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Farmers’ fair price fight By Alesha Capone A family whose Werribee farm has been earmarked for acquisition by the state government says they are frustrated authorities failed to offer a fair price for their land. The Maugeri Bros first leased the McGrath Road farm – named Wahroogna – in 1963, using the site as a market garden and for cattle grazing. In 1976, the brothers purchased the land. The Maugeri family still owns and farms 142 acres of Wahroogna. In May 2018, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) notified the family that the farm would be acquired to become part of a future 340-hectare Werribee Township Regional Park, to be delivered by the state government. The DWELP document stated that the Maugeri’s farm would be placed under a public acquisition overlay (PAO) before being purchased and that purchases were typically via a negotiated process, in which land owners decide when to sell their property. Maria Maugeri said that in a subsequent PAO information sheet provided to her family, it was stated that DELWP was “committed to ensuring a fair and open land acquisition process”. Ms Maugeri said the family were supportive of the prospect of their farm becoming part of a park to be used by the community, rather than “another eyesore that locks this beautiful part of the river up for housing”. “Our farm has the incredible Werribee River flowing around the north and east border while the western and southern neighbouring farms have all been developed into housing or earmarked for housing,” Ms Maugeri said. However, she said the family has been not been offered a fair price for their farm. “Despite the land continuing to being used for market gardening and grazing, we have only been offered one third of what the going market rate is for equivalent land in this area,” she said. “We were recently notified that our farm will now be subject to a compulsory acquisition.
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Maria Maugeri and her brother Angelo at their family’s property. (Supplied/James Pipino)
“Our frustration is the inequality the state government has shown for this property and the lack of respect to the property owners. “We have entered our fourth year of the acquisition process of compulsory acquisition and all we want is the fair amount of compensation for the land – unfortunately the state doesn’t see it this way.” DWELP was contacted for comment.
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Unvaccinated council staff gone By Alesha Capone Twenty-two Wyndham council staff have either had their employment terminated or resigned due to being unvaccinated against COVID-19, without a valid medical exemption. A Wyndham council spokesperson said that in October 2021, the state government, under chief health oficer directions, mandated that all council workers must be double vaccinated against COVID-19. “The state government orders stated that all local government workers must be fully
vaccinated (or exempted) to work outside their ordinary place of residence and at council premises,” the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said this meant that only fully vaccinated or exempted workers were permitted to enter or remain on council premises for work purposes. “Council engaged with 22 staff over a lengthy period, however after failing to provide evidence they were exempt or had since been vaccinated as required, those staff have either resigned or had their employment terminated,” the spokesperson said on Friday, February 18.
In November and December 2021, the council sent letters to its employees, stating that they were required to abide by the government’s orders that all staff must be double-vaccinated. A final “show cause” letter was sent to 22 unvaccinated staff members in mid-January. The spokesperson said the council “has followed a rigorous process and provided all unvaccinated employees with ample opportunity to either get vaccinated or provide evidence of a medical exemption”. All of Wyndham’s councillors except one, Marcel Mahfoud, have been vaccinated
against COVID-19. Councillor Mahfoud had previously stated that he would continue carrying out his duties in a virtual capacity until he was able to receive a Novavax vaccine. However, on February 10, Cr Mahfoud said that he has been granted a medical exemption from being vaccinated against COVID-19, and was now able to perform his duties. “Victorian councillors are not included in the current vaccination mandate,” he said. “It is incredibly difficult to compare why some people will lose their jobs and why others won’t, however I can only rely on the state government directions.”
Land secured for hospital
Antony Rako with his guide dog Brett.
(Damjan Janevski). 268766_01
Guide dog’s a paw-fect companion Point Cook’s Antony Rako and his canine companion, Labrador Brett, have hit a significant milestone with Guide Dogs Victoria (GDV). While the charity has trained thousands of guide dogs across its 60-plus year history, partnering Brett with Mr Rako means that for the first time ever, there are now 250 guide dogs working in Victoria at the one time. Mr Rako, who has Retinitis Pigmentosa, is studying a diploma in community services at Victoria University. With Brett being his first guide dog, they spent four weeks training with a GDV mobility instructor so that Mr Rako could learn commands and how to care for his new companion. “It’s actually been amazing, to be honest
he’s given me a lot more freedom just to get out more often and explore, and a lot more independence,” Mr Rako said. He said that he and Brett have been going for early morning walks each day. “We have been getting out and been doing a lot of walks, so that’s been a great plus, having him has enabled me to walk faster too, get up to a proper power walk,” Mr Rako said. “I’m quite tall, six foot five, so I was always finding that I was walking into overhanging branches and things like that, so he is quite good at guiding me around those.” Mr Rako said with Brett by his side, he was also looking forward to being able to travel more. In April, they will fly to a wedding and
holiday in Queensland. “It will be Brett and I’s first plane ride together,” Mr Rako said. “It feels so much easier and less stressful, knowing that he is there to take care of me and keep me safe.” In addition, Mr Rako said that he and Brett had similar personalities. “We both love learning new things and we’re pretty chilled out, calm and collected,” he said. Mr Rako said he would like to encourage anyone who is living with low vision or blindness to consider getting a guide dog, and to get in touch GDV to discuss their needs. Details: www.guidedogs.com.au
The state government has secured land to construct the future Point Cook Community Hospital on. Health Minister Martin Foley, Altona MP Jill Hennessy and Western Metropolitan MP Ingrid Stitt made the announcement on Tuesday, February 15. They said that a parcel of land at 140 Dunnings Road, Point Cook, has been secured for the future multi-milliondollar hospital facility. The state government is investing $675 million to deliver 10 community hospitals in major growth areas across Victoria. The Point Cook site, be operated by Western Health, will be a small public hospital providing a range of integrated community health and specialist services including urgent care for minor injuries and illnesses, day surgery, paediatric services, dialysis and mental health services. “It will take pressure off the nearby Werribee Mercy emergency department and provide better access to a range of everyday health services for people who are not critically unwell, close to home,” Ms Hennessy said. The hospital will also link patients to specialists, community health providers and social support services. Once complete, the 10 community hospitals will have the capacity to treat at least 114,000 more urgent care patients, 55,000 dialysis treatments and enable more than 100,000 additional allied health sessions each year. The state government’s Community Hospital Program will create an estimated 1900 jobs during planning and construction and deliver more than 1000 healthcare jobs once completed. The final designs for the Point Cook Community Hospital are expected to be released in late 2022, with construction due for completion in 2024.
Alesha Capone
Benchmark report reveals Wyndham residents miss out Residents in Wyndham may be missing out on access to benefits those living in inner Melbourne receive, a new report has found. The Benchmarking report found that while the CBD and inner suburbs have easy access to sporting events, adequate public transport services and reliable internet, people living in greater Melbourne don’t enjoy the same benefits. The report assesses Melbourne against a group of 20 cities and provides an analysis of what areas require greater attention.
Social worker Glen Cooper said more investment is imperative in making Wyndham feel like a liveable community. “Out here in Werribee and Wyndham it’s really just about houses as far as the eye can see. Just to tick a box, you plot in a Kmart and Coles and they think that’s enough to call it a community but it’s not.” Mr Cooper said although public transport is accessible for some, there’s a clear lack of investment in eco-friendly transport. “I’ve recently purchased a bike, if I wanna
go from my house and go get a few things from Coles, there’s nowhere safe for me to put it, so that forces me to go in the car.” The report revealed Melbourne to be the world’s sixth most unaffordable English-speaking metropolis for buying a home. Mr Cooper said increasing real estate prices drives people away from inner Melbourne. “Altona went from affordable to you need a million dollars to buy a house. Then you come to Werribee and Werribee is nice, but then all
of a sudden you need a million dollars to buy a house,” Mr Cooper said. “You almost feel you get squeezed further and further out. I feel like I have a few more years here and then suddenly I might be pushed out to Manor Lakes or Tarneit. I’m going to places where, because there’s no investment, I don’t want to live.”
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Wednesday, 23 February, 2022 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 3
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Protect ‘Muswell’ says expert By Alesha Capone A heritage advisor has urged Wyndham council to refuse a $2.02 million proposal to use a historic Werribee building as a childcare centre. The two-storey residence at 9-11 Synnot Street was designed by Oakley and Parkes, a Melbourne firm that also designed the Prime Minister’s Lodge in Canberra during 1926. Known as ‘Muswell’, the Synnot Street building was included in a 1997 Wyndham council heritage report.
The report described Muswell as an “outstanding example” of a Spanish Mission-style residence and “one of the few examples (of this style) within the western metropolitan region”. Muswell was built in the 1930s for farmer Claude Creed. In August 1943, Werribee physician Dr Charles Prouse became Muswell’s new owner. Dr Prouse lived in the house with his family, while running a small surgery out of a building at the side of the property. Wyndham council has received a planning permit seeking permission to use Muswell
as a childcare centre. Heritage advice provided to council, by David Wixted of heritage ALLIANCE, stated: “The proposal when viewed against the Planning Scheme Guidelines for a permit can only be refused. “The proposal is substantial and affects the rear of the building, the outbuilding and the frontage in a broad manner. “There is little that is unaffected in some manner including the fences, the paths, the façade (walled extension), the garage/fuel store and the landscape.” However, a response to the council’s request for more information from the developer –
prepared by Lovell Chen heritage planner Katherine White – states that the proposal would retain Muswell’s front façade, the main building’s “volume”, front fence, front garden setback and driveway. “The proposed extent of demolition involves the removal of the rear ring which has no visibility from the street, the outbuilding is a later addition to the site and an internal garden wall,” the document reads. “In terms of the overall presentation of the property and the elements which contribute to the significant of the place, as viewed from Synnot Street, are all to be retained.”
