Victoria’s peak recreational fishing body is calling for greater access to Melton Reservoir.
VRFish has called on Melton council and Southern Rural Water (SRW) to work together to improve public access to the waterway, warning the popular fishing destination is being undermined by a lack ofsuitableentrypoints.
VRFish executive officer Anthony McGrath highlighted the issue in a post to the organisation’s Facebook page, describing the main entry point located at the Clarkes Road end of the reservoir as “terrible”.
Mr McGrath said he had been forced to use four-wheel-drive tracks to reach the reservoir, despite its significance as its mainpublicaccesspoint.
“WearecallinguponMeltoncounciland Southern Rural Water to get together… to taketheleadershiphereandsortoutaccess to this reservoir because this is the only public access point to this very important fishery,”hesaid.
Although the reservoir can be accessed through multiple locations, steep inaccessible escarpments along the waterway’s length make it near impossible forthepublictoaccess.
Mr McGrath said Melton Reservoir was a stunning natural asset with significant potential to provide recreational fishing opportunities for the rapidly growing local population.
“There are no other waterways around thatpeoplecanfish,”hesaid.
Long-time local angler and Melton Weir development advisory committee member TonyWellssaidlackofpublicaccesswasan ongoingissueforthecommunity.
“Accessisverypoorforthegeneralpublic and for anyone who’s not connected to the boatclub,”MrWellssaid.
“The fundamental issue is it’s a public waterway and to get access to it for fishing you have to join the boat club, effectively a private organisation, to access a public waterway.”
Those looking to fish by boat need a membership with Melbourne Runabout and Speedboat Club (MRSBC), as the club
owns the only boat ramp access available at the waterway, forcing most anglers to fishalongtheshoreline.
However, Mr Wells said access for bank fishing was becoming even more limited, with the main public access point at the end of Clarkes Road facing potential closure due to concerns around rubbish dumping.
MRSBC secretary Andrew Welshe confirmed the boating club owned the rights to the only available ramp, but supported any opportunities to improve publicaccesstothelocalwaterway.
“The club’s launching facilities, boat ramps, launching trolleys and associated infrastructure are provided for authorised members and approved users in accordance with club policies,” Mr Welshe said. “Where opportunities exist to improve public access, we support collaborative discussions with
the relevant authorities, provided that safety, environmental considerations and responsible management of the waterway remainthehighestpriorities.”
An SRW spokesperson said it would work alongside Melton council’s Melton Weir development advisory committee to explore the ways in which recreational amenitycouldbeenhanced.
“We’ll continue to collaborate with the council on its Melton Weir parkland strategy which aims to improve access to the water’s edge including creating paths along the reservoir, playgrounds, picnic facilitiesandviewingplatforms,”theysaid.
They also said they are exploring the avenueforanewboatramp.
“We’re also working with Better Boating Victoriatoexplorethefeasibilityofcreating a second boat launch at the northern end of the reservoir near the railway viaduct,” theysaid.
However Mr Wells said plans for new fishing platforms on the northern side of therailbridgewereintalksforyears,yetno actionhadbeentakenasofyet.
VRFish said improving access to waterways was an important priority for Victoria’srecreationalfishers,withsuitable access points helping more people enjoy fishingclosetohome.
Mr Wells said Melton Reservoir had the potential to become a major recreational asset for the community if appropriate publicaccesswasprovided.
“This is a great facility right on the doorstep of greater Melbourne and for the most part it can’t be accessed by the public,”hesaid.
“Ifithadgoodaccess,wecouldintroduce even more people to fishing and enable themtoenjoythingsastheyshould.”
Melton council was contacted for comment.
Melton Weir development advisory committee member Tony Wells said the local waterway has lacked public access for years. (Damjan Janevski). 567313_01
Motorists should plan ahead as road works ramp up
Motorists across Melton are being urged to plan ahead, with a series of road closures and lane restrictions scheduled across the municipalityinthecomingweeks.
Council has advised drivers to allow extra travel time and consider alternate routes while works continue on a mix of council, state government, Powercor and developerprojects.
Chisholm Drive in Caroline Springs will be subject to a lane closure near Ballarat Road throughout this week until Friday 24 July, with traffic operating under shuttle flow. The road will then be fully closed this weekend on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July, with motorists directed to detour
via Westwood Drive, Ballarat Road, or Caroline Springs Boulevard, while council deliver a new wombat crossing behind WestspringsCentral.
StaughtonStreetbetweenReesRoadand Cooper Street will temporarily close each night from 10pm to 5am until Monday 27 July, excluding Thursday 23 and Friday 24 July.
Coburns Road will also close between 10pm and 6am on Thursday 23 and Friday 24 July, with detours in place via Rees, Wilson,andExfordroads.
Ongoing closures include Banchory
Avenue in Hillside, which is closed at Melton Highway until Friday 14 August for the installation of new traffic lights, while Kirkpatrick Boulevard in Truganina is closed between Hopkins Road and McKinley Drive until Friday 28 August for theconstructionofanewroundabout.
Banks Drive in Diggers Rest is also closed between Vineyard Road and Ellis DriveuntilSaturday8Septemberaspartof constructionworksforanewsupermarket.
Lane closures are also affecting Alfred and Ferris roads in Cobblebank, Bulmans Road in West Melton and Boundary Road inTruganina.
Intermittent nightly road closures are
Call for investment
By Jack O’Shea-Ayres
Melton council has called for urgent investment in the lead up to the November stateelection.
The council has launched its ’Let’s Get the City of Melton Moving’ state election campaign, calling on all major parties to commit to investing in critical transport and road upgrades required to support a rapidlygrowingpopulation.
Council is seeking a commitment to electrify and duplicate the Melton rail line by 2030, in line with Infrastructure Victoria’s recommendation, along with urgent upgrades to key arterial roads and interchanges, including the Western HighwayandHopkinsRoad.
Melton mayor Lara Carli said with the municipality’s population expected to almost double over the next 20 years, urgent investment is needed to keep up withgrowth.
“Every day, our residents are spending too long sitting in traffic or waiting for overcrowdedtrains,”shesaid.
“These are not future problems. These are challenges our community is facing now, and they will only worsen as our populationcontinuestogrow.”
The state government has set a target of 109,000 new homes and five new employment precincts for the City of Meltonby2051.
However, Cr Carli said corresponding investment in the infrastructure needed to supportthosetargetshasbeenlacking.
“Electrification of the Melton rail line was first promised in 2018 and while planning for this is underway, no clear commitment to its delivery has been made,”shesaid.
also expected along the Western Freeway, High Street, and Ferris Road between High Street and the Melton Highway Roundabout and Abey Road throughout July and August as Powercor undertakes works.
Meanwhile, several projects have also recently reached completion, with Enterprise Circuit and Royale Drive in Fraser Rise reopening following the installation of raised crossings, while Ferris Road in Cobblebank has reopened followingtheremovalofthelevelcrossing. A 40km/h speed limit is set to remain on Ferris Road until the end of this year while minorworkscontinue.
$10,000 fine for burning waste
A Kurunjuang company has been fined over $10,000 for dumping and burning industrial waste on rural landnorthofMelbourne.
The company was fined $10,176 for dumping and burning industrial wasteatapropertyinDarraweitGuim after officers from the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria inspected the Heaths Lane property on9June.
They found piles of mixed construction waste including scrap metal, timber, glass bottles, cans, spraycans,plastic,plasterboard,and wirecoatedinfiberglassinsulation. EPAfinedtheowneroftheproperty, BDSFamilyInvestment(Vic)PtyLtd, for unlawfully disposing of more than1000litresofindustrialwasteby burning, in breach of Section 115 of theEnvironmentProtectionAct2017.
EPA Northwest Regional Manager Paul Ratajczyk said this was not just abitoffarmrubbishthatshouldhave gonetolandfill.
“We received reports of loads of waste being brought in and dumped, thensetonfire,“MrRatajczyksaid.
“Dumping and burning industrial wasteisillegal,andinthiscasewasof sufficient scale to be contaminating the land and potentially nearby waterways.
Council believes the current systems won’tcopewiththeprojectedgrowth.
“Weneedaclearcommitmenttoelectrify the Melton rail line by 2030 in line with Infrastructure Victoria’s recommendation, along with new stations at Mt Atkinson, Thornhill Park, and Calder Park,” Cr
“Our residents continue to squeeze onto diesel trains that are meant to service regional areas, not a fast–growing metropolitanarea.”
Help IGNITE cultural events
Young people across Melton are being encouraged to get behind the scenes of the municipality’s live music and cultural events by joining Melton council’s IGNITE Productions Amplify Committee.
Melton council is seeking enthusiastic people aged 12 to 15 to join the committee, which gives young residents the opportunity to help plan and deliver youth-focused events throughout the community.
Funded by the state government, the Amplify program provides participants with hands-on experience in event management and the modern music industry, as well as training, mentoring and networking opportunities with industryprofessionals.
Designed to give participants an insight into what goes on behind the scenes of live events, committee members will have the chance to develop new skills, gain practical experience, and play a key role in creating and running events for young peopleacrosstheMeltoncommunity.
Council is encouraging dedicated and enthusiastic young people with an interest in live events, music, and culture to get involved for a chance to build connections and learn the basics of event planning and management. Those interested in joining IGNITE Productions can express their interest by completing the Amplify Committee ExpressionofInterestformthroughMelton council’swebsite.
Details:melton.vic.gov.au/amplify.
Carli said. “As Australia’s fastest-growing area, we can no longer afford to wait for the transport and road upgrades our communityhasbeenpromisedforyears.
“Our message to all parties contesting the Victorian election is simple: it’s time to gettheCityofMeltonmoving.”
Details: melton.vic.gov.au/ lets-get-moving.
“It is obvious pollution, producing smoke and odour, and leaving chemical residue on the ground,” Mr Ratajczyk said. “...EPA won’t hesitate toholdthepollutertoaccount.”
Report pollution at 1300 372 842 or epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution/ reporting-pollution.
Cr Dr Phillip Zada, mayor Lara Carli, Cr Julie Shannon and Cr Steve Abboushi this week launched council’s Let’s Get the City of Melton Moving state election campaign, calling on all major parties to commit to investing in critical transport and road upgrades required to support Melton’s rapidly growing population. (Supplied)
A lift for local health heroes
By Jack O’shea-Ayres
Four local legends have been honoured at thenewMeltonHospitalconstructionsite.
Construction on the new hospital reached an important milestone after four tower cranes with very special names took theirplaceonsite.
The cranes were named in honour of passionate members of healthcare, construction, and the local community who have contributed to Melbourne’s west intheirownspecialways.
Mandy the Crane honours Mandy Cullen, a lifelong Melton resident who has served as Western Health’s manager of Ambulatory Services at Melton Health and Community services since it opened in2007.
Western Health chief executive Russell HarrisonsaidMsCullenwasacknowledged for creating an excellent work culture and supporting staff members so they can providequalitycareforthecommunity.
“Mandy stood out for her leadership, her care, her compassion, and really extolling those virtues of Western Health into best care,”professorHarrisonsaid.
Ms Cullen called the naming a great honour, especially after hearing it was her own work colleagues and friends who had nominatedher.
“I felt incredibly honoured when I learned that it had been members of my teamthathadnominatedme,”shesaid.
Working with Western Health for more than 26 years, Ms Cullen said she saw the nomination as an acknowledgement and recognition of her commitment to the community.
“It was really lovely to be nominated. Lots of my friends and family get a good kickoutofseeingmynameupthereonthe crane.”
Health Infrastructure Minister Melissa Horne said Ms Cullen said “Mandy has spenttwodecadescaringforMelton,soit’s fitting one of the cranes building the new hospitalcarrieshername.”
The other three cranes honour Eddie Spiteri, recently retired Western Health chief engineer, the late Mico ‘Mitch’ Kamenjarin, a long-serving Lendlease crane driver, and Henry Ho, a local community member with a keen interest inmajorconstructionprojects.
