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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 economical 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, Sunbury and Macedon Ranges residents were being urged to buy from their local businesses to help save jobs and minimise the impact of the pandemic on traders. Schools closed and all pubs, clubs, casinos, cinemas, gyms and places of worship shut as the state battled the pandemic. The state government announced that essential services would continue to operate but many public facilities and services in the Macedon Ranges and Sunbury closed and events were cancelled or postponed. The message didn’t get through to everybody and on April 7 Macedon Ranges council urged visitors to stay away from tourist hot spots across the region as “hundreds” of people visited the shire’s autumn leaves display. Police closed the road to the Mount Macedon Memorial Cross after visitors ignored government recommendations to stay home. On April 14, financial support measures aimed at easing the impact of COVID-19 on Macedon Ranges residents, businesses and sporting clubs were adopted by council. The new financial measures were part of the

Nurse Lyn Safstrom outside the respiratory clinic at the back of Kyneton Hospital. (Damjan Janevski) 207640_02

council’s #InThisTogether campaign, which aimed to find innovative ways to deliver services while council-run centres were closed. A respiratory clinic was set up in the old ambulance bays at the rear of the Kyneton Hospital to assess people exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 in response to Central Highlands Rural Health concerns about a possible rise in local cases and other respiratory illnesses during winter. On May 19, Sunbury McDonald’s was one of 12 restaurants across Melbourne’s north-west to be shut down for deep cleaning following a truck driver testing positive to COVID-19. In Victoria, there were 1561 confirmed COVID-19 cases as the state government announced the first relaxation of lockdown. After two months of home learning, school was officially back in for Sunbury and Macedon

Ranges students. And on June 2 dining out was back on the menu as Victoria started to reopen after more than two months of lockdown. By June 30, Hume residents were being urged to rethink their interstate travel plans after the municipality was labeled a ‘hot spot’ for coronavirus infections. On July 7, Hume was divided. Sunbury residents dodged a second lockdown but stay-at-home orders were issued for other parts of Hume. Postcode 3064, which takes in Craigieburn, Roxburgh Park, Mickleham, Donnybrook and Kalkallo, had the highest number of active coronavirus cases in Victoria. A week later, Sunbury residents were returned to stage three restrictions as part of a six-week metropolitan Melbourne lockdown. In August, Hume councillors endorsed their final budget, which included an $11.5 million

stimulus package to assist businesses, sporting clubs, community groups and ratepayers. A Sunbury man whose wife was a resident at Goonawarra Aged Care spoke of his fears the growing number of COVID-19 cases within the home was “a potential diaster”. At the time, 72 confirmed cases had been linked to the home. Of those, 43 were residents, 24 were staff and five were close contacts. In September, falling case numbers gave Victoria some hope. On September 15, the Macedon Ranges entered the second step of Premier Daniel Andrews’ roadmap to “covid normal”, while restrictions were extended until September 28 in metropolitan Melbourne. The road out was ‘paused’ on October 27 while the state waited on test results. On November 10, the ring of steel which had divided metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria came down. 12476330-CG03-21

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Safer than houses. Never have any of us been through such a tumultuous time. The restrictions, the isolation, the feelings of helplessness of not being able to change what is going on in the outside world and not being able to do anything to help those most in need.

How have you gotten through this time? In our two Northern Retirement Estates our residents continue to tell us that they are so happy to feel safe and secure within the community and that we have kept them very well informed of what is safe, what is not and what restrictions we have to work with. In fact, many have said they are so glad to be in the village at this time rather than living in isolation in their original family home. Arguably, Safer than Houses.

Why? What have they been able to do that they couldn’t do if they lived in a traditional suburban home? The answer lies in how they have been able to manage and be involved in the little things. It started back in March with Communication to all Residents and Staff - constant, reassuring, encouraging everyone to follow the guidelines and respect the rules that the Health Authorities and The State Government asked us to follow. Ongoing it has involved encouraging people to write down their stories so we could produce a book of life stories. Our Community Our Story is the outcome now published on our village websites. It involved ensuring people had adequate sanitiser and facemasks so that they didn’t have to worry about access to those essentials. It was about making sure that they had essential food and medical supplies and a someone who could deliver these things. It involved making sure that their homes and gardens were still maintained without compromise. Ongoing it involves making sure those that are not lonely, have games to play, puzzles to access, people to talk with on the phone. It has involved encouraging people to get outside and walk and talk to their neighbours at appropriate distance and yet to feel safe doing so within the confines of the retirement estate. In fact, at both our Northern villages there is access to many kilometres of walking trails around the region without having to cross a road. Did we mention our picturesque gardens that people have been able to enjoy during this time? In fact, many people have been gardening, painting and continuing their card marking. The feedback we are constantly hearing is that older Australians want a safe haven from the dangers of living on their own. This is especially the case in these uncertain and challenging times. We have new websites for both our villages and have a limited number of homes to sell now that restrictions are easing. So come and discover what life is like at either The Elms at Kilmore or Bridgewater Lake at Roxburgh Park. Come also and look at our extensive Community facilities and take your pick of what you would like to do, swim in the pool, lawn bowls, cinema. You name it – Freedom to choose, Freedom to enjoy retirement the way you want to.

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No toxic soil here: Hume MARCH 10 Hume council is seeking urgent clarification from the state government as to whether there are plans to dump contaminated soil in Bulla. Hume mayor Carly Moore said there had been speculation that the state government has plans to dump soil laced with PFAS from the West Gate Tunnel project at a privately-owned Bulla landfill. “Given there has been no conversation with Hume council, we seek immediate clarification from the Victorian government on whether they plan on dumping this toxic soil in

Hume, she said. “This site in Bulla is in close proximity to the recently approved residential development by the Victorian government in Sunbury South and of great concern, this site backs onto Emu Creek.” Cr Moore said the soil was likely to be laced with PFAS which is known to have lasting adverse health and environmental effects if not properly managed. “Why the Victorian government would want to dump this waste in a growing residential area makes no sense,” she said. “Any move to dump this waste in Hume will be met with strong opposition from council

and undoubtedly the Hume community. “Council requests the Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne sets the record straight on the Victorian government’s plans for the disposal of this toxic waste and to consider the health, safety and the environmental implications of such a proposal.” The council wrote to Mr Wynne on March 2, calling for clarity on its plans. The state government is urgently trying to find a place to dump soil from the $6.7 billion West Gate Tunnel, amid an impasse with Transurban and the road’s builders over how to manage the waste.

