A very merry makeover
The Riddells Creek Lions Club and the Riddells Creek Neighbourhood House (RCNH) have sprinkled some festive cheer around town.
RCNH president Justus Homburg said the display along Main Road and throughout town wouldn’t be possible without the help of volunteers.
“A number of years ago the ‘Christmas In Riddells Creek’ initiative was established through the dedicated work of several Riddells Creek Community members with the support of local businesses and organisations,” he said.
“This program involved the manufacture of Christmas tree frames, which were then decorated, and placed throughout the town.”
He thanked the Riddells Creek Lions Club, RCNH volunteers and the Riddells Creek Men’s Shed for their help.
Narelle McGellin from the Lions Club said the group installed a tree in a special spot in town.
“The Riddells Creek Lions Club has also installed one of the Christmas trees at the local Riddells Creek Cemetery, inviting family and friends to tie an ornament when sharing a moment for their loved one at this time of year,” she said.
Petition tabled
By Georgia Tacey
The No Sunbury Waste Incinerator group has taken its fights to stop a waste-to-energy facility being built in the town all the way to state parliament.
The group’s petition against the proposed incinerator at HiQ’s Sunbury Ecohub site on Sunbury Road was tabled in parliament on Tuesday 2 December.
The petition calls on the Legislative Council of Victoria to call on Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny to immediately halt any approval or progress towards building a waste incinerator in Sunbury
until parliament;s Economy and Infrastructure Committee’s inquiry into Waste to Energy is complete.
The petition gained 3264 signatures of residents concerned about the project, and gained support from Western Metropolitan MP David Ettershank.
Mr Ettershank said he was proud to bring the petition to parliament.
“We had (almost) 3500 people who signed the petition which is calling for the government to not make any approvals on the Sunbury incinerator until after the inquiry into waste to energy has been completed and it’s terrific we’ve got a big
response and we’re absolutely delighted by that,” he said.
“As it looks at the moment, this petition will be debated in the first week when parliament returns in the new year, which is a great way to start the new year.
“Sunbury is going to be a big campaign, it’sgoingtodrawacrossthewholeyearand it’sgoingtoendinAugust-Septemberwith the inquiry results being handed down, and we’re pretty excited about that.”
Mr Ettershank said he welcomes all Sunbury residents to attend parliament in the new year to watch as the petition is debated.
No Sunbury Waste Incinerator Group spokesperson Alison Medforth said the community had come together in such a great way to rally against the proposal.
“We will be there in parliament to see the debate, and hear what our representatives have to say about our concerns. And whatever the outcome, we will keep fighting until this proposal is the thing going up in flames,” she said.
As reported by Star Weekly , HiQ is expected to lodge an for the facility to the Environment Protection Authority Victoria by the end of this year.
Riddells Creek Lions Club and Riddells Creek Neighbourhood House volunteers have wrapped the town with Christmas cheer. Pictured is Tamara and Justus Homburg with granddaughter Raelia, 4, Susie Laurie, Melanie Kinsey and Narelle McGellin. (Damjan Janevski) 521515_06
Rates arrears targeted
By Georgia Tacey
Hume council will explore ways in which it can reduce the growing rate arrears across the municipality.
In September, council revealed the municipality’s rate arrears had risen to $45.75 million.
In response, Cr Kate Hamley raised a notice of motion at the 24 November council meeting, asking council to address rates hardship.
Cr Hamley also sought to seek clarification on when the state government would finalise its Rates Hardship Guidelines,soareviewofcouncil’sRatesFinan-
cial Hardship Policy could be completed. She also recommended exploring further measures to incentivise entry into payment plans for ratepayers who are experiencing financial hardship, including scoping a pilot project to collect data on what financial incentives could help reduce the number of accounts entering arrears.
Under Cr Hamley’s proposal, council would also directly engage with affected ratepayers to find the reasons why they have not paid their rates, and present findings back to a council meeting with recommendations on how council can address the core issues.
Cr Hamley said rate arrears will likely be an ongoing issue.
“While Hume’s hardship policy offers some additional options for people experiencing hardship, including the waiving of interest on debts, there’s an opportunity to look further into the issues that actually cause people to fall behind on payments in the first place and have a look at the options that might be available to us to help them,” she said.
“So many Hume households are surviving on low to very low incomes which has to be taken into consideration within our hardship policy.”
Cr Hamley said the current Rates Fi-
‘We built this’ - students nail project
Ten students from Gisborne Secondary College and Kyneton High School have been working hard as part of Central Ranges Local Learning and Employment Network (CRLLEN) Women in Trades taster program.
Across six Fridays, the students worked with qualified builder Rob Evans and CRLLEN’s Tara Kirk to plan, sketch and design a pine cubby house.
More Riddell Road
The students were involved every step of the process, spending about 50 hours working on it, with the project valued at $2000 in materials alone.
“The program introduces students to carpentry before they select VET subjects,” CRLLEN chief executive Nicky Leitch said.
Kyneton High School year 10 student Jordi said the program exceeded her expectations.
“I’ve learned so much and been surrounded by amazing people. It’s actually made me consider becoming a tradie,” she said.
“We built this – that’s insane. I genuinely really enjoyed it and gained so many skills.”
The students voted to auction the cubby and donate the proceeds to charity.
enforcement orders issued by state tribunal
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has issued enforcement orders in response to illegal earthworks on two Sunbury properties.
The orders have been issued against 370a Riddell Road and 430 Riddell Road, Sunbury.
These follow the previous enforcement order issued by VCAT in October in relation to unlawful earthworks undertaken at 370 Riddell Road, Sunbury.
Hume council took the owner of the propertiestoVCATasitsaidtheworksdid not follow the Hume Planning Scheme.
Council said this will enable it to effectively monitor and, where necessary, enforce compliance with the scheme over all three sites moving forward.
As part of the enforcement orders, no more earthworks or adding fill can happen at all three properties unless council approves detailed plans explaining why and how the work will be done, or a planning permit is granted.
This decision comes after a lengthy battle and campaign from residents on Canterbury Avenue, Sunbury. As reported by Star Weekly, truck
nancial Hardship policy needs to take the current situation with housing and cost of living crises into consideration.
“Our existing options really don’t make rates much more affordable. The cost stays the same. It just sort of slices it up differently,” she said.
“So allowing for targeted consultation with affected residents will provide us the opportunity to collect some really good qualitative and quantitative data that we can then use to make some really informed decisions and test some new ideas to find evidence-based solutions that work for all of our community.”
Blame shifted on arterial road maintenance
Sunbury MP Josh Bull has called out Hume council for walking away from an agreement with the state government.
Mr Bull took to Facebook to call on council to immediately re-enter the Minor Maintenance Agreement with the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP), which ended in October 2022.
“The agreement ensured the best outcome for our local road maintenance and Hume City Council should have never withdrawn from it,” he said.
“For some time, I have been asking our council to come back to the table and fix this issue.
“I am again calling on Hume City Council to immediately engage in constructive discussion, re-enter this agreement and fix a problem that is causing significant concern across our community – anything less is unacceptable.”
After the agreement ended, Cr Naim Kurt brought a notice of motion to the 10 February council meeting to investigate the option of resuming council-led maintenance of median strip and roundabout vegetation on state-managed arterial roads.
This investigation was then brought to the 11 August council meeting, where councillors were deadlocked in deciding if they should resume maintenance of arterial roads.
After the original recommendation that aimed to resolve that the maintenance was the responsibility of DTP was lost, an alternative recommendation was forwarded by Cr Kate Hamley that resolved to refer re-entering the agreement with DTP to the 2026-27 budget.
This recommendation only passed as former mayor Cr Jarrod Bell used his casting vote after another deadlock.
Mayor Carly Moore said council left the agreement due to the rising costs.
“Council previously undertook selected maintenance activities on arterial roads under an agreement with DTP. This required council to undertake works on DTP’s behalf,” she said.
movements to 370 Riddell Road along Canterbury Avenue reached over 300 per day at their peak.
