Star Weekly - Brimbank North West - 1st March 2022

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1 MARCH, 2022

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Brimbank jobs growth By Max Hatzoglou

Mia has a story to tell

Brimbank’s jobless rate is falling, according to new Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data, however, the municipality’s unemployment rate remains higher than the state average. The ABS data revealed that in September, 2021, Brimbank’s unemployment rate was 9 per cent, down from 10.3 per cent in June, 2021. The Victorian unemployment rate in September, 2021 was 4.6 per cent, down from 6.2 per cent in June, 2021. Many suburbs across Brimbank recorded a reduction in their unemployment rate, including Delahey (9.9 per cent in September, 2021 from 11.1 per cent in June, 2021) and Sunshine North (11.4 per cent in September, 2021 from 13.1 per cent in June, 2021).

‘‘

I don’t foresee us increasing our unemployment rate

’’

At just 14 years of age, inspiring young Cairnlea author Mia Gjoni will release her second book, Our Trip to Alien Kingdom, at this year’s Brimbank Writers and Readers Festival beginning on March 17. Mia’s second book will be a continuation from her first book, Our Trip to Gravity Planet, which is a series all about Mia and her family traveling through space, and this time they meet a new species … aliens! Interestingly, the story idea came from a writing assignment set by her tutor in grade four that had to be based on a floating house. “My tutor gave me this picture of a floating house and said ‘base a story around this’,” Mia said. Mia’s mother Belinda was amazed by the story and said it needed to be shared around. “Me and her tutor, once we read this piece of writing that she did, we were just like ‘this is amazing, we need to do something with this’,” Belinda said. “And then Mia started showing her family and friends as well and they were like ‘this is awesome’ so that’s what then gave us the push to actually go ahead and do something with it, it wasn’t just an ordinary story that she had to write for school.” After finding an editor, illustrator and designer, Mia self-published the first book and released it last year. Mia wants to inspire future authors similar to how she was inspired by British authors. “Roald Dahl and David Walliams are my favourite authors ever … they really inspired me because their stories are very unique and interesting,” she said.

- Vu Du

Kings Park had the municipality’s highest jobless rate as of September, 2021 (13 per cent) while unemployment was lowest in Keilor (4 per cent). Sunshine Business Association president Vu Du said construction works, including the Melbourne Airport Rail Link, have helped locals find work. “With the [Sunshine] Plaza shopping centre and the railway link, they have just employed over 300 staff, and then additionally with all the construction going on in the area as well, that just gives continuous employment for the local community, Mr Du said. “With everything normalising after COVID that has also made a dramatic change.” In future, Mr Vu sees unemployment continuing to improve in Sunshine and surrounding areas. “On the proviso that this rail link continues, I don’t foresee us increasing our unemployment rate, if anything it should continue going down, and then additionally with the presence of this area going up in property prices and the two shopping centres, it should bring in more retailers and then more retailers brings in more employment,” he said.

Young author Mia Gjoni. (Supplied)

Max Hatzoglou

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Tuesday, 1 March, 2022 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 3

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Cairnlea rezone feedback opens

-----------------> I N B R I E F

Celebrating women

By Max Hatzoglou

#BreakTheBias “Break the Bias” this International Women’s Day and join our livestream online panel discussion. International Women’s Day celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women around the world. Brimbank will mark the occasion with a livestreamed event where leaders discuss how we can #BreakTheBias by actively calling out gender bias, discrimination and stereotyping. Our keynote speaker is GenWest Acting Director Gender Equity and Head of Evidence and Impact, Louise Falconer. The panel will include Brimbank Mayor Cr Jasmine Nguyen, new Brimbank Council CEO Fiona Blair, CommUnity Plus Services CEO Tracey Gaudry and Brimbank Young Citizen of the Year, Devika Chaudhary. Watch the panel discussion on Tuesday 8 March at 3pm on brimbank.vic.gov.au/events/IWD2022

Visit yoursay.brimbank.vic.gov.au to share your ideas and feedback on issues and projects that matter to you. Learn more about projects that are open for comment including: • Draft Position Statement on Social and Affordable Housing – Have your say on the draft position statement that will guide Council’s approach to social and affordable housing in Brimbank • Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre – Join our mailing list and stay up-todate on the new Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre as we get ready to open later in 2022 • Green Gully Reserve Dog Park Upgrade – We’re upgrading and expanding the Off-Leash Enclosed Dog Park and want your feedback on the design • Melbourne Airport Rail in Sunshine and Albion – Sign our petition • Communications and Engagement – Tell us how we can continue to improve the way we communicate and consult

Bachar Houli in conversation with Paul Bateman

Brimbank supports Clean Up Australia Day

Join the opening night of Brimbank Writers and Readers Festival with all-Australian AFL champion and three-time premiership player Bachar Houli. Famously known as the first devout Muslim to play the game at the highest level, Bachar will be in conversation with Paul Bateman about his book, Bachar Houli: Faith, Football and Family. Held on Thursday 17 March at 6.30pm, visit creativebrimbank.com. au/bachar-houli to book your tickets.

Clean Up Australia Day is on Sunday 6 March and we’re asking Brimbank residents to step up and help clean up our local neighbourhoods. COVID-19 has created more waste than ever – did you know that in 2020, over three billion single-use face masks were thrown out globally, every single day? To get involved, visit news.brimbank.vic.gov.au for full details.

In2Sport applications now open In2Sport is a subsidy program to help children living in Brimbank take part in community sport, regardless of financial circumstances. The program aims to fund 75 percent, or up to $200, towards club membership fees (subject to availability). To apply, visit brimbank.vic.gov.au/ In2Sport

Contact us: Telephone 9249 4000

You can help clean up Kororoit Creek on March 6.

(Supplied)

Looking for work? If you’re looking for work, a Jobs Victoria Advocate based in Brimbank can help you by connecting you to local support, training and other services. Advocates are based in Brimbank’s Libraries, Neighbourhood Houses, shopping centres and other public spaces. To get in touch with your local Jobs Victoria Advocate or to book a Zoom session with them, call Brimbank Learning Futures on 9249 4116.

brimbank.vic.gov.au 131 450 Local call costs apply

Use Brimby, the new online virtual assistant

Your Councillors are always happy to hear from you Cr Victoria Borg Cr Sarah Branton Cr Thuy Dang (Deputy Mayor) Cr Sam David JP Cr Maria Kerr Cr Bruce Lancashire Cr Trung Luu Cr Jasmine Nguyen (Mayor) Cr Jae Papalia Cr Ranka Rasic Cr Virginia Tachos

Cairnlea residents and interested stakeholders are being encouraged to enter submissions on a proposed plan to rezone a 41-hectare Cairnlea site into a comprehensive development zone. The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning has released a proposed Planning Scheme Amendment for the development for public consultation. The proposed amendment from Development Victoria would result in major changes to the former Albion Explosives factory site, including the construction of affordable housing. The explosives factory operated on the Ballarat Road site from the early 1940s until the 1980s. According to Development Victoria’s website, the vision for the final stage of Cairnlea is to regenerate the site to deliver a range of homes and a network of open spaces that are complemented by a variety of neighbourhood services. “The design will be strongly influenced by forward-thinking and environmentally focused initiatives to help create a vibrant and sustainable community,” Development Victoria said.

However, residents have voiced a number of concerns about parts of the plan to Star Weekly. One aspect of the plan would mean numerous trees in Cairnlea would be removed after some trees on the site were deemed to be unsafe. Residents are also calling for better public transport for the area to prevent the new development from overwhelming existing services. At the moment, the area is only serviced by buses. Residents also want reassurances that the community will be kept safe during remediation works at the site. Residents and interested stakeholders make submission into the plans before the exhibition closes on April 7, 2022. Brimbank council has been informed that Development Victoria has requested that Planning Minister Richard Wynne becomes the planning and responsible authority for the development and the amendment. Residents can have their say on the development plan until Thursday, April 7. A public hearing will be held following the exhibition period, giving people who have made submissions the opportunity to present their views on the proposal. To find out more about the development plans visit: https://bit.ly/3seEX11

0429 365 527 0407 836 064 0437 744 803 0429 355 239 0437 796 630 0429 637 689 0437 826 450 0437 740 042 0437 838 710 0437 861 296 0428 915 671

CrBorg@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrBranton@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrDang@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrDavid@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrKerr@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrLancashire@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrLuu@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrNguyen@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrPapalia@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrRasic@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrTachos@brimbank.vic.gov.au

All information was correct at the time of printing. For latest information about the impacts of COVID-19 on Council’s services visit brimbank.vic.gov.au. For the latest information on restrictions visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au 4 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 1 March, 2022

Join Clean Up Australia Day at Kororoit Creek Friends of Kororoit Creek and Kororoit Creek Klean Up invite the community to show the creek some love by picking up rubbish on Clean Up Australia Day, Sunday, March 6. Every year, over 60 bags of rubbish are gathered from the clean up. Friends of Kororoit Creek vice-president Jodie Williams said the event made attendees feel elated after cleaning up nature. “We all feel like superheroes afterwards,” Ms Williams said. “I find picking up rubbish meditative, it’s kind of like all you’re thinking about is finding your next bit of rubbish and where you’re putting your feet.” Prior to the pandemic the event had over 100 people attend every year helping to keep the creek clean for wildlife including platypus.

“This season we are starting to plant four platypus habitats right towards the edge of the creek and having those in shady vegetated areas where platypus like to hide,” she said. The wildlife at the creek has attracted photographers and artists to the creek in the past, where fauna around the creek has been documented. The hope is to continue growing and making the creek a great asset to the community. “We have this beautiful asset that we want to take care of and make it even more beautiful,” she said. “We have got these beautiful paths but between the paths and creek we want really want that to be a beautiful habitat.” Max Hatzoglou

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West rail communication stalls By Max Hatzoglou Rail Futures Institute president and former V/Line chief operating officer John Hearsch has revealed minimal communication from the state government has raised concerns about the future of rail in Victoria and the west. Among a number of concerns raised was the implementation of the Western Rail Plan established in 2018, however the lack of community consultation remains the biggest concern of all. The Western Rail Plan aims to deliver a faster, high-capacity rail network servicing our growing outer suburbs and regional cities.

“The communication between the government and, not only our organisation but just about everyone else, seems to have completely dried up,” Mr Hearsch said. “We are very concerned about the lack of progress with the Western Rail plan and electrifying the lines to Melton and Wyndham Vale and providing a full suburban service to those places as well as providing faster trains to both Geelong and Ballarat. “That was all announced to happen in the 2018 election but there’s been little progress from what we can see and even less information about that. “All that was going to be centered on Sunshine.” Mr Hearsch said the government had also

not consulted the community about the design of the Melbourne Airport rail link through Sunshine and Albion. A timeline of the Melbourne Airport rail link indicated construction would begin this year after community engagement was completed in 2020 and 2021, yet community groups say communication has been minimal to date. Former Brimbank mayor John Hedditch, who is a part of the Victoria Transport Action Group and Greater Sunshine Community Alliance, said the new platform for Sunshine Station announced last month was good news however the lack of detail provided is leaving community groups confused.

