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WEDNESDAY, 7 JANUARY, 2026

YEAR IN REVIEW... STORIES OF THE YEAR YPG RISK security guards Tevita Pomale and Francisco Auque. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 473294_01

Justice prevails Justice, law and order took centre stage in Wyndham in 2025 as the municipality grappled with increased crime and waited on the Wyndham Law Courts to finally open. As Crime Statistics Agency data revealed that the number of criminal offences recorded in Wyndham was increasing from quarter to quarter, residents in Manor Lakes turned to private security patrols to keep their homes safe. Beginning in April, YPG RISK began a private security trial in Manor Lakes, building on patrols the company already offered in Wyndham Vale’s Jubilee estate and in parts of Mambourin. The company was approached by

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Neighbourhood Watch in Manor Lakes, with more than 370 residents signing on. The residents of Manor Lakes weren’t the only ones trialling private security patrols in 2025, with Wyndham council funding its own contentious trial as part of the 2025-26 budget. In June, council allocated $372,000 for a 12-month trial in the Bemin Ward – an idea first raised as an election pledge by Cr Preet Singh during the 2024 local government election. The proposal attracted significant feedback from the community, with 43 per cent of respondents to council’s draft budget opposing the trial, 34 per cent wanting to keep it in the budget, and 23 per

cent wanting the trial changed. The trial drew criticism from some councillors who felt it was outside of the scope of council business, while former mayor Kim McAliney labelled it “ludicrous”. She said that if council wanted to trial private security patrols, they should be done through a special suburb levy or left to body corporates and private arrangements. In November, following several months of delays, the Wyndham Law Courts finally opened. Construction began on the complex, which is the largest court complex in Victoria outside of the CBD, in January 2023.

The complex was meant to open in March 2025. Located next to the Werribee police station, the $275 million multijurisdictional facility features 13 courtrooms, four hearing rooms, three mediation suites and 26 holding cells. The state government said the Wyndham Law Courts will also deliver specialist services including the Specialist Family Violence Court, Koori Court and Marrum Ngala-Ganbu (Koori Family Hearing Day), due to open in early 2027 – a decision that has been with criticism from Western Metropolitan MP David Ettershank, who wants to specialist facilities to begin operating sooner rather than later.

2025 YEAR IN REVIEW ... NEWS

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Reserve petition launched 30 July Werribee MP John Lister has launched a petition calling on council to fix the surface at Wyndham Vale North Reserve. Wyndham council received a $500,000 grant from the state government’s World Game Facilities Fund for upgrades to Wyndham Vale North Reserve precinct. The grant was to assist in the construction of two senior and one junior soccer pitches, including irrigation, drainage and lighting. Council is now in the process of handing back $400,000 from the grant, after a revised cost estimate placed the total project at $6

million, with council having to contribute $5.5 million. Council has upgraded the lights at the ground. Mr Lister said the petition will be presented to mayor Mia Shaw. “Despite repeated efforts to meet with council to discuss the issue, they have not engaged with us in any substantial way,” he said. “Our local sports clubs deserve facilities that meet safety and other standards – and council should deliver on their commitments and meet the alleged cost overruns of the project.” Cr Shaw accused Mr Lister of playing pol-

itics and political interference. “The fact is, I met with Mr Lister asking for his support to repurpose the $400,000 grant to align better with the club’s priority of a new pavilion,” she said. According to Cr Shaw, the alleged interference is based on section 74a of Victoria’s constitution and that Mr Lister is hindering council’s ability to manage its own responsibilities. “Mr Lister’s interference has the potential to damage the good relationships council has with user groups at Wyndham Vale North Reserve,” she said. “If the state government wants to commit to fully funding this project for the commu-

nity, we would be happy to discuss what that could look like with council as the delivery partner,” she said. Mr Lister said wanting council to spend the money allocated projects was good governance. “The state government cannot divert money from a competitive grant to a new project, especially when council has failed to provide a business case or detailed costings.” he said. Star Weekly understands the state government has repurposed grants in Wyndham, such as moving a family and recreation area from Alfred Road Reserve to a new site in Riverwalk.

School zone stand 22 October

The herd of Asian elephants have made themselves at home at Werribee zoo. (Damjan Janevski) 467465_11

Fun and learning on The Elephant Trail 2 April Two mega swimming pools, tonnes of sand, plenty of open spaces, a centre for remedial work, street art and it’s all located in the heart of Werribee South. That might sound like a great sales pitch from a developer, and despite the fact it isn’t, that new site in Werribee South is still a great place to live – especially if you are an Asian elephant. ‘The Elephant Trail,’ the new 21-hectare home of nine Asian elephants who made news when they moved down the

highway from Melbourne Zoo in February, is now open for all to see. Elephants grazing on pastures, having a swim and dustbathing are some of things you can expect to witness on the trail. The herd barn, the area where they do all their care and training with zookeepers, might be the definition of health is wealth. A trunk or form of staff identification are requirements of entry, but onlookers can still catch a glimpse of anything from trunk washing to footcare. Zookeeper Lucy Truelson is someone who knows a few things or two about el-

ephants, having worked with them for more than 25 years. Ms Truelson was a big part of the decade-long journey to bring elephants to Werribee zoo, travelling to zoos in Ireland, the United Kingdom in the United States to inform the project. “It was all about fact finding, not just looking at the elephant program, but the wonderful elephant brains that exist overseas,” she said.

Council debates moves to save Little Growling Cafe in Tarneit 5 March Wyndham council may intervene to prevent the demolition of Little Growling Cafe in Tarneit. At a council meeting on 25 February, councillor Josh Gilligan proposed that council explore rezoning the site at 180 Davis Road with the intent of preserving its commercial features. He called for a report that would include a valuation of the site, its potential acquisition and authorise the chief executive to engage in discussions with Frasers Property Australia, the current owner of the location.

Cr Gilligan referred to a community petition in 2024 which garnered hundreds of signatures calling for intervention to save the site in Tarneit West. “[Having the cafe] means the opportunity to have a place to go and socialise– this is something worth saving,” he said. “These are all these estates have in Tarneit other than rows of housing. “Tarneit West is in desperate need of more options than just housing.” Cr Preet Singh said it was important that Tarneit and neighbouring Truganina are “not just a city of houses.” Cr Robert Szatkowski, in whose ward

2 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 7 January, 2026

the cafe is located, said while he supported the idea in principle, several aspects concerned him. Cr Szatkowski said the notice of motion should have been conducted in two parts, a public meeting and a confidential one, to avoid the council being priced out. “It may make it beyond our scope – we might be pushed out of affording it,” he said. Cr Jennie Barrera said she would not support intervention action and that it was “not our job.” “I think it was built for the purpose of selling houses.”

Wyndham council has doubled down in its fight against a developer’s plan to build houses on a Truganina site originally set aside for a school. At the Tuesday 14 October planning committee, council voted to update its refusal to grant Intrapac Ellarook Pty Ltd, the landowner of 267-279 Woods Road, a permit to build houses instead of a previously planned primary school. Council will inform the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) it does not have the authority to settle the matter at a compulsory hearing, expected to take place in late October or November. Council first refused to grant the permit in December 2023, deeming that houses did not provide a net benefit to the community and that the proposed Forsyth P-6 school was needed to accommodate population growth. Star Weekly understands Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny has received a request from the landowner to reclassify 279 Woods Road from ’potential government primary school’ to ’residential’ zone. It is also understood that the state government opened Wareen Primary School and a kindergarten 400 metres from the site and the Department of Education no longer need Forsyth P-6 to address public school capacity. Cr Preet Singh said granting the permit could be a slippery slope. “This issue is not merely about planning, it is about protecting the rights of our children, our residents and the future of Wyndham,” Cr Singh said. “This could set a concerning precedent, potentially obliging us to future demands from developers at the expense of our community’s long term interests. “While the government has secured an alternative site and constructed a school there, this does not negate the need for another education facility in this area.” Cr Shannon McGuire said, “Ultimately, I think if we just fill every parcel of land we have with housing– and this is a big parcel of land– with housing, all it does is create more demand for schools and infrastructure in the area,” he said. A spokesperson for the Department of Transport and Planning said it will consider the council’s submission before making a decision about reclassifying the site. Intrapac Property was contacted.

