Book week barnyard
Complete Kids in Sunbury doesn’t horse around when it comes to Children’s Book Week.
The childcare and out of school hours care service completely transformed its reception area into a scene straight out of Old McDonald’s Farm, the classic children’s nursery rhyme.
The interactive play area greets the children as they walk through the door, with the space full of interactive pieces like a hobby horse, ride on tractor and plenty of farm-themed toys.
Centre director Alana Anderson said all Complete Kids OSHC, kinder and daycare services go all in on book week every year.
“We think that it just brings that magic to life through books and stories and it’s a way that we all connect with each other as well,” Ms Anderson said.
More book week fun: Page 10
Attacks prompt changes
By Georgia Tacey
A series of dog attacks in Sunbury in 2024 have contributed to a push to change the state’s Domestic Animals Bill in a bid to boostcommunitysafety.
The state government has introduced an amendment to the bill to parliament last week.
The amendments strive to give council authorised officers clearer powers to seize dangerous dogs from backyards without a warrant.
Sunbury MP Josh Bull welcomed the introduction of the Domestic Animals Amendment (Rehoming Cats and Dogs and Other Matters) Bill 2025 and said he advocated for these changes after the 2024 dogattacks.
As reported by StarWeekly , in August 2024, three dogs escaped from a Sunbury property and attacked multiple people overtwoconsecutivedays.
The victims sustained both serious and non-seriousinjuries.
The attacks prompted Hume council to conduct an internal review into the incidents, which was publicly released at theJune10councilmeeting.
Council’s review noted that officers were constrained by the limited powers available under the Domestic Animals Act 1994.
Council officers had no lawful authority to seize or euthanise the dogs involved, and needed police assistance to respond
urgently,thereviewfound.
Thereportrecommendedurgentchanges totheacttoauthorisethereasonableuseof force by authorised officers when entering land,executingsearchwarrants,orseizing animals.
Under the government’s amended bill, authorised officers can enter residential landandbackyards–butnottheinsideofa home–toseizeadogwhichissuspectedto havethreatened,chased,orbittensomeone in the community, without having to wait forawarrant.
While enforcement powers will remain thesame,thebillwillgivegreatercertainty to officers so that dangerous dogs can be taken into care in a timely manner. Warrants will still be required to access
animalsinsideahome.
“The bill contains important updates that provide clarity for the local council and their authorised officers who work on the front line to take appropriate action to improve community safety and prevent dogattacks,”MrBullsaid.
The bill is also the first step towards creatinganewPetRehomingOrganisation Authorisation Scheme to be administered byAgricultureVictoria.
The scheme will support the ongoing work of shelters and animal rehoming organisations across the state, giving groupsthatapplyundertheschemespecial access to benefits such as an exemption from registering animals in their care for shortperiodsoftimewithcouncil.
Locally owned and operated
Cooper, Summer, Ella, Stevee, Otis and Jackson are loving the farm display. (Damjan Janevski) 493591_02
Incinerator at step closer
By Georgia Tacey
Recycling Victoria has issued a cap licence to HiQ for a waste to energy incinerator in Sunbury.
The Waste to Energy Scheme licence was issued for the Sunbury Eco-Hub site and will allow the processing of up to 750,000 tonnes of waste per annum.
Issued by Recycling Victoria, the cap licence allows a waste to energy facility operator to process permitted waste up to a specified maximum amount.
The cap is designed to prevent over reliance on waste to energy as a solution to waste management, according to the state
government.
HiQ said the licence was subject to environmental and planning approvals, which are expected to be submitted to EPA Victoria and the planning minister in November.
Chief strategy officer Lance Ingrams said, “This licence will allow us to bring world-leading technology to the area, helping to build the local economy, provide local jobs and contribute to state targets to divert waste from landfill and generate energy.
“Over the coming months, we will be submitting environmental and planning applications to EPA Victoria and the Department of Planning. These will include
comprehensive technical assessments, which the community will have an opportunity to review and provide feedback on.”
The incinerator would process non-hazardous waste that would otherwise be sent to landfill, including household waste, and pre-sorted materials from construction, building, and business operations.
Hume council said it was disappointed by the approval.
“Council was not briefed on the details of this proposal in advance and is disappointed not to have had the opportunity for earlier engagement, particularly given the strong community interest in this matter,” the spokesperson said.
Classic cars set to go under the hammer
A car collector’s dream find is currently waiting in Lancefield.
On auction is a 1947 Mercury in exceptional condition, alongside multiple other classic cars found in a deceased estate’s shed.
Belonging to local Danny Davis, the car was a cherished item in his collection, and after his passing, the Mercury and his collection wound up i n the hands of his brother, Phil Davis.
“The reason Danny bought that car was that type of car, exact colour and everything is the very first car I remember our dad having when we were kids,” he said.
The classic piece of his collection was a prized treasure, and Mr Davis said the right-hand-drive car is in excellent condition, and still runs and drives.
Other cars on auction from the collection include a 1965 Ford F100 and a 1967 Falcon sport coupe, as well as
some other classic finds.
There’s also spare parts and workshop equipment ready to keep the cars in tip-top shape.
There will be an inspection opportunity in Lancefield on August 29, from noon to 2pm, before the auction takes place online on August 31.
Details: meauctions.com.au/sunday31st-august-2025---lancefield.html
“This is a Victorian Government decision and still requires further state approvals. As part of that process, council expects the proposal will be formally referred to us for comment.
“When this occurs, council will review the proposal in detail taking into account community concerns, suggesting possible planning conditions and continue to advocate for the best outcomes for our community.”
HiQ will host a community webinar on September 4, from 6pm to 7pm, as well as community pop-ups in Sunbury Square Shopping Centre and community events to speak with residents.
Waterways, vegetation and habitats for some of the Gisborne area’s most vulnerable wildlife are set to benefit from a grant-funded restoration project over the next three years.
McEwen MP Rob Mitchell and Macedon Ranges mayor Dom Bonanno and chief executive Bernie O’Sullivan recently visited Jacksons Creek in Gisborne to celebrate the successful grant of $838,295, funded by the federal government’s National Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program.
The project aims to improve the ecological health of the headwaters of the Maribyrnong catchment in and around the Gisborne and Macedon townships, benefitting native species including the Gang-gang Cockatoo, platypus, and various grassland and creek-line species.
“Nearly half of all nationally listed threatened animals and a quarter of our threatened plants are in urban areas, home to 96 per cent of Australia’s population and with so many native plants and animals reliant on our rivers, creeks, wetlands, and estuaries, protecting and restoring the health of our waterways is essential,” Mr Mitchell said.
“This critical funding is good news for native wildlife and our community – improving the quality of the urban spaces that we all share and love.”
The project will involve site preparation works, revegetation, and management of threats to successful establishment, including targeting high-threat weeds, pest animal impacts, fire management, and monitoring works.
The objective of the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program is to conserve native and threatened plant and animal species and waterways in urban, outer urban/peri-urban, and regional centres.
The project aligns with council’s environmental strategic plans including the Biodiversity Strategy 2018, Macedon Ranges Strategic Environmental Works Plan 2021, Environmental Management Plans for Bunjil and Howey Creek, and the Djirri Djirri Waterway Reserve – Revegetation Plan 2024.
“Council is very grateful to receive this critical funding for the benefit of our wildlife and waterways. It will enhance our community, preserving the flora and fauna native to the area,” Cr Bonanno said.
Better mobile service is coming to Lancefield, with 5G on its way.
Telstra will be upgrading its mobile base station located North of Lancefield-Tooboorac Road, to allow for 5G coverage to the area and boosting the existing 4G coverage in the area.
Telstra mobile services in the area will be temporarily affected while the upgrade works are underway, but there will be no disruptions to the central Telstra mobile site in Lancefield.
Telstra regional general manager for northern and western Victoria Steve Tinker said this will be a great boost for the area.
“We know how important mobile connectivity is for Australians, whether you’re in the city or the country,” he said.
“Bringing 5G to the area is a major mobile milestone. It will deliver higher speeds and capacity to the region, meaning faster downloads, smoother streaming, and less congestion.
“Some disruption is required while the
upgrade is underway, but we’ll only be switching off the site when we need to and will have it back online and working better than ever as quickly as possible.”
The site will need to be switched off from 7.30am on Monday, September 1 until 7pm on Monday, September 8.
From Tuesday, September 9 and Wednesday, September 10, there will be interruptions to the mobile network during the day only.
Customers will be notified.
“Council has dedicated environmental plans and strategies in place to support local conservation efforts, and the support of grants like this from the Australian Government are crucial to bringing these plans to life for the benefit of generations to come.”
The project is due to commence in August and will be completed in 2028.
Phil Davis with his brother’s vintage car 1947 Ford Mercury. (Damjan Janevski). 497059_01
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Sunbury Rd delays
By Georgia Tacey
Sunbury Road travellers are being warned to prepare for heavy delays, with works are set to begin on the third runway at MelbourneAirport.
The major roadworks are set to bring a widened Sunbury Road, with a new intersection installed along with traffic lights.
The new intersection and traffic lights will be at the entrance to airport land betweentheWildwoodRoadandOaklands Road roundabouts, to accommodate construction vehicles entering and existing airport land. Alongside the new intersection, the airport’s northern access roadwillalsobeupgraded.
The works will be completed in three stages, with the finished project resulting in Sunbury Road being widened and resurfaced, with new double line markings on the approach to the traffic signals that will continue from Old Bulla Road through totheWildwoodRoadroundabout.
Trenching services will be undertaken to install and relocate utilities, drainage infrastructure will be constructed and site clearingwillallbecompleted.
Traffic divided along Sunbury Road heading towards the traffic lights and intersection.
The new traffic lights will only be activated by vehicles entering and exiting airport land, to reduce disruptions to other traffic along Sunbury Road, according to theMelbourneAirport.
Worksareexpectedtocausedisruptionto traffic, with commuters and residents told toplantheirjourneyaheadoftimetoallow fordelays.
A render of what the new Sunbury Road intersection will look like when completed later in 2026. (Supplied)
During the works, the speed limit along Sunbury Road will be reduced to 40km/h. Access to surrounding properties and businesses will be maintained during works, and access to the airport will not be affected.
