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Opening up imaginations For many pupils of St Albans Heights Primary School, visiting ACMI used to be only a dream. However, a partnership between the school and ACMI, has opened up new opportunities for the pupils to visit the museum and learn new things. The pupils have visited the museum once and will get to go again early next year, after a visit set down for last week was postponed. School principal Effie Sultana said it was very exciting for the school to be part of the partnership. “We are a low-socio economic school,” she said. “They provide buses and entry fees and the students get to experience everything they have to offer. “Some of the students had never been on a bus or escalator before.” The pupils had the opportunity to provide reviews, which are on display at ACMI along with their photos. ACMI’s head of education Christine Everly said they wanted to work with a school to help break down the barriers of being able to visit the museum.
St Albans Heights pupils enjoying ACMI. (James Henry)
Social housing concern A social housing development in St Albans will only add to issues in the area, according to local residents. The development on West Esplanade is part of the Big Housing Build, and is one three sites located in Brimbank. The state government is overseeing the project. One of the concerned residents is Jenny Isa. In a letter, to opposition planning and heritage spokesperson Ryan Smith, seen by Star Weekly, she said there were a number of issues with the site. “This development won’t have on-site support services like many other high rises do, it will also be the first five-storey development
seen in St Albans in its history,” the letter said. “This has set a dangerous new precedent, the charm of the West Esplanade will be eroded with the increase of cars, trucks to pick up the rubbish, amongst other things. “St Albans is the most densely populated suburb in Brimbank, and has longstanding and chronic social issues, with respect to crime, unemployment, mental health and lack of support services. “Providing homes is only a singular and a short-sighted approach to fixing our issues, there needs to be a long-term vision with a balanced approach, which has never happened in St Albans.” Ms Isa said she is contacted daily by community members who are concerned
about the destruction of the environment by “relentless concrete pouring and tree removal planning approvals”. She said the suburb was already choking with cars. “We want a long term vision, holistic and a balanced approach to planning in St Albans, historically it’s been Band-Aid fixes for many issues, and nobody in the area, not even our local MPs for example, have not spoken up about these issues.” Brimbank mayor Jasmine Nguyen said there is a critical need for diverse housing options in Brimbank, including social and affordable housing.” “Access to well-planned social and affordable housing contributes to improved employment
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and education participation, better social connections and reduced demand for support services. “While Brimbank is identified as a priority LGA [local government area] for the Big Housing Build roll-out, there are concerns about the lack of consultation with the community regarding such proposals.” Keilor Downs residents have also voiced their concerns about the social housing development in Copernicus Way, which is also part of the Big Housing Build. In other municipalities, Melton councillors have raised concerns about the planning process, while residents in Geelong have voiced their frustrations. The state government was contacted for comment.
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Sunshine vision ‘misses mark’ claim residents The Sunshine precinct opportunity statement is “very simplistic” and misses several key points, according to the Albion and Ardeer Community Club. The statement, released last week, outlines the state government’s vision and framework for the development of the Sunshine Precinct as part of the Melbourne Airport Rail. The document identifies strengths and opportunities to inform how the community will live, work, and play in Sunshine into the future. Albion and Ardeer Community Club has previously raised concerns about the
development of the area, including the proposed rail flyover in Albion and the lack of plans to upgrade Albion station as part of the airport rail link project. In a statement to Star Weekly, the group said it welcomed a number of aspects of the statement, but it was concerned about other parts. “The statement is very simplistic,” the group said. “It misses several key points in relation to heritage, residential conservation and green/stream corridors, and is at considerable variance with the council’s previously published ‘Vision 2050’, which was, as is well
known, widely supported by the community. “Our overarching context is that that local community strongly supports the principle of airport rail … but there is nevertheless intense community concern about the current airport rail project proposal to build a ‘rail flyover’, right over the top of the decrepit Albion station … and also about ‘watering down’ of previously announced Sunshine Superhub designs. “Sunshine Superhub needs to have the design and facilities of a ‘destination’, not some kind of tawdry commuter ‘transit spot’.” The club’s statement said the vision presented was very dense and vibrant, whereas
the local community sees green corridors and stream-waterway enhancement, along with heritage conservation as important elements of any vision. The group said that Albion station is a “public disgrace” and has been” left to languish for a decades”. “The local community seeks urgently, a ‘short, sharp, independent, eminent person review of the rail track options’, rather than have the [Department of Transport] as ‘judge and jury’ on its own plans and proposals.” Tara Murray
Odour solution now operating
Captain Phuong Reynolds. (Damjan Janevski) 261326_03
Positive festive vibes By Tara Murray The sense of community is returning to Brimbank, according to Sunshine Salvation Army captain Colin Reynolds With restrictions eased, people are getting out and getting back to their normal lives. “In conjunction with Christmas, there’s a lot of people enjoying freedom post lockdown,” Mr Reynolds said. “I would describe things for us like a perfect storm, but in a positive way. “There’s a lot of positive vibes, which is being created by a lot of the community-based activities. Groups we partner with are getting back into the community.” Mr Reynolds said the Salvation Army was finding that people were wanting to hang
around for a chat instead of just coming in to get things. He said some of the people they helped had really felt the social isolation of lockdown. “Being in lockdown socially isolating for extended periods of time, people have been craving community and really want to enjoy other people’s company,” he said. “They want to feel that little bit of human contact.” As well as getting the community programs back up and running, the Salvation Army is starting to prepare for Christmas. They are again running the Brimbank Giving Tree Program with the council and are seeking donations. “We are doing food relief, toys, hampers,” he said. “It’s business as usual. “We’re seeing similar numbers as in the past.
As we have seen through the pandemic, we are setting new people who would have never come to us for assistance before.” Mr Reynolds said people who wanted to help could donate non-perishable food. The Salvation Army is also doing gift wrapping at Sunshine Marketplace and Highpoint to raise money. The group’s work will continue until Christmas Day, with volunteers to provide about 350-400 meals for those who need them. “On Christmas Day we are distributing takeaway lunches, we did something last year,” he said. “Normally we have sit-down community lunches, but we still can not do that, so we’re doing takeaway lunches. “People who want to volunteer are welcome to come down and do something meaningful.”
A permanent odour solution at the AkzoNobel plant in Sunshine North has been installed and is operational. The company’s latest community update last week, said the RTO has been installed and an air quality consultant would be on site this week to test the new equipment and verify its efficacy. Test results will be shared as soon as they are available. The update said that AkzoNobel has also been working with Golder [a consulting design company] on a plan to identify and mitigate fugitive emissions from other parts of the plant, including the paint plant. “Various potential emissions points have been identified and solutions are being reviewed,” the update said. The company has also been working with acoustic consultants and have identified other projects that will help further mitigate noise emissions from the site. “The consultant’s report is being finalised and projects will then be scheduled and commissioned, prioritising projects that are expected to have the greatest impact,” the update said. “While [Brimbank] council’s approval of AkzoNobel’s planning application [for a attenuating wall] is expected to take several months, structural designs are being finalised to ensure there are no delays once approval is received.” AkzoNobel’s plants will close across the Christmas break, with one of the three plants ceasing operation on December 22 and the other two on December 23. All will start operating again on January 5. The next community forum will be on February 1, from 6.15pm, at the St Albans Community Centre, pending COVID-19 restrictions. Tara Murray
New report reviews AusNet’s transmission tower plans The Energy Grid Alliance released a report last week comparing preliminary findings from AusNet Services and an independent report completed by Amplitude Consultants regarding the proposed 190-kilometre high voltage transmission line between Sydenham and Bulgana. On November 26, AusNet released its findings as required by the Environmental Effect Statement (EES) process. The findings stated undergrounding the power lines would cost 16 times more than the overhead lines, and although still subject to peer review, recommended overhead construction.
This recommendation has prompted the review of AusNet’s underground construction summary which, in a statement, the Energy Grid Alliance said was created “to provide a high-level comparative review of the undergrounding concepts and relative design information”. The report was also completed to understand how AusNet has estimated the underground costs to be 16 times greater than overhead transmission. “As a side-by-side comparison, AusNet’s underground construction summary is what it claims to be … a broad overview of HVAC (high-voltage alternating current), HVDC
4 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 14 December, 2021
(high-voltage direct current), underground construction, potential routes and key differences in environmental impacts” the statement read. “However the absence of design and cost detail for both the underground HVAC and HVDC options referenced make it difficult to verify and substantiate the conclusion.” The key findings of the report were summarised into seven points, including that AusNet’s summary indicates these are ‘preliminary findings’ that have not been peer reviewed. The recommendations of the report state that these preliminary findings “require further scrutiny” and that “misconceptions
may have inadvertently led to overhead HVAC construction being recommended as the preferred solution”. Finally, the report recommended further investigations by a suitable independent expert before the final plans are determined. In response, an AusNet spokesperson said “… we know undergrounding is an important issue and wanted to share a summary of preliminary investigation findings with landholders and the community”. “Further technical information – including cost and design, will be provided as part of the EES which will be exhibited for public comment.”
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Fire response times below par By Tara Murray More than 40 per cent of the calls responded to by the Caroline Springs fire service are attended to outside recommended response times, according to new data. The state government data, showed just 58 per cent of calls attended by Caroline Springs fire crews in the June quarter were within the recommended response times. Caroline Springs has the lowest rate of hitting the response time in metro Melbourne. Across all FRV stations, 86.9 per cent of emergency call-outs were responded to within the standard response time.
Standard response times for FRV for all emergency incidents across the state is 7.7 minutes. At Caroline Springs, 90 per cent of emergency incidents were responded to in 9.6 minutes. The crews attended 179 incidents in the June quarter – 162 were emergency situations. Caroline Springs last year became a Fire Rescue Victoria station as part of a fire service reform which merged all Metropolitan Fire Brigade stations and career CFA firefighters. Sunshine crews responded to 86.5 per cent of emergency call-outs within the standard response time.
St Albans crews attended 89.5 per cent of emergency call-outs within the standard time frame. Deer Park met the standard response time for 94 per cent of call-outs and Taylors Lakes met the standards for 82.6 per cent of call-outs. In Keilor, 79.5 per cent of the emergency incidents attended were within the response times. Fire rescue Commissioner Ken Block said FRV strives to meet response time objectives and we are committed to continuous improvement. “While some of the benchmarks were not met, overall, FRV continued to perform
strongly, exceeding targets for structure fires in [quarter three], and emergency medical response incidents in both [quarter three] and [quarter 4] “FRV’s primary goal is to enhance the services we deliver to the community as we continue on our journey and work with key stakeholders to identify, investigate and implement measures that will increase and strengthen our emergency response capabilities. “FRV is working with the Fire Services Implementation Monitor to ensure we meet existing and future demand and keep Victorians and our firefighters safe.”
