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TUESDAY, 13 JANUARY, 2026

Fun in the sun What better to do on one of the hottest days of the summer than take a dip and splash around in your local pool, at the beach or your favourite swimming destination. That’s exactly what Bell and Lotty, both seven, did on Thursday 8 January at Melton Waves, as the hot weather took the state by storm. Turn to page nine to see how the west had fun in the sun during last week’s heatwave.  More pictures, page 9

Sisters Bell 7, and Lotty, 7 cooled down and splashed around at Melton Waves as the warm weather set in. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 527206_07

Fuel controversy By Jack O’shea-Ayres

opposed the development, questioning the need for another service station in the area. “Everybody I talk to, they hate the idea. How many service stations do we need there?” she said. Traffic safety was a key issue debated in council reports, with council’s traffic department initially opposing the proposal due to concerns about vehicle conflicts near the Coburns Road and Codman Drive intersection. However, an independent traffic peer review found the risks could be managed through design changes and restrictions.

High fuel prices have been an ongoing issue for Melton residents. Melton MP Steven McGhie said he was lobbying for lower fuel prices in the Melton area, but received little support for the notion from the Australians Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). “We’ve been trying to improve fuel prices in Melton for a number of years now,” he said. “I tried to get the ACCC involved but they showed no interest apart from saying that we need to get an independent operator in Melton.”

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A long-running bid to build a new petrol station on Coburns Road was approved by Melton council last month. Councillors voted to grant a planning permit for a service station at 136-144 Coburns Road during their Monday 15 December meeting, after an alternative motion presented by Cr Sophie Ramsey overturned an officer recommendation to refuse the proposal. While council officers cited concerns about traffic safety, amenity impacts and strategic land use, councillors ultimately

approved the development subject to more than 50 conditions. Melton resident of 22 years Robyn Gourlay said she was shocked by the decision and feared the already-busy intersection would become even more dangerous. “I can’t believe they approved it,” Ms Gourlay said. “That’s the only place where I’ve ever felt unsafe. It’s a very busy place. “I see that as a really dangerous place. I’ve had road rage committed against me at that intersection, and it got so bad that I had to drive to the police station.“ She said many locals she had spoken to

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Teen brothers stabbed By Jack O’Shea-Ayres, with AAP Police are appealing for public assistance as they investigate the alleged ambush and stabbing of two teenage brothers at a Caroline Springs reserve.. Police allege the pair, both aged 15 and from the Melton area, were lured to a park off Garretty Road following an online argument with the other party not personally known to them. The confrontation escalated into a violent attack about 5.40pm on 30 December, where at least one offender was allegedly

armed with a machete. Emergency services were called to the scene after multiple triple-0 reports from witnesses who saw the group fighting yet those involved had fled the area by the time police had arrived. The two injured teenagers were shortly located nearby, with one suffering facial injuries and the other sustaining significant slash wounds to his arm and back. Both boys were taken to hospital with serious injuries and are continuing to recover. Investigators believe the incident was targeted and involved a group of 11 teen-

agers aged between 15 and 18 years old, with some perceived to be Asian in appearance. Police say seven of the alleged offenders arrived at the location in a black Ford Ranger ute bearing false registration plates DRY686, which was parked nearby Boathouse Drive. CCTV footage shows eight of the group later leaving the area in the ute, while three others were last seen running towards Lorimer Street about 5.45pm. Police have released CCTV vision of a group of boys walking through Caroline Springs prior to the attack, along with im-

ages of the vehicle in interest in the hope someone may recognise those involved or the distinctive clothing worn by some of the alleged offenders. The stabbing has again raised community concern about youth violence and the use of bladed weapons in Victoria. Police data shows incidents involving machetes have increased significantly in recent years, with young males accounting for a large proportion of those involved. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au

Help keep lizards safe from harm

Sunset Safari in 2025. (Zoos Victoria)

Sunset Safari returns at Werribee zoo Sunsets are pretty good, but sunsets on the savannah are wild. Werribee Open Range Zoo’s Sunset Safari event is returning this year and will feature a big addition– to say the least. For the first time, guests can witness the zoo’s herd of nine Asian Elephants roaming around their incredible 21-hectare world-class habitat. While elephants have been stealing the show in Werribee, visitors are reminded that there is more to the savannah than tusks and trunks.

Guests will have access to the zoo’s waterhole walking trail to view zebra, ostrich, camels and oryx on foot. A safari guide will teach those who come along about the behaviours of African wildlife, the plight of threatened species in the wild and how to support Zoos Victoria’s conservation efforts. Three new cheaters ready to make their names will be around the scene, and Jabulani the rock star rhino will be strutting his stuff for all and sundry. Humans will be able to enjoy some culinary pleasure as well, with access

to cocktails, an African-inspired barbeque, and dining in the Meerkat Bistro. The sounds of the savannah are also not to be missed, with African drumming keeping the rhythm steady for the summer. Sunset Safari helps Zoos Victoria support international conservation partners, not-for-profits and other causes that promote the protection of wildlife. The eight-week event is held between 5.30pm to 9pm on Saturdays, running from 10 January to 21 February.

New schools set to welcome students as term one looms Mindalk Primary School will welcome its first students when the new school year begins in just a few weeks. The Truganina school is one of 19 new schools opening for term one, and was visiting by acting premier and Education Minister Ben Carroll this week. Designed to support modern learning, the new school features an administration and library building, alongside three learning neighbourhoods housing contemporary classrooms. The site also includes a community hub

with dedicated spaces for music and art, hard courts and a full-sized sports field in a bid to provide opportunities for both learning and recreation. The state government said the school has been purpose-built as an inclusion school, with facilities designed to better support students with a disability through specialised sensory areas, accessible play spaces and wider corridors to ensure all students can move comfortably and safely. Foundation principal Blayne Wallis will lead the school, bringing decades of experi-

2 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 13 January, 2026

ence in teaching for educational leadership across a number of schools. In a bid to support young families and ease the morning routine, a new kindergarten is in the works to be delivered next door to the school. The kinder will offer 99 places for local children, in an aim to help families with multiple children avoid multiple dropoffs while ensuring students get the best possible start to their education. Mr Carroll said the new schools were vital to keeping pace with Victoria’s rapid population growth.

Spotting a blue-tongue lizard might cause a fright but it is no reason to be concerned, according to a nature educator. Susie Inglis from Nature West is encouraging people in the western suburbs to take a few steps to ensure minimal harm comes to the species which can often be mistaken for snakes. While being mostly harmless to humans, Ms Inglis said people often assume blue-tongue lizards are aggressive. “To people who don’t know them, they are often misunderstood as a danger to humans and pets, or mistaken for snakes, evoking panic,” Ms Inglis said. “But as many of us know, blue-tongue lizards are harmless to humans and can be a great garden buddy, as they love to eat snails, slugs and many other garden pests. “Although you may also notice some of your strawberries are missing if they were close to the ground, they usually live harmoniously in your garden without bothering you or your pets. “Eastern blue-tongue lizards have strips like some snakes, such as the Tiger snake; and although they both make a hissing sound when threatened, this is where their similarities end. “Blue-tongue lizards differ from snakes in the most obvious way, as they have legs, with five fingers and five toes.” However, some pets don’t tend to view the largest skink species as neighbours, Ms Inglis said. “They need to be protected from dogs, who often see them as a threat …not the dog’s fault, just two species that shouldn’t be in the same space together,” she said. “Keeping cats indoors and providing places of protection for lizards and skinks in your garden, such as rocks, logs and low vegetation like Australian tussock grasses, can help them live happily in urban environments.” If pets may be a threat to the lizard, a protected native species, Ms Inglis recommends moving them from the backyard to front yard. “They are protected native species and are not allowed to be relocated, unless by a licensed reptile handler, usually a snake catcher,” she said. Another major and potentially lethal danger for the blue-tongue are bait pellets used for snails and rats, of which the lizards may mistake as edible, Ms Inglis said.

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Moorabool moves on waste By Jack O’shea-Ayres Moorabool Shire councillors have voted to introduce a series of subsidised waste services in the 2026-27 financial year, going beyond the original recommendation presented to them on Wednesday 3 December. The original agenda item only proposed councillors note and consider a detailed report into possible subsidised waste initiatives. Councillors instead resolved to adopt a package of new subsidised services aimed at improving access to disposal options and reducing illegal dumping across the municipality.

