Star Weekly - Sunbury Macedon Ranges - 24th June 2025

Swap clothes, don’t shop

Gisborne ladies are invited to give their preloved clothes a second life at a Fashion Swap.

Organised by Kerri Matthews, this event gives you the chance to spruce up your wardrobe, while raising money for Gisborne Foodbank.

“It’s a very casual event, we used to just do it with just some friends in the lounge room but we’ve decided to open it up as a slightly bigger event for ladies in town,” she said.

“You can just bring whatever clothes you’ve got in your wardrobe that you no longer want and then you rummage through what everyone else brought.“ Entry is $10, including one free bag. Additional bags are available for $5 each, with refreshments available.

“This is just something to bless the community, bless the mums in town and bless the foodbank.“

Local Sheridan Earl who runs a monthly pre-loved clothing sale is assisting the event.

The Fashion Swap is on Friday, July 4 from 6-10pm, at Faithworks Christian Church, Gisborne.

To secure your ticket, visit facebook. com/events/1230968455164717 or contact Kerri, 0403 321 227

Great rates debate

By Georgia Tacey

A last-ditch effort to introduce a rate freeze in the Macedon Ranges council budget was knocked back after a lengthy debate.

During council’s June 18 meeting, Cr Daniel Young proposed slashing rates across the shire.

Council’s draft budget proposed an average rate rise of 3 per cent for 2025-26, but Cr Young proposed council freeze rates instead.

He estimated the move would save

ratepayers more than $1.5 million, equating to about 1 per cent of council’s total budget.

“I really want to stress that we have an opportunity for council to hold the line on rates,” Cr Young said.

“What we’re talking about here is out of the $120 million of expenditure that we have in our entire budget, the amount of rates I’m trying to reduce passing on to the ratepayers is a measly $1.5 million that we then get to go and have a look at and try to find that in savings.”

Cr Kate Kendall and Cr Alison Joseph both spoke in support of the motion, with all other councillors firmly against, taking issue with the riskiness of the proposal.

Councillors also raised concerns that the proposal could delay the implementation of the budget by up to three months while council established a committee to review possible savings to accomodate the rates freeze.

“Idowanttobequiteclearwiththepublic that the amount of money that’s being returned to the household on average will

be $55 per annum. That represents $13.75 per quarter,” Cr Christine Walker said. She said this rate increase is essential to council operations.

“I think we have to be very careful to not take a wrecking ball to our budget and to our council,” she said. “We have to be very cautious at this point in time, and we don’t want to get started into some radical cutting exercises that may deliver less to the community and cause us harm.”

The motion was lost, with the original proposed budget adopted.

Enrolments Closing Soon

Enrolments for Year 7, 2027 close on 25 July, 2025 (students currently in Grade 5).

Visit the Enrolments page of the College website to start your online enrolment application, or scan the QR code provided. Contact

Lexi Lethborg, Sheridan Earl, Shelley Farrugia and Kerri Matthews are ready to swap their clothes. (Damjan Janevski) 484523

We’re building big near you and there will be transport disruptions

As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re building the Metro Tunnel and its five new underground stations, with three stations now complete. Work is continuing on two stations, and we’re testing trains through the tunnel to make sure they operate smoothly and safely.

While we work, disruptions could affect your travel

Train disruptions: Buses replace trains in both directions

Sunbury Line 23 to 29 June

8.30pm to last train, 30 June

11pm 4 July to 13 July

Werribee and Williamstown lines

Watergardens to Sunbury

North Melbourne to Sunshine

11pm 4 July to 6 JulyNorth Melbourne to Newport and Williamstown

Road disruptions: Closed road, lanes and ramps

Calder Park Drive, Calder Park Late June to late JulyAt the level crossing

West Gate Freeway At times, July and AugustOutbound lanes and ramps

you travel

Arden Station

Call for tougher penalties

By Georgia Tacey

Humecounciliscallingforhigherpenalties for illegal dumpers.

At the June 10 council meeting, Cr Naim Kurt successfully put forward a notice of motion to request an immediate review of the penalty amounts assigned to littering and dumping offences under the Environment Protection Act 2017.

The current maximum penalties under theactmeancouncilcanissueamaximum on the spot fine of $395 for individuals and $1976 for corporations caught illegally dumping under 50 litres of litter.

“Every week we hear from residents

frustrated about the dumped mattresses, the broken furniture, the household junk, and the commercial waste sometimes left on our nature strips, parks and laneways. It’s a blight on our streets and I think a burden on our ratepayers,” Cr Kurt said.

Cr Kurt said council has invested significantlytofightbackagainstdumpers, saying “if you dump in Hume, you will be caught and you will be called out”.

“The cost to clean up these dumps is often three to four times that amount for ratepayers,” he said.

“Even worse, some of the data I got last yearwasthat80percentofillegaldumpings in Hume are often done by people who

don’t even live in our community.

“They see our wide open spaces, come into the industrial zones, our generous areas here and they dump their rubbish willy-nilly and without thought because the penalties are too low to care.”

As part of his motion, council will be writing to the state government and environment minister, Municipal Association of Victoria, and the EnvironmentProtectionAuthority(EPA)to request for the review.

Councilwillalsoberampingupitssocial mediacampaignsontheissue,tomakethe community aware this isn’t just a council issue.

Boot-scooting fun for the environment

Two landcare groups are bringing a night of boot-scooting fun to Lancefield.

Upper Deek Creek and South West Goulburn Landcare Networks have joined forces to bring a Bush Dance to town during July, for a night of fun socialising for Landcare members and the wider community.

The event, facilitated in joint by Upper Deep Creek Landcare facilitator Ammie Jackson and South West Goulburn Landcare member Leanne Cassar, promises a night of fun for all.

“It’s a great chance to meet new people,

like-minded people, have a dance, have a laugh and do something different,” Ms Cassar said.

Ms Cassar approached Ms Jackson about potentially putting on the event, hoping to get support through grant funding. She alsothoughtitwouldbeagoodideatohelp connect the two neighbouring Landcare networks.

The two groups were awarded $2255 through Macedon Ranges council’s small project grants.

The event will be held at the Lancefield Mechanics Institute on Saturday, July 5

from 6.30pm to 10.30pm. The event will be freeforcurrentmembersandnewLandcare members will pay a $20 membership fee, with a fee for non-members.

Dance along to lively entertainment from Eat Ya Greens band, bring your own food and drinks for the night and have plenty of fun.

“If you don’t like dancing, you don’t have to dance. It’s more about socialising and meeting people and having a bit of fun, getting out of the house,” Ms Cassar said.

Details: https://www.facebook.com/ events/1265306428634439

A state government spokesperson said the EPA has increased activity in the past year to target illegal dumping, specifically of dumped waste tyres and asbestos as incidents have risen across the state.

The spokesperson also confirmed the maximum court penalty for businesses is $3,951,800, and for individuals $800,000 or five years imprisonment, or both.

“Illegal dumping has an impact on local communities and environment and that’s why we have given the EPA greater powers to crack down on illegal dumping, including tougher penalties for repeat offenders,” the spokesperson said.

Nominations open for awards

Nominations are open now for the Hume Community Awards. The annual awards are designed to celebrate and honour individuals withinthelocalcommunitywhohave made outstanding contributions. Across eight categories, the awards highlight a diverse range of achievements that positively impact the social, cultural, environmental and other aspects of life in Hume. Through this program, council aims to recognise the dedication, innovation and leadership displayed by community members, who create a sense of belonging, optimism and unity.

Individuals and groups can be nominated across eight categories; academic excellence; advocacy and social justice; arts and creative expression; community service excellence; environmental stewardship; outstanding cultural leadership; outstanding community leadership; and sport and recreation achievement.

Anyone who resides within the Hume municipality is eligible, as wellasthosewhohavemadepositive contributions to the community.

Nominations are open now, and will close on Friday, July 18. Finalists will be notified by early August, with thewinnersannouncedonThursday, August 14 at the awards ceremony. For more information, go to hume.vic.gov.au/Your-Council/ Grants-awards-and-funds/HumeCommunity-Awards

Landcare members Leanne Cassar, Emma Stevens, Ammie Jackson and Pat Danko. (Damjan Janevski) 482201

Local crime on the rise

By Georgia Tacey

Crime is up in Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges, according to the latest quarterly statisticsreleasedbytheagencyresponsible fortrackingVictoria’scrime.

In the 12 months to March, the total offences recorded in the Macedon Ranges has risen to 2728, up from 2084 last year, representingariseof30.9percent.

Crime in Sunbury has also risen in the year to March with 2756 offences recorded, upfrom2436.

Sunbury was ranked the third highest

suburbinHumeforcrime,followingclosely behind Broadmeadows which was second with 3580. Total offences for Hume were up by18.7percent. In the Macedon Ranges, Kyneton recorded the highest number of crimes in the municipality with 705 offences recorded, followed by Gisborne with 517 andWoodendwith309.Ofthosethree,only Woodend saw a decrease in crime from the 312offencesrecordedforthesameperiodin 2024.

The top offence recorded in the Macedon Ranges was breach of family violence order,

with 341 offences. This was up from 278 in thepreviousyear.

Overall, family violence incidents have risen in the Macedon Ranges in the 12 monthstoMarch,reaching562,upfrom495 thepreviousyear.

Theft was the top offence recorded in Sunbury, with 994 offences recorded, an increasefrom681thepreviousyear.

Breaches of orders was the second highest, with 389, which was a decrease fromtheyearbefore.

Acrossthestatecrimerose17.1percent.

The most common crime in Victoria

Sunbury Streetlife festival is here to stay

Sunbury’s favourite festival has secured funding for the next three years.

Sunbury Streetlife has been awarded the EstablishedMajorEventsgrantfromHume council, with the committee receiving $30,000 per year for three years to help facilitate its event.

Sunbury Streetlife secretary Juan Carlos Rodriguez-Deller said the group was thrilled to receive the grant, saying it wouldgreatlyalleviatethecostsassociated with running such a major event.

“We’re extremely happy and grateful,”

he said. “I believe we were the last ones to receive that (grant), there was only one singular spot left.

“We were very grateful that we were given that grant because it has freed us a bit of time to do other things, instead of pursuing more money.”

The extra money each year will go to someofthebiggercostslikethestagesetup and insurance.

Mr Rodriguez-Deller said Streetlife will be back once again in November this year, and promises to be another great event in

Sunbury, with plenty of stalls and local businesses.

“We try to get as many local businesses, arts and crafts, plus some not-for-profit organisations. Last year, we had 130 stalls, and this year we’re planning to have the same number of stalls,” he said.