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2025 YEAR IN REVIEW ... COMMUNITY

Fight to preserve histroy 20 August A group of residents is calling for the total restoration of the Point Cook Homestead, fearing that the historic site is on the brink of being lost forever. The house was built by the Chirnside family in 1857 and is heritage listed. The homestead was vandalised on 24 December last year, with the front verandah, doors and internal rooms sustaining damage, while the majority of windows were smashed. Former caretaker Norm Lawler led a restoration of the precinct in the late 1970s, and said the condition of the house and its outbuildings are as bad as he has ever seen. “The vandalism is as bad now as what it was when I saved it back in 1978,” Mr Lawler said. Now 97, Mr Lawler said protecting the site has been his life’s mission. “I first saw it nearly 80 years ago in 1946 when I was an 18-year-old,“ he said. “I walked and walked [through the overgrowth], and when I finally broke through I said ‘If there is such a place as heaven then this is it’. “It has been my life for 50 years.” He said the landmark was worth saving due to its serenity. “It is so isolated even to this day– it feels like it is 100 miles from everywhere, but it is only about 10 straight miles across the water from the city,” Mr Lawler said. Les Day was married at the homestead and volunteers with Coastcare Point Cook to maintain the area. “When I started coming here 34 years ago, there were people coming in and out of that place all day, every day” Mr Day said. “I used to go there with my kids and it was in beautiful condition. “Now I call it demolition by neglect, and a lot of people feel the same way.” Mr Day said if the homestead is not immediately restored, the western suburbs would lose a piece of its history and an im-

Former Point Cook Homestead caretaker Norm Lawler is fighting to save the site he has loved for nearly 80 years. (Damjan Janevski) 495965_04

portant tourist attraction. “You couldn’t get a better spot, just sitting on a waterfront like that– and there is plenty of parkland around it as well as a viewing platform for the bird sanctuary,“ he said. “The biggest impact would be losing the history of the area, there is nothing like that in the area. “If the residence was repaired enough, it would be fit for a caretaker to live there and that is what the area really needs.” Joining in the fight to save the site, Wyndham councillor Susan McIntyre said the homestead is “on the brink of being lost forever“. “As a long-time Point Cook resident and

councillor, I have watched with alarm as our historic homestead has suffered break-ins, vandalism, and rapid decline, especially in recent months,” Cr McIntyre said. She called on Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos to act immediately and commit funding to restore and reopen the landmark. “There is still no commitment to fully fund restoration –reports and minor works won’t save it –only a fully funded restoration plan, now, will protect it,“ Cr McIntyre said. “This is about more than bricks and mortar, it’s about preserving our community’s identity and history.” Parks Victoria district manager Craig Bray

said the precinct is an important piece of the area’s history and that the organisation was finalising the details of a restoration. “We are working closely with our insurance provider to finalise the scope of works and will be engaging a specialist heritage building contractor to oversee agreed repairs,” Mr Bray said. “We are also seeking opportunities to reactivate the homestead precinct and make it a more welcoming place for all to enjoy.” Star Weekly understands the timeline for repairs are subject to the release of insurance funding and statutory approvals required under the Victorian Heritage Register, of which the homestead is listed.

Community protest pops up to save outdoor space 27 August Community leaders who are fighting to keep the Point Cook Pop Up Park permanently open are calling on locals to show their support for the space. Situated in a closed section of Murnong Street at the Point Cook Town Centre, the park was opened by not-for-profit group CoLocal in 2018 as a project to boost community connection. CoLocal founder and co-project designer Sara Mitchell said the space “connects the very heart of the community.” “It’s about people getting to know their neighbours and it is incredibly important that we are actually out there having fun with one another,” Ms Mitchell said. “It was never a Stockland or council initiative, it was a community-led movement that has been successful for local businesses and our local community. “It’s got the blood sweat and tears of the community in it, and that’s what makes it special.” Star Weekly understands CoLocal has temporarily decided to cease involvement with the space due to Stockland, the owners of the shopping centre, wanting to reopen the road. Ms Mitchell said reopening the road would make the experience of outdoor dining at restaurants that back on to Murnong Street worse. “There are lots of kids in the area and as a grandmother, I am not going to sit in an alfresco area with cars whizzing past–

Community leaders Sara Mitchell, Poly Kiyaga, Phoebe Yeo, Sudhir Juneja, Luciana Manrique and Kaliope Vassilopoulos are urging others to express their support for Point Cook Pop Up Park. (Damjan Janevski).496990_04

that’s not the deal,” she said. “We certainly know what this was like when it was a road – it wasn’t very exciting.” Poly Kiyaga runs the African Festival as part of the yearly Kaleidoscope Festival at the park and said it has become an important space to showcase African culture. “When we have the African Festival we bring people from different countries on the continent who have different traditions, different foods, and different dances

for people to see,” Mr Kiyaga said. According to Mr Kiyaga, the space has been instrumental in educating people about Africa. “I think when people were walking around [at the festival] they just said “wow, look at how many different nationalities from Africa are here in Wyndham. “It’s not only about showing the food or showing the culture, it is educational and it informs people. “We need to show the community who

we are and we can do it here in this space.” Argentinian-born Luciana Manrique, who hosted the Latino Festival at the park in 2023, said using the space has given her the opportunity to make friends. “From the event I got to connect with more people from my own community because in the beginning I didn’t really meet or connect with anybody,” she said. Ms Manrique said she believes the open space is a great way of combating social isolation, especially for members of cultural groups who may be new to Australia. “For me it’s the idea of connecting with neighbours and getting to know who is living beside me. “Back in Argentina, you are always sitting on the doorstep and everybody knows each other. “Here it is something we need to create because it doesn’t flow as naturally– we all have different cultures and a different approach to connecting with others.” A Stockland spokesperson said the company’s preference is to reopen the council-managed road. “As is the nature of temporary activations, after eight years, the community and customers are no longer engaging with the space with minimal everyday use and participation in special events declining,” the spokesperson said. Star Weekly understands Stockland will work with council to host this year’s SpringFest and the Kaleidoscope Festival next year and consider temporarily closing the space for events.

Wednesday, 7 January, 2026 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 3

FEATURING ... SENIORS

Advertising feature

How to retire happily: Insights for older Australians Retirement marks a significant life transition, and for many Australians, it can be a time of renewed happiness and personal growth. Contrary to outdated notions of retirement as a period of decline, recent research suggests that Australians often experience a “happiness wave” as they enter their golden years. To retire happily, it’s essential to stay active, maintain strong social connections, and cultivate a sense of purpose. A landmark study conducted by Dr Tony Beatton of Queensland University of Technology and Professor Paul Frijters of The University of Queensland found that Australians are happiest between the ages of 55 and 75 1. This period often coincides with retirement, suggesting that stepping away from full-time work can lead to increased wellbeing. The researchers attribute this surge in happiness to reduced stress and more realistic life expectations. At Centennial Living’s Wyndham Grange Village, the team has observed that one of the key ingredients to a happy retirement is staying physically and mentally active. Regular exercise not only improves physical health but also boosts mood and cognitive function. Activities like walking, swimming, dance, yoga, or even gardening can help retirees maintain vitality. Mental stimulation through reading, puzzles, or learning new skills also contributes to a sense of accomplishment and keeps the mind sharp. Many retirees also take up part-time work or volunteering, which can offer both stimulation and social engagement. Equally important is staying socially connected. Loneliness and isolation can significantly impact mental health, especially in older adults. Maintaining relationships with family and keeping up friendships or

Centennial Living helps residents to stay active and maintain strong social connections in their retirement. (Supplied)

gaining new friends such as happens when people move into a retirement provides a sense of belonging and connection. Technology also offers new ways to stay in touch—video calls, social media, and online communities can bridge physical distances and keep retirees engaged. Local clubs, libraries, and councils often offer programs tailored to seniors, encouraging participation and connection.

Another crucial factor is discovering or reaffirming a sense of purpose. Retirement offers the opportunity to explore passions that may have been sidelined during working years. Whether it’s mentoring, pursuing creative hobbies, or contributing to causes, having a purpose gives life meaning and direction. Purpose-driven retirees often report higher levels of satisfaction and resilience.

In summary, retiring happily in Australia involves more than financial planning—it’s about nurturing health, relationships, and personal meaning. By staying active, socially engaged, and purpose-driven, retirees can embrace this life stage with optimism and joy. Find out more about Centennial Living retirement villages by going to the website at: www.centennialliving.com.au

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4 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 7 January, 2026

IN FOCUS

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Introducing Gowrie’s new Minindee Road Kindergarten Manor Lakes is set to gain a new high-quality kindergarten co-located with Manor Lakes College. Named Minindee Road Kindergarten, this brand-new service is committed to bringing excellence to early childhood education and care. Designed to provide high-quality 3- and 4-year-old sessional programs, the kindergarten aims to ensure every child and their family has the best possible start to their lifelong learning journey. Gowrie Victoria has an 85-year long legacy of educational excellence in the early years. In the early childhood sector in Victoria, Gowrie are seen as leaders who promote and advocate for quality in all early childhood settings. They do this through extensive coaching and mentoring programs, as well as being a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) for educators. Minindee Road Kindergarten will be led by kindergarten manager Kirsti, an experienced professional with over 30 years in early childhood education and a Bachelor of Early Childhood. Kirsti’s leadership is founded on a deep passion for the sector and a commitment to running an outstanding program. This established commitment to educational quality, backed by Gowrie’s strong reputation, offers families peace of mind. The kindergarten programs will be built on a holistic, play-based learning approach, where children thrive through curiosity-driven exploration. Educators establish a predictable daily rhythm, with consistent start and finish times that support children’s sense of routine and prepares them for formal schooling. This integrated, strength-based approach supports

children’s social-emotional wellbeing, identity, and sense of belonging. By engaging in purposeful play, children are invited to take agency, follow their interests, and develop crucial independence and self-

care skills—like managing their own lunch boxes. Enrolments are now open for the 3- and 4-year-old sessional kindergarten programs. To enquire and secure your child’s

spot in this high-quality learning environment, please contact the enrolment team today. Enrolment enquiries: kinder.enquiries@gowrievictoria.org.au

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Wednesday, 7 January, 2026 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 5

NEWS

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Briefs ELV open day Early Learning Victoria Bimbit is hosting an open day on Friday 16 January, 10am-2pm, at 1/59-77 Kookaburra Avenue, Werribee (co-located with Wyndham Park Primary School). The open day will provide an opportunity to tour the centre, due to open in early 2026, and meet the skilled and experienced educators. Government-run, Early Learning Victoria Bimbit offers welcoming and inclusive spaces that support learning and development for all. Find out about enrolling your child in 2026 at earlylearning.vic.gov.au/bimbit.

