Star Weekly - Hobsons Bay Maribyrnong - 26th January 2022

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Trapped in COVID hell By Tara Murray

Peter Thomson has been in and out of hospital since getting COVID-19. (Damjan Janevski) 229489

and were way behind in research compared to countries like England. “The government doesn’t seem to care,’’ he said. “It’s in the too hard basket and it gets me down and makes me angry. There’s a lot of other people who are feeling the same. “More people are going to be diagnosed and

have long-term effects. But there’s nothing for them.” Peter had tried to set up a support group for long-term sufferers, but had little success. He has found one group on socil media, which has been useful. “It’s pretty much the only place that I have been able to find,” he said.

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“It’s wonderful but one group isn’t enough. It’s sad that I get the most comfort from a Facebook group.” While struggling with his own symptoms, Peter has a clear message for anybody who thinks COVID-19 is nothing but a mild illness. “It’s not a walk in the park,” he said. “Believe me. I say that with tears in my eyes.”

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Peter Thomson is a shell of his former self. Having contracted COVID-19 in August 2020, the western suburbs resident’s life has been turned upside down. He spent months in hospital and feared at one point he would die after being put in a coma and on a ventilator. While Peter was released from hospital in March, he has found himself readmitted on a regular basis due to the ongoing effects of COVID. The virus has also made some of his existing medical conditions worse. One hospital admission came after a reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine and he’s been told not to have a second dose, meaning he’s not fully vaccinated. That throws up more challenges. “I came home from the hospital at the end of March after seven and half months in the hospital,” he said. “I’ve got fatigue. My short-term memory is deplorable. I’m still getting headaches, I had never had headaches before. “I’m pretty much living on painkillers. I’m in and out of hospital, what sort of life is that?” Peter said the last 17 months had been a mixture of emotions. He said it has been a never ending cycle of going between home and hospital. His most recent admittance in January was for breathing and lung problems. The fear of what lies ahead scares the hell out of him. With rising incidents of people getting COVID-19 for a second time, he fears what will happen to him if he gets it again. “I was told to get the vaccine and I had the first dose and was back in the hospital for nine days and had a really severe reaction. “The doctor said the first one put me in hospital for nine days, the second one could kill me. I have an exemption but that runs out this week, I don’t know if they’ll give me another one. “I’m frightened to go out of the house. I’ve said that if I get it again there’s a fair chance they’ll be signing my death certificate. “I’m scared.” And then there’s the anger about the lack of support for long-term COVID sufferers. He said governments had done nothing

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2 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 26 January, 2022

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Five honoured on Australia Day Five residents in Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay have been awarded medals of the Order of Australia for their commitment and dedication to the areas of sport, music, broadcast radio and sonography. Molly Magennis reports.

New accolade for sport champions Two residents from Williamstown and Kingsville have been made awarded medals of the Order of Australia for their service to sport. Rosemary Popa is an Olympic gold medallist, having competed in the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020, where she won a rowing gold medal in the Women’s Coxless Four event. Popa achieved success throughout her rowing career in the build up to her Olympic achievement, including taking home a silver medal at the World Rowing Championships in 2019 for the Women’s Eight event. She is also the founder of ‘Rosemary Local’, an online store that she created in September 202 while she was training full time on the rowing team. The store supports local creatives by selling their products and helping with the logistics of running a small business. Williamstown’s Anthony Dodemaide was recognised for his service to sports administration and cricket. Dodemaide played 10 Test matches and 24 One Day Internationals for Australia from 1987-1993, and also played 150 matches for Footscray Cricket Club during the 1980s and 1990s. Dodemaide has also been involved with Cricket Victoria, having been the Chief executive from 2007-2018. Since 2019, he has been the general manager of Hockey 1 League for Hockey Australia.

Rosemary Popa OAM (second from left) with her gold medal winning teammates, Lucy Stephan, Jessica Morrison and Annabelle McIntyre celebrate after winning gold in the Women’s Four Rowing final at the Tokyo Olympic Games in July. (AAP Image/Mike Egerton)

Honour for Kingsville radio veteran Radio veteran and Kingsville resident Billy Pinnell has been awarded a medal of the Order of Australia for his service to radio broadcast media. Mr Pinnell has been on the radio since the ‘80’s, talking all things music on The Album Show and Blast From the Past on 3AW. The broadcaster is also a freelance music writer and has been a mentor to musicians and performers over the span of many years. The first job Mr Pinnell had was at a radio station when he was 14 years old. “This is why this award is very much appreciated, because I honour the music that’s given me so many wonderful opportunities in my life, the people I meet, just the joy of listening to live music and to recorded music, they’re things that I really cherish,” he said. While he’s grateful for the recognition, the broadcaster said this opportunity allows him to give back to the community he loves,

by spreading awareness of the hardships musicians are currently facing due to COVID. “It gives me an opportunity now [to highlight] the urgent need of support for the arts in general, but because it’s my area, for music, for venues owners, for musicians who are going through a really, really tough period at the moment, lots of times without any sort of support,” he said. “I’ve always thought music has been like a medicine, and [with] what’s currently going on around us we need that medicine even more and more now.” Mr Pinnell said the way to support musicians right now is buy their music online, and when it’s safe to do so, go out to venues and see local acts. “The average person can help by becoming aware of places where they can go and watch live music. There’s still plenty of places that are still available that have people come in.”

Dedication to music recognised West Footscray’s Edward Perati has been awarded a medal of the Order of Australia for his service to the community through music. Mr Perati’s passion and commitment to music is clear, having been a member of the Western Region Concert Band since 1978, a life member since 2004, and now the president. He is also involved in SingWest, and sits on the choir’s sub-committee. The talented clarinet player said he was chuffed to be awarded the honour. Mr Perati said he loves the sense of camaraderie the Western Region Concert Band elicits, as well as the volunteering aspect the band presents. “I came in as a member of the band and then as happens when you become embroiled in a thing that you really believe in … you end up becoming a membership officer and president and then all of a sudden you’re part of the whole establishment and its purposes and goals,” he said. “There are many, many volunteer organisations in our country which are all really important. Ours is life saving in the sense that it gives other people a purpose within music, because otherwise, and that’s the reason our band was formed in 1977.” As for why Mr Perati is so passionate about music, he said the simple answer: It’s just a part of who he is. His deep passion for the subject and longing to know more even led him to doing a music degree. “It’s really hard to say why [I love music so much], I don’t know, probably just the way I’m wired,” he said. “To be able to get some 30 or more people together to work on the one piece of music, and all be on the same page as far as the goal and the aim of being able to perform that piece of music……it is something that you just can’t get in any other aspect of life.”