Champs honoured

Airfield plans cleared AUGUST 4

JANUARY 26 Not many people label a defeat as one of their greatest achievements. But Mario Magris has shown how a defeat can shape anyone’s life. The Sunbury resident has been appointed an officer of the Order of Australia in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours list for his dedication to the boxing industry. Mr Magris, 76, said it was a great honour to receive the Order of Australia medal. “I’m still on cloud nine to be receiving an award like this for something that I love very much,” he said. Mr Magris began his career as a boxer in 1957 at 13-years-old. He had his first fight as an amateur boxer in 1958 in Ringwood before he turned professional in 1964. Mr Magris travelled all over Australia, participating in 78 fights before he retired in 1970 at the young age of 25. “I came down with a very rare blood disorder … it was chronic anemia, it’s a weakness in the blood,” he said. Mr Magris was inducted into the Victorian Boxing Hall of Fame in 2004. But he says his greatest achievement of all was his three defeats to Australian boxing champion Lionel Rose. “He became a world champion. He beat me three times. To be able to go the distance in two very close decisions – people still remember those fights.” Riddells Creek’s Susan Mayes was made a member in the general division of the Order of Australia for her physiotherapy service and dedication at The Australian Ballet spanning nearly 25 years. “I came from a ballet background, I studied dance well into my 20s and I experienced quite

Builders John Holland and CPR Contractors are threatening to leave the project due to the deadlock, with tunnelling estimated to be about a year behind. In Wyndham, the government is facing rising community backlash to plans to dump soil from the project at a $180 million rail yard. The state-owned 82-hectare site, which backs onto the heritage-protected Werribee River, is just 70 metres from houses. In neighbouring Bacchus Marsh, more than 400 people vented their frustrations at a town meeting recently over a bid by Maddingley Brown Coal to receive the contaminated soil.

Clockwise from top: Mario Magris; Susan Mayes; Ronald Alexander.

a few injuries and I started to discover physio. “Once I finished my physio, I was really quite driven to try and look after dancers’ health.” Ms Mayes is the director of artistic health and the principal physiotherapist at Australian Ballet and specialises in foot, ankle and hip injuries. Mount Macedon resident Ronald Alexander has also been awarded an Order of Australia

Medal for his work in the Strathfieldsaye shire, now known as the City of Greater Bendigo. “I got on council in 1972 [and] I served there for 20 years,” he said. Gisborne’s Julien O’Connell has been made an officer in the general division of the order of Australia for his involvement in tertiary education and community health. Mr O’Connell was also appointed a member of the Order of Australia in 2013.

The long-awaited Kyneton Airfield Masterplan has received the tick of approval – minus plans to build a tourism hub and new private hangars. Councillors at their meeting last month knocked back plans to rezone a lot at 8 Rawson Place from farming to public use to accomodate a tourism hub, offices and up to 12 privately-owned hangers at the airfield. The proposed masterplan suggested flights could almost double from 5100 to 10,000 a year if supporting infrastructure such as additional hangars were available to aircraft operators. Cr Mandi Mees said a major focus of the council was to invest in recreational activity, and providing hangars at the Kyneton Airfield would be “prudent” to sustaining the airfield. However Cr Jennifer Anderson said there had been not enough community support for a tourism hub and additional hangars. The airfield, which is operated by the Kyneton Aero Club, currently has 34 hangars to house 60 aircraft. Club president Warren Canning said he was pleased with the “realistic” master plan. “So I think as the economy tries to recover post COVID-19, that is a great opportunity.” As part of the master plan, about 150 metres of the northern runway would be sealed to increase landing and takeoff distance available and, in turn, reduce noise over the Kyneton township. 12433442-CG48-19

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Centres open Macedon Ranges council’s customer service centres in Kyneton and Gisborne have reopened. Having been closed due to COVID-19, the centres reopened on January 5 and will be open on weekdays between 10am and 3pm. Residents are encouraged to make appointments where possible, with some restrictions still in place due to COVID-19. Details: 5422 0333.

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Summertime fun Wine and food will be the centerpiece of the Summertime Fling Festival in the Macedon Ranges. Throughout January, cellar doors across the Macedon Ranges will hold a series of events as part of the new festival. The Macedon Ranges Vigneron’s Association is running the event to encourage lovers of wine and food to take a well-earned break from 2020, and share in fun in the fresh air and scenic wide-open spaces while following COVID protocols. Throughout the festival, wine lovers will have the chance to discover a number of small and diverse wineries and vineyards hidden away in the natural landscape, in settings with breathtaking views of Mount Macedon, through the Pastoria Valley to the Cobaws. Event organiser Jennifer Ward said the

festival is the perfect opportunity to meet new people. “It also provides a wonderful opportunity for people to try somewhere different. Many have been to the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula – perhaps give the Macedon Ranges a try,” she said. Wineries involved in upcoming events include, Lyons Will, Gisborne Peak, Parkside Farm Winery, Botanica Estate, Cobaw Ridge, Passing Clouds, Granite Hills, Kyneton Ridge, Hanging Rock Winery, Zig Zag Rd Wines and Hesket Estate. The festival runs from January 9 to January 31. For details and to book, visit: macedonrangeswine.com.au/ summertime-fling.

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 or someone at your club you want to recognise? 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 number. FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

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There’s a bear in there APRIL 20 There’s a bear hunt taking place across Sunbury. Families across the town have embraced the world-wide bear hunt movement, placing teddies in their windows for children to discover while out walking. To help make the hunt easier for kids, Sunbury mum Elizabeth Clarkson has created a bear hunt map, allowing families to easily work out which streets are taking part. Ms Clarkson said she started the map after a friend created a similar map for Pascoe Vale. She said there had been a lot of support for the map in recent weeks. “Lots of families have got involved.

Sunshine for dark days

It is something for the kids to do when they are out for their walks,” Ms Clarkson said. “There is a lot of small kids stuck at home without something to do.” Ms Clarkson said it was important people adhered to social distancing requirements while taking part in the bear hunt.

APRIL 7 A Gisborne florist is sending her love to aged care residents through bouquets of flowers. Scent Florist owner Brooke Vigo is making beautiful bouquets and sending them to residents at Warrina Aged Care and Gisborne Oaks Residential Aged Care. Ms Vigo is hoping the flowers will bring a smile to residents’ faces during these tough and uncertain times. “I find that a lot of the older generation really appreciate flowers because they used to grow a lot of their own flowers,” she said. Aged care facilities have restricted visitor policies or are in lockdown as the county battles to control the COVID-19 pandemic. “The fact that the families aren’t really allowed to see them [residents] – that was my biggest concern for them as well,” Ms Vigo said. “I just want to let them know that even though they are in there, they are never forgotten. I’d hope to just bring happiness and also just make them feel valued as part of the community.” Ms Vigo has gathered flowers grown in her own garden, sunflowers from Australian growers and floral donations from locals to create the bouquets. “If I have some [bouquets] left over from the generous donations, I was thinking of donating them to the medical centres across the Macedon area,” she said.

