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JANUARY 26, 2021 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Stalwarts honoured By Jessica Micallef

Marion Rivers and Terence Larkins (inset) have received Australia Day honours. (Pictures: Supplied)

I became the shire secretary and then I became the chief executive of the council before I retired in 1996,” Terence, 80, said. “I enjoyed serving the local community and developing a planning scheme for Gisborne.” Terence received a Public Service Medal for assisting with the clean-up after the devastating Ash Wednesday fires in 1983. “I led a recovery team to rebuild the Macedon

Ranges because whole areas were destroyed after the fires,” he said. Terence has been on the board of the Mount Macedon Memorial Cross Committee for three decades, is a current board member of the committee of management at the Macedon Ranges Further Education Centre and is a foundation board member of Macedon Ranges Health, now known as Benetas.

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But Terence said during his time giving back to the community, the community had given him a lot in return. “It’s all about the community … and I’d like to thank the community for their great support over the years,” he said. “The only way our society can survive is if people can make a contribution and that’s through volunteers. “I encourage people to give back.”

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Marion Rivers is hoping her Australia Day Honours award brings more attention to the orthoptics industry. The Gisborne South resident has been made a member in the general division of the Order of Australia in this year’s Australia Day honours. Marion started her journey to becoming an orthoptist at the Sydney Eye Hospital in 1966, where she studied for two years. She then became a member at the Orthoptic Association of Australia, now known as Orthoptics Australia. “Orthoptists specialise in eye physiology and the movement of eyes and how eyes work,” Marion, 72, said. “We do a lot of investigation on people who had some sort of head injury or catastrophic injury that causes their eye movements to be disrupted.” Marion has worked at children’s hospitals in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth and has dedicated time to Vision Australia, where she was the paediatric orthoptist. She also travelled to Vietnam to work at a school for the blind, which she said was one of her proudest achievements before retiring five years ago. “Being able to impart a lot of the knowledge that I had to help those kids was fantastic,” she said. “I was training their teachers and also reassessing some of their children to see if we can get them back into mainstream school. It was a fantastic opportunity.” Since retiring, Marion joined Vision 2020 – Australia’s peak body for eye care – as the chair of the prevention and early intervention committee. Marion said she encouraged more people to consider a career in orthoptics to help the industry gain more attention. “We are a small profession [and] a lot of people are struggling with low vision so just to highlight the fact that there is help for those people is the main thing,” she said. “It’s so important to save vision.” Terence Larkins says he has the community to thank for his Australia Day honour. The Gisborne resident has been appointed an officer of the Order of Australia for his dedication to volunteering and work in local government. “My career at the former Gisborne Shire council started in 1977, where

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Traders fear more disruptions By Jessica Micallef The Sunbury Business Association is concerned the Gap Road level crossing removal project will harm local businesses and ruin the “momentum” shop owners gained prior to Christmas. Association president Michael Osborne said after a tough year of COVID-19 lockdowns, Sunbury businesses saw a “mad rush” of shoppers enter their stores as restrictions relaxed and the ‘ring of steel’ dividing metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria came down late last year.

‘‘

wouldn’t want … small businesses run into more brick walls - Michael Osborne

’’

“Leading up to Christmas, businesses were kept quite busy,” he said. “As a whole, the Sunbury business community has been a resilient bunch. “Hospitality struggled a bit but the community rallied pretty well and filled up quite a lot of shops in the lead-up to Christmas. “This upcoming rail crossing removal has the

potential to disrupt any form of momentum that small businesses have.” The Gap Road level crossing removal project in Sunbury is expected to start this year, after the project’s start date was brought forward. Mr Osborne said the project had the potential to harm businesses. “We cannot afford this. I wouldn’t want to see small businesses run into more brick walls. “We saw consumers change their spending habits and go online during lockdown. That is a concern as an association and our main aim is to get people walking and get back in the community.

“For some businesses, Christmas was their first opportunity to open their doors to more people.” Mr Osborne urged the community to shop local first and to change their shopping habits to in-store, rather than online. “Shopping locally is the best way to have a strong business community to ensure we can provide employment for future generations to come,” he said. “We encourage people to shop local first to satisfy their shopping needs. “We cannot afford to have another thing thrown at us.”

(Damjan Janevski) 225827_03

Work starts on Five Mile Creek

Countdown to school “His big sister Astrid is in grade 6 and his older brother Dylan is in grade 4,” she said. “I think it does make it a little bit easier having kids at the school because I have got to know the school community and I know what I am getting in to.” Brooke said Felix was “super excited” to get into his classroom and be at the same school as his older siblings.

“He’s been ready to go for a year, he is full of excitement and enthusiasm,” she said. “He’s already tried on his uniform once or twice and he is looking forward to being with his brother and sister. His best friend is also going to Sunbury Heights Primary School. “It’s a big year and we are very excited.” Jessica Micallef

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Felix is eagerly counting down the days until he starts prep at Sunbury Heights Primary School. The six-year-old will be among hundreds of students starting their first year of school in Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges from this week. Mum Brooke Nickel said Felix was her third and youngest child embarking on this new journey.

The first stage of a project to rejuvenate sections of Romsey’s Five Mile Creek and upgrade nearby pathways is under way. The works, which are part of the Romsey Five Mile Creek Masterplan, began in December and include removal of some elm and willow trees where the creek intersects with Pohlman Street, to prepare the site for pathway works. The trees will be replaced with native trees, shrubs, sedges and grasses in autumn. A sealed pathway will also be installed along Pohlman Street – from the Lions Park, to Robb Drive. The master plan, which was adopted by the council in 2019, sets out a program of works to improve the recreation and environmental values of the creek and surrounding areas. According to the council, willow and elm trees spread easily, consume high levels of water, crown out native species and clog up waterways with their root systems which can negatively impact waterways by reducing water flows and habitat for native species. Their autumn leaf fall can also deplete oxygen levels in waterways. The project is being co-funded by Macedon Ranges council and Melbourne Water. Details: environment@mrsc.vic. gov.au

3 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 26 January, 2021

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5 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 26 January, 2021

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU Briefs

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Electric vehicle charging sites Macedon Ranges council is working to identify suitable sites across the region for electric vehicle stations in the coming months. An investigation is under way to identify any infrastructure upgrades that may be required and determine what type of charging stations may be suitable. Macedon Ranges council is one of 12 local government areas taking part in the investigation in partnership with the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance.

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EDITORIAL

Emily, Amelia, Abbi, James and Ryan ahead of the September 2019 disco. (Shawn Smits) 226016_01

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF \ LISA KORYCKI lisa.korycki@starweekly.com.au

Good times are back

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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

The Sunbury Blue Light Disco committee is dancing for joy. The disco was awarded the Community Event of the Year Award at Hume council’s Australia Day award ceremony. Disco president Kylie Lowdell said she was thrilled with the event’s achievement. “We run on volunteers and the year that 2020 was, I think we are lucky to have won it,” she said. “It has given us such a good boost and everyone is really excited. “It gets our name back out there and it’s great to know we haven’t been forgotten.” The disco has become a fan-favourite event in Sunbury, running for more than 40 years and often hosting 350 students each disco. But 2020 was the year committee members

had to put a pause to the disco, as the COVID-19 pandemic forced many events into the dark. “We had one disco in 2020 and it was in February,” Ms Lowdell said. “We still had a couple of meetings so we didn’t lose our volunteers because when you lose volunteers, it’s hard to get them back.” Ms Lowdell is hoping to hold a disco once a term in 2021. She said the discos were a great opportunity for children to interact with their local police officers and learn life skills. “We always have a minimum of two uniformed police officers and one or two plain-clothed officers,” she said. “Some kids are scared of the police so it’s good to have that interaction.” Jessica Micallef

Attend a free visual merchandising online webinar on Thursday, February 11, between 1-3pm, to get ideas on how to attract more customers and improve the presentation of your business. The two-hour webinar will be delivered via Zoom. Bookings essential. Details: bit.ly/38QnVg6

Artist call-out Macedon Ranges council is looking for arts practitioners, groups and organisations to submit their ideas to develop and deliver arts projects to increase engagement in arts and culture across the region. The council is asking artists to make an expression of interest to receive funding to deliver projects. Applications open February 1 and close on February 28. Details: mrsc.vic.gov.au/get-involved FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

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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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6 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 26 January, 2021

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Stephen Grant. (Damjan Janevski) 225504_01

Celebrate Australia By Jessica Micallef Celebrate all things Australia Day on Tuesday in the Macedon Ranges. Macedon Ranges council will mark the day with a ticketed Australia Day award and citizenship ceremony at the Old Market Shed, Kyneton Botanic Gardens from 10.30am on January 26. Awards, including Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Community Achievement, Arts Ambassador and Community Event, will

be presented on the day. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, numbers at the ceremony will be capped at 100 people and attendees will need to reserve a ticket. Those looking to dress up can celebrate the public holiday with the annual Australia Day Races at Kyneton Racecourse, 44 Campaspe Place, Kyneton. Gates open at 11am. Tickets: 1300 139 402. An Australia Day breakfast will be held in Tylden from 8.30am at the Tylden Hall and Reserve, while a flag-raising ceremony at John

