Issuu

Established in 1981 as the

proudly serving Melton and Moorabool

7 JUNE, 2022

12496404-AV22-21

FREE DIGITAL EDITION

SIG N U P N O W!

Platypus concerns Environment community groups have raised concerns about planned tree logging, which would impact precious ecosystems and wildlife, including the platypus population. VicForests recently made public plans for a Forest Recovery Operation which will involve logging of trees to the north of Lerderderg State Forest, affecting the upper headwaters of the Werribee and Lerderderg rivers. Bacchus Marsh Platypus Alliance president, Dr Jodie Valpied, said VicForests claimed the operation was in response to salvaging storm damaged trees, but environmental community groups believe that the proposed level of tree logging would not be essential to this type of operation. “Normally storm and salvage operations would involve sensitively going in and just removing any trees that are dangerous to humans.” Dr Valpied said removing damaged and fallen trees would require only light machinery that could cut up individual trees and leave them for wildlife to inhabit. Bacchus Marsh Platypus Alliance president Dr Jodie Valpied and members Joanne I’anson and Mara Hayler.

(Damjan Janevski) 282408

■

Continued: Page 3

Locals fear park lock out By Olivia Condous The state government has begun the process of creating three new national parks in Victoria, including one in Moorabool, but many residents aren’t happy about the changes. The existing Lerderderg State Park and Wombat State Forest will combine to become the largest of the three new national parks, covering more than 44,000 hectares between Bacchus Marsh and Daylesford. Bacchus Marsh resident and Bush User Groups United member Stephen Smitham said reclassifiying the forest would put an end to locals collecting firewood, dispersed camping, horse riding, dog walking and a

range of other activities. Mr Smitham has been camping in the area every year since 1972. “Camping, if it’s allowed, will be at designated camping areas and likely to pay a fee,” he said. “Some people find it good for their mental wellbeing, a camp away with the family or just with mates … with peace and quiet,” Mr Smitham said. In 2018, the Victorian Environment Assessment Council (VEAC) was ordered by the state government to investigate the future use and classifications of a number of state forests. The VEAC draft report recommendations included establishing the Wombat-Lerderderg

National Park, which received more than 1700 submissions against the change. Mr Smitham said groups against the restrictions weren’t entirely opposed to the idea of a national park, but believed that a standard approach wasn’t appropriate. “We can’t just have that one size fits all approach, we can have one that suits the area and it can be looked after by the bush users and the local community, as well as landcare groups,” he said. “The Victorian Environmental Assessment Council should be disbanded and a new commission should be put together, involving Indigenous people, as well as the CFA, bush users and environmentalists, to remodel

various national parks.” Victorian Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the Wombat-Lerderderg national park was an important step to help protect native plants and wildlife. “These parks will be a drawcard for nature-based tourism and recreation and an important destination for the community to learn from nature and experience the great outdoors,” she said. “These new national parks, and all of the parks being created or expanded, will enhance the opportunities for Victorians to experience our state’s unique landscape now and into the future.”

We are OPEN for Take Away and Home Delivery Contactless delivery with Menulog, Doordash, Ubereats,Instore and La Porchetta online. Follow us on Social Media /LaPorchettaMelton /LaPorchettaMelton

Woodgrove Shopping Centre www.laporchetta.com Download our New iPhone or Android App 12505545-JW34-21

SECTION STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Want To Burn Fat Fast?

Burn Up To 2.5 x More Calories In Just 14 Minutes a Day! Bobbi | Bowflex Max Trainer User

I lost 15kg in 10 weeks. That is ridiculous. The fat just melts right off. I mean, it absolutely changed my life!

Why Bowflex Works For You Save Time - Don’t let “lack of time” slow you down. Lose Weight - Burns Up To 2.5x More Calories. Get Motivated - Fun, low impact workouts combined with a personalised fitness program. Get Healthy with the HIIT technology

Plus

Free $950.00 Gift

Call Now! 1800 440 440 2 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 7 June, 2022

12552920-HC23-22

*Call for Terms & Conditions

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

NEWS

EPA blasted over spoil decisions By Olivia Condous The Victorian Ombudsman has condemned the state’s environmental regulator over the handling of the dumping of West Gate Tunnel Project (WGTP) spoil into the western suburbs. The report, tabled by Ombudsman Deborah Glass in parliament on Tuesday, May 31, says the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) failed to properly engage with local community groups over the soil disposal, and lacked accountability which in turn increased local concern. It also found the EPA had approved earlier versions of Environment Management Plans (EMPs) with “deficient information” due to government pressure “to ‘fix’ problems”, as well

as overlooking the human rights of locals. However, the report said the EPA’s decision to approve EMPs for spoil disposal was “environmentally sound” and didn’t place local communities at significant risk. Melton and Bacchus Marsh residents raised strong concerns over the dumping of the soil, after the Maddingley Brown Coal and the Cleanaway site in Ravenhall were initially approved as possible sites to store the soil. Bacchus Marsh Community Coalition member Kat Barlow said the report was “rightly scathing“ of the EPA. “It vindicates our longstanding community concerns that we weren’t being considered and no one had bothered to consult with us because they’d decided how we felt,“ Ms Barlow said.

The Ombudsman launched the investigation in August 2021 following concerns from local communities near three sites in Bacchus Marsh, Ravenhall and Bulla approved by the EPA for the dumping of spoil from the WGTP, after the discovery of PFAS chemicals in the project’s groundwater. “This failure to provide appropriate information and opportunities for communities to participate when making its approval decisions for sites to receive the spoil for the Project was unreasonable,” Ms Glass said. “It also gave no specific consideration to human rights, even though human rights were very much a focus for affected communities, who were worried about the impact of PFAS

on themselves and their children, as well as waterways and wildlife.” EPA officials told the Ombudsman they believed at the time that consulting the community would be a “waste of time” and that discussions “could not be fruitful because of the level of anger in the community”. The EPA said in a statement it accepted the Ombudsman’s recommendations in full, and acknowledged their “shortcomings” in community consultation and engagement. “While our decisions will always be based on science and the law, we have made significant improvements to how we engage with local communities about issues that affect them. This has been acknowledged by the Ombudsman in her report,” the EPA said.

Childcare workers supported to enhance skills Melton childcare workers are being supported to further their education in the industry in order to combat workforce shortages and a growing number of employees leaving the sector. National childcare provider G8 education operates several early education centres in the Melton area, including Great Beginnings Brookfield, where one employee is taking on education opportunities to further her career. G8 Education offers a study pathway program in order to support workers with further study and combat the key issues of workforce shortages and high turnover rates within the childcare sector. Great Beginnings educator Telesia Halapio tried to study for her diploma while she was working at another education centre, but dropped out due to a lack of time and support. Ms Halapio said now that she had support to finish her diploma, her dreams for her future career in early education have grown even further. “I wasn’t sure where my career would go, but now that I have re-enrolled in my diploma, and thanks to the encouragement and support of my team, I now have bigger plans and dreams than I could have ever thought possible for my education career,” she said. The education support comes after a report from HESTA superannuation on the state of the early childhood education sector post-pandemic, which found that one in five workers were intending to leave the industry in the next one to two years. Many workers cited a desire to develop new skills as the top reason for leaving the sector. G8 Education chief people transformation officer Tabitha Pearson said the company’s study pathway program was a response to the needs of industry workers. “Employees who complete a VET

Childcare educator Telesia Halapio is getting back into study to further her education career, with Summer, 3. (Damjan Janevski) 283628_01

qualification through the G8 study pathway program stay, on average, twice as long as non-study pathways qualified team members.” World of Learning Melton educator Andrew

Smith has completed his diploma through the G8 Education study pathways program and said that it would help him to remain in the sector and hopefully advance his career. “I’m relatively new to the industry, but it has

quickly made a positive impact on me. I love working with children, who challenge me and teach me things every day.” Olivia Condous

Platypus concerns mount changes and temperature changes due to lack of shade. “This then affects the water bugs and other fish and platypus eat water bugs … that can then affect their ability to find food,” Dr Valpied said. “We’ve been told by the Australian Playtpus Conservancy that while it’s a viable population, we also can’t take it for granted … it could struggle to survive into the future.” A spokesperson for VicForests said the organisation was operating to strict environmental standards. “We are moving this heavy debris in a planned and controlled manner to reduce the fire risk from windthrown trees and debris and for the long-term protection of the water quality in the catchments from major bushfire events.”

GET THE POWER OF AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST INDEPENDENT *TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY. 1ST - 30TH JUNE 2022.

ON KUMHO ECOWING KH27 OR ES31, ECSTA PA51 OR CRUGEN KL33 & HP71 TYRES.

www.tyrepowermelton.com.au 146 High Street Melton

Ph: 9743 5592 *Conditions apply

12527142-HC23-22

From page 1 However, she said VicForests seemed to be aiming its logging operation on areas that were not the most severely damaged by storms. “They’re not doing this timber salvage operations in a sensitive way, so far what they’ve been doing in the coupes that they’ve started on is clear felling a large area in which to keep their machinery and their log piles. “They seem to be taking out trees that are still healthy, or that certainly pose no risk to humans, they’re often in areas where humans aren’t even going.” Dr Valpied said the logging at the headwaters of the river to the north of the Lerderderg State Forest would have “crippling” flow on effects further downstream. She said logging of trees can damage river water quality through sedimentation, salinity ■

Tuesday, 7 June, 2022 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 3

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Urgent call for social housing By Max Hatzoglou The Council to Homeless Persons has called on the federal government to urgently fund social housing as Victoria’s rental crisis worsens with rising prices. The peak body for homelessness in Victoria is calling on the government to kick start delivery of its election promise of building 20,000 new social houses amid the worsening crisis. Median rental prices in Melton have risen in recent months, according to Victoria’s March quarter 2022 Rental Report.

In Melton, the median rent was $380 in December 2021, rising to $385 in March, according to the report. Statewide, median rental prices rose by $10 with metropolitan Melbourne rising to $410 per week and regional Victoria rentals rising to $390 per week. Council to Homeless Persons chief executive Jenny Smith said the rise is causing a higher need for social and affordable housing as rentals become too expensive. “More people are being pushed beyond breaking point and into homelessness,” she said.

“People will make every other household budget cut before they miss rent - that means skipping meals, shivering through winter with the heating off, or forgoing study and social opportunities. “People will stay on in unsafe homes rather than leaving, if they can’t see a way to afford rent for their families on their own.” Tracey Gaudry, chief executive at Deer Park-based CommUnity Plus Services, said the Brimbank Melton Community Legal Centre, which is run by CommUnity Plus Services, had recorded a rise in the number of clients at risk

of eviction due to increasing rental costs. “A high percentage of our clients are experiencing severe financial hardship, and increasing rents are causing great difficulties on top of the rising costs of many other living expenses, placing more and more people in our community at risk of homelessness,” she said. “We believe that the state and federal governments can and need to do more to increase the supply of social and public housing, and to seek to lift the incomes of the most vulnerable people in our community by increasing the rate of JobSeeker.”

Melton marks Reconciliation Week The City of Melton held a Reconciliation Week event on Friday, with speakers from the local Indigenous community and a flag raising ceremony. Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung elder Julianne Axford gave a welcome to country speech to begin the event, followed by Kirrip Aboriginal Corporation chair Skye Gooch. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags were raised during the ceremony by Melton mayor Goran Kesic and deputy mayor Lara Carli. Above: Melton Cr Sophie Ramsey, Melton MP Steve McGhie, Melton Mayor Goran Kesic, Deputy Mayor Lara Carli, Peter Webster, Skye Gooch, Sydenham MP Natalie Hutchins, Cr Ashleigh Vandenberg and Julianne Axford. Left: Cr Sophie Ramsey, Julianne Axford, Melton MP Steve McGhie, Skye Gooch, Cr Ashleigh Vandenberg and Sydenham MP Natalie Hutchins. Far left: Mayor Goran Kesic raising the Aboriginal flag with Skye Gooch.