After residents advocated to council, Hume took the property owner to VCAT, resulting in the first enforcement order.
Council said it will continue to monitor the sites to ensure compliance with all orders, and to ensure there are no further impacts on the environment and community.
Council also thanked local residents for their vigilance and patience during this matter.
“However, rising costs created a substantial funding shortfall between the amount contributed by DTP and the actual service delivery costs, a gap which council would need to cover. This gap, along with liability concerns led to the end of the arrangement.
“We will continue to advocate for increased maintenance funding from the state government to ensure arterial road standards align with the expectations of the Hume community.”
Gisborne High School student Marnee, year 9, helped build the cubby. (Damjan Janevski). 521395_10
Monument destroyed
By Jack O’Shea-Ayres
A monument honouring Australia’ first powered flight by American escapist and magician Harry Houdini has been destroyed for the second time this year.
The historic plaque was first established in Diggers Rest with help from the local Lions Club in 1990, at the site where Houdini took to the skies 80 years prior in 1910.
Local resident Barbara Ford first discoveredthedestroyedmonumentonSunday9November,explainingit’sthesecond time in about eight months the monument has been damaged or destroyed.
“I live across from the site of the monument. There were some car tyre burn out marks on the road,” Mrs Ford said.
“It’s disappointing that there’s people in the community that might get enjoyment out of vandalising things others have respect for.”
Melton Lions Club member and former president Greg James said he was devastated to see the monument destroyed.
“I was there when it was first put there –it took a lot of effort from the Lions Club,” he said.
“It’s a valuable monument for the aviation industry and for Australia. To see it destroyed I was devastated, absolutely devastated.”
Melton council had the monument rebuilt on 5 March after hearing of the first destruction.
“TheHoudiniMonumenthasnowbeen rebuilt using the original design plans, these were kindly provided by the Melton Historical Society which have been in-
strumental in ensuring an accurate restoration,” council wrote to Mrs Ford.
“Additionally, we were able to locate and reinstall one of the original plaques.”
Residents believe the most damage is the cause of vandals, while tyre marks on the road lead others, like Hilltop Ward councillor John Verdon, to believe the damage has been caused as a result of hooning.
“The monument was sadly reduced to rubbleinanalmostidenticalfashiontothe
previous incident,” Cr Verdon explained.
“The neighbourhood watch group has reported incidents of hooning in the area…I will be asking council to investigate what additional measures can be considered to protect this important part of Diggers Rest history.”
Greg James said locals want the monument restored.
“We want it back. The local residents and Lions club members are disappointed that it’s like this.”
Gisborne Lions bring festive fun
The Lions Gisborne Festival is gearing up for another festive summer night. The free event will bring the town together with its annual street parade, featuring community groups, kindergartens, schools, dancing groups, essential services and colourful floats leading the crowd down to Gardiner Reserve.
At the reserve, expect carnival rides, free children’s activities, market stalls, food vendors, local business stalls and more.
Soundtracking the night will be two local bands who will take the stage, before the fireworks display closes out the night.
Gisborne Lions Club president Russell Walker encouraged the community to come on down for thefestivities. “Therewillbearange of activities at the festival, with the street parade that has about 36-plus entries … plus on the oval, there will be face painting, hair braiding and sparkles, henna tattoos, a jumping castle, reptile display, miniature trains and more,” he said.
“With the economy being quite right at the moment, the annual festival provides a range of free activities and people don’t have to spend a lot of money, they can bring a picnic rug, sit down and enjoy the entertainment on the oval, and have a good night.” The festival will take place on 12 December, from 4.30pm to 9.30pm, at Gardiner Reserve.
Greg James, Barbara Ford, Lyra Benbow and Cr John Verdon at the site of the destroyed monument. (Damjan Janevski). 518898_03
Dr. Rhian Pickard now at SkinGP
An uncle’s waves of grief
Seth Crane, a young man from Tasmania’s north west coast, recently took his own life at just 19 years of age. His uncle, Star Weekly journalist Cade Lucas, reflects the loss of his nephew and the numbing experience of youth suicide.
It’soneofthosemomentsthatmakesyou wish smartphones didn’t exist. If I had a flipphone,aNokiaoroneofthosebricks from the 1980’s that needed to be tuned in likearadio,Ilikelywouldn’thaveknown,at least not straight away.
Better still, if there were no mobiles or internet, my week off down the Surf Coast would’ve continued in ignorant bliss until I got back to Melbourne at the weekend and my landline rung with someone bearing bad news.
Instead, I was standing on a lookout above Bells Beach, only a few hours after leavinghome,usingmysmartphonetotake pics of the surf below when it buzzed with one of its many other functions.
It was my older sister Erin messaging the family group chat.
Erin’s calm, sensible and taciturn so the fact her message began with a profanity repeated three times in a row hinted that the rest of it wasn’t good.
And if the previous 19 years were any guide, something to do with my older sister that wasn’t good likely involved her eldest son.
Seth had always been a difficult kid.
He was loud, rude and could be stunningly self-centred. He was prone to wild outbursts that would upset those around him, but for which he showed little or no remorse.
His ears were deaf to the word ‘no,’ he had no concept of the word ‘share’ and ’sorry’ was just something to say to get out of trouble rather than a word with any real meaning.
The rest of our family used to (only half) joke that Seth would end up in jail by the time he reached adulthood, yet when he didgetthere,hisvastreservesofenergyhad been channelled towards something much more positive.
His thirst for attention, absence of shame and ability to charm and manipulate at will saw him gravitate towards performing arts rather than prison, and having finished high school in Tasmania last year, he recently started work as a theatre assistant at a local private school.
That he’d only sporadically attended school himself and needed ChapGPT to disguise the fact he was functionally illiterate, made it even all the more impressive.
He still had rough edges; empathy and generosity weren’t strong suits and neither was financial management or personal hygiene, but these were neither here nor there.
They didn’t matter.
Seth was on his way and he was gonna be fine.
He had an abiding passion that he was pursuing and he had the combination of charismaandchutzpahtobluffandbullshit around any obstacles that lay ahead.
It’s why I wasn’t too worried when my mum told me last year that Seth has spent time in the mental health unit at Burnie Hospital after breaking up with his long-term girlfriend.
And it’s why I was concerned, but not too concerned, when I learnt that Seth had recently gone back there after the end of another relationship and that having been discharged, he’d been re-admitted again.
And it was why, after reading the rest of my sister’s message and learning that earlier in the afternoon, nurses at the unit had found Seth unconscious following a suicide attempt and that after performing CPR and keeping him alive, he was now in ICU, I felt more stunned and numb than outright concerned.
After replying to her message with some profanities of my own, I stood there on a
sunny spring afternoon above the waves crashing below, feeling more worried about the welfare of my older sister and for my parents who were on holiday in Spain, than Iwasformynephewwhowasnowbreathing with help of a ventilator in a hospital on the other side of Bass Strait.
Afterall, he was alive and in the best of care. And he was Seth. He always found a way. He’d be alright. Wouldn’t he?
I avoided answering that rhetorical question as I left the lookout, destination unknown.
I’donlyleftthatmorningonawhimandin typical fashion hadn’t organised anything, but I’d come too far to turn around now and what was there to turn around for?
I was on holidays and had come down heretogetoutofthehouse,soIwasn’tgoing back. And I couldn’t organise trip down to Tassie and wouldn’t be of any use down there even if I could.
And I wasn’t certain that was even necessary because, after all, Seth was gonna be fine, right?
My mind was scrambled to the point where I probably shouldn’t have been driving, but drive I did: Anglesea, Aireys Inlet, Moggs Creek and finally to Lorne where I booked into an overpriced room in a cheap motel, just in time for my sister to send a picture of Seth hooked to a machine in the ICU.
His hair was dark, thick and shaggy like mine at the same age. His eyes were closed. He looked at peace.
