Star Weekly - Sunbury Macedon Ranges - 11th November 2025

Stealing the show

All eyes were on Kyneton on Wednesday for the annual Kyneton Cup. The event turned heads both on and off the fashion field, in one of the biggest social events on the calendar.

 For all the pics, turn to page four.

Hoping for a home

By Georgia Tacey

Riddells Creek Men’s Shed members are holding onto hope as they search for a permanent home.

The men’s shed – currently without a shed–maysoonhaveahomeattheformer Riddells Creek CFA site, if Macedon Ranges council can work out a deal with the state government.

The government has offered council the first right of refusal on the Riddells Creek CFA site at 67 Main Road, with the CFA in the process of obtaining a permit for a new

A report the to 22 October council meeting recommended council decline the offer but Cr Daniel Young put forward an alternative motion to request a time extension to the deadline.

ItalsorecommendedwritingtoMacedon

MP Mary-Anne Thomas requesting thorough consultation with the Riddells Creek Men’s Shed and the Riddells Creek Lions Club on the site’s future use.

Cr Young said while council officers said there was no money allocated in the budget to purchase this site, there is a real

need for the facility.

“When we get an opportunity such as this to have an asset stay in the local community and a couple of groups who are crying out for some attention, for someone to give them a home to call their own, I think we have a responsibility as a council to explore all those options,” he said.

The motion passed unanimously.

Riddells Creek Men’s Shed president Jeff Shepard welcomed the decision, saying it gave the group some much-needed hope.

“It’s the best news we’ve had for four

years trying to get a new men’s shed,” he said.

MrShepardsaidthegroupisalsowriting to Ms Thomas to share its story about its shed troubles.

“We’re in the process of canvassing her to see if (the state government) will donate it back to the community of Riddells Creek,” he said.

MrShepardsaidtheoriginalCFAsitewas funded by the Riddells Creek community as well as the state government, and he wants to see the building returned to the community.

Local Lady Of The Day winner Natalie Waters at the Kyneton Cup. (Damjan Janevski) 513445_01

fire station at 180 Main Road.

Speed bump call rejected

By Georgia Tacey

Residents seeking more protection for kangaroos on Sunbury’s Elizabeth Drive have been knocked back by Hume council.

Twenty-one residents wrote a joint letter to council in May requesting the installation of speed bumps on Elizabeth Drive between Wildflower Drive and Brigade Street, as well as asking for a traffic and wildlife impact assessment in the area.

The residents wrote that this section of road, near Pipit Way Playground, had become a hotspot for vehicle collisions with native wildlife, particularly kangaroos.

“We believe that the current road con-

ditions encourage speeding and that physical traffic calming measures are necessary to reduce vehicle speeds and raise driver awareness,” the residents said.

The residents, from Sunbury Fields Estate, said it was not only an environmental concern, but a public safety concern.

Council said in its report the section of road was previously assessed as part of the 2022/23 Sunbury North Local Area Traffic Management study, which was noted did not support the installation of traffic calming methods such as speed bumps.

This was due to the traffic volume, vehicle speeds and casualty crash data.

However, the wildlife assessment con-

ducted by council supported the installation of kangaroo warning signs, which have been installed.

The report was noted at the 27 October council meeting.

Two public comments were heard with one noting that the new signs were not enough.

“Two warning signs have been installed but only on the Pipit Way side of Elizabeth Drive,” resident Natalie Harrison said.

“If you’re travelling from the opposite direction, Wildflower Drive side, there are no signs at all.”

Cr Carly Moore said because the comments were submitted in advance she was

Long charity drive was all for ‘Mate’

Back from a trip of a lifetime, Brooke Smalley couldn’t be prouder of what her and her mother Lorraine achieved.

The duo recently returned from Daniher’s Drive, an annual fundraising trip aimed at raising awareness and funding for Motor Neuron Disease, run by FightMND.

The cause is close to their hearts, after they lost their husband and father Geoff ‘Mate’ Smalley to the disease.

In the lead up to the drive, Brooke and her family ensured Mate’s memory lived on, naming their team ‘Mate’s Crew’.

Setting off on 9 October, the duo joined 250 others for an epic four-day road trip, with this year’s ride travelling through

Sunbury

Marysville, San Remo and Torquay.

Brooke said she loved getting to know everyone on the journey.

“It was just a really incredible group of people,” she said.

“The majority of them have been affected by or impacted by Motor Neuron Disease, in some form. A lot of people have lost loved ones like ourselves to the disease, and are there to support in each in our grief, but also to raise money that will go towards research.

“To be amongst a group of people that understand what you’ve been through is an incredible thing to be a part of.”

Brooke and Lorraine managed to raise over $16,000 for the cause, smashing their

original goal of $10,000.

This was both Brooke and Lorraine’s first time doing Daniher’s Drive, and Brooke said she will definitely be back next year, when the parade tracks its way to South Australia.

“Its definitely something I’m gonna commit towards every year,” she said.

“Whether mum can come or not, I’m not too sure, but I’m definitely going to do it next year in its 10th year, it’s going to be a huge celebration.

“Once you’re in the FightMND family, I think you’re there for life, you’re wrapped up in a big warm hug from them and you just know that you’re not alone.”

SES searching for more volunteers to join the crew

Sunbury’s Unit of the State Emergency Service (SES) is calling on residents to step forward and join a team that keeps the community safe, not just on the frontline, but behind the scenes.

The unit is currently recruiting administration and operational support volunteers, with an information night on Wednesday 19 November at 7pm at Sunbury SES Headquarters on McDougall Road.

While the sight of orange overalls at the scene of storms and emergencies is familiar to many, Sunbury SES said it takes a wide range of people and skills to make those responses possible.

“Our administration team isn’t behind

the scenes, it’s at the heart of everything we do,” deputy controller – administration Kevin Muslayah said.

“From operations coordination and logistics to technology, media, training and community engagement, these roles are essential.

“Without the people who plan, track, communicate and support, we couldn’t get our crews out the door or deliver the services our community relies on.”

Volunteers in these roles help with a broad range of activities, including emergency management coordination, finance and fundraising, logistics and transport, training administration, and media and communications.

able to look into it with the acting director of infrastructure and assets.

“They will install more signs as required, including those signs requested within the comments by the submitters,” she said.

Cr Moore said traffic in the area did not support the calming measures, with no recorded casualty crashes on Elizabeth Drive or surrounding streets.

“I know it’s not the outcome those 21 signatories were requesting, but I certainly hope that this is something that will serve the community as well as we can in this regard,” she said.

Hume declared COPD hotspot

Hume has been identified among the nations worst-affected areas for severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with new data revealing hundreds of local residents living with the debilitating lung condition.

According to health advisory firm Evohealth, there were a reported 809 severe cases in Hume, placing the municipality among Australia’s top hotspots for the disease.

COPD, of which emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the most common forms, is an incurable and progressive lung disease that causes breathing difficulty. It is caused by lung tissue damage and inflammation, leading to narrowing of the airways and inability of the lungs to fully expand and contract.

According to health advisory firm Evohealth, it is a “preventable and treatable, yet shockingly common” lung condition responsible for more than 7600 deaths every year and more potentially preventable hospital admissions than any other cause.

In a new report from the organisation titled ‘The Change that can’t wait: Reducing the human and economic burden of COPD in Australia’, it states that each year across the country, COPD is responsible for 53,000 hospital admissions in those aged 45 and over and accounts for 268,000 bed days, with the condition also costing the Australian healthcare system $1.67 billion annually.

The report predicts these figures are set to increase, with the number of Australians living with COPD expected to rise from 526,000 to more than 843,000 by 2050.

Evohealth managing director Renae Beardmore said COPD rates are more than three times higher in areas of socioeconomic disadvantage, reflecting the disease’s deep link to inequity.

“Not everyone wants to climb on a roof in the middle of a storm and that’s okay,” Mr Muslayah said.

“We’re looking for people who are organised, community-minded and willing to give their time to make a difference. Whether you’ve got office experience, event skills, or just a passion for helping others, there’s a place for you here.”

All training and support is provided, and roles are open to people of all ages, occupations and backgrounds.

The recruitment information night will offer a chance to meet current volunteers, see the unit in action and learn more about how to get involved.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people also experience highly inequitable COPD outcomes, being almost five times more likely to be hospitalised with COPD than non-Indigenous Australians,” Ms Beardmore said.

The report presents five recommendations for adoption by federal, state and territory governments, including boosting spirometry use in primary care to enable early and accurate COPD diagnosis and monitoring, expanding partnerships and programs to improve alignment to clinical care standards, and expanding and funding programs that better manage transitions of care and optimise treatment.

Details: tinyurl.com/j9wej827

Brooke and Lorraine Smalley on the drive (Fiona Hamilton).

Race day a hit

It’s the race that stops the Ranges. Thousands flock to Kyneton for the Kyneton Cup on Wednesday 5 November , for a fun day of fashion, fun and racing.

Natalie Waters won Local Lady of the Day and Michael McAlpine took home Gent of the Day in the Fashions on the Field competition, while on the racetrack, Lincoln Rocks won the Kyneton Cup race.

Star Weekly photographer Damjan Janevski was there to capture the excitement on the day.

Race four winner ’Delicate Lady’, jockey Thomas Stockdale, trainer Jerome Hunter. 513445

Josh Ardossi, his mum Lee Ardossi, Nicole Martorava and Helen Ritchie. 513445

Fashion on the Fields Gent Of The Day entrants. 513445

Fashion on the Fields Gent Of The Day winner Michael McAlpine. 513445

Vin and his mum Helen Lazzaro enjoying the cup. 513445

Fashion on the Fields Local Lady Of The Day entrant Teagan Hall. 513445

Neighbourhood houses at risk

By Georgia Tacey

Neighbourhood houses across Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges have joined the fight with Neighbourhood Houses Victoria for an urgent funding boost.

Neighbourhood Houses Victoria is calling on the state government to increase the annual funding by $11.7 million or risk the closure of 200 neighbourhood houses across Victoria.

Goonawarra Neighbourhood House is one of the houses joining the fight, and manager Isabella Rosinsky said cost pressures are coming down hard on the house.

“To stay open, Goonawarra Neighbourhood House has been forced to cut costs

and increase fees year after year,” she said.

“Our staff hours have been cut back significantly which impacts on what we can deliver to the community.

“As manager, I’m forced to spend a large portion of my time applying for annual grants to run projects and activities. These grants are usually small, last only a year and require a fair bit of work to acquit at the end.

“If our funding is not increased soon, we’ll have to make some hard decisions, including how much longer we can afford to keep our doors open.”

Other houses, including Lancefield, Romsey and Kyneton have all backed the calls.

“Neighbourhood houses are under un-

precedented pressure,” Neighbourhood Houses chief executive officer Keir Paterson said.

“Rising costs, growing community demand, and eroded core funding are forcing houses across the state to cut hours, staff, and programs.

“Years of underfunding has pushed almost half into deficit, leaving them at risk of closure.”

With more than 400 houses across the state, many have felt the rise of cost of living pressures, with a community desperately needing the services it offers.

“Our data show that for every $1 of ongoing neighbourhood house funding received from the state government, communities

Grant windfall for wildlife carers

Three wildlife carer groups in the Macedon Ranges have received grants from the state government.

Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas congratulated the shelter operators and foster carers across Macedon for their funding through the state government’s annual Wildlife Rehabilitator Grants.

“We’re proud to support our local volunteers who house, feed and care for our precious wildlife when they need it most,” she said.

Lyndarth Wildlife Shelter in Gis-

borne received a grant to construct a moveable cage/aviary to allow for the soft release of rehabilitated animals.

Gwandalan in Darrweit Guim received a grant to cover the cost of food and milk powders.

The Wildlings Woodend Wildlife Shelter also received a grant to expand the enclosure for gliders to enhance their recovery.

Volunteer at the Wildlings Woodend Wildlife Shelter Mel Fraser said the shelter will be primarily designed for Kreffts Gliders and Feathertail Gliders,

but it will also be suitable for Brushtail Phascogales and Antechinus.

“To make the most of the grant funding, Karl (co-shelter Operator) will be constructing the enclosure himself. It’s a project he plans to complete over the Christmas period,” she said.

“Receiving grants such as this one is an enormous help & are appreciative of the support. Having a larger space will allow these small marsupials to glide/ climb and build up their strength before release, which is a crucial part of their rehabilitation.”

Strategy reveals growing demand for female football facilities

Football Victoria has released its Facilities Strategy for 2025-2035, calling for improvements to a Sunbury facility.

FV’s strategy plans to ensure football’s infrastructure keeps pace with the game’s ongoing growth, and plans to focus on delivering high-priority grassroots projects in three key areas.

These include lighting, with 55 priority projects to life 75 per cent of competition pitches to 100+ lux level by 2035; pitches, with 70 priority projects to achieve 75 per cent of pitches rated good/excellent in 10 years; and amenities, which aims for 80

priority projects to ensure 85 per cent of player change rooms are gender accessible by 2035.

In Sunbury, FV is calling for all gender facilities at Langama Park.

Hume council confirmed there are currently four sets of all-gender changerooms servicing the five pitches during the winter season, with an additional single portable changeroom in place that is all gender accessible.

This services the three tenants; SunburyUnitedFootballClub(wintertenant) the Sunbury United Rugby League Club

benefit to the tune of $21.94,” Mr Paterson said.

The state peak body is also calling on the state government to fund 25 currently unfunded neighbourhood houses, and commit to 20 new neighbourhood houses in Victoria’s outer metro and regional growth areas.

A state government spokesperson said they continue to support neighbourhood houses.

“We’re proud to back the Neighbourhood House coordination program with more than $43 million every year - supporting over 400 neighbourhood houses, 16 networks, and the peak body, Neighbourhood Houses Victoria,” the spokesperson said.

Ten-year plan for water network

Coliban Water will invest in its water and sewerage network as part of its 10-year Big Water Build.

The $40 million upgrade program will provide both water and wastewater upgrades across the region, and will provide improvements in reliability, efficiency and increase treatment capacity across its water and sewer networks.

Coliban Water said it is critical as it ensures it can continue providing safe drinking water, water pressure, and the reliability of sewerage services across the region. It will utilise the latest technology and will increase its treatment capacity, while delivering environmental benefits, including lower carbon emissions, more recycled water outputs, and a reduction in noise and odour.

To deliver the project, Coliban Water has awarded contracts to five new delivery partners who will be responsible for different packages of works across both our drinking water treatment and sewer networks. Guidera O’Connor Construction, Laurie Curran Water, and Filtec International will work on mechanical and electrical systems. Civil and Earth Australia and Leed Engineering and Construction will work on civil and earth works projects.

Managing director Damian Wells congratulated the successful contractors and said the program will upgrade a variety of water treatment and storage facilities that provide drinking water to and manage wastewater from households.

“These essential upgrades will make sure we can continue to provide clean drinking water to our towns and suburbs,” he said.

“We supply more than 22,256 megalitres of drinking water to over 180,000 customers a year.

“By upgrading our aging infrastructure and water systems, we’re making sure our services are more reliable, we’re ready for more people and changing weather, and we use environmentally friendly practices.”

(winter tenant) and the Sunbury United Cricket Club (summer tenant).

Council said it recognises the importance of these amenities, particularly as the Sunbury United Football Club has an extensive female participation program, recently receiving the Club Changer of the Year Award for 2025 for their work in this space.

Sunbury United Football Club is seeking additional gender amenity facilities to assist them in developing their participation opportunities for all genders, according to council.

Coliban Water said it will start with the most important upgrades first, with around $30 million spent in the first five years.

These early projects include improvements to water treatment plants and lagoon systems at water reclamation plants. Works will start in Cohuna in early 2026, followed by projects in Axedale, Echuca, Malmsbury, and Goornong. This builds on recent and continuing water and sewer network upgrades in Bendigo to support Epsom, Huntly, Marong and Maiden Gully.

Details: connect.coliban.com.au

Krefft’s Glider, who will benefit from the new enclosure (Photo: Wildlings Woodend Wildlife Shelter).

Watch out for kangaroos

Vets at Werribee Open Range Zoo are urging drivers to slow down on the roads, as the wildlife hospital is experiencing a spring surge of orphaned eastern grey kangaroo joeys.

According to the zoo, 79 of the 386 animals admitted this financial year have been kangaroos.

Veterinarian Sarah Panigas said it is the busy season for kangaroo collisions.

“We’re seeing multiple joeys come in a week, and because they’re so vulnerable and delicate, even the slightest knock can create life-long injuries,” Dr Panigas said.

“It’s amazing when we can help them to recover and eventually release them, but often we have to make hard decisions.”

Alongside kangaroos, ringtail possums

remain the hospital’s most common patients, with grey-headed flying foxes, magpies and black swans also topping the list.

The hospital’s records show vehicle collisions, fruit-net entanglements and dog or cat attacks as the leading causes of wildlife admissions.

Dr Panigas said the vet hospital has been transformativeforhelpinginjuredwildlife, but it still needs the community’s help and diligence.

“Drive carefully at dawn and dusk, keep dogs on leashes, bring cats indoors, and replace dangerous fruit netting with wildlife-safe alternatives,” she said.

“Ifyoudoseeaninjuredkangarooonthe road, make sure to check for any joeys in her pouch.”

Over the limit

Police have arrested a Sunbury driver who was allegedly five times over the legal limit. Police received a number of reports of a white ute driving erratically along the Calder Highway about 7pm on Saturday 1 November. Officers said they quickly intercepted the ute in Elpinstone and spoke to the driver, a 37-year-old man from Sunbury. He underwent a preliminary breath test and returned to the station for an evidentiary test, where he returned an alleged reading of .253, police said. His licence was immediately suspended and the car impounded for 30 days with $1874 in costs. Police said he is expected to be charged on summons with drink driving related offences.

Motorcyclists caught Two motorcyclists were caught driving without registration plates on Plumpton Road on Saturday 1 November. Officers were able to intercept one of the motorbikes and spoke to the 40-year-old female rider from Deanside. She was allegedly unlicensed and provided a positive roadside drug test. Shortly later, officers located the other rider hiding in bushes a few hundred metres away. Following a foot chase, the 49-year-old Wollert man was arrested. He was also allegedly unlicensed and returned a positive roadside drug test.

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Joey being cared for at Werribee Open Range Zoo. (Zoos Victoria)

Theodorelos with his special ordered EL Falcon at his son’s workshop. (Jack O’Shea-Ayres)

Ford’s legacy motors on

Car manufacturing may have disappeared from Broadmeadows, but its legacy continues to shape the identity of Hume. Panagiotis Theodorelos, known locally as Peter, and son Chris, chat with Jack O’Shea-Ayres about the important legacy that was left by the Ford manufacturing plant, and its everlasting effect on Australian culture today.

From its opening in 1959 until its closure in 2016, the Ford Broadmeadows Assembly Plant stood as one of Australia’s largest car manufacturing hubs.

At its height in 2011, more than 2000 peopleclockedineachday,producingiconic vehicleswhichrolledoutofBroadmeadows and into Australian driveways. Butthefactory’struelegacyliesnotinthe machines, but in the people who worked there, and former employee Panagiotis “Peter” Theodorelos embodies that history.

Very good times, they were ... The English wasn’t great, we couldn’t always talk to each other. But we had good times

- Peter Theodorelos

Peter arrived in Australia from Greece in 1967 and like many others immigrating during that time, he needed a job to keep him going.

With the way things were back then, he simply picked up the phone, dialled a few numbersandaskedaround.Hephonedthe manager of a hotel, a cleaner who looked after a block of toilets in St Kilda, and a taxi driver with his own fleet.

Peter secured jobs with almost all of them, working as a cleaner, a taxi driver, a chef at a Toorak Hotel, and a position at a cafe in South Melbourne before stepping into the Ford plant just after his wedding in March 1968.

They all shaped him into the man he is today, but the Ford manufacturing plant in Broadmeadowsleftalastingimpactonhim and his family.

Peter said family friends introduced him to his job on the factory floor.

“I went there, asked for a job and started straight away,” he explains.

For Peter, the job was all about support, connection and the combination of cultures from all different walks of life.

His son Chris said the job “couldn’t come at a better time”.

“He’d just spent all his money being married,andhe’dlefthispreviousjobatthe cafe,” he said.

But two days into his job on the factory floor, an accident on the assembly line injured Peter’s hand, forcing him to give up his newfound work for a three month recovery period.

Still new to the plant, and a stranger to nearly everyone else working there, Peter was devastated that he couldn’t work, but Ford covered his medical bills and paid his wages during his time off until he eventually got back to working the floor again – a gesture that left a lasting impact on his perception of the working life.

Upon his return after three months of recovery,Peterwasputonlightduties,with his resilience and work ethic eventually leading him to a series of promotions as a leading hand, then team leader, and eventually inspector.

Peter explains he had next to no experience when he first arrived at the factory,baracoupleofskillsinweldingand repairs he’d gained during his time in the army in Greece.

Over time, connections were made

between many of those working the factory;fromthoseborninAustralia,tothe migrants from Vietnam, Greece, Italy, and even further around the world.

Herecallsaninvitationtothecelebration of a colleague’s traditional Vietnamese wedding.

Everyone Peter knew from the plant was there.

Despite the language barriers, stories were shared, and so was the food.

PetertoldofmassiveplatesofVietnamese delicacies being brought out for the friends and family to enjoy. The idea was to share from the same big plates.

Peter, like many others, didn’t know how to use chopsticks and it was him who startedgrabbingfoodwithhishands-there was no other way around it.

And so then everyone came together, reaching for the food with their hands, dipping the cuffs of their best suits in the various sauces and drippings, laughing together as they did.

It was a moment that defined the family Ford had built for Peter in his time there. No matter the background, the skills or the knowledge, every one of them were the same.

“Good times. Very good times, they were,” Peter reminisces.

“Very good people, too. The English wasn’t great, we couldn’t always talk to each other. But we had good times.”

Chris shares that a lot of those moving to Australia and starting work at the plant didn’t know what they were looking for, but they were in search of something better.

“Theyhadnothing,alotofthemhadcome out of wars and heard about Australia and the lives people were having,” he explains.

“They did it for the money, to make a living - but beyond that it meant security. [Dad] could work one job without having to worry about finishing up and going to the next one, like he used to do.

“He got that time to socialise after, it was good for him. Cause all those workers got along they’d be seeing each other outside of work, too. Barely any spoke English but they showed up and that was enough.”

