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A year to never forget YEAR IN REVIEW ... STORY OF THE YEAR
A drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic. (Damjan Janevski)
mammoth effort to sew 6000 scrub gowns for frontline staff at Western Health. Point Cook’s Jasmine Hill, along with her friends Lily and Cassy, kick-started the scrubs campaign. “We want to let doctors and nurses know we are behind them,” Ms Hill said. By May, hundreds of Western Leisure Services staff were stood down because the organisation was ineligible for the JobKeeper program. Meanwhile, the council began redeploying staff whose normal jobs had been impacted by the pandemic. Melbourne Water began analysing sewerage samples taken from the Western Treatment Plant in Werribee in the hope of identifying potential clusters of coronavirus infections. Dining out was back on the menu in June as
Victoria started to reopen after more than two months of lockdown. Playgrounds, skate parks and outdoor gym equipment also reopened. But the joy was shortlived as Premier Daniel Andrews announced the return of lockdowns. It came as a COVID-19 outbreak at Truganina’s Al-Taqwa College grew to 90 people, placing hundreds of people in isolation. Wyndham recorded the second-highest number of virus cases in the state. On August 4, Mr Andrews declared a ‘State of Disaster’ for Victoria and introduced a raft of new restrictions, including a curfew and a five kilometre radius for metropolitan Melbourne. Committee for Wyndham chief executive Barbara McClure said the stage four lockdown would have “an enormous impact” on the municipality’s businesses.
On August 12, Wyndham reached a grim milestone with 941 active coronavirus cases – a jump of nearly 300 in under two weeks. Aged care centres across Wyndham grappled with the virus, with outbreaks recorded at BaptCare Wyndham Lodge Community and Glendale Aged Care Facility in Werribee. Cases were also recorded at Hoppers Crossing’s Mecwacare John Atchison Centre. The Al-Taqwa cluster became one of the state’s largest outbreaks. In September, falling case numbers gave Victoria some hope. Despite some easing of restrictions throughout October, the road out was ‘paused’ on October 27 while the state waited on test results. On November 8, Wyndham recorded no active virus cases for the first time since March.
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2020 was a year like no other. It’s the year that “staying apart, kept us together”, that words like ‘rona’, ‘iso’ and ‘lockdown’ found their way into everyday language, strangers fought over toilet paper in supermarket aisles and we were shut off not only from the world, but our families, our friends, our neighbours. The coronavirus pandemic dominated headlines as it swept across the world, both dividing and uniting us. It has brought with it undeniable hardship and heartbreak, social and economical ramifications that will be felt for years to come. But it has also highlighted our fighting spirit, our compassion and an inspiring ability to adapt. Australia’s first confirmed case of coronavirus was identified in Victoria on January 25, 2020. At it’s peak, Victoria had 7000 active cases. We look back on how COVID-19 unfolded across the northern and western suburbs. As businesses shut their doors in March in a bid to stem the spread of the virus, Wyndham council announced a ‘buy local’ campaign to help save local jobs. The campaign came amid the cancellation of events and the closure of schools, pubs, clubs, cinemas and gyms. The council also announced a $5 million stimulus package to help ease the burden of the pandemic on businesses. Panicked shoppers stripped supermarket shelves of essential supplies, prompting Coles and Woolworths to issue a plea for shoppers not to stockpile food. Werribee Mercy Hospital confirmed its first cases of the virus among staff in late March, with four staff members testing positive. In April, the hospital moved to reassure the community it was working to ensure staff had access to protective personal clothing amid growing fears over a national PPE shortage. Wyndham’s sense of community spirit was on display, with residents and community centres across the west coming together in a
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Council controversy erupts DECEMBER 16 A Wyndham councillor has accused his colleagues of dictatorship-like behaviour and is calling for an external investigation. Councillors were last week due to confirm the appointment of Cr Josh Gilligan as Wyndham’s delegate to the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV). However, six of the 11 councillors instead voted for Cr Sahana Ramesh to be the delegate. Cr Gilligan was elected as the MAV’s interim president last month when the serving
president retired. The MAV board will elect a new president on March 5. A motion by Cr Mia Shaw that Cr Ramesh become MAV delegate if Cr Gilligan does not retain the MAV presidency after March 5, was defeated. Cr Gilligan said the Wyndham councillors who voted against him becoming the MAV delegate were using the opportunity “to exact political revenge”. He described the behaviour as similar to what is “seen in dictatorships”. “Taking that away tonight is the most egregious breach of trust and teamwork that
anyone would ever have seen in a council except for examples of where councils have ultimately led to their own demise,” Cr Gilligan said. In a statement issued after the meeting, Cr Gilligan said the council was “deeply divided with the personal agendas of newly elected councillors triumphing over decisions that are in the best interests of the community”. He said the councillors conduct also “speaks to an emerging toxic culture within the council that must be externally investigated”. Cr Heather Marcus said that Cr Gilligan, who has served on the MAV board for four years, had represented the council in “a
brilliant, outstanding way”. She said the six councillors who voted for Cr Ramesh were engaging in “bloc voting” and that Wyndham “will be the laughing stock of all the councils in the western suburbs” for not appointing Cr Gilligan, given his experience in the role. “I just feel really sad that we’ve got to this situation … I can see a monitor coming in and probably we will get sacked over this type of behavior,” she said. However, Cr Jasmine Hill and Cr Susan McIntyre said they both did “due diligence” in deciding to vote for Cr Ramesh.
Yogi not your average dog JUNE 3
Zoo upgrade funded more than $17.8 million per year to Victoria’s economy. Werribee MP Tim Pallas said the zoo’s expansion will be funded in the upcoming state budget. “The expansion of Werribee Open Range Zoo will create jobs in Melbourne’s west boosting the local economy and attracting more tourists – and more tourist dollars – to our great community,” Mr Pallas said. The state government has also extended its “Kids Free” zoos policy until June next year, providing free admission to Werribee Open Range Zoo, Melbourne Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary for young Victorians aged under 16, on weekends, public holidays and during school holidays.
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A new elephant sanctuary and a specially-designed site for rhinos and bison feature in expansion plans for the Werribee Open Range Zoo. The elephant sanctuary will become home to six Asian elephants from Melbourne Zoo, with the herd able to roam freely over 22 hectares, which will include a walking trail for visitors. Visiting the zoo last week, Premier Daniel Andrews announced $84 million in state funding for the upgrade, which is expected to boost visitor numbers to the zoo from 680,000 visitors in 2018-19 to more than one million annually.
As reported by Star Weekly in August, a new tree-top sky safari gondola forms part of the expansion plans. It will stretch across the zoo, with a capacity to accommodate 1200 people per hour (one way). Plans also include a 400-seat Water Hole Cafe with indoor and outdoor eating areas, providing diners with views of the animals. The zoo expansion will create almost 350 jobs, including 90 direct jobs looking after animals and visitors once the exhibits are up and running. Construction on the elephant sanctuary and tree-top sky safari gondola will begin soon and create an initial 41 jobs. Once completed, the Werribee zoo redevelopment is expected to contribute
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For former Werribee policeman Ron Fenton, his assistance dog Yogi is not only his best friend, but a life-saver. Mr Fenton joined Victoria Police more than four decades ago. In 1984, he was shot in the head after pursuing a man who had murdered a security guard in Clayton. Mr Fenton survived and returned to duty, joining Werribee police in 1996. About four years ago, Mr Fenton developed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In 2017, Defence Community Dogs donated Yogi, a Labrador who has been trained and accredited as a PTSD assistance dog, to Mr Fenton. Mr Fenton said Yogi had helped reduce his reliance on medication and psychology visits. “He’s an amazing dog,” Mr Fenton said. “He’s just a life-saver, all the way through.” About three years ago, Mr Fenton launched a legal case against WorkSafe, Victoria Police and insurance company Gallaghar Bassett, for refusing to fund the cost of Yogi’s food and veterinary bills. Mr Fenton started legal proceedings after WorkSafe rejected his claim for the insurance company to pay for Yogi’s needs, as a legitimate medical expense related to Mr Fenton’s workplace-induced PTSD. Mr Fenton and his legal team, including lawyer Kathy Wilson from Melbourne Injury Lawyers, won an out-of-court settlement last month.
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Road safety blitz Almost 90 motorists were issued with infringement notices by Wyndham police during the Christmas holidays. Victoria Police ran Operation Roadwise from December 18 - January 6, targeting dangerous driving. In Wyndham, 32 infringements were issued for speeding offences, 12 for seatbelt offences, eight notices were given to drink drivers and unlicensed drivers, and seven notices were issued for disobeying signs and signals.
