Star Weekly - Brimbank North West - 9th September 2025

Celebrating Men’s Sheds

For many men around Australia, men’s sheds are a place to come together, connect and learn.

From September 8 to 13, the Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA) is celebrating Men’s Shed week and the role sheds play in building healthy communities across Australia. Taylors Hill Men’s Shed team leader Ray Sykes said the shed provides an opportunity for men to gather.

“It helps you get away from social isolation, build new relationships, meet new people, learn from other people.”

The Taylors Hill shed is open four days a week and hosts a weekly Tuesday lunch. Each year at the Taylors Hill Men’s Shed, members mentor six children from local primary schools who are struggling with attendance.

“That makes the people involved pretty proud. At least there may be a chance they’ve pointed the children in the right direction …There are lots of things we’ve done for various charities around the place,” Mr Sykes said.

Station plans cut

Plans to extend platforms at Ardeer station to accommodate nine-carriage VLocity trains – up from the current six-carriage capacity–havenowbeencutafterthestate government announced it would fast-track the Melton line upgrade. Platforms will still be extended at Deer Park, Caroline Springs, Rockbank and Cobblebank stations.

According to the state government, extending platforms at Ardeer station – a 2022 election promise – would require a full station rebuild due to limited space and curved platforms.

The government said Ardeer station is currently positioned within the potential

rail corridor so works to extend and straighten platforms would become redundant when the station is rebuilt and repositioned to the north.

There will be no impact to service levels at Ardeer station following delivery of the Melton line upgrade, according to the government.

Brimbank mayor Cr Thuy Dang told Star Weekly that council was disappointed Ardeer station would miss out on service improvements as part of the upgrade projects.

“Ardeer is located close to the Sunshine superhub and services rapid population growth corridors in Melbourne’s west.

The electrification of the Melton line is an important step to provide commuters with better transport services and will have flow-on benefits for the region,” Cr Dang said.

“CouncilurgestheVictoriangovernment to budget and schedule the construction works needed for the electrification and extension of the metropolitan train network to Melton and Wyndham Vale once the works at Sunshine superhub are completed. Without a budget committed and a clear timeline for delivery, we are concerned that the Ardeer area will miss out on improved public transport access for many years to come.”

The new Melton station with four platforms to accommodate Ballarat train services will open next year as part of the fast-tracked Melton line upgrade, and will provide dedicated platforms for services that starting and ending at Melton, including nine-carriage trains.

A new stabling yard will also be built at Cobblebank, which will allow the longer VLocity trains to be at Melton station for the first services to the city each morning.

Stabling yard and platform extension construction is expected to start early next year, with the nine-carriage VLocity trains runningontheMeltonlinefrom2027,once the project is complete.

Taylors Hill men’s shed Team Leader Ray Sykes. (Damjan Janevski) 500973_02

Noise consultation fears

By Sam Porter and Jack O’Shea-Ayres

Brimbank residents have expressed concerns about Melbourne Airport’s community consultation on its noise amelioration plan, describing the airport as trying to “downplay” the potential noise impacts of a third runway.

The noise amelioration plan – a requirement as part of the commonwealth approvalforthethirdrunwayproject–will inform the noise amelioration program, which is due to be submitted to the federal infrastructure minister for approval in late 2026.

The program is designed to mitigate the impacts of aircraft noise for residents and sensitivepublicbuildingsintheHumeand Brimbank communities.

A Melbourne Airport spokesperson told Star Weekly the program would target homes and public buildings which are most likely to be affected.

“Eligibility for residences will be determined according to the conditions of the Minister’s approval … within the ANEF25 (Australian noise exposure forecast) contour. We sent more than 1100 letters to homes within this area seeking feedback on how residents would like us to consultwiththem,”thespokespersonsaid.

Keilor Lodge resident and lead campaigner opposing the runway

Shannon Meilak said she did not receive one of the recent letters despite living in close proximity to the airport.

“I was informed that some residents who received these flyers in Keilor, discovered their neighbours had not,” Ms Meilak said.

“This is underhanded and misleading … They [Melbourne Airport] want us to believe only a tiny number of homes will be impacted. We all know the reality … the noise will affect far more families and they are doing everything they can to downplay it.”

In Melbourne Airport Community Aviation Consultation Group (CACG) meeting minutes from February this year, the airport estimated roughly 750 homes across Hume and Brimbank will be impacted by ANEF25+ and roughly 30 homes in Hume could expect significant impacts (ANEF30+).

“This narrow estimate will likely be used to decide who qualifies for any noise amelioration program,” Ms Meilak said.

According to the airport spokesperson, hundreds of homes, schools, childcare

Over 37 years of caring for needy children

When Brimbank locals Pam and Joe Lawrence started caring for their first foster child, Pam initially thought she couldn’t do it.

“She was 16 months old and had just started to learn to walk. She kept falling over and hurting herself so I said to her worker‘Ican’tdothis,she’shurtingherself too much,’” Pam said.

The worker reassured Pam she was doing a great job and that everything was happening as it should be.

Pam and Joe continued caring for the baby who ended up being one of 305 children the couple has fostered since 1988.

They said fostering children is an extremely rewarding experience.

“You treat them like they are your own. That’s the whole idea of it. They become part of your family … you miss them when they go,” Pam said.

Currently, Pam and Joe are caring for a 16 year-old with extensive medical needs, including an acquired brain injury, and a one year-old.

Pam said many of the foster children experience complex life circumstances.

“Some of the things these kids go through are horrific … these kids don’t ask to be born into those situations and that’s oneofthethingsthat’sreallyhard.Noneof this is the kid’s fault,” she said.

The couple said one of the most rewarding things about being a foster carer is being recognised by the kids once

centres and medical facilities are expected to be eligible to participate in the program, though the final figure will not be confirmed until 2026 when updated noise forecasts are released.

The airport spokesperson said Melbourne Airport has been transparent about the additional aircraft noise some communities will hear.

“Wewelcomefeedbackfromanyonewho believestheymaybeimpacted,evenifthey did not receive a letter,” the spokesperson said.

The consultation period runs until the end of November and the spokesperson saidresidentscanparticipateviatheonline survey and through in-person sessions, with details to be realised on the airport’s website shortly.

Ms Meilak believes community consultation carried out via the CACG is “designed to spruik [Melbourne Airport’s] projects and actions to the community rather than actually hear from impacted residents and record feedback from stakeholders”.

“The CACG is chosen by Melbourne Airport, so it’s open to influence,” she said.

While the chair of CACG is independent, the role is elected by two Melbourne Airport representatives and a community representative from CACG, according to CAGC terms of reference.

Elders co-design new Calder Park community hub

A new community space that has been co-designed by Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elders will open in Calder Park next month as part of the Calder Park Drive level crossing removal project.

Inspired by the history of the area, the new space includes seating, landscaping and historical markers designed in collaboration with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation. According to information released by Victoria’s Big Build, elements of Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung history of the Victorian Volcanic Plains – on which Calder Park is located – are featured, adding a rich layer of storytelling and honouring the ongoing place of First Peoples in the area.

The new space will open alongside the new shared use path, and includes welcome markers with the Woi-wurrung word for welcome, ‘Wominjeka’,andbenchesmadefrom rammed earth.

they’ve left their care, even years later.

“We’ve got one [previous foster child] having access to us at the moment and as soon as he comes to the door, when they bring him back, you get the biggest smile and a cuddle from him,” Joe said.

The couple agreed more people should foster children.

“Please, don’t think about it, just do it because it is one of the most rewarding things you can do,” Joe said.

Foster carers like Pam and Joe are being recognisedaspartofVictoria’sFosterCare Week, which runs from September 14 to 20.

The week is an annual celebration recognising the vital role of foster carers in supporting children and young people.

A contemporary design has been etchedintothegroundrepresentinga Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung gathering place, as well as footprints from both the extinct megafauna Diprotodon optatum, the largest-known marsupial to have ever lived, and the critically endangered plains-wanderer, a local species of wading bird.

The space also features designs inspiredbynativematrushes,agroup of plants used by the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people for weaving. Victoria’s Big Build spokesperson said Wurundjeri Elders are encouraging visitors to the space to learnaboutWurundjeriWoi-wurrung culture through information panels installed in the area.

Future vision of the Melbourne Airport. (Supplied)

Pam and Joe Lawrence have provided care to 305 foster children over 37 years. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 500216_03

Road campaign endorsed

By Sam Porter

Brimbank council has endorsed a council campaign that will call on the state government to improve safety and traffic flow on Taylors Road, which has different sections owned by Brimbank council, Melton council and the state government.

Brimbank council said the “disjointed ownership” of the road makes it difficult to plan and coordinate upgrades to manage traffic congestion.

The endorsement will call on the state government to declare Taylors Road a state-managed arterial, and to duplicate a stretch of the road that runs from the

west of Kings Road to Bluestone Walk.

At the August council meeting, Cr Katharine Nikolic said one resident told her “driving on this road is like driving in the wild west.”

“I’ve heard from residents living on this road that they’re not able to safely exit… I’ve also seen and heard of instances of reckless behavior, constant accidents and our emergency services getting bottlenecked at this section…” Cr Nikolic said.

“What has happened to date is really not fair — that the traffic is continually being bottlenecked from the growing estates around the Brimbank area that use

this as a corridor all the way through to Melton. It’s not fair that if we were to fund something as a council that our ratepayers would have to brunt that.”

Cr Nikolic said Melton council partially funded sections of the road through developer contributions which Brimbank council did not have.

In a statement to Star Weekly, Melton mayor Cr Steve Abboushi said Melton council also wanted to see Taylors Road declared a state-managed arterial road.

“We are investing $51 million to upgrade Taylors Road, with projects either in construction or commencing in the next 12 months. However, this won’t cov-

Come be part of the art at Duke Street

Instead of just observing art, the Duke Street Community House in Sunshine is inviting people to come and be active participants in it.

Foritsupcominginteractiveexhibition, Collective Art Project, Duke Street wants community members to come along and make their own contributions to the installation exploring the six emotions of; happiness, surprise, anger, fear, disgust and sadness.

The art installation will grow, evolve and be led by the community’s interactions with it, with everyone welcome to come along and all materials provided.

Led by local artist and master of theraputic arts student Augustine Ang, the Collective Art Project is a new innovation for the Duke Street Community House designed to offer an inclusive way for people to get involved in art and creative expression.

Price couldn’t be more excited.

“Why shouldn’t art be for everyone, by everyone? Why just look at art, when you can be part of its creation?” said Ms Price of the project.

The experience will be open until Friday, September 19. from 9.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, at the Duke Street Community House, 27 Duke Street Sunshine. Details: https://dsch.org.au/

Plan ahead for Sunbury line disruptions throughout September

Locals are being urged to plan ahead as buses replace trains on the Sunbury line over several dates throughout September.

Buses will replace trains between North Melbourne and Sunshine between September 8 to 11.

There will also be disruptions from Sunbury from 11pm on September 20 to 24 September, and nightly disruptions from North Melbourne to Sunbury from September 28 to October 1.

A Metro Tunnel spokesperson told Star Weekly the disruptions will allow

testing of new systems and infrastructure to occur for the Metro Tunnel project.

“We want to thank the community for their patience while we continue work on this city-shaping project that will change how Victorians and visitors get around the city,” the spokesperson said.

Metro Trains said it takes several measures to ensure passengers with disabilities continue to have accessible transport options during rail disruptions, including contractual arrangements that set out the expectation that all buses for rail

er all upgrades required and ultimately this road will need to be declared,” mayor Cr Abboushi said.

