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Pedal-powered adventure The Eynesbury forest surrounds became a playground for young cyclists during a scavenger hunt bike ride on Wednesday 23 September. Held as part of Melton council’s school holiday activities, the two-hour adventure saw children aged 10 to 16 team up and pedal along footpaths, dirt tracks and gravel trails in search of hidden scavenger hunt pieces. Guided by the Edmund Rice Foundation, with support from Melton council and Resimax Group, the $10 activity encouraged participants to get outdoors, work together and explore the forest on two wheels. A safety briefing was held before the ride, with staff carrying first aid supplies throughout the afternoon. Riders brought their own bikes and helmets, while bikes were also available to borrow for those who needed them. The activity ran from 1.30 to 3.30pm, giving the young cyclists plenty of time to explore Eynesbury’s trails while putting their riding skills and teamwork to the test. Check out what else is on around Melton these school holidays: https://www.melton.vic.gov.au/ Services/People/Families-and-children/Schoolholiday-activities. Participants Anaiyah, 10, Bonnie, 11, Eliza, 13, Cooper, 11, and Froilan, 12, took part in all the fun of council’s Scavenger Hunt Bike Ride on Wednesday 23 September through Eynesbury. (Damjan Janevski).

Roo cull concerns By Jack O’Shea-Ayres Wildlife rescuers and community advocates are calling for non-lethal alternatives to a potential cull of 60 to 80 kangaroos confined inside Stockland’s Mt Atkinson development site in Truganina. Calls to protect the mob came after a community meeting on 16 September where Stockland representatives reportedly informed attendees that a decision had been made to cull the mobs of Eastern Grey Kangaroos contained within the development site on the advice of independent experts. Stockland, however, said no formal decision had been made concerning the kangaroo population and that it was continuing to assess management options with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and independent experts.

Chelsea Lovett-Ahern, a Bunurong woman who launched a public petition to stop any cull and who attended the community meeting, claimed Stockland effectively fenced the kangaroos into the development site approximately two years ago. She described the situation as an “absolute failure” of environmental planning and cultural respect. “The kangaroos are currently trapped by surrounding fencing and development where the culling could have been avoided if they were not landlocked by Stockland in the first place,“ she said. Ms Lovett-Ahern said the Bunurong people and the Victorian Kangaroo Alliance were demanding ministers Jaclyn Symes and Luba Grigorovitch intervene and allow Vets For Compassion or other qualified rescuers to safely relocate the animals. Responding to concerns, a Stockland

spokesperson assured residents that no final corporate decision had been made regarding the future of the mob. “Stockland is committed to the responsible management of the Mount Atkinson Reserve and Eastern Grey Kangaroo population within the reserve,” the spokesperson said. “Stockland has engaged independent specialists to monitor the kangaroo population and provide management advice. All reasonable management options have been assessed and Stockland continues to work closely with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and other experts to understand the most appropriate path forward. “No formal decision has been made regarding the future management of the kangaroo population within the reserve.” Star Weekly understands the company has engaged with traditional owners,

though it did not specify whether formal consultation had occurred with particular wildlife rescue groups. A Conservation Regulator spokesperson said the department was aware of the situation and that killing, relocating or deliberately disturbing the protected wildlife would require appropriate authorisation under Victoria’s Wildlife Act 1975. However, due to privacy requirements, the Conservation Regulator does not comment on whether ATCW applications have been submitted or permits issued for specific properties or individuals. Eastern Grey Kangaroos are protected under Victoria’s Wildlife Act 1975, although authorised lethal control is permitted in certain circumstances. Ms Grigorovitch said she shares the community’s concerns and will make sure those concerns are heard by the relevant authorities.

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Festival disappointment By Jack O’Shea-Ayres Melton’s Djerriwarrh Festival will return for its 44th installment in November, but without two of its long-standing attractions after the annual street parade and carnival were dropped from this year’s event. Council announced a “refreshed format” for the festival, which will be held along High Street on Saturday 7 November, between 2 and 9pm. The Lions Club of Melton’s annual carnival, which has traditionally run alongside the longstanding festival, will not go ahead this year due to what council described as the “logistical and risk management requirements” involved.

The street parade has also been scrapped, with schools instead invited to take part in arts workshops, with students’ work to be displayed at the Melton Civic Centre. The changes have been criticised by Bacchus Marsh resident Anthony Bugelli, who has been attending the annual Djerriwarrh Festival for over 20 years. “How in their right mind does council think it’s okay to cancel the rides, the parade, and the Lions Club, who have been part of this event since it first began?” he questioned. “They clearly have no idea what this event means to the community or how much people look forward to these traditions every year.”

These are the things that make the event what it is, and taking them away completely ruins it - Anthony Bugelli Mr Bugelli said the changes had diminished the appeal of the festival and he would not attend this year’s event. “These are the things that make the event what it is, and taking them away completely ruins it for a lot of people,” Mr Bugelli said. “I spend a lot of my time throughout the

City of Melton, so I’ve seen firsthand how much events like this mean to the wider community. The Djerriwarrh Festival has always been something families and friends look forward to each year.” Council said the new format was intended to create a more connected and family-friendly celebration, with free entertainment, activities, markets, food vendors, and live music planned throughout the day. The festival will include a BMX showcase, circus performances, roving performers, art installations, children’s activities, sports and fitness workshops, and more than 20 food and drink vendors. The event will conclude with a fireworks display, weather permitting.

Save the date: Djerriwarrh Festival is back in November Melton residents are being encouraged to save the date for this year’s Djerriwarrh Festival, set to return to High Street Melton on Saturday 7 November. This year’s festival brings with it a refreshed format designed to create a more connected, family-friendly celebration. The event will feature free entertainment, activities, food, and markets along High Street, complemented with live music performances between 2pm and 9pm, all to come to a head with a spectacle of fireworks displays. Families can enjoy roving performers, art installations, children’s entertainment, hands-on workshops, food vendors, and plenty of surprises throughout the afternoon before settling in for an evening of live music and fireworks. The Playground on the Civic Lawn will offer a range of free, family-friendly activities, including the Trash Puppets Workshop, Giant Bubble Zone, 10-minute dance parties, a wildlife display and craft workshops. The Good Sports Hub will feature sport, circus activities, fitness workshops, local clubs and plenty of opportunities for festivalgoers to get involved, while Festival Central will feature a BMX showcase and workshops, a Market Village and circus performances. Melton’s food lovers will also have plenty to choose from, with more than 20 vendors offering a variety of food and drinks. This year, schools will be invited to participate in arts workshops as part of the festival in lieu of the street parade, with participating schools also having their artwork exhibited at the Melton Civic Centre. Mayor Lara Carli said the much-loved

Last year’s Djerriwarrh Festival. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 510950_11

community event drew on the success of previous years with its refreshed format. “Djerriwarrh Festival is one of our city’s most-loved community events, and this year’s refreshed format is about making the day feel even more connected, welcoming

and enjoyable for families, with free activities and entertainment for everyone to enjoy,” Cr Carli said. “We’ve created a more cohesive program that brings together daytime activities, live music and fireworks in one great afternoon

and evening celebration.” The 2026 Djerriwarrh Festival will take place on High Street, Melton, from 2pm-9pm on Saturday 7 November. For more information on this year’s festival visit: www.djerriwarrhfest.com.au.

Funding flows from energy hub

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Five community organisations across Melbourne’s west have secured funding through the 2026 Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub (MREH) Community Benefit Fund. GreenPoint Energy and SEC will provide $100,000 this year to support community-led initiatives across Melton and surrounding areas. The fund was established following community feedback and is split across two streams, including a $75,000 Youth Futures Partnership Grant and $25,000 in Safe and Sustainable Community Grants. Future Connect’s School to Work Program was awarded the Youth Futures Partnership Grant and will use the funding to expand its school-to-industry engagement work with young people in Melton. Four organisations also received Safe and Sustainable Community Grants: the Royal

Flying Doctor Service Victoria, Eynesbury Eagles Cricket Club, Melton Hockey Club and Sunbury Softball Association. The smaller grants support local initiatives focused on community connection, participation and sustainability. SEC executive general manager of assets Lane Crockett said the fund was intended to ensure communities shared in the benefits of hosting renewable energy infrastructure. “The grants will support organisations that are making a meaningful difference through education, participation, community connection and opportunities for young people,” he said. GreenPoint Energy managing director and co-CEO Roby Camagong said “We look forward to seeing these organisations deliver programs that strengthen community connections and create positive outcomes for local residents.”

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Bentley gives back George Cross Football Club legend Bentley, who is seven years old, is best known for one thing: his iconic plaits. Plaits have been part of who he is, part of his personality, and part of his family’s story. But Bentley recently decided it was time for something bigger. Having never had a haircut, Bentley had been quietly growing his hair for a greater purpose: to help create a wig for cancer patients who have lost their hair during treatment. Despite his tender years, Bentley understands something many adults struggle to grasp: that even the smallest person can make a massive difference. Bentley recently chopped off his iconic hair to donate to those who might be struggling. Along the way he’s managed to raise over $4000 for the Cancer Council. For Bentley, though, it’s more than just a fundraiser - it’s personal. Bentley has grown up hearing stories of strength, loss, and survival, as his family has felt the impact of cancer deeply. Stories of Bentley’s great-grandmother, Nanny Moos, his uncle Andrew, and his great-aunty Mary have all served as reminders of why supporting cancer research and patient care matters so much. Bentley’s mum Laura Tawaf said she couldn’t be more proud. “What he did was amazing and we’re so happy with it,” she said. “He’s never had a haircut in his life, but we knew whenever he did cut it, it would be going somewhere good to help others.”

Have a say on Customer Charter Moorabool council is seeking the community’s feedback on its updated Customer Charter after councillors unanimously approved consultation at their 2 September meeting. The four-week consultation period is expected to give residents the opportunity to comment on the draft charter and whether it reflects their expectations when dealing with council. The review forms part of Council’s Customer Experience Strategy 20252027 and follows community feedback gathered in April 2024 about what residents considered important when interacting with council. The current charter is built around four commitments: understanding customers’ needs, being easy to deal with, keeping customers updated, and doing what council says it will. Council said analysis of customer satisfaction surveys and its Voice of the Customer program indicated the existing charter largely reflects community expectations, meaning only minor changes are proposed. The updated charter also aims to strengthen council’s focus on the endto-end customer experience, including service design, customer service and service delivery. Community consultation is now open and can be provided through council’s website until Sunday 20 September. cil for adoption in coming months.

Bentley went under the scissors to raise money for cancer research thanks to the support of Caroline Springs George Cross Football Club. (Supplied)

Bentley and his family are continuing to take donations to support cancer research. Details: https://tinyurl.com/ ykmjra6a.

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Seven-year-old Bentley donated his iconic plaits to those undergoing cancer treatment. (Supplied)

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Buses a ‘low hanging fruit’ By Jack O’Shea-Ayres Both the state government and the opposition have turned their attention to transport infrastructure in Melbourne’s booming west, but a public transport advocacy group says Melton’s neglected bus network remains a “low hanging fruit”. Sustainable Cities, through its Better Buses campaign, has called on the state government and the opposition to commit to a structural overhaul of Melton’s bus network, arguing significant improvements could be delivered for a fraction of the cost of major road and rail projects. The calls follow the recent commitment from the state government to upgrade

the Western Freeway, including new offramps for Thornhill Park and road widening between Ballarat and Ferris roads. The commitment would bring the total investment in the Western Freeway to more than $1.5 billion. The Coalition has instead focused on rail, promising a $1.7 billion for 25 new hybrid trains for both the Melton and Wyndham Vale lines if elected in this year’s state election - a promise Sustainable Cities described as a “stop gap solution” until electrification is completed. Sustainable Cities spokesperson Jaksha Shah said while the commitments were positive for the west, buses offered a more immediate and inexpensive opportunity

to improve transport connections. “Buses are the low hanging fruit that will get the Western suburbs moving,” Ms Shah said. “We are asking for a fast, frequent and connected grid of buses, it is an effective and inexpensive solution for the gridlock we experience every day.” The Melton area has received recent bus upgrades, including new routes 140A to Mount Atkinson and 451 to Thornhill Park. However Sustainable Cities said the remainder of Melton’s bus network was characterised by indirect routes and infrequent services, making incremental improvements impractical.

