Star Weekly - Wyndham - 8th September 2021

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8 SEPTEMBER, 2021

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Frenchie fashion

(Joe Mastroianni). 248519_03

Chic canine Bruce looks rather fetching in his doggy dress-ups. The two year-old Frenchie, who is owned by Werribee couple Helen and Brad, is participating in Petember. The charity campaign is asking animals and their humans to attire themselves for weekly costume challenges, to raise money for Variety – the Children’s Charity. Funds raised during Petember will help Variety provide assistance dogs for children with autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorder, anxiety and epilepsy. It can cost up to $40,000 to train one assistance dog. Helen said that Bruce did not mind wearing costumes as “he knows he gets treats”. The photogenic pup, who has more than 3400 followers on his @ monsieurbrucealmighty Instagram account, has one ear smaller than the other. Bruce has already helped Helen and Brad to raise more than $1000 for Petember. Helen said she was running $4 Fridays during which she asks people to donate $4 to Bruce’s campaign. “Every dollar counts, it doesn’t matter if you donate $1 or $100, so many people know someone, or are affected by, things like autism and anxiety,” she said.

Bruce the French Bulldog is taking part in Petember.

Bowser bill blues bite Wyndham motorists have questioned why they were paying more than the rest of Melbourne for unleaded fuel last week. Data from fuel price monitoring apps and websites, such as PetrolSpy Australia and the RACV Fuel Tracker Map, shows that the cost of unleaded fuel at many Wyndham outlets was between 20 to 30 cents higher than elsewhere in the state for most of last week. Last Wednesday the average unleaded

fuel price in Melbourne was $1.45 per litre. However, several stations in Wyndham were charging between $1.48 to $1.53 per litre. Five Werribee outlets were charging between $1.53 to $1.58 per litre and seven outlets were charging up to $1.63 per litre. Many residents described the situation as an “absolute rip off” on social media. Parul wrote that petrol in Footscray, where he works, was “way more cheaper than here in Wyndham”. Steve commented: “A few weeks ago, I filled

a full tank at Little River. Cost me $70. If I had filled here in Werribee it would have been just on $100. That’s a huge difference.” Michelle said: “I had to go to Altona for business – petrol in Werribee was $1.75 and Altona was $1.43 – guess where I filled up.” Several people commented that they often see cheaper petrol in Geelong and always check a petrol price app before filling up. RACV’s head of communications and engagement, Andrew Scannell, said Wyndham’s fuel prices were determined by a

range of reasons, such as levels of competition in different suburbs, wholesale prices, taxes and other factors. “Wyndham and regional prices don’t always change at the same time as the Melbourne or metro prices which is what can cause fluctuations or differences between locations because they are not in the same pricing cycle,” Mr Scannell said. “RACV suggests consumers shop around for the best deal on fuel by using the Fuel Tracker on the RACV website, or in the arevo app.”

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Hospital welcomes extra staff By Alesha Capone Nine healthcare workers from overseas are joining the team at Werribee Mercy Hospital, under a program designed to boost Victoria’s medical workforce as COVID-19 continues to impact staff levels. Last month, the state government announced that about 350 doctors, nurses and midwives would be flown in to support Victoria’s health system, due to the growing number of coronavirus cases sending local employees from hospitals and GP clinics into isolation. Mercy Health chief operating officer

Robynne Cooke said that nine new medical staff members from other countries would soon be starting at Werribee Mercy. “Three have already arrived in Australia and will start work at the hospital once they have completed quarantine and the remaining six are yet to arrive in the country,” Ms Cooke said. “We are very much looking forward to welcoming our overseas counterparts to Werribee Mercy Hospital. “With our international borders closed, we have not been able to recruit internationally, so we are grateful to be able to add these international recruits to our workforce.” Several hospitals across the state have

faced a shortage of staff in recent weeks, as hundreds of employees have been forced into isolation after visiting COVID-19 exposure sites outside of work. Werribee Mercy Hospital has 55 staff members furloughed. The hospital was on ambulance bypass for periods of last week. “Our remarkable staff are under significant pressure working in this COVID-19 environment and there will be times when we have to furlough staff to keep our patients and fellow staff members protected from the virus,” Ms Cooke said. “These international staff members will be

invaluable in helping to support us.” Ms Cooke said Mercy Health was strongly encouraging everyone who is yet to be vaccinated to book an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccination. “If you are vaccinated, the chances of you needing specialist medical care at our hospitals are greatly reduced, and widespread vaccination will help to reduce the strain on our state’s intensive care units,” she said. “So please, book your appointments as soon as you can to protect yourself, those you love, your community and all of our healthcare workers who are working to care for us during this time.”

COVID jabs on the increase

Lia and her daughter Michelle.

(Damjan Janevski). 249353_04

Playgroups go on in a virtual world Activities such as playgroups are being held online across Melbourne, as the state lockdown continues to restrict the reasons people can leave home. Point Cook resident Phebe Yeo, who runs the community learning service 8SENSES, facilitates free online playgroups and learning activities for children aged up five years old in a safe environment. Outside of lockdowns and pandemic restrictions, Phebe runs the CUTEKids Playgroup at the Point Cook Community Learning Centre, the Arndell Park Community Centre and Mainview Boulevard Family Learning Centre in Truganina. In the playgroup name, CU stands for

“culturally”, T is from “together” and E is “experience”. Being unable to meet in-person, Phebe has continued hosting playgroups online. She has also been recording songs for families who belong to the Mainview Boulevard Family Learning Centre’s Facebook page. “Currently I am doing these free extra online activities for families from the community, not necessarily those who are currently attending my on-site playgroup sessions,” Phebe said. “This lockdown may go on longer than expected and even if I can help a child or mum be encouraged, it is good for me.” Altona Meadows mother Lia and her daughter Michelle are participating in the

online playgroup sessions. “Michelle is enjoying the singing with Phebe, some days they also do games like Simon Says and taking things from the home in a certain colour, doing counting or numbers,” Lia said. Lia said that outside of lockdowns, she “absolutely loved” attending the playgroup sessions in-person – as well as the excursions that Phebe organises to parks and Werribee Zoo – as this allows her to meet other parents. She said it was also important for Michelle to learn social skills and how to share toys. Details: https://8senses.com.au/index.html

The COVID-19 vaccination site at Eagle Stadium is administering more than 600 vaccines per day, according to the Department of Health. The Werribee site, which is run by Western Health, opened on August 21, offering drive-through and walk-through vaccinations. The Melton drive-through is administering more than 800 vaccinations a day and Sunshine Hospital more than 1700 vaccinations per day. Figures from the Department of Health show that 107 residents of the 3029 postcode (Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit and Tarneit) have COVID-19, along with 26 residents of 3030 (Werribee, Werribee South and Point Cook), 14 residents of 3027 (Williams Landing) and six residents of 3024 (Wyndham Vale, Manor Lakes and Mount Cottrell). More than 2.5 million COVID-19 vaccines have been administered through Victoria’s vaccination sites. The state is less than 350,000 doses away from meeting its target of one million vaccines administered in five weeks. A priority vaccination program has been put in place to ensure senior school students can sit their year 12 exams. Year 11 students who are sitting unit three and four exams will be able to book in for a vaccination from Wednesday, September 8. Bookings can be made at: www. coronavirus.vic.gov.au/book-yourvaccine-appointment or via 1800 675 398.

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Steel-jawed trap found at park By Alesha Capone A dog walker discovered a steel-jawed metal trap in the off-leash area of Presidents Park in Wyndham Vale last week. An RSPCA Victoria spokesperson said they received a “cruelty report” about the trap, after the dog walker found it last Tuesday evening. “A member of the public located the device while walking her dog, and found a deceased rat caught in the spring-loaded trap,” the

RSPCA Victoria spokesperson said. “Wyndham City Council attended the location the following day to do a thorough sweep of the area to ensure no further traps had been placed, and will continue to monitor the park for further offences.” The council’s director of city operations, Stephen Thorpe, said the council has recorded no incidents of suspected dog baiting in local parks over the last 12 months, or any reports of illegal traps prior to last week.

“Our animal management team was made aware of the presence of what appeared to be a rat trap in the Presidents Park area earlier this week,” Mr Thorpe said. “Council officers have since patrolled the park to ensure it is safe and found no devices. “While this appears to be an isolated incident, residents are reminded to be aware of their surroundings while walking their dogs in public spaces.” The RSPCA Victoria also investigated after

a pet cat was caught in an illegal trap near Greaves Street North in Werribee last April. The cat’s leg was broken and her limb had to be amputated after she was rescued. Residents are urged to report any illegal animal traps or devices to Wyndham council on 1300 023 411. Anyone with information regarding the steel-jawed tap found in Presidents Park is encouraged to make a report to RSPCA Victoria’s Inspectorate at rspcavic.org/report or by calling 9224 2222.

Readers can book in for a delivery Residents wanting to stimulate their minds during lockdown can book in for contactless delivery from Wyndham council’s libraries. Staff from the libraries are delivering books, magazines, DVDs and other items, free of charge, to library members living in Wyndham. The library employees are working under strict COVID-Safe protocols to provide materials to people unable to travel due to the state government’s pandemic regulations. All library items can be reserved online or you can request the library staff make a selection, based on your literary or genre preferences. The library will then deliver the items to your doorstep and recipients will receive an email when their delivery is on its way. The library items do not have to be returned during stay-at-home restrictions. Wyndham’s learning city portfolio holder, Cr Jasmine Hill, said the municipality’s libraries were also no longer charging overdue fees. She said that for residents who did not want to read a book or magazine in the traditional format, there were plenty of options available online. “If eBooks and audiobooks are your preference, Wyndham libraries offer thousands of titles to download straight to your computer, tablet or phone,” Cr Hill said. “There are numerous online books, magazines and newspapers awaiting to be read.” She said the council wanted to hear feedback from residents who use Wyndham’s library services. “If you have any feedback how council can support you better, we’d love to hear from you.” Details: https://catalogue.wyndham.vic.gov. au/

Librarian Tim Hinton packing orders.

