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4 NOVEMBER, 2026

A festive peek at history Jack’s Magazine in Maribyrnong opens to the public for only the second time in 150 years on Saturday 28 November, hosting a Christmas festival. More than 30 local artists and makers will sell handmade gifts, ceramics, candles, and jewellery at the former gunpowder storage site. The event features live music, heritage tours through historic buildings and grass-covered mounds, pony rides, puppet shows, croquet, wildlife encounters, and food from local clubs. Children can meet Santa and make gift requests. Working Heritage Victoria, which manages the site, is organising the festival to showcase this hidden piece of city history. “Jack’s Magazine has an incredible story, but very few Melburnians have seen it,” said chief executive Sally Jones. “This festival lets people discover genuine heritage while enjoying makers, live music, and Santa.” Adults pay a small cover charge; children enter free. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome. Details: https://events.humanitix.com/ christmas-festival-at-jack-s-magazine Jo Beshara and Sally Jones from Working Heritage Victoria at Jack’s Magazine in Maribyrnong where they are hosting the first Christmas festival at historic site on 28 November. (Damjan Janevski) 584860 04

Salvos close cafe By Cade Lucas

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The Salvation Army has admitted underestimating the scale of demand for outreach and support services in central Footscray after closing its cafe and drop-in centre less than six months after its much publicised opening. The Lighthouse Cafe on the corner of Albert and Paisley streets closed its doors on Friday 23 October, just five months on from its official opening by then-premier Jacinta Allan on 20 May. Salvation Army commanding officer Major Brendan Nottle said the reason for

the closure was simple. “We just outgrew it,” Major Nottle said of the shopfront inside the Metro West shopping centre. Modelled on the Salvo’s Magpie Nest Cafe in the Melbourne’s CBD, the Lighthouse Cafe provided free meals to vulnerable people while connecting them with homelessness, drug and alcohol and mental health services. Major Nottle said the cafe quickly proved far more popular than expected, attracting an average of 170 visitors per day, nearly three times the original estimate of 60. “We absolutely didn’t realise the need

that was evident in the community and the response the cafe would generate,” he said. “The number of people we were seeing there, it was too many to be honest, so for the safety of everyone involved we needed to get to a more appropriate location.” The original choice of location for the Lighthouse Cafe’s was criticised by neighbouring business owners who argued the drop-in centre would just attract more drug use, violence and anti-social behaviour to the area. Two local traders spoken to by Star Weekly even threatened legal action. Major Nottle said no legal action had

occurred and that the local community had embraced the cafe. He said a temporary outreach service would be established in central Footscray in the coming weeks while the search for new location went on, but guaranteed that the Lighthouse Cafe would return to the area. “We’re absolutely committed to remaining in Footscray,” Major Nottle said. Maribyrnong mayor Mohamed Semra said council still supported the Lighthouse Cafe and looked forward to it reopening in the Footscray CBD.

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City News November 2026 1

Message from the Mayor As I write my final City News column as Mayor, I have been reflecting on what an incredible privilege the past year has been. Maribyrnong is a community full of passionate people who care deeply about where they live. Throughout my time as Mayor, I have had the opportunity to meet so many of you at community events, local businesses, sporting clubs and neighbourhood celebrations across our City. When I became Mayor, I committed to listening, advocating and building trust. What I have valued most is hearing directly from our community about what matters to you, what you love about Maribyrnong and where you want to see us do better. Thank you to everyone who has stopped for a conversation, sent an email, attended a Council meeting, invited me to an event or shared an idea. Those conversations have been one of the most rewarding parts of being Mayor and a constant reminder of the passion people have for our City. It has also been a privilege to represent Maribyrnong more broadly and advocate for the needs and priorities of our community. I’m proud of the advocacy wins we’ve achieved along the way and the progress we’ve made on some of the issues that matter most to our community. I am incredibly proud to have served as Mayor and grateful to my fellow Councillors, Council staff and our community for their support throughout the year. While my time as Mayor is coming to an end, my commitment to Maribyrnong certainly isn’t.

Out and about 1. Mayor Cr Mohamed Semra getting a firsthand look at the work of firefighters through Fire Rescue Victoria’s Fire Ops 101 Program. 2. Mayor Cr Mohamed Semra addressing the 2026 Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia Conference on multiculturalism. 3. Mayor, Cr Mohamed Semra, visited St John’s Primary School in Braybrook for a discussion about the future of the Old Footscray Hospital site. 4. Mayor, Cr Mohamed Semra, visited the Vinnies Victoria Soup Van at West Footscray Station, which provides food relief, friendship and connection to the local community. 5. Mayor, Cr Mohamed Semra, joined fellow Mayors from across Victoria for a three-day delegation to Canberra as part of the Municipal Association of Victoria’s Make Good Happen campaign.

Upcoming Council Meetings Council Meeting: 17 November 2026, 6.30pm Election of the Mayor: 18 November 2026, 6.30pm

I look forward to continuing to serve our community, staying connected with residents and working together to make our City an even better place to live, work and visit.

The Meeting is held in the Council Chambers at the Civic Precinct and Community Hub and live-streamed on Council’s website. Community members can submit questions for public question time online on or before the day of the meeting.

Cr Mohamed Semra Mayor, City of Maribyrnong

Visit maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/meetings or phone 9688 0200 for more information.

Check out the latest events and festivals across our City at maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/events

Follow me on Facebook ‘Mohamed Semra for Burndap Ward’

City of Maribyrnong Civic Precinct and Community Hub 61 Napier Street, Footscray P: 03 9688 0200 F: 03 9687 7793

Postal Address: PO Box 58, West Footscray VIC 3012 email@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au

TIS: 131 450 NRS: 133 677 OR 1300 555 727 www.relayservice.com.au

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2 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 4 November, 2026

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Grima’s mayoral term ends By Cade Lucas Hobsons Bay council endorsed its annual report for 2025-26 on Tuesday 27 October, the final meeting chaired by mayor Diana Grima. The report highlighted council’s $52.6 million capital works program, including the renewal, maintenance and improvement of infrastructure and facilities, as well as the completion of The Zone youth space in Altona North, the publishing of the 202529 council plan and allocation of more than $500,000 in community grants as some of its

key achievements for the year. According to the report there were also an extra 42,000 visitors to Hobsons Bay libraries compared to the previous year, more than 95,000 attendees at council events, nearly 7000 downloads of council’s new bin app and more than 10,000 immunisations delivered. “This report shows the progress we’ve made, while reinforcing our commitment to getting back to basics, listening to our community and continuing to deliver on the things that matter most,” Cr Grima said. At Tuesday night’s meeting council also

adopted a new waste and recycling strategy. Under the new strategy, council will continue with four streams of kerbside collection, while improvements such as the addition of communal glass, food and garden waste bins, and CCTV cameras at illegal dumping hot-spots, will be phased in over the next five years. Council also awarded contracts for upgrades at its operations centre and at Altona’s JK Grant Reserve, while next year’s council meeting schedule was locked in, with the first meeting to take place on 23 February.

That meeting will be presided over by a new mayor of Hobsons Bay. In a social media post made after her last meeting in the role, Cr Grima said the last year had been a rewarding and unforgettable experience. “To say it has been an honour would be an understatement,” she said. “This is a year I will carry in my heart forever, filled with moments of immense pride, pure happiness, and endless gratitude.” The new mayor and deputy mayor will be elected at a meeting on 13 November.

Push for trucks respite

Williamstown Uniting Church chair Karen Wykes and administrator Michelle Stephens inside the Electra Street church ahead of its 150th anniversary celebrations from 27-29 November. (Damjan Janevski) 583757 02

Church to mark a century and a half The Williamstown Uniting Church is gearing up to mark its 150th anniversary with a three-day festival. From Friday the 27 to Sunday the 29 November, the Electra Street church will host a range of events to mark a century and a half in Williamstown. On Friday, an opening event with songs and music will be held, before children’s events, guided tours, and a Devonshire tea take place on Saturday. Sunday will be the main event, with a commemorative service featuring the president of the Uniting Church in Austra-

lia, Rev. Charissa Suli, as guest speaker. Williamstown Uniting Church chair Karen Wykes said the Sunday service would then be followed by a multicultural lunch. “It reflects the nationalities of all the people who come to our church now,” Ms Wykes said in explaining why. Despite the milestone and its history, Ms Wykes said the Williamstown Uniting Church remained as relevant and important as ever. “It is a place where people can find practical support through food parcels,

shared meals, and extra tuition for school children,” she said. “It also welcomes people to worship through services beyond those of the Uniting Church. “Most importantly, our church is what some call a ‘thin place’ –a place where the distance between ourselves and God seems somehow less. It offers a space to connect with God in our own way, to find solace, and perhaps to experience a little peace.” Detials: https://williamstown.ucavictas. org.au/being-together/150thanniversary2026/

New wheels for emergency service organisations in Hobsons Bay Two Hobsons Bay emergency service providers will get new vehicles after receiving funding from the state government. The Hobsons Bay SES and Williamstown Swimming and Life Saving Club (WSLSC) have been awarded grants of more than $100,000 and $50,000 respectively under the state government’s Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program, with both organisations to use the money on vehicle upgrades. The Hobsons Bay SES will get a new emergency response vehicle to help trans-

port the unit’s volunteers to the scene of incidents such as floods, storms and road accidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “SES Hobsons Bay Unit plays such a significant role in our community,” Williamstown MP Melissa Horne said in awarding the funding grant. “As a volunteer-based organisation providing emergency assistance around the clock, we cannot be more thankful for the work they do.” The $50,000 grant awarded to WSLSC will go towards the purchase of a brand-new

Isuzu Ute to assist club volunteers in keeping swimmers safe at Hobsons Bay beaches. “I’m proud to have backed our local volunteers over the years, and this new vehicle will help them look after members and beachgoers this summer,” Ms Horne said in awarding the funding grant to the WSLSC during a surfboat carnival at Williamstown Beach on Saturday 24 October, the first surfboat event to be held there in 20 years. The funding has already been allocated and is not contingent on the state government being re-elected.