The alternative motion was brought forward by Cr Sheila Freeman, who said residents expressed “frustration” and “confusion” since previous subsidised green and hard waste services had been removed by council the previous year. “This alternate recommendation responds to that community sentiment in a balanced and responsible way,” she said. Under the adopted plan, reidents will gain access to several new subsidised services from July 2026, including two cubic meters of hard-waste drop-off at transfer stations each year at no charge, one month of free green-waste disposal annually, and a half-price mattress disposal month. A targeted kerbside hard-waste collec-

tion for elderly or mobility-limited residents, capped at 500 households, will also be introduced. “This ensures we do not leave behind those who physically cannot access transfer stations,” Cr Freeman said. Councillors in favour argued residents have expressed strong support for improved access to disposal services, with more than 800 submissions received during previous waste strategy consultation. Cr Freeman said the adopted measures strike a balance between community need and affordability. “Importantly, this motion simply places these services in the 2026-27 draft bud-

Student journeys from Melton to Malaysia Melton local Faryal Rizwan will soon embark on an educational trip to Malaysia as she explores the way Islamic values shape education and community. Faryal is studying a bachelor of Islamic studies at the Charles Sturt Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation and is one of three Charles Sturt University students to receive a New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship. The scholarship will help send Faryal overseas to spend an academic semester at the International Islamic University in Malaysia. “As a student of Islamic Studies at Charles Sturt University, this opportunity allows me to take my learning beyond theory and into real, lived experience,” she said. “I’m excited to learn in this environment and to engage with perspectives that will stretch how I think about education and community.” Faryal believes that education is more than what you find in textbooks – it builds understanding, strengthens communities and creates connections across cultures. “Studying at the International Islamic University Malaysia means being immersed in Malaysia’s diverse and vibrant society, where cultures, languages and traditions don’t just coexist but shape everyday life,” she said. Faryal will also participate in Bahasa Malaysia language training to enable everyday communication and cultural engagement. “My interest in Islamic studies comes from a desire to better understand how faith and ethics inform daily life, learning and character,” she said. She also plans to complete an education-focused internship or mentorship in

Faryal Rizwan will soon embark on her educational journey overseas in Malaysia. (Supplied)

Kuala Lumpur to gain insight into teaching and learning in a regional area. “I am particularly interested in how Islamic values shape education and com-

You’re invited to make a submission on the draft renewable energy zones

get, giving the community the opportunity through submissions and consultation to tell us whether these offerings reflect their needs and expectations,” Cr Freeman said. “This addresses one of the single biggest contributors to illegal dumping.” However others like Cr Tom Sullivan disagreed. “...it assumes that all the illegal dumping in this shire is done by Moorabool residents. If you take that through to its logical conclusion, I would suggest that’s not the case,” he said. “I’ll also remind you that there’s no such thing as a free service.” The new services will begin rolling out from 1 July 2026.

Pet education Moorabool council has clamped down on pet ownership responsibility after formally adopting its Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) for 2026-29. The plan outlines the council’s programs, services and policies in a bid to promote responsible pet ownership, improve animal welfare and ensure effective compliance and enforcement. Key priorities included increased community education around microchipping, registration, desexing, and animal containment, continued training for authorised officers, and improved data collection and reporting to better evaluate animal management services. Community consultation was undertaken via council’s Have Your Say platform during October , with more than 4000 registered pet owners contacted. Seventy submissions were received, with feedback largely supportive of the plan’s emphasis on responsible pet ownership. Cr Rod Ward Ward highlighted the municipality’s reported step away from animal registration, despite an increase in population. “I noticed that despite the increase in Moorabool’s population significantly over the last five years, the number of dogs and cats registered has actually decreased,” he said. “Increasing registration education is a priority.”

munity and how these principles can be applied thoughtfully in contemporary contexts, especially when working with young people.”

These zones will help to deliver reliable and affordable power for Victorians as coal closes down. Submissions close 22 February 2026. View a map of the zones and make a submission: engage.vic.gov.au/vicgrid Call 1800 418 341 (Mon to Fri: 9 am – 5 pm)

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BEHIND THE NEWS

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Transferring of the molten metal from furnace to ladle. (Jack O’Shea-Ayres)

Declan Whitehouse, Justin McKeone, and Jai Scoles are among the youngest working on the Foundry floor. (Jack O’Shea-Ayres)

Jai Scoles and Declan Whitehouse in the middle of a pour - an every day occurrence on the floor. (Jack O’Shea-Ayres)

Declan casts his own path In an era dominated by screens, automation and rapid turnover, the clang of tools and the glow of molten metal feel like relics of another time – but not in what’s now a rare sight of a foundry tucked away in Castlemaine. At just 22 years old, Trentham local Declan Whitehouse is helping ensure it doesn’t fade away, as Jack O’Shea-Ayres discovers. While many young Australians are encouraged toward university pathways and digital careers, Declan Whitehouse has taken a different road, committing himself to the centuries-old trade of metal casting at Billman’s Foundry, a job which demands physical endurance, patience, and a respect for materials - and one which fewer young Aussies are choosing to learn. Yet for Declan, 22, the foundry floor feels like home. “I’ve always liked working with my hands,” he says simply. “There’s something honest about it. You can see what you’ve made at the end of the day.” Billman’s Foundry serves as one of Australia’s leading manufacturers in cast iron, brass, aluminium and steel products, using techniques that have changed little over the generations. The work is hot, heavy and unforgiving,

but it carries a sense of permanence that Declan believes is missing from much of modern working life. “It’s not a job where you sit back,” he says. “You earn everything you make.” That attitude didn’t appear overnight. Declan grew up in Trentham surrounded by a culture of hard work, where effort was valued as much as outcome. From a young age, he was taught the importance of showing up, listening, and learning from those who’d been there before him. Those lessons carried weight when he stepped into the foundry as a young man, one of the youngest workers on the floor. “At first, you don’t know much at all,” Declan admits. “You’re watching blokes who’ve been doing this longer than you’ve been alive.” Rather than feeling intimidated, he leaned into it. “You learn by watching, by asking questions, and sometimes by making mistakes,” he says. “But you have to respect the people who came before you. They’ve kept this place going.” Much like Australia’s former manufacturing hubs, the foundry is built on generations of accumulated knowledge; things that can’t be learned from manuals alone. Every mould, every pour, every element that makes the metal relies on instinct sharpened through years of repetition, and it’s that passing down of skills that Declan sees as vital. “There aren’t many young fellas coming into this kind of work,” he says. “If no one learns it, it just disappears.” His supervisors agree. Older tradespeople at Billman’s have watched apprenticeships thin out, with fewer young workers willing to take on physically demanding roles. For them, seeing someone like Declan commit to the craft offers a rare sense of reassurance. “They look out for you,” Declan says. “But they expect you to work hard, too. Nothing’s handed to you.” The days start early. In the winter, the

4 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 13 January, 2026

harsh snap of the metal in the early morning makes using the fingers an almost impossible feat, and gloves become your best friend. The work is far from glamorous, it’s sweaty, noisy and often relative, but Declan says the sense of pride outweighs the hardship. “You end the day exhausted, covered in the sand, dust and grime, but you know you’ve done something real,” he says. That sense of real, hand-made work is something those on the floor feel is becoming undervalued, particularly among younger generations pressured in chasing speed and convenience. “There’s nothing wrong with office jobs,” he explains. “But trades built this country. We shouldn’t forget that.” And it’s true – Australia’s industrial history is one defined by factories, foundries and workshops and has become steadily eroded over recent decades. As more and more manufacturing plants closed and production moved offshore, entire skill sets were lost with them. Declan is acutely aware of the rich history, even if he didn’t live through its peak. “You hear stories from the older boys here – how busy it used to be. Groups of people, all working together,” he says. “It’s different now, but in a way it makes the camaraderie that much tighter.” At Billman’s the work continues much as it always has. Sand moulds are crafted by hand, and the melted metal is poured with precision and care - mistakes aren’t easily undone. “Everyone has to be pretty switched on,” Declan says. “One wrong move can ruin hours, even days of work.” The pressure has made him mature quickly. At 22, he carries himself with the quiet confidence of someone comfortable with the responsibility of handling a 600kg ladle of molten metal. Outside of work, he remains grounded in his Trentham roots, valuing community and

routine over flash ambition, only choosing to speak about doing better at what he does. “I just want to keep learning,” he explains. “There’s always more to know, and a lot of experience to be shared on that floor.” On the floor, success isn’t measured by speed or status, or even experience, but by mastery and learning–- something the foundry gives in to teaching daily. “Some days are tough,” he admits. “But it’s something the older blokes here will always tell you; if it was easy, it wouldn’t be worth doing.” It’s the same philosophy which mirrors the values that once underpinned Australia’s manufacturing identity in resilience, loyalty, and pride in workmanship. All values Declan himself believes still matter, even if they’re less visible now. “People think the old trades are outdated,” he says. “But they’re not, they just don’t get talked about as much.” As industries evolve and technology reshapes the workforce, Declan sees a place for both progress and preservation. “I think we can move forward without losing everything from the past,” he says. “Someone still has to know how to make things - we wouldn’t be anywhere otherwise.” Standing at the edge of a glowing furnace, bearing a worn sledgehammer on its fourth replaced handle of the year, Declan, along with his work colleagues, mates and fellow foundrymen, represent more than just a trade which used to stand at the pinpoint of Australia’s growing industrialism – they represent continuity and a bridge between generations who shaped metal with their hands and those willing to do the same in a world increasingly removed from physical creation. While the trade of metal casting may be fading elsewhere, on the foundry floor in Castlemaine under the Billman name, and in the hands of a 22-year-old from Trentham, it’s still very much alive.

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SECTION

Speeding? Wrong choice.

The police will be using every tool they have to keep the roads safe. But if you decide to speed, how your holiday ends is your choice.