“TheSunburyRoadchangesareessential to keeping vehicles moving safely in and out of the airport when main construction works begin next year,” Melbourne Airport third runway executive director Peter
MelbourneAirportisgrowingtoserveVictoria’s expandingpopulationandeconomy.Ourthird runwayhasbeenapprovedandwillopenin2031.
We’reworkingonaplantohelpreducethe impactsofaircraftnoiseinhomesintheHume andBrimbankcommunitiesclosesttothe airport.Ifyouliveintheseareas,we’dliketo hearfromyou.Learnmoreandhaveyoursay byscanningtheQRcode.
Lellyettsaid.
The road works along Sunbury Road are expected to take 12 months to complete, scheduled to begin in late September 2025 withcompletiontargetedforlate2026.
MelbourneAirporthassaidSunburyRoad will remain open during daytime works, with no lane closures but with changed traffic conditions at times. There will be some night closures, with information availableathttps://tinyurl.com/rsh2y9mf
Have a say on noise concerns
Hume residents are invited to have their say on noise concerns surrounding Melbourne Airport’s thirdrunway.
Community engagement has begun with residents in Hume and Brimbank to have input on the development of the Third Runway NoiseAmeliorationPlan.
The plan will be designed to reduce the impacts of aircraft noise for residents and sensitive public buildings in the communities closest to the airport, through building improvements such as roof insulation, double-glazed windows andupgradedseals.
Melbourne Airport said updated noiseforecastsin2026willdetermine eligibility for individual properties. Once the plan has been approved and the list of eligible properties is defined, owners and occupiers of eligible properties will be contacted byMelbourneAirport.
Sunbury would be in the flight path of the third runway, resulting in increased flight traffic and noise. The plan is also a condition of the commonwealth approval of the third runwayproject.
Melbourne Airport Third Runway executive director Peter Lellyett said theprojectiscriticalforVictoria.
“We’re committed to working closely with our local communities to manage the impacts of the project, particularlywhenitcomestoaircraft noise,”hesaid.
Dog is all bark and no bite
Barkly is one top dog. So much so, he’s up again as a finalist for the OZTOPDOG awards.
Owner Caroline Johns, from Sunbury, saidherGermanShepherdisonebiggentle giant.
“My life wouldn’t be complete without Barkly, he does a lot for me and hopefully I doalotforhim,”shesaid.
Barkly is a service animal, who has been trainingsincehewaseightweeksold.
He assists Ms Johns with her anxiety and depression, and she said he has been agreatsourceofcomfortinthesevenyears she’shadhim.
He also volunteers with Ms Johns at primary schools and nursing homes, with his kind and gentle nature always proving
to be a great source of comfort, especially whenhisvestison.
“When he’s not working, he’s a naughty puppy but once he puts his jacket and lead on,hegoesintoworkmode,”shesaid. Shesaidkidsespeciallylovehim,andhe always remains calm and gentle, working wellwithchildrenwithautism.
Now in its fifth year, OZTOPDOG recognises the important work our furry friends do. This year’s theme is “Dogs at Work”, highlighting the growing role dogs play in the workplace in reducing stress, anxietyandcombatingisolation.
Voting is open now, with the winners announcedonWednesday,August27.
Vote for Barkly: https://www. people2people.com.au/oztopdog
Caroline Johns and her dog Barkly. (Damjan Janevski) 497086_02
Students take charge
Kyneton High School year 12
VCE-Vocactional Major students are gearingupfortheschooleventoftheyear.
The students have organised a twilight market as part of the practical component of their studies, with the whole year 12 VM cohort taking up various roles in the lead uptothebigevent.
Students Tara Fitzgerald and Joshua McFadyen-Webster were tasked with promoting the event, and shared some detailsaboutwhattoexpect.
“The twilight market is going to have heaps of stalls, food trucks, a car show, withentertainmentinbetween,”Tarasaid.
Joshuasaidtheyhavebeenbusyspeaking with local businesses, primary schools, councilsandthelocalnewspapers.
“Hopefullywe’regettingalotofattention for people to come over to the market and haveafuntime,”hesaid.
The market night promises to be a fun event for the whole community, with the funds raised through the project going
backintotheschool.
“We’re fundraising so we can have moneytorunprojectsfornextyear’sVMs,”
Tara said. “We’ve run a bunch of projects this year from the funding from last year, includingaclothesdrive.”
Eachyear,theyear12VMstudentsleada bigprojectlikethetwilightmarket,withall funding going towards next year’s senior cohort.
“This year, we’re trying for 50 market stalls, 15 food trucks and 50 cars (for the showandshine),”Tarasaid.
“Our fundraising goals are $6000 in donations and then to bring that up to $10,000 (through fundraising, raffle and silentauction).”
The twilight market will be held on Friday, October 10 from 5pm to 8pm at KynetonHighSchool.
To get involved with the market, contact twilightnight@kynetonhigh.vic.edu.au
Details: facebook.com/ kynetonhighschool
Briefs
LEGO thieves caught Police have charged two men after LEGO was stolen during an alleged armed robbery in Sunbury. Police allege the men entered a toy store at a shopping centre on Evans Street, armed with a weapon, about 4.30pm on Thursday, August 7. They allegedly stole items, including LEGO worth about $1000. Police said a female staff member confronted the offenders before one of them allegedly threatened her. She was not physically injured and attempted to chase them on foot through the shopping centre and car park. Police executed two search warrants at properties in Werribee.
Car impounded
Police were patrolling the Riddells Creek area when they spotted a white Ford ute with an expired registration. The ute had not been registered for 471 days. The 39-year-old driver was also driving with a suspended driver’s licence. The vehicle was impounded for 30 days at a cost of $1405, police said. The driver will be charged with for multiple driving offences.
Statue found
A bronze sculpture has been handed into the Romsey police station. Police released an image of the statue on Facebook. Contact the Romsey police station on 5429 5461 with any information to locate the owner.
FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT
Web: starweekly.com.au
Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly
Kyneton High School Year 12 VCE-VM students are ready to put on the best market yet. (Georgia Tacey)
Help at a critical junction
Youth crimes involving edged weapons have been on the rise in Melbourne, with a state government ban on the sales and possession of machetes coming into full force next month. A youth services organisation in Melbourne’s west is addressing the issue through an early intervention program. Sam Porter spoke to The Youth Junction program manager Eamon, whose last name has been omitted for security reasons, to learn more.
Anew educational program aimed at reducing youth weapon offending has officially begun in Melbourne’s westernsuburbs.
The ‘sharp choices – bladed weapon diversion program’ is designed to address underlying risk factors for offending youth and empower young people to make safer, informed choices through educational modulesandongoingcasemanagement.
The Youth Junction program manager, Eamon, helped develop the program and saidtheorganisationwantedtobemindful of the experiences of young people when identifyingtheneedforintervention.
“We didn’t want to come at it through a punitive, telling-off almost, disparaging young people for carrying weapons. They mighthaveverysincereandveryrealfears, andsothatmightbeamotivatingfactorfor them,”Eamonsaid.
He said the reasons why young people carry weapons differ from person to person.
“I’d be hesitant to contribute it all to one or even two specific factors because in our ownexperience–supportingyoungpeople thatweknowandwhohavedisclosedtous thatthey’recarryingweapons–thereasons theydosovarysomuchfromyoungperson toyoungperson.”
These programs empower individuals to make positive changes and reduce the likelihood of reoffending - Eamon
Eamon said for some young people, carrying a weapon was about feeling a sense of bravado and machismo, and for others, a weapon helped make them feel saferwhentheywerescared.
The presence of edged weapons in a young person’s peer group is also a contributing factor in determining whetheranindividualmightcarryone.
“The research shows that even just the perception that someone in a peer group is carrying a weapon makes it exceedingly more likely that another young person in that group will as well. The social proliferation of weapon carrying is tremendous,”Eamonsaid.
‘Sharp choices’ benefited from a $35,000 grant from Wyndham council, which helpedtoexpandtheprogram.
Participants enter the ‘sharp choices’ program through a referral process and begin by attending one-on-one sessions withacasemanager.
After focussing on the individual’s risk factors and supporting the young person on their own for a period of time, case managers bring the participant into group sessions consisting of four to six young people.
In these group sessions, participants work through various modules, some of which focus on building communication skillsandempathy.
In an introductory module, facilitators assist in creating social cohesion within the group and work with participants to help them each identify their personal strengths.
“A big risk factor is [individuals] not being aware of their personal strengths … how can we use those personal strengths inourlives,”Eamonsaid.
One particular module led by West Justice, an organisation that offers free legal services in Melbourne’s west, focuses on increasing legal awareness around the possessionofweapons.
“[A weapons possession charge] affects travel, future employment, educational opportunities, all those things. So we really wanted to have a session set aside with a legal representative where they can gothroughthatwithyoungpeople…really trying to make those abstract concepts of impacts in the future approachable and digestible and understandable to young people,”Eamonsaid.
Another major component in the program is the inclusion of virtual reality (VR)immersiveexperiences.
In these VR POV (point of view) experiences, participants make decisions in realistic scenarios they may encounter intheirdailylives.
The VR experiences are the works of Virtual Decisions, a creative arts and educational technology company based in Birmingham,England.
Virtual Decisions has created a range of VR programs designed to address issues such as reintegration into society after prison, alcohol and illegal drug usage, youth violence, coercion and child
criminalexploitation,amongothers.
The program about knives explores why young people carry edged weapons and theconsequencesofcarryingknives.
Eamon highlighted the VR simulation does not show weapons or violence to participants.
Virtual Decisions chief executive Claire Downes said the company’s immersive VR programs allow individuals to experience the consequences of their actions in a safe environment.
“The effectiveness of Virtual Decisions’ immersive programs in reducing reoffending rates stems from their ability to engage participants emotionally, develop essential life skills, and provide personalised, supportive learning environments,”Clairesaid.
“By addressing the underlying issues that contribute to criminal behaviour, these programs empower individuals to make positive changes and reduce the likelihoodofreoffending.
“Overall, the response from participants after completing the Virtual Decisions programs has been overwhelmingly positive. They report increased self-awareness, enhanced skills, and a strong motivation to change their behaviours,contributingtotheirlong-term
commitmenttoreintegrationintosociety.”
Eamon said the length of time a young person spends in the ‘sharp choices’ programdependsontheirspecificneeds.
“We don’t want to create a situation where a young person really learns they can depend on us for support, and then we kind of yank the rug out from under them at the end of, say, three months,” Eamon said.