The sun was up in Spain and my parents said they were cutting short their tour and looking at ways to get an early flight home. I’d contacted my brother who’d long checked out of the group chat and after a flurry of sorries and swear words, everything went calm.
I spent a couple of days wandering around Lorne trying to pretend things were normal, before heading off to Apollo Bay feeling slightly optimistic.
Seth was now breathing on his own and was booked in for an MRI on Friday afternoon.
I lulled myself into thinking the worst had passed when Erin dropped another message.
It was Friday night and I was having a drink at the pub when I opened and read it.
There were no swear words this time, just a matter-fact update on the results of the MRI which showed Seth had suffered too much brain damage to ever regain consciousness.
By the time I got to the crying emoji she’d posted at the end I’d already made it redundant.
The next day I drove home via the inland route to avoid any reminders and on Monday I returned to work; the deadlines that I’d recently sought to escape now provided a timely distraction.
But while Seth was no longer alive, his healthy heart and lungs meant he wasn’t dead either. So for the the next two weeks I found myself in the purgatory of wanting to tell people about it, but not wanting to add a qualifier: “he attempted suicide and was mostly successful.”
The lag period allowed my parents to complete their trip and come home (they decided against spending $10,000 on new flights to return three days early) and also for my youngest sister Peri, to return from overseas too. They took it in turns staying with Erin at the hospital while Seth slowly passed.Mumspoketohim.Peripaintedhis toenails.
By Melbourne Cup Day, a fortnight after attempting suicide in another part of the
hospital, he finally succeed.
Aswasnowcustomary,Erindeliveredthe news with a simple message to the group chat. It was a relief.
Since Apollo Bay, I’d been thinking about Seth in the past tense anyway.
I’d been thinking about the first time I met him as a baby at my sister’s old place in Burnie, near the hospital where he died. About the force of nature he was as a little boy, a wrecking ball trapped in an infant’s body. About how since moving to Melbourne in 2009, I hadn’t seen much of him, yet I still witnessed him grow-up. His mother posting pictures on Facebook messenger helped. So too his outsized personality that transcended any distance.
I remembered trying to be a good uncle and messaging him during his relationship struggles, telling him that I was there if he ever wanted to talk. I got a cheery ‘Thanks!’ in reply.
I recalled that in more recent years as he grew taller, we’d stand back to back to see who was now tallest in the family. Having conceded the title a few years ago, I wasn’t planning on regaining it so soon.
I included some of these anecdotes when I spoke at Seth’s funeral last month. It was much bigger and also much worse than I expected. Seth’s fabulous flamboyance won him a lot of friends. All of them were distraught.
Everyone knows suicide is bad, youth suicide especially.
Yet the reality is immeasurably worse than I could ever have imagined.
I don’t think I’ll be going back to the surf coast.
Lifeline: 13 11 14
https://standbysupport.com.au/resources/
Seth Crane. (Pictures: Supplied)
YOU CAN TEACH IN REGIONAL VICTORIA
The future is calling, and we need your help to educate the next generation. With secondary teaching scholarships, employment-based degrees, and a range of supports to help get you into the classroom, there’s never been a better time to become a teacher in Victoria.
Primary school celebrates
Christmas has come early for Diggers Rest Primary School as it is set for a major transformation, with construction on its long-awaited community hub upgrade scheduledtobeginthismonth.
The project is expected to be completed by term four next year and includes a community hub, a modern learning centre and an upgraded canteen, developments principal Sheridan Thomas said will significantly elevate learning opportunities forstudents.
“We’re incredibly excited about the upcoming construction of our new community hub, learning centre and upgradedcanteen,”MsThomassaid.
“This project represents a significant step forward for Diggers Rest Primary School and will provide our students and staff with modern, purpose-built spaces that
truly support high-quality teaching and learning.”
As part of site preparations, several trees are planned to be removed following assessments by an arborist, with the Victorian School Building Authority confirming at least two replacement trees willbeplantedforeveryoneremoved.
Ms Thomas said both the VSBA and B2 Architects had been “exceptionally supportive”, ensuring the design meets the school’sneedsandfitssensitivelywithinthe localneigbourhood.
“The new buildings have been designed with great respect for our local community andsurroundingresidents,”shesaid.
“This is an incredibly exciting time for our school, and these new facilities are exactly what our growing and wonderful communityneeds.”
Briefs
Bridge opens
The new Watsons Road bridge has opened to traffic in Diggers Rest. The opening of the new road bridge over the Sunbury train line marks the 88th level crossing removal in Melbourne, permanently separating trains from vehicles to provide safer connections for the growing Diggers Rest community. The milestone was marked with 14 classic cars from the Macedon Ranges and District Motor Club road testing the new bridge.
SES funded
Sunbury’s State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers will benefit from new funding from the state government’s Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP).
Sunbury SES has received $3390 in the 2025–26 VESEP grants round to support volunteer training and upskilling, with a particular focus on helping new and existing members obtain heavy vehicle licences, enabling more volunteers to safely drive the unit’s fleet of rescue vehicles. Sunbury SES unit controller Catherine Bebbington said “This VESEP funding means we can support more of our volunteers to gain their heavy vehicle licences, so we have more trained drivers available to get our rescue trucks on the road and to the scene faster.”
FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT
Web: starweekly.com.au
Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly
Principal Sheridan Thomas celebrating with students Christie 10, Jasmine 12, Yusuf 11, Charlotte 11, Finn 6, Maari 6, Sam 6, Liam 6, Fyfe 5, Willow 6, Luz 5, Nephi, 6. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 520767_01
Working in early childhood education can change the lives of young Victorians. And with financial support like scholarships to study at university and Free TAFE courses, it could transform your life too.
Coping with holiday stress
Across much of the world, December and January are special. The change of year, the change of season, the sense of renewal – it’s no coincidence that this period contains special days for most people, religious or secular.
These days can be fun, or sacred, or both. But they can also be highly stressful, triggering, trauma-inducing and utterly exhausting.
Self-management and self-care are critical to making it through the holiday seasonfullofgoodcheerandinonepiece.
So here is our handy list of tips and tricks for taking care of your mental health this season – provided by the good folk at North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network.
Takeitadayatatime: Forsomepeople,this is the season of the invitation. You might be invited to work events, family events, sporting club events, social club events, street parties – all sorts of jolly occasions. And that can be fantastic, but it can also be completely draining. Too much of a good thing can leave people tired and cranky –whetherornotalcoholisinvolved.
Think carefully about how many get-togethers you want to go to, and try to makesureyouleaveyourselfadayortwoto rest up and recover between gigs. So maybe you miss out on seeing your cricket mates at the clubhouse this year. It’s ok. They’ll understand.
Keep it nice: At this time of year, we’re all people-pleasers, which means declining an invitation for a gathering of friends or family can feel challenging. We don’t want to disappoint, after all. But sometimes we
have to. And here’s the thing: saying no politely,kindly,andopenlymakesthewhole processeasierforeveryoneinvolved.(Andif someone gets angry because you’ve gently declined their invitation, well, that rather suggestsyou’vemadetherightdecision…)
Not all friendly families are family-friendly: We live in a world where the concept of family is often portrayed as central and supportive. Family is everything,wehear.Familycomesfirst. Sometimes it is, and sometimes it does. But not all families are sweet like sitcoms. Sometimes there can be conflict, or isolation, or judgement. Your mental and physical health are more important than once-a-year family obligations. Don’t be afraidtoturndowninvitationsifthethought ofattendingdoesn’tfillyouwithjoy.
Beingaloneandbeinglonelyaredifferent things: Sometimes the public holidays
To all those Unsinkable Guys out there –
or employment shutdowns that happen over the season are a glorious excuse to spend some time in solitude, and that’s a wonderful thing. Sometimes, though, for people who for whatever reason have few social connections, they can be a time of loneliness and sorrow. But they can also be a good opportunity to build and find new connections.
