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Established in 1875 as the

proudly serving Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay

9 FEBRUARY, 2022

12496404-AV22-21

FREE DIGITAL EDITION

SIG N U P N O W!

Floating art A new art installation featuring 14 sea flowers floating in the water at Williamstown will open on February 12. ‘Sea Flowers and Sea Stories’ invites residents to come down with a picnic or some fish and chips and take in the display that will be floating on the water’s edge between Stevedore Street and the Ferguson Street Pier. Director of the project, Donna Jackson, said the project was funded by the Hobsons Bay Make it Happen, Recovery and Reconnection grant. “When I heard about the recovery grant, I thought it would be fantastic to celebrate some of the assets that we have in this area, and during lockdown, I noticed that lots of people were spending time walking by the sea or swimming in the sea, even in winter.” she said. “It seemed that the sea was a real resource that lots of us were using to get through the COVID lockdown.” Spotswood signwriter Tony Mead has been in charge of making the 14 flowers. “I think it’s a really valuable thing especially to do coming out of COVID when people have been … sort of locked down for so long.” The art installation will run until February 20. Details: http:// artandindustryfestival.com.au/ Signwriter Tony Mead and director Donna Jackson with the seaflowers.

267130_01 (Damjan Janevski)

Refugee RATs disappear The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) is trying to find out what happened to its order of rapid antigen tests (RATs), which has yet to be fully delivered more than five weeks after the order was placed. ASRC founder and chief executive Kon Karapanagiotidis said the Footscray-based organisation ordered RATs on January 3 in a bid to keep staff, volunteers and clients safe. Mr Karapanagiotidis said the order was meant to take three to five days to arrive but

the supplier contacted him to say that the order had been taken by the federal government.The Department of Health has denied the claim. “The Department of Health reaffirms that the department has not requisitioned all RAT supplies within and entering Australia,” the department said in a statement. “These claims are categorically untrue.” While Mr Karapanagiotidis received a third of his order last week, he is demanding to know what happened to the rest of the order. He said the ASRC is not the only charity affected.

“We’re not isolated as the only charity that this has happened to but we’re the only charity willing to publicly talk about it,” he said. The issue is being investigated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). In a statement, the ACCC said information provided to it suggests that because of the strong demand for RATs, suppliers at various levels in the distribution chain are making decisions about which customers to supply. “ACCC investigators are speaking with the suppliers involved and will look to address any

SEABROOK CRICKET CLUB 50 YEAR CELEBRATION SATURDAY 19TH FEBRUARY FROM 5PM ONWARDS Finger food & Live Music (Drinks at bar prices) Bruce Comben Reserve Altona Meadows VIC 3028 For bookings contact Cameron 0419 737 952

misrepresentations identified,” ACCC chair Rod Sims said. “The ACCC takes this opportunity to remind suppliers about the importance of honouring any contractual arrangements for supply, and of being honest about the reason why rapid antigen tests may currently be unavailable. Suppliers must be able to substantiate any claims they make about test availability, and we are asking them to do so.” Mr Karapanagiotidis said the issue should never have occurred in the first place. The ASRC’s supplier was contacted for comment.

12530893-AV02-22

By Molly Magennis

AROUND THE BAY Hobsons Bay Ward News Cherry Lake Ward

Strand Ward

Wetlands Ward

Altona, Altona North, Altona Meadows, Brooklyn, Seaholme

Altona North, Newport, Spotswood, South Kingsville, Williamstown, Williamstown North

Altona Meadows, Laverton, Seabrook

Cr Tony Briffa JP

Mayor Cr Peter Hemphill

Deputy Mayor Cr Diana Grima

0418 398 906 // tbriffa@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au www.facebook.com/CrTonyBriffa

0419 762 266 // phemphill@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au www.facebook.com/PeterMHemphill

0499 600 476 // dgrima@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au www.facebook.com/diana.hogg.79

Cr Daria Kellander

Cr Jonathon Marsden

0499 600 438 // dkellander@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au www.facebook.com/CrDariaKellander

0419 868 009 // jmarsden@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au www.facebook.com/jonathon.marsden.greens

Cr Pamela Sutton-Legaud

Cr Matt Tyler 0407 748 235 // mtyler@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au www.facebook.com/CrMattTyler

0499 600 834 // pslegaud@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au www.facebook.com/CouncillorPamelaSuttonLegaud/

KƵƚ ĂŶĚ ďŽƵƚ ʹ ĞƩĞƌ WůĂĐĞƐ ƌŽŽŬůǇŶ ĂŶĚ tŝůůŝĂŵƐƚŽǁŶ ĐƟǀŝƚǇ ĞŶƚƌĞ ƚŽŝůĞƚƐ ůƚŽŶĂ EŽƌƚŚ >ŝǀĞ ŵƵƐŝĐ͕ ĨŽŽĚ ƚƌƵĐŬƐ ĂŶĚ ŬŝĚƐ͛ ĂĐƟǀŝƟĞƐ ĂƌĞ ĐŽŵŝŶŐ ƚŽ ƌŽŽŬůǇŶ ĂŶĚ ůƚŽŶĂ EŽƌƚŚ ĨŽƌ KƵƚ ĂŶĚ ďŽƵƚ Ͳ ƚǁŽ ďŝŐ days of family-fun on Friday 4 March, 5pm to 9pm at Paisley Park, Altona North and Saturday 5 March, 11am to 3pm at ƌŽŽŬůǇŶ ZĞƐĞƌǀĞ͘ ^ĂǀĞ ƚŚĞ ĚĂƚĞ ĂŶĚ ƌĞŐŝƐƚĞƌ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ĨƌĞĞ event at ǁǁǁ͘ŚŽďƐŽŶƐďĂǇ͘ǀŝĐ͘ŐŽǀ͘ĂƵͬKƵƚĂŶĚ ďŽƵƚ

ŽĂƐƚ^ŶĂƉ ʹ ŝƟǌĞŶ ^ĐŝĞŶĐĞ ƉƌŽũĞĐƚ ŶĞǁ ŽĂƐƚ^ŶĂƉ ƉŚŽƚŽ ƉŽƐƚ ŝƐ ďĞŝŶŐ ŝŶƐƚĂůůĞĚ Ăƚ ůƚŽŶĂ ĞĂĐŚ ŶĞĂƌ ŽƌƌĞĂ ^ƚƌĞĞƚ ŽǀĞƌ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŵŝŶŐ ǁĞĞŬƐ͘ dŚĞ post will enable visitors to take photos with their phones ƚŽ ŚĞůƉ ƚƌĂĐŬ ĐŚĂŶŐĞƐ ƚŽ ŽƵƌ ĐŽĂƐƚ͘ dŚĞ ƉƌŽũĞĐƚ ǁŝůů ŚĞůƉ ŽƵŶĐŝů ŵŽŶŝƚŽƌ ĐŚĂŶŐĞƐ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ƐŚŽƌĞůŝŶĞ ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƟŽŶ ĂƌĞĂ ůŽŽŬŝŶŐ ƚŽǁĂƌĚƐ ƚŚĞ ŵŽƵƚŚ ŽĨ >ĂǀĞƌƚŽŶ Creek. Visit ǁǁǁ͘ĐŽĂƐƚƐŶĂƉ͘ĐŽŵ to download the ŽĂƐƚ^ŶĂƉ ĂƉƉ ĂŶĚ ƉĂƌƟĐŝƉĂƚĞ͘

/ŵƉƌŽǀŝŶŐ ƌŽĂĚ ƐĂĨĞƚǇ ŝŶ ,ĂƌƌŝŶŐƚŽŶ ^ƚƌĞĞƚ &ŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇ ƌĞƋƵĞƐƚƐ ĂŶĚ ŽŶͲƐŝƚĞ ĂƐƐĞƐƐŵĞŶƚ͕ ƚŚĞ ĞǆŝƐƟŶŐ ƌƵďďĞƌ ƐƉĞĞĚ ĐƵƐŚŝŽŶƐ ŽŶ ,ĂƌƌŝŶŐƚŽŶ ^ƚƌĞĞƚ ǁŝůů ďĞ ƵƉŐƌĂĚĞĚ ƚŽ ƚŚƌĞĞ ƐĞƚƐ ŽĨ ĂƐƉŚĂůƚ ƐƉĞĞĚ ĐƵƐŚŝŽŶƐ͕ ďĞƚǁĞĞŶ <ĂƌŝŶŐĂů ^ƚƌĞĞƚ ĂŶĚ 'ƌŝĞǀĞ WĂƌĂĚĞ͘ tŽƌŬƐ ĂƌĞ ƐĐŚĞĚƵůĞĚ ĨŽƌ late-February to early-March.

DĂŬĞ /ƚ ,ĂƉƉĞŶ͊ The Make it Happen - Hobsons Bay Recovery and ZĞĐŽŶŶĞĐƟŽŶ ŐƌĂŶƚƐ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞƐ ĨƵŶĚŝŶŐ ƚŽ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ ŽƵƌ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇ ƚŽ ͚ŵĂŬĞ ƚŚŝŶŐƐ ŚĂƉƉĞŶ͛ ĂƐ ǁĞ ůĞĂƌŶ ĂďŽƵƚ and adapt to the impacts experienced in our city as a result ŽĨ Ks/ Ͳϭϵ͘ ƉƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶƐ ĂƌĞ ŽƉĞŶ ƵŶƟů ϭϴ DĂǇ͕ ǁŝƚŚ ŵŽŶƚŚůǇ ĂƐƐĞƐƐŵĞŶƚ ĚĂƚĞƐ͘ dŽ ĮŶĚ ŽƵƚ ŵŽƌĞ͕ ǀŝƐŝƚ www. ŚŽďƐŽŶƐďĂǇ͘ǀŝĐ͘ŐŽǀ͘ĂƵͬŐƌĂŶƚƐ

,ĂďŝƚĂƚ 'ĂƌĚĞŶƐ ĂůůŝŶŐ Ăůů ŐƌĞĞŶ ƚŚƵŵďƐ͊ KƵƌ ƉŽƉƵůĂƌ ,ŽďƐŽŶƐ ĂǇ ,ĂďŝƚĂƚ 'ĂƌĚĞŶƐ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵ ŝƐ ƌƵŶŶŝŶŐ ĂŐĂŝŶ ŝŶ ϮϬϮϮ͘ ,ĂďŝƚĂƚ 'ĂƌĚĞŶƐ provides Hobsons Bay residents with the opportunity to ůĞĂƌŶ ĂďŽƵƚ ƚŚĞ ŝŵƉŽƌƚĂŶĐĞ ŽĨ ƵƐŝŶŐ ŶĂƟǀĞ ƉůĂŶƚƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞŝƌ ŐĂƌĚĞŶƐ ĂŶĚ ŚŽǁ ƚŚĞǇ ĐĂŶ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ ŽƵƌ ůŽĐĂů ǁŝůĚůŝĨĞ͘ dŚĞ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵ ŝŶĐůƵĚĞƐ ƉƌĞƐĞŶƚĂƟŽŶƐ ĨƌŽŵ ŚĂďŝƚĂƚ ŐĂƌĚĞŶĞƌƐ͕ ĚĞƐŝŐŶ ĂŶĚ ĨĞĞĚďĂĐŬ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶƐ͕ ĂƐ ǁĞůů ĂƐ ĨƌĞĞ ŶĂƟǀĞ ƉůĂŶƚƐ͘ Visit ǁǁǁ͘ŚŽďƐŽŶƐďĂǇ͘ǀŝĐ͘ŐŽǀ͘ĂƵͬŚĂďŝƚĂƚŐĂƌĚĞŶƐ

>ĂƐƚ ĐŚĂŶĐĞ ĨŽƌ ŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇ WŝƚĐŚ Submissions close for Community Pitch on Wednesday ϮϬ &ĞďƌƵĂƌǇ͘ &ƵŶĚŝŶŐ ŽĨ ƵƉ ƚŽ ΨϱϬ͕ϬϬϬ ŝƐ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ ĨŽƌ hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

2 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 9 February, 2022

>ŽǀĞ >ĂǀĞƌƚŽŶ WĂƌŬƐ

tŽƌŬƐ ŚĂǀĞ ŬŝĐŬĞĚ Žī ƚŽ ďƵŝůĚ ŶĞǁ ƚŽŝůĞƚƐ Ăƚ ƵƌŐŽǇŶĞ ZĞƐĞƌǀĞ Ăƚ tŝůůŝĂŵƐƚŽǁŶ͛Ɛ ǁĂƚĞƌ ĞĚŐĞ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ ĞǆŝƐƟŶŐ ƉƵďůŝĐ ƚŽŝůĞƚ ďůŽĐŬ ĚĞŵŽůŝƐŚĞĚ͘ dĞŵƉŽƌĂƌǇ ĨĞŶĐŝŶŐ ŚĂƐ ďĞĞŶ placed around the work site and temporary toilets are ŽŶƐŝƚĞ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ƉƵďůŝĐ ƚŽ ƵƐĞ͘ /ƚ ŝƐ ĂŶƟĐŝƉĂƚĞĚ ƚŚĞ ŶĞǁ ƚŽŝůĞƚƐ ǁŝůů ƚĂŬĞ ĂƉƉƌŽǆŝŵĂƚĞůǇ ĞŝŐŚƚ ǁĞĞŬƐ ƚŽ ĐŽŶƐƚƌƵĐƚ͘

