Fashion talent recognised
Students from St Albans Secondary College took out the award for the top design school at the Fashion Awards Australia, with many students also placing in the top three for other award categories.
The school was awarded the John Carringbold Cup out of the seven schools who made the final.
The annual fashion awards ceremony allows secondary school and TAFE students, and young professional designers, an opportunity to showcase their original creations and flair for design and garment construction.
Students were able to enter garments made in 2024 due to last year’s awards being cancelled.
Student Cynthia won first and third place for the year 11 and 12 daywear and ‘recycled stitch don’t ditch’ categories respectively, while students Kevin and Tri took out first place for year 9 and 10 calico menswear.
The top three spots for year 9 and 10 eveningwear were won by students Chantel, Chahatpreet and Mekdes who placed first, second and third respectively. Chahatpreet also placed second in the year 9 and 10 calico category while Lynda came in second for year 9 and 10 daywear.
Ivan earned second place in the year 11 and 12 daywear – Australian gown of the year category.
EPA ‘failing’ Brimbank
By Sam Porter
Brimbank council has slammed the Environment Protection Authority’s (EPA) request for more time while it considers reinstating Barro Group’s licencetooperateatKealbaLandfillwhere underground fires have been burning for six years.
BrimbankmayorThuyDangsaidcouncil is “extremely disappointed” and that the EPA “continues to fail the Brimbank community“.
“... they fail to hold duty holders to account, they fail to adequately respond to communityconcerns,andtheyfailtomeet community expectations,” Cr Dang said.
“The Brimbank community has been suffering for years and has relied on the EPA to utilise their full jurisdiction to hold the Barro Group to account. The EPA has an obligation to prevent and reduce harm from waste and pollution on our environmentandourcommunity’shealth.
“Given their deplorable track record, reinstating the Barro Group’s licence
to operate the landfill is nothing short of rewarding bad behaviour and sets a disgraceful precedence.
“If the laws aren’t strong enough, then theAllanGovernmentneedstostrengthen them. If the EPA Act is adequate, then the EPA needs to do their duty. For the EPA to consider allowing Barro Group to recommence operating Kealba Landfill is entirely unacceptable.
“Brimbank council will not stop its advocacy for this irresponsible and dangerous operator to be held accountable.”
The EPA made the request for more time to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) in late October.
Barro took the EPA to VCAT to appeal the regulator’s revocation of its operating licencein2023forBarro’smismanagement of the Kealba landfill.
An EPA spokesperson said a final decision on Barro’s licence status is yet to be made.
Continued: Page 4.
St Albans Secondary College students won a range of awards across multiple categories at the Fashion Awards Australia awards night. (Damjan Janevski) 512447_01
YOUR FOREVER NEIGHBOURHOOD
A bold new community in Fraser Rise, Society 1056 is more than a place to live, it’s a vibrant, sustainable neighbourhood with 9 hectares of open green space, waterways, parks, recreational areas, a proposed government primary school, shops, sporting ovals, and community centre.
It’s your opportunity to be part of something special.
New land now selling.
Calls for ‘fair treament’
By Sam Porter
Residents who own lots at the Solomon Heights estate in Sunshine North, which has remained undeveloped for a century, have said they would like to see some form ofresolutionfordevelopmenttooccur.
As reported by Star Weekly, Brimbank council highlighted multiple issues impacting the development of the industrially-zoned precinct, including the presence of critically endangered flora and fauna species protected under federal and state laws, and no utilities and services in placewithintheestate.
A mix of private individuals and companies own land in the estate while Brimbank council acts as the responsible authority and planning authority for the subdivision, and owns roads in the estate’s north.
Keith Sheridan owns multiple lots at the site and said owners don’t want to be unfairly penalised by development restrictions.
“As landowners we want fair treatment and, of course, higher valuations. They’re entirelyacceptableaslongasthevaluation is based on the ability to realise the value of the properties,” Mr Sheridan said. “Every year we pay council rates for which we receive precisely nothing … same with waterrates...therehastobearesolution.
“Thereisroomfortherequirementstobe addressed and providing an opportunity for there to be meaningful development thatsatisfiesallstakeholders.”
Apreviouslyproposedsolutiontoprotect endangered flora and fauna in the estate is tocreateenvironmentaloffsets.
“A lot of those lots were bought many, many years ago by people such as my parents when they first emigrated to the country,”MrSheridansaid.“Manyofthose folks have passed on and now it’s for the childrenandgrandchildrentoinherit.”
Mr Sheridan believes there is a high demand to develop industrial facilities in theestate.
“I also think there is an opportunity to havethatrezonedasresidential,”hesaid.
“The consensus across the board is that peoplewantsomethingdoneaboutit.”
SunshineresidentWilliBockboughttwo lotsintheestate40yearsago.
“These blocks were intended for my children … Nothing has ever come about,” hesaid.
Mr Bock suggested the lots be used as a temporary living site for people experiencing homelessness until potential developmentoccurs.
“At the end of the day we own it, so we’re entitledtodosomething,”MrBocksaid.
“It’sbeen100yearsandnothinghasbeen done.Justgiveusafairgo.”
In response to a September council meeting question about land value drops at Solomon Heights, Brimbank council saidthelandhadbeen“heavilydiscounted …duetodevelopmentrestrictions…which isunlikelytochangeinthemediumtolong term.”
Corporate services director Marcelo Vidales said the responsibility for determining property valuations falls onto theValuer-GeneralVictoria. TheValuer-GeneralVictoriaoverseesthe
Young cancer survivor is singing for a cause
By Sam Porter
Two days before his 23rd birthday, Brimbank resident Cameron Valles was diagnosedwithHodgkinLymphoma.
“I had symptoms for six months and nobody could figure out what it was until I found a lump. There’s no early detection or prevention,”Cameronsaid.
“It changes the way I think about life, and my decisions are vastly different now havingbeenthroughit.
“I’ve grown a lot closer with my family and friends. That’s one of the positives that’scomeoutofit.”
Hodgkin Lymphoma is a rare cancer that affects the lymphatic system. While receivingtreatment,Cameronhadtheidea to organise his own live music fundraising
eventwithraisedfundstogotowardsblood cancer research through the Leukaemia Foundation.
“I just decided one day I wanted to do an event to raise money to get more research because once you figure it out it’s too late,” hesaid.
Cameron will share his cancer journey throughhismusic
“My experiences as a young person with cancer are pretty unique. You don’t hear it as much. I couldn’t see very many young peopleinthehospital,”hesaid.
According to the Cancer Council, the average age for Hodgkin Lymphoma diagnosisis44yearsold.
Cameron, who is a singer and a rapper, willperformfivesongsattheevent.
“Istartedmakingmusicin2020inCovid.
I just decided to do something I’ve always wantedtodo.Ifiguredit’sareallygoodway toexpresswhatI’mfeeling,”hesaid.
Cameron said other musicians will performattheeventtoo.
“I’ll get people to come and enjoy food and live music and, while doing that, raise abitofmoneytowardsresearch,”hesaid.
Therewillalsobeasilentauction.
“It’s just a time for connection and enjoying live music, and doing something goodalongsidethat,”Cameronsaid.
Cameron will perform as part of ‘23 & Hodgkin’ on Saturday 8 November at 5.30pm at the Bowery Theatre, 33 Princess Street,StAlbans.
The event is recommended for those aged13yearsandolder.
Moreinfo:creativebrimbank.com.au
valuation process which is undertaken by contracted independent valuers on behalf ofthestategovernment.
“Councilsdonotsetpropertyvaluations, but they are required to use the valuations to calculate rates and charges,” Mr Vidales said. “The comment about land in the Solomon Heights estate being ‘heavily discounted due to development restrictions’ reflects advice received from the independent valuers appointed by the Valuer-GeneralVictoria.”
Program targets illegal fruit nets
Brimbank residents are being encouraged to swap their illegal fruit tree netting for legal netting as part of a new pilot program
The ‘net swap’ program, led by the Conservation Regulator, aims to educate residents about the dangers that illegal netting poses to wildlife, and gives community members an opportunity to swap their illegal netting for a legal alternative.
Larger mesh netting is more likely to entangle, distress, injure and kill wildlife
Brimbank council, along with four other Melbourne councils, is participating in the program alongside Zoos Victoria and RSPCA.
Under Victorian regulations introduced in 2021, it is illegal to use or sell household fruit tree netting with a mesh size bigger than 5mm x 5mm.
Council said it is aware many community members are continuing to use illegal netting for their household fruit trees, many unknowingly.
Residents can check if their netting is illegal by trying to poke a finger through the mesh
If a finger can pass through the net, it is illegal.
Locals can swap illegal nets with legal alternatives at upcoming net swap events in Brimbank.
The events will run on Saturday 8 November, from 12.30-1pm at Keilor Community Hub, 704b Old Calder Highway, Keilor, and at the environment stall during the festive family day on Saturday 30 November, from 11am-2.30pm at Errington Reserve, St Albans. Details: news.brimbank.vic.gov. au/fruit-tree-net-swap/
Cameron Valles. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 512062_06
Solomon Heights, Sunshine North. (Damjan Janevski) 252415_01
‘Excited’ by CBD talk
By Sam Porter
LocalslivingandworkinginSunshinehave weighed in on reinvigorated discussions to make the suburb Melbourne’s second CBD by 2050.
A report released by WoMEDA (West of Melbourne Economic Development Alliance) in October, seen by StarWeekly , highlighted strategies to “supercharge the economic and social future of Melbourne’s west” with a focus on developing Sunshine into a second CBD.
Sunshine Business Association vice-president John Girardi, who has lived in Sunshine for more than 20 years, said he’s feeling positive about the suburb’s future.
“Businessesareexcited…It’sbeentalked about for years, but it’s sort of gone off the table,” Mr Girardi said.
“With the [WoMEDA] conference the consensus seems to have converged onto Sunshine becoming the next CBD and I think it’s going to happen.
“It’seasytofallbackonthenegativestuff likecrime,whichisaproblem…butthere’s a lot of positive change and a lot more coming.”
Mr Girardi cited the Sunshine superhub
and the Vietnamese museum projects as positive developments.
Thuan An restaurant owner Julie Tran agrees there’s a lot to look forward to but said there’s still more work to be done.
“The hype has been good but I think Sunshine overall will need to do a lot more for it to actually happen. It feels like a far away thing, not something so close in time,” Ms Tran said.
Ms Tran said the Sunshine precinct facilities need to be upgraded to retain visitors in Sunshine and boost the local economy.
“We’re kind of waiting for something to happensothatwekindofgetsomebenefits as well,” she said. “I’m hoping by that time [in 2050] that it boosts all the business. At the moment, businesses aren’t doing that great ... I think that also has to do with the economy being so bad.”