The group is calling for a redesign based around frequent, direct bus routes operating along major roads and connecting residential areas with key destinations, including shopping centres and V/Line stations. Labor candidate for Melton Broden Borg said recent investment needed to be matched with a review into Melton’s bus network. “We need to build on the investments that have started here…It means making sure that the frequency, reliability, and coverage of our bus network matches them.” Liberal candidate Jarrod Bingham was contacted for comment.

Crime on the rise again By Jack O’Shea-Ayres

Phillip Gordon, Bruce Wheeler, Robert Shaw and Sharlene Gordon. (Damjan Janevski). 580067 08

Motorcyclists to rally for better roads Motorcyclists from across the state will ride to Parliament House in Melbourne to raise concerns about road conditions and to remember those who have lost their lives on Victorian roads. The Broken Roads = Broken Promises rally will take place on Sunday 4 October, with riders travelling from meeting points across the state before gathering at Parliament House for a peaceful rally at 11am. A major western meeting point will be the BP Service Station on Grant Street, Maddingley, with riders departing at 9am before travelling to Melbourne. Following the Parliament House rally, riders will take part in a police-escorted ride to Pirates Tavern in Williamstown for the official Ride for the Fallen event.

Ride for the Fallen president and Bacchus Marsh resident Philip Gordon said the road condition rally was organised separately from his group, but both events shared concerns about motorcycle safety. “The ‘Broken Roads = Broken Promises’ rally was arranged after one of our fellow riders passed away after hitting a pothole on the Western Highway, Trawalla, on 13 September,” he said. “Current road conditions are hazardous for all vehicles, not just motorcycles.” Mr Gordon said the issue was not limited to a particular road or region, with riders reporting concerns across Victoria. “Every municipality has its own ‘worst’ road in the district,” he said. The Ride for the Fallen event was estab-

lished to honour Marielle, a young learner rider who died while riding to work in 2024. Mr Gordon said the event also reflected his own experience after he was involved in a motorcycle crash on the Western Highway at Pentland Hills in November 2025. He said greater input from motorcyclists, improved awareness of riders as road users and more comprehensive training and support for learner riders were needed. The Ride for the Fallen event will be open to riders from all backgrounds and motorcycle clubs. “Gone from our sight. Never from our hearts. Forever on the road,” Mr Gordon said. Details: https://www.facebook. com/groups/1787794398120912/ posts/4584136565153334/.

Have your say on senior services in Moorabool Moorabool council wants to soon hear how it can better support its local seniors. Moorabool council is set to soon seek community feedback on a new plan aimed at helping older residents live well, stay connected, and participate in community life. Council sought to approve an engagement plan at its Wednesday 5 August meeting for the proposed Positive Ageing Plan 2026-2029. The new plan will replace council’s Age Well live Well Strategy 2022-2025, which has reached the end of its implementation pe-

riod. A report presented to council said changes within the community, its organisational structure and the broader policy environment meant a refreshed approach to positive ageing was needed. Community engagement will run throughout August and September, with residents invited to provide feedback through council’s Have Your Say platform, hard-copy surveys, a phone concierge service, and in-person sessions. As part of the consultation process, coun-

6 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 29 September, 2026

cil will host drop-ins sessions at local libraries, The Village shopping centre in Bacchus Marsh, and local lawn bowls clubs. Council will seek input from neighbourhood houses, seniors groups, service providers, advocacy organisations, internal council teams, and its Disability Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee. The Positive Ageing Advisory Committee is expected to help guide the overall development of the plan, with council set to consider a draft plan following the consultation period.

Crime has continued to rise across both Melton and Moorabool. Data released by the Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) on 24 September showed that for the year to June 2026, crime rose by 6.2 per cent in Moorabool, jumping to 3274 recorded offences this year compared with 3084 at the same time last year. Melton’s crime rose by 3.9 per cent to June, recording 17,101 offences this year compared to 16,459 last year. Bacchus Marsh was again Moorabool’s crime hotspot, with 1256 recorded offences compared to 1174 the year prior, followed by Darley with 575 (previously 567), and then Maddingley with 460 (up from 407). Ballan recorded 300 offences locally compared to 251 for the same period last year, while Parwan saw 49 offences recorded for the period down from 53. The suburb of Melton took home top spot for crime at 2082, down from 2314 the year prior, followed by Melton South with 1501, up from 1496, and Caroline Springs slightly up to 1270 from 1256. Melton West followed, dropping to 1131 from 1254 the previous year, and Truganina, with 1027, up from 896. Other types of theft was the top offence recorded across both Melton and Moorabool, with 2867 and 445 respectively, while breaching a family violence order followed for Moorabool at 357, and stealing from a motor vehicle came shortly behind at 306. Moorabool recorded 234 incidents of criminal damage, while 175 motor vehicle offences were recorded. Stealing from a motor vehicle was the second most popular offence recorded in Melton at 1772, followed by breaching a family violence order at 1711, then criminal damage at 1183, and stealing from a retail store at 930 offences. Houses were the most common location for offences across both municipalities, with 5866 offences taking place in people’s homes across Melton and 1077 in Moorabool. Offences taking place in streets, lanes, footpaths, and service stations were all up across Melton and Moorabool, while those taking place in driveways and carports dropped. Offences recorded in retail stores and train stations rose for Melton and Moorabool respectively.

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Seven people have been arrested following a shooting in Burnside Heights last month, with several of the accused from Melbourne’s west. Police arrested four people on 17 September, including a 29-year-old Hillside man, a 20-year-old Deer Park man, a 23-year-old Deer Park woman and a 28-year-old Brookfield man. Three Harkness men, aged 36, 28 and 23, were arrested the following day. The arrests follow an alleged shooting involving a 27-year-old Albanvale man on Calder Park Drive, Taylors Hill, on 7 September. Police allege shots were fired from a black Dodge Ram during a pursuit, with one striking the man in the upper body.

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Internationally recognised criminologist and social justice advocate Dr Marietta Martinovic OAM is among this year’s inductees to The Victorian Honour Roll of Women. The Caroline Springs-based associate professor in criminology and justice studies from RMIT University was one of 27 women inducted at the Arts Centre Melbourne on Wednesday 23 September. Dr Martinovic works in the field of transformative learning in prisons, also developing opportunities to include lived criminal justice experience in policy making. She started the first Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program in Australia in 2015, now an elective subject at RMIT University, which takes criminal justice students into a prison every week for a semester to learn alongside incarcerated people. Dr Martinovic is being recognised as an Agent for Change through her inspiring work within prisons, after setting up her Think Tank of Inside-Out Graduates. The core model sees graduates of the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program join collaborative, ongoing Inside-Out Think Tanks comprised of incarcerated (“inside“) and non-incarcerated (“outside“) alumni who work together on criminal justice reform and community projects. Since 2015, Inside-Out has supported over 1200 graduates and resulted in 6 prison-based Think Tanks, sparking unprecedented change. Dr Martinovic has led more than 150 stakeholder consultations, written more than 50 related papers/reports, and contributed to 5 parliamentary inquiries. Her work includes mandating

Dr Marietta Martinovic OAM. (Supplied)

organisations to include people with lived and living criminal justice experience in policy-making. Dr Martinovic said her work aimed to humanise those in custody, while also promoting change for societies across the world. “The one main goal is to humanise people in custody for those in the community, and to ensure they have their voices heard,” she said. “I aim to make the community less punitive, and to be more forgiving and more open to assisting people who come out of custody who have been in the justice system.” Dr Martinovic said it was a special privilege to be inducted alongside so many other women who make the world a better place. “It feels pretty amazing to be recognised both in a Victorian-specific and a women-specific honour.”

Burnside Heights shooting

Deer Park affray Four teenagers have been charged following an alleged brawl in Deer Park that left an 18-year-old woman with serious stab wounds. A 16-year-old boy from the Melton area was among those charged by detectives on 24 September. Charges included affray, intentionally causing injury, violent disorder and possessing a controlled weapon. A 15-year-old Brimbank girl and two teenagers from the Yarra area were also charged. Police were called to Robert Bruce Reserve on Gould Street at 7.15pm on September 16 after reports of a brawl. FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

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Duplication ‘falls short’ By Jack O’Shea-Ayres The state government has pledged $170 million to duplicate Taylors Road between Kings Road and Kurung Drive in Brimbank if re-elected at November’s state election, but Melton council says the commitment falls short. Melton council said while the announcement is a positive step, the upgrade must not stop short of the sections of Taylors Road in Melton, where the liveability of residents is impacted by the need for more investment in roads. Considered a critical east-west link in Melton, Taylors Road carries up to 34,000

vehicles a day and meets the general criteria for an arterial road, with traffic volumes projected to further increase to more than 40,720 vehicles a day by 2031. Council said increasing traffic volumes already had a significant impact on safety and congestion, with 83 traffic accidents recorded in the five-year period between 2020 and 2025, including 18 serious injuries, according to Victorian road crash data. Star Weekly understands current plans to upgrade Taylors Road do not include sections which sit along Melton’s growth corridor. Council is calling on all major parties

contesting the state election to commit to the full duplication and upgrade of Taylors Road through to Leakes Road, and to declare the entire corridor a state-managed road. When asked if the state government would support extending any upgrades of Taylors Road into Melton, Roads and Road Safety Minister Paul Hamer did not specify. “We know Taylors Road needs upgrading and that’s exactly what we’ll deliver if re-elected,“ Mr Hamer said. Mayor Lara Carli said a commitment to fully upgrade Taylors Road was needed now, as council could not keep up with

the funds needed to deliver. “Council is investing in upgrading Taylors Road because we understand the need to ease congestion and improve safety, but we can’t do it alone,” she said. “The Victorian Government has collected more than $420 million in GAIC funding from development in the City of Melton, yet almost $165 million has not been reinvested back into our community. “That funding should be helping deliver the roads, and infrastructure our residents need and deserve.“ The opposition was contacted for comment.

Councils unite behind vision for highway

Pickleball kicks off in Harkness with the official first serve taking place at 10am on Wednesday 7 October, at Arnolds Creek Tennis Pavilion, located at 19 Claret Ash Boulevard in Harkness.t . (Damjan Janevski). 577538 04

Senior citizens are in a pickle in Melton Melton’s seniors are invited to try the latest sports craze, pickleball, with a new social group taking to the courts at Arnold’s Creek. The free daytime group, launching in October, aims to give seniors a fun way to stay active, meet locals, and learn a rapidly growing sport. Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis; players use paddles to hit a plastic ball over a net on a court smaller than a regular tennis court. Group organiser Janette Melvin conceived the idea after noticing growing participation

in the sport but limited local options for getting involved. “I’ve seen it and watched people play it, but I’ve personally never played it. But I want to take a chance to see who might turn up and where it might go,” Ms Melvin said. The group is supported by RecLink, and participants will be shown the rules before starting friendly matches. Ms Melvin said the focus would be firmly on having fun. “Most people will be beginners and learning the game - we’ll give it a go and see if we

enjoy it,” she said. She said pickleball’s smaller court and low-impact nature make it an accessible option for seniors around Melton. “It’s going to be social more than anything, and an environment for seniors around Melton to get out and about,” she said. The group is open to all skill levels, and equipment is provided. Registrations are essential through RecLink. The official first serve will take place at 10am on Wednesday 7 October, at Arnolds Creek tennis pavilion.