“It will be a mixture of arts and crafts, information and food stalls.”

The committee is also always looking for volunteers.

Details: sunburystreetlife.org.au/ or email streetlife.secretary@gmail.com

remains theft from a motor vehicle. It was the crime which topped the list in Hume but was only the fourth highest crime in Macedon Ranges after criminal damage, other theft and breach of family violence order.

“There is no doubt overall crime is higher than both the community and police would like,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations David Clayton said. “That’s why every police officer is working tirelesslytoreducecrimeandholdcriminals accountable – as they did in these twelve monthswitharecord75,968arrests.”

Have your say on speed limits

Macedon Ranges residents are being encouraged to have their say on a proposal to reduce speed limits in parts of Riddells Creek, Woodend and Kyneton.

Council said the proposal aims to improve safety for pedestrians and all road users. According to council, studies show lowering speed limits reduces the severity of collisions and ultimately, fatalities.

For the selected towns, traffic counts show that average operating speeds are in many cases already belowtheproposednewspeedlimits, with minimal impacts expected to travel times, council said.

Council assets and operations Dom Testoni said lowering speed limits on selected roads was a small-yet-powerful change, to influence driver behaviour around more pedestrian-heavy areas.

“We appreciate that some may feel loweringspeedlimitsisanoverreach or unnecessary, but no matter how adept or alert of a driver you feel you are, this measure will reduce the risk of impeding factors both in and outside of our control. Those who have been involved in a serious vehicle incident or have sadly lost a loved one will appreciate this more than most.”

Residents can have their say at drop in sessions on Monday, June 30, 5.30-7pm, at Woodend Community Centre and Library and Tuesday, July,1, 5.30-7pm at Council’s Kyneton Administration Centre, 129 Mollison Street. Feedback is invited until Monday, July 7.

Sunbury Streetlife Committee members Seathu Warrior, Juan Carlos Rodriguez-Deller and Shalini Nair are celebrating a grant from Hume council.

(Damjan Janevski) 481701_02

Plunging in for Mate

By Georgia Tacey

Sunbury locals are taking the plunge to raise funds in memory of one of their own.

Mate’s Crew are hosting a Dunk a Mate FightMND fundraiser in Sunbury, to raise money for the charity after the loss of Geoff ‘Mate’ Smalley.

Mate was a community stalwart in the Sunbury and Macedon Ranges for over 40 years, who died after losing the fight with Motor Neurone Disease.

Running the Gisborne South Swimming Centre alongside his wife Lorraine and working as a teacher at Sunbury College, Mate was a pillar of both communities in his long career.

His daughter, Brooke Smalley who is part of Mate’s Crew alongside Lorraine, recalls those last few moments with her father, and how quickly MND took him.

“In 2019 we saw signs of changes with dad and it was through the awareness of Neil Daniher and his story and his battle with MND that mum recognised some signs with dad,” she said.

In 2020, he was diagnosed with the disease, and after a 15-month battle, he died in February 2022.

“One of mum and dad’s dreams when they retired was to hit the road and drive places,” Brooke said.

“I had known about Daniher’s Drive and I wasn’t ready soon after dad had passed but this year it just called me and I knew this year was the right year to get involved.”

Brooke is aiming to raise $10,000 ahead of Daniher’s Drive this October by holding a number of community events.

In Sunbury on Friday, June 27, from 11am to 2pm, the community will come together to dunk local legends like Sunbury MP Josh Bull, One Agency’s Adrian Sacco, Country Care’s Sean Redmond and Ben Colquhoun as well as Brooke herself.

Held at Country Care Group in Sunbury, expect a sausage sizzle, themed baked treats and merch available.

Brooke said the support she has re-

ceived has been overwhelming.

“We’ve had some incredibly generous donations from friends, family and local businesses who have had connections with us over the years, even local footy clubs getting behind us,” she said.

“It’s really humbling to know everyone rallies when you need it.”

To donate to Mate’s Crew, go to support. fightmnd.org.au/fundraisers/matescrew

Bridge now open

A new road bridge in Diggers Rest opened on Wednesday, with part of Old Calder Highway closing to traffic until next month.

The road bridge named ‘Golden Way’ separates vehicles from trains by connecting the Old Calder Highway to Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road over the rail line.

The name acknowledges the area’s gold rush roots and its origins as a resting place for diggers heading to the goldfields.

Crews will now build a new community space with landscaping and pedestrian connections between the station precinct and post office and complete the bridge’s separated cycling path, which is set to open later this year.

Old Calder Highway will close to traffic between the level crossing and Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road until Monday, July 21 to enable works to permanently close the crossing.

Sunbury MP Josh Bull said that removing this level crossing will “help unlock even more services when the Metro Tunnel opens later this year.”

More than 8000 vehicles use this level crossing every day, facing delays of up to 36 minutes when 27 trains travel through the crossings in the morning peak, according to the state government.

The opening of the new bridge marks the state’s 86th level crossing removal across Melbourne.

Discover Downsizing

Discover Downsizing

Make the move to a smart future

Make the move to a smart future

Join us at Lifestyle Deanside for an exclusive Discover Downsizing event, where you’ll gain valuable insights into the benefits of downsizing and how it can enhance your lifestyle.

Join us at Lifestyle Deanside for an exclusive Discover Downsizing event, where you’ll gain valuable insights into the benefits of downsizing and how it can enhance your lifestyle.

Hear from industry experts on current market conditions and why now might be the right time to make a move. A special guest speaker Karen from My Pension Manager will also provide a practical talk on how downsizing can impact your financial future and retirement planning.

Hear from industry experts on current market conditions and why now might be the right time to make a move. A special guest speaker Karen from My Pension Manager will also provide a practical talk on how downsizing can impact your financial future and retirement planning.

When: Thursday 3rd July

When: Thursday 3rd July

Time: 10:30am

Time: 10:30am

Where: 85 Mushu Street, Deanside Register by calling 1300 50 55 60 or by scanning the QR code.

Where: 85 Mushu Street, Deanside Register by calling 1300 50 55 60 or by scanning the QR code.

Mate with his family. (Supplied)

Pickleball seeks fresh nuts

A new pickleball group in Sunbury is ready to take over the scene.

PickleballPeanutsisanewsocialplaying group dedicated to playing and promoting the fast-growing sport.

Organiser Steven McNamara said the group offers regular sessions for all skill levels focused on fitness, connection and good vibes, with all equipment provided.

“Its a lot of laughs and great vibes. We’re all community, fun and fitness and that’s the best thing that I find with pickleball is basically you’re exercising, but it’s fun it doesn’t feel like exercise,” he said.

Currently, the group runs sessions three days a week.

On Tuesdays, they run social and Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) games from 6.30pm to 8pm at the Sunbury Lawn Tennis Club.

On Friday and Sundays, the games are held at Killara Primary School, with Friday a night social session at 6pm to 7.30pm and DUPR from 7.30pm to 9pm.

On Sundays, the sessions run in the morning, with social at 10am to 11.30am and DUPR at 11.30am to 1pm.

Thegroup,juststartingout,iswelcoming players of all skill levels to join the club, play a match or two have some fun.

“Pickleball is incredibly accessible and it’s made even easier with us providing all the equipment with all you need to get started,” Mr McNamara said.

To enquire about the Pickleball Peanuts, you can reach Steven at pickleballpeanuts@gmail.com or 0403 567 629. To book a session, go to opensports. net/pickleball-peanuts

Briefs

House alight in Sunbury fire

A car fire in a garage spread to a two-storey house on Thursday night. FRV and CFA officers responded to an incident on Balmoral Circuit, Sunbury at 7.51pm on June 19. Firefighters arrived on scene within seven minutes to find the double-storey house fully alight. All occupants were accounted for. Firefighters attacked the fire from the ground and above, using an aerial appliance as they brought it under control. Crews ensured all adjoining properties were protected from fire or smoke. The incident was under control at 9.34pm.

Sports in focus with new grant

A new funding boost for a Macedon Ranges sporting program will help support community sport. Sports Focus, a regional sports not-for-profit that aims to provide better support to sporting clubs in central Victoria, has received $600,000 through the latest round of the state government’s Together More Active Program.

Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas made the announcement saying “By helping our local organisations build safe, inclusive and resilient environments we are ensuring that people of all ages and all abilities can take part in sports they love.”

FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT

Web: starweekly.com.au

Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

Early Learning Victoria Enrolments now open for 2026

• We celebrate each child’s unique strengths and interests, helping them grow and learn.

• Our high-quality programs, run by qualified staff, let children explore and learn through play and in nature.

• Our centres are welcoming, inclusive and are a part of the local community.

• Many centres also provide additional support services, like maternal and child health, allied health, and playgroups.

Pickleball Peanuts players Belinda Rae, Steven McNamara, Matt Chaston, Joss Coaley. (Supplied)

Netballers net a win

By Georgia Tacey

Netballers are celebrating the completion of two new courts at Gilbert Gordon Oval in Woodend.

Officially opened on Saturday, June 14, netballers, Macedon Ranges council mayor Dom Bonanno, Macedon MP MaryAnne Thomas and Woodend-Hesket Football Netball Club coach Kellie Duff were there to cut the ribbon on the new facilities.

One of the new courts has been named after Ms Duff, in recognition of her contribution to netball over the past decade, coaching both junior and senior teams.

“I’m extremely honoured, it’s such a legacy to leave for the club and I’m so proud to have been able to have been a big part of it,” she said.

Ms Duff was instrumental in helping advocate and secure the new facilities, whichincludereplacinganexistingsingle, deteriorating court with two new courts, player shelters, court lighting, fencing and pedestrian pathways.

She said the senior players were the first to play on the new courts.

“They were absolutely stoked to be playing on them,” Ms Duff said.

The position of the new courts was carefully chosen through a cultural heritage management plan, put in place to navigate the cultural sensitivities near the significant waterway of Five Mile Creek, to ensure the development was carried out in a culturally responsive manner.

Cr Bonanno said the upgrade was part of the Gilbert Gordon Oval Masterplan, which identified the need for improved

netball facilities to meet current and future demands.

“The new courts are a much-needed improvement and will support local sport in Woodend for years to come,” he said.

The $1.39 million project was funded jointly by the state government’s Local Sports Infrastructure Fund ($985,710); a council contribution ($310,000); a contribution from court designers 2MH Consulting ($40,000); and contributions totalling

$55,000 from Woodend-Hesket Football Netball Club and its junior counterpart.

“Theres been so much support and its been amazing to see how many people are going to benefit from this,” Ms Duff said.