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Jabulani (Zoos Victoria)

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Published by MMP Star Pty Ltd ACN 168 220 399 Head Office Corner Thomsons Road and Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park, 3042 Publisher/Managing Director, Paul Thomas All material is copyright to MMP Star Pty Ltd. Responsibility for election comment is accepted by Paul Thomas. All significant errors will be corrected as quickly as possible. Distribution numbers, areas and coverage are estimates only. For our terms and conditions please visit starweekly.com.au

COMMUNITY

Little rhino,big milestone Werribee Open Range Zoo’s superstar rhino calf, Jabulani, has officially reached the tonne, now clocking in at more than 1000kg. Consuming up to 20kg of food each day, the one-year-old southern white rhino is growing on a healthy trajectory since his birth last August. Savannah keeper Lance Weldhagen said Jabulani was born quite small at 55kg but has made great strides. “Jabulani was pretty small when he was born, he was just ‘feet and ears’ back then, but compared to now, he looks just like a miniature rhino at a thousand kilograms,” Mr Weldhagen said. “Jabulani’s daily food consumption of 20 kilograms is the equivalent of around 100 big macs – but minus the fat content of a big mac – he’s on a grass diet, so a lot healthier.” Jabulani, who is described, was born to

16-year-old father Kifaru and 12-year-old mother Kipenzi and his successful birth in August 2024. Kipenzi, who was hand-reared herself and had never seen or experienced successful mothering, has reportedly been doing well with her calf and nurturing him. Southern white rhinos are native to Africa and are classified as near threatened with as few as 10,080 remaining in the wild. They face increasing threats including poaching for the illegal trade of rhino horn and habitat destruction and fragmentation as human populations and infrastructure grows. Members and visitors to Werribee Open Range Zoo can see Jabulani and his fellow rhino crash on a Safari Bus Tour, which runs throughout the day and is included with entry.

Wyndham’s free Pop-Up Traffic Park will be open daily 9.30am-4.30pm from 10-18 January at Kelly Park in Werribee. Children aged three to 10 years and beginners can bring their bikes and trikes along and explore an exciting traffic park with mini shopfronts, road signs and colourful cycling zones, alongside free family activities throughout the week. The pop-up cycling course is designed to help young riders practise real-world road rules in a safe and fun way. The track includes speed humps, crossings, traffic lights and plenty of turns. Learn to cycle sessions will also be available for kids and adults, delivered by expert coaches from the Community Bike Hub. These sessions are ideal for first-time riders and anyone wanting to build confidence while learning the essentials of safe bike riding. Bike mechanics will also be on site to perform repairs and impart their knowledge to anyone keen on learning more about bike maintenance. FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Wyndham Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR WANT YOUR EVENT LISTED? Community Calendar is made available free of charge to not-for-profit organisations to keep the public informed of special events and activities. Send item details to Star Weekly Community Calendar, Corner Thomsons Road and Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park, 3042, or email to westeditorial@starweekly.com.au by 9am Wednesday the week prior to publication

Wyndham Turkish Coffee Club

free service, excluding small fees for some excursions, that is offered to pregnant and or mothering young women up to age of 25 years who live, work or study in Wyndham. The group meets every Wednesday between 11.00am - 1.00pm at the Youth Services Centre, 86 Derrimut Road, Hoppers Crossing.  Wyndham Youth Services team, 8734 1355

A place for older Turkish and Cypriot Turkish migrant women in Wyndham to gather, connect, learn and advocate for one another over coffee. Anyone is welcome to join the group at the Wyndham Park Community Centre from 1-2pm on the first Tuesday of each month.  Lutfiye, 0474 533 923

Victoria State Rose Garden Soulful Spreads Community Cafe

The Victoria State and Rose Garden Supporters group are always welcoming new members to help keep Werribee Park beautiful. The volunteers work 7am-noon on Wednesdays and 7-11am on Saturdays. If you enjoy gardening, roses or just enjoy the company of like-minded people, visit www.victoriastaterosegarden.com.au

Soulful Spreads is a purpose-driven social enterprise based in Tarneit that looks to create meaningful work and training opportunities for women and young people with disabilities. Come meet for a meal and support inclusion, empowerment and connection. Meets 8.30am-12pm every Monday and Thursday at the Tarneit Community Learning Centre.  info@soulfulspreads.com

Wyndham Makers and Farmers Market This market serves as a hub for talented artisans and small businesses to display their unique creations, connect with fellow entrepreneurs, and take their ventures to new heights. Food trucks, live music and children’s activities are regular staples. Runs on the third Sunday of every month at Werribee Racecourse. Gold coin entry.

This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of St Monica’s Primary School students Jonah, 12, Vivien, 8 and Carlos, 11, who helped the school win a statewide science award for the second year in a row. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 523766_01

Altona VIEW Club Altona VIEW is a not-for-profit club that welcomes ladies from the Wyndham, Hobsons Bay and other areas to join in for lunch the third Wednesday of each month, at 11am at the Altona RSL. Come along and enjoy the speakers each month.

6 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 7 January, 2026

Other outings are arranged and it is a great opportunity to make new friends. Contact  altonaview@gmail.com or Julie, 0421 315 846

Baby Bump and Beyond program The Bump Baby and Beyond program is a

Practise English with Let’s Talk A weekly meet to help members of the community improve their practical English conversation skills to help with daily tasks such as shopping and booking appointments. Meets 10am each Saturday at Werribee Church of Christ, 200 Tarneit Road, Werribee  Bronwyn, 9741 6051

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From Cornwall with love By Tania Phillips Cornwall is considered one of the most remote and yet beautiful counties in England. And the county’s North Coast with its dramatic cliffscapes, craggy coves, boundless white-tipped breakers and kilometres and kilometres of golden sands is a jewel in the crown, a hikers paradise – beloved by it’s local residents including local fisherman Jeremy Brown, who is more than happy to extoll it’s beauty, heritage and culture. Part of a five-generation fishing family Jeremy lives in Port Isaac – a quintessential Cornish Fishing village – known for its narrow, winding streets lined with charming, whitewashed cottages that overlook a picturesque harbour – locally referred to as the Platt. It has gained fame as the fictional village of Port Wenn in the BBC series Doc Martin with many a visitor searching the historic village for the “Grumpy Doc’s” landmarks according to the seasoned fisherman and part-time singer. However, Jeremy and his fellow members of Fisherman’s Friends – a group of local men who have been taking sea shanty’s to the world through their two successful movies, musicals and their forthcoming first Australian tour – are slowly changing that. Bringing the tourism focus back on the beautiful landscape and vibrant living culture. Fishing heritage dates back to the early fourteenth century in Port Isaac. It’s a village that has always been deeply connected to the sea, with fishing continuing to play a significant role in the lives of its residents. The village’s name comes from the Cornish Porthysek, meaning ’corn port’, a nod to its historic role in the grain trade. “People actually do turn up now and look for someone from the Fisherman’s Friends and not just the grumpy old Doc,” Jeremy laughed. “It’s been a goal of mine in a way – to have some people come to Port Isaac to see the home of Fisherman’s Friends. People have always come to Port Isaac it’s such a pretty place – but then we got a certain amount of the Tourism which was just people looking for the Doc’s House and what have you. “Even though we’ve got members in from other Ports now – Padstow and Boscastle – it is the home of the Fisherman’s Friends and people do make a beeline for it but of course the village sells itself - it’s so pretty.” And on Wednesday nights Jeremy, an original member of the group, formed

No need to make rustic backdrops for photos, movies or TV shows in Port Isaac in the breathtaking county of Cornwall in the UK.

Fisherman’s Friends original member Jeremy Brown is part of a long-standing fishing family in the Port Isaac District. He’s also a staunch supporter of his home village and keeping the fishing culture alive and vibrant. (Supplied)

to raise a bit of money for charity back in the 90s, can often be found in the pub singing sea shanties with the rest of the community. The band on stage on those nights is The Yarnigoats who do a lot of the Fisherman’s Friends repertoire as well as their own music. Local gigs are few and far between for the Friends these days. “Very occasionally about three times this year – on our group WhatsApp chat – we just say is anyone free on Friday and we just do an impromptu gig,” he said. “But we can’t advertise it these days because it causes chaos down there. If we advertise it we get 2000 people turn up – paramedics, police and marshals have to come because there’s no parking in the village – it’s all out of the village. “The old sea shanties are obviously from the days of sail so we’re going back hundreds of years. “But for some reason they’ve got some sort of resonance with people. When we first started singing we had no ambition other than to raise a few pounds for charity. We started singing in the open air at Port Isaac – it’s a bit of an amphitheatre and it sort of lends itself to it.” The beauty and setting of the village evokes the past and the fishing culture. “Everything rolls downhill to the harbour,” Jeremy says. “It’s a very small harbour and it’s straight into the open ocean from there. You’ve got the North Atlantic right out there and the gales literally come right on through and

come out of the adventure of Fisherman’s Friends is the revival of pub singing – of singing just for the joy of it at your local and of keeping that part of Cornish Culture alive. Of course, the band’s trip to Australia is another bonus – and it helps that it’s in the English winter when work is not so busy. “Singing has not really taken us around the world because we’ve all still got our regular jobs,” he said. The group’s first Australian tour starts in Adelaide on 7 January and closes out in Perth on 25 January and takes in all States and the ACT. Tickets on sale head to the fishermans-friends website for more information.