Aitken Reserve in Gisborne will begin at 9am, followed by a barbecue. The Baynton Hall Committee will host a film night at the Baynton Hall from 5.30pm, with a barbecue and a foot race. Make a splash at Lancefield and Woodend outdoor pools and enjoy free entry with inflatable fun from 12.30-2.30pm. The pools’ opening hours are determined according to the Bureau of Meteorology temperature forecast for Kyneton. Details: mrsc.vic.gov.au/outdoor-pools

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NEWS

Emergency planning boost Macedon Ranges council has received a helping hand to prepare for emergencies. The council has received $146,000 as part of the state government’s Municipal Emergency Resourcing Program to better prepare for local emergencies. The 2020-21 state budget provided an extra $1 million for the program to help 64 rural, regional and outer-metropolitan councils with the costs of emergency planning. Program funding can be used for various emergency planning work, ranging from education for culturally and linguistically diverse communities in at-risk areas, to fire suppression. Councils can also use the money for planning recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and emergency work in a COVIDSafe environment. Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas said the funding will ensure Macedon Ranges communities are well-prepared should the worst happen. “We are supporting Macedon Ranges council to keep our community safe in an emergency,” she said. “This funding helps to make sure we have the skills and resources they need for their vital role. “Last summer really brought home how important our local councils are when the worst happens, which is why it’s encouraging to know that Macedon Ranges council has this support.” Jessica Micallef

What’s your opunion on bananas? Do you find them a-peeling? What about alligators who wear vests? Firmly believe they should be called In-vest-igators? If you do, we’re o-pun to your suggestions. Pen a pun for Lifestyle Plumpton and if you’re declared the winner, we’ll display your punmanship on our newly installed sign at the front of Lifestyle Plumpton. You’ll be the first to see your name u-pun lights.

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Over 50s Resort Living 7 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 26 January, 2021

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Airport seeks more power By Laura Michell Melbourne Airport has asked the state government to give it more power to intervene in developments which could impact aircraft operations or lead to noise complaints. Airport operators Australia Pacific Airports (Melbourne) has made a submission to the state government’s Melbourne Airport Environs Safeguarding Committee, which was set up to advise the planning minister on improvements to the planning provisions safeguarding the airport. In its submission, Melbourne Airport called for the government to designate it as a referral authority, meaning applicants would formally be required to consult with the airport on any developments in the surrounding area. The submission stated that the airport is currently notified of planning permit applications as though it were a “third-party objector”. “Unlike a determining or even recommending referral authority, its position on any application has no statutory significance beyond that of a third-party objector,” the submission stated. The submission stated the airport receives about 20 noise complaints per month – a figure the airport says will rise in the coming years given the number of people now living in areas impacted by aircraft noise. Operators fear that if they are not granted a greater say in nearby developments, the airport could face constraints on its operations, such as a curfew or a reduction in airspace.

“It is clear from both local and international experiences that, with increased density in populations around airports and underneath flight paths, the number and frequency of complaints regarding noise is likely to increase,” the submission states. “Constraints such as restrictions on flight paths, aircraft volumes (even during daylight hours) and aircraft types are all potential risks to the flexibility that Melbourne Airport’s operations presently enjoy. The introduction of any such restrictions would have significant and far-reaching consequences for both Melbourne Airport, and its contribution to the state economy.” Melbourne Airport chief financial officer Grant Devonport said that if approved, referral authority status would ensure the airport is consulted from the outset on developments subject to noise impacts, and those that have the potential to impact on aircraft operations. A Hume council submission to the inquiry stated the council “remains committed to protecting Melbourne Airport’s 24-hour curfew free operation”. It said meeting the needs of the general population growth of Melbourne, Hume and other aircraft noise-affected municipalities, has been a source of tension at the planning permit stage. “How to strike an appropriate balance between facilitating community needs and expectations against protecting the operations of Melbourne Airport is a difficult question that needs to be given very careful consideration,” the council’s submission states.

Reverend Mel Clark with her dog Bess, and Amy Meldrum, Samuel, 12, and Jacob, 15, with dogs Gypsy, Lucy and Ruby. (Damjan Janevski) 225503_01

Pooches in the park St Mary’s Anglican Church in Woodend is hosting Pooches in the Park – a weekly event for dogs and their owners to have a play at the church’s garden. Reverend Mel Clark said the event was a way to bring the community together after a year of coronavirus restrictions and lockdowns. “It’s really important for communities to reconnect after being isolated for such a long time and it’s good for them to know that their church is here,” she said. “Whether people are religious or not, they can still come to the event.” The first Pooches in the Park event was held earlier this month. Reverend Clark said people were encouraged to bring a picnic blanket,

food and drinks and “poop bags” to the garden. She said dogs of all breeds were welcome, provided the dog was comfortable off a leash. “We had about eight dogs at our first event, we closed off the garden and the dogs wore themselves out,” she said. “It was lovely to see people connecting again. The event will be a weekly thing at the moment but we will reassess it in a little while to see how we are going.” Pooches in the Park will be held on Wednesday’s from 6pm at 15 Buckland Street, Woodend. Details: facebook.com/woodendanglican Jessica Micallef 12474522-CG50-20

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

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

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

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8 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 26 January, 2021

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NEWS

Property hunters flock to Ranges By Jessica Micallef A Macedon Ranges real estate agent is confident the local property market will remain “relatively good” heading into 2021. According to the latest Real Estate Institute of Victoria figures, the Macedon Ranges recorded a 3.2 per cent increase in median house prices in the December quarter last year and a 9.2 per cent annual increase for the 12 months to December. Keatings Real Estate managing director

John Keating said the latest numbers reflected a positive start to the new year. “It is always difficult to predict things and we have to be cautious when we are forecasting the next three, six or 12 months ahead,” he said. “But there is every reason for people to be confident that 2021 is going to be a good year for people in the real estate market. Most agents in the area are feeling fairly confident that the market will remain relatively good for the rest of the year.” Mr Keating said the Macedon Ranges’ clean

air, easy access to metropolitan Melbourne and community camaraderie was a big drawcard for property hunters buying in the area. “A lot of buyers are coming from trendy areas like Fitzroy North, Northcote or Ascot Vale,” he said. “We have young families moving out here because of the attributes of the Macedon Ranges but also the fact that these days, most people are able to work from home some days of the week, if not all, so they are going to save travelling time and travelling costs.

“Also a lot of retirees are coming up here. The Macedon Ranges has got many medical facilities and we have easy access to the hospital in Kyneton and direct access to the city hospitals. We are very fortunate in our area.” REIV president Leah Calnan said the Victorian property market was “remarkably resilient” in 2020 despite dire predictions at the on-set of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Once restrictions across the state eased, demand and buyer competition skyrocketed,” she said.

Community is blooming “Prime location” was one of the biggest drawcards for Saad Waqas when he decided to build a house in Diggers Rest’s Bloomdale estate. Mr Waqas and his family became the 3000th residents to join the Bloomdale community last month. He said it was during a visit to the area to inspect a nearby rental property that the family found the “perfect” block of land to purchase. “When I passed through Bloomdale I was immediately drawn to it because it offered a fantastic location, convenience and lifestyle that other properties didn’t,” he said. “For me, the most important requirement was location. I was looking for options that were within walking distance to train stations and easy access to the highway. “Not only that, having parks and playgrounds within the community ticked that lifestyle requirement for us.” The father of two said he and his wife wanted

to live in a community that offered open space, a nearby primary school and an active and friendly community. “We are eagerly waiting for construction to finish and to move in,” Mr Waqas said. “We are very social people and we are so excited to meet new people, make new friends and play an active part in the community. “The kids are also excited about joining Diggers Rest Primary School.” AVID Property Group’s Victorian general manager Peter Vitas said he was thrilled to see Bloomdale growing into a well-established community. “The beauty of Bloomdale is that it offers that perfect balance, between a modern and connected life and proximity to historic areas like the Macedon Ranges,” he said. “To be welcoming the Waqas family as the 3000th family … is such a significant milestone.” Jessica Micallef

Saad Waqas became the 3000th resident to join the Bloomdale estate in Diggers Rest (Supplied)

The Home and Community Care Program for Younger People This is a targeted program for under 65’s who meet the eligibility criteria. If you have a short term health need; or impairment related to disability and you are not funded by the NDIS or if you have a mental or chronic illness, you may be eligible. Services on offer include: • • • •

Diet and nutrition advice Support at home Personal care Home maintenance

• • • •

Subsidised Meals Program In home respite Physiotherapy Nursing

Services and appointments are available at our centre, or over phone, video or at home.

