Land us a school
By Jaidyn Kennedy
It is high time the state government built a school in Williams Landing, according to the suburb’s councillor.
Councillor Larry Zhao said there has beennothingmorethantalkabouttheidea since he moved to the suburb in 2012.
“When I first moved here people were saying that they are going to build a school here in Williams Landing,” Cr Zhao said.
“Atthetimemydaughterwasthreeyears old and we had to eventually send her to Alamanda [K–9 College] in Point Cook.”
He said advocating for a primary and secondary school was one the reasons he stood for council last year.
“After more than 10 years here in Williams Landing, as everyone knows, there are still no schools,” Cr Zhao said.
“That’s why, for myself personally, I have
lost my patience and it was one of my key reasons for standing [for election] to try and understand what is going on.
“I think particularly for some of the multiculturalcommunitieslivinghere,itis especially important that they have a good education system for their children.”
Cr Zhao said having to drive children to the nearby suburbs of Truganina, Point Cook, Seabrook and Laverton can be a “nightmare” due to peak hour traffic.
“Imagine if they have two children or three children, having to go from the primary school to the high school at the same time – how hard is that?” he said.
The lack of education options has caused young families to leave Williams Landing, Cr Zhao said.
“We do have lots of children living here in Williams Landing and I have seen the turnover of people because I do have lots
of friends moving because of the lack of schools,” he said.
“Some of them go to the eastern suburbs because they have so many good schools.”
He believes there is a misconception that the suburb is new and already has everything it needs.
“I think the logic is because you already have a train station here, easy access to the freeway, a shopping centre, offices, you alreadyhaveeverythinghereandyoudon’t deserve a school,” Cr Zhao said.
ADepartmentofEducationspokesperson said schools servicing Williams Landing currently have the capacity to meet anticipated enrolments.
“Students in Williams Landing have several local enrolment choices for both primary and secondary government schools including Truganina South Primary School and Dohertys Creek P-9
College,” the spokesperson said.
StarWeeklyunderstands that the shared enrolment area was established by the state government in 2022 and will remain in effect until 2028.
Primary school students residing in Williams Landing are zoned to Truganina South Primary School, Dohertys Creek P-9 College, Laverton P-12 College or Seabrook Primary School.
For secondary schooling, students fall in either the Laverton P-12 College, Carranballac P-9 College, or Dohertys Creek P-9 College zones.
Itisalsounderstoodthatthedepartment hasanannualplanningprocessthatfactors in enrolment trends, forecast population demand, and the capacity of government schools, of which has informed the decision that the suburb is adequately serviced.
Councillor Larry Zhao (right) and a group of Williams Landing residents are calling on the state government to build a school in the suburb. (Damjan Janevski). 493128_02
Synagogue fire charges
The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) has charged a man over his alleged role in the arson that severely damaged the Adass Israel Synagogue in December 2024.
The Werribee man, 21, has been charged with the offences of arson, endangering life and theft of a motor vehicle.
It will be alleged the man is one of three individuals who broke into the Ripponlea synagogue and set the fire.
JCTTinvestigators–withtheassistance of state and federal police arms – executed seven search warrants at Point Cook, Werribee,Toorak, Airport West, Hadfield,
Weir Views, and Coburg on Wednesday, July 30.
Various items, including electronic devices, were seized and will be forensically examined, police said.
An Australian Federal Police (AFP) member was attacked by an unrestrained dog at the Weir Views home, resulting in a police firearm being discharged.
The dog was subsequently euthanised at a veterinary clinic.
On July 16, JCTT charged another person for allegedly stealing a car, which is alleged to have been used to drive to the synagogue on December 6 ,2024.
Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner
Wendy Steendam said the JCTT arrests are a significant breakthrough.
“We now have charged two people as part of this investigation and I expect there will be more to come,” she said.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said police would be relentless in pursuing the case and persecuting those involved.
“People deserve to be safe and feel safe, particularly when it comes to their places of worship. This is not negotiable in any way,” Mr Bush said.
Australian Federal Police National Security Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett said that time had not lessened the
Student’s Anzac spirit shines through
A year 11 student from The Grange P-12 College has been named one of this year’s recipients of the premier’s Spirit of Anzac prize.
Hoppers Crossing student Jack received the award for his exceptional understanding of the Anzac spirit and core values. His passion and authenticity impressed a panel of judges, who were particularly taken by his championing of mental health.
“It’s okay to ask for help. In a lot of cultures, especially mine, opening up about howyoufeelisseenasbeing“weak,”Jack
said. “But I think it’s actually the strongest thing you can do. If we keep ignoring it, we keep losing people in silence.
“That’s why I talk about it so much because I want people to know they’re not alone.”
Triumph through adversity and the Congolese community have been pillars of strength and sources of inspiration for Jack.
“Coming from an immigrant family and being a young Black guy in Australia, I’ve always felt like I had to work twice as hard just to be seen,” he said.
“This isn’t just my win, it’s for my family, my community, and everyone who’s ever been underestimated.”
For his efforts, Jack will take part in an international study tour later this year to explore Australia’s wartime history, including visits to key memorial sites and meetings with historians and veterans.
Jack said he is nervous, excited, and above all grateful for the opportunity.
“I’m ready to step into this tour with nothing but respect for the people I meet, for where I come from, and for the journey ahead.”
Machete disposal bin rolled out in Wyndham during amnesty
Wyndham will be home to a machete disposal bin as part of a two-month amnesty period during which people are being urged to safely dispose of the weapon.
The safe disposal bin will be located at Werribee Police Station, 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 totwoyears’imprisonmentorafineofmore than $47,000.
gravity of the situation.
“This crime was despicable as it was dangerous, and it is important to acknowledge that this was not just an arson on a synagogue,” Ms Barrett said.
“The effect of this crime has rippled through a community that continues to be targeted by criminals.
The man was expected to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, July 31.
Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is urged to contact investigators through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Real estate agents
in crackdown
Four real estate agencies from Wyndham have pleaded guilty to breaking Victoria’s rental laws, following an investigation by Consumer Affairs Victoria’s renting taskforce.
Wyndham Realty Pty Ltd trading as Barry Plant, Werribee AAM Realtor Pty Ltd trading as Ray White, Point Cook White Lotus Property Group and Truganina YouSales Pty Ltd admitted they failed to advertise a fixed rental price for properties listed on realestate.com.au and domain.com.au.
Consumer Affairs director Nicole Rich described the breaches as serious, warning that not using a fixed price can promote illegal rental bidding.
“Our renting taskforce is committed to holding agents accountable if they break Victoria’s rental laws, we’ll continue to pursue those who fail to meet those standards, including taking them to court where necessary,” Ms Rich said.
“Real estate agents are part of a licensed profession with clear legal obligations to understand and follow property sales and renting laws.“
Ms Rich said that these legal options included but were not limited to using their management systems correctly and ensuring that their staff are correctly trained.
“Price transparency is vital– renters have the right to know how much they can expect to pay for a rental property,” she said.
Rental bidding, where renters compete to offer higher amounts to secure a property, has been banned in Victoria since 2021.
The practice was outlawed as part of the introduction of 130 new rental law reforms.
Barry Plant Werribee, Ray White Point Cook and YouSales were fined. White Lotus Property Group received a 12-month court order prohibiting further offending.
Since the taskforce was established, more than 50 agencies have been fined for failing to advertise fixed rental prices, according to Consumer Affairs.
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.
The government introduced an interim sales ban on machetes in May in response to a knife attack at Northland Shopping Centre.
Details: vic.gov.au/machete-amnesty.
As well as ensuring agents comply with renting laws, Consumer Affairs Victoria is also working with property listing websites to change their pricing parameters, to ensure properties can only be advertised with a fixed price.
