Star Weekly - Melton Moorabool - 27th May 2025

War on rubbish A shed full of goodwill

By Oscar Parry

Melton council is escalating its war on illegally dumped waste, kicking off a campaign and calling for joint state advocacywithothercouncils.

According to council, it has spent over $3 million this financial year on cleaning up dumped rubbish in the municipality, andover the past fouryears, theamount of rubbishdumpedonroadsideshasdoubled toabout6000tonnes–or200largegarbage trucks.

Melton mayor Steve Abboushi said it’s frustrating to be spending ratepayer

money on cleaning up rubbish when it could have better been spent on fixing roads, building community facilities, and delivering services. “A lot of items we see that have been dumped could have been taken to the new recycling centre at our Melton Recycling Facility and dropped off for free. Our disposal fees are lower than other areas across Melbourne’s west, and we have a new resale shop to donate items that can be reused – there are really no excuses,”CrAbboushisaid.

Cr Abboushi said only a quarter of Melton residents are using their waste entitlements and is encouraging everyone

to take advantage of this year’s allocation beforetheendofthefinancialyear.

Thecouncil’swaronillegaldumpingwas also brought to a Municipal Association of Victoria state council meeting, with a call for joint advocacy towards preventing illegal dumping receiving unanimous supportfromall79councils.

The motion called for the development of a state-wide ‘Illegal Rubbish Dumping Strategic Plan’ and preventative education campaign, release of funding from the Sustainability Fund that is collected from the waste levy to support illegal dumping management, and additional funding

A sense of purpose and camaraderie are just some of the benefits Melton Men’s Shed social group team leader Chris Huon feels from his voluntary role.

Marking National Volunteer Week, May 19–25, Star Weekly spoke with Mr Huon about his voluntary role with the shed’s social group.

Formerly working across several roles in the entertainment industry, Mr Huon said that when he retired he was “at a bit of a loose end” and was looking for a reason to get up in the morning – when he was invited to become a volunteer team leader with his local Melton Men’s Shed.

Within the group, Mr Huon helps facilitate social activities including trivia sessions and general group conversations between other members.

“As much as I give, I get back –especially in our social group. We have a very strong element of support,” Mr Huon said.

“Someone might be having some difficulties in whatever area of their life – it’s good to have a sounding board in whatever area it is … it’s nice to know you can go somewhere,” he said.

“Many of our members might be widowers or folk who don’t have a lot of family around them. I’m lucky and blessed that I do, but many don’t.”

to the EPA to increase resources for the enforcementofillegalrubbishdumping.

“We are doing as much as we can as a counciltoaddressthisissue,butwesimply can’t keep up. We know this problem is occurring in other areas across Victoria too,sowearecallingformoresupportfrom the Victorian Government to tackle this issue,”CrAbboushisaid.

Council said it is escalating its surveillance of rubbish dumping with more proactive patrols and cameras in known hot spots and that fines range from $395-$1976 for individuals and $1976-$9880forbusinesses.

Melton Men’s Shed social group volunteer team leader Chris Huon. (Damjan Janevski) 479060_01

Derrimut Road and Boundary Road Intersection Upgrade

Major Road Projects Victoria is upgrading the Derrimut, Hopkins and Boundary roads intersection in Tarneit and Truganina on behalf of Transport Victoria, to improve traffic flow and safety.

The upgrade will install:

– permanent traffic lights to replace the temporary traffic lights

–turning lanes on all intersection approaches.

Detailed planning is currently underway, as the upgrade progresses toward construction.

Key activities include:

–on-site investigations including identifying underground utilities and testing ground conditions

–developing the project design and construction approach

– obtaining planning approvals

–preparing a Cultural Heritage Management Plan

–engaging with utility providers.

Construction timelines will be known once our planning has progressed further.

Sign up for project updates

Sign up for email and SMS updates at bigbuild.vic.gov.au/roads-subscribe so we can keep you informed as our planning progresses.

Mayor fired up about levy

Moorabool mayor Paul Tatchell has slammed the the state government’s Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) and believes “country people are getting belted with fees and charges”.

Cr Tatchell said the ESVF “will impact rural communities far more than urban ratepayers, which is incredibly unfair and cruel to farmers in particular, who are already facing many hardships”.

“Therearefairerwaystodothisandit’sa shame the Victorian Government is using our rural property owners to claw back some of their huge debt … it needs to be urgentlyreconsideredortheconsequences

could be severe for our primary producers, which in turn means severe for all Victorians who rely on food production,” he said.

“Councils are forced to add this onto every rates notice we send out, we are a collection agency for the Victorian Government, but when ratepayers see this massive increase, some will understandably think council has imposed this extra cost.

“If it’s not the levy, it’s the land tax, the valuations are coming in late … before budgets, so they’re not coming there when budgets are due … they’re making

it incredibly difficult for country people when we know all of the investment is going to the city.”

Star Weekly understands that Moorabool council received preliminary figures from the Valuer-General Victoria on March 17.

He said that he feels the “disparity betweenthetakeandthegiveisenormous,” and that he is “absolutely frustrated with the fact that country people are being treated with absolute contempt.”

“Not only that, we’ve got to collect it as a council – collect the money … I just think it’s very, very … dishonest. And I think all

Warding off woeful waste in Diggers Rest

A Diggers Rest resident has taken the issue of illegal rubbish dumping into her own hands, voluntarily collecting and disposing of roadside waste.

Haley Liverton said she and daughter Olivia have been collecting illegally dumped rubbish since moving to Victoria from Queensland in 2022.

“The amount of litter down Plumpton [Road] just blew our minds, so we grabbed chaffbagsandfilledabagupeachandmade acompetitionofittoboostmotivation,”Ms Liverton said.

“It is also a way for her to learn that sometimes we have to work hard for nothing but a sense of pride by doing the right thing for our state and community.

“We use our hands with gloves, chaff bags, our thighs, and the strength

and determination we hold to make a difference.”

In her time cleaning up rubbish, Ms Liverton said she had “seen first-hand the scale and danger of illegal dumping in our area,” including hazardous items.

“I really believe I’ve seen just about anything you could imagine.

Unmentionable items that make you turn green in disgust to counterfeit money, jewellery, stolen goods, discarded drugs of every type, dumped kittens, garden plants that I take home and replant – things that make you laugh and things that make you cry,” she said.

“We come across a decent amount of metal, so to cover some of the dump fees we scrap the metal, this does not cover full costs but it chips in. It also saves the

council tractors … becoming damaged when they mow.”

Ms Liverton said that she believes if councils redirected clean-up and enforcement costs towards subsidised or free dumping options, “we could see a real drop in illegal dumping.”

“In states like Queensland, where waste disposal is free, these problems are far less common,” she said.

Currently Melton council deals with 3,500 tonnes of illegally dumped waste annually at a cost of more than $5 million and diverts resources from other essential council services.

In the April 28 council meeting, council officers were asked to investigate the feasibility of a ‘name and shame’ approach and incentive program.

forms of government are addicted to taxes, and I care about people really,” he said. “That’s my job. I’m in the people business.”

State treasurer Jaclyn Symes said the ESVF “will give emergency services the funding and equipment they need as they face natural disasters which are happeningmoreoftenandbecomingmore destructive.”

Emergency Services Minister Vicki Ward said that the “new funding model is giving our incredible emergency service workers and volunteers the modern equipment they need to help keep communities safe.”

Level crossing nearly gone

Asphalting of the road bridge in the heart of Diggers Rest – which is set to open next month – is underway as crews enter the final stages of removing the level crossing at Old Calder Highway.

The road bridge will open to traffic on Wednesday 18 June, and OldCalderHighwaywillcloseatthe level crossing. Old Calder Highway will then close between the level crossingandDiggersRest-Coimadai Road until Monday 21 July to allow workstopermanentlyclosetheroad at the level crossing.

As part of the Diggers Rest level crossing removal project, crossings at Old Calder Highway and Watsons Road are being removed and new road bridges will take vehicles over the rail line, aiming to improve safety and ease traffic congestion.

Crews at Old Calder Highway have already completed structural worksonthe360-metrelongbridge, which will connect to Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road, taking traffic across the rail line south of Stan Payne Reserve.

Over the coming weeks, more than 2700 tonnes of asphalt will be laid on the bridge’s 3062 square metre surface.

Crewswillalsofinishpaintingthe bridge’s retaining walls, pylons and concrete road barriers ahead of its opening next month.

The road bridge at Watsons Road is also starting to take shape, with 570 concrete panels being installed to form the retaining walls of the bridge. Structural work continues east and west of the rail line, with concrete pours completed on the east bridge abutment and central pier, and steel fixing completed on the west bridge abutment.

Police flag concerns with the dangers of e-bikes and scooters

With a rise in the popularity of electric bikes and scooters, Melton police are urging riders to understand and follow safety guidelines and laws.

According to Melton Highway Patrol LeadingSeniorConstableAaronChavasse, the laws around these vehicles are often misunderstood.

“Themainissuewithe-scootersisthatthe riderneedstobeover16yearsoldandthey need to wear a bicycle helmet – penalties apply if you are caught disobeying these rules on an e-scooter,” Leading Senior Constable Chavasse said.

Withe-bikes,hesaidthatthepoliceoften see parents misunderstand the laws, “in thattheybelieveitisanelectricdeviceand not deemed a motor vehicle.”

“They are familiar with the compliant e-bikes, so they believe these modified bicycles with e-bike conversion kits installed are also compliant. However, most of them are not compliant, with the main issues being they don’t have a chain connecting the pedals to the rear wheel – and depending on the kit installed can travel up to [between 50 kilometres and hour to 90 kilometres an hour],” he said.

“Everyteenageriderwehavecomeacross over the last [three or more] years, have all been aware that their modified e-bikes –motorbikes – are illegal. They either lie to their parents or just don’t tell them.”

Along with the laws, Leading Senior Constable Chavasse said those who do not wear a helmet on an e-scooter can suffer significantinjuriesincludingheadandface trauma “causing lifelong medical issues.”

He said riders often dressed in all black, uselittletonolighting,andweavethrough traffic or on foot paths at speed.

Leading Senior Constable Chavasse

also reminded riders that the same drink driving laws apply to electric vehicles and are subject to roadside alcohol and drug testing.

He also said that those caught illegally riding the electric vehicles and evading police can be charged and have their driverslicenceaffected,andiffoundguilty at court, face consequences affecting future employment, travel, and insurance claims. Further details on the laws and regulations are available on the Transport Victoria and Victoria Police websites.

Diggers Rest resident Haley Liverton at an affected dumping site in Diggers Rest. (Damjan Janevski). 476545_03

Drought support review

By Oscar Parry

With a tough winter ahead for farmers, Moorabool council will investigate the drought relief opportunities available to local farmers and what role the council wouldplayintheirprovision.

Raised at a May 14 unscheduled council meeting, councillor Tom Sullivan said that with a number of councils in southwestern Victoria receiving drought relief, local farmers are experiencing “similar climatic conditions to those in other parts of the state.”

Cr Sullivan called on officers to prepare a report outlining the eligibility criteria and opportunities that may exist for Moorabool farmersthroughtheAustralianGovernment On Farm Drought Infrastructure Grants program and the Victorian Government Dry Seasons and Drought Support program – including what role the council would be requiredtoplay.

“Thisistoexplore….whatistheeligibility so that we may see where the opportunity existsforourfarmers,”CrSullivansaid.

Fiskville farmer and Victorian Farmers FederationlivestockcouncilpresidentScott

Masquerade dance for all

Celebrating winter, an all abilities masquerade dance is coming to Harkness this month, offering a safe and accessible socialevent.

Hostedbysupportservicesorganisation

Limitless Adventures and Recreation, the Winter Masquerade Dance on Friday, May 30, was planned and designed by participants of the organisation’s Female Community Connections Program –including decorations, the event theme, andmusic.

