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West is best Western United is still celebrating after claiming its first A-League men’s championship. In just their third season, United shocked everybody by beating Melbourne City in the grand final 2-0, following two first half goals. International star Aleksandar Prijovic was the star for United and was a worthy winner of the Joe Marston Medal. Fans from across Melbourne’s west got behind their team, turning their homes and businesses green and black, with the number of supporters growing.

(AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

■ Coverage:

Pages 13 and 22

Western United goalkeeper Jamie Young celebrates the championship with fans.

‘Cheeky’ mural backlash By Fatima Halloum An artist who received backlash for a mural deemed too graphic has asked residents in Wyndham to see the artwork in person before forming an opinion. David Lee Pereira was commissioned by Wyndham council to paint the artwork in Station Place, Werribee. Over the past week media coverage has painted the mural as having phallic connotations. Pereira said the mural was 110 metres wide, but was being judged based on a few bricks. “That’s quite sad, because that wasn’t my intention, so seeing the mural as a whole, it’s a lot more complex and thoughtful, than just being reduced to porn,“ he said. “It’s not meant to be aggressive, it’s quite cheeky and playful, and a celebration of

sexuality, gender and identity and the diversity of the community, but none of that story is being told,” he said. Pereira said most people had yet to see the mural and because of its location, in a long and narrow laneway, it was best seen in person. “I want the focus to be about the intention of the mural and show it to people and let them make an educated decision about what they think rather than having their opinion told to them,” he said. “Every person who comes out is just like, this is gorgeous, but people are responding to misinformation online and it’s sad.” Pereira said he had also received backlash about not being from Wyndham, which he described as being “coated in hate”. “Labeling me as someone who’s not from here, my family is in Truganina, I’ve spent

every holiday in this area, I’ve lived out here multiple times in my life. “The coding of saying ‘he’s not from here’, I’m from Melbourne, I’m Australian and my voice is valid.” Wyndham council took to Facebook on Thursday, May 26 to address concerns about the artwork and vowed to make changes to the mural. Amidst the backlash, many residents spoke out in support of Pereira’s artwork. “It’s beautiful,” Misty Palmer commented in response to the council’s post. “Let’s normalise all bodies and shapes, these images aren’t of sexual nature but of nature.” Another commenter, Tracey Potatau-Wright said people making negative comments were being “sooks”. “The so called ’offensive’ bits don’t jump out at you … they need to be really looked for.

“Obviously once you know you can’t help but see them,” Ms Potatau-Wright said. “Overall this laneway looks vibrant and colourful, gorgeous flowers and insects with just a bit of naughty fun.” Council’s acting city design and liveability director Peter McKinnon said the flowers were intended to “subtly reflect themes of accepting gender and sexual diversity”. “These themes, however, are represented more strongly in the delivered artwork than had been intended,” he said. “Council staff are currently working with the artist to make appropriate changes, which are currently under way, and we are confident that concerns can be addressed.“ Star Weekly understands that some changes were made to the mural earlier this week. ■ Pictures: Page 4

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Run a small business? Free advice is available. The Victorian Government is supporting you with business advice, financial counselling and mental health support from Headway – the free, small business wellbeing initiative.

Get your free advice at business.vic.gov.au/Headway Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne.

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Expect Sayers Road delays Motorists have been warned to prepare for delays, with works on the $5 million rehabilitation of Sayers Road set to commence. Wyndham council awarded a contract for the upgrade to Negri Contractors during a council meeting on Tuesday, May 24, and said the rehabilitation between Tarneit Road and Reflections Boulevard will be one of its largest road projects this year. “We ask residents to plan ahead and allow for traffic delays in the area. There will be highly visible signage marking detours throughout

the works area,” mayor Peter Maynard said. “We’ll be working closely with our contractor to make sure your journey is as safe and hassle-free as possible, but please plan ahead and be patient while these important works are being carried out.” The project will involve the removal, recycling and replacement of failing road pavement, new asphalt surfacing, localised kerb and channel repair and minor drainage repairs. “The rehabilitation works will make Sayers

Dylan Wright, Ingrid Stitt and Mayor Peter Maynard.

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Road smoother, safer and more enjoyable for motorists to use,” Cr Maynard said. Council said the project will utilise a cement stabilisation approach and will recycle much of the existing road material, subsequently reducing the volume of waste produced by the rehabilitation. The upgrades will be undertaken in several stages and traffic will be switched onto opposite carriageways with one lane in each direction. Intersections at Sandleford Way, Penrose

CFA and Fire Rescue volunteers Murray, Jeff, Colin, Brad and Mark. 282682

Promenade, Crossway Avenue and Reflections Boulevard will be closed at different points during the rehabilitation period but detours will be in place for commuters. Council said construction is expected to begin in June and will conclude in November and the upgrades will mostly take place during standard operating hours. Residents and the community will be kept up to date throughout the project via council’s social media accounts and its website. Details: www.wyndham.vic.gov.au

A ‘lay’ is presented to special guests.

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Penrose community garden gets ‘back to basics’ Tonya Toi believes members of the Wyndham Pasifika community are natural survivors. “We all grew up experiencing disasters, earthquakes, cyclones, hurricanes, we’ve all experienced that,” she said. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, many people from the Pacific Islands found themselves trapped in Australia, with no way to get home. “Everything in this country costs money, even to leave,” Ms Toi said. “Our organisation received numerous calls. We were just lost because we were just a new emerging organisation.” As the president of the Pasifika Community of Australia, Ms Toi reached out to Wyndham council which connected the organisation to the Department of Human Services. “From there, we were able to get food emergency relief, that was the start,” she said. Ms Toi said the Pasifika community then decided to “get back to basics”.

“Usually when disasters happens we always look for two things. First is to the land, what did you grow? Second to the ocean, for a source of food,” she said. “We started off with 15 backyard gardens and it grew from 15 to 200.” But the project didn’t end there. On Saturday, May 28, the Pasifika community launched its new garden at the Penrose Community Centre. “We wanted to have a space to plant our garden so that our community can come and all that emergency food relief we were receiving, we could have contributed if we had had a space,” Ms Toi said. “It’s a first of its kind, to bring together Melanesia, Micronesian and Polynesian, it’s never happened to that capacity ever before, here was a collaboration united in a land that was officially ours.” Fatima Halloum

Kayne and Kaylee at their multicultural stall.

Maxine, Leigh and Gilbert at the SES stall.

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Fire Rescue’s Colin Campbell and SES volunteer Malvina Tsecoutanis.

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Smile Squad is on its way The Victorian Government is making it easier for our kids to get the dental care they need. Find out more at smilesquad.vic.gov.au

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Backlash over laneway mural David Lee Pereira’s mural in Station Place, Werribee, has caused quite a stir. According to Wyndham council, the artwork was commissioned to transform the laneway into a vibrant and colourful space. “The concept of flowers fusing local flora and fauna was designed to reflect the diverse and culturally rich background of the people of Wyndham, paying respect to the traditional owners of the land and welcoming new community,” council said in a Facebook statement on Thursday, May 26. “The flowers were also intended to subtly reflect themes of accepting gender and sexual diversity. These themes, however, are represented more strongly in the delivered artwork than had been intended. Council will ensure changes are made to the mural to address the adult themes and community concern.” Pereira has urged people to view the mural before passing judgement. Star Weekly has decided to publish a selection of photographs of the mural to allow readers to form their own opinion about the artwork.

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Uniting launches winter appeal Wyndham residents are being asked to donate new blankets, bedding, tents, winter clothes and thermal flasks to help people sleeping and families in need in the municipality. Uniting Vic.Tas delivers community services across Victoria and Tasmania, and as part of its Wyndham Winter Local Appeal, has asked community members to donate to the cause. Appeal co-ordinator Deborah Gorsuch said the donations would help people living on the street as well as families living in poverty.

“We have a lot of hidden homeless people … they can be family, singles, youth, that are couch surfing or they’re sleeping in their cars or they’re with friends and family, so they’re just moving around,” she said. “A lot of people don’t associate them as being homeless because they’re staying with whoever, but technically, they are because they’re not in secure accomodation.” The most disadvantaged people living in the community are often hit hardest during the colder months, Ms Gorsuch said.

“This is a time of great uncertainty, costs are rising and we know there are many people in our community who are really struggling,” she said. Ms Gorsuch said people’s donations, regardless of the size, would make a “real difference”. “There are more people living on the streets, living in their cars and living in poverty having to make impossible choices between the basics such as paying the rent and putting food on the table,” Ms Gorsuch said.

Monetary donations can also be made to help the organisation purchase backpack beds. “They’re waterproof, they’ve got shelter that goes over the top of their head, they can actually be rolled up and used like a backpack,” Ms Gorsuch said. Donations of new doonas, doona covers and linen can also be made in person at Uniting Wyndham, 19 Duncans Road, Werribee between 10am-2pm, Monday to Friday.

Werribee Giants brave the cold to support MND The Werribee Giants Baseball club hosted a Big Freeze event on Sunday, May 29, and raised thousands of dollars for people suffering from motor neurone disease. The fundraiser was held at Presidents Park in Wyndham Vale and Werribee Giants publicity officer Peter Rose said the event was “fantastic”. “It was a really really successful event, we had over 200 people there including players, spectators and officials,” he said. “Everybody really getting behind the cause … we raised over $2500 … it was just a really good community event. “There was somber moments with people recalling their own experiences with MND as well as some really great moments, really good baseball and some really good, fun events.” The money was raised through a barbecue lunch on the day, MND merchandise that could be purchased, a raffle people could participate in and via an online link. An important part of the fundraiser is the

ice bucket challenge that consists of people pouring cold, icy water over their heads. “We had our president Bomber Worn as well as the Geelong Baseball association president Danny and their executive officer Tony McPherson, they all participated in the ice bucket challenge,” Mr Rose said. Mr Rose said the club chose to host the fundraiser because it was very much “community focused”. “It is very much a grassroots sport, our club is a real family club … they see the benefit in community and they see the need to put back into the community,” he said. “I would encourage any clubs or any sport to do the same.”