“We really want to empower young people and not cut them off before they’re ready to be a bit more independent with themselves and how they approach supportservicesandthingslikethat.We’re prettyflexiblewiththat.”
‘Sharp choices’ will be evaluated by Victoria University (VU), which has assessed other programs run by The Youth Junction.
“We’re really excited that we’re going to be able to get VU to help us unpack the program,seewhatworked,seewhatwecan improve on, and then build the evidence baseforourprogramsandhowwesupport youngpeople,”Eamonsaid.
“We’re hoping to keep expanding it and growing it, and really get into more of an early intervention space where [individuals] may not have existing links withthejusticesystemyet.”
Left: Eamon with The Youth Junction program chief executive Blake. (Damjan Janevski) 495098_03
Right: Immersive VR experiences, created by Virtual Decisions, are a major component in the program. (Supplied)
The Youth Junction program manager Eamon. (Damjan Janevski) 495098_02
Hume locals lauded
Hume residents and groups have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to the city at the 2025 Hume Community Awards.
The annual awards recognise the people who go above and beyond to strengthen the city’s sense of pride, connection and inclusivity.
Seven locals were recognised at the awards night on Thursday, August 14 at Town Hall Broadmeadows.
The 2025 recipients included Dr Muhammad Haris who received the Academic Excellence Award; Advocacy and Social Justice Award winner Almir Colan ; Afreen Sayyada who was given the Arts and Creative Expression Award; Glenn Ogston who took home the Community Service Excellence Award; Outstanding Cultural Leadership Award recipient Kazim Ates; Gina Dougall who received the Outstanding Community Leadership Award; and Paul Higginson who was given Sports and Recreation Achievement Award.
With nearly 150 nominations received, the nominees all show Hume’s growing community spirit, through classrooms, sporting fields, cultural leadership and grassroots volunteering, council said.
Hume mayor Jarrod Bell, who hosted the awards night, congratulated the recipients and all nominees.
“Our city is full of people who care deeply about their community and work tirelessly to make a difference. These awards are our chance to pause and celebrate those efforts,” he said.
Countback in Macedon Ranges
The Victorian Electoral Commision has advised the councillor vacancy at Macedon Ranges council will now go to countback.
Councillor Christine Walker suddenly died on Friday, August 1, prompting a vacancy in the South Ward of the shire.
The extraordinary vacancy will be filled through a countback of the formal ballot papers cast at the last general election in October 2024.
Votes will be redistributed to candidates who were unsuccessful at that general election, and who remain eligible to participate in the countback to fill the vacancy.
The countback will take place at 10am on Monday, September 1.
The VEC will be hosting the countback online via webinar from 9.30am on the day.
The result will be published online at vec.vic.gov.au following the countback.
Cr Walker was first elected on countback due to a resignation vacancy, and was re-elected at the 2024 local government elections.
“Every nominee represents the values of kindness and resilience that make Humesuchawonderfulplacetolive,work and learn. I congratulate our winners for their exemplary leadership and dedication to making the city better every day.”
The annual community awards invite Hume residents to celebrate and honour individuals within the community who have made outstanding contributions to the city.
The awards aim to highlight and appreciate the diverse range of achievements that positively impact the social, cultural, environmental and more aspects of Hume.
Anyone who resides in Hume or has made positive contributions to the Hume community were eligible for the awards.
The death rocked the Macedon Ranges community, with an outpouring of tributes rolling in for the councillor from fellow councillors, MPs and the broader community.
Council mayor Dom Bonanno said the news of her passing left him and many others in total shock.
Northern Metropolita MP Anasina Gray-Barberio, Cr Ally Watson, recipient Gina Dougall, recipient Paul Higginson, Mayor Jarrod Bell, recipient Afreen Sayyada, Cr Naim Kurt, recipient Dr Muhamad Haris, Calwell MP Basem Abo and Sunbury MP Josh Bull. (Supplied)
Books bring school together
Diggers Rest Primary School came alive this week as students and staff celebrated the magic of reading during the annual Book Week Parade and activities.
The much-loved parade saw every class dressupastheirfavouritebookcharacters, filling the basketball court with colour, creativity, and plenty of excitement.
From the Wiggles and superheroes to classic storybook figures, the costumes reflected the wide range of books students love to read.
Following the parade, students joined in special multi-aged activities designed to bring the whole school together and promotethejoyofreadingandstorytelling, with the prep students teaming up with their grade 6 buddies.
The younger students delighted in the support and encouragement of their older peers, while the grade 6 students showed leadership and care as they guided their buddies through reading-based activities.
The school’s literacy learning specialist Ben Payton said the event was a wonderful way to showcase the school’s commitment to fostering a lifelong love of reading.
“Book Week is about more than just dressing up – it’s about celebrating the stories that inspire us and sharing the joy of reading together as a whole school.”
Diggers Rest Primary School Book Week parade. (Pictures: Damjan Janevski) 496052
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Isla
Mialana
Robert
Yusha
Alana
Liam Elena Andrew
Fighting bushfire danger
By Georgia Tacey
Macedon Ranges schools will have extra protection heading into the next bushfire season.
Education Minister Ben Carroll announced 345 campuses across 330 government schools would share in $8.4 million to carry out essential maintenance work as part of the Bushfire Preparedness Vegetation Program.
In the Macedon Ranges, Darraweit Guim Primary School, Gisborne Secondary School, Hesket Primary School, Lancefield Primary School, Macedon Primary School,
Malmsbury Primary School, Newham Primary School, the Bullengarook campus of the Sunbury and Macedon Ranges Specialist School, Tylden Primary School and both Woodend Primary School and its Carlsruhe campusareallbenefittingfromthefunding.
“We know how devastating bushfires are – that’s why we’re continuing to support schools to be as fire-ready as possible,” Mr Carroll said.
“We’re continuing to invest in the maintenance projects that matter most – to make sure all Victorian schools are in the best possible condition and to protect classrooms and facilities in the event of a
bushfire.”
The program was introduced in 2018 to help schools undertake essential vegetation clearance around the school buildings prior to bushfire season and in line with municipal fire danger periods.
Schools receiving funding are all listed on the Bushfire At-Risk Register, with all schools on the list required to undertake vegetation works on a regular basis to reduce the risk of harm to the school’s community and buildings in the event of a bushfire.
The program also includes a School Support Program, which provides two school
Party like it’s 1875 at Mount Macedon PS
Step back in time with Mount Macedon Primary School as the school prepares to celebrate a big milestone.
The school is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2025, and to commemorate the milestone, it is hosting a festival for the school community.
School representative Kate Medhurst said everyone should come on down and spend a day in 1875.
“We’ve got workshops from flower pickling to flower pressing, oil painting, a horse and carriage around the school, pony rides, vintage photography, candle making … it’s
going to be amazing,” she said.
Ms Medhurst said the students will be involved with the whole process.
“They’re actually collating an art piece each class, depicting how they think 150 years represents them and that’s going to go into the silent auctions,” she said.
Ms Medhurst said it’s an event that can’t be missed.
“It’sacommunitycelebration,it’snotjust for the school,” she said.
“It’s actually for everyone, everyone who’s been part of this community and the Macedon Ranges to come and help cele-
brate.”
The school’s new signage to promote the festival was put up in August ahead of the November event, with local graphic design student Halle Grant giving the community the first glimpse of what to expect on the day. She thanked the committee for giving her this opportunity.
“It was truly an honour to be part of this group and something great,” Ms Grant said.
The 150 year festival will be taking place on Saturday, November 15, from 10am to 4pm, with tickets costing $25 per child, with adults free.
visits to each participating school by an accredited Bushfire Planning and Design consultant who develops a Vegetation Management Plan.
Schools can also engage with additional bushfire related professional services, like a Bushfire Attack Level expert, to provide further advice and support in reducing their bushfire risk.
“Bushfire season is just around the corner and now is the time for everyone at school, at work and at home to prepare property – doing this work now and having an action plan could save a life,” Emergency Services Minister Vicki Ward said.
Hume’s waste vouchers success
Hume council’s move to a more flexible waste voucher system has been an overwhelming success in its first year, with residents redeeming nearly 95,000 waste vouchers for free services in the 2024-2025 period.
Council said the system makes it easier for locals to dispose of unwanted items responsibly, with waste vouchers being used for hard waste collections to visits to council’s resource recovery centres in Campbellfield and Sunbury.
The change has replaced the old ‘tip pass’ system which required residents to present their rates notice at the gate, often locking renters out of the service all together. Every household in Hume now automatically receives waste vouchers each year, which can be used flexibly for either a hard waste or bundled branch collection, or a tip to a resource recovery centre.
Hume has experienced an 80 per cent surge in voucher redemptions at its resource recovery centres, a jump of 5000 collections for hard rubbish bookings, and about one third of hard waste being diverted from landfill through recycling of mattresses, fridges, scrap metal, e-waste and green waste. The number of waste entitlements used was up by more than 50 per cent in just one year by use of the new system.
Mayor Jarrod Bell praised the new system. “These results set the foundation for a cleaner, greener Hume well into the future,” he said.
Principal Andrew Bloomfield, students Joe and Asha and poster designer Halle Grant. (Georgia Tacey)
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Movies on the Hill
Catch The Great White Whale in this special Q&A screening with the filmmaker Michael Dillion. Witness the epic struggle to climb Big Ben, Australia’s highest and loneliest mountain. The documentary will be showing at the Norma Richardson Hall, 15 Buckland Street, Woodend at 2pm on Sunday, August 31. Tickets $20
https://tinyurl.com/3ask9kz9
Gisborne Genealogical Group
August is Family History Month and the Gisborne Genealogical Group is holding an all day Seminar on Saturday August 30, 9.30am-4pm at the Uniting Church, Brantome Street, Gisborne. The theme is ‘Immigration to Victoria in the 19th Century’. Cost is $25.
lorna_jackson@bigpond.com or 0402 091 034
One Voice Sunbury
The WOV Sunbury community choir is changing the world one voice at a time by providing an opportunity for people to meet and experience the joy of singing, often making friends through the shared experiences of singing and performing; although performing is not required. One Voice Sunbury community choir rehearses each Tuesday, from 6.30pm, at Goonawarra Neighbourhood House. A fun and welcoming choir, new members are welcome – just join in on the fun.
sunbury@withonevoice.org.au
Malmsbury Farmers and Makers Market
Locals and people from afar get along to this wonderful Farmers Market. Always the third Sunday of the month….fresh produce, wine, hot food, coffee, plants, artisan foods and crafts that are special. Musical entertainment whilst you shop and catch up with friends. Located at the picturesque Malmsbury Cricket Ground 9am-1pm.