Disney On Ice presents Into The Magic Disney On Ice presents Into The Magic

Disney On Ice presents Into The Magic

SCAN QR CODE TO ENTER 12552765-SN23-22

- Star News have 2 x 4 tickets to give away to lucky readers for the Friday 1st July, 2pm performance. - PLUS! 10 x Disney on Ice Merchandise bags for runners up! (valued at $80) Or visit: starweekly.com.au/competitions

4 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 7 June, 2022

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

1000 steps trail opens

Better mobile connection

By Olivia Condous The 1000 steps trail in Bacchus Marsh has officially opened, accompanied by the announcement of new additions to the Bald Hill activation. The steps are now open for residents to enjoy, leading to a lookout platform with panoramic views of Moorabool shire. The third stage of the development will receive $2.1 million in funding from the Victorian government’s Regional Tourism Investment fund. The new additions will include an all-abilities trail at the hill summit with a lookout, six sculptures to decorate the trail and a car park. The summit will also have a shelter, tables and seating, interpretive signage and accessible toilets. The project is due to be completed by mid-2024. Tourism Minister Martin Pakula said the government was committed to funding tourism projects across Victoria. “We’re investing in upgrading tourism infrastructure right across the state and this project will encourage more people to visit the Moorabool region.” Moorabool mayor Tom Sullivan said connection to the 1000 Steps will give visitors the opportunity to start their journey at either Telford Park or the summit where they will be rewarded with impressive views. “This is a fantastic project for our region, one that will substantially increase tourism in this area, and we thank the state government for recognising and investing in that,” Cr Sullivan said. Melton MP Steve McGhie said the development was a “fantastic” project for the community. “This project will support local jobs, provide

Moorabool deputy mayor Tonia Dudzik, Cr Moira Berry, Tourism Minister Martin Pakula, Melton MP Steve McGhie and mayor Tom Sullivan at the 1000 steps trail. (Supplied)

a boost for local businesses and drive more visitors to the area,” Mr McGhie said. “There’s a lot of infrastructure now in

NEWS

Bacchus Marsh, it’s a growing town, it’s got a country atmosphere about it … So I think the potential is enormous.”

Residents and businesses in Melton and surrounding suburbs will gain better mobile coverage as the state government will invest in upgraded and new mobile towers for the area. The new infrastructure will provide mobile coverage for a 150 kilometre radius across Brookfield, Cobblebank, Aintree, Weir Views, Exford, Melton South and Toolern Vale. The radius of the coverage is expected to benefit more than 27,500 residents living and working in these areas. The Victorian government will partner with mobile providers Optus and TPG Telecom through the Connecting Victoria program for the project, installing the towers between 2024 and 2026. The Melton project will share in $300 million in funding that will improve mobile coverage at 1000 sites across Victoria. Victorian Innovation Minister Jaala Pulford said better mobile coverage would give people vital links to their families, community, emergency services, education and work. “High-growth areas like Melton need mobile services with more capacity as the population grows, that’s why we’re improving mobile connectivity in the area.” Melton MP Steve McGhie said the investment was critical to keeping more people in the community connected “when it matters most”. Details: https://vic.gov.au/ connectingvictoria.

We’re building big in Sunbury and there will be transport disruptions As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re upgrading the Sunbury Line and removing the Gap Road level crossing. We’re also upgrading Sunbury Road, reducing congestion and making it easier to get around.

Train disruptions: Buses replace trains in both directions Sunbury Line

Until last train 29 June Sunshine to Sunbury

Road disruptions: Closed road and lanes Gap Rd/Station St, Sunbury

Until October

Road closed between Horne Street and Evans Street

Sunbury Road, Sunbury

At times, in June

Lanes closed between Powlett Street and Bulla Diggers Rest Road

Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

1762

Find a detailed list of disruptions at bigbuild.vic.gov.au/sunburyworks

Tuesday, 7 June, 2022 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 5

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU Briefs

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Bacchus Marsh Market This free market will be on this Saturday, June 11 from 9am to 2pm. The market has fresh fruit and vegetables, crafts, baked goods, plants, homewares and more. Find the market at Maddingley Park in Bacchus Marsh. Attendees are welcome to bring their furry friends along too!

PHONE \ 03 8318 5777 LOCATION \ Corner Thomsons Road and Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park, 3042 DISTRIBUTION \ 1300 656 678 distribution@fermax.com.au

ADVERTISING GENERAL SALES INQUIRIES westads@starweekly.com.au

Mystery musician in Melton

CLASSIFIEDS \ 1300 666 808 EMAIL \ sales@networkclassifieds.com.au

GENERAL REAL ESTATE INQUIRIES reads@starweekly.com.au

EDITORIAL GENERAL EDITORIAL INQUIRIES westeditorial@starweekly.com.au COMMUNITY CALENDAR ENTRIES communitycalendar@starweekly.com.au

Published by MMP Star Pty Ltd ACN 168 220 399 Head Office Corner Thomsons Road and Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park, 3042 Publisher/Managing Director, Paul Thomas All material is copyright to MMP Star Pty Ltd. Responsibility for election comment is accepted by Paul Thomas. All significant errors will be corrected as quickly as possible. Distribution numbers, areas and coverage are estimates only. For our terms and conditions please visit starweekly.com.au

Students on the DJ decks at a previous On Track program. (Supplied)

On track for music fun A dynamic school holiday music program, hosted by esteemed music and entertainment company the Mushroom Group, is coming to Melton. On Track is a free five-day program that invites high school students to celebrate music, collaboration and creativity through learning from established music mentors. Over the course of the program, participants will learn about songwriting, record music, create a music video, partake in workshops, excursions, watch live performances and more. The program is developed by the Mushroom Group and supported by the Department of Education and Training. Students will also have the chance to win prizes each day, such as music equipment, gift cards and merchandise. The program is designed for students to engage with music, in order to learn new skills, instil confidence, have a voice and make new friends and connections through creative collaboration.

Since 2018 the On Track program has run in suburbs across the west, including Hoppers Crossing, Melton, St Albans, Braybrook, Tarneit and beyond and has engaged nearly 1000 students. This year, the program will run from June 27 to July 1. Mushroom Group project director Rebecca Schaefer said the organisation understood the importance of the “power” of music for young people. “It’s a really effective way of exploring and communicating what they go through and sharing a bit about their experience,” Ms Schaefer said. “It’s really lovely to get like-minded students together in a really safe and nurturing space to be able to explore what they want to talk about.” Details: https://www.ontrackmusic.com.au

On June 19, a mystery performer will fill Melton Town Centre with music. Mystery Music Makers is an event series from the City of Melton, designed to give the local business community a boost. Previous performers have included The Pierce Brothers and Ella Hooper from Killing Heidi. The event will kick off at 2pm. Head to the Melton City Much More Facebook page to read clues on the identity of the mystery musician closer to the date of the event.

Food is Free Moorabool residents are invited to join this community run online group, where members offer homegrown produce for free or to swap. Share excess produce, seedlings and seeds with other locals. To join, search for the Gordon Mt Egerton Food is Free Facebook group. For emergency food relief services, visit: https://www. moorabool.vic.gov.au/emergency-foodrelief. FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Olivia Condous

Print and Online Sales Executive Star Weekly

CLOSING DOWN

Star Weekly seeks an enthusiastic sales executive to work across our print, digital, social and online platforms.

SALE

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

*New Closing Down Hours: Weekdays Mon-Friday 9am - 4:30pm Saturday 9am-2pm

12553229-ACM23-22

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

7 Staughton Street Melton South 3337 Ph: 97479416 12518321-AV43-21

6 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 7 June, 2022

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Racing to harness funds By Olivia Condous Race-goers will enjoy the benefits of new upgrades to Tabcorp Park Melton, allowing for more community involvement and enjoyment of the grounds. The state government will invest $1.63 million from the Victorian Racing Industry Fund, in order to upgrade the infield to be suitable for public use and upgrade the park’s lighting. Harness Racing Victoria is also contributing $545,000 in funding for the upgrades. Racing Minister Martin Pakula said the Victorian government was working to support the racing industry. “We’re backing these upgrades to support the harness racing industry to create a strong and viable future,” Mr Pakula said. The upgrades will allow the refurbished infield to be used as space for marquee’s, children’s activities and entertainment on race days, as well as equestrian events, festivals, trade shows or community activities on non-racing days. The funding will also provide new LED floodlights, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the facility by 40 per cent and save more than $500,000 in electricity costs over 15 years. The new lighting will also improve broadcast quality and provide a better view of the track for visitors. Melton MP Steve McGhie said the government investment would mean the local community had another “terrific asset”. “Tabcorp Park Melton is an important facility for the local community, attracting visitors and participants to the region and providing a focal point for entertainment in Melton,” Mr McGhie said.

Melton MP Steve McGhie, Harness Racing Victoria chief executive Dayle Brown, Tabcorp Park manager Gayle Harvey, Racing Minister Martin Pakula and Harness Racing Victoria chair Dale Monteith at Tabcorp Park in Melton. (Supplied)

Harness Racing Victoria chair Dale Monteith said the organisation was grateful for the funding boost from the government. “Thanks to the Victorian government’s

support we’re able to progress these two great initiatives that strengthen our operation and further enhance our relationship and involvement with the Melton community.”

NEWS

Guide to Hide and Seek fest A massive shire-wide festival is coming to Moorabool, with a month of live entertainment for residents to enjoy over winter starting from June 25 in Blackwood. The Hide and Seek music festival will run each weekend for a month and will feature more than 60 artists across 20 venues, each Saturday. On Saturday, June 25 at 1.30pm the festival will kick off at St Martin’s Chapel in Blackwood with a “shape note“ singing work shop, with local musicians encouraging residents to come along to learn singing in harmony, no experience needed. Following the workshop, Blackwood music duo Cat & Clint will perform at the chapel from 1.45pm, performing bluegrass tunes accompanied by banjo and fiddle. Then, multi award-winning Scottish musicians Fiona Ross and Shane O’Mara will perform traditional songs with a contemporary flair. The final performance in the chapel will be Victorian and National Country Music Album of the Year two-time winner the Hardrive Bluegrass Band, from 3.45pm. To finish the first day of the festival, The Blackwood Hotel will host ’Sing Pub Sing’, a special event where attendees will make some noise and come together to sing the songs of Crowded House, directed by local choir leaders. The events are all-ages and free to attend. Details: https://www.moorabool. vic.gov.au/hide-and-seek/blackwood

Call someone who gets it. Every year we help thousands of people control their gambling. So, we get that every story is different. To change the way you think about gambling, call Gambler’s Help on 1800 858 858 for a free, conﬁdential chat, 24/7.

Tuesday, 7 June, 2022 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 7

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

LIBRARIAN TIFFANY VANDERLINDEN

BROOKLYN, 4

The rhythm of reading JAZZ, 1

(Pictures: Damjan Janevski) 283913

Star Weekly photographer Damjan Janevski visited the Lerderderg Library in Bacchus Marsh, where local families were enjoying a Bacchus Books and Beats session. The program designed to help young children from across the Moorabool shire engage in musical play. Books and Beats is a free fortnightly program that is held in Ballan and Bacchus Marsh on alternating weeks. Participants learn from local musician Jen Hawley and play with musical instruments, as well as enjoying books. The program is held at the Ballan Library each Wednesday and Lerderderg Library each Thursday at 10am.

