weeks ago when all this started, we sort of stayed away from my grandchildren and my children. I don’t visit and they don’t visit.” She said the team spirit among her colleagues
Melton’s Michael Woods is environmental services supervisor at Sunshine Hospital, responsible for keeping the place clean and sanitary. While his family harboured concerns for his wellbeing, Mr Woods said Western Health had been well prepared for COVID-19. “They [my family] do have concerns for me because of my age,” the 63-year-old said. “But I just told them that we put all the practices into place – the guidelines we’ve been given – and I feel safe. “I think they’ve [Western Health] done a wonderful job. “Everything seems to be under control. “We’ve got good leadership and, in environmental services here, we’re getting good back-up from our all our employees. It’s been very, very good I think.” Mr Woods said when the crisis was over, his team would be relieved. “I think at the end of it we’ll have a lot of joy and happiness,” he said. “Everyone will be relieved, and I think team spirit will be right up there when this is all done.”
had remained high. “We are a good team,” Ms Camilleri said. “I don’t think we’ve gone better or worse because we were always like that. We seem to support each other all the time. “The positive is we look out for each other. “The wellness hub is fantastic, I found, and you get that bit of time away from the ward. “We talk about normal everyday things – it’s not sort of in our faces all the time. “Because, you switch the TV on, and it’s in your face every minute of the day.” I think that the hub was a very good idea and I would recommend it to other staff members.”
Bronwyn King Sydenham’s Bronwyn King handles communications and the switchboard at Footscray Hospital. She said being in Australia, the health system had more time than some other countries. “I think we are really well prepared,” she said. “We are lucky as we live in Australia – we have had time to prepare.” She described the camaraderie among colleagues as “pretty good”. Initially, her family held concerns about her being at work, but had since come around. “They are fine, really,” Ms King said. “They are all at home. “At first they were worried, but not really anymore.” She said a positive to emerge from the coronavirus was that people were reaching out to each other. “Everyone is communicating a lot more and talking to each other – it’s nice to see.” Western Health is running a COVID community campaign under #ItsUpToUs. To find out ways you can support health care workers, visit: www.itsuptous.com.au/ 15 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 5 May, 2020
EVERY TEST HELPS US KEEP DOING THE THINGS WE LOVE Every test keeps us on top of this virus. And keeps us doing the things we love. 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
9 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 12 January, 2021
YEAR IN REVIEW ... PEOPLE
STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
Recovered patient relives COVID pain SEPTEMBER 23 Mother-of-two Kimberly Hanrahan has undergone an experimental plasma treatment as she recovers from COVID-19. Ms Hanrahan, 48, said she contracted the virus after a cleaner came to her home. The owner of the cleaning company called to advise that her son had tested positive at school. Ms Hanrahan said her husband, Dave, had a sore throat and underwent a COVID-19 test. After five days, his test came back positive. Ms Hanrahan was then tested with her eight-year-old twin boys. “I was positive and they were negative, thank goodness,” she said. “Then, I got all the usual sort of symptoms – a sore throat and a lack of smell and taste – but then I got really quite poorly … really severe migraines and body aches and pains and back aches.” She called Altona North Respiratory Clinic and said, ‘It’s day 11, is this normal?’ Ms Hanrahan said she was told it was normal.
“I called my doctor on the Wednesday because I was in so much pain. I hadn’t slept properly and he gave me some Panadeine Forte, which was great,” she said. “On the Thursday, the DHHS called me … I got quite upset and said ‘I feel like I can’t talk to you properly, I’ve got a real shortness of breath I don’t feel very well’. “He just said, ‘I’m going to put the phone down, I’m going to call your husband and get him to call an ambulance for you’. “I was avoiding going to hospital. I didn’t want to go if my symptoms were just normal. “You just don’t know, how bad is bad enough to go to hospital? “The ambulance came and my blood oxygen was pretty low. They were worried about … blood not getting to your organs and causing damage.” Ms Hanrahan was admitted to Footscray Hospital and “zipped up” in a room. “I spent the next 11 days in hospital,” Ms Hanrahan said. “I went in on August 13 … went into ICU the next day but then was on
Kimberly Hanrahan. (Joe Mastroianni)
oxygen for the whole time until I came out of ICU, and then for a COVID pain relived couple of days after that. Thankfully I didn’t have to go on a ventilator. “I was very lucky that I was strong enough to be able to just get assistance with the oxygen but then not have to intubate me, put me to sleep and breathe, which was fantastic. “I was in ICU for six days.
“The nurses, everybody, was amazing – they put themselves at risk every day.” Ms Hanrahan said each day she was given a mask to enable her to breathe. “Essentially, this mask that covers your whole face, it’s very tight around your head so you can’t get any air in it and then it’s like a wind tunnel so it’s like air being pushed down into your lungs because my lungs had collapsed,” she said. “That was five times a day for a couple of hours a day.” After talking to Star Weekly for 10 minutes, Ms Hanrahan said she had shortness of breath. “But compared to how I was, this feels fine,” she said. Ms Hanrahan said she had a transfusion of what’s known as “convalescent plasma”, which contains antibodies from people who have recovered from COVID-19. “I did get the symptoms back again when I was home … headache and sore throat and runny nose came back again,” she said. “I don’t know yet if there’s been any long term damage to my organs.”
Family farewells ‘our rock’ APRIL 21
Judy Ingram has been house-bound since March 12.