Let the good times roll with barefoot bowls Werribee Hospital Foundation will host a fundraising barefoot bowls session at the Werribee Bowling Club during March. The not-for-profit organisation is holding the event to raise funds for Werribee Mercy Hospital. Foundation chief executive Leanne Down said: “Being active and taking care of your health is important, so why not make it fun. “Now that the state is coming back to life, we think that combining some gentle competition with helping raise funds for a great cause is a great activity to get involved in with family and friends. “The best thing of all is no experience is necessary.” Ms Down said the barefoot bowls session will also feature a door prize and great raffle. “We’d love the community to join us for
4 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 23 February, 2022
a night of barefoot bowling with music and barbecue dinner,” she added. “But tickets are limited, so don’t delay – kick off those shoes and come and play.” Werribee Hospital Foundation was established in 1993 to support public hospitals within the Wyndham region. The foundations’s key focus is generating funds to support and achieve high quality patient care for the community . The foundation is not-for-profit and relies on the generosity of supporters. The barefoot bowls session will be held at 6pm, Friday, March 18 at the Werribee Bowling Club, Chirnside Park (Watton Street entrance). Tickets: $30 adults ($25 early bird – ends March 1 or until sold out), $20 children (18 and under).
Werribee Hospital Foundation chief executive Leanne Down with fundraising and community engagement manager Stacey Rocco. (Damjan Janevski) 269001
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Same, again for Werribee South By Alesha Capone Ratepayers Werribee South president Dr Joe Garra says that every year when Wyndham council seeks feedback on its budget, the community asked for the same basic issues to be addressed. Public consultation on suggestions for the council’s draft 2022-2023 budget closed on February 20. Dr Garra said that for the past three to four years, the ratepayers’ group has been requesting the council work towards fixing the potholes and mud on Werribee South’s roads.
“We often say the same things every year, such as that the roads are a mess,” he said. Dr Garra said residents accepted mud on the roads, due to farmers driving vehicles such as tractors, but that large clumps of mud left behind could potentially pose a danger to motorists – and that this was an issue Ratepayers Werribee South has been constantly raising with the council. Dr Garra said the council was doing positive work in Werribee South, including developing the as stated in the Werribee South Green Wedge Policy and Plan and sealing carparks near the beach.
But he said more work needed to be done, especially if the council wanted to attract for more visitors to the area. “They haven’t actually increased the number of car parks, which is a huge issue down there (at Werribee South beach),” Dr Garra said. “If you go down any day on the weekend, if it’s a nice day, people park on either side of the road and open doors onto the road.” In addition, Dr Garra said ratepayers wanted the council to take action on erosion of the K Road cliffs. “With the K Road cliffs, we keep going on about the drainage at the bottom of the
river every time part of the cliff falls away,” he said. A Wyndham council spokesperson said planning on the annual budget planning process was well underway. “The Draft Annual Plan and Budget will be further developed over the coming months and is expected to go on public exhibition around April or May,” the spokesperson said. “Wyndham city welcomes any and all ideas from residents and groups as to how we can better improve and deliver infrastructure and services across the whole of Wyndham.”
Hair-raising fundraiser for Hurricane Zayne Young Wyndham boy Zayne Gatt will shave off his mullet to raise funds for a good cause. Zayne, a 10-year-old living with autism, is hoping to raise $5000 for the World’s Greatest Shave. The annual campaign supports the Leukaemia Foundation, to help families facing blood cancer and with research into the illness. Zayne, who has so far raised $1085, said he decided to participate in the World’s Greatest Shave after seeing an advertisement on television for the campaign. His fundraising name for the campaign is Team Hurricane Zayne, based on one of his gaming nicknames. Zayne said he would like to encourage people to donate to the World’s Greatest Shave. “I would love to let the community know that every dollar helps to make somebody’s life a bit easier and to be able to get the
support that they and their families need through this time,” he said. Zayne started growing his mullet just over two years ago, before Victoria’s first pandemic lockdown of 2020. The youngster said he would miss his mullet after shaving it off. “After I shave my mullet, I will grow it again,” he said. “I might even shave it off again next year.” Zayne said his family have not yet set a date for his mullet to be shaved off, but they are thinking of scheduling it for March 11 at Hotel 520 in Tarneit. “The venue has offered to help raise some money and my hair will be shaved off on the dance floor,” he said. Details: https://bit.ly/34SQmus Alesha Capone Zayne Gatt will shave off his mullet for the World’s Greatest Shave. (Joe Mastroianni). 268073_02
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Mini vaccination hubs Mini COVID-19 vaccination hubs will be held at schools in Wyndham to help ensure children aged five to 11 years old can get the jab. Schools hosting mini-vaccination clinics include Warringa Park School, Wyndham Park Primary School and St Andrew’s Primary School. The mini-vaccination clinics are only available to students attending each school, not the general public.
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School upgrade Briana Ngo is taking part in the Victorian Youth Congress in 2022. (Damjan Janevski) 261388_02
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Wyndham residents Syazwani Saifudin and Briana Ngo have been selected to join the state government’s Victorian Youth Congress (VYC) of 2022. A total of 21 Victorians aged between 12 and 25 have been picked to join the group, out of 584 youths who applied. The VYC members work with the state government and its agencies to ensure the voices of young Victorians are heard on different issues. Ms Ngo, who is aged 20 and is studying biomedicine at university, served her first term on the VYC during 2021. “I love meeting new people and learn new things,” she said. “The Victorian Youth Congress has allowed me to achieve both of these during my term. “I just want to say that VYC is a great opportunity for young people to get a taste of what it’s like to work with the government and how things are run by the government.
“I highly recommend everyone to apply for the next VYC term if they are interested.” Hoppers Crossing Secondary College student and 2021 United Nations Youth Australia’s Wellbeings Program delegate, Syazwani Saifudin, is serving her first term in the VYC. “I am really looking forward to meeting other young people of diverse backgrounds and learning from them and about them,” the 15-year-old said. “I am particularly passionate about educational equity and think that reducing educational inequality in schools is crucial to Australia’s future. “As part of the Congress, I hope to ensure that the implementation of the new Victorian Youth Strategy is inclusive of all young people and fair.” Details: youth@dffh.vic.gov.au
Werribee MP Tim Pallas visited Thomas Chirnside Primary School on Tuesday, February 15 to open a $317,000 upgrade of facilities. The project included toilet repairs and the creation of a shared outdoor learning area. “Local families can now enjoy great new facilities at Thomas Chirnside Primary School,” Mr Pallas said.
Beach projects Wyndham council is developing a new master plan for Campbells Cove and Baileys Beach in Werribee South. Proposals under the plan include developing a boardwalk, seating area and lookout at Baileys Beach. The draft plan will be open for public consultation until March 22. Details: https://theloop.wyndham.vic.gov.au/ campbells-cove-and-baileys-beachmaster-plan FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Wyndham Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly
Alesha Capone
The Victorian Government is making it easier for families to find a three and four-year old kinder learning program they can count on.
LED BY A QUALIFIED QUA TEACHER TEA The K Kinder Tick recog recognises kinder prog d programs that are led by a qualifi q ed teacher.r.
LOOK FOR THE KINDER TICK
6 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 23 February, 2022
P PLAY-BASED LEARNING PROGRAM L M I highlights kindergartens and It d llong day care centres that o offer play-based programs to h help children learn and grow, b before they start school.
FU FUNDED AND APPROVED BY A THE VICTORIAN TH GOVERNMENT G It also a identifies se services that are ap approved for Victorian G Go Government funding.
Find out more at vic.gov.au/kindertick
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West conservation reserve push By Alesha Capone A report has recommended the state government consider bringing forward the acquisition of 15,000 hectares of land to create a conservation area stretching from the You Yangs to Werribee River. In 2019, the Victorian Parliament agreed to establish an inquiry into environmental infrastructure needed for areas of growing populations, particularly parks and open space. The Legislative Assembly’s Environment
and Planning Committee delivered its report on the topic during February 2022. During its community consultation for the report, the committee heard from representatives of both Wyndham and Melton councils who were concerned about the delayed delivery of the Western Grassland Reserve (WGR). Ten years ago, the state government began reserving 15,000 hectares of land to protect the critically endangered natural temperate grasslands of the Victorian Volcanic Plain, which provides a habitat for 65 nationally
threatened species and 173 threatened species. The state government said the land would become a grassland conservation park around Mount Cottrell and north of Little River, to be known as the WGR. Several stakeholders have expressed concern about the delay in the establishment of the WGR. In its submission to the committee, Wyndham council stated that the proposed WGR “was a key mechanism established to offset the biodiversity losses associated with urban development and to protect critically
endangered grasslands”. “Although the reserve was to be delivered in 2020, as of April 2020 less than 15 per cent of the reserve has been secured and there is significant concern that the biodiversity values on the remaining private lands within the reserve area are in decline,” the council’s submission stated. Melton council’s planning and development general manager Luke Shannon said that the council would certainly urge for the 15,000 hectares “to be acquired at the earliest opportunity”.
Good-natured residents The Werribee River Association (WRA) is encouraging residents to get involved with two new conservation groups based at the Werribee River Park and Cobbledicks Ford. Both of the groups, which launched during February 2022, meet monthly. The groups have been created with support from Wyndham council and Melbourne Water. WRA regeneration project officer Maryann Weatherill said the main purpose was to get the community involved in caring for the natural environment through restoration work. “Within an urban landscape, there are huge pressures on the environment, and land managers have so much responsibility on their shoulders, with quite often, limited resources,” Ms Weatherill said. “We need dedicated groups of volunteers willing to get out there and help look after our environment. “It’s crucial for protecting our nature reserves, waterways and wildlife.”
