Star Weekly - Brimbank North West - 16th June 2026
Mental health gap
By Glenn Fisher
Despina Havelas understandably finds it difficult to find much humour in the tragic loss of her younger sister less than two months ago after a long battle with a mental health illness.
But a doll is the one and only keepsake from the belongings of Dr Anastasia Kalantzis that brings a smile to the Keilor Downs woman’s face.
Not just any doll.
“Ana loved horror movies and heavy metal music like Metallica and Megadeath, and I’ve kept her Chucky doll to remind me what a vibrant, bubbly, spirited woman she was,” Despina said.
We just want more rights for caregivers, so others don’t have to go through what we did
- Despina Havelas
While Ana’s doll from the Child’s Play horror movie franchise might help lighten the mood for Despina and her daughter Aristea, the fact they were not legally allowed to know about Ana’s medication or treatment plan during and after any of the numerous stays inside a mental health facility definitely remains a bone of contention.
Ana’s long battle with her mental health ended shortly after she was discharged from the last in a long line of public and private mental health facilities across Melbourne and returned home to be with her 80-year-old mother in Glenroy.
Dr Kalantzis was a respected lecturer at the Royal Dental Hospital in Melbourne and in dentistry at the University of Melbourne,admiredandacclaimedforher compassion and dedication to dentistry, education and mental health advocacy. She was 44.
Now a new battle has started, with Despina and Aristea pushing for Victoria’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Act (2022) to be either changed or for a nationwide piece of legislation to cover all states and territories.
“Whenever Ana was in a facility, we as caregivers and close family members had no legal right to get information about her medication, treatment plan or to even be included in discussions about her health, because it’s all deemed as private,” Despina said. “We just want more rights for caregivers, so others don’t have to go through what we did.
“Ana was discharged without a safety plan, and there was no discussion about her family history or past. We could see the change in her every time she was discharged, but the medical people in those facilities couldn’t,” she said.
“She stopped eating, her mood changed … we know she was masking her illness to the medical staff while in those facilities.”
Since Ana’s death, Despina and Aristea have attempted to contact and meet with
state MPs from both sides of parliament, to raiseconcernsaboutthecurrentlegislation blocking loved ones from getting access to more information about a patient.
While changing the laws is the aim, Aristea says they are not on any political witch hunt.
“Mental health is not a political issue, it is both a health and educational issue,” she said.
“We are just trying to help the process, not hinder it.”
On Friday, Deputy Premier Ben Carroll’s office notified Despina that he would be “unable to meet” with them to discuss mental health in Victoria and sent his “best wishes”.
Star Weekly also sent a list of questions to Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt last week, but there had been no response
before this newspaper’s deadline. While Despina and Aristea can never get Ana back, her memory will live on after the family started the Anastasia Kalantzis Memorial Dentistry Scholarship (advancement.latrobe.edu.au/giving/ anas-legacy) in partnership with La Trobe University, where Ana completed her bachelor of health sciences/master of dentistry at the Bendigo campus. Donations will help support students pursuing a pathway into dentistry, who demonstrate a dual commitment to dentistry and mental health. If you, or anyone you know, is experiencing mental health challenges and/or dealing with suicidal thoughts, contact Lifeline on 131114, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
Despina Havelas and daughter Aristea Havelas, holding a photo of Anastasia Kalantzis. (Damjan Janevski) 558849_01
Call for noise, odour action
A group of Hillside residents have formally petitioned Melton council over what they describe as ongoing odour and noise impacts from a commercial development in Banchory Grove, claiming the issues are significantlyaffectingtheirqualityoflife.
The petition, containing 33 signatures, was presented to council at its 25 May meeting and raised concerns about persistent cooking odours, grease-laden air and continuous noise generated by commercial tenants operating within the precinct.
The petition is calling on Melton council to work to protect residential amenity, especially for those situated within close
distance of commercial developments.
According to the petition, residents living in the immediate vicinity have been exposed to the impacts on a daily basis for extended periods, with odours and noise reportedly entering homes and outdoor living areas.
Petitioners claim the situation has reached a point where some residents feel unable to open windows, hang washing outside, use their backyards, or enjoy what theydescribeasareasonablelevelofpeace and quiet.
The petition also outlines concerns about the potential health and wellbeing impacts of the ongoing issues.
Residents have reported experiencing symptoms including nausea, headaches, disrupted sleep, and heightened levels of stress, which they say have persisted due to the lack of relief from the conditions.
“There is no reasonable reprieve, and our quality of life has been significantly diminished,” the petition reads.
The petition also pointed to impacts on property valuing, alleging some homes were becoming difficult to sell as a result.
“In addition, these issues are negatively impacting property values and have made some homes difficult to sell,” it stated.
Residents contend the issues stem from theapprovalandoperationoftheadjoining
Dinos take over Werribee zoo after dark
Dinosaurs are taking over the night at Werribee Open Range Zoo these school holidays.
From 4–11 July, visitors can experience DinosAfterDark,anafter-hoursadventure featuring towering illuminated dinosaurs, dazzling light shows, roving performers and family-friendly entertainment.
Guests are encouraged to bring a torch and explore the glowing Dino River Trail as prehistoric giants come to life after dark through spectacular lighting, special effects and immersive experiences.
The zoo’s African village lawn will
transform into a prehistoric playground, complete with a disco glow zone, where families can groove to dino-tastic tunes under brilliant glow effects, grab a hula hoop or spinning plate, and learn new tricks from a circus performer.
Little adventurers can also cool down in the bubble snow zone, running, jumping and dancing amongst the snow as the African village is transformed into a snowy, immersive playground.
Visitors can enjoy roaming entertainment throughout the night, including stilt walkers, fire twirlers and
circus performers, before gathering aroundthefirepitstotoastmarshmallows.
A special dinosaur-themed food and beverage menu will also be available, with grazing boxes available to pre-book.
Dinos After Dark will run from 5.309pm.
Tickets: From $50 for members and $55 for non-members. Children’s tickets available from $26 for members and $29 for non-members. Children under one year attend free.
More than 85 traffic offences were detected on Brimbank roads over the King’s Birthday longweekend.
Police ran Operation Regal from 5-8 June, targeting high-risk driving behaviour across the state in an effort to reduce road trauma.
InBrimbank,policedetected34speeding offences and 21 drivers disobeying signs or signals.
Police also detected eight disqualified driversandthreeunlicenseddrivers.
Two drug drivers and one drink driver
also came to the attention of police during the blitz, while six people were issued infringements for mobile phone offences and10werefoundtobedrivingunregistered vehicles.Onevehiclewasimpounded. Statewide, 7221 traffic offences were detected over the four-day enforcement period – a 20 per cent increase on the same timelastyear.
Road Policing Assistant Commissioner MickHermanssaidpolicewereparticularly focused on roadside alcohol and drug testing and proactive patrols targeting
development and have called on council to ensure residential amenity is protected.
“These impacts arise from the approval and operation of the adjoining development. Council has a responsibility to ensure that residential amenity is protected and that developments do not unreasonably affect neighbouring homes.
“The purpose of these signatures is to formally raise serious concerns about ongoing odour and noise impacts affecting residents in the immediate vicinity,” the petition states.
The petition was tabled by council and referred to Melton’s chief executive to advise the lead petitioner of the outcome.
Police
briefs
Five times the limit
A Keilor Park man who was found to be more than five times the legal alcohol limit has lost his licence for 12 months. Police responded to reports of a nose to tail collision between a sedan and a taxi at the intersection of Mount Alexander Road and Lincoln Road just after 12.30am on 7 June. The impact pushed the taxi through a roundabout and into a sign, which caused a pole to fall and smash a glass tram stop, police said. Both drivers underwent mandatory alcohol and drug testing. The Keilor Park man, 48, who was the driver of the sedan, blew .280, according to police.
Theft charges
A Footscray man has been charged with stealing more than $30,000 worth of goods from retail outlets in the Melbourne CBD and surrounding suburbs.The 38-year-old man was arrested in Carnegie on 4 June and later charged with 44 counts of shop-lifting between October 2025 and May 2026. It’s alleged the man stole goods including vitamins, medicines, sanitary goods, perfumes, baby formula and luxury handbags from supermarkets, department stores and other retail outlets. Police believe the goods were then on-sold to a third party buyer.
Attempted carjacking
speed, distraction and unauthorised drivingduringtheoperation.
“The reality is, we will only issue infringements when there is blatant noncompliancewiththeroadrules,”hesaid.
“The fact we detected so many offences this weekend just highlights that so many motorists are knowingly breaking the rules –andwecannotacceptthis.
“We will continue to enforce against those who engage in any risk-taking driving behaviour, and we make no apologies for this.”
A teenager armed with a machete has been arrested and charged following an attempted aggravated carjacking in Delahey. Police have been told a woman parked her vehicle in a shopping centre carpark on Taylors Road and got out of her vehicle before she was approached from behind about 7.35pm on 5 June. It is believed the 44-year-old victim was taking washing out of her car to attend a nearby laundromat when she felt what is alleged to have been a blade at her neck and shoulder. The teen made demands for the woman’s car keys and other items before he jumped in the vehicle and unsuccessfully tried to start the car. Two good Samaritans intervened and challenged the boy, and he ran from the scene. Attending units patrolled the area and arrested the 16-year-old near Kings Road. The boy, who is from the Ballarat area, has been charged with attempted aggravated carjacking.
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Dinos will take over Werribee Open Range Zoo after dark these school holidays. (Supplied)
Celebrations as Dot hits 100
By Kerry Hewson, Sunshne RSL Sub-branch
Dot McVeigh is about to hit 100.
Born on 18 June, 1926, to parents Arthur and Eileen, Dot had an idyllic life with her siblings Bonnie, Les and Freddy (all deceased).
Even though she was a child of the Great Depression and World War II, Dot vividly remembers the good times living in Batman Street, West Footscray.
She recalls her brothers and sister would walk with her to Western Oval on a Saturday about half-time to barrack for the Western Bulldogs and the mighty Teddy Whitten.
And, at the end of the game, the kids would wander home to a nice warm fire and hot food, whilst listening to the wireless and their dad playing tunes on his harmonica.
Dot attended the Geelong Road primary school. She left school, aged 14, and was employed at a factory in Flinders Lane making overcoats.
Dot said how her boss would give the employees enough fabric each Christmas to make a new coat each winter.
Dot must have loved dancing because it was on a bus heading to the Moonee Ponds townhallthatshemetKevinMcVeigh,who incidentally had returned home following his tour of duty in Europe.
The couple married in 1948. Following their honeymoon, Dot and Kevin moved into rented rooms in Footscray before moving back home to Batman Street and her mum and dad.
Dot’s brother, who was a builder, was instrumental in helping Dot and Kevin to get into their forever home in Staughton Street, Sunshine. The couple were married for 57 years, with Kevin dying in 2005.