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Heili Perera; Siyona Goel; Annika Sharma; Tahlia Loades. (Picctures: Supplied)
Writing for peace Some of Wyndham’s most talented writers were recognised at the Rotary Club of Wyndham Harbour’s first peace essay competition. The competition for primary school children involved 44 pupils from across Cambridge, Bellbridge, Iramoo, St. James the Apostle, Seabrook and Carnegie primary schools entering essays on peace. Heili Perera, Annika Sharma, Siyona Goel and Tahlia Loades were announced the winners at an awards night late last year, while certificates of achievement were also awarded. The club is hoping to run a more extensive
Local sport
competition next year. Rotary has long contributed towards peace in the world by addressing causes of conflict such as poverty, discrimination, ethnic tension, lack of access to education and inequalities. This project was initiated to help celebrate the achievements of Rotary by encouraging a new generation of children to think about what peace in the world means. Rotary Australia and New Zealand celebrates 100 years of service this year. Tara Murray
Have you got a sports story to share or someone at your club you want to recognise? Send in your stories and photos (be sure to include names) by 9am each Wednesday to tara.murray@ starweekly.com.au. Please include a contact name and phone number. FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Wyndham Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly
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Couple ‘adopts’ travellers MAY 20 Sanctuary Lakes couple Tully Smith and Sarah Wickham have opened their home to a pair of international travellers during the coronavirus pandemic. Mr Smith said he was shocked to discover how many foreign visitors and students had become “stuck” in Australia due to the pandemic travel bans and a lack of international flights after a colleague told him about the Adopt a Backpacker VIC Facebook page. The page aims to connect travellers in need of a place to stay with Australians who can help them out. Mr Smith said he and Ms Wickham were “inundated” with messages from travellers after posting that they had a free room on the Facebook page. First up, after some FaceTime meetings and checks to ensure they would not be carrying the coronavirus, two Argentinians moved in with Mr Smith and Ms Wickham. Mr Tully said he and Ms Wickham had become “friends for life” with the Argentinians– a vet and university graduate. Mr Smith said the Argentinians moved out after securing work and French couple Joann Heckel and Daniel Schwebel moved in. Before coming to Sanctuary Lakes, Ms Heckel and Mr Schwebel worked on a farm in Colac for more than a month, ensuring they had not developed the coronavirus. Mr Smith said he and Ms Wickham had decided to open their home to travellers because there were “lots of stories of genuine need” among them. “The new food is also amazing – we ate
French guests Joann Heckel and Daniel Schwebel with hosts Sarah Wickham and Tully Smith. (Damjan Janevski)
Argentinian food for three weeks and now we’ve been eating beautiful French meals,” Mr Smith said. Ms Heckel said while she and Mr Schwebel had been lucky, many of their fellow travellers had lost jobs on farms or in hospitality due
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to the pandemic but still had to pay for their accommodation. But she said that with campsites and caravan parks closed across the country, this was hard for many travellers, who were now reliant on Australians extending them a “helping hand”.
Mr Smith said he would urge other Wyndham residents to consider helping travellers in need of a place to stay. “We would encourage everyone to extend good old Aussie welcoming hospitality to travellers,” he said.
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Food bank fills a need SEPTEMBER 17 A Point Cook church has started a food bank to help community members who are doing it tough. The Cross Culture Church of Christ Point Cook held its first Point Cook Food Bank pick-up for two hours on Sunday, and is planning to hold regular pick-ups into the future. Food suppliers donated a variety of dry food, frozen and fresh produce to Sunday’s event. Food Bank core team member Elaine Dunstone said the idea for the food bank
came about during Victoria’s first pandemic lockdown, when the church’s senior pastor – Pastor Mike – “felt a real burden on his heart” and a desire to help people losing their jobs. Ms Dunstone said the volunteers organising the Point Cook Food Bank felt “that we are helping to meet a deep need in the community”. “The response so far from the wider community has been so encouraging,” she said. “To those of you who want to help in some way, wonderful. “We would ask you: Please be patient with us. Give us a few Sundays to get the food bank running really smoothly.
“When that’s done, yes, we’ll be more ready to plan training of volunteers from the wider community.” People seeking help from the food bank can visit www.facebook.com/pointcookfoodbank for details, or send the page a private message if needed.
Food Bank core team member Elaine Dunstone. (Joe Mastroianni)
Sikhs united to help JULY 8 Volunteers from the Australian chapter of United Sikhs are providing hundreds of hot meals to Wyndham residents, who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since May 23, the volunteers have been preparing and distributing meals at Jamieson Way Community Centre in Point Cook, Wyndham Park Kindergarten, the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency and Wungurril Dhurrung Community Centre. The volunteers have also been giving out 35 bags of groceries every week. The United Sikhs Australian director, Gurvinder Singh, said the project was officially titled Guru Nanak’s Free Community Kitchen and Food Pantry in Australia.
Mr Singh said the Wyndham residents who have received the free meals and groceries have shown the “deepest gratitude”. “We saw people overwhelmed with joy and tears in their eyes when they were provided with food and milk for their hungry children,” he said. “They were amazed to see how one could come forward to help someone, who belongs to an entirely different religion or belief.” The project co-ordinator Amritvir Singh said that the pandemic has had an “astounding” impact upon families in Wyndham. “Many people are now without jobs and have a lot of uncertainties of what the future may hold for them, so by having a few hot meals and essential groceries provided, it reduces some of the pressure placed on individuals and families,” he said.
Volunteers from the Australian chapter of United Sikhs. (
West Gate Freeway summer roadworks underway During January and February
West Gate Tunnel Project crews are working to expand the West Gate Freeway from 8 to 12 lanes. Major closures are currently in place along the West Gate Freeway, M80 Ring Road and Geelong Road interchange until 22 February 2020. Delays are expected. Closures • Princes Freeway to Geelong Road inbound and outbound ramps • M80 Ring Road inbound exit ramp to the West Gate Freeway Plan your trip, allow extra travel time and visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au for detour information. Keep in mind there are other disruptions in January and February. Find a detailed list at bigbuild.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne
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Connecting the community AUGUST 7 Adrian Chng is helping to strengthen community connections during the coronavirus pandemic. Mr Chng is founder and administrator of the Melbourne Western Suburbs Coronaforum Facebook page. He has also started dropping coffees off to his fellow Point Cook residents. Mr Chng said he began working from home
in March and has been missing out on the social connections a workplace provides – an experience which many people are having in lockdown. He said that one of the aims of the Melbourne Western Suburbs Coronaforum was to connect and support community members during lockdown. Another aim of the page is to inform members about the latest rules, regulations and
research related to COVID-19, especially in the west. Within three weeks, the page has grown to more than 2500 members. “That’s given me a lot of joy, once you connect to the local community, you feel like you know them, even though you have never physically met them,” Mr Chng said. Mr Chng said he has also started doing coffee runs to Point Cook residents he has connected with on the Facebook forum.
To maintain social distancing, he drops the coffees off at people’s front doors, then texts the person to let them know. “I just find that it’s something nice to do,” he said. Mr Chng said doing the coffee runs was also a way to support local cafes during the lockdown. “Since March, I’ve been starting to re-connect with the local area and local people, which I have really enjoyed,” he said.
Care for frontline workers Supermarket giant Coles delivered 200 care packs to Werribee Mercy Hospital staff last week. The generous gesture came after Mercy Health nurse, Ebony, contacted Gold FM’s breakfast program and said her colleagues often felt “parched” while wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) for long stretches of time. Ebony asked if Gold FM listeners knew of a sports drinks company who would be willing to assist some dehydrated nurses. Her query resulted in corporate organisations coming forward to help, including Coles. Coles sent the 200 care packs – containing shampoos, deodorants, face and hand creams, bags of lollies, fruit and other treats – to Werribee Mercy Hospital’s loading dock.
Mercy Health human resources general manager Karen Cicero said determining a fair way of allocating the donated gifts among hospital staff was a challenge. “It is stating the obvious that some areas of our hospitals have been under enormous pressure, and in this case we really have tried to reward those who have been at the forefront in the fight against this horrendous virus,” Ms Cicero said. A member of the hospital’s human resources team involved in allocating the gift bags said it was “so moving” to see the hospital staff wanting to share the Coles gift packs. The HR staff member said this was especially generous, given that for several months, many hospital employees “have been putting themselves at risk, caring for others”. Werribee Mercy Hospital staff said they wanted to send “a big thanks” to Coles for its generosity.
Coles sent 200 care packs for staff at Werribee Mercy Hospital.
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Big spend on business JULY 14 Wyndham council has allocated $2 million in grants to help hundreds of local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The council announced a $5 million economic support package back in March when the pandemic lockdown first began, including a $1.5 million WynLocal Business Recovery and Growth Program offering grants of $5000, $10,000 and $20,000 for businesses. The program funding was boosted to $2 million after 458 traders and groups applied for grants. The council last week announced 285
businesses had been successful. Cr Mia Shaw said the news “could not have come at a better time” for businesses, as metropolitan Melbourne returned to a six-week, stage-three lockdown. It comes as state Treasurer Tim Pallas announced a $534 million business support package for Victoria. Developed in consultation with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and the Australian Hotels Association, the package will include cash grants for struggling businesses, mental health support for business owners, relief for tourism operators and targeted advice for businesses to stay afloat.
The council has awarded 19 grants of $20,000 to businesses located across Werribee, Werribee South, Hoppers Crossing and Point Cook. The Garden Feast Café in Werribee, which is also a nursery and functions venue, will receive a $10,000 grant. Cafe owner Maree Planner said the business, which is mainly a dine-in venue, had lost 95 per cent of its income since lockdown restrictions were introduced in March. Ms Planner is planning to use the grant to kick-start a different revenue stream, by attracting local couples looking for a wedding venue.