Whencomplete,thenewMeltonHospital will deliver services and healthcare for the growing communities of Caroline Springs, Rockbank, Melton, Bacchus Marsh, and Gisborne.
The new hospital will include a 24-hour emergency department, intensive care services, maternity, neonatal, mental health,andradiologyservices,ambulatory and outpatient care and teaching, and trainingandresearchspaces.
When open, the hospital is expected to treat around 130,000 patients annually, including almost 60,000 emergency presentations.
It will also be Victoria’s first fully electric hospital, with major construction is on trackforcompletionin2029.
For details and updates: https://www. vhba.vic.gov.au/health/hospitals/newmelton-hospital.
Young mum’s brave warning about deadly bowel cancer
By Glenn Fisher
“I’mnotscared.”
Rebecca Arden is also not old. Not even close to middle-aged. So nowhere near the age when medical experts recommend getting checked for something such as bowelcancer.
“I’m choosing to focus on treatment, whichischemotherapyattheSunburyDay Hospital, and time with my family, and makingthemostofeveryday.”
Busy with her young children and a regular volunteer at Sunbury Toy Library, Rebecca said she had “many vague symptoms of being unwell“, iron deficiencies and anaemia, heavy and painful menstrual cycles, and various treatments for PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome formerly knownasPCOS)andhormonalissues.
Itwasn’tuntilfatiguesetinaboutJanuary this year, followed by a raft of blood tests, treatment for a stomach bug, and more severe gastro-intestinal pain in April that
567018_01
she was sent for a bowel screening test, colonoscopy and finally an ultrasound in June.
On 18 June, an oncologist told her there were cancerous spots on her liver and that a biopsy confirmed she had Stage 4 bowel cancerthathadspreadtoherliver.
One week later, Rebecca had a port inserted into her body, where IV lines
are now hooked up for fortnightly chemotherapy sessions at Sunbury Day Hospital and which continue at home for twodaysviaaportablevesselbeforetheIV isdetacheduntilthenextsession.
“I was also told it was a slow growing cancer, that it didn’t just appear overnight, somaybeIhavehadcancerforafewyears,” Rebeccasaid.
“Looking back, I wish bowel cancer had beenconsideredsooner.
“But my goal isn’t to blame anyone or causeunnecessaryalarm.
“If sharing my experience helps even one person receive an earlier diagnosis or encourages someone to trust their instincts, then telling my story will have madeadifference.”
Rebecca continues to look ahead as she receives her treatment, saying she wants to “continue to be the mum I was” and get back to participating in events, return to the toy library, to kindergarten and be there when the couple’s eldest daughter startsschoolnextyear.
Despite her own situation, Rebecca said shewassogratefulforhersupportnetwork of family and close friends, including her husband, parents, in-laws and sister, and had “huge respect” to frontline medical teams and especially the caring nurses at Sunshine Hospital and Sunbury Day Hospital.
“I’m sharing my story because I want other young women to know that bowel cancer isn’t just a disease of older people, and that persistent or unusual symptoms deservetobeinvestigated,”shesaid.
Early-onset bowel cancer (diagnoses for people aged under 50) now accounts for about one in nine new cases. According to the Victorian Cancer Registry, rates have surgedby65percentinthepast20years. Rebecca is posting personal blogs about her journey on a GoFundMe page (https:// www.gofundme.com/f/rebeccas-cancerjourney-9grjj) that was started by her family to help cover the family’s many unforeseencosts.
Rebecca Arden is a 37-year-old Sunbury wife and mother of two was diagnosed with Stage 4 bowel cancer. (Damjan Janevski)
Mandy Cullen with Mandy the crane, named in honour of her commitment to Western Health and the Melton community. (Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 564278
Equipment returned
By Jack O’shea-Ayres
Melton Centrals Cricket Club has been reunited with more than $25,000 worth of stolen equipment following a string of thefts from its Melton South playing grounds.
A variety of turf mowers, tractor trailers, wheel barrows, and specialised tools were recently delivered back to the cricket club after they were discovered missing by members on Wednesday 15 July.
Club vice president Scott Williams called the initial discovery “devastating”.
“It was absolutely rotten,” Mr Williams said.
“Without that equipment, we wouldn’t have been able to prepare the cricket pitches. We have two senior teams and one under 18s team that wouldn’t have been able to play.”
The recent theft followed an initial break-in at the Melton South club last month.
Police allege an offender broke into the sports club on Reynolds Place about 3.45am on 20 June and damaged CCTV equipment on the shed, however nothing was taken from the premises.
“A month later, officers were called to a burglary which occurred overnight between 14 and 15 July,” police said.
Police have since charged a man after executing a search warrant in Melton South on Thursday 23 July.
The 30-year-old Melton South man was charged with burglary, theft, trespassing, handling stolen goods, and possessing a prohibited weapon and was bailed to appear at Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on 21 October.
Mr Williams said the club and its players were ecstatic to hear of the equipment being found and returned home.
However Mr Williams said work would need to be done to prevent similar inci-
Local businesses invited to WRL Meet the Builder Events
dents.
“We’re obviously going to need to look at keeping the equipment in a different location given how many times we’ve been broken into now,” he said.
New pool to power local economy
Once completed, the Moorabool Aquatic and Recreation Centre (MARC) in Bacchus Marsh is expected to deliver major economic benefits for the municipality.
The new indoor aquatic centre is expected to deliver and support local jobs, local businesses, and longterm regional growth.
Mayor Steve Venditti-Taylor said the project was an investment in both community wellbeing and the local economy.
“This project is about more than infrastructure – it is about confidence in Moorabool’s future,” Cr Venditti-Taylor said.
“It will support local jobs, bring activity into the local economy and help ensure our growing community has the facilities it needs to thrive.”
Bacchus Marsh and Ballan Local Butcher business manager Shane Zammit said the project would have flow-on benefits for the broader local economy.
“Projects like this create momentum. They support jobs during delivery and add to the appeal and liveability of the shire over the long term,” he said.
The MARC currently comprises an indoor sports stadium. Council has secured funding from the federal and state governments to expand the centre to include aquatic facilities.
Regional suppliers, Traditional Owner and First Nations businesses, social enterprises and small to medium businesses in western Victoria are invited to attend the Western Renewables Link Meet the Builder Events in Melton, Creswick, Stawell and Lexton.
These free events are an opportunity to meet the WRL project team and delivery partners, hear about current and upcoming work packages and learn how to become a supplier to the project if it is approved to proceed to construction.
Attendance is free, but registration is required. Scan the QR code to register for your preferred event. Registration will close on 3 August 2026.
Melton Centrals Cricket Club vice president Scott Williams standing in the vacant spot before the equipment was returned. (Damjan Janevski) 567080_01
Artefacts of Altona
Altona has long been defined by heavy industry and its skyline dominated by factories, gas flares and smoke stacks. Now a group of locals are working to preserve the suburb’s industrial heritage as its factories, refineries and plants rapidly disappear. Cade Lucas reports.
From Spotswood to Seaholm, Point Cook to Point Gellibrand, Skeleton Creek to Stony Creek, residents of Melbourne’s west woke up on Sunday morning asking themselves the same question:whatthehellwasthatnoise?
Facebookgroupswerefloodedwithposts aboutwhatwasvariouslycalledabigbang, a loud boom and a big bang boom that got people out of bed, shook their homes, rattledtheirwindows,frightenedtheirpets while making their hearts stop and bowels suddenly spring open at about 2am on 19 July.
Lights began flashing and sirens start blaring as dozens dialled triple-0, while some excitable types hypothesised about earthquakes,explosionsorcosmicthunder claps.
When it soon became clear it was none of these things but rather the decommissioning a giant piece of machinery at the old Mobil refinery in Altona,mostofthosewhowerequestioning wheretheysoundcamefrombeganasking whytheyweren’ttoldaboutitbeforehand?
The uncomfortable answer of course is thattheywere.
“How Altona’s Skyline Is Set to Change” declared the advertisement from Mobil running across the bottom of page 5 of the 15 July edition of the Maribyrnong & HobsonsBayStarWeekly.
After a preamble about how in 2021 the company closed its Altona refinery and began converting it into a fuel storage terminal, demolish of a number of tanks and other pieces of infrastructure as a result,thecompanygottothepoint:
“Soon you will notice a more significant change to the Altona North skyline as we commence demolition of the Fluid Catalytic Cracking unit and associated infrastructure.”
While most ads overstate things Mobil’s didtheexactopposite.
Morecommonlyknownasthe“Cracker”, the Fluid Catalytic Cracking unit weighs 900tonnesandisaslongastheMCG.
When it arrived from Japan in 1996, Williamstown was quite literally brought toastandstillasafleetofsemi-trailersthat were made look the size of matchbox as carsdraggedittotheAltonarefinery.
Anyone of the thousands of people who lined the streets that day to witness it would have known that demolishing the something of that size was never going to be a small or silent exercise, though Mobil didtheirbesttopretendotherwise.
“The unit will be felled entirely within the Mobil site and then progressively demolished on the ground, with all works approved by WorkSafe Victoria,” the advertisement read, before adding: “The fellingwilltakeplaceon19July.”
Even if the language was remarkable in its understatement, anyone who read the ad would’ve known to expect something to happenonthethirdSundayinJuly.
Left: A photo of the old Qenos site in Altona when it was first established in 1961.
Below: One of the old photos of the Qenos site that have been collected as part of a project to preserve Altona’s industrial heritage.
But while just about everyone in the west heard the final crack of the “Cracker”, not all were surprised.
In fact, some were even expecting it, like Graeme Reilly from Altona Laverton HistoricalSociety.
“They are large structures and I guess you can’t pull them apart bit by bit, there’s somepartsthatarejustgonnahavetocome down at once and make quite a noise,” Mr Reillysaidofthedemolition.
Mr Reilly is paying closer attention than most to the demolition of the former Mobil refinery due to his role in a new project aimed at preserving Altona’s industrial heritage.
With help from a Make It Happen Grant from Hobsons Bay council, Mr Reilly, former Hobsons Bay mayor Sandra Wilson and one of the last engineers on site at the former Qenos plastics manufacturing plant, Nikki Gaskell, have joined forces to source, sort and save images, artefacts and stories about Altona’s state significant industryoverthedecades.
“The industrial skyline has defined Altona for over half a century and it is rapidly changing before our eyes; we feel theneedtocapturewhatweknowbeforeit istoolate,”MrReillysaidofthemotivation for the project which is focused on the former Mobile refinery, the Qenos site on Kororiot Creek Road and also the former ToyotaplantinAltonaNorth.
Of all these sites, it’s Qenos which closed
most recently, with operations finally ceasing there at the beginning of last year. However, it’s also the site which is being demolished the quickest and which the group has been able gain access too, makingittheimmediatefocus.
“Half of Qenos has already gone and there’s another part that’s about to go and onceit’sgoneallthatindustrialstructureis going to disappear and once that happens, people will quickly forget what was there, why it was there and what they did,” Mr Reillysaid.
“And it’s not often that we get in at the ground level to get artefacts from the company.It’sgenerallymuchlaterthatyou try and search for artefacts but in this case we’ve been able to get them before they’re goneforever.”
So far the more than 4000 images, some dating back to the plant’s beginnings in 1961, have been sourced, as well as 25 videosandevenafullscalemodel.
Some of the material will be digitised and catalogued for future history buffs, but other artefacts will be displayed in an exhibition to tell the story of Altona’s changing industrial landscape as part of the2027HeritageFestival.
And while the group has access to the QenossiteandisinnegotiationsMobiland Toyota about doing the same, Ms Wilson said there was an even greater resource they were hoping to tap into: former
employees.