Dot has regularly travelled to the Gold Coast to spend quality time with her son, Peter; and at 80 years old, also travelled to Hawaii and the USA with her extended family.
SheremainsadevotedmothertoSandra, Denise and Peter; grandmother of five; and great-grandmother of 10.
Briefs
West Party registration
The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) has received an application from The West Party for registration as a political party. Objections to the proposed registration must be submitted to the VEC in writing no later than Sunday 12 July. Valid reasons for objection include: the party is not an eligible political party as defined under the Electoral Act 2002, the application is not in accordance with the requirements of section 45 of the act or the proposed name should be refused under section 47 of the act. Objections can be made to rppregistration@vec.vic.gov.au or posted to the VEC, Level 11, 530 Collins Street, Melbourne Vic, 3000. Objections must be signed and include the objector’s address.
Police survey
Brimbank residents are encouraged to complete Victoria Police’s Community Sentiment Survey. The annual survey helps Victoria Police understand the safety concerns that matter most to Victorians and find ways to tackle them. The survey takes about five minutes to complete, and responses are anonymous. The survey closes 30 June. Details: engage.vic.gov.au/ vicpol-2026
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Dot McVeigh. (Supplied)
Maritime history captured
Fifity years ago next week, Laurie Dilks had a front row seat to one of the most dramatic events in Williamstown’s history and has the photos and the memories to prove it. He spoke to Cade Lucas.
As a shipwright with the former Victorian Ports and Harbours Branch in Williamstown, Laurie Dilks didn’t normally bring a camera to work.
“I never carried a camera normally unless I thought there was something worthwhile to take a photograph of,” Mr Dilks recalled.
Sowhenhemadesuretopackhiscamera before heading to work on the morning of 23 June, 1976, Mr Dilks clearly knew he was about to witness something worth capturing for posterity.
“I thought I’ll get a photograph of this,” Mr Dilks, now 81, recalled thinking that morning nearly half a century ago.
“And I’m very pleased I did.”
So too are many other people, especially those with an interest in maritime history of which Williamstown and Hobsons Bay has plenty.
But of all that history, few moments resonate like the one Mr Dilks photographed 50 years ago next week: the burning down of the Point Gellibrand Pile Light.
It’s a moment that locals who were alive at the time can recall like it was yesterday and even those who weren’t are still well aware of.
The images Mr Dilks took that day are a big reason why.
He and his fellow shipwrights were standing on a boat about 25 metres from the historic lighthouse, roughly a mile off Williamstown’s Shelly Beach, when the fire began at about 11am on a sunny, still Wednesday morning.
Floating nearby were a number of other craftincludingonepackedwithjournalists fromtheeveningTVnewsandMelbourne’s thenafternoonpaperofrecord,TheHerald.
They all watched as the lighthouse, perched above the water atop 33 wooden piles, its living quarters surrounding the bottom of the tower and its pile light at the top, became enveloped in smoke, then engulfed in flames.
Then the tower and its pile light, which had guided ships into Hobsons Bay since 1906, preventing them from crashing into Gellibrand Reef, crashed into the water itself.
“Thesupportaroundit(thetower),which was the house, diminished and it fell into the water and was trapped by the piles that held up the lighthouse so it didn’t go to the bottom,”MrDilkssaidofthetowerandpile light which would later be recovered.
The pile light itself now sits on display at the Seaworks Maritime Precinct in Williamstown, near where Mr Dilks and his fellow Ports and Harbours shipwrights used to work and where a Winter Solstice Festival will be held on 19 June that will double as a 50th anniversary commemoration of the lighthouse fire.
“Of all the iconic structures that Williamstown’s history has produced, the Gellibrand Light must be the most cherished and best known” Seaworks executive officer Glenn Jones said.
“Not only by seafarers, for whom it had a special significance, but by the thousands of residents and tourists. After a long journey from the bottom of the bay, to besidethePollyWoodsideandevencentral Victoria, it’s now back in Williamstown and Seaworks is its home”.
Along with seeing the pile light itself, those attending the winter solstice festival can also visit a special display on the lighthouse inside the Seaworks Maritime Museum.
Included in the display are some of the dramatic images Mr Dilks took that day. While the photos capture the pile light’s
fiery end, they don’t explain how it came about; how the state government of the day found itself in the extraordinary position of having to set fire to a beloved historic landmark.
Fortunately, Mr Dilks’ memory remains as vivid as his photos.
“I was working in the depot and the officer in charge, a Mr Jack Manser, came out into the yard where I was working with a couple of other fellows,” he recalled of the morning two days before the fire on Monday 21 June.
“He said ‘I’ve heard the Gellibrand Lighthouse has been struck by a ship’. He said apparently it’s been quite extensively damaged and we’ll have to get out there and have a look when we can.”
This was about 8.30am.
Roughly an hour earlier, the Melbourne Trader, a 7000 tonne roll-on roll-off cargo ship, had ploughed into the Point Gellibrand Pile Light while returning from its regular run to Tasmania.
The thick fog that blanketed Port Phillip Bay that morning and was already blamed forthecollisionandwasalsopreventingMr Dilksandhiscolleaguesfromimmediately heading out to inspect the damage.
Oncethefogclearedlaterinthemorning and they did get out to the pile light, not much of an inspection was required.
“It was severely damaged,” Mr Dilks recalled.
“Many of the piles had been broken.”
With the many of the piles supporting thelighthousesnappedoffatthewaterline, its tower was tilting badly to one side.
The lighthouse keeper’s residence at the base of the tower was also badly damaged, though, remarkably, the keeper himself was unscathed.
He’d spent the night ashore, a decision which probably saved his life.
Returning to the depot, the shipwrights reported what they’d seen to Mr Manser who then sent it up the chain of command.
Things were moving quickly.
Thenextday,MrDilksandhiscolleagues arrived at the depot to be told that a decision on the pile light’s future would be made later that day.
Inthemeantimetheyweretogobackout there and strip it of any of any valuables.
“Wehadtobeverycarefulbecauseit(the lighthouse) was on a precarious angle and the boat landing there was underwater,” Mr Dilks said, adding that once on board they removed and took whatever they could, though some items would soon go missing.
“We got up and removed the windvane of the tower but we don’t know what happened to that in the end.”
Theyalsoclearedoutthekeepersquarters which Mr Dilks likened to a floating home.
“It was a unique situation as seaborn lighthouses are,” he said.
“Before the current lighthouse keeper, on occasion there had been others who’d lived there with their wives. It was a house with a bathroom, kitchen and bedroom.”
Sadly,liketherestofthestructure, itwas also damaged beyond repair and given its
importance to nearby shipping lanes, it had to be removed and replaced as soon as possible.
Before the shipwrights left for home that day, their boss delivered the news.
“Mr Manser had told us that the lighthouse was to be burnt at 11am on the morning, 23 June, 1976,” Mr Dilks said.
“It was a unique situation, but we understood that was what the government had ordered. It was a sad situation.”
With camera in hand, he and his colleagues returned to the pile light for the finaltimethefollowingmorningtoprepare it for burning.
They were joined by another crew from Ports and Harbours who’d travelled up by boat from Queenscliffe.
Mr Dilks suspects it was they who finally set it alight.
“Theyhadasmalldrumofkerosenewith them and were sprinkling it around when meandmyworkmatesrealiseditwasclose to 11am and we’d better be getting off.”
From there, it took about 20 minutes to destroy 70 years of maritime history.
A navigational light was installed in place of the lighthouse and there hasn’t beenanothercollisioninthe50yearssince.
Mr Dilks lamented that if only today’s shipping technology was available back then,thePointGellibrandPileLightwould still remain.
“Unfortunately that incident happened because in that era they didn’t have the navigational aids they have now,” he said.
“At the time everyone wished it hadn’t happened but it did and thank goodness nobody was injured.”
Above: Seaworks executive officer
Glenn Jones and former shipwright Laurie Dilks below the pile light from the Point Gellibrand Lighthouse which was burnt down 50 years ago. (Damjan Janevski) 557888_01
Right: Workers prepare the damaged pile light to be burnt. (Laurie Dilks)
Laurie Dilks took this photo of the burning pile light from a boat 25 metres away. (Laurie Dilks)
The Gellibrand Pile Light fire on the morning of 23 June, 1976. (Laurie Dilks)
MY PLACE
Audrey Buttigieg Cardona is an artist from Caroline Springs whose works, inspired by her uncle, are on display at CS Gallery through the Melton Community Open Group Show’s Common exhibition. Jack O’Shea-Ayres spoke with Buttigieg Cardona about her work as a visual arts teacher and how she draws inspiration from those around her.
What’s your connection to Caroline Springs?
After migrating from Malta with my husband in 2007, we settled in Caroline Springs - a vibrant community we are now proudtocallhome.Asavisualartsteacher at Christ the Priest Primary School, I’m privileged to help shape the creativity of our local youth. Over the years, I’ve deeply embedded myself in the area, building a wonderful network of close friends and inspiringfellowartists.
Whatdoyoulikeaboutwhereyoulive?
WhatIlovemostabouttheCityofMeltonis its vibrant, beautifully diverse community. Moving here from ’the other side of the bridge’ was a wonderful cultural shock in thebestpossibleway.Itisatruemeltingpot wherepeoplefromallwalksoflifegetalong and generously share their stories. On my own street, I’m lucky to have neighbours of Macedonian, Indian, Italian, Vietnamese, and Maltese heritage - a rich blend that is mirroredjustasbeautifullyinmyworkplace andplaceofworship.Seeingsuchadiverse group of people genuinely come together and build friendships is what makes this placesospecial.
What, if anything, would you change aboutwhereyoulive?
Rather than fundamentally changing our area, I believe we need to expand what we offer to our youth. The City of Melton, and Caroline Springs in particular, boasts fantastic sporting facilities, which is wonderful, but we need to ask: what about our non-sporty kids? I would love to see a dedicated performing arts precinct considered for our community. This wouldn’t just be a space for professional, diverse acts; it could be an affordable facility that local schools can access for productions. Furthermore, it could serve as an educational hub where year 11 and
12 students gain hands-on experience in theatre production and technical roles, while providing a year-round home for private theatre groups. There is currently a significant gap in our creative infrastructure, and our young people deserveaspacetoshine.
Where is your favourite local place to spendtime?
I actually have two favourite spots, depending on whether I’m looking for creative inspiration or a bit of tranquility. My absolute favourite is the Caroline Springs Library. Beyond its great collection ofbooks,itofferssomanyfreeandlow-cost community activities. Right next door
FROM THE ARCHIVES
40 years ago 18June,1986
Motor accident fraud costing Victorian taxpayers tens of millions of dollars a year is centred right in the west’s backyard.
is the CS Gallery - a fantastic exhibition space where I’ve actually had the privilege of showcasing my own artwork in the past; the setup there is wonderful. My other go-to spot is walking along the local creek with my family and our dog. It is such a calming, green environment that is perfect forclearingthemindandunwindingaftera longdayatwork.
