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Charity event above par Altona City Rotary Club is holding its 19th charity golf day at Kooringal Golf Club, raising money for kids with life-threatening conditions and other worthy causes. Children’s charity Very Special Kids has been the event’s major beneficiary for the past 11 years, and will receive funds from the day to help provide free support to about 850 families across Victoria. Golf committee chairman Charlie Montebello said money raised from the day also assisted other community projects. “In the last 11 years, we have donated $109,000 to Very Special Kids through the charity golf day,” he said. “Over the 11 years, we have raised 160-odd thousand [dollars], of which the other 50-odd thousand we have spent in the community and on other Rotary projects. “On behalf of the Altona City Rotary Club, I’d like to thank some of the local businesses for their donations, considering with COVID and everything.” The event will be ambrose format with 25 teams of four registered. The charity golf day is on Friday, February 26. Details: charles.montebello@bigpond. com or 0412 257 723.

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January 26 forum urged Maribyrnong residents will be asked for their views on January 26, a date “recognised as both Australia Day and Invasion Day”. Cr Jorge Jorquera moved a notice of motion at last week’s council meeting “that council acknowledges January 26, the day Captain Arthur Phillip first raised the Union Jack flag in Sydney Cove as Invasion Day, a symbol of the forceful dispossession of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and a recurring reminder of over 200 years’ injustice”. His motion failed to gain majority support. Mayor Michael Clarke expressed concerns that elders from Maribyrnong’s three main Indigenous language groups had not been

consulted. “You’ve not consulted with the elders of either the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung, the Bunurong or the Boon Wurrung tribes of the Kulin nation,” Cr Clarke said. “Until we actually have a process where the consultation, where the understanding of what the local Aboriginal community thinks on this matter, we’re doing nothing more than participating in paternalism.” Cr Jorquera, who came to Australia as a refugee fleeing Chile’s Pinochet dictatorship, said his motion was “motivated by the leadership that’s been taken by Senator Lidia Thorpe and numerous other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander activists, spokespeople and elders throughout the country”.

He said the second English word he learned was a racial slur after he was mistaken for an Aboriginal and his best friend in the schoolyard became an Aboriginal kid called, Sam. “From that day, to answer Michael’s question, I’ve been in consultation with the Aboriginal community and wherever possible supporting their struggle,” he said, becoming visibly emotional. Cr Sarah Carter expressed concern that some councils had been stripped of the ability to hold citizenship ceremonies on January 26 “because they have declared that they won’t have any events on January 26”. She said the council had taken steps by moving the Civic Awards ceremony and the Stony Creek Festival.

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Cr Cuc Lam echoed this fear. “I want to be certain that council do not jeopardise its ability to conduct the citizenship ceremony, which is very close to every migrant’s heart, including me,” she said. Chief executive Stephen Wall said the federal government’s Australian citizenship ceremony code stipulated that councils were required to hold a citizenship ceremony on January 26. “I just raise that as an issue when councillors are having this debate,” he said. Cr Clarke foreshadowed an alternative motion that council “engages in a broad ranging and deliberative consultation process with the First Nations and the wider established and newly arrived people of Maribyrnong”. It was supported unanimously.

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Curved like bambo o, flexibility, the archite to reflect strength and Vietnamese museum cture of Australia’s first is filled with symbol proposed for Footscray ic meanin The Vietnamese Comm g. unity in Australia Victorian chapter has applied to Mariby council to build a four-storey museumrnong cultural and heritag and e centre at 220 Barkly Street. Plans were released million project, decade last week for the $17.5 s To be known as in the making. Australia, the project Vietnamese Museum will include a culture heritage centre and has been funded by and and federal govern state ments and the Vietnam community. ese VMA operations manager Hanh Do the complex would be unlike any other said world. in the

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An artist’s image of the Vietnamese Museum Australia propose d for Footscray. (Supplied )

want future generatio ns to understand us

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- Hanh Do

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“It’s not only the first in Australia but probably the first in the world in terms also Vietnamese commu of nity,” he said. “There the others in the US, but are they Mr Do said the museumare private.” was important the diaspora to tell and preserve its history for “We arrived here more . than 40 years ago refugees,” he said. as “Mostly, each refugee tell because we escaped would have a story to from the Communist regimes in Vietnam and we went throug journey through the h Southeast Asian countrithe and then we were es accepted by countri the US, Australia, es like Canada and other countries in Europe. “When we escaped , the horrible journey most of us went through of pirates … the memor was so horrible. y “We wanted to share our story and we want future generations to Australians to undersunderstand us and for through. Our generat tand what we’ve been ion that’s been here more is the first generation than 40 years so it is starting to fade out. “We want future generat Mr Do said the buildin ions, our children, our grandchildren filled with significance. g’s architecture was , to understand and “Bamboo is strong one day to come and find and it’s also flexible “Do you see the curve, out we were here, a way it shows how , so in kept the Austra like bamboo,” Mr so they said. we adapted here. understand the past lian colour, Do and find their roots.” “Then you see, from The building’s shimm like Uluru.” afar it’s like a wave. “That’s part of our ering gold parape Waves represent our based on legend that countryside life. journey at sea. the Vietnamese people t is “The colour is the descended from the Australian red desert. egg sac of a dragon are We fairy, Mr Do and a said.

Pick up your FREE newspaper from these local outlets... • Albion Federation Residential Village 639 Ballarat Road • Albion Sadie Black Cafe 31 Perth Avenue • Ardeer Coles Express 1-5 The Avenue (Cnr Fitzgerald Road • Braybrook Coles Supermarket - Braybrook 67 Ashley Street • Braybrook Central West Shopping Centre 65-67 Ashley Street • Braybrook Braybrook News & Lotto 127 South Road • Burnside Burnside News and Lotto 15 Westwood Drive • Burnside Heights Milkbar 102 Tenterfield Drive • Cairnlea Cairnlea Town Centre 100 Furlong Road • Cairnlea Harcourts Real Estate 1a/100 Furlong Road • Caroline Springs Caroline Springs Civic Centre/Library 193-201 Caroline Springs Boulevard • Caroline Springs Brad Teal Real Estate Caroline Springs Shop 4, 242-244 Caroline Springs Boulevard • Caroline Springs Ray White Real Estate Caroline Springs Shop 8, 234 Caroline Springs Boulevard • Caroline Springs CS Square Centre 29-35 Lake Street • Deer Park Smart Smile Dental Suite 4, 20 Clairview Road • Deer Park Deer Park Club 780 Ballarat Road • Deer Park Bells Real Estate - Deer Park 813a Ballarat Road • Deer Park Biggin and Scott Real Estate Deer Park 817a Ballarat Road • Deer Park Comm Unity Plus - Community Neighbourhood Centre 822-824 Ballarat Road • Deer Park Foodworks 803 Ballarat Road

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• Sunshine Barry Plant Real Estate - Sunshine 271 Hampshire Road • Sunshine GL Lee Real Estate - Sunshine 275 Hampshire Road • Sunshine Douglas Kay Real Estate - Sunshine 280 Hampshire Road • Sunshine Sunshine Library 301 Hampshire Road • Sunshine Brimbank City Council 301 Hampshire Road • Sunshine Sunshine Plaza 324-328 Hampshire Road • Sunshine Sweeney Real Estate - Sunshine 4a/282 Hampshire Road • Sunshine Sunshine Marketplace 80 Harvester Road • Sunshine Woolworths Supermarket - Sunshine 80 Harvester Road (Sunshine Marketplace) • Sunshine North North Sunshine Post, News and Lotto 69 McIntyre Road • Sunshine West Morgan’s Super IGA Supermarket 475 Fitzgerald Road • Sunshine West Bottler Sunshine West Drive in Liquor 79 Glengala Road • Sunshine West Coles Supermarket Sunshine West 136 The Avenue • Sydenham YPA Estate Agents - Sydenham Ground Floor, 15-17 Overton Lea Boulevard • Sydenham O’Brien Real Estate 17b Overton Overton Lea Boulevard • Taylors Hill Taylors Hill Land Sales Cnr Taylors & Gourlay Roads • Taylors Hill Watervale Shopping Centre 2-14 Calder Park Drive • Taylors Lakes Professionals Real Estate Shop 27 3 Melton Highway (Taylors Lakes Shopping Centre) • Taylors Lakes Taylors Lakes Lotto Shop 8 3 Melton Highway (Taylors Lakes Shopping Centre) 9390 9129 • Taylors Lakes YPA Estate Agents - Taylors Lakes Shop 5, 399 Melton Highway (Watergardens Shopping Centre) • Taylors Lakes Watergardens Shopping Centre 399 Melton Highway

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2 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 24 February, 2021