Werribee president David “Bomber” Bishop-Worn, Geelong Baseball Association president Danny Timmers and executive officer Tony McPherson. (Mark Lazarus) 283534_02

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Learner driver nabbed A 37-year-old learner driver from Point Cook is facing a number of charges after allegedly being detected driving at 60km/h in a 40km/h school zone. The driver came to the attention of police on Dunnings Road, Point Cook, about 8.40am on May 24. Police said the man had an unrestrained child in the back seat. Police said the man is likely to be charged with exceeding speed limit, driving learner unaccompanied, failing to display L Plates and driving with an unrestrained child. The vehicle was impounded for 30 days at a cost of $1006.10.

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Shirin, Marj, Barbara, Sue, Robyn, Sylvia, Carol, Mary and Rose who participate in a weekly craft group at Tarneit Community Learning Centre. (Supplied) 283522_01

Presidents Park upgrade

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Quilter’s act of kindness Before COVID-19 restrictions put a halt to international travel, Marj Mitchell would fly to Thailand to deliver handmade quilts to orphanages in the country. When she could no longer leave her home in Wyndham Vale to go overseas, Ms Mitchell was left with a collection of blankets that were too expensive to ship. “I said to the girls that I go to craft with, what am I gonna do with the other quilts?,” Ms Mitchell said. “We decided we’d make them … we’ve given them to Manor Court [aged care centre], we made little quilts for the special care babies at the Mercy Hospital.” More recently, the women made 15 blankets that were donated to Gen West, an organisation that helps victim-survivors of family violence. Ms Mitchell said not everyone can donate

financially but quilting blankets was her way of contributing. “Hopefully the women and the kids will love them as much as what I do, I love quilting and the girls that are doing it with me love it too,“ she said. Ms Mitchell has been attending the Craft Group and the Needle Cases at the Tarneit Community Learning Centre for 12 years. “It’s good for us actually, because it gives us plenty to do and keep us occupied,“ she said. “I often say to the ones that love to do it ’don’t start,’ because it’s addictive. We just love quilting, I’ve got cupboards full of quilts I’ve made of the years.“ The group is currently preparing quilts to donate to The Orange Door, a free service for adults, children who are experiencing family violence.

Wyndham council will upgrade Presidents Park in Wyndham Vale following the adoption of a master plan that outlines a vision for the 75-hectare reserve from 2020-2030. Council will provide a second full-size hockey pitch, an upgraded baseball pavilion and upgrades to the diamonds, upgrading the show pitch softball fields to allow for adult competition, and infrastructure to assist in the running of large-scale events.

FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Wyndham Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

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Saturday 4 June 11am – 1pm FOOD TREATS

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Where: Powell Reserve, next to Hoppers Junction Shopping Centre. Parking available nearby.

This is a COVIDSafe event. If you are attending please follow the latest public health advice. If you’re feeling unwell and experiencing COVID-19 symptoms on the day of the event, please stay home.

contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au 1800 105 105 levelcrossings.vic.gov.au

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Translation service For languages other than English, call 9209 0147.

Please contact us if you would like this information in an accessible format.

Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

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To celebrate the end of major works, Hoppers Crossing locals are invited to attend a free community fun day at the Hoppers Crossing Station precinct.

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Enjoy free food from local Hoppers Crossing traders, giveaways and family friendly fun and activities.

Thanks for your patience while we worked to remove the dangerous Old Geelong Road level crossing and built a pedestrian and cyclist overpass.

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Thomas Carr Drive hoon concerns A Wyndham councillor has raised concerns about high risk traffic behaviour occurring in Thomas Carr Drive in Tarneit. Cr Josh Gilligan raised a notice of motion during a council meeting on Tuesday, May 24, that would see council undertake a review of potential traffic interventions to prevent hoon behaviour. In a written rationale, Cr Gilligan said a number of resident had written to the council and asked them to consider installing speed

humps. Cr Gilligan said he supported the call and looked forward to a future report being presented to council for consideration. The motion was seconded by Cr Jennie Barrera who said the hooning was “potentially a serious issue”. “It’s in a school zone, I definitely think it warrants a report and I’ll be interested to see what the report says,” Cr Barrera said. Cr Susan McIntyre also spoke, and raised

the importance of reporting hoon driving in the municipality to relevant authorities and not just to council. “These reports do make up some of the tasking which highway patrol carries out, and so it is critical that people who are concerned about this sort of antisocial driving and poor behaviour, which is really quite serious obviously in our community, that they don’t just report the matter to the council,” she said. “They need to be reporting it to the

appropriate authorities as well to make sure that this behaviour can be checked... sometimes people feel that if you’ve reported once, that’s sufficient, but really they need to be reporting it each time. “Speed humps are usually to tackle where people are traveling at above a normal speed limit generally, and not so much to target hooning or burnouts.” All councillors present at the meeting voted in favour of the motion and it was carried.

Cooking offers the perfect recipe for connection Food is a universal language understood by people from all walks of life, regardless of their native tongue. For some refugee and migrant mums living in Wyndham, their shared love of cooking has helped them find friends and familiarise themselves with the new country they call home. Shameema, from Truganina, recently moved to Australia from India. “I’m very new to this place, because of COVID, I never had the chance to mingle with the community,” she said. Every Monday, Shameema and four other women travel to Government House in Melbourne. The women participate in gardening, flower arranging and picking vegetables that are then used to prepare lunch in the cottage kitchen. “They arranged some garden work, we planted new plants, we get fruits and vegetables from the garden, we are going to cook from other culture’s food,” she said. “We cook a large amount and we will share

... It’s really nice.” Shameema said she is able to interact with, and learn from, women from disparate backgrounds. “Because of the program, I am able to go and meet many different cultures, Pakistan, Ethiopia and other parts of India. “Melbourne is a multicultural place, it will develop our social [skills] … and help the migrants, definitely.” The program runs as a partnership between Government House and Community Hubs Australia. Three community hubs in Wyndham currently participate in the project, including Truganina South Primary School, Doherty’s Creek P-9 College and Davis Creek Primary School.

The Peace and Prosperity program aims to give migrants a sense of belonging. (Supplied) 282769

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TODAY

Isla, 3, attended the session with her mother. 12483047-CG08-21

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Children’s librarian Monica Kennedy read from ‘Family Tree’ by Josh Pyke.

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Evan, 3 and mum Vicky read together at Point Cook library. 282961

Storytime branches out As Point Cook children’s librarian Monica Kennedy read from the pages of picture story book ’Family Tree’ by Josh Pyke to children attending the story time session, thousands of kids across the nation settled in to listen to their librarian read too. National Simultaneous Storytime is an event held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association where kids in libraries, schools and childcares read from a preselected book.

Ms Kennedy believes the story session encourages a love for books and reading, while also celebrating Australian authors. “It’s been shown that by sharing books daily with children that they have at least a six month headstart when they begin their schooling journey,” she said. “We’d like them to come into the library to see that reading can be an enjoyable experience and for parents to get ideas of engaging their children with books.”

Ms Kenney said the children “absolutely love” story time and she enjoys developing a relationship with the families that attend. “A lot of these kids we’ve seen from babies as well, one girls came to ’baby time’ with her baby sister and I was like ’oh wow, you used to come to baby time’,” she said. “It’s a lovely way to build connections within the community.”

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Palliative care patients kept warm this winter Palliative care patients in Wyndham will soon benefit from a warming blanket cabinet gifted to the Werribee Hospital Foundation by the Point Cook Country Women’s Association (CWA). The funds were donated in memory of CWA member Robin Argent’s husband, Jack, who died from cancer in March. “He really helped us, even though he wasn’t a member,” CWA Point Cook treasurer Sian Day said. “We just decided that was something that we could fund, because it was in our reach.” Ms Day said the donated cupboard would help keep blankets used in the palliative ward warm, for the comfort of people of all ages. “Not everybody that’s in palliative care is an older person, it could be a younger person,” she said. “When you go to surgery, they give you a warm blanket when you come out. “Instead of the palliative care nurse having to run to the surgical ward to get a warm blanket, by the time they get back it will be cold, they’ve now got their own blanket [cupboard].” The CWA presented their cheque on Monday, May 23 at the Werribee Hospital Foundation office. “They provided a morning tea … it was wonderful,” Ms Day said. Ms Day said the CWA was committed to raising a hand when there are needs in the community. “We are actually at the moment raising funds for the Lismore floods … they’ve lost

Board member Dr Amireh Fakhouri, Werribee Hospital Foundaton chief executive Leanne Down, CWA member Robin Argent and boardmember Renay Ahmed at the morning tea. (Supplied)

everything,” she said. “Little things sometimes mean more to individuals, which we can help in.” Werribee Hospital Foundation chief executive Leanne Down said she was “extremely grateful” for the donation.