Limitless program co-ordinator Sarah Barale said that the group hosted a dance eventlastyear,whichwaswell-receivedby attendees.

“It was awesome … it was great to see other people there, not just from our service, attend – and it was great to see everyoneinteracting[and]havingfun,”Ms Baralesaid.

“I think there [are not many discos and parties] out there that are safe and accessible … and we’ve been able to host an event that everyone can look forward to and meet new people and form relationships and friendships through these events,” she said. “Last year we had a jukebox [and] this year we have a DJ … the ladies in the Female Community Connections group have provided some genres and different artists they like listening to, as well as speaking to other participants … so there’s a wide range of music.”

The event will run from 7–10pm at the ArnoldsCreekChildren’sandCommunity CentreinHarknessonFriday,May30.

Tickets cost $25 at the door with free entry for carers, and food, drinks, and masks will be provided for free. Contact: info@limitlessadventures.com.au

Have your say

VicGrid has released the draft 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan. It sets out proposed renewable energy zones and transmission projects our state will need to keep Victorians connected to safe, reliable and affordable power.

We need your feedback to help us plan energy infrastructure in your area.

Find out more at: engage.vic.gov.au/vicgrid

Or call us on 1800 418 341

Young said that because the drought has lasted so long, “everyone’s eaten into their hay and grain supplies that they usually haveputawaytogetthemthroughwinter.”

“Farmers are really struggling to source hay and grain to feed their livestock, and when they can source it, it’s up to six times dearer than what it normally would be,” Mr Youngsaid.

He said that many farmers – including himself – are having to make the difficult decisionofwhethertosellofftheirlivestock andbuybackinatanothertime.

“It’s had a big mental health impact on

the industry with a lot of farmers feeling overwhelmed with the decision they have to make … quite often these farmers are generational and they’ve got a real attachment to their land, and for them to feel like they may have to sell up or not be abletokeepfarminganymore–ithassome realmentalimpactsforsomepeople.”

He said that is important for farmers to make their decisions early, and that the Agriculture Victoria website’s farm management and feed budgeting resources – along with rural financial counsellors –couldbeofassistancetofarmers.

Practise with the lot thanks

A community pizza oven will be fired by woodsourcedfromalevelcrossingremoval project,withthehelpofalocalSEStraining exercise.

A partnership between Edmund Rice Community Services Truganina, the SES Aintree unit, and the Ferris and Hopkins Road Level Crossing Removal team, trees removed as part of the level crossing removalprojectweredonatedforreuse.

Edmund Rice community development coordinator Michael Naismith said the idea fortheinitiativeformedaftercontactingthe localSES,wherehediscoveredtheyneeded space and timber for training chainsaw skills.

“I contacted our community connection with the level crossing removalist organisation doing both Hopkins Road and FerrisRoadanddiscussedtheneedandthe thought,”MrNaismithsaid.

“Theythenbroughtintreesthathadtobe

removed for the project and dropped them at our community site where we’ve got lots of space … then the SES came along on a Wednesday evening – 12 volunteers, two vehicles – and they did chainsaw practise as well as some practise lifting logs as if someone was trapped underneath them,” he said. “The wood that [was] cut up from the chainsaw practice will be split and then used in our new woodfire pizza oven, that thencanbenefitcommunitygroups.”

Completed on Wednesday, April 30, the crew also cut up stumps during the chainsaw training exercise that will be repurposed into seating for Edmund Rice Community Services Truganina’s campfire areathroughoutwinter.

Formed last year, the newly formed SES Aintree is currently looking for more volunteers.

Details: facebook.com/profile. php?id=61551815053639

Limitless Adventures and Recreation managing director Jackie Ross and Female Community Connections Program participants Natalie O’Neill, Gabriella Di Natale, Jessica Vincent, Kayla Boden, Jessica Younghusband, Kylie Lowry and Rosanna Cannata. (Supplied)

SES Aintree Unit volunteers and Edmund Rice Community Services recreation co-ordinator Michael Naismith with pizza prepared from the wood fire oven during the training exercise. (Supplied).

Budget boost for schools

By Oscar Parry

New and upgraded local schools and extended bus routes in parts of the Melton municipality are some of the key local announcements in this year’s state budget handed down last week.

KurunjangSecondaryCollegeandMelton South Primary School will both receive fundsforupgrades.

Melton South Primary school has been allocated $21.3 million for new classrooms and staff buildings, the main classroom wingandanewclassroomblock.

KurunjangSecondaryCollegewillreceive $10.7 million to upgrade and modernise existing facilities, including its technology block.

Melton Primary School has been promised $10 million through the planning offutureschoolupgrades.

A new primary school in Aintree, set to open in 2027 and with an interim name of Aintree North Primary School, was also namedtoreceiveashareof$166.1millionof fundingfornewmetropolitanschools.

This funding will also go towards expandedfacilities,suchasnewclassrooms andsportsovals,atrecentlyopenedschools in growing communities – including towards a new construction stage at YarrabingSecondaryCollegeinAintree.

Melton mayor Steve Abboushi said that it is “fantastic to see funding for existing projects” including $140 million to the new

Melton Hospital and $28 million to the MeltonTAFE.

Cr Abboushi said he welcomed investment in improved and safer cycling infrastructureforWeirViews,MeltonSouth and Melton and new connected paths in Hillside and Plumpton, the construction of the Calder Park Interchange, and new and extendedbusroutesinMountAtkinsonand ThornhillPark.

A new bus route will travel from Rockbank station to Tarneit station via Mt Atkinson and another from Thornhill Park toCobblebankStation.

Bus routes will be extended and reconfigured to address bus coverage gaps in Aintree, Hillside, Deanside, Diggers Rest

A place for prostate cancer support

With Australian Men’s Health Week fast approaching, the Victorian Council of Prostate Cancer Support Groups is encouraging those living with prostate cancer to consider joining a support group. According to the organisation, too few men know that support groups exist and are often not made aware of the important role support groups can play –with 70 men in Australia diagnosed each day.

One of these groups, the Melmarsh Prostate Cancer Support Group (PCSG), offers men an opportunity to share their experiences with each other, which

president and secretary Rhonda Weir said “really does help” members.

“I became involved through my husband being diagnosed with prostate cancer, and he wouldn’t talk to anybody. Isawtheadforgroupinthelocalpaper,I rang up, and I went along too because he wouldn’t have gone by himself,” Ms Weir said.

“If you joined a support group, that is whatitisfor–forsupport.Itisnotjustfor the men, it is for the partners as well. We havemanypartnersandwiveswhocome toourmeetingswhichisreallygreat,”she said.

Ms Weir said that she is aware that many men who do not want to talk about their diagnosis – especially with new people.

She said that once her husband – who later died with prostate cancer, but not from it – began attending meetings with the Melmarsh PCSG, he did begin to talk about his condition with his sons and friends in another group he belonged to.

The group meets at the Melton South CommunityCentrefrom12.30to2pmon the first Thursday of each month, and if you would like to enquire about joining, youcancontactMsWeiron0411264166.

andFrasersRise.

Cr Abboushi said that was “concerning” thereisnomentionoftheGrowingSuburbs Fund within the budget, where the council has been successful in receiving over $51 million in funding through this program to date.

Eureka MP Michaela Settle said that $250,000 was allocated towards show court seating at the Moorabool Aquatic and Recreation Centre to “make it a really special place to play,” and was “really delighted” with the promise that Bacchus Marsh College would share in $10 million through the planning of future school upgrades.

Cobblebankhasbeenchosenasthelocationof aconstruction-focusedMeltonTAFEcampus, set to opened in 2028.

The state government announced on Monday, May 26 that the new Kangan Institute campus in Melton will be built on the corner of Hollingsworth Drive and Ferris Road in Cobblebank after an agreement with Melton council. This location is near Cobblebank train station, across from the council’s Western Business Accelerator and Centre of Excellence (BACE), and close to schools and the future hospital.

The $55 million campus, funded by the stategovernment,willdelivertrainingwith a focus on key trades including plumbing, electrical, building and construction. It will accommodate about 800 students each year.

Melton MP Steve McGhie said that as Melton is one of the fastest growing communitiesinthecountry,thenewTAFE campus will “make sure locals have access to high-quality, hands-on training in key industries like construction, right on their doorstep.”

Skills and TAFE Minister Gayle Tierney said that the new “world-class campus that delivers high quality and industry relevant training in the construction fields will mean Melton residents have the opportunity to live, train and work in Melton.”

Kangan Institute will soon offer TAFE courses in Melton at Western BACE while work progresses on the new campus.

Institute chief executive Sally Curtain said that the courses that will be offered at this site during the campus’ construction will be in areas including digital and emerging technology and early electrotechnology training.

American bison, Lakota, enters public life to an ‘epic’ reception

Guests from the west are invited to Werribee Open Range Zoo to see a special member of the crew this winter.

Lakota, a 1000-kilogram American bison, made the transition into public life last month when he moved habitats.

Hepreviouslylivedinanoffpublicview habitat with his father, who recently died from an age-related condition.

Since joining 11 female bison at the zoo, he has been warmly accepted by members of his species.

“The females barrelled over to him –they all came together for the first time, there was a lot of circling of each other,” savannah keeper Kylie Bawden said.

“Being animals that are very driven by smell, Lakota’s nostrils were the size of tennis balls as he took in his new surroundings.

“Thiswasfollowedbysomereallytender

moments as their noses came together to greet one another.”

He is also quite revered by members of other species.

“It is a beautiful thing to witness the migration of a majestic, one-tonne bison with a massive presence,” Ms Bawden said,

“It’s quite epic!”

Lakota’s introduction to the female herd is not for breeding– as his genetics are already well represented in the region - but to support his welfare through socialisation.

The move mirrors natural bison behaviour, where males and females occasionally travel together in loosely associated groups.

He may have blended in seamlessly, but he still stands out.

“Lakota is quite distinguishable

because of his size – he is almost double the size of the females. He stands a mile out from the female herd,” Ms Bawden said.

Once roaming North America in the tens of millions, American Bison were hunted to the brink of extinction in the 19th century. Conservation efforts have rebounded the population to 31,000 in conservation managed herds, however, the species is still classified as near threatened in the wild where only about 15,000 live. They face ongoing challenges including habitat destruction, fragmentation, and limited genetic diversity.

Visitors to Werribee Open Range Zoo can come see Lakota the bison. (Zoos Victoria)

Melmarsh Prostate Cancer Support Group members Wayne Evans, John Gausden, Doug Milne, and president and secretary Rhonda Weir. (Oscar Parry)

Moorabool budget chaos

Moorabool council released its draft budget for public consultation but some councillors – including the mayor – say they were “very disappointed“ with the process.

At a special council meeting on Wednesday, May 14, five councillors voted against beginning the process of adopting the draft budget by releasing it for community consultation.

The draft budget included a proposed average rate rise of 3 per cent in line with the state government’s rates cap, however some councillors called for council to consider not increasing rates at all.

Councillors also raised concerns about the delay in the State Revenue

Office providing council with property valuations which are used to calculate property rates, with chief executive Derek Madden confirming they had only been received at the beginning of the week.

Star Weekly understands that Moorabool council received preliminary figures from the Valuer-General Victoria on March 17.

The decision to not release the budget for consultation was revoked at the May 21 unscheduled council meeting via a recission motion.

Mayor Paul Tatchell said he was not impressed with the process.

“I’m not saying change the result – I’m

just saying that from a process point of view, it could have been done better,” Cr Tatchell said.

“I had councillors come up to me and ask‘whathappened?’…inmyopinionthe whole thing should be rescinded and start again, but they’re not going to allow that because they’ve already acted on it.”

Cr Tatchell said that had a councillor in the room wanted to foreshadow another motion – for example, putting forward a draft budget with different rate increases – they were unable to do so.

Cr Tom Sullivan also raised concerns about the process of releasing the draft budget through a rescission motion.