Many community centres, neighbourhoodhouses,faithorganisations, libraries and other places put on free events at this time of year. It can be fun, doing a bit of research, learning where and when these are happening, taking a deep breath and attending. True, it might require some new-found confidence to attend –but, equally, it might be the start of new friendshipsandnewadventures.
Reach out, people will listen: The holiday season can be difficult, and sometimes all you want is someone to talk to, to explain
You might think it’s safe to have a few drinks around water, skip the life jacket when you’re out on the boat or go for a swim without checking the conditions.
But statistics prove that 4 out of 5 drownings are men.
Just remember that no one’s unsinkable.
how you feel. Friends and family can sometimes provide help – but sometimes tooit’sgoodtoreachouttoothers.
Medicare Mental Health is a free national service that can help you find the help you need, in the right place at the right time. Dedicated mental health counsellors will talk with you and link you with the most appropriate service to provide you with supportandcare.
Youcanmakecontactthroughthewebsite – medicarementalhealth.gov.au – or make a free call on 1800 595 212 between 8.30am5pmweekdays(exceptpublicholidays).
If it all gets too much: If you feel overwhelmed, help is available, right now. Here are some options for immediate support:
Lifeline - call 13 11 14 for this free, Australia-wide crisis support and suicide preventionservice
Suicide Call Back Service - call 1300 659 467 for this free service for people having suicidal thoughts or for family or friends affectedbysuicide
SuicideLine -call 1300651251 forfreeand anonymous support, 24 hours a day, seven daysaweekacrossVictoria
13YARN – call 13 92 76 to reach this free crisissupportlineforFirstNationspeople. Kids Help Line - call 1800 55 1800 for free counselling for young people between the agesoffiveand25
Mensline Australia - call 1300 78 99 78 to access this free telephone support serviceformenwithfamilyandrelationship issues
Poisons Information - call 131 126 if you haveoverdosedorbeenpoisonedormadea mistakewithyourmedications.
Enjoy free festive events at the centre in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Fun for the whole family!
Meet Santa & his Elf Assistant
Christmas Tree
Decorating Project
Face Painting
The Grinch Takeover
Crafts
Morning Melodies
School Choirs
Emotions run high when school is let out for the final time
By Narelle Coulter, Star Weekly news editor
Thirteen years of primary and secondary schooling comes to an end for my daughter this week as we wait for the final piece of the puzzle - her VCE results on Thursday.
As every parent who has had a child graduate from secondary school knows, the end of the education journey is bittersweet, a mix of relief that the grind of school is over (endless school lunches, clean uniforms, permission forms, parent teacher interviews, sports days, school productions, pick up and drop offs and homework) tinged with sadness at the passing of an era that started when they were five and ends when they are on the cusp of adulthood at 17 or 18.
Iremembertakingmydaughtertoschool onherfirstdayofprepinherstiffnewdress and shiny little black shoes, her school bag so big it seemed like she would topple over backwards under its heft.
People say the school years disappear quickly but it is not until you look back that you release how true that is.
For some the education journey is smooth and linear. The child starts at one primary school, progresses to a secondary school and graduates surrounded by their friends, some of whom they have known since day one.
That was not the case for my daughter. HercohortispartoftheCovidgeneration who spent a great deal of year seven and eight learning remotely during Victoria’s world-beating lockdowns. They started their secondary school journey full of hope and optimism, only to be yanked out of the physical classroom time and again and confined to home learning in bedrooms and at kitchen tables for months at time.
She hated remote learning, withdrawing bit by bit until she was barely logging onto the core subjects by mid-2021.
In year 9 she was bullied by a former primary school friend. In classic teenage girl form the bully’s tactics included exclusion, whispered insults in class (
though not loud enough for the teacher to hear) and abusive messages delivered via social media.
By March 2022 my daughter had had enough. As her parents we were faced with school refusal or moving her.
She didn’t want to try another large government school so, despite being
committed atheists, we enrolled her in a Catholic college.
I was full of pride watching my shy daughter muster the bravery to walk into a school full of strangers, trusting herself evenwheneverythingaroundherwasnew.
More than three years later I had to suppresstearsatherfinalyear12assembly. I was so grateful that my child had found her tribe and blossomed into a confident, capable, kind and compassionate human. The joy and exuberance on display at the assembly was palpable, a scene replicated at schools around the country.
As a parent you just want your child to fit in, be accepted and thrive. My daughter found this and more at her new school.
At the college valedictory evening I expressed my gratitude to the principal. He was grateful for my feedback and acknowledged that the class of 2025 had a harder road than previous cohorts as they navigated their way to the end of year 12.
He indicated that their scores may not be as high as previous cohorts because of the disadvantagestheyexperiencedduringthe Covid years.
Whatever score my daughter achieves on Thursday ( she wants to study social work at RMIT after a gap year) I will be proud beyond words of her and her contemporaries.
They have overcome adversity thrust on thembyaonceinahundredyearpandemic. They picked themselves up, dusted off their laptops and got on with the business of learning, laughing and growing up.
Whether they completed VCE, VCAL or jumpedearlyintojobsandapprenticeships, they are the future and I can’t wait to see what they do next to make their mark on the world as their journeys continue.
Learn. Care.
Merry Christmas
Sacred Heart College wishes all in the Sunbury & Macedon Ranges communities a peaceful and joyous Christmas.
Congratulations Class of 2025
We congratulate our wonderful Year 12 students, the ‘Class of 2025’, on their achievements. We are confident their results, and selected pathways, will lead the way to rewarding futures.
Service is at the heart of Braemar’s schoolies alternative
Braemar College’s motto, One Body, Many Parts, speaks to a foundational belief that our community is strengthened by the diverse contributions of individuals workingtowardasharedpurpose.
Whenthisprincipleisappliedtoaglobal context,itremindsusthatwearealsopart of a much larger body, the greater body of humanity. Our responsibility, therefore, extends beyond our own community and into the wider world in which we live, learn,andserve.
This year’s Year 12 Schoolies Alternative group, travelling through Himachal Pradesh in northern India, has had the privilege of witnessing this idea in action. Himachal Pradesh is a region of deep cultural, spiritual, and humanitarian significance.ItishometoHisHolinessthe Dalai Lama and to thousands of Tibetan refugees who have rebuilt their lives in exile.Itisalsoaplacewheremanyfamilies worktirelesslytoprovideopportunitiesfor theirchildrendespitelimitedresources.
One of the most inspiring moments of the program occurred when the group visitedtheYouglingSchool,foundedmany years ago by local leader Dawa Tsering. Students, teachers, and Principal Mr RussellDeerheardfirsthandaboutDawa’s remarkablecontributiontohiscommunity and the way in which his vision for education has eased the hardships faced by Tibetan refugee families. His story offered a powerful reminder of what one person, one “part” of the body, can do to upliftmany.
The touring group then put their own commitment to service into action. Over several days, students renovated a local primary school, installed three water tanks, and refreshed classrooms that were
in urgent need of refurbishment. Their effortswerepractical,heartfelt,anddeeply appreciated. Service to others is central to Braemar’s
identity, and these young people have demonstrated a purpose far beyond traditional Schoolies celebrations. In a world often defined by self-interest, their actions offer a refreshing and hopeful example of compassion in practice; one body, many parts, working together for good.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Scottish Country Dancing Group
The Macedon Ranges Scottish Country Dancing Group meet every Thursday, 1-3pm, at Buffalo Stadium, Woodend. The dancing involves social country dancing, not the highland dancing many people think of. The group dance in sets, learning different steps and formations – no special clothes needed, just soft flat shoes. The group are a friendly group having fun and keeping fit at the same time. You don’t need to bring a partner, just a smile and sense of fun.
