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Chop for charity

Noah cut his hair for charity.

After growing his hair for two-and-a-half years, 10-year-old Noah decided it was time to cut it off for something different. The Hillside resident decided that while he didn’t want his hair anymore, it could help other people. “I just felt like I wanted to get it cut off,” he said. “My mum asked me if I wanted to donate my hair and I decided I wanted to.” His hair will be used for a wig, while he’s been raising money for the Make A Wish Foundation. Noah decided that he wanted to give to children who really needed it. As of last Thursday, he had raised more than $1000 beating his initial goal of $200. “I just want to see how much I can get now.” Noah had his hair cut on Saturday, but is already planning to grow it again and raise more money to help others. To donate: http:// ow.ly/1xmK50HRlNF

(Damjan

Janevski) 267488_02

Tara Murray

No plans for compensation By Tara Murray There are no plans to compensate residents affected by changed flight paths due to a third runway at Melbourne Airport. The airport recently released its draft master plan and major development plan which include the construction of a third runway, which will run north-south. The new runway is expected to take four to five years to build in a staged process, and will be located 1.3 kilometres from the existing south-west runway. It will be 3000-metres long and will result in the shortening of the east-west runway and changes to flight paths.

There will be three different ways the runways can be used, with both arrivals and departures to use the new runway. The plans have left many Brimbank residents devastated about the possible impacts on their lives. Some Brimbank residents will have more than 200 planes a day flying over their homes. With many Brimbank and Bulla residents worried about increased flights, questions about compensation have been raised. Some residents would like double glazed windows and help sound proofing their houses. Melbourne Airport chief of infrastructure Simon Gandy said there are no plans for compensation. “Melbourne Airport opened in 1970 with

two runways, and a plan for two more,” he said. “The proposed parallel north-south runway is in line with the hashtag layout that has been part of approved airport plans since 1990 (before privatisation). “We understand residents want certainty about what options might be available to them, and at this very early stage in the runway approval process, there are no plans for compensation.” Mr Gandy said if they were to look at compensation in the future, that it would be a matter for the airport to determine in partnership with other stakeholders, including the federal government, and would likely take the form of assistance with noise attenuation

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measures such as installation of double glazing or insulation. Mr Gandy said no compensation for changed flight paths and impacts to residents had been provided before. He said while some other airports had offered compenstation, Melbourne Airport was in a different position. “Compensation schemes have been established in Sydney and Adelaide for properties within defined areas, for defined periods of time,“ he said. “However it should be noted that both those airports are much closer to major residential areas than Melbourne.” To have your say on the airport plans: https:// caportal.com.au/melair/virtual.

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Tuesday, 15 February, 2022 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 3

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-----------------> I N B R I E F

Brimbank Writers and Readers Festival returns The Brimbank Writers and Readers Festival (BWRF) returns in 2022 with 20 no-charge events, from 17-26 March, that are sure to cater to Brimbank’s diverse community of book lovers. All-Australian AFL champion Bachar Houli will be the special guest at the opening night on Thursday 17 March, at the Bowery Theatre in St Albans. He will be speaking about his book, co-authored with Waleed Aly, Bachar Houli: Faith, Football and Family. For more information, to browse the program and book tickets to events, visit brimbanklibraries.vic.gov.au/writersfestival

One of the pieces on show at the exhibition.

(Damjan Janevski) 268069_06

Get Entangled in art Visit yoursay.brimbank.vic.gov.au to share your ideas and feedback on issues and projects that matter to you. Learn more about projects that are open for comment including: • Green Gully Reserve Dog Park Upgrade – We’re upgrading and expanding the off-leash enclosed dog park and want your feedback on the design • Renaming of Ashton Avenue, St Albans – Tell us what you think about the proposed renaming of a section of Ashton Avenue, St Albans (Main Road East to Clarke Avenue) to Carruthers Way • Upgrades to Derrimut Street, Albion – Tell us which cycling and pedestrian improvement concept design option you prefer • Communications and Engagement – Tell us how we can continue to improve the way we communicate and consult • Melbourne Airport Rail in Sunshine and Albion – Sign our petition

Melbourne Airport plans revealed

Step back in time and enjoy a selection of films from the Golden Age of Hollywood in our libraries this month. For information on titles screening, times and locations, visit brimbanklibraries.vic.gov.au

$16

Council celebrates ARV Award wins Brimbank City Council recently celebrated award achievements at the annual Aquatics and Recreation Victoria Industry Awards. Council was nominated in seven categories and received three awards, including Swim School Award, Sustainability Award and Marketing and Communications Award – Digital Transformation. For more detail, visit news.brimbank.vic.gov.au

brimbank.vic.gov.au 131 450 Local call costs apply

Use Brimby, the new online virtual assistant

Your Councillors are always happy to hear from you Cr Victoria Borg Cr Sarah Branton Cr Thuy Dang (Deputy Mayor) Cr Sam David JP Cr Maria Kerr Cr Bruce Lancashire Cr Trung Luu Cr Jasmine Nguyen (Mayor) Cr Jae Papalia Cr Ranka Rasic Cr Virginia Tachos

Tara Murray

Classic Film Festival

Council has made some temporary changes to Brimbank’s Maternal Child Health Services until Friday 11 March 2022. Please visit brimbank.vic.gov.au/mchs for up to date information or you can ring the Maternal and Child Health Line on free-call 13 22 29 for 24-hour confidential support and advice with a qualified MCH nurse. Have your say on Melbourne Airport’s Preliminary Draft 2022 Master Plan and Preliminary Draft Major Development Plan for Melbourne’s Third Runway. Public exhibition closes on 16 May 2022. To find out more about Melbourne Airport’s plans and to have your say visit melbourneairport.com.au/runway

umbrella of oppression to live in unity despite intersecting differences? Can the small act of drawing, scribbling, writing or interacting with an artwork bring a community together? The work has been created by Collier who is an educator, painter, zine maker and jack of all artistic trades. Collier is passionate about the western suburbs, where the exhibition finds a home. The exhibition which is at the Hunt Club in Deer Park runs until March 17. Details: http://ow.ly/QTem50HR93k

0429 365 527 0407 836 064 0437 744 803 0429 355 239 0437 796 630 0429 637 689 0437 826 450 0437 740 042 0437 838 710 0437 861 296 0428 915 671

CrBorg@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrBranton@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrDang@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrDavid@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrKerr@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrLancashire@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrLuu@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrNguyen@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrPapalia@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrRasic@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrTachos@brimbank.vic.gov.au

All information was correct at the time of printing. For latest information about the impacts of COVID-19 on Council’s services visit brimbank.vic.gov.au. For the latest information on restrictions visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au 4 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 February, 2022

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An art exhibition being run as part of the Midsumma Festival is leaving the audience with questions. Entangled by Genevieve Collier is an installation for people whose answers often spurn more questions and who believe in the power of art. The exhibition explores forgotten people from the past and the potential of an unknown future. Some of the questions coming from the exhibition include can art mend some part of a broken world? Is there a way that people grouped under an

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The third runaway will be built north-south.

Funding for upgrades

(Supplied)

Airport feedback is vital By Tara Murray The Brimbank Ratepayers and Residents Association is calling on the community to provide feedback on the Melbourne Airport Master Plan to influence how the new runway is used and the consideration of appropriate compensation for affected residents. Many residents have voiced their concerns about the construction of the third runaway, which will be built north-south. New flight paths are set to go above large parts of Brimbank. Association president Irene Stokes said the masterplan has certainly caused some angst amongst the Brimbank community. “There is no doubt that large parts of Brimbank will be impacted by increased noise and air pollution and residents are pretty unhappy about that,” she said.

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“There is also anger that there was not any community consultation prior to the proposed north-south runway being announced.” “I’m on the Melbourne Airport Community Aviation Consultation Group (CACG) and urge all Brimbank residents to get involved with the airport’s community engagement activities which commenced last week and will go through to mid-May, but I get the sense that many residents feel the decision has been made and that their feedback will not make much difference.” Ms Stokes admits that she doesn’t think community feedback against the proposed north-south runway can stop the runway from being built, but believes the community can have a say. “The community feedback provided now can influence how the runway is used and the consideration of appropriate compensation for

affected residents,” she said. “Things like the upgrading of homes with double glazed windows and possibly a curfew so that residents at least get some reprieve from the noise at night may come about due to community feedback received now. “Community feedback can also influence how the runway is used. The airport will be compiling all feedback received and forwarding it to the federal minister who will consider the airport’s expansion plans, including approval of the proposed third runway. “Given the noise issues currently being experienced at Brisbane Airport, where residents are complaining that noise from the new runways is worse than expected, it is possible that a more proactive approach may be taken by the government in Melbourne.” To have your say or get more information, go to https://caportal.com.au/melair/virtual.

Five projects, including reserve upgrades in Caroline Springs and Burnside, will be funded as part of the latest round of grants from the Growing Suburbs Fund. The state government funding for the Melton council projects is part of a program to help deliver critical local community infrastructure needs for fast-growing outer suburbs. The council will receive $6.46 million for the five projects, with $4 million of that to go towards the Cobblebank Community Services Hub. The council will receive $650,000 for the Parkway Reserve Upgrade in Caroline Springs which will match the council’s contribution. This upgrade will include improvements to paths, grassed areas and activities for children and teens. The funding will fund half the $900,000 upgrade of Earlington Square Reserve in Burnside. The upgrade will improve the accessibility and amenity of local open space. The council will also receive funding for upgrades at Navan Park Reserve and stage two of the Bridge Road Recreation Reserve. Melton mayor Goran Kesic said the council was delighted with the funding announcement. “This funding means that vital community infrastructure including the redevelopment of existing recreation reserves, construction of new leisure infrastructure at Bridge Road, and the delivery of the much-needed Cobblebank Community Services Hub, will get off the ground sooner,” Cr Kesic said.

Don’t travel to high risk areas on Extreme Fire Danger Rating days. If you plan to travel through Victoria, during fire season, it’s important to check the Fire Danger Rating every day. If the rating is Extreme or above, avoid travelling to high risk areas, including to cities and towns.

Plan. Act. Survive. Go to emergency.vic.gov.au

Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

Tuesday, 15 February, 2022 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 5

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School funding Sunshine College has received nearly $300,000 in funding from the state government’s Planned Maintenance Program. The funding schools receive is for repairs and essential maintenance to refurbish buildings and infrastructure in the poorest condition. In the 2021-22 round of funding announced late last year, it was announced that Sunshine College would get $280,000. Tullamarine Primary School will receive $50,000, Brookside P-9 will receive $40,000 and Taylors Lakes Primary school will receive $30,000.

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History wanted

GENERAL REAL ESTATE INQUIRIES reads@starweekly.com.au

Brimbank council is wanting to celebrate the history of the old St Albans Leisure Centre. The council is asking community members to send through any old photos that may have taken at the centre over the years. Among what its after is photos of people swimming in the outdoor pool and snaps from swimming carnivals. Photos can be sent to: slc@brimbank. vic.gov.au

EDITORIAL GENERAL EDITORIAL INQUIRIES westeditorial@starweekly.com.au COMMUNITY CALENDAR ENTRIES communitycalendar@starweekly.com.au

A Safe Plates Day will be held at Bunnings. (Supplied)

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“Because of the success of the first one we wanted to do another one,” she said. “There’s that connection with the community.” Last time the club raised more than $350 from gold coin donations. Sunshine Bunnings has also invited sporting clubs to come along to the store on the same day, with a sausage sizzle and kids activities also being held. The event is running March 6, between 9am and 4pm.