According to Melton council, the section of Taylors Road west of Gourlay Road carries approximately 22,000 vehicles per day with traffic modelling indicating this will increase to over 40,720 vehicles per day by 2031. Melton council said traffic volumes on Taylors Road are already over capacity for a locally managed road.

Star Weekly contacted the state government for comment.

Deeming backs Cairnlea petition

A petition calling on the state government to reconsider the proposed Cairnlea estate master plan has now been sponsored by upper house MP Moira Deeming as a legislative council petition.

The petition, calling for the plan to include a diverse range of housing options that aren’t solely high-density dwellings, as well as an extensive multipurpose recreational facility, has now received more than 450 signatures.

Ms Deeming said she sponsored the petition on principle.

“Out of respect for democracy, I sponsor petitions if asked,”she said.

As previously reported by Star Weekly, the planning minister was made the responsible authority for all planning approvals for the development after amendment C241brim was approved as a change to the Brimbank Planning Scheme.

At the time, a state government spokesperson said “we make no apologies for our bold reforms that will boost housing supply – helping young Victorians who are struggling to find a home to buy or rent close to the things that matter to them.”

Ms Deeming said “considering Labor caused this housing crisis by blocking land releases and taxing the rental market out of existence, they should actually apologise.”

“This proud lack of empathy for local families asking simply that basic amenities increase with high density housing, tells you all you need to know about the Allan Labor Government.” she said.

This week the state government told Star Weekly the Cairnlea project has been identified as a priority site for delivering housing by the Victorian government and that amendment C241brim allowed for efficiencies in planning decisions which support the government to help deliver more homes across the state.

It said development applications for these sites will be made through the Development Facilitation program, which was established to make faster decisions for priority projects — and that any future planning applications in this area will be considered on their merits.

replacements are ultra-low floor accessible vehicles.

To address situations where a wheelchair or mobility scooter cannot be accommodated on an accessible bus, Metro Trains said wheelchair accessible taxis are scheduled on standby and can be dispatched to support passengers in transferring to their destination.

If a staff member is not present to arrange this, details of how to access this service are provided via accessible signage, according to Metro Trains.

Last month, Development Victoria told Star Weekly it appreciates there’s a strong community interest in the project, and said it would continue to keep locals informed of project updates.

Community house manager Emma

Duke Street Community House manager Emma Price (left) and master of therapeutic arts student Augustine Ang at the Collective Art Project, an interactive art installation on display at the Sunshine community house from September 5 to 19. (Damjan Janevski). 498950_01

MY PLACE

Mick Trim is the president and founder of Walking Football 4 Health Victoria, which is an inclusive sports program where locals can play a modified version of soccer. Some of the rules for walking football include no running, no contact, and no ball above the waist. Mick spoke to Sam Porter about himself, his work and his community.

What’syourconnectiontoBrimbank?

IampresidentofWalkingFootball4Health Victoria and we have two programs at the Keilor Basketball and Netball Stadium. These programs are for seniors and are held on Monday mornings and Wednesday afternoons.

WhatdoyoulikeaboutBrimbank?

I am a big believer in people being active and social. Brimbank has many opportunitiesforthistohappen.TheKeilor Basketball and Netball Stadium and the surrounding parklands is a great example of this.

What, if anything, would you change aboutBrimbank?

I would like to see more availabilities for people aged 40 to 65 to play social sport in the evenings and weekends. These times are generally only available for juniors and for competitive people. Not every worker, especially as they get past 40, wants to be competitive and some may prefer to play social sport. This will help keep this demographic active and could lessen their issues as they age.

Where is your favourite local place to spendtime?

Keilor Basketball and Netball Stadium.

What’s something people would be surprisedtoknowaboutyou?

In 2017 I got diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Due to the pain I had to give up work, drivingandsport.Ibecameverydepressed, spending all day in bed, having a couple of breakdowns. Then I found out about walking football and realised I could play the sport due to its low impact. Walking football definitely has been a life saver for me.

What do you like about your job at WalkingFootball4Health?

Hearing and seeing all the positive and good news stories from the participants. With locations across Melbourne there are plenty of these programs, with player ranging from 89 year olds to participants with Parkinson’s, to participants who have suffered from a stroke or heart attacks.

Check-in on mates

Brimbank residents gathered to strategise, problem-solve and keep cool under pressure in a battle of the boards chess event on Thursday, September 4.

But it wasn’t all queen’s gambits and checkmates — locals were also invited to meet new people and share in the enjoyment of learning new skills.

The event was part of council’s Brimbank Men’s Health Project, which places focus on improving men’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

Stanton Halak.

Stan Konjevic, and right, Bruno Zovic.

Edward Ambrose.

Peter Huygen.

Sandor Vargo.

Brimbank council ran a friendly community chess competition at Westvale Community Centre. (Pictures: Damjan Janevski) 499604

President of Walking Football 4 Health Victoria Mick Trim. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 456258_01

FROM ROLLING SOLO TO LOCALLY BACKED

Local Business Bankers with

Murder most foul in Werribee

Williamstown amateur historian Barb McNeill is Star Weekly’s history columnist.

This week she tells the mysterious tale

of Italian immigrant Giovanni Garretto whose murder in 1932 has never been solved.

Giovanni Garretto, a 34 year old market gardener, lived alone in Tower Road, Werribee. His humble home was a sparsely furnished, two-roomed hut in the centre of six acres of a holding sub-leased from Mr George Abbott.

BorninVizzina,Sicily,Giovannihadbeen inAustraliaforthreeyears,sevenmonthsof whichhadbeenspentinWerribee,working from dawn ’til dusk growing cabbages, potatoes,garlicandpeas.

If he had any vices, nobody knew of them.Hisliferevolvedaroundfarmingand saving all his money to bring his wife and child to Australia. He was frequently seen showing photographs of them, exclaiming over their beauty and his love for them. If all went well, they would be joining him in early 1933. A hard worker who lived with extreme frugality, he was respected by his employer and liked by the Italian community,itcouldbesaidthathehadnot asingleenemyintheworld.

Buthedid.

On the afternoon of 4 September, 1932, a friend named Giuseppe Lentini, called in foravisit.HewashorrifiedtofindGiovanni lying near a water tank at the rear of the hut, shot dead, his head almost completely blown off. A partly opened razor blade lay by his left foot; at his right foot stood a cup full of water. There were no signs of a struggle.

Sub-Inspector Deeley arrived with Constable Luca from North Melbourne, who was fluent in Italian. At first they pursued the vengeance theory. The local Italians pooh-poohed the idea. Sicilian feuds were settled with knives, not guns. The police tactfully made no mention that the Chicago Mafia had spawned no fewer than 90 murders in 1930, all committed by Sicilian gun-men. Constant rumours continued to swirl about the Camorra and Mafia lurking in Werribee, but the Italians were adamant: If the killer were Italian, he woulduseaknife,notafirearm.

So, if Giovanni Garretto was not known to have membership in or dealings with any secret society, what was the motive - jealousy, hatred, payback, or a woman? There were whispers of a Melbourne girlfriend whom Giovanni visited on Sundays. If she existed, whoever she was, she made no effort to come forward. Detectivessooncrossedheroffthelist.

Examination of the hut indicated that nothinghadbeenstolen; therewasnosign of ransacking, or of opening the bundle of letters from Mrs Garretto. Giovanni’s few silver coins were lying near the bed. But when the detectives reached under the pillow, they found something which demonstrated that the victim had been in fear of his life - a fully loaded automatic pistol, with seven cartridges in the magazineandoneinthebarrel.

The case became even more mysterious. The lack of any sign of struggle in or near the hut clearly indicated that Giovanni Garretto had been taken by surprise. What was truly baffling was that the killer had left not the faintest sign of his presence. In order to reach the hut, he would have had to walk over dozens of vegetable furrows yetnotasinglefootprint orevenpartofone was ever found. How did he manage on a rainy night to have left not even one mark inthemud?

The only verifiable connection to the killer that was found at the scene was a piece of wadding from a No. 6 cartridge normally used for duck shooting.

Adding to that was the very strange story told by Mrs Christina Searle, whose holding adjoined Garretto’s . On the night of the murder, she put her children to bed and then stayed in her kitchen whilst her husband was with Giuseppe Lentini at a BoardofWorksdanceinWerribee.Atabout 10 pm, she heard a dog barking, and the sound of a shot coming from the direction of Garretto’s hut.

On 19 September, according to Mrs Searle, detectives from the CIB visited her for a statement and before they left, turned back her clock by several hours, with instructions not to touch it again or leave the house until they returned. No explanation for this bizarre behaviour, if indeed it had occurred, was ever supplied.

An unnamed neighbouring farmer reported seeing a well dressed “foreigner”, dark and stocky, on the Friday afternoon talking to Giovanni Garretto near the hut. They shook hands and the stranger departed. The stranger was seen again,

in the vicinity of Tower Road, heading towards Giovanni’s hut at about 8 pm on the night of the murder. Who he could be? Nobody knew.

The inquest at the Melbourne Morgue was held on the 28 November 1932, the Coroner finding that Giovanni Garretto had died of gunshot wounds to the head, unlawfully and maliciously murdered by some persons unknown.

There is a faint possibility that the gardener was murdered due to jealousyperhaps a lover spurned by the woman who chose to marry Giovanni Garretto, travelling to Australia to track down his rival and wreak revenge - but somewhat unlikely, especially as nothing in her letters to her distant husband indicated any troubles.

The most likely reason for this murder is organised crime. Then as now, crime syndicates had an interest in controlling wholesale prices, and were renown for their total lack of conscience when it came to dealing with those who refused to play their game. This was a cool, calculated execution, committed by someone who vanishedlikeaphantom,nevertobefound, after destroyingthedreamsofthewife,the

childandtheindustriousmarketgardener.

The killing was never solved. The razor and cup near the body can perhaps be explained, as some cultures believe that the dead require to be neat and refreshed during their journey into the next life. Clearly, these objects were placed there after the murder.

On the 15 September 1932, a sad little scene took place at Werribee Police Station. The farming implements and bay horse owned by the murdered man were auctioned off. The sale raised a paltry sixteen pounds.

The queer story of the CIB altering the clock 15 days after the murder makes no sense at all if the visiting men were really police. Possibly they were members of a syndicate, with the altering of the clock intended to give them an alibi about the time of their call. Warning Mrs Searle to stay indoors would prevent her noticing what sort of car they were driving.

But the swarthy “foreigner” seen twice in the vicinity, the insistence that a gun would never be used to settle a feud, the absence of footprints, the pistol under the pillow, and no known motive – all present an impenetrable and enduring mystery.

Barb McNeill ponders the mystery of who shot Giovanni Garretto.

CASH FOR UNWANTED GOLD & JEWELLERY!

Turn your unwanted jewellery and gold and precious items into CASH

Your Questions Answered

HOW DO I DO THIS?

Show your items to our expert buyers. After we have calculated the price based on its resale value, you can then decide to sell them to us or just walk away with a free assessment of your jewellery!

WHY SELL?

Is it worth keeping old jewellery that you will never wear again? The extra cash may help now or in the future rather than unwanted jewellery sitting in your drawer!

We buy all gold Jewellery, Antiques & Contemporary Jewellery Diamonds, Silver Jewellery, Gold Sovereign Coins and other coins, Precious Stones, Including Broken Jewellery and Watches and unusual Items.

“Your Jewellery maybe worth a lot more than what you think!” Tuesday 16th Sept - 11am to 3pm

Push on to close the gap

Wyndham and Greater Geelong occupy one of Australia’s fastest growing population corridors. Jaidyn Kennedy explores the need for better public transport connectivity between the two municipalities.