New health safety plan
Playable Streets artists Glen Walton and Emily Tomlins.
(Supplied)
Melton through the eyes of children A new exhibition in Caroline Springs is a celebration of children’s voices and stories from across Melton. Skylines and Storylines is an exhibition commissioned by Melton council and created by Melbourne-based artist collective Playable Streets. Playable Streets spent a year working with children from across the city to create art, audio stories and installations that tell their stories. Artists Glen Walton and Emily Tomlins ran a number of workshops with children to get their views.
“In the workshops, children are asked questions like, ‘what is it like to live in the City of Melton?,’ and, ‘why is it your home?’,” Mr Walton said. “Children have been exploring what they treasure most about where they live, and have been learning about each other’s experience. “Playable Streets then used the artwork created in the workshops to form an exhibition that explores and celebrates both the common experiences, and the uniqueness of children who call this fast growing and dynamic region their home.”
Melton mayor Goran Kesic said it was a fun exploration of what it’s like to grow up in Melton. “This exhibition is a celebration of local children’s voices, and a chance for all to play inside an immersive world of pictures, sound and stories,” Cr Kesic said. Children can continue to add to the exhibition by participating in one of the upcoming workshops running this summer. The exhibition will run until February 10 at the CS Gallery in Caroline Springs.
A Western Health program aimed at addressing unsafe cultural practices and reducing the incidence of workplace violence and aggression has been recognised by WorkSafe The new ‘Predict, Prevent, Priority: Safety Strategy’ has been named as a finalist at WorkSafe Victoria’s annual awards in the commitment to prevention of mental injury in the workplace categorty. The program set up by Western Health at Sunshine Hospital is challenging staff perceptions that violence and aggression are ‘part of the job’ and that staff are expected to put patient safety ahead of their own. The strategy was developed following consultation across all levels of the organisation and uses training and presentations, clinical and security practices and promotional materials. Messages in the strategy remind staff that it is OK to prioritise their own safety, to call for assistance at the earliest opportunity and that violence can often be predicted and prevented. The success of the program is backed up by figures which show from 2017 to 2021 there has been a significant shift in proactive responses to workplace violence and aggression – with proactive calls for support up 187 per cent, and reactive calls down by 10.6 per cent. Western Health has also been nominated as a finalist for the workplace health and safety solution of the year at Footscray. The winners will be named in February. Tara Murray
Tara Murray
Sporting clubs look to re-engage with youths after COVID Sporting clubs will need to find new ways to re-engage young people to keep them involved in local sport. New research by Victoria and Federation universities has found that sport club participation rates in Victoria have plummeted during the pandemic. The research found that many young people have swapped community sport for bike rides and other unstructured activities. Registration records for the state’s most popular 10 sports, including Aussie rules, cricket, gymnastics, netball, tennis, and
swimming, indicate members fell from a 2019 peak of 868,000 to about 637,000, in 2020. VU researcher Professor Rochelle Eime said if clubs could not entice former members to return – and recruit new ones – community sport could lose a generation of people, especially children aged four to nine who showed the biggest drop-off. “The early adopter group missed out on school PE as well as club sport,” she said. “Many have not yet developed skills to throw or kick a ball and don’t have much motivation or confidence to join clubs.
“Recruiting this group will require junior clubs to go back to basic skills development in a fun and inclusive environment.” Ms Eime said declining physical literacy of young children has been an issue for years, but the pandemic made it worse. She said if something isn’t done now, COVID-19’s legacy will be an even wider gap between advantaged and disadvantaged children. “Another reason for the drop-off may be due to parents who have reassessed time and cost commitments of club sport compared to the
less demanding activities that featured during lockdowns –especially those with several kids,” she said. Professor Eime said one solution to address this is for clubs to find flexible ways to involve the family in a range of competition and play formats, including informal sport. Previous research revealed participants join clubs primarily for enjoyment and socialising, meaning recruitment strategies must emphasise fun over premierships. Data from 2021 isn’t available at this stage. Tara Murray
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Vaccine rate Brimbank was set to hit the 90 per cent double COVID-19 vaccinated rate some time last week, The latest federal government data revealed that 89.3 per cent of Brimbank residents aged 15 or older had received both doses as of last Monday. That was up 0.9 per cent on the previous week. Brimbank’s percentage of people who have received at least one dose is still increasing. As of last Monday, 92.5 per cent of Brimbank residents 15 and older had received their first dose.
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Lotto winner A person who purchased an Oz Lotto ticket at Winning Lotteries St Albans has received an early Christmas present; $15 million. The person, who wants to remain anonymous, was one two winners of Tuesday night’s $30 million draw. Winning Lotteries St Albans owner Tay Seang said she was delighted one of her customers had become an overnight multi-millionaire. “When I heard the news, I was so excited for our winner. What a great time to win with Christmas just around the corner,” she said. “We will be celebrating this news with a couple of drinks and sharing this exciting news with our customers. “Our winner will be thrilled, and our customers will be hoping they are the one to win big next.” FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Brimbank & North West Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly
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Orion Western Reserve. (Supplied)
New reserve now open Braybrook residents have more open space to enjoy, with the opening of the Orion Western Reserve. Part of the Stockland Orion estate, the opening of the reserve was the first public event at the estate since pandemic restrictions eased. The reserve, which adjoins Matthews Hill Reserve, includes a playground, undercover barbecue areas and footpaths leading to the wetlands at the northern end of the open space. Stockland national general manager of development communities – built form, Ben
Cantwell, said it was exciting to see more than 60 people enjoy themselves at the new reserve on opening day. “We’re committed to providing green spaces at our communities and have invested $1.25 million in the reserve and pocket parks to support community health and wellbeing at Orion,” he said. “It’s great to celebrate the completion of Orion Western Reserve just in time for the holidays so people can enjoy the space for picnics, barbecues, play and connect with nature.”
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Time to get fire ready for summer says fire chief Brimbank and Melton residents are being warned not to use the wet spring as a reason not to be prepared for the upcoming fire season. While it has been a wetter spring and summer than usual, acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer Paul Hopkins said the risks were still high this fire season. According to the update of the Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook, Victoria is expecting a normal fire season, with below-normal bushfire potential across the east, however the potential for grass fires is still very real across Victoria. “There’s lots of urban fringe and open spaces
‘‘
A small fire can become a big fire quickly
’’
- Paul Hopkins
with park land and undeveloped areas,” Mr Hopkins said of Brimbank and Melton. “Most risk for residents and people travelling through the area, is the significant amount of rainfall through spring and there’s a lot of growth in the urban fringe areas. “At some stage during the summer it will dry out quickly.”
Mr Hopkins said residents need to ensure they are preparing their properties, cutting grass and making sure their fire plan is in place. He said FRV have contacted Brimbank and Melton councils, along with some private landowners, ahead of the fire season to ensure they are ready for fire season. “It’s important that residents prepare their properties for the fire season. It is just as important this year, as we’ve had a lot of rain and the grass will dry out and it will become a fire risk. “A small fire can become a big fire quickly.”
Study for a heathy GenV By Tara Murray More than 4000 families have participated in a world-leading medical research project at Western Health’s Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Generation Victoria (GenV) is a research project with a goal of having a better approach to child and adult health and wellbeing in Victoria. The project, the first of its kind, was launched 12 months ago by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, which partnered with birthing hospitals, including the Joan Kirner. GenV is giving a more complete picture of the health and wellbeing of a generation, providing the insight and information needed across some of the most complex problems faced by families. The opt-in project follows babies and their parents to help solve common child and adult health problems. GenV senior area manager at Western Health, Simone Quinton, said it was wonderful to see so many local families with diverse social and cultural backgrounds having the opportunity to take part. “GenV is available in every community across the state, including at hospitals in Melbourne’s west,” she said. “By involving as many children and families as possible in this once-in-a-generation research project, GenV can help to solve health concerns like asthma, food allergies, obesity, and mental illness. “Our project aims to speed up finding answers to the major issues facing children and adults and provide the opportunity to better treat and prevent common and complex health problems.” Diggers Rest father of two, Bradley Aulich, joined GenV with partner Madelaine and daughter Nora at Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s earlier this year. “My partner and I signed up to GenV as we saw it as a great opportunity to help better health and wellbeing outcomes for Victoria’s future children and parents. “As parents, we want nothing but the best future for our new baby, so when GenV invited us to be a part of this great research initiative, we were grateful that we too could help create a better future for newborns and parents,” he said.
Fire Rescue Victoria Commissioner Ken Block said it’s not just people who live in rural areas that need to be aware of their risk of grass fires this summer. “If you live on the urban fringe next to grasslands and a fire breaks out, walk two streets back into the built-up areas and wait for emergency services to arrive. “If you live more than two streets away from grassfires, stay indoors with the windowsills and doors blocked by towels and turn off your air-conditioning.” Tara Murray
Plans for new Kealba village A $155 million retirement village is planned for the heart of Kealba. Ryman Healthcare is planning to transform the six-hectare vacant site at 27 Driscolls Road, Kealba, into an integrated retirement village. The village will combine independent living villas and a full aged care centre, including specialist dementia care, on a single site for the community. The village will also include a café, bar, gym, cinema, indoor pool, hair and beauty salons, and a bowling green. The village is expected to create more than 150 long-term jobs. The location is the site of the former Kealba Secondary College. In 2019, a developer took plans to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal seeking to build 208 townhouses and units on the site. At the time, residents were opposed to the scale of the development. Ryman Australia chief executive Cameron Holland said village would provide urgently needed retirement living options as well as care for retirees in the north-west. “There is a particularly acute shortage of retirement living and aged care options in the Kealba area so we’re keen to help meet that pressing need in the community. “We know that retirees looking to downsize don’t want to go just anywhere. They want to be in a great location and remain connected to the family, friends and social networks in their local community. “This village will give people who’ve lived in Kealba for decades that opportunity, and they deserve nothing less.” Tara Murray
Simone, Bradley, Madelaine and Nora.