She said she would use the grant money to promote the venue in bridal websites, magazines and expos. “We definitely could not have done this, at this stage, without the help of the Wyndham City Council, to which we are very grateful,” she said. Grant applications were open to Wyndham-based businesses which employ 50 people or less (effective full-time). Wyndham-based industry peak bodies were able to apply for a maximum of $10,000. The Garden Feast Cafe is located at 63-69 Railway Avenue in Werribee, see gardenfeast. com.au for details.
Future is full of beans JUNE 17 Two young Werribee business-owners are optimistic that trade will perk up for their mobile coffee trailer, as COVID-19 restrictions ease. Many Ho and Kevin Noble started Barrel of Beans in 2018, when they were aged 22 and 24 years old. “It has always been a dream of both of ours, to operate a successful business together, and the collaboration of both of our skills made Barrel of Beans possible,” Mr Noble said. Mr Noble said that since starting out, he and Ms Ho had taken their coffee trailer to the Melbourne International Flower Show 2019, an international equestrian event at Werribee Park and the 2020 Olympic Sailing World
Championships. He said that before the coronavirus pandemic lockdown, Barrel of Beans had a full calendar of bookings for events to be held this year. “But since the COVID-19 virus has put a stop to the events, this also put a stop to us having jobs to attend – leaving us with no choice but to wipe our 2020 calendar clean and wait in anticipation for what happens next,” he said. Mr Noble said that he and Ms Ho believed their business would survive the pandemic. “We would just like to take a moment to thank all of our event organisers, loyal customers, our friends and families, for your never-ending support and motivation,” he said.
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. . . from the Mayor On behalf of everyone at Council, I sincerely hope that all of you had a great Christmas and New Year. dŚĞ ĨĞƐƟǀĞ ƐĞĂƐŽŶ ŐĂǀĞ ŵĞ Ă ĐŚĂŶĐĞ ƚŽ ƌĞŇĞĐƚ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ LJĞĂƌ that was and prepare for the year that will be.
Sharing the joy SEPTEMBER 16 Point Cook youngster Hanna has started a guinea pig rental business to help local children experience the joys of pet ownership. Hanna, 10, said that apart from temporarily enjoying the company of a guinea pig, the idea behind her business is to help families decide if they would like to purchase their own pet guinea pig. Hanna, who owns 12 guinea pigs, started the business in July. Due to word-of-mouth and Facebook,
Hanna’s Guinea Pig Experience has become popular in Point Cook during the COVID-19 lockdown. “The most important thing in this business is the wellbeing of the guinea pigs,” Hanna said. “I love my guinea pigs and I don’t want them to get sick or anything like that. “The second most important thing is seeing the smiles and happy faces of the children and families when they see the guinea pigs.” Hanna said she supplies each customer with dry food, litter and a guinea pig cage. She is also happy to re-home unwanted guinea pigs.
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Of course, it will be held in a COVID-safe manner, with QR code check-ins in place for ĞĂĐŚ ǀĞŶƵĞ͘ &Žƌ ŵŽƌĞ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ ǀŝƐŝƚ www.wyndham.vic.gov.au
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By Alesha Capone Wyndham businesses have welcomed the support from local residents as Melbourne emerges from pandemic lockdown. The Park Werribee owner Nick Christou said the hotel received more than 500 calls in just two days last week after Premier Daniel Andrews announced that eateries could host sit-down meals again. Committee for Wyndham chief executive Barbara McLure said it was terrific to see people shopping and eating in Watton Street, Werribee last Thursday. “I think there is a sense that people have an understanding that local businesses did it really hard and it’s very important to support local businesses now,” she said. Renay Ahmed, from the Wyndham Cache café and deli and LT’s Egg Farm in Werribee South, said the café was encouraging customers to order grazing boxes and drinks to enjoy on the lawn. “The response has been phenomenal. As soon as the Premier’s announcement happened, the phones were ringing off the hook,” Ms Ahemd said. Pacific Werribee centre manager Patricia Gardiner said the shopping centre was pleased to welcome back traders which were closed during the pandemic. “The centre community is certainly beaming with positivity,” Ms Gardiner said. State manager for Cedar Woods, Lloyd Collins said it was encouraging to see the Williams Landing town centre reopen. He said Cedar Woods was working with tenants and council to expand the external dining area to help businesses get back on track. Wyndham council last week announced measures to help eateries extend their dining areas, by creating an additional 1938 square metres of outdoor dining space across the municipality. Wyndham city design and liveability director Ludo Campbell-Reid said the council was also planning the West End Experience, an outdoor dining area in Watton Street between Bridge Hotel and Wedge Street Piazza, as a series of one-day activations. In addition, three “parklets” will be installed in Hoppers Junction and outdoor dining precincts created in the Point Cook Town Centre and Soho Village.
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Light in a tough year Breakout copy. Trade Gothic LT Std. Regular. 9.5pt. Writer tagline
Teenage boxing champion Marissa Williamson has been awarded a scholarship by the Australian Sporting Hall of Fame. The scholarship gives the 18-year-old
(Joe Mastroianni) 219412_01
Wyndham businesses have welcomed the support from local residents as Melbourne emerges from pandemic lockdown. The Park Werribee owner Nick Christou said the hotel received more than 500 calls in just two days last week after Premier Daniel Andrews announced that eateries could host sit-down meals again. Committee for Wyndham chief executive Barbara McLure said it was terrific to see people shopping and eating in Watton Street, Werribee last Thursday. “I think there is a sense that people have an understanding that local businesses did it really hard and it’s very important to support local businesses now,” she said. Renay Ahmed, from the Wyndham Cache
Back in business Teenage boxing champion Marissa Williamson has been awarded a scholarship by the Australian Sporting Hall of Fame. The scholarship gives the 18-year-old $10,000 to put towards boxing costs, access to wellbeing programs and staff, and she will be mentored by Olympic gold medallist and professional beach volleyballer Kerri Pottharst. Williamson grew up in Wyndham and took up boxing when she was 16. She is the 64kg Victorian Boxing Champion, 64kg Australian Boxing Champion and is on the National Futures Team which aims to train athletes for the 2022 Commonwealth Games and 2024 Olympics. Williamson said the scholarship has been the highlight of a “tough year”. She left foster care earlier this year and was temporarily homeless before finding her own apartment. And she was all set to represent Australia at the World Youth Games in Poland last month, before it was postponed until next year due to COVID-19. Williamson said she usually trains six days a week. For the past few months she has been training at Crew Fitness and Performance in Braybrook, which was co-founded by five-time Australian boxing champion Jason Mallia. “What I have enjoyed [about boxing] is just the opportunity to travel and learn life skills, which I didn’t have the chance to do when I was younger,” she said. Alesha Capone
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dŚŝƐ ǁĞĞŬĞŶĚ ŽƵŶĐŝů ǁŝůů ďĞ ŚŽƐƟŶŐ ƚŚĞ tĞƐƚ ŶĚ džƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ͘ dŚĞ ǁĞƐƚĞƌŶ ĞŶĚ ŽĨ tĂƩŽŶ Street in Werribee will again be transformed ŝŶƚŽ Ă ƉŽƉͲƵƉ ĚŝŶŝŶŐ ƉƌĞĐŝŶĐƚ ǁŝƚŚ ϭϱ ĚŝīĞƌĞŶƚ restaurants, cafes and bars providing residents ǁŝƚŚ Ă ƐŵŽƌŐĂƐďŽƌĚ ŽĨ ŽƵƚĚŽŽƌ ĚŝŶŝŶŐ ŽƉƟŽŶƐ͘ The event will run from 15 to 17 January ĂŶĚ ĨŽůůŽǁƐ ƚŚĞ ƐƵĐĐĞƐƐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĮƌƐƚ tĞƐƚ End Experience in December, which was ĂƩĞŶĚĞĚ ďLJ ĂůŵŽƐƚ Ϯ͕ϱϬϬ ƉĞŽƉůĞ͕ ƉƌŽǀŝĚŝŶŐ a much-needed boost for local businesses. This experience has been led by the Werribee ƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ ĂŶĚ dŽƵƌŝƐŵ ƐƐŽĐŝĂƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ /͛ŵ proud that Council has been able to work with ƚŚĞŵ ƚŽ ĐƌĞĂƚĞ Ă ƚƌƵůLJ ŐƌĞĂƚ ĞǀĞŶƚ͘ ĐƟǀĂƟŽŶƐ and events like this are all part of our COVID-19 ƌĞĐŽǀĞƌLJ ƐƚƌĂƚĞŐLJ͕ ƵƐŝŶŐ ĐŽůůĂďŽƌĂƟǀĞ ŝŶŝƟĂƟǀĞƐ to support businesses and jobs in our City and Town Centres and to create vibrant, liveable places for our community.
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This year will have its challenges, but I’m proud ƚŽ ƐĂLJ ƚŚĂƚ tLJŶĚŚĂŵ ŝƐ ŝŶ ĂŶ ĞdžĐĞůůĞŶƚ ƉŽƐŝƟŽŶ ƚŽ ŵĞĞƚ ƚŚĞŵ ŚĞĂĚ ŽŶ͘ /͛ŵ ŽƉƟŵŝƐƟĐ ƚŚĂƚ ƚŚŝƐ will be a great year for our community, and I’m looking forward to working with all of you to help make sure of that.