Have your say on Caroline Springs pedestrian crossings Caroline Springs residents are being asked to have their say on a number of proposed crossings and traffic changes at a busy Caroline Springs intersection. Melton council is proposing upgrades at the roundabout connecting Caroline Springs Boulevard, The Crossing, and The Esplanade, an intersection frequently used by pedestrians, cyclists, and almost 40,000 vehicles each day. The plans include two new raised pedestrian crossings with traffic lights on Caroline Springs Boulevard, with one on each side of the roundabout.

Raised priority crossings are also proposed on The Crossing and The Esplanade, while the existing turning lane on Lake Street would be extended to improve traffic flow. Council is also proposing upgraded street lighting and landscaping to improve visibility and the streetscape. The upgrades are designed to improve pedestrian safety and connectivity, reduce vehicle speeds approaching the town centre and Creekside College, and help reduce traffic delays and congestion. However, the works would require some

8 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 29 September, 2026

trees within and around the intersection to be removed, as well as three on-street parking spaces on Caroline Springs Boulevard. Changes to pedestrian routes and traffic movements would also be required under the proposed layout. Community members are encouraged to provide their feedback on the proposed changes until Sunday 20 September through council’s website. Council plans to evaluate feedback from 21 September to 18 October, with a report back scheduled for 19 October. Details: https://tinyurl.com/3tk2t7ec.

The Western Highway Action Committee (WHAC), representing 10 municipalities across Victoria’s west, has released a new advocacy prospectus outlining a shared vision and investment priorities for the Western Highway corridor from Melton to the South Australian border. The prospectus identifies key projects needed to improve safety, freight efficiency, regional connectivity and the long-term resilience of one of Australia’s most important interstate transport routes. The committee’s latest prospectus builds on that legacy by setting out a coordinated roadmap for future investment and collaboration between local government and all levels of government. The prospectus outlines WHAC’s long-term aspiration of achieving a fully duplicated, freeway-standard Western Highway from Melbourne to the South Australian border, while prioritising immediate projects that address critical safety and capacity constraints. WHAC chair and Moorabool Councillor Rod Ward said there was still a long way to go in ensuring the major arterial road met the needs of the growing west. “While significant progress has been made, there is still important work to do to ensure the corridor meets the needs of our growing communities, freight operators and visitors,” Cr Ward said. “Our priorities focus on improving safety, reducing travel delays, strengthening freight productivity and connecting regional communities with jobs, services and opportunities. “Investment in the Western Highway has been neglected for too long and we call on the state government to rectify this.” Both Melton mayor Lara Carli and Moorabool mayor Steve Venditti-Taylor welcomed continued investment in the Western Freeway, highlighting the need for upgrades to improve safety, connectivity and freight efficiency while supporting growth across Melton and Moorabool. A Victorian government spokesperson said a multi-billion dollar investment aimed to meet these needs. “We’re delivering the road improvements needed to support our state’s growing west, including upgrades to the Western Freeway between Melton and Caroline Springs and the Western Highway between Buangor to Ararat.” Gippsland Liberal MP Danny O’Brien said if elected, the opposition would ensure 25 per cent of the state’s infrastructure budget would be spent across the western region.

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Offering refugees a voice A new four-part podcast series exploring Australia’s offshore detention regime has just been released, including firsthand accounts from people still detained on Naoero, and interviews with former detainees now living on short term visas in Australia. Cade Lucas reports.

or a quarter of a century Footscray’s Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) has been supporting and advocating for the rights of refugees, and people seeking asylum, providing everything from legal advice and representation, to help accessing housing, education and medical care, to emergency food supplies through its foodbank. But earlier this month, the ASRC embarked on a new way of advocating for the rights of refugees: by simply telling their stories. “Out of Sight Out of Mind is podcast that is really critical for our times,” ASRC chief executive and founder Kon Karapandgiotidis said of the new four-part podcast series telling the stories of those who’ve been detained in Australia’s off-shore detention system, primarily on the island Naoero (formerly Nauru). “Out of Sight and Out of Mind is important because for the first time in Australia, it’s a podcast that gives a voice to refugees themselves.” Once a hot-button issue, especially when the Coalition led by Tony Abbott returned to power promising to ‘stop the boats’ and re-established Australia’s off-shore detention centre network, the plight of asylum seekers languishing in places like Naoero has receded from view as the boats stopped, the detention centers closed, Covid-19 happened and the Coalition was turfed out of office. But far from going away, Mr Karapanagiotidis said the issue had instead morphed from concern about asylum seekers arriving by boat, to a much larger and uglier debate about immigration itself. “At a time where we’re seeing a rise of racism, far-right parties and the dehumanising of refugees, migrants and pretty much all of multicultural Australia, more than ever we need to hear the stories of the people behind the dehumanisation and bigotry,” he said, adding that while the the debate had grown into something bigger and places like Naoro and Manus Island were now rarely in the news, Australia was still holding asylum seekers in off-shore detention, hence the title of the podcast. “It’s called Out of Sight Out of Mind because that’s the whole intention of keeping people detained off-shore; if they’re out of sight, they’re out of mind.” The series attempts to address this from the beginning, with episode one ‘Naoero Now’ featuring the first person account of Ravi, a young Bangladeshi man currently being held on the tiny Micronesian island nation while seeking asylum in Australia. “They treat us like animals, we are animals. We don’t have any hope, any dreams,” Ravi said of life in Naoero, where he’s been for the last two years; the first six months in detention and the rest in the community. “Like if we’ve got any problem in Naoero, no one responds to that. If we have any problems, like health problems, like legal problems here, we are helpless.” The situation is better for former Naoero detainees now living in Australia, though not by a lot. Among those interviewed for episode two ‘Women and Children Last’, is Ethiopian born Betelhem Tebebu, who arrived in Australia by boat in 2013 after fleeing her homeland in search of safety. Transferred to Naoero, Betelhem spent years in detention before eventually being transferred to Australia in 2017 on a short-term bridging visa.

Chief executive of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) Kon Karapanagiotidis at its Footscray’s headquarters. The ASRC has launched a new podcast series. (Damjan Janevski) 579773 03

More than ever we need to hear the stories of the people behind the dehumanisation and bigotry - Kon Karapandgiotidis Now a mother of a young daughter and working for a major public transport company in Melbourne, Betelhem said the impact of her time on Naoero lingered. “Still I am like a cracked mirror trying to collect all the pieces and put myself back together. Offshore detention hurt us so badly that it takes many years to recover,” she said, adding that uncertainty over visa status was itself a form of detention. “I am now a half free woman on Naarm (Melbourne), but my sadness still remains because of this temporary bridging visa.” Betelhem’s story is detailed alongside that of Reza and Yasmin, a father and daughter who along with the rest of their family, have spent 14 years on bridging visas, firstly on Naoero and since 2018, in Australia. “Fourteen years is a lifetime to live without certainty,” Reza said. “We spent years in detention, we endured what no family should have to endure, and we came to Australia hoping to rebuild our lives. We did rebuild them. Australia became our home.” Yasmin, who was just 10 when the family was sent to Naoro and is now in her 20s, said while the bridging visas were temporary, their lives weren’t meant to be. “We are ready to stop waiting and finally start living.” In episode three ‘Blowing the Whistle’, Nicole, a humanitarian worker who spent

10 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 29 September, 2026

two years supporting families detained on Naoero, and former Guardian journalist Paul Farrell reveal how whistleblowers, leaked documents and investigative reporting exposed the human rights abuses at the detention centre. Concluding the series, episode four ‘Taking Action’, contains interviews with refugee advocates and campaigners who helped release children from immigration detention on Naoero. The first three episodes Out of Sight Out of Mind are available now, while the fourth episode will be released on 1 October. An audio only podcast at a time when the industry is morphing into a type of cheap television, Karapangiotidis said the sensitivity of the issue and the fact many of those interviewed are still having their asylum claims heard meant a video version wasn’t really an option. With the exception of Betelhem, every other asylum seeker interviewed for the series has had their names changed and images withheld to protect privacy. Despite this, Karapanagiotis said the response to the first two episodes had been positive and that he was hopeful of partnering with a major podcast provider to help the series stand out in the crowded podcast space. “We’ve been in talks trying to see if one of the big podcast providers would be willing to profile it and push it out further, because you’re up against Joe Rogan and all these types,” he said. “We’ve just done it off our own bat.” Listen to Out of Sight Out of Mind at: https://action.asrc.org.au/out_of_sight_ out_of_mind A petition running alongside the podcast series demanding former off-shore detainees on bridging visas be allowed stay in Australia, can be found at: https:// action.asrc.org.au/let_them_stay_for_ good_petition

Former Naoero detainee Betelhem Tebebu is interviewed for episode two of the Out of Sight Out of Mind podcast. (Supplied)

Asylum seekers on Naoero. (Supplied)

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Moving Ahead

29 September 2026

Mayor’s message Cr Lara Carli

Stay Informed

We have just celebrated this year’s 2026 City of Melton Business Excellence Awards. This was our 19th year of recognising some of our outstanding local businesses. This year, 10 exceptional businesses were celebrated across a range of industries, highlighting the innovation, dedication and excellence in our City. Congratulations to all winners, finalists and entrants, including our Business of the Year, Elite Tyre & Autocare – Melton, and Mayoral Achievement Award recipient, Melton Physio. Our local businesses are the backbone of our community, creating jobs, supporting local organisations and driving economic growth. Council is proud to support their success through initiatives that help businesses connect, grow and continue to thrive. Thanks also to the independent judging panel for this year’s awards. The Victorian Labor Party recently committed $170 million to duplicate Taylors Road between Kings Road and Kurung Drive in the City of Brimbank, if re-elected in November. While the announcement is a positive step, the upgrade must not stop short of the sections of Taylors Road in the City of Melton where more investment is needed. Taylors Road is an important road corridor for our residents and is expected to support significant growth over coming decades. Council is calling on all major parties contesting the election to commit to the full duplication and upgrade of Taylors Road through to Leakes Road and to declare the entire corridor a statemanaged road. Our residents have been waiting far too long for the roads they need. As the election approaches, we will continue advocating to all major parties to invest in the road and transport infrastructure our fastgrowing community deserves. Feel free to contact me about Sugar Gum Ward or our City more generally on 0409 951 020 or email at: lara.carli@melton.vic.gov.au

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Quickly and easily connect with us online: melton.vic.gov.au facebook.com/cityofmelton Instagram @cityofmeltonofficial

Hard waste collections Each household that receives a Council waste service is entitled to hard waste collections during the financial year. This includes renters. Residents can either have two hard waste collections from their property, two visits to the Melton Recycling Facility with a car or trailer up to 1m3, or a combination of both.

of two). Unacceptable items include hazardous items, gas bottles, building materials.

To use the hard waste collection, make a booking and place the items to be removed within your property boundary (not on the nature strip), by 6am on the collection day. Collections can be up to three cubic metres. Acceptable items include bikes, barbeques, sporting equipment, whitegoods, furniture, mattresses (limit

Residents are encouraged to take items in good, working condition to the Melton Resale Shop to give them a second life.