Ms Weatherill said the benefits of joining the groups included the social aspect, plus the physical and mental health benefits of being active and outdoors enjoying nature. Ms Weatherill said no prior experience or knowledge was required to join the groups. “It doesn’t matter if you know a lot about plants and the environment, or nothing at all,” she said. “They are a great way to learn, and everyone is welcome.” The Presidents Park group meets the first Thursday of the month at the car park off Heaths Road, near the Shaws Road bridge and the dog park. The Werribee Riverine group meets on the second Tuesday of the month, corner Wattamolla and Riverview Drive, Werribee. Details: maryann.weatherill@werribeeriver. org.au Alesha Capone
Maryann Weatherill from the Werribee River Association and Luke Blakey and Ross Elijah from Wyndham council’s conservation team. (Damjan Janevski) 269067
Wednesday, 23 February, 2022 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 7
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Turning a page on prison trauma By Alesha Capone Bruce Perham says that prison officers are “unseen first responders” who deal with traumatic and harrowing incidents every day. A social worker and family therapist, Perham has spoken to hundreds of correction officers and non-custodial staff at Melbourne’s maximum security prisons – including those in the western suburbs – across the past decade in his role as a counsellor. Perham said he started doing this after an employee assistance provider engaged him to work with Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) staff. “The first time I went into a prison was after a prisoner had committed suicide,” Perham said. “I got a call early in the morning to see if I could sit with officers who had been involved in the aftermath and do a psychological debrief.” In 2016, he was contacted by a prison operations manager, who was concerned about how the frequency of self-harm among prisoners was impacting on correctional officers. Perham started a program to assist officers at high-security prisons in dealing with trauma and their mental health, which prioritised talking about the worker’s own experiences. “Probably across the course of year I had about 450 prison officers for the training and I just learned so much,” Perham said. This resulted in Perham wanting to raise awareness about the confronting nature of prison officer’s jobs and the need for them to be offered better support, including post-trauma assistance. Perham has penned the book ‘Code Blue: Prison Officer in Danger’, giving an insight into the profession, without breaking confidentiality or identifying anyone. “They (prison officers) also do not get the
Bruce Perham. (Supplied)
kudos and public recognition for what they do,” he said. “As a counsellor, you hear sorts of lived experiences, about sadness and trauma, you hear things a lot of us don’t hear. “This is high stakes stuff and it changes people’s lives.” Perham said that about 30 to 40 years ago, a culture developed among prison workers of
ignoring the psychological impacts of their chosen career, although many people in the job now have a different mindset. However, Perham said some prison officers he has met have developed anxiety from exposure to repeated trauma, not realising that it was a diagnosable mental health condition. “When you’re in an environment with suicides and brutal suicides from prisoner to
prisoner, triggers from that can be triggers in the future,” Perham said. For the book, Perham also interviewed a friend who worked as a prison officer for about 30 years, plus the man’s wife and adult children. “He provides a fantastic insight into what he went through at Pentridge and up until a few years ago, when there was a death in custody and it was one trauma too much, and he never went back,” Perham said. Another aspect of the book is Perham’s experience as a 27-year-old social worker, when he attended a job that triggered “a lot of childhood stuff for me”. Perham said his sister Leanne died at two-and-a-half years old, after being diagnosed with leukemia. “I wanted to include this to show I’m not a disconnected professional, I’ve experienced this kind of thing myself, in a different context,” he said. Perham said he has received “great feedback” on his book for prison officers across Australia. “It’s pretty heavy – it’s not as heavy as it could be – some have said they could only read it in short bursts,” he said. Perham said it was important for the community to realise that prison officer care immensely about the inmates of correctional institutions. “In actual fact, they really do provide good support, do protect the prisoners from each other and assault,” he said. “They are actually dedicated to saving the lives of prisoners and keeping them safe.” ‘Code Blue: Prison Officer in Danger’, RRP $28.50, details: letstalkdifferently.com.au/ product/code-blue-by-bruce-perham/ For assistance contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or see www.lifeline.org.au
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Applicants will need their own reliable vehicle for which we will provide an allowance. Belinda with new-born son Oliver, and two year-old Arlo. Both boys were born outside of Wyndham, but spent time as patients in Werribee Mercy Hospital’s Special Care Nursery. (Joe Mastroianni) 226335_01
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By Alesha Capone Demand for birthing suites at Werribee Mercy Hospital has reached capacity. The hospital welcomed 3833 babies in 2020, slightly lower than the 3888 babies delivered there in 2019. Health services chief executive Jason Payne said Werribee Mercy Hospital’s birthing numbers had remained steady over the past two years because the birthing suites were unable to accommodate any more expectant mums. He said some pregnant women within the Werribee Mercy Hospital catchment are
birthing suites, additional post-natal beds, and other ante and post-natal facilities, accompanied by additional midwifery and nursing staff. “Based on demand for existing maternity services, it is projected that Werribee Mercy Hospital would be well placed to meet an anticipated increase in demand of up to 30 per cent more babies in the western metro area.” Mr Payne said Mercy Health has been working with the Victorian Health and Human Services Building Authority and the Department of Health and Human Services since 2016 to prepare for the future needs of Werribee Mercy.
In November’s state budget, $4.8 million was allocated to finalise planning for the third stage of the hospital’s development. “We have acknowledged publicly the funding was a clear sign the voices of the people of the west of Melbourne are being heard and government is committed to meeting a major upgrade,” Mr Payne said. Mercy Health Group chief executive, Adjunct Professor Stephen Cornelissen, said the next stage of Werribee Mercy Hospital’s construction required $300 million in funding “to ensure the people of Wyndham receive the level and quality of health services they deserve and need”.
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being forced to use services at public hospitals outside the area. “The demand exists for Werribee Mercy Hospital to deliver more babies locally but this cannot occur without expanded facilities,” Mr Payne said. “It would be preferable that local families had access to more of the best high quality and safe public birthing services at Werribee Mercy Hospital, so they don’t have to travel.” Mr Payne said planning was under way to boost the capacity of the birthing suites. “A third stage of Werribee Mercy Hospital, which is currently in the final stages of planning, will involve the creation of more
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Postcode 3029 tops settlements By Alesha Capone The 3029 postcode of Truganina, Tarneit and Hoppers Crossing recorded the highest rate of property sales settlement across the state during 2021. A Property and Mortgage Insights report released by PEXA Insights, the data arm of an Australian digital property settlement platform, shows that outer suburbs dominated the top 10 postcodes on the list. Within the 3029 postcode, 6380 sales settlements were recorded. The 3064 postcode, which includes
Craigieburn, placed second with 5230 sales settlements. The 3030 postcode (Werribee, Point Cook and Werribee South) was third with 3769 sales settlements, followed by postocde 3977 (Cranbourne) with 3734 sales settlements and postcode 3335 (Rockbank) with 3050 sales settlements. The PEXA report stated that Australians spent more than $688 billion on property in 2021, with more than 834,008 sales settlements completed across the 12 months (a 57 per cent rise on 2020). “Much of this can be attributed to owner occupiers who took advantage of record low
interest rates, motivated to purchase housing based on lifestyle choices and adjusting to the new norm of working from home,” the report stated. According to PEXA Insights’ chief data and analytics officer, Scott Butterworth said the COVID-19 pandemic had significantly impacted upon the real estate market. “In what has been a challenging time for many Australians amidst lockdowns and uncertainty, the property market has boomed with purchasers taking advantage of record low interest rates,” he said. “We also believe many consumers have
been motivated to purchase more suitable housing to incorporate new working from home arrangements, which may have led to the significant increase in aggregate value of property settlements across the nation.” Mr Butterworth said that Victorian residents had experienced more lockdown-related disruptions than any other mainland state in the nation. “However, the state’s property market has demonstrated strong resilience, posting an increase of 50 per cent growth in aggregate property value for 2021, coming second only to New South Wales,” he said.
Upgrades for RAAF Museum
Craft and Conversation group program support officer Vesna Markovic with Irina Neizvetsny.
268077_02 (Damjan Janevski)
Crafting a friendly chat at libraries Wyndham’s libraries are open, with staff looking forward to welcoming back community members. Among the programs available at the libraries is Craft and Conversation, which runs on the third Friday of each month at the Tarneit Library from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Participants can create a new craft item to take home at each session, with free materials provided. Attendees at the event held on Friday, February 18 made diamond bread bracelets. Wyndham council’s libraries run programs and events for all age groups, including Rhyme
Time in the Park and Baby Time, Junior Chess Club Online, Game On and English Conversation Cafe. Library members can access the entire collection, online library, programs, services and events. The libraries also feature access to free wifi, computers, study areas and lounges. Wyndham’s learning city portfolio holder, Cr Jasmine Hill, said: “Wyndham libraries also offer a great opportunity for our local students to take advantage of the dedicated study spaces and resources our libraries have on offer. “For our younger residents starting their
learning journey, there is a wide range of resources available to support early literacy and numeracy. “Librarians are always available to provide assistance to ensure you can find what you are looking for.” Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination is required for anyone aged 18 and over wanting to enter a library. Masks are required for anyone aged eight years old and older. Details: www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/ whats-on, www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/services/ libraries
Upgrades being carried out at the RAAF Museum in Point Cook will improve accessibility for visitors and see new exhibits installed. The museum, which is located at Point Cook’s Royal Australian Air Force base, will be closed to the public until June as the works progress. An anti-slip ramp, handrails and fire systems are being set up in the museum’s main hangars. A new multimedia wall and showcase is also being installed to allow for the display of regular rolling exhibits themed around key Air Force events and campaigns. In the museum’s Strike and Aircraft Display Hangars, the displays are being completely reconfigured. An interactive and immersive visitor experience will be created by installing immersive theatrical lighting, large-scale multimedia and interactive touch screens. Visitors will be able to circulate through the new exhibition space, where projection screens will be affixed to the ceiling, as well as multiple vertical screens mounted between the aircraft. The upgrade project which will provide the RAAF Museum with the capability to simultaneously display more than 30 historical and contemporary aircraft from the Air Force’s heritage collection. The RAAF base in Point Cook is known the birthplace of the Australian Flying Corps and the Royal Australian Air Force. The base was established March 1913 as the location for the nation’s Central Flying School, and was in continuous operation as a flying training base from 1914 until 1992. Entry to RAAF Museum is free. When the museum re-opens, visitors will be required to make a booking. Details: https://www.airforce.gov.au/ raaf-museum
New RSPCA Koala Ward announced for Werribee Zoo Construction has begun on a $2.55 million veterinary facility at Werribee Open Range Zoo to treat sick and injured koalas and other native wildlife. The facility will be known as the RSPCA Koala Ward, recognising a funding partnership between Zoos Victoria and RSPCA Victoria. The state government is also providing $84 million in funding to transform the Werribee Zoo into a conservation and education destination. The Koala Ward – which will include two fully equipped surgery rooms and a neonatal room - will provide wildlife experts with greater resources to respond during future
extreme weather and emergency events. Werribee MP Tim Pallas said: “This new koala ward will help look after sick and injured koalas and other animals and offer visitors a new experience.” Twelve outdoor recovery zones will be built next to the hospital to house injured koalas and other wildlife during their rehabilitation and a large browse plantation at the zoo will provide a critical food source. Visitors to the zoo will have the opportunity to explore the veterinary facilities during small-group tours and watch wildlife experts undertaking important conservation work. The RSPCA Koala Ward is scheduled for
completion in mid-2022. Energy, environment and climate change minister Lily D’Ambrosio said: “The Werribee Open Range Zoo transformation will significantly change the way wildlife is cared for in Victoria’s western regions, as well as allowing visitors to see this care firsthand.” Zoos Victoria chief executive Dr Jenny Gray described the RSPCA Koala Ward as “world-class”. RSPCA Victoria chief executive Dr Liz Walker said she would like to thank everyone who has supported development of the RSPCA Koala Ward. “Made possible by those who generously
donated to our bushfire appeal, the RSPCA Koala Ward will notably increase our state’s ability to care for vulnerable wildlife in emergency events,” Dr Walker said. Wednesday, 23 February, 2022 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 9
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Journey to a better life By Alesha Capone Settlement worker Naw Say Htoo Eh Moero understands the trials and tribulations that her clients at the Wyndham Community and Education Centre (WCEC) have experienced. Say Htoo, a Karen woman born in Burma (now Myanmar), came to Australia as a refugee with her family. She shares her story with Star Weekly ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8. In Burma, Say Htoo lived near the Karen guerrilla army’s headquarters. When the headquarters was occupied by the Burmese Army, her family fled to Thailand and lived in Bangkok. “Because we were illegal immigrants, we stayed in a small, one-room apartment – about three by three metres – silently, all five us, for more than three years, never leaving it once,” she said. Her family managed to make their way to a transit camp – similar to a detention centre – and received permission come to Australia, after being granted refugee status by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Upon arriving in Australia, she worked a cleaner, a kitchen hand and at Coles. She was later employed by the Migrant Resource Centre Westgate, New Hope Foundation, Migrant Resource Centre North West and AMES. Say Htoo joined WCEC’s team in 2009. “It is here that I have found the place I can really give back to the community,” she said. “I remember those difficult years – especially in Bangkok, locked in that room. “People helped us. “That meant such a great deal to us, you cannot imagine.
