Established in 1924 as the
proudly serving Brimbank and the North West
14 MAY, 2024
Fundraising for cancer The Braybrook Community Hub is once again rallying the community together to help make a difference to Australians affected by cancer. The Cancer Council reports that almost one in two Australians are diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85. And it is on a mission to change that statistic. The hub is preparing to host its annual Biggest Morning Tea on May 22, with a fundraising goal of $500. Braybrook Community Hub team member Saida Mohamed said the team hosts a morning tea every year. “The highlight of the morning tea each year is just chatting with different people,” Ms Mohamed said. “Some of the people that come are going through cancer themselves or have a family member who is. Just talking with each other is the highlight.” Locals are invited to join in the event, which will run from 10am-2pm at 107-139 Churchill Avenue, Braybrook. Attendees can expect a delicious spread of homemade treats generously provided by staff members of the hub. For those unable to attend in person but still eager to contribute, donations can be made online at https://shorturl. at/gqvC8. Share a cuppa with the Braybrook Community Hub on May 22. (L-R) Bhagya Sham, Alice Brush, and Saida Mohamed. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 405702_01
Calder funding put on ice By Hannah Hammoud Locals say their “worst fears have been realised” after the state government revealed it has indefinitely paused funding for long-awaited Calder Freeway upgrades. The 2024-25 state budget, handed down by treasurer Tim Pallas on May 7, confirmed the future of the Calder Freeway improvements project remains uncertain, with the state government detailing that it has paused the project as it works with the federal government to “understand the impact” of its decision to withdraw federal funding from the project last year. In November last year, the federal
government released its long-awaited national infrastructure review detailing that the Calder Freeway would not be receiving the multi-million dollar funding that was promised. The federal government had allocated $50 million in funding in 2019, with the state government announcing it would also allocate $50 million to the project in 2021. Since then, question marks have hung over the state government’s $50-million funding, with it refusing to confirm whether its investment for Calder Freeway upgrades would go ahead. Calder Action Group president Russell Mowatt said community members are
“appalled” by the decision to pause the funding. “Between the federal and state government’s we have been truly dudded as a community through funding withdrawal and no further action,” Mr Mowatt said. “Talking with other community members there is a sense of prejudice against the north-west communities, councils and [the] Calder Highway Improvement Committee who have recently voiced their unanimous voice to fund the Calder Freeway at a ‘Fix the Calder’ campaign. “Our worst fears have been realised and we have had the rug pulled from under our feet after a decade of dedicated hard work. “We have been led up the garden path only to find a dead end for the Calder Freeway.”
3 NEW DENTURES ARE GST FREE 3 QUALITY DENTURE CARE 3 HEALTH FUND REBATES 3 PROMPT APPOINTMENTS
Last month, Brimbank council led a chorus of calls for government investment at a ‘Fix the Calder’ community event where it launched a new advocacy brochure on ‘Improving the Calder Highway’. Council said the Calder is one of Australia’s most dangerous roads and safety upgrades are “urgently needed.“ The brochure had been produced by the Calder Highway Improvement Committee (CHIC), which consists of the councils of Brimbank, Buloke Shire, Greater Bendigo, Hume, Loddon Shire, Macedon Ranges Shire, Melton, Mildura, and Mount Alexander Shire. The brochure outlines CHIC’s priorities for improving safety on the Calder Highway.
NO COS
T
INITIAL CONSUL TAT AND AD ION VICE
• New Full and Partial Dentures • Implant Retained Over Dentures • Metal Framed Dentures • Sports Mouthguards • Repairs • Relines • HICAPS Available • Veteran Affairs • Victorian Denture Scheme Accepted
www.knddentureclinic.com.au
Kathy Danoucaras, Nick Danoucaras and Sam Robertson
like us on Facebook KND Denture Clinic
KND Denture Clinic, 192 Main Road East, St Albans 9364 3677 Also at: Suite 8, 242 Caroline Springs Boulevard, Caroline Springs. 8361 9722
Australian Dental Prosthetists Association (Victoria)
12590552-ET16-23