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Tuesday, 13 January, 2026 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 5

HISTORY

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Tragedies at Chirnside When brothers Thomas and Andrew Chirnside escaped the dreary climate of Scotland to try their luck in Australia, they brought with them a love of horses, drinking, observing the Sabbath and hunting foxes. As pioneer pastoralists, their labours brought them wealth and the building of a fine mansion in Werribee, completed in 1877. The substantial estate provided employment for a large labour force of cooks, maids, butlers, gardeners, carpenters and grooms. There they hosted grand dinners, picnics and balls, gave generously to charities, and, to complete their happiness – though not that of the native wildlife or future generations -– imported foxes to enable them to ride to hounds. Thomas, a former director of the National Bank of Australasia, never married. The one love of his life was Mary Begbie, whom brother Andrew had treacherously wooed and married without informing Thomas until it was fait accompli. In the hope of at least being able to see and speak to Mary, Thomas allowed her, Andrew and their three children to move into Chirnside. As the property contained 60 rooms, family members were able to maintain some privacy if they wished. In 1887, family and staff noticed that Thomas was becoming gloomy and drinking heavily. At first this was attributed to age – he was 72 years old – but when he began hinting about ending his life, medical expertise was summoned. Depression was little understood in those days; Dr Fitzgerald did what he could, but Thomas sank deeper into melancholy and self-medicating with the whiskey bottle. On Saturday, 25 June, 1887, following a sombre lunch with his family, he demanded a glass of whiskey. Fearing that this would only worsen his mood, his relations refused to pour so much as a drop. Whatever demons were clawing away at Thomas’s mind, probably stemming from the shock of his brother’s marriage, this refusal seems to have provided the tipping point. Without further ado, he went outside and shot himself in the head. Did the sad ghost of Thomas drift around, affecting and influencing those who lived there? Andrew died three years later, and Mary, the woman who was the most likely cause of Thomas’ overwhelming sadness, was burned to death in 1908. Or did the shock, grief and guilt which invariably follows a suicide create a long-lasting atmosphere at Chirnside? In the years that followed, Henry Fitzsimmons, rabbit trapper, lived with his wife Mary and his father-in–law, Frederick Jenkins, in a two-roomed hut on the Chirnside estate. As married people often do, the couple quarrelled at times, their bickering happily egged on by old Fred, a former wharfie who, crippled by rheumatic fever, found that domestic fights - as long as he was not physically involved - provided some much0needed entertainment in his otherwise dull and restricted life. That plus the arrival of Mary’s brother John, who had unexpectedly bobbed in from New South Wales and showed a strong disinclination to ever leave, only exacerbated the family tensions.

Barb McNeill. (Damjan Janevski) 432421_03

Henry was becoming extremely fed up with having to support a crippled family member, which had been the condition set by the old man before giving permission to wed his 19-year-old daughter in 1890. Henry was 27, a former industrial school boy when he married. Since then he had been a labourer and rabbit trapper at the Werribee estate. He was a good worker, mostly sober, and things went along fairly smoothly until the birth of two boys , not twins, but so close in age that they were considered such, placed more pressures on the crowded occupants. This put Henry into a permanently foul mood from sleep deprivation. Sometimes Mary went away to stay with friends in Melbourne rather than put up with her husband’s grumbling, her brother’s teasing, and her dad’s moaning. Two screaming babies were more than enough for any woman to endure without the men’s aggravating ways. A huge marital fight erupted on the night

6 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 13 January, 2026

of Wednesday 13 December, 1893. The following night’s fisticuffs were even worse, and old man Jenkins, deciding that what had once been an invigorating and amusing spectacle was now looking extremely dangerous, planned to flee on Friday with Mary and his grandchildren . The following day, before Fred could put his plan into effect, Henry asked John to get the horses harnessed in the cart. John had to search over the plains to find them and when he returned, it was to find his sister and father lying together on the kitchen floor, battered almost beyond recognition. Mary managed to tell her brother that Henry had walked into the kitchen with a melodramatic, albeit polite, “Prepare for death. I’m going to cut your throat”. Henry then smashed her head with a pick handle, fracturing her skull. Alerted by his daughter’s screams, Fred crawled painfully into the kitchen to her aid, only to be felled by his son- in- law who dealt the old man a severe bashing. Believing them both dead, Henry walked to an empty

hut, drew out a razor and slashed his own throat. Horrified, John raced to inform the Werribee police. Mary, Fred and Henry were taken to Melbourne hospital. Doctor Lyons k new that operating on Fred was futile, but thought that Henry and Mary would survive. Police constables were placed on guard at Henry’s bedside lest he escape or attempt further self-harm. What had triggered this outburst of violence? Due to his throat injuries, he could not speak, but communicated by writing on a slate. Now calm, he expressed concern for his wife’s welfare and claimed that Fred and John had both attacked him, and his actions were self-defence. Dr Lyons’s judgment was proved correct when Fred died on 17 December but his hopes for the killer’s survival were dashed when Henry died two days later. An inquest held on the same day found that he was guilty of the murder of his father- in- law and the attempted murder of his wife.

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Sean Hogan, Aaron Martin, Maribyrnong mayor Mohamed Semra, Misuzu Ueda, Marc Eiden and Ivano Abram. (Damjan Janevski) 522746_03

Eshaan Mehta and his two-year-old daughter Aura, enjoying the Granite Hills park in South Morang. (Damjan Janevski) 523390_01

Sammika Perera and Joshua Hine. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 524045_08

Kalisitiane Lotulelei. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 520090_75

Alphan Culha from the Westgate Basketball Association has been named Basketball Victoria’s Volunteer of the Year. (Damjan Janevski). 521886_03

Newport’s Damian Costin. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 522507_01

People of the west Each week Star Weekly photographers Damjan Janevski and Ljubica Vrankovic are out and about capturing events and

people across the western suburbs. Keep an eye on this regular page for people you may know.

Super Summer Sale

Melton

Up to

50% off

selected mattresses*

Snooze Melton | Tenancy T2, 2296-2302 Melton Highway | 7042 5777 | snooze.com.au It's amazing what a little snooze can do *Offer ends 1 February 2026. Advertised prices and savings shown are based on Snooze Management Pty Ltd RRP. Snooze stores are predominately operated by independent franchisees and therefore the price for products prior to the sale will vary from store to store. Snooze stores can offer discounts on any ticketed prices in store meaning that products may be sold at less than the RRP at any time. Exclusions apply. Offer not available on floor stock, Snooze Deals products, clearance, Bedgear C1 mattress, delivery, assembly and recycling services. As our stores vary in size, it is possible that not all products are displayed in all stores but all products may be ordered on request. While we aim to ensure the information provided is correct, sometimes errors occur and we reserve the right to correct any errors. New orders only. Snooze’s standard terms and conditions of sale otherwise apply.

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Tuesday, 13 January, 2026 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 7

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Briefs

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EPA fines for bonfire

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Arty activities for children Families across Melton and Moorabool will be able to tap into a summer of creativity when NGV Kids on Tour 2026 rolls into local libraries this January, bringing free art-making activities to children of all ages. Part of a statewide program visiting more than 160 venues across Victoria, NGV Kids on Tour delivers hands-on workshops inspired by celebration, imagination and play, right in the heart of local communities. In Melton, the program will stop at Melton Library and Learning Hub on January 21, while Moorabool families can enjoy sessions at Lerderderg Library on January 13 and 15 and Ballan Library on January 14 and 16. Inspired by the NGV’s summer children’s exhibition Let’s Party! Fashion for Kids

Designed by Danielle Brustman, the 2026 tour has a festive theme. Activities include decorating colourful party hats, designing imaginative celebration cakes, and joining in creative party games that encourage kids to connect and have fun together. There are also reflective and nature-based sessions, such as What’s New?, where children chat with adults about how everyday life has changed over the years before drawing what they discover, and Nature and Us with Olaf Breuning, which invites younger children to explore forests, animals and insects through guided drawing and storytime. Teens can take part in Perfume in the 1700s, designing their own perfume bottle inspired by history, fantasy or pop culture. Details: www.ngv.vic.gov.au/ kids-on-tour/.

A Pascoe Vale based company has been fined $10176 for burning industrial waste, including suspected asbestos, on land at Diggers Rest. A Class Demolition & Asbestos Removal Pty Ltd was burning a mix of green waste and the remains of buildings that had been demolished on the site, according to Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA). Following a fire on the Plumpton Road land, EPA officers found piles of ash containing fragments of building material and suspected asbestos. When EPA officers entered the property on 25 September the largest stockpile was still hot. They also found bunkers containing burnt waste and building rubble. The company was fined for desposing of more than 1000 litres of waste by burning.

Trentham water theft Coliban Water is investigating reports of water theft in Trentham, warning the activity is undermining efforts to maintain local water supplies during the hot weather. Water theft occurs when water is taken from the drinking water network without permission, either deliberately or inadvertently by people unaware of the rules. Coliban Water said incidents are counteracting ongoing water carting operations designed to help maintain water levels and ensure the continued supply of safe drinking water to the Trentham community. FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Northern Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

VICTORIA’S CONTAINER DEPOSIT SCHEME

BE PART OF THE CHANGE

MELTON & MOORABOOL HELP KEEP DRINK CONTAINERS OUT OF LANDFILL There are 14 CDS Vic refund points in your area where you can return your eligible drink bottles, cans and cartons for a 10c refund! Find your nearest refund point

cdsvic.org.au

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8 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 13 January, 2026

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NEWS

Families flock to cool off Last week families were diving into swimming pools and taking advantage of local splash parks in a effort to stay cool. Star

Weekly photographer Ljubica Vrankovic braved the heatwave to capture these pictures.

Christopher, 5, tests out the misting ring at Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness centre. 526798_01

Dad Brendan and Kayleigh, 7, test out the water slide. 526798_05

Bell, 7, Riss, 1, Lanny, 4, Lotty, 7, and mum Kay take a dip at Melton Waves. 527206_05

Connor 16, Cameron 15 jump right in. 526797_01

Mum Katherine, and Jude, 4, enjoy a swim.526798_07

William, 15, and Jack at Sunshine Leisure Centre. 526797_04

Valerie, 4. checks out the splash pad at Sunshine Leisure Centre. 526797_13

There is power in your truth. Did you experience child sexual abuse in a Victorian government school or certain non-government school prior to the year 2000? The Forum is a safe space for you to share your experience and contribute to the public record. Help Victoria better prevent and respond to child sexual abuse in schools now and into the future. The Forum is open until 18 March 2026.