Print and Online Sales Executive Star Weekly Star Weekly seeks an enthusiastic sales executive to work across our print, digital, social and online platforms. Star Weekly is an independently owned company which prides itself on its long history of community experience but also its investment in the future. The successful applicant will need to possess good people skills to enable them to meet with local businesses to sell solutions through our advertising platforms to help promote their business. Sales skills/experience: • Ability to maintain existing professional relationships and to create new ones • Ability to meet defined sales and activity targets • Excellent listening skills • Accuracy and attention to detail • Effective time management to meet deadlines • Ability to operate in a team • Demonstrates initiative and flexibility • Effective oral and written communication

“The blanket warmer will go someway in helping give comfort to patients at end stage of life care. It is humbling to know that a simple gesture of a warm blanket gives someone comfort and that the foundation enabled that to happen,” she said.

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Exam cram sessions at local libraries Libraries across Wyndham have set up a range of resources and tools to help students improve study techniques and skills. Services range from online tutoring, to student support activities like Exam Cram evenings and study resources for local students. Excam Cram evenings are open after hours, from 6pm to 9pm, on Friday nights specifically for students. The program offers students dedicated quiet study spaces and access to free online assistance and exam resources as well snacks to help keep them energised. “Exam Cram Study Nights are a great opportunity for our local senior students to take advantage of the dedicated study spaces and resources our libraries have on offer,” deputy mayor Jasmine Hill said. “Students are encouraged to come and study in a quiet environment with like-minded students. “Exam Cram Study Nights’ are suited to students in VCE, TAFE and university. With the upcoming VCE and tertiary exams, it is the perfect opportunity for students to make the most of their study time.” Exam Cram study nights will run at selected libraries on June 3 and June 10. Bookings are not required. Details: www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/ libraries

Small acts make a big impact. Taking used batteries to a drop-off point so they can be recycled keeps harmful materials out of your bins and our environment. Find your small act today at sustainability.vic.gov.au/small-acts-big-impact

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Help to tackle drugs and alcohol By Max Hatzoglou New programs to help people struggling with alcohol or drug concerns are coming to Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs later this month. The programs will be funded by the North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN). The funding will go towards LGBTIQ+ specialists Thorne Harbour Health (THH), and the Youth Support and Advocacy Service (YSAS) in partnership with Drummond Street Services and Odyssey House Victoria. A project called Rainbow Recovery, run by Thorne Harbour Health, is introducing

several therapeutic supports for the LGBTIQ+ community. The Rainbow Recovery project will include two time-limited peer support programs for specific LGBTIQ+ cohorts with the first being Rewired, an eight-week group program for men who have sex with men and want to change their relationship with methamphetamine. The second is Drink Limits, a six-week group program for lesbian, bisexual, and queer women (both cis and trans) who use alcohol. Thorne Harbour Health director of services Carolyn Gillespie said demand for alcohol grew during the COVID pandemic and some were finding it hard to find treatment.

“As demand for [alcohol and drug] services across Victoria have ballooned during the COVID-19 pandemic, people experiencing multiple structural barriers have struggled to access treatment. Our program moves to address some of these issues,“ she said. The YSAS alliance is also offering programs aimed at young people between 12 and 25 who intersect with multiple communities and are experiencing alcohol and drug challenges. Youth Support and Advocacy Service manager Brydie Hill said the program would program a wide range of resources to support young people. “Our approach sees young people

Al-lure-ing servals relish the chase

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Some of the world’s fastest felines are rapidly tearing through the sandy trails at Werribee Open Range Zoo, thanks to the arrival of an interesting enrichment device. The device, called a ‘feather lure’, is specially designed to challenge the Zoo’s two Servals, Nanki and Morili, by encouraging them to use their natural wild hunting behaviours. Servals can impressively sprint up to 80 kilometres an hour while chasing prey in their natural environment in Africa. So, to emulate that wild hunting experience, keepers are utilising the feather lure which rapidly retracts a rope with feathers tied to its end, throughout the Zoo’s serval habitat. Werribee Open Range Zoo African river trail keeper, Suzanne Szabo, said keepers strategically modify the feather lure’s course and direction around various

10 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 1 June, 2022

trees and rocks. “Servals are a remarkable hunting cat and they’ve got a lot of different abilities,” Ms Szabo said. “They are very agile, and can run, jump, and change direction mid-stretch. They’re also very quick and fast at taking corners, too. “We use the feather lure sporadically and are always modifying the route of the feather lure each time to ensure we keep the Servals constantly curious and engaged.” As a reinforcing reward, keepers provide the Servals with tasty treats when they successfully chase down the feather lure. The feather lure is currently running behind the scenes, with keepers investigating opportunities to share the experience with Zoo members and visitors in future. Servals are native to forest, savannah, grassland, and wetland regions of Africa.

They are medium-sized, slender cats that are identified by their uniquely large ears, black-spotted coats and long legs and necks that allow them to see over tall savannah grass. In addition to being one of the fastest animals in the world, their strong powerful legs allow them to jump an astonishing three-and-a-half metres into the air to catch prey.

Serval lure exercise and enrichment. (Werribee Open Range Zoo) 283133_01

supported through access to a wide range of case-appropriate services, including rehab, housing services, child protection, and community legal assistance,” she said. NWMPHN service development and reform executive director Jagjit Dhaliwal said the need to commission new services in the region was recognised after extensive consultation with community, people in the region using drug and alcohol services and clinical experts. “Our research shows that some of those communities face multiple barriers in finding help because of factors as diverse as gender, language and socio-economic status,” Mr Dhaliwal said.

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Help for high ability learners

Werribee Secondary College students Eyosias and Arun are passionate about human rights.

(Damjan Janevski) 282632

Protecting human rights When Werribee Secondary College students Arun Gogineni and Eyosias (Josh) Melaku found out they were the joint winners of the Australian Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms School Writing Competition, the year 12 students were excited, but very surprised. Not only did both teens think someone else had won the competition, neither knew the other had even entered. “The organisers announced that they will tell us the winner in March,” Arun said. “When I checked the website, there was another person, I think last year’s winner, so I thought okay, I didn’t win, that’s OK, maybe next time.

“Then one day I’m on the bus on the way home, and Josh texted me out of nowhere like, check your email, check your email.” Josh said he “randomly” received an email in May, not only informing him that his piece had won, but that Arun had too. “I didn’t know that Arun did it, and Arun didn’t know that I did it either,” he said. “All of the emotions that I had, as I was writing the charter in the first place, all the excitement … it came back, I was really proud. “The excitement of knowing it was Arun of all people … I was just so excited.” Both boys say they come from families that are passionate about human rights.

“I’m new to Australia, so I wasn’t feeling so confident to participate in something this big,” Arun said. “It was really my dad who kind of pushed me to it and I actually procrastinated until the very last minute.” The competition is run by the Human Rights Law Centre and encourages any high school student in Australia to write the best introduction for an Australian Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. “I just think it would be great if more people got involved in working on their democracy, looking for anything that’s wrong, and realising they have a part in making it right,” Josh said.

More high-ability students at every government school in Victoria, including in Wyndham, will have support to excel at school and reach their full potential, with more funding allocated for the state government’s Student Excellence Program. The Victorian Budget 2022-23 will invest an extra $37 million to make sure high-achieving students at every school have access to programs that challenge them to extend themselves. The package includes $11.2 million to expand the Victorian High-Ability Program, supporting up to 57,000 government school students in years 5 to 8 to participate in intensive online enrichment programs in English and mathematics. “The Student Excellence Program is about making sure students’ passions and talents are supported to extend themselves to reach their full potential,” Tarneit MP Sarah Connolly said. A further $6.4 million will continue the successful Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series – delivering excursions for 100,000 students from prep to year 12 who are performing a year or more ahead of the expected curriculum through universities, tech schools and other expert education organisations. These activities include something for every student’s interests and talents – with programs in subjects such as robotics, biomimicry, food sustainability, screenwriting, nutrition, app creation, philosophy and neuroscience.

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Wednesday, 1 June, 2022 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 11

WYNDHAM BUSINESS AWARDS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Wyncity bowled over by success By Elle Cecil Having come under new ownership at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wyncity Bowl and Entertainment has since flourished in the face of adversity. New owners Jason Wallace and Sebastian Loader took over the business in June 2021 from the De Pellegrin family, who previously ran Wyncity Bowl and Entertainment for almost 30 years. Sebastian and Jason each have over 30 years of experience in the hospitality and entertainment industry. Now, the Wyncity team has entered the 2022 Wyndham Business Awards and are tossing up between the Tourism and Hospitality or Arts and Entertainment categories. Functions and events manager Jonathon De Pellegrin has worked at the venue for over 14 years, having started when his family owned the business. “During COVID, we couldn’t really do much as the entertainment sector is usually the first to be restricted and the last to come out of it,” Jonathon says. “We really did feel the pinch.” However, since the lifting of restrictions, Jonathon says the venue has experienced massive visitor growth as a result of the last two years of lockdown. With ten pin bowling, laser tag, dodgem cars and a variety of enticing arcade games, this family friendly entertainment venue has been flooded with visitors. “People have been wanting to celebrate their kids’ birthday parties, get together with friends and re-socialise – a lot of people have had time to ponder and have come to the conclusion that they have really missed that social connection,” Jonathon says. “It seems like we’ve had two years of business

Despite the harsh conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, Wyncity Bowl and Entertainment have come back in a big way to service the community. (Supplied)

in the last six months to make up for it!” After being recommended to enter the 2022 Business Awards by Wyndham council, Jonathon, Jason, Sebastian, the venue’s general manager, Phil Boniwell, and the marketing team came to the decision to enter the awards. “It took us a few days to put our entry together, but we really wanted to do it right,” Jonathon says.