Bacchus Marsh tails wag for new park

Bacchus Marsh has a new dog park that willhaveownersandtheirpetsdrooling, with the park including a secure fenced andoff-leasharea.

Opened on Thursday, May 22, the Mason’s Lane Dog Park includes a double-gated entry for pet owners’ peace of mind, dog-friendly landscaping and pathways, and plenty of room for canine companionstoroamfreely.

Theparkhasbeendesignedtoappealto humans and hounds alike, as it provides new outdoor recreational space for local

residents.

Seatingwillallowdogownerswhovisit the space to comfortably stay for longer periodsoftime.

A $400,000 state grant was announced in June last year, and Moorabool council contributed$200,000.

Moorabool mayor Paul Tatchell said the council is “very excited to have this dog park open in Bacchus Marsh and we know every dog in the area shares that excitement.”

Eureka MP Michaela Settle said

the park is a “tail-wagging triumph for pet lovers and their four-legged companions!”

“It is a playgroup for pups, a meet-up spotforpetparentsandanewhubforour community to come together,” Ms Settle said.

Local community members were invited to see the finished works at the opening event, and the park is now open to residents at Masons Lane in Bacchus Marsh.

“Recission is a two-part process … initially, you would say ‘at a previous meeting’ and you would cite the meeting … and then what you’re proposing is ‘I wish to rescind that motion,” Cr Sullivan said.

He said that he felt that normally, anothermotionwouldthenbeputforward following the rescission.

Other councillors were keen to see the budget draft released to the public. Cr Jarrod Bingham said the councillors could debate the rate rises at a later time, and he wanted to see the draft budget released and “hear what the community is saying.”

Ballan flooding concerns continue

Following “stress and anger within the community,” Moorabool council will write to Melbourne Water requesting updates and information on ongoing flooding issues in a sectionofBallan.

After a notice of motion raised by councillor Steve Venditti-Taylor at the May 7 council meeting, Moorabool will write to Melbourne Water requesting a detailed account of actions taken to address flooding issues across three adjacent roads – Lay Court, Walsh Street, and Ingliston RoadinBallan.

The council will also ask for information on future actions planned to address the flooding and for Melbourne Water to host a community forum to discuss local residents’concernsandprovidethemwith updates.

Cr Venditti-Taylor said the issues have been ongoing over “a long period of time” and are “causing stress and anger within thecommunity.”

“I ask for a report and that council [writes] to the relevant water authority for anupdateonwhatactionshavebeentaken to now and what will be done in the future to improve the issues residents currently face,”CrVenditti-Taylorsaid.

Council officers were asked to bring a report back to the chamber once a response is received from Melbourne Water.

Melbourne Water was contacted for comment.

KTM motorcycle stolen in Cobblebank after owner responded to social media

A motorcycle was stolen in Cobblebank on Sunday,withVictoriaPolicenowappealing forinformation.

Police are appealing for information following the aggravated carjacking in CobblebankonSunday,May18.

Police were told the victim agreed to meet with a man, who was interested in buying his KTM motorcycle, after he postedanadvertisementtosocialmedia.

The victim met up with the male at a carpark off Stadium Drive in Cobblebank before a second male appeared and

threatened him with a knife on May 18 at about1.10pm. Aftermakingthreats,bothoffendersfled thescene,oneridingthestolenmotorcycle andtheotheronablackandwhitescooter. Bothoffenderswerenotwearinghelmets.

The distinctive motorcycle, a KTM 500XC, has back and white decals, road tyres, a loud exhaust, and registration numberof2S7XM.

It was last seen in the area of Brooklyn andClarkesroadsinBrookfield.

Police are appealing for witnesses who

were in this area to come forward, as it’s believed the pair were riding in the area just prior to the incident and after they left thescene.

The first teenager is described as approximately 170 centimetres tall, Caucasian in appearance, about 16-18-years-old,withamediumbuild.

He was last seen wearing a black hoodie andpants.

The second teen is described as Caucasian, about 180 centimetres tall with aslimbuild.

He was wearing a white shirt with print onthefront,blackpants,andabalaclava. Police have released an image of the stolen motorcycle in the hope it assists the investigation. The26-year-oldvictimwasnotphysically injured.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or with dashcam or CCTV footage, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visitwww.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Moorabool councillor Jarrod Bingham with his son Oakley, councillors Ally Munari, Moira Berry, Eureka MP Michaela Settle, mayor Paul Tatchell, and councillor Sheila Freeman at the dog park opening event. (Supplied)

(Unsplash)

Aintree Auskicker recruited

A 10-year-old from Aintree was named as the fifth Team NAB AFL Auskick recruit of the year, invited to attend the AFL Grand Final with a teammate of her choice.

Aintree Auskicker Allira Gattellaro was selected as a Round 9 AFL Auskick recruit, selected to attend this year’s grand final and invite a guest teammate of her choice.

Allira chose her younger brother Raff as her teammate, with Raff as keen about football as his sister.

Allira and Raff will join their fellow team recruitsattheMCGforanAFLGrandFinal experience, where they will take centre stage and present the winning team with premiership medallions.

To register for the competition,

Auskickers were encouraged to submit a video online, with Auskick coaches Nick Daicos and Katie Brennan looking for players who show teamwork, dedication, and passion.

Allira was one of 11 selected, with winners announced during an AFL match broadcast.

She has been playing Auskick for three years and is the only girl in her Under 10s football team with the Aintree Giants, where she was awarded ‘Player of the Week’ in her first game this season.

She was so keen to practise her football skills in the off-season, that she made her own handball and kicking targets at home to practise every day after school.

Briefs

Harkness invasion

Victoria Police is investigating a home invasion in Harkness that occurred in late March. Police understand 11 unknown offenders attended a property on Claret Ash Boulevard in three stolen vehicles about 3.25am on March 30. The offenders used a number of weapons to smash through windows and doors at the property. Once inside, they caused significant damage throughout the house. The homeowners were not inside the house at the time of the incident. . The stolen vehicles have since been recovered by police. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www. crimestoppersvic.com.au

National Reconciliation Week

Moorabool council is acknowledging National Reconciliation Week, on Wadawurrung Country, with a Welcome To Country, smoking ceremony and flag raising, followed by a light morning tea this week. Set for Friday, May 30, the event will take place at the Ballan council office from 10–11am. National Reconciliation Week provides a focus for working towards the goal of a just, equitable and reconciled Australia and at its heart, strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples.

FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au

Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Join

Aintree Giants under 10s player Allira Gattellaro was recruited with Team NAB AFL Auskick after her interview with Joel Selwood on Friday night at the MCG during the St Kilda v Carlton game. (Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos)

Volunteers are the heart of our communities, and their contributions are vital in times of need

- Mark Pearce

Giving thanks to volunteers

National Volunteer Week, from May 19–25, is Australia’s largest volunteering recognition event. It aims to draw attention to the crucial role played by volunteers. Oscar Parry spoke with AMES Australia Footscray Centre volunteer Federico Ferrari about his volunteering experience and what he has enjoyed most about a voluntary role.

According to Volunteering Australia, aboutsixmillionpeopleinAustralia volunteer through an organisation, and there are millions more who do so informally in their local community.

Thisyear,thethemeofNational Volunteer Week is ‘Connected Communities’ –a theme especially familiar to AMES Australia Footscray Centre Humanitarian Settlement Program volunteer Federico Ferrari.

Mr Ferrari moved to Australia in 2007, firstonaworkingholidayasachefandlater becoming a citizen.

Working as a chef until the beginning of the Covid pandemic, he said that he decided to “reinvent” himself and start a new career in community service, where he discovered and began volunteering with AMES.

Using his experience as a migrant and his experiences travelling, Mr Ferrari volunteers to support newly arrived refugees to learn English and how to navigate public transport, access services and “generally [navigate] a new and unfamiliar country”.

“It’s also about helping people deal with the bureaucracy, acquiring language and [identifying] the skills they will require. There’s an emotional side to the support we provide. As a migrant myself, I can sympathise with some of the things our clients are going through,” Mr Ferrari said.

“My experience as a migrant helps me, although my circumstances are different in that I chose to leave my homeland. The people we work with had no choice.”

He said the volunteering work is “very rewarding.”

“It is a good feeling to be able to make

a difference in people’s lives, and I get as much out of it as I put in,” he said.

“The way you are able to connect with people is really rewarding … it’s maybe a few hours … but I’m really recharged by it. I really feel satisfied, I really feel accomplished. The more that I do it, the more that I’m addicted to it. It’s a self-generating good feeling.”

Born in Italy, Mr Ferrari learnt English, French, Spanish, and some Arabic and Amharic through travelling, which he said has helped him with his volunteering.

He said that his familiarity with other countries and cultures helps him to connect with many of the people he supports.

“If you speak the language … they just become more comfortable … you’re able to develop and maintain a good relationship, the whole process of opening up … will

[lead] to a better service,” he said. “They aremorerelaxed,theyaremoreinclinedto explain their circumstances.”

Along with helping him to provide a better service, he said that “amazingly, I’m learning a little more of those languages also.”

Mr Ferrari said that some of the key challenges he helps people with include navigating the complexities of setting up services and accounts – for example, creating accounts, passwords, security questions, phone numbers – and helping them to locate the right services to address their individual needs.

He said that other difficulties for people he works with include having their qualifications formally recognised in Australia – with these qualifications often being recognised here at a lower level.

“For them it’s frustrating, because they need to reengage in school … or study. That’s a big issue,” Mr Ferrari said.

Health is another, with many refugees’ physical and mental health affected by theirpast–forexample,spendingextensive time in a refugee camp.

“Housingis[another]bigproblem…they might not be fully eligible for [renting] and there’sashortageofhousing…inthepublic house sector and in the private [sector] … as we know, there is a rental crisis.”

In terms of volunteering more broadly, Mr Ferrari said that there are many roles that require less time commitment, and there are several types of volunteering.

“You will be able to find something in your area that will help you shine, there will be a spot for you,” he said.

“I would recommend everyone who has some time to get out there and find

some spot to just give back a little back … there are really a lot of services and a lot of organisations that really struggle to just stay alive, so [volunteering] is really a key force for many organisations that wouldn’t … survive without us.”

He said that collaborating with other people is a key part of volunteering, including in his role with AMES.

“Collaboration is essential, it’s all about networking and collaborating with everyone. Everyone kind of knows each other, so collaboration is very productive here, it’s very healthy.”

AccordingtoVolunteeringAustraliachief executive Mark Pearce, “in a year marked by natural disasters, rising cost-of-living pressures, and growing social challenges, the role of volunteers has never been more important.”

“Across Australia, volunteers have stepped up in countless ways – offering critical support during emergencies, helping people access food and essential services, strengthening community connections, and supporting local events,” Mr Pearce said.

“Volunteers are the heart of our communities, and their contributions are vital in times of need.

“As volunteering continues to evolve, it’s essential that we recognise and support newwaysofgiving,ensuringthateveryone feels welcome and included in shaping a better future for all.”

According to the organisation, research suggests that barriers preventing many from volunteering include lack of time due to work or study, family commitments, health issues, not being asked, and uncertainty about how to get involved.

AMES Australia Footscray Centre Humanitarian Settlement Program volunteer Federico Ferrari. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 478160_04

Swamphens relish the rain

By Daryl Akers

On Saturday May 17, Eynesbury Environment Group hosted a bird walk in MeltonBotanicGarden.

We host a bird walk on a monthly basis, each walk at a different venue, in and aroundMelton.

At first light it appeared doubtful if the walk would go ahead due to rain but 10 people took a chance on the rain not persisting. Participants came from Melton, Staughton Vale, Eynesbury and Bacchus Marsh. Fortunately, as we arrived at the Melton Botanic Garden carpark the rain began to ease. There was a group of handsome purple swamphens in the carparktogreetus!Weweredressedforthe weather in case the rain returned. Which it did. However, the rain held off for most of thewalk.