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The Lions Club of Sunshine will be back in action to help make people’s cars safer earlier next month. The club will hold its second Safe Plates Day event at Bunnings Sunshine on March 6. Local police and SES members will also be present as they provide and install screws to safely secure number plates on cars. Lions club president Kylie Luu said after a successful first event, they were keen to get back into the community.

The Brimbank Women in Leadership Program is accepting enrollments for 2022. The program runs for 12 weeks commencing February 28.

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6 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 February, 2022

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Ambulance wait times blow out By Tara Murray Nearly a third of all code one ambulance calls in Brimbank are being responded to outside the official target of 15 minutes. New data released by Ambulance Victoria, showed the service recorded its busiest period on record in the three months to December. The data shows ambulances were called to 91,397 code one cases, cases which require lights and sirens, between October and December, a 16.2 per cent increase on the same time in 2020. In the quarter, 66.5 per cent of code one cases were responded to within the state-wide average response time target of 15 minutes.

In Brimbank, 67 per cent of code one cases were attended to within 15 minutes and the average response time was 15.09 minutes. The cases attended within 15 minutes was down from 76.5 per cent in the previous quarter and down from 86.3 per cent 12 months earlier. In Melton, only 53.2 per cent of code one cases were responded to within 15 minutes, with the average response time being 17.36 minutes. The average code two response time in Brimbank was 45.37 minutes, up from 27.47 minutes, 12 months ago. Ambulance Victoria chief executive Tony Walker said the latest performance data shows the pandemic continues to place unprecedented

and sustained pressure on the entire health system. Professor Walker said the record workload and slower response times were no surprise given the ongoing and extraordinary impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, right across the state and Australia. “Demand is now higher than pre-pandemic levels. During the last quarter we were challenged by the peak of the Delta wave, the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and the emergence of the Omicron COVID-19 variant,” Professor Walker said. “Performance has also been impacted by the time spent offloading patients at busy hospitals and sicker patients who have delayed visiting

their GP or specialist now finding themselves more unwell. “Paramedics are under increasing pressure due to fatigue and record workload, wearing PPE to all cases and furloughing due to COVID-19 exposure, reducing staff and ambulance availability.” Professor Walker said they were asking all Victorians to save triple-zero for emergencies. It was a call supported by Western Health earlier this year, with a pressure being put on their emergency rooms including at Sunshine Hospital. “Every call for assistance that isn’t an emergency puts significant strain on our crews to reach those who need us the most.”

Help keep children safe A new recruitment drive has been launched to find people to join Victoria’s child protection workforce to help keep children safe and families strong. The Go Where You’re Needed campaign aims to recruit more than 280 new child protection practitioners across metropolitan and regional Victoria. The campaign showcases the benefits of a career in child protection, which provides many opportunities to make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families. Brimbank and Melton has been identified as a priority area to secure more child protection workers. Brimbank child protection practitioner Madelaine Logie, who has worked at the Department of Families Fairness and Housing for five years, said there were plenty of

opportunities for people to help others. “I’ve always been passionate about helping others,” she said. “I felt this was a good fit for me working with this community. “Every day is different which is why I love my job so much..We visit families and young people. We do case work and visit schools and work with different services in the community. “We sometimes attend court and it’s fast paced. “I would really encourage anyone to apply for it if they are passionate about it.” Details: https://childprotectionjobs.dffh.vic. gov.au Tara Murray Madelaine Logie.

(Damjan Janevski) 266453_03

WHEN YOU NEED US , BUT NOT THE SIRENS There’s a new way to contact the police when you don’t need the sirens - the 24/7 Police Assistance Line. Save 131 444 to your phone for non-emergency situations. Or for online reporting go to police.vic.gov.au

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Major works on the Sunbury line By Tara Murray Major works along the Sunbury line are set to impact commuters and those living nearby over the next couple of weeks. The works which will be conducted between Albion and St Albans and then Sydenham and Calder Park are part of the Big Build project. The works will include new communications and signaling facilities being installed, installation of light pole foundations and the replacing light fittings, the installation of fence foundations in the Watergardens Station car park and the removal of redundant overhead foundations and services Crews will be working around the clock to

connect two brand new substations at Talmage Street in Albion and Willaton Street in St Albans to the network, as well as connect an upgraded substation at Diggers Rest as part of the works. These works are expected to generate medium to high levels of noise and vibration and there will be generator-powered lighting used. Construction vehicles are set to use Watergardens Circuit Road, Sydenham, Robertsons Road, Victoria Road in both Taylors Lakes and Sydenham, Calder Park Drive and Holden Road, Calder Park, Talmage Street and Sydney Road Albion and Willaton Street, St Albans. There will be some parking spaces at Albion and Watergardens stations temporarily closed

during this time. The works will also impact trains on the Sunbury line during this time. Buses will replace trains between Sunshine and Sunbury stations from 12.45am on February 19 until the last train on February 20. Buses will replace trains parts of the Sunbury line and some days all of the Sunbury line from 8.30pm on February 21 to the last train on February 27 to enable these works to take place. Buses will also replace trains on parts of the Sunbury line on each evening from February 28 to March 2. The works are part of the Sunbury line upgrade which will be complete in 2023 – adding longer platforms, track upgrades and

expanded train stabling to support the new generation trains when the Metro Tunnel opens in 2025. As part of the upgrade, six new substations have now been built to boost power along the line – including the two at Talmage Street in Albion and Willaton Street in St Albans, another at St Albans Road in St Albans, and three more in Footscray, Delahey and Calder Park. Each new substation will include indigenous plants and decorative screens to complement their local environments, which have been shaped by the local community’s future and connect passengers to the Metro Tunnel in 2025, whilst creating hundreds of jobs.

Boss farewells Duke Street 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 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)

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Connectivity part of airport plan By Tara Murray Bus services from Sunshine, St Albans and Taylors Lakes to the airport are among potential routes suggested in the Melbourne Airport’s master plan. In the recently released plan, the airport said it was interested in understanding opportunities to expand the service levels and network coverage of PTV buses. As reported by Star Weekly in November, the airport, the Victorian Transport Action Group and Public Transport Users

Association all called for better services. Currently, there is no direct bus service between Sunshine and the airport and many people within Brimbank need to drive to get to the airport. “For example, the frequency and hours of operation of most existing bus services (excluding the 901 SmartBus) could be improved by increasing the service frequency and expanding the service time-spans (to accommodate the needs of shift workers),” the airport plan said. “Furthermore, there are very few residential

areas within five to 10 kilometres of the airport connected to the airport by a direct bus service. “Improving connectivity to nearby residential areas and activity centres, with reasonable levels of service on the routes, will help improve travel options for passengers and employees travelling from these local areas.” The plan said the airport would work with the Department of Transport to look at what opportunities are available. Among the possible locations for better bus

services straight to the airport include Taylors Lakes, Sunshine and St Albans, along with better services to Airport West and Niddrie. “In the next five years, Melbourne Airport will work with the Department of Transport to investigate opportunities to improve local public transport connectivity, either in terms of improved service provision of existing routes or expanded network coverage,” the plan said. “The latter could potentially be achieved by modifications to existing bus routes (such as route extensions) or from all-new routes.”

Timber through time Brooklyn artist Geoffrey Ricardo’s exploration of the timber industry and Otway Ranges sawmills will be on show at the Lorne Sculpture Biennale. The festival, which was originally scheduled for September but was postponed due to COVID-19, includes work from selected, prominent sculpture artists. The Biennale explores the deep connections to nature, history and community through sculpture, performance and conversations, all working to the Spirit of Place theme created by artistic director, Graeme Wilkie. Ricardo’s pieces will be on display at Precinct 1 and will celebrate the beauty of the forest and the timber it produced. In addition to the sculpture event, there is a curated program of events that will run parallel to the Biennale, creating a hive of creative activity in Lorne over the period of the exhibition. Named Sculpture Plus, the program will

feature free and ticketed performances, workshops, nature walks, Indigenous education and other experiences around the township of Lorne. Wilkie said they were delighted about the work that will be on display. “March and April will be an exciting time in Lorne with the unveiling of these works, as well as our small sculpture exhibition, online gallery and the Sculpture Plus program. “We’re looking forward to welcoming art lovers to our iconic town by the sea.” The free event will run from March 12 to April 3. Details: www.lornesculpture.com

Geoffrey Ricardo. (Supplied)

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

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

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

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

Tuesday, 15 February, 2022 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 9

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15 February 2022

STAY INFORMED

Mayor’s message Cr Goran Kesic

Council services and facilities: melton.vic.gov.au/COVID19 Quickly and easily connect with us online: melton.vic.gov.au facebook.com/cityofmelton Instagram @cityofmeltonofficial

Jobs, economy and roads We’ve outlined local jobs creation and economic recovery as the key focus of our submissions to the State and Federal budgets. Our list of key priorities which we need the State and Federal governments to fund include construction of a freight terminal in the west, fully funding Melton Hospital, upgrades to major roads including the Western Highway and Melton Highway, the Outer Metropolitan Ring project, electrification of the Melton Line, higher education, and more. Partnering with the State and Federal governments on these major projects will help create 120,000 jobs and return $19 billion annually to the economy. In recently years, the governments have invested in key projects in our city, and it’s critical that these partnerships continue as we become Melbourne’s fastest growing municipality. You can find out more about what we’re advocating for at melton.vic.gov.au/advocacy

Take a class Melton Learning’s programs have returned to our community facilities for term 1, including yoga, zumba, cooking, music and children’s activities. See what’s on offer and book your place at meltonlearning.com.au

I’m delighted to tell you that we’ve received $6.46 million from the State Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund to put towards five new projects.

This will help manage waste costs for ratepayers, and each year it will divert about 50,000 tonnes of waste from landfill.

New waste-toenergy process We’re introducing a new waste processing method that will benefit the environment and ratepayers. Instead of sending household waste to landfill, we’ll send it to a facility that will convert it into electricity.

We’ll implement this at a new facility in Laverton from mid-2024, replacing the need to send kerbside waste to Ravenhall once we transition to this new service.

We have a free one-on-one support service for City of Melton residents who need help finding work. Visit melton.vic.gov.au/jobadvocates

Coburn Ward with Cr Bob Turner

News that both the Labor and Liberal parties have committed to building the Melton Hospital was welcomed by Council and the community alike. It’s been a long time coming, and it’s a thrill knowing no matter who gets elected in November, our much-needed hospital will become a long-awaited reality. Council also recently received a $4 million funding boost from the Victorian Government, through their Growing Suburbs Fund, to construct the Cobblebank Community Services Hub, a $16.91 million allied health, education, and social services facility. We also received over $1.36 million to help upgrade Navan Park Recreation Reserve, and construct Stage 2 of Bridge Road Recreation Reserve. Fantastic outcomes for our community.

This generous funding, together with significant Council contributions, will ensure these projects will get off the ground sooner. Of course, we continue to advocate to the State and Federal governments for other key infrastructure needs across our city, including major projects like fully funding the Melton Hospital and major road upgrades, and I will keep you updated on any progress.

