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2021 was meant to be the year that life returned to normal. Instead we found ourselves bouncing in and out of lockdowns as a new COVID-19 variant made its way to Australia. As the Delta variant took hold in Victoria, Melbourne earned the title as the most locked-down city in the world, notching up 267 days in lockdown since March 2020. Melbourne’s western and northern suburbs once again bore the brunt of Victoria’s COVID infections as the state’s third wave surged through households in Wyndham, Hobsons Bay, Brimbank, Hume, Melton, Whittlesea and Maribyrnong that were not yet eligible for vaccination. At the peak of the third wave, Hume, Wyndham, Brimbank, Melton and Whittlesea were the five most-infected local government areas in Victoria. But as more vaccinations became available, residents of Melbourne’s north and west turned out in record numbers to be jabbed, helping to halt Delta’s spread and enabling the city to reopen in time for Christmas. We look back at how 2021 unfolded across the western suburbs. As the state emerged from its first lockdown of the year, a five-day “circuit breaker” lockdown which ended on February 17, it was revealed that Brimbank’s aged care residents would need to wait to access COVID-19 vaccines, with the municipality’s facilities left left out of the week one vaccination schedule. It came as aged care homes with no recorded cases of the virus were prioritised. The last week of February was a busy time for Western Health’s Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital, which broke its own record for the most babies born in a day – twice in one week. Twenty-nine babies were born at the hospital n February 23, with another 30 babies born two days later. The hospital said there was an overall trend of increasing numbers of births, mostly likely because of the pandemic and lockdowns. In March, Brimbank council launched a

Jonathan Sorbello after his vaccination.

(Damjan Janevski) 249857_03

campaign to msecure funding to upgrade the Calder Freeway, calling on the state government to at least match the federal government’s commitment of $50 million. Also in March, the state and federal governments revealed concept designs for Melbourne Airport Rail, which left council concerned the Sunshine Super Transport Hub had been overlooked. The council said it was concerned that “airport rail is being treated and considered as largely a transport infrastructure-led project”, with no mention of the Sunshine Super Transport Hub in the designs. As the state entered its second lockdown for 2021 in late May, Brimbank residents turned out in force to COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites and local businesses were “on the brink” as the continued restrictions took a toll. An Environmental Protection Authority

report released in July revealed the Kealba Landfill hotspot fires have had a ‘high’ impact on the wellbeing of neighbouring residents. The report stated the risk of impacts to human health from air emissions released by the hotspots has been found to be low, based on air quality monitoring. However the impact to residents’ wellbeing was considered ‘high’. Melbourne was placed back into lockdown for 12 days on July 15. But the freedom was short-lived, with the city re-entering lockdown just nine days later. A vaccine blitz was launched in six Brimbank postcodes in September, with the municipality’s vaccination rates lagging behind the rest of the state. Brimbank was awash with red, white and blue in later that month as the west showed its support for the Western Bulldogs ahead of the AFL Grand Final despite fans being unable to travel to Western Australia for the big game.

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On October 26, Brimbank businesses, including the Derrimut Hotel, celebrated Melbourne’s reopening after the sixth lockdown. Hospitality venues and gyms were able to welcome back patrons while the wedding industry also swung back into action. In December, the community rallied around the owners of a food truck company whose business was destroyed by fire. Fire tore through Happy Camper Pizza’s factory in Braybrook on December 15, destroying a 1960 era food truck and severely damaging two others. One of the owners, Sonia Lear, said the fire was the latest blow after an exhausting two years and not being able to operate the catering businesses through successive lockdowns. She said support from the local community had made the owners and staff vow to continue on and find ways to give back.

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Life’s road trip record ed

Xiang Li.

(George Russell OAM)

Inset: Xiang

Australia’ s Deer Park outback has been last week in a new exhibition brought to . launched Self-taugh 5000 kilom t artist Xiang Li mad Australia etre solo road trip e a last year and used to outback inspiratio n for that The trip was her ﬁrst solo exhib as ition. anyth stayed in a vineyard ing but smooth – not long Li that burn ago car in a sand and was locked ed down outside her She said storm. female empthe trip was abou t self-conﬁd owerment and build ence ing “Life is just . like a road trip, never abou t and it is “It is abou the destination,” experienc t the people we she said. e we met and the On the trip, had.” she colle from her car for whic cted the red dust named. h the exhib ition is The exhib conjunctio ition, which is being run in be at the n with Brimbank council, Hunt Club will Centre in Com munity Deer Park until Marc Arts Details: au/red-du https://creativebrim h 11. st-exhibit ion-by-xia bank.com. ng-

Li’s artwo rk. (Supplied)

Crackdo wn on h oons

By Tara Mur

Tara Murr

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Brimbank on duty Highway last Mon crack ing patro day nigh down on surprised t, hoon drive l officers are rise in hoon fatalities. that either incidentsaid they were rs amid a meet recent Senior Cons s. The didn’t end A fema le in fema four occupants of table Aym police were le and three on Dalr ympl the after being was left with signi males, were Commodore, a 60 to 80 vehicattending hoon with e said ficant injur ejected meets, up wrap taken to people les in atten ies occu non-life-t hreatening ped arou from a car that a week. pants were dance, multwith up to Dela injuries. hospital people per car, you’re nd a pole ended hey. Two of the looking ejected iple times who turne in Kings “It’s unfo Senio at 450-5 d up. Park, belie r Constable from the car. In a secon rtunate, “Highway 00 said. it is expe d accident, Dalr ympl patrol was ved both four in the cted now, e investigato accidents out in force Last Mon “Both ” he Furlo vehicles were obser were hoon said they appe second accident was rs . -related. ared to be ng Road on ved racin were told who we were high speed on the freewThe car not far fromday, two serious g crash heading towa ramp near call crash well.” ay es, with drive The inexp the less rds Derrimutand Leading a hoon meet in Derr es occurred and cars split up on about 11pm. than 10 years erienced drivers rs Leading the Western imut. a short time as they have as expe Senior ConsSenior Constable “Seat rienc Ring belts seem later one e,” he said. Rod Hold Senior Cons Senior Constable table Dalr of the cars, Road to be an Lead table Dalr ymple, whoHudson and the en Commodore Hudson crack ing and ymple said back of a sedan, collid a black that ing Senior Cons issue too.” were both down vehicle trave 15 minutes polic table Huds on hoon ed into road. state and driving acrose were befor lling on the same into the pole, there e the first car on said cars that had a significan t database s the crashed atten Derrimut was a gathe -Lave on the Senior Cons ded hoon events. ring in the “There were rton area. attend hoon table Dalr ympl 150-plus e said meet cars, with about three $800 under couns in Brimbank those who can be cil laws, offences. on top of fined police OUT

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

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Deer Park Cellarbrations liquor store 809 Ballarat Road Deer Park Australia Post - Deer Park 827a Ballarat Road Deer Park Deer Park IGA 8 Hatchlands Drive Deer Park Brimbank Shopping Centre Cnr Neale Road & Station Road Deer Park Derrimut Village Shopping Centre Foleys Road Deer Park Coles Supermarket Deer Park Foleys Road (Derrimut Village Shopping Centre) Deer Park Deer Park Library 4 Neale Road Deer Park Burnham Real Estate Deer Park 93 Station Road Delahey Calder Real Estate 10/350 Taylors Road Delahey IGA Delahey 260 Taylors Road (Delahey Village Shopping Centre) Delahey Delahey Community Centre 80 Copperfeild Drive Derrimut Sunshine Golf Club 475 Mt Derrimut Road Derrimut YPA Estate Agents - Derrimut Shop 9, 20 Mt Derrimut Road Footscray Wards Newsagency 100 Nicholson Street Hillside Foodworks Hillside 49-69 Wattle Valley Drive Hillside Parkwood Green Community Centre 88 Catherine Drive Keilor Brad Teal Real Estate - Keilor 684 Old Calder Highway Keilor Daniel Real Estate 702 Old Calder Highway Keilor Keilor Community Hub 704b Old Calder Highway Keilor Keilor Newsagent 700 Old Calder Highway Keilor Keilor Retirement Village 868 Old Calder Highway Service Road Keilor Downs Centro Shopping Centre 80 Taylors Road Keilor Park Frank’s Supermarket 5 Fosters Road Keilor Park Ferguson Plarre Bakehouse Shop 32, 40 Keilor Park Drive

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Kings Park Westvale Community Centre 45 Kings Road St Albans Homes Group Real Estate 63 Alfrieda Street St Albans Westside Real Estate 1a Alfrieda Street St Albans IGA St Albans 18 East Esplanade 9364 3388 St Albans Barry Plant Real Estate St Albans 1-7 Elaine Street St Albans Sunshine Hospital 176 Furlong Road St Albans Joan Kirner Women’s & Childrens Hospital 176 Furlong Road St Albans ABC Real Estate 286 Main Road East St Albans St Albans Newsagency 304 Main Road East (9366 2273) St Albans Ray White Real Estate St Albans 308 Main Road East St Albans Raine and Horne St Albans 352 Main Road East St Albans YPA Estate Agents St Albans 67 Main Road West St Albans First National Eeal Estate St Albans 8/346 Main Road West St Albans Danny & Co Real Estate St Albans 352 Main Road West St Albans People In Real Estate 1 Princess St St Albans Stockdale and Leggo St Albans 9 Alfrieda Street St Albans Sweeney Real Estate St Albans 22 Alfrieda Street Sunshine Hocking Stuart Sunshine 134 Durham Street Sunshine Stockdale Leggo Sunshine 273 Hampshire Road Sunshine Thomson Real Estate Sunshine 3/473 Ballarat Road Sunshine Brotherhood of St Laurence Lvl 6, 12 Clarke Street Sunshine Bells Real Estate Sunshine 14 Devonshire Road Sunshine Sunshine RSL 99 Dickson Street Sunshine Barry Plant Real Estate Sunshine 271 Hampshire Road Sunshine GL Lee Real Estate