We walked through the main part of the garden but baulked at continuing the walk around the lake, due to the increasingly threatening skies. Sadly, we received only 5mm rain, after 17 days without rain. But verywelcomenonetheless!

Bird numbers were unsurprisingly low due to the drizzly wintry weather. We still saw 15 species and the tree canopies were loud with bird calls. At one stage there was a loud chorus of noisy miners, followed by a brown goshawk flying above the tree canopies. We saw a small flock of red-rumped parrots and three rainbow lorikeetsbutnorosellasorcorellas.

We noticed several noisy battles between white-plumed honeyeaters and New Holland honeyeaters. Many years ago, New Holland honeyeaters were not found in Melton and the white-plumed honeyeaters

were the dominant species. But over the years the more aggressive Holland honeyeaters have taken over Melton’s gardens.

One hundred and five bird species have been recorded here according to eBird: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2551217

The garden is one of Melton’s best sites to see birds with its vast diversity of plants from various arid regions around the world. The sector of Ryans Creek between the garden and High Street was, just a few years ago, a concrete drain, virtually devoid of life. The sterile concrete floodway was removed, planted with local creekside vegetation and the creek restored. It is now a thriving bird habitat. Ryans Creek and

the Melton Botanic Garden is a link in the migratory flyway along which migrating birdsmoveandrest.ArnoldsCreekhasalso similarlybeenrestored.

MeltonBotanicGardenisofinternational significance for the Lathams snipe. The snipe makes an epic migration between its breeding range in Japan and far-eastern Russia, and southern Australia. After breeding in north Asia they arrive in MeltoninaboutSeptember.Thesnipeleave Australia in late February using the East AsiaAustralasiaFlywaytotheArcticCircle. The garden provides a valuable resting and feeding site on its long flight between southernAustraliaandnorthAsia.

Latham’s snipe is protected under the

Birds seen were:

Purple swamphen

White-faced heron

Masked lapwing

White-plumed honeyeater

Noisy miner

New Holland honeyeater

Red wattlebird

Indian mynah

Starling

Blackbird

Brown goshawk

Crested pigeon

Magpie-lark

Magpie

Little raven

Willy wagtail

Japan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA), China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA) and the Republic of Korea-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (ROKAMBA). The Latham’s snipe is also listed on Appendix II of the Convention on Migratory Species. These legally binding international agreements encourage relevant contracting parties to protect Latham’ssnipe,theirhabitatsandtoremove barriers to migration. While in Australia, Latham’s snipe can be found at a number of Ramsar listed Wetlands of International Importance. https://www.environment. gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/ pubs/863-conservation-advice-05012024. pdf;

New Holland honeyeater, and far right, swamphen.

STAY INFORMED

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

Help stop illegal dumping

Illegal dumping comes at a huge cost to our community. There are simple ways we can all help:

1.Claim your hard rubbish pick-ups and Recycling Facility visits

Residents are eligible for two hard waste collections or two drop offs at the Melton Recycling Facility (or a combination of each) each financial year. Waste entitlements for 2024/25 expire on 30 June.

2.Report dumped rubbish

If you see dumped rubbish report it via Council’s website or by phone and we’ll get a crew out to clean it up as soon as possible.

3.Dob in a dumper

If you witness someone dumping rubbish or have found dumped rubbish containing ID report them to Council via our website or by phone.

For information on how to claim collections or drop-offs or how to report illegal dumping, visit melton.vic.gov.au/dumping or call 9747 7200.

Join Melton Conversations

Council currently has several consultations open for community feedback on our City of Melton Conversations page.

This is an opportunity for you to provide your thoughts on a range of Council projects and activities. You can sign up to the page to receive updates on new and currently open consultations. Visit conversations.melton.vic.gov.au

King’s Birthday operating hours

Our offices will be closed on Monday 9 June. This includes City of Melton Libraries and the Animal Pound. There is no change to kerbside bin collections, so please put your bin out Sunday night for Monday collection.

The Melton Recycling Facility is open 8am - 4.30pm. For information, to report an issue and pay online via our website: melton.vic.gov.au

Coolibah Ward with Cr Brandi Morris

Like much of our City, Coolibah Ward is currently experiencing significant growth, so Council is committed to ensuring development and infrastructure delivery is balanced with the preservation of our natural environment.

Upgrades are planned for Exford Road to improve traffic flow and safety. The Greigs Road intersection project is currently in the design phase, with community consultation to follow once designs are finalised. Consultation for upgrades between Wilson Road and Northcott Street are now complete, with works—including roundabouts, pedestrian signals, and improved paths—scheduled to begin in early 2026. Learn more at conversations.melton.vic.gov.au

Our community is home to significant natural assets including Long Forest Nature Conservation Reserve, Melton Weir, and Eynesbury’s Grey Box Forest—one of the largest

surviving woodlands of its kind in Victoria. Council wants your feedback on how to better protect these spaces and encourage you to have your say by completing a short survey on conversations.melton.vic.gov.au or attending a drop-in session.

Residents are reminded that waste entitlements for 2024/25 expire on 30 June. Households are entitled to two hard waste collections or two trips to the Melton Recycling Facility or one of each, per financial year. If you haven’t used your waste entitlements yet, be sure to book in a hard waste collection online or head to the Melton Recycling Facility where many household items, including cardboard, eWaste, paint and chemicals, can be dropped off at no cost. For more information, visit melton.vic.gov.au/waste

Feel free to contact me regarding Coolibah Ward or Council related issues on 0418 999 577 or email: Brandi.Morris@melton.vic.gov.au

Council has just kicked-off a campaign to tackle illegal rubbish dumping in our City. We have already spent over $3 million this financial year on cleaning up rubbish, money that could have been better spent elsewhere in our community.

A lot of the items that have been dumped could have been taken for free to our new recycling centre or even donated to the resale shop. Residents are eligible for two hard waste pick-ups or two visits to the Melton Recycling Facility each financial year and our disposal fees are lower than other areas across Melbourne’s west –there are really no excuses. You can help by disposing of rubbish responsibly and reporting any illegal rubbish dumping you see to Council. We all play a part in helping to keep our City clean.

The State Budget was handed down last week and it was great to see continued investment in the Melton Hospital and Melton TAFE, two transformational projects for our growing community. It was also pleasing to see investment in transport including continued funding for the upgrade of the Melton rail line and improvements to the bus network, something we have been advocating strongly for.

Finally, I am excited to see the Cobblebank Community Services Hub move to its next stage with the construction contract now awarded. This exciting Council-led project will provide important health, wellbeing and education services for our community and I’m thrilled to see it progressing.

You’re welcome to contact me regarding Council matters at Steve.Abboushi@melton.vic.gov. au or on 0437 231 680.

Mayor Cr Steve Abboushi Deputy Mayor Cr Lara Carli Cr Kathy Majdlik Cr Brandi Morris Cr Sophie Ramsey Cr Julie Shannon Cr Bob Turner Cr Ashleigh Vandenberg

John Verdon

Dr Phillip Zada

Dialling up abortion care

By Tom Ingleton

Women from Melton, Wyndham, Hume and Whittlesea are reaching out in growing numbers to Victoria’s sexual and reproductive health phone line, 1800 My Options, as they navigate the often daunting and inequitable path of unplanned pregnancy and reproductive care.

New data from the service reveals that Melton women made the most calls to the support line in 2023, followed by Wyndham, Hume and Whittlesea.

Carolyn Mogharbel, manager at 1800 My Options, said the data is not surprising –but it is deeply concerning.

“There’s a consistent trend where women living in high areas of higher socio-economicdisadvantagearereaching out for support at much higher rates,” Ms Mogharbel said.

“As of 2023, there were 70 per cent more calls to 1800 My Options from women in highdisadvantagedlocalgovernmentareas compared to those in low disadvantaged areas.

“These communities often face multiple barriers to healthcare, including limited access to bulk-billed GPs, language and cultural barriers, and in some cases,

restricted access to Medicare. As a centralised service and the only one of its kind, 1800 My Options fills a crucial gap.”

From cost and transport to stigma and confusion, women are facing a perfect storm of obstacles when trying to access reproductive healthcare.

“Cost is a major factor, particularly for thosewithoutMedicareoronlowincomes. Many clinics offering affordable services areoverstretched,withlongwaittimesand limited appointments.

Transport is another challenge–public transitoptionscanbelimitedorunreliable, especially when services are located far from home,” Ms Mogharbel said.

“There’s still considerable stigma surrounding topics like abortion and contraception, which can prevent women –especially young women or those from culturally diverse backgrounds – from seeking help early.

“A lack of culturally appropriate, in-language health information adds another layer of difficulty, leaving many women unsure of where to turn or what their options are.”

When it comes to addressing unplanned pregnanciesinthesecommunities,cultural sensitivity and accessible communication

are crucial, Ms Mogharbel said.

“Language barriers can prevent women from understanding their options or navigating the healthcare system. Our healthcare system is complex, and difficult to navigate for people born in Australia –for people unfamiliar with this system this complexitycanmakeservicesinaccessible.

“Without translated materials or interpreters, services can feel intimidating or inaccessible.

This can result in delayed care, misinformation, or reliance on informal networks that may not provide accurate guidance.”

For long-term change, Ms Mogharbel believes sustained investment in targeted solutions is essential.

“Culturally responsive care, multilingual resources and access to interpreter services should be embedded across all reproductive health services –not as add-ons, but as standard practice. Community outreach and education are also critical to breaking down stigma and improving health literacy, especially in culturally diverse communities.

“Access to safe and affordable abortion and contraception shouldn’t be a privilege – it’s a fundamental human right.”

Sessions to help fight period and pelvic pain stigma

Sexual Health Victoria (SHV) has partnered with the Department of Educationtoofferfreeeducationsessions in 400 Victorian government schools to help reduce stigma about menstruation and pelvic pain.

Thesesessionswillboostknowledgefor youngpeoplewhomenstruatetoseekhelp early to improve their long-term health outcomes, and give students strategies to support peers who menstruate.

The program aims to help students feel better supported and more comfortable discussing menstrual health and provide education staff with tools to support the health and wellbeing of young people.

The program is being rolled out by SHV in metropolitan and regional schools to ensure equitable access.

Sexual Health Victoria head of education Sam Read said the new program supports students experiencing menstrual health issues and pelvic pain to have the skills and confidence to seek timely and effective care.

“Menstrual and pelvic pain impacts students’ daily lives and can affect their

ability to engage in education at school.

Receiving evidenced based, curriculum aligned education in school will help students who menstruate develop the skills and confidence to seek help early to access treatment.

“By providing students with the knowledge and confidence to manage their health, we are fostering a future where menstruation is understood, supported and is no longer a barrier to education.”

According to a 2024 Australian study, one in five young people experience severe pelvic pain during their periods. SHV is also offering 20 professional development sessions for teachers, delivered in-person and online. The sessions aim to help educators better understand menstrual health and pelvic pain so they can create a supportive learning environment and be confident, along with students, in breaking down the stigma about menstruation.

With the launch of this new education partnership, SHV is working to create an openandinclusivelearningenvironment where students feel comfortable discussing menstrual health.

Education Minister Ben Carool said, “Schoolyard conversations around menstruation and pelvic pain have historically been seen as taboo. This free education program is ensuring more young Victorians are informed and empowered to seek help before their pain impacts their health and their education and so they do not have to suffer in silence”.

Details: shvic.org.au

1800 my options manage Carolyn Mogharbel. (Supplied)

The trials of Elizabeth Taylor

Williamstown amateur historian Barb McNeill is Star Weekly’s history columnist. This week she tells the tale of Elizabeth Taylor whose trade was helping women terminate unwanted pregnancies, a procedure that could be tragically fatal. One such unlucky ’patient’ was Ballan hotel licensee and widow Nelly Carter.