Life in hard lockdown JULY 28 At 3pm on March 12, St Albans resident Judy Ingram went to her doctor to receive her annual flu shot. It was the last time she left her house. Ms Ingram has a number of medical conditions and a low immune system. She’s been told by doctors that if she leaves her house and contracts COVID-19, she’d be at “great risk”. Patiently, Ms Ingram has pottered around her house as days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months. “My doctors told me to go home and they’d tell me when it was safe to leave again, so I’m sitting here waiting for it all to pass … I’m hoping to be out in October, but it looks like now it’ll be next year,” she said. “I have my good days and my bad days … early on I’d have family members come up to the window to say hello, but as the weather
has turned cold and miserable, those have dried up a bit too.” Each cupboard in Ms Ingram’s house has been cleaned … several times, books passed on to her by friends over the years and stored away for a rainy day have been read and she’s become a master of the jigsaw puzzle. But you won’t hear her complain. “Even in that period where restrictions eased, I was advised to stay in a hard lockdown … I haven’t even been able to go for a drive around the block,” she said. “I’m lucky in a way, my husband Ian is here with me. He’s in the same boat as me, unable to leave the house. “At least we’re in here together … there’s a lot of seniors like us living by themselves who have been told to stay home. “Those people have no one to talk to and don’t have that constant support.” The IGA in Delahey and a butcher in Keilor deliver the couple’s essentials, leaving
10 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 12 January, 2021
deliveries at the door, and council support staff regularly check up on their welfare. Much of the state was thrust back in to stage three restrictions earlier this month and while it’s been an adjustment for many, Ms Ingram said it’s hardly a lockdown. “People are complaining that they’re in lockdown … they’re not in a lockdown. “They ride their bikes, they go shopping, they do the four things they’re allowed to do every single day … it’s a more restricted life, but not lockdown. “How can people be so petty about not being able to go to the pub for tea … I’m not even allowed to go for a drive around the block.” Ms Ingram has a doctor’s appointment in August. If it goes ahead it will be the first time she’s stepped foot outside her home since that day on March 12. Through it all she remains positive. “This too shall pass,” she said.
The family of the 15th Victorian to succumb to COVID-19 has issued a plea for people to take the virus threat seriously after they had to watch the “larger than life” grandfather take his last breath via a video call. Hillside man Giuseppe Franzoni, 84, died at the Sunshine Hospital on Friday. His son Frank Franzoni said the family was struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss of their “rock”. “It was quite sudden … he fainted one day, but he didn’t tell anyone about it,” Mr Franzoni said. “We’re a close family and are always in contact but I hadn’t seen him since restrictions came in. The day he got sick I hadn’t seen him for maybe four weeks, but touched base daily, even if just for 60 seconds. I just needed to know he was safe. After receiving a worried call from his brother on April 4, Mr Franzoni called his father. “I asked if he needed me to call an ambulance and he said he didn’t. But he didn’t sound 100 per cent, so I called back an hour later and he asked me to call for [an ambulance] … that was the last time I ever got to speak to my father.” An ambulance arrived at Mr Franzoni’s home and rushed him to hospital a short time later. He was heavily sedated and unable to communicate with his family. He was diagnosed with COVID-19 two days later. His family, unable to see him, was given information on his condition by telephone. Giuseppe Franzoni died three days later, his family watching through a video stream set up by hospital staff. “I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.” The family must now decide who won’t be able to attend the funeral. “There are only 12 of us, but only 10 can attend the funeral,’’ Mr Franzoni said. “How on earth do you decide on two people who can’t say goodbye to their grandfather? “I just want everyone to know this is a serious threat. I’ve seen what it can do, so please … respect the restrictions.”
YEAR IN REVIEW ... PEOPLE
STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
When home is no longer home Star Weekly reporter Esther Lauaki had to return to New Zealand for a family emergency. She is now in strict quarantine. This is her story.
Home doesn’t feel like home anywhere any more. I’ve travelled to New Zealand so many times in the past eight years that I could walk the length of Auckland Airport with my eyes closed. But COVID-19 has turned our world upside down and governments implore everyone to “embrace a new normal”. Stay home, save lives. It’s a simple message – but what happens when your dad is in the final stages of leukaemia and you live overseas? My family in New Zealand was told by doctors on New Year’s day that dad had months to live.
‘‘
Warm smiles are hidden behind surgical masks
’’
Any plans to make the Trans-Tasman trip home as often as possible were shut down in March when COVID-19 sent the nation into lockdown and, for the most part, closed Australia’s borders to the world. Travel is reserved for healthcare aid workers, diplomats, “urgent personal business” and compassionate reasons. Living, working and building a future in Australia, like my parents did when they migrated from Samoa to New Zealand, is no easy feat. Doing that while my dad fights a rare and brutal blood cancer is a burden too heavy for me. Leaving Australia last week in the thick of a pandemic required a few calls to the Health and Human Services Department, the New Zealand consulate and the airline, as well as a letter from the hospital stating my dad’s critical condition. Melbourne airport is an empty, dark and cold place now. About 10 border force officers crowd the check-in desk ensuring everyone has filled out a form agreeing to self-isolate in a government managed hotel for 14 days in New Zealand. Customs officers are relaxed, discussing their favourite pork recipes while processing just 40 passengers for the day. Duty Free and the retail stores are all closed and only the sound of suitcase wheels on linoleum and murmurs in the distance echo
Main: Auckland at dusk. (Chris-McLennan/newzealand.com) Left: Esther Lauaki and her dad Iakopo. Above: The room at a government-managed hotel where Esther Lauaki is quarantined for 14 days. Below: Melbourne Airport is a different place these days. (Pictures: Esther Lauaki)
through the staff bypass corridor you have to walk through to get to your gate. The flight was a speedy three and a half hours with no air traffic and good flying conditions into Auckland where I was born and raised. An idyllic Kiwi childhood of breakfasts at the beach, jandals, walking to the corner dairy with a dozen cousins, Jelly-Tips and kina (sea urchin) fishing. But in this post COVID world, warm smiles
are hidden behind surgical masks, there are no handshakes or hugs – just a health check and a sterile, “Welcome home Ma’am”. Green crosses taped on the floor are two metres apart and the assumption is that everyone is infected. We are ushered onto a tour bus bound for a hotel that nobody will tell us the name of. The New Zealand Army, Police, Navy, border patrol and health department are on site at the
hotel to help enforce strict isolation, social distance and hygiene measures. Home for the next two weeks is a compact hotel room with an en suite and a queen-sized bed. Three meals a day are delivered to your door with one hour of supervised exercise allowed each day. Time is what I have on my hands right now before I can see my dad and, more than anything, that’s all I want.