Billy Pinnell. (Supplied)

Faye is grateful for the recognition Faye Temple, who hails from Seaholme, has been awarded a medal of the Order of the of Australia for her dedicated service to sonography. Ms Temple has had an extensive career as a sonographer, which is someone who performs ultrasounds. She was the sonographer in charge at St Vincent’s Hospital from 20022019 and was the president of the Australasian Sonographers Associations from 2010- 2013. In 2012, she was awarded Professional of the Year by Professions Australia. She currently lectures at RMIT and Monash University, spreading her knowledge and wisdom with upcoming sonographers. During her career, one of the things Ms Temple was and still is extremely passionate about is maintaining a high standard of

Faye Temple OAM.

ultrasounds. “Ultrasounds are something that’s really easy to do badly and it’s quite hard to do well, and the patient who comes in to have an ultrasound doesn’t know whether it’s been done badly or well,” she said. “So I’m very enthusiastic about maintaining

the standards of ultrasounds that are done, it makes a very big difference to people.” “Unlike other procedures in the medical system, ultrasounds depend on the person doing the ultrasound to see the pathology and document it properly and look at appropriate things, whereas others produce a picture and the doctor interprets it. “So it’s very important for us to do it very well.” The retired sonographer said the amount of times an ultrasound is performed incorrectly “happens way too often for my liking.” Despite this, Ms Temple said she is grateful for her long and rewarding career. “I just consider myself very fortunate to have had a very challenging and satisfying career while I was working. It was great.”

Edward Perati.

(Supplied)

Wednesday, 26 January, 2022 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 3

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Plastic recycling plant planned By Molly Magennis A new PET plastic recycling facility will be built in Altona North, with the facility set to be the largest of its kind in Victoria once completed.

The new facility is a result of a partnership between Pact Group, Cleanaway, Asahi Beverages and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), and will drive a significant increase in the state’s PET recycling capacity. The plant will be built on Horsburgh Drive, with construction set to start early this year

and finish in 2023. The project will cost around $50 million, and is expected to create more than 100 local jobs during the construction phase and 45 permanent roles once it’s complete. Each facility will be capable of processing the equivalent of around one billion plastic bottles, to be collected through Container Deposit Schemes and kerbside recycling each year. This will be converted into more than 20,000 tonnes of recycled PET bottles and food packaging by each facility. Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley

and Victorian Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister Lily D’Ambrosio announced $6 million dollars would go towards the project. Ms D’Ambrosio said the money will help boost local jobs and increase the state’s recycling capacity. “Funding and facilitating projects like this will help Victoria reach our goal of diverting 80 per cent of waste sent to landfill by 2030, improving our circular economy and tackling climate change.” Cleanaway chief executive and managing

director Mark Schubert said the facility was a big step towards Victoria creating its own ‘domestic circular economy’. “Cleanaway is excited to be part of providing customers access to high circularity infrastructure as we work towards making a sustainable future possible together.” The new facility will be the second PET recycling plant to be built by the joint partnership, following the construction of a similar plant in Albury-Wodonga which will be fully operational next month.

Sails grace the bay to kick off 2022 festival The 2022 Festival of Sails kicked off on January 22, with the Passage Race from Melbourne to Geelong departing from Williamstown. More than 200 boats departed from Williamstown at 9.30am, beginning their 32 nautical mile passage race, the official curtain raiser to the 2022 Festival of Sails. The opening Passage Race fleet consisted of boats of all shapes and sizes, including Grand Prix racing yachts, cruiser/racer keelboats, multihulls, classic yachts, and trailer sailers. At the end of the four hour battle, it was Geelong-based yacht ‘Extasea’ skippered by Paul Bucholz who took out the top prize, followed closely by Queensland-based ‘Maritimo’ and Melbourne-based R33 ‘Chutzpah’. Winner Paul Bucholz said having won a

hometown race with a hometown boat was sensational. “I’ve been sailing this race for the last 30 years and it’s getting better and better every year. Love this event.” Festival chair Roger Bennett said Saturday’s race was is in perfect conditions and was a great way to welcome back sailors to the iconic event which had been heavily impacted by COVID restrictions over the past two years. “It’s even better that we also get to celebrate the win of one of our long-standing club members, so a huge congratulations to the Extasea crew,” he said. Molly Magennis 200 boats departed from Williamstown on a 32 nautical mile race to Geelong. (Salty Dingo)

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4 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 26 January, 2022

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Hospitals move to code brown By Molly Magennis With a pandemic code brown implemented across all metro and major regional hospitals last week, Western Health has assured patients it is well prepared. The Victorian government announced the code brown on January 18, amid staff shortages and increased COVID hospitalisations due to the spread of Omicron. In a statement, Western Health said it did not anticipate major changes to the delivery of key services. “The Pandemic Code Brown is intended to ease the burden on health services by

streamlining emergency management systems when there is an influx of patients over a short period of time,” the statement said. “We’d like to take this opportunity to reassure our patients and the wider community that while Omicron has presented challenges, Western Health is well prepared and we are monitoring the situation closely so we can respond as needed. “We would like to thank our staff for the ongoing support and agility they have shown over such an extended period of time and continuing to provide the best possible care to our patients and the community.” The pandemic code brown is expected to

last four to six weeks, with health officials monitoring the situation to determine when it’s safe to begin winding down precautions. Acting health minister James Merlino said code brown was the best way to ensure hospitals can continue to safely care for people in need. “Our health services will have to make some hard decisions over the next few weeks to manage increasing demand and I thank every single one of them for making the tough calls necessary to help as many Victorians as they can.” Sunshine Hospital, St Albans.

(Damjan Janevski)

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A day for young and old With the weather scheduled to be hot and humid on Wednesday, many may choose to spend Australia Day cooling off at Altona or Williamstown beach. Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay councils are holding citizenship and Citizen of the Year ceremonies on Wednesday, but will not formerly mark Australia Day. Maribyrnong will lower the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags to acknowledge the suffering experienced by Australia’s Indigenous population. The Rotary Club of Altona City will be holding a small event at Central Square Shopping Centre. The event will start from 10am and conclude at 2pm, and there will be a Rotary showcase of local youth and community projects as well as 50 coffee vouchers for teachers in the west who worked during the pandemic.

The Williamstown Bowling Club will also be running its annual Australia Day tournament for members and other bowlers from the area, with Williamstown MP Melissa Horne making an appearance to help present prizes at the end of the event.

Maverick, eight- months-old, will be enjoying his first Australia Day this year.

(Damjan Janevski) 265467

A single ember can spread bushfires as far as 30km. Burning embers from bushfires can travel up to 30km, starting new fires in seconds, destroying homes and making escape impossible. If the Fire Danger Rating is ever extreme or above, don’t hesitate. Leave early.

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Chúc mừng năm mới, Happy New Year to everyone who helped welcome in the Lunar New Year in Footscray. It was a great event which celebrated the Year of the Tiger and so pleasing to see our community coming together respectfully in a COVIDsafe way. Though we may be out of lockdown, there are still restrictions in place to create a safer environment for all of our community. Please don’t forget to wear your mask, check-in using the QR code and show your proof of vax where required. We are all in this together. Another important step is getting your booster shot when eligible to do so. There are many GPs and pharmacies locally that are available to administer this. I would also like to thank the community who have been supporting their loved-ones who have been in isolation with COVID in the last month with care packages and deliveries. It has been heart-warming to see the community spirit shine through. A reminder that there is also help available if you don’t have anyone close to lean on. Council’s Community Strengthening team can provide information, referral to local emergency relief and wellbeing services, food relief in the form of grocery vouchers and some material aid. To get in touch with the team please call 9688 0434 or email Community. Strengthening@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au Last week we hosted a public forum ‘Medicinal Cannabis a Maribyrnong enterprise?’ in both Vietnamese and English, with the support of Vietnamese Community

Briefs Hunt for stolen Mercedes-Benz Hobsons Bay Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating a burglary at a home in Williamstown on January 15, during which a Mercedes-Benz was stolen. Police have released CCTV footage of the incident, in which three people can be seen walking onto a Pasco Street property and attempting to open a garage roller door about 11pm. The group left shortly after and returned about 11.30pm in a white Toyota Hilux van with the registration plate covered. One person gained access to the garage and reversed the home-owner’s Mercedes Benz C63 through the garage door and drove off, police said.