In 1993, Peter’s 25 years of service was honoured with an engraved gold watch, and when he retired in 1999 after 30 years with the factory, he received a gold bracelet and a lump sum of more than $8000.

Peter’s story of loyalty and hard-work reflects the strength and commitment of Australia’s industrial history, along with many more of the migrants employed by Ford in the Broadmeadows plant from its early beginnings right up to its closure.

The legacy of Australia’s industrial manufacturing history lives on in the enduringbondsbetweenworkerslikePeter and their workplaces.

Morecanbelearntaboutthelegacyofthe Ford Broadmeadows assembly plant at the Broadmeadows Museum, where the Gears of Time: Ford Broadmeadows through the Years exhibition, running through to Monday 15 December showcases the plant’s history, achievements and iconic vehicles.

Find original uniforms, awards, photographs by Wolfgang Sievers and Andrew Chapman, and powerful personal stories like how a Ford sponsored scholarship helped a local student work his way up to becoming a doctor.

For info, visit https:// broadmeadowsmuseum.org.au/

Peter

Peter being presented with his gold watch for 25 years of service, and below, at the Broadmeadows Assembly Plant.

Peter with his Silver Top Taxi, prior to beginning work at the plant.

Mr and Mrs Theodorelos in a Ford Capri.

Peter rolling the last of the Ford Lasers through the Broadmeadows factory. (Pictures: Supplied)

The journey of your 10-cent containers through the CDS

Ever wondered what happens to your drink cans, bottles and cartons after you return them for a 10-cent refund through Victoria’sContainerDepositScheme(CDS Vic)?

With this week being National Recycling Week (10–16 November), CDS Vic shares how every returned container helps power Victoria’s circular economy.

This year’s theme, Join the Cycle, perfectly aligns with the mission of CDS Vic: keeping eligible drink containers in the recycling loop so they can be remade into new products, said Marianne Doyle, interim chief executive of scheme coordinator VicReturn.

“Recycling eligible drink containers means fewer virgin materials are needed to make new bottles and cans, reducing our impact on the environment,” she said.

The recycling process begins when Victorians return their drink containers at one of the hundreds of refund points across the state. They are then sorted by material type and sent to recycling facilities to be processed back into new products.

Here’s where your containers go next:

• Plasticbottlesaresortedbymaterialtype (PET, HDPE and others) and recycled at facilities in Victoria. They’re cleaned, shredded into flakes, melted down and turned into pellets, then used to make new products;

• Glass bottles are cleaned and sorted by colour into glass cullet, at facilities in Victoria and South Australia. The cullet is then sent to glass manufacturing plants that use it in the production of new glass bottles and jars.

“Glass can be infinitely recycled, so returning your glass bottles through CDS

Vichelpsconserveournaturalresources,” Mrs Doyle said. Aluminium cans are bailed before being shipped overseas to be reprocessed into aluminium coils. These are returned

About Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic)

Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme is a recycling initiative offering a 10-cent refund for each eligible drink container returned at hundreds of refund points across Victoria. Funded by contributions from the beverage industry, the scheme will contribute to Victoria’s target of diverting 80 percent of all material away from landfill by 2030 and represents a significant milestone in our journey towards a circular economy.

to Australia where they are used to make new drink cans.

SincelaunchinginNovember2023,CDS Vic has helped Victorians recycle more, reduce litter and keep valuable materials

out of landfill. Victorians have returned 2.3 billion drink containers, earning $230 million in refunds.

Visit cdsvic.org.au to learn more.

Return your empties this National Recycling Week and help the planet and your pocket.

The two public servants

As we all know, English cricket suffered an ignominious defeat at The Oval on 29 August, 1882, when the colonials beat Mother England at her own game.

The lion was declawed, unable to give even a feeble swish of its tail. Beaten? Yes, but not for long, by Jove. Three weeks after their crushing humiliation, captain Ivo Bligh and his team boarded the RMS Peshawur with every intention of resuscitating the lion, recovering the ashes and restoring England’s glory.

Mr Michael Crawcour, pawnbroker of 31 Nelson Place, Williamstown, was most interested in the Peshawur and avidly followedherprogressintheshippingnews. Not that Mr Crawcour liked cricket. He didn’tcareahootaboutBligh’sunshakeable determination, nor was he even remotely excited about the forthcoming Australian Eleven banquet to be held in Melbourne’s Town Hall.

His interest in the Peshawur became acute anxiety when she collided with the barque Glenroy out of Colombo on Sunday 15 October. Owing to substantial damage to her masts and hull, repairs took several days. Mr Crawcour didn’t like shipping delays at all, but he cheered up when finally, with no lives lost, the Peshawur was heading once more to Australia, She arrived in Melbourne on 22 November, 1882 and this put Mr Crawcour in a very sunny mood.

Her arrival was noticed by others. Constable William Walkinshaw of the Williamstown Water Police happened to be in Nelson Place, eavesdropping on a conversation between two ship stewards. What he heard sent him running off to inform customs officer William Evans that Michael Crawcour was planning some wickedness on the Peshawur. William Evans couldn’t hide his glee; an arrest warrant had been nestled in his pocket for the last 12 months and he had nearly abandoned all hope of ever catching the slippery eel.

Constable Walkinshaw knew this. He also knew that this was a job for customs, not the police, but willingly agreed to help his crime-busting friend.

At 8.30 pm, Walkinshaw saw Mr Crawcour leaving his shop with lines and bait and greeted him. “Hello. Doing some fishing tonight?”

Mr Crawcour affably waved his lines and bait. “And where are you off to, Constable Walkinshaw?”

‘I’m going to check the Potosi,” the policeman lied.

VeryrelievedthatitwasnotthePeshawur, Mr Crawcour decided that assisting the constabularywasalwaysawisepolicy.“Let me row you there, and save you a walk to the pier.” Crawcour soon had both men at their destinations. Constable Walkinshaw headed off towards the Potosi and watched as Crawcour boarded the Peshawur. At the gangway of the Potosi, the policeman met Officer Evans for a brief chat. He then boarded a lighter which was moored outside the Peshawur, crouched down and waited.

Before long, he spotted Mr Crawcour quietly lowering some packages from a porthole into his fishing boat. The constable clambered from the lighter into the pawnbroker’s boat and felt the packages. He knew what they were. Cigars. Over three thousand of them. Dutiable cigars on which Michael Crawcour had no

intention of paying any sort of tax, ever. Constable Walkinshaw had a sly sense of humour. As soon as Crawcour returned to his boat, he asked, “How was the fishing?”

The pawnbroker also had a sense of humour.“Lookatthat!Iturnedmybackfor five minutes and some scoundrel got into my boat and stuffed these strange objects into it!”

Walkinshaw grinned. “Well, you just wait for the rightful owner to show up and claim his property.”

Mr Crawcour knew that the joking was over. “I suppose this means trouble for me?”

Walkinshaw grabbed the cigar boxes and marched off to hand them to customs officer Evans.

On 2 December, 1882, the Williamstown Court was packed to the rafters with spectators eager to enjoy HM Customs vs Crawcour.

Mr Crawcour was looking very unhappy. So were the cigar-craving gentlemen sprinkled throughout the courthouse. In Mr Crawcour’s view, the authorities had no right whatsoever to persecute hard-working smugglers who performed a valuable public service in providing cheap goods to those who desired them, but lacked the wherewithal to pay the extortionate duty. His customers were in complete accord with him.

Mr W.H. Croker, solicitor, put up a passionate defence. Where was the proof that it was his client who had lowered the cigars into the boat? There was none at

all. Indeed, Mr Crawcour had been most shocked to find the boxes in his boat. Further, when his client returned from his fishing, who was already in the boat with the boxes, but Constable Walkinshaw himself!Thiswasaplant,anunderhanded, sneaky scheme, typical of policemen who longed for rapid promotion and were not overly burdened by conscience how they obtained it.

The Bench demonstrated its lack of credulity by fining Mr Crawcour one hundred pounds.

There was a lot of the never-say-die about Michael Crawcour. Knowing that this conviction prevented the renewal of his pawnbroker’s licence, he persuaded a friend, Joseph Abrahams, to apply for one intheHothamPoliceCourt,fullyintending to use it himself.

The Williamstown police got wind of this and alerted Constable Walkinshaw, who sped after the pair to squash their scheme.

But Michael Crawcour was in possession of a secret that Constable Walkinshaw had kept from his friends, family and the force.

Prior to joining Victoria Police, Walkinshaw, as a youth of 16, had been apprenticedonthetrainingship,Cerberus. The bored teenager had attempted to run away on an outward bound ship, and for this breach of the Naval Discipline Act, he was court martialled and given a month in Melbourne Gaol.

Mr Crawcour instructed his solicitor, Mr McKean, to show the court that Constable Walkinshaw was a very bad character

indeed, and not to be believed when persecuting him or his friends.

Thusprimed,MrMcKeanbarkedinrapid succession:

“Have you ever been in trouble? Have you ever been convicted of an offence? Have you ever been sent to gaol? Have you ever spent a month in gaol?”

Toallthese,Walkinshawanswered“No.” Documentary evidence to the contrary was swiftly produced, and Constable Walkinshaw soon found himself being triedforperjury.ToMrCrawcour’sdismay, his old foe was acquitted and immediately rushed out of the court to issue a writ against the pawnbroker.

One thousand pounds damages for malicious prosecution was sought by Constable Walkinshaw. Michael Crawcour quickly engaged the future Governor General, Isaac Isaacs, with every expectation of celebrating a legal victory. Alas,inMay1883,thejurychosetoignore the documentary evidence and believe Constable Walkinshaw. He was awarded 350 pounds damages. Mrs Walkinshaw generously overlooked her husband’s youthful pranks and began planning some delightful shopping sprees.

Life resumed its normal course for all parties involved, until the body of Joseph Abrahams, 25-year-old pawnbroker’s assistant of Chapel Street, Prahran, was foundfloatingintheYarraon12December, 1883. What connection, if any, this had to MichaelCrawcourandhisfailedcourtcase will never be known.

Barb McNeill. (Damjan Janevski) 432421

Disruptions loom ahead

By Georgia Tacey

While Sunbury Line travellers are gearing up for the Metro Tunnel to open, more train disruptionswon’tbefaraway.

Transport Infrastructure Minister Gabrielle Williams said the Sunshine Superhub will be the state government’s next major focus before working on the rail linktotheairport.

However, for Sunbury Line passengers, while the opening of the Metro Tunnel in December will mean more services and faster travel, disruptions won’t be far away.

According to the Big Build website, works on the Sunshine Superhub are expected to start in early 2026, just shortly after the new stationsopen,andbecompletein2030.

This could potentially see another four yearsofdelaysfortravellers.

Ms Williams could not confirm the level ofdelaysalongtheSunburyLine.

“Therewillbe,I’dimagine,somedelaysas a consequence of the Sunshine works,” she said.

The Sunshine Superhub will untangle a complex section of the rail network, allowing for more services to Melbourne’s west,aswellasallowfortheairportraillink toSunshine.

Itwillalsoaddtwonewdedicatedregional platforms and an extended concourse at Sunshine Station, paving the way for more servicestoMeltonandWyndhamVale.

“Its about making sure that we can continue to add services particularly through the fast-growing western suburbs and also to the western regions, knowing how many of our V/Line services come through that corridor as well,” Ms Williams said.