Regards, Cr Adele Hegedich
Wyndham Civic Centre 45 Princes Highway Werribee (PO Box 197) Vic 3030 9742 0777
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Dying to live JANUARY 22 Hoppers Crossing’s Kate Hansen is using her tale of survival and hope to raise awareness of organ donation. Ms Hansen, who is also known as Kitty, will this week celebrate 12 months since she underwent a life-saving operation to receive a donated kidney and pancreas. Ms Hansen has organised a weekend round-robin netball tournament, to raise funds and awareness for Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation. Ms Hansen is an ambassador for the foundation, which aims to “empower” people to discuss their wishes about becoming an organ donor with their loved ones. Ms Hansen – who is also an ambassador for Kidney Health Australia – said doctors told her she had only around 12 months to live, if she did not receive a new kidney. She received the news after suffering her third heart attack, on her 32nd birthday. Ms Hanson said paramedics spent 90 minutes working to bring her back to life, and she was declared clinically dead for 10 of those minutes. Aside from the heart attacks, Ms Hansen was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was aged three. In 2013, she spent 12 days in a coma, after a car accident which required her to learn to walk and talk again. After the accident, she was diagnosed with Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome, which can cause seizures and even death. “I also have an acquired brain injury, so I don’t feel my fingertips, I can’t write my name
Kate (Kitty) Hansen. (Damjan Janevski)
easily and I get confused very easily,” Ms Hansen said. However, Ms Hansen continues to remain positive, and said she that would be “eternally grateful” to the person who donated their kidney and pancreas to her, plus their
family. “I’m quite aware there is a family who is no longer whole,” she said. “The day I had my greatest day, they had their greatest loss.” Her netball tournament will be held at 10am
on Saturday, and will include a screening of the documentary Dying to Live, about Ms Hansen’s medical journey. The tournament venue, Hoppers Indoor Sportz, had been donated by owner Johnny Almond.
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Virus could have crippled hospital NOVEMBER 4 A senior health official says that Werribee Mercy Hospital could have been “brought to its knees” during the COVID-19 pandemic, if it were not for the efforts of “heroic” frontline staff. Mercy Health Group chief executive, Adjunct Professor Stephen Cornelissen, made the comment last week after a series of tribute videos produced by Catholic Health Australia were released to thank Catholic health and aged care workers for their work during the
pandemic. Adjunct Professor Cornelissen said that at the height of the pandemic, across a fortnight, both Werribee Mercy Hospital and the Wyndham community “was in a precarious situation”. “At its height the second wave of this terrible pandemic added extraordinary pressure and danger to the work of our Werribee staff,” he said. “The numbers of patients testing positive, compounded by the numbers of staff in contact with those cases threatened to furlough so many staff that the hospital could have been
faced with the need to shut its doors. “Werribee Mercy Hospital operates in the fastest-growing local area in Victoria and it was one of Victoria’s most serious COVID-19 hotspots – our hospital would have been brought to its knees, other than for the heroic efforts of our staff.” Adjunct Professor Cornelissen said that while Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other infection control practices were critical tools for keeping the virus at bay “there can be no absolute guarantees that workers are 100 per cent insulated from this insidious
virus”. Adjunct Professor Cornelissen said medical, health and aged care staff had maintained a brave attitude while attending work every day, during the pandemic. “Our team’s bravery and the support of their families who watched workers return to work each day can never be understated or permitted to be forgotten,” he said. Adjunct Professor Cornelissen said it was also important for the general public not to become complacent with hygiene practices and virus testing, as the state opens up again.
Buzz about fundraising JULY 29 The Werribee Hospital Foundation will host its first virtual fundraiser, The BIG BUZZ Trivia Night, next month. The event will raise funds to upgrade the 24-hour Mental Health Crisis Line at Werribee Mercy Hospital, which is experiencing a rise in calls due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The online trivia night will include prizes for the winning team, best dressed and best team name. The foundation’s community engagement and fundraising manager, Lisa Field, said the family-friendly event would include five rounds of general trivia. The ticket price for the night is $25 per device, with as many people as participants
would like allowed on the one device. Ms Field said the foundation was also seeking business support and donations of prizes for the trivia night. The event will be held at 6.30pm on Friday, August 14. Bookings essential, via: www. trybooking.com/BKNJD Additional donations can be made at www. werribeehospitalfoundation.com.au
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Heroes behind the masks They’re the heroes behind the face masks – the medical staff who work on the frontline of the fight against coronavirus. Star Weekly speaks to three employees from Mercy Health and Werribee Mercy Hospital, as the state’s fight against COVID-19 ramps up again. Panga Manoharan
Paula Guerin
Panga Manoharan says that members of his team at Mercy Health have worked many extra hours since the pandemic hit. Mr Manoharan is the health organisation’s supply chain manager, and works alongside four other colleagues in procurement and contracts, plus five purchasing officers. Mr Manoharan said the team managed contracts and organised most of the purchasing for Mercy Health’s hospitals, palliative care services, 35 residential aged care homes and home and community care services. He said that when the pandemic started, the team immediately focused on trying to source appropriate levels of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as face masks, for medical staff. “In those early few weeks, though, it was really tough and stressful trying to find ways to procure some of the items we needed,” he said. “We relied heavily on our relationships with suppliers, we had to enter into new negotiations and, to be honest, there were definitely some sleepless nights. “Things have definitely settled down in the last couple of months, and stocks have returned to reasonably normal levels as production of these items around the world ramped up.” Mr Manoharan said everyone on his team had undertaken roles outside their normal duties during the pandemic. “Every member of our team has been a courier during this period, moving PPE between our hospitals, aged care homes and community settings, and we’ve all worked many extra hours,” he said. “It’s been amazing watching our team work above and beyond their regular duties with no fanfare and little understanding of the huge
Paula Guerin says she feels “very proud” to work within the Werribee Mercy Hospital’s Emergency Department. Ms Guerin is an associate nurse unit manager (ANUM) in the department. She said that when the pandemic began, the department made several changes, including introducing a concierge pre-assessment screening nurse at its entrance. A separate Fever Respiratory ED (FRED) unit was also created inside the existing Emergency Department, with provisions to extend into unused, older operating theatres if required. “Our community has been incredible, and for that we thank you,” Ms Guerin said. “We are a 15-bed ED with three resuscitation beds and a limited short stay unit. “We see up to 150 presentations a day but your response has meant we haven’t been overwhelmed. “But this isn’t over yet and there is still a lot to do.” Ms Guerin said that in March, as the coronavirus diagnoses began to increase in Australia and media coverage highlighted what was occurring overseas, Werribee Mercy’s ED and ward staff – along with the entire community – entered “a period of unknown, confusion, anxiety and fear”. But she said the way the Emergency Department “has adjusted and come together is a testament to the staff whom we frequently refer to as our ED family”. “Many staff have done extra shifts and hours, with some cancelling annual leave in support of their colleagues and the community,” she said. Ms Guerin said the ED team had “experienced incredible love and support from our community” during the pandemic, with individuals, businesses, hospital staff members and their families donating many items including meals, coffee, scrub caps and safety glasses. “Our work has at times been overwhelming but we’ve felt so lifted by the care of everyone in our community,” she said.
effort that’s been going on behind the scenes to ensure we’ve met the needs of our organisation and community.” He added: “The real heroes during this
pandemic are each and every member of our community who has followed guidelines to play their part in reducing the burden on our health system.”
His role includes clinical tasks, such as testing people for COVID-19, assessing people who come into the hospital with respiratory symptoms and helping other physicians. Dr Turner also sits on a number of committees and an Incident Command Team.
He said that before the pandemic, he did a lot of bedside work, but he has now become involved in several administrative duties, surrounding the policies and protocols in place at Mercy Health. Dr Turner said the coronavirus pandemic was not the first time he had faced dangerous illnesses, as he has previously worked in situations involving measles and TB. He said that part of his role at Mercy Health included reassuring other staff members they were doing their best to stay safe, by following stringent procedures and not putting themselves or others as risk. “They can go home to their families and hopefully not be anxious,” Dr Turner said, “Although that is easier said than done, I have two little boys myself, and I think, ‘I don’t want to be away from them for too long or put them at risk’.” Dr Turner said he would also like to thank members of the public who have been obeying the government’s pandemic guidelines. “A huge amount of responsibility and thanks has to go to the community for the sacrifices they have made,” he said. However, Dr Turner said he and his colleagues wanted to encourage people to attend hospital, if they genuinely needed to, during the pandemic. “A lot of us are concerned that people are thinking they want to do the right thing and saying, ‘I’ll stay at home, I won’t bother the health system’,” he said. “But I want to reassure the community the hospital is safe – we have capacity, we’re available to help people.”
Dr David Turner Dr David Turner is an infectious disease physician leading the COVID-19 response at Mercy Health. Much of his work is at Werribee Mercy Hospital and the Northern Hospital. 12 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 13 January, 2021
Paula Guerin with her colleagues. (Pictures: Supplied/Mercy Health)
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Recovered patient relives COVID pain SEPTEMBER 23 Mother-of-two Kimberly Hanrahan has undergone an experimental plasma treatment as she recovers from COVID-19. Ms Hanrahan, 48, said she contracted the virus after a cleaner came to her home. The owner of the cleaning company called to advise that her son had tested positive at school. Ms Hanrahan said her husband, Dave, had a sore throat and underwent a COVID-19 test. After five days, his test came back positive. Ms Hanrahan was then tested with her eight-year-old twin boys. “I was positive and they were negative, thank goodness,” she said. “Then, I got all the usual sort of symptoms – a sore throat and a lack of smell and taste – but then I got really quite poorly … really severe migraines and body aches and pains and back aches.” She called Altona North Respiratory Clinic and said, ‘It’s day 11, is this normal?’ Ms Hanrahan said she was told it was normal.