Phone scam warning

Cr Cuc Lam

in Australia – Victoria Chapter, and the Footscray Asian Business Association. The forum created an opportunity for locals to discuss and ask questions around council’s proposal to establish a medicinal cannabis business to reduce the burden on ratepayers. We want to understand the level of community support before deciding whether to proceed to a feasibility study and risk assessment. There is still time to share your thoughts over at YourCityYourVoice.com.au

Maribyrnong council is warning residents to be careful of scam callers pretending to represent the council. In a Facebook post, the council said the scammers are advising people that they’re undertaking a survey about the population of Victoria, with the callers then going on to ask for personal information. Council said people should not disclose this information, and advised residents that they do not generally undertake phone surveys, with the exception of the Annual Community Satisfaction Survey (not scheduled until towards the end of 2022). FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Maribyrnong & Hobsons Bay Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

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Champion for women A Williamstown woman who has received an Australia Day honour for significant service to women with ovarian cancer has recalled her own diagnosis, which brought heartbreak but also gratitude. Paula Benson, who formerly chaired Ovarian Cancer Australia, has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.

‘‘

still so much more to do and we can’t rest until it’s done - Paula Benson

’’

“She sent me straight off that morning for a transvaginal ultrasound and she got me in to see a gynaecological oncologist that night and I had the surgery the next week. “No one thought that I would have ovarian cancer because I was young, I was 34 – largely, it’s women in their 50s, 60s, 70s who are diagnosed – and I have no history of ovarian or breast cancer in my family. “So, no one suspected that it could be ovarian cancer; they could see that I had a large cyst attached to one of my ovaries and that the ovary was damaged and that the cyst and the ovary would need to be removed. “When I woke up, my gyne-oncologist told me that she was very sorry but she’d found ovarian cancer and had to undertake a radical hysterectomy. “It was very shocking for a young woman to have that experience but I know my cancer was diagnosed early, it hadn’t spread and I know how lucky I am.” Ms Benson said she knew her story was not typical for most women with ovarian cancer, which prompted her to offer her services to Ovarian Cancer Australia in 2006. The same year, she and spouse Stephen Conroy, a former Labor senator, had baby girl 12459042-CG36-20

Paula Benson. (Joe Mastroianni). 226296_02

Isabella with the help of a surrogate mother and a separate egg donor. “I do have a beautiful daughter,” Ms Benson said. “She’s 14 now. “I was very fortunate. One of my girlfriends donated eggs and another girlfriend carried her for me, so I’m very lucky to be a mum.” On learning of her Australia Day recognition, Ms Benson said she hoped it would raise more awareness of ovarian cancer. “When I first found out about it I felt quite

emotional really thinking about everything that we at Ovarian Cancer Australia have achieved over the past decade,” she said. “But I was just reflecting today, the same week that I found out about potentially receiving the award, I heard about another friend of mine who’s just been diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer and it was very grounding. “We’ve achieved so much, we’ve done so much and I’m so proud of that but there is still so much more to do and we can’t rest until it’s

done.” Ovarian Cancer Australia said under Ms Benson’s stewardship the organisation had achieved significant milestones, including developing and implementing Australia’s first national action plan for ovarian cancer research, securing $3 million federal funding for the Traceback ovarian cancer prevention program and the commitment of $20 million for ovarian cancer research from the federal government’s Medical Research Future Fund.

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By Goya Dmytryshchak

A Williamstown woman who has received an Australia Day honour for significant service to women with ovarian cancer has recalled her own diagnosis, which brought heartbreak but also gratitude. Paula Benson, who formerly chaired Ovarian Cancer Australia, has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 34 in 2003. “I know I am one of the very lucky ones because my GP did all the right things for me,” Ms Benson said. “When I went to her, I had this unexplained abdominal bloating, changes in my urinary and bowel habits and I felt really full after eating not very much.

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6 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 26 January, 2022

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Arts funding a welcome relief By Molly Magennis Footscray Community Arts Centre will receive over $1.5 million in funding thanks to the Victorian government as a part of its Creative State 2025 strategy. The arts centre is among 113 other creative organisations that will share more than $85 million in funding, aimed at helping them plan ahead and continue to create art, experiences and festivals for people to enjoy.

Footscray Community Arts artistic director and co-chief executive Daniel Santangeli said the funding had come at a really important time, not only for themselves but the entire arts sector. “We’re in a really challenging phase of the pandemic for our industry,” he said. “At the moment we’re, you know, having to reschedule and cancel events, we’re not able to properly support casual staff because there’s no events for them to work on because

we’re canceling them. “The timing of the funding gives a sense of security and knowing that we’re able to plan, we can take artistic risks and we can continue to support our staff.” Santangeli said the start to 2022 so far has been challenging. “Last year, when we all signed off for the holidays, there was a lot of optimism about the beginning of the year, we had a really great program over January and February,” he said.

“But just with artists contracting the virus, and also a lot of hesitancy…people aren’t buying tickets at the moment. “Omicron has definitely brought a cloud over the year for us and I think that’s particularly why this funding is so important to us because it just gives us certainty and stability.” Other organisations in the west set to receive funding include Snuff Puppets, The Substation, Women’s Circus Limited, tilde and Na Djinang Circus.

Promoting cycling and sustainability in the west BikeWest will be taking part in a bike tour around Maribyrnong as a part of the National Sustainability Festival. Kicking off on Sunday, February 6, the bike tour will start from Footscray Town Hall and make stops at local environmental initiatives in the City of Maribyrnong. BikeWest community liaison and event co-ordinator Elena Pereyra said the group thought the bike tour would be a good opportunity to get the word out about cycling in the inner west and the local sustainability initiatives happening in the area. “Particularly because the council is about to launch their draft climate emergency action plan,” she said. “It’s a bit of an opportunity to highlight some of the good things that are already happening, but also, you know, all of the areas where we can obviously improve.” Some of the local initiatives the bike tour will visit will be the Hansen Reserve junior skills track, the Quarry Park Mountain Bike Trails and the Community Bike Hub.

Ms Pereyra said cycling has many invaluable benefits apart from just being a sustainable form of transport. “It’s just as relevant from a localized economic perspective, as it is to physical and mental health, for learning and work concentration and productivity.” Details: http://www.slf.org.au/event/ westside-bike-tour/ Molly Magennis

BikeWest president John Symons, Elena Pereyra and other members of the group will take part in the Westside bike tour on February 6. (Supplied)

Williamstown High School Congratulations to the students from the class of 2021 on achieving outstanding VCE results. School Dux: Julian McIntyre (99.95) 35 students achieved a 90+ ATAR: Julian McIntyre Sara Coladonato Tamas Simonds Jacob Faranda Dion Boyle Caitlin Munro Elena Turner Madeleine Harrison-Shore Dan Presley Laura Tuttobene Nazariy Suberliak Andrew King

Bjorn Boukamp Cole Webb Ruby Glynn Samiha Haider Jessica Wedding Lily Shaw Jade Pedler Cameron Palin Michael Campelj Alyssa Macris Alisha Kattar Khanh Duy Nguyen

Fatima Amreen Meg McClelland Liam Berryman Ciara Wilson Damian Iosifidis Ethan Rankin Lorimer Humphries Emma Greilach Leah Tamvakis Oscar Lidgerwood Max Nguyen

92 students achieved 40+ Study Scores.