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Whitten Oval vaccine hub plan By Goya Dmytryshchak Altona Meadows is one of the first suburbs where the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine is being rolled out this week, while talks are under way to convert Whitten Oval into a mass vaccination hub. Four suburbs in Melbourne’s west are part of the first roll-out, with Werribee, Point Cook and Hoppers Crossing also on the list. Maribyrnong mayor Michael Clarke said the West Footscray home ground of the Western Bulldogs could become a vaccination hub, with discussions taking place with the Department of Health and Human Services and others. “As a partner in pandemic recovery, council

is working with the state government to identify both potential vaccination and future testing sites in its municipality should a future outbreak like that of the Holiday Inn occur,” he said. “Council’s immunisation team is also working closely with DHHS around the vaccination program roll-out in its municipality. “Council is further aware, and involved in early discussions between DHHS, Western Bulldogs and medical groups led by AMA’s Mukesh Haikerwal to potentially use Whitten Oval as a vaccination site.” Initial doses of vaccines will go to aged care and disability care residents and workers, frontline healthcare workers and quarantine

and border workers. Benetas St George residential aged care in Altona Meadows will be one of the first facilities where residents and staff will be vaccinated. Chief executive Sandra Hills said it was “welcome and much anticipated”. “I know our residents and employees at St George’s are feeling positive about receiving the vaccine,” she said. “We are all intent on progressing any measures that will protect older Australians from COVID-19 and its devastating effect. “We want everyone to be supported to make a fully-informed choice on receiving the vaccine.” A health department spokesperson said

high-risk, priority people at nine Victorian suburban and regional health services would be vaccinated from this week. “Western Health is one of the nine health services announced for phase 1a,” the spokesperson said. “Our priority is to make sure the Commonwealth’s vaccine roll-out will be administered to these priority groups in Victoria as quickly and safely as possible.” The federal government has advised that Victoria can expect to receive about 11,000 doses per week initially, although this will be dependent on supply. As more Pfizer vaccine is provided to Australia, this number is expected to increase.

Bermuda Bar meets opposition

Town Hall’s modern-day makeover Footscray Town Hall will undergo a redevelopment costing up to $30 million, with Maribyrnong council last week endorsing a design concept. The town hall was originally built in 1936 as the municipal offices, courthouse and post office, with the main council building extended over several stages. The last construction works were completed in 1984. The council said changes to legislation and building code standards, coupled with growth within its organisation, had rendered the heritage structure no longer fit for purpose. It will be redeveloped in two construction phases, starting with a new office building with up to 110 work points allowing for flexible use of spaces in response to COVID-19. The current office will be demolished once

the new one is built and then works would start on the link to the town hall and renovations to the town hall building. The redevelopment will include the addition of several community spaces, including a 200-seat multi-use space and a public park/ plaza area. The build is expected to take about three years. Total project costs based on a construction start of May 2022 are $26 million-$30 million. Cr Simon Crawford told last week’s council meeting the ageing building needed to be redeveloped. “It’s a very inefficient old building and we need to get it up to speed with modern-day buildings, modern-day efficiencies, and we want to open it up more to the community,” he said. “It’s a beautiful old building and it needs

more attention.” The council voted to proceed with the detailed design stage within the allocated 2020-21 budget and receive a further report with a detailed cost plan and funding proposal to fund the project over three years with a combination of internal capital funds and borrowings. Chief executive Stephen Wall said the council would also likely try to secure external grant funding from state and federal governments. “We haven’t come up with the funding model because we don’t know what the final cost will be at this point in time,” he said. Community feedback will be sought once the detailed design phase is complete.

Plans for a container bar, outdoor cinema and food truck area over two vacant blocks in Footscray have been met with some opposition. The proposed Bermuda Bar, which draws its name from the triangle-shaped block, would be at 4 Shelley Street, opposite the landmark Franco Cozzo store. Applicant Toothpicks Creative plans to use an adjoining triangular block at 1 Byron Street for food trucks. The bar would be expected to attract up to 350 patrons, and the trucks a further 100. Objector Chantal Wynter said residents felt the proposed development would have a negative impact. “Residents in the immediate vicinity of the proposed Bermuda Bar at 4 Shelley Street are outraged by the plans currently on display and the lack of respect and care for the residential pocket, green space and urban amenity immediately adjacent,” she said. “The cumulative impact from the increased noise, number of people, alcohol mix and increased traffic and parking issues, and lack of clarity about the use of the triangle adjacent to Fordham Reserve, is highly concerning. “Residents feel the design… is entirely inappropriate for the site.” As reported by Star Weekly, Toothpicks Creative managing director Wayne Boothman said the bar combined seven shipping containers to create a restaurant and bar with a beer garden. Goya Dmytryshchak

Goya Dmytryshchak

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I am honoured and humbled the community of Hobsons Bay has allowed me to serve them on the council for a fourth term. After a difficult 2020 for most people, I am keen to get stuck into helping our residents, community groups and businesses recover and reconnect while still maintaining the services and infrastructure expected from council. Our local business owners were particularly hit hard by the pandemic and associated lockdowns. That is why we are working so hard to support businesses and help them to adapt to the changing environment. Hobsons Bay Business Has Heart has been a popular initiative to help traders make the most of their dining and trading space. Council is currently seeking feedback from the community so we invite you to complete the survey on the council website to have your say. Another positive of the pandemic is a greater appreciation for our outdoor spaces, so I am extremely pleased with the commencement of stage two of the PA Burns Reserve Master Plan. These works will make one of the most glorious open space areas in Hobsons Bay even more user-friendly with a fenced and gated dog off-leash area, more pathways, seats, bike rails, bins, tree and shrub planting and a designated car parking area for dog beach users and horse floats. We can expect these works to be complete by August 2021. That’s not all there is to look forward to. After spending so much time apart, one of the projects which I am most excited

Briefs Postcards in the mail Hobsons Bay residents should keep an eye on their letterboxes for ‘A Shared Future for Hobsons Bay’ postcard. Hobsons Bay council is developing its 2021-25 council plan and inviting residents to write down their priorities and post the card back (no stamp required).

54 charges over burglaries A Heidelberg Heights man, 40, was arrested in Kew last week and charged with 54 offences following a number of retail burglaries across Melbourne. The break-ins happened between January 26 and February 15 at Braybrook, Bundoora, Campbellfield, Caroline Springs, Keilor Downs, Yarraville and other locations.

Footscray woman arrested Cr Tony Briffa (Supplied)

about this year is the redevelopment of the Brooklyn Community Hall. Late last year I had the pleasure of attending a meeting with a passionate group of Brooklyn community representatives to provide input on the design and direction of the project. It is clear that this building will be so much more than a hall by the time it is finished! Finally, don’t forget to have your say on the 2021-2025 Council Plan and refreshed 2030 Community Vision. Help us shape the future of Hobsons Bay at participate.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/refreshingcommunity-vision-hobsons-bay. Please get in touch with me if you have any local issues you want to discuss. My email address is tbriffa@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

A Footscray woman, 43, has been charged with aggravated burglary and other offences after a break-in at St Kilda on Monday last week. A 19-year-old woman woke to a noise in her Charnwood Crescent home about 11.50pm. She went to investigate and was allegedly confronted by a woman. A struggle ensued and the intruder managed to flee before she was arrested in the driveway by police. The charged woman was bailed until July 12.

FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Maribyrnong & Hobsons Bay Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

BECAUSE OF OUR EFFORTS EASED RESTRICTIONS ARE NOW IN PLACE You can leave home for any reason, and the following changes are in place:

Visitors to your home limited to 5 people a day.

Outdoor gatherings are limited to 20 people.

Fitted face masks required indoors, and outdoors where you can’t keep 1.5m apart.

There are limits on visiting hospital and care facilities.

Keep your hands and surfaces clean.

For more information go to CORONAVIRUS.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, Melbourne

4 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 24 February, 2021

Any symptoms? Get tested and stay home.

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Truck curfews, lower speed flagged By Goya Dmytryshchak More truck curfews and a 30km/h speed limit in local streets have been flagged under the Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan 2021-2030 endorsed by Maribyrnong council last week. Councillors voted to endorse the plan with amendments to improve road safety for vulnerable road users. One amendment is for the council to advocate for increased truck curfews in Somerville Road during school times, in addition to current morning and afternoon curfews.

‘‘

Trucks and their associated risks ... the top priority - Council report

’’

Another amendment is that after the roll-out of 40km/h speed limit on local streets program, to investigate reducing the speed limit to 30km/h as practicable and consider protected bike lanes on streets where the speed limit remains more than 30km/h. A report to the council stated that more than

630 feedback submissions were considered in developing the plan, with trucks regarded as the No. 1 issue. “Trucks and their associated risks to other users on our roads was considered the top priority issue by over half of the respondents,” the report stated. Actions to be carried out under the plan include a review of the freight network, further curfews for trucks, improved curfew-monitoring technology and reducing the volume of trucks on the municipality’s roads.

The plan states that nearly 70 per cent of respondents believed speed limits on local residential roads were “about right”. “Of the remainder, the majority felt the speed limits were too high,” the plan states. “Of those who felt that speed limits were too high, many wanted to see more widespread use of 40km/h zones and some suggested lower speed limits of 30km/h. “There was a fairly even split between those wanting more 50km/h limits on major roads and those wanting the speed limit to be 60km/h.”