Down on the Platt at Port Isaac where Fisherman’s Friends first performed. If it looks familiar its probably because it’s better-known to a lot of the world as Port Wenn thanks to the TV Show Doc Martin.

they sweep up the streets and we have to move all the boats.” He said visitors invariably always find themselves at the bottom of the village at The Platt – a concreted area where the fishermen (like Jeremy’s son who is one of just a few professional fishermen left in the town) keep their dingy. The Platt is also where Fisherman’s Friends got their start and still pop up from time to time. “You can get a beer and just sit on the Platt or you can go up to our local pub where some of the filming in our films took place and enjoy the atmosphere and have a sing.” Jeremy believes the best thing that has

Dedicated travel content delivered to an untapped audience weekly. To advertise in our Travel Today section, please contact Gayle Williams e: gayle.williams@starweekly.com.au t: (03) 8318 5777

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Wednesday, 7 January, 2026 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 9

2025 YEAR IN REVIEW ... HEALTH

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Point Cook hospital delayed 11 June Point Cook residents are calling on the state government to prioritise the completion of the suburb’s delayed community hospital. In the lead up to the November 2018 election, the state government announced it would spend $675 million to build 10 community hospitals in major growth areas, including Point Cook. At the time, the government said Construction of the hospitals was expected to begin in 2022 and finish in 2024. In February 2022, the government announced that land had been secured for

the Point Cook Community Hospital at 140 Dunnings Road, with Lendlease Building Contractors appointed as the project’s builder in June that year. Star Weekly understands that construction of the community hospital commence once the state government and Bunurong Land Council finish archaeological assessments as part of a Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) for the project. The state government hopes to open the hospital in 2026. Point Cook Action Group vice president Benish Chaudhry said the area is currently too dependent on Werribee Mercy Hospital.

“I think it is really important for everyone to understand the population here is too big for the Mercy catchment alone,” she said. Ms Chaudhry said that wait times at Mercy are forcing residents to travel outside of Wyndham for treatment. “People from Point Cook are rushing to Sunshine or the Royal Children’s Hospital [in Parkville] because the wait times at Mercy are too long,” she said. “When people go to Mercy, they have to clear their schedules for the day. “People have to take shifts looking after their kids – it’s not enough for one person to do it.

“I’m not in any way saying the operation of Mercy is bad, but they are just under so much pressure with the growing population.” The community hospital will provide specialist services such as chemotherapy, dialysis and public dental treatments, which Ms Chaudhry said would be a game-changer for locals. “For Point Cook residents there is a lack of specialist services in the west ... we have to go to the city or east for special services. “We have a lot of roadworks, but I think as of now health and education should be prioritised now.”

Defib In Your Street launches 30 July

Vani Kaim: has starting her nursing journey. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 463419_04

New nurses lead the way at St Vincent’s 12 March Truganina’s Vani Kaim is part of a new generation of nurses taking the next step in their career at St Vincent’s Private Hospital (SVPH) Werribee. The graduate nurses are joining SVPH Werribee’s busy operating theatres and surgical ward, gaining hands-on experience following the recent completion of their nursing degrees. The graduates will work in their assigned departments under the guidance of more senior nurses for six months, before rotating into a second department later in the

year. Ms Kaim’s decision to become a nurse came from an innate desire to help people in a meaningful and hands-on way. “Nursing offers a unique blend of clinical expertise, emotional intelligence and continuous learning– all of which align with my strengths and aspirations,” she said. The health of those she cares for hits close to home. “I have a strong connection to this community, so being able to serve and give back to the people here is incredibly meaningful to me,” she said. “The most rewarding aspect of my career

is knowing that I can make a real difference in people’s lives, providing care and support during their most vulnerable moments.” General manager and director of clinical services Emma Saliba said it was exciting to have new nurses on board. “Every year, it’s so exciting to welcome new graduate nurses to our team, they are our next generation of nurses and they bring incredible energy and enthusiasm to our team,” she said. “It’s very rewarding to support these individuals to develop into confident clinicians and valuable members of our nursing community right here in Werribee.”

The Defib In Your Street program has landed in Werribee and a launch was held to celebrate the occasion. On 25July, members from the Wyndham community attended St John Ambulance Victoria’s expansion of the program to its fourth suburb. Defib In Your Street aims to reduce the time needed to access a defibrillator in a bid to increase survival rates of people suffering sudden cardiac arrest. (SCA) Included in the program will be the installation of 30 publicly-accessible automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) in the suburb and provision of free CPR training for 4000 community members. Werribee has the third highest rate of SCA in Victoria and there are currently only three public-access defibrillators in the suburb. St John Ambulance Victoria chief executive Gordon Botwright said Defib In Your Street, along with a state government mandate for defibrillators in public buildings, could save thousands of lives. “More than 7500 Victorians suffer a sudden cardiac arrest every year and survival relies on quick access to a defibrillator and training the community in its use,” Mr Botwright said. “It is literally a case where every second counts, for with every extra minute that a person is in cardiac arrest, their chances of surviving fall by 10 per cent.”

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10 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 7 January, 2026

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

2025 YEAR IN REVIEW ... COMMUNITY

Blacksmiths Steve Phillips (left) and Robbie Alderson (right) took part in the Blacksmiths Festival in Footscray in. 475625_01

Winni Wizard and the Ditzy Dizzard was s a kids comedy show at Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Pictured is comedians Lisa Gatenby (Winni Wizard) and Jacob Sacher (Ditzy Dizzard). 465765_01

Emmanuel Pace AKA ‘Manny the Clown’ performed at the inaugural Sunshine Collective Market in June. 481609_01

2025 through the lens Star Weekly photographer Damjan Janevski was out and about across Melbourne’s western and northern

suburbs throughout 2025. He shares his favourite pictures from the past year.

Brookfield resident Jacqueline Licitra’s elaborate Halloween decorations in her front yard entertained passers-by in October. Pictured is Jacqueline with her grandsons Maddix, 3, and Zanon, 1. 511243_01

St Albans Secondary School students Paul (front), Luca, Cindy, DT, Talia, Thien, Ryan and Xai took to the stage for Spamalot in August. 496630_01

The Ice Queens cheerleading team members Taylor Hallas, Laura Yildirim, Emily Hopkins and Bridget Bayliss used money raised by recycling drink cans to buy new bows for their uniforms. 488505_01

Natalie Davis and Beth Johnson organised Tyldenvania to celebrate Halloween in the town of Tylden. 514408_01

Iva Rosebud starred in Club Kabarett, Melbourne’s bold new circus-cabaret in April. 471695_01

Zoe, 11, who played Duffy in the Melbourne season of Annie the Musical at the Princess Theatre in July. 489773_01

Dancers Mai Vu, Mai Nguyen, Ngoc Huynh, Thoa Tran, and Tina Nguyen and Brimbank councillor Thuy Dang (seated) brought festive fun to St Albans in November. 517610_01

Elephants arrived at Werribee Open Range Zoo in February. 468666_01

Thomas Stockdale won race four at the Kyneton Cup in early November. 516055_01

Wednesday, 7 January, 2026 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 11

2025 YEAR IN REVIEW...SPORT

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Lalor United’s Solomon Sunray. 488179_09

Keilor’s Daniel Poelsma. 488186_10

Footscray’s Paula Nailovolovo in June. 481972_18

Keilor’s Adetomi Ayilara. 488186_27

Sport through the Star Weekly photography lens Star Weekly photographer Ljubica Vrankovic captured all the sport action across Melbourne’s western and northern

suburbs throughout 2025. She shares her favourite pictures from the past year.

