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JANUARY 20, 2021 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Shoulders to the wheel

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Students were on a roll when they attended a wheel gymnastics course in Werribee last week. Head coach of the Cyr and German Wheel Club, Ludwig Schukin – who is also a trainer at the National Institute of Circus Arts in Prahran – is running the Summer Holiday Wheel Intensive at Eagle Stadium. People have come from across Melbourne and Geelong to study under the expertise of Mr Schukin, who grew up in a Russian circus family and has travelled the world with Cirque du Soleil and the Moscow State Circus. Mr Schukin, a Melton resident, said that although wheel gymnastics was a popular performance art, not many people know the sport also has a bi-annual World Championships. He said his dream was to build a team to compete at the championships, and he has started training two of his children in wheel gymnastics so they can join the squad. “Right now, I’m really enjoying it because I’m teaching, I love the lightbulb moment when a student says, ‘This is actually so easy’,” he said. Details: https://www.wheelgymclub.com. au/ Alesha Capone

Point Cook sales soar By Alesha Capone Point Cook has ranked alongside some of Melbourne’s swankiest south-eastern and eastern suburbs to record the highest value of total house sales in the state, across a 12-month period. A new report from property information and analytics provider CoreLogic has listed Point Cook alongside Brighton and Kew, as having the highest financial value of houses sold in one suburb. On a “top five” list from between September 2019 and September 2020, Brighton earned more than $651 million in total house sales,

Glen Waverley reaped $530 million in sales and Kew recorded $489 million in sales. Point Cook came in next with $484 million in house sales, followed by Balwyn North with $469 million. However, Point Cook recorded the highest number of houses sold within the period (713 properties), followed by Glen Waverley (353 properties sold), Balwyn North (230), Brighton (198) and Kew (179). As of November last year, Point Cook’s median house value was $675,129. In comparison, Brighton’s was $2.88 million, Kew was $2.3 million, Balwyn North $1.88 million and Glen Waverley $1.31 million.

Sanctuary Lakes, Point Cook and Wyndham Residential Real Estate agencies director Fadi Saad said Point Cook had a number of attributes that were attracting buyers. “Point Cook is popular from an affordability perspective and for its proximity to the city, airport and Geelong,” Mr Saad said. “While Point Cook was once considered way out west, now – compared to places like Altona and Altona Meadows, which are five-10 minutes up the road – what you get when you’re buying is a hell of a lot more property for your money. “In Altona and Altona Meadows, a typical three-bedroom brick-veneer or even

weatherboard home might go for $800,000 to $900,000, for that money you could get a double storey house in Point Cook, possibly with a pool.” Mr Saad said that although there was a shortage of stock last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, his team achieved “good results”. This included a five-bedroom house at 13 Heron Way, which sold for $2.15 million, and a four-bedroom at 18 Spinnaker Rise, which sold for $2.125 million. He said government incentives, the First Home Owner Grant and “extremely low” interest rates, meant now was a good time for people to both buy and sell property.

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2 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 20 January, 2021

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Footy club gaming bid opposed By Alesha Capone

Wyndham council. Documents lodged with the VCGLR state that the football club is seeking to construct a two-storey building, including a 200-seat bistro with an alfresco terrace, three function rooms, sports bar, café, community hub and 228 carparks. A total of 42 equivalent full-time jobs would be created at Club Tarneit. Estimates show that Club Tarneit’s gaming machines could earn between $7.38 million and $8.03 million within the first 12 months of operation. The Werribee FC documents state the club has “a history of extensive support of the Wyndham

The Alliance for Gambling Reform fears a proposal to build a venue with 70 gaming machines in Truganina could cause “significant harm” to the local community. Werribee Football Club is seeking permission to construct a $12 million licensed venue, to be named Club Tarneit, at 115 Woods Road. The application is listed on the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation’s (VCGLR) website for a hearing at a date yet to be announced, while a permit application has also been lodged with

community” including a commitment to make $100,000 in cash contributions every year to local sporting and community groups. If the Club Tarneit application is approved, the club would commit an additional $75,000 in cash contributions per annum (for the life of the 70 pokies machines’ entitlements) to groups in Wyndham. However, Alliance for Gambling Reform’s chief advocate, the Reverend Tim Costello, said the organisation was worried about the Club Tarneit proposal. “We are concerned about this venue, with its proposed opening hours of 8am-2am daily, as it is in close proximity

to a retirement village, a main train line and a major shopping precinct,” he said. “While the Werribee Football Club claims to have the intention of providing community services and amenities for the community through the income of these machines, the harm that will be done by this venue far outweighs any good it will do for the community.“ Reverend Costello said that in previous years, Wyndham’s gaming machines had earned more than $106 million in profits, and that additional machines may “cause even further harm“ in the municipality.

Williams Landing data hungry

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra played to a sell-out crowd at Wyndham Park on Friday. (Supplied)

Orchestra hits the right note Wyndham council is in discussions with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra to organise a second performance at Wyndham Park, following the success of last Friday’s Summer Series event. More than 900 people attended the sold-out MSO concert and a further 2000 people viewed the event via livestream. The Summer Series event was the first of the MSO’s free outdoor concert series, which is touring across Melbourne, and featured popular music pieces by Mozart and Beethoven plus contemporary classics. Children were

entertained earlier in the day with a musical workshop which included a 30-minute performance with music from The Nutcracker. Wyndham mayor Adele Hegedich said the success of the Summer Series in Wyndham has hopefully paved the way for future MSO performances in the area. “Wyndham residents have come out in droves to see world-class musicians perform in our very own backyard, Wyndham Park,” Cr Hegedich said. “The sold-out performance demonstrated the community’s appetite for quality performing

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arts events. “Council is in discussions with the MSO for the event to return to Wyndham again in the future.” The Summer Series is part of Wyndham council’s COVID-19 recovery strategy, which includes outdoor dining experiences, parklets and trials of shared pathways in the municipality. A ctivations and events such as the Summer Symphony and West End Experience, a series of outdoor dining events in Werribee, are part of the plan to support businesses and jobs in Wyndham.

Williams Landing households used the most broadband data in the nation last year, according to new figures from Telstra. The telco released a report earlier this month, revealing the top 10 “data hungry” Australian towns and suburbs connected to its fixed-line networks during 2020. Across the 12 months, Williams Landing households downloaded an average of 567.70 gigabytes each. Edmondson Park in New South Wales placed second on the national “data hungry” list (using an average of 546.79 gigabytes per household), followed by Shortland which is also NSW (541.68 gigabytes), Huntfield Heights in South Australia (524.30 gigabytes) and Oakleigh South in Melbourne’s south-east (519.09 gigbytes). Wyndham Vale ranked sixth on the list, with households downloading an average of 515.37 gigabytes across the year. A statement from Telstra said that the number of people working from home, as well as streaming and gaming, put a lot of pressure on the NBN network last year. Daytime peak traffic went up by as much as 70 per cent compared to the start of March, when the first Victorian pandemic lockdown began, while upload traffic went up by more than 100 per cent during the day. The most data-intensive days of last year coincided with major video game events, such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare/Warzone Season 5 being released on August 5 and Call of Duty Modern Warfare/Warzone and Fortnite updates being released on August 15. Alesha Capone

3 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 20 January, 2021

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU Briefs

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Power grant The Werribee Centrals Cricket Club will receive $5000 for electrical works to replace old wiring and a switchboard. CitiPower and Cricket Victoria announced the grant last week, which will also help the club to install additional points to replace long extension cables. CitiPower corporate affairs general manager Joanne Pafumi said more than 100 clubs across the state applied for a grant to replace or upgrade electrical appliances, electrical wiring and power boards, switchboards or related infrastructure.

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Cash boost for hospital

SENIOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER \ JONATHAN BAKER jonathan.baker@starweekly.com.au Mobile \ 0421 841 321 Office \ 03 8318 5763

Werribee Mercy Hospital will receive $788,773 in funding to improve safety across its intensive care area, psychiatric assessment and planning unit and three recovery care areas. The funding is part of a state government program to improve safety in adult acute mental health inpatient units.

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

Kinder funding Islah, 5, Amaia, 4, Rome, 6, (main), Fatima, 4, and Rico, 8. (Pictures: Damjan Janevski) 225056

Making a splash 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

Children across Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs made the most of the hot weather last week, flocking to local swimming pools. After a milder than usual beginning to summer, the mercury soared past 30 degrees on multiple days. Many pools – both indoor and outdoor – reported lockouts and

queues of people waiting to get in because of COVID-19-related patron limits. With more warm days forecast for this week, swimming pools are expecting to be full as families make the most of their free time before school returns.

The state government will contribute $2.5 million to help provide kindergarten services at the future Tarneit North Integrated Family Centre. Wyndham council has put $4.21 million towards the centre’s construction, which is due for completion in December. FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Wyndham Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Tara Murray

PLANNING ON TRAVELLING INTERSTATE ?

ALL VICTORIANS RE-ENTERING VICTORIA WILL NEED A PERMIT

To help stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), all Victorians travelling interstate must apply for a permit to re-enter Victoria.

Do not travel to a red zone. To find out whether your destination is in a red, orange, or green zone, visit CORONAVIRUS.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, Melbourne

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4 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 20 January, 2021

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Shoppers stay local

Added value for libraries

Aimee and Eden Helu in their Hoppers Crossing cafe, Jock + Mack. (Marco De Luca). 226080_02)

shopping centre carpark into a pop-up park and to bring back the Makers Market which will run again Sunday 21 February.” Stockland retail asset manager Karen Noad, said the company would “strongly encourage the community to come support their local retailers who have been looking forward to this time of year, especially given the challenges for

retail in 2020”. “We’ve experienced strong trade and patronage at Stockland Point Cook over the holiday period, with customers taking advantage of the comprehensive mix of stores and bargains on offer, in addition to the centre’s extended trading hours to allow more time for shoppers to safely shop,” she said.

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Wyndham’s public libraries will receive more than $1.51 million in funding to buy new books and collection items, run online services and deliver outreach programs. The funding, announced recently by Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane and Werribee MP Tim Pallas, is part of a record $56.9 million investment by the state government in Victoria’s libraries for the 2020-21 financial year. Mr Pallas said that libraries in Wyndham and across the state provided “tremendous support” to communities during the coronavirus pandemic, through measures such as virtual storytimes for children, book delivery and partnerships with Meals on Wheels. “The pandemic really brought home the value Wyndham libraries bring to our community,” Mr Pallas said. Mr Leane said the funding would “ensures libraries have the resources they need to keep up the amazing work they’ve been doing”. Victoria is home to 276 permanent library branches, 31 mobile library services and 71 other library outlets. More than 2.1 million library members are registered in the state. Wyndham council allocated $9.37 million to run the municipality’s libraries in its 2020-21 budget. Wyndham’s libraries are free to join. Become a library member online at https://www. wyndham.vic.gov.au/services/libraries/ using-library/how-join-borrow or at any of the council’s five library branches.