Zac (16), Jennah (11), Alisha (14) and mum Elizabeth. (Damjan Janevski)

Sweet gesture

Ezekiel has been delivering lollies and chocolates to his neighbours. (Damjan Janevski)

SEPTEMBER 8 Little Ezekiel has captured the heart of his neighbourhood. The four-year-old Sunbury boy has spent his time bringing a little bit of cheer to town by delivering packages of lollies and chocolates to his neighbours. Ezekiel’s mum Chloe Kerwell said she was

blown away by her son’s kind gesture. “From his understanding, he is not seeing people smile because people are wearing masks,” she said. “First he asked if he could make lollies to give out to make people happy because lollies make him happy. “He said he wanted to serve them to the neighbours and to his friends.” In three weeks, Ezekiel, with the help of

his family, has delivered more than 100 sweet packages throughout Sunbury. In response, locals have sent small gifts and have left letters in Ezekiel’s letterbox, thanking him. Ms Kerwell said she couldn’t be more proud of her son.“He wanted to do something nice for people and we’ll do anything to make that happen,” she said.

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From gin to sanitiser APRIL 28 The ongoing demand for hand sanitiser is helping a Macedon Ranges distillery stay open and keep its staff employed. Animus Distillery managing director Rob Turner said a “critical shortage” of hand sanitiser had prompted the Kyneton distillery to begin producing 100ml bottles. He said the switch from gin to hand sanitiser had helped Animus “keep the business moving” and “keep employing people”. “We’ve spent years building our wonderful team and to be able to keep offering them some kind of ongoing employment instead of shutting the business down [is significant],” he said. “It is helping us help people. It is vital to stay connected at a time like this.” Mr Turner said the sale of hand sanitiser was also helping Animus Distillery give back to the community. He said 50 per cent of profits from hand sanitiser sales were being used to provide hand santiser to community members in need. Mr Turner said the company planned to start selling 250ml and 500ml bottles soon. The distillery is also hoping to help local wineries by selling their wines at its cellar door. Forty wineries from across the Macedon Ranges and central Victoria have partnered with Animus Distillery after being forced to close their own cellar doors. “We have seen so many of our friends in the wine industry that have had to shut their cellar doors which is their main source of revenue; it is quite distressing,” Mr Turner said. “We wanted to find an avenue for wineries to keep going.”

Brown Cow Cafe owner Nick Truong (front) and his staff Brylea, Elyssa; Eddie, and Ellie. (Damjan Janevski)

Cafe serves up relief AUGUST 10 Sunbury’s Brown Cow Cafe is providing relief packages for those are who experiencing financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cafe owner Nick Truong said this was his way of giving back to the community. “They have been supportive of us, we are a new business,” he said. “We did the relief packages in the first lockdown and that went really well and we were able to help out a few families.” Mr Truong is hoping to deliver about 200 packages during the second lockdown. He said families can pick up the packages from his cafe or arrange for home delivery. “If anyone is really struggling they can come and help themselves, no questions asked,” he said. Mr Truong said the relief packages were also helping his staff stay in work during the pandemic.

Animus Distillery venue manager Eva Thieu. (Damjan Janevski)

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‘Low-key’ salute The Gisborne and Macedon Ranges RSL will mark Remembrance Day this year with a “low-key” service. With normal Remembrance Day services unable to go ahead due to the COVID-19 pandemic, president Robin Funston said about 12 RSL members will commemorate the day at the Gisborne War Memorial. “We are not going to have a Poppy Day Appeal this year either,” he said. “It’s disappointing. Every year we have done really well with the collections and we are well supported by the community so that all goes into our welfare fund for looking after veterans. “We are just having a short service, we will say The Ode, we will lay a wreath and have a minute of silence at 11am.” About 150 people usually attend the Remembrance Day service at the Gisborne War Memorial.

President Robin Funston (front) with club members Daniel Hall, Ian Arnel (secretary) and John Hike. (Damjan Janevski) 219410_01

Jessica Micallef

Toxic soil fight ramps up By Jessica Micallef Sunbury and Bulla should not be the dumping ground for toxic soil from the West Gate Tunnel Project: That’s the message Sunbury residents are making loud and clear. Locals have stepped up their campaign to fight Hi-Quality’s proposal to send toxic soil to the Sunbury Eco-Hub in Bulla. They have taken their protest to the streets – decking the town with posters, stickers and signs. Sunbury resident, and creator of the Sunbury Against Toxic Soil Facebook group, Chris O’Neill said he was doing as much as he could to promote the message of many residents.

“We have strategically placed banners throughout the community, we have bumper stickers and we have our website,” he said. “We are starting to get more and more coverage which is what we need and we are getting more people talking about it … which is promising.” Although community support is ramping up, Mr O’Neill said some residents still had no idea about Hi-Quality’s proposal. He said it was a concern that residents neighbouring the Sunbury Eco-Hub had not been made aware of the potential for Bulla to become a dumping ground for toxic soil. “A person lives next door, or very close to Hi-Quality and they didn’t even know that

this was happening,” he said. “The message is not cutting through to people. It’s clear that Hi-Quality, the EPA [Environment Protection Authority] and Transurban have not engaged properly with the community. “We heard they [Hi-Quality] dropped letters in about 2000 letterboxes. They hit less than four per cent of the population. “They should have hit every single letterbox.” Mr O’Neill said COVID-19 restrictions on large public gatherings made it impossible for residents, including the 2700-strong members of his Facebook group, to publicly voice their anger. “We don’t want to break the law to get the message out there … there are people itching to get out and have their say but we can’t.

“We need to get the community behind us, help get the message out there and help alert people to the problem that faces us.” The EPA approved Hi-Quality’s Environment Management Plan (EMP) in September to send the toxic soil to Bulla. It has also approved EMPs for Maddingly Brown Coal in Bacchus Marsh and for Cleanaway’s Ravenhall landfill. The approval of an EMP does not mean a final decision has been made on where the soil would be sent. A site still needs approval from the state planning minister. Transurban, the site operators of the West Gate Tunnel Project, will decide where the soil is to be processed.

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Do-it-yourself District favourites OCTOBER 6 District 3429 is bringing traditional Vietnamese flavours straight to the doors of its customers. The Sunbury restaurant has been creating and distributing do-it-yourself cooking kits, filled with fresh ingredients to recreate their favourite Vietnamese meals at home. Owner Ami Tran said the kits included marinated meats, spices and herbs. “They are a fantastic starting point to help people in the kitchen,” she said. “We know that everyone is in isolation and lockdown … families are juggling online learning as well as their own jobs. “There are no hard instructions and we have done all the measuring.” Ms Tran started delivering the kits at the beginning of stage three restrictions. She said the kits have been a huge hit across the community. “We also created a District movie box but we put a modern and Asian theme to it,” she said. “So instead of popcorn, it was prawn crackers and instead of chips it was spring rolls and we put dumplings in there as well.” The COVID-19 pandemic forced Ms Tran’s restaurant to switch to takeaway and delivery services which she said had a “great impact” on the business. “I struggle to talk about it because it’s such a harsh reality but we still have to keep on going and we’ve had to adapt as everything was rolling out,” she said. “But it [the kits] also gave our team jobs because our waiters … became computer operators and we use our own delivery drivers.”

