Star Weekly - Northern - 1st August 2023

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Mural for all to enjoy

A mural that celebrates the Indigenous community in Broadmeadows has been unveiled.

The painting, located on the Banksia Gardens housing estate, was a collaborative effort between Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents.

Banksia Gardens development co-ordinator Melodie Radatti said the 12-week project demonstrates the amazing things that happen when the community comes together.

“It’s a wonderful, thriving community,” she said. “I really see art as a great opportunity for the community to come together, regardless of their skills.

“Each week we also had art activities for the younger children. It was just a great, great way for the community to get together.”

Ms Radatti said the upcoming referendum on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament was an inspiration for the project.

“Our organisation obviously really supports the ‘yes’ vote,” she said. “It all came together in a really timely fashion.”

Planning for another multicultural mural is already underway.

Housing data questioned

By Harper Sercombe

Local real estate agents say the latest house pricing data is not a true indicator of market trends.

Figures released by the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) on July 17 indicate a stark rise in housing prices within the suburb of Whittlesea.

The data shows that the median house price jumped from $700,000 in the March quarter to $822,500 in the June quarter, however real estate agent Glenn Halliday, from Exchanged Real Estate, said it is not a true reflection

of the market.

“It depends on the style of property being sold and the type of property being sold, I wouldn’thaveseena17percentincreaseonthe ground though,” he said.

“The data might be a bit skewed.

“Idon’tknowwherethey’regettingtheirdata from.

“Our [data] portal is actually saying to us that in 2023 we’ve seen an 8.5 per cent decrease in price.”

These thoughts were echoed by real estate agent Luke Alboli from YPA.

REIV data showed that the median house

price in Westmeadows dropped from $739,000 to $660,000 across the quarter.

However, Mr Albioli said this was not a true depiction of how the market has been moving from what he has seen.

“The volume of transactions hasn’t been that high in Westmeadows, for July there’s only been two sales across the whole suburb and then in June there were four,” he said.

“It’s not enough data to say ‘hey there’s been a 10 per cent drop’.

“Let’s say if there were 20 homes selling per month there’s probably more data to use.”

Rather Mr Albioli said prices have held reasonably strong.

“[It]feelsasthoughthemarketingeneralhas had a correction,” he said.

“Some areas may have felt it a lot more severely than others.

“If we’re looking at Westmeadows in particular, I don’t think it’s been a severe adjustment.”

Although, both suburbs recorded a decrease inhousingpricesforthelastfinancialyearwith 2 per cent for Whittlesea and 4.5 per cent for Westmeadows from more than 50 reported sales each.

Artists Lou Cormick, Emma Russell and Natalie Vigo. (Damjan Janevski) 349322_01

Costs rise for Hume legal battles

By Harper Sercombe

A further $63,599 has been spent on ongoing Hume council legal fees and related costs, new figures reveal.

At a council meeting on Monday, July 24, a report was tabled breaking down total costs incurred between October 1, 2022 and June of this year.

The report revealed council has spent $63,599 on legal fees and related costs during this period, on top of $216,478 spent between November 2020 and September 30, 2022, taking total costs to $280,077.

Included in the costs are 23 applications for internal arbitration from November 2020 to July 2022, totalling $65,673, of which 22 matters were brought by Cr Trevor Dance and one by Cr Carly Moore against Cr Dance. Also included is a councillor conduct panel (CCP) hearing appointed by council to investigate whether Cr Dance had complied with the council’s internal arbitration process ($76,080).

The panel suspended Cr Dance for three months in April 2022, ruling that he had breachedcouncil’sinternalarbitrationprocess by failing to attend two arbitration hearings

in June 2021, in relation to his allegations of misconduct against Cr Jack Medcraft.

Cr Dance had cited his mental health for refusing to attend the hearings, but the CCP concluded Cr Dance “did not attend the hearings because he chose not to attend in circumstances where no medical evidence to support his non-attendance was provided by him”.

CrDanceservedtwoweeksofhissuspension before VCAT granted him a stay.

The CCP decision against Cr Dance was overturned by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) in

New Broadmeadows cafe now open

A social enterprise initiative, the Common Bean cafe, has opened in Broadmeadows.

The cafe was launched by Banksia Gardens and DPV Health to provide a pathway into work for young people and access to healthy eating options.

This is the second Common Bean cafe with the other located at Kangan Institute.

Banksia Gardens community services chief executive Gina Dougall said their aim is to give local young people a first step into employment.

“Common Bean cafe is more than just another coffee shop, it is also a platform for

social change where customers can enjoy exceptional coffee while knowing that their patronage contributes to meaningful social change,” she said.

DPV Health chief executive Don Tidbury said he is proud to be in partnership with Common Bean cafe and Banksia Gardens community services.

“To provide employment pathways and fantastic coffee for our clients and the people of Broadmeadows.

“Every cup of coffee, pastry or drink purchased supports the social initiative and it makes each sip even more gratifying,” he said.

11-year extension for PRACE

Whittlesea council has endorsed an 11-year lease extension for the continuation of education and intervention services for at-risk youth in Mernda.

Preston and Reservoir Adult Community Education(PRACE)wasawardedtheextension at a council meeting on July 18, to enable it to uselandwithintheMerndaRecreationReserve in Schotters Road through to 2041.

PRACE provides specialist intervention services for vulnerable young people as well as adult education services. This includes language, literacy and numeracy as well as the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL), pre-VCAL and Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses.

Chair administrator Lydia Wilson said council was pleased to be able to offer this long-term lease arrangement to PRACE,

giving them certainty to be able to continue to offer important education services to the community.

“PRACE has been successfully providing vital education and support services for both young people and adults in the City of Whittlesea for a number of years, meeting the growing demand and needs of the local community,” Ms Wilson said.

“I could see first hand the absolutely critical work that this youth intervention service provided to young people.

“PRACE also work closely with local employersandMelbournePolytechnic,helping studentsfindfurtherstudyorworkandhelping to contribute to our strong local economy.”

Further consultation on the next stage of the MerndaRecreationReservemasterplanwillbe undertaken later this year.

“It is also great to support a café which uses freshandhealthyingredientsintheirproducts to help build a healthier community.”

“It is impressive to see the emphasis on building meaningful partnerships to help our youngpeople,inawelcomingcaféspacewhere creativity and collaboration can flourish,” BroadmeadowsMPKathleenMatthews-Ward said.

With plenty of outdoor space and seating, the cafe encourages relaxation, connection and creativity for those who are grabbing a coffee with friends, working remotely or by themselves.

December 2022, following an appeal by Cr Dance, which cost council $75,887.

VCAT president Justice Michelle Quigley found Cr Dance’s claims about his mental health should have been considered more seriously.

Council has appealed the VCAT decision to the Supreme Court. This has cost council $27,368 as of June 30, 2023.

Cr Dance has also made a complaint against an arbiter at the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission. Council has spent $35,069 as of June 30, 2023, to “insure” the arbiter.

Timor visit approved for councillors

Hume council has approved the travel costs of two councillors to Timor-Leste later this year.

Mayor Joseph Haweil and councillor Naim Kurt are intending on travelling to the south-east Asian country in October as part of the ‘Friends of Adieu’ program.

The travel has been approved at the cost of a maximum of $5000 per councillor, which includes travel, accommodation and expenses.

At a council meeting on Monday, July 24, councillor Karen Sherry, who went on the same trip in 2019, said it is an important trip.

“The exchange and the learnings are numerous and it really does inject goodwill into that province, which is still establishing its governance,” she said.

However, councillor Trevor Dance said he “can’t really see any benefits… to the wider community.”

“I would have liked to [have] gone as well but I’d be using my own money to save ratepayers,” he said.

Councillor Jack Medcraft disagreed with Cr Dance as he said those in Timor-Leste need assistance from people who are better off than what they are.

Harper Sercombe

Maddisyn Lang from Common Bean. (Damjan Janevski) 348074_05

New community houses

Hume residents are set to welcome a further two community centres due to the continued success of the Mickleham north site.

CommunitycentreleaderSimoneEvanssaid a Mickleham south and Kalkallo community centre will be opening up within the next two months.

“Onour[Micklehamnorth]opendaywehad 1700peoplecomethroughthedoorsinthefirst three hours and that showed the growth we have in this area,” she said.

“This facility at Mickleham north has actually built up since we’ve opened. Last month we tracked 13,000 through the doors.

“So we’ve actually grown month by month quite steadily which is exciting.”

The centre hosts a whole range of different events and programs.

“We have immunisation for the community, we have facilities for hire for functions and

weddings, we have a wedding here tonight actually,wehaveengagements,”MsEvanssaid.

“We’ve got Eid celebrations, Diwali celebrations, but we also deliver dancing programs, taekwondo, art classes.

“There’samassiverangeofactivitiesthatyou can enjoy within our community centres.

“I think the best part is that we’re always open to new and fresh ideas.

“If the community are looking to do something we are always welcome for them to come and give us that feedback, we will work with them to try and deliver a program within the facilities.”

The Mickleham north centre is hosting an exciting movie night, with back to back screenings of the latest Mario movie showing in early September.

Harper Sercombe

Briefs

Naarm Way

Melbourne Airport is improving its road access with a new $70 million elevated road connecting the Tullamarine Freeway directly to the Terminal 4 Transport Hub. The road known as Naarm way, opened on July 18, and provides a new dedicated exit which eliminates all intersections between the freeway and Terminal 4.

Road Safety Grants

Over 20 local schools and not-for-profit organisations have been provided funding to promote and deliver road safety programs in a fight to reduce trauma and save lives. The investment is part of a broader $1.5 million Community Road Safety Grants Program. Within Hume $124,072 was provided to fund 18 local initiatives, including for Mt Ridley Special School, Hume council, and Arabic Welfare Incorporated. In Whittlesea, RoadSafe Metropolitan North Eastern, Whittlesea Community Connections and the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency Coop were all awarded grants.