Before the West Gate Tunnel opened, residents of Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay had seen enough large trucks clogging up Williamstown Road and Millers Road to last a lifetime. But since the West Gate Tunnel opened, it’s gone from bad to worse. As more truck drivers divert around and dodge toll roads, Williamstown and Millers roads are now referred to by locals as a “tsunami of rat-running trucks”. Which is why when the state government announced a new grants program under the Better Freight Outcomes Fund, long-suffering residents had their hopes raised, with legislation stating the fund money would be spent on transport programs and projects in communities affected by “increased use of roads by heavy vehicles as a result of the West Gate Tunnel project”. However, not everyone is convinced. The Save Willy Road residents action group has taken to social media to urge residents to have their say on how the $1 million fund, raised from fines paid by truck owners caught in a No Truck Zone, should be spent. “We assumed the money would be spent in neighbourhoods where truck volumes will sharply rise – chiefly Williamstown and Millers roads, and possibly Kensington Road,” Save Willy Road spokesman Graeme Hammond said. “The projects would help mitigate the adverse effects we now suffer. But the government seems to have other ideas. “Nowhere does it specify these must be transport projects. “It also says it will only ‘prioritise’ communities where truck volumes have increased. We’re the ones copping thousands of extra trucks a day past our homes – this is where the money should be spent.” He said while some of the government’s suggested projects such as noise barriers and pedestrian crossings could be classified as transport projects, other proposals such as community facilities, public art and local events would be a blatant misuse of the fund. He said residents needed to tell the government the fund must be used as intended. The projects that were urgently needed, he said, included a 24-7 truck ban on Williamstown Road, an immediate ban on B-doubles, implementation of a lowemissions zone, traffic light upgrades and a properly funded replacement program for high-polluting old trucks. A state government spokesperson, “The Better Freight Outcomes Fund will deliver $1 million worth of grants that aim to create better neighbourhoods, with safer, quieter streets”.

Wednesday, 4 November, 2026 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 3

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Shooting hoops, scoring futures As part of an ongoing series on the causes and solutions to crime in the west, Jack O’Shea-Ayres spoke with the team from Airtime, a youth development and high-performance basketball program in Cobblebank, about how it gives young people a positive place to connect, and has led to international success for its participants. Cobblebank’s Airtime Basketball Program supports young people through sport to develop life skills, build routines, and access opportunities in a bid to enhance their academic, vocational, and sporting outcomes. The program was created from a desire to support at-risk young people to access their potential both on and off the court, responding partly to the tragic death of 15-year-old Dau Akeung, after he was killed in an alleged group machete and knife attack in Cobblebank last year. Airtime’s coaching facilitator Manny Hendrix Jr, who knew Dau personally, said he wanted to see a positive change for youth in the west. “Dau and I had a close relationship going back many years, both through Airtime and previous programs I ran in the area of Yarra,” Mr Hendrix explained. “We knew at those programs that kids such as Dau were going to be positively engaged before and after school, fed and dropped back safely at their doorstep at night.” Airtime director Michael Houben said the program aims to create positive pathways for young people by engaging them in activities they are passionate about. “With Airtime, our goal is to provide consistent basketball engagement, teaching routine, discipline and other transferable life qualities through a sport so many young people are passionate about,” Mr Houben said. “We try to educate and inspire through sport, providing pathways through basketball as well as opportunities in education and jobs.” He said Airtime aimed to fill a gap in opportunities for young people living in the western suburbs. “When there’s a lack of structured opportunities for young people to engage in

Athiei Magok, Aduto Chipuowuop, and Goch Ayiik have received full athletic scholarship opportunities to schools in the United States through the Airtime Program. (Supplied)

Poth Machar is currently undertaking his sports scholarship in Eastern Arizona. (Supplied)

their interests outside of school hours, that’s when anti-social behaviour tends to appear,” he said. “Airtime offers structure, consistency and aims to break down barriers to access so that participants have a safe space to develop positive relationships with their peers

and learn to dream big.” For participants, the results are already leading to worldwide success, with four of the program’s recent participants receiving full athletic scholarship opportunities with schools in the United States. Through Airtime’s coaching and guid-

ance, Aduto Chipuowuop, Athiei Magok, Goch Ayiik, and Poth Machar, are receiving free tertiary education while furthering their dreams as basketball players in the US. Aduto, who was a close friend of Dau Akueng, said the Airtime program kept him focused and on the right track, leading to his success through a University of South Carolina (USC) Salkehatchie scholarship. “It’s a blessing,” Aduto said. “There were a lot of distractions along the way…I put my head down, I stayed on the right path.” Mr Houben said the program aimed to equip young people with the discipline, accountability and sense of belonging needed to succeed both on and off the court. “We are all about inspiring the mind, whether that’s on the court or outside of it,” Mr Houben said. “When young people are exposed to opportunity, mentorship and a healthy group identity, you address anti-social behaviour at the root before it ever becomes a problem for an individual.” In September, the state government announced funding to support Airtime for its success as an early intervention program. The funding announcement was made in response to a rise in crime across the western suburbs, and in a bid to tackle the drivers of serious offending at a community level. Details: https://www.airtimebasketball. com/pages/about-us-new

Sign up for cell study By Glenn Fisher Joining up to take part in a study may or may not pique your interest. But how about getting fitter, providing research results for the medical field and receiving rewards for taking part? Accredited exercise physiologist Zena Zaki and Sebastian Paul (Master’s degree in Sports Science) are PhD candidates from Professor David Bishop’s Exercise Prescription Lab at the Footscray Park campus of Victoria University, conducting a study on physical activity and ageing and how this influences the mitochondria in skeletal muscle. Mr Paul told Star Weekly that mitochondria are double-membrane-bound organelles involved in numerous cellular processes. Most notably, they use substrates from food and convert them into chemical energy to fuel bodily functions, which is why they are commonly referred to as the “powerhouse of the cell,“ he said. Mr Paul said previous research suggested a decline in mitochondria from around age 60. They hope to sign up 96 participants for

their study to examine the contribution of physical activity and ageing to changes in a person’s mitochondria. “We’re looking to recruit four separate groups of people,” he explained. “We are seeking young men and women aged between 18 and 28, and older men and women aged 65-plus, who will be tested and divided into physically active and physically inactive groups.” If you sign up for the study, you will attend the laboratories in Footscray Park for four visits over about three weeks. During some of the testing and training, Ms Zaki and Mr Paul will take blood samples and muscle biopsies to analyse various metabolic markers and mitochondrial characteristics. Following the testing, if a participant is assigned to an inactive group, they will complete eight weeks of supervised, high-intensity interval training at the Footscray Park campus before completing some of the baseline tests again. The researchers hope to be training the inactive group by the start of 2027, and all results and data summaries will be shared with

4 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 4 November, 2026

Volunteer Victoria Haritos with PhD candidates Sebastian Paul and Zena Zaki. (Damjan Janevski). 585913 01

each individual. “In the past, research has shown changes in the mitochondria when people were consistently active,” Mr Paul said. There was also the negative side of being inactive, which could lead to mitochondrial disease, he added Mitochondrial disease is a group of chronic genetic disorders that occur when mitochondria fail to produce enough energy for normal cell and organ function. “This study is the groundwork for the

future, for what hopefully will help give us more answers about mitochondria and being active,” Mr Paul said. Study participants will also be rewarded, apart from receiving valuable information regarding their cardiorespiratory fitness and health. Those completing all the baseline testing will receive a $100 e-gift card and another $100 for completing the post-training testing. To register your interest, email Mitochondria.Study@gmail.com

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Call for family violence support By Cade Lucas Hobsons Bay council has partnered with local community organisations to call for greater investment in family violence prevention and response services. In a joint statement with the Hobsons Bay Family Violence Prevention and Response Partnership, council calls on the state government to invest $485,000 over three years for a pilot program to help prevent family violence and coordinate response to it. The proposed funding would go towards a dedicated project lead at Hobsons Bay council, who would work with local community houses and centres, and service

providers to identify gaps in the system and coordinate a best-practice process for when a victim survivor presents at a local service. The Hobsons Bay Family Violence Prevention and Response Partnership includes representatives from Housing for the Aged Action Group, Gambler’s Help at IPC Health, Latitude: Directions for Young People, Laverton Community Integrated Services (LCIS), Outlets Co-op Neighbourhood House, South Kingsville Community Centre, and Zonta Club of Melbourne’s West. Hobsons Bay residents currently need to travel outside the municipality for specialist family violence support, despite sta-

tistics showing incidents of family violence are on the rise. In the year ending June 2025, 1078 family violence incidents were recorded in Hobsons Bay, a five per cent increase year-onyear. Emergency department visits attributed to family violence also increased by 80 per cent over three years, while the number of residents accessing homelessness services due to family violence rose by 23 per cent in the year to June 2025. Hobsons Bay mayor Diana Grima said the problem couldn’t be addressed without state government assistance. “We have an incredible network of local

organisations doing important work every day, but more and more they are struggling to respond to the vast and complex challenges community members are facing,” Cr Grima said. “The joint statement represents a shared voice from organisations that understand our community and know where there are gaps. “We are calling on the government to listen and help us tackle this issue collectively.” Cr Grima recently wrote to the Prevention of Family Violence Minister Sonya Kilkenny, seeking support for the initiative. Ms Kilkenny was contacted for comment.