District 3429 owner Ami Tran and manager Alex Fitzgibbon with the DIY dinner boxes.

(Damjan Janevski)

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For more information about our range of retirement communities, visit: rcavillages.com.au 9 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 12 January, 2021

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

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

30 years ago

25 years ago

20 years ago

10 years ago

January 8, 1991

January 9, 1996

January 9. 2001

January 11. 2011

The owners and occupiers of 69 commercial properties in the Sunbury Town Centre face a rate increase of nearly 40 per cent this financial year due to a steep hike in rents charged for car parks on Government land.

Woodend’s 21-year-old Devon Lodges Accommodation Home has closed and the property has been listed for public auction.

A fierce blaze swept through more than 10 hectares of open paddock in Bulla last Wednesday. It’s the fourth fire in 10 days to be lit in the area along Cemetery Lane, Bulla.

This is a year of parties for past and present Sunbury residents as the town gears to mark 175 of colonial settlement.

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

10 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 12 January, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW ... HEALTH

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GP takes on COVID ‘scaremongering’ APRIL 14 A Gisborne GP is providing the community with regular updates about COVID-19 on Facebook in a bid to stop the “scaremongering and spread of incorrect information. Neal Street Medical Clinic’s Dr Umair Masood began writing the daily updates in early March in response to the growing number of questions patients had about coronavirus. “We were getting so many questions from so many patients … there is a lot of

scaremongering and false information out there,” Dr Masood said. “I wanted to inform people about what is happening locally.” Dr Masood said he was “blown away” by the popularity of his updates, with the posts reaching thousands of people each day as patients share his information with their friends and family. He said that even though the Macedon Ranges has only recorded a small number of COVID-19 cases, it was important that everyone abided by state and federal government regulations and

did their part to stop the spread of the virus. “I tell people that you should assume everyone has got it and behave accordingly,” Dr Masood said. “Just because there are five cases, it doesn’t mean you can take your foot off the pedal.” Dr Masood said the most common question people had was ‘when is it going to finish?’ “In my opinion, it will last six months,” he said. The Neal Street Medical Clinic has also set up a respiratory clinic in its basement to enable it to treat patients with respiratory issues.

Dr Umair Masood is providing social media updates about COVID-19.

Community testing clinic opens MAY 11

Kyneton Health has conducted 10,000 COVID-19 tests.

(Sandy Scheltema

Clinic’s testing milestone AUGUST 25 Kyneton Health has achieved a mighty milestone to help track the spread of COVID-19. Last week, the hospital conducted it’s 10,000th test at its respiratory assessment clinic. The Kyneton clinic has tested individuals since the end of February, and was one of the first testing sites in the Macedon Ranges to open. Central Highlands Rural Health chief executive Maree Cuddihy said she was grateful

to Macedon Ranges locals in their commitment to help track the spread of the virus. “Ten thousand COVID-19 tests is a major achievement, not only for our hospital, but for every single person in the Macedon Ranges who has come forward,” she said. “With every test we carry out, we are helping contain the spread of the virus in our community. We want to reiterate that getting tested is not something to be ashamed of. “By encouraging one another to get tested, and supporting those who test positive throughout the recovery process, we are

looking after our friends, our family and our wider community.” Earlier this month, six Australian DefenceForce members were deployed to Kyneton Health to assist nurses at the COVID-19 clinic. Australian Defence Force members have been busy swabbing patients and triaging those calling to make an appointment. “We are extremely grateful to the Australian Defence Force for their support as our staff have been going above and beyond to support our community,” Ms Cuddihy said.

A coronavirus testing clinic has been set up in Sunbury. Sunbury Community Health has partnered with Western Health to open the clinic at the former Sunbury Lions Community Aged Care site on Timins Street. Sunbury Community Health chief executive Phillip Ripper said the clinic, which opened on May 4, tested more than 60 people during its first day of operation. “The clinic has received a fantastic response,” he said. “We had people queuing from 9am before the doors opened. “We’re extremely pleased with the initial response. Although there was a reasonable waiting time when we first opened, we are confident that the initial rush will slow and waiting times will come down.” Mr Ripper said Western Health nurses are currently testing aged care workers, health workers, people with chronic diseases and anyone over the age of six displaying the mildest of cold and flu symptoms. But he said the testing criteria could very well change to include asymptomatic cases. “That would be the next step,” he said. “The criteria changes regularly so it’s always good to check before you come.” Nurses at the clinic will be wearing the “appropriate protective equipment” and no doctor referral or bookings are necessary to be tested. “They [nurses] are all highly trained,” Mr Ripper said.

Side-by-side in coronavirus fight JULY 28 A mother and daughter duo are working on the front line at Northern Health’s COVID-19 fever clinic. Parneet Kaur joined Northern Health as a ward clerk in March, joining her mum Jatinder, who began working at the hospital as a Personal Service Assistance (PSA) three years ago and is now also ward clerk. Parneet, who is in her final year of her international business studies degree, said working in the fever clinic was rewarding. “I find it really rewarding to be able to help people, especially in the current situation.

Patients are appreciative of what we are doing and understand the challenges of our eight-hour shift,” she said. “It is also not as daunting as it looks. When everyone is wearing their personal protective equipment (PPE) it looks very intimidating, but once you understand the process and how it works, it is not as daunting. “The staff are very supportive and very nice … the teamwork and camaraderie is special.” Jatinder said working in the fever clinic made her feel like she was helping the community. “According to my religion, we have to help the community. As our gurudwara’s [temples] are closed, I feel like working in the fever clinic

is like going to the temple because I’m doing something for the community. “I love Australia. This country has given me a lot of opportunities and as an Australian, I’m happy to help. “This is the time to stand with the community and I’m proud I get an opportunity to do so.”

Parneet and her mum Jatinder Kaur work together at Northern Health’s fever clinic. 11 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 12 January, 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW ... PEOPLE

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Husband fears for wife in aged care AUGUST 18 A Sunbury man whose wife is a resident at Goonawarra Aged Care fears the growing number of COVID-19 cases within the home is “a potential diaster”. As of Saturday, 72 confirmed cases had been linked to the home. Of those, 43 are residents, 24 are staff and five are close contacts of staff, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Ian Sutherland’s wife Mary, 82, suffers from Alzhemiers and has been a resident at the home, managed by Japara Healthcare, for more

than three years. Mr Sutherland said the aged care centre had been COVID-19 free until the beginning of August. But the number of cases had jumped within days. “They first announced there were three residents and one staff member that had tested positive … [but] it was growing rapidly,” he said. “It’s a potential disaster.” In a letter sent to residents’ family members on August 5, Japara’s chief operations officer Lindon Le Griffon said 26 residents and nine staff members had tested positive to the virus at the time.