“Webelievethereisrichhistorytocollect from our community so we’re curious to gather anything from people’s photo albums, work files, cupboards, drawers and memory banks!” Ms Wilson said, notingthateventhoughallthreesiteswere being torn down, former employees and theirfamilieswerenothardtofind.
“Just about everyone you speak to in Altona will say “oh I know someone who workedthere,mydad,myuncle.
“I was just down at Bendigo Bank in Altonaputtingupsomeflyersandsomeone said “oh my uncle worked there, he died thereinanindustrialaccident.”
Ms Wilson said Altona’s industry has played a significant role in the community, making preserving its history and documenting its end, all the more important.
“This change is happening before our eyes and I think people will notice it once it’s gone. Some people will be glad to see it gone but it’s part of our history whether we likeitornot.”
From July – September a series of drop-ins are scheduled at Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre, the Hobsons Bay Men’s Shed and Truganina Explosives Reserve for people to share anything that providesaperspectiveonAltonaindustry. The group is also seeking volunteers to help digitise documents and images into Victorian Collections, an online database. Trainingwillbeprovided.
Contact:SandraWilson,0432161777.
Former Hobsons Bay mayor Sandra Wilson and the Altona Laverton Historical Society’s Graeme Reilly next to Altona’s Cherry Lake with one of the suburb’s former factories in the background. (Gary Sissons) 564383_01
Melbourne’s city skyline viewed from the former Qenos site. (Pictures: Supplied)
Bells ring on pay dispute
By Jack O’Shea-Ayres
Victoria’s education workers have again walked out of the classroom in pursuit of better pay.
Tens of thousands of Victorian public school teachers, principals, and education support staff walked off the job on 23 July in a 24-hour statewide strike.
The strike was the latest escalation in a dispute over a pay increase between the Victorian Branch of Australia’s Education Union (AEU) and the state government since mid 2025.
The industrial action came after teachers, principals, and education support staff
rejected a government pay offer of a 17 per cent increase over three years proposed in March, a revised 28.3 per cent increase over four years made in April, an improved offer in May, and another just this month.
Union members only narrowly rejected the most recent offer, with 51.1 per cent of participating members voting in favour of rejecting the offer, which would have included pay rises of 28.3 per cent to 32.4 per cent over four years.
If accepted, the latest offer would have increased full-time teachers’ salaries by more than $1000 per month by October this year, and almost $3000 more per month by 2030. Education staff would have earned up to
$1600 more per month by the same time.
The AEU sub-branch president and Melton Secondary College teacher Abanob Saad said the government could not ignore the striking teachers.
The AEU condemned the state government’s latest offer, with members highlighting teachers, education support staff, and principals are working up to 12 hours of unpaid overtime a week.
“I see passionate people powering our schools being pushed towards burnout,” Mr Saad said.
“When educators burn out, students miss out.”
The latest offer would have also halved
Porsche drives family home
Car salesman George Alexander Sim cherished his 1982 Porsche 911, until an unfortunate accident put it off the road.
“The front end caught on fire,“ explained George’s son Kristian Sim, who was in his 20s when the accident occurred.
“He didn’t have any insurance. He held on to it with the intention of repairing it, but it stayed in the garage for years and years.“
His father’s cancer diagnosis prompted Kristian to restore the car despite limited prior experience.
“It was in a bit of a state. I didn’t know what I’d gotten myself into. I’d never done anything with cars or repairs before.“
Kristian was, however, up for the
challenge, finding support in a dedicated online Porsche community.
“There were a lot of forums. I dug up lots of schematics and modelling diagrams and trained myself.“
Kristian spent roughly two and a half years working on the car. His father got the chance to hear it run again, four months before he passed away.
“He got to hear it. It was great to see the look on his face. He was very proud.“
In the aftermath of George’s passing, Kristian had the opportunity to drive the car, re-registering it with custom plates owned by his father.
The car was then sold, providing the opportunity for Kristian and his family to buy a house in Diggers Rest, allowing him to honour his father’s memory and
secure a better future for his family.
“Its been able to help put a roof over our heads. It was a good learning experience for me. We’re very grateful.”
Support for rough sleepers with outreach services boosted
Melton residents sleeping rough are being offered greater access to homeless outreach services.
Ten new homeless outreach services are being delivered across the state’s west and northwest in the Melton, Brimbank, Hume, and Maribyrnong local government areas.
Melton MP Steve Mcghie announced Melton will receive funding through a $27.8 million investment which aims to deliver homelessness services in every region of Victoria on Friday 24 July.
Mr McGhie said the new services would help bring rough sleepers closer to finding permanent residences.
“This funding means that rough sleepers in Melton will be one step closer to finding a permanent place to call home, providing them with the dignity and shelter they deserve,” he said.
Support workers will lend a hand to those sleeping rough across the service regions with an aim to help them secure stable housing and get their lives back on
required meeting hours from 80 hours to 40 hours a year.
Education Minister Ben Carroll pleaded with the state’s teaching staff to call off the strike.
“Students should be in classrooms and parents shouldn’t be left scrambling for childcare or losing a day’s pay,” he said.
“We said we’d listen to our teachers, principals and education support staff and that’s what we’ve done.”
Negotiations between the union and state government are reportedly continuing, but union members warn another strike could occur on 4 August if a more satisfactory offer isn’t made by Thursday 30 July.
AI’s thirst trap: tech giant taps into recycled water
By Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson, AAP
More Australian data centres could cool down using recycled water after a US tech giant revealed plans to build its first local artificial intelligence hub using the resource.
Amazon announced a partnership with Greater Western Water to supply recycled water to a data centre the company is building at Cobblebank.
The facility would be the first in Victoria to use treated water and comes after warnings from some providers that data centres in Sydney could use up to 250 megalitres of water a day by 2035, threatening drinking supplies.
Work connecting Amazon’s latest development to a recycled water plant in Melton was due to begin within days, Greater Western Water managing director Cameron FitzGerald said, with plans to launch in late 2027 or early 2028.
Using recycled water would make data centres more sustainable and the company anticipated more facilities would follow, he said.
“We want to position ourselves as a provider that meets the needs of a growing city and data centres are a part of that,” he said.
“We’re really proud that it’s the first one in Victoria — it’s showing the way for others to be able to take advantage of recycled water when it’s available.”
The development would be the first local Amazon data centre to use recycled water, Amazon Web Services energy policy head Matt O’Rourke said, but it would seek more opportunities to meet its target to be water-positive by 2030.
“Our preference is to always use recycled water where that’s available,” he said.
“Globally, AWS has 24 data centres today operating on recycled water and plans to expand that number to 120.”
Data centres, which are used to process digital resources including AI, use significant amounts of water to cool their servers.
track.
The investment also includes services that are most often out of reach for people sleeping rough, including additional emergency accommodation for those who need it most, and health and social care.
Services are also being placed across the Shepparton, Whitehorse, La Trobe, Darebin, Bairnsdale, Woodonga, and Mornington Peninsula regions.
The assertive outreach services are set to launch later this year.
Some are more efficient than others, Mr O’Rourke said, and Amazon’s Melbourne data centres used 158 megalitres of water in 2025, which was equivalent to 63 swimming pools.
“Although there’s lots of reporting around the water use of data centres, there’s also a lot of misunderstanding there as well,” he said.
Sydney Water recently warned that data centres could use as much as 250 megalitres a day in the city by 2035, and one already ranked among its top 20 users.
After selling the Porsche, Kristian was able to buy his family a house in Diggers Rest. (Supplied)
Kristian restored the Porsche without any prior experience. (Supplied)
New free women’s health clinic now open for patients
A new Women’s Health Clinic has opened in Bacchus Marsh, aiming to give women in the west greater access to comprehensive care closer to home.
Eureka MP Michaela Settle officially opened the new Women’s Health Clinic in Bacchus Marsh on Friday 17 July.
The new clinic is operated by Western Health and aims to give more women across the region access to free, comprehensive care, without having to travel far from home.
Womenwillbeabletoseegynecologists, urologists, specialist GPs and nurses all under the one roof.
The new health clinic also aims to support women through a range of issues and conditions, including treatments for endometriosis and pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, prolapse and incontinence, contraception and abortion, and menopause.
The Bacchus Marsh clinic forms part of abroader20clinicsbeinglaunchedacross the state under the $153 million women’s health package.
Ms Settle said the service “will remove the barriers women in the outer suburbs and regional Victoria have faced for far too long”.
The health package also includes a regional mobile clinic, an Aboriginal Women’s Health Clinic, a virtual clinic, and 20 sexual and reproductive health hubs.
Health minister Harriet Shing said the health package aims to address issues faced by women across the state while also supporting them through every stage of their life.
“From the middle of Melbourne to the edges of our state, we’re building and upgradingpublichospitals,anddelivering the public healthcare, treatment and support that works for every Victorian woman,ateverystageofherlife,”shesaid.
Mobile library van stops at Melton
A new mobile library van is expected to bring the joys of reading to the Melton community.
Melton’s new library van was officially launched on Monday 20 July at Bridge Road Children’s and Community Centre in Strathtulloh.
The new van is expected to help expand council’s library services directly into the community while making it easier for residents to access reading and learning resources.
Thevanworkstocomplementandexpand council’s existing library network, which currently includes the Melton Library and Learning Hub, Caroline Springs Library and Learning Hub. and Library access points across Aintree, Diggers Rest, Fraser Rise,andStrathtulloh.
Thenewserviceisalsoexpectedtosupport Melton’s growing community by bringing freeaccesstobooks,magazines,anddigital resources to areas which currently have limitedornoaccesstolibraryservices.
Mayor Lara Carli said the van will help to
bridgethegapbetweenlibraryaccess.
“As one of Australia’s fastest-growing areas, we know that access to library services is important. This van will help us reach more people, support lifelong learning and create new opportunities for residentstoconnectwiththeircommunity,” CrCarlisaid.
“This Mobile Library Van will help ensure those opportunities are available to more people across our City, bringing knowledge,inspirationandsupportdirectly toneighbourhoods.”
Council staff will be present to support and help residents in accessing the van to borrow items, explore resources, and make themostoftheirlibrarymemberships.
Residents can expect to see the Mobile Library Van at major council events across themunicipality,includingtheDjerriwarrh Festival, Lakeside Alive and the City of Melton Learning Festival, or by requesting a visit to community groups, playgroups, or aged care facilities via Council’s website at melton.vic.gov.au/libraryvan.
Briefs
Artists invited to Ballan gathering Moorabool artists, creative practitioners, community groups, and project organisers are invited to an Artist Gathering at Ballan Library and Community Hub on Saturday 8 August. The free session, running from 10am to noon, will feature Izzy Roberts-Orr sharing practical advice on securing grants, partnerships, sponsorships and community support for creative projects. Attendees will also have the opportunity to contribute feedback to Moorabool Shire’s Arts and Culture Strategy. Bookings are encouraged via council, or by emailing arts@ moorabool.vic.gov.au or calling 5366 7100. Feedback can also be submitted online until 5pm on Monday 10 August.
Daughters of the West returns
The Western Bulldogs Community Foundation’s Daughters of the West women’s health program will return to Melton in August, offering a free 10-week program for women aged 18 and over. The program aims to improve women’s health through workshops, presentations, events and experiences. Sessions will be held Tuesdays from 10am to noon at Botanica Springs Children’s and Community Centre in Brookfield from August 11, and Wednesdays from 6pm to 8pm at Taylors Hill Youth and Community Centre from August 12. Register through the Western Bulldogs. FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT
Web: starweekly.com.au
Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly
for you to learn more.
If
QR code to complete our community survey by
Melton MP Steve McGhie, Local Government Minister Paul Hamer, and Melton mayor Lara Carli officially launched the new Mobile Library Van on Monday 20 July. (Supplied)
Eureka MP Michaela Settle was joined by staff to officially open the new Women’s Health Clinic in Bacchus Marsh on Friday 17 July. (Supplied)
Business finalists announced
Finalists for the 2026 City of Melton Business Excellence Awards have been announced, shining a spotlight on the businesses which go above and beyond.