“Watching the smiles on everyone’s faces as they came to the courts… to play their matches, now they can see they’re just as important as the football (players) at our club and now they have elite facilities to play at.”

Spotlight on Ranges sport

An exhibition at Kyneton Museum is putting the focus on local sport.

The exhibition – Good Sports: Leisure and Recreation – explores the powerful role of sport, leisure and recreation in shaping local identity and community.

Launched with strong community involvement, the exhibition at Kyneton Museum features contributions from local sporting groups and highlights themes of inclusion, the evolution of recreational spaces, and the social impact of sport across generations and cultures.

The exhibition was officially launched last month, with Macedon Ranges council mayor Dom Bonanno and Commonwealth Games athlete and Kyneton Small Bore Rifle Club member James Daly among those in attendance.

“This is more than a nostalgic look at our sporting past. It’s a reflection on how we move, connect, and build identity, from grassroots clubs to national icons,” Cr Bonanno said. “Events like this show the strength of our community. I hope visitors leave feeling inspired and maybe even ready to dust off their running shoes.”

The exhibition celebrates participation, community and the values of fairness, respect and belonging. It is open Fridays to Sundays, 11am to 4pm, at Kyneton Museum, 67 Piper Street, Kyneton.

Kellie Duff, a dedicated coach for the Hawks, has had a court named after her. (Damjan Janevski) 484532

Deadly roads for wildlife

A Victorian Parliamentary inquiry is delving into the impact of wildlife roadstrikes on rescuers and motorists.

In Melbourne’s outer north, Sunbury, Oaklands and Somerton roads have become hotspots for collisions between animals and vehicles, in what wildlife rescuers are describing as “absolute carnage”. Georgia Tacey reports.

Sunbury Road has turned into a graveyard.

Bodyafterbodyofkangaroos,some nothing but bones, others still clinging to life, after vehicles have collided with them.

In Sunbury, one of the highest reported suburbs for wildlife collisions across the state, the situation is well past breaking point.

Local volunteer wildlife rescuer Krysti Severi said she had been called out to the Sunbury area many times, describing Sunbury Road, Oaklands Road and Somerton Road as “absolute carnage”.

“There are definitely other rescuers that justgoforadriveouttothosespecificroads because a lot of (wildlife collisions) there aren’t called in,” she said.

“They just go out there for pouch checks and that nothing on the side of the road is still alive.”

For commuters, she said it’s become traumatic.

“Iknowalotofpeoplethatdrive(Sunbury Road) regularly, it’s a regular commute to work,” Ms Severi said.

“IspoketoaguyandhesaidhehasPTSD from driving that road to work.

“He drives to the airport every day for work. He is tailgated, he is flashed because he’s trying to drive conservatively to stop if anything comes out in front of him.”

It’s a hotspot for wildlife collisions.

In the Hume municipality, there has been a 137 per cent increase in reported kangaroocollisionsoverthepastfiveyears.

Sunbury recorded the highest number of animal collisions in Victoria and the second highest in Australia in 2023, according to analysis from insurer AAMI.

In the past five years, the reported collisions with kangaroos have jumped significantly in Sunbury, from 75 in 2019 to 203 in 2024.

In Hume as a whole, it has massively increased from 485 in 2019 to 1150 in 2024.

Metro Trains also said the Sunbury Line has the highest volume of wildlife collisions with trains across its network.

“You get to a point where you’re like ‘what is happening here? Why is this happening?’” Ms Severi said.

“There are so many bodies out here, and it’sinanareathatifyouconcentrateyou’ve got visual on both sides (of the road).”

Sunbury Road, Oaklands Road and Somerton Road are all 80km/h, which is something Ms Severi wants changed.

Hume council is also seeking to change the speed limit on these roads, with the idea part of council’s submission into state parliament’s Inquiry into Wildlife Roadstrike in Victoria.

The inquiry, chaired by Animal Justice MP Georgie Purcell, will focus on the issue asawhole,throughrelevantlegislationand regulation to monitor wildlife roadstrike, promote driver education and raise public awareness.

It will also examine the involvement, training and expenditure of paid and volunteer rescue and rehabilitative organisations and individuals, as well as any new and emergency technologies and infrastructures to prevent roadstrikes.

The impact on Victorian motorists will also be considered.

“The overworked wildlife sector is burnt outandmanyvolunteersareforcedtowork multiple jobs to self-fund their transport and rescue equipment in order to perform the work,” Ms Purcell said.

“This inquiry will seek ways to support retention and mitigate obvious failings on our road networks, as well as explore new technology, to keep both animals and

motorists safe.”

The pubic, including councils, organisations, rescuers and motorists, was invited to make a submission to the inquiry.

Hume’s submission included nine recommendationsforthestategovernment toconsiderimplementingtohelptheissue.

These included establishing a centralised wildlife population and roadstrike database, the establishment of regional kangaroo management networks, and most notably, to introduce wildlife roadstrike triggers for speed limit reviews.

In its submission, council notes one of the challenges in its municipality is the rapid urban development in suburbs like Sunbury, Craigieburn, Kalkallo, Greenvale and Mickleham.

New housing estates, road networks and commercial zones are being established adjacentorbetweenhistoricalhabitatareas and conservation reserves, disrupting established movement corridors for wildlife.

This leads to habitat fragmentation and land-locking, increased contact between people and wildlife, and higher traffic volumesonnewlyconstructedorexpanded roads near habitat areas, council said.

Currently, new road projects do not have wildlife-sensitive design features, as wildlife movement corridors aren’t identified early in the planning process.

Council said reducing vehicle speed is one of the most effective and immediate measures to lower the likelihood and severity of wildlife collisions, which has formed its recommendation to implement wildlife roadstrike triggers.

Currently, speed reductions are only considered in response to repeated human

There has to be something done in that area because it is an absolute massacre out there

- Krysti Severi

crashes or fatal traffic incidents – not animal collisions.

Councilsaidinitssubmissionitisunable to implement localised speed reductions without meeting the narrow criteria set by the Department of Transport, even when supported by data or community reports.

Ms Severi said it felt like no solution would be reached, adding that she and other wildlife rescuers are fed up.

“There has to be something done in that area because it is an absolute massacre out there,” she said.

“This is getting to a breaking point for the volunteers because we could honestly go out there every single day of the week multiple times a day.”

She hopes change will come soon, so sheand other volunteers can continue the important work they do.

“It’s obviously a lot of emotional baggage we carry around every day.

“We see things that a lot of people shouldn’t have to see. We see things a lot of people wouldn’t even think an animal could suffer that sort of injury and still be alive.

“So support your local volunteers that are out there doing this out of their own pocket and out of their own mental health as well.”

Victorian Kangaroo Alliance president Alyssa Wormald welcomed the inquiry, as well as the recommendations Hume has proposed.

“We desperately need innovative strategies to keep wildlife and motorists safe on our roads, so we look forward to this inquiry producing urgent solutions that value and respect wildlife,” she said.

“We also hope for greater recognition and support for wildlife volunteers who shoulder an immense and traumatic workload responding to victims of wildlife roadstrike.”

To report a sick, injured or orphan native animal across the state, you can call Wildlife Victoria’s 24/7 emergency response service on 8400 7300.

Above: Wildlife rescuer Krysti Severi. Below: A kangaroo hit on Oaklands Road. (Pictures: Supplied)

Dog attacks prompt review

By Tom Ingleton

A series of shocking dog attacks in Sunbury lastAugusthaspromptedHumecouncillors to commit to stronger preventative action, following the release of an internal review intotheincidents.

At its June 10 meeting, Hume council unanimously endorsed a report examining the lead-up to the attacks and outlining new strategies to reduce the likelihood of a repeat.

Thereviewwascommissionedafterthree dogs escaped from a property and attacked multiple people over two consecutive days, August29and30,2024.

The dogs’ owner died at the end of last year. Victims sustained both serious and nonseriousinjuries.

“The dog attack incidents that occurred in August of 2024 had a profound impact on those directly involved and generated serious concern across our community,” Cr KateHamleysaidduringtheJune10council meeting.

Cr Hamley, who moved the notice of motion to initiate the review, said the resulting report was about accountability andchange.

“This report reflects the council’s determination to learn from these

AFL academy launched

SalesianCollegeSunburyhasannounced a new partnership with the Essendon Football Club and the Calder Cannons in the development of the school’s AFL Academy Program.

Through the AFL Academy, students access elite-level coaching, strength and conditioning programs, and nationally recognised qualifications – all within a structured school environment.

The academy’s mission is to empower student-athletes to thrive on and off the field, gaining insight into the world of professional sport through AFL-specific training. Students also work towards a certificate III in sport and recreation, along with coaching, officiating and sports management qualifications.

Ahead of the launch, testing is now underway. Students involved were given the opportunity to meet with past pupil and current Essendon forward Harry Jones who shared first-hand advice about the mental and physical demands of elite-level AFL and the resilience required to succeed.

Essendon Football Club strategy and growth lead Kristen Bull said it was a welcome partnership.

Salesian College principal Mark Brockhus said, “This partnership reflects our commitment to creating exclusive learning and growth opportunities for our students so they can thrive in life – academically, physically and personally”.

distressing events, and to ensure we are doingeverythinginourpowertoreducethe riskofsimilarincidentsoccurringagain.”

The review found that the council acted appropriately in its management of the August 2024 dog attacks, but noted that officers were constrained by the limited powers available under the Domestic AnimalsAct1994.

Council officers had no lawful authority to seize or euthanise the dogs involved, and needed police assistance to respond urgently.

It also identified that while council’s website included information on how to reportdogattacks,therewereopportunities

toimproveaccessandclarityofinformation. However,itfoundnoevidencethatthese limitations contributed to the August 2024 attacks.

The report recommended urgent changes to the act to authorise the reasonable use of force by authorised officers when entering land, executing searchwarrants,orseizinganimals.

A state government spokesperson said, “People should report any information about dog attacks, dogs at large or dogs behaving in a menacing way, including rushing or chasing, to their local council or the state government’s Dangerous Dogs Hotlineon136186”.

Essendon footballer Harry Jones with Salesian College students. (Supplied)

Excellence in education

Sacred Heart College has played an integral role the history of Kyneton and continues to offer students of the Macedon Ranges and beyond the opportunityforCatholiceducationinthe Mercytradition.

Thecollegehasembracedthechallenges of 21st Century schooling through its commitments to exemplary learning and teaching, authentic relationships and holistic education. The core values of Mercy education – service, hospitality, justice,compassion,respectandcourage – inform all aspects of college life and provide a clear link back to the lives and workofourfounders.

