16 days of activism
Cutouts of orange ladies will be appearing across Melton later this month to mark a global campaign aimed at ending violence against women and girls.
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence begins on 25 November, marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and concludes on 10 December, Human Rights Day. It serves as a call to action to raise awareness and strengthen efforts to eliminate gender-based violence.
The Zonta Club of Melton began its campaign advocacy early, walking in the Djerriwarrh parade on 8 November with their ’Zonta says no’ banner. Group members will also be distributing the orange ladies cutouts to libraries and community centres across the municipality.
President Annette Prederson said the club had also teamed up with Melton women’s cricket for an orange stumps event on 30 November. Zonta members will also take part in Melton council’s Walk With Her event from Hannah Watts Park to the Melton Amphitheatre on Wednesday 3 December.
Festivals need help
By Tara Murray
The organisers of two of Moorabool’s most loved festivals are calling for council support to ensure the future of the events as they battle ongoing increased costs.
Ballan Autumn Festival and Blackwood Woodchip and Easter Carnival attract big crowds each year and support the local community and businesses.
Mooraboolcouncillorsreceivedareport at a recent council meeting detailing costs and the benefits of providing sponsorship to both festivals.
Officers identified an indicative level of funding of $10,000 for the Ballan Autumn Festival and $5,000 for Blackwood Woodchop and Easter Carnival per annum.
HURRY, SELLINGFAST!
The council will decide whether to provide sponsorship at a later meeting, with no money currently allocated in the budget.
Ballan Autumn Festival president Kevin Harper said the festival is a community-run event supported by the community with approximately 8000 visitors attending each year.
Hesaidtherewerechallengesthatcould impact the festival going forward and they needed council support.
“Support keeps this much loved celebration alive and vibrant,” he said.
“Our greatest expense and the one challenge that now threatens the festival’s future, the safe and compliant closure of the main street and adjacent side roads.
“Once this was handled by Moorabool
shire…nowthefullcostontothevolunteer organising committee.
“Theroadclosuresarenotoptional,they are legal requirements under shire and Vicroads requirements.
“Until 2024, a council assisted to cover some of the cost of the road closure, this year’s absence of council support made a significant dent in our resources.”
Mr Harper said it costs almost $15,000 to close the roads and that moving the festival to council-owned Ballan Recreation Reserve wasn’t a viable option.
A council officer said the council no longer provided the funds to close the roads after changes from the Department of Transport meant the council was no longer qualified to close the road without prequalified contractors assessing it first.
Blackwood Woodchip and Easter Carnival’s Brendan
costs had continued to increase year on year.
About 4000 people attend the carnival each year, which has been running for 120 years.
Mr Hehir said it costs $45,000 each year to run the festival.
“Over the past decade the cost of staging this event has almost trebled and insurance alone has increased 10 fold,” he said.
“Recently increasing costs including compliance demands, event permits, health and safety have stretched our budget and volunteer work load.
“In the current economic climate it has become increasingly difficult to maintain sponsorships.”
Zonta Club of Melton members Lyn Hill, Geraldine Addicott and Jane Sultana with president Annette Pedersen. (Damjan Janevski) 516404_01
Hehir said
Mobile issues plague estate
By Laura Michell and Oscar Parry
Aninabilitytocalltriple-0andarelianceon
Wi-Fi calling are some of the issues Mount Atkinson residents say they are continuing to face due to a lack of phone reception.
Mount Atkinson Advocacy Forum memberPreetBajwasaidsincehemovedto the area two years ago, his phone alternates between zero and one bar of signal.
“We are not even able to access triple-0,” Mr Bajwa said.
“Last year, … one of the [tradespeople] was working at one of the houses in the community, he got injured, and he was not able to reach out to emergency services. Luckily there was a woman passing by who saw him injured … she drove two to three kilometres to find reception and to give emergency services a call.”
MrBajwasaidwithabout12,000residents in Mount Atkinson and the development being only 25 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD, he feels the community is being “left out”.
“[We] did reach out to the federal MP’s office last year … I think it was in February 2024 ... And then, after several follow-ups, we were notified in October 2024, that the said site was awarded funding via [a Peri-UrbanMobileProgramRound2Grant] and then we again reached out to them again in February 2025 for the status – and weweretoldit’sbeenundernegotiation[for] the last one year with the Department of Infrastructure.”
Fellow Mount Atkinson Advocacy Forum member Giri Khara said he feels that in new developments and growth communities, essential services like mobile connectivity are still facing “several planning hurdles
across the government layers” and taking four to five years to deliver.
Gorton MP Alice Jordan-Baird said she hasadvocatedtoCommunicationsMinister Anika Wells for improved connectivity in Mt Atkinson.
“There have been incidents where residents haven’t been able to call emergency services which is a matter of greatconcern,”shesaid.“I’mawarethatthis issue is ongoing and will continue to raise it with the department of infrastructure.”
A Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts spokesperson said a new mobile tower at
Mt Atkinson will be delivered by Waveconn andthedepartmentiscurrentlynegotiating a contract with the company for the site.
Telstra regional general manager Steve Tinker 4G and 5G coverage was available in Mt Atkinson, but the urban density of the area makes it difficult to get a good signal in places.
“We’ve been in discussions with the community and Melton council, and we have plans in the pipeline to build a new mobile base station in the area, which will improvemobilecoverageaswellascapacity for customers,” he said.
Inastatement,Optussaiditwascommitted to investing in new infrastructure to
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enhance coverage in Mt Atkinson and other expanding communities.
“To improve coverage, Optus is planning to build two new mobile sites in the area, which will provide stronger, more reliable servicetosupportthegrowingcommunity,” the statement read.
“Weareawareofcoverageissuesaffecting some residents in the Mt Atkinson estate. While Optus customers may experience some service issues, customers are still able to make triple-0 calls if another carrier has coverage in the area.
“In the interim, we have made adjustments to nearby towers to enhance coverage for the local community.”
Join us for a community walk, followed by a BBQ and performances, as we celebrate International Day of People with Disability and mark 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Together, we’ll champion respect, equality, and community for all.
Event details
Date
Wednesday 3 December Time 9:30am – 12pm
Starting point Hannah Watts Park 183 High Street, Melton Celebration venue Melton Town Centre Amphitheatre Palmerston Street, Melton
Event timeline 9:30am
Welcome to Country.
Community walk begins at Hannah Watts Park.
10:30am – 12pm
Community celebration at Melton Amphitheatre featuring:
• Mayoral address and keynote speakers
• Performances showcasing the talents of local people with disability
• Free Community BBQ
• Free coffee
More information
You can find more information and view the background documents by visiting: melton.vic.gov.au/16days
A welcoming and liveable City accessible to all
Mount Atkinson residents Giri Khara, Chandra Thotakura, Saleem Cheema, Ace Estevez, and Farhan Khan. (Damjan Janevski) 514118_06
New mayor for Moorabool
By Laura Michell
First-termcouncillorStevenVenditti-Taylor has been elected Moorabool mayor for 2025-26, while Jarrod Bingham will act as deputy despite two councillors voting against appointing someone to the role.
Cr Venditti-Taylor won the mayoral election on Wednesday 12 November, ahead of Cr Moira Berry and outgoing mayor Paul Tatchell.
Cr Bingham was elected deputy mayor ahead of Cr Sheila Freeman.
However, Cr Tom Sullivan voted against the appointment of deputy mayor,
preferringinsteadtoalloweverycouncillor the opportunity to step in for the mayor when required. Cr Tatchell also voted against nominating a deputy mayor.
Outgoing deputy mayor Rod Ward said the role of deputy mayor was an important one, citing his experience of needing an unexpected knee replacement while mayor, which required then-deputy mayor Ally Munari to step into the mayor’s chair.
“Having been mayor and having been deputymayor,Iunderstandtheimportance of having a deputy mayor,” he said,
“I think a deputy mayor is there to support the mayor.
Performer is Stayin’ Alive
Melton born and bred performer Hannah Canonbeatouthundredsofotherhopefuls to score a role in the upcoming production of Saturday Night Fever.
The show is based on the 1977 cult film, which reshaped music, fashion and film in the 1970s. The soundtrack is packed with disco classics including the Bee Gees’ hits Stayin’Alive,HowDeepIsYourLove,Night Fever, Tragedy and More Than A Woman.
Canon will appear in the ensemble.
“You can’t help but want to dance when you hear the music in this iconic show, and I’m sure the audience will feel it too,” she said.
Canon and her four sisters were brought up in Melton by her Chilean mum.
She went on to become a National Latin Dance champion and has worked as a singer in shows around Australia and in
Europe,” she said.
“My first Latin dance school was what is now known as Dancesport Westside in Melton, where I first developed my passion for Latin dancing. “Although I no longer live there and now have my own dance studio, Canon Dance House, having spent my formative years in Melton, I love seeing a strong arts community—particularly for youth—and a thriving local Latin dance school where others can discover their passion.