Gisborne’s Elijah Bretherton. 496381_17

Myra Wood in action in for Craigieburn in August. 497759_32

Don Geodes in action in November.520809_21 Ashleigh Palmer won the women’s 400m at the Lancefield Gift in November. Also pictured as Grace Carter, Genevieve O’Brien, Lucy Zotti, Ella Tobin and Alex Tzilantonis. 517333_26

Footscray’s Kerry Nease during the women’s grand final in August. 499386_04

12 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 7 January, 2026

Ameir Majur on the court for Melton. 508552_12

Craigieburn’s Darren Wotu. 518147_02

PUZZLES SUDOKU

No. 271

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

easy

8 2 3 1 4 5 8 2 3 6 4 2 9 4 9

9 1 5 6 1 2 3 2 8 6

7 9

DECODER 18 3

18 15

17 21

S 23

Today’s Aim: 14 words: Good 21 words: Very good

9 4 5 7 8 2 6 3 1 7 3 6 1 4 9 5 8 2 1 8 2 5 3 6 4 9 7 6 9 4 3 5 1 7 2 8 8 5 7 2 9 4 3 1 6 2 1 3 6 7 8 9 4 5 4 7 8 9 1 5 2 6 3 5 6 1 4 2 3 8 7 9 3 2 9 8 6 7 1 5 4

2 1 5 3 4 9 6 8 7 3 7 4 8 2 6 1 5 9 6 9 8 5 7 1 4 2 3 5 2 7 4 3 8 9 1 6 8 3 9 1 6 2 5 7 4 4 6 1 9 5 7 2 3 8 1 8 3 2 9 4 7 6 5 7 4 2 6 8 5 3 9 1 9 5 6 7 1 3 8 4 2

I O

E E T

3 LETTERS ADD ADO ADS AID BOW EEL EGO FED GEE IDS ILL IOU IRE LIE MAR NIP NOR OFF OKS ORE PEN TEE WHO YOU

No. 271

A C C O R D

5 LETTERS ABATE ABODE ALIGN ALIVE AMISS AWARE BEARS BERET CANAL CRATE DEALT DYING EAGER EATEN EDGES EERIE ELUDE EVERY EXUDE FLORA HOSTS

4 LETTERS EARL EBBS FLEE GULP KEEL LILY MEET MIEN POPE SASH SLAM TALL TRAY USES

INANE KNOTS LADLE LAPEL LEERY LOVES NOTED PIXIE RISER SATIN SCANT SEDAN SHREW SLAIN SLEPT SLEWS SOLED SPEAK STAFF START STEAM STUDY

SWING TEASE TENET TENOR TILDE TOILS ULTRA

7 LETTERS ANTENNA APOSTLE GOATEES LEOTARD REALISE SNUFFER

6 LETTERS ACCORD ASSURE FRONTS ORIENT

8 LETTERS CELLISTS HANGOVER HYSTERIA TABLOIDS

09-01-26

No. 378

QUICK QUIZ

Who was the first wife of Roman emperor Nero?

The smoky spirit mezcal is derived from which plant?

Which band had hits with the songs Dreams (1993), Linger (1993) and Ode to My Family (1994)?

Dorothea Brooke is the heroine of which 19th century English novel?

Comedians James Acaster and Ed Gamble co-host which podcast?

True or false: the shoe company Dr. Martens was founded by a British doctor?

What long-distance hiking trail spans 4,265 kilometres from Canada to Mexico?

How many US states begin with the letter ‘n’?

Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down. NOTE: more than one solution may be possible

F R A N K R O B I N A T O N E N O V E L C R E S T

WORDFIT

chip, chips, chit, city, hips, hiss, hits, itch, itchy, physic, PHYSICIST, physics, pitch, pith, pithy, pits, pity, schist, ship, ships, sips, sits, spicy, spit, spits, this, tips, tipsy, yips

4 7 2 5 8 1 6 9 3 8 3 6 7 9 2 4 5 1 5 9 1 6 4 3 8 7 2 9 1 3 8 5 4 7 2 6 6 8 4 9 2 7 3 1 5 2 5 7 3 1 6 9 8 4 1 2 8 4 6 9 5 3 7 7 4 9 2 3 5 1 6 8 3 6 5 1 7 8 2 4 9

C S

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural nouns ending in “s”.

29 words: Excellent

hard

10 11 12 13

medium

easy

9-LETTER WORD

1 6 5

J W M V T Y Z K P O Q D U

19 22

15 20

19 25

S X

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

8 4 6

5x5

R C G I B L A F N E H S X

2 1

4 3 8

hard

6 9

No. 303

The 2006 film She’s the Man, starring Amanda Bynes (pictured), is a modernday retelling of which of Shakespeare’s comedies?

10 What was the name of artist Frida Kahlo’s spouse? ANSWERS: 1. Claudia Octavia 2. The Cranberries 3. Off Menu 4. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) 5. Twelfth Night 6. Agave 7. Middlemarch 8. False; he was a German doctor 9. Eight 10. Diego Rivera

6 8 6 1 5 7 4 5 4 9 3 1 2 7 1 7 8 3 9 4 2 6 5 6 1 3 4

S P E A K S C A N T A B A T E T I L D E T E N O R S O L E D U L T R A S W I N G E X U D E A I D L A D L E Y O U G E E M E E T D Y I N G F R O N T S O K S S N U F F E R S L A I N T A L L E A R L T A B L O I D S P O P E L I E A P O S T L E R E A L I S E S L A M H A N G O V E R F E D F L E E L I L Y E V E R Y G O A T E E S I R E A C C O R D N O T E D S A S H M A R I O U T E A S E W H O I N A N E S T A R T B E A R S E E R I E B E R E T S A T I N S L E P T S E D A N S L E W S

3 4

8 5

17 18 19 21 22 23 26

medium

Inhabitant (8) Abstinence (8) Childish (7) Pressurised dispenser (7) Light rainfall (6) Holiday spot (6) Fringe (4) Tableland (7) Meeting for an exchange of ideas (7) Sheath (8) Sing to (8) Unaffected (7) Settle (7) Help (6) Slip-on shoe (6) Ballot choice (4)

1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 16

DOWN

Formula (6) Large rope (6) Climb (5) Light-headed (9) Disadvantage, disservice (9) Impugn (5) A spice (6) Plummet (4) Require (4) Source of wisdom (6) Schnoz (5) Incapable of being seen (9) Provider of information (9) Tropical climbing plant (5) Slave (6) Interfere (6)

1 4 10 11 12 13 14 15 19 20 24 25 27 28 29 30

No. 271

7 3

QUICK CROSSWORD

Wednesday, 7 January, 2026 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 13

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TRADES BUSINESS PROFILE

MELTON TREE & STUMP REMOVALS

Online: networkclassiﬁeds.com.au (24/7) Phone: 1300 666 808 (Open 8.30-5pm Mon-Fri) Email: sales@networkclassiﬁeds.com.au

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Deadline for all classifications is 1:00pm Tuesday.

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12530339-JW02-22

Gates & Pergolas ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ Lou 0412 339 445 Tony 0431 339 739 ฀

PH: 9360 5357 Mobile: 0412 378 193

PLUMBING 12402755-RA44-18

Lou’s Colorbond Fencing

The application is for a permit to:

Removal of Restriction .

G6795050AA-dc29Apr 1132314-LB19-14

Matter for which a permit is required

52.02

To remove Restriction A on PS826722 from Lot 111 with Volume 12274 and Folio 358 before a person proceed under Section 23 of the Subdivision Act 1988.

The application number is:

WYP15429/25

The applicant for the application is:

Wyndham City Council

Responsible Authority:

Wyndham City Council Telephone: 8376 5503

Blocked Drains/CCTV Water Leaks Gas Repairs Hot Water Repairs Toilet Repairs & More!

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The land affected by the application is located at:

A permit is required under the following clauses of the Planning Scheme:

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Stencil Slate

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT ACT 1987 - FORM 2 PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT REGULATIONS 2015

Planning Scheme Clause:

Showroom by appointment only We specialise in full bathroom & kitchen renovations WE DO NOT DO REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE T & C’s apply

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You may look at the application and any documents that support the application at; - The Council website https://www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/advertising - By Contacting the Town Planning Unit on the contact number above Any person who may be affected by the granting of the permit may object or make other submissions to the Responsible Authority by post or in person or; - Online: www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/planningobjection - Email: statplanning@wyndham.vic.gov.au An objection must be made to the Responsible Authority in writing, include the reasons for the objection and state how the objector would be affected. If you object, the Responsible Authority will tell you of its decision. The Responsible Authority will not decide on the application before:

30 January 2026 12833949-KF01-26

SPORTS QUIZ 1. Which Twenty20 cricket team defeated Perth Scorchers in the 202526 Women’s Big Bash League final? 2. Nelson Asofa-Solomona played for Melbourne Storm before quitting rugby league to pursue a career in what sport?

9. What age was Paul Lim when he became the oldest to win a match at the Professional Darts Corporation world championship?

3. In which NBA season did the Los Angeles Lakers become the inaugural winners of the NBA Cup in-season tournament? 4. Owen Wilson’s character in the television series Stick formerly played what sport professionally?

10. Sherrone Moore most recently coached which US college football team?

5. NBL CEO David Stevenson has suggested a new team would likely be based in one of which three states or territories? 6. For breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program, Quentin Folliot was suspended by the International Tennis Integrity Agency for how many years?

12. What sport is El Capitan associated with? 13. Who is the oldest active NRL player? 14. Who was presented the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize? 15. Oracle vs. Emirates is a famous rivalry in which competition? 16. What is Tiger Woods’ real first name?

18. And which event did he first win gold in? 19. What is Coco Gauff’s highest achieved singles ranking: world No.4, world No.2 or world No.1?

8. Townsville-born Alex Ferlazzo competes in the men’s singles of which winter sport?

Coco Gauff

11. Which Australian athlete was nicknamed ‘The Boy from Bowral’?

17. At which Olympics did Michael Phelps win his first gold medal?

7. After not playing for almost five years, 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers recently signed with which NFL team?