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

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2 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 11 January, 2022

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Rail plan ‘divides’ Sunshine APRIL 20 The proposed concept plans for the Melbourne Airport Rail Link will drive a “lethal stake through the heart of Sunshine”, according to a local advocacy group. The Greater Sunshine Community Alliance’s convener Stephen Torsi said the group was concerned by the plans which were released last month by the state and federal governments. The plans include a new bridge over the Maribyrnong River and elevated twin tracks between Sunshine and the Albion Junction. There was no mention of the Sunshine Super Transport Hub in the plans. Mr Torsi said community members were concerned by the information that had been

released so far. He said the alliance was concerned about two issues in particular: the omission of the Sunshine Super Transport Hub and the skyrail between Sunshine and Albion Junction. As reported by Star Weekly, Brimbank council has also raised concerns that the hub has been overlooked. The council has written to Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan about its concerns. “The fact that it looks like the super hub has been downgraded is a massive blow as a community,” Mr Torsi said. “We’re keen to work with developers and all the stakeholders and push back on something that looks like it will be second rate. “We want to make sure we get the best for

Sunshine, we don’t want just another track that divides the city.” Mr Torsi said the proposed elevated tracks from Sunshine to Albion Junction would split Sunshine. “They split Sunshine in two in the 60s due to bad planning and this goes further in splitting the city,” he said. “It drives a lethal stake through the heart of Sunshine. We will fight hard on this. Imagine the uproar if this was Toorak.” Sunshine Business Association president Vu Du said the group was “not pleased” with the plans.“There are massive developments and people are looking to build businesses in Sunshine,” he said. “People are relying on [the super hub] to

come to fruition. “The two shopping centres don’t draw big retailers and something like this would draw larger retailers, which would attract more people to the area.” A state government spokesperson said it was making unprecedented investments in Sunshine. “We’re delivering more than $20 billion in transport infrastructure projects that benefit Sunshine, making it one of the most important transport interchanges in Victoria – so we’re continuing to look at the wider transport precinct at Sunshine, and we’ll have more to say soon about this thriving centre in Melbourne’s growing west, and how the community can have their say on the project as it progresses.”

$50m Calder roads funding MAY 25

The Kealba Landfill.

(EPA Victoria)

High impact: Tip fire ‘harm’ revealed JULY 13 A report on the Kealba Landfill hotspot fires has found the fires have had a ‘high’ impact on the wellbeing of neighbouring residents. An Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) report into the effects of the hotspots, which was requested by St Albans MP Natalie Natalie Suleyman in December, was released last week. The report states that the hotspots were likely to be a result of oxygen, which had ingressed into the landfill due to the design of the cells within the former quarry, combusting with old, decomposed waste. The report states the risk of impacts to human health from air emissions released by the hotspots has been found to be low, based on air quality monitoring. However the impact to residents’ wellbeing was considered ‘high’. According to the report, between November, 2019 and May 2021, there had been 834

complaints made to the EPA about the odour and hotspots. “The EPA is aware of a high impact from landfill odour to some residents who live close to the landfill, which has had a significant impact on local residents’ wellbeing,” the report states. “Considering feedback from members of the community on the detriment the hotspots have had on their wellbeing, EPA considers the harm from the noncompliance to be ‘high’. “This correlates with an escalated level of rigour in regulatory requirements and compliance assessment EPA has placed on the duty holder through the five remedial notices and regular EPA inspections to progress remediation.” While the EPA recognises the impact on residents’ wellbeing, it said the likelihood of long-term physiological effects to result from odour exposure is very low due to the low level of concentrations of likely harmful compounds

“However, odour can cause short-term physiological effects and psychological impacts related to amenity and personal wellbeing,” the report states. “The human nervous system has developed to alert humans to avoid certain unpleasant odours associated with potentially unsafe food or air and trigger similar reactions to the gag reflex, or psychological distress. “Some individuals may experience symptoms even at low odour intensities.” The report was finished before the EPA announced its intention to suspend Barro’s licence last month. The report states that for the EPA to invoke its power to suspend or revoke a licence, there must be a sustained and significant non-compliance, a significant risk of harm, and the decision must withstand strong internal and external legal scrutiny, as any decision is subject to appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Brimbank council and the Calder Action Group have welcomed $50 million funding in the state budget for upgrades to the Calder Freeway. The funding will progress planning of safety and capacity at Calder Park Interchange and freeway upgrades between Gap Road in Sunbury and the M80 Ring Road. The federal government has already committed $50 million to the project – $400,000 announced in this year’s federal budget. Brimbank mayor Ranka Rassic said the funding was “hugely significant” and a “very welcome first step” towards fixing one of the most dangerous roads in Victoria. “Through our ‘Fix the Calder’ campaign we have worked hand in hand with community groups, local MPs, neighbouring councils and concerned residents to advocate for real change,” she said. “We are incredibly grateful that state and federal governments have heard our voices …Our community can now be confident, with this $100m commitment to essential planning work, that further announcements will be made in future budgets to finally ‘Fix the Calder’. For those who travel along the Calder everyday, and see congestion, delays and accidents, this is a huge win.” Calder Action Group president Russell Mowatt said the funding was much-needed and long-awaited. “We started this in 2012 and it’s good to finally get some funding,” he said. “One hundred million is nothing to be laughed at.

Call to move waste hub after second fire in just weeks AUGUST 31 Western suburb residents are calling for a state Waste and Resource Recovery Hub in Brooklyn to be relocated following a second blaze at the precinct in a month. The most recent fire was at Sims Metal on August 21. Fire Rescue Victoria said crews identified a fire in a hopper and piles of recycling products. It took 29 firefighters about an hour to bring the blaze under control. It followed a fire at Cleanaway on August 1. The Environment Protection Authority is currently investigating the Sims Metal fire.

An EPA spokesperson said the site was already subject to two notices requiring the operator to improve its processes and procedures. A resident, who asked not to be named, said there had been issues at Sims for a number of years. She has lodged many complaints with the EPA and Brimbank council, including after the August 21 fire. “It was reminiscent of a fire there in 2015 which was pretty big,” the resident said. “We’re all too familiar with it. “There’s been not only fires there, but explosions on the site and the noise emissions in recent times especially during lockdown has

been really bad.” The resident said she would like to see the business moved away from the area, due to the impact on residents. Brooklyn Residents Action Group’s Bruce Light went one step further, calling for the entire recovery hub to be relocated. “We have a human right that we should have clean air,” he said. “The dust in the area is consistently above the world health standards. “We need serious consideration of the adverse effect it is having on the community.” Brimbank council city development director Kelvin Walsh said council has little control over

the Sims site due to established existing use rights. He said the council continued to work to make the area safer for nearby residents. “The practices of some of the operators of these facilities continue to have significant amenity impacts on the surrounding communities,” he said. “In February 2016 council revised the strategy and introduced changes to some provisions within the Brimbank Planning Scheme which seek to improve the amenity and appearance of the area and protect surrounding residents and businesses from adverse visual, noise, odour or dust impacts.”

Tuesday, 11 January, 2022 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 3

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COVID survivor turns 100 JULY 20 Australia’s oldest COVID-19 survivor on Tuesday celebrated her 100th birthday, albeit in lockdown. Carmen Machuca was the first resident to become infected in the May/June virus outbreak at Maidstone’s Arcare Aged Care home. The second was her close friend in the next room, Jesus Guisande, aged 90. The two had lived together since arriving in Australia in the 1960s, along with Mrs Machuca’s late husband, Joseph.

Mrs Machuca and Mr Guisande moved from Sydenham into the home together. Both had received their first Pfizer jab before falling ill and both have made a full recovery. Mrs Machuca was born in the Philippines and is of Spanish background. She has one daughter, Victoria; three grandchildren, Nicole, Sam and Bryce; and two great-grandchildren Alexander and Leonardo. Nicole Gualtiera said her grandmother was only recently discharged from Northern Hospital after weeks of treatment.

“It was so random because she was one of the only residents that got it,” Ms Gualtiera said. “So, they just took her into the hospital and she was there for quite a while, up until a couple of weeks ago. “It did take her a long time to fight the virus. “Her body is quite old and she does have a lot of problems … it probably took her a lot longer than most. “The hospital was really good to her. “She was able to fight through it. “We’ve got a photo of her when she was

Frank keeps learning every day OCTOBER 12 Frank Brancatisano jokes that he will have to be wheeled out of St Albans Meadows Primary School. Having recently been recognised for 40 years of teaching, Mr Brancatisano still loves turning up to work each day. “It is very special,” he said. “There has never been a boring year during the whole time. Every year is different. “I just enjoy working with the kids and it’s an amazing experience. They keep me on my toes.” Mr Brancatisano said the key to teaching was not looking too far ahead, as it is always changing. He said there’s always new ways to learn and the systems are always changing. Mr Brancatisano started his career at Broadmeadows Primary School, before taking on a different role elsewhere. He then went to Bunswick North ,which presented a different challenge. “It was an amazing school,” he said. “There were 2000 kids there and three mini-schools. “There were a number of different languages introduced to the school. There were a whole lot of interesting programs running at the time, with the state government running programs to help people who had come from disadvantaged backgrounds.” Mr Brancatisano took those experiences to his next school, Niddrie Primary School, where he introduced language classes. He then stepped away from teaching for a number of years. “I took leave and took a break from teaching,” he said. “I experienced the business world with coffee and run my own fish and chippery. I came to realise how special teaching was and how I missed it.”