Today, the college’s motto ‘Learn. Care. Flourish’ captures the principles that inform all aspects of a Sacred Heart Collegeeducation.

• Learn – providing an engaging, challenging, and personalised education for each student utilising a

breadthofevidence-basedstrategies

• Care - offering wellbeing programs for students and working in partnership with parents to ensure that students grow into resilient, happy and compassionateyoungpeople.

• Flourish- providingaholisticeducation for each student. At Sacred Heart College, we want every student to live lifeinabundance.

Sacred Heart College looks with expectation and enthusiasm to the future. We encourage those in our local community currently considering options for their children’s secondary journey to learn more about the diverse educational offerings of Sacred Heart College Kyneton, by visiting the college website [www.shckyneton.catholic.edu. au]orattendingoneofourregulartours.

Enrolments for students currently in Grade5,commencingYear7in2027,close on25July2025.

Offering excellence in education

Proudly part of Kyneton community since 1889. Established by the Sisters of Mercy more than 135 years ago, the College continues to offer a faith-based education in a welcoming, nurturing environment. Visit our website to learn more about the College, book a tour or start your online enrolment application.

The footwear experts

A leisurely drive down the highway is Macedon Ranges’ only dedicated Shoe Store - Kyneton Shoes. Offering family-friendlyservice,KynetonShoeshas a wide range for all ages and stages from fit and measured first walkers, to brands including Surefit, Grosby and Clarks, to podiatrist recommended and orthotic friendly brands like Cabello, Propet, MerrellandHushPuppies.

Kyneton Shoes collaborates with primary schools and secondary schools, todeliverarangeofshoessuitabletomeet uniform and comfort requirements, for

studentsofalllevels.

TheteamatKynetonShoesunderstands the community’s shoe needs, in all weather conditions offering water-resistant, water-proof, gumboots, leather boots, slippers and, of course, a rangeofUGGproducts.

Opensixdaysaweek:MondaytoFriday 9-5pm Saturday 9-2pm, Kyneton Shoes is easilylocatedat23HighStreet,Kyneton. Onehundredpercentfamilyownedand run,KynetonShoesfocusesonold-fashion service while understanding the needs of modernlife.

Foster a deep connection to the community at Braemar

Choosingtherightschoolforyourchildren is a significant decision. Braemar College offers an educational experience that integrates academic excellence with a connection to community and our environment.

The College’s two campuses provide uniqueandenrichingenvironmentsforits students.

The Mount Macedon campus has been the centre of education for over a century, initially as the Clyde Grammar School and, since 1976, as Braemar College. This campus is now home to students in Years 9 to 12 and offers a serene environment surrounded by nature and wildlife.PictureMcCubbin’s1904painting ’The Pioneer’, with a place of learning in paneltwo.

In2018,theCollegeopeneditsWoodend campus, which is home to students in Years 5 to 8. This campus, recognised for its innovative design to support learning througharchitecture,reflectsacontinuing commitment to providing an exceptional learning environment. The Woodend campus, the only secondary school in Woodend, combines modern facilities withthebeautyofthesurroundingnatural landscape, offering students a unique and inspiringplacetolearnandgrowinarural settingandvastopenspaces.

BraemarCollegeemphasisesanurturing communityforstudentgrowth,inspiredby theAfricanproverbthatittakesavillageto raise a child. Both the middle school and senior school programs foster a sense of responsibility towards making the world a better place, with vibrant house-based activities. Students at Braemar feel appreciated and supported by caring staff. The College offers a diverse range of electives and a flexible, accommodating

approach to ensure every student feels accepted.

Beyond the classroom, Braemar College offers a rich array of extracurricular activities. The equestrian team and cadet unit provide unique opportunities for skill development and teamwork. Numerous clubs during lunchtime allow students to explore various interests, while optional language and service-based trips during thetermholidaysofferimmersivelearning experiences.

A holistic education experience

Spaces

challenges and inspires each student to achievetheirbest,promotingindependent thinking and lifelong learning. Senior students lead by example, shaping the next generation through focused learning and social justice initiatives. The College has a strong Old Collegian community, enriching its culture and fostering a sense ofcontinuityandbelonging.

Investing in student’s future, Braemar College is excited to unveil a new multi-purposehallthatwillopensoonand a purpose-built technology hub that will

be ready for the 2025 school year. These future-readyfacilitieswillfurtherenhance theeducationalexperienceonoffer. Come and see for yourself why the community cherishes its time at Braemar College. Experience the welcoming atmosphereandstrongsenseofbelonging. Braemar College prepares students for the next stage of their personal growth, blending academic excellence with a deep connection to their community and the environment.

Braemar College has two campuses, providing an enriching educational experience in Woodend and Mount Macedon. (Supplied)

Discover quality healthcare at Gisborne Medical Clinic

Gisborne Medical Clinic is proud to offer comprehensive bulk-billed healthcare servicestothelocalcommunity.

Whether you’re seeking routine check-ups, chronic disease management, or acute medical care, the expert team of general practitioners is dedicated to providing the highest standard of medical care for individuals and families alike.

At Gisborne Medical Clinic, staff understand that your health is your most valuableasset.

The practice’s experienced GPs take a personalised approach to care, ensuring that each patient receives tailored treatmentthatsuitstheirspecificneeds.

From newborns and children to the elderly, Gisborne Medical Clinic caters to all ages with a broad range of services, including vaccinations, health assessments, minor surgical procedures, andmore.

What truly sets the clinic apart is its commitment to accessibility. As a fully bulk-billedclinic,GisborneMedicalClinic removes the barrier to quality healthcare, meaning you can focus on your health without the worry of out of pocket costs. The team believes that everyone deserves accesstoexpertcare.

The clinic offers a warm, welcoming environment where patients are treated likefamily.

The GPs are not only highly skilled and experienced but also compassionate listeners who take the time to understand yourconcernsandprovidecompassionate advice.

Gisborne Medical Clinic works closely with local specialists and allied health professionals, ensuring patients receive

thebestcare,nomatterthesituation.

Gisborne Medical Clinic is proud to be your trusted healthcare partner in the

Gisborne community, and the team looks forward to caring for you and your family formanyyearstocome.

NEWPATIENTSWELCOME

Gisborne Medical Centre.

Visit Gisborne Medical Clinic today and experience healthcare that truly puts you first!

Why GVL is the most supportive school in Gisborne

TuckedawayintheheartofNewGisborne,a quiet revolution in education is underway.

Global Village Learning (GVL) isn’t just another school—it’s a thriving, learner-led communitythat’sredefiningwhatitmeans to prepare young people for the future.

Fromagefourto20,GVLnurturescurious minds across its four Developmental Learning Hubs: Foundations & Play, Exploration&Discovery,Entrepreneurship & Social Impact, and Pathways & Futures. Forget bells, rigid year levels, and standardised testing. At GVL, young people are trusted as capable contributors from day one. Here, learning is powered by curiosity, autonomy, and real-world projects, all supported by caring adults known as Guides.

“We actively try not to be a school,” says a GVL Guide. “Instead, we’ve built a personalised, future-focused learning village where young people feel deeply connected, confident in their abilities, and in control of their learning.”

The experience is deeply human. Every learner builds a portfolio, co-creates personal projects, and is supported by regular Learning Huddles involving their carers and Guides. Literacy and numeracy are woven into meaningful contexts, while EdVenturous Projects bring purpose and community impact into the centre of the curriculum.

There’s no homework, no uniforms, and no exams—but there is plenty of collaboration, kindness, and creativity. One week might include coding, drama, and community service. The next? Masterclasses with local changemakers or internships with local businesses.

And now, with enrolments open across all age groups, families in the Macedon

Ranges have a rare chance to join something truly different. Book a tour today and experience what

education can be. Visit www.gvl.vic.edu. auandstepintoacommunitythatbelieves every young person has the power to shape the world. GlobalVillageLearning.It’snotaschool. It’s the future, right here in Gisborne.

From age four to 20, GVL nurtures curious minds across its four Developmental Learning Hubs.

MY PLACE

Anthony Stevens, the managing director of Anthony Stevens Real Estate, recently moved to the Macedon Ranges, and is loving his new home. Georgia Tacey caught up with Anthony about his new home and what he loves about his new community.

What’s your connection to the Macedon Ranges?

IcurrentlyliveinLancefieldona142-acre property. Over the years, I’ve regularly travelled from Echuca to Melbourne through the Macedon Ranges and absolutely fell in love with the area. I’m currently watching Clarkson’s Farm and it reminds me exactly why I love regional towns like Lancefield and Romsey - there’s something grounding and authentic about life here.

What do you like about where you live? It’stheconnectiontotheland.Sure,itgets bloodycold-butIwouldn’tliveanywhere else. The region offers the best of both worlds: rural charm with easy access to Melbourne. With my two children living inthecity,it’sjusta50-minutedrivefrom Lancefield to the CBD.

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

Honestly, nothing. I’m still discovering all the unique pockets and people in this beautiful region. The Macedon Ranges really is the heart of Victoria - perfectly positioned in every direction.

Where is your favourite local place to spend time?

Wandering around my own property. It takes me back to my upbringing in northern Victoria. There’s something deeply satisfying about working the land - it’s more than a lifestyle, it’s who I am.

Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you.

I’m incredibly family-oriented. The love I have for my two children outweighs everything else in life. I also genuinely enjoy meeting new people and hearing their stories - because everyone has a journeyworthsharing,whetherit’sfullof triumphs or challenges.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Farming - it’s my happy place and a way to disconnect from the pressures of work. On weekends, I love watching my son River play football and spending time with my beautiful daughter Ayva. There’s nothing better than seeing your children grow into young adults - proud doesn’t even begin to describe it.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

WANT YOUR EVENT LISTED? Community Calendar is made available free of charge to not-for-profit organisations to keep the public informed of special events and activities. Send item details to Star Weekly Community Calendar, Corner Thomsons Road and Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park, 3042, or email to westeditorial@starweekly.com.au by 9am Wednesday the week prior to publication

Secrets

Four One Act Plays, all linked thematically, to be presented by Cathouse Players at the Kyneton Masonic Centre, 7-9 Yaldwyn Street West for a strictly limited season of four matinees only on June 28 and 29, at 2pm sharp. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime. Tickets still $25/$20 include sherries, programs and ‘High Tea with Bubbles’ at interval. Companion card is welcome.