It has been 10 years since trains stopped runningbetweenWerribeeandGeelong –a link that existed for more than 150 years and connected the city centres of WyndhamandGreaterGeelong.

Thatdirectlinkwasseveredin2015when the state government opened the Regional Rail Link, rerouting all Geelong-bound services through Sunshine to untangle suburbanandregionaltraffic.

And, according to Greater Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj, a vital link between Melbourne and Geelong has been missing eversince.

“Theremovalofthisservicehascreateda largegapinthenetwork,requiringWerribee residentstoeitherdrivetoGeelongorcatch a bus to Wyndham Vale station for the V/ Line,”hesaid.

“Unfortunately, this makes our region less attractive as an employment option, and for those already working in Greater Geelong,itaddssignificantcostandatleast 25minutestotheircommute.”

Star Weekly experienced delays of about 50 minutes when attempting to commute fromWerribeetoGeelonglastweek.

While there has been investment, the reality is that demand has far outstripped supply - Mia Shaw

Wyndham mayor Mia Shaw said direct connectivity between the Werribee city centre and Geelong has not improved in 40 years.

“WhenIwasgrowingupinWerribee,you couldcatchatrainstraighttoGeelongfrom Werribee, and the Geelong line was far less congested,”CrShawsaid.

She said re-establishing a direct Werribee-Geelong train service would help encourage more Wyndham residents to workdownthehighway.

“Encouraging more Wyndham residents to work in Geelong takes pressure off the already overcrowded transport routes into centralMelbourne,“CrShawsaid.

“Strongerpublictransportlinksallowour residents to access jobs, higher education, health services, and cultural opportunities in Geelong – without being completely reliantoncars.

“It shortens commutes, improves work–life balance, and keeps more economic activityinthewest.”

However, Cr Shaw said the Wyndham of today is much bigger than the one she grew up in and there are more pieces to the connectivitypuzzle.

“Today, we have Tarneit and Wyndham Vale stations, which are among the busiest in the state, but our residents still face overcrowding and long waits for services,” shesaid.

“Outside of Southern Cross Station, the next busiest stations on the Regional Rail Link statewide are Tarneit, followed closely byGeelongandthenWyndhamVale.”

“So,whiletherehasbeeninvestment,the reality is that demand has far outstripped supply.”

For some Wyndham residents, the quickest route to Geelong on public transport involves heading back to the innersuburbsofMelbourne.

“For some residents in Point Cook, the quickest way to get to Geelong by train actually involves taking a Metro service from Williams Landing, Aircraft, or LavertonintoFootscray,andthenswitching toaV/Lineservice,”CrShawsaid.

“That shows just how disconnected parts

of our community are from the regional rail network, and why better direct links throughWyndhamaresoimportant.”

Itisunderstoodthatthestategovernment currently has no plans to redirect Geelong Line trains via Werribee due to the number of metropolitan train services operated on theWerribeecorridor.

ADepartmentofTransportandPlanning spokesperson said the state government had added hundreds of extra services on the Geelong line and would continue to upgradethebusnetworkacrossthewestern suburbsandwesternVictoria.

A spokesperson for federal Transport, Infrastructure, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said the federal government is supportingtransportconnectivitybetween Wyndham and Geelong by funding major roadprojects.

In May, Wyndham and Greater Geelong signed a five-year memorandum of understanding. The Avalon Corridor Strategy, an initiative between the two councils and the state government to determine the direction of future development for land between Lara and Werribee,wasidentifiedasapriority.

Cr Kontelj said the precinct has the potential to generate 20,000 new jobs in the coming decades, but public transportation needs to stimulate its growth rather than catchuptoit.

“The precinct requires vital transport infrastructure to be able to accommodate industrial development, including a businessplanforanewrailconnectionand interimsolutionssuchasashuttlebusfrom LaraStationtoAvalon,”hesaid.

“The Avalon precinct’s proximity to road, rail and Geelong Port makes it a unique and unsurpassed location as an advanced manufacturing hub and freight and logisticsgateway.

A Friday morning from Werribee to Geelong

To get a sense of the potential gaps in public transport connectivity between Wyndham and Geelong, I ran an experiment.

I commuted from a random point in Riverwalk estate in Werribee to Star Weekly’s sister paper, the Geelong Independent, located on Pakington Street,GeelongWest.

Riverwalk is a newer area that has grown exponentially in the last decade and Pakington Street is one of Geelong’s most popular spots. Not an unrealistic commutingscenario.

I expected that starting my walk to the nearest bus stop at 7.20am would get me totheIndependent’sofficeby9am-itwas nottobe.

When I arrived at the Riparian Street-Newmarket Road bus stop at 7.30am, I checked the Public Transport Victoria (PTV) app to see the 441 bus to Werribee Station was three minutes away.

It was a close call considering it was more than a 40-minute wait for the next bus.

Iboardedat7.33amandgottoWerribee at7.45am

After consulting the PTV app, Google Maps and Apple Maps, I was presented withthreescenarios.

Long-term, he said a train station at Avalon that branches off from a direct Geelong-Werribeelineisneeded.

“Not only would this be a game changer for workers and travellers, but it would also help to facilitate future growth and opportunitiesforthebusinessprecinctand airport,”hesaid.

For Wyndham residents, who Cr Shaw said are set to number 500,000 by 2040, reliable public transport links to Avalon mayhaveanarrayofbenefits.

“Better public transport to the airport means Wyndham residents have easier, more affordable access to travel, without having to fight through the congestion of Tullamarine,”CrShawsaid.

“Efficient bus and rail links to Avalon would make it a true airport of choice for people living in Melbourne’s west and Geelong.

“It also opens up employment opportunities at Avalon itself, as well as in freightandlogistics.”

CommitteeforWyndhamchiefexecutive Leanne Down said building reliable public transport to the precinct would help both councils maximise the economic benefits that come from any potential growth at Avalon.

“As industries expand in the area, it will foster a more diverse economy, providing residents with greater employment opportunities and increasing overall economic stability for both Wyndham and Geelong,”shesaid.

“IncreasedinternationalflightsatAvalon would enhance connectivity, making it easier for residents to travel and for local businessestoaccessglobalmarkets.

“Growth in air traffic will stimulate tourism, attract foreign investments, and promote local exporters, ultimately enrichingthecommunityandencouraging economicdevelopment.”

Take the 190 or 192 bus to Wyndham Vale station; the 170 or 180 bus to Tarneit station; or the Flinders Street train to changeatFootscray.

Thefastestchoicewastakingthe180to Tarneit at 8.02am – which meant going backwards.

Moderate traffic on main roads and stopping frequent stops for students headingtoschooladdedtime.

My 8.35am arrival at Tarneit would have meant missing the 8.37am Waurn Ponds train, if was not delayed by five minutes.

The train departed Tarneit at 8.42am and arrived at Geelong’s main station at 9.15am.

It was a 22-minute walk to the Geelong Independent office for an arrival time of 9.37am.

Factoringinthenear20minutewaitfor a bus at Werribee – about the same time betweeneachV/LineservicetoGeelong–Iestimatedbeingabletotakeatrainfrom Werribee would have slashed about 50 minutesoftraveltime.

AlongthewayInoticedthatTarneitand Wyndham Vale stations pose their own issuesinthegreaterschemeofthings.

While technically stations on the Regional Rail Link, the vast majority of commuters are heading towards the MelbourneCBD.

Experiencing the difficulty of commuting from Werribee to Geelong and the amount of houses I saw being built between Tarneit and Geelong, I came to the opinion that two lines may beneeded.

The current line that runs through Tarneit and Wyndham Vale, and is expected to run through the proposed stations of Truganina and West Tarneit, offersdirectconnectiontoGeelong.

Reviving a Werribee route could simplify travelling to Geelong for many residents and make Avalon easier to get to.

Wyndham mayor Mia Shaw and Greater Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj at Little River Station.

(Ljubica Vrankovic) 497337_05

New citizens welcomed

Four-hundred and fifty locals from 58 countries were welcomed as new Australian citizens by Brimbank council on Sunday, August 31.

Subash Karki and his family were among the Brimbank residents to receive their citizenship on the day.

Mr Karki said his family was excited to become Australian citizens.

“It was fantastic. They are very happy

because it’s been a long journey for us here in Australia to get citizenship,” Mr Karki said.

“It’s a good opportunity because the country is very safe and good for everyone in terms of equality. And the services that are provided in terms of education, health and other sorts of things are very good.”

Mr Karki and his family arrived in Australia in 2016 from Kathmandu, Nepal so

that Mr Karki could pursue a Masters in Information Technology.

After studying two years in Sydney Mr Karki and his family moved to Hobart.

The family then made the journey to Melbourne at the start of 2023 after receiving permanent residency.

Brimbank mayor Thuy Dang spoke at the citizenship ceremony and wished the new citizens all the best for their next

Vietnamese association marks 15 years

Australian Vietnamese Arts and Culture (AVAC) celebrated its 15th anniversary on August 30 with a night of cultural performances, food, fun and music.

The anniversary also marks half a century since the Vietnamese community settled in Australia.

AVAC president Mai Nguyen said the celebration highlighted the cultural richness, traditions, and values brought to Australia by the Vietnamese community.

“It was such a great event with culture, fun, and people feeling connected and inspired. Some people were so happy and

said they were touched seeing the young generation learn to speak their mother language, understand the culture and perform the cultural dances that they saw 50 yearsagobackinVietnamattheirvillages,” Ms Nguyen said.

“This event was not only memorable but also meaningful, empowering communities and delivering tangible benefits.”

The event was also an opportunity to network, to thank volunteers, and to share future goals for the community.

Ms Nguyen said AVAC’s community programs help locals connect through the

arts.

“Our members are all 100 per cent volunteersagedfrom13to73yearsold—from people who can’t speak English to the third generation who were born here and want to come back to their roots and learn all the stories of their grandparents who arrived in Australia 50 years ago,” Ms Nguyen said.

“We need these events to bring people together, and celebrate shared interests and traditions. Our event also encourages collaboration among local groups, schools, and organisations, strengthening the community and improving mental wellbeing.”

chapter.

“Like many of our newest citizens, I have come from another land and can relate to many of their stories. I know what it’s like to pack up and start a new life in another country,” Cr Dang said.

“We are so fortunate to have found a land as beautiful, welcoming, and prosperous as Australia to call home – a place where it is possible to fulfil our dream.”

School holiday events to entertain

Kids and teens in Brimbank can enjoy a range of free activities hosted by Brimbank libraries these September school holidays.

Primary-aged kids can become secret agents in ‘spy kids’ events at Sunshine library and Keilor library, where they can crack codes and solve puzzles as a team.

Kids can also dive into the case of Captain Hook’s missing hand during the ‘unsolved mysteries’ events at Keilor library and Sydenham library, and afterwards, play a real-life game of ‘among us.’

Young creators can get hands-on in ‘mission robot’ activities taking place at Sydenham, St Albans, Sunshine and Keilor libraries.

During these events, participants will build and code in a fun robotics workshop.

And for the little ones, ‘little beats: rhythm and recycle!’ invites babies and toddlers aged zero to three, and their carers, to Deer Park library to explore rhythm, sound, and sustainability through music and play.

For lovers of games, mythical realms and adventure, Deer Park library will host a dungeons and dragons one shot adventure with monsters, magic, and epic quests.

Brimbank libraries said the fantasy-filled event is perfect for first-timers as well as experienced players.

