Established in 1875 as the
proudly serving Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay
9 OCTOBER, 2024
Oktoberfest by the bay The Williamstown Community Oktoberfest is set to bring a taste of German culture to Hobsons Bay this Sunday. The event, held at the Hobsons Bay Yacht Club, is modeled after the world-famous beer festival in Munich, attracting visitors from around the globe. Attendees can expect an authentic experience, with steins of pilsner, pretzels, lederhosen, and kranskys (sausages) galore. The yacht club’s picturesque setting, with the best views in Melbourne, promises a beautiful day for the community to come together and bid farewell to winter, while welcoming the approach of summer. While Oktoberfest is renowned for its large-scale beer consumption, the Williamstown event is about much more. Families are welcome, with a range of activities to keep the kids entertained. Non-beer drinkers can indulge in German wine and champagne, along with a variety of delicious food and live music. The festivities will kick off at 12:30 pm on October 13 and run through to 6:30 pm, allowing ample time for the community to immerse themselves in the rich cultural experience. Williamstown Community Oktoberfest organisers Cas Bukor, Brett Harrison and Kim Short at Hobsons Bay Yacht Club which will host the event on October 13. (Damjan Janevski) 432902_02
Truck safety concerns By Cade Lucas
12533599-HC07-22
There are calls for stronger enforcement of truck driving rules and better driver education after a B-double was filmed mounting the kerb and running over a traffic signal at a busy Yarraville intersection last week. The incident, which was caught on nearby security cameras, occurred at about 1.45pm on Monday, September 30 outside a pharmacy on the corner of Somerville Road and Williamstown Road. Due to their length, B-doubles are prohibited from driving along Somerville Road and MTAG spokesperson Glen Yates
said video of the incident shows why. “Because of his length, he’s 26 meters, he’s had to then straddle across the intersection to turn on to Williamstown Road, but hasn’t checked his mirrors as he’s tried to make that turn, and a good half of his trailer has come up over the curb, resulting in the traffic signal being run over by his rear rear wheels.” While there are signs along Somerville Road informing B-double drivers that they are banned, Mr Yates said the number of drivers employed from third party labour hire firms and drivers using Good Maps for navigation instead of specialist truck driving apps, meant
they were often ignored. He wants more enforcement and driver education to avoid similar incidents, saying it’s lucky no one was injured or killed. “Had someone been standing just off those lights, they would have been run over without a doubt,” said Mr Yates. “Without a doubt that could have been a fatality.” In 2021, five pedestrians were injured when a B-double mounted a footpath in Southbank while attempting to turn a corner. The B-double involved in last Monday’s incident is believed to belong to a South Australian transport company which is
understood to have launched an internal investigation. Trucks are now the responsibility of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) which said it had responded to the incident with more mobile patrols and an increased presence in the inner west. “The NHVR is reminding heavy vehicle drivers to plan their journey ahead of time, taking into account any critical locations,” said a spokesperson for the regulator. “”Drivers can plan their journey with the most accurate and up-to-date information using the NHVR’s National Network Map or Route Planner.”
Kenyon-Smith Denture Clinic A family tradition for 60 years 100 Pier Street, Altona 9315 9231 • 27 Old Geelong Road, Hoppers Crossing 9748 8204
Dental Prosthetists Full dentures, Partial dentures, Repairs - relines • Victorian Denture Scheme • Veterans’ Affairs John, Andrew, Simon and Paul Kenyon-Smith