MsTransaidongoingcrimeintheareais also “a bit of a deterrent for people coming into Sunshine”.
Former Brimbank mayor John Hedditch said Sunshine has the potential to be a wonderful second CBD.
“I think it’s timely. It’s an outcome that people have seen as a really sensible one long-term,” he said.
However, Mr Hedditch said he would like to see more commitment from both levels of government to the Sunshine station masterplan “so that developers and investors in business and real estate have some certainty and aren’t second guessing everything.”
“At the moment no one really knows what the government actually wants as far as Sunshine goes...It needs to be set out in a Sunshine precinct plan … that’s also a missing link,” he said.
Mr Hedditch said amenity around Sunshine needs to be improved to help attract future investments and services to the area too.
“There needs to be spaces and places for peopletobeabletomeet,tositoutsideand have a coffee… good outdoor spaces,” he said.
He also said connectivity to Sunshine could be further improved, including implementing a rail service from New South Wales and the north-east of Victoria to Sunshine.
“That would give Sunshine the complete suite of connectivity to all regions and to the Metro Tunnel and the airport, and that connectivity is something that will bring people here.”
EPA ‘failing’ Brimbank as fires still burn
“EPA has asked VCAT for more time to make this complex decision. This has been a long running matter and we do not take these types of decisions lightly. It is a complex issue, and we are considering all options,” the spokesperson said.
“What we want to see is the remaining hotspot removed in a way that is safe for community and the workers at the site. In themeantime,thelandfillwillnotoperate whilst the hotspot is being remediated.
is not accepted there and will closely monitor Barro’s progress in remediating the site.
“Complaints to EPA about odour from the community have reduced considerably, but we appreciate this complex legal process is frustrating for them.”
Resident Nicole Power, who has been affected by noxious odours from the underground fires for years, said she’s frustrated by the EPA’s consideration to reinstate Barro’s licence.
Calls for more superhub commitment
By Sam Porter
Findings from a report by WoMEDA (West of Melbourne Economic Development Alliance) have shone a spotlightonstrategiestopropelplans for Sunshine to become Melbourne’s second CBD by 2050.
The report was presented as part of a summit on 22 and 23 October, which offered analysis and recommendations on how to progresseconomicandsocialgrowth in Melbourne’s west.
WoMEDA stated “the development of the Sunshine superhub and the Airport Rail Link (ARL) make Sunshine the natural hub around which to build Melbourne’s second CBD”.
The $4 billion Sunshine superhub project, which the state government said is the first step of Melton electrification and the ARL, is expected to be completed by 2030.
WoMEDA welcomed funding announced by both levels of government earlier this year for the ARLandthesuperhub,butexpressed concern “the ambition is not as great as it was” for the project.
It highlighted problems with key elements of the project it said were “up in the air”, such as the timing of the ARL.
The report recommended the state and federal governments work together to fully fund the ARL and that work on the superhub and the ARL be “prioritised and hastened.”
Brimbank mayor Thuy Dang is confident Sunshine is the right choice for Melbourne’s second CBD.
“We are perfectly situated in the heart of Melbourne’s booming west and have always been a diverse and welcoming community,” Cr Dang said.
“The people of Brimbank and the west have waited patiently for a long time, as we’ve seen investment flow to other regions.”
She said developing Sunshine into Melbourne’s second CBD by 2025 will take coordinated effort from all levels of government, business, and the community.
“Delivering the full Sunshine Masterplan as promised by Premier Jacinta Allan ahead of the 2022 State Election is critical to capturing this momentum and transforming the Sunshine into a world class destination,” Cr Dang said.
“The Sunshine Masterplan has always been a key pillar of the Sunshine superhub project.”
licence? That’s just bizarre.”
Barro declined to comment. From page 1.
As reported by Star Weekly, the EPA dropped its criminal charges against Barro in July.
AtthetimetheEPAsaidthemovewould allow it to concentrate resources and expertise on the VCAT case.
“This is like a complete turnaround. What has changed in that amount of time and why do you need more time?” Ms Power said.
Accordingtothestategovernment, the Sunshine Station Masterplan consists of a series of proposals to transform Sunshine Station’s surrounds into a vibrant place, with the superhub at its heart, and a focus on how the area can develop and support the community, employment opportunities, housing and population growth.
The state government said it will confirm further details and timeframes on the final scope of the Sunshine superhub in the coming months.
“At this stage, we understand the time to remediate the remaining hotspot will take over two years. We will continue to actively regulate the site to ensure waste
“Why do they need more time? They’ve had six years,” Ms Power said.
“This site’s proven to be flawed and you would even contemplate reissuing a
“You’re the regulatory body, you have to police that … This is a complete failure on EPA’s part “I honestly believe they’ve been outlawyered...I really am sceptical of the EPA at present.”
“Work is underway to coordinate theSunshinesuperhubandSunshine Masterplan projects to deliver the best outcomes for the precinct,” the spokesperson said.
Julie Tran owns Thuan An restaurant in Sunshine.
(Damjan Janevski). 513540_01
Murray recognised by VCPA
Star Weekly sport editor Tara Murray’s coverage of Werribee Football Club’s 2024 VictorianFootballLeaguepremiershiphas been recognised at the Victorian Country Press Association (VCPA) awards.
Murray conducted interviews with Werribee coach Jimmy Allan, chief executive Mark Penaluna, captain Dom Brew, Norm Goss medalist Jack Henderson and players Cooper Whyte and Nick Hayes following the win as part of her overall coverage of the match.
The judge said the resulting double page spread was reminiscent of post-match personal interviews of key players and personalities seen on television coverage of sport, earning her the Best Sport Story Award.
“Our top marks go to Star Weekly’s Tara Murrayforcapturingthesameengagement inprint,settinganewpost-matchreporting
standardfollowingWerribee’shistoricVFL premiership,” the judge stated.
“Her double page spread featured revealing in-depth interviews.”
StarWeeklywasalsohighlycommended intheBestLocallyProducedAdvertisement Award.
The ad for DFV Lawyers ran demanded attention, according to the judge.
“Sitting below the editorial it delivers a direct call for immediate action for those needing support,” the judge said
“The image is no-nonsense and conveys everything I would be looking for in a lawyer - professional fierceness.
“The colour scheme is eye catching but the use of quotes in the headline conveys almost an intimate conversation between the reader and the lawyer.”
The VCPA awards were held in Yarrawonga on 24 October.
Briefs
Ardeer
speedster
A man has lost his licence, had his vehicle impounded and is expected to be charged on summons after allegedly blowing five times the limit in Ardeer on 30 October. Police were called to reports of a Toyota Fortuna driving erratically on the Hume Highway in Fawkner about 2.40pm. The 46-year-old driver, who was allegedly located next to several open cans of alcohol, returned an alleged breath alcohol reading of 0.250. The man’s licence was immediately suspended for 12 months, his vehicle was impounded at a cost of $999 and he is expected to be charged on summons.
Primary school fire
Thirty-four firefighters were dispatched at 12.53am on the morning of 27 October for reports of a shed fire in the grounds of Cairnlea Park Primary school. The fire was contained to what is believed to be a machinery shed with minor extension and structural damage to the school gymnasium. The fire was under control at 1.31am. Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) said it remained on scene following the fire to monitor any hot spots within the structures. No injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire will be investigated by FRV investigators. Police and paramedics were on scene assisting FRV operations.
FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT
Web: starweekly.com.au
Brimbank & North West Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly
Star Weekly sport editor Tara Murray with her award.
(Damjan Janevski) 513227
Plea for health investment
Western suburbs resident and mother of three, Melissa, whose name has been changed, has lived through childhood trauma, domestic violence and years of addiction.
“My drinking escalated badly. It was my way of numbing everything. Everything around me shattered. I got out of the DV (domestic violence) but I kept struggling,” Melissa said.
MelissathenaccessedIPCHealth’sAOD (alcohol and other drug) service, which she said has transformed her life.
“My counsellor helped me through so much. I stayed with her for about six to eight months, and she gave me the
confidence to get back out there.”
AccordingtoIPCHealth,thedemandfor community-based mental health services isincreasingrapidly.In2023–24,Victorian health services provided 1.8 million hours of community-based mental health care, and by 2036–37, demand is projected to reach between 3.4 and 8.9 million hours.
After initially accessing services, Melissa’s health began to deteriorate again.
“I had a lapse, became suicidal and tried to take my life. I re-engaged with IPC Health, and again, it was an incredible support. It felt like a reset,” Melissa said.
“My counsellor is non-judgmental, she
New clubrooms officially open
TheKeilorSportsClubhasofficiallyopened its clubrooms which were renovated and extended this year.
Themilestonewasmarkedinaceremony on Friday 24 October attended by Deputy Premier Ben Carroll, Brimbank mayor Thuy Dang, Brimbank councillors, and club and committee members.
President Hayden Kelly said the new clubrooms have been well-received by community members.
“The place is being used a lot more than it used to be, that’s for sure,” Mr Kelly said.
“Already we’re seeing more external groups wanting to use it ... But what we are seeing within the club is there are bigger attendances. Life activities memberships have gone up ten to 15 per cent since we reopened. Football club and cricket club functions are much better attended.
“In a way it’ll pay for itself in a number of years.”
The project was funded by the club in partnership with members of the Keilor community,Brimbankcouncil,Melbourne Airport and the state government.
The build for the project started in October, 2024 and was completed in nine months, opening for use in July this year.
“People quoted costs as $1.8 million but the reality is with goods in-kind and materials donated we probably had $800,000-900,000 donated from the community–goodsin-kind,goodsin-cost, labour with no margin and all that,” Mr Kellysaid.“Sotherealcostisprobablynear to $2.6 million.”
Mr Kelly gave his “heartfelt thanks” to communitymembersfortheirworkaswell as to the project’s funding partners.
Seniors enjoy festival fun
Brimbank residents participated in a morning tea and fire safety workshop, as well as a ’bocce, burgers and blokes’ event during the final week of October.
Both events were organised by BrimbankcouncilaspartoftheSeniors Festival, which ran throughout the month.
At the morning tea, Fire Rescue Victoria representatives taught locals about keeping safe during fires, with retired firefighters also sharing tips on reducing fire risks in homes.
Atthebocceevent,oldermenhadthe opportunity to relax with a laid-back match or two and a chat, all while enjoying tasty burgers.
Star Weekly photographers Ljubica Vrankovic and Damjan Janevski captured the fun at the morning tea and bocce event, respectively.
gets it. Between her and the gym, which I go to seven days a week now, I’ve found ways to cope. I feel stronger than I did before,” Melissa said.
Melissa said mental health support needs to be more accessible.
“There are so many people suffering in silence. I was lucky to survive my suicide attempt, but many aren’t. We need more services like IPC Health,” Melissa said.
