There was plenty of sporting action across Brimbank and the north-west at the weekend, as sporting seasons started to heat up. Keilor was among the winners in the Essendon District Football League premier women’s competition. For more on that win and plenty of other action.
Turn to page 19
By Tara Murray
Brimbank council is calling for certainty around funding and timeframes for major road and rail projects in the upcoming state budget.
Melbourne Airport Rail, Sunshine station masterplan, Albion station upgrade and the Calder Park Drive interchange are the big ticket items the council is calling for state government support for in the state budget.
The council wants confirmation of the state government’s $5 billion commitment to the Melbourne Airport Rail and the
associated timeline.
The council is calling on MAR to be completed ahead of the opening of the third runway at Melbourne Airport in 2031.
It also wants to see funding for the implementation of the Sunshine station masterplan and Albion station rebuild and associated timelines for both projects to be revealed.
The council is also calling for funding for the construction of the Calder Park Drive interchange and the associated timeline.
The federal government recently contributed$300milliontotheproject.Inlast
year’s state budget, money for the Calder Park Driveprojectwasscrappedasthegovernment cut funds to several big projects.
Mayor Thuy Dang said council had been clear about its priorities and the need for the state government to invest in the west.
“We are looking forward to the delivery of the state budget and to understanding how it willbenefitthepeopleofBrimbank,”shesaid.
“The federal government has already locked in its support for the Melbourne Airport Rail, and now we need assurance of the Victorian government’s $5 billion commitment and clarity on the start and
end dates for these critical transport works, includingthedeliveryoftheSunshinestation precinct masterplan.
“Similarly, we look forward to the delivery of the funding promised for Calder Park Drive. These projects directly impact the safety and quality of life of everyone living in the west – they simply must be delivered in the state budget. We cannot wait any longer.”
The council is also calling for road safety upgrades and upgrades to sporting facilities as part of the budget.
The budget will be revealed on May 20.
By Cade Lucas
With the state’s population continuing to grow and more housing and infrastructure needing to be built to cater for it, the amount of construction and demolition waste produced in Victoria is set to grow too.
Disposing of this waste requires either sending it to landfill or recycling it, but while the latter may be better for the environment, PHD student at RMIT’s school of property, construction and project management , Moein Behzad, said that didn’t mean it was popular.
“It’sreallyimportanttodevelopourrecycling facilities and establish new ones, but when
it comes to establishment of new recycling facilities, usually people who live in suburbs neighbouring these facilities, oppose them,” said Mr Behzad.
Like other heavy industries, many waste recyclingplantsthatdealwithconstructionand demolition waste are based in the inner-west, especially Brooklyn.
Mr Behzhad is conducting a survey of residents in Brooklyn to find out why they oppose these facilities and what can be done to assuage their concerns.
“It’s really important to address these concerns and on the other side it’s really important to consider recycling groups
concerns as well,” said Mr Behzad who warned of dire consequences if a workable solution between inner-city residents and recycling companies wasn’t found.
“If recycling groups relocate their facilities further away (from the city), it can increase their recycling costs and demotivate them from recycling and lead to them sending more waste to landfill which can be dangerous for the environment and communities.”
Mr Behzad has so far received about 35 responses to the survey and said air and noise pollution were the most common concerns.
He’ssaidheneedstodoublethatamountover the next two months in order for the research
OvernewtonAnglicanCommunityCollegehas once again been recognised for its outstanding efforts in sustainability practices, being named a finalist in the 2025 ResourceSmart Schools Awards.
The school, located in Keilor, has been nominated in the School Volunteer of the Year category for its successful Parent Sustainability Group (PSG) and volunteer work with Brimbnak council, including tree planting initiatives.
Overnewton Community College is no stranger to sustainability accolades, having previously won the Emerging School of the Year (2022) and Student Action Group (2023) awards. The school was also recognised as a finalist in the Volunteer of the Year category in 2023 and 2024.
The Parent Sustainability Group (PSG) was established in 2021 and plays a crucial role in advancing the school’s sustainability vision meeting each term to discuss and plan various projects.
In 2024, PSG focused on recycling and waste reduction through a waste audit, a reusable party kit, a stationery drive, and, in collaboration with staff, successfully certified the school’s RSS Waste Module.
PSGmembersalsoplantedtrees,contributing to local biodiversity.
Additionally, PSG members offered career adviceattheSeniorSchoolExpoandorganised site visits to explore partnership opportunities, including with a nearby organic farm and Melbourne Water for Maribyrnong riverbank revegetation.
Synergy Leader for Sustainability and Indigenous Connections, Sasha Koomen said the school hoped to achieve Five Star ResourceSmart status in the future.”
Currently, we are focusing on biodiversity. Our students are auditing and recognising the plants and animals around us,” she said.
“Practicing sustainability is integral for our students,helpingthemthinkabouttheirfuture and understand how we are all responsible for the land we live on.”
project to work, but that the outcome would be beneficial to both residents and industry.
“I’m going to apply the results of my survey to create a framework for recycling in the future. I’m going to include public opinion in my framework and this can be a good option for recycling groups in the establishment of their facilities,” said Mr Behzad, adding than consulting with local residents and engaging with them as early as possible was crucial.
“That’showwecanincreasetheacceptability of these facilities.”
The survey can be accessed at: https:// rmit.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ cMGLeowIgIW4Ake
An organisation pushing for another special development school to be established in the west will hold a community meeting on Monday May 26.
Equality for Autism Incorporated, which advocates for individuals with autismandtheirfamilies,haslaunched a campaign for the establishment of a third special development school in the west to be located at Victoria University Secondary College in Deer Park.
“We are calling on the Victorian state government to complete stage 2 of the Victorian University Secondary College and then utilise the current land of the junior campus in Billingham Road, Deer Park, already owned by the Education Department to build a substantial new special development school for Melbourne’s west,“ said a group spokesperson.
To achieve its aim Equality for Autism has launched a petition.
“It’s understandable that families out there who are fortunate enough not to have children with special needs may feel why sign this petition to the Victorian state government? But I challenge everyone out there in the community to speak with your families, friends and associates and I assure you that you will learn that at least one of them would have a connection to someone who suffers from autism and needs specialist support in education,” said the spokespersonurgingpeopletosupport the petition,” the spokesperson said.
The meeting will be held at Sassella Park Community Hall, 119 Station Road, Deer Park from 6.30pm to 8pm.
Everyone is encouraged to attend.
A prominent US real estate family has been announced as the new majority owners of the A-League club Western United.
It was announced that the Kaminski family had agreed to acquire a controlling stake of the Tarneit-based franchise and its parent company Western Melbourne Group (WMG) on Friday, May 2.
The club is set to be acquired under the KAM Melbourne, a subsidiary of the family’s KAMSportscompanythatownsandmanages sports assets in Europe and North America. Chairman and co-founder Maciek
Kaminski said the building of the proposed 15,000-seat Wyndham City Stadium and adjacent sporting precinct was a part of the commitment.