ĞŶŶŝƐ ZĞƐĞƌǀĞ ŵƵůƟƉƵƌƉŽƐĞ ĨĂĐŝůŝƚǇ ,ĂǀĞ ǇŽƵƌ ƐĂǇ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ƉůĂŶƐ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ŶĞǁ ŵƵůƟƉƵƌƉŽƐĞ facility at Dennis Reserve and nominate a name for the facility. The concept plans have been developed in ĐŽŶƐƵůƚĂƟŽŶ ǁŝƚŚ ĞǆŝƐƟŶŐ ƵƐĞƌƐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ tŝůůŝĂŵƐƚŽǁŶ ^ĞŶŝŽƌƐ ƵŝůĚŝŶŐ͕ ƚŚĞ tŝůůŝĂŵƐƚŽǁŶ ĞŶƚƌĂů dĞŶŶŝƐ ůƵď ĂŶĚ three independent community members. Feedback closes dŚƵƌƐĚĂǇ ϯ DĂƌĐŚ͘ ƐŬ Ă ƋƵĞƐƟŽŶ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ŽŶůŝŶĞ ĚƌŽƉͲŝŶ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽŶ DŽŶĚĂǇ Ϯϭ &ĞďƌƵĂƌǇ ďĞƚǁĞĞŶ ϲ͘ϯϬƉŵ ĂŶĚ ϴƉŵ͘ &Žƌ ŵŽƌĞ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ͕ ǀŝƐŝƚ ƉĂƌƟĐŝƉĂƚĞ͘ŚŽďƐŽŶƐďĂǇ͘ǀŝĐ͘ŐŽǀ͘ ĂƵͬĚĞŶŶŝƐ

tŝůůŝĂŵƐƚŽǁŶ DĂƌŝƟŵĞ WƌĞĐŝŶĐƚ &ƌĂŵĞǁŽƌŬ

Works to revamp Dick Murdoch Reserve, Beverly Anton Reserve, Henderson Street Reserve and Bladin Street ZĞƐĞƌǀĞ ǁŝůů ŬŝĐŬ Žī ƐŽŽŶ͘ ůĂĚŝŶ ^ƚƌĞĞƚ ǁŝůů ƌĞĐĞŝǀĞ Ă ĨƌĞƐŚ ĐŽĂƚ ŽĨ ƉĂŝŶƚ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ƉůĂǇ ĞƋƵŝƉŵĞŶƚ ĂŶĚ ,ĞŶĚĞƌƐŽŶ ^ƚƌĞĞƚ ZĞƐĞƌǀĞ ǁŝůů ƌĞĐĞŝǀĞ Ă ĨƵůů ƉĂƌŬ ƵƉŐƌĂĚĞ͘ ŝĐŬ DƵƌĚŽĐŚ ZĞƐĞƌǀĞ ǁŝůů ŐĞƚ Ă ϰϬŵͲůŽŶŐ ŇǇŝŶŐ ĨŽǆ͕ ŶĞǁ ƉůĂǇŐƌŽƵŶĚ ĂŶĚ ŐĂƌĚĞŶ ďĞĚƐ͘ ĞǀĞƌůǇ ŶƚŽŶ ZĞƐĞƌǀĞ ǁŝůů ďĞ ƚƌĂŶƐĨŽƌŵĞĚ ǁŝƚŚ ŶĞǁ ŐĂƌĚĞŶ ďĞĚƐ͕ ŶĞǁ ƐĞĂƟŶŐ ĂŶĚ ŵŽƌĞ ƚƌĞĞƐ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚŽƵƚ ƚŚĞ ƌĞƐĞƌǀĞ͘ dŚĞ ŵĞŵŽƌŝĂů ǁŝůů ĂůƐŽ ďĞ ƌĞƐƚŽƌĞĚ͘ ZĞĐĞŶƚůǇ ĐŽŵƉůĞƚĞĚ ƉĂƌŬƐ ŝŶ >ĂǀĞƌƚŽŶ ŝŶĐůƵĚĞ &ƌĂŶŬ 'ŝďƐŽŶ ZĞƐĞƌǀĞ ;ƉŝĐƚƵƌĞĚͿ ĂŶĚ tŚŝƩĂŬĞƌ ǀĞŶƵĞ͘ &Žƌ ŵŽƌĞ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ͕ ǀŝƐŝƚ ƉĂƌƟĐŝƉĂƚĞ͘ŚŽďƐŽŶƐďĂǇ͘ǀŝĐ͘ŐŽǀ͘ĂƵ

^ĞĂďƌŽŽŬ ƚƌĂĸĐ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞŵĞŶƚƐ Ɛ ƉĂƌƚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ^ĂĨĞ dƌĂǀĞů ƚŽ ^ĐŚŽŽůƐ WƌŽŐƌĂŵ ƚƌĂĸĐ ĐĂůŵŝŶŐ ǁŽƌŬƐ ĂůŽŶŐ ĂŶŽŶďƵƌǇ ŝƌĐůĞ ŚĂǀĞ ďĞĞŶ ĐŽŵƉůĞƚĞĚ͘ dŚĞƐĞ ǁŽƌŬƐ ŝŶǀŽůǀĞĚ ŝŶƐƚĂůůĂƟŽŶ ŽĨ ƌĂŝƐĞĚ ƉůĂƞŽƌŵƐ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ŝŶƚĞƌƐĞĐƟŽŶƐ ŽĨ ĂŶŽŶďƵƌǇ ŝƌĐůĞ ĂŶĚ &ŝŶŶďĂƌƌ tĂǇ͕ dŝŶƚĞƌŶ ŽƵƌƚ͕ ŝŶƚƌĂ ŽƵƌƚ ĂŶĚ 'ůĞŶĞůŐ tĂǇ͘

, 'ƌĂŚĂŵ ZĞƐĞƌǀĞ ƵƉŐƌĂĚĞ

<ĞĞƉ ĂŶ ĞǇĞ ŽƵƚ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ tŝůůŝĂŵƐƚŽǁŶ DĂƌŝƟŵĞ WƌĞĐŝŶĐƚ &ƌĂŵĞǁŽƌŬ ǁŚŝĐŚ ƚŚĞ ƐƚĂƚĞ ŐŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚ ŝƐ ĞǆƉĞĐƚĞĚ ƚŽ ƌĞůĞĂƐĞ ƐŽŽŶ͘ dŚĞ ĚƌĂŌ ĨƌĂŵĞǁŽƌŬ ŝƐ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ĞƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚ ŽĨ dƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚ ǁĞďƐŝƚĞ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ĮŶĂů ĚŽĐƵŵĞŶƚ will build on feedback from the community. For details, visit ĞŶŐĂŐĞ͘ǀŝĐ͘ŐŽǀ͘ĂƵͬǁŝůůŝĂŵƐƚŽǁŶͲŵĂƌŝƟŵĞͲƉƌĞĐŝŶĐƚ

tŽƌŬ ŽŶ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ , 'ƌĂŚĂŵ ZĞƐĞƌǀĞ ^ƉŽƌƚƐ &ĂĐŝůŝƚǇ ŝŶ ůƚŽŶĂ DĞĂĚŽǁƐ ŝƐ ƉƌŽŐƌĞƐƐŝŶŐ ǁĞůů͘ dŚĞ ŝƌƌŝŐĂƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ ƐƉŽƌƚƐŐƌŽƵŶĚ ĂƌĞ ŶĞĂƌůǇ ĐŽŵƉůĞƚĞ͕ ĂŶĚ ĐŽŶƐƚƌƵĐƟŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ sports pavilion commenced late last year and is expected ƚŽ ďĞ ĐŽŵƉůĞƚĞĚ ŝŶ ^ĞƉƚĞŵďĞƌ ϮϬϮϮ͘ , 'ƌĂŚĂŵ ŝƐ ƚŚĞ ŐĂƚĞǁĂǇ ƚŽ dƌƵŐĂŶŝŶĂ WĂƌŬ͕ ƚŚĞ ϭϬϬ ^ƚĞƉƐ ŽĨ &ĞĚĞƌĂƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ the Cheetham Wetlands. Visit ǁǁǁ͘ŚŽďƐŽŶƐďĂǇ͘ǀŝĐ͘ŐŽǀ͘ ĂƵͬ, 'ƌĂŚĂŵ

ĞĂĐŚ ŝĚĞĂ ĂŶĚ Ă ƚŽƚĂů ŽĨ ΨϲϬϬ͕ϬϬϬ ŝƐ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ͘ /ĚĞĂƐ ĐĂŶ ƐŽůǀĞ Ă ƉƌŽďůĞŵ ĨŽƌ ǇŽƵƌ ůŽĐĂů ĂƌĞĂ Žƌ ďĞ ŝŶŝƟĂƟǀĞƐ ƚŚĂƚ ďƌŝŶŐ ƉĞŽƉůĞ ƚŽŐĞƚŚĞƌ͘ dŽ ƐƵďŵŝƚ ĂŶ ŝĚĞĂ͕ ǀŝƐŝƚ ƉĂƌƟĐŝƉĂƚĞ͘ ŚŽďƐŽŶƐďĂǇ͘ǀŝĐ͘ŐŽǀ͘ĂƵͬĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇͲƉŝƚĐŚͲϮϬϮϮϮϯ

ZĞĐǇĐůŝŶŐ ŝŶŝƟĂƟǀĞƐ ĨŽƌ Ăůů ƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƚƐ

&ŝŶĂŶĐŝĂůůǇ ŝŵƉĂĐƚĞĚ ďǇ Ks/ Ͳϭϵ͍ Residents and businesses impacted by COVID-19 can ĂƉƉůǇ ĨŽƌ Ă Ϯϱ ƉĞƌ ĐĞŶƚ ƌĞĚƵĐƟŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞŝƌ ϮϬϮϭʹϮϮ ƌĂƚĞƐ ;ŵĂǆŝŵƵŵ ΨϭϬ͕ϬϬϬͿ ƵŶƟů ƚŚĞ ďƵĚŐĞƚ ĂůůŽĐĂƟŽŶ ŝƐ ĞǆŚĂƵƐƚĞĚ Žƌ ϯϬ :ƵŶĞ ϮϬϮϮ͘ &Žƌ ĞůŝŐŝďŝůŝƚǇ ĐƌŝƚĞƌŝĂ ĂŶĚ ƚŽ ĂƉƉůǇ ǀŝƐŝƚ͕ ǁǁǁ͘ŚŽďƐŽŶƐďĂǇ͘ǀŝĐ͘ŐŽǀ͘ĂƵͬĮŶĂŶĐŝĂůĂƐƐŝƐƚĂŶĐĞ

<ĞĞƉŝŶŐ ƚƌĞĞƐ ŚĞĂůƚŚǇ ŝŶ ƐƵŵŵĞƌ ŵŽŶƚŚƐ ŽƵŶĐŝů͛Ɛ ĂƌďŽƌŝĐƵůƚƵƌĞ ƚĞĂŵ ĂŶĚ ƚƌĞĞ ƉůĂŶƟŶŐ ĐŽŶƚƌĂĐƚŽƌƐ ĂƌĞ ďƵƐǇ ƉƌŽǀŝĚŝŶŐ ĂĚĚŝƟŽŶĂů ǁĂƚĞƌ ƚŽ ŽƵƌ ƌĞĐĞŶƚůǇ ƉůĂŶƚĞĚ ƚƌĞĞƐ͕ ƚŽ ŚĞůƉ ŐĞƚ ƚŚĞŵ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ ƐƵŵŵĞƌ͘ dŚĞ ŵƵůĐŚ ƚŚĂƚ ŝƐ ƉůĂĐĞĚ ĂƌŽƵŶĚ ƚŚĞ ďĂƐĞ ŽĨ ĞĂĐŚ ŶĞǁ ƉůĂŶƟŶŐ ŚĞůƉƐ ƌĞƚĂŝŶ ŵŽŝƐƚƵƌĞ ĂŶĚ ĂůƐŽ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞƐ ŝŶƐƵůĂƟŽŶ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ƚƌĞĞƐ͛ ƌŽŽƚ ƐǇƐƚĞŵƐ͘ dŚĞ ŵĂũŽƌŝƚǇ ŽĨ ƚƌĞĞ ƉůĂŶƟŶŐ ŽĐĐƵƌƐ ĚƵƌŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŽůĞƌ ĂƵƚƵŵŶͬǁŝŶƚĞƌ ƉĞƌŝŽĚ͕ ƚŽ ŐŝǀĞ ŽƵƌ ŶĞǁ ƚƌĞĞƐ ƟŵĞ ƚŽ ĞƐƚĂďůŝƐŚ ďĞĨŽƌĞ ǁŝŶƚĞƌ͘ &ŝŶĚ ŽƵƚ ŵŽƌĞ ĂďŽƵƚ ŽƵƌ hƌďĂŶ &ŽƌĞƐƚ ^ƚƌĂƚĞŐǇ Ăƚ ǁǁǁ͘ŚŽďƐŽŶƐďĂǇ͘ǀŝĐ͘ŐŽǀ͘ĂƵͬ hƌďĂŶ&ŽƌĞƐƚ^ƚƌĂƚĞŐǇ