Twenty-seven finalists from a diverse range of industries have been selected from 79 applicants to be considered for the top honour in nine award categories.
The winners will be announced, including Mayoral Achievement Award and Business of the Year, at the awards evening at WestWaters Entertainment Complex on 16 September.
“It’s fantastic to see so many of our local businesses being recognised for the posi-
tive impact they make to the City of Melton community,” Melton mayor Lara Carli said.
“We had so many quality applications for this year’s awards and I would like to thank everyone that took the time to apply. The judges were impressed with the high calibre of all the applications.
“Local businesses in the City of Melton are the lifeblood of our community and council is proud to showcase the amazing things they are doing through these awards.
“Congratulations to all of the finalists and we look forward to celebrating your success at the awards evening.”
The finalists in the Community Impact
Leadership category are Rehmat Sandhu Foundation, Twinkle Driving School and Waypoint Digital.
Discovering Strength, Hey Dee Ho Music Melton and Mambourin Enterprises are the finalists in the Disability Inclusion category.
Finalists for the Health, Wellness and Care category are KDP Fitness, Melton Physio and Only About Kids Occupational Therapy.
The Industry and Trade Services finalists are Elite Tyre and Autocare Melton, Jassal Construction Group and Keen Cleaning Pty Ltd.
Pentland women take on leadership roles
Two women have simultaneously taken on senior leadership roles within the Country Fire Authority’s (CFA) Pentland Group, marking a first for District 15.
Coimadai Fire Brigade Second Lieutenant Melanie Peterson was elected deputy group officer for training and development, while Rowsley Fire Brigade communications officer Melinda Fitzpatrick has been appointed deputy group communications officer.
The pair were nominated by members of the Pentland Group and will
support six brigades across the Moorabool Shire in Rowsley, Balliang and District, Coimadai, Myrniong, Parwan, and Bacchus Marsh.
Ms Petersen said she was honoured to have earned the confidence of fellow volunteers.
“It was something I wanted to aspire to, but I wasn’t expecting it to happen anytime soon,” she said.
Ms Fitzpatrick, who has been with the CFA for over a decade, said she was proud to have been nominated by her brigade. Having served as brigade
communications officer for five years, she said she was looking forward to becoming more involved across the wider group.
Ms Petersen joined the CFA in 2013, seeking a new challenge and an opportunity to give back to her community.
She said the appointments highlighted the growing contribution of women within the Pentand Group.
“It shows that the women within our group are stepping up, turning up and turning out,” she said.
Melton moves on infill research for synthetic sports facilities
Melton council will seek expert advice on the use of crumb rubber infill in synthetic sports playing surfaces amid concerns about possible health risks.
Cr Steve Abboushi proposed council write to relevant government departments requesting specialist guidance and recommendations on best practice infill materials for synthetic sports facilities.
He claimed research showed crumb rubber infill, which is used across multiple sporting facilities in Melton and surrounds, expelled carcinogens and posed health risks to those using facilities.
“There is increasing community concern regarding crumb rubber infill used in synthetic sports surfaces, particularly
around health and environmental impacts,” he said.
“Research has identified that crumb rubber can contain chemicals classified as carcinogenic or potentially carcinogenic.”
Council wants updated evidence and research around the safety, health, and environmental impacts of rubber infill, alongside best practice standards for installation, maintenance, and ongoing use.
It also wants information on alternative infill materials which may offer safer or more sustainable options, as well as future directions and guidelines for councils delivering synthetic sporting infrastructure.
Cr Abboushi noted council’s responsi-
bility to provide safe and accessible recreational facilities, stating that emerging evidence and community concern warranted a broader assessment by state authorities to ensure surfaces meet the highest standards.
“It is important that council understands the current evidence and research, best practice installation standards, safer or more sustainable alternative infill options and future industry directions,” Cr Abboushi said.
“Council has a responsibility to ensure the facilities provided for children, families, and sporting clubs are safe, sustainable, and aligned with contemporary best practice standards.”
Jim’s IT Melton, Social Sites and The ARK 7 Real Estate have been named as finalists for the Professional Services award, while Impact Motors Melton, Matthews Liquor and ProTech IT Solutions are the Retail Services finalists.
Vying for the Sustainability Excellence award are ABMT Group, DM Roads Melton and Swisse Wellness, while the Visitation and Hospitality finalists are Chingu Korean BBQ Caroline Springs, Madame Dolce Cafe and Roger Roger Deli.
The Workplace Engagement finalists are HS Place Hair Studio, Springs Dental Group and StarKids Salon Spa.
Council clarifies role in data centre approvals
Melton council has sought to clarify its role in the approval of data centres after recent media coverage and online discussion sparked questions for concern from residents about proposed developments across the municipality.
In a statement published on its Facebook page on Thursday 16 July, council said all data centre proponents in the municipality had chosen to lodge their planning applications through the state government’s planning process rather than with the council.
As a result, council said it had not received any planning permit applications for data centres within the municipality.
“When applying for approval, data centre operators can choose to have their application assessed by either Council or the State Government - and to date, all applicants have opted to apply to the State Government for approval,” council said in its statement.
Council said its role in such cases is limited to providing feedback through the state planning permit process, which is led by the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) on behalf of the minister for planning.
According to council’s statement, it is aware of three data centre proposals in Melton, including one in Cobblebank, which is already under construction, and two in Truganina that remain in the planning phase.
Council also addressed growing community discussion surrounding a proposed data centre in Plumpton, stating it had not received any formal notification from the state government about the project.
However, it said it had received informal communication from the applicant, similar to what some residents had received.
Council also outlined a number of concerns commonly associated with data centres, including the amount of industrial land they occupy, their demand for water and energy resources, potential impacts on surrounding infrastructure and what it described as relatively low longterm employment benefits.
Council reiterated that it has no decision-making authority over projects assessed through the state’s planning system and encouraged residents seeking further information or wishing to raise concerns about data centre proposals to contact the Department of Transport and Planning, their local state member, or the Minister for Planning.
The statement comes amid heightened community interest in the potential expansion of data centres across Melbourne’s growing western suburbs, including proposals within the City of Melton.
Melinda Fitzpatrick volunteering. (Supplied)
Melanie Petersen. (Supplied, Uniform Photography)
‘Patch-up’ job anger
By Jack O’Shea-Ayres
Potholes littering a 200-metre stretch of Holden Road in Diggers Rest are leaving residents frustrated, with claims repairs are failing almost as quickly as they are made.
Resident Phyllis Ierodiaconou said potholes along the sealed road were being repeatedly patched, only to reappear almostimmediately.
”It’s like they come back twice a week and they fill it in with a bit more material and then five minutes later a truck will go pastandbreakitallupagain,”shesaid.
“Thefixdoesn’tlastmorethanaday.”
It’s a claim backed by fellow resident BarbaraFord.
MrsFordsaidasubmissiontocouncilon
5 July led to potholes being repaired by 10 July.
However, she said just six days later, the repaired potholes had been damaged again, with large chunks of bitumen scattering the road and posing an even greaterrisktomotorists.
“Council is fixing it twice a week…but they’renotfixingtheproblem,”shesaid.
Mrs Ford also backed calls for the road to be completely resurfaced, rather than repeatedlypatched.
She pointed to heavy trucks and trailers frequently using the stretch of road, despiteapurportedfive-tonneweightlimit between Leakes and Plumpton roads, as rootcausesoftheissue.
“Holden Road has a 5-tonne limit
between Leakes Road and Plumpton Road,” Mrs Ford said. “However heavy trucks, many with trailers, frequently use this section and clearly cause damage to newlyrepairedpotholes.”
Mrs Ierodiaconou supported the claim heavy vehicles were a major factor in the damage.
She said the condition of the road posed particular risks to motorcyclists at night, when the unlit stretch was difficult to navigate.
Both residents agreed the road’s undulating surface, combined with potholes and large chunks of bitumen breaking away from constant repairs, could lead to a serious accident and that thebusystretchofroadneededacomplete revamp.
“Melton Council needs to completely redo this section of Holden Road,” Mrs Ford said. “The road definitely needs a completeresurface…it’snotapatch-upjob anymore,”MrsIerodiaconousaid.
Melton council was contacted for comment.
Mentoring for business skills
Thestategovernmentisexpandingits Business Skills Mentoring program, giving more small business owners accesstofree,one-on-oneadvice.
Eligible owners can access three confidential one-hour mentoring sessionstobuildtheirskills.
The government is also launching two new initiatives to further support small businesses - the Multicultural Skills Fund, which provides up to $5,000 for skills training, and the Small Business Activation Fund, which offers grants of up to $5,000 to help local organisations assist small businesses.
The program, which has been running since 2025, has already provided hundreds of mentoring sessions to businesses across seven priority industry sectors, including advanced manufacturing, health technology,andregionaltourism.
One business to benefit is Green Collect which partners with organisations to process more than 150 tonnes of stationery, electronics, furniture, clothing, and homewares. The business has stores in Braybrook and Yarraville. Through the free mentoring, Green Collect staff picked up skills to support their marketing andcommunityoutreach.
“We’re helping small and family businesses reach their full potential and building a stronger economy,” said Minister for Small and Family BusinessNatalieSuleyman.
Residents living along Holden Road in Diggers Rest are calling for a permanent solution to fix potholes which litter the 200-metre stretch of road. (Damjan Janevski) 566651_02
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Star Weekly looks back through the pages of our predecessors
30 years ago 24 July, 1996
A $10 million food distribution centre will open in Melton next January and a second private secondary school will be built within 18 months as key developments in the 600-hectare ToolernVillage.
20 years ago 25 July, 2006
The friend of a Ballan man who went missing in New South Wales in 2002 is notsatisfiedwiththeopenfindingofan inquest into his disappearance - and is planningasearchforhisremains.
15 years ago 26 July, 2011
Melton council has recommended including Diggers Rest South and the Diggers Rest-Plumpton corridor in the urban growth boundary (UGB), in a move which has divided the community.
Faces of the west
Each week, Star Weekly photographers are out and about capturing the people and events across Melbourne’s north and west.
10 years ago 26 July, 2016
There are fears Melton will be turned into a battleground next month when anti-Islam and anti-racist groups descendonthetown.
Above: Troy McFaul. (Ivan Kemp) 565435_05
Right: Olivia Chapman with some top winter reads. (Garry Sissons) 563990_03
Mayor Lara Carli. (Ivan Kemp) 565384_04
Homestead Senior Secondary College students Riley, Devika, Kavinya and Simran. (Damjan Janevski) 565727_03
Margaret and Walter Fioritti. (Ivan Kemp) 565713_09
Jessica Cassar. (Garry Sissons) 565846_12
MY PLACE
Wolf Heidecker is passionate about promoting artists through his performing arts management company and as a board member of Wyndham Art Works. He speaks with Laura Michell.
What’s your connection to Melbourne’s north-west?
In 2000 I moved from Albury-Wodonga where I was general manager of The Flying Fruit Fly Circus to Werribee to manage the final stages of the construction and first yearofoperationsoftheWerribeeCultural Centre that opened in May 2001. Once the cultural centre was up and running, I resigned from Wyndham City Council and established WHAM, my independent performing arts management company. Soon after I arrived in Werribee, I became involved in the local arts community. I was instrumental in registering CAA-Wyndham Community Arts Alliance Inc and became a volunteer member of the still active group that is today trading as Wyndham Art Works, with its home in LavertonNorth.
Whatdoyoulikeaboutwhereyoulive?