The letter stated residents and their families had been contacted and staff members and other identified close contact staff were in isloation. “All residents in the home have been placed in isloation as a precautionary measure, with full personal protective equipment in use,” the letter stated. “COVID-19 positive residents are transferred to hospital where deemed necessary [and] COVID-19 testing on residents and staff will be conducted regularly.” Mr Sutherland said before the pandemic he would visit Mary every day for lunch but he

hasn’t see her since February due to the home being in strict lockdown. “It’s been a long time since I saw her,” he said. “The blessing is Mary is in isolation and has tested negative. They [staff] were good enough to set up a video link every Thursday and I would … have a chat with Mary.” He says the lockdown was a “very sensible” action to protect the residents and staff but he’s concerned the infections are getting out of control. As of Sunday there were more than 2070 active coronavirus cases related to aged care facilities across the state.

Hotspot travel warning JUNE 30

The five kilometre rule is preventing Estella (9) and Kingston (11) from meeting up with their friends in the nearest town which is Sunbury..

Plea for a playdate OCTOBER 13 Kingston and Estella just want to see their friends. As part of the state government’s step two of the roadmap out of COVID-19 restrictions, outdoor public gatherings of up to five people from a maximum of two households are allowed. However, the five-kilometre travel rules still applies. Bulla children Kingston, 11, and Estella, 9, live about 10 kilometres away from Sunbury where their friends live. Mum Amelia Bonett said her children were being “discriminated” against based on their address. “I can go into Sunbury to buy food or to buy medication but if I were to stop … and talk outdoors to a friend with our kids to play, I would get fined, which seems a little silly,” she said. “It is not sensible. It is discrimination. “What is the difference if we are going to stop for an hour outside, in a public space staying

away for people, but just let the kids see people?” When it was announced that outdoor gatherings of up to five people could commence, Ms Bonett said her children were excited that they could finally see their friends again. But because Kingston and Estella live more than five kilometres away from their friends, the new rule did not apply to them. “They were really sad,” Ms Bonett said. “It’s pretty upsetting. I cried for them. It’s been such a hard year. [and] there’s lots of people in this situation.” As metropolitan Melbourne students begin to return to the classroom, Ms Bonett fears students will be thrown into the deep end and will be forced to quickly adjust to social distancing in a classroom setting. She said allowing children to interact in small groups outdoors while practicing social distancing and safe play would have been “invaluable” ahead of the return to face-to-face learning. “Some kids will be able to control their personal space and others won’t so they are

12 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 12 January, 2021

already going to have enough on their plate,” she said. “There are loads of children who are so anxious about going back to school because everybody has been told not to go outside, it’s all been dramatic. “I’ve had friends tell me they are are anxious about going out for a coffee. How are the kids going to cope when they go back to school?” Both Kingston and Estella wrote letters to the premier, Hume council and local MPs, explaining their situation. In the letter, Kingston suggested families should be able to nominate a park to meet, and record the names and details of the people in attendance. “We are trying to ask there be some kind of flexibility given we can travel to the nearest town to buy essentials,” Ms Bonett said. “There has to be some kind of understanding that if a rule can be made little bit more fair, then it should because it has real impact. “All we are trying to do is help out with finding a Covid normal.”

Hume residents are being urged to rethink their interstate travel plans after the municipality was labelled a “hotspot” for coronavirus infections. The move has prompted councillors to seek “urgent clarification” from the Department of Health and Human Services on the suburbs within Hume that have seen a spike in COVID-19 cases. As of Sunday, there were 33 active cases of coronavirus in Hume. Sunbury’s Mel James booked a one week getaway to a caravan park in Moama, New South Wales, for the school holidays with her sister’s family on June 20 but she was forced to cancel the trip two days later after being told the site would not accept residents living in hotspot areas of Melbourne, including Hume. “I got a phone call from the caravan park saying ‘because I live in Hume, I cannot attend for the school holidays,’” she said. “But my sister lives in Romsey and she can go.” “Just because I live in Hume, I now cannot take the kids anywhere, but my sister who lives 20 minutes up the road can, which doesn’t make sense.” Ms James said Sunbury residents needed to be provided with more clarification on what living under a municipality labelled a hotspot meant. “They are talking about if things get worse they are going to lock us down,” she said. “So does that mean my husband can’t leave Hume to go to work because he works in the city?” The Foreshore Caravan Park, which has three sites at Torquay, Anglesea and Lorne, was last week cancelling bookings of guests from the six Melbourne council areas labelled a hotspot. However the company changed its stance after community backlash. Last week, NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian called on her state’s organisations to not “interact” with Melbourne citizens. There is also a growing concern among councillors that Sunbury is being included as a suburb associated as a hotspot. At last Monday’s council meeting, councillors voted to write to Victorian chief health officer Brett Sutton to seek “urgent clarification” on the suburbs within Hume that have seen a spike in cases. Cr Ann Potter said identifying hotspots by local government area did not make sense in an area as large as Hume, which covers more than 500 square kilometres.

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.

13 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 12 January, 2021

PUZZLES 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

2 5 8 2 6 7 medium

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 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)

1 9 10 12 13 16 17 19 21 24 25 27 29 30

No. 011

DOWN Element with atomic symbol Ca (7) Possesses (4) Possibly (11) Unwell (3)

2 3 4 5

DECODER

No. 011

3 9 1 4 3 6 1 9 3

8 5 8

QUICK CROSSWORD

6 7 3 9 6

7 2 8 9

8 hard

8 3 5

9 2 7 4

6 4

10 11 12 13

J 16

1 4

O A F V B MW L Q N K Z X 6

Today’s Aim: 20 words: Good 30 words: Very good

1 8 5 9 2 6 3 4 7

5 4 8 2 6 7 9 1 3

PUCK TEST WIVE 5 LETTERS ADMIT ADULT ALONE BASIS BASKS BEGUN CROSS DAMPS DREAD DRESS EAVES EDGES EERIE ELOPE ERRED FOAMY

4 LETTERS AIMS ARIA AVOS BASK CHAT CYST EGGS FOES IONS KNEW KNIT LETS NINE PAPA PATE

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

15-01-21

Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down.

What are the only three films to have won 11 Academy Awards?

NOTE: more than one solution may be possible

1980s pop duo Wham! consisted of George Michael (pictured) and who?

Which Australian state has the longest land border?

According to the nursery rhyme, who called for his fiddlers three?

No. 011

F T E N R O V E A T E R

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

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

14 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 12 January, 2021

O T H

M E N D

8 5 1 6 7 2 4 3 9

S T

1 9 5 6 2 3 8 7 4

6 7 9 3 4 1 5 2 8

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

No. 011

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

2 1 3 5 9 8 6 7 4

4 6 2 7 8 3 1 9 5

4 7 1 6 2 3 8 5 9

3 9 7 4 1 5 8 6 2

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

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”.