“This is my first musical theatre show in Melbourne, and it’s incredibly exciting to be alongside such an amazing cast of brilliant artists bringing this iconic musical to life.”
The show is set to take over Melbourne’s historic Athenaeum Theatre in Melbourne from January 8 2026.
“The mayor is going to be under an enormousamountofpressureandscrutiny, especiallyoverthenext12monthsrunning into the state election.
“There is obviously a need for the mayor to be in many places at once and if the mayor is unable to do so, the ability to rely on the deputy mayor is paramount.”
Following his election as mayor, Cr Venditti-Taylor paid tribute to Cr Tatchell.
“I want to thank Paul for all he has done for Moorabool,” he said.
“IfIcanbehalfagoodmayoraswhatyou are, I will have done a really good job.”
CrVenditti-Taylorthankedhiscolleagues
for the opportunity to lead the council and thanked council staff for the support they had given him during his first 12 months on council.
“As your mayor, I am committed to serving the people of Moorabool with integrity, transparency and respect,” he said. “The role is not about prestige, it is about service. We are here because the community has entrusted us to represent their best interests, listen and deliver and advocate on their behalf.
“We face a lot of challenges within Moorabool dnd we’ve pretty much got to unite together to get the best results.”
Melton born and bred performer Hannah Canon. (Supplied)
Help spread festive cheer
Mooraboolresidentsarebeingencouraged to embrace the spirit of Christmas by taking part in Bacchus Marsh Uniting Church’sreverseadventcalendarprogram.
Participants can collect a box from the church on Gisborne Road, in which they can place an item to donate to locals in needeachday.
The boxes include a list of suggested donations, which include pasta, rice, past sauce,tea,coffeeandtoiletries.
Reverse advent calendar co-ordinator Iris Blythe said the program aimed to encouragepeopletothinkofothersduring thefestiveseason.
“After the pandemic, everyone thought it would get better, but for many people it hasn’t,“shesaid.
Ms Blythe said local groups had banded together to fill boxes, while some people had collected boxes for family members fromoutsideoftheareatofill.
Local schools are also taking part with Myrniong Primary School collecting 10 boxes, Pentland collecting four and Maddingley Montessori Centre also collectingfour.
“They put them in the foyer and families fill them. It helps because sometimes families can’t fill a box themselves,“ Ms Blythesaid.
The boxes need to be returned to the church on 14-15 December so they can be checked and their items distributed to charity partners Soul Food, Uniting and CAFS(ChildandFamilyServices).
Briefs
Melton Hospital cranes
Six tower cranes will be installed on the site of the new Melton Hospital over the coming months. The first crane scheduled to arrive this month, and all six cranes are expected to be in place by the end of March. Crane installation works will typically take place over weekends to minimise traffic disruptions. The cranes will be delivered in parts, with traffic management in place around the site entry points on Bridge Road. You may notice an increase of truck movements around the site during each crane installation.
Drug driver
An unlicensed driver was under the influence of drugs when he ran a red light and claimed he was rushing his passenger to hospital, according to police. But the closest hospital was in the opposite direction. Westgate Highway Patrol officers spotted a black Holden Commodore sedan driving through a red light on Francis Street in Brooklyn about 10.30pm on 13 November. The vehicle was pulled over and police will allege the driver, a 35-year-old Bacchus Marsh man, was found to be unlicensed. Police will further allege the driver then tested positive to an oral fluid test indicating drugs in his system. The Holden was impounded at a cost of $999.52.
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Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly
Christmas Craft Market
Bacchus Marsh Uniting Church members Iris Blythe, Margaret Murphy and Kylie Lumb. (Damjan Janevski) 513789_01
Melton remembers
Locals gathered at the Melton cenotaph on High Street on Tuesday 11 November to remember those who gave their lives in service. Organised by the Melton RSL Subbranch, the Remembrance Day service included a minute’s silence at 11am. StarWeekly photographer Ljubica Vrankovic captured these pictures from the service.
Veterans Sam Welham, Russel Pettis, Reginald Cooke, Ian Lawrey and Dale Borthwick. 515457_44
Hawke MP Sam Rae. 515457_01
Left: Reginald Cooke and Wayne Gillies lay wreaths at the cenotaph. 515457_08
Centre: Melton RSL Sub-branch president Reginald Cooke. 515457_35 Right: Wreaths at the cenotaph. 515457_41
Melton deputy mayor Phillip Zada paid his respects. 515457_04
Sergant Joe Mutsaerts lays a wreath on behalf of local police. 515457_17
CFA’s Anthony Rhodes and John Hoffman. 515457_19
Stephen Cook laying down wreath on behalf of St Lenards Primary School. 515457_33 Bugler Andrew Wilson. 515457_38 Melton councillor Sophie Ramsey. 515457_16
Melton MP Steve McGhie was also in attendance. 515457_02
The Victorian Government is delivering real help, right now with over 90 different savings benefits. Like saving families up to $200 per eligible student with Get Active Kids Vouchers. As well as boosted school camps, sports and excursion payments, with savings of up to $400 per eligible student from January.
Find out what you’re eligible for on the Service Victoria Savings Finder today.
Melton trains a ‘top priority’
TheMeltontrainlineshouldbeelectrifiedby 2030 and two new stations built in Melton, according to the state’s peak infrastructure advisor.
Infrastructure Victoria’s (IV) latest Victorian Infrastructure Strategy makes 45 recommendations to the state government across infrastructure sectors including transport, health, housing, energy, social infrastructureandtheenvironment.
IV said that by 2030, the government should extend metropolitan train services fromSunshinetoMeltonbyelectrifyingthe line, and it should build two more tracks to provide four tracks from Sunshine to CarolineSpringstoallowforfasterGeelong, Ballarat and Wyndham Vale V/Line services.
It said this should be a “top priority“ for the west, and be completed alongside the plannedupgradetothesixkilometresofrail aroundSunshinestation.
Mt Atkinson resident Giri Khara said residents have been calling for the parallel planning and delivery of the electrification oftheMeltonlineandSunshineSuperhub.
“This parallel approach will ensure unlocking benefits of the Sunshine Superhub but also unlocking the housing potential that western Melbourne offers duringthishousingcrisis,”hesaid.
IV has also recommended new stations at Thornhill Park (Paynes Road) and Mt Atkinson(HopkinsRoad).
Infrastructure Victoria chief executive Dr Jonathan Spear said electrifying the Melton line would result in up to 16,000 more train trips and up to 9000 fewer car tripseachdayby2041.Thereportstatesthat running trains more often on the Melton line, including the extensions, would mean Melton residents could access 18,000 more jobswithin60minutesbypublictransport.
“Withnewhomesaroundexistingstations and bus network improvements to connect to new stations factored in, the overall benefits are likely higher,” Dr Spear said.
“The extensions would reduce congestion and travel times on many roads and trains during morning peak hours, including the WesternFreeway.”
Centre streetscape upgrades on the way
Four locations are set to receive streetscape improvementsintheMeltonTownCentre.
Meltoncouncilhasreleaseddraftplansof theupgradestothelocationsonHighStreet.
The planned upgrades would include the creation of new welcoming spaces near existing food and retail outlets, where residents and visitors can spend time enjoyingwhattheprecincthastooffer.
The proposed works would involve the demolition of existing footpaths, followed by the construction of new paving, landscaping and installation of street furniture.
Council said the new streetscape upgrades will enhance the amenity of the High Street retail precinct and encourage greatercommunityuse.
Theareahasrecentlybenefitedfromother upgrades including a new playground, footpaths upgrades, street furniture, artworks and activities in partnership with thestategovernment.
The council has worked closely with local traderstoshapethenewdesignsandisnow inviting community members to view the plansandprovideinput.
Former Melton mayor Steve Abboushi,
who finished his term earlier this month, said the streetscape upgrades are about creating vibrant, welcoming spaces where residentsandvisitorscanrelaxandsocialise andsupportlocalbusinesses.
“We’ve worked closely with the traders in High Street to develop the design of these upgrades,andnowwewanttohearfromthe widercommunity,“hesaid.
“Your feedback will help us deliver a streetscape that reflects local needs and aspirations.”
Feedbackisopenuntil24November.
Details:conversations.melton.vic.gov.au
A government spokesperson said rebuilding Sunshine station is the first step towards electrifying the Melton line – with the station set to unlock capacity for more than 1000 services each day across the busiest rail lines in Melbourne’s west and westernVictoria.
The $4.1 billion Sunshine Superhub projectwillincludeconstructionofthetrack thatwillbecometheelectrifiedMeltonline.
“Worksareunderwayonthe$650million Melton line upgrade, which will increase passenger capacity by 50 per cent by 2027 –when nine-car VLocity trains are delivered – ensuring capacity is delivered as soon as possible whilst preparing the line for electrification,”thespokespersonsaid.
The fire danger period will begin in Moorabool later this month, with locals urged to remove flammable materials from their properties and complete private burn-offs while they arestillpermitted.