“The prospect of being the first sports team to fully own their stadium is exciting and we look forward to accelerating the development ofthisandseeingitfilledwithlocalcommunity and supporters,” Mr Kaminiski said.
He said that the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the western suburbs was also a big driver in the company’s maiden investment in Australian sports.
“The combination of integrating sport and real estate to make a meaningful impact in the local community in the west attracted us to this opportunity,” he said.
“The continued development of local talent, both male and female, and creating grassroots to elite pathways under the Western United brand is top-of-mind for us.”
WMG chairman Jason Sourasis said that the group was “thrilled” by the purchase and that he expects the move will bring social and economic benefits for Wyndham and the wider west.
“Most importantly, it allows for the acceleration of sporting pathways for boys and girls in the west of Melbourne, allowing them to dream big” while supporting their local teams and hopefully following in the footsteps of their sporting idols,” Mr Sourasis said.
The transaction is subject to successful completion of the necessary approval processes by Wyndham council, the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) and regulatory processes by Football Australia (FA).
By Tara Murray
New Gorton MP Alice Jordan-Baird says she has lots of energy and a long list of things she wants to achieve in her new role.
Ms Jordan-Baird was voted in as the new member for Gorton, which covers part of Brimbank and Melton, replacing the retiring Brendan O’Connor.
Speaking before she headed to Canberra for the first time as an MP, Ms Jordan-Baird said she was excited and humbled.
“It’s been a big week and I think it’s still settling in,” she said. “I’m so excited and so humbled at the opportunity.
“It’s been a big campaign and I’m so proud. I’ve got some big shoes to fill.”
At just 32, Ms Jordan-Baird will be one of, if not the youngest MP in the new parliament. She said while she knew she was young, she felt she would represent her local community well.
“The medium age is 35,” she said. “It’s young families who need young voices. I want to be that voice.”
Ms Jordan-Baird comes from a science background but has always had a love of politics.
It was something she shared with her sister Clara, who died in 2017.
Ms Jordan-Baird said she felt her sister was on the campaign with her and she would be proud of her achievement to be elected.
The Sydenham resident, who celebrated her first wedding anniversary at pre-polling, said there were two key issues that locals had told her they wanted addressed.
The first main issue was infrastructure.
“With a growing community there has to be a more effective way of planning for growth and not being reactive,“ she said.
Brimbank council has welcomed the outcome of the federal election saying it now hopes the Labor Party delivers on its promises for the municipality.
After months of debate, Labor came away with a landslide victory and all seatsacrossMelbourne’swestremaining part of the Labor heartline.
In the lead up to the election, both parties promised that there would be funding for Calder Park Drive interchange and Western Freeway upgrades, with the Labor party committing to it in the budget.
The Labor party had announced funding for the Melbourne Airport rail project and upgrades to Sunshine station.
While the Liberal party had announced it would scrap funding for the upgrade of Sunshine station as part of its rail plan,
Brimbank mayor Thuy Dang said the councilwillcontinuetoadvocateforkey projects in the municipality.
“The Federal election result does offer Brimbank further stability, in the hope thatthere-electedAlbanesegovernment will not only deliver on its promises for Melbourne’s west but prioritise these critical initiatives too,” she said.
The other area is healthcare.
“We’re promised $8.5 billion to strengthen Medicare, which is life changing for a lot of people,” she said.
“A lot of people put off going because of the
“I’m excited there’s money in the budget for the Western Freeway and we can get that started and $300 million for Calder Park Drive so we can reduce traffic congestion.”
gap.The gap will be minimised and free for others.
“People are more likely to see the doctor and it’s a much better health outcome.”
Ms Jordan-Baird said the announcement to build an urgent care centre at Sunshine Hospital was also important for health care in the area.
“Council will continue to staunchly advocate for the projects outlined in our advocacy plan, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese knows about how important priorities, like the Sunshine stationprecinct,aretoourcommunities, as he heard during his time here on the election trail.”
The scent of freshly cut grass lingers in the air at Gladstone Park Bowls Club as Jo Briskey takes a moment to reflect on her first days as the newly-elected Labor MP for Maribyrnong.
Ms Briskey is clear-eyed about the task ahead as she talks with the bowls club owners – it’s evident she is deeply proud of the place she now calls home.
“I love living here, we’ve been here since the end of 2020 and my husband and I and my two little girls love being in this part of Melbourne –and Maribyrnong is such a beautiful community,” Ms Briskey said.
Ms Briskey, who moved from Brisbane, has already made a mark through a grassroots campaign.
“Over the course of the campaign I door knocked every single suburb so I really got to know the entire electorate,” Ms Briskey said.
“There are lots of differences [to Brisbane] but what drew them all together is a sense of community.”
Accusations that she was “parachuted in” to the electorate as a candidate don’t sit well with the new MP.
“Not at all, my husband and I have been livinghereforyears,wehavemadeMelbourne our home and our future, and the incredible opportunity to represent this electorate is an absolute privilege and an honour –I’m really excited.”
Ms Briskey has already committed $1 million to improve facilities at the Gladstone Park Bowls Club.
“We have committed $1 million…to help put shades over the top and another green to really make this bowls club a fantastic facility for this local community,” Ms Briskey said.
“I want it to look like getting the best outcomes for this community and that’s what I will be focused on… that will be my goal in the long and short term.”
Ms Briskey said her background as a psychologist, mother and long-time advocate
will shape how she governs.
“I think it gives me an understanding of ways in which we can best serve the community to get the best possible outcomes, and really bring people together,” Ms Briskey said.
“So I’m going to bring all that with me to this new role and make sure this community gets the best they can out of the decisions that are going to be made in Canberra.”
Tom Ingleton
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For some woman, pregnancy can trigger around-the-clock nausea and vomiting leading to weight loss, malnutrition and dehydration. The debilitating condition is known as hyperemesis gravidarum – or HG for short. Thursday, May 15 is international hyperemesis awareness day – a day dedicated to advocating for better treatment and a cure for HG. Laura Michell shares her experience of living with HG twice.
Imagine having gastro-like symptoms for nine months, battling to keep down a glass of water and most foods.
Now imagine being pregnant at the same time,becausethat’swhatitisliketosufferfrom hyperemesis gravidarum (HG).
Hyperemesisisa“potentiallylife-threatening condition that may cause weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration, and debility due to severe nausea and/or vomiting, and may cause long-term health issues for mother and baby(ies)”, according to The HER Foundation, a global charity advocating for better HG awareness and treatment.
It’s believed the condition affects between one and three percent of pregnancies and has a recurrence rate of about 80 per cent.
Recent research suggests there is a genetic component to the condition.
I’ve been unfortunate enough to suffer from it in both my pregnancies until I gave birth.
Looking back at my most recent pregnancy in2023,Iwasn’tfullyawareofjusthowunwellI was. It’s with the benefit of hindsight that I can see I was really just surviving day-to-day.