11 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 12 January, 2021
NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
Telehealth here to stay We often underestimate people’s ability to change or adapt. ‘Telehealth’ is a good example. Telehealth is consulting with your health professional in a video call or over the phone, rather than in person. This time last year, it was something few of us had ever done. Then suddenly, the spread of COVID-19 meant we had to come up with ways to ensure everyone could still access health care safely. Telehealth was an obvious solution, but there were fears that many people wouldn’t use it – either because they didn’t have the skills or equipment needed, or because they wouldn’t feel comfortable talking to their doctor through a screen. But local GPs have told us this has not really been the case. Many older people can manage an iPad and interact via video call – it’s how they’ve been keeping in touch with far-flung friends and family even before the pandemic. Those who speak languages other than English have also been able to have a video conference with both their doctor and an interpreter. People from all walks of life have adapted quickly, relieved to have an option that meant they didn’t need to leave home and risk catching the virus. But now that risk has shrunk, what have we learned about the benefits of telehealth? The doctors we support say it helps more people to access health care. This includes people whose work hours make it hard to get a regular appointment, people who might struggle to transport themselves to and from the doctors, and people who are unwilling or reluctant to go to an appointment in-person. It’s not just for GPs. Some of the mental health and alcohol and other drug services we fund say more clients turn up for their
(iStock)
Christopher Carter CEO, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network
appointments by video or phone, and speak more freely than they would in person. Having a telehealth option can also mean people are more likely to continue seeing their doctor, meaning they will be cared for in a more regular, consistent way. This is especially important if you have a chronic condition such as diabetes, or a mental health condition. Finally, for doctors, telehealth has helped to streamline many things, such as pushing back appointments if running late. It can also reduce
costs, freeing them up to offer more services and appointments, and to spend more time following up with patients. Yet telehealth is not always the best way to consult with your doctor. Much can be picked up by sight in a video call, but in many cases your doctor will still need to physically examine you. Fortunately, GPs and practice staff quickly brought in strict cleaning and infection control at the start of the pandemic, making
sure visiting a general practice was as safe as possible. It is always OK to see your GP, whether it is in person or via telehealth. COVID-19 made telehealth a sudden necessity, but it certainly won’t disappear once the virus does. The federal government has announced it will be a permanent part of the health system. We’ll be here to support doctors and other health professionals, so more people in our community can keep getting the best quality care.
FROM THE ARCHIVES Star Weekly looks back through the pages of our predecessors
40 years ago
30 years ago
20 years ago
10 years ago
January 14, 1981
January 9, 1991
January 9, 2001
January 11, 2011
The Melton unit of the State Emergency Service is to launch a fundraising drive to purchase a set of hydraulic rescue jaws following a double fatality in Melton on Sunday 4 January.
An ugly brawl in High Street, Melton, a few days before Christmas was the only incident to spoil what local police reported as a “very quiet” Christmas and New Year’s break.
When Rockbank resident Mr Mario Cachia visited the George Pentland Botanical Gardens in Frankston last Wednesday, he was not expecting to help a seriously injured woman. A 66-year-old woman, sailing toy boats with her family, was struck by a gum tree branch which fell five metres.
Western wonders: Holiday fun in your own backyard
12 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 12 January, 2021
FEATURING ... EDUCATION
2021 is a great time for TAFE Studying with The Gordon in 2021 can open doors to new careers with double the opportunity to receive government-funded places through Free TAFE and the new JobTrainer initiative. With local industries rebounding from COVID-19, The Gordon has courses in sectors that are calling out for trained staff. This includes aged care, early childhood and education, cookery, construction and more. By taking the first step and gaining the hands-on skills and knowledge from a TAFE course, you can be job-ready for positions in these high demand areas. JobTrainer is a joint state and federal government initiative, increasing access to free or low fee training places for young people and job seekers and complements existing subsidised training available such as Free TAFE. To participate in a JobTrainer course, you need to be 17-24 years of age when the course commences, or are a job seeker of any age, providing you have not started a full qualification under JobTrainer previously. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can access both the JobTrainer and Free TAFE initiatives over two courses. Eligible students enrolling in a full course under JobTrainer will only pay 20 per cent of the standard tuition fee. With more than 45 eligible courses, this is an excellent opportunity to consider a career change and get back into study in a supported learning environment. To learn more about studying in Werribee, Hoppers Crossing and Geelong, contact The Gordon on 5225 0800 or visit www.thegordon.edu.au
The Gordon has courses in sectors that are calling out for trained staff. (Supplied)
Study local.
Take advantage of JobTrainer and FREE TAFE in 2021*. APPLY NOW!
Business & Training BSB31115 Certificate III in Business Administration (Medical) TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
Animal Studies ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies ACM30117 Certificate III in Animal Studies
Community Services & Early Childhood CHC32015 Certificate III in Community Services FREE TAFE CHC43115 Certificate IV in Disability FREE TAFE CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services (Case Management) FREE TAFE CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care FREE TAFE CHC50113 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care FREE TAFE
Health and Science CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support ‘Aged Care’ CHC43415 Certificate IV in Leisure and Health HLT52015 Diploma of Remedial Massage
FREE TAFE
Real skills. Real experience. Real outcomes. Geelong | Werribee | Hoppers Crossing thegordon.edu.au | 8373 9186 *Eligibility criteria apply for Free TAFE and JobTrainer. See website for details.
TAFE 3044 12474978-SN50-20
13 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 12 January, 2021
PUZZLES SUDOKU
QUICK CROSSWORD
No. 011
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.
easy
7 1 9
8 2 5
7 9
3 1 7 4
3 8 1 6
4 5 7 1 8 6 1 3 9 6
3 4 5
No. 011
3 9 1 4 3 6 1 9 3
8 5 8
DECODER
8
2
Element with atomic symbol Ca (7) Possesses (4) Possibly (11) Unwell (3)
2
medium
9
Achieving (13) Type of fruit (5) Chatty (9) Dry (4) Comprehended (10) Japanese warrior (7) Diverse (6) Pathetic (6) Forest workers (7) Identifying (9) Celebrity (4) Story (9) Pessimist (5) Global (13)
DOWN
2 5 2 6 8 7
1 5 4
Stubborn (10) Unpleasant (7) Consulate (7) Finishes (4) Habitat (11) Wasteful (10) Large bird (7) Infested (7) Nation on the Baltic Sea (7) 23 Book ID (1,1,1,1) 26 Reverb (4) 28 Hotel (3) 6 7 8 11 14 15 18 20 22
ACROSS 1 9 10 12 13 16 17 19 21 24 25 27 29 30
No. 011
6 7 3 9 6
7 2 8 9
7
8 hard
8 3 5
9 2 7 4
1
6 4
1
2
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
8
J
1 4
R
C GUD S P H Y T E I J R 17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
3
16
5
O A F V B MW L Q N K Z X 3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
9-LETTER WORD
3
easy
medium
4 7 1 6 2 3 8 5 9
3 9 7 4 1 5 8 6 2
4 6 2 7 8 3 1 9 5
1 8 5 9 2 6 3 4 7
5 4 8 2 6 7 9 1 3
2 1 3 5 9 8 6 7 4
6 7 9 3 4 1 5 2 8
8 5 1 6 7 2 4 3 9
9 2 6 8 3 4 7 5 1
7 3 4 1 5 9 2 8 6
5 3 9 8 4 7 6 1 2
8 2 6 9 5 1 3 7 4
1 5 8 2 7 9 4 3 6
6 4 2 1 3 5 7 9 8
7 9 3 4 8 6 1 2 5
2 8 5 3 1 4 9 6 7
9 1 7 5 6 8 2 4 3
3 6 4 7 9 2 5 8 1
hard
4 LETTERS AIMS ARIA AVOS BASK CHAT CYST EGGS FOES IONS KNEW KNIT LETS NINE PAPA PATE
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”.