“I called my doctor on the Wednesday because I was in so much pain. I hadn’t slept properly and he gave me some Panadeine Forte, which was great,” she said. “On the Thursday, the DHHS called me … I got quite upset and said ‘I feel like I can’t talk to you properly, I’ve got a real shortness of breath I don’t feel very well’. “He just said, ‘I’m going to put the phone down, I’m going to call your husband and get him to call an ambulance for you’. “I was avoiding going to hospital. I didn’t want to go if my symptoms were just normal. “You just don’t know, how bad is bad enough to go to hospital? “The ambulance came and my blood oxygen was pretty low. They were worried about … blood not getting to your organs and causing damage.” Ms Hanrahan was admitted to Footscray Hospital and “zipped up” in a room. “I spent the next 11 days in hospital,” Ms Hanrahan said. “I went in on August 13 … went into ICU the next day but then was on
Kimberly Hanrahan. (Joe Mastroianni)
oxygen for the whole time until I came out of ICU, and then for a COVID pain relived couple of days after that. Thankfully I didn’t have to go on a ventilator. “I was very lucky that I was strong enough to be able to just get assistance with the oxygen but then not have to intubate me, put me to sleep and breathe, which was fantastic. “I was in ICU for six days.
“The nurses, everybody, was amazing – they put themselves at risk every day.” Ms Hanrahan said each day she was given a mask to enable her to breathe. “Essentially, this mask that covers your whole face, it’s very tight around your head so you can’t get any air in it and then it’s like a wind tunnel so it’s like air being pushed down into your lungs because my lungs had collapsed,” she said. “That was five times a day for a couple of hours a day.” After talking to Star Weekly for 10 minutes, Ms Hanrahan said she had shortness of breath. “But compared to how I was, this feels fine,” she said. Ms Hanrahan said she had a transfusion of what’s known as “convalescent plasma”, which contains antibodies from people who have recovered from COVID-19. “I did get the symptoms back again when I was home … headache and sore throat and runny nose came back again,” she said. “I don’t know yet if there’s been any long term damage to my organs.”
Goodbye to family man JULY 29
Tribute to Werribee icon AUGUST 5 An icon of the Wyndham community, John (Giovanni) Portogallo, passed away last week. Mr Portogallo’s niece, Marie Czajkowski, said that her uncle died about three weeks after contracting the coronavirus. Mr Portogallo, 93, was born in Sicily, Italy in 1926. He and his parents migrated to Australia and moved to Werribee South in 1934, becoming one of the first farming families of the area. Mr Portogallo opened up the first espresso coffee business in Werribee – Don Giovanni, in Watton Street. When Star Weekly interviewed Mr Portogallo in 2018 for an article he remembered the cafe as being “choc-a-bloc every day and every night” with customers who enjoyed coming to play
cards and drink coffee. Mr Portogallo and his late wife, Gaetana, were married on December 7, 1947, at St Mary’s Star of the Sea in West Melbourne. They both loved dancing and Ms Czajkowski has fond memories of driving her uncle and aunt to venues across Melbourne, so they could dance on Saturday nights. Ms Czajkowski, said that Mr Portogallo trained to sing at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. He went on to sing with the Werribee Italian Choir. Ms Czajkowski has a recording of her uncle singing at BaptCare Wyndham Lodge, where he was a resident. “He entertained a lot of the people at BaptCare and a lot of the nurses really loved him,” she said. “He was such an icon and he was full of information, and so interesting to listen to.”
Geoff Fitzgerald is being remembered as a devoted family man with a passion for bringing Christmas spirit to the community. Mr Fitzgerald, a long-time Hoppers Crossing resident, passed away on Friday at Werribee Mercy Hospital, from COVID-19. The 64-year-old father of three and grandfather of three, was well-known in the local area – along with his wife Jenny – for decorating their Macedon Street house and garden at Christmas time. Mrs Fitzgerald said their Christmas efforts started with Geoff putting a few lights in the front yard. “He started putting a couple of lights out the front, I said, ‘You’ve got to add in colour,’ and it took off from there,” she said. “The council used to close the street off for us every year. Once we had a choir and the Lions Club selling Christmas cakes.” The couple had stopped decorating their house in more recent years as their children grew older. Mrs Fitzgerald described her husband as a “fantastic” person. “He would go work and come home to his family, he was a real family man and loved his garden,” she said. As a younger man, Mr Fitgerald was employed at a glassworks in Spotswood and later started working for his son-in-law’s building business. Mrs Fitzgerald said she was unsure where her husband had contracted COVID-19. He was diagnosed with the flu and underwent a coronavirus test about four days later, which came back positive. He was admitted to hospital about 10 days before he died. Mrs Fitzgerald said Geoff’s passing had made her incredibly sad. “One day he was there, next day he’s not,” she said. The number of active coronavirus cases in Wyndham has risen by more than 150 in the past week. As of Tuesday, there were 535 active cases of the virus in Wyndham – the second highest number of cases in the state. 13 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 13 January, 2021
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Residents across the north and west have been getting creative and spreading the message of hope during the COVID-19 lockdown. On our Facebook pages, Star Weekly last week asked readers to submit photos of what they have been doing during the pandemic, and we were overwhelmed by the responses. Kathy has set up an LED multi-coloured snowball tree and some signs in her front windows. “I run a succulent business and a recycle project from home, and have plenty of admin to do, but of course my Gumtree ads are paused and there are no customers coming to my door,” Kathy said. “But I wanted to find some way I could catch the attention and cheer my neighbours and passersby. “I racked my brains and realised that as I had two large, full-length windows in the front of my house, I could do something there. “As daylight fades, I turn the tree on and it twinkles away until I go to bed. “I often wake before daylight, so I switch it on again … for the many workers who leave home early and drive past.” Kathy has encouraged other residents to decorate their windows and doors with messages of hope.
Liz, who calls herself an “amateur photographer” snapped this gorgeous photo of rainbow nature-strip art. See @LizEllisPhotography54 on Facebook or lizellisphotos for more photos.
Left: Renee snapped this picture of Cooper, aged seven, and Lucas, aged four, who have made their own McDonald’s drive-through. Right: Jo sent us these snaps of her daughters, 12 year-old Ella and nine year-old Lily, who gave their father Mick a haircut. The girls gave Mick a handlebar moustache, trimmed his hair and even shaved his legs. Three year-old Harper drew some rainbows on the path near her family’s home for people to enjoy when they walk past. Left: Radhika submitted these photos of some lawn art, created by her husband Sohil and daughter Gauhar. Right: The Stewart Family created this window art. “Many people have been stopping by to see the window, especially at night. We have loved seeing people taking photos and sharing the colourful picture around social media,” the family said.
Several residents have drawn chalk illustrations around the local park and estate. The trail has been dubbed the “walk of positivity”. Nas, who sent in the images, said: “We have had many cases where people say it brought them smiles. “The community have gone out and purchased chalks and wrote on the footpath. Each time the rain washes it away, we go and write again. This is our contribution. “As a community, we ran competitions to keep our sanity intact – we had bin isolation day competitions, colouring competition and few more organised for the next few weeks.” Chalk art, above, sent in by Georgia. 14 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 13 January, 2021
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2021 is a great time for TAFE Studying with The Gordon in 2021 can open doors to new careers with double the opportunity to receive government-funded places through Free TAFE and the new JobTrainer initiative. With local industries rebounding from COVID-19, The Gordon has courses in sectors that are calling out for trained staff. This includes aged care, early childhood and education, cookery, construction and more. By taking the first step and gaining the hands-on skills and knowledge from a TAFE course, you can be job-ready for positions in these high demand areas. JobTrainer is a joint state and federal government initiative, increasing access to free or low fee training places for young people and job seekers and complements existing subsidised training available such as Free TAFE. To participate in a JobTrainer course, you need to be 17-24 years of age when the course commences, or are a job seeker of any age, providing you have not started a full qualification under JobTrainer previously. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can access both the JobTrainer and Free TAFE initiatives over two courses. Eligible students enrolling in a full course under JobTrainer will only pay 20 per cent of the standard tuition fee. With more than 45 eligible courses, this is an excellent opportunity to consider a career change and get back into study in a supported learning environment. To learn more about studying in Werribee, Hoppers Crossing and Geelong, contact The Gordon on 5225 0800 or visit www.thegordon.edu.au
The Gordon has courses in sectors that are calling out for trained staff. (Supplied)
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15 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 13 January, 2021
FEATURING ... OUR COMMUNITY
Choose your lifestyle With quality independent retirement living at affordable prices on offer, Federation Village Werribee has plenty of drawcards for those looking for a lifestyle change. The village presents a peaceful, pristine community on 15 acres, with a list of facilities that will tick all the boxes. The community centre features a cinema, function rooms, kitchen, bar and library, surrounded by an in-ground solar-heated swimming pool, an all season three-rink bowling green and a covered barbecue area. Gardening staff maintain all common areas to ensure the village is “picture perfect”. A dedicated team aims to ensure that choosing a Federation Village Werribee residence for your home means choosing a life with more peace of mind and a happier lifestyle. It’s about the little things in life that have always been important: chatting with neighbours, bumping into friends and celebrating milestones. More for less Well designed homes start from $240,000*. A low maintenance site makes it easy to lock up and go on holidays whenever you like. Living at Federation Village Werribee involves owning your home and leasing the land for a weekly site fee with a Deferred Management Fee applied at a time of exit. The little things count at Federation Village. (Supplied)
Choose lifestyle Downsize from your old home and upgrade to a lifestyle in a beautiful home. Enjoy a little and be stress free. Save time and money Free up equity in your home. Pay no rates, no stamp duty and no body corporate fees.