40 words: Excellent

hard

medium

9-LETTER WORD

easy

1 7 9

3 9 6

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

5x5

5 8

C GUD S P H Y T E I J R

WORDFIT

QUICK QUIZ

Which 2000 movie stars Djimon Hounsou, Derek Jacobi and Joaquin Phoenix?

The flag of Morocco consists of which two colours?

Who wrote the 1993 novel A Suitable Boy?

In which Australian state is Cape Le Grand National Park?

Which British crime TV series stars David Tennant and Olivia Colman?

10 Where would you find Olympus Mons? ANSWERS: 1. Ben-Hur, Titanic, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King 2. Andrew Ridgeley 3. New South Wales 4. Old King Cole 5. Gladiator 6. Red and green 7. Vikram Seth 8. Western Australia 9. Broadchurch 10. On Mars

SUDOKU

Rental law delay “the right move” In April 2020, the Victorian government announced that it agreed that it was not the best time for rental reforms and it would hold off for the time being. Ms Calnan said it was a sensible decision. “The … decision to delay the introduction of rental law changes was a huge relief to everybody in the Victorian real estate sector and allowed us to focus our full attention on

REIV president Leah Calnan welcomed the Victorian government’s decision last year to hold off on introducing changes to rental laws, allowing the state to deal with coronavirus. Rental reforms were due to take effect on July 1 last year, which would have been difficult to implement while the real estate industry was dealing with the fallout of coronavirus.

dealing with COVID-19,” she said. “Dealing with drastic changes to rental laws would have been impossible to manage when the industry was already dealing with significant increases in workload with reduced resources and income. The financial viability of real estate businesses was also heavily impacted at that time. “Everybody had enough on their plate;

delaying rental law changes was the right call. Delaying changes to the RTA helped protect VCAT from being further flooded with residential cases, creating an unnecessary backlog during the pandemic. “We congratulate the … government on listening to our industry and making the bold decision to delay rental changes which allowed us to … tackle the impact of the coronavirus.

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“HAPPY NEW YEAR” At last 2021 is here and there has been a collective sigh of relief. 2020 was an “interesting” year which tested so many right from the start. I feel that we can all pat ourselves on the back for the fabulous job of bringing the COVID numbers to zero, now let’s work to keep them there. The property market was going to slump, prices plummet, the bubble burst! In fact none of this has happened and the marketplace is incredibly strong. Regional areas around Australia are seeing record prices and, as much as anything, this is due to a shortage of supply and a strong demand. In short, this is a wonderful time to sell. There is so much to be grateful for at the start of 2021! Australia is surviving the pandemic so well. Touch wood, there have been no catastrophic fires at this point in time and long may that last. However, as I write this on the 7th January 2021 we have witnessed disturbing and historic scenes from Capitol Hill in America. Disturbing in that we are seeing the end of the United States as a respected world power, historic in that it was the 1800’s when Capitol Hill was last invaded and that was by the British, history is being made. To everyone, a safe, happy and healthy 2021 from all of us at Chess Property Consultants.

• Column supplied by Liz Dormontt. Liz is a director of Chess Property Consultants, based in Romsey. To contact Liz, phone 5429 5544 or check out their website at www.chessproperty.com.au 15 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 12 January, 2021

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PUBLIC NOTICE HUME CITY COUNCIL NOTICE OF INTENTION TO SELL LAND Hume City Council (“Council”), acting under clause 3 of Schedule 10 to the Local Government Act 1989 (“Act”), gives notice under section 189 of the Act that it proposes to do the following (Proposal):

Australia Day 26th January

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Any person requesting to appear in person or to be represented by a person speciﬁed in his or her submission is entitled to be heard before Council (or a Committee established by Council for this purpose) to be held (if required) at 7pm on Monday 1 March 2021. Submitters will be contacted closer to the time on how/where the meeting will proceed. A person must clearly state in their submission whether they, or their representatives wish to speak at the meeting.

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Where to pick up your FREE SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES Bulla BP Service Station - Bulla 84-86 Bulla Road Bulla Jack McKenzie Community Centre 11 Green Street Clarkefield Coach and Horses Inn - Clarkfield 50 Station Street Diggers Rest FoodWorks 22 Glitter Road Diggers Rest Diggers Rest Post Office 76 Old Calder Highway Diggers Rest Houdinis Cafe e Cucina 52-56 Old Calder Highway Gibsorne Gisborne Village Fresh Brantome Street Gibsorne Morgan's SUPA IGA Gisborne Brantome Street Gisborne Brad Teal Real Estate - Gisborne 40 Aitken Street Gisborne Kennedy Hunt Real Estate - Gisborne 33 Brantome Street Gisborne Gisborne Real Estate - Gisborne 38 Brantome Street Gisborne Raine & Horne Real Estate 42 Brantome Street Gisborne Gisborne Library 8 Hamilton Street Gisborne Foodworks - Gisborne 24 Hamilton Street Gisborne Macedon Ranges Health Service 76 Hamilton Street Gisborne Gisborne Nursing Home - The Oaks 5 Neal Street Gisborne Puma Service Station Gisborne 23 Robertson Street Gisborne Caltex Service Station - Gisborne 4 Station Street Kyneton Kuppers Fuel Stop - Kyneton 199 Burton Avenue Kyneton RT Edgar Real Estate - Kyneton 10 High Street Kyneton Kyneton Newsagency 95 Mollison Street Kyneton Kyneton Shire Offices 129 Mollison Street Lancefield Lancefield Newsagency 18 High Street Macedon United Service Station - Macedon 313 Black Forest Drive Macedon IGA Supermarket - Macedon 20 Victoria Street Macedon Macedon Newsagency 25 Victoria Street Malmsbury General Store 75 Mollison Street Monegeeta Newsagency 2076 Melbourne-Lancefield Road Mount Macedon Mt Macedon Post Office 341 Mt Macedon Road Riddells Creek Riddells Creek Nursery 675 Kilmore Road Riddells Creek Riddells Creek Post Office 80 Main Road Riddells Creek Foodies - Riddells Creek 86-88 Main Road Riddells Creek Riddells Creek Supermarket 2 Station Street Romsey Chess Property - Romsey 102 Main Street Romsey IGA Supermarket - Romsey 107 Main Street Sunbury Leeburn and Co Real Estate - Sunbury 6 Brook Street Sunbury Sunbury Newsagency 14 Brook Street Sunbury The Jolly Miller cafe Shop 2/2 Brook Street