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OMs Williams could not confirm a date for the Metro Tunnel opening, with the government awaiting the final tick off on theproject.

“We’re pretty confident we’re close … and ofcourseassoonaswehavethatletterwe’ll besingingitfromtherooftops,”shesaid.

Once open, the Metro Tunnel will service Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham

Line Travellers, boosting services for Melbourne’sbusiesttrainlines.

The Big Switch on 1 February will result in 1000 new weekly services, including a turn-up-and-gonetworkonthethreelines.

It will also alleviate travellers going through the City Loop, easing congestion in Melbourne’s busiest stations, according tothegovernment.

CHRISTMAS

Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, when to decorate?

For many Australians, putting up the Christmas tree marks the joyful start of the festive season — a time for family, summer holidays, and a little sparkle at home. But when exactly should you deck the halls? The answer depends on whether you prefer to follow tradition, practicality, or simply your own excitement for Christmas.

Traditionally, Christmas trees are put upatthestartofAdvent,whichbeginsfour Sundays before Christmas Day. In 2025, that falls on Sunday, November 30. Many families, however, wait until December 1, the unofficial start of the festive season and the day Advent calendars open. It’s a datethatfeelsrightformostAustralians— late enough to keep the excitement fresh, but early enough to enjoy the decorations throughout December.

For those who just can’t resist a little early cheer, there’s no harm in setting up the tree a week or two earlier, especially if you’re using an artificial one. Real trees, on the other hand, are best put up closer to mid-December to ensure they stay lush and green through Christmas Day.

As for taking it down, tradition says the tree should come down on the Twelfth Night — January 5 or 6 — marking the end of the Christmas season. Superstitious types say leaving it up longer brings bad

luck, but many Australians stretch it out until after New Year’s Day, especially if the house still feels festive. Ultimately, there’s no strict rule — it’s about what feels right for your household.

Whether you’re an early decorator or a last-minute tree trimmer, the most important thing is that your Christmas treebringswarmth,light,andalittlemagic to your Australian summer celebrations.

The new State Library Station is set to open in early December. (Pictures: Georgia Tacey)

Pathology people power

By Christopher Carter, CEO, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network

Being a passive patient can be very frustrating. Not knowing what’s making you feel ill, waiting to be told by your GP or specialist, and then waiting again to be told whattodonextcanmakeyoufeelpowerless.

It’s been recognised for a long time that putting decisions back into a patient’s hands – by making them a key part of their own care team – can lead to much better outcomes.

It’s cliché, but a true one: knowledge is power. The more information – reliable, evidence-backed information – that a patient has, the better the questions they can ask their care team.

Important changes introduced a couple of weeks ago by the Australian Government go a long way towards making sure people have access to information about their own health.

Pathology tests are a big part of health care. We get tested for all sorts of things –sometimes, multiple times within a short period.

But until now, once you’ve had the test done you’ve had to wait to find out the results. There’s always a bit of time needed for the pathology labs to analyse samples, of course, but then the real waiting starts.

TheresultsgotoyourGPoryourspecialist and sometimes days pass before you’re able to discover what they’ve found. That can be frustrating, and worrying.

But now – no more.

Changes to how pathology results are distributed mean that your results are uploaded to your centralised health record – known, predictably, as My Health Record

– at the same time they land in your GP’s inbox.

My Health Record is also linked to an app, called – you guessed it – my health.

Test results will also be uploaded there, for people who prefer that kind of thing.

Of course, it is vitally important for every one of us to discuss any results with a GP or specialist before making any decisions. But this new immediate access makes it easiertodoso,becauseyouarebothlooking

at the same data.

It means patients have more information. And that means deeper understanding, smarter questions, and more meaningful conversations.

It’s important to know that this system isn’t fully automatic. As a patient, you can always tell the pathologist that you want the results of any particular tests kept private –and they won’t be uploaded.

But this change also means that if

managing your health means you have to bounce around between your GP, a hospital and some outpatient clinics, the information they all might need is in your digital record. This ensures that everyone in your health care team is in the loop – and that you can make sure of this.

If you’re not sure whether your My Health Record is fully set up, it’s easy to check. Just go to the My Health Record website and follow the instructions.

Study into media’s vital role

At a time when misinformation spreads quickly and trust in institutions is under pressure, public interest journalism remains one of the last safeguards of accountability and community cohesion.

Across Victoria it is the local masthead in print and online that turns up to council meetings, scrutinises public decisions, documents community life and ensures local voices are heard.

A landmark Deakin University study has confirmedthattheVictorianGovernment’s weekly advertising commitment to regional and rural mastheads has been a highly successful and internationally regarded policy model, giving publishers the stability to invest in journalism, retain staff and strengthen their civic role.

The research surveyed 85 Victorian Country Press Association mastheads and found that almost four in five publishers say the policy has provided the confidence neededtosustainandgrowtheirnewsroom investment, helping ensure communities remain informed and connected.

The report makes clear that government messaging delivered through trusted local outletsremainsvitaltohealthydemocratic participation. As the authors explain: “Public notices and essential information should be delivered through reliable local media channels that function as a journal of public record, because this is fundamental to democratic participation”.

StarNewsGroupmanagingdirector Paul Thomas said the Victorian Government deservedenormouscreditforitsleadership in this space.

“Victoria did something no other government had the courage or foresight to do,” Mr Thomas said. “It recognised that public interest journalism is civic

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infrastructure and backed it with a stable, practical and world-leading model. Other states are now following Victoria’s lead because the results speak for themselves.

“Whenamastheadisproperlysupported, in print and online, accountability thrives, participation increases and communities

EDUCATION CHOICES

Exceptional care, every day

Every family deserves a village, a place wheretheyareunderstood,supported,and surrounded by people who genuinely care.

At Aspire Early Education & Kindergarten, that is what we create every day.

We are not just an early learning provider, we are a community built on connection. From the moment you walk through our doors, you will feel it, the warmthofeducatorswhoknoweverychild by name, the joy that fills each classroom, and the calm assurance that your child is safe, supported, and thriving.

A day at Aspire is filled with discovery. Morning play brings giggles in the garden and new friendships forming over sandcastles. Indoors, children paint, build, and explore ideas that spark imagination and confidence. Storytime becomes a moment of calm connection, while cooking, music, and movement turn learning into laughter. Every experience is guided by educators who see the potential in every child and nurture it with care and encouragement.

Our philosophy is simple. Children learn best when they feel loved, valued, and inspired. That is why everything we do is centred around our four pillars.

Exceptional Care, Every Day – nurturing spaces where every child feels seen and celebrated.

Joy in Every Moment – discovering the magic of childhood through play, laughter, and belonging.

LearningThatSparksCuriosity–turning everyday moments into meaningful learning experiences.

Together, We Grow – families and educatorsunitedtobuildstrong,confident, and capable children.

Because these early years matter most, andatAspire,wemakethemextraordinary.

We go above and beyond to empower young minds with curiosity, confidence, and compassion that lasts a lifetime.

With 2026 enrolments now open, there has never been a better time to begin your Aspire journey.

Come and see the difference genuine care makes.

remain connected to the decisions that shape their lives.

“The Deakin report shows that Victoria has built a model that strengthens public interestjournalismandgivescommunities confidence that trusted information will continue to be available.”

The study also highlights a growing policy gap in Melbourne’s fast-growing metropolitan fringe areas, where mastheads play the same role as their regionalcounterpartsbutarenotcurrently covered by the commitment.

“Growth corridors such as Berwick, Cranbourne, Wyndham and Brimbank are now the size of major regional cities,” Mr Thomas said.

“These residents depend on their local masthead in print and online for trusted information about planning decisions, councilaccountability,emergencyupdates and civic life, yet they fall outside the current policy even though the democratic need is identical.

“Victoria has shown leadership by creatingthestrongestregionalnewsmodel in the country. The logical next step is extending that certainty to metropolitan fringe communities whose population growth means they now function exactly like regional centres.”

The Deakin report concludes that mandated advertising remains the most stable, efficient and effective way for government to support public interest journalism, far more reliable than short-term grants or piecemeal schemes.

Mr Thomas said ensuring the policy evolved with population growth was the keytosafeguardingjournalismforthenext generation.

“If the aim of the policy is to strengthen democracy and ensure credible public information reaches communities, then it should follow where communities are expanding. Metro-fringe Victorians deserve the same access to trusted mastheads in print and online as rural and regional Victorians.”

Empowering Young Minds

Everychild’sstorybeginswithcuriosity-thosefirststeps,firstquestions,and firstfriendships.AtAspireEarlyEducation&Kindergarten,webelievethose momentsshapewhotheybecome.

Our centres are places of discovery, joy, and connection, where children feel known, supported, and inspired to explore the world around them. Through play, meaningful learning, and the care of passionate educators, every child grows in confidence, creativity, and capability.

ExceptionalCare,EveryDay

Where safety meets belonging, and every child feels valued.

JoyinEveryMoment

Celebrating childhood through play, discovery, and connection.

LearningThatSparksCuriosity Turning everyday moments into meaningful learning.

Together,WeGrow Families, educators, and communities united for brighter futures.

Professor Kristy Hess from Deakin University undertook a study into regional media with colleague Alison McAdam.

CFA recruitment soars

Between 3 and 29 October, almost 500 Victorians have put their hands up to join CFA on the back of the Get Fire Ready initiative.

This figure represents an 11 per cent increaseinnewapplicantscomparedwiththe same period last year.

CFAchiefofficerJasonHeffernansaidthe lift in applications reflects the overall message of Get Fire Ready, which wrapped up on 31 October.

“Get Fire Ready was all about informing Victorians about their local fire risk, encouragingpeopletoprepareearlyandmake

informed decisions ahead of summer,” Mr Heffernan said.

“To also see so many people wanting to take the next step and join their local brigade shows the strong sense of volunteerism that runs through this state.

“Themorepeoplewhostepup,thestronger CFA becomes, which can only benefit the communities we protect.”

Of the 499 new applicants, 61 per cent were men and 36 per cent were women. Around 66 per cent of applicants want to serve as firefighters while 33 per cent preferred non-operational roles.

Younger Victorians led the way, with around 38 per cent aged between 18 and 34 and 27 per cent aged 17 or under.

Mr Heffernan said it was encouraging to see people of all ages signing up, but particularly the number of younger Victorians showing an interest in joining.

“It’s great to see so many young people wanting to get involved,” he said.

“They bring new energy, skills and perspectives that help strengthen CFA for the future.”

Morethan530CFAbrigadesacrossVictoriahostedGetFireReadyeventsthroughout

A century of service at Toolern Vale CFA

Toolern Vale Fire Brigade marked a major milestone last weekend, celebrating 100 years of service.

The anniversary was recognised with a brigade dinner on Saturday November 8 followed by a community open day celebration on Sunday 9 November, which included the launch of a historical book that reflects on the past century of the organisation’s community service.

In 1914, the Toolern Vale Progress Association agreed the area needed a fire brigade.

Eleven years later, following a major fire, the Toolern Vale Bush Fire Brigade

was officially formed on 10 November in 1925.

In 1965, a fire in the area destroyed a large part of the township and surrounding farmland, with the town losing 16 houses, multiple significant buildings and impacting many farms.