A fifth case, involving Smart Six Corporation Pty Ltd (trading as PRD, Mildura) will be heard at the Mildura Magistrates’ Court on August 19.
If you suspect any breaches of rental advertising laws, you can report it to Consumer Affairs: https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/
Year 11 student Jack has received the Premier’s Spirit of Anazc prize. (Damjan Janevski) 490935_06
Weed destroying Wyndham
By Jaidyn Kennedy
A working group tackling the invasive serrated tussock is calling on property owners in Wyndham and the state government to take the weed seriously.
Ivan Carter of the Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party (VSTWP) said sections of Werribee, Wyndham Vale and Little River are naturally susceptible to infestation.
“It likes dry conditions and prefers more marginal countries– that’s why it does very well around Werribee,” Mr Carter said.
One of the most difficult things about attacking the issue is distinguishing serrated
tussock from other weeds.
“That is what we find the most common in areas that aren’t primary production areas like farms, people just don’t know what it is and how to identify it,” Mr Carter said.
“The good news is once you have identified it, it is not a complicated plant to get rid of.
“They have a very shallow system, and you can dispose of them usually in a double garbage bag which is considered best practice.”
In infestations of more than 50 weeds, he said there are registered herbicides that can be obtained and sprayed; the best time to
begin is spring.
There are also larger boom sprays that can be used to cover bigger patches of land.
Under the catchment and land protection act, the state government has the authority to enforce property owners to remove the weed.
Mr Carter said that many land owners he had spoken to have never been urged to do a clean up.
“That is probably the crux of it– people have spoken to me about saying that ‘we used to get visited more and it used to get everyoneonboardtodoitatthesametime.’”
An Agriculture Victoria spokesperson
Call for more CCTV to keep Tarneit safe
A Tarneit local is calling on council to roll out more CCTV (closed circuit television) on residential streets to help deter crime.
Venkat ram Upparlapalle said that having an extended surveillance system would help identify those involved in incidents of violent crime and reckless behaviour.
“People are flagging reckless driving and illegal dumping, car bashings and thefts, so those are definitely the main drivers of the idea,” he said.
“When you see these stories and hear about it, you get the feeling that you are not in a safe place. Thinking of this from
a community perspective, the more regularly these things happen you will see more people move out. We definitely need more surveillance.”
Mr Upparlapalle said that many people he speaks to on a regular basis express fear and that expanded CCTV would be a way to rebuild faith in community safety.
“It’s not just about catching those people ( who commit crimes), but it is about building the confidence of the local community.
“The police should have the information especially relating to the locations where things are frequently happening.”
He also believes that having the cameras strategically placed might be the best municipal solution for catching dangerous drivers or those not obeying the speed limit.
“Once you put the cameras on the street, and once people who are speeding see the bill come through they may rethink things. You will see a change in the driving around here pretty quickly.”
A Wyndham City spokesperson said “Council does not routinely install CCTV on residential streets as this raises complex issues around privacy, surveillance, and jurisdiction.”
said that the state government is investing more than $5.5 million into supporting community-led action to tackle the issue through the Partnership Against Pests program.
“We take a risk-based approach to managing serrated tussock—prioritising isolated infestations that pose the highest risk in Victoria and supporting communities to contain its spread,” the spokesperson said.
Star Weekly understands that Agriculture Victoria looks to support areas that have sustained community-led action as compliance alone rarely leads to long term change.
Council endorses ideas for MAV
Wyndham council has agreed to pitch four priorities relating to cost sharing with the state government to other Victorian councils later in the year.
At the council meeting on Tuesday, July 23, councillors endorsed a report calling on the state government to provide a return to a 50/50 funding model for school crossing supervisors.
The report claimed that the ‘School Crossing Supervisors Program’ in Wyndham costs the council an average $4.1 million annually.
According to the document, the $1.3 million being allocated by the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) no longer reflects the original 50/50 cost splitting agreement.
Councillor Jasmine Hill said the document was an important step in making sure the council could cater to its residents’ needs.
“It’s really time to balance state investment to ensure our suburbs get a fair share– especially for Point Cook and Tarneit.”
To address the distribution of pools across the state, the report recommended a new and recurrent grant program to support the development of aquatic centres.
“In my view, [the funds] should come from grants and other sources that don’t place a burden on the community,” Cr Peter Maynard said in support of the resolution.
“There are probably many councils that have more pools than they want.”
The report also highlighted the need for the state government to fund weather-proof bus shelters as urgent.
It states that many bus stops along routes in Wyndham do not offer passengers shelter, but rather a platform and a timetable sign— which can leave patrons exposed to the elements on hot and rainy days
Councillor Robert Szatkowski also spoke in support of the suggestion that the state government works more closely with councils on developing a framework for using artificial intelligence (AI).
Wyndham council is opening its doors to residents who are interested in voicing their opinion about the city’s current financial
The Budget Forum will be hosted at the Wyndham Civic Centre from 9.30-11am on Saturday, August 16.
The purpose of the forum is to provide attendees with an overview of council’s current financial position, how community feedback is incorporated into the final budget and an opportunity to reflect on the process.
Council chief executive Stephen Wall
will be in attendance and provide guests an overview of the municipality’s current financial position.
Mr Wall will also address the challenges Wyndham faces and the legislative requirements guiding community engagement in the budget process.
The session includes an open question and answer session with councillors and council staff, followed by discussion on future opportunities for budget engagement.
The feedback from the sessions will help council inform its processes and community engagement methods going forward.
Members of the community are encouraged to register and attend this event to share their insights and thoughts.
This is an opportunity for residents to understand how a budget is developed and to have a say in shaping the future of the city.
Registration is essential, as places are limited.
To secure a place residents are encouraged to register before 5pm on Monday, August 11 via The Loop.
To register: https://theloop.wyndham. vic.gov.au/future-wyndham/budget-forum-registration-form
“The later we begin the adoption of AI and have a framework, the longer we will not be reaping the benefits of its productivity,” he said.
Councillor Shannon McGuire will serve as Wyndham’s delegate to the meeting of the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) in October and table the resolutions.
The MAV is an advocacy body that represents the interests of the councils.
Venkat Ram Upparlapalle wants to see more CCTV in the municipality. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 492306_02
state.
Millions more lost to pokies
By Jaidyn Kennedy
The amount of money punted away on electronic gaming machines in Wyndham has increased in the last 12 months.
According to new data, Wyndham residents spent $132.3 million on EGMs between July 2024 and June 2025 — up $7.1m from the 2023 -2024 financial year.
Settlement Service International (SSI) head of community wellbeing and health Rose Vearing said several factors contribute to areas becoming gambling hotspots.
SSI provides culturally informed gambling support.
“In many areas, gambling is normalised through cultural or social prac-
tices, local advertising, and venue promotions, reinforcing its presence in daily life,” Ms Vearing said.
“Proximity to shopping centres, transport hubs, and densely populated residential zones further increases accessibility and foot traffic.
“These factors are compounded by the presence of vulnerable populations experiencing financial stress, mental health issues or social isolation.”
The spread of gaming venues and facilities can be hard to stop, much less reverse, she said.
“Inadequate regulation and local government limitations in controlling venue numbers or machine caps often mean that once a region becomes saturated, it
is difficult to reverse the trend.”
However, relying solely on data from EGMs may not paint an accurate picture.
“As online gambling continues to rise, even areas with fewer physical venues may still experience significant gambling harm,” Ms Vearing said.
Ms Vearing said a comprehensive approach is needed to reduce gambling in high risk areas like Wyndham.
“Limitingtheaccessibilityandconcentration of gambling venues, particularly electronic gaming machines (EGMs), through tighter planning controls and caps in vulnerable areas is critical.
“Local councils should be given more authority to make planning decisions that prioritise community wellbeing.