Bayview Campus (Years 7 to 9) Bayview Street Williamstown 3016 Phone: 9399 9228 www.willihigh.vic.edu.au

3 students achieved a perfect score of 50 in an individual subject: Music Investigation: Julian McIntyre English: Caitlin Munro & Michael Campelj

School Council, Principals and staff at Williamstown High School wish all our 2021 graduates well in their future studies and careers.

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Pasco Campus (Years 10 to VCE) Pasco Street Williamstown 3016 Phone: 9397 1899

Wednesday, 26 January, 2022 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 7

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Online help for the terminally ill By Christopher Carter, CEO, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network It’s the news nobody wants to hear: your condition is terminal. Sadly, though, it is a message delivered by doctors to scores of people in our region every day. Causes of death vary, and weeks, months, even years may pass, but everyone who receives an end-of-life diagnosis shares one common experience: the world suddenly becomes complicated. There are difficult conversations that need to be had with friends, family and medical professionals. Plans for the final days have to be made, decisions enacted to cover the time when decision-making may not be possible. The house might need to be modified. Carers and other helpers might need to be found and engaged. Will mobility aids be required? Are there support groups? Where are the funds to come from? And – most importantly – where are all these answers to be found? It seems a particularly cruel twist of fate that life becomes more difficult as a result of discovering that it’s coming to an end. In conjunction with experts in ageing and chronic disease, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network has created Australia’s first website directory and resource collection designed for people who have received an end-of-life diagnosis, their friends, family and those who care for them. Called Lately, the website which launched this month, features a series of easy-to-understand questions and conversation-starters designed to start important discussions about the dying process. These include How do I tell people I’mdying?,Who do I need around me at the end of my life?, and How do I find services for

Lately is a new website for people who have received an end-of-life diagnosis.

LGBTIQ people?. There is information, too, on the how and why of advanced care planning – the process of formalising wishes about end-of-life treatments, religious rituals, funeral arrangements and related matters. This is particularly important. People naturally don’t like to talk about the death of loved ones, so all too often these crucial decisions don’t arise until the person concerned enters their final hours. Sometimes

(iStock)

this results in family arguments, anxiety and stress, adding misery to what is already a difficult time. The advice and information on Lately were contributed and reviewed by experts, but advice can be of limited value if there is no opportunity to act on it. For this reason, the site also contains an extensive and growing database of service providers – organisations and businesses in our region which deliver a very wide range of

help. These include disease-specific support groups, counsellors, dementia assistance, mobility aid hire, financial planning, home care, mental health support, spiritual guidance, veteran assistance and much more. Access to Lately is free, as are many of the services listed. It can be found atlately.org.au . Nobody wants to receive the awful news – but now, perhaps, the aftermath can be a little less challenging.

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3 St Albans Road, ST. ALBANS

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12530658-JC03-22

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Wednesday, 26 January, 2022 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 9

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR WANT YOUR EVENT LISTED? Community Calendar is made available free of charge to not-for-profit organisations to keep the public informed of special events and activities. Send item details to Star Weekly Community Calendar, Corner Thomsons Road and Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park, 3042, or email to westeditorial@starweekly.com.au by 9am Wednesday the week prior to publication

meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at Altona Sports Club. Includes a speaker, organised trips and outings, and a friendly atmosphere. ■ Lesley, 0414 481 442

Charity golf day The Altona City Rotary Club will be holding its 20th Annual Charity Golf Day on February 25. Vey Special Kids will be the Major beneficiary. ■ 0412257723 or charles.montebello@bigpond.com

Rotary club Rotary Club of Point Gellibrand meets at Customs House Hotel, 161 Nelson Place, Williamstown, on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 6pm for a 6.30pm dinner meeting. Visitors welcome. ■ Pam, 0418 347 691 or rotarypointgellibrand@gmail.com

Anzac day at Newport RSL Newport RSL Sub-branch is looking for expressions of interest from community groups who wish to participate in the 2022 Anzac Day Commemoration Services. They seek expressions of interest from groups such as choral groups or technical groups (eg. with the ability to portray laser images to buildings) to enhance the event. Williamstown is set to have an Anzac Day Dawn Service from 5.30am and Newport is set to host an Anzac Day Commemoration service from 1pm. ■ newportrsl@gmail.com

homegrown produce and food vendors. There will also be live music. The market takes place from 10am-4pm. ■ https://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/ Community/Whats-On/WilliamstownCraft-Market

Knitting Group

Conversation Cafe

Anyone is welcome to come along to Yarraville or Footscray library for a weekly knitting group. Registrations are recommended via Eventbrite. ■ https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/ library/Events/Knitting-Group

The Conversation Cafe is back on at Footscray and Braybrook Library! It gives people the chance to meet new people and practice English conversation skills in a relaxed and friendly environment. ■ https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/ library/Events/Conversation-Cafe

Photographer’s choice picture this week is of Sarah Harvey from the Cafe 500 at the Melton airfield and Goat. (Damjan Janevski) 264901

Williamstown Craft Market Commonwealth Reserve comes alive on the third Sunday of the month with the Williamstown Craft Market. The market boasts over 50 stalls showcasing everything from handmade craft,

Diabetes support group The Westgate diabetes support group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at the Altona Bowling Club at 10am. ■ Elaine, 0415 030 996

Mouth organ band

Heritage walks Enjoy a leisurely two-hour walk around historic Williamstown and nearby suburbs with guide John. Walks start at 9.20am each Tuesday outside the Visitor Information Centre in Nelson Place. ■ John, 0418 377 336

Musicians welcome Do you play trumpet, flute or lower brass instruments? The Hobsons Bay City Band is seeking musicians to join its community band. Rehearsals are held Mondays from 7.30pm at the Newport Lakes Primary School, Elizabeth Street, Newport. ■ Roger Lewis, hbcityband@gmail.com, or www.hbcb.org.au

Altona North combined probus The Altona North combined probus club

The Yarraville Mouth Organ Band meets Friday evenings at 203 Williamstown Road, Yarraville. Great music, friendly atmosphere. New members, players or beginners welcome. ■ Heather, 9399 2190

Singing group Join the Melton South Community Singers at the Melton South Community Centre on the first and third Tuesday of each month. ■ Sue, 0400 082 413

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

Up to

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*Call for Terms & Conditions ADJUSTABLE MASSAGE BED by

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Wednesday, 26 January, 2022 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 11