When Elizabeth Taylor was sentenced to death by Justice Thomas A’Beckett, she had no violet eyes, no raven tresses or rosebud mouth with which to sway an all-male judge and jury. Indeed, Elizabeth was a plain and dumpy redhead, with strings of court appearances that did her no favours at all.

Charging between 10 pounds and 20 guineas for a “consultation” in her Richmond premises, Mrs Taylor needed hefty wads of cash to bribe doctors into signing false death certificates, or pay teams of lawyers as she faced one charge after another of conspiracy to procure abortion, and malpractice that ended in maternal deaths. Time after time she walked free due to technicalities or lack of concrete proof, or because survivors of the ghastly ordeal were too ill or frightened to appear as witnesses against her.

In 1882, Margaret Robinson, a widow, died. In 1883, a 15-year-old barmaid, Florence Waddilove, died. In 1886, Julia Warburton also died of significant internal injuries. You could have knocked Elizabeth down with a curette when she wassentencedtotwoyears’hardlabourin Melbourne Gaol for manslaughter.

However, within days of her release, she was back at work, boldly advertising her servicesasan“accoucheuse”andrakingin the cash. More women died of peritonitis, mainly due to sharp, dirty instruments puncturing the uterus.

DrRichardYoul,Melbourne’sdourChief Coroner, estimating that a third of all abortions in the colony ended in maternal deaths, pompously opined why abortions were so rampant in Victoria. It wasn’t financialhardshipswhichdrovewomento this desperate remedy, nor was it the law whichdeniedthemaccesstosafe,hygienic terminations.No,itwasentirelyduetothe outrageous behaviour of both sexes and all classes flocking to sinful beaches like, ahem, Williamstown, where they lolled on warm sand and entertained lustful thoughts.

In 1891, the licensee of Ballan’s Railway Hotel, the very respectable 34-year-old Ellen ’Nelly’ Carter, found to her horror that she was pregnant. She had been widowed for two years, had four children aged between 13 and 7 years and was raising them by the hard work of running a pub. She had arrived in Ballan a little over a year before and needed to establish her business credentials. As well as creating serious financial setbacks, an illegitimate childwouldruinherreputation.Asshewas aware, middle class widows, if they had sexualurges,wereexpectedtoremaintrue to the memory of their departed spouse, which meant a life of irreproachable celibacy.Illegitimatebirthscarriedshame, stigma and sometimes social ostracism. Nelly was very popular; an attractive, outgoing, civic- minded lady but the identityofthemanshefellforisunknown. Unsurprisingly, she had heard of the notorious Elizabeth Taylor. Arrangements were made; Nelly travelled to Richmond, where her pregnancy was terminated on 5th May for the fee of 10 pounds. Three

days later, Elizabeth, calling herself Mrs Brown, visited NellyCarterattheRailway Hotel, and there she stayed all night.

To her credit, she returned several times over the week to check on Nelly’s welfare. Still posing as Mrs Brown, she was sufficiently alarmed to send for a doctor when her patient suddenly deteriorated.

The townspeople of Ballan, saddened by what they believed was a bowel disease and praying for the licensee’s quick recovery, flocked to the hotel with flowers and get well messages.

Dr Marr attended on 16th May, diagnosed peritonitis, gave Nelly sedation and remained with her until her death.

Dr Woinarski of Ballarat visited on 19th May and agreed that there was no hope of recovery. Nelly suffered terrible pain, screaming for the mercy of chloroform and morphia. Dr Marr reluctantly had to refuse; having persuaded her to make a deposition, her full lucidity was required.

On Thursday 21st May, knowing that she could not survive, Nelly made a dying deposition before a magistrate, a senior constable of police, a nurse Sorell and others. This was completed late in the evening.Herdistraughtchildrensaidtheir goodbyes, and Nelly died shortly after 2

am on Friday, 22nd May, 1891, 17 days after the fateful visit to “Mrs Brown”. Ballan was incredulous when the true cause of Nelly Carter’s illness was revealed. It simply didn’t seem possible thatthedevotedmotherandhardworking licenseehadfound evenaminutetospare for any gentlemen friends. Their disgust andcontemptwasaimedsolelyatwhoever hadusedandabandonedthisgreatlyloved woman.

The post mortem was held on 23rd May. Intriguingly, the doctors found no indication of surgical interference, though abortions could be induced by ingesting pennyroyal, or by abdominal pressure. Elizabeth Taylor knew all the tricks of the trade.

She appeared in the Melbourne City Court on 30th May, 1891 before Mr Justice ThomasA’Beckett,chargedwiththe wilful murder of Ellen Carter. Elizabeth sat calmly,confident that herdefencecounsel wouldsoonhaveheracquitted,or,atworst, handed a short custodial sentence.

The jury’s verdict was guilty, with a recommendation for mercy, as, in their opinion, the death of Ellen Carter was not wilful. Justice A’Beckett thought differently, and promptly sentenced

Elizabeth Taylor to death. She screamed and wept, collapsing onto a chair before being steered back to her cell. Sentence was stayed until the Full Court decided a question of law. Elizabeth’s long streak of good luck stayed with her. Finally, the ExecutiveCouncilcommutedthesentence to 15 years’ gaol.

Remarkably, her close brush with the noose and the rigours of prison life did nothing to persuade Elizabeth to try her hand at some other profession.

Realising that Victoria was now too hot for her, she chose Western Australia as an attractive money spinner. Miners lured girls with their flaunted cash; resultingly, girls became pregnant and in need of her services. Elizabeth packed her instruments of death and headed westwards.

In Perth, 1908, single, 35-year-old Lily Turner, engaged to one man but pregnant to another, died. Elizabeth, now calling herself nurse Pears, received a seven year stretch for manslaughter. The judge in his sentencing dryly observed that for a woman of her age, a lengthy spell in jail was effectively the death sentence. He was correct. Elizabeth Taylor died in gaol in September, 1909.

Barb McNeill in her Williamstown study. (Damjan Janevski) 432421_03

Crafty fun for a rainy day

Each month, Stephanie Martinez will shareanexcitingcraftprojectdesigned to inspire and spark creativity.

Stephanie starred in the first season of Making It on Network 10, where she discovered and ignited her passion for crafting.

Join Stephanie as she explores the endless possibilities of crafting and turn everyday materials into something extraordinary.

This month, Stephanie is creating funky hair tubes.

Funky hair tubes

Materials

Cardstock (14cm x 11cm)

Yarn

Equipment

Scissors

Ruler

Double-sided tape

Hole punch

Markers

Step 1: Roll the cardstock into a cylinder and secure it with double-sided tape.

Step 2: Use a hole punch to make evenly spaced holes around one end of the cylinder.

Step 3: Cut yarn into 30 cm lengths. Take several strands together, fold them in half, and use a lark’s head knot to loop them through each hole. Gather all the yarn and tie it at the top to make a ponytail.

Step 4: Draw a cute face using makers -eyes, eyebrows, cheeks, and a mouth.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Propagating workshop

Discover how to grow your own plants from seeds and cuttings in Melton South Community Centre’s upcoming Propagating workshop from 10–11am on Saturday, May 31. Learn how to get the garden you want on a budget and how to get the best results. Tickets will cost $25 or $20 concession.

 9747 8576

Cake decorating course

Build on your piping and fondant skills in Melton South Community Centre’s three-week Intermediate Cake Decorating course, 6-8.30pm, June 5-19 June. This course is great for those with existing knowledge. Cost: $125/$120 concession; materials provided.

 9747 8576

Spiritual development course

Tap into higher knowledge in the exciting new Spiritual Development course at the Melton South Community Centre, 10am-noon, June 2-30. Under the guidance of a Reiki master and medium, discover the world of meditation, energies, spirit guides and healing. Cost: $75/$70 concession.

 9747 8576

Flower and Garden Show

Save the date for a local family event on the weekend of October 25 and 26 for the Bacchus Marsh Flower and Garden Show. Flowers, produce, crafts, photo competitions, plant sales, children’s activities, and more!

 bmflowershow.org

Bacchus Marsh Rotary Art Show

Bacchus Marsh Rotary is hosting an art show at the Bacchus Marsh Public Hall over the King’s Birthday Weekend. There will be a gala opening on Friday, June 6 from 7–10pm, where upper, drinks, and live music from the Baccbeat Jazz Band will be provided. Preview and purchase of artwork will be available at the gala opening, and tickets will be $45 per person. This is an 18 years and over event. Then, the art show will be open from 10am–4pm on The King’s Birthday Weekend – June 7–9.

 bacchusmarshrotary.org.au/ art-show-2025.html

Women Working Together

A program connecting women aged 50 above in need of assistance, with mentors and mentees. Open to women across the western suburbs, including Melton.

 9655 2131, or EmploymentSupport@cotavic.org.au

Over-50s Sunday games

Life Activities Club Melton is running a games and cards afternoon every Sunday from 2-4pm at Kurunjang Community Hub, 35 Mowbray Crescent, Kurunjang. A newly-created friendly group which enjoys sharing a laugh and making new friends. Everyone is welcome because “life is better together”.

 Denise, 0403 840 241

Darley Neighbourhood House

The Darley Neighbourhood House and Learning Centre is at 33-35 Jonathan Drive, Darley. It offers free and low-cost activities for all. There is a monthly repair cafe, a community pantry, a fortnightly chatty cafe and venue hire is available.

 www.bit.ly/DNHnow, or 5367 4390

National seniors meeting

On the first Wednesday of every month at 1.30pm, the metro west branch of national seniors meets at the Deer Park Club, with meals available to purchase.

The group also holds lunches on different Fridays each month, as well as activities such as theatre visits, bus trips and more.

 0425 713 004, or lesley1.collins@outlook.com

Zonta club

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. Meetings include guest speakers.

 Janet, 0421 080 923, or info@zontaclubofmelton.org.au

Melton Over 50s Social Group

Join a friendly group of people aged over 50 who enjoy each other’s company while attending events 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, 0498 329 290

Rose carers of Maddingley Park

The group meets every Wednesday from 10am-noon at the Commemorative Rose Garden, Maddingley Park on the corner of Taverner Street and Grant Streets, Bacchus Marsh. They maintain the two rose gardens at the park. Volunteers are

welcome and no experience is necessary to join .

 Elaine, 0400 052 857 or Judy, 0428 463 538

Bacchus Marsh Ladies Probus Club

Meets on the first Thursday of every month from 10am to noon at the Avenue Bowling Club on 254 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh

 Krystyna, bacchusmarshladiesprobus@ gmail.com

Melton Valley Ladies Probus

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

 Ann, 0425 705 150

Fishing club

Didyabringyarodalong Angling Club of Melton and Bacchus Marsh is a fishing club that welcomes and encourages people of all ages, genders and fishing abilities to partake in enjoying the outdoors in a relaxing and friendly environment. The club holds monthly fishing competitions at various locations, fresh and saltwater. New members are most welcome. Upcoming events will be listed on this page.

 Andrew, 0407 303 438, or Wayne, 0414 785 366

This week’s photographer’s choice picture is of Melton South darts player Andrew who been selected for Australia’s darts world cup team in September. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 479596_01

Bacchus Marsh Senior Citizens

Bacchus Marsh Senior Citizens looks forward to meeting up with new members at the Andy Arnold Centre 10 Bennett Street, Bacchus Marsh.

 hopem@optusnet.com.au

Moonlite Theatre

Bacchus Marsh

Bacchus Marsh community theatre group

Moonlite Theatre will hold auditions on Thursday 22 May from 5pm and Saturday 24th May from 12pm for the group’s upcoming performance of Patrick Hamilton’s thrilling play ’Rope’. Auditions are strictly by appointment only and as Moonlite Theatre is a community theatre, no actors are paid. For more information about the auditions or to book an audition please email the director Shannon.  Shannon, shannon.moonlitetheatre@ gmail.com

Melton Concert Band

Rehearsals are on Thursdays from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at the Bridge Road Community Centre, Bridge Road, Melton South. Musicians of any age who are able to read music are welcome to come along with their instrument (oboe, bassoon, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, tuba, percussion). Please contact the number provided if you are intending to visit.