(Supplied)
Scholarship helps animal lover pursue her dream career Receiving a scholarship from Kangan Institute has allowed Sydenham’s Emily Humphreys to pursue her dream of working with animals. Ms Humphrey as was one of six successful candidates selected following a joint campaign between Kangan Institute and the Christian O’Connell Show on GOLD104.3. The show offered radio listeners an opportunity to pursue a TAFE course with full course fees covered though a scholarship program earlier this year. Ms Humphreys, who is passionate about wildlife care and rehabilitation, received a veterinary nursing scholarship at Kangan’s Broadmeadows campus.
“I previously undertook the certificate III in animal studies and was interested in furthering my knowledge within the animal industry, but age and circumstances prevented me from continuing studies until I heard about this opportunity,” said Ms Humphreys. “This scholarship has encouraged me and has given me the confidence to pursue my career aspirations within the animal care industry.” Ms Humphreys hopes her certificate IV in veterinary nursing studies will lead her to working with wildlife. “You’re never too old to learn new skills,” she said. “I love how the course is expanding my knowledge in animal care and across a wide
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range of animals; the teaching staff at Kangan are very engaging and encouraging.” Kangan Institute chief executive Sally Curtain said the scholarship program supports and enables students to choose and pursue a meaningful career. “Congratulations to our six scholars – we’re thrilled to see them fulfil their aspirations, and we look forward to helping them achieve their vocational goals,“ Ms Curtain said. Tara Murray Sydenham’s Emily Humphreys.
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Playgrounds lack shade: study By Tara Murray A study of playgrounds across Melbourne has revealed that just three per cent of playgrounds in Brimbank have shade over the main play area. Facebook page, Melbourne Playgrounds, analysed 4000 play areas across Melbourne and found only seven per cent had shade over the main play area, either from trees or shade sails. It found Brimbank had one of the lowest rates of shaded playgrounds in Melbourne.
Neighbouring Melton was found to have just one per cent of main playground areas shaded. Brimbank infrastructure and city services director Neil Whiteside said the council recognises the need for more shaded spaces in its playgrounds and public spaces. “We understand the health, comfort and environmental benefits of providing shaded playgrounds and enhancing these spaces,” he said. “We are committed to incorporating more built shade, such as shade sails and shelters, and particularly tree shade in designing
playgrounds and park upgrades, as part of council’s creating better parks policy and plan. “One of council’s key focuses is on creating liveable neighbourhoods that have welcoming, safe and healthy public spaces.” Mr Whiteside said the council’s parks were becoming greener, with more than 200,000 trees being planted in recent years to shade and cool public spaces. He said planting trees will take longer to provide shade, but this approach is far more sustainable, more cost effective to maintain
than built structures, and overall better for protecting the environment. “Our playgrounds also include shelters close to play areas, providing children and families with refuge from the sun. Council also encourages the community to adopt Sun Smart practices of ‘Slip, Slop Slap, Seek and Slide’, as recommended by the Cancer Council. “We will continue to work with the community and our stakeholders to deliver greener and more shaded public spaces that support healthier and happier communities.”
RSL veteran recognised Murray Lewis might have been recognised as the Melton citizen of the year, but to him the award is a team award. Mr Lewis was announced as the citizen of the year last week, for his work as an active member of the RSL for more than 40 years. Mr Lewis is the co-founder of the Caroline Springs RSL Sub-branch and his decades of service have helped hundreds of veterans and their families receive both support and recognition for their sacrifice. He is also a pensions advocate for veterans at Melton Vietnam Veterans Centre, initiated proceedings for the first memorial at Caroline Springs, is caretaker of the memorial walk in Aintree, and a key support person for the Burnside Village War Widows Group. Mr Lewis said there isn’t much better honour to receive. “It’s very humbling,” he said. “I feel and I’ve said it a few times, it’s a team award, not the Murray Lewis award. “It’s something I enjoy and you don’t set out
for these things. “My wife [June] is part of this award and it’s for her too and I wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for her.” Mr Lewis paid tribute to the members of the Caroline Springs RSL, especially president Peter Burquest who is a driving force in the branch’s work. He said the Melton RSL, Mirvac, who played a major role in the walk of honour, the local residents and schools who come out to the Anzac and Remembrance day events, were also part of this award. Mr Lewis also said he shares the award with the Burnside Retirement Village Centennial Living, where he has lived for the last 19 years. Tara Murray
Murray Lewis. (Supplied)
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Call for ideas to improve buses By Tara Murray A community survey on Melbourne’s bus system has found that some areas aren’t connected to proper services, while other people are facing significant waits for a bus. The survey, set up by The Friends of Earth Melbourne, through its sustainable cities collective, is the next stage of the Better Buses for the West campaign, The campaign is calling for frequent, reliable and electric buses in Melbourne’s west, and a better bus network statewide. Commuters across the state are encouraged to fill out the crowdspot survey, highlighting
issues with the bus network. The group’s Laura Sykes said they wanted to build on the community momentum they had been gaining. “We want to engage with community members,” she said. “There’s a need for bus reform and change is needed. “It provides people the opportunity to share what they think about local bus routes, the frequency and connectivity. “We want to use the data and present the key findings to local MPs.” Ms Skyes said while they were still focusing on the west, they wanted to bring in other
people who were concerned in other areas about bus services. She said the survey had been online for about two weeks and they’ve already had more than 200 responses. She said they were already finding some interesting results. “A lot of people are complaining that buses aren’t connecting with train stations and shopping centres, which is surprising. That is kind of what they are there for. “Wait times are really the main issue, some people are waiting 50 minutes and missing connections. They’re missing out on opportunities.
“People also want to see electric buses, as pollution is an issue in the west.” Ms Sykes said they had already received a number of responses about the lack of connectivity within Wyndham. She said estates near Laverton North weren’t being connected with Tarneit station, while people in Truganina, Point Cook and Hoppers Crossing have raised complaints. The survey will be open until the new year, with the group to start local advocacy in areas of concern once the data is analysed. Details: https://betterbusesvic.crowdspot. com.au/page/welcome
Reopening songs of joy Dancing and singing is back at the Maltese Folklore Club in St Albans. It’s been a few big weeks for the folklore club which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Founder George Aquilina said the site of the club is full of history. “In 1973 I was living in Harris Street [around the corner],” he said. “The group started in 1982 in the street and we struggled to find somewhere to meet as the numbers grew. “We bought three blocks of land. One of our proudest moments was when we opened our premises [the club] in 2001. “We’ve worked very hard.” Mr Aquilina said it had been tough during lockdown, with the club having to close for three months. The bills continued to flow, and with a membership cost of $10, the club like many others were hit hard.
Mr Aquilina said people were starting to come back. The club offers homage to traditional Maltese folk singing, known as Ghana. They sing and dance every Friday night. “Wednesday night is family dinner night and everyone can come to that,” he said. “Friday is the traditional day with guitars and singing. We’re open some Saturdays and then Sunday between 9am and 1pm, people pass through.” Mr Aquilina said while the club continues to provide a place for people to go, he was unsure what the future holds with many of the club’s members getting older. Tara Murray George Aquilina in the library at the club. (Damjan Janevski) 261178_03
Grassfires move so quickly, it’s impossible to outrun them. This summer, significant pasture growth in paddocks and roadsides means that fast-moving grassfires will be a serious risk across Victoria. Rural grassfires can be just as dangerous as bushfires, and can actually spread even faster, travelling at speeds of up to 25km/h. If you live close to open paddocks or grasslands, you could be at risk and need to be prepared. On high-risk Fire Danger Rated days, the safest option is to leave early.
Plan. Act. Survive. Go to vic.gov.au/knowfire
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Environmental audit under way By Tara Murray An independent environmental audit is currently being undertaken on the former Albion Explosives Site in Cairnlea. A new residential neighbourhood development is slated for the 41-hectare site on Ballarat Road. Residents have raised concerns about the development, including the environmental impacts of the past use of the site. The environmental audit is expected to be finalised in late 2022. Once remediation works are complete and
the audit process has been finalised, a report will be prepared and submitted to the Environment Protection Authority and Brimbank council. The report will then be available via the EPA website. Development Victoria property development group head Penny Forrest said as Cairnlea is the former home of the Commonwealth Albion Explosives Factory, remediation has been required at several sites throughout the suburb. “We will undertake all further remediation work before a planning permit application is lodged for the site.”
The community will have an opportunity to provide feedback on all details of development through a public exhibition and consultation process scheduled to take place early next year. This comes as a community group continues its push to ensure the development is in the best needs of the community. The group recently held an event at the Cairnlea Shopping Centre to share its concerns and vision for the site. Among those helping out were councillors Virginia Tachos, Victoria Borg and Thuy Dang. The group said the day was successful, with more than 60 people wanting more
information, while others took keen interest in what they were doing. “It was so lovely to meet and hear from local residents today about the hoops and vision they have for their neighbourhood,” the group said on social media. “There was definitely a positive and constructive community vibe felt this morning.” Group spokesperson Graeme Blore had previously called for Planning Minister Richard Wynne to hold off on signing anything regarding the site until further investigations, information and consultation is held.
Singing at the top of your lungs Joy to the world, Carols by Candlelight is back at the Deer Park Club. The club will host the annual event on December 21, with the event now running for more than six years. Held in the large family bistro, there will be a live carol singer who will perform a mix of traditional and modern carols, with plenty of songs for all ages to sing along to. Joining the carols will be Santa, with opportunities for families and children to have a photo together with the jolly man in red. Family meals will be available in the bistro and kids can play in the double-storey indoor playground before the live carols start, the candles are lit and Santa arrives. The event starts at 6pm. Bookings are recommended. Details: 9363 1030 Tara Murray
Deer Park Club staff Rhys Lawler and Julie Tran are preparing for the club’s Christmas carols.
(Damjan Janevski) 260232
Print and Online Sales Executive Star Weekly Star Weekly seeks an enthusiastic sales executive to work across our print, digital, social and online platforms. Star Weekly is an independently owned company which prides itself on its long history of community experience but also its investment in the future.
Applicants will need their own reliable vehicle for which we will provide an allowance.