Views sought on carpark upgrades Commuters are being invited to have a say on carpark upgrades planned for the Tarneit and Wyndham Vale train stations. The upgrades will be delivered by the Level Crossing Removal Project through the state government’s Carparks for Commuters program. New and upgraded carparks, accessible parking, lighting, CCTV, bicycle facilities and landscaping will be installed at both railway stations. Tarneit Station will have 500 new and upgraded parking spaces built. The plans include a new carpark to be located to the north-east of the station, and an extension of the existing carpark parallel to Leakes Road on the south side of the station. Commuters at Wyndham Vale Station will see approximately 380 new and upgraded parking spaces constructed, including a new carpark along Hobbs Road to the north of Ballan Road. Members of the public can provide feedback on any aspect of the carpark project including design considerations, and management or mitigation measures for any potential impacts upon the community. All feedback received will be included in a public consultation summary report, excluding any personal information. The final designs for the station upgrades are due to be announced later in 2021, with construction scheduled to be completed by the end of 2022. Details: https://engage.vic.gov.au/ car-park-planning-caroline-springstarneit-wyndham-vale-stations

(Joe

Mastroianni). 249373_02

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Land prices tipped to increase By Alesha Capone Dwindling land supplies and a lack of new estates could lead to more expensive prices for residential sites in Wyndham, according to a leading real estate sales and data analysis company. Last week, RPM Real Estate released its Residential Market Review for April-June. The report said 7685 residential land lots were sold across Melbourne within the timeframe, including 3121 in the western growth corridor, which covers Wyndham,

Melton and Moorabool. Over the three months, the median lot price in Wyndham reached $325,000, compared to $316,000 in Melton. “Wyndham’s lot prices are the highest in the area and the resulting trend is buyers shifting away from the area and into Melton,” the report read. Melton added seven new estates during the June quarter, lifting its number of “active” estates to 59. “Conversely, no new estates came onto the market in Wyndham to offset completed

estates, resulting in total active estates decreasing to 32,” the report said. An RPM spokesperson said that “the vast majority of developable land in Wyndham has now been secured by developers”. “Most of this is already under development as active land estates and these estates are selling through their stock at a rapid rate,” the spokesperson said. “In essence, there are very few significant landholdings left in Wyndham for developers to purchase, and those sites which remain are being actively sought.

“In the last 12 months alone, developers have purchased more than 330 hectares of developable land in the Wyndham corridor, paying out more than $610 million – more than was spent in any other growth corridor. “Over the same period, more than 3800 lots were sold in the corridor, using up around 220 hectares of land. “Without the addition of new estates or an increase in new releases from existing estates, to match robust demand, supply levels could become more acute and force up lot prices further.”

A paw-fect ambassador Border Collie puppy Rocket has a very im-pawtent role in the community. The four month-old cutie is “community dog” at the Laverton and Altona Community Banks and Point Cook Business Centre, which are run by Bendigo Bank. Rocket’s owner Melissa Longo is the community banks’ marketing and events co-ordinator. Rocket shares the community dog role with another Border Collie, named Fergus, who belongs to a bank board member. Ms Longo said that apart from starring in posts on the community banks’ social media, Rocket and Fergus’ main role was to lift people’s spirits by attending events and visiting local businesses. “He (Rocket) is always happy for a bit of attention and a belly rub,” Ms Longo said. “He mostly just specialises in stealing the show.” Rocket and Fergus are helping to raise

awareness of the bank’s Community Grants Program, which is open for applications until October 31. The program has resulted in the community banks distributing $5.3 million to local causes and organisations over the past 21 years. Charitable and not-for-profit organisations in Hobsons Bay and Wyndham can apply for funding for projects and activities that benefit for the community, such as building social capital, community welfare, environment, health, education and culture. “Our focus, especially last year, was ensuring whoever we are supporting were supporting the community at large,” Ms Longo said. “Lots of people are struggling at the moment and we want to help as many people as possible.” Details: https://www.bendigobank.com.au/ community/community-funding/ or bdm@ hobsonsbaycfs.com.au Alesha Capone

Willow and mum Melissa with Rocket.

(Joe Mastroianni)

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Save On Power Not-for-profit organisation Good Shepherd is helping people to access the state government’s $250 Power Saving Bonus. Victorians with a valid health care card, who are receiving a payment such as Youth Allowance, JobSeeker or Austudy, are eligible for the Power Saving Bonus. Call the Good Shepherd hotline on 1300 026 500 for help with a step-by-step application process to access the payment.

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Al-Taqwa College pupils Anthony, Arvin and Noor Dean star in the short film Optism: A Tale of Unbreakable Friendship. 249780 (Supplied/Al-Taqwa College) REAL ESTATE MANAGER \ JONATHAN BAKER jonathan.baker@starweekly.com.au

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Film celebrates friends A touching tale about the friendship between three pupils is the focus of a video that Truganina’s Al-Taqwa College has entered in the Focus on Ability Short Film Festival. The annual festival encourages filmmakers to “focus on the ability” of people with a disability and tell their stories. Al-Taqwa’s entry for this year’s festival is titled Optism: A Tale of Unbreakable Friendship. Al-Taqwa’s education coach and media-debating curriculum domain leader Obayda Kannouj, and video and multimedia specialist Pongky Nataatmaja, both worked on the film project. Ms Kannouj said the film followed the story of grade three pupils Anthony, Arvin and Noor Dean. Two of the boys have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Ms Kannouj said the strength of the bond between the three youngsters, along with the guidance of their teachers, has helped

them to solve any issues that come their way and to be themselves without fear of being ostracised. Mr Nataatmaja said that they were able to shoot the film when Victorian pupils returned to school earlier this year, and then edit the footage during lockdowns. “We just turned the camera on and let them (the boys) be themselves,” Mr Nataatmaja said. Each year since 2018, Al-Taqwa has won an award at the Focus on Ability festival, which Ms Kannouj described as “an honour”. “However, what motivates us to produce these videos beyond the festival is seeing the impact they have on our school community in giving the viewers a better understanding of the various challenges that some of our students are going through,” she said. The winners of this year’s Focus on Ability festival will be announced next month.

Canteen Grants Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) is providing more than $30,000 in grants to community football and netball organisations across Victoria to help make club canteens safer. A total of 32 clubs, including the Wyndham Suns Football Club, have received funding. ESV and AFL Victoria have also opened nominations for clubs to celebrate their unsung Canteen Heroes – canteen volunteers – by September 20.

Classroom Relief Manor Lakes P-12 College will soon get double-storey relocatable classrooms to help with growing student enrolments. Werribee MP Tim Pallas said that the school would receive the relocatable classrooms in time for the 2022 school year. FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Wyndham Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Alesha Capone

The Victorian Government is making it easier for families to find a three and four-year old kinder learning program they can count on.

LED BY A QUALIFIED QUA TEACHER TEA The K Kinder Tick recog recognises kinder prog d programs that are led by a qualifi q ed teacher.r.

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P PLAY-BASED LEARNING PROGRAM L M I highlights kindergartens and It d llong day care centres that o offer play-based programs to h help children learn and grow, b before they start school.

FU FUNDED AND APPROVED BY A THE VICTORIAN TH GOVERNMENT G It also a identifies se services that are ap approved for Victorian G Go Government funding.

Find out more at vic.gov.au/kindertick

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Health worker’s plea to vaccinate By Goya Dmytryshchak A Western Health worker on the COVID-19 frontline has spoken of colleagues’ fears of returning to a situation like last year and pleaded with people to get vaccinated. Kylie Fisher said Western Health, which operates hospitals at Sunshine, Footscray, Williamstown and Sunbury, had more than 400 patients hospitalised with the coronavirus in 2020.

‘‘

I saw tears. I saw exhaustion. I saw nurses consoling nurses

’’

- Kylie Fisher

“I’m privileged to be able to work with a group of nurses called the critical care outreach team, the ICU liaison nurses at Western Health,” Ms Fisher said. “Last year they helped prevent hundreds of admissions to our intensive care units by acting as an extension of the ICUs. “They helped support our ward nurses to support our patients and our communities. “They would often come to me overwhelmed, sometimes in tears. “They were worried. They would come to work worried. “They were worried about their colleagues. “They were worried about how they would support their colleagues on the wards, looking after overwhelming numbers of acutely unwell patients – patients that we usually don’t see admitted to the wards.” Ms Fisher said staff were worried about their families when not at work. “They would go home after 12-hour shifts, long shifts,“ she said. “They would have showers before they would leave work.

Kylie Fisher (front left) with members of her team on the COVID-19 frontline at Western Health. (Supplied)

“They’d drive home, get out of their cars, get changed out of their scrubs in their garages, have a shower again, before they would go in and speak [to] or hug their families and their loved ones. “I saw tears. I saw exhaustion. I saw nurses consoling nurses. “I saw blood across the ridges of their noses and their ears from wearing PPE for 12 hours at a time. “Long shifts on their feet.