From Footscray to St Kilda While they live in Footscray, husband and wife theatre duo Kevin and Helen Hopkins are currently in St Kilda performing a play set in ancient Greece courtesy of a theatre company based in the Czech Republic. Kevin Hopkins is co-directing and Helen Hopkins is a member of the cast in an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Timon of Athens currently being performed at Theatre works in St Kilda until 7 November. Developed by the Prague Shakespeare Company through its prestigious Summer Shakespeare Intensive in 2025 and 2026, the company has brought its gritty and darkly funny adaptation of Timon of Athens to Melbourne in a collaboration with Th’ Unguarded Duncan, a local theatre company run by Kevin Hopkins and Clair Nicholls,

who are also co-directing the play. Written with Thomas Middleton, Timon of Athens is one of Shakespeare’s lesser known and rarely performed works, which Hopkins said was part of what attracted him and Nicholls. “As a company, we’re very interested in working on lesser-known Shakespeare plays”, he said. “Both Claire and I have worked on so many productions of popular Shakespeare titles, (Macbeth, Dream, Romeo and Juliet, etc.), that it’s been a breath of fresh air to explore plays we knew little about and collaborate with Prague Shakespeare Company to stage them here in Australia.” The story of a wealthy Athenian philanthropist who lavishes money on his friends,

Footscray couple Helen and Kevin Hopkins are currently starring in and co-directing the Shakespeare play Timon of Athens. (Damjan Janevski) 583533 01

only for them to desert him when he goes bankrupt, Timon of Athens turns an idealist’s riches-to-rags downfall into a fero-

cious, anti-capitalist satire. Bookings: www.theatreworks.org. au/2026/timon-of-athens

Footscray Community Arts staff members (L-R) Irijani Amaran, Naomi Oakley and Lily Arnold are excited by the opening of the new outside performance venue, Lango. (Damjan Janevski) 586166 01

New riverside performance space open Two years after a breaking ground ceremony was held, Lango, Footscray Community Arts’ new performance space on the banks of the Maribyrnong River, has finally opened. The shell-shapped stage and amphitheater was christened with Lango Live, a soldout concert event on Friday 30 October and Saturday 31 October, featuring performances from Drifting Clouds, Kaiit, Afrdisiac, Mothafunk and Sewita among others. It’ll be the first of many concerts and performances hosted at the architecturally designed $8.7 million venue named after the Woi-wurrung word for “on the edge” gifted by Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Annette Xiberras. However, the Indigenous influence on the project went well beyond just its name. Yorta Yorta, Wurundjeri and Wiradjuri artist, Moorina Bonini integrated her artwork into the landscape and architectural

design, including a smoking-fire bowl at the centre of a permanent cultural gathering space, and patterns on the amphitheatre’s canopy inspired by Aboriginal mark making. “These marks are emblematic of knowledge and Country and place and time and are symbolic of our ancestors,” Bonini said. “I think there’s just a lot of love in this work and I just hope that people can experience that and take something away from that.” Kulin Nation water patterns also feature on outdoor furniture, while the First Nations-led planting of native species into the landscape is aimed at supporting rain gardens, improving water quality and restoring habitat along the Maribyrnong River. For more information about Lango and Footscray Community Arts, go to: https:// footscrayarts.com/whats-on/

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Wednesday, 4 November, 2026 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 5

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A family legacy Fred Ackerman and Susan Jennison from Keilor Historical Society. (Damjan Janevski) 584169 01

It is easy to overlook the rich history that lies around the corner of our suburbs. Sebastian Conidi spoke to Fred Ackermann and Susan Jennison from the Keilor Historical Society about the immense family legacy behind the Keilor Hotel.

he Keilor Hotel has long been a landmark of the Keilor community, with a history stretching back to 1849. Promoted as Australia’s oldest family-owned hotel, the pub has been owned and operated by the Dodd family and their ancestors since 1862, making it one of the country’s longest continuously family-run pubs. Much of the hotel’s history has been compiled by Susan Jennison, vice-president of the Keilor Historical Society. With a background spanning librarianship, history, research and writing, Ms Jennison has dedicated decades to documenting the people, places and stories that have shaped the local area. The hotel was first established as the Galway Arms Tavern in 1849 by James Mitchell. Following several changes of name, it became known as the Keilor Hotel in the 1860s. The venue rose to prominence during the gold rush era, when travellers from across the world passed through the area in search of gold, particularly in Bendigo and Castlemaine. As a key stopping point for those leaving Melbourne, the hotel witnessed a period of significant activity and growth. In the 1860s, the hotel was purchased by Matthew Goudie for £1000, and he renamed it the Keilor Hotel. Its connection to the Dodd family began when John Dodd, son of George Dodd, married Goudie’s daughter, bringing the hotel into the family. George arrived in Australia in 1840 and eventually settled in Keilor, where he played an important role in the development of the community. He oversaw the construction of St Augustine’s Church and established the area’s first school. The name Brimbank is also linked to George, who named his farm after its location on the brim of the riverbank. The hotel’s history is closely intertwined with that of the Dodd family, most notably Ray Dodd, who ran the pub from 1974 until 2025. The hotel recently commemorated the first anniversary of his death, recognising his longstanding stewardship and commitment to preserving its legacy. For Ms Jennison, documenting the Keilor Hotel’s history was a natural extension of a lifelong passion for the past and decades of research into the local area.

A young Ray Dodd. (Supplied)

“I had been writing about the history of the area for decades in other books,” she said, explaining how her previous work provided a foundation for the project. With a bachelor of arts and a master’s degree, Ms Jennison said her interest in history stemmed from the opportunity to uncover forgotten stories and understand the people behind them. “I have always been interested in history,” she said. “It’s the fascination of uncovering things and learning about the people who might be affected.” A key focus of her research was the hotel’s relationship with the gold rush and the development of Keilor as a village. She reflected on the people who lived and worked in the area during the gold rush, including the many blacksmiths who supported the influx of travellers and prospectors. Her approach to research is driven by a strong sense of commitment and a desire to ensure local stories are recorded for future generations. “Once I’m committed to something, I just do it,” she said. “If I decide I’ve got something I want to write down, I just do it.” Beyond documenting the hotel’s past, Ms Jennison emphasised the importance of preserving historical records and ensuring that community knowledge is not lost. “We must realise the importance of the physical record,” she said, warning that people often underestimate the value of

6 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 4 November, 2026

documenting their own experiences and information. While digital documents and photographs captured on mobile phones have become commonplace, she said it was essential to record details such as dates to ensure the material remained useful to future researchers. “The importance is to get the date and record it,” she said. Ms Jennison also stressed the need for ongoing financial support and greater awareness of the administrative processes involved in preserving historical documents. “It always needs financial support,” she said. “We need to be conscious of the bureaucracy and the importance of keeping documents.” Her comments highlight the broader challenges faced by historical societies and community organisations working to protect local heritage, often relying on dedicated volunteers, funding and the careful preservation of records. Fred Ackerman, general member of the Keilor Historical Society, said the hotel remained an important part of the community’s identity and heritage. “As a Keilor community, we recognise and appreciate the Keilor Hotel for its

history and contribution to the community over hundreds of years,” he said. He pointed to other surviving heritage landmarks in the area, including Overnewton Castle, Christ Church and Arundel Estate Farm, which together help tell the story of Keilor’s development. Reflecting on Ray’s contribution, Mr Ackerman said he had a deep appreciation for the hotel’s history and took great pride in continuing its traditions. “Ray Dodd personally understood, appreciated, respected and carried that mantle forward in terms of the history that he so proudly nurtured around the hotel,” he said. For Mr Ackerman, the Keilor Hotel represents more than a historic building. It remains a vital gathering place and a symbol of the community’s enduring character. “Every community should have a hotel,” he said. “Keilor is so fortunate to have an iconic and wonderful hotel, standing today as an icon.” With its origins in the early days of colonial Victoria, its links to the gold rush and its longstanding association with the Dodd family, the Keilor Hotel continues to embody the history and identity of the community it has served for generations.

Fred Ackerman and Susan Jennison from Keilor Historical Society and Dhenai Veale manager Keilor Hotel. (Damjan Janevski) 584169 03

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NEWS

Briefs Rupert Street

As this mayoral term comes to an end, I have been reflecting on what an incredible privilege it has been to serve and lead our community for the last 12 months. While we have achieved so much and have done some great things for our community, I think the greatest highlight for me has been meeting so many wonderful people across Hobsons Bay. From volunteers and community groups to local businesses, families and young people, I have loved every moment of being out and about, talking to people and hearing their stories. Looking back, there’s been plenty of great things to celebrate from the year that was. I was proud to be involved with our new Community Recognition Awards, giving us an opportunity to celebrate the wide range of contributions community members give to make a difference in the lives of others. Some great progress was made at the Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre, with stage one works complete. And after a few years of planning and development, I was thrilled to see the new inclusive McCormack Park playground open for our young people of all abilities to enjoy. Part of the role of being mayor is getting out to a wide range of community events. I was lucky to attend markets, festivals, exhibitions, openings and so much more to see the passion and creativity of our community firsthand. The Woods Street Youth Art Prize was a highlight among these, and it was a pleasure to present the Mayoral Award as part of the event. Being mayor is also about advocating for our community’s needs, serving as the voice of council.

