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President’s message A message from Werribee Football Club president Martin Carter

WFC president Martin Carter has eagerly awaited the 2022 season. (Supplied)

There is an extra layer to the usual pre-season excitement for this season. We are all looking forward to being back in our favourite spot at Avalon Airport Oval cheering the black and gold – we have all missed it. There is nothing quite like being at the game live and we believe our match day experience is second to none. Our members and sponsors have been truly sensational in their commitment over the last two seasons. Everyone at the club appreciates and acknowledges that support, so now is the time to embrace the future and enjoy being part of our great club. Our football department, led by senior coach Michael Barlow and football manager Mark Micalle, has built a strong off field team to match the exhaustive recruiting done for the playing list. Our high level of player retention reinforces the commitment and belief the playing group has that the club is heading for great things. After a record run as captain Michael Sodomaco, has handed the reins over to

Tom Gribble and Dom Brew – the team could not be in better hands. Though the VFL landscape is different, and in some ways we are entering unchartered waters, we do it with the confidence that we have the pillars in place for success on and off the field. Our membership theme for 2022 is ‘Remember, Rediscover and Renew,’ and if you have not signed up for 2022, please do. We are excited about what we might be able to achieve this year and we want you to be part of it, so become a paid-up member and enjoy the ride with all benefits that come with membership, especially at our social club venue The Tigers Clubhouse in Old Geelong Road. I look forward to seeing you at Avalon Airport Oval. Go the Big W! Martin Carter President Werribee Football Club

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“We love being a part of this club. It’ll be great to catch up with everyone and see the Werribee boys take on the competition again,” says Gary Scibberas. (Supplied)

To be part of the Werribee family

Get your WFC membership today to access a range of great benefits.

FEVER

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Sometimes

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Long-time WFC supporters Gary and Kay Sciberras are back on board and are super excited for the 2022 season – and this time they’ve got the whole family signed up.

games, half price entry to away games, discounts on merchandise and many other great benefits with sponsors and reciprocal rights partners.

There are a range of membership options available which provide free entry to home

To become a Werribee FC member visit https:// shop.werribeefc.com.au/club-memberships/.

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Strong community engagement is important for the entire club In 2022, with community being at the forefront of WFC’s values – the team is excited to continue its strong presence and connection across Wyndham. The club and community members will again be delivering diverse and collaborative programs to patrons and residents of Wyndham, alongside organisations such as Wyndham City Council, AFL Victoria, WRFL, the Huddle and the Salvation Army, with the support of community partners Pacific Werribee and CDC Victoria. The club’s aim is to grow the level of participation in football, as well as promote health and fitness amongst the youth of Wyndham, as an area that is one of the most culturally diverse regions in the country and with a high percentage of citizens born overseas. Western Bulldogs AFLW player Brooke Lochland has joined the staff as WFC’s community

manager, and will work alongside new multicultural development officer Mar Gattek to deliver a growing list of community programs. Mar has already visited local schools this year, and has also completed six weeks of the Unity Cup Hub, which culminated in a carnival event at La Trobe University. He was also involved in running AFL activation at Wyndham Harbour and the recent Harmony Day celebrations. Avalon Airport Oval’s upcoming positive and diverse community interactions will include Auskick on VFL Game Days, school holiday programs, a Reclink Development Day, NAB League boys and girls matches and WRFL fixtures. The club looks forward to engaging with and supporting people from all walks of life as it strives to deliver the most impactful and wide-reaching community development program in the VFL.

Western Bulldogs AFLW player Brooke Lochland is the club’s new community manager.

(Supplied)

Mar Gattek is WFC’s new community development officer. (Supplied)

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Invicta Performance offers a welcoming wellness hub for athletes Developed by the incredibly knowledgeable and dedicated high-performance staff of the Werribee Football Club, Invicta Performance is a one-stop shop to help aspiring athletes and exercise enthusiasts achieve their goals. Based out of the Werribee Football Club facilities at Avalon Airport Oval, Invicta can help you with tweaks to your current training, injury rehabilitation or simply set you on the right path as you begin your athletic journey. Founders Scott Graham and Jmara Hockley Samon, along with their team of specialists, have worked with athletes from a range of sports including AFL, netball, soccer, cricket, tennis, rugby and athletics. Invicta has all bases covered, offering strength and conditioning, physiotherapy, dietetics, psychology and massage, with on-the-spot private health claims available, including bulk billing. In its first six months, Invicta has worked with various groups to run community activities and performance workshops with organisations such as Wyndham City Council, the Werribee Football Club, The Huddle, Victoria University Netball Academy, Thomas Carr College and Westbourne Grammar. Among the upcoming events is a Football Academy Day for budding footballers on Thursday, April 21, focusing on all areas from skill development to improving performance through preparation and recovery. Invicta is also currently offering free come-and-try strength and conditioning sessions, giving everyone the chance to check out what Invicta Performance is all about. For more information, visit www. invictaperformance.com.au.

Invicta Performance founders Jmara Hockley Samon and Scott Graham.

2022 MEMBERSHIPS 8W WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 6 April, 2022

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Barlow is confident that his club is ready to grow and succeed. (Supplied)

Coach has full faith in his team Werribee Football Club senior coach Michael Barlow enjoyed a celebrated stint as a player in the black and gold, and is excited about the opportunity ahead in the 2022 season for the players, coaches and supporters. “We have been thrilled with the retention of the core of our playing list across this period of stagnation of state league football in 2020 to 2021,” Barlow says. “This gives us a great platform to extend on the club’s brand and culture. With the shuffling of assistant coaches Nick Daffy to the midfield and Tom Perrett to the forwards, and the acquisition of James Saker as our backline coach, there are some distinct adjustments to how we will look to play in 2022.” Barlow acknowledges the evolution of the VFL competition into the eastern seaboard interstate competition does bring new challenges.

anticipation – I have full faith in our group and club as a whole that this is an opportunity to expose the professional nature of our club and people,” he says. “To sustain success at this level, we must be able to meet these challenges and perform on the road as we do in our own environment.” The 2022 VFL season is well underway and the entire Werribee Football Club is primed for the return of footy to Avalon Airport Oval. “We feed off the presence and ambience of our people. To have a bubbly and exciting atmosphere at our games this season will give us an added boost to come out of a challenging and relatively football-free past 24 months,” Barlow says. “To be back at the footy in its purest form excites me - the team and club as a whole can’t wait to throw open the gates and welcome our people back. Remember: Rediscover and Renew!”

“It can also be met with excitement and

Werribee Football Club senior coach and former AFL footballer, Michael Barlow. (Supplied)

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Werribee kicks off the season on the right foot with a gutsy victory It has been great to have footy back, and Werribee Football Club began the 2022 VFL season with a win in a hard-fought victory at Frankston in Round One on Saturday, March 26. After trailing by as much as 11 points early in the second half, five straight goals from the 15-minute mark of the third quarter gave Werribee the ascendancy to eventually secure a 26-point victory. There were eight first gamers for Werribee in the season opener, adding to the excitement of a highly anticipated season for the club after playing only 10 games over the past two years. After a bye in round two, Werribee will host Queensland-based side Southport in round three at its home ground of Avalon Airport Oval. The following four rounds will see Werribee take on Williamstown, Carlton, Gold Coast and Sydney.

With eight first gamers in the final team, WFC’s impressive display shows a lot of promise for the future. (Supplied)

Werribee came back from an 11 point deficit to win in their Round One clash against Frankston. (Supplied)

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Leadership group stands tall

(Supplied)

WFC co-captain Dom Brew.

(Supplied)

A message from Werribee Football Club co-captains Werribee takes to the field in 2022 with cocaptains Tom Gribble and Dom Brew. History tells us there was only one other occasion when the club had co-captains. Back in 1985, Michael Redenbach and Ian Dunstan shared the role under volatile circumstances, with Dunstan being appointed senior coach during the season. The appointment of Tom and Dom had no such controversy, with Michael Sodomaco stepping down after seven years to bring on the next leaders of the club and to give himself more time for family and business. The popular pair know they have big shoes to fill. “I had a hunch the club would go down the co-

Matt Hanson.

Jack Henderson.

(Supplied)

captaincy path because Sods had done such an amazing job and transitioning from him to two guys, I thought would makes sense for the club. It is a tremendously humbling experience and to do it with Brewy – who is a great mate of mine – is something we will probably cherish and still chat about 30 years down the track,” Gribble says. “Me and Brewy are different characters, but our direction for where we want to club to go is very much aligned. We are both incredibly passionate and driven for success and very competitive individuals. Hopefully that rubs off on the group. We can’t wait to get out there and make an impact.”

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Vice-captain Nick Coughlan.

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Harvesting kindness

Volunteers Adam Smith, Soo-Jin Goh and Hsar Ju at the silverbeet garden.

During the biting cold of Melbourne’s first winter in lockdown, most people were working from the warm comfort of their homes. Soo-Jin Goh was at Werribee Park’s parterre garden harvesting silverbeet. “I had to work on my own because we were not allowed to work together with the rangers because of social distancing,” she said. Ms Goh singlehandedly harvested more than 100 kilograms of the vegetable a week. The volunteer would then grade them according to their quality and have them boxed and bundled, ready to be picked up by the rangers. The garden was a project started by the horticultural services group just before the beginning of the pandemic. Despite the challenges COVID was causing, Werribee Plains area chief manager James Brincat said the rangers chose to make the best of the situation. “We thought at that time that COVID would be over in a month,” he said. “We decided to go ahead with the project because we thought it would be good to donate produce to local kitchens.” ■ Continued page 11

(Supplied)

Appeal for amputee mum By Molly Magennis When Kerrilie Rice dropped her daughter off at kindergarten for the first day of the year, she expected she would be there again at the end of the day to pick her up. However, a simple walk on the beach with her friend would prove life changing for this mum from the western suburbs. It was January 6 and Kerrilie was walking along a rocky section of the Williamstown dog beach. All of a sudden, after placing her foot on a rock covered with seaweed, she slipped, smashed her knee and cut a crucial artery that ran along the back of her leg.