Going into bat for mental health Sunshine Heights Cricket Club has launched a new initiative aimed at raising awareness about mental health to help keep its members mentally and physically fit on and off the field. Through a wellbeing sub-committee formed prior to the season, the club organised an innovative wellness week that launched on Monday, February 14 to its eight senior and five junior teams. The week began with The Resilience Project schoolsprogram manager Antony Keel presenting to the club’s juniors some handy tips on how to look after themselves and others by using music, exercise, laughter, gratitude and kindness.

‘‘

There wasn’t that push for wellbeing, the focus is on performance

’’

- Amberlie Cameron-Smith SHCC wellbeing sub-committee member Amberlie Cameron-Smith said the program was aimed at raising awareness on mental health and its importance in sport and life. “It was great to get it up and running,” Ms Cameron-Smith said. “Like many clubs, there wasn’t that push for wellbeing, the focus is on performance and your physical fitness. “What we wanted to do was shine a light on and bring some attention to the mental fitness of the game and get conversations started.” Throughout the week, the club has been releasing daily social media posts about wellness to its followers including topics around food, sleep, relationships and exercise. The club also hosted a meditation session and had a storytelling night with its senior players to further highlight wellbeing and mental health. Wellbeing sub-committee member Adam Miller said the storytelling night that feature discussions about mental health battles was so successful it went overtime.

Adam Miller, Antony Keely and Amberlie Cameron-Smith at the launch of Sunshine Heights Cricket Club’s wellness week. (Supplied)

“We had every intention of having a 30 minute chat but we got talking and spoke about a range of issues and how to look after ourselves,” Mr Miller said. After Mr Miller told his own story to the club, it sparked conversations across the club. “As a man we don’t talk and last night we not only opened up the communication but I

had several members come and tell me they are struggling and those that did you would never know it,” he said. “We all put on a brave face so we don’t show weakness and emotion. “We hope that the night for our seniors showed they are not alone.” Max Hatzoglou

“The new regional platform for Bendigo travellers sounds really good but we don’t know how the station will be configured to make it happen,” Mr Hedditch said. “The press release came out saying Sunshine is being supercharged and all the rest of it but no one really knows what that actually means. “What we’re trying to do is get some plans, concept drawing or images of what it looks like and how it might all end up at Sunshine because at the moment we are in the dark. “Even the most experienced rail people are confused.” A state government spokesperson said the government was committed to considering all community feedback received.

Concern over third runway The feared effects of a proposed third runway at Melbourne Airport reach as far as residents living in Braybrook as the Melbourne Airport Community Aviation Consultation Group ticked over 800 community submissions on the airport plan last week. Braybrook resident Jane Xi, whose house lines up with the north-south runway, said she noticed an increase in planes prior to the pandemic and was often woken at night. “Prior to the pandemic, we already saw an increasing number of planes flying overhead,” Ms Xi said. “I complained to AirServices Australia twice in three years. “The reason I complained was because of the large number of planes trying to land in the wee hours of the morning, 3-6am, over a dozen planes within an hour at times. “The planes do wake me up multiple times/night.” Braybrook is about 16 kilometres from Melbourne Airport. Ms Xi wants curfews put in place to stop these disruptions from happening in future. “We cannot stop planes from landing in Melbourne, but we should be able to have a curfew, so residents on the ground can sleep and function like normal human beings in day time.” Others concerned about the the proposed runway include schools, particularly ones closer to the airport in Keilor. Submission can be made via: https:// bit.ly/3hlcrEx. Max Hatzoglou

Tuesday, 1 March, 2022 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 5

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Tobacco store fires Police are appealing for information following a series of fires that caused millions of dollars worth of damage to business across Melbourne. The series of incidents resulted in tobacco stores in Pakenham, Deer Park and Patterson Lakes being targeted. The Deer Park incident occurred on August 7, 2021. Two people forced entry to a tobacco store on Station Road about 3.15am. Police said they poured an accelerant inside the store before igniting it, causing an explosion. Police said one of the people caught fire as a result. The two people fled the scene in a light-coloured SUV. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Literacy and learning programs officer Mandi.

(Damjan Janevski) 268814_06

Spotlight on workplace safety

Book in for library fun A fun and engaging class at Caroline Springs library is available for parents to introduce children to the world of books and imagination. The sessions include stories, songs, rhymes, and an introduction to Auslan and is aimed at children aged three to five years olds and their grown-ups. Melton libraries and arts manager Susie Prestney said the sessions are a great way to nurture your child’s curiosity and encourage their learning and imagination. “Each week there is a different theme, a greeting in a different language, and a focus on a letter, together with stories, songs and a take home craft. “Participating in Storytime has significant developmental skills for children aged three to five, including essential listening skills, colour and letter recognition, group participation,

Join Council’s Disability Advisory Committee

cooperation and turn-taking. These are all very important foundational skills to prepare children for a formal educational environment.” The sessions include an introduction to Auslan, which Ms Prestney said supports early literacy development and helps foster a positive relationship between a child and their parent or carer. “Using Auslan in our sessions also introduces children to other forms of communication and encourages a celebration of diversity in the wider community,” she said. As part of the newly developed Read, Sing, Chat program, Melton City Libraries has invited Expression Australia to run a two hour Auslan workshop in June 2022. Details: melton.vic.gov.au/Out-n-About/ Libraries

WorkSafe Victoria is reminding employers to ensure the standards of safety at their workplaces are upheld after new data revealed that six fatalities were recorded in the western metropolitan region in 2021. The WorkSafe data revealed a total of 66 workplace deaths, compared with 73 in 2020. The most dangerous sectors were manufacturing, construction and agriculture as the majority of these fatal incidents occurred in the metropolitan Melbourne with 40. Six workers have died so far in workplaces in Victoria in 2022. FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Brimbank & North West Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Frequent visitors to Puckle Street Moonee Ponds Will be familiar with the sounds of James Rufatt’s guitar playing, accompanied by his 4 leg companion, Ivor.

Council is seeking expressions of interest from community representatives interested in joining the Melton Disability Advisory Committee. Term of committee members appointment is June 2022 to June 2024. The Committee advises Council on issues relating to access and inclusion for people with disability within the City of Melton.

Expressions of interest are open to: •

people with disability (2 positions)

•

carer of a child with a disability and carer of an adult with disability (1 position each)

•

representative from a local community-based agency or group (1 position)

Applications close: Friday 18 March For further information or help with applying, contact the Advocacy and Inclusion Officer on 0499 027 473 or email nicolemig@melton.vic.gov.au

Described as soothing, relaxing and adding a touch of class to the Puckle Street precinct, you wish you could listen longer in your busy day. But you don’t need to be indulging in a luxurious coffee from one of Puckle Street’s numerous cafes to have James’s music take you away a while. Have his new 2021, “Cheyenne Plus” album with you now!

Get details on how to stream, download or purchase James Rufatt’s CDs from his website, JamesRufatt.com Tell your friends before they tell you! 6 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 1 March, 2022

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Simply search or tell you’re smart device, “Play Cheyenne Plus album.”

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Roadworks create traffic havoc By Molly Magennis Residents in the west are fed up with the increased traffic in the area due to the West Gate Tunnel Project, with residential side streets now banked up at peak hour The West Gate Tunnel Project will seek to ease congestion on the West Gate Freeway and West Gate Bridge, and reduce the number of trucks on residential streets. However, because of the project there have been a variety of major road closures, including 24-7 M80 ramp closures, Williamstown Road and Princes Freeway and Geelong Road ramp closures. In a bid to avoid the congestion, motorists have started using residential streets as shortcuts. Brooklyn resident Tammie Cunningham said the roads around her house have been dangerously busy.

“Two cars have been hit and one dog was almost hit as a car drove around my car which was parked,” she said. “The dog park is usually busy at these times and people who live around the area cannot get in their street let alone their houses.” Ms Cunningham witnessed a car accident on her street after a resident was turning into his driveway and a car came flying down the bike lane to get around the traffic. The front of the vehicle was severely damaged. “I know this is difficult but someone or something is going to get hurt eventually, [it’s] better to fix it before,” she said. Altona resident Hussien Khodr has also had a close call because of the increased traffic. “On the intersection between Marigold Avenue and Millers Road near Altona Grate, people start blocking people off and forget the road rules, which almost made me get into a car accident,” he said.

“It’s been like this for a month now and it’s starting to get frustrating.” A West Gate Tunnel Project spokesperson said while they understand disruptions are frustrating, “on a project of this scale some impacts are unavoidable.” “Over the summer works campaign, the West Gate Tunnel Project’s traffic teams work with the Department of Transport to continually monitor the traffic flow on the West Gate Freeway and across detour routes, making required adjustments where necessary to balance both traffic being detoured off the freeway and local roads,” the spokesperson said.

A car got into an accident on Millers Road as he was trying to turn into his driveway after car sped down a bike lane to avoid traffic. (Tammie Cunningham)

Council committed to a greener Brimbank Community concerns about new residential developments causing warmer temperatures in St Albans has led Brimbank council to discuss its climate targets. Questions were raised during last week’s council meeting abo what was being done to tackle the issue as residents believed that new developments in St Albans were causing an increase in heat trapping through materials such as concrete, brick and steel. Brimbank mayor Jasmine Nguyen said trees were a key part in fixing the problem. “Brimbank council continues to implement the urban flora strategy which seeks a 30 per cent tree canopy cover across Brimbank,

R N FO PE S O ON OW I AT G N V R IN SE W E W R NE R OU

and has recently adopted the Brimbank tree policy and significant tree policy to further strengthen greening of Brimbank as a key strategy to tackle the heat island effect,” Cr Nguyen said. “Council’s annual street tree planting program has seen the planting of over 7000 street trees in St Albans since 2011 with further street planting planned in 2022. “Significant street planning has also occurred in parks and reserves.” Cr Nguyen also discussed other ways in which the problem was being minimised. “Council also installs shelters and drinking fountains in parks and activity centres so that

residents can have access to water and shade when visiting these places,” she said. The Brimbank Climate Emergency Plan for 2020–2025 says it needed to change its approach to how residents used their energy in order to keep Brimbank green and cool. “We need to stop using the dirty, such as coal and gas, and rapidly ramp up the clean, such as solar and wind,” the Brimbank Climate Emergency Plan said. “One hundred per cent renewable energy is critical and achievable.” The plan has three targets set for Brimbank. “Legislated Victoria Renewable Energy Target of 100 per cent for 2030. Zero-net

emissions for council operations by 2030. Zero-net emissions for the municipality by 2040; 70 per cent by 2030,” the plan said. Despite the global pandemic, the targets are planned to be achieved simultaneously with covid recovery economically. “This plan, inclusive of the position statement, principles, and five themes, provides at our municipal level, a framework to guide the social and economic stimulus needed to recover from COVID-19, and address concurrently the climate emergency,” the plan said. Max Hatzoglou

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Kalyna Care • 344 Taylors Rd, Delahey VIC (03) 9116 4100 • www.kalynacare.com.au Tuesday, 1 March, 2022 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 7

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Push for more federal funding By Max Hatzoglou Brimbank council has asked the federal government for more funding ahead of the election in order to support the community on important issues and projects in the future. Mayor Jasmine Nguyen said the funding is required to help young people build careers and provide a better future for the community. “In the lead up to the federal election due in the coming months, we want to make sure

that the prime minister has Brimbank on his mind and in his sights,” Cr Nguyen said. “Our community needs federal funding and support for a range of important issues, from upgrading Albion Station and fixing the Calder Freeway, to impacts associated with the Melbourne Airport Masterplan and Third Runway, helping our young people build careers, and giving them a future by addressing climate change.” Cr Nguyen stressed the importance of receiving better support from the government.

