Brett gets on his bike again
Veteran Altona cyclist Brett Marlow had a good answer when asked why he was saddling up for the Great Vic Bike Ride again this year.
“It makes living worthwhile for me actually,” said the 74-year-old bachelor who will be doing his 31st ride from November 24-28.
“This is the one holiday I have to have every year.”
Riding anywhere from 60km to more than 100km per day for five days wouldn’t be most people’s idea of holiday, but as someone who rides 150-170kms a week, Marlow clearly isn’t your average retiree.
In fact, he treats the social event as a competition.
“I turn it into a race,” he said.
“You have three stops, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea and generally I’ll try and go as hard as I can between those stops.”
The ride takes a different route each year and while Marlow wasn’t sure where this year’s was going, he didn’t care.
“I just turn up and do it. If they ran it around the MCG I’d do it.”
Details: https://bicyclenetwork.com.au/ rides-and-events/great-victorian-bikeride/
Council ‘shame’
By Cade Lucas
Two Hobsons Bay councillors have lashed out at their colleagues for not supporting a publicsafetymotionatlastTuesdaynight’s council meeting.
TheJuly29meetingendedinchaoswhen a motion introduced as urgent business by Cr Lisa Bentley, demanding council advocate for improved public safety following the recent machete attack on a man in Altona Meadows, was voted down on procedural grounds.
“Shame, shame, shame” shouted Cr Bentley to the chamber after her motion wasvoteddown4-3,withonlymayorDaria Kellander and Cr Michael Disbury joining her in support.
The four councillors who voted against reacted angrily to Cr Bentley’s comments, pointing out they were voting against the motion being introduced as urgent business,notthemotionitself,whileothers protested that they were blindsided by Cr Bentley’s actions.
After a five minute adjournment failed
to placate Cr Bentley, the meeting moved onto confidential business before being declared closed.
In a statement to Star Weekly , a spokesperson for Hobsons Bay council confirmed the motion was defeated on procedural grounds, not for its content.
“The urgent business motion moved at Tuesday night’s meeting was voted down for procedural reasons, with the item deemed not to be urgent business,“ the spokesperson said.
Despite this, both Cr Bentley and Cr
Disbury released Facebook statements criticising their colleagues.
“Theymayhavedecidedtohidebehinda small procedural technicality, but it could easily have been accepted if they wanted it to be,“ Cr Disbury wrote. “Shame on all of you who voted the motion down, who put politics above community safety.”
In a later interview with StarWeekly, Cr Disbury didn’t back down from his comments.
Continued: Page 8.
Altona’s Brett Marlow is saddling up for his 31st Great Vic Bike Ride this November. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 492874_02
Citynews
A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
At our July Council Meeting, we considered a Notice of Motion to conclude community engagement early on the proposed lease for the Bulldogs Community Children’s Centre, in response to strong community interest and feedback. Council also resolved to retain the not-for-profit clause in the lease. A further report will return to Council in 2025 to support next steps.
Council also endorsed a Notice of Motion to celebrate Indian Independence Day with a flag-raising ceremony on 15 August at the Civic Precinct and Community Hub. This will form part of a broader, community-led program recognising the rich culture and contributions of our Indian community in Maribyrnong.
To help improve safety and visibility in Footscray, Council will implement a six-month security program in the CBD. A Request for Quote will be issued to appoint a provider that can deliver a humancentred, community-led and culturally appropriate approach to support our Local Laws officers.
This is part of our wider effort to create a vibrant and inclusive CBD, including local activations and collaboration with the State Government to deliver new social support services and a Mental Health and Wellbeing Local.
In September, we’ll begin transforming Shorten and Barrett Reserves. This includes demolition of RecWest and redevelopment of the Shorten Reserve playing surface, as outlined in the endorsed Master Plan.
We’re also checking in on our draft ten-year Local Law. After incorporating community feedback, we’re inviting further input to ensure it reflects current needs. To provide your feedback, come along to an upcoming inperson event or visit yourcityyourvoice.com.au/locallaws
Finally, Council has endorsed naming the new kindergarten at Maribyrnong Community Centre the Sarah Carter Kindergarten, with an official opening to follow soon.
Keep an eye on our socials and website for more information: maribyrnong.vic.gov.au
Mayor Cr Pradeep Tiwari
UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETINGS
Tue 19 August: 6.30pm Council Meeting
Tue 26 August: 6.30pm City Development Delegated Committee
These meetings will be held in the Council Chambers at Footscray Town Hall, 61 Napier Street, Footscray and live-streamed on the Council website. Community members can submit questions for public question time online on or before the day of the meeting. Visit maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/meetings or phone 9688 0200 for more information.
Maribyrnong City Council
Civic Precinct and Community Hub
61 Napier Street, Footscray
Postal Address:
PO Box 58, West Footscray VIC 3012
OUT AND ABOUT
1.Mayor, Cr Pradeep Tiwari, and Deputy Mayor, Cr Bernadette Thomas, joined the Footscray Hockey Club’s Indigenous Round Family Day, celebrating community, culture and sport.
2.Mayor, Cr Pradeep Tiwari, took part in the 2025 National Tree Day at Pipemakers Park, helping plant 4,000 native groundcovers along the Maribyrnong River to support local biodiversity.
COMMUNITY GRANTS
3.Deputy Mayor, Cr Bernadette Thomas, alongside Councillors Susan Yengi, Elena Pereyra, Samantha Meredith and Mohamed Semra, engaged with the Maribyrnong Youth Advisory Committee as they presented their proposed Bill for Youth Parliament.
4.Mayor, Cr Pradeep Tiwari, with Councillors Mohamed Semra, Susan Yengi and Cuc Lam, attended the Business Elevate Program Networking Event, supporting local entrepreneurs and business growth.
5.Councillors Elena Pereyra, Cuc Lam and Samantha Meredith proudly represented Council at this year’s NAIDOC Week celebration, recognising and honouring the culture, history and achievements of First Nations peoples.
Council’s Community Grants Program is now open for applications, offering funding to support initiatives that make a meaningful difference to the local community. For 2025/26, the program is focused on supporting projects that promote inclusive participation in community life, strengthen local networks and build resilience, enhance wellbeing and social connection, and create opportunities for intergenerational and intercultural engagement. Applications close Tuesday 19 August at 4pm. Further information can be found at maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/communitygrants
YOUTH HUB
Young people in the City of Maribyrnong now have a dedicated space to share their views on the issues that matter to them, thanks to Council’s new online Youth Hub. Designed for 12 to 25 year olds, the Youth Hub provides a safe and inclusive platform for young people to speak up, contribute ideas, and influence positive change. It aims to elevate the voices of those who live, work, study or spend time in our City, helping to ensure Council decisions reflect their needs, priorities and aspirations. To contribute your ideas, and find out more about the platform, visit yourcityyourvoice.com.au/youthhub
P: (03) 9688 0200
F: (03) 9687 7793
email@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au
www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au
Pathway decision deferred
By Cade Lucas
Hobsons Bay council has deferred a decision on a proposed new pathway in Spotswood due to confusion over whether it should be shared by cyclists and pedestrians or if separate paths should be built for both.
At a meeting on July 29, council officers recommended a shared path be built along along the southern side of Birmingham Street as part of the nearby Spotswood Yards development.
The recommendation was made in response to a petition from Spotswood based community organisation, Better West, de-
mandingseparatecyclingandwalkingpaths be constructed as was originally proposed.
Despite being regularly used by parents and students heading to Spotwood Primary School, commuters going to Spotswood station and cyclists riding to the city, Birmingham Street only has a pathway on its northern side.
In its petition tabled at a council meeting in March, Better West argued that a shared pathway would put the safety of both pedestrians and cyclists at risk.
Instead council officers recommended a 3.5 metre wide shared pathway be built as it would be significantly cheaper than
the projected $1.2 million cost of separated paths.
Council infrastructure and city services director Matthew Irving said traffic issues and the presence of underground gas lines meant building separated paths would require modifications to the kerb and road area.
“The shared pathway project does not require those aspects to be delivered,” Mr Irving said.
Thisdidn’tconvincedeputymayorRayane Hawli and Cr Kristin Bishop, who questioned Mr Irving about why there was such a difference in cost when diagrams showed
Dying to know about death at mini-expo
It will happen to all of us at some point and rank alongside taxes as one of life’s absolute certainties, but death is not something people like to discuss or even fully understand.
That’s something the Dying to Know mini-expo in Altona on August 10 is aiming to change. Held at Louis Joel Community Arts (LJAC), the inaugural mini-expo is the brainchild of organiser and Hobsons Bay local Lee Smith-Moir.
“It’s aimed at increasing death literacy in the community,” said Ms Smith-Moir, who came up with the idea after attending monthly Death Cafe events at LJAC where conversations on death and dying are encouraged.
“Everyone’s afraid to speak about dying so we’re just trying to normalise it and open conversations about end of life.”
Ms Smith-Moir said this was important as the lack of knowledge and understand-
ing about death and dying can add a lot of extra pain to what is already an emotional time.
As well as obvious topics like life funerals and wills, lesser known aspects of death such as digital legacies and what happens to phones, laptops and social media accounts, will be discussed, as will natural burials, home funerals and Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD).
Details: http://www.ljac.com.au/
Kindergarten to be named after the late Maribyrnong councillor
Former Maribyrnong mayor Sarah Carter will be honoured with a new kindergarten named after her.
Maribyrnong council at its recent council meeting voted unanimously in favour of a recommendation that the newly developed kindergarten at the Maribyrnong Community Centre be named the Sarah Carter Kindergarten.
The endorsement by council followed community consultation on the proposal which showed strong public support.
The motion was moved by councillor Cuc Lam who said the kindergarten was an
appropriate place to honour Ms Carter as it was located within the council ward she represented for 16 years.
“She made just a wonderful contribution to the city of Maribyrnong,” Cr Lam said.
Speaking after the motion was passed, Maribyrnong mayor Pradeep Tiwari said it was fantastic that Ms Carter would have her name permanently attached to a community facility.
“I can’t wait for it to be inaugurated,” he said.