Feel the beat Rod Pilois has encouraged everyone from beginners to experienced musicians to join a series of African and Brazilian drum sessions he will be running in Point Cook. Pilois, an instrumentalist, composer and music educator from Beat Factor Music in Seabrook, will impart his wealth of drumming and percussion knowledge to attendees. “People with little or no drumming experience are welcome, or people who have some experience and want to improve on what they’ve got, to see how they go and how far it takes them,” he said. “I think, starting as a musician and a little kid drumming when I was young, it’s been part of me for so long – and I think it’s true of many musicians – I just want to share what I know with others.” Pilois said the group workshops would be run like a structured class, with participants welcome to bring their own instruments or use

those provided. People who attend the sessions will be able to learn techniques to play the African dun dun drums, which Pilois has purchased with a funding grant from Arts Assist in Wyndham. His drumming sessions will be held on Tuesdays from March 2 to March 30, from 7-8.15pm, at the Saltwater Community Centre in Point Cook. Cost: $15 per class (under 18 years), $20 per class (over 18 years), $25 per class (casual/one-off class). Social distancing will be required, with hand sanitiser provided. Due to COVID-19, registration is required via email: info@beatfactormusic.com or bfmusic15@gmail.com Pilois and some of his students will also perform at the Point Cook Pop Up Park on Saturday, March 27 and Soho Village Pop Up Park on Sunday, March 28, from 3-4.30pm. Details: http://beatfactormusic.com/africanbeats-new-classes/

Have you upgraded your computer and don’t know what to do with your old one? Would you like to find a good home for those bikes your children have outgrown? Do you like to support local Not for Profit organisations and charities?

Habitat Gardens is coming to Laverton!

If the answer is yes, then the Pass it On Reusables Drop-off Day event is for you.

Cost:

FREE OF CHARGE

This exciting conservation program includes a tailored workshop with a passionate habitat gardener and landscape designer, a native nursery tour and up to 30 free plants.

Come along to donate your reusable but unwanted larger household items at no charge. See the list of accepted items.

ONLY ITEMS FROM THE FOLLOWING LIST WILL BE ACCEPTED (MUST BE IN GOOD, REUSABLE AND WORKING CONDITION) • DIY – car battery charger, circular saw, cordless drill, extension lead, grinder, hacksaw, hand trolleys or cart, ladder - tall, trestle (+ board), masonary drill, multi meter, sander, spirit level, tile cutter, toolbox, vice and clamps, wallpaper steamer, welding iron, wheel ramps & chocks e.g. for trailer

Council is offering 30 Laverton families the chance to transform their front or back gardens for free! Learn about local flora and fauna and how your garden can become a steppingstone for native wildlife to move across our highly urbanised environment.

Rod Pilois will host drumming workshops. (Joe Mastroianni). 228939_02

• Dressmaking – badgemaker, dressmaker’s mannequin, press stud tools

For more information and to register, visit www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/ habitatgardens The Laverton round of Habitat Gardens is part of Better Places Laverton and a wider Council strategy to value and protect the area’s unique biodiversity for current and future generations.

• Electrical (up to 10 years old) – 3D printer, floodlights, laser cutter, projector, thermal imaging camera, digital TVs, vacuums, sewing machines, laptop bags, laptop cords (extra accepted), laptops, desktop computers, computer monitors, iPad/android tablets • Gardening – garden fork, hand trowel, hedge trimmer, hoe, mattock, pressure

washer, push lawnmower, secateurs, shovel, spade, whipper snipper • Kitchen – dehydrator, food processor, icecream maker, large cooking pot, large rice cooker, pasta maker, stand mixer, urn (hot water) • Leisure – bicycles, bike carrier, bike trailer, cargo bike, ground sheets, musical instruments, rechargeable camping lights, skateboards, sleeping mats, telescope, yoga equipment (all) • Whitegoods – fridges, microwave, washing machines All items must be in good, reusable and working condition. Items that are damaged or dirty and unable to be reused may be refused at the point of drop off. For more information, visit hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/recycling or call customer service on 1300 179 944

Saturday 13 March 2021 // 8AM–1PM Toyota Car Park Gate 4, 494 Grieve Parade, Altona North 3025

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5 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 24 February, 2021

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Petition to save Laverton pool By Goya Dmytryshchak A petition signed by 1123 people has called on Hobsons Bay council to reconsider its 2019 decision to close the Laverton Swim and Fitness Centre. Originally called Laverton Memorial Swimming Pool, it opened in June 1976 and was dedicated to those who had served in various conflicts in which Australia had been involved. The $64 million Hobsons Bay Aquatic Strategy 2019-2030, endorsed by the previous

council in July, includes building a $40 million pool in Altona Meadows and replacing the Laverton pool with a $3 million water play and youth facility. Lead petitioner Sarah Dowling said residents and centre users were “deeply upset over the unsubstantial consultation”. “The pool was funded by the residents of Laverton and the Werribee shire council,” she said. “The Laverton pool is so important to our history – the pool is our community pool and has serviced many suburbs for 40 years. “The pool is still serving the public with

1552 swim school members … It has a swim program for over 300 autistic children. “This pool was a dedicated war memorial; it was dedicated to the men and women who served in the time of war, for our freedoms.” Newly-elected councillor Matt Tyler, who tabled the petition at this month’s council meeting, said the aquatic strategy had not received much community input. “The reality is that only 75 people across the municipality provided input in response to the draft aquatic strategy and the decision to close the pool was one line in an over 30-page

document,” he said. Cr Diana Grima, also serving her first term, told the meeting that her family had been among residents who helped establish the pool. “There’s people from the community who raised funds to get this swimming pool for their great community and my father and grandmother were [among] them,” she said. “Unfortunately, residents have come to me and and my colleague, Cr Tyler, saying they had no awareness of this, it could be a possibility that it’s closing down.”

A new place to play Pipemakers Park’s $1 million upgrade has been completed with a new sensory play area for children of all ages and abilities. The eight-hectare Maribyrnong park has been transformed from a former industrial site into a nature-based play space. The playground features natural materials and elements inspired by the surrounding parkland and the Wurundjeri theme of ‘Layers of Country’. Williamstown MP Melissa Horne said the new sensory play space marked the completion of the state government’s upgrade. “I’m proud to be delivering on this election commitment which provides a new and accessible play space and showcases the natural environment.” Footscray MP Katie Hall said the upgrades included restoring the History of the Land garden, better access paths, and new bushland tracks and cycling signs.

“Maribyrnong River is already such a fantastic place to visit, but these upgrades will help ensure the park will be enjoyed by Melburnians for years to come,” she said. Mayor Michael Clarke said the council was proud to have created a new play space to connect children and families with nature. “Our design process was a unique collaboration with Wurundjeri artist Mandy Nicholson, who inspired the theme ‘Layers of Country’, reflecting traditional owners’ connection to the land,” he said. “We also worked closely with the Living Museum of the West and Maribyrnong Bush Kinder.” It includes elements that involve movement, climbing, sand and water play along with traditional playground equipment. New seating and picnic settings have also been added. Goya Dmytryshchak

Mayor Michael Clarke at Pipemakers Park. (Joe Mastroianni). 226677_01

EVERY TEST HELPS US KEEP CATCHING UP WITH MATES 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

6 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 24 February, 2021

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Nominations for the Maribyrnong Heritage Advisory Committee Nominations are open for community representation on Maribyrnong Council’s Heritage Advisory Committee. The Heritage Advisory Committee advocates on heritage issues for the community, promotes the recommendations and implementation of the Maribyrnong Heritage Plan and raises awareness of the

Mayor outlines vision A Virtual Power Plant harnessing solar energy to lower costs and carbon emissions will be a priority for Hobsons Bay’s mayor in 2021. Cr Jonathon Marsden last week outlined his proposed 2020-21 mayoral focus areas. Hobsons Bay is in the race to become the first Australian council to provide cheaper green electricity to the community by mid-2021, as it begins to roll out its VPP harnessing solar energy. The VPP will enable solar energy from buildings to be distributed across council-owned and leased assets and, in the longer term, made available at low cost to the broader community. The council’s Large Scale Solar Installation Program will involve solar panels being

installed on more than 40 council-owned and occupied buildings. Cr Marsden said other focus areas included working towards reconciliation with First Nations people and the Hobsons Bay Has Heart program for the continued revitalisation of business precincts. The soon to be finalised Coastal and Marine Management Plan is another focus, and will include a master plan for the Williamstown beach precinct and maintenance of Hobsons Bay’s wetlands as significant ecosystems. Increasing Hobsons Bay’s tree coverage to 30 per cent by 2040 to meet the definition of an urban forest was also a priority.

diverse heritage in the municipality. Nominees will be selected on their expertise or proven interest in heritage and must live, work or be a member of a museum or historical related entity in the city. Nominations close Wednesday 24 March 2021. Visit Council’s website to find out more at www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/heritage to submit your nomination by Wednesday 24 March.