Naw Say Htoo Eh Moero. (Supplied)
“It is now my turn to help people in need.” In 2012, Say Htoo received a Lalor award, presented by then-Prime Minister Julia Gillard. The following year, Ms Gillard presented Say Htoo with the Settlement Worker of the Year for Australia award in Canberra. “When I think back on what I have achieved, and what I have gone through to
get here, I think, ‘How did I do all this?’ Say Htoo said. “I did all of this while being a mother of two children. “As a woman, we are strong, passionate and resilience. “I would like to encourage girls and women that we are the strong and we can do a lot of thing and make things happen.”
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Campaigner farewelled Director of the Western Region Environment Centre (WREC) and well-known community advocate Harry van Moorst was farewelled with a funeral in Werribee on Thursday, February 17. Mr van Moorst’s family, friends and acquaintances gathered at The Park hotel for a celebration of his life. Many attendees wore campaign badges in tribute to the many causes that Mr van Moorst championed during his work and volunteering. Instead of flowers, Mr van Moorst and his family requested that mourners make a donation to Environmental Justice Australia (EJA). In 2011, Mr van Moorst – who was born in 1947 – was awarded EJA’s inaugural Environmental Justice Award. After Mr van Moorst died, EJA issued a statement which described him as “tireless and extraordinary campaigner” who ran the WREC in Werribee for many years. EJA worked with Mr van Moorst on various community campaigns in the western suburbs. Prior to forming WREC, Harry led the Werribee Residents Against Toxic Dumps. The group successfully campaigned against the construction of a toxic waste facility in Wyndham during the 1990s. He also provided support for the Terminate Tullamarine Toxic Dump Action Group and the Nowingi landfill assessment, and fought against expansion of the Werribee tip, including as part of the Don’t Waste Wyndham group.
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NEWS
MPs concerned about sex work By Alesha Capone Two MPs have expressed concern about proposed changes to planning controls that would allow home-based sex workers to operate without a permit. Western Metropolitan MPs Catherine Cumming and Bernie Finn have both spoken about the matter in state Parliament while debating the Sex Work Decriminalisation Bill 2021. The first stage of reforms under the bill, such as the removal of criminal penalties for sex work, are expected to be introduced in May. Dr Cumming said she supported the main
purposes of the bill, including to reduce discrimination against sex workers. However, Dr Cumming said she was wary of proposed changes to planning controls that would allow home-based sex workers to operate without a permit. Dr Cumming said that sex workers operating from a residence should be required to obtain a permit, just like hairdressers, culinary professionals and health practitioners have to. “Without actually having proper planning controls, a proper planning framework and proper advertising for the neighbours and the local community or local councils to have the ability to say where these premises can and
cannot go, the community is going to have no ability to complain about their neighbourhood amenity,” she said. In addition, Dr Cumming said the bill would remove a landlord’s ability to refuse accommodation to sex workers who wanted to work from home, “meaning any suburban house could be used as a brothel—or any Airbnb”. Dr Cumming mentioned “a residential home in Williams Landing in my electorate illegally being used as a brothel” during 2021, an issue Star Weekly reported on last year. Dr Cumming said there were many other residential homes with five to six bedrooms
were used as Airbnbs in the west, including in Keilor, Maribyrnong, Williamstown and Werribee. Mr Finn also spoke about the Williams Landing Airbnb allegedly being used as “an illegal brothel”. “This obviously has caused some consternation, to say the very least, among the neighbours, many of whom are families, many of them with children,” Mr Finn said. “I just wonder if this legislation is only going to encourage what we have already seen. “I do not want to see people having this profession springing up around them in their neighbourhood.”
Thirty years of football Westbourne Grammarians Football Club will celebrate three decades on Saturday, February 26. The club – which was previously known as Old Westbourne AFC (Australian Rules Football Club) – was planning to hold its 30th anniversary event in 2021, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation twice. President David Hudson, whose brother Paul Hudson is also a committee member, has been involved with the club since 2002. He was previously a student at Westbourne Grammar School, which has campuses in Williamstown and Truganina. “The club has been built from a group of friends, who went to high school together as Westbourne students, who wanted to keep playing football together,” Mr Hudson said. “Over the years, there has been a lot of effort from a lot of people, including Ivan Board, he
was president of the club for a long time and a real stalwart of the club, he was a real driving force behind that.“ In 2004, the club won its first premiership, in both seniors and reserves. “They are all there to play football, but for the friendship and connections you make as well,“ Mr Hudson said. “We’re an amateur club, so no-one gets paid for playing football – the best player and the worst player are on the same standing.” At the moment, the club field two senior teams and runs a women’s program, which is looking for new recruits. “Our focus now is, in five years we want to have five teams with 500 members,” Mr Hudson said. Details: https://wgfc.tidyhq.com/ Alesha Capone
During 2004, the club’s seniors and reserves won their first premierships.
(Supplied)
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MY PLACE Wyndham’s Macarena Donato is an education support worker and Instagrammer. She is featuring in Pacific Werribee’s Our Style, Our Way campaign, celebrating the fashion of the local community. She chats with Alesha Capone. Can you tell me a bit about yourself? I am a Melbourne mum to three amazing children. I lived half my childhood in Chile so I can speak Spanish fluently. I started my Ig (Instagram) account in late 2016 sharing lifestyle events, that moved to what my accounts looks like today, sharing size inclusive brands, promoting self love and recently after my son’s diagnosis, spread awareness on Type 1 diabetes.
Macarena Donato. (Supplied)
What are you enjoying about participating in the Our Style, Our Way campaign? With COVID and our lockdowns it didn’t quite go as planned, initially we had photo shoots set up but with restrictions and curfew we did our own mini-shoots at home and collaborated with a few retailers, then once restrictions eased we had a fun-filled day exploring Pacific Werribee trying on the latest fashion trends and getting to know retailers which was so much fun. Having had this great experience, I was able to share with my followers. Is there anything you really like about living in the Wyndham area? No need to travel into the city or other areas as we have everything we need right here. I also wanted to ask what you enjoy about working as an education support worker? Working as an education support worker is extremely rewarding. When you see how far they go with our support is priceless. When you started your Instagram, did you ever imagine you would have more than 30,000 followers?
No I didn’t, I am so incredibly humbled and grateful for my followers and support. Especially when my son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, the amount of people reaching out with support was just amazing. I am so thankful.
What do you enjoy most running your Instagram account? I love how I have connected with so many amazing people and have given confidence to so many on their body so that they feel great wearing “them shorts”, “that dress”, “those bikinis”.
Would you like to add anything else? I am so grateful for this experience, never in a million years would I have thought a person like me could run a campaign with my favourite shopping centre. It just means times are changing which I love.
FROM THE ARCHIVES Star Weekly looks back through the pages of our predecessors
40 years ago
30 years ago
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A blitz on speeding and overloaded sand trucks is being sought by Werribee Shire Council following an incident last week in which a near miss occurred in Werribee township. There has been long-standing concern throughout the town in relation to the movement of both laden and unladen sand and crushed rock trucks through the central area of Werribee.
“THE best thing that ever happened with Coode Island was that the wind blew the smoke over the eastern suburbs,” said Yarraville resident Julie Beckwith, to ensuing applause and cheers at a public meeting held by the Coode Island Review Panel in Werribee last week. Her sentiments were echoed by the more than 300 people who crammed into Centenary Hall to voice their opinions against any move of Coode Island chemical storage facilities to either Point Cook, Altona or west of Corio.