Mt Atkinson Ward with Cr Dr Phillip Zada There’s plenty happening across Mt Atkinson Ward, with important projects progressing in Rockbank, Truganina and surrounding suburbs. I’m particularly pleased to see progress on the new Rockbank East Children’s and Community Centre, which will provide kindergarten, Maternal and Child Health, and community spaces where local families can connect and access services. We’re also seeing the progressive development of Mt Atkinson East Recreation Reserve, which will deliver new sporting facilities, a pavilion, play space, and paths. There was also a significant step forward for our transport network with the recent announcement of $550 million in Victorian Government funding for the Western Highway, building on the Australian Government’s existing $1 billion commitment. The upgrade will deliver additional lanes and improvements to key interchanges between Melton and Caroline Springs.

To book a hard waste collection, visit melton.vic.gov.au/hard-waste

2026 CARE Melton Expo

This has been a major priority for Council, and I’ll continue advocating for further upgrades, including better connections at Bulmans, Paynes and Christies roads.

The CARE Melton Expo celebrates older people, carers and people with disability and is an opportunity to find out what supports are available and to connect with other people.

I’m also continuing to advocate for electrification of the Melton line and improved bus services for growing communities including Mt Atkinson and Cobblebank.

This free event will feature 40 local organisations and Council services for residents in the City of Melton who require support.

Finally, thank you to everyone who joined me for my recent Coffee with a Councillor. I really value the opportunity to hear directly from residents about what matters most to them.

Visitors will have the opportunity to connect with service providers and hear from guest speakers who will be hosting a range of interactive workshops.

I look forward to continuing to advocate for our community and the infrastructure and services we need as our suburbs grow.

There will be giveaways and refreshments, and a sensory and chill out zone will also be available all day.

Feel free to contact me regarding Mt Atkinson Ward or our City more generally on 0418 999 659 or at phillip.zada@melton.vic.gov.au

Thursday 15 October, 10am-2pm Cobblebank Stadium 14 Stadium Drive, Cobblebank For information, visit melton.vic.gov.au/care

Your Councillors – Visit melton.vic.gov.au/councillors to find your ward Councillors and their contact details

Mayor Cr Lara Carli

Deputy Mayor Cr Dr Phillip Zada

Cr Steve Abboushi

A welcoming and liveable City accessible to all

Cr Kathy Majdlik

Cr Brandi Morris

Cr Sophie Ramsey

Civic Centre 232 High Street Melton VIC 3337

Cr Julie Shannon

Cr Bob Turner

Cr Ashleigh Vandenberg

Cr John Verdon

9747 7200 melton.vic.gov.au cityofmelton 12842685-JR40-26

Tuesday, 29 September, 2026 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 11

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On the Beat: Child safety In a new monthly column, the Melton Neighbourhood Policing team (NHP) catches up with Star Weekly to tackle an issue affecting the local community, offering readers practical advice, education and support from officers working on the frontline. This month, the NHP has been hard at work educating parents and carers on the laws surrounding child restraints and seat belts. Melton police urge parents and carers to take an extra 30 seconds to check their children are properly restrained before every car trip, following concerns raised by local schools and kindergartens. The NHP team joined forces with Melton Highway Patrol (HWP) after local schools and kindergartens shared concerns about some families dropping off or picking up children and driving away with them either incorrectly restrained - or worse, not restrained at all. They’ve visited council run playgroups and community centres and run education sessions talking to families and sharing information explaining the law on this very important topic. Melton Highway Patrol Leading Senior Constable Aaron Chevasse highlighted several common mistakes. “The most common driving safety mistakes police are seeing include having the seatbelts too loose, so the child can get their arms out, meaning there’s no upper body support/restraints on children between the ages of 0–4 years,” he said. Police also cautioned against transporting children without a child restraint, warning the outcome could be life-threatening in the event of an accident. Under Victorian road rules, babies from birth to six months must be transported using a rear-facing child restraint with an inbuilt harness. Children aged seven months to under four years must use a child restraint, with police saying rear-facing restraints are safest until a child outgrows them, before transitioning to a forward-facing restraint with an inbuilt harness.

Leading Senior Constable Aaron Chavasse of the Melton Highway Patrol. (Damjan Janevski: 579751)

Children aged four to under seven must use either a child restraint or booster seat, with a booster recommended once they have outgrown their forward-facing restraint. Constable Chevasse said parents and carers share the common misconception that a child’s height dictates which seat they may need; it is actually their age. Parents have also been urged not to place children in the front passenger seat unless all rear seats were occupied, due to

the deadly risk posed by airbags. “If involved in a collision the airbag is designed to deploy in relation to an adult height and could expose your child to an unnecessary risk of injury,” Constable Chevasse said. Police also warned parents against stopping in the middle of the road during school drop-off and pick-up times as higher rates of improper parking and stoppages are becoming a cause for concern.

They also warned of minor distractions posing a risk to the safety of both parents and children. “Children emulate the behaviour of those they watch drive,” Constable Chevasse said. “Drive how you would want your child to drive when they grow up. “Your child relies on you to keep them safe. Please don’t let them down, take the extra 30 seconds to make sure they are secure and safe.”

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

30 years ago

20 years ago

15 years ago

10 years ago

25 September, 1996

26 September, 2006

27 September, 2011

27 September, 2016

Melton Football Club will hold a meeting of members and players at MacPherson Park tonight (Wednesday) to decide if it will stay in the troubled Riddell District Football League.

Everything on Peter Blizzard’s property is a work of art - the towering sculptures dotted throughout the trees, the stained glass windows in his house ... even his spiral staircase, which was made from debris gathered after the Ash Wednesday bushfires.

Mount Cottrell landowners remain fearful the creation of 15,000 hectares of new grassland reserves will dramatically increase the risk of bushfire.

Road-over-rail is the only option being considered for the Melton Highway level crossing removal, despite fears from residents that motorists will have clear views into their backyards.

12 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 29 September, 2026

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happening Early intervention key Lots for seniors fest As part of an ongoing series examining the causes and solutions to crime in the west, Jack O’Shea-Ayres spoke with IPC Health chief executive Jayne Nelson about the role of disadvantage, trauma, and early intervention in preventing offending.

PC Health is a not-for-profit community health provider of affordable and holistic health and wellbeing services to support people to be well for life across the western suburbs. Ms Nelson said drivers of crime were complex and needed to be addressed through a range of services, rather than focusing solely on the justice system. “The drivers of offending are multi-layered and need to be seen that way,” she said. “Disadvantage matters, but it isn’t destiny. Multiple disadvantage and vulnerability has a cumulative effect, often due to trauma experienced in childhood and adolescence.” Ms Nelson said early intervention was important in helping people experiencing disadvantage before they come into contact with the justice system. “That’s why holistic, multi-disciplinary early intervention and prevention services, like those we deliver at IPC Health, are so important,” she said. While youth offending in Victoria fell by six per cent in the year to March 2026, adult offending rose by about 10 per cent, driven in part by breaches of bail and orders, and by retail theft. IPC Health noted there is a need to understand the circumstances that could precede offending, rather than focusing solely on its impacts. Young people in Victoria’s most disadvantaged areas are about six times more likely to be under youth justice supervision as those living in the least disadvantaged areas, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), suburbs like St Albans, Sunshine, Deer Park, Ardeer, and Braybrook are consistently ranked as some of Victoria’s largest and most severe urban clusters of disadvantage. Rapidly expanding outer-western growth corridors like Melton and Wyndham drive infrastructure lag, lower employment access, and a lack of education and support resources, leading to socio-economic disadvantage for many of the suburbs residents. However, IPC Health sourced data suggests the majority of young people experiencing disadvantage do not enter the justice system. Accumulated adversity, including experiences of trauma and contact with

Social worker Andrea Mejia and senior manager Danielle Barth from IPC Health’s Child, Youth and Family Services team. (Supplied)

the child protection system, served as an important factor for many people who later became involved in offending. Many people who experienced adversity never come into contact with the justice system, yet it’s believed the right support provided early on can improve the odds. IPC Health’s Well for Life model provides early intervention and prevention services across a range of issues, including family violence, gambling harm, alcohol and other drug use, mental health, and homelessness. During the 2025-26 financial year, the organisation supported 52,177 clients across its services, an increase of 4.7 per cent from the previous year. This included more than 3700 clients accessing mental health and wellbeing services, almost 500 adults supported by its Gambler’s Help team and 587 children and parents through the Brimbank Melton

Children’s Health and Wellbeing Local. But Ms Nelson said demand for support services was outstripping available capacity. “We’re grateful for funding from both state and federal governments, and more can be done,” she said. “Demand for our services exceeds capacity, which means people in vulnerable populations miss out on support that could help them find a more positive path.” IPC Health’s modelling suggests crime in disadvantaged communities can’t simply be understood as a policing issue. Many people who become involved in offending are shown to have experienced multiple forms of disadvantage and trauma throughout their childhood addressing the underlying problems early may help prevent later involvement in the justice system.

A ukulele chord in Gordon, a quilting stitch in Lal Lal, a boogie to classics in Melton, a walk through Blackwood’s history, or a seat at a live country concert, this year’s Seniors Festival across Melton and Moorabool offers plenty of ways to try something different. Throughout October, older residents are being encouraged to choose an activity they have never tried before, revisit an old interest, or simply make time to connect with others. The Victorian Seniors Festival is a statewide celebration of seniors which officially kicks off in early October and It’s also a great time to celebrate ageing well across both the City of Melton and Moorabool Shire. Festivities kick off in Moorabool from Friday 2 October at 10am, as The More to Explore – Moorabool Seniors Expo gives local seniors the chance to meet local groups and service providers, discover activities and supports, and enjoy demonstrations like line dancing, tai chi and CaliFit. Then, on Friday 9 October, the Bacchus Marsh Public Hall will come alive with the sounds of classic country music for the Moorabool Country Concert. Award-winning songstress Amber Joy Poulton will perform Honky Tonk Queens on Friday 9 October, featuring much-loved songs from Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette. Moorabool mayor Steve Venditti-Taylor said to get excited with more than 40 free and low-cost events and activities on offer. “The program reaches across Moorabool and includes everything from music, movement and local history to gardening, technology, cooking and creative workshops.” In Melton, there’s two electrifying concerts happening over the month. Playing Second Fiddle invites older residents to relive the magic of musical theatre as they celebrate the unforgettable women who stole the show on Saturday 10 October at the Melton Community Hall. The Over 50s concert will feature beloved songs from Les Misérables, Oliver, Guys and Dolls and more at the Melton Community Hall. On 24 October, 10-piece band Groove Dimension will lay down the classic hits and anthems of Funk, R’n’B, Soul, and Disco from the legendary 70s.

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Maddi (7) showing off her mask. 579413 02

Maddi (7). 579413 03

Moorabool’s masquerade Ballan’s kids got creative with colour and craft during a Masquerade mask-making session on Thursday 24 September. Families dropped in to create and decorate their own unique masks, using a colourful collection of craft materials to bring their imaginative designs to life. The all-ages activity encouraged budding artists to let their creativity run wild, with

participants able to take their finished creations home, and perhaps put them to use at their next masquerade. Star Weekly photographer Damjan Janevski was there to capture all the creative fun. Check out what else is on around Moorabool these school holidays: https:// tinyurl.com/up6mp7fb.