“We can’t do it alone, and our community deserves better than what it has received from the Federal Government in the past,” she said. “We’ve called on state and federal treasurers to contribute hundreds of millions in their upcoming budgets, and now, with an election coming, the focus is on the feds to do their bit.“ Earlier this month, the council said it would focus on calling out funding discrepancies as it was suffering from continual underinvestment. “Our focus is on calling out the grant funding

inequity and making sure the West gets its fair share of federal government funding. “Brimbank is suffering the impact of historic underinvestment. To uplift and revitalise our community, we need investment for a number of key priority projects. “We’re working hard to seek election commitments from major parties on Brimbank’s priorities and we are determined to ensure they will be addressed by the retained or incoming federal government.”

Historic mural broken The old Brimbank Council office, built in the 1960’s and sold for over five million dollars in 2018, has had its historic mural damaged. Pictures show a hole has been put through the mural, a glass mosaic, which is a heritage protected artwork piece on the building. The mural, created by a local artist, is located at the front of the building and has a heritage overlay which requires preservation by the owners. City Development director Kelvin Walsh said the heritage overlay does not require that the building be maintained. “A Heritage Overlay applies to this privately owned site to ensure the protection of heritage as part of any future development,” Mr Walsh said. “Unfortunately, the Heritage Overlay does not require the maintenance of heritage structures and there are no penalties that apply for allowing a heritage structure to fall into disrepair. “However, the redevelopment of the site requires a planning permit and conditions can be included on the planning permit to repair

parts of the building that are damaged or vandalised. All conditions on the permit can be enforced by Council. “Our expectation is that any development proposal would include the retention and restoration of the window.” Councillor Bruce Lancashire said the council made a submission into protecting heritage buildings in Brimbank and hoped that the rules were enforced. “The governments introduced planning legislation relating to heritage buildings that don’t get looked after and allowed to deteriorate or be demolished illegally. “And there are some concerns raised about while they have introduced that legislation it doesn’t seem to take effect.” The owner of the property is a developer who has previously done a number of commercial and residential developments in the Sunshine area. Over the years the mural has lost its colour, particularly since it was taken over by new owners.

Old Brimbank council building mural. (Max Hatzoglou)

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8 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 1 March, 2022

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Countdown to wellness festival By Max Hatzoglou The Sunshine community is being invited to take part in Sunshine Heights Primary School’s ‘Know Show Grow’ festival later this month. The five-day event, in conjunction with Brimbank council, is aimed at raising awareness and normalising conversations about mental health. It begins on March 21. Launching for the very first time with over 50 workshops, the festival hopes to create a safe and inclusive space where community, services, ideas and creativity can dance together; helping people to harvest the skills and knowledge they

need to know, show and grow themselves. The event will be free of charge and filled with different workshops, guest speakers and experiences centered on core tenets of mental health and wellbeing. Each day will feature exciting activities run by different organisations including Headspace Sunshine, Western Bulldogs Foundation, Friends of Kororoit Creek, Beyond Blue, Social Structures Allied Health Psychology, Carers Victoria, Multicultural Youth, Money Matters plus more. Wellbeing, community and engagement lead teacher at Sunshine Heights Primary School and

festival organiser Francine Sculli says the festival would help fill a gap in supporting families in finding and utilising wellbeing services. “We noticed last year that there was a real gap with some of our families being able to access different sorts of services around whether it was mental health, family services or even things like disability services,” Ms Sculli said. “There is a real gap in people knowing what’s out there and then even if they know it’s out there, knowing how to actually access it and get help as they need so the idea spring boarded from there.” The school aspires to having its own wellbeing

service continually open to the public in future. “We’ve got a dream to build a wellbeing hub as a school,” she said. “We want it to be 24-7 so people can come to the school and there is a wellbeing place that serves the community needs all in one place.” The festival will conclude on Friday, March 25 with a block party transforming the school into a universe filled with food trucks, performances and entertainment, experiences, creativity, a makers stands and community service booths. Details: https://www.knowshowgrowfestival. com/program

Day to celebrate women The Women’s Support Network (WSN) invites all women in Brimbank to attend its event on International Women’s Day on Wednesday, March 8 at the Deer Park Hall. WSN president Reeta Verma said the brand new network will aim to create connections for women from all backgrounds to better support the community in future. “Our vision is to create connections with women from all cultural, ethnic, religious, and linguistic backgrounds, and inspire women from all ages from younger to older, to help them to create a vibrant, articulate, inclusive, and sustainable community across Victoria and Melbourne’s west,” Verma said. The event will begin at 10am and run until noon. The group is hoping that the event could lead to new initiatives. “Our mission is to provide opportunities

to connect with each other and to identify programs and services that support women, particularly vulnerable women,” she said. “We believe that if each one of us are united and work together, we can help, support, strengthen and empower women.” The network looks to support women and women who may also be in a vulnerable situation. “The WSN aims to support women in vulnerable conditions and help them create a prosperous, equitable, peaceful, and stable society in the west where women and girls can live, work and volunteer without any prejudice and fear,” she said. Max Hatzoglou Members of the Women’s Support Network, Beverley Thoms, Mai Nguyen, Ko Sonnoy and president Reeta Verma. (Damjan Janevski) 268300_01

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Tuesday, 1 March, 2022 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 9

SECTION STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

1 March 2022

STAY INFORMED

Mayor’s message Cr Goran Kesic

Council services and facilities: melton.vic.gov.au/COVID19 Quickly and easily connect with us online: melton.vic.gov.au facebook.com/cityofmelton Instagram @cityofmeltonofficial

From Saturday, our International Women’s Day celebrations will begin. People of all genders are welcome to join any of our upcoming events, or to simply celebrate and be a champion for women in your own way. This is a day to bring friends, colleagues and communities together to think, act and be gender inclusive. It’s a wonderful opportunity to continue to be a voice for women’s equality and be inspired by others’ successes. I’d encourage you to take a look at the events on offer including an author talk, a writing workshop, and classes in Karate, yoga, Zumba and more. You can book your place at meltonlearning.com.au/iwd2022 I’m pleased to share that Council’s advocacy efforts continue as we try to obtain State Government funding for the electrification of the Melton Line, full funding of the Melton Hospital, and funding to upgrade the Western and Melton highways. Last month, I had the opportunity to raise these key projects with Member for Western Metropolitan Region Catherine Cumming MP at a meeting with several Mayors from the west. As our population continues to rapidly grow, completing these projects will help create a more liveable future for our whole community. They are each significant undertakings and to complete them, Council will need to partner with other levels of government. I will keep you updated as we continue to advocate for the City of Melton’s needs. Please feel free to contact me on 0437 241 436 or goran.kesic@melton.vic.gov.au regarding any Council issues.

It’s almost time for Lakeside Alive! Grab your pooch, your family and your friends, lap the lake and discover great music, entertainment, and street performers at every turn! Lakeside Alive will be held on Saturday 26 March from 12pm to 8pm at Lake Caroline in Caroline Springs. Back and bigger than ever, it’s a free, family-friendly, fun-filled day. We’ll have a range of food trucks serving yummy treats and some great live music performing all day. HIGHLIGHTS: • Puppy Pit Stop • Drumming and Hula Hoop Play Space

• Kiddie Korner (face painting, crafts, soft play space and music) • Roving performers and buskers

• Live Music on Stage • Food Trucks • Twilight Fireworks

To keep up to date with Lakeside Alive, follow Council’s event page at facebook.com/meltoncityevents

Coburn Ward with Cr Ashleigh Vandenberg It was this time last year when I, as part of Council’s 2021/2022 budget process, put forward a new initiative to install mobile cameras at known, local litter hot spots to reduce incidents of illegal dumping. The cameras have been extremely effective in detecting and deterring illegal dumping. In fact, we’ve experienced a reduction in clean-up costs of up to 55 per cent in some locations and removed unsafe, unsightly rubbish from our neighbourhoods – a very pleasing outcome for our community. It was also a pleasure to see firsthand how local businesses in Scott Street, Melton, and Staughton Street and Exford Road, Melton South, were transformed as part of Council’s Shopfront Revitalisation Project. The exciting project, jointly funded with the Victorian Government, saw 14 traders receive grants to bring their

shopfronts back to life, while Council made significant improvements to streetscaping, lighting, planting, and infrastructure upgrades. This outstanding project has made a big difference to everyone who uses these shops regularly and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Finally, as COVID restrictions continue to ease, Council is aware that many sectors of our community continue to struggle in the wake of the pandemic. We are therefore developing a COVID Recovery and Resilience Plan, that will help us advocate for the infrastructure, programs and services our community needs to ensure we are well supported throughout our recovery. Feel free to contact me regarding Coburn Ward or Council related issues on 0499 801 183; email: ashleigh.vandenberg@melton.vic. gov.au or like my Facebook page @crvandenberg

Transmission line community meeting A community group is working to help residents understand a proposal by AusNet Services to run a new electricity transmission line through the north of the City of Melton, to deliver renewable energy to Sydenham. Join the group ‘Melton Stop AusNet’s Towers’ for a meeting this week to learn the impacts of the proposal and what you can do about it. While this is not a Council project, Council is working with the community to advocate for a better outcome from AusNet Services. Thursday 3 March, 7pm, Melton Community Hall

Celebrate International Women’s Day International Women’s Day is a great opportunity for people of all genders to celebrate the achievements of women, and to join in a range of local activities. Our events start this Saturday 5 March and run until Friday 11 March. They will include a talk by local author Olivia Omotosho on her first published story, ‘21 girls who made the world a better place’, a job readiness mentoring program, yoga class, Zumba class and more. All genders are welcome to attend. Bookings are required for most events and can be made via meltonlearning.com. au/iwd2022

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

Mayor Cr Goran Kesic

Deputy Mayor Cr Lara Carli

Cr Steve Abboushi

Cr Moira Deeming

A vibrant, safe and liveable City accessible to all 10 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 1 March, 2022

Cr Kathy Majdlik

Cr Sophie Ramsey

Cr Julie Shannon

Cr Bob Turner

Cr Ashleigh Vandenberg

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

35 years ago

25 years ago

20 years ago

10 years ago

March 4, 1987

March 5, 1997

March 5, 2002

February 28, 2012

Keilor mayor Gilbert Guilieri has called for an independent enquiry about whether electro-magnetic radiation from power lines causes cancer.

Angry western suburbs’ parents will rally against pressure they say is being placed on them to pay “voluntary“ State school contributions.

Cr Andres Puig has called for the resignation of the entire executive of the St Albans Business Group Association after Brimbank Council (SABGA) voted last week to maintain a freeze on their funds.

A group fighting to preserve Sunshine’s history has accused the Regional Rail Link Authority of steaming ahead with a project it says will devastate the HV McKay Gardens.