Lynne, 0417 331 439 or Norm, 0408 592 609
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
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 from 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 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
This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of Jan Batty with Christmas decorations outside her home in St Albans. (Damjan Janevski) 521123_01
PUZZLES
up tobacco and paper (9)
18 Ancient Greek goddess (9)
21 Thoroughfare (6)
22 Courting (6)
24 Assume (5)
25 Sheep’s cry (5)
26 Celebration (4)
1 Which spice is derived from the flower of Crocus sativus? 2 What is the northernmost capital city in the world? 3 Jack Black (pictured) plays which children’s author in the Goosebumps series of films? 4 True or false: jelly babies were originally known as 'unclaimed babies'?
5 Which of the following is not a cut of
skirt, shirt or shank?
New Zealand was named after a province of which country?
7 What does the ‘E’ stand for in BASE jumping?
8 Mickey Mantle is best known for playing which sport?
9 What is the name of Linus’ sister in the Peanuts comics?
10 Who wrote the novel Crime andPunishment?
No.
Out and about
Each week Star Weekly photographers are out and about capturing events and people across the north and north-west. Keep an eye on this new weekly section for faces you may know.
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Star Weekly looks back through the pages of our predecessors
40 years ago 17 December 1985
The Woodend Ambulance Auxiliary last Thursday evening handed over a cheque for $6000, the final instalment of the $50000 the Auxiliary undertook to raise for the Woodend ambulance complex.
30 years ago 12 December 1995
The federal government’s forest plan released last week has angered both timber workers and green groups.
20 years ago 6 December 2005
A fatal car accident started summer on asombrenoteinSunburylastThursday.
10 years ago 8 December 2015
Proactivepolicingislargelyresponsible foramassivespikeindrugbustsaround Gisborne over the past five years, the area’s top cop believes.
Bronwyn Tacey and Jane Goodall are gearing up for the Gisborne carols. (Damjan Janevski) 519960_05
Woodend Neighbourhood House’s Helen Edwards and Melissa Baker are feeling festive. (Damjan Janevski) 519286_03
Lalor Neighbourhood House’s Hala Saba (front), Priyanka Tauchoony, Amsitpal Sinngh, Katherine Walsh, Santa, Damian Richardson, Bridget Runganga and Jason Tran are counting down to Christmas. (Damjan Janevski) 519634_03
Hume sustainability star Amy Sledziona. (Damjan Janevski) 516522_02
Hume Men’s Shed members Gino Merlo, Anthony AJ Magaton and president Bruce Tripptree. (Damjan Janevski) 514750_05
Amira Safi, Abrad, Rabiha Safi, Wadad Hassoz and Intisar Tamimi at a Golden Years Festival event. (Damjan Janevski) 513345_03
Festive night market
By Georgia Tacey
A new market is coming to Sunbury, just in time for Christmas.
The Sunbury Business Association (SBA) is bringing the town together for a Twilight Christmas Market, which is set to see O’Shanassy Street lit up once again shortly after a successful Sunbury Streetlife.
SBA events coordinator and member engagement Sharyn Snook said this was a great way to connect local businesses with the Sunbury community.
“It’llbringlifebacktothestreet,”shesaid. “We’ll be encouraging people to wander down O’Shanassy Street to explore.”
O’Shanassy Street will remain open to traffic during the market, with stalls positioned facing shop fronts. Businesses are also encouraged to stay open for the market to join in on the festive fun.
MsSnooksaidtheideatohostthemarket camefromthelocalbusinesses,whohoped to see a regular market on O’Shanassy Street.
“The hope would be to make this market more often,” she said.
“I’ve always been told we should do Sunbury Streetlife more often … and this is kind of like a mini way we can do that.”
There will be up to 50 stallholders on the night, with a huge range of locals getting involved. Favourite shops on the street like Ottimo Bakery and Aussie Disposals will also be staying open for the night past their usual hours, inviting Sunbury residents to shop local.
“(O’Shanassy Street) is the best street in Sunbury, with some of the best food and the(treelights),it’sreallypretty,”MsSnook said.
Ms Snook also said the SBA Christmas Scavenger Hunt will be on as well, with familiesencouragedtopickupaChristmas bag with a map for $5, and try to collect all the stamps from local stores.
“If they purchase from a store (on the map), they get an extra stamp that will go
Sunbury
Men’s Shed celebrates
The Hume Men’s Shed Sunbury has reached a milestone year.
The shed celebrated its 15th anniversary on Wednesday 3 December, with a big turnout from the community.
In attendance was Hume mayor Carly Moore, Cr Jarrod Bell, Hawke MP Sam Rae and shedders past and present.
The shed was established back in 2010, and has since grown massively in membership and facilities.
Star Weekly photographer Damjan Janevski was there to capture the celebrations.
Merry Melton movie night
The Melton Library & Learning Hub is rolling out the red carpet (and maybe a few booby traps) for its festive film night on Thursday 18 December with a special community screening of Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. The film kicks off at 5.45pm and runs to 7.45pm with families, friends, and Christmas tragics alike invited to settleinforanightoflaughs,nostalgia, and yuletide chaos.
If you’ve ever worried about losing your keys, spare a thought for the McCallisters, who have once again managed to lose Kevin, proving some Christmas traditions are harder to shake than fruitcake. This time, Kevin hops on the wrong flight and finds himself in New York City, where he uses his dad’s credit card to check into the luxurious Plaza Hotel before running into his old enemies The Wet Bandits, who are back to cause more mischief than a naughty elf on a shelf.
into the draw to win a hamper from local businesses,” she said.
The Twilight Christmas Market will be held on Friday 12 December, from 5pm to 9pm, throughout O’Shanassy Street, Sunbury. Details: https://www.facebook. com/events/875466045142510
Thisyear’sscreeningisPGandopen to all, so feel free to deck yourself out in your best Christmas gearugly sweaters, Santa hats, or even a pretend Talkboy if you’re feeling extra nostalgic are more than encouraged. Bring along some snacks, cushions and picnic rugs to get comfy - just maybe leave the paint cans and micro-machines at home.
So, mark your calendars and jingle all the way to 31 McKenzie Street, becausethisfestiveflickisguaranteed to leave you laughing, gasping and feeling all the holiday heart.
Members Robert Neilson,
Janice Pettit, the widow of the first Hume Men’s Shed Sunbury president, with current president Ian Phillips. Right: Hawke MP Sam Rae and Ian Phillips.
Secretary Albert Achterberg enjoying the celebrations.
Left: Treasurer Peter Canning and assistant treasurer Nicolas Germano. Right: Hume Men’s Shed Sunbury celebrating together.
Anthony Creed and Robert Musson.
Sunbury Business Association members Rachel Forester (Just Planet), Bec Bremner (Ottimo), Elizabeth Homann (Get It Started) and Jon Fettes (Regenerate Engineering are ready to bring the Twilight Christmas Market to Sunbury. (Damjan Janevski) 517154_05
06/08/1975
Planning Scheme clause Matter for which a permit is required
52.02 – Easements, Restrictions and Reserves
A permit is required under Section 23 of the Subdivision Act 1988 to create, vary or remove an easement or restriction (variation to building envelope)
Applicant for the permit is: OTL Consulting Group Pty Ltd
The application reference number: PLN/2025/302
If
officer contact detaits: PH: (03) 5421 9694
Any person who may be affected by the granting of the permit may object or make other submissions to the responsible authority. An objection must:
•Be made to the responsible authority in writing or lodged online
• Include your name and mailing address
• Additionally for objections include:
• Reason/s for the objection
•State how you would be affected by the granting of a permit
•Any suggestions on how to address concerns (as applicable)
The responsible authority must make a copy of every objection available for any person to inspect free of charge until the end of the period during which an application maybe made for review of a decision on the application.
More information about the objection process, including our privacy collection notice and our prescribed objection/ submission form is located on Council’s website at https://www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/Build-Plan/Planning-PermitsApprovals-Forms/Object-to-an-application.
The responsible authority will not decide on the application before at least 14 days after the date the last notice under section 52(1) or (1AA) of the Act is to be given. If you make an objection, the Responsible Authority will inform you of its decision.