National Tree Day

National Tree Day was marked on Sunday, July 30. In Whittlesea an event at the Tambo Conservation Reserve featured tree and shrub planting as well as interactive activities, marshmallow toasting and information about local biodiversity and waterways. FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au

Northern Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

tlcagedcare.com.au/respite

New community house in Mickleham centre leader Simone Evans, volunteer Sidra Fahim and staff member Jolyana Oraha. (Damjan Janevski) 348673_01

Council backs gambling reforms

By Zoe Moffatt

The state government has introduced sweeping new gambling reforms, following council campaigns for change.

The reforms were announced on July 16, by Premier Daniel Andrews and Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Minister Melissa Horne, and include load up limits, carded play requirements and mandatory closure periods.

Hume mayor Joseph Haweil spearheaded the campaign for reforms around the use of Electronic Gaming Machines (EGM) and

operating hours, following more than $104 million lost to gambling in Hume in 2021-22.

“This welcome announcement is proof of the power of strong, united voices in an issue that affects the entire country,” Cr Haweil said.

“This is a step in the right direction… [and] the announced measures will help protect the financial and emotional wellbeing of our community and reduce opportunities for harm.”

The reforms will introduce carded play with a load up limit of $100, down from the current

Artistic talent on show

The Craigieburn Art Group is hosting its first ‘Art and Beyond’ exhibition.

The exhibition will be held at the Hume Global Learning Centre in Craigieburn from Friday, August 4 to Sunday, August 6.

The show will feature traditional paintings and drawings, photography, mosaics, stone art, China paintings, jewellery, woodwork art, quilting art, sculpture and other mixed media art.

Craigieburn artist Rhonda McGuiness has been creating a series of 10 mosaics, out of her home studio for the exhibition which she said has been a great experience.

McGuinness said she has been creating mosaics for quite a long time, including on two study tours to Italy to work on her craft.

However, since retirement she has been able to dedicate more time into the passion she enjoys so much.

“I’m very interested in the history of

mosaics and the different types,” she said.

McGuinness said she particularly enjoys the Roman style of mosaics and finding and using rubbish she finds for her art.

“I also get inspiration from contemporary works and recycling,” she said.

“I enjoy picking up pieces of rubbish from the beach and using them in my art.”

McGuiness said she has been attending the Craigieburn art exhibition annually for the past 32 years, and only joined last year to work on her painting.

“I’m not really an artist, I’m just learning to draw and translate the drawings into mosaics,” she said.

She said she has been humbled by being asked to submit her work for the exhibition, as she said she is in “awe” of the artists in the group.

“I feel very privileged,” she said.

Harper Sercombe

limit of $1000.

Mandatory closure periods will be enforced for all gaming machine areas in a venue, except Crown Casino, between 4am and 10am by the middle of 2024.

The spin rate of all new EGMs will also be slowed to a rate of three seconds per game to limit the amount of money that can be lost.

With around $7 billion lost to gambling annually in Victoria, Mr Andrews said the reformswillhelppeopleturntheirlifearound.

“These reforms will provide the strongest gambling harm preventions and anti-money

laundering measures in Australia,” he said.

Whittlesea chief executive Craig Lloyd said he welcomes the EGM reforms.

“Council has a longstanding position on advocating for gambling harm minimisation measures including reducing the operating hours of gaming venues and capping gaming machine numbers,” he said.

“Whittlesea is ranked sixth in Victoria for money lost on poker machines, with residents losing more than $97.5 million through gaming machines in the 2021-22 financial year.”

Temporaray SES relocation

Craigieburn’s State Emergency Services (SES) team has had to move to a temporary base.

The SES’s permanent base is situated on Craigieburn Road, between Hanson and Bridgewater roads, however due to the current roadworks,theteamhasmovedtoatemporary siteonLygonDrivetoallowforthefasttracking of the road project throughout winter.

The temporary relocation ensures the unit canrespondtothemosturgentandtime-critical emergency cases without traversing through the impacted section of Craigieburn Road during the works.

SES Craigieburn unit controller Omar Sayegh said the upgrade team have been proactive in communicating any possible disruptions and worked collaboratively to find the best outcome for the community.

“OneofthekeySESvaluesissafetydrivesour decisions, by having a temporary operational

base … we have been able to ensure that community safety is still at the forefront of everything that we do,” he said.

Major Road Projects Victoria senior project manager Dimuth Gammampila said he is delighted to provide a temporary home to the SES.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for these local volunteers to park and serve, without having to go through road works,” he said.

“It means these volunteers can avoid our winter works when responding to emergencies such as floods, storms and road rescues.”

As reported by StarWeekly , Craigieburn Road has been closed to all traffic in both directions for about 700 metres between Hanson and Bridgewater roads from June 23 until August 19.

Artist Rhonda McGuiness with her mosaics. (Damjan Janevski) 347828_01

Health team on the road

Hume council’s maternal and child health services are being expanded with the use of a mobile van program.

The maternal and child health van is designed to assist parents and carers in vulnerable communities, and those already using council’s services at child-friendly locations.

The van was taken to the Craigieburn Festival, Sunbury and Craigieburn playgroup weekandtotheBooraisandBeyondPlaygroup in Craigieburn where the largely Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander group was provided with free check-ups for their children.

‘Humbled’ by care award

Northern Health’s Anglican and palliative care chaplain, Reverend Melanie Moore, was recently awarded the Best ofCare Award2023bySpiritual Care Australia (SCA).

Ms Moore was presented with this honour at the SCA Conference earlier this year for her best practice and excellence within the spiritual care sector.

“I feel humbled and honoured. I am thankful for being nominated and for working with such wonderful people across many disciplines within Northern Health,” Ms Moore said.

Ms Moore has been delivering spiritual care at Northern Health since 2006, promoting spiritual wellbeing and continuity of care to a diverse range of patients, their support network and staff.

Seeing mostly three-and-four-year-olds at the playgroup, maternal and child health nurse Gayle Branderello said they are able to meet ongoing needs in the van as they explore its potential.

“A person may come along and say, ‘my child has had their assessment done but since then has started stuttering,’ so then we would look at that and if it’s something to be worried about,” Ms Branderello said.

There are a number of barriers Hume’s vulnerable communities face when accessing critical care for their child’s development, including being unaware of services particularly for culturally and linguistically diversegroups,beingunabletoaffordortravel to a service, and mistrust of professionals.

However, this van is attempting to break down these barriers by allowing the checkups

to take place in places where the children and parents or guardians feel comfortable.

Mayor Joseph Haweil said Hume is the first council in Victoria to offer a service like this.

“[The] van is a game changer for families finding it difficult to access critical services at

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the key stages of their child’s development,” Cr Haweil said.

“[It] supports the diverse needs of families in Hume, particularly our vulnerable and multicultural groups who face barriers to the health care our children deserve.”

Ms Moore spends most of her time in the palliative care unit at Northern Hospital Epping, supporting the spiritual and emotional wellbeing of patients, their loved ones and staff.

As an Anglican priest, she also supports patients who request rituals in the Anglican faith tradition and leads bereavement support service to care for the next of kin patient who has died on the ward.

“The role is varied, and I love it,” she said.

“A great reward is working with such dedicated staff who share my love in caringforandsupportingothers,it’snot just a job.”

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‘‘ [The] van is a game changer for families finding it difficult to access critical services ’’

- Joseph Haweil

The maternal and child health van. (Supplied)

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Push on to ‘electrify everything’

By Harper Sercombe

Hume council is encouraging its residents to ‘electrify everything’ as part of a joint campaign between councils across Australia.

Mayor Joseph Haweil said council wants to emphasise that there are options for all types of households to use energy efficiently and contribute to a clean energy future.

“There are many benefits of all-electric homes, they are cheaper to run, they are healthierforyourfamilyandarebetterforour

environment,” Cr Haweil said.

The council will promote thWe can de initiative through social media, newsletters and community events. To help residents make the switch to electricity in a way that works for them, by also providing a checklist of actions they can take now or plan for the future.

“As a growth area council there is a real opportunity for us to inform new home buyers. Buying a fully electric home is the easiest way to go all-electric and future-proof your investment,” Cr Haweil said.

Riding for a good cause

Epping local, Paul Murfitt, is taking part in ‘Australia’s biggest bike ride’.

This will be the 78-year-old’s fifth Around the Bay ride.

This year Mr Murfitt will be riding the 50 kilometre event, rather than his usual 100 km route due to the quadruple bypass he had not long ago.

Mr Murfitt said he is riding to raise money for Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision.

“I’m riding in this year’s United Energy Around the Bay to help Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision fund vital research and provide support for patients living with Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes and their families,” he said.

“Everythreedays,anAustralianisdiagnosed with a Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome. Distressingly, most of them are children and young adults, and 50 per cent will not survive.

“Thousands more are living with ongoing complex health issues.”

Mr Murfitt said he loves this annual event.

“It’sachancetogetoutsideanddosomething with people who are enjoying themselves,” he said. “It’s very social as most people have a chat.”

Thereareoptionsforafamilyridealltheway up to the classic 220 km and exclusive 300 km events. Riders taking part in the classic route and the challenging 300 km option will have access to a closed lane of the Princes Freeway to Geelong for their safety and enjoyment. Freeway speeds will also be limited during the event.

Although there’s no need to worry, Mr Murfitt said.

“My advice for first timers is don’t stress and enjoy the ride. It’s not the Tour de France so take your time.”

Harper Sercombe

However, the Brotherhood of St Laurence (BSL), a social justice organisation that works to prevent and alleviate poverty across Australia, said that it supports electric only homes but low income household requires more government assistance to do so.

“Getting off gas will reduce household energybillsandmakeanessentialcontribution to reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions,” Damian Sullivan, BSL’s climate change and energy lead said.

“However, lower income households are likely to be the last ones left on the gas

network, paying more, unless further support is put in place.

“Renters face some of the biggest barriers. Even if they can afford to, they’re often not allowed by their landlords to switch to electric appliances, and many were afraid to even ask.

“Electrification and energy efficiency upgrades are essential because they lead to robust energy bill reductions, which last over time, unlike one-off payments.”