 0494 166 257 for enquiries, tickets at trybooking.com/DAFXG

Woodlands Ladies Probus Club of Sunbury

This ladies Probus Club meets on the 4th Monday of the month at the Sunbury Bowling Club (Club Sunbury). Meetings now start at 10.30am for 2 hours. We have guest speakers each month, also outings, and theatre regularly. New Members and visitors welcomed.

 Jessie, 0458 190 254

Messy Play in Sunbury

Join in the Messy Play fun with this toddler-focused program, including messy and sensory child-led play. The program will run from 10–11.30am on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays.

 www.sunburyhouse.com.au or 9740 6978

Young Voices of Macedon

A community choir for children of the Macedon Ranges and beyond, Young Voices of Macedon rehearses at the House of the Rock, 247 Station Road, New Gisborne. The choir has separate programs for young children aged five to eight and older children. Rehearsals assist children in developing vocal technique, part singing skills, and general musicianship, across popular, classical, folk and music theatre styles. Rehearsals run on Thursdays, from 4.15pm, with afternoon tea and play time.

 yvmacedon.org.au

Hume Men’s Shed

The Hume Men’s Shed (Sunbury) is a

non for profit organisation, meeting every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at 158 Evans Street, Sunbury. The group caters for men be it carpentry, welding, metal work, gardening or just to chat.

 sunburymensshed.com, or 0438 677 425

Macedon Ranges Photographic Society

Are you into photography, just starting out, or a fully fledged professional? The Macedon Ranges Photographic Society is your local camera club for friendship, photographic outings, workshops, guest presenters, competitions and more. Come along to a meeting on the first and second Monday of the month. Doors open at 7pm and the meeting starts at 7.30pm at Jubilee Hall, 52 Smith Street, Macedon.  www.macedon-ranges-photography.org. au, or info@macedon-ranges-photography. org.au

Insync Entertainment

Insync Entertainment is an all-female community choir, providing the opportunity to meet others who enjoy singing. The group is seeking new members to join the friendly choir. No auditions required. They rehearse at the Sunbury Baptist Church Hall every Monday from 7.15–9.30pm.

 insyncentertainment@gmail.com

North Western District Pipe Band

The newly formed North Western District Pipe Band meets every Wednesday at 7.30pm at the Diggers Rest Bowls Club. It is seeking experienced pipers and drummers to join the band and is also offering tuition for learners of all ages.

 Hank, 0412 160 576, nwd.pipeband@ gmail.com, or www.facebook.com/North WesternDistrictPipeBand?mibextid=ZbW KwL

Toastmasters

An all-female team from Hobsons Bay Yacht Club in Williamstown won the prestigious Australian Women’s Keelboat Regatta (Division 2). Pictured are skipper Sue Burke, Jude Blackwood, Lois Hunt, Marg Morrissey and Susan Morwood. (Damjan Janevski) 484361

Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Toastmasters helps its members develop their public speaking, communication and leadership skills. The group meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month, from 7.20–9.30pm, at the Sunbury Community Centre, 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury.

 vpm-4185@toastmastersclubs.org

Sunbury Seniors

Sunbury Seniors (55 or older) meet on Mondays and Fridays from 10am–3pm. The club is temporarily located at 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury while construction on a new venue is underway. A variety of activities are offered – indoor bowls, cards, snooker, guest speakers, day excursions, subsidised lunches or just a cup of coffee and a chat.

 0434 400 754

Anthony Stevens from Anthony Stevens Real Estate. (Damjan Janevski) 484066

Colourful exhibition

An exhibition of works by late indigenous artist Josh Muir will become the first to feature in the newly re-opened Wyndham ArtGallery.

The gallery was temporarily closed late last year due to the Wyndham Cultural Centre theatre undergoing refurbishment andmaintenanceworks.

To mark it’s re-opening, the gallery will host JXSH MVIR: Forever I Live, a touring exhibition curated by Koorie Heritage Trust(KHT)fromFriday,July11toSunday, September28.

JXSH MVIR: Forever I Live, is the first major solo retrospective exhibition of Muir’s,whodiedin2022.

The exhibition is co-curated by Muir’s partner Shanaya Sheridan, his mother Justine Berg and the curatorial team at KHT.

Muir a Yorta Yorta Yorta, Gunditjmara, and Barkindji artist, was born and raised inWadawurrungcountryinBallarat.

The exhibition title is taken from an artwork of the same name – Forever I

Live (2015) – and references the ongoing legacy that continues to live in Muir’s artworkbeyondlifeitself.

His artworks draw on a range of themes including cultural identity, the impacts and legacies of colonisation, extending to more personal experiences of mental health,addiction,lossandgrief.

Wyndham mayor Mia Shaw described the exhibition, which fuses contemporary art, bold colour, and cultural resilience, as “stunning“.

The artworks in the exhibition include references to the late artist’s street art practice, colourful visuals and the use of VR/AR to tell a strong and evocative narrative.

“It is an impressive exhibition that uses colour and geometric patterning across a range of media, including painting, digital prints on aluminium, neon, animated video works and augmented reality experiences,“CrShawsaid.

Details: www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/ venues/wyndham-art-gallery

Gallery exhibits art good enough to wear

The Gallery’s beloved fashion parade is celebrating20years.

For the past two decades, every July the best display of local fashion is exhibited, with the public invited to see makers and gallery members have their creations modelledonthecatwalk.

The Art to Wear Parade will feature creative designs by 25 talented makers from across the state, with a unique collectionofhandmadeclothing,jewellery andvariousaccessories.

Alongside the parade at Juilbee Hall, the art won’t stop inside the walls, with a displayofkimonostorivaltheNGV’sinthe foyer.

To complement the parade, once again the champagne afternoon tea will be part of the proceedings, so its the perfect opportunity to gather some friends, enjoy somebubblesandenjoyashow.

Sue Anson, who handles publicity for TheGallery,saidtheparadeisamust-see.

“Itwillbequitealovelyafternoon…have a champagne when you arrive and you’ll be treated to a lovely parade of Victorian handmadegarments,”shesaid.

Ms Anson said that one of the artists featured will be local Colleen Weste, who help create the parade 20 years ago alongsidethelateJoanBurke.

All garments not sold on the day will be featuredatTheGalleryinMountMacedon duringJuly.

The Art to Wear Parade will be taking place on Saturday July 5 at 1pm to 3pm at Juilbee Hall in Macedon, with tickets costing$30andonlyavailableonline.

Tickets:www.trybooking.com/DCDAT

Fashion from last year’s show. (Supplied)

Givit to get punk rock proceeds for the third year

Punk rock will come to Footscray on Saturday, June 28 to kick out the jams for charity.

ZeWisenheimer,En_ZoandDisgruntled Civil Servant will play at Givit III, an fundraising gig held at Mam Chen’s which isnowinit’sthirdyear.

Allproceedsfromthegigwillgotowards Givit,anationalnot-for-profitthatpartners directly with councils, recovery outreach teams, charities and community groups to connect those in need with generous donors, ensuring that people experiencing hardship receive the essential goods and services they need, when they need them

most. Thisyear,Givitwillbepassingonmoney raisedfromthegigtosurvivorsofdomestic violence.

Doors open at 7.30pm, with Melbourne three-piece Disgruntled Civil Servant first on the bill, playing tracks from their recently released five-song EP ‘The Woke MindVirus’.

They will be followed by self described dark wave western meets post-punk queer goths, En_Zo and then headliners, noisey post-punkfour-piece,ZeWisenheimer. Ticketsare$15plusbookingfeeor$20at thedoor.

Film focuses on migrant stories

An award-winning Eynesbury podcaster, filmmaker, and musician is sharing the stories of migrants – including those living in Melton – through his latest film, set to be presented with live soundtracking in Carltonnextmonth.

Eynesbury resident Simon Reich has been touring his latest multimedia project across Australia, which includes filmed interviews with people from various European countries on one screen, migrants’ own photographs and videos on a secondscreenwithimmersivesound design complementing the touching stories.

This is also soundtracked by a quartet of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra members and live grand piano.

Reich said he was inspired by his father, who immigrated to Australia from war-torn Berlin, and his multimedia show is “nothing like a dryanddustyhistorylesson.“

“It is a multimedia presentation, and the migrants tell of their war experiences, why they wanted to travel to the other side of the world, and how they fared in their newly adoptedcountry,”Reichsaid.

“At times it’s tragic, disheartening and racist, but ultimately, it’s a feel-good story of gutsy and inspirational people who created the backbone of Australian society,” he said.

“With war in Ukraine and Israel and continuing hostility towards migrants, this project shows that Australia and the world still has a lot to learn about what happened in the past.”

The interviews featured in this show formed the basis for Reich’s documentary titled Bonegilla: The Migrant’s Journey, which was recently selected in the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival as one of 30 films from thousands of entries acrosstheworld.

The film features former migrants, some who live in the Melton municipality, and all the editing, post-production and soundtrack music recording were completed in Reich’sEynesburyrecordingstudio.

As part of the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival next month, Bonegilla: The Migrant’s Journey will be presented with a live piano and violin soundtrack at 7.30pm on Friday, July 25 at Cinema Nova,380LygonStreet,Carlton.

Details: cinemanova.com.au/ films/mdff-bonegilla-the-migrantsjourney

For more information and to book, visit: https://mammachens.com.au/gigs/ TolistentoZeWisenheimer,goto:https:// zewisenheimer.bandcamp.com/album/ live-live-live-bad-decisions-271122

To listen to En_Zo, go to: https:// enzopunkband.bandcamp.com/album/ nil-zero-nothing TohearmoreofDisgruntleCivilServant, visit: https://disgruntledcivilservant. bandcamp.com/

For more information on Givit, visit: https://www.givit.org.au/take-action/ ways-to-give/give-against-an-appeal/ domestic-and-family-violence

Eynesbury podcaster, filmmaker, and musician Simon Reich. (Supplied).

Josh Muir, JXSH MVIR: Forever I Live will be on display at the Wyndham Art Gallery from July 11. (Supplied)

SPORTS QUIZ

1. The Magic are an NBA team based in which US city?

2. Oscar Piastri collided with which other driver in the recent Canadian Grand Prix?

3. Which South African batsman was named Player of the Match in the World Test Championship Final?

4. Aussie basketballer Shyla Heal recently signed to play for which WNBL team?

5. In addition to England, which two other men’s teams will tour Australia during the 2025–26 cricket schedule?

6. Geelong Cats player Patrick Dangerfield recently reached what milestone for games played?

In golf, what does LPGA stand for?

Blue Ribbon Sports was the original name of which athletic footwear and clothing company?

North Melbourne sold two of its home games to which state during the 2025 AFL season?

The Cy Young Award is given to the best Major League Baseball players in what position?