Sunbury The Jolly Miller cafe Shop 2/2 Brook Street Sunbury The Local Sunbury Bottleshop Shop 2b/15-17 Dornoch Drive Sunbury Goonawarra General Store 23-25 Dornoch Drive Sunbury Sunbury Neighbourhood House 531 Elizabeth Drive Sunbury Brad Teal Real Estate Sunbury 54 Evans Street Sunbury Reliant Real Estate 11/114-126 Evans Street Sunbury Muffin Break Shop 2/24 Evans Street Sunbury Sunbury Square Shopping Centre Shop 2-28 Evans Street Sunbury Terry White Chemist 83-85 Evans Street Sunbury Gap Road Medical Centre 46 Gap Road Sunbury United Fuel Sunbury 47 Gap Road Sunbury 7-Eleven Sunbury 128 Gap Road Sunbury Asia Finest Shop 4&5, 106-126 Gap Road Sunbury Puma Service Station Sunbury 96 Horne Street Sunbury Woolworths Supermarket 25-47 Horne Street Sunbury Big W - Sunbury 25-47 Horne Street Sunbury BP Service Station 53-55 Horne Street Sunbury Sunbury Day Hospital 7 Macedon Street Sunbury Hume Council Offices - Sunbury 40 Macedon Street Sunbury Sunbury Information Centre 43 Macedon Street Sunbury Sunbury Library 44 Macedon Street Sunbury Community Health Centre Unit 12-28 Macedon Street Sunbury McKwen Drive Milk Bar Shop 1-3 McEwen Drive Sunbury Foodworks Bottlemart on Melba 16 Melba Avenue Sunbury Foodworks on Melba 16-18 Melba Avenue Sunbury Melba Cafe 22 Melba Avenue Sunbury Mitchells Lane Milk Bar 192 Mitchells Lane Sunbury Just Planet 37 O'Shannesy Street Sunbury An Apple a Day Natural Health Store 49 O'Shannesy Street Sunbury The Spotted Owl 93 O'Shannesy Street Sunbury Cafe Circe 109 O'Shannesy Street Sunbury IGA Supermarket - Sunbury 98-122 O'Shannesy Street Sunbury Killara Family Store - Sunbury 57 Phillip Drive Sunbury Strathearn Glen Corner Store 10 Strathearn Drive Sunbury Sacco & Saba Cafe 2/20-30 Sussex Street Sunbury Rosenthal Shopping Centre 90 Vineyard Road Tylden Tylden Store 36 Trentham Road

Published Tuesday - weekly Woodend Keatings Real Estate - Woodend 83 Calder Highway Woodend Coles Supermarket - Woodend 61 High Street Woodend II cafe 66 High Street Woodend Andrews Cafe 77 High Street Woodend Fox in the Chamber 90 High Street Woodend Jellis Craig Real Estate - Woodend 91 High Street Woodend Maison Maloa Licensed Cafe & Gifts 95 High Street Woodend Woodend Newsagency 101 High Street Woodend Paysanne Cafe 112 High Street Woodend Bourkies Bake House 115 High Street Woodend RT Edgar Real Estate - Woodend 124 High Street Woodend BP Service Station - Woodend 130 High Street Woodend Woodend Community Centre High Street & Forest Street

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17 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 12 January, 2021

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Gladiator fired up to take on all-comers

Jeep calls on Gladiator to shake up the heavyweight pickup truck market. (Pictures: Supplied)

By Derek Ogden, Marque Motoring Few vehicles live up to their title better than the new Gladiator. Just like the movie of the same name was a widescreen epic of Roman times, the eponymous Jeep is a larger-than-life depiction of the pickup version of the Wrangler SUV. And while Gladiator star Russell Crowe carries off the traditions of the Hollywood heart-throb, so the titular one-of-a-kind convertible truck does likewise with the rich heritage of the popular Jeep. Jeep pickups date back to 1947, with the Gladiator debuting Down Under in 1963, and as the only convertible truck of its kind, now comes to Australia. Ours is the first right-hand drive market in the world to receive it. Available as the well-equipped entry-level Overland and superior-specified Rubicon the dual-cab with tub serves up good on-road manners and excellent off-road performance with an unmatched open-air feeling of freedom with its detachable roof panels. Every Gladiator earns Trail Rated badging, which speaks to the vehicle’s superior off-road capabilities. Prices start at $75,450, plus on-road costs, for the Overland and nudge up to $75,450 for the Rubicon. The Overland can be fitted with a Lifestyle Adventure Package, at $3835, consisting of cargo versatility with trail rail system, lockable rear under-seat storage bin, roll-up material tonneau cover, spray-on bedliner, aux switch bank (four programable), 240A alternator, 700A maintenance-free battery and Bluetooth wireless speaker. One-hundred examples of a Gladiator Launch Edition are also on offer at $86,450. Each includes all Rubicon advantages and Lifestyle Adventure package, plus unique badging, wheels and interior highlights. The Gladiator is covered by Jeep’s five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, capped price servicing and 24-hour roadside assistance.

Styling Based on an extended JL Wrangler, the Gladiator is a dual-cab with a 5-foot tub. Maintaining the Jeep design DNA are a removable body-colour matched Freedom roof

AT A GLANCE MODEL RANGE Jeep Gladiator Overland 3.6L V6 $75,450 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon 3.6L V6 $76,450 Jeep Gladiator Launch Edition 3.6L V6 $86,450

Safety The Gladiator boasts more than 70 active and passive safety features including Forward Collision Warning Plus, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear camera with dynamic guidelines, forward view off-road camera, adaptive cruise control, and electronic stability control with electronic roll mitigation.

Premium paint $1035 Lifestyle Adventure package $3835

Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Jeep dealer for drive-away prices.

panels and fender flares. Never-the-less, features are fit for purpose. The traditional seven-slot radiator grille openings have been widened to allow added air intake to cope with up to 2721kg braked trailer towing capacity. Wrangler’s removable body-colour Freedom roof panels are retained and four bolts at the top of the windscreen allow it to be folded, while the header bar between the A-pillars remains in place. Lightweight aluminium doors can also be taken off using one of the special tools supplied for the operations above. LED headlamps and tail-lights, together with foglights and daytime running lights, present a modern look all round, while under-rail lighting in the tub highlights the optional Rail Trail system designed to keep varying loads safe and secure. The Gladiator Overland gets around on 18-inch alloy wheels housed under body-colour fender flares and comes in a choice of seven standard Jeep colours, or Gobi and Gator, which are exclusive to Gladiator.

the roof and doors are removed. The centre console features metal highlights and is home to gearshift and transfer case levers and handbrake. Bolts on the shift, grab handles and infotainment screen surrounds emphasise Gladiator’s solid construction character.

Infotainment The 8.4-inch dash-mounted touchscreen announces Jeep’s fourth-generation Uconnect 4 system and is located on top of the centre stack. Improvements include quicker start-up times and better screen resolution. Satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard and a nine-speaker Alpine premium audio, plus a separate 7-inch multi-view driver information display, make up an extensive equipment list. A portable Bluetooth wireless speaker behind the rear seat is also available. The ability to charge up to three additional devices is a boon in remote locations. A further confidence booster out bush, standard on Rubicon, is a forward-facing camera, which can clearly pick out obstacles ahead.