Details- https://www.hume.vic.gov.au/ Residents/Environment/Electrify-Everything

Paul Murfitt, 78, is ready to once again take on the 50km challenge. (Damjan Janevski) 348777_01

Learning in the kitchen garden

Lalor North Primary School is creating a sustainable kitchen garden in partnership with charitable organisation Good360 and local business Repurpose It.

The project is said to embrace the principles of a circular economy that will bring profound social, environmental, and educational impacts.

“We value the importance of creating opportunities for students to learn about sustainability,” principal Elizabeth Bryan said.

“This project will have a strong curriculum integration with a focus on student wellbeing,

collaboration and leadership, students will learn to grow, harvest, prepare and share fresh, seasonal, delicious food, forming positive food habits for life.

“I am so very proud to be partnering with organisations such as, Good360, North-East Link Tunnels Program and Repurpose It for this very special educational project for Lalor North Primary School.”

Epping repurposed materials company Repurpose It will be providing the repurposed soil and mulch for the garden.

Chief executive George Hatzimanolis said

Merrifield hitting goals

Merrifield is one of the state’s fastest growing suburbs and the life blood of every suburb is its sporting clubs.

Merrifield is no exception. The Merrifield Recreation Reserve opened earlier this month which includes a new sports pavilion, change rooms, toilets, showers and social rooms.

The reserve is already home to two ovals, fit forfootballorcricket,sixtenniscourts,atrioof cricket nets, a skate park and dog park.

The Merrifield Panthers Sporting Association calls the reserve home and president Glenn Herring said he can’t wait to see the development of his association.

“It’sveryexciting,thefacilityhasbeenalittle while coming, the grounds have been available and in use for over 12 months,” he said. “But to now have the facilities, for our participants to be able to utilise is a great first step.”

The Panthers currently have basketball and cricket teams up and running but are looking to expand into junior football and junior and

senior tennis for next season.

“We’re aiming to have under 8s, 10s and 12s[football] teams, and we’re currently on the look out for volunteers and coaches,” he said.

All of the sports at Merrifield run under the same banner which Mr Herring believes is the best way to create cohesion amongst the sports.

“I truly believe in the model we have developedtocreateaharmoniousatmosphere,” he said.

“We’re an open book and as the community interestdevelopsinonesportoranotherwewill look to annex that under the sport association banner.”

Harper Sercombe

Association president Glenn Herring, football lead Steven Strong, tennis lead Anthony Guccione and cricket lead Harman Bhathal, at the new facilities. (Damjan Janevski) 349337_01

the partnership is all about making a real and lasting impact.

“The collaboration is a perfect match, combining our passion for sustainability with Good360’s commitment to helping local communities and will leverage the educational experience,”hesaid. “Byrepurposingmaterials and giving goods a new purpose, we’re paving the way for a greener future for the school, inspiring the next generation to embrace the idea of a circular economy.”

Good360 is a charity focused on giving new unsold products a first life to benefit people in

need and the environment.

Founder and managing director of the charity Alison Covington, said the partnership will ensure disadvantaged schools benefit from landscaping materials.

“We look forward to seeing the garden grow and create a learning opportunity that includes the circular economy and the environment which is good for people and our planet,” Ms Covington said.

The North-East Link Tunnels Program is also lending a helping hand, providing 12 staff to establish the garden beds.

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MY PLACE

Greenvale resident, mother, nurse and artist Vicki Catchpole tells Harper Sercombe about her connection to the area and her upcoming art exhibitions.

Tell us a bit about you and what you do?

I have lived in Hume for the last 20 years. I have been an artist most of my life. I live with my husband and two teenage kids, who attend local schools. We enjoy exploring the many walking trails with our dog and sometimes bikes. I work as a nurse, and do painting as a stress relief.

What’s your connection to Hume?

I enjoy the support for artists in Hume at the Craigieburn art group. The art group has been a great support for developing my art. I am now the president there, and I am honoured to assist in helping other artists learn and become established in Hume. We are a multicultural group of about 30 adult artists, of varied ages, who meet on Mondays to paint, at Selwyn House in Craigieburn. We now have two group exhibitions each year at the Hume Global Learning Centre in Craigieburn. Our next one starts on August 4, and includes a range of mediums.

What do you like about where you live?

I often photograph places nearby, in the Woodlands Park and surrounds, using the photos as reference for my artwork. We also enjoy listening to the frogs, and spotting the wildlife, including kangaroos, blue tongue lizards, kookaburras and other birds. We have a wide choice of sports to join in locally. Activity and social connection is so important to maintain healthy bodies and minds.

What, if anything, would you change about where you live?

I would like to see the bike tracks better maintained, and more connected to enable

better access from all the new housing developments. It seems that the infrastructure is far behind the local developers. I have seen many kids doing the mad dash across Mickleham Road, trying to get to school, where there are no footpaths either way to the nearest pedestrian crossings. With all of the roadworks happening at the same time, many people are frustrated with no clear roads to get to work or school, and having many

near misses. I hope it won’t take a kid to get run over for road developers to get their act together. I would like the council to set up bike riding groups on the school holidays, for different ages and neurodivergent kids who find it difficult to make friends. I have given the same feedback in the many council surveys. I have also noticed that a lot of people travel into the city or across to Epping to access healthcare. I had initially heard that

Donnybrook was going to be the Geelong of the north, but there is still no hint of a tertiary health care hospital.

Is there anything else you’d like to say?

Overall, we love our home and green surroundings, not too far from the city or country. We have friendly neighbours and a supportive community, that we hope to have for many more years.

(Damjan Janevski) 348779_01

A tournament to remember

The inaugural Craigieburn Eagles and Broadmeadows Disability Services round robin tournament was played on Tuesday, July 25.

The basketball tournament was the product of 35 weeks of hard work by around 30 disabled people, aged from 25 to 40, who relished the opportunity to put their new skills into a game.

Treasurer of the Eagles and organiser of the games Neville Petrie said the initiative is something those participating “really look forward to”.

“They were all very thrilled with it and made their day,” he said.

Hosted at Craigieburn stadium, over 50 parents and helpers came to cheer on the players who were presented with certificates to mark their participation.

However, Mr Petrie said as the program relies on state government grants for court hire, coaching, travel fees and food and drink, there is no guarantee that it will run again next year. Team BDS

play some ball. Pictured above, left to right:

Elliot, Emma-Rose and Chris. (Pictures: Damjan Janevski) 349326

Glen (left) and Nicky (below).

Anastasia.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Creative arts and fitness

Banksia Gardens Community Services is running yoga and jewellery making classes every Tuesday.

■ 9309 8531

Craft and Conversation

Craigieburn library is hosting a Wednesday weekly craft group from 1-3pm and everyone is welcome. Join the craft and conversation group and share your love of all things crafty. Bring your current project and make new friends.

■ humelibraries.vic.gov.au

Tai Chi for health

Come along to Homestead Community and Learning Centre in Roxburgh Park for a lesson in tai chi, a low impact exercise program to build strength. Everyone is welcome. It’ll be held every Monday from 10.30-11.30am.

■ https://www.hume.vic.gov.au/Eventbrite/ Tai-Chi-for-Health-317365848797

Adult education

Banksia Gardens Community Services is running adult education courses including an introduction to computers and brushing up on English skills.

■ 9309 8531

Senior citizens meet

The Gladstone Park Senior Citizens Club regularly meets for games of bingo, carpet bowls and a chat over a cuppa, at the coroner of Carrick and Elmhurst drives, Gladstone Park.

■ Beulah, 0411 422 398

Community lunch in Roxburgh Park

Join the Homestead Team, along with members of the community for a free lunch and make some new friends whilst you’re at it. Lunch will be prepared by the Turkish Women’s Association. The lunch will be held every Wednesday from 11.30am-1pm at Homestead Community and Learning Centre, 30 Whiltshire Road, Roxburgh Park. ■ www.hume.vic.gov.au/Eventbrite/ Roxburgh-Park-Homestead-Communityand-Learning-CentreWeekly-CommunityLunch-317411976767

Homestead Walking Group

Enjoy some fresh air, beautiful gardens and meet other locals. Volunteer leaders will meet at the Homestead Community and

Learning Centre at 9.30am on Wednesday’s for a 30–45 minute walk. ■ https://www.hume.vic.gov.au/ Eventbrite/Homestead-WalkingGroup-493400784027

Community Phone Connect Program

This is a free community service for older people and people with disability, living on their own in the Hume and Whittlesea regions. Through the Community Connect Program, you will receive regular phone calls from a volunteer to check that you are safe, secure and well.

■ 8301 8863

Bicycle riders wanted Whittlesea BicycleUsers Group runs weekly

rides each Sunday morning commencing from various locations, including Epping, Lalor, Thomastown, Bundoora, Mill Park, South Morang and Mernda. They cater for women and men of all abilities. They offer both a shorter, easier ride and a longer ride. Each ride has a break midway at a cafe for coffee/snacks and a friendly chat. They invite all interested bike riders to come along and enjoy a social ride with other like-minded people.

■ Glenn, 0434 730 163

Education and community centre

Do you or someone you know need help learning English or understanding Technology? Craigieburn Education and Community Centre is offering Free Beginner English and Computer classes to eligible residents. Small, relaxed and friendly classes, drop in and say hello at 20 Selwyn Avenue, Craigieburn.

■ 9308 1477, or https://www.craigieburn.org.au

Craigieburn Residents Association

The residents association meets at 7.30pm on the last Wednesday of the month at Selwyn House in Craigieburn.

■ craigieburnresidents@gmail.com

Indigenous community gardens

Westmeadows Indigenous Community Garden Members are hosting a monthly open day on the first Saturday of each month 10am-noon, to showcase the gardens. Address: Corner Toora Drive and Redan Court.

■ Eva Mazzei, emmmazzei@gmail.com

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

This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of writer, director and actress Alaine Beek and actor Ross Daniels from What Was That? 1000th Show at Werribee Mansion. (Damjan Janevski) 349109_01

Lalor Secondary College marks 60 years of education

In 2023, Lalor Secondary College celebrates 60 years of providing an engaging, caring, educational program for the local areas of Lalor, Thomastown and Epping. As part of the celebrations, the school community is reflecting proudly on the many aspects that havemadethisagreatschooloveralongperiod oftime.Thisincludesthewonderfulpeoplethat have been involved previously with the college as staff, students and parents, including the current staff, students, parents and community organisations that continue to establish our school as a calm, caring college that maintains

very high academic expectations for all students.