Tell us a little bit about your work as an artist. How did your uncle’s migration story inspire your current works on displayatCSGalleries?
Woven Threads of Time: Uncle Leli is a mixed-media piece that serves as a living archive of a migrant’s journey. Built from
a tapestry of oral histories, including personal interviews and cherished family recordings, I created this artwork to document the complex story of my uncle, who left Malta for Australia in the 1970s. Throughthispiece,Iwantedtocapturethe interconnected memories that shaped his new life, from meeting his wife in Malta to the bittersweet process of leaving his homeland. Embedded within the artwork, viewerscanlistentomyNannasingingthe St. Sebastian song from their local feast in Qormi,preservedinMaltese.Itismytribute totheenduringpowerofmemory,exploring thewayitstitchestogetheralargernarrative abouthome,belonging,andthestoriesthat bindourfamilyacrosscontinents.
Star Weekly looks back through the pages of our predecessors
30 years ago 19June,1996
Brimbank council needs to increase rates by five per cent to cope with its new liability for sales tax and to offset reductions in funding, the city’s chief executiveofficerhaswarned.
20 years ago 13June,2006
They grew up in the backyards of Taylors Lakes and St Albans and now findthemselvesonsoccer’sworldstage.
10 years ago 14June,2016
Plans are afoot to permanently open the gateway to the site of the former Sunshine Harvester Works’ factory, the centre of one of Australia’s most significant industrial relations law cases.
Audrey Buttigieg Cardona. (Jack O’Shea-Ayres)
Exploring the health benefits of socialising as we age
People in retirement typically think about eatingright,exercisingandgettingenough rest. But there’s something more powerful –stayingsocial.
Whether it’s catching up over a cuppa, joining a walking group or chatting to neighbours – staying socially active can benefityourhealth.
At Centennial Living, we?see the benefits of social interaction?every day in our retirement villages. From improving mood to memory, social skills only get betterwithage.
Here are some benefits of socialising as weage.
Keeps Your Brain Sharp: Spending time with others—whether through a chat, a game, or a shared hobby—gives your brain a workout. It helps with memory, focus and even problem-solving. Regular social interaction has been linked to a lower risk of dementia, making it one of thebestbrainboostersaround.That’swhy our village life programs are full of social activities designed to keep your mind activeandengaged.
Encourages Physical Activity: Socialising often gets you moving, whether you’re heading out for a group walk, dancing at an event or gardening with neighbours. It’s one of the easiest ways to keep active without even thinking about it. Our villages offer regular activities, such as gentle exercise classes and social outings, tohelpyoustayactiveandengaged.
Helps You Manage Stress: Having someone to talk to can help ease worries and take the edge off stressful situations. Add in some simple relaxation habits like
Supports Healthy Habits: Surrounding yourself with people who care about their health often encourages you to do the same. Whether it’s eating better, drinkingmorewater,orgettingoutsidefor fresh air, your social circle can be a big motivator. In retirement villages, many residents say they feel more motivated to stay healthy thanks to their community’s support.
Encourages Lifelong Learning: Joining a group or club is a great way to keep learning. Whether it’s trying a new hobby or taking a class, learning together makes it more enjoyable—and easier to stick with. At Centennial Living, our village life calendar is full of opportunities to try something new, meet others, and keep growing.
At Centennial Living, we believe life is better when shared. That’s why our retirement villages are designed
to make connecting with others easy and enjoyable. Whether you’re looking to enjoy the social health benefits of group fitness, community gardening, trivia nights or art classes, you’ll find a warm welcome at our retirement village communities.
If you’d like to learn more about living in a retirement village, visit www.centennialliving.com.au or call 1300 098 000 to speak to one of our lovely team members!
Staying socially active can benefit your health. (Supplied)
A surprising hit and a polarising miss
Romsey movie buff Evan Turok is Star Weekly’s film reviewer. Each month he shares his take on recent releases, cult classics, modern favourites and everything in between.
The Drama - MA15+
Going into the cinema, I had a feeling that Kristoffer Borgli’s 2025 film The Drama wouldn’t be for me … I was wrong.
The drama follows the soon-to-be-married couple of Charlie Thompson (Robert Pattinson) and EmmaHarwood(Zendaya).
While preparing for their big day, the pair and some of their friends begin discussing the worst things each of themhavedone.
In a drunken state, Emma lets out a secret from her past that turns the entire situation upside down, leading to a series of painful situations unfolding until finally coming to a head on their weddingday.
The two most important aspects of a filmareifitentertainsandifitcanaffect youremotionsintheintendedway.
Two big ticks for the drama. There were countless occasions where the tense, awkward situations, paired with realistic dialogue and naturalistic acting, left me wanting to curl up into a ball and disappear into the chair in the bestwaypossible.
Eachnewscenewaswillingtobebold and true to life, leaving us with a film that was so easy to relate to and get lost in.
This is why I was so disappointed in its ending, which so quickly abandoned therisk-takingstylereplacedbyaforced happy ending that took away from the filminitsentirety.
From the first second The Drama started,therewasabeautifullooktoit.It wasn’tlongbeforeInoticedsomeflashes of white on the screen and immediately realised what made this movie so easy on the eyes, was the factthat it had been shoton35millimetrefilm.
Borgli’s decision to make a movie the old-fashioned way added so much to the tone and atmosphere of the film and doubled as indisputable proof that 35 millimetre film should once again become the standard for capturing moviemagicinitspurestform.
The drama shows us that it’s impossible to know someone truly is until you have seen every side of them and begs the question, how would you reactinthesamesituation?
Awell-madefilm,earning4/5.
EraserHead - M
David Lynch is a polarising film director, no one would be more opinionated and passionate about his films than him, a trueperfectionisttohisimagination.
His film EraserHead 1977 is without a doubt the strangest film I have ever watched.
Jack Spencer and his wife Mary are suddenly thrust into parenthood as the motherandfatherofahorrificalienbaby.
The constant screaming and lack of sleep gets to Mary who leaves Jack as the sole parent, soon a series of unnerving, grotesque visions plague Jack while he struggles to care for the creature the best hecan.
EraserHead is a visual and cinematic masterclass, starting with wide, still simplistic shots that demonstrate the nature of life in the melancholic urban environmentthefilmtakesplacein.
It steadily transitions into a truly unsettling horror that is so incredibly uncomfortableontheeyes.
Lynch follows the philosophy of ‘the only way past is through’ and leans so hard into the style that you can’t bring yourselftolookaway.
Faces of the west
Each week Star Weekly photographers are out and about capturing events and people across the western suburbs.
There is so little dialogue in this film it’shardtoknowexactlywhatthestoryis, andIbelievethatisexactlythepoint.
When people watch EraserHead they are desperate to find a cohesive beginning, middle and end style story thatsimplyisn’there.
Although EraserHead is thin on story and hard to follow, it isn’t about leaving you confused, it’s about leaving you curious, the film demands to be rewatched, debated, studied and ultimately, never agreed upon. That’s what makes EraserHead such a revolutionaryfilmforitstime.
At the end of the day this isn’t my type of film, it is very slow paced and made ninety minutes feel much longer than it was.
The story is replaced with strange and striking visuals that can sometimes be hardtogetonboardwith.
Ultimately this film made about as much sense as a football bat, so, if you are willing to take a risk and leave a film thinking to yourself ‘what the heck just happened?’ then EraserHead is for you, ifnot,giveitamiss.EraserHeadgets3/5.
Evan Turok. (Damjan Janevski) 545799_04
Cassandra Ame is releasing her debut single, Home. (Damjan Janevski) 555813_06
Dean Lewis, former member of the Australian Defence Force, with his restored a 1942 World War II Ford Jeep. (Damjan Janevski) 557049_04
Above: Valerie Agu. (Damjan Janevski) 556641_05
Right: Laverton Community Choir is gearing up for its annual concert. (Damjan Janevski) 556461_05
Jennifer Kearney, OAM. (Damjan Janevski) 557528_02
Betty McGuire, 91, received a Medal of the Order of Australia for her services to softball. (Damjan Janevski) 557417_02
Green books go digital making life easier for parents
In a move that promises to alleviate the hassle of the traditional ‘green book’, the state government has introduced a digital alternativeforparentsandcaregivers.
The green book, a record of a child’s health and development, has long been criticised as cumbersome and inconvenient.
“The other thing commonly known about the green book is that it’s cumbersome, heavy and messy,” a state government spokesperson acknowledged ina statement on the digital change.
“People have to lug it around with them everywhere.”
The new digital version, available
through the Service Victoria app and website, aims to provide a more practical solution.
“No more worrying about losing the book or remembering to bring it to appointments.”
The information will be stored securely on parents’ phones, allowing them to accessit easily.
“The information will be stored safely and securely on your phone,” the spokespersonexplained.
The digital portal will be accessible to parents and caregivers of up to 80,000
new babies in Victoria each year. They can create a profile for their child, including information such as a growth tracker, digital birth certificate, and birth registration.
While the physical green book will still beavailable,thedigitalversionisintended tobeusedalongsideit.
“The physical green book will still be availableifyouwantit,andusedalongside the digital version,” the spokesperson said.
Additional features are expected to be added tothe online portalover time.
Places are available in Southern Cross Grammar’s (SCG) Year 8-12 2026 Program.
Learning at SCG is driven by the belief that education is most powerful when a studentistrulyknownandtheirpotential is unlocked to shape what comes next.
AsaFoundation-Year12co-educational school located on a single campus, SCG has prided itself in being a school where studentsmatterandareknownbyexpert staffwhochampiontheiruniquejourney.
This is what drew local parent, Li Sarn, to choosing an education at SCG for her family.
“One of the things we value most about SCG is that as a smaller school, our children have never felt like another student,” she said.
“They have been known, encouraged, and supported throughout their journey, which has given them the confidence to pursue opportunities they may not otherwise have considered.”
Principal Brayden Stone said “At SCG, we are united by a clear purpose to develop people who make a positive difference in the world“.
“What inspires me most about our school is the strong sense of belonging and evidence-based learning that defines us. We work in partnership with our students, families, and staff to create an environment where everyone flourishes.
“If you are looking for a school where your child will be truly known, their strengthsrecognised,andtheirpotential nurtured through academic rigour, meaningful relationships, and a strong commitment to wellbeing, I encourage you to enrol today.”
Southern Cross Grammar principal Brayden Stone with senior students. (Supplied)
The State government has introduced a digital alternative of the traditional ‘green book’ for parents and caregivers.
More young Aussies understand AI but they still fear it
By Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson, AAP
Almost two in three young Australians think artificial intelligence will be used to eliminate jobs and only two per cent think it will create them.
Despite their concerns, more Aussies say they have a strong understanding of the technology and regularly use it to study and complete assignments.