Charlotte (6) with her new mask. 579413 01

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the New college campus Levelling playing field By Jack O’Shea-Ayres A vision that began in portable classrooms is now a reality, with Djerriwarrh Community College and Education Services officially opening its new, custom-designed campus in Melton. The purpose-built facility marks a massive upgrade for the specialist independent college, which supports young people aged 15 to 19 who have disengaged from mainstream education or require a more flexible, personalised learning environment. Hawke MP Sam Rae officially opened the new school building on Friday 11 September, who said the project wouldn’t have been made possible without the work of Djerriwarrh’s hardworking and dedicated education staff. “These facilities will provide an environment which will help Djerriwarrh’s amazing teachers to inspire their students,” Mr Rae said. “They change peoples’ lives and they change our communities.” The new, purpose-built facilities have been designed from the ground up with an aim to specifically support the college’s innovative “hands-on” learning model. It includes five large multipurpose learning spaces, specialised breakout and transitional areas, staff workspaces, student kitchen and lunch facilities, and dedicated hubs for wellbeing and support services. Djerriwarrh Community and Education Services chief executive Trish Heffernan said the opening marked an important milestone for both the college and the wider Melton community. “It represents a significant investment in

The unveiling of the new college campus’ official plaque by Djerriwarrh Community & Education Services Trish Heffernan, Patricia Brophy, Christine Pillbeam, Tony paton, Amy Farrell, Lucy Dowell, and Hawke MP Sam Rae. (Supplied)

the future of young people in Melton and demonstrates what can be achieved when governments and communities work together,” Ms Heffernan said. Djerriwarrh Community College co-principal Amy Farrel said the new campus would better position Djerriwarrh in delivering world-class education to its students. “Today is much more than the opening of a new building. It represents a commitment and a belief that every young person deserves access to education,” Ms Farrell said.

“Having dedicated learning spaces, wellbeing areas and opportunities for collaboration means we can tailor an education program that supports every student to succeed on their own pathway.” Since opening five years ago, Djerriwarrh College has worked to empower young people to remain engaged in education. Its applied learning model is designed to build student confidence, develop practical life skills and provide clear pathways to employment, further education, and training. Details: https://djerriwarrh.org.au/.

The latest round of the Get Active Kids Voucher Program is working to level the playing field for Melton’s young athletes. Thousands more Get Active Kids Vouchers have been made available for children in an aim to help reduce the cost barrier for Melton kids to participate in sport. Since launching in 2020, more than 270,000 vouchers have helped families to cover the costs of sporting memberships, registration fees, uniforms, and equipment. Eligible families can apply for vouchers of up to $200 per child across more than 70 sport and recreation activities. The program aims to create more sporting options for Melton families, helping young and budding athletes to follow their passion without financial barrier. Melton MP Steve McGhie said sport played a central role in bringing the community together. “Sport is at the heart of our Melton community – it connects us as individuals and brings us together as communities,” he said. “We are proud to boost our efforts to remove the financial barrier facing many families keen to get their kids involved in community sport,” Community Sport Minister Ros Spence said. Applications for the current round close 13 October 2026.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR WANT YOUR EVENT LISTED? Community Calendar is made available free of charge to not-for-profit organisations to keep the public informed of special events and activities. Send item details to Star Weekly Community Calendar, Corner Thomsons Road and Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park, 3042, or email to westeditorial@starweekly.com.au by 9am Wednesday the week prior to publication. Ladies Lounge Looking to connect, relax and enjoy some great company? This friendly social group is for women aged 50+ who want to get out, have a laugh and make new friends. Each week is a chance to chat, play games, share ideas and enjoy good company. Whether you’re new to the community or just looking for something fun and social, you’re warmly invited to join. Every Wednesday from 1pm. ■ Djerriwarrh Neighbourhood House, 03 8746 1000 Menopause Support Group A welcoming space where women can connect and share experiences, and explore practical ways to navigate this stage of life with confidence. Every Wednesday from 1pm. ■ Djerriwarrh Neighbourhood House, 03 8746 1000 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, 0425705150 Bacchus Marsh Senior Citizens The Bacchus Marsh Senior Citizens are inviting new members to meet at the Andy Arnold Centre, 10 Bennett Street, Bacchus Marsh. ■ hopem@optusnet.com.au Melton Concert Band Rehearsals are on Thursdays from 7.309.30pm at the Bridge Road Community Centre, Bridge Road, Melton South. Musicians of any age who are able to read music are welcome to come along with their instrument, including oboe, bassoon, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, tuba, percussion. ■ 0401 474 582 Cancer Support Group MelMarsh Prostate Cancer Support Group is for prostate cancer patients and their carers and meets on the first Thursday of the month, from 12.30-2pm, at Melton South Community Centre. Attendees are encouraged as members share their journeys through what could be a very traumatic time of their lives. Explanations of medical terminology used in the treatment of this cancer are given in this group. ■ Grenville, 0412 741 865 Friendship Group For all aged 60 and older – are you looking for some new friends? Then this group is for you. The Melton and Surrounding areas Friendship Group meets fortnightly for a coffee and chat night and organises affordable outings such as dinners, movie nights and many social events – plus occasional weekends away, and local or overseas holidays. ■ Shirley, 0419 006 525 or Vera, 0406 493 734 Women’s Support Group Women’s Support Group Melton is for any women who feel they would like to attend a peer support group which is relaxed, friendly and non-judgemental. The group meets weekly at 1pm on Mondays (except for public holidays) at the

This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of Micah, 8, with artist Jennifer Tran during a Patch by Patch workshop at St Albans Community Centre. (Damjan Janevski) 580445

Melton Library. ■ Val, 0418 667 150 Caroline Springs Rotary The Rotary Club of Caroline Springs is inviting new guests to join its meetings in person or via Zoom. Meetings are held every Wednesday at the Western Emergency Relief Network in Ravenhall from 7pm. ■ rotarycarolinesprings@gmail.com Melton Men’s Group Melton 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/ Parkinson’s support group The Melton Parkinson’s Support Group meets on the second Thursday of the month, 10.30am-12.30pm, at Kurunjang Community Centre, 33-35 Mowbray Crescent, Kurunjang. New members and carers are welcome. ■ Helen, 0409 186 576 Melton Bridge Club The Melton Bridge Club has weekly social bridge sessions at the Melton Library on Fridays from 10am-noon. Come along to play an exciting, social card game and

16 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 29 September, 2026

have loads of fun. Bridge offers the suspense of poker, the cerebral qualities of chess and the excitement of athletic sports, all in a relaxed and social setting. If you like playing cards this is for you. ■ Rosemary, 0407 894 817

■ Val, 0418 667 150 Melton Trauma Teddies Melton Trauma Teddies are seeking volunteers to assist with knitting, stuffing, or stitching teddy-bears that go to children in their time of need. ■ Jean 0412 931 498

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

Boomerang Bags Bacchus Marsh Boomerang Bags Bacchus Marsh make reusable shopping bags from rescued fabric. They need people to cut, sew, iron and market our bags. The group meets on the first Sunday each month at Darley Neighbourhood House, 2-5pm. ■ https://63ec55b8628d6.site123.me/

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

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

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

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

Melton Singers If you love to sing, come join the Melton Singers. The group rehearses regularly and also performs at aged care facilities. The group is very relaxed and sings songs mainly from the 1960s and 70s. It meets Tuesdays at 10am.

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

ENTERTAINMENT

Women tell stories Emerging theatre maker, performer, creative producer and director Izabella Day is bringing women’s voices to centre stage through pictureher, a new multidisciplinary performance being developed with the support of The Bowery Theatre’s 2026–27 Residency Program. Day is co-founder of Vixen Theatre Company, an Australian independent theatre collective established with Iris Warren, Roisin Wallace Nash and Natasha Pearson. Working under the ethos “by women, for women”, the collective creates bold feminist theatre exploring womanhood, identity and social issues. pictureher draws directly from interviews with women from across the west of Naarm, including retirement home residents, cultural and community leaders and young women. Their stories

Vixen Theatre Company. (Charli Bowers)

and perspectives will be brought together through theatre, dance, music and visual art. The work will feature women’s voices spoken aloud by an actor, interpreted by dancers and transformed onto canvas,

creating a layered exploration of how women see themselves — and how society sees them. For Day and the Vixen team, the residency provides an opportunity to take creative risks while developing a work rooted in the experiences of the local community. The Bowery Theatre Residency Program supports artists and arts organisations to create and present new work with and for the Brimbank community. The 2026–27 program features projects spanning theatre, music, expanded cinema and site-specific public performance. pictureher will culminate in a presentation at the Bowery Theatre, offering audiences a chance to experience local women’s stories through an energetic mix of performance, movement, music and art.

Marsh Rodders Swap Meet and Show & Shine Marsh Rodders Swap Meet and Show & Shine will return to Maddingley Park on Sunday 18 October. (Damjan Janevski) 353426_05

Bacchus Marsh and surrounds motoring enthusiasts won’t want to miss the upcoming 29th Marsh Rodders Show and Shine and Swap Meet, returning to Maddingley park for another huge day celebrating classic cars, hot rods, motorcycles and everything in between this October. With more than 600 vehicles attending last year’s showstopper event, visitors can expect an incredible display of cars, bikes, trucks, buses, and other unique vehicles from across the region. On Sunday 18 October, Maddingley Park

will host the local spectacle, as guests are invited to wander through the packed swap meet, browse trade stalls, enjoy a bite from food vendors, and see who takes home the coveted Show and Shine trophies. Whether you’re searching for rare parts, admiring beautifully restored classics or simply enjoying a great family day out, there’s something for every motoring fan. Hosted by the Marsh Rodders Hot Rod Club, this popular community event also raises funds for local charities and organisations supporting the Bacchus

Marsh community. Public admission is $5, with free entry for children under 16 when accompanied by a paying adult. Vehicle entry is $20 and motorcycles are $10. Trade stands and swap meet sites are also available. Swap Meet stall holders can enter from 6.30am, while public entry opens at 7am and award presentations start from 12.30pm. Maddingley Park is located at 1 Taverner street, Maddingley. For details: https://tinyurl.com/ mvpd4r4t.

Katy Steele brings stripped back show to Yarraville Following the release of latest solo album, Undressed, earlier this year, Little Birdy frontwoman Katy Steele is taking her intimate live experience to the inner west early next month with a performance at Kindred Bandroom in Yarraville. Known for the soaring anthems of Little Birdy and the richly layered production of her solo work, Undressed represents a departure for Steele, with songs stripped back to their purest form; voice, piano, guitar and nothing to hide behind. The album features interpretations of songs from her extensive back-catalogue, as well as covers of timeless classics including Patti Smith’s ’Because The Night’, Lou Reed’s ‘Perfect Day’, and Michael Jackson’s ‘Ben’.

Like the album, Steele’s show at Kindred Brandroom on Sunday 4 October will represent a departure from the big stages she’s performed on in the past. Part of a she’s tour of small venues across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia, Steele’s Yarraville show will be a matinee beginning at 3pm on a Sunday afternoon instead of the usual Friday or Saturday night gig. And Steele will perform in an intimate duo setting rather than with the backing of a full band. It promises to be a raw and personal performance where the stories and lyrics take centre stage. For more information and tickets, go to: https://tinyurl.com/4x5sn8t7

Working bee group and building frame, c.1915 - Paul William Merlo.