Job seeker support

It’s only February, and already 2022 is shaping up to be a stellar year for our city.

We’ve secured funding for a community services hub at Cobblebank which will attract allied health, education and social services; and for stage two of the Bridge Road Recreation Reserve; as well as upgrades to Earlington Square Reserve, The Parkway Reserve, and Navan Park Reserve.

It’s also been a pleasure to see two local shopping strips receive fresh facelifts as part of Council’s Shopfront Renewal Project. Twenty traders in and around Scott Street, Melton, and Staughton Street and Exford Road, Melton South, took part in the program, receiving grants to help bring their shopfronts to life. The results are great, and I hope locals are enjoying the improvements. Finally, I’d like to express my gratitude to past members of the Melton Residents Association that folded recently – another unfortunate COVID casualty. They were active advocates for key infrastructure within our community and served fellow residents well. I am available to meet with residents most Saturday mornings from 9am, by appointment. Please contact Barb McKenzie on 9747 7200 to book a time, or contact me on 0412 584 224 or bob.turner@melton.vic.gov.au

Last week, we also announced a new waste processing method that will convert household waste into electricity and help manage waste costs. In means we will transition away from landfill, diverting about 50,000 tonnes of waste and reducing Co2 emissions that equate to planting one million trees each year. A new facility will be built in Laverton to undertake this process for several organisations, including Melton City Council and is expected to operate from mid-2024. We look forward to seeing this facility fully operational in the coming years. This is about creating a greener future and providing greater cost certainty around waste processing. Please feel free to contact me on 0437 241 436 or goran.kesic@melton.vic.gov.au regarding any Council issues.

Your Councillors – Visit melton.vic.gov.au/councillors to find your ward Councillors and their contact details

Mayor Cr Goran Kesic

Deputy Mayor Cr Lara Carli

Cr Steve Abboushi

Cr Moira Deeming

A vibrant, safe and liveable City accessible to all 10 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 February, 2022

Cr Kathy Majdlik

Cr Sophie Ramsey

Cr Julie Shannon

Cr Bob Turner

Cr Ashleigh Vandenberg

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Resident wants rubbish rethink By Tara Murray A Brimbank resident is calling for a better hard rubbish collection system in Brimbank to make it easier for people to get rid of big items and recycle. The resident who contacted Star Weekly said there was a hard waste problem in the western suburbs, including Brimbank. Other residents have taken to social media to complain about it. “Hard waste is piling up in all neighbourhood streets,” the resident said.

“Look at other councils like Moreland that have curbside pickup and promote recycling of materials and items. “I would like to see the kerbside collection in Brimbank reinstated and to do away with the booking of hard waste collection on the internet or the phone. “I speak to neighbours in my street who are not tech savvy. This booking of hard waste is isolating the majority of residents in Brimbank.” The council provides services including one no charge at-call hard waste collection service annually and additional collection services at

an affordable price. Brimbank council infrastructure and city services director Neil Whiteside said the current system was working well. He said there had been delays in collection due to the pandemic. “Brimbank’s at-call hard waste collection service has been affected by staff shortages due to staff needing to isolate due to COVID-19. “Council has worked closely with its contractor, Cleanaway to minimise interruptions to the service. “The majority of hard waste collection

bookings are collected the week after the booking is made. “Overall council’s current hard waste collection service, which was introduced in January 2019, is working well. “Brimbank council averages 2000 collections each month with a small number of complaints which are all addressed amicably with residents. Since the service commenced, council is not aware of any issues that have not been resolved to residents’ satisfaction.”. Mr Whiteside said that rubbish dumping is illegal and something that the council is working hard to address.

Offering hope to others 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

We’re building big near you and there will be transport disruptions As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re upgrading the Sunbury Line, allowing bigger, more modern trains to run on the line. We’re also upgrading the Bendigo and Echuca lines and building three new stations. Buses/coaches replace trains in both directions 8.45pm to last train each night, 15 to 17 Feb North Melbourne to Sunshine 8.30pm to last train each night, 28 Feb to 2 Mar 12.45am 19 Feb to 20 Feb 8.30pm 21 Feb to 8.30pm 23 Feb First train to 8.30pm, 24 Feb

Sunshine to Sunbury

8.30pm to last train, 23 Feb 8.30pm 24 Feb to 27 Feb

North Melbourne to Sunbury

Until 16 Feb

Bendigo to Swan Hill

17 to 27 Feb

Southern Cross to Swan Hill

Bendigo Line

17 to 27 Feb

Southern Cross to Bendigo

Echuca Line

17 to 27 Feb

Southern Cross to Echuca

Werribee Line

8.30pm 18 Feb to 3am 19 Feb

Newport to Werribee

3am 19 Feb to 23 Feb

Laverton to Werribee

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

North Melbourne to Werribee

8.30pm 18 Feb to 20 Feb

Newport to Williamstown

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

North Melbourne to Williamstown

Swan Hill Line

Williamstown Line

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

1532

Sunbury Line

Tuesday, 15 February, 2022 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 11

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Language school knocked back By Sarah Oliver An ethnic group’s application to use a property it already owns for a language school has been rejected by Melton council. The Hazara Solidarity Community of Western Melbourne purchased a property in Caroline Springs with the intention of using it for general gatherings and for a language school, however the plans were met with criticism from the community. A report to a Melton council meeting on

February 7 said council had received 24 objections to the application, centred around concerns the proposal was inappropriate for a residential street. Residents were also concerned that traffic in the cul-de-sac would increase if the application was approved. In its application, the group said there would be no more than 30 people on the property at any given time. However, residents raised concerns that the attendance cap could not be guaranteed.

Residents also felt there was no guarantee that music wouldn’t be played on the property. Council statutory planning co-ordinator Steve Finlay said council officers told the group early on in the application process of their concerns and advised the group not to go ahead with the application. “At the time, officers said it’s a good use, but it’s just an inappropriate site for the use and we’re happy to work with them to find a more appropriate site for the particular land use,” Mr

Finlay said. Councillors voted to refuse the application because it was not consistent with the planning of residential areas and it would “have a detrimental impact on the residential amenity of neighbouring residents”. Council has offered to work with the group to find a more appropriate site. The Hazara Solidarity Community of Western Melbourne was contacted for comment.

Doctor driving change A resident from Hillside has been nominated for two categories in the 2022 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards. Victor Lin, who grew up in the western suburbs, is in the running to be awarded ‘The Bridge Create Change Award’ and the ‘Saward Dawson Community Service and Social Impact Award’. “I am a doctor and researcher with an interest in haematology and oncology, and a drive to create meaningful impact in the realms of clinical medicine, biomedical research, and public health,” he said. The create change award recognises young people that are driving activities, programs and initiatives that promote or create change. And the community service and social impact award recognises young people serving their communities through community service and social enterprise. The 26-year-old has been involved in several initiatives to be considered for these awards, including co-founding the Young Australians’

Cancer Initiative (YACI), Vice President of the Melbourne University Health Initiative (MUHI) and Secretary of the International Students’ Network (ISN). “I am passionate about improving educational outcomes for students from disadvantaged backgrounds,” Dr Lin said. When speaking with Star Weekly in February 2021, Dr Lin said he is “passionate about breaking down barriers for people in the community to lead healthy and productive lives”. “… Over the years have spearheaded a number of initiatives aiming to improve health literacy among young Australians and reduce deep-seated inequities that exist in the community with respect to key social determinants of health.” Finalists will be presented and winners announced at an Awards Gala Presentation Dinner on Friday April 29 2022. Sarah Oliver

Victor Lin. (Damjan Janevski) 227663_03

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Back to school

Twins Colby and Sebastian, and Rania and Dania, were among the excited pupils starting school at Furlong Park School for Deaf Children last week. By Tara Murray The school reopened for 2021 on Two western suburbs advocates are calling for government action after a waste management Thursday and there was plenty of fire fun for in Brooklyn last week.

Twins Colby and Sebastian, and Rania and Dania, were among the excited pupils starting school at Furlong Park School for Deaf Children last week. The school reopened for 2021 on Thursday and there was plenty of fun for the two sets of twins and their school friends. Colby and Sebastian, 8, and Rania and Dania, 6, are two of three sets of twins at the school this year. The school has about 65 students. A third set of twins will start on February 11 and will be part of the school’s early years program. Principal Lee Bullock said it was possibly the first time the school had welcomed three sets of twins. Tara Murray

There have been at least eight factory, waste management or tip fires across the west and Hume since October, while the Kealba landfill has had underground fires burning continuously for more than a year. Former LeadWest chief executive Craig Rowley and former state MLC member Colleen Hartland say enough is enough. “It’s a long-running issue,” Mr Rowley said. “It doesn’t matter which party has been in power at the time, they haven’t done enough clean-up of the west.

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“The urgency to clean it [industry] up has never been greater.” Mr Rowley said during his time with LeadWest, from 2010-18, one of the biggest concerns raised by local councils was the need for a cleaner, greener and more liveable western metropolitan area. “We were constantly talking about it with the other tiers of government, about the investment needed in the west to make it cleaner and greener. “It just seems that it is taking a long time to get there.” Mr Rowley said an Environment Protection Act, which changes how the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) regulates pollution, waste and contamination in Victoria, had been

delayed for 12 months. “We’ve been waiting for so long to have confidence to be able to breath fresh air. Confidence that our creeks aren’t going to be polluted.” He suggests forming a steering committee which would include the EPA, WorkSafe, MFB and council representatives to have a co-ordinated approach to industry clean-up. “I don’t think questions are being asked on Spring Street as often as they should.” He also proposed government funding to help bring old industrial estates up to the 21st century and the introduction of better air quality monitoring systems. Ms Hartland is a member of the Facebook group Anti-Toxic Waste Alliance, which was

set up after the West Footscray warehouse fire which spewed toxic fumes across the western suburbs for days in August 2018. She said the group, a non-political alliance of community groups, organisations and individuals, wants action. “There’s been a spate of these fires,” she said. “There’s been three in the last 10 days. “The EPA and the state government don’t seem to be taking it seriously.” Ms Hartland said the group wanted more regulation on industrial sites, clear information about when the EPA is called in and when and for how long air quality equipment is set up. She has also called for the act to be introduced. ■ Fire

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Briefs

St Albans VU campus. (Damjan Janevski)

Guns campaign

266312_03

A three-month campaign will target the removal of illegal guns from the community. Crime Stoppers Australia has partnered with the Federal Government for this year’s National Illicit Firearms Campaign. During the campaign, a range of community engagement and promotional events in regional and metropolitan communities across Australia will encourage people to share what they know about illegal guns, and to safely surrender any they may have in their possession.