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Tuesday, 1 March, 2022 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 11

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MY PLACE Tara Tran is the founder of Vietlove Inc, which is one of the biggest non-profit community organisations in Brimbank. Through her work with VietLove, Tara is making a real difference to the community. The group was set up with a small number of friends in March 2020 when COVID began to have an impact on Melbourne. Since then the group has grown quickly to the point where Tara today leads the 20,000 strong group in supporting local organisations and events in Brimbank and providing valuable input and help for community projects. She spoke with Max Hatzoglou. What is your connection to Brimbank? I have lived in Sunshine North since 2008. I am a community leader so I had been supported by Brimbank for my works and some of my projects are funded by Brimbank city council and Victorian government. You founded one of the biggest non-profit community organisations in Brimbank, Vietlove Inc in March 2020, can you tell us a little bit more about it? At beginning of March 2020, when Melbourne affected by COVID first wave I had formed a group of friends and try to help community with anything we could. The group is growing too quick. Ccurrently it has 20,000 followers and is growing. So I decided to formalise our activities by registering for incorporation and name it Vietlove INC – Vietnamese Community’s Love for Australia. I am a migrant, I came to Australia when I were 16 year old, Australia supported me so much and gave me so many opportunities to be where I am therefore I wanted to do something back for Australia and it’s people. You won the Citizen of the Year Award for Brimbank in 2022. What is some of the work you are most proud of? Our organisation has so many projects including English class, free for elderly

and $5/hr for anyone in labour age (18-50), filling out forms for people with insufficient English language skills, mental heath and many more. The work that I am so proud of is mental heath. We had supported thousands of cases for mental support within such a small amount of time, some are so close to decide for ending their own lives, lucky they had reach out to us and we talked them through, some cases we also refer them to local GP and psychologist for further check up and professional assistance. You are going to try and stand for parliament as an independent, what are some of your ambitions? I am not a politician, I am a social supporter and fortunately I had a chance to experience this life in many different angles, because I came from an Asian background but raised by Australia education and culture. I see the differences between the two cultures, I also see that advances and disadvantages from both nations. Beside that I had been involved directly with community members, all different nationalities and backgrounds. It gave me a clear vision of where everyone was standing and what difficulties they are facing and what could be done to balance the values for everyone so we can reach to a mutual vision, we can enjoy our lives event better.

Tara Tran. (Supplied)

Equipment boost for Burnside Heights juniors Just ahead of the season kicking off, the Burnside Heights Football Club’s junior program has been buoyed by grant funding that has helped to source vital equipment. Established collaboratively between The Dickinson Foundation and The Australian Sports Foundation (ASF), the Active Kid Grants project was developed to assist community sporting clubs that encountered financial difficulties throughout the pandemic. An ASF survey of 70,000 community sporting clubs found that 60 per cent of respondents were worried about player retention, while 42 per cent recorded a drop in their volunteer workforces. An average of $18,000 revenue was lost per club across the country’s surveyed sporting teams. Burnside Heights Football Club president Justin Peagram said the club received more than $5000 through the grant program, which helped them to purchase goal post padding, first aid kits, footy bags and more. “After a non-season in 2020 and a cancelled season in 2021, it really makes a big difference,” Peagram said. “They’re just small items, but it all adds up and can be costly. “It’s good to know that people want to give back to community sport. We run on volunteers, so everything helps.” In total the ASF distributed $550,000 in grants to 144 community clubs across Australia. Oliver Lees

Burnside Heights Football Club. (Supplied)

12 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 1 March, 2022

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BEHIND THE NEWS

‘‘

You can have the biggest genuine hug, it’s an open-mouth-style kiss. It’s very unique

’’

- Chrissy Cimino

Chrissy Cimino’s son Elliott, 4, was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome when he was 14 months old.

(Damjan Janevski) 266764_06

Test unlocks genetic mysteries A new screening test for three rare genetic disorders in babies is giving hope to parents like Wollert’s Chrissy Cimino, as Elsie Lange discovered.

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ollert mum Chrissy Cimino might have avoided many months of waiting and worry had new genetic screening technology been available for her son, Elliott, five years ago. Elliott has Angelman’s syndrome – a rare genetic disorder affecting about one in 15,000 live births – but Ms Cimino didn’t find this out until he was 14 months old. As an infant, Elliot struggled to put on weight. At six months, he couldn’t sit or hold his head up properly. At 10 months, they saw a paediatrician, who said Elliot was just “placid”, and should “catch up”. “But being a first time mum, you just work things out,” Ms Cimino said. “You don’t know anything different.” The new screening technology, developed by Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) and funded by the state government, could have identified Elliott’s condition and

sidestepped the anxiety Ms Cimino and her husband Ben endured. The screening by the technology can identify Prader Willi, Angelman and Dup15q – disorders that can lead to varying degrees of intellectual disability, autism, behavioural problems, seizures and severe obesity. Ms Cimino said getting Elliott diagnosed wasn’t cheap or easy. People with Angelman’s syndrome are renowned for their upbeat personalities and big smiles – sometimes to their detriment. “Everyone said that I had the dream baby,” she said. The diagnostic method involves a commonly used ‘heel prick’ test, which allows researchers to look at the number of chemical markers to affected genes. Ms Cimino is on maternity leave from her job as a nurse and she wishes there was more support for families of people with disabilities. Her mum has been helping to look after the kids, because she isn’t able to get enough help from the National Disability Insurance Scheme for a support worker. “That’s not the role of a grandmother,” Ms Cimino said. Elliott’s been having undiagnosed seizures since he was seven months old and if he had the diagnosis, the “electrical storm” in his brain would have been controlled. And not only is it underdiagnosed, Angelman’s syndrome is also misdiagnosed – sometimes as autism, because they are

non-verbal, or as cerebral palsy. Had they found out earlier, Ms Cimino would have been able to access the equipment necessary to make Elliott’s life easier, but because they only found out when he was 14 months old, she felt like they were on the backfoot. When Elliott was diagnosed, Ms Cimino was pregnant with her second child. “From the newborn screening, what can happen is that we could have gone and done the newborn screening and know that our other two daughters are fine,” Ms Cimino said. Before the new screening was the developed, Ms Cimino said the only other way she could have found out about her other babies were more “invasive” forms of of testing, and she said the new testing means she would not have to “run the risk of miscarriage”. “There’s a whole anxiety around that procedure,” she said. She describes her four-year-old boy as affectionate, loving and full of laughter – but this is not always easy for his parents when he’s unwell. “You can have the biggest genuine hug, it’s an open-mouth-style kiss. It’s very unique,” Ms Cimino said. “Full of absolute love and joy.” “But it can be really hard as well, because we can present [at hospital] and he can be really sick but he’s still happy.“ The mother of three said she’s grateful for

the support networks supporting Angelman families, because without them, she wouldn’t have known Elliott had the disorder for a long time to come. It was when Ms Cimino stumbled across an organisation online, Foundation of Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (FAST), and watched a video called ‘What does Angelman look like’, that she and her husband saw their son represented for the first time. “I said to my husband ‘Oh my god, Elliot has Angelman syndrome,” She said it was a relief and after further research, the family came across Angelman Syndrome Association of Australia (ASAA), connecting Ciminos to other families and providing support. For Ms Cimino and the Angelmans syndrome community, it’s exciting to see further research and therapeutics to do with the disorder coming to Australia. “That’s super exciting, and to improve their quality of life, and that’s all funded by the Angelman community,” she said. “The future is bright for them.” She says that if parents think their child might have Angelmans, to go into the process with an open mind, and that the community will support them. “If you think your child’s got Angelmans syndrome, go to the FAST website, go and see the ASAA, because we’re the ones that live this everyday,” Ms Cimino said. “And we will guide you through it, and it will be okay.”

Tuesday, 1 March, 2022 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 13

COMMENT STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

When local learning goes global By Christopher Carter, chief executive, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network Melbourne is celebrated as a city in which diversity is matched by tolerance, acceptance and love. Yet sometimes national or international pressures can make the city’s at-risk communities feel unfairly targeted as others publicly debate their worth. When this happens, people become more susceptible to stress, anxiety and are at higher risk of self-harm. When it comes to help, one size doesn’t fit all. Mental health programs need to be culturally appropriate, recognising the importance of community-defining factors such as language, faith, custom or sexuality. For a long time, members of the LGBTIQ+ community have been disproportionately at risk of mental illness. Multiple studies confirm higher than average numbers of suicides and suicide attempts. Other research found that many LGBTIQ+people are reluctant to use regular physical and mental health services. North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) operates on the principle that everyone deserves the right care at the right time. This commitment drove our teams over the past couple of years to lead three suicide prevention trials – two, centred on Melton-Brimbank and Macedon Ranges, were funded by the state government and the third, a national pilot focused on the LGBTIQ+ community, was funded by the commonwealth. We looked at gaps in the system and how they might be filled, working with GPs, hospital clinicians, nurses, and LGBTIQ+ organisations. Critical to this process were the voices of community members who had experienced suicidal thoughts, survived a

NWMPHN’s suicide prevention work has been recognised by the World Health Organisation. (iStock)

suicide attempt, cared for someone through suicidal crisis, or been bereaved by suicide. We looked at factors such as the role of LGBTIQ+ support groups, cultural awareness training for clinicians, the development of LGBTIQ+ centred services following discharge after a suicide attempt, and other factors. All three of the trials conclude in June. However, lessons and training modules arising from them are now being incorporated into health service responses around the country. And, indeed, the world. We found that in

the matter of post-discharge mental health support (known as ‘postvention’ in the jargon) there was almost no comparable work being done anywhere else. It is a tribute to all the people in the medical sector, community organisations and LGBTIQ+ community that, just a couple of weeks ago, the World Health Organisation acknowledged the NWMPHN suicide prevention work for its excellence and innovation. The trial findings and recommendations are now incorporated in the global body’s

officialtext, The WHO Live Life: An implementation guide for suicide prevention in countries. It seems that Melbourne’s reputation for diversity, tolerance, acceptance and love has not only been reaffirmed, but also recognised around the world. If this story sparks concerns for you, please contact: Switchboard, a peer-driven support service for LGBTIQ people and their friends and family, 1800 184 527; switchboard.org.au (3pm–midnight daily) Lifeline: 13 11 14, lifeline.org.au

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14 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 1 March, 2022

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COMMUNITY

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

Writers and Readers Festival The Brimbank Writers and Readers Festival (BWRF) is an annual event that encourages a love of reading and literature, celebrates creativity and diversity, and promotes lifelong learning in Brimbank. The free festival, which runs between March 17 and 26, includes workshops, author talks, panel discussions, writing, storytelling and more. ■ https://www.brimbanklibraries.vic.gov. au/writersfestival

Photographer’s choice, artist Rebekah Cole with her artwork. (Damjan Janevski) 269383_01

Clean Up at Selwyn Park Friends of Kororoit Creek and the Kororoit Creek Klean Up invite you to join us on Clean Up Australia Day at Selwyn Park in Albion on March 6. Selwyn Park is central to the Friends of Kororoit Creek plantings and it’s time to give the creek some love and clean up the accumulated rubbish! ■ https://www.facebook.com/ events/1120958798737614

Mental health awareness Breaking ground as the first dedicated mental health festival of its kind in Brimbank, the Know Yourself, Show Yourself, Grow Yourself Festival aims to raise awareness and normalise conversations about mental health. The weeklong festival will run from Monday, March 21 to Friday, March 25, at Sunshine Heights Primary School, and feature a free public program bustling with workshops, guest speakers and experiences centered on core tenets of mental health and wellbeing; fostering diversity, inclusion, connection, courage and belonging along the journey line. ■ https://www.knowshowgrowfestival.com/ program

Keilor probus The Keilor Combined Probus Club is back in business following the lockdowns. The group meets the third Monday of every month at Keilor Pub. New members welcome. ■ Steve, 0408 193 793, or Keith, 0409 494 801.