ADV-MRH 2021-01 SW

Call 5428 0300 for more information

mrh.org.au Health Care | Mental Health | Wellbeing | NDIS 12475333-NG05-21

9 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 26 January, 2021

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Abandoned dogs raise concerns By Jessica Micallef The RSPCA is urging pet owners to take responsibility for their animals during summer, after three dogs were abandoned and seized by an inspector on Christmas Eve. After a resident report to the animal welfare organisation, a heeler, kelpie and bull arab were found tethered on chains in a Wyndham backyard with no food or water. According to the RSPCA, a previous tenant of the property denied ownership of the animals, and all three dogs were transported

‘‘ ’’

Pets are part of the family - Rebecca Mullenger

to an RSPCA facility for veterinary assessment and care. It was just one of more than 1400 reports of abandoned animals the organisation received in the past financial year. More than 465 of those reports were during last summer and included abandonment, dogs in hot cars and

insufficient access to water and shade. RSPCA inspector Rebecca Mullenger said it was disappointing to see some people show little regard for animals. “Pets are part of the family so to see these three dogs left behind just before Christmas is heartbreaking,” she said. “If your circumstances change and you are unable to provide the level of care your pet needs, there are multiple options available to you. “We accept surrendered animals without judgement, but owners still have to do the right

thing and reach out for assistance. “Moving out of a property and leaving an animal tethered in a yard with no food or water is simply not acceptable behaviour and the community should be rightfully outraged. The concerned citizen who reported these dogs to us likely saved their lives.” The three dogs are not yet available for adoption and will continue to undergo health and behavioural assessment and rehabilitation, including potential time with foster carers. For more information on RSPCA’s summer campaign, visit: rspcavic.org/summer

Gift draws crowd More than 400 people to date have entered the Maribyrnong Gift, which is the only local event of its kind after COVID-19 shut down the Keilor and St Albans gifts. The event is being held at Braybrook’s Pennell Reserve on January 31. Victorian Athletic League organiser Terry O’Donnell said the Maribyrnong Gift was one of a circuit of 14 gifts for the year, culminating in the Stawell Gift. “It’s been running now at this venue for six years,” he said. “It was at a previous venue (Footscray Park), originally. “It’s a handicapped event … it gives everybody a chance, from the poor runner to the good runner, to compete.” O’Donnell said anyone from age 11 to veterans could enter. “There’s people competing in their seventies,” he said.

“Males and females can compete against each other, as well as have their own races. “The beauty of it is, the young and the old can compete against each other, and the good runner against the average runner and be competitive.” O’Donnell said the Maribyrnong Gift had managed to continue due to securing funding from Maribyrnong council. Proceeds will go to organising body, St Andrews-Footscray Cricket Club. Goya Dmytryshchak

Elyssa Ward, Kiara Boyd, Megan McMahon and James Debrincat. (Joe Mastroianni). 226160_01

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

12476908-NG05-21

10 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 26 January, 2021

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NEWS

MY PLACE Stephen Grant immigrated to Australia from Germany more than 20 years ago. The Woodend resident will receive his Australian citizenship at Macedon Ranges council’s Australia Day awards ceremony. He spoke to Jessica Micallef. What is your connection to the Sunbury and/or Macedon Ranges area? I’ve always loved coming to this area since moving to Australia, and four years ago my wife and I moved to Woodend. How long have you lived in Australia? I’ve been in Australia for 23 years, the first 19 of them in Melbourne. I’m originally from Canada, though I lived in Germany for the 10 years preceding my arrival in Australia.

Do you work or study here – tell me about it? I’ve been working at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music at the University of Melbourne since 1999. I started as a casual teacher and have been the head of voice for the last 10 years. I also undertook postgraduate studies at the University of Melbourne, and in 2019 I completed my PhD. What do you love most about the area you live in? The wonderful air, birdsong and the many beautiful walks in the area. Do you have a favourite spot in your local area to grab a bite to eat? I would have to say my favourite local restaurant is Midnight Starling in Kyneton.

(Pictures: Damjan Janevski) 225504_06

Why did you decide to move here? I met my wife Francesca in 1995 and decided to immigrate shortly thereafter. It was the best choice I could have made.

The best in Point Cook retirement living

Established homes now available

Villa 221

Villa 18

Villa 23

$499K $650K $TBA 2

Villa 234

Villa 26

$TBA

Prices valid at publication date.

From time to time selected villas become available for sale to new residents of RCA Villages. These are not brand-new units and, on occasion, have additions and/or improvements included.

Freecall: 1800 645 264 pointcookvillage.com.au • 320 Point Cook Road, Point Cook For more information about our range of retirement communities visit: rcavillages.com.au 11 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 26 January, 2021

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Have your say on town centre plans

Indira Burekovic visited Footscray to promote the Placement Circle program. (Damjan Janevski) 225398_02

Role call for free course By Goya Dmytryshchak A charity empowering and supporting women is seeking at least 15 students to commence a free aged care course at Victoria University’s Footscray campus. Women CAN Australia, a charity that links women to vocational training, is supporting women who are interested in obtaining their certificate III in individual support. Its Placement Circle program helps mature-aged students overcome barriers to finding meaningful jobs and financial independence. Case manager Indira Burekovic recently

visited Footscray to promote the program, which was piloted in Dandenong last year. “We need about 20 women to join the program so we have to spread our wings and really promote, so this is what we’re doing for the next two weeks,” she said. “We have a peer support group so we support them throughout the whole course.” Ms Burekovic said the Dandenong pilot had resulted in women who experienced disadvantage being supported to enter the workforce. “They needed someone to lift them daily because they came from family violence and stress and anxiety and depression,” she said. “I

was able to connect with them daily and just push them through and they’ve come so far … We’re hoping that these women from Footscray will get the same benefit.” The nine-month course, scheduled to start in February, is three days a week including one day on campus, two days online and workplace placement. Participants may also access mentoring from community service organisations, referrals to support services, social activities and closed Facebook pages. Anyone interested should email contact@ womencanaustralia.com, phone 9114 7826 or visit https://womencanaustralia.com

Macedon Ranges council is encouraging local landowners, business operators, residents and visitors to share their views on ways to improve access, safety and streetscapes in the Kyneton town centre. The Kyneton Town Centre Urban Design Framework (UDF) will provide urban design direction for Kyneton’s streetscapes, public open spaces and buildings, focused on the three main commercial streets – Mollison, High and Piper streets. The first round of consultation for the UDF will run until February 26, with summary information delivered on the project to date and an online survey available for public comment. Macedon Ranges mayor Jennifer Anderson said consultation for the UDF will check if issues raised in previous consultations in recent years still reflect the community’s future priorities. “We will be consulting in multiple stages during this project over 2021 to ensure that we capture the community’s vision for the town centre,” she said. “As part of the first stage, we would like to know how people use the town centre, what they value most about how the streets look and feel and what could be improved. “This will help guide the look and feel of Kyneton into the future.” Planning and environment director Angela Hughes said the council’s strategic team will be contacting landowners and business operators in the UDF study area to encourage their participation in various consultation activities including face-to-face meetings and drop in sessions. Details: mrsc.vic.gov.au/yoursay Jessica Micallef

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

30 years ago

25 years ago

20 years ago

10 years ago

January 29, 1991

January 23, 1996

January 23, 2001

January 25, 2011

Tenders for preliminary works on a $36 million Calder Highway bypass at Diggers Rest will be advertised in March.

The Macedon Ranges Shire council has extended the submission date for proposed local laws until February 2 following public outrage.

Due to a lack of funding, Sunbury’s Dilkara Festival will not go ahead next month.

Luke Reddan has been playing cricket since the 1960s and his love for the game remains strong.

12 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 26 January, 2021

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

BEHIND THE NEWS

Women of the airforce

Oral historian and documentary maker Jessica Ferrari shares her “moving and inspirational” experience chronicling the untold stories of the Women’s Royal Australian Air Force in Point Cook. She talks with Alesha Capone.

s Ferrari runs Memento Media, making legacy memoirs and celebration tributes for individuals, communities and organisations. In 2017, she received a grant from the federal government’s Community Heritage and Icon Grants Program to create an eight-part documentary series about the Women’s Royal Australian Air Force (WRAAF) personnel who were based at Point Cook’s air base between 1951 and 1977. The series, which was a finalist in last year’s Victorian Community History Awards and Premier’s History Awards, features archival footage, photos and interviews celebrating the contribution which the “amazing women” of the WRAAF made to the nation. Ms Ferrari said a letter of support from RAAF historian Martin James was a great help in enlisting support for her online documentary series, which has been viewed more than 17,500 times. Ms Ferrari said she came up with the idea for the series after visiting the RAAF Museum in Point Cook, where she was impressed by the aircraft displays but did not see much about the WRAAF’s heritage. She spent two years putting together the series, which including research and interviews Main: Oral historian and documentary maker Jessica Ferrari. (Supplied/Laureen Villegas) Above: WRAAF members, including administrative clerk June Hoy with former WRAAF members. (nee James) who was interviewed for the documentary series, in 1957. Top right: Margaret Campbell (nee Reid) working as a telephonist in the WRAAF, “We spent several weeks doing the research and in uniform. Right: Shirley Lumsden (nee James), pictured right, representing WRAAF as an officer. (Pictures: Supplied) and filming the interviews, followed by well over a hundred hours in the edit suite,” Ms Ms Lumsden was in the WRAAF between Ms Campbell said she enjoyed the sometimes their cheeky male colleagues would Ferrari said. camaraderie between the WRAAF members raid the girls’ rooms for underwear and put on 1959 and 1964, and enlisted in Sydney before a parade to showcase the garments. “I don’t have a military background but the and the lasting friendships she made there. coming to Victoria. Ms Campbell met her future husband WRAAF women were very patient and took the “My working on the switchboard was great, I “It was a very interesting time, something I’d Malcolm while serving in the WRAAF, after never come across before, with women from all time to explain service life and lingo. got to talk to lots of different people,” she said. “In a way, I think it helped to come at the Sometimes, the telephonists would set up a two men visiting the base asked her and her different ages and walks of life,” she said. friend Betty to go out to Laverton. subject with a degree of ignorance as it allowed folding bed when they worked nights. “It taught me things it didn’t teach me in When the girls went to meet the men, they everyday life. me to really unpick the intricacies of military “When I worked at Point Cook, we would life with these trailblazing women.” collect mushrooms on the airstrip and turn the were “under the weather” from drinking “Service life gives you opportunities and it’s One of the women interviewed for the series radiator on its side to cook them,“ Ms Campbell alcohol and the date never went ahead. up to you to take them.” Not to be deterred, Ms Campbell and Betty is Margaret Campbell, a Werribee resident who said. Under a somewhat old-fashioned has written a memoir about her time in the The WRAAF personnel also formed a review caught a taxi to the Laverton venue – where she requirement, women had to leave the WRAAF defence force. company and performed at the Mechanics Hall encountered Malcolm. when they married, which was the case for “We danced all night,” Ms Campbell said. She worked as a telephonist in the WRAAF’s to raise money for the local hospital. both Ms Lumsden and Ms Campbell. Shirley Lumsden, also completed her Signals Section between 1954 to 1958 and did Ms Campbell said the WRAAF ladies were However, Ms Lumsden’s daughter went on her “rookies” training at Point Cook, where she not allowed to have contact with the men’s WRAAF training at Point Cook – she went on to become an Air Commodore in the RAAF later served. block accommodation at Point Cook, although to become an officer in the Air Force. Reserves. 13 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 26 January, 2021

COMMUNITY STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

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.