Code brown ends

Employers like VU grads By Tara Murray Employers have rated Victoria University graduates as the most employable in Australia for a second straight year, according to a new survey. The independent Australian government-funded annual Employer Satisfaction Survey asks direct managers how satisfied they are with the attributes of recent graduates from Australia’s higher education institutes. The 2021 survey, reporting the views of 3,450 employers, showed VU led the list of 41 institutes in Australia for employability skills, with 92.4 per cent of employers satisfied with VU graduates compared to a national average of 86.3 per cent for all universities. Employability skills include crucial

attributes such as working under pressure, using initiative, being flexible in the workplace, meeting deadlines and understanding the nature of the business. In addition to leading the country’s universities for employability skills, employers rated VU graduates higher than any of the other seven universities in Victoria (Deakin, Federation, La Trobe, Monash, RMIT, Swinburne and Melbourne) in four of the six attributes assessed in the survey, including overall satisfaction. For foundation skills (general literacy, numeracy and communication) 95.8 per cent of employers were satisfied with VU graduates. For collaborative skills (teamwork) 91.7 per cent of employers were satisfied with VU graduates and for technical skills (application of professional and technical

knowledge) 95.7 per cent of employers were satisfied with VU graduates. VU Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker said the remarkable results highlight the impact that VU’s multi-award winning Block Model of teaching and learning, combined with VU’s other Australian-first innovations, such as its First Year College had on the job-readiness of its graduates. “The continuation of these impressive results is a testament to the talents of Victoria University’s teachers and graduates alike. “There is no doubt that the VU Block Model equips our students with the essential employability skills nominated by industry leaders themselves. “It gives us a great sense of pride that employers are seeing the same extraordinary potential that we do in our graduates.”

The pandemic Code Brown for hospitals and health services came to an end on Monday, following a steady reduction in hospitalisations and fewer staff furloughs. The measure has been in place for just over three weeks and led to immediate short-term relief across stretched public hospitals and ambulance services during the Omicron peak. The Department of Health will work closely with health services to lift the co-ordinated Code Brown, while continuing to support individual hospitals as needed. A further increase to non-urgent elective surgery will began on Monday – including private hospitals being able to perform up to 50 per cent of all elective surgery in metropolitan Melbourne.

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Don’t leave us behind: councils By Tara Murray “Don’t leave local communities behind”. That’s the message from the Australian Local Government Association [ALGA] in its federal budget submission. In the submission released last week, the ALGA outlined a series of partnership opportunities that would help drive a strong and inclusive national recovery. The submission outlined 15 priorities which the association hopes will be funded in the budget. The key funding requests are an initial

injection of Financial Assistance Grants worth $1.3 billion to drive economic recovery across the country, and for the total value of these untied grants to be gradually restored to at least one percent of Commonwealth taxation revenue. Others priorities include financial assistance grants, local roads and community infrastructure programs, the black spot roads program, arts and culture, circular economy, climate change, disaster mitigation, closing the gap and community health. ALGA president Linda Scott said Australia’s 537 local governments have the capacity

for growing partnerships with the state and federal governments, to support economic and community recovery in every community, improve Australia’s transport and community infrastructure, increase local resilience to emergency events and the impacts of climate change, and help build a new circular economy. “Only local governments can deliver a locally led recovery in every corner of our nation,” Cr Scott said. “Our local government priorities for the federal budget have been independently assessed, and if funded and implemented … And create 44,905 new jobs. “Councils

Suzana Talevski and her dog, Jack Russell Toby are taking part in the challenge.

New asset technology for Brimbank

(Supplied)

Race is on to find top fur family The search is on for Victoria’s most active fur family. The Lost Dogs’ Home has launched the inaugural Pet Fitness Challenge urging Victorians to get fit with their pet while helping raise funds to care for the lost and abandoned animals at its shelters. The home’s spokesperson Suzana Talevski

are offering solutions to achieve a tailored, community-focussed post-COVID economic recovery – from creating jobs to supporting local business to building new community facilities like libraries, community centres, roads, recreation trails and playgrounds. “Councils have an excellent track record of partnering with the Commonwealth on projects and programs that improve our communities and build better lives for all Australians. “Working together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive and sustainable Australia on the other side of COVID-19 and ensure that no community is left behind.”

said Melbourne was a city in love with pets and a healthy appetite for fun and activity. “Now we get to combine both of those with Victoria’s Pet Fitness Challenge. The challenge is all about getting active and showing a little extra love to your pooch or kitty during the month of March,’’ Ms Talevski said. ‘’Commit to exercising with your pet for 15,

30 or 60 minutes every day and help us find forever homes for the dogs and cats in our care. With pet ownership soaring after two years of lockdowns, we know there are plenty of Victorians ready to take up this challenge. “We can’t wait to see who Victoria’s fittest fur family is.” Details: https://petfitnesschallenge.com.au/

Brimbank council is fitting innovative mobile 5G-based technology to the side of its waste trucks, to automatically detect, identify and map roadside assets that need maintenance. The pilot project will result in cameras or laser solutions mounted to the side of its trucks as a way to gather data on Brimbank’s roads and footpaths as the trucks travel through the municipality delivering waste services. The data will be used to decide what public roads, road signs, road spaces and other public assets need maintenance. The Mobile 5G Internet of Things (IoT) solution for data driven road asset maintenance in the Brimbank project will be delivered in partnership with Swinburne University and Optus. The project will automate asset condition monitoring and auditing, reducing the time (to within a week) to identify and document all of Brimbank’s road and roadside assets requiring maintenance, and provide real time information to maintenance crews. The pilot project is supported by a $1.18 million federal government grant under the Australian 5G Innovation Initiative. Brimbank is the only local government area to receive funding under the inaugural round of these grants. Brimbank mayor Jasmine Nguyen said this project was in response to community feedback. “Residents have told us via the Community Survey that improving the appearance of Brimbank’s roads, road signs, bus stop shelters and roadside spaces is a high priority,” she said. “This innovative 5G-based project offers us a quicker and more efficient way to identify which assets need maintenance, and to get the information to the work crews. “Simply put, this project will help council respond faster to assets that need maintenance.”

Women’s foundation receives funds to upgrade premises The East African Women’s Foundation’s space in Braybrook will be upgraded after the group received funding from the Westgate Neighbourhood Fund. The group is one of 28 to receive grants in this round of the fund. The fund was designed to support inner west communities, prioritising those who are most affected by the construction of the West Gate Tunnel Project, ensuring that the benefits of the project to the local community start now.

There were three categories of grants, connecting neighbourhoods, celebrating neighbourhoods and transforming neighbourhoods which have been awarded for festivals, events, displays and upgrades to community, sporting and recreational facilities run by not-for-profit community groups and organisations. The East African Women’s Foundation will receive $100,000 under the transforming neighbourhood section. The grant will fund the refurbishment

14 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 February, 2022

of the foundation’s premises to include space for social and cultural gatherings and provide a one-stop place for access to services, assistance, support and referral. Three Brooklyn groups have also received funding in this round of the program. The Brooklyn Tennis Club has received $4000 for the replacement of tennis nets and posts to create fit-for-purpose court facilities for use by the local club and community. The Friends of Community Tributaries has

received $9740 for the Brooklyn Hall Food Forest. It will help expand the existing Brooklyn community garden including the addition of fruit trees and hosting regular community lunches with guest speakers. There is also $10,000 funding for the Patch in the Park which is a community garden project in Brooklyn which aims to bring the community together to cultivate food, share knowledge and educate future generations in sustainable practices.

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Exploring the roots of creativity After two years of delays, the Mountain Writers’ Festival has finally released its plans for 2022, with a literary lunch on Saturday, March 26 to preclude the two-day festival which will run in November. The festival’s driving theme will be ‘Place, Story, Nature’ and will explore the connection between the artistic process and the environment. For artists across the shire, this theme has a resonant meaning that has influenced their craft in unique ways. But what is the connection between art and nature? And why is that relationship so pronounced in the Macedon Ranges? Oliver Lees went

‘‘

It’s like the whole community feels they have the freedom to express themselves

digging for the answers, and discovered an artistic lineage that can be traced back to the very first inhabitants of the land.

’’

- Paul Carter

ancefield resident Paul Carter has been interrogating these questions in his own way since he moved to the shire. Arriving in the small town from London in 1986, Mr Carter was immediately captured by his surroundings. “It all came as a complete and absolutely delightful surprise,” Mr Carter said. “I landed on my feet and when I looked around, I realised the population was really talented, and with such varied artistic abilities.” Mr Carter confessed that his move to the shire brought out his own creative urges. He is an author of several books, an 11-time Archibald Prize semi finalist and a garden sculptor. His most recent work, a documentary entitled Lancefield Dreaming, was a passion project of his own design. In it, he attempted to answer a question he had long held about his home: What is the source of Lancefield’s ‘specialness’? His investigation took him back through the history of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung people, who are believed to have inhabited the area as early as 26,000 years ago. Mr Carter said these communities would convey knowledge and creative expression in what is referred to as Songlines. Passed down between elders through generations, Songlines tied human expression to history, and often, naturally, with reference to the environment. “Before the project I hadn’t appreciated the significance of the local first people’s population,” he said. Mr Carter said this research helped clarify his own infatuation with the Macedon Ranges, and why it made him to explore his own creative urges. “It makes sense. Even today, you can feel that you’re stepping into a very ancient place. “In that feeling there’s a peace to it, and there

Top left: Musician Harry Nanos, screenwriter and director Paul Carter and film editor Jon Nanos all helped bring Lancefield Dreaming to life. Top right: Mountain Writers’ Festival committee members Sonia Orchard, Kathy Bell, Amalia Chilianis, Michelle Scott Tucker, Peter Mews and Kate Crawshaw. Above: Mounting writing. Inset: Aboriginal communities communicated stories down through generations, in what has come to be known as Songlines. (Pictures: Supplied)

becomes the space and time to be creative. It’s like the whole community feels they have the freedom to express themselves.” In the modern context, the importance of the shire’s natural environment, and the need to protect, is also a recurring point of focus for the Macedon Ranges council. In April 2021, the council officially declared a climate emergency. Macedon Ranges is also one of only four council areas in the state to receive recognition under the Distinctive Area and Landscape Act, which affords additional powers to sustain the natural environment. As an author and a board member of the Macedon Ranges Literary Association, Michelle Scott Tucker was excited to jump on the team to organise the Mountain Writers’ Festival. “Given the crucial nature of the environment at the moment, it just seemed like an obvious

thing for us to do, particularly given that we are up here in such a beautiful location,” Ms Scott Tucker said. In April 2021, Ms Scott Tucker led her own mobile writing workshop, which encouraged writers to step away from their desks and into the natural landscape. “Almost anyone writing needs to have some sense of place. So even if you’re writing about other places, your embeddedness in your own landscape can make a difference,” she said. “You connect with the natural element and somehow that acts on your subconscious in a really interesting way to help the story to fly.” Ms Scott Tucker said she believed the pandemic and its associated lockdown measures had helped many to realise how crucial one’s surroundings can be to their mental health. Mountain Writers’ Festival director Sonia

Orchard said she was very excited to welcome “some very big names” to the festival later in the year. “We’re in this good, beautiful environment that writers love, with such an easy day trip from Melbourne, the idea [for the festival] just came naturally,” she said. On March 26, the festival will welcome acclaimed authors Tony Birch, Evelyn Araluen, Tom Griffiths and Sophie Cunningham to the Macedon Wine Collective. Ms Orchard said she hopes the experience will give attendees a taste of what life is like in the Ranges. “I think being at the base of Mt Macedon, I found that incredibly powerful, waking up and looking at that every day,” she said. “I know most people living here can relate to that in some, and it’s something that is very strong in indigenous cultures.”