Everyone is welcome to join a Rotary club
‘Everyone is welcome’ is the mantra of the Rotary Club of Wyndham Harbour.
Outgoing president Mamode Osikoya explained why being part of the service club is special to her.
“We have 17 members and one of our members lives in Portugal, it’s a very diverse club in terms of age and ethnicity,” Ms Osikoya said.
“One of the things I love is that irrespective of who you are, you just fit in.”
The club meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. The meeting is at
By the Bay Cafe & Bar in Wyndham Harbour and the second meeting of the month is via Zoom. Members discuss ongoing projects, plan new initiatives and foster a sense of community.
Members contribute to important projects that help the local community and people the world over.
“My favourite is helping people I don’t know. I get satisfaction from helping people I have never met,” Ms Mamode said.
“There is a notion that it (Rotary) is just for people between a certain age demo-
graphic, but I think our club is the definition of the opposite.”
The club has no shortage of experience and acumen as it adopted members of the Laverton and Point Cook club in 2023.
“Weareanewclubthathasadoptedpeople with a lot of experience,” Ms Mamode said.
For those interested in making new friends, rolling up their sleeves for good and putting their altruism to good use, visit: https://rotarywyndhamharbour.org.au/ volunteer
“Equally important is the expansion of alternative recreational and social activities to provide healthier, more inclusive spaces for social connection.”
Financial education services in multiple languages are also a must, according to Ms Vearing.
“These services must be visible, local and delivered in languages and formats that resonate with the community.”
She also flagged public education campaigns led by people with lived experience as a crucial first step in de-stigmaising seeking help.
“Restrictions on gambling advertising and promotions, particularly in public spaces and near transport hubs are also key to reducing exposure.”
Trail completed
A three-kilometre concrete shared user path in Sanctuary Lakes has been completed by Wyndham council.
The path extends from the bridge over Skeleton Creek near Sunflower Walk to the Hobsons Bay municipal border.
The renovated path will replace the old gravel track in order to improve safety and usability for residents.
Mayor Mia Shaw said the project was important and fills a missing link that was existing in the walking network across Sanctuary Lakes.
Cr Susan McIntyre was an advocate for the path’s development, along with many residents.
“Whether you’re heading out for a scenic stroll, a jog with your dog, or a weekend bike ride, this improved path will offer a safer, more accessible and more enjoyable way to get around,” Cr McIntyre said.
She also said it will better connect the area with other sections of Point Cook and make the suburb more walkable.
“This long-awaited project will enhance connectivity along the coast, and with the Bay Trail bridge now linking directly into Saltwater it creates a seamless and more accessible route for residents and visitors alike,” she said.
“It’s a fantastic step forward for local active transport, connecting more people to nature, to their neighbourhoods, and to each other.”
Rotary Club of Wyndham Harbour’s outgoing president Mamode Osikoya. (Damjan Janevski). 492076_03
Kulinda is aging gracefully
The western suburbs have many nice little spots for seniors to settle in, but arguably none are as spacious and scenic as the Werribee Open Range Zoo.
Kulinda the 12-year-old cheetah is certainly spending her golden years in style.
Although she could still reach speeds of up to 90 km/h, her days now include more rest and relaxation, plus regular health checks to support her as she ages.
African River Trail keeper Maya Watt said Kulinda, one of the oldest cheetahs in Australasia, is aging gracefully.
“Cheetah’s normally live to eight years old in the wild, so with the luxury lifestyle sheleadsinthezoo,she’singreatcondition for an elderly animal and is very playful and alert,” Ms Watt said.
“She is a very vocal cat and meows and
chirps during the open mouth training and always presents her tail to us so we can check her blood pressure.”
Notoriously calm and relaxed, Kulinda truly goes at her own pace.
Shelovesbaskinginthesunandspritzing with her favourite perfume– eucalyptus leaves.
While Chanel hasn’t offered her a signature scent deal yet, Ms Watts says it’s only a matter of time before the Milanese fashionistas come knocking.
“She’s such a striking cheetah with her piercing eyes and tear-drop shaped spots on her face which not only look regal but help to reflect the sun and improve her focus on prey,” she said.
Visitors can see Kulinda basking in her heated hat bed when they visit the African River Trail at Werribee Open Range Zoo.
Briefs
Football melee in Hoppers
A football match in Hoppers Crossing turned into a brawl on the evening of Friday, August 1. A police spokesperson said officers were called to the sporting club on Hogans Road after callers to triple-0 reported that up to 100 people were fighting about 9pm. It is believed the incident started on field between players before spectators joined the melee. Although the incident had dissipated when police arrived, officers maintained a presence to ensure players could leave the ground without incident. A 19-year-old Hoppers Crossing man and an 18-year-old Werribee man were arrested for failing to obey police direction.
Werribee Rotary grants open
The Werribee Rotary club is now taking applications for its annual community grants program. Seven successful community groups will be invited to a dinner later this year to receive a cheque. In the past, the grants have been used to benefit a variety of community groups ranging from emergency services to children’s sporting clubs. President Lyn Fava said the initiative goes beyond a dollar sum. “The grants are about uniting the community, identifying where community groups are excelling and it is also about building relationships with Werribee Rotary,” she said.
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Kulinda still has a great turn of foot. (Zoos Victoria)
Polystyrene dumping ‘filth’
By Jaidyn Kennedy
A man resident is calling on council to crack down on polystyrene dumping by builders in newer housing estates in Wyndham.
Peter Sasso, who frequently travels through the area, said the issue is worst in areas like Tarneit, Wyndham Vale and Manor Lakes.
“It is absolutely hideous, I have never seen such an accumulation of filth,” Mr Sasso said.
“The problem is extreme apathy about our environment and health about it from an official level.”
Mr Sasso said he has been urging council
to do more about the issue since 2022.
“Unless someone is willing to take action, it is going to keep blowing everywhere – the substance never breaks down,” he said.
Mayor Mia Shaw said council is addressing growing concerns about illegal dumping of polystyrene, especially polystyrene waffle pods and foam remnants, from construction sites in new housing areas.
“Illegal litter dumping is a significant and growing problem for all councils, particularly in growth areas and has cost Wyndham ratepayers $6.1 million over the last five years,” Cr Shaw said.
Cr Shaw also said the council is aware that many members of the community are
frustrated with the status quo.
“We understand the community’s frustration with polystyrene litter from building sites.”
She said council takes a zero-tolerance approach to illegal dumping and conducts targeted patrols that includes after-hours monitoring to deter polystyrene dumping.
In the past financial year, council issued 112 warnings or infringements to builders for failing to secure polystyrene on-site and 32 warnings or infringements were issued for not removing polystyrene in 48 hours.
“While enforcement alone may not eliminate illegal dumping of polystyrene, we’re prioritising clean-ups as soon as possible
New era, same commitment to health
Tully Smith has been announced as the Wyndham Health Foundation’s new board chair and he is on a mission to make sure every resident in the city has a fair go when it comes to their health.
Having served on the board of the notfor-profit charity for more than a year, Mr Smith said he was keen to jump into the role.
“Our former chair Darren Reynolds has done a great job and I am looking to carry that on,” Mr Smith said.
One of Mr Smith’s priorities is making sure people know about the foundation’s
mission to support public healthcare. Wyndham Health Foundation partners with local healthcare providers to allocate grants to tackle key community health challenges.
“I’m really keen on growing our identity, obviously we live in one the most multicultural communities in the country,” he said. “Mental health is a critical focus, but broadly first and foremost just handling the sheer growth in Wyndham and the lack of access to public healthcare.”
Mr Smith is also keen to start a bequest program to ensure the long term
health of the community.