Amy, 0423 726 695
Sunbury Men’s Probus Club
Join the Probus Club of Sunbury on the first Wednesday of the month at the Sunbury Bowling club at 10am. It’s a friendly men’s group open to visitors and new members, with a number of great events held each month.
Lindsay Brown, 0405 177 478
Ladies Probus Club
The Woodlands Ladies Probus Club of Sunbury meets on the 4th Monday of the month at the Sunbury Bowling Club (Club Sunbury). Meetings now start at 10.30am for 2 hours. We have guest speakers each month, also outings, and theatre regularly. New Members and visitors welcomed.
Jessie, 0458 190 254
Messy Play in Sunbury
Join in the Messy Play fun with this toddler-focused program, including messy and sensory child-led play. The program will run from 10–11.30am on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays.
www.sunburyhouse.com.au or 9740 6978
Young Voices of Macedon
A community choir for children of the Macedon Ranges and beyond, Young Voices of Macedon rehearses at the House of the Rock, 247 Station Road, New Gisborne. The choir has separate programs for young children aged five to eight and older children. Rehearsals assist children in developing vocal technique, part singing skills, and general musicianship, across popular, classical, folk and music theatre styles. Rehearsals run on Thursdays, from 4.15pm, with afternoon tea and play time.
yvmacedon.org.au
Hume Men’s Shed
The Hume Men’s Shed (Sunbury) is a non for profit organisation, meeting every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at 158 Evans Street, Sunbury. The group caters for men be it carpentry, welding, metal work, gardening or just to chat.
sunburymensshed.com, or 0438 677 425
Macedon Ranges Photographic Society
Are you into photography, just starting out, or a fully fledged professional? The Macedon Ranges Photographic Society is your local camera club for friendship, photographic outings, workshops, guest presenters, competitions and more. Come along to a meeting on the first and second Monday of the month. Doors open at 7pm and the meeting starts at 7.30pm at Jubilee Hall, 52 Smith Street, Macedon.
www.macedon-ranges-photography.org. au, or info@macedon-ranges-photography. org.au
Insync Entertainment
Insync Entertainment is an all-female community choir, providing the opportunity to meet others who enjoy singing. The group is seeking new members to join the friendly choir. No auditions required. They rehearse at the Sunbury Baptist Church Hall every Monday from 7.15–9.30pm.
insyncentertainment@gmail.com
North Western District Pipe Band
The newly formed North Western District Pipe Band meets every Wednesday at 7.30pm at the Diggers Rest Bowls Club. It is seeking experienced pipers and drummers to join the band and is also offering tuition for learners of all ages.
Hank, 0412 160 576, nwd.pipeband@ gmail.com, or www.facebook.com/NorthWe sternDistrictPipeBand?mibextid=ZbWKwL
Toastmasters
Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Toastmasters helps its members develop their public speaking, communication and leadership skills. The group meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month, from 7.20–9.30pm, at the Sunbury Community Centre, 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury.
vpm-4185@toastmastersclubs.org
Sunbury Seniors
Sunbury Seniors (55 or older) meet on Mondays and Fridays from 10am–3pm. The club is temporarily located at 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury while construction on a new venue is underway. A variety of activities are offered – indoor bowls, cards, snooker, guest speakers, day excursions, subsidised lunches or just a cup of coffee and a chat.
0434 400 754
Sunbury Art Society
The Sunbury Art Society meets every Friday and Saturday, from 10am-3pm, at the Boilerhouse, Jacksons Hill, to paint or draw over a cuppa with other like minded people. New members welcome.
Ken, 0407 062 568, or Yvonne, 0429 994 828
Yoga in Sunbury
Yoga classes at Sunbury Neighbourhood House focus on supporting participants to slow down and move well. Special attention is given to mindful awareness of movement that builds strength in a healthy and safe way, Monday mornings, Thursday evenings and Friday mornings
www.sunburyhouse.com.au or 9740 6978
Art group
The Woodend Art Group holds classes and workshops in the studios in the Woodend railway station complex. It also has a social Tuesday where members and interested people can come along in the morning, have a coffee and paint together in a social environment.
Colin Robinson, 0407 426 252
Pernaperna Women’s Group
The group is currently knitting and crocheting blankets for First Nations peoples in palliative care across Australia. Pernaperna is a friendly group who meet fortnightly at Sunbury Neighbourhood House, 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury, on a Thursday, from 1-3pm. It has established a bush tucker garden at Sunbury Neighbourhood House. New members warmly welcomed. If you don’t knit or garden but would just like to drop in for a chat, the group would love to meet you.
Joan, 0418 302 676
Ladies probus
The Woodlands Ladies Probus Club of Sunbury meets on the fourth Monday of each month at the Sunbury Bowling Club at 9.45am.
Leonie, 0401 764 182
Sunbury Ladies Probus Club
The Sunbury Ladies Probus Club meets at 9.30am on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Sunbury Football Social Club rooms.
Pat, 0433 789 754, or Sylvia, 0417 170 142
Sunbury Combined Probus Club
The Sunbury Combined Probus Club meets every fourth Thursday of the month at the Sunbury Bowling Club at 10.30am.
Jo, 0410 834 272
Jacksons Creek Combined Probus Jackson’s Creek Combined Probus Club meets the second Monday of the month at Club Sunbury, Riddell Road, Sunbury. Meetings commence at 10.30am. New members are welcome to join our friendly group of men and women. We have monthly speakers, outings and twice yearly trips away staying in cabins or caravans.
Doug, 5428 3317, or Teresa, 0417 373 006
Craft and conversation
Head down to the Sunbury Library on Mondays 1-3pm for the craft and conversation group. The program is free and open to people aged 15 years and older.
tinyurl.com/yfwtmhdh
Chill Out Sunbury
Chill Out Sunbury is a free event for 12 and 18 years old to participate in activities such as trivia, games, and more. Happening every Wednesday, 3.30-5.30pm, at the Sunbury Youth Centre, 51-53 Evans Street.
bit.ly/3lmVgVhv
CWA Woodend Eves
The CWA Woodend Eves Branch is part of the Central Highlands group and meets every third Tuesday at 7pm at the Woodend Golf Club. All women are welcome.
cwawoodendeves@gmail.com
This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of Point Cook P-9 College’s production of The Addams Family. Abigail, year 7, (front), Irene, year 9, Geronimo, year 6 and Dylan, year 9. (back). (Damjan Janevski) 495222_01
Artists make connections
A special art exhibition will be on display next month at the Sunbury Library exploring themes of identity, strength and healing.
The Art of Connection is a powerful collection of work created by women whose lives have been shaped by resilience, strength and the pursuit of connection.
The artists are women with lived experience of the legal system and are participants in the innovative Women And Mentoring (WAM) program.
WAM is a community organisation that supports women, trans women and gender diverse people with justice system involvement by linking them with a volunteer mentor.
Whatunitestheartistsisasharedjourney ofgrowth,healing,andcreativeexpression. Somepieceswerecreatedbywomenpicking
up a paintbrush, pen or camera for the very first time. Others were made by those rediscovering long-lost creative practices.
WAM chief executive Tricia Ciampa said “Too often, the voices of women in contact with the justice system are overlooked.”
“This exhibition ensures their stories, talents and achievements are seen and recognised by the community.
“The artworks reflect not just the challenges women face, but also their creativity, strength and achievements. By providing this platform, we celebrate the whole person – not just one part of their journey.
“Every piece in the exhibition is a reminder that change begins when voices are valued. This is about more than art –it’s about recognition, empowerment and justice.”
The exhibition includes a special Library After Dark event on Thursday September 4. Ms Ciampa said people can expect an evening that goes beyond the artworks themselves.
“It’s an opportunity to understand the deeper issues that can lead to women’s offending, to hear about the power of mentoring and the solidarity it creates, and to see how connection can change the course of someone’s life. We’ll also be sharing ways the community can get involved and stand alongside us in this work.”
HearmoreaboutWAMataLibraries After Dark event from 6pm to 7pm on Thursday 4 September. Book online or by phone on 9356 6970.
The Art of Connection is on display from 1 until 15 September.
Leonie Collins as Sybil Fawlty.
(Ljubica Vrankovic) 496123_02
Don’t miss Fawlty Towers with a feed!
Everything will go wrong in a way that feels oh so right when the interactive performance of Fawlty Towers lands at SanctuaryLakesGolfClub.
The television cult classic that came straight from the mind of John Cleese will dazzleanaudienceoverdinneratthevenue that came straight from the mind of Greg Norman.
Leonie Collins, or Sybil Fawlty for the night, will no doubt run around like a headless chicken keeping up with her fictionalhusbandBasil.
“We brought this series alive with a team
of professional actors and whatever could gowrongdoesgowrong,”MsCollinssaid.
“Weoverserviceourpeopleastheevening goeson,sorememberitisanightofhilarity, disasterandallsortsofotherthings.”
While it is an act in the purest sense, there is an element of art replicating life, replicatingarttoitall.
“She [Sybil Fawlty] is a bit of a bossy beaver like me– I like bossing my husband around and I cannot believe all the mess he getsmeinto.”
You won’t know exactly what you are in for, but there are still things you can
bankon.
“The best thing about it is the laughter, I am talking about belly laughs– it’s a laugh a minute.”
Flying solo should be no reason to miss out on a calamitous comedy that has been producing laughs for more than four decades.
“We have special tables for people to meet new people, and Sybil is really good at matchmaking,”MsCollinssaid.
The show is on September 6. For tickets go to www.trybooking.com/events/ landing/1445498
Altona arts centre celebrates 20 years of creativity
Altona’s Louis Joel Arts and Community (LJAC) centre will mark two decades in existence with a celebration event on Thursday, August 28.
Held at LJAC on the old Altona Hospital siteinSargoodStreet,theeventwillfeature local artists and creatives, the very thing the centre has become renowned for since it first opened its doors in 2005.