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Mayor Jonathon Marsden on top of the Williamstown library. (Joe Mastroianni) 228253_01

www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au

Goya Dmytryshchak

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7 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 24 February, 2021

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Recyclers on notice for fire risk By Goya Dmytryshchak and Benjamin Millar Two recycling businesses in Melbourne’s west have been issued notices by the Environment Protection Authority to cease accepting more material to reduce fire risk. Manhari Metals was issued notices for its Tottenham and Horsham sites, and Action Recovery and Recycling for its Brooklyn site. Manhari Metals’ Tottenham site caught fire in April, 2019, after previous warnings by authorities over its stockpiling of waste at

other sites. In November, 2019, the EPA issued a Pollution Abatement Notice to the business for two other sites. The PAN required the company to ensure several stockpiles complied with the state government’s waste management policy, which includes limits on stockpile sizes and requirements for onsite firefighting capacity. The EPA also issued a notice to National Metal Recycling at Preston. On Friday, the EPA said the latest notices stemmed from the alleged failure of these businesses to meet regulatory requirements.

It said scrap metal could include foams, rubber, plastics, e-waste, batteries and oil and grease residue, which could increase the intensity of fires. It said issues identified during EPA inspections mostly involved non-compliance with required size limits and minimum separation distances around stockpiles of scrap metal and combustible recyclable and waste materials. EPA waste crime prevention director Rachel Gualano said officers felt duty holders had not taken reasonable steps to manage and store combustible recyclable and waste materials

at the facilities. “EPA takes a zero-tolerance approach to fire risk in the waste and recycling industry and will take all appropriate regulatory action to protect the community and the environment,” she said. “Fire risks at any recycling facilities are unacceptable and EPA expects all duty holders to manage their risks to prevent any fires from occurring.” Since the notices were issued, Manhari Metals has made its Tottenham site compliant. People can anonymously report any fire risks to the EPA on 1300 372 842 (1300 EPA VIC).

Babies sought for trial Babies are being sought for a study to assess the effectiveness of osteopathic care in reducing crying in colicky infants. Williamstown osteopath Julie Hjorth is among a handful of practitioners from across Australia, the UK and Switzerland chosen for the Crying Unsettled disTressed Infants Effectiveness Study – the CUTIES trial. The study is being run by the University College of Osteopathy in London in conjunction with Southern Cross University. Ms Hjorth has been a qualified osteopath for 10 years and a clinical supervisor and sessional lecturer in the School of Health and Biomedical Sciences at RMIT University since 2016. She said the study was a ‘superiority trial’ to see if standard osteopathic treatment showed a more significant reduction in crying time of colicky babies than light touch. Now, she is seeking to recruit babies from across Victoria.

“We need infants that are between one and 10 weeks old when the study starts,” she said. “The main criteria is they need to be unsettleable, like crying and unsettled, for at least three hours a day for at least three days in the one week. “We will have them in for up to four consults over a two-week period. “In the meantime, the parents will be taking a ‘crying diary’ … which will [record] how many minutes the infant’s crying each day.” The parent will not know until after the two weeks if their infant received targeted tension release (standard osteopathic care) or generic tension release (light touch). The study is free. Details: Julie Hjorth, https://fergusonstosteo. com/ and 0415 412 500.

8 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 24 February, 2021

Goya Dmytryshchak

Osteopath Julie Hjorth with 10-week-old baby Jack. (Damjan Janevski) 228808_01

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NEWS

Joan Camille Caranto. (Supplied)

Camille’s driven to help

Leon, Ruby, Bella and Wayne Sweeney. (Joe Mastroianni). 227892_01

Family makes a splash By Goya Dmytryshchak Sweeney’s Swim School in Altona has been teaching generations of families in Melbourne’s west for 57 years – with four generations of the Sweeney family itself recently dropping in. School founder Leon Sweeney, 85, his son Wayne, 60, his granddaughter Ruby, 28, and his great-granddaughter, Bella, one, visited the iconic school the family patriarch started. Both Leon and Wayne are former Surf lifesavers, with Wayne representing Australia in the US at age 17.

Mr Sweeney said he subsequently opened a bigger inbuilt pool on the present Pier Street site. “I’ve been approached by that many developers because I can build 31 or 32 apartments on it, with about four shops at the front, but as long as we’re still alive, it’s going to be Sweeney’s Swim School,” he said. Mr Sweeney now leases the swim school to one-time pupils but still enjoys swimming. “We’ve got a 25-metre outdoor pool, between Wayne’s house and our house in Williamstown,” he said. “That gets used every morning.”

Wayne also won the first Pier to Pub swim, with his father firing the starting gun. Leon estimated the school had taught three million lessons since it began in 1964. Mr Sweeney said he and wife Joan applied through the council to build their first pool in Altona’s Queen Street. “That pool is now heritage listed by the council because it was the first inbuilt pool in the western suburbs,” he said. “We started teaching. I was the first one in Australia to teach babies, even before Laurie Lawrence the Olympic coach.”

Joan Camille Caranto’s passion for helping others has been recognised, with the 18-year-old awarded the first Bronwen Merrigan Scholarship. Duke Street Community House launched the scholarship in honour of former house manager Bronwen Merrigan. Ms Merrigan was house manager for 20 years. Current house manager Lana Bedford said Ms Caranto impressed the panel with her resilience to overcome difficult personal circumstances, academic achievements, sports leadership and significant volunteer contributions. The Bronwen Merrigan Scholarship comprises a $3000 grant and mentoring program to give young women assistance to pay for things such as course fees, computers and tools and equipment. Ms Caranto, who goes by Camille, said she was honoured to receive the scholarship. She is about to start studying nursing and said she applied for the scholarship to help with education costs. Tara Murray

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10 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 24 February, 2021

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MY PLACE New Caroline Chisholm Catholic College principal Robert Brennan has returned to the school where he was once a student. He chats with Tara Murray. What was behind your decision to take on the principal role at Caroline Chisholm?

(Damjan Janevski) 227547

Locality. I’ve been back in the western suburbs of Melbourne for 10 years and working in the east. Coming back home is certainly one reason. I think there was always a romance about coming back to my old school. I had very fond memories as a student and the fact that it was close to home was a dual bonus. How does it feel to be back at a school you attended? It’s wonderful. It’s very, very different. Now it is multicultural and I loved that in my previous school and it’s something I’m really looking forward to here. The western suburbs have always had a stigma and I’m a product of the western suburbs, so I want to be part of making sure our kids get every opportunity every other kid in Victoria gets.

principal and then five years in Bairnsdale, The last nine years I was at Salesian in Chadstone.

outside the role and they get to see you in a different role.

side and it’s about making sure our kids understand the beautiful side.

What are you looking forward to most about teaching in the western suburb again?

What do you love about Brimbank?

What is your teaching background?

What direction do you want to take the school in?

I taught at the CRC complex in St Albans for my first six years and then CRC in Sydenham and had nine wonderful years there. Then in senior management went to St Patrick’s College in Ballarat for five years as a deputy

I think getting to know the kids again. One of the beautiful things about teaching at the CRC complex was bumping into the kids in a social context, like in the supermarket or their work. I’ve always enjoyed getting to know them

The down-to-earthness of people, that down-to-earth working class and wanting to work hard to make good for something. The western suburbs are built on multiculturalism. It’s created this wonderful community that we have. It can have an ugly side and beautiful

The school has the potential to be equal to any school in Victoria. I want my kids to know they are the equal of any other student in Victoria. I get the sense … they don’t have the belief they are as good as others, and they are.

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Champion for women By Goya Dmytryshchak

Champion for women A Williamstown woman who has received an Australia Day honour for significant service to women with ovarian cancer has recalled her own diagnosis, which brought heartbreak but also gratitude. Paula Benson, who formerly chaired Ovarian Cancer Australia, has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.

‘‘

still so much more to do and we can’t rest until it’s done - Paula Benson

’’

“She sent me straight off that morning for a transvaginal ultrasound and she got me in to see a gynaecological oncologist that night and I had the surgery the next week. “No one thought that I would have ovarian cancer because I was young, I was 34 – largely, it’s women in their 50s, 60s, 70s who are diagnosed – and I have no history of ovarian or breast cancer in my family. “So, no one suspected that it could be ovarian cancer; they could see that I had a large cyst attached to one of my ovaries and that the ovary was damaged and that the cyst and the ovary would need to be removed. “When I woke up, my gyne-oncologist told me that she was very sorry but she’d found ovarian cancer and had to undertake a radical hysterectomy. “It was very shocking for a young woman to have that experience but I know my cancer was diagnosed early, it hadn’t spread and I know how lucky I am.” Ms Benson said she knew her story was not typical for most women with ovarian cancer, which prompted her to offer her services to Ovarian Cancer Australia in 2006. The same year, she and spouse Stephen Conroy, a former Labor senator, had baby girl 12459042-CG36-20

Paula Benson. (Joe Mastroianni). 226296_02

Isabella with the help of a surrogate mother and a separate egg donor. “I do have a beautiful daughter,” Ms Benson said. “She’s 14 now. “I was very fortunate. One of my girlfriends donated eggs and another girlfriend carried her for me, so I’m very lucky to be a mum.” On learning of her Australia Day recognition, Ms Benson said she hoped it would raise more awareness of ovarian cancer. “When I first found out about it I felt quite

emotional really thinking about everything that we at Ovarian Cancer Australia have achieved over the past decade,” she said. “But I was just reflecting today, the same week that I found out about potentially receiving the award, I heard about another friend of mine who’s just been diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer and it was very grounding. “We’ve achieved so much, we’ve done so much and I’m so proud of that but there is still so much more to do and we can’t rest until it’s

done.” Ovarian Cancer Australia said under Ms Benson’s stewardship the organisation had achieved significant milestones, including developing and implementing Australia’s first national action plan for ovarian cancer research, securing $3 million federal funding for the Traceback ovarian cancer prevention program and the commitment of $20 million for ovarian cancer research from the federal government’s Medical Research Future Fund.