“That will contribute to the health and wellbeing of people in our local community in perpetuity. The fact of the matter is it is hard to find a GP in Wyndham, let alone a specialist when you need it.”
Mr Smith said a healthy community benefits all residents.
“A big focus will be what the future healthcare of Wyndham residents will be and we will be lobbying hard for those needs to be met.”
Werribee and Werribee South picked for park program
Two suburbs in Wyndham are among those eligible for the state government’s Pick My Park program launched on Friday. Werribee and Werribee South are among the suburbs eligible for the $30 million program where local residents are invited to suggest ideas for new or improved parks, playgrounds and green spaces 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 program is aimed at areas earmarked for future housing development such as activity centres surrounding train stations.
“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 deliver-
including deploying rapid response teams to quickly remove dumped polystyrene and maintain public areas,” Cr Shaw said.
“At Wyndham, residents are provided with a tip token each year, as well as three free hard rubbish collections.
“We encourage everyone to help keep Wyndham clean by reporting incidents of dumpingandreportanysightingofdumped polystyrene.
“We also encourage residents to take note of anyone dumping rubbish and record details including description of items dumped to assist council in undertaking enforcement action.”
Details: 1300 023 411
First responders get vital training
First responders from across the state cut their teeth in a vital training exercise in Werribee recently.
On Monday, July 28, Ambulance Victoria (AV) paramedics teamed up with other emergency services in a high intensity road crash simulation.
The multi-agency training in Werribee, now in its eighth year, brought together representatives from AV, Country Fire Authority (CFA) and Victoria Police, with participants responding to two scenarios mimicking real-life motor vehicle crashes.
The training scenarios saw emergency services respond to two-vehicle collisions that left patients mechanically trapped with critical, life-threatening injuries.
CFA members lifted the roof of a car which had been cut off, then the paramedics attended to a mannequin.
Blixa Webster of AV said the exercise is always an excellent opportunity for first responders to sharpen their abilities in a controlled environment.
“This annual training event gives paramedics and our emergency services colleagues the chance to practise critical skills in a setting that is as close to the real thing as possible,” Ms Webster said.
“These high-fidelity exercises took place in real time, in the dark, with real equipment to simulate realism in every aspect.”
“These patients often need surgical intervention to ensure long-term survival, so it’s extremely important we run through these scenarios to ensure we all know our roles.”
“Even in a simulation, road crash rescue incidents are confronting and stressful.”
She said the cooperation element was vital.
“These exercises allow paramedics to practise working as a team with other emergency services and, at the same time, receive feedback on what they’re doing.”
“Managing the complex elements of entrapment and patient criticality required collaboration between paramedics and firefighters to access and treat patients before they could be extricated and transported to hospital.”
ing 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 and then make a suggestion.
“Pick your park, share your ideas – we know how important parks are for communities, so we want to hear what matters to you.”
In addition to the practical scenarios, the evening also included a presentation on AV’s response to road crash rescue and workshop stations for low frequency skills.
“Taking part in opportunities such as these are a great way to ensure we continue to provide best care to patients at real road incidents when it matters most,” Ms Webster said.
A facilitator was also assigned to each mock patient – an AV mannequin – to help participants understand their findings and the impact of their decisions and care.
Tully Smith is the new board chair of the Wyndham Health Foundation. (Damjan Janevski). 493369_02
Planting to green the west
Star Weekly photographer DAMJAN JANEVSKI visited Victoria University’s Werribee campus on Friday, August 1 to capture the action at the annual community tree planting day. Since 2022, VU staff and students have planted more than 12,500 trees in Werribee and are on a mission to help increase canopy coverage in the west.
Club 60 group from Tarneit were all hands on deck. 492849_08
VU staff Janusz Dutka, Silvana DiSisto and Dianne McKeaney. 492849_06
VU vice chancellor Adam Shoemaker and ‘The Vulture.’ 492849_07
A Lifestyle that supports you: Bringing everything together
As winter winds down, August offers a moment to pause – to retreat from the rush, reset your routine, and reconnect with what matters most.
It’s often in these quieter moments that we start thinking about what really adds value to our lives: good health, meaningful connection, and a lifestyle that makes space for wellbeing.
That’s exactly what life at Lifestyle Communities is all about.
There, you’ll find more than just thoughtfully designed, low-maintenance homes.
Exclusively available to homeowners, the Lifestyle Wellness Program is designed to support every part of your wellbeing – physically, mentally and socially.
It brings together everything from yoga toagameofbowlswithfriends,tocreative workshops and social gatherings over coffee.
Whether you’re diving into something new or rediscovering an old passion, there’s always something to re-energise and inspire you.
Thebestpart?Itallhappensrightwithin your community, and at your pace. Do a little or do a lot. The choice is yours.
“Before joining the community, my husband spent most of his time alone. Retirement and Parkinson’s had isolated him socially. Now, he’s thriving – playing bowls, joining committees, and building strong friendships. The change in lifestyle and regular exercise has noticeably improved his health, and it’s made a world of difference to both our lives,“ homeowners from Lifestyle Kaduna Park said.
So before the rush of spring sets in,
The Lifestyle Wellness Program is designed to support your wellbeing. (Supplied)
Take charge of your care: free advice from Trilogy Care
Trilogy Care understands how important it is to stay in control of your care as you age.
As Australia’s aged care system evolves, Trilogy Care is here to guide you every step of the way.
With the new Support at Home program replacing Home Care Packages (HCP) from November 1, many Australians are unsure how these changes will affect their funding, services, and choices.
That’s where Trilogy Care can help.
Trilogy Care has supported thousands of Australians to self-manage their home care, helping families navigate their options with confidence and dignity. Its team offers free, personalised advice to empower families to make informed decisions.
Whether you’re starting your care journey, receiving a HCP, supporting a lovedone,orsimplywantingtounderstand what’s ahead, the Trilogy Care team is ready to help you understand what’s changing.
Through education and information sharing with local communities, Trilogy Care is breaking down complex policies andmakingagedcareeasiertounderstand.
Through free resources, information sessions, and events like the Trilogy Care Roadshow, they’ll be visiting Werribee to ensure no one faces the changes alone.
You can join Trilogy Care for a free information session at the Italian Sports Club of Werribee on Monday, August 18 at 11am.
Hear directly from aged care experts, ask your questions, and get tailored advice before the new rules take effect. You’ll also connect with others in similar situations and leave with practical next steps.
To reserve your place at the Werribee
Roadshow, visit: trilogycare.com.au/ events or call (07) 2112 0220.
Trilogy Care is a self-managed Home Care Package provider supporting Australians to confidently coordinate
your home care free information session.
their Home Care package (HCP) so you can continue living safely and comfortably at home.
It enables families with choice and control over their Home Care Package
which means lower management fees and budget flexibility to assist with long-term care.
To learn more about the services Trilogy Care provides visit: trilogycare.com.au
Jake Kelly-Grubb and Jay Pery will be answering your questions at the Take charge of
(Supplied)
Men supporting men at Baptcare Wyndham Lodge
Once a month, men at Baptcare Wyndham Lodge Residential Aged Care community make a visit to the MCG – but it is no footy excursion.
ThisMCGisMen’sChatGroup.Volunteer coordinator Keith Charlesworth says the gentlemen love coming together to share food and plenty of banter.
“It is a relaxed place where men can be men and share whatever is on their mind,” Keith said.
“There is a sense of camaraderie. Nobody hogs the limelight. There are very few guidelines, but the main one is that we
are not there to judge others. Through the shared conversations, the men know that they are not on their own. The things that they might be feeling are sure to be shared by others.
“I have found over time that men will discuss things in small groups that they would not talk about in larger groups. It is a platformofequalityforeverybody,whether they want to participate in discussions or not.”
Last year the MCG, with members of the lifestyle and volunteer teams, made a trip to the Werribee RSL for a pot and a parma.