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Detox your home - Safely rid your home of everyday ŚŽƵƐĞŚŽůĚ ĐŚĞŵŝĐĂůƐ ƐƵĐŚ ĂƐ ǁĞĞĚ ŬŝůůĞƌ͕ ĐůĞĂŶŝŶŐ ƉƌŽĚƵĐƚƐ͕ ŽůĚ ĐŽŽŬŝŶŐ Žŝů ĂŶĚ ĐŽƐŵĞƟĐƐ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ĞƚŽǆ ǇŽƵƌ ,ŽŵĞ ĞǀĞŶƚ ƚŚŝƐ ^ĂƚƵƌĚĂǇ ϭϮ &ĞďƌƵĂƌǇ͕ ϵĂŵ ƚŽ ϭƉŵ͕ Ăƚ ŽƵŶĐŝů͛Ɛ KƉĞƌĂƟŽŶƐ ĞŶƚƌĞ ŝŶ ^ƵŐĂƌŐƵŵ ƌŝǀĞ͕ ůƚŽŶĂ͘ ^ŝŵƉůǇ ƌĞŐŝƐƚĞƌ͕ ƚŚĞŶ ůŽĂĚ ǇŽƵƌ ǀĞŚŝĐůĞ ǁŝƚŚ ǇŽƵƌ ĐŚĞŵŝĐĂůƐ ĂŶĚ ĚƌŝǀĞ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ ĨŽƌ ĐŽŶƚĂĐƚůĞƐƐ ĐŽůůĞĐƟŽŶ͘ Compost bins - ŽŶ͛ƚ ŵŝƐƐ ǇŽƵƌ ĐŚĂŶĐĞ ƚŽ ŐĞƚ ƵƉ ƚŽ ϱϬ ƉĞƌ ĐĞŶƚ Žī ĂƚͲŚŽŵĞ ĐŽŵƉŽƐƟŶŐ ƐǇƐƚĞŵƐ͘ zŽƵ ĐĂŶ ŶŽǁ ĐŚŽŽƐĞ ĨƌŽŵ Ɛŝǆ ĚŝīĞƌĞŶƚ ĂƚͲŚŽŵĞ ĐŽŵƉŽƐƟŶŐ ƉƌŽĚƵĐƚƐ ǁŝƚŚ ĨƌĞĞ ĚĞůŝǀĞƌǇ͕ ƵŶƟů Ϯϴ &ĞďƌƵĂƌǇ ϮϬϮϮ͘ Join the FOGO paper bag trial Ͳ /Ĩ ǇŽƵ ŚĂǀĞŶ͛ƚ ĂůƌĞĂĚǇ͕ ũŽŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƚŚŽƵƐĂŶĚƐ ŽĨ ,ŽďƐŽŶƐ ĂǇ ŚŽƵƐĞŚŽůĚƐ ƚƌŝĂůůŝŶŐ ƉĂƉĞƌ ďĂŐƐ ƚŽ ĐŽŶƚĂŝŶ ƚŚĞŝƌ ĨŽŽĚ ǁĂƐƚĞ͘ ŽƵŶĐŝů ǁŝůů ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞ Ă ƐŝǆͲ ŵŽŶƚŚ ƐƵƉƉůǇ ŽĨ ƉĂƉĞƌ ďĂŐƐ ĨƌĞĞ ŽĨ ĐŚĂƌŐĞ ƚŽ Ăůů ƌĞŐŝƐƚĞƌĞĚ households to help recycle food scraps. &Žƌ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ ŽŶ ƌĞĐǇĐůŝŶŐ ŝŶŝƟĂƟǀĞƐ ĂŶĚ ŚŽǁ ǇŽƵ ĐĂŶ ŐĞƚ ŝŶǀŽůǀĞĚ͕ ƉůĞĂƐĞ ǀŝƐŝƚ ǁǁǁ͘ŚŽďƐŽŶƐďĂǇ͘ǀŝĐ͘ŐŽǀ͘ĂƵͬ ZĞĐǇĐůŝŶŐ

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Public dental wait times balloon By Molly Magennis Waiting times for public dental care in Victoria have skyrocketed due to COVID restrictions, with residents in Hobsons Bay waiting over five years to receive general dental care. According to new data released by the Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch (ADAVB), waiting times have increased significantly as the impact of restrictions on access to basic dental care and a chronic lack of funding continue. Only seven of the 51 community health

agencies mentioned in the report had a waiting time for general dental care of less than 12 months, which is generally the recommended maximum interval for regular dental check-ups. As of December 2021, IPC health in Altona Meadows had an average waiting time of 45.3 months for general care, for the 11,453 people on the waiting list. For denture care, the waiting time was 25.5 months, with 51 people waiting. Overall, the longest waiting time for general care was just over 5 years.

Residents in Maribyrnong waiting to receive dental care did not fare much better. Cohealth in Footscray had almost 6000 people waiting to receive general dental care, who had an average waiting time of 43 months. The longest waiting time for general care was four and a half years. ADAVB chief executive Professor Matt Hopcraft said access to dental care had not been prioritised throughout the pandemic. “The COVID-19 pandemic has placed significant strain across the health system, but access to dental care has not been prioritised,

with Victorians unable to receive necessary dental care for significant periods of time over the past two years as a result of restrictions imposed by the Victorian Government,” he said. “The ADAVB is calling on the State and Federal Governments to prioritise the importance of dental health by boosting funding in their upcoming budgets to tackle waiting lists in the short term and provide a sustainable increase in funding in the long term to double the number of patients receiving care over the next five years.”

Free IWD talk

The Yarraville Trugo Club is celebrating its 85th anniversary.

(Damjan Janevski) 267157

Trugo club strikes up 85 years Yarraville Trugo Club will celebrate its 85th anniversary this year. A unique and often unheard of sport, trugo has strong historical connections with the western suburbs. It was developed at the Newport railway workshops before 1927, when informal games are believed to have started at Yarraville. In turn, this prompted the formation of trugo clubs at Yarraville and Footscray in 1937. John McMann has been a member of the Yarraville Trugo Club for 32 years. He explained trugo is played on a green that

is about 90 feet in length, and players have to hit rubber rings between their legs. “Then it’s got to go through the goal post without touching it, if it touches the goal post it’s out,” he said. There are no points in trugo, only goals, and each team is usually made up of eight players. Each team hits four rubber rings from each end, before swapping sides after 12 hits. The 92-year-old said the ultimate score for each player is 24, which is extremely hard to get. Anyone who does get the magic number gets their name in a record book. Mr McMann scored three 24s in the year

2000. “That was my goal [to get in the record book],” he said. Mr McMann said he and the committee are currently working on a way to celebrate the club’s milestone, hopefully in May before the end of the season.

To celebrate the upcoming International Women’s Day, Public Record Office Victoria is holding a free online talk focusing on young women ammunition workers in Footscray. From the 1890s through to World War II, thousands of young women found employment at the Colonial Ammunition Company works on the banks of the Maribyrnong River in Footscray. One of the reasons the particular site was chosen was to be close to a large population of working class women to supply the factory with labour. Senior archivist at the University of Melbourne, Katie Wood, will be one of key speakers at the free online webinar. She said the story of the young ammunition workers is a “rollicking tale of work, family, war, community, politics and even sport”. “Through their work, their contribution to family incomes, their self-organisation and their impact on the local community, these women challenged the prevailing biases,” she said. “They were active participants in one of the most important changes to the lives of Australians in the Twentieth Century; the broadening of women’s employment.” The webinar is in line with the 2022 International Women’s Day campaign theme #BreakTheBias. The theme is intended to challenge inequality where it’s visible and through personal actions be responsible for breaking the bias in the community. The webinar will be held on March 9 at 6.30pm. Details: https://us02web. z o o m . u s / w e b i n a r/r e g i s t e r/ W N _ KMpFzyLORQGH-35O6xks9w

Molly Magennis Molly Magennis

Neighbourhood house manager’s big move For Lana Bedford the decision to leave the Duke Street Community House was one of the hardest of her life. Ms Bedford first started at the house in 1998 as a volunteer after finishing her social worker qualifications, before taking on a number of roles which led to her becoming house manager in 2016. While still passionate about the house and the west in general, Ms Bedford has decided to take up a role closer to home. “It is very emotional leaving Duke Street,” she said. “This has always been more than a job to me. It has been about belonging, connection and community.

“I have really loved working in the western suburbs with my team who are all dedicated and go out of their way to make a positive difference. “ Ms Bedford said there had been a massive amount of changes in her time at the house. She said there had been a huge increase in the amount of compliance required, but on the other hand the sector has continuously been able to adapt and innovate to address the complex problems faced by members in our community.” Ms Bedford, who finished up last week, said there was so much to be proud of during her time. “I took over as manager during a difficult

budgetary climate,” she said. “Despite the challenges I was able to lead the organisation through a significant period of growth and I am proud to say I am leaving the organisation in a good financial position. “I will also never forget all the people I have met. Seeing people develop their confidence and skills and then move onto fulfilling their dreams – there is no better feeling.”

Lana Bedford is leaving Duke Street Community House. (Supplied) Wednesday, 9 February, 2022 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 3

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Hunt for grave robbers

Builder fined

By Molly Magennis Maribyrnong council will indefinitely lock the gates to the Footscray Cemetery overnight after after human remains were taken from two gravesites during two incidents over the past two weeks. In a Facebook post on February 7, the council said the pedestrian access off Francis Street will also be closed from 7.30pm to 6.30 am daily. In the post, Maribyrnong mayor Anthony Tran said: “We apologise for any inconvenience but hope the community will understand we are doing this to protect the sanctity of the Cemetery out of respect for their loved ones.” The first incident occurred at the Geelong Road cemetery between 7.30pm on Thursday, January 27, and 6.15am on Friday, January 28. No other graves were disturbed. The second incident occurred between 6pm on Monday, January 31, and 10am on Tuesday, February 1. Police said another grave was disturbed during the second incident, but no human remains were taken. Footscray Crime Investigation Unit Detective Acting Inspector Ben Jarman said police became aware of the incident after a passer-by contacted them. Substantial tools would have had to have been used to break into the mausoleums, Detective Acting Inspector Jarman said in a press conference on February 2. “It’s difficult to say at this stage of the investigation what tools they used, there would have had to have been some tools used and would have been some sort of substantial tool,” he said. While no tools were left at the scene, he said some other evidence had been. Police are still investigating a possible motive. “Motivation is very difficult in this case,

Human remains were stolen from graves at the Footscray General Cemetery. (Damjan Janevski) 267163_03

because it’s such an uncommon crime to be committed. Until we catch up with the offender and find out a motive, it’s very difficult to say what the motive is,” he said at the press conference. Last week, Cr Tran said council was appalled at the act of vandalism at the cemetery. “It is abhorrent to me that anyone would think it okay to interfere with the resting place of any member of our community,” he said.

NEWS

“We are deeply sorry for the distress this has caused for the affected families. Police are investigating and we are providing support and assistance as required.” Anyone with information, dashcam or CCTV footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or file a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com. au.

A local builder has had his registration cancelled and been disqualified from holding registrations for three years. The Victorian Building Authority cancelled the licence of Rocco Barba for numerous breaches of the Building Act, including allegedly providing false compliance certificates for a residential development, engaging in a sham building contract for the purposes of procuring a building permit and carrying out building works which significantly departed from the approved building permit documents. The VBA found he was not a fit and proper person to hold registration as a building practitioner. Mr Barba must also pay $38,000 to the VBA. Mr Barba has applied to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) for review of the decision. The VBA found Mr Barba engaged in unprofessional conduct at a multi-dwelling domestic building site in Niddrie, near Keilor East. The VBA’s executive director regulatory operations David Brockman said Mr Barba provided the relevant building surveyor with false certificates for the installation of insulation and energy efficiency measures. “Mr Barba ought to have known that the surveyor would rely on these certificates as evidence of the compliance of the works with the relevant energy efficiency requirements,” he said. Mr Barba was also found to have carried out domestic building work while operating under a sham building contract entered into with a registered domestic builder in order to obtain a building permit.

Morning Tea & Tour Every Wednesday from 10.30am Join us for an exclusive guided tour of Rivervue’s luxury new 2 and 3 Bedroom Villas and stylish village facilities including gym, indoor pool & spa, bowling green and the beautiful river gardens.