Microsoft, KPMG and career platform
Anywayrevealedthecontradictionsfroma survey of more than 1000 people under the age of 25, which found AI use had grown significantly since 2023.
The study comes after Pope Leo XIV recently called on governments and companies to carefully regulate AI technology, and weeks after the federal government launched a National AI Centre to guide its adoption.
The study, called Young Australians and theAIWorkforceTransition,surveyed1029 people between the ages of 15 and 24 years about their AI use.
It found more young people were confident about AI, with 45 per cent calling their understanding of the technology excellent or very good compared to 27 per cent in 2023.
Two in five respondents said they used AI tools in their studies, with the most popular uses summarising information, researching assignments, and studying for exams.
ButAIusedroppedto15percentintasks related to work or career development, which Anyway co-founder Will Stubley said could limit their potential.
“It’s great to see so many young Aussies trying out AI but what we’re seeing is they’re not always being supported to
actually apply that in a career context,” he said.
“There’s a bit of a gap between learning and doing.”
Young Australians were also concerned about AI’s impact on the jobs market, the study found, with almost one in three participants (63 per cent) saying it would eliminate roles.
Onlytwopercentthoughtitwouldcreate jobs, while 35 per cent thought it would have no impact.
Almost half of those surveyed (47
per cent) were also worried about AI automation of early-career tasks and more than half (57 per cent) expressed concern about the ethics of the technology.
Some concerns could be addressed by providing greater professional assistance to school-leavers, Mr Stubley said.
“Fear will continue to own the narrative aroundAIunlessindustryandgovernment work together to create clear career pathwaysandguidanceforstudentsduring the school to work transition,” he said.
Young Australians pursuing careers in
Train likean Learn likea leader.
technology, science and government were more likely to use AI, the study found, while those in rural areas and from low socio-economic backgrounds were less likely to do so.
This gap should be addressed, Microsoft Australia AI national skills director Tim Allen said, to ensure young workers were not disadvantaged.
“It’s important that everyone, regardless of where they live or the path they choose, has the opportunity to build these skills,“ he said.
Gold Duke of Edinburgh success for Braemarians
At Braemar College, education is about more than academic achievement. While strong learning remains central to the college experience, students are encouraged to discover their strengths, pursue their interests and develop the confidence, character and independence neededtothriveinlifebeyondschool.
This commitment to breadth and balance is reflected in the many opportunities available to students, including leadership, service, outdoor education, sport, the arts, cultural experiences and The Duke of Edinburgh’s InternationalAward.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is one of the world’s leading youth development programs. Available to Braemar students from Year 9 onwards, the award challenges young people to growthroughservice,physicalrecreation, skill development and adventurous journeys.Indoingso,participantsdevelop resilience, initiative, teamwork and self-reliance while making meaningful contributionstotheircommunities.
Braemar College recently celebrated the achievements of four students who completed the prestigious Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. Siena, Julia, Renee and Jessica were recognised at the 2026 Gold Award Presentation Ceremony held at Government House in Melbourne.
Supported throughout their journey by family, mentors and college staff, particularly program coordinator Anthony Young, the students successfully completed all requirements of the Gold Award. Their achievement represents years of commitment, perseverance and personalgrowth.
Following the ceremony, the students had the opportunity to tour Government House and meet Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, GovernorofVictoria,makingtheoccasion amemorablecelebrationoftheirefforts.
The college is immensely proud of Renee, Siena, Julia, and Jessica, as well as the many Braemarians currently pursuingBronze,SilverandGoldAwards. Their achievements demonstrate the valueofaneducationthatextendsbeyond theclassroomandencouragesstudentsto growinmind,bodyandspirit.
Programs such as The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award are an important part of Braemar’s whole-student philosophy, helping young people become capable, confident and compassionate contributors to the world aroundthem.
Renee, Siena, Julia, and Jessica. (Supplied)
Because we know there
to Education than
Learning through action at Global Village Learning
At Global Village Learning, learning is something you do, not something you sit through.
Our learners don’t wait to apply knowledge later. They build, design, create,test,andrefinenow.
Whether it’s developing a prototype, workingwithmaterials,orshapinganidea into something real, learning happens throughaction.
This is driven by a simple belief: young people are capable of far more than we often allow . When they are trusted with meaningfulwork,theystepup.
At GVL, Personal Interest Projects and EDventurous Projects sit at the centre of theexperience.
Learners pursue what genuinely interests them while developing the skills needed to bring those ideas to life. It’s
practical,purposeful,andengaging.
There is structure, but it’s personalised.
Learners move through Learning Hubs based on readiness, building confidence andmasteryovertime.
What ties it all together is our vision: empowering learners to build communities that positively impact the world.
This is supported by a focus on agency,
mastery, and community connection. When learners have ownership, feel capable, and are part of something bigger than themselves, motivation takes care of itself.
The result is a learning environment withenergy.Focused.Creative.Real. Not preparation for life, but a place where young people are already shaping it.
Left: Cooper, Estee and Holly learning the art of pottery. Right: Charlie and Ethan working on their robot at the Southern Cross FRC Championship. (Pictures: Supplied)
Free kindergarten now open at Glengala Primary School
There’s exciting news for families in Sunshine West, with a brand-new free kindergarten now open at Glengala Primary School and it’s something a little differentforGoodstartEarlyLearningtoo.
GoodstartiswellknownacrossAustralia for its long day care centres, but Glengala Kindergarten is one of the first times the not-for-profit organisation has opened a dedicated sessional kindergarten on a schoolsiteinVictoria.
The new kinder provides a minimum of 15 hours of free government-funded kindergarten each week for local three and four-year-olds, helping more families access quality early learning close to home.
The kindergarten has opened at a time when demand for kinder places across Brimbank continues to grow. Local leaders and the Victorian government have identified the area as needing more early learning services as more young families move into Melbourne’s west.
Manager Melanie said the new kindergarten is already creating excitementinthecommunity.
“Weknowfamiliesinthisareahave been looking for more kindergarten options,soit’sreallylovelytonowbe abletoofferthat,”shesaid.
“Being located at Glengala Primary School also helps children feelmorecomfortableandconfident beforetheystartschool.”
Melanie said Goodstart wanted to bring the same high-quality education programs the organisation is known for into a kinder settingthatworksforlocalfamilies.
now, but we’re excited for the future,” she said. “Our hope is that by 2027 the kindergarten will be running at full capacity and helping even more children getthebestpossiblestart.”
Families will also benefit from Goodstart’s experienced educators and strong school readiness programs, with children learning in a safe, welcoming andsupportiveenvironment.
Importantly, the kinder is free for eligible families under the Victorian Government’s Free Kinder program, helping reduce pressure on household budgets while still giving children access toqualityearlyeducation.
Enrolments are managed through Brimbank City Council, making it easier forlocalfamiliestoapplyforplaces.
Hosted by Glengala Kindergarten and Primary School
kid Glengala Kindergarten centre is located in the grounds of Glengala Primary School. Right: Kindergarten play based learning.
Scouts’ pre-poll bid rejected
Melton council has ruled out reconsidering its decision preventing the Caroline Springs Scout Centre from being used as a pre-poll voting facility.
Council reaffirmed its position during public question time at its 25 May meeting, despite renewed calls from local scouts and assurances from both Scouts Victoria and the Victorian Electoral Commission(VEC)thattheyarewillingto work collaboratively to address concerns.
The issue was raised by First Caroline Springs Scouts leader Claire Mouser, who questioned why the facility could not be used as an early voting centre despite past usage and given the site’s lease agreements.
Ms Mouser noted the Scout centre’s land lease expressly permits thirdparty hire and argued the lease takes precedence over council’s Lease and Licence Policy.
“Hostingpre-pollvotingprovidesavital stream of financial support that directly funds our Scouting programs, camping equipment, and hall maintenance,” she said.
“By denying us this approval, the council is effectively taking money out of the pockets of local youth.”
She also highlighted the facility is owned and managed by Scouts Victoria, not council, and said both Scouts Victoria and the VEC had expressed a willingness
to work with council to resolve any issues.
“It is deeply unfair that the council has made a decision that restricts democratic access for voters and simultaneously strips a grassroots, volunteer-run organisation of essential revenue, that benefits local youth in being active, community-minded young people,” she said.
In response, council maintained its position, citing concerns about the suitability of the site and the impact on the surrounding community.
Council stated that while the Scout centre operates under a lease agreement, provisions within that lease allow council to ultimately approve the use of the site by
Tributes flow for First Nations mural artist
Western suburbs councils have paid tribute to celebrated Indigenous artist Tommy Day III who died last month.
Day III, aka Jirri Jirri, painted a number of prominent murals across the west, with one of his most significant public artworks installed on the windows of the Brimbank council chamber.
The striking work depicts Bunjil and Wah on either side of a scar tree and serves as a lasting expression of Tom’s artistic vision, cultural knowledge and generosity. It remains an important part of our recognition of First Nations peoples, their continuing connection to Country, and their enduring contribution to the community.
Brimbank mayor Virginia Tachos said
his legacy would continue to inspire future generations.
“Tom had a unique ability to bring culture, history and community together through his art. His work invited people to engage with First Nations stories in meaningful ways and created lasting connections between people, place and culture,” she said.
“We are privileged to have one of his artworks within our council chamber, and we acknowledge the significant contribution he made to our community and to the broader cultural landscape of Australia.”
Maribyrnong and Wyndham councils also paid tribute to Day III.
The Shepperton-based artist also
contributed to the recently completed mural at the Indi Footscray build-to-rent apartment complex, with his painting of Bunjil the Eagle the centerpiece of the giant artwork.
The most prominent and certainly the biggest artwork Day III produced in the west is the ‘Mooroop Yarkeen’ (Spirit Dreaming) mural in Werribee.
The artwork on the façade of the Hunter Building on Synnot Street is the largest First Nations mural in Australia and has won numerous awards since it was completed in 2023.
SPONSORED CONTENT
Australian businesses urged to seize AI opportunity
Artificial intelligence is already helping Australian businesses improve customer service, lift productivity and support workers, but leaders say success depends on building confidence in how the technology is used.
At CommBank’s Accelerate AI event in Sydney, CEOs and founders said AI was moving from experimentation to practical use, with benefits emerging across retail, technology and professional services.
Bunnings is one example. Earlier this year, the retailer launched Buddy, an AI shopping assistant that helped 25,000 customers with DIY projects in a single week. It has also rolled out an AI chatbot for 50,000 staff across 400 stores nationwide.
Chief customer officer Rachael McVitty said Bunnings had taken a simple approach to building trust: customers always know when they are interacting with AI, the tool uses verified information, and people can still speak to a team member when needed.
At Canva, co-founder Cliff Obrecht gave ChatGPT an unorthodox test shortly after it launched: plan a global camel delivery service, including logistics, routing and turnaround times. The model produced a complete operational
plan, despite the abstract challenge Obrecht expected would break the technology. At that moment, he knew what needed doing.