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By Alesha Capone Wyndham’s traders and shopping centres have encouraged residents to continue supporting local businesses, after a busy Christmas and new year period. Pacific Werribee centre manager Patricia Gardiner said customers “have been shopping up a storm over the festive and holiday season”. She encouraged the community to support the retailers at Pacific Werribee, many of whom were impacted by COVID-19 last year. “We are thrilled that Pacific Werribee and our retail partners are enjoying a strong holiday period after what was a challenging 2020,” she said. “As we begin the new year, we look forward to welcoming more customers back to Pacific Werribee.“ Aimee Helu, who runs the Jock + Mack cafe in Hoppers Crossing with her husband Eden, said they experienced “really strong community support” last year. “So many times I was in tears because of people’s generosity,” she said. Ms Helu said that during the second lockdown, the cafe made a special effort to bring some joy to customers, hosting Christmas in July and a Spin the Wheel game for children. “The council has also been very proactive in putting in an outdoor dining area and that has been important to our recovery,” Ms Helu said. Cedar Woods chief operating officer Patrick Archer said Williams Landing Shopping Centre traders had been pleased to see customer foot traffic increasing in recent months. “We’re seeing a return to near normal numbers which is a testament to the community’s commitment to supporting our retailers,” he said. “We have worked with the wider community to transform part of the

NEWS

5 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 20 January, 2021

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Stroke risk on the rise By Tara Murray Residents in Lalor are tipped to be among those most heavily impacted by strokes in the next 30 years, according to new Stroke Foundation data. The foundation has released the No Postcode Untouched 2020 study which looks at who is impacted by strokes and forecasts stroke figures. The Lalor electorate, which covers much of Wyndham, is expected to be one of the top electorates for people living with stroke and

the number of new stroke cases in a given year by 2050. Lalor sits second behind Melbourne in the predicted top 20 electorates in Australia, ahead of the Gorton electorate (which includes part of Eynesbury, Mount Cottrell and Truganina) in seventh for both categories and Gellibrand (which includes, Altona Meadows, Laverton, and Seabrook, and parts of Laverton North, Point Cook and Williams Landing) 13th. The study predicted that by 2050, 7431 Lalor residents will have experienced a stroke, along with 6856 Gorton residents and

6486 Gellibrand residents. None of those four electorates were in the top 20 for stroke incidence and prevalence in 2020. The study also looked at risk factors for stroke and found Lalor and Calwell residents had a prevalence of high blood pressure and high cholesterol in 2020. Lalor and Gorton had a high number of daily smokers. All three electorates also recorded a high number of residents considered to be overweight or obese. Stroke Foundation clinical council chair Bruce Campbell said high blood pressure,

otherwise known as hypertension, was a key risk factor for stroke and the most modifiable. He said having your blood pressure checked was easy, painless and potentially life-saving, but was too often overlooked. “I know the new year is a time for resolutions and a fresh start for many,” Professor Campbell said. “This year, rather than jumping straight into long-term health goals like getting fit or losing a few kilos, start with a blood pressure check at your doctor or pharmacy. “It’s like checking your car is in good working order before a big road trip.”

Tailor-made for artists Two talented artists from Point Cook and Wyndham Vale will be selling their creations at a new pop-up store in Werribee – the brainchild of Wyndham council. The MADE on Watton pilot project, located at 90 Watton Street, aims to give local creatives and designers support following the COVID-19 pandemic. The market-style shop, which features handmade textiles, stationery, ceramics, homewares and jewellery, will run each Thursday to Sunday for the next three months. Wyndham mayor Adele Hegedich said as well as supporting local artists, MADE on Watton was part of the council’s recovery efforts to bring people back to the city centre and keep local jobs. Wyndham Vale contemporary artist Stephanie Prole, a painter and earring designer, will have a stall at MADE on Watton for the next two weeks.

“Having something like this in the west is great,” she said. Prole started painting after deciding to design a tattoo for herself and undertaking a course in botanic watercolours to help develop her skills. “By the end of it, I’d just fallen in love with painting,” she said. “My drive for making art is to put a bit of happiness out into the world.” Point Cook artist Gwenn Lukman will also have a stall at MADE on Watton for the next fortnight. “This is an opportunity for me to get more exposure, a chance to showcase my artworks to the community,” she said. Lukman said she loves putting together different elements of nature, based on her imagination. Details: www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/ madeonwatton Alesha Capone

Artists Gwenn Lukman and Stephanie Prole with Cr Marcel Mahfoud.

(Damjan Janevski) 225572_02

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

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6 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 20 January, 2021

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Clubs unite for charity By Alesha Capone Two Wyndham cricket clubs have joined forces to host a special Australia Day event which will raise money for Beyond Blue. The Point Cook Cricket Club (PCCC) and Sanctuary Lakes Cricket Club (SLCC) will hold the second annual Charity T20 Match on Tuesday, January 26. Brothers James and Owen Doolan are among those organising the charity day. James is senior coach at SLCC after playing his last seven seasons at Point Cook, while Owen is a player and committee member at PCCC. Last year, the two clubs held their first annual charity match, which raised $7500 for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal. James said they decided to donate the proceeds from this year’s tournament to Beyond Blue, as it is Australia’s most well-known mental health organisation. “With near-on 100 senior mens’ members between the two clubs, we want to use this game to not only support the charity but to show support to any of our club members who are affected by anxiety, depression or suicide and show them they can always turn to their clubs if they need help,” he said. Owen said Tuesday’s event would include a gold coin barbecue, three games of cricket and a raffle with prizes including a signed Renegades top, Luna Park family passes and midweek vouchers for Sanctuary Lakes Golf Club. The Charity T20 Match will be held at Saltwater Reserve. An under-13 and under-15 T15 match will be held at 11am and a T20 for seniors at noon. To donate to the raffle or help out, contact the PCCC or SLCC through their Facebook pages. Details: https://fundraise.beyondblue.org. au/t20charitymatchpointcookvsanctuarylakes

NEWS

Sanctuary Lakes in spotlight Residents and visitors to Sanctuary Lakes have been invited to participate in a research study about leisure activities and bird feeding in the area. Deakin University and Zoos Victoria are conducting the study in conjunction with Sanctuary Lakes Resort. The online survey, which is anonymous and takes about 10-15 minutes to complete, includes questions about how people use the lake and surrounding public spaces in Sanctuary Lakes. Wyndham councillor Susan McIntyre, who was part of the team which put the study together, said residents were lucky to live in an area which included a diversity of wildlife and environments such as Sanctuary Lakes, Point Cook beach and the nearby coastal park. Cr McIntyre said the survey’s responses would help to put together ideas about how to educate the broader community about nature. “We need to understand how the way we behave impacts upon other elements of the community and have an …appreciation that how and what we do impacts on the wider community,” she said. Cr McIntyre said the research study would run for about four weeks. People who complete the survey can go into the draw to win one of seven $50 Coles gift cards. Details: http://m6z.cn/697Ery Alesha Capone

Brothers Owen and James Doolan prepare for next week’s charity match. (Supplied)

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7 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 20 January, 2021

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Parking app a smart idea Wyndham council has introduced a Smart Parking app to help drivers quickly find a car park within Werribee’s city centre. The app, which is available for download on Apple and Android smartphones, gives drivers information such as the best available spots to park and the number of available parking spaces in each area. Mayor Adele Hegedich said the Smart Parking app also synced up with phone navigation apps, to verbally direct drivers to available spaces.

“The Smart Parking app makes it easier for drivers to find a parking space, in turn making it easier to get customers through doors and help businesses get back to normal trading as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted,” Cr Hegedich said. “Instead of wasting precious time cruising around for a car park, drivers can use the app to quickly find a space and enjoy visiting Werribee’s terrific restaurants, cafes and stores at their leisure.” Cr Hegedich said council would also trial digital traffic signs in coming months to guide

drivers to available parking spaces. “Customers are the lifeblood of Wyndham businesses, and we want our shopping districts to be vibrant places where people go and support their local stores,” Cr Hegedich said. “As we emerge from COVID-19 restrictions, buying local helps businesses and helps keep local jobs, and the Smart Parking app is one of the ways council is supporting local businesses during this tough time.” A statement from the council said that the

Smart Parking app aligns with the Werribee City Centre Parking Strategy 2019 and is part of the wider vision for Wyndham to become a Smart City, using technology and data to inform service and infrastructure provision. Cr Hegedich said that Wyndham council was recently named a finalist in the 2020 Smart Cities Council Australia New Zealand Awards for its Smart Parking technology. For more information or to download the app, go to www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/project/ smart-parking-werribee-city-centre

Guardians of bandicoots Two special dogs trained at Werribee Open Range Zoo are helping to bring a critically endangered native species back from extinction in the wild. Eastern barred bandicoots were once widespread across the grassy woodlands of southwest Victoria, but extensive habitat degradation and the spread of introduced predators following European settlement resulted in the bandicoot population plummetting. In a collaborative research trial between Zoos Victoria and the University of Tasmania, 20 bandicoots from a captive breeding program were last month released into a National Trust of Australia conservation reserve near Skipton, in the state’s western district. The bandicoots are under the protection of two guardian dogs who trained at Werribee zoo. Zoos Victoria’s guardian dog co-ordinator David Williams said the pair of maremma dogs – a large, territorial breed – spent four

years training for the role. “We’ve trained the dogs to leave the bandicoots alone, and instead bonded the dogs to protect a flock of sheep,” he said. “The dogs are not bonded directly to the bandicoots as they are solitary and nocturnal – so they do not flock. “However, sheep do flock, and in the Skipton reserve the sheep can eat grass, bandicoots can live in the grassland, and all three species can share the same habitat.” A team of scientists and conservationists is tracking and monitoring the movements of the bandicoots and the dogs, as maremmas actively seek to deter predatory foxes away from the site. The conservation reserve at Skipton is equipped with 35 remote wildlife cameras and both guardian dogs are fitted with GPS trackers. Mr Williams said the research trial’s key measure of success would be the successful establishment of self-sustaining populations of bandicoots.