Security Explore the world while your home will be secure and taken care of. Feel safe in your neighbourhood with on-site management. Gain all the rewards You own your home and if you decide to sell,
you keep 100 per cent of any capital gains. To find out more about living at Federation Villages Werribee call Bernadette Reading on 0414 483 045 or visit www.frv.com.au
*Price for a 1 bedroom home. Indicative price only. House price is based on owning your own home and leasing the land. In some instances, government rent assistance applies. The village operates with a deferred management fee.
STUNNING HOMES FROM
$240,000
*
FREEDOM
NATURE
SECURITY
COMMUNITY
OPEN DAY – SATURDAY 16 JANUARY 10AM – 12PM
Unit 66
Unit 70
Unit 54
Unit 2
*Price for a 1 bedroom home. Indicative price only. House price is based on owning your own home and leasing the land. In some instances, government rent assistance applies. The village operates with a deferred management fee. Important Notice: To ensure the wellbeing of our residents, staff and visitors, Allswell Communities’ are strictly following Covid 19 Management Guidelines, as issued by the governing authorities of Victoria.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL BERNIE ON 0414 483 045 2a Railway Ave, WERRIBEE VIC 3030 | www.frv.com.au 12477570-DL03-21
16 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 13 January, 2021
FEATURING ... HEALTH & LIFESTYLE
Three years of helping patients find their smile As Dental@Hoppers is set to celebrate its third birthday next Monday, the thoughts of principal dentist Dr Sarojani Maskey turn to her Wyndham community, whose “continuous support and love” has been highly valued by the family-owned business. She says she and her team have been very happy to bring their patients a high standard of dentistry – at budget-friendly costs for the past three years, with plans to continue long into the future. “Dental treatment is often viewed as a premium service and considered expensive and out of reach to many people,” Dr Sarojani says. “So we wanted to break those misconceptions by providing quality dental services and care to our patients at an affordable price.” She also notes that their sincere approach to all patients is their specialty. “We aim to not only provide treatment, but also offer comfort and confidence so that our patients are empowered and educated on how to take care of their oral health. I always emphasise preventative dentistry as I strongly believe that most dental diseases are preventable. “We all enjoy seeing the smile of satisfaction on our patients’ faces once we complete their treatment. “We have patients come in with severe pain and being able to relieve that pain for them gives us much satisfaction. “Dental treatment is also associated with the overall aesthetics of someone’s appearance and to be able to cater for those needs and contribute to their smile also gives us joy.”
DENTAL TREATMENTS • Check-ups and cleans • Fillings
• Root canal work • Dentures • Surgical removal of wisdom teeth • Implants • Teeth whitening • Veneers
ABOUT THE TEAM Dr Sarojani Maskey: She has worked in both public and private practices and enjoys all aspects of general dentistry. Her particular interest is in restorative and aesthetic dentistry, as well as minor surgery. Dr Naser Albalbari: A registered specialist as an oral surgeon with an immense interest in oral and jaw surgery, his main practice includes implant dentistry and wisdom teeth surgery. Active in dental education, he is a member of several examiner panels including the Australian Dental Council. Dr Vidhi Ahuja: A dental practitioner for more than eight years, with a masters in endodotics, she has a special interest in root canal work and cosmetic dentistry. Patient education and their comfort and wellbeing are her core missions. Dr Pehal Ranjan: A highly trained professional with years of experience, she is a passionate dentist with a gentle and caring approach. Dr Ranjan is also vitally interested in public health and the promotion of oral health. Top: The Dental@Hoppers team and (below) new dentists Dr Vidhi and Dr Naser. (Pictures: Supplied)
NOTE: All private health funds are accepted, and payment plans are available for eligible patients through MySmilePlan.
Dental@Hoppers, 599 Sayers Road, Hoppers Crossing. Opens 9am-4pm Saturday-Sunday; 9am-5pm Monday-Wednesday; 9am-6pm Thursday-Friday. Inquiries: 8763 2885 or www.dentalathoppers.com.au
IT’S OUR 3RD ANNIVERSARY! Thanks to our community for all your support!
NOW OPEN LATER ON WEEKENDS FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE SATURDAY 9AM - 4PM • SUNDAY 9AM - 4PM
12475665-DL03-21
worth of dental treatment BULK BILLED Ask us for more information.
Emergency dental treatments are available
03 8763 2885 Your Family Dentist
599 Sayers Road Hoppers Crossing 3029 (Corner of Sayers Road & Derrimut Road) reception@dentalathoppers.com.au 17 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 13 January, 2021
PUZZLES No. 011
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.
easy
7 1 9
8 2 5
7 9
3 1 7 4
3 8 1 6
4 5 7 1 8 6 1 3 9 6
2 5 2 6 8 7 medium
1 5 4
9
8
2
Stubborn (10) Unpleasant (7) Consulate (7) Finishes (4) Habitat (11) Wasteful (10) Large bird (7) Infested (7) Nation on the Baltic Sea (7) 23 Book ID (1,1,1,1) 26 Reverb (4) 28 Hotel (3) 6 7 8 11 14 15 18 20 22
ACROSS Achieving (13) Type of fruit (5) Chatty (9) Dry (4) Comprehended (10) Japanese warrior (7) Diverse (6) Pathetic (6) Forest workers (7) Identifying (9) Celebrity (4) Story (9) Pessimist (5) Global (13)
1 9 10 12 13 16 17 19 21 24 25 27 29 30
No. 011
DOWN Element with atomic symbol Ca (7) Possesses (4) Possibly (11) Unwell (3)
2 3 4 5
DECODER
No. 011
3 9 1 4 3 6 1 9 3
8 5 8
QUICK CROSSWORD
6 7 3 9 6
7 2 8 9
7
8 hard
8 3 5
9 2 7 4
1
6 4
2
5
6
7
8
9
10 11 12 13
J 16
15
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
1 4
R
26
O A F V B MW L Q N K Z X 5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
P
Today’s Aim: 20 words: Good 30 words: Very good
N
U
1 8 5 9 2 6 3 4 7
5 4 8 2 6 7 9 1 3
1 9 5 6 2 3 8 7 4
R
2
NOTE: more than one solution may be possible
1980s pop duo Wham! consisted of George Michael (pictured) and who?
3
Which Australian state has the longest land border?
4
According to the nursery rhyme, who called for his fiddlers three?
S
F T E N R O V E A T E R
S
M E N D
9 2 6 8 3 4 7 5 1
7 3 4 1 5 9 2 8 6
5 3 9 8 4 7 6 1 2
8 2 6 9 5 1 3 7 4
1 5 8 2 7 9 4 3 6
6 4 2 1 3 5 7 9 8
7 9 3 4 8 6 1 2 5
2 8 5 3 1 4 9 6 7
9 1 7 5 6 8 2 4 3
3 6 4 7 9 2 5 8 1
6 4 3 1 7 8 2 9 5
8 5 7 9 1 6 3 4 2
3 1 9 5 4 2 6 8 7
2 6 4 3 8 7 5 1 9
4 2 6 8 3 9 7 5 1
9 7 8 2 5 1 4 6 3
5 3 1 7 6 4 9 2 8
18 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 13 January, 2021
Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down.
What are the only three films to have won 11 Academy Awards?
E
7 8 2 4 9 5 1 3 6
S
5 LETTERS ADMIT ADULT ALONE BASIS BASKS BEGUN CROSS DAMPS DREAD DRESS EAVES EDGES EERIE ELOPE ERRED FOAMY
4 LETTERS AIMS ARIA AVOS BASK CHAT CYST EGGS FOES IONS KNEW KNIT LETS NINE PAPA PATE
GOODO GRAFT HASTE IVORY LEAVE LIARS NEEDS OCEAN OILED PIANO SEDAN SEWED SHAPE SLEDS SMEAR SMILE SMITE SMOTE SOBER SPARE STREW
1
No. 011
O T H
8 5 1 6 7 2 4 3 9
N
PUCK TEST WIVE
SUITE SYRUP TACOS TENET UNTIE WHALE YACHT 6 LETTERS LASSES STEEPS 7 LETTERS AERIALS ASTUTER
COWGIRL CRADLED RELYING STEEPER 8 LETTERS OPERATES PREPARES SCANTIER SCRAMMED 10 LETTERS CRITICISED DISGRUNTLE
15-01-21
S T
6 7 9 3 4 1 5 2 8
T
3 LETTERS ALE APE ARE ARM ART CAT DID EAT ELM ERR FOG GET GIN HES ILL KIT LSD MOB PAL PEN RAM REV TEE TIE TWO WAR
No. 011
ghoul, glen, glom, glue, glum, gluon, gulp, helm, help, hole, holm, lemon, loge, lone, long, lope, lough, lounge, loupe, lumen, lump, lung, lunge, melon, mogul, mole, mule, ogle, phenol, phlegm, phloem, plenum, plough, PLOUGHMEN, plug, plum, plume, plunge, pole, pule
2 1 3 5 9 8 6 7 4
V
G
E
E
4 6 2 7 8 3 1 9 5
N
O
R
4 7 1 6 2 3 8 5 9
3 9 7 4 1 5 8 6 2
T
H
L M
Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com
M
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 words ending in “s”.