Christmas Day menu 2021 3 Course Menu Adults $90
The position is salaried, plus we offer an open ended commission scheme. Send your application letter and resume to: Mandy Clark Group Advertising Sales Manager mandy.clark@starnewsgroup.com.au
Children U/12 $30
To book call 9363 1030 Scan the QR code to view the menu
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The successful applicant will need to possess good people skills to enable them to meet with local businesses to sell solutions through our advertising platforms to help promote their business. Sales skills/experience: • Ability to maintain existing professional relationships and to create new ones • Ability to meet defined sales and activity targets • Excellent listening skills • Accuracy and attention to detail • Effective time management to meet deadlines • Ability to operate in a team • Demonstrates initiative and flexibility • Effective oral and written communication
Deer Park Club 780 Ballarat Rd, Deer Park Ph: 9363 1030 www.deerparkclub.com.au
Stay connected @deerparkclub
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Keeping Victoria clean By Tara Murray A program that helps provide supplies to people most in need has been recognised at the Keep Victoria Beautiful 2021 Sustainable Cities awards. The Western Emergency Relief Network (WERN) was named the joint winner of the community awards for its work in not only helping the community, but keeping household items from landfill. The WERN is a non-profit and run by a number of Rotary clubs across Melbourne’s west, providing household goods to those most in need.
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We’re working with about 15 families a week at the moment - Ross Butterworth
’’
Administration officer Ross Butterworth said the group was chuffed to receive such an award. He said it had been a tough couple of years during the pandemic, with many of the agencies they work, with being affected and having to redirect their services. The group supports welfare agencies in several areas including Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melton, Moorabool. We’re working with about 15 families a week at the moment,” he said. “We could be supplying everything for a house. It could be a whole house or it could be a replacement washing machine. “They can only come once a year. We usually work with a case manager to find everything they need for a house, it could be beds, bedding, white goods.” Mr Butterworth said most of the time WERN
Western Emergency Relief Network’s warehouse manager David Hall and volunteer Cath Connors. (Damjan Janevski) 261093_01
stays at arm’s length from clients, unless they come directly to them or via one of the Rotary clubs. They will then help them also find the right support services. Mr Butterworth said WERN has helped about 7000 families, while saving more than 57,000 items from landfill. “It’s also worthwhile for the environment as
well.” Mr Butterworth said there were two main ways people could help out if they wanted to get involved. The first was to donate items that are in good condition, could be rehoused and are suitable for smaller accommodation. The second is to volunteer.
New focus on mental health The new Mental Health and Wellbeing Act that is formed by the state government needs to better recognise the roles of key players, according to a new report. The state government sought feedback from the community on ways to improve the act, which will replace Mental Health Act 2014. The change is one of the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System and will help build the state’s new mental health system. The report, ‘The new Mental Health and Wellbeing Act: What we heard’, highlights Victorians’ desire for the act to better recognise people with lived experience, the positive role that clinicians and mental health workers play in the system, and the diversity of those accessing services. The report said the act needs to address the impacts of trauma on mental health and wellbeing, the stigma about mental health, worker safety, social determinants of health, integration and access for all Victorians. The feedback also acknowledges that more complex issues require more time than the act’s recommended timelines to develop world-class regulations – for example, the criteria around compulsory mental health treatment. The feedback supported a cultural shift that reduces the need for compulsory treatment and increased oversight, reporting and monitoring. The government is planning an independent review into this next year.
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Twins Colby and Sebastian, and Rania and Dania, were among the excited pupils starting school at Furlong Park School for Deaf Children last week. By Tara Murray The school reopened for 2021 on Two western suburbs advocates are calling for government action after a waste management Thursday and there was plenty of fire fun for in Brooklyn last week.
Twins Colby and Sebastian, and Rania and Dania, were among the excited pupils starting school at Furlong Park School for Deaf Children last week. The school reopened for 2021 on Thursday and there was plenty of fun for the two sets of twins and their school friends. Colby and Sebastian, 8, and Rania and Dania, 6, are two of three sets of twins at the school this year. The school has about 65 students. A third set of twins will start on February 11 and will be part of the school’s early years program. Principal Lee Bullock said it was possibly the first time the school had welcomed three sets of twins. Tara Murray
Fire sparks call to arms There have been at least eight factory, waste management or tip fires across the west and Hume since October, while the Kealba landfill has had underground fires burning continuously for more than a year. Former LeadWest chief executive Craig Rowley and former state MLC member Colleen Hartland say enough is enough. “It’s a long-running issue,” Mr Rowley said. “It doesn’t matter which party has been in power at the time, they haven’t done enough clean-up of the west.
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“The urgency to clean it [industry] up has never been greater.” Mr Rowley said during his time with LeadWest, from 2010-18, one of the biggest concerns raised by local councils was the need for a cleaner, greener and more liveable western metropolitan area. “We were constantly talking about it with the other tiers of government, about the investment needed in the west to make it cleaner and greener. “It just seems that it is taking a long time to get there.” Mr Rowley said an Environment Protection Act, which changes how the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) regulates pollution, waste and contamination in Victoria, had been
delayed for 12 months. “We’ve been waiting for so long to have confidence to be able to breath fresh air. Confidence that our creeks aren’t going to be polluted.” He suggests forming a steering committee which would include the EPA, WorkSafe, MFB and council representatives to have a co-ordinated approach to industry clean-up. “I don’t think questions are being asked on Spring Street as often as they should.” He also proposed government funding to help bring old industrial estates up to the 21st century and the introduction of better air quality monitoring systems. Ms Hartland is a member of the Facebook group Anti-Toxic Waste Alliance, which was
set up after the West Footscray warehouse fire which spewed toxic fumes across the western suburbs for days in August 2018. She said the group, a non-political alliance of community groups, organisations and individuals, wants action. “There’s been a spate of these fires,” she said. “There’s been three in the last 10 days. “The EPA and the state government don’t seem to be taking it seriously.” Ms Hartland said the group wanted more regulation on industrial sites, clear information about when the EPA is called in and when and for how long air quality equipment is set up. She has also called for the act to be introduced. ■ Fire
probed: Page 3
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So far this year we have sought community feedback to help us shape the project scope and how we manage potential construction impacts.
— Planning and environmental matters
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Trains will run from a new station at the airport to Sunshine Station, then through the Metro Tunnel into the CBD before continuing on to the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines.
FREE
We are now seeking feedback on:
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Melbourne Airport Rail will connect Melbourne Airport to the rail network for the first time, getting people to where they need to go with easy transfers to metro and regional lines and trips into the heart of the city in around 30 minutes.
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MY PLACE AMES Australia chief executive Catherine Scarth was recognised at the Victorian Training Awards last week, receiving the Lynne Kosky Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement. She talks with Alesha Capone. springs to mind is the project in the gardens at Werribee Park – a partnership with Parks Victoria which has recently seen refugee volunteers, and other community groups, volunteer to produce fresh food for vulnerable families during lockdowns.
How did you feel to be announced as the recipient of the Lynne Kosky Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement? I was totally shocked and hugely honoured to receive the award. The award was a recognition of the commitment and professionalism of everyone at AMES. It celebrates our world-class programs which everyone at AMES has a hand in delivering.
Given how multicultural the western suburbs are, do you think migration programs will be vital to ensure Australia’s economic recovery from COVID? The west of Melbourne, and particularly Wyndham, is one of the fastest-growing regions in Australia; and one of the most diverse. Migrants and refugees are attracted by existing communities, jobs and the availability of housing. We can see that increased migration will be an important part of Australia’s economic recovery from the COVID pandemic, so places like the west and north will be really important in this process.
Did you ever meet Ms Kosky? Not at AMES but before AMES, at The Brotherhood of St Laurence (BSL), when she was minister for education, she was a great supporter of our programs to assist young people at risk of leaving school early.
What do you enjoy most about your work with AMES? I enjoy meeting people who have come from different parts of the globe and who bring interesting perspectives, cultures and stories. I also enjoy the idea that we at AMES are supporting people to build new lives in Australia – some who are fleeing conflict or persecution but who nevertheless have amazingly positive outlooks on life. As these
(Supplied)
You’ve have been at AMES for more than 13 years? I joined AMES in 2008 in a new role leading our community programs and developing a research and policy capacity, which now does amazing work documenting what works and providing evidence-based policy advice to government and others. Before AMES I worked at the BSL in a number of roles, developing social enterprises and running community and education programs. people establish themselves and start to make contributions to society in all sorts of ways our work is helping to build a modern, diverse but cohesive Australia. We do support people who have been through difficult times but I never cease to be amazed and inspired by their resilience and their determination to build new lives in Australia for themselves and their children.
Working at AMES, are you often in the northern and western suburbs? I spend a lot of time in Melbourne’s west and north at our sites and other places. It is where a large proportion of our refugee and migrant clients eventually settle – joining already established vibrant communities. We’ve had some amazing experiences with migrants and refugees settling Melbourne’s west. One that
What is AMES is working on or towards at the moment? We are currently supporting a large number of Afghan refugees who were part of the airlift out of Kabul in August. Many arrived with just a passport and the clothes they were wearing, so we have been supporting them initially with accommodation, clothing and basic necessities. As they find their feet, this work will transition to support in finding educational and employment pathways as well as connecting them with local communities and the broader society. Many of the Afghans will also end up settling in the west and north of Melbourne. Details: see https://www.ames.net.au/about/ make-a-donation
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Advertising feature
Quartz Auto sets a high standard W
hen Muhammad Awais launched Quartz Auto Care, his aim was to provide consistently top-notch vehicle repairs and servicing on all makes and models, while keeping the costs transparent and as affordable as possible. Muhammad has clearly succeeded in his aim, because Quartz – a VACC member – has now been going strong for 13 years. He attributes the Ravenhall businesses success to surrounding himself with a team of experts, all of whom are qualified automotive technicians. Another ingredient is Muhammad’s focus on customer satisfaction with his trustworthy approach, a guarantee on all repairs and services, and upfront quotes with no hidden charges. “Our team takes real pride in their work, with professionalism and high work standards at the forefront,” Muhammad says. “We’re a friendly bunch as well, happy to have a chat with our clients as they have a coffee while they wait in our modern premises.“ “Our state-of-the-art workshop is fully equipped to ensure vehicles receive only the best care and attention – and when the repair job’s complete, we return the car washed and ready to hit the road with six months’ roadside assistance.” Products and services: •Generalautorepairs •Speedyservicing •Air-conditionerrepairs •Tyrerepairsandreplacement •Transmissionrepairs
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Damjan Janevski’s winning photo, and Tara Murray’s winning story.
Star Weekly takes out awards Star Weekly picked up three gongs at this year’s Victorian Country Press Association media awards. The annual awards were held last Friday, with Star Weekly receiving the awards for Best Sports Story (over 6000 circulation), Best News Photo (over 6000 circulation) and Best Digital Advertisement. Reporter Tara Murray took the award for Best Sports Story for her piece on Molly Jovic’s journey from the City West Falcons to the Suncorp Super Netball competition.