Limited availability of river front villas Come along and enjoy a complimentary morning tea Bookings essential call now on 1300 298 439

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Pokie work continues

Briefs Pop-up vaccination hubs

By Cr Bernadette Thomas The recent Royal Commission into Crown Casino in Melbourne made some significant observations about the impact of gambling in our community. Gambling, including pokies (or Electronic Gaming Machines [EGMs]), is regulated by the state government. Council has an important role in preventing and minimising harm from gambling by assessing the social and economic impacts of EGMs in the municipality, advocating on behalf of the community, providing support for those impacted by harm from gambling, and scheduling activities and programs that provide alternatives to gambling. Harms from gambling can seriously impact on individuals, leading to mental health effects; job loss and financial hardship; loss of social supports and family and relationship issues. But the harm doesn’t stop there. It can impact on family and friends, workplaces, and community groups. Families and friends of people harmed from gambling may experience neglect, domestic abuse, poverty, homelessness, stigma and social isolation. It’s an issue that is not limited to particular individuals; its impacts are non-discriminatory and it wreaks devastation across all parts of our community. In 2019, losses from pokies across Maribyrnong totalled $58 million. That’s $610 for every person living in our community (population of 94,982) or $158,904 per day. In 2020, the losses in fell to $19.8 million with gambling venues closed between 16 March and 8 November due to the coronavirus. There are no figures for losses on other types of gambling. Maribyrnong is one of the 22 Leadership Councils of the Alliance for Gambling Reform, a national advocacy body with over

There will be a series of pop-up vaccination clinics across the City of Maribyrnong in February, where the community can get their COVID-19 vaccine. Braybrook Community Hub, 107-139 Churchill Avenue, Braybrook, will host a hub until Friday, February 11, from 10.30am-4.30pm. Vaccinations will also be available at the Quang Minh Buddhist Temple, 18 Burke Street, Braybrook, from Tuesday, February 15 to Thursday, February 17, 11am-6pm. Australian Light Foundation, 291-293 Sunshine Road, Tottenham, will host a hub from Tuesday, February 22, to Thursday, February 23, 10.30am-4.30pm. Residents will be able to get walk in boosters, first and second doses and 5-11 year old vaccinations.

Habitat Gardens

Cr Bernadette Thomas.

(Supplied)

60 supporting organisations working together to prevent and minimise the harm caused by all forms of gambling. You may have seen some of the Alliance campaigns under the banner of “pokies play you” on social and traditional media. Council has recently reviewed and updated its existing Gambling Policy, which aims to prevent and minimise harm from gambling across the municipality. The draft Reducing Harm from Gambling Policy 2021-2025 will be available for community comment later this month. Go to www.yourcityyourvoice. com.au to provide your input into this most important social policy issue.

Habitat Gardens will be starting up again this month. The program provides Hobsons Bay residents the opportunity to learn about the importance of using native plants in their gardens and how they can support the local wildlife. The program includes presentations from experienced habitat gardeners, design and feedback sessions as well as a supply of free native plants. Registration for the next round is now open. Residents should visit the Hobsons Bay council website. FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Maribyrnong & Hobsons Bay Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Print and Online Sales Executive

CONNECT AND COMMUNICATE

Star Weekly Star Weekly seeks an enthusiastic sales executive to work across our print, digital, social and online platforms. Star Weekly is an independently owned company which prides itself on its long history of community experience but also its investment in the future. The successful applicant will need to possess good people skills to enable them to meet with local businesses to sell solutions through our advertising platforms to help promote their business. Sales skills/experience: • Ability to maintain existing professional relationships and to create new ones • Ability to meet defined sales and activity targets • Excellent listening skills • Accuracy and attention to detail • Effective time management to meet deadlines • Ability to operate in a team • Demonstrates initiative and flexibility • Effective oral and written communication Applicants will need their own reliable vehicle for which we will provide an allowance. The position is salaried, plus we offer an open ended commission scheme. Send your application letter and resume to: Mandy Clark Group Advertising Sales Manager mandy.clark@starnewsgroup.com.au

Dates

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Every third dose protects everyone you love Getting your third dose of the vaccine now, won’t just protect you. It will help protect your entire family. From the oldest to the youngest, getting your third dose now, means you’ve done everything you can to protect everyone you love from serious illness.

Find your nearest vax site and walk in, or book now.

Go to coronavirus.vic.gov.au

VACCINATION

TICKET Find out more at CORONAVIRUS.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

Wednesday, 9 February, 2022 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 7

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Joining forces for food relief By Tara Murray

Nourish Project is now based at Central West.

(Supplied)

Five neighbourhood houses across Brimbank and Maribyrnong have joined forces in response to food security in the two municipalities. Each of the houses had been doing their own food relief programs throughout the pandemic, so they decided to join forces to provide more support to those who need it. The houses have formed the Nourish Project which aims to rescue surplus food

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8 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 9 February, 2022

from landfill and transformed it into healthy and nutritious meals which are then delivered and provided for free to people doing it tough. Duke Street Community House’s Kat Day said each of the houses had been seeing between 20 and 50 people each week seeking food. The Duke Street house had been giving out food hampers every week and were now handing them out at the Nourish Program’s new home in Braybrook. “We’ve been doing food relief since August 2020,” she said. “The last six months we’ve partnered up with five other neighbourhood houses. “The Nourish program has moved into a new space at Central West Shopping Centre. “Some families with larger households we’re seeing every week, some families we see every two weeks.” The other houses part of the project are Yarraville Community Centre, Angliss Neighbourhood House, West Footscray Neighbourhood House and Braybrook Maidstone Neighbourhood. Ms Day said the houses continue to provide other support, not just food relief.She said that more people have inquired about the project since it moved into Central West. Ms Day said they were looking for volunteers to help with a number of roles. “We’re definitely going to need some volunteers to help us meet the demand,” she said. “We are most desperate for people to drive to the various businesses to get the items. “We’re after people who want to help pick hampers and we’re possibly looking to have a booking service. “Anyone who feels like they want to give some time to the community, we will find a role.” Ms Day said the food relief program continued to flow onto other parts of the house’s programs. She said many of the programs they’ve introduced recently have come about after meeting people through those programs.

Concerns over the upkeep of Dennis Reserve A resident is concerned about the upkeep of the grass and plants at Dennis Reserve in Williamstown, given the amount of money Hobsons Bay council has spent upgrading the park. Russell Cocks said while council should be congratulated on the improvements made to the reserve over the past few years, it should not let all the good work die. “As a daily user of the reserve I can find no evidence of any sort of watering program and as a consequence the grass and plants are suffering,” he said. “It is a false economy to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on capital works and then destroy the good work by lack of water, particularly in a summer when all the reservoirs are full to the brim. “I just think that they’re failing to water the grass in particular in the reserve and it is dying. “I walk around Williamstown every day and I think that there’s a general lack of water being used.” In a statement, council said it works closely with its landscaping contractor to adjust the below ground irrigation system at Dennis Reserve to ensure the grass and plants are watered appropriately. “The water supply has recently been adjusted to cope with the warmer weather,” council said.

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Get vaccinated at Scienceworks By Molly Magennis COVID-19 vaccine pop-up hubs will be opening up in some of Victoria’s most iconic venues, making it easier for vulnerable and disadvantaged children to get the jab. From February 12, vaccination pop-ups will roll out across venues such as Scienceworks, Werribee Open Range Zoo and Sealife Aquarium. The sites are intended to be used by children who would otherwise experience potential issues to getting vaccinated. Access to the pop-ups will initially be invite-only, with the

Department of Health and the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing targeting children from out of home care, living with disability or in contact with specialist services. The pop-ups will start at nine initial locations across Melbourne, with each site capable of administering up to 100 paediatric doses each weekend. Health Minister Martin Foley said the special pop-up hubs were for the vulnerable children who might need and deserve some extra assistance. “We know needles can be a bit daunting

for kids, but the young ones that come to our vaccination centres they are entering an enchanted forest of protection,” he said. “We’re proud to have established Australia’s most diverse and successful COVID-19 vaccination program – one that recognises access issues and builds solutions by listening directly to experts and community groups.” Scienceworks general manager Jonathan Shearer said the venue was excited to be supporting the Department of Health. “Being a science based organisation, we know that vaccines are the best way we can

protect our community, and so we think if we can help those families that have difficulty accessing vaccines … living with disadvantage or living with disability, giving them not only access to the vaccine, but also a fun, positive day out, we think that’s an excellent initiative and something we’re happy to support.”

Seabrook Cricket Club knocks up 50 years Seabrook Cricket Club will celebrate its 50th anniversary this month. Founded in 1971, the club was originally known as the St Paul’s Cricket Club due to the fact that it was founded by the students and staff at St Paul’s College in Altona North. The club plans to celebrate the milestone on Saturday, February 19, with an event held at Bruce Comben Reserve, their home ground. Junior co-ordinator Lionel Thomas said the club feels a sense of pride that it has been able to keep operating and growing throughout the last 50 years. He said the sense of community and camaraderie around the club is what makes it so special. “I think we are a tight knit community [that] espouses the values of being a family club,” he said.

“We have people from all backgrounds and ages that have embraced each other and become lifelong friends. We sometimes joke that we come to play cricket so that we can spend the day with our mates. The cricket is a bonus.” One of the highlights from the past 50 years was when both the first and second XI won premierships in the 2017-18 season, Thomas said. “Both games were played at the same venue so it was a special occasion that we were able to celebrate together,” he said. Thomas said he can’t thank everyone who has supported the club over the years enough. “We want to thank everyone that has been involved at the club for the last 50 years for supporting us. For those who are unfortunately no longer with us, we can’t thank you enough for the work that you did at the club.”

Seabrook will be celebrating its 50th anniversary on February 19. (Supplied)

We’re building big near you and there will be transport disruptions As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re building the West Gate Tunnel, a vital alternative to the West Gate Bridge and removing 85 dangerous level crossings, with 56 already gone. Train disruptions: Buses replace trains in both directions Werribee Line

Williamstown Line

8.30pm 18 Feb to 3am 19 Feb

Newport to Werribee

3am 19 Feb to 23 Feb

Until 14 Feb

Closed in both directions under the West Gate Freeway

Laverton to Werribee

Until 14 Feb

8pm to last train each night, 20 Feb to 23 Feb

North Melbourne to Werribee

Inbound exit ramp from the West Gate Freeway closed

Until 28 Feb

8.30pm 18 Feb to 20 Feb

Newport to Williamstown

Inbound entry ramp to the West Gate Freeway closed

West Gate Freeway

Until 28 Feb

Outbound exit ramp to the M80 Ring Road closed

M80 Ring Road

Until 28 Feb

Ramp to Princes Freeway (Geelong-bound) closed

Power St, Williamstown

7pm 18 Feb to 6am 22 Feb

Closed at Station Road intersection

8pm to last train each night, 20 Feb to 23 Feb Sunbury Line

Road disruptions: Closed roads, lanes and ramps

North Melbourne to Williamstown

8.45pm to last train each North Melbourne to Sunshine night, 15 Feb to 17 Feb

Williamstown Road

Find a detailed list of disruptions at bigbuild.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne Wednesday, 9 February, 2022 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 9

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU Crime briefs Car theft appeal

Altona Lacrosse Club’s James Bleed, Friends of Community Tributaries’ Ursula De Almeida, Italian Social Club’s Vito Di Gregorio, Tony Loschiavo and Angelo Basilone, West Gate Tunnel Project’s Liz Evans and MP Melissa Horne. (Supplied)

Tunnel funds distributed By Molly Magennis Community groups and organisations in Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay will share in almost $500,000 worth of grants thanks to the West Gate Neighbourhood Fund. A total of 28 grants have been awarded for local initiatives as part of the state government’s $10 million fund to ensure the benefits of the West Gate Tunnel Project can start flowing to the community. Grants of up to $100,000 have been awarded for festivals, events, displays and upgrades to community, sporting and recreational facilities run by not-for-profit community groups and organisations. Recipients include Brooklyn Tennis Club

which will invest in new tennis court net posts and nets, the Italian Social Club Altona which will upgrade two bocce courts and add a new one, and Friends of Community Tributaries who will expand the Brooklyn Community Garden. West Footscray Neighbourhood House will also benefit from the grants, allowing it to develop a series of workshops to help new parents from culturally diverse backgrounds. Williamstown MP Melissa Horne said the grants presented an opportunity for the community to come together. “This is great news for our local community as we see more open space, community events, and more opportunity for us to come together and celebrate what’s great about our

neighbourhood,” she said. “Congratulations to all recipients and I can’t wait to see these ideas come into action through support from the Andrews Labor government.” The grants follow on from the success of the first round of partnerships, that provided funding of between $100,000 and $1.1 million for a broad range of programs across the inner west. When completed, The West Gate Tunnel Project will decrease travel time between Melbourne’s west and the city by up to 20 minutes. There will also be 14 kilometres of new and upgraded walking and cycling paths for residents to enjoy, according to the government.