12481548-SN07-21

By Goya Dmytryshchak

A Williamstown woman who has received an Australia Day honour for significant service to women with ovarian cancer has recalled her own diagnosis, which brought heartbreak but also gratitude. Paula Benson, who formerly chaired Ovarian Cancer Australia, has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 34 in 2003. “I know I am one of the very lucky ones because my GP did all the right things for me,” Ms Benson said. “When I went to her, I had this unexplained abdominal bloating, changes in my urinary and bowel habits and I felt really full after eating not very much.

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

90 years ago

71 years ago

50 years ago

10 years ago

The Mail February 24, 1931

The Mail February 15, 1950

Altona Star February 24, 1971

Hobsons Bay Weekly February 23, 2011

Upheavals have occured in the rank and file unemployed association and the unemployed returned soldiers’ association during the last few days.

Judging by an intimation received by the council on Monday from the Tramways Board, immediate implementation of a scheme introduced some time back to extend the Williamstown Road tram track to Geelong Road along Somerville Road is remote.

A violent storm last Saturday caused flash flooding to many Altona streets, caused widespread blackouts and left many motorists stranded as cars stalled.

Aware of the sacrifices made by the generation of migrants who came before them, today’s young leaders and role models want to create a society that will be even better for the generations to come.

Open homes, sausage sizzle and giveaways!

Meet Vasili at our

Autumn Garden Party! Learn organic gardening techniques and how to improve your health using your own garden produce. Take a photo with Vasili & grab a FREE autographed Vasili’s magazine.

We have limited homes available in this stunning community. We welcome you to take a peek at what a larger life will look like here. Wednesday 10 March 10:00am - 2:00pm Lifestyle Seasons, 13 Sundial Boulevard, Tarneit

1300 50 55 60 | lifestyleseasons.com.au 12481407-CG09-21

12 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 24 February, 2021

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‘‘

BEHIND THE NEWS

The club hasn’t seen me as a trans person but as a person - Mia Smith

’’

Making history Mia Smith has made history in the Western Region Football League, becoming the first transgender player to be granted permission to play in any of the league’s competitions. She spoke with Tara Murray about what it means to be able to take to the field for North Sunshine’s women’s side this year.

ia Smith never had aspirations to play with North Sunshine in the Western Region Football League women’s competition. Smith, who is transgender, joined the club as a supporter and was happy watching the club’s women’s team from the sidelines. She started to help out where she could and last year joined the club’s committee. That led to a few training sessions with the Roadrunners, and sparked a dream to one day pull on the jumper in a game for the club. That dream is now a reality. The WRFL recently granting Smith permission to play for the Roadrunners women’s side this season. A WRFL spokesperson said Smith was the first transgender player to take to the field in the league. Her approval to play was granted under the Australian Football League community football gender diversity policy. “It’s so amazing,” Smith said last week. “I’m flying high. “The club has been absolutely tremendous. The club hasn’t seen me as a trans person but as a person.” Smith said it was special to be the first transgender player to take to the field in the competition. “It’s pretty mind blowing,” she said. “I know a lot of transgender playing at the moment and to be the first in this league would be awesome.” Smith first formed a bond with the Roadrunners at her former workplace, Pride of our Footscray Community Bar, when team members dropped in for a drink.

Mia Smith is presented with her jumper at training. (Pictures: Supplied)

She said that as the team was supporting her in her work, that she would support them on the field, and went to watch them play. “I just went along to support them,” she said. “I would watch them play four players down … win or lose, each week they played as if there was a point or two in it. “The players are so amazing and I’m in awe the way they do it.” Smith joined in training sessions last year before COVID-19 shut down the season. She returned to the field again with the team ahead of the upcoming season.

“I had no interest in playing footy until a few years ago,” she admits. Smith, who is 53-years-old, said she hadn’t played any sport, including football, since finishing school. She said she would love to play a couple of seasons. “I don’t want special rights, I just want equal rights,” she said. “The committee, and especially the women’s team, has been amazing. I’m so lucky I bumped into them, it’s been life altering.” North Sunshine club president and former

women’s coach Rob Telfer said inclusion is what community football is about. Telfer was among those at the Footscray bar the night Smith first met the women’s team. He was honoured to present Smith with her jumper at training recently. “This just shows how far football has come,” he said on the club’s website. “It [football] should be open to everyone, that’s what our club is about, giving everyone a go. “When I got the news I was proud; proud that it is our club that has taken the hard steps to fight to make sure we got a result, the result

13 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 24 February, 2021

COMMUNITY STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Out and about People made the most of the sunshine in Williamstown last week. Photographer Damjan Janevski caught up with some of them.

1 4

1/ David and Carole. 2/ Stefan and Ottilia, 8 months. 3/ Jackie and Paul with Niamh, 7. 4/ Trish and Peter Babore, Williamstown Beach. (Pictures: Damjan Janevski) 228811 14 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 24 February, 2021

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COMMUNITY

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 by 9am Wednesday the week prior to publication.

Language cafe Wyndham residents can practice their English skills, meet new people, connect with the community and learn from others at the language cafe on Thursday, February 25, 12.30-1.30pm. Electronic device and registration required. You will be provided with a link to attend after registering. ■ www.wyndhamtogether.com.au/event/ language-cafe-2/all/

Kinder open night Kindergartens across the City of Whittlesea will open their doors to the public on Thursday, February 25, 5.30-7.30pm. Take the opportunity to speak with teachers and discuss programs on offer at kindergartens across the municipality. Bookings not required. ■ 9217 2170

Leadership program Brimbank residents can apply to take part in the Brimbank Community Leadership Program to build and strengthen their capacity in community leadership and participation. Registrations close Friday, February 26 and chosen participants will be informed by Thursday, March 4. The course will be conducted online at no charge between March and May 202.1 ■ 9249 4000 or cgprograms@brimbank. vic.gov.au

Detox your home Brimbank residents can clear out household toxic chemicals at a pop-up collection day on Saturday, February 27, 9am-3pm at Brimbank council’s operations centre, Stadium Drive, Keilor Park. Online registration required. ■ www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/ detoxyourhome

Through the lens

Photographer Damjan Janevski was all aboard for some fun during this shoot with the Bulla Hill Railway on their fully functional miniature steam train. Janevski wanted to make it look like a ’real train driven by giants’, so took this particular photo with an ultra-wide-angle lens and positioned the camera low to emphasise the perspective.

Spot’s birthday party

Outdoor yoga and pilates Enjoy the great Wyndham outdoors on Saturday, February 27, at 8.30-9.15am for pilates and 9.30-10.30am for yoga. No booking required. Open to all ages and levels of fitness. Turn up to the Little Growling Cafe grass area, 180 Davis Road, Tarneit. Cost: $5 per person, per class. ■ 0438 304638 or bewiseyoga@gmail.com

Dream big festival The Dream Big Festival will be held at Mt Carberry Reserve, 41 Exford Road, Melton South on Sunday, February 28, from 3pm. There will be arts, sport, a marketplace, food, live music and performances. Entry is free. ■ 9361 9377 or healthpromotion@djhs.org.au

Open studios Macedon artists are opening up their studios to the public on February 27-28, 10am-4pm. Brochures with a map of studio locations available at The Gallery, Mt Macedon and Gisborne Library. ■ Search @openstudiosmacedo on Instagram

Friendly frogs for your garden Frogs are indicators of healthy environments. Hume residents can learn about what frogs and tadpoles need, and how to add these elements to their garden during a free webinar on Thursday, March 4, 7-8.30pm. Residents can also learn about local species of frogs, and

environmental changes that threaten them. ■ https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/humecity-council-16445167964

World Day of Prayer People are being invited to pray for the needs of Vanuatu and its people at local church services and events on World Day of Prayer, Friday, March 5. This year’s theme is ‘build on a strong foundation’. ■ www.worlddayofprayeraustralia.org

Lost and found exhibition Until Thursday, March 11, Hume residents can witness Lisa Buckland’s first solo exhibition, exploring a personal journey of grief and recovery through art. The exhibition is at Town Hall Broadmeadows on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8am-4.30pm. Those unable to attend in person can view the exhibit online. ■ 9205 2200 or gallery@hume.vic.gov.au

Show information session Whittlesea Agricultural Society is holding a show information session on Sunday, March 14, noon-2pm, at the Whittlesea Agricultural Society administration building, gate 1, McPhees Road, Whittlesea. Free sausage sizzle and heritage display. ■ 9716 2835