“The first day was all about brainstorming. Day two was expanding on the ideas from that brainstorming and then the third day was really refining those concepts correctly into answers. “It was really good to take a little bit of a step back and holistically look at all the facets of the business – we’re definitely excited to see how we go at the awards but our focus

Ten pin bowling, arcade games, laser tag and dodgem cars are at your fingertips with Wyncity. (Supplied)

is and always has been on our customers’ experience.” Wyndham Business Awards entries close on Friday, June 3 for the category awards and Friday, June 17 for the People’s Choice Awards. To enter or nominate a business for an award, visit: www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/ businessawards.

Hoppers Crossing Pacific Werribee Shopping Centre 250 Heaths Road, Cnr Derrimut Road Hoppers Crossing Wyndham Library Level 1, MM11 Heaths Road, Cnr Derrimut Road (Pacific Werribee Shopping Centre) Hoppers Crossing Werribee Plaza Tavern Heaths Road, Cnr Derrimut Road (Pacific Werribee Shopping Centre) Hoppers Crossing Coles Supermarket 250 Heaths Road, Cnr Derrimut Road (Pacific Werribee Shopping Centre) Hoppers Crossing APCO Service Station 178 Morris Road Hoppers Crossing Hoppers Crossing Shopping Centre 24-48 Old Geelong Road Hoppers Crossing Woodville Park Shopping Centre Shop 20/70 Warringa Drive Hoppers Crossing IGA Plus Liquor Shop 4, 2-6 Deloraine Drive Hoppers Crossing Aqua Pulse Café 82 Derrimut Road Hoppers Crossing Coles Express 260 Derrimut Road (Cnr Hogans Road) Hoppers Crossing Super Lotto Newsagency Shop 8/166 Hogans Road (Hogans Corner Shopping Centre) Hoppers Crossing Woolworths Supermarket ( Hogans Corner) Corner Hogans Road & Derrimut Road Hoppers Crossing Tigers Club House 70 Old Geelong Road Hoppers Crossing Costas Mitre 10 255-267 Old Geelong Road Hoppers Crossing Quick Lane Tyre & Auto 346 Old Geelong Road Manor Lakes Manor Lakes News & Lotto Shop 14, 455 Ballan Road (Manor Lakes Central Shopping Centre) Manor Lakes Manor Lakes Shopping Centre 455 Ballan Road (Manor Lakes Central Shopping Centre) Point Cook Feath erbrook Shopping Centre 238 Boardwalk Boulevard Point Cook Wyndham Library Service Unit 1-21 Cheetham Street Point Cook Point Cook Pharmacy Shop 1-11 Dunnings Road Point Cook Jamieson Way Community Centre 59 Jamieson Way Point Cook Direct Chemist Outlet Shop 13, 15 Kenswick Street Point Cook Stockland Point Cook Shopping Centre Murnong Street Point Cook Point Cook Retirement Village 320 Point Cook Road Point Cook The Brooks 215 Sneydes Road Point Cook YPA Real Estate Shop 10/46-56 Tom Roberts Parade Point Cook WynCity 36 Wallace Avenue Sanctuary Lakes Sanctuary Lakes Resort 72 Greg Norman Drive Sanctuary Lakes Waterstone Café 72 Greg Norman Drive Sanctuary Lakes Sanctuary Lakes Real Estate 300 Point Cook Road Sanctuary Lakes Sanctuary Lakes Shopping Centre 300 Point Cook Road Tarneit Club House (Lifestyle) 13 Sundial Boulevard Tarneit BP Service Station 410 Derrimut Road Tarneit Tarneit Central Shopping Centre 540 Derrimut Road Tarneit NewsXpress - Riverdale Village SC 200 Hummingbird Boulevard Tarneit Penrose Promenade Community Centre 83 Penrose Promenade Tarneit Brian Mark Real Estate Shop 18, 380 Sayers Road Tarneit Wyndham Village Shopping Centre 380 Sayers Road Tarneit Shell Service Station 380 Sayers Road (Wyndham Village Shopping Centre) Tarneit Barry Plant Real Estate Shop 9, 380 Sayers Road (Wyndham Village Shopping Centre) Tarneit Community Centre 150 Sunset Views Boulevard Tarneit Serranos Cafe 747 Tarneit Road ( Tarneit Gardens SC ) Tarneit Tarneit Skies Retirement Village 250 Thames Boulevard

Truganina Palm Lakes Resort 7 Taronga Road Truganina Arndell Park Community Centre 29-49 Federation Boulevard Werribee Eagles Stadium Café 35 Ballan Road Werribee Hodges Real Estate 1/1 Watton Street Werribee Ison Village 150-160 Ballan Road Werribee Casaccio Egg Farm 170-198 Bulban Road Werribee IGA Supermarket 92-94 Cottrell Street Werribee Italian Sports Club 601 Heaths Road Werribee The Womans Hub - GP Clinic & Women Services 236 Hoppers Lane Werribee St Vincent’s Private Hospital 240 Hoppers Lane Werribee Wyndham City Council 45 Princes Highway Werribee Werribee Mercy Hospital Coffee Shop 300 Princes Highway Werribee Federation Residential Village 2A Railway Avenue Werribee SIMS IGA Werribee Village Cnr Shaws & Tarneit Rd Werribee Tatts Lotto 16 Station Place Werribee Westwoods First National 1 Synnot Street Werribee Werribee RSL 2A Synnot Street (Kelly Park) Werribee Werribee Fersh Market Feb-57 Synnot Street Werribee Baptcare Wyndham Lodge Community 120 Synnot Street Werribee Cellarbrations 52-54 Vincent Crescent Werribee Professionals Triwest 6a Watton Street Werribee Bendigo Bank 42 Watton Street Werribee P. Di Natale Real Estate 44 Watton Street Werribee Coles 143 Watton Street Werribee Wyndham Cultural Centre 177 Watton Street Werribee Barry Plant Real Estate 21 Watton Street Werribee YPA Real Estate 1 Werribee Street Werribee Glendale Hostel 2 Glendale Court Werribee Wyndham Private Medical Centre 242 Hoppers Lane Werribee South Werribee South General Store 785 Duncans Road Werribee South Wyndham Cache (LT’s Egg Farm) w1 K Ave Werribee South Anglers Anchorage Take Away 67 O’Connors Road Williams Landing Williams Landing News, Lotto & Tobacco Shop T10, 100 Overton Road (Williams Landing Shopping Centre) Williams Landing Woolworths 100 Overton Road (Williams Landing Shopping Centre) Wyndham Vale BP Service Station 210 Ballan Road Wyndham Vale Woolworths 205 Greens Road (Wyndham Vale Square Shopping Centre) Wyndham Vale IGA Wyndham Vale 50 Honour Avenue Wyndham Vale Iramoo Community Centre 84 Honour Avenue Wyndham Vale Manor Lakes Community Learning Centre 86 Manor Lakes Boulevard Wyndham Vale 7 Eleven Wyndham Vale Corner McGrath Road & Ballan Road

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United in green and black Soccer fans from across the western suburbs and Geelong were dreaming of green and black last week in the lead up to the club’s inaugural grand final. United overcame Melbourne Victory in the A-League Men semi final on May 21 to book a spot in the May 28 grand final against Melbourne City. Star Weekly spoke to fans – many of whom have supported United since its inception three years ago – about their love for the team from the west. The Camilleri family Hillside’s Leanne Camilleri and her daughters Shanae and Sharna have been fans of the club since “the very beginning”. The girls play for Calder United football club. “When something came to the west, we had to start following them,” Ms Camilleri said. She said the last week of anticipation had been “crazy” in the lead up to the final. “They’ve done well every year … but to finally get to the final is great,“ she said. “It’s just really good when we all get together, all the fans get together, we’re all sitting near each other with adrenaline and excitement. It’s fun supporting the team.”

Lionel, Michael, Jenni, Stephanie and Jessica Woollam. (Supplied)

The Woollam Family Hilda Vergles with her sons Zane, 11 and Zander, 14.

(Supplied)

The Vergles family Bacchus Marsh’ Vergles family love to support Western United and were so excited to attend the big game. “We are excited for the big grand final, it’s going to be great,” Hilda Vergles said. She said it was great to have witnessed the club grow from the beginning. “It’s been phenomenal, we’re just so proud of all the people involved with the club,” she said. “It is just amazing and gives us

something in the west to be so proud of.” Ms Vergles said she loved supporting the club with her children as it reminded her of her own youth and how soccer brought families together. “It’s a beautiful thing, to share that with my family is even more important because when I was growing up, I had my clubs that I was a part of with my family and I still hold those memories very, very dear to me.”

Hillside’s Sharna and Shanae with their cousins Alara and Jayda. (Supplied)

Jenni Woollam says her family, from Hoppers Crossing, have been members “from day one”. “My husband Michael was a previous Melbourne Victory fan ... when he found out that we were going to have a club in the west, he immediately sort of jumped ship and said ’nah, we’re gonna support our local,” Ms Woollam said. “[He] sort of dragged us along in the beginning ... but immediately felt connected to the Western United Football Club, it was something that brought our whole family together.”

Rachael, Aiden, John and Phillip Coumans from St Albans Park in Geelong. Even the Coumans’ family dog, Frank (picture top), supports Western United. (Ivan Kemp) Western United fans Roman, 12, Ronald, 8, and Monia Antonypillai. (Max Hatzoglou)

The Spiess family with dog Archie and the Smith family.