“Kilometres and kilometres of k’s they’d clock up responding to emergency calls and calls for assistance on the ward.” She said staff would come to her and say the situation was like nothing they’d ever seen. “These patients are young, they’re fit – they’re well and then the next minute we’re taking them to ICU,” Ms Fisher said. “… As their manager, I’m worried I’m going to have to ask them to stand up and do it again – and they will.

“These are senior ICU nurses who have seen it all before, they’ve done it all before, and I have to probably have to ask them to do it all again. “They will but they shouldn’t have to. “So, I’m asking – we’re lucky, we’ve got science, we’ve got a vaccine – please, if you haven’t already, get yourself vaccinated. “Make that appointment. “Keep yourselves safe, keep your family and your loved ones safe, keep the community safe.”

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Data centre is a first for nation By Alesha Capone In an Australian first, a planning permit application seeking permission to build a $3 million modularised data centre at the Werribee tip has been lodged with Wyndham council. The application is from LMS Energy Pty Ltd, which already owns and operates the Wyndham Renewable Energy Facility located at the Wests Road refuse disposal facility. LMS Energy has operated the facility, which has five generator modules powered with

biogas generated by the nearby landfill, since 2011. Electrical output from the facility is more than 43,000 megawatt hour (Mwh) per year of baseload renewable power, which is delivered into the local Powercor distribution network. Under the new planning permit application, LMS Energy is proposing to install and operate six data centre modules to be powered by the renewable electricity generated on-site. “The most unique aspect of the proposed development is its place as the first bio-energy

powered data centre in Australia,” the planning permit application lodged with the council reads. “The modularised data centre will be developed in a staged approach, with the initial stage one installation of 2 x data centre modules to occur in 2021. “Stage two of the development will incorporate four additional data centre modules placed on concrete sleepers and covered by two arch roof shelters, serviced by two 2MW transformers.” Each module will measure around 12 metres long, 3.4 metres wide and 2.4 metres high.

The facility will operate automatically without any onsite staff, apart from periodic checks from visiting maintenance technicians. “Apart from construction, decommissioning and maintenance activities, the site will be un-manned, meaning there will be no increase to local traffic and transport activities,” the planning application reads. “The primary use of the data centre will be to house information technology processing equipment including servers, network links and other components for the purpose of storing and processing data.”

Mates eye adventure Point Cook cyclists Ken O’Donnell and Richard Hawkey know that you are never too old for an adventure. The men, who are both aged in their seventies, are planning to participate in the Great Vic Bike Ride, hosted by the Bicycle Network, later this year. The event, which will take place between November 27 and December 5, will travel a 537-kilometre route through The Grampians and the state’s west. The ride will include a COVIDSafe plan with special start and finish line procedures and hygiene measures at all sites. Mr O’Donnell, who migrated from New Zealand to Australia in June, said the Great Vic Bike Ride was serving as his motivation “to get back into bike riding.” “I used to do a bit of riding when I lived in Auckland and later on in Christchurch,” he said. “I’m discovering new places to ride in

Melbourne, but it’s still early days”. Mr Hawkey is a veteran of nine previous Great Vic Bike Rides. “My advice for the first-timer would be not to hesitate as you will have a fantastic time on the ‘Great Vic’,” he said. “Make sure you get some kilometres in your legs before the ride, including a few 60 to 70 kilometre rides.” The cost for the nine-day Great Vic Bike Ride is $1185 for adults, $1099 for concession, $875 for youth (13 – 17 years) and $515 for children (six –12 years). Shorter, cheaper ride options are also available. Support is provided including meals, luggage transport, on-route assistance, entertainment and bicycle maintenance facilities. Details: greatvic.com.au Ken O’Donnell and Richard Hawkey. (Damjan Janevski). 249119_07

Major construction on the West Gate Freeway this Spring Friday 17 September to Monday 18 October

From Friday 17 September to Monday 18 October 2021. These works will improve traffic flow and access to the West Gate Freeway from these busy interchanges. What to expect Ramps and lanes will be closed: • Princes Freeway to Geelong Road ramp • West Gate Freeway inbound entry ramp at Grieve Parade • Grieve Parade southbound lane

Thanks for your patience • West Gate Freeway outbound exit ramp at Williamstown Road (no left turn) There will also be regular overnight closures of the West Gate Freeway outbound exit ramp at Williamstown Road.

We understand that these closures may be disruptive to you. We thank you for your ongoing patience as we work as quickly and safely as possible to get the job done. Visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au for more information, including detour routes and closure times.

Keep in mind there are other disruptions in September and October. Find a detailed list at bigbuild.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

8 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 8 September, 2021

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Sunil Kumar.

NEWS

(Supplied)

Top tips for success Point Cook man Sunil Kumar has penned a book about his journey from being a new immigrant to starting a multi-million dollar real estate company. Mr Kumar, who is founder and chief executive of Reliance Real Estate, has released From the Ground Up: 7 Principles for Building a Business Fast. Apart from Mr Kumar’s personal story, the book is also a practical guide for people who want to build a resilient business. Mr Kumar said that all the money his book earns will go to the Reliance Foundation, which supports local not-for-profit causes such as Relay for Life, the Baden Powell College breakfast club, a leadership program in Warringa Park School and some selected charities. Mr Kumar said he came to Australia from India in 2004, to complete his master’s in

Professional Accounting. With English as a second language, he worked part-time as a door-to-door salesman to support himself. He went on to begin Reliance Real Estate in 2011. Mr Kumar worked every day and set himself the target of making 100 calls to prospective clients daily and provide an exceptional service to his clients. Reliance Real Estate now has about 145 staff members and 10 offices across the outer west. Mr Kumar said he has always loved reading and wrote his first book, Sold, in 2015. However, he said he “never thought, didn’t even dream” of writing a book like From the Ground Up, which consists of about 70,000 words spread across 216 pages. “One thing which I want to pass on to readers, is that anything and everything will be hard before it’s easy.”

HAVE YOUR SAY WYNDHAM CITY ROAD MAINTENANCE

COUNCIL IS SEEKING COMMUNITY FEEDBACK ON ITS ROAD MAINTENANCE PLAN • Maintenance of local roads and footpaths. • Ensures public safety through road maintenance • Sets the standard of inspections and repairs

This week is Women’s Health Week, a chance to learn more about our bodies and how they change throughout our lives. If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it’s that ůŽŽŬŝŶŐ ĂŌĞƌ LJŽƵƌ ƉŚLJƐŝĐĂů ĂŶĚ ŵĞŶƚĂů ŚĞĂůƚŚ ŚĂƐ ŶĞǀĞƌ ďĞĞŶ ŵŽƌĞ ŝŵƉŽƌƚĂŶƚ͘ /Ĩ LJŽƵ͛ƌĞ ůŽŽŬŝŶŐ ĨŽƌ ƟƉƐ ĂŶĚ ƚƌŝĐŬƐ ŽŶ ŚŽǁ ƚŽ ƉƵƚ LJŽƵƌ ŚĞĂůƚŚ ĮƌƐƚ ďĞ ƐƵƌĞ ƚŽ ǀŝƐŝƚ ǁǁǁ͘ǁLJŶĚŚĂŵ͘ vic.gov.au/womenshealthweek. Council has ŽŶůŝŶĞ ǁŽƌŬƐŚŽƉƐ ĂŶĚ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶƐ ƚŚĂƚ ĐĂŶ ŚĞůƉ you invest in your mind and body and we ǁŽƵůĚ ůŽǀĞ ĨŽƌ LJŽƵ ƚŽ ƉĂƌƟĐŝƉĂƚĞ͘ For anyone who has had to do the school ĚƌŽƉ Žī Žƌ ƉŝĐŬ ƵƉ ŝŶ WŽŝŶƚ ŽŽŬ͕ LJŽƵ ŬŶŽǁ ƚŚĂƚ ƚƌĂĸĐ ĐĂŶ ďĞ Ă ŵĂũŽƌ ŝƐƐƵĞ͘ dŚĂƚ͛Ɛ ǁŚLJ ŽƵŶĐŝů ŝƐ ǁŽƌŬŝŶŐ ƚŽ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞ ƚƌĂĸĐ ŇŽǁ ĂŶĚ ƉĂƌŬŝŶŐ ĂƌŽƵŶĚ ůĂŵĂŶĚĂ <Ͳϵ ŽůůĞŐĞ to make this easier when on-site learning ƌĞƚƵƌŶƐ͘ &ŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ĂŶ ŝŶĚĞƉĞŶĚĞŶƚ ƌĞǀŝĞǁ͕ Council will soon begin line marking at ƚŚĞ ĞdžŝƐƟŶŐ ƉĂƌŬŝŶŐ ďĂLJƐ ƚŽ ĞŶƐƵƌĞ ƚŚĞƐĞ ĂƌĞĂƐ ĂƌĞ ƵƐĞĚ ƉƌŽƉĞƌůLJ ĂŶĚ ĂĚĚŝŶŐ LJĞůůŽǁ lines and signage around bus bays and ŝŶƚĞƌƐĞĐƟŽŶƐ ƚŽ ƌĞŝŶĨŽƌĐĞ ƚŚĞ EŽ ^ƚŽƉƉŝŶŐ ĂƌĞĂƐ͘ ŽƵŶĐŝů ǁŝůů ĂůƐŽ ďĞ ŵĞĞƟŶŐ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ school in the coming weeks to discuss other ƌĞĐŽŵŵĞŶĚĂƟŽŶƐ ŵĂĚĞ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƌĞǀŝĞǁ͘ tĞ͛ůů ĂůƐŽ ďĞ ĞŶŐĂŐŝŶŐ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ ďƌŽĂĚĞƌ WŽŝŶƚ Cook community following this discussion ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ ŐŽĂů ŽĨ ĚĞůŝǀĞƌŝŶŐ Ă ƐŽůƵƟŽŶ ƚŚĂƚ works for everyone. Regards, ƌ ĚĞůĞ ,ĞŐĞĚŝĐŚ