Two dogs trained at Werribee Open Range Zoo are helping to bring a critically endangered native species, the Eastern barred bandicoot, back from extinction in the wild. (Supplied/Zoos Victoria)

We’re building big near you and there will be transport disruptions As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re building an alternative to the West Gate Bridge that will create better connections across our city. We’re also easing congestion by building better roads and bridges across our suburbs. Closed roads, lanes and ramps Grieve Parade, Altona

11 Jan to 22 Mar

One lane closed in each direction at West Gate Freeway interchange

Geelong Road

10 Jan to 22 Feb

Outbound entry ramp to Princes Freeway closed

M80 Ring Road

6 Jan to 22 Feb

Inbound entry ramp to West Gate Freeway closed

Princes Freeway

10 Jan to 22 Feb

Inbound exit ramp to Geelong Road closed

Keep in mind there are other transport disruptions across summer. Find a detailed list at bigbuild.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne 12477538-SN04-21

8 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 20 January, 2021

NEWS

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The Soul Obsession Duo will perform on Saturday. (Supplied)

. . . from the Mayor

Celebrate summer A free family-friendly event featuring film, music and food will be held at Werribee Racecourse this week. The Summer Celebration will run from Friday to Sunday, with each session capped at 500 people. Wyndham mayor Adele Hegedich said it was important families have some fun after experiencing lockdown for most of the past year. “From watching movies like Ride Like A Girl, Doolittle to Mary Poppins Returns, face-painting, sports activities and games – the kids will have the best time,” she said. Wyndham’s creative city portfolio holder, Cr Marcel Mahfoud, said there would be plenty of fun for adults too, with music and dancing. The first Summer Celebration session will be on Friday from 4-9pm, with Aaron Schembri &

Rosie Conforto Duo performing from 5-7pm. The movie Doolittle will begin at 7pm. Food trucks and Glitterbugs Face Painting will also be on-site. On Saturday, the Soul Obsession Duo will perform from 12-3.30pm, with food trucks and face-painting. Saturday’s 5pm session will feature the Look Sharp Duo, and a screening of Ride Like a Girl at 7pm, food trucks and Kelly Sport’s activities and games. On Sunday, Sonica Duo will perform from 12-3.30pm, with food trucks and face-painting. Un-Limited Duo will take to the stage from 5-7pm Sunday, with a showing of Mary Poppins Returns at 7pm, food trucks and face-painting. Details: www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/summercelebration-sessions

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Last week I was lucky enough ƚŽ ĂƩĞŶĚ ƚŚĞ DĞůďŽƵƌŶĞ ^ǇŵƉŚŽŶǇ KƌĐŚĞƐƚƌĂ͛Ɛ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ Ăƚ tǇŶĚŚĂŵ WĂƌŬ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŚĞĂƌƚ ŽĨ ŽƵƌ ŝƚǇ͘ dŚŝƐ ǁĂƐ ƚŚĞ ŽƌĐŚĞƐƚƌĂ͛Ɛ ĮƌƐƚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ƚŽ ĂŶ ĂƵĚŝĞŶĐĞ ƐŝŶĐĞ ƚŚĞ ƐƚĂƌƚ ŽĨ Ks/ Ͳϭϵ ĂŶĚ ŝƚ ǁĂƐ ŐƌĞĂƚ ƚŽ ƐĞĞ ƐŽ ŵĂŶǇ ƉĞŽƉůĞ ĞŶũŽǇŝŶŐ ƚŚŝƐ ƚƌƵůǇ ƵŶŝƋƵĞ ĞǀĞŶƚ͘ dŚĞ ǁĞĂƚŚĞƌ ĐŽƵůĚ ŚĂǀĞ ďĞĞŶ ďĞƩĞƌ͕ ďƵƚ ƚŚĞ ĨĞĞĚďĂĐŬ / ŚĂǀĞ ƌĞĐĞŝǀĞĚ ŝƐ ƚŚĂƚ ƐŽ ŵĂŶǇ ŽĨ ǇŽƵ ĂƌĞ ůŽǀŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ŽƵƚĚŽŽƌ ĂĐƟǀŝƟĞƐ ŽƵŶĐŝů ŚĂƐ ŽƌŐĂŶŝƐĞĚ ƚŚŝƐ ^ƵŵŵĞƌ͘ tǇŶĚŚĂŵ ŝƐ Ă ƉƌŽƵĚ ĞǀĞŶƚƐ ŝƚǇ ǁŝƚŚ ƐŽ ŵƵĐŚ ƚŽ ŽīĞƌ͕ ĨƌŽŵ ŽƵƌ ŚŝƐƚŽƌŝĐ ƚŽƵƌŝƐŵ ƉƌĞĐŝŶĐƚ ƚŽ ƉŽƉ ƵƉ ƉĂƌŬƐ ŝŶ tĞƌƌŝďĞĞ͕ tŝůůŝĂŵƐ >ĂŶĚŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ WŽŝŶƚ ŽŽŬ ĂŶĚ /͛ŵ ůŽŽŬŝŶŐ ĨŽƌǁĂƌĚ ƚŽ ĞǀĞŶ ŵŽƌĞ ŐƌĞĂƚ ĨĂŵŝůǇ ĂĐƟǀŝƟĞƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŶĞĂƌ ĨƵƚƵƌĞ͘ ZĞĐĞŶƚůǇ ƚŚĞƌĞ ŚĂƐ ďĞĞŶ ƐŝŐŶŝĮĐĂŶƚ ĨĞĞĚďĂĐŬ ĨƌŽŵ ƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƚƐ ĂďŽƵƚ ƚŚĞŝƌ ŚŽƵƐĞŚŽůĚ ďŝŶƐ ŶŽƚ ďĞŝŶŐ ĐŽůůĞĐƚĞĚ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ŶŽƌŵĂů ƟŵĞ͕ Žƌ ďĞŝŶŐ ŵŝƐƐĞĚ͘ dŚŝƐ ŝƐ Ă ƌĞƐƵůƚ ŽĨ ŽƵŶĐŝů ƐƚĂƌƟŶŐ Ă ŶĞǁ ŬĞƌďƐŝĚĞ ĐŽůůĞĐƟŽŶ ĐŽŶƚƌĂĐƚ͕ ǁŚŝĐŚ ŝƐ ƐƟůů ďĞŝŶŐ ǁŽƌŬĞĚ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ͘ / ǁĂŶƚ ƚŽ ĂƐƐƵƌĞ ǇŽƵ Ăůů ƚŚĂƚ ǁĞ ŚĂǀĞ Ă ĚĞĚŝĐĂƚĞĚ ƚĞĂŵ ǁŽƌŬŝŶŐ ĚŝƌĞĐƚůǇ ǁŝƚŚ ŽƵƌ ŶĞǁ ĐŽŶƚƌĂĐƚŽƌ ŽŶ Ă ĚĂŝůǇ ďĂƐŝƐ ƚŽ ĂĚĚƌĞƐƐ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇ ĨĞĞĚďĂĐŬ ĂŶĚ ĐƵƐƚŽŵĞƌ ƌĞƋƵĞƐƚƐ͘ KŶĐĞ ĂŐĂŝŶ͕ / ǁĂŶƚ ƚŽ ƚŚĂŶŬ ĞǀĞƌǇŽŶĞ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞŝƌ ƉĂƟĞŶĐĞ ĂƐ ǁĞ ƌĞƐŽůǀĞ ƚŚĞƐĞ ŝƐƐƵĞƐ͘ dŚĞ ƟŵĞ ŽĨ ĚĂǇ ƚŚĂƚ ǇŽƵƌ ďŝŶ ŝƐ ĐŽůůĞĐƚĞĚ ŵĂǇ ŚĂǀĞ ĐŚĂŶŐĞĚ͕ ƐŽ ƉůĞĂƐĞ ĞŶƐƵƌĞ ǇŽƵƌ ďŝŶƐ ĂƌĞ ŽƵƚ ƚŚĞ ŶŝŐŚƚ ďĞĨŽƌĞ ǇŽƵƌ ƐĐŚĞĚƵůĞĚ ĐŽůůĞĐƟŽŶ ĚĂǇ͕ ĂŶĚ ŝĨ ǇŽƵƌ ďŝŶ ŝƐ ŶŽƚ ĐŽůůĞĐƚĞĚ ďǇ ϲƉŵ ƉůĞĂƐĞ ƌĞƉŽƌƚ ŝƚ ƚŽ ŽƵŶĐŝů ĂƐ ƐŽŽŶ ĂƐ ƉŽƐƐŝďůĞ ǀŝĂ ƚŚŝƐ ůŝŶŬ ŚƩƉƐ͗ͬͬďŝƚ͘ůǇͬϯŚD'h>Ž

NOVEMBER 4, 2020 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

By Alesha Capone

By Alesha Capone Wyndham businesses have welcomed the support from local residents as Melbourne emerges from pandemic lockdown. The Park Werribee owner Nick Christou said the hotel received more than 500 calls in just two days last week after Premier Daniel Andrews announced that eateries could host sit-down meals again. Committee for Wyndham chief executive Barbara McLure said it was terrific to see people shopping and eating in Watton Street, Werribee last Thursday. “I think there is a sense that people have an understanding that local businesses did it really hard and it’s very important to support local businesses now,” she said. Renay Ahmed, from the Wyndham Cache café and deli and LT’s Egg Farm in Werribee South, said the café was encouraging customers to order grazing boxes and drinks to enjoy on the lawn. “The response has been phenomenal. As soon as the Premier’s announcement happened, the phones were ringing off the hook,” Ms Ahemd said. Pacific Werribee centre manager Patricia Gardiner said the shopping centre was pleased to welcome back traders which were closed during the pandemic. “The centre community is certainly beaming with positivity,” Ms Gardiner said. State manager for Cedar Woods, Lloyd Collins said it was encouraging to see the Williams Landing town centre reopen. He said Cedar Woods was working with tenants and council to expand the external dining area to help businesses get back on track. Wyndham council last week announced measures to help eateries extend their dining areas, by creating an additional 1938 square metres of outdoor dining space across the municipality. Wyndham city design and liveability director Ludo Campbell-Reid said the council was also planning the West End Experience, an outdoor dining area in Watton Street between Bridge Hotel and Wedge Street Piazza, as a series of one-day activations. In addition, three “parklets” will be installed in Hoppers Junction and outdoor dining precincts created in the Point Cook Town Centre and Soho Village.