The Maribyrnong Vehicle Crime Reduction Team is appealing for public assistance following the theft of a car in Footscray. Police have been told a red 2018 Mazda sedan was parked in Whitehall Street, Footscray on Tuesday, January 18. Sometime between 7.30pm on January 18 and 3am January 19, the vehicle was stolen. A credit card, which was left in the vehicle, was then used to purchase food and drinks at fast food and convenience stores in Niddrie and Melbourne CBD. The car was later recovered in Coburg on Monday, January 31. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www. crimestoppervic.com.au

Missing Hobsons Bay teen Police are appealing for help locating a missing 13-year-old girl. Charlea was last seen in Altona Meadows on Wednesday, February 2. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www. crimestoppervic.com.au

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

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Call for more crossings to keep children safe By Molly Magennis A concerned father is petitioning for multiple zebra crossing’s to be painted in the vicinity of Church Street Children’s Centre in West Footscray. Luis Esteves has children that attend the childcare centre, and said the road is difficult to cross during peak hours, making it very dangerous for the children who attend the centre. Mr Esteves said zebra crossings are also needed in Essex Street and Blanford Street considering the area also has a dog park and a primary school nearby. “It’s really kind of appalling the way pedestrians are treated around here, like you have a dog park, you have a school, you have a childcare centre,” he said. “At school time you see people just waiting for five minutes.” Mr Esteves has started an online petition, and so far has received 356 signatures. On the petition’s website, he states that the zebra crossing will make the area more inclusive, “by making it easier for everyone, particularly persons with impaired mobility, to cross these busy streets”. He has contacted Maribyrnong council about the issue, and said some councillors, such as Cr Bernadette Thomas and Cr Jorge Jorquera, were very receptive to the petition, while others were not. Mr Esteves said he does not agree with council’s argument that installing zebra crossings will be too expensive. “We’re talking about a zebra crossing, that

Luis Esteves says zebra crossings in the Church Street vicinity are needed to provide a safe way for children to get to school and childcare. 267141 (Damjan Janevski)

zebra crossing is painting the ground, it’s not an expensive thing.” Mr Esteves submitted his petition to council on February 4, where it will be tabled in the next council meeting. He said it’s completely possible there will be no outcome from bringing his petition to council. “I think they’ll be pretty stupid if they don’t

do it, because I think it’s a crying shame. It’s so stupid that there’s not a zebra crossing there.” Maribyrnong council was contacted for comment. Details: https://www.change.org/p/crmichael-clarke-pedestrian-crossing-forchildren-near-church-street-child-care-centre

NEWS

Drivers pay a hefty price Drivers in Maribyrnong are feeling the full force of the law, with six cameras in the area being listed in the top 50 for the number of fines issued during the 2020-21 financial year. Motorists travelling through Yarraville are being caught out the most, with three cameras in the area identifying a significant number of speeding, red-light and unregistered vehicle offences. A camera located at the intersection of Francis Street and Wembley avenue issued 5038 fines during 2020-21, while another camera at the same intersection facing outbound, issued 5126. At the intersection of Williamstown Road and Somerville Road 5164 infringements were issued. Drivers in Footscray were also heavily impacted, with the camera at the intersection of Geelong Road and Droop Street detecting 9303 offences, placing the location at seventh place in the top 50. A total of 6392 infringements were issued on Ballarat Road, while the camera at the intersection of Ballarat Road and Ashley Street in Maidstone detected 4431 offences. The camera on Ballarat Road between Geelong Road and Jamieson Avenue was also listed as number three in the top 10 mobile road safety cameras, having issued 1769 infringements. The total number of infringements issued for the 2020-21 financial year was 384,750. Molly Magennis

Have your say Foot and knee pain are two of the most common human health complaints, yet successful treatment with long term outcomes seems hard to find. So what can we do about them? Until fairly recently the only options have been to rest for extended periods, refrain from activities, or resort to medications and in severe case undergo surgery. But that isn’t the case anymore! Thanks to the latest advances in medical science, ongoing and reoccuring foot, ankle, knee and leg pain can be a thing of the past. Foot and Leg Pain Clinics, one of Australia’s leading lower limb pain and injury experts, are having enormous success assisting people with conditions such as: general pain; soft tissue injuries (new & old); degenerative conditions like arthritis, tendinopathy; plantar fasciitis; bursitis, nerve impingement issuess and children’s growth and development conditions. Their clinically proven treatment plans have helped thousands to alleviate pain, heal injuries, improve mobility, and re-engage in activities. They’ve even assisted many to avoid surgery such as knee replacements. “The latest medical research has provided us with a better understanding of the body and how we can assist it to heal itself. If we look past the surface symptoms to uncover contributing factors like faulty foot function, repetitive stress patterns, biomechanical weaknesses and lifestyle factors - then utilise the latest treatments and management strategies, we can relieve stress on joints and tissues, improve function, enhance mobility, decrease or eliminate pain and even assist soft tissue repair,” says the clinics founder Dr. Paul Dowie. If you have foot, heel, knee or leg pain, injuries or arthritis you can see Dr. Dowie at Foot and Leg Pain Clinics in Williamstown. Call 1300 328 300.

Trains will run from a new station at the airport to Sunshine Station, then through the Metro Tunnel into the CBD before continuing on to the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines. So far this year we have sought community feedback to help us shape the project scope and how we manage potential construction impacts.

We are now seeking feedback on: — Planning and environmental matters — Walking and cycling connections. Complete the survey Let us know what matters to you by completing the online survey at airportrail.vic.gov.au/survey or calling 1800 105 105. You can learn more about Melbourne Airport Rail by visiting airportrail.vic.gov.au.

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Foot or Knee Pain?

Melbourne Airport Rail will connect Melbourne Airport to the rail network for the ﬁrst time, getting people to where they need to go with easy transfers to metro and regional lines and trips into the heart of the city in around 30 minutes.

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Wednesday, 9 February, 2022 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 11

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Airport noise concerns take off By Molly Magennis The construction of a new third runway at Melbourne Airport may have noise-related impacts on residents in Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay. On January 31, the airport released its draft Master Plan and draft Major Development Plan which revealed the future direction of the airport over the next five years, 20 years and long into the future. While Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay will not be directly affected by the construction of the third runway, a series of in-person development sessions are set to be

held across the municipalities. A ‘Library Talks’ session will be held in Maidstone and Altona for residents to meet the airport development staff in person and hear about the plans. The talks will take place at the Maidstone Community Centre on Tuesday, February 12 from 11am to 1pm, and Altona Library on Tuesday, April 26 from 6pm to 8pm. ‘Meet the planner’ sessions are also scheduled to be held at West Footscray Neighbourhood House. Sessions will be held every fortnight on a Tuesday from noon to 8pm, with appointments available both in-person and online. The first

session at the Neighbourhood House will take place on April 19. Maribyrnong council was briefed on the proposed runway plans on Monday, February 7. Chief executive Celia Haddock said it is too early for council to have formed a definitive view around issues or concerns. “On preliminary review, we note there appears to be some forecast change in existing aircraft noise levels over Braybrook and north-west Maribyrnong, but will want to take the time to comprehensively examine the documents to fully understand the breadth of any implications for the municipality before

forming any views,” she said. “Council is mindful of protecting the existing community and future planned areas from any potential detrimental impacts from aircraft noise exposure. It will be closely reviewing all the documentation to understand any implications for its community. This will be a cross-council review involving a number of areas. Once this is complete, a report will go to council considering the proposal and council’s recommended response. This report will inform council’s formal submission to Melbourne Airport.” Hobsons Bay council was contacted for comment.

Police look into grass fires

The RAAF boat being lifted from the water at Lakes Entrance on route to Spotswood.

(Supplied)

Historic rescue boat to be restored A historic World War II Royal Australian Air Force search and rescue boat will be restored in Spotswood. The 48 foot boat was transported on Wednesday, February 2 via the Princes Highway from Lakes Entrance, and arrived in Spotswood on Thursday, February 3. The ex search and rescue boat was originally built in 1941. It was in service during World War II in

Gippsland Lakes, East Sale and Point Cook with Royal Australian Air Force Marine Sections. Once restored, it will be relocated to the Royal Australian Air Force Museum in Point Cook. The RAAF Museum is home to the nation’s largest collection of memorabilia and aircraft relating to the history of the Australian Flying Corps and the Royal Australian Air Force.

The museum will be closed to the public until June 2022, due to infrastructure works that are underway to improve accessibility and to update exhibitions. Entry to the museum is free-of-charge, when it is open. Details: https://www.airforce.gov.au/ raaf-museum

Police are appealing for public assistance as they continue to investigate a string of grass fires in Maribyrnong. The first incident occurred on New Year’s Day, after a large grass fire was reported near the fence line of a former munitions factory on Raleigh Road about 12.55pm. The large fire damaged and destroyed several nearby buildings and a number of houses had to be evacuated. The nearby area was at risk of reigniting for several days after the incident. A second grass fire occurred at the rear of the factory along the Maribyrnong River about 6.55pm on Monday, January 10. The fire was deemed suspicious. Police and emergency services were then called to a third fire at the facility along Cordite Avenue about 11.44am on Sunday, January 16. A week later, police were called to a fourth fire at the same address about 4.40pm on Sunday, January 23. Police are investigating whether the incidents are linked and are appealing for anyone who has witnessed suspicious activity in the area recently to come forward. Police have been working closely with the site owners who are increasing security presence on site and enhancing CCTV in the area. Anyone with information about the incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www. crimestoppersvic.com.au. Molly Magennis

Molly Magennis

VU’s world-first research into recycled backfill for roads Researchers from Victoria University’s (VU) College of Engineering and Science are conducting world-first research exploring the use of recycled materials as backfill in utilities trenches, located metres below busy city roads. The industry’s standard practice is to use natural aggregates for backfill. This material usually needs to be excavated and crushed, and often trucked across great distances. However, VU’s Dr Ehsan Yaghoubi, Professor Sam Fragomeni and Associate Professor Maurice Guerrieri have received a $220,000 grant from Sustainability Victoria

for their research into using an alternative of crushed recycled concrete aggregates from demolished structures - such as buildings and bridges - that normally go to landfill. The latest research project follows the team’s successful delivery of another Sustainability Victoria-funded project in 2020, at a demonstration site in Wyndham. This project showed that a blend of recycled plastic, glass and tyres, with self-compacting properties, could serve as backfill in “non-trafficked” trenches. “In the new project, we are looking at stronger materials that can perform well when roads with moving vehicles are built on

12 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 9 February, 2022

top of the trenches,” Dr Yabhoubi said. These world-first solutions could keep tonnes of demolition rubble, as well as waste plastic, glass and tyres, out of landfills. It is estimated about 7000 tonnes of waste that would otherwise go to landfills could be used for building non-trafficked trenches. Both of the 2020 project and the new initiative are being conducted through a collaboration between VU and the University of Melbourne, with Greater Western Water and Ground Science as industry partners. “The latest project is important as rapid urbanisation is creating more roads and the percentage of sewer pipelines constructed

beneath areas with traffic is increasing,” Dr Yaghoubi said. VU’s geotechnical and pavement laboratories, at its Footscray Park Campus, have refurbished for the projects including with new state-of-the-art facilities for performance-testing of the recycled blends. Dr Yagyoubi said the project demonstrated VU’s commitment to the circular economy by proving the suitability of recycled materials to build the infrastructure for essential services. The team’s latest project was awarded the VU’s Vice-Chancellor’s Award for innovation in 2021.

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Febfast puts good into the world Point Cook’s Christian Rechichi says that his own journey with mental health has inspired him to fundraise for Beyond Blue during February. Mr Rechichi is participating in the Febfast campaign, for which he is giving up alcohol until February 28, in return for donations towards Beyond Blue. He is aiming to raise a total of $300 for the foundation. Febfast, run annually by the Youth Support and Advocacy Service (YSAS), raises funds to support young people facing drugs, alcohol or mental health issues. Mr Rechichi, who is studying to become

a doctor, said that he has been experiencing mental health issues for the past five years “Luckily I had a lot of support,” he said. “Truth is, not a lot of people are that lucky.” Mr Rechichi said that as a child, he also acted as an “anchor” for a friend who was facing their own struggle with mental health. “Beyond Blue is such a marvellous foundation and it helps those who may not feel like they have that support,” he said. “As a child suffering from undiscovered mental health in the past, it is extremely hard to speak up and if Beyond Blue had more publicity/funding, they could prevent more trauma from surfacing.”

Mr Rechichi said he would like to thank everyone who has donated to his fundraising efforts, including his friends and family. “Thank you to my significant other for being my support and a bigger donator, and last, thank you to the Devereux’s (friends of Mr Rechichi) for being a constant anchor in my journey.” Mr Rechichi said that although February was already underway, he would encourage other people to join Febfast. “If you are considering doing some charity work, this is your sign,” he said. “Help people that need it more than us - put some good out in the world.”

Christian Rechichi.