Tuesday, 15 February, 2022 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST 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

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

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

Women’s group Duke Street Community Centre has set up a women’s social group to give people a place to interact. The group will run every second Friday, as a way to connect with other women in the community in a safe, fun and social way. It will be developed to suit the needs of the participants and will be in a casual setting. The group will meet at the centre at 1pm. ■ 9311 9973

Football Taylors Lakes Football Club is seeking male and female players for all age groups from under-8s to under-18.5s. To be eligible, children need to be born between July 1, 2003, and April 30, 2015. ■ Julie, 0409 259 389

Deer Park probus The Deer Park Combined Probus Club meets on the second Wednesday of each month at The Deer Park Club, 780 Ballarat Road, from 10am. New members and visitors welcome. ■ Don, 0409 191 580

Female cricket Keilor Park Cricket Club is looking for players to join its female cricket team. The club, which has had success in recent years plays in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association on Sundays. ■ http://ow.ly/kLiz50Hsqqj

Summer series The City of Whittlesea Summer Series arrives at Laurimar Park on Friday, February 18, 5-8pm. There will be a new Makers Market for Doreen including stalls to browse and food outlets to eat from. Bring a picnic or buy something onsite from the food trucks for an evening out with family and friends. At the corner of Hazel Glen Drive and Flaxen Hills Road. ■ https://whittlesea.vic.gov.au/

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

Ladies probus The Woodlands Ladies Probus Club of Sunbury meets on the fourth Monday of each month at the Sunbury Bowling Club at 9.45 am. The club is based on fun, friendship and fellowship and enjoys monthly outings, an annual trip away and a lot of fun meetings. ■ Val, 0418 138 214

Sunbury Combined Probus Club The Sunbury Combined Probus Club meets every fourth Thursday of the month at the Sunbury Football Social Club at 10am. Visitors and new members welcome. ■ Carmel, 0416 477 271

Toastmasters Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Toastmasters helps its members develop their public

This week’s photographer’s choice photo is of Stephen Wainrib and Rita Rosa celebrating Barefoot Cinema’s return to the State Rose Garden, Werribee. (Joe Mastroianni) 266279

speaking, communication and leadership skills. The group meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month, from 7.20-9.30pm, at the Sunbury Senior Citizens Hall. ■ vpm-4185@toastmastersclubs.org

Garden club The Sunbury Garden Club meets on the first Tuesday of every month. There is a guest speaker at each meeting, which starts at 7.30pm at the Sunbury Football Club. ■ Cheryl, 9744 1663

Equipment provided. ■ 3029@loveourstreet.com.au

U3A Werribee U3A Werribee Region is a non-for-profit organisation consisting of semi-retired and retired residents of Wyndham . It conducts a variety of weekly classes run by volunteers. ■ Rick, 0402 299 220

Education volunteers

Senior citizens are welcome to visit the Sunbury Senior Citizens’ Club on Mondays and Fridays, from 10am-3pm at 8 O’Shannassy Street. A variety of activities are offered – carpet bowls, cards, snooker, darts, board games or just a cup of coffee and a chat. If you’re 55 years or older and would like to meet new people, come along. ■ Frank, 0423 392 884

EdConnect Australia is on the search 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. Whether you are recently retired or studying at university, EdConnect Australia offers training and support to its volunteers. Potential volunteers can apply online. ■ www.edconnectaustralia.org.au/volunteer/ or 1800 668 550

Hanging Rock night walks

AL-ANON meets

Let the scent of eucalypt and the calls of native wildlife captivate you on a night time walk at Hanging Rock. The walks are suitable for all ages, but spaces are limited and booking is essential. The ticket price is $25 per adult or $12 per child for two sessions running on Friday, February 18 and Friday, March 25. ■ 5422 0387

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.

Senior citizens club

Centre is now taking enrolments for classes to help those with limited computer skills. Classes are run daily at Joan Kirner House, Williamstown, and North Altona Library. ■ 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 more than 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

Conversation Cafe The Conversation Cafe is back on at Footscray and Braybrook libraries. 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

Tutoring program Community outings Hikoi Brothers is for men of all ages in the western suburbs. The group meets fortnightly on Sundays for walks, talking about a range of topics while enjoying the different tracks in Wyndham. ■ http://ow.ly/JpJR50HOVuN

Love Our Street 3029 A monthly clean up group in Hoppers Crossing and Tarneit resumes for 2022 on Sunday, February 20, 10.30am–noon, at the Grange Reserve, along Hogans Road.

16 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 February, 2022

Youth Services and Equal Ed are providing free online tutoring classes for young people aged 12 to 18 years old. The Academic Homework Support Program will run on Wednesdays 4-5pm, from the second week of each school term in 2022. All sessions are supervised by Wyndham council youth services staff. ■ https://youthwyndham.com/pgm-reg or Danielle Diez, 8375 2346

Computers for beginners Williamstown Community and Education

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

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

PUZZLES No. 068

To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.

easy

7 9 2 1

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

8 9

9 2 4 8 4

ACROSS

DOWN

Hides (5) Relying on or exploiting others (9) 1970s band, — Lake and Palmer (7) Of, or relating to, Tibet (7) Custom (9) Fad (5) Duped (3) Estimates of similarities (11) Artistic representation of a person (11) Idiot boxes (3) Mindless (5) Designers of goods and structures (9) Runner (7) Cleaning scoop (7) An office-worker (9) Waterlily (5)

1 4 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 19 20 22 25 26 27 28

No. 068

Saccharine (5) Native of Iceland (9) Seaweed wrapped rice (5) Brand of microprocessor (7) Domed building (7) Contribute (9) Popular aquarium fish (5) Agreement (9) Pleasure (9) Relate in some way (9) Immediately (2,3,4) Inactivity (7) Blasphemous (7) Member of Central American ancient people (5) Of the nose (5) Ships (5)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 13 14 15 17 18 21

23 24

DECODER

No. 068

5 2 3

3 8 7 1 9

1 7 2

QUICK CROSSWORD

7 5 1 6 3

1 3

6 hard

8 3 3 6 5

9-LETTER WORD Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”.

Today’s Aim: 10 words: Good 15 words: Very good

USES WARP ZACS 5 LETTERS ABORT ABOVE ALIAS ANGST APTER ARENA ATLAS AUDIO AWARE BROIL DIGIT DRIER EERIE ENEMA ERASE ERECT

4 LETTERS AURA DRUG DYES GASP IONS ISLE MADE MANY MESS MINE PARS PASS RANK ROBS SEES

No. 068

EVERY GAITS GASES HAIRY INANE INTER LATER LEACH LEVEL MIMIC OGLES PARTY PASSE PETER RECAP ROGUE SADLY SALLY SEATS SEDAN SENDS

SHAMS STONE STOVE TENTH TENTS TRAMP ZINCS 6 LETTERS SHRINE TREBLE 7 LETTERS ASSORTS DESPAIR

REREADS SHRINKS STORAGE VERSION 8 LETTERS DEDICATE MURMURED SEVEREST TWANGING 10 LETTERS EVAPORATES TRANSPIRES

ahem, ephemera, EPHEMERAL, hale, hamper, hare, harem, harm, harp, heal, healer, heap, hear, heel, heeler, helm, help, helper, hemp, here, rhea 18-02-22

No. 068 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

5 6 4 9 1 7 2 8 3

1 2 7 6 8 3 9 5 4

7 4 3 5 2 1 8 9 6

T A R S R R E D

M A T C H O P E R A L A T I N

6 8 1 3 7 9 4 2 5

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

3 LETTERS ACE AGE AGO AIL APT ASK ASS ATE AWE AYE BRA CHI DEN ERR GAL HEN IDS LSD MRS NIT OKS RED REV SAC TNT USE

QUICK QUIZ

Which country was formerly known as Ceylon?

Which Greek white (or rosé) wine is infused with pine resin?

To which animated Disney film did Rowan Atkinson (pictured) lend his voice?

What is the light-sensitive tissue that lines the inner surface of the eye?

Singer-songwriter Norah Jones is the daughter of which musician?

What is the name given to a young female cow before she has had her first calf?

Which Dutch artist painted Girl with a Pearl Earring?

5 4 7 9 3 2 6 1 8

3 9 8 4 5 2 6 7 1

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

10 11 12 13

D W 19

8 1 5 2 3 6 7 4 9

9 7 6 1 4 8 5 3 2

9 3 4 2 7 8 5 6 1

8 6 9 3 1 5 4 7 2

3 4 7 6 2 9 1 8 5

T A

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

2 8 9 6 5 1 3 4 7

6 1 3 8 7 4 9 5 2

4 7 1 5 8 3 2 6 9

1 5 2 4 8 7 3 9 6

2 9 1 7 5 6 8 4 3

5 7 3 8 4 2 6 1 9

H R

T P

8 5 6 2 4 9 1 7 3

9 3 2 1 6 7 5 8 4

1 6 4 3 2 8 7 9 5

3 9 8 7 1 5 4 2 6

7 2 5 4 9 6 8 3 1

4 8 6 1 9 3 2 5 7

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

21 words: Excellent

hard

5x5

medium

easy

MGHQ L P Y F T C N K J

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

U R E A V X S I B Z ODW

WORDFIT

According to the Gospel of Luke, what city was home to Mary and Joseph?

What is Russia’s largest port city on the Pacific Ocean?

10 Who broke the men’s 400m freestyle swimming world record at the 2000 Olympics? ANSWERS: 1. Sri Lanka. 2. Retsina. 3. Retina. 4. Heifer. 5. Nazareth. 6. Vladivostok. 7. The Lion King. 8. Ravi Shankar. 9. Johannes Vermeer. 10. Ian Thorpe.

SUDOKU

Tuesday, 15 February, 2022 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 17

SECTION STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

networkclassifieds.com.au Trades & Services

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V Deadline

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froggys.com.au

AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING REPAIR, SUPPLY AND INSTALLATIONS

JAD COOLING AND HEATING Jad 0425 804 593 or 9336 1996 Rami 0425 876 176

AU 21094 Lic 42666

jadhc@live.com.au

services s of specialised property Very diverse in all aspect ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

12523264-CG47-21

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V Excavators

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“I’m very happy, advertising works, it has been great for building my business in the building services and handyman areas.” - Andrew

Real Estate

section of Network Classiﬁeds.

V Fencing & Gates

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V Bathroom & Kitchens

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Fletcher’s Carpet Steam Cleaning

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Anthony 0433 907 720 or urbanpergolas@gmail.com *FREE PAINTING OR DECK OILED ON MENTION OF THIS AD*

CONTRACTING

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Andrew 0425 852 621 | Froggys.com.au | info@froggys.com.au

& Kitchens

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12425486-CG35-19

Beautiful Bathrooms Bill 0410 48 14 17

All Types of Bricklaying Restoration Work ฀Brick Fences ฀Repair Work

Contact Adam 0422 250 675

12418345-SN21-19

V Bricklayers

AA CABINETS

12445949-RC14-20

V Cabinet Makers

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AK BRICKLAYING

12533274-HC09-22

Froggys

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G6069535

Kitchens & Bathroom Renovations

Specializing in: ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ Vu 0458 748 413 · Andy 0408 081 888 ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

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*conditions apply

20 Years Experience ﬂetcherscarpetcleaning.com.au

816 479

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Ph 0410 807 841

Lou’s Colorbond Fencing Gates & Pergolas ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ Lou 0412 339 445 Tony 0431 339 739 ฀

Employment

V Garage/Garage Doors

section of Network Classiﬁeds.