Uncle Graham (Boots) Cooper and Aunty Joyce Cooper were stunned to be named joint winners of Brimbank council’s citizen of the year award. Following the council’s Australia Day ceremony, Uncle Graham said they were ‘gobsmacked’. The two local Aboriginal Elders were honoured for their work in helping tackle broader community issues, advocating on behalf of the community, acting as role models and having fostered more than 87 children. “We thought we were getting an OAM [medal of the Order of Australia],” Uncle Graham said. “This award, in my eyes, citizens of the year is a bit better than the OAM … because, it’s the community nominating you and looking at you as community-minded people. The OAM is the government in my eyes.” Aunty

Amealia’s brave battle JUNE 15

Frank Brancatisano has recently been recognised for 40 years of teaching. Pic of Frank at St Albans Meadows Primary School. 251800_01 (Damjan Janevski)

Mr Brancatisano returned to Niddrie where he ‘retired’. As part of the old teaching system, teachers at certain point could retire and then come back on a contract. It opened up a number of opportunities for Mr Brancatisano to explore. “I retired on the Friday and they had me back on contract on the Monday,” he said. “I did PE for a year, library for a year. “I did more contract teaching in Thomastown, Keilor Views, Essendon North and Sunshine. “Eventually I arrived at St Albans Meadows.“ Mr Brancatisano fell in love with the school and eventually resumed teaching full-time. From there, Mr Brancatisano combined his passion of teaching, cooking and gardening. “It started with an electric fry pan in the kitchen,” he said. “The kids loved it and I

thought why not have a program. I spoke with the principal and administration… I got the support and put in a submission to the Stephanie Alexander Foundation. “I was lucky enough to be successful. “There’s a full kitchen, garden program, cooking and dining area. The kids are so wonderful here and it’s a holistic approach.” Mr Brancatisano said he had tried to keep the children interacted with the program while in lockdown. He said seeing kids in the classroom was what brightened his day. As for the future, Mr Brancatisano has no plans to retire - again. “I’ll keep going as long as the school feels I’m still contributing. “Whole experience is too good that I don’t want to stay away

Our ‘local heroes’: Top citizens recognised FEBRUARY 2

released from the hospital and she looked really happy. “She actually looked better than before COVID.” Ms Gualtiera said the hardest thing for her grandmother during the lockdowns had been not seeing loved ones. “The hardest thing about COVID is not being able to see her family and friends,” she said. “We couldn’t have her birthday party but will postpone and have one as soon as we can.”

Joyce added, “It’s been a lot of hard work, worthwhile work and we will continue to fight and do what we need to do for our children and our people within the western suburbs. We thrive on it.” In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Uncle Graham and Aunty Joyce continued to work with various service providers across Brimbank to advocate for the needs of Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders. The council said both elders had been pivotal in helping tackle broader community issues such as health, education, unemployment, racism and oppression; making many people feel positive and connected with the community. Uncle Graham said their programs were important in the community. “When we do our programs, it’s basically letting our people know who they are, but in the process and at the same time we are a multicultural country now. We’ve set the programs up to show the

4 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 11 January, 2022

non-Indigenous community who we are as First Nations people and we are going to continue to do that through our programs.” Otto Riddell was named the young citizen of the year for work inspiring and empowering youth across Brimbank through activities with the Crystal Queer program. Through the program, Otto has shared the journey as someone who identifies as being both transgender and asexual, and has empowered, educated and advocated for the LGBTQIA+ community. Otto is part of the headspace Youth Advisory Group and has not only advocated for positive change to the LGBTQIA+ community, but also for children at school and those who identify as having disability, such as autism. Council chief executive Helen Morrissey said Otto’s non-judgemental attitude and openness inspires others, both young and older, to see things from a different perspective.

Amelia Nesci is like most three-year-olds. She loves playing outside and going on trips to the supermarket, and is just as happy at home sitting on the couch with the Ipad. The young Sunshine resident now has a fight on her hands after being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Her father Anthony Nesci said that about a month ago, Amelia become very tired and was sleeping all the time. She didn’t want to eat or go to daycare and started to become really pale. A sore stomach then appeared. He and her mum, Nadia Cali, took her to the doctors, thinking she might have an infection, but tests proved otherwise. Constipation and worms were another two diagnoses as the pair sought the medical opinion of numerous doctors. After a blood nose that lasted for two hours, more tests were carried out and the family’s world fell apart. Amelia has already started treatment and is set to have chemotherapy for the next 12 months. Her cancer is the most common in children, with a good rate of recovery. Mr Nesci said it had been hard watching their daughter in pain. “She knows something is going on,” he said. “Slowly and surely we are picking our moments to let her know what is happening. Reading her stories about kids with leukemia and kids who are losing their hair. She’s asking ‘is that what is going to happen to me daddy, is that what I’ve got daddy’ my heart just breaks.” Mr Nesci said he wanted to encourage other parents to trust their instincts when it came to their child’s health. “That gut feel that is gnawing away in the bottom of your stomach, act on it,” he said. “Hindsight is a beautiful thing … There were signs there that maybe I chose to ignore, hoping it wasn’t as serious as it turned out. “I had always thought I’m a pretty positive person. I thought it was growing pains or something like that, or it’s just a phase. “I think I knew deep down there were a couple of things that didn’t add up for me.” Ms Cali’s best friend Laura Ward set up a GoFundMe page for Amelia. Originally aiming to reach $5000, more than $46,000 has been donated so far. To donate: www.gofundme.com/ f/4h24jhelp-amelia-beat-leukemia.

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COVID survivor’s living ‘hell’ MARCH 2 Peter Thomson wasn’t sure he would survive having coronavirus. The 61-year-old was already suffering health problems when the virus hit him hard last August, forcing doctors to make the decision to put him in a coma and on a ventilator. Peter doesn’t remember much of that first month in hospital fighting for his life. It would be six weeks before he was free of COVID-19 and he could be moved out off the coronavirus ward to a normal ward. More than six months later, Peter is still suffering the side effects of the virus and remains hospitalised. “I’ve been in hospital since August,” he said. “It was touch or go if I lived or not. I was petrified. “For a lot of people it’s [coronavirus] not just three or four days being crook. Those people are the lucky ones. “I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.” Peter described the past six months as “hell”. His once booming voice is now quiet as he struggles to breath properly. He has to use a wheelchair to get around. “It hit the lungs pretty badly, they weren’t 100 per cent beforehand,” Peter said. “Coronavirus will hit whatever part of the body that is not 100 per cent. “I’ve had bowel trouble most of my life and it’s made them worse. I’ve had blood clots and a blood infection. “My smell went completely and hasn’t come back after six and a half months. I’ve only got about 30 per cent of my taste and don’t really taste what I’m eating.” Peter also needs knee surgery, but isn’t sure whether it’s due to pre-existing health issues or due to the side effects of COVID-19.

Peter Thomson was diagnosed with COVID-19 in August last year and is still in hospital.

However, doctors have ruled out surgery any time soon because of the condition of his lungs. Peter said the long stint in hospital had affected his mental health, as he struggles with not being able to live his life. He said his depression has increased 10-fold since being sick, while the slightest thing makes him anxious. Survivor’s living ‘hell’ Peter, who was nominated for the Brimbank Citizen of the Year this year, said he was unsure whether he would be able to return to his community work. He’s currently unable to be part of the

(Damjan Janevski) 229489_01

Brimbank Register, which would normally involve him calling Brimbank residents for a chat. “The doctors can’t tell me if my voice will go back to normal,” he said. “I just don’t know what I’ll be able to do. There’s so much that is still unknown.” As well as the ongoing health problems, Peter is frustrated by the lack of information available about people who are still suffering. “People don’t know about it,” he said. “How many people are still in the hospital with side effects?

“You don’t hear about the numbers who are still affected by it. When you finish feeling sick, that isn’t always it. “It’s an extremely dangerous virus and it needs to be taken seriously.” He is looking to start a group for people who have been through similar situations. “If you’re finding yourself having side effects a few months down the track, go and see your doctor. There are still so many unknowns.” Peter is hoping to get into rehabilitation soon and begin the process of going home.

Summer construction in Melbourne’s west 11 January - 28 February 2022

This summer, crews will be working hard to widen the West Gate Freeway from 8 to 12 lanes. There will be 24/7 lane and ramp closures on the Freeway and at the M80 and Williamstown Road interchanges to get the job done. Plan your travel in advance – major delays are expected. Date Locations 11 Jan – M80 Ring Road (Altona-bound) ramp to Princes Freeway (Geelong-bound) 28 Feb West Gate Freeway outbound exit ramp to M80 Ring Road (Greensborough-bound) Williamstown Road inbound entry ramp West Gate Freeway inbound lane closure (above Williamstown Road) 11 Jan – Williamstown Road in both directions under the West Gate Freeway 14 Feb Williamstown Road inbound exit ramp

If you’re planning to travel through these areas make sure you plan your trip in advance and seek alternative routes. Major delays are expected.

Find a detailed list of disruptions at bigbuild.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

Tuesday, 11 January, 2022 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 5

YEAR IN REVIEW ... COMMUNITY

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Veterans’ sacrifices honoured APRIL 20 War veterans and local heroes were among those who were honoured on Sunday at the Aintree Walk of Honour. A special dedication service was held to mark the completion of the walkway, recognising local veterans and essential service workers, including police and country fire representatives, nurses, doctors and SES volunteers. The Walk of Honour spans more than 600 metres, with an eternal flame and reflecting pond inscribed with the Anzac Creed. The creation of the pond was the third and final stage of the project. There are more than 180 trees and just under 150 plaques commemorating the men and women who served, with space for future plaques and trees. The project is a collaboration between

Woodlea and the Caroline Springs RSL Sub-branch. The site was previously used as a signalling station during World War II. Woodlea project director Matthew Dean said it is a privilege to be able to create a memorial of this size within the growing community. “It is important that present and future generations understand that sacrifice of war goes beyond those who lost their lives. It is also about the families who are left at home without their loved ones, and those who return and grapple with the PTSD that lingers,” he said. “This project honours all of these people.” The $1.5 million project was funded by Victoria Investments and Properties and Mirvac and has been under construction for four years. The Caroline Springs RSL will have a dawn service on Anzac Day and be selling badges at local shopping centres.