 0401 474 582

Callinan after hall stories

Yarraville based comedian and performer Damian Callinan is coming to the Williamstown Town Hall next month to perform his new show on……the WilliamstownTownHall.

Callinan is currently doing a statewide tour of 27 town halls where they serve as boththevenueandsubjectofhisshow.

“It’s an immersive project where I interview locals about their connection to the halls,” said Callinan who first trialled theprojectlastyear.

“Mostly it’s in small towns, but this will be the first time I’ve done it in a big city

municipal hall,” he said of the show which takeplaceonJune19.

But in order to get enough material, Callinan will first have a meet and greet sessionatthehallonJune3.

“The meet and greet’s just me sussing thingsoutanddoinginterviewsbecauseI’m also doing a podcast about halls down the track,”hesaid.

As well as material about the Williamstown Town Hall, the show will also feature stories and anecdotes from the dozens of other civic venues dotted around the state, though Callinan is keen to stress,

thefocusisonlaughsnothistory.

“The show is foremost a comedy,” he said, adding that the podcast will feature a bit more history, though still through a comediclens.

The meet and greet is on June 3 from 6pm to 7.30pm, but is aimed at those with information or a historical connection to theWilliamstownTownHall.

The main event on June 19 is open to the public. Tickets and information: https:// www.eventbrite.com.au/e/hall-storiesmeet-greet-with-damian-callinantickets-1311242584869

Suganya Kannan is the latest artist to take over Sunbury’s Global Learning Centre. (Damjan Janevski) 479330_01

There’s layers to this Craigieburn artist

Craigieburn artist Suganya Kannan has unveiled her first exhibition.

Layers of Perception is currently on display at the Sunbury Hume Global LearningCentre,witheachpieceshifting perception through depth, movement and sensory exploration.

Kannan said this exhibition has been something she’s wanted to do since childhood.

“I’ve been dreaming of this day for a very long time,” she said.

“ThefirsttimeIsawmyartondisplay,it felt very surreal because I never thought the day would really come.

Kannan has always loved art, however she recently reconnected with it during

the lockdowns.

“It was a huge relief from what was happening outside,” she said.

“I found myself gravitating back towards art which gave me a lot of support in my early years… it was helpful to reconnect with creativity.”

Kannan spent a month, working everyday after her full-time job in IT to create the 24 artworks on display.

“I tried to do one painting a day or sometimesitusedtomovebetweenafew days for it to dry but every day there was something happening in the studio,” she said.

In her exhibition, Kannan used acrylics, high-flow mediums and

textured elements to capture the beauty of coastlines, organic forms and natural landscapes. Using fluid blues and earthy tones, alongside bold contrasts with gold accents, the paintings balance tranquillity with energy, in an exhibition that invites viewers to feel, connect and experience art.

“Iwantviewerstofindtheirownstories in the texture, colour and the different forms,” Ms Kannan said.

“Ifsomeonewalksawayfeelingmoved, or curious or even simply connected that means the job was well done.”

Layers of Perception is on display now, at the Sunbury Hume Global Learning Centre, until Sunday, July 20.

Melbourne’s glorious ’ghost signs’ captured in

Do you ever see an old faded sign that catches your eye? A new photographic booktitledMelbourneGhostSignsfeatures those signs and other half-hidden logos acrossMelbourne,andthephotographeris headingtoMeltonLibrarythisweektotalk about the stories behind them.

Originally from Illinois in the United States, Sean Reynolds has been nominated

twice for an Emmy through his work on Ellen and TMZ and now works for the Royal Historical Society of Victoria.

After moving to Melbourne, Reynolds became fascinated with faded signs and half-hidden logos in Melbourne through taking daily walks in Yarraville and Footscray during the COVID lockdowns. He enjoyed seeing hand-painted letters,

Cafe event smells like philosophy

The next rendition of Café Philosophique in Werribee will tackle another of the five senses,andonethatistoooftenneglected. Whilesmellmightnotbethefirstthinga philosopherwillusetofurthertheircosmic inquiries, it is the only sense that goes directly to the limbic system, the region of thebrainrelatedtoemotionandmemory.

The session will explore how smell influences our lives, why it’s important to paymoreattentiontoit,andhowculturally werespondtoit.

ProducedbyTheLittleTheatreCompany (LTC) and tracing its inspiration from a Parisienne intellectual tradition, Café Philosophique is about exploring the hiddenforcesshapingourlives.

One of the western suburbs’ biggest advocates for olfactory awareness, Smell Art founder Erin Adams, will kick off the eveningwithasmellworkshop.

She also runs guided smell meditations, smells walks and designs scents for performances, installations and events, so if you want to continue your smell journey, thereisanoracleofwisdomtohelp.

A feature poet will then assist guests in unlocking their own creativity through a reflectionandwritingexercise.

After some sharing, the event will finish with some delicious deserts and deep conversationsthroughthecafe.

The monthly event is all about bringing the arts into our everyday life, through creating a space where people can be reflectiveandcreativewithoutjudgement. If you want to make sense of what makes a scent, The Bridge Hotel in Werribee on Wednesday, June 11 at 6.30pm is the place tobe.

words and pictures

intricate glasswork, and names he’d never heard of before – such as Uncle Toby’s and Four’n Twenty, and the St Kilda Coffee Palace.

The book of captivating photos will provide a window into the history of the city – including the Gold Rush era and the Swinging Sixties.

Join Reynolds for a tour of his new

photography book and hear the stories behind each of these ghostly signs found on Melbourne’s streets. The free event will be hosted from 6.30–7.30pmonThursday,May29atMelton Library and Learning Hub, 31 McKenzie Street, Melton.

Details:libraryevents.melton.vic.gov.au/ event?id=131518

Cafe Philosophique will explore smell in June. Jess Fairfax and Kaarin Fairfax. (Attie Mohebali) 454987_06

Comedian Damian Callinan will tell stories of the Williamstown Town Hall at the Williamstown Town Hall on June 19. (Supplied)

1.Optus proposes to install a new mobile telecommunications facility, co-locating on the existing monopole at 17 Silverdale Drive Darley VIC 3340

2. The proposal includes installation of:

• A triangular headframe at a height of 30m below the existing antennas;

• Three (3) panel antennas (each no longer than 2.8m);

• Six (6) panel antennas (each no longer than 1m);

• An equipment cabinet at ground level adjacent to the existing monopole; and

• Ancillary equipment including but not limited to six (6) remote radio units, a GPS antenna, cabling, compound fence and other associated equipment.

3. In accordance with Section 7 of the Industry Code C564:2025 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment, we invite you to make comments about the proposal.

4. Please direct comments to Ms Pranal Salunke at 0437 384 924 or via email at Optus.Submissions@servicestream.com.au or Zenith Centre, Level 3, Tower B, 821 Pacific Highway, Chatswood NSW 2167 by 5pm Thursday 12 June 2025.

Melton City Council declares that by this notice it acquires the following interest in the land described in certificate of title volume 10653 folio 831 (plan reference Lot 1 on PS501576B) known as 1149-1155 Taylors Road, Deanside, Victoria, 3336: Freehold interest in part of the land in certificate of title volume 10653 folio 831 which is marked as ROAD R-1 on proposed plan of subdivision PS926723U and having an area of 856 square metres.

The acquisition is made pursuant to section 172D of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 for the purpose of the widening, deviation and construction of a road.

A notice of intention to acquire the interest in the land was served on 20 February 2025. Published with the authority of Melton City Council:

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO LEASE

& ADMIN DUTIES

FULLTIMEPOSITION Duties will include: AdminworkandAd-hoc duties.Computer knowledgeisessential. SomeSaturdays required. Contact Nancy 0416 158 050

To solve a Sudoku

ACROSS

1 Football (6)

4 Careful (8)

9 Reprimand (5)

10 Intercede (9)

11 Fluid injection (5)

12 Clumsy (9)

13 Plan of action (8)

15 Obedient (6)

16 Uproar (6)

18 Scary things (8)

23 Reflects upon (9)

24 Brings up (5)

26 Making loud and confused noise (10)

27 Bring forth (5)

28 Removes (8)

29 Water-surrounded land (6) DOWN

1 Triumph (7)

2 Legal offence (5)

3 Handsome (7)

5 Representative song (6)

6 Underwater missile (7)

7 Spy (9)

8 Ghost (7)

10 Cake decoration (5)

14 Superfluous (9)

16 Means of transport (7)

17 Southwestern US state (7)

19 Fertile spot (5)

20 Waitstaff (7)

21 Hang by attachment (7)

22 Holiday accommodation (6)

25 Fragrance (5)

1 Which of the following is not a noble gas: helium, krypton, hydrogen or neon?

2 GirlwithaPearlEarring is an oil painting by which Dutch Golden Age painter?

3 Freetown Christiania is an intentional community and commune located in which city?

4 ThePrimeofMissJeanBrodie is

7

(pictured) character in which 1983 film?

9 True or false: Canada was the first nation to grant universal suffrage for women?

10 Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for what condition?

The MG3 Hybrid is a keeper

By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring

Itwasjustsixmonthsagothatwetestedthe ‘new’MG3hatch.

It was yellow of course. For a while there, they all seemed to be finished in yellow whichitturnsoutcomesatnoextracost.

That was the petrol model, but we looked forward to driving the hybrid version with its promise of more power and better fuel economy.

Here it is and it’s blue not yellow, but it was certainly worth the wait - whether the extra $4000 they’re asking for the hybrid is worthitremainstobeseen?

Styling Thestylingiscontemporary;larger,sharper andmoreaggressive.

But MG3 remains a small hatch and as such rear legroom and boot space are limited. At least those in the back get their ownairoutlets.

Instead of the usual 60:40 split fold arrangement, the rear seat folds as a single unit, which means if you need to accommodate longer items, there’s no roomleftforathirdperson.

Now in its third generation, the MG3 has come a long way from its cheap and cheerful roots. In fact, apart from a disappointing safety rating, the latest versionisaquantumleapforwardbyitself.

Pricedfrom$26,567,theMG3isavailable in two grades, Excite and Essence, with a choice of petrol and hybrid powertrains. The hybrid adds $4168 to the price of either grade, bringing the cost of the top spec Essence Hybrid to $32,189 plus on-road costs-ourtestvehicle.

Standard equipment includes cloth trim andsingle-zoneairconditioning,withrear air vents, manual-adjust seats, 16-inch alloy wheels, push-button start, adaptive cruise control, auto halogen headlights, LED daytime running lights, rear parking sensors, electric auto fold side mirrors and followmehomelights.

The upmarket Essence adds a sunroof, LEDheadlights,keylessentry,rain-sensing wipers, leather-clad steering wheel, combination cloth and artificial leather trimandafrontcentrearmrest.

In the hybrid, the space saver spare is replacedbyapuncturerepairkit.

MG3 is covered by an industry leading 10-year, 250,000km warranty, with service due every 12 months or 10,000kmwhichevercomesfirst.

Infotainment

Infotainment consists of a 10.25-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth with limited voice control,AM/FMradio,wiredAppleCarPlay andAndroidAutoandsix-speakeraudio.

Stepping up to the Essence adds DAB+ digitalradioandsatellitenavigation.

There’s a USB A and C ports in the front, along with a 12-volt outlet, plus another USB-A port in the rear as well as another located near the base of the rear vision mirror, presumably for powering dash camsandthelike.

iSmart provides remote access to the car and allows owners to unlock the doors and turnontheairconditioning.

Safety

MG3 scores a disappointing three stars fromANCAP.

Six airbags and a reverse camera are standard.

Also,standardisAutonomousemergency braking (Car-to-Car, Vulnerable Road User and Junction Assist) as well as a lane support system with lane keep assist (LKA), lane departure warning (LDW)

and emergency lane keeping (ELK), are standard, together with Traffic jam assist, Steering, acceleration, braking assistance,blind-spotmonitoringandRear cross-trafficalert.