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) has announced that the fire danger periodwillbeginon24November.
Oncethefiredangerperiodisplace, a written permit will be needed to burn off grass, undergrowth, weeds or other vegetation. Lighting fires in the open during the fire danger period can result in a penalty of more than $21,800 and/or 12 months’ imprisonment,theCFAsaid.
The CFA is urging locals to use the time leading into the fire danger periodtopreparetheirproperties.
District15actingassistantchieffire officer David Harris said there were large fuel loads in the area due to recentrainfall.
“Thereisconcernaboutthedryness within forested and bushland areas,” he said. “There is lots of high grass which will dry quickly and provide lotsoffuelforrunningfires.
“We’re asking residents to clean up around their homes, remove flammable materials, and ensure any privateburn-offsarecompletedsafely and responsibly before restrictions comeintoeffect.”
Those conducting burn-offs must apply for a permit and notify authorities at www.firepermits.vic. gov.au,or1800668511.
Melton Town Centre is set for an upgrade. (Melton council)
Dear memories drive away
By Narelle Coulter
Saying goodbye to thousands of objects collected over a lifetime is bittersweet for octogenarian Ray Jones and his wife Gaye.
The couple are selling their Brookfield home of 30 years and downsizing to a new home in Ballan close to medical facilities. But in order to sell the property, they must first dispose of a vast collection of car parts, tools, farm equipment, swap cards and other collectibles.
A highlight of the online auction, to be held on Sunday 30 November from 10am, will be a 1954 Ford Crestline Tourer and a 1975 Holden Kingswood wagon.
Ray, 84, bought the “top of the range convertible” Crestline two years ago. Originally imported from America, the car was Ford’s most luxurious model from 1952 to 1954.
Ray’s love of cars was driven by his father and uncle who both loved “tinkering“ with old vehicles.
“I had an interest from 14 or 15 years old. I used to kill one car a year. We drove hard put it that way,” said Ray, whose first car was a ’39 Chevrolet ‘Sloper’ sedan he acquired in 1965.
He said the Sloper “had a lot of style, but was expensive to run.”
In the 1970s Ray started buying FX and FJ Holdens. He and Gaye are still involved with the FX/FJ Holden Club of Australia.
“I just love Holdens. There is a lot of nostalgia with them. They’ve got style and heart,” Ray said.
His interest in tools started when he was an apprentice scale mechanic, fixing all manner of scales from weighbridges to scales used by butchers and chemists.
Melbourne Renewable
Energy Hub
AmongRay’stoolcollectionis50different shifting spanners, some handmade. Ray said he and Gaye used to scour swap meets and clearing sales for items to add to their collection but “stopped going 15 years agobecausewewererunningoutofspace”. IttookateamofpeoplefromMEAuctions numerous days to organise and catalogue the thousands of items ready for sale.
For Ray it “tugs at the heart” to part with so many beloved items, but he encourages interested buyers to snap up a piece of
history for their own collections.
“If you have an interest in tools or memorabilia or car related things it’s a must to have a look.”
Hanging on the back fence of their new, much smaller home the Jones have a lasting reminder of their passion for cars and collecting - metal cutouts of their old Holden ute and sedan.
To view the items for sale go to meauctions.com.au. Catalogues and details from Martin 0418 509 134.
I just love Holdens. There is a lot of nostalgia with them. They’ve got style and heart - Ray Jones
SEC and Equis have partnered to deliver the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub, one of the world’s biggest batteries located in Melbourne’s west. Set to be fully operational by the end of the year, the Hub will have the capacity to power 200,000 homes during peak periods.
As part of the project, a $2.5 million Community Benefit Fund has been established to ensure the local community receives direct benefits throughout the facility’s operational life. We’re committed to investing in initiatives that reflect and support the needs of the community.
We’re putting $100,000 each year into local projects, programs and events for the next 25 years to deliver lasting positive outcomes for City of Melton, Plumpton and nearby areas, including Hillside, Diggers Rest, Fraser Rise and Sydenham.
We’re inviting you to have your say on how the funds could be best put to use in your local community.
Come and chat to us at any of the following locations:
Woodgrove Shopping Centre
533-555 High St, Melton West
Date: Thursday 20 November
Time: 10am – 2pm
The Community Grocer
Kurunjang Community Hub
35 Mowbray Crescent, Kurunjang
Date: Friday 21 November & Friday 28 November
Time: 9am – 11am
For more information, visit equis.engagementhub.com.au/mreh
Ray and Gaye Jones with their Ford Crestline which is going under the hammer. (Damjan Janevski) 516401_01
1975 Holden Kingswood wagon.
Conservation takes flight
The Golden Sun Moth is a vulnerable species endemic to south-eastern NSW, the ACT and Victoria. With Golden Sun Moth conservation sites across Hume, Brimbank, Wyndham and Whittlesea, the insect has cemented its home in Melbourne’s northwest. However the moth is still under threat from increased development in the region. Sam Porter spoke to Hume council’s conservations program supervisor Eric Stone about the insect and the Golden Sun Moth conservation site in Craigieburn.
Part of the reason why Golden Sun Moth numbers are so hard to accurately record is because the insect is only alive for one to four days. Born without mouthparts, the moth cannot eat and has one sole purpose in its fewdaysasamatureadult—tofindamate and reproduce.
In Melbourne’s northern suburb of Craigieburn the moth has found a sanctuary at a 44-hectare conservation site. The reserve was sectioned off as part of a 2009 federal government condition of approval when granting land developer, Stockland, permission to develop the Highlands estate.
Eric Stone is a conservations program supervisor at Hume council and co-manages the site alongside numerous nature reserves in the east of Hume.
“Realistically, that organism is only a moth for a very small percentage of its life cycle … the rest of the time that organism is actually under the ground as a grub,” he said.
“They can be under the ground for definitely one year, maybe two, maybe three years. We’re not sure how long they can be under there for.”
It would be better to protect nature before it becomes critically endangered than try to do so afterwards - Eric Stone
The Craigieburn reserve is an environmental offset created to compensate for significant biodiversity loss caused by land development.
Hume council took on responsibility for the reserve after Stockland’s approval condition expired in 2020.
Inthesameyear,themoth’sclassification was downgraded from critically endangered to vulnerable in Victoria due to increased conservation efforts.
However, increasing housing development projects pose ongoing risks to the moth and its natural grasslands habitat, and so ecologists, developers, local communities and government are making concerted efforts to protect the nativeecosysteminthesegrowingregions.
“I think that in high growth areas, like Hume, you need to carefully consider the impacts that that’s going to have on nature,” Eric said.
ThebiggestpartofEric’sroleismanaging the contractors who do the physical work at the site such as mowing back grasses to encourage moth reproduction.
“The reason that we do that is to reduce the biomass and give the moths that space that they need to fly around to recognise each other.”
During the reproductive season, from mid-October to January, male moths fly above tussock grasses, looking for signals from females crawling in between grasses on the ground.
“[The female’s] wings have a sort of little golden splash on them and that’s why they call them Golden Sun Moths,” Eric said.
“The females will sense the male flying around and they’ll give that little flash of the wings, and they can find each other.
“Ifthegrassgetstoolong,thentheycan’t do that so we mow it this time of year just before the season starts.”
If moths successfully mate the female will lay her eggs at the base of the tussock grass.
The most common grass at the Craigieburn site is the non-native Chilean needle grass which the moth has quickly taken to.
“Golden Sun Moth is a bit of an anomaly inthatit’sactuallyabletothriveinChilean needle grass which is, in many other places, considered a fairly bad weed,” Eric said.
When the weather conditions are right and the moth larva is ready for its next life phase, it will migrate to the surface of the soil and undergo pupation.
Every few years, Eric and his colleagues conduct surveys to track seasonal variations and Golden Sun Moth numbers at the reserve.
“We’renottryingtocountallofthemoths in the reserve. We’re trying to gather data over successive years about how many we can see from a certain set of viewpoints in a reserve,” Eric said.
Surveys are conducted on days with favourable weather conditions for moth activity, and moths are counted within the same marked areas across the site.
“You’re counting the amount of moths
that you can see flying around within a certain time period, maybe five minutes, and you’ll generally have at least two people so that you can see in different directions.”
Eric said climate change could be detrimental to the Golden Sun Moth’s survival especially for populations living in small, isolated urban areas surrounded by housing or roads.
“If something happens like it gets a lot wetter, or it gets a lot drier, maybe some of its core food plants drop out of those systems, those moths can drop out of the system as well because they haven’t got enough alternatives in the landscape, and they can’t travel very far.
“The males can possibly fly up to about 400 metres at a stretch. The female is nowhere near that. They can’t cross things like suburbs and extensive roads and car parks and form new populations easily elsewhere,“ Eric said.
“I think [the conservation site at Craigieburn is] an example of a good offset for Golden Sun Moths because it’s large, it’s interconnected with other reserves, and there’s some variable habitat in here so that we can create different conditions.