The focus of the college in recent years has placed the established tradition of academic successalongsidethewellbeingofourstudents.

This has led to students graduating from the college ready for the challenges of their chosen pathways whether it be university, TAFE, apprenticeships or employment. This focus has been supported by extensive extra-curricular opportunities such as the college’s foundation partnership with the ABCN.

Theongoingsocialdevelopmentofstudentsis

also supported by a well-established wellbeing team that includes a school psychologist, three school counsellors and a full time careers leader. This team provides counselling, transition, pathways and career development programming from years 7 to 12 ensuring all students are provided rich opportunities to determine their pathways to a successful future.

The school’s future direction is incredibly exciting and includes the Victorian government and Lalor Secondary College School Council capital works project totalling

$27 million. The works are due to be completed at the end of 2023 and will include a new double court gymnasium, food technology and PE classrooms, a new administration area, wellbeing and library area, a new arts hub, new design technology building, new cafeteria, and a new senior school area.

The newly opened Innovation Centre with two digital technology spaces and a purpose-built maker space and science centre will complement the facilities and continue to allow the curriculum to adapt to the needs of the modern workforce.

The college has one of the most beautiful campuses in Melbourne. (Supplied)

Facilities are first class at St Monica’s College, Epping

St Monica’s College, Epping, is a Catholic co-educational college based in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. The college was established in 1964 and has two campuses in Epping for students in years 7 to 12. There is also a country campus, Ostia, at Strath Creek.

Facilities are first class and the college continues to upgrade its buildings. This includes a new science and technology building to better serve STEM students, the Cooinda building which provides modern teaching and learning areas for students, as well as a complete rebuild of the Beehive, the technology centre based on Davisson Street campus.

The college strongly endorses co-education. Co-education reflects the real-life realities your child will face. In the coeducational classroom, both female and male perspectives are explored, creating greater understanding between the sexes, more consideration of points of view, and increased development of individuals both intellectually and socially.

The college offers one of the broadest curriculum choices of any school. Subject choices will meet the needs of almost any student.

The college is also renowned for an excellent sporting program. The choice of sports is extensive and coaching utilises experts in their sports. The college’s Sporting Academies ensure athletes have whatever they need to excel in their chosen sport with gymnasiums on campus as well as a high-performance centre for advanced training.

Thecollegealsooffersanacceleratedlearning program for students. HORIZONS caters for highly able students through a program that meets their advanced educational needs.

Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder are well supported by the Arrunga Inclusion Program.

The performing arts faculty is also well regarded. Whether it be dance, drama or music, students have the opportunity to develop and showcase their talents. The college regularly has performances and showcases for

performing arts students. St Monica’s College, Epping welcomes a diverse cohort of students with the assurance that staff will ensure that each and every one has the best opportunity to be their best. At St

Monica’s College, no student is left behind. Enrolments can be made anytime online as can bookings for Meet the Principal Tours. www.stmonicas-epping.com

Principal of St Monica’s College, Epping, Brian Hanley OAM pictured with students. (Supplied)

We are no ordinary learning environment. A stimulating, intimate, and inclusive setting, committed to small student teacher-ratios, we are passionate about academic rigour, positive student outcomes and confident self-image for every young person.

Our educators are highly experienced professionals, dedicated to excellence and continuous improvement for their students and for themselves. Every year 12 student (bar none) discovers a highly positive pathway, be it academic or vocational and we congratulate them all, for they are our future. These fine people will always be members of our proud community. Last year’s dux received an ATARabove95andmorestudentsreceivedan ATAR over 80 and over 90. And our students have the opportunity for early university entry during year 12.

Secondary education is an adventure that should flow seamlessly from the primary years providing excitement, growth, and joy into adolescence and beyond. Therefore, positive student engagement, careful guidance, and genuine, authentic human relationships in learning is our priority.

Our young people come to us as children and we wave them off as young adults who continue to create their future. We take this awesome privilege very seriously indeed.

Our families are our partners and we join with you closely throughout your child’s learning experience. We provide great care, reassurance and close communication every step of the way.

Withcontinuedinfrastructureenhancement at the college and in our local area, and our proximitytothewonderfulnaturalheritageof Darebin Creek, we are blessed with surely one of the most beautiful campuses in Melbourne. We offer very substantial student scholarships in every area of achievement, and these are

designed to maximise academic, social and emotional growth and opportunity for our young people.

It would give me great pleasure to meet with you and your children to share the wonderful educational environment that is Lalor North

Secondary College.

Timothy Cottrell,

principal

Lalor North Secondary College principal Tim Cottrell with students. (Suppiled)

Students encouraged to explore their gifts and talents

Founded in 1980, Loyola College is a Catholic, co-educational secondary college which aims to educate the whole person. This is achieved through offering a broad curriculum that allows students to pursue both academic and vocationalpathwayswhilstalsoaffordingthem every opportunity to explore their many gifts and talents through the college’s varied co-curriculum program activities.

Loyola College is outward looking and has a strong international focus. Students are articulate, adaptable, discerning and confident young men and women of competence, conscience and compassion who seek to be of service to others and the world around them.

AtLoyolathereisapathwayforeverystudent.

The school offers VCE, VM (Vocational Major) and VET programs along with a range of accelerated learning opportunities, including Enhanced English and mathematics, as well as the opportunity to take on an accelerated VCE subject in year 10. Staff deepen and strengthen students’ experience in languages through a wide range of cultural immersion experiences. Theschooliscommittedtoplacingwellbeing at the centre of community. Staff recognise the importance of developing the unique potential of each student, and in doing so, support their spiritual, cognitive, physical, emotional and social growth. Fostering positive relationships is pivotal to the college’s wellbeing philosophy and underpins all that staff do in ensuring that all students feel connected to school life. School tours are held on a regular basis, and families are encouraged to visit and experience Loyola College first-hand. Applications for in enrolment in year 7, 2025 are open now and will close on August18.

For more information, to book a tour or apply online, please visit www.loyola.vic.edu.au

Loyola College is a Catholic, co-educational secondary college.

World Cup excitement

World Cup fever has hit Bundoora recently with the Jamaican Women’s National Football Team finalising their tournament preparations in the area.

The Jamaican team got set to play France in the FIFA Women’s World Cup at Bundoora’s Parade College and LaTrobe University.

It’sthenation’ssecondWorldCupappearance and the team is hoping to advance to the World Cup’s group stage for the first time. It will be a tough ask as the Reggae Girlz must navigate matches against France, Brazil and Panama to progress.

When training at LaTrobe the under-11’s girls team from the Mill Park soccer club got to watch some of their idols wrap up their cup preparations.

“What an amazing experience for the girls,” coach Jimmy Christou said.

“We wish them all the best and we will all be cheering for them.”

Parade College principal Mark Aiello said it was an honour to have an international team train at the college before the biggest tournament in women’s football.

Harper Sercombe

The Reggae Girlz hit the track at Parade College. (Supplied)

Signatures all-round for Mill Park under-11 girls team. (Supplied)

PUZZLES

SUDOKU

No.

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

ACROSS

1 Detergent (4)

3 Very generous (10)

10 Examined (7)

11 Republic in northwest Africa (7)

12 Irascible (8)

13 Put to rest (5)

14 Domestic animals (4)

15 Annotations; game’s on-air description (10)

18 Keeping financial records (10)

20 Vicious (4)

21 Japanese dish (5)

23 Cherished (8)

26 Associate (7)

27 18th century Protestant theorist, Jonathan – (7)

28 Railway vehicle (10)

29 Biblical garden (4)

DOWN

1 Window frame (4)

2 Indifferent (9)

4 On the ground (9)

5 Actor, Oscar – (5)

6 Impress on the mind (7)

7 Actor, – Flynn (5)

8 Weepy; emotional (5-4)

9 Involving more than one country (abbr) 4)

14 Relating to European orchestral music (9)

16 Russian chemist who developed periodic table of the chemical elements (9)

17 Equipped (9)

19 Consistent (7)

22 Of sound waves (5)

23 Small in French (5)

24 US state (4)

25 Book ID (1,1,1,1)

1 14

2 15

3 16

4 17

5 18

6 19

7 20

8 21

9 22

10 23

11 24

DECODER WORDFIT 9-LETTER WORD

12 25

12 345678910111213

921854673

543672891

615237984 159726438

392485167 478391256

867913542

236548719

873692541

397264185

265819734

526147893 658431972

419385267 741928356

easy medium hard

184753629

932576418

R Today’s Aim:

427951638

546379821

789216354

784169325 273184965

658432179 195623487

16 3 LETTERS AND ANT ARE BOA COO EAR EAT EKE ERA EWE HOE IDS IRE KIN ODE OHM ORE PRO RID ROE SEA SIT TIE UTE 4 LETTERS ARMS BLAB CEDE DAUB ELSE HOGS ONUS SACS SEAT SECT SEES SNAP SPAS TIRE

312845796

931768542 864597213

felt, floe, flog, floret, flour, flout, flue, flute, FORGETFUL, foul, fouler, fretful, furl, gelt, glue, glut, golf, golfer, gruel, gulf, left, loft, loge, lore, lour, lout, lure, lute, ogle, role, ruffle, rule, truffle

1415 1617181920212223242526 O U F K V D P X I L J N Y A H W G B C E Z M Q T R S Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down. NOTE: more than one solution may be possible

No. 144

QUICK QUIZ

5 LETTERS ABBOT ANGST APRON ARGUE AROMA ASIAN ASIDE ATOMS BRUSH BUSES CACTI CREST CRIME DOONA EAGER EASES ENTER ERECT FASTS FLAIL

GOATS HAVES HAVOC HEATS IDOLS IRKED ISLES MODEL NEIGH OBESE OCTAL OFFER PANDA PASTE PERIL POUCH RHINO RIDES SANER SCENE SEEDS

SHOUT SOLAR SORTS STAIR TESTS THERE UNTIE VISED VISTA 6 LETTERS ADHERE APPEAR HASSLE IRISES

7 LETTERS ASTRIDE EASTERN ENRAGES OCTAGON TRAINED WHITEST 8 LETTERS ASTUTEST ATTAINED BLACKTOP HANDICAP

04-08-23 Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

1 In which decade did Australia implement the eight-hour work day nationally for all industries?

2 Which famous poem contains the lines "The time has come," the Walrus said/"To talk of many things:/Of shoes and ships and sealing wax/ Of cabbages and kings"'?