Coming from the northern border of Victoria I enjoyed the more rural feeling of livinginWerribeewiththebenefitofbeing so close to the ‘Big Smoke’ of Melbourne. Sevenyearsago,mywifeandIswappedour house in Werribee and relocated to Tarneit where we are living in a retirement village since. It’s just five kilometres from where we lived in Werribee for nearly 20 years, therefore could maintain our connections to friends and the community without any interruption. Though Wyndham experienced significant growth as a city andlotsofarchitecturalandinfrastructure improvements, the ‘old’ centre of the municipality still has its charm, homely and inviting image. In the surrounding
vicinity we can enjoy the Werribee River and many green areas as well as all the newleisuredevelopments,e.g.inWerribee South.
Where is your favourite local place to spendtime?
Discounted
microchipping day
It’s almost time to get your beloved pets microchippedatadiscountedrate.
Mooraboolcouncilisofferingdiscounted microchipping for dogs and cats at a dedicated community event in Darley this August.
The Dog and Cat Microchipping Day will be held at the Darley Civic & Community Hub on Saturday 8 August between 9am andnoon.
Theinitiativeisaimedathelpinglocalpet owners meet their responsibilities while ensuringtheiranimalscanbepermanently identifiediftheybecomelostordisplaced.
Dogs and cats aged 12 weeks and over can trot on down with their owners and be microchipped by one of council’s trained CommunitySafetyofficersforareducedfee ofjust$20peranimal.
Bookings are encouraged, with council warning walk-in attendees may face extendedwaittimes.
Dogownersarealsourgedtoensuretheir pooches are kept on a lead and muzzled if required, while cats must remain in a suitablecarrier.
A Source Number must also be obtained through the Pet Exchange Register for each animal being microchipped, at a cost of $25.50. However,animalsbornbefore1July,2020 donotrequireasourcenumber.
Pet owners are required to bring their Source Number with them to the event, withcouncilunabletoimplantamicrochip withoutavalidnumber.
Microchipping will provide the pets of Mooraboolwithapermanentidentification, helping to reunite owners with their lost animals.
Bookings and further information can be found here: https://www.moorabool. vic.gov.au/Events/Dog-and-CatMicrochipping-Day.
established to support the building of the Wyndham Cultural Centre in Watton Street.Afterthecompletionofthebuilding in 2001 I was asked by some local artists to maintain the group as the ‘home’ for local artists which I then took over as a resident, not as the first manager of the cultural centre,andbecamethefoundingpresident of the incorporated association. I am still member of the board as their treasurer and business manager. It is still the only not-for-profit organisation in Wyndham dedicated to support local artists of all genres, e.g. studios for painters, glass artists, writers and workspace for the local branch of the Egg-Decorators-Guild, and performers from ethnic groups with South Pacific Islander, Samoan and Maori backgrounds.
WAW is entirely self-funded and run by volunteers; our arts centre with 10 studio spaces and two common rooms have been leased from Wyndham City Council for a token rental fee. In 2027 WAW will be negotiatingwithourlandlordforapossible extensionofthelease.
WerribeeOpenRangeZoo.
How did Wyndham Art Works come about?
WyndhamArtWorks(WAW)isthe‘trading as’ name of CAA-Wyndham Community Arts Alliance that was a community group
Tell us something people would be surprisedtoknowaboutyou... For the last 25 years I have produced and directed about 30 theatre productions, volunteered managing the local Maori group Te Karangatahi Mana until they movedtoWAlastyear,theChineseSeniors Choir You Yi Zhi Qiao in Collingwood, ongoing, and officiated numerous weddings in Wyndham and surrounding areas until my retirement as a registered marriagecelebrant.
Are you a photographer based in the western or northern suburbs who loves shooting sports and news?
Star Weekly is looking for new team members to join its pool of casual photographers. A driver’s licence, reliable car and photography equipment are essential. Experience shooting video is highly desirable. The role may involve Saturday work and after hours assignments.
Send your resume and examples of your work to westeditorial@starweekly.com.au
Wolf Heidecker, (Supplied)
Moorabool mayor Steve Venditti-Taylor at the Masons Lane Dog Park with Amy Sanders and her dogs Jarrah and Jiemba. (Damjan Janevski) 567357_01
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
WANT YOUR EVENT LISTED? Community Calendar is made available free of charge to not-for-profit organisations to keep the public informed of special events and activities. Send item details to Star Weekly Community Calendar, Corner Thomsons Road and Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park, 3042, or email to westeditorial@starweekly.com.au by 9am Wednesday the week prior to publication
Moonlite Theatre auditions
Moonlite Theatre is holding auditions for upcoming performances between 16 - 24 October. Auditions take place 7-9pm on Wednesday 29 July, 1-4pm on Saturday 1 August and Saturday 8 August. https://www.moonlitetheatre.com.au/ general-8 for more information
Zonta Club of Melton
Zonta is an international organisation bringing women together to support women & girls in the Melton area. The Zonta Club of Melton meets on the first Monday of each month at Melton Country Club, Reserve Road, Melton. Meetings include guest speakers, projects on the go and other social events.
Jane, 0447 291 049, info@zontaclubofmelton.org.au
Melton South Community Centre
Melton South Community Centre has places available for 8-week courses on How to Be a Youtuber, Introduction to Sewing, and Music Lessons. Enrolments essential. 9747 8576, msccentr@bigpond.net.au
Bacchus Marsh Philosophy Club
Bacchus Marsh Philosophy Club is a welcoming discussion group exploring life’s big questions in a thoughtful, relaxed, and respectful way. No background in philosophy is needed, just curiosity and a willingness to listen, reflect, and share ideas. These facilitated sessions encourage people to think more deeply about topics that matter, hear a range of perspectives, and enjoy meaningful conversation in good company. They take place every second Saturday at the Lerderderg Library, 215 Main Street, 10am-1pm. Andy, 0498 549 177, andy@p4e.au
Hillside Probus Club
Hillside Probus Club is currently 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 the 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. hillsideprobus@gmail.com
Free lawyer appointments
Melton South Community Centre is offering free lawyer appointments for immigration, family law, or Justice of the Peace matters every Tuesday at 2.30 or 3.10pm. Bookings essential: 9747 8576, msccentr@bigpond.net.au or visit us
Pipe Band
North Western District Pipe Band
The North Western District Pipe Band meets every week at the Diggers rest Bowling Club and are looking for any pipers or drummers out there retired or beginners for social play outs.
Hank, 0412 169 576
Volunteer opportunity with L2P Driving program
Help a disadvantaged young person gain essential driving hours by becoming an L2P Volunteer Driving Mentor. A few hours a week can make a life changing difference. Full training and support provided, with the car and all expenses covered. 8746 1000, L2P@djerriwarrh.org
Women Working Together
A program connecting women aged 50 above in need of assistance, with mentors and mentees. Open to women across the western suburbs, including Melton. 9655 2131, EmploymentSupport@cotavic.org.au
This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of Riverbend Historical Park, which sits on a former settlement area in Werribee. (Garry Sissons) 563945_29
Computer
Classes
Computer classes are available at the Melton South Community Centre. From absolute beginners, to being safe online, Canva and more. 9747 8576
Melton South Community Singers
Singers of all levels are welcome at the Melton South Community Singers. This free and friendly group meets at the Melton South Community Centre and rehearses to perform at local venues and events. The group meets from 12.15-2pm on the first and third Tuesday of every month. Sue, 0400 082 413
Community band
The Greater Western Community Band meets every Thursday from 7.30-9.30pm. Located at the Bridge Road Community Centre, Strathtulloh (Melton South). The band is available for events. Brass, woodwind and percussion players are always welcome.
Sally Hamond, 0401 474 582
Lights of Wisdom
The Bahá’ís of Moorabool invite you to Lights of Wisdom, a tranquil space to share the insights from the great spiritual traditions of mankind. Sessions are held at the Lerderderg Library, Bacchus Marsh, every first Friday of the month, 7.30pm. Next session on 7 August 2026 on the theme Overcoming Racial Prejudices. Entry is free.
Sewing in Melton
If you love sewing, head on down to the Melton South Community Centre. Bring along your machine and materials and make new friends as you swap tips and work on your own projects. 9.30am–3pm every Tuesday. Each session costs $5. 9747 8576
God, movie and chat
A free community event is held every second Friday with a film with spiritual themes screening followed by a discussion. All thoughts are welcome. Tea, coffee, and popcorn are provided. The event is hosted at Holy Trinity Anglican Church Hall, 19a Gisborne Road, Bacchus March. bacchusmarshanglican.org.au
Melton Over 50s Social Group
Join a friendly group of people aged 50 and older who enjoy each other’s company while attending events such as dinners, shows, dancing, cinemas and more. If you live in the Melton area and would like to meet new friends, in a welcoming group environment, this is for you.
Marlene, 0498 329 290
Rose carers of Maddingley Park
The group meets every Wednesday from 10am-noon at the Commemorative Rose Garden, Maddingley Park on the corner of Taverner Street and Grant Streets, Bacchus Marsh. They maintain the two rose gardens at the park. Volunteers are welcome and no experience is necessary to join.
Elaine, 0400 052 857, Judy, 0428 463 538
Probus Club of Melton Ladies
The Probus Club of Melton Ladies meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 10am at the Melton Country Club. It is a social club where all ladies are welcome. Glenda, 0418 504 616
Bacchus Marsh Ladies Probus Club
Bacchus Marsh Ladies Probus Club Meet on the first Thursday of every month from 10am-noon at the Avenue Bowling Club on 254 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh. Krystyna, bacchusmarshladiesprobus@ gmail.com
Melton Valley Ladies Probus
Melton Valley Ladies Probus Club meet every second Friday each month at 10am at Melton Country Club. New members are welcome. Ann, 0425 705 150
Melton Men’s Group
Melton Men’s Group meets every Wednesday from 5-8 pm at Melton Senior Citizens and Community Centre at 1 McKenzie Street, Melton. Focusing on senior men’s mental and physical wellbeing. Join them for a cuppa and a chat, listen to guest speakers and participate in activities including carpet bowls, pool, table tennis and cards and chess. Trevor 0404 494 649, https://meltonmensgroup.home.blog/
Young ‘Newsies’ entertain
The Williamstown Musical Theatre Company (WMTC) is gearing up for its annual junior production at the end of this month.
This year’s production is Newsies Jr, a Disney Broadway musical based on a 90s film about New York newspaper kids, or “Newsies“, and their strike for fairness against some of the richest and most powerfulpeopleinManhattan.
Director Stuart Dodge said he’d always liked the musical ever since he first saw it performedintheverycityit’ssetin.
second the orchestra started I was in awe,” Dodge said. “Newsies is a dance-heavy show... when watching the dancers in the Broadway production I thought, ‘surely these boys are on wires… there is no way any human can stay in the air that long, leapingacrossthestage!’”
Newsies Jr is WMTC’s 13th junior production and also it’s largest, with a cast of41childrenagedeight-18.
“As a team, our goal is always to not only put on a slick and entertaining show, but also to provide our cast of young people with a truly enjoyable experience from starttofinish,”Dodgesaid.
Newsies Jr features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken (composer of The Little Mermaid, Aladdin) and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (writer of Broadway musical KinkyBoots).
Dust off your flares and warm up your singing voice, as a night of disco classics is comingtoMyrniongthisAugust.
SOS: The Australian ABBA Tribute Show has been dazzling audiences since 2011, bringing the music of one of the world’s most beloved pop groups to places all over Australia, and they’re set to bring their electric performance to St Anne’s VineyardsonSaturday22August.
Fans can relive the magic of Agnetha, Frida, Benny and Björn as SOS performs ABBA’s greatest hits in a spectacular live production featuring authentic costumes, choreographyandahigh-energyband.
The audience will have the chance to sing along to timeless favourites including Dancing Queen, Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!, Waterloo, and The Winner Takes It All, as the winery is transformed into a celebration of the Swedish supergroup’s enduringlegacy.
“OurfavouriteABBAsongatthemoment is As Good As New,” band manager Sam Bennett said. “However there is always something truly special when audiences hearthatfirstglissandoofDancingQueen, andtheroomjustaligns.It’spuremagic.”