The Aintree Walk of Honour.

(Supplied)

Helping the homeless JULY 27

Western Emergency Relief Network’s warehouse manager David Hall and volunteer Cath Connors.

(Damjan Janevski) 261093_01

Care in action: Keeping Victoria clean DECEMBER 14 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. 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

WERNstays 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.

Paradise 4 Kids is hitting the road in St Albans to help provide hot meals to the homeless and those in need. P4K director Jane Pallot said the aim was to provide people who are on the streets with a hot meal at least once a week. “In Victoria, job losses, rent rises, and benefit lags have severely impacted the vulnerable in the community,” she said. “There is a food insecurity crisis, people cannot put food on their tables. For this reason, P4Ks established a community kitchen, to go out into the streets of Brimbank and feed and nourish people in need. “Come rain, hail, or shine, we will head out and offer food relief, social connection, and referral pathways out of homelessness and poverty, to people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness and disadvantage.” To donate, sponsor or volunteer contact Jane at jane@pallot.tv.

Jane Pallot.

(Damjan Janevski) 244333_03

Sporting inclusion: Humble Hatzoglou praises his team DECEMBER 21 Chris Hatzoglou might have been recognised for his role at the Sunshine Heights Cricket Club, but the man himself says the recognition is for the whole club. Hatzoglou and his wider family have been drivers of the club for a number of years, with the club growing from 50 people to more than 200 from more than 30 different cultures. The work of Hatzoglou was recently recognised when he was named the winner of the 2021 Multicultural Award of Excellence for Sport. “The award is really recognition of the club,” he said. “It’s pretty honouring to have my name

out there, but it’s more about the club being recognised than me as an individual. “So many individuals over the years have made the club what it is today. They’re really created an environment.” Hatzoglou was nominated by the club for the award in recognition of his work. He started there as a player when he was 12 and has spent more than 30 years volunteering. He had a nine-year stint as president. His brother Nick Hatzoglou now has that role. Hatzoglou said the focus on making the club a multicultural one was something they have aimed to achieve for a number of years. “We are a real multicultural club,” he said. “Our parents were migrants … We understand it.

6 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 11 January, 2022

“People need a sense of belonging and that work never finishes. “There are so many different cultures, it reflects Brimbank.” Hatzoglou said the other thing that really thrills him, is the club has shown that you can have a real community focus, while helping others achieve their goals. Former test player Colin Miller came through the juniors, while Hatzoglou’s nephew Peter Hatzoglou is currently playing in the Big Bash with the Perth Scorchers. “You can have community focus and you don’t have to compromise the opportunities for people who really want to develop their cricket.” Chris Hatzoglou.

(Supplied)

YEAR IN REVIEW ... HEALTH

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Health worker’s plea to get jab SEPTEMBER 7 A Western Health worker on the COVID-19 frontline has spoken of colleagues’ fears of returning to a situation like last year and pleaded with people to get vaccinated. Kylie Fisher said Western Health, which operates hospitals at Sunshine, Footscray, Williamstown and Sunbury, had more than 400 patients hospitalised with the coronavirus in 2020 “I’m privileged to be able to work with a group of nurses called the critical care outreach team, the ICU liaison nurses at Western Health,” Ms Fisher said. “Last year they helped preventhundreds of admissions to our intensive care units by acting as an extension of the ICUs.

“They helped support our ward nurses to support our patients and our communities. “They would often come to me overwhelmed, sometimes in tears. “They were worried. They would come to work worried. “They were worried about their colleagues. “They were worried about how they would support their colleagues on the wards, looking after overwhelming numbers of acutely unwell patients – patients that we usually don’t see admitted to the wards.” Ms Fisher said staff were worried about their families when not at work. “They would go home after 12-hour shifts, long shifts,“ she said. “They would have showers before they would leave work “They’d

drive home, get out of their cars, get changed out of their scrubs in their garages, have a shower again, before they would go in and speak [to] or hug their families and their loved ones. “I saw tears. I saw exhaustion. I saw nurses consoling nurses. “I saw blood across the ridges of their noses and their ears from wearing PPE for 12 hours at a time. “Long shifts on their feet. “Kilometres and kilometres of k’s they’d clock up responding to emergency calls and calls for assistance on the ward.” She said staff would come to her and say thesituation was like nothing they’d ever seen. “These patients are young, they’re fit …

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

Geared up and ready to drive away the nerves AUGUST 31 A mini ambulance is calming the nerves of some of Western Health’s littlest patients before surgery. Young children who are set for surgery at the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital are driving themselves to the operating theatre in a remote-controlled car in a bid to make surgery less scary. The ambulance, which features lights and sirens and a walkie talkie, was donated to the hospital by Werribee’s

Smile and Ride Australia.\ Nurse unit manager Simone Cooley said children ride in the car on the last leg of the journey from the holding bay to the operating theatre. “They are often cold, hungry and scared and parents are also quite stressed,” she said. “It is a great distraction for all. “Staff often line the corridor and even though children feel like they are driving the car, more often than not, it is one of our staff members using the remote control to move them safely to theatre.“ Werribee’s Noyan, 3, drives himself to theatre.

(Penny Stephens/Western Health)

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Tuesday, 11 January, 2022 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 7

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU Briefs

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Education vital for Brimbank A new report from Victoria University’s Mitchell Institute shows a significant improvement in young people in Brimbank undertaking full-time education. ‘Children, Young People and Health in Brimbank’ report, released last Thursday, looks at the change in health and education outcomes in the region over the 10 years to 2016. Growing Brimbank, which has partnered with Brimbank council, has aimed to understand and address disadvantage within the community.

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Fatal crash in Brooklyn A 21-year-old Brooklyn man died following a crash in Brooklyn on January 6. It is believed emergency services were called to Millers Road at Primula Avenue to reports a motorcycle had crashed into a pole about 7.20pm. The man was taken to hospital but later died.

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A Summer vaccination blitz is under way.

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Summer jab blitz is on

Published by MMP Star Pty Ltd ACN 168 220 399 Head Office Corner Thomsons Road and Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park, 3042 Publisher/Managing Director, Paul Thomas All material is copyright to MMP Star Pty Ltd. Responsibility for election comment is accepted by Paul Thomas. All significant errors will be corrected as quickly as possible. Distribution numbers, areas and coverage are estimates only. For our terms and conditions please visit starweekly.com.au

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A summer vaccination blitz is under way, with Caroline Springs Leisure Centre to become a vaccination site. The state government said sports clubs, youth groups and culturally and linguistically diverse communities are among more than 200 organisations joining forces to get Victorian’s vaccinated with their third dose. The community organisations are part of the Victorian government’s Vaccine Ambassadors program, including clinicians, faith, industry, sports and educational fields with small grants that help the organisations support their communities to get their third dose. The vaccination third-dose blitz will roll out over this month, with up to 300,000 doses expected to be administered in the state-run

Love letters to summer in Brimbank

system alone to supplement the up to 600,000 Victorians a week able to be vaccinated through GPs and pharmacists. People are eligible for their third dose four months after receiving their second dose of a COVID vaccination. Acting premier Jacinta Allan said: “We know a third dose is the best protection against COVID-19 – that’s why we’re making it as easy as possible for Victorians to get vaccinated as soon as they can. “We’re working closely with leaders from all parts of the community, making sure all Victorians have the support they need to get vaccinated.”

A creative competition for Brimbank’s youth is now open with prizes to be won. The piece of work can be a short essay, poem, artwork or any piece of writing based on the theme ‘Love Letters to Summer’. There will be a writing workshop with author Olivia Muscat, 2-3pm, Wednesday, January 12 at Sunshine Library. Entries close February 28. FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Brimbank & North West Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

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Cafe’s serving up skills

Traders say get jabbed, be rewarded

NOVEMBER 23 Sunshine cafe and restaurant owner Hamed Allayhari knows what many asylum seekers and refugees are going through; no job, being able to speak little English, and struggling to find their way in the community. Mr Allayhari was in the same situation when he arrived in Australia. “In my country Iran, I was a chef,” he said. “We had one week to leave the country and we didn’t even say goodbye to my family. It was easiest to come by boat, as we couldn’t get a visa. “Coming to Australia wasn’t an easy decision. I lived in a detention centre when I came out here.” Mr Allayhari finally settled in Melbourne. It would be two years before he was allowed to work or study, and even when he was allowed to work he couldn’t find a job. He said receiving knockback after knockback was really tough. “They would say leave your CV and we will get in contact with you,” he said. “I didn’t give up, but a lot of people would as it’s the easy thing to do, not working and get government support instead. “They don’t feel part of the community and a couple of years later they become depressed.” Mr Allayhari started to volunteer at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre in Footscray, cooking meals twice a week. His food, Persian, was a hit and he would form the dream of owning his own place in Melbourne. He would find a job at Free to Feed, a pop-up cooking school where all classes are run by asylum seekers and refugees. It would then lead to him starting Cafe Sunshine & SalamaTea. SalamaTea is a not-for-profit social enterprise cafe that runs regular barista training courses to help

OCTOBER 5

Hamed Allayhari.