The proposal to name the Randall Street kindergarten after the former mayor will
both proposals to had the same footprint.
Having earlier said she didn’t understand one of Mr Irving’s answers, Cr Bishop finally moved an alternate motion to defer the vote, arguing councillors needed more time to delve into the details before making a decision.
The alternative motion was carried unanimously, an outcome which pleased Better West secretary Rowena Joske.
“It’s good to see a new group of councillors questioning the information put in front of them,” Ms Joske said.
The next meeting of Hobsons Bay council is on August 26.
Two machete disposal bins will be located in Melbourne’s inner west as part of a two-month amnesty period during which people are being urged to safely dispose of the weapon.
The safe disposal bins will be located at Footscray and Altona police stations, along with other police stations throughout Melbourne’s north west from September 1 to November 30.
The bins will be accessible 24-7 and will be roughly 900 millimetres by 1200 millimetres in size, with a 70 millimetre concrete base to ensure they are secure and have feet to allow for safe removal.
The amnesty period will coincide with a statewide machete ban which will make owning, carrying, using, buying, or selling a machete without a valid exemption or approval a criminal offence from September 1.
During the amnesty period, people can hand in a machete without penalty.
Anyone who fails to do so could face up to two years’ imprisonment or a fine of more than $47,000, the state government said.
According to the government, agricultural workers who use machetes as part of their job and machetes that are used in a traditional, historical, or cultural capacity will be exempted.
Anyone covered by an exemption must comply with strict conditions and be able to demonstrate eligibility if asked by police.
Police Minister Anthony Carbines said the government had a simple message to anyone who owned a machete.
“Get rid of them or face the consequences,” he said.
“We’re backing Victoria Police who work tirelessly to get these weapons out of young people’s hands and keep people safe.”
Premier Jacinta Allan said machetes destroyed lives.
“Victorians have zero tolerance for knife crime and so do we – we’re enacting this ban and boosting Victoria Police’s powers because community safety always comes first.”
The government introduce an interim sales ban on machetes in May in response to a knife attack at Northland Shopping Centre.
now be submitted to Geographic Names Victoria for registration.
Sarah Carter was first elected onto Maribyrnong council in 2008 and served three separate terms as mayor, the first women in the council’s 160 history to do so.
Ms Carter’s sudden death on August 6 last year, aged 45, shocked the local community and led to an outpouring of grief and tributes.
Earlier this year Ms Carter’s family donated her mayoral robes so they could be put on permanent display in the Maribyrnong council chambers.
Since then Consumer Affairs Victoria has inspected more than 470 retailers to enforce the ban – with only seven stores and one market vendor found to be breaking the law.
Details: vic.gov.au/machete-amnesty.
Dying to Know expo organisers Tai Smith-Moir, Skeleton, Lee Smith-Moir and Jules Closter. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 492987_01
Machete
Support for machete victim
By Cade Lucas
The victim of a brutal machete attack in AltonaMeadowslastmonthhasthankedthe public for its support as he endures excruciating pain, regular nightmares and a lack of income.
More than $22,000 has been pledged to a GoFundMe page for Saurabh Anand who was attacked at the Central Square Shopping Centre about 8pm on July 19.
The 33-year-old Altona Meadows resident has been unable to return to his job since the attack and said money from the
fundraiser was his only income.
“I don’t know where the next dollar will come from,” Mr Anand said.
“Allthissupportfromthecommunitywill help me cover medical expenses. I’m grateful and appreciate of all the efforts the community has put in to raise those funds.”
However, Mr Anand said the money donated would only go so far.
“Money doesn’t return my arm.”
Mr Anand said his arm was covered in bandages following the attack and the extentofhisinjuriesonlybecameclearfollowing surgery.
“Seeing the injuries with my own eyes has just increased my trauma,” he said.
“Mentally I still feel attacked every night when I go to sleep and the pain and the trauma wakes me up every night and I’m in tears.”
Mr Anand’s mother has recently flown in from India to support him during his recovery,whichhisdoctorsestimatecouldtakeat least 12 months.
Four teens were arrested in relation to the attack, with a 14-year-old boy from the Wyndham area charged with intentionally causing serious injury, recklessly causing
Filmmaker siblings are dreaming big
Two young filmmakers from the western suburbs are hoping to each make their mark in an upcoming international film festival.
Siblings Alexis and Charlie Truong are entering this season’s SmartFone Flick Fest (SF3) — one of the world’s biggest smartphone film festivals.
Seven-year old Alexis will make a return to the SF3 Kids Flicks category after creating headlines last year as the youngest filmmaker in the festival’s his-
tory.
.
This year, she’s submitted a story titled Maxton and the Moon … but she won’t be the only Truong in the spotlight.
Her five-year-old brother Charlie has entered his first film, Looking for Parking, a playful stop-motion adventure that he completed when he was only four.
Both films have already been named as finalists in the Screen It Internation-
al Film Festival, based in Brisbane, with Alexis and Charlie already being nominated for various awards..
Father, Tez Vi Truong is a filmmaker himself and said “SF3 has a special place in our hearts”.
“We had such a positive experience last year. Festival director Angela Blake has been incredibly supportive — not just of our kids, but of so many young artists in the community,” he said.
Health and education providers join forces in the west
Two of the western suburbs’ most important education and healthcare institutions have joined forces.
Victoria University (VU) and Mercy Health have formalised a partnership aimed at boosting research collaborations, graduate employment and training and development opportunities for staff and students.
VU Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker and Mercy Health chief executive health services Clinton Cummins last week signed a memorandum of understandingthatcreatedaformalalliance between the only university Melbourne’s west and the operator of one the region’s major hospitals.
Professor Shoemaker said the partnership would build upon the long history of collaboration between the two organisations.
“In 2024 alone, Mercy Health placed more than 200 VU students into nursing, midwifery and physiotherapy – educating and empowering emerging health professionals,” Professor Shoemaker said.
Mr Cummins said the partnership was much more than just mutually beneficial.
“Together, we’re building stronger pathways from education into employment, strengthening the future health workforce, and opening new doors for
injury, robbery and unlawful assault and remanded to face a children’s court
Two 15-year-old boys from the Hobsons Bay area were also charged with intentionally causing serious injury, recklessly causinginjury,robberyandunlawfulassaultand were bailed to face a children’s court, while a 14-year-old boy from the Hobsons Bay areaisexpectedtobechargedonsummons. Investigators are continuing to search for a fifth person.
To donate: https://www.gofundme. com/f/help-the-victim-of-altona-meadows-machete-attack
Particpants wanted for VU MND study
It’s a disease which sufferers like Neal Daniher have helped raise awareness of and fundraisers like the Big Freeze and the Ice Bucket Challenge have generated millions of dollars for research into.
Yet, Motor Neurone Disease or MND remains without a cure and eventually kills all who are diagnosed with it.
While a study being conducted by a team of researchers at Victoria Unviersity’s (VU) Footscray Park campus mightn’t change that, it could help in better diagnosing the MND and understanding how this cruel disease comes about.
To do this, researchers are seeking participants from three different populations: people with motor neuron disease (MND), people with sarcopenia, a progressive muscle wastage disorder that shares similar characteristics and healthy individuals who have neither.
“I’m trying to see if we can find differences not only between people with MND and healthy people, but also people with sarcopenia, so we can find specific motor neurone characteristics and the idea is that in the future that could help for diagnoses and disease progression tracking,” explained PhD candidate, at VU’s Institute for Health and Sport, Patricia Bayer, who is part of the three person team conducting the study, which requires 10 participants from each group.
With only nine people signed up in total (six with MND and three healthy), Ms Bayer is calling on local residents, particularly those with MND or sarcopenia, to sign up for the study which involves participating in five testing sessions over 16 weeks.
“We are using a novel, non-invasive technique called high-denisty surface electromyography to record the electrical activity that the motor neurons send to the muscles,” said Ms Bayer of the technique where electrodes are placed upon participants leg and hand muscles while they carry out strength tests.
research and innovation that will improve outcomes for our communities,” Mr Cummins said.
Under the partnership, VU students will be offered an increased number of placements, graduate employment and volunteering opportunities with Mercy Health, including at Werribee Mercy, the only public hospital in Wyndham.
Staff from Mercy Health will have access to training, wellbeing and development programs at VU TAFE, and access to staff wellbeing options at the university.
Employment and education pathways atVUTAFEandopportunitiesforresearch collaborations will also be explored.
“This allows us to assess how healthy the neurons are and how they adapt over time.”
Those who take part will receive a $30 gift voucher after each two hour session, with places available for participants to start now.
Researchers are hoping to complete their data collection in the coming months and publish final results in one to two years.
Details: patricia.bayer@live.vu.edu.au
Alexis,7, films brother Charlie, 5, for an original film that will be entered into this year’s SmartFone FlickFest. (Tez Vi Truong)
Managing waste
By Cr Michael Disbury
Weareincrediblyluckytohaveanamazing anddiverseenvironmentallandscapehere inHobsonsBay.
From our wetlands to our beaches, and parks and gardens, our city’s environment istrulyspecial.
That’s why the work we do at council in the waste management and recycling spaceiscrucial.
It’s important to manage waste and recyclingappropriately,tobothprotectour environment as well as ensuring ratepayer moneyisusedasefficientlyaspossibleand not needlessly spent on avoidable waste issues.
Council’s Recycling Made Easy hubs are agreatinitiativetohelpwiththese.
Found at 12 libraries and community centres across Hobsons Bay, the hubs are designed to take hard-to-recycle household items that can’t go in your kerbside bins, like batteries, electronic wasteandtoothpastetubes.
Last month, three new item categories were added, with plastic bread tags, stationery and empty blister packs also nowaccepted.
While stopping these items going to landfill is a big win, they are also recycled and their parts gaining new life in other products.
For example, plastic and aluminium are separated from blister packs, with the plastic repurposed into fencing and decking, and the aluminium used in the steelmakingprocess.
Head to hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/
waste-recycling to learn more about the hubsandwhatitemsyoucandropoff.
I’dalsoliketothankandcongratulateour community for their efforts in responsible recycling.