To find out more or have your say:

W: https://theloop.wyndham.vic.gov.au/ P: Daniel Kade on 03 8734 2725 or E: Daniel.kade@wyndham.vic.gov.au

Consultation closes 4 October 2021

Wyndham Civic Centre 45 Princes Highway Werribee (PO Box 197) Vic 3030 1300 023 411

www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/contactus www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/connectwithus mail@wyndham.vic.gov.au Translating & Interpreting Services 13 14 50

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Young leader honoured By Alesha Capone Tarneit student Shane Nicole Coloma Villegas has been recognised for her commitment to helping the community. Shane, who is in year 12 at Thomas Carr College, is one of seven Australian students to have received a 2021 Future Justice Award from the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria’s not-for-profit initiative, Future Leaders. The award recognises students who show leadership and help to create a better world for future generations. Shane, who started volunteering in year seven, helped found the Thomas Carr College Young Vinnies group, of which she is now co-president. Students in the group run activities year-round at school in support of several good causes including the Vinnies Winter-Out Appeal, Christmas Hamper Appeal and soup van. “My team is filled with people who have the drive and passion to put themselves out there and challenge the evolving society,” Shane said. “Without the people that I have met over the past years, especially this year, I don’t think I would be achieving to the best of my ability and doing what I love.” Shane said she started volunteering at the St Vincent de Paul Society opportunity shop in Hoppers Crossing this year, thanks to an inspiring friend, Riley Ty. “I think seeing my relatives giving to the less fortunate when growing up in The Philippines really inspired me,” Shane said. “Not only that, but I also occasionally enjoy putting myself in a different environment where I am somewhat out of my comfort zone, as I often find my drive to help as much as possible.

Thomas Carr College year 12 student Shane Nicole Coloma Villegas has won a youth leadership award. (Joe Mastroianni). 249605_04

“I know that I can’t touch everyone’s hearts within a day, especially in this time of need, but when I do, the feeling is indescribable.” Shane said she hoped to become a nurse in the future, and also potentially an

orthopaedics or cardiac surgeon. She encouraged Wyndham residents to donate to Thomas Carr College’s fundraising campaign for the St Vincent de Paul Society at https://bit.ly/3jKTGfZ

Kindergarten funding boost The state government has announced $47 million in funding to create thousands of new kindergarten places in Wyndham in the next eight years. Last week, Early Childhood Minister Ingrid Stitt announced the Building Blocks partnership with Wyndham council, which she described as the first collaboration of its kind with a council. Ms Stitt said the partnership would lead to the creation of more than 3600 kindergarten places across Wyndham by 2029. This first stage of the project includes plans for a two-room modular kindergarten in Point Cook in 2022, and three-room kindergartens in Manor Lakes, Truganina and Werribee West by 2024. More 1800 kindergarten places, offering 15 hours per week, will be created in the first stage of the initiative. The state government has also agreed to provide funding support for eight other early childhood infrastructure projects in Wyndham between 2025 and 2029, to cater for additional kindergarten spots for local children. Wyndham mayor Adele Hegedich welcomed the announcement. “Not only is Wyndham city one of the largest local government areas by population, but we are also one of Australia’s fastest-growing municipalities,” Cr Hegedich said. “More than 100 babies are born each week in Wyndham, which means we need long-term planning and funding for kindergartens just to keep pace with this ongoing boom.”

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NEWS

Smaller suburbs are needed: Cr By Alesha Capone Increasing the number of suburbs in Wyndham would provide a more accurate picture of the municipality’s booming population and help to boost investment from government, a local councillor says. Cr Josh Gilligan is calling for Wyndham council to lead a review to ascertain whether there are enough suburbs in the area, particularly in Point Cook and Tarneit. “Our suburbs are simply too big and our postcodes don’t reflect the communities we live in today,” Cr Gilligan said. “That’s why I’m pushing for a suburbs review

that ensures our suburbs and postcodes match the local neighbourhoods we live in as part of building a liveable city.” Cr Gilligan said that with significant growth expected in existing suburbs over the coming years, it would make sense to potentially have smaller areas under new names. “The benefits of smaller suburbs and postcodes are significant as a better picture of what is happening in our neighbourhoods leaders to more targeted government investment,” he said. Cr Gillian said that in Wyndham, many residents have already spent years campaigning for their particular suburb or

estate to be recognised under a different name. “I know there is enormous interest in our community in formalising suburbs including Sanctuary Lakes, Manor Lakes, Point Cook West and Tarneit West,” he said. “We need to get moving”. Cr Gilligan said that other fast-growing, large municipalities in the state, such as Melton and Casey, have more suburbs than Wyndham. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Wyndham’s population stood at 283,294 people last year. Casey, in Melbourne’s south-east, had about 364,600 residents last year, while Melton’s

population was 180,636. The Casey and Melton municipalities each have about 30 suburbs, including some areas they share with adjoining cities. In comparison, Wyndham has about 20 suburbs and towns, including those shared with nearby municipalities, such as Eynesbury, Mount Cottrell, Truganina, Laverton, Laverton North, Mambourin and Little River. A Wyndham council spokesperson said that planning for a “long-term” suburbs review has commenced. “It will involve extensive consultation with affected stakeholders,” the spokesperson said.

Celebrating Probus Probus clubs across the nation aim to provide fun and friendship for retirees and semi-retirees. With Probus Day approaching on October 1, the theme for this year is ‘Celebrate Probus – Do a friend a favour’. All Probus clubs are formed or sponsored by a Rotary Club, although anyone can join Probus, not just Rotarians. The Sanctuary Lakes Point Cook Probus Club (SLPCPC), which is one of several Probus clubs in Wyndham, has 120 members. The SLPCPC is auspiced by the Rotary Club of Laverton Point Cook. Fay Lunn is a member of the Rotary Club, the SLPCPC and the Laverton Probus Club. She is the membership representative for both of Probus clubs and also the “caring person” for the Laverton club, who sends cards and well wishes to any ill members.

Fay said that outside of lockdowns, Probus members participate in activities such as day and interstate trips, events, lunches, dinners, excursions, cruises and attending the theatre. The SLPCPC also has monthly guest speakers and a member of the club has been sending out regular newsletters to keep members connected during COVID. The SLPCPC is so popular that it has a waiting list of people who want to join, when existing members resign or move. “I just think we have been very blessed, many members of the committee have been with us since day one and we’ve become really good friends,” Fay said. For more information about Probus, contact Probus South Pacific on 1300 630 488 or visit www.probussouthpacific.org Alesha Capone

Fay Lunn.

(Damjan Janevski). 249348_01

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SPRING 2021

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Would you like to sit your final exams knowing your tertiary study is sorted? Apply early and receive an outcome by late October.*

Apply online

Real skills. Real experience. Real outcomes. thegordon.edu.au | 5225 0538 TAFE 3044 * Nursing, pathology, general education and youth programs (including VCE and VCAL) are excluded from the early offer process.

12 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 8 September, 2021

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COMMENT

Tips to lighten the mental load Adjunct Associate Professor Christopher Carter Ceo North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network Construction workers, including tradespeople, are twice as likely to die by suicide as their peers, and have twice the rate of anxiety and depression. This might come as a surprise if you buy in to the ‘tradie’ stereotype. That is, a ‘she’ll be right’ bloke with an easy job and few cares in the world, beyond keeping the knock-off beers ice-cold. Yet this kind of thinking has allowed us to overlook the significant contributions and sacrifices tradespeople make, and the pressures they face. Here’s one scenario. You’re self-employed, with two young children at home. Money is tight, and cashflow erratic. You’re working long physically demanding hours onsite, often by yourself, or with responsibility for others less experienced, and still need to come home at night and manage the business – including sustaining a pipeline of work so you can keep paying the rent. The industry tells us that scenarios like this are common. Job security, financial pressures and the nature of solo work, as well as other life stresses, affect male and female tradespeople of all ages. Stigma about mental health, and alcohol and drug dependence, are also common issues. On top of this, sole-traders and their families often don’t have access to the support that medium and large businesses, unions or trade organisations can provide. And Melbourne tradies have faced increased pressures due to issues created by COVID-19, such as having to limit work to emergency or vacant premises

A new mental health campaign aimed at tradies features Nathan, Zane and Jacob showing that sharing the load helps everyone. (Supplied)

during lockdown. As anyone on a worksite knows, if you need to carry something heavy, you get help. Sadly, this logic is not applied when we are carrying heavy emotional loads, with tradies much less likely to seek help early than the general population. That’s why we’ve created the ‘Lighten the Load’ campaign, and enhanced our HeadtoHelp service to better meet the needs

of tradies. Check out Headtohelp.org.au/ tradies. Staff at HeadtoHelp – a free, 100 per cent confidential service – are now trained to support tradies, their mates or their families. All you need to do is make a free call to 1800 595 212. You’ll talk to a professional, who’ll listen carefully to understand what’s going on, and give you advice or connect you to what you need. This might be mental health support

including counselling at one of the HeadtoHelp hubs, which is also free. As a tradie in one of our ‘Lighten the Load’ videos says: ‘The longer you carry stuff, the heavier it gets … So talk to someone who can help, before it really weighs you down.’ Details: HeadtoHelp 1800 595 212 (free call), 8.30am – 5pm weekdays (excluding public holidays). Call triple-0 in an emergency.