Further questions have been raised about a State Government decision not to upgrade the Werribee Mercy Hospital’s urgent care unit after it was revealed that 29,000 people sought medical attention at the unit last year. The figures – almost the same as the number recorded at St Vincent’s Private Hospital emergency unit – come just one week after the Banner revealed Health Minister John Thwaites and Werribee MP Mary Gillett had broken a pre-election promise to upgrade the Mercy’s urgent care unit.
Permanent expression: Tattoos are more than being pretty in ink
12 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 23 February, 2022
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COMMENT
Fire danger still high warns CFA By Werribee Fire Brigade With the present hot spell we are really into the summer fire danger period at a local level. Prior to the rain, a number of grass fires occurred in the Tarneit and Truganina areas over recent weeks, burning a large amount of grassland in rocky terrain. These were quickly contained by local CFA (Country Fire Authority) and FRV (Fire Rescue Victoria) brigades with the assistance of helicopter water bombers. This then is a timely reminder to keep a daily check on the weather, fire danger rating and continue to monitor the Emergency Management Victoria (EMV) web site throughout the day for local fire information. With the recent heavy rains in the municipality the fire risk has been reduced only momentarily, the summer fire restrictions still remain in force until removed in March/ April of this year. In fact as grass regrowth from the rains cures the fire risk may increase. Some timely reminders from Werribee Fire Brigade Lieutenant Jim Staggard relate to what you can and cannot do during the fire danger period: During the Fire Danger Period (FDP): Can I light a fire in the open air to burn off grass, stubble, weeds, undergrowth or other vegetation? Answer – NO, unless: you have a written permit issued by a Fire Prevention Officer of a public authority, the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer or by the CFA District office you have a written permit issued by a Fire Prevention Officer of a public authority; you have a written permit issued by a Fire Prevention Officer of a public authority if planning to burn on land under their jurisdiction;
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Firefighters Josh Finlayson, John Ryan and Belinda Craig.
260129_01 (Joe Mastroianni)
· you comply with the conditions of that is clear of flammable material or wet down sufficiently to prevent the spread of fire; permit; · A person is in attendance at all times while · you have a hose connected to a reticulated the fire is alight and has the capacity and means to extinguish the fire; and The fire is completely extinguished before the person leaves. Can I carry out activities including: welding, grinding, charring, soldering or gas cutting, relocating bees with a bee smoker, extracting honey using heat or flame, ail maintenance, heating bitumen? Answer – NO, unless: a fire-resistant shield or guard is in place to stop sparks, hot metal or slag from the fire; an area at least 1.5 metres from the operation
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water supply or water spray knapsack containing at least 9 litres of water; all cut-offs and hot materials from the operation are placed in fire-proof containers; a person is in attendance at all times while the fire is alight and has the capacity and means to extinguish the fire; and the fire is completely extinguished before the person leaves. Lieutenant Staggard reminds drivers to remember to give way to emergency vehicles when they are displaying their red and blue lights and sounding a siren, drivers should
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slow down and pull over to the left to let the emergency vehicle through and take care at traffic lights and give way to emergency vehicles. Lieutenant Staggard is also concerned that local brigades are attending a large number of vehicle accidents at the moment, far more than fire calls with the Werribee rescue unit attending multiple calls for traffic crashes on a number of days. The accidents include collisions with other vehicles, stationary objects like trees and power poles and colliding with buildings with some resulting in very serious injuries requiring the attendance of the air ambulance.
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BEHIND THE NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU The community is being encouraged to take part in Clean Up Australia Day. (Supplied)
Gloves out, it’s time to clean up With the pandemic changing the habits of many people, including reverting back to single use products, the consequences have been felt in the community. As Tara Murray discovers, Clean Up Australia Day presents the perfect opportunity for people to assess their habits and reset after the COVID-19 pandemic.
C
lean Up Australia is hoping people will rethink their use of single-use products ahead of Clean Up Australia Day on March 6. Clean Up Australia chair Pip Kiernan says there had been a surge of single use litter as a result of the pandemic. “We are using Clean Up Australia day as a real call to action for people to think about those habits and think about resetting them and adopting those habits we were getting really good at before the pandemic hit,” she says “There are masks everywhere. With Coffee cups, we’ve had to go back to using single use cups, we weren’t eating in restaurants so we were doing more takeaway and the rubbish associated with that. “There’s masks, santised wipes and hand sanitiser bottles and all the plastic packaging. “We can’t cover up the problem – now is the time to act. Our environmental issues have not gone away because of COVID, rather, they have escalated because of the mountain of rubbish we’ve created. Part of Clean Up Australia’s focus this year, is a ’citizen science project’ that has been launched to assess the impacts of single-use masks. Ms Kiernan said in 2020, more than three billion single-use masks were thrown out across the globe every day, contributing to a significant portion of pandemic-related litter entering the environment. “However, locally, the extent of this problem remains unclear,“ she says. “Volunteers will collect masks and count how many masks they pick up as part of their efforts.” The pandemic also changed the way people interacted and participated in clean up events, according to Ms Kiernan. 14 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 23 February, 2022
She says there was always a way for people to have a clean up event, even if it was at a different time of the year. “[COVID] has impacted the timing of some of our events, schools were timing their events differently, prior to that was the bushfires and there has been some changes when people hold events. “During COVID, there were some people holding back, but we accommodated that and held smaller groups of 10, or on larger sites we had multiple groups with them not getting too close to each other. “You are outside fresh air, we deliver free clean up kits, deliver gloves and bags and there’s QR check-ins.“ Ms Kiernan said registrations this year, particularly in schools, had been a bit slower, but she hoped that they would pick up in the lead up to the event. Schools can get behind Clean Up Australia Day on March 4. (Supplied)
Pip Kiernan. (Supplied)
“We are encouraging people to register as soon as possible so people can get their kits in time,“ she said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet up with friends or find new friends. “It’s really good to get out there and do something and feel good about it and make a difference.” The event is in its 32nd year as a nationwide event. It was started 33 years ago by Ms Kiernan’s father, Ian Kiernan, after a solo yacht race around the world opened up his eyes to the waste in the oceans. That first year there were 40,000 people attending, which resulted in it becoming a yearly event. “It’s part of the Australian calendar now,” she said. “Everyone in their 30s and 40s did it at school. Most people know what Clean Up Australia Day is and it’s just a great thing regardless of your age, stage, where you live,
that you can get involved. “It’s about practical action and it’s about the community doing something that makes a difference. It’s quite a nice thing to do.“ The event has also evolved over time, with the organisation focused just as much on preventing waste in the first place. Ms Kiernan said they believed there should be no thing as waste and resources should be used over and over again. Registration is easy, and all community-based participants receive a free Clean Up kit, containing gloves and bags and other resources, with packs for individuals, families or groups available. There are local events being held across Melbourne’s north-west. Schools can take part in Clean Up Australia Day on Friday, March 4, with community events held on Sunday, March 6 and business clean up day on Tuesday, March 1. Details: https://www.cleanupaustraliaday. org.au
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COMMUNITY
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
Activies of fun, friendship
Altona North combined probus
Wyndham Life Activities is a not-for-profit organisation based at the Italian Sports Club of Werribee with a range of activities on offer every week, including walking, Double 15 Dominoes, line dancing, yogalates, casual lunch and card games, seniors exercise, mahjong, happy hour, book clubs, caravanning, photography and movies. ■ wlac@iscw.com.au
Photographers choice pic is of Russell and Lauryn Mark celebrating Valentine’s Day the Werribee Victorian Clay Target. (Damjan Janevski) 268398_01
Rotary club Rotary Club of Point Gellibrand meets at Customs House Hotel, 161 Nelson Place, Williamstown, on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 6pm for a 6.30pm dinner meeting. Visitors welcome. ■ Pam, 0418 347 691 or rotarypointgellibrand@gmail.com
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. ■ ow.ly/JpJR50HOVuN
Mouth organ band The Yarraville Mouth Organ Band meets Friday evenings at 203 Williamstown Road, Yarraville. Great music, friendly atmosphere. Everyone is welcome. ■ Heather, 9399 2190
Join Landcare The Friends of Presidents Park meet on the first Thursday of the month, 10am–noon. This is a new conservation group. No prior knowledge required. Meet in the carpark near the river and Shaws Bridge. ■ admin@werribeeriver.org.au
Friendship Group Altona Day View (Voice Interest and Education of Women) Club meets at 11am on the third Wednesday of the month at Altona RSL. The club is always open to new members, and anyone interested is encouraged to get in touch. ■ Janet 9394 6522 or 0412 010 176.
Werribee River conservation A new family-friendly conservation group is forming to support the Werribee River in central Werribee. The next event is Tuesday, March 8, 5.30–7pm, river end of Edgar Street, Werribee. ■ maryann.weatherill@werribeeriver.org.au
Small Business Bus The state government’s Small Business Bus will visit Craigieburn on Thursday, February 24, 10am-4pm, providing mentoring sessions to small business owners. At Hume Global Learning Centre, Central Park Avenue, Craigieburn. ■ https://bit.ly/3GNDse7
Love Our Street 3029 A monthly clean-up group in Hoppers Crossing and Tarneit will resume is activities for for 2022 on Sundaym February 20, 10.30am–noon, at the Grange Reserve, along Hogans Road. Equipment provided. ■ 3029@loveourstreet.com.au
Help for job seekers
U3A Werribee U3A Werribee Region is a not-for-profit organisation consisting of semi-retired and retired residents of Wyndham. It conducts a variety of weekly classes run by volunteers. ■ Rick, 0402299220
Centre is now taking enrolments for classes to help those with limited computer skills. Classes are run daily at both Joan Kirner House, Williamstown, and North Altona Library. ■ Lynne or Tahlia, 9397 6168.
Education volunteers
Knitting group
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. EdConnect Australia offers training and support to its volunteers. ■ www.edconnectaustralia.org.au/volunteer/ or 1800 668 550
Anyone is welcome to come along to Yarraville or Footscray library for a weekly knitting group, where you can share your favourite patterns and techniques, and have a chat with like-minded people. Registrations are recommended via Eventbrite. ■ https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/ library/Events/Knitting-Group
Poetry Group
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.