Explore the past during October History Month is popping up in Lancefield and Kilmore to explore the history of both towns. This October, communities across Victoria will mark History Month in a state-wide celebration inviting locals to explore the histories of their own towns, suburbs and neighbourhoods. Around 100 local historical societies, museums, libraries and community groups from across the state are taking part, with the program including talks, walking tours, exhibitions, open days and community gatherings. Many participants are drawing on this year’s theme, “The places that made us,” exploring the buildings, streets and landmarks that shape local identity. Others are showcasing different aspects of their community’s history, with every organisation free to shape its event around whatever local history matters most to them. A two-day event will be held as part of the celebration across Lancefield and Kilmore. Hosted by the Historical Society Support Committee alongside Romsey and Lancefield Districts Historical Society and Kilmore Historical Society, this two-day event will explore the foundations of rural Victorian townships, with a focus on Kilmore and Lancefield. With the townships both dating back to the mid-1800s, the event will feature walking tours and talks on the development of Kilmore and Lancefield’s foundational institutions, including churches, schools, hospitals, banks, post offices and sporting clubs. Participants will also discover how the nineteenth century patterns of development remain visible in both these towns. On the first day, participants will start with a walking tour of Kilmore, before travelling into Lancefield for dinner and overnight accommodation and to hear from guest speakers Denis Graham and Chris Dynon from the Lancefield Football Club. On the second day, participants will take a walking tour of Lancefield, before spending the day hearing from guest speakers including Brain Clancy on the catholic church in Kilmore and Rosalie Triolo on the state schools and the school paper. You’ll also hear from Liz Dillon-Hensby and Fay Woodhouse about building hospitals in Kilmore and Lancefield, Craige Proctor who will tell the stories of pioneer women, and Paul Fearon on building the railways to country Victoria. The two-day event will take place on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October with the event starting at $45 with additional costs. Details: historymonth.org.au/ event/exploring-the-foundations-ofrural-victorian-townships/

Katy Steele will perform songs from her new album, Undressed, in Yarraville on 4 October. (Supplied)

Tuesday, 29 September, 2026 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 17

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SPORTS QUIZ 1. Melbourne United guard Cole Anthony was drafted by which team at the 2020 NBA draft? 2. Kalyn Ponga captains which NRL team?

3. The Dick Howser Trophy is awarded to the national US player of the year in which college sport?

10. Who won the 2026 Wooden Award, playing college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils?

4. Which Australian was voted to the AllTournament Second Team at the 2026 Women’s Basketball World Cup?

11. In what sport can you find the épée, foil and sabre?

5. John Doyle and Greig Pickhaver are better known as what comedy duo? 6. Who won the 2025 Heisman Trophy, playing college football for the Indiana Hoosiers? 7. What sport features in the 2000 film Air Bud: World Pup (also known as Air Bud 3)? 8. The 'Bo Knows' advertising campaign for Nike cross-training shoes featured which dual-sport athlete?

Cole Anthony

9. Which Brisbane Bronco has signed an ambassadorial deal with the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks?

HYROX race

12. Which country won the 2026 FIFA World Cup? 13. What sport is featured in the TV show Heated Rivalry? 14. What is the most common horse breed found in horse racing? 15. The 2026 Men’s Rugby League World Cup will feature how many teams? 16. Gary Ablett Jr. and Patrick Dangerfield jointly hold the record for the most career Brownlow Medal votes with how many: 159, 207 or 262? 17. Perth Wildcats guard Brandon Knight was drafted by which team at the 2011 NBA draft? 18. How many goals did the Brisbane Lions kick in the final 30 seconds of their preliminary final against Hawthorn?

19. And which two Hawthorn players were fined for abusing an umpire in the same match? 20. What is the name of the Hobart-based NBL team? 21. How many workout stations feature in a HYROX race? 22. What is the premier international team event in men’s tennis?

25. And what sport did this movie feature? 26. How many bases are there on a baseball field? 27. AFL player Ben King has announced his intention to play for what team in 2027? 28. How many teams has Latrell Mitchell played for during his NRL career?

23. And what is the women’s equivalent?

29. An Australian Indigenous team playing which sport toured England in 1868?

24. Which 2004 sports film directed by Clint Eastwood won the Academy Award for Best Picture?

30. Which retired NRL great recently announced a return to boxing with a November bout against Nelson Asofa-Solomona?

0210

12536910-CG08-22

1. Orlando Magic 2. Newcastle Knights 3. Baseball 4. Stephanie Talbot 5. Roy and HG 6. Fernando Mendoza 7. Soccer 8. Bo Jackson 9. Reece Walsh 10. Cameron Boozer 11. Fencing 12. Spain 13. Ice hockey 14. Thoroughbred 15. 10 16. 262 17. Detroit Pistons 18. Two 19. James Sicliy and Tom Barrass 20. Tasmania JackJumpers 21. Eight 22. The Davis Cup 23. The Billie Jean King Cup 24. Million Dollar Baby 25. Boxing 26. Four 27. Hawthorn Hawks 28. Two (Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbithohs) 29. Cricket 30. Paul Gallen

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Tuesday, 29 September, 2026 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 19

PUZZLES

easy

8 3 2

1 4 7 8 6

7 3 8 8 5 7 2 6 3 1 8 2 7

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

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

1 9

3 1 3 1 5 9 7 4 9 3 7

ACROSS

18 20 21 24 27 28 29 30

6 7 8 9 14 16 17 19 22 23 25 26

A 14

A 15

A 26

H 25

H 19

A 13

A 4

hard

16 3

17 4

18 5

19 6

20 7

21 8

22 9

23 10

24 11

25 12

26 13

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

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

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: 10 words: Good 15 words: Very good 21 words: Excellent

E S

M A

No. 416 Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down.

20 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 29 September, 2026

25 26 28

No. 309

S A G A

ALIBI AORTA ARENA ARVOS AWING CLONE COOEE CRAFT DEARS DOONA EDITS ELUDE ERODE FACTS FARES FLUFF GRASS GREED GRITS GROWN GRUBS IGLOO

4 LETTERS DYED EDGE FART ICES PUTT SAGA SECT SHED STEP STOW TAGS TOSS WAGE WAIF 5 LETTERS ADAPT ALIAS

QUICK QUIZ

IMAGE IRATE LYMPH LYRIC NOSES OPIUM PEONY RESET REVEL ROUSE SAGES SALLY SCOFF SENSE SHRED SNEER SOAPS SPEAR STEWS TENDS TESTS THESE

TOMES TONAL USHER WEAVE

URANIUM USURPED VERSION

6 LETTERS CLASSY FIDGET GARGLE REPELS

8 LETTERS DEMUREST DETECTED HERRINGS RELEASES

7 LETTERS GULCHES ROOSTER SEAWEED

02-10-26

Mozart’s famous Eine kleine Nachtmusik translates to what in English?

Which famous Australian bush poet appears on the country’s $10 note?

In which US state is Yosemite National Park located?

For which film did the late Diane Keaton (pictured) win the Academy Award for best actress?

Which Swedish car manufacturer filed for bankruptcy in 2011?

Famous music producer Brian Eno was a member of which 1970s glam art rock band?

NOTE: more than one solution may be possible

R A S P S A L L O T K O A L A E N T E R D E E D S

amid, calm, claim, clam, coma, domical, holm, HOMICIDAL, idiom, loam, macho, maid, mail, mica, midi, milch, mild, milo, mocha, modal, moil

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

A E

S O

hard

9-LETTER WORD

medium

A H

easy

5x5

I E G Y V S U Q X J N A H

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

4 1

K Z O R C D L M P F T W B

6 5

3 LETTERS ADS AGO APT ATE BED BIG DOE DUG EGG END GET ICE NAG NAP NET OAF OFF OWL PEA PEP PIG ROE SHE WOO

A 16

A 24

WORDFIT

H 25

No. 341 A

Depression (coll) (4) Make reprisals (9) Roller (5) Any prominent feature in the terrain (8) Sloping type (7) Score (5) Major sale (9) Graceful bird (4) Multiply by four (9) Capital (9) Largest Jovian moon (8) One who seizes control or authority (7) Hawk (5) Grey (4) Improvise (2,3) Buddy (4)

1 2 3 4

DECODER 1

DOWN

Digital protection (8) Alfresco meal (6) Paris cathedral, – Dame (5) City north of Sydney (9) Downhill ski race (6) Not one nor the other (7) Dilemma (8) Towards the back of the boat (6) Approach (6) Extremely small piece (8) Echo (7) Annual (6) Biological chemical made by phosphorus (9) Parasite (5) Wide-spreading dominion (6) Word-for-word (8)

1 5 10 11 12 13 14 15

No. 309

Which F. Scott Fitzgerald novel was first published in 1925?

How many edges does a cube have?

Which transparent material is made from melted sand, soda ash and limestone?

10 The Importance of Being Earnest and An Ideal Husband are works by which Irish playwright? ANSWERS: 1. A Little Night Music 2. California 3. Annie Hall 4. The Great Gatsby 5. 12 6. Glass 7. Banjo Paterson 8. Saab 9. Roxy Music 10. Oscar Wilde

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

QUICK CROSSWORD

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

No. 309

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

SUDOKU

New Prado built for the bush By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring Toyota says the new Prado delivers comprehensive improvements in driveability, off-road capability, safety, technology and functionality – all wrapped in a bold, stylish redesign that will appeal to urban families and off-road adventurers alike. We’ve spent a lot of time in the previous Prado, clocking up thousands of kilometres in Outback Western Australia. With four adults and their luggage, it was a bit of a squeeze at times and I would have loved to remove the two intrusive, fold-down third row seats to free up space. The focus for designers this time around, according to Mr Toyoda himself, was ‘practicality, durability and dependability’. Correct us if we are wrong, but that has always been the focus. What’s changed?

Styling Ten years ago, prices for the Prado started from $56,090; the Kakadu from $85,900. Fast forward and Prado now comes in five grades, kicking off with the bare bones GX from $73,200. GXL is priced from $79,690 (five-seat) or $80,690 (seven-seat), VX from $88,100 (seven-seat), Altitude $90,340 (five-seat) and top of the range Kakadu from $100,690 (seven-seat), excluding on-road costs. The three-figure sum for the Kakadu is quite frankly outrageous, putting it well beyond the reach of most families. The rest don’t aspire to own a Toyota. They want a Land Rover or one of the German brands, which leaves us wondering who will buy the new Prado. All grades of the Prado are powered by the same diesel-electric hybrid and all come with an automatic. There are eight exterior colours. Premium paint adds $675 while a two-tone paint job is $1675. Entry-level GX comes with five seats, fabric upholstery, dual-zone climate control, manually adjustment for seats, smart entry and start, LED headlights, all-speed adaptive cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, panoramic view monitor and 10-speaker audio. GXL adds a third row of seats and synthetic leather, heated and cooled front seats with power-adjust driver seat, leather-accented steering wheel and shift lever, rear aircon controls, auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated and power-fold side mirrors and a powered tailgate. VX steps up to 20-inch alloys, a black vertical grille with the Toyota bullhorn logo, body-coloured bumpers and wheel arches. There’s also LED headlights with auto high beam, leather-accented upholstery, driver lumbar and seat memory, four-way power adjustable front passenger seat, power-adjustable steering wheel, refrigerated centre console box, a larger 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, multi-terrain monitor and 14-speaker JBL premium audio. Kakadu adds 20-inch wheels, heated and ventilated rear seats, manually-adjustable driver seat cushion length, illuminated side steps, and a limited slip diff. It also scores head-up display, a digital rear view mirror, heated steering wheel and tilt and slide panoramic sunroof. Our test vehicle this time was top of the range, seven-seat Kakadu.