Movie night Enjoy live music and a screening of Beauty and the Beast on Friday, March 19 at The Nook, Sunbury. Gates open 5.30pm, with entertainment from 6pm and the movie screening at 7pm. BYO picnic and blanket or buy food. Registration required. ■ https://bit.ly/3tJGM4D

Take off weight naturally Struggling to lose weight? Struggling to get motivated? Want to try and do it in a

friendly and less stressful atmosphere? Come and join TOWN (Take Off Weight Naturally) every Tuesday at 6pm at the Darlingsford Barn, Darlingsford Boulevard, Melton. ■ Catherine, 0416 612 517, or Bob, 0411 824 739

Heritage walks Enjoy a 90-minute leisurely heritage walk with guide John, starting at the Williamstown Visitor Information Centre in Nelson Place, each Tuesday at 9.20am. Each week covers a different route. ■ John, 0418 377 336

Childcare places Occasional child care is available at Outlets, Newport Community Education Centre, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Sessions are available from 9am-12pm, 9am-2pm or 11am-2pm. Child care subsidies offered. ■ 9391 8504 or www.outletsco-op.com.au

■ https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/hume-

city-council-16445167964

Get into golf month March will be filled with golf activities and offers at Keilor Public Golf Course. The free events will run at 540 Calder Freeway, Keilor North. Stay up-to-date on events happening each day by searching @keilorgolf on social media. ■ 0414 918 533 or email kpgc@belgravialeisure.com.au

Siva Somoa dance Learn Siva Samoa dance with Hobsons Bay’s own Tama Tatau. The group supports young men who have been brought up in Australia to learn Samoan and Pacific songs and dances of their ancestors. Sessions are held Mondays, 5.30-8pm, and Fridays 5-7.30pm, during school terms. Cost: 10 per class ■ Victor, tamatatau@live.com or facebook.com/tama.tatau

Alcoholics Anonymous 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

Make your own lantern Sunbury residents can join Indian artist Manan Walia to make individual bark ‘tree’ lanterns on Sunday, March 21, 10am-noon at the Hume Global Learning Centre, 44 Macedon Street, Sunbury.

(iS to ck )

Celebrate lovable pup Spot’s belated 40th birthday on Saturday, February 27 from 10.30-11.30am, at the grass area behind Caroline Springs Library, corner Lake Street and The Parade. Bring your own picnic rug and/or cushions. ■ 9747 5300 or library@melton.vic.gov.au

15 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 24 February, 2021

COMMUNITY STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Your pictures Star Weekly readers share some of their favourite moments with family, friends and colleagues.

Maisies celebrates her first birthday with 10-year-old Russ and Misty.

Rose Camilleri took this photo of Werribee South at sunset.

McEwen MP Rob Mitchell, Whittlesea Secondary College principal Lian Davies and school captains Harmony Lower and Alicia Biancon recently unveiled a Black Saturday memorial plaque and garden designed by school chaplain Fran Salvestrin. Within the school community, 21 people, including four students and a teacher, died in the bushfires on February 7, 2009. Ms Davies said the garden was symbolic of the school’s emergence from the disaster.

Nat Harris snapped this stunning Wyndham sunset last week.

Nine month-old Olivia enjoying some backyard summer fun with her mum Lauren.

Tarneit Senior College VCAL students held a Valentine’s Day event recently. They sourced roses from Dorothy’s Werribee, made sweets, set up a photo booth and filmed promotional videos. VCAL co-ordinator and teacher Jamie Calleja-Bailey said the students invested $500 into the project and made a total of $886. He said the students would put the funds towards their next business initiative, which is a catering company. 16 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 24 February, 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 told The New Daily.

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: realestate.com.au

18 Giffard Street, Williamstown

a3 b2 c1

South Williamstown Stunner!! MORTGAGEE IN POSSESSION SALE! Superbly renovated to infuse its original charm and grandeur with a light-filled contemporary open-plan and al fresco personality. This impressively proportioned period residence is positioned perfectly with the Beach, Botanic Gardens and Williamstown village on your doorstep. Text GIF to 0488 207 207 for a price guide and open times

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comptongreen.com.au 17 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 24 February, 2021

PUZZLES No. 017

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.

ACROSS

easy

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

1 9 4 8 9

3 1

QUICK CROSSWORD

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

DOWN

Snakes (6) Non-sexual (8) Roman Christianity (11) Spoken word music (3) Ghost (7) French country house (7) Clerics (7) Folding paper art (7) Refrain; pass (7) Striking (7) Gathers (7) Thoughts; ideas (7) Hitch; bind (3) Efficiency increasers (11) Under the pump (8) Softly (6)

1 4 10 11 12 13 14 17 19 20 21 23 26 27 28 29

No. 017

Roosters (5) Power cells (9) End; withdraw (5) Ancient waist garment (9) Orchestral drummer (9) Carer (5) Imprisoning (9) Two-wheeled vehicle (4) Childhood friends (9) Brazen (9) Variety of rock (9) Relative position (9) Steep (5) Satellite (4) Pig (5) Cheeky; lively (5)

1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 14 15 16 18 22 23 24 25

DECODER

No. 017

hard

7 7

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: 23 words: Good 34 words: Very good

D M

3 LETTERS AGE CAR DUE DYE GEE GET GNU HAT IDS ILL ION LID MAP MOO ODE PIE SAG SAW SEC SOS TNT WEB WEE YES

ADAPT AGAIN ALERT ALIEN ASIDE ASSET BALES BRISK CHASE CHEWS CLAIM CREST CRUST DRESS DROOL EAGLE EASEL EDGED ELEGY EPICS EVILS GENES

4 LETTERS ALAS CYST GALS GEED GIST ILLS MAPS OBOE POOR REST SPAT SPOT STOP TIER 5 LETTERS ABATE

No. 017

HELLO LADLE LEAVE LEVEE MACHO ODOUR OMEGA ONYAS OPENS PASTA PATIO PAVED PEDAL PETTY PIVOT SHADE SLAYS SLEEP STALE STEEP STRUT SWAPS

SWEEP THESE USAGE VENUE VINYL 6 LETTERS ANNULS MOSTLY ONUSES SENILE

LICENSE MILKMAN NEEDIER RORTING 8 LETTERS FAMILIAR HITHERTO OBSESSED YOURSELF

7 LETTERS AVOCADO CATCHES

adit, admiral, admit, adroit, aida, amid, arid, armload, dart, data, dial, diatom, dilator, diorama, dirt, doit, dolt, dorm, dotal, dram, drama, drat, droit, idol, laid, laird, lard, lido, load, lord, maid, MALADROIT, matador, mild, milord, modal, modi, radial, radio, raid, road, tidal, toad, told, triad, trod

26-02-21

No. 017 Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down.

QUICK QUIZ

What is Australia’s largest inland city?

The flag of which country features a green cedar tree?

Which 2008 novel is written from the perspective of 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen?

Which English pop group was formed in 1979 by Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey and Keren Woodward?

Which famous children’s book by writer and illustrator Maurice Sendak was first published in 1963?

What is the smallest planet in the solar system?

Which chemical element has the symbol Hg and atomic number 80?

NOTE: more than one solution may be possible

3 7 6 1 5 9 8 4 2

L E I

S E

T O U C H A P N E A M E T A L

9 8 1 6 4 2 3 7 5

5 2 4 3 7 8 6 1 9

2 1 5 7 8 4 9 6 3

8 3 7 9 2 6 1 5 4

4 6 9 5 1 3 2 8 7

1 5 4 2 9 3 7 8 6

9 2 8 7 4 6 1 3 5

8 4 3 9 6 1 5 2 7

7 9 5 3 8 2 4 6 1

2 6 1 5 7 4 8 9 3

3 1 6 8 2 5 9 7 4

5 7 2 4 3 9 6 1 8

4 8 9 6 1 7 3 5 2

1 8 5 6 2 3 9 7 4

3 9 7 4 1 5 2 6 8

5 1 2 8 4 6 7 9 3

4 6 8 3 7 9 5 1 2

7 3 9 2 5 1 4 8 6

8 4 1 5 9 2 6 3 7

9 7 6 1 3 4 8 2 5

2 5 3 7 6 8 1 4 9

18 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 24 February, 2021

7 4 2 8 3 1 5 9 6

6 2 4 9 8 7 3 5 1

1 9 3 4 6 5 7 2 8

6 3 7 1 5 8 2 4 9

6 5 8 2 9 7 4 3 1

Y 20

T L

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

H E

U P

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

46 words: Excellent

hard

5x5

medium

easy

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

D R L HMG K PWU X A S

V Z F T Q I OC E B J Y N

WORDFIT

Kansas City is the largest city by population and area in which US state?

The cult British horror parody TV series created by Richard Ayoade and Matthew Holness (pictured) is Garth Marenghi’s what?