Throughout its history, brigade members have also played a role in fighting fires in the area and beyond, including AshWednesdayin1983,the2009firesand many strike teams across Victoria and interstate.

Captain Jared Watson said the brigade hasalwaysbeenacorepartofthecommunity.

“We sit in a fairly high-risk area, so I think that anyone who has grown up in the area or is familiar with it understands the importance of the fire brigade. It’s always been community based; it’s always beencentraltothetown,”MrWatsonsaid.

“We’ve got families that have had multiple generations come through the brigade, and we keep everyone engaged where we can. From our operational and non-operational members, our newer members and our members who are in their80sor90sandhavebeenapartofthe brigade for many years.”

October, one of those being Bolinda-Monegeettathatsitsinahigh-riskbushfireareain the foothills of the Macedon Ranges.

The brigade tied its event into a community bonfire night on 18 October.

Brigade chairman David Allen said Get Fire Ready was a great way to connect with local community.

“Wehadover1,000peoplecomethrough. For a small brigade of 32 members, it allowed us to speak with locals in a way we don’t usually get to,” he said.

The brigade has received four new applications to join CFA throughout October.

The No Sunbury Waste Incinerator Group is holding a community information session on the proposed Sunbury incinerator on Sunday 16 November at Saint Anne’s Parish Hall at 1.30pm.

The group is opposing HiQ’s Waste-to-Energy facility proposed for its Sunbury Eco Hub on Sunbury Road.

Western Metropolitan MP David Ettershank is supporting the community group, and invited Sunbury residents to attend to find out more about the issue.

“So many local people don’t know this is happening but at the meeting you can learn about the proposal. Recycling Victoria has issued a licence to the waste company HiQ for an incinerator in Sunbury,” he said.

No Sunbury Waste Incinerator Group spokesperson Alison Medforth said the whole community was invited to come and meet the volunteers from the group and learn why they want to keep Sunbury incinerator free at the family-friendly event.

“Denmark is closing a third of its 26 incinerators, while Victoria is running headlong towards waste incineration, issuing 11 licences for incinerators in the suburbs – the other Australian states combined only had plans for seven incinerators,” she said.

“We do not want waste incineration in Sunbury or anywhere in the state and to make it clear that there is no social licence for this, we say, no.”

Details: https://www.facebook.com/ groups/8683696081754944

A 1990 photograph of Toolern Vale quick attack vehicle ‘A’ with new changeover. (Toolern Vale Fire Brigade).

PUZZLES

To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.

1 Cutting tooth (7)

5 Tidies, – up (7) 9 Rally participant (9)

10 Around (5) 11 Scanty (6) 12 Australian food spread made from yeast (8) 14 Admirably brave (6) 15 Vampire tooth (4) 19 Burden (4) 20 Bug (6) 24 Bloopers (8)

25 Strip (6)

27 Streets (5) 28 Liveliness (9) 29 Accidents (7) 30 Afternoon rests (Sp) (7)

1 Mischievous (6) 2 Hymn tune (6) 3 Draws (8) 4 Mechanical procedure (4) 5 Respect (coll) (6,4) 6 Vehicle propelled by explosive thrust (6) 7 Circus (8) 8 Search in discarded waste (8) 13 Big string instrument (6,4) 16 Image made of light beams (8)

17 Weddings (8)

18 Last (8)

21 Sickness (6)

22 Favouring one or the other gender (6)

23 Compensates (6)

26 Life simulation series developed by Maxis, The – (4)

1 What is the birthstone for the month of May?

2 Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas (pictured) is married to which Jonas brother?

3 If something is squamous, what is it covered with?

4 What do the letters of the company IBM stand for?

5 Which is closer to Australia: the Tropic of Cancer or the Tropic of Capricorn?

6 Is a brouhaha a laugh, drink or an uproar?

7 In Greek mythology, what was the name of Jason's ship?

8 By what modern name is the Victorian era ‘snap dog’ known?

9 Leopold Bloom is the protagonist of which 20th-century novel?

10 What nationality was the folk hero William Tell?

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Malmsbury Town Hall Flea Markets

Guaranteed treasures and bargains to be found at the now famous Flea Market at the Malmsbury Town Hall, located next to the beautiful Malmsbury Botanic Gardens

. You may wish to picnic there and bring a bag of peas to feed the geese(no bread, thanks! Next market is Sunday 7 December 9am-2pm.

 0409 749 386 or 0408 336 352

Malmsbury Town Hall Music Events

Bananagun and The Mods will be held on 29 November at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Call Julie for details.

 Julie, 0417 531 012

CWA Sunbury

CWA Sunbury meets second and fourth Mondays at St Mary’s Church in O’Shanassy Street, Sunbury. All women are welcome, bring your grandchildren if you are caring for them, there is a playground available.

 Bev Goodman, 0402 988 954

With One Voice Sunbury

The WOV Sunbury community choir is changing the world one voice at a time by providing an opportunity for people to meet and experience the joy of singing, often making friends through the shared experiences of singing and performing; although performing is not required.

One Voice Sunbury community choir rehearses each Tuesday, from 6.30pm, at Goonawarra Neighbourhood House. A fun and welcoming choir, new members are welcome – just join in on the fun.

 sunbury@withonevoice.org.au

Neighbourhood garden

Become part of Sunbury’s Neighbourhood Garden and grow edible and useful plants in a social group at Sunbury Neighbourhood House, 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury. All skill sets are welcome.

 www.sunburyhouse.com.au or 9740 6978

Malmsbury Farmers and Makers Market

Locals and people from afar get along to this wonderful Farmers Market. Always the third Sunday of the month….fresh produce, wine, hot food, coffee, plants, artisan foods and crafts that are special. Musical entertainment whilst you shop and catch up with friends. Located at the picturesque Malmsbury Cricket Ground 9am-1pm.

 Amy, 0423 726 695

Messy Play in Sunbury

Join in the Messy Play fun with this toddler-focussed program, including messy and sensory child-led play. The program will run from 10–11.30am on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays.

 www.sunburyhouse.com.au or 9740 6978

Young Voices of Macedon

A community choir for children of the Macedon Ranges and beyond, Young Voices of Macedon rehearses at the House of the Rock, 247 Station Road, New Gisborne..The choir has separate programs for young children aged five to eight and older children. Rehearsals assist children in developing vocal technique, part singing skills, and general musicianship, across popular, classical, folk and music theatre styles. Rehearsals run on Thursdays, from 4.15pm, with afternoon tea and play time.

 yvmacedon.org.au

Yoga in Sunbury Yoga classes at Sunbury Neighbourhood House focus on supporting participants to slow down and move well. Special attention is given to mindful awareness of movement

that builds strength in a healthy and safe way, Monday mornings, Thursday evenings and Friday mornings.

 www.sunburyhouse.com.au or 9740 6978

Hume Men’s Shed

The Hume Men’s Shed (Sunbury) is a non for profit organisation, meeting every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at 158 Evans Street, Sunbury. The group caters for men be it carpentry, welding, metal work, gardening or just to chat.

 sunburymensshed.com or 0438 677 425

Macedon Ranges Photographic Society

Are you into photography, just starting out, or a fully fledged professional? The Macedon Ranges Photographic Society is your local camera club for friendship, photographic outings, workshops, guest presenters, competitions and more. Come along to a meeting on the first and second Monday of the month. Doors open at 7pm and the meeting starts at 7.30pm at Jubilee Hall, 52 Smith Street, Macedon.

 www.macedon-ranges-photography.org. au, or info@macedon-ranges-photography. org.au

Insync Entertainment

Insync Entertainment is an all-female community choir, providing the opportunity to meet others who enjoy singing. The group is seeking new members to join the friendly choir. No auditions required. They rehearse at the Sunbury Baptist Church Hall every Monday from 7.15–9.30pm.

 insyncentertainment@gmail.com

Sunbury Seniors

Sunbury Seniors (55 or older) meet on Mondays and Fridays from 9.30am–2.30pm. They are temporarily relocating to 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury. A variety of activities are offered – indoor bowls, cards, snooker, guest speakers, day excursions, subsidised lunches or just a cup of coffee and a chat.

 0434 400 754

Pernaperna Women’s Group

The group is currently knitting and crocheting blankets for First Nations peoples in palliative care across Australia. Pernaperna is a friendly group who meet fortnightly at Sunbury Neighbourhood House, 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury, on a Thursday, from 1-3pm. It has established a bush tucker garden at Sunbury Neighbourhood House. New members welcomed. If you don’t knit or garden but would just like to drop in for a chat, the group would love to meet you.

 Joan, 0418 302 676

Jacksons Creek Combined Probus

The club meets on the second Monday of each month at the Sunbury Bowling Club at 10am. This friendly group of men and women enjoy outings and meetings each month and twice yearly trips away staying in cabins and caravans. Visitors and new members are warmly welcomed

 Doug, 5428 3317, or Teresa, 0417 373 006

Craft and conversation

Head down to the Sunbury Library on Mondays at noon for the craft and

conversation group. The program is free and open to people aged 15 years and older.

 https://bit.ly/39BIu2O

Chill Out Sunbury

Chill Out Sunbury is a free event for 12 and 18 years old to participate in activities such as trivia, games, and more. Happening every Wednesday, 3.30-5.30pm, at the Sunbury Youth Centre, 51-53 Evans Street.

 https://bit.ly/3lmVgVhv

CWA Woodend Eves

The CWA Woodend Eves Branch is part of the Central Highlands group and meets every third Tuesday at 7pm at the Woodend Golf Club. All women are welcome.

 cwawoodendeves@gmail.com

Sunbury Badminton Club

The Sunbury Badminton Club plays social games on Tuesdays and Wednesdays nights, from 7.30-9.30pm, and on Wednesdays, 10am-noon. Monday night is a round robin competition from 7.30-9.30pm. All are welcome to attend at Clarke Oval Stadium, 49 Riddell Road.

 sunburybc@gmail.com

Sunbury Ladies Badminton Club

Come along and be part of Sunbury Ladies Badminton Club and enjoy the benefits of physical activity. Social games are on Mondays, 9.30am- noon, and team competitions are on Thursdays, 9.30am-12.30pm, at Eric Boardman Stadium, Wilsons Lane.

 sunburylbc@gmail.com

This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of Natalie Davis and Beth Johnson who organised Tyldenvania to celebrate Halloween in the town of Tylden. (Damjan Janevski) 514408_01

Curing Monday blues

The Gallery’s November exhibition will bringsomecheertoyourday.

The exhibition, For a Monday, are the works of Candice Boyd, a local artist in the Macedon Ranges whose project inspired hercommunityinthedarkestoftimes.

During the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Boyd, like a lot of those in the Macedon Ranges, were on the other side of the‘ringofsteel’tosomeoftheirfriends.

It was during this time that she started posting photos of flowers from her garden on social media, hoping to share a little bit of regional life with those she cared about acrossMelbourne.

She said it brought a bit of joy to people’s lives and once the restrictions were lifted and she stopped posting, her friends asked Boydtobringbackthecheeryposts.

Every year since, the posts have continued from September to May in the form of a weekly post called For a Monday.

Eachoftheworksintheexhibitioncomes from one of these social media posts, but they have been transformed from a basic digital print by hand distressing the surfaceoftheimagewithanartist’srubber, revealing the texture of the handmade paperunderneath.