Light in a tough year Breakout copy. Trade Gothic LT Std. Regular. 9.5pt. Writer tagline

Teenage boxing champion Marissa Williamson has been awarded a scholarship by the Australian Sporting Hall of Fame. The scholarship gives the 18-year-old

Teenage boxing champion Marissa Williamson has been awarded a scholarship by the Australian Sporting Hall of Fame. The scholarship gives the 18-year-old $10,000 to put towards boxing costs, access to wellbeing programs and staff, and she will be mentored by Olympic gold medallist and professional beach volleyballer Kerri Pottharst. Williamson grew up in Wyndham and took up boxing when she was 16. She is the 64kg Victorian Boxing Champion, 64kg Australian Boxing Champion and is on the National Futures Team which aims to train athletes for the 2022 Commonwealth Games and 2024 Olympics. Williamson said the scholarship has been the highlight of a “tough year”. She left foster care earlier this year and was temporarily homeless before finding her own apartment. And she was all set to represent Australia at the World Youth Games in Poland last month, before it was postponed until next year due to COVID-19. Williamson said she usually trains six days a week. For the past few months she has been training at Crew Fitness and Performance in Braybrook, which was co-founded by five-time Australian boxing champion Jason Mallia. “What I have enjoyed [about boxing] is just the opportunity to travel and learn life skills, which I didn’t have the chance to do when I was younger,” she said. Alesha Capone

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(Joe Mastroianni) 219412_01

Wyndham businesses have welcomed the support from local residents as Melbourne emerges from pandemic lockdown. The Park Werribee owner Nick Christou said the hotel received more than 500 calls in just two days last week after Premier Daniel Andrews announced that eateries could host sit-down meals again. Committee for Wyndham chief executive Barbara McLure said it was terrific to see people shopping and eating in Watton Street, Werribee last Thursday. “I think there is a sense that people have an understanding that local businesses did it really hard and it’s very important to support local businesses now,” she said. Renay Ahmed, from the Wyndham Cache

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Green star garden plan By Alesha Capone Werribee horticulturist Craig Castree is calling on the state government to introduce a star-rating system for sustainable gardens at residential properties, similar to the energy rating given to houses. Mr Castree has proposed the idea in a submission to the Victorian Parliament’s inquiry into the state’s declining ecosystem, which is due to table a report after April 30. Mr Castree, who operates a business teaching people to become self-sufficient on an urban block of land, also teaches horticulture at Gordon TAFE and is president of the Werribee Park Heritage Orchard. In his submission, Mr Castree writes that he is “extremely concerned about the state of the environment, especially ecosystem decline, and many aspects of our modern Australian culture and way of life that contribute to this decline”. “Houses in these new estates are being built intensely close together maximising both house size and the subdivision of land which means that houses, with minimal spaces in between, stay warmer for longer whilst the sun is out,” his submission reads. “In most new estates, houses are not shaded by trees or a tree canopy, so they are hit by the full heat of the sun, turning the house beneath into an oven.” Mr Castree also writes that “poor garden design is commonplace” in new estates, such as the use of artificial turf and river stones, which are not conducive to the survival of birds and animals. He goes on to say that much like a house has to have specific items, materials and systems in place to gain a high energy rating under National Construction Code, gardens

Craig Castree. (Damjan Janevski) 225921_02

should be subject to a star-rating system which promotes sustainable garden design. He states an example of a high-ranking garden would be a yard with edible and indigenous plants, biodegradable mulch, natural ground covers and enough trees to form a canopy. “If implemented well, likely outcomes

would be cooler estates, reducing the impact on climate change; more habitat for animals; preservation of indigenous species that are frequently endangered; a healthier and happier community that knows each other and cares about nature,” his submission states.

Fine over sewage spill Western Water has been slapped with a $110,000 penalty over a sewage spill near the Werribee River in Eynesbury. Western Region Water Corporation, which trades as Western Water, will pay $110,000 to a platypus conservation project run by a local volunteer group following an Environment Protection Authority Victoria prosecution for the 2018 sewage spill. The EPA investigation began after a one metre split in a sewerage pipe that leaked for several days in April 2018 sent sewage flowing across open land to a drain that leads to the Werribee River. EPA regional manager Stephen Lansdell said the leak involved an estimated two megalitres of sewage, but two factors helped to limit the environmental damage. “An unused dam trapped some of the leak, and a release of 140 megalitres of irrigation water from upstream the same day helped to dilute any sewage that reached the river.” The sewage was being piped from Eynesbury to the Melton South sewage treatment plant when the leak occurred. The Sunshine Magistrates Court sentenced the Western Region Water Corporation without conviction after it entered a plea of guilty to one charge of causing or permitting an environmental hazard. Mr Lansdell said the $110,000 penalty will go to the Werribee River Association for its ‘Progressing Platypus’ project. The corporation was also ordered to pay EPA’s legal costs.

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Bingo with an active twist By Alesha Capone An innovative plan to develop an “exercise bingo” game for senior citizens in Wyndham has received a $10,000 grant. IPC Health’s plan to create a modified game of bingo, named binGO MOVE, has been allocated funding under the Heart Foundation’s 2020 Active Australia Innovation Challenge. The challenge asked tertiary institutions, schools, councils and other organisations to submit ideas for projects to get people

moving. binGO MOVE was one of 10 winners announced last week. IPC health’s senior manager of allied health, Sebastian Buccheri, said binGO MOVE was a 60-to-90 minute online bingo game. “When a number is called out, there is an exercise attributed to that number – for example, 11 could be something related to legs, such as marching on the spot, or 25 could involve reaching for the sky or similar,” he said. Mr Buccheri said the inspiration for binGO MOVE came from IPC Health’s cardiac rehabilitation program and the notion that

‘‘

We were spurred on by COVID-19 when people were at home -Sebastian Buccheri

’’

some seniors had declining levels of exercise, pre-COVID. “So we had the idea ‘How can we make bingo more active?’” he said. “We were spurred on by COVID-19, when people were at home in lockdown and getting less socialisation, and also the fact that some adults in Wyndham are

also less active.” IPC Health staff, allied health staff, exercise physiologists and physiotherapists will help to develop binGO MOVE’s exercises and to run the game. Mr Buccheri said IPC would also have the option of running binGO MOVE in a face-to-face environment. IPC Health is hoping to complete the first trial phase with a small group of participants at its Hoppers Crossing and Wyndham Vale sites within months. The program may be expanded to IPC’s other sites in the west in the future.

Students excel Two students have been recognised as the dux and dux proximus of Thomas Carr College in Tarneit. Sinit Berhane was named dux after receiving an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) score of 98.15, out of a possible 99.95. Fellow student Amy Virgona was named dux proximus of the college, with an ATAR score of 97.15. Both Sinit and Amy also received a VCE – Baccalaureate, which is an award for high-achieving students who choose to undertake the demands of studying both a higher level mathematics and a language in their VCE. Amy, who was a vice-captain at Thomas Carr, said that she was “really surprised” to find out her VCE results. She received a study score of 44 in history (out of 50) and 43 in English, along with a 42 in biology, which she studied in 2019.

Amy, 17, has been accepted to study a bachelor of science at the University of Melbourne this year. “The course is for three years and I also hope to complete a master’s degree,” she said. “I would also maybe like to do some volunteer work this year, potentially with the Salvation Army or within university.” Amy said she would like to thank her friends, teachers and family for their support during her year 12 studies. When asked what advice she would give year 12 students, Amy said: “I would just say to find your own study style.” Alesha Capone Thomas Carr College student Sinit Berhane was named dux, and Amy Virgona dux proximus. (Pictures: Supplied)

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MY WYNDHAM Doug Fairchild is a stalwart of the Little River Cricket Club. He chats with Alesha Capone. Tell me a little bit about yourself … I was born in the old Werribee Hospital in 1968 and have lived my entire life in Little River. During the majority of my working life I have been involved in telecommunications as a technician (Telecom/Telstra) and sales (Commander Australia). I am currently an account executive for an IT company. Sport has played a major part in my life and my three children are all actively involved in sport. I recently became a grandfather for the first time and am looking forward to following my grandson, and future grandchildren, if they decide to participate in sport. What do you like about Little River? I love the country feel of Little River. It is an amazing town with wonderful people who are always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. My beautiful partner Sonia lives in Craigieburn, which makes me appreciate Little River even more after spending time with her in Melbourne metro. Little River is restricted in what land can be sub-divided which allows the town to remain almost unchanged. The outer Werribee suburbs are slowly moving towards Little River but it will be many years before it causes any effects on the town. My favourite place to visit is Little River Reserve, which is the home of our cricket club. I also love the Little River Hotel and Little River General Store. What do you enjoy about being involved with the cricket club? I’m currently in my third season as president, after taking over from my son Dylan who served as president in the two previous seasons.

I started playing junior cricket at Little River at the age of 13 and senior cricket at the age of 15. I’m currently playing in my 38th senior season. I enjoy the competitiveness of playing cricket and the friendships that I’ve made throughout the years. I organised a fitness challenge before the start of this season and money raised was donated to Beyond Blue, Salvation Army, Royal Children’s Hospital, Little River CFA and many others. Have you played any memorable matches with the club? I played in my 429th senior game on Sunday. There have been many memorable moments both personally and as a team. The most memorable moment was being captain of our B Grade Premiership team in 2014-15. We were the underdogs and I promised our team that I’d get my first tattoo (at age 46) which incorporated all of the players that played in the winning grand final game. The club has been running for a long time, is that right? Yes, we held our 150th year celebrations last season which included the announcement of our Legends Team which consisted of the best players from all eras of the club. We had over 200 people attend the celebrations which included many of the locals. We are holding an event on Sunday the 14th of February where we’ll be announcing our Team of the Decade. Little River Cricket Club historian Les Sanderson and club president Doug Fairchild. (Joe Mastroianni). 203488_01

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FROM THE ARCHIVES Star Weekly looks back through the pages of our predecessor, the Werribee Banner

40 years ago

30 years ago

20 years ago

10 years ago

January 21, 1981

January 23, 1991

January 17, 2001

January 19, 2011

Pressure from the Environment Protection Authority has forced the Board of Works to accelerate plans for provision of sewerage to Werribee South township near the river mouth. Greatest source of concern at Werribee South were the two caravan parks, one operated by Werribee Shire and a privately-owned park.

Construction of a berthing pier and storage facilities for hazardous materials at Point Cook is under construction. The proposal seems certain to upset people in the Werribee municipality who are concerned about the environment and conservation.

Claims of 20 years’ of neglect by all the tiers of government have mobilised a group of Werribee South residents to take action to ensure the area’s future. In the face of residential and tourism development the group, Ratepayers of Werribee South aims to ensure the viability of the farming community.

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Shanul Sharma on stage at Teatro Bibiena in Mantova, Northern Italy. (Supplied)

Ready for the next act A Spotswood-based opera tenor who started out in a heavy metal band speaks to Goya Dmytryshchak of his extraordinary career path and how COVID-19 united humanity.

hanul Sharma is performing in Opera Australia’s Great Opera Hits at the Sydney Opera House until March 3. Born in India, Sharma arrived in Australia at age 19 to study information technology. He was living in the regional New South Wales city of Wagga Wagga and singing in a band called Subrusion, which released three albums. The band’s influences included Killswitch and Metallica, but even then reviewers were starting to notice something in Sharma’s voice. “The guitars and the drums were very, very heavy but then suddenly there was a guy singing on top of it all,” he said. “In some reviews, the reviewers actually said, ‘Who’s the major soprano who goes so high?’ “For me, the only way to cut through all of the backing was to sing really, really high. “That kind of helped me develop a technique for opera, which served me well later on.” After about a decade in the band, Sharma stumbled across an Italian operatic tenor who would change the course of his life. “One day, randomly, while browsing YouTube, I came across this guy called Luciano Pavarotti,” Sharma said. “I was just infatuated by his voice and wanted to learn how to do it.” About this time, in 2012, Sharma’s band broke up and he decided he would become an opera singer. “For me, that type of singing was the fullest expression of my voice,” he said. Self-taught to that point, Sharma moved to Melbourne to train as an opera singer at the Ciccone Academy of Singing.

14 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 20 January, 2021

Sharma auditioned with Ah! Mes Amis from Gaetano Donizetti’s La Fille du Regiment (The Daughter of the Regiment). “It has nine high Cs at the end, which is a very high note for an operatic tenor,” he said. “I sang that, not expecting anything at all, and two days later I get a call saying, ‘We’d like you to do La Cenerentola for the schools tour.’