Promising a night of 70s and 80s nostalgia, the event is an opportunity for ABBAfansoldandnewtoenjoyanevening ofmusic,foodanddrinkswithfriends.
“We see an incredibly diverse age range atourshows,”Bennettsaid.
“ABBA is truly multi-generational, and it isanabsolutejoytoseeawholeroomcome alive.”
Guests are encouraged to arrive early, grab a drink from the bar and enjoy a bite toeatbeforesettlinginfortheshow.
Doorsopenat5pm,withtheperformance scheduled to run from approximately 7 to 9.30pm.
Tickets are $25 per person and include reserved seating with your group, making it easy to gather a crew and enjoy the eveningtogether.
With ABBA’s biggest hits on the setlist, SOS promises to be a fun-filled night of singing, dancing and nostalgia for fans looking to relive the golden era of disco-pop.
The Australian ABBA Tribute Show brings the
Saturday 22 August. (Supplied)
“This is our second time performing at St Anne’s Winery. Last time was incredible so we expect nothing but an electric dancefloorthisyear!”Bennettsaid.
Contemporary, prog-rock opera After-Light will glow
Excitement is building for opening night of the original, contemporary, prog-rock opera After-Light, to be presented by the Mount Players for the first time on stage in itscompleteform.
Mount Players president Craig Lenaine-Smith and other committee members saw a scaled-down version of After-Light at the 2024 Melbourne Fringe Festival but, after speaking with composer Zac Vanstone and creator and musical director Tom Foster, it was decided Macedon’s Mountview Theatre should be the place for the duo to launch the show’s
fullproduction.
After-Light is guaranteed to be a production full of excitement, provocation and entertainment. A seven-piece rock band will perform live on stage, in full view of the audience, as singers tell the story of Boy as he struggles through his past mistakes, exorcising his demons in a journey of self-discovery and ultimately redemption.
Penned during COVID, Vanstone said the 18-plus production explored some darkerthemes.
“This is a show about learning how to let
Show pays tribute to the King
A new show at Wyndham Cultural Centre is sure to delight fans of the Kingofrock’n’roll.
The Watton Street centre will host Elvis Tribute show, Elvis to the Extreme, on Sunday 16 August, from 4-5.50pm.
Celebratingthemusic,highenergy and charisma of Elvis Presley, the performancepromisestocapturethe magic and power of Elvis Presley’s iconicVegasyears.
Starring Marcus Jackson, a five-time,multi-awardwinningElvis tribute artist recognised by Elvis Presley Enterprises, this electrifying production features the ETS Band, The BellaTones, and glamourous Vegasshowgirls.
Elvis to the Extreme is more than a tribute, its high energy afternoon celebrating the King’s greatest performances, designed to thrill, move and captivate audiences of all ages.
Whether you’re a lifelong Elvis fan or simply love great live music, the showofferssomethingforeveryone.
Come along and sing along to favourite tunes, reminisce about the golden age of rock and roll, and enjoy an entertaining afternoon celebrating one of music’s most enduringstars.
Get ready to put on your blue suede shoes and enjoy an afternoon of classic hits and unforgettable entertainment.
The show runs for 110 minutes includinganinterval.
“Following the break-up between Boy and Girl, Boy falls into a life-threatening coma. In order for Boy to wake, he must forgive the past, reconcile with the future andlearntoletgoofGirl,”hesaid.
“If Boy fails, his intrusive thoughts of addiction, paranoia and depression will consumehissoul.”
The season of After-Light runs from 14 August to 30 August at the Mountview Theatre,SmithStreet,Macedon. Bookings at www.themountplayers.com or0419329052.
Catch Elvis to the Extreme at the Wyndham Cultural Centre in August. (Supplied)
Some of the cast members of Williamstown Musical Theatre Company’s latest junior production “Newsies Jr”. (Supplied)
SOS:
electric hits of ABBA to St Annes Winery on
SPORTS QUIZ
1. Which player scored the goal that won Spain the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
2. How many seasons did Brodie Grundy play for Collingwood in the AFL?
3. For which FIFA World Cup did Shakira release the hit song Waka Waka (ThisTimeforAfrica)?
4. Which former Fitzroy and Geelong player was announced as the inaugural coach of the AFL's Tasmania Devils?
What number has Taj Gibson worn playing for six different NBA teams including the Grizzlies, Pistons and Knicks?
Which player was awarded the Golden Boot for scoring the most goals during the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Teams including the Heights, Hunters and Firebells will play what sport in the US's planned WPBL?
Which nonalcoholic mixed beverage of iced tea and lemonade is named after a US golf professional?
How many times has Spain's men's national soccer team won the FIFA World Cup?
10. Australia's women's national baseball team is known by what nickname?
11. What year did Spain's national women's soccer team win the FIFA Women's World Cup?
12. What is the boxing term for a right-handed fighter?
13. Chinese Taipei and the US are set to host which international baseball competition in 2027?
14. In 2024, Ariarne Titmus set a world record in the 200m event of which swimming stroke?
15. What kind of sports commonly use terms such as fartlek, bonking and negative splits?
16. Which other nation faced off against Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final?
17. And how many goals were scored in that match?
18. In tennis, which surface is considered fastest: a) clay, b) grass or c) hard courts?
19. In support of Jai Arrow, many athletes across multiple sports have celebrated scoring with what gesture?
20. In F1 racing, what does a HANS device stand for?
21. St Louis’ NHL team shares its nickname with which AFL team?
22. Who is the current captain of the Australian men’s T20 cricket team?
23. In which year did skateboarding first appear at the Olympics?
24. What is another name for the white ball in pool or billiards?
25. Cameron Bernasconi is the coach of which AFLW team?
26. In standard darts, which score does each player start with?
27. What was the name of the bowling team originally featuring Homer, Moe, Apu and Otto in TheSimpsons?
28. Which sport features in the film FightingWith MyFamily?
29. How many seconds is the shot clock in a game of basketball?
30. The Cleveland Guardians play in which league?
PUZZLES
1 Drench (4) 3 Whatever the risks may be (2,3,5)
Dabbler (7)
Worry (7)
Aesthetically pleasing (8)
Inexpensive (5) 14 Writer of verse (4) 15 Optical instrument (10) 18 US motorway system (10) 20 Domestic animals (4) 21 Educate (5) 23 Speed (8) 26 Permitted (7) 27 Word made from the letters of another (7) 28 Cut off from the sea (10)
Colourful team shooting sport (9)
16 Make reprisals (9)
17 Removed from power (9)
19 Act of refreshing (7)
22 UK singer Lily – (5)
23 Early form of Sanskrit (5)
24 Cousin of the oyster (4)
25 Self-satisfied (4)
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'.
Today’s Aim:
12 words: Good 18 words: Very good 24 words: Excellent
N O W O
3 LETTERS
without what
What liquid is typically used inside disposable lighters? 3 What is the name of Spotify’s personalised end-of-year listening summary?
4 Which Muse of Greek myth shares their name with a rural town in Queensland? 5 NFL’s Bengals are based in which US city: Baltimore, Cincinnati or Detroit?
6 Name the capital city of Andorra.
7 To whom does Hamlet deliver his ‘Alas, poor Yorick’ speech?
8 What was the first name of the Austrian composer Haydn? 9 Australian musician James Keogh (pictured) performs under what name?
Super hybrid ticks the boxes
By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring
It’s more than three years since we first drove what was then called the MG HS +EV, or plug-in hybrid as they have come to be known.
Andhaven’tthingschangedinthistime?
Not only has the car grown in size, so has the battery and projected, electric-only driving range.
Nowinitssecondgeneration,theHShas emerged from its cocoon, spread its wings and become a fully-fledged ’Super Hybrid’ – it’s a much more enticing proposition.
Styling
Therearetwogradesfromwhichtochoose, Excite and Essence.
Prices start from $42,990 for the Excite and $46,900 for the Essence – both prices driveaway.
Our test vehicle, Essence, was finished in Arctic Blue Metallic, with Classic Tan interior trim – they add $700 apiece.
Standard kit includes cloth trim and auto air conditioning with rear outlets, along with 18-inch alloys, keyless entry and start, LED lights front and back, power-adjust driver seat, head-up display, auto high beam, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, auto lights and wipers, rear parking sensors and six-speaker audio.
Essence adds larger 19-inch alloys, artificial leather, dual zone climate air, electric tailgate, panoramic sunroof, front parking sensors, eight-speaker audio, 360-degree camera and wireless phone charging.
There’s also heated front seats, power adjustment for the front passenger seat, driver seat memory, power lumbar adjustment, auto folding heated door mirrors, front parking sensors, rear privacy glass, and door mirror memory. HS is covered by a 10-year, 250,000km warranty, provided the car is serviced by MG, otherwise it reverts the standard seven-year/200,000km.
The high-voltage battery is covered for the same period, but for only 150,000km. Each service must be performed within the specified time or kilometre window.
Infotainment
Infotainment consists of a combined 12.3-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch instrumentpanel,togetherwithBluetooth, voice control, built-in navigation, AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, and eight-speaker audio.
There’s also wireless phone charging, with two USB-C ports front and back, plus a 12-volt outlet in the front, with iSmart connected services that comes with 12-month complimentary access.
Safety
The MG HS has been awarded a full five stars for safety with seven airbags includingacentreairbagtoprovideadded protection for front seat occupants in side impact crashes.
The MG Pilot Safety Suite includes autonomous emergency braking (car-to-car, vulnerable road user, junction and crossing, backover and head-on) as well as a lane support system with lane keep assist (LKA), lane departure warning (LDW)andemergencylanekeeping(ELK), and an advanced speed assistance system (SAS) with a speed sign recognition.
There’s also blind spot detection, door opening warning, rear cross traffic alert, drive monitor system, unsteady driver warning, and traffic jam assist.
Engines/transmissions
A 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine is paired with two electric motors;onetodrivethewheels,theotherto rechargethebatterywhennecessary.
Drive is to the front wheels through a dedicated,one-speedhybridtransmission.
Combined output is 220kW of power and 350Nmoftorque,withtheswitchfrompetrol toelectricpoweralmostimperceptiblemost ofthetime.
Driving
In Arctic Blue the HS really stands out. Otherwise, the styling is almost generic for thissectionofthemarket,apartthatisfrom thesidesteps.
They are not quite high enough or wide enoughtobepractical,buttheydoenhance thelookofthecar.
Even the kids commented how difficult theyweretouse.
Wider and longer than its predecessor, the second-generation HS offers generous head and legroom front and back, with a good-sizedluggagearea.
With the rear seats in use, it offers 507 litresofspace,withtheseatsfoldedtheboot expandstoanimpressive1484litres.Notso generous is centre storage for loose items, with much of the space given over to two cupholdersandwirelesschargingpad.
The doors are adorned in a fancy, quilted design, but closer inspection reveals they areinfactplastic–asismuchoftheinterior trim.Thedoorbinsareabletoaccommodate largersportsbottles.
ThehybridsystemintheHSSuperHybrid is underpinned by a 24.7 kWh battery pack, 23.2 kWh of which is usable. The previous modeloffered16.6kWh.
Youcanswitchmanuallybetweenhybrid and electric modes, but not easily, and we
Interestingly, although there is sport mode, there is no Eco mode to achieve minimum fuel consumption and no option tochangegearsmanually.
Anindicatorlightandgraphicalinterface reveal what mode the transmission is operating in, while the switch to fully-electric mode seems to depend on several factors – not just speed or throttle input(althoughbothplayapart).
Atonepointwelookeddowntofindthecar in EV mode travelling at a speed of 90km/h onadownhillsectionofthemotorway.
During our week with the car we clocked up more than 1000km and can report the HS is a surprisingly easy and comfortable vehicletodrive,andifthebatteryischarged frequently–itusesverylittlefuel.
For a vehicle that has not been tuned for our poor Australian roads, ride quality is quitegood.