She was rushed to hospital, where she had multiple surgeries to try and repair the artery. However, the muscles in the bottom half of her leg and foot had already started to die. She was given two options – endure four more operations to keep her leg which would never be properly functional again, or receive an above-the-knee amputation. She chose the latter. “I just said I don’t see what’s the point of having a dead leg,” Kerrilie said. “It probably took maybe two weeks or 10 days or something but I just said this at the beginning and I’m confirming it now, I want an amputation. I could not see a reason not to

do it.” Kerrilie had left her three-year-old daughter at home with partner Meg, whom Kerrilie had been caring for full time care since a major incident 11 years left Meg with brain damage. Prior to her own accident, Kerrilie had been in charge of running the family. “I do the shopping and run the household and we have a three and a half year old … so I do the vast majority of the physical parenting,” she said. “When Meg’s wheelchair gets damaged or she’s got pain and she needs a medical appointment, all of that, I do all of that.”

While Kerrilie has now left hospital and is in rehab, she has a long road ahead, one that is sure to be expensive. To help cover the many costs, including a prosthetic leg, a friend has set up a GoFundMe, which has already raised almost $18,000. While initially reluctant to accept help, Kerrilie is now grateful for all the people who have rallied around her and donated. “We’re so lucky to live where we do with people being so kind to us, and I think it will be the same when I go home.” Kerrilie’s friends hope to raise $30,000. Deatils: www.gofundme.com/f/givekerrilie-two-legs-for-a-full-and-caring-life

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Fight for endangered grassland By Molly Magennis A building developer has taken Hobsons Bay council to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), after it rejected a planning permit to build on an endangered section of grassland in Altona. The Ajax Road Grassland is located on the Werribee and Altona rail lines, north of Truganina Swamp. The site is 78 hectares, and remains one of the largest remaining undeveloped industrial pieces of land in Hobsons Bay. The grasslands are home to several

endangered plant species, such as Spiny Rice-flowers, Kangaroo Grass and Arching Flax-Lily. Last year, Axxcel Management Services submitted a planning application to Hobsons Bay council to subdivide the land into two lots and remove the native vegetation to the north of the Altona Railway Reserve. The council rejected the permit, however the developer decided to appeal the decision at VCAT, with the first hearing held on March 29. The Grassy Plains Network (GPN), a group dedicated to protect Melbourne’s endangered grasslands, worked with Hobsons Bay council

to reject the initial application, and were involved in the hearings. GPN facilitator Adrian Marshall visited the Ajax Road site on March 4 as the final part of the VCAT hearing. Through the Victorian National Parks Association, almost $20,000 was raised to help cover the cost of GPN’s legal representation. Mr Marshall said while the hearing went as well as it could have, the decision could go either way. “I reckon it’s probably 50-50, there’s quite a complicated set of arguments,” he said. The grassland’s connection to sites like the Western Treatment Plant, the Cheetham

Wetlands and Truganina Swamp are what makes it so crucial to Hobsons Bay, Mr Marshall said. “[Truganina Swamp is] a super important bit of habitat for birds and frogs and that sort of thing, and Ajax Road Grassland is immediately next to that,” he said.“So all of these things joined together to make this really big connected, functioning bit of ecosystem. “[Ajax Road is] very special and its size makes it more special because there probably isn’t something that big in Melbourne.” VCAT is expected to make a decision in the next six weeks.

From plastic trash to new picnic tables

Stroke patient offers her thanks A Hoppers Crossing mum who suffered a stroke last year has been reunited with the emergency service workers who came to her aid. Cherie Azzopardi was at home with her three-year-old and five-year-old kids last October when she started having difficulty speaking, experienced weakness in her hand and deteriorating vision. Ms Azzopardi was able to call her mum, who then immediately dialed triple-0. Crew from the Mobile Stroke Unit (MSU), Australia’s first pre-hospital road stroke service, arrived and paramedic Tom Duigan, stroke nurse Kanaga Lagma and radiographer David Johnson commenced stroke treatment. A CT scan on board the MSU revealed Ms Azzopardi was suffering from an ischemic stroke, which occurs when clots block blood vessels to the brain.

Cherie was given clot-busting medication that enabled use of her hand and allowed her speak again by the time she had reached the Royal Melbourne Hospital. “In the MSU, assessment and treatment of a patient can begin immediately – just like in Cherie’s case. Time is critical when it comes to treating stroke patients,” Mr Duigan said. “By getting to these patients in the field and assessing them straight away, the MSU is able to reduce the time before the type of stroke is diagnosed, reduce the time to start treatment, and most importantly reduce the damage these events cause.” When a person suffers from a stroke, up to 1.9 million brain cells die every minute, so every second counts. Ms Azzopardi has had no long-lasting impacts to her mobility, but continues to see a speech therapist.

“I am working on my speech as I still stutter at times, slur my words, and sometimes I can’t even string a sentence together. I also have difficulty retaining information and am forgetful, but I am hopeful this will improve over time,” she said. Ms Azzopardi and her family are grateful to the MSU crew who looked after her. “I received the best possible care, the MICA paramedics who were first on scene were so responsive and respectful,” Ms Azzopardi said. “The work of the MSU crew was incredible, I was given the right care in the right way, and was a patient that was connected to the right service; I am so thankful because if all of the first responders weren’t so diligent and quick, I don’t know what sort of a mother I would be today.” Fatima Halloum

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When: Saturday, 9 April 2022, 10am – 3pm Where: Corner of Whitehall Street and Somerville Road, Yarraville

Go to westgatetunnelproject.vic.gov.au/info-centre for detailed map on how to get to the West Gate Tunnel Project Information Centre.

Bring the family for a free BBQ, food trucks, coffee, kids activities and see the replica Tunnel Boring Machine.

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34-year old stroke survivor Cherie Azzopardi was reunited with Ambulance Victoria (AV) paramedic Tom Duigan and Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) Mobile Stroke Unit (MSU) nurse practitioner Kanaga Lagma and MSU radiographer David Johnson for the first time since her stroke. 274739_01

Tonnes of household and industrial plastic waste will be saved from landfill and made into new picnic tables, the state government has announced. Point Cook Coastal Park, Brimbank Park and Greenvale Reservoir Park are among 17 parks across Melbourne that will benefit from the state government’s $21 million Urban Parks Active Wellbeing Program. “The use of recycled plastic in this project is the perfect example of resource recovery that is protecting the environment,” Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said. The roll-out will be followed by multiple improvements to parks in Melbourne including upgraded picnic shelters and toilets, car park repairs, upgraded electric barbecues, replacement of playground equipment and more accessible pathways. Extensions will also begin at the Bay Trail between Sanctuary Lakes and Point Cook Coastal Park and the sea wall at Point Gellibrand Coastal Park will also be repaired. “The Urban Parks Active Wellbeing Program is making a big difference to green spaces in our suburbs and is an example of the Labor government’s strong record of support for growing communities across Melbourne,” Ms D’Ambrosio said. Visits to parks in major metropolitan parks across Melbourne grew from 29.5 million visits in 2018-19 to 36 million visits in 2020-21, as more people utilised public areas during lockdown.

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Roadmap to stamp out racism Using a roadmap developed for Wyndham, local governments across the country will now be able to improve reporting and support services for people who have experienced racism. Victoria University recently launched a new report, outlining the steps local councils and service providers can take to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, multicultural, and multifaith residents to address racism in the community. The project was piloted by Wyndham council and birthed the Wyndham roadmap,

which explores how people in the municipality experienced racism, how they use and perceive available support and reporting services, and how they can be bettered and made more accessible. Drawing on the findings of the Wyndham project, VU researchers worked with Welcoming Cities, a national network of towns and cities committed to creating a sense of belonging within communities, to develop a practical guide that can assist other local governments to implement similar programs. The guide outlines a six-step process,

including understanding an area’s community demographic profile, engaging with local service providers and community based organisations, and analysing the experiences and support needs of those affected by racism. VU’s chief investigator, Dr Mario Peucker, said the pilot study found that a support system tailored to the needs of local communities members can “break the often-silencing effects of racism and empower people to speak about their experiences and get the support they deserve”. “The only way this could be achieved is with

a strong place-based approach and genuine dedication to centring the voices of local communities. We hope this new resource will encourage other local governments to provide responsive and accessible support to residents affected by racism.” The project led to the establishment of the Wyndham Anti-Racism Support Network, which provides residents with a community based online racism reporting tool, a list of appropriate referral agencies and information sharing.

New monthly Tarneit market

Pic of mum Alexis Moulton with her eight-week-old baby Amelia and Western United football goalkeeper Jamie Young at Werribee Mercy Hospital. (Damjan Janevski) 274035_05

Tiny fans are safe in Young’s hands Western United goalkeeper Jamie Young visited nurses and patients at Werribee Mercy Hospital as a show of gratitude for their hard work during the pandemic. Young met mother Alexis Moulton and her eight-week-old daughter Amelia, who was born at Werribee Mercy exactly one month before Young’s daughter, also named Amelia, was brought home from the hospital. “Throughout COVID, I think we all realised just how amazing our healthcare workers are,” Young said.

“But now I’ve seen firsthand the teamwork required to bring babies safely into the world and what it takes to keep our community safe and well, it’s made me appreciate all our healthcare workers even more.” Western United is currently second on the A-League table, two matches and five points behind Melbourne City. The team currently have the least number of goals scored against them this season, and Young credits his teammates for keeping the opposition scoreless. “Like Western United, there’s a whole team

of staff here at Werribee Mercy Hospital involved in delivering goals, which in our case, is about good health outcomes for our community,” Mercy Health acting program director Edward Wallace said. “Not unlike Jamie and his Western United teammates, we couldn’t deliver such good outcomes for our patients without excellent teamwork, communication and our shared vision of a common goal.” Fatima Halloum

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A new monthly market will take place on Saturdays in Tarneit with local artists, producers and creators set to showcase their work. The Tarneit Makers and Growers Market will be held at multiple community centres, from 11am-3pm on the fourth Saturday of each month. Mayor Peter Maynard said the event was part of a series of free events taking place across Wyndham. “I encourage you to head on down, catch up with friends, kick back and relax with a picnic and enjoy an amazing line up of local talent,” he said in a Facebook post. The market will provide high quality hand-made or designed textiles, stationery, ceramics, homewares and jewellery, as well as food trucks and live music. Showcasing local businesses is an important feature of the market, and Cr Marcel Mahfoud said supporting them is a “top priority”. “It’s exciting to see our community back out in the sun and supporting local by picking up some fresh produce or a gift for a loved one, while enjoying live music,” he said. The next market will be held on Saturday, April 23, from 11-3pm at Tarneit Community Learning Centre, 150 Sunset Views Boulevard, Tarneit. Applications are open for stallholders to apply.