IPC Health chief executive Jayne Nelson urged the government to increase investment into AOD and mental health services.
A state government spokesperson told Star Weekly the recent Victorian budget
focuses on frontline services.
“...including community-programs for priority groups, suicide prevention, support for children and young people and acute mental health services,” the spokesperson said.
Thestategovernmentsaidithasinvested over $590 million in mental health and wellbeing, and the AOD system, in 2025-26.
From this funding, two new locations will be established this year in Wyndham and Maribyrnong, as well as additional servicestoLocalsinMeltonandBrimbank.
Lifeline: 13 11 14
1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732
Guido Pace, Savier Farrugia, Patrick Caruna-Smith, Andrew Cassar and Andrew Darmanin. 513462_04
Colin Harris from Fire Rescue Victoria talks fire safety. 512462_02
John Debrincat and Kim Morgan. 513462_03
Left: Roger Mitchell and Trevor Langrish from the North Western Bee Club. 513462_01 Centre: Steve Tait and Charlie Testa. 513462_02 Right: Charlie Caruana. 513462_05
President Hayden Kelly, Brimbank mayor Thuy Dang, Deputy Premier Ben Carroll and Melbourne Airport chief ground transport, property and retail Jai McDermott. (Sam Porter)
Speed change not considered
Brimbank council has said it is yet to fully consider the state government’s recent changes around 30km/h speed limits, as findings from a new study reveal dropping speed limits in residential zones would significantly increase safety.
Modelling by RMIT University’s Centre for Urban Research showed bicycle riders’ exposure to roads with high levels of traffic stress dropped by 30 per cent when the speed limit was reduced from 50km/h to 30km/h.
The findings come as Victoria enacts a new speed limit law allowing local councils to propose 30km/h limits in school zones and local streets.
Study lead author Dr Afshin Jafari said while driving at 30km/h might seem slow, the limit mostly applies to residential streets so it has little impact on average car trips.
“Most trips should use residential streets only at the start and finish, so 30km/h rather than 50km/h on those short sections makes little difference,” he said.
“Slowing traffic makes bicycle riding less stressful, encouraging more people to choose bikes as a safe and viable mode of transport.”
Dr Jafari said lowering speed limits was a practical, low-cost way to improve cycling safety.
“Installing physical barriers on every local street would be ideal, but it’s expensive and slow,” he said.
“Slowing down vehicles is a cheap and effective way to improve safety while we wait for longer-term infrastructure upgrades.”
During the September Brimbank council meeting, a resident asked whether council would consider reducing all speed limits in Albion to 40km/h to curb dangerous driving.
Council said it does not plan to introduce a reduced speed limit across the suburb at this stage.
“Generally, 40km/h speed zones are
All abilities tennis week serves up action
Caroline Springs and Tullamarine tennis clubs participated in an inaugural all abilities week which gave players with disability an opportunity to partake in modified versions of the sport.
The initiative, which ran nationwide from 20-26 October, expanded opportunities for players through modified versions of the game including wheelchair tennis, blind and low vision tennis, intellectual disability and autism tennis, deaf and hard of hearing tennis and para-standing tennis, according to Tennis Australia.
iTennis coaching academy head coach and director Chris Singh said instructors and support workers are able to adapt activities to suit players’ needs and abilities during sessions.
“We went through a range of activities, a few games and then [players] got to chill and eat and drink later. It’s just getting them out there and getting them active,” Mr Singh said.
“The goal out of there is just to try to give them a bit more of a pathway where they can do it weekly or fortnightly…to have this
as a recurring program.”
Mr Singh said the session at Caroline Springs, catered towards adults, aimed to fill a gap in all abilities programs.
“There’s a lot of stuff for kids but not as much for adults. It’s just about getting the word out there,” he said.
Mr Singh said both tennis clubs are looking for more players for future all-abilities sessions, and that Tullamarine tennis club is also looking for more members.
To get involved or to find out more, email info@itennis.net.au
only introduced on roads in high-risk zones such as outside schools or activity centres and in some cases along active transport routes which carry significant numbers of pedestrians and cyclists,” a council spokesperson told Star Weekly.
“We have introduced traffic calming treatments on a number of roads and key intersections across Albion in recent years and continually look at how we can further improve road safety across Brimbank.”
The spokesperson said the recent road safety improvements included installing a number of road humps, speed cushions, traffic islands and raised thresholds across Albion.
Funding help to keep kids active
Young locals in Brimbank can apply for Brimbank council’s In2Sport program for summer 2025-26.
In2Sport is a subsidy program which helps families and children living in the municipality to get active and take part in community sports, regardless of financial circumstances, according to council.
Up to $200 or 75 per cent of club membership fees are eligible to be subsidised as part of the program.
To be eligible for the program applicants must live in Brimbank, be aged between 6-18 at the time of applying, and have their name listed on a valid health care card or pension concession card.
Applicants must also choose a Brimbank-based sporting club.
There is a list of participating clubs in the municipality that applicants can choose from as part of their application.
If an applicant wishes to choose a sporting club not listed on the form, the club will need to be contacted to fill out an In2Sport club registration form, said council.
The closing date for applications is subject to availability, and council encouraged locals to apply as soon as possible.
Locals can apply for the program and view the full eligibility requirements on the Brimbank council website.
Details: tinyurl.com/dwykxzr3
iTennis Coaching Academy head coach and director Chris Singh and Renee Hudson. (Sam Porter)
Cancer is never really over
By Tracey Matthies
Breast cancer never made me sick, but the treatment certainly did.
My cancer is gone but now I’m left living with the aftermath of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery and radiation because cancer isn’t always over when it’s gone and when the treatment ends.
I was diagnosed with a non-specific type, HER-2 positive, grade three (fast growing) tumourinmyleftbreastatabout 10.30am on Thursday 19 December, 2023. Ladies – just get your mammograms. My tumour was only detected and diagnosed by a regular BreastScreen.
Whatfollowedwasafloodofinformation and a maelstrom of tests, treatments and side-effects until I was finally told I was NED – No Evidence of Disease about 13 months later.
My official Health Record for that period shows 24 diagnostic imaging reports, including CT scans, with and without nuclearmedicine,bonestudies,PETscans, fluoroscopies, a lymphoscintigraphy (sentinel lymph node mapping to check for any spread of the cancer), ultrasounds, echocardiograms and even ordinary, bog-standard x-rays.
There were also 36 pathology reports. I was on a first name basis with the blood collectors.
Cancer isn’t necessarily over when it’s gone and when the treatment ends. It’s certainly not over for me
- Tracey Matthies
But that’s a rather dry summary of three different types of chemotherapy, and the innumerable side effects of rashes, nausea,diarrhea,fatigueandevenjustthe pain caused by breathing on the back of my hands at times, not to mention all the medicationstodealwiththosesideeffects.
Forget about hospital in the home. I had my own pharmacy in the home, and we hit the PBS threshold much earlier that year than ever before!
There were countless GP appointments, surgerytoplaceaportforeaseoftreatment and another for a lumpectomy, not to mention three emergency department admissions along the way.
As well as my amazing GP who was there whenever I needed him - just as he promised immediately after my diagnosis - my medical team exploded to include a medical oncologist, breast surgeon, radiation oncologist, heart specialist, lung specialist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist,oncologynurses,radiationtechs and nurses, McGrath BreastCare Nurse, and lymphoedema nurse.
My daily life was driven by medical administration, making and attending appointments, treatments, check ups, tests, tests and more tests.
But it wasn’t all doom and gloom. Fortunately, I found my support community quickly. As well as my husbandandoursons,wehadotherfamily members and some very close friends who were, and still are, there with us. From phone calls and visits to dropping off meals, they held us up in the tough times.
I was also fortunate enough to have wonderful support from my employer, the Star News Group. They immediately made it possible for me to work from home and always encouraged me to take the time I neededwhenIwasn’twellenoughtowork.
AFacebooksupportgroupforAustralian women with breast cancer let me know I wasn’t the only person going through whatever that day’s experience was. There
are 58 people diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia every day so someone else out there has been through it before me.
And the cancer community on X (formerly Twitter) was a bastion of support from people around the world where we got so close that I cried when two of my X friends died.
From day one I was assured that this was a beatable cancer, so I had a good headspace about my outcome.
Sure, I lost my hair to chemo, but it grew back.
In fact, it was just long enough at the time of my twin granddaughters’ fifth birthdaypartytohavetheirinitialsshaved into the sides of my head. Yeah, I was the cool grandma that day.
But cancer isn’t necessarily over when it’s gone and when the treatment ends.
It’s certainly not over for me.
Before my own experience I didn’t know that cancer treatment could leave permanent after-effects. I thought I would just go through the treatment and then go back to life as it was before.
A lot of women in the Facebook support group get frustrated when people in their lives think they should be back to the person they were before cancer.
Most of us live with ongoing fatigue, tiredness beyond tired. We plan our days
and weeks to avoid overdoing it because we know how hard that fatigue will hit us. I have to take hormone blockers for 10 years because my type of cancer, HER-2 positive, feeds on oestrogen, and hormone blockers can have side effects. I’ve already beenswitchedtoasecondtypeofhormone blocker because the first one caused such severe joint pain that I could barely walk.
Blockinghormonesaffectsbonedensity, so for the next couple of years I have to have infusions every six months to build up my bone density. And scans to check they are working.
But there’s more.
It’s called peripheral neuropathy, basically nerve damage caused by chemotherapy, the very thing saving my life.
It started with tingling fingers and toes and quickly turned into numb hands, fingers and feet. I was dropping things because I couldn’t feel them to grip properly.
Walking took all my concentration. I couldn’t get my car keys out of my pocket and walk at the same time. I stumbled on uneven ground.
Then I had a couple of falls because my feet weren’t feeling the ground properly.
That’s when my medical oncologist calledahalttothechemo.Shesaidtherisk of permanent damage was greater than
the benefit of more chemo.
Unfortunately, the damage had been done,andshenowbelievesmyneuropathy is permanent. So don’t be surprised when you see me moving slowly, sometimes with a walking stick.
As if that wasn’t enough, I also have a persistent nighttime cough so bad that it leads to vomiting most nights.
My lung specialist believes it’s also permanent damage caused by radiation –another factor in saving my life. I’m going through testing to rule out other possible causes, but it seems like this is just one more thing I will just have to live with.
Am I grateful my cancer was detected early and successfully treated?
Absolutely!
Would I do anything differently if my cancer returns?
No, I would still follow the advice of the experts who have got me through this time. I might ask more questions about side effects and permanent after-effects, but I’d still rather be alive.
What I would ask is that the broader community be aware that the end of treatment isn’t necessarily the end of the effectsformanypeople.Don’tbesurprised when they have a rough day or week, when they’re frustrated that they will never be the person they were before cancer. Just be there for them, with us.