Households across Hobsons Bay are taking recycling seriously, with contamination in the mixed recycling bin atitslowestinsixyears.
As mentioned, this is great both for our environmentandcouncil’sbottomline.
And finally, it’s time for you to have your sayifyouthinkwecandothingsdifferently orbetterinthisspace.
We’re updating our waste and recycling strategy,andwewanttohearfromyou.
Head to participate.hobsonsbay.vic.gov. autohaveyoursay.
Briefs
Trail closed
Erosion has forced the closure of a section of the Bay Trail near Altona Beach and GH Ransom Reserve. The closure will allow further investigation and remedial works to the seawall, which is being eroded due to the easterly migration of the Laverton Creek Spit. The existing temporary fencing will be extended to close off about 130m of the affected section of the Bay Trail. Detour signs are in place to divert cyclists and pedestrians to the path on the other side of the road. Hobsons Bay council officers and staff from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEEA) Melbourne Water, and Parks Victoria are carrying out coastal assessments, site investigations and monitoring the area.
Youth survey
Young people from inner-west have until next Friday to complete the annual Mission Australia Youth Survey. Those aged 14-19 are eligible to share their views in the nation’s largest youth survey which closes on August 15. The survey covers a wide range of topics, including questions on mental health and wellbeing, sources of support and community connections, housing and financial situation, climate change, study and work and hopes for the future. Details: https://shorturl.at/ golOM
FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT
Web: starweekly.com.au
Maribyrnong & Hobsons Bay Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly
Cr Michael Disbury.
Recognition after 45 years
The federal government officially welcomed home the athletics from the 1980 Olympics Games in Russia on July 30, 45 years after the Games. Tara Murray chats with David Smith, who was among those to compete at the Games despite Australia’s boycott.
There was no way that David Smith wasgoingtomissoutonrepresenting Australia at the 1980 Olympics.
The race walker from the then Williamstown Athletics Club had five qualifying times to compete on the biggest stage for the first time.
While Smith was keen to hit the track in Moscow, there were bigger things going on behind the scenes.
More than 45 countries boycotted the Games in protest of the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979.
There was intense pressure from the Australian government and many sporting administrators and commentators for local athletes to boycott the Games.
Some athletes snuck out of the country, others decided not to go at all.
Smith was unaware of a lot of the drama back home in the lead up to the Games, having spent the three months before the Games competing in Europe.
“Forty-five years ago I didn’t know that we were rejected and not acknowledged,” he said.
“I knew there was a boycott going on and theyaskedmetogoonthePeterCouchman Show, which is one of those personality shows.
They asked me, ‘are you going to support the boycott? I said no way ... There was no way I would miss out marching in the Olympic Games opening ceremony
- David Smith
“Theyaskedme,‘areyougoingtosupport the boycott? I said no way.
“I had my ticket to Europe and the visa to get into the Games, even if the team didn’t turn up … I was still going.
“I would have walked under the neutral flag and competed under the natural flag if that was the case.”
Smithhadhisownconcernsheadinginto the Games. He found himself in Europe with no money and his Euro pass expired before meeting up with the Australian team.
He jumped on a train late at night in Belgium without a ticket and reached out to a real estate agent to send him money so he could meet up with his teammates.
Smith had given up work to train full-time for the year before the Games and was one of the first people named on the team.
He said the Olympic Games experience was amazing.
“I had the best time of all,” he said. “Totally enthralled with it. There was no way I would miss out marching in the Olympic Games opening ceremony.
“It was the best feeling of all time.”
Smith was later disqualified in the 20-kilometre walk event
After the Games, Smith continued to compete and travel through Europe for three months.
The 1980 event would be one of two Games that Smith would compete in. He finished 10th four years later at the Los Angles Games.
Smith said he entered the event in good shape having won a 10-kilometre event weeks beforehand.
“The only problem we had was the heat and humidity, we were all done sweating by seven kilometres as it was that dry,” he said.
“I pushed through. Theoretically on times and everything, I should have been one of the top contenders.”
While Smith made his name in athletics, it wasn’t his first sporting love.
Hewasanamateurboxerwithmorethan 50 fights under his belt and also played rugby league.
It was a move to Werribee that set him onto the path to the Olympics.
“When I came down from Darwin in year 12, I joined Werribee Athletics Club. In Darwin I was playing rugby league and my dad was the Australian lightweight boxing champion in his time.
“He was teaching me boxing. I was also riding track work with the horses.
“Dad got posted to Point Cook. There were no horses, no boxing and no rugby league.”
Having had some success at the NT Walkabout event in the Northern Territory, had got stuck into athletics when he moved to Werribee.
One of his classmates was a race walker
and he quickly joined the ranks as a junior and won two 10-kilometre titles in his first year.
He jumped into the senior ranks and moved to Footscray Athletics Club and then to Williamstown as it was ranked as a higher level club. He still holds four club records at Williamstown.
“I was running out of competition and running out of venues, as I was getting quicker and quicker,“ he said.
“I joined Williamstown as an A-grade club and spent a whole heap of time there. Theywerebrilliant,oneofthenicestgroups of guys in a club that you can imagine.”
Smith later turned coach and started helpingthenextgenerationofracewalkers.
Among them was his son Dane Bird-Smith.
It would take Smith back to the Olympics again.
In 2016, Smith watched on as his son won Olympic bronze in the 20-kilometre walk.
“I took him around the world [to] exactly thesameseriesofracesIhadraced33years
beforehand,” he said. “He mirrored a lot of the races that I had done.
“He pretty much broke all my Australian records on his way through.
“His bronze medal in Rio was absolutely brilliant. It was superb. I get the kudos of being his coach.
“He tells me he’s a far better athlete than me … I just told him he had a far better coach than I did. I was self coached.”
Smith, who recently turned 70, still loves the sport. He coached in several different countries but has now retired.
Living in Queensland, he is enjoying the sailing life.
Smith wasn’t at the welcoming home last week, due to already having committed to dog-sitting duties for his son.
Smith said competing at the Olympics has been a special memory.
“Once an Olympian, always an Olympian, that’s our catch cry,” he said.
“I don’t think there’s many people in Australia that appreciate what it takes to become an Olympian.”
Dane Bird-Smith and David Smith after the 2018 Commonwealth Games where Dane won gold.
(AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy)
David and Dane Bird-Smith at the 2016 Olympics, and a story on David Smith in the Mail newspaper ahead of the 1980 Games. (Supplied)
Geoffrey’s legacy
By Sam Porter
President and founder of the Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek (FLKC) and local lobbyist, Geoffrey Mitchelmore OAM, is hanging up the boots for a well-earned retirement.
When asked how he feels about retiring, the 84-year old said he’s “not sure yet.”
Mr Mitchelmore said his passion for the environment came on “by accident” in 2000, instigated by dangerous truck traffic in Altona North.
“I realised the only way to fix it was to get thegovernmenttobuildabridgeacrossthe Kororoit Creek,” he said.
Mr Mitchelmore became involved in the $8 million Barnes Bridge project and quickly developed an appreciation for the Kororoit Creek, which he noticed was highly-polluted and in a poor condition.
When a government-issued media release referred to the creek as a ‘drain’ Mr Mitchelmore decided he wanted to do more to protect the vital waterway.
“I took exception to [the wording] and toldthemtheyneededtochangeitbecause it may be a drain to most people but it’s actually a proper waterway,” said Mr Mitchelmore.
He then worked with community members Craig and Debbie Woods to form an action group, which was then established as the FLKC in 2001.
“We set ourselves two goals. One was to green the Kororoit Creek corridor because there was hardly a tree there and the other one was to try and get a path from Cherry Lake right through to Geelong road,” said Mr Mitchelmore.
The group is now on track to fulfil those goals.
Stages four and five of the Kororoit Creek Trail are set to be finished by the end of the year after the project received a $5 million fundingboostfromthefederalgovernment in February.
“It’s been a fantastic achievement for the group to get that all done,” he said.
Mr Mitchelmore, a former industrial chemist, local theatre actor, ship builder and sailor, said he’s not entirely sure what he’ll do with all the extra time in his retirement.
“It’s been like four careers in my life. And they were all really great. I was just really lucky,” he said.
“Now I’ve got a fifth one to find.”
Pick your park
Suburbs across Maribyrnong are among those eligible for the state government’s Pick My Park program launched on Friday.
Footscray, West Footscray, Braybrook, Yarraville, Seddon and Kingsville are among the suburbs eligible for the $30 million program where local residents are invited to suggest ideas for new or improved parks,playgroundsandgreenspaces in their neighbourhood.
With the help of park and land managers, the best ideas will be developed into project proposals that will then be voted on by the general public.
The winning projects will then receive grants ranging from $20,000 to $250,000 to help bring them to life.
“The Pick My Park program will target precincts and areas that are building more homes because as we continue to grow, we need to grow well - which includes delivering vibrant parks for our communities,” said Development Victoria and Precincts Minister Harriet Shing in announcing the first phase of the program on August 1.
Ms Shing encouraged those living in eligible suburbs to think about how their neighbourhood could benefit from a new or updated park.
“Pick your park, share your ideas – we know how important parks are for communities for connecting with their friends, neighbors and family, so we want to hear what matters to you.”
President and founder of Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek Geoffrey Mitchelmore OAM has recently retired after decades of strong community advocacy. (Damjan Janevski). 490653_08
Ramp upgrade shelved
By Cade Lucas
A major upgrade of the Altona boat ramp has been quietly been shelved more than four years after it was announced.
In a statement to Star Weekly, Better Boating Victoria (BBV), a division of the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA), confirmed the Altona boat ramp upgrade had been identified as medium priority in the Victorian Recreational Boating Strategy 2021-2030.
“This assessment was made based on feedback from boaters that the site had
capacity constraints during peak periods but was in good overall condition,” a BBV spokesperson said.
This is in stark contrast to BBV’s social mediapostannouncingtheAltonaupgrade on January 13, 2021.
“Thanks to the government’s commitment to improving boating across Victoria, $100, 000 has been provided to develop concept designs that will increase car and trailer parking and improve functionality and congestion at the Altona facility,“ read a screenshot of the post seen by Star Weekly.