3 What field of study is concerned with moral issues of biological research and medical practice?

4 In March of which year did the Ansett Australia Group cease operating?

5 The Komodo dragon (pictured) inhabits five islands, including the island of Komodo, in which country?

6 What three colours are on the Jamaican flag?

7 Which sought-after medal depicts three men with their hands on each other’s shoulders?

8 What is the collective term for the odourless, colourless, single-atom gases such as helium?

9 In rowing, which member steers and coordinates the rhythm of the rowers?

10 What is the largest city square in the world?

13 26 TS ANSWERS: 1. 1920s 2. The Walrus and the Carpenter, by Lewis Carroll 3. Bioethics 4. 2002 5. Indonesia 6. Black, yellow and green 7. The Nobel Peace Prize medal 8. Noble gases 9. Coxswain 10. Xinghai Square Tuesday, 1 August, 2023 NORTHERN STAR WEEKLY 19

No. 144

Grabacopyof your localnewspaper...

IGA Friendly Supermarket Broadmeadows

Broadmeadows Newsagency Broadmeadows

Milk Bar Broadmeadows

Hume City Council Broadmeadows

Broadmeadows Central Shopping Centre

Broadmeadows

Coles Supermarket Broadmeadows

Woolworths Supermarket Broadmeadows

Phil - Asian Grocery & Mixed Business

Broadmeadows

Foodworks Bundoora

Andrews Place Milk Bar Bundoora

Frank Milk Bar Bundoora

Good & More Asian Grocery Bundoora

Bundoora Fruit Market Bundoora

Mr Asian Grocer Bundoora

Uni Factory Outlets Bundoora

Uni Hill Town Centre Bundoora

RMIT Campus Store Bundoora

Gugu Asian Grocery Bundoora

Bundoora Hotel Bundoora

Woolworths Supermarket Bundoora

Shell Service Station Bundoora

Coles Supermarket Summerhill Bundoora

Caltex Woolworths Service Station Bundoora

BP Service Station Bundoora

Polaris 3083 Shopping Centre Bundoora

Woolworths Polaris Bundoora

Coles Supermarket Bundoora

The Lott Campbellfield

Chris and Marie's Campbellfield

Meadow Heights Newsagency Coolaroo

Melba Vale Country Club Coolaroo

Craigieburn Convenience Store Craigieburn

Hume City Council Craigieburn

Connections Craigieburn

Craigieburn Central Shopping Centre

Craigieburn

Harry Brown Liquor Craigieburn

The Foodary Caltex Craigieburn

Freshplus Craigieburn Craigieburn

Woolworths Supermarket Craigieburn

Coles Supermarket Craigieburn

Woolworths Supermarket - Craigieburn

Central SC Craigieburn

Quality Food Store Craigieburn

Milk Bar Store Craigieburn

Woolworths Supermarket - Highands SC

Craigieburn

Highlands News & Lotto Craigieburn

Hothlyn Drive Milk Bar Craigieburn

Craigieburn Supermarket Craigieburn

Ampol Craigieburn

Metro Petroluem Craigieburn

IGA Xpress Grand Boulevard Craigieburn

CCT Convenience Store Craigieburn

TSG Riverstone Convenience Cafe Doreen

Laurimar Centre Newsagency Doreen

Woolworths Supermarket Doreen

Doreen General Store Doreen

Northern Hospital Epping

Foodworks Epping

Pacific Epping Shopping Centre Epping

The Groove Train Epping

IGA Plus Liquor Epping

Greenbrook Milk Bar Epping

Gladstone Park Shopping Centre Gladstone Park

Coles Supermarket Glenroy

Pascoe Vale Road Market Glenroy

Glenroy Newsagency Glenroy

Shell Service Station Glenroy

Coles Supermarket Greenvale

Greenvale Newsagency Greenvale

Woolworths Supermarket Lalor

Lalor Library Lalor

Dandy Mart Lalor

No 1 Fruit Market Lalor

Coles Supermarket Lalor

Lalor Plaza Newsagency Lalor

Lalor Plaza Shopping Centre Lalor

Coles Supermarket Lalor

Santino Continental Grocery Lalor

Afgan Supermarket Lalor

Everfresh Fruit Market Lalor

IGA Foodstore Meadow Heights

Coles Mernda

Mernda Junction Lotto & Tobacco Mernda

Riverdale General Store Mernda

Mernda Post Office Mernda

Woolworths Supermarket Mernda

Merrifield City Newsagency & Lotto Mickleham

Merrifield City - Coles Mickleham

Mickleham North Community Centre

Mickleham

Centenary Drive Milk Bar Mill Park

7 - Eleven Mill Park

The Stables Shopping Centre Mill Park

Grenda Milk Bar Mill Park

Coles Supermarket Mill Park

Westfield Plenty Valley Mill Park

Mill Park Community House Mill Park

Mill Park Library Mill Park

Shriji Supermarket Mill Park

Woolworths Mill Park

Rivergum Village Shopping Centre Mill Park

Woolworths Supermarket Mill Park

Zagames Hotel Reservoir

Reservoir Library Reservoir

Roxburgh Park Hotel Roxburgh Park

Coles - Roxburgh Village SC Roxburgh Park

Whittlesea Council South Morang

South Morang Milk Bar South Morang

Westfield Plenty Valley Shopping Centre

South Morang

Coles Supermarket South Morang

Foodworks Thomastown

Caltex Thomastown

Pipeworks Market Thomastown

Thomastown News & Lotto Thomastown

Thomastown Library Thomastown

BP Service Station Thomastown

APCO Service Station Thomastown

Shell Service Station Thomastown

Tullamarine Library Tullamarine

Claudio's IGA Supermarket West Meadows

Whittlesea Bakery Whittlesea

NewsXpress Whittlesea

Whittlesea Courthouse Information Centre

Whittlesea

IGA Supermarket Whittlesea

Coles Supermarket University Hill

Wollert Post Office Wollert

Real Estate Agents Everywhere

Rd, Craigieburn 3064

Reference: M1510 Cragieburn North

1. The proposed works include the addition of new 4G & 5G equipment and associated works including the replacement of 6 existing 4G antennas with 7 new antennas (less than 2.8m long); the installation of 7 new 5G active antenna units (AAU) (less than 1m long); the replacement of 15 existing remote radio units (RRUs) with 24 new RRUs; and ancillary equipment including but not limited to GPS antenna, mast head amplifiers, deplixers, combiners, antenna mounts, cable trays, fibre and electrical cabling necessary for the operation or proper functioning of the low-impact facility.

2. Optus & Vodafone regards the proposed installation as a Low-impact Facility under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 based on the description above.

3. The proposed infrastructure will comply with the ACMA EME regulatory arrangements. An EME Report and further information can be obtained at www.rfnsa.com.au/3064005.

4. In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Further information and/or comments should be directed to: Reinier Hanekom (Plan Consult Town Planning), 0754306632, Suit 6-10, 28 Eenie Crk Road, Noosaville, 4566 or info@planconsult.com.au by 5 pm on Thursday 17/08/2023. 12623342-FC31-23

SPORTS QUIZ

1. Australian actor Eric Bana is an avid 'superfan’ of which AFL club?

2. How many new NRLW teams have been added ahead of its sixth season?

3. How much was Novak Djokovic fined after slamming his racket in frustration during the 2023 Wimbledon final?

4. Which Ukrainian tennis star made a ‘remarkable’ comeback after beating World No.1 Iga Swiatek

5. Which country defeated the Opals 74-60 in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup?

6. Which AFL coach broke his hand during a game from punching a whiteboard?

7. In which year was the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc race first held?

8. And in which French commune is it annually held in?

What nationality is professional tennis star

The Kennett curse was the title given to Geelong’s rivalry with which AFL team during

Steph Catley scored against which national team in Australia’s first match of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup?

Which NBA All-Star won the 2023 American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament?

13. Hannah Wilkinson scored against which national team in New Zealand's first match of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup?

14. Which Japanese City hosted the 2023 World Aquatics Championships?

15. Sydney-born boxer Paulo Aokuso competed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in which weight class?

16. In the 1996 film Jerry Maguire, the character Rod Tidwell played for which NFL team?

17. Which country recently deported Russian tennis professional Vera Zvonareva for reasons of state security and public safety?

18. Lionel Messi scored from a free kick in his first game for which Major League Soccer team?

19. Kennington, in the borough of Lambeth in south London, is home to which international ground?

20. Kevin Maxen is a strength coach for which Floridabased NFL team?

21. Jonas Vingegaard won which 2023 cycling event?

22. Which team recently broke the Formula 1 record for the most consecutive wins by a constructor?

23. Which Australian swimmer set a world record in the Women’s 400m freestyle final at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships?

24. Which A-League Men’s team recently went into receivership?

25. The 1993 drama film Rudy revolves around which sport?

26. Which English batter leads all run scorers after fourth tests in the 2023 Ashes series?

27. Irish footballer Sarah Rowe plays for which AFL Women’s team?

28. How many goals did Japan score against Zambia in their first 2023 Women’s World Cup match?

29. How many goals did Carlton forward Charlie Curnow kick in the Round 19 match against West Coast?

30. Before cancelling the event last week, in which year were the Commonwealth Games scheduled to be held in Victoria?

Jonas Vingegaard

Building drivers’ electric dreams

By Alistair Kennedy

Although the name BYD will be well-known to electricvehiclebuyers,it’sstilllargelyunknown in the Australian motoring mainstream – but that’s about to change.

