Star Weekly - Melton Moorabool - 27th February 2024

Take me to Fungi Town

As the Blackwood Woodchop and Easter Carnival looms closer, one local artist is making sure the forest-town’s fabulous fungi are celebrated.

Kathy Holowko is an artist and Blackwood and Barry’s Reef Landcare Group member, who became “obsessed” with fungi during her COVID-walks around Blackwood during lockdown. Her obsession led to the creation of the Fungi Town Caravan - an eye-catching artwork that also uses science-diorama elements to inspire and educate.

Over the last couple of years Fungi Town has been touring the region, popping into schools, festivals and markets to spread the fungi love as far and wide as Yarra, Knox and Moonee Ponds.

Ms Holowko said at the Blackwood Woodchop and Easter Carnival on March 30, Fungi Town will finally get to make its home-town debut in the annual Easter parade.

“Blackwood is a fungi town, it has a thriving array of fungi and I really wanted to celebrate this very special occurrence in our town and perhaps help people understand a little more about them through the fun of art and art making,” she said.

Details: https://www.facebook.com/ BlackwoodLandcare

Fight to say goodbye

By Liam McNally

Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult times of life, and for many a funeral is the last chance to express that love publicly.

Not being able to perform this ceremony in a way that is appropriate to the individual’s wishescanbeheartbreaking,butforAustralia’s Hindu community of more than 641,000, that’s happening everyday.

The community around Rockbank’s Sri Durga Temple is at the forefront of addressing this issue.

Amit Sharma’s mother was a devout Hindu, when she passed away suddenly in 2019. It was his responsibility to organise how

to say farewell. The primary funeral ritual in Hinduism is known as Antyesti, which translates to ’last sacrifice’ or ’last rite’.

The Antyesti ceremony typically involves several stages that include preparation of the body, procession to the cremation ground, cremation, a mourning period and immersing the deceased’s ashes in water.

Each stage has specific rituals to accompany it, with cremation being a central element.

Within a day of passing the body is placed on a funeral pyre which is then lit by the eldest son. It symbolises the final act of detachment from the physical body. The fire is believed to purify the soul and facilitate its journey to the afterlife.

Antyesti typically takes place over the 15

days after passing.

When Amit was organising his mother’s Antyesti he was shocked to find almost every stage either couldn’t be provided in Australia or had to be heavily compromised.

This included waiting a week for cremation, and days again to be provided with the ashes. One compromise was that although Amit couldn’t cremate his mother on an open pyre, he was provided with a tv screen to watch it on, but even the camera stopped working. The rituals are so typical in India that Amit equates it to an Australian of Christian background being told there’s no land to bury a body.

“We couldn’t do anything she wanted, not even one per cent,” he said.

“It’s very heartbreaking for us.”

DurbaDhiman,fromTaylorsHill,hasheard of many similar experiences. She said when her friend passed away from cancer the body being held in a morgue for two weeks was traumatising for her friend’s two children. She said people have to weigh up sending deceased loved ones back to India, at a cost of tens of thousands of dollars, to ensure their send off done in a way that is appropriate for Hindu people. Currently, Melbourne’s largest new cemetery in 100 years is being designed for Harkness. The 128 hectare site is billed as a “reimagined public cemetery”.

■ Continued: Page 5

Kathy Holowko with her Fungi Town Caravan. (Damjan Janevski) 390493_01

“I went for a job and was asked to stand up and turn around so he could decide…”

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Katherine Teh shares her experience of workplace gendered violence. To learn more about your rights at work, search WorkSafe Gendered Violence.

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Appeal lodged over WRL verdict

The Regional Victoria Power Alliance (RVPA) has submitted an application to appeal the verdict handed down by the Supreme Court late last year relating to the Western Renewables Link (WRL).

The WRL is a proposed 190 kilometre overhead high-voltage electricity transmission line that will carry renewable energy from Bulgana, through Moorabool and Melton to Sydenham and requires the acquisition of an easement corridor 100 metres wide along its path.

RVPA is the trading name of the Moorabool and Central Highlands Power Alliance (MCHPA) which is a legal entity acting

on behalf of landholders, businesses, and communities along the entire lengths of both proposed project corridors.

In September 2023, the MCHPA challenged the February and May 2023 ‘VNI West and WRL’ Ministerial Orders in the Supreme Court.

These orders, spearheaded by Energy and Resources Minister Lily D’Ambrosio, aimed to fast-track the construction of transmission towers and lines for the WRL and the related VNI-West project.

The court handed down a verdict on December 20 in favour of the minister, with Judge Michael McDonald ruling that the

MCHPA did have standing to bring the matter to court, but rejected all 10 grounds on which the MCHPA challenged the orders.

RVPA submitted its appeal on February 16 and is currently waiting for a directions hearing to determine the next steps.

MCHPA chair Emma Muir said she believes the Ministerial Orders “cannot be democratically justified”.

“Weareappealingthisjudgementvigorously to defend our homes, farms, businesses, and the environment,” she said. “The proposed route for these transmission projects runs through Victoria’s most high-risk bushfire areas as well as prime agricultural land

An eggs-ellent time for a party

If your kids are buzzing with excitement in the lead up to Easter, they’ll have the perfect chance to dance it off at The GAP on Graham’s Easter Disco.

The action will be underway from 6pm to 8pm on Friday, March 22.

The evening will include lots of dancing, with 979fm’s Homework Club playing the music and joining in with all the fun, an Easter raffle, a Best Easter Bonnet Competition and face painting.

The local Proactive Police Unit will be there as well as Melton CFA, Melton Valley Rotary,

Lions Club of Melton, GAP on Graham volunteers and the cafe will be open with all the favourites.

The GAP on Graham Inc is a not-for-profit organisation that has been established for the youth of Melton, president Val Turner said that with the help of amazing emergency services, community groups and volunteers their discos provide a friendly, safe and fun family environment.

“I love that everyone joins in the fun, dressing up and joining in with the dancing,” she said.

Grants to celebrate youths

The skills and achievements of Victoria’s young people will be on show right across the state later this year at Youth Fest, a month-long festival supported by the state government.

Grants of $2,000 are available for sector organisations, local government and schools in Melton to partner with Victorians aged 12 to 25 to create a wide variety of youth-specific events.

Melton MP Steve McGhie said funding of $220,000 would be available for up to 110 events that will be designed for and by young Victorians.

“The Allan Labor Government is proud to support this wonderful program, giving the young people of Melton the opportunity to have their voices heard,“ he said.

“Victorian Youth Fest gives the young people in Melton the chance to forge

connections not only with their peers but also their community, as well as to lead positive change.”

Youth Fest kicks off in September, with this investment supporting young people to organise and deliver events, showcase their skills, share ideas, build social connections, and expand their networks.

In 2023, the Youth Fest program funded 111 activities including those focused on art, music, sport and theatre, as well as recreational and community festivals, giving young Victorians the chance to have their voices heard.

Applications are open until March 15. Information and applications are available online. Details: https://www.vic.gov.au/ youth-fest-grants.

“I can’t wait to see all of the amazing Easter costumes and of course there will be Easter-y prizes for costumes and best dancers.

“We keep costs to a minimum to help make it as accessible as possible for local families. We are hoping to keep the discos going quarterly - Easter, mid year then Halloween and pre-Christmas.”

The disco is aimed at children aged five to 12, tickets are $5 for kids and free for adults. RSVP via TryBooking. Details: https://www.trybooking.com/events/ landing/1184528

placing an unacceptable increased risk on these communities. These projects will have significant and detrimental generational impacts on the environment due to the extensive removal of native vegetation and the destructionofmorethan475,000maturenative trees, this will cause serious loss of biomass and wildlife. By appealing the judgement, we are fighting to protect invaluable agricultural land, homes, and livelihoods from irreversible damage. It’s not just a battle for today but for the future of Regional Victoria and the generations to come.”

Lily D’Ambrosio’s office was contacted for comment.

Fighting to say goodbye

■ From page 1.

The community around Sri Durga Temple in Rockbank see this as the perfect opportunity for an Australian cemetery to cater for Antyesti ceremonies.

Vivek Sharma said they’re pushing for “three acres plus parking” on the site to establish a Shivpuri to conduct Antyesti in.

Greater Melbourne Cemetery Trust (GMCT) operates 19 cemeteries in Melbourne,andHarknesswillbeits20th.

GMCT chief executive Andrew Eriksen said GMCT does its best to cater for Melbourne’s Hindu population, including through cremation viewing roomsand24-hourcremation“wherever possible”.

He didn’t confirm whether Harkness would or wouldn’t accommodate Antyesti ceremonies.

“It’s complex as it’s never been done before in Australia,” he said.

“Considerations would have to address health, environmental concerns, amenity and other legislative requirements. We also need to balance it with broader community expectations.”

Vivek said he believes the general public is not worried about Antyesti services, and he wants to see movement from authorities on planning to provide them.

“We live in a multicultural society, I think general the public is not very worried about it… it’s a really important part of our lives,” he said.

“I’m a proud Australian and I want to live with pride, and I also want to say goodbye in pride.”

SPECIALISTS

The Gap on Graham’s Dot and Alan Perry and Steven and Tania Montabello. (Damjan Janevski) 390510_04

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Athletic travel boosted

AtitsannualawardsnighttheSunshineWestern Region Sports Club announced a $20,000 initiative for young athletes in Melbourne’s west. All 10 of its monthly Don Deeble winners were awarded a $2000 travel voucher thanks to the Deer Park Club’s support of the SWRSC. The money will cover the cost when the athlete is travelling overseas or interstate for their sporting commitments, each year. SWRSC president Barry Watson said the vouchers line up with the club’s mission statement, which is ‘torecogniseandfinanciallyassistyoungpeople in the western suburbs with their chosen sport.’

“Some of our monthly Don Deeble winners are travelling to Thailand, China, USA, Bosnia and England to compete in tournaments,” he said. “Their parents are working hard to cover those costs.”

Deer Park Club vice president Steve Davey said on behalf of the club they were delighted to provide this support.

“We are so proud to be associated with such talented young individuals and right at this time we are in a position as a club to support them,” he said.

The additional support from the Deer Park Club takes the annual sponsorship for the sport club’s athletes to more than $50,000. The Yarraville Club Cricket Club had been the major sponsor of the Don Deeble Award for nearly 20 years, which has allowed the club to donate more than $20,000 a year to its athletes.

The sports club meets on the last Wednesday each month at the Medway Golf Club for a dinner to recognise that month’s award recipient.

Briefs

Teens charged after chase

Police have arrested five teenagers after an extended chase in Aintree on Wednesday, February 22. It is alleged that officers spotted the teens attempting to break into cars at about 11.45pm. With assistance from Airwing, the car was followed through Aintree before coming to a stop in Wyndham Vale. The teens were arrested at a residential property on Bellinger Crescent about 12.45am this morning. Two Wyndham Vale boys aged 16 and 17 have been charged with attempted theft of motor vehicle and handle stolen goods. They will face the children’s court at a later date.

Burglary investigation

Police are appealing for information following an aggravated burglary at a property in Kurunjang on December 6. Police understand four men gained entry to the Coburns Road property about 2.10am. It is believed the four men, who were armed with firearms, entered through the rear door, and rummaged through belongings. Paperwork was stolen from the property, and no one was injured. It is believed the four men fled in a white Toyota Hiace van, which has since been recovered by investigators. The four offenders were wearing jumpers, pants, and face coverings.