‘‘

getting back on the stage at the Sydney Opera House was like getting oxygen back in my lungs

’’

Shanul Sharma (centre) performing in Opera Australia’s 2019 Wozzeck. (Keith Saunders)

“To be honest, I auditioned for Opera Australia in 2014 on a whim,” Sharma said. “An audition slot became available all of a sudden and my coach said, ‘Would you like to do it?’ “I said, ‘Well, why not’ – I wasn’t expecting anything from it.”

- Shanul Sharma

“I was like, ‘Oh, that’s great, when are the rehearsals?’ “And they were like, ‘The show is already on the road, you’ll have two days to learn the music and two days to learn the blocking (stage directions) and you’ll be on the road for three months’. “I had to find some new brain cells to learn an entire role, something I had never done in my life … I had never sung an operatic role before but here I was. “Within a week, I was transformed from a heavy metal singer into an opera tenor.” Sharma’s opera career took him around the world, all the way to the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. And then COVID struck. “I was in Moscow in March last year and

made it back with a week of Australia shutting the borders,” Sharma said. “Basically, for nine months, I was just in Melbourne trying to keep my voice supple. “For a person whose career is on an upward trajectory, COVID really shut everything down, and it was a very difficult time for everybody in the business. “The depression caused by that – and I had family problems again in India … it just compounded all of it and it was a very difficult time for the business.” Returning to the stage after months of lockdown has taken on new meaning. “It’s the most thrilling and most exciting experience,” Sharma said. “For me, getting back on the stage at the Sydney Opera House was like getting oxygen back in my lungs. “I missed it so much. I was counting the days I’d be back in that theatre. “I had my first show back on stage on the third of January and there was all this built up energy that I just let it out into the theatre and it was such an exhillerating feeling to be back on stage. “The arts and high arts in general are very important for us to experience ourselves as human beings because they deal with emotions and desires at a very fundamental level. “The classical arts are vital to our development as people, especially now that we’ve been through something as a whole. “We’ve experienced COVID as a singular consciousness … kind of what happened after the Second World War: all of the classical works started to make more sense.”

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR WANT YOUR EVENT LISTED? Community Calendar is made available free of charge to not-for-profit organisations to keep the public informed of special events and activities. Send item details to Star Weekly Community Calendar, Corner Thomsons Road and Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park, 3042, or email to westeditorial@starweekly.com.au. Deadline for copy and announcements is 9am Wednesday the week prior to publication.

Refocus and draw

71 Robertson Street, Gisborne on Thursday, February 4, 9.15-10.15am. All children and adults required to remain at the venue for at least 15 minutes after receiving any vaccination. Anyone who is feeling unwell or has travelled overseas in the past 14 days, cannot attend a session.

Spend a morning discovering, drawing and recording nature in the Hobsons Bay Wetlands, guided by Chris Rockley in techniques to visually record what you find in the field. Beginners welcome. Bring your sketchbook or pad, pencils (HB and 2B), watercolours (optional), colour pencils (optional), eraser and sharpener, camera or phone camera, and water for drinking and painting. Morning tea will be provided. It’s on Saturday, January 23 from 9.45am-noon. Tickets $20. Bookings via Eventbrite under Refocus and Draw.

Hanging Rock night walks

Farmers Market

READER’S PIC

Discover gliders, wallabies, native birds and more at night walks at Hanging Rock. Guided walks start at 7pm on February 5 and March 12, and take about three hours. Bookings required. Cost: $62 per family or $25 per adult and $12 per child. ■ 5422 0387

A range of the finest produce and farm products from the Macedon Ranges will be on sale at the Lancefield and District Farmers Market on Saturday, January 23, 9am-1pm, at High Street, Lancefield. The market is managed by the Lancefield Neighbourhood House.

Luke and Kate with dog Squirt, taken in Station Place, Werribee.

Alcoholics Anonymous

LEGO play LEGO legends and learners are invited to experience Highpoint shopping centre’s latest school holiday experience, the LEGO Play Zone, running until Sunday, January 24, on level 2 at the David Jones forecourt, from 10am-2pm daily, with meet and greets from 11am-1.30pm. Each little LEGO master will receive a complimentary take-home LEGO pack.

Charity match Point Cook Cricket Club and Sanctuary Lakes Cricket Club will host a T20 charity

Match to raise funds for Beyond Blue on Tuesday, January 26 at Saltwater Reserve. An under-13 and under-15 T15 match will be held at 11am and a T20 for seniors at noon. There will be a gold coin donation barbecue and a Beyond Blue raffle. ■ https://fundraise.beyondblue.org.au/ t20charitymatchpointcookvsanctuarylakes

Story time is back Take part in story time in the garden at Thomastown library, 52 Main Street, Thomastown, on Wednesday, January 27, 10.30-11 am. BYO picnic rug. Registration essential for all adults and children 12 months and older. ■ www.yprl.vic.gov.au

Out and about

Regular face-to-face meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous have returned to St Andrew’s Church Hall, Williamstown, on Wednesdays from 7pm. All are welcome, including friends and family of people with drinking problems. For other face-to-face and Zoom AA meetings call 1300 22 22 22 or visit wwww.aatimes.org.au

Movie nights Catch a movie at Bundoora’s Norris Bank Reserve on Friday, January 29 or at Epping’s Meadowglen Athletics Stadium on Saturday, January 30 as part of Whittlesea council’s Summer Fun series. The events will also feature live music and entertainment from Curbside Circus with Sophie DeLightful. Top End Wedding will screen on January 29, with Strictly Ballroom planned for January 30. Bookings essential. ■ https://bit.ly/2XDBRnj

Connecting community

Immunisation sessions Attend free immunisation sessions at Manna Gum Family and Children’s Centre,

Williamstown Community and Education Centre is hosting a ‘Neighbourhood Connect’ initiative to build community connectedness. Free workshops and mentoring provided. Attend the first workshops on Wednesday, February 17 at 6.30pm or Friday, February 19, at 12.30pm, at Joan Kirner House, 14 Thompson Street, Williamstown. ■ Irene, 0413 706 233

With temperatures soaring last week there was only one place to be – Williamstown beach. Photographer Damjan Janevski caught up with some of the locals cooling off.

1/ Felix, 6, and Isabella, 4, have fun in the sand. 2/ Mounir Zak. 3/ Lifeguard Rob Basford patrols the beach. (Pictures: Damjan Janevski) 225277 15 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 20 January, 2021

HEALTH 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 generally? 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

(iStock)

Christopher Carter CEO, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network

health and alcohol and other drug services we fund say more clients turn up for their 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.

Regular eye tests ‘critical’ for children Did you know that one in five children suffer from an undiagnosed vision problem? Vision is critical to learning, with up to 80 per cent of processing occurring visually. Children generally don’t know what is considered normal for their vision, especially if they’re born with the condition, meaning vision difficulties can go undetected until the child is assessed by an optometrist. This is very important to remember given that children today are using digital devices and computers more than ever, which can lead to eye strain, headaches and myopia (otherwise known as short-sightedness), which is the inability to see objects at a distance. Parents, carers and educators need to be proactive in recognising some of the early signs children exhibit when vision difficulties start to present, says Natalie Rokic from Eye Q Optometrists. It can often be an innocuous comment or small changes in behaviour that alerts the parent, teacher or carer to a possible vision issue. Comments such as, “I’ve never been able to see well with that eye” or “I get double vision, but only when I’m reading” and behaviours such as noticing if the child is closing one eye when reading or squinting at the board in class are often signs that something might be wrong. Poor visual skills can hinder learning so detecting those early warning signs is vital. Without appropriate assessment and aid, visual stress can lead to discomfort, fatigue, behavioural changes and declining academic performance. “Children should have their eyes examined regularly, starting as early as six months of age, and then followed by an exam at three years and then before school starts and then every two years thereafter,” Ms Rokic says. “The consultation is usually covered by Medicare so parents and carers don’t have to worry about out of pocket expenses. 16 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 20 January, 2021

Children should have their vision checked regularly by an optometrist. (Supplied)

“In the event that corrective eyewear is needed, there are a variety of lens tints and coatings to help with increased screen time like blue light coatings.” Signs to look out for include: • Rubs eyes during or after short periods of reading;

• Child covers or closes one eye while reading; • Holds reading material too close; • Squints when reading or looking at the board; • Re-reads or skips words or lines unknowingly; • Child must use a marker/ ruler/ finger to keep their place when reading; • Is a slow or dysfluent reader;

• Avoids reading “If you notice your child struggling with their vision, it’s best to get an expert opinion. Early intervention can help minimise and slow down vision loss and ensure they retain optimal vision for their educational requirements,” Ms Rokic says.

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2020

Students rise above the challenges of COVID Tarneit Senior College principal, Simon Haber says 2020 was a year like no other, with students challenged to adapt to new ways of learning. “We have always been proud of our use of Google Classroom, as it has been embedded into our daily curriculum,” Mr Haber says. “Our students have continually shown resilience throughout the school year, adapting to new ways of learning [and] shown the ability to be innovative and remain focused on their studies. They have immersed themselves with Google Meets to stay connected with their teachers and fellow students.” Mr Haber says the departing year 12s have left a lasting legacy and exit the college with amazing ambitions for the next stage in their journey. “I feel really fortunate to have had the opportunity to farewell them properly in a graduation ceremony that allowed us to honour every students’ achievement in making it through an incredibly challenging year with integrity, innovation and focus,” he says. “Whilst we would have liked families to be able to join us in person, the live-streaming allowed students to share the occasion with more extended family, including those abroad. “The Tarneit Senior College community wishes to extend its congratulations to all year 12 students, both VCE and VCAL, on their achievements in 2020. “The class of 2020 have done themselves proud and should be immensely proud of what they have accomplished. “We wish them all prosperity and success as they now transition to their desired pathways.” Mr Haber pays special tribute to those students who achieved outstanding results, including all students who achieved a 40-plus study score in one or more subjects despite the many obstacles that 2020 presented them.

Tarneit Senior College students Mayank, Clarenz, Ming and Jordan. (Damjan Janevski)

Dux of 2020, Clarenz Joy Topinio has received a ATAR of 97.7, an outstanding achievement which includes a perfect score of 50 for English (EAL). Clarenz is hoping to be accepted to study biomedicine at Monash University this year.