“If we weren’t going to disrupt ourselves, we were going to be disrupted,” he said of Canva’s approach to implementing AI into its operations.
While speakers pointed to growing use of AI across Australia, some noted the technology remains in its infancy.
“If the ultimate measure is impact, we are less than one per cent of the way in,” Seek founder and technology investor Paul Bassat said.
But that doesn’t mean people should wait for the technology to mature before adopting it.
“If you don’t adopt AI, almost certainly you will lose market share. And ultimately, you will go out of business.”
Read the full story at CommBank Newsroom. https://www.commbank.com.au/articles/newsroom/2026/05/australias-ai-moment-opportunity-in-front-of-us.html?utm_ term=External&utm_medium=Native&utm_ source=Star&utm_campaign=weekone&utm_ content=accelerate
third parties.
It also said the venue had resulted in significantcoststocouncilassociatedwith managing compliance issues and that the VEC had confirmed those responsibilities would continue to fall to council if the site were used again.
“Council has considered options to mitigate these risks, and has discussed these matters directly with the VEC, but does not consider there is a reasonable and safe way for the facility to be used in this way,” a council spokesperson said.
The council spokesperson said council did not believe there was a reasonable or safe way for the facility to operate as an early voting centre.
The late Indigenous artist Tommy Day III’s artwork ‘Mooroop Yarkeen’ (Spirit Dreaming) in Werribee. (David Mullins)
CommBank Accelerate AI: Mel Silva, Vice President and Managing Director, Google ANZ; Dr Nicole Gillespie, Chair of Trust and Professor of Management, University of Melbourne; Rachael McVitty, Chief Customer Officer, Bunnings; and Stephanie Crowe, Head Australian Cyber Security Centre
Canva CEO Cliff Obrecht at Accelerate AI 2026.
PUZZLES
To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.
1 Meagre (6)
4 Egyptian god of the afterlife (6)
10 Principal singer, – donna (5)
11 Pink, wriggly creature that lives in soil (9)
12 Unduly prominent (9)
13 Lord (5)
14 Made (6) 15 Comely (4)
19 Casserole (4)
20 Lengthy recitation (6)
24 Propelled (5)
25 Hosiery (9) 27 Elusively (9)
28 Take place (5)
29 Creations (6)
30 Losses (6)
1 Assumed (8)
2 Aircraft pilots (8) 3 Ordinance (7)
5 See 6-down 6, 5-down Oxford student (6,7) 7 Seethe (6) 8 Prefix meaning half (4) 9 Store (7)
16 US dictionary maker (7)
17 Wooden panelling on the lower part of a wall (8)
18 Ugly buildings (8)
19 From Stockholm, say (7)
21 Irritating (7)
22 Word modifier (6)
23 Empty talk (coll) (3,3)
26 Black quartz (4)
Today’s Aim:
12 words: Good 18 words: Very good 24 words: Excellent
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”. O E R V H R C A E
3 LETTERS ACE ADS ALL AMP AND BEE ELM ERA EVE GAL HAS IMP IRE MIX NIP
1 What comes between iridium and gold on the periodic table?
2 What is white embroidery on white material with eyelet and cutwork designs known as?
3 Bathurst Island lies off the coast of which Australian state or territory?
4 By what nickname is 1960s model, singer and actor Lesley Lawson more commonly known?
5 What is the term for the study of insects?
6 Complete this 1987 film title: Full
6 LETTERS ARBOUR GOATEE HURTLE LEASES
7 LETTERS
7 Kelly Rowland (pictured) was a member of which popular 90s girl group?
8 Tahini is a paste made from ground what?
9 Michelin, the company that publishes well-known restaurant guides, also manufactures what?
10 True or false: a dodecahedron is a polygon with 12 angles and 12 sides?
No. 326
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Garden club
The Sunshine Golden Age Garden Club meets on the second Wednesday of the month at Glengala Community Centre, corner Simmie Street and Glengala Road, Sunshine West at 7pm. The next meeting on 8 July will feature a guest speaker talking about growing begonias. New members welcome. Contact president Helen Reid on 9746 3933 or reidhm@hotmail.com
National seniors meeting
On the first Wednesday of every month at 1.30pm, the metro west branch of national seniors meets at the Deer Park Club, with meals available to purchase. The group also holds lunches on different Fridays each month, as well as activities such as theatre visits, bus trips and more. 0425 713 004, or lesley1.collins@outlook.com
St Albans Bowls Club
Everyone is welcome at St Albans Bowlsno matter age, gender or ability. Whether you’re an experienced bowler or just curious to give it a try, the club would love to see more locals on the green. The club hosts social bowls every Thursday and Saturday at noon at Kings Park Reserve, off Magnolia Avenue, Kings Park. Come along for a friendly game, meet new people and spend time in great company. stalbans.bowls.com.au, stalbansbowlsclub@bigpond.com, or 9366 0290
Living and Learning in Sunshine Duke Street Community House invites community members interested in getting to know the local area whilst practicing their language skills to join this fun and social English class. Held Thursdays 12.30-3pm (term time only) at Duke Street Community House, 27 Duke Street, Sunshine. www.dsch.org.au/
Deer Park Lions Club
Deer Park Lions Club is looking for new members. It holds dinner meetings on the first Wednesday of every month at the Deer Park Senior Citizens Club, 119 Station Road, Deer Park. Michael, 0417 307 572
Queers Out West
Queers Out West is social programming for LGBTQIA+ adults to build community, hosted by commUnity+ Neighbourhood House. The program features creative arts sessions and relaxed fireside-style conversations with queer icons across diverse fields. Sessions run from 4.30-5.30pm on Tuesdays at 822 Ballarat Road, Deer Park.
The Gathering Table
Join other locals for cooking and gardening workshops during May where participants make the most of the garden beds at commUnity+ Neighbourhood House. Sessions run from noon-1pm on Wednesdays at 822 Ballarat Road, Deer Park. Food and plants provided.
Budding Artists
Whether it’s your first time dabbling in art or you’re fully-fledged, Budding Artists is an art program for all abilities. This term’s theme is Celebrating Women in Art. Sessions are hosted by commUnity+ Neighbourhood House and run from 11am-12.30pm on Thursdays at 822 Ballarat Road, Deer Park. No bookings required.
Crafternoons
Duke Street Community House is inviting locals to a free adult social opportunity
to get together and be creative. Learn a new craft or bring along your own craft projects. Tuesdays during school terms, 12.30-2.30pm, at the Duke Street Community House, 27 Duke Street, Sunshine. 9311 9973, or dukest@dsch.org.au
Over 50’s club
The Keilor Over 50’s Recreation Club meets at Kealba Hall, 24 McShane Drive, Kealba, on Tuesdays, from 10am-3pm, and Wednesdays, from 7-10pm. Have a coffee and a chat, play social table tennis, pool and card games, go on organised outings and enjoy barbecues. First two visits are free then annual membership fees apply. Graeme, 0404 809 640, keilorover50@gmail.com, or www.keilorover50.com.au
Popcorn Musical Fun and Learning
Join Popcorn Musical Fun and Learning, a free, evidence-based early education program that combines music, play, and connection for families with children aged 0-5 years. Running for eight weeks, on Tuesdays, 10.30am-12.30pm, this program is designed to incorporate singing, stories, and fun activities to support your child’s development. Running from February 11 onwards at the Sunshine Heights Playgroup Centre, 105 Glengala Road. 9663 6733, or events@ds.org.au
Hillside Probus Club
Hillside Probus Club is open to new members. Membership is open to retired and semi-retired professional and businesspersons and others with a similar background. The group meets from 10.30am-12.30pm every first Thursday of the month at Watergardens Hotel, 431
Kings Road, Taylors Lakes. There are no upper or lower age limits and the club is for men and women, couples and singles. Join for a cuppa and chat. hillsideprobus@gmail.com
St Albans senior citizens
St Albans Senior Citizens group meet at the centre at the corner of Alfrieda and William streets, St Albans, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 9am-2pm. Annual membership: $10. Cost: $1 entry on attendance day.
Beverley, 040 3685 632
Activities for older adults
Keilor Activities for Older Adults meets every Tuesday at 10am for walks and social connection. Whether you can walk for 30, 60 or 90 minutes, you are welcome to come along and join in. The group also has lunches and other social get-togethers throughout the year.
Lynda, 0431 345 161
Free Bingo
Locals, especially seniors, can enjoy bingo but with a twist. binGO move encourages participants to get active, make friends and improve physical and mental wellbeing all while enjoying a classic game. Sessions run fortnightly on Thursdays from 1.30-2.30pm at St Albans Tin Shed, 309a Main Road East, St Albans. 9366 4302
Deer Park Probus Club
The Deer Park Probus Club meets at the Deer Park Club, 780 Ballarat Road, Deer Park on the second Wednesday of the month from February to December. Meet at 10am followed by lunch available from noon. The club offers bus trips, lunches,
morning melodies etc. New members welcome. 0427 495 584
Keilor Park Tennis Club social night
Join the club on Monday nights for a free social hit and get to know other club members. All levels are welcome. Female players are also required for Thursday competition from 10am-2pm and also for the B-grade mixed team on Wednesday, 7-9pm.
keilorparktennis@gmail.com
Maltese Folklore Association
All seniors are warmly invited to join Klabb Ghannejja Maltin (Maltese Folklore Association) and enjoy the friendly atmosphere the club provides. The club is open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with traditional Maltese folk music held every Friday night and social nights hosted once a month on Saturday nights. Come to 4/6 Gooding Street, St Albans, meet new friends, and enjoy the wonderful Maltese culture and entertainment.
9356 4638
Women’s only conversation English Duke Street Community House is inviting locals to make friends, learn new skills and practice English in this fun and free women’s social group. Tuesdays during school terms, 9.30am-noon, at Duke Street Community House, 27 Duke Street, Sunshine. 9311 9973, or dukest@dsch.org.au
This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of Seaworks chief executive Glenn Jones. (Damjan Janevski) 558131_01
Metal bands make a noise
Five local heavy metal bands will take a stand against war when they play a charity gig in Footscray on the afternoon of Saturday 20 June.
Metal Against War is a multi-artist show at Mama Chen’s hosted by the Workers’ Weekly Guardian.
Allprofitsfromtheshowwillgotowards the Palestinian Australian New Zealand Medical Association (PANZMA), an organisation that places clinicians from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific in Palestinian hospitals.
Headlining Metal Against War will be Melbourne thrash outfit Electric Funeral
l who are no strangers to voicing their opposition to war and calling for peace.
Electric Funeral recently released a version of Men Behind The Wire in protest of Israeli president Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia in February.
“We’re very troubled by intensification of violence and repression over the past few years, particularly towards the people ofPalestine,Iran,Lebanon,Sudan,Congo, andVenezuela,”abandspokespersonsaid explaining why they were playing the gig .