Women’s health

Play footy

Brimbank Youth Services and Women’s Health West are hosting a webinar to learn, investigate and ask questions about women’s sexual health. The webinar on Thursday, January 28 from 4pm, is for women between 16 and 25, and will discuss topics such as consent, healthy relationships, stigma and STIs. ■ https://sexualhealthsummer2021. eventbrite.com.au

St Albans Football Club’s junior registration day is on Sunday, February 7, 11am-2pm at St Albans Sports Club. The footy club will also host a Football for Players with Disability (FIDA) come and try day on Sunday, February 14, 10-11.30am at Kings Park Reserve.

Registration day Taylors Lakes Junior Football Club’s registration and mouthguard fitting day is on Wednesday, February 10, 3.30-6.30pm at Lionheart Reserve. New players welcome for under-8, under-10, under-12, under-14 and under-16 boys and girls teams. Under-18.5 males and females also welcome.

Badminton begins The new badminton season is set to get underway for the Macedon Ranges Badminton Association. With new lights and lines at Tony Clarke Stadium, Macedon, players will hit the court from Tuesday, February 2. Competitions are played on Tuesday night and Thursday mornings. ■ Leith, 0402 791 263; David, 0419 589 425; or email macedonrangesbadminton@gmail.com

Alcoholics Anonymous

Through the lens

Art amplified

Summer Holiday Wheel Intensive coach Ludwig Schukin and his students impressed Star Weekly photographer Damjan Janevski this week. Janevski said the composition is all thanks to coach Ludwig who directed everyone, who all worked really hard to hold those poses.

Regular face-to-face meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous have resumed. Meetings are held at St Thomas Anglican Church, 117 Synnot Street, Werribee, on Mondays from 7.30pm and St Andrew’s Church Hall, Williamstown, on Wednesdays from 7pm. ■ Werribee: 0412 432 760. For other face-to-face and Zoom AA meetings call 1300 22 22 22 or visit wwww.aatimes.org. au

Amplify February is the first in a new monthly series run by Maribyrnong council, shining the spotlight on awesome local artists from the western suburbs. It kicks off Monday, February 1, from 6.30-7.30pm at the Bluestone Church Arts Space in Footscray. Bookings via Eventbrite.

feeling unwell or has travelled overseas in the past 14 days, cannot attend a session.

Immunisation sessions

Hanging Rock night walks

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

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

Your pictures

Star Weekly readers share some of their favourite moments with family and friends.

Cloth nappies workshop

Connecting community

Join Elana from Cloth Nappy Workshops Melbourne to discover the world of modern cloth nappies on Saturday, February 6 at Woodend Community Centre, corner of Forest and High streets, 10.30am-noon. The workshop will teach attendees how to wash cloth nappies, where to buy them and what to look for. The free workshop is open to Macedon Ranges residents only. ■ Krystina Simpson, 5422 0333.

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

Toby is excited to start his first day of prep at Kismet Park Primary School in Sunbury.

Spot of lunch at the Wolf on Watton for Reg and his human. Love that our locals welcome both two and fourlegged-customers.

Hosts of the Oliver and Lucas kids’ YouTube channel visited Altona Sports Centre to film an educational video with basketball legend Lanard Copeland. Seaholme Primary School pupil, Maya, guest stars in the video with Copeland, who has played NBL alongside Andrew Gaze, won seven All-Star awards and was named Grand Final Most Valued Player. He is now a coach and an ambassador for the centre. Flock being shed at Lakey Farm, Sunbury. Pure bred Labrador Huddie enjoying camping along the Murray River at Echuca. 14 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 26 January, 2021

(Pictures: Claire Quirk)

Beautiful Molly was rescued in April, by her loving new owner Debbie.

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

COMMENT

Covid highlights poor connection By Rob Mitchell, McEwen MP I hope you have all had a great Christmas and new year and a relaxing break over the festive period. 2020 was indeed a shocker of a year. The first thing I want to do is offer my thanks to all the frontline workers who got us through these difficult times. Cleaners, health care staff, aged care workers, supermarket shop assistants – and every other essential worker who powered on through difficult and stressful conditions. You did an amazing job and we won’t forget your hard work. Unfortunately COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on our lives – our health, our family and social life; restricting travel; and impacting employment, business and the economy. We’ve had to make huge changes to how we work, educate our children, shop and generally live our lives. Sadly, something in the McEwen electorate that hasn’t changed is our poor mobile phone service and internet connection. We had terrible problems before the pandemic, but now they’ve been magnified tenfold. People in our communities have long struggled to conduct their small business from home or study online or stay up-to-date during bushfire season. But the necessity of lockdown, combined with appalling internet and mobile phone services, pushed some families to the brink. It was almost impossible for children to keep up with remote learning; for parents to work from home; and to keep up vital communications with family and friends – all under one roof. In some households, they were almost competing against members of their own family for what little connectivity they have in our ridiculously under-serviced area. There are mobile phone blackspots right

‘‘

People in our communities have long struggled

’’

- Rob Mitchell

Rob Mitchell. (Supplied)

across the McEwen electorate. We have all experienced the frustrating lack of phone signal. It’s been so much worse with lockdown and social distancing. Phone calls for many people have been their only social interaction for long periods. It’s bad enough if you want to contact a family member, a friend, a business, a school. But it’s disastrous in an emergency. And in our area, we know well that the need for mobile phone services is never greater than during the bushfire season. I have been lobbying the Liberal National Government since 2010 about the real problems and terrifying risks we face due to mobile phone black spots. The government is well aware of our plight yet continues to ignore our needs. Across five rounds of the Mobile Blackspot Funding Program, Gisborne South, Bullengarook and Riddells Creek – to name just a few of the areas in McEwen without adequate connectivity – all have been left out. This is a massive disappointment for our community, and an ongoing hazard. I will continue to press the Coalition government on this. Our community deserves better.

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. “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.

15 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 26 January, 2021

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2020

Outstanding results attract international attention Principal Peter Cooper says it was another successful year at The Kilmore International School for students undertaking the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma in 2020. “In a year that will be remembered for the emergence and impacts of COVID-19, the school withstood evolving challenges and continued to deliver high quality education to its community. “A number of local students achieved outstanding results, including Oscar Mikic (Whittlesea), Charlie Nuske (Kilmore), Daniel Gower-Hall (Kilmore), Natasha Bourne (Wallan) and Simar Aujla (Craigieburn).”

Congratulations to Oscar Mikic, School Captain

Left: Graduating class of 2020. Above: High score achiever Oscar Mikic. (Pictures: Supplied)

International boarding student cohort

Year 12 graduates

Gamin Nam (Korea), School Captain, and Tuan Phong Vu (Vietnam) both obtained a final score of 42. Bryan Handoko (Indonesia), Aom Isarakarnkul (Thailand), Konoka Ito (Japan) and Xi Yu (China) all obtained high scores. “The high-achieving cohort of 2020 has received first-round offers in areas of commerce, engineering/computer science, paramedicine, and pharmacy, both in Australia and at international universities in the UK, USA, and South East Asia.”

“Overall, 12 per cent of our Year 12 graduates scored an IB result equivalent of an ATAR of 98 or above, while 54 per cent scored above 90. Our IB average score translated to an ATAR average of 90.” “The graduating cohort of 2020 notably achieved 37 bilingual diplomas and recorded an astounding 53 perfect subject scores across 27 subjects.” Reflecting on the student outcomes, Mr Cooper continues: “We are immensely proud of our students, who have achieved remarkable results under remarkable circumstances.