1800 967 933 (free call) contact@truthandrecognition.vic.gov.au PO Box 256, Collins Street West, VIC 8007

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Tuesday, 13 January, 2026 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 9

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MY PLACE As Melbourne was going through a major heatwave, community advocate VERONIKA LEVCHENKOVA told Jaidyn Kennedy about herself and one of the world’s coldest places. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you do? Hi, my name is Veronika Levchenkova. I am a mum of four, a grand mum, a carer for an elderly parent and a community advocate. Currently, I’m privileged to work at a First Nations philanthropy fund, as well as volunteering at a First Nations female business as a business support. Additionally, I’m involved in multiple community projects across the west. I’m passionate about community, environment, sustainability and multiculturalism. What is your connection to Wyndham? I stated working in Werribee in 2016 when I first joined Western Community Legal Centre (Westjustice) and have been actively involved in many local projects ever since. We have called Melton home from 2019 and here I am also involved in local community groups and projects. What are your favourite things about these areas? I love the multicultural aspect of both areas, with Wyndham being proactive with community development projects through its long standing Building Blocks program and other initiatives, and Melton being a hub for small business support through its festivals and online tools. Where are your favourite places to spend time locally? In Wyndham our favourite places are the Werribee Open Range Zoo and Werribee Mansion where you can spend all day enjoying the beautiful surroundings and nature. In Melton, it is the Library and Botanical Garden with the amazing efforts of local volunteers who transform the space into thriving spot for local residents, flora and fauna. Can you tell us a little bit about the city you grew up in? I’m from the coldest city on Earth – the

Veronika Levchenkova wearing a traditional garment of the Sakha people. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 527247_06

capital of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Yakutsk. Temperatures can vary drastically depending on the season. With -60C in January and +40C in July. This land is vast and remote and home to six different indigenous nations. The traditional clothes

I humbly wear today where gifted to me by my First Nations friend and represent Sakha people – the most populous group out of the six. They speak Sakha language (Turkic linguistic group) and possess old and unique culture.

Is there anything you would change about where you live? I work closely with different community groups in both areas and strive to listen to as many voices as possible to understand challenges of different communities.

FROM THE ARCHIVES Star Weekly looks back through the pages of our predecessors

30 years ago

20 years ago

15 years ago

10 years ago

10 January, 1996

10 January, 2006

11 January, 2011

12 January, 2016

Melton could slash the volume of rubbish it sends to the tip by more than 70 per cent, a recent audit of the shire’s rubbish has found.

An application for the 50-lot development in Tullidge Street, Melton, was approved at Melton Council’s meeting on December 19 despite opposition from two of the seven councillors.

A new year brings the likelihood of a new battle over the future of Bacchus Marsh’s historical Avenue of Honour as both sides of the debate prepare to put their case to the state government.

More than 250 calls for help came in to Women’s Health West from domestic violence victims and via police referrals in the first five days of this year.

10 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 13 January, 2026

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Explore some Mekong magic By Lee McCarthy IF it is time for that holiday of a lifetime, a retirement trip with a chance to see and visit exotic countries and cultures then it’s time to explore Viking’s fifteen day “Magnificent Mekong” voyage from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City or vice versa.

Shop Old Hanoi’s markets, see the Khmer temple complex of Angkor Wat and the haunting beauty of Ta Prohm Temple, where jungle vines embrace ancient ruins. Explore Phnom Penh by cyclo rickshaw. Discover silk towns, fishing villages, monasteries and local river life. With hotel stays in Hanoi, Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) bracketing the eight-day Mekong cruise, this cruise tour reveals the beauty and grace of a land Australians have only begun to know. All of this and more is available for travellers on the fifteen-day, two country river cruise which includes sixteen guided tours called the “Magnificent Mekong”, just one of the many river, ocean and exploration cruises available with Viking. The most wonderful fun of a river cruise besides the exceptionally comfortable rooms, the stunning seating options, the generous and tasty meals, the stunning scenery is you simply unpack once and let the dedicated crew take care of the rest allowing guests to relax on board the beautifully crafted and appointed Viking Longship. Local guides immerse guests in the history and culture of each destination with enriching excursions. Enjoy all onboard meals with complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. Plus, Viking guests enjoy endless specialty tea, coffee and bottled water, unlimited Wi-Fi and all onboard gratuities, port charges and taxes. Vietnam is fast becoming a desired destination and on the cruise guest will enjoy a treasure trove of tasty delights to awaken the senses in the Vietnamese capital. Hanoi is famous for its delicious street food, serving up an array of dishes from all corners across the city. Steaming bowls of pho, a Vietnamese rice noodle soup, are served alongside marinated meats grilled to perfection. The cafe scene in Vietnam is equally as popular with egg coffee a local specialty and a decadent cap to any meal. For those who have not visited the Phnom Penh, Cambodia it is a capital time seems to have passed by. Once known as the “Pearl of Asia,” this bustling

Twilight over West Lake or Ho Tay Lake in Hanoi.

Explore the cities on cyclo rickshaws in the Hanoi Old Quarter.

Cambodian capital is home to charming French colonial architecture along relaxed boulevards, beautifully wrought pagodas and the monumental Angkorian complexes for which Cambodia is revered. The city’s park-like riverfront boasts plenty of inviting cafes and restaurants, and its rich collection of universities, museums and other institutions have grown into Cambodia’s centre of cultural heritage. For those who book before 31 March 2026, travellers can save up to $5,000 per couple fly free, have a flight upgrade credit on selected 2026 to 2028 cruises. The trip is priced from $12,495 per person with fifteen days accommodation in a stunning French Balcony Stateroom. With no kids, no casinos, fewer than 1,000 guests, and all veranda staterooms, Viking’s award-winning ships take guests as close as possible to each destination. For further information please call 138 747 or go to website viking.com which has this and many more stunning trips around the world to choose from.

The Viking Saigon in the Mekong-Delta in Tien Guests relax and feel at home in the comfortable Giang in Southern Vietnam. and very classy French Balcony rooms onboard Viking.

The blue blue sky above Angkor Wat in Cambodia. (Supplied)

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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Tuesday, 13 January, 2026 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 11

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12 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 13 January, 2026

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Tuesday, 13 January, 2026 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 13

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Melton leads crime wave Crime in Melton and Moorabool is on the rise, according to the latest data. The Crime Statistics Agency revealed in the year ending September 2025, the Melton local government area’s crime was up by more than 16 per cent compared to the previous year, with 16,827 offences recorded for the area. Melton led as the crime hotspot, with 1618 recorded offences, followed by Melton South and Caroline Springs at 1067 and 1022 recorded offences respectively. Other theft was revealed to be the most common offence recorded across Melton,

with 2167 recorded incidents, followed by stealing from a motor vehicle (1756), criminal damage (968), breach of a family violence order (902), and stealing from a retail store (759). In Moorabool, crime was up by more than 27 per cent compared to the previous year, with 2357 offences recorded in 2025 compared to 1849 in 2024. Bacchus Marsh hosted the most recorded offences at 923, followed by Darley with 382 and Maddingley at 301. Mooradbool’s offenders also favoured other theft as the most popular recorded

offence at a rate of 325, followed by stealing from a motor vehicle (251), breach of a family violence order (212), criminal damage (192), and stealing from a retail store (125). Houses were the most common location types for committed offences in both local government areas, with Melton recording 4380 incidents occurring at peoples’ places of residence, and Moorabool recording 774. Streets, lanes and footpaths followed, with 1953 offences recorded for Melton and 307 for Moorabool. Service stations came in third for both areas, with Melton and Moorabool record-

ing 796 and 174 incidents occurring by the bowsers respectively. The data revealed a steady increase in recorded offences for Melton since 2023, after a small drop-off from the previous year in 2022. Moorabool’s offences, on the other hand, have steadily increased since 2022. The data comes as knife and gang-related violence continue to plague suburbs in Melbourne’s west, with a recent coronial report showing one third of the children killed in street knife crime in Victoria over the past 10 years were from the Melton area.

Briefs Cobblebank murder charges Police have laid further murder charges as part of their investigation into the deaths of two children in Cobblebank last year. The charges follow two incidents on 6 September which resulted in the deaths of a 15-year-old Dau Akueng and 12-year-old Chol Achiek. Police charged eight people in September, with a Thornhill Park man and four teenage boys initially charged over the murder of Dau. A Caroline Springs man, a Wollert man and a teenage boy were initially charged with the murder of Chol. All eight have now been charged with both murders.

Home invasion

Tracey D’Antonio (second from the left) with Metro Trains CEO Raymond O’Flaherty (centre) and drivers on the first day of Metro Tunnel passenger services. (Supplied)

A family was threatened at gunpoint during a home invasion in Altona North on 5 January. It is believed three male offenders wearing ski masks and hoodies forced entry to a property on McIntosh Road just after 2.20am. After roughly 15 minutes inside the home the thieves removed a safe and then fled the scene in a white Volkswagen hatch.