Tracey’s hands were so sore due to side effects that even breathing on them hurt.
Tracey had just enough hair regrowth following chemotherapy to be the ‘cool grandma’ for her twin granddaughters’ fifth birthday party. She had S for Sophie shaved on one side of her head and L for Lily on the other.
Star News editorial coordinator Tracey Matthies underwent chemotherapy to treat her breast cancer. Tracey was immunocompromised during treatment and had to protect herself from possible infection on an outing with husband, Colin (pictured right). (Pictures: Supplied)
Enjoy dream night of top-flight action at The Meadows
Greyhound Racing Victoria’s Dream Chasers Festival is back and better than ever — the party gets started at The Meadows on Saturday, November 8 with Topgun Night.
This electrifying event launches the 2025 edition of Australia’s richest greyhoundracingfestival,celebratingelite competition, unbeatable atmosphere, and first-class entertainment.
Since its launch in 2022, GRV’s Dream Chasers Festival has set the benchmark
for greyhound racing entertainment. Four years on, it continues to shine as a world-class showcase of speed, talent and passion — where fences, terraces and grandstands overflow with fans and families dining, cheering and partying the night away.
Watchtheracingelitelightupthetrackas the nation’s finest chasers go head-to-head in two of the sport’s most prestigious invitationals — the Group 1 Topgun Sprint (525m)andGroup1TopgunStayers(730m).
Add to that the Group 1 Hume Cup (600m), andyou’vegotatrifectaoftop-flightracing that promises to thrill from start to finish. Enjoy FREE general admission and soak up the excitement from trackside, or settle in on the Meadows lawn, featuring family-friendly entertainment and picnic tables — the perfect spot to enjoy the action in comfort. Feeling lucky? There are chances to win cash and prizes in the ‘Dream Catchers Cup’, adding even more excitement to an already unforgettable
night.
For those after a premium experience, book your place in the Temlee Dining Room, where first-class dining meets breathtaking race views — with three-course dining packages starting from just $69 per person.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of Melbourne’s most top-flight night. For more information contact the Melbourne Greyhounds on (03) 9355 5222 or visit melbournegreyhounds.org.au
Greg Lynn’s appeal starts
By Emily Woods, AAP
More than a year after a former pilot was convictedofkillingamissinggrandmother and burning her remains, his appeal against the verdict and sentence began in the Court of Appeal on 31 October.
Greg Lynn, formerly of Caroline Springs, was in June 2024 found guilty of 73-year-old Carol Clay’s murder, in a split jury verdict where he was acquitted of killing her lover Russell Hill, 74.
Thepairhadbeencampinginthesame remote site, in Victoria’s high country, as Lynn when they both went missing in March 2020.
Lynn was charged with two murders and took the case to trial, admitting he burned their bodies but maintaining the deaths were accidental.
He gave evidence to the Supreme Court jury that he struggled over his shotgun with Mr Hill when it accidentally discharged, and shot Mrs Clay in the
head.
Mr Hill died after a struggle with Lynn over a knife, and Lynn was found not guilty of his murder.
Lynn put the bodies of Ms Clay and Mr Hill into a trailer, before driving them to a remote bush track.
Headmittedhereturnedsevenmonths later, after the COVID-19 lockdown lifted, toburntheirremainsintomorethan2000 bone fragments.
He was jailed for 32 years, with a
Curious uses for bamboo at Werribee zoo
WerribeeOpenRangeZooismakingdowith bamboo in some ways that are pretty new.
Using bamboo donated from Geelong BotanicGardens,keepershavebeenputting their DIY skills to the test and crafting everything from wind chimes to treatdispensing totem poles.
Savannah Keeper Laura Harbridge said the team had a blast inventing new enrichment devices for giraffes, camels, nyala and tammar wallabies using the two tonnes of bamboo.
“We take inspiration from other zoos around the world, and our keepers and volunteers come up with ideas like, ‘how fun would it be to make a meerkat-apult?,’”
Ms Harbridge said.
“For the giraffe, we built a feeder that encouraged them to use their dexterous tongues to work the food out, it’s all about getting them to think, stretch and behave as they would in the wild.”
Geelong Botanic Gardens coordinator Keelee Reissinger said the donation was a
perfect way to be sustainable.
“We donated bamboo to Zoos Victoria to protect our heritage trees at the Geelong BotanicGardensfrombeingimpactedbyits growth,” Ms Reissinger said.
“If it wasn’t reused, the bamboo would have gone to landfill and taken up to eight years to break down.”
Visitors can also join in the fun through the Giraffe Behind-the-Scenes Experience, where they can help create their own bamboo feeding devices.
non-parole period of 24 years, by Justice Michael Croucher in October 2024.
The ex-Jetstar pilot’s legal team flagged Lynn would appeal the conviction and sentence soon after the jury delivered their verdicts.
His barrister Dermot Dann KC will argue the prosecution had conducted the trial unfairly and there were inconsistencies in the jury’s split verdicts. Lynn,59,willbebroughtinfromprison for the appeal.
Award for council
Brimbank council has won a Geographic Naming Award for excellenceinthere-namingofalocal parktoyalukbarring,meaningRiver Trail in the Woi-wurrung language.
The award was announced at the Geographic Names Victoria awards which took place late October.
Brimbank mayor Thuy Dang said the award recognises council’s commitmentandworkinhonouring the importance of the park to the Traditional Custodians.
“I would like to thank the Wurundjeri Elders for their guidance, wisdom and generosity in helping us to rename this place to yaluk barring park,” Cr Dang said.
Brimbank council consulted the community on a preferred new name from a list provided by Wurundjeri, and a majority of 64.4 percentsupportedtheWoi-wurrung name, ‘yaluk barring park’.
Council said the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation is pleased with this outcome as it reflects the involvement and collaboration with council on the renaming process.
The renaming of Sydenham Park follows a notice of motion at the July 2022 council meeting to change the park’s name to an appropriate Aboriginal name suggested by local Aboriginal people.
The 231-hectare park is rich with cultural significance for the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people, withmanyAboriginalarchaeological places located within the park.
The park includes grasslands and river valleys, and is where Jackson Creek, Deep Creek and the Maribyrnong River meet.
Two giraffes enjoying their DIY bamboo feeders. (Zoos Victoria)
AI must be made to pay up
Country Press Australia (CPA) has welcomed the federal government’s decisiontoruleoutacopyrightexemption for AI companies, but says urgent action is now required to enforce copyright laws and stop AI platforms from stealing regionalandsuburbanjournalism.
CPA president Damian Morgan said the damage to regional and suburban journalism is no longer hypothetical or distant,itisalreadyoccurring.
“AI companies think they are above the law,”hesaid.
“They are harvesting local news stories, paraphrasing them, and delivering them backtousersasanswersratherthanlinks.
The public still consumes the journalism, but they never reach the publisher, never subscribe,andneverseealocaladvertiser.
The reporting is ours, but the commercial benefitiscapturedbyoffshoretechnology companies.”
Mr Morgan added that regional and suburbanpublishersnowoperatemetered or hybrid paywalls to fund journalism, but AI scraping routinely bypasses those protections, further threatening the economic base needed to keep local journalistsemployed.
“The problem is not only training data. These platforms are now replacing the publisherinrealtime,”hesaid.
“They extract our reporting, convert it into their own output, and keep the audience. That removes the economic baseneededtokeepjournalistsemployed inregionalAustralia.”
Mr Morgan said the policy failure that occurred when Meta walked away from funding news must not be allowed to repeatitselfintheAIera.
“Googlehasremainedengagedwiththe industry,butMetawalkedawaywhilestill benefiting from Australian journalism,” hesaid.
“We cannot go through a second cycle where big tech uses regional reporting to drive engagement but refuses to fund the journalism that makes it possible. If AI companies want to use Australian news, theymustlicenseitandpayforit.”
Country Press Australia is calling for a national framework that ensures licensingcoversbothtrainingandoutput; thatregionalandsuburbanpublishersare explicitlyincludedalongsidelargermedia companies; and that there is a low-cost, fast enforcement pathway for small publishers who cannot afford lengthy litigation.
“Regional journalism is not simply a commercial product. It is public infrastructure in democratic life,” Mr Morgansaid.
“If scraping continues unchecked, local reporting will disappear not because communities don’t value it, but because AI has siphoned away the audience and revenue that sustains it. Once a regional newsroom closes, there is no replacingit.”
Mr Morgan said the government had taken the right first step by rejecting a copyright carve-out for AI, but the next stage – licensing and enforcement – will determine whether regional publishing canremainviable.
“Australia solved this problem once through the News Media Bargaining Code,”hesaid.
“We now need the AI equivalent before theharmbecomesirreversible.”
Country Press Australia president Damian Morgan.
Young actors make waves
A show exploring tales of the ocean is comingtotheBoweryTheatreinBrimbank.
The performance is part of Beyond Disability Services’s program ‘Beyond Broadway’ where participants meet each Wednesday to develop and rehearse theatreandperformance.
Show director Anabel said the participants helped brainstorm ideas, choreograph routines, create scripts and makeprops.
“They were very actively involved in the process of making the show. Every single person that’s in the show has contributed toitinsomeway,”Anabelsaid.
“The show is one big storybook full of storiesandeachstoryisatale,andthattale willbeperformedonstage.”
Beyond Disabilities Services director Marina Ivelja said each participant set out to achieve their own personal goal as part oftheproductionprocess.
“This is a really good program because it helpsthemachievetheirgoalsandworkon theirconfidence,”shesaid.
Theshowissuitableforallaudiences.
“It’s kid friendly, and it’s also welcoming topeoplewithdisabilities,”Anabelsaid.
“It’s made to be very entertaining and interactive. And the more people we have
thebetterbecausethevibeswillbehigher.”
“A lot of these participants on stage are performing for the first time in a theatre, so support from the community is greatly appreciatedasthey’llbesupportingpeople withadisability.”
One hundred per cent of ticket sales will gobackintotheBeyondDisabilityServices drama production and the carers retreat runbytheorganisation.
Tales of the Ocean will be showing at 5.30pm on Wednesday 12 November at the Bowery Theatre, 33 Princess Street, St Albans.
Tickets:tinyurl.com/2dhvsa9n
Celebrating Melton’s young artists
The talents and creativity of Melton’s youth is on full show in Caroline Springs, with a broad range of media on exhibit.
Hosted at the CS Gallery until 12 December, Ascent 2025 is an exhibition showcasing art and design created by some of the municipality’s talented local artists.
The works have been created by emerging artists from Year 10 from various schools in the area, with works
include drawings, paintings, ceramics, mixed media and photography.