Grip from Bridgestone Alenza tyres is above average and pressed hard the wagon doesn’tmisbehave.
The brakes bite hard in an emergency stoppingscenario.
With a 55-litre tank, the HS takes premium 95 unleaded, with claimed fuel useof0.7L/100kmandenergyconsumption of18.0kWh/100km.
We charged the car three times using the supplied granny charger, averaging 3.4L/100km and 6.9 kWh/100km – with 230kmofpetrolremainingonreturn.
The battery in the HS can be charged at a rateofup6.6kWusinganACchargerwhich we’re told takes about four hours. It cannot be charged from a commercial DC fast charger.
Each time we charged the car with the granny charger however, the system told us itwouldtakemorethan13hours.Ofnotewe were surprised to find the supplied charger workedwithanextensionlead(thisisafirst forus).
We were also pleasantly surprised to find the dreaded Chinese driver warnings are notasDraconianinthisparticularcar. But over the speed limit warnings are constant and annoying, and the system seems to have a problem differentiating betweenpostedspeedlimits.
Corners, roundabouts and carparks involveabitofguessworkbecausethefront roof pillars and large exterior mirrors block vision. The rear-view camera was also distorted anddifficulttouse.
Of note, the electric tailgate worked inconsistently, with not enough grunt to lift thetailgateifthecarwasparkedonaslope.
We suspect it’s the same electric motor as used in MG’s Cyberster electric sports car, whose chic scissor doors refused to open when parked on a slope – whether you’re in oroutofthecar.
Eight months later we are still waiting for MGtogetbacktousonthisissue.
Summing up
We like it. It’s not perfect, but then no car everis.
Where the HS does excel is being a Super Hybrid,withultra-lowfuelconsumption and a range of more than 1000km, provided you recharge the battery at every opportunity.
Withanelectric-onlyrangeof120km,the urbancommuteisverydoabletoo. It’s easy to see why the popularity of plug-in hybrids is increasing exponentially –especiallyatthesekindsofprices.
Where the HS excels is being a Super Hybrid, with ultra-low fuel consumption and a range of more than 1000km. (Pictures: Supplied)
Local stars shine at Games
By Tara Murray
The first three days of the Commonwealth Games are done and there have been some good results for the locals so far.
On the court, the Australian Diamonds and women’s 3x3 basketball team remain undefeated.
The Diamonds started with wins against Tonga on night two and England on night three.
Former City West Falcons pair Kate Moloney and Liz Watson have played big roles for the Diamonds in the midcourt as they’ve come away with two big wins.
It’s been two losses for Uneeq Palavi’s Tonga.
Palavi, who played two games for the Falconsthisyear,shot30goalsingameone against the Diamonds despite a dislocated finger.
She finished with 29 goals in game two against South Africa, with South Africa winning 96-42.
On the basketball court, Australia’s 3x3 women’s team are through to the semi finals.
After going 3-0 on day one, the Aussies, including Keilor Thunder’s Lara McSpadden went 2-0 on day three.
They beat the Cayman Islands, 21-3, and backed it up with a 21-9 win against Uganda.
McSpadden had her best game from a scoring perspective against the Cayman Islands, finishing with seven points.
The semi finals and medal games will be played on day six.
Taylors Lakes’ Jacob Cassar got his boxing campaign underway on day three.
Competing in the men’s 65 kilogram event, Cassar sealed a quarter final berth with a 5-0 win against New Zealand’s Connor Campbell in the round of 16.
Cassar will be back in action on day five.
In the pool, Bundoora’s Tara Kinder just missed the final in the 100 metres breaststroke.
Kinder finished fourth in her heat, but it
was enough for her to qualify 10th fastest for the semi finals.
In the semi finals, Kinder finished sixth in her race.
It was the faster of the two semi finals, with Kinder finishing ninth overall, just 0.03behindJamaica’sSabrinaLynwhowas the last finalist to qualify.
Kinder still has the 400 and 200 metres individual medley events to come.
Inthelawnbowls,DeerParkBowlsClub’s Paris Baker and her Tongan teammate Milika Nathan lost a second straight tiebreaker on day three.
Having won the first set 10-0, the Tongan team lost the second set 6-4 before losing the tie break.
TheTongansidethenlosttoNamibia2-0.
After three matches, Tonga sits fifth with one win.
In section D, the Norfolk Island women’s pairs team including Deer Park’s Ellie Dixon sit second with three wins.
On day three, the pair beat the Falkland Islands 2-0.
The men’s pairs, which includes Deer Park’s Corey Wedlock and Aaron Teys, gets underway on day five.
Hot competition despite the cold, tough conditions
As the seasons approach finals times, results are even more important in the run home.
StarWeekly photographer Ljubica Vrankovic was out shooting some of the action.
Westmeadows fans watch on. 567702_04
Gisborne Giants’ Olivia Craske. 567372_06
Riddell’s Matt Darby and Gisborne Giants’ Blake Tirchett. 567707_04
Gisborne’s Torie Skrijel. 567375_13
Fans watch on at Gardiner Reserve. 567378_16
Gisborne’s Brad Bernacki. 567378_05
Lara McSpadden.
Jacob Cassar. (AAP Image/Simon Stacpoole, via Photosport NZ)
Season over for Warriors
By Tara Murray
The Western Warriors first finals run in the Victorian Netball League 23 and under competition, came to an end with a tough second half on Wednesday night.
Having finished the season strongly, the Warriors were full of confidence as they faced the North East Blaze in an elimination final.
The Warriors had beaten the Blaze in the last month of the season.
At half time it was the Warriors that led by two goals, with both sides winning a lot of ball defensively.
An 18-9 third quarter turned the game in the favour of the Blaze.
While the Warriors were able to slight-
ly reduce the margin at times in the final quarter, the Blaze were too strong, winning 58-48.
Warriors’ head coach Kim Bailey felt they ran out of legs a little bit, while the Blaze’s experience shone through in the second half.
“I thought they had an exceptional first half,” she said. “Rosie Todd was on fire, just really tough at the ball and ran her own lines.
“We looked quite comfortable. I thought we might have gone away with it, but we know how good of a team Blaze is.
“They came out with an 18-9 third quarter which blew us out of the water and then we were playing catch up netball.
“In finals, that is really difficult.”
The absence of goal attack Leona Hristovska shone through in the second half, as the Warriors missed her play making ability.
Bailey said she had been their steadying presence all season.
She said they thought Charlize Bellette did an amazing job filling that role.
Ella Closter shot 42 goals for the Warriors.
Bailey said to make finals is really pleasing, with it being their first side to ever play finals.
She said heading into the season they weren’t expecting to play finals.
“We knew this was going to be a young group and they would have to mature and it wasn’t going to be an overnight thing,”
Rising shooting star Young has an eagle eye
By Peter Howe
At just 16, this month’s Don Deeble nominee Darcee Young has already had the honour of representing her country on an international stage in Germany and Austria.
Young is an Olympic air rifle and .22 calibre 3P shooter and has been involved in the sport since she was eight.
It’s a family affair with her dad Shane and mum Kimberley and her two older siblings all having gained their shooters licences, just to help transport Young to and from training and to competitions, as minors need fully licensed adults to accompany them by law.
Young’s journey began when she was in grade 3.
“My family managed ski lodges at Mount Hotham for the winter and I attended school at Dinner Plain and Thursday sport was biathlon - cross country skiing and laser target rifles,” she said.
“The students were trained by the Italian Olympic coach based there for the winter with the Australian Biathlon team.
“I had little legs, so skiing was never my strength, so shooting it was.
“I tried dancing and swimming but my passion is shooting.”
After joining a small regional shooting club and participating in her school’s clay target program, Young was approached by the Victorian state rifle coach to come and try the Olympic disciplines of air rifle and 3P.
This is where Young found her niche and the family made the move to Melbourne in 2025 from East Gippsland, after a six-hour round trip every weekend to train became
too much.
She now trains at the Melbourne International Shooting Centre in Port Melbourne five times a week and attends the Maribyrnong Sports Academy.
“Going to school at MSA allows me to complete my strength and conditioning sessions at school and as well I have an external osteopath and my coach,” Young said.
“This sport requires you to hold a heavy rifle for a long time so the support from everyone is crucial.
“I hold my 5.5 kilogram air rifle in a standing position and aim for a bullseye the size of a tip of a ballpoint pen from 10 metres away with no telescopic sights.
“When shooting my .22 rifle I do so in three positions, standing, kneeling and laying prone on the ground. The target centre is the diameter of a five cent coin 50 metres away.”
Young travels interstate to competitions up to ten times a year.
Her shooting kit weighs 60 kilograms aloe.
Young’s air rifle is affectionately known as Frank.
she said.
“In our plan we see them going a little bit further next year and hopefully a lot further, we’re really proud of them.”
Bailey said all but one player, Brydi Hutchinson, was eligible to play in 23 and unders next season.
She said the likes of Grace Hay and Holly McCarthy were a couple that they would start looking at for their championship side, along with a few others.
“It’s exciting and you look at our bench, our bench was really deep as well,” she said.
“It’s a great achievement, but while we’re disappointed in the scoreboard, we’re really proud of the performance all season from the girls.”
VTCA
Melton South Royals have announced two international signings for the Victorian Turf Cricket Association season. Josh Brown joins the club from Cockermouth in the United Kingdom. “Josh is a talented right-arm medium-fast bowler and dependable middle-order batter who also represents Cumbria County Cricket,” the Royals said. “With previous experience playing in Australia, Josh will bring quality, experience and depth to our playing group this season.” Alex Pepper also joins the Royals. “Alex joins us from Hatfield Town Cricket Club in the UK. A quality top-order batsman, we’re looking forward to seeing what he’ll bring both on and off the field this season,” the Royals said.
EDFL
“I am only five feet tall and a standard rifle doesn’t work for my height,” she said. “We had to source parts worldwide to build a rifle to suit me.
“Even my .22 calibre rifle (known as Gru) was imported from Switzerland and designed for me.”
In 2025, Young competed at her first international competition. Traditionally a shooter’s scores can drop by 20 points,hers only dropped by 10.
She said you are taken out of your comfort zone.
“In the warm up area there are hundreds of athletes all talking different languages, but all with a common purpose,” she said.
“I kept telling myself to stay calm, don’t spiral, do what you can do and stay in control.”
Young holds 12 state records.
She is currently focusing on making the national development team and her longer goal to compete in the Junior World Cup and then World Championships.
Her pinnacle is to represent Australia in Brisbane 2032.
“Shooting challenges you on so many levels,” she said.
“There are always so many little things to get right to make that perfect shot.
“I am not daunted by the challenges; I want to meet them head on.”
The Don Deeble Sports Star Award is sponsored by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club, Strathmore Community Bank, the Deer Park Club, Ascot Vale Sports and Trophies and Star Weekly Newspapers.
If you would like to nominate a monthly winner, contact swrsportsclub@gmail. com or 0408 556 631.
Burnside Heights proved no match for Hadfield in the Essendon District Football League division 2 competition. The Hawks were able to build a strong lead through the first three quarters to lead by 43 points at the final break. While the Bears were able to match the Hawks in the final quarter, it wasn’t enough with the Hawks winning, 15.11 (101)-7.16 (58). Ethan Dalla Rosa, Matthew Meocevic and Jordan Fraser were named the Bears best. In the women’s division 1 competition, the Bears got the win after Roxburgh Park forfeited.
RDNL
It was tough going for Melton South, Melton Centrals and Diggers Rest in the Riddell District Netball League on Saturday. Melton South faced ladder leaders Wallan and lost 69-42. Melton Centrals slipped down the ladder with a 62-43 loss to Romsey, with Imogen Sexton shooting 30 goals Centrals The Burras lost to Woodend-Hesket, 65-29. Kalley Tukaokao sbot 19 goals. Centrals, the Burras and Melton South sit in the bottom three spots.