10 Which famous singer was born Farrokh Bulsara in 1946? ANSWERS: 1. Canberra 2. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 3. Bananarama 4. Missouri 5. Darkplace 6. Lebanon 7. Where the Wild Things Are 8. Mercury 9. Mercury 10. Freddie Mercury

SUDOKU

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• Available in the For Sale or Wanted Classiﬁcations only. • 4 lines of copy • Ad will run for 2 weeks • 1 item per advertisement • Item must be priced under $100 • Private party only – household and personal items • No animals, automotive or plants • Ads must be submitted via email to sales@networkclassiﬁeds.com.au 12477681-CG03-21

SPORTS QUIZ 1. In what country did the 2021 Men's Australian Open tennis qualifying tournament take place?

4. What sport is American Horace Wilson credited with introducing to Japan in 1878?

2. Which four AFL teams do not as yet also have an AFLW team?

5. Which fellow Aussie did Ash Barty defeat in the second round of the 2021 Australian Open?

3. How many times did Peter Brock win the Bathurst 1000 endurance race?

6. What NRL team will Josh Aloiai play for in season 2021? 7. Which NHL team was founded in 1993 by the Walt Disney company? 8. How many events are there in a heptathlon? 9. In the sport of bullriding, how many seconds does a rider need to stay on top of a bull in order to receive a score?

Novak Djokovic

10. What is both a position in American football and also the name for a play that scores a team two points?

11. Who was the leading wicket-taker in the BBL10 cricket competition?

Ash Barty

12. How many gold medals did Australia win at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games? 13. Which legendary NHL player scored more than 200 points in three consecutive seasons? 14. Who won the 2020 women’s singles Australian Open title? 15. Which 2003 movie about a famous racehorse was nominated for seven Oscars? 16. Which golfer was known as “The Golden Bear”? 17. Which Spanish rider won the 2020 MotoGP World Championship? 18. Who was the first indigenous player to win the Brownlow Medal? 19. Which team won the 2020 NRL Women’s Premiership? 20. In which season was the infamous “Bodyline” Test series? 21. How many times has Novak Djokovic won the Australian Open men's singles title?

22. Which Adelaide-born Australian tennis professional had a career-high singles ranking of world number 69 in June 2015? 23. Which now defunct Brisbane-based professional rugby league club folded in 1997 after only three seasons?

26. Which former Australian all-rounder became the first person to reach 200 Test wickets and 2,000 Test runs in 1963? 27. Which NFL team wears a helmet adorned with a fleur-de-lis? 28. In which country was former Super Rugby team the Sunwolves based?

24. What year was the Greater Western Sydney Giants' debut AFL season? 25. Super Netball team West Coast Fever were known by what name prior to the 2008 season?

29. Which Victoria-based baseball team recently won their second straight ABL championship? 30. Which former Socceroo captained the national team a record 61 times?

2602

1. Qatar 2. Essendon, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and Sydney 3. Nine 4. Baseball 5. Daria Gavrilova 6. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 7. Anaheim Mighty Ducks 8. Seven 9. Eight seconds 10. Safety 11. Jhye Richardson 12. Eight 13. Wayne Gretzky 14. Sofia Kenin 15. Seabiscuit 16. Jack Nicklaus 17. Joan Mir 18. Gavin Wanganeen 19. Brisbane Broncos 20. 1932/33 21. Eight 22. Thanasi Kokkinakis 23. South Queensland Crushers 24. 2012 25. Perth Orioles. 26. Richie Benaud 27. New Orleans Saints 28. Japan 29. Melbourne Aces 30. Lucas Neill.

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Massage Therapists

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ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE Anyone advertising a puppy, dog, kitten or cat in Victoria for sale or re-homing will need a source number from the Pet Exchange Register and a microchip identiﬁcation number. It is now an offence to advertise unless the source number and microchip identiﬁcation number is included in the advertisement or notice. For further information, call 136 186 or visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au

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Trades & Services section of Network Classiﬁeds. Positions Vacant

Our established independent supermarket group is looking for ﬁt and enthusiastic casual employees to work evenings and weekends at our Werribee store. If you are looking for work in the area, in a busy environment, paid at award rates get in touch.

If this is you, please email a resume to jobs@reddrop.com.au

WESTERN SUBURBS – ALTONA CABINET MAKER We are a long established furniture & joinery business seeking experienced cabinet makers and a 2nd - 4th year apprentice to join our team. We specialise in producing custom high-end products for Melbourne’s best builders and developers. You will be working with qualiﬁed and skilled cabinet makers with over 40 years experience in the trade. Your duties will include assemble, repairs & working with machinery. To be successful you will need to have the following: • High level of attention • Use factory tools to put together cabinet carcasses and kickers • Have a strong work ethic • Be reliable and hard working • Experience in the ﬁeld • Good communication and teamwork skills

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Our preferred employees: • MUST HAVE a current RSA Certificate • Show good personal presentation and first-class customer service • Are punctual and reliable • Have reliable transport • Are fit and active • Are personable and always ready with a smile • Are able to work evenings and weekend shifts as required

Positions Vacant

About the business

To be eligible you must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent resident or have full working rights. If you believe you qualify please forward you resume to: tony@osirisfurniture.com.au or phone: 9398 8824 12484203-SG09-21

WERRIBEE SUPA IGA BOTTLE SHOP ATTENDANTS - Casual

HC/MC TRUCK DRIVER

Beneﬁts • Paid weekly • Opportunity for overtime • Great team environment in a modern and clean factory • Full time permanent job • Salary negotiable.

Employment V

Positions Vacant

Transport Company located in Laverton seeking an experienced HC Truck Driver for work in and around Melbourne to join our team. We pride ourselves on excellent customer service with a can-do attitude and a focus on safety, we are seeking team members with the same goals and ethics. We are seeking someone who can be ﬂexible with start and ﬁnish times to meet our customers needs.

About the role You would find yourself with a large variety of work depending on the customer and day which could see you loading general freight in taughtliners, steel on flat tops, food in fridge vans or machinery on drop decks and/or floats. We are always busy so there is plenty of hours and weekend work available. You will be required to operate B-doubles from time to time. The core duties of this role include: • Loading and unloading freight safely. • Working safely within company and statutory WH&S requirements, policies and procedures. • Maintaining an excellent standard of personal and vehicle presentation. • Navigating efficiently through Melbourne Metro and Regional areas. (Some interstate work required) • Being part of a team. • Being punctual and reliable. • Flexibility with starting and finishing times. In exchange for generous hourly rates, the successful candidate will be a team player and have a strong safety focus. They will possess excellent time management skills, be motivated and will be reliable. The successful applicant will be someone who can adapt to different situations and someone who can work overtime daily. An MC Licence is essential for this role. Non-Synchro experience essential. General Freight Experience required. Machinery Experience and Steel Experience not necessary but is an advantage. Training provided. Please forward cover letter and resume to compliance@gjhaulage.com.au. Only candidates who are shortlisted will be contacted.

Positions Vacant

ROOF TILER/ RESTORER Needed for long established company. Experience preferred with roof tiles, high pressure cleaning, bedding, pointing and spraying. Own tools and equipment preferred. To work mainly in the Western & Northern Suburbs

Real Estate

Call 9399 1177

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Motoring V

Auto Services/ Repair

$250 min for Drive-Ins

HOLDEN 2014 Vf3L Evoke, 220000km, black, good condition, 10 months registration, rwc, 1cy8yj. $12000 PH: 0409 809 002.

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

Ring Robert

0417 012 961 LMCT9297

Motor Vehicles

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

WE PAY

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Wrecking

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12483595-NG09-21

Part Time Accounts / Admin Person 24 hrs per week 5 days a week. Experience in MYOB is preferred but not essential. Parking is available onsite. Please post or email your current CV to: Absolute Rubber Pty Ltd, 46-52 Hume Road, Laverton North. 3026 or email: cynthiat@absoluterubber.com.au

Buy, Rent & Sell in the

EVERNEW Caravan 7 mt, 2010. Excellent condition. Many features inc full annex, 2 single beds (sleeps 4), Hydraulic corner jacks. Garage stored. Bargain! $38,500 Phone: 9302 2458 / 0427 416 726

Pay up to $500 for most cars Dead or Alive

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21 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 24 February, 2021

MOTOR STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Heading in the right direction

By Alistair Kennedy, Marque Motoring Jeep Compass has been on sale on-and-off in Australia since 2007 when the iconic American company finally realised that 4WD lookalikes, then being called SUVs, were becoming increasing popular and often being bought in place of conventional passenger cars. Shortly after its launch, Compass was joined by a second compact Jeep SUV called Patriot. Its more rugged looks proved more appealing than the softer Compass which quietly slipped from the Australian import list at the end of 2009. Compass returned in 2012 and now has the compact Jeep SUV field to itself following the withdrawal of Patriot in late 2017 when the current, third-generation version was launched. The latest update, in January 2020, saw a couple of name changes with the previous entry-level Sport now called Night Eagle and the higher-spec Longitude now S-Limited. The four-model range is completed with the Limited and Trailhawk variants.