The student arts exhibition aims to provide arts industry experience to young artistsandencouragestheleapintofuture studies and career pathways in the arts.
According to Melton, the exhibition uplifts, encourages and supports the exhibiting artists, while also providing a platform for the young voices within our municipality.
Representing a range of ideas, Ascent is a celebration of the creativity, ingenuity, anduniqueperspectivesoflocalemerging talent.
Ascent 2025 opened on 6 October and will run until 12 December at CS Gallery, 193-201 Caroline Springs Boulevard, Caroline Springs.
Entry is free, and a full list of opening timesforCSGallerycanbeviewedonline.
Details: pgav.org.au/CS-Gallery~9033
Experience the diversity of Myanmar at festival
People from near and far are welcome to attendtheMyanmarMulticulturalFestival inWerribeeonSaturday8November.
The event will be a diverse showcase of the art, embroidery and culinary gems found across the ethnic minorities of Myanmar – which include the Karen, Karenni, Arakanese and Chin, Kachin, communities.
Starting at 9.30am and running until 5pm, the free event includes displays of traditional music, dance, basket weaving and a volleyball competition for young refugees who have fled persecution in Myanmar.
People will have the chance to view and purchasetraditionalart.
Alison Mynard, a psychologist who works closely with many refugees from the Southeast Asian country, said it is a communityasstrongasitiskind.
“This community of combined ethnic minorities from Myanmar have been throughexceptionalhardshipandtraumas
thatareunimaginable,”MsMynardsaid.
“However,despitethesedifficultiesthese communities continue to show kindness and compassion to one another, coming togethertosupporttheircommunitieswho are in refugee camps along the Borders of Myanmar.
MsMynardalsocommendedthediverse community’s spirit and strength in giving their support for internally displaced people around Myanmar who continue to liveamongtheongoingconflict.
Running alongside the day, there will be a launch of suicide awareness and positive mentalhealthmessagescampaignthrough BlackDogRideandNextDoorArtisans.
Thiswillbedeliveredinthethreedifferent languagesoftheethnicminorities.
The festival will be held at 10-12 Bridge Street in Werribee, so come along and get toknowatapestryofcultures.
Get ready for a night of raw emotion and electrifying energy as western suburbs singer, songwriter, producer and DJ, Shristy, previews her upcomingEPFracturedinFootscray.
A vibrant newcomer to Melbourne’s music scene, Shristy grew up in a house where musicals from 70s Indian cinema constantly reverberatedthecorridors.
From a young age she began dabblinginmusic,usingsongwriting anddancetocreateescapistrealities. The result is a diverse musical palette that is deeply influenced by 2000s pop icons, experimental electro-pop sub genres and world music.
That diverse palette will be on full display when Shristy gives Fractured it’s live debut at Mama Chen’s in Footscrayon6November.
Audience members can expect soaring vocals, pulsing beats, and a performance that bleeds honesty as Shristy takes them on a journey of heartbreak through pop-punk, electronic,andhyperpopsounds.
Before she doe so though, support actsKenShingandDJBrandyJaywill get punters moving with infectious popandsoulfulgrooves.
Afterwards, DJ HOZ3EMPIC will close the night with a hyperpop afterparty.
Shristy’s’FracturedEP’livelaunch is from 7.30pm to 10pm on Thursday, 6 November at Mama Chen’s, 42a AlbertStreet,Footscray.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchasedonlineoronthedoor.
Details and bookings: https:// mammachens.com.au/25-11-06shristy/
Ma Hla Htoo and La Pree showcasing traditional weaving. (Alison Mynard)
Participants from Beyond Disability Services’ program ‘Beyond Broadway’ are putting on a show at the Bowery Theatre. (Damjan Janevski). 512515_03
Western suburbs singer-songwriter Shristy will launch her new EP in Footscray on 6 November. (Supplied)
Melton Christian College year 10 student Olivia. (Supplied)
Save on Viking’s Spring sale
By Lee McCarthy
VIKING is holding its Spring Sale where a companion can fly free on its 2026, 2027 and 2028 voyages.
This special offer is on Viking River voyages and Viking Expedition voyages and the only thing to decide is who to take.
Let’s whet the appetite with some of the magnificentdestinationsonoffertogetthe ball rolling.
The special offers are available if booked before 1 December on 2026, 2027 or 2028 sailings those who get in quick can save up to AU$2,400 per couple on some 2025 voyages.
Viking voyages offer a different kind of journey. With no kids, no casinos, just award-winning small ships designed for cultural exploration, guests can discover the world in comfort, with immersive itineraries and refined Scandinavian design.
Special offers on Viking Expedition Voyages include Antarctic Explorer from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia for thirteen days.
How about Canada and the Northwest Passage from Nuuk to Toronto, Ontario for twenty-seven days including eight tours?
One of the current highly sought after expeditions is the thirteen-day round trip Nuuk, Greenland with eight tours included.
On this fantastic trip guests discover Nuuk’s open-air murals and sculptures. Nuuk is home to one of the world’s largest fjords, the Nuup Kangerlua Fjord, whose waters are brimming with marine life; whale sightings are commonplace in these waters. Visitors to Nuuk come to enjoy nature,hikingalongthedramaticcoastline or exploring the fjord by boat or kayak. Its rugged landscape is dotted with colourful houses, set amid a beautiful backdrop of the Sermitsiaq mountain.
The city’s architectural highlights are centred around Colonial Harbor, with its
plethora of colourful residences.
Hear stories of Greenlandic heritage and indulge in a spread of traditional Greenlandic dishes while enjoying a local storyteller as they share insights about Greenland’s history.
While in Greenland delve into the heritage of the sled dog and gain an appreciation for its role in Greenlandic culture or discover the rich history of the Inuit people who have lived in the region for thousands of years through their traditional clothing and artistic heritage.
Pond Inlet in Nunavut, Canada is a gateway to Sirmilik National Park, “the place of the glaciers” in the local language. Covering more than 8,400 sq m., the park is a declared migratory bird sanctuary and supports an array of Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, wolves, narwhals and beluga whales.
Another popular expedition is the brand-new Panama Canal and the Americas, a twenty adventure from SantiagotoNewYorkCitywithsixfantastic tours.
Enjoy stops at San Salvador, Man of War Bay (Bahamas), Port Antonio (Jamaica), Panama City, Lima, Iquique and Santiago sailing the crystalline waters of the Caribbean Sea.
Thisisatrulyexceptionalcruiseandone on many travelers’ bucket list and includes the companion flies free offer on 2026 to 2028 voyages.
Canada is one of Australia’s favourite destinations and this Canadian Discovery expedition will not disappoint. A thirteen-day tour from just $13,195 pp.
Leaving from New York City and sailing the Atlantic Ocean, enjoy the beauty and history of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Quebecwhilesavouringthediversityofthe
food scenes in Toronto.
For those looking for a river cruise, travelers are spoilt for choice again with the fifteen-day Rhine Getaway; the eleven-day Romantic Danube; a cruise to France’s Finest for fifteen days or perhaps Christmas on the Rhine and Moselle for twelve days!
Guests can indulge in a Pharaohs and Pyramids twelve-day roundtrip or the Magnificent Mekong for fifteen days or perhaps an eight-day Mississippi Delta Explorer might be more appealing?
Viking have so many exciting cruises heading out in 2026, 2027 and 2028 so whether an Ocean Voyage, a River Voyage or an Expedition Voyage is calling out, Viking has it covered.
Find the perfect cruise now by visiting www.viking.com or by phoning 138 747 Offer expires 1 December 2025. Save up to AU$2,500 per booking.
The stunning La Mauricie National Park Panorama. (Supplied)
Don’t miss the chance to experience a breathtaking Greenlandic sled dog visit.
Take the chance to enjoy kayaking in Ilulissat with guides to help you enjoy.
Indulge in a spread of traditional Greenlandic dishes.
Be awed by the Inuit Culture while on your expedition with Viking.
7 Nights
Full-Board River Cruise
3 night Murray River cruise on board PS Murray Princess with all meals and sightseeing
Tour of Murray River Bridge and historic Roundhouse
Guided nature walk of Salt Bush Flat
Taste Riverland food and wine
Dragon-Fly flat-bottomed boat wildlife tour
Hotel Stays
3 nights four-star hotel stay in Adelaide with breakfast
1 night four-star hotel stay in Kangaroo Island with breakfast, lunch and dinner
Fully Escorted
Barossa Valley Tours
Full day Barossa Valley tour with lunch and wine tastings including:
Saltram wine estate, lunch and wine tasting at Lambert Estate, visit to Barossa Valley Chocolate Company, photo stop at Menglers Hill Lookout, vineyard tour & wine tasting at Jacob’s Creek visitor centre, stop at Beerenberg Farm, and free time in Hahndorf to explore the historic German settlement
Fully Escorted Kangaroo Island Tours
2 day Kangaroo Island tour including: Emu Ridge Eucalyptus
Distillery, Clifford’s Honey Farm, In-Flight Birds of Prey Display at Raptor Domain, Seal Bay
Conservation Park guided beach walk, lunch at Emu Bay Lavender Farm, Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, and Flinders Chase National Park
All Flights, Taxes & Transfers
ICONS OF THE VIKING AGE
Bergen to Copenhagen or vice versa
22 DAYS | 8 COUNTRIES
17 GUIDED TOURS
SET SAIL: JUL 2027; MAY-AUG 2028
From $21,195pp in Veranda Stateroom
From $26,195pp in Penthouse Veranda
Oslo to Copenhagen or vice versa
15 DAYS | 8 COUNTRIES
10 GUIDED TOURS
SET SAIL: JUL 2027; MAY, JUN, AUG 2028
From $14,195pp in Veranda Stateroom
From $17,195pp in Penthouse Veranda
Stockholm to Copenhagen or vice versa
8 DAYS | 6 COUNTRIES
5 GUIDED TOURS
SET SAIL: JUN-AUG 2027; MAY-AUG 2028
From $8,695pp in Veranda Stateroom
From $10,195pp in Penthouse Veranda
VIKING SKY, EIDFJORD, NORWAY
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
WANT YOUR EVENT LISTED? Community Calendar is made available free of charge to not-for-profit organisations to keep the public informed of special events and activities. Send item details to Star Weekly Community Calendar, Corner Thomsons Road and Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park, 3042, or email to westeditorial@starweekly.com.au by 9am Wednesday the week prior to publication
Nature Connection
Nature Connection for adults with disability and their carers can reduce stress and boost wellbeing. Spend time in beautiful parkland with activities designed for you. Light refreshments. Mobility aids welcome. Led by Dr Liz Cyarto, certified nature and forest therapy guide. The session is free to attend and will take place at the Lakes Reserve, Taylors Lakes, on November 6 from 10am-noon.
bit.ly/NatureSessionsBrimbank or 0481 977 970
Craft Market
The Lakes Estate retirement community is hosting a craft market day with handmade knitted items, crocheted blankets, homemade cakes and slices, plants, pickles, relishes and jams, and handmade cards for sale. The market will take place on Friday 14 November from 10am-1pm at the community centre on 800 Kings Road, Taylors Lakes.