SomewhatquirkilyBYDstandsforBuildYour Dreams and the Chinese company is actually the world’s second-largest manufacturer of fully-electrified vehicles, second only to Tesla.

When plug-in hybrids (PHEV) are added, it’s the largest, with over 1.6 million built in 2022.

Although there were a couple of BYD models sold in Australia from 2017 onwards these were private imports.

It wasn’t until the arrival of the Atto 3 in June, 2022 that the brand made any impact, and an impressive one at that, with sales of nearly 7000 in its first year.

A fully-electric compact SUV, the Atto 3 comes in two variants. There’s Standard Range and Extended Range, priced at $48,011 and $51,011 respectively (plus ORCs).

That’s around the same price as its closest competitor and compatriot, the MG ZS EV whichalsocomeswithstandardandlong-range variants.

Styling

With a length of 4455mm, Atto 3 is around the same size as Mazda CX-3, Nissan Qashqai and Toyota CH-R – but 135mm longer than the MG.

Although the overall design of the Atto 3 is neat and attractive, it’s relatively conservative especially when compared to the Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6.

As with most electric cars there’s no real or pretend grille.

A horizontal bar with the BYD insignia on it merges into narrow sweeping LED headlights with a thin band of LED daytime running lights between them.

The profile is similar to many similarly-sized SUVs although we did love the design of the 18-inch alloy wheels.

We find the ‘Build Your Dreams’ lettering spaced across the rear a bit too quirky.

We understand that some owners have been able to successfully remove the letters without causingdamage–butdon’ttakeourwordforit.

The rear also features a full width LED brake light and powered tailgate.

Four colours are offered. White is standard while the other three (grey, blue and red) are $700 extra.

Interior

When you step inside the BYD Atto 3 Monty Python’scatchphrase“AndNowForSomething Completely Different” springs to mind.

It is very different with a number of groundbreaking interior features.

We reckon buyers who are willing to think outside the square and buy a BYD will love the adventurous approach of this newcomer to the Australian market.

With predominantly sculpted soft-touch materials, overall build quality and fit and finish of the Atto 3 is excellent.

Some of the features are gimmicky, others are functional. Some are both, such as the three guitar-type strings that act as sides of the door storage pockets, but which are just asking to be twanged.

We shudder to think how annoying that couldbeonalongtripwithchildrenintherear.

After initially searching for the interior door handles, we found they were flip-up levers on top of the small round speakers in each door. In this case however form and function combined nicely and we quickly adapted to them.

Large circular air vents dominate the front of the centre console but are easy to adjust and provide excellent air flow.

In front of the driver is a 5.0-inch screen that effectively combines a head-up display with a digital instrument panel cluster.

The front seats are large, supportive and comfortable although the headrests are moulded into the seatbacks, so they can’t be adjusted.

They also partially block forward vision of rear-seat occupants.

Otherwise, rear passengers are well catered for with a similarly comfortable bench seat, although they do have adjustable headrests.

There’s plenty of leg, ankle and headroom with the flat floor making the centre seat more bearable than vehicles with a transmission tunnel.

The air vents are the same design as those in the front.

The panoramic sunroof extends across the full roof with a powered blind, although only the front section can be opened.

Available boot space ranges from 440 to 1340 litres with a powered bootlid and two adjustable floor levels.

There is no spare wheel, just a tyre repair kit below the boot floor.

Safety

Atto 3 scores a full five stars for safety, with an extensive list of safety equipment, starting with seven airbags, six radars, adaptive cruise control with stop/start, automatic emergency braking,frontandrearcollisionwarning,blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert and braking.

There are front and rear parking sensors, rear-view 360-degree cameras, Isofix child seat anchor points and hill descent control.

Infotainment

The standout feature is the 12.0-inch high-definition tablet-style touchscreen which, at the touch can rotate between landscape and portrait format.

So, for features like map and camera displays it works best in landscape, while for most other features, portrait is not only more suitable but also brings the screen within closer reach of the driver.

The original Atto 3 did not come with either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto but these have been added with the MY2023 update and will also be installed as part of the latest upgrade for earlier models.

Apple CarPlay is wired, Android Auto is wireless.

There is a wireless smartphone charging pad at the base of the front console.

Sound comes through an eight-speaker Dirac digital audio system.

There are USB-C and USB-A ports underneath the centre console and also in the rear.

Thecamerasprovidealargevarietyoffeatures including a dashcam which automatically records and saves action in front of the car.

The videos are stored on a memory card which can be extracted and the videos transferred to an external source. Very handy if there are any incidents or even to monitor the driving habits of different drivers. Young or inexperienced drivers – you have been warned!

Driving

At this point in time, BYD doesn’t have the same media fleet as almost all other brands, so we weren’t able to conduct our normal week-long test.

Fortunately, however, one of our neighbours recently bought an Atto 3 and she was able to give us a guided tour of the car and let us take it around our usual drive route.

Apart from the normal key fob the Atto 3 comes with a plastic card which opens and closes the car by tapping it on the driver’s side door handle.

Entry is quite easy even for larger occupants and the seats are large, supportive and comfortable.

There’s an aircraft-style gear selector which is fun to use.

Like all other electrified vehicles, the instant torque provides exhilarating speed off the mark. The dash to 100km/h takes 7.3 seconds which is brisk but not nearly as quick as many EVs.

Drive is to the front wheels through a single speedtransmission,withasingleelectricmotor for the front axle that puts out 150kW of power and 310Nm of torque.

The standard model gets a 49.92kWh battery and the long range, 60.48kWh.

Regardless, energy consumption is 16.0kWh/100km with a driving range that is listed for the two variants at 410km and 480km under the old NEDC system or 345km and 420km using the more realistic WLTP measure.

Our test car was the Atto 3 Extended Range variant.

Atto 3 Standard Range: $48,011

Atto 3 Extended Range: $51,011

SPECIFICATIONS

BYD Atto 3 fully-electric five-door SUV

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

Itslargerbatterybringskerbweightto1750kg -- 70kg heavier than the Standard Range. Inevitably extra weight affects performance and we found the Extended Range Atto 3 a little more sluggish than competitors with lighter batteries.

So, something of a trade-off there.

The car’s regenerative braking has only two modes, standard and high, operated by a small toggle lever on the centre console rather than the more convenient steering wheel paddles of most EVs.

Nor is there a single-pedal option so the brake pedal needs to be employed to bring the car to a stop.

Atto 3 is built on 400-volt electrical architecture and supports maximum AC charging (Type 2) of 7 kW (standard) or 11 kW (option) as well as DC fast charging (CCS2) at a maximum rate of either 70kW (Standard Range) or 80kW (Extended Range).

It does have V2L (Vehicle-To-Load) charging which allows external items to be powered from the vehicle.

Summing up

More and more people are asking us about fully-electric cars. Our standard response is to hold off until prices reduce and the driving ranges increase.

That time is moving closer, triggered mainly by the arrival of Chinese EVs such as the MG ZS EV, GMW Ora and – most impressive of all – the BYD Atto 3.

Although it lacks the head-turning looks and performance of rivals such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV 6, the Atto 3 is significantly cheaper and, at the end of the day, most EV owners are looking for sensible, affordable transport rather than sportiness.

There’s no doubt the Atto 3’s interior, with its combination of quirkiness and gee-whiz technology, will attract most sales.

So, if you are going to take one for a test drive, and we’d certainly recommend doing so, then set aside plenty of time to experiment with the many features.

It’s an ideal size for a small family and for urban commuting, with very competitive pricing.

And, with zero emissions, the planet will thank you.

Pacers only just beginning with a full, fit squad

After taking almost all season, the Whittlesea Pacers have their full squad to choose from for the Big V men’s division 2 finals.

The dominant team of the division with just one loss for the season, the Pacers have juggled injuries and availability the season.

It took until the final week of the season for Des Radoslovic to have the whole squad available to pick from.

“It’s been good so far,” he said. ”To be 17-1 we would have taken that coming in.

“We were pretty confident that the squad would have a really positive season and be up there competing for a championship.

“The weekend was the first time we had every player available with Ash Bryar coming back from injury.

“To be 17-1 is almost a best case scenario.”

The Pacers were just two points away from completing the perfect regular season, with

the

their only loss a one point loss to the second placed Altona Gators.

Radoslovic said looking back it was the loss they needed to have.

“Sometimes you have to have a loss,” he said. “Sometimes winning papers over the cracks.

“Until you lose a game, it doesn’t make you pay. It was a positive for us, we showed where we are vulnerable and that we aren’t invincible.”

The Pacers strength this season has been their depth. Pat Green, Gabe Evans, Jason Dirkx, Bryar, Angus Fischer and Max Stojanovic are all averaging double points per game.

The Pacers had the first week off of the finals, as reward for finishing on top of the ladder.

While some teams don’t like having the week off, Radoslovic said it was the ideal situation.

The Pacers need to win just one match to make the grand final.

He said the team would stay ready over the weekend off, with their eyes firmly focused making it to the decider.

Jets eye a spot in finals

By Tara Murray

The confidence continues to grow for Greenvale as it aims to return to Essendon District Football League premier division finals for the first time since 2018.

The Jets have been one of the surprise packets of the 2023 season, which has seen the team rise into finals contention.

The Jets were sitting sit in fifth spot percentage behind fourth placed Strathmore.

Jets coach Darren Bewick said the group had been slowly building this season and were starting to get the reward.

“We have the last couple of months been playing some good footy,” he said. ”It’s really good and on the back of time getting new players in.

“The way they have gelled together the last couple of months has been really good and we’re getting the results.”

Bewick said with the results the confidence and the vibe around the club had grown and it was the best it had been at his time at the club.

On Saturday, the Jets were able to beat Aberfeldie for a second time this season, winning 13.5 (83)-12.9 (81).

Bewick said the match showed how far the group had come the last couple of years. “They’re a really good club and we’ve beat them twice in a year and we have not done that for a little while,” he said.

“We had a really good start and once we were challenged we were able to hang on and get the points.