P
Today’s Aim: 20 words: Good 30 words: Very good 40 words: Excellent
1 9 5 6 2 3 8 7 4
7 8 2 4 9 5 1 3 6
6 4 3 1 7 8 2 9 5
8 5 7 9 1 6 3 4 2
3 1 9 5 4 2 6 8 7
2 6 4 3 8 7 5 1 9
4 2 6 8 3 9 7 5 1
9 7 8 2 5 1 4 6 3
5 3 1 7 6 4 9 2 8
Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com
N
U
H
O
L M
E
3 LETTERS ALE APE ARE ARM ART CAT DID EAT ELM ERR FOG GET GIN HES ILL KIT LSD MOB PAL PEN RAM REV TEE TIE TWO WAR
G
No. 011
PUCK TEST WIVE 5 LETTERS ADMIT ADULT ALONE BASIS BASKS BEGUN CROSS DAMPS DREAD DRESS EAVES EDGES EERIE ELOPE ERRED FOAMY
GOODO GRAFT HASTE IVORY LEAVE LIARS NEEDS OCEAN OILED PIANO SEDAN SEWED SHAPE SLEDS SMEAR SMILE SMITE SMOTE SOBER SPARE STREW
SUITE SYRUP TACOS TENET UNTIE WHALE YACHT 6 LETTERS LASSES STEEPS 7 LETTERS AERIALS ASTUTER
COWGIRL CRADLED RELYING STEEPER 8 LETTERS OPERATES PREPARES SCANTIER SCRAMMED 10 LETTERS CRITICISED DISGRUNTLE
ghoul, glen, glom, glue, glum, gluon, gulp, helm, help, hole, holm, lemon, loge, lone, long, lope, lough, lounge, loupe, lumen, lump, lung, lunge, melon, mogul, mole, mule, ogle, phenol, phlegm, phloem, plenum, plough, PLOUGHMEN, plug, plum, plume, plunge, pole, pule
1 7 9
2
3 9 6
1
8
3
15
1
2
14
7
WORDFIT
15-01-21
DUNLOP AUTO SERVICE CENTRE 161 High Street Melton
WE ARE STILL TRADING AS NORMAL We are also following the Government advice for social distancing and sanitising. •FullrangeofGoodyear,Dunlop Brandedtyres&allmajorbrands IncludingMonstaExtremeMUD, MUDWarrior&StreetSeries 161 High Street Melton
9746 0088
•AllMechanicalRepairs •Logbookservicing •Car/SmallTruck/4WD •Car&4WDSuspension& Alignments www.dunlopmelton.com.au 12446748-SN16-20
14 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 12 January, 2021
networkclassifieds.com.au
Trades & Services
General Notices V Concrete Products & Services
NATHAN FENECH CONCRETING
AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING
1229835-ACM22-16
Ring Craig 0419 381 963 9747 9683 12387021-CG20-18
www.rosscoengineering.com.au
MEL-ASH REFRIGERATION
V Fencing & Gates
& AIR CONDITIONING - DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL
FARM FENCING
• Fridges • Freezers L011010 / AU-05387 • Air Conditioners • Car Re-gassing
• Post & Rail • Post & Wire • Electric Fencing Peter Fry Fencing P/L (03) 5367 1909 Mobile 0419 112 862 or 0428 519 855
9366 7831 - 0417 556 963 V Television/Video/Audio
All types of Fencing, Gates and Decking Free quotes Pensioner discounts
G6425413AA-dc5Nov
Gates & Pergolas Lou 0412 339 445 Tony 0431 339 739
T HE U LTIMATE F ENCE F ACTORY
Fencing & Gates, Sliding Gates, Solar Panel Sliding Gates No Job Too Small, No Job Too Big Free Measuring Quote larryfranklin561@gmail.com
Call: 0415 337 192
HIGHLY EXPERIENCED TECHNICIANS ANTENNA SERVICE ALL AREAS
Competetive prices - time starts at your door. Will beat any reasonable quote.
Ph: 0413 693 216 | 0422 437 935
froggys.com.au Very diverse in all aspects of specialised property services
REPAIRS & REMOTES Roller Door Remote Controls Silent Drive 7 Year Warranty FROM $500 fully installed
Andrew 0425 852 621 12412038-FA09-10
9746 7785
Shane Browne Carpentry Joinery Maintenance
V Garden Services
PRISTINE YARDS • Weeding • Rubbish Removal • Lawn mowing • Hedge Trimming • Mulching • Landscaping • Pruning • Pressure Washing • Demolition • General Maintenance FREE QUOTE
Call 0432 597 001
0412 184 772
12476112-SG51-20
12418388-ACM21-19
V Carpenters
Ph: 0438 999 188
V Handy Persons
TD CARPENTRY
Phone 0401 005 760 G6638978
V Carpet Cleaning
▲ Treelopping and felling ▲ Stump removal ▲ Pruning ▲ On site mulching ▲ Mulch for sale ▲ Full insurance cover
JD WASHING MACHINE REPAIR
Call Daniel 0417 059 190
Mob: 0414 484 932
V Public Notices and Event
816 479
12476756-SN03-21
You may look at the application and any documents that support the application at the office of the Responsible Authority or alternatively at: www.melton.vic.gov.au/apa
Melton City Council Civic Centre 232 High Street MELTON VIC 3337
Any person who may be affected by the granting of the permit may object or make other submissions to the responsible authority.
CLASSIFIEDS EARLY DEADLINES
The Responsible Authority will not decide on the application before.