An advanced speed assistance system (SAS) with speed sign recognition is also standard.

Essence ups the ante with a 360 degree surround-viewcamerasystem.

Engines/transmissions

Petrol models produce 81kW of power and 142Nm of torque, with drive to the front wheels via a continuously variable automatictransmission(CVT).

With a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated Atkinson style four, plus a 1.83kW battery, 100kW electric motor and generator, the system produces an impressive combined outputof155kWat6000rpm.

It’s front-wheel drive too, with a bespoke three-speed hybrid transmission this time - all managed by the Intelligent Control Unit.

Driving

Thefrontseatsarereasonablycomfortable, at least over shorter runs, but the steering wheel lacks reach adjustment, so finding theidealdrivingpositioncouldbeachore.

The design of the steering wheel itself, with a flat top and bottom, is different and canbeabitawkwardattimes.

This time around the touchscreen and instrumentpanelshavebeenreplacedwith moreresponsive,free-standingunits.

Although there’s a row of quick access buttons below the main screen, none providecontrolofcabintemperature.

Some controls are not labelled either, and it took some time to work out which buttons on the steering wheel activated cruise control (it’s the little steering wheel icononthesteeringwheel).

The engine and electric motor are able to work in both series and parallel hybrid modes, in fact in eight different modes all told.

However, if the car is driven too hard for too long, the battery could be depleted and the power available to the driver reduced drastically.

The problem has been acknowledged by the company but at this stage has not been addressed as it has been with the similarly-poweredZSSUV.

With a 36-litre fuel tank, the hybrid version takes premium 95 unleaded and usesaclaimed4.3L/100km.

Three-stage regenerative braking reclaims energy normally lost during braking and is adjustable via the touchscreen.

This is far from ideal if you want to adjust braking on the fly and it reverts to the middle setting which can be annoying in some situations. However, you can set it as a favourite with a button on the steering wheel.

Drivingthecarforthefirsttime,theMG3 Hybrid+ it feels lively and is super quiet inside,makingforeasyconversation.

In electric mode, like many EVs, it emits a buzzing noise to warn pedestrians of its approach. It’s overkill but probably a statutoryrequirement.

Ride and handling are competent, but the Kumho tyres are apt to produce a bit of noiseoncoarsebitumen.

Inthehybridthetraditionaltransmission lever has been replaced by a space-saving rotarycontrol.

It saves space but in practice it feels plasticky and usually takes a couple of attemptstoachievethedesiredresult. Switching between forward and reverse quicklycanbetricky.

The dash from 0-100km/h takes 8.0 seconds and the hybrid feels as quick as it sounds, with punchy performance off the lineorwhenovertaking.

With Eco, Sport and Standard drive modes, Sport sharpens up things slightly, but not sufficiently to go to the trouble of reactivating it each time the car is re-started.

Although it comes with CarPlay and Android Auto, both require a cable and wirelesschargingisconspicuouslyabsent. Our phone took a couple of goes to hook up, but after that it reconnected without anydramas.

Voice activation is limited to apps, or so the message said, and the built-in navigation in our test vehicle would not respondtocommands.

Wecovered377kmatarateof4.9L/100km in a mix of city and motorway driving, includingtheSydneyafternoonexodus.

Summing up

TheMG3hybridisakeeper.

Atthesametime,itprobablywon’tattract return buyers looking for a rock bottom price. We just wish MG would do something about the poor safety rating and the transmission issue, both of which could andperhapsshouldbedealbreakers.

Driving the car for the first time, the MG3 Hybrid+ it feels lively and is super quiet inside. (Pictures: Supplied)

The sun was out but so was the wind on Saturday as local sports stars took to the field. Star Weekly’s Ljubica Vrankovic was out shooting some of the action.

Warm weekend sporting action

St Albans’ Adem Asani. 478999_08

St Albans’ Jake Galea. 478999_24

Albanvale’s David Ranno and Western Rams’ Tyler Lewis. 479000_16

Caroline Springs’ Joshua Whiteley North Sunshine’s and Yusuf Karadag. 479746_08

Albanvale’s Joshua Green. 479000_22

Kyle O’Connor tries to get hand on ball. 478995_12

Keilor’s Blair Wyllie and Greenvale’s Adem Yavuzcan. 478995_16

Mason Thomas tackles Jonathan Keratianos. 478995_08

Melton Phoenix’s Kieren Farrugia and Point Cook’s Marcus Sherif. 479748_02

Point Cook’s Jackson Curcija. 479748_01

North Sunshine’s Ryohei Miyazaki. 479746_15

Bears finding their feet, results starting to come

Everything finally clicked for Burnside Heights as it produced its best performance of the Essendon District Football League women’s division 1 competition, beating WestmeadowsonSaturday.

Last season’s runners-up had a number of changes in the off season, leaving coach Michael Davis knowing they would get better as things went along.

Slowly the confidence has been growing in the group and on Saturday, they upset the Tigers in a 7.14 (56)-1.1 (7) win.

Davissaiditwasnicetoseethegroupget some reward in the battle between third and fourth.

“It has been coming for a fair while,’ he said. “We’ve had some injuries and some people away and we lost some experience at the end of last year.

“It’s taken the girls a little time to gel.”

The Bears received a massive boost on Saturday when captain Kayla Ravanello returned to the side for her first match of the year.

Ravanello gave birth just six weeks ago.

“She was medically cleared on Friday,” Davis said of his captain. “She tried to get clearedatfourweekstotrain,buttheysaidno.

“She is a focal point up forward and it gives us a whole new direction and it lifts the other girlsassheplaysthatleadershiprole.”

Ravanello was named in the best along with Krissy Trang, who has played the past threegamesafterstartingtheseasoninthe Victorian Football League Women’s.

The Bears have also picked up Isabelle Young who has crossed from Hillside, who was named in the best in her first game for the club.

Davis said they had been able to take somepositivesoutofthestarttotheseason.

“It’sbeenalongprocess,”hesaid.“We’ve had a whole new midfield besides Holly McGregor.

“They’vebeenlearning.Somehavereally come on.

“Abbey [O’Mara] bas been outstanding on the wing and there has been so much

development and growth.

“Payton-Ani Ozols just runs all day. We’ve have four under-18s playing and I can’t speak highly enough about them.”

Davis said they always felt about round 10 was when they would hit their straps.

He said Saturday’s win reinforces what he’s been saying.

“We should be at full strength from round 10,” he said. “We wanted to win the matches we needed to and maybe pinch one before that.”

TheBearsfaceanundefeatedStrathmore side this Saturday.

Davis said they were looking forward to the challenge and were hoping they could continue their strong form.

Meanwhile in premier division, Hillside continued its run as it defeated Keilor, 5.14 (44)-2.5 (17).

Lisa Parisi, Makaylah Brne and Brittney Bonner were named the Sharks best.

Tara Murray

Panthers claim win

By Tara Murray

It was a statement win for Melton South on Saturday in the Riddell District Football League.

The Panthers had three wins on the board in their first season back in the competition, but all had come against the bottom three sides.

On Saturday, the Panthers knocked off one of the top sides for the first time, Wallan.

Coach Travis Hodgson said the group was really starting to believe in what they were doing.

“It was a statement win,” he said. “It’s something we spoke about that we had an opportunity to make a statement.

“Wearegoodenoughtogetascalpandit was important for us.”

Hodgson said they should have beaten Romsey a couple of weeks ago but there would be no letting up against Wallan.

He said they were definitely doing a lot right to be in every game.

The Panthers did a lot of the damage in the first half on Saturday as they led 47-2 at

the main break.

The Magpies showed some fight early in the third quarter but the Panthers had all theanswersastheycameawaywitha13.10 (88)-7.9 (51) win.

“Wallankickedthefirstfiveofthesecond half,” Hodgson said. “We got composed and were able to get a couple of goals back.

“Itissomethingwehaven’tdoneinrecent years. There’s signs of improvement.”

Alec Goodson kicked four goals for the Panthers with Hodgson saying it was a tough day for key targets in windy conditions.

ItwasformerRichmondAFLpremiership player Marlion Pickett that was the standout for the Panthers.

“Inthefirstgameweplayedhimforward andinthesecondgameweplayedhimhalf forward and then half in defence,

“HewasbackalldayonSaturday.Itallowed himtowintheballandgetthatattack.

“Our backline had been solid since the startoftheyearandMarlionnowaddsthat star factor behind the ball.”

As well as Pickett coming into the side Marcello Mazzarolli has joined the club

Briefs

Big V

Melton Thoroughbreds were on fire on Saturday night in the Big V men’s division 2 competition. The Thoroughbreds were at home to the Mornington Breakers and got off to a flying start to lead, 24-15 at quarter time. That extended to 18 points at the main break. The Breakers halted the Thoroughbreds flow in the third quarter, before they finished off strongly to come away with a 93-66 win. Tyson Hamilton top scored with 30 points for the Thoroughbreds. The Thoroughbreds now sit sixth on the ladder.

VNL

The Western Warriors were again left to rue a mid game slump in the Victorian Netball League on Wednesday night. Facing the Wilson Storage Southern Saints, scores were level at quarter time before the Saints outscored the Warriors in the middle two quarters, 34-17. The Saints finished the game off to come away with a 67-47 win. Kim Borger finished with 19 goals for the Warriors. The Warriors 23 and under side beat the Saints, 65-50.

Ballarat NL

from East Keilor.

Former club best and fairest winner Anthony Hibbert played his first match back in the seniors on Saturday in his return to the club.

The win takes the Panthers to 4-3 on the ladder.

Hodgsonsaidthemindsetinthegroupis starting to change.

He said instead of going in hoping that they could win games, they were going in thinking they can win them.

“Internally we set goals in the pre-season,” he said. “The first was to win agameandinternallywesettotryandplay a final,

“I thought we would finish in the fourth toeighthwindow.I’venarroweditabitand we have set our sights on finishing fourth to sixth.”

The Panthers this week face Kyneton in another big challenge.

In other matches on Saturday, Diggers Rest beat the Gisborne Giants, 21.11 (137)-13.8 (86).

Melton Centrals lost to Romsey, 8.26 (74)-8.6 (54).

Bacchus Marsh came away with the points against Melton in the Ballarat Netball League on Saturday. The Cobras led at every break as they came away with a 52-38 win against a completely different looking Bloods lineup. Several players from other clubs were on court for the Bloods. Elsewhere, Darley won a thriller against Redan, 38-37. The Devils had to come back from two goals down at the last break to get the win.

RDNL

Melton Centrals had a good win against Romsey in the Riddell District Netball League on Saturday. The Centrals started out strongly and were able to build out to good lead in the first three quarters. While the Redbacks won the final quarter but the damage had been done with Centrals winning 64-52. Diggers Rest and Melton South both suffered losses.

Payton-Ani Ozols. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 475729_16

Joel Hodgson. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 469984_15

City finish off Western United to seal derby decider

Melbourne City are champing at the bit for a first ever A-League Men derby grand final against arch-rivals Melbourne Victory after beating Western United.

Western entered the game down 3-0 fromthesemi-finalfirst-legandwhenCity captain Aziz Behich scored in the 20th minute in front of 7691 fans at AAMI Park on Saturday, it sealed progression and teed up a blockbuster decider.

Noah Botic scored in the 66th minute to give United faint hope before City saw out the game to draw 1-1 and win 4-1 on aggregate.

“It’s a massive game, obviously, not just because it’s a grand final, but it’s a derby which will add always a little bit of extra spice,” City coach Aurelio Vidmar said.

“It feels like it’s already building up straight away. I think it’s what everyone is talking about straight after the game. So it’s worked out well.”

Earlier on Saturday, City players watched on as the Victory claimed a stunning 2-0 away win over Auckland FC to beat the premiers 2-1 on aggregate. Incredibly, what should be a sell-out

grand final will be the only major men’s sporting event in town next Saturday night, with no AFL games in Melbourne.