Infotainment Multimedia across the lineup comes in the form of a 12.3-inch multimedia system

All variants of the Prado are powered by the same hybrid 2.8-litre turbo-diesel drivetrain, together with full-time 4WD and an eight-speed automatic transmission. (Supplied)

with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, built-in satellite navigation with cloud function, AM/FM/DAB+ radio, Toyota Connected Services and a 10- or 14-speaker audio system. There are six USB-C charging ports, one 12V accessory port and a 220V charging port, plus a wireless charging pad.

Safety With nine airbags Prado has been awarded a full five stars for crash safety. Driver-assist features are designed to work on- and off-road, with an improved camera and radar system that is able to scan the road with greater accuracy and over greater distances. Systems include the autonomous emergency braking pre-collision safety (PCS) system, rear parking support brake, lane trace assist and lane departure warning, road sign assist, blind spot monitor with safe exit assist, emergency driving stop system and a driver monitor camera. A full-size spare is sequestered under the rear.

Engines/transmissions All variants are powered by the same hybrid 2.8-litre turbo-diesel drivetrain, together with full-time four-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s the same diesel as used in Hilux and develops 150kW of power from 3000-3400 rpm and 500Nm of torque from 1600-2800 rpm (same outputs as before). But the new Prado is heavier than the old Prado and the power to weight ratio is worse, which means it won’t be as quick.

Driving Prado sits on the same GA-F platform as its larger sibling the Land Cruiser 300 Series. It’s 30 per cent stronger than before and it also means the ‘all-new’ Prado is larger, inside and out. The figures show it’s 16.5cm longer and 9.5cm wider, with a 6.0cm longer wheelbase plus wider front and rear tracks (distance between wheels). Access to the third-row seats is via the single, passenger side second row seat that folds and tumbles to make way. When not required the third-row seats fold flat, but not into the floor because there’s not enough room down there with the hybrid battery and spare sitting under the rear. With all seats upright there’s 182 litres of luggage capacity, with the third row stowed 906 litres and with both second and third row seats not in use 1829 litres. The previous model offered 120, 620 and 1833 litres respectively. We’re surprised by the second figure. Maybe the way they measure it has changed,

because despite the figures it feels like there’s less space with the third row folded – much less usable space anyway. Only the seat backs fold leaving an awkward space between the end of the seat base and the tailgate that Toyota has filled with a cheap felt-topped detachable storage box. If we were handing over $100,000, we’d expect something better, something that reinforces the Kakadu’s status as a luxury model – not this piece of crap. There’s also the problem of what to do with the privacy screen with the third row in use – there’s nowhere to put it. We previously tested the five-seat version of the vehicle which also has an elevated luggage floor. However, the problematic third row in the seven-seater is a deal breaker, as far as we’re concerned. Moving on to the rest of the cabin, the dash has been flattened, with an upright, squared off design, and clearly defined separation between driver and infotainment screens. The flat Beetle-esque design has presumably been adopted to create more cabin space. Aircon gets its own space tucked under the centre screen. Physical air-con and media volume controls are available, with buttons for transfer, drive modes and off-road settings grouped around the transmission lever. Electric power steering promises easier handling off-road, with improved manoeuvrability at low speed – plus it permits lane trace assistance to be introduced. Maximum approach and departure angles are 32 degrees and 17 degrees respectively, with a break-over angle of 25 degrees. Ground clearance is 221mm (210mm for the GX and GXL), compared with the 220mm of the previous model and it has a wading depth of 700mm. The 48-volt V-Active mild hybrid system that made its debut last year in Hilux, with a lithium-ion battery and electric motor to capture energy normally lost through braking. It contributes a mere 8.4kW and 65Nm to the equation and is unlikely to be responsible for saving much fuel. With auto engine stop-start and an eight-speed replacing the six-speed transmission, however, the wider spread of gear ratios will extract better performance from the drivetrain and contribute to better fuel economy. A higher final drive ratio delivers a more relaxed driving experience at cruising speeds. The end result is that claimed fuel consumption is down from 7.9 to 7.6L/100km.

Be that as it may, we were getting 9.2L/100km after more than 750km of mixed driving. A significant difference. Of note, that’s exactly the same result as the 9.2L we got from the non-hybrid Kakadu we drove back in 2022. Also down is maximum fuel capacity, which was 150 litres before if you elected to put the spare wheel on the tailgate. The new one sees the spare located underneath and a capacity of 110 litres across the board. This translates to about 520km less in range and is a big negative when it comes to getting off the beaten track. You’ll need to top it up occasionally with AdBlue too, with the addition of a 17-litre tank to reduce harmful engine emissions. On this point, our test vehicle started to continually flash warnings that it needed to be topped up – get this – in 2500km. Nothing like getting in early. WTF? The move to the larger 300 Series platform sees Prado’s tow rating increase from 3000kg to a more respectable industry-standard 3500kg. Kakadu has a full-time 4WD system, with low-range gearing and a rear Torsen limited slip diff (not all grades get this). During normal straight line driving power is split 40:60 front-to-back. Only VX and Kakadu are equipped with the variable suspension system. There are five drive modes, together with multi-terrain select and a multi-terrain monitor which provides a comprehensive view of the vehicle’s underfloor and surrounds when off-road. Other driver assistance systems for on and off-road environments include vehicle stability control with active traction control, downhill assist control and crawl control. Trailer sway control and a pre-installed wiring harness help facilitate the increased 3500kg braked tow capacity. Sure the ‘all-new’ Prado looks and drives better than the old one, and it would want to, given the price. With a lower centre of gravity and slightly lower ride height, the ride is noticeably less jiggly and there is less body roll in corners. But in typical diesel fashion you still need to wind the thing up. The cabin does not have the premium feel of the previous generation Kakadu nor do the front seats feel as spacious as before. In fact, describing the experience to a punter we realised it feels very like the Hilux from behind the wheel. On a final note, once again you can’t see the head-up display with polarised sunglasses and for those with multi-focal glasses, the digital rear vision mirror is a waste of space. To bring the image into focus you need to look towards the roof to access the lower section of the lenses.

Summing up The designers really need to go back and rethink the third row, because as it is the seats take up an enormous amount of room when folded. Toyota has filled the gap between the base and the tailgate with a silly, tacky plastic box which does not offer much utility, all in the name of a flat floor – or should we say elevated flat floor. That is to say for a large four-wheel drive the Prado does not offer much luggage space – how can that be seen as practical Mr Toyoda. The driver’s seat feels tight too, more like the Hilux than a luxury off-roader. If you’re not interested in going off-road the Kluger makes more sense. It’s much more comfortable and suited to city driving.

Tuesday, 29 September, 2026 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 21

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Rachrache has big aims By Tara Murray New Western Rams coach Raafat Rachrache is setting big goals as he hopes to help the Western Football League division 2 team rise up the ladder. Rachrache takes on the Rams coaching role, as he steps into a next part of his football career after a long playing career. “It’s pretty exciting,” he said. “It’s the first time I’ll be coaching and not playing. “I knew that I could help this club build up having been down the bottom the last few years. “They haven’t played finals since 2014 and I’m excited to jump on board and do

the work.” Rachrache said there were some good quality people at the Rams and he wanted to work with them to help the club have some success. He said the timing was right for him to step back from his playing career and focus more on coaching. He was a co-coach at Hadfield in 201516, including for the 2015 premiership, while more recently coached Sunshine Kangaroos’ thirds in 2024. “I tried to play this year but I had a bad back and it wasn’t good,” he said of this season at Longwood. “It was time to look at coaching full

time. The coaching pathway was something that I wanted to do.” Rachrache said the Rams job attracted him as it gave him the opportunity to really build something from the ground up. The Rams won three games this season. He said being part of something from the start was more rewarding, than coming in once most of the hard work has been done. “I want to shape it and have success,” he said. “I want to bring success as a senior coach. “We knew that we can do it. I know it will take a couple of years, but we’ll really

be pushing from finals and silverware. “It’s not going to be easy. I’ll come in with some quality players and aim to win 10 games. “I’m not scared to put that out there.” Rachrache said he had already been busy on the phones to prospective players and he would start chatting with more in the coming weeks. He was hopeful of adding a number of recruits to the squad for next season. Rachrache said the club was also trying to get its junior program back up and running. The club is aiming to start with Auskick which Rachrache is looking to pilot as well.

Daniel Salvatore. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 508554_02

Lions unveil squads

Maddox Grima. (Archivist Media)

Grima continues on winning in the ring By Peter Howe Keeping things simple and focused works for this month’s Don Deeble Sports Star nominee, boxer Maddox Grima. Grima, who is the current Australian under-19 silver medallist in the 65 kilogram weight division, has just returned from the Oceania Championships in Samoa as the gold medallist. “It was an amazing moment and the highlight of my career so far,” he said. “It was the second time in two years Grima has represented Australia at the Oceania Games. While Grima now represents his country in boxing, the sport wasn’t his first sporting love. He played junior football for eight years with Werribee Districts. “I played junior footy for Werribee Districts for eight years. “While I loved playing footy, I wasn’t going anywhere in the sport,” he admits. “My dad wanted me to do boxing for self-defence at around the same time I started footy. “I could see my improvement in the gym and loved the challenge of getting better. “Eventually I had to choose between the sports and boxing won the day.” Grima’s first fight was as a 13-year-old in the 54 kilogram weight division for a

Victorian title. He won the event. “The adrenaline kicked in and having that immediate success gave me great hope for the future in boxing,” he said. Grima’s strict training regime includes a 6am wakeup call and a three to five kilometre run every Monday morning. The MacKillop College student’s days are filled with schoolwork until he hits the gym each night at 4.30pm. Training varies but normally includes skipping, sparring, bag and then pad work which all focuses on technique. While he doesn’t watch a lot of videos of fighters, Grima is quietly confident in his ability to work out his opponents while in the ring and on the move. Grima has had a stellar start to his career, winning three Victorian titles, while still striving for his first national win. He has represented Australia three times and is certainly on the pathway to success. He fought in his first national event when he was in the under-15 age bracket. Overall, his current record stands at 30 wins and five losses. Grima has had a very hectic 2026, with eighteen fights. “A normal year would see me have around five fights,” he said. “It has been exceptional. I made the

22 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 29 September, 2026

Australian under-19 team that went to Thailand. In the lead up to that event, I had three fights at the AIS, winning all three to make the team.” Grima said the lessons he learned from the trip will be invaluable. “I had to learn how to live by myself, become independent and learn to take instruction from someone other than my normal coach,” he said. Grima said his power, speed and defence are the keys to his fighting. “However, I must continue to work on all aspects of my fighting if I am to continue to improve. “I am not perfect and I will not stop trying to improve.” Grima has a passion for working with young emerging boxers and will often be found at his gym on a Saturday morning volunteering to put the young aspiring boxers through their paces. His goal is to represent Australia in the Commonwealth and Olympic Games and in the end would like to turn professional. 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.

Bacchus Marsh Lions have announced their Country Basketball League squads for the upcoming season. Having previously announced their coaching teams, the Lions have revealed the men’s and women’s squads with a lot of familiar faces. Jayden Geary will again coach the men’s side with Mat Canty and Blake Pretty his assistants. Zak Martinez will captain the side with Daniel Salvatore and Owen Stephens his vice-captains. Martinez will bring up his 50th game this season. Lachlan Bens, Riley Blandthorn, Charles Deng, Nathan Dowdy, Duncan James, Justice King, Paul Martinez, Lunyjock Nien, Riley Oakley, Jake Psaila, Jordan Theodore and Bailey Wilson round out the squad. Blandthorn, James, King, Psaila and Theodore are all new signings. Theodore has been playing with the Sunbury Jets in the Big V, while James, Psaila and King have been playing with Coburg Giants. Blandthorn is part of the Lions Victorian Junior Basketball League coaching team. Jordan Wilson will captain the women’s side. Ella Bradbury has the most games played for the club with 39. Keele Hillas, Taylah Lea, Olivia Ogston, Kayla Salmons, Ava Sliwa, Charli Spence, Trinity Steele, Felicity Theodore, Haylen Gill, Lily Montebello, Ella Sedge, Mollie Van Der Linden and Isabelle Whelan make up the wider squad. Spence and Theodore are the new signings for the Lions this season. Theodore has played Big V with the Sunbury Jets, while Spence has also played Big V, including at Altona. Former player Rebecca Marshall will coach the side, with Lauren Olcorn and Renee Cook her assistant coaches.