40 words: Excellent
hard
H
4
medium
R
3
9-LETTER WORD
3
easy
O
2
1 7 9
1
3 9 6
R
4
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
3
5x5
3
8
5 8
2
14
1
1
C GUD S P H Y T E I J R
7
WORDFIT
QUICK QUIZ
5
Which 2000 movie stars Djimon Hounsou, Derek Jacobi and Joaquin Phoenix?
6
The flag of Morocco consists of which two colours?
7
Who wrote the 1993 novel A Suitable Boy?
8
In which Australian state is Cape Le Grand National Park?
9
Which British crime TV series stars David Tennant and Olivia Colman?
10 Where would you find Olympus Mons? ANSWERS: 1. Ben-Hur, Titanic, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King 2. Andrew Ridgeley 3. New South Wales 4. Old King Cole 5. Gladiator 6. Red and green 7. Vikram Seth 8. Western Australia 9. Broadchurch 10. On Mars
SUDOKU
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NAME CHANGE I, Noblepreet Kaur GILL, resident of 34 Bowling Avenue, Point Cook, VIC. 3030 have changed my name to Noble KAUR.
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Hoppers Crossing Pacific Werribee Shopping Centre Heaths Road, Cnr Derrimut Road Hoppers Crossing Wyndham Library Heaths Road, Cnr Derrimut Road (Pacific Werribee Shopping Centre) Hoppers Crossing Werribee Plaza Tavern Heaths Road,(Pacific Werribee Shopping Centre) Hoppers Crossing Coles Supermarket 250 Heaths Road, (Pacific Werribee Shopping Centre) Hoppers Crossing JK Real Estate 203 Heaths Road Hoppers Crossing APCO Service Station 178 Morris Road Hoppers Crossing Hoppers Crossing Shopping Centre 24-48 Old Geelong Road Hoppers Crossing Woodville Park Shopping Centre Shop 20/70 Warringa Drive Hoppers Crossing IGA Plus Liquor Shop 4, 2-6 Deloraine Drive Hoppers Crossing Aqua Pulse Café 82 Derrimut Road Hoppers Crossing Coles Express 260 Derrimut Road (Cnr Hogans Road) Hoppers Crossing Hoppers Crossing Cricket Club Hogans Road - Hogans Road Reserve Hoppers Crossing Super Lotto Newsagency Shop 8/166 Hogans Road (Hogans Corner Shopping Centre) Hoppers Crossing Woolworths Supermarket Corner Hogans Road & Derrimut Road Hoppers Crossing Tigers Club House 70 Old Geelong Road Hoppers Crossing Costas Mitre 10 255-267 Old Geelong Road Manor Lakes Manor Lakes News & Lotto Shop 14, 455 Ballan Road Point Cook Featherbrook Shopping Centre 238 Boardwalk Boulevard Point Cook MICM Property Shop 2, 238 Boardwalk Boulevard Point Cook Wyndham Library Service Unit 1-21 Cheetham Street Point Cook Point Cook Pharmacy Shop 1-11 Dunnings Road Point Cook Jamieson Way Community Centre 59 Jamieson Way Point Cook Direct Chemist Outlet Shop 13, 15 Kenswick Street Point Cook First National Real Estate Shop 427,8 Main Street Point Cook Stockland Point Cook Shopping Centre Murnong Street Point Cook Saltwater Community Centre 153 Saltwater Promenade Point Cook Saltwater Coast Sales Office 261 Saltwater Promenade Point Cook The Brooks 215 Sneydes Road Point Cook Wyn City 36 Wallace Avenue Sanctuary Lakes Sanctuary Lakes Resort 72 Greg Norman Drive Sanctuary Lakes Sanctuary Lakes Shopping Centre 300 Point Cook Road Tarneit BP Service Station 410 Derrimut Road Tarneit Tarneit Central Shopping Centre 540 Derrimut Road Tarneit Brian Mark Real Estate Shop 18, 380 Sayers Road Tarneit Wyndham Village Shopping Centre 380 Sayers Road Tarneit Shell Service Station 380 Sayers Road Tarneit Barry Plant Real Estate Shop 9, 380 Sayers Road
Tarneit Community Centre 150 Sunset Views Boulevard Tarneit Serranos Cafe 747 Tarneit Road ( Tarneit Gardens SC ) Truganina Palm Lakes Resort 7 Taronga Road Truganina Arndell Park Community Centre 29-49 Federation Boulevard Werribee Eagles Stadium Café 35 Ballan Road Werribee Casaccio Egg Farm 170-198 Bulban Road Werribee IGA Supermarket - Werribee 92-94 Cottrell Street Werribee Italian Sports Club 601 Heaths Road Werribee The Womans Hub 236 Hoppers Lane Werribee St Vincent's Private Hospital 240 Hoppers Lane Werribee Wyndham City Council 45 Princes Highway Werribee Werribee Mercy Hospital (Coffee Shop) 300 Princes Highway Werribee Stockdale & Leggo Real Estate 15b/167-179 Shaws Road Werribee SIMS IGA Werribee Village Cnr Shaws & Tarneit Rd Werribee Hocking Stuart Real Estate 34 Station Place Werribee Westwoods First National 1 Synnot Street Werribee Werribee RSL 2A Synnot Street (Kelly Park) Werribee Cellarbrations 52-54 Vincent Crescent Werribee Bendigo Bank 42 Watton Street Werribee P. Di Natale Real Estate 44 Watton Street Werribee Coles Werribee 143 Watton Street Werribee Benlor Real Estate 175A Watton Street Werribee Wyndham Cultural Centre 177 Watton Street Werribee Professional Triwest 6A Watton Street Werribee Barry Plant Real Estate 21 Watton Street Werribee YPA Real Estate 1 Werribee Street Werribee Wyndham Private Medical Centre 242 Hoppers Lane Werribee South 104 Apartments and Housing Estate 50 Catamaran Boulevard Werribee South Werribee South General Store 785 Duncans Road Werribee South LT's Egg Farm 1 K Ave Werribee South Anglers Anchorage Take Away 67 O'Connors Road Williams Landing Williams Landing News, Lotto & Tobacco 100 Overton Road Williams Landing Woolworths 100 Overton Road (Williams Landing Shopping Centre) Wyndham Vale BP Service Station 210 Ballan Road Wyndham Vale Lotto and Newsagency 205 Greens Road (Wyndham Vale Square Shopping Centre) Wyndham Vale IGA Wyndham Vale 50 Honour Avenue Wyndham Vale Iramoo Community Centre 84 Honour Avenue Wyndham Vale Manor Lakes Community Learning Centre 86 Manor Lakes Boulevard Wyndham Vale 7 Eleven Wyndham Vale Corner McGrath Road & Ballan Road
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HOPPERS CROSSING Mature female to rent one furnished BR. $150 per week, no bills. Phone 0424 324 420.
We require experienced drivers for both full time and casual work, based from our depot in Bacchus Marsh supplying quarry materials throughout Melbourne, Western and Northern Metro areas. Working with well-maintained late model Kenworth trucks with 3, 4 and 5 axle dog trailers. Plenty of overtime available and home every night. On the job training will be provided. Immediate start available for the right person. The successful applicant will: • hold a minimum HC licence • have truck and dog tipper experience • have an excellent, safe driving record and can provide a current driver history report • provide references to support excellent work history • be well presented with a neat, clean & tidy appearance • have a good work ethic and positive attitude • pass a pre-employment medical at the company’s request • be able to work Saturday’s • work independently but within a team environment
MC/HC TRUCK DRIVER We are currently seeking HC/MC truck drivers. Container / LCL work MISC Card preferred Contact: Joe / Jane 03 9369 6492
TRUCK DRIVERS MC/HC Based in Laverton. Full time, part time or casual positions available. Local and interstate travel Wages per agreement.
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UPHOLSTERER Molmic Furniture, are a leading manufacturer of Australian Made Furniture. We are looking for an enthusiastic skilled FURNITURE UPHOLSTERER with a strong work ethic and an eye for detail. Molmic offer a great work environment and friendly team. 03 9335 2413 careers@molmic.com.au www.molmic.com.au
We are seeking a fully qualified motor mechanic to assist in our busy workshop. We have excellent working conditions, very clean workshop with state of the art facilities. Competitive salary. No weekends, uniforms supplied. Immediate Start - Maribyrnong.
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SPORTS QUIZ 1. Which Australian was recently named the ICC Female Cricketer of the Decade? 2. Although based in Sydney and Wollongong respectively, the Kings and Hawks will begin the NBL season while relocated in which regional NSW city? 3. The last Australian tennis player to win the Australian Open women’s singles title was Chris O’Neil, in what year? 4. Australia’s national wheelchair rugby team is known by what nickname?