Woman hit by truck

Local at the controls of Metro milestone Melton local Tracey D’Antonio found herself a part of Melbourne transport history after she drove one of the first trains through the newly opened Metro Tunnel. Ms D’Antonio sat in the driver’s cabin for the second service to ever enter the tunnel from the west during its opening in November, saying it was a career highlight to be involved in the first Metro Tunnel passenger train journeys. “The vibe out on the stations and at Town Hall Station was just amazing,” Ms

D’Antonio said. “Driving one of the first trains into the tunnel is just amazing. My grandkids are so excited.” For Ms D’Antonio, it’s something that runs in the family. She comes from a long line of public transport workers, dating back to her grandparents. Ms D’Antonio and her daughter Danielle both drive for Metro Trains, while her husband Robert and son Benjamin are V/Line drivers.

The Metro Tunnel’s opening proved to be one for the ages, as hundreds of transport fans queued for hours at stations along the line to be among the first to experience the start of a new transport era for Melbourne on 30 November last year. Ballarat Line passengers can now change at Footscary Station to a Sunbury Line service to access the project’s five new stations, including being able to catch a train to Parkville and St Kilda Road for the first time.

Charges have been laid after the death of a woman struck by a truck in Melton on 2 January. It is alleged the truck stuck the woman on Coburns Road about 10am. The 74-year-old Brookside woman died on 4 January. The 22-year-old Tarneit man has been charged with unlicensed driving, failing to stop at a red light and dangerous driving causing death. FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

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14 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 13 January, 2026

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COMMUNITY

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

This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of the Point Cook Lunar Festival’s Akshatha Karthickkamesh, Veronika Levchenkova, Becky Cui, Lizzy Li and Anitha Perumal. (Damjan Janevski) 524473_01

Community band The Greater Western Community Band meets Thursdays from 7.30-9.30pm. The rehearsal venue is the Bridge Road Community Centre, Strathtulloh (Melton South). The band is available for events. Brass, woodwind and percussion players are always welcome. Sally Hamond, 0401474582

Lights of Wisdom The Bahá’ís of Moorabool warmly invite you to ‘Lights of Wisdom’ – a monthly event providing an opportunity to relax in a tranquil environment and reflect on inspiring themes. The event is held on the first Friday of each month from 7.30–8.30pm at the Lerderderg Library in Bacchus Marsh. This is a free community event open to all.

older who enjoy each other’s company while attending events such as dinners, shows, dancing, cinemas and more. If you live in the Melton area and would like to meet new friends, in a welcoming group environment, this is for you. Marlene, 0498 329 290

Rose carers of Maddingley Park The group meets every Wednesday from 10am-noon at the Commemorative Rose Garden, Maddingley Park on the corner of Taverner Street and Grant Streets, Bacchus Marsh. They maintain the two rose gardens at the park. Volunteers are welcome and no experience is necessary to join . Elaine, 0400 052 857 or Judy, 0428 463 538

Bacchus Marsh Ladies Probus Club God, movie and chat A free community event is held every second Friday of each month with a film with spiritual themes screened followed by discussion. All thoughts are welcome. Bring your own sandwich. Tea, coffee, and popcorn are provided. The event is hosted at Holy Trinity Anglican Church Hall, 19a Gisborne Road, Bacchus March. bacchusmarshanglican.org.au

Probus Club of Melton Ladies The Probus Club of Melton Ladies meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 10am at the Melton Country Club. It is a social club where all ladies are welcome. Glenda, 0418504616

Zonta club Zonta is an international organisation bringing women together to support other women. The Zonta Club of Melton meets on the first Monday of each month at Melton Country Club, Reserve Road, Melton. Meetings include guest speakers. Janet, 0421 080 923, info@ zontaclubofmelton.org.au

Melton Over 50s Social Group Join a friendly group of people aged 50 and

Meets on the first Thursday of every month from 10am-noon at the Avenue Bowling Club on 254 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh Krystyna, bacchusmarshladiesprobus@ gmail.com

Melton Valley Ladies Probus Melton Valley Ladies Probus Club meets on the second Friday each month at 10am at Melton Country Club. New members welcome. Ann, 0425705150

Melton Concert Band Rehearsals are on Thursdays from 7.30-9.30pm at the Bridge Road Community Centre, Bridge Road, Melton South. Musicians of any age who are able to read music are welcome to come along with their instrument (oboe, bassoon, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, tuba, percussion). Please contact if you are intending to visit. 0401 474 582

Women’s Support Group Women’s Support Group Melton is for any women who feel they would like to attend a peer support group which is relaxed, friendly and non-judgemental. The group meets weekly at 1pm on Mondays (except for public holidays) at Djerriwarrh Neighbourhood House, 239 Station Road, Melton. The group can discuss most subjects that may be of help https://ow.ly/QVwJ50Q5g42

Caroline Springs Rotary The Rotary Club of Caroline Springs is inviting new guests to join its meetings in person or via Zoom. Meetings are held every Wednesday at the Western Emergency Relief Network in Ravenhall from 7pm. rotarycarolinesprings@gmail.com

Melton Men’s Group Melton South Community Singers Singers of all levels are welcome at the Melton South Community Singers. This free and friendly group meets at the Melton South Community Centre and rehearses to perform at local venues and events. The group meets from 12.15-2pm on the first and third Tuesday of each month. No bookings are required. Sue, 0400 082 413

Melton Men’s Group meets every Thursday from 5-8 pm at Arnolds Creek Children’s and Community Centre at 19 Claret Ash Boulevard, Harkness. Focusing on senior men’s mental and physical wellbeing. Join them for a cuppa and a chat, listen to guest speakers and participate in activities including, carpet bowls, pool, table tennis, cards and chess. Trevor 0404 494 649 or https:// meltonmensgroup.home.blog/

Bacchus Marsh Senior Citizens The Bacchus Marsh Senior Citizens look forward to meeting up with new members at the Andy Arnold Centre, 10 Bennett Street, Bacchus Marsh. hopem@optusnet.com.au

Parkinson’s support group The Melton Parkinson’s Support Group meets on the second Thursday of the month, 10.30am-12.30pm, at Kurunjang Community Centre, 33-35 Mowbray

Crescent, Kurunjang. New members and carers are welcome. Helen, 0409 186 576

Melton South Knit & Natter All are welcome to join this social crafting group, running at the Melton South Community Centre each Monday from 10am-noon. Bring along any knitting or crochet projects and work on them while sharing tips, learning skills and catching up over a cuppa. 9747 8576

U3A Melton U3A Melton offers among its activities a book group, Australian history and a gentle exercise class for those 55 and older who are retired or semi-retired who wish to stay mentally and physically active. 0419 563 016

Melton Combined Probus Club The Melton Probus Club meets on the first Tuesday of each month at the Melton Dart Club, 63a Reserve Road, from 9.45am. 9746 0271

Bacchus Marsh and District Garden Club The club meets on the second Tuesday of each month except January, from 7.30pm, at The Laurels, 229 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh. Guest speakers and supper provided. New members welcome. Michelle, 0421 106 268

Fishing club Didyabringyarodalong Angling Club of Melton and Bacchus Marsh is a fishing club that welcomes and encourages people of all ages, genders and fishing abilities to partake in enjoying the outdoors in a relaxing and friendly environment. The club holds monthly fishing competitions at various locations, fresh and saltwater. New members are most welcome. Andrew, 0407 303 438, or Wayne, 0414 785 366

Tuesday, 13 January, 2026 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 15

ENTERTAINMENT

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A free day of family fun Locals will be treated to a free family day out in St Albans this month. Hosted by St Albans Sports Club with support from Brimbank council, the event aims to help relieve financial pressure on local families looking for school holiday entertainment. Club marketing assistant Sheree Cantelmi said last year’s event was a huge success.

“We drew in a crowd, I believe, to be close to 2000 people. It was quite successful,” she said. “Now we have it on the oval so we’re able to get more entertainment for the kids. We’ve got more rides too.” There will be a range of free activities and attractions on the day, from face painting, rides, and food trucks to a giant fourlane slide and a special guest appearance

from Bluey and her younger sister, Bingo. Ms Cantelmi said while activities mostly cater towards younger kids there are also attractions for older children too. “We also have market stalls now because we’re wanting to promote local businesses and help them out,” Ms Cantelmi said. Residents will be able to engage with and sign up to local sports clubs and

dance groups at stalls too. “We’ve also got a Western Bulldogs mascot coming out on the day to help promote football,” Ms Cantelmi said. The ‘St Albans family fun day’ will run from 3-8pm on Saturday 17 January at Kings Park Reserve, Gillespie Road, Kings Park. “Come along and have a fun, free day out!” Ms Cantelmi said.

Possums living in the park are quite accustomed to human presence. (Supplied)

Eyes peeled for a possum during night walk in Melton park

Bill Jackson on a horse-drawn cart. (Kathryn Potempski)

Heavy horsepower back in Werribee Steadfast class and pure horsepower are set to make a gallant return to Werribee Park with the National Clydesdale and Heavy Horse Festival on 17-18 January. Breeds such as the quintessential Clydesdale, Friesians and Highland Ponies will serve as the perfect ambassadors of equestrian elegance. There will be educational workshops such as led stud heavy breeds, heavy harness, working draft, long reining/

obstacle course, as well as ridden heavy horse and rider classes. Coffee, tea and great food will be in abundance, while kids can take their pick at a handful of activities. Some of the greatest minds in the heavy horse world will be making the trip down under to lend a hand – or hoof. Canadian judges Amber and Ray McLaughlin will be making their first appearance in Werribee, bringing with them five decades of family expertise

from shows all across North America. Ms McLaughlin is a fifth generation Clydesdale breeder, past president of the Canadian Clydesdale Horse Association, and has attended numerous shows in Scotland and Ireland. Tickets can be purchased for $15 at the gate on the day and children younger than 16 go free. The National Equestrian Centre is on K Road Werribee South the events will run 8.30am-4.30pm on both days.