“The dedication of our entire staff sees the school stand amongst some of the highest achieving in the state.” Enrolments for The Kilmore International School remain open, with applications available for 2021-2023 across all year levels. Numerous scholarship opportunities are also available, including the new Innovation Scholarship initiative open for applicants in Years 5-10 in 2022. Applications close on April 9, 2021. The Kilmore International School, 40 White Street, Kilmore. Inquiries: 5782 2211 or www.kilmore.vic.edu.au

12478437-SN05-21

“Oscar achieved an IB score of 43 out of 45 (ATAR equivalent 99.55). He graduated with the subject award for four of his six IB subjects ranging from Chemistry to Indonesian. This led to offers from the Australian National University for their Flexible Double degree and also for commerce at The University of Melbourne and the Melbourne Principal’s Scholarship. He is also a Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholar. “During the COVID year, Oscar led the school – in particular the year 12 cohort – with great calmness, humour and maturity, helping others to keep their focus on their studies and mental health despite the repeated interruptions to their school life. He received the Principal’s Award for Leadership excellence. “Oscar joined the school in Year 8 and was always a very keen participant in a range of UN Youth activities, the Evatt speaking competition, Model United Nations and various state conferences.”

The Kilmore International School 40 White Street, Kilmore, Victoria, 3764 W kilmore.vic.edu.au T 03 5782 2211 E enquiries@kilmore.vic.edu.au ABN 21 083 505 131 CRICOS 00671E

ENROL NOW Scholarships for 2022 available

16 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 26 January, 2021

FEATURING ... DANCE & MOVEMENT

How dance can enhance your life skills Dance can be challenging, but there are many rewards. For all the sore muscles and hours of practice and focus, there’s the conditioning it returns, not to mention the surge of endorphins that also helps students think and feel better. However, from ballet to Zumba, dance can also impart tools that have the potential to serve a student for life. Time management From dealing with homework and exams to meeting deadlines, how to manage time is something that every person has to navigate at some point or another. Developing an awareness of what that means – including learning how to prioritise certain activities over others, and balance wants and needs – is something that dance styles like ballet and jazz in particular can help refine. Ballet, for instance, is all about organisation, co-ordination and discipline. Lessons are highly structured and schedules are strict, so a sense of managing time can start from the moment students begin and then aim to prepare, say, for their first end of year concert.

Social skills The ability to co-operate with others is, arguably, an important strength, and a 2017 Greek study has found that recreational dancers tend to outshine both athletes and non-athletes in that respect. This could be because dancers have to interact with others, especially in group or partner situations, regularly, which goes a long way towards promoting respect and encouraging co-operation skills. Another perspective about how dance enhances social adaptability, is that participating in dance genres that are closely linked to other cultures, including Bollywood dancing and African styles, give students valuable exposure to other traditions and expressions and may thus encourage strong bonds and deepen understanding.

Creativity Dance is communication in movement. While dancers bring their own flair to particular movements, some genres actively encourage individual expression. In hip hop dance for example, many practitioners come up with their own blend of freestyle twists and turns. Of course, this requires strong problem-solving and imaginative approaches to initiating change. As a Swedish hip hop community outreach programme found, such creative activity can equip individuals with the fortitude to make positive changes to their own lives as well as the world. Jenan Taylor Recreational & Competitive Classes

No Sewing required

Inclusive Fee Packages

Photo: Lawrence Winder

YES, WE ARE STILL HERE Dance Classes resume Tuesday 2nd February 2021 Brochures can be emailed or posted out Classes include: Dance Combo, Jazz, Tap, Dance Fitness, Classical (Cecchetti Method) Details of classes are available on website www.danceensemble.com

Dance Registration Day: Monday 1st February 2021 at the studio 4pm to 7pm

PILATES & GARUDA

Want to grow your child’s confidence?

Mat Classes: Commencing 7.30pm Wednesday 20th January 2021

Visit our website to learn more.

WWW.SIGNATUREALLSTARZ.COM.AU

Book your trial month by January 25th

Sunbury and Kyneton locations All Star Registered Club

ENQUIRIES: 0418 337 810 Email: pjpf49@msn.com STUDIO ADDRESS: Factory 1, 53 Reserve Road, Melton

12476593-DV04-21

Classes available: Classical Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Poms, Hip Hop, Cheerleading & Tumbling, TwinkleStars Toddler & Pre School Program

Equipment Sessions (bookings essential): Equipment Sessions include work on Reformers, Cadillac, High Ladder Barrel, Wunda Chairs, Balance Board, Spring Board, Foot Corrector, Freedom Board & Garuda Apparatus. Day or evening sessions available • 4 clients only per session.

53 Reserve Road, Melton www.danceensemble.com 12478888-SN05-21

17 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 26 January, 2021

AUSSIEQUIZ

15.

16.

17.

18. 19. 20.

1. The WWI effort 2. Paradise Road 3. January 1, 1901 4. Charles Cochrane-Baillie (Lord Lamington) 5. Gundagai, NSW 6. Edith Cowan 7. 14 years 8. True 9. January 26, 1788 10. Bondi Beach

SOLUTIONS

10.

14.

21.

22.

23. 24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

Which prime minister lead Australia during World War I? What animal was featured on the Australian one-cent coin: a frill-necked lizard, a gliding possum or a lyrebird? Which Australian animal has cubed-shaped poo? Which prime minister was the first to reside at the Lodge? Jessica Mauboy (pictured) competed at Eurovision in which year? What NBA team does tennis star Nick Kyrgios support? Which two railway lines cross the Australian continent completely, coast to coast? True or false: the word ‘selfie’ originated in Australia? Which of the following is not an Australian invention: polymer banknotes, the electric drill, Google maps or Bluetooth? The scientific name Macropodidae refers to which group of native Australian animal?

31.

22.

33.

34.

35.

36. 37.

38.

39.

40.

When did Australia Day first become a national public holiday on 26 January? What words does Olympic gold medallist Cathy Freeman have tattooed on her arm? Which Australian author appears on the 50-dollar note? When were the Aboriginal flag and the Australian flag first raised together on Sydney Harbour Bridge for Australia Day? What date has the Triple J hottest 100 been moved to? Who wrote the lyrics of Waltzing Matilda? Who was awarded Australian of the Year in 1992? For which film did actor Deborah Mailman (pictured) win her first AFI award? Where was bushranger Ned Kelly’s “last stand”? What civic ceremony is popularly held on 26 January?

T A

L I

A A

18 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 26 January, 2021

R S

SOLUTIONS: alas, alias, alit, altar, aria, aril, astir, astral, atlas, atria, aura, aural, austral, AUSTRALIA, lair, lariat, last, liar, lira, rail, rata, rial, ritual, sail, salt, sari, sitar, slat, stair, star, sutra, tail, tala, tarsal, tarsi, tiara, trail, trial, tsar, ultra

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”.

43.

44.

45.

46.

47.

48.

49.

Which ship of the First Fleet was first to arrive at Botany Bay? Which Australian prime minister is the only one to have taken office on Australia Day? When did Advance Australia Fair become the national anthem of Australia: 1972, 1984 or 1991? Guy Sebastian (pictured) won Australian Idol in which year? In 1837, what event was first held that has since become annual? ‘How’s the serenity’ is a quote from which classic 1997 Australian film? Who was the captain of the Australian cricket team for the 1999 World Cup? On October 24, 1889, where did Sir Henry Parkes give a speech that was pivotal in setting the course for federation? The world’s largest stained-glass ceiling is situated in Melbourne in which building? In 2003, Bob Carr named what as “Australia’s national dish”: the sausage roll, meat pie or chicken parmigiana?

WORDWHEEL 21 words: Good 31 words: Very good 40 words: Excellent

42.

50.

9-LETTER JUMBLE Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list?

41.

? D

Can you work out what the missing letter is that spells an 8-letter word? It could read either clockwise or anti-clockwise. ANSWER: The missing letter is E and the 8-letter word is ADELAIDE.

13.

11. Julia Gillard 12. Cricket 13. 1906 14. Tasmania 15. Sydney 16. New Holland 17. Kylie Minogue 18. Bowen, Queensland 19. False (it is in Melbourne) 20. Alan Border

12.

Which former prime minister of Australia was born in Barry, Wales in 1961? Before making her name on the tennis circuit, Ash Barty (pictured) played what other aussie sport? Australia’s first known film production, The Story of the Kelly Gang, was made in what year? Where in Australia would you find Granny’s Gut and Satan’s Lair? The defunct Big Day Out music festival debuted on Australia Day in which city? In 1817, the word ‘Australia’ replaced what name for the country in official use? Who recently became the first female solo artist to achieved a No.1 album in five consecutive decades? Where is the Big Mango located? True or false: AC/DC Lane is in Sydney? Which former cricketer played the most Tests as captain of the Australian national team?

21. William “Billy” Morris Hughes 22. A gliding possum 23. Wombat 24. Stanley Bruce 25. 2018 26. Boston Celtics 27. The Indian Pacific and the Ghan 28. True 29. Bluetooth 30. Kangaroos and wallabies.

11.

31. 1994 32. “Cos I’m free” 33. David Unaipon. 34. 2013 35. January 23 36. Banjo Patterson 37. Mandawuy Yunupingu 38. Radiance 39. Glenrowan, Victoria 40. Citizenship

The first official Australia Day was held to raise funds for what? Cate Blanchett (pictured) made her feature film debut as a WWII nurse in which 1997 film? On what date did Australia’s federation occur? Lamingtons were most likely named after which Governor of Queensland? Where is the Dog on the Tuckerbox tourist attraction located? Who became the first woman to serve as a member of the Australian parliament in 1921? How long did it take to construct the Sydney Opera House: four, nine or 14 years? True or false: the Hills Hoist has been manufactured in Adelaide since 1945? On what date was New South Wales (the first permanent European colony) established? What famous Australian beach’s name comes from the Aboriginal word for “noise of water breaking over rocks”?