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New COVID catch-up health hub A Rapid Access Hub will be established at Werribee Mercy Hospital as part of the state government’s COVID Catch-Up Plan to increase the number of elective surgeries across the state. The hubs are part of a $1.5 billion investment that will boost surgical activity and provide care to those who had their surgeries deferred because of the global pandemic. A number of public hospitals across Metropolitan Melbourne will receive a hub, designed exclusively to perform specific surgeries such as hernia repairs, cataract

surgeries, and joint replacements. As well as Werribee Mercy, the seven additional hubs will be established at hospitals including, St Vincent’s on the Park, Broadmeadows, Heidelberg Repatriation, Sandringham, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the Royal Women’s Hospital. Acting Premier James Merlino said the investment would see a record number of Victorians get the surgeries they need by undertaking an extra 40,000 surgeries in the next year. “The pandemic has been really tough on

everyone, but nothing matters more than the health of our loved ones. We’ve got a plan to make sure every Victorian family gets the care they deserve,” Mr Merlino said. A $475 million funding boost will support more activity in the public system, including increasing same-day surgeries, keeping theaters open on nights and weekends, and operating room improvements to increase efficiency. Victoria’s healthcare workforce will also be supported by a package of more than $80 million to upskill about 1000 nurses and

theatre and sterilisation technicians, support the training of 400 perioperative nurses and recruit an additional 2000 highly skilled healthcare workers from overseas. Health Minister Martin Foley said the “game-changing” investment would ensure more Victorians receive the care they need. “We’ve seen COVID disrupt care and cancel surgeries for people right across the country, while our hardworking nurses and doctors have put everything into caring for the most critical patients.”

Lisa is a Litterstopper Whenever Lisa Field participates in a community clean up, she is able to relay the amount of rubbish picked up and the type of trash she collected. The Wyndham resident uses Litterstopper, an app created to log litter data that can then be shared with relevant groups to influence policy makers. Ms Field said the app has been integral in helping to make environmental decisions in the municipality. “Once, I made an effort to count the cigarette butts at Werribee Train Station. On that day, we’ve picked up 6000 cigarette butts and so that was really useful to advocate for there being a butt bin installed,” she said. Ms Field said this led to further improvements and the ability to advocate for better bins at the station. “It was clear that the old fashioned open bins, they were now replaced with the modern versions which are not open, birds can’t just stand on the side and pull out all of

the containers,” she said. During their latest clean up behind a local IGA the group collected 250 kilograms of rubbish and Ms Field said the volume of litter being dumped is “very astounding”. “It does end up in our land and our water, as we know it’s also ending up in our bodies,” she said. “Ultimately these things end up breaking down into smaller components and we end up breathing them in.” Ms Field said it’s important for community members to be part of the solution. “We’ve asked people if they see something, pick it up. No one else is going to pick it up, it’s just way too easy to walk past it and leave it for someone else,” she said. “We have a little little meeting coming up on Wednesday, the 13th of April, we just want more people to come and join us, find out what we’re doing and get involved.” Details: Jess, 0450 348 969

Lisa using her litter app to document what rubbish is picked up by the Litter Blitz group.

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CFA alarm warning The CFA has reminded residents in Wyndham to test their smoke alarms. All smoke alarms have a 10-year life span and need to be replaced, having a non-working smoke alarms could be a liability in an emergency, CFA deputy chief officer Trevor Owen said. “In a fire, only a working smoke alarm can save your life,” he said.

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Asheriya said her school community was very supportive of her decision, and donated money to the fundraiser. (Supplied)

Fighting breast cancer When 15-year-old Asheriya began raising money for breast cancer awareness, she thought $500 was an obtainable goal. Within a day her GoFundMe page had already amassed $1000 in donations and Asheriya said she was “pretty proud” of the achievement. “I had to increase it. I raised $4000 in about a month,” she said. “I got donations from my friends, my family, from the Thomas Carr community, and I also got a lot of donations from overseas.” To further support people suffering from cancer, the Wyndham resident also made the decision to donate her hair, chopping her long locks into short bob. “I cut my hair after a family member got diagnosed with breast cancer last year,” she said.

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“I was a bit nervous, I’ve never had short hair, but I knew my hair would go to a good cause because I was donating it to the variety children’s charity…so I was happy that it was going to help somebody.” Asheriya said her family and friends were really happy about her fundraising success. “It brought up a lot of memories for them and they just thought it was recognizing what our family has been through. They’re all pretty happy and emotional about it at the same time,” she said. Asheriya hopes the community continues to support people who are affected by cancer by donating to fundraising services. “I think if we can find a cure now, then in the future so many people won’t be affected by it,” she said.

Federal government figures have revealed Wyndham is one of the local government areas with the lowest uptake of booster shots in the state. The figures from March 27 say that out of the eligible population in Wyndham, 61.3 per cent per cent have received their third jab. City of Hume had the lowest booster shot rate in the state at 53.5 per cent while City of Whittlesea and Melton were at 60 per cent.

Cupcake workshop A cupcake decorating kids workshop will be held at Manor Lakes Community Learning Centre. The workshop is available for kids aged seven-12 on Tuesday, April 12, between 10-11am. The cost is $5 per child and bookings are essential. Details: 87348934

FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Wyndham Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

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Funding for youth engagement Three grassroots organisations in Wyndham will benefit from the state government’s Youth Engagement Grants. Lorrok Inc, Victoria Karen Communities Network Group, and Australian Karen Preserving and Promoting History and Cultural Association are of the 19 organisations chosen to develop initiatives that will empower and support young people in their communities. The $1.7 million funding will be used to address the causes of crime, provide early intervention abilities and help teenagers build a positive life for themselves. “We know that disconnection and social

isolation can drive young people away from their communities and towards riskier behaviour,” Crime Prevention Minister Natalie Hutchins said. “But we also know that grassroots organisations have the skills, knowledge and expertise to address the root causes of crime, which is why we’re partnering with local groups to build a safer Victoria for all.” Lorrok Inc’s project will deliver education, training and recreational and sporting activities in Wyndham, Melton and Maribrynong, to support people exiting the custodial setting to engage with the community and create

education and employment opportunities. The Victorian Karen Communities Network Group project aims to strengthen connections between Karen and other youth from Myanmar through sporting and cultural activities, and provide them with leadership training. Australian Karen Preserving and Promoting history and Cultural Association’s program will deliver a range of engagement activities for Karen young people through sports, cultural performance, education and training and arts as a way to improve employment, life skills and connection. Werribee MP Tim Pallas said the

organisations do “wonderful work” with young people across the municipality. “I am pleased that the Andrews Labor government is supporting them to reach more young people and help them build brighter futures for themselves,” he said. The Youth Engagement Grant provides up to $50,000 per grant for multicultural and aboriginal clubs and community organisations to help support people aged between eight and 24. Investment in the grants is part of a $30 million grant from the 2020-21 and 2021-22 state budget’s Crime Prevention Strategy.

1000 hearts to gift In times of hardship, Joanne Griffiths believes it’s important for people experiencing difficulties to feel a sense of belonging. The Iramoo Community Centre, where Ms Griffiths works as the community development officer, hopes to provide support to local organisations and charities in Wyndham by supplying them with hand sewn hearts. The little hearts can then be gifted to those in need, Ms Griffiths said. “The COVID-19 lockdowns in Melbourne were tough and isolated a lot of our community members,” she said. “We wanted to reach out and spread a little joy so decided to put together 1000 Hearts packs to gift to the community to either make a heart for themselves or to gift it to a neighbour, friend, or someone important to them.” The initiative is important, Ms Griffiths said, as it gives a small gift of kindness to people struggling with challenges like loneliness,

mental illness, sickness and bereavement. “We believe the hearts shared gives people hope and gratitude in a time of need,” Ms Griffiths said. “It also benefits the people who are gifting the hearts as it brings a sense of happiness and joy to give to others. “We feel being connected helps people to overcome challenges more easily and maintain a better state of mental well-being,” she said. Ten people participated in the first session, but the centre is hoping the number of attendees increases the next time the group meets at 10am, Thursday, May 26. Once more than 50 hearts have been sewn, the group will drop them off to Werribee Mercy Hospital to be gifted to families with loved ones in palliative care. Lucy and Dot hand sewing their fabric hearts. Each heart comes with a note that says ‘keep it close and give it a squeeze when you need a reminder of love, hope, courage and comfort’.

Wednesday, 6 April, 2022 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 7

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Laila and Duke win big at the valley When Laila Portogallo and her filly Duke crossed the finish line during the exhibition pony race at Moonee Valley Racecourse, she let out a deep breath as the realisation she had just won set in. The 12-year-old was one of 10 kids participating in the race that night, but she almost didn’t compete. “I was about to start crying and was gonna pull out because that’s how scared I was,” she said. “But I had some of my friends from the pony club say ‘look you can do this … get out and give it your all’.” Laila’s dad, Michael Portogallo, said his daughter had “smashed” the race. “She didn’t have a really great start, but with her and her pony she got it going and

they’ve come through and they won by like two horse lengths, I’m over the moon,” he said. “They presented her with a gold cup as if you would at the Melbourne cup, they presented her with a probably a $600 bridle that goes over the horse’s head, so the winner won that.” Laila has been riding horses since she was about six years old and is a member of the Werribee Pony Club. “She does eventing, which consists of dressage, show jumping, and cross country,” Mr Portogallo said. Talking on the dangers of the sport, Mr Portogallo said Laila had experienced a few falls but it didn’t deter her from horse riding. “I’ve caught her in my arms, it was that

aggressive the fall. But it’s no different to riding a bike in the street and hitting a gutter,” he said. “You have to encourage them, or they’re going to be too timid to try anything.” Fatima Halloum

Laila one day hopes become a jockey, and compete in the Olympics (Supplied/Darren Tindale)

Crime briefs House fire under investigation

AUSTRALIA’S ECONOMIC PLAN Employment’s up, so we’re taking the next step. There are now 260,000 more people in work than before COVID. And Australia performed better than major advanced economies through the pandemic. That’s why we’re taking the next step.