BEHIND THE NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

A Space is Held

The Demographic Dance OFF and Face to Face

Bottom by Willy Hudson

The Shy Manifesto by Michael Ross

Midsumma returns to the west Midsumma Festival kicks off in Melbourne’s west this week with a packed program. The premier queer arts and cultural festival will continue through to February. Sarah Oliver looks at some of the must-see events. 4Play & First Nations Drag Join three of Naarm’s finest First Nations drag artists for a night of camp chaos, fierce fantasy and sparkly sass. Miss First Nations 2021 Cerulean will rain excitement, Mora Money gives us their best sugar baby fantasy and Ms Carmel Latte is simply not your regular caffeinated beverage. Friday, January 28, 8pm at Pride of our Footscray Community Bar A Space is Held A series of performance artworks presented live by multidisciplinary artists. The direct nature of performance will elevate ideas of queer bodies, displacement and anticolonialism to a common knowledge better understood by many. Saturday, January 29, 4-6pm at Bluestone Church Arts Space Bottom by Willy Hudson Locked in his bathroom during a tragic third date, Willy asks: are you a Top or a Bottom? Join Willy for a queer coming-of-age remix, as he questions if ‘bottom’ in the bedroom means ‘bottom’ in life – and whether Beyonce can help put his love on top. February 1-5, 9.30pm at Bluestone Church Arts Space The Demographic Dance OFF and Face to Face The Demographic Dance OFF invite you to respond to their unique stories in a two-part interlaced live show additional and pre-recorded video. ‘Face to Face’ offers a relaxed performance inside of an interactive sensory friendly show. This show will have traditional methods of access accompanying the interactive Creative Access. Saturday, February 12, 12.15pm, 1.15pm and 2.15pm at Footscray Community Arts Centre – Basement The Shy Manifesto by Michael Ross Seventeen-year-old Callum is proud to be shy and he thinks you should be too – because what this noisy, crazy world needs right now is a bit more self-restraint. He will address an audience of radical shy comrades and incite the meek to finally rise up and inherit the earth. February 1-5, 6.30pm at Bluestone Church Arts Space Benched by Jamila Main Actor and award-winning playwright Jamila Main invites you to join them on the bench for an intimate moment of rumination on athleticism within a body whose access needs subvert the assumed binary of disability. This is one-on-one theatre that is joyful, conversational, and candid. February 10-12, 1.30-4.15pm, every 15 mins at Footscray Community Arts Centre – Entrance Gallery Dragstrology Melbourne’s Queens of the Cosmos, the

4Play & First Nations Drag

Dragstrology

Dragstrology Auntie and bestie team, Freida Commitment and Matilda Mercury, dive deep into their crystal ball and give us the T for 2022! Thursday, February 10, 8pm at Pride of our Footscray Community Bar

12 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 26 January, 2022

Benched by Jamila Main

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Spectacular waterfront residence with rooftop terrace 1/24 Esplanade, Williamstown MORTAGEE IN POSSESSION SALE! A unique waterfront residence of the finest quality, this state-of-the-art, impressively proportioned 3 bedroom executive home combines a commitment to home technology with spectacular views that overlooks Port Phillip Bay and the Botanical Gardens, plus just a moments walk from the Williamstown Beach. Txt 1ESP24 to 0488 207 207 for a price guide and open times.

Scan for more Info.

3

2

2

Auction 12 noon Saturday 12th February Gerard Hannan 0412 214 843 Steele Sexton 0403 557 711

12531407-DL04-22

Wednesday, 26 January, 2022 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 13

PUZZLES No. 065

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.

5 8 2

4 9 7

9 1 4

2

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

Type of hat (3) Pre-evenings (10) Containers (7) Most wealthy (7) Businesses that sell goods (9) Look for (4) Giving an alternate name to someone (10) Scottish loch (4) Downtime (4) Symptomatic (10) Insects (4) Making loud and confused noise (10) Wetter in terms of weather (7) General style of cooking (7) Expert (10) Allow (3)

1 3 10 11 12 13 15 17 19 20 23 25 27 28 29 30

7

8

9

4 6

2

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

3 7 2 4

21 22 24 25 26

DOWN In a logically consistent manner (10) Related to government (9)

1 2

medium

No. 065

Male angler (9) Noblemen (5) Most pleasant (6) Very fat (5) Location (4) Quit (6) Valuation (10) Things causing annoyance (9) Article expressing editor’s opinion (9) Relating to elementary particles (6) St Francis of — (6) Combine (5) Rocky stuff that forms a reef (5) — and cons (4)

4 5 6 7 8 9 14 16 18

ACROSS

easy

2

QUICK CROSSWORD

DECODER

No. 065

6

4 5 5 1 hard

3 9 6 5

4

5

6

7

8

9

10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

1

3

2

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

6 5 9 4 8 7 2 1 3

1 9 7 6 5 8 4 2 3

4 5 6 9 3 2 1 7 8

2 8 3 4 7 1 6 9 5

5 3 2 7 1 6 8 4 9

R

Today’s Aim: 12 words: Good 18 words: Very good

N

E

G

I

N O

I

4 LETTERS DARK DRAW DYES ERGO KNOT MOSS MOTH ONCE ONYA REST SAND SCAN SLOG TAGS

LOUSY NOOSE NOSED ONION OUNCE PALER PATIO RADII RAPID SCALE SEEDS SKITE SOILS TEASE THESE TIARA TITLE TONNE TOURS VOCAL WEDGE

YOUSE ZEBRA ZESTS 6 LETTERS COLOUR LATTER NUCLEI RELAYS 7 LETTERS AVOIDED CUISINE ONEROUS SLEEPER

SURLIER WEAVERS 8 LETTERS EQUIPPED FESTOONS FLOORING SEESAWED 11 LETTERS ASSIMILATED SELFISHNESS

28-01-22

No. 065 Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down.

QUICK QUIZ

R A

I

L

S M A R T M O L A R O U T D O

6 4 8 3 2 9 7 5 1

8 6 5 1 9 7 2 3 4

9 7 1 2 4 3 5 8 6

3 2 4 8 6 5 9 1 7

7 8 2 9 1 3 4 5 6

4 3 1 2 6 5 8 9 7

3 4 7 6 2 1 5 8 9

1 9 5 8 7 4 6 3 2

2 6 8 5 3 9 7 4 1

8 1 3 7 5 6 9 2 4

9 2 6 1 4 8 3 7 5

5 7 4 3 9 2 1 6 8

5 3 8 2 9 1 6 4 7

6 9 7 4 5 3 8 2 1

2 7 6 5 1 4 9 8 3

3 8 5 9 6 7 2 1 4

9 4 1 3 8 2 5 7 6

4 5 2 7 3 8 1 6 9

7 1 3 6 2 9 4 5 8

8 6 9 1 4 5 7 3 2

14 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 26 January, 2022

True or false: the scientific name for a dugong is dugong dugon?

8

Viola Davis (pictured) stars as Veronica Rawlings in which 2018 film?

Bluetooth is named after a king of Denmark and Norway from which century: 10th, 11th or 12th?

9

Colombo is the largest city on which South Asian island?

2

Shore is a 2020 album by which US indie folk group?

3

4

T

N R O L

L

Which British journalist wrote the 2019 non-fiction book Superior: The Return of Race Science?

Banoffee is a combination of which two flavours?

NOTE: more than one solution may be possible

I

7

1

E

O

No. 065

enjoin, genii, gone, grin, ignore, inner, iron, ironing, jinn, join, joiner, joining, neon, nine, noir, none, origin, region, reign, rein, reining, rejoin, REJOINING, ring

7 1 9 5 8 4 3 6 2

1 2 4 8 7 6 3 9 5

T

T R

ACUTE ADAPT ADORE ADORN AGENT ANGEL APRIL ARISE BURRO CELLO CRASS DEEMS DOERS ENTER EQUAL ERROR ESSAY HEELS IRKED LEGAL LINES

5 LETTERS ACHED

A

R

18

O

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”.