ZARA, 2

KONSTANTIN, 1

ALEXIS, 3

JACK, 3

ON SALE

NOW

$59.9

NOW

$ W

NOW

each

$16

.00

NOW

$15.00

Order now on www.aussietoysonline.com.au 8 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 7 June, 2022

18900

$25.00

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

NEWS

Finn to lead DLP into state poll By Elsie Lange Hard-right politician Bernie Finn has announced he will be leading the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) into the November state election. The announcement follows his expulsion from the parliamentary Liberal Party last month for disobedience around controversial social media posts, including his comments that abortion should be banned even in the case of rape. Mr Finn told Star Weekly his campaign

platforms would be defending workers, supporting small businesses, supporting regional Victoria and protecting “traditional” families, particularly in light of the high cost of living. “There’s still very strong DLP support in the northwest of Melbourne and I’m looking forward to reigniting that, and bringing that power back to Spring Street,” Mr Finn said. He said an issue he would like to see dealt with immediately is the cost of energy, and would be taking a hard stance against clean energy because “they’re not renewables, what they are

in fact is unreliables”. “We have enough coal, we have enough gas, for everyone. We should allow the gas to be mined and for the coal to be burnt and we can get on with people living a reasonable standard of living,” Mr Finn said. Mr Finn will run in the Western Metropolitan region, an area he’s represented in the Victorian upper house since 2006, covering multiple local government areas including Hume, Moonee Valley, Brimbank, Melton, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong and Wyndham. The DLP broke off from the Australian Labor Party in 1955 – it was deregistered by the Australian

Electoral Commission in March this year due to low membership, but remains registered for state and territory elections in Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory. “If people take a view of what our policies will be when they are presented, they will be impressed,” Mr Finn said. “They will in fact give the party their support, and those who are angry with the Andrews government, and there are a lot of people there, but are still very concerned that the Guy opposition isn’t ready to govern – they can vote for the DLP. “They now have an alternative.”

Grant Lodge upgrade The Victorian government has announced further funding to boost public aged care in Bacchus Marsh, in order to ensure residents continue to have access to important services. An additional $3.75 million has been allocated to expand and upgrade the Grant Lodge residential aged care centre. The funding builds on $5.5 million previously allocated last year, through the government’s Regional Health Infrastructure Fund. The funding will allow for Western Health to redesign the site to provide all residents with private bedrooms and bathrooms. The upgrades will also allow the centre to become a dementia-friendly environment and better suited to supporting resident mental health, by improving modernisation, comfort, safety and efficiency for residents and staff. The funding boost comes as Moorabool council is set to transition away from providing aged care services from July 1. Minsiter for Ageing and Carers Anthony

Carbines said the additional funds would give residents a better fitting environment. “This funding will mean Western Health can deliver the best possible care in a comfortable and modern facility that residents deserve.” Buningyong MP Michaela Settle said the government understood how essential it was that aged care centres were upgraded and modernised. “We know how important it is for people to feel confident in the quality and safety of the care they receive, which is why we’re ensuring all our public aged care facilities have the very best services there are to offer.” Olivia Condous

Grant Lodge ward clerk Michelle Toe, general manager Sandy Schutte and associate nurse unit manager Dixit Ramparsad. (Supplied)

Sent – 15th Feb

Sent – 23rd Feb

On the mend.

Glad I’m back!

Greg (work) – 1st Feb

Greg (work) – 20th Feb

How are you?

See you soon.

The sooner you get in touch after an injury, the better the return to work journey. If you’re recovering from a psychological or physical workplace injury, or if you are an employer supporting an injured worker, make contact as soon as possible. It just takes a few simple words to make a big difference. The sooner, the better. worksafe.vic.gov.au/thesoonerthebetter

Tuesday, 7 June, 2022 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 9

SECTION STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

7 June 2022

Mayor’s message Cr Goran Kesic

STAY INFORMED

Recently Minister for the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford MP paid us a visit to announce State Government investment in better mobile connectivity for the City of Melton as part of the Connecting Victoria program. Partnering with Optus and TPG, mobile towers will be upgraded or built to cover 160 square kilometres across Brookfield, Cobblebank, Aintree, Weir Views, Exford, Melton South and Toolern Vale. Mobile and broadband connection is not only essential for our local businesses and residents, but incredibly important in emergency situations. These upgrades will help protect our residents, so I want to thank the State Government for this investment. Speaking of emergency services, Council together with the Western Emergency Relief Network (WERN), opened a new warehouse in Ravenhall for WERN to provide emergency relief to our communities. WERN supports people experiencing homelessness, mental health conditions, family violence, fire or flood situations, or those who are refugees, by supplying them with quality second-hand furniture, electronics, and whitegoods. In recognition of how much we value this service, we’ve offered WERN a low-cost lease for 20 years. We’re confident that this lease agreement will allow this not-for-profit organisation to expand its reach and help even more people in need. Last week I also had the pleasure of opening our City’s annual Youth Forum. What a pleasure it was to engage with our young people, and agencies who support our youth, to work together and create opportunities to enrich and improve their lives. One thing is for certain, our future is in good hands. Please feel free to contact me on 0437 241 436 or goran.kesic@melton.vic.gov.au regarding any Council issues.

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

New funding for recreation spaces across the City of Melton The Victorian Government recently announced funding from the Local Sports Infrastructure Fund to support priority projects across the City of Melton. At Bridge Road Recreation Reserve, $250,000 was allocated for a multipurpose football and cricket oval, LED lighting and a new floodlit competition standard netball court.

This adds to Council’s $1.6 million contribution.

2 to a senior size oval, adding to $1.03 million from Council.

The Mt Atkinson Active Open Space Precinct will receive $231,000 for competition standard LED lighting on two soccer pitches, with $154,400 from Council.

These spaces help our communities connect and improve the health and wellbeing of our residents.

Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve will receive $250,000 to upgrade Oval

All three projects will enable new community and sporting groups to grow their participation numbers.

We’re conducting phone surveys

2023 Kindergarten registrations now open Kindergarten registrations for 2023 are open. Round 1 Kindergarten applications close 17 June, 2022. We recommend submitting your application by this date to give yourself the best possible chance to be allocated your first preference. Register your child at melton.vic.gov.au/kindergarten

Selected City of Melton residents will be asked to participate in a survey measuring community satisfaction with Council services and facilities. The survey involves phone interviews with 800 randomly selected residents from across the municipality until Monday 27 June. Find out more at melton.vic.gov.au/satisfactionsurvey

Coburn Ward with Cr Bob Turner Late last month the State Government announced funding from the Local Sports Infrastructure Fund to support three key projects across the City of Melton, including the Bridge Road Recreation Reserve. Council has received $250,000, adding to the $1.6 million contribution from Council for this project, to fast track construction of a multipurpose football and cricket oval at Bridge Road, including LED lighting and a new floodlit competition standard netball court. On the local investment and jobs front, we’ve had some big-name businesses

open their doors, or commence construction, in our City over the past few weeks. We welcomed Electrolux in late May, after they opened their purpose-built facility in Ravenhall. This will serve as the Victorian and Tasmanian hub for distribution of household appliances, and create more than 40 local jobs. Electrolux joins Amazon, Myer, Hello Fresh and Scalzo Foods, who have all recognised the strategic value the City of Melton has to offer, creating dozens of local jobs and boosting investment. And finally, just a reminder that waste entitlements for 2021/2022 will expire at the end of the financial

year (30 June). Residents who’d like to use their waste entitlements should book a hard waste collection online at melton.vic.gov.au/ hardwaste before 16 June or visit the Melton Recycling Facility by 30 June. For information about your waste entitlements, visit melton.vic.gov.au/waste I am available to meet with residents most Saturday mornings from 9am, by appointment. Please contact Barb McKenzie on 9747 7200 to book a time, or contact me on 0412 584 224 or bob.turner@melton.vic.gov.au

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

Mayor Cr Goran Kesic

Deputy Mayor Cr Lara Carli

Cr Steve Abboushi

Cr Moira Deeming

A vibrant, safe and liveable City accessible to all 10 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 7 June, 2022

Cr Kathy Majdlik

Cr Sophie Ramsey

Cr Julie Shannon

Cr Bob Turner

Cr Ashleigh Vandenberg

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

COMMUNITY

Melton Men’s Group members Peter Liistro, Anthony O’Sullivan, Vladimir Wowk, Charlie Whitfeld, Greg Turner and Rob Pawley.

Walking with Melton Men’s Group Star Weekly photographer Damjan Janevski bumped into members from the Melton Men’s Group, out on their weekly Thursday walk through the Melton Botanic gardens. The group was formed from the Sons of the West in 2018 and now has 100 members. They meet weekly for lunch at La Porchetta on a Monday, for morning walks on Thursday and have meetings on Thursday evenings. The group invites monthly guests speakers, who present talks on various men’s health topics. Group president Charlie Whitfeld said anyone interested in joining could turn up to a meeting to learn more. “They can introduce themselves and they’ll be made welcome,“ he said. “We sit around, drink coffee, play snooker, table tennis and indoor lawn bowls.” Meetings are held each Thursday at 5pm, at The Gap on 5 Grange Street.

Melton Men’s Group taking walks every Thursday morning at Melton Botanical gardens. (Pictures: Damjan Janevski) 284027

FOOTY TICKETS

We have Medallion Club tickets to selected MCG & Marvel games up for grabs - Scan to enter OR visit: starcommunity.com.au/competitions

12552250-JC23-22

Tuesday, 7 June, 2022 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 11

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

for coffee and chat nights and organised affordable outings and events. ■ 0406 493 734

First aid courses Melton South Community Centre is currently taking enrolments for the next date of one-day first aid courses, scheduled for Saturday, June 25. Courses available include CPR (HLTAID009), First Aid including CPR (HLTAID011) and First Aid, CPR and Asthma & Anaphylaxis (HLTAID012). ■ 9747 8576

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

Deluxe facials workshop Pamper yourself as you learn the tricks of the trade in Melton South Community Centre’s Deluxe Facials workshop, scheduled for Saturday, June 18, 10am-10pm. Everything is supplied, including kits. Cost: $60/$55 concession. ■ 9747 8576

Melton South Knit & Natter Jackson Coombs is heading off to Harvard University to study science and join a dance team after getting an ATAR of 99.85. (Damjan Janevski) 283204_01

Take weight off naturally Struggling to lose weight? Struggling to get motivated? Want to try and do it in a friendly and less stressful atmosphere? Come and join TOWN (Take Weight Off Naturally) every Tuesday at 6pm at the Darlingsford Barn, Darlingsford Boulevard, Melton. ■ Catherine, 0416 612 517, or Bob, 0411 824 739

Sunshine Community Brass Sunshine Community Brass is looking for new members to join its vibrant band of musicians. With over 90 years of history, the band is looking to grow for the future. Sunshine Community Brass is currently looking for trumpet and percussion players. It rehearses Tuesday from 7.30pm, 45 Furlong Road, North Sunshine. ■ Andrew, 0419 444 620

Parkinson’s support group

12544962-AV15-22

The Melton Parkinson’s Support Group meets on the second Thursday of the month 10.30am–12.30pm at Kurunjang Community Centre, 33-35 Mowbray Crescent, Kurunjang. New members and carers welcome. ■ Helen, 0409 186 576

12 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 7 June, 2022

Melton Bridge Club The Melton Bridge Club has recommenced weekly social Bridge sessions at the Melton Library on Fridays from 10am-noon. Come along to play an exciting, social card game and have loads of fun. Bridge offers the suspense of poker, the cerebral qualities of

chess and the excitement of athletic sports, all in a relaxed and social setting. If you like playing cards this is for you. ■ Rosemary, 0407 894 817 or Ros at the library

Boomerang Bags Bacchus Marsh Boomerang Bags Bacchus Marsh makes reusable shopping bags from rescued fabric. They’re looking for people to cut, sew, iron and market our bags. Meets on the first Sunday each month at the Darley Neighbourhood House 2pm-4pm. Find the Facebook group for more details.

Melton Friendship Group Join the Melton Friendship Group for singles 55 and older. Meet fortnightly

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

Zonta club meets 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

Mahjong group 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

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

BEHIND THE NEWS

Demand for foster carers heightens

Andrew and Anna are part of the Williams family. (Pictures: Supplied)

Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare suggest one in 32 children required child protection services in 2019-20. For those needing out of home care, the state relies on foster homes, like the Williams family, to keep children safe and secure. Fatima Halloum talks with the family about the need for more carers.

athryn and Nathan Williams do what only a small percentage of good Samaritans in Victoria do, but the couple are adamant they’re not saints. “We had always imagined that we’d have kids, always expected that we would share life with kids, we were pretty unlucky on that front,” Mrs Williams said. “We signed up for the training to get a better feel for what would be involved, we were both really excited about the prospect of fostering.”