Deer Park Christmas Carols
Sunshine Community Brass (Band) and the Lions Club of Deer Park present “Christmas Carols 2025” to be held at Sassella Park, 119 Station Road, Deer Park on Saturday 6 December, including a visit from Santa, face-painting, a wheelbarrow raffle, glo-sticks, glo-bracelets, Lions Christmas cakes and a traditional BBQ. The fun starts at 7pm. Free entry and BYO chairs.
Brimbank Men’s Health Project
Learn how to respond with confidence in an emergency. This informative session covers basic first aid skills, wound care, and how to recognise and respond to common medical emergencies such as heart attacks, stroke, and diabetic episodes. The session will run from 12.30-1.30pm on Monday 10 November at Westvale Community Centre, 45 Kings Road, Kings Park.
tinyurl.com/52j3998j
Village Night Market
Shop local and support small businesses. The market will run on Wednesday 12 November, from 6 to 9pm, at Keilor Bowls Club, 2 Mercedes Street, Keilor. Entry is a gold coin donation, which goes to a different charity each month.
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
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
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.
0427 495 584
Over 50’s club
The Keilor Over 50’s Recreation Club meets at Kealba Hall, 24 McShane Drive, Kealba, on Tuesdays, from 10am-3pm, and Wednesdays, from 7-10pm. Have a coffee and a chat, play social table tennis, pool and card games, go on organised outings and enjoy barbecues. First two visits are free then annual membership fees apply.
Graeme, 0404 809 640, keilorover50@gmail.com, or www.keilorover50.com.au
Keilor Park Tennis Club social night
Join the club on Monday nights for a free social hit and get to know other club members. All levels are welcome. Female players are also required for Thursday competition from 10am-2pm and also for the B-grade mixed team on Wednesday, 7-9pm.
keilorparktennis@gmail.com
Brimbank Book Group
Be inspired by thought-provoking books with a group of like-minded, literary fans with our Brimbank Book Group. All
welcomed. This group, for adults, meets on the first Monday of the month, from 2-3 pm, at Deer Park library. Bookings are not essential, but please feel free to register your interest.
library@brimbank.vic.gov.au
Create & Chat
Dig out your craft projects and get inspiration from fellow like-minded crafters with the create and chat sessions at Sunshine Library, from 10-11am, on the first Tuesday of every month. All skill levels are welcome.
library@brimbank.vic.gov.au
National seniors meeting
On the first Wednesday of every month at 1.30pm, the metro west branch of national seniors meets at the 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
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
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/
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
Card games
Love playing the card game 500? Card games are played every Monday, from 7-10pm, at the Sunshine RSL offices, 99 Dickson Street, Sunshine. Leisa, 0425 768 808
This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of Werribee Primary School year teacher Trent Archer and students Loraine and Craigette celebrating the school’s AFL School of the Year award. (Damjan Janevski) 513802_01
SPORTS QUIZ
1. Which Matildas star recently notched up 100 games played for the national team?
2. Who will captain the Australian cricket team in the upcoming first Ashes Test?
3. The Jillaroos defeated which nation 60-0 in a recent Pacific Championships Test?
4. Which sporting league recently had a player and a coach caught up in a betting scandal?
5. Who will coach Western Australia in their 2026 AFL State of Origin match against Victoria?
6. What is the nickname of the NHL ice hockey team based in Anaheim?
7. What weather event halted Round 11 AFLW matches in both Queensland and Victoria?
How many matches comprised the 2025 Constellation Cup series between Australia and New Zealand?
Which driver recently knocked Oscar Piastri off top spot on the Formula 1 Championship leaderboard?
Port Adelaide forward Indy Tahau recently set what AFLW record?
Which Sydney Swans AFLW star’s season was cut short by a back
What was the final score of the Matildas’ recent victory against the Wales national women’s football team?
13. 2025 NBA No.1 draft pick Cooper Flagg plays for which Western Conference team?
14. Brothers Bernie and Doug Bolger represent Australia in which obscure sport?
15. Who captained the Matildas while Sam Kerr recovered from her ACL injury?
16. Who has been named the 92nd captain of the Wallabies?
17. Minjee Lee recently led Australia to international victory in which golf event?
18. Retired English cricketer Stephen Finn has released a memoir with what title?
19. Which soccer team recently fired its head coach after an eightgame winless streak in Serie A?
20. Australian darts star Simon Whitlock goes by what nickname?
21. Indian cricket star Shreyas Iyer suffered an injury to what internal organ following a diving catch in the recent final ODI against Australia?
22. After a poor start to the season, Brendan Rodgers has resigned as manager of which premiership soccer club?
23. Dwayne Johnson stars as which real-life MMA fighter in TheSmashing Machine?
24. Which AFL club has the longest name?
25. Outside hitter, libero and setter are all positions in which sport?
26. What materials are clay pigeons typically made out of?
27. Is Alex de Minaur, Nick Kyrgios or Alexei Popyrin currently Australia’s top male tennis player?
28. As of the 2026 season, how many teams will compete in the Super League?
29. In which city would you find the WACA Ground stadium?
30. Who holds the men’s world record for the 100m sprint?
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ACROSS
1 Kitchen appliance (6)
4 Vows (8) 10 Melodramatic show (4,5)
11 Fact of being elsewhere (5)
12 Reflected sound (4) 13 Persistently attempt to sell (4) 14 Colloquialism (5)
16 Summit (4) 17 Women’s underwear and nightwear (8)
20 Lawyer (8) 22 Swear (4)
25 Two-armed cooking implement (5) 26 Nailed (4) 28 Heroic story (4) 30 Breed of dog (5) 31 Copying (9) 32 Eavesdropped (8) 33 Freedom from risk or danger (6) DOWN
1 Romantic touches with the lips (6) 2 Windpipe (7)
3 Be ominously close (4) 5 Holiday by car (4,4) 6 Significant (10)
7 More exciting; more fragrant (7) 8 Swayed (8)
Sampler (4) 15 Developing backwards (10) 18 Strategic (8)
19 Calming drug (8)
21 Flat, frozen wastelands (7)
23 Steady (7)
24 Awkward (6)
27 Revise (4)
29 US space agency (1,1,1,1)
Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included
In what country was composer Ludwig van Beethoven
7
2001 or 2004?
8 Actress Maggie Smith (pictured) played which character in the Harry Potter movie franchise?
9 In the equation E=mc2, what does the ‘m’ stand for?
10 Which Renaissance artist painted the fresco Assumption oftheVirgin?
Fronx an appealing little car
By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring
Not sure what to make of the Suzuki Fronx. ItsharesaplatformwiththeSuzukiSwift, so it could be described as the crossover version of Swift.
The Fronx name is a portmanteau of ‘Frontier Next’ which was trademarked by Suzuki way back in 2014.
They are a bit slow off the mark but apparently the idea was to create an SUV that is widely accepted by the market with existing resources, which could explain some things.
Suzuki describes Fronx as the most comprehensively equipped Suzuki model ever offered in Australia, pairing premium styling with the advanced features you’d normally expect in higher-end cars.
Let’s see.
There’s just the one model priced from $29,990 driveaway. Premium paint adds $745 to the price; two-tone paint which combines a black roof with a second colour is $1345.
Our test vehicle was finished in the two-tone combination of Bluish Black Pearl over Splendid Silver Pearl Metallic.
Standard kit includes single-zone climate air, combination cloth and leather accented trim, leather transmission shift and steering wheel, heated manual-adjust front seats and keyless entry and start.
There are also 16-inch alloys with 195/60 profile rubber, LED head and daytime running lights, adaptive cruise control, auto high beam, traffic sign recognition and rear parking sensors.
Fronxiscoveredbyafive-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and five years of roadside assistance.
Service is due every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first. No mention of fixed price servicing.
Styling
Fronx is an attractive little vehicle.
One of those in-betweeners, not quite a hatch but certainly not an SUV.
It’s just under four metres in length with a 2520mm wheelbase and weighs 1064kg.
Infotainment
Infotainment comes in the form of a smallish 9.0-inch touchscreen. It features Bluetooth, steering wheel controls, AM/ FM and DAB+ digital radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and generic six-speaker sound.
Separatecontrolsareprovidedfortheair, but no physical volume control is provided for the audio.
Navigation is not included and while we have objected strongly to manufacturers dropping this feature in the past, the advent of wireless CarPlay and Android Auto largely fills this role - EXCEPT that is when you leave civilisation behind and phone reception becomes patchy. Alas, then you’re on your own.
There’s also wireless phone charging, USB-A and 12-volt sockets in the front, plus two USB-C sockets in the back.
Fronx has not been tested for safety yet.
Infact,theonlySuzukitocurrentlycarry a rating from ANCAP is the Swift hatch and it mustered only three stars.
However, it comes with a comprehensive suite of driver assist features including six airbags, head-up display, a 360-degree reverse camera and auto emergency braking.
Dual Sensor Brake Support II employs radar and a camera to detect vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians directly or diagonally ahead of the vehicle.
If a collision is likely, audio and visual warnings alert the driver. If the driver doesn’t brake hard enough, brake assist steps in to automatically help slow the vehicle.
And, if the probability of a collision increases,thesystemautomaticallyapplies brakeforcetohelpreduceimpactforceand mitigate damage.
There’s also Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Monitor and Weaving Alert.
Two ISOFix child seat anchors and three top tethers are provided in the rear.
Engines/transmissions
The 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine develops 76kW at 6000 rpm and 137Nm of torque at 4400 rpm, with the assistance of a 12-volt mild-hybrid system.
It’s paired with a six-speed automatic, with drive to the front wheels.
Interior
Rear legroom is generous for a vehicle this size, but at the expense of luggage capacity.
The elevated rear seat limits headroom and rear seat passengers unfortunately miss out on their own air outlets.
Cargo capacity is 304 litres with the rear seats upright, or 605 litres with them folded, with a multi-level floor that hides a space saver spare.
It’s a tight little chassis with a low centre of gravity and Fronx handles surprisingly well, given the limitations of the simple torsion bar rear suspension.
There are paddle shifters for changing gear manually as well as a Sport button on
the centre console.
In other markets Fronx is available with all-wheel drive, but that would impact the price.
Driving
Suzuki is slow to respond to feedback, or is just not listening, because the car comes with the same old transmission shift that has attracted criticism in the past.
The problem is that dragging the shift backwardstoputthecarintoDriveislikely to engage manual mode if you pull too hard, and there’s no lock out to stop this from occurring.