(Supplied)

incoming residents improve their language skills and find employment in Australia. Mr Allayhari has run 20-plus cooking classes, sharing his story to more than 2500 people, and runs barista courses twice a year while providing external English classes for his employees. The cafe and restaurant has become a home to many other refugees and asylum seekers as they seek to set up a life for themselves. “This is my way of giving back to the community and supporting refugees and asylum seekers,” he said. “It’s giving jobs to people who don’t have a reference or skills and are new to the country.

“We send them to english classes and get them to work in the restaurant and cafe.” Mr Allayhari said the employees will work for him for six to 12 months before moving on to new roles. He said many don’t know the difference between coffee types or where all the cutlery sits when they start. He said at times its challenging, but the customers and the partners, including Campos Coffee, support them. “We give customers the best coffee in the west. We haven’t had any complaints so far.” Mr Allayhari said he dreams of opening more cafes and restaurants so he can help more people.

Sunshine Business Association is looking to reward locals for getting vaccinated. The association will run an eight-week promotion, giving away $4000 worth of gift vouchers to spend at local shops. People can take part by sharing their vaccine photos via the Love Sunshine Businesses Facebook and Instagram pages. Ten randomly selected winners each week will receive a $50 voucher. SBA president Vu Du said the association wants businesses and retail to open up again, but to do that, everyone needs to be vaccinated. “Brimbank is one of the lowest vaccinated areas in the state and we want to help change that and reward our customers when they bravely get fully vaccinated,” he said. “We have had to cancel many events this year due to lockdowns such as the Sunshine Lantern Festival and the Sunshine Halloween Street Party, events that we stage for the community to visit Sunshine and enjoy our businesses’ hospitality. “To get back to what we love doing again we need to bite the bullet and get the jab now.”

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Back to school 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.

(Damjan Janevski) 226450_01

Back to school

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.

Applicants will need their own reliable vehicle for which we will provide an allowance.

Tara Murray

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.

“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

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Fire sparks call to arms

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YEAR IN REVIEW ... IN PICTURES

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2021 Through the lens Star Weekly photographers Damjan Janevski and Joe Mastroianni were out and about in Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs throughout the year. Here are a selection of their favourite photos from 2021.

Desiree caught the eye of Janevski during the Be Bold Festival in St Albans in April.

The sun boxes at Altona beach take on a different look when not in use. When viewed side-on, they look a little like a doggie training course. Rachel and her dashhound Ernie, were kind enough to oblige when Mastroianni asked them to walk through the boxes, resulting in this slightly quirky image.

In January, Janevski snapped this pic of summer holiday Wheel Intensive program coach Ludwig Schukin (front centre) and his students Kate Gilworth, Daniel, 14, Anna,10, and Edha, 14, during a class in Werribee.

Darley artist Anuradha Patel with some of her artwork.

(Damjan Janevski) 249677_01

Janevski captured this quirky image of performer Sermsah Bin Saad.

Mill Park comedian James Liotta secured the role of a lifetime in August, appearing on ‘Fat Pizza’ on 7Mate. (Damjan Janevski)

Stephanie Mfongwot – a Williamstown woman who escaped violence in Cameroon prior to making her professional boxing debut in July. (Damjan Janevski)

Mastroianni took this photo of Steve Weston with a mural at Werribee Bowls Club in November.

Flynn, 9, and Amelia, 6, at the Melbourne Airport viewing area as interstate flights resumed in December. (Damjan Janevski) 260894_01

Janevski captured this photo of Edgar’s Mission Farm Sanctuary community engagement manager Sophia Grewal with a piglet ahead of Be Kind to Animals Week in October.

Graeme Precious, Kris Siderov, Brian Parkinson, and Allen Williams took a ride on the Bulla Hill Railway in February as it returned to the tracks for 2021. (Damjan Janevski)

10 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 11 January, 2022

Manfred Zabinskas, who runs an animal rescue centre, with a kangaroo. (Damjan Janevski)

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The Arthurs Seat Eagle is a one of a kind experience right on Melbourne’s doorstep.

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Reaching for the skies Catching a gondola in the middle of the Mornington Peninsula may seem like a difficult task but Arthurs Seat Eagle gives the experience a whole new meaning. Rather than being on the water, the gondola chair lift is suspended high above the ocean, giving spectacular views out across the bay. “The Arthurs Seat Eagle offers a one of a kind experience - soaring high above Arthurs Seat State Park in our state-of-the-art gondolas, 314 metres above sea level. The stunning views from the gondolas extend across Port Phillip Bay to Melbourne CBD and beyond,” Arthurs Seat Eagle CEO, Matt Mulkearns said. Since 2016 the Eagle has been operating,

constantly changing things up to give customers a new experience each time they visit. The team have introduced in-gondola dining and the cafe menu is seasonally updated but it is the newly renovated retail store that has been an integral part of The Base, to help display the wonderful local produce the peninsula has to offer. “Our newly revamped retail store stocks products from the Mornington Peninsula - our emphasis has been on showcasing and supporting local producers, artisans, and businesses that give back to the community,” Mr Mulkearns said. But it’s not just the things the eye can

see that makes this the one of a kind tourist destination that it is. “We have a relentless drive to deliver safety excellence and use only state-of-the-art equipment and products - this has translated well in the era of Covid, as the implementation of an advanced TGA certified, instant contact surface disinfectant has given us a superior level of Covid protection and a leading technological edge in our industry.” The fully inclusive and accessible gondolas, designed in Switzerland, cater for all ages and abilities, allowing everyone to witness the bluest of blue waters in Melbourne’s beach side suburbs.

With discounts now on offer, there’s no better time to book this premium Victorian tourism attraction, the only one like it in the state. “We have just introduced a new Eagle Family Ticket to make the Eagle more affordable and cost efficient for families. An online ticket discount has also been introduced to provide better value and an incentive to those who book online.” Open every day except Christmas Day from 10am to 5pm at 795 Arthurs Seat Road, Arthurs Seat. Visit www.aseagle.com.au to book tickets or contact the Arthurs Seat Eagle team at info@aseagle.com.au or on (03) 5987 0600.

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Tuesday, 11 January, 2022 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 11

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

Keilor 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.

Women’s group 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. ■ 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

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

This week’s Through the Lens photo is stained glass artist Daniella Acciarito. (Damjan Janevski) 261724_04

Deer Park probus

This week’s Through the Lens photo is stained glass artist Daniella Acciarito.

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

guest speaker at each meeting, which starts at 7.30pm at the Sunbury Football Club. ■ Cheryl, 9744 1663

Senior citizens club Rotary club The Sunbury Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at the Sunbury Bowling Club at 7pm. ■ sunburyrotary@gmail.com

Symbiosis exhibition 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. 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

Live music at the Macedon Railway Hotel 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

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

AL-ANON meets 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.

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

Garden club

Musicians welcome

The Sunbury Garden Club meets on the first Tuesday of every month. There is a

Do you play trumpet, flute or lower brass instruments? The Hobsons Bay City Band

12 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 11 January, 2022

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

Altona North combined probus The Altona North combined probus club meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at Altona Sports Club. Includes a speaker, organised trips and outings, and a friendly atmosphere. ■ Lesley, 0414 481 442

Rotary club Singing group 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

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

Rotary Club of Point Gellibrand meets at Customs House Hotel, 161 Nelson Place, Williamstown, on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 6pm for a 6.30pm dinner meeting. Visitors welcome. ■ Pam, 0418 347 691or rotarypointgellibrand@gmail.com

Mouth organ band The Yarraville Mouth Organ Band meets Friday evenings at 203 Williamstown Road, Yarraville. Great music, friendly atmosphere. New members, players or beginners welcome. ■ Heather, 9399 2190

Zonta club meets

Rose Carers Of Maddingley Park

The Zonta Club of Melton meets on the first Monday of each month at Melton Country Club, Reserve Road, Melton. ■ Suzanne, 0417 512 420

Meets Wednesdays from 10am-noon at Maddingley Park, corner of Grant and Taverner streets, Bacchus Marsh, to maintain two beautiful rose gardens. New volunteers are always welcome – with or without experience. ■ Elaine Greenhall, 0418 171 119 or 0400 052 857

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

Melton Men’s Probus Club The Melton Men’s Probus Club meets on the first Tuesday of each month at the Melton Dart Club, 63a Reserve Road, from 9.45am. New members and visitors are most welcome. ■ 9746 0271

Family fun day The Altona North Bowls Club will be holding a family fun day on January 26. From noon, there will be live music, activities for children, sausage sizzle, refreshments and barefoot bowls. Gold coin donation for entry.

PUZZLES No. 063

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

4 6 2

9 8 6 4 4 5 9 3 8 1 5 9

1 8 3

7 7 9 6 3 9 2 5

QUICK CROSSWORD Police officer (3) Responsiveness (11) Erected once more (7) Word formed by letters of another (7) Armed forces (8) Dove-like bird (6) Televisions (abbrev) (3) Of, or relating to, Palestine (11) Differing strikingly (11) Hearing organ (3) Its capital is Moscow (6) Force (8) Decorate food with other food (7) Sickening (7) Reminding one of something (11) Used a seat (3)

11 12 14 15 17 19 20 21 24 25 26

2 8 9 5

Rapid (5) Ecologist (10) Modern Persia (4) Forming a mental image of (9) Of, or relating to, Israel (7) Arab state (5) Aid (10) Divide into parts (9) Compass direction (9) Quack medicine (7) Absorb, immerse (7) Tennis player Federer (5) Kick out (tenants) (5) Therefore (4)

3 4 5 6

ACROSS 1 3 9 10

No. 063

7 8 13 15 16 18 19 20 22 23

DOWN Pertaining to colour (9) Small smooth stones (7)

1 2

medium

8 7 1 2 6 4 2 5 3 7

DECODER

No. 063

3 3 8 5 4

1 9 8 4 7

4 2 8 6 1 8 3 2 3

hard

6 5

3 4 3

10 11 12 13

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

AGENT AGILE AGLOW ASHEN ASIDE ASSET AVAIL BELIE BLISS CAPES CHIDE CHIRP COBRA DOGMA EASEL EAVES EDITS FABLE FICHE FRONT GLINT

Today’s Aim: 16 words: Good 24 words: Very good

N H

4 LETTERS APES BEST CARD CLOT CYST FEET GEAR HACK MASK MEAT PATE RIDE TENS TEST

9 7 1 4 8 3 5 6 2

6 5 4 7 1 8 3 9 2

3 7 2 5 9 4 1 6 8

9 1 8 6 2 3 7 4 5

7 4 5 2 8 6 9 1 3

O A S T C U T E E D U X

C A R

N T

7 3 4 6 8 9 5 2 1

QUICK QUIZ

Which band performed the 1990s hit I’m Too Sexy?