(Damjan Janevski). 267210_03

Energy bonus is extended

Stephen Wainrib and Rita Rosa are looking forward to the outdoor film sessions. (Joe Mastroianni). 266279

Movies bloom at State Rose Garden Barefoot Cinema will return to the western suburbs for the second time ever in 2022. The outdoor movie experience will host sessions among the blooms at the Victorian State Rose Garden, Werribee Park from March 1-19. The events will include food, drinks and live music well before the screen lights up. Lucky-door prizes and treasure hunts are

also a regular occurrence at Barefoot Cinema screenings. Attendees are being encouraged to arrive early and explore the wider Werribee Mansion estate. The films to be screened at Werribee Park are yet to be confirmed, but this season of Barefoot Cinema will include Don’t Look Up, Venom, The French Dispatch, House Of

Gucci, No Time To Die, E.T., Jungle Cruise, The Greatest Showman, Encanto, Sing 2, Dirty Dancing and Grease. Pre-bookings for the cinema sessions are recommended to avoid disappointment Tickets: adults $21, concession $17, children (three to 12 years old) $14, kids under three get in free-of-charge. Details: https://barefootcinema.com.au/

The Victorian government is extending the $250 Power Saving Bonus payment in a bid to support more vulnerable households to pay their energy bills. Melton MP Steve McGhie said that the extension would provide crucial financial support for eligible households who have yet to receive the payment. “The Power Saving Bonus is easing cost of living pressures and I encourage all eligible households in Melton to apply for what could be a crucial $250 payment towards their energy bills,” he said. Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said: “In its first year this one-off payment has provided much-needed assistance, delivering $87.5 million to more than 350,000 households, but there are still many Victorians on support payments who have not yet applied for what could be crucial help with their energy bills”. More than 350,000 Victorians have already accessed the one-off $250 payment since it was launched in February 2021, providing more than $87.5 million to those who need it most. Households receiving payments through the Pensioner Concession, JobSeeker, Austudy, Abstudy or Youth Allowance programs, or who hold a Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card are eligible. The payment is transferred electronically into bank accounts or provided via cheque on request, and typically takes about two weeks to arrive. To assist eligible households who may not have access to a computer or require assistance with their application, the government is providing support through the Power Saving Bonus Community Outreach Program. Details: https://compare.energy.vic. gov.au/ Sarah Oliver

Police continue to crackdown on street gangs in the west Police are working with a taskforce investigating street gangs across the state to tackle the issue in the western suburbs. A Victoria Police spokesperson said that Operation Alliance was established in September 2020, to disrupt and dismantle street gangs. The spokesperson said that since then, the Westgate police division has been running regular local operations, investigations and early intervention initiatives to disrupt those committing crimes in Melbourne’s western suburbs. The efforts are being led by officers in a group

known as the Westgate Alliance Taskforce. “Detectives and uniform police officers from Wyndham, Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay who are regularly supported by specialist units such as the Gang Crime Squad, Public Order Response Team, Dog Squad and Highway Patrol as part of the operation,” the spokesperson said. “Gangs aren’t solely restricted to offending in their local neighbourhood, as they often strike in a sequence and have no reservations travelling across the western suburbs, into Melbourne or through regional Victoria to commit further crimes.”

The spokesperson said this is why police have “an integrated and co-ordinated approach” through the sharing of real-time intelligence across the state, to remain one step ahead of offenders and identify key influencers within gangs. “We know the people in these youth gangs and groups are committing serious crimes such as carjackings and home invasions that deeply traumatise victims and leave long lasting impacts,” the spokesperson said. “That is why police work tirelessly as part of Operation Alliance to detect, disrupt and dismantle youth gangs before they can cause

significant harm to the community.” On January 26, officers from the Westgate Alliance Taskforce charged four teenagers with a range of offences including violent disorder, affray, armed with criminal intent, theft and weapons offences. The charges related to a serious affray that occurred at a Werribee shopping centre carpark on January 6 about 9.40pm. Some participants in the incident were allegedly armed with machetes and knives. Multiple people were allegedly seriously assaulted during the affray. Alesha Capone

Wednesday, 9 February, 2022 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 13

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Teen lifesavers on patrol By Molly Magennis A group of teenagers who have immigrated to Australia or have parents who were born overseas, took to the beach on the weekend for their first patrol as volunteer lifesavers at Williamstown beach. The group, aged between 13 and 16 from Thailand and Malaysia, have spent the past few years participating in Life Saving Victoria’s ‘Learn to Swim’ program, and have now also finished their Surf Rescue Certificates. Life Saving Victoria’s manager for diversity and inclusion program delivery Michael Masseni said the kids have been really determined to complete their courses so that they can get out and undertake patrols. “Developing these skills and achieving this qualification also provides them with the opportunity to take on employment as swim teachers or pool lifeguards in the years to come,” he said. Surf Rescue Certificate participant Sheli said she was taught just how important swimming was from a young age by her mother. “My mum taught me that swimming is important and I really enjoy swimming, since my mum was a swimming teacher when I was young, she helped me and I find great joy in swimming. “It’s something that everyone should at least learn once in their life. “Anyone can do the Surf Rescue Certificate, today is my first day of patrolling and I am a bit nervous to get out and about. But I am excited to see everyone out and enjoying themselves, and to keep people safe.”

Clio.

Sheli is aged 16-years-old and originally from Thailand.

(Supplied)

Lifeguard Chris, Piya, Sheli, Justin, July, lifeguard Chelsea, Clio, Joshua and Shermula enjoy their first patrol at Williamstown Beach. (Supplied)

The six young refugees have learnt how to swim and now have their Surf Rescue Certificates.

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

40 years ago

30 years ago

20 years ago

10 years ago

February 9, 1982 Hundreds of Footscray residents are continuing the fight for cleaner air in the West.

February 12, 1992 A complaint by the former Footscray mayor Ron Jevic about the Western Independent newspaper’s coverage of the 1991 Footscray Council election has been upheld by the Australian Press Council.

February 6, 2002 Belandra will be rebuilt. Company director Frank Oravec said the Brooklyn meatworks factory, almost totally destroyed in a blaze last June, would be fully reconstructed.

February 8, 2012 Hanging tough. Women find inspiration by joining the circus.

14 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 9 February, 2022

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BEHIND THE NEWS

Our furry friends take the lead Jack Russell Terriers, Labradors, Staffordshire Terriers and German Shepherds are among the most popular dog breeds in Melbourne’s north and west. Alesha Capone takes a closer look at the region’s canine paw-pulation.

rom Maribyrnong to Moorabool, many residents of area are fur-tunate enough to own a dog, with councils in region having a combined total of more than 102,000 canines registered with them. In Wyndham, there were 21,002 dogs registered in the 2020-21 year. Wyndham council’s city operations director, Stephen Thorpe, said the municipality’s top five breeds are Jack Russells (1486 dogs), Staffordshire Bull Terriers (1398), Labradors (1319), Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (990) and German Shepherds (876). “Wyndham city encourages all owners to register their animals with council,” Mr Thorpe said. “Three months ago, Wyndham city council formally adopted a four-year Domestic Animal Management Plan that outlines council’s commitment to animal management relating to cats and dogs from 2021 through to 2025.

‘‘

We encourage people to look into what is the right breed for them and their families - Craig Lloyd

’’

“The plan promotes responsible pet ownership, encourages pet registration and aims to minimise the risk of attack by dogs and nuisance caused by animals.” Wyndham resident Lyndall Mione is the proud owner of a Jack Russell named Milo. Milo has lived with Ms Mione’s family, including three teenage daughters, since November 2020 when he was aged eight weeks old. Ms Mione said that Jack Russells are a good dog for an active family. “Milo is also great company for me when I am working from home,” she said. “He is full of personality and he has a fear of missing out on things, he loves going for walks to the dog park and playing.” In Melton, there are almost 16,200 dogs registered with the council, while Hobsons Bay council has 11,014 dogs registered. The most common breeds in Hobsons Bay are Labradors (526 dogs), Jack Russell Terriers (475), Staffordshire Terriers (262), Cavoodles (395) and Border Collies (310). Hobsons Bay mayor Peter Hemphill said that the area was blessed “to have enviable open spaces from dog beaches to dog parks”. He said the council was continuing to invest in infrastructure for dogs and their owners to enjoy, such as the Brooklyn Dog Park and the recently-redeveloped PA Burns Reserve in Altona, which has a fenced dog off-lead area. At Brimbank council, there are 9454 dogs registered, with the top five breeds being Jack Russell Terriers, Maltese Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, German Shepherds and Labradors. Nearby Maribyrnong has 7081 dogs registered, with Jack Russells, Labradors, Maltese Terriers, Kelpies and Staffordshire Terriers making up the top five most popular breeds. Maribyrnong council’s infrastructure services director, Pat Jess, said that pets could have significant health and wellbeing benefits for people, including increased physical activity and improving social connectedness. “This is one of the reasons why council invests in its open space infrastructure to create a variety of recreation opportunities for both our residents and their pets,” Ms Jess said. “Every year we encourage residents to support responsible pet ownership, which includes registering their cats and dogs, ensuring they are microchipped and registered

Siblings Harvey, Summer and Levi with their family’s Labrador Kobe.

(Joe Mastroianni) 266110_01

Lyndall Mione and her Jack Russell, Milo; Christiana with her Staffordshire Terrier April; Arden, whose owner is a member of the German Shepherd Dog Club of Victoria, western branch, which is based in Keilor. (Pictures: Damjan Janevski and supplied) 266114

from three months of age.” Jack Russells – once again – took out the top spot in Moorabool, where there are 5994 are dogs registered – including 435 Jack Russells, 353 Labradors, 337 Border Collies, 307 Kelpies and 301 Staffordshire Terriers. Across to the northern suburbs, Whittlesea’s chief executive Craig Lloyd said there were 19,586 dogs registered with the council. Maltese Terriers are the most popular with 1889 registered, followed byJack Russell Terriers (1520 dogs), Staffordshire Terriers (1433), Labrador Retrievers (1184) and Cavoodles (840). “As part of the city of Whittlesea’s Domestic Animal Management Plan, we have a range of initiatives to encourage responsible pet ownership and we will be engaging further with the community over the coming months,” Mr Lloyd said.’ “We encourage people to look into what is the right breed for them and their families and ensure that they undertake dog obedience training.”

Hume council has 18,840 dogs registered – 816 German Shepherds, 806 Jack Russells, 646 Labradors, 633 Cavoodles and 569 Maltese Terrier/Shitzu crosses. With Labradors being such a popular dog across all municipalities, Werribee Obedience Dog Club secretary Noelene Jordan – who has two pure-bred Labradors named Cassie and Flynn – said the breed is “very smart and trainable”. “They’re always there for you and they never stop being a puppy,” she said. “They are good family pets, they are great with everyone.” However, Ms Jordan said it was important for dog owners to train their pets and not just expect automatic obedience from them. “If you can get to puppy school, they are so good, even then it’s good if you can keep doing basic obedience training,” she said. Ms Jordan added that it is important for anyone wanting to a dog to do their research into various breeds’ temperaments and activity levels, and ensure any animal they

buy is healthy. “Do your homework and find out what’s going to suit you,” she said. Labrador owner Kim said that before purchasing her family’s dog Kobe, she spent about 12 months talking to different breeders and doing research on the best breed to fit in with their lifestyle. Kobe, now 18 months old, is a beloved part of the family. “He’s our best friend, he’s loyal, he’s fun and good with everyone, he is great with the kids and is very clever,” she said. Kobe is named after the basketball player Kobe Bryant, as both of Kim’s sons love the sport. “He’s the kids’ best friend and now they are back at school, he’s walking around the house looking for them,” she said. Kim said that Kobe also loves to “eat everything” and sits with herself and her husband every day, while they work from home. Details: https://bit.ly/3ASr9fj

Wednesday, 9 February, 2022 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 15

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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

Computers for beginners Williamstown Community and Education Centre is now taking enrolments for classes to help those with limited computer skills. Classes are at Joan Kirner House and North Altona Library, all days of the week. ■ Lynne or Tahlia, 9397 6168.