So, what’s it like to actually suffer from HG?
In my experience, nausea and vomiting were worst parts of the condition. I took a cocktail of drugs three times a day to keep the nausea, vomiting, and acid reflux under control.
Without them, I would never have ben able to leave my bathroom.
BeforeIfoundtherightmixofmedications,I wasnauseous24-7andeverythingIatewasjust about guaranteed to come back up.
OnceIfoundtherightmedications,Istillhad to lock myself in my bedroom at the other end of our house while food was being cooked and eaten until I was well into my second trimester. Then there were food aversions.
While other pregnant women carefully follow eating guidelines, giving up soft cheese and sushi for nine months, I struggled to find foods I could actually keep down.
I couldn’t eat meat, most vegetables, or anything sweet.
I survived on buttered toast and two-minute noodles – hardly a nourishing diet - and some days even those ‘safe foods’ would fail me.
I couldn’t even keep a glass of water down, whichmadehydrationanongoingbattle.Ioften
needed IV fluids to reverse my dehydration.
As you can imagine, all of these things combinedmadeitdifficulttogoabouteveryday life.
When you are constantly nauseous and on the verge of dehydration, everyday tasks like taking care of your family, cleaning your house, or working become too much to handle.
As a result, I have missed out on a lot. In my second pregnancy, HG left me with less time to play with my son or take him on outings, less quality family time, and missed family functions, including a wedding and significant birthdays.
While missing out on all those moments wasn’t been ideal, these decisions have been necessary to keep me out of hospital and well enough to function on a basic level.
Working with HG, especially in weeks nine to 12 – referred to as ‘the death zone’ by sufferers because that is when symptoms are at their worst – can be almost impossible. It is very difficult to concentrate and give your job your all when all you want to do is throw up and sleep.
Showing up to work each day meant I spend my evenings and weekends bed-ridden, recoveringfromtheexhaustionofworkingand relying on my husband, Tim, to look after me and our son, Harrison.
Tim did all the cooking and the majority of the household chores and kept Harrison
entertained, all while trying to work himself.
My parents religiously visited us every Saturday to help clean, entertain Harrison, and cook batches of whatever meals I thought I might be able to tolerate that week.
For many HG sufferers, one of the most frustrating parts of the condition is the lack of awareness about hyperemesis.
For the most part, people don’t understand just how debilitating the condition can be unless they have suffered from HG or watched a loved one go through it.
As a result, HG can be a very isolating condition.
It can be very hard for people to grasp the
extent of the condition and well-meaning friends and family often tried me to ‘just try and drink some water’ or ‘try some ginger’ without really understanding why they weren’t going to stop the sickness.
It is also widely misunderstood by medical professionals.
Iencounteredplentyofdoctors,pharmacists, and midwives across my two pregnancies who were dismissive – one GP in my first pregnancy told me “vomiting is part of life – get used to it” – or reluctant to offer the medication, fluids and intervention I needed to survive.
But, I also found there is a community of HG sufferers past and present who lend their support to one another on the Hyperemesis Gravidarum Support Australia Facebook page, helping you feel like you are not going through this alone, while charity Hyperemesis Australia has a wealth of resources to help get you through.
After my first pregnancy, I honestly didn’t think I had it in me to face HG a second time. And while I did, I definitely know I cannot make through a third HG pregnancy.
To this day, the slightest bit of nausea sends meintoapanicandvomitingelicitsanextreme fear response.
Myhopenowisthatbythetimemydaughter has her own children, researchers will have found a way to treat and manage the condition so she doesn’t have to suffer.
A night out under the stars is set to be a family affair for Sunshine Heights Football Club’s outdoor movie event.
The club has opened its junior fundraiser on May 24 to the community and is hoping that people of all ages will come along and enjoy the night. at Ainsworth Reserve.
Junior coordinator Hailey Attard said they want to get their juniors involved in their fundraising event.
“It’s catered for all ages,” she said. “We do junior functions in the past and have done things like trivia nights and have been pretty much for the parents.
“I kind of wanted to do something kid orientated.
“I seen it advertised on line and took it to the committee and they all loved it and we’re running with it.
Attard said all the families at the club were excited and had posted the event in school newsletters as well.
They are now opening it up for the wider community.
Attard said they were hoping a night like this would encourage more people to get involved with the club.
“Hopefully we can get more juniors involved
in the season as well,” she said. “The cut of for registration isn’t after until after the movie night.
“Hopefully they all come to the ground and they see hey this is actually family orientated club. They are more likely to join our junior sides as well.
The decision on what movie will be shown is still to be decided, but there were hoping it would be a movie that caters for all ages.
Tickets are $15 per person and it includes a bean bag, some popcorn and fairy floss.
Tickets have to be purchased by May 17.
Details: 0450 998 456
Nine Asian elephants are running loose in the middle of Werribee and there is a mad rush to confirm their whereabouts. While that first sentence is misleading, it’s not entirely false. To celebrate the recent opening of Werribee Open Range Zoo’s (WROZ) new Elephant Trail, there are nine elephants hidden in the business windows in Werribee city centre. Along Watton Street and between Wedge Street and Cherry Street, the tiny counterparts of the multi-tonne grey titans are waiting to be spotted.
The self-guided activity can be done on any date or time during the competition period–and with anyone.
In February, moving the nine elephants that now live in their new oasis at Werribee Zoo took an incredible logistics team of 21 elephant zookeepers, veterinarians and the support of cranes and trucks.
Once you find one of their mini-mes, make sure to scan one of the QR codes in the vicinity and enter their whereabouts on the site.
If you manage to find all nine, you’ll enter
Renowned Footscray percussionist Ray Pereira and his band The Mouth will be previewing their new album at Kindred Studios in Yarraville later this month.
Pereira along with The Mouth co-founder Julien Wilson on saxophone, Robbie Bellchamber on guitar, Quinn Knight on drums and Ashleigh Howell on bass, will perform Afro Cuban, African and Sri Lankan grooves from the as yet untitled new album on Saturday, May 24.
Proving too much percussion is never enough,Pereira’s50piece-yes,50-community drumming ensemble ’Drum Nation’ will also be performing at the gig, which will be held at thesamevenuewheretheyhaveweeklyAfrican and Afro Cuban drumming classes with one of the leading authorities in the field.
Pereira has been a percussionist for more
than 30 years and has performed and recorded across Australia and around the world.
In 2021 and Pereira received an Order of Australia medal (OAM) for his services to music, while he’s also been chosen as part of the ‘Face of Footscray’ initiative at the new Footscray Hospital.
When not playing with The Mouth or teaching, Pereira runs drumming and dance study tours to locations such as Ghana, Sri Lanka and South Africa.
But at 7pm on Saturday, May 24, he’ll be onstage in the inner-west doing what he does best: getting his groove on.