The result is a car that revs loudly, demanding a gear change that is not going to happen until you realise what is going on.
Putting anything in the two cupholders ahead of the transmission shift makes it difficult to move the shift into park. Seriously, guys?
The instrument cluster is basic, with old school analogue gauges for the tacho and speedometer, separated by a small informational panel.
It offers a surprising array of choices, somesuchasG-forceareperhapsirrelevant to the average driver.
Using Android Auto to navigate locks the information panel to map directions and in the process locks out the digital speedo, justwhenyouareprobablygoingtoneedit.
The head-up display is of the cheaper, flip-up variety, but at least it works.
Better still, you can actually see it wearing polarised sunglasses.
Light steering and a compact 9.6-metre turning circle make it an okay car for
getting around town, as long as you’re an undemanding driver.
But a lack of power and especially torque sees it struggle outside of town where you are more likely to encounter hilly terrain and have the need to overtake.
Engaging Sport mode is a bit frenetic for prolonged use, but you can get the car really moving quite well if you elect to change gears manually.
The majority of drivers are unlikely to persist with this option, but letting the transmission do its thing sees it slip back into a torque hole.
Thecardoesn’treallygetgoingwithoutat least 2300 revs on the dial.
As we mentioned, it’s a good chassis and could easily accommodate a more powerful drivetrain. It deserves it.
Although the driver assist features aren’t too intrusive, there was one incident where auto braking activated for no apparent reasonasweroundedadescendinghairpin bend - not once but three times.
With a 37-litre tank it takes standard 91 unleaded and with auto engine stop-start, fuelconsumptionisaclaimed4.9L/100km. We were getting 5.7L/100km after 533km - not bad but not as good as a Toyota.
Summing up
There’s a great car inside the Fronx waiting to get out. It could be so much more and is crying out for further investment.
On our wish list is a more powerful engine, a digital instrument cluster and a reorganisation of the infotainment system.
The original four quadrant system nailed simplicity, this one is just confusing. Just saying.
There is a great car inside the Fronx waiting to get out. (Pictures: Supplied)
Before many people headed away for the Melbourne Cup long weekend, they had to fit in their sporting commitments. There was plenty of sun for Saturday’s play with Star Weekly photographer LJUBICA VRANKOVIC out shooting some of the action.
A long weekend of action
Westmeadows’ Pathem De Mel. 514168_03
Werribee Giants’ Jamie Brereron and coach Megan Fahy. 514157_08
Werribee Giants’ Desiree Sulufaiga. 514157_02
Watching on the sidelines at Hansen Reserve. 514168_17
Point Cook players wait to bat. 514159_15
Druids’ Sonara Pilippuhewa. 514171_16
Melton South Royals’ Joshua Sutton. 514174_05
Keilor Park celebrates a wicket. 514174_03
Keilor Park’s Corey Dennehy. 514174_01
Point Cook Centrals’ Reyansh Jain. 514159_02
Sunshine’s Altamash Zaheer. 514171_01
Rovers turn to former player Sozer as their new coach
By Tara Murray
New Albion Rovers coach Salih Sozer couldn’t turn down the opportunity to coach at a club where he played so much soccer.
Sozer wasn’t planning on coaching senior soccer this but when the Rovers came asking about the FV state league 2 north-west coaching role, things quickly changed.
“It was a little unexpected, but it’s good to be home,” the new coach said. “I didn’t expect it.
“I wasn’t really looking at the moment and it was too good to say no.
“It’s my junior club and I used to play herewhenIwasyounger.Ihavethatfamily connection and played there for a long time.“
Sozer said he had planned on coaching his son next year at Hume City, but the
plans changed when the Rovers reached and he took on the role.
He said it was nice to give back to a club that had given him so much.
“I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “It will be a challenge and I’m excited to work with the new people there.
“There’s a new committee, new coaches. It will be a journey but the right people are there to drive the club forward.”
The Rovers finished fifth in 2025, with the three top teams breaking away from the pack.
Sozer said they were keen to build on what they did this season.
“The top three were quite strong,” he said.“Halfwaythroughtheseasontheclub was right up there, but that’s sport.
“Things happen and we want to extend on what they did this year. The goal is to improvebutweareundernoillusionitwill be a strong competition.
“We’re not taking anything for granted. We’ll need a bit of luck along the way.”
Sozer said they were looking to build a new side for next season.
The big focus for him and the committee going forward was to ensure their juniors know there’s a pathway into senior soccer.
“Every year you have to keep adapting and complement the squad,” he said.
“We have our own aspirations and want toplayhigherup. There’splayerswhohave lefttobiggerandbetterthingsandifwecan assist them do that, we’re doing something right for the journey.
“We’ll bring some new players in, a blend of youth and experience and we’ll be promoting some of the younger boys.
“It’s a philosophy of mine and the other coaches. We want to look to grow within through our juniors.
“We have the talent in the club and we want to reward it.”
United stars move on
By Anna Harrington, AAP
Alana Cerne and Adriana and Melissa Taranto were once the faces of Western United’sbig,boldA-LeagueWomenvision. Now, they and their former teammates are scattered across the league after that visionfellapart.
United, who had issues paying players for months, were stripped of their A-Leagues licence in August, then later handed a wind-uporderfromtheAustralianTaxation Office.
It was devastating for Western Sydney recruit Cerne, who was United’s first player in2022andhailsfromMelbourne’swestern suburbs.
“I was the first signing, so obviously the clubmeantalottome,”CernetoldAAP.
“It’s difficult seeing things happen like that to people who put their heart and soul into trying to make it work, not just for us, butasaclub.”
The late decision on United’s future left players scrambling for spots at clubs that hadlargelyfilledtheirrosters.
ItwasasituationMatildasstrikerMichelle Heyman described as “one of the cruellest thingsthat’shappenedinfootball.”
“It was honestly months and months of just stress and the unknown,“ Melissa TarantotoldAAP.
“One day it was ’we’re fine, and we’re gonna all be together and starting pre-season’ and the next day it was, ’I don’t thinkit’sgonnahappen’.”
Contractedplayerscouldn’tspeaktoother clubsuntilUnitedwereputintohibernation fortheupcomingseason.
“We were very much let down with how the club went about it,” Adriana Taranto toldAAP.“Ithinkitwasnotinthecontrolof a lot of people at the club. So even when us playerswouldgoandaskpeopleattheclub, they didn’t really have a clear message to to giveus,whichisjustasfrustratingforthem.
“Therewasalotofoutsidethingsthatwere happening that weren’t communicated clearly to the people that work at Western, letalonetheplayers.
“So we were a bit disappointed in not really getting the honest situation of what was really going on and, again, we had a little bit of false hope, and feeling that everythingwasgoingtobeOK.
“And then it was all of a sudden like ’nah, you’vegottoallgofindanotherjob.”
The midfield duo, both teachers, have
Lions secure VFL talent
Nick Ebinger will call Deer Park home next season as one of three Victorian Football League players set to commit to the Lions full time for the Essendon District Football League premier division season.
Ebinger, who called the Lions his local club this season, has committed to Deer Park in a big boost for the club.
“AftereightyearsatWilliamstown football club, 120 plus games, awarded best player in the clubs 2019 Grand final campaign the highly rated forward Nick Ebinger has made Deer Park his home,” the Lions said on social media.
“Nick is a super strong one on one playerwithincrediblebodystrength and the innate ability to kick goals when the team is in bad need.
“The club is over the moon to attract such an outstanding talent who along with his partner in crime Jack Noonan who is full time next year will excite the Deer Park faithful every Saturday afternoon.”
EbingerplayednineVFLgamesin 2025 including one final.
Noonan played eight VFL games this year before being part of the Lions run in the back half of the season.
joined Adelaide United and left their school jobswhentheRedscamecalling.
AfterkickstartingtheircareersatWestern, they believe Adelaide can challenge for silverware.
Adriana also hopes to build on her first two Matildas caps and push for Asian Cup selection.
“I don’t see why we can’t be be up there,” she said. “If I can be successful in this team and help this team, it’s obviously going to probablyhelpmeshineaswell.”
Cerne wants to help the Wanderers reach finals, starting with Friday’s season opener against Perth Glory, where she’ll face ex-UniteddefenderJuliaSardo.
Fellow defenders Grace Maher (Melbourne Victory) and Aimee Medwin (Brisbane Roar) are among others to find newhomes.
“Not everyone got an opportunity to play again, which is disappointing, but it was good to see that a lot of the girls found clubs,”Cernesaid.
“Everyone’severywhere.
“It’s gonna be weird - every second week when we play against another team, you’re going to see one of the girls that you used to playwith.”
The Lions also announced that Tom Mundy had committed to the club full time for 2026.
Mundy has been on Williamstown’s list the past two seasons.
He played two games with Deer Park this year.
“Nick, Jack and Tom add more strengthtotheclubstopendlistthat include Ling Jong, Trent McKenzie, Jake McKenzie, Billy Cannolo, Hayden Gill, Jackson Barling, Luke Schiccatano, Bailey Morrish, Josh Cooper and Diesel Maloney who have all played multiple games at AFL and or VFL Level.
“Along with stalwarts captain Spiros [Amarintidis], best and fairest winner Mark Galea, multiple premiership players, Aaron Britten and possibly the best backman in the comp Kier Bol, with our continueddevelopmentoftheseven under-18 players who tasted senior footballin2025,theclubisontarget to continue to match it in the strong EDFL competition.”
Adriana Tarnanto. (Football Australia)
Salih Sozer. (Albion Rovers)
Eagles women are embracing their chance to impress
Sunshine Eagles’ women’s program is continuing to grow with the club fielding twoteamsintheBaseballVictoriawomen’s north-west competition.
After having one side last season, the Eagles had big growth across the off season that they now have the numbers for a second side.
Bothareplayinginthesamecompetition this season.
Eagles’ Peter Beer said it was exciting to see the growth in the program and setting a pathway for those coming through.
“It’s really good,” he said. “We have a more experienced team and we have a development team which is good.
“The development group is mainly 15-16-year-oldswithacoupleofolderfaces.
“A couple of the girls in the development side were in the only team we had last season and with the more experienced women didn’t get much of a go.
“Theyarenowdoingeverything.Fielding in the infield, pitching and catching. We’re hoping they’ll develop into a team that can stick together for a number of years.”
BeersaidtheplayersintheBluesaidthey had been playing for a while and it showed on the scoreboard.
The side is yet to lose a game and were sitting 4-0 on top of the ladder.
It had a 23-3 win on Saturday against DCBC-GMBC.
Beer said they had been expecting to have a good result against DCBC-GMBC
which is one of the lower sides.
Among the runs was a home run to Kat Salkovic.