To find out more, visit economicplan.gov.au

Rubbish dumper fined A Ballarat man has been convicted and fined after dumping rubbish on properties in Werribee and Lara. Josh Kostecki, who is also known as Josh Norris, was charged by the Environment Protection Authority Victoria after waste was dumped on two properties in 2020. He was charged with two counts of dumping industrial waste at unlicensed sites and one of failing to comply with an EPA remedial notice. Kostecki was fined $6000 and ordered to pay $3000 in costs by the court.

Alleged drug ring bust

13.3 million

+260,000 More people in work than before COVID

13 million

March 2020 - January 2022 Data: ABS Labour Force, Australia

Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra. 8 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 6 April, 2022

A Werribee house fire deemed suspicious by emergency services will be investigated by police. Fire Rescue Victoria responded to a call in Jay Court on Tuesday, March 29, crews arrived to find a single-storey brick veneer house fully ablaze. Firefighters used forced entry to gain access to the house, confirming no one was inside during the fire. Firefighters from the FRV and CFA assisted in fighting the blaze and the fire was deemed under control about 8pm, 28 minutes after the first firefighting crew arrived on scene.

Police have charged six people, including four from Wyndham, following a four month investigation into the alleged trafficking of large quantities of methamphetamine. Two men from Point Cook aged 30 and 34 were charged with trafficking commercial quantity of methylamphetamine and remanded to face Geelong Magistrates Court on March 31. A 26-year-old man and 27-year-old woman from Werribee were charged with possessing drug of dependence and bailed to face Werribee Magistrates Court on October 10.

Weapons search Police in Wyndham worked with metro authorised officers to undertake an operation at Werribee Train Station to search for weapons on people, trains and vehicles on March 31. Hand-held metal detector wands were used to search for hidden weapons. Police confiscated three knives, arrested three individuals and issued two infringement notices. Police searched 147 vehicles and 312 people as part of the operation. FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Wyndham Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

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Kids suffering warns counsellor Pandemic-related children’s mental health issues are on the rise, a Wyndham kids counsellor has warned parents. COVID was a “huge” significant event on children, said play therapist and kids counsellor Tulin Kocacik, and has lead to an increase in referrals, particularly relating to developmental issues. “They have been having more social anxiety, difficulties with peers, speech delays and understanding non-verbal cues,” she said. As this is the first pandemic most of us have

ever experienced, Ms Kocacik said kids were unintentionally neglected. “I think in the beginning we didn’t put much attention into how much it’s going to impact the children and how much it will impact the family dynamic,” she said. Ms Kocacik said excessive time off, lockdowns, working from home, school closures and online study and restrictions had various impacts on children. “Children that are three now, were only one when the pandemic started, they had limited

and restricted time with people other than the parents, they have a lot of disruptions in their social connections,” she said. Ms Kocacik said many children were fearful of losing their parents and suffered from severe separation anxiety “They want to know, ‘are we ever going back to normal?’. That was also really hard for them to cope with,” she said. “So much change is happening in the child’s life and there is no stability or predictability, of course this is gonna have long term impacts.”

Ms Kocacik said parents can help support their kids by being fully present and committed. “It’s important to spend quality time, not quantity time. Children up to 12-13-years-old still need one on one time,” she said. “Teach them coping strategies, children learn by observing, if you can’t cope, how do you expect a child to learn to cope? “Use natural regulators, go swimming, watch the sunset, I think we forgot all the natural interventions we can use.”

Good news for college Good News Lutheran College in Tarneit is trying to reconnect with past students to help celebrate the school’s 25 year anniversary. Since the college’s establishment in 1992, records of former students have been lost, changed, or become outdated. Principal Fiona McAuliffe said she’s worried they may have missed students who are an “integral” part of the school’s history. “In the early days (our records) had landline numbers, a lot of people don’t have landline numbers anymore,” she said. “We wanted to reach out to collect photos, stories, interesting anecdotes and make sure their period of time with the school is not lost.” The school has experienced rapid growth since its inception, Ms McAuliffe said, and former students are an important part of who the school’s identity. “The culture that was established by our old scholars is the strength of the school,” she said.

“Keeping in touch with them and bringing them back I think is important for our current students to be able to see, this is where what you feel…when you’re in the community comes from, it comes from them.” Ms McAulfille hopes current students will be able to learn from the wisdom of those who came before them. “They might be interested in going back talking to current students about career paths, community experiences,” she said. “They’re much more credible as speakers to our students.” Ms McAulfille said she’s excited to reintroduce past students to the school and enjoys seeing the look on their faces when they see the college for the first time since they attended. “We’re so excited to be celebrating and hope that anyone that has been part of our growth and development please contact the school,“ she said. Details: alumni@goodnews.vic.edu.au

The college had just 24 students when the school was established in 1997.

(Supplied)

We are seeking dogs to participate in a free clinical trial which could improve osteoarthritis treatment in both dogs and humans.

BIN COLLECTIONS OVER EASTER PERIOD

Participating dogs receive a free health check, haematology, biochemistry and radiographs, valued at $1100.

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Ɛ Ă ƌĞƐƵůƚ͕ ŝĨ ǇŽƵƌ ĐŽůůĞĐƟŽŶ ĚĂǇ ŝƐ ƵƐƵĂůůǇ &ƌŝĚĂǇ͕ ǇŽƵƌ ďŝŶƐ ǁŝůů ďĞ ĐŽůůĞĐƚĞĚ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ĚĂǇ͕ ^ĂƚƵƌĚĂǇ ϭϲ Ɖƌŝů ϮϬϮϮ͘

Eligible dogs must be: • Over 7 years of age • Have clinical signs of osteoarthritis • Between 15 and 30 kg • Male or female but must be desexed If eligible, your pet will enter a 6-month clinical study. During this time, your pet will need to come to the U-Vet Hospital for a total of 8 visits.

If you are interested in your dog participating or have further questions, please contact: Dr Thierry Beths thierry.beths@unimelb.edu.au 03 9731 2000

Please note all bins will be collected as normal on Easter Monday.

Or scan QR code for more information

www.wyndham.vic.gov.au Wednesday, 6 April, 2022 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 9

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Greening the west under way By Molly Magennis

From left to right: Nick D’Angelo (Fortunato Construction), Stephen Thorpe (Acting CEO, Wyndham City Council), Sean Hanrahan (Greater Western Water), Councillor Susan McIntyre (Wyndham City Council), Helal Matin (Fortunato), Hannah Pexton (Melbourne Water), Councillor Robert Szatkowski (Wyndham City Council), Mayor Peter Maynard, Parliamentary Secretary for Water Harriet Shing, MP Stephen Herd, Fraenkische (stormwater storage unit suppliers), Sarah Connolly MP, Emma Pryse (Wyndham City Council), Anna Leersnyder (Melbourne Water). (Supplied)

Works have begun on a former sewer reserve which is set to be transformed into a series of parklands across Melbourne’s west, the state government has announced. The Greening the Pipeline project, in partnership with Wyndham council and the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, will run all the way from Truganina to Laverton.

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The $9 million project will transform the decommissioned heritage-listed sewer pipeline that extends for 27-kilometres along Federation Trail into parks and will include a 22-megalitre stormwater harvesting and irrigation system that will ensure the park is kept green and healthy all year round. They will work to ensure that Traditional Owner values are included in the park’s design and creation. Tarneit MP Sarah Connolly said it was good to finally see the space being used for something that the whole community can use. “It’s great to see how this underutilised space will be transformed into a thriving stretch of parklands, providing beautiful open spaces for future generations to enjoy,” she said. The project is part of the Labor government’s $174 million investment to deliver the Suburban Parks Program. Water parliamentary secretary Harriet Shing said projects like which utilise stormwater harvesting systems create a more natural water cycle. “....they help save our drinking water supplies while maximising liveability and resilience in urban areas,” she said. Energy, environment and climate change minister Lily D’Ambrosio said: “The new linear parkland will improve access to open space in Melbourne’s west, helping the community connect with nature.” The first section of new parkland between Skeleton Creek and Lawrie Emmins Reserve is set to open mid-year.

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Overlooking construction site looking West – construction of the 22 megalitre stormwater harvesting and irrigation reuse system, showing the liners and stormwater storage units within the Main Outfall Sewer. (Supplied)

Broadband boost Businesses and residents in Mt Cottrell will benefit from a broadband boost as the Victorian government announced new NBN upgrades for the suburb this week. The upgrade will take place as a part of the $550 million Connecting Victoria project, which aims to provide communities with better internet connectivity through new telecommunication infrastructure. Over 34,000 residents and 7700 business across 54 suburbs will benefit from the upgraded speed of up to 1 gigabit per second, 10 times faster than what is currently available. Businesses in Mt Cottrell will receive faster and more reliable internet through a new business fibre zone, allowing direct fibre connection to business premises. More businesses will receive access to business-grade broadband to improve and expand mobile coverage through the project. Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Minister Jaala Pulford said improving internet connection was essential for Victorian communities. “Better connectivity in Victoria is critical in creating more opportunities for jobs, supporting small business and keeping people connected,” she said. The new fibres are due to be finished being installed by the middle of 2024, with some locations being able to connect from mid-2023. Olivia Condous

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Hockey duo aiming high Two boys from Point Cook have been selected to represent Australia at an inline hockey tournament in the United States, but they need the community’s help to get there. Sunny, 10, and Joey, 9, were playing in a tournament, when they were approached by selectors to join the Aussie Roos team. Their mother, Carolyn Rogers, said players were asked to register their interest. “We did not register that interest because we knew we couldn’t afford for them to go,” she said. “However, after that tournament, they were approached to say ‘we really would like you on the team’.” The family has now started a GoFundMe page to help cover the costs of the children flying to America and participating in the tournament. “They’re looking after a friend’s dog just to raise money, they’re doing everything they can,” Ms Rogers said. “I’ve applied for all of the grants that I can think of.” Ms Rogers said Joey’s interest in hockey began when they found a box that contained her old rollerblades. “He put them on and obviously they were adult size, he started mucking around as four-year-olds do and just happened to get quite good.” The family took the kids to a roller skating rink nearby. “After that, they loved it so much that they went back.” The boys are excited at the prospect of traveling overseas, but Ms Rogers said they’re trying to contain it in case the trip doesn’t happen. “If they don’t go, I don’t know how else to say it, they would be devastated.” The hockey community has offered their

Sunny and Joey.