The Antonypillai family

The Spiess & Smith Family

The Antonypillai family has been supporting Western United ever its incepetion Since the beginning United have been using City Vista Recreation Reserve, the home of Caroline Springs George Cross and also Roman and Ronald’s junior club as a training venue. This has given the young fans a close look at the exciting players United have have over the year’s including their favourite, goalkeeper Jamie Young. Asked about what he likes the most about Western United, Ronald said: “That they made the finals and that they’re my favourite team in the A-League.” Mother Monia gave credit to coach John Aloisi who is in his first year as coach of the club. She was proud of the team’s ability to perform without a star player. “Coaches are very good, especially the boys, they are doing very good now,” she said. “We don’t have Diamanti on board but the boys are still giving 100 per cent.” The boys said it was nice to have a team representing where they live doing well in the competition

Point Cook’s Miriam Spiess believes Western United are the A-League’s underdogs. “They wrote off our coach John Aloisi, wrote off our club for the the finals, not oneexpertpickedustobeatMelbourneVictory,” she said. “We love being underestimated.”

The Howie family The Howie family from Kurunjang loves to get behind the green and black and had all their best fan apparel ready to go for the big match. Craig Howie said he had fond memories of taking his daughter and niece to a match after they’d attended a school holiday program when one of the players had remembered them and thanked them for coming to watch. “Ever since then, they’ve been hooked,” Mr Howie said. “It’s a great family team.” Howie family kids Leivi, 13, Kinley, 15, Shaylee, 12, Cedar, 12 and Jaxon, 6 were pumped for the big game. (Supplied)

(Tracey Noonan)

Ms Spiess said she enjoys watching games with her friend, Bec Smith, and both families love the club, and the Unitedfamily. “People in the west should get behind the team so they can say ‘I was there for the first grand final win’,” she said.

The Coumans family John Coumans, 11, was supposed to be on school camp this week, but decided to stay home, fearing he would catch COVID and miss out on attending the game. “He was supposed to go on camp but there’s been a lot of COVID at school and he was worried about getting it and having to be in isolation and not being able to attend the grand final,” mum Rachael said. “He made the decision to lay low this week. He was disappointed but we’ve followed Western since the beginning.” Rachael’s three boys, John, Phillip and Aiden love the atmosphere that The Western Service Crew creates and know all the songs and chants and are more than happy to sit right in the middle of the active supporters group. “They are absolutely stoked,” she said. “We were shocked that we won on Saturday but the result was magnificent. We all agreed it was the best game we have been to.” The boys, from St Albans Park in Geelong, feel welcomed into the green and black family. “We went to Tassie for the two games they had down there,” Rachael said. “The players have just been so lovely. In fact the whole club has been amazing.” Wednesday, 1 June, 2022 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 13

BEHIND THE NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

‘‘

It’s nice to think other people are benefiting - Trudy Smith

’’

Give blood so others may live Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is putting a call out for new and former blood, plasma and platelets donors across the western and northern suburbs of Melbourne to step up as cancellations remain at 50 per cent and need for blood products is the highest it has ever been, as Matthew Sims discovers.

ifeblood donor services executive director Cath Stone said the past two years had been difficult for the organisation. “It’s definitely pretty challenging at the minute and probably has been since the start of the pandemic,” she said. “As lockdowns have eased off … donors have found other places to be, people have been sick with COVID, they’re now getting sick with the flu, flying and visiting relatives.” Ms Stone said there have been a number of shifts coming out of the pandemic in terms of the availability of donors to come in and donate. “What we’re seeing during the pandemic is certainly a change in the seasonal behaviour of our donors,“ she said. “There hasn’t been a lot of cold and flu the last couple of years because we’ve all been locked down. “We know we’ve got, I think, a particularly challenging winter ahead of us.” Ms Stone said while demand requirements were about 29,000 donations a week two years ago, the organisation now required about 33,000 donations a week. “That jump has been quite astronomical in the last couple of years,” she said. “What we are keeping an eye on is just that ongoing demand as people are still catching up on the surgeries that they deferred during the lockdowns. “Our need for whole blood is the highest level that we’ve seen it in over 10 years.” Ms Stone said the organisation aimed to have three days of supply of all blood types in its manufacturing centre in Melbourne’s west. “We hold it so that we can meet patient demand at the minute,” she said. Ms Stone said 11 million Australians were currently eligible to donate but just 500,000 donate blood, plasma or platelets. “We would like to grow that number this year by about 150,000 new donors to really help ease off some of the pressures, particularly on our whole blood donors,” she said. Trudy Smith began donating when she was 18.

14 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 1 June, 2022

Plasma donor Trudy Smith made her 220th donation at the Airport West Donor Centre on Monday, May 23. She was joined by Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs trainee Ulysses. (Pictures: Damjan Janevski) 282132

“I think they had the mobile blood banks at university,” she said. Ms Smith said she saw her donations as volunteer work. “I like to do it because it’s helping other people,” she said. Initially donating blood, Ms Smith has now been donating plasma for the past 15 years at a number of donation centres, including the Airport West centre. “I find it very easy to do,” she said. “It’s nice to think other people are benefiting.” Ms Smith said almost anyone can donate and it is quick and painless. “The staff are very helpful,” she said. Donors can make three different types of donations when they visit a donation centre.

Whole blood donations take about 15 minutes, but donors must wait three months between donations. In terms of plasma, donors can donate for about 45 minutes every two weeks because the red blood cells are transported back into the body and less recovery time is needed. Plasma products last for about 42 days, while platelets only last for seven days. Platelets are used for trauma events, clotting issues and cancer treatments and can only be given by men who have donated plasma before. Ms Stone said they were hoping for a number of donors to roll up their sleeves across the Werribee, Airport West and Bundoora centres during June, as well as at the Sunshine, Melton and Williamstown pop-up centres. “We need just over 3000 whole blood appointments on its own,” she said. “You can almost double that if we’re thinking about plasma as well. Ms Stone said donated blood could travel anywhere in the country. “You may come in and do a donation at Werribee, it could end up at Royal Melbourne,” she said. “Just as equally, it could be sent right up to far north Queensland depending on your blood type and what availability is needed.” Ms Stone said centres were still experiencing a 50 per cent cancellation rate of appointments. “What is very difficult to do is to replace appointments on the day,” she said. Ms Stone said everyone should consider donating blood if they are eligible to do so. “One in three of us will need it our lifetime,” she said. “You don’t want it to be today that you find out need it, but you didn’t know that it was part of the critical supply of the nation’s healthcare system.” Ms Stone said the Lifeblood team was looking forward to National Blood Donor Week [June 13-19] and World Blood Donor Day [June 14]. “What we do see is a rally cry around blood donation and education,” she said. “It’s always a good week for us in June and it really gives us a bit of a lift.”

Ms Stone said the Lifeblood team was grateful for donors in Melbourne’s west. “The key message from us is always a thank you for the support,” she said. “We need to make donation accessible. “Most of our metro centres are now open seven days a week, later in the evenings.” Ms Stone said anyone who may have been ineligible a few years ago should look again at the eligibility requirements. “If you thought you were ineligible, always check. “We are constantly reviewing and updating our eligibility rules.” “If you’re between 18 and 76, feel fit and healthy, check online or give us a call and we’d love to see you in centre if you are eligible.” Lifeblood spokesperson Genevieve Dobson said increased accessibility to a donation time slot for people in Melbourne’s west has arrived, with the Werribee donation centre now open every day of the week. “Werribee has been operating six days a week but the feedback we’ve had from donors is they would like more opportunities and flexibility,” she said. “We anticipate the extended opening hours will enable Lifeblood to collect an additional 50 to 60 donations every week, which is great news for patients.” Ms Dobson said there were about 500 appointments to fill in the first week of June. “The centre has recently undergone a facelift, with additional couches and an open and inviting space to help enhance the donation experience,” she said. The Williamstown pop-up donation centre at the Williamstown Town Hall will be open every day from Monday, June 20 until Friday, July 1. The Melton pop-up donation centre at the Melton Community Centre will be open every day from Monday, June 6 until Friday, June 17. The Sunshine pop-up donation centre at the Croatian Catholic Centre will be open from Monday, July 4 to Friday, July 8. Details: lifeblood.com.au or 13 14 95

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Culture on display at Point Cook The Wyndham Multicultural Festival on Sunday, May 29, drew hundreds of people from different ethnic backgrounds to Point Cook. It was the first time the festival had been held at Point Cook and the Point Cook Cultural Community president Robert Fairclough said he was thankful the community turned out to celebrate Wyndham’s rich diversity. “We’re delighted that so many people from different cultures participated in many different ways, including the wide range of performances,” he said. Festival highlights included a delicious array of food, a petting zoo, rides, fashion show and musical entertainment.

Mikaela, 5, enjoying the teacup ride at the festival.

Alivia and Kezia participated in a multicultural fashion show.

Harshitha, 9 with dogs Emmy and Lilly from the petting zoo.

Jorge, Omar and Jorge from Colombiantojos.

(Pictures: Fatima Halloum)

Nur Hasanah with her niece, Nadine.

Kathy, 6, Celine, 5 and Chloe, 3, picked up a few toys at the festival.

Planting trees to mark Reconciliation Week Despite the chill in the air, crowds gathered along the Werribee River on Bunurong Country on Saturday, May 28 to plant 2000 trees for Reconciliation Week. National Reconciliation Week is a time for Australians to learn about Indigenous history and culture and to explore ways to achieve reconciliation. The day started with a smoking ceremony conducted by Traditional Owners and the mammoth tree planing effort was celebrated with a barbecue lunch.

Nick and daughter helping out.

Williamstown Scout group’s Marie and Shanaya Guha. 282663

Wyndham council conservation unit’s Jayke Simpson displaying a snakeskin. 282663

282663

Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister Lilly D’Ambrosio and Werribee MP Tim Pallas get stuck in to the planting. 282663

Caden, mum Jackie and Kai helping out.