“We’rehavingperformancesfrom(youth theatre group) Dramaworks, a ukulele group is performing a song for LJAC, there will be poetry and a silent auction on some stunning artwork by local artists,” said
centre manager Karen Ingram describing some of the performances that will take place on the night.
A short film looking back on the centre’s 20-year history and featuring members of the local community sharing what they love about LJAC and why it’s so important, will also be shown.
Ms Ingram said LJAC’s 20 year anniversary was more than just an ordinary birthday.
“The milestone is significant because there’s been a lot of challenges in the community sector,” she said. “We punch
An award-winning comedy about the neighbours you know and love to hate is making its way to Brimbank this month.
Stickybeak, supported by Creative Brimbank, is a dynamic, quick-change character show that catches the loudness in even the quietest of neighbourly interactions.
This troupe of mischief makers use character comedy to dig into the stories of fenced off lives and ask: who are these loveable yet revolting characters? Can their fences stop their worlds from tumbling out all over each other?
Performer, devisor and co-creator of Stickybeak Kimberley Twiner said the show is a loving mockery of the characters we share this world with.
“We all play multiple characters, as well as the animals of suburbia — dogs, cats, magpies, chickens, even snails. The show celebrates humans and creatures in all their weirdness and wildness,” Kimberley said, who also proudly performs as the lead snail in Stickybeak.
The laugh-out-loud show was the winner of the best comedy award at Melbourne Fringe in 2023.
The team behind the show — Kimberley Twiner, Laura Trenerry, Patrick Dwyer and Jessie Ngaio — are award-winning and award-nominated artists too.
Director Lily Fish said the show is sure to leave audience members laughing.
“It’s like Kath and Kim and the castle live onstage… utterly hilarious,” Lily said.
Stickybeak will be showing at the Bowery Theatre on Friday, August 29 at 7pm. Ticket prices range from $15 to $20 with further discounts available for groups of four or more.
Details: creativebrimbank.com.au
above our wait and it’s not always easy, especially in the last couple of years.”
Toensurethecentrelastsforanothertwo decades, the celebration night will also act as a fundraising and promotional event.
“We need to remind the community what we do and bring people on board and tojoinusinwhatthenexttwentyyearswill be,” said Ms Ingram.
LJAC’s 20-year celebration is a ticketed event.
To book : https://shorturl.at/F8SCS TodonatetoLJAC:https://www.givenow. com.au/organisation/public/6171
Divine Chakras by Jaimie D. (Supplied)
Patrick Dwyer and Lily Fish star in the comedy Stickybeak. (Tom Noble)
Dr. Tony Stubbs Eye Surgeon
Dr. Tony Stubbs, Eye Surgeon, says that just about anyone can have their vision restored and be rid of their glasses for most of the time. And this is without the use of laser surgery.
Dr Stubbs formerly at the Royal Victorian Eye Hospital who has worked with the Fred Hollows eye department at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney, says he began his career through the inspiration of his father, Dr Maxwell Stubbs.
“My father was a pioneer in cataract implant surgery from 1963! He has now passed away but some of his patients still come in for a check-up. Not only is this inspirational, it also demonstrates that good surgery outlasts the surgeon,” Dr Stubbs says.
A specialist who helps people who have been advised they are unsuitable for laser surgery, Dr Stubbs is also committed to demonstrating that age, corneal distortion or astigmatism are no barriers to eliminating the need for glasses.
One of my best moments was treating a 12-year-old girl who was struggling at school because of poor vision due to congenital cataracts even with the use of thick glasses. Now 10 years later, she still has 20/20 vision without glasses. That inspires me.
“Seeing my patients’ bright smiles after surgery, as they stop squinting and can read without glasses, is definitely the best part of my job.”
No referral is needed and no out-of-pocket expenses are incurred for an assessment to enable all options available to be considered.
Western Skin Institute
• Full body or spot check
• Moles and lesion checks
offers excellence in skin checks for skin cancer detection, dermatological skin conditions and treatment and management for all ages. We offer range of services, including: For
• Lumps and bumps • Laser and LED therapy treatments No Referral needed
Star Weekly seeks an enthusiastic Full or Part time Sales Executive to work across our print, digital, social and online platforms.
Star Weekly is an independently owned company which prides itself on its long history of community experience but also its investment in the future.
The successful applicant will need to possess good people skills to enable them to meet with local businesses to sell solutions through our advertising platforms to help promote their business.
Applicants will need their own reliable vehicle for which we will provide an allowance.
The position is salaried, plus we offer an open ended commission scheme.
Send your application letter and resume to: Advertising Sales Manager, Mandy Clark mandy.clark@starnewsgroup.com.au www.starnewsgroup.com.au
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 Sudden divergence (7)
5 Strong emotion (7)
9 Tempting (9)
10 Coronet (5)
11 Hark! (6)
12 Representative (8)
14 Rue (6)
15 New information (4)
19 Atop (4)
20 Taken illegally (6)
24 Situation (8)
25 Traduce (6)
27 Circular (5)
28 Evening entertainment (9)
29 Go before (7)
30 Follow (7)
DOWN
1 Rough struggle (6)
2 Naturist (6)
3 Abstained from (8)
4 Slender shoot (4)
5 Avoidance (10)
6 Disgust (6)
7 Solitary (8)
8 Rubbish (8)
13 Forethought (10)
16 Move faster and then overtake (8)
17 Water is one (8)
18 Fussy (8)
21 Dilly-dally (6)
22 Resembling instance (6)
23 Aim (6)
26 Ova (4)
Using
1 If you are born on December 13th, which star sign are you?
2 Which Greek poet was known as the ‘Tenth Muse’ and ‘The Poetess’?
3 Which singer was Mia Farrow (pictured) married to from 1966–1968?
4 Mont-Saint-Michel is a tidal island in which country?
5 Alyson ‘Aly’ Michalka is half of a musical duo with who?
6 In which year was the graphic design platform Canva founded?
7 And in which country was it founded?
8 The ‘Pale Mountains’ is another name for which Italian mountain range?
9 Saint George’s is the capital of which Caribbean island?
10 The Swimmers is a 2022 film about two young sisters from which country?
Kia sails ahead with EV5
By Derek Ogden, Marque Motoring
Kia continues its journey into full vehicle electrification with the introduction of the EV5 mid-size SUV with sharp looks, state-of-the-art automotive technology and prices aimed at taking the wind out of rivals’sails(andsales).
The EV5 comes in three trim levels –Air, Earth and GT-Line – with a choice of standardorlong-rangebatteriesandfrontorall-wheeldrive.
Prices start at $56,770 drive-away for the Standard Range FWD and signs off at $71,770, plus on road costs, or drive-away at$75,990fortheGT-LineAWDvariant.On testwastheEV5AirFWDStandardRange.
Bringing standard and long-range electric power to mid-range SUVs, the Air is powered by either a standard range 64.2kWh battery, or long-range 88.1kWh battery, while Earth and GT-Line models comesolelywiththelong-rangebattery.
The universal Kia warranty of seven years, unlimited kilometres, applies to the new EV5, with the battery limited to 150,000kilometres.
Styling
Taking cues from Kia’s Opposites United designlanguage,theEV5standsitsground with a unique SUV silhouette, starting with the front end, which includes a wide bonnet and solid nose, robust lower skid plate and constellation-like Star Map signaturelighting.
Star Map LED lighting extends to the reartoo,whichalsotakesinaruggedlower skidplateandanaerodynamicrearspoiler. From the side, the SUV is distinguished by doorhandles,whichfitflush,roofrailsand designeralloywheels.
The EV5 is available with a mix of colour options, including two-tone colour exclusive to the GT-Line. The Air features cloth and synthetic leather seating, the Earth grade’s full artificial leather is
offered in Smokey Black or Nougat Beige onselectedexteriorcolours.
Interior
The cabin sets a high standard of fit-and-finish through touches of the award-winning EV9 across the range. Comfort and convenience features include Kia Connect, over-the-air updates and steering column shift-by-wire. Sadly, a smart power tailgate is ‘off the Air’ making an appearance on the upper Earth and GT-Linevariantsonly.
The base Air even gets powered driver’s seatadjustmentandheatedfrontseats.
However,thefrontseatingdoesthrowup a quirk or two: under the floating armrest there appears to be a third front-row seat inthecentre.
Itis,infact,partofthepassengerseatand takesawayfromcentreconsolestorage.
Luckily,thelatterisfunctional.
The steering wheel is slightly flattened top and bottom and snuggles nicely in the hand.
Behind it are traditional stalks for the lights and wipers, a twist gear selector (not a favourite), plus paddle shifters for the regenerativebrakingrange.
The rear seat also folds in one double movement (base and backrest together) to deliver a fully flat load area – expanding thealreadygenerous513-litreboot–which is also flat. Kia even offers an inflatable mattresstocoverthewholearea.
There are removable sections in the rear floor to expand the depth when carrying taller objects, or spillables. And there’s a fully sealed 67-litre front compartment which is opened by pressing a button on thekeyfob.
Infotainment
All grades are fitted with twin 12.3-inch instrument displays separated by a 5-inch segment, the product of Kia’s updated Graphical User Interface, integrating
climate monitoring. Unfortunately, vital sections of the latter can be obscured by thesteeringwheelspokesandrim. Rather than rely heavily on the touchscreen, Kia has retained some physical controls for vehicle systems and givenotherseasilyaccessibledisplays.
Engines/transmissions
The entry-level Air gets a 160kW/310Nm single-motor powertrain, with a 64.2kWh battery giving the base variant 400km WLTP range and a larger 88.1kWh battery givingtheLongRangeaboostto555km.
Safety
Muchattentionhasbeenpaidtoactiveand passive safety, with all variants including Highway Driving Assist 2 and centre side airbag.
The Air features autonomous emergency braking (including car, bicycle, pedestrian andjunctiondetection),lane-keepingassist with lane centring, blind-spot monitoring and avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert and avoidance, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, speed limit warning and a driver attention monitoring camera.
Driving
TheEV5isapleasingcartodrive.Roadand wind noise are well shut out of the cabin, the latter more so given the car’s square stance.
The steering feel is light and direct and changes depending on the drive mode. Pressthebuttonatthebottomofthewheel to switch to Sport or Eco modes. In Sport mode, the steering becomes noticeably heavier. Sport also adjusts throttle response to be more aggressive. The car is surprisingly capable of holding its own on corners,too.