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Wednesday, 8 September, 2021 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 13

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 by 9am Wednesday the week prior to publication

Connect with people and share information, experiences, problems and solutions. ■ wyndham.fibrogroup@gmail.com

Drawing fun Learn how to draw a Koi fish pond with oil pastels online Tuesday, September 14 at 10am. Join Madhubani for a virtual art class where she demonstrates how to create your own Koi fish pond drawing using oil pastels. This is a free workshop offered through the Iramoo Community Centre, Hoppers Crossing. ■ admin@iramoocc.com.au

Love Our Street 3029 Join the volunteer community litter clean-up crew in Hoppers Crossing, which meets on the third Sunday of the month, 10.30am-noon. ■ Karen, 3029@loveourstreet.com.au

Bee keeping session Wanting to learn more about bee keeping? Join Carmel from CMG Honeybee as she chats to you in an online session about starting your own beehive on Wednesday, September 15 at 10am. All participants who book in will receive their own packet of bee friendly plant seeds. This is a free workshop offered through the Iramoo Community Centre, Hoppers Crossing. ■ admin@iramoocc.com.au

Laverton Community Choir All welcome for a friendly singing get-together, suitable for all ages and abilities on Thursdays from 7pm during school term at Laverton P-12 College, 91 Bladin Street, Laverton. ■ Ada, 0419 116 013 This canola field near Truganina caught the eye of photographer Damjan Janevski. (248986_01)

Quilt In

Goal setting for seniors EdConnect Australia, with support from Wyndham council, will run a free lunch and goal setting strategies workshop for seniors, which will cover using open-ended questions to elicit goals from young people or students and other topics, on Wednesday, October 20 from 10am-1.30pm at The Grange Community Centre, 260-280 Hogans Road, Hoppers Crossing. ■ https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/lunchand-learn-about-goal-setting-strategiestickets-164272773287

Volunteers needed

AL-ANON meets

The Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Community Visitors Scheme is seeking female Maltese and Italian-speaking volunteers to join its volunteer program within the Werribee and Point Cook areas to visit elderly residents in either an aged care facility or their own home. The scheme is also seeking a female volunteer with an understanding of MS to visit a mature lady in an aged care facility in Altona Meadows. ■ volunteer@ms.org.au or call Sue on 9845 2744

AL-ANON provides support for families and loved ones living with alcoholics and problem drinkers. The group meets Mondays at St Thomas Anglican Church foyer, 117 Synnot Street, Werribee, from 7.30pm. ■ 0412 432 760

Fibro/CFS Support Expressions of interest to start a Fibromyalgia and CFS Support Group in Manor Lakes and surrounding areas.

Wyndham Patchworkers Inc will host its 25th Anniversary Quilt In on November 6, 10am-3.30pm at St James the Apostle Catholic Church, 336 Derrimut Road, Hoppers Crossing. Entry: $15. BYO hand stitching, mug and lunch. Pre-booking mandatory. ■ www.trybooking.com/BRGRN.

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

Hoppers Crossing Pacific Werribee Shopping Centre 250 Heaths Road, Cnr Derrimut Road Hoppers Crossing Wyndham Library Level 1, MM11 Heaths Road, Cnr Derrimut Road (Pacific Werribee Shopping Centre) Hoppers Crossing Werribee Plaza Tavern Heaths Road, Cnr Derrimut Road (Pacific Werribee Shopping Centre) Hoppers Crossing Coles Supermarket 250 Heaths Road, Cnr Derrimut Road (Pacific Werribee Shopping Centre) Hoppers Crossing APCO Service Station 178 Morris Road Hoppers Crossing Hoppers Crossing Shopping Centre 24-48 Old Geelong Road Hoppers Crossing Woodville Park Shopping Centre Shop 20/70 Warringa Drive Hoppers Crossing IGA Plus Liquor Shop 4, 2-6 Deloraine Drive Hoppers Crossing Aqua Pulse Café 82 Derrimut Road Hoppers Crossing Coles Express 260 Derrimut Road (Cnr Hogans Road) Hoppers Crossing Super Lotto Newsagency Shop 8/166 Hogans Road (Hogans Corner Shopping Centre) Hoppers Crossing Woolworths Supermarket ( Hogans Corner) Corner Hogans Road & Derrimut Road Hoppers Crossing Tigers Club House 70 Old Geelong Road Hoppers Crossing Costas Mitre 10 255-267 Old Geelong Road Hoppers Crossing Quick Lane Tyre & Auto 346 Old Geelong Road Manor Lakes Manor Lakes News & Lotto Shop 14, 455 Ballan Road (Manor Lakes Central Shopping Centre) Manor Lakes Manor Lakes Shopping Centre 455 Ballan Road (Manor Lakes Central Shopping Centre) Point Cook Feath erbrook Shopping Centre 238 Boardwalk Boulevard Point Cook Wyndham Library Service Unit 1-21 Cheetham Street Point Cook Point Cook Pharmacy Shop 1-11 Dunnings Road Point Cook Jamieson Way Community Centre 59 Jamieson Way Point Cook Direct Chemist Outlet Shop 13, 15 Kenswick Street Point Cook Stockland Point Cook Shopping Centre Murnong Street Point Cook Point Cook Retirement Village 320 Point Cook Road Point Cook The Brooks 215 Sneydes Road Point Cook YPA Real Estate Shop 10/46-56 Tom Roberts Parade Point Cook WynCity 36 Wallace Avenue Sanctuary Lakes Sanctuary Lakes Resort 72 Greg Norman Drive Sanctuary Lakes Waterstone Café 72 Greg Norman Drive Sanctuary Lakes Sanctuary Lakes Real Estate 300 Point Cook Road Sanctuary Lakes Sanctuary Lakes Shopping Centre 300 Point Cook Road Tarneit Club House (Lifestyle) 13 Sundial Boulevard Tarneit BP Service Station 410 Derrimut Road Tarneit Tarneit Central Shopping Centre 540 Derrimut Road Tarneit NewsXpress - Riverdale Village SC 200 Hummingbird Boulevard Tarneit Penrose Promenade Community Centre 83 Penrose Promenade Tarneit Brian Mark Real Estate Shop 18, 380 Sayers Road Tarneit Wyndham Village Shopping Centre 380 Sayers Road Tarneit Shell Service Station 380 Sayers Road (Wyndham Village Shopping Centre) Tarneit Barry Plant Real Estate Shop 9, 380 Sayers Road (Wyndham Village Shopping Centre) Tarneit Community Centre 150 Sunset Views Boulevard Tarneit Serranos Cafe 747 Tarneit Road ( Tarneit Gardens SC ) Tarneit Tarneit Skies Retirement Village 250 Thames Boulevard

Truganina Palm Lakes Resort 7 Taronga Road Truganina Arndell Park Community Centre 29-49 Federation Boulevard Werribee Eagles Stadium Café 35 Ballan Road Werribee Hodges Real Estate 1/1 Watton Street Werribee Ison Village 150-160 Ballan Road Werribee Casaccio Egg Farm 170-198 Bulban Road Werribee IGA Supermarket 92-94 Cottrell Street Werribee Italian Sports Club 601 Heaths Road Werribee The Womans Hub - GP Clinic & Women Services 236 Hoppers Lane Werribee St Vincent’s Private Hospital 240 Hoppers Lane Werribee Wyndham City Council 45 Princes Highway Werribee Werribee Mercy Hospital Coffee Shop 300 Princes Highway Werribee Federation Residential Village 2A Railway Avenue Werribee SIMS IGA Werribee Village Cnr Shaws & Tarneit Rd Werribee Tatts Lotto 16 Station Place Werribee Westwoods First National 1 Synnot Street Werribee Werribee RSL 2A Synnot Street (Kelly Park) Werribee Werribee Fersh Market Feb-57 Synnot Street Werribee Baptcare Wyndham Lodge Community 120 Synnot Street Werribee Cellarbrations 52-54 Vincent Crescent Werribee Professionals Triwest 6a Watton Street Werribee Bendigo Bank 42 Watton Street Werribee P. Di Natale Real Estate 44 Watton Street Werribee Coles 143 Watton Street Werribee Wyndham Cultural Centre 177 Watton Street Werribee Barry Plant Real Estate 21 Watton Street Werribee YPA Real Estate 1 Werribee Street Werribee Glendale Hostel 2 Glendale Court Werribee Wyndham Private Medical Centre 242 Hoppers Lane Werribee South Werribee South General Store 785 Duncans Road Werribee South Wyndham Cache (LT’s Egg Farm) w1 K Ave Werribee South Anglers Anchorage Take Away 67 O’Connors Road Williams Landing Williams Landing News, Lotto & Tobacco Shop T10, 100 Overton Road (Williams Landing Shopping Centre) Williams Landing Woolworths 100 Overton Road (Williams Landing Shopping Centre) Wyndham Vale BP Service Station 210 Ballan Road Wyndham Vale Woolworths 205 Greens Road (Wyndham Vale Square Shopping Centre) Wyndham Vale IGA Wyndham Vale 50 Honour Avenue Wyndham Vale Iramoo Community Centre 84 Honour Avenue Wyndham Vale Manor Lakes Community Learning Centre 86 Manor Lakes Boulevard Wyndham Vale 7 Eleven Wyndham Vale Corner McGrath Road & Ballan Road

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BEHIND THE NEWS

Sheds are a vital wellbeing tool The coronavirus pandemic may have kept Victoria’s Men’s Sheds locked up for lengthy periods, but the strong bonds that have been formed have held firm throughout. Benjamin Millar looks at the important role the sheds continue to play across Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs.