Currently there is a relationship being established with Werribee Bowls Club and plans for some of the men to play bowls while others enjoy a barbecue beside the green.
“Wherever we can, we try to get our people rejoining the community that they themselves helped build,” Keith said.
“We are passionate that everyone deserves choice and a fair go. MCG is part of that, and it’s going from strength to strength.
“Our lifestyle programs cater for a wide range of interests, and as many residents
Jean and Maureen. Mature in age. Young at heart.
as possible,” said Joyce Wanjiru Nyanjiru, Wyndham Lodge’s residential care & services manager.
“MCG is an important way for some of our male residents to build and maintain connections to each other and to the wider community. It is great for social outcomes and increases feelings of togetherness.”
Wyndham Lodge Residential Aged Care is a caring place where residents create new memories with new friends, share old memories with old friends, and live life on their own terms. For more information, call 13 22 78.
Person-centered care
Lush greenery and peaceful riverside walks • Short stroll to shops, cafés and bakeries • Fun daily activities • A close knit home that feels like family
book a tour and a giggle with Jean and Maureen
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 Toowoomba or Warwick.
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’ll find anywhere along the highway.
Sprints organisers estimate up to 5000 visitors stay in dedicated campgrounds beside Canal Creek on the edge of the event precinct and at several adjacent camp sites.
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 the best seats in the house.
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 from modern-day to 100- plus years.
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 offers the number or variety of competitors.
This year’s entry list is a record and includes exotics such as Ferrari, Jaguar and McLaren through to more humble wheels like MGs and Sunbeams.
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 for all the family.
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 win the Best Campsite competition.)
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 to the first corner on the racing course.
The Village is also next to the Golden Fleece Bar, long-gone and remembered only in name as one of many pubs that were 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 that provided the site for the grand prix.
“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 committee of community volunteers.
“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 an autograph and a souvenir selfie.” 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, and Karara and Sandy Creek hotels. 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 14 enter free.
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
Round trip Bordeaux 8 DAYS | 1 COUNTRY | 6 GUIDED TOURS SET SAIL: MAR-NOV
PARIS, FRANCE
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)
Trauma on Gamon Street
Williamstown amateur historian Barb McNeill is Star Weekly’s history columnist. This week she tells the heartbreaking story of a family tragedy that struck a Yarraville family in 1898.
Filicide, the crime of deliberately killingone’sownchild,is familiarto mostof us,thankstomediacoverage.
In the first 12 months of a child’s life, the killer is more likely to be the mother, but thelawallowsforthechargeofinfanticide, recognising the reality of post-natal depression or psychosis suffered by some women after giving birth. Apart from filicide committed because of mental illness, there are revenge filicides, mostly committed by fathers, and these are the oneswhichcreatethemostoutrage.
Filicide is not a modern phenomenonEuripides’s play Medea, written well over 2,000 years ago, has lost none of its power to horrify. Psychosis and vengeance are as oldashumanity.
In Yarraville, 1898 , the former tragedy struckanordinary,workingclassfamily.
At 5 am on Wednesday May 11, Gerald McCarthy, a 40 year old fireman at the YarravilleSugarWorks,lefthisneatGamon Street home for work, leaving behind his sleepingwife,Margaretandthreechildren, Alice, aged 9, Gerald aged 6 and Margaret, aged4.
This was the last morning that his life would everbedescribedasordinary.
McCarthy returned home at 2.30pm to an ominously silent home. Nobody answered his calls. Thinking that perhaps hisfamilywashavinganafternoonnap,he openedthebedroomdoortofindasceneof indescribablehorror.
His daughters were both dead, their skulls crushed to pulp. His son, barely alive, had also suffered fearful head injuries.Hiswifelayinapoolofblood,her throat slashed, her right hand clutching a double headed hammer, which McCarthy recognised as the one which he used to break up lumps of coal. Near her left hand washisrazor.
McCarthy raced to his neighbours for assistance. Senior Constable Rushford of the Yarraville Police attended the cottage and four detectives took statements from the neighbours. Nobody had noticed any strangers or heard any unusual noise. The McCarthy cottage was a cosy, workingclass home with well- tended vegetable gardens and its interior, apart from the blood-soaked bedroom, was spotless. Margaret McCarthy had once been in service to Governor Sir Henry Loch, and her marital home was as immaculate as the vice-regal rooms she had once dusted andpolished.
There was no sign of a break-in. The detectives concluded that Mrs McCarthy was responsible for the murders, though it puzzled them that if no burglar had enteredthehouse,whywerethehusband’s watch and chain missing? And where was MrsMcCarthy’sjewellery?
Rushford attempted to question Mrs McCarthy. All she could mutter was something about “skeletons in the cupboard”, but she did manage to say that nootheradulthadenteredthehouse.
AyoungFootscraydoctor,JamesRamsay Webb,examinedthe bodies andorganised transportforlittleGeraldandhismotherto Melbourne Hospital. He was sure that Mrs McCarthy was responsible for the deaths of her daughters and her own injuries. Dr Webb staunched her haemorrhages, noting bruises on her forehead , probably
inflictedbyhammerblows.
Mrs McCarthy regained consciousness after 6 pm when huge crowds from Footscray and Yarraville were milling aroundthehouse.
The distraught husband could only say that his wife had been a bit odd of late, complaining of headaches and exhibiting symptoms of confusion and forgetfulness since December. He had found bottles labelled ’Poison’ which actually contained medicine, and on her dressing table a box containing white powder, also labelled ‘Poison’. Rushford said it might be strychnine and removed it fortesting.
Gerald and his mother were driven to the Melbourne Hospital where the little boy died three days later. On Sunday May 15, the children’s funeral, with the three coffins lying in one hearse, was preceded by hundreds of pupils from St Augustine’s school and attended by thousands, including employees of the YarravilleSugarWorks.RequiemMasswas celebrated by the Rev. Father Maloney and the pall bearers included Senior Constable Rushford.
The inquest was held on 17 May. Margaret McCarthy left the hospital to attend, weeping piteously during the evidence.TheCourtwasgreatlyaffectedby her grief, and the distress of her husband who broke down several times as he gave evidencethathiswifenotonlycomplained ofheadaches,butbelievedthatpeoplewere
sneakingintotheirhometospyonher.
Dr Andrew Shields stated that Mrs McCarthyhadnomemoryofthefatefulday and was suffering dementia. In hospital, she had constantly asked for her children to visit, and Dr Shields was certain that she was genuinely unaware that they were all dead. As gently as possible he had told her shortly before the inquest what had occurred. She was stunned, disbelieving, horrified.
The witnesses spoke. Frederick Wren stated that the day before the tragedy, Mrs McCarthy had ordered a delivery of rabbit for the family dinner. She had seemed perfectly normal. Margaret Stanley of Smith Street had seen Margaret McCarthyhangingoutwashingat11.30am that morning. There was nothing odd about her. Mary Maher, the woman who had had the unenviable job of cleaning the blood-soaked bedroom, had found fragments of the missing watch and some broken jewellery under the washstand. No bloodwas oneither.Nothingelsehadbeen smashed.
Mr Keogh, the Coroner, stated that all evidence pointed to Mrs McCarthy as the perpetrator, and the jury had to return a verdict according to the facts adduced. The jury found that the children had died by wilful murder and a trial date was set for 15 June, 1898. Margaret McCarthy, still weeping bitterly, was taken to Melbourne Gaoltoawaithernextordeal.
On 19 July, 1898 in the Criminal Court,
Margaret McCarthy was charged with murder. The Prosecutor at once pointed out that the accused was unfit to plead and could not comprehend the court proceedings. The jury agreed. She was ordered to be detained at the Governor’s pleasureuntilshewasabletostandtrial.