Students achieving 90-plus ATAR’s include: Mayank Sharma, ATAR 96 – Mayank is hoping to study science at Monash University in 2021. Ming Jiang, ATAR 95.25 – Ming is hoping to study biomedicine at Melbourne University. Jordan Alofi, ATAR 90.9 – Jordan is also

hoping to study biomedicine at Melbourne University. Tarneit Senior College, 861 Leakes Road, Tarneit. Inquiries: 9749 0246 or www.tarneitsc.vic.edu.au

Congratulations ulations to our Year 12 students on their VCE results for 2020 We are very proud of your achievments ments and the dedication you you have shown. sho own n. Special Congratulations to ourr studentss who who achieved an ATAR of 90+

Clarenz Joy Topinio ATAR 97.7 (Dux)

Mayank Sharma ATAR 96

Ming Jiang ATAR 95.25

Jordan Aloﬁ ATAR 90.9

17 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 20 January, 2021

FEATURING ... AUSTRALIA DAY

We all call Australia home For some, Australia Day is a great reason to don some fun patriotic clothing, throw some snags on the barbie, catch up with family and friends and enjoy the summer vibe. For others, it’s a deeply emotional day, reflecting on the history and significance of what it means to be an Australian. And for many, it marks the day they officially became an Australian citizen. COVID-19 may have rained on our parade this year, but no matter what your reasons are for celebrating on January 26, have fun, be safe and look after one another – it’s the Aussie way. Here are some of the ways we recognise Australia Day …

Citizenship ceremonies These are run by Victorian councils each year on Australia Day and people wanting to participate are welcome to take part by pledging the Australian citizenship affirmation statement.

Double celebrations Is your birthday on January 26? If so, you can join the Victorian 26er club! Members are sent a lapel pin and birthday card on this day each year. It’s free to join by emailing austday@dpc.vic.gov.au.

Babies born on Australia Day are eligible to receive a commemorative spoon as a special addition to their memory box. Email Australia Day Council (Victoria) via australiadaycouncilvictoriainc@iinet.net.au for more information.

Don’t be a lamb chop, pre-order your Australia Day meat today Home Delivery Available

Quality Beef, Lamb, Pork, Chicken & Seafood

s k c a P Q B B y a D a Australi ! d e t r o S y a D a i l a r t s Your Au Ph: 9741 2735 Order online at werribeestationstreetmeats.com 18 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 20 January, 2021

12478542-CG04-21

Australia Day Ambassadors Recruited from a range of fields, ambassadors have demonstrated hard work, talent and a strong sense of patriotism in their achievements. The volunteer role includes attending community events to present awards and take part in local activities as well as delivering a speech of what being Australian means to them.

(iStock)

Australian of the Year awards These awards recognise leading citizens who are role models, inspire through their achievements and community participation and challenge others to make their own contribution to the community. Award categories include Local Hero, Young Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year and Australian of the Year. The 2021 Victorian Australian of the Year Award recipients were announced in October last year at an online ceremony due to COVID-19 restrictions.

PUZZLES No. 012

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

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

6 3 7 8 2 7 5 1 6 8

QUICK CROSSWORD Crustaceans (5) Daydreamers; jailbreakers (9) Climbing (7) Southern US state (7) Opera introductions (9) One part in 10 (5) Shakes (7) Juices (7) Bliss (7) Clear gemstone (7) Sword (5) Rash; hasty (9) Go back over (7) Foggier (7) Distributes (9) Stairs (5)

9 10 11 12 13 15 17 19 22 24 26 27 28 29

Enthusiastic; impatient (5) Roughened (9) Synthetic material (7) Country on the Iberian peninsula (5) Large strips (7) Parachuters (9) Express regret (9) Made certain (7) Normal; mean (7) Painters (e.g.) (7) Abandons (7) Units of computer memory (5) Pressure increasers (5)

4 5 6 7

ACROSS 1 4

No. 012

8 14 16 17 18 20 21 23 25

DOWN Traditions (7) Schools (9) Saliva (7)

1 2 3

DECODER

No. 012

5 8

1 3 9 9 4 8 6 3 5 4

6 5

hard

6 8 2 1 3 5 7 4 9

5 7 4 6 9 8 1 2 3

2 4 6 8 5 7 9 3 1

9-LETTER WORD Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”.

Today’s Aim: 30 words: Good 45 words: Very good

G D

4 LETTERS ASKS DACE DENY ERSE FARM GAPS GEAR HERD ITEM PYRE SACK STAN VATS WERE

adhering, aged, ager, anger, danger, daring, darning, deign, deraign, ding, dirge, drag, earning, egad, ending, engird, gain, gained, gainer, gander, garden, gear, ginned, gird, grad, grade, grain, grained, grand, grannie, grid, grin, grind, grinned, handing, hang, hanger, HARDENING, haring, heading, hearing, herding, hinge, hinged, nearing, neigh, nigh, rage, raged, rang, range, ranged, reading, regain, reign, rending, ridge, ring, ringed

No. 012

IRATE IRENE LEVEL LEVER LISLE MIAMI OVARY PAPER PAYEE PLATO PRISM PSALM RAGES RESET RINDS SAMBA SAUTE SHANK SLICE STALK STEED

STEWS TAMPA TELLS THULE TORUS VERDI VIBES VISAS WARTY 6 LETTERS GAELIC NAILED ORMOLU RESALE

7 LETTERS ILLEGAL LAYERED LENIENT MONDAYS SURVEYS TERMITE 8 LETTERS AMPUTATE APERITIF FILAMENT UNDERSEA

22-01-21

No. 012 Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down. NOTE: more than one solution may be possible

O A P S I

R A S S A R T H D O R E

B E A

M I

3 1 7 9 6 2 4 8 5

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

5 LETTERS ABASH ADAMS ADAPT AIDER ALONE APART ASPIC BEIGE CARTS CURIA DALES DEEDS ENTER ERWIN ESTER EVENT FEMUR GALAS GRIMM HURST

QUICK QUIZ

In what month is the Melbourne Cup traditionally run?

Which author created the fictional character Lestat de Lioncourt?

Ursine means to be like which animal?

A hat-trick refers to scoring how many times?

True or false: Foo Fighters lead singer Dave Grohl (pictured) was the drummer for rock band Nirvana?

What is the lightest known chemical element?

Which is the largest of the Earth’s oceans?

Is a chignon a type of shoe, dessert, hairstyle or music player?

From which country does the bagel originate?

5 9 4 3 7 2 1 6 8

9 3 1 7 2 4 6 5 8

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

10 11 12 13

A T 18

1 2 3 5 7 9 8 6 4

4 5 8 2 1 6 3 9 7

7 2 5 8 4 3 1 6 9

8 4 7 9 3 2 6 1 5

5 3 6 7 1 8 9 2 4

O A

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

1 8 2 9 4 6 5 3 7

3 7 6 1 8 5 9 4 2

8 1 3 4 5 9 7 2 6

9 1 2 6 5 4 8 3 7

4 9 3 5 2 6 7 8 1

6 7 1 3 8 9 4 5 2

S T

A A

7 2 5 6 1 8 4 9 3

6 4 9 2 3 7 8 5 1

9 5 1 8 6 3 2 7 4

4 3 7 5 2 1 6 8 9

2 6 8 7 9 4 3 1 5

2 5 8 4 7 1 3 9 6

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

58 words: Excellent

hard

5x5

medium

3 LETTERS ADA ASS ATE BIN DYE EGO ELI ELL ELM ERA ETA EVA FOR GEE HER HOI IBA IMF LOP OHM PLC TEL TIE YET

U I C V F O K NM L P J E

easy

B G Z QXWR H Y S D A T

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

WORDFIT

10 The ALDI supermarket chain was founded in which country? ANSWERS: 1. November 2. Bears 3. Three 4. Hydrogen 5. Hairstyle 6. Poland 7. Anne Rice 8. True 9. The Pacific Ocean 10. Germany

SUDOKU

19 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 20 January, 2021

Property movement too unpredictable to call If 2020 taught property pundits anything, it’s to expect the unexpected, reports New Daily’s Matt Johnson.

were hit by job losses, drove vacancy rates in some capitals above 4 per cent. And data from APRA shows investors have been slow to resume their repayments. Recent analysis by the financial regulator found one-third of deferred loans at the big four banks in October were investment loans. “There could be a bloodbath that comes to fruition in a short compressed timeframe if people sell in quick succession in areas that don’t have undersupply issues,” Ms Porter said.

Australia’s first lockdown encouraged analysts to forecast a double-digit dip in the housing market. But as we know, those predictions failed to transpire and prices – which are only 0.7 per cent below pre-pandemic levels – are on the up. So, what does the future hold for a market that defied expectations? When The New Daily asked a select group of experts for their predictions on how prices would fare in 2021, none would provide a figure. However, they explained some of the key things to look out for.

(iStock)

Regions will continue to grow BIS Oxford Economics chief economist Dr Sarah Hunter said if local coronavirus cases remained under control and unemployment remained stable, regional areas and detached houses in smaller capitals should continue to streak ahead. She said there was still plenty of residual demand from buyers capitalising on buyer’s grants and stamp duty concessions. “Falling interest rates improved affordability which helped demand, but supply hasn’t responded all that much yet as the volume of transactions – although they are turning – have not risen anywhere near as much,” Dr Hunter said earlier this month. “In terms of long-term sustainability, there’s still demand shock around [reduced] migration, which will likely make apartments cheaper.”

Struggling investors could also play a role That’s a sentiment shared by Suburbanite director Anna Porter. She believes prices for off-the-plan units – or high-rise apartments – will go backwards. She said it’s largely due to investors

wary about the health of capital city rental markets and unlikely to purchase property as demand from international students remains sluggish. Which, consequently, would drag down both demand and prices. The exodus of renters at the height of the pandemic, when tenant-heavy industries

Impact of deferrals unlikely to be as strong as predicted Figures from the Australian Banking Association show deferred loans plummeted from 493,440 in June to 169,677 in November – a 66 per cent reduction. CoreLogic head of research Eliza Owen told The New Daily she expected house prices to continue rising in the first half of 2021, ahead of the conclusion of loan payment holidays. And other measures are also outweighing any negatives, she said. Those include historic rate cuts and programs such as HomeBuilder and the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme. “The only thing worth noting is when you see incentives for first home buyers, for example, it tends to have a vacuum effect where purchases that may have happened anyway are pulled forward,” Ms Owen said. “Once these schemes run out, we may see demand slow a little bit, and the other thing that could slow price increases is APRA intervention.”

Source: realestateview.com.au

With our Price Estimator tool, realestateview.com.au is the trusted source for house value estimates & property data.

57 SAYERS ROAD, WILLIAMS LANDING ULTRAMODERN DESIGN, PRESTIGE FAMILY LIVING, PRIME LOCATION! Uncover an exquisite blend of sophisticated taste and contemporary designer style. Ultramodern design, abundant natural lights and lavish finishes combine with a fabulous location to create the ultimate contemporary residence. As you enter through this visually striking family home, you will be amazed by the beautiful Bamboo floors, glamorous finishes from the grand entrance way through to the beautiful living areas, relish the high ceiling and a show-stopping grand staircase.