The judge described the story as “simple but engaging”, commending for Murray for her effort to tell the story of a sportsperson “who appears to be something of accidental star”. “Much like the netballer she is writing about, this piece from Tara Murray shows just how much impact you can have when the basics are well executed,” the judge said. Photographer Damjan Janevski won the award for Best News Photo for his image of wheel gymnastics course participants during a summer holiday intensive program in
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Werribee in January. The judge said Janevski’s image took top spot in the category due to the obvious effort put into perfectly arranging the subjects before pushing the shutter release. “The photograph immediately captures the readers’ attention due to the very good use of framing.” Wyndham Star Weekly’s advertisement for Federation Village, designed by creative designer John Anastasiou, won the Best Digital Advertisement Award.
“This is a well laid out advertisement,” the judge said. “The main image is engaging and appropriate for the target audience. The messaging is clear, easy to understand, and comprehensive without being cluttered. The price point dropping down is particularly eye catching and encourages click-through.” Overall, the Star News Group picked up six of the 33 gongs at the awards, with the Pakenham Gazette winning Best News Photo (2000 – 6000 circulation), Best News Story (2000-6000) and Best Community Campaign (2000-6000).
Star Weekly looks back through the pages of our predecessors
40 years ago
30 years ago
20 years ago
December 16, 1981
December 11, 1991
December 11, 2001
The Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation has made a huge $170,000 grant towards setting up a community centre in Glengala Housing Estate, the Minister of Youth, Sport and Recreation, Mr Brian Dixon announced yesterday.
Theatres, a market, hotel-motel, tavern, specialised shops, offices and community facilities might be built in Gordon St, Footscray, as part of the redevelopment of Australian Defence Industries land.
The parents of a Braybrook man found bound and burned next to another man in a torched car in Footscray have pleaded for help in finding their son’s killer. Tuesday, 14 December, 2021 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 17
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Translating for healthy results Christopher Carter, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network For many people, the main frustration involved in making an appointment to see a GP is finding a slot that fits in around all the other commitments in a busy life. It’s easy to forget that for some people accessing our primary healthcare system isn’t as simple. Last year we looked at after-hours medical care in our region and realised that there was something unusual going on. We discovered that in the evenings and on weekends there were quite a lot of people presenting at hospital emergency departments, seeking treatment for ailments and minor injuries that could be more appropriately dealt with by GPs. Now, there will always be people who, understandably enough, become anxious when they feel unwell and so head directly to hospital. This phenomenon, though, did not account for the sheer number of people turning up at emergency departments, at odd times, for comparatively minor matters. Then, looking more closely and consulting with hospital staff, we found that many of these patients shared a particular characteristic – English was not their first language. In response, we asked the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) to look into the matter and funded them to prepare a report. After many months of work, that report was published last week. The ECCV researchers discovered that many people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds were unable to find general practitioners fluent in their own language. Translated written material was also in very short supply. Finding interpreters – especially in less commonly spoken languages – was also
North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network is trialling a new assessment tool to support GPs to become more culturally responsive.
tricky. Even when they could be found, they were often not available at the time of booked appointments, especially after-hours – and sometimes weren’t able to accurately translate medical terms. These issues often led to people not being able to get their heads around the primary healthcare system. Some therefore chose to avoid it because it seemed confusing, and some concluded (wrongly but understandably) that they were not eligible to access it. Others had arrived in Australia from countries with health systems that did not have an equivalent sector. No wonder so many were opting to visit
always-open emergency departments rather than hunt around for a GP with the appropriate language and cultural skills! As a result of this research, we are continuing to work with the ECCV and other bodies to try to improve how general practices greet, treat and support people for whom English is not a first language. There is, obviously, no easy fix. Already, though, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network is trialling a new assessment tool designed to support GP clinic teams becoming more culturally responsive. We’ve also taken a lead in translating health
(iStock)
messages into various languages and are always advocating for other health and medical bodies to follow suit. There are scores of languages spoken in Melbourne, especially in the northern and western regions. Our dream is for everyone to be able to easily find and access a doctor who can speak directly to them, and to provide them with the care and assistance that those of us fluent in English all too often take for granted. It won’t be simple and it won’t be fast, but I think it will happen. Because this is Melbourne – and Melbourne cares.
Cheetah learns to take check-ups in her stride
It’s rare to see a cheetah – considered Africa’s most endangered big cat – standing calmly in front of a crowd. However, such precious moments are possible at Werribee Open Range Zoo for visitors lucky enough to see cheetah, Kulinda, participating in a routine health check. Zookeepers have been working with nine-year-old Kulinda, encouraging her to walk along the glass viewing wall of her exhibit space and touch her nose to a yellow square that acts as a station and results in a reinforcing food reward. Keepers move the station to greater distances incrementally during training sessions for differing visibility of the popular feline. African River Trail keeper Danielle Ridgway said the trained behaviour helps Kulinda to be an active participant in her own healthcare and allows Werribee Zoo’s vets and keepers to monitor her mobility. “Asking Kulinda to walk from one area to another allows our vets to have a really good look at her body condition and mobility,” Ms Ridgway said. “Ageing cheetah like Kulinda need a little bit of extra monitoring to make sure they stay happy and healthy in their golden years.” Kulinda’s training has taken a lot of time, patience and positive reinforcement to establish. “All our animals have the choice to participate in their training and that gives them control over their environment,” Ms Ridgway said.
Kulinda the cheetah.
(Supplied/Zoos Victoria)
“This ultimately leads to better mental health and overall animal welfare.” International Cheetah Day, on December 4, drew attention to the threats facing cheetah in the wild. As a wideranging carnivore, they are
18 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 14 December, 2021
particularly vulnerable to habitat destruction caused by urbanisation. There are now fewer than 7000 cheetah remaining in the wild. Zoos Victoria members and Werribee Open Range Zoo visitors are reminded that
all tickets must be pre-booked online at zoo. org.au and all ticketholders 12 years and over are required to provide proof of full vaccination and follow current Victorian government directions at www.coronavirus. vic.gov.au.
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Bindi Wines in Gisborne is welcoming back visitors. Right: Bindi Wines’ Michael Dhillon hard at work.
BEHIND THE NEWS
(Pictures: Supplied/Bindi Wines)
Enjoy a day out among the vines Wineries across Melbourne’s west are welcoming back visitors after multiple lengthy COVID-19 lockdowns. Michaela Meade spoke to local winemakers about how it felt to throw open the cellar doors once more.
V
ictoria’s lockdowns to contain COVID-19 also shut down the much-loved experience of a day trip to a winery. Staff at wineries across the state found themselves without customers to serve at the cellar door – the main source of income for the industry. That was until the state opened up once more after a sixth lockdown, and the winemaking venues were able to welcome guests once again. Shadowfax Winery in Werribee South has had bookings “flooding in” since being able to open again, according to general manager Phil Strachan.
‘‘
Shadowfax Winery in Werribee South is in high demand leading into Christmas.
“It’s great to be able to welcome back all our regular guests, who we have missed, and welcome new faces to our restaurant and cellar door,” Mr Strachan says. “As soon as we announced that we were reopening, bookings started flooding in. “It was so encouraging for us. “Being so close to Christmas, the demand is high, but now that the weather is warmer and the days longer, we’re able to accommodate guests both inside and out … being able to welcome people back is the reward at the end of 18 very challenging months.” Mr Strachan says the pandemic had impacted the restaurant side of the business, however the winemaking remained the same. “We were fortunate to be able to offer a takeaway service during each lockdown … which allowed us to continue trading and keep our staff employed,” he says. “For the wine side, it was business as usual and our winemaking team worked the whole way through, in the winery, testing and tasting wines, and ensuring that our vineyards were
meticulously maintained.” Mr Strachan says the support from the residents of Wyndham was invaluable to keeping morale going. “Without their loyalty, business and support, we wouldn’t be in the position we’re in,” he says. One of the main attractions that visitors to Shadowfax Winery can enjoy coming up to the Christmas season is Friday Twilight sessions, Mr Strachan says, “Featuring live music and our a la carte menu, people love the relaxed setting and atmosphere of our Friday nights,” he says. “It’s also a great chance for people to catch up with friends, family and colleagues for dinner in the lead up to Christmas.” Further away from the Melbourne CBD, Hanging Rock Winery in Newham is also “buzzing” since reopening, says direct-to-customer manager Michelle Toose. Ms Toose says the winery staff were “super excited” to welcome back visitors to enjoy wine, the sculptural exhibition ‘Art in the Vines’, and a day out in the picturesque Macedon Ranges. “The cellar door is buzzing again every day of the week, but especially the weekends with friends and families driving from Melbourne for a day out in nature,” Ms Toose says. “We
Seeing cars drive up the driveway again and the car park full on weekends brings us a lot of joy
’’
- Michelle Toose
(Pictures: Supplied/Shadowfax Winery)
are lucky to have so much space for everyone to spread out and enjoy our breathtaking views of Hanging Rock and the Macedon Ranges.” Although the winery’s regional location meant it could remain open when the greater Melbourne area was locked down, Ms Toose says the absence of visitors from the city was very much felt. “Cellar door numbers [were] not the same when Melbourne [was] in lockdown,” she says. “We were very grateful that we could still open to regional visitors at times during the year, but we certainly missed our Melbourne friends. “Seeing cars drive up the driveway again and the car park full on weekends brings us a lot of joy.” Ms Toose says she would welcome any and all visitors to Hanging Rock Winery over the Christmas period, and recommends making a day of it to explore the wider Macedon Ranges area. Bindi Wines in Gisborne had an unexpected aspect of its service thrive during the lockdowns, owner and generational winemaker Michael Dhillon says. Mr Dhillon said throughout the pandemic, online orders became a main source of income
for the business. He said the community had responded enthusiastically to the idea of purchasing wine online without leaving their houses. “They responded very strongly which is understandable, of course, because people were restricted to being at home,” he says. “They weren’t able to go to their favourite bars or restaurants or pubs and share wine, so they chose to do it at home. “We received great support in that respect … the restaurant business closed for a considerable amount of time, but the retailers and mailing lists picked up the slack.” Mr Dhillon, who was recognised as Winemaker of the Year at the 2022 Halliday Wine Companion awards, said the support from the local community was valuable for each winery, no matter the location. “All the local wineries appreciate very much the support of our local community,” he says. “We’ve got more and more good restaurants and independent wine shops who are supporting small, local wineries really well and it’s very much appreciated.” Mr Dhillon says the industry had gone back to normal after a tough pandemic experience. “It seems to be fully back in swing now.”