The Mouth live album preview show is supported by Maribyrnong council’s ‘Love Your West’ grants program.
The band’s new album will be released later this year.
the draw to win a family prize pack valued at more than $800.
The ‘staycation’ prize includes a WROZ family pass, a night at Holiday Inn for two adults and two children and $300 worth of vouchers at local restaurants.
It might not be the world-class 21-hectare trail that the crew at the zoo live at, but it is far from shabby.
Entries close at 10am on Saturday, May 31. Fill in your entries at: https://www. visitwerribee.com/findtheelephants
Crooks, clowns, and crab fishing all feature in an entertaining radio play set to be performed in Bacchus Marsh this month.
Written and directed by Bruce Carboon and performed by Bacchus Marsh community theatre group Moonlite Theatre Company, the Maltese Chicken tells the story of Richard (Dick) Pain and his trusted pianist, Fang Chew, who flee a Moroccan port city fearing retribution after a Nazi influencer, Freu Schlitz, is mysteriously killed.
They settle in the quiet seaside crab fishing village of Dodgy Bay, and Richard embarks on a new profession – a private eye.
Overnight, their world is upended as a gang of international villains and undesirables descend on Dodgy Bay in search of the precious statuette – The Maltese Chicken.
As Dodgy Bay becomes a haven for murder,mayhem,andunrequitedlove, will Dick survive and get his hands on the priceless Maltese Chicken?
A good old-fashioned radio play set in the 1950s, performances will be held from 8pm on Friday, May 16, and from 2pm and 8pm on Saturday, May 17 at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church Hall, 19 Gisborne Road, Bacchus Marsh.
Tickets cost $20.
The Moonlite Theatre Company began in 2017 after a group of local residents united to start an amateur theatre group in Bacchus Marsh.
Details: trybooking.com/DAYTF
IS it time for Switzerland? What does the name summon up? Pristine Swiss Alps, chocolate tasting, panoramic sightseeing cruises, cable cars, glaciers, train rides through the alps, glaciers, chalets, and fondue?
Anyone who has travelled to Switzerland will agree the reality is every bit as good as the guidebooks say and by far one of the most stunning and luxurious ways to explore this pristine country is with Viking.
From the Rhine River, Viking offers unparalleled journeys through Switzerland to discover the country’s scenic beauty among the Alps.
Whether it’s a Basel walking tour or a day spent among the rich culture of alpine Switzerland with a drive to the charming village of Brienz travellers never fail to thrill at the beauty of the country.
Holidaymakers can pedal through the beautiful Alsatian countryside, following its famous wine route to quaint villages.
Savour the taste of Switzerland with a delicious cheese fondue dining experience. Fondue is a meal of bread dipped into a hot pot of cheese flavoured with garlic and a dash of wine and is synonymous with Switzerland.
Derived from the French word fonder, meaning “to melt,” fondue has its origins in the 18th century as a way for Swiss farmers to stretch their limited food stocks during the winter months.
From its simple origins, fondue has become a winter tradition and the national dish of Switzerland.
Guests of the Viking Rhine and Main Explorer cruise can experience this tradition. Travellers leave their stunning rooms onboard toboardatramforashortridetooneofBasel’s Beiz to dine on national and local dishes. Swiss hosts love to show guests more about cheese fondue as they dip their bread into the mouthwatering concoction, accompanied by a glass of white wine or beer and a shot of Kirsch.
Take the opportunity to explore Zürich’s charm with its stunning lake setting and exceptional architecture with scenic alpine views from the traditional Swiss town of Lucerne.
Viking guests can take advantage of extension tours before or after selected cruises with a favourite being the four Nights in Geneva and Zermatt extension which is an ideal option for those seeking to take in more of the beauty of the region.
On this extension guests have the chance to breathe in the pure mountain air of Zermatt, a
car-free haven high in the Alps set at the foot of the famed Matterhorn and explore the rich culture and stunning setting of Geneva.
The Glacier Express train from Zurich to Zermatt passes through dramatic mountain tunnels, and up and down alpine slopes with breathtaking vistas and soaring peaks, and wide green valleys.
Guests rest for the night at the Resort Hotel Alex, Zermatt before they jump on board a cogwheel train to the summit of Gornergrat.
Strollitsnarrowlaneslinedwithchalet-style buildings and venture into the surrounding countryside, with its high meadows and breathtaking views.
On day three head to Lausanne to enjoy the impressive Lavaux Vineyard Terraces, the largest continuous vineyard in Switzerland.
TasteChasselaswinewithlunchthentravelon to Geneva for a two-night stay at the elegant Intercontinental in spacious, well-appointed accommodation within walking distance to the Botanical Gardens.
Another extension choice is ‘Five Nights in the Swiss Alps’ where guests explore Switzerland’s renowned lakeside cities of Zürich, Lucerne, and Geneva.
Guests love the two-night cruise extension in Basel where they discover the city that stands at the point where France, Germany and Switzerland meet.
Here travellers can enjoy the lovely Middle Bridge, the Basel Cathedral and the winding cobblestone streets lined with medieval houses and colourful fountains and explore the museums and art galleries.
The opportunities are endless and now is time to talk to one the Viking staff about a trip to Switzerland in 2025.
For further information please visit www. viking.com or phone 138 747 to plan the trip of a lifetime.
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All hotel stays include breakfast
Escorted Tours
Complimentary walking tour of Iguazu Falls including both the Brazilian and Argentinian sides of the falls
Tour of Christ the Redeemer
All Flights, Taxes & Transfers Overnight flights
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 One who believes in sharing evenly amongst the community (9)
6 Majestic (4)
10 Possessive pronoun (3)
11 Notorious dispute (11)
12 Of cooking (8)
13 Situate (6)
14 Without (arch) (4)
15 Hitchhiker'sGuide author, – Adams (7)
20 Enterprise (7)
21 Not genuine (4)
25 Invisible (6)
26 Tied up (8)
28 Offender (11)
29 Special effects (1,1,1)
30 US university (4)
31 Not at all sleepy (4-5)
DOWN
1 Patience (8)
2 US state, North – (8)
3 Climb (6)
4 Closest to the centre (9)
5 Duration (4)
7 Package (6)
8 Wild dog native to North America (6)
9 Infested (7)
16 Clothed (9)
17 Erased (7)
18 US actress who portrayed Allison Dubois, – Arquette (8)
19 News title (8)
22 Provide, furnish (6)
23 Of the stars (6)
24 Himalayan mountain person (6)
27 The bow of a ship (4)
The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, UK is home to which annual tournament? 3 In Norse mythology, what is the name for the world tree?
4 Elizabeth Barrett Browning was an English a) poet, b) singer or c) actress?
5 What does the phrase ‘per contra’ mean?
6 TheJazzSinger (1927) starring Al Jolson was the first of what
7 In what year did the division of Korea take place?
8 Which famous gem was extracted from the Kollur Mine in Guntur, India in the 17th century?
9 What is the name of the town in the Netflix TV series StrangerThings? 10 Karen Gillan (pictured) plays which character in the Marvel cinematic universe?