F & J ROLLER DOORS

V Concrete Products & Services

REPAIRS & REMOTES Roller Door Remote Controls Silent Drive 7 Year Warranty FROM $500 fully installed

AFFORDABLE CONCRETE PAVING 30 years experience s Plain Concrete s Coloured Concrete s Slate impression s Stencil MJ Paving (Vic) Pty Ltd

Call Joe on

12400595-SN40-18

URBAN PERGOLAS & OUTDOOR LIVING

12519309-CG44-21

V Carpet Cleaning

section of Network Classiﬁeds.

· Plumbing · Tiling · Electrical · Carpentry · Plastering · One stop shop - Kitchen, bathroom, laundries & renovation needs. · Complete service from start to finish, including kitchen 3D design. · Appliance packages available. · Bathroom tapware, accessories & tiles on display in our showroom.

Specialising in Timber and Colorbond Fencing

12441118-CG07-20

V Builders & Building Services

12420493-CG25-19

LEON’S FENCING SERVICES

Free Quotes

No job too small

0408 993 912 or 9331 6391

NATHAN FENECH CONCRETING Residential - Commercial - Industrial All • Footings • Slabs • Foundations • Concrete Paving • Concrete Restorations NO JOB TOO SMALL!

FREE QUOTES Mobile: 0478 129 330 | ABN. 43462185813

9746 7785

0412 184 772

V Garden Services

A1 Garden Maintenance & Rubbish Removals 12360798-DJ33-17

G6425413AA-dc5Nov

General Classiﬁeds

8348 5441

www.rmfencing.com.au

12479887-JW04-21

Call 0430 332 368

12427253-FA39-19

VISA/MASTERCARD/EFTPOS (1.5% credit card processing fee applies. Cheques and money orders can be posted in or hand delivered to our local ofﬁce)

Deadline for all classifications is 2:30pm Friday.

Phone Tony 0404 775 573

12440392-SG06-20

We accept payment by:

12402755-RA44-18

(include your name, address and phone number)

12398667-SN37-18

Online: networkclassiﬁeds.com.au (24/7) Phone: 1300 666 808 (Open 8.30-5pm Mon-Fri) Email: sales@networkclassiﬁeds.com.au

"We do all the small jobs that the bigger companies don't have time for" Up to 60 square metres Shed floors, paths, driveways etc. Coloured, plain, slate and stencil. FREE MEASURE & QUOTE Workmanship guaranteed, with over 30 years experience

12416265-CG17-19

SMALL SMALL CONCRETING CONCRETING JOBS JOBS

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฀

฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

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MOWING PLUS MORE • Lawn Mowing & Edging • Weeding & Poison • Planting & Pruning • Green Waste Removal • Hedging & Shaping

Registered & Insured, Contact Free & Vaccinated

Simon 0422 899 759

12506821-32-21

with us and get better results

CALL 1300 666 808 18 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 February, 2022

12514849-JW40-21

ADVERTISE

General Classifieds

V Garden Services

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AMAZING GARDEN SERVICES Specialist in • Lawn mowing • Edging Pruning / Hedge Trimming • Regular Maintenance • Rubbish Removals • Tree Lopping • Gutter Cleaning

ALL AROUND

RJ GUTTERS ฀

฀ ฀ ฀

Homes

LATIN ROOF RESTORATION

0421 421 640

t 3FQBJST 3FTUPSBUJPO t $FNFOU 5FSSBDPUUB 5JMFT t )JHI 1SFTTVSF $MFBOJOH t 3FCFEEJOH 1PJOUJOH t "DSZMJD $PBU 4ZTUFN t $MFBO (VUUFST %PXOQJQFT t 'SFF RVPUF t ZFBS HVBSBOUFF

V Handy Persons

1231176-CG24-16

20 years experience. All types of house repairs & renovations

Bill 0410 48 14 17

TILE COAT For all roof restoration needs. Cleaning, repointing, painting, leak repairs, etc…

฀

฀ ฀

฀

Call Mark 0401 478 799

V Kitchens

UNCLE TED’S RUBBISH

For free quote call Mob: 0423 595 388 Email: sales@lnkitchens.com.au Showroom: 24 Berkshire Rd, North Sunshine

฀ ฀

฀

records. Will come to your place. Good prices. No classical. Ring Len 0490 098 805 or 0434 253 428.

Rubbish Removal / Garden Clean-Ups Old fashioned gardening, weeding, gutters, trees PENSIONER DISCOUNTS FREE ESTIMATES

Call 0411 136 259

฀

Call 0434 525 311

12504269-BL30-21

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G6133636AA-dc2Jul

V Garage Sales

772 304

OWNER DRIVER

1 x Excavator Operator 1 x Loader Operator and 1 x Labourer required. Duties include greasing, maintenance and adhoc. Contact Norm after 5pm for further details:

14 Pallet Tautliner Tasmanian Freight Services Pty Ltd Working from our Laverton North depot doing pickups and deliveries across the broader metro area. 5 days per week Weekly pay @ $58.00 per hour Contact Greg Flynn 0456 392 398

0428 568 004 Find it in the

Celebrations

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V Positions Vacant

Based in West Footscray, ACC Higgins is Australia’s leading coffin and casket manufacturer. We require an individual looking to start a career or further develop their skills in manufacturing. We would like to offer an opportunity to someone who holds a strong desire to learn from and/or work with our experienced team. With employment you will join one of our departments in Wood Machining, Solid Timber Assembly, Sanding or Polishing. The successful applicant will not necessarily have experience in any of these fields, although if you have a skills in and/or would like to work in one of these specific fields, then please inform us. In return ACC Higgins offers secure employment, above award wages and bonuses. Some overtime hours will be required from time to time. Please forward your CV to Matthew Breen at matthewb@acchiggins.com.au or call after 9am on 03 9689 3299 to apply.

12533009-DL04-22

Find local work in the

12532148-AV03-22

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Free Quote

V Professional

12400498-CG38-18

Saida’s Painting And Handyman

DISCRIMINATION IN ADVERTISING IS UNLAWFUL

Employment

section of Network Classiﬁeds.

Bashyrr Saida 0416 561 594 Ibrahim Saida 0403 610 782 ZZZ QHWZRUNFODVVL´HGV FRP DX

V Plasterers

JRA PLASTERING CARPENTRY & PAINTING

V Wanted

HIGHLY EXPERIENCED TECHNICIANS ANTENNA SERVICE ALL AREAS

PCC Plumbing • Repairs to tap wares and replacement washers/ceramic • Same day hot water service replacements

Paul Catoggio 0448 411 593 pccplumbing@outlook.com

V Wanted To Buy

• Bathroom, Kitchen, Toilet Renovation • Small Extension • Carpentry / Plastering • 20yrs. Plus Building Experience ** call Hill now for a free quote **

NEW STAFF?

Free Quote 7 Day Service 45 yrs exp.

Pay up to $500 for most cars Dead or Alive

Pay up to $600 for all

LMCT 10268W

0422 108 512 Also Towing Service Available 12493026-AV19-21

Get 10% Discount Use code: EMPDISC

LMCT 10268W

Buy, & Sell in our

Motoring

7 days a week service Call Gus for a free quotation on

section of Network Classifieds.

0435 904 818

Fill your position online 12340308-HM08-17

Trees Pruned Reshaped Grubbed out. All Foliage/Rubbish Removed Fully Insured $10m Pensioner Discount

FREE CAR REMOVAL

FREE CAR REMOVAL complete cars dead or alive!

V Wrecking

NEED

V Tree Lopping/Surgery

V Wrecking

CARS wanted. $$$$ Paid. Buying all years and models. Call 0455 776 443 Lmct 11618

ASAP TILING

Tel 04 3277 4645

The Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995 makes it unlawful for an advertiser to show any intention to discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, race, age, marital status, political or religious belief or physical features, disability, lawful sexual activity/sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status or on the basis of being associated with a person with one of the above characteristics, unless covered by an exception under the Act. As Network Classifieds could be legally liable if an unlawful advertisement is printed, Network Classifieds will not accept advertisements that appear to break the law. For more information about discrimination in advertising, contact your legal advisers or the Equal Opportunity Commission.

Motoring

V Positions Vacant

V Tiling

ANY TREES LOPPED

12424562-SN33-19

Real Estate section of Network Classifieds.

Employment

12469374-CG46-20

12521636-DL45-21

12530339-JW02-22

Call Mick 0417 352 040

DIGITAL ANTENNAS AMPLIFIERS TV OUTLETS

0409 888 228

Lic 35031

FREE Quotes

Required for livestock, 16 acres, no house. Ph: 0400 550 053

12400545-LB38-19

MIRMIC PLUMBING

LAND TO LEASE

SAME DAY SERVICE

Call Jeremy 0481 974 274 V Plumbing

Buy, Rent & Sell in the

ANTENNA MAN

12528371-JW51-21

Specialising in Patchwork, Extensions, New homes, Cornices Construction Building Maintenance Internal & External

• General Plumbing & Maintenance • Spouting & Roofing • Hot & Cold Water Services • Gas work

Real Estate

V Television/Video/Audio

FREE QUOTES AVAILABLE 24 HOURS Commercial & Residential

12507111-HC33-21

OPERATORS AND LABOURER

PLACE YOUR

V Painters/Decorators

• General plumbing • Rooﬁng • Downpipes and Spouting • Sewer Blockages

V Positions Vacant

V Garage Sales

• Demolition Specialists • Backyard Cleanups • Concrete Broken or Cut & Removed • Tree Lopping & Removal • Rental Cleanups • All types of dingo work. • Deceased Estate Cleanups We Take Anything Away

฀

For A Free Quote Call MARK: 0425

Records

AARON & JOHN’S DEMOLITION & RUBBISH REMOVALS

KITCHEN FACELIFTS ฀

12527384-JW51-21

12367852-ACM41-17

Specialise in: - Kitchens, vanities, laundries, wardrobes, storages Glass: Splashback, shower screen, mirrors, glass.

฀

V Wanted

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

TAYLOR LAKES 31 Murchison Ave, Tue 8th Feb - Tue 1st Mar, 9:30am-1:30pm. V Tuition Old and slightly used household items and antiques. All good stuff. A TEACHER Available for tutoring. Mathematics, Phone Don 9449 1571. Science, Chemistry, Chinese and Japanese. Phone 0418 871 203

V Rubbish Removal

FREE DESIGN-CHEAPEST PRICE

V Pets & Services ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE

$BMM (FPSHF PS 4FC 60's, 70's, 80's and jazz

Handyman Service

฀

Open 7 days

ADVERTISERS, in this section are qualified practitioners and offer nonsexual services.