F

or Melton’s Joe Doyle, the local Men’s Shed is a home away from home. Along with his wife Carole, Mr Doyle was instrumental in the Melton Men’s Shed’s formation a little over a decade ago. As a team leader, the Vietnam veteran was a familiar face at the shed week in, week out, until the COVID-19 lockdown hit. Mr Doyle, 76, is just one of thousands of men around the country who find the sheds a welcoming place to ply their craft or simply have a chat, staying connected with their communities during a stage of life many men otherwise find themselves adrift. “My wife Carole had an idea about starting up a Men’s Shed in Melton like so many other suburbs were doing,” he said. “I’ve got PTSD, I was a Vietnam veteran, so it’s been a great place to go and meet other people and to get out of the house. “I used to be isolated at home and didn’t want to go out or anything, it gave me an out, somewhere to go and look forward to it.”

Joe Doyle has been part of Melton Men’s Shed since it started a decade ago. (Damjan Janevski) 249607_01

‘‘

It’s a place for likeminded people to come and have a coffee or a chat - Joe Doyle

’’

Over the past 10 years the shed has gone from strength to strength, attracting men of all ages to join activities throughout the week, from woodwork and cooking to cycling and games. Describing himself as “a bit of a handyman” who likes working with his hands, prior to lockdown Mr Doyle could often be found tinkering on his own projects, helping other people with repairs or training up others in the use of the machinery. While the practical side is certainly part of the attraction, it’s the camaraderie that Mr Doyle has grown to cherish. “It’s a place for likeminded people to come and have a coffee or a chat, we don’t discriminate against people, we take people as they are,” he said. “I’m 76, but it’s all different ages, you don’t have to be an old bugger like me.” That welcoming attitude can be found across the growing number of Men’s Sheds scattered across Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs. John Owen from the Taylors Hill Men’s Shed was in a similar boat to Mr Doyle, looking around for something to keep his hands and mind occupied after retirement. “I’ve always been a very busy person and very practical, so when the Men’s Shed started here about at about four years ago I thought I would give it a go,” he said. “It provides a good community, you are able to chat with the guys and talk about your issues and problems without judgment and that’s great. “A lot of the guys that are there are lonely, perhaps they’re widowed and they find it good to be able to go somewhere and be able to talk.” Mr Owen, 80, said one of the things he is proudest of is the mentoring program the shed runs for children who are struggling a little bit at school. “We spend two hours a week for six weeks with them and during that time we get them to do a little project like a pencil case or a small table with legs that fold out that they can give to their mum,” he said. “There was one boy who was struggling to go school, after he started with the program with us he totally changed, his mother came around one day and said they couldn’t believe the difference.” More than 1200 Men’s, Women’s and Community Sheds have now popped up

9742 5555

westwoodfn.com.au 1 Synnot Street, Werribee

Westwood

1

2

1/ John Owen from the Taylor’s Hill Men’s Shed. 2/ Whittlesea Men’s Shed president Phil Berchdolt. (Pictures: Damjan Janevski and supplied)

across the country, providing meaningful connections that help stop people fall through the gaps in their later years. Speaking during Men’s Shed Week (August 30 to September 5), Australian Men’s Shed Association chairman Paul Sladdin said the fundamentals of Men’s Sheds are connection, community and camaraderie. He said while the lengthy lockdown has made it difficult for people to meet in person, participants have found ways to stay connected throughout.

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Wednesday, 8 September, 2021 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 15

FEATURING ... HEALTHY LIVING

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Dancing for older Australians: go on, give it a whirl Elle Cecil Dancing for older Australians: give it a whirl The health benefits of dancing for seniors range from improving your physical health to creating strong social connections that increase your sense of wellbeing. A 2018 study by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) showed a positive relationship between dancing and the physical and emotional health of older Australians. Participants in the study experienced improved flexibility, boosted energy levels and better posture. Further studies have found that dancing can slow or even reverse the signs of ageing in the brain. Among these benefits, older Australians are likely to experience an improvement in balance, coordination and spatial awareness, which in turn could reduce their likelihood of falls. Dancing also provides an increase in heart rate, encouraging the movement of oxygen throughout the body. This has shown positive effects on heart and lung condition, and has the potential to lessen the risk of conditions such as cardiovascular disease. Regular dance also assists in weight management, toning muscle, improving strength and reducing joint pain. The benefits of dancing aren’t just physical. Regular dancing has been shown to increase the size of the hippocampus, which is the region of the brain responsible for spatial navigation and memory formation. Not only did study participants enjoy a range of physical and mental progress, they also experienced a shift in overall mood, self-esteem and confidence. This is attributed to a combination of the effects of physical exercise and the social interactions and

connections formed during the dance classes. Some things to consider: Are you looking to dance on your own or with a partner? Perhaps you’d like to join a group dance class, or maybe you’d prefer private lessons. What sort of dance style are you looking to engage in? The options are endless. Ballet, line dancing, Latin or

salsa dancing, waltzing, tap dancing, dance aerobics and even seated dance classes are all popular styles you can choose from. Before you pull on your dancing shoes, it’s important to consult your doctor or medical professional. They can provide you with proper advice tailored to your health needs. Once you’ve got the go ahead, you should

make sure that you hydrate properly before, during and after you dance. Warming up and cooling down is also crucial to avoid stiffness or injury. Take care not to over work yourself on the dance floor. Remember, it’s all about getting active and having fun. Now get out there and bust a move!

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16 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 8 September, 2021

FEATURING ... HEALTHY LIVING

Advertising feature

Gardening for mental health: turning over a new leaf Gardening has a large variety of benefits for both the body and the mind. Many studies have shown that gardening can greatly reduce stress and improve mood as well as physical health and fitness. But how can being surrounded by soil and plants really improve your mental health? The study’s participants described experiencing a range of physical, emotional, mental and social benefits correlating with regular time spent in their gardens. Kids with lots of energy will find plenty of things to do in the garden, from digging soil to picking flowers and staking tomatoes to watering seedlings. Dubbed horticultural therapy or ecotherapy, gardening gets us away from screens or desks and out into the fresh air. Engaging in relatively simple, repetitive tasks such as pulling weeds or raking leaves can help to put the mind in a meditative state and instil a sense of relaxation. Practicing patience in your garden will be beneficial as you wait for your plants to grow. It is also likely that you’ll feel a deep sense of pride when the time comes to harvest your crops whether they be flowers, fruits or vegetables. Putting the time and effort into something that you can enjoy later will leave you with a sense of satisfaction and pride. The relationship between a person and their environment is often symbiotic. The more time you spend working on your garden, the more it will flourish and thrive. Likewise, the fresh air of the outdoors combined with light physical activity and a sense of satisfaction will work to improve your mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. Gardening is also a good way to connect further with loved ones or to make new friends. Spending time working outside in the soil with your family will build valuable memories and leave you with a lasting sense of

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18 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 8 September, 2021

PUZZLES No. 045

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

2

8

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

7 9 2 3 6 8 3

9

5 7

medium

5

9

3 2

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

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS

DOWN

Constable (9) Matures (4) Eggs (3) Booking (11) Pseudonyms (3-5) Project (6) Wildcat (4) Teased (7) Expresses disapproval (7) Tract (4) Come back (6) NY theatre district (8) Bases (11) Bedridden (3) Artist, — Ono (4) Adorn with glitter (9)

1 6 10 11 12 13 14 15 20 21 25 26 28 29 30 31

No. 045

Punctually (8) Studying (8) Grain (6) Be naughty (9) Benchmark (4) Ushered (6) Did wrong (6) Axe (7) Infamous (9) Gatecrash (7) Surfing (the web) (8) Colour (4,4) Sly (6) Hit (6) R&R spot (3,3) 27 Wound with a knife (4)

1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 16 17 18 19 22 23 24

DECODER

No. 045

5 1 4

9 5 4 9 8 9 2 5 1

6 hard

6 3

9

3 2 7

7 3

1 5 7 9

7

8

9

10 11 12 13

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

Q J

6

24

25

26

3

2

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

N

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

I

E

T

4 6 8 2 7 5 1 3 9

9 4 1 6 8 7 3 2 5

SOME TALC VAST 5 LETTERS ADULT ALLAH ALONE ASSET AWAIT CAMPS DELTA DEPTH EDICT ENSUE ERODE FELTS GASES GASPS HEELS IDEAL

4 LETTERS ARTS BABE CAPE DYES FAME GATE HERO INNS LADS ONCE ONES RIDE ROOK SARI SECT

No. 045

STONE TEASE TERSE TILDE VEILS VILLA YESES

IDIOM IDLER INLET LADEN LINER MANOR METRE MULTI NAMES NOSED PLIED PLODS POLIO RADIO SAVER SEEMS SLIDE SMITE SOLAR SORRY STEAL

6 LETTERS ELEVEN ENTITY 7 LETTERS ERRATIC EXPANSE

FALSITY LATTICE ORDERED TYPESET 8 LETTERS CHASTISE DIABETIC STOCKADE TIRELESS 10 LETTERS HENCEFORTH PRINCESSES

airy, angry, baying, betray, BETRAYING, binary, brainy, bray, braying, briny, byre, byte, entry, eying, gaiety, gantry, gayer, gentry, grainy, grey, gyrate, gyre, nary, nearby, rainy, raying, retying, tangy, teary, tiny, tray, trey, trying, tying, tyre, yarn, yean, year, yearn, yeti 10-09-21

1

'Two houses, both alike in dignity' is the opening to what play?