41. HMS Supply 42. Harold Holt 43. 1984 44. 2003 45. Sydney Australia Day Regatta 46. The Castle 47. Steve Waugh 48. Tenterfield, NSW 49. National Gallery of Victoria 50. Meat pie

0-10 Phone a friend 11-20 Not too bad 21-30 Smarty pants 31-40 Walking encyclopedia 41+ Genius!

AUSSIEGIANT 57 Tracks (6) 59 Marriage partner (6) 60 Tasmania is the Apple – (4) 61 Rugby League series between NSW and Queensland, State of – (6) 64 Purple-flowered tree (9) 66 Sink (5) 67 Cut of meat (5) 68 Technology (4) 70 Farm vehicle (coll) (3) 71 Great Ocean Road landmark, The – Apostles (6) 73 Outside the law (7) 74 Rate (5) 75 Australia’s currency unit prior to 1966 (5) 76 Sydney landmark, – House (5) 77 Of the country (5) 78 Respiratory condition (6) 79 18th prime minister of Australia, Sir John – (6)

DOWN

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW 1. Who co-hosts I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! with Morris? A. Grant Denyer B. Chris Brown C. Osher Günsberg D. Beau Ryan

2. Which dating show did she host in 2018? A. Take Me Out B. Love Island C. Blind Date D. Beauty and the Geek

3. Which character did she perform as on The Masked Singer Australia? A. Queen B. Dragonfly C. Cactus D. Kitten

JULIA MORRIS 4. What is the title of her 2009 memoir? A. Don’t You Know Who I Used To Be? B. No Judgement C. I’m Not Even Joking D. Lift and Separate

AUSSIE 5x5 C E K O A L A N E E I T O T

Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down. One word has already been filled in. There may be more than one solution.

ANSWERS: 1B, 2C, 3D, 4A

21 23

C R E W O A L A N T E R

S K I

10 18

C T

49 An embankment to prevent 30-down (5) 51 Tragically, the Tasmanian tiger is this (7) 54 Tasmanian city (6) 56 See 11-across 58 Gallipoli soldier (5) 60 ‘Molly’ Meldrum’s first name (3) 61 Cephalopod mollusc, Blueringed – (7) 62 The Ghan and Indian-Pacific (7) 63 58-down nickname (7) 65 – Australia Fair (7) 69 Long walks in the bush (5) 70 Northern Territory landmark (5) 72 Eat away (5)

5 6

29 Hunting weapons used by First Nations peoples (10) 30 Common natural disaster in Australia (5) 32 Non-native citizen (9) 34 Built by children on the beach (10) 37 Classic Aussie events, backyard – (9) 38 Australian cameleers (6) 39 Victorian newspaper, The – (3) 43 Pink and grey Australian birds (6) 46 Cabbage salad (8) 47 Burning (5) 48 Australian TV channel (1,1,1)

Pacific region (7) Nationality of 36-across (5) 2002 film, Rabbit-Proof – (5) Fauna (7) Seat of government (7) Australia’s largest bird of prey, –-tailed eagle (5) Regional Queensland city (9) Sweets (7) Tropical North Queensland city (6) South Australian peninsula (5) Monotreme (7) Victorian gold rush town (8) Queensland attraction, – World (3) Football game (5)

O O T

2 3

1, 8-across Australian flower emblem (6,6) 8 See 1-across 11, 56-down Australia’s head of state (5,9) 12 Australian singer, Tina – (5) 13 Australia’s westernmost capital city (5) 14 Arboreal marsupial (5) 15 Holidaying in a tent (7) 16 65-down is Australia’s national – (6) 17 Chiller (3) 19 South Australian peninsula (4) 22 Mythical Australian monster (5) 24 Problem in Australian waterways, Blue-green – (5) 25 Southern lights, seen from some parts of Australia, Aurora – (9) 27 Victorian TAFE, –glen (6) 31 Australian music award (4) 33 Australian game show, Blankety – (6) 35 Northern Territory location (3,3) 36 First known explorer to reach Van Diemen’s Land, – Tasman (4) 40 Boil billy on it (4,4) 41 Sausage (coll) (4) 42 Hopping animal (8) 44 Achieving three wickets in a row (3,5) 45 Queensland climate (8) 50 Flannelette shirts (8) 52 Commonwealth, ANZ, NAB, etc. (4) 53 Pub (8) 55 Pace (4)

ACROSS

19 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 26 January, 2021

PUZZLES No. 013

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

easy

7 2

4 1 9 8

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

9 1

7 8

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS

DOWN

Acidic (4) Picking up from where you left off (10) Subvert (9) Fierce weather (5) Coagulate (4) Spreading to wide area (9) Ultimate (7) Cleaning scoop (7) Withstands (7) Siblings (7) Displace (bone) (9) Cut (with axe) (4) Lack of order (5) Meddle (9) Medium-size naval vessels (10) Throne platform (4)

1 3 10 11 12 13 15 16 18 20 22 25 27 28 29 30

No. 013

Bullet (4) Moves in waves (9) Villains (9) Operators (5) Own (7) Idols (5) Dexterity (10) Squirm (6) Propagated (10) Rebel (9) Unexplained events (9) Fund an event (7) Locked and safe (6) Suns (5) Peace (5) Stinging insects (4)

1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 14 16 17 19 21 23 24 26

DECODER

No. 013

3 2 8 6

3 5

4 7

9 8

8 9

5 4

3 3 7

6 5 hard

8 9

10 11 12 13

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

Today’s Aim: 14 words: Good 21 words: Very good

T E

3 LETTERS ALL ARE AVO BAR EEL EGO ELF ERA GAP GEE GET HER ILL ION IRE IVY LAP LEG LOP ORE SOD SOS TEA TIN TOE VIP

TEXT THEE UGLY 5 LETTERS AMISS ANNEX APRIL APTLY ASHES AUDIO BARNS CEDAR CLEAR DIALS DIRGE ELOPE EVOKE GAMMA GORED IDEAS

4 LETTERS AWES BODY CUBE EARL EDGE GILL GIST GLEE ISNT MEAN MOLE NULL PAIN ROOF TAUT

No. 013

INLET IVIES LEASE LOATH METRE MIAOW MUSED MUSTS NORTH OGLES OVALS PAGAN PROPS PULSE RESET RIPEN SCANT SHRUG SLEPT SPELT SPENT

STAFF STAGE UNCLE UNTIE URINE UTERI YOKEL 6 LETTERS OTTERS SETTLE 7 LETTERS AEROSOL COLLAGE

DEFILES ERASURE MOTLEYS VERTIGO 8 LETTERS FESTIVAL RESTLESS SMARTING STANDOFF 10 LETTERS ANCESTRIES ECONOMISTS

celt, cite, cited, city, deceit, deity, delict, diet, edict, edit, elect, elite, excite, excited, EXCITEDLY, exit, exited, leet, lite, teed, telex, tide, tidy, tied, tilde, tile, tiled, yeti 29-01-21

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

"Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands" is a line from which 2001 movie?

Which English band released the '80s hits Johnny Come Home and Good Thing?

NOTE: more than one solution may be possible

Which 2001 novel by Ian McEwan is set in three time periods?

Which nursery rhyme contains the words "vinegar and brown paper"?

The flag of which country depicts an eagle holding a serpent?

No. 013

2 8 9 3 6 1 7 5 4

9 5 8 6 3 2 1 4 7

T E R

I L L S C E A N O G U E

H O R

7 3 6 1 4 8 9 2 5

8 2 7 4 9 6 5 3 1

6 9 5 2 1 3 4 7 8

4 1 3 5 8 7 6 9 2

5 1 2 7 9 6 8 3 4

8 6 4 2 3 1 7 9 5

6 3 1 9 8 4 5 7 2

9 4 5 3 7 2 6 1 8

7 2 8 6 1 5 3 4 9

2 5 9 1 6 7 4 8 3

1 8 3 4 5 9 2 6 7

4 7 6 8 2 3 9 5 1

6 1 7 8 3 9 2 4 5

2 9 5 7 6 4 3 1 8

4 8 2 5 9 1 7 6 3

1 5 9 6 7 3 8 2 4

7 6 3 2 4 8 1 5 9

8 3 4 9 1 6 5 7 2

9 7 1 3 2 5 4 8 6

5 2 6 4 8 7 9 3 1

D E

20 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 26 January, 2021

1 4 2 9 7 5 3 8 6

3 4 8 1 5 2 6 9 7

3 7 1 8 5 4 2 6 9

3 9 7 5 4 8 1 2 6

5 6 4 7 2 9 8 1 3

L 20

G T

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

S A

L C

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

28 words: Excellent

hard

5x5

medium

easy

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

QW B Y C H J A R G N V T

2 1 9

D KMO X U F I Z E S L P

WORDFIT

QUICK QUIZ

Nassau and Suffolk County are located in which US state?

Kaohsiung City is the third most populous city of which country?

Which Australian city is known as the Emerald City?

Which TV series stars Brenda Blethyn (pictured) as Detective Chief Inspector Stanhope?