25. And in which year did they add a women’s event?

20. Alongside Russia, what was the only other country banned from competing in the 2024 Olympics?

26. What is a lacrosse ball made out of?

21. The ANBF governs which sport? 22. US athlete Ilia Malinin recently became the first figure skater to land how many quad jumps in a single program, subsequently beating his own world record score by almost 10 points? 23. On a dartboard, are the inner sections of the number 10 red or green?

27. Which sport is nicknamed ‘chess on ice’? 28. Which fielding position in cricket stands beside the wicketkeeper? 29. How many New York teams are in the NHL? 30. Which sport does Zac Efron’s character Troy Bolton play in the High School Musical film franchise?

24. In which year was handball added to the Olympic program?

1. Hobart Hurricanes 2. Boxing 3. 2023-24 4. Golf 5. Queensland, NSW, ACT 6. 20 7. Indianapolis Colts 8. Luge 9. 71 years old 10. University of Michigan Wolverines 11. Don Bradman 12. Rock climbing 13. Daly Cherry-Evans 14. Donald Trump 15. The America’s Cup 16. Eldrick 17. Athens, 2004 18. 400m individual medley 19. World No.2 20. Belarus 21. Boxing 22. Seven 23. Red 24. 1972 25. 1976 26. Rubber 27. Curling 28. First slip 29. Three (New York Rangers, New York Islanders and Buffalo Sabres) 30. Basketball

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PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT ACT 1987 - FORM 2 PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT REGULATIONS 2015

The Minister for Planning has approved Amendment C267wynd to the Wyndham Planning Scheme. The Amendment comes into operation on the date this notice is published in the Victoria Government Gazette.

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The application number is:

WYP15444/25

The applicant for the application is:

Wyndham City Council

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Wyndham City Council Telephone: 8376 5503

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A copy of the Amendment can be inspected, free of charge, at the Department of Transport and Planning website at www.planning.vic.gov.au/public-inspection or by contacting 1800 789 386 to arrange a time to view the Amendment. A copy of the Amendment can also be inspected, free of charge, during office hours, at the offices of the Wyndham City Council, 45 Princes Highway, Werribee, Victoria 3030 and on the Council website at www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/services/buildingplanning/planning-scheme-amendments/current-planning-scheme-amendments

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STUART MENZIES Executive Director, State Planning Policy Department of Transport and Planning 12676959-AA13-24

General Classifieds MASSAGE THERAPISTS ADVERTISERS, in this section are qualified practitioners and offer nonsexual services. 12833798-MC01-26

52.02

To remove Part 2.1 of MCPAA9526 on PS812419J before a person proceeds under Section 23 of the Subdivision Act 1988.

Employment

The Amendment implements the Wyndham Industrial Land-Use Strategy (Wyndham City Council, 2025) (WILUS) by inserting new strategic directions and an industrial land strategy framework plan in Clauses 02.03 and 02.04 of the Municipal Planning Strategy, updating local policy in Clause 17.03-1L Industrial land supply, listing the WILUS as a background document in the Schedule to Clause 72.08 Background documents, and updating the Schedule to Clause 74.02 Further strategic work in the Wyndham Planning Scheme.

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Anyone advertising a puppy, dog, kitten or cat in Victoria for sale or re-homing will need a source number from the Pet Exchange Register and a microchip identiﬁcation number. It is now an offence to advertise unless the source number and microchip identiﬁcation number is included in the advertisement or notice. For further information, call 136 186 or visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au

12423634-SN31-19

Removal of Part 2.1 of MCP AA9526.

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12474997-DL50-20

The application is for a permit to:

Planning and Environment Act 1987 WYNDHAM PLANNING SCHEME Notice of Approval of Amendment Amendment C267wynd

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Wednesday, 7 January, 2026 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 15

MOTOR High quality, bargain price By Alistair Kennedy, Marque Motoring Yet another new name for Australian buyers to grapple with, Jaecoo is one of three sub-brands from the Chinese Chery brand. Chery is the leading exporter of Chinese vehicles worldwide with Australian sales more than tripling over the past 12 months. Marketed as the group’s premium brand, Jaecoo was launched here in March 2025 with the J7, a mid-sized SUV powered by either petrol or plug-in hybrid powertrains. It was joined recently by our test vehicle, the J8 family-size SUV. Although they are built on different platforms, they do share many of the same design elements, most noticeable being what Chery describes as its Waterfall Grille with 20 vertical chrome and piano black bars and the Jaecoo name in the centre. The J8 differs also in that it only comes with a single power option, a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine although it seems likely that a PHEV will follow. Although J8 is significantly larger in all dimensions than the J7 both are five-seaters. It’s highly likely that a third row will be added later to allow it to compete against similarly-sized vehicles like the Hyundai Santa Fe, Nissan X-Trail, Kia Sorento and Toyota Kluger. Jaecoo J8 comes with two variants, the Track 2WD priced at $49,990 and the AWD $54,990 Ridge. Both prices are driveaway.

The Jaecoo J8 is one of the best offerings yet from China, certainly the best SUV. (Pictures: Supplied)

RATINGS Looks: 9/10

Styling

Performance: 7.5/10

Chery’s design team, headed by a former Mercedes-Benz stylist, have done an impressive job with its two Jaecoo vehicles. Both have an understated but stylish appearance, one that proved to be real head-turners wherever we drove, invariably followed by the need to explain that Jaecoo was the upmarket version of the Chinese carmaker Chery. The 320mm extra length of the J8 over the J7 is the most obvious difference between the two siblings with its stretched, slightly tapering roofline just crying out for that extra row of seats. There’s LED lighting all round, both external and internal, with a light bar connecting the tail lights.

Safety: 8/10

Interior The quality and premier feel of the Jaecoo J8 extends into the cabin. The front seats are heated and ventilated with massage function and four-way lumbar support. The Ridge variant adds heating and ventilation to outer second row seats. The driver gets an eight-way powered seat with extended thigh support, four-way lumbar support and memory function. The front passenger has six-way power adjustment. The rear seats get their own air conditioning controls and a folding centre armrest. There’s even an in-built fragrance system in the Ridge that uses replaceable cartridges, located below the dashboard to release a choice of scents through the interior of the vehicle. One feature that we haven’t encountered are speakers built into the front seat headrests. We received a few phone calls during our test – backseat drivers indeed. Boot space is a huge 738 litres expandable to a van-like 2021 litres with the rear seatbacks folded. Note that these measurements are to the roof. Both variants come with a full-sized spare wheel.

Engines/transmissions The Jaecoo J8 is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 183kW of power and 385Nm of torque from 1750rpm. It is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and comes in either

Thirst: 7/10 Practicality: 8/10 Comfort: 8.5/10 Tech: 8/10 Value: 8.5/10

front-wheel drive in the Ridge and all-wheel drive in the Track. The engine requires a minimum of 95 RON premium unleaded fuel.

Safety Jaecoo J8 was yet to be tested by ANCAP, however given that it shares all of its safety features with the J7 which was tested in May 2025 and received the maximum five-star rating, that would seem to be assured. Track has eight airbags including front centre and driver’s knee. Ridge adds side airbags for the outside rear seats. Both variants get Chery’s advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) package that includes forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, integrated cruise assist, blind spot detection, rear collision warning, rear cross traffic alert and braking, lane departure prevention with emergency lane keeping, driver monitoring system and tyre pressure monitoring. The Range variant adds extra drive modes, torque vectoring and continuous damping control. There are also four lane deviation and three driver inattention/speed limit monitoring systems. All can be turned off temporarily although, fortunately, they are nowhere near as intrusive as others we have come across One thing that impressed us, with both the Jaecoo models that we’ve tested, was that the vehicle will not move unless the driver’s seatbelt is fastened. Such an obvious safety but one that very few other manufacturers have adopted. We understand that ANCAP may add to its testing regime in future.

Infotainment In contrast to the portrait format of the Jaecoo J7’s infotainment screen the J8 reverts to the conventional landscape design. The touch screen is 12.3-inch and

16 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 7 January, 2026

is butted up against a driver’s information cluster of the same size to display as a single, panoramic screen. Both screens are crisp, clear and easy to access. There’s inbuilt satellite navigation that can be displayed on both screens. There are USB-A ports at both front and rear with fast-charge USB-Cs in both locations. 12-volt power outlets are located in the front and in the boot and there is a 50W wireless charger in both variants. Audio is through an impressive 14-speaker Sony surround sound system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both wireless.