Car park spaces near Tottenham Station will soon close for the rest of the year to make way for construction work on stage one of the airport rail project. From Thursday 5 November the Rupert Street station car park will close to facilitate the relocation of underground services. Alternative parking will be available in the overflow car park off Rupert Street and five accessible car spaces will remain available in the car park off Sunshine Road. Access to platforms, drop off and pick up zones will not be affected by the closure which is expected to last until Wednesday 13 January.

Sunshine Road

Outgoing Hobsons Bay mayor Diana Grima. (Supplied)

Community safety has been an important focus, and we have written to the government several times and done some great work to advocate for the safety of our community. I also enjoyed working with other councils, through connections like the M9 partnership, hearing about the experiences of councils across Melbourne and how we can learn from one another and support our communities. Serving as mayor has been an incredible honour, an opportunity I embraced with passion, to continue to give back to our wonderful community and city.

Sections of the Sunshine Road car park at West Footscray Station will temporarily close from Monday 16 November due to works on stage one of the airport rail project. During the closure, alternative parking, including accessible parking, will be available on the opposite side of West Footscray Station at the Cross Street car park. Alternative parking will also be available at the Rupert Street car park near Tottenham Station. All spaces at the Sunshine Road car park will reopen on Sunday 6 December. Platform access will not be affected during the three week closure.

FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Maribyrnong & Hobsons Bay Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

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Regional migration reaches equal-record June quarter high as Northern Queensland emerges as a growth hotspot Regional migration reaches equalrecord June quarter high as Northern Queensland emerges as a growth hotspot. The latest Regional Movers Index reveals a northerly trend as Queensland’s Burdekin, Tablelands and Douglas regions attract some of nation’s strongest growth in net internal Migration. Australians are continuing to embrace regional living, with the latest Regional Movers Index (RMI) showing capital-to-regional migration reached its equal-highest June quarter on record, matching levels last seen in 2021. The RMI is a partnership between the Commonwealth Bank (CBA) and Regional Australia Institute (RAI), and tracks population movements between Australia’s capital cities to regions, and region-to-region migration. The latest results show capital city residents moving to regional. Australia continued to outnumber those moving in the opposite direction by 30%.

While established destinations continued to attract the largest share of movers, this quarter also points to a broader spread of migration into more regional communities as the benefits of regional living draw people further afield. Northern Queensland was particularly prominent, with the LGAs of Burdekin, Tablelands and Douglas among the nation’s fastest growing destinations. RAI CEO Liz Ritchie says movement typically eases during the June quarter as fewer Australians tend to relocate in the cooler months, which makes this result particularly noteworthy. “The Regional Movers Index recorded its equal highest June quarter on record, matching the height of migration reached during the pandemic in 2021. This tells us the appeal of country living remains incredibly strong all year round, even outside the traditional peak moving periods,” Ritchie said. CBA Regional and Agribusiness Banking Executive General Manager Kylie Allen says Northern

Queensland’s growth comes alongside broad industry investment helping generate diverse local economies. Burdekin is supported by agriculture, manufacturing and renewable energy, while the Tablelands is strong in both agribusiness and tourism benefiting from its proximity to Cairns. Douglas is backed by a vibrant tourism economy and continued investment in local Infrastructure. “Across Northern Queensland, local investment is helping regions capitalise on their distinct strengths and drive broader economic growth. When local businesses invest and expand, the benefits flow through the wider economy, creating jobs, attracting skilled workers and strengthening the services and supply chains that help regional communities thrive,” Allen said. Not to be outdone by the Sunshine State, Central Goldfields in Victoria took out the number one spot for the fastest growing destination in the country. “As more Australians embrace regional living, sustained migration is

strengthening local economies while underscoring the need for services and infrastructure that keeps pace with growing communities,” Allen said. Find out more at CommBank Newsroom 12909190-JO45-26

Wednesday, 4 November, 2026 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 7

NEWS

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

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

40 years ago

30 years ago

20 years ago

10 years ago

5 November, 1986

6 November, 1996

1 November, 2006

2 November, 2016

Neighbourhood Watch is old hat, Williamstown now has Boatwatch.

Hobsons Bay council has written off more than $40,000 of outstanding debts on 138 mooring sites, because it can not find their owners.

Altona mother Colleen Harmer fears lengthy waiting lists for Early Childhood Intervention Services may lead to the stunted development of her autistic son.

An ex-army helicopter pilot who works in planning for footpaths and roads has become the first Greens endorsed candidate elected to Hobsons Bay council.

Pavement artist Ulla Taylor. (Damjan Janevski) 585157 05

Romsey/Lancefield Red Cross, fashion show organisers Debby Teskey, Leeanne Eames, Dianne Irvine and Karen Hermann. (Damjan Janevski) 584923 03

Faces of the west

Glenda Johns at Wyndham Community Garden swap. (Damjan Janevski) 584956 05

Father Michael Kalka has retired as parish priest at Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church in Altona. (Damjan Janevski) 584885 06

Each week, Star Weekly photographers are out and about capturing the people and events across Melbourne’s western and northern suburbs. Vince Byrne, Greg Petterson and Elwyn Randall at Anzac Park, Craigieburn, ahead of Remembrance Day. (Damjan Janevski) 585161 03

8 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 4 November, 2026

Werribee Craft Festival participants Penny Clausen, Anne Marshall and Carmen Littley. (Damjan Janevski) 585118 04

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Surfboat crews competed in calm waters off Williamstown Beach on 24-25 October. (supplied)

NEWS

A member of the Williamstown men’s crew gets ready to race. (supplied)

Surfboats return to Willy 24-25 October, the Williamstown Swimming and Life Saving Club hosted the opening round 2026-27 Victorian surfboat season,

Lorne crew members push their boat out into the flat conditions (supplied)

Surfboat crews from across Victoria competed in the carnival on 24-25 October, the first in Williamstown in over two decades. (supplied)

the first such event the club has hosted in over two decades. The carnival attracted 12 clubs and 23 crews from across Victoria

The Point Leo women’s crew compete. (supplied)

The Williamstown Swimming and Life Saving Club crew take to the waters off Williamstown Beach. (supplied)

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For the first time in more than 20 years, a surfboat carnival has been held at Williamstown Beach. On the weekend of

Wednesday, 4 November, 2026 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 9

NEWS

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Travis Dean. 587518 03

Footscray waits around. 587518 01

Liam Mason. 587518 05

Waiting to play at Footscray While there was still plenty of action on the weekend despite the weather, other teams faced delays and some didn’t get on at all.

Star Weekly photographer Ties Urie takes you behind the scenes at Footscray ahead of its clash with Carlton.

Rolling back the covers. 587518 18 Ben Roosenboom. 587518 09

Dylan Brasher. 587518 12

Footscray players look over the pitch. 587518 13

Daniel Wilczynski. 587518 04

Dylan Brasher. 587518 21

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10 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 4 November, 2026

PUZZLES ACROSS

easy

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

2 9 5 3 5 6

6 8 2 9 8

24 25 27 28 29 30

2 3 4

R 20

24 24

3 5

R N

17 4

18 5

19 6

20 7

21 8

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24 11

25 12

26 13

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

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

Today’s Aim: 14 words: Good 21 words: Very good 28 words: Excellent

S E S

I U

No. 421 Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down.

15 16 19

22 24

WORDFIT 3 LETTERS ACT AIR BOW DAY DIM EAT IDS INK LIE LOG LUG MEN NEE OAR ONE PAR PEP PRO RED THE VIE WAD

No. 314

E P I C

BUDGE CASTS CLANK CLIMB DAUNT DOERS EASEL ELITE ELUDE ENROL FIELD GENES LILAC LLAMA MANOR MORAL PACES SAGAS SCALP SCENE SEALS SEEDY SENDS

4 LETTERS CLAP DUBS DUCT ELSE EPIC POUT RITE SLED TRIP WETS 5 LETTERS ADULT AMBOS ANNUL APART ARENA ARISE AROMA AVAIL BENCH BESET

SKEWS SLEWS SMEAR SOFAS SOLVE STAGE STARE STRAP TAINT TASTY THROW TIARA TIGER UNDER UNITS

7 LETTERS APPEARS ARRAIGN ERUPTED IDOLISE LANTERN TRUSTEE

10 LETTERS PREDICATES TRESPASSED

8 LETTERS INSERTED INSULTED LOLLIPOP OVERSTEP

6 LETTERS BODICE CURDLE PEBBLE PLAYER SHRINK STATUE

06-11-26

QUICK QUIZ

The poem The Waste Land by T. S. Eliot was published in which decade?

What is the length, in kilometres, of the Great Ocean Road?

Parris Island is located in which US state?

Who hosted the long-running Australian TV show Hey Hey It’s Saturday?

Karen Gillan (pictured) stars in the 2017 reboot of which 1995 film?

Males and females of which domesticated animals are known as hobs and jills respectively?

NOTE: more than one solution may be possible

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

alumni, cilia, cilium, claim, clip, cumin, iliac, laic, lain, limn, limp, lumina, lupin, mail, main, manic, mica, mini, MUNICIPAL, nail, pail, pain, panic, pica, pilau, plain, uncial, unclip

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

T S

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

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

hard

medium

9-LETTER WORD

easy

5x5

P Y X C T M Z B D K S J H

9 2 4 6 9

9 1

9 2 6

V W F U L O Q I A G E R N

5 3

11 24

No. 346

2 3 5 6 7 8 9 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 26

hard

1 5

Distress caused by being away from residence (8) Word division (8) Source of light (7) Cooperates (7) Coil (6) Cycle for two (6) Speed contest (4) Russian author, Leo – (7) Junior (7) At an angle (8) Annihilates (8) Straight (7) Instance (7) Stops temporarily (6) Spit (6) Coward (coll) (4)

4 5 9 4 6 9 8 1 6

2 3 7

5 9 3 6

DECODER 4

11 12 13 14 15 19

DOWN

Jostle (6) Enclosed recess (6) Cantaloupe or honeydew, to name two (5) Worship (9) Brazen (9) Raised platform (5) Settlement (6) Runs (4) Condescending person (4) Very small and elegant (6) Over (5) Proprietor of a general store (9) Invertebrate (9) Soft, musically (5) Divided (6) Reveals, – up (coll) (6)

1 4 10

No. 314

What is the name of the van driven by the Scooby-Doo gang?