Knitting group Anyone is welcome to come along to Yarraville or Footscray library for a weekly knitting group. Registrations are recommended via Eventbrite. ■ https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/ library/Events/Knitting-Group

Williamstown Craft Market Commonwealth Reserve comes alive on the third Sunday of the month with the Williamstown Craft Market. The market boasts over 50 stalls showcasing everything from handmade craft, homegrown produce and food vendors. There will also be live music. The market takes place from 10am-4pm. ■ https://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/ Community/Whats-On/Williamstown-CraftMarket

This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of eight-month-old Maverick at Williamstown beach. (Damjan Janevski) 266532_01

Conversation Cafe The Conversation Cafe is back on at Footscray and Braybrook Library. It gives people the chance to meet new people and practice English conversation skills in a relaxed and friendly environment. ■ https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/ library/Events/Conversation-Cafe

the western suburbs. The group meets fortnightly on Sunday mornings for a 60 to 90-minute walk, a bit of fresh air, and to talk about all sorts from family to current affairs to sports, all the while enjoying the different tracks in Wyndham. ■ Search ‘Hikoi Brothers’ on Facebook

Diabetes support group

Love Our Patch

The Westgate diabetes support group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at the Altona Bowling Club at 10am. ■ Elaine, 0415 030 996

Love Our Patch will host an afternoon tea meet-up Saturday, February 12, from 2-4.30pm at the Eco Living Centre, 28 Ridge Street, Wyndham Vale. Meet with your neighbours for an afternoon of discussions, brainstorming, and bright ideas to care for people and for places. ■ Jess, jess.fairfax@werribeeriver.org.au

will go towards Werribee Mercy Hospital and local public health services. Cost: $2 per book or six books for $10, please bring correct cash and BYO bag. ■ https://whf.org.au/campaigns/book-sale12-13-feb/

Quilt-In

Heritage walks Enjoy a leisurely two-hour walk around historic Williamstown and nearby suburbs with guide John. Walks start at 9.20am each Tuesday outside the Visitor Information Centre in Nelson Place. ■ John, 0418 377 336

Musicians welcome Do you play trumpet, flute or lower brass instruments? The Hobsons Bay City Band is seeking musicians to join its community band. Rehearsals are held Mondays from 7.30pm at the Newport Lakes Primary School, Elizabeth Street, Newport. ■ 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 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

Community outings Hikoi Brothers is for men of all ages in

Join us in Landcare The Friends of Presidents Park meet on the first Thursday of the month, 10am-noon. This is a new conservation group and welcomes individuals or groups to get involved. No prior knowledge required. Meet in the carpark near the river and Shaws Bridge. ■ admin@werribeeriver.org.au

Werribee River lovers required A new family-friendly conservation group is forming to support the Werribee River in central Werribee. The next event is Tuesday, March 8, 5.30–7pm, river end of Edgar Street, Werribee. ■ maryann.weatherill@werribeeriver.org.au

Love Our Street 3029 A monthly clean up group in Hoppers and Tarneit locations resumes for 2022 on Sunday February 20, 10.30am-noon, at the Grange Reserve, along Hogans Road. Equipment provided. ■ 3029@ loveourstreet.com.au

Wyndham Patchworkers is holding its 25th anniversary Quilt-In on February 12 at St James the Apostle Catholic Church Hall, 336 Derrimut Road, Hoppers Crossing from 10am to 3.30pm, with Veronique Diligent as guest speaker. The day will include a raffle, door prizes, show and tell and four local traders. There will be no door sales, so all attendees must pre-book via www.trybooking.com. Tickets: $15 including morning/afternoon tea. BYO lunch. Proof of vaccination status or medical exemption required. ■ Donna Morris, 0417 268 887

Education volunteers EdConnect Australia is searching for Wyndham residents to mentor and volunteer with students for the 2022 school year. The charity places volunteers in local schools to help improve the lives of vulnerable young people and equip them with life skills. EdConnect Australia offers training and support to volunteers. ■ www.edconnectaustralia.org.au/ volunteer/ or 1800 668 550

Charity Book sale Werribee Hospital Foundation will host a charity book sale on Saturday, February 12 and Sunday, February 13, from 9am-4pm, at 27 Cambridge Crescent, Werribee. There will be a variety of high-quality, pre-loved books available. All funds raised

16 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 9 February, 2022

Melton South Knit & Natter All welcome to join this social crafting group, running at the Melton South Community Centre each Monday from 10am-noon. Bring along any knitting or crochet projects and work on them while sharing tips, learning skills and catching up over a cuppa. ■ 9747 8576

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

Mahjong group Interested in learning to play Mahjong? U3A Melton has a group who play on Tuesdays at 10am. ■ u3amelton.com or 0419 563 016

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. New members are welcome. ■ Steve, 0408 193 793, or Keith, 0409 494 801

AL-ANON meets

Women’s Day

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.

The Women’s Support Network will be launched at an International Women’s Day event in Brimbank on March 8. All women are welcome to attend. ■ wsn.org.au

U3A Werribee U3A Werribee Region is a not-for-profit organisation consisting of semi-retired and retired residents of Wyndham. It conducts a variety of weekly classes run by volunteers. ■ Rick, 0402299220

at the Melton South Community Centre on the first and third Tuesday of each month. ■ Sue, 0400 082 413

Tutoring program Youth Services and Equal Ed are providing free online tutoring classes for 12-to-18-year-olds. The Academic Homework Support Program is on Wednesdays 4-5pm, from the second week of each school term. Sessions supervised by Wyndham council youth services staff. ■ https://youthwyndham.com/pgm-reg or Danielle Diez, 8375 2346

Singing group Join the Melton South Community Singers

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

Garden club Sunbury Garden Club meets on the first Tuesday of every month at Sunbury Football Club, from 7.30pm ■ Cheryl, 9744 1663

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Wednesday, 9 February, 2022 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 17

PUZZLES No. 067

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.

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS

easy 12

13 14 15

8 5 6 5 4 2 1 5 8 2 9 1 6

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

7 3 6 8 9

DOWN

Well pleased (9) Japanese mountain (4) Disrespect (coll.) (3) Formal statement about another’s character (11) Former US first lady, — Obama (8) Counterreply (6) Bird’s home (4) Showing symptoms of a high temperature (7) Wariness (7) Festivity (4) Positive (6) Being admitted to a church (8) Prioritising material possessions (11) Prefix meaning new (3) Divine beings (4) People living together in communities (9)

1 6 10 11

20 21 25 26 28 29 30 31

No. 067

Lees (8) Case that sets a precedent (4,4) Person who looks after children (6) Bankrupt (9) Speaker’s platform (4) Accord (6) Water-surrounded land (6) Supervisors (7) Pathological self-admirer (9) Morbidly repellent (7) Capital of Finland (8) Useless person or thing (4,4) A spice (6) Subsided (6) Filibuster (6) God of war (4)

1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 16 17 18 19 22 23 24 27

DECODER

No. 067

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

4 1 9 3 6 7 2 5 8

5 1 3 4 6 8 9 2 7

7 2 4 1 9 3 5 6 8

6 9 8 5 7 2 3 1 4

8 5 2 3 1 6 4 7 9

Today’s Aim: 21 words: Good 31 words: Very good

M N

5 LETTERS ACRES AGREE ALIKE AMONG ARROW ARSON BROTH CRONY ELECT ENACT ENEMA ERECT ETHER ETHIC FLOWN GALAS GAMMA HAREM HOLES HOTLY

No. 067

HOVER ISLAM LANCE LEAST LOAFS NEARS ODOUR OLIVE OPERA PITHY PLATE PRIDE PROUD RESTS RICES RINSE ROBIN SEWED SNORT SORTA STEAL

STONE SWATS TESTS TORSO TWEET TYRES VICED WEANS WEARS 6 LETTERS GADGET MEDDLE RASHER RESULT

7 LETTERS ARMPITS COLOURS GONDOLA OUTGROW RESPITE ROASTED 8 LETTERS NOMINEES RECOURSE STRANGLE TURNOVER

11-02-22

No. 067 Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down. NOTE: more than one solution may be possible

R R O R

3 4 5 6 8 1 7 9 2

2 7 6 9 3 4 8 5 1

6 8 7 5 9 2 3 4 1

2 5 3 8 4 1 7 6 9

8 6 5 7 1 9 4 2 3

3 9 4 2 5 6 8 1 7

1 7 2 4 8 3 5 9 6

7 3 1 9 2 4 6 8 5

5 4 6 1 7 8 9 3 2

9 2 8 6 3 5 1 7 4

6 1 8 9 5 3 4 7 2

2 7 5 4 1 8 9 3 6

9 6 1 7 8 4 2 5 3

8 2 3 5 9 1 6 4 7

5 4 7 6 3 2 8 1 9

1 3 6 8 4 9 7 2 5

7 8 2 3 6 5 1 9 4

4 5 9 1 2 7 3 6 8

18 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 9 February, 2022

E S S A Y A M P L E V I O L A

K E W S

9 8 1 2 5 7 6 4 3

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

4 LETTERS ACTS EGGS LEND OHMS PAST RIOT ROSE SLIT SLOT SOWN THEY UGLY URGE WAGE

amen, enema, mane, mans, manse, mast, mate, mates, mats, matt, matte, matts, mean, meanest, means, meant, meat, meet, meets, mesa, mesne, mete, metes, name, names, same, seam, seamen, seem, semen, stamen, STATEMENT, steam, stem, tame, tames, tamest, team, teams, teem, teems, TESTAMENT

1 3 9 7 4 5 2 8 6

O E

10 11 12 13

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”.

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

9-LETTER WORD

42 words: Excellent

hard

5x5

medium

easy

Q T 22

4 7

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

8 9

3 2

1 2

7 6

7 8

6 8

8 2

3 LETTERS ARE DIE EKE ERA EVE EWE HER ICE ITS LEV LSD MES ODE OHS ONE REV RPM RUG TAP TAR UGH URN VCR WOT

M L Y X A H E Z I J S NW

G V U R D C F O P K BQ T

WORDFIT

QUICK QUIZ

1. Singer Ricky Martin (pictured) came to prominence with which 1999 song?

6. Which blood type is considered to be universal?

2. In what year did the Titanic sink?

8. What is the longest river in the world?

3. What is the capital of Morocco?

9. Which disgraced cyclist was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles?

4. What fruit is a hybrid of a pomelo and mandarin? 5. According to the Roman myth, twin boys Romulus and Remus were raised by a what?

7. Who is the author of the 1922 novel Ulysses?

10. What year did man first land on the moon? ANSWERS: 1. Livin’ la Vida Loca 2. 1912 3. Rabat 4. Orange 5. Wolf 6. O negative 7. James Joyce 8. Nile 9. Lance Armstrong 10. 1969

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

A TEACHER Available for tutoring. Mathematics, Science, Chemistry, Chinese and Japanese. Phone 0418 871 203

EXPERIENCED MIG-WELDER NEEDED FOR PERMANENT WORK AT A BUSY FENCING BUSINESS of 30 years IN MOOLAP (Required: Vax Certificate, WWCC, Construction Card (not essential - FORKLIFT Licence) FENCING STYLES – GALVANISED STEEL ,PALISADE, TUBULAR STEEL & GATES

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MOTOR

A light hatch with sporty flair By Ewan Kennedy, Marque Motoring The i20 N is Hyundai’s first light hot hatch. We are assured it can run with its N stablemates, “delivering its speed and performance with a fun personality that turns every trip into a Special Stage” according to Hyundai. At this stage the i20 N is offered in a single grade, we have queried the Australian importer about other grades, but were told that’s all they will divulge at this time. In any case the single grade is well specified and the major emphasis is on high performance - which is exactly what lovers of hot cars are looking for. Important features include Launch Control, an auto rev-matching function for the manual transmission, and a three-mode stability control system as is used in other Hyundai N cars. By the way the ’N’ designation indicates both Hyundai’s Namyang Research and Development Center in South Korea. It was also the famed Nurburgring in Germany where many cars are unofficially tested to their limit in a wide variety of road conditions. Note that the Nurburgring is a public road so if you happen to be in Germany you may care to have a fang there. Just keep an eye on your mirrors in case something very quick suddenly come up behind you…

Styling Hyundai i20 is a neat looking small car even in its standard format. Changes to upgrade it to the N include a different grille inspired by the WRC models, a rear spoiler, built-in rear diffuser and a large single exhaust. The lower areas are finished in red. The 18-inch alloys are in grey matte with N-branded centre caps. The i20 N is offered in a range of ten colours including two shades of red.

Interior Performance Blue highlights throughout the cabin make a statement. The interior plastics and surfaces are rather hard to the touch, but keep in mind this isn’t a luxury car. A variety of textures visually make it look more a little further upmarket. A leather/cloth combination upholstery that’s of a reasonable quality. Keep in mind that this is a budget priced car. But may we suggest you check this for yourself when doing your checks on which car you’re considering buying. A cubby under the centre stack is big enough for to hold a large phone. There are cupholders between the front seats and a small cubby under the front-centre armrest. There are bottle holders in the front and rear doors.

Infotainment There are twin 10.25 inch displays, one for instruments, the other for the infotainment touchscreen. The displays are excellent and can be read with a minimum of distraction for the driver. As seems to happen all too often, the DAB+ digital radio drops out more often than not. To the extent I found myself saying f### off and giving up. Instead listening to the Bose seven-speaker sound system which produces decent sound. More speakers would be welcome, but I guess this is a car built down to a relatively low price. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wired) and satellite navigation are standard. There’s a Qi wireless charger.

Engines / transmissions The Hyundai i20 N is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol. Power is 150kW between 5500 and 6000rpm. Peak torque is 275Nm from 1750 to 4500rpm. An overboost function increases maximum torque to 304Nm under full throttle between 2000 and 4000rpm. The only transmission is a six-speed manual transmission - Yippee it’s set up for real drivers! It powers the front wheels by way of a sporting Torsen mechanical limited-slip diff. Upgrades to handle the extra power and torque of the ’N’ include a reinforced clutch, improved friction materials and redesigned synchros.