“We think that as westerners living within the imperial core, it’s our responsibility to not only make our
ideological opposition to this clear, but also to materially contribute to the wellbeingofthesepeopletothebestofour ability.”
Joining Electric Funeral on the bill will be young Melbourne outfit Dehumanizer, death metal and grindcore act Hand of Fear, industrial death metal band Knife andso-called“crustydeathmetalsatirists ”Küntsqüad (pronounced Kountskard).
The first band starts at 1pm.
Tickets are available online now and will also be sold on the door.
Ballan is set to go full country on Saturday 20 June, with the Ballan Bakehouse and Bar hosting an all-day Country Hoedown packed full with live music, dancing, and plentyofwestern-styleflair.
The festivities kick off from 12.30pm as Bryan Sadler takes the stage with live music to get the crowd warmed up. Then, from 4pm, Dean Smith will keep the tunes rolling into the afternoon, creating the perfect soundtrack for a laid-back country gathering.
From 7pm, the hoedown shifts into high
gear as bootscooting takes over the venue, with guests encouraged to dust off their cowboy hats, pull up their boots, and slip into their flannels to hit the dance floor for an evening of country-style line-dancing andwesternfun.
The event promises a relaxed atmosphere wherelocalsandvisitorscanrounduptheir friends,grabacolddrinkandenjoyaclassic SaturdaydayandnightoutinBallan.
Organisers say the hoedown is all about goodmusic,greatcompany,andembracing abitofthatcountryspirit.
Whether you’re a seasoned line dancer or just looking for a fun night out, the Ballan Country Hoedown is shaping up as one of the town’s standout entertainment events thiswinter.
So get on down to Ballan Bakehouse and Bar,locatedat110InglisStreet,Ballan,from 12.30pm for a jam packed day of country andwesternshenanigans.
Itta Somaia recently moved to the Macedon Ranges, with her exhibition showcasing the dramatic beauty of hernewhome.
Anavidhiker,Somaiaregularlysets out with her painting kit, stopping to recordfleetingmomentsofcolourand lightthatdefinethelocallandscape.
Somaia said she is deeply influenced by the impressionist movement through her family of artists, prompting her to develop a bold intuitive style beginning with acrylic under-painting before completingeachpieceinwater-based oils.
She favours palette knives to build a rich textured surface and incorporates oils for the vivid colours andblazingsunsetsshe’sseenaround theMacedonRanges.
Her exhibition features a mixture of large and small works, with all pieces celebrating Somaia’s mission to bring abundant colour and light intohomes.
She invites the community to visit her exhibition and experience the Macedon Ranges as seen through the eyes of an artist who walks its trials andpaintsitsjoy.
Somaia’s exhibition is on display nowuntilSunday5July.
The Gallery is open 10am to 4pm Friday to Tuesday at 684 Mount MacedonRoad,MountMacedon.
There’s plenty to do in Brimbank in June to ward off the winter blues
From pickleball to the magic of butterflies, Brimbankhassomethingtoencourageyou out of the house this winter.
As part of Men’s Health Matters on Wednesday 17 June, visit the Tin Shed in St Albans for a men’s health information session, circuit workout, a coffee and a relaxed chat.
On the same day, learn how to play pickleball at West Sunshine Community Centre.
On Thursday 18 June, Westvale
Community Centre will host Brimbank’s Men’s Health Day event from 11am-2pm.
Attendees can hear from former AFL footballer Russell Robertson, enjoy a fresh haircut from the barber, relax with a massage, grab a coffee from the barista, and dig into a sausage sizzle.
There’llalsobegiveaways,healthservice information, and more to explore.
On Tuesday 30 June, an interactive educational and hands-on school holiday butterfly incursion will take centre-stage
at Westvale Community Centre in Kings Park.
Butterfly Kidz will demonstrate the fascinating life cycle of these amazing creatures.
Children will also have an opportunity to observe butterflies up close inside a special butterfly tent.
Brimbank mayor Virginia Tachos said Brimbank’s jam-packed June events calendar has something for everyone.
“With cost-of-living pressures at the
front of all of our minds, I’m really looking forward to the food dehydration workshop at the Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre on Saturday 20 June,” she said.
“Sustainability educator Anna the Urban Nana will guide you through all the techniques.You’llalsoenjoysomesamples and make your own blend of dehydrated foods to take home, so it should be a lot of fun.”
Details: www.events.brimbank.vic.gov. au
Hanging around the Rock by Itta Somaia is on display now at The Gallery. (Supplied)
Melbourne thrash outfit Electric Funeral will headline Metal Against War at Mama Chen’s in Footscray on 20 June. (Supplied)
The Neon Cowboy himself Edward Kays will lead the Country Hoedown at Ballan Bakehouse and Bar on Saturday 20 June. (Damjan Janevski). 505720_02
“My
He has now passed away but some of his patients still come in for a check-up. Not only is this inspirational, it also demonstrates that good surgery outlasts the surgeon,” Dr Stubbs says.
A specialist who helps people who have been advised they are unsuitable for laser surgery, Dr Stubbs is also committed to demonstrating that age, corneal distortion or astigmatism are no barriers to eliminating the need for glasses.
One of my best moments was treating a 12-year-old girl who was struggling at school because of poor vision due to congenital cataracts even with the use of thick glasses. Now 10 years later, she still has 20/20 vision without glasses. That inspires me.
“Seeing my patients’ bright smiles after surgery, as they stop squinting and can read without glasses, is definitely the best part of my job.”
No referral is needed and no out-of-pocket expenses are incurred for an assessment to enable all options available to be considered.
SPORTS QUIZ
1. Which two ice hockey teams competed in the 2026 Stanley Cup Final series?
2. Which American golfer recently won the 2026 US Women’s Open?
3. For which club was Carlton coach Josh Fraser the first pick in the 1999 AFL draft?
4. Australian athlete Kurtis Marschall competes in which track and field event?
11. Which German tennis player won the 2026 French Open men's singles title?
12. What sport is also known as ‘the sweet science’?
Which two Big Bash League cricket franchises are reportedly set to
13. In which film does Tom Cruise star as a sports agent?
Which Russian tennis player won the 2026 French Open women's
14. Who was the only previous Grand Slam champion to play in the quarterfinals at the 2026 French Open?
Defensive end Myles Garrett was recently traded to which California-based
Defensive end M Garrett was rece to California-bas NFL
San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper is the son of which five-time NBA champion?
Oscar Piastri recently appeared operating a tractor on which television series?
15. Which three AFL clubs reportedly have over 100,000 club members each in 2026?
16. What was the only world record broken at the 2026 Enhanced Games?
17. As well as performanceenhancing drugs, what else contributed to breaking the record?
18. Mat Hoffman is considered one of the greatest athletes to ever compete in which sport?
20. In 2026, who became the lowest ranked tennis player in history to reach the French Open final?
21. Which arena does the Canberra Brave play ice hockey out of in the AIHL?
22. What is the nickname of Jacksonville’s NFL team?
23. How many points is the black ball worth in snooker?
26. Wilhelm Steinitz is the first universally recognised champion of which sport?
27. True or false: tug of war was once an Olympic sport?
28. Which four Premier League teams have ‘United’ in their names?
29. Which company provides the official game balls for the WNBA, NBA and NCAA?
Which soccer superstar left PSG before the club went on to win back-to-back Champions League
19. Which soccer player gained five million followers after an influencer labelled him the least known player at the FIFA World Cup?
24. Which two NBA teams did Australian Andrew Gaze play for?
25. In which year did the Matildas reach the semifinals at the FIFA Women’s World Cup?
30. Who won the first AFLW Best and Fairest award?
Best value plug-in electric
By Alistair Kennedy, Marque Motoring
Inwhatisamajormilestone,monthlysales figuresreleasedbytheFederalChamberof Automotive Industries have shown that, in February,ChinabecameAustralia’slargest sourceofnewvehiclesovertakingJapanfor the first time since 1998.
The data also showed four Chinese brands now sit in the top ten positions led by BYD, now the sixth biggest seller, ahead of GWM (7th), Chery (9th) and MG (10th).
Almost half of BYD sales are of its four-model Sealion SUV range, with either fully electric or plug-in hybrid drivetrains.
The most recent arrival, and our review here, is the BYD Sealion 5. At 4.7 metres it’s around the same size as Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson but unlike them, it’s a plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
Marginally larger than the Sealion 5 is the Sealion 6, also a five-seat PHEV, but withtheoptionofasecondmotor,therefore AWD. The Sealion 7 is slightly larger again, still with five seats but EV only with single or dual motors. Top of the range is the Sealion 8, a seven-seat premium PHEV people mover.
RATINGS
Looks: 7/10
is barely noticeable and can be operated manually through a small switch on the centre console.
We were able to take the Sealion 5 over a couple of our favourite rural drives including plenty of hills, hollows and bends. As with most mid-sized SUV’s it doesn’t have any sporting pretensions but handling is safe with little body roll.
Suspension is relatively firm but not at the expense of comfort.
Performance: 8/10
Safety: 7/10
Thirst: 9/10
While there are the latest safety and convenience features that are now commonplace in the latest vehicles, many use physical controls rather than through the screens. Those that do are easy to locate and rather than the usual beeps and bongs most of the alerts are by voice and we found that the only feature we bothered turning off was the lane correction.
Practicality: 7/10
Comfort: 7/10
Tech: 7/10
Value: 9/10
The Sealion 5 PHEV comes in two variants.Theheadlineactistheentry-level Essential which, with a price of $33,990 plus on-roads, is currently the cheapest plug-in hybrid vehicle on the Australian market.
The other variant, Premium, which comes with a larger battery and extra features is priced at $37,990 plus onroad costs.
Styling
Design of the Sealion 5 is relatively conservativeincomparisontootherrecent BYD offerings. It’s a relatively old-style boxy wagon with a mildly sloping roofline. The front features what BYD calls a ‘Dragon Face’ design dominated by a wide boldgrilleflankedbyrecessedthree-beam LED headlights and daytime running lights.
Above the grille is a full-width satin metallic bar with an integrated BYD logo. Both variants get 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels.
The rear features a full-width LED taillight strip and an integrated roof spoiler.
Sealion 5 Premium adds a panoramic sunroof, roof rails, one-touch powered tailgate, heated and powered folding side mirrorsandauto-dimminginteriormirror.
There are four colour options: Aurora White, Cosmos Black, Atlantis Grey and Harbour Grey.
Interior
Synthetic leather seats with orange stitchingarestandard.Thechunkysteering wheel also gets the same finish. The driver andfrontpassengerbothgetpoweredseats with the driver’s also adding heating and ventilation.
Both models get a 8.8-inch digital instrumentpanel.Essentialhasa10.1-inch infotainment screen compared to the 12.8-inch screen in the Premium. The resolution is sharp and clear on both screensbutareletdownseriouslybyavery small typeface.