Given it’s a relatively heavy SUV/ battery, it’s surprisingly far from cumbersome. Fuel consumption is put by the maker at 20.1kWh per 100 kilometres. The test vehicle recorded 17.5kWh per 100 kilometres on a run, mainly on the open road.
The EV5 did not exactly ‘float on air’ but the test Air, like much of Kia’s product, came under the influence of local suspension engineers to make sure the SUV could handle Australia’s less-than welcomingroadconditions.
Lane-keepassistcanbeintrusivebutnot dangerously so. This, and other systems, can be easily turned off too with the single pressofabutton.
Summary
With a comfortable ride, easy-going performanceandimpressivefueleconomy, the Kia EV5 adds further polish to the mid-sizeSUVsegment.
The Kia EV5 adds further polish to the mid-size SUV segment. (Pictures: supplied)
Stage set for finals action
Don’t you love AFL football? What a weekend - quality games, mostly expected wins,andnowthestageissetforSeptember. Here’smyviewontheup-and-comingfinal series.
The lay of the land (before Suns–Essendon play Wednesday)
Qualifying Finals locked: Adelaide (1) v Collingwood(4);Geelong(2)vBrisbane(3).
Freo surge, Dogs wobble: Fremantle’s must-win over the Bulldogs flipped momentum heading into finals.
Crows curveball: Izak Rankine’s four-game ban forces Adelaide to re-shape their forward mix - he will only be back if they reach the grand final.
Dimma’s challenge - accountability or bust Gold Coast Suns’ coach Damien Hardwick nailed the message: own the moment. He framed the run-in as a two-game season and hammered home the need to lift their standards. If you can’t get yourself up this week, the leadership group must set the tone, or history will simply pass you by. That’s the Suns’ mindset going into Wednesday night and, if they get the job done,theirintotheirfirsteliminationfinal.
Form heading into finals
Collingwood, despite losing five of their
(AAP Image Rob Prezioso)
last six before beating Melbourne, remain finals-hardened but must sharpen late-game execution and cut turnovers.
Adelaide’s ball movement has been elite, but without Izak Rankine (suspended) they’ll need scoreboard impact from their mids and smalls.
Geelong v Brisbane shapes as a heavyweight qualifying final - the Cats’ system against the Lions’ stoppage power. Fremantle arrive with real momentum after toppling the Dogs, with contest strength and Jye Amiss’ timing crucial. GWS’ pressure has consistently stood up, though Hawthorn remains a threat if their mark-and-control game gets rolling.
Bulldogs or Suns?
Dogsin: Talentisthere,butdefensiveisthe big question at finals level.
Sunsin: Hardwick’saccountabilitymantra meets finals heat - a first-ever finals berth would mark a cultural turning point.
Match lenses I’d use in the box
AdelaidevCollingwood(QF)
Keys: Crows’ ground-ball strike vs Pies’ intercepts.
Watch: Adelaide’s forward-half time — Collingwood must keep it under 50 per cent.
GeelongvBrisbane(QF)
Keys: Clearance differential v territory control.
Watch: Lions’ inside-50 depth v Cats’
intercept denial.
GWSvHawthorn(EF)
Keys: Giants’ pressure v Hawks’ mark game.
Watch: GWS tackles + turnover scores; Hawks must break clean.
FremantlevBulldogs/Suns(EF)
If Dogs: Freo test the Dogs’ corridor defence.
If Suns: Hardwick’s responsibility mantra collides with finals heat.
What wins September (2025 edition)
Front-halffooty: Time in forward half and repeat entries — critical when games get strangled.
Pressure that sticks: Turnover goals are gold when stoppages stalemate. Leaders who absorb heat: Standards matter more than slogans.
Final word
I love Damien Hardwick’s message –it’s about owning the moment. If you need a coach to motivate you in finals, you’re already in trouble. This is when accountabilityandleadershipmattermost. From my view as a past player, footy is 90 per cent above the shoulders. Finals are won on mindset and resiliencefinding that extra effort when the contest is at its fiercest. This is when leaders earn their stripes, and when mental toughness decides who moves on and who bows out.
That one day in September of which dreams are made
As anticipation builds for the first round of the 2025 AFL finals, former North Melbourne premiership player Anthony Stevens writes what it is like for players as they face the biggest test of their careers on that one day in September.
There is no feeling in football like September. I can still hear the roar of the MCG crowd, smell the liniment in the rooms, and remember the nerves that made it hard to sleep the night before a final. For every kid who grew up dreaming of playing AFL, that one day in September was the pinnacle - and I was lucky enough to live it, three times in grand finals, with two premiership medals to show for it.
The journey to get there was brutal. In the 1990s, there was no pre-finals bye, no pause to catch your breath. You came off 22 weeks of bruising football and rolled straight into
the heat of finals. The only chance for a rest was if you earned a spot in the Grand Final and won the right to freshen up with a week off before the biggest game of all. That was thecarrot-theultimateprize,andthedream thatdroveusthroughpre-seasontortureand everypunishingsessionalongtheway.
Finals brought pressure like no other. Coachesdemandeddisciplineandflawless structures. Teammates looked each other in the eye, knowing any lapse could end the dream. And the supporters - they were everything. Their belief, their passion, and their noise lifted us higher, but it
also reminded us of the responsibility we carried every time we pulled on the jumper. Playing finals wasn’t just about us as players. It was about repaying the faith of every North Melbourne person who lived and breathed the club.
Winningwaseuphoric.TwiceItastedthe pure joy of a premiership - the siren, the hugs,thetears,therealisationyou’detched yourself into history. But I also felt the devastation of defeat. That Grand Final loss cut deep, left scars, and fuelled the fire to comebackstronger.Finalsfootballiscruel, but that’s what makes it the ultimate test.
Today’s players have more science, psychology, and support, but the emotions haven’t changed. What has changed is the glare. In the ’90s, scrutiny was sharp but manageable.Today,it’ssuffocating.Players can’t sneeze without a headline. Social media magnifies every slip-up, making finals even more mentally draining.
Yetthroughalleras,theessenceremains. Finals football strips the game back to its core: belief, resilience, and courage. And whether it’s 1996 or 2025, that one day in September will always be the dream that defines our game.
Shai Bolton of the Dockers celebrates a goal during his team’s must-win game against the Bulldogs.
Anthony Stevens is the principal of Anthony Stevens Real Estate. Phone 0459 924 164.
Smith stands down from Cannons’ development role
Ross Smith will finish up as Calder Cannons girls coach this weekend.
The Cannons announced on social media on Wednesday that Smith had told the playing group he will step down from the role of regional development coach for the Cannons girls program following Saturday’s game against the Northern Knights.
“The current longest-serving head coach in the Talent League, Ross has had an immense impact on the Calder Cannons, having started in the 2018 season, and having coached both boys and girls program across his time,” the Cannons said.
“A224-gameplayerforNorthMelbourne, Ross brought an impressive coaching resume to the Cannons and talent pathway, including assistant coach stints at Geelong, North Melbourne, Hawthorn and Richmond. “While his ability to coach defenceisrenownedacrosstheindustry,he hasshownhisabilitytodevelopallmanner
of player, with a number of AFL and AFLW players having come through the Cannons program under his tutelage.
“Ross has also had an impressive impact
onthedevelopmentofcoachesinthetalent pathwayandCannonsregion.Fromsetting upcoachingacademiesforlocalcoachesin the Cannons region, to having a coaching tree that includes AFLW assistant coaches aswellasanumberofcurrentCoatesTalent League regional development coaches, he has always shown an openness to support and develop.
“We want to thank Ross for his work at the Calder Cannons and will miss him in the AFL Talent Pathway.”
The Cannons said the role will be advertised by the AFL in the coming days.
The Cannons were hoping to finish the season on a high against the Knights, with the game after deadline.
Calder had three wins for the season going into the game.
The Cannons boys were also in action against the Knights on Saturday, after deadline.
Meanwhile, several locals have been invitedtotheAFLWnationaldraftcombine
Tigers end with win
By Tara Murray
Lancefield heads into the Riddell District Football League off season feeling it’s on the right track after one of its biggest wins in years to end the season..
With just one for the season, not many people gave the Tigers much hope of knocking off Diggers Rest in the battle betweentopandbottominthefinalround.
The Tigers though left everyone stunned to pull off an 11.5 (71)-9.14 (68) win.
Tigers coach Ryan O’Meara said it was nice to finish off the season the right way.
“It was a great result for the boys and a bit of a reward for effort,” he said. “It’s been tough and we didn’t deserve to be a 1-14 team at that stage.
“No one was expecting us to be 2-14 after beating Diggers Rest. We had been really disappointing in round 17 and wanted to rebound and finish the year off strongly.”
O’Meara said people around the club were saying they hadn’t beaten the Burras since2013withtheBurrashavinghadtheir measure.
It was an 100-plus margin earlier in the year.
He highlighted the side’s win against Riddell a couple of years ago as the last time they’d won a match like that.
“It’s a great result for the boys and it’s a long time coming.”
O’Meara said they had focused on making training fun in the lead up to the match.
He said while you always go into a game hoping that you can win, it wasn’t a result they were expecting.
“It’s good for a young team,” he said. “It’s a good launching pad for next season.
“It shows that we’re good enough to make it with the top sides, we just haven’t been able to do it for long enough.”
The win was enough to move the Tigers off the bottom of the ladder.
The two wins is an improvement on last season when they failed to win a game.
While this season has just finished, the Tigers are already looking ahead to next season and taking further steps forward.
“Wehadagoodcoregroupofplayerssign on,” O’Meara said. “There will hopefully be a couple more this week.
“It all points to pretty positive signs.”
Among the re-signings announced by the Tigers so far include Riley O’Meara, Noah Smallacombe, Tom Sayers and Tom Indian.
O’Meara said they would look to bring in some experience in the off season to add to the squad they already had.
“We’ve got everyone moving in the right direction,” he said.
“Experience is what we need to make that step up.
“We have an average age of 21 with
and state combines to be held in October. Forty-six players from across Australia have been invited to attend the three-day national draft combine, which will be held in Melbourne from October 1 to 3. Club interviews will be held at the MCG across Wednesday and Thursday, with players to complete a 2km time trial at the AIA Centre on Wednesday afternoon. Allremainingphysicaltesting,including vertical jumps, 20-metre sprint and the agility test, will be completed at the State Hockey and Netball Centre on Friday.