V Positions Vacant

12321532-HM36-16

★ New & Existing ★

฀ ฀ FREE QUOTES

$100/ 30mins

48 Davies Avenue, Sunshine North 9364 0770 SWA6566B

V Roofing

฀

C1093409-JO39-13

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17 Years Guarantee 10% Pensioner Discount Council Permit Supplied Computer Levelling

12386073-RC18-18

฀

1232632-ACM26-16

฀

David: 0425 811 882 Ash: 0403 619 333

Free Quote All Suburbs Insurance Elevation

V Guttering

CDB-L 60362 12532110-SG03-22

177646

ABN 44 021 708 152 Tel: 9309 2351

1235322622-PB22-17

977914

V Massage Therapists

Rainbow Dolls

REBLOCKING & UNDERPINNING

Call Joe 0498 375 094 - 7 days

฀

V Adult Services

Employment

12423634-SN31-19

Trades & Services

ZZZ QHWZRUNFODVVL´HGV FRP DX

General Classifieds section of Network Classifieds.

Want to place an ad but not sure where to start? Call our helpful classiﬁed team between 8:30am-5pm Mon-Fri for FREE advice!

C & D Schroeder 9337 3695 or 0415 816 882

Fully insured

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Cute as a button, Kia Picanto is a great little city runabout.

(Pictures: Supplied)

A ‘spicy’ city runabout from Kia By Ewan Kennedy, Marque Motoring

AT A GLANCE

Google tells us that “Picanto” relates to the Spanish and Italian words “picante/piccante”, meaning “spicy”. The Kia Picanto does have a “spicy” look that could also be called cute. This is one of the smallest and cheapest models on the Australia new car market. However, it does have a fair number of the features that new car buyers are looking for.

MODEL RANGE Picanto S: $15,990 (manual), $17,590 (automatic) Picanto GT-Line: $17,440 (manual), $19,040 (automatic) Picanto GT Turbo: $20,490 (manual)

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

Styling The Kia Picanto GT-Line update for 2022 has revised styling of the front and rear bumpers which is intended to see it through until the arrival of the next model that’s anticipated within the year. The shape works well with a cuteness that’s almost playful so is aimed at the young as well as the young at heart. Our car was black with red highlights in the lower areas of the body.

Interior The styling of the dashboard area is neat with the screens taking up most of the area to give it an attractive look. The seats in the GT-Line are well shaped and have a definite sporty look by courtesy of the red trim around their edges.

not a “GT” and this makes sense - it’s more about show than go, which is fine by many buyers. Our test car had four-speed automatic transmission - yes four speeds because this is a car that’s getting seriously old by today’s standards. As mentioned, a new model is due within a year or so and we can expect it to be significantly better in its powertrain. Somewhat oddly the manual is a five-speed unit so has more ratios than the auto. We might try to borrow a manual to see how it compares ye-olde automatic.

Infotainment As part of this update all Picantos now have an 8.0-inch infotainment display, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s space for a smartphone and there are single USB and 12V outlets.

Engines / transmissions Picanto GT-Line has a four-cylinder 1.2-litre engine, which is less powerful than the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol in the GT. There is 62kW of power, and 122Nm at 4000rpm. Keep in mind that this is a “-Line”,

Safety Picanto only has a four-star ANCAP safety rating, and that dates all the way back to 2017. Again, be aware a new model is coming. This updated model has city-speed autonomous emergency braking. This is certainly handy given that too many drivers are spending time talking on their phone or composing texts and having the car after them is a plus. Either that or educate drivers on the need to pay 100 per cent attention all the time. Okay,

20 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 February, 2022

I’ve always been a wishful thinker. You may say I’m a dreamer … with reference to the late, great John Lennon. There are two IsoFix points and top tether points for child seats.

Driving This is very small car so legroom in the back is tight for adults. Kids under the age of about 12 will be fine but any older than that will have to chat with the driver and come to a deal about sharing the space. Performance is okay, though hardly in the “GT” class. If you’ve got 320 kilograms of people the passenger seats and/or are driving up hills the Picanto will feel as though it’s struggling at times. Again, the four-speed auto is a pain because it’s going to drop back a gear and the engine jumps up in revs - as does the fuel consumption. Though the Picanto is small it has a 2400mm wheelbase so it works well, even on bumpy roads. The ride is quite firm if you look at it as being in the GT class it’s acceptable. Cornering is pretty good and the lightweight makes it fun to drive on your favourite stretches

of country roads. There is a 4.2-inch multifunction display in front of the driver. Both this and the centre screen are reasonably sharp and easy to read without the driver having to take their mind of the road ahead. Official consumption for the automatic GT-Line we tested is 5.8L/100km on the combined cycle. During our week with the Picanto we used seven to nine litres per hundred around the suburbs and five to six litres in the country and on motorways and level-road country driving. Like all Kias the cute little Picanto has a seven-year, unlimited distance warranty. Which is a huge benefit in this class as buyers are likely to be young and not have much of an income.

Summing up Kia Picanto is a cute little hatchback at a more than reasonable price. It looks great and drives pretty well for what it is. Though it’s getting on in years and doesn’t have the latest in safety features it should certainly get a place on your list of cars to test drive.

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

SPORT

Parkers are sitting in prime position Deer Park is primed for a strong finals series in the Bowls Victoria weekend premier division pennant. On the back of four wins in a row, the Parkers sit on top of the ladder and starting to break away from the pack. The club’s second side is also on top, while the third side has won their last three matches. With the arrival of Alex Marshall, arguably the world’s greatest ever bowler, the Parkers are only getting stronger. Head of bowls operations and player Mark Casey said before the weekend’s two matches, they were happy with where things were at. “We are going really well,” he said. “We’ve got a little bit of a gap to second place now. We’ve got two big games this weekend. “Win both of those games and we’re in a really good position.” Marshall made his debut against Croydon last weekend. Casey said the arrival of Marshall

was massive for not only the club, but the whole competition. “Alex won his rink by a shot after being down virtually the whole game, playing two two young boys, Tyson and Koby Cromie. “We played out in Croydon and there were six or seven club shirts who were keen to watch Alex play. “It’s good for the competition.” Casey said for the club to have Marshall, after having star Aussie player Aaron Teys play earlier in the season, was beneficial for the young players coming through. “Tyson and Kobie learned a lot off Alex,“ Casey said. “Tyson has really come on this year and skippered a few games. He’s been one of our stars. “Koby is only 14 and doing well. “What we’re trying to tell them is that this doesn’t come along often and to soak up as much info as you can.

“They will be better for it in years to come.” While the results are flowing the way of Deer Park, the club like others is juggling the annoying COVID-19 pandemic in the background. Casey said the club was just trying to stick to the task at hand. “We have to be careful with the COVID situation, as we’ve been struck down by it, me included,” he said. “One more today has got it. “All the clubs are in the same position in the lead up to finals. “We have to focus and concentrate on every division. We want to make finals and stay up in those divisions. “It is a challenge, but we’ll do the best we can.” For the weekend’s results, go to www. starweekly.com.au Tara Murray

Oloamanu’s state debut

(Damjan Janevski) 260347_06

Sports shorts Baseball Sunshine Eagles had a big win against Fitzroy on last Tuesday night in Baseball Victoria summer league division 1. The Eagles dominated the game, winning 11-1. A massive hit from Josh Bryne which brought home three home runs for the Eagles was the highlight. The Eagles are up to third on the ladder. The side was due to face Malvern on Sunday, after deadline.

By Sarah Oliver Up and coming netball star Mel Oloamanu has continued to prove her talent on the court after being selected to play for Victoria in the under-19s in the 2022 National Netball Championships. The 19-year-old Melton resident from City West Falcons said she was shocked when she found out she’d made the team. “At first I was shocked … I was so happy and so excited. A bit nervous as well but mostly just excited about the great news. And everyone just started messaging congratulations,” she said. Training has already begun for the team, which Oloamanu said has been awesome so far. “Everyone feels like family to be honest and the girls get along really well with each other. All happy vibes. Just getting used to the structure but overall it’s been a really good two sessions,” she said. Oloamanu said the team’s biggest strength is the connection between players, on and off the court. “Without the connection then … everything would be all over the place,” she said. “The way we support each other is awesome as well, even if we make mistakes.” The teen, who mostly plays goal defence but also pulls on a goalkeeper or wing defence bib, said her biggest strength is her voice and talking on the court. “And connecting with the players as well because, when that comes into play everything runs smoothly.” In the lead up to the competition, which is being held in Hobart in April, Oloamanu said she needs to work on her fitness. “For me personally I think it’s my fitness. It has been a work in progress for a while … and just staying constant on court,” she said. The defender started playing when she was about 12-years-old after being inspired by watching her older cousi, Elisapeta Toeava, play. “She’s playing for the (Northern) Mystics team in New Zealand. It’s so good to watch her on the big screen and support her,” Oloamanu said. Toeava, who plays wing attack and centre positions, has also played for the Silver Ferns in 2018 and in 2020-21. It didn’t take long for Oloamanu to progress and have her skills recognised. In 2019, she represented the Australian under-16 netball team in the nationals as co-captain. Speaking with Star Weekly in 2019, she said pulling on the green and gold for the first time was something she will never forget. “The first time I represented Australia, it was such an honour,” she said. “It was just an amazing experience to go out there and represent this country. “Even though we won silver, I reckon the

Mark Casey.

Australia Cup Keilor Wolves and Spring Hills were among the teams set to take to the field at the weekend in the opening round of the Australia Cup. The cup, which is a nation wide knockout competition, has been renamed after being unknown as the FFA Cup since it was introduced in 2014. More than 200 Victorian clubs have entered this year’s cup. This round includes 48 state league 4 clubs, 45 state league 5 clubs and 11 regional clubs. Keilor Wolves were set to face Roxburgh Park United, while Spring Hills was to play Darebin United. Westside Strikers is through to the next round after Seaford United forfeited.

Come and try The Western Region Football League is hosting three umpire come and try sessions. The sessions will provide information to anyone who is interested in becoming an umpire. Those at the clinics will be able to try field, boundary and goal umpiring in the sessions with all participants to receive a free show bag. The sessions will be held at Hogans Reserve, Hoppers Crossing on February 21, Dunnings Road Reserve, Point Cook on February 28 and Skinner Reserve in Braybrook on Match 8. Details: info@wrfl.asn.au

NPL

Mel Oloamanu will play for Victoria in the under-19s in the 2022 National Netball Championships.

The National Premier League will return this weekend. The top flight of the competition is back this week, with NPL2 and NPL3 to return on March 18. This weekend, Melbourne Knights will face Dandenong City on Friday night, Green Gully is away to Oakleigh Cannons, while St Albans Saints face Port Melbourne Sharks.

(Supplied)

memories are gold.” And in 2019 she represented Victoria at under-17 level for the first time. In 2021, Oloamanu was a training partner for Collingwood which she is in the middle of trialling for this year. “I’m really hoping that I do (make it) … If I don’t there’s always another door open,” she

said. “It’s been an amazing experience training with all the girls.” Having a career in netball would be a big dream come true for the young gun. “The end goal is to just have my parents proud of me,” she said.