The centre console has a cylindrical gear selector. It’s in piano black with the gear selection difficult to read in bright sunlight. The start/stop button start sits below it with a number of physical buttons on either side.
There’s a large storage box as well as some extra space below the console. Premium adds a wireless phone charger.
The 2.7-metre wheelbase together with the underfloor battery location provides excellent rear seat space.
There are large, easily adjustable air vents both at the front and rear.
Boot space is 463 litres with the rear seatbacks in place, 1410 litres with them folded. There’s some partitioned storage space beneath the boot floor but no spare wheel, just the rarely reliable puncture repair kit.
Powertrains
Both Sealion 5 variants combine a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine with a choice of two BYD Blade Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries.
The Essential’s battery has a 12.9 kWh capacity and a claimed 71km EV driving range. The Premium’s 18.3 kWh battery extends that range to 100km. However, these numbers come from the outdated NEDC testing method. Using the more real world WLTP system range drops to about 62km and 86km.
Power and torque from the engine are a modest 72 kW and 122 Nm.
During low-to-medium speed driving andwhenasurgeofaccelerationisneeded, both the engine and battery supply power to the drive motor in parallel.
Transmission is through BYD’s DM-I Super Hybrid system where the engine charges the battery and, most of the time, the motor powers the vehicle.
Sealion5hasatowingcapacityof750kg, both braked and unbraked.
Safety
Sealion5hasyettoundergoANCAPtesting but has a similar range of safety features as the Sealion 6 and 7 models which have gained five-star ratings so should achieve the same.
Active safety features include front and rear collision warning, electronic brake force distribution, lane-keep assist and lane-change warning, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and an intelligent high beam system.
Infotainment
Premier gets a nine-speaker HD sound systemcomparedtothesix-speakersystem in the Premium.
Other features are shared including satellitenavigation,wirelessAppleCarPlay andAndroidAuto,voicecontrols,frontand rear USB-A and USB-C ports, DAB radio and 4G cloud services.
The BYD app provides a range of connected services including pre-setting climate control, unlocking and locking the doors, opening the sunroof, monitoring of charge levels and system functions, checking tyre pressures and Over The Air (OTA) updates.
Driving
Fellow Boomers often find getting into and out of vehicles challenging so we were delighted to be able to slide into the front seat of the Sealion 5 with minimal effort.
External visibility is excellent all round withalargewindscreenandsidewindows.
Likewise, the rear windscreen is large with low-slung headrests. Kids will appreciate the low sills on the rear windows.
Sealion5isarelativelyheavyfamilySUV so,whileithastheusualsharpacceleration that we expect from a battery powered vehicle it’s more sedate than pure EVs.
Once underway the Super Hybrid drivetrain provides a smooth and comfortable driving experience. The transition from electric to hybrid and back
BYDclaimsacombineddriving rangeof1001kmwiththeEssential and 1030km from the Premium. Like the claimed electric only ranges quoted earlier these are based on the older NEDC test method. On the more realistic WLTP method these drop to around 800km. Both variants only come with an AC charging port, with the Essential grade able to achieve maximum battery charge inaroundfourhours,thePremiumwithits larger capacity battery near six hours.
A Vehicle to Load (V2L) function is standard, enabling the onboard battery to be used as a power source for external appliances, lighting or camping.
Plug-in hybrids make a lot of sense, combining the economy of an EV but without the stress of being stranded away from a charging point.
Regular readers can skip the next bit because each time we review a PHEV we need to explain how the manufacturers come up with extremely low fuel consumption numbers. In the case of the Sealion 5 Premium that we tested its around 1.3 litres per 100km.
Such a number can only be achieved by starting with a fully-charged battery and driving until, when battery power drops below 25 percent, the vehicle switches to hybrid mode for the remainder of the 100 km trip To continue to achieve that 1.3 L/100km it will now be necessary to stop and fully recharge the battery. Without DC charging this isn’t an option so recharging on long-distance trips will typically be at overnight stays.
To its credit BYD does quote the fuel consumption after the battery drops out as 4.5 L/100km. Perfectly respectable usage for a typical hybrid SUV of similar size.
Summary
Plug-in hybrid vehicles are still relatively rare in Australia. Indeed, during our week-long test of the Sealion 5, we often found ourselves having to explain the technology to fellow road users.
While its combination of EV economy without the risk of being stranded makes perfect sense, the price surcharge of previous PHEVs above conventional petrol and hybrids kept budget-conscious buyers away.
That barrier disappears with the price of Sealion 5 sitting around and even below those of well-established mid-sized non-PHEVSUVs.
The lack of DC, or even fast AC, charging is disappointing but owners will no doubt build their routines around these limitations.
BYD looks to be on a real winner here.
BYD looks to be on a real winner with its Sealion 5. (Pictures: Supplied)
TIPPING 2026
Benny Nguyen OBrien
Sunny Sunday of action
Star Weekly photographer Ljubica Vrankovic was out shooting some of the action on Sunday, with plenty of action on the court and on the field.
Sunbury Jets’ Abby Hildebrand. 559186_02 Newport watches on. 559195_04
Falcons upset the Hawks
By Tara Murray
The City West Falcons are no longer going under the radar in the Victorian Netball League.
The four-time reigning championships had a slow start to the season after a number of changes in the off-season.
Having started to string some wins together, the Falcons inflicted ladder leaders, the Hawks, first loss of the season on Wednesday.
In a close match all night, the Falcons did enough to win, 70-65.
Falcons’ coach Marg Lind was happy with the four quarter performance from her playing group.
She said it was one match that they thought would be difficult to get the win.
“Much better defensive effort all over the court,” she said.
“It was a good defensive effort. I thought the attack end picked their moments in the last quarter when it really counted.
“We had gone three or four up in each quarter, and threw a stupid ball. We talked about at the break, if we got to two or three up we had to value the ball at the top.”
Lind said they were put under a fair bit of physical pressure and had been able to stand up under it.
Jane Cook shot 65 goals at 100 per cent for the Falcons.
Lind said they didn’t rotate their side as much as they normally would, which allowed players to settle.
Pleasingly, their three younger players Lani Fauonuku, Achel Yout and Lara Turner all had really strong games.
“I thought Lani had a coming out game,” Lind said.
“She only maybe a quarter in total, she was really steady and it was really important for her moving forward.
“I thought Achel did well. Again another young one that turned the corner.
“Lara was lucky with Soli [Ropati] a bit tight in warm up. We went with Lara and her mum and her identical twin sister had come down for her 21st. I thought she was good and made just one passing error.”
Lind said they had looked at ways to try and get some more intercepts and turned over the ball, which has worked so far.
After 13 rounds, the Falcons sit fourth
Eagles win through to cup national stage
By Tara Murray
North Sunshine Eagles are hoping to carry the momentum of making it through to the national stage of the Australia Cup into the Victorian Premier League 1 season.
While the Eagles’ VPL1 season hasn’t been what they had been hoping for, the Eagles showed what they could do with a stunningwininroundsevenoftheAustraliaCup and Dockerty Cup.
Facing Avondale, the Eagles won 3-2.
The win sends the Eagles into the last 32 of the Australia Cup and the last four of the Dockerty Cup.
“It’s amazing,” Eagles coach Ben Isai said. “It was almost promotion like scenes after the match.
“We’ve never been there [the national stage] and the club is looking forward to what is next.
“It wasn’t just the result, it was the way that we won. We were the better team.”
Isai said they had several young players in their squad against Avondale as they manage their squad with multiple competi-
tions still in action.
He said for those players it was a pretty special moment to be apart of.
Isai said having never been in this situation before, he didn’t realise how much it meant to the whole club to make the Australia Cup finals.
“To be on the national stage is pretty massive,” he said.
“We’vehadsomebigmomentsinthehistory of the club in getting to where we are now.
“Whenever it is and whoever we play it will be big.
“Somehow if it’s at Larissa Reserve it will be even bigger.”
IftheEaglesaretodrawanA-Leagueclub it will be the first time the club has played a fully fledged side from the country’s top competition.
“It would be an amazing thing to experience not just for the players but the coaches to play the best players in Australia,” Isai said.
Whileexcitedforwhatliesaheadwiththe Australia Cup and Dockerty Cup, Isai and
on the ladder with eight wins and five losses.
Lind said they wouldn’t take their foot off the pedal.
“We are still a work in progress,” she said. “We coached pretty technically tonight which is a different approach.
“We also swapped our attacking and defence coaches the last two weeks just to change it up a bit.
“We figured you have to win nine games and we are aiming to get there and see what happens.
“If we don’t improve, we won’t go far in finals.”
The Falcons 23 and under side had a 64-52 win against the Hawks.
The Falcons face the Geelong Cougars this week.
Rocci, Bourne called up
Keilor Thunder pair Maddy Rocci and Issie Bourne have been named in the Opalssquadfornextmonth’sserieswith China.
TheOpalswillfaceChinaon7and9July at John Cain Arena in their final home seriesbeforetheFIBAWomen’sWorldCupin GermanythisSeptember.
Victorian products Sitaya Fagan and Bonnie Deas have earned their first Opals call-ups and are set to make their senior international debuts on home soil in Melbourne.
The Frankston Blues juniors have progressed through Basketball Australia’s pathway system and the Centre of Excellence before earning opportunities in the NCAA.
Fagan is set to commence her freshman season later this year at the University of Southern California (USC), while Deas has transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) from the University of Arkansas.
Experienced forward Darcee Garbin returns to the Opals fold for her first appearance in the green and gold in two years afterrecentlyreturningtothecourtfollowing thebirthofdaughter,Rosie.
Cayla George, Steph Reid, Chloe Bibby and Zitina Aokuso headline a group boastingastackofinternationalexperience.
The quartet were members of the Opals squad that swept through the FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament in Türkiye earlier this year, finishing with a perfect5–0record.
the Eagles short team focus is on the VPL1 competition.
After 16 rounds, the Eagles sit second bottom with just four wins for the season.
Isai said they know that they don’t have muchwriggleroomiftheywanttoremainin VPL1 next season.
“OnSaturdaywewereagainstMelbourne Knights, again we put in a good performance and were lucky not to win,” he said.
“You could see the belief. We have four home games in a row and hopefully we can change our season.
“It’s a different prospect to last year. We haven’t changed too much on how we approach it.”
The Eagles were set to face Melbourne Srbija on Sunday, after deadline.
Isai said that match and the following round against Northcote City were both big matches for the side and the context of their season.
In other matches that were scheduled for the weekend, Melbourne Knights was at home on Friday night against Brunswick Juventus, also after deadline.
Championship-winningTownsvilleFire trio Alicia Froling, Abbey Ellis and Courtney Woods also earn selection following a standout2025–26WNBLcampaign.
Continuing her international rise, Issie Bournereturnstotheline-upaftermaking her senior debut and helping the Opals claim gold at the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cuplastyear.