“We will be working closely with HobsonsBayCityCouncil,whowilldeliver the project.”
In February 2022, Hobsons Bay council announced the final concept designs had been completed, showing the upgrade remained a priority more than a year later.
But according to Seabrook resident Darren Ryan, Altona boat ramp users like him have been kept in the dark ever since.
“My major complaint is not that it hasn’t gone ahead, it’s that there’s been no communication,” Mr Ryan said.
He said an official told him the upgrade
Father’s struggle inspires fundraiser
With August now upon us, the Dry July fundraiser is over for another year and those who’ve spent the last month refraining from alcohol can, in the words of a former Victoria premier, “get on the beers”.
Among the Dry July participants doing just that is Altona North’s Madeline Jekic, who plans to have a few drinks with her girlfriends after spending the last few weekends as their designated driver.
Not that the 22 year-old found being a teetotaler difficult.
“I’ve actually enjoyed it,” said Ms Jekic,
adding that she feels healthier and saved a lot of money.
More importantly, she raised a lot of moneytoo,$3600tobeprecise,allofwhich will go towards the Pancare Foundation, which supports Australians living with upper gastrointestinal cancers.
It’s a cause that’s close to Ms Jekic’s heart as her father, Bernhard, died from stage 4 oesophageal cancer two years ago.
“I saw my dad suffer for two years,” she said.
“He fought so hard every day to be here for my siblings and I (Ms Jekic has
an old brother and younger sister) so it was nothing at all to have to be sober for a month.”
And while the sober part is over, the fundraising continues, with Dry July donations still being accepted up until August 31.
As for future fundraisers, Ms Jekic said she’d like to take on a very different challenge.
“I’m also very active and into sport, so I’d love to do a half marathon eventually.”
To donate: https://www.dryjuly.com/ users/madeline-jekic
would cost more than the organisation’s entire annual budget, and that he and other recreational boaters should ask the state government to increase their registration feesfrom$80to$15,000peryear,topayforit. BBV didn’t directly address the comments, but it’s understood the official has since apologised.
A council Hobsons Bay spokesperson said the Altona ramp was listed as in ’detailed design phase’ in the Victorian Recreation Boating Strategy Action Plan 2024-2025, but council had received no updates since.
“It’s a bit of shame that politics got involved instead of working for the community,” said Cr Disbury, who argued that while crime was a state responsibility, an increase in offending of more than 35 per cent in the past year meant council had to act.
Cr Bentley declined to be interviewed, but in a Facebook post on Wednesday night, said her motion was in response to the recent machete attack on a man at Central Square Shopping Centre in Altona Meadows that almost severed the victim’s arm.
“Unfortunately, and with great disappointment, this procedural motion was lost and I was unable to express my concerns due to the majorityofcouncillorsvotingagainst me,” said Cr Bentley, adding that she informed the other councillors of her intentions prior to the meeting.
None of the councillors who voted no would comment on the record to StarWeekly , though a number disputed Cr Bentley’s version of events, saying they didn’t know what was in the motion.
The motion, which Cr Bentley posted in full on her Facebook page, called on council to lobby the state government for more crime fighting resources in Hobsons Bay, including a return to 24-7 operating hours at Williamstown Police Station.
Cr Bentley said she intends to re-introduce the motion at council’s next meeting on August 26.
Madeline Jekic from Altona North has done Dry July in honour of her late father who died from Stage 4 oesophageal cancer in 2023. (Damjan Janevski). 493303_01
We’re with you for quality aged care services
For over 30 years, Doutta Galla has been a trusted provider of aged care services across Melbourne’s west. We recognise that every older person is unique, with their own life story, and we tailor our care to meet their individual needs.
• 7 residential care homes offering permanent and respite options
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To book an inspection call 9680 3300 or visit retirequeenspark.com.au
• Nursing and allied health • Home and garden maintenance
• Cleaning services and meal preparation
We won’t keep you hanging – we’ll call you back the same day to get started sooner, you can also self-fund to beat the waitlist - email us now on hcp@dgw.org.au
Laughing away expectation
For those looking to get their laughs from somewhere new this August, look no further than Brown Women Comedy at the Wyndham Cultural Centre.
No topic will be taboo for this witty and proudly shameless line up of Indian and South Asian comedians living in Australia.
From growing up brown in Australia, being bisexual to getting disowned thrice, these women won’t be holding back on turning traditional family expectations into comedy gold.
Kru Harale will dazzle the crowd with her vivacity and navigate her way through storiesaboutfellowIndians,thelanddown
under and swashbuckling around the world.
The sharp storyteller speaks with laid-back confidence and candidly weaves through taboo topics— probably part of the reason her Punjabi TikTok videos have garnered over 30 million views.
Guneet Kaur has been described as “sharp and anxious“, while Simran Pasricha is an Indian-Malaysian journalist by day and a chronic oversharer by night.
Whether she’s spilling the chai on being a brown girl or navigating the newsroom, she’s always serving spice, stories, and laughs with absolutely no filter.
Daizy Maan, another TikTok sensation with more than 25 million views, has used her sassy storytelling to call out sexism in Punjabi music.
Once upon a time she had a day job leading start-up programs for universities, buthassinceembraced“selfemployment”.
Theshowwillrunfor70minutes,withno intermissions to kill the vibe.
Audience members are recommended to havehad18birthdaystogetthemostoutof the routine.
The show begins at 8pm on Saturday, August 23. Tickets: www.wyndham.vic. gov.au/whats-on/brown-women-comedy
Overnewton students are ready to rock
Students from Overnewton Anglican Community College will take centre stage in an upcoming performance of We Will Rock You the musical.
Themusicaltakesplaceinafuturewhere originality has been erased and music no longer exists.
The story follows a group of outsiders who dare to challenge the system and bring real music and freedom back to the world.
Director Cailin McCarthy said the show is loud, funny, chaotic and full of heart, and that it has challenged the students in
the best possible ways.
“The vocals are demanding, the pace is fast, and the characters are bold, and they have embraced every moment,” she said.
“Their focus, creativity and teamwork have been remarkable. Watching them work and grow together has been a highlight of the year.”
Head of performing arts Carolyn Hernandez said the production is more than a school musical.
“It’s a full-scale theatrical experience, brought to life by an incredibly talented groupofyoungpeople,fromtheperformers
and musicians to the backstage crew, hair and makeup teams, and our technical students,” she said.
“With Queen’s iconic soundtrack, high-energy performances, and a story thatisbothcleveranduplifting,audiences will be thoroughly entertained from start to finish.”
Overnewton Anglican Community College’s production of We Will Rock You will be showing at the Bowery theatre in St Albans from Thursday, August 7 to Saturday August 9.
Ticket prices range from $20 to $35.
Bookmaking in Bacchus Marsh
If you have ever considered giving bookmaking a go, now is your chance – as a workshop is about to be hosted atLerderdergLibrarythismonth.
Set for Tuesday, August 19, a bookmaking workshop with guest artist Kerrie Maloney will teach attendees how to give old books a new life through creating a collaged concertina book using a recycled old hardback book and a selection of old book pages. These pages will be reworked into a collage which will thenbecutuptocreateabook. Maloney works across a range of disciplines, materials, and techniques, while initially working from a garment, textile, and stitch background. As a keen reader, it was a natural progression for her to begin creating artist books, altered books, andbookart.
Eachparticipantisrequiredtobring anoldnovel-sizedhardbackbookand aselectionofbookpages.
Thepagesshouldpreferablyinclude differentprinttypes,sizesandshades, for example. white, cream, beige, foxed, stained, or dirty – and include some interesting pages such as old maps, drawings, or handwritten elements.
The event is facilitated by B-MAC Gallery, which is run by local artists and volunteers and supports art and artists across the extended Bacchus Marshregion.
The workshop will run from 10am–3pm on Tuesday, August 19 at the Lerderderg Library in Bacchus Marsh. Details: facebook.com/ events/1566252444355322
Singers from the western suburbs to join together for annual choir jam
The sound of singing will reverberate through the western suburbs on Saturday, August30,whentheannualChoirJamtakes placeattheLavertonCommunityCentre.
Featuring local choirs, With One Voice Hobsons Bay and Wyndham, the Laverton Community Choir, Newport Community Choir and Willin Wimmin, Choir Jam will also feature a mystery guest choir as well as members of the public who want to join in andexercisetheirvocalchordsontheday.
Member of With One Voice Hobsons Bay, Brenda Alexander, explained how the third annualeventwouldwork.
“We’re going to work together to learn a song together to sing and then we’re going to take turns to perform for each other and thecommunity,”Alexandersaid.
As for what type of songs they’d be singing, Alexander said that was still to be
determined, but that there would be tunes the audience would know and be able to singalongwith.
“There’ll be a variety of songs, but mostly upbeat, popular songs. Songs that people willbefamiliarwith,”shesaid.
Those who are not a member of any of the participating choirs but who still want to have a go, are welcome to do so, with all experience levels, vocal ranges, abilities, culturesandgendersabletoparticipate.
Thereisalsoroomforextrachoirstocome and join in the showcase concert section of theprogram.
Entry for audience members is free, but bookingsarerecommended.
For bookings, visit: www.trybooking. com/DCRMX
To inquire about singing, email: willin. wimmin@gmail.com
Daizy Maan will feature. (Supplied)
Overnewton Anglican Community College students Tristan, Pearce, Carly, Kiki, Isabella, Fiona and Olivia. (Damjan Janevski)
493280_07
Choir Jam co-ordinator Stephanie Payne with participants preparing for the community singing event in Laverton on August 30. (Damjan Janevski) 491010_01
Peaceful town comes to life
Leyburn. It’s a peaceful little stop-off for travellers on the Southern Darling Downs as they head between Goondiwindi and ToowoombaorWarwick.
One pub, one shop, one post office, one school, a police station, two churches and a few scattered houses for its estimated 350 inhabitants.
That’s Leyburn – except for two days a year.On23-24Augustitwillcomealivewith the buzz of up to 18,000 visitors and 2560 racing cars attending the Historic Leyburn Sprints.