“In past games, since I have been there, games like that we would have been over run. But the maturity of the group to beat them shows that we are doing the right thing.”

While Section Road is a good place to be at the moment, Bewick knows things can change pretty quickly.

He said the playing group was to return to September action.

“It’s been a while and some of the players have not been there,” he said. “Some are desperate to get a chance before finishing up.

“We have to continue to do the right things and that counts to what we are doing.”

The Jets have a bye this week as part of the split round.

Bewick said it comes at the right time to allow the players to freshen up and get away from the club.

After the break, the Jets face bottom side Maribyrnong Park.

“We will get back for the last four weeks of the season and hopefully we finish off the season well,” Bewick said.

“Strathmore will keep coming and East Keilor has been playing really good. We have to keep winning and see where we end up.”

The Jets last week announced that Bewick had signed on for another sign.

In a change, all finals will be best-of-one, instead of best-of-three which has been the case for a lot of the finals, including the grand final, in recent years.

“It is different,” Radoslovic said. “In a best-of-three grand final series you back yourself to win two of three games and if you don’t you tip your hat knowing you were beaten by a better team.

“In one game, anything can happen.”

It isn’t just the Pacers senior side’s that have had strong seasons, with both their youth league men’s and women’s sides making finals.

The youth league men’s side finished on top of their pool. Radoslovic said they had worked really hard on that connection between the two sides and there’s plenty of good signs for the future.

Tara Murray

Nathan Pappin steps up at Craigieburn

Craigieburn has turned to within for its new coach for the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division season.

The Eagles announced in late July thatNathanPappinhadbeenappointed coach, replacing Chris Laffan, who has been appointed Vanuatu coach.

Pappin said it was a new challenge he was excited for.

“It is good,” he said. “I was keen to get involved and help out the guys and follow on from what Chris did in the past.

“The thought of coaching was always thereabouts. I’ve done a lot of coaching of my daughters in netball and I’ve been an assistant coach a couple of times.

“It’s something that I’ve always been interested in.”

The club announced that Josh Eaton will remain as captain of the first XI side.

Matt English to assist in training and providing a link for the younger group of players transitioning from underage to senior cricket, while Maddy Bisht returns to the club and will take on the role of batting coach across the playing group.

Pappin said they wanted to continue to work on the progress that they’ve had the last couple of years.

The Eagles finished in ninth last season, but were in contention to play finals until the final round.

“The aim is to stay in senior division,” he said. “We want to push for finals, which would be the first time playing finals in senior division.

“We don’t have the bit money of some of the other clubs. We’re all locals who are pushing and trying to stay up there.”

Pappin said there had been a couple of guys who had moved to the area that were keen to come and play cricket at the club.

He said they were hoping the growth of Craigieburn would result in more players coming to the club.

The group had its first session two weeks ago.

There will be further announcements about player signings and the women’s coaching role role.

Tara Murray

Whittlesea Pacers are keen to go all

way. (Basketball Victoria)

Meanwhile, the Jets have also reappointed Troy Newton as senior women’s coach for next season. Newton joined Greenvale in 2021 and

under his leadership the women’s program has gone from strength to strength. The women’s side starts finals this week, taking on Burnside Heights.

Nat Caruso (Jacob Pattison) 330731_01

Craigieburn City’s big opportunity for a top finish

Craigieburn City knows there’s plenty of hard work to do if it’s to secure a top two spot and promotion in FV state league 3 north-west.

Craigieburn sits in third spot after 19 rounds, but only five points separates the top five teams with four rounds remaining.

CraigieburncoachMichaelLochesaiditwas pretty big for the club to be in this situation at thepointyendoftheseasonconsideringitwas still a fairly new club.

“We’re doing OK,” he said. “It’s a season like no other as on any given week, anyone can beat anyone.

“Thatiswhatyouwant.Tohavetheexposure is really good. We have a massive junior base and the opportunity to possibly play in state league 2 in the years to come is exciting.”

Loche said the biggest thing for them this season and their improvement was greater depth in the squad.

He said it was something that had looked to add in the off season, to ensure that they have all bases covered.

“We had some significant injuries to our captain,vice-captainandafewothers,”hesaid.

“It has not derailed our season as it would have in previous seasons.

“We wanted to build a squad that challenged at the end of the year, not just

the starting 11.

“Some missed out early in the season, but it has been a squad mentality.”

Craigieburn’s run home starts with a clash

with Sunbury United away on Saturday at Langama Park.

It was a disappointing match for Craigieburn, losing 4-1.

SunburygotanearlyleadbeforeCraigieburn levelled the scores through a penalty.

A red card led to Craigieburn going a man down and Sunbury regaining the lead.

From there on Sunbury dominated proceedings and ran out deserved winners, with Loche hoping this match doesn’t define their season.

There is a catch up round this week, followed by matches with Heidelberg Eagles (first), Western Eagles (fifth) and Sebastopol Vikings (eighth).

Loche knows there will be no easy games as they aim to lock up a top two spot.

“We take it one week at a time,” he said. “We’ve been doing that the second half of the year.

“We can’t afford much of a split up.

“It’s a great opportunity but we need lots to go right to achieve a top two spot.”

Tara Murray

Haig Fawkner’s future unclear

The future of Haig Fawkner in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association remains unclear after a motion to expel the club was postponed.

Clubs were set to vote on the membership of the senior division club at Wednesday night’s annual general meeting.

A motion was passed to adjourn the matter while legal action between Haig and the association was ongoing.

The legal action stems from a match in January where several Haig players received heavy suspensions following a Sunshine United game, where the ball was tampered with.

VTCA president Zoran Havranek said had the motion been successful and Haig’s legal action was also successful, it could have led to more legal action.

“There was a motion to adjourn the matter until after the court matter is settled,” he said.

“A settlement was prepared and given to Haig last week. They wanted to wait until after the annual general meeting.

Farrelly leaves the party

By Tara Murray

Outgoing Roxburgh Park coach Michael Farrelly is proud to leave the club in a better place than when he started.

The Essendon District Football Club announced on Tuesday that Farrelly had decided to call time on his coach at the end of this season.

Farrelly joined the club for the 2018 season and guided the club to its first premiership that year, winning the division 2 flag.

The Magpies then defied expectations to remainindivision1,wheretheyarestilltoday.

They currently sit in seventh spot, with seven wins for the season.

Farrelly said it was sad but exciting at the same time.

“Six years is a long time,” he said. “You get an inclination when a fresh face is needed.

“I’m a big believer in leaving a party while you’re still having fun, not leaving a few hours after you should have left.

“The relationships are still good, but the boys need a new voice.”

Farrelly said the club had come a long way

since he started. When he was appointed there were only seven contracted players and only 11 turned up to the first training session.

“To see where we have gone from there to now, it’s been pretty crazy,” he said. “Through COVID is there as well.

“I’m very proud of where it is at. Hopefully we can get someone to come in who has really good knowledge of the local footy area and has lots of contacts to help get some more sponsors on board.”

While being the club’s first senior premiership coach, Farrelly said it’s the friendships that he treasures the most at the club.

He said there would be a lot of lifelong friendships that he would take away with him.

“Where I am with my career, I really value the friendships and relationships,” he said.

“I leave the place with good memories. The flag is something that you can always look at, but it’s the telling the stories at the club and catching up for dinner that I’ll enjoy much.”

Farrelly said it’s too early to say whether he will coach again, as it’s about looking forward to spending some more time with

his young family.

Fornow,Farrellyisgoingtoenjoywhattime he has left as Magpies coach. The side are still a chance to make finals, but need everything to go right.

“It has been one of those seasons,” he said. “I’ve never been one to have excuses, but we’ve been decimated with injuries.

“Westillhavefourweeksleft,ifwecanbreak even it’s the same as last season. Hopefully we can go further than that.”

On Saturday, the Magpies, kept its finals hopes alive with a win against Keilor Park.

After dropping their last five games, the Magpies were to sneak home against the Devils, winning 7.10 (52)-7.5 (47).

Cooper McPharlane kicked five goals for the Magpies.

The Magpies remain in seventh spot and are two games outside the top five.

Craigieburn is now two games outside the top five after losing to Rupertswood, while Westmeadows and Tullamarine both suffered losses.

“There was meant to be a directions hearing on Friday, but we’ve found a subsequent conflict of interest with Haig’s lawyers as they’ve done work for the VTCA in the past.”

Havranek said with the legal fees being covered by money that would normally go back to clubs, they don’t want to incur any additional costs.

While the motion about Haig’s future in the competition was adjourned, a separate motion in regards to the de-registration of five Haig players who were involved in the ball tampering matter went ahead.

The five were de-registered from the competition, after 32 clubs voted in favour, 21 against and six abstained from voting in a secret ballot. Once the suspensionsinplaceareover,theplayers are able to play in other competitions.

At the meeting, the association elected a new vice-president while it is set to elect three new board members as well. Havranek said they were changing the makeup of the tribunal following the critique after the Haig situation, while the appeals board will now be made up of clubs.

Information will be provided on the association’s website following appeal hearings.

(Supplied)

Michael Farrelly (Shawn Smits)

Demons focus switches to their finals campaign

Mernda is making the most of being able to try things and rest players as it prepares for Northern Football League division 3 finals.

On Saturday, the Demons officially sealed a finals spot with three rounds remaining, but coach Robert Fletcher said they felt like they had sewn up a finals spot a couple of weeks ago.

“We’ll definitely play finals and we’re trying to get the double chance,” he said.

“It’s really good with a young list. It’s been over 10 years since the club played finals, it’s an exciting time for everyone.”

On Saturday, the Demons were able to account for Kilmore, 11.9 (75)-8.7 (55).

It was one goal each in the first quarter, before the Demons kicked five goals to two in the second quarter to open the game up.

That would be the difference in the game with an even second half.

“Kilmore is always a four to five goal better side up there,” Fletcher said. “We had a good second quarter and it was even after that.

“We tried some little things with what we were doing and rested some guys for finals

with a couple of big games coming up.”

Bryce Kimuliatis kicked four goals for the Demons, while Michael Evans, Billy Morrison and Riley Edwards kicked two goals apiece.