John McEnroe makes a cameo appearance in which 2004 romantic sports comedy film?

In which year did GWS Giants join the AFL?

Who hit the game-winning shot for the Indiana Pacers in their 111–110 comeback victory over Oklahoma City in Game 1 of the NBA Finals?

14. Which Australian NFL player remains the league’s highest-paid at his position after signing a new $25 million deal?

15. While filming the latest Mission: Impossible movie, which actor performed 16 skydives using fuel-soaked parachutes that caught fire mid-air?

16. When the Seattle SuperSonics were sold and relocated, what NBA team did they become?

17. What is the Roland Garros Slam better known as?

18. Six of the last seven Yokozuna (highest-ranked sumo wrestler) were born in what country?

19. Who is the only current AFL coach to have not played in the AFL?

20. Where is the Brumbies sports team based?

21. How many countries will compete at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, an increase from the previous 32?

22. Which Australian batting allrounder recently retired from One Day International cricket?

23. 2028 Olympic hosts Los Angeles also hosted the Games in which two other years?

24. Which NSW Blues player was man of the match in game one of the rugby league State of Origin series?

25. Which former Geelong captain has been appointed alongside CEO Andrew Dillon as the AFL’s chief operating officer?

26. How old is current Spanish Formula One driver Fernando Alonso, who debuted in 2001?

27. Name Melbourne’s second Super Netball team, following the demise of the Collingwood Magpies.

28. Australian soccer coach Ange Postecoglou was sacked by Tottenham Hotspur despite winning which trophy?

29. Which Australian cricketer opened the batting for the first time in his career against South Africa in the World Test Championship final?

30. Following his defeat in Stuttgart, tennis player Fabio Fognini called winner Corentin Moutet ‘a little’... what?

Fabio Fognini Fabio

Ange Postecoglou

ACROSS

1 Cover (5)

4 Came into line again (9)

9 Demand as a right (5)

10 Power cells (9)

11 Religious house (6)

12 In company (8)

14 Bringing to (10)

15 Fun activity (abbr) (3)

17 Curved path (3)

19 Snakelike (10)

23 Total (8)

24 Not liable (6)

26 Point to be judged upon (9)

27 Tree (5)

28 Game birds (9)

29 Dollars (coll) (5) DOWN

1 Receive (6)

2 Conjecture (7)

3 Japanese warrior (7)

4 Red precious stone (4)

5 Allowed (10)

6 Titanic sinker (7)

7 Not one nor the other (7)

8 Preoccupy (8)

13 Severe despondency and dejection (10)

16 Encumbrance (8)

18 Unite (7)

19 Merchants (7)

20 Public conveyance (7)

21 Wandering (7)

22 Hoards (6)

25 People (4)

1 How many countries border Austria?

2 What nationality is singersongwriter Sarah McLachlan?

3 In which war did the Charge of the Light Brigade take place?

4 John Goodman (pictured) plays which character in the Monsters, Inc. franchise?

5 What type of animal is an American marten?

6 How many yellow stars appear on the People’s Republic of China’s flag?

7 The Pont du Gard is a bridge in which country?

8 Which actor played the character of President Orlean in the 2021 film Don’tLookUp?

9 Ariel Sharon is the former prime minister of which country?

10 Monticello was the primary plantation of which US president?

Ioniq 5 is well equipped

By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring

The Ioniq 5 is not Hyundai’s first fully electric vehicle, not by a long shot, but it was their first EV based on a dedicated battery-electric platform.

The look of the car is inspired by Hyundai’s original Pony car, a small hatch from the 1970s that was South Korea’s first mass-produced exported vehicle.

The dedicated E-GMP electric vehicle platform offers advantages over dual purpose vehicles such as the Kona that are marketed with both electric or internal combustion powertrains.

In the case of the Ioniq 5 it means a fully flat floor and long three-metre wheelbase that delivers plenty of legroom and a largish boot. Generous rear legroom was achieved by making the front seats about 30 per cent thinner than typical seats.

Ioniq 5 now shares a platform with the Ioniq 6, Ioniq 9, Kia EV6, Kia EV9 and Genesis GV60. Prices for the Ioniq 5 start from $69,800 before on-road costs. Our test vehicle was the top of the range rear-wheel drive Epiq with a single electric motor, extended range battery and 20-inch wheels, and a range of 530km - priced from $84,300.

Ioniq 5 comes in three grades, Ioniq 5, DynamiqandEpiq,withoneortwoelectric motors and rear- or all-wheel drive along with a standard or extended range battery.

A high performance N model is now also offered priced from a breathtaking $110,000.

Styling

Ioniq 5 received a facelift in July last year, with new look bumpers, a rear spoiler and redesigned wheels etc. A windscreen wiper was also added to the rear window at this time. Inside, the centre console was redesigned to provide easier access to air and seat heating controls. The steering wheel, instrument cluster bezel, multimedia screen, and seat pattern were also updated.

Many of the interior parts are made from recycled materials, including plastic bottles.

The size of the wheels plays a significant role in the ultimate range of the car which currently varies from 440km to a high of 570km.

The N Line sports pack adds $3150 to the price. Premium paint adds $1000, the N Line Pack $2500 and the Digital Mirror Pack $3000.

You might pay for it, but the Ioniq 5 is certainly well equipped.

Standard kit includes dual-zone climate air, combination wool and leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, acoustic laminated windscreen and side door glass, proximity entry with push-button start, power adjust driver seat and two-way manual recline rear seats (fore/aft adjustment, 60:40 split/fold), LED interior lighting and adjustable ambient lighting.

There’salsoa12.3-inchdigitalinstrument cluster, LED headlights, automatic high-beam, traffic sign recognition, auto lights and wipers, auto dimming rear view mirror, heated, power-fold mirrors, remote smart parking and tyre pressure monitoring.

Epiq adds 20-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres, eco-processed leather, smart LED projection headlights, rear privacy glass, rear door sunshades, power-operated tailgate, glass roof with power sunshade, front and rear heated seats, cooling for the front seats, heated steering wheel and two driver-seat

memories.

Digital side mirrors are an option, but make sure you try them before you buy them.

Standard warranty is five years with unlimitedkilometres.There’saneight-year, 160,000km battery replacement warranty.

Infotainment Infotainment consists of a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth multi-connection, Voice control system, AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluelink connected satellite navigation.

This model also scores Bose premium audio with eight speakers. There’s wireless phone charging and four USB-C ports, Vehicle-to-load (V2L) outlet inside the car and the system now supports over-the-air updates.

Bluelink connected car services, complimentary for five years, includes automatic emergency SOS.

It also allows users to set charge time, monitor distance to empty and can restart charging if necessary.

The app allows the owner to find EV charging stations and send the address to the car’s sat navigation.

A tool shows the driveable radius with 80 and 100 per cent charge levels.

Safety

Ioniq5scoresafullfivestarsforsafety,with seven airbags including a centre bag in the front, 360-degree camera and autonomous emergency braking (AEB).

AEB supports Car-to-Car, Vulnerable Road User, Junction Assist and Backover capabilities.

There’s also head-up display, a blind spot camera with blind spot warnings, as well as a lane support system with lane keep assist (LKA), lane departure warning (LDW) and emergency lane keeping (ELK), and an advanced speed assistance system (SAS) are standard on all variants.

Engines/transmissions

Our test vehicle is powered by a single electricmotorthatdelivers168kWofpower and350Nmoftorque,withdrivetotherear wheels through a single-speed reduction gear transmission.

Driving

TheIoniq5isbyanymeasureanimpressive car. It’s not often that my better half and I agree on a car, but we both warmed to the Ioniq.

RATINGS

plus DC fast charger.

For a car that weighs over 2 tonnes, the Ioniq gets moving. The dash from 0-100km/h takes 7.3 seconds and it has a top speed of 185km/h.

Looks: 7.5

Performance: 8

Safety: 8

Thirst: 7

Practicality: 7

Comfort: 7

Tech: 8

Value: 7

Overall: 7.4

Moresobecauseitperformslikethekind of cars we’re used to, even though it’s an electric vehicle.

TheIoniq5Epiq(lovethatname)isquick and comfortable with plenty of legroom front and back plus a good-sized boot - all the things one looks for in a car.

As well as the boot there’s storage under the bonnet in the form of a frunk; 57 litres in the RWD and 25 litres in the AWD which is handy for storing cables.

It’s got a decent amount of range for an electricvehicletoo,withupto570kmifyou tick the right boxes. In fact, it’s the first EV we’vedriventhatindicatedaninitialrange ofmorethan600kmfullycharged-canyou believe it?

But why you’d option the larger, 20-inch wheels at the expense of driving range doesn’t make sense. Give us the 19s any day!

Anyone with an EV will tell you, it’s all about the range (and where and when you can recharge the car).

Even though our test vehicle showed 620km when we picked it up, we’re starting to believe this must be like ‘shop mode’ for TVs (makes them brighter and more vibrant).

That’s because the real range turned out to be 530km - the claimed range anyway. You sacrifice 40km stepping up from 19- to 20-inch wheels in the rear-drive Epiq. It might not sound much, but it can make a difference when you get down to it. Further, despite the advertising, we’ve never found an EV or charge station that can deliver on the wildly optimistic promises that carmakers make of being able to recharge in less than 20 minutes.

Itjustdoesn’tpanout;despitethefactwe have a bank of 300kW Tesla Superchargers down the road.

And, when did a full charge morph into 80 per cent; keep in mind that a small portion of the battery is reserved for the system to continue functioning.

You can charge the battery to 100 per cent using a slower AC charger, but the industry has decided that 80 per cent is the mark when it comes to fast DC charging, otherwise it can shorten battery life. The chargeisstoredinan84kWhliquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack in the extended range, 80 kWh of which is useable.

Ioniq 5 has battery preconditioning to facilitate faster charging. This will take 35 hours with a so-called ‘granny’ charger (10A household power point), 11.6 hours withahomechargestation,oraslittleas18 minutes from 10-80 per cent with a 250kW

There are five selectable drive modes: Eco, Normal, Sport, My Drive, Snow which have accompanying instrument themes. Adding some drama to the drive experience is a virtual sound system with a choice of artificial sounds.

They’re electronica rather than engine emulations, in case you’re interested. Not many people are.

Brakemodeoffersanothertwo settings: Normal and Sport. Regenerative braking can be adjusted via the steering wheel mounted paddles, right down to one-pedal braking which brings the car to a stop when you lift off the accelerator.

There’s also ‘Smart’ regenerative braking which is traffic and navigation based. Or youcanchoosetoignorethesesettingsand simply drive the car.