Tuesday, 14 December, 2021 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 19
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
Probus The Keilor Combined Probus Club is back in business following the lockdowns. The group meets the third Monday of every month at Keilor Pub, with the next meeting on January 17, 10am-noon. New members are welcome. ■ Steve, 0408 193 793, or Keith, 0409 494 801
This week’s photographer’s choice photograph is of Flynn, 9, and Amelia, 6, at the Melbourne Airport viewing area.
Women’s group
(Damjan Janevski) 260894_01
Duke Street Community Centre is setting up a women’s social group to give people a place to interact. The group will run every second Friday, as a way to connect with other women in the community in a safe, fun and social way. It will be developed to suit the needs of the participants and will be in a casual setting.The group will meet at the centre at 1pm, every second Friday. ■ 9311 9973
Football Taylors Lakes Football Club is seeking male and female players for all age groups from under-8s to under-18.5s. To be eligible, children need to be born between July 1, 2003, and April 30, 2015. ■ Julie, 0409 259 389
Female cricket Burnside Springs United is looking for players for its women’s program for the upcoming North West Metropolitan Cricket Association season. A friendly and welcoming environment, the club welcomes all abilities and ages. The side trains on Thursday nights and plays on Sundays. ■ ow.ly/WRGg50GCXrC
Softball Sunshine Softball Club is after junior players as the club kicks off its new season. The club is running a Come N Try Softball Batter Up program which is ideal for beginners, but is open to all new and returning players aged between five and 10. The program is a fun and engaging skill based program introducing players to the basics of our fantastic game with qualified coaches. Equipment is supplied. ■ http://ow.ly/TOez50GHXku
The series of images are available to view for free, and are presented by Hume Arts Youth Award 2020 recipient, Filipe Filihia. ■ https://bit.ly/3BTguQl
do seated or standing as suits. Currently running via Zoom, IPC Health will also offer face-to-face groups in Hoppers Crossing, when restrictions permit. ■ 8734 1400
Live music in Macedon Macedon Railway Hotel will welcome back guests to Annie Hall next year with gigs booked from January through to May. Head to the hotel’s website to secure your spot. ■ macedonrailwayhotel.com.au/live-shows
Toastmasters Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Toastmasters helps its members develop their public speaking, communication and leadership skills. The group meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month, from 7.20-9.30pm, at the Sunbury Senior Citizens Hall. ■ vpm-4185@toastmastersclubs.org
Volunteers needed 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. ■ Sue, volunteer@ms.org.au or 9845 2744
■ https://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/
Community/Whats-On/WilliamstownToastmasters-Club-Events
Diabetes support group The Westgate diabetes support group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at the Altona Bowling Club at 10am. ■ Elaine, 0415 030 996
Heritage walks Enjoy a leisurely two-hour walk around historic Williamstown and nearby suburbs with guide John. Walks start at 9.20am each Tuesday outside the Visitor Information Centre in Nelson Place. ■ John, 0418 377 336
Musicians welcome
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, and on Tuesdays at the St Mary’s Tennis Club rooms, 204 Grimshaw Street, Greensborough.
Do you play trumpet, flute or lower brass instruments? The Hobsons Bay City Band is seeking musicians to join its community band. Rehearsals are held Mondays from 7.30pm at the Newport Lakes Primary School, Elizabeth Street, Newport. Visitors and interested musicians any age most welcome. ■ Roger Lewis, hbcityband@gmail.com, or www.hbcb.org.au
Fibro/CFS Support
Singing group
The Sunbury Garden Club meets on the first Tuesday of every month. There is a guest speaker at each meeting, which starts at 7.30pm at the Sunbury Football Club. ■ Cheryl, 9744 1663
Expressions of interest to start a Fibromyalgia and CFS Support Group in Manor Lakes and surrounding areas. Connect with real people and share information, experiences, problems and solutions. ■ wyndham.fibrogroup@gmail.com
Join the Melton South Community Singers at the Melton South Community Centre on the first and third Tuesday of each month. ■ Sue, 0400 082 413
Senior citizens club
Dads’ playgroup
The Sunbury Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at the Sunbury Bowling Club at 7pm. ■ sunburyrotary@gmail.com
Senior citizens are welcome to visit the Sunbury Senior Citizens’ Club on Mondays and Fridays, from 10am-3pm at 8 O’Shannassy Street. A variety of activities offered – carpet bowls, cards, snooker, darts, board games or just a cup of coffee and a chat. Lunch subsidised. If you’re over 55 years of age and would like to meet new people, come along. ■ Frank, 0423 392 884
Tarneit Community Learning Centre hosts a dads’ playgroup every week on Thursdays. The morning starts at 9.30am and promises to be a chance for male caregivers to connect with each other and form new friendships. ■ Shaun, 0455 521 154
Symbiosis exhibition
BinGO MOVE
This stark series of photographs that explore the relationship between a mother and daughter, against deeper themes of death and regeneration in nature is available to view until Saturday, January 15.
BinGO MOVE is a social exercise group which meets every Monday at 11am. It involves a fun interactive game where bingo numbers trigger an exercise or dance move. Activity suits all levels of ability, you can
Deer Park probus The Deer Park Combined Probus Club meets on the second Wednesday of each month at The Deer Park Club, 780 Ballarat Road, from 10am. New members and visitors are welcome. ■ Don, 0409 191 580
Sunshine United Cricket Club Selwyn Park-based Sunshine United Cricket Club is looking for junior boys and girls to play in its under-11s, under-13s Friday night and under-15s Saturday morning teams. Juniors learn and enjoy the fundamentals of cricket, taught by experienced coaches. ■ Terry Nichols, 0418 392 180
Storytime with Santa Santa will visit the Sunbury Library to read a Christmas story on Monday, December 22, from 10am. This is a free event where children can take photos with Stanta and make Christmas craft to take home. ■ 9356 6900
Rotary club
Sewing group The Sunbury Neighbourhood House Social Sewing Group meets on the first Saturday of each month to chat, share ideas and sew. Beginners through experienced welcome. Sunbury Neighbourhood House, 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury 12.30-3.30pm.
Garden club
20 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 14 December, 2021
AL-ANON meets
Toastmasters meeting Williamstown Toastmasters club is here to help if you have a fear of public speaking, and want to overcome it. Williamstown Toastmasters meets every second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 7.30-9.30pm at Williamstown Town Hall. Visitors and guests are welcome to attend for free.
Melton South Knit & Natter All welcome to join this social crafting group, running at the Melton South Community Centre each Monday from 10am-noon. Bring along any knitting or crochet projects and work on them while sharing tips, learning skills and catching up over a cuppa. ■ 9747 8576
Zonta club meets The Zonta Club of Melton meets on the first Monday of each month at Melton Country Club, Reserve Road, Melton. ■ Suzanne, 0417 512 420
Mahjong group Interested in learning to play Mahjong? U3A Melton has a group who play on Tuesdays at 10am. ■ u3amelton.com or 0419 563 016
Please give us a loving home!
Hetty Ingleby
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Male Pomeranian X Sheltie Age: 14 years 11 months Percy is an affable boy. He loves his walks, car rides, cuddles and going to the park to meet other dogs.
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Female DSH Age: 12 year s H et ty is an af fe an d ju st w an ct io na te gi rl. Sh e en jo ys ts to sh are yo he ad ru bs ur ev er yd ay.
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Wombat Macafferty Male Wolfhound X Age: 6 months is smart and loving. Check out those cute ears! Wombat home. e activ fun, a for His paws are crossed
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As adoption of our beautiful furry friends is a lifetime commitment, there is an adoption process which includes a meet and greet, a property check and an adoption fee.
VICTORIAN DOG RESCUE Our Goal Is To No Longer Be Needed Victorian Dog Rescue & Resource Group Inc (VicDRG) has been proactive in animal welfare since organisation and registered charity whose goal is to stop the killing in pounds and shelters, by helping our companion animals in need, and promoting responsible pet to retrain dogs and cats that have been unfortunate enough to have a neglected background. We will keep a dog or cat in our care for as long as it takes. If we do not have a suitable foster carer we will hold them at commercial kennels until one is found. Please help our organisation continue doing what we do by adopting these beautiful pets. Are you a senior, have a health problem and can’t keep your pet? There are alternatives to the pound – please contact us
www.victoriandogrescue.org.au Contact us via email rescue@victoriandogrescue.org.au
Is Your Dog Getting Older? Your passport Your pet’s dog may not be to get home safely seeing well, getting stiff Dothe youjoints, know and the even 15-digit in a number of your dog’s or cat’s little crabby. There are microchip? If not, ask your vet many to scanthings your petyou and can note do the number. to make your dog’s life more comfortable. A lot every 100 numbers are not of older dogs, especially recorded on the database for various reasons, for small ones thatexample, live if your pet came from New longer, end up with bad South Wales they may be on a teeth. A good dental can showtheir up ingeneral Victoria. To check help health. your pet’s number is recorded correctly,Cataracts you can visit www.
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using vibrations or If you floor have general queries about thescents microchipping different on the system, contact us via email: walls. Most of all your rescue@victoriandogrescue. dog org.auneeds reassurance that you’re there and Trisha Taylor, looking afterPresident, him. Don’t Victorian Dog Rescue & give up on himIncbecause Resource Group he is old. You will be one day too.