Applicant signature: Dated:
MY PLACE
Macedon Ranges Further Education Centre’s new manager Pauline Fyffe recently caught up with Georgia Tacey to chat with her new appointment, and everything that’s going on at the Gisborne centre.
What’s your connection to Gisborne andtheMacedonRanges?
I moved to the Macedon Ranges permanently in 2022, after spending many years visiting the region. After living in Melbourne previously, I am grateful every day for the beauty and peacefulnessthatsurroundsme.
Whatdoyoulikeaboutwhereyoulive?
The beautiful scenery around every corner, fresh air, amazing wineries, restaurants and distilleries, and the markets. In my opinion though, the regions greatest appeal is the incredible friendlinessofthepeoplewholivehere.
Tell us a bit about Macedon Ranges FurtherEducationCentreandwhatyou enjoymostaboutworkingthere.
IhaverecentlyjoinedtheteamatMacedon Ranges Further Education Centre as manager and have already been blown away by the friendliness of everyone I have met. The organisation delivers many courses, classes and activities. We offertrainingindigitalliteracy,returnto workskills,baristatrainingandbusiness administration. We also offer a range of arts and hobbies classes, which includes floristry and pottery. Alongside our paid
courses we also host a free community bingo group one Monday per month, as well as free community morning teas each term in partnership with the Gisborne Foodbank, and a free weekly SocialCraftGrouponaMonday.
Why did you decide to volunteer/ work with Macedon Ranges Further EducationCentre?
I have worked in the training and neighbourhood house sector for more than 15 years as both a trainer and in management. I love the positive difference organisations like MRFEC makes in the lives of all who come throughthedoor.
Where’s your favourite local place to spendtime?
Myfavouriteplacestospendtimearethe natural surrounding bushlands and the weekend markets, two wonderful assets oftheMacedonRanges.Thehikingtrails offer peace and rejuvenation, and the marketsofferfreshproduce,uniquegifts andcommunityconnection.
Ranges Further Education Centre manager Pauline Fyffe. (Supplied)
Macedon
Flawed but impressive MG
By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring
Wow. MG’s Cyberster is a knockout.
You can see why the company lavished so much time and money developing a car that realistically few people will buy.
The Cyberster (great name) provides a direct link between the modern Chinese company and the storied British manufacturerfromwhichittakesitsname.
It’s a modern interpretation of a very old idea, based on such classics from the company’s past as the famous MGB sports car from the 1960s.
MG says Cyberster isn’t just here to be another car, it’s here to make a statement and continue to propel the legacy of MG into the modern era, with discrete badges that celebrate its 100th anniversary.
As impressive as it is, however, the fully electric roadster is not without its flaws.
Styling
Believe it or not there’s actually two versions of the car, although they both look exactly the same. In April this year MG added a cheaper, less powerful, rear wheel drive version, presumably for those who like the style but who don’t feel the need to compete with Ferrari.
Cyberster RWD is priced from $115,000; CybersterAWDfrom$129,000–bothprices before on-road costs.
Our test vehicle was the top-of-the-line twin-motor, high performance all-wheel drive model finished in Diamond Red Metallic.
StandardkitintheAWDincludes20-inch alloys, Alcantara leather trim, two-zone climate air, heated power-adjust seats (but not cooled), a heated steering wheel, sporty metal pedals, ambient lighting and sun visors with a mirror and illumination.
There’s also LED lights front and back, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, autohighbeam,andfrontandrearparking sensors.
There are six colours from which to choose: English White, Sterling Silver Metallic, Camden Grey Metallic, Mayfair Blue Metallic, Royal Yellow Premium and Diamond Red Metallic. They can be teamed with a red or black cloth roof.
English White is the only colour that does not incur a charge. Sterling Silver Metallic, Camden Grey Metallic, and Mayfair Blue Metallic add $1000 to the price.RoyalYellowPremiumandDiamond Red Metallic $1200.
There are also two interior colour options: Century Red is standard; Victory Grey adds $1000.
Cyberster is covered by a 10-year/250,000km warranty and that includes the battery. However, the convertible roof is only warranted for five years.
Infotainment
Infotainment comes in the form of two 7.0-inchtouchscreenswhichflankacentral driver 10.25-inch centre screen. The two smaller screens are partially obscured by the steering wheel most of the time and being small are difficult to operate on the move.However,theycanalsobecontrolled from the two unlabelled buttons on the wheel. It’s a learning experience.
Dark mode works best, especially in bright sunlight which makes them hard to see.
There’s Bluetooth, voice control, FM and DAB+ digital radio (but no AM), satellite navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and AndroidAutoandeightspeakerBoseaudio for both grades.
Access to connected services is free for 12 months.
USB-A and -C ports are provided as well as a 12-volt outlet in the boot (Not sure why – the car fridge isn’t going to fit).
Safety
Cybersterremainsunratedforcrashsafety. It is fitted with four airbags and a 360-degree camera, blind spot monitor, as well as Autonomous emergency braking (Car-to-Car, Vulnerable Road User, Junction & Crossing, Backover and Head-On).
There’s also a lane support system with lane keep assist, with lane departure warning, emergency lane keeping and rear cross-traffic alert with braking, plus an advanced speed assistance system with a speed sign recognition system.
Andgetthis,dooropenwarningprevents the doors from being opened into the path of an oncoming vehicle or cyclist. Firstly, they’re too slow and secondly, they go up, not out? LOL.
Engines/transmissions
The two electric motors in the AWD model generate a total 375kW of power and 725Nm of torque, propelling the car from 0 to 100km/h in a supercar 3.2 seconds, with a top speed that is limited to 208km/h. RWD is rated at 250kW and 475Nm, with 0-100km/h taking 5.2 seconds (199km/h top speed). Not to be sneezed at.
Driving
Built on the same platform as the MG4, Cyberster is 4.5 metres long and weighs in at 1985kg.
One of the more eye-catching features of this two-seater is its electric, scissor-style doors.
They are what turn it from a sports car into a fully-fledged, electric supercar. It just had to have them (red upholstery too).
Unfortunately, the doors are also Cyberster’s main weak point. Although they look sensational, they are totally impractical when it comes to day-to-day use.
Gettinginandoutislaborious,especially if you forget something and have to open the car again.
What’s more, as we discovered, they don’t actually work if the car is parked on
putting the boot into their new Ferrari and Lamborghini, only to wrap the car around the nearest power pole, stunned by the sudden response of the accelerator.
Just saying.
Theseatsarecomfortableandsupportive once you’re in, but the dash feels a little cramped and busy. The right screen is wasted.
UnlikeotherMGs,theblinkersareonthe left which is kind of understandable, given that it is probably targeted at the American market.
RATINGS
Looks: 8
Performance: 8.5
Safety: 7
Thirst: 7
Practicality: 5
Comfort: 7
Tech: 7.5
Value: 9
Overall: 7.4
a slope. Yep. They open a few centimetres, but that’s as far as they go.
WTF? The first time it happened we were perplexed. What to do? How to get out?
Should we call for help?
Some deep breaths later, we decided that brute force was called for and using both hands we were able to push the doors far enough upwards to get out. However, it required force to close them again and we were concerned this operation could damagethem,althoughthistimewehad the advantage of leverage.
Older or infirm folk might find this task beyond them. How come this anomaly wasn’t picked up in the research and development phase?
We’ve been to factories where robotic armsopenandclosedoors24/7,thousands oftimesadayforweekstoensurereliability.
The doors don’t always respond to the key fob either.
Also of note, your seatbelt must be fastened or the car will not move off when you put it in Drive. Great idea, but highly impractical in execution.
This combined with the clumsy doors made positioning the car for our photo shoot extremely difficult.
Still, Cyberster is a head turner and heaps of fun to drive – easy or flat out.
The roof is made of cloth and takes 15 seconds to raise or lower and this can be accomplished at speeds of up to 50km/h. When dropped it does not impinge on boot space which at 249 litres is surprisingly large.