This process allows these works to blur the line between digital and non-digital art.

With 12 works part of the exhibition, the images represent Boyd’s favourite exotic plantsfromhergarden.

Originals and calendars are on sale with the exhibition on display from Tuesday 4 November to Sunday 30 November at The Gallery,MountMacedon.

The Gallery is open Friday to Tuesday from10amto4pm.

The exhibition will be featured throughout November. (Supplied)

Musical takes a wild trip to the nineties

The Williamstown Musical Theatre Company(WMTC)ispartyinglikeit’s1999 withitslatestproduction:CruelIntentions: The’90sMusical.

Based on the film of the same name and featuringascoremadeupofhitsongsfrom the 1990s, Cruel Intentions transports audiences back to the final decade of the 20th century and into the manipulative world of Manhattan’s most dangerous liaisons: Sebastian Valmont and Kathryn Merteuil.

Seduced by revenge and fuelled by passion, the two step-siblings place a bet

on whether or not Sebastian can deflower their incoming headmaster’s daughter, AnnetteHargrove.

Yes,really.

It’s all rather silly, but it’s the sort of fare that pulled in millions of fans around the turn of the century, including WMTC director,StuartDodge.

“Cruel Intentions was one of those movies that hit hard for me,” Dodge said.

“Ibloodylovedit.”

Most of the cast members weren’t even born when the film came out 26 years

ago, which Dodge said had caused some confusion in rehearsals due to unfamiliar lingointhescript.

“It’s been so funny for us old buggers on theproductionteamtoseethescandalized faces of the cast when some of the more dated terms and words are thrown about onstage.”

Thosewhogrew-upinthaterawillsurely getthereferencesthoughiftheyattendone the 10 performances at the Altona Theatre from7-22November.

Tickets can be booked by calling 1300881545orvisiting:wmtc.org.au

Workshops for wordsmiths

Are you aged 7–18, have a passion for writing, interested in developing your creative writing skills, and maybe meeting new people that shareyourpassion?

Run by Moorabool council, Young Writers’ Craft is a creative writing program designed for the region’s youngwriters.

In this program, young writers will learn how to get inspired by anything; invent new characters, settings and stories; learn useful writingtips,tricksandmethods;and findoutwhatmakesfictionwork.

Young writers will have the opportunity to be mentored by professional writers – and this programwillbefacilitatedbyCheryl Rosario,amemberoftheMoorabool Writers’Craft.

Rosario is a local Moorabool resident who lives with her family in Hopetoun Park and is a self-published author of two books and wishes to share her gained knowledgewithothers.

She has been a member of the Moorabool Writer’s Craft since September 2018 and is currently heading the group and looking to reach out to the youth of the MooraboolShire.

She also works part-time as a LearningSupportOfficeratEmmaus Primary School, Sydenham, where shehasworkedfor17years.

Thisprogramisruninpartnership withMooraboolWriters’Craft.

Each session runs from 4.30–5.30pm at the Ballan Library and Community Hub, 127 Inglis Street, Ballan, with upcoming sessions on Wednesday November 12,19,and26.

Details: moorabool.vic.gov.au/ Events/Young-Writers-Craft-Ballan

Enjoy festive family cheer at Wyndham’s annual Carols by Candlelight

Wyndham Carols by Candlelight is set to return to the Great Lawn of Werribee Mansion on Saturday 13 December for what promises to be a magical evening of music, family fun, carols and community Christmas spirit.

With 35 years of tradition, this event has grown to become Victoria’s largest Christmas celebration outside of Melbourne’s Christmas Eve concert, according to organisers.

Organisers expect more than 6000 people to attend this year’s event.

Headlining this year’s line-up is the internationally renowned

singer-songwriter and Wyndham local Fatai Veamatahau.

Her rich vocal range and blending of soul and pop has led to her sharing the stage with the likes of Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy, and PJ Morton, as well as tour the United States, United Kingdom and Europe.

She will be accompanied by the sensational Salvation Army Melbourne Staff Band who has graced us with their full and magical sound for the last few years.

The Wyndham Carols by Candlelight is a non-profit event organised by

the Wyndham Ministers Network, representing over 17 local churches in the Wyndham area, and supported by the Wyndham City Council.

Thisyear’sprogramwillalsofeaturethe nativity procession.

Gates will open at 5pm, giving families time to enjoy pre-show activities, including a wide selection of food trucks and kids’ activities.

People are encouraged to invite their friends and family along to make a spectacular night of it and spread the Christmas cheer as far as they can.

Tickets: www.wyndhamcarols.org.au

The cast of Williamstown Musical Theatre Company’s latest production, Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical. (Supplied)

Wyndham Carols By Candlelight is returning. (Supplied)

Star Weekly seeks an enthusiastic Full or Part time Sales Executive to work across our print, digital, social and online platforms.

Star Weekly is an independently owned company which prides itself on its long history of community experience but also its investment in the future.

The successful applicant will need to possess good people skills to enable them to meet with local businesses to sell solutions through our advertising platforms to help promote their business.

Applicants will need their own reliable vehicle for which we will provide an allowance.

The position is salaried, plus we offer an open ended commission scheme.

Send your application letter and resume to: Advertising Sales Manager, Mandy Clark mandy.clark@starnewsgroup.com.au www.starnewsgroup.com.au

SPORTS QUIZ

1. How many times have the Sydney Swans lost in a VFL/AFL Grand Final, with their most recent defeat coming in 2024?

2. And how many premierships have the Swans won in AFL/VFL history?

3. Which English soccer player has an upcoming book titled AllIn:Football,Life

4. Which tennis player suffered a second defeat to Alexander Bublik this year, with their latest match sparking controversy after a snubbed handshake at the net?

5. Wang Chuqin is currently Men’s world No.1 in which sport?

6. Which A-League team recently sacked their coach?

And after how many games this season?

The Melbourne Ducks play in which Australian league?

Who won the Clive Churchill medal in the 2020 NRL grand final?

Ruby Schleicher is the captain of which AFLW

Of the $4.5m Melbourne Cup prize money, does the trainer, owner or jockey get the largest share?

12. Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi plays for which Major League Soccer team?

13. In baseball, what celestial term can be used to describe an exceptionally high-flying home run?

14. Which English former fast bowler, his nation’s leading Test wicket-taker of all time, recently received a knighthood?

15. Australian tennis player Alex de Minaur recently lost his 12th consecutive match against which four-time Grand Slam winner?

16. Which two teams competed in Major League Baseball’s 2025 World Series?

17. Which AFLW club won the 2025 minor premiership, finishing on top of the ladder for the second year in a row?

18. In which year did Phar Lap win the Melbourne Cup?

19. Which 38-year-old Indian batsman scored 121 not out in the third ODI against Australia?

20. Red Cadeaux finished in which position on three seperate occasions in the Melbourne Cup?

21. 'Frozen rope' is a phrase used in which sport?

22. The WL is the world governing body of which sport?

23. What was the final score of the Matildas’ recent loss to England in Sam Kerr’s first game back as captain after recovering from injury?

24. For how many innings did Game 3 of the MLB World Series last?

25. Which player replaced Isaah Yeo as captain of the Kangaroos in the second Ashes Rugby League test?

26. The granddaughter of which world-famous public figure has this month made her debut in golf's LPGA Tour?

27. Cricket Australia recently announced they were cutting funding to which variant of the sport?

28. The US NFL and NHL leagues each have how many teams in their competition?

29. Who made history in 2025 as the first woman to win both the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup in the same year?

30. And which horse did she ride?

Red Cadeaux

Lexus UX hefty price rise

By Alistair Kennedy, Marque Motoring

The Lexus UX range of compact SUVs has been on sale in Australia since 2019, originally as the UX 250 with the choice of petrolorhybridpowertrains.Afullyelectric variant was added in 2021 with the current UX 300 replacing the UX 250 and dropping thepetroloption.

TheUX300ewasdiscontinuedearlierthis year.

We’re told the name stands for Urban Explorer which, sort of, identifies its target audience.

A compact SUV, the UX 300 sits on the same platform as the Toyota Corolla hatch, CorollaCrossandC-HRSUV.

The UX 300h hybrid comes in three variants, Luxury, Sports Luxury and F Sport Luxury is front-wheel drive only, the higher-spec models adding the option of all-wheel drive. Prices range from $55,370 forthe300h2WDLuxurythroughto$73,210 for the AWD F Sport On-road costs need to beadded.

Optional Enhancement Packs are available with additional features over those that are standard in the particular models. These range from $2050 through to $5600withtheFSport.

Our test vehicle was the UX 300h Sports Luxury.

Styling

Although classed as a compact SUV the UX 300h is 4.5 metres long and so just 10cm shorter and 15cm lower than the Toyota RAV4, giving it more of a hatchback than an SUVprofile.

The front of the UX 300h is dominated by the characteristic Lexus ‘spindle’ grille with vertical fins on the outer edges and eyebrow-likeLEDheadlightsandvertical.

Standard in all models are heated and powered folding door mirrors, rear privacy glass,roofrailsandasharkfinantenna.

TheFSportgetsitsowndesignforitsfront and rear bumper, F Mesh grille, jet black platingandfrontfenderemblems.

A moonroof with opening tilt and slide function is standard on the AWD Sports Luxury and F Sport and through EnhancementPacksintheothervariants.

The UX 300h Luxury comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, Sports Luxury and F Sport get differingdesignsof18-inchalloys.

Up to 10 exterior colours are available dependingonthevariant.

Interior

ThecabinoftheUX300hasapremiumlook and feel, which is expected from any Lexus vehicle.

The front seats are comfortable and supportive with synthetic leather in the F-Sport and Sports Luxury. The entry level LuxurygetsNuluxinteriortrim.

All models come with 10-way power adjustment for the driver and eight-way for the front passenger. All are heated but only the F-Sport and Sports Luxury are ventilated.

The steering wheel is powered with both heightandreachadjustment.

Switches for the seat heaters and seat ventilation are integrated into the upper console.

Leather-accentedsteeringwheelandgear knobarestandardinallvariants.

Safety Safety starts with eight airbags including driverandfrontpassengerdualstage,driver and passenger knee bags, driver and front passengersideairbagsandleftandrightfull curtainprotection.

The Lexus Safety System+ is the brand’s

RATINGS

Looks: 8/10

Performance: 8/10

Safety: 8/10

Thirst: 9/10

Practicality: 7.5/10

Comfort: 8/10

Tech: 8/10

Value: 7/10

AdvancedDriverAssistanceSystem(ADAS) that uses sensors, cameras and radars to alert drivers on potential problems. It includes a pre-collision safety system with pedestrian and daylight cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, road sign assist, blind spot monitoringandparkingsupport.

Other safety features include rear cross-traffic alert, hill start assist, low tyre pressure warning, rear Isofix child seat anchorsandrearseatoccupantreminder.

F-Sport and Sports Luxury add auto-levelling three-eye Bi-Beam LED headlamps.

Drivetrain

Powerisprovidedbya2.0-litre,four-cylinder direct petrol injection engine producing 112 Kw and 188 Nm. This is backed by a permanent-magnetmotorandalightweight lithium-ion battery giving combined maximumoutputsof146kWand206Nm.

This is put to ground through an electronic continuously variable automatic transmissionandall-wheeldrivesystem.