What inspired the colour reference in the codename for the powerful herbicide and defoliant Agent Orange?

NOTE: more than one solution may be possible

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

N O T

2 8 7 1 6 9 5 3 4

4 9 6 3 5 7 8 2 1

5 3 1 8 4 2 6 7 9

8 5 2 1 4 3 9 6 7

5 6 8 7 1 2 4 3 9

4 1 7 9 3 8 6 5 2

No. 063

8 6 9 4 3 1 2 5 7

GOOFY GRABS HARMS ISLAM LEARN LOSES MARES MERES MIRED MUFFS OBESE RABBI READY ROOTS SENSE SHARE SKIMS SLATE SLEET SLEPT SOLAR

SPORT STACK STYLE SUITE SWEAR TENSE TERMS

7 LETTERS BESEECH BETTORS FLASHER LESSENS PEASANT PENSIVE

6 LETTERS CHEATS EMERGE ENSIGN WHILST

8 LETTERS DOMINOES ENDORSED FORTIETH HABITUAL

14-01-22

No. 063

ante, anted, anti, band, bandit, bane, bean, behind, bend, bent, bind, dean, dent, detain, dine, dint, entia, hand, hind, hint, hinted, indite, inhabit, INHABITED, neat, tend, than, thane, then, thin, thine, tine

1 2 3 9 7 5 4 8 6

1 9 6 2 7 5 3 8 4

5 LETTERS AGAIN

4 5 8 9 2 6 7 3 1

6 2 3 1 7 5 8 9 4

3 1 6 5 4 7 9 2 8

9 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 8

6 8 1 3 9 7 2 4 5

3 4 9 5 2 1 8 7 6

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”.

7 9 4 2 1 8 6 5 3

2 8 5 3 6 9 4 1 7

1 6 2 7 5 4 3 8 9

8 4 9 6 3 2 1 7 5

5 3 7 8 9 1 2 4 6

2 7 5 8 6 4 1 9 3

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

9-LETTER WORD

32 words: Excellent

hard

medium

easy

9 3

3 LETTERS AGE AGO ASH AVO BEE BET CHI CPA DIP EKE EWE FEE GEE HER HES ILK INS LAD LEE MEN RAG RID TEE UGH

F P BM T D A K R OU J Z

S C X E H V QWN L Y G I

5x5

2 3 2 4

1 9

WORDFIT

Does Kakadu National Park include about one quarter, one third or one 10th of Australia’s bird species?

Which TV personality fought his local council for the right to have a large glass mural of Pamela Anderson (pictured) on the front of his house?

Does the Murray-Darling Basin cover approximately 7 per cent, 14 per cent or 21 per cent of the total area of Australia?

What is unique about the group of mammals known as monotremes?

In which country did golf originate?

Beginning with ‘s’, what word means “the act of talking to oneself”?

In what year was the video game Pac-man released in Japan?

10 Is the book Memoirs of a Geisha fiction or non-fiction?

ANSWERS: 1. Right Said Fred 2. The barrels it was shipped in had orange stripes 3. One third 4. Sam Newman 5. 14 per cent 6. They lay eggs 7. Scotland 8. Soliloquy 9. 1980 10. Fiction

SUDOKU

Tuesday, 11 January, 2022 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 13

2022 THE ASTROLOGICAL YEAR AHEAD with Sudhir

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20) The Ram: Fire – Spirit – Outgoing

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20) The Bull: Earth – Matter – Fixed

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21) The Twins: Air – Ideas – Changeable

Love

With the asteroid Chiron slowly making it’s way through Aries over the course of the year, there’s a strong focus on healing. In matters of the heart, this has to do with slowing down and honouring the deep sensitivity required to do no harm in love. Opportunity in matters of the heart will certainly come your way, as Jupiter spends time with you from May through to October, but you will have to open up to the tenderness required for the flame to fully ignite.

You have a very large unruly guest in your midst by the name of Uranus. The function of Uranus is to liberate us. The question is whether we want to be liberated. In the realm of love, Uranus is going to shake things up, like a farmer shakes up the soil to make it more alive. Truth liberates. In matters of love, the presence of fearless truth will deepen your connections. If love can’t bear the presence of truth then it needs to be reviewed and renewed.

In matters of the heart, the strongest influence will be coming your way from Neptune, who is in Pisces. You love dancing around in the world of ideas. Anyone who comes close to you, will have to fall in love with your busy-ness, your curiosity, and your sense of play. Neptune in Pisces will lean on you to open up to a depth of feeling, and a depth of longing, that is presently out of your range. See this as an opportunity to explore parts of yourself that are unknown.

Money

Jupiter will be in Aries from May through to October. Jupiter is the planet of expansion, luck, good fortune, and opportunity. The omens are clear. This is the time of the year when you can expect the greatest support from the cosmos, to get that project that you have been treasuring in your imagination, over the line. The key will be to align your sensitivity and intuition with your enthusiasm and bravado. By engaging both you will be unstoppable.

The presence of disruptive Uranus in Taurus, means that those who are able to adjust quickly to a constantly-changing environment, will prosper. If you try to dig your roots in when the sands are shifting, you will suffer all the indignities that come from being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Remember, Uranus is here to set us free. Any disruption that he brings is with that in mind. Bulls aren’t always the most manoeuvrable of animals. Work on your flexibility.

By upping your skill levels, money will eventually come and find you. Focus on finding excellence in whatever it is that you do. You will know you have it when your work, craft, art, or trade begins to bring you waves of joy. There are a lot of disruptive forces at play in the world at large as we speak. As flexibility is built into your hard-drive, you are well positioned to thrive. Change is a food that nourishes you, whereas for others it just breeds anxiety.

Direction

We are living in interesting times. All of our institutions are in a process of regeneration and renewal. It would be all too easy to focus on what’s falling apart, but the reality is that this moment in history contains the seeds of great possibility, providing we can have our wits about us. Even as Pluto sets this up, and Uranus continues to provide us with unexpected shocks, your job is to keep dusting yourself off and staying true to your naturally-optimistic spirit.

The North Node of the Moon, or the Head of the Dragon, is moving through Taurus for the whole of next year. The North Node is like a big magnet, pulling us forward into fresh adventures and unknown pastures. This, along with Uranus, is setting you up for journeys into unknown places, both in your external world and in your being. The moment you get comfortable with change, you will find a different kind of security and safety that is wild and free.us with unexpected shocks, your job is to keep dusting yourself off and staying true to your naturally-optimistic spirit.

Pluto is breaking down societal structures, in order to renew them. As long as we remember the renewal part, then these crazy days will prove to be potent and creative. Uranus in Taurus keeps sending all sorts of shocks through our culture, mostly via the media. The true nature of the various traditions we live in is being revealed for what it is. You have a natural affinity for media, messages, and communication. This coming year you will have an effect by speaking clearly.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22) The Crab: Water – Feeling – Outgoing

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22) The Lion: Fire – Spirit – Fixed

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22) The Virgin: Earth – Matter – Changeable

Love

Over the coming year, and in spite of all the shifts and changes going on around you, you will find yourself feeling more and more steady in your heart and soul. This very much goes for your world of affection. As a child of the Moon, your moods and emotions will always be in flux. That’s the nature of water signs such as Cancer. Disruptions should take love deeper. If they don’t, then now is the time to learn how to turn ruptures into fields of opportunity.

You are a creature of the Sun. Whatever goes down, you are always going to be looking at ways to shine your light. Interestingly, when it comes to looking into the year ahead, there is always a parallel theme of regeneration and renewal at play. Love will invite you to put your ego aside, and yet shine. In attempting to do both, you will find a deeper love and a deeper light; one that isn’t dependant on other people’s approval in order for you to shine.

Neptune is in Pisces, directly opposite Virgo. Neptune and Pisces are everything that Virgo isn’t. Where you love groundedness, rhythm and plans, both Neptune and Pisces choose intuition. Where you are pragmatic, Neptune and Pisces are imaginative. In love, this means that you are likely to be flooded by waves of feeling that hold great possibility but make no sense to your logical mind. Your soul is calling for experiences that are overwhelming in their beauty.

Money

Around money and finances, you are always going to be driven by a pull to comfort, safety and nourishment. That’s your nature. Within a context of deep societal change, as we are experiencing now, this becomes a powerful challenge. Jupiter will be in Aries from May until October. During this time fortune will shine on those who are willing to turn their ideas into action. He will spend the rest of the year in Pisces. Use your intuition as well as your energy.

In matters of money, it is worth noting that you are presently being challenged by the presence of Saturn in your opposite sign, Aquarius. This means that life will lean on you to balance your needs with the needs of the community around you. A community that allows no individuality would be robotic and cold. To go with individuality alone, and ignore community, would inevitably end up being harsh and unkind. Factor this into your financial decisions. You are not alone.