‘‘

They certainly have found it really tough … [they’re] just trying to be little kids - Kathryn Williams

’’

There are more than 14,000 kids in the state’s child protection service and two of them are under the care of the Williams family in Melbourne’s western suburbs. Eight-year-old Anna* and her six-year-old brother Andrew* have lived with the Williams family for just over two years. “They’re from a family who loved them, lots of reasons they can’t look after them,” Mrs Williams said. “Domestic violence played a big factor in why these kids required out of home care … they’re loved by us, but they’re also loved by the families they come from. “We talk about about violence against women, which is shocking, what’s often hidden is the impact that has on kids in these families, it’s real trauma, real trauma that they’ve experienced at a very young age.” Mrs Williams said it’s a difficult situation for children to be in as they don’t have much say in big decisions that are made in their best interest.

Kathryn Williams believes the most important thing a carer can give children is care and safety.

“They certainly have found it really tough … [they’re] just trying to be little kids and have the same experience of life as every other kid,” Mrs Williams said. “They were very used to doing things themselves and not really trusting that we could look after them, that understanding that it’s our job to do.” Mrs Williams said there’s a common misconception that fostering is too difficult for people who worry they’ll grow too attached to the kids. “It’s not really about that, it’s about providing for a young person, it’s providing what you can for a kid who needs it now,” she said. “I was really worried about this, these kids were coming in, what do they call us? I think it might have been the first week and the little

fella, who wasn’t very verbal when he came to us – he didn’t say much – he looked at me and said ‘my Kathryn’. “You worry about ‘how does this work?’, how do you parent another person’s children without trying to overstep or replace something that’s so important – a relationship with their mum – but I think you learn to follow their lead.” Mrs Williams believes most people are unaware of how few carers there are for the number of kids desperately needing a stable and safe home. “It is a hidden kind of an issue … I think out in the west here, we have a big need, you’re surprised when you actually learn how many kids are in and out of home care and how many kids are visible to child protection,” she said.

Mr and Mrs Williams foster through Uniting Vic.Tas, a community services organisation that delivers services such as emergency relief, mental health, aged care and family services across Victoria and Tasmania. Uniting child, youth and families senior manager Philip Yew said now more than ever, vulnerable children and young people were in dire need of a place to call home. “Children and young people living away from their birth families are among the most vulnerable people in our community,” Mr Yew said. “We’re in critical need of carers for children and young people with the COVID pandemic having a significant impact both on the numbers of young people requiring care, but also on the recruitment of foster carers.” Mrs Williams said there’s “a lot of different ways” to be a carer and “anyone” could do it. “I don’t think people realise how much we, as carers, get out of it, like it is by far the best and most important thing that my husband and I have ever done,” she said. “Just do the training, you can be an accredited foster carer without ever having a placement, you can do respite once a month, whatever your availability, they will take anything that you can give. “If we’re good enough, you’re good enough. If we can help, anybody can help a child in the system.” Anna and Andrew will be with the Williams family for long-term placement and might need out of home care for “quite a while”. “It’s not permanent placement … but we’ll grow them up. We’d love them wherever they live,” Mrs Williams said. “At the moment they need us this way, but they’re such a special part of our family that they’ll always be part of our family.” Details: unitingvictas.org.au/foster-care. *Children’s names have been changed to protect their identities. Tuesday, 7 June, 2022 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 13

Advertising feature

Police out in force over the Queen’s birthday weekend Operation Regal 2022 is a statewide road policing operation set to run over the Queen’s birthday long weekend. It aims to increase driver awareness and journey planning, while reducing road trauma during this high-risk time on our roads. The four-day road policing enforcement campaign will run from Friday, June 10 to Monday, June 13. Road policing advisor Sergeant Marty Wallace, from Westgate Highway Patrol, says the operation will be conducted throughout all operational police regions and police service areas, using all available personnel from local road policing units, general duties and other regional resources. The police operation will be targeting the main causes of lives lost and serious injuries in crashes: impaired driving, speed, fatigue, distraction offences and seatbelt compliance. Police will be out in force both to educate drivers and to enforce road rules, with a view to preventing lives lost and serious injuries. Fatigue is one of the biggest killers and is a major cause of the loss of life on Victorian roads. Drivers are requested to plan their trip, be patient and ensure that you take at least a 15 minute break at least every two hours and don’t drive if you are tired. Drivers planning to travel during this period can expect to see an increase in vehicles travelling on our major freeways and highways throughout the state. Road trauma isn’t just about the lives that are lost – it’s about the enormous impact on the community, from the family members, to the emergency services workers who have to deal with these tragedies on a daily basis, to the police who have to deliver the devastating news to loved ones. All of the community has a responsibility and a role to play in reducing road trauma.

Sergeant Marty Wallace will be among scores of police enforcing safe driving this coming long weekend. (Damjan Janevski) 279974_08

RoadSafe Westgate Community Road Safety Council chairman, Jim Giddings, says it has been demonstrated time after time that speed is a contributing factor in most road

crashes. Therefore stay within the speed limit and drive to suit the conditions you face. Before embarking on any driving trips drivers should check their tyres, windscreen

washers, brakes and lights. Remember, travel so that you arrive at your destination safely and enjoy your Queen’s birthday long weekend.

DRIVING IS NOT A GAME! SPEED KILLS! Don’t make a Grave Mistake Speed is the largest single factor in fatal road crashes on our roads. RoadSafe Westgate and your local council support reporting speeding drivers to Crime Stoppers.

REPORT SPEEDING DRIVERS

1800 333 000 RoadSafe Westgate Community Road Safety Council is a road safety advocacy group that implements road safety programs and is supported by the municipalities of Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melton and Wyndham. 1092275-HM38-13 1204680-HM44-15

14 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 7 June, 2022

Property news

The national Housing Value Index (HVI) has fallen by 0.1 per cent across May.

(iStock)

National housing prices fall for first time since 2020 A combination of rising interest rates, lower sentiment and higher inventory levels has resulted in Australia’s Home Value Index (HVI) decreasing by 0.1 per cent, data from CoreLogic reveals. This decline in the national HVI is the first month-on-month decrease since September 2020. Combined with a month-on-month decrease in Melbourne (-0.7 per cent), Sydney (-1.0 per cent) and Canberra (-0.1

per cent), dwelling values have decreased nationally overall by 0.1 per cent, despite a rise in other remaining capital cities around the country. Even the 0.5 per cent increase in housing values across regional areas in Australia was not enough to offset the overall decrease in prices. The total decrease to the combined capitals index was 0.3 per cent over the month of May. “There’s been significant speculation

around the impact of rising interest rates on the property market, and last month’s increase to the cash rate is only one factor causing growth in housing prices to slow or reverse,” says CoreLogic’s research director, Tim Lawless. “It’s important to remember housing market conditions have been weakening over the past year, at least at a macro level.” Melbourne dwelling prices have fallen

four out of the last six months, whereas Sydney dwelling prices have steadily declined since February. However, housing prices in Melbourne are 9.8 per cent higher than those at a pre-COVID level, whereas Sydney’s are 22.7 per cent higher and Canberra 37.9 per cent higher than pre-COVID levels.

Data published by CoreLogic.

12536869-NG23-22

Tuesday, 7 June, 2022 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 15

SECTION STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

FREE EVERY WEEK 12477071-CG03-21

FEBRUARY 9, 2021 \ STARWEEKLY.COM

Pick up your favourite local newspaper, the Melton Moorabool Star Weekly from local outlets listed below or subscribe to our digital edition and have it sent to your device every week!

.AU

JAf £ fn¹Ǥ

Illustrations light up library

(Supplied)

An exhibition by one celebrated childre of Australia’s most n’s lighting up Melton book authors is library. Never be late for a a striking series of Parade includes book illustrations by award-winning author and illustra tor Shaun Tan (inset). Featuring a collect ion of illustrations from Tan’s best-kn own including The Arrival picture books , The Red Tree, The Lost Thing, Rules Singing Bones, Cicada of Summer, The and Tales from the Inner City, the showcase celebra tes Tan’s unique approa ch As well as being an to storytelling. acclaimed writer and internationally illustrator, Tan has branched out into theatre design and concept art for ﬁlms Horton Hears a Who and Pixar’s WALL-E . He directed the Academ y Award-winning short based on his winning ﬁlm The Lost Thing, picture book of the same name. Never be late for a Parade is showing at Melton Library and Learning Hub until March 7.

Nursing boss ba nned

Benjamin Millar

By Benjamin Millar

Pick up your FREE newspaper from these local outlets... •

Bacchus Marsh 7/11 Service Station 28 Baccus Marsh Road

•

Bacchus Marsh Foodworks 1 Bennett Street

•

Bacchus Marsh Coles Supermarket Cnr Bennett and Young Street (The Village Shopping Centre)

•

Bacchus Marsh My Little Mates Convenience Store 151 Gisborne Road (Darley Plaza Shopping Centre)

• •

•

Bacchus Marsh Bacchus Marsh Newsagency 138 Main Street

•

Bacchus Marsh Arbee Real Estate 140 Main Street

•

Bacchus Marsh Sweeney Real Estate 164 Main Street

•

Bacchus Marsh Stockdale and Leggo Real Estate 191 Main Street

•

Bacchus Marsh Moorabool Shire 182 Halletts Way

•

• •

Bacchus Marsh Milk Bar the Avenue 208 Main Street

•

Bacchus Marsh Bacchus Marsh Information Centre 215 Main Street

•

Bacchus Marsh The Village Shopping Centre Main Street

•

Bacchus Marsh Bellbrook Gardens Country Club 168 Underbank Boulevard

• •

Ballan Ballan Newsagency 133 Inglis Street Ballan IGA Plus Liquor - Ballan 135 Inglis Street

• • • • • • • • • •

Ballan Moorabool Shire - Ballan 15 Stead Street Brookfield Lifestyle Brookfield 111-139 Coburns Road Darley Champions IGA Bacchus Marsh Grey Street Diggers Rest FoodWorks 22 Glitter Road Diggers Rest Diggers Rest Post Office 76 Old Calder Highway Gordon Gordon Post Office 65 Main Street Harkness Foodworks 17 Claret Ash Boulevard Hillside Foodworks 595 Melton Highway Kurunjang Kirkton Drive Milkbar 203 Gisborne - Melton Road Melton E-View Real Estate Suite 10, 3 Alexandra Street Melton Blue Nile Groceries 39 Bakery Square Melton Melton Milkbar 44 Burleigh Road Melton Melton Waves Leisure Centre 206 Coburns Road Melton TAB Corp Park 2 Ferras Road Melton Melton Shire Council Offices 232 High Street Melton Sweeney Real Estate 266 High Street Melton Barry Plant Real Estate 273 High Street Melton Advance Stationers 283 High Street Melton Raine and Horne Real Estate 289 High Street Melton Melton Lotto 293 High Street

The Victorian Civil and Administrativ The director of nursing e The allegations at Djerriwarrh Health Tribunal last week returned a Service during a included inadequ ruling disqualified Ms cluster of perinat ate formal reviews Meek from applyin that education and training al deaths registra at Bacchus Marsh of overall clinica l practic for nursing and g for midwifery tion for a period of Hospital has been perinatal deaths as e and staff and that 10 years. banned from working as they occurred. The ruling been aware of deficien Ms Meek should have a nurse or midwif Ms Meek ceased workin e for a of former follows last year’s disqualification decade. cies in midwifery skills. g at DjHS in 2015 maternity “She failed and surrendered The Nursing and her Little for a 10-year services manager Mary the deficien to take adequate steps to ensure Midwif and midwife in 2016. registration as a nurse cies period ery were identified and Board of during for her failures Austra lia sought a remedied,” the same period. 10-year ban for Julia the tribunal found. Djerriwarrh Health Meek in the wake of reports Services chief executi A 2015 review by identify ing “catastr Presiding VCAT membe professor Euan Wallac ve ophic” identified failings behind a r Wendy Boddison Belinda Scott said while she was e and series of “avoidable” “catastrophic and unable to comment deaths systemic and other adverse unprecedented Hallymembers Pamela Barry and Bernad patient outcomes ette Djerriwarrh on individual practitioners, also found Ms Meek at DjHS obstetric governance failings” with the from 2013 to 2015. has implemented failed to ensure shift by shift presenc services at DjHS during e of a midwife compet the change” across the health service “profound External reviews identifi the period. Ms Meek, 63, faced in foetal surveil ent since 2015. ed that the perinatal “It has robust clinica allegations in the tribuna lance monitoring mortality rate was that she had failed l govern l in birthin ance significantly higher the process g suite. systematic trainin to take adequate the state average and than deliver effectiv g, continued profess es, The tribuna much higher than e systems and process steps to ional be expected for a low would in her role es at DjHS for ensurin l found there was no clear criteria development and strong leaders as director of nursing risk unit. hip that ensures Djerriwarrh g only maternity , which she had the cases suitable held since 2005. is a safe, level of the capacit y of DjHS were accepte to fully-functioning health service secure and There was also found to be inadeq d. of Bacchus Marsh, Melton for the people and Caroline uate Springs,” she said.