There is no way of knowing the exact nature of this unfortunate woman’s illness or the treatment she received in the prison hospital, but not until 1900 was she considered well enough to return to court. The jury quickly found her not guilty, on the grounds that she had been insane when she killed her children and attempted suicide. Mr Justice Hood directed that she be kept n strict custody attheGovernor’spleasure.
That left Gerald McCarthy with the agony of his grief, alone in the cottage which had once echoed to the sounds of boisterous,laughingchildren.Foryearshe placed heart-wrenching memorial notices inthenewspapers,withnevertheslightest mentionofhiswife.
Perhaps, thinking back to that ineradicable day, he wondered about Margaret’s true state of mind on 11 May, 1898. Why had she destroyed the jewellery hehadgivenher,plushiswatchandchain? Why had she used his coal hammer to slay the children, and his razor to cut her own throat? Was this some secret rage and hatred directedtowardshim?
Heandhistorywouldneverknow,forthe truthwasburiedwiththedead.
Amateur historian Barb McNeill.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
The Man Walk
The Man Walk provides an environment that is positive, supportive and inclusive, where there is no pressure and no barriers to entry. Just an opportunity to walk, talk and support. The walk takes about an hour and includes Wyndham Park, Werribee River and Chirnside Park Oval. Each Saturday in August at 7.30am. Nicholas, 0430 877 673
Yoga for beginners
Come to the Tarneit Community Learning Centre at 9am on Saturday, August 9 to stabilise the body, mind and emotions as well as gain relief from back pain, stress, anxiety and tension. The event is free and open to all adults. Allison, allisonquach@gmail.com
Resume Help
Wyndham Council is providing resume workshops for young people aged 15-25. Book into a one-on-one session, online or in person, with an education and youth services librarian to get some help crafting your resume and answering interview questions. Sessions run at 9am, several times a week. resumehelp@wyndham.vic.gov.au
Walking 4 Health Victoria
Walking Football 4 Health Victoria runs at Eagle Stadium every Friday morning between 10-11am. Walking Football is a low-impact, modified version of football where players are required to walk instead of run. Ideal for individuals over 50, those recovering from injuries, or anyone looking for a gentle yet engaging way to stay active. Mick, mick_trim1@hotnail.com
Practise English with Let’s Talk
A weekly meet to help members of the community improve their practical English conversation skills to help with daily tasks such as shopping and booking appointments. Meets 10am each Saturday at Werribee Church of Christ, 200 Tarneit Road, Werribee Bronwyn, 9741 6051
Women Working Together
Are you 50-plus and want assistance from someone who understands? Employment Support strives to connect mentors and mentees to make this happen. Reach out to learn more 9655 2131, or EmploymentSupport@ cotavic.org.au
Wyndham Combined Probus
A social club for retired or semi-retired people. There is a broad range of social activities to suit all interests such as lunches and brunches each month, day trips, theatre outings and longer trips away. Hear interesting speakers and make new friendships. The group meets on the second Tuesday of each month at Iramoo Community Centre, Honour Ave, Wyndham Vale. Meetings commence at 1pm. Kaye Angel, 0407 551 694, or wcpc1306@gmail.com
Lions Club
The Lions Club of Point Cook meets at the Featherbrook Community Centre on the third Monday of the month at 7.30 pm. The club is seeking to grow the Lions free vision screening in schools team. Volunteers needed to work with the region’s schools in combating undiagnosed children’s vision issues. You do not have to be a Lions member but must obtain a working with children check.
Robert Eyton, 0417 549 684, or robeyton@bigpond.com
Wyndham Ladies Probus
Retired or semi-retired ladies are invited to join this very active social group. Enjoy impressive monthly guest speakers, interesting monthly outings and many lunches where the development of friendships is encouraged. The Ladies Probus Club of Wyndham meets on the first Wednesday of each month at Hotel 520, Sayers Road, Tarneit, at 10am. Pat 0411 316 795
Watton Group
A support group providing a social space for carers to get together in a safe and compassionate environment. Gives carers an opportunity to connect, share their experiences and offers emotional and practical support. The group meets at 49 Watton Street, Werribee at 10am, every fourth Tuesday of the month. Patricia, 0434 487 360, or wattongroup131@gmail.com.
Walking Netball
Walking Netball is a low impact, no running, no jumping version for those that love the fun, friendship and activity of a weekly game of netball. Sessions are run every Thursday during school terms, from 8pm, at Eagle Stadium, Ballan Road, Werribee. Come and try your first session for free, with stadium entry $2. Phil, 0437 078 739
With One Voice Wyndham Choir
With One Voice Wyndham Choir is a community choir open to all. The community choir welcomes all ages, abilities, faiths, cultures and genders and is directed by a very experienced and friendly professional conductor. Fun weekly rehearsals and amazing performance opportunities are provided.
They sing for an hour and then have a cuppa. The first two visits are free; and then payment is by tax-deductible donation. Tuesday evenings, 7-8.30pm, at Wayaperri House, 106 Duncans Road, Werribee. wyndham@withonevoice.org.au
Seniors House of Fun
The Grange Community Centre invites seniors of Wyndham to its weekly Seniors House of Fun. This is a free program running every Friday, 11am-12.30pm, at The Grange Community Centre, 260-280 Hogans Road, Hoppers Crossing. Vanessa, 8742 8000, or enquires@ grangecommunity.org.au
Seniors club
The Werribee Senior Citizens Club meets at 80 Lonsdale Circuit, Hoppers Crossing. The group is open to all people 55-plus and it runs on Wednesdays, 10am-noon. Entry: $2, includes morning tea. 0403 041 499
Hoppers Crossing Ladies Probus
The friendly and vibrant group meet at Hotel 520 on the second Wednesday of each month from 10am. They have a guest speaker each month as well as social lunches, outings and theatre trips. Yvette, 0411 952 706
U3A Werribee
The group is a not-for-profit community organisation for semi-retired and retired Wyndham residents. They hold a variety of classes-activities specifically designed for seniors, including, light physical and mental wellbeing sessions, arts, games and craft, and general classes such as current affairs, history and lunch groups. Most classes-activities are held at Wyndham community centres.
Bingo for all
The Werribee RSL hosts Bingo every Monday between 12.30-2.30pm. 9741 5525
Western Budgerigar Club
The Western Suburbs Budgerigar Club meets at 7.30pm on the third Thursday of each month at Masonic Hall, 223 Watton Street, Werribee. Meet other members who are also passionate about breeding Budgerigars. Don, 0414 975 862
Western Melbourne Men’s Chorus Do you like to sing? The Western Melbourne Men’s Chorus wants you! Be part of a rewarding fraternity of fellow amateur musicians serving the community, sharing comradery and having fun. Rehearsals at 7pm Tuesday evenings at St. James Church, Hoppers Crossing. Chris, 0400 414 215
Werribee River Association
New volunteers to support Landcare work along the Werribee River. A great way to give back, get outdoors and work at your own pace. admin@werribeeriver.org.au, or www. werribeeriver.org.au
Wyndham Park Community Shed
A place to connect, share skills, get hands on, and have fun. New members and volunteers are welcome. Men’s Shed open Tuesdays and Thursdays, Women’s Shed open Monday and Shed for All Abilities open Sunday. The Tool Library is open on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. 0437270791 shed@wyndhamparkcc. com.au
Rick, 0402 299 220.
This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of Sunshine Model Railway Club vice president Joe Saliba. (Damjan Janevski). 492384_01
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 Daizy
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
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
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?
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?
YOUR NEW CAREER
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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
28. Which Australian tennis player recently won the Washington DC Open?
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) DOWN
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?
No. 281 No. 249
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, two USB ports in the front and another pair in the back plus three 12 volt outlets (one in 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 warning detects vehicles and cyclists when 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.