An additional 45 players have been selected to take part in one of the three state combines.
Selection to attend the combines was based on nominations provided by AFLW clubs.
Calder Cannons’ Jade McLay and Chloe Baker-West have both been invited to the national combine while Kyneton’s Ella Jeffrey has been invited to the state combine.
Gisborne votes to move to BFNL
The verdict was clear from Gisborne members as they voted for the club to move to the Ballarat Football Netball League for next season.
Club members voted on Thursday night about the club’s future, with 190 members voting in support of the move from the Bendigo Football Netball League.
Just 30 were either against the move or abstained from voting.
Bulldogs president Tony Brancatisano said the message was clear.
“Wehadabitofaninklingandalot of the players wanted to go,” he said. “Itwasgoodthatitjustdidn’tgetover the line.
“They are all on board. We know it is time to make the move.”
The members vote came after Ballarat clubs the previous week voted 46-4 in favour of the Bulldogs joining the competition.
Brancatisano said it was important to have majority votes as it gives a clear indication the move is supported on both sides.
In a good sign for the club, the majority of its playing group had re-signed before the vote occurred.
All but one or two of the senior footballplayershavere-signed,while all the 18s and reserves players are back on board.
Brancatisano said it was a similar story with the netballers and they were looking to re-sign the women’s footballers as well in the coming weeks.
The president said he hoped that the Bendigo league would let them leave and not try to block the move.
“Why keep someone in the competition that doesn’t want to be there?” he said. “The club is owned by the players and members.
“We’ve given them a solid 25 years. They need to look north for teams.”
Brancatisano said while the rest of the process played out, they were focused on trying to get some on field success.
multiple 17, 18-year-olds running around.
“Our captain turned 24 this year. If we can grab a couple of 28-plus older players it would be good.
“That is what we’re lacking.”
“Our senior women’s grand final is on Saturday,” he said. “Our footballers and netballers have to finish off the season.
“We’ll celebrate the end of the regular season and hopefully the women’s premiership on Saturday.”
Ross Smith. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 399227_10
Riley O’Meara. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 341897_03
Tigers dig deep to break through for historic finals win
Kyneton produced one of its most memorable performances in recent history towinitsfirstfinalsmatchin27years.
A lot has changed for the Tigers since that last finals win, including moving to the RiddellDistrictFootballLeaguelastseason.
The Tigers, who finished the regular season in sixth spot, needed to fight for the whole contest in the elimination final against Wallan to get over the line on Sunday.
Tigersplaying-coachEthanForemansaid itwasaprettyspecialdayfortheclub.
“It is unbelievable,” he said. “It was one of themostamazinggames.
“While it’s only a final, it’s the first final we’vewonin27yearstobepartofanditwas amazing.
“Seeing the reaction from the people around those times from when we won the flagsinthe1990s.”
While much has changed in that time,
the same club rooms and ground stand still exist along with the same community spirit andoldsupporters.
ManyofthemwereatthegameonSunday atRiddellsCreekandintearsafterwards.
The young Tigers had to battle all day against an experienced Wallan side. Just four Tigers had played a senior final before, while Wallan played in last year’s grand final.
“They jumped us early and credit to them,”Foremansaid.“Weweren’tabletogo withthem.
“The young boys clawed their way back in themiddletwoquarters.
“It was then shot for shot in the final quarter.Theywereintheleadatonestage.
“The young boys were able to keep a cool head.”
The Tigers kicked the last two goals of the gametoseala12.15(87)-11.9(75)win.
Foremansaidtherewassomuchemotion
afterthegame.
“It’s one of the best games that I’ve played in,” he said. “Seeing that pure emotion and howexcitedeveryonewas,madeitspecial. “Wewantedtotickthatboxandhavebeen working on it for a while. First we wanted to makeafinalandthenwinafinal.”
AngusNoltekickedsixgoalsfortheTigers. Haydn Smith, Hamish Yunghanns and Noltewerenamedtheirbest.
The Tigers now face Diggers Rest in a knockout semi final this Sunday at Woodend.
TheBurrashadabiglossinthequalifying finaltoRiddellonSaturday.
Foremanknowsthathavetobewaryofan injuredside.
“They are a quality outside and the best side all year,” he said. “It’s not going to be easyandwhoknowswhatwillhappen.”
Bombers stand tall
By Tara Murray
Riddell sent an early finals message with a demolition job against Diggers Rest in the Riddell District Football League qualifying final.
Having not played their best football yet, the Bombers entered finals primed to take it up to the best.
Fresh off a week off, the Bombers faced the ladder leaders who were coming off two straight losses, in a qualifying final on Saturday.
The Bombers jumped out of the blocks early and led by 42 points at quarter time.
The game was over at half time with the margin out to 64 points.
Riddell continued the momentum heading in the second half to come away with a 19.12 (126)-6.7 (43) win.
Bombers coach Arron Bray said while they weren’t expecting that scoreline, they were pretty confident heading into the game.
“We got pretty much all our squad back together,” he said. “We haven’t had that all
year with four or five changes each week hurting us.
“Wedidn’thavethatcontinuity.Theyhad acoupleoutaseveryteamdoesatthistime of the year.
“We still had Taco [Dylan Tarczon] and [Matthew] Darby out.”
Bray said the most pleasing thing about the win was the spread of contributors in a really good team performance.
Getting a good start was exactly what they were after.
“We started really well and the mids took control early on,” he said. “Our forwards got some really good looks in the first 20 minutes.
“We had five or six goals at the 20 minute mark and that set us up. They lost a few and had to battle it out to their credit.
“TheyweredownonrotationsandIasked the boys to be ruthless and they were.”
Bray said the Burras had three or four injuries leaving them with no bench late in the game.
The Bombers had seven multiple goal kickers led by Zak
with four goals.
Cats locked in
Macedon has locked in the double chance with a solid first up finals performance against Melton South in the Riddell District Football League.
After locking their finals spot in with a final round win, the Cats season was on the line on Sunday in an elimination final against the Panthers, who were playing finals for the first time in a number of years.
The Cats jumped out to an early 20 point lead at Diggers Rest Recreation Reserve and were able to maintain that margin heading into the main break.
The Panthers were able to stick around in the third quarter and wouldn’t allow the Cats to run away with it.
The margin was 25 points after the Panthers kicked two goals to one in the third quarter.
It was again an arm wrestle in the final quarter with neither side able to break open the game.
Macedon got the first goal of the quarter through Jason Cooke to put all the pressure back on the Panthers. It was goal for goal from then with the Cats coming away with a 10.14 (74)-7.6 (48) win.
Cooke finished with five goals, while his brother Bradley Cooke was the other multiple goalkicker for the Cats, with two goals.
Hamish Govan, Blake Watson and Leo Webb were named the Cats best. Broden Colling and Jye Baters were the best for the Panthers.
Brent Swallow, Matthew Panuccio and Bryce Williamson were named the Bombers best.
Bray said they showed some of the signs they had in the run to the premiership last year in the win on Saturday.
“We’ve spent a few weeks at training working on the adjustments we needed in the midfield group,” he said.
“Westartedthatfiveweeksagoandwe’ve seenthatcometofruitionwhichisgoodfor the coaching staff.
The Bombers now face Macedon in the semi finals with a grand final spot on the line.
The Cats beat Melton South in an elimination final on Sunday.
Bray said with the double chance they wouldn’trushTarczonandDarbybackinto the side with having the double chance.
FortheBurras,JamesWatersandWilliam Rousch were named their best.
The Burras will face Kyneton in an elimination final after the Tigers upset Wallan in an elimination final on Sunday.
With third-placed Wallan losing to Kyneton, it means the Cats were the highest ranked winner from the elimination finals through to the second week of finals.
It means they will play Riddell for a spot in the grand final on Saturday, withadoublechanceuptheirsleeves.
Hamish Govan. (Ljubica Vrankovic)
Tara Murray Kyneton during its win against Wallan. (Supplied)
Saad
Zak Saad. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 490807_25
Cats players finding form at the right time of the year
Macedon put on a clinical display to give itselfadoublechanceintheRiddellDistrict Netball League finals.
The Cats started finals in the same situation as 12 months ago, with an elimination final at Diggers Rest on the Sunday.
This time there was no heartbreak with the Cats proving too strong for Lancefield, winning 56-40.
“It was a really good win,” Cats coach Katie Clarke said. “Lancefield has been a strong team all year and we had to come out to play.
“Everything just clicked and everything we’d been working on at training worked. We were really clinical.”
The Cats lead in wasn’t without drama with shooter Chloe Eyre missing due to the National First Nations tournament.
“We were looking at going in with one goaler,” Clarke said. “I was thinking, am I going to have to be in goals?
“But everything fell into place. Hetty [Donoghue] came back from injury and Claire [Oakley] was available.”
Clarke said it was nice to get Donoghue
onto the court for a quarter and get some minutes back into her after she missed a number of weeks with an arm injury.
She said Molly McGrath had really stepped up in her absence and again showed that on Sunday.
result like this to early in the process.
With Gisborne Giants losing to Wallan in the other elimination final, it means the Cats will get the double chance as the highest placed winner from the elimination finals.
They will face Woodend-Hesket in a semi final this weekend with a grand final spot on the line.
Clarke said they hadn’t even been thinking about having a double chance.
“We are rapt to have the second chance,” she said. “Our focus had been on what we needed to do.
“We’ll put our best foot forward and give it a crack Woodend we only played once and it was a good contest.
“We’ll get to work and see how they look and try to dissect what we need to do.”
The Giants debut season came to a heartbreaking loss.
Missing some key players, the Giants lost 47-37 to Wallan.
Clarke said the most pleasing thing was that it was a real team performance.
With the team being in a rebuilding phase, it was massive for them to get a
“Claire and Molly were really good in goals,” she said. “Molly has been such a fantastic addition to the team and has the tank and ability to play out the front.”
Hawks’ strong win
By Tara Murray
Woodend-Hesket is a step closer to a three-peat in the Riddell District Netball League after a strong first up finals win on SaturdayagainstRiddell.
The Hawks faced the Bombers in a qualifying final on Saturday, with both teams seeking to make a third straight grand final. It was the that Hawks jumped out of the blocks and led at every break to comeawaywitha51-41win.
Hawks coach Ty Coppinger said it was nicetocomeawaywithawinlikethat.