Brimbank libraries encouraged locals to cancel their bookings if they can no longer attend school holidays events as there are often waitlists for events.

Bookings for events are now open. Details: brimbanklibraries. vic.gov.au

Australian Vietnamese Arts and Culture celebrated its 15 years last month. (Supplied)

Supporting west refugees

West Welcome Wagon (WWW) hosted its annual open day on August 29 with a morning tea and a tour of the warehouse.

WWWchiefexecutiveColetteMcInerney saidtheeventisaboutthankingvolunteers and making connections with other organisations, politicians and community members to better support refugees and asylum seekers.

Dr Abdul Saber Barak, a refugee from Afghanistan, spoke at the event about his lived experience.

Dr Barak arrived in Australia nearly two years ago after enduring years of hardship and displacement.

“Back in Afghanistan, I was a medical doctor and had dedicated my life to serving patients. Medicine was not maybe a profession for me, it was my mission and my identity,” he said.

Dr Barak said that when he arrived in Australia he had to undergo a process to

have his medical qualifications formally recognised.

“Despite my efforts to get equivalency I have not yet received a response. This has meant that I must once again begin from zero,” he said.

Dr Barak said WWW has been a tremendous source of support to him and his family.

“Without their support, I would not be standing here today before you,” he said.

“I do not share my story as a complaint but as an expression of hope for the future. Despite the challenges, I am determined to return to the medical profession, and still serve the Australian community which has welcomed me with open arms.”

WWW is a not-for-profit organisation in Melbourne’s west that provides donated items and support to asylum seekers and refugees.

Briefs

Albion drink driver

A 38-year-old Manor Lakes man was caught drink driving over five times the limit in Albion on September 4. Officers were on patrol when they spotted a silver Holden Sedan being driven erratically along Ballarat Road about 8.40pm. The Holden was intercepted, and the driver underwent a preliminary breath test which returned a positive result. He accompanied police to a local station and underwent an evidentiary breath test, where he returned an alleged reading of 0.290. The man was issued an immediate driving ban and will be charged on summons with exceeding the prescribed content of alcohol whilst driving, as well as other driving offences. His car was impounded for 30 days at a cost of $1014.90.

Death investigated

Detectives are investigating after a man died at a hospital in St Albans early morning on Thursday, September 4. Police were called after a man presented to the Furlong Road hospital with serious injuries about 2.45am. The 20-year-old Tarneit man died a short time later. The exact circumstances surrounding his death are still being determined, however police are treating it as suspicious. At this time police are treating it as a targeted attack and the investigation remains ongoing.

AMES CEO (chief executive officer) Melinda Collinson, Minister Ingrid Stitt, West Welcome Wagon CEO Colette McInerney, member for Footscray Katie Hall and Dr Abdul Saber Barak. (Sam Porter)

This exhibition is unmissable

For those with a love of all things Viking and historic but without the time to head overseas in the near future comes an amazing new exhibition at the Melbourne Museum - Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard.

The exhibition opened on 29 August and will run through to 26 January giving enthusiasts from around Australia plenty of time to head to Melbourne.

The Galloway Hoard is a rare and unique collection of Viking-age mementos, jewellery and heirlooms and is considered one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the century.

Featuring items buried around AD 900 and discovered by metal detectorists in 2014, The Galloway Hoard brings together materials and treasures from the early medieval kingdoms of Britain and Ireland, mainland Europe and as far away as Central Asia.

The exhibition is being produced in collaboration with National Museums Scotland.

And if you are a museum looking for a partner to help bring such an impressive collectionlikethistoAustraliawhoisatthe top of your call list?

The Viking Cruise Line.

“We are very pleased to partner with the museum and help bring one of the world’s most extraordinary Viking-age collections to Melbourne,” Viking ANZ Managing Director Michelle Black said.

“This is a rare and exciting opportunity

to connect Viking travel partners with Museums Victoria’s vision to inspire and enrich visitors through knowledge and experiences.

“We are looking forward to inviting our culturally curious guests to explore the significance of the Viking-age treasures featured in this once-in-a-lifetime exhibition.”

Museums Victoria Chief Executive Officer and Director Lynley Crosswell said they had been creating knowledge, entertainingvisitorsandbuildingVictoria’s State Collection for 160 years.

“WearedelightedtowelcomeVikingasa sponsorfortheTreasuresoftheVikingAge: The Galloway Hoard exhibition,” she said.

“Melbourne Museum helps people understand and connect with the world around us and view our cultures and history through different perspectives.

“Viking’scontributionreflectsourshared ethos of creating engaging and compelling experiences of global relevance.”

Michelle said Viking shared a vision to inspire curiosity and a deeper understanding of culture and history through education and immersive experiences respectively.

“Viking offers destination-focused travel experiences For The Thinking Person through onboard cultural insights and enrichment programs, while Museums Victoria brings to life the opportunity for exploration of bold new ideas and smarter ways of doing things,” she concluded.

Conserved bird pin from the Galloway Hoard.

Anglo-Saxon metalwork from inside the lidded vessel from the Galloway Hoard.

The lidded vessel from the Galloway Hoard and the Viking-age treasures it contained.

Gold objects from the Galloway Hoard. (Copyright Museums of Scotland)

All-Inclusive 7 Night River Cruise on board Transcend One

Visiting: Passau, Linz, Dürnstein, Krems, Melk, Vienna (overnight in port), Bratislava, Budapest (overnight in port)

Escorted Tours

Stroll Through History: The Heart of Linz and Pöstlingbergbahn

The Splendours of Vienna: A Scenic Experience

Walking tour of Bratislava

Budapest Highlights: A Visual Voyage by coach

Full-Board 14 night Ocean Cruise on board Queen Victoria

Visiting: Civitavecchia, Messina Strait (scenic cruising),

Cephalonia, Corfu, Kotor, Split, Trieste, Zadar, Dubrovnik, Valletta, Palma De Mallorca

Barcelona

Hotel Stays with Breakfast

2 night four-star hotel stay in Prague at the Vienna House by Wyndham Diplomat Prague

1 night four-star stay in Budapest at the Radisson Hotel Budapest

BudaPart

2 night four-star hotel stay in Rome at the Starhotels

Metropole

1 night four-star stay in Barcelona at the Hotel SB Icaria

All Flights, Taxes & Transfers

Overnight flights

Spring is a season of renewal and the perfect time to plan your next unforgettable journey. With exclusive airfare offers, you can experience the world The Viking Way—in comfort and with more included.

Book a river voyage and fly free, or book an ocean or expedition voyage and your companion flies free. Be quick, offers end 1 December 2025*.

GRAND EUROPEAN TOUR

Amsterdam to Budapest or vice versa

15 DAYS | 4 COUNTRIES

12 GUIDED TOURS

SET SAIL: MAR-NOV 2026; APR-NOV 2027

From $10,395pp in Standard Stateroom

From $13,895pp in Veranda Stateroom

RHINE, MAIN & DANUBE ODYSSEY

Basel to Budapest or vice versa

18 DAYS | 5 COUNTRIES

13 GUIDED TOURS

SET SAIL: APR-OCT 2026

SET SAIL: APR-OCT 2026; MAY-OCT 2027

From $11,395pp in Standard Stateroom

From $14,895pp in Veranda Stateroom

From $11,495pp in Standard Stateroom

From $16,095pp in Veranda Stateroom

FLY

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

WANT

This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of Victorian Football League women’s premiers North Melbourne Werribee. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 500888_01

Seniors Festival sessions

Brimbank City Council staff will be on hand to assist seniors to find out what’s on and book into their choice of free Seniors Festival events across the municipality. Meet at Sunshine library or Sydenham library on Monday, September 15, 11.30am-12.30pm for assistance.

 communitysupport@brimbank.vic.gov.au

Organic waste tour

Come and find out how the food and garden waste collected from your kerbside is turned into nutrient rich composts and mulches at Veolia’s state-of-the-art facility. The tour will depart from the Brimbank Community Civic Centre, 301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine at 10am on September 16. The event will conclude by 1pm. Register online.

 https://events.humanitix.com/organics_ tour

Popcorn Musical Fun and Learning

Join Popcorn Musical Fun and Learning, a free, evidence-based early education program that combines music, play, and connection for families with children aged 0-5 years. Running for eight weeks, on Tuesdays, 10.30am-12.30pm, this program is designed to incorporate singing, stories, and fun activities to support your child’s development. At the Sunshine Heights Playgroup Centre, 105 Glengala Road.

 9663 6733, or events@ds.org.au

Learn to Relax Group

IPC Health’s Living Well team is running a free Learn to Relax Group at IPC Health Deer Park, 106 Station Road, every Tuesday at 11am. This group is for people over 18 years who are interested in learning how to relax and finding ways to effectively manage their stress. Registration is required to attend this group.

 livingwell@ipchealth.com.au, or 1300 472 432

National seniors meeting

On the first Wednesday of every month at 1.30pm, the metro west branch of national seniors meets at Deer Park Club, with meals available to purchase. The group also holds lunches on different Fridays each month, as well as activities such as theatre visits, bus trips and more.

 0425 713 004, or lesley1.collins@outlook.com

Women’s only conversation English

Duke Street Community House is inviting locals to make friends, learn new skills and practice English in this fun and free women’s social group. Tuesdays during school terms, 9.30am-noon, at Duke Street Community House, 27 Duke Street, Sunshine.  9311 9973, or dukest@dsch.org.au

Crafternoons

Duke Street Community House is inviting locals to a free adult social opportunity to get together and be creative. Learn a new craft or bring along your own craft projects. Tuesdays during school terms, 12.30-2.30pm, at the Duke Street Community House, 27 Duke Street, Sunshine.

 9311 9973, or dukest@dsch.org.au

Women Working Together

A program connecting women aged 50 and above and in need of assistance, with mentors and mentees. Open to women across the western suburbs, including Brimbank.

 9655 2131, EmploymentSupport@ cotavic.org.au, or cotavic.org.au/ our-programs/employment-support/

Sunshine Repair Cafe

Do you enjoy fixing things or have skills in mending clothing and textiles? Kororoit Neighbourhood House is looking for volunteer repairers for the newly launched

Repair Café in Brimbank. Events happen once a month and are an opportunity to meet others in the community and share your skills while helping fix broken household items.

 sunshinerepaircafe@kcnh.org.au, or 0413 434 082

Deer Park Lions Club

Deer Park Lions Club is looking for new members. It holds dinner meetings on the first Wednesday of every month at the Deer Park Senior Citizens Club, 119 Station Road, Deer Park.

 Michael, 0417 307 572

Sunshine Community Brass

Sunshine Community Brass is looking for trumpet and percussion players to join its vibrant band of musicians. With more than 90 years of history, the band rehearses at 45 Furlong Road, North Sunshine, on Tuesdays, from 7.30pm.

 Andrew, 0419 444 620

St Albans senior citizens

St Albans Senior Citizens group meet at the centre at the corner of Alfrieda and William streets, St Albans, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9am-2pm. Annual membership: $10. Cost: $1 entry on attendance day.

 Roma, 0435 991 064

Keilor Day View Club

The Keilor Day View Club meets at 11am on the first Thursday of each month at Green Gully Soccer Club, Green Gully Reserve, Club House Place, Keilor Downs. The club is inviting locals to come along and enjoy a meal and fun with a friendly group of ladies.