TheSprints,nowinits29thyearcelebrating Leyburn’s hosting of the Australian Grand Prix in 1949, drives an annual winter migration that’s understandably popular with tourism operators throughout the region. Yet the town itself has virtually no fixed accommodation – only a handful of cabins attached to the 1863 Royal Hotel – and so it becomes one of the biggest gatherings of campers and caravanners you’llfindanywherealongthehighway.
Sprints organisers estimate up to 5000 visitors stay in dedicated campgrounds beside Canal Creek on the edge of the event precinctandatseveraladjacentcampsites.
Still more set up their tents and vans in the yards of residents’ homes that line the one kilometre closed-street course running through the township. They enjoy some of thebestseatsinthehouse.
All come to experience the fun of the Sprints, which twice has been judged Queensland Motorsport Event of the Year. The weekend offers an exciting show of historic, classic and high performance cars of all makes and models and ranging in age frommodern-dayto100-plusyears.
After the huge Supercar events in Townsville and the Gold Coast, the Sprints are thought to be Queensland’s biggest motorsport festival and certainly no other offersthenumberorvarietyofcompetitors.
This year’s entry list is a record and includes exotics such as Ferrari, Jaguar and McLaren through to more humble wheels likeMGsandSunbeams.
Motorsport Alley, a new display area in the main street near the 100-year-old CWA, will showcase a variety of very special cars including two associated with Sir Jack Brabham, three that raced in that 1949 grand prix and a rare Giocattolo Group B that claims to be “Queensland’s own supercar”.
Patrons will also find plenty of off-track
entertainment. There’s a Show ‘n’ Shine display on Sunday, live music at three venues, a charity auction at the pub on Saturday night, fun-run, market stalls, race-carridesandplentyofotherattractions forallthefamily.
At night – and a few nights either side of the weekend because many travellers take the opportunity for a longer break in their journeys – the campgrounds pump with happy vibes as groups gather around their campfires and barbecues. (Someone will wintheBestCampsitecompetition.)
That will be especially the case this year at the Sprints’ newest attraction, the Vintage Van Village. The annual gathering of many colourful and restored vintage caravans and, often, their matching classic tow vehicles, has become so popular that organisers have reserved a dedicated new area in the town’s main street and adjacent tothefirstcornerontheracingcourse.
The Village is also next to the Golden Fleece Bar, long-gone and remembered onlyinnameasoneofmanypubsthatwere built during Leyburn’s goldrush days in the 1860s.
Infact,theLeyburndistrictoozeshistory, from the goldrush information plaques and remaining buildings around the township to the site of the disused wartime airbase thatprovidedthesiteforthegrandprix.
“The atmosphere is very friendly and relaxed and the huge gathering of campers and caravanners is a special and welcome part of the Sprints weekend,” says Tricia Chant, President of the organising committeeofcommunityvolunteers.
“We go out of our way to keep it a grassroots event, with as few restrictions as possible and no big-city prices for camping, food or drinks. And if you’re lucky to bump into one of our VIP guests of famous former drivers, such as Queensland 150 Icon Dick
Johnson,you’llfindthey’rehappytostopfor anautographandasouvenirselfie.”
For those not equipped or inclined for camping, there are other inviting accommodationoptions.Authenticcountry pub comfort and food may be found at historic establishments such as Rudd’s Pub inNobby,BullandBarleyInninCambooya, andKararaandSandyCreekhotels.
Historic Leyburn Sprints visitors exploring the Southern Downs region will find plenty of magnificent rural vistas and other interesting attractions. A great way to discover these is by driving the dedicated Sprint Route, a 137 km loop that passes through the districts of Allan, Leslie and Cunningham (named after the explorers) and the townships of Pratten, Leyburn and Karara. Adult tickets to the Historic Leyburn Sprints cost $30 per day or $40 for the weekend. Accompanied children under 14enterfree.
CHRIS NIXON
Veteran driver and Queensland legend Dick Johnson will be at Leyburn again this year.
Checking out the Vintage Vans. (All photos supplied, Trapnell Creations and Roz Harman)
The stars of the weekend are the beautiful cars that take to the track. Leyburn comes alive during the race weekend.
Full-Board River Cruise
3 night Murray River cruise on board PS Murray Princess with all meals and sightseeing
Tour of Murray River Bridge and historic Roundhouse
Guided nature walk of Salt Bush Flat
Taste Riverland food and wine
Dragon-Fly flat-bottomed boat wildlife tour
Hotel Stays
3 nights four-star hotel stay in Adelaide with breakfast
1 night four-star hotel stay in Kangaroo Island with breakfast, lunch and dinner
Fully Escorted
Barossa Valley Tours
Full day Barossa Valley tour with lunch and wine tastings including:
Saltram wine estate, lunch and wine tasting at Lambert Estate, visit to Barossa Valley Chocolate Company, photo stop at Menglers Hill Lookout, vineyard tour & wine tasting at Jacob’s Creek visitor centre, stop at Beerenberg Farm, and free time in Hahndorf to explore the historic German settlement
Fully Escorted Kangaroo Island Tours
2 day Kangaroo Island tour including: Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery, Clifford’s Honey Farm, In-Flight Birds of Prey Display at Raptor Domain, Seal Bay Conservation Park guided beach walk, lunch at Emu Bay Lavender Farm, Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, and Flinders Chase National Park
All Flights, Taxes & Transfers
PARIS & THE HEART OF NORMANDY
Roundtrip from Paris
8 DAYS | 1 COUNTRY | 6 GUIDED TOURS
SET SAIL: MAR-NOV 2026; MAR-NOV 2027
From $6,395pp in Standard Stateroom
From $8,195pp in Veranda Stateroom
Avignon to Lyon or vice versa
8 DAYS | 1 COUNTRY | 7 GUIDED TOURS SET SAIL: MAR-NOV 2026; MAR-NOV 2027
From $6,395pp in Standard Stateroom
From $8,295pp in Veranda Stateroom
CHÂTEAUX, RIVERS & WINE
Round trip Bordeaux
8 DAYS | 1 COUNTRY | 6 GUIDED TOURS SET
PARIS, FRANCE
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
End of life discussion
Dying to Know Information Afternoon to be held on Sunday August 10, noon4pm. Afternoon tea provided. Anyone curious about death, dying and end of life most welcome. The Louis Joel Arts & Community Centre is at 5 Sargood Street, Altona.
9398 2511, www.ljac.com.au
Writers’ Success Summit
Level up your writing career at the West’s first Writers’ Success Summit! Join emerging and established writers from 9am - 4pm on Saturday, September 6, at the Altona Civic Centre. Gain expert tips, skill-building workshops, and valuable industry contacts. Hosted by Writers Out West for Hobsons Bay residents. Limited spots available—register now to secure your place among Melbourne’s writing community. https://bit.ly/WritersSuccess
Heritage walks
Enjoy a leisurely 900minute walk around historic Williamstown and nearby suburbs with guide John Becroft. Walks start at 9-20 am each Tuesday outside the Visitor Information Centre in Nelson Place. John Becroft 0418-377-336
Westgate diabetes support group
Meets on the first Tuesday of each month at Altona bowling club at 10am. Inquires, Elaine: 0415 030 996
Altona day view club
Meets on the third Wednesday of each month at Altona R.S.L. at 11am Inquires Jan: 0419 159 783
Mainly music – Yarraville
A music-playgroup program for kids and their carers from birth to school age. Held every Thursday from 9.30am to 10.30am during school term at Westgate Baptist Community, 16 High St, Yarraville. The cost is $7 per family, per week.
Contacts: Jenny 0401 651 012, Ruth 0409 635 468 or https://westgatebaptist. org.au/mainlymusic/
Williamstown seniors
The group meets every Tuesday at 1pm-3pm at Denis Reserve. It is a small group looking for more seniors both male and female. Members enjoy two hours of singing as well as afternoon tea. Cost is $5 for the afternoon.
Phone Marlene, president/secretary on 0402 769 204,for any more information.
Footscray CWA
Meet on the fourth Monday of every month from 7-9m at Footscray Scout Hall next door to Footscray Police Station, 4a Hyde Street.
cwaofvicfootscray@gmail.com, https:// www.facebook.com/CWAofVicFootscray/
Social square dancing for beginners. Come along to the Maribyrnong Community Centre on Thursday nights from 7.30pm to 10.30pm to learn social square dancing for beginners in a safe and friendly environment. The teaching is in a group but is self paced so there is no pressure to maintain a rate of learning.
Janine 0421 371 883 or contact@ essendonsquares.com
Free English conversation classes If English is your second language and you want to improve your English language skills, practice speaking with friendly
volunteer tutors in informal and interactive group sessions held every Monday at 1 pm -3pm in the meeting room at Altona Library, 123 Queen St Altona. Light refreshments provided. Come along and make new friends!
Contact Jill MacKenzie 0439994705 or jill.mackenzie111@gmail.com
Braybrook and Maidstone walking group
The Braybrook and Maidstone Neighbourhood House are holding a walking group from 9am to 10am every second Wednesday. The walking group is open to everyone and starts from the neighbourhood house at 113 Melon Street, Braybrook. 93175610 or jodie@bmnh.org.au
Music entertains seniors
Mambourin band Michael Z and the Leaping Legs performed to a captivated audience at the Altona Senior Citizens Clublastmonth.
The show on July 15 was part of the club’s“MysteryMusicSessions”heldevery Tuesday afternoon at the Sargood Street venuefrom1.30to3.00pm.
The “mystery” in the music sessions is that the genre of music and the type of performance varies from week to week.
From live local bands to musical trivia
and karaoke, the free music sessions offer something for everyone and are open to bothmembersandnon-members.
ItwashardtoknowwhoenjoyedMichael Z and the Leaping Legs’ performance more, the audience who lapped up their unique sound, or the band members who appreciated the enthusiastic reaction of a mucholdercrowdthanusual.
Either way, it was an afternoon that united young and old together in a very special way and Star Weekly’s Ljubica Vrankovicwastheretocaptureit.