7

Approximately how many points (pts) are there in a millimetre: 1.83, 2.83 or 3.83?

2

For approximately how many hours per day do sloths sleep?

8

3

In what year was the first Stella Prize awarded?

Which 2020 film directed by Spike Lee stars Detroy Lindo, Clarke Peters and Chadwick Boseman (pictured)?

4

Which social media platform was founded first: Twitter, Tumblr or Instagram?

9

Who won the 2020 Hugo Award for Best Novel?

O Z E N

C

5

E A R S N M A P R A Z E

Y U C

8 3 7 1 5 2 6 9 4

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

To what continent is the succulent vine string-of-pearls native?

6

With which medium does street artist Chinagirl Tile predominately work?

No. 045 Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down. NOTE: more than one solution may be possible

E R T

T

G

R

L

5 9 3 4 1 8 7 6 2

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

E

A

Y

3 LETTERS ACE ADO ADS AGE ALE ARE ATE AXE BOA COO DIE DOE EEL ERA EWE HER NIP ODE OLD RAM RUM SAC SAT TEE TEN VIP

QUICK QUIZ

A

2 5 1 4 7 6 8 3 9

1 7 2 3 9 6 4 5 8

E

1

7 5 9 8 4 3 2 1 6

2 1 4 7 6 9 5 8 3

6 1 4 3 9 2 5 8 7

3 5 9 8 1 4 6 7 2

2 6 8 5 7 9 4 1 3

A E

23

S A

3 4 9 8 2 5 1 6 7

6 8 7 9 3 1 4 5 2

8 7 2 1 5 9 6 4 3

7 4 1 2 6 3 9 5 8

4 8 5 1 2 6 7 3 9

1 7 3 9 4 5 8 2 6

O

22

C

21

A N

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”.

B

4 9 6 3 8 2 5 7 1

5 1 3 6 4 7 2 9 8

1 6 8 7 9 4 3 2 5

9 2 4 5 1 3 7 8 6

7 3 5 2 6 8 9 1 4

9 2 6 7 3 8 1 4 5

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

Y

9-LETTER WORD

40 words: Excellent

hard

20

medium

19

easy

18

8 9

17

8 1 2

16

6

A

6

4

1

5x5

5

15

2 9

4

C U D Y E BWK N R G X H

7

3

T S Z L F I VMAO P Q J

8

7

2

14

3

1

WORDFIT

10 Suzy Wilson is the founder of which Australian charity? ANSWERS: 1. Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare 2. 15 3. 2013 4. Twitter 5. Africa 6. Ceramics 7. 2.83 8. Da 5 Bloods 9. Arkady Martine, for A Memory Called Empire 10. Indigenous Literacy Foundation

SUDOKU

Wednesday, 8 September, 2021 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 19

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networkclassifieds.com.au Trades & Services

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THE ELECTRICAL COMPANY

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Martin 0418 171 280 or 9748 3196

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12402755-RA44-18

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PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE OPTUS AND VODAFONE MONOPOLE MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION AT GALVIN PARK SHAWS RD WERRIBEE VIC 3030 WITH 5G

3. In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Further information and/or comments should be directed to: Jessica Bradbury/0428 526 796, or via the Lendlease Wireless Consultation inbox at Optus.Submissions@lendlease.com or Zenith Centre, Level 5, Tower B, 821 Pacific Highway, Chatswood NSW 2167, by 5pm, Thursday 23rd September 2021.

HERITAGE ACT 2017

฀ ฀

฀ ฀ ฀

฀ ฀

฀

฀

฀

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Dynamite Plumbing Will blow the others away

David Sheridon 0412 311 148

C704225-JM17-9

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Lic No. 38755 ABN No. 58054025352

Ph: 9360 0466 EMERGENCY 24/7 SERVICE Lic. No. 28635

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MAIN OUTFALL SEWER BROOKLYN and LAVERTON NORTH and TRUGANINA and HOPPERS CROSSING and WERRIBEE and WILLIAMS LANDING, BRIMBANK CITY, HOBSONS BAY CITY, WYNDHAM CITY PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT an application under Section 93 of the Heritage Act 2017 for a permit for works to install storm water harvesting and storage infrastructure to an approximately 850m long section of the Main Outfall Sewer, between Gull Close and Forsyth Road, Williams Landing has been lodged with the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria. A copy of the application is available for inspection at www. heritage.vic.gov.au or at the offices of Heritage Victoria between the hours of 10.00am and 4.00pm, by appointment only. Telephone (03) 7022 6370 to make an appointment.

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14 SEPTEMBER 2021

Phone only between

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In line with Sections 395(1)(a) of the COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) Act 2020, the Planning Committee Meeting will be held virtually and live streamed via YouTube on Council’s website at www.wyndham.vic.gov.au The Planning Committee Meeting agenda will be available on Council’s website after 5pm on the Friday prior to the meeting. For further information please contact Governance on 1300 023 411.

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For Mobile canteen in Altona area. Must have manual licence. Ph: 0418 922 293

Leading Hand We are looking for a tradesman to join our team leading the build of portable rooms from our factory in Gisborne South.

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Rainbow Dolls $100/ 30mins Open 7 days 48 Davies Avenue, Sunshine North 9364 0770 SWA6566B

Trades & Services

Contact: Nick Nottle 0426 001 366

V Pets & Services

NEW NEW NEW 32 Dunlop Rd Hoppers Crossing

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0431 390 599

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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V For Sale SINGLE BED MATTRESS & BASE good condition $60 the lot. Ph: 0421 930 114.

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V Wanted To Buy CARS wanted. Cash Paid. Buying all years and models. Call 0455 776 443 Lmct 11618

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Required to work full time in a cheese factory from 2.00am till 10.00am. Fast paced environment. Some heavy lifting involved. Must be reliable, enthusiastic, able to work unsupervised, and keen to work. EARLY MORNING START

V Garage Sales

Any person may lodge a submission in respect of the application within 14 days of publication of this notice. Submissions must be in writing and addressed to Heritage Victoria PO Box 500 Melbourne 8002. Please note that any written submission received will be treated as a public document. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HERITAGE VICTORIA

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12400498-CG38-18

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12370916-RC45-17

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section of Network Classifieds.

Notice is given that Wyndham City Council will be holding a Planning Committee Meeting on Tuesday 14 September 2021 at 7.00pm.

• Replacement of existing 3m turret mount with a new 5m turret mount, which would increase the overall height of the facility by 2m; • Installation of spur guy strengthening to strengthen the existing monopole; • Installation of three (3) new shared Optus/Vodafone panel antennas (not more than 2.8m in length, the tallest being 2.68m); • Installation of six (6) new Optus 5G panel antennas (not more than 2.8m in length, the tallest being 0.8m); • Removal of three (3) existing Optus panel antennas; • Installation of three (3) new Vodafone panel antennas (not more than 2.8m in length, the tallest being 0.75m); • Relocation of existing floodlights (4) to new mounts at same heights; • Relocation of existing lightning rod to the top of the structure; • Installation and relocation of ancillary equipment including twenty-one (21) new RRUs, antenna mounts, feeders, cabling, combiners, and other associated equipment; and • Works within the existing equipment shelter.

Registered Heritage Place No H1932, Permit Number P34486

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12469374-CG46-20

General Classifieds

MEETING OF WYNDHAM CITY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE

Velvet House

MIRMICLicPLUMBING 35031

0409 888 228

PROCESS WORKER

0439 858 298 V Plumbing

DIGITAL ANTENNAS AMPLIFIERS TV OUTLETS

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4. If you would like to know more about this site, further information can be obtained from www.rfnsa.com.au/3030026

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HIGHLY EXPERIENCED TECHNICIANS ANTENNA SERVICE ALL AREAS

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2. Optus & Vodafone regards the proposed installation as a Lowimpact Facility under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 (“The Determination”) and exempt development under A Code of Practice for Telecommunications Facilities in Victoria 2004 based on the description above.

V Locksmiths

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Showroom @ 18 Quinn Drive, Keilor PArk, 3042

1. The proposed facility consists of the addition of new Optus and Vodafone equipment and associated works as follows (including 5G);

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V Roller Shutters

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ANTENNA MAN

Contact Simon: V Reblocking/Underpinning

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section of Network Classifieds.

ZZZ QHWZRUNFODVVL´HGV FRP DX Wednesday, 8 September, 2021 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 21

MOTOR STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

The upgraded Mazda6 sedan’s swoopy coupe looks belie its mid-range passenger car status. (Pictures: Supplied)

Mazda’s new mid-range offering By Derek Ogden, Marque Motoring While SUVs and pickup trucks reign supreme on the world’s automobile markets, the humble sedan can only stand by, looking on in envy. One such observer, the Mazda6, has paid the price for this fickle sales atmosphere. Despite this, the company has persisted with its mid-range passenger car in sedan and wagon form, while simplifying it to four variants - Sport, Touring, GT SP and Atenza. New kid on the block is the GT SP, which according to Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi, brings a distinctly sporty character to the range and builds on the local GT SP portfolio alongside the CX-9. The GT SP, along with the range-topping Atenza, take on a turbocharged version of the 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine used across the range, developing 170 kW and 420 Nm. The Sport and Touring make do with the naturally aspirated unit delivering 140 kW and 252 Nm. As well as engine enhancements, the GT SP boasts 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive front lighting and leather upholstery on heated front and rear seating. The sedan sells for $46,690, plus on-road costs, the wagon $47,990. The entry-level sports sedan comes to market at a competitive $34,590, plus ORCs, the wagon $35,890. We were given a taste of the upgrades with the former.