With the start to the season, Beer said they had now set their sights on going out and winning the premiership.
The development side, or White side, is
Heights’ kids shine
By Tara Murray
Sunshine Heights’ focus on bringing through its young stars in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association continues.
With a strong junior program, Heights has seen more of those players step into the senior ranks.
Heights president Giulio Venditti said it was exciting for the club.
“We’ve got some new recruits and new kids playing,” he said.
“We’ve continued the momentum with the kids and recruited some older players to be like mentors.
“Our under-17s have won premierships the last two seasons and they are now ready for senior cricket.
“It can be challenging at times with first year players. It’s a lot about growth and learning so there will be challenges throughout the year.”
Venditti said they’d had five players set up from juniors in to seniors this season, with most playing in the top two sides.
He said it was about them getting confidence in senior cricket, making some runs and taking wickets and looking to
push them towards the top side either this season or into the future.
For many of the youngsters, it’s the first time they have played full two-day cricket which presents a new challenge.
“They would usually play 25-30 overs in junior level and it increases in under-17s,”
Venditti said.
“There’s a lot more two-day cricket and you have to concentrate for a lot longer. They’ve never played 80 over cricket at junior level.
“It’s a fitness and mental thing. A few are getting used to it being their second year.”
Heights has started the Clark Shield season with three losses.
Venditti said before the weekend’s match they were competitive in the first match and it could have been either way being a one-dayer against Laverton.
It then lost to East Coburg in the second game in a two-dayer.
“It could have gone either way against Laverton, but their older heads got them over the line,” he said.
“We were in it for about 30 overs [each innings].
“In the two-dayer we faced East Coburg
currently without a win after four games.
On Saturday, the Eagles lost to Essendon, 16-6.
Essendon scored seven runs in the first innings and the Eagles couldn’t come back from that.
Beer said development was the biggest thing for that side.
“They are batting well, their pitching is good as is the catching,” he said. “They’re making a few errors in the field that are letting them down. Hopefully they’ll continue to improve and can win a couple of games along the way.”
The White team will play DCBC-GMBC this Saturday while the Blue team will follow them at Barclay Reserve as it faces Fitzroy Gold.
Meanwhile on Saturday in the men’s premier 1 first nine competition, Sunshine remains undefeated after beating Blackburn, 3-0.
The Eagles are the only undefeated team after five rounds.
Sunshine faces Fitzroy this Saturday in round six.
Sports shorts
Western FL
The Western Football Netball League season will kick off on the weekend of 10 April. Both the women’s and men’s football competitions will kick off on 11 April, with the netball competition, which is set to expand again, kicking off the night before.
EDFL
The Essendon District Football League has released its dates for next year’s season. EDFL action will again run from April to September with Easter falling the weekend before round one for all competitions, which is set for 10-12 April. Grand finals will be played every weekend from the thirds on 7 August, through to the men’s premier division decider on 19 September. Premier and division 1 men will remain four week finals series, while it will be three week finals series for the other competitions.
EDFL
which I think is the team to beat this season.
“They got knocked off in the grand final last year.
“T was a learning curve.”
Heights was set to face Pascoe Vale Central on Saturday in a one-dayer.
It was another tough day for the Heights.
They were bowled out for 117 with Pascoe Vale Central finishing 2-118 in reply.
Venditti said they were an unknown side coming up from the lower division.
Hesaidwhileithadn’tbeenthestartthey were after, they were still focused on what they wanted to achieve this season.
“We are still planning on planning to make finals,” he said. “We want to get better every game and see what happens.
“Results will then look after itself from this week going forward but there’s more do.
“We’re a bit more confident and things are looking good.”
Meanwhile, Sunshine YCW lost to Seabrook.
The Cougars made 7-191 before Seabrook made the runs in the final over, finishing 4-192.
St Albans has announced its second new signing for next year’s Essendon District Football League division 1 season. Madix Perry joins the club having played 200 games of country footy and cracking into the seniors from seventeen at both Navarre and Moyston Willaura. “His toughness at the contest and versatility will make him a great addition to our club,” he said.
Bowls
Keilor got its first win on the board in the Bowls Victoria weekend pennant division 2, section 1 competition on Saturday. After a first up loss to Werribee, Keilor bounced back with a 75 (14)-68 (4) win against Essendon 2. Mark Jacobsen and Frank Bellino were the winning skips for Keilor.
NWMCA
Kealba-Green Gully has its first win of the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association George Luscombe Shield season. Facing Aintree, the Cougars restricted them to 9-141 before finishing 6-142 in reply. Dr Alamgir made 61 not out for the Cougars.
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Tara Murray
Sunshine Eagles two women’s sides. (Lee Dare/Sunshine Baseball)
Mitchell Roshier is one of the young players in the team. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 456806_14
Lions show perfect response against Box Hill after loss
Taylors Lakes bounced back from a nightmare result to return to the winners list in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west on Saturday.
The Lions dropped their round two match against Melton, but there would be no repeat this time around against Box Hill in a one-dayer.
Lions coach Peter Brasher said they could have easily been 3-0 instead of 2-1 but had taken some things out of the first three rounds.
“We took a few lessons out of the game [against Melton] that maybe we needed,” he said. “We got back on the horse so to speak”
Playing in a one-dayer on Saturday, the Lions put on 4-227 on Saturday as they batted on their home deck for the first time this season.
Skipper Steffan Roberts was the rock in the innings as he made 100 off 142 balls as all the batters managed to get starts.
“He will bat better, but he did what the team needed,” Brasher said. “It was a
captain’s knock which the team needed.
“I’m happy for him, it’s the first 100 he’s scored since he’s been here.”
The move of Roberts to the top of the order was part of the Lions thinking of having different line ups depending on the format.
Arjun Upadhyay, who had a strong performanceondebutlastround,dropped down the order.
Brashersaidtheywouldlookatdifferent roles for him.
“We kept him in the team but he didn’t get a bat which is a little frustrating for the team,” he said.
“If you don’t get a bat though, it’s good for the team and we’re looking at the big picture.”
Brasher said anytime you get more than 200 in a one-day game the total is competitive.
He said they could have had another 25 runs or so on the board.
Box Hill was bowled out for 204 in its final over.
“We had a little bit of a flat period in the middle,” Brasher said. “We got off to a reasonable start with two wickets.
“They put on a partnership of about 65. We took a wicket when we needed one.”
Chalitha Chamoda took four wickets for the Lions.
Brasher said George Sakkas (3-31) and BenSoeradinata,whodidn’ttakeawicket, both played big roles with the ball as well.
He said everybody played a role in the win in some shape or form that was pleasing.
The Lions are back on the road this week, facing Balwyn in a one-dayer.
Saints get job done
By Tara Murray
St Albans not only picked up its first win of theVictorianTurfCricketAssociationsenior divisiononSaturday,butalsoitsfirstscalp.
After just missing out in the opening two rounds, the Saints shocked Sydenham-Hillside on Saturday to get on theboard.
Saints coach Paul Hetherington said finally getting a win on the board would givethegroupplentyofconfidence.
“We’re pretty happy,” he said. “It was a nicedayafterthestartthatwe’vehad.
“I think the group has been really good andupandabout.
“We had been competitive in both games and had opportunities to win them but we didn’ttakethem.
“We see the positives out of round one andtwoandwedidn’tlettheresultsholdus back.”
After winning the toss and deciding to bowlfirst,theSaintswereabletorestrictthe Stormto8-175fromitsovers.
Cam West top scored with 33 at the top of theorder.
Mitchell Pittaway, Hetherington and Lihan Dulshan took two wickets each for theSaints.
“We were really happy with that,” Hetherington said.”We got the better of the conditionsandthewicketthelongertheday wenton.
“They were 2-90 and it was a credit to our bowlers at the back end to not let them get away.”
The Saints were quickly 1-7 after losing thewicketofJohnMoon.
Sammika Perera and James Meggitt turned the game in the favour of the Saints as they put on 132 for the second wicket partnership.
Hetherington said the pair batted outstanding, with Perera having a chanceless innings while Meggitt only givingonechancewhichsawhimoutfor55.
Perera, who finished 92 not out, helped guide the Saints home as they finished 3-179.
Hetherington said while getting a win wasimportantitwasthemannertheydidit whichwasmostimpressive.
“It was really good by the boys,” he said.
“Itwasnotjustawin,itwasascalpaswell.
“They made a grand final two years ago andfinishedthirdlastyear.
“They are a quality side and we’re happy tobeatthem.”
Anthony Alleyne took two wickets for the Storm.
TheSaintsthisroundfaceAirportWestSt Christopher’sinatwo-dayclash.
Hetherington said they were a side they rated highly and it would be another good testforthem.
In other results, Deer Park remains undefeatedafterbeatingAltonaNorth.
The Lions made 6-334 from their overs with Aaron Shellie making 141 to make it back-to-backcenturies.
Altona North was bowled out for 174 in reply. Angelo Emmanuel took five wickets fortheLions.
Keilor suffered a loss to Airport West St Christopher’s.
The Blues were bowled out for just 118, with the Eagles making the runs with ease, finishing4-120.
MalithCooraywastheonlybattertoshow anyresistancefortheBlues,making53.
Dragons add experience
Sunshine Heights has added some more experience to its list for next year’s Western Football League division 2 season.
After making inroads this season, the Dragons have looked to sign some more pieces as it looks to return to playing finals.
Aaron Williams joins the club from Point Cook Centrals, where he was a premiership player and leading goalkicker in 2022.
“Aaron is a hybrid forward with plenty of smarts around goal, he also brings great leadership on and off the field with having played over 300seniorgames,”theDragonssaid on social media.
Bol Kolang will return to the Western Football League, having beenplayingwithStAlbansthepast fewseasonsintheEssendonDistrict Football League.
He will give the Dragons another option up forward next year.
“Bol comes to us from St Albans Football Club where he has played the past five years,” the Dragons said on social media.
“In that time he was the club’s leadinggoalkickerin2022and2023 and was awarded best finals player in 2023.
“Other senior accolades include a senior bnf [best and fairest] in division 1 and team of the year in division 1 in the WFNL.
Ruck John Atar will add some more height to the list for the Dragons.
He joins the club from Tungamah Football Club where he spent one year, but is well known for playing majority of his football at Parksidewherehewasa2023senior premiership player, part of the 2023 team of the year and came runner up in the club’s best and fairest.
Buddy Dettman is the other new signing announced by the Dragons so far.
He joins the club from Anakie. “He is a hard nosed defender that can also play midfield,” the Dragons said. “Buddy has a team first attitude and his leadership will be a huge asset to our playing group and football club.”
Tara Murray
Steffan Roberts. (Jacob Pattison) 374057_13
Sammika Perera. (Jacob Pattison)316223_01