CNR KEILOR MELT

Your bigger and be tter Melton East is now open ON RD AND HIGH ST,

MELTON EAST

5-Lane Drive-thru

Timber Yard

•

Melton Harcourts Real Estate 306 High Street

•

Melton Kurunjang Village Store 51 Kurunjang Drive

•

Melton Professionals Real Estate 317 High Street

•

Melton Melton Library 31 McKenzie Street

•

Melton MGS Grocery Store 358 High Street

•

Melton Melton Country Club 28-30 Reserve Road

•

Melton Freddy’s Fruit & Veg 393 High Street

•

Melton YPA Real Estate - Melton 272274 High Street

Melton Melton Indoor Sports Centre 65 Reserve Road

•

Melton Morgans Supa IGA 335-345 High Street

Melton Coles 11 Station Street (Melton Station Square)

•

Melton Foodworks Shop 1, 415-429 High Street

Melton Lee Merchants 29 Wallace Square

•

Melton Woodgrove Shopping Centre 533-555 High Street

Melton South Station Square Shopping Centre 25 Station Road

•

Melton Woolworths Supermarket 523531 High Street (Coburns Shopping Centre)

Melton South Coles Express Shop 1-9 Station Street & Brooklyn Road

•

Rockbank Rockbank Newsagency 1157 Leakes Road

•

Melton Woolworths Supermarket 533555 High Street (Woodgrove Shopping Centre)

•

Melton Coles Supermarket 533-555 High Street (Woodgrove Shopping Centre)

Rockbank Sundowner Rockbank Caravan Park 2057-2083 Western Highway

•

Toolern Vale Toolern Vale General Store Lot 23 Diggers Rest Road

Scan this QR code to Subscribe for FREE now! Or visit: meltonmoorabool.starweekly.com.au/subscribe 202102118060_1-NG08-21

16 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 7 June, 2022

PUZZLES

3 2 8 7

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

DECODER

No. 084

8 1 9 2

5 hard

8 9 6 7 1 4 8

7 1

3 7 1 4

10 11 12 13

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

Today’s Aim: 25 words: Good 37 words: Very good

7 2 3 1 6 8 5 9 4

1 5 7 6 8 3 4 2 9

ADORE AGREE AISLE AMONG AORTA APTER AROMA AWARE BEADS BRAWL CARES CITED CRAMP DINER EERIE ENTRY ERODE EXIST GIRTH HEEDS ICONS

7 LETTERS ANTHRAX FIREMEN GLUCOSE INSTALL TEETERS TRAILER

6 LETTERS CEASES NEARED SALTER STEREO

8 LETTERS BITTERER CALLABLE CHARCOAL ELEVATOR

What is a wasp’s (pictured) nest called?

Which country has the most species of flightless birds?

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

In which Japanese city was the first capsule hotel, designed by Kisho Kurokawa, opened on February 1, 1979?

Will You Please Be Quiet, Please?, published in 1976, was the first short-story collection by which American writer?

NOTE: more than one solution may be possible

What invention did plastic surgeon Dr Fiona Wood patent?

What is the capital of Angola?

In which year did the London Underground begin operation?

S F

W H

T A C K I T R E T T A R

5 LETTERS ABATE

SURLY SWEEP TEETH TEPEE TREED VEERS VERSE

No. 084

C T

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

4 LETTERS ERRS HISS KEEP LEGS MA’AM ONCE PECK SACS SAGA SASH SEES SPAS STAG SWIM

IGLOO KEYED LEFTS LEMON LOVER MAMAS MULTI NERVE OLIVE OTTER PARSE PROBE REMIT SAMES SENDS SIEVE SNAPS SNEAK SOOKY SPANK SPEED

10-06-22

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

eloign, engirt, ergo, ergot, gelt, genitor, gilt, girl, giro, girt, give, given, giver, glen, glint, glove, glover, goitre, gone, gore, govern, grin, grit, grove, ignore, ingot, legion, linger, lingo, loge, long, longer, loving, ogle, ogre, region, reign, REVOLTING, ring, ringlet, roving, tiger, tinge, tingle, toeing, tong, trig, vertigo, vetoing, voting

2 6 4 7 9 5 1 8 3

3 8 1 9 2 6 7 4 5

9 7 5 8 4 1 2 3 6

2 9 4 6 3 5 1 8 7

4 7 3 5 8 9 6 2 1

9 2 8 1 7 6 4 3 5

S L A

5 9 6 4 3 2 8 7 1

8 7 4 2 9 3 5 6 1

4 1 8 5 7 9 3 6 2

No. 084

3 5 2 % (

2 6 5 1 8 4 7 3 9

3 1 9 7 5 6 4 2 8

9 5 8 6 4 7 2 1 3

4 3 6 9 2 1 8 5 7

7 2 1 8 3 5 9 4 6

5 9 7 3 1 2 6 8 4

1 8 2 4 6 9 3 7 5

6 4 3 5 7 8 1 9 2

5 1 6 3 2 4 9 7 8

1 8 5 7 9 2 3 6 4

6 4 2 8 5 3 7 1 9

7 3 9 4 6 1 8 5 2

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

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”.

50 words: Excellent

hard

medium

9-LETTER WORD

easy

3 LETTERS ADD ASH ASS AWE DIM ERA EVE GIN GNU ICE ICY IVY OWE PEN RAW RIP SIR SIT SOS TEE TEN TIE TVS WIN

L CMH P E O Y G F Z DQ

3 7 7 1 5 9

U T N I J VWS K X R A B U T

5x5

5 6 5 9

WORDFIT

QUICK QUIZ

Approximately how many metres high are the letters that make up the Hollywood sign? In clout archery, what object do the archers aim at?

10 What do sufferers of anthophobia have a fear of? ANSWERS: 1. A vespiary 2. Osaka 3. Spray-on skin 4. 15m 5. A flag 6. New Zealand 7. Raymond Carver 8. Luanda 9. 1863 10. Flowers

$ 5 2 0 $

medium

Driven by the wind (8) Old type of trombone (7) Unseen (9) Tuneful (9)

5 ( 0 , 7

6 3

DOWN 1 2 3 4

% ( $ ' 6

7 2 9 8 6 3 5 9 6 4 2

2 7 7 ( 5

8 3 4

' , 1 ( 5

5 9 2 1 7 9 4 6 7

8 4

$ % $ 7 (

6 $ 0 ( 6 $: $ 5 ( / ( 0 2 1 , 7 $ ' ' & ( $ 6 ( 6 ( 5 6 + , 6 6 ( 3 * 1 8 5 $ , / ( 5 $ 5 & 2 $ / 6 2 2 . < 7 ( 1 , 6 $ 6 + ( 6 2: ( $ * 5 ( ( & , 7 ( ' 6 1 $ 3 6

3 9

/ ( ) 7 6 2 / , 9 ( 9 ( 5 6 ( , ( 9 ( 6 & 5 $ 0 3 < 7 ( ( 7 2 1 & ( . ( 5 ( 5 7 $ ; : , 0 & + 6 $ * $ 6 7 $ / / 2 0 8 / 7 6 6 & $ 5 3 5 2 % ( $ , 6 / ( 6 3 ( ( '

8 7

Japanese dish (5) Female killer (9) Rude (7) Persuaded (7) Devalued (7) Approve of (7) Books of memoranda (9) Sit for an artist (4) Alcove (4) German city (9) Do away with (7) Accomplish (7) Tableland (7) Worship (7) Key maker (9) Asian sea snake (5)

: / , ( 1 * 6 * , 9 5 ( 7 ( + 5 6 6 , 1 5 ( $ ( 5 9 ( ( '

easy

Elevate (5) Finished (5) Dates (7) Australian city (6) Prudish (9) Conglomeration of fabric scraps (9) 16 Sharpest vertical angle (8) 18 Ordinary; unromantic (7) 20 Country (7) 21 Online money transfer service (6) 23 Articles (5) 24 Beautiful maiden in Muslim paradise (5) 5 6 7 8 14 15

ACROSS 1 4 9 10 11 12 13 15 17 19 22 25 26 27 28 29

No. 084

( 1 7 5 <

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.

QUICK CROSSWORD

7 ( 3 ( (

No. 084

6 3 $ 1 .

SUDOKU

Tuesday, 7 June, 2022 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 17

SECTION STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

networkclassifieds.com.au Trades & Services

www.networkclassifieds.com.au

Place your ad in print and online

V Deadline

V Trades Business Profile

V Handy Persons

฀ ฀ ฀

Grow your business with

We accept payment by:

Sam’s Heating and Cooling • Gas Ducted Heating • Carbon Monoxide Testing • Heater Changeovers Installation / Service & Repairs

From plumbers to pest control, carpet cleaning to building services, dry cleaning to computer repairs, lawn mowing and more, Network Classifieds has been connecting local businesses with the local community with our Trades and Services each week. 12435708-LB03-20

Ask about our discounted ongoing advertising rates and how choosing more newspapers gives your advertising more impact and saves you money...

Deadline for all classifications is 1:30pm Monday.

V Heating

TRADES & SERVICES

VISA/MASTERCARD/EFTPOS (1.5% credit card processing fee applies. Cheques and money orders can be posted in or hand delivered to our local ofﬁce)

V Bathroom & Kitchens

froggys.com.au

Specialising in: Tiling Baths Vanities Shower Recesses & Screens Painting Plastering FOR FREE QUOTE CALL MAX ON

(03) 5367 5853 0403 197 240 - 0403 197 249

1133473-LB19-14

M & M BATHROOM RENOVATIONS

services

s of specialised property Very diverse in all aspect ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

621 Andrew 0425 852

Call Sam 0401 731 959

KS Heating & Cooling

“I’m very happy, advertising works, it has been great for building my business in the building services and handyman areas.” - Andrew

Speak to our classified team and find out how easy it is to advertise. Start building your brand today and be seen every week in Network Classifieds Trades and Services.

฀ ฀ ฀ Call Daniel 0417 059 190

12549323-AI20-22

(include your name, address and phone number)

฀

Services • Repairs • Maintenance Over 30 years experience, All types of Air Con, Evap Cooler & Gas Heating System AU31693

Call 0430 332 368

G6425413AA-dc5Nov

AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING REPAIR, SUPPLY AND INSTALLATIONS • EVAPORATIVE COOLERS • SPLIT SYSTEMS • HOT WATER SYSTEMS • DUCTED HEATING

JAD COOLING AND HEATING Jad 0425 804 593 or 9336 1996 Rami 0425 876 176

12412038-FA09-10

AU 21094 Lic 42666

jadhc@live.com.au

12523264-CG47-21

Online: networkclassiﬁeds.com.au (24/7) Phone: 1300 666 808 (Open 8.30-5pm Mon-Fri) Email: sales@networkclassiﬁeds.com.au

฀

12362816-ACM35-17

D.B. HANDYMAN

Placing your classified advert is so easy...