10 Where would you find the vitreous humour? ANSWERS: 1. Legally Blonde 2. Fine Young Cannibals 3. Atonement 4. Jack and Jill 5. Mexico 6. New York 7. Taiwan 8. Sydney 9. Vera 10. The eyeball

SUDOKU

HOUSE & HOME

“A Pure Delight In Every Way” 667m² 3 Dunsford Street LANCEFIELD Located on beautiful, tree lined Dunsford Street within walking distance of the shopping area and sporting facilities is a delightful property which offers complete relaxation.

“BEING AUSTALIAN”

$597,000

As with so many people during the Christmas break, I have been decluttering and sorting. In the course of sorting through photos I came across a photo of my Great Grandfather. His parents were from Scotland and I am not sure if he was born here in Australia or migrated as a young man, I do know that my Grandparents, with the exception of one, were all born in Australia making me a long term Australian!

Very special features include new floor coverings, charming window furnishings, gas ducted heating, new solid fuel heater, large shed/ workshop, water tank and paved area with room for a caravan.

Renovated throughout there is Move in, relax and enjoy a truly nothing to be done but move in and delightful property. put your feet up. Secure fencing and pretty, low maintenance gardens Inspect NOW! including raised veggie gardens are here for your enjoyment.

There is lively discussion in regard to “Australia Day”, the date on which it is held and it’s meaning to the original “Australians” – our First Nation People.

Delightful accommodation includes: • Main bedroom with walk-throughrobes to the new ensuite • Two double bedrooms with builtin-robes • New bathroom with easy access shower • Light, airy and delightful lounge • Fully renovated kitchen with a wonderful walk-in-pantry, new benchtops and new appliances • Family meals area which leads to the courtyard style entertainment area

I am a very proud Australian but I do acknowledge that our ‘History” has been changed, or perhaps I should say, the history of the indigenous people has changed and largely ignored. Indigenous people fought in all the wars WW1, WW2, Vietnam, Korea, and yet we were not told about it. These fine people went to war but were not considered citizens of their own country until the 1960’s! I studied Australian history right through high school and again at tertiary level and there was virtually no mention of the First Nation People at all.

OPEN 7 DAYS

I am not suggesting that we change anything, I am suggesting that maybe we all need to look more carefully at History and perhaps, as a school friend has suggested, Australia Day could become “Reflection Day”. What are your thoughts?

• Column supplied by Liz Dormontt. Liz is a director of Chess Property Consultants, based in Romsey. To contact Liz, phone 5429 5544 or check out their website at www.chessproperty.com.au

ROMSEY

$479,000

All Is New - Unit 1 y Re-stumped, re-wired, re-plumbed, re-plastered & extensive solar system y Main bedroom with “his and her” walk through robe & ensuite y Bedrooms 2 & 3 have BIR's & will accommodate a double bed y The kitchen comprises of 900mm gas/electric stove, dishwasher, lots of 3 drawers, WIP, an abundance of bench space & built in rubbish bins y Living offering an outlook across the road to the peaceful bush reserve 2 y Double carport y Features include: day-night blinds, ducted heating & evaporative cooling 2 y For the investor, expected rental return $400 to $410 per week

ROMSEY

$549,000 - $565,000

“Your Forever Home” - 740m² y Large queen size main bedroom with 2-way bathroom and walk-in-robe y 2nd and 3rd bedrooms are very generous and boast built-in-robes y Attractive kitchen with ample bench space and breakfast area all overlooking the backyard y Delightful lounge/dining and large rumpus room with wood heating y 4th bedroom or excellent home office/studio y Spacious laundry, 2nd toilet and ample storage y Excellent undercover entertainment area y Double car integrated garage

ROMSEY

$715,000

“An Outstanding Opportunity “ - 2575m²

4 1 2

OPEN 7 DAYS 102 MAIN STREET, ROMSEY 3434

y Renovated home on a huge block of land suited to subdivision (STCA) y Four large bedrooms all with excellent built-in-robes y Large lounge and rumpus room/formal dining room y Amazing brand new kitchen with SMEG appliances and an abundance of 4 storage and bench space and family meals area y Large family bathroom PLUS separate shower room off the fully tiled and 2 renovated laundry y Front and rear verandahs 2 y Double drive-through garage which leads to a second garage

PH: 5429 5544 www.chessproperty.com.au

21 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 26 January, 2021

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22 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 26 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.

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.”

(iStock)

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.

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

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SPORTS QUIZ 12. Which F1 team has been renamed Alpine for the 2021 season?

4. Which current netball team was formed in 2007 after the merging of Melbourne Kestrels and Melbourne Phoenix?

1. Which top ranked tennis professional tested positive to COVID-19 during a 2020 tour of charity exhibition games he helped organise?

13. Who was the first female horse trainer to win the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup double?

5. Which Welsh-born Australian professional ice hockey player has played for the NHL’s Washington Capitals, Edmonton Oilers and St. Louis Blues?

2. Jamaican former sprinter Usain Bolt trained with which A-League team in 2018? 3. What is the nickname of the Australian swimming team?

Usain Bolt

14. What was the scoreline in Australia’s Test series loss to India in the 2020/21 home summer?

6. Hidden Valley Raceway, home to an annual round of the Supercars Championship, is located not far from which capital city?

15. Which country famously won the Euro 2004 soccer tournament? 16. How many VFL/AFL players have kicked over 1000 goals in their career?

7. Which retired cricketer holds the record for most career wickets in Test cricket by an Australian with 708?

17. In tennis, which country won the most recent Davis Cup, in 2019? 18. Who is the captain of the Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby team?

8. Australian snowboarder Torah Bright won the gold medal for the women’s halfpipe competition at which Winter Olympics?

19. Which West Indian legend played cricket for South Australia in the early 1960s?

9. Which AFL team played its first game in 1995?

20. In golf, what is a hole score of three-under-par called?

10. The NRL’s player of the year award, the Dally M Medal, is named in honour of which former rugby league great?

21. What team did the Perth Wildcats defeat in the 2020 NBL Finals series? 22. How many fights did Mike Tyson lose during his professional boxing career?

11. Which NBA team does Aussie Matthew Dellavedova play for?

23. Which Australian professional golfer and member of the World Golf Hall of Fame has 41 wins on the LPGA Tour, more than any other active player?

27. In what year did snowboarding make its debut at the Winter Olympics? 28. Which Grenadian cricketer played for the Melbourne Stars in the 2020-21 Big Bash League?

24. Who won Player of the Series in the 2020-21 Australia v India Test series?

29. What sport was played on the moon by Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr in a 1967 landing?

25. What Adelaide Crows AFLW player received the longest suspension in league history in a 2021 practice game?

30. What was netball known as in Australia and New Zealand between the years of 1901 and 1990?

26. What regional Victorian city plays host to an NBL game between Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix in January 2021?

Torah Bright 2901

1. Novak Djokovic. 2. Central Coast Mariners. 3. Dolphins. 4. Melbourne Vixens. 5. Nathan Walker. 6. Darwin. 7. Shane Warne. 8. 2010 Winter Olympics. 9. Fremantle Dockers. 10. Herbert Henry ‘Dally’ Messenger. 11. Cleveland Cavaliers 12. Renault 13. Sheila Laxon 14. 2-1 15. Greece 16. Five 17. Spain 18. Dane Haylett-Petty 19. Sir Garfield Sobers 20. Albatross 21. Sydney Kings 22. Six 23. Karrie Webb 24. Pat Cummins 25. Ebony Marinoff 26. Bendigo 27. 1998 28. Andre Fletcher 29. Golf 30. Women’s basketball

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Kia Picanto is a cute and capable city car. (Pictures: Supplied)

Cute Kia Picanto ideal urban ride By Alistair Kennedy, Marque Motoring Kia Picanto is the smallest car in the high-flying Korean brand’s range. It has been on sale here since 2016 and currently, with more than 80 per cent of total sales, it dominates the – admittedly very small – micro car market segment. Small city cars have historically been poor sellers in Australia which is a shame as these small and affordable economy cars are really all that many urban dwellers need. The primary buyer profile for Picanto will be late-teen / early 20s females, with a smattering of baby boomers taking up the slack. Those at the young end of the age scale typically have a three-point check list – cute styling, affordability and the latest in infotainment technology. The previous model ticked the first two boxes but missed out on the third, a problem which has now been fixed with this latest upgrade. New Picanto is currently offered in two variants, S and GT-Line both powered by a 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine and either manual or automatic transmission. A third model the GT is expected to be added towards the end of 2020. We don’t have specific details at this stage but the outgoing GT was a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol.

Styling Styling of Picanto (love that name, it sounds like it should mean something in Italian … but doesn’t) is fresh and contemporary. To our eyes the GT-Line variant that’s the subject of this test is just about the cutest car on Australian roads. Given the number of admiring looks it got plenty of others share that view. Although it’s built in South Korea there is the European influence that is characteristic of all new Kia models penned by design chief Peter Schreyer. An upgrade in June 2020 brought a new grille, projector headlights, new foglights, re-designed alloy wheels and rear bumper.

S and GT-Line generates 62 kilowatts of power and 122 Newton metres of torque at 4000 rpm. Both models come with the choice of five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions.