(Supplied)

“incredible” support to the family. “I’ve got a good friend who’s going as the team manager and she said, ‘I’m going to look after your kids like they’re my own’,” Ms Rogers said.

“We really wanted to have at least one parent go with them but it’s just another $5000 we’ve got to find.” Details: https://gofund.me/4d46c1ad

NEWS

Kind harvest From page 1 The rangers would transport the harvested silverbeet to the front gates of the park where members of the Sikh community would collect the vegetables. Sikh volunteers had been organising food drives for people struggling during the pandemic. Jasvinder Sidhu was contacted by Parks Victoria which wondered if the silverbeets could be used in their meals. “I went home and tried to recreate a recipe called saag, it’s a very popular Indian dish usually made with spinach,” Mr Sidhu said. “I gave it to James and his team and they really liked it.” The Sikh volunteers were able to use the silverbeet harvested by Ms Goh to cook more than 500 meals for the community. Their collaborative efforts earned them the Volunteering Partnerships Award, given to them by Volunteering Victoria and the state government. Twenty-four people and 26 organisations were finalists across seven award categories, but Mr Sidhu said his intuition told him they would win. “Usually the Sikh culture is we give and we don’t expect things in return but an award is a testimonial that our work has a lot of impact, everyone is very happy and proud.” Ms Goh said they will continue to harvest the silverbeet garden every winter. “We do this thing not only to benefit others, it’s beneficial for us to our mental and physical health. So you mustn’t think you’re doing it for somebody, we’re doing it for our own good as well.”

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GET BACK

TO THE FOOTY Past and present members of the Wilf Kendall Rover Crew.

(Miranda Bailey-Martin)

Gold milestone Tickets to selected games

By Dean Di Quinzio Five decades of outstanding adventures, fantastic friendships and service of the Wilf Kendal Rover Scout Unit was celebrated at the Hoppers Club late last month, as part of the unit’s 50-year reunion. Former members from all eras of the unit’s history, now living as far away as New South Wales and Tasmania, came together to share nostalgic photos, badges and stories. Neville Kendall, a previous Rover advisor for the unit, was overjoyed to reunite with his former unit and to meet young local Rovers who continue to have adventures throughout the world. The unit’s namesake, Wilf Kendall, was a Werribee Blacksmith and scout leader of the 1st Werribee Scout Group in the 1950s. Wilf was invaluable in his efforts to relocate the

BUT HURRY!

group to College Road where the current scout hall now stands. Rovers is a scouting section comprising of 18-to-25-year-old men and women, having fun while ‘leaving the world a little better than you found it’. In recent times they have found themselves shooting arrows at their twilight archery session, canoeing along the Werribee River, fixing their cars at maintenance nights and meeting fellow Rovers from around the globe at a plethora of camps and events.The evening also saw the unit’s current Rover advisor, Scott Baillie-Martin, presented his Advance Adult Training wood beads, a feat which required many hours of training and assessment. The wood beads are recognised internationally as a great accomplishment. Details: werribeeplainsrovers@gmail.com or vicrovers.com.au.

Auction

12543805-DL14-22

3/154 Werribee Street North, Werribee

Scan the QR Code to ENTER NOW 12 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 6 April, 2022

A brilliant choice for the first home buyer, this low maintenance villa is packed with potential. Spanning a single storey and in largely original condition throughout, this two-bedroom, one bathroom residence includes a private courtyard and accommodation for one vehicle. Offering superb proximity to every amenity, this property is within walking distance of supermarkets, specialty retailers and public transport. • Accommodation includes two bedrooms, each with built-in robes • The kitchen offers compact functionality, with wrap-around countertops, ample storage and quality appliances • This bright and breezy residence boasts living and meals spaces, plus a concrete patio for alfresco entertaining • Additional appointments include a single remote-controlled garage, a separate laundry, security screen doors, wall heating, roller blinds and curtains throughout

Auction Saturday 30th April at 1:30pm View Contact agent for private inspection Contact Paul Caine 0421 551 051 Sonal Dang 0452 268 100

LJ Hooker Point Cook 9975 7080

12543172-SN14-22

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NEWS

MY PLACE Soo-Jin Goh is a volunteer at Werribee Park and has been lending her services to volunteer groups for more than ten years. She chats to Fatima Halloum about her inspirations and the benefits of volunteer work. What inspires you to help others? My background is nursing. I was a nurse and a midwife and I cared for my ageing mum. I see all these people who inspire me with their charity work and donation but I’m only an ordinary person, I don’t have money like Bill Gates, so I give my time and my manpower and it’s a way for me to get out and meet everybody and have a good time. How do you think the municipality can benefit from helping each other? We need younger volunteers to help because most of the volunteers are older now, some of them are in their 80’s. If you come out on a Wednesday, you would see about 70 volunteers there. You don’t need any knowledge of horticulture, you go there and they will show you and you can learn. I would encourage people to do more volunteer work. Without the volunteers there wouldn’t be a rose garden there. Volunteer Soo-Jin Goh. (Joe Mastroianni). 275167

Where is your favourite place in Wyndham? My favourite place is Werribee Park, I call it my second home. Everybody is so nice, the rangers are like family and we look after each other. They always come and check if I’m okay. We’re like a family. People have picnics and while I walk around they tell me to join them. What are the benefits of being a volunteer? I started volunteering a long time ago. It’s a very rewarding job, you get to meet people, and it helps social isolation. You make friends and you become sociable. If people feel isolated and depressed and lonely and they have no where to go, It’s better to come to the park and do a few hours of volunteering.

Print and Online Sales Executive Star Weekly Star Weekly seeks an enthusiastic sales executive to work across our print, digital, social and online platforms. Star Weekly is an independently owned company which prides itself on its long history of community experience but also its investment in the future. The successful applicant will need to possess good people skills to enable them to meet with local businesses to sell solutions through our advertising platforms to help promote their business. Sales skills/experience: • Ability to maintain existing professional relationships and to create new ones • Ability to meet defined sales and activity targets • Excellent listening skills • Accuracy and attention to detail • Effective time management to meet deadlines • Ability to operate in a team • Demonstrates initiative and flexibility • Effective oral and written communication Applicants will need their own reliable vehicle for which we will provide an allowance. The position is salaried, plus we offer an open ended commission scheme. Send your application letter and resume to: Mandy Clark Group Advertising Sales Manager mandy.clark@starnewsgroup.com.au

Interested in working

in hospitality? Looking for a career change? Then enrol in Jesuit Community College’s 17 day Café Operations course. Learn how to use a commercial espresso machine to make coffee, gain certificates in food safety and RSA. Starts May 16 Location: Werribee Bowls Club. Government funded for eligible participants (criteria applies) Please call 0498 594 731 www.jesuitcommunitycollege.org.au/courses

12518321-AV43-21

12541505-NG12-22

Wednesday, 6 April, 2022 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 13

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

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

40 years ago

30 years ago

20 years ago

10 years ago

April 7, 1982

April 1, 1992.

April 3, 2002

April 4, 2012.

The price Werribee residents pay for their packaged beer is once again a subject of concern and has prompted Werribee MP Dr Ken Coghill to request a new determination by the Liquor Control Commission which would bring Werribee into line with metropolitan pricings.

Sunday trading, top-line entertainment headed by the Doug Anthony All Stars, and one of Australia’s major cycling classics are the main attractions of the fourth annual “Back To Footscray” festival this Sunday.

Wyndham has experienced a surge in large-scale business growth thanks to continuing strength in the construction and property market and a thriving transport and storage sector.

Bodies of work, the addictive world of bodybuilding.

Go on a caravan adventure with Bluey’s family and friends.

Now just

$48.00 WAS $59.95

Bluey’s Caravan Adventures Playset with Jean Luc Buy now from aussietoysonline.com.au

14 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 6 April, 2022

FEATURING ... MY BUSINESS

Advertising feature

Gavin Kronberg, Euca’s Business Development Manager. Right: Proud Products has a huge range of environmentally friendly and high quality Euca products.

(Pictures: Damjan Janevski) 273061

Stay squeaky clean with Aussie manufactured Euca Proud Products is a local manufacturer of domestic cleaning goods in Altona and has instigated and produced a comprehensive range of environmentally friendly products under the brand name Euca. Its wide range of high quality cleaning products include laundry powders and liquids, stain removers and sanitisers, wool washes, fabric softeners, essential oil, dishwashing powder and liquid, air fresheners, car care, pet care, personal care hand and body washes,

shampoo and conditioners, as well as window, oven, cooktop, benchtop, floor, metal and house cleaning sprays. Short for eucalyptus, Euca is endeavoring to package all suitable products in cardboard containers, further focusing its environmental awareness to its packaging systems and services. Not only is Euca’s laundry powder, soaker products and dishwashing powders packed in cardboard, but also its range of cleaning liquids.

Packaged in a way similar to how wine is often sold in casks, this process is completely eliminating the use of plastic packaging for these products. Euca also offers a free service to pick up empty plastic Euca containers for recycling to help reduce the need for single use packaging, further improving sustainability and lowering plastic usage and waste. Also offering product concentrates, Euca has products cleaning goods that can be diluted

into their ‘forever’ sprayers, saving hundreds of plastic containers over time, and also saving customers money on their cleaning costs. Purchasing and using Euca products is a great way to reduce your impact on the environment and also to get a great clean, every time. Euca and Proud Products are located at 47 Burns Road, Altona. For more information, visit www.eucaonline.com.au.

Free Local Delivery You can now receive your Euca Laundry and household cleaning products far easier with our new “personal” local home delivery service. This means if you're located close to the Euca factory in Altona, we will personally drive out and deliver your order directly to your doorstep. This covers post codes: 3011 to 3038, 3335 and 3336 No catch, no minimum spend. Buy one bottle, or by a dozen.