12420493-CG25-19

Kitchens & Bathroom Renovations · Plumbing · Tiling · Electrical · Carpentry · Plastering · One stop shop - Kitchen, bathroom, laundries & renovation needs. · Complete service from start to finish, including kitchen 3D design. · Appliance packages available. · Bathroom tapware, accessories & tiles on display in our showroom.

Call 1300 666 808

www.topedgekitchens.com.au

V Garage/Garage Doors

NATHAN FENECH CONCRETING

CONTRACTING

Very diverse in all aspects of specialised property services Pergolas • Decks • Retaining Walls • Renovations • Landscaping

12533274-HC09-22

Froggys

All • Footings • Slabs • Foundations • Concrete Paving • Concrete Restorations NO JOB TOO SMALL!

FREE QUOTES Mobile: 0478 129 330 | ABN. 43462185813

section of Network Classiﬁeds.

F & J ROLLER DOORS

Residential - Commercial - Industrial

V Builders & Building Services

Employment 12398667-SN37-18

V Concrete Products & Services

12479887-JW04-21

8348 5441

Find local work in the

12441118-CG07-20

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

9746 7785

0412 184 772

V Garden Services

V Locksmiths

Andrew 0425 852 621 | Froggys.com.au | info@froggys.com.au

AMAZING GARDEN SERVICES

General Classiﬁeds

Lou’s Colorbond Fencing

section of Network Classiﬁeds.

Gates & Pergolas ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ Lou 0412 339 445 Tony 0431 339 739

TD CARPENTRY Specialising in ✔ Pergolas and deckings ✔ Fencing ✔ Framing ✔ Home Renovations Free Quotes

The real deal in timber and colorbond fencing ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

12499953-AV25-21

G6638978

V Carpet Cleaning Fletcher’s Carpet Steam Cleaning

3 Standard Rooms for $100 inc GST We also clean: Upholstery and Tile and Grout

*conditions apply

20 Years Experience ﬂetcherscarpetcleaning.com.au

Call Paul 0412

12553408-SG23-22

Call Leigh 0409 098 910

816 479

Find local work with an advert in the

Trades & Services section of Network Classifieds.

฀

V Painters/Decorators

฀

฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

★ New & Existing ★

Homes

BACCHUS MARSH LOCKSMITHS 24/7 Locksmiths Mention All Suburbs 0418 534 201 or 0414 930 586 this ad for Shop located at 36 Grant St, 10% off Bacchus Marsh 12380364-RC10-18

Call Joe 0498 375 094 - 7 days

RJ GUTTERS

L.T.J Fencing

Phone 0401 005 760

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

V Guttering

12337176-LB03-17

V Carpenters

12402755-RA44-18

V Fencing & Gates

฀

1232632-ACM26-16

฀ ฀ ฀

FREE QUOTES

฀

Saida’s Painting And Handyman

0421 421 640 • Painting And Decorating • Timber Repairs • Plaster Repairs • Tile And Concrete Repairs

Free Quote

12532148-AV03-22

Showroom by appointment only Free Quotes & Mobile Ensuite Hire. terms & conditions apply Please note that we specialise in renovations - we do not do repairs or maintenance

Bashyrr Saida 0416 561 594 Ibrahim Saida 0403 610 782

with us and get better results

CALL 1300 666 808 18 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 7 June, 2022

12514849-JW40-21

ADVERTISE

SPORTS QUIZ 4. Michael Potter is currently the caretaker coach of which NRL team?

1. Which Australian tennis player is currently ranked number 42 on the WTA Tour rankings?

5. Which NFL team has a lightning bolt as part of their logo?

2. Which Super Netball team recently broke the record for most points in a match by scoring 86 in a victory over Giants Netball?

6. Current leader of the AFL goalkicking table Charlie Curnow plays for which team?

3. What country plays host to the World Surfing League’s J-Bay Open?

7. What country is scheduled to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup? 8. The American League and National League make up which major US sporting competition? 9. The 2022 French Open was the first since 1996 not to feature Serena Williams, Venus Williams and what other champion male tennis player? 10. How many stages make up the 2022 Giro d’Italia cycling race? 11. Which batsman scored four centuries in the recently completed IPL and was named player of the tournament, despite his team losing the final?

12. Which team defeated AFL ladder-leaders Melbourne, in the process inflicting their first loss of the season?

Serena Williams

13. Which Mexican racing driver won the Monaco Grand Prix, his third career victory in Formula One? 14. Which A-League club won the competition’s Grand Final, defeating Melbourne City? 15. Which Australian rider won the Giro d’Italia cycling race, becoming the first Australian to do so? 16. Who is head coach of the Queensland rugby league State Of Origin team? 17. Which Spanish soccer club won the Champions League final against Liverpool, its 14th title in its history? 18. 91-year-old former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone was recently arrested in Brazil was carrying what item in his luggage? 19. In which year did Russian tennis ace Maria Sharapova famously defeat Serena Williams in a Wimbledon final? 20. Which AFL club currently has the longest premiership drought?

21. Since 1912, the field of the Indianapolis 500 has been limited to what number of cars?

26. Which two sports are considered Canada’s national sports? 27. Who is head coach of the New South Wales rugby league State Of Origin team?

22. Which team defeated bottom-of-the-table West Coast by 101 points in round 11 of the AFL? 23. Liz Cambage did not take part in last year’s Tokyo Olympics after a warm-up game altercation with which country? 24. Which two basketball teams are competing in the 2022 NBA Finals series? 25. Which former Celtic player recently withdrew from the Socceroos’ World Cup qualifying squad for personal reasons?

28. Which Australian swimmer has qualified for the World Championships and Commonwealth Games after serving a suspension for a 2019 positive test for a banned substance? 29. Collingwood big man Mason Cox played basketball for which US college team? 30. How many dimples is an average golf ball commonly said to have?

Bernie Ecclestone 1006

1. Ajla Tomljanovic 2. West Coast Fever 3. South Africa 4. Canterbury Bulldogs 5. Los Angeles Chargers 6. Carlton 7. France 8. Major League Baseball 9. Roger Federer 10. 21 11. Jos Buttler 12. Fremantle 13. Sergio Pérez 14. Western United 15. Jai Hindley 16. Billy Slater 17. Real Madrid 18. Handgun 19. 2004 20. St Kilda (55 years) 21. 33 22. Western Bulldogs 23. Nigeria 24. Golden State Warriors, and Boston Celtics 25. Tom Rogic 26. ice hockey, and lacrosse 27. Brad Fittler 28. Shayna Jack 29. Oklahoma State Cowboys 30. 336 Public Notices and Event

NICK’S RE-BLOCKING SERVICE

ALL SUBURBS ★ RAISING ★ LEVELLING ★ UNDERPINNING ★ RESTUMPING WITH CONCRETE OR REDGUM STUMPS ★ COUNCIL PERMIT ★ ALL WORK GUARANTEED FREE SMOKE ALARM

PH: 9360 5357 Mobile: 0412 378 193 Registered Building Practitioner

G6795050AA-dc29Apr 1132314-LB19-14

ALL AROUND REBLOCKING & UNDERPINNING

177646

ABN 44 021 708 152 Tel: 9309 2351

CDB-L 60362

David: 0425 811 882 Ash: 0403 619 333

Free Quote All Suburbs Insurance Elevation

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

12532110-SG03-22

977914

Find your Local Specialist in our

Professional Services section of Network Classiﬁeds.

ROB'S SHEEP MANURE, 40 litre bags, $7.00 per bag, minimum delivery 15 bags, sms preferred, 0429 954 259

MEMBER OF MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION

Reg No 8659

For Sale

IMPOUNDING OF LIVESTOCK ACT 1994 NOTICE OF IMPOUNDED LIVESTOCK The following animal/s have been impounded from within the municipal district of the City of Melton by Council Authorised Ofﬁcers. 1 X crossbred sheep, white, age unknown, unshorn. Impounded on Monday 30 May 2022 from Holden Road Toolern Vale. If not claimed and fees paid by Thursday 16 June 2022, this animal will be rehoused or disposed of by Melton City Council in accordance with the Act. All enquiries regarding the above-mentioned animal should be directed to Council’s Animal Management Unit on 9747 7200. Attention Ofﬁcer John Fleming, Animal Management.

SEATED WALKER Aspire BL. Hospital approved. As new. $85.00 Ph 8390 7468 V

Clairvoyant /Psychic

CAROL has done professional readings for over 40 years, past, present and future. Call 9382 6313 V

Massage Therapists

Pets & Services

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

12521636-DL45-21

Tel 04 3277 4645 Tree Lopping/Surgery

12327446-LN42-16

฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ “Your Local Tree & Stump Removalist” ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ 0421 836 152

with us and get better results

CALL 1300 666 808

Positions Vacant

2 POSITIONS SECOND YEAR APPRENTICE AND SALON ASSISTANT

Apply now: Phone 0411 161 563 gszatbooks@yahoo.com.au

Wanted To Buy

Buy, & Sell in our

Motoring section of Network Classifieds.

Wrecking

FREE CAR REMOVAL Pay up to $500 for most cars Dead or Alive LMCT 10268W

7 days a week service Call Gus for a free quotation on

0435 904 818

ZZZ QHWZRUNFODVVL´HGV FRP DX

Roslyn Wai Chief Executive 12552702-HC23-22

Melton Tree & Stump Removals ฀

Notice is hereby given that an Unscheduled Meeting of Council will be held via videoconference on Monday 27 June 2022 commencing at 7pm. The meeting will consider a report in relation to the Draft Council Budget for the 22/23 Financial Year.

CARS wanted. $$$$ Paid. Buying all years and models. Call 0455 776 443 LMCT 11618

UNSCHEDULED MEETING OF COUNCIL

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

Ring Charlie 0427 304 020

ADVERTISE

Motoring

Tiling

ASAP TILING

Earn up to $200 a day. Pensioners are welcome, ideal job. Company will assist you to obtain taxi licence.

Garage Sales

12400498-CG38-18

TAXI DRIVER REQUIRED

T.C

PLACE YOUR

12553132-JC23-22

Positions Vacant

Award- winning boutique hairdressing salon is seeking a second year apprentice and also a Salon Assistant with salon experience (would suit ex hairdresser), to join our outstanding Team in Gisborne with immediate start.

Religious Notices

ADVERTISERS, in this section are qualified practi- PRAYER Answered tioners and offer nonGod Bless Amen sexual services. V

Employment

12548267-NG18-22

Reblocking/Underpinning

General Classiﬁeds

12321532-HM36-16

General Notices

12423634-SN31-19

Trades & Services

General Notices section of Network Classifieds.

Call or visit us online!

networkclassifieds.com.au

Tuesday, 7 June, 2022 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 19

MOTOR STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

The essence of SUV motoring By Alistair Kennedy, Marque Motoring The ongoing growth in Australian sales of MG vehicles continues to gather pace with the Chinese importer now sitting in seventh place of 2022 year-to-date sales at the end of April. The company’s success is all the more impressive given that there are only three models in its range, the MG3 hatchback, ZS small SUV and HS mid-sized SUV. The two SUVs are offered with different levels of electrification, the ZS is fully electric while the HS is a plug-in hybrid. Both come with the choice of Excite and Essence equipment levels. The subject of this week’s review is the HS plug-in, originally branded, logically, as the HS PHEV but subsequently renamed, probably at the behest of the company’s marketing branch, as the HS +EV. We were in the higher-specced Essence variant.

Styling MG HS +EV is a neat and stylish vehicle without anything to make it stand out from the SUV crowd. The front is dominated by a large honeycomb grille with the familiar ‘MG’ badge at front-and-centre. The grille then flows into wide, narrow headlamps with daytime running lights above extended lower air vents, also honeycombed. How many buyers, especially younger ones, recognise that iconic badge and its history is an interesting question - we suspect not many. The Essence variant comes with LED headlights - Excite fails to live up to its name and only gets halogen along with 17-inch alloy wheels. Essence has 18-inch diamond-cut alloys, front foglights and clever puddle lights displaying the MG badge.