Engines / tranmissions Night Eagle, Limited and S-Limited are powered by 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol with outputs of 129 kW and 229 Nm. Trailhawk uses a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel with slightly less power (125 kW) but significantly more (350 Nm) of torque. Night Eagle is front-wheel drive with a six-speed automatic transmission while the other three variants are driven by all four wheels with nine-speed auto. Jeep, in line with its more serious off-road credential, tags the Trailhawk as a 4x4 rather than AWD. Off-road credentials with Trailhawk include raised ride height and steeper approach, ramp-over and departure angles. Traction in Trailhawk is through the Jeep Active Drive Low 4WD system, with Rock mode added to its Selec-Terrain control.

Styling With so many of its competitors going for sweeping lines and angles it is refreshing to see that, in true Jeep fashion, Compass sticks closer to the utility part of the SUV name. A non-negotiable feature of all Jeep designs is the seven-slot grille. The much smaller version in Compass works really well with the wide

AT A GLANCE MODEL RANGE Compass Night Eagle 2.4-litre petrol FWD: $36,950 Compass Limited 2.4-litre petrol AWD: $42,950 Compass S-Limited 2.4-litre petrol AWD: $45,950 Compass Trailhawk 2.0-litre turbo-diesel 4WD: $49,450

Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Jeep dealer for drive-away prices. Jeep Compass Night Eagle is an attractive and capable small SUV. (Pictures: Supplied)

stance of this latest version. In profile, Compass styling looks very much like a smaller version of its larger Cherokee and Grand Cherokee siblings. The Night Eagle which we tested comes standard with an attractive black painted roof and black 18-inch alloy wheels as well as an optional ($1950) dual-pane panoramic sunroof.

Interior There’s a feeling of quality inside the Compass that wasn’t always there. The cabin feels airy and light too which is often difficult to accomplish in a SUV of this size. Front headroom is good despite the optional sunroof in our test car and there’s space in the back to seat a couple of relatively tall adults. There are air vents and USB ports in the rear. Storage space is pretty good. There’s no flat area between the front seats although there is a convenient phone-size alcove at the bottom of the dashboard. There’s also a useful storage box under the front passenger seat which can be accessed by tumbling the base of the seat forward. Perfect for keeping prying outside eyes away from secure items. The 438-litre is one of the biggest in the class and is well shaped with space for a couple of decent-sized suitcases.

Additional features across the range now include autonomous emergency warning and braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic detection, reversing camera, tyre pressure monitoring, trailer sway control, rear parking sensors, hill hold control and two Isofix child seat mountings. The Limited and S-Limited variants add all-wheel drive, front and rear parking sensors, parallel and perpendicular park assist, automatic high beam, adaptive cruise control and disconnecting rear axle. The off-road focused Trailhawk uses an enhanced 4x4 system, off-road suspension, hill descent control, tow hooks and underbody skid plates. It also gets a full-size spare wheel; the other variants have space savers.

Infotainment All models use the Jeep Uconnect system displayed on an 8.4-inch touchscreen monitor with satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard in all models. Apart from the usual phone and audio features Bluetooth provides integrated voice control commands. Compass Night Eagle gets a six-speaker audio system, the higher spec models step up to a premium BeatsAudio nine-speaker package that includes a subwoofer.

Safety Jeep Compass gets the now-expected five-start ANCAP rating starting with seven airbags, including one for the driver’s knees, enhanced ABS brakes and stability program.

22 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 24 February, 2021

Driving Getting into and out of Compass isn’t difficult and, unlike some of its small SUV rivals in this small SUV market the front seats are large,

comfortable and with low but supportive bolsters. They proved ideal for a couple of relaxing longish trips that we made. Although there is keyless entry, start-up is through the rare nowadays key-in-ignition method, something that we actually still prefer. There’s excellent visibility in all directions, helped rearwards by a lower headrest in the centre seat. Although nothing exciting, the 2.4-litre petrol engine is more than adequate around town and for motorway cruising. Out on the rural terrain it needed plenty of revs to climb steepish hills and any fast overtaking needed a fair but of preparation. There’s a nice balance between handling and ride comfort and it settled quickly after hitting the occasional pothole. Steering is predictable and responsive. Factory-tested fuel consumption is listed at 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres. We averaged 9.4 L/100 km during our test.

Summing up Jeep Compass is a small SUV with big promise. More than just a far cry from the vehicle it is replacing, its all-round performance and much improved interior makes for a classy act. In an important step forward for those potential buyers concerned about Jeep reliability the company now provides a five-year standard warranty although, disappointingly, the warranty distance remains at 100,000 km warranty.

SPORT Young stars make grade By Michaela Meade Four junior players from the Broadmeadows Basketball Association have been selected for Basketball Victoria’s State Development Program. The program is the first step for players who want to represent Victoria or join an Australian junior representative team. The program will be run at Broadmeadows for athletes from Melbourne’s north-west. Broadmeadows Basketball Association’s Anastasia Gak, Sarah Portlock, Scarlett Robinson and Zachary Thomas said they were Anastasia, Sarah, Scarlett and Zachary. (Supplied) excited to begin the training sessions. Sarah described the tryout process as because it is just a great opportunity to meet other girls [with] the same passion for daunting. “When we arrived there I was definitely basketball, and develop my basketball skills. “I’m excited to have the opportunity to nervous, because I didn’t know what was involved,” she said. “I was also very excited improve my basketball.”

Jets sign key duo The Sunbury Jets have announced the return of two of their biggest stars for the upcoming Big V women’s championship season. The Jets last week announced that Orla O’Reilly and Jacinta Beckley would take to the court this season. O’Reilly has been a star for the Jets, and the competition, in her three seasons at the club, having been named an all-star each year. She was also the league grand final most valuable player in 2018. O’Reilly said she was excited to get back on the court following a year off after the birth of her first child. “I am thrilled to be back with Sunbury for another season,” she said. “After a year away from basketball, it’s so great to be back on the court with the girls. “I’m excited to get started and am looking forward to be competing for another championship.” Coach John White said O’Reilly brings an unparalleled level of creativity and excitement to the team. “Orla’s ability to score when needed, her craftiness on and off the ball, and her ability to facilitate and bring others into the game are impressive but what stands out, even more, is that she is a professional and she lives it. “Her leadership and approach to the game will only help our group grow.” Beckley is another key piece of the puzzle for the Jets. She was part of the team in 2019 and was due to suit up for the 2020 season before it was cancelled. Beckley returned to New Zealand during lockdown and said she was excited to get back to Sunbury after so long away. White said he was ecstatic when he heard that Beckley was keen to return. “Having Jacinta back at the Jets will bring more IQ and stability to our frontcourt, on top of that, she’s been working hard back home and is in amazing shape so I can’t wait to see what the next level of her game look likes.” The Jets kick off their season at home on March 4 against Chelsea. Tara Murray

Anastasia said she was surprised when she found out she had been selected for the program. “I had to read the letter a couple of times for it to sink in.” Zachary said he set himself the goal of being selected for the program after the COVID-19 pandemic stopped the 2020 program. “I worked really hard to keep myself fit and to keep my skills up,” Zachary said. “Getting into the program is an incredible opportunity … I get to work with some of the best basketball coaches in Victoria. “Basketball and education go together for me, so it would be great if basketball could help to open up the possibility of studying at a college in the USA.” Scarlett also hopes the program could lead to playing overseas. “I hope to one day play college basketball in America and then see where it takes me from there,” she said.

New Melton Thoroughbreds coach Lucas Bourke. (Supplied)

Bourke returns to Melton New Melton Thoroughbreds men’s coach Lucas Bourke asked many people for help in his previous stint as president at the club. So when the club asked him to step up and take on the role as the men’s Big V coach weeks out from the upcoming season, he was happy to oblige. Bourke’s appointment follows playing coach Chris Johnson signing a deal to play in the Western Australian NBL1 season. “It’s a different place these days,” Bourke said. “I was already back at the club this year coaching my son. It was nice to be in the position to help out. “I then took on the men’s coaching role this season, as I saw that was what the club needed. “When I was president I asked people to step up and when people asked me to, I felt I had to.” Bourke coached at Ballarat and Keilor in his four years away from the club and has coached junior teams for more than 20 years. He has coached both Vic Metro and Vic Country teams to junior state titles. He said while coaching senior teams hadn’t been his ambition, he was excited to take on the role. Bourke has a challenge ahead of him – round one gets under way on March 13. He is still putting a squad together, reaching out to some new and old faces to try and complete the group. Bourke said the loss of Johnson was massive, as there was no one in the squad who could step up in that position. “We’re looking to bring in some new talent,” he said. “We’re looking to make some small improvements to the roster before the season starts. “There’s some old faces, some smart guys, so hopefully that will count for a bit.” Former division 2 competition most valuable player Jeff Crowe returns to the club. Crowe, a championship player with the club, has more recently played with Keilor Thunder. Sam Byron is another key player in the squad. After an interrupted pre-season, Bourke said the biggest focus now was building for the future. “The expectations for this year are about building the program back up and creating a strong foundation. “That’s the number one goal. “If we’re in a position to push for finals, then we’ll look to push for them.” The Thoroughbreds kick off their season at home against Wangaratta North East [formally NE Bushrangers] on March 13. Tara Murray

Orla O’Reilly in action. (Shawn Smits) 23 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 24 February, 2021

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