282663 (Pictures: Joe Mastroianni) Wednesday, 1 June, 2022 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 15

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

Community ambassadors needed The Werribee River Association is on the look out for four community ambassadors to help run a series of block parties in their local communities. The block parties aim to bring neighbours together with music and food to strengthen ties and build community resilience. They will also be an opportunity to find out about local services that promote a culture of swapping, borrowing, reusing and repairing. ■ Jess, 0450 348 969

Get Active with Netball Would you like to play netball? Do you want to give it a try? Wyndham Netball Association offers competitions for all ages and abilities. Senior competitions are held on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. Juniors for boys and girls up to 18-years-old on Saturdays. New season starting soon. Get active and meet new friends. ■ enquiries@wyndhamnetball.com.au

Bingo move binGO MOVE is an active and social game of bingo. A number is called but triggers a standing or seated exercise, song or movement. Monday or Thursday at IPC Health Hoppers Crossing, 117 Warringa Crescent. ■ 8734 1400

Werr-I-Bee Long photo comp Submit your photos, and digital art, to the Werribee River Association annual photo competition. three prizes awarded, $650 in-total. Open to amateur skill levels and to people who live, work or study in Wyndham. Competition closes June 15. ■ comps@werribeeriver.org.au

Bingo for all The Werribee RSL hosts Bingo every Monday, except public holidays. Eyes down from 12.30-2.30pm. ■ 9741 5525

Western Budgerigar Club The Western Suburbs Budgerigar Club meets at 7.30pm on the third Thursday of each month at Masonic Hall, 223 Watton Street, Werribee. Meet other members who are also passionate about breeding Budgerigars. ■ Don, 0414 975 862

Srimathumitha recently released a yoga album. (Damjan Janevski) 282190_01

New members are warmly welcome. This activity is free and includes morning tea. ■ 9397 6168

Musicians wanted Sunshine Community Brass is looking for new members to join its vibrant band of musicians. With over 90 years of history, the band is looking to grow for the future. Sunshine Community Brass is currently looking for trumpet and percussion players. It rehearses Tuesdays from 7.30pm, 45 Furlong Road, North Sunshine. ■ Andrew Wilson, 0419 444 620

All Aboard Club Wyndham Ladies Probus Are you recently retired or semi-retired? Looking for fun, fellowship and to increase your social networks. The Ladies Probus Club of Wyndham meets on the first Wednesday of each month at Hotel520, Sayers Road, Tarneit, and normally has an outing or event on the third Wednesday of each month. ■ Rosa Sanderson, 0410 303 046

AL-ANON meets AL-ANON provides support for families and loved ones living with alcoholics and problem drinkers. The group meets Mondays at St Thomas Anglican Church foyer, 117 Synnot Street, Werribee.

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

Wednesday Walking Group The Williamstown Community Centre offers a regular Wednesday walking group that walks the local area, 10.15-11am. 16 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 1 June, 2022

The All Aboard Club has been going for 85 years. It is a social club which works for charities, with speakers, theatre and trips. It meets in the chambers at Williamstown Town Hall at 1.30pm on the first and third Tuesday of the month. New members welcome. ■ Wendy, 0421 747 040

AeroSpeakers Toastmasters Club Would you like to develop confidence in communicating, competence with language and clarity in writing? AeroSpeakers Toastmasters Club would like to invite any and all residents to join them on the first and third Thursday of every month to help develop public speaking, communication and leadership skills. The group meets at the Laverton Community Hub, 95-105 Railway Avenue, Laverton from 7-9.30pm. ■ Vince Camilleri, 0413 734 707

Community Lunch and morning tea The Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Williamstown will be holding a free community morning tea and lunch every Friday at the Parish Centre on Nelson Place. The morning tea starts from 10am. Tea and coffee will be served, alongside a

variety of fun activities like knitting, board games and puzzles. The lunch will run from noon-1pm, with takeaway options available. Check-in and vaccination status are required.

community band. Rehearsals are held Mondays from 7.30pm at the Newport Lakes Primary School, Elizabeth Street, Newport. ■ Roger Lewis, hbcityband@gmail.com, or www.hbcb.org.au

Altona book sale Friends of Altona Library hold a monthly book sale on the first Tuesday, Friday and Saturday of each month at the rear of Altona Library 123 Queen Street Altona, access via Coles carpark, 10am-1pm ■ https://libraries.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/ community/friends-of-the-libraries

Altona North combined probus

Computers for beginners

Point Gellibrand Rotary Club

Williamstown Community and Education 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

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. The club has some great speakers and need new, energetic, enthusiastic members who want to make a difference in their community. Visit our website to find out more about our projects and community work via www.rotarypointgellibrand.com. au. ■ Pam, 0418 347 691 or rotarypointgellibrand@gmail.com

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. There will also be live music. From 10am-4pm. ■ https://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/ Community/Whats-On/Williamstown-CraftMarket

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

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

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

Musicians welcome Do you play trumpet, flute or lower brass instruments? The Hobsons Bay City Band is seeking musicians to join its

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 today and see what it’s all about. ■ Janet 9394 6522 or 0412 010 176.

PUZZLES

9 9

9 4 6 1 8

3 8

7 5 4

4 3 1

2 hard

5 8 9 9 7

1 8 5

2 8

10 11 12 13

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

2 21

Today’s Aim: 22 words: Good 33 words: Very good

1 7 3 5 2 4 6 9 8

8 4 9 6 1 3 7 2 5

4 2 6 3 5 7 1 8 9

7 4 8 5 9 2 1 3 6

No. 083 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

M E N D

A S I S R E N A O W A N

4 LETTERS CRAG DISC ERGO IOTA LESS PAWS POET POPS SAWS SEEM SICS SNAP TRIO TRIP 5 LETTERS ADMIT AGILE

OTHER PARKA PASTE PENCE POSED RABBI RADAR RARES RESTS RHINO RUSES SHEEN SIGNS SKATE SNEER SPASM STEAL STEEL STING STRAW TIMES TOMBS TRAIT

TRIAL WINCE

SPANNER TURBINE

6 LETTERS BLASTS MESSES RAFFLE SPADED

8 LETTERS ATTEMPTS UPRIGHTS VAGRANTS VARIANCE

7 LETTERS AMATEUR LATRINE PERKIER SHINIER

03-06-22

O A R

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

A R E

7 8 5 9 4 1 2 6 3

2 1 7 4 9 5 8 3 6

3 9 8 1 7 6 4 5 2

3 5 6 7 4 1 2 8 9

6 3 2 8 1 5 9 7 4

1 8 7 9 3 4 5 6 2

dense, denser, dent, deny, dyne, DYSENTERY, ends, enter, enters, entry, erne, need, needs, needy, nest, nested, nester, nets, rend, rends, rent, rented, rents, resent, seen, send, sender, sent, sentry, sneer, stern, styrene, teensy, teeny, tend, tender, tenders, tends, tense, tensed, tenser, tern, trend, trends, trendy

9 3 1 8 6 2 5 4 7

ALIBI ALLOT ANGER APPLE ARIAS AROSE ASIAN AUNTS AWARE BANDS BRAKE CABIN CIRCA DIETS ELOPE FATAL FEELS FETED GEESE INANE KOALA MANES OKING

QUICK QUIZ

Who was the first Aboriginal member of parliament in Australian history?

Nguyen Tat Thành was a Vietnamese revolutionary better known by what name?

In which house did he serve: Senate or Lower House?

Which state did he represent?

Which area of land was the subject of dispute in the High Court case Mabo v Queensland (No 2) in 1992?

The Mau Mau Uprising was an anti-colonial war against British rule in which African country?

Who starred as the titular Irish revolutionary leader in the 1996 film Michael Collin?

Who was the first prime minister of India upon independence?

The daughter of India’s first PM also served as prime minister. Who was it?

5 7 4 1 3 8 6 9 2

5 6 2 7 8 9 3 1 4

. 2 $ / $

1 8 6 2 9 4 5 7 3

9 2 3 5 7 6 1 8 4

4 9 7 8 5 2 3 1 6

2 3 1 6 4 7 9 5 8

8 6 5 3 1 9 2 4 7

6 4 9 7 2 1 8 3 5

3 1 2 4 8 5 7 6 9

7 5 8 9 6 3 4 2 1

4 9 5 2 7 6 8 1 3

5 2 1 4 6 7 3 9 8

8 6 3 1 2 9 4 5 7

9 7 4 3 5 8 6 2 1

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

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”.

45 words: Excellent

hard

medium

easy

9-LETTER WORD

3 7 6 5 9

8 6

6 8

Q L

R J P GN C B A S MOH T

5x5

E X F V K I Z Y DWUQ L

3 LETTERS ADO AGE APE ARC ASS ATE EBB ELK FBI HAS HEN HUE KEN MAD NIT OFF OLD OWE PAS SOP TEN TOT WAG WIT

No. 083

10 Bobotie (pictured) is a national dish of which country? ANSWERS: 1. Neville Bonner 2. Senate 3. Queensland 4. Kenya 5. Jawaharlal Nehru 6. Indira Gandhi 7. Ho Chi Minh 8. Murray Islands 9. Liam Neeson 10. South Africa

6 1

7 4 1

WORDFIT

7 , 0 ( 6

No. 083

( / 2 3 (

3 1

DECODER

) $ 7 $ /

6 7 , 1 *

8 4

Preservative (4) Incapable of being seen (9)

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17 19 22 23 25 26

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( ' % , % 6 & 6 + $ ( ' ( 0 1 , 7 2 ) % ) / $ 7 6 2 7 7 6

easy

Middle East republic (5) Inhabitant (8) Tableland (7) Condescend (5) Controlled (9) Woody plant (4) Unemployed person (9) British civil service (colloq) (9) Fierce storms (8) Edible ocean life (7) Marshy outlet (US) (5) Net (4) Subject (5) Unsightly (4)

3 4 6 7 8 9 14 16

ACROSS 1 5 10 11 12 13 14 15 18 20 21 24 27 28 29 30

No. 083

) ( ( / 6

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

QUICK CROSSWORD

$ * , / (

No. 083

5 $ ' $ 5

SUDOKU

Wednesday, 1 June, 2022 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 17

SECTION STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

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David Sheridon 0412 311 148 THE PLUMBING COMPANY

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WOODEND 11 Royston Rd, Saturday 4th June, 9am-4pm. Sunday 5th June, 9am-4pm. Great range including clothing, shoes and boots, tools, electronics, crockery, bric-a-brac, shelving, records, toys, jewellery and much more.