@star_weekly

Jacob Cassar won the overall Deeble award for 2023.

Action needed on ‘nasty’ road

By Gerald Lynch

Brimbank council will advocate for the safety of Taylors Road to be managed by the state goverment to avoid further accidents and fatalities.

Council will write to Road Safety Minister Melissa Horne asking that she declare Taylors Road between Kings Road and Westwood Drive a state-managed arterial road and provide additional lanes and supporting active transport infrastructure to match demand.

Councillor Maria Kerr is passionate about

finding a resolution, saying after another fatality on the ‘risky’ road, enough is enough.

“Taylors Road is an extremely busy and dangerous thoroughfare,” she said.

“We need the state government to listen to our concerns and declare this road state managed to avoid further accidents. There have been enough deaths and serious injuries. On behalf of the Brimbank community please help us fix this nasty, dangerous bottleneck.

“Not only are residents stuck in daily traffic jams, they’re also losing their lives.”

Local Aintree resident Kelly said the situation on Taylors Road has caused her

family to consider moving away from the area completely.

“All of us who reside in the Taylors Road corridor are having patience tested on a daily basis,” she said. “I’m not sure how much more we can stand. The commute to Taylors Lakes at 7.45am should not have me arriving at my destination after 9am.

“Daily, I am forced to join a five and an eight kilometre traffic jam and that is just to get my child to school and me to work.”

She said the road desperately needs to be duplicated to ease congestion for commuters.

Melton council has previously announced

Easter Festival hoppin’ into town

The award winning Bacchus Marsh EasterFest (BMEF) is hitting Maddingley Park on Good Friday, March 29.

BMEF is a volunteer-run family Easter Festival that raises funds for the Bacchus Marsh Hospital Urgent Care department and has raised more than $50,000 since 2015.

From 9.30am to 4pm the event will offer a wide range of events including egg hunts all day for multiple aged groups and a family hunt, an Easter Bonnet Parade on the main stage, local performers, rides and amusements, an animal farm, face painting, henna tattoo art, air brush tattoos, and a food

court and market.

Founder and event organiser at Moorafun, who is organising the day, Dotty Hazell said she’s excited for the event, especially on the backoftheBMEFbeingnamedthe2024event of the year by Moorabool council in January.

“It was very exciting to be nominated and actually receive the community event of the yearaward… itmakesitextraspecialknowing thatwhatstartedfromhumblebeginningshas become a formidable Festival,” she said.

Ms Hazell said the most special parts of the event are providing a platform for family togetherness and fund-raising.

“We have families who live maybe an hour or more on opposite sides of Bacchus Marsh, so they meet up at BMEF as a middle point,” she said.

“Donating to our local hospital has always been important. As a mum of 3, I frequented the urgent care department what felt like regularly at times.

“The donation helps the hospital to buy something on their wish list of upgrades or something that is in need of replacing.”

Moorafun is looking for extra volunteers and sponsors to help deliver this years event. Details: info@bacchusmarsheasterfest.org

planned works, including a duplication of lanes between Sinclairs Road and Plumpton Road with a timeline of five to 10 years, and a duplication of lanes between City Vista Court and Sinclairs Road with a timeline of up to five years.

A spokesperson for Minister Horne said “We’re monitoring the significant growth in Melbourne’s west and identifying ways to ease pressure on the transport network. The Department of Transport and Planning will work closely with Brimbank City Council to ensure the safety and efficiency of Taylors Rd, and its surrounding roads.”

Green bin inspections

Half of Melton’s landfill waste bins contain food that could be converted to organic compost a recent council audit has shown.

Green bins, collected fortnightly, take food scraps and garden waste to be turned into compost and distributed to parks, gardens, and farms around the state. From February until April, Melton council will carry out inspections on its Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) green bins throughout the municipality.

Inspections will provide residents with feedback via bin tags on how to sort organic waste correctly. An ‘Oh No!’ tag is attached when non-accepted items are found in the green bin. Staff tick or mention the contaminating items on the tag. Households sorting the green bin correctly receives a ‘thank-you’ tag and will enter a monthly draw.

Four winners will be selected each monthtoreceivea$100eGiftcardandbe listed on council’s website.

Since July 2021, residents have been able to opt into Council’s FOGO service at no additional charge. Uptake of the service across the City has risen to 80 per cent since the change. Council diverts more than 12,000 tonnes of food and garden material from general waste landfill annually.

Loose fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, offcuts, leftovers, as well as garden waste like branches, weeds and grass clippings are all able to be composted. Recent council audits estimated45percentoffoodwasteisstill going straight to landfill.

Data has also shown that the main contaminants of FOGO bins include food scraps and organic waste still in containers and bags.

Melton mayor Kathy Majdlik said putting our food and garden waste into a green bin is a simple step, but it has a huge impact on the amount of waste council sends to landfill each year.

“It reduces emissions, relieves pressure on council landfill and creates compost that is great for the garden,“ she said.

Young bunnies Sofia (1), Scarlett (3), Mikayla (6), Montana (4), Luna (4) and Jackson (9). (Damjan Janevski) 390486_01

Mayor’s message

Cr Kathy Majdlik

As Australia’s fastest growing municipality, the City of Melton’s road network is more important than ever before.

More than 440,000 people are expected to call our City home within the next three decades.

That’s why Council has begun the next stage of a vital road upgrade to improve safety and traffic flow at one of its busiest intersections.

The Caroline Springs Boulevard and Rockbank Middle Road project is just one of a series of vital upgrades being carried out across the municipality.

Council is working to replace the busy roundabout with traffic lights alongside an expansion and realignment of the road. Upgrades will help control vehicle movements, manage congestion, and provide safer crossing locations for cyclists and pedestrians alike.

Work on the intersection’s southwest corridor changed traffic direction on 19 February, and work will take place in different stages on each corner. Working on one corner at a time means Council can keep the intersection open while it undergoes upgrades.

We’re asking road users to take alternate routes where possible, take extra care to obey the direction of traffic signage and allow extra time for the journey. Pedestrian access and school crossings will be maintained, but some detours are in place.

We thank road users and local businesses for their patience and will keep the community updated as the project progresses. To keep updated and help make travel plans visit conversations.melton.vic.gov.au/ csboulevardrockbank middleworks

You’re welcome to contact me regarding Council matters at kathy.majdlik@melton.vic.gov.au or on 0412 584 058.

FlavourFest makes its 2024 return

Come and see some of the best the west has to offer at FlavourFest 2024. Bring the whole family and enjoy a range of food trucks, international cuisine, incredible live music, and fun for everyone. The event is proudly hosted by Melton City Council in partnership with Woodlea.

Enjoy a night of racing

Enjoy family fun, free rides and much more at the 2024 City of Melton Plate on 16 March. Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy a night of harness racing at Melton Entertainment Park, 2 Ferris Road, Cobblebank.

Gates open at 5pm, gold coin entry.

Families can also enjoy the Play Zone, a petting zoo or unwind in a dedicated wellness area complete with a beauty bar, family portraits and mini massages.

FlavourFest 2024 will run on 2 March from 12pm-9pm at Frontier Park, Aintree.

International Women’s Day collage workshop

Celebrate International Women’s Day with a collage workshop at the Melton Library and Learning Hub. Dig through vintage books and magazines to find images that catch your eye in a workshop that promises to turn traditional collage on its head. The workshop starts at 10am on 8 March. REGISTER: libraryevents.melton.vic.gov.au

Cambridge Ward with Cr Steve Abboushi

It is full steam ahead at Council after the holiday break.

One of the key projects we are working on is the Plumpton Aquatic and Wellness Centre.

The centre will be a destination for physical activity, participation and building community connections that will have wellbeing, accessibility and inclusion at the heart of its design.

Council has acquired land in Fraser Rise that will house the centre, and with nearly 170,000 people expected to live near Plumpton by 2040, we are committed to delivering an aquatic

centre our community deserves. You will have seen vital road upgrades underway around Cambridge Ward, including the duplication of Hume Drive between Gourlay Road and Calder Park Drive.

The work at Hume Drive will increase that stretch of road from two to four lanes, improving traffic flow and safety for all road users.

Go to conversations.melton.vic. gov.au/humedrive for updates.

Clean Up Australia Day is a fantastic opportunity to join family and friends to help clean up the local environment.

Quickly

Win a $50 shopping voucher

Win a shopping voucher and celebrate your heritage in a creative way this Cultural Diversity Week. Melton City Council has 10 $50 shopping vouchers to give away across three age groups.

All you need to do is share a creative way of celebrating cultural diversity. Write a poem, make a video, or whip up a creative poster. Entries must be uploaded to the council website by 11.59pm on 24 March to enter.

Please make sure you have the permission of any identifiable people in video footage or photos before entering.

Find out more: conversations. melton.vic.gov.au/celebratecultural-diversity-week

There are 17 sites across the City of Melton that are open for the public to join and help on the day. The sites include rivers and creeks, parks and school grounds. People can register to join an event at cleanup.org.au

Clean Up Australia Day is on Sunday 3 March, so let’s make a difference together.

Please feel free to contact me for Cambridge Ward or Council related issues on 0437 231 680 or steve.abboushi@melton.vic.gov.au, or like my Facebook page @AbbsMelton

Mayor Cr Kathy Majdlik

Deputy Mayor

Cr Steve Abboushi

Cr Lara Carli

Cr Justine Farrugia

Cr Goran Kesic

Cr Sophie Ramsey

Cr Julie Shannon

Cr Bob Turner

Cr Ashleigh Vandenberg

Speed up grasslands work: MP

A Western Metro MP has called on the state government to explain how it is accelerating its protection of the Western Grassland Reserve, and while the government said it has made progress, one environment group has called it a “failure”. The Western Grasslands Reserve is being set up as a part of the Melbourne Strategic Assessment (MSA) program to offset clearingofnativevegetationandanimalhabitat impacted by urban development that will take place in Melbourne’s growth areas.

Announced in 2010, the MSA promised to protect 15,000 hectares of grassland in Melton and Wyndham that contains multiple

endangered animal species and rare plants.

In 14 years the government has acquired about 21 per cent of the land required.

In parliament on February 20 Western Metro MP David Ettershank asked what the government is doing to accelerate the timely acquisitionofWesternGrasslandReserveland.

“We must move quicker to protect our critically endangered grasslands and the threatened species that inhabit them,” he said.

A state government spokesperson said approximately 3,205 hectares of land had been acquired.

“This was funded by the MSA levy which is

Meet new furry friends

Greyhounds 4 Rehoming is holding a special open day, providing a fun-filled family event where people can meet furry friends looking for a forever home.

Debbie Brewley is a greyhound racer who launched Greyhounds 4 Rehoming, a program that finds homes for ex-race dogs or their siblings who were never keen on competition.

All animals are available for free and have been desexed, vaccinated and have had their teeth professionally cleaned.

On March 17, the Pentland Hills property will open to visitors from 11.30am-3pm, with aparadeofabout20dogsupforadoption,and there’ll also be free lunch and entertainment.

“[When greyhounds begin racing training], Some love it, they come out of the box like a shotgun and run all the way to the finishing line,” Ms Brewley said.

“Some don’t, they stay in the box or stop

half way and run back. These ones are the ones that will be on show at the Adoption Day. They will be as young as 18 months of age, and because they have had no experience with the outside world, they excel as pets.”

Ms Brewley got into rehoming dogs herself after seeing other services struggle with demand.