“The great thing about an offset like
this is we can do more than protect and preserve a Golden Sun Moth population. We can protect, preserve and improve other aspects of the natural environment as well.”
EricwasaskedwhytheGoldenSunMoth is important.
“It’s a bit of a philosophical question,” he replied. “I do think that there is something strange about the way we rate the importance of nature. There tends to be a situation where we’ll wait for something to become really endangered, and then suddenly we’ll consider it to be really important and worth protecting, but it seems to me it would be better to protect nature before it becomes critically endangered than try to do so afterwards.
“[The Golden Sun Moth] is not really more important than all of the other creatures and plants and ecology that also could become critically endangered if we don’t protect it. It’s a part of these ecosystems, and it has its role.
“Butreallyit’saquestionof,‘doyouthink ecosystems are important? Do you think that they have a function in our modern society?’ Because if the answer is yes, well, then the Golden Sun Moth is important just like the rest.”
Main: Eric Stone is a conservations program supervisor at Hume council. Left: The Golden Sun Moth conservation site in Craigieburn. (Pictures: Sam Porter)
Right: Golden Sun Moth. (Source: CSIRO Science. Image contributed by Andrew Wright. Copyright CSIRO ScienceImage)
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.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
WANT
Christmas carols
Join Christ Church Anglican Church in singing traditional Christmas Carols followed by seasonal refreshments between 11am and noon every Thursday until Christmas. The church also has a Christmas Fair on Saturday 6 December, 10am-1pm. Family Christmas Carol services will be held 14 December at 9.30am and Christmas Eve at 6pm. Carols by Candlelight is on Saturday 21 December at 6pm. All welcome. At 2-4 Unitt Street, Melton.
9743 5363
Christmas baking
Discover how to give your holiday baking an extra festive touch in Melton South Community Centre’s Christmas biscuit decorating workshop on Saturday 13 December, from 10am-1pm. Work with royal icing and take home five-six biscuits. Everything is supplied. Cost: $60/$55 concession.
9747 8576
Festive canapes
Take your festive entertaining to the next level with a range of canapes that will impress your family and friends. Join Melton South Community Centre’s Christmas Canapes workshop on Sunday 30 November, from 10am-1.30pm, and learn how you can create savoury bites perfect for parties and get-togethers. Everything is supplied. Cost: $60/$55 concession.
9747 8576
Take weight off naturally Struggling to lose weight? Struggling to get motivated? Want to try and do it in a friendly and less stressful atmosphere? Come and join TOWN (Take Weight Off Naturally) every Tuesday at 6pm at the Darlingsford Barn, Darlingsford Boulevard, Melton.
Catherine, 0416 612 517, or Bob, 0411 824 739
Parkinson’s support group
The Melton Parkinson’s Support Group meets on the second Thursday of the month, 10.30am-12.30pm, at Kurunjang Community Centre, 33-35 Mowbray Crescent, Kurunjang. New members and carers are welcome.
Helen, 0409 186 576
Melton Bridge Club
The Melton Bridge Club has weekly social bridge sessions at the Melton Library on Fridays from 10am-noon. Come along to play an exciting, social card game and have loads of fun. Bridge offers the suspense of poker, the cerebral qualities of chess and the excitement of athletic sports, all in a relaxed and social setting. If you like playing cards this is for you.
Rosemary, 0407 894 817
Melton South Knit & Natter
All are welcome to join this social crafting group, running at the Melton South Community Centre each Monday from 10am-noon. Bring along any knitting or crochet projects and work on them while sharing tips, learning skills and catching up over a cuppa.
9747 8576
Yule log baking
Delight your loved ones this Christmas with a homemade Yule log dessert, created from sponge cake, chocolate and flavoured cream. Learn how you can make your own at Melton South Community Centre’s festive workshop on Sunday 14 December, from 10am-1pm, and take home your creation. Everything is supplied. Cost: $60/$55 concession.
9747 8576
U3A Melton
U3A Melton offers among its activities a book group, Australian history and a gentle exercise class for those 55 and older who are retired or semi-retired who wish to stay mentally and physically active.
0419 563 016
Melton Combined Probus Club
The Melton Probus Club meets on the first Tuesday of each month at the Melton Dart Club, 63a Reserve Road, from 9.45am.
9746 0271
Community singing group
If you love to sing, come join the Melton Singers. The group rehearses regularly and also performs at aged care facilities. The group is very relaxed and sings songs mainly from the 1960s and 70s. It meets Tuesdays at 10am.
Val, 0418 667 150
Melton Trauma Teddies
Melton Trauma Teddies are seeking volunteers to assist with knitting, stuffing, or stitching teddy-bears that go to children in their time of need.
Jean, 0412 931 498
Boomerang Bags Bacchus Marsh
Boomerang Bags Bacchus Marsh make reusable shopping bags from rescued fabric. They need people to cut, sew, iron and market our bags. The group meets on the first Sunday each month at Darley
Neighbourhood House, 2-5pm.
https://63ec55b8628d6.site123.me/ Garden Club
The Bacchus Marsh and District Garden Club meets on the second Tuesday of each month except January, from 7.30pm, at The Laurels, 229 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh. Guest speakers and supper provided. New members welcome.
Michelle, 0421 106 268
Fishing club
Didyabringyarodalong Angling Club of Melton and Bacchus Marsh is a fishing club that welcomes and encourages people of all ages, genders and fishing abilities to partake in enjoying the outdoors in a relaxing and friendly environment. The club holds monthly fishing competitions at various locations, fresh and saltwater. New members are most welcome.
Andrew, 0407 303 438, or Wayne, 0414 785 366
Darley Neighbourhood House
The Darley Neighbourhood House and Learning Centre is at 33-35 Jonathan Drive, Darley. It offers free and low-cost activities for all. There is a monthly repair cafe, a community pantry, a fortnightly chatty cafe and venue hire is available.
www.bit.ly/DNHnow, or 5367 4390
Reverse Advent Calendar boxes
Bacchus Marsh Uniting Church will again
this year coordinate the pickup and collection of Reverse Advent Calendar boxes for this area. A Reverse Advent Calendar begins as an empty box. For 20 days in the lead-up to Christmas, you place one item (non-perishable food, toiletries, or a Christmas treat) into the box. After 20 days, your filled Reverse Advent Calendar is returned to the church, where it will be given to food relief agencies to distribute to people in our immediate community who are experiencing food insecurity. Boxes will be available for pickup on Sunday mornings between 9-11.30am.
Iris, 0408 106 733
Lights of Wisdom
The Bahá’ís of Moorabool warmly invite you to ’Lights of Wisdom’ – a monthly event providing an opportunity to relax in a tranquil environment and reflect on inspiring themes. The event is held on the first Friday of each month from 7.30–8.30pm at the Lerderderg Library in Bacchus Marsh. This is a free community event open to all.
Zonta club
Zonta is an international organisation bringing women together to support other women. The Zonta Club of Melton meets on the first Monday of each month at Melton Country Club, Reserve Road, Melton. Meetings include guest speakers. Janet, 0421 080 923, or info@zontaclubofmelton.org.au
This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of Delicate Lady, rode by Thomas Stockdale winning race four at the Kyneton Cup. (Damjan Janevski) 516055_01
Melodies to wow Wyndham
The Royal Australian Navy Band, the Bee Gees Revival and Australian Fleetwood Mac Show are just some of the acts heading to Encore Events Centre next year as part of the popular Morning Melodies program. Wyndham council has released the line-up for the 2026 program, with each month featuring a different musical genre and theme that brings the audience along on a musical journey Council said Morning Melodies is a great way to experience an affordable and entertaining show, with performances held on the second Tuesday morning of every month, between 11am and noon. Doorsopenat10.30amandtheshowsrun for one hour. Each show is $15 and includes morning tea.
Cr Mia Shaw said Morning Melodies is one of Wyndham’s most popular arts events.
“The Morning Melodies program continuestoplayanimportantrolebringing peopletogethertoenjoymusicalshowsand connecting the community,“ she said.
“The2026programwillfeatureanexciting mix of classic hits, cabaret and musical tributes,featuringsomeofAustralia’sfinest touring acts and local talent.”
“From toe-tapping swing and rock ‘n’ roll favourites to heartfelt ballads and nostalgic performances – whatever your taste in music – there is something for everyone!
“Morning Melodies isn’t just about great music and entertainment, it’s a chance for residents to enjoy performances close
to home, share morning tea with friends, and be part of Wyndham’s vibrant creative culture. We’re proud to continue this much-loved tradition in 2026.“
The first performance is scheduled for 10 Februaryandwillbe all-timefavourite,the Bee Gees Revival which is sure to have the audiences singing along to ‘Stayin Alive’.
The season continues with the Royal AustralianNavyBandwhowillshowcasing their talents on 10 March with some old renditions that will have everyone tapping along.