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

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V Religious Notices DEAR HOUSE OF JESUS In the past I have asked for many favours, this time I ask you this very special one, take it, the dear heart of Jesus and place it with your own broken heart with your father's, then in his merciful eyes, it will become your favour not mine. Amen. Say for 3 days, promise publication and your favour will be granted.

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

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Wednesday, 1 June, 2022 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 19

SPORT STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Western United dream a step closer for sisters Calder United stars Melissa and Adriana Taranto were among those celebrating the official announcement that Western United would have an A-League side next season. Having previously been at Melbourne Victory, the two along with others are hopeful of getting a spot in the inaugural Western United squad. “It’s an amazing opportunity,” Adriana said. “We’ve been hearing about it for the past year and half. “Now the time has come after a long time for us. Through COVID, we thought is it really going to happen? “After the official announcement, it was a pinch me moment.” Melissa added that they had been regularly speaking with the team at Western United about when it was all going to happen. The two are already part of the Western United family, as part of the development team

that was set up in preparation for the A-League team. Both girls said the development squad had been massive in helping them take their game to the next level. “They started a partnership with Calder,” Melissa said. “The development girls are from all over the NPL and have come together in a more professional environment. “You get to feel what it’s like to be part of an A-League club. We have some really good coaches and they fit us out in uniforms as well.” Adriana added, “at every training session we have to work hard,” she said. “It’s a bit of an advantage that we know Mark [Torcaso, Calder coach and the development coach] and he gets to see us three to four times a week. “We get to train all year round in preparation. We’re working really hard.” Both girls said they and women’s soccer in

general had really developed in the time since they have been with Melbourne Victory. They said they had always been hopeful of getting a second chance at the highest level in the country. Team selection and announcement for the Western United squad is still to come, with the Taranto’s saying its now a waiting game to find out whether they will be part of the squad. Between now and then, the two girls are planning to continue to work hard on their games with Calder United. Calder currently sits second after nine rounds. “We’ll focus on what we can do,” they said “Our main goal is Calder and we want to help the club win championships and the league. “That’s our main focus and then we’ll push for A-League. We need to be in strong form for Calder first.“ Tara Murray

Charlotte Baskaran starred this year. (Supplied)

Footy dream is on track By Tara Murray Western Jets star Charlotte Baskaran knows that she did everything she could this year to get picked in the AFLW draft. Having been one of the standouts heading into this year, the Caroline Springs resident enhanced her draft prospects. She led the Jets to their first NAB League premiership, while finishing second in the league best and fairest award and named captain of the team of the year. Baskaran was also part of the Vic Metro squad and the AFLW national academy. Speaking at last week’s AFLW draft combine, she said she was excited about what was to come in the coming months. “It will be a dream come true,” she said of getting drafted. “I’ve thought about this moment for years since I first started footy. It’s going to be the best thing ever. “It’s a nervous wait, but it’s super exciting. I can’t wait. I’ll be doing as much as I can before the draft to get ready.” 20 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 1 June, 2022

Having been a keen netballer and state athletics champion, Baskaran turned to football when she was 16 and never looked back. She said she loved everything about the sport. “I loved netball and athletics too,” she said. “When I started footy, I loved the team environment and the team aspect of it. I loved training and meeting a lot of new people. I decided to stick at footy and now I’m here.” The Maribyrnong College student soon joined the Jets and was one of the stand out players in the competition. She said it was bittersweet that her time at the Jets was coming to an end. “I don’t think I could have done anything more this year,” she said. “I was really happy and to top it off with a premiership win at the Jets. “I was at the Jets for quite a while. The west has always had a stigma that we weren’t necessarily the best and to cap it off winning the premiership was amazing.” Since the end of the NAB League season, Baskaran has been flat out with her football

commitments. She was part of the national championships, before playing for the academy in an young guns game a couple of weeks ago. An ankle injury in that game meant she couldn’t do the two-kilometre time trial at the combine. “I was looking forward to running the two k, surprisingly,” she said. “Now it’s about getting my ankle back to 100 per cent and doing rehab and a bit of upper body training. “I’m still doing as much as I can and not lose any fitness. I want to keep that positive mindset.” Baskaran said she had been speaking to AFLW clubs in recent weeks and was enjoying the process. The year 12 student said she was keen to get started in the next stage of her football career. “It’s pretty cool,” she said. It’ll be about finding that balance is going to be very important but I think I can do that. I’m just looking forward to getting into a club.”

Adriana Taranto scores for Calder United earlier this year. (Joe Mastroianni) 274012_07

West Point aiming to bounce back West Point is finally seeing some of the form it showed in the FV state league 5 west pre-season. Coming off a strong pre-season, which included making it to the fourth round of the Australia Cup, the side had high hopes for the state league season. But injuries slowed the side early in the season, leaving them sitting fifth as the halfway point of the season approaches. Speaking before Saturday’s match, coach Tim Hallows said it hadn’t been the start to the season they had been hoping for. “We played with some injuries for the first half of the season,” he said. “One week we had 12 players out, most weeks we’ve had half a dozen out. We’re finally getting some bodies back and now we’re hoping we can push some of the sides above us in the second half of the season.” Hallows said among their first half of the season there had been some bad results, but they were starting to put together performances at the level they expect to be, He said despite not sitting where they would have liked pre-season, they were still in a better spot than they were this time last year both on field and off field. West Point faced Lara on Saturday, the last of the first round of match ups for the season. Lara lead 1-0 at half time, before winning 2-0. Hallows said the focus was on winning all their remaining matches and seeing what happens. “We’ll take each week as it comes and push those who are above us,” he said. “We will try and grab three points each week and see where we finish and see where it takes us next year. “Promotion we’re realistic about. We need others to lose points [games] and it’s very tough.” In other matches, Wyndham beat Surfside Waves, 3-2. In state league 4 west, Truganina Hornets lost to Keilor Wolves 6-1, while in state league 3 north-west Point Cook lost 1-0 to Diamond Valley. In state league 2 north-west, Hoppers Crossing drew 3-3 with Albion Rovers. Tara Murray

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Grange stuns rivals and qualifies for NRL Cup The Grange P-12 College stunned everyone to finish the number one ranked team in Victoria to qualify for the NRL Schoolboys Cup. Having added more focus to their rugby league program the last couple of years, The Grange beat Mount Ridley and Hallam College in the Melbourne Storm Cup, which was a qualifier for the national stage of the competition. Both The Grange and Hallam will compete in the cup, the top school boys competition in the country throughout the next few months. In the final qualifying game, The Grange ran over the top of Mount Ridley, winning 36-14. The Grange’s coach Shannon Love said it was a pretty exciting time for the school. “We had three rounds in the Melbourne Storm Cup,” he said. “We were pretty lucky to host the third

game at the new facilities which are now open. The whole school was there and came out of the classes to watch, so everyone was so happy. “It’s the first time we’ve qualified as the number one ranking, there was a huge sense of pride.” This year was the first time the school has been able to try and qualify for the top school boys national competition. Last year they were part of the second-tier The Schoolboy Trophy, with Love saying they had the talent at the school, but it was about putting it altogether. He said they had all been keen to test themselves against the best players in the state and country, “There has been a big push,” he said. “COVID has set us back a bit. “The talent and the ability is there. I thought we would have the talent to match it with

them, but we went in as underdogs. “There’s some very good players across Victoria. To achieve that result is quite a surprise.” Suliasi Prescott, who was last month’s Don Deeble Sports Award nominee, was the standout for The Grange, while Ethan Barlow-Sua is another who impressed. The national stage starts next week, with The Grange facing Hallam for the second time in recent weeks. They then travel to Canberra next term for a game, before hosting a match in the third round. Results then decide the match ups after that. “We’re going to enjoy the journey and the experience,” Love said. “We don’t have any expectations heading into it.” Suliasi Prescott was a standout for The Grange.

Tara Murray

(supplied)

Sports shorts Big V Wyndham suffered a second straight loss in the Big V men’s state championship division. It was a topsy turvy game against the Hume City Broncos with both teams going on big runs. In the end, a 31-22 final quarter sealed a 105-100 win for the Broncos. Maurice Howard and Manel Ayol scored 25 points apiece. Wyndham’s women’s side beat McKinnon by one point, 86-85.

VAFA Westbourne Grammarians were blown out in the second half against North Brunswick in their Victorian Amateur Football Association division 3 match up. The win less Grammarians trailed by just 10 points at half time, but could manage just two goals after half time in the 15.14 (104)-5.2 (32). Michael Szulc kicked two goals for the Grammarians, while Jackson Brook was named their best. The Grammarians remain on the bottom of the ladder.

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Hoppers Crossing’s Nicholas Poland tackled by Spotswood’s Steven O’Bryan.