The ride is generally good but like most EVs it can become bouncy at times, as the springsloadandunload.Thelargeexternal mirrors can obscure vision, particularly thedriversidemirrorwhenyou’retryingto look through a corner. If you’re parked on a slope,releasingthehandbrakeandmoving off in reverse requires a dab touch on the accelerator, but just a touch.

Be ready to catch it with the brakes because the car is liable to lurch backwards. Fingers over or under? Facing the wrong direction, the pop-out handles are awkward to use.

The twist grip gear selector is present in many Hyundais and takes some mastering.

Although putting the car into park requires just the push of a button (which also engages the handbrake), we continually forgot to actually turn off the car.Automaticreverseandparallelparking are available if you feel game.

Speed sign recognition is annoying because it sounds a warning when you’re over the limit (like it is supposed to). The trouble is that it is often wrong, displaying a speed limit that does not relate to the current surroundings.

With claimed Energy consumption of 16.99 kWh/100km, we bettered that figure at 15.5 kWh after 375km of mixed driving. The long-term average showed as 15.8 kWh after close to 2000km. A quick trip down the motorway returned 13.2 kWh.

Summing up

The Ioniq 5 is an impressive car and one of thefewEVsthatwewouldconsiderbuying. It doesn’t chew through the battery too quickly and with 530km of range, more if you’re sensible and opt for the smaller 19-inch wheels, it compares favourably with a conventional car.

But at just over $90,000 by the time you put it on the road, it’s just too damned expensive, at least for the average consumer. Even the base model is $75,000 driveaway.

This from Hyundai?

We’re not rich, and we’re not poor, but we baulk at the prospect of spending this much on a car, especially one that could quicklybecomeoutdatedasthetechnology continues to evolve. Then there’s the charging infrastructure to consider, which quite frankly isn’t there yet. Remember how much we used to pay for flat screen TVs and what they cost now?

The Ioniq 5 is an impressive car. (Supplied)

The sun was out and there was no rain providing perfect conditions for football and other sports on Saturday. Star Weekly photographer LJUBICA VRANKOVIC was out shooting some of the action.

A perfect day for sport

Hillside’s Annalise Wilkie. 485452_03

Essendon’s Brooke Plummer tries to escape Teagan Brett. 480511_11

Hillside’s Makaylah Brne is tackled. 485452_28 Keilor’s James Bailey tackles Deer Park’s Josh Chatfield. 485453_25

Keilor’s Josh Honey. 485453_13

Williamstowns’ Mia D’Agostino goes up for the ruck. 480511_04

Point Cook Centrals’ Charli Sette and Caroline Springs’ Nikki Perrett. 485447_17

Wyndhamvale’s Ava Strathairn. 485446_17

Suns’ Bonnie Lea Brown. 485446_01

Point Cook Centrals’ Patricia Doyle. 485447_07

Redbacks’ bright signs for the future on the netball court

The young brigade is leading the way for Romsey in the Riddell District Netball League.

The Redbacks have one of the youngest lines up in the competition, but it hasn’t stopped them from providing some upsets. After ?? rounds, the Redbacks sit in sixth spot and are well and truly in finals contention.

Redbacks coach Justin Philby, in his first year, said he was pretty happy with how it was going this season.

“We’re settling in with a young group up there and we’re exactly where we want to be,” he said.

“It sets us up for a strong season.”

The Redbacks have blooded some young players in recent years and have added more to the mix this season.

Woodend-Hesket premiership player

Brooklyn Christy Leahy, and Melton South’s Amelia Cini are both in their early 20s and added a bit of experience.

Philby said their main focus is on wanting to have local talent and being able

to build around them.

“There have been some ups and downs,” he said. “It’s always a challenge to do the job week in, week out.”

Leading the way is rising short Charlize Bellette. The teenager, who just turned 17, is part of Mavericks SN reserves squad and recently made her debut at that level.

“She is doing really well,” Philby said. “She has been injecting that information from the higher level quickly to help the feeding in the attacking end.”

Philby said Abbie Conway, who had joined the side in recent weeks, had also impressed him in taking on that wing defence position.

Josie Lepore in defence is another who is taking it up to some really experienced netballers.

Speaking ahead of the side’s match with Riddell, Philby said it was an important match for them as they tried to upset a team above them on the ladder.

Hesaidtheywantedtobouncetherestof the season off that match.

Unfortunately for the Redbacks it was a tough day out against the Bombers winning 70-43.

After leading by five goals at quarter time, the Bombers continued to grow the lead and finished with 23 goals in the final quarter.

Bellette shot 24 goals for the Redbacks. BecColwellshot40goalsfortheBombers. In other matches, Gisborne Giants got their biggest win of the season as they beat Macedon, 44-42.

KynetongotthewinagainstDiggersRest, 50-33, Woodend-Hesket defeated Wallan, 49-40 and Melton Centrals won the locally derby, 61-23.

Tara Murray

AFLW draft dream

By Tara Murray

It might be her draft year, but for Calder Cannons Chloe Baker-West she just wants to go out and have fun.

Long been seen as a draft prospect since winning the best player award at the under-16 national championships. becoming an AFLW player has long been the dream.

“Ihaveacountdowntothedraftnight,”she said. ”I’m so excited to see what the outcome isandwhereIwillgo,ifI’mpickedup.

“It has been a dream since I was seven.” It’s been an up and down few years for the midfielder from Strathmore.

After her strong under-16 season, she made the Vic Metro team last season as a bottomager.

Injury meant she didn’t play and was limited to just two games for the Cannons It meant a little bit of unknown coming into her draft year.

“I didn’t know how I would come back,” Baker-West said. “Would I play well or come back and build into it.

“I have built that confidence back up.

Going into each game is helped now that I have some good games under my belt.

“I want to have fun.”

Baker-West started the season with 38 possessions and has now more than 20 disposals in all one game.

In round six, Baker-West had 41 possessions and kicked one goal.

The AFL Academy member has again been named in the Vic Metro squad for the national championships which started on the weekend.

She was part of the squad last year as a bottom age player, but didn’t play last season due to injury.

Baker-West missed the opening game on the weekend.

‘I had a collision, knee on quad three weeks ago,” she said. “It was a grade three contusion with swelling and bruising and with it so close to the knee joint, we’re being careful.”

Baker-West said having been injured last year she had built up a lot of resilience and knows this is just a bump in the road.

She said having been part of the Vic Metro program the past three years had

been special.

“Being that top ager and getting around them has been special in my draft year,” she said.

“Now that I’m training as last year I didn’t train a lot with them, I’m finding my voiceisabigthingandbeingasbigaleader as I can.

“I’mgettingaroundthebottomagersand trying to get them out of their shells a bit. I want to gain as many friendships as I can.

“We’ve travelling for a few games so I’m learning about that AFLW environment. I want to get as much out of it as I can.”

Baker-West said having completed year 12 last year had been a big bonus so she could spend more time working on the one percenters this year.

The teenager said she just wanted to continuelearningasherdraftjourneygoes along.

“I just to be me,” she said. “I want to keep learning and now with the captaincy role at the Cannons with Jade out take that on as well.

“We’re not winning many games but we’re picking the positives out of it.”

The Sunbury Kangaroos are keeping thepressureontheEssendonDistrict Football League division 2 top five.

In a division that has become very unpredictable, the Kangaroos were able to come away with a win against Burnside Heights on Saturday.

The Kangaroos led by four points at quarter time before kicking five goals tothreeinthesecondquartertoopen up a 19 point lead heading into the home break.

They were able to extend the lead slightly in the third quarter with the match becoming an arm wrestle.

The Kangaroos kicked the first two goals of the final quarter to put any Bears comeback on ice.

Sunbury ended up winning, 16.11 (107)-11.11 (77).

Jayden Eales kicked five goals for the Kangaroos, while Riley Draicchio, Tyson Sparkes and Mitch Streiff kicked two goals each.

It was the twin towers of Eales and Dean Halliwell who were named the Kangaroos best.

The Kangaroos sit in sixth spot, percentage outside the top five.

Rupertswood has slipped to third after losing to Coburg Districts on Saturday.

In yet another close match, the Sharks fell just short.

Therewerenomorethanfivepoints between the two sides at each of the breaks.

Neither side could break the other in the last quarter with Coburg Districts winning, 10.14 (74)-10.10 (70).

Fraser Phelan-Smith kicked five goals for the Sharks, with Adam Bartrop and Joel Flanigan named their best.

East Sunbury was competitive with Hadfield at John McMahon Reserve. Aftertrailingby26pointsatquarter time, the Thunder was able to stick with the Hawks.

That margin would be the final marginwiththeHawkswinning,15.5 (95)-11.3 (69).

Todd Elton kicked four goals for the Thunder.

Dillon Norton, Wade Lees and Joel Catros were named the Thunder’s best.

The Thunder is now six points the Hawks at the bottom of the table.

Roos stay in touch

Chloe Baker-West. (Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos)

Charlize Bellette. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 413378_23

Sunbury Lions starting to build momentum in division 2

TheSunburyLionsarestartingtoworktheir way into the Essendon District Football League women’s division 2 season.

Last season’s runners-up, the Lions knew that it would take some time for them to click with a new coach and a number of departures.

Coach Daniel Brady knows that they are on the right track.

“We have blooded about five or six under-18s,” he said. “The girls have made a difference for us.

“It was one of things when I was interviewed. I said if you’re looking for someone to recruit players, I’m not the person.

“I want to bring players through the pathwaysandcreatetheculture.We’vethen had others come in through word of mouth or want to come back.”

Brady said while they know they have a challenge on their hands, they still have eyes on shaping the top four.

He said they want to finish fourth and knowthatanythingcanhappencomefinals time.

On Saturday, the Lions got their third win of the season as they accounted for East Sunbury.

It was a strong performance from the Lions, who won 7.15 (57)-0.1 (1).

“It was a good game,” Brady said. “We should have won by more.

“There was a cross breeze and the girls neededtokicktotherightandbringitback,

but they kept kicking it straight.

“It’s about muscle memory. We didn’t get the reward for effort on the day.”

KirstyBakerkickedtwogoalsandwasthe only multiple goalkicker.

Baker, who has been a defender, has moved into the midfield this season and went forward on Saturday and kicked her first ever career goal.

Ryan Mullen. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 469984_03

Burras’ fast finish

By Tara Murray

Getting back to basics was the key for Diggers Rest’s strong finish and win against Kyneton in the Riddell District Football League on Saturday.

Not for the first time this season the Burras have found another level when it has counted most to get across the line against another finals contender.