As you sift, sort, research, and analyse, so life defies you. We are in a period of extraordinary change. Uranus is shaking up the market’s tectonic plates. Pluto is regenerating and renewing cultural and economic norms. These are reflected in the presence of climate change, a pandemic, and loud voices from the right and left that want everybody’s attention, no matter what. Neptune in Pisces is challenging you to dare to dream. Imagine, and enact a positive vision.

Direction

With Pluto travelling ever so slowly through your opposite sign, Capricorn, you are being faced with a constant challenge. Pluto is dismantling various rigidities that have crept into our culture, opening up the possibility of regeneration and renewal. The temptation is to give into fear. The better option is to trust your feelings and work at finding the opportunities and possibilities that are present, should one wish to find them. Bring your love to bear in matters that matter.

There are a few very influential planets working to bring your passions to ground. To burn passionately without having one’s feet on solid ground, is to self-immolate. Nobody wants that. Fire needs a hearth to contain it, otherwise it becomes a wildfire, invoking danger and damage. Saturn in Aquarius is a part of this equation. Saturn is the cosmic handbrake. To slow down and be ever more aware of the implications of our actions is a good thing. Go with it.

As an earth sign, you love it best when there is solid ground beneath your feet. Uranus is shaking your foundations. Pluto in Capricorn is also on a cosmic mission to regenerate structures that are becoming damaging or irrelevant. Of all the earth signs, you are the one most likely to be able to adapt to change. This will only happen if you take time out from trying to figure out all the details and, instead, step back and look at the big picture. Be ahead of the game.

The outer planets provide the deep underlying pulse of the year ahead. Let’s begin with Pluto, the most distant. Pluto brings regeneration and renewal. He is in Capricorn. He is breaking down old structures so they can be rebuilt in more life-affirming ways. Neptune is next. He symbolises our longing to melt into life’s flow, in love or meditation. He is in Pisces, the sign of bliss, inviting us to honour our need for soulful or spiritual experience. Uranus follows. Uranus’ function is to liberate us. He is in Taurus, the sign of money, resources and pleasure. Uranus is rattling our addiction to unsustainable comforts. He is waking us up to that feeling of aliveness that comes when our lives are in flux. Saturn follows. His job is to keep us real. He is in Aquarius. He will make us consider our various ideas of freedom, some of which are narcissistic, and some of which honour the fact that we are connected to a web of community that demands care. Jupiter, the last piece in the puzzle, will shift between Pisces and Aries. Jupiter provides a sense of possibility and optimism. In Pisces, he will encourage us to be more soulful. In Aries he will nudge us to get out there and have a go at making our most heartfelt dreams real.

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23) The Scales: Air – Ideas – Outgoing

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21) The Scorpion: Water – Feeling – Fixed

Love

Venus is your guiding planet; and love is your driving force. You hold a lot more sway than others might imagine. It is time to bring your love out into the world at large, and let it impact on the work you do, and the people you have around you. Romance is important but it’s not enough to silo it into one small part of your life. Shine your love wherever you go and who ever you cross paths with. The more you share it, the more love will come back to you.

Ruled as you are by the planet Pluto, who is presently in Capricorn, your love-life is always going to be an on-going journey of re-invention and renewal.Your propensity for secrets is equal to your love of bringing that which is hidden out into the light. The South Node of the Moon is moving through Scorpio offering you a golden opportunity to shed the skin of old habits and patterns that keep you in less than nourishing loops. Relax your hold and let love do its thing.

You are ruled by two passions. One is to figure out how to make sense and meaning out of all the crazy things that life throws at us. The second is to get out and see the world. The South Node of the Moon has now left you alone. In love, you no longer have the feeling that some sort of an old snag is holding you back. Jupiter is in Pisces for some of the year, deepening your need for immersive emotional experience. Love will alternate between intimacy and adventure.

Money

Your ruling planet Pluto, is interestingly named after the Greek God of precious gems and minerals, hidden deep beneath the earth. You are less likely to be distracted by all the ructions going on in the economy, and the surrounding culture, than most. Your instinct for transformation and change, and the wealth that can arise from riding such waves, is well-honed. Watch for old habits that can keep you locked in repetitive cycles. Reinvent yourself as often as required.

Jupiter, your guiding planetary light, dips in and out of Pisces and Aries. It is in Aries between May and October. While it is there, you will be prone to stepping into action, even if you don’t know what the effects will be. There is no harm in allowing your adventurous self open slather. Your adventurousness and optimism will bring you good fortune in the long run. It always does. Outside of this time, lay low and do all the contemplating that you need to do.

Direction

There are powerful shifts, changes and challenges afoot in the world we live in. Tempted as you are to glide over the top of such things, this is not going to be possible this time around. In fact, your capacity for connection, and your passion for the just and the beautiful, is sorely needed in the world at large. Honour your voice. Know your worth. As you do so, your authority will start to shine. A powerful positive vision is needed to balance out the negativity that is around.

You are the Master, or Mistress, of Transformation. Whenever things go awry, you are hard-wired to create gold from seemingly insoluble mayhem. With Uranus shaking our collective foundations, it is your job to find alternate openings. If you aren’t engaged in the work of renewal, you aren’t following your implicit destiny. Old solutions won’t work. Ingenuity and courage are vital now. Under pressure, you have the capacity to tap into both in bucket loads. Use your courage to regenerate, creatively, emotionally, and practically this year.

With Jupiter jumping between sensitive, contemplative Pisces and gung-ho Aries, you are invited to bring both your sensitivity and your rambunctiousness to the table. If you get stuck in one or the other, you will only be half the person you are meant to be. Endless, oceanic contemplation, with no fire or passion, leads to brackish lethargy. Pure passion, with no sensitivity or awareness, would only singe your senses. Be wild and intuitive both, as you gallop forth into life.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19) The Goat with the Fishes Tail: Earth – Matter – Outgoing

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18) The Water-bearer: Air – Ideas – Fixed

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20) The Fishes: Water – Feeling – Changeable

Money is very rarely the driving force for Librans, unless it can lead to a deepening of beauty or justice in the world. Still, we all have to deal with it’s presence in our lives. With Jupiter in Aries from May to October, the cosmos is challenging you to get off the fence and make one of those decisions you have been avoiding in secret for way too long. As you step into action, so your strength comes to the fore and your gifts are shared. Moving your energy will enrich you.

Direction

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21) The Centaur: Fire – Spirit – Changeable

Love

The year begins and ends with Venus in your midst, which bodes well for love, as long as you don’t get too distracted for the rest of the year. Pluto is near the end of his sixteen-year transit of Capricorn. He has well and truly done the work of breaking things down. Now his focus is on planting new seeds and encouraging renewal. Let this be the journey of your love-life, too. This year and the next are for rejuvenating those parts of you that have done it tough.

Saturn is the key driver in your love-life. He is in Aquarius and, ironically, is associated more with the brakes than the accelerator. Saturn’s message is always to slow down, stop, and get real. This means getting out of the torturous trap of idealising love to such a degree that nothing and no-one satisfies. Drop the ideal and be with what’s real. Once you start to enjoy this and stop fighting with it, you will discover a flowering field of affection right before your eyes.

With Neptune travelling through Pisces, the flavour of love that suits you best, is one that is immersive, overwhelming and spiritually blissful. Pleasure is not enough for a Pisces; you want ecstasy and nothing less. This is a powerful current to be swimming in, but that’s how you like it. The danger is that you sacrifice your ego on the wrong altar. When you get it right, you get access to the kinds of feelings poets sing about. Offer yourself fully to love, with awareness.

Money

It’s a volatile and changing marketplace. To put down solid roots, one needs to have a real sense of the positive potentials of a changing future. To be stuck in rigid orthodox patterns won’t give you the flexibility to change course when you need to. There’s a wildness to goats that is present in goat-people. Know where vitality and vibrancy is. That’s where you will find the most interesting possibilities. You are pragmatic enough not to be led up any dubious trails.

Your focus is very much on gathering your resources and getting your foundations down. These are tricky times for doing this. Your great skill, of course, is to think outside the box, and go about things in unorthodox ways. As Uranus in Taurus continues to unsettle all those institutional systems that we once thought were sacrosanct, so your ability to function from left-field is a godsend. Saturn will ensure that you slow decisions down and don’t be reactive.

The world needs visionaries. The most successful entrepreneurs are usually those who have dared to have a vision and who have dared to trust their intuition. It takes courage to go down this path. With Neptune travelling through Pisces, and joined by Jupiter till May and then again after October, all the omens are in place for you to ride a great breaking wave. Waves can be fickle things. Be sure to have your wits about you, and a good accountant close by, for reality checks.

Direction

There are a lot of things happening in the world that could easily lead to one descending into a dystopian mindset. Pluto, in Capricorn, has been breaking things down on all levels. Pluto does this in order to create anew. Those with even one optimistic bone in their body, should be looking at the creative possibilities of this time, rather than fighting tooth and nail for what is now long gone. Pluto has pretty much done his work. Invest in a regenerative future.

You are beholden astrologically to both Saturn and Uranus. Saturn’s job is to slow things down and keep them steady. Uranus’ role is to shake things up and set us free. Your task is always to figure out how to fly high with your feet planted on solid ground. As the ground shakes beneath your feet this year, so the whole idea of what liberation really is, comes to the fore. You love community and you are an advocate for individuality. Get creative. Put the two together.

The presence of Neptune in Pisces is a profoundly powerful placement. Take all the qualities of Pisces and dial them up to ten. Neptune and Pisces are symbols of humanity’s spiritual thirst. Everybody feels the feeling of separation in one way or another; and everybody craves the feeling of integration, in whatsoever form it may take. It’s a valid thirst. Let yourself feel it and it will guide you where you need to go. Never be ashamed of the deep currents flowing through your heart.