Anyone and everyone is welcome to join Maribyrnong Libraries Poetry Group. From the comfort of your own home, you can listen to poetry and connect with your community over the phone. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never read poetry before, everyone is welcome. Registrations are essential via Eventbrite. ■ https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/ library/Events/Poetry-Group
Tutoring program
Walking group
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 is on Wednesdays, 4-5pm, from the second week of each school term in 2022. All sessions are supervised by Wyndham council youth services staff. ■ youthwyndham.com/pgm-reg or Danielle Diez, 8375 2346
Altona Meadows and Newport residents are invited to take part in a Heart Foundation walking group that meets on Wednesdays and Fridays. The group walks for 60 minutes, and is a great way to socialise and get active at the same time. Members are required to register with the Heart Foundation to join. ■ Ian Watson 0411 566 862 or https://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/ Community/Whats-On/Altona-Meadowsand-Newport-Heart-Foundation-WalkingGroups
AL-ANON meets
Computers for beginners Williamstown Community and Education
The Altona North combined probus club meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at Altona Sports Club. Includes a speaker, organised trips and outings, and a friendly atmosphere. ■ Lesley, 0414 481 442
Williamstown Craft Market Commonwealth Reserve comes alive on the third Sunday of the month for the Williamstown Craft Market. The market boasts more than 50 stalls showcasing everything from handmade craft, homegrown produce and food vendors. 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. The cafe gives people the chance to meet new people and practise English conversation skills in a relaxed and friendly environment. ■ https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/ library/Events/Conversation-Cafe
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
Jesuit Social Services will provide one-on-one support to job seekers at Broadmeadows Library, 1093 Pascoe Vale Road, on Thursday, February 24, 11am-3pm. Each session is 30 minutes. No bookings required. ■ https://bit.ly/3Jx3HYj
The Whittlesea Garden Expo is on Saturday, March 5 and Sunday, March 6 at Whittlesea Showgrounds, Whittlesea-Yea Road, Whittlesea, 9am-3pm. Featuring stallholders, presentations, entertainment and kids’ activities. Cost: $8 for adults (prebooked) or $10 at the gate. ■ https://bit.ly/3rMNvfp
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. ■ 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 between 10am and 12pm at Deer Park Hall, Station Rd, Deer Park. All women are welcome to attend, with bookings open until March 3 ■ https://www.trybooking.com/BXMGS or info@wsn.org.au
Women’s group Musicians welcome The Hobsons Bay City Band is seeking musicians to join its community band. Rehearsals are held Mondays from 7.30pm at the Newport Lakes Primary School, Elizabeth Street, Newport. ■ Roger Lewis, hbcityband@gmail.com, or www.hbcb.org.au
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, from 1pm, 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. ■ 9311 9973 Wednesday, 23 February, 2022 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 15
FEATURING ... EDUCATION
Advertising feature
Helpful tips for parents on managing angry teenagers How do you cope if your teen becomes aggressive or even violent towards you? It is common to keep this kind of abuse behind closed doors and not confide in anyone. Many parents feel that they have failed to control their child, or that they are responsible for the behaviour in some way. In addition, they may not know where to turn. However, any kind of aggression can be stressful, and can cause an atmosphere of tension and fear for the entire family, not to mention the possibility of physical harm if their teen becomes violent. No parent should feel obliged to put up with an unruly teen, and as with any type of domestic abuse, help and support is available. There are a number of techniques and tips that you might find helpful.
Defusing heated arguments It’s useful to remember that your own behaviour can improve or worsen an aggressive situation, so it’s important to be a good role model for your teen. With that in mind, it is worth trying to maintain a calm and peaceful presence. You need to be strong without being threatening. Remember that your body language, as well as what you say and how you say it, should also reflect this. Avoid staring them in the eye, and give them personal space. Allow them the opportunity to express their point of view, then respond in a reasoned way. If an argument becomes very heated, take a deep breath, hold it for a few seconds and then exhale. Repeat five times. This technique is very useful in intense situations. If your teen is becoming aggressive during arguments, suggest this technique to them when they’re calm, so they too have a way of controlling their anger. If an argument feels out of control, you can also try explaining to them that you are going to walk away, and that you’ll come back again
Get help •RaisingChildrenNetwork – Australian resource for parenting newborns to teens •ReachOutParents – online service to help parents help teenagers •1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732 (24 hour, national sexual assault and domestic family violence counselling service) •KidsHelpLine – 1800 55 1800 (24 hour) •PoliceAssistanceLine – 131 444 (24 hour) •ChildYouthHealth – parenting and child health information
Teens are known for their moody behaviour, but it’s important to recognise when lines are crossed. (iStock)
in half an hour. Given the chance to reflect and calm down, you and your teen will both be more reasonable when you resume your discussion. As with toddlers, if you give in to teenagers because their shouting and screaming intimidates or baffles you, you are in effect encouraging them to repeat the unreasonable behaviour as a way of getting what they want. If very heated arguments happen frequently, it may be worth suggesting counselling to your teen. They’ll benefit from talking to someone new and unbiased, someone who isn’t in their family and who won’t judge them. Remember they may not know how to handle their anger, and this can leave them frustrated and even frightened. Some guidance from an
outsider can be very helpful.
Dealing with violent behaviour Sometimes, teen aggression can turn into violence. If they lash out at you, or someone or something else, put safety first. Let your teenager know that violence is unacceptable and you will walk away from them until they’ve calmed down. If leaving the room or house isn’t helping, call the police — after all, if you feel threatened or scared, then you have the right to protect yourself.
what has happened and suggest that they let you find them some help. • Be clear: Teenagers need to know that you will stand by the boundaries you set. They need to know that any kind of violence is unacceptable. • Talk to their school: Find out if their aggressive behaviour is happening there as well. Some schools offer counselling. • Arrange counselling: If your teen admits they have a problem and is willing to get help, book an appointment with a counsellor or psychologist as soon as possible.
Good advice • Give them space: Once they have calmed down, you may want to talk to them about
* Sources: Raising Children Network, Women’s and Children’s Health Network.
Discover The Geelong College difference at our Open Days on Wednesday 6 April and 4 May. Register or explore more dates at www.tgc.vic.edu.au or phone 5226 3156. The Geelong College, a leading Victorian day and boarding school from Early Learning to VCE.
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COURAGE
AUTUMN EDITION COMING OUT SOON
16 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 23 February, 2022
FEATURING ... EDUCATION
Advertising feature
Pet guinea pigs: a big responsibility for little owners
Though these pets are little, they require a lot of care and responsibility.
not only physical injury but psychological stress that can lead to unusual biting or chewing. Also be aware of excessive handling — everyone needs a rest sometimes. It can be fun for the kids to choose accessories
(iStock)
to brighten up the pet’s environment, but guinea pigs don’t really play; however, they do like exploring. There’s no need to spend money on add-ons when things lying around the house will work: cardboard boxes, shredded
newspaper, untreated wood logs, PVC pipes, fleecy rugs, house bricks, large plastic plant pots with doorway cut out, homemade but sturdy ramps, small dog beds. Good luck!
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There comes a time in life that many parents will dread: when they hear their kids utter the pleading words, ‘‘Can we get a guinea pig?’’ These cute little rodents often become the number one choice as compensation for not owning a larger pet, with parents viewing them as more manageable in terms of space, ongoing care and financial constraints. However, before introducing guinea pigs to the household, it’s a good idea to steer children towards research and planning. Some online checking will kick off the process, teaching the kids about what to expect, how to specifically care for guinea pigs and explaining the expenses incurred in the purchase of necessary enclosure and accessories. This supports the notions of valuing a new pet, reinforcing that they are not disposable and require long-term commitment. Unless whipping up a homemade ‘house’, a proper cage (not wire-bottomed) is the first consideration. Next is its placement - guinea pigs are temperature sensitive, needing to stay in temperatures between 15 and 22 degrees celsius, so cages have to be transportable to either sunshine or shade. Leaving them in full sun on a hot day can result in heatstroke and death within an hour. When nights become frosty, they need to be in a warm spot to avoid dangerous colds and pneumonia. Daily diets are specific and include one cup of fresh veggies (not too-frequent lettuce or cabbage) or fruit, constantly replenished grass or hay without chemicals, a handful of good quality grain mix (no seeds) and plenty of water. Strict herbivores, guinea pigs should never be fed meat, dairy or bread. Kids need to be firmly taught about the gentle handling of their fragile new friends. Rough play or dropping them can result in
Wednesday, 23 February, 2022 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 17
PUZZLES SUDOKU
No. 069
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.