It may not be the latest or greatest Audi, but the Q7 sets an example for others to follow. ( Supplied)
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 model variant can be found etched into the 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.
AFLW comes to Werribee
The stars of the AFLW competition were on show on Saturday as North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos hosted Essendon in a practice match. The reigning premiers were on fire and came away with a 15.5 (95)-2.2 (14). Star Weekly’s LJUBICA VRANKOVIC was out shooting some of the action.
North Melbourne’s Erika O’Shea. 486680_05
North Melbourne’s Jasmine Garner. 486680_15
North Melbourne’s Jenna Bruton lays a tackle on Madison Prespakis. 486680_31
Essendon’s Holly Ridewood. 486680_37 Essendon. 486680_39
North Melbourne. 486680_40
North Melbourne’s Ariana Hetherington, and Essendon’s Bonnie Toogood. 486680_34
North Melbourne’s Ash Riddell. 486680_13
Essendon’s Amy Gaylor. 486680_07
North Melbourne’s Kate Shierlaw. 486680_02
Suns forge strong bonds
By Tara Murray
The Suns family came together as the club looks to bring together the whole local sporting community.
On Tuesday night, the Suns senior men’s and women’s football teams joined the junior teams for a whole club training.
Junior vice-president Danielle Cowie said it was the first time they’d done something like this on this scale.
“We have a full turnout,” she said. “All the junior teams had training.
“There were lots of laughs and smiles and the kids loved it. The senior group cooked the BBQ.
“It was a good time to chat and for everybody to form those connections.
“We picked up a few things that we
want to have for next year.”
Kelly said with the club being only 11 years old it was finding its feet as a club and within the community.
She said they’ve got some players who started in juniors and are now in the senior sides.
The club has struggled for numbers in their under-14s and under-16s the past couple of years, but are set to have under-16s next season to help boost that pathway.
“You need that to feed into the senior team,” Cowie said. “It takes a while to set up the programs.
“We still haven’t established all the roots.”
The club also has a match day experience for the juniors where they are in-
volved in a senior match through the pregame speech and warm up.
It’s all part of building the connections.
“It is really crucial for a small club,” she said. “Our junior players look up to the senior players like AFL stars.
“The juniors become seniors and it’s important to build that connection between the sides.”
Several of the club’s senior men’s and women’s players have taken on coaching some of the juniors sides.
Some are parents of junior players, others are starting out their coaching careers.
“Some have coaching aspirations and this is a good place to start and build their skills as well,” Cowie said.
“It has created a unique bond for the seniors and juniors at the club.”
100th goal a ‘bit crazy’ for Lewis Stanton
Wyndhamvale’s Lewis Stanton kicked himself into the record books with his 100th goal in the Western Football League, with a special guest on hand to see the milestone.
Stanton needed four goals heading into his side’s game with West Footscray to reach 100 goals and be the second player in as many years in the competition to hit that mark.
Everything went the Falcons’ and Stanton’s way early on.
He kicked three goals before having a shot for his 100th.
Stanton missed that one but redeemed himself not long afterwards to get his 100th.
“It’s a bit crazy,” he said. “It’s still not settled in.
“The club has posted the video and all that stuff. In a few weeks, maybe once the season finishes I will reflect on it a bit more.
“I’s a good feeling and a good thing to have when I hang up the boots.”
Stanton said he had tried not to think about the milestone too much throughout the year and leading into the game.
He said since he had a good start to the season, people would always mention it to him.
“I tried to treat it as another game and didn’t think too much about it,” he said.
“Once I kicked it there was a bit of relief.”
With the milestone on the horizon, Stanton’s dad flew over from Perth to watch the special game.
Stanton had no idea.
“I was pretty happy about that,” he said. “Before the start of the game I was going to warm up and he came over.
“Luckily everything went right.”
The Falcons were able to find their man early in the match between first and third on the ladder.
The goals quickly grew for Stanton.
“It was one of those days everything went right,” he said. “I didn’t know how to feel when I kicked it.
“The boys were going pretty nuts. I had missed one and they started to jump on the field.
“A couple of minutes later I kicked it.”
Stanton said he thought he was capable of having a season like this but didn’t really think it would happen.
He finished the day with seven goals to take his total to 103 for the season.
It’s Stanton’s first season at the Falcons, having moved across from Yarraville Seddon.
He said the Falcons approached him about coming across and the club was the best fit for him.
“With my footy coming towards the end, I wanted to play at a good football club and it just felt like a good club to be at.”
The Falcons managed to get the win and lock in top spot for finals. Stanton said everyone was keen to keep the momentum going.
“It has been really good and the reserves are on top as well,” he said. “Everyone is getting around each other and it’s enjoyable to be around each other.”
The club is accepting registrations for next season already.
Meanwhile on Saturday, the Suns senior men’s side had a big win in the Western Football League division 2 competition against Tarneit.
After a high scoring first quarter, the Suns kicked away with win 22.14 (146)10.10 (70).
Lachlan Williams kicked four goals, while four others kicked three goals each.
The Suns sit in fourth spot. In the women’s competition, the Suns lost to the Parkside Spurs, 20.14 (134)-0.0 (0).
Matilda Brown, Mandy Seath and Zoe Court were named their best.
To register for next season: https://tinyurl.com/yc6zd2sf
Sports shorts
Coates Talent League
Five Western Jets 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. 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.
VTCA
Point Cook Centrals has signed Prashanth Ramkumar for the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Roy Picone Shield season. Ramkumar is atop-order batter, sharp wicketkeeper, and useful spinner, and brings a wealth of experience in first division in Chennai. “With over a decade of high-level cricket under his belt, he adds leadership, depth, and professionalism to our squad,” the Sharks said.
VAFA
Westbourne Grammarians fell short against ladder leaders Old Brighton on Saturday in the Victorian Amatuer Football Association premier B women’s competition. Old Brighton led all day and kept the Grammarians goalless in the second half on the way to a 3.11 (29)-2.1 (13) win. Kayla Koropeckyj, Gracie Lamers and Hannah McMahon were named the Grammarians best. The Grammarians sit in fourth spot.
GDFL
Werribee Centrals lost a thriller to Inverleigh in the Geelong and District Football League on Saturday. The Centurions came home hard in the second half after trailing by 19 points at the main break, The Centurions were unable to make the most of their opportunities as they lost, 18.4 (112)-16.15 (111). The loss ended the last of the Centurions very small finals hopes. The Centurions A-grade netballers also had a one goal loss, losing to Inverleigh, 32-31.
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Tough end to Big V season
By Tara Murray
Wyndham limped to the line in the Big V championship at the weekend.
After a tough season results wise both their women’s and men’s, injuries and players heading overseas for opportunities left them low on numbers for the last few rounds.
Both sides gave it all in the three matches, but ultimately the lack of numbers hurt them come the end of the games, Wyndham’s women’s side finished with a tough double header.
On Saturday night, it faced the Warrandyte Venom.
Wyndham threw everything at the Venom before following short, 74-70.
Coach Jason Bryant said they were challenged by injury and illness and took in a reduced squad.
“In a very physical encounter the team started strong to take a lead through the first three breaks,” he said.
“Foul trouble in the fourth quarter cost us with [Alana] Anthony and [Chelsea] Suemai fouling out of the game.
“That was enough to give Warrandyte the opportunity they needed to take the lead in the dying parts of the game and get the win.”
Holly Dolny top scored with 26 points for Wyndham, while three other players scored double figures.
Wyndham was again short on numbers as it faced the Warrnambool Mermaids on Sunday,
Both sides were keen to get a win to finish the season, with only two wins each and the match would decide which team finished on the bottom of the ladder.