Interior Entry is easy to manage and there’s good interior space. Rear legroom is acceptable and there’s plenty of headroom despite the Essence’s panoramic sunroof. Excite comes with polyurethane / PVC seats while the Essence steps up to two-tone leather front sports seats with power adjustment and heating as well as LED ambient lighting. Boot space is a reasonable 451 litres with the rear seats in place and expands to 1275 litres with the seatbacks folded. Essence comes with a powered tailgate. The battery charging cable is stored below the boot floor meaning that there’s no room for a spare wheel, instead you’ll need to rely upon the supplied tyre repair kit if you get a puncture, a growing risk in pot-hole riddled Eastern Australia.

Powertrain MG HS +EV combines a 1.5-litre 119 kW / 250 Nm turbo-petrol engine with a battery providing 90kW / 230 Nm to the electric motor for a combined output of 189 kW and 370 Nm. All-wheel drive is available in the petrol-only HS but, at this stage, the +EV is front-wheel drive only. An advanced gearbox transfers the power from the petrol engine and the electric motor to the front wheels. The petrol engine’s drive torque is transmitted by a six-speed automatic gearbox, while the electric motor transmits the power through a four-speed electronic drive unit. Together, they form a 10-speed automatic gearbox, enabling the vehicle to choose the ideal gear and change gear smoothly and rapidly. Charge time is listed at around seven hours from a normal household socket. We were able to charge from empty to full in just under four hours from our 7kW JetCharge wall box.

Infotainment Inside there are two large screens, a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster with built-in satellite navigation and a 10.1-inch multi-function high-definition infotainment colour touch screen with large user-friendly displays. Smartphone mirroring is available through cabled Apple CarPlay or Android Auto with two USB ports at the front and another pair at 20 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 7 June, 2022

MG HS +EV (nee PHEV) is the Chinese carmaker’s first plug-In hybrid.

(Pictures: Supplied)

the rear. Satellite navigation is standard in both variants. There’s a six-speaker 3D surround sound audio system.

AT A GLANCE

Safety

HS 1.5 Vibe 2WD: $30,990

Standard safety features in both Excite and Essence models include six airbags; enhanced ABS brakes; electronic stability program; active cornering brake control; front seat impact absorbent door padding; hill start assist; emergency automatic door unlocking and hazard light activation; tyre pressure monitoring; reversing camera; and rear parking sensors. Essence adds a 360-degree overhead camera. Also standard in both variants is the MG Pilot package which adds enhanced features such as adaptive cruise control; forward collision warning; automatic emergency braking; lane departure warning; traffic jam assist; intelligent cruise assist; blind spot warning; rear cross traffic alert; intelligent headlamp control; and speed assistance system.

HS 1.5 Excite 2WD: $34,990

Driving As is the norm with hybrids the HS +EV moves off under battery power with the engine kicking in at around 30 km/h or earlier under hard acceleration. Tapping the ‘EV’ button on the centre console ensures that the engine doesn’t activate while ever there is charge in the battery. Factory tested fuel consumption figures had us scratching our heads with the city cycle showing 5.8 litres per 100 kilometres and the combined city/highway cycle just 1.7 L/100 km. That latter figure is dependent upon the battery being fully charged to start with and supplying

MODEL RANGE HS 1.5 Core 2WD: $29,990

HS 2.0 Excite X AWD: $37,990 HS 1.5 Essence 2WD: $38,990 HS 2.0 Essence X AWD: $42,990 HS 1.5 Essence Anfield: $40,690 HS +EV 1.5 Plug-In Hybrid Excite 2WD: $46,990 HS +EV 1.5 Plug-In Hybrid Essence 2WD: $48,990

Note: These are drive-away prices and include all government or dealer delivery charges.

the first 63 kilometres of the hypothetical 100-km trip with zero fuel being used and the remaining 37 km, under hybrid mode, using the 1.7 litres. To extend that 1.7 L/100 km beyond that 100 km would require the battery to be fully re-charged before proceeding. We tested the fuel consumption with no charge in the battery and averaged 6.9 L/100km on our predominantly motorway drive from Gosford to Sydney helped along by the usual brake regeneration feature of most hybrid. These issues aside we found the plug-in MG to be a very impressive vehicle. The instant torque and silent running of EVs contribute to a very enjoyable driving experience. Testing in EV mode with the battery fully charged, and driving conservatively over flat

roads, we were able to just about match the claimed range of 63 kilometres. Performance is capable but unexciting as is the norm with vehicles in the SUV segment. Steering is a little heavy but responsive enough. Unlike other EVs the amount of brake regeneration when decelerating cannot be adjusted but we found that the level was just right, effective without being too intrusive. The twin information screens are easy to read and operate although, as is becoming increasingly common, too many of the most-used features needed screen taps rather than being physical knobs. While we appreciate that the lane-correction safety feature can assist lazy and inattentive drivers, like almost everyone that we’ve talked to, we turn it off at the earliest opportunity. In the HS +EV it’s simply a matter of giving two taps on a button at the end of turn indicator on the steering wheel stalk.

Summing up The MG HS +EV competes against the well-established Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and the just-realised Ford Escape PHEV in the mid-sized SUV segment. With driveaway prices starting at $46,990 it’s the cheapest of the three and comes with the longest (seven-year) warranty. Whether the extra $10k for the +EV over its petrol-only HS equivalents can be justified will depend on buyer’s individual circumstances. For urban buyers with short distance commutes and a home wallbox it would make sense. Importantly, with long waiting times for most of its competitors, buyers can get into most MG models within weeks rather than waiting many months or even years.

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

SPORT

Sargent ready to start AFLW career For Caitlin Sargent, knowing she didn’t have to sit through another AFLW draft period waiting and wondering was such a relief. A star for the Western Jets last year, Sargent went undrafted and returned to the Jets in the NAB League Girls competition. This year she led the league goal kicking with 21 goals and was a key in the Jets first premiership. She also kicked three goals for Vic Metro during a game in the national championships. Her performances had AFLW clubs watching. Essendon was among them and signed Sargent as an open age player to its inaugural AFLW list. Sargent said she was thrilled to have realised her dream of making the AFLW. “It was a sigh of relief,” she said. “I’d been in contact with them late in the Jets season and had a couple of meetings with them. “They told me the good news the day after the grand final. It was pretty big and I was relieved

not to go through the draft again.” Sargent said while missing out on being drafted last year was disappointing, she knew that she could return to the Jets for another year. It would be her fourth year at the Jets. It was a year to remember, with the Jets stunning everyone to claim the premiership. “It was a really good team,” she said. “We did really well and performed really strongly.” Making an AFLW list has been something Sargent has dreamed of since she started playing football. She started at St Bernard’s, before moving to Melbourne Uni and later Caroline Springs. “I have played footy pretty much since I was 10,” she said. “I’ve been through all of the rep programs. “I’ve always wanted to play. I’ve been part of Robbie Campbell’s Rookie Me program since I was nine, that has been the biggest help for me.” Sargent has already started to immerse herself at Essendon.

She has been training with the club’s Victorian Football League Women’s side for more than a month. The decision was made that she wouldn’t play with them, but just train, with the focus on the future. She will start pre-season training with the AFLW side this month. Among her new teammates is Bonnie Toogood. “I watched Bonnie Toogood closely for her forward craft,” she said. “When I found out she was coming to Essendon I couldn’t believe it, it’s a bit crazy. “I’ll definitely look to spend time with her.” Sargent said now she was keen to just start training and get to meet everyone. Tara Murray Caitlin Sargent has signed with Essendon’s AFLW side. (Shawn Smits) 205915_20

Still living out a dream

EDFL It was a tough weekend for Hillside and Burnside Heights in the Essendon District Football League. In division 1, the Sharks lost to Airport West, 17.15 (117)-5.8 (38) after trailing all day. In division 2, the Bears suffered a second straight loss, losing to Oak Park 15.12 (102)-8.6 (54). In the women’s premier division, Hillside and Burnside Heights both suffered losses.

By Tara Murray Playing AFLW is the dream for Krystal Russell, but the biggest moment of the Yarraville Seddon footballer’s life might have already happened. A star in the ruck for the Western Jets in the NAB League Girls competition, Russell was the hero in the club’s first grand final win. A goal in the final seconds of the game, sealed the match and title for the girls from the west. “The first ever goal in my life, in a grand final and to win the game, that’s crazy,” she said. “It’s still crazy and I’ve watched back the vision so many times, it’s still unbelievable that I kicked it. “I see it from a third person perspective and I don’t really think it’s me still. I got to keep the ball … I’ll get all the girls from my club to sign it. It’s a good little memory.” For Russell, the goal capped off a season of growth with the Jets, where she became one of the top rucks in the competition. While many of her teammates had been in the Jets system for a number of years, it was only her second season. “It has been a great season,” she said. “It’s been a good experience, a two year experience so far. Learning from all the girls has been so great, to talk to all the girls and see how they’re going.” Russell didn’t have much time to rest after the NAB League season as she went straight into the Vic Metro set up for the national championships. She said it had been a pretty crazy time. “I hadn’t had an actual break,” she said. “I went from the Jets to the grand final and then straight to metro and now my local season. “It’s something that I love, so I’m not fussed about it.” Russell said she had stepped up her game, but knows there’s still plenty of run for improvement. She said fundamentals such as running, her strength and mentality were things she was looking forward to. Russell was among those invited to the AFLW draft combine testing, after impressing AFL recruiters. While she was unable to test due to being unwell, it was still a massive moment. “I had been training prior to my cold … but I haven’t been able to step foot out of my house let along run a 2km,” she said at the combine. “It’s crazy how people I don’t know know about me, things people say about me and how I’ve been going, and the recognition, shows hard work has paid off. It’s exciting, very nerve-wracking things could change so dramatically in the next

Sports shorts

WRFL Caroline Springs continued with its winning ways against Hoppers Crossing in the Western Region Football League division 1. It was a slow start for the Lakers, before they slowly started to build. A six goal to one final quarter sealed the 17.5 (107)-8.11 (59) win. Steven Kyriazis kicked four goals in the win.

Nike F.C Cup Caroline Springs George Cross’ dream run in the knockout Nike F.C Cup came to an end on Wednesday night. The only state league team left in the last eight, the Georgies faced National Premier League Women’s powerhouse South Melbourne for a spot in the semi finals. The score would be 9-0 at half time and 15-0 at the final whistle, despite the brave efforts for the Georgies. Calder United, which has won the previous four titles, won through to the semi finals the week before with a 5-0 win.

RDFL There were few surprises in the Riddell District Football League on Saturday. The higher placed team took the win in all four games. Diggers Rest was too strong for the Western Rams, winning 22.17 (149)-3.3 (21), while Wallan beat Macedon, 11.11 (77)-5.7 (37). Romsey had a solid win against Lancefield, 12.14 (86)-5.3 (33) and Riddell accounted for Melton Centrals, 15.11 (101)-3.5 (23). There is a competition wide bye this weekend.

FOR MORE SPORT, VISIT Krystal Russell.

(Western Jets)

month or so, we’ll wait and see what comes.” The AFLW draft is being held on June 29.

Russell said she would continue to work hard and be in the best possible shape for what happens next.