Women’s Day The Women’s Support Network will be launched at an International Women’s Day event in Brimbank on Tuesday, March 8 between 10am and 12pm at Deer Park Hall, Station Rd, Deer Park. All women are welcome to attend, with bookings open until March 3 ■ https://www.trybooking.com/BXMGS or info@wsn.org.au

The Whittlesea Garden Expo is on Saturday, March 5 and Sunday, March 6 at Whittlesea Showgrounds, Whittlesea-Yea Road, Whittlesea, 9am-3pm. Featuring stallholders, presentations, entertainment and kids’ activities. Cost: $8 for adults (prebooked) or $10 at the gate. ■ https://bit.ly/3rMNvfp

Sunbury Senior Citizens’ Club on Mondays and Fridays, from 10am-3pm at 8 O’Shannassy Street. A variety of activities are offered – carpet bowls, cards, snooker, darts, board games or just a cup of coffee and a chat. If you’re 55 years or older and would like to meet new people, come along. ■ Frank, 0423 392 884

Ladies probus

Community outings

The Woodlands Ladies Probus Club of Sunbury meets on the fourth Monday of each month at the Sunbury Bowling Club at 9.45 am. The club is based on fun, friendship and fellowship and enjoys monthly outings and an annual trip away. ■ Val, 0418 138 214

Hikoi Brothers is for men of all ages in the western suburbs. The group meets fortnightly on Sundays for walks, talking about a range of topics while enjoying the different tracks in Wyndham. ■ http://ow.ly/JpJR50HOVuN

Garden expo

Football Taylors Lakes Football Club is seeking male and female players for all age groups from under-8s to under-18.5s. To be eligible, children need to be born between July 1, 2003, and April 30, 2015. ■ Julie, 0409 259 389

Deer Park probus The Deer Park Combined Probus Club meets on the second Wednesday of each month at The Deer Park Club, 780 Ballarat Road, from 10am. New members and visitors welcome. ■ Don, 0409 191 580

U3A Werribee U3A Werribee Region is a Not-for-profit organisation consisting of semi-retired and retired residents of Wyndham. It conducts a variety of weekly classes run by volunteers. ■ Rick, 0402 299 220

Education volunteers

Hanging Rock night walks Sunbury Combined Probus Club The Sunbury Combined Probus Club meets every fourth Thursday of the month at the Sunbury Football Social Club at 10am. Visitors and new Members welcome. ■ Carmel, 0416 477 271.

Women’s group Duke Street Community Centre has set up a women’s social group to give people a place to interact. The group will run every second Friday, from 1pm, as a way to connect with other women in the community in a safe, fun and social way. It will be developed to suit the needs of the participants and will be in a casual setting. ■ 9311 9973

Tuesday, March 8, 5.30–7pm, river end of Edgar Street, Werribee. ■ maryann.weatherill@werribeeriver.org.au

Rotary club The Sunbury Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at the Sunbury Bowling Club from 7pm. ■ sunburyrotary@gmail.com

Toastmasters Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Toastmasters helps its members develop their public speaking, communication and leadership skills. The group meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month, from 7.20-9.30pm, at the Sunbury Senior Citizens Hall. ■ vpm-4185@toastmastersclubs.org

Garden club The Sunbury Garden Club meets on the first Tuesday of every month. There is a guest speaker at each meeting, which starts at 7.30pm at the Sunbury Football Club. ■ Cheryl, 9744 1663

Senior citizens club Senior citizens are welcome to visit the

Let the scent of eucalypt and the calls of native wildlife captivate you on a night time walk at Hanging Rock. The walks are suitable for all ages, but spaces are limited and booking is essential. The ticket price is $25 per adult or $12 per child for two sessions running on Friday, February 18 and Friday, March 25. ■ 5422 0387

Join Landcare The Friends of Presidents Park meet on the first Thursday of the month, 10am– noon. This is a new conservation group. No prior knowledge required. Meet in the carpark near the river and Shaws Bridge. ■ admin@werribeeriver.org.au

Activies of fun, friendship Wyndham Life Activities is a not-for-profit organisation based at the Italian Sports Club of Werribee with a range of activities on offer every week, including walking, Double 15 Dominoes, line dancing, yogalates, casual lunch and card games, seniors exercise, mahjong, happy hour, book clubs, caravanning and movies. ■ wlac@iscw.com.au

Werribee River lovers required A new family-friendly conservation group is forming to support the Werribee River in central Werribee. The next event is

EdConnect Australia is on the search for Wyndham residents to mentor and volunteer with students for the 2022 school year. The charity places volunteers in local schools to help improve the lives of vulnerable young people and equip them with life skills. EdConnect Australia offers training and support to its volunteers. ■ www.edconnectaustralia.org.au/ volunteer/ or 1800 668 550

Food handling courses Accredited food handlers and food safety courses are being run at Melton South Community Centre on Saturday, March 5. The community centre will also be running a breadmaking for beginners workshop on Saturday, March 5 and Sunday March 6. . ■ 9747 8576

Melton Valley Ladies Probus Club The Melton Valley Ladies Probus Club meets at 10am on the second Tuesday of each month at the Melton Country Club. The group is open to everyone, new and old members, to get together and discover the social aspects of the group. ■ Ann, 0425 705 150

Singing group Do you enjoy singing and want to meet fellow singers in your area? Join the Melton South Community Singers at the Melton South Community Centre. Rehearsals are held on the first and third Tuesday of each month. ■ Sue, 0400 082 413 Tuesday, 1 March, 2022 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 15

PUZZLES No. 070

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

3

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

6 8 1 1 7 9 3

6 5 9 4 1

ACROSS 6 10 11 12 13 14 15 20 21 25 26 28 29 30 31

Surgeons’ instruments (8) Calms (8) Wattle (6) Made greater (9) Primary (4) Handsome nursery plant (6) Oral (6) Counter (7) Bankrupt (9) Bestowed (7) Definite (8) Still (8) Zigzag (6) Affirmation (6) Art of dwarfing shrubs or trees (6) Book ID (1,1,1,1)

1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 16 17 18 19 22 23 24

27

4

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

No. 070

DOWN

System without private property (9) Tie-on labels (4) Extension (3) Group of islands (11) Outlines (8) Orb (6) Falsehoods (4) Gives (7) From Stockholm, say (7) Sulk (4) Uniform (6) Material for floors (8) Anarchy (11) Qld city, Mount — (3) Masculine (4) Food (9)

1

2 medium

7

QUICK CROSSWORD

DECODER

No. 070

hard

3 2 6

4 2 5 1

10 11 12 13

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

5 LETTERS ABASE ACRES ADORE ADORN AGAPE AGATE ALIAS ALIVE ALLEN ANGEL APPLE AVAIL BRING CASEY CEDAR COCOA CORSE COSTA DRESS ELIDE

3

2

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

E

Today’s Aim: 17 words: Good 25 words: Very good

I

C

N

4 6 7 3 5 9 2 1 8

9 2 5 4 1 8 7 3 6

7 8 4 2 9 6 1 5 3

NOTE: more than one solution may be possible

E

5 4 6 1 8 7 3 9 2

8 7 2 9 4 3 5 6 1

4 1 8 3 6 2 9 7 5

7 2 6 9 5 8 4 1 3

1 4 3 6 2 7 8 5 9

8 6 2 5 9 3 7 4 1

9 7 5 8 4 1 2 3 6

2 9 7 4 3 5 1 6 8

6 3 4 1 8 9 5 2 7

5 8 1 2 7 6 3 9 4

6 4 1 7 3 8 5 2 9

7 6 9 3 8 5 1 4 2

8 2 3 4 1 6 9 7 5

1 5 4 9 2 7 3 6 8

4 7 2 1 9 3 8 5 6

5 1 6 8 7 2 4 9 3

9 3 8 5 6 4 2 1 7

C E

16 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 1 March, 2022

I

R

L A D E A V E N B O U T

2 8 5 6 4 9 7 3 1

C

Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down.

D

T

No. 070

L D E R

3 9 1 6 2 5 8 7 4

O

ELUDE ERRED EVITA FACTS GENII HEARD IBIZA ISSUE LAPUP LEONE LOSER LOTUS MACRO NURSE OMEGA OWNER PANIC PESTS PRIOR RALPH RIVEN

SAUDI SEEDS SIREN SNEAK SOLAR STEPS STUDY SUPER TRUER 6 LETTERS CENTER GERALD METALS SEEMED

7 LETTERS BREAKER LOCATED PUERILE RAUCOUS SUPREMO WARRIOR 8 LETTERS PASSABLE PROCURES SIDESTEP SORCERER

04-03-22

E

6 5 9 8 3 1 4 2 7

E

G

T

4 LETTERS APSE BIDE CASA FAIR FRED HANS INTO ISPY LOAM ORBS RACE SAIL SARK SKIM

No. 070

COMPETING, cope, coping, epic, incept, inept, mope, moping, open, opine, optic, opting, pectin, pent, peon, picot, pigeon, pigment, pimento, pine, ping, pint, pinto, pitmen, piton, poem, poet, poetic, point, tempi, tempo, tope, topic, toping

2 1 3 5 7 4 6 8 9

3 9 7 2 5 1 6 8 4

E

O

P

G R A

3 5 9 7 1 4 6 8 2

1 3 8 7 6 2 9 4 5

A

1

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”.

M

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

D

9

9-LETTER WORD

34 words: Excellent

hard

E

8

M G 18

medium

E

7

17

easy

A

6

3 LETTERS ADO ADS ARE ECO EGO EMU EYE FOR GAR GOT HOT IDE MBA MIR ODE ONE OUT OVA RAT TEA TIE TOE TVS ZED

I O T UNQC S X H V E D

6 3 7

A

5

16

3 3 8

G

4

15

6 4

4 7

5x5

3

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

2

9

2

AWB L K R Z P J F YMG

2 5

1

14

1 9 7 8 8

WORDFIT

QUICK QUIZ

1

What are the bars of a xylophone commonly made from?

7

In what year did Xi Jinping become president of the People’s Republic of China?

2

Who (pictured) starred as Xena in Xena: Warrior Princess from 1995 to 2001?

8

Roentgen rays are more commonly known by what name?

3

The first X-Men comic, The X-men #1, was published in what year?

9

What is the name for the letter X in the Greek alphabet?

4

Fox Mulder and Dana Scully were the main characters of which US television show?

5

Xenophobia is the fear of what?

6

What company produces the Xbox gaming console?