There’s also a bit of storage behind the seats.
A puncture repair kit is provided.
Convertibles are great fun, especially in Spring or Autumn, but you can forget dropping the roof in summer because it’s too damn hot.
Incasethingsarealittlelibrary-likewith the top up, you can tell the sound system to generate a traditional engine note or a more futuristic electric sound.
Of course, there’s always music to fall back on and the car is equipped with eight-speaker Bose audio, but sadly we couldn’t get any sound out of the system.
Cybester is a lot of car and inexperienced drivers could easily get themselves into trouble.
There’s plenty of examples of drivers
Over the shoulder vision is terrible with the roof up and it is also difficult to see the extremities ofthecar,butcamerasareprovided to compensate for this.
Disconcertingly, the reverse camera displays to the right of the steering wheel, instead of centre of dash.
The 360-degree camera is so tiny however that it is almost useless –day or night.
Ridequalityisquitegoodoverall, but can become a bit unsettled on back roads.
A low centre of gravity and sticky Pirelli rubber sees the car corner flat with plenty of mid-corner grip.
However, undulations in the road can really unsettle the suspension (the driver too), suddenly snapping the car sideways.
The regenerative brakes are discs all round, with Brembo calipers up front, but braking could be stronger.
They don’t quite give the driver the confidence to go really hard into corners. That said the car more than makes up for this on the way out.
The driver-assist systems work okay, with the usual caveats, but the car slows unnecessarily on bends with cruise active.
Range for the AWD is 443km; the RWD 507km, under the widely accepted WLTP test procedure.
With energy consumption rated at 19.1 kWh/100km, we were getting 19.4 kWh/100km after about 300km of driving, some of them pretty quick.
During this period the car reportedly recovered 21.6 kWh of energy from regenerative braking, believe it or not?
The button on the left of the steering wheel labelled KERS can be used to modulatethelevelofbraking,rightdownto one-pedal driving where it is not necessary to physically apply the brakes.
The red button on the right selects drive mode: Comfort, Sport, or Custom, or Super Sport. Comfort mode is fine and the one in which we spent most time. Be careful with the latter.
There’s Launch mode too for impressing the neighbours, in case they aren’t impressed already.
Both models are fitted with a 77kWh ternary lithium-ion battery.
Recharging can be performed in as little as 34 minutes with the right DC fast charger.
But this is from 30-80 per cent which leaves you 50 percent out of pocket.
Three phase AC power takes nine hours –that’s to 100 per cent. The supplied granny charger is good for 144 hours.
Summing up
Bravo. What a great effort.
The price is a bargain for this type of car too and it could well become a collectable item in years to come.
But the tech already feels a little dated and those scissor doors need some work.
Whoever signed off on them has rocks in their head, or doesn’t have a job anymore.
The Cyberster is here to make a statement. (Pictures: Supplied)
The Macedon Ranges Rockies played off in their first Basketball Victoria Country Basketball League grand final on Saturday night. Star Weekly photographer LJUBICA VRANKOVIC was at Cobblebank Stadium to shoot the action.
Rockies’ grand final action
The Rockies. 522496_10
The Rockies crowd. 522496_58
The Rockies crowd. 522496_52
Michael Ryan. 522496_59
Mark Colverd. 522496_43
Matthew Merrett. 522496_46
Lachlan Scott. 522496_03
Jacob Poyser. 522496_30
Jack Dohmen-Jolly. 522496_28
Finn McGinty. 522496_01
Romsey gets the win despite the rain, Rupo not so lucky
Romsey was the big winner as rain was again the story in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association on Saturday.
After many games didn’t get on last week, which was day one of clashes in the top two grades, it was a similar story again this week.
Only two games in the McIntyre Cup wereabletogetonthegroundonSaturday.
Romsey was the only side to claim victory.
The Redbacks needed just 29 runs for first innings points after day one against Broadford, but the match didn’t resume on day two.
After a delay to the action kicking off, the Redbacks quickly passed the total needed to get first innings points.
The Redbacks then batted on to finish 5-213.
Thomas Boyer top scored with 60, while Jed Richardson scored 59.
The Redbacks now sit in third spot after seven rounds.
Rupertswood and Macedon played out a draw.
Rupertswood resumed at 5-78 against Macedon having batted for 43 overs on day one at Tony Clarke Oval.
Rupo managed to battle to 155 as it was bowled out in the 76th over.
Matthew Twentyman and Daniel Kavanagh top scored with 29 each for Rupo.
Cameron Clayton took four wickets for the Cats.
The Cats were never able to get going in their innings and lost frequent wickets throughout as they crumbled to 8-90.
Rupo wasn’t able to get the last two wickets it needed with the game finishing in a draw.
William Bobetic top scored with 19 for theCats,whileRhysBerrytooksixwickets for Rupo.
Games between Woodend and Gisborne, along with Sunbury United and Wallan were abandoned.
There was no action on either of the two days.
In the Johnstone Shield, Diggers Rest Bulla and East Sunbury were the winners.
The Burras entered day two of the match with Harkness in control, but with rain falling on Saturday it seemed like the weather would be the biggest obstacle.
The Burras resumed at 1-23 in reply to 96.
Despite the rain, the two sides got on the ground with the Burras continuing their strong form.
Rockies fall short
By Tara Murray
A late comeback from the Macedon Ranges Rockies fell short in the Basketball Victoria Country Basketball League north-west men’s grand final.
The Rockies trailed by more than 20 points in the third quarter against an experienced Castlemaine Cannons, who were looking to complete the perfect season on Saturday night.
The Rockies didn’t give up and managed to get the margin back to three points with less than three minutes remaining.
Castlemaine was able to steady and do enough to come away with a 90-81 win and deny the Rockies their first championship.
Rockies coach Michael Ryan said he was proud of the group and what they had achieved.
“We were rapt to still be competitive in the final quarter,” he said. “The great thing was at three quarter time the guys still thought we could win the game.
“Our game plan, did we stick to it all the time? No.
“But did we preserve it, yes. I’m happy with that.
“I’m really proud, but it hurts.”
The Rockies entered the game without Lucas Carnell and Lucas Impey. Against a tall Cannons side, both would have made a difference.
Saxon Royal exited the game early with a kidney injury after two heavy falls.
Ryan said losing Royal was a huge blow for them and they had to adjust on the fly.
“We knew it would be a challenge but the great thing with the group was the whole yearwe’vehaddifferentplayerseveryweek andstillhadthatbeliefthattheywouldstill win, which is just fantastic,” Ryan said.
The Cannons’ size proved an issue early as they were able to win a lot of ball under the basket.
Seventeen-year-old Finn McGinity came onandgavetheRockiesasparkagainstthe bigger bodies.
Ryan said he was incredible. UnfortunatelyfortheRockies,McGinnity and the other big Matthew Quinn had foul trouble and ended up fouled out.
Ryan said the third quarter would prove to be the difference, losing that quarter 28-15.
“We could have adjusted earlier,” Ryan
They lost just one more wicket on the way to first innings points.
The Burras declared at 5-200 with Kael Beaumont top scoring with 62.
Harkness was able to avoid an outright loss, finishing 5-100 in its second innings.
Captain Simarjeet Singh made an unbeaten 36 to keep the Burras out.
East Sunbury got an important win against Kilmore.
Chasing 190, the match got off to a delayed start.
It didn’t matter as the Thunder put together its best batting performance of the season to finish 6-200.
Captain Justin Nelson top scored with 55 while Alec Boorsma (33 not out) and Evan Wilkins (35 not out) got the Thunder home.
Eastern Hill had already claimed first innings points against Lancefield but couldn’t get the outright.
There was no action in the Sunbury Kangaroos and Eynesbury’s match.
RDFNL to kick off on Good Friday
The Riddell District Football Netball League season will kick off on Good Friday with two big match ups.