Simply visit our website, add your address details at the checkout (need address filled in) and you will automatically be selected for home delivery if you are within one of the eligible postcodes. We're a three generation family owned business, based in Altona/Williamstown since CIRCA 1960. We hope you take advantage of and enjoy this new service. An easy way to sample and test our products, if you have not tried Euca before. Contact us if you have any questions on this or about any of our products, we are only too happy to help. 12543482-HC14-22

Wednesday, 6 April, 2022 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 15

COMMUNITY STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

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

Wyndham Ladies Probus Are you recently retired or semi-retired? Looking for fun, fellowship and to increase your social networks. The Ladies Probus Club of Wyndham meets on the first Wednesday of each month at Hotel520, Sayers Road, Tarneit, and normally has an outing or event on the third Wednesday of each month. ■ Rosa Sanderson, 0410 303 046

Bowling with Babies Werribee Bowls Club will host a Bowling with Babies event until April 8. The event will run every Friday from 10-11.30am. Sessions cost $10. ■ playbowlsvictoria.com.au

Hikoi Brothers 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. ■ ow.ly/JpJR50HOVuN

James Liotta and Piero Viavatene in their characters Pasquale Pappagallo and Pippo Siciliano. Their show ‘Pippo and Pasquale’ is on a national tour. (Damjan Janevski) 274213_01

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, photography and movies. ■ wlac@iscw.com.au

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, 0402299220

Centre is now taking enrolments for classes to help those with limited computer skills. Classes are run daily at both Joan Kirner House, Williamstown, and North Altona Library. ■ Lynne or Tahlia, 9397 6168. Altona Meadows and Newport residents are invited to take part in a Heart Foundation walking group that meets on Wednesdays and Fridays. The group walks for 60 minutes, and is a great way to socialise and get active at the same time. Members are required to register with the Heart Foundation to join. ■ Ian Watson 0411 566 862 or www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Community/ Whats-On/Altona-Meadows-and-NewportHeart-Foundation-Walking-Groups

Williamstown Craft Market Commonwealth Reserve comes alive on the third Sunday of the month for the Williamstown Craft Market. The market boasts more than 50 stalls showcasing everything from handmade craft, homegrown produce and food vendors. There will also be live music. From 10am-4pm. ■ www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Community/ Whats-On/Williamstown-Craft-Market

AL-ANON meets AL-ANON provides support for families and loved ones living with alcoholics and problem drinkers. The group meets Mondays at St Thomas Anglican Church foyer, 117 Synnot Street, Werribee, from 7.30pm, and on Tuesdays at the St Mary’s Tennis Club rooms, 204 Grimshaw Street, Greensborough.

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

Tutoring program Youth Services and Equal Ed are providing free online tutoring classes for young people aged 12 to 18 years old. The Academic Homework Support Program is on Wednesdays, 4-5pm, from the second week of each school term in 2022. All sessions are supervised by Wyndham council youth services staff. ■ youthwyndham.com/pgm-reg or Danielle Diez, 8375 2346

Computers for beginners Williamstown Community and Education 16 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 6 April, 2022

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

Heritage walks Walking group

Education volunteers 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\

Diabetes support group

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

Would you like to develop confidence in communicating, competence with language and clarity in writing? AeroSpeakers Toastmasters Club would like to invite any and all residents to join them on the first and third Thursday of every month to help develop public speaking, communication and leadership skills. The group meets at the Laverton Community Hub, 95-105 Railway Avenue, Laverton from 7-9.30pm. ■ Vince Camilleri, 0413 734 707

Book sale Friends of Altona Library hold a book sale on the first Tuesday, Friday and Saturday of each month at the rear of Altona Library 123 Queen Street Altona, access via Coles carpark, from 10am- 1pm. Pop down to grab a new book or two. ■ https://libraries.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/ community/friends-of-the-libraries

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

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 0425705150

Knit & Natter

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

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

Rotary club

Zonta club meets

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

Zonta is an international organisation bringing women together to support other women. The Zonta Club of Melton meets on the first Monday of each month at Melton Country Club, Reserve Road, Melton. ■ Suzanne, 0417 512 420

Altona North combined probus

Mahjong group The Yarraville Mouth Organ Band meets Friday evenings at 203 Williamstown Road, Yarraville. Great music, friendly atmosphere. Everyone is welcome. ■ Heather, 9399 2190

Interested in learning to play Mahjong? The game is a tile-based game that is derived from China where it was developed in the 19th century. U3A Melton has a group who play on Tuesdays at 10am. ■ u3amelton.com or 0419 563 016

Friendship Group

Melton Men’s Probus Club

Altona Day View (Voice Interest and Education of Women) Club meets at 11am on the third Wednesday of the month at Altona RSL. The club is always open to new members, and anyone interested is encouraged to get in touch today and see

The Melton Men’s Probus Club meets on the first Tuesday of each month at the Melton Dart Club, 63a Reserve Road, from 9.45am. New members and visitors welcome. ■ 9746 0271

Mouth organ band AeroSpeakers Toastmasters Club

what it’s all about. 9394 6522 or 0412 010 176.

■ Janet

PUZZLES No. 075

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

2 2

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

7 3

9 1

8 3 2 4 3

7 6 4 9 1 3 7

19 22 25 26

3 4 5 6 7 8 14 15 16 18 20 21 23

DOWN Place protected by natural features (8)

8 3

Swiss currency (5) Clergyman (9) Breastbone (7) Pottery (7) African country (7) News (7) Made dapper (7,2) Over (4) Enthusiastic supporters of an actor, sport, etc (4) Funeral or burial rites (9) Sprinting (7) Of, or relating to, China (7) Dutch technology company (7) Scoundrels (7) Mental disorder (9) Terminated (5)

No. 075

One who evens the score (7) Binding agreements (9) Appear sporadically (4,3,2) Whole (5) Solved (5) Souvenir (7) Most pleasant (6) Messages sent on holiday (9) Accept reluctantly (9) Levied (8) Yearly payment (7) Island in the North Atlantic (7) Support (4,2) Being from 20down (5) Strong wind blasts (5)

ACROSS 1 4 9 10 11 12 13 15 17

27 28 29

medium

QUICK CROSSWORD

DECODER

No. 075

2 5

3 2 1 8 1 4 6 9 4

hard

9 7

10 11 12 13

9-LETTER WORD 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”.

Today’s Aim: 16 words: Good 24 words: Very good

No. 075

SNAIL SPARE SPREE STATS SWEDE TENSE TERSE VERDE WAFER

HOPED ICONS INDIA INTER INTRO LLAMA MAINE MINES MOTIF MPEGS NADIR NERVE OPENS OUGHT REEDY RESET RETRO SAINT SEATS SEETO SLATE

6 LETTERS AGREES EGOISM LENDER SEEKER

7 LETTERS APROPOS BANSHEE FORCEPS ORATION PARENTS RANGING 8 LETTERS DEBONAIR DOCTRINE ENDORSED RETURNED

diner, dingier, dinner, dire, dirge, engird, gird, grid, grin, grind, grinned, heir, herd, herding, hinder, HINDERING, hire, hired, hiring, inhering, inner, reign, rein, reining, rend, rending, ride, ridge, riding, rigid, rind, ring, ringed 08-04-22

No. 075 Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down.

QUICK QUIZ

Does the leopard seal (pictured) live in the Arctic or the Antarctic?

Shoko Asahara formed which Japanese religious movement, which was later found responsible for the Tokyo subway attack of 1995?

NOTE: more than one solution may be possible

A P S I

3 9 6 4 1 7 2 8 5

8 3 4 9 7 6 5 1 2

M E R

M A C R O E T H I C T R U T H

2 6 9 1 5 4 3 7 8

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

1 2 7 8 9 5 4 3 6

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

4 LETTERS ATOP BASS BUNK CHAN ELSE ERIN FAST MEMO MINS PORT SAFE SILK TEST WAVE

How many people are needed to perform the exercise of shadowboxing?

Bordered by the Rhine valley, which country is the Black Forest found in?

What was Tim Winton’s eighth novel, published in 2008?

7 1 5 3 2 9 8 4 6

4 5 8 2 6 3 7 9 1

5 LETTERS ADAGE ADDER ADEPT ALLOW AMONG AORTA ARGOT ARIAN ARISE ATONE BERYL BOARD CLARA CODES COMMA DINGO DROOP EDDIE EYING FILMS

6 8 3 7 2 9 1 5 4

7 1 2 5 4 8 9 6 3

7 9 4 8 3 2 5 6 1

1 2 5 3 4 6 7 9 8

8 6 9 1 2 7 3 5 4

O I

4 2 8 7 5 6 1 3 9

3 9 6 8 1 4 7 5 2

5 3 7 2 4 8 9 6 1

4 7 3 9 5 8 6 1 2

3 5 8 4 1 9 2 7 6

2 4 6 7 8 5 1 3 9

33 words: Excellent

6 4 1 9 7 5 2 8 3

2 8 9 1 6 3 4 7 5

9 5 4 6 8 2 3 1 7

1 6 2 4 3 7 5 9 8

8 7 3 5 9 1 6 2 4

9 1 7 2 6 3 4 8 5

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

3 LETTERS ATE CAM DOE DYE ELK ERA GEE HAW HEN ILL ISA KEN KIM LOO MID NAP NEO NIP ODE PER PRO TVS TWO UPS

O T RWH B J X S L E F Z

4 8 5

medium

K N

easy

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

hard

5x5

GU A P Y VMC D I QK N

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

WORDFIT

What transition metal has the chemical symbol Pd?

Funambulism is the art of walking along a what?

What shape is a honeycomb cell?

The city of Pompeii was destroyed during the eruption of which volcano?