J

A O

9-LETTER WORD

24 words: Excellent

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

S

17

medium

A M 16

easy

hard

E

3

8

1

5x5

2

15

2 9 5 2 5 4 6 3 4

1

14

1

9 1

3 LETTERS AGE ARE AVO CAM COO ELF ERA ERR GEE GEL GOO HAY ILL IRE IRS LSD NON ONE PEA PRY RAM RUE SIT TAR

Y I G SWF L H Z KON C

8 8 2 9 6 3

R E VQX J D U P T B AM

2

4

WORDFIT

5

From which continent did elm trees originate?

6

With regards to the file type, what does PDF stand for?

10 The Aurealis Awards celebrate Australian writing in what genres? ANSWERS: 1. Banana and toffee 2. Fleet Foxes 3. True 4. 10th 5. Asia 6. Portable Document Format 7. Angela Saini 8. Widows 9. Sri Lanka 10. Sci-fi, fantasy and horror

SUDOKU

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For more information please visit www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/meetings February Tuesday 1 February, 4.30pm:

March Tuesday 15 March, 6.30pm: Tuesday 22 March, 6.30pm:

Council Meeting City Development Delegated Committee Meeting

April Tuesday 12 April, 6.30pm: Tuesday 26 April, 6.30pm:

Council Meeting City Development Delegated Committee Meeting

May Tuesday 3 May, 4.30pm: Tuesday 17 May, 6.30pm: Tuesday 24 May, 6.30pm:

Enterprise Maribyrnong Delegated Committee Meeting Council Meeting City Development Delegated Committee Meeting

June Tuesday 21 June, 6.30pm: Tuesday 28 June, 6.30pm:

Council Meeting City Development Delegated Committee Meeting

July Tuesday 19 July, 6.30pm: Tuesday 26 July, 6.30pm:

Council Meeting City Development Delegated Committee Meeting

August Tuesday 2 August, 4.30pm: Tuesday 16 August, 6.30pm: Tuesday 23 August, 6.30pm:

Enterprise Maribyrnong Delegated Committee Meeting Council Meeting City Development Delegated Committee Meeting

October Tuesday 4 October, 4.30pm: Tuesday 18 October, 6.30pm: Tuesday 25 October, 6.30pm:

November Tuesday 8 November, 6.30pm: Council Meeting (Election of Mayor) Tuesday 15 November, 6.30pm: Council Meeting Tuesday 22 November, 6.30pm: City Development Delegated Committee Meeting December Tuesday 6 December, 6.30pm: Council Meeting Tuesday 13 December, 6.30pm: City Development Delegated Committee Meeting Celia Haddock Chief Executive Officer

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16 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 26 January, 2022

ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE Anyone advertising a puppy, dog, kitten or cat in Victoria for sale or re-homing will need a source number from the Pet Exchange Register and a microchip identification number. It is now an offence to advertise unless the source number and microchip identification number is included in the advertisement or notice. For further information, call 136 186 or visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au

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MOTOR

IONIQ 5 drives into the future By Alistair Kennedy, Marque Motoring Those cheeky chaps from Monty Python may well have had the new IONIQ 5 in mind when they coined their “And Now For Something Completely Different” catch-phrase. A futuristically-styled mid-sized SUV, the IONIQ 5 is Hyundai’s first-ever dedicated battery-electric vehicle as distinct from the Kona SUV and IONIQ hatchback models which also come with hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants. Although it carries Hyundai badging, the SUV IONIQ 5 is the first vehicle from the Korean company’s new sub-brand and joins the luxury Genesis marque but with EV only models. The existing IONIQ hatchback variants (hybrid, plug-in hybrid and EV) will continue to be sold as Hyundais, but future dedicated EV including a sedan (IONIQ 6) and large SUV (IONIQ 7) will sell join the IONIQ 5 under the new brand name. IONIQ 5 is available in one grade, with the option of a rear-wheel single motor layout or a dual motor (rear and front) AWD. Our test car was the AWD variant with Hyundai’s HTRAC multi-mode system and in metallic Galactic Grey, one of six exterior colour options.

STYLING As always there will be opposing opinions about external styling and that’s even more likely when something as adventurous as IONIQ 5 comes along. We absolutely loved everything about it, a few were non-committal, while a couple hated it. One thing that was consistent as we drove the car around for a week was that it didn’t go un-noticed. Although EVs don’t need a conventional grille most models to date have been based on petrol or hybrid vehicles any so usually end up with a closed-off version of the grille. Because IONIQ 5 is all-new from the ground up its designers have been allowed to let their creative juices run free. The front of the car features two narrow glass strips, the top one with twin rectangular LED headlamps outside of orange turn indicators on either side and sensors and a camera in between. Below there’s a full-width string of LED daytime running lights beneath while at the bottom there is a pair of air flap that opens when needed to provide cooling to the various pieces of componentry above. On the side a diagonal crease runs from high in the front doors down to the base of the rear ones with a neat lined panel at the bottom of the doors. The door handles sit flush against the doors and pop out when unlocked. The wheels are 20-inch alloys with a complex design. Throughout the exterior of the IONIQ 5 car there’s a small square design that’s most noticeable at the rear lighting panel with, as at the front, the name in the centre and rectangular taillights surrounding the turn indictors.

INTERIOR The innovative design features continue inside the IONIQ 5 Comfort features include a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and an adjustable centre console. The front seats are 12-way power adjustable and come with a ‘Relaxion’ (zero gravity) mode. Perfect for lying back and having a quick nap while the car is charging. IONIQ 5 has a three-metre wheelbase and that contributes to a level of rear legroom that you’d get in a luxury sedan. All seats are power adjustable with a memory function which can be set through the digital display screen. A vision glass roof with a powered sunshade is standard in both models. There are a number of “why didn’t someone think of that before?” features including a padded bar that runs the length of the interior doors instead of conventional handles, a glovebox that slides in and out and a small magnetic pad on the right edge of the display panel where you can pin notes, photos, etc. The charge point is at the rear driver’s side with both AC and DC sockets. The cables are located under the front bonnet including a very clever Vehicle to Load device which

The futuristic IONIQ 5 EV turned heads wherever it went.

plugs into the car’s AC port at one end and a standard power plug at the other allowing for multiple uses including providing power to another electric vehicle. During our week we found a practical use when we had a black-out at home but were able to plug in a kettle and have a welcome cuppa while we waited for the power to come back on. Amazing! Full charge through a standard domestic power point is upward of 24 hours. However, it’s likely that anyone buying an EV will invest around $2000 in a home charging wallbox. This will reduce charging time to around six hours while an ultra-fast charger can charge from 10% to 80% in around 18 minutes. We’re currently in the process of having a wallbox installed at our home office by JET Charge, Australia’s leading installer of EV charging equipment who partner with Hyundai as well as most other EV brands including Tesla, Volvo, Porsche and Audi. We’ll do a follow-up News story to report on how it all works out.

CarPlay compatibility is standard as well as wireless smartphone charging. Sound is through a BOSE eight-speaker premium audio system. Satellite navigation includes details of the closest charging stations and a driving radius on how far the battery will allow the car to reach.