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The first floor offers a spacious family area, formal dining, a home office, and a home theatre. Cater for a gathering from the glamorous kitchen fitted with stone benchtops, Smeg appliances, an abundance of cupboard space, and a walk in pantry, giving you a chef’s paradise in this stunning first-class kitchen. Perfect for day-to-day living and for lavish entertaining. Outside, discover manicured gardens with timber deck alfresco, water feature with fishpond - ideal for a summer cocktail party with family and friends. Moving upstairs, find complete relaxation in the wonderful master suite, with dressing room and indulgent ensuite with bathtub and separate walk-in shower, as well as dual vanities. Three more well-proportioned bedrooms, each with mirrored built-in robes, and a luxe family bathroom with a bathtub. Spacious living room and a retreat area complemented by a kitchenette for breakfast in bed or a morning coffee while you can enjoy the great view overlook into the Lawie Emmins Reserve. This First-Class Family Home that speaks of sophistication and offers everything you need for an extravagant lifestyle, located perfectly with many lovely parks in the area, Shopping Centres, Train Station, and it’s within easy reach of great local schools, as well granting easy access to the Princess Freeway and fast access to Melbourne’s world-famous CBD. • Durable bamboo flooring • Spacious laundry room • Double remote-controlled garage • Ducted Heating and Evaporative Cooling • 4.86kw German solar system with SolarEdge inverter • 2740mm High ceiling downstairs, 2590mm High ceiling upstairs • Alfresco area with Timber decking, Water Feature and Fishpond • And so much more…

For Sale Inspect: Saturday 23rd January at 1:00 – 1:30pm

DAPHNE MCEACHERN 0413 198 825 HARPREET WALIA 0451 226 509 25 Station Street, Armadale, VIC 3143

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IT’S A FLETCHERS THING

20 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 20 January, 2021

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R & M Fencing (Vic) Steel Fences Made to Measure Steel Fences Double/Single Gates Pools Gardens Auto/Manual Sliding Gates Picket & Slat Fencing Aluminium Security Doors & Windows Fly screens Window Roller Shutters Accessories Sale Now - Free Quote – Cheapest prices!

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• Ancillary equipment including but not limited to; eighteen (18) new Radio Remote Units (RRU’s), cabling, electrical works and other associated equipment. 1. Optus regards the proposed installation as a Low-impact Facility under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 (“The Determination”) based on the description above.

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

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Optus plan to collocate on an existing Telstra facility at 772 BALLAN ROAD, WYNDHAM VALE VIC 3024

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6 pce Theatre Lounge, 1x2 seater, 2 recliners, 2 consoles, 1 oteman. Length: 3650mm Width: 1050mm Height: 1000mm Depth: 550mm. PICKUP ONLY TARNEIT. Good condition. gregweston8@gmail.com

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• Demolition Specialists • Backyard Cleanups • Concrete Broken or Cut & Removed • Tree Lopping & Removal • Rental Cleanups • Deceased Estate Cleanups We Take Anything Away

ANTENNA MAN

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SPORTS QUIZ 1. The St. George Dragons hold the record for most consecutive first-grade rugby league premierships with how many? 2. Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft received playing suspensions from Cricket Australia for their conduct during a 2018 Test match against which national team?

3. Since netball's introduction at the 1998 Commonwealth Games, how many times has the Australia national team been gold medallists?

9. Which German-born Australian tennis professional had a careerhigh ATP singles ranking of 17th in January 2016?

4. Which professional rugby union team based in Western Australia took part in the 2020 Super Rugby AU competition?

10. Which NFL team recently enjoyed their first postseason victory in 26 years, with a wild-card playoff win versus the Pittsburgh Steelers?

5. Australian hurdler Sally Pearson won the gold medal for the women's 100m hurdles at which Olympic Games? 6. What was the name of the Tasmaniabased WNBL team which played in the league from 1986 to 1996, and won the 1991 championship? 7. Anthony Clarke won a gold medal for Australia at the 1996 Paralympic Games competing in which sport? 8. Teams including Canberra Chill, Brisbane Blaze and Perth Thundersticks field men's and women's teams in which Australian sporting league?

Sally Pearson

11. Australian cricketer Nathan Lyon has what two nicknames starting with G? 12. What was the experimental pre-season tournament run by the AFL in 2018 and 2019 called? 13. Which country leads the all-time Winter Olympic medal tally? 14. What country played a Tri-Nations Rugby Union series with Australia and New Zealand in late 2020?

19. Which NFL team won their first playoff game since 1995, when they defeated the Indianpolis Colts in the wild-card round?

26. The Olympic torch relay was introduced at which Olympic Games? 27. What is the name of the trophy given to the NHL ice hockey champion each season?

20. Which country is playing host to the 2021 Dakar Rally?

28. Which Northern Territory Football League team has won the most premierships?

21. Which sport is also known as “chess on ice”?

15. What country will play host to the first Formula 1 Grand Prix of the 2021 season? 16. Before the invention of tees, what did golfers use when teeing off? 17. Which NBL team won the 2019-20 Finals series? 18. Which tennis player won the men’s singles title at the 2020 US Open?

29. Which driver has won the last three Supercar championships?

22. Which VFL player was the first to kick 100 goals in a season?

30. Which English fast bowler took 8/15 in an Ashes test match in 2015?

23. Which horse won the 2020 Caulfield Cup? 24. Who was the leading point-scorer in the 2020 WNBL season? 25. What nationality is NRL CEO Andrew Abdo?

Nathan Lyon 2201

1. 11 (from 1956 to 1966). 2. South Africa. 3. Three (1998, 2002, 2014). 4. Western Force. 5. 2012 Summer Olympics. 6. Hobart Islanders. 7. Judo. 8. Hockey One (Australia's premier field hockey competition). 9. Bernard Tomic. 10. Cleveland Browns. 11. Garry and Goat 12. AFLX 13. Norway 14. Argentina 15. Bahrain 16. Sand 17. Perth Wildcats 18. Dominic Thiem 19. Buffalo Bills 20. Saudi Arabia 21. Curling 22. Gordon Coventry 23. Verry Elleegant 24. Liz Cambage 25. South African 26. Berlin 1936 27. Stanley Cup 28. St Mary's 29. Scott McLaughlin 30. Stuart Broad

Employment

To Share

ST ALBANS CENTRAL 4BR, heat/air, gas appliances, OSP, no garage, no pets, references $285 per week. 0417 100 099

HOPPERS CROSSING Mature female to rent one furnished BR. $150 per week, no bills. Phone 0424 324 420.

WERRIBEE Mod 2 bd gge ex cond. Heat & cool. Near shops & transport. $320pwk. 0418 127 993.

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The Gordon is the leading provider of education and training in the region and plays a key role in the economic and social development of our community. We employ individuals who can drive the organisation forward in an environment focused on positive outcomes for our students, staff and community.

Employment BAKER Pizza maker, experienced in making manakish required for full time position in beautiful Trinity Beach in far north Cairns. Excellent hours and conditions. Contract could be arranged. Ph: 0451 340 585. Resumes to: anialimo@gmail.com

Positions Vacant

9338 6644

Experienced Hook Lift Driver Monday - Friday with possible weekend work. Based in Melton and surrounds. Must be capable of working independently whilst maintaining great relationships with our customers.

MC/HC Based in Laverton. Full time, part time or casual positions available. Local and interstate travel Wages per agreement.

ADVERTISE

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

UPHOLSTERER

$250 min for Drive-Ins

Buy, & Sell in our

Any car just bring it to 5 Holcourt Rd Laverton or we can tow away & still give you $200 min. We also buy vans, min $400

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The People. The Values. The Choice. thegordon.edu.au/employment 12479104-LB04-21

NEED

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4-BERTH CARAVAN with full annex, new rims and tyres, good condition throughout, $6,800. Ph: 0411 960 207.

7 days a week service Call Gus for a free quotation on

0435 904 818

Real Estate section of Network Classifieds.

NEW STAFF?

Get 10% Discount Use code: EMPDISC

Fill your position online ZZZ QHWZRUNFODVVL´HGV FRP DX

Motor Mechanic We are seeking a fully qualified motor mechanic to assist in our busy workshop. We have excellent working conditions, very clean workshop with state of the art facilities. Competitive salary. No weekends, uniforms supplied. Immediate Start - Maribyrnong.

Motor Vehicles

FORD AU 2000, Utility, one owner, 12 mth reg and new RWC with 4 new tyres. $4,200 ONO. Ph: 0402 097 365

WE PAY

The Gordon is a child safe organisation.

TRUCK DRIVERS

24 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 20 January, 2021

Application enquiries to Strategic HR and Development on (03) 5225 0686.

Phone 0412 155 613

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Auto Services/ Repair

LMCT9297

For further information and to apply visit The Gordon’s website www.thegordon.edu.au/employment

Email resume to: admin@tjph.com.au

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• Teacher Nursing (Fixed Term and Casual opportunities)

Required to work full time in a cheese factory between 2am and 8am. Must be reliable, responsible and keen to work. Working unsupervised is an advantage. Early morning start.

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DISCRIMINATION IN ADVERTISING IS UNLAWFUL The Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995 makes it unlawful for an advertiser to show any intention to discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, race, age, marital status, political or religious belief or physical features, disability, lawful sexual activity/sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status or on the basis of being associated with a person with one of the above characteristics, unless covered by an exception under the Act. As Network Classifieds could be legally liable if an unlawful advertisement is printed, Network Classifieds will not accept advertisements that appear to break the law. For more information about discrimination in advertising, contact your legal advisers or the Equal Opportunity Commission.

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STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

MOTOR

The new Mitsubishi Express bears only subtle styling changes from the European Renault Trafic van. (Pictures: Supplied)

Orient Express meets Euro Star By Derek Ogden, Marque Motoring

Exterior colours are matter of fact – white, black, red or platinum grey (silver).

Because of the billions of dollars needed to design, develop and manufacture a vehicle these days, economic social distancing is a thing of the past. What were once bitter rivals in a notoriously competitive industry are hopping into bed with each other, sharing automotive architecture, technology and production methods associated with a new car. Recent palling up of Peugeot, Renault and Mitsubishi is an example, which has led to the production of the first Mitsubishi Express van in more than seven years. One look at the vehicle gives the game away, with styling straight out of the Trafic playbook, one of Renault’s most popular products. New grille, bonnet and badging are the only differences. Manufactured in France, the Mitsubishi Express is offered in short or long wheelbase, with a choice of manual or automatic transmissions. It comes with standard dual sliding doors across the range. Both van styles are powered either by a 1.6-litre twin turbocharged diesel engine or a 2.0-litre single turbo diesel motor with a 25-litre AdBlue tank for improved emissions. The 1.6 unit is available only with a six-speed manual transmission, while the 2.0 model takes a six-speed dual-clutch automatic. All variants are front-wheel drive with what’s called Extended Grip function, a traction control system activated by the driver to assist in low-grip conditions. Mitsubishi versus Renault pricing is pretty much line ball, with the Express GLX short wheelbase 1.6 turbo diesel manual (the test vehicle) selling for $38,490, plus on-road costs, compared to the corresponding Renault Trafic 1.6 SWB Pro at $36,990.