“I have already rehomed 18 of other people’s dogs on my own, and there isn’t one family that I am not in contact with,” she said.

“They send me photos weekly of their hounds and happiness that the dog is bringing to their homes.

“It’s all about the welfare of the dog, is my motto, and always will be.”

Details: 0417 591 993

Debbie Bewley with two of her best buddies. (Damjan Janevski) 390473_01

paid by developers and therefore proceeds in linewiththerateofdevelopmentinthegrowth areas,” they said.

The government also indicated that it is in negotiations to acquire more land this year, and that it believes the current rate is adequate to offset the current rate of development in Melbourne’s growth areas. Grassy Plains Network facilitator Adrian Marshall called the MSA as a whole a “rotten deal”.

“It was rushed, poorly thought through, appallingly implemented, and has so far failed to conserve the grasslands, woodlands, plants andbeastiesitwasdesignedtoprotect,”hesaid.

“Landbankers,developersandmanyfarmers who owned that land just gave up looking after it, because the government was going to buy it regardless of the condition it was in.

“The longer the land sits there in private ownership, the more it declines, the more the weeds take over, the more we lose our priceless heritage… At the current rate it will take another 30 years to buy.

“Grasslands should be celebrated. Well-managed public grasslands are not just a conservation asset. They provide a spirit of place. landscapes. We need to celebrate what is uniquely ours.”

Have it serviced every two years to keep it safe from fire.

Since your home solar energy system is out there in the sun, wind and rain, it’s important to show it some love and keep it safe. Have it serviced now and every two years by a licensed electrician.

Learn more at esv.vic.gov.au/solar-safety

Concerning business default risk

By Liam McNally

Businesseses in Melbourne’s west and north-west are among the most likely to fail in Victoria according to new data from CreditorWatch.

CreditorWatch’s Business Risk Index (BRI) analyses the credit information of more than 5000 registered Australian businesses across 300 regions to provide a snapshot of the best and worst performing regions.

The latest data shows seven of the eight regions in Victoria where businesses are projected most likely to default in the next year are in Melbourne’s west and north-west.

Melton is the third-worst performing

region in the state, with a projected 6.89 per cent default rate, however it has improved since September 2022 when it had the highest risk in Victoria at 7.2 per cent.

Also in the eight most likely to default is Brimbank, Tullamarine-Broad Meadows, Wyndham, Maribyrnong, Hobsons Bay and Whittlesea-Wallan.

The region most likely to default in the state is Casey-South, with a rate of 7.01 per cent.

CreditorWatch chief executive Patrick Coghlan said while you can have really good quality businesses in the highest credit-risk regions, the data shows that the conditions and the businesses within those areas have

Funds for Parwan Gorge

Moorabool Landcare Network member group

Friends of Hopetoun Park and Parwan Gorge (FOHPPG) have received a Green Links Grant for $77 000 for restoration of Parwan Gorge on the Werribee River.

Melton MP Steve McGhie and Eureka MP

Michaela Settle announced the funding on Friday, February 23.

“Parwan Gorge is a cherished biodiversity corridor, and these grants will help ensure local ecosystems remain healthy and resilient as our climate changes and our population grows,” Me McGhie said.

Thegrantwillprovidewoodyweedremoval, seed dispersal on the escarpment, herbaceous weed control and supplementary planting along the riparian zone.

Friends of Hopetoun Park and Parwan Gorge are a community Landcare group

with the vision to enhance the green wildlife corridor along the Werribee River adjacent to Hopetoun Park and Parwan.

Work proposed in this grant will focus on the south side of the gorge in areas that have so far received little attention.

FOHPPG president Lorraine Jolly said the gorge escarpment is uniquely significant and hosts regionally rare plant species which are negatively impacted by invasive woody weeds such as African boxthorn, peppercorn trees and prickly pear.

“FOHPPG is thrilled to be receiving this grant, in recent years our group have conducted and facilitated several smaller environmental enhancement projects, this will enable further restoration of Parwan Gorge on the Werribee River,” she said.

a higher chance of failing than those other areas.

“What we find is rental and property costs are carrying a far heavier burden in [Melbourne’s west and north-west] than the average Australian region. We also find that population population density is very high, so that means there’s a high level of competition.

“And then the third [factor] is probably the economic opportunity overall.”

Mr Coghlan said it’s typical to see clusters of regions performing in a similar matter.

“Theknockoneffectcanbequitesignificant in that there’s a higher likelihood of unemployment there’s also less money around within that area for businesses and consumers

so, so all people and businesses suffer as a result,” he said.

“It’s a vicious cycle.”

Mr Coghlan said the biggest drivers that could help improve the situation include reducing inflation and cutting interest rates.

“Ultimately, that’ll drive investment and confidence within the business community,” he said.

“I think overall, we’ll get some good news probably around the middle of the year when we start to get some certainty as to when those cuts might come.

“Having that sort of light at the end of the tunnel is really valuable and powerful for businesses of all sizes.”

Date:

Friends of Hopetoun and Parwan Gorge at a Clean Up Australia Day event. (Provided)

Call to fund homeless findings

By Liam McNally

The state government has tabled its response to a three-year-old inquiry in homelessness in Victoria, as Melton council experiments with a new program to manage homelessness locally.

InMarch2021thestategovernmentfinished its parliamentary inquiry into homelessness in Victoria, which found a homelessness sector “overwhelmed”andmade51recommendations to address the issue.

The state government, which was supposed to reply to the recommendations within six months, responded on February 21.

The report said there were 24,817 homeless people in Victoria in 2016. Since the release of

the report the 2021 Census recorded a 24 per cent rise to more than 30,000 Victorians.

In the years since 2021, Star Weekly has also heard from multiple homelessness services that demand for homelessness services has increased sharply with the economic down-turn post-COVID.

To help address rising homelessness locally, Melton council launched its Rough Sleepers Program. Melton council Community Care and Active Living manager Coral Crameri said the initiative is a partnership between Council, Melbourne City Mission, IPC Health and Western Metro Homelessness (Salvation Army).

“Members of the public can notify council

about people sleeping rough, enabling our teamstocoordinatewithpartnerorganisations to provide an appropriate and holistic outreach response,” she said.

“Since its rollout, Council has seen an increase in the number of rough sleeping notifications. The initiative’s primary focus is toestablishaconsistentapproachinsupporting individuals who are sleeping rough.”

Of the inquiry’s 51 recommendations, the government supported 45 fully or in-principle, committed to reviewing four and rejected two.

The Council to Homeless Persons (CHP) said the government’s centrepiece Housing Statement policy, released last year, did not address the committee’s recommendations,

Gloves on to help clean up Australia

CleanUpAustraliaiscallingonallAustralians to join with their local communities and take more immediate action by registering now for Clean Up Australia Day 2024 to be held on Sunday March 3.

In 2023, over 760,000 Australians pulled on their gloves and gathered for the iconic Clean Up Australia Day.

On March 3 2024, Clean Up Australia is hoping to see a similar, if not better response, as generations come together to help tidy local communities while seeing first-hand why it is important to work together to prevent litter from entering the environment in

the first place.

There are more than 30 Clean Up Australia events planned for Melton and Moorabool, including Ahmadiyya Multicultural Youth’s event in Rockbank.

Clean Up Australia chair Pip Kiernan said clean Up Australia Day is the largest volunteer clean up event across the nation each year and the most practical way to educate and demonstrate waste prevention.

“By rolling up our sleeves and witnessing the sheer quantity as well as the common types of litter lining our streets, bushlands and waterways,wecangainabetterinsightintoour

own personal or household footprints on the environment,” she said.

“It encourages each of us to consider practical ways we can prevent that litter in the first place.

“It is such a special time to come together to careforandprotectourenvironmentforfuture generations.”

Registrations for Clean Up Australia Day 2024arenowopen.Allvolunteersreceiveafree Clean Up kit, containing gloves and bags and other resources, with packs for individuals, families and community groups available. Details: http://tinyurl.com/32dwk6p7

and it needs to be revised to fully fund the inquiry’s recommendations.

CHP chief executive Deborah Di Natale said moneyisthemissingingredientinthisoverdue response to critical recommendations that will reduce homelessness in Victoria.

“Weneedaniron-cladcommitmentthatthis year’s state budget will include the full amount needed to implement these reforms,” she said.

“In its response to the inquiry, the government has rightly pointed out some of the excellent homelessness initiatives that have been funded.

“But in the three long years since the inquiry, the most serious housing crisis in living memory has only worsened.”

Getting kids kinder ready

Meltoncouncilisinvitingparentstocome and explore their local kindergarten.

To help children and their families prepare for the school transition, Melton council and local educators will run a face-to-face open week and online information sessions next month.

As part of Kindergarten Readiness Month, the online sessions will be held on March 6 and 7 from 6.30pm and 12.30pm respectively, the in-person Open Week will from March 11 to 15.

Next year’s Kindergarten registrations open on Wednesday, March 20.

During open week, parents and carers can tour a number of participating local kindergartens.

Registrations for 2024 remain open, but some centres are already at capacity.

If you require information regarding kindergarten vacancies, open week or registrations contact the kindergarten registration team via email or phone.

Melton Mayor Kathy Majdlik said open week provides a wonderful opportunity to tour facilities, meet wonderful educators and ask questions to best prepare their children for this next chapter.

“Starting kinder is a big step for families, and it’s important parents can choose the best place for their child,” she said.

Details: kindergartens@melton.vic.gov. au or 9747 7284.

Questions linger over defamation funding arrangements

By Liam McNally

Victorian opposition leader John Pesutto has answered calls to release funding details of his upcoming court case against former Liberal MP Moira Deeming, pledging to do so in the coming week.

Mr Pessutto is embroiled in a defamation case with the former Melton councillor after she was expelled from the parliamentary Liberal Party after taking part in a rally in March that was gate-crashed by a group of masked men who performed Nazi salutes.

Mrs Deeming issued several defamation concern notices to Mr Pesutto, alleging he publicly accused her of being a Nazi sympathiser and used the claim to bully and threaten her with expulsion.

Mr Pesutto denies he accused the now-independent MP of being a Nazi or having Nazi sympathies.

When the defamation action was launched, Mrs Deeming and Mr Pesutto committed not

to use party funds to prop up their legal cases, with Mr Pesutto saying he will pay his legal costs if he must.

Lastweekitwasreportedthatseveralpeople,

including former premiers Jeff Kennett, Ted Baillieu and Denis Napthine, have already made donations towards Mr Pesutto’s legal defence.

Labor was quick to call on Mr Pesutto to release the full funding details for his case, including Leader of the House Mary-Anne Thomas.

“Mr Pesutto has shown once again that he cannot be trusted – he must immediately come clean with Victorians and explain why his million dollar legal defence, funded by private donors, is not a significant conflict of interest?” she said.

On Monday, February 19 Mr Pesutto said he intends to make all contributions to his case public by releasing them to the register of interest.

“I think that’s next week… it will be made publicly available,” he said.

“I’m not applying any threshold, any contribution will be included, no matter how small.”

When questioned on if he believes Ms Deeming should release funding sources for her legal fees he said “that’s a matter for her”. MoiraDeemingwascontactedforcomment.

Western metro MP Moira Deeming.