FOR MORE SPORT, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Brimbank & North West Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Tuesday, 15 February, 2022 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 21

SPORT STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Jets continue to grow under coach Chancellor The NAB League Girls competition is seeing a wider spread of contributors as the league continues to develop according to Western Jets coach Robbie Chancellor. Chancellor, who is in his second year as coach of the Jets, said they were starting to see a number of changes, which reflect where the game is going. “We’re seeing the strength of the lower ages in terms of players and building depth,” he said. “We’re not relying on one or two players. There’s now seven or eight girls that can shift the momentum.” Chancellor said within his own team there’s the stars like Charlotte Baskaran and Montana Ham, who continue to star as they set their sights on being drafted. Baskaran and Ham were the standouts in the Jets’ first win of the season against the Northern Knights. He said the like of Trinity Skenderis, Paige Trajkovski, and 15-year-old Lou-Lou Field were

some of the younger ones to impress so far. Chancellor said they were seeing the spread of contributors, in both the NAB League games and the future games. The future games involve those players who aren’t playing in the main match, to give everyone the chance to play each week. “With big squads you are normally playing a lot of the same girls, with futures games, you’re pretty much playing everyone on the same day. “What we’re seeing is that the young crop is far more advanced than previous years, it’s a reflection of the depth of the competition.” Chancellor was thrilled with the side after that chalked up their first win. With a young side with only three or four top age players, the Jets beat the Knights, 5.8 (38)- 3.5 (23). The second quarter would be the difference, with the Jets kicking four goals to set up the wind. Chancellor said the playing group had really responded after the previous week.

“They played some pretty good footy on the weekend and I’m pretty excited for the next few weeks.” Chancellor said the side was starting to play a bit more of the game style they wanted to focus on, a fast game with lots of handballs and the girls taking it on. He said that style was a reflection of their strengths and the direction the female game is going. The Jets are set to play the Greater Western Victoria Rebels on Saturday in Ballarat, after deadline. It’s a busy time for Chancellor with the boys’ side also returning. Chancellor said he was thrilled with how they had returned after the break. “It was really pleasing to see them come back in good shape. For a wrap up of the weekend’s match, go to www.starweekly.com.au. Tara Murray

Charlotte Baskaran.

(Supplied)

Strikers aim for promotion

Jamie Young has had an impact at Western United.

(Supplied)

Young making an impact By Tara Murray When new Western United coach John Aloisi approached Jamie Young to make the move to Victoria he didn’t hesitate. In the backend of his career, at 36, Young was keen to continue to be challenged and be part of something that was building at United. “Football careers are so short and I don’t want to waste my time,” he said. “I want to be spending my time playing in high demanding cultures and I want to be playing strong with leaders and characters. “Here’s an organisation investing in very high level coaches like John. When John gave me a call I didn’t really hesitate. “I knew there was going to be very high levels of expectations and accountability and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed that. “I’m really interested in spending my time with people who are really excelling every day and that is really important.” The Young and Aloisi partnership isn’t a new one, with the two working together at the Brisbane Roar. Young said Aloisi’s decision to put his reputation on the line to coach United was

something that inspired him to join the club in just its third season. “I know what he’s about and the thing about John is, we know what he’s done as a player and his club career and at the Socceroos. He has a high level reputation and for him to come to a club that aren’t favourties on paper compared to others, he’s putting his reputation on the line. “I think we can see the character … He is easily one of the best coaches in the country and as a player when you see one of the best coaches put his reputation on the line that’s quite inspiring. “I see that in other players in our dressing room who don’t stand on par with achievements, putting their reputations on the line for each other is really inspiring.” The partnership has been a successful one so far at United. The team sits atop of the table and Young has been one of the best performed goalkeepers this season. While in his first season at the club, Young said the way the group has come together on and off the field has been a big part of their success. “I would summerarise it as an integrated and

22 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 15 February, 2022

cohesive approach. We have competent people in administrative roles who have recruited a new manager, who has recruited new players. “From there, there’s been high level coaching and players who can execute that coaching on the pitch and you can see how everyone is pulling in the right direction. “It is so important when people are working in the same direction off the pitch how that transfers on, it’s like a domino effect.” Defensively, Young was quick to praise the work of his teammates who are making his role easier. Heading into the weekend’s game, Young led the competition in clean sheets and was equal top for the most saves. “We’ve got a good defensive record,” he said. “Before we step on the pitch there’s a very thorough analysis strategy that we put in place that may look like random chaos, it’s very strategic. “I know goalkeepers associated with clean sheets. [But] case in point, the second half I didn’t really have a save to make. “It shows the level the defence, the midfielders and strikers are playing at, where a goalkeeper doesn’t have to make saves, those guys in front of him are doing their job really well.”

Westside Strikers are aiming for promotion in Football Victoria state league 4 west this season. After two interrupted seasons due to COVID-19, the Strikers are hoping some luck will go their way and allow a full season. The club was sitting second when the season was called off last year. President Sam Raniolo said they believe that they can do good things this season. “It’s been really good and they’ve been training since the beginning of January,” he said. “We’re trying to get everyone up and fit. It was a disappointing two years, we thought we had a good chance of challenging for promotion. “Hopefully it will be better this year.” Raniolo said they had signed all the players from last season and added two key signings. He said they needed to strengthen the side. “You never know what will happen with COVID.” Having retained their squad Raniolo said they were keen to ensure they were still a side at the top of the ladder. “We are aiming to get promoted this year into state league 3,” he said. “The club deserves to be in state league 3 with the amount of juniors we have. “This season we have 27 junior sides, a senior, reserves, masters and a thirds side. “We weren’t sure what was going to happen after COVID, but the kids have come back.” The Strikers were set to get their first taste of a match for 2022 in the Australia Cup on Saturday. The cup was previously known as the FFA Cup. The Strikers were set to play Seaford United, which forfeited the match in the lead up. It means the Strikers are straight through to the next round. “We had been looking forward to it,” Raniolo said. “We’re not into the second round and we’ll look to have another practice match.” Tara Murray

Sunshine Heights are getting bigger and better Despite the uncertainty due to COVID-19 pandemic, Sunshine Heights Cricket Club has seen a massive growth the last two seasons. While some clubs have struggled to field as many sides as previously, Heights this season is fielding eight senior sides. Coach Wayne Miller said that people had just wanted to get out and do something after two years of lockdown. “The new numbers have been really good this year,” he said. “The club has put in two additional sides this year. “We’re up to eight senior sides and we’ve doubled the numbers the last two cricket seasons during COVID.” Miller said there had been a number of former players returning to the club, while others were wanting to join for the first time. He said there had been 30 new players this season.

“People have heard about the club’s inclusivity and its inclusiveness of all cultures,” he said. “Players have got referrals from their friends to come down. “There are a couple of social clubs that are interested in joining us too.” Miller said despite COVID-19 hitting hard since the Christmas break, the club had still been able to fill all their full compliment of sides. He said the club’s junior players were keen to step up where they could. “We’re getting on the park, but it has been a struggle with numbers,” he admits. “A lot of juniors are stepping up and filling the sides. A lot of younger kids are keen to play senior cricket.” It will be a big few weeks for the club’s division 3 side in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association as they seek to secure a finals spot. Heading into the weekend’s match with

Laverton, which was after deadline, the side was sitting seventh, three points outside of the top four. Three of the four sides they face in the run home are below them on the ladder. Miller said they were starting to hit their best form. “We have to win three of our four games, or win four of four to make sure of it. “If we win three we are definitely in with a chance. “We’re coming into good form and this week is pretty much the first week we have everyone back from Covid and injuries. “We can start to build a good platform.good platform “ For the results, go to www.starweekly.com. au. Sunshine Heights’ Mohsin Abbas. (Luke Hemer)

Tara Murray

203005_02

Home grown talent signs for Keilor

Co-captains Georigia Nanscawen and Mia-Rae Clifford with coach Brendan Major.

(Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos)

Bombers ready to shine By Tara Murray Essendon is hoping to take another step forward in the Victorian Football League Women’s competition this season. The Bombers were one of the big improvers last season, resulting in their first finals appearance and first finals win. Bombers coach Brendan Major said the program had grown in recent years and the results showed that. He said finals were again the aim this season. “Preparation across the board,” he said, was the key thing. “We were better prepared as coaches, better prepared as staff and better prepared as players. “We came into the league and won one game and we knew there would be natural improvement. “We thought we could make finals last year, to make finals and to win a final is a great result for us. “The only disappointing thing was that we couldn’t do it in front of a crowd with our friends and family.” Major said the squad had continued to develop and believed that they had a much deeper squad this year. There was seven players drafted from the

Bombers squad from last year, headlined by young star Georige Prespakis, who was taken at pick two. The Bombers have looked all round Australia to find the right mix. “We think we’ve got some players who will turn out to be really good VFLW players from all across Australia,” Major said. “Jordan Zanchetta comes from Brisbane, She’s an in and under mid with really clean hands. “Sarah Ford is from GWS and a similar player. “Renee Tierney comes from Geelong, while Danielle Marshall was delisted from the Bulldogs and can play both ends of the ground.” Major said across the board they had seen at least 10 per cent improvement across the whole playing group. New co-captain Mia-Rae Clifford is leading the way. “Mia is in the best shape of her life,” he said. “The co-captaincy is a result of that. She’s always been well prepared and always been a natural leader. “She’s shown a level of professionalism. “Eloise Ashley-Cooper won our best and first and was super consistent and has taken another step forward. “Georigia Nanscawen prepares exceptionally

well.” “Younger player Amelia Radford, I think she’s going to be an exceptional player with poise and composure. “She looks like she’s played 10 years of footy.” The group has been training since Melbourne got out of lockdown. “We played in a preliminary final and went into lockdown one day later and we came out of lockdown and were back at training one day later. “We think we are well prepared and we have left no stone unturned.” The Bombers were set to kick off their season on Saturday against the Western Bulldogs, after deadline. Major said the club had a massive benefit being an unaligned club, with the AFLW running concurrently. “We do have multiple players in train on positions,” he said. “You don’t know from week to week how many AFLW players will be playing. Analysis can be difficult. “A massive benefit from not being an aligned club, we get the players for longer and it’s a tighter group.” For the result, head to www.starweekly.com. au

Two home grown players are the latest signings for Keilor Thunder’s men’s side ahead of their inaugural National Basketball League 1 South season. While the Thunder has been locking in some new signings for both their women’s and men’s side, they’ve also looked to secure some of their own talent. Matt Spencer, who has been a key player for the Thunder in recent seasons in the Big V competition, will join the club on its new challenge. Spencer provides his side with first use, lightning pace, quick hands, strong finishes and phenomenal leadership. In 2021, he averaged nearly 11 points per game along with five rebounds and five assists. He was second in the league for assists. He is joined in the squad by Carlo Camp. Camp has played for the Thunder since under-12s and progressed through into the club’s youth league side. Camp led the Big V youth men championship division in assists, averaging more than five a game in 2021. He also averaged more than 16 points a game. Camp will make the step up into the senior side this season. In a social media post, the club said he is an exciting and explosive up and coming talent with his speed and athleticism, additional assets to his all round game style. They join Kian Dennis, Tyler Kidd, Abiola Akintola, Luke Sist and Jacob Lampkin as signings for the men’s team. On the women’s side, Amy O’Hara is the latest signing. O’Hara comes across from Hawthorn, having represented Victoria at under age level and having been a scholarship recipient for the Victorian National Performance Program & selection in National Performance Camps at the AIS. Hailey Wynd, Monique Andriuolo, Chloe Hildebrand, Aneta Bandilovska and Ellen Kett are the other signings announced. The Thunder’s season will get under way in April. Tara Murray

Tuesday, 15 February, 2022 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 23

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