According to the proverb, what is mightier than the sword?

Which artist painted Woman Seated on a Sofa Reading?

10 Who was the first person to win the Nobel Prize twice? ANSWERS: 1. 1920s 2. South Carolina 3. Daryl Somers 4. The Mystery Machine 5. Pen 6. Mark Rothko 7. 243km 8. Jumanji 9. Ferrets 10. Marie Curie

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

No. 314

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

SUDOKU

Wednesday, 4 November, 2026 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 11

COMMUNITY

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR WANT YOUR EVENT LISTED? Community Calendar is made available free of charge to not-forprofit 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. Looking Back Over a Century The Altona Life Saving Club invites all past and present members, life members, and families to gather for a celebratory club picnic. As the club looks back over a century of service on the beach, you’re invited to reconnect with old friends, share cherished memories and club history, view skills demonstrations, and participate in activities. The picnic will be held on Sunday 15 November, 11am – 3pm at the Altona Life Saving Clubrooms, The Esplanade, Altona. ■ history@altonalsc.com.au Rotary Club of Point Gellibrand The club meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 6pm for a 6.30pm start at Pelicans Landing, Syme Street, Williamstown. Everyone is welcome to attend just contact the club beforehand. ■ Pam Barnes, 0418 347 691, rotarypointgellibrand.com Community jumble sale The annual community jumble sale will be held in the church hall in Montague Street, Yarraville on Saturday 7 November from 9am-3pm. There will be 36 stalls (run by local community groups or individuals) featuring clothing, trash ‘n’ treasure, vinyl, artwork, collector cards, plants and much more. There will also be a barbecue. Money raised will be donated to Need For Feed which helps farmers nation-wide affected by natural disasters such as bushfires or floods. ■ ghodgart13@gmail.com Nurtured by Nature A series of free guided walks for people with dementia and the families who care for them are being held in Hobsons Bay during November. The walks are taking place at Logan Reserve, Altona on Wednesday 4 November, Williamstown Botanic Gardens on Thursday 12 November, and Newport Lakes on Saturday 14 November. All walks are held from 10am12pm and are under 1km in length. Registration required. ■ Dr Liz Cyarto, 0481 977 970, thehealthysenior@gmail.com or https://bit.ly/walkwithdrliz Art classes Bek & Jayne (Flipperfrog) are community artists who are offering art and collage classes at Joan Kirner House in Williamstown. The classes will run from 7.15-9pm every third Wednesday of the month. The workshops explore different types of collage, mixed media paint and lots of play with colour and mark making. All materials are supplied, with attendees asked to bring an apron and a picture or photo which can be incorporated into their work. The classes cost $25 per session in order to cover materials and venue hire. Walkins are welcome but places are not guaranteed. ■ 0400 693 025 The IT Club A free, informal weekly drop-in workshop designed to build digital skills. Participants can bring their phone or digital device to learn from each other and work through tech challenges together. Held at

This week’s photographer’s choice pic is of West Footscray’s Lindy O’Brien with her ‘House of Abandoned & Dismembered Dolls’ display which is part of Halloween celebrations in the suburb. (Damjan Janevski) 586623 01

Joan Kirner House, 14 Thompson Street Williamstown on Mondays, 10-11.30am. No bookings necessary. ■Kaye, 9397 6168 Mystery music sessions Music performances are held each Tuesday afternoon from 1.30-3pm at the Altona Senior Citizens, 2 Sargood Street. ■ 9932 1311 Book sales Friends of Altona Libraries (FOAL) hold monthly book sales at the rear of Altona Library during the first week of each month. Books no longer required by the library are sold for as little as $2. All money is returned to the Library to support community programs. New members who are happy to volunteer to help organise and sell books for only a few hours per month are welcome. ■ Ann Nicol, 0408 460 062. Discover new skills Join Outlets Newport Community Education Centre for classes in English conversation, computers, devices, sewing, crafts and more at 43 Mason Street, Newport. All welcome. ■9391 8504, outlets@outletsco-op.com.au Seniors Drama Club A fun and welcoming weekly group with drama games, creativity, laughter and social connection. Mondays 10:30–11:30am at Outlets Co-op, 43 Mason Street, Newport. No experience needed. ■9391 8504, outlets@outletsco-op.com.au Westgate diabetes support group Meets on the first Tuesday of each month

12 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 4 November, 2026

at Altona bowling club at 10am. ■ Elaine, 0415 030 996 Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Meetings Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) offers support to anyone who wants to stop drinking. The Western Unity AA Group holds weekly in-person meetings in Williamstown. Those thinking they may have a drinking problem are welcome to attend and can bring along friends, family and loved ones to offer support. ■ 1300 222 222, https://williamstown. aagroup.org.au/, aawilliamstown@gmail. com. Mainly music A music-playgroup program for kids and their carers from birth to school age. Held every Thursday from 9.30-10.30am during school terms at Westgate Baptist Community, 16 High Street, Yarraville. The cost is $7 per family, per week. ■ Jenny, 0401 651 012, Ruth, 0409 635 468, westgatebaptist.org.au/mainlymusic/ Hobsons Bay Altona Garden Club. Come along to the garden club and enjoy an afternoon of discussions and talks about gardening. Guest speakers will discuss what is happening in the garden - keeping and looking after bees and the environment. Meetings are held at the Youth Hall on the corner of Civic Parade and Sugar Gum Drive, Altona on the third Monday of the month at 1pm. New members welcome. ■Kay 0411 793 534 Social square dancing Come along to the Maribyrnong Community Centre on Thursday nights from 7.30-

10.30pm to learn social square dancing for beginners in a safe and friendly environment. The teaching is in a group but is self paced so there is no pressure to maintain a rate of learning. ■ Janine, 0421 371 883, contact@essendonsquares.com Free English conversation classes Those with English as a second language who want to improve their English language skills can practice speaking with friendly volunteer tutors in informal and interactive group sessions held every Monday at 1-3pm. The sessions take place in the meeting room at Altona Library, 123 Queen Street, Altona. Light refreshments provided. ■Jill MacKenzie, 0439 994 705, jill.mackenzie111@gmail.com Braybrook and Maidstone Neighbourhood House new programs Zumba classes are now held every Wednesday from 1-1.30pm and community connect and good times are held every Thursday from 1.30-2.30pm, with bingo games and afternoon tea afterwards. Both are held at the neighbourhood house, 113 Melon Street, Braybrook. ■ 9317 5610, jodie@bmnh.org.au Braybrook Community Centre sustainable workshops. Train trees to grow against framework at the espalier fruit trees workshop on Wednesday 12 November. The workshop runs from 10am-12pm and entry is free. ■ 9188 5800

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ENTERTAINMENT

Salon offers a poetic night Better Off Said, a spoken-word art salon from members of the team behind Women of Letters, is coming to Bacchus Marsh Town Hall for an evening celebrating words, stories, and the things we sometimes wish we’d said. Join Emilie Zoey Baker and Marieke Hardy from 7pm at the Bacchus Marsh Town Hall on Friday 20 November for an entertaining poetry salon featuring poetic duets, live music, and literary performances. Four writers - Thuy On, Gurmeet Kaur,

Clare Wright and Eloise Grills – will respond to the theme “The words I wish I’d said”, sharing thoughts, reflections and stories that might otherwise have remained unspoken. Cate Kennedy will deliver the evening’s Living Eulogy, celebrating someone or something still here to hear it. Hosted by Emilie Zoey Baker and curated by Marieke Hardy, the salon concludes with live music from The Darlings Family Trust, rounding out an evening of storytelling,

reflection and celebration. In this special event, presented as part of Moorabool council’s Hide + Seek Festival, live music and thoughtful reflections are presented by exceptional writers and storytellers, with the salon serving as a celebration to usher in renewal as the seasons change. Hide+Seek Presents is an all-ages series of high-quality music, literature and storytelling experiences presented across Bacchus Marsh, Ballan and Blackwood

throughout November. Featuring acclaimed touring artists alongside local creatives, the program encourages audiences of all ages to connect, participate and engage with the arts. Better Off Said kicks off at the Bacchus Marsh Town Hall from 7pm on Friday 20 November. Details: https://welcometomoorabool. c o m /e v e n t s -b a c c hu s m a r s h-b a l l a ngordon-black wood-g reenda le/ better-off-said.