For those that enjoy a fun upbeat sing along Piano By Request, featuring Joss Russell from Piano Bar on 12 May will be justtherighttempo.Audiencewillhavethe opportunity to be part of the show, as Joss
Sunbury Streetlife is back for family fun
Sunbury is set to come alive as Sunbury Streetlife takes over the town. The annual event is a fan-favourite on the calendar, withO’ShannassyandBrookstreetsclosing totrafficforthemassiveevent.
OnthemainstagenearIGA,enjoyarange of performers, while sipping a cocktail or twoatthebar.
Near the Royal Hotel, you’ll find the Roaming Range, where you can challenge yourself to a mini putt challenge on the bigscreen.
Near Paint Spot, reach new heights and test your limits on the Rock Climbing Wall, and on the Brook Street end, have a go at pickleball and check out the Sunbury CFA firetruckupclose.
In the Village Green, there’s plenty to do and see, with pony rides and an animal farmgettingyouupcloseandpersonalwith somefurryfriends.
Along the streets will be plenty of market
stalls, with the community showcasing its many talents for you to purchase, as well as plentyoffoodanddrink.
There is over 120 market stalls planned, as well as live music from Gareth Huggett and The Remedy, Cold Snap, Insync Entertainmentandmore.
Sunbury Streetlife will return to O’Shannassy and Brook streets in Sunbury onSunday23Novemberfrom10amto4pm. Theeventisfreetoattend.
Enjoy a taste of Africa at Footscray night market
Following the resounding success of its first edition in March, the Little Africa Night Market is set to return, bringing even more colour, culture, and community spirit to Footscraythismonth.
The event, which celebrates African culture through food, fashion, art, and live performances, will once again transform Nicholson Street into a lively marketplace filled with sights, sounds, and flavours from acrossthecontinent.
Organisers promise an evening full of family-friendly fun, with a variety of food stalls showcasing the vibrant flavours of Footscray’s diverse traders, handmade crafts,stunningfashiondisplaysandroving
takes live song requests, in this intimate and interactive show.
The Australian Fleetwood Mac Show will feature on 14 July, with the GYPSY tour and will have the audience reminiscing and wanting to go back to the ‘Edge of Seventeen’.
The Crooners, Issi Dye and Gary Johns will have the dance floor swaying on 11 August.
MikeBradywillperformforaspecialOne Day in September on 8 September followed byTheAustralianABBATributeShowon13 October.
Tickets for the 2026 Morning Melodies at Encore program are now on sale. Details: www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/ morning-melodies
The king of pop is back
Looking for a ‘Thriller’ of a night?
MJ the Musical is showing in Melbourne and giving locals their Michael Jackson music fix.
Melton resident Zavier, who plays Little Marlon in the production, said actingtheiconicroleandperforming as part of the Jackson 5 has been incredible fun.
He was initially shocked and excited when he found out he’d been cast in the role.
“I had gone through a few audition rounds, and it was so cool to hear thatmyhardworkhadpaidoff.Itwas Christmas Eve when I found out, so it was the best time to receive the good news!” Zavier said.
“When I went through the audition process for MJ The Musical, it was a totally new experience for me and during that process, I really gained more and more confidence each step of the way. The team and cast membershaveallhelpedmesomuch along the way.”
MJ the Musical delves into the highs and lows of the king of pop’s life, music and career, bringing out all of his greatest hits along the way.
Zavier said he loves being a part of Michael Jackson’s story in the musical.
He shares the stage with a group of talentedperformerswhohe’sbecome good friends with throughout the production.
“The other young performers in the show are some of my best friends now,it’sbeenthegreatestexperience ever,” Zavier said.
MJ the Musical is showing at Her Majesty’s Theatre until Sunday 1 March. Tickets: mjthemusical.com. au/tickets/melbourne/
entertainmentthroughoutthenight. There will also be free henna and face painting. Visitorscanexpectavibrantprogramthat showcases both emerging and established talent.
The market will take place on Saturday 22 November, from 4-9pm, at the Little Africa Precinct Footscray, 138 Nicholson sSreet, Footscray
The market is presented by the Little Africa Traders Organisation and supported by Maribyrnong council and the state government. Entry is free. Details: https:// www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/Events/ Little-Africa-Night-Market
Maribyrnong mayor Pradeep Tiwari can’t wait for the Little Africa Night Market to return to Footscray. (Damjan Janevski) 513953_02
Melton resident Zavier plays Little Marlon in MJ the Musical. (Supplied)
Sunbury Streetlife committee members Sharyn Snook and Juan Carlos Rodriguez-Deller. (Damjan Janevski) 505559_02
SPORTS QUIZ
1. In which sport is the term ‘empty net’ used?
2. The Saints play NFL out of which US city?
3. In which year did Roger Federer win his first Grand Slam final?
4. And which event was it?
5. What is the name of Rey Mysterio’s wrestler son?
6. Which two tennis players are set to compete in a ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match in Dubai this year?
7. A recent addition to the senior Socceroos team, James Overy plays for which English Premier League club?
8. Which British Super League team will the Brisbane Broncos face in next year’s World Club Challenge?
Who was recently fired from their position as the head coach of the AFLW’s Sydney Swans?
After 352 games with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, NRL player Daly Cherry-Evans has signed with which club?
Which country recently won the Women’s World Cup cricket tournament for the first time?
Which sports brand makes the official ball of the Australian Open tennis tournament?
Which racing driver won the F1 World Drivers’ Championship seven times between 1994 and 2004?
14. How many gold medals did Jesse Owens win at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin?
15. What is the nickname of the Australian women’s national rugby league team?
16. Which MLB team won the World Series for the second consecutive year?
17. True or false: 1879 Wimbledon finalist Vere Thomas Goold was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a Swedish widow in Monte Carlo?
18. Which AFL club has dismissed its 2004 premiership-winning captain from its board?
19. Jockeys Bobby Lewis and Harry White both won the Melbourne Cup how many times?
20. In which country was Australian cricketer Marnus Labuschagne born?
21. The 1996 Robert De Niro thriller The Fan revolves around which sport?
22. The AFL’s new wildcard round means that how many teams will now compete in finals?
23. Ashes squad member Jake Weatherald plays for which state team?
24. Which nation won the men’s cup at the 2025 Rugby League Pacific Championships?
25. And which nation won the women’s cup at the event?
26. How many of the upcoming Ashes Test matches will be day/night fixtures?
27. Which two nations have won every gold medal for skateboarding at the Summer Olympic Games?
28. Which Matildas stars released a 2024 memoir entitled Macca:MyStory So Far?
29. How many total players are on the ice during a game of ice hockey?
30. How many race meetings make up the annual Melbourne Cup Carnival?
Star Weekly seeks an enthusiastic Full or Part time Sales Executive to work across our print, digital, social and online platforms.
Star Weekly is an independently owned company which prides itself on its long history of community experience but also its investment in the future.
The successful applicant will need to possess good people skills to enable them to meet with local businesses to sell solutions through our advertising platforms to help promote their business.
Applicants will need their own reliable vehicle for which we will provide an allowance. The position is salaried, plus we offer an open ended commission scheme.
Send your application letter and resume to: Advertising Sales Manager, Mandy Clark mandy.clark@starnewsgroup.com.au www.starnewsgroup.com.au
To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.
ACROSS
South American carnivorous fish (7)
Decorative display (11)
Wet weather wear (8)
Mendicant monk (5)
Loop with running knot (5)
Determinants (11)
Alliance (6)
Cherished (6)
7 Manipulating (5)
8 Written versions of speeches (11)
10 Attractiveness (6)
12 In date order (11) 15 Threatening actions of persuasion (9) 17 Uplifting (9)
18 People who abstain from all animal products (6)
21 Man’s formal evening suit (6)
23 Verity (5)
25 Effigy (5)
28 French term for a married woman (abbr) (3)
1 Sardinia is an island belonging to which nation?
2 The spirit Ariel appears in which Shakespeare play?
3 What makes up 60 per cent of the human brain?
4 The song NorwegianWood appears on which album by The Beatles?
5 Which prince governed the United Kingdom as ‘Regent’ during the years 1811–1820?
6 What literary movement began as a reaction to 18th-century romanticism and the rise of the European bourgeoisie?
7 The common barbel is a species of what?
8 'Stay gold, Ponyboy, stay gold' is a famous line from which novel?
9 True or false: champagne is only produced in the Champagne wine region of France?
10 Starring Julia Stiles (pictured) and Heath Ledger, the 1999 movie 10ThingsIHateAbout You was based on which Shakespeare play?
Room for improvement...
By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring
The QS is a car that is going to do big things for MG, or so it hopes.
The company’s first seven-seat offering, we’re told, has been designed with families in mind.
And MG says it’s a true seven-seater, not 5+2, combining practical versatility with premium styling.
But don’t expect an electric vehicle, this one’s powered by a good old conventional turbocharged petrol engine.
Styling
There are two grades: Excite and Essence. Both are powered by the same 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine.
Excite is front-wheel drive and priced from$46,990,whiletheEssenceisall-wheel driveandpricedfrom$50,990-bothfigures are driveaway for a limited time.