Australia Day 26th January
ADVERTISE with us and get better results
BACCHUS MARSH LOCKSMITHS 24/7 Locksmiths Mention All Suburbs 0418 534 201 or 0414 930 586 this ad for Shop located at 36 Grant St, 10% off Bacchus Marsh 12380364-RC10-18
PA2020/7253/1
An objection must: • be sent to the Responsible Authority in writing, • include the reasons for the objection, and • state how the objector would be affected.
General Notices
V Locksmiths
BASED ON LOCATION CARPET CLEANING UPHOLSTERY CLEANING ABN 92 465 717 255 18 Years Experience FREE DEODORISING
SA Thornhill Park Pty Ltd
The application reference number is:
This can be done during office hours and is free of charge.
Call out $40
Classified deadlines for Tuesday, 26th January issue of the Melton-Moorabool Star Weekly as follows:
Removal of a Restrictive Covenant
The applicant for the permit is:
MSZ TREELOPPING
FRIDAY 22ND JANUARY at 3pm
D.B. HANDYMAN
Specialising in ✔ Pergolas and deckings ✔ Fencing ✔ Framing ✔ Home Renovations Free Quotes
The application is for a permit to:
V Garage/Garage Doors
F & J ROLLER DOORS
264-286 Paynes Road THORNHILL PARK, LOT 2PS: 525605M V/F: 10821/507
12469374-CG46-20
MICK 9747 1322 - 0418 994 320
FUSSY FURNITURE REMOVALS
V Builders & Building Services
The land affected by the application is located at:
V Washing Machines
Reliable & Experienced Removalist | 2 men - from $85 per hour.
www.topedgekitchens.com.au
Notice of an Application for Planning Permit
V Tree Lopping/Surgery
V Furniture Removals
Showroom by appointment only Free Quotes & Mobile Ensuite Hire. terms & conditions apply Please note that we specialise in renovations - we do not do repairs or maintenance
*conditions apply
Any person who wishes to speak at this Section 223 Submissions Advisory Committee meeting in support of their written submission must request this in their submission.
DIGITAL ANTENNAS AMPLIFIERS TV OUTLETS
0409 888 228 12411669-SN09-19
Kitchens & Bathroom Renovations · Plumbing · Tiling · Electrical · Carpentry · Plastering · One stop shop - Kitchen, bathroom, laundries & renovation needs. · Complete service from start to finish, including kitchen 3D design. · Appliance packages available. · Bathroom tapware, accessories & tiles on display in our showroom.
FLETCHERS
Submissions will be considered in accordance with section 223 of the Local Government Act 1989 at a meeting of the Section 223 Submissions Advisory Committee of Council to be held at 7pm on Monday 15 February 2021 via a videoconference.
KELVIN TORI CHIEF EXECUTIVE
SAME DAY SERVICE
Carpet Steam Cleaning
Submissions should be addressed to the Chief Executive and emailed to: governance@melton.vic. gov.au, posted to PO Box 21 Melton 3337 or by completing the online form on Council’s website.
For more information please contact either Christine Denyer, Manager Legal & Governance or John Whitfield, Governance Coordinator on 9747 7200 or email governance@melton.vic.gov.au
ANTENNA MAN
Yates and Son Fencing and Decking
Lou’s Colorbond Fencing
12420493-CG25-19
Call Paul 0412
G6657959
V Bathroom & Kitchens
3 ROOMS FOR $90
V Refrigeration
Call Phil 0433 880 368
Services • Repairs • Maintenance Over 30 years experience, All types of Air Con, Evap Cooler & Gas Heating System AU31693
8348 5441
12427573-FA39-19
13 Reddrop St, Bacchus Marsh PH: 5367 1141 AH: 0418 301 841
KS Heating & Cooling
Call 0430 332 368
Any person who would like to make a written submission on the proposed Councillor Allowance or Mayoral Allowance must do so before 5pm on Wednesday 10 February 2021.
CALL 1300 666 808
12476957-JW03-21
12402111-RA43-18
C & S KIMPTON PLASTERERS
- Manufacturing - Metals - Engineering On Site - Hydraulic Hoses & Fittings - Powder Coating - Sand Blasting - Custom Fabrication - Welding - Steel Sales - Engineering Supplies
Mayor $100,434 per annum These annual allowances are proposed for adoption at the meeting of Council scheduled for Monday 15 March 2021.
Wednesday 27th January 2021
General Classifieds V Adult Services AAA YVONNE Slim, blonde, attractive, experienced and very sensual. I visit you only. 0456 414 344. Swa 3373xe
Rainbow Dolls 1235322622-PB22-17
12477949-DL03-21
JAD COOLING AND HEATING
12402755-RA44-18
Councillor $31,444 per annum
ROSSCO ENGINEERING AND SALES
12458256-RC34-20
V Plasterers
12401756-CG42-18
12436763-JV03-20
12429226-CG42-19
REPAIR, SUPPLY AND INSTALLATIONS
12477366-SN03-21
At its meeting held 21 December 2020 Melton City Council resolved to publicly advertise and seek submissions for a minimum of 28 days on the following proposed Councillor and Mayoral allowances:
JL & M Painting
V Engineering
12398667-SN37-18
Proposed adoption of Councillor Allowance and Mayoral Allowance
Ph 0412 472 213
12362816-ACM35-17
Call 0412 681 837
12370084-HM44-17
WE USE TOP QUALITY PAINT
Call Ibrahim on 0403 610 782
G6055734AA-dc28M
12435708-LB03-20
Cooling & Heating Services
Domestic/Commercial New Homes/Renovation Interior/Exterior minor plaster repairs
FREE QUOTE
Call Ricky on 0431 261 855
V Air Conditioning
PAINTER & DECORATOR
Domestic - Commercial - Industrial s Slate s Exposed s Plain s Colour s Stencil s Restore Driveways Seal and Concrete Cutting Free quotes
Ask about our discounted ongoing advertising rates and how choosing more newspapers gives your advertising more impact and saves you money...
D & R CONCRETING
VISA/MASTERCARD/EFTPOS (1.5% credit card processing fee applies. Cheques and money orders can be posted in or hand delivered to our local office)
FREE QUOTES
We accept payment by:
Mobile ~ 0478 129 330 | Abn ~ 43462185813
(include your name, address and phone number)
1235523-DJ29-16
Online: networkclassifieds.com.au (24/7) Phone: 1300 666 808 (Open 8.30-5pm Mon-Fri) Email: sales@networkclassifieds.com.au
SAIDA’S PAINTING
Residential & Commercial
V Public Notices and Event
12473978-JW50-20
Placing your classified advert is so easy...