Safety

AT A GLANCE MODEL RANGE Picanto S 1.2-litre petrol: $14,690 (manual), $16,290 (automatic) Picanto GT-Line 1.2-litre petrol: $16,140 (manual), $17,740 (automatic) Picanto GT 1.0-litre turbo-petrol: $18,990 (manual)

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

Standard safety equipment included six airbags; enhanced ABS brakes with emergency stop signal; autonomous emergency braking; hill start assist; vehicle stability management; torque vectoring; reverse parking sensors; rear view camera; dust-sensing headlights; rear fog lights; daytime running lights; and two ISOFIX child seat anchor points. GT-Line adds halogen projection headlights; with both the daytime running lights and rear fog lights upgraded to LED. Advanced features such as blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and lane-keep assist aren’t available but, for a first car for new drivers that’s not necessarily a bad thing in that they will learn to get into good observational driving habits straight away. Parents buying Picanto as a first car for their children will be reassured by it achieving a five-star ANCAP rating.

Interior Picanto’s tallish body means there is ample headroom both front and rear for average-size occupants although its length limits boot space to just 255 litres. This is can be expanded to 1010 litres by folding the 60:40 second-row seat backs. Although there are three rear seat belts shoulder space is limited, especially with three adult passengers abreast. Headrests are adjustable vertically, rare in this grade of vehicle. There’s excellent and functional storage spaces including two adjustable cup holders and an alcove for a smartphone at the base of the front console with a USB port.

Engine / transmission The 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine in the Picanto

26 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 26 January, 2021

Infotainment New for the 2020 Picanto is an excellent 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen which, in such a small car, dominates the dashboard. It’s easy to reach and operate with minimal distraction from the road ahead. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, both now with wireless connectivity, are now available.

Driving Our test car was the automatic GT-Line Picanto in Astro Grey with red trim making it a real eye-catcher. The tallish body provided excellent headroom and interior space that belied its small exterior. The front seats were comfortable and supportive but the absence of telescopic

steering wheel adjustment meant pushing the driver’s seat back to compensate. Performance from the 1.2-litre 62 kW / 122 Nm engine naturally-aspirated is pretty good with its limited outputs offset by a kerb weight of around 1000 kg. Having only four forward ratios in the automatic can be a drawback in some country driving, but is generally fine around town. Sharp and agile in its urban natural habitat the little Kia had no trouble keeping pace with traffic over the undulating terrain of the M1 Pacific Motorway to the north of Sydney. Only in steeper hills in the semi-rural segment of our test route did it struggle. With SUVs and utes now the focus of most of our road tests it was a real treat to be able to zip in and out of even the tightest of parking spots with ease both by the Picanto’s size but also its excellent all-round visibility. Fuel consumption is listed at 5.8 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle. We averaged 6.8 L/100 km on our real-life test with fuel stops increased due to the 35-litre fuel tank.

Summing up Kia Picanto is a very attractive five-door city hatch car that’s loaded with standard equipment and comes in at a starting price of just $14,690 plus on-road costs with manual transmission. It’s pleasant to drive, works well around town and isn’t too out of place in the country. Its low driveaway price is certainly appealing with its value equation topped up by Kia’s industry-leading seven-year, unlimited kilometre standard warranty. City car punters have clearly already made up their minds on the merits of Picanto with four out of five buyers in the segment heading for Kia dealerships. If you’re looking for a sportier performance the upgraded turbo Picanto GT isn’t too far off.

SPORT National competition preferred for second tier A true national soccer competition is the favoured model for the National Second Division (NSD) competition. The Reshaping the second tier of football in Australia progress report, released last week, sets out the proposed working model for the NSD as developed by Association of Australian Football Clubs [AAFC] together with its NSD Partner Group. It identifies and explores the critical success factors for a successful NSD and discusses the available options for governance and commercial arrangements for the new league, and its clubs. Among the 32 clubs in the partner group are local clubs Altona Magic, Hume City, Caroline Springs George Cross and Melbourne Knights.

The report states that Football Australia chief executive James Johnson, has repeatedly said it was no longer about “if” we will have a national second division but about “how” and “when”. In the report, the group highlights the forming of a new competition in 2022-23 with 12 clubs initially and plans to expand to 16 by 2025. It states there is a pathway gap between the A-League and the NPL clubs. “This report is about what our member clubs can contribute to Football Australia in establishing and operating a true national second tier,” it states. “It is about the best possible. Not about a notional ‘best’ or the merely ‘possible’.” Promotion and relegation with the NPL competitions is essential for the competition,

with discussions about promotion and relegation with the A-League once the competition is established also on the cards. The report looked at three different models for how the competition could run – a national competition; a conference system; and the existing National Premier League’s playing an extended national finals series. The partner group’s view is for a singular national competition. “The proposed model represents the best possible financially viable and responsible true second tier which can be delivered. “We understand it may disappoint those with more ambitious hopes for it from the start – that it might be immediately fully professional, for example.”

While it’s predicted to cost more than the other options, more than $1 million per club, overall the competition structure’s benefits outweigh the others. “As disclosed by the analysis, any savings in travel costs are more than off-set by the expected reduced revenue from such a model,” the report states. “Further, the wider benefits a truly national second division will bring to the game will not be achieved by a localised conference model.” The report a states a national second tier women’s competition would kick-off in 2025. NSD clubs continue to participate in NPL at youth level. The final report is due in April. Tara Murray

Squad leads the way By Tara Murray Williamstown Athletics Club is putting together a female track and field squad to rival the best in the country. Led by Australia’s top female heptathlete Celeste Mucci, the squad includes a number of talented athletes and, with the development of some exciting talent coming through, has coaches at the club excited. Club president Stefan Voorham said the club was proud of its female program. “Through all their hard work, our female athletes have recently achieved fantastic results with six state titles at the 2020 State Championships,” he said. “The Williamstown Athletic Club is excited to watch their development and see them reach their goals.” Mucci, who has been part of the club since she was a little athlete, has gone on to represent Australia in the heptathlon in the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games where she placed 4th overall. Mucci said the club had done a lot for her and her career. “I’ve been with Williamstown since I was a junior and transitioned to seniors with them,” she said. “I love my small club. They have done a lot to support me over the years and I’m excited to have more of my squad join this amazing club.” Maddie Coates, Kiara Reddingius, Jessie Andrew and Mareelou Boyle have all joined the club in recent years. Coates, from Watsonia, has represented Australia at both junior and senior level, including at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and 2019 World Championships in both the 200 metres and 4 x 100 metres relay. Coates said Williamstown felt like the right fit for her, having previously been involved in coaching clinics at the club. Reddingius, who moved to Avondale Heights from Western Australia, has been with the club the past two seasons and has represented Australia at the Oceanic Games. Jessie Andrew, who is from Riddells Creek, was the 100 metre sprint champion at the Oceanic Championships in 2017 and was the 2020 state 200 metre champion. Yarraville’s Mareelou Boyle has been at the club the past two years and was part of the Australian 4 x 200m indoor relay team that set a new Australian record in 2017. Mucci and Andrew were also part of that team. Up-and-comer Ashlee Farrar is also impressing. She won the Stawell Gift Little Athletics 100m in 2019 and holds many Williamstown Little Athletic records. The club is also establishing a strong coaching line-up. Elite distance running coach Elizabeth Mathews is involved at the club. Among the athletes she trains are Olympian and western suburbs athlete Morgan Mitchell and up-and-coming athletes Lucinda Rourke,

Lily Dodd (middle). (Bowls Victoria)

Young stars on the rise

Maddie Coates. Inset: Jessie Andrew, Kiara Reddingius, Celeste Mucci and Mareelou Boyle (pictured back) with some of the youngsters at Williamstown Athletics. (Pictures: Supplied)

Abby Goldsworthy and Monique Goldsworthy. Matthews said she liked coaching at the club’s Newport track. She said the club is supportive of coaches and athletes and having both a little aths and senior club allows great transition from junior to senior athletics. Darren Clark, another high profile coach at the club, highlighted the location and

supportive club as reasons for their success. Coach Robbie Spencer, who specialises in sprints, hurdles and long jump, believes that having elite, approachable and dedicated role models will ensure the young athletes can “be what they can see”. “We pride ourselves on being a club that accepts any athlete that wants to join.”

Melton Bowls Club members were keen observers of the Bowls Victoria State Champions week earlier this month. With four of its new recruits among those competing against the best of the state, there was plenty of excitement. New club coach Todd Trewarne, along with a young trio of stars Lisa Trewarne, Sophie Kurzman and Lily Dodd, all put in some strong performances. Melton’s Conrad Dawson said the club hadn’t seen results such as these at a state level in a long time. “Results aside this season, we’ve had some amazing young kids coming to the club and kicking goals. “The kids were flying at the championships against the champions of different clubs and regions. “We’ve brought a lot of youth into the club. It was something the club had to do and we’re focusing on. “They’ve done a fantastic job and we’re proud as punch.” Lisa Trewarne paired with her old Sunbury teammate Carla Krizanic, who also won the champion of champions women’s single title, to claim the women’s pairs title in a thriller. Todd Trewarne also teamed up with Krizanic, winning the mixed pairs by one shot. Dodd, who came across from Bacchus Marsh, made the semi-finals of the under-18 girls competition and the final of the under-18 open triples. Kurzman, who came from Sunbury, along with the Trewarnes, won the under-18 girls pairs title. Lisa Trewarne and Kurzman also made the semi-finals of the women’s fours, alongside Krizanic and Akasha Fortune. Dawson said all four had fitted in well in their Saturday pennant side and the club. Melton sits atop division 2, section 2 after six rounds. Tara Murray

27 SUNBURY & MACEDON RANGES STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 26 January, 2021

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