Historical drama comes to the west

Salesian prepares to host Harvest Festival Salesian College Sunbury students are getting ready to celebrate the school’s Harvest Festival. The annual event brings together students, families, local businesses and community organisations, transforming the college grounds into a vibrant community atmosphere. Principal Mark Brockhus said everyone’s invited to come down and see what students have been working on. “Harvest Festival is a wonderful opportunity to bring the college and wider

Sunbury community together in a relaxed and welcoming environment,” he said. “It’s not just about entertainment, it’s about connection, and showcasing what makes our community so special. “From our agriculture program through to curriculum showcases, visitors can see firsthand the opportunities our students experience every day and it’s open to the whole local community, not just Salesian College students and families.” From 4.30pm to 7.30pm on Friday 6 November, expect to see a wide range

of attractions, including food vendors, market stalls, live music performances and interactive activities for all ages. The school said a key event will be the Agriculture Showcase, where visitors can view the award-winning Corriedale sheep and Hereford cattle, cared for by students as part of the school’s hands-on agricultural program. Produce made on site will also be available for purchase. Details: salesiansunbury.vic.edu.au/ hidden-pages/harvest-festival

Nothing to worry about during Substation show Sick of surprises? Craving a day, a week...a life where there is nothing to worry about, no problems, no dramas? Is this even possible? Is that what we want? No Dramas, a new stage work being performed at The Substation in Newport from 18-21, attempts to answer these and other existential questions about life. Starring Mish Grigor and Brigid Gallacher, No Dramas follows two women through a series of games, tasks and social encounters as they attempt to keep things aggressively chill. They smile with tears in their eyes and push their feelings down, down, down. Into the sock drawer. Never seen again.

No Dramas is on at The Substation in Newport from 18-21 November. (Lauren Dunn)

Along with starring in No Dramas, Melbourne based Grigor also wrote the play and will co-direct alongside Zoe Coombs-Marr. Grigor is no stranger to The Substation,

with her 2024 work Class Act premiering at the Newport venue, while her plays have also been presented at venues across Australia and overseas, including the Sydney Opera House, Malthouse Theatre, Adelaide Biennial,Hong Kong Rep Theatre, Battersea Arts Centre in the UK and La Mama in New York. While the opening night performance of No Dramas on Thursday 19 November is now sold out, tickets are still available for the preview performance on Wednesday 18 November, as well as shows on Friday 20 November and Saturday 21 Novemer. All shows are from 7.30-8.30pm. For more information and to book: https:// thesubstation.org.au/program/no-dramas

(Supplied: Ben Andrews)

Salesian College Sunbury students Maison (front), Alex, Declan, Grace and Oliver are gearing up for Rupertswood Harvest Festival. (Damjan Janevski) 540998_03

A gripping new Australian play exploring the human cost of war, love and betrayal will make its world premiere in Melbourne’s west this December. Fall, written by award-winning Australian-Hmong playwright Michele Lee and directed by acclaimed theatre-maker Beng Oh, will open at The Bowery Theatre in St Albans on 5 December before moving to Bluestone Church Arts Space in Footscray for a four-day season from 9-12 December. Set in Northern Laos in 1975, during the final days of the Secret War, the intimate three-hander follows Paul, an Australian teacher preparing to flee the country as the Communist takeover unfolds. His plans are disrupted by the arrival of Mai, a young Hmong woman and former student who is escaping persecution and determined to say goodbye. As the two confront their shared past over a single night, Fall examines the difficult choices, unspoken truths and uncertain futures shaped by conflict. The St Albans performance on Saturday 5 December begins at 7pm at The Bowery Theatre, 33 Princess Street, and includes an opening-night question and answer session and reception. The Footscray season features an opening-night question and answer session and drinks reception on 10 December, with shows running on 11 and 12 December. Presented by Wit Incorporated Theatre Company, Fall continues the company’s commitment to culturally diverse stories and theatre that connects with local audiences. Tickets and bookings are available at witinc.com.au/shows/fall The 75-minute production is recommended for audiences aged 15 and over.

Wednesday, 4 November, 2026 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 13

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4. Which US professional wrestler appears as Akuma in the 2026 film Street Fighter?

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Jason Statham

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16. What is the highest score you can achieve in tenpin bowling?

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22. And in which city will the Australian MotoGP be held next year?

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18. To the nearest kilometre, how long is the Melbourne Cup race?

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19. Which Australian featherweight defeated Russian mixed martial artist Movsar Evloev at UFC 333?

Muhammad Ali

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Wednesday, 4 November, 2026 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 15

Quick, but you pay a price By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring It’s the IM5 and if you’re wondering who or what that is, so were we. IM stands for Intelligence in Motion and it is the upmarket division of MG (like Lexus is to Toyota), with vehicles that have been developed jointly with the likes of SAIC Motor and the Alibaba Group. In Australia, the brand is known officially as IM Presented by MG Motor. Most punters however refer to the car as the MG IM5. Good luck with that. The all-electric IM5 sedan/coupe appears to be targeted primarily at the Tesla Model 3. The IM6 SUV at the Tesla Model Y.

Styling There are three grades from which to choose: Premium, Platinum and Performance. Premium is priced from $60,990, Platinum from $69,990 and Performance from $80,990 – all plus on-roads. At a glance, the three appear to be almost identical. You need to dig a little deeper to work out the differences, most of which are confined to the drivetrain department – rather than the equipment list. Premium is powered by a single electric motor that delivers 217kW of power and 450Nm of torque to the rear wheels, with a 75kWh battery and range of 490km. Mid-range Platinum is also rear-wheel drive, but with a more powerful 300kW/500Nm electric motor, and a larger 100kWh battery and range of 655km. Range-topping Performance adds all-wheel drive to the equation, with two electric motors that offer 200kW/320Nm at front and 372kW/500Nm at the rear, with a 100kWh battery and range of 575km (it takes more effort to drive four wheels). Of note Premium is built on 400-watt architecture, while Platinum and Performance share the more advanced 800-watt format that in theory means faster charging, providing you can access a compatible charger. Those range figures by the way are under the newer, more realistic WLTP testing procedure. Our test vehicle was the Performance model, apparent from the 20-inch wheels and P-Zeros plus the fact it blazes out of the gates like a Space X rocket. Creature comforts include synthetic leather, two-zone climate air with rear vents, an air quality system, heated seats front and back, plus cooling for the front, heated steering wheel, heated/cooled console box, a full-length glass roof and power operated tailgate. There’s also air suspension, LED lights front and back, push-button hands-free parking. IM5 is covered by a seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty, plus eight years on the battery, with service due every 20,000km or 12 months.

Infotainment Infotainment comes in the form of dual 12.3-inch screens, with a third 10.5-inch screen that sits in the console. There’s Bluetooth, Hello IM voice control, satnav, AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio, CarPlay and Android Auto. Sound comes from a 20-speaker audio system that includes four small roof-mounted speakers. It’s described as a 7.4.1 setup based on the fact it has 7 x ear-level channels, 1 x subwoofer channel, and 4 x height/ overhead channels.

Iron out the niggles and MG could be on to a good thing. (Pictures: Supplied)

There’s also wireless phone charging, a card reader, three USB-C ports (2 x front and 1 x back) and a 12-volt outlet virtually hidden at the rear of the lower console.

Safety IM5 scores a full five stars for safety, with dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting airbags standard. A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is also standard. Autonomous emergency braking (Car-to-Car, Vulnerable Road User, Junction & Crossing, Backover and Head-On) as well as a lane support system with lane keep assist (LKA), lane departure warning (LDW) and emergency lane keeping (ELK), and a speed sign recognition system, are standard equipment.

Engines/transmissions Performance model boasts two electric motors, with a total 572kW of power and 820Nm of torque on tap, with drive to all four wheels via a reduction-style single-speed transmission.

Driving The IM5 is quick, that’s for sure. But it’s not the most practical car we’ve ever driven. With pop-out door handles and a key fob with a complete lack of labels, the first task is to work out how to get in and out of the thing. Sitting low to the ground, with an equally low roofline, that can require some athleticism. Rather than stick your foot in first, it’s more a case of pivoting 90 degrees and planting your bum on the seat, then swivelling sideways and swinging your legs in – being careful to duck as you do. Once in, there’s no starter button, the system is live from get-go and so it is simply a matter of moving the column-mounted gear selector up or down to select drive or reverse.

16 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 4 November, 2026

And a word of caution here. Mistaking the gear selector for the indicator stalk can send the car shooting forward, scaring the pants off you – because this engages cruise control. This oversight is not confined to the MG or IM and is really something that needs to be addressed. IM5 is 4931mm in length, 1960mm wide and 1474mm high with a 2950mm wheelbase, and weighs in at 2300kg in top spec. There’s 457 litres of luggage space in the boot with another 18 litres under the front bonnet where you’ll find the tyre repair kit secreted. Rear storage expands to 1290 litres with the second-row seats folded. A 12V outlet for that fridge is provided in the back. Depending on what grade you go for dictates the drivetrain supplied. Premium sits on 400-watt architecture with a 75kWh battery, Platinum and Performance boasts an 800-watt figure, with a larger 100kWh battery to boot. Premium and Platinum are rear-wheel drive, Performance is all-wheel drive. The easiest way to tell them apart is by the wheels. Entry Premium sits on 19s, while Platinum and Performance score 20s (the latter fitted with expensive Pirelli rubber). IM5 is equipped with what the company describes as revolutionary bi-directional rear-wheel turning technology, offering up to 12 degrees of rear-wheel articulation. First off, it’s been around off and on for almost 40 years, since its introduction with the third-generation Honda Prelude 4WS in 1987. Mazda also offered it at one stage. An industry-leading feature, MG says this advanced system dramatically reduces the turning circle and transforms the driving experience, making it comparable to that of a compact hatchback. It helps, but let’s not get carried away – if the effect was that dramatic it would be standard on just about every car.