Western FL
It was a tough day for the Western Rams in the Western Football League division 2 competition on Saturday. Facing West Footscray, the Rams lost 26.16 (172)-10.8 (68). Jordan Chircop, Jakob Lewer and William Markovski were named the Rams best.
FOR MORE SPORT VISIT
Web: starweekly.com.au
Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly
Darcee Young. (Shooting Australia)
Darcee Young. (Shooting Australia)
Sports shorts
Thoroughbreds’ finals joy
By Tara Murray
Melton Thoroughbreds will take plenty of confidence into their semi final as the side aims for their first Big V youth league title.
After a number of tough seasons, the Thoroughbreds youth league 3 side has shown plenty of improvement and excitement.
A top two finish meant they had a bye in the opening week of finals and now have a home final this Saturday with a grand final spot on the line.
Thoroughbreds’coachBenjaminWhyte said it was pretty exciting.
“Credit to the boys and the hard work they have put in throughout the season,” he said.
“It put us in a position to have the week off and a home semi final.
“It gives us an opportunity next year to be part of the promotion and relegation series to try and move up into division 2.
“There’s been a lot of work done and hopefully we can get the first youth league title for Melton.”
Whyte said the group had been building for three seasons, since he took over as coach.
He said when he got the job it was about building a culture and hopefully a winning culture.
“The core group of four or five players have been here the last three years,” he said.
“Some have moved on but we had set
the foundation.”
Whyte said adding the likes of Nick Ngor, Hunter Salmons, Nicholas Hopper and Zain Custovic had really made a difference.
“The core group of guys had built the culture and the other guys have come in and made it more exciting,” he said.
“It’s a reward for the culture that they’ve built.”
The Thoroughbreds have started to see some of their players step into the men’s division 2 side which Whyte said was pleasing.
They will host Southern Peninsula on Saturday night in the semi finals.
Whyte said they were confident heading into the finals.
“We’re confident that we can win the
Stewart takes premiership lead with treble
By John Dunne
Champion trainer Emma Stewart moved to the lead in the Metropolitan Trainers Premiership after landing a winning treble at Melton on Saturday night.
Stewart launched the night in successful fashion when the lightly raced three-yearold Enjoy Life tasted success on Victorian soil for the first time in the Nevele R Stud Pace.
Unbeaten at five starts in Tasmania, Enjoy Life settled towards the rear of the field before Mark Pitt made a move to sit parked outside the leader with a lap to travel.
Enjoy Life strolled to the front with 400 metres to travel and comfortably held off Royal Appointment to score by seven metres in a mile rate of 1:52.4 for the 1720 metre sprint trip.
Pitt was impressed by the son of Always B Miki’s debut in his home state.
“It was a super effort first up, we haven’t
seen here in Victoria yet as he’s done his racing in Tasmania but I think he is one of the better ones going into the future,” Pitt said.
“He can be hard to drive late just knocking off a little bit so he’s still a little bit green but once he works it out, I think we are going to see the real deal in another few runs,” he said.
Stewart and Pitt combined for an early double when Some American led all the way in the Vale Brian Marcovic Pace.
The son of American Ideal reeled off a slick 54.4 last 800 metres to defeat the fast finishing Catch A Wave by two metres with Calexico a further two metres away third in a mile rate of 1:53.1.
“We had to make sure we got off the gate well and keep it a nice tempo so when the backmarkers were ready to make their moves we put the foot down a bit,” he said.
“We had to make a bit of a break on them around the home turn as he’s just got a tendency to knock off the last 50 (metres).”
competition,” he said. “We’ve had some good results this season.
“We’re confident in the game plan and that our game style stacks up with the best in the competition.
“We’re really excited and hoping to pack the stands and have a vocal crowd.”
Meanwhile, the Thoroughbreds’ men’s side small finals hopes ended on Saturday night.
The Thoroughbreds lost to the Collingwood All Stars, 101-80.
A 26-9 first quarter set the win up for the All Stars.
Elijah Davy top scored with 28 points.
The Thoroughbreds will finish their season against the Mornington Breakers this weekend.
Another finals blow for Cobras
Bacchus Marsh’s finals hopes took another blow as Melton and Darley also suffered losses in the Ballarat Football League on Saturday.
The Cobras, who were in seventh, faced sixth placed Sunbury Lions on Saturday, with the Lions sitting a game and percentage ahead.
Sunbury was wasteful in the first half which kept the Cobras in the game with scores level at the main break.
The Lions kicked three goals to one in the third quarter to led by five points at the last break.
Sunbury finished off the better of the sides to come away with a 10.14 (74)-8.7 (55) win.
Joel Freeman kicked three goals for the Cobras in the loss.
Zach Vesty and Jude Milburn were named the Cobras best.
The Cobras remain in seventh spot and with Melton losing, they are still only a game and percentage outside the top six.
The Bloods headed up to Ballarat to take on Ballarat.
The Swans led at every of the breaks, but were never able to break away from the Bloods.
A three goal to two final quarter was enough to make sure of the win for the Swans who won, 12.16 (88)10.5 (65).
Ryan Davis and Braedan Kight kicked three goals each for the Bloods.
Jaycob Hickey and Kight were named their best.
The Bloods slip from fifth to sixth with the loss.
Trainer Andy Gath would have been delighted with the performance of Catch A Wave at his second start back from a spell after being hampered with hoof issues over the past 12 months.
The run suggests the seven times Group 1 winner could still play a role at the elite level during the coming months.
Most Exciting was rewarded for his recent consistent form when he notched up an all the way win in the VHRC Pace.
Pitt said it was a deserved win after the son of Always B Miki had been placed in his past three starts at Melton.
Stewart now heads the table with 33 winners holding a two-win advantage over the Marg and Paddy Lee stable, who have led for much of the season, on 31.
Finnish born horseman Antti Ruokonen provided the quinella in the IRT Mares Free For All Trot after the well-bred mare No Money No Honey made a long-awaited return to the winner’s stall.
Elsewhere, Darley fell short as it lost to ladder leaders Sebastopol.
Having won its last five games, the Devils were hoping to get one back against the Burras, who were the last team they had lost to.
The Burras controlled the first three quarter to lead by 40 points at three time.
The Devils came home strongly with five goals in the final quarter, but the Burras had done enough as it won, 15.7 (97)-10.15 (75).
Jayven Tanner kicked three goals for the Devils.
Matthew Brett and Zane Le Huray were named their best.
The Devils slip to fourth on the ladder.
Enjoy Life. (Stuart McCormick)
Phoenix keen for results
By Tara Murray
Melton Phoenix feels like the tide will eventually turn in the FV state league 4 northwest competition.
The Phoenix has played some good soccer throughout the season, but results haven’t necessarily gone its way.
With a close competition, coach Sergio Lunderi knows they need to get some wins on the board late to ensure they stay in state league 4.
“It’s been tough with injuries and not getting the results,” he said.
“We got a new squad who are showing up and being serious and they keep on working.
“Sooner or later the results will come.
Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
Lunderi said they always knew it would take some time this season to come together.
Only one or two players from last season remain, meaning it was a brand new squad this season.
While many have played for Lunderi before, there’s been plenty of challenges.
“Getting 24- to 26 players together in harmony is the first thing,” he said.
“It’s a new challenge and a new league.
“The major thing is they are still showing up. We have a competitive squad that we have put together.
“There’s still a way to go, it’s a long time project.”
Lunderi said that they’ve had some
good moments throughout the season, and played some good soccer.
The results haven’t fallen their way.
Lunderi said they felt that they were starting to click even if it wasn’t showing in the results.
The side managed to return to the winners list against Westside Strikers, before losing to Laverton on Saturday.
Laverton scored three goals in first half to set up the win.
The Phoenix got one back just after half time, before Laverton took its advantage out to 4-1, which was the final score.
Melton sits in 10th spot.
With just seven points between sixth and second bottom, every win is important in the run home.
Panthers break Magpies’ winning streak
By Tara Murray
Melton South produced one of its best wins in recent history as it broke Wallan’s winning streak in the Riddell District Football League on Saturday.
The Panthers produced a strong four quarter performance against the Magpies, to give their hopes of finishing third a boost.
Panthers’ coach Travis Hodgson said it was more than the four points for the playing group as they knocked off the top team.
“It was a good win to knock off a team that is undefeated,” he said.
“A lot of South people said it’s the best win the club has had in a long time. Even when we’ve won a few games, we weren’t knocking a team off.
“It was a big day for the club.
“The belief and confidence brings more weight than the four points.” Hodgson said defensively was where they set the win up against the Magpies.
After narrowly trailing at quarter time, the Panthers were able to bring the lead to
19 points at three quarter.
While the Panthers had some chances in the final quarter, the Panthers were able to equal their four goals to seal the 14.2 (92)11.12 (78) win.
“We defended them really well,” Hodgson said. “We were the better side on the day.
“We played them earlier in the year and we’re a better side since then and are more resilient and harder to play against.
“We were brave with the ball and aggressive with our ball movement.”
Hodgson said they were happy to kick 14 goals and said doing that every week would have them in every game.
He said while their game plan is high risk and at times won’t come off, it was really good on Saturday.
Jake Thorton-Gielen kicked three goals for the Panthers, while Trent Angwin, Sam Darley, Riley Theo and Alec Goodson kicked two goals each.
Blake Souter, Theo and Jarrod Bibby were named the Panthers best.
The Panthers sit in fifth spot, with just
The Phoenix sits one point clear of the relegation zone.
“Two or three losses and you are in the relegation zone,” he said.
“We have to keep our head down and keep working for the last six games. We can’t relax, we have to keep on working.”
Sitting in the relegation zone and one point behind the Phoenix is Westside Strikers.
The Strikers had a 4-3 loss to Bell Park on Saturday.
It was a goal feast in the first half with Bell Park leading 4-2 at the break.
The Strikers would get one back late in injury time, but it wasn’t enough for the win.
Cobras’ upset win
Bacchus Marsh did its finals hopes no harm with an upset win against the Sunbury Lions on Saturday in the Ballarat Netball League.
Sitting outside the top six, the Cobras need everything to go their way in the run home. Facing an understrength Lions side, which had five B-grade players playing, the Cobras snuck home 41-40. Kimberly Philipps shot 32 goals for the Cobras to be the difference under the ring.
The Cobras sit in seventh spot, percentage outside the top six.
four points separating third and sixth.
Hodgson said most people looking at the ladder had the top two teams sitting above the other four sides in the top six.
With Macedon beating Diggers Rest recently, it’s shown that both the top two sides can be beaten.
“They are still the best two teams in the competition, but everyone is beatable.”
For the Panthers, where they finish is in their own hands.
It starts with Kyneton this Saturday.
“Our destiny is in our own hands,” he said
“It’ll be an interesting three weeks with all the sides playing each other.
“We play the three sides in the same spot as us.
“We beat both Macedon and Kyneton at home, we now play them at their home grounds, where they are hard to beat. Riddell was too good earlier in the season.”
Dylan Jobson and Bradley Layton kicked three goals each for Centrals.
Elsewhere, Darley added another win to the total as it accounted for Sebastopol. The Devils won, 54-44 to keep their spot at the top of the table.
Olivia Cawthray shot 47 goals for the Devils, while Maddison Bosio shot five goals and Jaimee Smith shot two goals. The Devils sit on top, percentage ahead of North Ballarat.
The Devils have just one loss for the season, while North Ballarat is undefeated but has had two draws.
Meanwhile it was a tough day for Melton as it lost to Ballarat, 83-23.
Monique Van blommestein shot 15 goals for the Bloods. The Bloods remain bottom of the ladder without a win.
In other results, Lake Wendouree beat East Point, 53-37, while North Ballarat got the job done against Redan, 45-35.
In round 15, the Bloods are at home against North Ballarat, Darley will face Lake Wendouree and Bacchus Marsh will take on Redan.