“We focused on what we could control,” she said. “We looked to start well and continueitfortherestofthegame.”
The Hawks came into the game on the back of a loss to Romsey. The loss was the side’sfirstoftheseason.
Coppinger said they took a bit out of that gameanditwasn’ttheworstthingforthem.
“It was a different week and it just shows any side can beat anyone if you’re not on yourgame,”shesaid.
“As much as it was a different prep, it was still valuable for us and we took lots of learningsfromtheloss.”
Coppinger said while it was nice to have a lead throughout the game they were fully aware of what the Bombers could do given thechance.
The two sides had a close match in the second last round, with the Hawks winning bytwogoalsafterleadingbyeightatquarter time.
“It was just about having control and knowing where we were capable of,”
Coppinger said. “We had everyone on the samepageandtheproofwasinthepudding tohavethatgoodfirsthalf.
“Riddell is one of the best sides in the competitioninthesecondhalf.
“We knew they would keep coming at us anditwasagoodchallengeanditwasnever overuntilthefinalwhistle.”
The Hawks now have two shots at making thegrandfinal.
The first will come on Saturday against Macedon, which beat Lancefield in its eliminationfinalonSunday.
Coppinger said they would reset and look togoagaininthesemifinal.
“Theyareanotherreallygoodsideandare playingsomestrongnetballattherighttime oftheyear,”shesaidofMacedon.
“Only time during the season we played them was tough. We need to maintain it for the full 60 minutes and play good netball anddowhatweneedtodo.
“It’ll be a good challenge and something toworktowards.”
The Hawks other two netball sides in finals, C-grade and D-grade, were both knockedoutonSunday.
Coppinger said it was disappointing their seasons were over but there had been some reallygooddevelopmentacrosstheseason.
Riddell’s season is not over with the Bombers to face Wallan in the other semi final, after the Magpies upset the Gisborne Giantsintheothereliminationfinal.
The Magpies will face Riddell in the knock out semi final this weekend.
Tara Murray
Sharks through
A less than ideal week in the lead up to Essendon District Football League division2finalswassoonforgottenas Rupertswood won through to a semi final.
There were no second chances for the Sharks and Coburg Districts on Sunday as they faced off in an elimination final.
The Sharks took an early lead but weren’tabletobreaktheLionsasthey stuck around.
Scores were level in the third quarter after the Lions again halted the Sharks momentum.
Someone needed to step up in the final quarter and that was Fraser Phelan-Smith.
He kicked four last quarter goals to help the Sharks get over the line 16.8 (104)-12.7 (79).
Sharks co-coach Clayton Bonello said it was really good to be able to knock them off.
“We’ve come against them twice and had good games both times,” he said. “We knew it was going to be a tough contest going in.
“For the majority of the game we playedthewaythatwewantedtoplay and got the result in the end.”
After struggling for consistency in thebackhalfoftheyear,awinagainst minor premiers Glenroy in the final round gave them confidence.
Bonello said the focus had been on makingsuretheywereabletocontrol the game.
“You always want to be in front, especially in a final you don’t want to be behind,” he said.
“We’ve done the scenario training for how we want to play when we’re in front and we do pretty well with that and not give them too many more looks once the clock is winding down.”
Bonello said the message at three quartertimewastokeepthepressure up and do what they do well.
HesaidPhelan-Smith,whofinished with six goals in a best on ground performance, was outstanding and it was unbelievable what he could do.
Daniel Kavanagh and Jackson Cardillo were others named in the best.
The Sharks now face Glenroy on Sunday for a spot in the grand final.
Tara Murray
Molly McGrath was outstanding for the Cats. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 489391_08
Ty Coppinger. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 489385_18
Joy as United claims flag
By Tara Murray
Gisborne-Kyneton United produced the perfect season as two clubs united to win the Essendon District Football League women’s division 2 premiership on Saturday.
Right from the start of the season, United was the team to beat.
Each time the side stepped out on the park it continued to gel and took it to the grand final against Taylors Lakes on Saturday.
It was a dominant display in the decider from United.
Unitedhitthescoreboardearlyandafter quarter time kept the Lions scoreless. The game was all but over at half time.
United added to the scoreboard in the third quarter to further increase the lead before it was celebration time in the final quarter.
United won the premiership, 10.12 (72)-1.2 (8).
Co-coach Bernie Marantelli could have never imagined this result when she took on the coaching role last year. Her main focus was getting a side back up and running after Gisborne didn’t have one last season due to a lack of numbers.
“No way known,” she said of winning a premiership. “I just thought it would be hard work from the outset for a couple of years maybe.
“To have this sort of result in a short period of time is fantastic.”
Weeks out from the season Gisborne became Gisborne-Kyneton United with the Kyneton Women’s Football Club joining forces.
The Kyneton Women’s side had been
born out of players from Kyneton who had left to start their own club but hadn’t found a league to play in.
Across came a number of players, while Phil Hawkes took on the co-coaching role. Hawkes had coached Kyneton to the past two Riddell District Football League grand finals.
Together the two teams were the perfect match.
“I think we did click,” Marantelli said. “It did take some time but I think it was evident throughout the season that if you use Taylors Lakes as a gauge we improved every time we played them.
“For me, that was a bit of a yardstick.
“I’m really proud of the two groups that
havecometogether.Ithasbeenafantastic union and just to get this sort of result you can’t hope for.”
On Saturday, the Lions bought the pressure early on and made United really work for it.
The first time the two teams played was the closest a team had come to beating United.
Marantelli said they thought the game might have been a bit closer with how the Lions started.
“They did bring that early pressure and our tackle counts were down fairly low in comparison to the qualifying final,” she said.
“They did bring the pressure and I
Hicks scores 1000th goal for the season
SunburyLionsgoalerRebeccaHicksmade another piece of history on Saturday as shescoredher1000thgoalfortheseason.
Hicks needed just 39 goals heading into theLionsfinalroundmatchwithMelton.
Having scored 100 goals in the early game between the two sides, Hicks was prettyconfidentofgettingthejobdone.
In front of a big crowd, Hicks shot 92 goals for the Lions to guide them to a 107-24winagainstMelton.
“It’s really exciting,” she said. “I have looked at the last two years’ goal scoring trophiestolookathowmanyI’veshot.
“The highest was 760 something. It is wild. Someone said I’m only the third personinthestate.
“Emma Ryde in the Gippsland league and Jane Cook in VNL [Victorian Netball League]andlittleoldme.
“I said to [coach] Kim [Bailey] that I will
retire next year and she said no you won’t. Maybe I’ll keep going and hopefully we willbegoingforback-to-back-to-back.”
Having counted down all her goals on the way to a 100 in a game earlier in the season, said of the footballers were ready tojumpthefenceontothecourt.
While they didn’t, there were plenty there watching and had a drink in hand for Hicks to scull once she reached the milestone.
It was also greeted with plenty of hugs fromteammatesandBailey.
Hickssaidthemomentwasn’tjustabout herbutalsoherteammates.
“It comes down to my team who get the ball down to me and make it so effortless infeedingme,”shesaid.
“It’s not just my achievement, it’s theirs too.”
Among those on the sidelines watching
Hicks shoot 1000 goals was her family and her children, who all play their own netball.
“I said to the kids on Saturday and they can’t believe and it’s so cool mum,” she said.
“It means a lot for them to see that becausethatareolder.
“I don’t think I’ll do it again so to see them watch me shoot 1000 goals is so special.”
The match was Hicks second of the day as she helped Woodend-Hesket win its RiddellDistrictNetballLeaguequalifying finalagainstRiddell,51-41.
For the Lions now, they turn their attention to finals having gone through theregularseasonwithjustoneloss.
TheLionswillfaceDarleyinaqualifying finalinthefirstweekoffinals.
thought jeez, this is a different game after the first five-10 minutes.
“I think it evened out in terms of our pressure and stress levels dropped a bit and we settled into our game and systems.”
Marantelli said the grand final experience for the Kyneton girls and the finalsexperienceoftheGisbornegirlswas telling in the match against a Lions side playing finals for the first time.
Cheyene Macumber kicked three goals for United while Charlotte Bracey and Emma Williams kicked two goals each.
Co-captain Belinda Hateley was awarded the best on ground medal by the umpires.
Macumber, Ayesha Nicholson and AmandaCrookswereothersnamedinthe best by Gisborne-Kyneton United.
“Phil and I talked about it with a few minutes to go,” Marantelli said of performance. “We had three or four people in the best on grounds and there were lots of ebbs and flows,
“Essentiallyourwhole22justreallyheld their heads up. I don’t think there was one Gisborne Kyneton player who didn’t present and play well.”
In a pleasing side for the side, several youngsters stepped up and showed why they are the future.
Marantelli said she will have a couple of weeks off before starting to look at next season with the side set to step back into division 1.
“Kyneton will hopefully find a home somewhere and we will hopefully continue our rebuild,” she said.
“Ben [Crooks] who coaches the 18s and Shannon McFerran have been fantastic supports as well.”
Tara Murray Rebecca Hicks shot her 1000th goal for the season on Saturday. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 496377
Gisborne celebrates. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 497597_46
Gisborne wins. 497597_40
Belinda Hateley. 497597_08
Perfect season for United
Gisborne-Kyneton only came together weeks out from the Essendon District Football League women’s division 2 season. It meant little as the side put together the perfect season, capped off with a grand final win on Saturday. Star Weekly’s Ljubica Vrankovic was there to capturealltheactionfromthegrandfinal.
Gisborne-Kyneton United’s Charlotte Bracey. 497597_19
Taylors Lakes’ Sacha Haack and Gisborne-Kyneton United’s Stephanie Brancatisano. 497597_16
Phil Hawkes. 497597_13
Gisborne-Kyneton United’s Amy O’Kelly. 497597_15
Gisborne-Kyneton United’s Stephanie Brancatisano. 497597_33
Belinda Hateley was named best on ground. 497597_42
Gisborne-Kyneton United’s Olivia Peterson and Taylors Lakes’ Amelia Alexander. 497597_02
Gisborne-Kyneton United celebrates. 497597_39
Gisborne-Kyneton United’s Emily Gibson and aylors Lakes’ Rebecca Foggie. 497597_35
Cheyene Macumber. 497597_09
Gisborne-Kyneton United’s Emily Gibson and aylors Lakes’ Rebecca Foggie. 497597_35
