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Issue 31, September 2015

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NEIGHBOURHOOD GRANTS

STAR ATHLETESMount St Joseph Girls' College

page pagePAKISTAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

The weekly Altona Film Making Workshop recently completed their latest short film, ‘Planes and Recreations’ as part of the Altona Beach Film Festival 2015.

“It was a real collaborative effort,” said group coordinator John Lawrence.

“We set out to create a grand story, loosely inspired by the historical events of aviator J.J. Hammond’s pioneering flights from Altona in 1911.”

Directors on the project, Marcus Cozzolino and Tom Gruevski, worked hard to keep the group on track and to deliver the final 7 minute short film on schedule.

PLANES AND RECREATIONSEric Motoska

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Advertising enquiries: Daniel 0408 659 940

aroundsell@gmail.com Will 0449 834 359

will@aroundhopperscrossing.com

Louise 0403 191 084

Advertising: aroundsell@gmail.com will@aroundhopperscrossing.com Contributions: editorhoppers@gmail.com

Publishers:Bill 8307 8872

Will 8360 8598ABN 54 145 436 804 www.aroundhopperscrossing.com

FROM THE EDITORAnother month has rolled around and as with every month, it has come with a plethora of experiences and stories.

Sharing these stories is a part of human nature, whether we tell them verbally or share them through visuals and writing. This paper shares stories each month, in hope of connecting to readers.

Recently, the Altona Beach Film Festival took place for the first time at Altona City Theatre. This festival was an opportunity to share stories in a different way to this paper, through images and sound.

Through the theme of flight, filmmakers of all ages created stories to share with their audience, and had the opportunity to receive awards and feedback.

The Altona Beach Film Festival had a successful debut and as a community, we can be hopeful that this new way of telling local stories will continue to grow.

Wishing you a springtime of community conversations and stories.

Daniel Alleneditorhoppers@gmail.com

PUDDLING WITH THE PUBLISHERThank you to all who wrote asking to be placed on our email list to receive our newspaper on the first of each month. Please tell you friends and maybe it might go viral??

It’s the start of a move the worlds population is finally accepting and we hope to join in and increase our circulation over the next few years. The cost saving is tremendous and will help your free community newspaper stay in business particularly in these present tough times.

I had the pleasure to be invited to the first Altona Beach Film Festival and enjoyed seeing another Hobsons Bay success story begin which I have no doubt is now part of the annual agenda for this active and supportive Council. The financial supporters such as the Bendigo Bank were well represented as were the the Altona Traders and the Altona Sports Club.

The house was full and the 20 odd selected entries shown on the night were well worth the evening visit. I’ll bet as the word spreads, each year will see an increase in the number of the entries for the judges to view. I selected one to win that had a terrific ending but I lost my bet.

I want to tell you about an opportunity on Saturday 12th September at 1pm at the Altona Meadows Library at the rear of the Altona Meadows Shopping Center block to hear

Internet marketing guru Fred Gillen give a talk on ‘How to Get Started’ in marketing on the Internet, sponsored by the ‘Future Creation Workshop’, which is a group of young people at the Hobsons Bay Mens Shed.

Fred is the Internet marketing writer for the ‘Around’ newspapers and will build his presentation on a platform of what he thinks can be done by people with some computer skill and a little more knowledge to be financially successful either working for themselves or assisting them to gain employment using these basic skills as a steppingstone.

If you have an unemployed or under-employed member in your family you should bring them along. If you are in business and need to know ‘how to get started’ you should take this free opportunity to hear Fred’s message. No need to book, if we are filled up we will run another program for you. You can email me if you really want to be sure!

Bill McPherson

billmcpherson@optusnet.com.au

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“We would truly like to thank everyone’s efforts,” Marcus said, “it was a really intense few weeks, but the end result was worth it.”

The short film was exuberantly told in a mockumentary style.

It officially premiered at the Altona Beach Film Festival on August 22nd.

For their next plans, the group aims to make an ACDC-centric project that is specifically inspired by

the rock band’s 1975 Altona performances as part of their ‘High Voltage Australian Tour’.

If anyone knows of any stories or photos from ACDC’s performances at Paisley Park or Altona North schools and may like to be interviewed for this future film project, please contact John Lawrence: lawrenjohns@gmail.com

The group also warmly welcomes new members and for further information, contact John on Ph: 0408096887 or by email.

TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS

IN “AROUND HOPPERS CROSSING”

GIVE US A CALL:

Will 0449 834 359 will@aroundhopperscrossing.com

Daniel 0408 659 940 aroundsell@gmail.com

Louise 0403 191 084

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NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN FOR 2015 NEIGHBOURHOOD GRANTS

Community groups in the Williams Landing area are invited to submit applications for the 2015 Neighbourhood Grants program, established by developer Cedar Woods Properties.

Now in its seventh year, $30,000 will be allocated to local community groups in grants of $500, $1000 or $2000.

“Since starting the grants program in 2009, Cedar Woods has donated $132,000 to more than 130 community groups,” Cedar Woods Victorian and Queensland State Manager Nathan Blackburne said.

Mr Blackburne said it was the community spirit and efforts of such organsations that made Williams Landing a sought-after address, and Cedar Woods would continue to support the region’s growth and foster social development for smaller charities and interest groups.

“The Neighbourhood Grants program is an opportunity to acknowledge the important role community groups play in building healthy and vibrant neighbourhoods.

We are inspired each year by the applications we receive and appreciate the tireless work undertaken by not-for-profit organisations within the wider Williams Landing community.”

Wyndham Twins Plus Inc received $1000 to purchase breast pumps last year.

The hospital grade pumps provide much needed equipment for mothers of multiples, particularly as the group is volunteer run and relies on the fundraising efforts of members for support.

Previous grant recipients have included The Cancer Council, Wyndham Leaders of the Future, St John Ambulance Wyndham, Point Cook CFA, Shoestring Gardening and Multicultural Seniors Association.

The Hoppers Crossing Uniting Church was a 2014 recipient of the Williams Landing Neighbourhood Grants Scheme, receiving $2000 to purchase a defibrillator.

“We are incredibly grateful for the $2000 that we received last year.

The grant from Cedar Woods was put towards purchasing a defibrillator for our parishioners, which thankfully we have not had to use yet,” Julieann Hennessy said.

“The Williams Landing Neighbourhood Grants enabled us to purchase important life-saving equipment for our church and we greatly appreciate the support.”

Sporting, welfare, recreation and other not-for-profit groups providing services that benefit the community are encouraged to apply.

Applications close on 30 August 2015, and a committee of community leaders, including Cr Glenn Goodfellow, Cr Bob Fairclough, John Ballestrino and two local Williams Landing residents, will judge the applications.

Cedar Woods will announce the successful applicants late-October.

To be eligible for a grant, community groups must be not-for-profit organisations and must have been in operation for more than 12 months.

Groups located in the suburbs of Hoppers Crossing, Point Cook, Seabrook, Altona, Altona Meadows, Truganina, Tarneit, Laverton, Werribee or Williams Landing are eligible to submit applications.

To apply for the 2015 community grants visit

www.williamslanding.com.au /residential/neighbourhood-grants

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The sincere friend whose long suit is telling his acquaintances that they look poorly does more harm than late nights, bad whiskey or the sermons of earnest evangelists.

I had one such friend whom I tried to avoid as much as possible.

Whenever we met, he was inclined to back me up against a post and ask me with great seriousness in a way that sounded more like a prophecy than a question, “How are you feeling?”

Though I would aver that I never felt better, this was actually my way of saying that I felt no worse than usual.

It would never satisfy him and he would tell me about someone we both knew who no longer needed to worry about income tax or global warming.

“You don’t look well,” he would add, “maybe you are working too hard.”

There is probably a word in formal logic for that kind of non sequitur, particularly since he knew I was retired and it put me to the pin of my collar to find some reply that did not cause insult.

The conversation would end with “you should take it easier …” allowing me to silently finish the sentence for myself, “ … for the little time that is left to you.”

You may be expecting that this example would end with my continued teetering on the edge of mortality while my friend has already toppled over, but in fact,

the last I heard he is still passing on his well meant warnings to anyone who will listen.

Still, our meeting would always leave me wondering whether there was a stammer in my heartbeat or a wheeze in my cough or some indeterminate lack of smoothness in my inner workings.

It is probably true that I don’t look well and should probably be taking some tablets, but my doctor refuses to recommend anything stronger than fresh air and temperance.

I persuade myself that looking well is not the same thing as being well, any more than the sheen on the bonnet of a car is any indication of the efficiency of its internal mechanisms.

For most of my life I have lived in cities where survival depended on being patient in queues, keeping out of the way of traffic and avoiding certain suburbs.

City folk are paranoid about looking good. They attend gyms and health studios and tanning clubs; they cycle and jog, swim and do pilates; they pay a fortune to personal trainers, surely the great charlatans of modern life.