1. Which women’s ruby sevens team defeated Australia to win the Los Angeles leg of the 2024–25 World Rugby SVNS series?
2. In what place did Australian racing driver Oscar Piastri finish the 2025 Miami Formula One Grand Prix?
3. Which tennis professional ended her four-year title drought by winning the final of the 2025 L’Open 35 de
4. Kagiso Rabada last played for which country’s mens national cricket team?
5. Why do PWHL jerseys feature the sponsor at the top and player name at the bottom?
6. In what place did Australian racing cyclist Jay Vine finish at the end of the 2025 Tour de Romandie?
7. Until stepping down recently, Gregg Popovich was head coach of which NBA team?
Steven May and Dion Prestia last played for which AFL clubs respectively?
Adelaide Lightning last competed in which professional women’s sporting league?
T-Rac the raccoon is the costumed mascot for which NFL team?
Half of the Fox Sports duo Fletch and Hindy, Nathan Hindmarsh previously captained which NRL team?
12. In which year was the Women’s Baseball Asian Cup founded?
13. Which Matildas forward is out for the season after rupturing her ACL in a Manchester City game?
14. What is considered the most popular sport in the world?
15. The cricket news website and app Cricbuzz is from which country?
16. Which former NBA player was nicknamed ‘Agent Zero’?
17. Endurance race designer Gary Cantrell is more commonly known by what name?
18. How old is Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who recently became the youngest centurion in men’s Twenty20 cricket?
19. Which Australian NBA player was recently bestowed the ‘Most Improved Player’ award?
20.And what team does he play for?
21. Tennis returned to the Olympics as a full medal sport in what year?
22.Which sport was the focus of the first episode David Duchovny wrote and directed for The X-Files?
23.On a standard dartboard, which two numbers are at the top and bottom?
24.The Crichton Medal is the best and fairest award for which AFL team?
25.How many riders will line up for the start of the 2025 Tour de France?
26.Which sport is the Vezina Trophy awarded in?
27. And who is it awarded to?
28.WMF stands for what?
29. ‘The Cavs’ is the nickname of which American sports team?
30.Perth will hold which major WWE event later on this year?
By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring
The futuristic-looking K4 is a replacement for the Kia Cerato.
But, for the time being at least, both are offered for sale by the South Korean car manufacturer. At this stage we get the sedan but not the hatch, which will probably turn up later in the year.
Kia says the change of name brings the K4 into line with the rest of the world, where it has already adopted the same naming strategy: K3 (Kia Rio), K5 (Optima) and K8 (Cadenza) and K9 (K900). Only the tiny Picanto remains.
At a time when many car manufacturers are dumping sedans, it is interesting to note that Kia has chosen to continue with the K4, which like the Cerato is a larger small car - but this time at a higher price.
Styling
K4 embraces Kia’s latest design language with bold, sporty lines and sleek, fastback style, with a lower roofline and lower beltline than its predecessor.
Inspired by Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy, it employs vertical front headlights and daytime running lights at the outer edges to accentuate the wide stance.
K4 also incorporates Kia’s signature ‘Star-Map’ front and rear lighting graphics to align with the brand’s latest ‘Tiger Face’ styling.
Concealed rear door handles, integrated into the C-pillars, reinforce the coupe appearance, while black wheel arch cladding and wheel ranging in size from 16 to 18-inches add to the sporty stance.
From the back, K4 exudes a powerful presence punctuated by vertical tail lights and longer overhangs, plus a raked rear windscreen and air diffuser on GT-Line. K4comesinfivegrades,pricedfrom$30,590. There’s the entry-level K4 S ($30,590), K4 S w/ Safety Pack ($32,690), K4 Sport ($35,190), K4 Sport+ ($37,590) and K4 GT-Line ($42,990). They mirror Cerato grades but cost more, in the case of GT-Line $6130 more. Clear White is the only colour that isn’t extra.
Our test vehicle, the K4 Sport+ costs $5380 more than the Cerato it replaces. Sport+ is kitted out with 17-inch alloys, artificial leather upholstery, two-zone climate air with rear vents, solar shield glass windscreen, heated front seats, six-way power driver seat adjustment, smart key with remote and push-button start, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, intelligent speed limit assist, auto high beam, auto lights and wipers, auto-dimming rear view mirror, front and rear parking sensors and heated, power-folding exterior mirrors.
In this model a sweeping dashboard display incorporates a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and second 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, separated by a 5.0-inch climate screen - all housed within the one assembly. K4 is covered by the company’s seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty together with sevenyearsofcappedpriceservicing,roadside assistance and Connected Services.
Infotainment includes personalised user profiles, Bluetooth, satellite navigation, AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio, Sounds of Nature background noise, wireless and wired CarPlay and Android Auto, plus six-speaker audio.
GT-Line adds a Harman Kardon eight-speaker system.
The system also supports over-the-air updatesandKiaConnecttelematics,including auto SOS call, control some functions, vehicle status monitoring and you can even send an address directly from the app to the vehicle navigation system.
There are four USB-C outlets, two in front and another two in the back, plus a 12 volt outlet in the front, but only GT-Line offers wireless phone charging.
Access is complimentary for the duration of the warranty.
The car is yet to be tested and receive a crash rating from the ANCAP organisation, but comes with a full suite of safety systems.
All models get seven airbags, a reversing camera with dynamic guidelines and all-important automatic emergency braking (AEB).
Standard are Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop & Go functionality, Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Lane Follow Assist (LFA), Multi-Collision Braking (MCB), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA), Rear View Monitor (RVM) and High Beam Assist (HBA).
The Safety Pack adds Junction Turning & Crossing plus Direct/Oncoming Lane Change Detection functionality.
Sport+upstheantewithKia’slatestHighway Driving Assist 2, with stop-and-go capability, combining with Lane Following Assist (LFA) to keep K4 centred in the lane even when driving through a curve, while HDA 2 adds Lane Change Assist (LCA), allowing the K4 to autonomouslychangelaneswhentherequired conditions are met.
There are three child seat tethers and two ISOFix anchor points.
Engines/transmissions
Sport+ is powered by a carry-over 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four cylinder engine that develops 112kW of power and 192Nm of torque, together with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Driving
The new, five-seat sedan is more rigid and with reduced noise, vibration and harshness thanks to the use of high-strength steel and reinforced sound insulation.
K4 measures 4710mm long, 1850mm wide and 1425mm high, with a 2720mm wheelbase.
Inside, those dimensions convert to more space, especially with respect to rear legroom which has grown by 56mm.
Front seat occupants benefit from increased head and shoulder room.
Additionally, K4 boasts an increase in boot space over its predecessor, with the sedan offering 508-litres (a lot more with the rear seat backs folded forward).
The spare is a steel space saver.