Ahmadiyya Multicultural Youth members Waqas Ahmed, Moin Saleem, Zaki Choudhary and Sheraz Ali. (Damjan Janevski) 390189_05

‘Persistent abuse’: OPA report

By Liam McNally

The Office of the Public Advocate (OPA) released its community visitors annual report, reporting an overall increase in abuse, neglect andviolenceforthepeopletheyvisitincluding in Melbourne’s west.

The (OPA) is a human rights organisation which promotes the diversity and inclusion of all people. In 2022-2023, 384 OPA volunteer visitors and their 117 trainees conducted 3793 visits at 1270 Victorian facilities where people with disability and people with mental health issues receive support. The report recorded 596reportsofabuseinthemostrecentperiod,

up from 458 in 2020-21.

One instance was the story of Reign, a northern metro resident in mental health accommodation who uses a wheelchair and values their independence, but encountered significant barriers to basic needs and respect within their living environment.

Issues ranged from physical threats and discriminatory remarks from a co-resident to inaccessible facilities that hindered their freedom to navigate their home comfortably.

This situation was further exacerbated by stalled NDIS funding reviews, leaving Reign inlimboandunabletomovetoamoresuitable and safe accommodation.

Vintage treasure trove

A treasure trove of vintage vehicles and machinery, including World War II trucks, that have been hiding out in Coimadai are about to go to auction.

David Lewis’ father had been building his collection for more than 30 years and it ncludes about 50 WWII vehicles including restored Bren Gun Carriers, GMC trucks, White Scout Cars, Fords and Dodges.

Mr Lewis’ said it’s time to clear out his father’s old property, but he wants to see the collection go to a good homes.

“[Mr Lewis’ father] was a mechanic,” he said. “This was his retirement hobby, he was right into ex military World War II machinery… He was quite fanatical about it.

“If you’re a military buff interested in this type of stuff it’d be interesting to come have a look at, people have said they’ve never been so close to such military gear in their lives.

Lots of people have found it exciting.

“I’d rather see somebody tats into it to get the benefit and enjoyment out of it. The exciting thing for me is to see them go to people who will get excitement out of it, or enjoyment out of rebuilding them or putting them in museums - my father didn’t want them to go to someone that didn’t appreciate it. Some of these things are very rare.”

The auction is being run through M.E. Auctions. There will be a viewing of the auction items on Saturday, March 9, from 10am to 2pm at 1834 Gisborne Road, Coimadai.

The auction will be conducted online only, via live video stream at 10am Sunday, March 10.

Details: https://www.meauctions.com.au/ weekend-of-10th11th-march-2024--coimadai.html.

Community visitors supported Reign to crucial support and information about advocacy services, leading to improvements in their living conditions.

The report also highlighted some positive stories, such as that of Melton-Brimbank region resident, Megan. Living in a shared home with three others, Megan has embraced abusyandindependentlifestyle,thankstothe unwavering support and encouragement from her house supervisor and community visitors.

In an empowering move, Megan was involved as an interview panellist in the recruitment process of support workers for her home. This opportunity provided the

space for her to actively participate and create questions for the individuals who would work in her living space.

Combined Board and Public Advocate of Victoria chair Dr Colleen Pearce said Megan’s story is an example of how the right support and opportunities can foster a sense of agency and self-worth among residents

“Megan’s involvement in the recruitment process for her home is a powerful illustration of self-advocacy in action,” she said. “It’s crucial that we continue to create opportunities for individuals like Megan to exercise their rights and make choices about their care and support.”

Scenic Travel Lounge

Date: Friday 22nd March 2024

Venue: Melton Country Club - From 1.00pm

RSVP: Wednesday 20th March –Helloworld Travel Bacchus Marsh 53675151 email bacchusmarsh@helloworld.com.au

David Lewis with his father’s World War II vehicles that are about to go to auction. (Nicole Howlett)

Road works move to next stage

Melton council is starting the next phase of a vital upgrade that will improve safety and traffic flow at one of the municipality’s busiest intersections.

In late 2023 council began work on the roundabout at Caroline Springs Boulevard and Rockbank Middle Road.

According to council the project is being undertaken because the intersection was facing traffic delays and there were safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists.

The project includes removal of the roundabout, expansion and realignment of the road, installation of traffic signals, landscaping, new public lighting and relocating underground services such as

electricity, water, gas, and communications.

Works began in late November 2023 and is due for completion by early 2025.

On February 19 council began a new phase of the project - beginning the construction of the new lanes and traffic lights in the south-west corner of the intersection.

Traffic conditions will be changed but working on one corner at a time means council can keep Caroline Springs Boulevard and Rockbank Middle Road open during the intersection’s upgrade.

From Rockbank Middle Road, motorists will only be able to turn left onto Caroline Springs Boulevard and traffic will not be able to cross the intersection.

No right turns will be possible from both Caroline Springs Boulevard or Rockbank Middle Road.

Follow the detour signs to the next roundabout on Caroline Springs Boulevard at either Bridgewater Terrace or The Grove and Anderson Ave to travel back to Rockbank Middle Road. A lane closure will apply in the northern direction. 40km/h speed limits will apply during construction hours.

Delays are expected and where practical, council encouraged all road users to take alternative routes and allow extra time for their journey – especially during peak times.

Melton mayor Kathy Majdlik said the project is vital work will boost safety for all

Celebrating women in Melton

MeltonCouncilwillcelebratetheachievements of women at a range of events throughout the first half of March to mark International Women’s Day on Friday, March 8.

On March 2 there will be an afternoon tea event with guest speakers at the Taylors Hill Youth and Communtiy Centre, run by the Multicultural Association of Community Empowerment (MACE). Melton council and TheExchangewillbringanAspiringWomen’s event to Cobblebank Stadium on 8 March. The aim of the event is to accelerate gender equality through economic empowerment and encourage young women to explore their

professional options.

Also on March 7 is an International Women’s Day with a morning tea hosted by Djerriwarrh Community and Education Services at the Melton Central Community Centre.

Then, on March 8, the Melton Library and Learning Hub will hold a Collage Nouvea Workshop and Caroline Springs Library and Learning Hub will have a talk from from local gender equality advocate Deepti Alurkkar, who will share her experiences of migrating to Australia, a desire for community connection and how she built a network of support and

empowerment for women.

Later, on March 14 Zonta Club of Melton and the Melton Phoenix Football Club gather for a special dinner and awards ceremony celebratingwomeninsportwithguestspeaker Kerry Cue.

Melton Mayor Kathy Majdlik said it’s important the Melton community takes time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women from all walks of life.

“This is a day for communities to put female equality and inclusivity at the forefront, and I encourage everyone to get involved in this year’s events,” she said.

road users.

“We are investing in upgrading the busy intersection at Caroline Springs Boulevard and Rockbank Middle Road as part of Melton City Council’s ongoing commitment to future-proofing our road network and making them safer,” she said.

“Council will continue to keep residents updated on our progress so they can plan ahead.”

The current stage of the project is expected to be completed late this year, and full completion is expected in early 2025.

Details: conversations.melton.vic.gov.au/ csboulevardrockbankmiddleworks

More free TAFE courses

Fournewcoursesinhospitality,youth work and tourism are now available through the state government’s Free TAFE initiative giving Victorians more opportunities to learn new skills and grow their careers.

Melton MP Steve McGhie is encouraging prospective students to look at courses on offer through the Free TAFE initiative, providing Victorians with more access to vocational training.

“We know that TAFE is an equal choice to uni- and if you enrol in a free TAFE course, you can get started in your career without debt,” he said.

Since the program was introduced in 2019 it has grown to include more than 80 TAFE qualifications and short courses and has helped more than 156,000 students save almost $423 million in tuition fees.

With enrolments now open, students can kick start their careers or upskill to gain new experience or qualifications, across a range of sectors like nursing, building and construction, community services and cyber security.

Free TAFE courses are available to all Victorians, regardless of their existing qualification level, and it’s also possible to do more than one free TAFE course provided it’s within the same priority pathway.

Details: vic.gov.au/free-tafe

Sport and food relief in line for revitalisation funds boost

Two locally led projects have received funding as part of the state government’s Suburban Revitalisation Program.

Melton Steve McGhie announced a $231,500 funding boost to help revitalise Melton on February 22.

Identified by the Melton Suburban Revitalisation Board, these projects are being delivered in partnership with local community organisations including Basketball Victoria and Melton council.

Local community members can look forward to Basketball Victoria delivering a trial program, Community Sport

Connection, which is aimed at using the key community bases of Melton Indoor Recreation Centre, Caroline Springs Recreation Centre and Cobblebank Stadium.

This includes feeder primary and secondary school facilities within the municipality to build sports pathways and volunteer recruitment networks for students and parents. The target sports for this program will be basketball, volleyball and badminton.

The Melton Food Systems Collective will also receive funding and will be coordinated by the council.

This project will engage local food relief

serviceproviders,primarypreventiongroups and relevant local organisations within the Melton town centre to establish the Melton Foods Systems Collective.

The collective will enhance sustainability, collective knowledge, community standing and mobilisation of actions in preventing, mapping and responding to food security needs within the town centre area.

Melton mayor Kathy Majdlik said the collective will play an important role in responding to the Melton’s food security needs.

“It brings together service providers, local organisations, and key stakeholders to

understand and meet the evolving needs and resources to address food security needs in our diverse City.

We thank the Victorian government and the Melton Revitalisation Board for this important investment, which will help support our growing community,” she said.

Mr McGhie said it’s great to see the state government continue to invest in Melton.

“Projects like these address key local priorities and focus on improving community spaces, wellbeing and connection,” he said.

IWD morning tea at Melton Central Community Centre, 2023. (Supplied)

School cleaners hung out to dry

By Zoe Moffatt

Gathered in front of parliament house, Victoria’s school cleaners, many of them from the west and north, united to protest a contract change which has slashed their hours and wages on Tuesday.

With the heat beating down on them, members from multiple unions proudly waved their flags and pumped their fists, calling for action from Education Minister Bed Carroll.

This follows an ongoing issue sparked by companies Serco and Tradeflex cutting contract hours and stripping cleaners of up to 60 per cent of their wage.

Thecompanieswereawardedschoolcleaning contracts by the state government at the end of last year.

United Workers Union executive director for propertyservicesLyndalRyansaidthecleaners have been pushed into a disastrous situation.

“What these companies are doing, slashing hours, cutting corners, demanding hardworking cleaners to do more with less, is exactly why cleaners have been campaigning to bring an end to this failed model,” she said.

“But instead, Minister Carroll has chosen to keep this privatised system, enabling companies to profit off the Victorian taxpayer by keeping cleaners on low wages and reduced hours.

“[Thishas]resultedinschoolsbeingleftdirty or forcing teachers to pick up the slack.”

Between speeches from cleaners and union members, the frustrated voices of many chanting ‘shame’ echoed up the steps of Parliament House.

Meanwhile driving around the city, a billboard truck called for Mr Carroll to ‘clean up this mess’.

Back on the steps protesting, school cleaner Ines Lizama said she worked as a leading hand cleaner at two schools before having her hourscut back in the changeover.

“I was devastated because I didn’t think it was going to go that far. I thought we were going to get… direct employment,” she said.

“What they have done is unbelievable. They have left everybody stranded, they haven’t got enough hours.

“I was a full timer and I’m now a part timer, and they have taken one school from me.”

As the crowd dispersed, they chanted a promise to Mr Carroll- they will be back. The

protest at Parliament House on February 20. (Pictures:

School cleaner Ines Lizama.

