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proudly serving Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay
7 MAY, 2025
Mum’s bundle of new love While many mothers will be receiving breakfast in bed or handmade cards this Mother’s Day, Rupinder Kaur Rekhi will be spending her Mother’s Day cradling the newest addition to her family– a little baby boy. For Ms Rehki and her husband Gagandeep Singh Rekhi, the arrival of their son has been a heartwarming and emotional experience, bringing a mix of emotions and deep reflection. “It’s mixed feelings when you go into labour of course,” Ms Rekhi said. “But after that it’s all well – when we see the baby, it makes it all worth it.” While Mother’s Day might be a little more low-key this year, there will still be room for celebration. “Grandmother is here so maybe we will go out and have dinner to celebrate,” Ms Rekhi said. For Mr Rehki, witnessing his wife’s labour gave him renewed appreciation for the strength of mothers everywhere. “When I see my wife giving birth, I get even more respect for motherhood. I always have more respect for my mother and for my wife, for every mother in this world,” he said. Rupinder Kaur Rekhi and husband Gagandeep Singh Rehkhi with their 2-day-old son. (Damjan Janevski) 475083_06
Costs force pool pause By Cade Lucas
12533599-HC07-22
A massive cost blowout has forced Hobsons Bay council to put a proposed aquatic centre in Altona Meadows on hold. Having originally been given a price tag of $60 million when first endorsed by council in 2019, The Western Aquatic and Early Years Centre project at Bruce Comben Reserve has now been estimated to cost $99 million, an increase of 65 per cent in six years. The council said after detailed design works for the project were completed, an updated cost estimate found a rise in construction
costs, an increased level of risk and the redevelopment would impact other sporting fields at Bruce Comben Reserve. With $10 million from the state government the only outside funding for the project, Hobsons Bay council would have to fund the other $89 million itself, a price tag council officers argued could only be achieved by slashing its future capital works budget. At the April 29 council meeting, councillors unanimously decided for the project be paused and council’s aquatic strategy be reviewed, despite the anger, frustration and disbelief expressed by some councillors.
Cr Diana Grima who represents Altona Meadows ward where the aquatic centre project is to be located, said this was a huge letdown for her constituents. “Many residents have expected this (aquatic centre) would be happening,” said Cr Grima, adding that lack of a swimming pool in the area meant local children were being left behind. “We’re volunteering kids who’ve never been in a swimming pool.” Cr Paddy Keys-Macpherson, who had earlier asked about the continued delay in re-opening the upgraded Laverton Aquatic
Centre, said he was “frustrated, angry and sad” at the situation. “I believe this project is needed and I believed we had a process to get there,” he said. Mayor Daria Kellander argued such projects were too big for local governments to fund on their own and attempting to was “a risk that will threaten the financial viability of this council.” Cr Kellander highlighted a New South Wales council that had to double rates in order to pay for a swimming pool. “I’m not willing to take this council down this path,” she said.
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