Safety As we went to press the latest Hyundai i20 range hadn’t been crash tested by either ANCAP or Euro NCAP. Standard safety equipment includes: • Front, front-side and curtain airbags • Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection • Driver inattention monitoring • Lane-keep assist • Lane following assist • Blind-spot monitoring • Rear cross-traffic alert • Automatic high-beam Assist • Rear occupant alert • Speed sign recognition • Intelligent speed limit assist

Driving It’s all about fun, and plenty of it. Though based on a standard city and suburban car, the guys and gals at Namyang and at Hyundai Australia have done an excellent job of giving the i20 N a genuinely sporting flair. The firmer ride and tyre noise on coarse-chip roads are certainly what you expect in a sporting car, which is fine for the driver but may not appeal to passenger, especially during long trips. The six-speed manual is easy to use. In our test car the clutch didn’t start to engage till the pedal was almost all the way up. After a while this was no longer an irritation. Gearing is low and at 110km/h in sixth in top gear the engine is at nearly 3000rpm. It doesn’t sound overly busy - even though it is. On typical European motorway speeds of 140 to 160km/h it’s going to sound very busy. And if you’re lucky enough to be driving on unrestricted sections of German autobahnen the engine is going to spend a lot of time at 6000rpm. Don’t know if that would be doing the fuel consumption at lot of good. But who cares, smile and enjoy the ride! The i20 N’s powertrain is Euro 6-certified and has fuel-saving idle stop/start technology. Fuel use is quoted as 6.9L/100km on the combined cycle. During our test period covering over 450 kilometres we used nine to eleven litres per hundred around town, dropping to six to seven litres on the open road. The 2022 Hyundai i20 N is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Servicing is required every 12 months or 10,000km, whichever comes first.

Take a family hatchback add sporting looks more power, and you get the Hyundai i20 N. (Pictures: Supplied)

Summing up You get a lot of sporting driving in this highly modified Hyundai i20 N and those who need/

want a family car with plenty of get up and go at a relatively modest price should certainly add it to their shopping list.

Wednesday, 9 February, 2022 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 21

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New forward makes her debut for the Bulldogs When Jemima Woods stepped onto the field to make her debut for the Western Bulldogs AFLW team last Tuesday, it was a lot earlier than she had expected. The 18-year-old tall full forward from Bacchus Marsh had been training with the Bulldogs but was only elevated to the club’s list on January 14, with Kirsten McLeod moving onto the inactive list due to ongoing concussion symptoms. “I was shocked … I’ve been training there for a while,” she said of getting elevated to the list. “I’d been told there are things going on and I could end up on the list but I don’t know if I ever really believed it. Just two and half weeks later on February 1, Woods made her debut against Fremantle. She said the game was a “bit of a blur” but

that it was “a lot of fun”. Woods played almost a full game, only being off for five minutes in the first quarter, and said she felt she did what was asked of her and kept up the pressure. “There was obviously lots going on and it was a bit hard to just focus on the footy but I’m happy with my game and obviously disappointed with the loss, that’s always tough. “I didn’t get too much of the footy but I think I did what I needed to do. “I’m glad I got the first game out of the way so I can just focus on the footy now.” Having the chance to play alongside women Woods has looked up to was “crazy”. “I got told I was going to play and I turned to Bonnie Toogood and was like, ‘I get to play with you!’,” she said.

“I was so excited just because I’ve been watching them on the telly…It was just amazing watching. You just learn so much from them and to play alongside them was incredible.” Going forward, Woods said having some more preparation will help her game. “Just getting back to training, knowing what’s the speed of the game and what’s expected now and focusing on just the skills of it under pressure. “I think … because it was a bit last minute getting the call up, I think I just need to prepare a bit better.” Woods said her family and friends have been incredibly supportive, with the news of her being in the AFLW still sinking in for some of them. “I think it’s taken a while to sink in for them

as well. I think obviously they’ve been there through the whole journey. I’ve played footy since AusKick and I’ve always wanted to play at the top level, so I think they’re just really happy for me,” she said. “My little sister is always saying ‘I get to tell all my friends you play AFLW!’ “I just want to thank everyone for all their support in the community, the team and my family. Sarah Oliver

United deliver for Aloisi

Winner Ryley Rametta middle with the runners-ups Georgia Pistone and Antonio Sipa Masina. (Supplied)

Judo star’s shock win By Tara Murray Rising judo star Ryley Rametta was left speechless when she was announced the overall winner of the Western Region Sports Club Don Deeble Sports Star for 2021. After two years of training and competition ruined by the pandemic, Rametta felt that her achievements didn’t match those of the other nominees. But the judges felt otherwise and awarded her the prize, which includes $5000 from the Yarraville Club Cricket Club to help with her sporting goals. “It’s pretty good,” said the July nominee for the award. “I didn’t expect it at all. “I was gobsmacked and I didn’t have the words for it. Having listened to everyone’s stories and how far they had gone and I didn’t think I matched them.” Rametta said the money will go towards a couple of trips to Canberra and Sydney and then Europe for events. She said sponsorship for judo athletes at her level is rare, with the money to prove a big

helping hand in getting her on the road. Rametta took up judo in her pre-teens after her parents started looking for a sport for their daughters. Rametta trains at Resilience Training Centre in Footscray, which is run by principal trainers Daniel Kelly and Maria Pekli. The upcoming events are a fresh start after a a tough couple of years for Rametta both on the mat and off it. She hasn’t been able to compete in an event in nearly two years. She has previously competed for Australia in 2020, finishing ninth in the European Judo Championships as part of the Australian cadet team. “The last one was in Turkey, which was nearly two years ago, at the end of March. “Training was interrupted and you couldn’t train unless you had working permits. That cut out a lot of training partners. “We would have to take all the precautions, but we didn’t know if training would happen.” Rametta said she felt unprepared heading into these competitions, but that was something she felt ahead of many of her events.

22 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 9 February, 2022

She said as long as she stuck to her game and fought the way she trained, she thought she would be okay. The break from competition wasn’t all bad. It allowed Rametta to have major surgery and recover, while also focusing on her year 12 studies. Now the focus is on competing and reaching her goal of the Olympics. “I’m more determined,” she said. “I definitely want to go further than before if that is possible.” Rugby Union player Antonio Sipa Masina and shooter Georgia Pistone were named runners-up and will each receive $2500 from Yarraville Club Cricket Club. Cricketer Holly Nagpal and footballer Montana Ham were awarded encouragement awards and will each receive $1000 from the The Bendigo Bank – Strathmore Branch. The Deeble sports award is sponsored by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club, Strathmore Community Bank and the Deer Park Club, with the aim to financially support rising sports stars in the west of Melbourne.

Western United coach John Aloisi got the perfect birthday present with his side claiming the three points against the Western Sydney Wanderers in the A-League Men’s on Saturday night. With top spot on the line for United, the side would need to break their road drought against the Wanderers. Six changes were made to the starting line up that drew with Macarthur mid week, with Josh Risdon, Alessandro Diamanti and Aleksandar Prijovic among those back into the starting line up. International recruit Rene Krhin was included in the matchday squad for the first time this season. United had the first real chance of the match through Lachie Wales while the Diamanti follow up shot also missed. The Wanderers had the next big chance through James Troisi, but the long shot was off target. United would be the team to break through. A Risdon cross was headed away, but Steven Lustica was first to the second ball which fell to Prijovic who found the back of the net. It was an even second half, with both teams having their chances. Neither could convert, with United getting the 1-0. The win moved United to the top of the ladder. Aloisi, who celebrated his birthday on Saturday, said the club couldn’t be happier with where they were sitting at this stage. “We didn’t really think where we were going to be at this stage,” he said. “I came into the club and it was more about making sure we keep on improving the culture of the team and of the club, that was really important from day one that we got that in place. “We knew that we would build with the team, they’ll get to know the way we play, they will improve, and then the results are going our way at the moment. “We know we will need to improve a lot more, still early, it’s 10 games in, still a lot of football to be played and we’re pleased where we’re going. “We just need to keep on improving and don’t get carried away with ourselves, it’s going to be a tight league.” The win was United’s sixth of the season, with all six having a 1-0 result. United’s next match is against Sydney on Saturday night.

Little athlete sprints away with championship Williamstown Little Athletics Club (WLAC) has a new state champion, a talented young athlete with the potential to go all the way. On January 29-30, Mackenzie Leith took out first place in the 2022 Commonwealth Bank State Combined Events Championships, under-16 boys’ division. The event took place at Albert Park and consisted of seven events: 100 metre sprint, 100 metre hurdles, 800 metres, high jump, long jump, discus and javelin. Mackenzie said it felt weird to officially be considered the state champion, particularly because he doesn’t specifically train for many of the events he took part in. “I don’t really train for many of the events like I probably should, but I went out there and a couple of things went my way and I was really happy at the end of the day.” In addition to taking out the top prize, the star athlete broke the all time highest total

points for the seven event program, as well as every under-16 outside record for the WLAC. “For the [decathlon] and multis and combined, you get points based off how well you do in the event, and at the end of it, you get a combined total of points, and I broke the state record by 500 points,” Mackenzie said. He said although he knew that if he was at his best he might come close to the record, he was never expecting to surpass it by that much. “I was really shocked because second [place] was … four points behind so we just pushed each other through the whole two days and then we both broke it by 500 points.” Mackenzie’s favourite event is discus, and is the one he normally trains for. He’ll be competing at nationals, to be held in Sydney, where he’ll aim to become a national champion in the throwing event. Seeing as he’s already achieved the national qualifier for the event earlier in the season,

he’s feeling pretty confident. Mackenzie’s mother Tania said she’s incredibly proud of her son and his achievements, and loves the community and support that comes with being involved with athletics. “The weekends are spent getting up quite early and getting home quite late, but really, it’s a community as such, and it’s very much our social group … we found a lot of friends and a lot of good friendships within that group,” she said. For Mackenzie, representing his country one day doing the sport he’s passionate about is something he’d love to achieve. “I’d love to just keep going on this path and see where it takes me and take it as far as I can.” Molly Magennis

Mackenzie Leith produced a record breaking performance for the Williamstown Little Athletics Club. (Supplied)

Bulldogs nab their first win

Midfielder Ruby Tripodi in the practice match against the Saints. (Supplied)

Seagulls ready to fly By Molly Magennis After two practice matches to help get back into the swing of things, the Williamstown VFL team is ready to take on Darebin in their round one clash this weekend. Midfielder Ruby Tripodi said their first practice match against the Saints showed some promising signs, despite the 14-point loss. “We’ve got a bit of a different look this year in a sense of we’ve gained a fair few new players with a fair bit of experience as well, like we’ve got, for example, Bridie Kennedy who has played AFLW, and you’ve got a few others who have played VFLW for other clubs as well,” she said. A key focus for the team this season is working on the brand of footy they want to play, Tripodi said. “That brand is like high pressure, contested territory, and aerial strength, and so we’re using our height as well as having that really high pressure, get things done now kind of

mindset rather than sit back and wait,” she said. “We’ve been really like, trying to drive that and drive that mindset of our brand of footy.” Coach Penny Cula-Reid has also echoed the sentiment of building a different ‘brand’ of footy, saying that the turnover of players from the last season has really helped to spur on this change. “With that (change of players) comes a different brand of football that we want to play,” she said. “It’s really interesting as a coach, it’s sort of like, do we have a game plan and find the players for the game plan or with the players, do we pick the best type of game plan for the playing group that we have? “For us, it was about making sure … what are our team’s strengths and how do we play our strongest football with what we have. Building a brand of football around our team’s strengths, and then trying to … implement that in two games is going to be a tricky challenge.

“In the glimpses that we did see when we got it right is how good we’re gonna be.” On a personal level, Tripodi said she wants to focus on her contested footy, which has been something she’s honed in on over pre-season. “[I’ve] been putting a lot of work in over pre-season to you know, work on that high pressure contested footy, which is a part of our brand and I guess what myself as an inside mid [will] probably be focusing on the most this season,” she said. With Darebin being another standalone club, Cula-Reid said it’s always nice to play against them in round one. “As [a] technical standalone club, it’s always really nice to play them in round one because we both feel like it’s a highly winnable opportunity,” she said. “You know, the sense of excitement about potentially winning our first game, starting the season off with a bang.” The Gulls will face off against Darebin this Saturday, February 12 from noon at La Trobe University, Bundoora.

The Western Bulldogs finally nabbed their first win of the AFLW season, with a 17-point win over Richmond on Sunday. After their original Pride round match was postponed, the Dogs finally got to celebrate their Pride Game at Whitten Oval with a 4.6 (30) to 1.7 (13) win in front of 2000 fans. A quick start from the Dogs meant they were able to hit the scoreboard in the first quarter, leaving the Tigers goalless heading into the second term. Kirsty Lamb continued her excellent form, notching up 27 disposals, nine marks and two tackles. Richmond did fire back in the second term, but two back-to-back goals in the third quarter by Ellie Blackburn and Celine Moody put the Dogs in a good position heading into the final stretch. Despite a handful of behinds from both sides, neither team was able to secure a goal in the fourth quarter. It wasn’t an issue for the Dogs however, who were able to run away with a nice 17-point win. Lamb was named best for the Bulldogs once again, alongside Ellie Blackburn, Bonnie Toogood, Bailey Hunt, Isabella Grant and Eleanor Brown. In a post-match interview on the Bulldogs website, coach Nathan Burke said he was really pleased that the girls were finally rewarded for the effort that had been putting in. “Through what they’ve been through with the games postponed, no-one at training, all that sort of stuff, the one thing that hasn’t waved is their effort and today they finally got reward for it,” he said. “We had individual efforts across the middle that were outstanding, apart from the second quarter where I think we lost our way a little bit, the backline under Mel Hickey were really well structured.” The Dogs will look to grab another win when they take on Adelaide on Sunday, February 13. Molly Magennis

Wednesday, 9 February, 2022 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 23

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