Werribee’s ‘fantastic’ 100 club

As the population ages and medical advances continue, the chances of living to 100 are also increasing. But what are the chances of six centenarians living together in the one aged care home? Cade Lucas visited St Vincent’s Aged Care in Werribee to find out.

In terms of statements of the obvious, pointing out that aged care homes are full of old people ranks alongside revelations that water really is wet, bears actually do defecate in the woods and the Pope is very much a Catholic.

However, it turns out that while aged care residents are indeed old, they’re not always that old.

According to Debbie Ferreira, lifestyle coordinator at St Vincent’s Aged Care in Werribee, not many residents live to be 100.

“It’s not common,” said Mr Ferreira who has worked at St Vincent’s for three years and in the aged care industry for over 20.

“On average, just one or two people in the facility will be that age, if you’re lucky.”

If that’s true, then Ms Ferrieira and her colleagues better go buy lottery tickets because they currently have not one or two centenarians living there, but three times that amount.

“It’s amazing to have six in the same building,” she said “It’s very very rare. We’ve got80residentsandoutofthe80,we’vegotsix centenarians. Fantastic.”

So rare and so fantastic that Star Weekly was recently invited out to St Vincent’s Werribee to meet and interview members of its 100 club.

‘‘ I’m not into big parties, I just keep plodding along ’’ - Joyce Soulsby

All six were born between 1922 and 1924 so turned 100 within the last two years and along with similar ages, share one other major characteristic in common: they’re all women.

“Women live longer” remarked a staff member matter-of-factly when Star Weekly pointed this out.

Unfortunately, one thing they don’t have in common is a willingness or ability to talk or pose for photos.

On the way to the lounge where I’m to conduct the interviews, I’m told that the oldest of the lot, 101 year old Moira Bowtell, wasn’t available. She wasn’t sick or asleep just not interest apparently. Oh well. When you’re going on 102, you can do what you like I suppose.

I’m then informed that Bendigo born Dorothy Martin was in hospital. This was a shame as it was also her 101st birthday, but was made even more disappointing when reading her bio and noticing that among her hobbies and interests was disco dancing. Me and Dorothy would have to trip the light fantastic another time.

Once in the lounge the first resident I see is another who clearly won’t be participating.

Hungarian born Maria Szlobpda is propped up on a large bed/recliner, awake but nothing more. Staff tell me that the 101 year old is now non-verbal. She and husband Steve moved to Australia in 1956 and embarked on a life typical of post-war European migrants. Maria worked for a textile company while Steve was a mechanic. They lived in Altona North and were active members of the local Hungarian community. After caring for Steve in his final years, Maria’s own health declined following his death and she moved into St Vincent’s soon after its opening in 2017.

Like Maria, Marcella Stangherlin was also a post-war migrant, arriving from Italy with her two brothers in 1949. However, Marcella not only retains the ability to speak, but is only too happy to do so, filling the room with her heavily accented voice, adding sound effects and gesticulations for good measure. Having only turned 100 in January she’s the second youngest of the group and her loud boisterous nature suggests as much. Marcella regales me with tales of her son Gus and late

husbandAngelo,whoshemetafterarrivingin Australia and with whom she ran a vegetable farm at Werribee South.

What did they grow I ask?

“Lettuce, cauliflower, sugar beet…..(long pause).....that’s all,” she laughed.

Later on they added a poultry farm, something Marcella doesn’t recall so fondly.

“Mama Mia” she exclaimed while waving her hand in front of her nose.

When I ask about the reason she left Italy for Australia, World War II, Marcella is equally animated.

“Oh my god, every night, nine o’clock, 11 o’clock, 12 o’clock, aeroplane, brroooooommmm” she recalled making the noise of Allied aircraft racing through the night sky.

“Bomba, boom, boom, boom, boom,” she continued with hand gestures of added effect.

While Marcella came to Australia to escape the war, Lydia Rintoull was living here during it and still remembers the moment it came to an end.

“Everything stopped at work,” recalled the 100 year old who was making stockings at the Holeproof factory on the afternoon in 1945 when news came through that the greatest conflictinhumanhistoryhadcometoanend.

“Everybody went into Melbourne and danced in the street outside the post office in Bourke Street. We stayed there till dark.”

It was a joyous moment in an otherwise joyless time for Lydia who moved to Melbourne from Yea when she was 16 and never warmed to city life.

“I hated it. I found it busy after living in a country town.”

Fortunately she didn’t stay long. After meeting Ron Rintoull on a trip back home for Christmas, they married and returned to the country to become farmers, first near Yea and then in Melton, where they lived until Ron’s passing shortly after their 70th wedding anniversary. Along the way they had four children, though tragically two of their three boys died young, leaving just a daughter and their eldest son who today lives in nearby Hoppers Crossing. As well as raising children Lydia raised dogs on the farm too, breeding dachshunds and seeing eye dogs, while her love of canines extended to supporting the

Western Bulldogs. Lydia was one of the first residents to move into St Vincents when it opened over five years ago and while enjoying the company, offered a blunt answer when asked if she’d like to hang around for a while longer.

“Oh I hope not,” she laughed.

Like Lydia, Joyce Soulsby also seemed rather non-plussed about the future.

Born in the Victoria goldfields town of Dunolly in May 1923, Joyce is technically not even a centenarian yet and didn’t seem aware she was about to become one.

“Maynextyear,”shenominatedwhenasked when the big day was before Debbie Ferreira reminds her, “this year, May this year.”

So was she excited about her 100th birthday being just three months away?

“Not really no,” Joyce deadpanned with the nasal drawl and tinder dry humour of someone who’s lived most of their life on the land.

“What about getting a letter from the King, you know Prince Charles,?” I ask.

“Ohbigthrills,”shechuckledbeforeadding: “I’ll just keep plodding along.”

It would become her stock answer to nearly all my inquiries.

Will she have a party when turns 100?

“I’mnotintobigparties,Ijustkeepplodding along.”

Did she have any regrets?

“No I just keep plodding along.”

Whatdidshemissaboutheryoungeryears”

“It doesn’t worry me I just go on day to day and plod along.”

What advice would she give to younger people?

“Work hard and plod along.”

In between answers Joyce did manage to fill out her life story. She and late husband Jack ran a sheep farm and raised five children, the youngest of whom, Glen, lives in Werribee and visits for lunch every Wednesday.

“Glen, oh he’s a card. Everyone knows him around here,” Joyce said, adding “he’s slightly handicapped, but he gets around. He’s good.”

Joyce enjoyed gardening and playing golf and bowls in her younger years, but after moving to St Vincents aged 97, she is now just happy to go outside in the fresh air.

To just plod along.

St Vincent’s Aged Care Werribee residents: Joyce Soulsby turns 100 in May, 100 year old Lydia Rintoull, and Marcella Stangherlin, who turned 100 on January 5. (Pictures: Jacob Pattison) 389357

Moira Bowtell is the oldest of the group, turning 102 in December. (Supplied)

Hungarian born 101 year old, Maria Szloboda.

Martin

visited. (Supplied)

Rare species welcomed at zoo

Werribee Open Range Zoo is celebrating the birth of five precious scimitar-horned oryx calves – a rare species of antelope that was once teetering on the brink of extinction.

The caramel-coloured, wobbly legged calves have all been born in the last month and are slowly finding their feet on the zoo’s vast Savannah.

Werribee Open Range Zoo Savannah keeper Katie Jones said the new arrivals are a major conservation success as the species was extinct in the wild until December last year.

“Thankstointernationalbreedingprograms like the one we have at Werribee Open Range Zoo, numbers of this precious antelope have been steadily increasing after the species was declared extinct in the wild in 2000 by the ICUN Red List of Threatened Species,“ Ms Jones said.

“Thesenewcalvesarestilltinyandadorable, and they’re settling in so well with the rest of the heard.“

As the calves grow, zoo visitors can see them sitting together in a creche group, learninghowtowalkontheirwobblylegs,and evenrunningaroundwiththe’zoomies’inthe afternoon.

The calves are named after areas in Chad where their species now survives. Their names are Dababa [pronounced Dahba-bah], Kobe [Koh-bee], Tibesti [Tib-es-tee] and Salali [Sah-lah-lee] - with the most recent calf still to be named.

Ms Jones said the calves will rapidly change in appearance as they grow.

“Lucky for the mothers, oryx are born with very tiny horns, which you can barely see,“ Ms Jones said.

“As they become adults, the ribbed, sharp horns will grow to curve all the way to their backs, which they use for scratching, protection from predators, sparring

and courtship.“

Scimitar-hornedoryxwereoncewidespread, with an estimated one million roaming across North Africa. However, overhunting, habitat destruction and competition with domestic livestock eliminated the antelope from their natural range by the early 1990s.

After international breeding efforts by more than 200 zoological institutions,

oryx were down-listed to endangered, with approximately 600 individuals now thriving in a protected reserve within Chad. Werribee Open Range Zoo visitors have an opportunity to see these precious oryx calves each day and also after the sun sets during the Sunset Safari experience, which is running each Saturday from 5.30pm to 9pm until March 9.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Soy candle workshop

Discover how you can save money and add atmosphere to your home by making your own soy candles. All materials are provided in Melton South Community Centre’s one-day course Monday, March 4, 10am to 12.30pm. You’ll take home two candles at the end. $90 or $85 concession.

■ 9747 8576

Dessert workshop

Create fluffy and delicious desserts in Melton South Community Centre’s upcoming sponge and Swiss roll workshop. Students attending on Sunday, March 17, 10am-2.30pm will learn how to make and decorate a sponge cake from scratch, and then adapt those skills to make a Swiss roll. Everything is supplied. $80 or $75 concession.

■ 9747 8576

Cake workshop

Make your next high tea event extra special by enrolling in Melton South Community Centre’s new petit fours cakes workshop and discovering how to create traditional bite-sized cakes, perfect for dessert, teatime or even just a treat. Everything is provided at this four-hour workshop on Sunday, March 24, 10am-2pm. You’ll take home a selection of cakes at the end. $65 or $60 concession.

■ 9747 8576

Men’s Fella-Ship

The free Men’s Fella-Ship social group returns to Melton South Community Centre for 2024, meeting each Wednesday at 1pm. Men of all ages are invited to come along for a cuppa, a chat and the opportunity to make new friends. No bookings required.

■ 9747 8576

Chatty Cafe Melton

Are you feeling lonely, isolated or just wanting to make some new friends? If so, Chatty Cafe is for you. The group meets on Friday mornings at 10am for delicious free coffee from Latin foods and wines at 10 Wallace Square, Melton.

■ https://www.facebook.com/ groups/352071857283331

Women’s Support Group

Women’s Support Group Melton is for any women who feel they would like to attend a peer support group which is relaxed, friendly and non-judgemental. The group meets weekly at 1pm on Mondays (except for public holidays) at Djerriwarrh Neighbourhood House, 239 Station Road, Melton.

■ https://ow.ly/QVwJ50Q5g42

Caroline Springs Rotary

The Rotary Club of Caroline Springs is inviting new guests to join its meetings in person or via zoom. Meetings are held every Wednesday at the Western Emergency Relief Network in Ravenhall from 7pm.

■ rotarycarolinesprings@gmail.com

Melton Ladies Probus

Meets from 10am on the second Wednesday of each month at Melton Country Club on Reserve Road, Melton. All visitors are welcome.