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Second chance for Royals By Tara Murray Melton South Royals are keen to make the most of a reprieve in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Roy Picone Shield. The Royals finished bottom in their first season in the division 3 competition last season and were set to be relegated, with the bottom side normally dropping down. But with changes to other teams in higher divisions, the Royals will stay in the Roy Picone Shield season. Royals’ president Blake Ivory said the club jumped at the opportunity to stay up and were keen to make the most of their second chance. “We got a bit of a reprieve which is good,” he said. “The league reached out that some

things have changed and we were more than happy to stay where we are. “Last year a lot of things didn’t go our way with unavailability and injuries. We will be a better side this year.” Ivory said last season their depth was tested and at times they were missing half their first XI side. He said even before the news that they would stay up, they had been looking to strengthen their squad. “We’ve bolstered our squad and we’ve got a couple of UK guys coming out,” he said. “We’ll have six or seven new players in total in the first XI. “We’re really excited about the season ahead and we will be a new-look team.” Among the signings for the Royals is Sa-

meera Vithana, who returns to the club. He won the Russell Pollock medal in 2022-23 in his previous stint at the Royals and will be a key for them this season. Ahsan Waheed and Ameer Hamza have also joined the club. English pair Alex Pepper and Josh Brown will also make the trek out to Melton for the season. Pepper has been playing with Hatfield Town and is a quality top-order bat. Brown joins from Cockermouth and is a right-arm medium-fast bowler and dependable middle-order batter who also represents Cumbria County Cricket. He has previously played with Gisborne in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association. Ivory said with the new additions they

hoped that the depth would filter down into the lower grades. “Our twos just missed the four despite only having half a first team,” Ivory said. “It will help our seconds, thirds and fourths and the rest of the sides. “We’ll see how we go.” Ivory said they wanted to be competitive in the Roy Picone Shield and see what happens from there. “We didn’t think that we were out of our depth last season,” he said. “It was an even competition and we were competitive with everyone but Caroline Springs which won the premiership. “It bodes well for this year.” The VTCA season is set to kick off on 4 October against the Greenvale Kangaroos in a one-dayer at Greenvale.

Sports shorts EDFL Burnside Heights’ Lachlan Evans finished runners up in the Essendon District Football League division 2 best and fairest. Evans led the count after 14 rounds, two clear of Coburg Districts’ Riley Bentley. Bentley was named best on ground in the next two matches, with Evans also best on ground in round 16. The margin remained one in favour of Bentley heading into the final round and it stayed that way with neither polling in the final round. Former Burnside Heights player Liam Mercieca, who now plays for Essendon Doutta Stars, won the Reynolds Medal as the best player in the men’s premier division competition.

VNL The Western Warriors have suffered a massive blow with reigning best and fairest winner Ruby Shannon departing the squad. The Melbourne Mavericks training partner has been a key for the Warriors since day one but is set to play with Melbourne University Lightning next season.

Ballarat FL Fighter Command. (Stuart McCormick)

Fighter Command fires Victoria Cup warning By John Dunne Inter Dominion heat winner Fighter Command is en route to renew acquaintances with Leap To Fame and co in the Group 1 SEN Victoria Cup after his slashing win in the Benstud Standardbreds Free For All at Melton on Saturday night. The Jess Tubbs-prepared five-year-old produced a powerful finale after spotting the leader Forty Love more than 20 metres on the home turn. Leap To Fame aside, Fighter Command was the best of the beaten brigade behind Captains Mistress in the Inter Dominion Grand Final after making up many lengths over the concluding stages to finish fifth. Driver Jason Lee believes the winner will be more than competitive in the Victoria Cup. “He’s already proved in Queensland that he is capable of mixing it with them. It’s going to be a pretty tough race but I’m more than happy to jump on him,” Lee said. “He’s been racing super and he’s pretty lethal when things get run to suit.” Jess Tubbs said Fighter Command will contest the Smoken Up Sprint in the week leading up to the Victoria Cup.

“He raced through the Inter Dominion okay so he is better now at backing up and I was happy with the way he hit the line tonight,” Tubbs said. Win, lose or draw in the Victoria Cup, Fighter Command’s place in the race will tick off a bucket-list item for Tubbs. “The Victoria Cup has always been on my dream list after Dad having won the race with Melpark Major, so I am happy that he is in the race,” she said. The Michael Stanley-trained Soho Trump showed a return to his best form with a dominant win in the Victorian Sires Classic (3YO Colts and Geldings). Soho Trump led unchallenged from the pole and reeled off a slick last 800 metres in 54.4 seconds to score comfortably by eight metres from the Emma Stewart-trained pair Brooklyn Dan and Dynamitedan. Stanley conceded he felt confident during the run with Soho Trump, who made it back-to-back wins at Melton. “We were able to dictate proceedings to our liking, he has a good turn of foot when he gets it his own way and he did that tonight quite comfortably,” Stanley said. “We got an easy lead time and a cheap quarter, and we saw last week how strong

he is when it’s an even tempo.” The Emma Stewart-trained filly Willows Girl visited the winner’s stall for the first time at Melton when she successfully resumed from a spell in the Melton Gold Chalice (3YO Fillies). Willows Girl settled last in the small field before Mark Pitt eased out to press forward towards the leaders with 900 metres to travel. Willows Girl levelled up with Keayang Passion around the home turn before forging clear in the home straight to score by two and a half metres in a mile rate of 1:58.7. Pitt said he was conscious of making up ground on the leaders before the speed was injected into the race. “It was nearly mission impossible to get into it, but she really showed her class. She puts up a good fight no matter where she is in the race,” Pitt said. Pitt believes the winner of the Group 2 Gold Bracelet at Bathurst in March has plenty of upside. “She’s only lightly raced and came into tonight off the back of one trial, so there should be a lot more improvement in her yet,” he said.

Bacchus Marsh has signed Braxton Simms for next year’s Ballarat Football League season. A former representative of the Western Jets, Simms has become one of the Western Football League’s standout young players. He won Point Cook’s senior rising star award in 2023, finished third in the club’s 2025 senior best and fairest, and was recently named in the division 1 team of the year. “An exciting addition to our midfield, Braxton is a prolific ball-winner who thrives in the contest, wins clearances and constantly drives the ball into attack,” the Cobras said.

Western FL Caroline Springs’ first Western Football League division 1 premiership season has been further recognised with the most players in the team of the year. The Lakers had four players named in the team of the year which was released last week, the most in the division. Alipate Bryant (full back), Ben Caluzzi (half back), Steven Kyriazis (half forward) and Cooper Pepi (interchange) were named in the team.

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Tuesday, 29 September, 2026 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 23

29, SEPTEMBER, 2026

Deeble rising star

Royals second chance

Positive signs for Wolves By Tara Murray

Souter wins Bowen Medal By Tara Murray Melton South’s Blake Souter’s move to the Riddell District Football League proved a fruitful one, with the midfielder claiming the Bowen Medal on Thursday night. Souter made the move from Melton to Melton South in the off season and had an immediate impact in the league. On Friday night, he claimed the league’s top honour ahead of two-time winner Steven Boyall, who finished runner-up. For Souter, it wasn’t something that he was expecting heading into the night. “I was a little bit surprised to be honest,” he said. “There were a whole heap of emotions. “I love it at Melton South, it’s a good club.” Souter said the move from Melton to Melton South was based on his family and friends who were at the club. “Mum and dad love it, my brother is here,” he said. “It’s more sort of about family and friends.”

Souter said it has been fun being part of the rebuild of the Panthers having played against them previously. Woodend-Hesket’s Daniel Toman was voted the competition’s most valuable player by the coaches, polling votes from every coach. Souter was one of three Panthers named in the team of the year. Lachlan Pritchard was named on a half forward flank, while Sam Darley was named on the back flank. Outgoing coach Travis Hodgson was named coach of the year. Other players named in the team of the year included, Riddell’s Bryce and Callum Williamson, Nathan Horvat and Zak Saad, Wallan’s Owen Fowler, Dion Hill, Nash King and Lachie Smart, Romsey’s Nathan Blair and Jack Jedwab, Diggers Rest’s Oleg Markov, Mitchell Day, Callum Moore and Marcus Calvaresi, Macedon’s Blake Watson and Charlie Rossetti, Gisborne Giants’ Brad Mangan, Toman, and Kyneton’s Caleb Fisher. Souter will take on the coaching role next year after Hodgson stood down

after three seasons in charge. He said he never thought that he would be the next coach of the Panthers. “Trav, he’s a legend,” he said. “It was just an idea that sort of got thrown out probably later in the year and I said to Trav and to Zippy, the president, you’ve got to convince me and they sort of did. “The support of Trav and Zippy, it is nice.” Souter said they wanted to continue to build on what they had done the past couple of years, when they were knocked out in the first week of finals. He said a couple of his former Melton teammates were set to come across and help boost the group. In other awards on Friday night, Wallan’s Nash King won the Steve Turner Rising Star award, while Lancefield’s Walter King was named the defender of the year. Kyneton’s Kristiana Manu’a won the Ryan Medal in the A-grade netball, while Ruby Watts won a third straight women’s football best and fairest award.

Melton Wolves are keen to make sure they celebrate the small wins along the way in the Gridiron Victoria season. After a tough few years, the Wolves had one of their best performances of recent years to defeat Bendigo in the opening round of the season. Wolves’ Blake D’Ascola said it was a great way to start the season. The Wolves were then competitive on Friday in their second round match against the Western Crusaders 2 side. “I’ve been here three years now and we’ve never kicked off a season like that,” he said. “I’ve only had two wins in my whole time with the Wolves, it was awesome to get one of those in round one. “To go out and execute the game plan, it was good.” D’Ascola said there was a really good atmosphere among the group after getting the win. The Wolves had some big expectations last season but when they didn’t reach then the vibe within the group dropped. “Sometimes it drops if you’re not winning,” he said. “When things don’t quite go your way, to have a win early in the year changes the whole mindset for the boys.” D’Ascola said the win was on the back of a lot of hard work put in by not only the players, but the committee, staff, and coaches. He said there’s some people who work seven days a week to give them an opportunity to do what they love. D’Ascola said they were looking this season to build on the benchmarks and foundations that they set up last year. He said there had been a few new guys who had come in and made an instant impact. “They’re guys who are stepping up straight away,” he said. “They are some newer guys who have set the tone and have been excited since day one. “It lights up the other guys. We haven’t had a group of rookies like this in my time at the club. “They are willing to learn.” While thrilled to have a win on the board early, D’Ascola said it doesn’t change their focus this year. He said they wanted to embrace and enjoy the small moments which they might not have done 12 months ago. “We missed some of those moments which showed how far we had come. “We’re enjoying it with the guys and we are putting in the work.” The Wolves were in action on Friday against Western Crusaders 2. The Crusaders won the match 16-14 with the Wolves to take plenty out of the match.