Web: starweekly.com.au Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly Tuesday, 7 June, 2022 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 21

SPORT STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Devils building nicely as their form improves Things are coming together nicely for Darley in the Ballarat Netball League. The Devils are one of the big improvers this season, with the side losing just one game so far. Coach Di McCormack said they were happy with how things were placed going into back-to-back byes. “We’ve only lost one game and we had a few out of that game,” she said. “The group team has come together really nicely. “We’ve been able to try some different combinations and try things out, which has been good. The team is really gelling.” A big part of the group played together last year, but due to player points were limited how much they could play together on the court at the same time. With a bit more freedom with points and a few key additions, the side has really thrived. The addition of Rebecca Hicks has been a big one. Hicks predominantly plays in attack,

but she defended in a couple of games as well. McCormack said Hicks adds some experience to the shooting end. “We needed a player on Tuesday nights and Ailish [McCormack] had played with her before and rang her to play at Parkside. “She was unhappy at the Western Rams and we said we will have you at Darley. “Her experience on the line and working with Liv [Cawthray] in the circle has been really good. With Bec, Prue [Stanley] and Ailish, we have a lot of experience in that end.” McCormack said Cawthray, who is still yet to turn 18, is developing nicely. The Devils under-19s, B-grade and C-grade sides all sit in the top five after strong starts to the season. Many girls are playing two games across those three grades. “It takes a lot to fill six sides each week,” she said. “We’re a little short on players and most of the under-19s are playing either B-grade

or C-grade. “Coming up against some of the Ballarat teams they have a lot of experienced players. We’ve got some experienced heads in both those sides who are working well with the young players.” One thing really pleasing McCormack is players from the junior program coming through into the senior ranks, some as young as 15. She said it’s good signs for the future of the club. The Devils had a bye at the weekend and will be off the court this week, with the Queen’s Birthday weekend competition bye. McCormack said that wasn’t the worst thing for the group. “We’ve played a lot of netball across the board, it’s good to refresh the bodies and mindset.” In other results, Bacchus Marsh lost to North Ballarat, while Melton South beat Redan. Tara Murray

Rebecca Hicks has been a handy addition for Darley. (Supplied/Darley FNC Facebook)

Burras notch up a big win

Caroline Springs George Cross continue to dominate. (Wayne Neal)

Keeping standards high By Tara Murray Caroline Springs George Cross is keen to make sure it doesn’t take the foot off the pedal despite being the standout team in the FV state league 1 north-west competition. After 12 rounds of the season, the Georgies sit top of the table, nine points clear of the chasing pack. Georgies coach Eric Vassiliadis said they were very conscious that they couldn’t let the foot off the pedal. “We are happy with how things are going and we’re hoping to continue to improve as it looks like a quite tight season with a few teams pushing for promotion,” he said. “We’re looking to stay the course. Whenever you’re really striving for something, you want to get off to a good start. “Then that gives you the ability to withstand any disappointment later in the season.” Vassiliadis said the group had worked really hard in the off-season to come together and put out the performances they had. It was a tough pre-season for the side, with 22 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 7 June, 2022

several players from the team that was top last season when it was cut short by COVID-19 moving on. “It has been a challenging season with significant injuries and outs,” he said. “Our ability to recruit and get the boys up to speed quickly has been really good. “Our culture and the leadership of some of the senior players and the work of our coaching staff and leaders to give ourselves a little bit of an advantage has paid off. “We want to build the personality of being the hardest working team.” On Saturday, the Georgies faced Yarraville Glory. It would be a dominant display, with the Georgies winning 5-1. Omar Ammache scored a hat-trick in the win, while James Brown and Josh Whiteley also found the back of the net. While disappointed to concede one goal, Vassiliadis said overall they were pretty happy with the result. “I spoke with Paul [Agathouli, Glory coach] and they’re struggling a bit with injury, he said. “They took the points against Brimbank

[Stallions] the week before and I’m confident they’ll cause a few more upsets. “I had been hoping to get a clean sheet, but the attitude and endeavour was really good after a big result the week before. “We didn’t drop our standards.” Vassiliadis said it was also nice to get some minutes into some players who don’t necessarily get a lot normally. The Georgies face third placed Essendon Royals on Friday night. It’s part of a big four or five weeks with matches against some of the chasing pack. In state league 4 west, Westside Strikers had a 2-1 win against Golden Plains. The Strikers scored once in each half to take a 2-0 lead before Golden Plains scored a late one to reduce the margin. Spring Hills suffered a 2-1 loss to Surf Coast, with the Surf Coast scoring once in each half. In state league 5 west, Melton Phoenix had a big 5-1 win against the Surfside Waves. Phoenix scored three goals in the first half, before capping it off in the second with two more.

Diggers Rest put in a strong performance in difficult conditions to overcome the Western Rams in the Riddell District Netball League. Playing each other for the first time since 2019, both sides had different looking sides compared to the last time they played each other. Burras coach Pam Strong said she was really happy with the first three quarters for the 69-37 win. “We were a bit nervous as they were a bit of an unknown,” Strong said. “We didn’t play them last year, which wasn’t a bad thing as they didn’t know about us. “We started really well and played well for the first three quarters, especially under those conditions. “It was a high scoring game, but the score didn’t reflect how hard fought the match was. We were able to capitalise on the turnovers better.” Strong said it was a really good team performance. Amy Starzer shot 48 goals, while Alexandra Ball shot 21. Strong said Ball also did a lot of defensive work out at goal attack. Shelby Strong in wing attack and defender Stefanie Symes also had really good games. The win puts the Burras in third spot, only percentage behind second placed Woodend-Hesket. Wallan and the Western Rams aren’t far behind after the first half of the season. Strong said it had been a challenging season so far, with the competition extremely close. “It’s challenging for everyone at the moment,” she said. “People have had COVID and a few with the flu. Bella Hines tore her achilles in the first quarter against Macedon. We’ve been able to bring up and use players we’ve got at the club when needed as the club is quite healthy with depth.” Strong said with the injury to Hines, they have a squad of eight for A-grade, which was both a positive and negative. She said the group was really starting to click and players were settled into their positions. The Burras have this weekend off due to the Queen’s Birthday long weekend. They then face Melton Centrals before a bye the following week. Strong said the break this week comes at a perfect time due to the nature of the first part of the season.

Horseman pays tribute to his mum Handy pacer Helluva provided a little glimmer of joy in a tough week for John Justice when he won the opening event at Melton on Saturday night. John’s mother and respected harness racing figure Josie Justice passed away on Tuesday after a short battle with cancer, and the Toolern Vale horseman spoke about her following the gelding’s victory in the DNR Logistics Pace. “It’s been a bit of a tough week, but Mum’s in a better place now and she’s not in any pain,” John said. “She’s up there looking down and probably helping me a bit in the last couple of days. “Right up to the very end she was still organising the stable, making sure there was plenty of oats, the harness was clean and (checking) how they’ve been track working. It was just her whole life. “She had a good life so we can’t complain.

She came on the 31st of May and left on the 31st of May.” Josie died on her 91st birthday, closing a chapter on a life of devotion to the sport and her family, who are poised to carry on her legacy for generations. She was at the forefront of many people’s minds on Saturday night, with a minute’s silence at Tabcorp Park before the running of the fifth event on the card. Meanwhile, there was a happy reunion between Mark Pitt and Sundons Courage. Pitt had teamed up with Chris Angove’s squaregaiter just once in his 133-start career before getting the call-up for the Group 3 Lenin Trotters Free For All and produced a brilliant pegs-hugging drive to guide the veteran nine-year-old to victory. After starting from barrier eight, Sundons Courage ended up four back along the inside

when Chris Lang sent Ultimate Stride to the lead down the back straight the first time. Locked up with seemingly nowhere to go, Pitt and his charge were able to creep up to a spot behind the leader in the final lap thanks to Travel Bug (Jason McNaulty/Anthony Butt) and Nephew Of Sonoko (Ross Graham/James Herbertson) both moving away from the inside. And when daylight came in the straight, Sundons Courage showed his customary speed and charged clear to win by more than five metres. Brandlo Prince (Chris Svanosio) was second with Wobelee (Alison Alford/Chris Alford) third. “Not many people wanted to be on the fence in that race, but I did!,” Pitt said. “He’s good and fast when he’s on song and that’s how he was tonight.” Career victory 25 took Sundons Courage’s

Helluva.

(Stuart McCormick)

earnings up over $400,000, with his headline victory being the Group 1 Vicbred Super Series 2YO Trotting Colts and Geldings Final in 2015. Tim O’Connor

Bloods remain undefeated

Melton’s men’s Big V side with the under-12 girls team.

(supplied)

Win for Thoroughbreds By Tara Murray Melton Thoroughbreds’ season is slowly getting on track with the side getting on the winners list the last two weeks in Big V men’s division 2. After taking until round 10 to get their first win on the board, the Thoroughbreds got their second at the weekend. On Saturday night, the Thoroughbreds beat Craigieburn Eagles 90-89 Melton Thoroughbreds are hoping to use their first win of the Big V men’s division 2 season to build for the rest of the year. On Sunday, they had a big loss to Pakenham Warriors, losing 118-54. The difficult start for the Thoroughbreds this season, has included switching coaches, with assistant coach Christian Norris stepping in to take over from Kelvin Bowers. Norris said before the weekend’s matches, that despite the change of coach, the process hadn’t been too rough for him or the players. He has been involved at Melton basketball for seven years with both his children either playing or having played at squad level at the club.

“I’ve been involved with coaching this team for two years now and coaching various other teams on and off for over 30 years,” he said. “I’m a basketball junkie so I’m always watching basketball games or on my laptop studying the game via the many on-line basketball coaching communities that I’m a member of. “The mid-season transition from assistant to head coach has been a fairly smooth one given that I’ve been involved with this team for a couple of years now. “The biggest difference has been that the workload has significantly increased with now having to plan practices, conduct video reviews and scout opposition teams, all while coaching Melton’s under-16.1 Boys VJBL team and my daughter’s two domestic teams.” Morris said despite the tough start to the season for the men’s side, the group had continued to want to improve. The side currently sits second bottom. “The players were understandably disappointed about being winless, but they all accepted the changes that needed to happen in order for us to become competitive,” he said.

“Everyone is committed to getting better every week. “The players and coaches were overjoyed after winning our first game. We had come close before but to finally get a win was a great feeling. We all sung the club song in the rooms and some of us ended up a little soaked.” With one win on the board, Norris said the main focus on court was to play with the same effort in the first quarter as in the last quarter. He said there was also a big off court focus too . “Off the court we want to be more involved with the club’s junior program,” he said. “The Big V players are now attending junior games on Friday nights at the new Cobblebank Stadium - sitting on team benches, offering advice to players at time-outs, addressing teams before and after games, and cheering on from the side lines. “The kids love it and the feedback from parents has been terrific. At last Saturday night’s home game win we had our under-12 girls VJBL team join us in standing for the national anthem before the game which was such a joy for them all.”

Melton broke its hoodoo against East Point to enter the Queen’s Birthday bye weekend undefeated in the Ballarat Football League. The Bloods had yet to beat the Kangaroos at Macpherson Park in Aaron Tymms’ time as coach, but it changed on Saturday. The Bloods gained the ascendancy early on, with 10 scoring shots to nil in the first quarter to lead by 30 points at the first break. The Kangaroos reduced the margin to seven points at half time, with the Bloods having a fight on their hands. Nine goals to two in the third quarter opened up a match winning 51 point lead heading into the final quarter for the Bloods. While the Kangaroos would win the final quarter, it wouldn’t be enough with the Bloods winning, 17.8 (110)-10.9 (69). Ryan Carter kicked five goals for the Bloods, with Jack Walker named best on ground. The win has the Bloods 12 points clear of second and third. Melton South and Bacchus Marsh were left to pay for slow starts in their matches against Redan and North Ballarat respectively. The Panthers kicked just three goals in the first three quarters, to trail by 45 points at the last break. The game opened up in the last quarter with both teams kicking five goals each, as the Lions won 16.9 (105)-8.13 (61). Riley Theo was the only multiple goal kicker for the Panther with two. Rhys Lee and Cody Chapman were named their best. The Panthers sit in ninth spot. One spot ahead of them is Bacchus Marsh, who fell short against North Ballarat. Neither side were able to score in the first quarter before a four goal to one second quarter opened a 20 point lead for City. The margin increased in the third quarter. The Cobras kept City goal less in the last quarter, but it wasn’t enough, losing 8.11 (59)-4.8 (32). It was all single goal kickers for the Cobras. Jake Owen was named their best. Darley had the bye. Tara Murray

Tuesday, 7 June, 2022 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 23

12552425-SN23-22