■ Dianne, 9743 7446

The Gap on Graham

The Gap provides a place for Melton youth to hang out, socialise, play games and learn new skills. The centre holds a night for girls aged 10 to 18 years at 5 Graham Street, Melton, on Wednesday evenings. There is also a drop-in night for anyone aged 12 to 25 years old.

■ Val, 0414 769 605.

9am Wednesday the week prior to publication

Melton Men’s Group

Melton Men’s Group meets every Thursday from 5-8pm at Arnolds Creek Children’s and Community Centre, 19 Claret Ash Boulevard, Harkness. Focusing on senior men’s mental and physical wellbeing. Join the group for a cuppa and a chat, listen to guest speakers and participate in activities including carpet bowls, pool or table tennis.

■ meltonmensgroup.home.blog

Take weight off naturally

Struggling to lose weight? Struggling to get motivated? Want to try and do it in a friendly and less stressful atmosphere? Come and join TOWN (Take Weight Off Naturally) every Tuesday at 6pm at the Darlingsford Barn, Darlingsford Boulevard, Melton.

■ Catherine, 0416 612 517, or Bob, 0411 824 739

Parkinson’s support group

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

■ Helen, 0409 186 576

Melton Bridge Club

The Melton Bridge Club has weekly social bridge sessions at the Melton Library on Fridays from 10am-noon. Come along to play an exciting, social card game and have loads of fun. Bridge offers the suspense of poker, the cerebral qualities of chess and the excitement of athletic sports, all in a relaxed and social setting. If you like playing cards this is for you.

■ Rosemary, 0407 894 817

Melton Friendship Group. Join the Melton Friendship Group for singles 55 and older. Meet fortnightly for coffee and chat nights and organised affordable outings and events.

■ 0406 493 734

Melton Valley Ladies Probus Club

The Melton Valley Ladies Probus Club meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 10am at Melton Country Club. New members welcome.

■ Ann 0425705150

Melton South Knit & Natter

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

■ 9747 8576

Zonta club meets

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

■ Suzanne, 0417 512 420

U3A Melton

U3A Melton offers among its activities a book group, Australian history and a gentle exercise class for those 55 and older who are retired or semi-retired who wish to stay mentally and physically active.

■ 0419 563 016

Melton Combined Probus Club

The Melton Probus Club meets on the first Tuesday of each month at the Melton Dart Club, 63a Reserve Road, from 9.45am.

■ 9746 0271

Rose Carers Of Maddingley Park

The Rose Carers meet Wednesdays from 10am-noon at Maddingley Park, corner of Grant and Taverner streets, Bacchus Marsh, to maintain two beautiful rose gardens. New volunteers are always welcome – with or without experience.

■ Elaine Greenhall, 0418 171 119, or 0400 052 857

Melton Cycling Club

Melton Cycling Club meets for regular Sunday rides. There are three different riding groups to cater for different abilities starting at 7.30am. The rides finish at Lazy Moe’s for a cuppa.

■ 0403 057 003

Community singing group

If you love to sing, come join the Melton Singers. The group rehearses regularly and also performs at aged care facilities. The group is very relaxed and sings songs mainly from the 1960s and 70s. It meets Tuesdays at 10am.

■ Val, 0418 667 150

Rotary Club of Melton

The Rotary Club of Melton invites new guests to join its meetings, held on the first and third Tuesday of every month, 6pm at Tabcorp Park, Melton.

■ meltonrotary@gmail.com

Melton Trauma Teddies

Melton Trauma Teddies are seeking volunteers to assist with knitting, stuffing, or stitching teddy-bears that go to children in their time of need.

■ Jean 0412 931 498

Boomerang Bags Bacchus Marsh

Boomerang Bags Bacchus Marsh make reusable shopping bags from rescued fabric. They need people to cut, sew, iron and market our bags. The group meets on the first Sunday each month at Darley Neighbourhood House 2-5pm.

■ https://63ec55b8628d6.site123.me/ Bacchus Marsh and District Garden Club

The club meets on the second Tuesday of each month except January, from 7.30pm, at The Laurels, 229 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh. Guest speakers and supper provided. Yearly membership $15. New members welcome.

■ Michelle, 0421 106 268

Community band

The Greater Western Community Band holds rehearsals on Thursdays 7.30pm to 9.30pm at the Bridge Road Community Centre, 260 Bridge Road, Strathtulloh. The group welcomes musicians young and old, to come along and join in with their local band. Woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. They are available to perform at events and festivals.

■ Sally Hamond, 0401 474 582

Over 50s social group

A friendly group of people aged 50 and older who enjoy each other’s company while attending events and outings such as dinners, shows, dancing, cinemas and more. If you live in the Melton area and would like to meet new friends, in a welcoming group environment, this is for you.

■ Marlene, 0498329290

This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of Harlene Del Rosario who will be modelling and speaking at an upcoming International Women’s Day event. (Damjan Janevski) 389767_01

PUZZLES

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.

ACROSS

1 Cicatrix (4)

3 New comers to the nation (10)

10 Marriage (7)

11 Sloping type (7)

12 Inventoried (8)

13 Publication (5)

14 Uncommon (4)

15 Bypass (10)

18 Process of change (10)

20 Help (4)

21 Homeland of Sachin Tendulkar (5)

23 Distinguishing badges (8)

26 Dizziness (7)

27 Ships (7)

28 A release of information (10)

29 Holy song (4)

DOWN

1 Cut (4)

2 More than one auditorium (9)

4 Provisional (9)

5 Homerian epic (5)

6 Practical view (7)

7 Fasteners (5)

8 Possibly guilty (9)

9 Composition in verse (4)

14 Recovered (9)

16 Bridge (9)

17 Elusively (9)

19 Having three dimensions (7)

22 Game of skill (5)

23 False gods (5)

24 Huff (4)

25 Book ID (1,1,1,1)

DECODER

No. 174

WORDFIT

3 LETTERS CAR CIA EKE ERA EWE GIN HEM HEW HUE ITS NEW OWE OWN PLY RUT

9-LETTER WORD

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”.

Today’s Aim:

12 words: Good

18 words: Very good

25 words: Excellent

4

No. 174

QUICK QUIZ

1 On which beach was the world’s first surf lifesaving club founded?

2 Susan Sarandon (pictured) caught pneumonia while filming a swimming pool scene in which 1975 cult classic?

3 In Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story franchise, which of Andy’s toys is also a piggy bank?

4 The board game Settlers of Catan features tiles that are what in shape?

5 True or false: clouds are weightless?

6 How many realms are there in Norse mythology and cosmology?

7 The Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves are all teams in which sport?

8 What are the two types of pool boards used in Olympic diving events?

9 The Scream, a 19th-century composition, was painted by which Norwegian artist?

10 Which former US president is in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame?

No. 174

No. 174

SPORTS QUIZ

1. How many teams compete in the English Premier League each season?

2. Does Australian NFL punter Mitch Wishnowsky play for the San Francisco 49ers or the Kansas City Chiefs?

3. Romantic Warrior won which 2023 horse race: the Caulfield Cup, the Cox Plate or the Melbourne Cup?

4. What nationality was marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum?

5. Which four clubs were last to be granted AFLW licenses, joining the league in 2022?

6. Harry Kane plays for which Bundesliga club?

7. Is the capacity of the MCG 80,000, 100,000 or 110,000 people?

The rugby league football manufacturer Steeden was founded in which state?

Which king of France was the first person to have an indoor billiard table?

10. Name the most famous steeplechase horse race in the world, run since 1836.

11. What is the maximum number of overs a bowler is allowed to bowl in ODI cricket?

Matthew Farrelly is the real name of which Australian WWE wrestler?

13. Cathy Freeman became the first Indigenous Australian to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal in what year?

14. True or false: The Matildas have won a FIFA World Cup?

15. What is the NHL Winter Classic?

16. And which two teams played in the 2024 game?

17. Which position does NFL player Travis Kelce play?

18. The 2024 Royal Hobart Regatta just celebrated its what year?

19. When will the AFLW 2024 season start?

20. Lleyton Hewitt won his first Grand Slam title in which year?

21. Which two men’s international cricket teams tour Australia during the 2023/24 summer?

22.Callum Mills is the captain of which AFL team?

23. Which NBA conference won the 2024 NBA All-Star Game?

24. WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu competed in what contest against Steph Curry on NBA All-Star Weekend?

25. Which cricketing nation recently experienced their worst test match loss since World War II?

26. Which Australian cricketer scored a double century in the recent women’s test match against South Africa?

27. Recently deceased racehorse Verry Elleegant won the Melbourne Cup in what year?

28. Which Super Rugby Pacific team recently went into voluntary administration?

29. Which country’s baseball competition is known as Nippon Professional Baseball?

30.How many Super Bowl MVP awards has Patrick Mahomes won?

E-power X-Trail a hybrid beauty

By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring

The term e-POWER is Nissan’s take on hybrids.

InthecaseofX-Trail,it’sNissan’scompetitor for the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, a car so popular there’s a two-year waiting list.

It’s a little different from the system offered by other manufacturers and made its debut in themedium-sizedSUVatthebeginningoflast year.

The X-Trail ST-L e-POWER with e-4ORCE is the cheapest of the X-Trail hybrids and comes as a five-seater with all-wheel drive.

Styling

Signature design elements such as the floating roof and V-motion grille have been enhanced by a unique grille treatment for e-POWER models.

The grille is framed by striking headlights that appear moulded within the bodywork of the front bumper, with combined daytime runninglightsandindicatorsnestledalongthe shut-line of the bonnet.

ST-L e-POWER with e-4ORCE is priced from $49,990 before on-road costs.

That’s from $3200 to $6300 more than its petrol-powered equivalent, but you can’t quite compare apples with apples.

The conventional five-seat petrol model is two-wheel drive, while the all-wheel drive version comes with seven seats. Gotta love those tricky marketing people.

There’s also e-Power Ti at $54,690 and the Ti-L at $57,690, also five-seaters.

ST-L e-POWER has a premium feel thanks to synthetic leather and two-zone climate air, with heated front seats, a leather-clad wheel, power-adjust driver seat and darkened rear privacy glass.

Itrideson18-inchwheelswithLEDheadand tail lights, along with LED daytime running lights and automatic high beam, as well as auto lights and wipers and an auto-dimming rear view mirror plus auto-fold, power-adjust heated mirrors.

X-Trail comes with a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty plus five-year roadside assistance, with service intervals pegged at 12 months or a tightish 10,000km.

Infotainment

Infotainment comes in the form of an 8.0-inch touchscreen, with Bluetooth, AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and six-speaker audio (but no navigation).

Ti and Ti-L get satnav, a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and wireless charging.

There are four USB ports: USB-A and USB-C in the front and charge only USB-A and USB-C in the back, with 12-volt outlets in the front and luggage area.

Engines/transmissions

The e-POWER with e-4ORCE system is comprised of a high-output 2.1 kWh battery together with a turbocharged 1.5-litre three cylinder variable compression petrol engine, power generator, inverter and twin electric motors – 150kW for the front and 100kW for the rear (with a combined system output of 157kW).

All-wheel drive comes courtesy of front and rear electric motors, but like most SUVs it operates predominantly in two-wheel drive most of the time with drive to the front-wheels through a single-speed reduction gear.

Safety

Five-star safety includes seven airbags, including a centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes.

There’s also autonomous emergency braking (Car-to-Car, Vulnerable Road User, Junction Assist and Backover) as well as a lane support system with lane keep assist (LKA), lane departure warning (LDW) and emergency lane keeping (ELK) and an advanced speed assistance system (SAS).