Our test vehicle was the better equipped, all-wheel drive Essence, finished in metallicblackpearl,acolourthatadds$800 to the price.
Standard kit includes pop-out door handles, cloth trim and three-zone climate air with rear air controls, a micro-fibre leather finished steering wheel, power-adjustfrontseatsandmulti-coloured ambient interior lighting.
There are also 20-inch alloys, adaptive cruise control, auto lights and wipers, LED head, tail and daytime lights, rear parking sensors, electric tailgate and a panoramic power-operated sunroof.
Along with all-wheel drive, Essence ups the ante with little extras like 21-inch wheels, adaptive dampers, six driving modesinsteadofthree,leathertrim,heated and cooled front seats, electric lumbar adjustment, wireless phone charging, auto dimmingrearviewmirror,autohighbeam, LED fog lights, front parking sensors, as well as 12-speaker Bose audio.
QSiscoveredbyMG’s10-year/250,000km warranty, provided it is serviced with MG - otherwise it reverts to seven years/ unlimited kilometres.
Service is required every 12 months or 15,000km.
Infotainment
Infotainment is supplied in the form of a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, voice control, satellite navigation, AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and generic, eight-speaker audio.
Another 12.5-inch screen provides the driver instrumentation.
There are five USB-C ports, two in front, two in the rear and one in the third row, with 12-volt outlets in the front and luggage area.
Essence adds wireless phone charging and it accommodates two phones simultaneously, but the right buts up against the centre console and won’t accommodate longer phones.
Access to iSmart connected services is valid for 12 months.
Safety
QS is yet to be rated for safety by ANCAP. It comes with seven airbags, 360-degree camera, forward collision warning and auto emergency braking (no details on the latter).
A string of safety systems includes lane departure warning, lane keep assist, lane change assist, emergency lane keep, door openingwarning,blindspotdetection,rear cross traffic alert, drive monitor system, unsteady driver warning, traffic jam assist and intelligent cruise assist.
That said the driver is assaulted by continual warnings, the reasons for which are not always obvious.
Missing is head-up display.
There’s ISOFix child seat anchors for the outer rear seats as well as three top tethers, but no provision for placing a seat in the third row.
Engines/transmissions
A 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine produces 153kW of power at 5300 rpm and 360Nm of torque from 1750-3500 rpm, with drive to the front or all four wheels depending on the grade, via a nine-speed dual clutch style automatic.
Driving
At 4983mm in length, with a 2915mm wheelbase, QS is an appealing reasonably large vehicle that makes smart use of the available space.
The front seats are comfy, with plenty of second row legroom, which is where you want it most, and some room leftover for luggage with the third row of seats deployed.
There’s even a storage nook below the floor to stow the security screen when it is not in use. But access to the third row is easiest from the driver’s or traffic side of the vehicle which is not ideal from a safety point of view.
Our little one was distraught to learn that her car seat could not be placed in the third row. Not happy, not by a long shot!
Trendy, welcome back door handles pop out when the car is unlocked, but remain extended and exposed to damage until the car is locked again.
There’s no gear change paddles, nor for that matter can one change gears manually using the transmission lever.
However, there are six drive modes from which to choose: Normal, Snow, Off-road, Sport, Custom, and Eco.
All-wheel drive is a torque on demand system which means Essence operates predominantly in front-wheel drive.
Therearwheelscomeintoplayonlywhen the system senses a loss of traction.
This delivers better fuel consumption.
The level of power offered by the drivetrain feels adequate, but this could change easily with the car fully laden.
Throttle response is at best erratic, bordering on downright problematic.
It takes a second for the transmission to hook up and another second or two before the turbo spools up, then the car surges forward.
Trying to master or feather the response is nigh impossible.
The brakes are abrupt too, kicking in quickly and sharply.
In contrast the electric brake lags when you put the car into park, which can be a worry on a steep driveway.
The soundtrack to this is provided by the bings and bongs from the safety assist systems, constantly warning of transgressionsthatarenotalwaysapparent.
It’s enough to drive one troppo.
One of the benefits of stepping up to the more expensive Essence is the addition of variable, adaptive suspension.
We’vegottosaytheride,evenwith21-inch wheels and low-profile Michelin rubber is pretty good, erring towards comfort rather than handling.
At the same time, it is no soggy biscuit.
Ridequalityisbetteraroundtownthanin thebacklots,butitshouldbeborneinmind that the suspension is linked to whatever drive mode is active.
Sport obviously makes it stiffer, but the Normal setting works just fine.
Like many cars these days a pair of 12.3-inch screens, housed in a sweeping panel, forming the basis for instruments and infotainment.
You get satnav, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and, in the Essence, premium 12-speaker Bose sound.
Both screens can be configured to taste, while swiping the touchscreen reveals other menus.
Learning what controls what on the steering wheel is a matter of experimentation.
The up and down arrows on the right side are for volume, but there’s no labels to indicate this.
There’s no central volume control either, but a row of toggles along the lower edge of the dash do provide access to fan and temperature settings. The auto climate setting takes ages to cool the cabin and will have you reaching for the controls.
Thespecssuggestthecarhasrain-sensing
wipers,butwecouldnotfindanautosetting on the wiper stalk.
The front USB and 12-volt sockets are located in the lower console where it is difficult to see and access them.
On the morning of our final day with the car the infotainment system decided to revert to Chinese.
Good luck making it revert to English.
The power-operated tailgate had a mind of its own too. Sometimes it refused to respondtothekeyfob,atothertimesiteven refused to react when we pushed the close buttonlocatedontheundersideoftheopen tailgate.
Looking back across the road we were surprised to see it still open. Hmmm…
A mesh-style retractable screen filters light from the sunroof, but is liable to transmit heat during summer.
With a 65-litre fuel tank QS prefers premium 95 unleaded.
Fuel consumption is a claimed 8.4L/100km for Excite and 8.8 L/100km for Essence.
Weweregetting9.2L/100kmaftercloseto 600km. That’s not particularly bad, but it’s not particularly good either, especially in the context of hybrid and electric vehicles.
QS is rated to tow a 2000kg braked load and comes with a space saver spare.
This feels like a car that has been rushed into production before the engineers were happy to sign off on it.
Thismightforinstanceexplainthelegacy ‘Ultimate’ badge on the front three-quarter panel.
In the old days it took years for new models to come to market.
Summing up
The QS isn’t a bad car, it’s just that it could be a much better car.
The seven-seater offers a lot of car for the price, but a few bugs remain to be ironed out - some sooner than later.
Throttle response is erratic and could lead to problems in some circumstances where time is of the essence.
Fuel consumption is on the heavy side and ideally the petrol engine needs to be replaced by a more efficient hybrid. Take note the driveaway offer officially endedattheendofSeptember,butcertainly worth haggling.
The QS isn’t a bad car, it’s just that it could be a much better car. (Pictures: Supplied)
The rain held off long enough on Saturday for most sporting competitions to get back out on the field after a number of washouts across the past week. Star Weekly photographer LJUBICA VRANKOVIC was out shooting some of the action.
Rain holds, sport goes on
Taylors Lakes’ Steffan Roberts. 517342_02
Ameya Sommer-Allie leads Grace Carter, Ashleigh Palmer and Alex Tzilantonis in the 400 metre gift. 517333_24
East Sunbury’s Venkatesh Howard-Smith. 517318_04
Hoppers Crossing’s Abbas Faiyaz. 517342_07
Rupertswood’s Rhys Berry. 517320_02
Caroline Springs’ Braedon Mulheran. 517356_14
Medal winners of the 400 metre gift, Mitchell Mullens, 2nd, Will Adams,
Diggers Rest Bulla’s Travis Barratt. 517318_01
Former AFL player Atu Bosenavulagi signed by Hillside
AformerAFLplayerheadlines thesignings for Hillside as it prepares for life in the Essendon District Football League premier division.
The Sharks will play in the top flight for the first time next season after winning the division1premiershipthisyear.
The club announced last week that Atu Bosenavulagiwilljointhesidenextseason.
“Atu’ssportingprowesssawhimrepresent Australiaasajuniorrepresentativeinrugby sevens as well as playing AFL,” the Sharks saidonsocialmedia.
“Atu played under-18s football for the OakleighChargersintheTACCup.
“Atu joined the Collingwood Next GenerationAcademybeforegettingselected aspick77byCollingwoodinthe2018draft.
“Atu later moved to North Melbourne where he finished with a total of 20 AFL games.”
Bosenavulagi is no stranger to the EDFL having played against the Sharks the past coupleofseasons.
He signed with St Albans in 2023 but didn’t play a game after spending the year focusingonrugby.
Bosenavulagi finally played with the Saints in 2024 playing 16 games including a
coupleoffinals.
He played 16 games again this season, wherehewasnamedinthebestsixtimes.
The Sharks have also announced the signings for Adeola Akintola, Joshua Petrie, RileyAllanandConnorLeeflang.