The 10.5-inch touchscreen in the centre console is better described as the control screen, because just about everything is operated from here. That wouldn’t be so bad if the controls and their locations were more intuitive. Two roller buttons are also provided on the steering wheel but are not labelled. We were unable to find a control for something as simple as resetting the trip computer which says a lot. Shaped like a car, the key fob has no attachment points, so can’t be added to a key ring and runs the risk of ending up in the wash. At times, it simply refused to work. Every time we got into the car, we were accosted by a privacy nag that required ticking a box and hitting another button before control screen access was granted. Then there’s the satnav. To get it working you have to pull over, put it in Park, tick another box, scan a QR code, then read and sign off on a privacy statement – we just couldn’t work out how. Most of the time we also had to manually reconnect our phone because the system simply ignored it. Talk about frustrating. Rear and over-the-shoulder vision is a challenge, particularly through the tiny rear window, which is better described as a porthole. Then there’s the incessant bings and bongs from the various driver warning systems. As a temporary fix, put a band aid over the camera that is mounted on the driver’s side roof pillar. Buy the car and we’d recommend surgery. The dash from 0-100km/h can be dispatched in a Ferrari-quick 3.2 seconds, with a top speed of 268km/h. Energy consumption is a claimed 19.7 kWh/100km (we were getting 20.5 kWh after more than 350km of mixed driving). While ride quality is impressive thanks to adaptive air suspension and continuous damping system fitted, the car feels more at home on the super smooth pavement offered by the motorway. This despite the staggered, ultra-low profile 245/40 and 275/35 series Pirelli P-Zeros. It’s also incredibly quiet in the cabin thanks in large part to noise cancelling technology. Like other high-performance EVs, the IM5 is almost unbeatable off the line, making short work of all comers. On the rise and fall of country roads, however, it feels disconnected and unpredictable at times, lacking the connection between car and driver. Cornering as such is not the problem, it’s setting up the car for the corners that is the challenge. Braking is a bit of a lottery, not so much in effect but more in application – sometimes they bite hard, sometimes they don’t. It’s problematic. Sure, the IM5 goes fast, not so much around corners but in a straight line – but at the end of the day is that enough?

Summing up The IM5 is a lot of cars, it’s just not the car for us. We’d also consider the Platinum variant, which is also pretty quick and has the advantage of greater range at 655km. Iron out the niggles, make the info system more intuitive, get rid of the constant driver warnings and MG could be on to a good thing. By the way, we’re still waiting to hear why the doors on the Cyberster won’t open when the car is parked on a slope.

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

SPORT

Werribee Centrals’ Luke Simpson. 587529 01

Footscray Angliss’ Hugo Wozniak. 587529 18

Sunshine Heights’ Chien Mayoum and Noah Ramsey. 587527 06

Newport Rams’ Aaron Robson. 587538 04

Avoiding the spring rain Wet weather again marred weekend sport, with several games not going ahead having disruptions. Star Weekly

photographer Ties Urie was able to find some of the action that went ahead on Saturday.

Gellibrand’s Will Espley. 587526 02

Williamstown Imperials’ Callum Herron. 587526 05

Newport Rams’ Samuel Land. 587538 03

Seddon’s Adrian Neill. 587523 01

Werribee Giants’ Parks Halas. 587538 07

Williamstown CYMS’ Spencer Wray. 587523 09

Wednesday, 4 November, 2026 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 17

SPORT

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Dogs play, but to start again By Tara Murray Footscray was one of the rare sides to get through a day’s play in Victorian Premier Cricket, but it meant little at the end of the day with the match to restart this coming Saturday. After a slight delay to start the match and some delays during play, Footscray and Carlton managed to play nearly a full day’s play. It was one of just six first XI matches to get on the ground due to the weather. As per VPC rules, all matches across all grades will be rescheduled as one-day matches this Saturday. For the day one scores to count, 36

overs had to be bowled in at least five first XI matches in that grade for it to constitute a day’s play. Only four matches reached that target, with Greenvale Kangaroos and Kingston Hawthorn’s match falling four overs short of the 36 overs. For Footscray, it had spent a long day in the field on Saturday as Carlton continued its good form with the bat. The Bulldogs won the toss and decided to send Carlton in. Harrison Smyth went out for a duck, before Carlton was able to put on a couple of good partnerships to take the score to 2-154. The Bulldogs were able to take five

wickets reasonably cheaply to give themselves a shot at bowling Carlton out for under 250. But Carlton’s tail wagged before it was bowled out for 305 in the 78th over. Ben Roosenboom took 5-80 for the Bulldogs while Henry Pearson took 5-50 to share the wickets between them. The two sides will now start again this Saturday at Mervyn Hughes Oval in a one-dayer. Footscray’s second XI made 9-194 from 76 overs in its match with Carlton. Declan O’Brien top scored with 43. The thirds bowled Carlton out for 118, while the fourth XI were 8-167 off 64 overs. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have an-

nounced their side for the under-16 Dowling Shield competition. Mason Allen (Keilor/Macedon), Ojas Boparai (St Bernards), Avyukt Chintala (AA Tarneit), Panav Doshi and Ayaan Gupta (West Point), Vivaan Kansagra and Aarav Sexena (Point Cook), Hugo Leong (Macedon), Royalpreet Mann and Jujhar Singh (Melton), Charles McCormack (Golden Point), Amnar Nadeem (Williamstown Colts), Noah Ramsey (Sunshine Heights) and Broadford’s Samraat Sharma make up the squad . The competition will get underway in January, with the Bulldogs to play seven pool matches, five one-dayers and two T20s.

Jaxon Binns. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

Binns joins Seagulls

Matthew Turcinovich. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 534371_14

Altona sneaks home to record second win By Tara Murray Altona’s experience came to the fore at the key moments to get a second win of the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association north-west season on Saturday. The A’s match with St Bernard’s OC was decided with 11 balls remaining, with the A’s were able to do just enough to get the job done. “It was really good,” A’s coach Liam Keating said. “It was really tight and it was good to get over the line. It’s been close so far and it’s a pretty tight competition. “We’ve been relatively competitive. Being 2-1 is good but it would be better to be 3-0.” With heavy rain on the morning of the game, Keating said they weren’t sure whether the game would even go ahead. Eventually it became a 42 over per side game, instead of the usual 45 overs per side. Keating said there were always challenges when a game was shortened and possibly having to change game plans.

The Snowdogs batted first after winning the toss. They made 7-173 from their overs. Adam Yates and Kenodh Gamanayake took two wickets each for the A’s. The A’s then timed the run chase perfectly as they finished 6-174 in the second last over. “For a while we were in trouble when we lost a couple of wickets for not many runs,” Keating said. “Adam Yates and Ben Davies were able to steady us. “Then towards the end Matt Turcinovich was fantastic. Matt has played quite a bit of ones now and is really important for us.” Turcinovich finished 59 not out off 41 balls in an innings which included three fours and three sixes. The win has the A’s among the pack early in the season. Keating said they wanted to get as many wins on the board early and hoped they could then be in a position to focus on trying to secure a finals spot. The A’s face Ivanhoe in another one-dayer this coming Saturday.

18 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 4 November, 2026

“With teams in the other group we’re a little bit unaware what they are like,” he said. “They look like they’ve been competitive at the moment. We’ll take it one game at a time and take it from there.” Keating said from a club perspective there had been a strong start, with plenty of people getting opportunities. “We’ve had five debutants and had another one on the weekend, Damon Bennett,” he said. “He got a wicket. “We have a lot more depth in the lower grades and they’re doing really well. “There’s competition for spots which is great.” In other results, Spotswood remains undefeated after beating Coburg. After bowling Coburg out for 112, the Woodsmen finished 3-113 in reply. Yarraville fell just short against Strathmore. The Eagles made 7-156 from their 31 overs, with the Mores hitting the winning runs off the final ball, finishing 6-157. Williamstown lost to Plenty Valley elsewhere to remain without a win.

Williamstown has added another former Carlton player to its squad for next year’s Victorian Football League season. Midfielder Jaxon Binns will join the Seagulls next season, the third new signing for the club. The 21-year-old arrives at Williamstown having played eight AFL games and an impressive VFL resume. Originally recruited from the Dandenong Stingrays, Binns was selected by Carlton with pick 32 in the 2022 AFL national draft. He won Carlton’s VFL best and fairest in 2023, before making his AFL debut in 2024. Binns played eight AFL games across the 2024 and 2025 seasons. After being delisted at the end of 2025, he joined Essendon’s VFL program having spent some of the pre-season training with Essendon’s AFL program. Across 18 appearances for the Bombers in the VFL, Binns averaged 21.8 disposals, 14.3 kicks and 5.2 marks per game, while also contributing seven goals throughout the season. The Seagulls said that Binns would add further depth, versatility and elite running power to Williamstown’s midfield. Seagulls football general manager Josh Rhodes said the Seagulls were excited to secure Binns’ ahead of the 2027 campaign. “We’re thrilled to secure Jaxon’s signature and excited about what he can bring to our young side,” he said. Securing players with AFL experience is never easy, so his decision to join Williamstown is a great reflection of what we’re building here at the club.” Binns reunites with new Seagulls coach Torin Baker, who was part of the Carlton coaching group. Binns joins Oskar Ainsworth and Nelson Beikoff-Smart in joining the club for next season.

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Altona’s female focus By Tara Murray After years of building, Altona is set to expand its female football program, including fielding a women’s side in next year’s Western Football League season. The Valkyries had a combined under-19 team this season, but with growth in its female program, it’s set to have a standalone side along with the women’s side. Club vice-president women’s football Lynda Brosman said it was a pretty exciting time for the club. “There’s been unbelievable work put in over the last couple of years,” she said. “We had to merge our under-19s with Spotswood this year but next year we will have the numbers for a standalone under-19 team, which is really exciting to see come to fruition.