The league announced the season would start with a split round, with two matches on Good Friday and the rest of round one the following weekend on 11 April.
Macedon will face Gisborne Giants in the first matchup of the season at Tony Clarke Reserve.
Kyneton will then host Woodend-Hesket underlights in the other match on Good Friday.
In round one matches on 11 April, Melton South will host Diggers Rest, Romsey is at home to Lancefield and Wallan will face Melton Centrals.
Riddell will start the season with a bye.
The Bombers will kick off their season in round two at Diggers Rest before the Puka Up Cup against Macedon on Anzac Day, which will also double as a football grand final rematch.
The Bombers will finally unveil their football premiership in round four against Lancefield.
Woodend-Hesket will unveil its A-grade netball premiership flag in round two against Wallan.
said. “It wasn’t our best quarter.”
Guards Jacob Poyser and Jack Dohmen-Jolly both played key roles in the comeback.
They finished with 20 and 21 points respectively.
Ryan said the crowd was also massive in supporting the group.
For the Rockies, eight of the players were in their original side five seasons ago.
Ryansaiditwasnicetoseethoseguysget some reward.
“Matt [Quinn] and Tom [Scott] were the ones that got the program up and going,” he said.
“It’s Tom Scott’s last game. He’ll still play Big V but CBL is not for him anymore.
“There will be a bit of a changing of the guard but I’m tremendously satisfied and proud that they got their opportunity.
“We talked about hanging a banner in the stadium at some point of time and I’m glad they got to be part of that.”
Ryan said they were keen to come back again next season and be competitive.
Meanwhile, Impey was named in the north-west all-star five team.
That round will also include the firstMeltonderbyoftheyearbetween Melton South and Melton Centrals.
Diggers Rest, which usually plays onAnzacDay,isoneofthreeteamsto have a bye that weekend.
ThefirstA-gradenetballgrandfinal matchwillcomeinroundsevenwhen the Hawks host the Bombers.
There are Pat Cronin and Fight MND rounds scheduled while all clubs will have a bye for the King’s Birthday weekend.
The final round of the season will be played on 15 August with a four week finals series to follow.
(Ljubica Vrankovic) 501176_71
Rupo’s Rhys Berry. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 517320_03
Hakaraia Tahi puts a shot up. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 522496_54
Long makes history at Sunbury United as new president
When Sherridan Long was announced as the new president of Sunbury United Soccer Club, it was a first in more than 50 years.
Long became the first female president of the club in late November when she was voted into the role.
“I’m very blessed to be voted in,” she said. “Our president was stepping down from the role and I’d been on the board as vice-president in 2025.
“It’s really exciting to lead the club and continue the work everyone has been doing for the past 50 years for the next few years.”
Long said the club and sport had come so far in recent years with roles of females.
She said a female taking on a presidency role was still a big thing.
“It’s pretty awesome and I guess it shows the inclusivity of the club and the community as a whole,” she said.
“The club has come leaps and bounds particularly in the last 3-4 years in terms of female participation for our daughters,
our girls to play football
“Then to having a senior women’s team come back on board and I was part of that and to winning the league, being promoted,
“The people working behind the scenes and our female coordinator working on our policy and procedures to ensure that we have fair access diversity, inclusion.
“Meaning that it’s just standard across the board, so it’s not about being a female, it’s about being the right person.”
Long said for the club it was about making sure both mums and dads could get involved and that all at the club had role models.
She said while it had challenges with pitch availability and changerooms it’s about making sure that soccer is for everyone.
Long said they wanted to continue the journey that has been started.
She said they wanted the club to be a placethatanyonecouldcomedowntoand grow that connection in the community.
“We want to continue to solidify our junior pathway into senior football in the future,” she said.
“It’s really difficult to manage junior age groups, because of the growth of participation.
“It’s participation heavy in the bottom ages and it’s about making sure we can solidify avenues and have good coaching structures, volunteer practices to make sure all our junior cohorts are filled with age groups which makes sure there’s a pathway to senior football.
“We want a pathway that’s clear. They don’t have to leave as there’s not an age group for them.
“It’s about attracting and retaining those who live in Sunbury. You don’t have to go somewhere else to play football.”
Tara Murray
Bombers on a roll
By Tara Murray
Things are going right on and off the field for Riddell in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association Jensen Shield seconds. Last season’s runners up, the Bombers sit atop the table after eight rounds with a perfect record.
Off field, the connections across the club continue to grow.
Speaking before the weekend’s game, Bombers coach Hayden Castle said they were really happy with how things were going.
“We’re off to a good start and we’ve been able to build on last season,” he said. “It’s about culture and we’ve built a good culture around the club and getting the juniors being part of that.”
Castle said they didn’t have much of a relationship with the juniors last season, so it was something they wanted to build on in his first season as coach.
He said they’d had junior and senior trainings together and would have another one in the next couple of weeks.
“We’ve also been making sure we’re getting back to the club after games and getting really involved,” he said.
“I’ve been involved at other clubs where the seniors are involved with the juniors and they care. It’s a one club culture.”
On field, the Bombers continue to go from strength to strength.
They were able to beat Trentham in a top of the table clash on 29 November to give themselves a gap between them and the rest of the competition.
The match was played in “putrid” conditions with runs hard to come by.
The Bombers were six wickets down as they chased just 69.
“Wewouldhavelikedittohavebeenabit easier,” he said.
“They are always the hardest totals to chase, the lowest one.
“It was a real mindset thing for us but we got it done which was good.”
Castle said with some player unavailabilities their depth has been tested and players have stepped up when
EDFL
The Sunbury Kangaroos have signed two more players for the Essendon District Football League division 2 season. Lucas Turner comes over to the club from Pascoe Vale where this year he featured in the under-18 premier division side. Declan Corcoran crossed from Sunbury Lions where he made his senior debut this year playing the 11 senior games before finishing the season as a reserves premiership player.
Bendigo FL
Bendigo Football League is sticking with the same coaches for next year’s interleague campaign. The league announced the reappointments of Simon Rosa as senior interleague coach and Jason Stevens as under-18 interleague coach for the 2026 representative program. The reappointment of Rosa and Stevens comes as the league announced a multi-year interleague agreement with the Ovens and Murray Football Netball League with the first matchup scheduled for Saturday 23 May at the Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Bowls
given the opportunity.
He said they weren’t just relying on the top players to get the job done.
The weather wasn’t much better on SaturdayastheBombersfacedMacedonin a one-dayer.
The match at Riddells Creek Recreation Reserve was one of not many that got onto the field.
It was a delayed start to the game, but they were able to get on once the rain cleared.
The Cats made 5-126 with James Taylor taking four wickets for the Bombers.
Castle then led the way with the bat, making 101 off 84 balls at the top of the order before retiring.
TheBombersfinished2-130off21.4overs. They finish the first part of the season with another one-dayer.
Castle said winning the last two games before Christmas would help set up their season.
Gisborne beat Sunbury United in the other Jensen Shield seconds game to go ahead on Saturday.
Club Sunbury was able overcome Brunswick and the conditions on Saturday in the Bowls Victoria weekend pennant division 1, section 1 competition. On the road, Sunbury claimed a 96 (16)-74 (2) win. Mark Armstrong, Desmond Cann Jnr and Marc Bullows were the winning skips for Sunbury. After seven rounds, Sunbury sits second on the ladder.
VTCA
Sunbury got an important win in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Steve McNamara Shield competition. After day one of the clash with Grand United was washed out, the Roar restricted the Gorillas to 8-129. Three players took two wickets each for the Roar. Batting wasn’t easy for the Roar but it managed to get the job done, finishing 8-132. Ethan Connelly top scored with 26, while Zac Corcoran got the Roar home with 20 not out off 12 balls. After six round, the Roar sits in fifth spot only quotient outside the top four.
FOR MORE SPORT VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly
Sports shorts
Sherridan Long. (Supplied)
James Taylor. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 522511_11