Spotswood to get the full Kylie experience on Australia Day Grazeland in Spotswood will celebrate Australia Day on 26 January with a celebration of an Australian icon. 100&percnt; Kylie, a live tribute to Australia’s ultimate pop princess Kylie Minogue, will take over Grazeland’s Meadow Zone on Australia Day with a high-energy show full of Kylie hits. Kicking off with a DJ set at 12.30pm, guests will be able to enjoy lunch and drinks before 100% Kylie takes to the main stage from 3pm-4pm. Starring world renowned impersonator

Lucy Holmes, 100% Kylie has been described by Kylie Minogue herself as the ‘best Kylie act’ in the world, while younger sister Danni has also given it her seal of approval. Featuring replica costumes, dancers, a live band, multimedia displays and crowd interactions, the show has been performed more than a thousand times in 18 different countries across the last two decades and spans Kylie’s entire career, from the Locomotion and Better the Devil You Know, right through to

16 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 13 January, 2026

Spinning Around and Can’t Get You Out of My Head. The fully ticketed event runs from noon-5pm on Monday 26 January and patrons must be 18 years-old or over. Tickets are on sale now, with discounts for those who book early. Grazeland is located on Booker Street in Spotswood, next door to Scienceworks. Details: www.eventbrite.com. au/e/100-kylie-live-at-grazelandtickets-1978791528730

Families, nature lovers and curious night owls are being invited to chuck on their walking shoes and see Melton’s wildlife after dark, with a guided Possum Night Walk set to take place at Hannah Watts Park this month. Hosted by the Eynesbury Environment Group, the walk will take place on Saturday 17 January. Kicking off at 7.30pm, the walk offers locals the rare opportunity to observe brush-tailed possums in their natural habitat along Toolern Creek. Unlike many nature walks, this outing is designed to be accessible for all ages and abilities. The stroll takes place entirely over a mown lawn – no bushwalking required – making it suitable for children and older residents alike. And for those worried about whether they’ll actually spot any wildlife, organiser Daryl Akers said this is one walk where sightings are “virtually guaranteed”. A number of possums call the well-known “Possum Tree” home and can usually be seen emerging around nightfall to forage, often attracted by picnic leftovers near the playground. Due to mobility considerations, the usual meeting point has changed. Participants are asked to meet at the Melton Recreation Reserve carpark in Reserve Road at 7.30pm, with the Possum Tree located just a short 60–70 metre walk away. Attendees are advised to wear sturdy shoes and bring a torch. Organisers have warned there may be snakes in the area, despite the walk being over maintained grass. Those wanting to make an evening of it can also take advantage of nearby food vans located at 142–144 High Street, Melton, before or after the walk. Details: Daryl Akers, 0438 277 252

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

easy

3 4 5

2 1

9 8

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

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

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS

DOWN

Foot covers (5) Pleasure (9) Purchaser (5) Verification schedule (9) Purpose (6) Fearful (8) Speed up (10) Snow runner (3) Officiate (abbr) (3) Self-centred (10) Wedlock (8) Telemarketer (6) Kept up (9) Taut (5) Indigestion (9) Acting parts (5)

1 4 9 10 11 12 14 15 17 19 23 24 26 27 28 29

17 2

9 8 1 5 7 6 2 9 3

D 1

16 17 15

3 LETTERS ALL ASH AVO BOA DAM DNA ELK FRO GOT HOE ICE ILK INK INN ITS PAD PAR PER SAC SHE SPA UGH USE WIT

WORDFIT

17 16

No. 304

1 21

24 17

10 11 12 13

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

B D N A M E I P W T Y S K B D 19

Today’s Aim: 18 words: Good 27 words: Very good

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

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

E S

ALPHA APART CRIES CROCS DIETS DODGE DRONE DUVET EARLY EATEN ERODE EVENS EVOKE FAUNA FORTE KEEPS KNEED LISTS LITHE LOWER LUNAR MATTE

4 LETTERS APED DYED ENDS GOOF HOWS KEGS LAMP MONK ROES SAFE SLAG SLED TENS THAW 5 LETTERS ABATE ABODE

NAVAL NOOSE OFTEN ONION OPALS PATIO PREEN REBUT SEEKS SERUM SKATE SORTS SOUTH STAID STAVE STEEL STEMS STRUT TENTS TITLE TOUGH TSARS

ROOSTER RUPTURE TINSELS

UNTIE USERS WINED WREST 6 LETTERS LUSTRE ORDAIN RIDERS TRADES

8 LETTERS ASSURING ASTUTEST INITIATE TOLERATE

7 LETTERS AROUSES ENACTED PRISONS

16-01-26

No. 379 Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down.

QUICK QUIZ

Which three zodiac signs are associated with the element air?

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy is more commonly known by what name?

Comedians Alex Horne and Greg Davies are the presenters of which UK television show?

The 1918 children’s book The Magic Pudding was written and illustrated by whom?

The film American Psycho (2000) starring Christian Bale (pictured) is based on a novel of the same name by which writer?

The Bay of Biscay is located between the coasts of which two countries?

What colour is the pentagram on the Moroccan flag?

NOTE: more than one solution may be possible

S C R A P A L O N E G O U G E E N T E R R E E L S

ashore, hair, hare, harries, harsh, harsher, hash, hear, hears, heir, hero, hers, hire, hirer, hires, hoarier, hoarse, hoarser, hoes, horse, HORSEHAIR, hose, hosier, rash, rasher, rehash, rhea, shah, share, sharer, shea, shear, shier, shire, shirr, shoe, shore

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

No. 272

M O N K

P N

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”.

37 words: Excellent

hard

9-LETTER WORD medium

V O F G C H L Z Q X R U J

4 8 4

easy

5x5

2 5 7 4 2 7 3

6 2 5

Surrender (6) Difficult to understand (7) Odd (7) Slash (4) Stated an argument (10) Trying (7) Newspaper executives (7) Begins a voyage (4,4) Personal items (10) Pledged (8) Woodlands (7) Islamic state (7) Farm vehicle (7) Forbidden by law (7) Complimentary (6) Notion (4)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 13 16 18 19 20 21 22 25

DECODER

hard

No. 272

Who was the last emperor of the Pax Romana?

What is the oldest line on the London Underground?

10 Which American singer was known as ‘The Man in Black’? ANSWERS: 1. Green 2. Gemini, Libra and Aquarius 3. Taskmaster 4. Bret Easton Ellis 5. Marcus Aurelius 6. Metropolitan line 7. Mad cow disease 8. Norman Lindsay 9. France and Spain 10. Johnny Cash

No. 272

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

SUDOKU

Tuesday, 13 January, 2026 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 19

MOTOR Polestar is a sporty drive By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring

RATINGS

Gosh it seems like a long time since the Australian launch of the Polestar 2 EV. It was fresh, it was entirely new and it was late November, 2021 – although the car had actually been in production since early 2020. In fact, the production version was officially unveiled in February, 2019 and made its first public appearance at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show that month. Yes, it’s been updated since then, but that’s still an awfully long time in the electric vehicle universe which is evolving and expanding at an exponentially rapid rate. Polestar by the way is an offshoot of Volvo, now owned by the Chinese conglomerate Geely and the cars, or ours at least, are manufactured in China. It also has a factory in Ridgeville, South Carolina, presumably to keep Mr Trump happy, but it must be more costly to make vehicles there. So, does the Polestar 2 still cut it?

Looks: 7 Performance: 8 Safety: 8 Thirst: 7.5 Practicality: 7.5 Comfort: 7 Tech: 8 Value: 8 Overall: 7.6

STYLING A facelifted Polestar 2 was revealed in January, 2023 when rear-wheel drive was adopted as the default. The entry grade was previously front-drive. The single motor model was also upgraded to produce 223kW of power and 489Nm of torque, resulting in a faster 0-100km/h time of 6.2 seconds. Dual-motor models received a boost to 314kW and 740Nm, with 0-100km/h reduced to just 4.5 seconds. At this time the long-range battery was also upgraded to a capacity of 82kWh. Since then, however, power outputs have been adjusted to produce a clear, linear progression through the range, starting at 200kW and topping out at 350kW. The upgrade saw the original mesh grille replaced by a blanked-out version, with an array of sensors and a camera in the centre. The single motor, standard range is $55,509 driveaway, the long-range single motor version is $74,619 and the long range, dual motor, all-wheel drive is $81,444. Metallic paint is standard and all models start with the same basic range of equipment. You can crank the vibe up a notch or two with the addition of various option packs. Our test vehicle this time around was the Polestar 2 long range single motor version, with a recommended retail price of $66,400 before on-roads and claimed range of 659km – that’s better than some conventional cars. Standard kit includes embossed, textured textile trim and two-zone filtered air with vents for the rear seats. Driver and front passenger seats are heated and partly power adjustable, with four-way power lumbar adjustment for the driver. The angle of the seatback must be adjusted manually. The car rides on 19-inch alloys with wheel covers and has touch-operated locking with puddle lights, LED headlights with active beam, adaptive rear LED lights, retractable frameless mirrors, auto lights and wipers, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, front and rear park sensors and a foot-operated tailgate. Additional features can be added with the addition of accessory packs: Climate Pack ($1500), Pro ($1900), Plus ($4700) or Performance ($8990). Pilot Pack which was $3400 is now standard, which means Blind Spot is now standard, begging the question: why is it still listed at all? Among other things the Climate Pack adds an energy saving heat pump. Pro adds 20-inch graphite wheels, gold valve caps and black seat belts with a Swedish gold stripe. Plus brings a raft of features for the price including a full-length glass roof, Harman Kardon sound and a power-operated tailgate. The Performance Pack is available only with

Polestar 2 remains a favourite but it has lost the instant appeal. (Supplied)

Long Range Dual Motor that has been fitted with the Plus Pack, and not relevant to our review. Buying a Polestar is a bit different. The whole process takes place online from ordering to payment. What about a test drive, I hear you ask? You can book that here, either at a designated ‘space’ in each capital city or location requested by you. Polestar offers a five-year five warranty, along with five years complimentary servicing and roadside assistance. The battery is covered by an eightyear/160,000km warranty. Generally, Polestar 2 doesn’t need to be serviced for up to two years or 30,000km.