Deadline for all classifications is 1:30pm Monday.
V Painters/Decorators
12364637-HM37-17
V Deadline
$100/ 30mins Open 7 days 48 Davies Avenue, Sunshine North 9364 0770 SWA6566B
Buy, Rent & Sell in the
Real Estate section of Network Classifieds.
15 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 12 January, 2021
• Available in the For Sale or Wanted Classifications only. • 4 lines of copy • Ad will run for 2 weeks • 1 item per advertisement • Item must be priced under $100 • Private party only – household and personal items • No animals, automotive or plants • Ads must be submitted via email to sales@networkclassifieds.com.au
HOUSE for rent, fullyrenovated, Melton South, pool/spa, all amenities. Ph: Robert 0423 689 577 V
HOPPERS CROSSING Mature female to rent one furnished BR. $150 per week, no bills. Phone 0424 324 420.
V
MC/HC TRUCK DRIVER We are currently seeking HC/MC truck drivers. Container / LCL work MISC Card preferred Contact: Joe / Jane 03 9369 6492
12478242-CG03-21
Massage Therapists
Imagine yourself in Bali
QUALIFIED MECHANIC OR 3RD YEAR APPRENTICE
Angels Oriental Massage 12 Grant Street, Bacchus Marsh Vic 3340 Please call 0437 211 614 | www.angelspa.com.au
ADVERTISERS, in this section are qualified practitioners and offer nonsexual services.
Natural Place Relaxation Massage Clinic 5 City Place, Sunshine 9.30am-11pm 7 days Phone: 9311 0198
Employment
V
Eurojap Autowerks is currently seeking a passionate, 3rd yr apprentice or a fully qualified mechanic for our automotive workshop. Call Hervey Chohan
Pets & Services
ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE Anyone advertising a puppy, dog, kitten or cat in Victoria for sale or re-homing will need a source number from the Pet Exchange Register and a microchip identification number. It is now an offence to advertise unless the source number and microchip identification number is included in the advertisement or notice. For further information, call 136 186 or visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au
Trades & Services section of Network Classifieds.
V
Positions Vacant
Advertise in the
Professionals section of Network Classifieds.
V
Positions Vacant
UPHOLSTERER Molmic Furniture, are a leading manufacturer of Australian Made Furniture. We are looking for an enthusiastic skilled FURNITURE UPHOLSTERER with a strong work ethic and an eye for detail. Molmic offer a great work environment and friendly team. 03 9335 2413 careers@molmic.com.au www.molmic.com.au
NEED NEW STAFF?
Positions Vacant
HC DRIVERS WANTED Full Time and Casual positions available
AIRLINE BAGGAGE HANDLING AGENTS Ready for take-off? Our industry is commencing its recovery from its longest ever shut-down, so there has never been a better time to start your career in aviation. Swissport, the world’s leader in airport ground handling services, some of the biggest names in aviation. If you have dreamed of working on the airport, working with Swissport is the opportunity you have been waiting for. From working in the baggage sorting room to driving baggage tractors, from pushing back aircraft to supervising teams, Swissport will provide you with comprehensive training to do these roles and more. We are looking for people from a range of backgrounds, particularly people with experience in operating vehicles and supervising teams and offering accelerated advancement opportunities for people with the aptitude and the drive to fast-track their career in aviation.
We require experienced drivers for both full time and casual work, based from our depot in Bacchus Marsh supplying quarry materials throughout Melbourne, Western and Northern Metro areas. Working with well-maintained late model Kenworth trucks with 3, 4 and 5 axle dog trailers. Plenty of overtime available and home every night. On the job training will be provided. Immediate start available for the right person. The successful applicant will: • hold a minimum HC licence • have truck and dog tipper experience • have an excellent, safe driving record and can provide a current driver history report • provide references to support excellent work history • be well presented with a neat, clean & tidy appearance • have a good work ethic and positive attitude • pass a pre-employment medical at the company’s request • be able to work Saturday’s • work independently but within a team environment
Swissport has been committed to delivering safe and high-quality services in Australia since 1992. If you want to be part of Swissport’s growth in Australia and take part in the nation’s recovery from COVID, as our border restrictions are removed and the industry ramps up, there has never been a better time to join the Swissport team.
To apply, please forward your resume to Kjc150@outlook.com or any inquiries contact Kerry Closter @ 0408503077
Motoring
Looking for an exciting new challenge? If this sounds like you, and you’re looking for a new challenge, rewarding new career, lots of training and development opportunities, then don’t miss out
V
APPLY NOW!
FREE CAR REMOVAL
HAIRDRESSER
Pay up to $500 for most cars Dead or Alive
Award-winning boutique hairdressing salon is seeking an experienced Hairdresser/Colourist with skills in all areas of hairdressing to join our outstanding team in Gisborne with immediate start. Will also consider 2nd/3rd year apprentice.
Apply now: Phone 0411 161 563 gszatbooks@yahoo.com.au
LMCT 10268W
7 days a week service Call Gus for a free quotation on
ADVERTISE
Fill your position online
Wrecking
FREE CAR REMOVAL Pay up to $600 for all complete cars dead or alive!
0422 108 512 Also Towing Service Available LMCT 10268W
12439661-LB05-20
0435 904 818
Get 10% Discount Use code: EMPDISC
V
Wrecking
www.swissport.com.au/work-with-us/
0425 614 090.