ThistimeonSaturdayagainsttheTigers, the Burras led by only two points heading into the final quarter.

The Burras were able to kick six goals to three in the final quarter to come away with a 13.10 (88)-10.8 (68) win.

Campbell said it was a really good hit out against a strong outfit.

“It was a good way to finish,” he said. “They threw it at us and it was good to get on top.

“I didn’t think we were at our best.”

Campbell said the message was simple to the group at three quarter time as they looked to keep their unbeaten run going.

After both sides kicked a goal early in thelastquarter,theBurraskickedthenext five goals to take control of the game.

The Tigers kicked two late after the game was over.

“I felt like we had gone away from our structures,” Campbell said. “It was about getting the boys to go back to basics.

“We had to get that right and somehow it just worked. If we stick to our structures and what works for us we play well.

“If we fall away from that our game goes to pieces.”

Campbell said while it was nice to know they have the fitness to run out games well, he would much rather they build a lead early on and not have to rely on it.

Jaidyn Caruana kicked three goals for the Burras, all in the final quarter.

Lochlan Jones, Ryan Mullen and Campbell Wearne were named the Burras best.

For Kyneton, Danny Grmusa, Josh Willmott and Harry Ryan were the standouts.

Baker was named best along with Nikki Waldron and Karla Tentonello.

Brady said Waldron, who is only 17, is playing a great role as their key target up forward, while Tentonello has made a massive difference since returning from injury.

Taylah Brady is another who has impressed as she has taken her game to the next level and is leading from the front. The Lions sit a game outside the top four. They face second placed Taylors Lakes this Saturday. Taylors Lakes has lost its past two matches.

In other matches, Gisborne-Kyneton United was too strong for Taylors Lakes in the top of the table clash, 8.10 (58)-4.4 (28). Lucy Lenius, Ayesha Nicholson and MaireadMurphywerenamedUnited’sbest. United now sits three games clear on top of the ladder.

TheSunburyKangaroossufferedanupset loss,losingtoRoxburghPark,5.9(39)-1.2(8). TylahBell,NatashaPagelutzeandAlexsis Ryan were named the Kangaroos best.

Tara Murray

Lions fall short against Devils

The Sunbury Lions fell just short against Darley for a second time this Ballarat Football League season.

The Lions entered Saturday’s clash keen to try and knock off one of the top two sides, having suffered both their losses against them.

There was nothing between the teamsatquartertime,withtheDevils getting out to a small 10 point lead at half time.

Sunbury found its groove in the third quarter as it kicked seven goals to none to open up a 31 point lead heading into the final quarter. It would prove to be not enough.

The Devils kicked the first seven goals of the final quarter to open up a 14 point lead.

Jake Sutton got one back for the Lionslatebutitwasn’tenoughasthey lost, 11.12 (78)-11/4 (70).

Sutton finished with five goals for the Lions and was named their best.

Skipper Tyson Lever and Sean Reilly were other standouts for the Lions.

The Lions slip to fourth behind East Point with the loss.

It was a tough day for the Lions netballers as well, with the A-grade side losing its first match of the season.

The Burras remain on top of the ladder with eight wins and draw, two points clear of Riddell.

Campbell said they couldn’t complain with how they’ve gone, but know the hard work is still to come.

“One or two weeks can turn the season around quickly,” he said. “We have to be on our best behaviour and not get complacent.

“We have new challenges every week and we keep stepping up to them.”

The Burras face Romsey this Saturday before facing Melton South the following week in a couple of big matches before the bye.

“We look forward to it, we love the challenge and are ready for it.”

In other results on Saturday, Macedon beat the Gisborne Giants, 14.20 (104)-3.7 (25), and Riddell was too strong from Romsey, 16.10 (106)-7.6 (48).

Woodend Hesket lost to Wallan, 8.14 (122)-11.11 (77), while Melton South beat Melton Centrals in the Melton derby.

It was a rematch from last year’s grand final, with the Lions missing some key cogs in the attacking end. Darley led at each of the breaks on the way to a 58-47 win.

Rebecca Hicks shot 33 goals for the Lions.

Despite the loss, the Lions remain on top but the gap has been reduced to two points with the Devils sitting second.

Tyson Lever. (Ljubica

Karla Tentonello has made a welcome return for the Lions. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 474086_25

Western Warriors have tough night as finals hopes fade

By Tara Murray

It was the perfect storm for the Western Warriors as they failed to match the Casey Demons in the Victorian Netball League on Wednesday night.

A win would continue to give the Warriors an outside chance of staying in finals contention, but they looked nowhere near it.

Defender Jasmine Fraser and Simona Di Filippo were both on the sidelines as they play in the SN reserves competition this week.

Tayla Honey was limited to two quarters due to illness, while their attacking end struggled to get going.

An ankle injury to Ruby Shannon in the third quarter was the icing on the cake as

the Warriors lost, 74-56.

Warriors coach Kim Bailey said while they salvaged a little bit in the end, it was a hard night.

“We had so many illnesses and unavailability and that is no excuse,” she said. “It was a perfect storm of things happening.

“Wefoughtitout,Ididn’twanttheleadto blowoutover20andwekeptitunderthere.

“We had good glimpses and did some silly basic errors that we need to clean up, we’ll get back to training and work on them.”

With the absences, the Warriors looked to try some different things.

Molly Kennedy, who has primarily played goal defence this season, played in the midcourt, while Poppy Douglass also

spent some time at wing attack.

“With the unavailability of players and the illness and some injuries, we just had to do that,” she said.

“Molly was really great in centre. She plays there in GV [Goulburn Valley] with Kim Borger’s team. Kim has been saying to me, give her a run there.

“She did really well and is a good defensive centre. Just needs to get more speed on the ball.”

Borger shot 30 goals for the Warriors.

Bailey said Shannon was in a bit of pain after going down on her ankle and thinks she has done some damage.

Shannon, a Melbourne Vixens training partner, was meant to play in the SN Reserves finals on the weekend.

The Warriors remain in seventh spot, 10

Tigers’ bigger goal

By Tara Murray

Lancefield feels its on the right track to be a contender come the pointy end of the Riddell District Football League women’s season.

The Tigers had a few up and down weeks resultwise,buthavewontheirlasttwotosit secondontheladder.

Tigers coach Cash Ferguson said they had been looking at the bigger picture and making sure they were heading in the right direction.

“We’ve been trying to game the game plan,”hesaid.“It’stakenalittlebitoftime.

“Wedidn’twanttogooutthereandjustbe competitive,wehadaspirationstogoalong way.

“We wanted a game plan we were confidentthatwouldrunwithMacedon.We targeted that point and spent a few weeks implementingagamestyleandstrategy.”

Ferguson said it took a few weeks for that toreflectonthefieldbuttheyhaveturnedin therightdirection.

He said they weren’t too concerned with the losses that they had as they knew thattheywereheadingintherightdirection.

“In our only hit out against Macedon, which is the metric, the margin was five pointsatthreequartertime,”hesaid.

“Noonehasbeenthatclose.Weplaythem nextweekend.

“We’vegottothepointwe’rereadytotake thatnextstep.”

Ferguson said the result of the game against Macedon wasn’t important, saying itwasmoreimportantcomefinalstime.

“We are keen and eager to face that test again,” he said. “We want to see what point wehaveprogressedtoo.

“Lasttimetheyhadafewoutandwehada coupleoutaswell.”

The Tigers enter the match on the back of theirfirstwinagainstMeltonintheirtimein thecompetitiononSaturday.

Fergusonsaiditwasanotherstepforward.

“Being in the competition the last two years,we’veplayedMeltonthreetimes.

“We were pretty close to walking away

points outside the top six.

Bailey said they look at Wednesday night’s game and think what might have beenwithacoupleofotherresultsinrecent weeks.

“We’re still struggling to get that consistency of games and put two or three really good games together in a row.” It was heartbreak for the Warriors 23 and under side against the Demons.

After leading at every break, including eight at the final break, the Warriors lost in the final seconds of the game.

A Millie Barrientos shot with four seconds to go, gave the Demons a 62-61 win.

EllaClostershot43goalsfortheWarriors.

The Warriors this week face the Gippsland Stars.

Sports shorts

GDCA

Riddell has signed Kristian Savage for the upcoming Gisborne and District Cricket Association season. Savage has played many seasons at Gisborne but after moving to Riddells Creek decided to join the Bombers.

GDCA

The Sunbury Kangaroos are looking for a coach for the Gisborne and District Cricket Association season. The club is seeking a highly motivated and experienced individual to join the team as the senior playing or non playing coach for the 2025-26 season and beyond. “We are looking for a passionate and dedicated coach who is committed to the development and success of our senior men’s and be involved in developing our junior teams, and to helping build a strong club culture for years to come,” the club said. Interested people can submit their resume to sunburykangarooscc@outlook.com. au. Details: Hayden Humphrey, 0490 819 084.

Football

withthewinlasttimeandIthoughtwewere thebetterteam.

“Wehavetakenthatnextstepandareable tobecompetitive.”

OnSaturday,theTigersjumpedoutofthe blocksandledby21pointsatquartertime.

The margin remained the same at the main break with the Tigers winning the second half three goals to two to win, 8.8. (56)=4.0(24).

Harriet Ziedaitis kicked three goals for the Tigers. Alice Bromley, Keiley Walker, EmilyO’BrienwerenamedtheTigersbest.

The Tigers though did lose Lilly Bromley toinjury.

The Tigers remain second on the ladder. Ferguson said they were targeting the double chance but it wasn’t key to having successinthefinals.

Hesaidofffieldthingsweretrackingreally well with lots of interest in the women’s program.

In other results, Riddell beat Romsey and Macedon was too strong for Mount AlexanderFalcons.

Kyneton’s Ella Jeffrey has been named in the Vic Country squad for the under-18 girls national championships which started on the weekend. . Six teams will compete at the championships, with the two Victorian sides to feature alongside Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Allies – comprising players from NSW-ACT, Northern Territory and Tasmania. All teams will play four matches. Calder Cannons duo Chloe Baker-West and Jade McLay have been named in the Vic Metro squad.

Cricket

Cricket Victoria has announced its emerging boys and girls squads for the 2025-26 season. Riddell’s Tess McNair have been named in the under-16 Country squad, while Gisborne’s Lachlan Hay has been named in the Vic Country under-19 squad. Romsey’s Logan Collins has been picked in the boys under-17 Vic Country squad.

FOR MORE SPORT, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Sunbury

Lancefield’s women’s side. (Supplied)

BACCHUS MARSH