ACROSS
easy
3 2
1 3 4 2
8 9 9 3
3 2 3 9
7 6 8 8 9 6 3 7 8 7 5 1 8 4 1 9 medium
6
1 8 2
7
4 6 7
DOWN
Support for a column (8) Soul (6) 70s’ dance genre (5) Oceangoing (9) If not (6) 16th US president (7) Manacles or fetters (8) Counsel (6) Mournful (6) Island group in the Indian Ocean (8) Silly talk (7) Avoidance road (6) Central American country (9) Cavalry sword (5) Acacia shrub; OJ-andchampagne (6) Partisan (8)
1 5 10 11 12 13 14 15 18 20 21 24 27 28 29 30
No. 069
Cushions (4) Release (9) Sleeping grunt (5) Levied (8) Examined (7) Egyptian capital (5) Designers of goods and structures (9) Drop (4) Artifice (9) Incapable of being seen (9) Port, formerly (8) Disrobe (7) Startle (5) Web auction site (4) Glue (5) Food (4)
1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 14 16 17 19 22 23
25 26
DECODER
No. 069
4 1
AGO ALE ARE ASH
6 2
AYE
8 3
EVE GEE
6 2
GEL
6 8 4 5
5 9 1 7
GET HAT HEN HUT
hard
3
4
5
6
7
8
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
21
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
23
13
NIP
24
25
26
OVA
G
I
PEA SEA
ALIVE
USE
APTER
YES
AROSE
YOU
9-LETTER WORD
R
31 words: Very good
D
S
BASKS
EBBS
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: 21 words: Good
AURAL
4 LETTERS
S
E
E
BYTES
EDDY
CHAMP
EDIT CREST HAMS DENTS
LAWN
DRAMA
LUGS
ESSAY
MALL
I
P
GIVES
OURS PERK
ICIER
POND
IDEAL
SLOG
IRATE
SNIP
IRKED
SWIM
KYLIE
YELL
LARVA LOOSE
5 LETTERS
MAKER
AGILE
MARTS
MEANT MESSY NICER NYLON OARED OILED PLANE POOLS RODEO SALTS SEEDY SERVE SLUGS SPACE SPIRE STOKE STOMP SYRUP TREED TURNS UDDER WASTE
WELTS
ORANGES
YODEL
REPTILE
6 LETTERS
8 LETTERS
ANSWER
APPARENT
CASUAL
ASSAULTS
GEARED
CADENCES
RAGERS
LIAISONS
7 LETTERS
11 LETTERS
ALREADY
ACCOMPANIST
CENSORS
PLEASANTEST
CRESTED MARITAL
deep, depress, despise, despised, dips, disperse, DISPERSED, drip, drips, espied, espies, peer, peers, pere, pied, pier, preside, presided, presides, press, pressed, pride, prided, prides, pried, pries, prise, prised, prises, ripe, rips, seep, seeps, sips, sped, speed, speeds, spider, spied, spies, spire, spree
25-02-22
No. 069 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
S
3 8 5 2 7 1 9 6 4
1 2 7 9 4 6 5 8 3
2 3 8 4 1 9 6 7 5
E R S
7 4 9 5 6 2 1 3 8 7 2 3 4 6 9 8 5 1
E
L A M S
B A S I L E M O T E A P N E A
5 1 6 3 8 7 2 4 9
9 6 3 7 2 4 8 5 1
4 7 2 1 5 8 3 9 6
8 5 1 6 9 3 4 2 7
6 1 4 5 7 8 3 9 2
3 9 5 4 6 2 1 7 8
2 7 8 9 1 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 3 2 5 6 1 4
4 5 6 1 8 7 9 2 3
1 3 2 6 4 9 7 8 5
9 4 7 8 5 6 2 3 1
8 2 1 7 3 4 5 6 9
5 6 3 2 9 1 8 4 7
1 4 5 3 8 7 2 6 9
8 6 9 2 5 1 7 3 4
9 5 6 8 7 2 4 1 3
2 1 8 5 4 3 9 7 6
3 7 4 9 1 6 5 8 2
5 8 2 6 3 4 1 9 7
4 3 1 7 9 5 6 2 8
6 9 7 1 2 8 3 4 5
18 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 23 February, 2022
E
12
QUICK QUIZ
1
In which region of Germany is the city of Munich?
6
And who was the inventor of the Benz Patent-Motorwagen?
2
Which common breed of dog was briefly named the Alsatian Wolf Dog by the English-speaking world due to war-time tensions?
7
What is the name of Angela Merkel’s political party?
8
The literary form known as a bildungsroman refers to what?
9
Now a suburb in Adelaide, what was the first German settlement in Australia?
3
The term ‘wiener’, used for the sausage in a hot dog, is named for which city?
4
Which Strauss composed The Blue Danube (1866)?
10 What was famously discovered in the Neander Valley, Germany, in 1856?
5
What year was the world’s first automobile, the Benz Patent-Motorwagen (pictured), built in?
T
6 9 4 8 3 5 7 1 2
R
22
2
M
11
1
A
10
ODE
16
N
9
15
T
L T
L
2
P U BMV R X H K NOA T
S
A
•
D
Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com
M
NEE
42 words: Excellent
hard
B
NAP
Y DWZ L F S J C Q E G I
medium
easy
LAW
14
8 9 2 5 7 8 3 9 3 9 7 6 4 2 7 2 5 1 6 3 1 8 6 2 7 5
IDS
7
5x5
No. 069
3 LETTERS
6 9 8 2
WORDFIT
ANSWERS: 1. Bavaria 2. German Shepherd 3. Vienna 4. Johan Strauss II 5. 1885 6. Carl Benz 7. Christian Democratic Union 8. A comingof-age story 9. Klemzig 10. First Neanderthal remains
4
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MOTOR
Corolla sedan is not exactly sleek, but it’s pleasant to look at. (Pictures: Supplied)
Corolla drives its hybrid future By Ewan Kennedy, Marque Motoring I must admit to having a soft spot for Toyota Corollas. Way back in the early 1970s when I was young and money was tight, I owned a Corolla for eight years and over 170,000 kilometres. During that time it transported my wife and three new babies (two girls and a boy) home from the hospitals where they were born. It never missed a beat. That car was much smaller than today’s Corollas and had only two doors. The car I’m reviewing here has four doors and is substantially larger than ye-olde 1970 model. It’s also a hybrid, a term that wasn’t yet part of the automotive parlance in the ‘70s. Toyota is very serious about electrification in cars and the Corolla is a major seller worldwide. So, the Japanese giant has put a lot of work into making all its vehicles low polluters particularly on the European market where air quality is dropping and fuel prices are rising.
Styling Corolla sedan is long and while not exactly sleek it’s pleasant to look at. The extra length over the hatchback somehow gives it an upmarket look, not exactly ‘limo’ but certainly good looking. The front is quite low and the slim headlights are connected across the complete car and run well up into the sides of the bonnet. The lower grille is very large and makes a styling statement. The upward sweep of the window line does work visually but may cause problems for young children trying to see out of them.
Interior There’s reasonable width for three adults sitting in the rear seat. But, legroom in the back seat is limited, which is surprising when you realise this is quite a large sedan in this class. The driver may have to give up a little space if there’s a lanky passenger behind them. The Corolla is spacious enough but the materials are rather dark and sometimes it doesn’t exactly feel like a happy place to be.
Infotainment The Corolla sedan has bang up to date technology. Access to all your infotainment can be made using voice control. It has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Toyota says: “Speak to your dealer about device compatibility.”
Engines / transmissions Corolla Hybrid has a 72kW/142Nm 1.8-litre Atkinson Cycle and a 53kW/163Nm synchronous permanent magnet electric motor. They drive the front wheels by way of an e-CVT automatic.
Safety The Corolla hybrid has a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on tests conducted in 2018. There are IsoFix anchor points on the outboard rear seats, and there are top-tether points for all three positions.
Driving There’s four-way adjustment of the steering wheel. The driver’s seat has eight-way power adjustment. So, it will be easy for just about anyone to find the right setting for them. The front seats are comfortable and provide good support in normal driving. There are no large side bolsters to clamber over as this is a cruiser not a high-performance machine. So, the front seats are easy to get in and out of. The back doors don’t open as far as like so it’s harder to get in than you might expect. There’s good headroom front and rear. We have already tested the rear seat on a hatchback and it’s a little bit tight for headspace. If you’re going to be carting large teenagers in the back it would be a good idea for them to go along to the dealer’s as part of your “what car should I buy?” initial trips. Toyota has long been a major player Downunder and is well aware of what drivers like in their car’s handling. The steering responds promptly and gives excellent feedback through the wheel. Interestingly, Toyota suspension setups are often based on the findings of the likes and
AT A GLANCE MODEL RANGE Corolla Ascent Sport Hybrid sedan: $27,395 Corolla Ascent Sport Hybrid hatch: $27,395 Corolla SX Hybrid sedan: $30,795 Corolla SX Hybrid hatch: $30,795 Corolla ZR Hybrid hatch: $34,195 Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Lexus dealer for drive-away prices.
dislikes of Australian buyers. Fuel consumption was in the mid fours and low five litres per hundred on motorways and level country roads. Around town it still only rose to high five and low sixes. We really didn’t fang it on our favourite country roads so can’t comment on what consumption it would have there. Tyre noise is low at slow speeds on very smooth surfaces, almost Lexus-like according to one passenger. However, once the surface
was rougher it increased quite a bit. Perhaps it’s caused by the low rolling resistance of the rubber. Try for yourself if you like a smooth, quiet car.
Summing up Toyota Corolla has been one of the world’s best-selling cars for many years, often the best seller. Having driven the latest model, now offered as a hybrid, it seems inevitable it will remain at the top of the list for years to come. Wednesday, 23 February, 2022 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 21
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Plenty of work still to be done at Western United Western United star Leo Lacroix says his team is yet to achieve anything in the A-League season so far. United was on top of the table heading into their match against West Sydney Wanderers, after a strong first part to the season. Speaking last week after being named an ambassador for United’s Foodbank Relief match, Lacroix said the team was happy with the season so far. “We are happy,” he said. “We deserve to be where we are, we are working hard every day. “[But] we haven’t done anything, the season is still long. We have a very good coach to help us keep this intensity in training and to keep the intensity on the weekend. Personally Lacroix said he had been happy with his performances at the club in his first season in Australia.
He joined United on a one-year deal after making a name for himself in Europe. He said the competition was what he expected having spoke with his former teammate Dario Vidosic, who had played in the A-League previously. “I’m working hard everyday to keep this performance up. I know I can do better also, every day when I wake up and I try to do my best to help my teammates and keep the team at the top of the league. “My family are happy here and I’ll keep working and if we win something at the end of the season it will be the perfect choice.” Lacroix said the playing group was full of quality players who wanted to continue to improve at this level. “All the time we can do something better. Something different in attack, covering the ball and the last pass.
“Work on what we are learning with the coaches.” Speaking about being named an ambassador for the Food Relief Round, Lacroix said he was thrilled to be able to help people in need. “It is very good, when we can help other people,” he said. “It is important to help people, when we can help them. This is just one way when we can help, “In Brazil, we have a church and there is a pastor and every month he does things for the community that we would help. “People sometimes find it difficult and if we can help with food and clothes to help make them happy, I feel the happiness.” For the result of United’s match against the Wanderers head to www.starweekly.com.au. Tara Murray
‘Stunning’ United goal
22 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 23 February, 2022
Sports shorts VSDCA Werribee continued on its winning ways in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west beating Oakleigh. Oakleigh made 8-208 from its overs, with Samuel Jones top scoring with 71. Hamish Winter-Irving and Tim O’Brien took two wickets each. The Tigers made 6-211 to secure the win. Winter-Irving top scored with 71 not out. Hoppers Crossing suffered a loss to Malvern. The two Wyndham teams play each other this coming Saturday.