A digital around view monitor provides

moving object detection, with front and rear parking sensors and tyre pressure monitoring.

Without the initial start-up noise of a petrol engine, an acoustic alert system warns pedestrians that the car has begun to move.

Isofix child seat anchors are provided for the outside rear seats, as well as tethers for all three rear seats and rear seat alert prevents kids from being left behind in the car.

Driving

The big difference between Nissan’s hybrid and the others is that the petrol engine does not power the wheels.

No, sir. The petrol ICE is used only to produce electricity which powers the electric motors that turn the wheels.

That makes it a series hybrid, as opposed to a parallel hybrid like the Toyota Prius (sorry, forgot, they don’t do Prius anymore, at least not here).

Under heavy acceleration or when the battery is low on charge, however, the petrol enginewilldeliverpowernotjusttothebattery – but to the electric motors.

The beauty of this system, according to Nissan, is that the petrol engine is always able to run within its ideal rev range, not forced to lug or over-rev madly as in conventional cars.

In reality the e-Power system feels a little weird and, in our experience, makes some strange noises from time to time.

In fact, it feels more like an electric vehicle than a petrol-powered one, which it is in a way.

Thanks to drive being provided by the electric motors, Nissan says there’s no delay in acceleration as with an ICE or traditional hybrid.

The instant response delivers exhilarating acceleration to make overtaking or merging onto a motorway easier.

Again, in reality, the response isn’t quite as instantaneous or as thrilling as promised, but it is relatively brisk.

In fact, it feels faster than the claimed 7.0 seconds from 0-100km/h. However, it can delivertorquetotherearwheelswhenrequired up to 10,000 times faster than mechanical all-wheel drive.

A drive and terrain mode selector offers five different modes: Auto, Eco, Sport, Snow and Off-Road.

With a 55-litre tank, fuel consumption is a claimed 6.1L/100km using premium 95 unleaded and it generates 139g/km of CO2.

In comparison the 2.5-litre petrol version uses 7.8L/100km (of standard unleaded).

Maximum braked towing capacity is 1650kg, down 350kg on the petrol version.

It’s pretty quiet in the cabin of the X-Trail, thankstothefactthatthepetrolenginedoesn’t have to work hard.

For example, at 40km/h, Nissan says the sound level in the cabin is 8dB lower than competitors (it doesn’t say which).

A switch in the centre console enables one-pedal driving that slows the car as soon as the driver reduces pressure on the accelerator, slowing the car down to a creep – but not to a complete stop.

It takes the tedium out of constantly switching between brake and accelerator in stop-start city driving as well as turning corner to corner country driving into a new experience.

And, in case you’re wondering, lifting off from the accelerator activates the brake lights, warning drivers behind you.

In Sport mode with one-pedal driving selected, the e-Power X-trail feels lively and almost fun to drive.

It makes short work of hills and remains reasonably tied down in corners, albeit with a bit of tyre squeal.

ST-L misses out on a customisable, fully digitised instrument cluster, but the conventional dials are large, clear and easy to read.

AT A GLANCE

MODEL RANGE

ST 2WD $36,750

ST AWD 7 seat $37,790

ST-L 2WD $43,190

ST-L AWD 7 seat $46,290

ST-L AWD 5 seat e-Power hybrid $49,990

Ti AWD $49,990

Ti AWD e-Power hybrid $54,190

Ti-L AWD $52,990

Ti-L AWD e-Power hybrid $57,190

SPECIFICATIONS

Nissan X-Trail ST-L e-POWER with e-4ORCE, five-seat wagon

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

It’s interesting to note that many drivers prefer to switch their digital clusters to show a pair of old-style analogue dials anyway, which makes customisation kind of superfluous.

We’re big fans of adaptive cruise control, but the current Nissan system is a struggle.

Setting the speed is easy and so is adjusting the distance to the car in front, but actually activating it is a matter of trial and error.

The gap to the car in front by the way is still too large and does not deter aggressive drivers from cutting in.

We were getting 6.8L/100km short-term which dropped to 6.4L/100km after 2000km of mixed driving.

Summing up

Hmmm . . . Not quite sure what to make of the e-Power idea.

The whole point of the hybrid exercise has been as a bridging mode to full electrification, designed to reduce fuel consumption and harmful engine emissions.

While it provides a lively drive experience, the e-Power X-Trail can’t match the RAV4 for emissions or fuel consumption, but at least it gives buyers a hybrid option and point of difference from competitors.

However, is it enough? Friends have a RAV hybrid and have been getting 5.7L/100km as regular as clockwork.

e-Power ... pricey but different in a good way.

Strikers rebuilding again with strong start to ‘24

On the back of relegation from FV state league 3 north-west, Westside Strikers have made a strong start to 2024, passing through the first two rounds of the Australia Cup in dramatic fashion.

The Strikers faced Mentone in the first round of the cup, finishing the 90 minutes at 1-1. Extra time still couldn’t split the sides with the match going to penalties. After a long penalty shootout, the Strikers got the better of their counterparts winning 11-10 in the shootout.

On Sunday, the Strikers made it through to the third round with a 6-3 win against Fortuna.

“For us the cup comes pretty early on so you don’t get to have too many weeks under your belt of being fully prepared with a few players not quite ready,” Strikers’ coach Simon Vasconcelo said before Sunday’s match.

“We faced a pretty decent opponent and suffered a red card early in the second half so we had to find a bit of fighting spirit within ourselves to take the game into extra time and a penalty shootout.

“The shootout was a bit of a roller coaster,

luckily we got the good result at the end and got the winning penalty and made it through to the next round.”

The Strikers faced Morwell-based club Fortuna, with Vasconcelo saying before the match there were a lot of unknowns.

“We’re looking forward to it but we don’t know what to expect because they don’t play

in the state leagues but from what I’ve heard in the country-regional leagues they are pretty decent,” he said.

“We’re hoping to do the state leagues proud and continue on in the cup.”

Following the club’s relegation into state 4, the Strikers once again had to rebuild their squad, however, with almost all the pieces in

Finals locked for Storm

By Harper Sercombe

Sydenham Hillside’s hopes of making it five premierships in six seasons is still alive with the club securing its spot in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division finals on Saturday.

The Storm defeated Keilor in a two-day clash to lock themselves into the four with one round remaining. Coach Warren Hackney said it’s a great achievement to play finals in the club’s first year in the top flight. “Hugely excited and proud to have locked in a top four place in the club’s first season in the senior division,” he said.

“It’s a huge achievement for the club and it’s a real credit to the playing group. So we’re very pleased and pumped about what could potentially transpire over the next few weeks.”

In the win against Keilor, the Storm batted first after winning the toss and posted a big score of 326. Skipper Anthony Alleyne scored his first century of the season, making 103. Hackney said it was another good test for

his side with the excitement in Keilors first XI.

“They certainly have a lot of young talent there and I’m really impressed with the talent on their list,” he said. “We managed to get off to a great start, a 100 run opening stand that always helps, and then a century from the skipper.

“He was very disciplined and he really showed the way. For him I think it was a bit of a turning of the corner, he has just struggled to find the consistency of last season and we’re hoping that things are starting to come together now at the right time for him and for everyone.

“Things came together nicely so we were able to post a good score and we added a few more overnight and went to work with the ball yesterday.”

With the ball on Saturday, the Storm were able to take wickets consistently through the innings before running through the tail, Keilor lost 4-13 to close their innings.

Keilor were dismissed for 244.

The Storm used nine of their 11 players

to bowl, with the wickets spread across four bowlers. Gayashan Weerasekara had the best figures of 3-9, doing the damage to the tail.

“The wicket on Saturday wasn’t offering heaps for the bowlers but we knew that if we were disciplined with lines and lengths we could make it difficult for the batters and that’s the way it turned out,” Hackney said.

“We’ve got plenty of options with the ball and it showed yesterday. If things aren’t working out for the seamers then the spinners can come on and get to work so it’s nice to have that flexibility and the variety of options in the bowling attack.”

On the Saturday, the Storm will play fellow finalists Yarraville Club with the winner booking themselves into a home final. The two teams could face each other in the first week of finals if the ladder stays the same.

“It’s always nice to be able to host a final so there’s a bit to play for and we go into it full of confidence having beaten them last time we played them,” Hackney said.

“It’ll be a good test for us and no shortage of incentives so it’ll be a good test for us.”

place now Vasconcelo said it should be a good season ahead.

“We’ve retained five players from last year’s squad,” he said.

“It’s a new dynamic, the players are getting along well. We’ve got players from all different cultures and everyone’s getting along well which is the main thing.

“So far we look like we’re playing decent football and we’re continuing to get better as the weeks go on.”

While the goal for the Strikers is to not spend much time in state 4, Vasconcelo isn’t anticipating it will be easy.

“The goal now is to be very competitive,” he said.

“In saying that we have some pretty strong teams in state four in a whole is going to be at the best quality it has ever been because there’s a lot of strong teams in it at the moment.

“We want to be a competitive team and find out if we’ve got the right resources to compete at the top, that’s what we’re in it for.

“It’ll be an exciting league, there are a lot of strong teams there doing a lot of things.”

Sports shorts

Coates Talent League

The Coates Talent League boys and girls competitions will kick off at the end of March. The boy’s season will commence on the weekend of March 23, with six matches scheduled across the opening round. The Western Jets will kick off their season against the Northern Knights at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Saturday morning. Round one for the girls will be played over two weekends starting with an Easter Thursday match, with the Jets having a bye.

Western United

Kathrine Larsen has bolstered Western United’s A-League Women’s squad with the Danish goalkeeper joining the club until the end of the 2023-24 season. Larsen was part of the Denmark squad at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, featuring on the bench in all four matches. Larsen has extensive experience at club level throughout Scandinavia, most recently playing for Danish giants Brondby. After arriving in the west, Larsen said she can’t wait to get to work and is looking forward to helping United’s push for silverware in the A-League.

VSDCA

Melton was unable to get the quick wickets it was after in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association north-west on Saturday against Altona. Having made 114, the Lions were always on the backfoot. The A’s took their time getting the runs, but would get their easily, finishing 4-115. The Lions will finish their season against Preston on Saturday in a one-dayer.

GDCA

St Anthony’s finished the Gisborne and District Cricket Association Jensen Shield in disappointing fashion. The Saints were bowled out for just 77 with Lancefield making the runs with ease, finishing 0-79. In other final round matches, Aintree beat Malmsbury. Aintree finished on top of the ladder and will face Lancefield in the first week of finals, and the Saints will host Melton South.

FOR MORE SPORT, VISIT

Web: starweekly.com.au

Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly

@starweeklynews

@star_weekly

Anthony Alleyne (Jacob Pattison) 372630_01

Westside Strikers’ coach Simon Vasconcelo (Jacob Pattison) 326659_15

Mustangs bowl their way through to decider

Melton has ticked off step one of two in its quest for the Bowls Victoria weekend pennant division 2, section 2 title.

After losing the grand final the last three years, including by one shot last season, the Mustangs were keen to get another shot at it.

Having dominated all season, the Mustangs showed why they’ve been the top side all season against Essendon 2 on Saturday in the semi finals.

Inadominantdisplay,theMustangswon98 (18)-55 (0).

Mustangs president Anthony Briggs said they were just taking it a step at a time.