10 The first photocopier was produced by which US company?

ANSWERS: 1. Wood 2. Lucy Lawless 3. 1963 4. The X-Files 5. Foreigners 6. Microsoft 7. 2013 8. X-rays 9. Chi 10. Xerox

SUDOKU

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

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G6425413AA-dc5Nov

Bill 0410 48 14 17

Phone Tony 0404 775 573

General Classifieds

❖ Pergolas ❖ Verandahs ❖ Carports ❖ Decking ❖ Alfresco Areas ❖ Retaining Walls ❖ Insurance work

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12416265-CG17-19

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12402111-RA43-18

VISA/MASTERCARD/EFTPOS

Deadline for all classifications is 2:30pm Friday.

V Concrete Products & Services

TRADES & SERVICES

We accept payment by:

12427253-FA39-19

(include your name, address and phone number)

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For a Free Quote call Pavlina on 0431 116 544 www.koprivacleaning.com.au

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CALL 1300 666 808 Tuesday, 1 March, 2022 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 17

LEON’S FENCING SERVICES

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Buy, & Sell in our

Motoring

12532148-AV03-22

Ph 0410 807 841

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V Tree Lopping/Surgery

ANTENNA MAN

Saida’s Painting And Handyman

12440392-SG06-20

Specialising in Timber and Colorbond Fencing

V Television/Video/Audio

Trees Pruned Reshaped Grubbed out. All Foliage/Rubbish Removed Fully Insured $10m Pensioner Discount

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12469374-CG46-20

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Fully insured

MIRMIC PLUMBING

Tel 04 3277 4645

0412 184 772

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V Public Notices and Event

BRIMBANK PLANNING SCHEME NOTICE OF AN APPLICATION FOR A PLANNING PERMIT

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PCC Plumbing

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0450 820 170 - 7 days

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Paul Catoggio 0448 411 593 pccplumbing@outlook.com

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Registered & Insured, Contact Free & Vaccinated

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RJ GUTTERS ฀

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1232632-ACM26-16

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G6795050AA-dc29Apr 1132314-LB19-14

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The application reference number is:

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You may look at the application and any documents that support the application at:

• WWW.BRIMBANK.VIC.GOV.AU/ADVERTISED-PLANS

RBP-24841

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ALL AROUND 12537773-JC09-22

977914

177646

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Records

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15th March, 2022 Eunice Wong, (9249 4875)

17 Years Guarantee 10% Pensioner Discount Council Permit Supplied Computer Levelling

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• Online at www.brimbank.vic.gov.au/forms/planning-objection-online-form • Email info@brimbank.vic.gov.au • By post to PO Box 70, Sunshine, Vic, 3020 • In person at Brimbank Community and Civic Centre, 301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine Objections must include details of the application you are objecting to, your contact details and the reasons for the objection. If you do object, the responsible authority will tell you its decision.

Call or visit us online! networkclassifieds.com.au

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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AARON & JOHN’S DEMOLITION & RUBBISH REMOVALS • Demolition Specialists • Backyard Cleanups • Concrete Broken or Cut & Removed • Tree Lopping & Removal • Rental Cleanups • All types of dingo work. • Deceased Estate Cleanups We Take Anything Away

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[OL WSHUUPUN WYV]PZPVUZ H[ [OL MVSSV^PUN ZP[L [V YLÅLJ[ [OL J\YYLU[ provisions are no longer appropriate for the intended use of the land. 147A Cairnlea Drive and 26S Glenbrook Avenue

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For A Free Quote Call MARK: 0425

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Call Mark 0401 478 799

KITCHEN FACELIFTS ฀

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The Government Land Planning Service received a request to change

12423634-SN31-19

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12386073-RC18-18

12367852-ACM41-17

For free quote call Mob: 0423 595 388 Email: sales@lnkitchens.com.au Showroom: 24 Berkshire Rd, North Sunshine

For all roof restoration needs. Cleaning, repointing, painting, leak repairs, etc…

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Proposed planning changes to government land

TILE COAT Specialise in: - Kitchens, vanities, laundries, wardrobes, storages Glass: Splashback, shower screen, mirrors, glass.

ADVERTISERS, in this section are qualified practitioners and offer nonsexual services.

12538520-AV09-22

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Open 7 days

60's, 70's, 80's and jazz records. Will come to your place. Good prices. No classical. Ring Len 0490 098 805 or 0434 253 428.

An objection must be in writing and sent to the Brimbank City Council either:

12527326-HC51-21

$100/ 30mins

V Wanted

• CONTACT CITY PLANNING ON 9249 4606 OR EMAIL info@brimbank.vic.gov.au. FOR A COPY TO BE POSTED

The responsible authority will not decide on the application before: The Contact Officer is:

REBLOCKING & UNDERPINNING

• Interior/Exterior • Plaster repair • Caulking • Sanding & gapping • Colour match FREE QUOTES QUALITY WORKMANSHIP

PM KENNEDY LAND SURVEYOR

Rainbow Dolls

48 Davies Avenue, Sunshine North 9364 0770 SWA6566B

Any person who may be affected by the granting of the permit may object or make other submissions to the responsible authority. Any comments received will be placed on the electronic file associated with this application and will be available for inspection.

Ph: 0416 033 003 or 9338 3668 (AH)

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PAINTING

The applicant for the permit is:

Call our helpful classified team between 8:30am-5pm Mon-Fri for FREE advice!

15

Year REBLOCKING & UNDERPINNING Guaran tee

Handyman Service

REMOVAL OF THE RESTRICTIVE COVENANT CONTAINED IN TRANSFER 1477719 AS IT APPLIES TO VOLUME 5722 FOLIO 304

• BRIMBANK COMMUNITY AND CIVIC CENTRE, 301 HAMPSHIRE ROAD, SUNSHINE (Monday to Friday, 8:45am - 5:00pm) (unless closed due to Covid lockdowns)

PH: 9360 5357 Mobile: 0412 378 193

0421 421 640

Homes

The application is for a permit to:

FREE SMOKE ALARM

FREE QUOTES

★ New & Existing ★

The land affected by the LOT(S): 290 application is located at: PLAN OF SUBDIVISION: 11231 ADDRESS: 45 ERICA AVENUE ST ALBANS

• Repairs to tap wares and replacement washers/ceramic • Same day hot water service replacements

• General plumbing • Roofing • Downpipes and Spouting • Sewer Blockages

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12360798-DJ33-17

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1235322622-PB22-17

Call Joe 0498 375 094 - 7 days

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12424562-SN33-19

Specialist in • Lawn mowing • Edging Pruning / Hedge Trimming • Regular Maintenance • Rubbish Removals • Tree Lopping • Gutter Cleaning

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General Notices

AMAZING GARDEN SERVICES

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• Bathroom, Kitchen, Toilet Renovation • Small Extension • Carpentry / Plastering • 20yrs. Plus Building Experience ** call Hill now for a free quote **

12521636-DL45-21

FREE Quotes

Call Mick 0417 352 040

12530339-JW02-22

REPAIRS & REMOTES Roller Door Remote Controls Silent Drive 7 Year Warranty FROM $500 fully installed

9746 7785

• General Plumbing & Maintenance • Spouting & Roofing • Hot & Cold Water Services • Gas work

12398667-SN37-18

F & J ROLLER DOORS

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Mark - 0460 321 701

ASAP TILING

Lic 35031

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12340308-HM08-17

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12523135-DL49-21

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12327446-LN42-16

Trades & Services

G6133636AA-dc2Jul

Planning Scheme Amendment C222brim to the Brimbank Planning

V Tuition

Scheme has been prepared to:

A TEACHER Available for tutoring. Mathematics, Science, Chemistry, Chinese and Japanese. Phone 0418 871 203

࠮ Rezone the site from General Residential Zone to Comprehensive Development Zone ࠮ Introduce the Cairnlea Comprehensive Development Plan ࠮ Incorporate the Small Lot Housing Code and ࠮ Incorporate the new Cairnlea Townhouse Code The Minister for Planning, the Hon Richard Wynne MP, has referred the proposed changes to the Government Land Standing Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) for advice. You can make a

Employment section of Network Classifieds. networkclassifieds.com.au 18 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 1 March, 2022

submission to the Advisory Committee about the proposed planning scheme provisions. ;V ÄUK V\[ TVYL HIV\[ [OL WYVWVZLK WSHUUPUN ZJOLTL JOHUNLZ HUK

Buy & Sell in our

how to make a submission see engage.vic.gov.au/glsac/tranche-34. Submissions close 7 April 2022. www.delwp.vic.gov.au Customer Service Centre 136 186

12537528-BL09-22

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F20944

Motoring section of Network Classifieds.

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SPORTS QUIZ 1. Australia’s national men’s cricket team is set to tour which country in March of this year? 2. How many co-captains did Wests Tigers recently appoint for the 2022 NRL season? 3. Which team was fined $10,000 for breaching competition rules during the Super Netball 2022 player-signing period?

4. How many own goals did New Zealand defender Meikayla Moore score in a recent 0-5 defeat to the US women’s soccer team?

12. What Australian city will host the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup in September and October? 13. What US women’s national team was recently awarded equal pay to their male counterparts?

5. Super Bowl-winning Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matt Stafford played 12 seasons with which NFL team?

14. Touk Miller and Jarrod Witts were recently announced as captains of which AFL club?

6. The Super Golf League is a proposed professional golf tour funded by which country?

15. Which country topped the medal tally at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics?

7. Western United’s Ben Garuccio scored a scorpion-kick goal in a recent 3-2 win over which A-League Men’s team?

16. What famous athletics event is usually held each year over the Easter long weekend? 17. What sport does the movie and TV series Friday Night Lights, starring Kyle Chandler, revolve around?

8. The Fijiana Drua are the newest team to join which six-team women’s rugby union competition?

Kyle Chandler

9. Jed Anderson last played for which AFL team?

18. In baseball, what is the most commonly stolen base?

10. Which Akron, Ohio-born basketballer was named MVP of the 2022 NBA All-Star Game?

19. What is the only sport to have been played on the moon?

11. What iconic sporting stadium did Eddie McGuire recently say should have a roof installed on it?

V

Positions Vacant

BOILER MAKER Move to Gold Coast

12400498-CG38-18

We are looking for a skilled boiler maker for interesting, varied work, including TIG. We don't do heavy structural. Regular overtime is available. Permanent position after satisfactory trial period. Australian Flexible Joints, Currumbin, Qld. Email: gavinphillips@afj.com.au

ZZZ QHWZRUNFODVVL´HGV FRP DX

Real Estate

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Employment

Concreter/Concrete Labourer Must have own car. Western suburbs area. For more info call Tony

0404 775 573 Find it in the

Positions Vacant

Celebrations section of Network Classifieds.

NEED NEW STAFF? 12400545-LB38-19

24. After approximately two-thirds of the season complete, which club currently tops the ladder in the English Premier League? 25. Which Australian Paralympian has won 17 medals, including six gold, across four Paralympic Games?

27. By what scoreline did the Australian men’s cricket team defeat Sri Lanka in their five-match T20 series? 28. And which Aussie batsman was named player of the series? 29. The Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo will host which major sporting event in 2026? 30. In which year was Australia’s last Test cricket tour of Pakistan?

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Beware of falling in love with the Jolion

The Jolion has a fair way to go to beat rivals in ‘love’ match.