K4 embraces Kia’s ongoing efforts in sustainability, incorporating the use of the brand’s 10 ‘must-have’ sustainability items, includingPPandBioPEplastic,PostConsumer Material (PCM), Bio PU Leather, Bio PU foam, BioPaint,BTX-freePaint,RecycledPETYarns, and Recycled PET Felt.
S, Sport and Sport+ are all powered by a carry-over 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four cylinder engine, together with a six-speed automatic transmission, that develops 112kW of power and 192Nm of torque, and uses a claimed 7.4L/100km.
GT-Line scores a more powerful 1.6-litre turbochargedunitandaCVT-basedeight-speed auto, that generates 142kW and 264Nm, with consumption rated at 6.7L/100km.
One wonders why a self-charging hybrid is not offered, but that would obviously bump up already inflated prices.
With a 47-litre tank, both engines take standard unleaded and we averaged 6.4L/100km after 470km of mixed driving in a week.
There are three drive modes from which to choose: Sport, Normal or Eco to suit your driving preferences.
GT-Line also gets beefier brakes and a more sophisticated rear suspension setup.
Six years ago, I praised the then Cerato Sport for its performance.
Although fitted with the same 2.0-litre engine as the K4, there was nothing dull or lifeless about the naturally aspirated engine.
“It’s a willing worker that likes to rev and evenproducesahealthynotewhenyou’rereally going for it,” I wrote back in 2019.
The same holds good for the current K4 Sport+ that we drove recently.
Ride and handling are particularly well-sorted, thanks to Kia’s local tuning program.
But the drive experience is somewhat spoiled by a down-market, polyurethane steering wheel that becomes irksome over time.
You’ll read a lot of reviews urging punters to skip this model and put their money into the turbocharged GT-Line, even if it does carry a $5400 premium.
But most of them are written by privileged young blokes who have become used to driving top-specmodelsandcravetheextrapowerthey bring.
Older,lessdemandingbuyersaremoreeasily satisfied.
At this end of the market that is a huge difference in price and one that many buyers will simply not be able to afford.
Yes, the turbo is quicker. Yes, the turbo is better for overtaking. And yes, the turbo even uses less bloody fuel.
However,arealitycheckrevealstheSport+is still a nice bit of kit.
Summing up
K4 is a better car than the Cerato, but the Cerato sold on price and value for money.
The extra cost of the K4 could see it slip from favour if Kia is not careful.
As the saying goes: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it (and it ain’t).
The Western Warriors did just enough to come away with the win against the Peninsula Waves in the Victorian Netball League on Wednesday night.
The winless Waves pushed the Warriors all the way and didn’t let them get away.
The Warriors led at every break and were able to hold on to win, 53-51.
Warriors coach Kim Bailey was just happy to take the win.
“It was more difficult than we thought,” she said. “They were chaotic and disruptive tonight [Wednesday]andwemostlikelydidn’trespond to that chaos.
“We were up most of the game, I think they drew level once. We are strong enough and composed enough to take those wins.
“We weren’t at our best and they played very well. We’ll take the four points, and I’m very happy with that.”
Bailey said that composure had come through winning a couple of games in the past few weeks and knowing how to get over the line.
The Warriors changed their line up, with KimBorgernotplayingmostofthesecondhalf with the combination of Rebecca Hicks and Poppy Douglass working well.
Hicks shot 25 goals for the Warriors.
“When something is working, you leave it,” Baileysaid.“Kimissuchaprofessionalandwas like just leave it and we did.”
Bailey said the injection of Georgia Hellyer in the third quarter made a real impact and she created some space.
That was when the Warriors got out to their biggest lead of the game, but the Waves were able to bring it back.
The Warriors have now won three of their past four games and are now up to eighth on the ladder.
“You have a look at the next few weeks and they are really competitive games,” Bailey said.
“Our aim, it was a block that we knew that if we worked really hard we could get some good results and hopefully we continue to do that and see what happens.
“Get back to training and do the basics well.”
TheWarriorswerestillwithoutElizaGollant and Ruby Shannon. Bailey said they were hoping to have the pair back in the next couple of weeks.
She said they had really missed Shannon, a Melbourne Vixens training partner.
“Even though Sim [Simona Di Filippo] and Georgia have done an awesome job, you still miss her creativity and it gives us an opportunity to put her into centre and we can put Tayla [Honey] into wing d. A lot more options,”
The Warriors’ 23 and under side slipped away in the final quarter against the Waves, losing 61-39.
Bailey said it was disappointing that they couldn’t finish it off and one that got away.
The Warriors face the Casey Demons this week.
Tara Murray
By Tara Murray
Keilor Thunder’s Daniel Foster is on the fast track having signed an NBL development contract with the South East Melbourne Phoenix for next season.
Foster, who finished up his college career last season, returned to Australia and made an immediate impact back on the court.
Fostersaidhewasn’texpectingtogetanNBL development contract so soon.
“It’s pretty good, pretty stoked about it,” he said. “Last year I did some workouts at the club and a bit of pick up.
“Once I got home I did some more workouts at the facility and got the offer. It was maybe a little sooner than I was expecting, but it’s better sooner rather than later.”
Foster said basketball operations general manager Simon Mitchell rang him up to offer him the opportunity before sitting down the next day to discuss it more.
Having been in America the past few years, Foster said it was good to be based in Melbourne for at least 12 months.
“That was a big thing,” he said. “To be at a great club like the Phoenix and being home in Melbourne is good for me as well.”
Mitchell said that Foster is an exciting prospect.
“He displays a strong all-around game, makesgooddecisionswiththeballanddefends multiplepositions,“Mitchellsaid.“Ourcoaches already like what they’ve seen from him — the opportunities are endless.”
Foster spent five years with the Nevada Wolf Pack in the NCAA division 1 competition completing his degree while in America. He is set to finish his masters in the next couple of months.
The signing with the Phoenix also brings a family connection with his brother Matthew Foster junior working in the front office.
Basketball has always been a family sport with his dad, Matthew Foster, heavily involved as well. He is currently the Hume City Broncos coach, where Daniel played before heading to college.
“I grew up playing footy and basketball,” Foster said. “I don’t even remember starting playing basketball.
“It’s definitely a family sport.”
Foster thought about returning to the Broncos and playing under his dad again, but decided he wanted to play in the National BasketballLeague1Southcompetition,joining the Thunder.
“Keilor was the right fit,” he said. “Maybe down the track if he [dad] is still coaching, I might play under him.
“For now I’m sticking with the NBL1 and Keilor, I love the club and love the people, Ash
[Arnott] and other coaches.” TheThunderishopingtokickstartitsseason after a thrilling win against Nunawading Spectres in round five, where it won 102-100. Foster said they felt that the group was really starting to come together.
Melbourne Knights legend Ivan Franjic has stepped down as coach of the National Premier League club.
The Knights announced on Monday that Franjic had handed in his resignation and the club had accepted it.