INFOTAINMENT Polestar 2 is the first car to come with a built-in Google operating system. Infotainment is controlled from an 11.2-inch portrait-style touchscreen, now looking somewhat small in comparison to competitors. High Performance Audio delivers 250 watts through eight speakers, including a bass-boosting air woofer mounted under the bonnet. The OS includes Google Assistant, Google Maps, with charging options and Google Play Store, which offers optimised in-car apps for seamless integration (with Gemini coming). There’s also Bluetooth, wi-fi hotspot, FM and DAB+ digital radio, but no AM band – so no emergency broadcasts in tunnels. Android Auto is supported as is Apple CarPlay, but neither is wireless. The system is connected to the net via 4G and receives over-the-air updates like a phone. It will even make an automatic emergency call in the event of an accident (or if the car has been stolen). Connected Services are complimentary for 12 months but after that you will have to pay to continue using them. There are two USB Type-C ports in front and two more in the rear of the car, with a 12-volt socket for the luggage area. You can use the ports to charge your compatible devices, but they do not offer a data connection.

SAFETY Polestar 2 gets a full five-star crash rating from ANCAP, with a rear-view camera and eight airbags including a centre airbag. There’s also autonomous emergency braking (Car-to-Car, Vulnerable Road User and Junction Assist) as well as a lane support system with lane keep assist (LKA), lane

20 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 13 January, 2026

departure warning (LDW) and emergency lane keeping (ELK), and an advanced speed assistance system (SAS). Surprisingly, there’s no head-up display for the windscreen.

ENGINES/TRANSMISSIONS With a 82 kWh Lithium-ion battery, 79 kWh of which is useable, the electric powertrain in this particular model produces 220kW of power and 490Nm of torque, with drive to the rear wheels through a single reduction gear transmission.

DRIVING Polestar 2 is described as a fastback, but liftback is closer to the mark. It’s just over 4.6 metres in length, just under 2.0 metres wide with mirrors and has a 2735mm wheelbase. The sloping tailgate lifts to reveal a long but shallow luggage area, with another hidden area underneath and 407 litres of luggage space. A small front boot or ‘froot’ is hidden under the bonnet, with a capacity of 43 litres and is handy for storing cables. There’s no exterior release for the boot which is somewhat annoying as you fumble for the key fob. You won’t find a spare tyre either with a puncture repair kit provided in the event of a flat. The 2 was designed by Thomas Ingenlath alongside the Volvo XC40 with which it shares a platform. The decision to incorporate a radiator grille was a good one because it gave the car a classy look. The removal of the grille with the latest update, replacing it with a solid panel was a retrograde step in our opinion. Inside, the fit out is Swedish and minimalist, with grey wood veneer trim and a cabin that has a light airy ambience. So far so good, but coming from an SUV, the cockpit feels a bit cramped and lacks storage space, with only a small console box. Much of the available space is given over to the wireless phone charger, which tended to heat up our phones. Two cupholders are provided, but they are end to end. One is covered by the sliding lid of the console box, and not very practical – back seat passengers get the standard two. I’m 183cm and my feet kept getting tangled with the foot pedals getting in and out of the car. Rear legroom is not as generous as you might expect. Air outlets are provided but the rear windows

only partially wind down. The dash from 0-100km/h takes 6.2 seconds which is pretty quick. Energy consumption is claimed at 15.8 kWh/100km and the long-range single motor test vehicle has a claimed range of 659km (WLTP). That’s commensurate with a conventional ICE vehicle, but of course it takes much longer to fill up. The test vehicle displayed an initial range of 520km while a full overnight recharge upped this to 530km, still 130km short of its supposed range? We were getting 14.9 kWh/100km after 550km of driving. It took us a while to find the trip metre. Charging takes as little as 28 minutes using a public, high-powered DC fast charger or eight hours with a home Wallbox – that is if you have three-phase power. We’ve yet to find a charger that can deliver this kind of speed, even with a bank of Tesla Superchargers just down the road. The car is supplied with a ‘granny’ or home charge cable, but this can take up to 41 hours for a full charge from a 10A household power point. Most manufacturers are no longer supplying additional cables as charging stations provide their own (just like a petrol station). It’s easy to become fixated on range, but it is not really an issue with an EV such as the long range, single motor model, provided you have ready access to a charger when required. Like Volvos there’s no key or start button. Just hop in, put your foot on the brake, put it into drive and off you go. Acceleration is quick, but not lightning quick. It’s fast enough however to make you think you’re behind the wheel of something special. Helping to keep the battery topped up is regenerative braking, which reclaims power when the car is travelling downhill. You can choose between two levels of regenerative braking or adopt one-pedal mode where there’s no need to apply the brakes. Just lifting off the accelerator brings the car to a stop. It takes some practice, but may not be to everyone’s liking. The car weighs over two tonnes, but has a low centre of gravity which helps it sit flat in corners. The weight also impacts the suspension, taking a little longer to respond to bumps. The ride is sporty. Think Euro firm, but we didn’t find it jarring on our test circuit through the backlots. But all-in-all the handling is surefooted and it does not become unsettled by unexpected bumps mid-corner like some cars. Of note be sure you shut the doors properly as the car failed to lock with a door slightly ajar (and did not supply a warning). We had a running battle with the Google operating system. We could connect to Android Auto only with the original cable that came with our Google Pixel and both our phones (Pixels) failed repeatedly to reconnect on re-entry. Google Maps is the default for navigation, but we prefer the more user-friendly Waze which also supports speed camera warnings. Navigating with Android Auto saw the car totally lose the plot in one of Sydney’s many tunnels. It’s okay when it works.

SUMMING UP Polestar 2 remains a favourite, but it has lost the instant appeal that it once had. It continues however to offer a tight, sporty drive, or very sporty in the case of the dual motor, all-wheel drive version with the works. At the same time, it’s difficult to believe that the first car to get the complete Google operating system does not support wireless CarPlay or Android Auto, and that it is very picky about the cable you use – that brings back memories.

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

SPORT

Footscray United’s Frank Hoang. 525267_05

Point Cook Centrals players watch on. 525259_06

Seddon’s Tom Foulds. 25267_02

Point Cook’s Pavan Bade. 525259_14

Cricketers back in action The Christmas break is over and there was plenty of cricketing action across the weekend. Star Weekly photographer

Ljubica Vrankovic was out shooting some of the action.

Werribee celebrates a wicket. 525260_17

West Newport’s Muhammad Qasim. 525271_01

Werribee’s Tim O’Brien. 525260_01

Laverton players watch on. 525265_05

Sunbury’s Rahul Singh. 525271_02

Seabrook’s Siddh Dang. 525265_08

Tuesday, 13 January, 2026 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 21

SPORT

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Lakers’ coaching change Caroline Springs has had a surprise coaching change as it prepares for the new challenge in the Essendon District Football League women’s premier division. The Lakers announced that premiership coach Alex O’Shea had resigned from the coaching role effective immediately. O’Shea has been part of the Lakers women’s program since the start, firstly as a player and then as a coach. “Alex has been integral to women’s footy at the Lakers since its inception, with an enormous impact as both a player and a coach,” the Lakers said on social media. “On the field, Alex had an incredible run, taking home four straight best and fairests, with the senior women medal named in her

honour. “She was named the WFNL (Western Football Netball League) female coach of the year on two occasions, and was involved in all senior grand finals, having won a premiership as both a player and a coach. “She departs after an incredible undefeated year, even having a baby towards the end of the season and bouncing back for finals. “After so much success, Alex has decided it’s time to step back and dedicate her time to being a mum. We wish her all the very best in this exciting chapter and can’t wait to see her back for a visit.” O’Shea thanked everyone for their support on the post.

“It’s been an amazing journey. I’m so grateful and proud of everything we have built and achieved together. A fantastic club, especially for women’s football,” she said. The club announced that Mick Gerada will step up and take on the women’s coaching role for this year. Gerada has also been an integral part of the Lakers’ female pathway for a number of years, having been an assistant coach for the under-18.5 girls during their back-to-back run. “He brings with him a wealth of coaching experience at both junior and senior level and is extremely passionate about developing our women’s program and ensuring there is a concrete pathway for juniors into

seniors for many years to come.” Alex isn’t the only O’Shea who is departing the club, with her husband and men’s captain Keenan O’Shea signing with the Sunbury Lions. Keenan had been captain for the Lakers for nine seasons. He joined the club in 2017 from St Albans and was given the captaincy in his first year at the Lakers. Keenan missed the back part of 2025 and the grand final through injury. “Keenan is a highly respected player, bringing a wealth of experience and ability that will perfectly complement our senior footy playing group,” the Lions said on social media. Tara Murray

Sports shorts EDFL Burnside Heights has added some premier division experience with Aarzu Mavi joining the club for the Essendon District Football League women’s division 1 season. Mavi has played 102 games and is a fast and dynamic midfielder with exceptional work rate all around the ground. She has played for Aberfeldie in recent years and before that Taylors Lakes. In the 2025 season, Aarzu was named in the best players in nine of the 16 games she played.