The F-Sport and Sports Luxury AWD variants come with the Lexus E-Four system.Thisusesadedicatedelectricmotor mounted to the rear axle to automatically provideextragripinslipperyconditions.

Infotainment

A 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen supports full smartphone pairing including

wirelessAndroidAutoandAppleCarPlay.

The digital instrument cluster is also 12.3-inch and can be customised according todriverpreferences.

Luxury and 2WD Sports Luxury get a 10-Speaker Lexus Premium Sound System; AM/FM radio, MP3 and WMA (Windows MediaAudio)playcompatible.

Sports Luxury and F Sport graduate to a 13-Speaker Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound System; Clari-FI and QuantumLogicSurround.

Driving

Although it’s a relatively small vehicle it’s easy to get into and out of thanks to large doorsandafairlyhighgroundclearance.

There is a colour head-up display but it only comes with Enhancement Packages in theF-SportandSportsLuxury.

On the road the Lexus UX 300h is quiet inside, at least on smooth bitumen. It’s versatile, easy to maneuver around town but not challenged on motorways where it’s reasonablysmoothandcanbepushedhard withoutbitingback.

The transmission is smooth with instant response. In manual mode switching between 3rd, 4th and 5th gears keeps the engine in the preferred power zone at all times.

The steering is relatively light with a nice leveloffeedback.

Handlingisneutral,thankstoalowcentre of gravity, with progressive breakaway,

controlled with some steering input, but some tyre squeal is evident during tight cornering.

The brakes are well-balanced although a bittooaggressiveforourtaste.

There are three drive modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport. Eco mode maximises fuel savings across all driving conditions by smoothing the throttle response and by moderating air-conditioning operation. Normal mode provides an optimal balance between driving performance and fuel efficiency. Sport Mode delivers quicker throttle response and increased power steeringfeel.

Fuelconsumptionislistedas4.4litresper 100 kilometres on the combined cycle. We averaged a tad under 5.0 L/100km during ourtest.

Summary

Comparisons between Toyota and Lexus models are inevitable, often coming down tocomparingcost/benefitanalysisbetween similarvehicles.

In the case of the Lexus UX 300h it sits around the same size as the Corolla Cross SUV but costs almost $20,000 less. Both are hybridswiththesamepowertrainincluding anall-wheeldriveoption.

The UX brings the higher level of prestige and extra quality that’s expected from any Lexus vehicle. But is that, together with the different badge, enough to justify the 20-grandpricehike?

The UX brings the higher level of prestige and extra quality that’s expected from any Lexus vehicle. (Pictures: Supplied)

Nicole Steward takes over Romsey women’s program

By Tara Murray

The driving force behind Romsey’s women’s program will coach the side in nextyear’sRiddellDistrictFootballLeague season.

Nicole Steward, who helped set up the team as she wanted to play in her hometown, has been announced as the Redbacks new coach.

Steward, who as the side’s inaugural captain, said it was pretty special to take on the role.

“It’s so exciting and I’m so thrilled,” she said. “It’s my little baby and I love it. I want it to grow bigger and better each year.

“We managed to get a few wins this year and I want to build on that.”

Steward said coaching had always been in the back of her mind, but thought it would more likely occur once she was at the back end of her playing career and thought she would likely start with juniors or as an assistant.

She said when the club offered her the role, she wasn’t going to say no.

“The club fully backs me,” she said. “The support has been through the roof.

“I’m still looking to play, but we will see how we go. I’ve got some good support around me.”

Steward said the 2025 season was more than the group could have ever imagined.

After not winning a game in their first twoseasons,theRedbackswonfourgames.

Just 12 points separated the second through to the Redbacks in sixth.

“The girls worked so hard and there’s a community within the team,” Steward said. “Everyone gets along and there’s support on and off field.

“There’s been hard work over a few years and we’ve now got the reward. We were hoping to win just one game.”

Steward said after the success of this season, finals would be something they would look at heading into next year.

She said there wasn’t much between the

sides this year and only a couple results were the difference between making finals and missing out.

“We’restrivingforfinals,sowe’llseehow we go,” she said.

Steward said they were keen to build the squad and what they’d been doing.

She said anyone who wanted to come down and play was welcome.

“People who have played before, those who haven’t can come down and try,” she said. “It’s an open environment. You can come and see if you like it.

“If you can’t fully commit we will make things work.

“I started the team so people in this area have the opportunity to play footy.

“I’vealwaysloveditandwanttoseemore opportunitiesforotherpeople.Comedown and have fun.”

The Redbacks are set to start pre-season later this month.

Details: https://www.facebook.com/ RomseyRedbacks

Rockies are primed

By Tara Murray

Macedon Ranges Rockies are happy with their start to the Basketball Victoria Country Basketball league north-west men’s season, but aren’t content with what they’ve done.

The Rockies, who had a bye on the weekend,havea5-2recordandhaveplayed some consistent basketball so far.

Coach Michael Ryan said they were really happy with how it was going.

“The team is great and the spread has been really good. After our last game we’ve got more and more players contributing,“ he said.

“The depth is unbelievable. We have 11 guysaveragingsixpointsormorepergame.

“It makes it hard for other teams to stop us.”

Ryansaidtheyknewtheyhadmoredepth than last season, but he wasn’t expecting a big spread as they’ve had so far.

He said it was a credit to the playing group and the work they had put in the last 12 months.

“We’ve got different guys performing in differentgameswhichhasbeenincredible.”

TheRockieshavehadsixdifferentplayers be the top scorer in the first seven games showing scoring power that they’ve got.

Theonlyplayertoleadthewayinmultiple games is Lucas Impey.

The return of Impey on the basketball court has been immense.

Having focused on football in recent years, Impey is averaging 18 points a game for the Rockies and enjoying being back on the court.

“He has been fantastic,” Ryan said. “The last couple of games he has continued to get his touch back.

“He brings a level of confidence to the group and it lifts everyone up.”

Sitting comfortably in the top four, Ryan said they wanted to ensure they continued thestrongformforthelastthreeweeksand hopefully into finals.

“Wearereallyexcitedfortheopportunity to hopefully play finals,” he said.

“We’ve done the work so far and with three games remaining we hope to continue that.

“We’vebeenscoringalotofpointsbutit’s the defence which has been fantastic.

“Zac Voight needs to take credit for what he has put in defensive schemes this year. It’s been a key to the success this year and how well we’re playing.”

Ryan said the week off at this time of the season had come at the perfect time.

It’s the sides only bye of the season.

Lucas

Impey. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 508555_10

He said after a heavy workload in terms of games, Ryan said it would be good to hit the practice court without the pressure of having to play as well.

Ryan said they have a tough run home withgamesagainstBendigoBraves,Melton Thoroughbreds and Kyneton Tigers.

He said they would all be good tests headingintofinalswhichtheywerekeento

Thunder’s female growth

East Sunbury’s women’s program is going from strength to strength in the off season, with the club now looking at fielding a second side next season.

Despite having never won an Essendon District Football League women’s match in its two years of having a side, there’s been an influx ofnewplayersjoiningtheclubthisoff season.

The Thunder announced on social media that due to high demand it would be fielding a women’s reserves side.

“This marks another exciting milestone for the Thunder’s women’s football program and highlights the stronggrowthandenthusiasmwithin our female playing group and wider community,” the club said on social media.

Thunder president Paul Wigginton said:the level of interest and momentum in the women’s program has been outstanding.

“We’re thrilled to be able to offer more opportunities for women to get involved and continue building a strong, inclusive pathway at East Sunbury.”

The club has signed Mark Hourigan as its women’s coach for next season.

He previously coached junior girls sides at the club and a number of players he has previously coached are planning on returning next season in a big boost for the program.

The latest signing for the Thunder announced is Hourigan’s daughter, Jess Hourigan.

Jess, who played juniors at the club, played four games for the Thunder women in their inaugural season before a season ending injury ruled heroutfortherestoflastyearandthis year.

“Jessica reads the game very well and is a solid player all around the ground,” Mark said.

be apart of.

The Rockies women’s side also had a bye on the weekend.

The Rockies women have one win for the season.

The men’s side faces Kyneton in the local derby this Saturday while the women have another bye with the Tigers not having a women’s side.

“I’m looking forward to Jessica regaining her fitness to contribute to this exciting team we are preparing for the upcoming season.”

Theclubisstillseekingmoreplayers for next season to join both its sides.

Pre-seasons starts 18 November, from 6pm at John McMahon Reserve.

Details: 0448 700 504 or https:// www.eastsunbury.org.au/ join-us-in-2026

Nicole Steward. (Supplied)

Plenty of bowls results despite the weekend rain

ThetopthreeintheBowlsVictoriaBallarat Highlands Bowls Region Highlands division 1 competition further cemented their spots despite horrible conditions on Saturday.

While rain saw much of the sport across Melbourne and the wider region called off, four of the five division 1 games were able togoaheadastherainheldofflongenough forsomeaction.

Kyneton slightly increased its lead at the top of the table with a convincing win againstRomsey.

Thereigningpremierswereabletoclaim allthepointsinan82(16)-36(9)win.

Terry Kelly’s rink was the standard on the day with a 34-7 win against Cameron Austin.

David James Thomas’ rink had an 18-17 win, while Anthony Mathison’s rink had

a30-12win.

Kyneton now sits four points clear of Kyneton Golf at the top, while Romsey sits insixthspot.

Golf only just got over the line against DiggersRest.

The match went down to the wire with Golfgettingovertheline53(14)-52(2).

Anthony Barker (20-15) and Peter Linehan (16-15) were the winning skips for Golf, while Kyle Stafford was the winning skipforDiggersRest(22-17).

The top two teams, who sit undefeated, haveabreakontherestofthepack.

Kilmore leads the chasing pack as it sits inthirdspot.

It had a good win against bottom side Lancefield,winning83(16)-48(0).

Lance Whitnall (29-17) and Daniel Noonan (34-13) were the big winners

forKilmore.

Broadford was the other winner on a wet andmiserableday.

It was a strong performance from Broadford as it defeated Woodend, 70 (14)-50(2).

Two of the three rinks were decided by one shot, with Daryl Kelly’s 35-15 win against Stephen Pickles the difference in theendtohelpBroadfordgetthejobdone.

Broadford is among the chasing pack of teams.

Theonlygamenottogoaheadindivision 1 was Trentham and Gisborne’s with the two teams sharing the points after their matchwaswashedout.

Gisborne sits in fourth spot with just 14 separating it down to Woodend in eighth spot.

In division 2, three of the four games

Sunbury’s rain play

By Tara Murray

Club Sunbury was the big winner in the Bowls Victoria weekend pennant division 1,section1competitiononSaturday.

As heavy rain across the metro region meant the majority of matches didn’t go ahead, but Sunbury managed to get on the greenatBacchusMarsh.

Whileitrainedthroughouttheclash,the twosidesstuckitout.

It proved worthwhile for Sunbury which cameawaywitha113(18)-62(0)win.

Sunbury’s David Glennon said all the playerswereprettysoakedattheendofthe day but were really happy with the result, as no other games in that division were completed.

“Itwasagoodwintoget19pointsandget somepointsonalltheothersides,”hesaid.

“Everyone else got nine points as they didn’t get on, apart from Bacchus Marsh whogetnothing.

“It could prove pretty crucial towards the end of the season in terms of shots

andpercentage.