Styling This is no white-bread model. In looks alone, the Mazda6 Sedan has earned the right to stand shoulder to shoulder with prestige product with a price sticker above and beyond its own. With its sleek, coupe-style profile and 17-inch alloy wheels, the car commands attention. The Mazda signature radiator grille is flanked by LED headlamps and daytime running lights, while rear lighting repeats the reliance on LED technology. 22 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 8 September, 2021

Interior Despite showing its age in decor, black cloth upholstery sets the scene with its look of quality, complemented by a leather wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifts. An electric park brake features a hold function. Rear seat leg and shoulder room is good and dual zone climate control incorporates rear vents but getting in and out of the back is a chore because of a pinched door opening due to the swoopy nature of the sedan. Boot space is a usable 474 litres.

Infotainment An 8-inch full colour touch screen atop the central dashboard displays info from the car’s MZD Connect system, including embedded satellite navigation. Bluetooth is hands-free capable and USB-audio input ports are iPod compatible. There’s a USB charging port in the rear seat armrest.

Engines / transmissions Sport and Touring sedans and wagons feature Mazda’s well-respected Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, mated with a six-speed automatic transmission, driving the front wheels. The set-up produces 140 kW of power at 6000 rpm and 252 Nm of torque at 4000 revs. On 91-octane unleaded petrol, fuel consumption is a claimed 7 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined urban / highway cycle.

Safety A five-star safety rating is 2018 vintage. It includes intelligent speed assistance, smart city brake support, front and rear, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and driver attention alert. Also fitted are rear parking sensors, high beam control, rear view mirror with

auto dimming, reverse camera, traffic sign recognition and tyre pressure monitoring.

Driving The Mazda6 Sport Sedan offered up a quirky welcome, with a nod to the past in that the doors are unlocked by use of a key fob button - no modern touch of the door handle here and then discarded for a dash-mounted push button start to the engine. A further minor beef is fitment of the old 8-inch Mazda MZD Connect infotainment system and not the newer Mazda Connect as in the Mazda3 and CX-30. However, the familiar Command Control knob on the centre console does make access to info easy while the vehicle is on the move. Having said that, the entry-level Sport does what a mid-size passenger sedan is supposed to: carry occupants in comfort and safety and be a pleasure to drive. No worries. The six-speed automatic transmission did much to do this smoothly and efficiently, while the suspension was up to taking the rough and tumble of some scratchy roads no matter what load the car was carting. Don’t take the word ‘Sport’ literally. Performance is not the prerogative here. For that a step up is needed to the GT SP or Atenza, with the turbocharged 2.5-litre unit generating 170 kW at 5000 rpm and a robust 420 Nm at a low 2000 rpm. Mazda claims the naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine of the Sport uses 7 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres. The test car recorded 9.3 litres per 100 kilometres in the CBD and suburbs and 6.4 litres per 100 kilometres on the motorway.

Summary For those interested in buying a mid-size passenger car (are there any out there?) the Mazda6 Sedan serves the segment well.

AT A GLANCE MODEL RANGE Mazda6 2.5 Sport Sedan automatic $34,590 Mazda6 2.5 Touring Sedan (a) $38,890 Mazda6 2.5 GT SP Sedan (a) $46,690 Mazda6 2.5 Atenza Sedan (a) $50,090 SPECIFICATIONS ENGINE: Capacity: 2.488 litres Configuration: Four cylinders in line Maximum Power: 140 kW @ 6000 rpm Maximum Torque: 252 Nm @ 4000 rpm Fuel Type: Petrol 91 RON Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): 7.0 L/100km BRAKES: Front: Ventilated disc Rear: Disc STANDARD WARRANTY: Five years / unlimited kilometres

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

Teenage rugby sensation is a player of interest Tarneit Senior College student Jade Te Aute is making headlines in the world of rugby union. The young Melbourne Rebels team member, who completed her first Super W season earlier this year, has been named in the Wallaroos’ Player of National Interest (PONI) squad. The 40-member squad was meant to play Samoa in a two-test series in July, but the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on international travel means Rugby Australia is now planning new matches and dates. Jade, 17, said getting the call-up for the PONI squad caught her completely off-guard. “Being so young and having just begun my XV’s career, I’m so grateful for this opportunity and really excited to train alongside some of Australia’s best women’s players,” she said. Jade’s rugby career took off after she won the under-18’s Player of the Day at the Victorian School 7’s State Championships back in May.

She moved onto XV’s club rugby, before making her Super W debut, starting as inside centre against the Brumbies in the opening game of this year’s Super W season. Jade became one of the few Rebels players to appear in every game of the season. She described her first season with the Melbourne Rebels as a “memorable experience”. Jade said all the on-field and off-field team members at the Rebels, including Super W head coach Alana Thomas, have provided her with a supportive and uplifting environment. “Alana and the entire coaching staff were phenomenal, and all players really supported each other, which helped my development as a player,” Jade said. Apart from her sporting commitments, Jade is also completing her year 12 studies. “This lockdown has been so busy for me,

still being in school and having to juggle work with rugby training,” she said. “Having my family there to lend a hand has really helped me, especially my Mum who keeps me in line, making sure everything gets done.” Thomas described Jade as “an extremely talented player”. “Everyone is so excited for her and we’re all here to support her journey,” she said. “To think she is still in high school and looks like she has been a part of the Super W team for years is a credit to her and the skills she’s developed.”

Jade Te Aute in action.

(Supplied/Melbourne Rebels/

GettyImages)

Lockdown ends seasons

Josh Risdon at Western United training.

(Supplied)

Risdon sets new goals Tara Murray After a forgettable season, Western United defender Josh Risdon is hoping to return to his best and put his name back in front of national selectors. Risdon played just three games last season, with two major injuries leaving him on the sidelines for most of the year. He admits it was a frustrating season. “It was pretty tough for me last season, obviously being injured for most of it,” he said. “I had two bad injuries. The first one kept me out for six to seven months which was the most frustrating thing. “I obviously wanted to play games and sitting on the sidelines was not very fun. I got myself back fit from that initial injury and feeling really good to get my second one third game back wasn’t ideal. “We tapered off towards the end of the season and it was hard to watch not being able to help to get the team into finals.” Risdon said he had worked hard to get his

body right and he had been fully fit from the start of pre-season. He said things were going along nicely under new coach John Aloisi. “I think we’re six or seven weeks in now,” he said. “The body is holding up good and I’m staying injury free which is nice. “There’s a lot of new faces, new players and staff. Aloisi being the new coach and he wasn’t here from the start as he had to quarantine. “Once he came in he brought in Hayden Foxe as well and they are really driving the sessions and it’s been great. “I know a lot of the guys are impressed with the sessions that we’re doing and the intensity. It’s a long pre-season but they’re keeping it enjoyable for us.“ Risdon, who became a father for the first time this year, said his first aim this season was to try and play some consistent soccer. “That’s my first and foremost goal,” he said. “I want to do more than that, I want to stand out a big part of helping this team do well. “I think we’ve got a really good squad

this year and we can challenge for a trophy. Being part of that and now being one of the experienced boys in the team, now I’ve got to help out the “ Risdon also has his eyes set on a recall to the Socceroos squad. He was part of the Socceroos team at the last World Cup. “A big goal of mine when I came to Western United was to get back into the Socceroos squad,” he said. “I got into a camp last year, but obviously things were out of our hands with COVID-19 situation. “Towards the back of end of last year they started to play some more games and then being injured wasn’t ideal as I hadn’t played enough games. “It’s definitely a goal of mine to get back fit and get my name in and among the national team again. We have the World Cup next year and going to that last one has made me hungrier to go to another one. “Hopefully I can stay injury free and put out some good performances and get to go again.”

Premiership and championship dreams came tumbling down for many local sports players of all ages last week. The extension of the COVID-19 lockdown to beyond September 23 has left many of the winter sporting competitions with no option to bring to a close their seasons. It’s a bitter blow for many, after most players didn’t get to play at all in 2020. Basketball Victoria issued a statement saying that the Victorian Junior Basketball League, Big V and National Basketball League 1 south competitions would be cancelled. No champions will be declared in those competitions. In the Big V competition, Keilor Thunder men and Altona Gators women were the minor premiers in their respective divisions. Whittlesea Pacers, Craigieburn Eagles, Sunbury Jets and Hume City Broncos all had senior teams set for finals. Basketball Victoria’s under-12 skills days and identification camp have been postponed. The eight metropolitan football leagues issued a joint statement on Thursday announcing the leagues had mutually decided to cancel all competitions for the 2021 season. Among the leagues are the Essendon District and Western Region football leagues, the Northern and Riddell District football netball leagues and the Victorian Amateur Football Association. The netball competitions for the relevant competitions have also been cancelled. “All leagues have been working diligently in the hope of enabling the remaining games in the 2021 season to be played,” the statement said. “However, it is now apparent this will not be possible in the current environment. “All leagues are committed to working closely with their member clubs, AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria to manage the associated issues related to the cancellation of all 2021 competitions and working towards a return to play next season.” The extended lockdown is also set to impact the summer sports, with many seasons set to start in early October. Wednesday, 8 September, 2021 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 23

CARPET LUXE PALETTE

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You must be a Qantas Frequent Flyer member to earn Qantas Points. Members will earn 1 Qantas Point per $1 spent on retail flooring and window furnishing products purchased from Hoppers Crossing Carpet Court or online. Full terms and conditions available at www.carpetcourt.com.au/qantas-frequent-flyer

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