By Tara Murray Western United’s Ben Garuccio is the talk of the A-League after a stunning goal against Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday night. While United came away with the three points and maintained their lead at the top of the table with the 3-2, everyone was wanting to talk about Garuccio’s second goal of the night. The goal came as a result of a stunning scorpion kick after Aleksandar Prijovic put the ball in the box. United coach John Aloisi admitted he wasn’t sure what had happened watching the game live. “I didn’t realise how he hit it,” he said. “I saw Alex put a beautiful ball in and all of a sudden I see the ball in the back of the net. “I didn’t know if he did a bicycle kick or what until I saw it back on the screen, i couldn’t believe it, it was some goal. “He’s probably in line… for the goal of the year award around the world.” Aloisi was full of praise for Garuccio who scored two of United’s three goals in the win. He said it has taken Garuccio a while to get back to full fitness after a serious knee injury and that he was continuing to improve. The man himself told the post game broadcast that he meant the shot, having tried it at training a few weeks ago. “I did it at training a few weeks ago and face planted. This is probably one in 1000. “I couldn’t concentrate for the rest of the game.” The Garuccio goal was the highlight in an entertaining game. United controlled the game early, before the Wanderers hit back late in the game. Aloisi said he thought they were comfortable for much of the match. “We created some really good chances and some really good openings,” he said. “The beginning of the second half we started well and we had some really good opportunities and then they got that goal and it gave them a lift. “Their subs gave them a lift too, fresh legs coming on. Then we really had to show our quality, which is our character and determination. “Mentally that we stay strong and we work for each other.” Aloisi said they were thrilled to have scored multiple goals in a game, with the majority of their games they’d only scored one goal. He said they also thought they would get better as the season went along and they were starting to show that. Prijovic is one of those players who continue to get better. Aloisi said that Prijovic, who scored one goal and had two assists, played his best game in the win. United sits top, one point clear of Melbourne City, having gone five games without a loss.
Leo Lacroix. (Supplied)
VTCA Werribee Centrals put in a dominant display against Laverton in Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 3. Laverton was bowled out for just 107, before Centrals made 2-112 in reply. Point Cook also had a win, beating Pascoe Vale Hadfield. Point Cook made 7-119 in reply to Pascoe Vale’s 9-118. Despite the wins, Centrals and Point Cook remain in the bottom part of the table, only ahead of Laverton.
Baseball Werribee had a solid win against Ormond Glenhuntly on Sunday in Baseball Victoria summer league division 2. The Giants claimed the win 4-1. The Giants sit fifth on the ladder, but are on the same amount of wins as fourth placed Doncaster. The Giants this week face Williamstown on Thursday night, before facing Port Melbourne on Sunday.
Bowls Werribee were on fire in Bowls Victoria weekend pennant division 2, section 1. Werribee claimed all 18 points in the 116 (18)-51 (0) win against Essendon (2). Robert Panton’s rink was the big winner, winning 35-12, while Brendan Barker’s rink won 32-9. Werribee sit second on the ladder, eight points behind Deer park (2).
Werribee batsman Matt Dean in action. (Damjan Janevski). 258001
Ben Garuccio scored a stunner on Sunday night. (Supplied)
They don’t have long to rest, with the side back in action on Wednesday [February 23] against Sydney. Aloisi hinted there would be some changes
to the line up, with the short turnaround. “There’s more than likely going to be a few changes, but we are better positioned this time round.”
FOR MORE SPORT, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Wyndham Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly
Sardi ‘wrapped’ to be selected for nationals Montaya Sardi didn’t always play netball, but when her friends encouraged her to play in an inter-school sports tournament in grade six, she fell in love with the game. Now, the fit mid-court player has the chance to represent Victoria in the 2022 National Netball Championships. “I used to not like netball, I used to love basketball,” she said. “So I tried it and then I just loved it from that first game and then I’ve just played netball ever since then.” The 16-year-old from Hoppers Crossing is in year 11 at Maribyrnong Sports Academy, which she started attending in year seven. Her first club was with Phoenix Netball Club in Hoppers Crossing before heading over to Sanctuary Lakes in Altona. She started out as a defender, but moving into the state program she was put in the mid-court during trials and now plays in wing defence and centre for state.
“I love centre. I love running,” she said. Last year, she tried out for nationals but just missed out, making training partner for under-17s. “So this year, trialling, all I wanted to do was make it because I was so devastated,” she said. “I’m wrapped. I was so excited when I found out. But it was a long process. “I started from zone academy, and then got asked to trial from the inter-academy tournament and then just went through four or five trials to get in and then I finally made it.” Sardi said training is going well but that it’s full on. “But our team is really close already. So it’s just a surreal training,” she said. “It’s so different from other training I’ve done. It’s hard but then it’s worth it because you get to do the tournament in April.” Sardi’s biggest strength is her fitness level
which is vital in the centre position, while her goal is to improve on her footwork. “I need to work on getting faster to get to the ball. And going for an intercept in wing defence and to bring my feet to the ball,” she said. Fellow team player from Westside Emma Winfield will be joining Sardi on the court for nationals. “I’ve always played with her until last year when she made VNL so she left, but now this year we’re in the same VNL team so we’re back playing together,” she said. “We’re best mates off court as well.” After finishing high school, Sardi said she wants to continue playing and turn her passion for netball into a career. “I’d love to make it to high-level netball,” she said. “I’m stoked I’ve made it to nationals.” Montaya Sardi (right) with Emma Winfield.
Sarah Oliver
Centrals ready to play With more than 50 players turning up to each Point Cook Centrals training session ahead of the 2022 season launch in March, it is full steam ahead for the club. Senior men’s coach Dean Chambers said: “We’ve had 74 guys train with us this year, we average about 55 per night – that’s unheard of, in this area.” Chambers said that at some other clubs, about 20 to 25 players attended most training sessions. The 2022 season will be officially launched on March 25, with three practice matches for the Point Cook Centrals that month including against Colac and the Western Rams in Rockbank. During the 2021 season, which ended prematurely due to COVID-19, Point Cook Centrals finished near the bottom of the ladder. Chambers said rather than viewing this as a challenge for 2022, the club instead saw it as a “a real opportunity” to improve, which has included the appointment of a new coaching panel. “Obviously my appointment as a senior coach this year, with my background in state league football, they and I wanted to bring my professional skills here,” Chambers said. “In training, with the commitment and buy-in we’ve seen from the training group, that’s been great. “The young recruits have helped to motivate the older, regular players. “They are a driven bunch of players, they want to improve on this year and the finals is a goal for more clubs at this time of year.” Chambers said the club was keen to foster community values among its players this year, including as an all-inclusive club. “The crux of it all is really the cultural shift towards empowering the community and our involvement with the community,” he said. One of the new Point Cook Centrals players for 2022 is Jordan Bennett, who has previously played in state league competitions for the Western Jets in TAC Cup and Port Melbourne in the VF, plus Spotswood in the WRFL. During Bennett’s 2015 VFL season, a knee injury forced him to spend the second half of the year playing in the AFL Victoria Development League. Bennett said he had not played much football since about 2017, due to work commitments. He said that he initially started 2022’s pre-season training with the Point Cook Centrals to get some exercise and see his mates. “It’s actually a funny story, my friend Mitchell Palma who played for Hoppers
Point Cook Centrals player Jordan Bennett.
(Supplied).
Crossing, he sucked me in to come and play, he said: ‘Come down for a run, it will be good’,” Bennett said. “During the pre-season, I had no intention of playing for three or four weeks, I was there for fun, fitness and to see my friends. “Then before Christmas I turned up and they (Point Cook Centrals) had a contract ready for me and I thought: ‘Why not?’ “The boys and the coach have really welcomed me.
“My love of the game made we want to come back.” Bennett said he was returning to football with “a fresh mind”. “I’m going to go in and play my role, do whatever I can for the club and play my best,” he said. “I feel lucky to be at Point Cook, I do see a lot of potential in the culture there, they are heading in the right direction there are good people around, good staff and good players.”
(Shaun Sharp at sportingmomentsbyshaun on Instagram)
Try netball in Wyndham Children interested in netball or who simply want to learn about a new sport, get active or meet their peers have been invited to attend a NetSetGO session in Wyndham this week. NetSetGO is the national official netball starter program for girls and boys aged five to 10 years old. The program provides youngsters with an opportunity to learn about netball basics, get outside and make some friends. The Netball Australia program is expected to record its 600,000th young participant by the end of 2022. NetSetGO aims to give children a positive introduction to netball, ensuring enjoyment and continued participation with the best possible learning and playing experience. The Wyndham Netball Association has organised three NetSetGo Come & Try sessions. The sessions will take place at Eagle Stadium, Werribee on Wednesday, February 23 from 4.30-5.30pm and also Saturday, February 26 from 1-2pm. Comments about the NetSetGo sessions include: “I love going to netball because I love to keep running” from participant Peyton. Julie, whose daughter Erin took part in a session said, said: “She enjoyed starting to learn the game, like the stepping rules. But it was more a test for me to see if she liked netball. I didn’t want her to play something just for my sake.” Co-ordinator and coach Fiona said: “I love watching the kids enjoying themselves, and learning new skills. “Seeing their development and improvement from the first to the last week of the program is why I love NetSetGo.” To register your child for a NetSetGo Come & Try session, email: enquiries@ wyndhamnetball.com.au Details: http://www.wyndhamnetball. com.au/, https://www.facebook.com/ WyndhamNetballAssociation
Wednesday, 23 February, 2022 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 23
MacKillop college Open Days Wednesday 23 March 2022 (4:00pm-6:30pm, Final tour at 5:45pm) Wednesday 30 November 2022 (4:00pm-6:30pm, Final tour at 5:45pm) For more information, contact the College Registrar: registrar@mackillop.vic.edu.au 03 8734 5200
celebrating all life • challenging all people • dreaming the new day www.mackillop.vic.edu.au • 1-29 Russell St, Werribee
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