“Itcouldworkwell.”

Marc Bullows’ rink had a massive 35-14 win, while Desmond Cann Jnr’s rink had a 34-15wintobethebigwinnersontheday.

MarkArmstrongreturnedtothesideand had a 22-14 win, while Lee Wesley’s rink won22-19.

Glennon said they had a few standouts acrosstheday.

He said Bullows and Ricky Bell, who was the lead in Bullows’ rink, had good days in that rink, while Cann and Shepherd both hadgooddaysinCann’srink.

Among those out there for Sunbury was former Australian star Carla Krizanic, who wasplayinghergamefortheseason.

Glennon said Krizanic wasn’t likely to play every week, but would play when she was available in a boost for the side.

Mark Cowan, who has been a long time skip at the club, is set to be available this weekforthefirsttimethisseason.

Glennon said it would mean some

werealsoabletogetresults.

Kyneton 2 was able to beat Macedon, 62 (14)-50 (2), Michael Plowman’s rink had a 24-13 win, while Denise Knight’s rink won 23-19.

Kyneton Golf 2 defeated Romsey 2 (58 (14)-51 (2) with Rick Seymour and John Trounce’srinksgettingthewinsforGolf. Like in the top grade, the two Kyneton teams sit atop the table with Golf 10 points clearofKyneton.

Gisborne 2 was the other winner as it beatBroadford2,68(13)-56(3).

Diggers Rest 2 and Kilmore 2’s game was washedout.

Meanwhile in division 3, just one game wasabletobecompletedduetotherain. Kyneton3wasabletoclaimamassive67 (16)-34(0)winagainstTrentham2. Kynetonsitsatopthetable.

Pearson joins AFL ranks

Jordyn Pearson has made history as just the second woman field umpire in the history of the AFL competition.

Pearson’s promotion from the rookie list will see her become the second woman field umpire in the history of the AFL competition, after Eleni Tee was the first woman field umpire to officiate an AFL game in 2017.

She has officiated 50 AFLW games, including the 2022 AFLW season 6 grand final, and 58 Victorian Football League games to date.

She was also named the AFLW umpiring rising star in 2024 and joined the AFLW Competition Committee in 2025 – the only umpire to be appointed to the committee.

Pearson, who came through the ranks in the Essendon District Football League and is from the Sunbury region, is honoured to be elevated to AFL level.

“I’m very proud and grateful for this opportunity. There’s been a lot of time spent working to achieve this dream, and now that it has happened, it’s unbelievable,” she said.

“To be only the second woman field umpire at AFL level is pretty special, but it also shows what is possible. I hope that by stepping out onto the field, I can inspire the next generation of umpires.

shufflingaround.

“It goes to show how good the squad are andthatanythingcanhappen.

“It’sgoodtogetsomekeyplayersback.”

Sunbury sits third on the ladder on 34 pointswitha2-1record.

The good luck flowed onto the second sidethatmanagedtoalsogetonandgetthe winagainstCraigieburn.

Sunbury was the only side to get a win in division 2, section 1 as it accounted for Craigieburn under the dome at Sunbury away from the wet and wild conditions.

Sunbury won 95 (14)-68 (4) with Clive Moffatt’srinkhavingabig37-12shotwin.

It was Sunbury’s first win of the season andbringsitbacktothepack.

The rest of Sunbury’s sides were washed out.

ThetopsidewillbeathomethisSaturday againstMooneeValley.

Glennon said they were hoping to make the most of home ground advantage and getanotherwinontheboard.

“Women and girls’ representation in football have grown rapidly over the past 10 years, and AFLW has been the catalyst for the change. It’s fantastic to see more women and girls involved in the game, from players and coaches to umpires and volunteers.

“There are more and more women being promoted to state league football or AFLW every year. It is hard to be what you cannot see, so young girls can now see that it is possible to play, coach, or umpire at higher levels.”

AFL Head of officiating Stephen McBurney said it was exciting to see Pearson join the ranks.

“Jordyn – an AFLW rising Star winner, AFLW grand final umpire, and VFL finals umpire – will join Eleni Tee as only the second woman in 130 years to field umpire at the highest level.

“Jordyn’s elevation to the AFL list is a significant milestone in what has been a record-breaking year for women in umpiring.”

Des Cann Jnr. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 515749_21

Sunbury Kangaroos beat the rain and the Tigers

The Sunbury Kangaroos were among the big winners on Saturday as rain played havoc in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association.

While many cricket associations called off all matches, it was report to grounds for GDCA clubs.

Theassociationsaidduetotheenormous geographicareathatmakesuptheGDCAit was not calling off the entire competition as there was a chance of results in some areas.

Action ended up being sparse, with just one game in each of the top grades taking to the field.

In Johnstone Shield, the Sunbury Kangaroos got a good win against Lancefield.

The Tigers had made 105 on day one

of the game with the Kangaroos quickly moving to 2-52.

Sunbury lost an early wicket on day two but were able to steady and were able to pass the Tigers total without the loss of another wicket.

The Kangaroos were in sight of 150 when the wickets started to fall.

They lost four quick wickets before settling in again. The Kangaroos declared at 7-200.

Simon Barry top scored with 61 while Russell Phillips had 42.

Cameron Osmond and Trent McNamara took two wickets each for the Tigers.

Lancefield was 0-23 in its second innings when the game was called.

In the McIntyre Cup, Macedon was left to rue a tough day with the bat against

Broadford.

Chasing Broadford’s 9-227, the Cats were bowled out for just 115 in the 49th over.

GarethDeRosayrowastheonlyplayerto scoremorethan20,finishingwith38atthe top of the order.

Broadford went back out and struggled with the bat as well as it was bowled out for just 89.

Cadel Howlett took five wickets and Cameron Clayton took four wickets for the Cats.

TheCatswere2-42whenthegameended.

It was slightly better conditions on Sunday, as all but one of the women’s matches were completed.

In the A-grade competition, Lancefield Black and Gisborne both got wins.

The Tigers were able to keep it tight

Bigger, better Gift

By Tara Murray

More races and events are set to add to the Lancefield Gift this Saturday.

The Community Bank Lancefield Gift is settoreturntoLancefieldParkonSaturday promising an exciting day of athletics, featuring some of Australia’s best runners and the spectacle of the Highland Games.

The event has the richest men’s and women’s 400 metre gifts, while the 120 metre also attract some top runners.

First staged in the late 1800s, the Lancefield Gift was once one of the most popularmeetingsonVictoria’sprofessional running circuit in the 1920’s, drawing athletes from across the state.

After going into hiatus in the 1960s, it returned last year for the first time in more than half a century, reclaiming its place as a key event on the Australian athletics calendar. .

Event organiser Chris Dynon said after the triumphant revival in 2024 this year’s event is shaping up to be even bigger and better.

He said the return of the gift was hailed as one of the most successful gifts of last season with strong crowds, national media coverage, and exceptional racing performances that carried through to the highest levels of competition

“Last year’s gift proved that Lancefield could host a truly national event, the atmosphere, the racing, and the community support were all incredible, so we knew we had to make it even bigger this year,” he said.

“The 2025 edition will feature an expanded program of running events, the debut of November’s other big cup, the Lancefield Cup over 800 metres, and the exciting addition of the Highland Games, ensuring a full day of sport for all ages.”

Last year’s women’s champion, Bella Pasquali,returnsin2025todefendhertitle after an incredible season that took her from Lancefield Park to the World Indoor ChampionshipsinChinajustafewmonths later, where she won a bronze medal for Australia.

Starting as the backmarker, she looped theentirefieldtotakethegiftinspectacular fashion.

On the men’s side, the Lancefield 120m sprint proved to be the leading guide to the Stawell Gift, with half the field in the Stawell final coming out of the Lancefield final including winner Jasper Thomas, who went on to finish second at Stawell.

“Whenyou’vegothalfthefieldinamen’s StawellGiftfinalandaWorldIndoorbronze medallist for Australia coming out of the meet from last year, then you are right up

against Kilmore.

Batting first, the Tigers made 5-97 from their 20 overs with Luzanne de Kock top scoring with 29.

Broadford was restricted to just 4-46.

Gisborne chased down Wallan’s runs with ease.

The Dragons restricted the Magpies to 63 before finishing 1-64 in return.

Every Gisborne player had a bowl with three players taking two wickets each.

Skipper Brianna Woodburn made 41 not out off 27 balls to guide her side to victory in just 9.2 overs.

Macedon and Bacchus Marsh’s match was abandoned.

In B-grade, Lancefield Yellow beat East Sunbury while Melton Centrals got its first win against Broadford.

EDFL

East Sunbury has signed Tom Phillips for next year’s Essendon District Football League division 2 season. Phillips joins the Thunder from Rupertswood, where he established himself as a big and strong ruckman who enjoys the contest. “We’re really excited to welcome Tom to East Sunbury. He’s a strong competitor who plays with passion and team spirit,” Thunder president Paul Wigginton said: “We’re really excited to welcome Tom to East Sunbury. He’s a strong competitor who plays with passion and team spirit. Tom fits perfectly with the culture and direction we’re building, and we can’t wait to see him in action in 2026.”

EDFL

The Sunbury Kangaroos have announced their first new signing for next year’s Essendon District Football League women’s season. Rhiann Leighton returns to the club after a season away. Leighton began her football journey with Montmorency in 2014, before moving to Oakleigh District in 2019 and joining the Kangaroos in 2023. Leighton played 13 games in two seasons for the Kangaroos before not playing last season. “Rhiann’s strong game awareness, versatility, and composure under pressure make her a valuable addition to the side,” the Kangaroos said.

Bendigo FL

there with the big gifts in Australia” said Dynon.

This year’s meeting introduces an exciting new feature event, the inaugural Lancefield Cup, an 800-metre race that revives the historic Matthew Maher Handicap,ahalf-mileeventthatwasoneof the meeting’s showpieces during the 1920s and 1930s.

“Australia now has two great Cup races to celebrate each November,” said Dynon.

“The world-famous Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday, and, just a few days later, the Lancefield Cup over 800 metres right here in Lancefield.”

This year’s event will also include Lancefield Highland Games.

Events will include traditional displays such as the caber toss, heavy hammer throw, and other Highland disciplines, showcasing a blend of Scottish heritage and raw power that’s sure to entertain spectators between the footraces.

The Highland Games kick off at 8.30 am, with the caber toss scheduled for 1pm.

The athletics program will kick off at noon with the 800 metre Lancefield Cup scheduled for about 3.30pm, the 120 metre sprint finals at 5pm, and the 400 metre gift finals, the men’s and women’s features, takingplacejustafter6pm,allatLancefield Park.

Gisborne has added a new face to it’s list for next year’s football season. Jordan Wilkins joins the club from Epping where he played 16 games this year and was named in the best nine times. “He’ll bring plenty of run and carry to our backline and has already fitted in seamlessly with the group,” the Bulldogs said. The Bulldogs have also announced that Flynn Lakey, who was already won a couple of club best and fairests, would return after a year off travelling.

RDFL

Macedon has signed Jacob Plowman for next year’s Riddell District Football League season. Plowman joins his brother in-law Hamish Govan in the blue and white for the 2026 season. A decorated career at Kyneton where he has played 251 games and kicked 188 goals.

Bella Pasquali is back to defend her title. (Neil Jameson)