 Robyn, 0425 387 880

Musicians Wanted

Westgate Concert Band is seeking new members. Do you play Woodwind, Brass or Percussion and are looking for a welcoming place to play enjoyable and

challenging music? Rehearsals are held Saturday mornings during school terms, 9am-noon, at Braybrook College.

 westgateconcertband@gmail.com

Al-Anon Family Groups

Al-Anon Family Groups is offering help and hope to anyone living in an unhappy home because a loved one drinks too much. There are no contracts to sign, just a voluntary donation to cover room rental. Confidentiality is protected. Confidential meetings held at the Delahay Community Centre, 70 Copperfield Drive every Wednesday, from 1-2.30pm. New members welcome. No appointment necessary.

 Helpline, 1300 252 666

Caroline Springs Rotary

The Rotary Club of Caroline Springs is inviting new guests to join its meetings in person or via Zoom. Meetings are held every Wednesday at the Western Emergency Relief Network in Ravenhall, from 7pm.

 rotarycarolinesprings@gmail.com

Deer Park Probus Club

The Deer Park Probus Club meets at the Deer Park Club, 780 Ballarat Road, Deer Park on the second Wednesday of the month from February to December. Meet at 10am followed by lunch available from 12pm. The club offers bus trips, lunches, morning melodies etc. New members welcome.

 Peter, 0412 604 713 or Pat, 0413 126 714

Western Athletics function

Western Athletics is celebrating 30 years since the amalgamation of Werribee, Footscray and Sunshine athletic clubs. A function will be held on October 18 at the Yarraville Club. To express your interest or send updated contact details please contact us.

 info@westernathletics.com.au

New twist on classic film

Toinfinityandbeyond!

Families and fans of nostalgic animated movies can see their favourite Toy Story charactersbreakoutsomemovesonstage.

Dance Story is the annual 2025 productionofBKODE,adancestudiobased inDerrimut.

About 50 local dancers ranging in ages from five to 35 years old will feature in the show,performinghip-hop,urbanandstreet dancestyles.

BKODEdirectorandstudioownerMarlon Sangalangsaidtheshowexploresthemesof friendshipandadventurethroughthemagic ofdance,choreographyandstorytelling.

“It’s a bit of a twist on Toy Story, a bit of a spin on the movie. The characters are toys. The child that owns the toys gets a present and it’s a tablet… and the toy characters get neglected,”MrSangalangsaid.

“So the toys try to fight to grab the attentionbackfromthetablet.”

Mr Sangalang said the characters use dance to try to get the child to notice them again.

“The theme of the show is ‘imagination,’ how growing up when you play with toys you have this imagination and with technologythesedaysyousortofloseit,”he said.

ButMrSanglangsaidthecharactersinthe show explore ways to harness technology as a tool and still engage imagination in everydaylife.

“It’sabitofcomedy,abitofnostalgia,abit ofadventure,”MrSangalangsaid.

Dance Story will be showing at the Bowery Theatre on Saturday, September 13 from7to9pm.

Fullticketsare$35.

Moreinfo:creativebrimbank.com.au

Ava and Alannah will play lead roles in BKODE’s production, Dance Story. (Supplied)

Firefly

The Firefly market is returning to Tarneit.

Taking place at Penrose Place between 4-9pm on Saturday, September 20, there will be market stalls, live music, cultural performances and plenty of other thingstoimmerseyourselfin.

Rest assured, every continent will be represented by more than 70 market stalls from which locals will be offering gifts, jewellery, art, clothingandlocallymadesweets.

Plight of animals in the frame

A thought-provoking art exhibition in Melton is drawing attention to urbanisation and its effects on animals, aiming to promote empathy for the plight ofnativeandnon-nativespecies.

Created by local artist Mollie-Rose Chislett, ‘Metropolitan Menagerie’ at the Melton Civic Centre is a series of watercolour and ink works that focus on the theme of how urbanisation affects animals – including in the Melton municipality.

“There’s an increase in … housing developments, and that kind of impacts theirhabitats,”Chislettsaid.

“What I’ve noticed recently is this year we’ve had a lot of kangaroos move closer in to town … we’ve had kangaroos in my front yard, which we’ve never had before,” shesaid.

Chislett said she has also noticed animals begin to eat discarded food scraps and use human-created materials – such as witnessing magpies using twine to build their nests – as human urban and animalhabitatscombine.

“Mykeymessagingistoraiseawareness of the urban animals in our locality as a way to … make people more empathetic [about] the sort of plight we’re seeing

with urban animals in terms of adapting to this new urban habitat,” Chislettsaid.

“I’m really happy with the response that I’ve gotten to the work because people have said that it’s very impactful as well as looking quite nice … I’m glad that it’s working,”shesaid.

The title of the exhibition refers to the fact that there are plenty of animals to observe in our own backyards, acting as a formofurbanmenagerie.

TheexhibitionwillrununtilOctober5at theMeltonCivicCentre.

Details:tinyurl.com/ycxtpbve

Yarraville set to become another brick in The Wall

Prog rock fans and film buffs will unite at Yarraville’s Sun Theatre when a special 70mm release of Pink Floyd: The Wall is shownonSeptember12and14.

Released in 1982, three years after the band’s album of the same name, Pink Floyd:TheWall tellsthestoryofaconfined but troubled rock star who descends into madness in the midst of his physical and socialisolationfromeveryone.

Written by the band’s bassist and chief songwriter,RogerWaters,BobGeldofmakes hisfilmdebutasthetherockstarPink,while Bob Hoskins also stars in the film directed byAlanParkerandGeraldScarfe.

While not achieving the commercial successofthealbum,thefilmversionofThe

Wallwaswellreceivedbycriticsandisnow regardedasacultclassic.

Sun Theatre projectionist Bert Murphy said the 70mm release of the film to be

showninthetwoupcomingscreenings was extraspecial.

“Eventhoughthepictureinthisprinthas now lost its colour, we still run it because of its unique six track magnetic sound,” Murphysaid.

“Further to this the fact that Pink Floyd didaspecialsoundmixjustfortheseprints.

The result is a breathtaking soundtrack that can only be heard in this way. Add to this that this print is the last one known to exist in the world (outside of the Academy Archive).It’saspecialevent.”

Details: https://suntheatre.com.au/ wp-cinema/movieS25PINKFLOYD/ PINK+FLOYD+THE+WALL+ in+70mm/

Adding to the culinary diversity will be food trucks providing sweet and savoury delights that cater to all with gluten free, halal and vegan options.

Among the highlights will be light installations, fire shows, and roving performers.

If they don’t excite kids, there will alsobeaseriesofdedicatedactivities foryoungsters.

This year will feature a large-scale wooden fire sculpture designed to burnsafelyandspectacularly.

The structure, in the shape of a candle,combinesrecycledmaterials, clever airflow design, and controlled flame display for a dramatic visual experience.

As well as the artistic sculpture, a second steel firepit will provide a steady source of warmth, creating a welcoming gathering point for attendees.

The event is free and run by Wyndham council, so all are encouraged to bring the family, catch up with friends and enjoy a vibrant night of entertainment while supportinglocals.

Thenightmarketisalcoholfree,but BYOfoodispermitted.

Parkingisavailablebutpatronsare encouraged to catch public transport viathe167bus,orwalk.

More: www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/ firefly

The special 70mm release of Pink Floyd: The Wall which will be screened at the Sun Theatre. (Supplied)

Artist Mollie-Rose Chislett with her work currently on display at the Melton Civic Centre. (Damjan Janevski) 499594_02

PUZZLES

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 Cheeky (5)

4 Reduces expenses (4,5)

9 Tattletale (7)

10 Neat (2,5)

11 Generate out of order (9)

12 Medicinal plant (5)

13 Animal doctor (3)

14 Restrictions to how fast you may go (5,6)

16 A type of surfboard (11)

19 Video game console released in 1985 (1,1,1)

20 Plunder (5)

22 Excellently (9)

25 Endure (7)

26 OKs (7)

27 Propel (9)

28 Waits in ambush (5)

1 Staid (5)

2 Lost momentum (9) 3 Lout (coll) (5) 4 Style of handwriting (7) 5 Rear (4,3) 6 Perpendicular breeze (9) 7 African republic (5)

8 Exceeds (9)

13 Turns into gas (9)

14 Joining (9)

15 Hotelier (9)

17 Entreat (7)

18 Bituminous road layer (7)

21 Italian physicist, Enrico – (5)

23 Perform exceptionally (5)

24 Affirmative votes (5)

the nine letters in the

how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used

No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural nouns ending in “s”.

1 What colour are Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street on a Monopoly board?

2 What was the title of Kate Bush’s 1978 debut album?

3 Russet, New and Yukon Gold are varieties of which vegetable?

4 In which Irish county would you find the Blarney Stone?

5 Robert Allen Zimmerman is a US singer and songwriter better known by what name?

6 The gall bladder is responsible for storing

7 ‘Rosebud’ is the famous opening line from which 1941 film?

8 Justin Timberlake (pictured) was part of which boy band?

9 What are complementary colours?

10 Which two Australian writers co-authored the 1979 novel PubertyBlues?

No.

More hatch than crossover

By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring

It’s been more than 18 months since we first drove the Kia EV6.

Not much has changed since then, although it will soon get some updates –namely a larger battery.

The new model lobbed at the Australian Open earlier this year, of which Kia is the major sponsor and its arrival is imminent. In the meantime, we couldn’t turn down the chance of another drive of what is surely one of Australia’s pre-eminent EVs – although describing it as a crossover is a stretch.

Styling

Prices start from $72,590 for the EV6 Air RWD.

EV6GT-LineRWDispricedfrom$79,590, while top of the range EV6 GT-Line AWD is priced from $87,590.

The high performance 430kW EV6 GT AWD is a whacking $99,590, taking it well over the $100K mark by the time you add on-road costs.

Our test vehicle, the GT-Line RWD, can be optioned with premium paint ($700) and a second cable that allows the car to be hooked up to a pay-as-you-go charger ($829).

It’s a long, wide car at almost 4.7 metres and 1.9 metres across, with an oh-so-long 2900mm wheelbase.

But the proportions are not what we have come to recognise as ideal, with a short bonnet and boot that brackets a long cabin.

After all, there’s no gas-guzzling ICE to accommodate.Thebatteriestakeupabitof space though, sandwiched and spread out under the floor.

To placate traditionalists, a grille of sorts remains at the front. Unlock EV6 and flush-fitting, body-coloured door handles pop out in welcome.

Gloss black A-pillar, wing mirrors and beltline garnishes complete the look, with full-widthtaillightsandastylishrearwing.

Standard kit includes 20-inch alloys with Continental255/45tyres,dualzoneclimate air with rear vents, and power-adjust, heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel and mood lighting with 64 colours.

Trimisacombinationofblackandwhite, a mix of artificial suede and vegan leather upholsterywithwhitestitching,withpower adjustment for driver lumbar support.

There’s also LED lights, folding, heated door mirrors with integrated indicators, automatic high beam, smart cruise control with stop and go, auto parallel and perpendicular parking, tilt and slide sunroof and a smart power tailgate.

Rounding out the list is head-up display, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, auto lights and wipers, front and rear parking sensors, along with a 360-degree camera.

Like all Kias, the EV6 is covered by a seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty. Unlike others, pre-paid service plans are available.

Infotainment Infotainment consists of a 12.3-inch touchscreen, with built-in navigation, with AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio, Bluetooth, together with wired Android AutoandwiredAppleCarPlayplus‘Sounds of Nature’ ambient background noise. The new one will get wireless connectivity.

In the GT-Line the standard six-speaker sound system makes way for Meridian premium audio with 14 speakers.