10 Ranidaphobia is a fear of what animal?

ANSWERS: 1. Antarctic 2. Aum Shinrikyo 3. One 4. Germany 5. Breath 6. Palladium 7. Tightrope 8. A hexagon 9. Mount Vesuvius 10. Frog

SUDOKU

Wednesday, 6 April, 2022 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 17

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Big, bold and boisterous Nissan By Alistair Kennedy, Marque Motoring Like a couple of sumo wrestlers from their native Japan, Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol have been grappling with each other for more than 70 years. The SUV (Sports Utility) tag really doesn’t fit these two giants, they are old-style, off-roading 4WDs. They’re right up-to-date in terms of engineering and safety but lag behind in technology, although in the case of the latest LandCruiser that has been addressed with the new 300 Series. The latest, sixth generation, Patrol has been here since late 2019 with a minor upgrade for the MY2022 version that we’ve just tested. Patrol is only available in two premium variants, the Ti and Ti-L, priced at $82,160 and $95,115 (plus-on road costs), respectively. Both are powered by the same 5.6-litre V8 petrol engine with seven-speed automatic transmission. The ‘L’ in Ti-L stands for Luxury, not long wheelbase, with extra features including a powered sunroof; roof rails; powered tailgate; automatic headlight levelling; puddle illumination light; driver’s seat memory; three-zone air conditioning; heated/cooled front seats; rear-seat video screens; premium sound system; and front row centre console cool box.

Styling – The recent trend towards couple-like SUV styling has been by-passed with the Patrol designers sticking with the traditional square corners and avoiding any fussiness. There’s more chrome than some may prefer but to our eyes it really works well. Sidesteps are almost a must for a vehicle of this size especially for smaller passengers. Wheels are 18-inch all-terrain alloys.

which can be accessed from either front or second-row seats.

Engines / transmissions – Power for Patrol comes from a direct-injected, naturally aspirated V8 petrol engine that delivers 298 kW of power at 5800 rpm, and 560 Nm of peak torque 90 per cent of which is available from 1600 revs. Power is put to ground through an advanced seven-speed automatic transmission and a sophisticated, electronically controlled, all mode 4x4 system with settings for Auto, 4H, 4L, diff lock and hill descent control. The centre console mounted-control knob also incorporates Patrol’s terrain select system, featuring on road, snow, sand and rock settings for the serious off-road adventurer. The 2022 Nissan Patrol.

Safety – Standard safety features include six

(Supplied)

Interior – Unsurprisingly there’s lots of space in every direction inside the Patrol although, as is normally the case, the third-row seats are best suited to children. Patrol Ti is a 2-3-3 eight-seater while the Ti-L is a 2-3-2 seven-seater. All seats are leather. Access to the third row is made easier with the second-row seats able to fold and tumble forward. With the third row of seatbacks in place there’s 467 litres of storage space, expandable to 1413 litres with the third-row folded flat. That increases to a van-sized 2632 litres with the middle row rolled forward against the backs of the front seats. The front seats are large, supportive and very comfortable. Both driver and front passenger get eight-way electric adjustment as well as heating and cooling. The driver’s seat has a memory function. There is a deep centre console cool box

airbags with curtain bags covering all three seat rows; Intelligent Around-View Monitor with Moving Object Detection; Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist; two IsoFix child restraint anchorage points; front and rear adjustable active headrests; Intelligent Cruise Control; Intelligent Forward Collision Warning; Lane Departure Warning; Intelligent Lane Intervention; Blind Spot Warning and Intervention.

socket at the bottom of the front console and two USBs in the rear. Ti has a six-speaker audio system. Ti-L adds premium BOSE sound with 13 speakers as well as two second row seat 8-inch DVD screens with headphones and remote controls.

Driving – Getting into the Patrol involves a bit of a climb for the less agile with the combination of sidestep and grab handle coming onto play to assist. The next chore is releasing the parking brake which, unfortunately, is of the old-fashioned foot-operated variety. Once underway though, these two little annoyances are quickly forgotten - at least until the time comes to pull up alongside the petrol bowser. Despite its size Patrol isn’t too difficult to drive around town with the cameras ensuring that awkward spots are handled On the open road it’s smooth, composed ride and exceptional occupant comfort make it an ideal long-distance cruiser. The 140-litre fuel tank will stretch the distance covered but, with fuel prices soaring there will be a nasty shock at the bowser. Consumption is listed at 14.4 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle, we averaged 16.6 L/100 km. Summing up – Patrol is the most luxurious

Infotainment

– Patrol’s infotainment system is showing its age. There’s an 8-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation and traffic monitoring system but other features are limited and, unusually, there is no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility. The audio system has CD/DVD, AM/ FM radio (no DAB+), MP3 and USB / iPod connectivity with Bluetooth phone and audio streaming. There are two USB ports and a 12V

and sophisticated Nissan offered in Australia and although it’s showing its age in many ways it provides a top-class drive on and off road and can double as either a luxury people mover or tow vehicle for pulling large boats or horse floats. All Nissan models now come with the five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty with free roadside assistance during that same period.

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SPORT

Grand final history within reach for Western Jets The Western Jets have the chance to make history on Friday night as they play in the NAB League Girls grand final. After dropping their first match of the season to Tasmania, the Jets have gone on a nine game winning streak to win through to the grand final. It’s the first time the Jets’ girls team has made the grand final. They will be going for the club’s first premiership, with the boys side yet to taste premiership glory. They have twice made the grand final, in 1992 and 1993. Jets coach Robbie Chancellor said the whole playing group was looking forward to the opportunity. “It’s a very exciting time for the club,” he said. “We’ve won nine in a row and we’re now into a grand final. “We’ll try and get the girls to enjoy the week and the sentiment, but we’re not going to just to play in a grand final. We want to win it.” The Jets won through to the grand final after defeating the Eastern Ranges for a second successive week.

It was a low scoring affair, with neither team able to kick a goal in the first quarter. The Jets were able to kick two goals in each of the middle two quarters, to lead by 21 points at the last break. Despite not scoring in the last quarter, the Jets did enough to seal the 4.5 (29)-2.4 (16). Chancellor said it was a very different game to the previous match. “It was a bit windy and it was played under lights,” he said. “It was a bit more combative. They’re a very physical side and we were able to match it with them and then wore them down on the outside with our run.” Cailitn Sargent kicked two of her side’s fours goals to continue her good season. It was Montana Ham who shone brightest. She had 29 possessions, four marks, nine tackles, four hit outs and seven inside 50s. “I think that’s what you call beast mode,” Chancellor said of Ham’s performance. “It was a new level. These finals games you see the character of the players and she was clearly the best player on the field.” This season has been new ground for the

Jets. From Jets’ first season in 2017 to 2021, the Jets had won just eight games total. Chancellor said they were excited by the chance to make a piece of history. The Jets will face the Dandenong Stingrays in the grand final on Friday night at 7.30pm, after the Stingrays beat the Geelong Falcons. In a twist, which Chancellor hopes will help the side, the two teams haven’t played each other this season. “They haven’t lost a game this year,” he said. “They are the form team and deserve to be favourites. “They’ve got a lot of talented midfielders. We’re hoping there’s an element of surprise as they haven’t seen our game style which is a bit different to other sides.” If the occasion wasn’t already special the grand final is being played at Chirnside Park, which is in the heart of the Jets region. Chancellor is hoping that those in the west will come out and support the girls. Tara Murray

Montana Ham put out a best on field performance in the semi final. (Joe MastroiannI). 268325_05

Sports shorts NPL Werribee City continued its good form with a 3-0 win against Brunswick City on Saturday afternoon in the National Premier League 2. The Bees opened the scoring just on half time through Marcus Petricca. Matthew Scott would score twice in the second half for the Bees to put the icing on the cake. The Bees are the only team to have won their three opening matches and sit atop the table.

Australia Cup West Point’s dream Australia Cup run ended against Whitehorse. Playing in the fourth round for the first time, West Point as on the back foot early with Whitehorse scoring two goals int the first half. They would then score another two early in the second half. West Point was able to get a consultation goal through Matthew Walker.

GDFNL

Western United’s Adisu Bayew.

(Supplied)

Bayew’s ‘massive jump’ By Tara Murray Western United young gun Adisu Bayew is starting to feel at home in the A-League. After making his A-League debut last season, Bayew has stepped into the senior squad full time this season. Having grown in confidence, he has started to get regular minutes as the season has progressed. He produced his best performance of the season in United’s most recent match against Brisband Roar, scoring his first A-League goal. United coach John Aloisi said they needed some young players to step up while players are out injured and Bayew was doing exactly that. Bayew said he was enjoying the move from the club’s youth league side, to the senior side. “It’s a massive jump,” he said. ”There’s so many things that are different in terms of intensity, quality and professionalism as well. “It’s a massive jump, but it’s something I’ve adapted to and I feel comfortable in this

environment now after the pre-season. “I would say I’m doing alright and trying to do what the coach asks of me.” Having grown up in Sunshine and St Albans, playing for United is a dream come true for Bayew. He played his junior football at Sunshine George Cross, before moving to Green Gully, before entering the Western United system. He said he could have never imagined playing for a team in the west when he was growing up. Personally he said he knows there’s still improvement in his game. One focus was to score his first goal, which he has now achieved. “My performances have been alright, I haven’t had an amazing performance so far. I’m looking to continue to get comfortable and build on my performances and get to the standard that I believe I can reach.” Breaking through into an A-League team is hard enough, let alone one that is towards the top of the table and contending for the title. Bayew said the group had worked really hard to get where they are now. “We’re very happy with how the season has

gone,” he said. “It had been a really good pre-season and all the boys worked hard and we’re where we are at right now. “We trained almost every day, long sessions, sometimes double sessions. “We pushed through that and any obstacle that came our way just pushed through it. “It’s all well deserved. The aim to go all the way and win it. Hopefully we win the games to come and come finals we can go all the way.” Long term, Bayew wants to cement his spot in United’s starting line up. He also wants to continue to grow and see where it takes him. “I want to continually improve with my team,” he said. “My individual goals are to continue to have a breakout season. “Scoring goals and getting my name out there and hopefully becoming a professional player, starting week in week out and potentially being selected for national teams. I know there’s a lot of work for me to do personally.”

It was tough start to the season for Werribee Centrals in the Geelong and District Football League on Saturday. Facing Inverleigh, Centrals lost 16.18 (114)-2.8 (20). In the A-grade netball, Centrals easily overcame Inverleigh to secure a 52-23 win. Caitlin Hendrickson and Stephanie Kearney were the best in the win.