Michael Zamperoni from Michael Z and the Leaping Legs performs at the Altona Senior Citizens Club on July 15. 489554_01
Anne Ford and Luke Dyer join Zamperoni on stage. 489554_03
Paul and Marianne Donaldson enjoy the show. 89554_06
Dorothy Kendell and Shirley McDade at the July 15 show, part of the Altona Senior Citizens Club’s mystery music sessions on Tuesday afternoons. 489554_12
John Dawson, Heather Dawson and Lorraine Healey enjoy the performance. 489554_11
This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of Sunshine Model Railway Club vice president Joe Saliba. (Damjan Janevski). 492384_01
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.
ACROSS
1 Strike (3)
3 Murder a politically important person (11)
9 Cowboy literary genre (7)
10 Print process (7)
11 Trustworthy (8)
12 Leave off (6)
14 Aye (3)
15 Debates (11)
17 Not anxious (11)
19 Buddhist temple or monastery (3)
20 Peril (6)
21 Despot (8)
24 Speech (7)
25 Stamp (7)
26 A phrase marked off by brackets (11)
27 Lord (3)
1 Common greeting question (3,3,3)
2 Fights (7)
3 Playground (5)
4 They protect the eyes from glare (10)
5 Staunch (4)
6 Made greater (9)
7 Japanese emperor from 1989 (7)
8 Type of boat used in rowing competition (5)
13 Amounts (10)
15 Flower tea (9)
16 Soaked (9)
18 Mythical horse-man (7)
19 Soaking (7)
20 Sag (5)
22 Ribbons (5)
23 2.54cm (4)
1 What is the most southerly county of England?
2 A cinquain is a poem of how many lines?
3 Which animal has the Latin name Equus africans asinus?
4 Philip J. Fry is a main character in which animated TV series?
5 What is the title of actor and comedian Amy Poehler's (pictured) memoir?
6 In which country did halloumi cheese originate?
7 The dime is a US coin worth how many cents?
8 Erik Weisz is the birth name of which illusionist?
9 Which 2015 movie is based on a novel by American writer David Ebershoff?
10 What colour is the 'e' in the Google logo?
SPORTS QUIZ
1. Which tennis champion became the oldest woman to win a WTA singles match since 2004, at age 45?
2. Australian driver James Wharton is currently racing in which FIA-sanctioned global motorsport competition?
3. Which cricketer scored 50 and took a wicket in his T20 international debut against West Indies?
5. Gina-Maria Schumacher, daughter of Michael, recently became the world champion of which horseriding competition?
6. Which club won the 2024–25 A-League Men competition, remarkably in its very first season?
7. Which Carlton AFL player announced his retirement after playing 179 games and defeating cancer
13. Emma Raducanu recently reclaimed her British No.1 tennis ranking after defeating which player at the Citi Open in Washington?
14. What is the nickname of the England women’s national football team?
15. The Claret Jug is a trophy awarded to the winner of which major golf tournament?
16. How much is Marcus Bontempelli’s new fouryear contract with the Western Bulldogs worth?
17. Name the two Australian cyclists who won stage victories in this year’s Tour de France.
18. Which Premier League soccer club has an insect on their emblem?
19. Sprinting sensation Gout Gout was born in which Queensland city?
20. Why did players’ surnames replace the Star Casino logo on the Broncos’ jerseys for their Round 7 NRL game against the Warriors in Auckland?
21. The Australia Cup soccer tournament first took place in what year?
22. The mascot for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games is what type of mythical creature?
23. Simone McKinnis is the head coach of which Super Netball team?
24. Which AFL team recently pulled off the greatest comeback win in league history against Melbourne?
25. Who did England defeat in the final of the 2025 UEFA Women’s Euro?
26. What nation did cricketer Jofra Archer play Under 19s cricket for before joining England?
27. What nation recently hosted the 2025 World Aquatics Championships?
28. Which Australian tennis player recently won the Washington DC
29. Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium recently celebrated an anniversary of how many years since opening?
30. How many Olympic medals has Ariarne Titmus won during her career?
Star Weekly seeks an enthusiastic Full or Part time 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.
Applicants will need their own reliable vehicle for which we will provide an allowance.
The position is salaried, plus we offer an open ended commission scheme.
Send your application letter and resume to: Advertising Sales Manager, Mandy Clark mandy.clark@starnewsgroup.com.au www.starnewsgroup.com.au
Open?
Raducanu
An example for others
By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring
After a week in the futuristic Audi Q4 EV, the diesel-powered Q7 marked an almost welcome return to normality.
We headed out west for a few days to visit friends and taste some wine and it meant not having to worry about when and where to charge the car.
Country folk know all about diesel and support the technology.
Dating back to 2015, the updated Q7 is currently Audi’s third most successful model, behind its smaller and cheaper siblings the Q5 and Q3, and offers the same kind of utility, but with extra seats and space to burn. Now in its 10th year of production, this is probably the last hurrah for this model which will almost certainly be replaced by an all-new, fully electric model.
Then again, Audi says Q7 has recently undergone a “considerate” mid-life cycle update, which suggests it’s going to stick around for another 10 years?
Styling
Built in Slovakia and updated towards the end of last year, the second generation Q7 comes in five grades, with a choice of turbocharged petrol, hybrid turbocharged petrol or diesel or twin-turbo V8 petrol powertrains.
Entry to the range is the 2.0-litre turbocharged Q7 45 TFSI quattro, priced from $108,000 plus on-road costs. It is followed by the hybrid, diesel-electric Q7 45 TDI priced from $117,000, then the hybrid petrol/diesel Q7 55 TFSI/Q7 50 TDI S-Line,bothpricedfromthesame$136,000 and finally top of the range twin turbo V8 SQ7 TFSI priced from $174,000.
The more you pay, obviously the more performance and equipment you get although you might like to weigh up whether the extra cost is justified.
More of a cosmetic and tech makeover than a mechanical upgrade, it might not be as fast or flash as the others, but our test vehicle,theQ745TDI,wasacomfyplacein which to spend a few days on the road and light on fuel as a bonus.
It was optioned with the gloss black exterior package ($1850), metallic paint ($2400), and panoramic glass sunroof ($4000),bringingthetotalpriceto$125,534 plus on-roads.
Standard equipment includes leather appointed upholstery, three-zone climate air, electric front seats with heating and driver seat memory, leather three-spoke steering wheel with multifunction plus and shift paddles, electric luggage compartment cover and a power-operated tailgate.
There’s also 20-inch wheels, adaptive air suspension, automatic parking assistance, auto-dimming interior mirror, auto lights and wipers, front and rear parking sensors, LED matrix headlights, auto high beam, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control (with stop & go, distance indicator, traffic jam assist and lane guidance system).
Q7 is covered by a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty.
Infotainment
An enhanced MMI infotainment system letsyoudownloadanduseappslikeSpotify without the need for a phone.
But the system follows Audi’s tried and tested approach with separate screens devoted to different functions.
There’s a 10.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment, with a second smaller 8.6-inch screen below this one to primarily control the air conditioning. A third
12.3-inch screen acts as a traditional instrument binnacle, but in digital form with limited customisation available.
Simple things like the reset for the trip computer can be incredibly hard to find (once upon a time there was a simple button).
Soundcomesfromanin-house10speaker audio system that includes a subwoofer, with Bluetooth, voice recognition built-in navigation, AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless capability.
There’s also wireless phone charging, twoUSBportsinthefrontandanotherpair inthebackplusthree12voltoutlets(onein the boot).
Buyers get complimentary three-year access to connected services, but Emergency call and Audi service request remain valid for 10 years.
Safety
Q7 earns a full five stars for safety with eight airbags, 360 degree cameras and front and rear autonomous emergency braking (AEB), but the third row lacks side, chest protection.
AEB (City, Interurban & Vulnerable Road User) works from 10km/h to 85km/h for pedestrians and cyclists, and up to 250km/h for vehicles.
There’s also lane keep assist (LKA) with lane departure warning (LDW) and emergency lane keeping (ELK) are standard, as well as blind spot warnings.
Intersection assist monitors the area in front of and to the side of the vehicle at junctions and exit roads up to 30km/h.
Turn assist monitors oncoming traffic when turning right at low speeds. Exit warningdetectsvehiclesandcyclistswhen opening doors.
There are ISOFix and top tether Child seat anchors for the second and third row seats. However, head-up display remains a $3200 option.
Engines/transmissions
The 3.0-litre turbo-diesel and 48 volt mild hybrid deliver 170 kW of power at 3500 rpm and 500Nm of torque from 1500-3000 rpm, and you can hardly hear it. It’s paired with an eight speed ZF sequential auto with drive to all four wheels on demand, auto engine stop-start and a self-locking centre differential.
Driving
At more than five metres in length and weighing in at 2255kg, and with a 3005mm wheelbase, Q7 is no shrinking violet.
A refreshed bolder face, incorporates a redesigned single frame radiator grille with vertical inlays, that gives the vehicle a moreassertivelook.Attherear,thebumper and diffuser have also been reworked. The modelvariantcanbefoundetchedintothe B-pillars.
Inside there’s room for seven and the third row of seats fold at the touch of a button, making it easier to get in and out of the back. But it’s fit for small children only. Luggage space is 295 litres with the third rowinuse,risingtoanimpressive780litres with the third row folded.
Although Q7 is an SUV with all-wheel drive,it’snotacarwewouldreallyconsider taking off road to any large degree, not with 200mm of ground clearance and low profile 285/45 series rubber. Dirt roads are fine, beaches to a point, but fire trails – no way.
This particular SUV is built for cruising, with an 85-litre tank and maximum range of more than 1400km. The mild hybrid boosts fuel efficiency, using a lithium-ion battery and a belt alternator starter that supplies power to the main electrical system.
The auto includes gear change paddles and six different drive modes.
The dash from 0-100km/h takes 7.1 seconds and it has a top speed of 226km. Fuel consumption is a claimed 7.0L/100km and it produces 184 g/km of CO2. The trip computer in our test vehicle showed 7.5L/100km after more than 1800km of driving.
In some ways the Q7 reminds us of our old VW Beetle, because the doors kept only half closing. A shove was needed to do the trick.