The Mermaids managed to get the win in a thriller, 71-70.
Bryant said there wasn’t much in it in the second half.
“We gave Warrnambool an early lead in the game they held through the first half,” he said.
“A hard fought third quarter saw us take a two point lead into the last break.
“The final quarter was close with the lead changing many times, in the end, Warrnambool took the win by one point.”
Bryant said Ella Macleod and Dolny kept them in the game with them scoring 34 and 22 points respectively and fill-
Tess Craven. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 486680_21
Kangaroos’ skills shine in practice match
The Northern Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos showed no sign of rust as they shone in their practice match against Essendon.
The two teams headed out to Werribee’s Avalon Airport Oval for their only official practice match, with a big crowd in attendance.
After a below average performance in their first hit out against the Western Bulldogs in the wet, the reigning premiers showed again why they will be one of the teams to beat in a big win on Saturday.
New skipper Jasmine Garner led the way as the Kangaroos came away with a 15.5. (95)-2.2 (14) win.
The Bombers kicked the first goal of the game but then found the going tough, with their next goal not coming until the last quarter.
It was an even first quarter before the Kangaroos got their game going and were able to kick five goals in the second quarter.
Garner, Ash Riddell, Mia King and Nicole Bresnehan controlled the midfield and hit
up a raft of forward options throughout the match.
Garner finished with three goals as did Irish woman Blaithin Bogue.
Bogue didn’t feature in her first season at the Kangaroos but is now in contention for a round one debut after an eye-catching performance.
High-profile trade recruit Eilish Sheerin impressed despite only playing the first half in her managed return from knee soreness, bolstering the Kangaroos’ backline.
Speaking to the club’s website after the game, Kangaroos forward Kate Shierlaw said it was a good game for their group.
“It was nice to bounce back after last week,” she said. “It’s a beautiful day in Werribee.
“Thesunwasshiningandit’soneofthose days you want to be out there playing footy.
“It was nice to get some flow in the game and get back to playing the way we like to play.”
Shierlaw herself thought she showed a bit of rust early before working her way into it.
ing the other stats columns but it wasn’t enough to get the win.
The loss means Wyndham finishes bottom with two wins for the year.
The men’s side finished its season with a loss to Camberwell Dragons on Saturday night.
Wyndham was able to stick with the Dragons throughout the match but the Dragons were able to do enough to come away with an 89-78 win, narrowly winning each of the last three quarters.
Wyndham had just seven players lining up, with all having to play a lot of minutes.
Junior Garbrah had a sensational night for Wyndham, scoring 33 points.
Wyndham finished the season in 11th spot with six wins for the season.
Western United knocked out
Western United’s Australia Cup is over but fans got a small glimpse of the future.
Australia Cup action came to Ironbark Fields on Tuesday night with Western hosting Sydney FC in the round of 16.
It was a young Western side that took to the park, with Sydney winning 1-0.
Among those on the pitch for Western United was Besian Kutleshi.
At 16 years, 151 days old, Kutleshi became the club’s youngest-ever debutant in a competitive fixture, surpassing Dylan Leonard (17 years 51 days) in the men’s side and Avaani Prakash (16 years 327 days) for the entire club.
Having been a star performer at centre-back under Andreas Papanicolaou in the Victorian Premier League 1 this season, Kutleshi was entrusted with the right-back position by John Aloisi against the Sky Blues.
Besian Kutleshi was one of the highlights for Western United on Tuesday night
Not only did Kutleshi simply make his senior bow, but the youngster emerged as one of the best players on the pitch in an incredible display.
She was impressed by the likes of Bogue and Sheerin.
“Blaithin it was her second full game ever of AFL footy great to see her using her weapons,” she said.
“Her speed and it was great to see her out there and I think she will be really valuable for us.
“The colours looked good on her [Sheerin]. Loved her power and speed and contest work for us, she’s going to add another dynamic in our blackline and be super for us.”
The Kangaroos play an intra club at Arden Street on Saturday, before all eyes turn to round one of the 2025 AFLW Season.
The Roos will travel down the highway to face Geelong in their season opener at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday, August 16.
Earlier in the day, the Western Jets girls lost to GWV Rebels, 3.7 (25)-3.2 (20).
The Rebels kicked the only goal of the final quarter to seal the win.
Charlie O’Connor Moreira, Polly Conway and Kiara Boyd were named the Jets best in the loss.
Among the starting line-up were six players that have developed in the Western United Academy, with Kutleshi alongside them having starred at VPL 1 level this season.
An additional six out of the seven substitutes also came directly out of the Academy, including 17-yearold striker Tobias Servin who was named in Kutleshi was also one of four United youngsters – all aged 20 or younger – in the starting line-up who had progressed from junior clubs in the west.
Overall, the average age of 22.8 years in the starting line-up was the youngest in Western United’s history.
Kangaroos put on a show
By Tara Murray
North Melbourne Werribee is embracing the challenges being thrown at it in the Victorian Football League women’s competition.
The reigning premiers have had to learn how to be the hunted after the success of last season.
The Kangaroos haven’t been daunted, having claimed the VFLW minor premiership for the first time.
Kangaroos captain Renee Tierney said it had been really good how the season had played out so far.
“We have put ourselves in a pretty good position,”she said. “It’s a good opportunity and we’ve pretty confident in the footy we are playing.
“Being on top is that extra level and it instils belief coming into finals.
Tierney said this season had a different feeling to last year. The side came from fourth last season to win the premiership.
This season they have proven to be the team to beat, with clearly the best attack and defence according to statistics.
“Last season we were the underdogs and had to fight for it a little bit,” she said. “This year everyone is coming for us.
“We’ve been maintaining the standards of what we need to do to stay on top. Brett [Gourley]hassaidafewtimesit’sadifferent position for us.
“We see every game as an opportunity, no matter who we are playing. Everyone wants to beat us as we’re on top.”
Tierney said they were content with the footy they were playing which had seen them win eight matches in a row.
She said they felt they were playing North ball, the way that they wanted to play.
“We have a good connection on and off the field,” she said. “That is important to play our best football.”
As well as being the reigning premiers in the VFLW, the Kangaroos claimed their first AFLW premiership last season as well.
Tierney said there was a really good connection between the two groups.
“It’s pretty cool,” she said. “We have a great connection with the W girls as well. “The club has put a lot into the women’s program and there’s a good system of how they support us.
“It’s a good place to be.”
The support for the Kangaroos VFLW program has grown this year with the club joining forces with Werribee.
The clubs have signed a three year partnership which is an opportunity to investfurtherinthegameintheWyndham region.
Tierney said it had been good to see another side of football.
“Wehadatrainingsessionandagameout there,”shesaid.“Wehavethe[Werribee]W on the jersey.
“Ëven just having that other side of support. Meeting all the boys and the
club people out there. It’s nice to get more eyes on women’s footy and that pathway, which is the whole reason for the partnership.”
The Kangaroos finished the regular seasononSundayagainsttheSandringham Zebras.
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The Kangaroos continued their winning run, winning 5.12 (42)-4.1 (25).
Tierney and Georgia Nicolas kicked two goals each for the Kangaroos. Madeleine Di Cosmo and Alana Barba both had plenty of the ball and were the two leading possession winners on the ground.
After a week off, Tierney said before the game they were keen to have a good hit out before finals get underway.
“It’s a different ball game,” she said. “We’re excited to take on the challenge with it getting pretty serious.
“It’s definitely exciting.”
Questions can be emailed to tarneitudf@wyndham.vic.gov.au and feedback shared on the Loop by 20 March on https://theloop.wyndham.vic.gov.au/tarneitudf
Nyakoat Dojiok. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 486895_33
BARRO GROUP
Renee Tierney is tackled by Georgia Howes. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 486895_31