VNL The City West Falcons bounced back in a big way in the Victorian Netball League championship division on Wednesday night. After a below par start to the season, the Falcons smashed Casey, 89-51. Falcons coach Marg Lind said she was thrilled how the side had been able to regroup. “It was a lot better,” she said. “The first quarter we scored nearly 30 goals. “We were able to address a few communication issues in the defensive end and it was a good result. “The girls were trying to score 90 goals, but just missed out. I’m pretty happy.”

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Western Jets open the season with a victory The Western Jets did what they needed to do to come away with the win in the opening round of the NAB League Boy’s season. Facing the Brisbane Lions Academy on Sunday at Highgate Reserve, the Jets led all day in the 14.5 (89)-10.6 (66) win. The second quarter was the key for the Jets when they kicked five goals to none to open up a 34-point lead. Jets coach Robbie Chancellor said they will be better for the match. “We won by about four goals in the end,” he said. “It was a bit scrappy, but we did what we had to do. “The Lions already had a couple of games under their belts, but it was our first competitive outing for us.” Chancellor said there were some good signs and they were able to show some of the stuff they had been working on over the off season.

He said they knew it would take some time to put it all together. “Often it will take time to find rhythm and settle,” he said. “We saw the effort of what we have been practicing. “We’ll be better for it next week.” Chancellor said the two co-captains Massimo D’Ambrosio and Jaelen Pavlidis were the standouts in the win. The two 19-year-olds come from Point Cook and Werribee Districts football club’s respectively. D’Ambrosio had 28 possessions, while Pavlidis had 21 possessions. “They stepped up particularly when we got challenged in the second half.” Harry Miller kicked three goals in his Western Jets debut. Logan Morris, who was a late inclusion on Sunday morning, kicked two goals in a good performance. Chancellor said they had eight debutants in the match, which was good signs for the future. The Jets this week face Gippsland Power on

Sunday at Morwell. Gippsland Power is also coming off a first round win, having beaten the Murray Bushrangers 14.12 (96)-7.5 (47). In other first round results, the Calder Cannons beat the Greater Western Sydney Giants by four points on Saturday. The Greater Western Victoria Rebels were too good for the Bendigo Pioneers, winning 13.12 (90)-8.11 (59). The Northern Knights came out firing against the Sydney Swans Academy, winning 14.11 (95)-3.8 (26), while the Dandenong Stingrays 12.9 (81)-9.13 (67). In the other two matches, the Oakleigh Chargers beat the Sandringham Dragons, 11.15 (81)-9.9 (63), while the Geelong Falcons won a thriller against the Gold Coast Suns Academy, 9.14 (68)-9.13 (67). Tara Murray

Tigers pounce on a win By Tara Murray Werribee Districts jumped out of the blocks with a win against Point Cook in the Western Region Football League division 1. On the scoreboard, the Tigers were the most impressive across the two men’s senior competitions, with nearly 50 shots on goal. In different parts of their development, the Tigers smashed the Bulldogs, 25.21 (171)-4.4 (28). Tigers coach Chris Gilham said it was always nice to open the season with a win. “It’s hard to know what will happen in round one,” he said. “There’s a lot of elements of unknown. “You just have to focus on things that we can control and hopefully that’s good enough to get the win.” Gilham said the game was played in really windy conditions, with the wind favouring one end. In the first and third quarters they were kicking with the wind, the Tigers kicked 18 of their 25 goals. “We were really happy with the start with the breeze,” he said. “We were able to put on some scoreboard pressure while against the breeze as well, especially in the last quarter. “We tried to play our brand of footy and I’m pretty happy. Point Cook is a young developing side and they will get better.” Daniel Nielson kicked eight goals in a best on ground performance. Gilham said he had 14 shots on goal in the tricky conditions, putting in a sharp first up performance. He said he was pretty happy with how the side went as a whole. “Our midfield group led by Bailey Siwek was really good while Sean Gregory complimented Daniel really well,” Gilham said. “Our small forwards, who have been our strength, kicked 11 goals between them. “Everyone contributed both offensively and defensively.” For Point Cook it was single goal kickers. Keenan Hatch and Luke Denny were named the Bulldogs best. The Tigers will have a much bigger test this week, facing Altona. Altona had a 60-point win against St Albans in its opening match. Gilham said they were looking forward to the challenge. “Altona has been the benchmark the last couple of years having won the minor premiership. “We’re looking to improve and be competitive “We look forward to these games and we get a really good opportunity early to see where we are at. 22 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 6 April, 2022

Daniel Nielson on his way to a goal. (Joe Mastroianni) 275181_07

“It will be a strong test.” In other matches, it was a good start to the season for Hoppers Crossing which accounted for Sunshine. A six goal to nil second quarter broke the game open with the Warriors continuing on from there, winning 19.16 (130)- 8.11 (59). Jack Dorgan kicked five goals and was named one of the best in the win along with

Ashlin Brown and Liam McMahon. In division 2, Point Cook Centrals had a good win against Glen Orden. Centrals left Glen Orden stunned after a 46-0 first quarter. The Hawks never recovered, as the Centrals won 14.11 (95)-9.9 (63). Parkside came from behind to beat Wyndhamvale 13.14 (92)-10.6 (66).

Western Jets co-captains Massimo D’Ambrosio and Jaelen Pavlidis (Western Jets Facebook)

Hoppers back on track with solid game Hoppers Crossing returned to the winners list in the FV state league 2 north-west competition on Saturday. After a 3-2 loss to one of the top sides in Westgate the week before, Hoppers bounced back against Lalor United. John Paul Gildo opened the scoring just before half time for Hoppers Crossing. It would be the only goal of the game, with Hoppers Crossing winning 1-0. Hoppers Crossing sits fifth after three rounds. This week Hoppers Crossing faces Moreland United. In state league 3 north-west, Point Cook had a big win against Moonee Ponds United. Scores were locked at 1-1 at half time, before Point Cook found another level in the second half. Ethan O’Connell scored a hat trick in the second half to seal the 4-1 win. Point Cook is one of three teams sitting undefeated after three rounds. Point Cook has two wins and a draw so far and sits behind Westvale which has three wins. Point Cook is on the road this week, facing the Heidelberg Eagles. West Point was on the winners list in state league 5 west, beating Ballarat, 2-0. Blake D’Antino opened up the scoring in the 14th minute, with Frank Garrasi scoring for a second success week, in the 54th minute from a penalty. The win was West Point’s second for the season, with the side now sitting fourth. Wyndham lost 2-0 to Deakin University in their state league 5 west match. The Ducks scored through James Robinson twice in the first 21 minutes, to set up the win. Wyndham remains without a win. In other soccer results, Western United had a 2-2 draw with the Central Coast Mariners on Saturday afternoon. Jason Cummings scored first for the Mariners before an own goal levelled the scores. The score line became 2-2 when Aleksandar Prijovic and Cummings scored in consecutive minutes for their sides. United keeper Jamie Young saved a penalty in the dying minutes to ensure his team came away with at least one point.

WERRIBEE FOOTBALL CLUB Y

Gribble notches up 100 games for the Tigers By Tara Murray Werribee co-captain Tom Gribble senses that the best times are still to come at the Victorian Football League club. Gribble, who joined the club in 2014, will this weekend play his 100th game for the club in a huge milestone. For the man himself, reaching the milestone is something he will look back on with pride. “It’s a great feeling,” he said. “I guess I was lucky enough to find a club for the last nine years, To get to 100 games at the club where we are starting to build something pretty good the last few years. “It doesn’t feel any different this week, I’ll look back on it fondly when I retire.” While Gribble is now a Werribee man, it wasn’t always the way. After coming out of the Geelong Falcons, he headed to Geelong to start his VFL career. “Coming out of the Geelong Falcons the natural pathway was to go to Werribee,” he said. “I made the decision to go down to Geelong and have a crack down there and play local football. “I played four games with Geelong and 12 at local footy and I felt more than capable across both levels, probably above the level of local footy. “I played well in the VFL games as well and learnt a lot.” With Geelong having a very experienced line up and the full AFL alignment, Gribble decided after a phone call from Mark Penaluna to make the move to Werribee for the 2014 season as he searched for more opportunity. He had been at the club ever since. “It just made sense to come to Werribee.” Gribble has seen a lot of changes since he arrived at the club. Originally they were in a part alignment with North Melbourne, which saw six to seven AFL listed players playing each week. The two clubs were then fully aligned, before Werribee became a stand alone club. Gribble admits it hasn’t always been easy. “I made my debut in round one … I played 18 games including two finals. I came in and was handy enough and found my way. “One of the hardest things is finding your way in the VFL, I haven’t had to go to three, four, five VFL clubs to find my spot. “The full alignment with North Melbourne challenged my patience to stay at this level, I almost walked away several times.” Gribble talks about the 2014 and 2019 seasons when the club made semi finals, as some of the highlights. It’s those seasons that drive him as they search for success. Personally, 2019 was his best year, taking out the JJ Liston Trophy as the best player in the competition. He also won the club best and fairest and he has played every game since 2017.

Tom Gribble.

(AFL Photos)

Gribble will be awarded club life membership for reaching the 100 game milestone. Despite becoming one of the best players in the VFL competition, Gribble knows his dreams of becoming an AFL player are just about over. He said both Geelong and Werribee taught him lessons early about the importance of enjoying playing in the VFL. “I’m very realistic about my AFL chances now, I’m 27,” he said. “I’ve got other things in my life with my career. “When I came to Werribee you quickly learnt to get down to work and play really good VFL footy. That you need to control the controllables and you weren’t going to get drafted unless you played good footy. “It didn’t happen, and I’m comfortable with that.” With his eyes firmly focused on Werribee, Gribble is excited about what is to come. He said the biggest highlight of his career was being named co-captain this season alongside Dom Brew. “We are upbeat about what we can produce,” he said. “We have an experienced group and there’s only better things to come from the team. “We know what is required from our end. We’ve pretty buoyant about what we can do on the field.” Werribee faces Southport on Saturday night at home.

Tom Gribble.

(Belinda Vitacca Photography)

BARRO GROUP

Wednesday, 6 April, 2022 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY 23