Akintola spent last season at PEGS, but is no stranger to the EDFL having spent many yearsatStAlbans.
“Ade’s background has helped shape his mobility,timingandabilitytoreadtheplay, making him a strong presence around the ground and a reliable option both in the ruckandupforward,”theSharkssaid.
Petrie will step into senior football for the firsttimeashecrossesfromAberfeldie.
He has been part of two junior academies atEssendonandCarlton.
Allan joins the Sharks from PEGS in the Victorian Amateur Football Association having played his junior football in the Northern league, making his senior debut at17.
Jet peaks for draft
By Tara Murray
For some players missing out on the Vic Metro squad can be the end of the line, for Western Jets’ Oskar Ainsworth it was what led to him being on the AFL draft radar.
Ainsworth was one of the big improvers inthebackpartoftheCoatesTalentLeague season after a move forward.
Hewouldeventuallyfindhimselfplaying for Vic Metro along with being invited to the AFL draft combine.
Come later this week, he could find himself on an AFL list.
“If you had said this time last year that I would be having meetings with however many clubs and having been at the combine, I wouldn’t have believed you,“ he said. “I’m happy with my progress and everything that has happened.
“I’ve put my best foot forward and could not be happier.”
For Ainsworth, the biggest thing in his development was just focusing on football. Having been a handy basketballer, Ainsworth just focused on football this year.
“I was a big basketballer,” he said. “Last year I made the Jets as a bottom age while still playing basketball.
“ThisyearIjuststraightfocusedonfooty.
“I did a pre-season at VFL [Victorian Football League] as well. I got a lot more experience and a lot more of the footy in my hands.
“The learning and growth come rapidly and peaked this year.”
Ainsworth said the decision to just focus on the football had been the right one and he was happy that he made it.
The footy season started a bit slowly for Ainsworth as he found his feet.
“I was open to coming into the season and play whatever role,” he said. “That was mid-half back and I worked on my size and fitness over the pre-season to help out Tom and Tom [Burton and McGuane].
“I trialed for metro and it didn’t go my way and I missed the original squad.”
Ainsworth then sat down with his manager and his Jets coach Christian Stagliano about what would be best for his game going forward.
Amovebacktotheforwardlinewherehe played last year was the decision.
“It was best for me and the chemistry of the team,” he said.
“I got back to playing my best footy and got all these opportunities at the end.”
Ainsworth’s form was so good that he was selected for the final couple of games of the national carnival, with selectors saying his form meant that he couldn’t be overlooked.
Looking back, he said missing the original metro squad was the best thing for him.
“It was the goal at the start of the year,” Ainsworthsaid.“Imade17smetrolastyear.
“What separates me is that I went even harder.”
Ainsworth was also rewarded with an invite to the national draft combine.
Hesaidhehadtodoublecheckthatitwas thenationalcombinehewasinvitedto,not the state one as he didn’t believe it.
“It was he best boys in the age group,” he said. “Meeting them was another amazing
experience along with talking to clubs at the MCG.
Ainsworthhasspokento11or12clubsin the lead up to the draft.
He said he’d done everything he could now and it was now a nervous wait until the drafts.
WhileAinsworthwouldbehappytogoto anyclub,there’soneinparticularwherehe would love to land.
“My grandfather [Geoff Ainsworth] captained Geelong in the 1970s,” he said.
“I’m Geelong mad.
“IfIgotselectedbythem,youwouldhave to pinch me.”
Leeflang, who is from Tasmania, has played with Airport West and Preston Bullants in recent years with the Sharks saying he is one of the rising stars of the EDFL.
The Sharks also announced that veteran Robbie Castello had signed on for a third season.
“On field Robbie lets his footy do the talkingbutit’shisoff-fieldpresencethathas been a game changer for the Sharks,” the Sharkssaidonsocialmedia.
“He leads by example, has a tremendous passion for developing young footballers andsetsstandardsthataresecondtonone.”
Fort Caruso has also re-signed for next season.
The signings are handy for the Sharks that have lost a number of players who have signedelsewhere.
Premiership captain Zak Wunhym and star full forward Josh Covelli headline the outshavingsignedwithTullamarine.
Briefs
Ballarat FL
Bacchus Marsh has welcomed back Sam Griffiths for next year’s Ballarat Football League season. Griffiths has spent the last few seasons in the Central Highlands Football League playing for the Gordon, where he was part of its 2022 and 2023 premierships. In 2022 he was also selected in the CHFL team of the year, named across half back. “Sam has already tasted the ultimate success at Bacchus Marsh when he was a member of the 2018 reserves premiership team,” the Cobras said. “His time away has whetted his appetite to now achieve a senior premiership for the Cobras.”
Ballarat FL
The Ballarat Football League is set to play female interleague against the Central Victoria Football League. The CVFL announced on its social media that the two leagues would play interleague matches in both senior women’s and under-18 girls matches. “This exciting partnership has been in the works since early 2025, and we can’t wait to see our best talent take the field in what’s set to be a fantastic showcase of community football,” the CVFL said. The date and venue are still to be announced.
Ballarat CA
Darley and Bacchus Marsh will have to bat well if they’re to get wins this weekend in the Ballarat Cricket Association. The Lions are in the middle of their game with Ballarat Redan, which decided to bat on the opening day. Ballarat Redan was bowled out for 213 in the 77th over. Madushanka Ekanayaka took five wickets for the Lions. Bacchus Marsh is facing Mt Clear which made 6-342 from its 80 overs.
Bowls
Bacchus Marsh opened its account in the Bowls Victoria weekend pennant division 1, section 1 competition on Saturday. Bacchus Marsh was at home to Deer Park and were able to sneak home for a 77 (13)-76 (5) win against Deer Park 2.
Oskar Ainsworth. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 486900_12
Adeola Akintola. (Jacob Pattison: 329464)
Lunderi excited to join Melton Phoenix as new coach
It was only a matter of time before Sergio Lunderi ended up coaching at Melton Phoenix in the FV state league 4 west competition.
The Phoenix announced that Lunderi would coach the side next season, crossing from Newport Storm, which he guided to the state league 5 west title this year.
He had also coached at Truganina Hornets, where he was also president of that club.
While he was elsewhere, Lunderi had a soft spot for the Phoenix.
“It’s exciting and it was always going to happen sooner or later that I coached Melton,” he said.
“I moved to Melton three years ago.. When I was at Truganina and Balmoral I had massive respect for them.
“I got along with the people.”
Lunderisaidthetimingwasrightforhim to cross to Melton and he was keen to help it take the next step.
The Phoenix has been in the promotion conversation for a couple of years before just falling short, with only one team being promoted.
This year the Phoenix finished in third spot, five points of top and promotion.
“The plan is to be at the top of the league or as close to it,” Lunderi said. “That is the target.
“It’s very close in state league 4. Since Michelle [Williamson] took over as president they’ve impressed in a lot of ways.
“There was something missing and I’m hoping I’m the bit that was missing. I bring experience and knowledge to the club.”
The Phoenix will remain in state league 4 next season but will play in a north-west competition, after Football Victoria restructured the league.
Lunderi said with the restructure it would be even more challenging but they were keen to succeed.
He said the club was itching to play at a higher level and further test itself.
Lunderi said there’s some players that would likely follow him across to the club as they look to strengthen the list.
“We need a bit more depth,” he said. “It’s not an 11 man job but you need 18 to 20 players and reserve players of a certain level that can step up.
“Having a senior squad is going to be the only way you get promoted. You get injuries, suspensions and people not feeling it performance wise.
“You have to have that level of depth or you are going to struggle.”
Lunderi said the club’s young playing group was also exciting and he was keen to see more players progress through the ranks.
Khaled Filli and Quirino Moretti have been named assistant coaches.
Falcons firing early
By Tara Murray
Things are tracking along nicely so far for Caroline Springs in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Roy Picone Shield.
Outside of one of their games being washed out, the Falcons have been dominant so far and sit atop the table.
On Saturday, they added another win on theboardastheyaccountedforKeilorPark.
Falcons coach Ian Shattock said they were quite happy with how things were going along.
“We’re looking pretty strong at the moment,” he said. “We’ve had a few great performances but overall we are happy with how it’s going.”
Shattock said the biggest thing for the group was that everyone was contributing when they got their opportunity.
Their bowling line up has looked really strong.
“GavinMcCallumstartedreallywellwith a 6fa and another good game,” Shattock said.
“The last couple of weeks Brandon [Mulheran] has bowled well and he bowled really well yesterday [Saturday].
“OurnewopeningbowlerKamranSafdar has been impressive the last couple of weeksandwe’vegotafewspinnersaswell.”
It was the bowling group that set up Saturday’s win against Keilor Park.
The Devils were in trouble at 4-28 and then 5-50 but were able to bat through the overs and finish 7-129.
Shattock said they were pretty happy with restricting them to that total.
“The pitch flattened out and it became a bit easier to bat,” he said.