SAFETY Standard safety features include seven airbags; front and rear autonomous emergency braking; front and rear parking sensors; blind spot monitoring including camera coverage; lane departure warning; lane keep assist (which can be temporarily turned off by those of us who like to steer the car ourselves without interference); smart radar cruise control; rear cross-traffic alert; safe exit alert; rear seat occupant alert; driver inattention alert; and an interactive surround view monitor including a 360-degree overview; remote smart parking assist which allows the car to be moved remotely; and two ISOFIX child seat mountings.

DRIVETRAIN

DRIVING

The IONIC 5 RWD has a single 72.6 kWh battery mounted at the rear and producing 160kW of power and 350 Nm of torque with a listed WLTP range of 451 km. The AWD version has batteries at the front and rear with outputs of 225 kW and 605 Nm but less range, at 430 km.

Pressing the unlock button on the key fob opens the door handles which sit flush against the sides of the car. The driver’s seat is comfortable and supportive and the overall ambience of the interior sets the scene for an enjoyable travel experience. The driving position is fairly high even with the intrusion of the sunroof and visibility in all directions is excellent. The chunky steering feels great but does tend to obstruct the driver’s view of the instrument panel and the steering wheel-mounted gear selector. We love driving electric vehicles at the best of times but the IONIQ 5 takes that enjoyment to an even higher level. It cruises effortlessly

INFOTAINMENT The IONIQ 5 has two 12.3-inch screens embedded into a single panel. A digital instrument cluster in front of the driver and a Multimedia navigation unit in the centre. There are three USB ports at the front and two more at the rear with 12-volt sockets at the front and another in the boot. Wired-only Android Auto and Apple

and with such a large amount of instant torque on offer it can accelerate sharply when needed. Smart regeneration braking to extend range can be adjusted through steering wheel paddles including an i-Pedal feature which allows single-pedal driving. There are three drive modes: Normal, Eco and Sport. The only downside with the IONOQ 5 is in the ride and handling especially through corners where we found ourselves backing off. Typically, most Hyundai and Kia models gain the benefit of local input into their cars’ tuning but that didn’t happen with the IONIQ 5, possibly because of Covid-19 travel restrictions.

SUMMING UP Motoring journalists are inevitably asked what their favourite car is. After spending a week behind the wheel of the IONIQ 5 it has certainly earned a podium spot and, with the expected ride and handling tweaks, would likely move to the top spot. We love its exciting styling both outside and in its bright, spacious and airy interior. No review of an EV can be complete without reference to the price / range equation. All EVs are very expensive when compared to conventional vehicles, including hybrids. At $71,900 for the IONIQ 5 RWD and $75,900 for the AWD it sits at the higher end of the segment. Offsetting the high price, its potential range of up to 450 kilometres makes it more practical than many of its competitors. If you’re willing to trade-off a lower range for a more affordable price a base model IONIQ 5 will arrive here at a date to be advised later. Standard warranty is five years with unlimited kilometres. There’s an eight-year, 160,000 km battery replacement warranty,

Wednesday, 26 January, 2022 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 17

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Asciak is ready for a big season with the Jets Western Jets’ Stephanie Asciak is looking to make the most of her last season with the Western Jets in the NAB League Girls competition. Asciak will be one of the Jets key players this season and is looking to build on her previous seasons. “It’s so exciting,” she said. “I’ve been there for four years. “Coming into my last year, it’s pretty sad but exciting at the same time. I’ll definitely give it my all and hopefully I can make it to the top.” Having been part of the program for four seasons, Asciak has seen the development not only in her own football, but across the board. She said the competition was a lot different to what it was when she first began. “It has developed so much,” she said. “The level of footy wasn’t as good at the start as it is now. There’s been a lot of learning and development with the girls playing more football. “The skill level is getting better.”

Asciak and her teammates returned to the track earlier this month, ahead of the season getting underway. With changes to the NAB League, games have started much earlier than they normally would. “It’s been exciting getting back to training,” she said. “The heat is something we need to adjust to. Some of the training sessions have been warm, it has been a struggle, but it’s something we will adapt to.” Asciak, whose local club is Caroline Springs, said there had been some really encouraging signs from within the playing group. She said they had really built the last few years and were looking forward to a big season. “There’s so much talent,” she said. “We have our eyes on finals this year, as we just missed out last year on making finals,” she said. “We really want to make finals and we’ll put our heads down. We’re really determined to reach that goal.”

Personally, it will be big year for Asciak. She has her sights set on playing for Vic Metro at the under-18 national championships having previously played in the under-16 team. Asciak will also play with Essendon in the Victorian Football League women’s competition. “At one club I’m the oldest and the other club I’m the youngest,” she said. “I think someone passed my name onto Essendon and I did a few training sessions with them. “They offered me a contract. “The speed of the game and the IQ of the game is a bit different. “There’s the bigger bodies and the professionalism of the players. It takes some adjusting to.” The Jets will start their season on Sunday against the Tasmania Devils after a bye in round one. Tara Murray

Stephanie Asciak

(Supplied/Western Jets)

Extended NAB League Girls’ season in ‘22

The winning Western Spirit team.

(Supplied)

Spirit claims YPL title By Tara Murray Western Spirit players played the game of their lives to secure the under-15 girls Youth Premier League title. Having been runners-up two years ago, the last time the event was run, the group went one better this year to secure the metropolitan-west region’s first girls state title. The last time the Spirit won any title was the under-18 boys back in 2010, when it was still known at the state championships. Coach Rob Ward said the group of girls had been sensational across the whole week. “It was an honour to coach them,” he said. “We thought we had a good team on paper. The talent was there along with the attitude and their approach to cricket and the commitment. “We expected them to be ultra competitive. Six of the girls that were in the team that finished runners-up two years ago. “We never expected to win a state title.” Ward said the group started off the carnival

well before a slump in the middle of the week. He said they got the playing group and the parents together and had a good chat after a mid-week loss. “On the Wednesday afternoon we called in all the players and parents,” he said. “We said if we continue to win we will make the final. If we lose we will have to rely on other results. “We had a really good win on the Thursday against the Suns to get into the final.” The final against the Breakers was played at Junction Oval, with Ward saying for many of the players it was quite an occasion to be playing on an international ground. Rain delayed the start of the final, which Ward said was a blessing in the end. The Spirit made 4-169 from their overs. Captain Holly Nagpal made 73 not out at the top of the order, with Mia Gordon chipping in with 49. The Breakers could only make 7-125 in return. Lou Lou Field took two wickets from the Spirit. Nagpal was named player of the match.

18 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 26 January, 2022

It capped off a good week for Nagpal who made 368 runs at an average of 122.67 per game the best at the carnival. Ava Spiteri led the competition’s bowling with 12 wickets. Both girls are from Burnside Springs United. Ward said the recognition for Nagpal was the result of hard work. “Holly exceeded everyone’s expectations,” he said. “She was an ultra professional as captain of the team. She hasn’t had the season in premier cricket she would have liked, it’s just reward for her work. “Along with vice-captain Kayla Britnell they led the side well. Their preparation and tactics outshone their compatriots. “Their work was on another level and got us over the line in some games.” Ward said the success of this side was something they had been working on for a number of years. He said to see that result in a state championship was amazing.”