Franjic stepped in as player-coach lastseasonbeforeretiringfromplaying at this level and focusing just on coaching. Franjic had returned to the club as a player after his international and A-League career ended.
“Appointed midway through the 2024 season following the departure of Ben Surey, Ivan led the team to a strong finish, narrowly missing out on a top-six finals berth by just two points,” the Knights statement said.
“With a full pre-season and the opportunity to build his own squad, both Ivan and the club had high hopes of building on that momentum in 2025.
“However, a string of injuries—both long-term and short-term—dating back to the middle of pre-season severely disrupted squad consistency and performance.
“In light of these challenges, Ivan has made the difficult decision to step down as head coach of the Knights.”
The Knights sit in 11th spot after 12 rounds with three wins and nine losses. In Franjic’s last game in charge, the Knights lost 2-0.
Speaking to Star Weekly after the club’s round four Australia Cup win, Franjic said they believe they are a better team than what they are showing.
“We’re building and starting to get the scores,” he said at the time. “We’ve had a fair few injuries since round two.
“We’re starting to get them coming back into the side. It makes it tough when you have key personnel out.”
The Knights thanked Franjic for his service and commitment and said while his time as coach comes to an end, they look forward to seeing him play an ongoing role in the club’s future.
“It wasn’t your typical start to a game,” he said. “We were down big early and the guys were able to rally back.
“It’s a new group with only a couple of guys returning. Hopefully we can keep things rolling with that win.”
Assistant coach Josip Loncaric has alsosteppeddownfromhisdutieswith the senior squad but will continue on in his role as football director.
The Knights face Altona Magic on Saturday night.
By Tara Murray
A return to bowling spin was a big part of Sunshine’s Pramud Hettiwatte’s rise to one of the best players in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Isaacs Howarth’s best players.
Hettiwatte was named joint player of the year for division 1 alongside Altona Roosters’ Nadeera Thuppahi in his first season in the competition.
Currently over in England playing cricket, Hettiwatte was shocked when he learned he had won the medal.
‘It feels good,” he said. “I had no clue and one of my teammates sent me a picture from the awards ceremony.
“I knew I was in there with a chance. A little bit of a shock to be number one.”
Hettiwatte said he had a good run this season, with the medal a bit bittersweet after the Crows lost in the grand final.
He said he was looking for a club to play this season, when Crows coach Shafraz Mohamed contacted him about coming across.
Hettiwatte said he would only be a batter,
and not bowl as he had a finger injury that had prevented him from bowling.
“He was like, you have to bowl, just try it,” he said. “I tried to bowl and it all happened nicely.
“Troy [Stone] and Shaf pushed me to bowl spin again. I couldn’t bowl spin for like two years. I was really happy to bowl spin again.
“I feel confident as well.”
Hettiwatte finished with 30 wickets for the season, as well as having a good season with the bat.
As well as playing for Sunshine, Hettiwatte would play for Berwick Strikers on Sundays making it a big weekend of cricket each week.
“PrettymuchtiredonSundays,thenMonday mornings it was pretty hard to go to work.”
Hettiwatte is playing his third season in England.
He said he just wants to keep playing more cricket.
Hettiwatte said he hopefully will be back next season playing with Sunshine and helping the side go one step further.
Hettiwattewasalsonamedintheteamofthe year, as was PEGS Shakeem Clarke.
In the senior division, Sydenham-Hillside all-rounder Anthony Alleyne claimed the association’s highest honour, the Roy Paxino Medal.
The new Storm coach claimed the medal as the best player in the senior division on Friday night at the association’s awards night.
Alleyne claimed the medal ahead of Airport West St Christophers Ben Walkden, with Deer Park’s Aaron Ayre and Fawad Ahmed along with St Albans’ Akila Isanka finishing equal third.
Alleyne said it was nice recognition to claim the Paxino Medal.
“It is a great honour,” he said. “I think over the past few seasons I’ve done well and I’ve been rewarded for consistency.
“I’m just thrilled. It’s reward for my teammates and club members as well.”
Alleyne was named in the team of the year alongside teammate Cam West, Deer Park duo Ayre and Ahmed and the Saints’ Isanka.
In other awards, Burnside Springs United’s Shohan Rangier claimed the Russell Pollock Shield player of the year.
Taylors Lakes’ growth in the Essendon District Football League women’s division 2 has been on show in the early in the season.
After just missing out on finals last season as it fielded its first standalone side, the Lions have started with three wins from their first four matches.
Coach Joseph Antonetti said they’ve been really happy with how it has played out so far.
“We are pretty happy and we can’t complain,” he said. “We had a little hiccup on Saturday [round four] against theBulldogs[Gisborne-KynetonUnited].
“It is early one and we play them again and hopefully we can get them later in the season.”
Antonetti said the match against the Bulldogs, which was a top of the table clash, was a good test to see where they were at.
He said it was a game that could have gone either way with Gisborne-Kyneton United kicking away late in the contest.
Antonetti said the work the club had been doing to make it a place people wanted to be was paying off.
The club is keen to strengthen its female program, advertising for female football coordinator.
“It’s a good environment and the people are good, and we’re building a programthatisgrowing,”Antonettisaid.
“Hopefully we can grow on what we did last year. We didn’t know what to expect from the other teams coming into the season, so we’re a little surprised with the good start, but not surprised how good our footy is.”
The Lions had a bye on the weekend.
Antonetti said it came at a good time with a few injuries and unavailabilities.
“Everyone gets a break and that little bit of a reset,” he said. “When we get back we’ll continue to work towards the last week of the year.
“We need to put our heads down and get back to work.
“There’s always things to work on and have to get back to refining a few things.”
The Lions face East Sunbury this Saturday in the second week of the split round.
Tara Murray
Caroline Springs Caitlin Pretty claimed a second Victorian Turf Cricket Association women’s player of the year award, but it’s more team success she is after.
Pretty, who won the award in 2022-23, was again named the competition’s best player at the recent awards night, winning on 13 votes.
“I wasn’t there [at the night] as I couldn’t make it, I didn’t even know,” she said.
“I thought there were a couple of other great competitors in the league.
“I wanted to win the award again. My season was alright, it’s because of a lot of hard work the team puts in, I get to reap these awards.
“It comes down to their hard work.”
Pretty made 430 runs at an average of 61.43 for the season, including making a century.
She also took 14 wickets at an average of 6.93, including taking 5-0.
She said when her teammates set up the top of the order, she can come in and have a bit of fun with the bat.
The medal win was bittersweet for Pretty as the Falcons lost in the semi finals after going through the regular season undefeated.
The Falcons had been going for a third straight premiership.
“We didn’t take our chances this year and it was disappointing,” Pretty said.
“We were undefeated and in the finals we lost ourselves, so the season is a bit of a failure.
“It was an OK season, but we didn’t get to the great final and win it.”