“The total of 130 is very chasable and we had a great start with five for not many.
“Youhavetoexpectthemtostandupand preserve to get a score on the board.”
Safdar and Mulheran took two wickets each for the Falcons.
The Falcons were in trouble early in the run chase after losing two wickets early, includingFarrukhShahzadgettingrunout after falling over.
There was little trouble after that as they finished 2-133 in the 23rd over.
Salman Afridi top scored with 86 not out.
Shattocksaidtheyhadbeenpleasedwith how the top order had batted so far.
The only downside was their middle
Burnside
first up win in the T20
Rain may have halted play temporarily but the Victorian Turf Cricket Association T20 competition still got underway last week.
Most sides were set to kick off their competition on Tuesday night, but rain meant all matches were postponed.
Many sides took the opportunity to kick off things later in the week.
In group B2, Burnside Springs United got the first win of the competition as it accounted for St Andrew’s Footscray on Wednesday night.
The Saints decided to bat and made 7-107 from its overs with Thomas Stoneham top scoring with 52 at the top of the order.
Burnside Springs made the runs with more than three overs remaining, finishing 3-113.
Dan Fernando top scored with 44 not out.
Werribee Centrals was the other winner in that group last week.
In group A4, Sydenham-Hillside started the campaign with a loss against the Williamstown Imperials.
The Imperials put on a display with the bat making 6-212.
Callum Herron top scored with 62. Akeem Springer was the only batter to get started for the Storm as it finished 9-119.
order hadn’t really had a chance to spend some time in the middle.
“We haven’t got through the batting with it being one-dayers,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to actually getting some two day format to get the others a bat as well.
“Rukshan Fernando who was our best bat last season has only had one hit. He would love a bit more time in the middle.”
The Falcons now face Point Cook in a two-dayer starting on Saturday.
Shattock said it would be a different challenge.
“Theyarealmost80percentanewteam,” he said. “They didn’t get a game yesterday [Saturday].
“They have some good players and it’ll be interesting to see how we go.”
In other matches, Melton South Royals lost to the Greenvale Kangaroos.
Meanwhile in senior division, Sydenham-Hillside beat Yarraville Club.
The Clubbers made 195, which the Storm chased down with nine balls remaining, finishing 7-199.
Anthony Alleyne top scored with 69.
Springer made 64 not out.
Kendrick Hatton took 4-15.
Yarraville Club and Sunshine took home wins in the other A4 matches last week.
Most round two are set to be played this week.
The Storm will face Seddon on Wednesday night with both sides searching for their first win, while Burnside Springs United will play Werribee Centrals hoping it make it two from two.
Joshua Kelly. (Ljubica Vrankovic)
Tara Murray
Sergio Lundei. (Supplied)
Kamran Safdar. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 517356_03
Stars emerge as Vicbred Super Series finals take shape
The world’s leading reinswoman, Kerryn Manning, and the most successful female trainer in this country, Emma Stewart, look set to go head-to-head in next week’s APG Sales Vicbred Super Series (3YO Fillies) Final.
The Manning-trained and driven Surfe La Mer ($2.10 fav) took out the first semi-final after she charged through along the sprint lane to defeat her stablemate Alifetimeforliving by half a head.
The daughter of American Ideal has now won five of her nine starts this season.
“She’s a nice little filly who has come a longwayfromlastyear.Shehasalwaysbeen fast but a little untractable, but this year she has been really good,” Manning said.
Manning conceded Surfe La Mer enjoyed a cosy run during the race.
“There is not much between these two fillies. They were both a bit awkward in their two-year-oldyearandtheyhavecomealong way in their three-year-old year. I felt a little
bit mean running past Alifetimeforliving as she did all the work,” she said.
Later in the night, Stewart also provided the quinella in the second semi-final when Beach Diamond ($1.15 fav), with NSW reinsman Cameron Hart in the sulky, led all the way to hold off stablemate Let Her Roll.
“She is a super little filly, a pleasure to drive, and everything you ask her to do she does for you,” Hart said.
The Sydney-based Hart, who heads the NSW Drivers Premiership, had enjoyed a busy 24 hours in the sulky.
“I had a trip down to Wagga yesterday for their big meeting and back up to Sydney last night, and back down here tonight,” he said.
Hartcompletedarace-to-racedoubleafter partnering Arrhythmia to an impressive victory in the First Semi-Final (2YO Fillies).
“I’m starting to get used to the travel with
Burras look strong
By Tara Murray
Diggers Rest Bulla put in a business like performance to claim first innings points on day one of its clash with East Sunbury in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association Johnstone Shield.
The Burras showed their strength with the ball as they strangled the Thunder and gave then not much.
The Thunder won the toss and it was hard going right from the start.
Just two players reached double figures as it was bowled out for just 56 in the 45th over.
Liam Williams top scored with 18 at the top of the order.
The Burras shared the wickets around with Alex Hassett taking 3-18 to lead the way.
Burras captain-coach Evan Long said they were pretty happy with the performance.
“The guys did the damage early and they kept the pressure on pretty much the whole innings” he said.
“Charlie [Hammond-Collins] and Alex
at the top of the order. We got a couple of key guys out early and put the pressure on the middle order.
“They were pretty ruthless bowling dot balls and not letting them hit boundaries.”
The top order of the Burras made sure they locked in first innings points late on day one.
They will resume at 2-83 with a lead 27 heading into day two.
Nathan Crosland made 48 before falling late in the day.
Evan Long (18 not out) and Jacob Grant (0) are the not out batters.
Long said the openers made sure they did what they needed to as they faced 16 overs and ticked the scoreboard over.
He said it was a really business like performance across the whole day.
Among the highlights for the Burras was the debut of Liam Jansen, who has been around the club for a while playing in the lower grades.
Long said they would now sit down and think about how they approach day two with the possibility of going for an outright win on the cards.
this job, but I love it and am very thankful that I get the opportunities to come and drive the type of horses that I have tonight.”
Stewart, who had 20 runners engaged in the APG semi-finals, finished the night with a winning quartet.
Aaron Bain Racing enjoyed dual-code success after Dual Pressure scored at Morphettville before the ownership group landed a winning double at Melton with Captain Perfect in the 3YO Colts & Geldings second semi-final and Beach Diamond.
Captain Perfect had little trouble finding the lead, and driver Mark Pitt ensured the race would test the stamina of his rivals as he allowed his charge to run through the first half (of the last mile) in 58.4.
ThesonofCaptaintreacherousreeledoffa 26.8last400,stavingoffstablemateVineyby a metre in a mile rate of 1:53.9, the fastest of the APG semi-finals.
John Dunne
Split results
Melton got its third win of the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west season as clubs faced off in double headers on the weekend.
With rain impacting last week’s matches, the weekend’s play became two one-day matches instead of a two-dayer.
The Lions started their weekend off against Spotswood on Saturday. Winning the toss and deciding to bat, the Lions made 7-164 from their overs.
ChrisHopetopscoredwith60while there were some handy contributions down the order.
Spotswood made the runs with six overs remaining, finishing 3-167.
Archie Cairns, in his first XI debut for the Lions, took two wickets.
The Lions didn’t have much rest as they headed to Donvale on Sunday.
Whilerainplayedhavocinwashing out some games, the Lions managed to get on the pitch.
Winningthetoss,theLionsdecided to bowl which proved to be the right decision.
They bowled Donvale out for 73 in just the 21st over.
Cairns took three wickets, while three other players took two wickets each.
The Lions openers got off to a strong start and set the tone for the innings.
“We’re not expecting to role them again got the same amount,” he said. “The opportunity to get all 10 maximum points and it doesn’t present itself to often.”
Long said with things going well on the field they were trying to get more people back around the club and further lift the environment they are building.
Elsewhere, the Eynesbury Eagles are also in a good spot after day one in their clash with Harkness.
Both sides are looking for their first win of the season.
Harkness won the toss and decided to bat.
It was bowled out for 138 in the 53rd over.
Captain Simarjeet Singh top scored with 37. Spencer Connelly took four wickets for the Eagles.
While the Eagles top three batters are all back in the sheds, the Eagles finished the day at 3-52.
Skipper Ryan Cran (seven not out) and Brandon Shearson (four not out) will be the two batters to resume on day two.
Eastern Hill and Kilmore are in control of the other two matches after day one.
While Joshua Luca fell for 20, the Lions were able to get the job done, finishing 1-76.
Simon Blanks finished 39 not out.
Melton now has a 3-2 record and sits percentage outside the top six.
Itisalreadymorewinsthantheside won last season.
Melton faces Endeavour Hills in a two-dayer the next two Saturdays. In the Cricket Victoria Women’s Community Cricket Competition shield (1) Melton lost to Melbourne University (1).
The Lions made 6-51 with Melbourne University getting the runs in the 12th over, finishing 2-53.
Brad Jones. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 452930_06
Surfe La Mer. (Stuart McCormick)
Venkatesh Howard-Smith is out. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 517318_05