(Pictures: Supplied)

By Derek Ogden, Marque Motoring Jolion sounds like one of those decent chaps in a Billy Bunter or Tom Brown’s Schooldays caper - a young toff in a starched collar and a top hat. It is, in fact, a compact sports utility vehicle from a Chinese company generally known for its cheap-as-chips workhorse utes. To add to the incongruity, we are told by the maker, Haval Great Wall Motors, Jolion is Chinese for ‘first love’. I suppose with a price range in the mid $20k, what’s not to love about the SUV. The ‘school bell’ first rang for Jolion in Australia with two variants - mid-grade Lux and range-topping Ultra, priced from $27,990 driveaway and $30,990 driveaway, respectively. These were later joined by an entry-level Jolion Premium model from $25,490 driveaway. The Lux was on test. Haval GWM continues to offer one of the best after sales and customer care packages in the industry with a seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty, five years roadside assist and an attractive capped price servicing program.

Styling There is a touch of Hollywood about this ‘first love’. The spotlight falls brightly on a grille with sparkling finish and horizontal accents to create a bold, if flashy, show. The ‘main event’ is flanked by LED headlamps, foglamps and a most striking set-up of daytime running lights. The car’s profile is standard SUV lines, while the back is plain, if a little hunchbacked.

Interior Soft touch surfaces, aluminium-style accents and leather wrapped steering wheel give a premium look to the cabin on the surface, but hard plastic buts in to cheapen the image, not to mention the rubber surround of the rear-view mirror coming adrift at a touch. Seats, in Comfort-Tek material, are heated up front, the driver getting a six-way adjustable

Engines / transmissions Power is delivered to the front wheels by a re-engineered 1.5 litre turbo-petrol engine with 110 kW of power and 210 Nm of torque mated to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission.

Safety

AT A GLANCE MODEL LINE-UP Haval Jolion Premium from $25,490 (driveaway) Haval Jolion Lux from $27,990 (driveaway) Haval Jolion Ultra from $30,990 (driveaway)

Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Haval dealer for drive-away prices.

spot. The rear has class-leading leg and shoulder space. Storage is taken care of by a central bin and a pair of cupholders in two sizes in the centre console, while door pockets can fit bottles. Boot space is not left behind, checking in at 430 litres, expanding to 1133 litres with the 60:40 second row stowed. A space-saver spare nestles under the floor.

Infotainment Connectivity is front and centre with a 10.25-inch colour multimedia touchscreen linked to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 7-inch LCD instrument display carries range of system info. The position of the touch screen on the centre dash of the test car had its problems, with air-con controls underneath easy to catch accidentally while resting the palm on working the screen. Audio is handled by a six-speaker system, while dual-zone air-conditioning keeps occupants in relative comfort.

20 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 1 March, 2022

Safety is expansive with autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition and rear cross-traffic alert standard across the range.

Driving New from the ground up like its larger sibling, the new H6, the Jolion, a replacement for the H2, is underpinned by Haval’s new global lightweight modular platform to appeal to a wide range of driving needs. The 1.5 litre petrol engine, with the turbo slow to catch on at times when setting off, delivered up to 110 kW and 210 Nm to the test car front wheels smoothly through a the seven-speed dual clutch transmission once the vehicle was up to speed.

As far as fuel consumption is concerned the claimed combined urban / highway cycle of 8.1 litres of premium unleaded per 100 kilometres, compared with the 10 litres per 100 kilometres recorded on test in a range of driving conditions. For those interested, four different drive modes - standard, eco, sport and snow - are available on demand. With eco snail-like and sport highlighting the small engine syndrome, standard was an acceptable all-rounder. After a serious bout of gardening, my back was worse for wear. I don’t think I could have enjoyed a long(ish) journey in the Jolion Lux. Despite looking good, the seats were hard and generally unsupportive. Loading from the rear had its problems with the tailgate not lifting enough to get the cargo cover out of the way, making it a prime target for a whack on the head. The dim boot surroundings did not help. The keyless entry also had a mind of its own - at times not unlocking the driver’s door to the touch of the handle. The key fob button was the back-up. Don’t get me on about the ‘spy’ camera with its constant eye on the driver from its elevated spot on the A-pillar. Whatever motivated the Chinese to come up with this Cyclops of a driver fatigue monitoring system? This one-eyed monster supposedly checks the driver’s concentration level and if it deems it to have elapsed, flashes up the message on the multimedia screen “Hey, don’t stray”. Other warnings included one about the position of the vehicle ahead (which wasn’t there). It all became a niggling bore.

Summary So, what’s not to love about the Jolion? Apart from the keen pricing, there is quite a bit, actually. The Chinese compact SUV could best be described as a work in progress.

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

SPORT

Georgies hoping to replicate last year’s success It will be new looking Caroline Springs George Cross this season in FV state league 1 north-west. Having been top of the competition last season when it was called off due to COVID-19, the Georgies had been hoping to return to the National Premier League competition this year. With that not to be after Football Victoria ruled out promotion and relegation, the Georgies have seen a number of players depart ahead of what coach Eric Vassiliadis says will be an interesting season. “I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “It has come pretty quickly. “We’re still bitterly disappointed by the results and the judgement. The code had the chance to be progressive and be proactive, but went in a different direction. “It’s a significant disadvantage for us, for us to just get back to where we were.” Vassiliadis said they had lost seven players

from last year’s squad who they were still trying to replace. He said the changes to the list and COVID-19 had resulted in an interrupted pre-season. “We’ve had four go into the NPL1 system. It’s a real dilemma, as we want them to go to a higher level and you foster them, but you don’t want to lose them either. “But we’re excited by some of the players that we’ve brought to the club. The club wants to do [be on top again].” Vassiliadis said he was getting close to finalising a squad he is happy with. Among the signings so far are Matthew Sesto, Adrian Mancini, Jason Hart, Aidan Farquhar, Andelo Svalina, Zois Galanopoulos and James Brown. Vassiliadis said other clubs had seemed to invest plenty of money into their squads for this season, which would strength the competition. With that happening, he said it would be

hard to finish top and claim promotion. “We’re confident in the team to get the boys ready,” he said. “We’re not far from the first priority which is the Australia Cup [former FFA Cup], which starts in two weeks’ time. “Then our first target of the regular season is Yarraville [Glory] in round one. “My job is to bridge the gap from where everyone thinks we should be [NPL] and where we really are. “We’re not far from where it needs to be and to challenge for the championship and to get back up. “We want to get promoted.” The Georgies start their season on March 19. Tara Murray James Brown has joined Caroline Springs George. (Shawn Smits)

Sports shorts VTCA Keilor and St Albans need to win in the final round of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division if they have any chance of playing finals. Both teams sit six points outside the top four after Saturday’s results. Keilor had its worst performance of the back half of the season against Haig Fawkner. The Blues were bowled out for just 85. Haig Fawkner finished 6-86 in reply. St Albans beat Westmeadows in a thriller, with the Warriors falling four runs short of victory. In other matches, Sunshine United lost to Aberfeldie.

VSDCA Taylors Lakes suffered its ninth straight loss in the Victorian Sub District Cricket Association south-west, losing to Altona on Saturday. Altona made 7-246 from its overs, with George Sakkas taking 5-39 for the Lions. The Lions were bowled out for 171 as the middle order failed. Kaidin Jackson top scored with 45. The loss sees the Lions slip to 15th. Taylors Lakes will finish its season against Elsternwick.

Bowls

Williamstown Imperial bowler Matthew Hayes embraces keeper Nilan Fernando.

(Joe Mastroianni) 269334_02

A grand success story By Tara Murray Grand United believes it has the right mix to go deep into finals in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 3. The club sits on top of the ladder heading into the final two rounds and are aiming for a top two spot. President Alan Hale said they were thrilled with how the season had played out so far. The club finished fifth last year, but was well out of finals contention. “I think that the team has built well together,” he said. “There were a lot of new faces at the start of the year and I think we have got the right mix. “The guys are performing really well.” Hale said captain Matthew Hayes and vice-captain Nilan Fernando had really led from the front. Both are in the top five in runs made for the competition. “Matt Hayes as captain and Nilan as

vice-captain have done a really good job of getting them all to gel as a team,” Hale said. “They are leading the team on and off the field.” Hale said the opening partnership of Shane Jones and Jayden White-Powell had been one of their keys to success and they had made a stamp on the team and the competition. Hale said they weren’t completely surprised that they would be in the mix at this time of the season. He said that they had been able to rebuild the last couple of years around some key players who stuck around when some tough decisions were made at the club and many people left. The club this season has field seven senior teams and eight junior teams, as it continues to grow “Those players have created the culture,” Hale said. “At the start of the year we were confident we had a strong squad. “We aren’t super surprised where we are,

but the job isn’t done.” The Gorillas were set to play Pascoe Vale Hadfield on Saturday, after deadline. Hale said they were hoping to finish in the top two. East Keilor and Footscray United have also secured top four spots and can also finish in the top two, depending on results. “The plan from here, is we want to keep on winning,” he said. “Winning the last two games is the goal. Hopefully we can get a couple of home finals.” Sunbury, Sunshine Heights, Williamstown Imperials and Pascoe Vale Hadfield all entered the second last round with a chance of finishing fourth. In other matches, Laverton will host Williamstown Imperials, Point Cook will place East Keilor, Sunbury is set to face Footscray United and Sunshine Heights and Werribee Centrals will do battle. For results, head to www.starweekly.com. au.

Deer Park and Melbourne couldn’t be separated in Bowls Victoria premier division weekend pennant on Saturday. The two teams both won two rinks, while finishing on 74 shots, to share the points. James Pearce and Mark Casey were the winning skips for Deer Park. Deer Park bounced back on Sunday with a 75 (14)-72 (4) win against Altona. Pearce and Casey were the winning skips again.

NAB League The Western Jets made it four wins in a row, beating Geelong Falcons on Saturday in the NAB League Girls competition. After an even first quarter, the Jets opened the game up in the second quarter with four goals. The Jets continued to pepper the goals in the second half and were able to extend the margin, despite inaccurate goal kicking. The Jets won 7.13 (55)-2.5 (17). Caitlin Sargent kicked three goals. The Jets sit third after six rounds. FOR MORE SPORT, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Brimbank & North West Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Tuesday, 1 March, 2022 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 21

SPORT STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

National second tier competition a step closer The Association of Australian Football Clubs (AAFC) has released a report it hopes will help in the forming of national second tier soccer competition. The AAFC released the “A Genuine National Second Division of Football in Australia” final report which has been submitted to Football Australia on Tuesday, after receiving feedback and new material in the past 12 months since their progress report. The report has been signed off by the 30 clubs in the partner group, including Altona Magic Melbourne Knights, Caroline Springs George Cross and Hume City AAFC chairman, Nick Galatas said the partner group has considered feedback and assessed new material and information from numerous sources to develop the report. It’s hoped that the new national competition will be up and running next year. He said the model outlined is aspirational without being unrealistic and they’ve set out in this report to strike a balance.

