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25 FEBRUARY, 2025
Take a shot at victory
Roll a dice and test your luck with game master Lachlan Hodge. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 460436_01
Embark on a medieval adventure, with wizards, knights and monsters as your guides helping you traverse through a fantasy realm – all at the Sydenham Library. It could be your one-shot, so roll a dice and find out what your characters will do at the Brimbank ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ event. By combating different scenarios and completing missions, the tabletop storytelling game will bring the community together as part of a men’s mental health initiative, host Lachlan Hodge said. “If you like the idea of playing alongside like-minded people, slaying monsters and completing quests for the good of an imaginary realm, then this will be a fun way for you to learn, play and make new friends around the table,” he said. Equipment will be supplied, and rules will be explained to ensure all locals are welcomed, regardless of their experience. Held at the Sydenham Neighbourhood House from 3.30 -7pm, anyone 15 years or older can attend. Sessions will also be hosted on March 14 and 28, and April 11. Kaija Du and Prealene Khera
Call for rail before runway By Prealene Khera Brimbank council has issued an urgent call to both tiers of government to get the “west moving” by delivering on the long-promised Melbourne Airport Rail before the third airport runway takes off. Council launched its aptly named ‘Rail Before Runway’ campaign and community movement on February 18, turning the heat on the federal and state governments to fast-track the airport rail project. Despite being one of Australia’s fastest growing regions, Melbourne’s west has been “short-changed in government infrastructure
funding”, council said in a statement. “To keep up with its rapid population growth, critical infrastructure projects such as Melbourne Airport Rail and the development of the Sunshine Precinct must be delivered now.” According to council, Melbourne Airport Rail will connect the airport to Victoria’s regional and metropolitan train network for the first time and will provide a cost-effective, time-efficient, and sustainable public transport alternative for all. Developing the Sunshine Precinct, which includes the full implementation of the Sunshine Station Masterplan and the rebuild of Albion Station, will leverage off this investment
and stimulate the economy in the west through tourism, education, housing, shopping, and business growth. Melbourne Airport’s third runway was given the green light in 2024 and is expected to open in 2031, with passenger numbers set to rise exponentially to 83 million per year, by 2046. “With the Tullamarine Freeway already congested, this spells disaster for Melbourne’s traffic, with commuters from the west doomed to spend hours in gridlock unless we get the Melbourne Airport Rail back on track now,” council’s statement reads. “A survey of 1000 Melbournian’s found that 72 per cent want to see an airport rail link and
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better bus services in the west before more money is spent on less critical projects.” Mayor Thuy Dang said people of the west were tired of being left behind, with government investment continually funnelled into projects in more affluent areas that are already privileged with extensive public transport and road infrastructure. “Fast-track the Melbourne Airport Rail and Sunshine Precinct now and build the rail before the runway – it’s not just a nice-to-have, it’s a necessity. Melbourne’s west deserves better,” she said. Continued: Page 15.