A-League Western United has declared its ambition to seal a “strong return to the A-Leagues” after settling their debt with the Australian Tax Office. With a debut of $15.5 million, United was wound up by the ATO in August, after it had already been stripped of its A-Leagues licence, before vowing to fight that decision. United’s ownership West Melbourne Group had an interlocutory hearing in the Federal Court on 11 December. Following mediation it was agreed provided payment was completed by 7 January, orders to wind up WMG Football Club (United) would be set aside. For more, head to www. starweekly.com.au

GDCA Roshan Laksiri had a good day with the bat on Saturday. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 517356_22

Falcons stay focused on winning games By Tara Murray Caroline Springs remains focused on playing its best cricket at the right time of the year in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Roy Picone Shield. Not for the first time in recent seasons, the Falcons have been on top at the Christmas break. While happy with how the season has gone this season, Falcons coach Ian Shattock said they weren’t content. “We’re happy with where we’re at, but we’ve been in this position before the last couple of years,” he said. “We want to keep to the game plan and we want to ride the whole way through finals and we’re determined to go one game better than last year. “We’ve changed a few things this year. Salman Afridi is a handy batter who has added to our side. “We’ll put our best foot forward.” The Falcons resumed their season on Saturday in a two-dayer against the Greenvale Kangaroos at Caroline Springs Town Oval.

Winning the toss for the first time this season, the Falcons batted and finished the day at 250. They were bowled out with three and bit overs remaining. Shattock said the big focus of their game plan was to put runs on the board and then make it hard for the opposition to chase down. “It was a good day,” Shattock said. “The ground was slow and there was plenty of long grass in the outfield. We were happy with 250. “Salman Afridi batted beautifully all day and had a day out with 100. “Gavin McCallum made some runs and our captain Roshan [Laksiri] played a super valuable innings after we lost a couple of wickets to steady us.” Afridi finished with 103 while Laksiri make a half century. Shattock said the Kangaroos are a tricky side to play with some experienced bowlers who could bowl in the right spots. “They made us work for it,” he said. The Falcons focus this week would be to continue to stick to their strengths with

22 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 13 January, 2026

the ball and make sure they’re bringing their spinners into the game as they look for another win. Shattock said the aim for the club this season was to have all their sides playing finals. He said they were all in a good spot heading into the back few games, with their second XI also in a good spot after day one of its clash with the Kangaroos. Meanwhile, the Falcons women’s side got their first win of the season on Sunday. The combined Caroline-Burnside Springs side was able to account for Point Cook. Carol Williamson was the star of the show as she made 56 not out at the top of the order to guide her side to 5-118. They were then able to restrict Point Cook to 4-48 from its 20 overs. Williamson took two wickets. The win moves the combined side off the bottom of the ladder. Shattock said it was exciting for the side which was different to the team they’ve had in recent seasons.

Diggers Rest Bulla had a disappointing day out against Eastern Hill in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association Johnstone Shield. The Burras restricted Eastern Hill to 9-132 before being bowled out for 85. Elsewhere, Eynesbury and Harkness both suffered losses to East Sunbury and Kilmore respectively.

VTCA Burnside Springs United had a day out against Melton Centrals in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Russell Pollock Shield on Saturday. Burnside made 5-244 off 55 overs with Mathieson King scoring 86 at the top of the order. Having declared, Burnside bowled Centrals out for just 39 in an innings which included six ducks. Shohan Rangika took 7-24 from 9.5 overs to be the pick of the bowlers.

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SPORT

Melton hosts Bendigo Cup The ageless Bulletproof Boy has put himself in the firing line to more than double his stake earnings by the end of the summer after successfully defending his Bendigo Cup crown. Harness Racing Victoria moved the meet to Melton from Bendigo after the state government declaring a state of disaster for fire-affected areas including Greater Bendigo, as a result of extreme weather, fire dangers and challenging road access conditions. Superlatives were flowing for the Scot Ewen trained 11-year-old and the steering prowess of leading reinsman James Herbertson after the race. “Between him and James they’re both

just freaks,” Ewen said. Bulletproof Boy’s legion of supporters availed themselves to the $11 on offer as Herbertson perched himself on the back of the $2.10 favorite Kingman two horses back in the running line. Herbertson saved ground and angled back towards the pegs heading off the back before urging Bulletproof Boy through along the sprint lane reeling in the Petracca over the concluding stages in a mile rate of 1:51.2. for the 1720 metres. “He’s amazing isn’t he, an 11-yearold and I keep on saying it he just keeps raising the bar and how far he can raise it in the next six weeks we’ll wait and see,” Herbertson said.

Should Bulletproof Boy take out another three of the six legs of the Summer Of Glory, including the A G Hunter Cup, he will earn his connections a $1m bonus. Herbertson said he was quietly confident approaching the home straight. “I was quite happy with how he was travelling throughout and when we got to the 300 (metres) all the good horses were being tapped up and Bullet was still cruising along and happy to be there,” he said. “It felt really easy for him and I’m just over the moon for the horse.” Ewen said there was a slight concern of race fitness prior to the race. “I was a bit worried that it was three weeks since he’d had a run but I gave him

a couple of runs this week and a canter on Thursday and he just went sensational,” he said. Ewen was reminded of the lucrative bonus on offer during the Summer Of Glory. “I might have to go to Shepparton (Cup) now,” he said. “As long as just runs good races and I thought if we win a cup or two if we’re lucky and he’s won one already so beautiful.” A cup winner at his 223rd start, Bulletproof Boy has now banked more than $850,000 in prize money from his 51 wins and 52 placings. John Dunne

Shanin Silva. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 512545_23

Bulls’ crucial win

Lachlan Peterson. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 512547_01

Confidence growing for the Lions players By Tara Murray Melton isn’t changing its focus despite putting itself in a position to battle for a finals spot in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west. After struggling the past couple of seasons, the Lions already have more wins on the board than they did for all of last season. While they started the second part of the season on Saturday with another win, coach Damian Costigan said they were keeping it simple. “Finals would be nice but what we are most proud of is that we’re doing a lot of things right,” he said. “From where we have been to where we want to be, we’ve got to keep doing things right and what we can control and results will come. “The improvement from last year to this year we’re heading in the right direction.” Costigan said to have both their first and second XI sides come back after the break and get wins was impressive.

He said the confidence among the group continues to build. “The group we have has worked on their game over the Christmas break,” he said. “We’re really happy with the results and the way that they’ve come back.” The Lions started Saturday’s match with Box Hill a bit slowly but were able to build into the game. They were able to bowl Box Hill out for just 96. “We weren’t great early,” Costigan said. “There were a few extra and boundaries that we don’t normally have. “Dylan Jobson, Lachlan Peterson and Joel Mitchener slowly turned the tide and got wickets and got us back into the game. “They played their roles.” Peterson and Brad Jones took three wickets each for the Lions. Costigan said there was some inconsistent bounce in the pitch and the batting group had to work hard to ensure they didn’t throw their wickets away. The Lions were able to chase the total down with ease, finishing 3-97 in the 23rd

over. Costigan said it was nice to get the chase down without losing too many wickets. Simon Blanks top scored with 30 while Jason Hibbert finished 29 not out to get the side home. The Lions sit in ninth spot after nine rounds, but are just one win off fourth spot. Meanwhile, the Lions second XI sits in fourth spot with several players pushing for a change in the top grade. James Leach made 106 not out on Saturday in the second XI to continue to push his case. Costigan said they hadn’t had the competition for spots for a number of years which was really promising. It’ll be a few big weeks for the Lions with three of their players coaching the club’s under-15 J G Craig Shield side. Costigan said they felt they had a talented squad and were keen to see what they could do over the next few weeks. The Lions women’s side will resume their season this Saturday against Point Cook Centrals.

Bacchus Marsh got a much needed victory as it tries to stay in touch with the top four in the Ballarat Cricket Association. Last season’s premiers, find themselves outside the top four heading into the back part of the season with a mountain of work ahead of them. On Saturday, the Bulls got a crucial win against Napoleons Sebastopol in the first game after the break. Batting first at home, the Bulls were bowled out for 215 with 11 balls left in their innings. Alex Porter top scored with 83 at the top of the order. He and Harrison Scardamaglia put on 90 for the first wicket to set up the innings. The Bulls were able to get regular wickets throughout the Napoleons Sebastopol innings to put the pressure back on the opposition. They were able to bowl them out for 183 in the 48th over. Matthew Crea took 4-37 for the Bulls. After 10 matches, the Bulls sit eighth on the ladder 18 points behind fourth placed East Ballarat. Meanwhile, Darley suffered its second loss of the season, losing to East Ballarat. The Hawks won the toss and decided to bat on their home deck. They made 219 as they were bowled out with 13 balls remaining. Sajith Dissanayaka took four wickets and Ben Whitehouse took three for Darley. The Lions were in a good spot in their run chase at 1-81 before the wickets started to fall. They weren’t able to get any partnerships going and were bowled out for 195. Dissanayaka top scored with 60 at the top of the order. The Lions sit in third spot.

Tuesday, 13 January, 2026 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 23

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