MAY 20, 2020 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
Every dog has its day
Maryanne Kovach and her daughter Harper, 5, with the puppies. (Damjan Janevski) 208501_06
All 4 Paws Dog Rescue has saved more than 650 dogs during the past three years. The volunteer-run group rescues and rehomes dogs from pounds, and also takes in surrenders, including pregnant dogs and senior canines. All 4 Paws was founded by Altona Meadows resident Maryanne Kovach and her friend Danni McRae, with the encouragement of their friends Terri Sutton and Arianne Spratt. Ms Kovach, who is looking after some pups which came into care at just four days old, said it often cost thousands of dollars to help rescued dogs. “We never know what we are getting, such as Lilla, a Newfoundland, who was underweight and in poor condition – it cost almost $7k just to get her to a state of being able to be rehomed.” Ms Kovach said All 4 Paws relied on donations, gifts and fundraising to continue saving dogs. She said the group also raised money by selling dog accessories, such as bandanas made by a talented foster carer. Details: www.all4pawsdogrescue.com. au/ Alesha Capone
Park it for a president By Alesha Capone Wyndham council has approved a $22.80 million master plan to upgrade Presidents Park. Key features of the 10-year plan for the Wyndham Vale Park include a second full-size hockey pitch, upgraded baseball pavillion and infrastructure to assist in the running of large-scale events. “Presidents Park has long been a popular reserve for sporting groups, recreational
runners and walkers, dog owners and families alike,” sports development portfolio holder Cr Peter Maynard said. “It is expected that delivery of the master plan will build on the park’s strengths by ofering new and upgraded sporting facilities, walking paths and exercise equipment suitable to people of all ages, from toddlers to seniors. “Over the past ive years, the use of the reserve for events – such as Wyndham Holi and the Wyndham Food Truck Festival –
has grown, and this plan will improve the infrastructure and services to support these events in the future.” he plan, which was developed with community input, includes the creation of new paths to form three integrated shared trail loops with distance markers. he council is planning to install a new outdoor itness area with exercise equipment near the loop path precinct and hockey and sotball facilities.
A new parkrun and/or school cross country route will be created, directly connecting to the Werribee River path. An all-abilities play space will be built at the existing playground site, along with a unisex public toilet. Additional public art pieces will be installed, with the existing sculpture site to become part of a new arts and heritage hub. A pump track for mountain and BMX bikes is proposed to be built on a vacant area of the 75-hectare park.
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