More games is one of the highlights in the NAB League Girls’ fixture this season. The season, which started at the weekend, features 13 teams playing nine matches across 10 rounds, two more games than last season. The start date of the season was brought forward to bring it closer to the AFLW and VFLW fixtures. Matches will be played across the state, including Williamstown, Truganina, Craigieburn and Bundoora, while teams will make the trip across to Tasmania to play the Tasmania Devils. The Western Jets, who had a bye in round one, this season faces the Tasmania Devils, Northern Knights, Bendigo Pioneers, Sandringham Dragons, Geelong Falcons, the Suns Academy, Calder Cannons, Greater Western Victoria and the Eastern Ranges. In other changes to the competition, quarter lengths will increase from 17 minutes to 20 minutes, while clubs who miss out on the semi finals will play in a repechage round, giving all clubs a minimum of 10 games for the season. The Suns and Brisbane Lions academies plus Northern Territory will each travel to Melbourne for one game as guest teams, playing the Chargers, Western Jets and Tasmania Devils respectively. The ladder will again be broken into metro and country-Tasmania divisions, with the top two of each group to play off in semi-finals on the weekend of April 2 and the winners of those games meeting in the Grand Final on weekend of April 9. The opening clash of the NAB AFLW Under-18 National Championships between Vic Metro and Vic Country will be played in conjunction with round nine, but that is the only representative match to be played during the NAB League Girls season. The under-16 futures clash between metro and country will be played alongside round five, with their championships to be played from May to July.

Yarraville Club pulls off a big win Yarraville Club managed to nab a big win against Haig Fawkner last Saturday in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division. It was the Clubbers fourth win in a row, with the win moving the team to second place on the ladder, overtaking Haig Fawkner. The Clubbers were hot on Haig’s tail throughout the innings and managed to chase down their total of 9-232, with four overs to spare. Clubbers captain-coach Mitch Johnstone attributed the big totals from both teams to very attacking batting and a batting friendly wicket. “It was probably one slightly smaller boundary to hit to ,” Johnstone said. “It was overly ridiculously small but they were the sort of the ingredients for a pretty high scoring game.” Andrew Cullen and Johnstone were the best of the bowlers with two wickets each. The Clubbers made 6-234.

Justin Bramble produced 56 with four sixes and six fours, and Trent Lawford did what he does best, managing 72 runs off 51 balls, with six sixes and three fours. Mitch Johnstone said Lawford was a bit fatigued after bowling due to the heat, so he was held back a little which seemed to work in the teams favour. “He is a bit of a slow starter Trent,” he said. “He does make a few single digit scores so we really stressed to him just to give himself 20 balls to settle in and then he caught up really well. “We know that once he gets going, he’s very hard to stop.” Justin Adriel made his debut for the first XI on Saturday, having made his way up from the lower grades. ‘[He’s] got a little bit fitter and really bought into the program the last couple of years,” Johnstone said. “That’s a really pleasing story, because we’ve got a lot of guys that have now come through

our thirds into our firsts over the last 12 months, that is testament to their involvement and their investment. “He made a really pleasing start to his first XI career.” Despite COVID and injury interruptions throughout the season, Johnstone is pleased with his team’s performance so far and their current place on the ladder. “We’re humming along nicely … the two games we lost were quite gettable, we thought that stung us into action a bit as well,” he said. “We’ve been a little bit unfortunate that we’ve probably had one of our key players out each week … so considering that we’ve had a fair bit of interruption pretty much at every game, we probably haven’t fielded our best team just yet, we’re taking that as a positive.” Yarraville Club will take on Westmeadows from 1pm at Willowbrook Reserve this Saturday. Molly Magennis

Trent Lawford made an impressive 72 runs off 51 balls on Saturday. (Damjan Janevski) 206392_06

VFL Gulls add promising players to list

Penny Cula-Reid is ready to take on 2022.

(Lance Jenkinson)

Seagulls prepare to fly By Molly Magennis With the Williamstown Seagulls gearing up for the 2022 VFLW season, coach Penny Cula-Reid is looking to build upon the foundations the women’s program established last year. Having started back at training after the Christmas break, Cula-Reid said the team initially faced some COVID related disruptions, with some of the players contracting the virus over the holidays. “We had a bit of a COVID fiasco on the first week back and had to cancel training and cancel our camp and just monitor symptoms,” she said. “Some of the girls have come back from having COVID quite well, then some girls are taking a little bit more time.” The Seagulls have developed a strong list for this season, with the addition of a handful of big signings Cula-Reid describes as ‘weapons’. Cleo Saxon-Jones, a product of the Western Jets, hails from Richmond after having been drafted at pick 58 in the 2019 NAB AFLW Draft.

Saxon-Jones will join the Gulls this season, and has one of the best kicks in women’s football, according to Cula-Reid. “She can kick 40 meters on an average day, so on a good day she can definitely roost them, so she’s going to be an absolute weapon for us up forward,” she said. Sharnie Whiting, who played for Williamstown back in 2019 before being drafted to Carlton, is making a return home this season. She will be joined by fellow Carlton draftee Bridie Kennedy, who was drafted back in 2017 at pick No. 36. After being delisted, Kennedy had a year off footy and was bouncing between clubs before deciding to call Williamstown home. “She’s been a player that we’ve been trying to chase for a couple of years and finally signed her, so [it’s] great news for us,” Cula-Reid said. Coaching the Gulls has been a different ball game for Cula-Reid, who coached Collingwood’s VFLW side in 2019, leading them to a premiership. “Because Williamson hasn’t been successful,

it’s really going to test me as a coach to find the balance between a non-aligned club who doesn’t have access and the resources to, I guess, the top level players. It’s now up to the coach to create this environment, this culture to get these girls to compete,” she said. “Like we all know, [our players] are all coming from fulltime jobs or … or study, and then we’ve got to play against part-time athletes, and that’s the mentality that the boys had to do for many many years, but they’ve had success. “So how do I build that success from you know, using the men’s program as a foundation to build our program here at Williamstown in the women’s space?” But with Williamstown having shown they are committed to strengthening the women’s program, Cula-Reid said, “there’s no other club that I would want to be a part of in trying to create equality across the industry”. The VFLW season is set to kick off on Saturday, February 12, and will mark the league’s sixth season after its inception in 2016. The season’s fixture is yet to be released.

Williamstown VFL has continued to add promising new players to their list in preparation for the 2022 season. Midfielder Liam Conway hails from the Western Jets and is coming off the back of a career best season where he claimed the Jets’ Best and Fairest. The 19-year-old stands 188 centimeters tall, and averaged 27 disposals in just eight NAB League games last year. In a statement on the Seagulls’ website, VFL Men’s coach Justin Plapp said Conway is a big midfielder who can really run and carry. “He covers the ground really well and we see him as a developing player for our club,” he said. Fraser Phillips will join Conway, hailing from Carlton where he was on its 2020 list after being drafted in the 2019 AFL Rookie Draft. The 20-year old did not manage a game in the senior side, but he did notch up 14 disposals with the Blues’ VFL side despite some trouble with injury. In a statement on Williamstown’s website, Seagulls coach Justin Plapp said he sees Phillips bringing a different element to the club. “Fraser is a quality young man who comes with AFL experience,” he said. “His ability to use the ball and his deceptive agility will be big for us, and we see him playing a few different roles across half-forward to the wing. He brings a point of difference to our club that we wanted.” Williamstown will take part in three practice matches over the next coming weeks in preparation for the 2022 season. The Gulls will take on Port Melbourne in their first match on February 26, before facing the Bullants on March 5 and the Werribee Tigers on March 11. Molly Magennis

Wednesday, 26 January, 2022 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY 19

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