Pretty said it was a bit of a reality check for the team and they were all keen to get back on top next season.
Pretty was one of three Falcons players named in the team of the year, along with Alisha Fowler and Miriam Hussain.
Pretty said Fowler, who had a change of batting position, continues to turn it on each year, while Hussain was their best and most consistent bowler.
“There were a couple of other girls in there and it’s credit to their hard work throughout the year along with my dad, who is the coach
and all the team that put in all year.
“I’m super proud of them.”
Pretty said the group would use the motivation of this season, when they head into pre-season and next season.
“The motivation is massive.”
Sydenham-Hillside’s Amber Andrews was also named in the team of the year.
AstrongfirstquartersetupKeilor’swininthe Essendon District Football League women’s premier division win against Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Aimingforitssecondwinoftheseason,the Blues jumped out of the blocks at Ormond Park, leading 21-0 at quarter time.
The Fog kicked the only goal of the second quarter to reduce the margin to 13 points at the main break.
Two goals in the third quarter settled the Blues and gave them a match winning lead into the final quarter.
The Blues were able to extend the lead and come away with a 7.8 (50)-2.4 (16) win.
Chelsea McDermott kicked three goals for the Blues, while Tegan Matthews got two goals.
Amelia Grech, McDermott and Maddison Reynolds were named the Blues best.
The Blues are now fifth on the ladder, just four points outside the top four.
Meanwhile, Hillside continued its unbeaten start to the season, accounting for Maribyrnong Park at Monk Oval.
The Sharks kicked four goals in each of the three quarters to have opened up an 83 point lead heading into the final quarter.
While they were only able to kick two goals in the final quarter, the Sharks were able to still extend the lead to win, 14.17 (101)-0.1 (1).
Beejay Johnson kicked three goals for the Sharks.
Mia Spiteri, Ashlee Thorneycroft and Johnson were named among the Sharks best.
After five rounds the Sharks are a game clear on top of the ladder.
The first week of the split round in division 1 and division 2 women’s competitions got underway on Saturday.
Keilor Park further stamped itself as one of the teams to beat this season, beating Westmeadows.
Both teams entered the match with one loss for the season, with both losses against ladder leaders Strathmore.
The Devils trailed at quarter time before kicking four second quarter goals to open up a 15 point lead at half time.
That lead slightly increased in the third
By Tara Murray
Sunshine was made to work hard for it but is finally on the board in the Western Football League division 1 competition.
TheKangaroosfirstwinoftheseasonwasn’t pretty nor the way they wanted to play, but they were still able to get the job done against Point Cook on Saturday.
Kangaroos coach Guy Barbuto said it was nice to get some reward for the hard work that they’ve put in.
“It felt good,” he said. “We’ve shown glimpses of looking at our best this season, but hadn’t been able to put it together.
“It was good to finally get that win on the board. We didn’t put all the pieces together but it was a start.”
Barbuto said Saturday’s game wasn’t the greatest skill execution from either side, partly due to the pressure they were putting on each other.
The Kangaroos led by 10 points at quarter time before the Bulldogs led at both the other two breaks.
The margin was 10 points at the
final change.
Four goals to two in the final quarter forced the game to go down to the wire, with the Kangaroos able to do just enough to get the win.
Barbuto said it was a good, hard game of football.
“We thought we were the more dominant side,” he said. “We gave away a couple of silly free kicks and 50 metres which kept them in the game.
“We should have won by more, but getting the win sets us up for hopefully a few more wins for the rest of the season.”
Riley Buckland kicked three goals for the Kangaroos, while Matthew Cravino kicked two.
Mark Mazzeo and Thomas Schwarzenberg led the way on Saturday, with Barbuto saying they had been their two standouts all season.
Patrick O’Keefe, Nick McKay and Ethan Sivijs were other standouts according to the coach.
Barbuto said one of the biggest issues for them early in the season has been the lack of cohesion in the side.
quarter before the Devils finished it off in the final quarter to win, 9.10 (64)-3.3 (21).
Georgia O’Donovan kicked three goals for the Devils.
Caitlyn Crameri, Alexandra Kilty and Maddison Cooper were named their best Burnside Heights got its second win of the season, with a big victory against Coburg Districts.
The Bears were able to build the lead in each quarter on the way to a, 7.14 (56)-0.0. (0) win
Holly McGregor kicked three goals for the Bears. Krissy Trang did her hopes of a recall to the Victorian Football League women’s competition no harm, with a best on ground performance.
Keilor had a big day out against East Keilor in the Essendon District Football League premier division. In the battle between top and bottom, the big gap between the sides was on show with the Blues winning, 36.31 (247)-2.2 (14). Cody Brand kicked 10 goals for the Blues, with Kane Barbuto, Kyle O’Connor and Nick O’Kearney among the best. In other results, Deer Park lost to Strathmore, 20.13 (133)-7.5 (47).
Brimbank Stallions, Westgate, Sydenham Park and Keilor Park were all on the winners list in the FV state league 1 north-west competition on the weekend. Sydenham Park claimed a 3-0 win against Clifton Hill, Brimbank Stallions had a 2-1 win against Yarraville, Keilor Park beat Banyule City 3-1, while Westgate beat Westvale Olympic, 2-0. Western Suburbs had to settle for a draw with Corio.
They’ve had a number of changes in the off season, while have been hit hard by injury and availability.
Barbuto said they were hoping with being closertohavingafulllistavailable,theywould be able to implement more of their structures and rotations.
The Kangaroos have a bye this week with interleague.
Barbuto said he would have liked them to have continued on with the momentum.
“We face Werribee Districts after the break and we’re looking forward to that challenge,” he said.
“Anyone on their day can beat anyone. We wait and see and hopefully we are up for a good fight.”
In other results, Caroline Springs beat Albion, 16.17 (113)-6.11 (47).
Malik Elfakahani kicked six goals for the Lakers with Cooper Pepi named best on ground. Johnathan O’Brien was named the Cats beat.
In division 2, Braybrook beat Laverton, Albanvale lost to North Footscray and Sunshine Heights beat Tarneit.
Caroline Springs continued on its winning ways in the Western Football League women’s competition, this time beating the Suns. The Lakers led 41-0 at half time and were able to keep the momentum going to win, 12.9 (81)-1.0 (6). Akima Manoah, Larina Abary and Taylah Lea were named their best. The Lakers are the only undefeated side at the interleague break. After the break, the Lakers face Werribee Centrals in a grand final rematch.
Green Gully had a big win against Avondale on Friday night in the National Premier League competition. The Cavaliers led 3-1 at half time before finishing it off in the second half to seal a 5-2 win. Aamir Abdallah scored a hat-trick. In other matches, Melbourne Knights lost to Altona Magic, 4-0 on Saturday night, while St Albans Saints lost to Hume City, 3-2. In the Victorian Premier League 1 competition, North Sunshine Eagles beat Langwarrin, 2-1 after a second half blitz.
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