Despite its size it’s an easy car to drive and steer, but suffers from the occasional spot of turbo lag and the suspension can become slappy on country roads.
We assumed the electric motor would have taken care of the lag, with its torque down low.
Sometimes we found finding forward or reverse gear more difficult than it should be.
The instrument screen feels dated, cluttered and difficult to read in the larger mode. The additional screen for the air-conditioning seems unnecessary and takes up quite a bit of console space. It’s easy to brush the panel and change the temperature or activate seat heating without being aware of doing so.
There’s a wireless charge pad buried in the console box, which puts it out of reach when you’re driving – perhaps a good thing?
Pairing our late model Pixel phone was easy, but the phone refused to reconnect upon re-entering the vehicle, and we needed to delete it and go through the whole pairing process over again.
There’s built-in navigation, but Android Auto works flawlessly.
Thecarcomeswithafirstaidkit,warning triangle and high visibility vests in case of trouble, but a tyre repair kit is supplied in lieu of a spare tyre. In case you’re wondering, Q7 can tow a 3500kg braked load.
Summing up
Has it been that long?
It may not be the latest or greatest Audi, but the Q7 sets an example for others to follow. The evergreen Q7 continues to set the benchmark in the luxury SUV segment with its blend of performance, technology, and versatility.
It may not be the latest or greatest Audi, but the Q7 sets an example for others to follow. ( Supplied)
There was a nice break from wet and wintry conditions on Saturday allowing for some high quality matches.
Star Weekly’s LJUBICA VRANKOVIC was out shooting some of the action.
Spring breaking through
Williamstown’s Teagan Brett and Kiera Leare. 493536_13
Wyndhamvale’s Brodie Meadows beats West Footscray’s EJ Sharp to the ball. 493521_07
Williamstown’s Camryn Bux. 493536_03
Westbourne Grammarians’ Temeika Cathery. 493520_10
Westbourne Grammarians’ Paige Trajkovski. 493520_01
Sunshine Heights’ Rocco Tripodi and tackles Braybrook’s Jacob Bitzer. 493523_11
West Footscray’s Chris Long and Wyndhamvale’s Damon Stephens. 493521_14
Braybrook’s Luke Zammit. 493523_27
Essendon’s Matilda Dyke and North Melbourne’s Kim Rennie. 486680_03
North Melbourne’s Ruby Tripodi and Essendon’s Amy Gaylor. 486680_08
Brookers fight for the finals
By Tara Murray
Braybrook’s finals hopes received a big boost with a hard fought win against Sunshine Heights in the Western Football League division 2 competition.
Four teams are fighting for two finals spots including both the Brookers and the Dragons in the close middle part of the table.
Saturday’s win for the Brookers has them in the top five, a game clear of Sunshine Heights and Albanvale.
Brookers coach Geoff Maddern said their season had been on the line for a number of weeks.
“It’s very much so (in our own hands),” he said. “It has been like that for a few weeks.
“It’s definitely in our own hands now. We’ve been treating every week as a little bit of a final, exactly what yesterday [Saturday] was.”
It was a game of patches on Saturday with the game going down to the wire.
The Brookers led by 27 points at the first break before the margin was reduced to just two points at the final break.
Five goals to three in the final quarter ensured the Brookers walked about with a 14.12 (96)-11.16 (82) win.
“It was a tight tussle,” Maddern said. “It was one of those games where we started really well and Sunny Heights bounced back in the second and third quarters.
“It was a real arm wrestle in the last quarter. It was fantastic.”
Maddern said they adjusted the way they moved the ball into their forward line in the last quarter having played into the Dragons’ hands early in the game.
He said he thought that was the difference in the end.
Brandon Austin kicked five goals in a best on ground performance, while Jack Vivian chipped in with four goals.
Maddern said both were among their best along with Justin Condos.
He said the backline was also really strong across the day in a good team performance.
The Brookers’ hard run doesn’t let up.
They face ladder leaders Wyndhamvale this Saturday before facing another finals hopeful in the Suns in the final round.
Altona Gators fall short against the Pacers
Altona Gators will have to reset and refocus to get its Big V women’s division 1 finals campaign back on track.
The Gators did enough during the regular season to secure a double chance and set up a clash with the Whittlesea Pacers on Saturday night.
It was a familiar foe, with the two sides facing off the previous week as well, in the final round of the regular season.
The result was the same, with the Pacers winning 70-63 in the first week of finals.
Gators coach Randy Shanklin said it had been hard to take much out of the week before as they played that game with only seven players.
“We knew that finals would be a different beast in terms of mentality, but we didn’t have that and weren’t ready for that,” he said.
Shanklin said they were their own worst nightmare at times they tried to bridge the gap.
The Pacers led by five points at quarter time and were able to hold a lead from there.
While the Gators kept the game close, they couldn’t get over the line or take the lead at any stage.
“We’d get back to four points and we would make a mistake and they would make us pay,” Shanklin said.
“Tegan [Cunningham] has been there and down that at WNBL level there was no tension that showed through for her.
“We would be down by eight to 10 and get it back to four points and they would hit a massive baskets.
“Some others stepped up but she was the key one getting them going. Hayley Munro, who had hit two threes for the season, hit a couple of big shots and you just have to tip your hat.”
Shanklin said the difference in shots at the free throw line had a bit of an impact on the scoreboard and how they could play.
He said in the past two weeks, it was 5120 free three shots in favour of the Pacers.
“Considering that, to only lose by seven isn’t too bad.”
Jenna Mae Ellsworth top scored with 19 points for the Gators, as just three players hit double figures.
The Gators season isn’t over, but it’s all must win from here on in.
This week they will face the Western Port Steelers, who beat Melbourne University in the elimination final, 71-53.
The Pacers will face the Craigieburn Eagles for a grand final.
Shanklin said they know to expect in the knockout semi final.
“They are a familiar foe,” he said. “We beat them last year in the finals.
“We match up well and it will be a physical game and never pretty. Hopefully we’re a bit more confident this week.”
Maddern knows if they make finals they would have deserved to be there.
“It’s not easy to take on Wyndhamvale,” he said. “It’s a tough one and then the Suns game could be telling.
“We take it week by week. It’s been a good season and nice even around our area.
“We were a bit inconsistent to start the year, but we’ve started gelling well.
“I thought we might be better in the second half of the year once we got to know each other and we are much better.”
In other results, the Suns had a big win against Tarneit, Albanvale accounted for the Western Rams, North Footscray beat Laverton, while Wyndhamvale was too good for West Footscray.
Combine lists set
Five Western Jets and four Calder Cannons players are among the invite list to the AFL national and state combines in October.
The invite list includes representatives from every state and territory, along with all 23 members of the under-18 boys All Australian Team which was recently released. The three-day national draft combine will be held in Melbourne from October 3-5.
Selection to attend the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft Combine was based on nominations supplied by AFL clubs.
In addition, a preliminary list of 32 players have been invited to attend one of the three AFL state draft combines that will be held throughout October.
The Victorian state combine will be held on October 5 with further players to be added in the coming months.
Western Jets’ Oskar Ainsworth, Thomas Burton and Finn Davis have been invited to the national combine.
Ainsworth and Davis are from Williamstown CYMS, while Burton is from Point Cook.
Collingwood father-son prospect Tom McGuane and Yarraville Seddon’s Jacob Marron have been invited to the state combine. McGuane, who plays at Keilor where his dad Mick McGuane coaches, recently made his Victorian Football League debut for Collingwood.
Calder Cannons trio Cooper DuffTytler, Hussien El Achkar and Adam Sweid have all been named in the invites for the national combine.
Duff-Tytler, who is from Woodend-Hesket, and Sweid, who is from Pascoe Vale, were named in the under-18 All-Australian team.
Felix Kneipp, who has been injured, is the one Cannon that has so far been invited to the state combine.
The Gators are also still alive in the youth league men division 2 competition. The Gators beat Sherbrooke Suns on on Sunday, 91-84. Mitchell Smith top scored with 27 points for the Gators.
Alysha Carden-David. (Ljubica Vrankovic)
Oskar Ainsworth. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 486900_12
Seagulls look to the finals
By Tara Murray
Williamstown produced its highest score of the Victorian Football League women’s season but it wasn’t enough to enter the finals on the back of a win.
After a bye, the Seagulls were keen to account for Collingwood on Saturday and try and maybe lock in a double chance.
Both teams put on a show, but it was the Magpies that came out on top and locked in second spot, winning 11.3 (69)-9.2 (56).
Seagulls’ coach Liam Cavanagh said they would take a lot out of the game.
“We did a lot right and there’s still a lot to fix,” he said. “We were able to respond whenever they scored, but they were able to do the same thing.
“It was a good game to be part of and we put on a show. It was disappointing that we didn’t finish it off.”
Cavanaghsaidbothteamsplayedtotheir strengths and it was reflected on the scoreboard.
The Magpies scored 42 points from turnovers, while the Seagulls scored 49 points from stoppages.
Cavanagh said at times the Magpies had been able to pick them apart with their pace and ball movement, where they are a bit more chaotic.
ThescorewasthehighestfortheSeagulls this season and they were able to make the most of their opportunities.
Cavanagh said they had focused on increasing their scoreboard pressure and had
increased it by a couple of goals in the last few weeks.
“We had high percentage shots,” he said. “With the exception of Kiera Leare kicking one 30 metres out from the boundary, which she practices all the time, they were pretty straight forward kicks.
“We got the ball in the areas that we expect to kick it.
“Wehavetinkeredwiththeforwardline… It has been good.”
Cavanagh said while they were disappointed with the loss he thought they had pushed arguably the best team in the competition.
“Hopefully we get another chance to challenge them in a couple of weeks time,” he said.
Falcons regroup after shock loss to Hawks
The City West Falcons will have to respond to its most disappointing performance in years if they are to keep alive their hopes of a fourth straight Victorian Netball League grand final.
The Falcons were left shell shocked on Wednesday as the Hawks put on a stunning display to not only beat the Falcons, but earn the first grand final spot.
There was only one goal between the teams at quarter time in the major semi final,beforetheHawksstartedtotakecontrol.