Interior Inside are McKinley leather seats with Overland logo. Front seats are heated, as is the sports-style steering wheel. Rear seat backs can be folded to make available an illuminated storage spot, which includes a net to secure items to the cab back wall. The seat cushions fold up to reveal space for an optional lockable storage bin for use when

18 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 12 January, 2021

Engines / transmissions The Gladiator makes use of Jeep’s proven 3.6-litre Pentastar engine putting out 209 kW of power and 347 Nm across a wide torque band, the latter necessary for work in extreme situations off road. It has an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.

Driving As far as driving is concerned the Gladiator belies its bulk, which is highlighted by its 13.6-metre turning circle. On the road it behaves like a much smaller vehicle, keeping up with traffic even in stop-start going in town. On the highway, the long wheelbase (3488 mm) ensures the pickup irons out any blemishes in road surfaces, the well-tuned suspension and cabin comfort providing little occupants can complain about. As for fuel consumption, the story is not so comfortable, though not unexpected for the powertrain in use. Jeep claims a combined urban / highway petrol consumption of 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres for the Gladiator. On test, the Overland chalked up 7.6 litres per 100 kilometres cruising on motorways, while it reached 15 litres per 100 around town. Off-road help comes in the shape of Selec-Speed Control, standard with the eight-speed tranny. This manages vehicle speed in ‘4LO’ during heavy going without the driver having to use the accelerator or brake. Selec-Speed is activated via a button on the dash and can be varied between one and 8 km/h using the AutoStick shift. The ingenious roll-up tonneau cover, which incorporates metal crossmembers, works a treat to cover loads taking up varying amounts of tub space. Well done, Jeep.

Summing up While the Overland is capable of taking on a variety of extreme off-road conditions, for those keen to press on to the ultimate test, the added investment in the Rubicon, with its rock-hopping ability, would appear worthwhile.

YEAR IN REVIEW ... SPORT

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Rupertswood headed to the EDFL SEPTEMBER 10 Rupertswood Football Netball Club’s move to the Essendon District Football League has been approved. The EDFL confirmed on its website on Wednesday night that the move had been approved by AFL Victoria. The Riddell District Football Netball League voted against the Sharks leaving the competition, resulting in a panel hearing by AFL Victoria.

“We’d like to formally welcome Rupertswood as the EDFL’s 36th club,” league chief executive Ian Kyte said on the EDFL website. “Rupertswood is a strong club comprising of senior football, junior football and netball teams and we very much look forward to seeing them compete across all of our competitions from season 2021.” In the EDFL release, Sharks president Brad Pietromonaco said the club was excited about joining the EDFL.

The Sharks, who won the senior football and A-grade netball RDFNL premierships in 2019, had fielded senior teams in that competition since 2013, having had junior sides previously play in the competition. RDFNL president Brenton Knott said they were disappointed by the outcome. “The Riddell District Football Netball League received notification from AFL Victoria last night that the league’s objection to the transfer of Rupertswood FNC to the Essendon District Football

League was dismissed,” Knott said. “The RDFNL is extremely disappointed with the decision of AFL Victoria given the timing after requesting stability during a global pandemic. “The RDFNL clubs and board have been aware of Rupertswood’s desire to transfer league’s for some time and are prepared for 2021 without them. The league will continue on with the nine senior and 15 junior clubs and … look forward to returning to community football and netball in 2021.’’

Allen claims Sullivan medal MARCH 23

East Sunbury’s Lance Watts. (Shawn Smits)

East Sunbury claims title MARCH 23 There’s mixed emotions for East Sunbury after being declared the premiers of the Gisborne and District Cricket Association Johnstone Shield. The Thunder was due to face Bacchus Marsh in the grand final in a two-day match at the weekend, but the game was called off due to the growing COVID-19 pandemic. The association decided to cancel all grand finals last Monday, following advice from both Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria. The highest ranked team in each grand final has been declared premiers. In this case, East Sunbury was the minor premier. Thunder skipper Lance Watts said hearing they had been declared premiers was “different’’. “It’s definitely not the way you want to get it,”

he said. “It is what it is and it’s not our decision. “We were really happy to play and definitely wanted to win it the right way. “We wanted to put on a good show and win it off our own bat.” Watts said the playing group caught up on Monday night following the announcement. He said that the group was happy to have got the premiership, but there was still a hollow feeling about it. “We put the hard work in throughout the season and it’s the reward for our work,” he said. “We feel for Bacchus Marsh as a club, we would have liked to have played them.” The premiership is the club’s first top side premiership since it won the G-grade premiership in 2009-10, it’s first season. In usual circumstances the premier of the Johnstone Shield competition is promoted to the top grade, the McIntyre Cup.

GDCA president Rob McIntyre said they would discuss promotion and relegation at the next board meeting, which is scheduled to go ahead in April. Watts said the prospect of the club having a team in the McIntyre Cup for the first time was exciting. “That’s the reason why I came across,” he said. “To get them into the McIntyre Cup. “It’s come earlier than I expected and it was always a work in progress. “I didn’t expect one this year. The development of the club has been pretty big this year.” Meanwhile, Rupertswood captain-coach Andrew Pizaro has been named the Johnstone Shield grade champion. Pizaro also took out the bowling award, while Sunbury Kangaroos’ Corey Woolley claimed the batting award.

A simple text message last Monday night was how Gisborne star Mick Allen found out he had won the Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s Sullivan Medal. With the association’s regular awards night cancelled due to the growing COVID-19 pandemic, the award winners were publicly announced on the association’s website and social media on Tuesday morning. Allen said the message was unexpected. He was on his way home from catching up with teammates after Gisborne was declared the McIntyre Cup premiers. “I was in the car when I got it, it was the last thing I was thinking about,” he said. “I had not too bad a season, even though I missed a couple of games due to weddings. “I was bowling more than I ever have, which is a bit of a shock. Batting-wise, I tapped off a little bit towards the end.” Allen finished on 20 votes, five votes clear of Bacchus Marsh’s James Lidgett and Sunbury United’s Dilan Chandima. Allen also claimed the batting award, having made 599 runs at an average of nearly 75. Returning to the game after a year off, Allen said that and moving to a new club had refreshed him. “Coming to Gisborne I didn’t have to worry about captaining or coaching,” he said. “I was just able to play. Season highlights included Allen making 183 against his old side Riddell, the highest score of his career. It’s not the first time Allen has claimed a cricket competition best and fairest award. In 2005-06 he claimed the Ryder Medal, the highest honour in Victorian Premier Cricket. He then became part of a rare club when he won the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association RM Hatch Medal in 2012-13 while playing with Melton. Allen said he would appreciate those accolades more once he finishes his career.

19 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 12 January, 2021

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