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Tuesday, 11 January, 2022 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 17

YEAR IN REVIEW ... SPORT

Western United will have a W-League team in 2022-23.

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

(Supplied)

United realises W-League dream SEPTEMBER 14 For a young club, Western United has some big dreams. About to start its third A-League season, the club has been busy in the background to ensure there is a platform from the ground up for both males and females in the western suburbs. The next stage in the development is on track, with the club to field a W-League side from the 2022-23 season. The club had been vocal about its desire to add a top league women’s side, having formed a partnership with National Premier League Women’s side Calder United, and recently setting up a female development squad. The announcement of United’s W-League side was exactly what Adriana and Melissa Taranto wanted to hear. The twins have been in the Victorian system for a number of years, signing with Melbourne Victory when they were 15. While they have not been part of a W-League club the past couple of years, they said the announcement of a new club in Melbourne’s west was exciting. Both have their sights focused on a spot in United’s inaugural squad. “It is so exciting,” said Adriana. “Especially after the last few years we’ve had with soccer. “In the past two years we’ve played 10 games of soccer due to the lockdown. “It’s so exciting for Victoria and across Australia as it gives so many young girls the opportunity.” Mel added: “It’s good news for everyone”. The duo, who play for Calder United, are both part of Western United’s development squad and say the work the club has done with the squad and Calder United has been amazing. The 22-year-olds believe they are now ready for a real crack at the W-League after struggling a bit while at Melbourne Victory. “We’ve grown up a lot since then,” said Adriana. “We were like deers in the headlights and I admit I don’t think I handled it well. We were still young and playing against the likes of Sam Kerr.” Mel said that experience showed through at the one development squad session they had, where they felt a lot more comfortable than some of the younger girls. Western United’s head of female football, Amanda Stella, said she didn’t imagine that there would be a W-League team in Melbourne’s west so soon. Stella came on board at Western United last year after the club formed a relationship with Calder United, of which she is president. “I thought maybe in the long-term future we would see a side,” she said.

The first development squad session.

(Supplied)

“I think it’s because of Western United’s commitment to the female game, females in general, they’ve fast tracked this in our community. “The investment, the publicity and the opportunity they have already given to players of the west, players of Calder, is amazing and that hasn’t been done before.” Stella said there had been a lot of work done behind the scenes in a short period of time to get the club ready for a W-League side. She said the club had been aiming to have a side for the upcoming season, but in hindsight, with the COVID-19 pandemic, an extra 12 months to get the team ready isn’t a bad thing. “It’s very exciting, it’s been challenging the last few months,” she said. “For Western United, it’s an amazing achievement. It’s a young club and they’ve been very much wanting to get a W-League licence since they started. “We’ve started the development squad, but we only got one session in before we went into lockdown. “The minute we can get that back up and running we will, that group of girls will hopefully travel a little bit with the A-League team and play some friendlies try and get in some games. “We have a good pool of girls to choose from for our first W-League team.” Stella said United’s aim was to give young players in Melbourne – and particularly in Melbourne’s west – the opportunity to shine at a higher level. She said with limited spots to play W-League

18 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 11 January, 2022

Western United is focusing on women’s football. (Supplied)

in Victoria, many players were leaving to play interstate. “We’re going to start new and we’re going to invest in youth as we know where the long-term success will come from,“ she said. “We’re not going to sign 10 ready-made champions. It’s about home grown talent and I have always argued that they could challenge anyone. “For young girls from the west, there’s

a W-league team that will be part of their community.” For the Taranto twins, the next 12 months will be a big. “We will keep working hard and move forward with Calder United with their season first,” they said. “We’ll do what we can for them and get as fit as possible and hopefully get into the W-League squad. “We’re just excited to get out there and play.

YEAR IN REVIEW ... SPORT

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Midfield magic: Pierias’ now headed for Japan JULY 6 Dylan Pierias’ debut for the under-23 Australian soccer team will be on one of the biggest stages. The 21-year-old Western United midfielder was last week named in the Olyroos squad of 18 for this month’s Tokyo Olympic Games. Pierias said he was still in shock that he had been picked in the squad. “I’ve never been in the training squad with the side and now the first time I’ve got called up is in the squad for the Olympics,” he said. “When I got told I was going to the Olympics, it was an unreal feeling. “When I was younger I didn’t know you could go to the Olympics for football. Once I found out the under-23 team could go, it was one of my dreams.” Pierias, who is one of the youngest players

Dylan Pierias.

(Getty Images)

in the team, said he thought he had a slight chance of getting a call-up to the squad after a strong year with Western United. The Olyroos return to the Olympics for the first time since 2008.. The team flew out for Japan on Thursday to prepare for the

competition which begins on July 22. “The boys who qualified the team for the Olympics did an amazing job,” he said.. “It’s special for Australia that the football boys will be going to the Olympics and we’ll go out there and do our best. “We’ll start with a little camp and then head into the competition. It’ll be a great experience.” Pierias said he had been to Japan once before, but with COVID-19 restrictions he was unsure what they could and couldn’t do over there. He hopes the Olyroos will come away with a medal. “We’re going in with a fearless mentality and we don’t care who we come up against,” he said. Making the under-23 team continues Pierias’ rise through the ranks, having

represented Australia at under-17 and under-20 level. He’s hoping it’s just the start of things to come. “The Socceroos is always in the back of my mind, but I’m currently focusing on the Olympics. “This is a chance to impress. The ultimate dream is to play for the Socceroos and hopefully it’s something I can get selected for down the track.” Among those watching Pierias will be a couple of his former clubs, Keilor Park and Spring Hills. Pierias, who grew up in Caroline Springs and still lives in the west, says he wants to do the west of Melbourne proud. Pierias’ Western United teammate Lachlan Wales was named as one of four training players with the squad.

Hard work pays off DECEMBER 7

Sunshine United premiership team.

(Supplied)

Sunshine United on rise APRIL 6 Twelve months is a long time in cricket, just ask new Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division premiers Sunshine United. This time last year, the Tigers were staring down relegation after finishing in the bottom two of the top grade. A competition restructure gave the side a second chance and they made the most of it, claiming the 2020-21 senior premiership. Tigers president Mark Dalrymple said they could never have imagined claiming a premiership this time last year. ‘It’s a terrific achievement,” he said. “We were fortunate the VTCA restructure from eight teams to 10 teams, so we stayed up… We took it in our stride. “To be playing in a best of three grand finals series is unheard of. And then to do it after being one down, is even better. “This would be our best premiership. We never thought it would happen this time last year.” The Tigers started the season with a massive boost to the playing group, with three key signings.

Kaushal Lokuarachchi, one of the premier players in the competition crossed from Keilor. Former captain-coach Neetan Chouhan returned after several seasons off and captained the side, while Michael Glowacki returned after a couple of injury-interrupted seasons. All three would play major roles throughout the season. The Tigers started the best of three grand final series on the back foot dropping game one. Game two was postponed to the second weekend due to rain. Dalrymple said the game being postponed was a blessing in disguise. “We didn’t perform well,” he said. “Being washed out helped us regroup. You never know what will have happened if the game went ahead. “It gave us a bit of breathing space to do a bit better planning and it took the nerves out of it.” In game two, the Tigers restricted Doutta’s three big guns, bowling them out for 87. They finished 5-88. Thomas Duxson top scored with 43.

It set up a game three decider. The Tigers batted first, making 163. Duxson made 56. Dalrymple wasn’t sure that would be enough runs on the board to defend. “I wanted more runs,” he said. “Speaking to the players they were happy enough with 160. “Selwyn Reserve has been a bit slower with an increase of dew. It turned out to be enough.” The match would go down to the final over. A run out would seal victory for the Tigers, with Doutta bowled out for 151 with two balls remaining. Duxon was named player of the grand final series. He also had praise for all-rounder Nalin Amarathunga who did a great job despite playing through an injured posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). The premiership is on top of the two T20 finals the Tigers have won in the past three seasons. Dalrymple admits that the shorter format suits them better, and the season ahead is likely to pose a challenge if two-day cricket returns.

New Western Bulldogs rookie Cody Raak was a man on a mission this year. After missing out on being drafted last season, Raak put his head down and worked even harder. He trained hard with his home club, Caroline Springs, the Western Jets and Footscray’s Victorian Football League side. “It was tough,” he said of not getting drafted. “I felt like with Vic Metro I was matching it with everyone else. “I was shattered. I believed in myself. I put in all the hard work, I was pissed off.” His form throughout the year put Raak back on the draft radar and he was seen as one of the best defenders in the NAB League competition. He spoke to a few clubs before the drafts. That included one phone call with the Bulldogs. But come draft week, he wasn’t so sure he would be drafted. When Raak’s name wasn’t called out in the national draft, he’s hopes decreased further. “It wasn’t looking good at all,” he said. “Obviously there was a massive break from my last game until the draft. “They [the Bulldogs] came over at 12pm on the Friday [before the rookie draft] and said they were going to take me. It was announced at 3pm, so I knew for a few hours beforehand. “It’s pretty surreal to be honest. I’m rapt to stay at my home club and the club that had put so much work into me.” Raak was taken as a pre-selected Category B Rookie after being part of the Next Generation Academy. A key objective of the NGA’s is to increase the talent pool of Indigenous and multicultural players. Raak was eligible for the academy through his father, Marc Raak. “He was born in South Africa,” Cody said. “He played footy most of his life after coming to Australia and was pretty good at it. He never forced me into it. For Raak, it’s now down to work. He started pre-season at the Bulldogs last week. “I’m expected to prove myself. I’ll work my arse off and do the best I can.”

Tuesday, 11 January, 2022 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 19

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