12400545-LB38-19
Massage Therapists
12423634-SN31-19
V
Positions Vacant
V
SUNSHINE WEST Room For Rent. Weekly Rent Includes Bills, WiFi, Cleaner, Gardener. Call Now 0404 170 100
Employment
12477681-CG03-21
V
To Share
To Share
12476617-JW03-21
FREE CLASSIFIEDS
V
To Let
12321532-HM36-16
V
For Sale
12478220-DL03-21
V
Employment
Real Estate
12477089-JW03-21
General Classifieds
with us and get better results
CALL 1300 666 808
ZZZ QHWZRUNFODVVL´HGV FRP DX
Where to pick up your FREE MELTON & MOORABOOL Bacchus Marsh 7/11 Service Station 28 Baccus Marsh Road Bacchus Marsh Foodworks 1 Bennett Street Bacchus Marsh Coles Supermarket Cnr Bennett and Young Street (The Village Shopping Centre) Bacchus Marsh My Little Mates Convenience Store 151 Gisborne Road (Darley Plaza Shopping Centre) Bacchus Marsh Bacchus Marsh Newsagency 138 Main Street Bacchus Marsh Arbee Real Estate 140 Main Street Bacchus Marsh Sweeney Real Estate 164 Main Street Bacchus Marsh Stockdale and Leggo Real Estate 191 Main Street Bacchus Marsh Moorabool Shire 182 Halletts Way Bacchus Marsh Milk Bar the Avenue 208 Main Street Bacchus Marsh Bacchus Marsh Information Centre 215 Main Street Bacchus Marsh The Village Shopping Centre Main Street Bacchus Marsh Bellbrook Gardens Country Club 168 Underbank Boulevard Ballan Ballan Newsagency 133 Inglis Street Ballan IGA Plus Liquor - Ballan 135 Inglis Street Ballan Moorabool Shire - Ballan 15 Stead Street Brookfield Lifestyle Brookfield 111-139 Coburns Road Darley Champions IGA Bacchus Marsh Grey Street Diggers Rest FoodWorks 22 Glitter Road Diggers Rest Diggers Rest Post Office 76 Old Calder Highway Gordon Gordon Post Office 65 Main Street Harkness Foodworks 17 Claret Ash Boulevard Hillside Foodworks 595 Melton Highway Kurunjang Kirkton Drive Milkbar 203 Gisborne - Melton Road Melton E-View Real Estate Suite 10, 3 Alexandra Street Melton Blue Nile Groceries 39 Bakery Square Melton Melton Milkbar 44 Burleigh Road Melton Melton Waves Leisure Centre 206 Coburns Road Melton TAB Corp Park 2 Ferras Road Melton Melton Shire Council Offices 232 High Street Melton Sweeney Real Estate 266 High Street Melton Barry Plant Real Estate 273 High Street
Published Tuesday - weekly Melton Advance Sationers 283 High Street Melton Raine and Horne Real Estate 289 High Street Melton Melton Lotto 293 High Street Melton Harcourts Real Estate 306 High Street Melton Professionals Real Estate 317 High Street Melton MGS Grocery Store 358 High Street Melton Freddy's Fruit & Veg 393 High Street Melton YPA Real Estate - Melton 272-274 High Street Melton Morgans Supa IGA 335-345 High Street Melton Foodworks Shop 1, 415-429 High Street Melton Woodgrove Shopping Centre 533-555 High Street Melton Woolworths Supermarket 523-531 High Street (Coburns Shopping Centre) Melton Woolworths Supermarket 533-555 High Street (Woodgrove Shopping Centre) Melton Coles Supermarket 533-555 High Street (Woodgrove Shopping Centre) Melton Kurunjang Village Store 51 Kurunjang Drive Melton Melton Library 31 McKenzie Street Melton Melton Country Club 28-30 Reserve Road Melton Melton Indoor Sports Centre 65 Reserve Road Melton Coles 11 Station Street (Melton Station Square) Melton Lee Merchants 29 Wallace Square Melton South Station Square Shopping Centre 25 Station Road Melton South Coles Express Shop 1-9 Station Street & Brooklyn Road Rockbank Rockbank Newsagency 1157 Leakes Road Rockbank Sundowner Rockbank Caravan Park 2057-2083 Western Highway Toolern Vale Toolern Vale General Store Lot 23 Diggers Rest Road
We are looking for outlets... Have copies of Star Weekly in your business as a service to the community. We are actively looking for businesses with high traffic flows to carry FREE newspapers for the public. Contact us on (03) 8318 5777 NOW!
Or, get your FREE Digital Editions, News Updates, Breaking News and competitions delivered to your email inbox.
12474523-DL50-20
16 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 12 January, 2021
STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
MOTOR
Lexus Coupe, long and low By Ewan Kennedy, Marque Motoring Lexus recently provided us with details of its LC Coupe and Convertible. Now they’ve just given us a Coupe to road test for a week. As a team we thoroughly enjoyed it.
Styling Long and low with a shape which is definitely coupe, not lowered sedan in appearance, the very definite narrowing at the waist is a real feature. The grille is very positive and the headlights lead well back into the guards. The air scoops ahead of the rear wheels are beautifully integrated into the lower side panels and follow the shape of the doors. Altogether, the Lexus LC 500 Coupe is well-presented and executed.
Interior The dash area is neat and simple with large sporting instruments in a binnacle, a wide infotainment horizontal central screen, and there’s an elegant way the dash area is integrated with the far side of the car. A steering-wheel heater is now standard along with an ‘easy access’ front seat slide function to further aid front and rear seat ingress and egress.
Infotainment The LC 500 has a 10.3-inch display, enhanced voice recognition, satellite navigation with SUNA Live Traffic information, Lexus Enform connected mobility works with compatible Apple and Android smartphones. Setting that all off is Siri Eyes Free and Miracast. A bespoke Mark Levinson 13-speaker premium sound system was developed specially for the LC 500.
Engines / transmissions The 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine in
AT A GLANCE MODEL RANGE LC 500 Luxury Coupe: $194,757 LC 500h Luxury Coupe: $195,165
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Lexus dealer for drive-away prices.
the LC 500 mates with a revised transmission set-up to maximise responsiveness. Enhanced logic patterns for the LC 500’s 10-speed Direct Shift automatic means it upshifts at higher engine speed when 60 to 70 per cent throttle is applied. The LC 500h’s is now able to downshift to second gear (previously third) when braking in Sport S and Sport S+ modes to give more immediate acceleration.
Safety Lexus LC Lexus Safety System+ includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision safety system, lane keeping assist and sway warning. There’s also blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic aler and reversing camera.