(Joe Mastroianni). 283078_10

Warriors’ big comeback By Tara Murray Hoppers Crossing came away with the points against Spotswood on Saturday in the Western Region Football League division 1, but it could have easily gone the other way. The Warriors trailed by 31 points at the main break, as they were made to pay for their poor ball use. While it could have been easy to put the cue in the rack, the group fought back in the second half. The margin was reduced to 15 points at the main break, before four goals to one in the last quarter, sealed an 8.14 (62)-9.5 (59) win. Warriors coach Steve Kretiuk said they would take the points. “It wasn’t pretty but it was good to get the four points, as it’s pretty close this year,” he said. “The first half didn’t look good as we didn’t possess the footy as well as we would have liked and opened up the game for them. “They were able to capitalise on our turnovers. We rectified that in the second half

and controlled the game a bit better.” Kretiuk said they made a few positional changes at half time to try and be a bit more dynamic going forward. He said they were thrilled with how the group responded. “We had more opportunities to score,” he said. “At half it could have gone either way mentally. “We were able to ground out a win. With a really young side in, there were some good signs.” Nicholas Sing and Ezzat Haddara kicked two goals apiece for the Warriors. Joshua Pickess, Haddara and Nicholas Poland were named the Warriors best. But it was a young player on debut that impressed Kretiuk the most. Levi Boys was named as the 23rd man, which gave an opportunity for a younger player to step up and play, and he didn’t look out of place. “It was his first senior game and he made a significant impact for us,”Kretiuk said. “In the last quarter we tried to get him off for a rotation but we couldn’t as he was playing

so well. “He will be a handy footballer for us.” The win was the Warriors’ sixth of the season. They sit in third spot. The Warriors face their biggest challenge this week, taking on an undefeated Caroline Springs side. Kretiuk said they were looking forward to the challenge. Liam McMahon and Jack Dorgan are set to return from injury in a boost for the Warriors. “They are a stocked up side,” he said. “They play a good brand of football and we will know where we are at after this match. “We have to make sure we sharpen up on our efficiency, especially with our foot skills.” In other results, Werribee Districts was too strong for Sunshine, winning 20.9 (129)-8.12 (60). Point Cook lost to Caroline Springs 30.30 (200)-4.4 (28). In division 2, Wyndhamvale lost to Parkside, while Point Cook Centrals remained undefeated after beating Glen Orden. Tarneit and the Suns were among the winners in division 3.

The City West Falcons nutted out a hard fought win against the Hawks in the Victorian Netball League on Wednesday night. Having lost the first matchup between the sides, the Falcons were keen to get one back this time round as they started the second round of matchups. The Falcons would do enough in the last quarter to seal the 59-54 win. Falcons coach Marg Lind said it wasn’t the best performance they had ever put out on the court, but was happy to take the win.

GDFL Werribee Centrals pushed Bannockburn in the Geelong and District Football League but wasn’t able to come away with the points on Saturday. The Centrals, who have won just two games for the season, lost 13.11 (89)-10.4 (64). Centrals sit 10th on the ladder. In the netball, Centrals lost to Bannockburn 37-32. Centrals sit fourth on the ladder.

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United makes A-League history Tara Murray In just three short years, Western United has become the kings of the A-League men’s competition. Often criticised both on and off the park, United has continued to build and prove their critics wrong. They did exactly that on Saturday night in the A-League grand final. Under first year coach John Aloisi, United beat Melbourne City 2-0. Aleksandar Prijovic was the key man as he flicked on a header that ended in a Nuno Reis own goal in the first two minutes before scoring a second goal on the half hour mark. Neither team would score in the second half, with United able to celebrate a significant achievement that not many people predicted. There were heroes all around the ground. Prijovic would win the Joe Marston Medal, but Neil Kilkenny in the midfield and captain on the day, Josh Risdon, came up big when needed. Chants of John Aloisi rang out around the ground and even by players gate crashing the after game press conference as the former Socceroo star’s return to coaching was capped off with his first A-League title as a coach. “The club is only three years old, so to be able to do that, what we did, not only tonight, from the beginning of the season is amazing,” he said. “It’s an amazing feeling, amazing night so happy for the football club as a whole.” All season Aloisi and the playing group spoke about belief and the feeling that they could create something special. While they believed it, not many others did, as they went in as the underdog against both other Melbourne teams in the finals. Aloisi said they just focused on what they could control. “We never spoke about nobody believing us, we spoke about us believing in ourselves more and about us working towards something,” he said. “Mindset, process, preparation. We didn’t care what others were saying, if we did I don’t think we would be in that position now. “We just worried about ourselves, worked hard everyday and we get the reward.” Having opened the scoring with the quickest goal in grand final history, Aloisi was weary of how the game would play out. He need not worry, with his side doing as they had so many times this season after scoring early. Aloisi said they looked dangerous going forward, while also limiting City’s chances. Prijovic, who signed with the club on a multi-season deal, said there was a real belief in the squad right from the start. “I would say individual awards are always important as they are achieved as a team,” he said. “The team has been amazing from the coaching staff to everyone to the fans. “Everything went our way, we believed in it from the very beginning. As soon as we reached the final it’s going to be tough but we have to take it. Not many believed in us. “But this is life we believed and it has been a very long way a long year, the game went in our favour. “We did a fantastic job today and I think everyone today in the stadium agrees we fully deserve this victory.” Kilkenny got to share the victory with his family. He had only seen them three weeks in the last six months. “It’s been a hard slog,” he said on the broadcast. “A lot of sacrifice but we are glad to be here now and to win it, “To share it with your family it’s one of those things. “The club wants to improve, they’re a club that wants to invest … it’s one of the best clubs I’ve been at.” For Aloisi, there was a sense of joy and relief at getting the victory. He admitted that he had his doubts it would ever happen. “I was sitting in my hospital bed nearly 22 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 1 June, 2022

Western United celebrate its first championship.

Took Imai.

(AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

three years ago saying I want to coach, I need to coach, I have a lot more in me,” he said. “I believed that. I was waiting for the right opportunity and someone giving me that opportunity to coach. “Once you’re in a job then it’s not about you, it’s about the team, the club and where we are going as a club.

(Supplied/Getty Images)

Aleksandar Prijovic tries to get past Connor Metcalfe.

“It’s more satisfying when I see all the hard work that goes into a new club. It’s not easy.” While the celebrations will last for a few weeks, Aloisi said a win like this will only help in the journey of the club. “What I loved about the players we signed this year, it wasn’t just because they didn’t have anywhere else to go, it’s because they

(AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

wanted to create history. They wanted to come and felt that we were going to build something special and we were going challenge and create history and they are their reason we were able to do that. “Now it might be easier, people will see that we mean business we don’t want to be here just to make up numbers.”

WERRIBEE FOOTBALL CLUB Y

Werribee players listen to Michael Barlow in the huddle.

Mathew Keast tries to break a tackle. (Belinda Vitacca Photography)

(Belinda Vitacca Photography)

Werribee makes it two in a row against Pies By Tara Murray Werribee took another step in the right direction in the Victorian Football League on Sunday against Collingwood. Having beaten Greater Western Sydney the previous week, Werribee made it two in a row with a strong performance against the Magpies. Werribee started the better of the two teams, before the Magpies took control of the contest in the second quarter. With the Magpies unable to hit the scoreboard, Werribee was able to increase its lead. Werribee were able to round out the result with some strong football in the second half. Coach Michael Barlow said they were able to see some improvement in what the side was putting out. “Mondays are better after results like that,” he said. “We played really well last week and it was a step in the right direction. We needed to back it up and we were able to do that. “We took our opportunities early, which meant we could get some ascendancy and confidence. You then have the ability to play the game on your terms a bit more.” Like many of their matches this season, the second quarter was Werribee’s down fall. Barlow said the Magpies dominated the contest and clearances with the ball spending most of the quarter in the Magpies forward half. “We were a bit lucky they didn’t take their opportunities,” he said. “We can’t keep doing that.” What pleased Barlow the most in the second half was some of the performances of players who hadn’t necessarily played their best football this year. He said it showed the growth of players. “Players stood up who had been going just OK,” he said. “We had conversations between coaches and individuals players, that we thought there was still another gear to go. “We got a fair bit more out of a lot of players, who had that individual growth, which leads to term improvement.” Hudson Garoni kicked five goals in the win, while Shaun Mannagh, Jay Dahlhaus, Harry Stubbings kicked

Sam Conway had a good game in the ruck.

(Belinda Vitacca Photography)

two goals each. Barlow said they would have been happy to write down “team effort” for the side’s best players in the win. He gave praise to some of those players who he thought had really stepped up. “Guys like Sam Conway in the ruck,” he said. “I spoke about players not taking the position by the scruff of the neck and he was one of them. “He played an important position against an AFL listed guy. “Hudson Garoni kicked five goals. He was in a similar position to Sam in going just OK.

“Kye Declase has been a staunch performer all year. He embraced the opportunity against AFL listed players.” The win moves Werribee to a 4-4 record and now 13th on the ladder. Werribee has a 10-day break between games, with its next match against Richmond on June 8. Barlow said it was a different situation having a mid week game. “We will take a deep breath and some of the squad will play local footy on the weekend,” he said. “It’s a big test and we will have to work out the logistics work wise. We’ll look to

embrace the opportunity.” While the side doesn’t play on the weekend, a few players will have a few nervous moments this week with the AFL mid-season draft which will be held on June 1. Barlow said he wasn’t sure what interest there was in his players, but would be thrilled for any who did get the opportunity. He said the likes of Declase, who was picked up by Melbourne in last seasons’ midseason draft and Matt Hanson were two players who could easily transition onto an AFL list. Wednesday, 1 June, 2022 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 23