5. Which Australian was recently named the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Decade? 6. What is the surname of brothers Mark, Glen and Gary, all of whom represented Australia in rugby? 7. The last Australian tennis player to win the Australian Open men’s singles title was Mark Edmondson, in what year? 8. Natalie Cook and Kerri Pottharst won the gold medal for which event at the 2000 Summer Olympics? 9. Baseball pitcher Graeme Lloyd became the first Australian to win a World Series title with which team in 1996? 10. How many times did golfer Greg Norman win the Australian Open?
Louise Sauvage
Greg Norman
13. Anneli Maley won the 2020 Leading Rebounder Award (with 12.1 rebounds per game) playing for which WNBL team? 14. Which player holds the record for most career tries scored for Australia’s national rugby union team? 15. Which team has won the most A-League Grand Finals? 16. At the age of 16 years and 4 months, which former tennis professional was the youngest to win the Australian Open women’s singles title? 17. Which team selected Dante Exum with the fifth overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft? 18. What year did Matt Jones become the most recent Australian golfer to win the Australian Open? 19. Which NFL team was former AFL footballer Ben Graham playing for when he became the first Australian to play in a Super Bowl?
20. Australian sport shooter Catherine Skinner won the gold medal for the women’s trap event at which Olympic Games? 21. Who captained India in the final three tests of their cricket series against Australia? 22. What is the nickname of the NBL team based in South East Melbourne? 23. Which state won the 2020 NRL State of Origin series?
26. What is the nickname of the Australian women’s national hockey team? 27. What country did the sport of curling originate in? 28. What colour tennis balls were used at Wimbledon prior to the year 1986? 29. In what year did the first UFC event take place? 30. How many stages are there in the Tour de France race?
24. What city is scheduled to host the 2022 Winter Olympics? 25. Which two AFL teams share the record of winning the most premierships, with 16 wins apiece?
1. Ellyse Perry. 2. Albury. 3. 1978 . 4. Steelers. 5. Steve Smith. 6. Ella. 7. 1976 . 8. Women’s beach volleyball. 9. New York Yankees. 10. Five (1980, 1985, 1987, 1995, 1996). 11. Cameron Smith. 12. 1999 13. Sydney Uni Flames. 14. David Campese. 15. Sydney FC (with five). 16. Martina Hingis. 17. Utah Jazz. 18. 2019 . 19. Arizona Cardinals. 20. 2016 Summer Olympics. 21. Ajinkya Rahane 22. Phoenix 23. Queensland 24. Beijing 25. Essendon and Carlton 26. The Hockeyroos 27. Scotland 28. White 29. 1993 30. 21
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11. Who holds the record for the most Rugby League State Of Origin games played?
12. Champion wheelchair racer Louise Sauvage was awarded Australian Female Athlete of the Year in what year?
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Menadue is revved up at Werribee FEBRUARY 11 Speed machine Connor Menadue is ready to rev up his engines for Werribee in the Victorian Football League. One of the prized recruits of the VFL off-season, Menadue is an exciting addition to the already strong Werribee squad that has designs of going all the way in 2020. Taking the step back from the AFL, where he was a part of a glorious period with Richmond for the past five years, Menadue has found it to be a welcoming environment at Werribee, which has helped with his transition. The 23-year-old former Spotswood and Western Jets junior is back to where it all began playing football in the western suburbs. Even in his short time with Werribee, Menadue can see some parallels between his new club and Richmond. One of the strengths of Richmond was its camaraderie from top to bottom and Menadue can sense a similar togetherness among
the Werribee team. “My whole five years at Richmond were just unreal,” he said. “I got to live my dream and I’ve got some mates for life. “Just to be involved with two AFL premierships and last year with the VFL premiership, it was an unreal experience and I’ll never forget my time over there. “There were no groups, everyone just got along and played for each other. That’s actually what I’ve seen a lot of at Werribee, which is really exciting, the same sort of strong culture and playing for each other.” Menadue is highly rated for his breakneck speed and skill. A versatile player, he can be used in a number of positions, but has mainly played as a half back flanker or wingman. He is champing at the bit for the VFL practice matches to begin to see where he will fit into the mix. “We haven’t really done any real match simulation yet, so it’s hard to know the positioning of all the players,” Menadue said.
“I’d say I’ll be a half back and hopefully go through the middle, but Choco [Werribee coach Mark Williams] might have other ideas, so we’ll have to wait and see.” One of the main attractions for Menadue was reuniting with Williams, who was an assistant coach during his time at Richmond. Menadue felt comfortable under the tutelage of Williams and believes the AFL premiership coach can help him improve to the point where he can make a return to the AFL system. “He’s a great coach,” Menadue said. “He just wants to get the most out of you and whatever is best for you, he’ll do for you.” Above all, Menadue can see a Werribee team that is going places. He wants to be part of a successful VFL side and believes Werribee is on the right trajectory. “They had a really strong year last year,” Menadue said. “I want to be playing finals in a really good team and they’re showing in their training and with their results last year that that’s what they are.”
Aces clinch first title FEBRUARY 11 The title drought is over for the Melbourne Aces. For the first time in franchise history, the Aces stand on top of the mountain as the Australian Baseball League champions. The Claxton Shield will return to Victoria for a record-extending 23rd time. Victory was achieved with a 2-0 championship series sweep over Adelaide Giants. It was a wild series at times. It literally nearly came to blows between the two sets of players at one point. Cooler heads prevailed and it will best be remembered for excellence on the diamond. In his acceptance speech, Aces manager Jon Deeble acknowledged the opposition and how hard they made his side work to get their hands on the famous shield. “Every time we played you, you battled your arses off,” Deeble said. “You’re a really tough team to beat. “We were
still panicking in the ninth inning [of game two]. “You guys never give up. “You’ve got a young team, we’ve been on that other side a couple of years ago and we know it hurts, but you guys have got an outstanding team.” The scene was set for a tasty series in a fiery game one in Melbourne on Friday night. It was a game that had it all: a streaker, a bench clearing altercation and a walk-off run. The Aces prevailed 4-3 in a tight and tense game at the Melbourne Ballpark. Allan de San Miguel, featuring in his last series for the Aces before retiring to local baseball, blasted the ball to left field for the game tying run in the ninth. Shane Robinson then stepped up and threaded the eye of a needle between the Giants third baseman and the foul line to drive in the Aces winning run. It was just one of many significant moments produced by Robinson, who was adjudged the
most valuable player of the ABL Championship Series. Robinson went 5-for-10 in the series with three RBIs and a home run. Darin Downs did a power of work as the Aces starting pitcher in game one, going six innings with seven strikeouts. While they had the upper hand in the series, Melbourne Aces had to clinch the title the hard way, on enemy soil in Adelaide. Once the Melbourne Aces took the lead in the third inning, there was no turning back. The red hot Aces led all the way for a 6-2 game two win to take the series. The Aces bats caught fire between the third and fifth innings, piling on six runs in that time. Robinson and Delmon Young went big for the Aces with home runs. Four Aces – Robinson, Young, de San Miguel and Nate Samson – picked up two hits each. Wes Helsabeck did the bulk of the work on the mound for the Aces, throwing 7.2 innings, giving up just two runs, both home runs.
Vasiljevic returns home OCTOBER 12 Dejan Vasiljevic hadn’t planned on returning home to Australia to play basketball after finishing college. Having had a successful four years at University of Miami, he was keen to test himself in the NBA summer league and try and earn a spot on an NBA squad. But COVID-19 changed all of that. With so much uncertainty in the world and basketball, Vasiljevic decided to head home to Australia. Despite growing up in Tarneit in Melbourne’s western suburbs, Vasiljevic signed with the Sydney Kings for the National Basketball League season which is scheduled to start in the new year. Vasiljevic said knowing that the NBL would go ahead was the major reason behind his change of plans. “They said the Australian league would go forward and there’s been very little cases in Australia,” he said. “I think the certainty of being able to play and having a job was a key. “If the whole corona thing didn’t happen, I wouldn’t have come back to the NBL. “I think I would have had a good shot making a summer league team, there was a high level of interest.” The 23-year-old looked at other NBL clubs, including the two Melbourne teams, but said it was the Kings where he thought would be best for his career. The Kings were runners-up last season. He signed a three-year deal. “I’m really close with assistant coach Adam Forde,” he said. “He’s done a lot for me in the past at the university games and I’ve been speaking a lot to him. “Will Weaver [Kings coach] is a great coach and coached in the NBA and G-League and I just felt comfortable there and they do a great job of player development. “I wanted to do what was best for me and I needed development and needed to play and I think going to the Sydney Kings was the right choice.” Vasiljevic arrived back in Australia from America six weeks ago. He spent the first two weeks in quarantine, which he said wasn’t too bad. Due to restrictions, he’s yet to see his family. “It’s good to be back,” he said. “Not being able to see my mum and dad and my sister it kind of sucks and my girlfriend is still over in America and so I’m kind of missing everyone. “The last four years I’ve only come home for one month of the year.” Vasiljevic returns to Australia having had a successful university career. The renowned three-point shooter averaged nearly 10 points and three rebounds a game. He captained the side for three years. 23 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 13 January, 2021