Tuesday, 14 December, 2021 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 21
PUZZLES No. 059
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
9
1 2 3 6 9 8 3 5 2 4 6 9 8 6
5 8 4 6 1
7 2 9
5 3 1 2
4
6
2 7 3
Beverage powder (5) Moth or butterfly pupa (9) Island off the coast of Victoria (7) Musically poetical (7) In a state of disorder (7) Student (7) Thus (9) Black (4) Sulk (4) Male athlete (9) Having sharp corners (7) Grandmother (colloq.) (7) Nutty (7) Libyan capital (7) Arranged (9) Japanese comics (5)
10 11 12 13 15 17 19 22 25 26 27 28 29
4
8
No. 059
Designated amount (9) Roomy (9) Noblemen (5) Comedian, — Silverman (5) Relating to the surrounding area (7) Pay (6) Extended (9) Social exclusion (9) Actress, — Jolie (8) Continuing (7) Rainy season storm (7) Gambling house (6) A language (5) Frameworks holding goods (5)
3 4 5 6 7
ACROSS 1 4 9
8 14 15 16 18 20 21 23 24
DOWN Maximum limit on containment (9) Prevailing weather (7)
1 2
medium
7
QUICK CROSSWORD
DECODER
No. 059
1 3 9
2 7 4 6 3 3 9 2 7 8 1 8 3 4 7 1 7 4 6 2 3 1 hard
6 3
8 9 2
9 6
1
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
1
P 23
24
25
26
1
3
2
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Today’s Aim: 9 words: Good 13 words: Very good
3 5 2 7 9 1 8 6 4
1 4 5 7 6 8 2 9 3
9 6 7 1 3 2 5 4 8
3 8 2 4 9 5 1 6 7
4 9 1 8 2 3 6 7 5
H
N
L
B
G A
I
3 LETTERS ACT AID ASH ATE CAM EAT EEL FLU HAG ICE ILL INS LAB LED LOP LSD NAB NEE NUN PEA RED RIP RUT TEA TNT TOT
STYE TIDE TIES 5 LETTERS ABBOT ABYSS AGILE ALIBI APART ASSET BANKS BARER CROCS CROSS ENEMA EPICS ERECT ESSAY HARSH IDEAL
4 LETTERS ALAS BAIT BASS CLOD EATS EGOS FEDS ICED INTO PADS RASP RING RIPE ROAM SHOE
No. 059
SOLID STARE STARS TAMES THEME TRUES VIOLA
LEERY LISPS LIVEN LOOTS MACHO OBESE OPERA OUNCE PALER PAVED RASPS RECAP RIVAL SAGER SENDS SLEDS SLEET SLIDE SLOBS SMILE SNACK
6 LETTERS AMOEBA TREBLE 7 LETTERS ENTHRAL OVERATE
RECEIVE SEDATES TRELLIS TUMULTS 8 LETTERS ABNORMAL CHARISMA SERENEST TREASURE 10 LETTERS BRIGHTNESS EMISSARIES
aching, acing, align, baling, bang, BLANCHING, cabling, caning, clang, cling, gain, glib, haling, hang, lacing, lancing, lang, nigh
No. 059 Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down.
E N T
C A R E L O A T A R L Y N G E R
F E A
2 5 3 6 7 9 4 8 1
5 1 9 2 8 4 7 3 6 2 9 7 1 6 8 3 5 4
S
R S
7 3 4 9 1 6 8 5 2
8 2 6 3 5 7 9 1 4
4 8 1 2 5 6 7 9 3
9 6 7 3 4 8 5 1 2
5 7 4 6 1 9 3 2 8
2 9 3 8 7 5 6 4 1
8 1 6 4 3 2 9 5 7
1 2 9 5 8 3 4 7 6
7 3 5 1 6 4 2 8 9
6 4 8 9 2 7 1 3 5
6 3 1 4 7 5 2 9 8
3 5 9 6 8 1 4 7 2
7 4 8 3 5 2 9 6 1
1 6 2 9 4 7 5 8 3
8 2 3 5 1 9 7 4 6
9 1 4 7 2 6 8 3 5
5 7 6 8 3 4 1 2 9
22 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 14 December, 2021
QUICK QUIZ
1
What is the national animal emblem of France?
2
In what year was Ruth Bader Ginsburg nominated as an associate judge of the US Supreme Court?
7
The Meredith Corporation currently owns which social networking site?
8
What is the name of the upcoming open-world Harry Potter game? Caius Marcius and Tullus Aufidius are characters from which Shakespearean tragedy?
3
Timothée Chalamet (pictured) plays the lead role in which 2021 sci-fi film?
9
4
This year, Wongutha-Yamatji artist Meyne Wyatt became the first Indigenous artist to do what?
10 Which Australian sporting team’s away kit will not be available in women’s sizes?
5
Is the GeForce RTX 3080 a car, graphics card or camera?
6
Which UK reality show created its own "Covid bubble” to ensure filming complied with pandemic restrictions?
NOTE: more than one solution may be possible
S
R
17-12-21
T
6 7 8 5 4 1 3 2 9
4 8 5 2 9 3 6 1 7
T
G N
22
T
N
L
C
21
A
20
O A
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”.
C
Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com
F
9-LETTER WORD
18 words: Excellent
hard
19
medium
18
easy
17
1
16
4 6
15
9 4 8
4 1 2
B I Z K A VMC G F D J T
7 5
R
S X NWH L Y U E OQ P R
7
5x5
2
14
8 5 2
7
WORDFIT
ANSWERS: 1. The Gallic Rooster 2. 1993 3. Dune 4. Win an Archibald Prize 5. Graphics card 6. The Great British Bake-Off 7. Myspace 8. Hogwarts Legacy 9. Coriolanus 10. The Matildas
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Everest works on the big things By Derek Ogden, Marque Motoring Everest, the highest mountain on earth, is subject to constant change at the hands of the forces of nature. Similarly, the eponymous Ford sports utility vehicle has had several updates since its introduction to Australia in 2016. Everything about the sports utility vehicle – radiator grille, rear end, guards and wheels, even badging - was designed to make the SUV appear as big as possible. At close to five metres long, more than two metres wide and almost two metres tall, the dimensions also made for a spacious and versatile cabin capable of carrying up to seven occupants and gear in relative comfort. The seven-seat 4WD wagon came in three variants - Ambiente, Trend and Titanium – priced from $54,990, plus on-road costs, topping out with the Titanium at $22,000 later. The mid-range Trend cost $60,990. The MY19 upgrade took on a new-generation powertrain, which included a bi-turbo, four-cylinder diesel engine, mated with a 10-speed automatic transmission; and a raft of the latest safety systems and convenience features, as well as a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty and further service benefits. The Trend bi-turbo enjoyed only a small rise in pricing over the preceding single-turbo model. Now, in front of a completely redesign for 2022, the Everest, sports a new grille and premium technology, with the Trend 2.0-litre four-wheel drive, on test, leading the way at $62,390, plus on-roads.
Styling Ford Everest’s rugged appearance have all variants holding ground with any rival. The Trend scores features such as 18-inch alloy wheels and running boards, while the square shaped rear of many traditional SUVs is replaced by Everest’s sculpted tail lamps, with integrated LED lighting. Trend is further switched on with HID headlamps with auto levelling function, LED day-time running lights, plus hands-free power lift tailgate.
Interior The cabin is a genuine seven-seater. Flexible second-row seats have 60 / 40 split, and power-fold third-row seats with 50 / 50 split, can be folded flat, providing 2010 litres of versatile cargo space with a class-leading payload of up to 750 kg. Joining the features for Trend are leather accented seat trim (third-row occupants miss out), leather trimmed gear lever and eight-way power driver’s seat with manual lumbar support. Boot space in the seven-seater is a claimed 249 litres with all seats up and in use; 876 litres with the third-row seats down; and 1796 litres with the second row down.
Infotainment Standard Trend features include Ford’s SYNC 3 multimedia system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an 8.0-inch full-colour
touchscreen and 10-speaker audio system, The high resolution 8-inch colour touchscreen in the Interior Command Centre is one of the easiest on the market to view and operate. The up-to-date design of the instrumentation cluster, which incorporates dual 4-inch colour screens, is a competent companion. An AM/FM/CD audio system with DAB+ digital and 10 speakers is augmented by AUX/ iPod/ USB/SD card input ports. Voice control works with simple commands for many vehicle and convenience systems and emergency assistance connects drivers with emergency responders in a serious collision.
Engines / transmissions The bi-turbo diesel engine in the Everest Trend is puts out maximum power of 157 kW at 3750 rpm and top torque of 500 Nm between 1750 and 2500 revolutions. The package adds a ten-speed automatic transmission and has the option of rear or four-wheel drive.
Safety With a five-star safety rating the Trend pre-collision assist and pedestrian detection with the autonomous emergency braking system and traffic sign recognition. There are seven airbags, including driver’s knee airbag. Dynamic stability control with roll stability control, ABS anti-skid brakes with electronic brake force distribution, traction control and emergency brake assist are constantly active when on the move. Parking is made easy with the use of a rear-view camera, plus audible sensors front and rear.
Driving The bi-turbo diesel motor, which pumps out 157 kW of power and a fat 500 Nm of torque (10 kW and 30 Nm more than its predecessor), pushing the big SUV to new heights. Overtaking on the highway, for example, is only a matter of easing the accelerator pedal forward and the power needed is presented smoothly, making the sometimes ticklish manoeuvre a breeze. Gone is the fiddly old-style ignition key; replaced by push-button engine start / stop and new gear shifter. Fuel consumption topped 12 litres per 100 kilometres in mixed traffic conditions and 6.5 litres per 100 kilometres on the open road. Unique five-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels and sleek side panels emphasise on-road character, while generous ground clearance (225 mm) and 800 mm wading depth get the Everest ready for anything off the bitumen. Shortcomings - short being the operative word – rest with the rear seats, the third row, when in use, offers little head room for an adult making more than short journeys a chore. Getting in and out is quite a step up too. However, occupants have the advantage of dual zone climate control and more than 30 stowage spots totalling 48 litres (the glovebox can take a 16-inch laptop), while sound insulating materials and active noise cancellation technology make for a quiet cabin.
AT A GLANCE MODEL LINE-UP Ambiente 3.2 RWD: $50,090 Ambiente 3.2 4WD: $55,090 Trend 2.0 RWD: $57,090 Trend 3.2 4WD: $60,890 Trend 2.0 4WD: $62,390 BaseCamp 3.2 4WD: $63,090 BaseCamp 2.0 4WD: $64,590 Sport 2.0 RWD: $60,090 Sport 3.2 4WD: $62,890 Sport 2.0 4WD: $64,390 Titanium 2.0 4WD: $73,190
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Ford dealer for drive-away prices.
Summary Despite no longer being an Australian vehicle manufacturer, Ford maintains a large cohort of designers and engineers Downunder This goes a long way to giving Aussies what they
want in the Everest range, a fact destined to be emphasised with the release of an all-new model next year.
The Ford Everest is big on features inside and out. (Pictures: Supplied)
Tuesday, 14 December, 2021 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 25
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Lisolajski headed to Turkey for soccer showcase Young Sydenham Park star Zach Lisolajski is hoping to impress during a trial in Turkey. The 16-year-old is one of about 20 players who have been selected from across the world, to be involved in the Pro Soccer Showcase. The event is a tryout for players aged between 16 and 29, with scouts from across America and Europe looking for players to add to their squads. Zach’s father Dennis Lisolajski said it was a amazing experience for his son; only one of two people from Australia selected. Dennis is also the senior coach at Sydenham Park, which was in contention for the Football Victoria state league 1 north-west title when the season was called off. “There’s only about 15 kids invited from around the world and Zach is the only one from Melbourne.