Fresh from recent opportunities in the WNBA,AlexWilson,AlexFowlerandMaddy Rocci will also join the squad.
Wilson recently spent time on the Washington Mystics roster, Fowler earned adevelopmentcontractwiththeNewYork Liberty, while Rocci was part of WNBA expansion franchise Toronto Tempo’s training camp under Opals coach Sandy Brondello.
AmyAtwellisalsosettoarriveinstrong form after helping the Australian Gangurrus claim a silver medal at the 2026 FIBA 3x3 World Cup in Poland. Atwell was recognisedamongthetournament’sstandout performers, earning team of the tournamenthonours.
Julien Barras. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 543459_11
Battaglia’s special day
By Tara Murray
After umpiring more than 1400 football matches, you wouldn’t expect 83-year-old Paul Battaglia to get nervous.
But this Saturday, as he steps between the goal posts for the Western Football League division 1 match between Spotswood and Sunshine on 20 June, it’s anything but a normal game.
Battaglia will umpire his 500th division 1 match, with the league saying that it is an unprecedented record.
“It is special,” he said ahead of the milestone.
“I’ve heard from a lot of other umpires and I’m getting a bit nervous.
“I normally just go and do the game and not worry about anything. There will be
people that are coming to watch me, which I’m getting nervous about.”
Battaglia officially umpired his first match in 1995.
But he was umpiring before then.
“I’m a life member of the Kingsville Football Club, which is now Yarraville Seddon,” he said.
“I used to do boundary umpiring for the club. One of the field umpires in the under-17s on a Sunday, said why don’t you run the boundary, you’d get A-grade games.
“I thought who wants to be an umpire. A year later I went down.”
While he liked running Battaglia decided that being a goal umpire was for him and the rest is history.
“I’m lucky to do it,” he said. “I do two games on a Saturday, seniors and reserves,
and used to do a lot of games on a Sunday “I was getting old so I can’t do that much.”
Battaglia said his love of umpiring keeps him coming back each year and he wants to continue on for as long as he can.
Before umpiring, Battaglia was a trainer for Kingsville. He didn’t really play football
Lucas Failli.
Sharks fight to the final siren to secure win
By Tara Murray
It was hearts in mouth stuff again for Hillside as it recorded its third one point win of the Essendon District Football League premier division season.
The Sharks caused its third upset of the season to go one step further to cementing its spot in the top flight, beating Maribyrnong Park.
Just like their wins against Airport West and Aberfeldie, the Sharks had to fight to the final siren with the margin just one point.
“They don’t make it easy for us,” Sharks coach Mo Kaakour said.
“It was really important with an eightpoint game coming up next week with Greenvale.
“I thought we trained really well during the week and there was a little bit of form at training.”
Coming off the bye, Kaakour said it had come at the perfect time after back-to-back losses against last season’s grand finalists Strathmore and Keilor.
He said it allowed them to reset and rest
a few bodies.
The Sharks brought back in Robbie Castello for Saturday and he was instrumental in the win.
Theo Peteinarias also came into the side after knocking down the door in the reserves and played some good footy.
Kaakour said the match with the Lions was a tale of two halves, with the Sharks winning 10.7 (67)-8.18 (66).
“I thought we came out of the blocks with plenty of pressure,” he said. “We forced them back and were able to play the game in our front half with our forward pressure.
“We knew at half time that they would come out and have a real crack. We were able to force those shots that they missed from wide angles, not in front.
“The last quarter was a see-saw and they got a little bit of momentum. We were able to hold on.”
Kaakour said having played in those close matches and getting results earlier in the season helped them against the Lions.
He said they had to hold on for a minute and half after the Lions got the margin with-
and only took to the field in the reserves when someone didn’t turn up and he played under their names.
Battaglia said the friendships were the biggest thing for him out of umpiring.
“It’s the friends around me that I love,” he said.
“I’ve been coached by some good coaches. I’ve been lucky in my life. My wife looked after me… Everything was done when I came home.
“It was good.”
Umpiring on the MCG is among the other highlights for Battaglia but for him, every game is a game no matter where it is played.
“I just go out there and do the best I can in the game,” he said.
“Umpiring is one thing, friendship is another thing.”
Heal earns WNBL contract
Keilor Thunder guard Tess Heal has signed her first WNBL contract.
The Southside Flyers announced that Heal had signed with the club for the next two seasons, pening WNBL review and approval.
The Flyers said Heal was one of Australian basketball’s most exciting young talents and she arrives at the Flyers as the club continues to assemble a roster capable of thrilling fans and challenging the league’s top teams.
in one kick.
“Every Tuesday night we have full scale match simulation in those situations,” Kaakour said.
“It holds us in good stead, but we don’t want to get in too many more.”
Castello, Lucas Failli and James McNaughton kicked two goals each for the Sharks.
Castello, Fort Caruso and Atu Bosenavulagi were named the Sharks best.
The win moves the Sharks to eighth on the ladder with three wins in their first season in the top flight.
Since 2012, just one team has won three matches in the top flight and finished bottom and been relegated.
Kaakour said they need to continue to get better each week, which they believe they have been doing.
“We will take 3-6,” he said. “We could have won a couple more and been 5-4.
“We want to be competitive and compete with the best.
“We want to stay in games for longer and pinch a few more wins.”
For Heal, the move is also a homecoming after playing college basketball in the USA.
“I’m so excited to be joining the Flyers and coming home to Melbourne for the next two seasons,” Heal said.
“Melbourne has always been home for me, so to have the opportunity to play in front of family, friends and the local basketball community means a lot.
“The club has a really exciting vision for the future, and I wanted to be part of that. I can’t wait to get on the court, meet the fans and represent the Flyers.”
Flyers coach Sam Mackinnon said Heal’s commitment was a significant addition for the club.
“When recruiting Tess it was clear she understands the game and has a clear vision of where she wants her game to go,” he said.
Heal played her junior basketball at Keilor and is now part of the club’s National Basketball League 1 south side.
Paul Battaglia in action during his career. (Western FNL)
(Sport Star Photos)
Tess Heal. (Sarah Pretty Creative/NBL1)
By Tara Murray
The Sunshine Kangaroos continue to grow in confidence as they produced one of their greatest wins in recent history in the Western Football League division 1 competition on Saturday.
In tough conditions, the Kangaroos knockedoffreigningpremiersWerribee Districts, the side’s first win against the Tigers since 2017.
“It’s massive,” Kangaroos’ coach Guy Barbuto said.
Sharks win thriller
Barbuto said the first quarter was pristine with a breeze to one end before the weather turned.
There were no more than eight points between the sides at any of the breaks, with the Kangaroos leading by four points heading into the final quarter.
The Kangaroos found the only goal of thefinalquarteratthesixminutemark, to come away with a 6.10 (46)-4.15 (39) win.
Barbuto said it didn’t stop raining after quarter time.
“They are something we aspire to, being a top four or five team. To get the win over the reigning premiers is awesome.
“We haven’t had a win like that in my time. We beat Parkside in round four, sotodothisinroundnineafterapretty disappointing performance against Caroline Springs, was fantastic.”
“We were down one play eight minutes into the first and then down two players 18 minutes into the third quarter.
“The character and courage the boys showed to hold on was awesome.”
“The list is starting to get a bit tested with injuries,” he said.
“We will hopefully get a few back this week and stay competitive in the run home.
“We’ve got Spotswood away this week which will be an interesting test with the weather forecast with rain.
“It’llbeinterestingtoseewhattypeof game it is.”
Albion sits a game outside the top five after losing to Yarraville Seddon on Saturday.
Coming off the bye, the Kangaroos and Tigers were faced with tough conditions which made scoring
Xavier Kardachi kicked two goals for the Kangaroos, while Tom Davidson, Ethan Dotchin and Ben Mazziol were named the Kangaroos best.
Barbuto said they were unsure how bad the game ending injuries to Noah Smallacombe and Marcus Mangion
conditions which made difficult bad the game to Noah Smallacombe and Marcus were.
The Cats failed to make the most of their opportunities in the 14.6 (90)-7.17 (59) loss. The Eagles kicked five goals to one in the final quarter to seal the win.
Daniel Rosenzweig kicked four goals in the loss.
Caroline Springs remains at the top of the table after beating Newport in a thriller.
Eagles big milestone
Cobras score an important win Roos stun Tigers
By Tara Murray
Albanvalegotanimportantwininthe race for finals in the Western Football League division 2 competition.
With several sides pushing for finals spots, the Cobras were able to get the job done against the Suns on Saturday.
It was an arm wrestle all day and the Cobras were able to hold off the Suns, 10.11 (71)-8.5 (53).
Cobras’ coach Scott Oldfield said things were starting to come together for the side.
“It was a great win,” he said. “The lads are starting to play some good footy.
“We have a whole new group and a few new recruits in the side. It was alwaysgoingtotakealittlebitoftime.
“We changed the game plan and showed progress throughout the season.”
(80)-10 12 (72)
Most of the scoring was done in the first half as the Lakers won, 11.14 (80)-10.12 (72).
Beau was named Lakers best.
e win moves the Kangaroos into the top five, as they have a 6-3 record.
The win moves the into the top five, as have a 6-3 record.
Barbuto said they need to continue to keep the pressure on as it gets to the tough part of the season.
Barbuto said continue to keep the pressure on as to the part of the season
Beau O’Connell was named the e Lakers and Yarraville Seddon sit
Having come off the break, which Oldfield said came at a good time, the Cobras had a battle on their hands against the Suns.
Parkside, Altona and Hoppers Crossing were the other winners on
The equal on points on top Altona and Hoppers the other winners on Saturday
The Cobras trailed at quarter time before leading by 16 points at half time. The margin was 23 points at the last break. While the Suns won the final quarter, the Cobras had done enough.
Oldfield said they had welcomed a few players back into the side.
“It was a pretty physical match,” he said. “We had a game on our hands against a side that was in the top four last year.
“It was scrappy at times with the weather. Our ball use was good throughout the game and we stood up to the challenge.
“They came back hard and we grinded our way to stop them.”
Oldfield said at three quarter time they reminded the group that the Suns have had the wood on them for the past six or so years.”
ReeceFieldkickedfourgoalsforthe Cobras, while Zachary Papamilhail kicked three.
The pair were named their best in the win. The win moves the Cobras to fourth on the ladder, with five wins, three losses and a draw.
Oldfield said they were expecting a close run home in the fight for finals.
“There’s still a long way to go,” he said. “We have a fight on our hands moving forward.
“There’sfivesidesfightingforfourth and fifth. We have to win the games that we need to win.”
The Cobras will face the Western Rams this coming Saturday.
Inothermatches,SunshineHeights losttoNorthFootscrayandBraybrook had a massive win against Laverton.
The Dragons sit in fifth sport equal on points with the Cobras, while Braybrook is a game behind the two sides.