Connect with three USB Chargers (1 x TypeAand2xTypeC)inthefronttraywith multimediaconnectivity,twoUSBCharger

(TypeC)infrontseatbacks,plustwo12-volt power outlets (1 x boot side/1 x front tray).

Wireless Qi phone charging is also standard,butwatchoutbecauseourphone got very hot.

Safety

Five-star safety starts with seven airbags, a rear-view camera with dynamic guidelines, plus Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with car, pedestrian, cyclist detection (and junction turn assist).

There’s also Blind Spot (including rear cross traffic assist), Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA), Lane Follow Assist (LFA), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Driver Attention Warning with lead vehicle departure alert (DAW+), Multi-Collision Braking (MCB) and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

EV6 provides three top tether and two ISOFIX child seat anchors.

Engines/transmissions

GT-Line RWD with a single electric motor that powers the rear wheels produces 168kW of power and 350Nm of torque.

Drive in single motor versions is to the rear wheels through a single-speed reduction gear transmission.

Driving

Air is the more range focused version of the EV6, with 168kW of power and 350Nm of torque and a range of 528km.

RWD GT-Line with the same powertrain is good for 504km. The GT-Line with AWD adds a second electric motor and produces a combined output of 239kW and 605Nm, with a range of 484km.

The real deal, the GT AWD, pumps out 430kW and 740Nm, and dispatches the dash in a Ferrari-like 3.5 seconds – the trade-off is a range of just 424km.

All four versions are powered by the same 77.4kWh battery pack, which weighs 477kg and is located under the floor.

The new EV6, which is expected to lob soon, acquires a larger 84kWh battery pack that should boost driving range across the

Facing the wrong direction the pop-out handles are awkward to use and for a 4.7-metre-long vehicle getting in and out is not as easy as it should be.

RATINGS

Looks: 7

Performance: 7.5

Safety: 8

Thirst: 7

Practicality: 6

Comfort: 7

Tech: 8

Value: 7

Overall: 7.2

lineup by up to 8.5 per cent.

Drive in single motor versions is to the rear wheels through a single-speed reduction gear transmission.

Energy consumption is a claimed 17.2 kWh/100km.

There are four selectable drive modes: Eco, Normal, Sport and Snow which also change the look of the instrument panel.

Adding some drama to the experience is Active Sound Design (ASD) with a choice of artificial engine sounds and a custom setting. They are unique ’electronica’ rather than engine noise emulations.

EV6 is the first fully-electric vehicle to go through Kia Australia’s local ride and handling program.

With plenty of power and torque under foot, EV6 has plenty of get up and go, even with a single electric motor, with the dash from 0-100km/h taking 7.3 seconds.

With a burst of speed, overtaking can be accomplished virtually at will, but it’s a weighty device and wants to run wide in corners.

Steering is heavy and for the most part uncommunicative.

EV6 has powerful brakes too, perhaps too strong at times, or more specifically –irritatinglyabrupt.Itpullsupwithajerkand releaseswithalurch,andcanbedifficultto control in close manoeuvring. One way to avoid this happening is one-pedal driving, using the regenerative brake system that is controlled by the steering wheel paddles normally devoted to gears.

Inthisway,thecarslowswhenyouliftoff the accelerator – but not to a complete stop.

An electric parking brake is provided, but instead of being located close to hand in the centre console, it’s relegated to a position to the right and below the dash.

More jerkiness follows. Try releasing the brake and moving off in reverse if you’re parked on a slope.

Adabontheacceleratorpedalisrequired and is liable to result in a sharp intake of breath as the car shoots backwards.

EV6’s space-age design is polarising. Some people like it, others hate it.

The door openings are large, but a low roofline and relatively high seating position compromise access. Watch your head and hold on to your sunglasses.

Ditto for rear seat passengers, with an elevated seating position and low hanging roof, and surprisingly little legroom considering the length of the car.

Getting into the car for the first time I was confronted with a washed-out instrument panel with pale blue lettering on a white background that was difficult to see in sunlight.

I was later able to change this to black after finding the appropriate setting in the infotainment system, but for the first few minutes I was flying blind.

Moving from one Kia to another, the steering wheel switch gear is familiar, but theyhavebeentransposedfromonesideof the wheel to the other.

The dash layout is similar to other Kias, but I found that it has no physical audio volume control.

The luggage area is quite large with a hidden area underneath for cable storage, along with a small boot at the front of the car — but no spare tyre. A tyre repair kit is supplied instead.

And in case you’re wondering, the EV6 is capable of towing a 1600kg load.

Most annoying is the location of the charge port which is cleverly concealed near the driver side tail light.

The location necessitates reversing the car to access power. Nowhere near as easy as a charge port at the front.

As batteries become larger and range increases, the time required to charge an EV also increases. EV6 offers up to 11kW AC charging and a class leading 233kW maximum DC fast-charge rate.

Charging can take up to 33 hours with a standard power point, reducing to as little as 18 minutes for a 10-80 per cent charge with a 350kW DC commercial charger.

Or so we’re told. Try finding a 350kW DC charger – they are as rare as hen’s teeth.

The closest we’ve come is 250kW. It was quick, but it still took just under 50 minutes to add 67 kWh – and the best rate we saw was 93kW.

The fact the EV6 doesn’t come with a Type 2 charge cable can be a major inconvenience. Not all charge points supply the cable, including our nearest charger.

At the end of the day, after more than 900kmofmixeddriving,includingareturn trip from Sydney to Canberra, we were getting 17.5kWh/100km.

Summing up

More hatch than crossover, the EV6 is very doable as a daily driver. It’s roomy, comfortable, with good performance and, being electric, doesn’t cost much to run.

But all these fairy tales about 18-minute charging are starting to wear a bit thin . . . Please.

Others may have had more success, but we haven’t found one EV or charge station that even comes close to achieving this.

Maybe one day, but in the meantime the infrastructure still has a lot of catching up to do and, we’re afraid to say, Tesla looks after its customers a lot better in this respect with Tesla-branded charges in many locations.

It’s a fairy tale to suggest the Kia EV6 takes 18 minutes to charge. (Pictures: Supplied)

Only the toughest survive

Finals footy never disappoints. Week one gave us Collingwood’s composure, Geelong’s power, Hawthorn’s resilience, and Gold Coast’s historic first finals win. Now the heat turns up again with two massive semifinals - Adelaide v Hawthorn on Friday, and the first-ever finals Q-clash between Brisbane and Gold Coast on Saturday. Two clubs will march into prelims, two will be gone by Sunday morning.

Adelaide Crows v Hawthorn Hawks Friday, Sept 12 – Adelaide Oval, 7:40 pm

Adelaide is still licking wounds from their loss to Collingwood, but their nine-game winning streak before that proved their credentials. Without the suspended Izak Rankine, they’ll need scoreboard impact from midfielders and small forwards to carry the load. Their strength remains territory and repeat inside-50s - if they trap the ball forward, they’re hard to stop.

Hawthorn arrives with momentum after holding their nerve against GWS. From 42 points up, to briefly falling behind, to then steady and win - that’s September steel. Their defensive structure can frustrate Adelaide’s ball movement, and if their pressure chains hold, the Hawks could flip this semi on its head. The winner books a

prelimagainstGeelong.

Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast Suns Saturday, Sept 13 – The Gabba, 7:35 pm

History beckons. For the first time, Queensland’s fiercest rivals square off in a final. Brisbane, battered by injury - with LachieNeale(calf)andEricHipwood(ACL) ruled out - lean heavily on their depth and homegroundadvantage.TheGabbacrowd will roar, but their clearance game must standupwithoutNeale.

Gold Coast, buoyed by their first-ever finalswin,rideintotheGabbawithnothing to lose. Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell give them contested punch, and under Damien Hardwick they’ve developed belief and resilience. Their 66-point thrashing of Brisbane in Round 20 lingers as proof they can take down their big brother.

Final Word

This weekend is everything September is about - pressure, pride, and legacy.

Adelaide and Brisbane carry expectation; Hawthorn and Gold Coast carry momentum. By Saturday night, we’ll know whether tradition holds or history gets rewritten - because in finals, only the toughestsurvive.

Magpie army roars back to life as finals fever takes hold

Collingwood’s late-season wobble had quietenedtheairwaves,butonefinalswin has changed everything. After toppling Adelaide, the Magpie army is back in full voice - loud, passionate, and already calling their team premiership favourites. That’s why I love Collingwood supporters: when they’re up, they walk taller than anyoneinthegame. Their leaders gave them reason to believe. Steele Sidebottom reminded everyone why experience matters in September, Jamie Elliott hit the scoreboard when the moment came, and DarcyMooreproducedthecaptain’sgame - intercepting, calming, and organising Collingwood’s defence. Then there was Nick Daicos. Tagged heavily, he still found

ways to hurt Adelaide with his running and precision disposal. He doesn’t need hugenumbers;it’sthetimingofhisimpact thatwinsfinals.

This balance of hardened veterans, a generational talent, and a captain who leads from the front is why Collingwood suddenly look dangerous again. And when the Magpies are dangerous, their supporters let the whole competition know. Ninety thousand black-and-white voices at the MCG is more than supportit’satidalwaveofnoiseandbelief.

For me, it brought back memories of North Melbourne in the 1990s. We never had the sheer numbers of Collingwood, but we had our own heartbeat. Carey’s brilliance, the courage of Archer, the

reliabilityofMartyn,andtheball-winning grit of Peter Bell and Adam Simpson gave us the foundation to thrive in September. Our supporters were fewer, but fiercely loyal - the shinboner spirit made us feel likefamily.

That’s the contrast. Collingwood thrives on scale and attention, North thrived on grit and being underestimated. Both cultures have their beauty. Collingwood embodies the roar of the masses; North embodiesthegritoftheunderdog.

But when the Magpie army cranks up in September - and the bandwagon fills to the brim - the AFL feels alive. Whether it’s 90,000 in black and white or 9,000 in blue and white, it’s the passion that makes our gamegreat.

Anthony Stevens is the principal of Anthony Stevens Real Estate. Phone 0459 924 164.

Hawthorn held on against GWS to book a preliminary final against the Adelaide Crows (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)

Ecstatic Collingwood fans celebrate their team’s win over the Crows on Thursday night. (AAP Image/ Matt Turner)

Western United women’s skipper heading overseas

By Tara Murray

Western United women’s skipper Chloe Berryhill will depart the A-League club to takeupanopportunityoverseasinanother blow for the club.

Since joining United, Berryhill has been anexceptionalleaderintheformativeyears of the club, bringing her experience and energy to help shapethe women’sprogram andbuildthestandardsandcultureforthe Western women.

The club said that Berryhill’s leadership and character have helped shape the identity of Western United women, instilling belief, unity and ambition from the very beginning.

It said as a Matilda, a role model, and a pioneer in the green and black, she has inspired countless young players across the west.

ReflectingonhertimeatWesternUnited, Berryhill said the past three years at the

club hold a special place in her heart.

“I feel honoured to have led this incrediblegroupofwomenandtorepresent this organisation,” she said.

“The effort that has gone into cultivating a world-class environment has not gone unnoticed.

“Thank you to the staff and the green and black family for your unwavering commitment to us.

“Although I am closing this chapter at Western United, the friendships and relationships I have formed during this time will forever shape me into a better player and person.”

WesternUnitedfootballgeneralmanager

Mal Impiombato praised Berryhill’s influence and celebrated her next step in her soccer journey.

“Chloe has played a pivotal role in establishing our women’s program,’ he said. ‘From day one, she has instilled incredible professionalism and leadership

across the club and has been a mentor for many of our aspiring footballers.