“Like everyone, we’ve had to work on this through the COVID pandemic, which compromised our ability to get things done as efficiently as we might have hoped, but nonetheless the partner group [of clubs] has worked together to get to this point,” he said. “We believe this report will assist Football Australia in its introduction of the much-anticipated new national competition in 2023. “Most gratifying and welcome has been the collaborative working relationship we have developed with James Johnson and his new administration at Football Australia. “We now look forward to the imminent announcement by FA of its allocation of a dedicated resource focused on the development of this exciting project.” Under the modal proposed by the AAFC there would be a national competition comprising of 12 to 16 teams from the outset, commitment from all participating clubs to have a women’s team and commencement of a women’s competition from 2026, more than

300 new elite playing and coaching positions and all clubs must have grounds that can accommodate a minimum of 3000 fans. The model said that teams to be included would be based on meeting stringent criteria as the basis for entry, with promotion and relegation from lower tiers. Clubs will pay a $200,000 participation fee. Galatas said by concentrating the second-tier talent it would offer additional elite, national competition-level playing opportunities for our young players and thereby addressing the ‘performance gap’ recently identified by Football Australia. “It also offers high-level coaching opportunities for our best local coaches, development of strong clubs across our country, nurturing of our future administrators unleashing funding and sponsorship opportunities and building more football-specific facilities.“ Tara Murray

Hume City is one of the partner clubs.

(Supplied)

Vic selection for netballer

Nathan Gatt. (Sunshine baseball)

Eagles eye finals prize By Tara Murray Sunshine Eagles finals fate is in their own hands in Baseball Victoria men’s summer league division 1. The Eagles sit second after 16 rounds with Geelong Baycats right on their heels. With both sides to face each other in the second last round, wins for either side are vital. Eagles coach Stuart Clayton said things were looking really good. “We can make finals if we win the rest of our games,” he said. “We have a series against Sandringham and then we play Geelong, the other team in contention [in our section]. “We’ll know where we are after that.” The Eagles have been one of the in form teams after the Christmas break with seven wins, a draw and just two losses. One of those losses though came last Tuesday, with the side losing to ladder leaders Essendon 13-0. Clayton said it was one of those nights, where they just didn’t play well. “They just hit the ball and we had a couple

of fielding errors early and they just piled on the runs. “I’ve played long enough to know these things will happen and not sweat over them.” Despite the last up loss, Clayton said they had been performing really well in most areas. Jeremy Young has returned to the pitcher’s mound with Griffin Weir stepping into the number two slot. Clayton said they had been really good defensively, while they were getting plenty of hits despite losing Nikau Pouaka-Grego Clayton Campbell and Allan de San Miguel mid season to baseball commitments overseas. One positive outcome of losing those three players has been the emergence of Patariki Pouaka-Grego and Nathan Gatt. “Paki is just 15 and is Nik’s younger brother,“ Clayton said. “He’s playing in the outfield and swinging well. “Nathan has been catching for us. He’s been around for a long time and is 25 and has been handed an opportunity. “It’s not just good for this year, but it’ll be

22 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 1 March, 2022

good for the future. Paki is just 15, at 20-21 he’ll be a super star. The men’s side was set to face Sandringham in the first of their three games series on Sunday after deadline. It isn’t only the first side that is flying this season for the Eagles. The women’s side currently sits on top of the table in division 3 north west. They have won eight of their first 10 games, after not fielding a team at all last season. They have two matches left until finals. Clayton said overall it has been a good season across the club. Only the first division team and women’s team are chance of playing senior finals. “It’s getting down to the pointy end of the season,” he said. “The club is having a fantastic year. The thirds and fourths are more competitive in games after being a bit behind. “They’re starting to be improve.” For the results of the weekend’s first division and women’s match, head to www. starweekly.com.au.

Emma Winfield has the opportunity to represent her state again after being selected to play in the under-17s in the 2022 National Netball Championships. The 16-year-old Newport resident from Westside Saints Netball Club said she was ecstatic when she found out she’d made the team again. “I didn’t know if my netball game was where it was up to before COVID,” she said. “I am very excited to represent my state again. It’s an experience of a lifetime and the friendships and memories you make are unforgettable.” Winfield first started her netball journey at Netset Go when she was seven years old, then moved on to play for Newport Power Netball Club at Altona stadium. “That became the highlight of my week coming to Altona stadium to play a game. As I got older and started to enjoy netball more it also became a lot more competitive and so did I,” she said. “I wasn’t a fan of losing and that’s what I think helped me push myself to become a better player.” After playing for Newport for five years, Winfield got the opportunity to show off her skills to Westside. “I trialled and got in and this is where my netball went up another level,” she said. “I was surrounded by very knowledgeable coaches like Tracey Wallace and Darren Abela. The Westside training was a step up and helped me develop many skills. “I played for Westside for five years and in that time I competed in tournaments and association championships.” Whilst at Westside, Winfield also trialled for the under-12’s, under-15’s and under-17’s state team. “I was lucky enough to make these teams and make experiences of a lifetime as well as be surrounded by professional coaching helping me to gain additional knowledge including tips and tricks to improve my game,” she said. She said she’s also wrapped to be a member of the under-19s team at Melbourne University Lightning in the Victoria Netball League.

Green Gully in a promising position Green Gully Soccer Club is ready to challenge the National Premier League’s (NPL) best and go for silverware this season after rebuilding from a near miss relegation in 2018. Coach Stephen Downes, who stepped up to the role in 2018, three games prior to one of the club’s biggest games in history to save itself from relegation, says the club is in a promising position at the moment. “There are a lot of good people at the club and it’s in a really good position at the minute,” Downes said. “Hopefully we can let all the good things happening in and around the club replicate onto the pitch. Reflecting on his coaching career, Downes, who has been at Green Gully since 2011, previously as a player, knows that his team was lucky to stay in the top league after an extra-time goal against Moreland City saved them from relegation. He now believes they can push for silverware

particularly with the club’s nine new signings that includes A-League experience and some strong players it’s kept at the helm. “We finished fourth on the back of finishing a relegation fight where we got up with almost the last kick of the game in the relegation final,” he said. “We got lucky to stay in the league to tell you the truth, and then we had two COVID-affected years. “With the support and players we have brought in and players we have been able to keep at the club for a number of years now, we’ve got a real solid foundation to build on and really push and work to challenge and go as high as we possibly can this year. “Green Gully is definitely a club that should be competing for silverware year in year out.” Over the off-season the club signed nine players including three players from A-League clubs including James Doyle from Western United, Yared Abetew from Adelaide United and Josh Hope from Melbourne Victory.

Downes is looking to establish an exciting style of play for his team. “The way I like to play football is a fast and free flowing game that goes through and connects all the phases and emphasizes on playing the game through all the phases,” the English born footballer said. He is also looking for more consistency this season after last season saw them concede too many goals at 25, the 6th most goals conceded by a team in competition. “This year we just got to marry up that consistency because there were patches last year where we could look and be the best team in the league and we could also be the worst, and that could be in the space of 90 minutes.” “Week on week, we just have to keep on working hard and bring some consistency and we will be open to challenging this year, that is for sure.” Max Hatzoglou

Steve Lustica scored again for Western United. (Getty/supplied)

United’s run continues By Tara Murray Western United has equalled its wins total from last A-League season in just 13 games this season. United won its eighth match of the season on Wednesday night, beating Sydney FC 1-0. Playing their second game in four days, United made a couple of changes to their squad with captain Alessandro Diamanti managed and Tomoki Imai coming off the bench. It was an even first half, before United seized control of the match in the second half, finding the winner through Steve Lustica, who found the top corner of the net after just after the hour mark. Sydney pushed for an equaliser but like many times this season, United’s defence held strong, to seal the win for United and see them return to the top of the ladder. United coach John Aloisi said the side responded after a slow first half. He said coming off the short break played a role in the slow start. “We spoke before the game that when it’s difficult for us, you can’t always perform well,” he said. “The first half we weren’t playing well and spoke about resilience and the character

which we’ve been showing all pre-season and the start of the season. To dig in when things aren’t going for you and you’re doing it tough, we did that in the second half. “I thought we were really good [in the second half] … We got our just rewards when we scored the goal. “We could have won 2-0, 3-0 nil in the end, “I’m so proud of the boys.” Rene Krhin played a half, the most he’s played in his time at the club. Aloisi said he was a big improver for them, but ran out of legs late in the game. Aloisi also highlighted the game of Neil Kilkenny. Lustica, who recently signed a new contract for next season, scored his fourth goal of the season, continuing a hot run of form. Aloisi said to have eight wins at this time of the season was something that they were happy with. In his first season at the club, he said United had been the perfect match for him. “The togetherness of the club and team is massive,” he said. “You only win football games like that if you have a good group that is willing to work for each other.

“We spent a lot of time working hard on that in the pre-season, understanding what we are about as a football club. “We’re building something.” The win moved United back to the top of the table. It was a big week for United, with the club also announcing the re-signing of Lachie Wales. Wales has put pen to paper and will remain at the club until at least the end of the 2023-24 season. The 24-year-old said he didn’t have to think twice about committing to his future. “It was a pretty easy decision,” he said. “With John (Aloisi) coming to the club, the culture that we’re trying to build here – you can already see what a difference it’s made on and off the pitch. “He’s [Aloisi] been massively important to me. He’s really believed in me, starting me every match. To have someone believe in you and give you confidence to express yourself every weekend is really important,” he said. United was set to face Perth Glory on Sunday, after deadline. For that result, head to www.starweekly. com.au

Montana Holmes and Zoe Davies. (Collingwood FC)

Davies and Holmes join Collingwood City West Falcons pair Zoe Davies and Montana Holmes will be part of the Collingwood Super Netball set up after earning training partner contracts. The Magpies announced last week that the pair along with Casey Adamson had been named training partners. Nyah and Sienna Allen have previously been named training partners. Davies, who was best on court in the 2018 Victorian Netball League grand final for the Falcons, said her sporting journey was “all over the shop”, due to playing other sports and getting knockbacks and having not come through the Netball Victoria pathways. “I started netball when I was 15 after watching mum on the sidelines,” she said in the club’s announcement. “I decided it was my turn to give it a go and I haven’t looked back since, and ever since then I’ve set a personal goal to push myself through the ranks and become the best individual I can be.“ “I have a lot of motivation and dedication to bring. I haven’t had the luxury of being able to go through pathways and have programs written up for me, I’ve had to learn for myself how to get fit and how to get better footwork, how to jump higher all on my own.” Holmes joined the City West Falcons last season and made an instant impact. Stepping into the midcourt role left void with Molly Jovic joining the Magpies, Holmes was right at home. She first played netball when she was 14, having played basketball before that. “I pretty much just played locally and then did all the Eastern Academy Zones, and was lucky enough to make the state side in under-17s,” Holmes said. “After I played state I started playing VNL, started with Boroondara in div 1 and then moved up to champ and made my way over to City West Falcons and now here I am.” While she’s made a name for herself at the Falcons as a midcourter, Holmes played defence growing up in Gippsland. “I’m extremely honoured to be here with these girls and to train with such amazing athletes, I just want to give it everything that I have and to see what opportunities could potentially arise.” The pair add to a real Falcons influence at the Magpies. Coach Nicole Richardson was a long time coach with the Falcons, while squad members Molly Jovic, Maggie Lind and Jacqui Newton have come through the Falcons. The Super Netball season gets under way on March 26. Tara Murray

Tuesday, 1 March, 2022 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 23

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Cnr Taylor's Road, Calder Park Drive, Taylor's Hill

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