Driving There are retractable handles on all four doors that open automatically when the key fob comes in range. Unlike most other vehicles with such door handles that can be awkward to open those in the J7 open fully square for easy opening. Visibility isn’t great with about half of the narrow rear window blocked by the rear seat headrests. The A-pillar is wide and sharply angled which, together with the large side mirror, does restrict left-side vision for the driver. As is rapidly becoming the norm, almost all vehicle functions are accessed through the touchscreen rather than using physical controls. While these are among the many important safety features in the vehicle, and no doubt many drivers will appreciate them, they can be quite intrusive and frequently require the driver to look at the touchscreen instead of the road ahead. They can be turned off although with most vehicles they then default back on when the engine is stopped. Fortunately, with the Jaecoo that’s not the case and, apart from the driver distraction alert, they remain off until turned on again. Another problem we found was the

location of the gear selector on the right-hand steering wheel stalk. Typically, that is the location of the right turn indicator or windscreen wiper controls. On a number of occasions, we inadvertently moved the vehicle into neutral when we went to use either the indicator or wipers. The drive experience from the Jaecoo J8 is predictable enough for a large boxy and relatively heavy vehicle but that applies equally to most vehicles in the medium SUV field. It does what the typical family owner wants and does it well. It provides a smooth, quiet and comfortable ride both around town and on the motorway. Steering is light Note that, unusually for a relatively large vehicle, J8 does not have any towing rating. Both variants get an adjustable head-up display.

Summing up Although the Jaecoo brand doesn’t have the badge prestige of European vehicles of similar size the J8’s driveaway price starting from just under $50,000 it offers incredible value for money. The standard Jaecoo warranty covers eight years and unlimited kilometres. There’s also 12 months of complimentary roadside assistance, that can be with the opportunity of extending for the full warranty period provided that the vehicle is serviced throughout at authorised Jaecoo dealers. Another Jaecoo initiative is a ‘Future Price Promise’ that guarantees a minimum resale value subject to specific conditions being met including the aforementioned servicing criteria. The Jaecoo J8 certainly gets our nod as one of the best offerings yet from China, certainly the best SUV. The combination of its, excellent interior space and comfort, safety equipment and pricing make it well worth checking out.

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Triple digits for Stanton 6 August Wyndhamvale’s Lewis Stanton kicked himself into the record books with his 100th goal in the Western Football League, with a special guest on hand to see the milestone. Stanton needed four goals heading into his side’s game with West Footscray to reach 100 goals and be the second player in as many years in the competition to hit that mark. Everything went the Falcons’ and Stanton’s way early on. He kicked three goals before having a shot for his 100th. Stanton missed that one but redeemed himself not long afterwards to get his 100th.

“It’s a bit crazy,” he said. “It’s still not settled in. “The club has posted the video and all that stuff. In a few weeks, maybe once the season finishes I will reflect on it a bit more. “I’s a good feeling and a good thing to have when I hang up the boots.” Stanton said he had tried not to think about the milestone too much throughout the year and leading into the game. He said since he had a good start to the season, people would always mention it to him. “I tried to treat it as another game and didn’t think too much about it,” he said. “Once I kicked it there was a bit of relief.” With the milestone on the horizon, Stan-

ton’s dad flew over from Perth to watch the special game. Stanton had no idea. “I was pretty happy about that,” he said. “Before the start of the game I was going to warm up and he came over. “Luckily everything went right.” The Falcons were able to find their man early in the match between first and third on the ladder. The goals quickly grew for Stanton. “It was one of those days everything went right,” he said. “I didn’t know how to feel when I kicked it. “The boys were going pretty nuts. I had missed one and they started to jump on the field.

“A couple of minutes later I kicked it.” Stanton said he thought he was capable of having a season like this but didn’t really think it would happen. He finished the day with seven goals to take his total to 103 for the season. It’s Stanton’s first season at the Falcons, having moved across from Yarraville Seddon. He said the Falcons approached him about coming across and the club was the best fit for him. “With my footy coming towards the end, I wanted to play at a good football club and it just felt like a good club to be at.” The Falcons managed to get the win and lock in top spot for finals.

Cats fall short 2 April

Hudson Garoni and Dom Brew. (Werribee FC)

Brew wins a third Montgomery trophy 17 September Dom Brew will already go down as a legend of the Werribee Football Club but he further enhanced his credentials as he won a third straight Bruce Montgomery Trophy. The star midfielder was a runaway winner in the Tigers’ best and fairest award, finishing 40 votes clear of Hudson Garoni and Bior Malual in equal second. Brew became just the third player in Werribee history to win the trophy in three successive years, joining Matt Hanson and Travis Robertson. “It’s pretty good,” Brew said. “It’s not something you think about too much but it’s pretty special. “To be alongside Matty and Trav… You walk into the club and you never think you’ll be spoken about alongside them. “It’s really good.” Brew said he thought he’d had a good year but wasn’t sure how the best and fairest votes would go. He said defender Ryan Eyers, who won the best first year player, would have

gone close had he played the full season. Brew said he thought his season was even better than last year when he won the J.J Liston Medal as the Victorian Football League’s best player. “I played every game and I was consistent all year,” he said. “I think it was on par with last season, if not a little bit better than last year. “We didn’t get the wins on the board. After going from a good year to a great year the big question is then about improving parts of your game, the little things not many people notice. “It was a good year and I’m focusing on putting it all together next year.” Brew’s season came after he spent the pre-season at the Western Bulldogs as he tried to earn a spot on their AFL list. While he didn’t end up getting the last spot on the list, it was something that he took plenty out of. “It was pretty cool and I’m grateful to have that opportunity,” he said. “They’re a good team and there was a bit of frustration doing my quad. “Doing a pre-season with an AFL club

sets you in good stead and training with elite players in the midfield, who are almost all in the Australian squad, you get to sharpen the iron. “It was pretty cool.” Brew said he’s realistic that his chances of making the AFL are all but over. While that’s the case, he said he’s even more focused on Werribee than he had been in the past. Brew is keen on tasting more team success. After two straight grand finals and last year’s premiership, the Tigers struggled this season. “I’m focused on team success more than ever,” he said. “I want to help the young group get back to the top of the mountain. I have a lot of fun doing it. “They are who keep me coming back.” Brew said seeing the young players who got their opportunities this year would be better for it next year. He highlighted Eyers, Brady Wright and Jake Smith as three who were leading the young talent coming through.

Hoppers Crossing fell at the final hurdle as it was unable to come away with the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west premiership. Playing off in their first Subbies grand final on the weekend, the Cats took on a Caulfield side full of experience that had come to the fore at the right time of the season. After a solid first day with the ball, the Cats bats failed to fire on Sunday which saw them on the end of a big loss. Cats captain-coach Simon Lambert said while disappointing, they had made some massive inroads this season. “It was one step too far,” he said. “It was a disappointing way to end the season. “We had a successful season overall. I was so proud of us that we got as far as we did. “Had someone offered me a T20 flag and a grand final at the start of the season, I would have bitten their hand off.” Lambert said Caulfield’s experience really shone through when it counted in the grand final. He had predicted before the finals that a team could win it from sixth spot, which was exactly what happened. “They have a hell of a lot of experience and won a lot of things. In big games that experience helps. “Half our team is under-23 and it was a mismatch in terms of experience.” Lambert said to have even made the grand final it was a massive effort after losing Daryl Sunder Ferrario and Shijit Chandran Poovathingal through the season. The Cats won the toss and decided to bowl on Saturday on its home deck. “At 1-170 we were looking at chasing 350,” Lambert said. “The way we fought back to keep them to 260, which on the previous week was about par if not just under, was really good. “The pitch was better on Sunday as well.” Not for the first time this season, the Cats failed to fire with the bat. There was no late innings comeback, with the side bowled out for just 92 in 29 overs.

Wednesday, 7 January, 2026 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 17

2025 YEAR IN REVIEW ... SPORT

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United into hibernation 17 December Embattled soccer club Western United has received a legal lifeline and holds out hope of returning to the A-Leagues after reaching an agreement to avoid being wound up by the Australian Taxation Office. The club was wound up by the ATO in August, after it had already been stripped of its A-Leagues licence, then vowed to fight that decision. Facing liquidation, United’s ownership West Melbourne Group had an interlocutory hearing in the Federal Court on Thursday 11 December. Justice Penelope Neskovcin ordered the parties into mediation, indicating that was the “last shot” for a resolution. After several hours, the parties re-

turned with an agreement in the afternoon. Provided payment is completed by 7 January orders to wind up WMG Football Club (United) will be set aside. Major lender Johnson Controls is set to pay the required $15.5 million to cover the ATO debts. In the morning’s hearing, it was also noted Lederer Group had proposed to step in further funding. The founder of Lederer Group is billionaire Paul Lederer, the former Western Sydney Wanderers chairman. Mr Lederer is still a shareholder and club director at the Wanderers but stepped down as chairman last June. The road ahead remains unclear for United, who remain a club in name only with no players and few staff on the books as they sit out the ongoing season.

Facing a tax bill amid concerns over unpaid wages and superannuation - and while under a FIFA registration ban Western were stripped of their A-Leagues licence by Football Australia (FA) in August. The wind-up order followed, and men’s and women’s players and staff were all left in limbo before the Australian Professional Leagues put the club into hibernation before the current seasons. The club welcomed Thursday’s development. “Today’s outcome is a positive step forward for Western United Football Club,” the club said in a statement. “It provides a clear pathway for the club to reset as we move into the next phase of our future and our eventual return to the A-Leagues.

“We are deeply appreciative of the patience and resilience shown by our members, partners and staff throughout this difficult process, as well as the support of Wyndham City Council and Stephen Conroy and the APL. “Further details on the direction of the club and the broader project as well as additional comment will be shared in due course.” APL executive chairman Stephen Conroy said when Western United was placed in hibernation they see great value in the potential of Western United. “The club has had great success on the pitch and their academies are an important pathway for emerging young talent in the Victorian football community - but we need to do what is best for the league, our partners and our other clubs at this time.”