Fletcher said Morrison was one of the

standouts along with Joel Harris and Dayne Kellett.

One downside was a knee injury to Daniel Smith, who didn’t play much of the game. Fletcher said that it was just bruising.

Bugden hands in notice

By Tara Murray

Peter Bugden will step down as Thomastown coach at the end of the Northern Football League division 2 season, with his heart no longer in it.

Bugden, who returned to coaching this season after previous stints at Whittlesea and Craigieburn, said that he didn’t feel like he could give 100 per cent to the role going forward.

“Iletthem[theclub]knowacoupleofweeks ago what was going on,” he said.

“I’m 57 in February and I was thinking to myself there is a lot of work in coaching.

“I have said throughout the process it’s a challenge coaching a football club. It takes a hell of a lot of work, 30 hours a week during the season.

“As you get older other things become more important.”

Bugden said he returned to coaching to see whether he still enjoyed it like he used to and always said to the club that he would reassess

after the season.

He said he knew pretty early on that he wasn’t likely to coach on for a second year.

“There’s a lot of great people at the club,” he said. “There’s still a fair bit of work to be done.

“I had to think about what I want to do with my time. I’m freshly retired from the police force and I want to do a bit of travelling.”

President Rob Mazniovski said there were mixed emotions about the departure of Bugden.

He said Bugden had poured his heart and soul into the club.

“As many of you may know, coaching is not just a passion, it’s a way of life. In his many years as senior coach at three different clubs he has witnessed significant change in the world of coaching,” he said.

“The demands and challenges have grown, making it a greater sacrifice for him and his family and not something he feels he can commit to any longer.”

Mazniovski acknowledged that the results hadn’t been what they had hoped, but said

Bugden had remained steadfast in his dedication to the club.

He said Bugden had played a pivotal role in creating an enjoyable environment that fosters growth on and off the field.

“It is important to us to acknowledge the immense contribution Peter has made to our club,” he said.

“In particular his contribution and push to help us field an under-19s side for the time in over a decade.”

TheBearssitinseventhspotafter14rounds, two games outside the top five.

Bugden said they were still a mathematical change of making finals and he was 100 per cent committed for the rest of this year.

On Saturday, the Bears beat Lower Plenty, 13.12 (90)-11.11 (77).

“We should get Ty Leonardis, Anthony Capeci, Michael Tang and Anthony Bradford back this week,” he said.

“There’s a lot of players coming back into the team. We’ve played 46 players and seven under-19s, more than the rest of the division.”

After 14 rounds, the Demons sit in second spot, percentage ahead of Laurimar. The Demons have played one less game.

Fletcher said they would continue to focus on finals for the rest of the regular season, starting with fourth placed Heidelberg West this Saturday.

“Everyone wants to get the double chance,” he said. “We’ve worked hard to play finals and we want to get the opportunity to get the double chance.

“We really want to make sure they are ready to play come the first week of finals. Make sure of a few different things to do come finals time.”

LaurimarhadagoodwinagainstHeidelberg West on Saturday to remain in the mix for a top two spot.

The Power did the damage in the first half to set the game up before running away with it in the second half to win, 19.13 (127)-8.16 (64). Meanwhile, Lalor’s hopes of a first win for the season ended in disappointment, losing 13.13 (91)-4.12 (36) to Reservoir.

Tara Murray

Vander Ross departs Whittlesea

Whittlesea coach Wayne Vander Ross hasstooddownascoachoftheNorthern Football League division 1 side.

The Eagles issued a statement on social media about the coaching change at the club in late July.

“It is with regret that the Whittlesea Football Netball Club announce that senior coach Wayne Vander Ross is stepping down from the position effective immediately,” the statement said.

“Wayne informed the club of his decisiononMondaynightandinformed the player group Tuesday prior to training.

“Whittlesea would like to thank Wayne for his efforts in what has been a difficult and tough season and wish Wayne and his family all the best for the future.”

Paul Higgins will head the coaching team for the rest of the season, assisted by senior assistant coaches Cam McCormick and James Robinson and development coaches Jack Dyson and Andrew Draper.

Vander Ross joined the club this year, after the club parted ways with Blair Harvey part way through last season.

It’s been a tough season for the Eagles without a win after 14 rounds. The last of those matches was without Vander Ross with the side losing to Macleod, 12.11 (83)-4.10 (34).

The Eagles will be relegated at the end of the season, sitting four games and percentage behind West Preston-Lakeside with four games remaining.

The Eagles have spent four seasons back in the top division, but just two full ones due to COVID-19.

The Eagles had a bye at the weekend, with no division 1 matches with a division wide bye.

The Eagles this week face West Preston-Lakeside.

Bundoora, which is in fourth spot, faces Greensborough. A win would leave the Bulls three games clear of sixth placed Greensborough and almost seal a finals spot.

Tara Murray

Mernda is finals bound. (NWM Sports)

Peter Bugden

Eagles’ promotion fight with three rounds to go

Uni Hill Eagles are exactly where it wants to be at the pointy end of the FV state league 3 north-west season.

While only in their first season at this level, the Eagles are well and truly in the promotion mix, sitting in the top two with three rounds remaining.

President Firass Ibrahim said it would be an interesting last month to the season.

“That win yesterday [Saturday] got us back on top of the ladder with a game in hand,” he said.

“The five to six is separated by five or six points. After losing a couple of games the win was really important.

“The good thing is the top two go up and that is what we are looking at.”

The Eagles had lost their last two games heading into Saturday’s match with the Westside Strikers.

The club hadn’t lost two games in a row for a couple of years, nor lost at home before that period.

The Eagles scored in the 12th minute through Danny Barakat and they would ultimately be the only goal in the game, with the Eagles winning 1-0.

“It’s been intense the last few weeks,” Ibrahim said. “We’ve had a lot of injuries and we lost two in a row.

“The results went our way on the weekend with the teams we wanted to lose, losing and the teams we wanted to win, winning.”

The Eagles fate and promotion could rest with a couple of matches against Heidelberg Eagles in the last four weeks.

The two teams play a catch up match this Saturday and then again in the final round of the season.

Heidelberg was sitting equal on points with

the Eagles as of Sunday, but still had their round 19 match to come on Monday night, after deadline.

Ibrahim said it’ll be a pretty big end to the season.

He said they weren’t looking too far ahead about what a second promotion would mean for the club with the closeness of the competition.

He said they would only look back once the season is done.

In a pleasing sign, their women’s side, which also claimed a state league 4 title last season, is also in the mix for a second straight promotion.

“They are two points from top spot and play Pascoe Vale in a few weeks. They’re beating everyone and we had a draw against them and we’ve only lost one game for the year.”

Season over for Eagles

By Tara Murray

Nothing went right for the Craigieburn Eagles in the back end of the Big V division 1 women’s season, which came to an end on Saturday night.

Aiming to return to finals this season, the Eagles season looked bright with about five weeks remaining.

Butinjuriesandplayersaway,tookatolland the Eagles limped into finals in fourth spot.

On Saturday night the Eagles faced Western Port in an elimination final, with their season on the line.

Despite doing a lot of things right, it was heartbreak for the Eagles that lost 60-51.

Eagles coach Andrew Seidel was pretty flat following the result.

“We were unlucky,” he said. “We threw everything at them bar the kitchen sink,” he said.

“They were able to hit more crucial shots than we were.

“Had you said to me six weeks ago we would make play offs and keep them to 60 points, I

would have said we would win the game.

“All season we have stored more than 51 points, the shots just didn’t drop.”

The Eagles led by three points after the first break, before the Steelers led by two points at the half.

The Steelers managed to open up a nine point lead heading into the final quarter, which would be a match winning one.

The Eagles gave it everything in the last quarter, but shot at just 33 per cent from the field and nine per cent from beyond the three point line.

Seidel said there was some real mixed emotions with the result, knowing that they played some really good basketball and were able to get the shots they were after, without them falling

“It just didn’t roll our way,” he said.

“Nothing went our way, which was the most frustrating thing.

“We can’t say much more. Had we won the game and got to play Mildura this week we would have been confident even if it was in Mildura.”

Demi Albon top scored with 18 points for the Eagles, while Courtney Strait had 12 points.

Despite not getting the ending they were after, Seidel said they would look back on this season as a positive one after a tough 2022 for the team.

“We wanted to make the play offs,” he said. “Five weeks ago we put ourselves into play off contention.

“Hopefully we can build on that. Good teams and good clubs bounce back and aim to do something the next season.”

Meanwhile, Hume City Broncos will have a home final in the first week of the men’s championship division.

The Broncos beat Western Port on Sunday, 111-105 to seal second spot.

The Broncos will face the Sunbury Jets, with both sides to progress through to the second week of finals.

The Broncos women’s side will need to win their final two matches this week and hope results go their way to seal a finals berth in the championship division.

Sports shorts

NPL

A seven minute period proved costly for Hume City against the Melbourne Knights in the National Premier League on Saturday night. Hume scored the opener, before the Knights scored three goals in seven minutes to lead 3-1 at half time. Hume was able to find a second goal, but it wasn’t enough with the Knights winning, 4-2. After 24 rounds, Hume sits in ninth with six wins and six draws among its results.

Coates Talent League

The Calder Cannons proved too strong for the Dandenong Stingrays in the Coates Talent League boys competition on Saturday. The Cannons led by nine points at quarter time before it was reduced to six points at half time. Four goals to one opened the lead up to 29 points at the last break with the Cannons able to do enough in the last quarter to win, 12.13 (85)-7.9 (51). Damon Hollow was named the Cannons best. The Cannons sit fourth on the ladder.

EDFL

Three of the five senior Essendon District Football League grand final days will be held at Windy Hill. The women’s grand final day on August 20, the division 1 grand final day on September 16 and the premier division grand final day on September 23 will all be held at Windy Hill. The division 2 grand final day will be held at Coburg City Oval on September 9. The thirds grand final will be played at Sewell Reserve on August 25.

Danny Barakat scored the winning goal. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 350282_13

Molly Young looks to put a shot up. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 350267_13