“She has set the benchmark for her peers in driving the winning mentality that has enabled us to be so successful across the three seasons.

“Weareproudofthecontributionshehas made and how she has inspired so many young footballers to chase their dreams.”

Berryhill was part of United’s inaugural squad and was one of its biggest name signings in the initial squad.

She played just six games in the first season, scoring three goals, as she battled injuries.

Berryhill played in a further 38 matches for the club and scored a further 15 goals.

She was awarded Western United’s ALW player of the season in 2023-24. United made the finals all three seasons Berryhill was at the club,.

Her form at Western United also helped her return to the Matildas side.

Hard work pays off

By Tara Murray

Balmoralwaspreparingforthecelebrations on Saturday night as it aimed to claim a second championship in three years.

Balmoral entered the final round of the state league 4 west season, having all but secured the title.

It only needed to tick the final boxes.

The side was three points clear of Bell Park,alongwithleadingby24goalsingoal difference.

It meant only an absolute disaster would mean the side wouldn’t claim the title.

Speaking before Balmoral’s final game on Saturday against Barnstoneworth United, president Enver Malkic said they would wait until the end of the final game to properly celebrate the season.

“Bell Park will have to make up a 24 to 25 goal difference this weekend,” he said. “They would have to win and we would have to lose.

“It would take a miracle for it not to happen. It’s exciting for the members even ifwehaven’tyetwonintheofficialcapacity.

“This week will be massive, a lot of hard work has gone into it.”

Balmoral all but locked in the championship with a top of the table clash in the second last round.

Afterdrawing4-4withBellParkearlierin the season, they drew 2-2 this time round.

“Therewerealotofnervesandexcitement in the grandstands,” Malkic said. “There were 400 or 500 people. “

Malkic said the work for this title started 12 months ago after they finished third in their first season back in state league 4.

With their coach departing early in the said they wanted to make sure they put all the right things in place. Dave Winton and Emme Sheehan came on as co-coaches and guided the side to the strong finish.

“We’ve got a young squad and most of the boys are playing in their first championship, they’re all really excited.

“We had a brilliant campaign last year, ourfirstyearinstateleague4inalongtime and finished third.

“We knew what we needed to do and therewasalotmorecompetitionthisyear.”

As well as the strong state league 4 west season, Balmoral made it through to the final four of the Cecil Earley Cup and had a good Australia Cup run.

With the competition to be restructured next season, Malkic said it made it even more important to get promoted this year. Only one team gets promoted, while the next five sides will be in the new state league 4 north-west competition.

“Getting out this season for the coaching staff, committee and community is a relief

to be honest,” he said. State league 3 north-west will be the highest the club has been in the state league era with Malkic saying it’s either

Western United in ‘hibernation’

By AAP

Western United’s players are now free agents after the A-Leagues club’s men’s and women’s teams were placed in hibernation for this season.

The Australian Professional Leagues on Saturday confirmed the one-year pause after WMG Football Club, the club’s owner and operator, was placed into liquidation last month.

The wind-up process has dragged out,withvariousreviewsandappeals pushed back until next week at the earliest.

With the men’s and women’s seasons beginning in October, the APL moved to officially put the club on pause ahead of next week’s fixtures announcement.

Players, including star midfielders Angus Thurgate and Dylan Leonard, are now free agents available to rival clubs while the transfer window remains open.

“The club needs time to work through these legal and regulatory proceedings and re-establish their financial and operating position, but withthetimingandoutcomeforboth upintheair,weneedtoprogresswith our plans for season 25-26 without Western United,” APL executive chairman Stephen Conroy said.

“We see great value in the potential of Western United.

“The club has had great success on the pitch and their academies are an important pathway for emerging young talent in the Victorian football community - but we need to do what is best for the league, our partners and our other clubs at this time.

“This is the best path forward for the league, and gives Western United the best opportunity to rejoin the A-Leaguesandcontinuetheirworkin the community.”

The club’s academies will remain inoperationastheyattempttoreturn for 2026 and beyond, potentially with a drastically rebuilt squad.

“Let us be absolutely clear: this is not a farewell, nor is it a step back,” a Western United statement read.

“Thisisaninvestmentinourfuture, a proactive move that will empower ustoresetandcomebackrevitalised.

equal or the highest they’ve ever been.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge of new teams and new venues to go to.”

“ToourA-Leaguesplayers,coaches andstaff,wesaysimplyandsincerely: we are sorry. The uncertainty you have faced is not what you deserved.”

Chloe Berryhill. (Western United)

Zoran Sljivic. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 478421_07

Calder to merge with Avondale bringing an end to an era

By Tara Murray

It’s the end of an era with women’s powerhouse Calder United announcing it was merging with Avondale from next season.

Calder has been a standalone women’s club since forming in 2016 and based out of Keilor Park.

There’s been plenty of success the past 10 years, with plenty of trophies along with several players getting their opportunity at A-League women’s level.

The club won a number of trophies in the National Premier League women’s competition, before dropping down to the VictorianPremierLeagueinrecentseasons with the departure of key players to the A-League women’s competition.

The club in a statement in late August, announced that it would no longer exist in its current format.

“Having led the way through our journey in female football, the time has come to merge our club with the vision to continue andgrowthewomen’sandgirls’game,”the club committee said in the statement.

“In this process there were many

opportunities to work with some remarkable clubs and people while we were seeking the right club that can give the opportunities, pathways, facilities, strategic stability, ambition and success for our players.

“We are pleased that Avondale FC will be theclubtocontinuewiththeCalderUnited SC legacy.

“This historic merger supported by Football Victorian [FV] will see the continued growth and recognition of female football with the opportunity for women and girls to play in the top tier competition as they aspire to succeed in their football journey.

“We take this opportunity to thank the many players, coaches, administrators, families,sponsorsandvolunteersthathave played an integral part of our success over the many years.”

Avondale said it would carry forward the

Leahy gets his shot

By Tara Murray

Sunshine Baseball’s Devin Leahy wasn’t expecting a call up to the Australian under-18sideletaloneononeofthebiggest stages, the World Cup.

Leahywasoneof20playersnamedinthe squad after a week-long selection camp on the Gold Coast.

The outfielder did enough at the camp to earn his first Australian selection.

“It’s very exciting, but I was mainly in shock to be honest,” Leahy said. “I was just trying to fight for a spot against the best playersinAustraliaandIwasnotexpecting much from it.

“I ended up getting a spot.”

Leahy said the selection camp was full of games against the rest of the squad and then training sessions.

HesaidnotonlywasithisfirstAustralian team but the first time he had been in the larger squad.

“It definitely makes it more special.”

TheWorldCupkickedoffonSeptember5.

Baseball Australia described Leahy as a short, quick, outfielder with strong bat-to-ball skills.

It said he brings a different style of game play and energy to the national squad.

Before flying out, Leahy said that he thought they would put up a good fight and have a good competition.

“The coaches say any team can beat any team on any given day,” he said. “We have pretty high hopes.

“I would like to see how much better the game is over there compared to what I play and try to keep up with it.”

Leahy said he had spent every day in the lead up to the event training and getting in as many reps as he can.

For Leahy, there wasn’t really any decision for him to start playing the sport.

“I’veplayedmywholelife,”hesaid.“Iwas born into it and grew up playing it.

“My dad played and both my uncles did and my grandfather did and I watched

legacy of Calder United which had been a pioneerofwomen’ssoccerthepast10years.

ItsaidCalderwantedtoensuretherewere the right pathways, facilities, ambition and stability for the playing group.

“This merger represents a significant milestone for our club,” Avondale said. “It will provide women and girls access to the highest level of competition and a clear pathway to success,“ while also strengthening our commitment to the ongoing growth and recognition of female football.

“We acknowledge and celebrate the enormous contribution of the players, coaches, administrators, families and volunteers who have built Calder United into the club it is today. Their work, passion and achievements will always be remembered and respected as we take the next step together.

“We unite under one vision.”

them play.”

Leahy said he had never been bored of the sport and made a lot of friends out of it.

He started playing with his home club, the Werribee Giants, before moving to the Sunshine Eagles when he was 15.

Leahy made the move to play in the higher grade.

“Being around the boys at Sunshine, I’ve got to know a lot,” he said.

Leahy, who still lives in Wyndham, was part of the Eagles premier league 1st nine premiership last season, alongside one of his heroes and Australian star Darryl George.

He said it was amazing to play alongside him and pick his brain about taking his game ot the next level.

Leahy said he would like to take his baseball as far as he can and maybe play in the Australian Baseball League or go to college in America next year.

His focus after the World Cup is helping the Eagles go for back-to-back titles.

Keilor Thunder’s Daniel Foster has been elevated to the South East Melbourne Phoenix main roster, having signed a two-year contract.

Foster, who signed a development player contract in April, has been upgraded after showing outstanding growth through the off-season and pre-season. The Perth-born guard joined the Phoenix following his college career in the NCAA with the Nevada Wolf Pack.

The 24-year-old has worked closely with the Phoenix coaching and high-performance staff in recent months,culminatinginhispromotion ahead of the new campaign.

Phoenix basketball operations general manager Simon Mitchell praised Foster’s commitment and professionalism.

“SincesigningwiththePhoenixina development role, Daniel has quickly earned the respect of his teammates and coaching staff,” he said.

“Daniel brings a great attitude, competes at a high level, and is a fantastic teammate. We’re really looking forward to his continued developmentoverthenexttwoyears.”

FosterscoredintwoofthePhoenix’s three recent pre-season games.

Foster fills the final spot on the Phoenix’s main roster for the season, with the club still able to sign additional development players.

Foster spent last season with the Thunder where he average 18 points, four assists and eight rebounds a game.

He previously also spent time at the Hume City Broncos.

Speaking after signing a development contract, Foster said it had all happened quicker than he expected.

“It’sprettygood,prettystokedabout it,”hesaidatStarWeeklyinMay.“Last year I did some workouts at the club and a bit of pick up. Once I got home I didsomemoreworkoutsatthefacility and got the offer. It was maybe a little sooner than I was expecting, but it’s better sooner rather than later.”

Having been in America the past few years, Foster said it was good to be based in Melbourne for at least 12 months.

“That was a big thing,” he said. “To beatagreatclublikethePhoenixand being home in Melbourne is good for me as well.”

Calder United has merged with Avondale FC.

(Ljubica Vrankovic) 396901_04

Dean Leahy.

(Ljubica Vrankovic) 465514_04

‘Disappointing’ Blues learn lessons from semi final loss

It’sacaseofdejayvuforKeilorasitwillhave to make the Essendon District Football League premier division grand final the hard way.

Last year, the Blues entered finals with just one loss for the year and put out a disappointing performance to lose to Pascoe Vale in the semi finals.

Again with just one loss for the season entering finals, the Blues had the blues in the semi finals again.

This time Strathmore turned it on in the third quarter to put the Blues to the sword.

The Blues led by four points at half time before the Mores kicked nine goals to one in the third quarter to lead by 47 points heading into the final quarter.

WhiletheBlueswonthefinalquarterthe damage had already been done with the Mores winning, 18.12 (120)-12.8 (80).

Speaking on Keilor’s social media pages, Blues coach Mick McGuane said it was a disappointing performance.

“It was not dissimilar to 12 months ago when we put ourselves in a precarious position and we’re in a precarious position againonthebackofadisappointinglossin

the second semi final,” he said.

“Itwasanarmwrestleinthefirsthalf,we had the ascendancy by four points but we weren’t playing well up to that point.