Every time the Falcons looked like makingacomeback,theHawkshadtheanswers.
The Hawks pressure increased in the final quarter as the Falcons crumbled to lose 60-49.
Falcons coach Marg Lind said nothing went right across the whole court.
“I don’t think defensively we stuck to the plan,” she said. “We played safe netball and we had no attack on the ball so we couldn’t turn the ball over especially in the first half.
“We went away from what we wanted to
do and that was a lack of communication on the defenders end.
“Jane [Cook] wasn’t strong enough on the hold and we didn’t let the ball go. The speed of our game is what gets us the score.
“It was a terrible scoreline for us.”
Lind said it was frustrating seeing basic mistakes like stepping, fumbling or throwing the ball into hands. She said they struggled to find any winners across the court.
Lindsaidoncethingsdidn’tgotheirway, they didn’t just get on with it and let things dwell.
Cook finished with 47 goals for the Falcons.
The loss was compounded by injury concerns to co-captain Maggie Lind.
Lind, who has played limited in recent weeks, left the court in the third quarter after having treatment on her lower leg at all the breaks.
The Falcons, who are still alive due to a double chance, face a challenge they haven’t faced in a long time.
The Seagulls loss cost them a home final, but they will still play the Sandringham Zebras on Saturday.
“We lost by one point last time, hopefully we don’t lose by one point again,” Cavanagh said. “They had a couple of AFLW players play on the weekend.
“They are pretty similar to Collingwood.”
TheSeagullsarehopingtohavevice-captain Megan Williamson and second ruckfullforwardGeorgiaHowesbackforthefirst final.
Cavanagh said they had grown as a side without them and they would only be better with them in the side.
The Seagulls men’s side also lost to Collingwood, 16.12 (108)-15.7 (97).
The Seagulls remain in 10th.
The Druids have welcomed back Charith Mendis for at least the next two Victorian Turf Cricket Association seasons. Mendis previously played with the club during the 2023-24 season and took home the club’s prestigious club championship award. Last season he played in senior division, where his performances included making 121 against Keilor. Ashen Perera has also signed with the club for the next two seasons. He joins the Wizards from Point Cook Centrals and is expected to play a key role with the ball.
NPL
Altona Magic suffered another loss in the National Premier League competition on Friday night. Facing the Oakleigh Cannons, the Magic conceded a goal right on half time. That would be the difference with the Cannons winning, 1-0. The Magic sit in 11th spot, five points outside the relegation zone. In the Victorian Premier League 2 competition, Altona City lost to Brunswick Juventus, 3-2. Altona City sits in seven spot.
Western FL
Yarraville Sun pushed Werribee Centrals before falling short while West Footscray and Parkside both had big wins in the Western Football League women’s competition. The Eagles led early against the Centurions on Friday night, before the Centurions took the lead after half time to come away with a 6.5 (41)-4.11 (35) win. Elsewhere, West Footscray beat Wyndhamvale, 6.12 (48)-0.3 (3), and Parkside Spurs beat the Suns, 20.14 (134)-0.0 (0).
The last time the Falcons lost by more than 10 goals was in round 13 in 2022.
The loss on Wednesday night was only the third loss for the Falcons since that match and the last of those had been in round one last year.
The Falcons will face Boroondara Express for the second time in three weeks in the preliminary final, with the winner through to the grand final.
“We will see how we regroup and see how the players take on Express,” Lind said. “The Express aren’t going to start as poorly as last week.
“It’s going to be a totally different team that we are playing, with a different attitude.”
The Falcons 23 and under side has been knocked out after a semi final loss to the Melbourne University Lightning. 64-47. Lind said the side did well to make the top four but their inexperience shone against the Lightning, which is a pretty experienced outfit.
Western FL
Spotswood remains in the Western Football League division 1 top five despite losing to Yarraville Seddon on Saturday. The Eagles had to do it the hard way on Saturday to get the win as they come from behind at half time to win, 10.15 (75)-8.4 (52). The Eagles remain in third spot percentage behind Hoppers Crossing. With Albion also losing, Spotswood remains percentage clear in fifth spot.
Marg Lind. (Grant Treeby/Netball Victoria)
Roosters enjoy a fourth win
By Tara Murray
West Footscray got its fourth win on the board, as Parkside Spurs had a big win and Yarraville Seddon lost to another finals contender in the Western Football League women’s competition.
With only a couple of rounds left, sides are looking to seal up finals spots and other sides keen to finish on a high.
The Roosters, who had their third draw of the season last week, were able to sing the song again on Saturday.
Facing Wyndhamvale, which they’ve had a number of battles against in recent years, it was a slow start for both sides with neither side able to kick a goal in the first quarter.
While inaccurate, the Roosters man-
aged to just out to a 19 point lead at half time.
Another goal on the board in the third quarter increased the lead before the Roosters finished off strongly to win 6.12 (48)-0.3 (3).
Jessica Mudie and Janelle Sammut kicked two goals each for the Roosters.
Zara Harnden, Laura Littlepage and Sammut were named best.
The Roosters sit sixth on the ladder with two rounds remaining.
Yarraville Seddon fell short in one of its biggest tests of the season so far, just falling short against Werribee Centrals on Friday night.
The Eagles led at quarter time and still held a narrow three point lead heading into the main break.
The Centurions kicked two goals in the third quarter, while the Eagles could manage only three points as they conceded the lead.
The final quarter opened up slightly in the final quarter with two goals each as the Centurions did enough to come away with a 6.5 (41)-4.11 (35) win.
It was all single goal kickers for the Eagles.
Akec Makur Chuot, Elizabeth Moore and Rachel Culvenor were the best for the Eagles.
The Eagles remain in fourth spot Parkside Spurs flexed their muscle with a big win against the Suns.
A 7.2 first quarter set up the win for the Spurs who then continued to pile on the score in the next three quarters to come
Ruby Tripodi embraces her AFLW dream
North Melbourne’s Ruby Tripodi still pinches herself that she gets to run out each week with some of the best players in the AFLW.
Tripodi has established herself in a Kangaroos midfield with the likes of Ash Riddell and Jasmine Garner.
Speaking ahead of the Kangaroos first practice match with Essendon, Tripodi said everyone was ready to get things underway as they look to defend their title.
“It’s been really good,” she said. “Obviously last year was unreal.
“We had such a great year, quite a mature group, the way our coach Darren Crocker has been with us this pre-season acknowledged the premiership last year but this year is a new story and new chapter.
“We are very focused on the future and the opportunity ahead. It’s been a good pre-season and everyone’s very keen to get into some games with match sim and practice matches the next couple of weeks.”
Tripodi said says she is still in awe with the players she gets to play with.
One of the younger players in the side, she’s keen to take in everything that she can.
“I think I still have so much to learn,” she said.
“I’m so fortunate, especially to be in the midfield with the people we have in there, Jas Garner, Ash Riddell, Mia King and ruck Kim Rennie.
“They’re all so hard working and talented people, I feel like there is so much to learn from them.
“I do feel I’m learning so much as a midfielder and there is still so much to go hopefully.
“We’ve had a really good pre-season, made some great strides and worked really hard, hopefully we can do that when it comes to games.”
The Kangaroos played at Werribee on Saturday and for a girl from the west, Tripodi said it would be a special occasion.
“It’s nice getting into the community of Wyndham, personally I’ve grown up in Williamstown and I still live in Williamstown at the moment,” she said. “It’s very special to play out in the west.
“It’s such a growing population out there in Wyndham. I think we’re really fortunate
away with a, 20.14 (134)-0.0 (0) Nat Pearce kicked four goals for the Spurs, while Jessica Byrnes and Stacy Rigon kicked three goals each.
Rita Ceravolo, Pearce and Giselle Lambley were named the Spurs best.
The Spurs remain in second spot.
The Suns and Eagles face off this Saturday, in what is a mini final with both teams still fighting for fourth spot.
A win this week would ensure a finals spot for the Eagles, with the Suns having a bye in the final round.
In other matches this week, Werribee Centrals host West Footscray on Friday night, North Sunshine plays Caroline Springs and Point Cook Centrals plays Parkside Spurs.
to have such an opportunity to build a relationship and we’ve got some things in place with our next generation academy and VFLW program having the connection with the Werribee Football Club.
“We want to be able to support young kids coming through the opportunity to play AFL and AFLW.
“As a club we want to do everything that we can to support footy at the grassroots.”
Tripodi played at Williamstown CYMS before joining Williamstown in the Victorian Football League women’s competition before being drafted.
In June, the CYs announced that they had introduced the Ruby Tripodi Medal for the club’s best-first year women’s player.
Tripodi said it still feels weird to have a medal named after her.
“I’m absolutely honoured,” she said. “They are so lovely and they are such a supportive club and I was honestly not expecting that at all.
“They have been an amazing support to me, definitely would not be in that position without them.”
Williamstown Imperials are looking to build on a few successful seasons with the introduction of a women’s side for the first time.
The club announced on social media that they were looking for players to come play in the side which will kick off this season.
Imperials president Brett Pearce said they were keen to build so females of all ages could play at the club.
“We’ve got some junior girls’ sides and they have to move and go to other players to play when they get older,” he said.
“We want to have that pathway for junior players. They get that with the men and we want to create that for women now.
“Our club is an inclusive club for everyone. We want it to be a place women can come and enjoy cricket alongside their daughters.”
The Imperials already had some interest from people within the club about setting up a women’s side before even putting it out to the public.
Pearce said there were mothers of players and partners of senior players that wanted to play and it’s been behind trying to get the side off the ground.
“The driving force behind it is women who want to play with their girls, like dads do with the boys.
“We’re providing somewhere for everyone to come and play.”
Pearce said there had been an influx of interest once they announced they would have a side but were still looking for new players.
The club at this stage will have a group of people from within the club help look after the women’s program.
Pearce said they had put out an advertisement for a women’s coach a while ago without any interest, but would still happily speak to anyone who is interested.
The club is set to start their women’s side in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association which has social T20 competitions where everyone gets the opportunity to bat and bowl.
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Ruby Tripodi. (AAP Image/Con Chronis)
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