“It was step one of step two. That’s the way we’ve been looking at it,” he said. “We have been sitting on top for most of the season and to get to the first final and do that it’s a pretty nice way to do it.

“Theclubhasbeeninthegrandfinalthelast three years trying to get back into division 1,

this is step one and hopefully we finish the job next week.”

Briggs said one of the biggest things for the side this season was the depth that they had across all the rinks.

He said the team had been the strongest it had in the last few years.

“We’re not worried about one rink being weaker than the others,” he said. “One team might have an off day and the other three will get it down.”

Briggs said there were no standouts in the win against Essendon 2, with a solid team performance.

Chris Barritt-Eyles rink won 29-20, Flynn O’Shaughnessy’s rink won 19-13, Todd Trewarne’s rink won 29-12 and Todd Blackburn’s rink won 21-10.

“Every rink had control all day,” Briggs said. “The game was basically over at half way through and we put the foot to the pedal and

didn’t allow them to get back into it.”

Briggs said the consistency in the side and across the season would be the difference in them hopefully getting over the line in the grand final this Saturday.

The grand final against either Essendon 2 or Ivanhoe, with the result not available at deadline. It will be played at a neutral green.

“We think we can handle any challenge thrown at us,” he said. “Hopefully we can get it right on the day.

“We think we have a bigger and better side this year. We’re equally as determined after falling short the last few years.”

A win in the section grand final would send the Mustangs into the finals with the other section winners.

Briggs said they were just focused on taking it one match at a time.

“Our only goal is to get promoted.”

Tara Murray

Devils are being hunted

By Harper Sercombe

The hunters of the Ballarat Football League have become the hunted and Darley is ready to embrace the pressure that comes with it.

After tasting premiership success last season, Devils’ coach Dan Jordan said there is more to come from his young side. Which was again made younger with three premiership players hanging up the boots.

Darren Leonard, Shane Page and Jacob Zeestraten all retired at season’s end, paving the way for youth to take over.

“That’s just the evolution and the nature of footy clubs,” Jordan said. “That’ll provide opportunities for some other guys who are putting in strong pre-seasons and willing and keen to slip into some of those spots.

“We’re a pretty young group and we think we’ve got a fair bit of development left in us. We’ve also got a good young crop of boys coming through that we’d love to try and put some pressure on spots.”

Amongst the youth are seven Victorian Football League affiliated players, with many still fighting it out for spots on lists.

Mace Cousins (Geelong), Bailey Young

(Footscray), Lucas Impey (Williamstown), Joel Cadman, Mitch Ward (both training at Port Melbourne), Will Johnson and Adam Azzopardi (training with Geelong) are all pushing for spots at the higher level. While it may mean more time away from Darley, Jordan said he couldn’t be more supportive of his players exploring their options.

“We’re completely supportive of their opportunity and it’s a great thing for the club to see those guys get recognised and move on to higher levels,” he said.

“Cousins played a lot of VFL footy last year so we probably wouldn’t expect to see him a lot but if the others could get a list position, fantastic and if they could get some exposure to VFL footy that would be great as well.

“It probably just means that they’re training with us just one night a week, but most of them are pretty comfortable with how we play and the roles and expectations we have of them when they’re with us so I don’t see it being too much of a difficulty.

“I’ve been on the other side of the fence as a VFL coach so I try to support that as much as possible. They only return to us as better footballers.”

The Devils have had a reasonably quiet off-season from a recruiting perspective, as Jordan said his focus has been set on building and developing the crop he already has.

“We didn’t focus too much on recruiting,” he said. “Having said that, we’ve got a few new faces with Mikey Edwards who was a really nice recruit for us coming across from Banyule but he unfortunately did his ACL playing cricket a couple of weeks ago.

“Brady Wright coming back full time this year is pretty much a new recruit.

“Mitch Hovey coming from St Josephs in Geelong will fill a bit of a big man void for us that we haven’t really had the last couple of years.

“I’m a big believer in that your depth comes from your bottom five to 10 players… that’s where I generally focus my attention, and having a strong reserves program that can put pressure on the seniors.”

Darley will kick off its premiership defence against East Point on Saturday, April 13.

“They seem pretty hungry, the challenge is now to be the hunted,” Jordan said.

Disappointing end for Bacchus

It was a disappointing straight sets exit forBacchusMarshintheBowlsVictoria weekend pennant, division 2, section 1 competition.

After coming back down to division 2 this season, Bacchus Marsh was keen to go straight back up.

For most of the season, it was the standout side, sitting clear on top of the ladder.

Later in the season, its form dipped and on the weekend bowed out of finals despite winning the minor premiership.

On Saturday, Bacchus Marsh fell short in a thriller with Werribee in a semi final.

Nothing separated the two teams all day, with five shots the biggest margin. Bacchus Marsh entered the final end one shot up.

TheBeeshadtwoshotsbeforeBacchus Marsh killed it before finding two shots again to win, 75 (14)-74 (4).

Justin Webster (23-14) and Glenn Sargent (31-11) were the winning skips.

Having finished top, Bacchus Marsh had a second chance on Sunday against Deer Park 2, which had beat Keilor in the other semi final.

It was the Parkers who got off to a good start and took an early lead.

The lead got out to as much as 20 in the early parts of the match up.

Therewouldbenolatecomebackwith the Parkers putting their foot down late to come away with an 87 (16)-56 (2) win.

Phil Minniti’s rink was the only winning rink for Bacchus Marsh, winning 20-15.

Justin Webster’s rink lost 22-11, Matthew Young’s 27-13 and Glenn Sargent’s 23-12. The Parkers will now face Werribee in the grand final on Saturday.

Di McAuliffe (Ljubica Vrankovic)

Melton’s skipper Todd Trewarne. (Joe Mastroianni) 320087_03

Dan Jordan and Brett Bewley (Jamie Morey Photography)

Falcons back in big dance for third straight time

Caroline Springs is through to its third straight Victorian Turf Cricket Association women’s grand final.

The Falcons defeated Aberfeldie on Sunday to book their spot in the big dance.

After a poor batting display, the Falcons were able to bowl their way to a convincing victory.

TheFalconsweresentintobatbyAberfeldie and got off to an ok start at 2-41, however, the Falcons then lost their next six wickets for just seven runs.

With the middle order collapsing like it did, the Falcons only reached 63 when they were bowled out in the 20th over.

With the ball, the Falcons were off to a fantastic start, having Aberfeldie in a tricky spot at 4-8. The Strong start was thanks to opening bowlers Kyah Marum and Hannah Herring, who took 3-4 and 2-11 respectively.

“They were fantastic, Kyah and Hannah have been terrific for us all year,” coach Gary Pretty said.

“So we have a lot of faith in those girls to deliver for us time and time again.”

The wickets kept falling for Aberfelidie, with the final four coming for just eight runs, finishingtheinningsinthe18thoverat49runs.

“It’s great, after a pretty ordinary effort with the bat on Sunday, to win the game was a fantastic effort,” Pretty said.

“It showed the strength of the girls to be able

to come out and defend a score like that. Our bowling’s our strength, we know that and the girls bowled and fielded brilliantly.

“The challenge now is to regroup and get

Warriors are ready to go

By Tara Murray

The Western Warriors can’t wait for the Victorian Netball League championship season to get underway.

The Warriors are one of three new clubs that will take to the court in the VNL this season, with plenty of work having been done behind the scenes.

Warriors coach Kim Bailey said practice is good, but nothing beats getting on the court for the real thing. The season kicks off on March 6.

“It’s snuck up on us,” she said. “We had our practice match and tried some different combinations ang get the girls out on the court.

“We’ve been stuck with a few injuries with the under-23s and some girls came up from the development team along with the younger girls have a chance to step up and see how they go.

“Kiara Boyd was part of the under-15 SSV team last year, Liv Powell was at the City West Falcons and Charlee Duff-Tyler has been in a VNL environment as well.

“They were ready to step up.”

Bailey said the injured players including Brydi Hutchinson, Narena Baker and Leona Hristovska should all be fit for the first game of the season.

On the championship side of things, Bailey said they were working hard to make sure the team was set to go for round one.

The group has a mixture of youth and experience,withanumberofplayersreturning to the court.

“We’ve been working on defence a bit more with a couple of players having not played for a while.

“We’re getting them back to the level of required. We face Geelong in round two who have Zanna Woods which will be a really good test for them.”

Another getting used to being back on court is Vanessa Augustini.

Augustini, who grew up in Melbourne’s west, has previously played in the VNL championship division, while was also a training partners for Collingwood’s Suncorp Super Netball team.

Augustini is a late addition to the Warriors side.

Julia Woolley (Supplied)

“I kept nagging her a lot,” Bailey said. “She’s coming back after having a little baby and some time off netball.

“She strengthens our attacking end and she played with Julia [Woolley] at Geelong. She has fitted in seamlessly.

“She still loves the game and has a passion for a game. It changes our structure and it gives us something different.

“With Simona Di Filippo and Ruby Shannon, it’s quite a mosquito fleet.”

The Warriors start their season on March 6 against Boroondara Express.

Bailey said there would be lot of excitement from the playing group.

“Getting to put on the dress and really excited to put on the uniform.

“There’s really good enthusiasm to see what we can do. You can do all the training in the world, but it’s not until game day you can see what we can do.

“Hopefully it’ll be good.”

our batting in order as we have a crack at Westmeadows again.”

This is the third year in a row that the Falcons have met Westmeadows in the grand final. With the Falcons taking out last year’s flag and the Warriors the other.

“It’ll be a good game,” Pretty said. “We’re one all so far throughout this season when we’veplayedeachother.Soit’llbeareallygood game.

“There’s some great opportunities to get a win on them and we’re looking forward to the challenge.

“We can’t wait, we’re champing at the bit to get there.”

Pretty said not only is this a great result for the women in the team, but it shows how strong the future of women’s cricket at Caroline Springs is.

“We’re looking to build the women’s side of the game at the club,” he said.

“We’ve got one team at the moment, we’ve got aspirations for more. We’ve got a junior girls team which we hope can become a feeder team for the senior girls.

“It just helps strengthen the game and helps promote the game and grow numbers for us as well which is what we want to do.”

Local derby grand final

It’s all set up for a local derby in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association women’s grand final.

Darley and Bacchus Marsh will face it out in the big dance on Sunday afternoon at the Darley Civic Hub.

On Sunday Darley crushed Lancefield in the semi final.

The Lions were sent in to bat and got into their work straight away with star batter Kim Bessell opening the batting, top scoring with 68 not-out.

After a 33 run opening stand the Tigers responded taking 4-11. Bessell helped her team once again get the innings on track before all her teammates were dismissed, reaching 8-128 from 28 overs.

With ball in hand, the Lions were great, taking wickets consistently throughout the innings.

Opening bowler Jasmine Kilmartin and Bessell were the best, taking three wickets each, helping knock the Tigers over for just 44 from 18.4 overs.

In the Bacchus Marsh and Macedon match the Bulls were too good for the Cats.

BattingfirsttheBullshadagoodstart, followed by a middle order collapse.

After being 1-87 the Bulls were quickly at 6-98 and in trouble, however thankstoopeningbatterSarahBamford making 70, the Bulls were able to reach 6-144 from their 30 overs.

The Bulls bowlers were able to be very economical, not giving the Cats a good chance at victory.

Bamford was also the Bulls best with the ball taking 3-10 from her four overs.

With the Cats only managing 100 after being bowled out in 28.3 overs.

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