While City will chase their second championship in five years, and Victory will hunt for their first since 2017-18, United are at the crossroads after a week overshadowed by their player payments scandal.

The players’ union on Tuesday issued United with breach notices over unpaid wages and superannuation for both men’s and women’s clubs.

It’s understood outstanding salaries have been paid but some superannuation has not.

Coach John Aloisi is off-contract, while star striker Botic appears destined to try his luck overseas.

CityscoredafterTilioburstforwardand worked the ball to Yonatan Cohen, who forced a terrific dive from Matt Sutton.

UnfortunatelyfortheUnitedgoalkeeper, Behich had made a good run to the back post and was on hand to tap home.

Western were inches away from scoring in the 42nd minute.

Riku Danzaki smacked a fierce strike off the post, then Beach brilliantly parried Botic’s follow-up before claiming Michael Ruhs’ subsequent header.

City peppered United’s goal without reward.

“We had some really, really good chances in that first half, probably could have buried it a little bit earlier,” Vidmar said.

“But at the end, it’s about getting over the line in finals, and that’s what we did.”

United scored after Botic won the ball off Steven Ugarkovic and it spilled to Hiroshi Ibusuki.

He found Matt Grimaldi, who squared it for Botic to tap home.

But it proved too little too late.

“We were just second-best tonight,” Aloisi said.

“Ithoughttheywerethebetterteam,but theboysdidn’tstoptrying,didn’tgiveup.”

Anna Harrington, AAP

Dual sporting star

By Peter Howe

Don Deeble Spots star nominee Kiara Boyd isn’t one to sit still and do nothing.

Boyd is a state level dual athlete who has had to shed her burgeoning athletics and swimming careers to concentrate on netball and football.

“I love team sports because you’re part of something bigger, people rely on you, and you can rely on others,” she said. “Not to mention I love the social aspect.

“I started playing netball in a NetSetGo programasaseven-year-oldandbeganplaying competitively with Victoria University as an eight-year-old.

“In my early netball journey I played in many positions except goal attack because I could never get the ball through that hoop.

“I started playing under-9 football with Burnside Heights and then moved to Aberfeldie in the Essendon District Football League.”

Boyd quickly found her feet on the football field, winning the club best and fairest in her first full season and the only girl to finish in the top 10 in the league.

Boyd has always been someone who wanted to test her skills against the best and never stopped competing and improving on the netball court.

“I often got selected in representative and state teams as a bottom age player, but there were also times where I was only selected as a training partner,” she said of netball.

“You learn different things from being in both positions.”

Boyd said some of her memorable achievements include making the under-15 School Sport Victoria netball team in 2023, which won gold.

She also made the under-17 state netball team this year and has been part of the Western Warriors 23 and under Victorian Netball League squad the past two years.

Boyd lists her strengths as her athleticism andherverticalleap,whichshethentakesinto her football with the Western Jets under-18 team in the Coates Talent League.

She readily acknowledges she loves footy because she loves to tackle.

Her representative football journey has seen her in train-on squads as a bottom age player in the under-16 futures program before makinganimpactinanunder-16WesternJets game against the Northern Territory where she finished with three goals to establish her

credentials in football.

Boyd’s selection in the under-16 Vic Metro side at the nationals in 2024 also underlined her quality as a football player.

“I play in a range of positions including centre half forward, mid field and centre half back,” she said.

“At173centimetres, I’mnotthetallestplayer but again my vertical leap and athleticism enable me to get the job done.”

A typical training and playing week leaves Boyd with a significant rehabilitation program.

As a student at Maribyrnong Sports Academy, she can complete her strength and conditioning program, her running technique session, and flexibility sessions in her school program.

She also has access to a dietician and a sports psychologist.

It’s not surprising that Boyd’s sporting heroes are successful dual sport athletes.

Monique Conti, who plays AFLW and WNBL, and former Australian Diamond and current

Emma Stewart’s clean sweep

Emma Stewart and Summit Bloodstock made a clean sweep of the $150,000 APG Melbourne Sales Graduate Finals at Melton on Saturday night.

Highly promising colt Loucasso justified his prohibitive $1.04 quote when he outclassed his rivals in the 2YO Colts & Geldings Final.

Mark Pitt momentarily allowed Loucasso to balance at the start before assuming control with 1500 metres to travel, and the result was never in doubt thereafter.

Loucasso cruised to the line 15 metres clear of Sols Me Name, running his last 400 metres in 27.9 in a mile rate of 1:55.8 for the 1720 metres.

Pitt believes the son of Sweet Lou could have gone faster if asked. “He’s got serious speed, this fellow, and when you keep flicking him up, he just keeps finding gears. He was just idling up the straight and I’m sure if I had clicked him up, he would have really run some serious time,” Pitt said.

Fremantle player Ashleigh Brazill, top the list along with Melbourne Vixens captain Kate Moloney.

“I am currently in a leadership role with the Western Jets as captain of their forward line,” she said.

“Ilovebeingtherefortheotherplayers,they are my football family and they have my full support.”

Boydhopestoonedaybealsoinaleadership role for netball.

So what does the future hold?

“My sporting goals are simple, I want to do my best and try and get as far as I can on both sports, and I don’t want to let people down,” she said.

The Don Deeble Sports Star Award is sponsored by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club, Strathmore Community Bank, the Deer Park Club, Ascot Vale Sports and Trophies and Star Weekly Newspapers.

If you would like to nominate a monthly winner or attend a dinner, contact swrsportsclub@gmail.com or 0408 556 631.

“I just let him come out on his own and didn’t ask him at all, and that’s always a good sign, but I think if you had to ask him to come off the gate, he would get off it really well,” he said.

Pitt believes the winner’s high speed is his greatest asset. “I think that’s just him as a high-speed horse at this stage of his career. I hope everything stays well with him and we see him in some really nice races later on in the season,” he said.

Now a winner at three of his four starts, Loucasso’s only blemish was when he galloped on the home turn in the Gold Crown Final at Bathurst.

“I think that when Herbie (James Herbertson) went to flick him up, it just gave him a little fright and he jumped out of his gear, so we have to be mindful that when you tap him up,you’vejustgottogoeasyonhim,” he said.

John Dunne

Kiara Boyd. (Grant Treeby/Netball Victoria)

Jordan Lauton. (Western United/Getty Images)

Westside Strikers starting to build nicely

Westside Strikers are keen to build some momentum in the FV state league 4 west season.

Having started to find some form, the Strikers inflicted Balmoral’s first loss of the season, while also boosting their hopes as they target finishing in the top part of the competition.

They backed it up on Saturday with another good win.

Strikers coach Simon Vasconcelo said the biggest thing out of that win would be the self belief for the group.

“We have a lot to play for this season,” he said. “Balmoral is a really good team and we played really well.

“We have expected more of ourselves and it is about turning up each week and grinding out results.

“We have been competitive and we want to keep pushing. We’ve played a lot of the sides at the top half of the table and that’s

where we look at ourselves and we need to keep doing what we need in terms of turning up.”

Vasconcelo said they were 100 per cent confident in the squad they had together, for them it was a matter of getting the strongest team on the park.

TheStrikersareyettofieldtheirstrongest side yet, with Vasconcelo said they would hopefully have it up and running in the coming weeks.

Having played every team once, the Strikers have a good indication of where they sit on the ladder.

Vasconcelo said they were keen for a strong second half of the season.

“Every team wanted to finish the season off strongly,” he said. “That’s definitely the aim and we want to get everyone fitting it and more to come back this week.”

The Strikers this week face Barwon, with Vasconcelo saying the opposition were

looking stronger than they did earlier in the season.

He said there were no easy matches and they had to focus on themselves and work hard.

The Strikers made it three wins in a row as they beat Barwon, 2-0.

The Strikers scored in the fifth minute through Marck Saric before doubling the lead in the 28th minute through Matthew Lodkowski.

With the win, the Strikers are up to third on the ladder.

Hot o the heels of the Strikers is Melton Phoenix, which is only goal difference behind.

On Saturday, the Phoenix beat Point Cook, 4-2 having led 2-0 at half time.

In state league 5 west, Spring Hills beat Tarneit United, 5-2.

Bloods bounce back

By Tara Murray

Melton feels it is tracking along nicely in the Ballarat Football League.

It’s been a solid start for the reigning premiers, whose first loss of the season came in round six in the grand final rematch against East Point.

On Saturday, the Bloods were able to quickly bounce back and take home the points against Bacchus Marsh.

Bloods coach Troy Scoble said while therewassomethingstheyneedtoworkon, they were quite positive with the direction they’re taking.

“We were pretty positive about the week before,” he said. “We had a really good game last week and it’s hard to win away from home this year.

“We were playing against a quality side and there was only a goal in it. We were positive with how we played.

“It was nice to get back on the winners list though.”

ScoblesaidBacchusMarshhadimproved on last season and really tested them in

windy conditions at Macpherson Park.

It was a five to six goal breeze at one end ofthegroundwhichbothsidesusedwellin the first three quarters.

The game opened up in the last quarter withtheBloodsabletowin,15.20(110)-12.7 (79).

“It was more about what you did against the breeze,” Scoble said. “We were able to kickthreegoalsinthefinalquarteragainst it to hold off the margin in the end.

“It was a positive as we focus on every minute of every game and we fought it out to the end.

“Neither side went in defensive mode, it was an attacking game. It was taxing on both sides.”

Liam Carter and Braedan Kight kicked four goals each for the Bloods. Kight and Jaycob Hickey were named their best.

Jake Owen kicked four goals for the Cobras, while Luke Goetz and Jake McCreery were named their best.

The win has Melton sitting 6-1 after the first seven rounds. It is one of four sides

Western Rams fall just short

The Western Rams just fell short of its second win of the Western Football League division 2 season on Saturday.

The Rams were on the road against an Albanvale side keen to sure up its spot in the top six.

The Cobras used the wind well in thefirstquartertoleadby29pointsat quarter time.

Themarginwasstill26pointsatthe main break.

It was the Rams that did a lot of the attacking in the third quarter as they kicked six goals to three to reduce the margin to just six points at the last break.

The Cobras got the first goal of the final quarter before the Rams kicked the next two and managed to get in front.

A goal in the 12th minute from Reece Field put the Cobras back in front. Neither side was able to find another goal with the Cobras winning, 12.10 (82)-11.9 (75).

Field finished with four goals for the Cobras.

Josh Green and Jacob Maschewski were named their best.

Tyler Lewis kicked five goals for the Rams to be their best

with that record.

Scoble said with a tough road run early on, they’re sitting in a nice place at this time of the season.

“We’ve played four games in Ballarat, only two to go,” he said. “We’ve been lucky tohavethegamesearlyintheseasonwhen the weather has been better, except for last week.”

The Bloods face another test this week, hosting the Sunbury Lions, who also have a 6-1 record.

Scoble said it would be a really good test.

“They have built their list really well in the last couple of years and improved under Matt [White].

“Them and Darley have set the standard this year. Us and East Point are building into the season.

“It’sagreatopportunitytobeatoneofthe best two sides.”

In other matches, Darley continued its good start with a 12.12 (84)-7.18 (60) win.

Nick Hind and Lucas Impey were named the Devils best.

The Cobras are now third on the ladder, with the Rams sitting in ninth..

In division 1, Caroline Springs had abigwinagainstPointCookCentrals, 22.10 (142)-7.6 (48).

Afterleadingby19pointsatquarter time, the Lakers kicked eight goals to one in the second quarter to blow the match open.

Steven Kyriazis kicked five goals for the Lakers, with Reece Blackman named their best.

TheLakerssitinfifthspotwitha3-3 record.

Bailey Hann. (Ljubica

Tara Murray Westside Strikers’ Jefin Joju. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 478421_09

Ryan Carter. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 418821_05