“We gifted Strathmore a couple of easy goals in that first half period but from that

point, it was one way traffic and it wasn’t our way.

“Strathmore’s third quarter was clearly comprehensive. They were too good for us in so many facets in the game.”

McGuane said they would take some

Sharks into granny

By Tara Murray

Hillside made history on Saturday as it won through to its first Essendon District Football League division 1 grand final.

After a number of near misses in the years since they won the division 2 premiership in 2013, the Sharks are finally through to the final game of the season in this division.

It was a strong four quarter performance against Craigieburn on Saturday, that ended the Eagles remarkable run and kept the Sharks season alive.

While the Eagles kicked the first couple of goals of the game it was all the Sharks as they won, 18.7 (115)-8.8 (56).

Sharks coach Mo Kaakour said it was pretty special to make it to the final game of the year.

“We’veworkedsohardforitanditstarted back in November,” he said.

“The club has been around for 25 years and it’s our first division 1 grand final.

“It’ll be an exciting day with our 18s in the early game. It shows the depth at the

footy club and that the club is in a good spot.”

On Saturday, the Eagles got the first couple of goals before the Sharks settled.

The Eagles led at quarter time by three points before the Sharks kicked six goals to one in the second quarter to take control.

Kaakoursaidtheywantedtoputpressure on the Eagles and make sure that they didn’t get on top.

“They were playing on confidence,” he said. “They’re a good football side and are well coached.

“It’s tough to come back in a final so we put the pressure on them early. We shut down their space.

“They like to chip it around and we took that away and played a front half game on the back of that.

“We executed really well.”

The Eagles kicked three goals with the wind in the third quarter but the Sharks were able to hold them at bay.

Seven goals in the final quarter sealed the deal for the Sharks.

lessons out of the loss and the way that the Mores were able to open them up.

He said there was an expectation around thecontestthattheywouldn’tcompromise, which he felt they were outplayed in.

“Our defensive transition was as bad as we’ve seen. We’re a team that very rarely gives up 10 goals a game and we gave up nine goals five in 30 minutes of footy.

“There’s the game and the point of difference.”

Chris Kosmas kicked four goals for the Blues, while Kane Barbuto and Liam Hude kicked two goals each.

Kane Barbuto and Corey Ellis were named the Blues best.

The Blues will face Airport West in the preliminary final after the Eagles beat Aberfeldie after the siren in the other semi final on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Blues reserves will also play in a preliminary final after beating Airport West on Sunday, while their under-18.5 reserves are through to a grand final this Saturday.

Eagles knocked out in semi final

It was finals heartbreak for the North Sunshine Eagles as they were knocked out of the Victorian Premier League 1 finals in the toughest of ways.

The Eagles faced Brunswick City on Friday night in a knockout semi final, as the teams that finished third to sixth looked to secure the third promotion spot. Bentleigh Greens and Caroline Springs George Cross had already sealed promotion spots for finishing one and two.

Originally the Eagles were set to face Melbourne City, but that changed when Western United was kicked out of the finals.

On Friday night, scores were level at half time with neither side able to hit the scoreboard.

Brunswick City broke the deadlock in the 54th minute to take a 1-0 lead. It looked like that goal was going to be enough to get the win and move onto the next final, before the Eagles scored in the 90th minute through Aymane Sordo.

Neither side could find the winner in injury time and the game headed to extra time with the scores locked at 1-1.

Kaakour said they used their experience firstlytorecoverfromapoorsemifinaland then to hold off Craigieburn.

“It was a good game offensively and defensively,” he said. “There’s no pressure without the defensive effort.

“The back seven, I thought were great and the mids owned the space as well.”

Josh Covelli kicked five goals for the Sharks.

He needs two goals in the grand final to kick 100 for a second straight season.

LachlanHenson,whokickedthreegoals, was named the Sharks best along with Ryan Lojko, Ryan Schiavone.

Jackson McMenamin made a successful returnfrominjuryinaboostfortheSharks.

Kaakour said Riley Miksa was a chance to return in the grand final.

The Sharks will face Oak Park in the decider.

Kaakour said they were hoping it would befourthtimeluckyagainsttheKangaroos.

“They are a quality side and are well coached,” he said. “We’re a different side than we were a couple of weeks ago.”

Brunswick City again broke the deadlock in the 98th minute and scored a second quick goal four minutes later to put the Eagles on the back foot.

It would be too much for the Eagles to come back from, losing 3-1.

It was the Eagles first season in the VPL1 competition after finishing second in VPL2 last season.

BrunswickCitywillfaceMelbourne City in final for promotion into the National Premier League.

Hayden Tennant. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 479746_17

Hillside’s Khalil Kaakour was named in the best. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 494547_14

Tara Murray

Matthew Bartlett. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 485453_06

Caroline Springs ready to go again to secure GF berth

CarolineSpringsremainbullishabouttheir chances of securing a maiden Western Football League division 1 grand final appearance despite being overrun in Saturday’smajorsemi-final.

The Lakers led minor premier Werribee Districts by 17 points at three-quarter-time oftheclashatAvalonAirportOval.

However, the Tigers piled on six goals to onewiththeaidofthebreezeinafinal-term blitz to stamp their ticket to a fourth consecutive decider, winning by 17 points, 16.10(106)-12.17(89).

Caroline Springs were left to lament their wastefulness in front of goal earlier in the contest, which ultimately proved their downfall.

Brian Lake’s side will face Yarraville-Seddon in this weekend’s preliminary final in a rematch of the qualifyingfinal.

“We probably kicked ourselves out of it a little with (2.7) in the first quarter when we had the breeze,” Lakers football manager ShaunRainersaid.

“If we had converted a few more of those, we could have probably had a stronger lead at three-quarter-time, which would have at least put a bit more pressure back at Werribee.Buttheywerereallystronginthat lastquarter.

“The boys did a lot right, it was probably just converting opportunities which hurt themearly.

“But once Werribee got on top halfway through that last quarter, they ran away withitalittlebit.”

Cooper Pepi, Alexander Paech, Alipate Bryant, Ben Caluzzi, Jack Heron and Reece Blackman led the way in defeat, while star veteranRyanAllancontributedthreegoals.

Caroline Springs dismantled Yarraville-Seddon with an 11-goal-to-three second half the previous week and are confident they can advance to earn another crackatWerribeeDistricts.

The Eagles ended Hoppers Crossing’s flag defencewithaneight-pointwinonSunday.

“We should be going into this week confidentaftertheresultaweekagoagainst

Yarraville,”Rainersaid.

“If we do what we did in the second half against Yarraville, we potentially get to that elusive division 1 grand final, which would bereallygood.

“We’ve been thereabouts with these top sides, so there’s no reason why we don’t feel we can go all the way if we get the opportunity.”

The Lakers have cemented themselves as a force in the top flight after claiming the division2flagin2016.

They have contested finals in three of the past four seasons and secured the minor premiership in 2022 before suffering a straight-setsfinalsexit.

“Wewantedtobuildtowardsit-wedidn’t want to just throw away the club and throw ridiculous money. We wanted to develop anddevelopourjuniors,”Rainersaid.

“The majority of the team are CS juniors, which would be really great if we can go all theway.”

Lakers claim premiership

By Tara Murray

Caroline Springs is finally back on top in the Western Football League women’s competition.

After a couple of near misses and grand final heartbreak the past two years, the Lakers completed the perfect season on Saturday.

Yarraville-Seddon, which had come from fourth, gave the Lakers a few nervous moments late in the grand final.

There was a goal in the match early in thelastquarterbeforetheLakerswereable to find some composure to dominate the dying minutes.

AgoaltoMiraDiabsealedthewinonthe siren and the premiership for the Lakers, 10.8 (68)-8.3 (51).

Lakers coach Alex O’Shea said it was a pretty special moment.

“It feels relief to be honest,” she said. “We’ve worked hard all year, minor premiers, and Yarraville came into this gamewithalotofmomentumandweknew that.

“The girls had to be really on today [Saturday]. It was a four quarter performance of footy and we played our game.”

It was a high-scoring affair early on with both sides hitting the scoreboard in the opening quarter.

TheLakersledbyagoalatthefirstbreak.

A five goal to two second quarter really set up the win for the Lakers, who led by 23 points at half time.

The Eagles kept themselves in the game with the only goal of the third quarter with the margin 18 points at the final break.

When the Eagles kicked the first two goals of the last quarter with the margin back to just a goal.

Jacinta Kondis finally got the Lakers first goal of the second half in the 12th minute of the final quarter to steady her side.

The Lakers then had their opportunities as they scored the next four points. It meant the Eagles needed two goals to win.

They managed to get one back before Diab scored one on the siren to seal the win.

O’Shea said that the Eagles had put them under pressure all day. She had not much voice after a lot of yelling.

“It wasn’t an easy game, especially in that last quarter,” she said. “There were momentswheretheytookthatopportunity

“It got close there. Credit to our girls we got challenged in the game and we kept fighting and fighting, it shows our spirit of

our team.

“I’m very proud of the girls.”

O’Shea said they had used the lessons from the past two grand finals, where they had fallen short late.

Shesaidtheyjustneededtobecomposed inthosemomentsandthatwasthemessage to the group.

“From a coaching aspect, you can’t do much when you’re not out there,” she said.

“Just see how it is, make changes if needed be, and some changes needed to be made lucky enough to come up with the win.

“We’ve been in those scenarios before, beenchallengedlateandhaven’tbeenable to get over the line.

“Thisyearwefocusedonourpreparation and as a coaching staff looked at different scenarios and so forth.

“It was good to compose ourselves and get over the line.”

Diab finished with six goals for the Lakers. Akima Manoah was awarded the best on ground medal.

The premiership is the Lakers second having made the last six grand finals.

O’Shea said there was a lot of time that went into the club’s female program.

“The under-18s won their EDFL (Essendon District Football League) premiership last week as well, and we’ve won as well,” she said.

“It shows the strength in numbers that we have at Caroline Springs and a lot of people have put in a lot of time.

“Right from our under-10s program right up to seniors, it’s a credit to everyone at the club for this win today [Saturday].”

The premiership caps off a few big weeks for O’Shea.

Just six weeks ago, O’Shea gave birth to

a daughter.

“I made it back in time to coach,” she said.

“I’m very grateful to have a lot of people who are supportive and can help out.

“I needed that especially today [Saturday], the training sessions and other games.Veryluckyforthesupporttobeable to do what I do.”

Luke D’Anello Alipate Bryant. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 431493_02

Caroline Springs. (Kel Rowe)

Mira Diab celebrates one of her goals. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 501140_53

Nikki Perrett. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 501140_07

Caroline Springs finally got the second premiership it was after in the Western Football League women’s competition. The Lakers took on Yarraville-Seddon in a hard-fought game but were able to come out on top. Here’s some of the action.

Lakers’ winning moment

Yarraville-Seddon’s Rachel Culvenor. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 501140_12

Caroline Springs’ Taya Meiers. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 501140_21

Yarraville-Seddon’s Akec Makur Chuot. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 501140_25

Yarraville-Seddon. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 501140_36

Xanthe Chard. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 501140_01

Caroline Springs’ Madison Cauchi. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 501140_45

Hayley Herring tries to break through a couple of tackles. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 501140_18

Caroline Springs. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 501140_33

Caitlin Pretty and Alex O’Shea. (Tara Murray)

Best on ground Akima Manoah with Melissa Horne. (Kel Rowe)

Caroline Springs’ Jactina Kondis. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 501140_04

Caroline Springs’ Stephanie Thompson. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 501140_17