“To not only be in a position to have under-19s, but senior women is exciting for women’s sport in general.” Brosman said they had made a really big focus on having a sustainable pathway through the ranks, with the senior women’s team the missing puzzle piece of the program. She said that with the rapid growth in the junior program, they need to be able to cater to all female footballers. The club’s junior girls’ participation has grown from 62 to 105 girls in just 12 months. “We’ve had juniors going to other clubs as we haven’t had senior football,” she said. “We’ve got players progressing from under-16s to under-19s and there’s under-19s who are aging out. “Now there’s excitement to have that

pathway in place.” Brosman said they had already had some former players reach out about returning and there had been a really good reaction to the announcement. She said female players of all abilities and ages were welcome to get involved across all their female sides. “So many different people have reached out,” she said. “A lot of them have played juniors at the club. There will be some amazing success stories coming about the next four to six weeks. “There’s players who want to come back to be part of it and it’s a good opportunity.” Brosman said she believed they had a senior women’s side for one season many years ago, but it was now about making sure they had a sustainable program going

forward. She said if their growth continued they would be looking at fielding a reserves women’s side in the next couple of years. Within five years, the goal is to field a sustainable senior structure supported by strong under-19 and development pathways. “Our goal is to give girls and women a genuine football pathway at Altona, from their first junior season through to under-19s and senior football,” the club said. The Valkyries announced their first signing with Shae Murphy returning to the club. Murphy, who will also be a development coach, started her career at Altona before having a career spanning more than 250 games. Expressions of interest are now open: www.altonafc.com.au/valkyriesfootball

WFL female comps grow

Thomas Evanson. (Ties Urie) 587529 09

Angliss fights back but still has work to do By Tara Murray Footscray Angliss fought back late, but now has its work cut out for it with the bat against Werribee Centrals in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Clark Shield. With one win from its first three matches, Angliss is yet to fully put it back together this season. On Saturday, Werribee Centrals declared at 9-213 to give Angliss 13 overs in the middle late on day one of the first two-day match of the season. Angliss then finished the day at 1-28 to put it in a solid position heading into day two. Angliss president Michael Cox said it was a bit of a mixed day for them. “We lost our captain Jason Wozniak early with a hamstring injury and that always puts you under a bit more pressure. “To get 220 is a pretty good score. It was a tough day and there were a couple of rain interruptions.” The Centurions at one stage were 3-120 with Angliss able to get some late wickets

to work their way back into the game. Cox said that was pleasing to do considering they were a bowler down. Angliss shared the wickets around with Wozniak and Billy Koziaris taking two wickets each. Cox said it would now be a big challenge for them on day two. “We have some work cut out for us with the bat,” he said. “We have not batted up to standard and would have liked to have made more runs. “Hopefully it dries out this week and we can get some more runs.” Cox said there had been some challenges, with 37 players unavailable across their whole program on the weekend. He said it was getting harder to get players to commit to two-day cricket. Among the positives for Angliss was the debut of Winston Nguyen. “It’s about looking internally and trying to promote guys internally. “He’s another one of our juniors that have come through our program. “We’ve got a few in the team now that

have all come through the juniors together.” In other matches, Seabrook has some work to do against Pascoe Vale Central. Seabrook was bowled out for 161 in the 76th over. Gurmann Rana top scored with 28 for Seabrook. Pascoe Vale Central will resume at 0-0 having got through one over. In the Roy Picone Shield, Laverton is in trouble against Pascoe Vale Hadfield. Laverton will resume at 3-7 in reply to Pascoe Vale Hadfield’s 193. West Newport is 0-8 in reply to the Greenvale Kangaroos 9-144. Just 35 overs were bowled on day one due to the weather. Meanwhile, only one game got underway in the Russell Pollock Shield. St Andrew’s Footscray’s and Wyndham Vale’s match, along with Donnybrook and Moonee Ponds matches didn’t get on due to rain. In the one match underway, Melton Centrals are 0-12 in reply to Glenroy’s 155.

The Western Football League is set to expand its female football programs, with under-19 and under-8 girls competitions to be launched for 2027. The league plans to field a standalone under-19 women’s competition, after struggling for teams in that age group the past two seasons. Western teams have played in the Essendon District Football League under-19 girls competition the last two years, with not enough sides to have a WFL competition. Caroline Springs and Point Cook have both won premiers in the EDFL the past two seasons. The WFL competition is intended to provide more playing opportunities for participants across the west and strengthen the pathway into senior football. In 2017, the league fielded a standalone under-18 girls competition for the first time, which grew to 10 teams in 2019 before it dropped two six or less teams in the seasons following Covid until 2024. Altona, Caroline Springs, Manor Lakes, Point Cook, Werribee Centrals and Yarraville Seddon are intending to field under-19 teams in 2027. The under-8 girls competition is designed as an entry-level pathway supporting girls transitioning from Auskick as well as girls brand new to the game. The competition will focus on delivering an enjoyable match-day experience, with smaller team sizes compared to under-10 girls footy, which will maximise involvement, along with no tackling to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for players of all abilities. Currently, Point Cook, St Bernard’s and Williamstown Juniors have expressed interest in having under-8 girls teams. “The Western Football Netball League is committed to continuing the growth and development of women’s and girls’ football across our region,” the league said. “The league has renewed its commitment to the women and girls community football charter and adopted the WFNL women and girls growth strategy, which aims to create more opportunities for women and girls to participate in football. “Being able to field these two age groups will complete the female football pathways from Auskick to senior women’s and reinforce the WFNL’s dedication to growing, supporting, and celebrating female participation across all levels of the league.”

Wednesday, 4 November, 2026 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 19

4, NOVEMBER, 2026

Work for Angliss

New name for Parkside

Inconsistent start for CYs By Tara Murray It’s been a mixed bag for Williamstown CYMS as it adjusts to life in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Isaacs Howarth Shield. The CYs started with a win before two very different losses showed the side the standard that was needed having come up from the McNamara Shield. On Saturday, they conceded first innings points to a red hot Seddon on day one of their clash. “It has been interesting stepping up the higher level,” CYs captain-coach Nick Duxson said. “We were really good in round one and a bit off against Doutta Stars the week after. “We should have won last week against Sunshine. “Yesterday we were just outplayed by a good team. Seddon played good cricket and we weren’t at our best.” The Dockers won the toss and decided to bowl. Having bowled Sunshine United out for 58 the week before, they backed it up and bowled the CYs out for 130 in the 46th over. Alex Browne scored 26 and Angus Groen got 25 at the top of the order, but no one else passed 20. Sham Dadallage took 4-26 for the Dockers, while Max Wigmore took 3-18. “We didn’t bat well,” Duxson said. “They bowled really well.” Seddon’s top order then got going and got their side first innings points just before stumps. The Dockers will resume at 3-135. Yash Vagadia made a quickfire 79 off 55 balls for the Dockers at the top of the order, with Duxson saying he took the game away from them pretty quickly. The CYs’ weekend went from bad to worse, with someone damaging the ground’s wicket Saturday night-Sunday morning. Duxson said it looked like it was an e-bike that did the damage.

He said they had one of the better wickets in the competition and a lot of time had been put into it. Caroline Springs had a similar situation a couple of weeks ago. “For the volunteers of small community clubs, who put so much time and effort into getting facilities up, it’s incredibly disappointing.” Duxson said he had no idea what impact the damage would have on day two of the match. “Hopefully we can get back out there and force something next week,” he said. “We’ll see what happens. Hopefully it gets back to the level it was quickly.” Having now had four weeks of action, Duxson said they were getting an idea of what was needed at this level. He said with a core group of local players aged between 20 and 25 it was about continuing to learn and develop. “We’ve got a young group who are learning at a higher level of

cricket,” he said. “By the end of the year we want to have picked up a few lessons and playing a better brand. “There’s always a challenge stepping up. “Hopefully it translates into some better results as the season goes along like last year.” In other matches, Footscray United’s and the Druids’ match didn’t get underway following the heavy rain on Saturday morning.

Ben Johnson is out. (Ties Urie) - 587523 20

Parkside and Ascot Vale merge By Tara Murray Parkside Football Club and Ascot Vale Sports Club have agreed to a merger ahead of the Essendon District Football League season. Both clubs held special general meetings on Wednesday night, approving the merger of the two clubs’ operations. Following club votes, the Ascot Vale Sports Club will be renamed the Parkside Ascot Vale Sports club. The club’s football programs, which include senior men’s and women’s football, along with junior programs, will be known as the Parkside Ascot Vale Panthers Football Club. As reported by Star Weekly, Parkside’s senior sides will play in the Essendon District Football League next year, having crossed from the Western Football League. As part of the initial plans to join the league, Parkside informed the EDFL that it has in principle, agreed to amalgamate-merge with the Ascot Vale Panthers Junior Football Club prior to the 2027 season, which has now occurred. On Thursday, Parkside announced on its social media that the merger had gone ahead. “Members of the Ascot Vale and Parkside Football Clubs voted to merge, bringing the proud histories of Parkside, Ascot Vale and the Spurs together as one. “Introducing the Parkside Ascot Vale Panthers: a community club with a full player pathway, from Auskick right through to senior footy.” Panthers president Joel Rainey said it was a big effort from a lot of people to get it over the line. Adam Blythman was voted as president. “The junior club will continue to run its own program and finances, so junior memberships keep supporting our juniors,” he said. “Our sole focus remains the same: every one of our kids having somewhere to keep playing and developing, from Auskick through to senior football.” He said there will be senior and junior committees and club will share more on the jumper, which needs EDFL approval, and the pavilion. EDFL chief executive Andrew Johnston said it was a significant milestone for both clubs. “The merger creates an exciting opportunity to build a strong and sustainable future both on and off the field, while continuing to provide participation opportunities for players, members, and supporters across the local community,” he said.