Driving For 2021 the front and rear coil springs have been strengthened and the shock-absorber lengthened. The standard Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) has been modified to improve linear response and control. Rear roll rigidity distribution has been revised, making it easier for the driver to feel the LC’s posture through corners and assist with more accurate line-tracing capability. The LC 500 now has Yamaha-developed performance dampers. Newly standard on LC is Active Cornering Assist (ACA), which utilises the vehicle stability control to provide subtle braking of the inside
The Lexus LC 500 is a delight to look at. (Pictures: Supplied)
wheels during high-G cornering, helping to create a natural and neutral cornering feel for the driver. The front seats are well shaped and provide support during cornering, but not to an excessive extent. This is after all a high-speed cruiser, not an out-and-out sportscar. Rear seats are a reasonable size but unless those in front are willing to power their seats a fair way forward there’s very little legroom. The 5.0-litre V8 is a real delight to sit behind. It has virtually instantaneous response. An exhaust sound-control valves gives it a healthy growl and a racecar like fast idle at start-up. We spent most of our time in the Sport and
Sports+ plus modes as otherwise the LC feels too refined for our tastes. Handling is tenacious, with more grip than most owners are ever likely to want. There’s 52 / 48 per cent weight distribution for excellent balance. The feel through the steering is pretty good, though we have felt better in this class. Again, this might be because it’s a quick cruiser not a quick bruiser.
Summing up The first ever Lexus LC Convertible will come to Australia within the next few months and we’ve already got our name on the list to borrow one – can’t wait.
17 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 12 January, 2021
YEAR IN REVIEW ... SPORT
STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
Darley gets the title MARCH 20 Darley has won its first Ballarat Cricket Association first grade premiership after one of the more stranger weeks in local cricket. The Lions, who went through the season undefeated, were awarded the premiership after the grand final was cancelled due to the growing COVID-19 situation. For much of last week, the grand final looked set to go ahead, albeit shortened from four days to two. Despite Cricket Victoria and Cricket Australia recommending that all local cricket be cancelled, the BCA was set to play all their grand finals. After receiving more information, the association made the call to cancel the grand finals on Wednesday night. Lions coach Brian Wheelahan said while they would have preferred to win the premiership on field, it was well deserved. He said they were pushing for the grand final to be played. “We have created history as we had never
Darley players talk tactics.
(Shawn Smits)
won a premiership in the BCA competition,” he said. “We couldn’t have done anymore and we were confident that we could have got the job done and gone through undefeated. “No one wants to win it this way. I’ve been picturing the winning runs being hit or that last wicket being taken. “There’s mixed emotions.” Wheelahan said there was a nervous wait while they waited for the BCA to confirm that they would be awarded the premiership.
Once that came through on Thursday afternoon, his phone rang off the hook. Wheelahan said they were confident that things would go in their favour. “We worked tirelessly on and off the field and we have got rewarded,” he said. “We were three games on top and not losing a game, we were confident that it would go our way. “We deserve it and we’ve got the monkey off the back.” The premiership follows the side winning its second T20 premiership earlier this year. They were also undefeated in that competition. Wheelahan, who is in his first year as coach, said it had been a fantastic year. “It’s been an unbelievable first year, not that I’ve had to do a lot,” he said. “It’s a privilege to coach and watch them go about their business. They have worked their arses off. “We’ve won the first XI premiership, the T20 premiership and Danza Hyatt is one vote off the Cleary Medal despite missing four games. “We couldn’t have written a better script.”
Hillside’s Alston Bobb. (Shawn Smits)
Back-to-back for SydenhamHillside MARCH 23
Frank Mazza. (Damjan Janevski)
Mazza claims state record JANUARY 13 After a technicality prevented Caroline Springs’ Frank Mazza from earning a state athletics under-16 heptathlon record late last year, he now has the record in his hands. Mazza broke the under-16 hepathlon record in November last year, but with the hurdles height incorrect, it meant the record didn’t count. Earlier this month, he claimed the record as he starred at the Athletics Victoria Vic Multi-event Championships in Bendigo. “I’m really happy I have the record on paper now,” the 14-year-old Mazza said. “Last time I scored more points, but the hurdles height was wrong. It was my first senior heptathlon.
“It gave me somewhere to base my points off. It really motivated me.” Competing for Keilor-St Bernard’s, Mazza finished with 4497 points in the under-16 age group at the Bendigo event, which also saw him break the venue record for his age group, which was set in 2001. Mazza won every event in the multi-event, including the 1500 metres which is his weakest event. He recorded an 11 second personal best in that event. The score was enough to earn him the state under-15 and under-16 multi-event records. It’s been a big summer for Mazza, as he competes at the senior level for the first time in his career. He is still competing in Little Athletics
18 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 12 January, 2021
competitions as well. “It’s kind of weird,” he said of competing in both juniors and seniors. “It’s been hard with a lot of training and a few different trips to compete.” The Maribyrnong Sports College student doesn’t have much time to rest with a couple of big events still to come this season. He is one of eight students from his school selected to compete at the Simplot Games in America in February. He will compete in the long jump, relay and possibly the high jump. Mazza will be the favourite in the state little athletics combined event, which is similar to the multi event. Then he will compete in the nationals in Sydney.
Sydenham-Hillside has made it back-to-back premierships in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association. After winning the division 4 title last season, the Storm made an instant impact in division 3, claiming the minor premiership. After winning through to the grand final, the Storm claimed a first innings win on day two against Williamstown Imperials. That would prove to be enough, with the second week of the grand final called off due to the growing COVID-19 pandemic. While they had claimed a first innings result and finished minor premiers, it was still a nervous wait until the premiership was confirmed on Thursday afternoon. Storm first XI player and president Warren Hackney said while they were confident they would be announced premiers they were still nervous. “You never know how these things will play out,” he said. “We were quite nervous until we got the word from the association and we were relieved and excited.” Hackney said early in the week they had been preparing for the game to go ahead. He said it had been a challenge to try and keep everyone focused. “We had to remain focused,” he said. “We were going to have to try and get a second innings result, if we needed it.” He said the focus late in the season to ensure that they finished as high as possible on the ladder, had also paid off, giving them home finals. Having won a premiership just 12 months ago, Hackney said there was a different feeling this time round. Last time they had to dig deep on day four to get the trophy. He said they had no doubt they deserved this one just as much. “It doesn’t feel like a hollow victory.” The premiership is the Storm’s second first XI premiership in four seasons in the VTCA. Hackney said while they were hopeful of moving up the grades relatively quickly, they had exceeded all expectations. Next season they will play in division 2. “We’ve now wriggled our way up two grades and progressing along nicely,” he said. “We’re just embracing the challenge and climbing up the ranks of the VTCA. “We hope it will continue.”
12472447-JW03-21
19 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 12 January, 2021
12475106-CLG03-21