Cats savour their T20 success 2 February

Hoppers premiership team. (Tim Harris)

Hoppers bowlers celebrate a premiership 12 March It was a mixture of excitement and relief for Hoppers as it claimed the Bowls Victoria weekend pennant, division 4, section 1 premiership on Saturday. After a mountain of work had been done behind the scenes the past 12 months, the Hawks entered Saturday’s grand final with Bacchus Marsh as clear favourites. Early on, the Hawks were made to work for it before coming over the top to take a big lead into the back half of the match. The Hawks then focused on maintaining the lead, which they were able to do on the way to an 87(16)-67 (2). Hawks coach Stephen Macklin said everyone was pretty excited to have walked away with the title. He said the biggest thing for them all season had been everyone playing their roles for the team and wanting the club to succeed. “It was a really huge thing for the top team to make finals as well as to get that

division 3 spot for next season,” he said. “The club was serious about competing at a higher level. It was great by the players and it was about being better as a team. “We got some players back and into the club. Andrew Doyle had eight years off bowls and was a premier division before his break. “It’s fantastic for him.” It was a tight start to the final with Bacchus even leading in some of those early stages. The Hawks were able to pick up some crucial shots before a break to jump out to a 12-13 shot lead. With about 34 ends left the margin was out to about the 20 shot mark. Macklin said they changed their tact at that point. “We decided to go into management mode and play smart bowls,” he said. “We didn’t want to drop shots. “We managed to do that over the last 25-30 ends which is not easy. It’s something good teams are able to do.” Macklin said with the lead they had

18 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 7 January, 2026

they could enjoy the win the last few ends. Jason Wright’s rink won 22-15, Albert Wu’s rink won 23-20 and Doyle’s rink won 23-11. Macklin’s rink was the only losing rink, going down 21-19. The Hawks didn’t have long to celebrate with the sectional finals starting on Sunday. Macklin said every game in the sectional finals was a bonus having already achieved what they set out to do. They started with a win against Yarra Glen 2. Macklin said the win was a huge credit to the committee led by Richard Lewczuk and former coach Mark Coleman. He said he thought that the committee would be relieved that their focus and gamble paid off. “I think for those people who pushed so hard to get the club moving and being more competitive it is so exciting for them,” he said. “I came in at the end. They’ve worked so hard.”

Hoppers Crossing has claimed its first top grade silverware in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association. The Cats were crowned the T20 champions on Tuesday night after beating Elsternwick in a thrilling grand final. It was a special moment for the club according to captain-coach Simon Lambert. “It was a really good result for the club,” he said. “It’s the first first XI trophy since we moved into the Subbies. “We felt like we had a pretty good side for it and it suits us pretty well. It doesn’t always work out, we thought that last year too and lost a couple of games.” The Cats were sent in at Elsternwick Park on Tuesday night and made 3-157 from their overs. Lambert, who top scored with 67, said they were happy with that total. “I would have happily taken that at the start of the game,” he said. The Cats started well with the ball, having Elsternwick in trouble at 2-14. The Cats then let themselves down in the field and Elsternwick got back into the game. “We’ve dropped a few catches this season and dropped four last [Tuesday] night,” Lambert said. “We dropped four easy ones off two key players. If we took the chances it would have been a lot more comfortable and we would have won by 30 odd runs.” Lambert said Elsternwick kept coming at them with their lower order putting the pressure back on them. It came down to the last couple of overs. “In the second last over it was starting to look like we would go from winning to looking like we would lose it,” Lambert said. “They needed 11 off the last over and their guys were hitting well. It could have gone with way, but we got the key guy out on the third last ball and got over the line.” Lambert was awarded man of the match. He said it was nice to do something in the T20s after a quiet campaign in the earlier matches.

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Stunning win for Tigers 24 September Werribee Districts won its second Western Football League division 1 premiership in the most amazing circumstances. Playing off in their fourth grand final in as many years the Tigers were keen to level the ledger While the Tigers are familiar faces on the final day of the season, their opponents Caroline Springs, were playing in its first division 1 grand final. The two sides produced an absolute classic. Two goals in the dying minutes from the Lakers sent the game into extra time to decide this season’s premiers. The Tigers kicked the only two goals in extra time to come away with the premiership, 11.9 (75)-9.9 (63). Tigers coach Chris Gilham said the next day they were all starting to come down from the excitement. He said he wasn’t sure what they would have done had they lost, after losing to Hoppers Crossing by one point last year in the grand final. “We shouldn’t have been surprised,” he said. “We’ve had a number of close games the last couple of years. “We drew twice last year and one this year, with two of them in the finals. Lucky for us we come out on top. “It was an exciting night.” Gilham said both sides matched up really well with both clubs having some really talented squads. He said across all their games sides would have periods of momentum before the other would fight straight back. On Saturday in the grand final, it was the Lakers that got the early jump. Despite the Tigers having the wind in the first quarter, the Lakers led by 11 points at half time. The margin was 14 points at the main break. “We didn’t start as well as we would have liked with the scoring end,” Gilham said. “They were hot early on. “They took their opportunities and worried us with their pressure and pace and the

Dillon Vijio-Rainbow and Chris Gilham. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 504648_79

Lachlan Rainbow celebrates a goal with Daniel Nielson. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 504648_55

ability to carry the ball.” Gilham said while they were disappointed they knew they would get their time in

the sun and when it came they had to make the most of it. They kicked four goals to one in the third quarter to lead by seven points heading into the final quarter. Gilham said with the Lakers having the wind in the final quarter they needed to be in front. “We got our flow and after half time we got better and better,” he said. “Being in front was massive and when we scored first in the last quarter it gave us a little breather. “We were a couple of minutes from winning the game.” There was another twist of the tail. The Lakers kicked the next two goals to level the scores at 62-apiece and force the

game into extra time. This was nothing new for either club, having played extra time against each other in a semi final last year. Gilham said it was important to score first and that is what they did. They would kick the only two goals of the extra period. Gilham said having a couple of weeks off during the finals helped late with the fresher legs. Caroline Springs Cooper Pepi was awarded the best on ground medal. For the Tigers, Lachlan Rainbow kicked three goals while Daniel Nielson kicked two goals. Captain Dillon Viojo-Rainbow was named the Tigers best.

Falcons rise to the occasion winning another WFL flag 17 September Wyndhamvale coach Daniel Smith has declared he has “unfinished business” as he prepares to lead the club’s hunt for backto-back premierships and promotion next season. The Falcons claimed their second Western Football League senior premiership on Saturday, rebounding from back-to-back losses against North Footscray to prevail in the division 2 decider. The minor premier rose to the occasion on the big stage, with its accurate goalkicking and slick skills proving too much for the Devils in the 35-point triumph at Yarraville Oval, 13.2 (80)-6.9 (45). “They’re definitely hard to win,” Smith said on Sunday amid the jubilation after the club added to its maiden division 2 flag in 2015. “Talking to a few of the older boys, they’ve played in five or six losing prelims. “You’ve just got to enjoy it because it might be your last one.” While the club secured hard-earned silverware, it will remain in division 2 in 2026. Sunshine, Albion and Newport were promoted to the top flight this year, with the league pushing pause on any changes to the senior grades. The Falcons also lost to North Footscray by eight points in the reserves grand final.

Wyndhamvale was too strong. (Local Legends Team & Sport Photography/WFNL)

Wyndhamvale celebrates. (Local Legends - Team & Sport Photography/WFNL)

“I think the boys are even hungrier now that they’ve tasted it,” first-year coach Smith said. “The drive from the reserves boys unfortunately going down by (eight) points, they want to win it next year as well. “The drive from the club is fantastic. I’ll let them have a week (off), and then we’ll start talking about next year. “I’ve still got some unfinished business. I want to leave this club in a much better place than when I arrived.” Smith said the Falcons had recruited with an eye to 2026 and a potential spot in division 1 by 2027.

But he is acutely aware all the hard work will start again once the premiership celebrations end. “We went out with the goal of getting a younger age demographic and building a team to next year hopefully win it again. I can say again now,” Smith said. “Then (we can) go up to div 1 with 18 months, two years of kids really developing and being good footballers. Then you don’t have to go out and recruit as heavily hopefully. “We’ve just got to keep the confidence and reinforce that you can get better. “All the other teams are going to catch up

to us if we take the foot off the pedal.” Wyndhamvale led at every change in the grand final, icing a superb season with a nine-goal-to-four second half. Falcons star Jack Tessari capped a standout season by winning the medal for best afield. “He had a fantastic year, and he stepped up in the final. It was hard to pick who was best, but Jack was definitely one of the handful that I thought would get it,” Smith said. Spearhead Lewis Stanton booted six goals to finish the season with 125 majors. Remarkably, Stanton kicked at least one goal in each of his 21 games. He was held to three goals in the opening two weeks of finals before finishing with another influential performance. Co-captain Liam Scarborough, Oliver Brett, Noah Cooney and Damon Stephens also fired for the winners.

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