Interior

Styling The Express has been specifically designed to support the busy delivery driver, with sliding doors on either side. There’s also a rear barn door with 85 and 160-degree stops. The latter is made easy for loading and unloading by a step integrated into the rear bumper. The high-sided square-set vehicle rides on standard 16-inch steel wheels, with a full-size spare located under the cargo floor.

Three hard wearing black fabric seats take pride of place across the whole cabin width. The driver’s seat offers comfort with some lateral support, while the other positions are flat and on the firm side. The driver gets a centre retractable armrest, manual height and lumbar adjustment, as well as a steering wheel adjustable for height and reach. He or she has easy access to controls and equipment. The dashboard top features open space for storage of paperwork and pens, while a smartphone can be clipped into a dash-mounted cradle. Rubber floor coverings make the cabin serviceable and easy to keep clean.

Infotainment The audio system is sparse by modern standards but is enabled for Bluetooth and USB connection, offering hands-free phone and music streaming.

Engines / transmissions The 1.6-litre twin turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine in the short wheelbase Express produces maximum power of 103 kW at 3500 rpm and 340 Nm or torque at 1500 rpm. Mated with a six-speed manual transmission the combination has a measured fuel consumption of 6.2 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined urban / highway cycle. The test vehicle clocked up 8.8 L/100 km during a stretch with similar surroundings and varying loads.

Safety Standard features in the Mitsubishi Express SWB manual include cruise control with speed limiter, automatic stop / go, which can be turned off, and hill start assist. Also standard are rear-park assist, anti-lock braking, electronic brakeforce distribution, electronic stability control and a driver blind spot mirror in the passenger sun visor. There are five airbags, including driver and passenger front and side curtain airbags, and a driver thorax airbag. The passenger airbag can be manually deactivated in cases where the cabin is reconfigured.

AT A GLANCE MODEL RANGE Mitsubishi Express GLX SWB 1.6 turbo diesel manual $38,490 Mitsubishi Express GLX SWB 2.0 turbo diesel automatic $42,490 Mitsubishi Express GLX LWB 1.6 turbo diesel manual $40,490 Mitsubishi Express GLX LWB 2.0 turbo diesel automatic $44,490

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

Driving Despite side steps, there is a climb to get into the seats. Grab handles here would not go amiss Setting off has its quirks too, with the automatic door locking going off almost like a gunshot. Under way, however, the Express 1.6 SWB on test behaved in an easy-going manner with the twin turbos whistling along in unison. The absence of a solid bulkhead had the empty van echoing to the sound of intrusive booming in the cabin. However, this became more manageable with the addition of sound-absorbing loads. Short wheelbase by name, but five-metre length by nature put pressure on parking, while solid sides presented a major blind spot, especially when reversing. Large split side exterior mirrors and rear parking sensors helped here, while a wide-angle mirror on the passenger sun visor stepped up to increase rear vision. Loading the 5.2 cu m cargo space in the short wheelbase van is made easy by the all-round

access, with space allowing a standard pallet to be slotted between the rear wheel arches. Loads are held safely by up to 16 tie-down points at various heights. Mitsubishi has recently updated its Diamond Advantage Program, with the new-car warranty extended to ten years or 200,000 kilometres. providing the vehicle is serviced by a company dealer. If owners do not service with a Mitsubishi dealer, the warranty reverts to five years / 100,000 km. Capped price servicing is also extended to 10 years / 150,000 km and roadside assistance to four years with authorised Mitsubishi dealer servicing.

Summary For those with fond memories of the original Japanese Express, the European input might appear misplaced. However, the van on which the new model is based is the tried-and-tested Trafic, one of Renault’s best-selling products. 25 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 20 January, 2021

SPORT Barlow career comes full circle By Tara Murray The Werribee Football Club holds a special place in new coach Michael Barlow’s heart. It is where he stood out on the football field and got a shot at AFL level. Werribee welcomed him back both on field, and as an assistant coach the past two years, when his AFL playing days were over. Now, he steps into the head coaching role with Mark Williams heading back into the AFL system. “More recently I’ve grown more fond of the club,” Barlow told Star Weekly. “The first opportunity helped me get onto an AFL list and I made lifelong friends. “Then in a wholesome role in the community that has shaped my life beyond AFL football.” Since retiring from AFL, Barlow has put in the work behind the scenes to achieve his aspirations of becoming a VFL coach. He said while many coaches aim to get into the AFL system, the flexibility of the VFL system was something that attracted him.

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This just hasn’t fallen in my lap - Michael Barlow “There’s an element of excitement, nerves, a bit of anxiety, all good feelings,” he said of taking on the role. “It’s something I’ve had aspirations to do since I finished playing AFL. “This just hasn’t fallen in my lap. It’s something I’ve been angling for, for the last two years.” Flashback to three months ago, Barlow’s 2021 football season was looking very different. He was appointed playing-coach of Western Region Football League side Yarraville-Seddon Eagles and was to oversee the club’s whole coaching program. Barlow said the decision to step away from that role was harder than it appeared. “My life was turned upside down,” he said of the possibility of coaching Werribee. “They were two really good roles to consider … It wasn’t as easy as it would suggest. “I was preparing to coach in the WRFL for at least the next season, possibly the next two years. “I live three minutes from the oval. I was really enjoying the challenge, coaching my own program at Yarraville-Seddon. It’s a bit disappointing to step away after doing it for three months.” Barlow said he would help the Eagles with the transition into a new coach and would still look to be involved with the club in some capacity. “There’s a huge upside and talent and excitement.” One person Barlow is full of praise for, is his former coach Mark Williams. He’s the first to admit he wouldn’t be in the situation he is now without Williams. “Chocco was phenomenal as a person and a coach,” he said. “The stuff that he implemented at the club has fast-tracked the club 12 to 18 months. I’m fortunate to take over the role.” Despite so much familiarity stepping into the role, Barlow faces a number of new challenges. Werribee is part of a new-look competition, the VFL and East Coast Second-Tier competition, which will feature teams from Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. With it comes new rules, including some age restrictions in place and quotas on having younger players in the team. Barlow said he was a little anxious how that would play out. “Where does it leave the mature players

26 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 20 January, 2021

Michael Barlow will continue his long association with the Werribee Football Club, stepping into the head coaching role to replace Mark Williams. (Pictures: Luke Hemer and supplied)

and whether it allows the best team in the competition to win the premiership? “It’ll be the team that adapts and has the best strong core of players. Our young players who are under-21 are bullish about them. “There’s a bit of motivation with the opportunity to prove themselves.” Having been appointed late in the piece, most of the club’s re-signing and recruiting had been completed by the time Barlow was appointed. “Huge credit to the established list that was initially going to play in the COVID-19 year, especially with salary caps and remuneration slashed. “Michael Sodomaco and Tom Gribble put their hands up straight away. It makes my job more fulfilling that

they’re doing it for the right reasons.” Former Geelong and Port Adelaide player Wylie Buzza has joined the club. Connor Menadue (rookie listed by North Melbourne), Matt Munro and Dane Mcfarlane are the three key outs. One name that isn’t part of the playing squad, is Barlow himself. He said his playing days with Werribee were likely over. “Playing isn’t something I’ve considered,” he said. “With the new rules it’s forced my hand a bit. “There’s limited opportunities for other guys and I have to be mindful of that. Unless we get light on as the season goes on, my playing days at Werribee are finished. “I still have the bug to play and I’ll never lose that competitive bug. Potentially I might play at Yarraville Seddon, depending on the draw.”

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Above: Riddell celebrates a goal. Below: Macedon’s Janelle Birch and Wallan’s Chloe Meulenmeesters. (Pictures: Shawn Smits)

RDFNL has bright future ahead By Tara Murray The Riddell District Football Netball League is aiming to get the competition back on track after ending its alignment with AFL Goldfields and returning to a metro league. After a number of tough years, including four senior clubs moving to other competitions, the RDFNL made a number of changes behind the scenes in 2020, while football and netball competitions were sidelined by the COVID-19 pandemic. RDFNL general manager Jordan Doyle said it was an exciting time for the league moving forward. AFL Goldfields, which is based in Ballarat, previously oversaw the running of three leagues, including the RDFNL and the Ballarat Football Netball League. Both the RDFNL and BFNL have decided to run their own competitions from this year. “It is pretty exciting,” Doyle said. “There’ve been a few hard years. The plan is to rejuvenate and get back into the local community more as many people saw the competition as a Ballarat one. “The board has taken back the competition. We want to get momentum and to get our identity back after the last few years in the wilderness.” Doyle said the board first spoke about moving away from Goldfields in late 2019 before continuing talks last year. He said all clubs were unanimous that they wanted to move away from AFL Goldfields and return to being a metro league. Doyle said the changes made off field wouldn’t impact on the football and netball competitions on field. “It will not be changing on the field. It’s still the same volunteers and the same faces.” He said they were already starting to see the results of leaving AFL Goldfields. Clubs had to pay an affiliation fee to Goldfields, which had 11 full-time employees. The RDFNL now has just two staff members

and a consultant. “We want to be able to engage with the local community,” Doyle said. “We want to work with sponsors in Melton, the Macedon Ranges, Sunbury and the Wallan areas. “There were costs associated with AFL Goldfields. It had been a lot of money before a footy was kicked or a netball was thrown and it was a toll on clubs.” Doyle said they had signed four new local sponsors and had moved some of the administration, such as banking and accounting, to local businesses. The league has been able to sign its own apparel sponsor, which will also result in a reduction in costs. Changes to salary caps across the state mean the RDFNL will be more competitive with neighbouring leagues. Doyle said the league would have

more say in the salary cap and points allocation, which were previously set by AFL Goldfields. “We were right on the border of three metro leagues and we got the rough end of that,” he said. “Clubs will be able to compete better with the salary cap coming down.” The league has already started looking to the future, with female football and expansion on the cards. Girls footy will kick off for the first time in 2021. Junior girls teams have previously played AFL Goldfields competitions. “It’s really exciting,” Doyle said. “We’ve maybe been a little bit slow and relied on AFL Goldfields in the past. “Junior girls have had to go up to Ballarat. Now they will play in RDFNL areas and will have that RDFNL branding and feel. “We’ve got some great juniors coming through. We’ll have our own pathway and hopefully a women’s competition down the

track.” The league will run the Club 18s competition, which had also previously been run by AFL Goldfields. Currently four clubs have committed to fielding sides in this competition, including Eynesbury which will field it’s first open age side. Doyle said it was exciting to get to this stage and he hoped a few new teams would have senior teams in the competition. “Eynesbury is looking to enter at least one side, possibly more, this year,” Doyle said. “The Gisborne Giants have been around for quite some time and have under-17s this year and under-19s next year. Gisborne is big enough to have two senior teams. “We’re in some conversations with clubs from other leagues. We’ve felt the brunt of other leagues looking for clubs and we have lost clubs. “We’re down to nine clubs, but hopefully we’ll expand with Eynesbury, Gisborne Giants and hopefully a couple of others.”

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We want to be able to engage with the local community

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- Jordan Doyle

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