Zach Lisolajski
(Supplied)
“They go into camp and train for two weeks, and then the squad plays games against Turkish heavyweights.
“Scouts from around the world are trying to pick players.” Dennis said Zach is the youngest player selected for the program. He said he wasn’t expecting his son to be overwhelmed playing against senior players. “We took a risk and promoted him to the reserves [at Sydenham Park] in 2019 as a 14-year-old. “We promoted him to the seniors in 2021. “He’s now classified as a senior player. He didn’t look out of place. He played four games in a row and the umpires named him best on ground in two of them.” The chance to test himself against some of the best players in the world, didn’t seem likely after Zach missed several years with injury. Dennis said no matter what happens in Turkey, they will be thrilled.
“We want him to go for it,” he said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity. “I know what he has gone through. This kind of experience is priceless and we are fortunate to have him at Sydenham.” Quietly spoken Zach said he was excited by the opportunity. “It was a complete shock,” he said. “I’ve been training and staying fit and kicking the ball with my dad.” Zach said playing senior football this year had helped him and it had been a really good environment. “It was more physical and harder, but I got used to it. It will help over there.” Zach said his previous injuries had made him motivated and he had one aim in Turkey. “I’m aiming for a contract. I want to go as high as I can.”
Eagles look to take off By Tara Murray Sunshine Eagles will get a clearer idea of where it sits in the Baseball Victoria summer league division 1 competition in the lead up to the Christmas break. After losing in round one, the Eagles have put together three straight wins on the back of some efforts late in games to win some close matches. Eagles coach Stuart Clayton said while it was a close competition, he admits the teams they’ve played so far are likely to be towards the bottom of the table. “We’ve got a couple of tough games in Upwey and [top side] Geelong coming up,” he said before the weekend’s match. “It will be good to see where we are before the break. It will be good to play the good sides. “The competition is really close, so a day off can cost us.” Clayton said the side had started to improve as the season progressed. He said they were hitting the ball better as each week progressed. A key for the Eagles had been the way they were playing out their games. Two of three wins they’ve came from behind, while the third was a thriller. They are currently sitting fourth on the ladder. “We pride ourselves on playing until the last out of the game,” he said. The side is set for a boost in the coming weeks with two key players set to return. One is Jeremy Young who is yet to play due to injury. Clayton said before the weekend that he was a chance to return for the weekend’s match. The other is Clayton Campbell, who is currently in America. “He’s currently in the states trying out for major league teams,” he said. “He’ll be back after Christmas. It’s fantastic and he’s a ripper of a kid. “He came down to Melbourne this year to get some experience and now he’s trying out for Major League teams. “He’s been working really hard.” Clayton said overall as a team they still had a fair bit of improvement to come. He said defensively was one area they had been working on. “We can definitely still improve,” he said. “We have some work to do and hopefully we’ll keep getting better.” Clayton said the vibe across the club had been good. Like the firsts, the other men’s teams still haven’t been able to hit full capacity with the bat. The club’s women’s side which has reformed this season is setting undefeated. In just three matches, they’ve scored 58 home runs. Clayton said from talking to others at the club, the women’s side has been really smashing the ball.
Josh Risdon has signed a contract extension. (Supplied)
Risdon re-signs with United
Tyson Cox Davies.
(Lee Dare/Sunshine Baseball)
The men’s side was due to face Upwey while the women’s team team was set to face bottom side Werribee.
26 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 14 December, 2021
Both matches were after deadline. For results of both those games, go to www. starweekly.com.au.
Western United vice-captain Josh Risdon will remain at the club for a further two A-League seasons after signing a contract extension. One of the club’s original players, Risdon has signed until the end of the 2023-24 season in a big boost for the club. The 29-year-old said he is delighted to commit more of his career to the club and continue to lead the group. “I’m very happy to be hanging around here at the club,” he said. “It means a lot to be at this club, we have a good bunch of boys and the club’s heading in an exciting direction, so I want to be a part of that. Being one of the first to sign at the club, and now being more of a leader around the group it was a big decision for me to stay, and that was obviously a big factor. “I feel like I can help the players around me and help the club do well in that leadership role. I’m very happy to be staying here, I’m very settled in Melbourne with my family, so I’m delighted.” Risdon, who has represented the Socceroos, said the faith the club had shown in him in offering him a new contract after not playing for 12 months, was a massive factor in him staying. Risdon added that he is excited about the future of the club. “We want to be making finals every year, that’s a standard where we want to be,” he said. I think we have the squad for that this season,” he said. “We’re still a young club, people forget that, but I think we have the ambition, the facilities and everything at the club to be successful.” Coach John Aloisi said Risdon’s re-signing is massive for the club and shows the club’s positive direction. “I am very happy for both Josh and the club that he’s put pen to paper and agreed to stay on with us,” Aloisi said. “Josh embodies the values of Western United every day both on and off the pitch. It was important for us that a leader like Josh remains at the club to set the tone and I know he will continue to be a huge influence around the place.”
Keilor Blues sign up West Indian international Keilor is hoping former West Indian international Miguel Cummins will have an immediate impact in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association. Cummins made his debut for the Blues last Tuesday in their T20 clash against Airport West St Christophers. The fast bowler has played 14 test matches and 11 one-day internationals for the West Indies, with his most recent international match in 2019. Blues senior operations manager Guy Barbuto said Cummins would be a massive inclusion of the whole club. He said it had been a four months process to get him signed and into the country. “We’ve been waiting to announce this for a while,” he said. “With the government and borders, it made us a bit tentative to announce it earlier.
“He wouldn’t be just massive for the side [first XI] but the whole club with his knowledge and experience. It will benefit the men’s, women’s and juniors.” Barbuto said they were expecting Cummins to perform with both the bat and ball. In recent times he has been playing County cricket in England while also playing in the Caribbean Premier League T20 competition. “He got out of quarantine yesterday [Sunday] and he’s already in the group chats. He’s had one-on-one chats with most of the side. “He has a wealth of knowledge and we’re expecting him to bring a lot with the bat and ball.” It was a tough start to life for Cummins at the Blues, as they were smashed in the T20 clash. The Blues were bowled out for just 78, with
Miguel Cummins. (Supplied)
Cummins making just one. Airport West St Christophers made the runs with ease, making 2-79 with more than nine overs remaining.
The inclusion of Cummins is a boost for the Blues, who sit 2-1 after the first three rounds in the senior division competition. Despite a loss in their last game, Barbuto said they were happy with how they were travelling so far. Cummins, Ryan Metz and Lucas Elliott are likely to come into the side this weekend to further strength the side. Barbuto said they had a number of key games in the lead up the Christmas break, which could set up its season. The Blues were set to face Druids and Sunshine United on weekend, with teams to play on Sunday to make up for the round one wash out. For the results of the matches, which were after deadline, head to www.starweekly.com. au.
Lions seek consistency By Tara Murray Taylors Lakes is aiming to close the gap between its best and its worst in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west competition. The Lions have split their opening four matches, but haven’t been able to put in consistent performances from match to match. Captain-coach Alex Deuchar said they were happy with where they were sitting after failing to win a match in the 2020-21 season. “Two and two is a nice place to be,” he said. “There’s been some tough games where we’ve been able to get over the line. “We’re starting to learn to win. Now we have to make the difference between our best and worst getting smaller.” The most recent weekend of matches summed up the Lions season so far. They had a really good win against Williamstown, but failed against Spotswood the following day. Deuchar said the side looked mentally tired, not used to playing games in successive days. He said that was something that can happen at times. “I said to the boys, they’re recreational cricketers, they’re not used to backing and doing it at that intensity too. “They’re also not used to winning many matches. The match didn’t reflect the quality in the gap between the two teams.” While the Lions added a number of key players, some of the younger players who were already at the club have been standing up. Deuchar said the younger players were benefiting of having experienced players supporting them on the field. “We weren’t looking to strengthen the side, but to add more experience. “Luke Denny, who is 19, made 92 and was able to bat with someone like Kaidin Jackson. “[Buddhika] Janith, myself and Trent Waring have added to bowling. Harsahib Singh, a 17-year-old, took five wickets in round one. “It’s the other guys who are taking the wickets.” The excitement building at the club isn’t just surrounding the first XI. The second XI have won two matches in a row after not winning one for 99 weeks, the third XI are undefeated after just one win last season, while the fourth XI is also on the board. “Last season we didn’t win a match in the top two grades and only one each in the lower grades,” Deuchar said. “When we won on Saturday, the first thing we did was watch the live stream for the second team. “The work ethic is amazing and everyone looks forward to the weekend and showcasing what they’ve been working on.
Montana Ham has been selected in the Vic Metro squad. (Supplied)
Four Jets girls get selected
Luke Denny bowling last weekend.
(Damjan Janevski) 258004_05
“Everyone is enjoying each other’s company and really positive about cricket.” Deuchar said the key was to keep working on the skills during the week to try and close the gap and put the pressure on the other sides. “We’ll try and enjoy every game and we’re
trying to win nice to get another three wins [before Christmas]. “That’s the aim and the ladder will take care of itself.” The Lions were set to face Melton, after deadline.
Four Western Jets players have been named in the initial Vic Metro girls’ squad for next year’s National Championships. An initial squad of 18 girls has been named, with others to be added after performances in the NAB League competition which gets under way in January. There was no surprise that Keilor’s Montana Ham and Aberfeldie’s Charlotte Baskaran were named in the squad. Ham played for Vic Metro this year as a bottom age player, while making her senior debut for Keilor. Baskaran finished top 10 in the league best and fairest this year, averaging 23 possessions a game. despite being a bottom age player. They are joined by Caroline Springs’ Kiera Whiley and Yarraville-Seddon’s Krystal Russell. There were no Jets players named in the boys’ Vic Metro squad, while the Vic Country squads were also named. For the boys’ and girls’ Vic Metro squads, work got under way this weekend. They were both at Essendon’s home ground, The Hangar, for their first camp, which included training sessions, medicals, footy wellbeing seminars, recruiter interviews and watching Essendon train. The squads will return for a second three-day camp in January to learn about preparation and recovery, GPS and training loads, and football-life balance. They will take part in two full training sessions, another craft-based training program and have first official interviews with AFL and AFLW club recruiters. Ongoing support will be provided in injury and load management and reporting and online education, as well as preparing for the national championships and creating links between schools and NAB League clubs.
Tuesday, 14 December, 2021 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 27
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