And in case we do ourselves any harm, our baristas are not allowed to serve us coffee that is actually hot.

And, as if that is not bad enough, some eejit in parliament wants us to send our young men and women to fight in Syria.

Creative writing by: Mr Frank O’Shea

HOW ARE YOU?

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Calendar of Events – October 2015

Friday 2• Wyndham City –River Walk (P5)

Sunday 4• Iramoo Community Centre – Concert Band and Afternoon Tea (P10)

Monday 5• VU - Living Longer Living Stronger, Group Exercise (P8)• Salts of the Earth – Salt Therapy Session (P11)• St Andrews Tennis Club – Open Day (P13)• Wyndham Community & Education Centre – Keep Healthy & Active in Wyndham (P14)

Tuesday 6• VU - Living Longer Living Stronger (P), Heartmoves, Group Exercise (P8)• Salts of the Earth – Salt Therapy Session (P11)• St Andrews Tennis Club – Open Day (P13)• Wyndham Park Community Centre – Open Day & Morning Tea at the Community Shed (P15)Wednesday 7

• VU - Living Longer Living Stronger, Strutters (P), VU - Group Exercise (P8)• Australian Hearing – The Australian Hearing Bus is Coming (P8)• Heartmoves (P20)• Hotel 520 – Morning Melodies (P10)• Salts of the Earth – Salt Therapy Session (P11)• Salvation Army – Wyndham 1000 (P12)• St Andrews Tennis Club – Open Day (P13)• Werribee Secondary College – Morning Melodies “As Time Goes By” (P14)• Wyndword – A Way With Words (P15)

Thursday 8• VU - Living Longer Living Stronger, Heartmoves, Group Exercise (P8)• Australian Hearing – The Australian Hearing Bus is Coming (P8)• Lifestyle Seasons – Devonshire Teas (P10)• Manor Court – Concert & Afternoon Tea (P11)• Salts of the Earth – Salt Therapy Session (P11)• South West Christian Church Seniors – Concert & Light Lunch (P12)

Friday 9• Wyndham City Libraries – Yoga for Seniors (P6)• VU - Living Longer Living Stronger, Group Exercise (P8)• Australian Hearing – The Australian Hearing Bus is Coming (P8)• Heartmoves (P20)• Salts of the Earth – Salt Therapy Session (P11)• St Andrews Tennis Club – Open Day (P13)• Werribee Bowls Club – Jack Attack Lawn Bowls (P13)• Wyncity Bowl & Entertainment – Come & Try Day (P14)Saturday 10• VU - Group Exercise (P8)

WYNDHAM SENIORS FESTIVAL 2015

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• Australian Multicultural Community Services & Oromo Community Association – Oromo Elders Festival (P8)• Multicultural Seniors Association – Diwali Festival (P11)• Rose Grange Retirement Village – Open Day (P11)

Monday 12• Wyndham City – Gina Hogan (P5)• The Grange Community Centre – Seniors Lunch (P9)

Tuesday 13• Speakers Bank – Masterclass: Prepare & Tell Your Story (P12)

Wednesday 14• Heartmoves (P20)

Thursday 15• Wyndham City Libraries – Family History for Beginners (P6)• Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria – Celebrate White Cane Day (P9)•Jamieson Way Community Centre – Art Photography Exhibition & Workshop (P10)

Friday 16• Wyndham City – Pizza & Trivia (P5)• Heartmoves (P20)• Wyncity Bowl & Entertainment – Come & Try Day (P14)

Saturday 17• Werribee Jazz Club – Jazz Night (P13)• Werribee Lions – Sausage Sizzle & Info Day (P13)

Sunday 18• Chinese Precinct Chamber of Commerce – Music Afternoon (P9)

Tuesday 20• Wyndham City – Devonshire Teas (P5)

Wednesday 21• Heartmoves (P20)

Friday 23• Heartmoves (P20)

Wednesday 28• Heartmoves (P20)

Friday 30• Heartmoves (P20)

Wyndham City ticketed events go on sale Tuesday 15 September, 9am at the Wyndham Cultural Centre, 177 Watton Street, Werribee or call 8734 6000 weekdays 9am-4.30pm or go online www.wyncc.com.au (booking fee applies to each ticket purchased online).

For Wyndham City River Walk and Trivia, no ticket is required, but RSVP is essential as places are limited.

Contact Amanda Burns at Wyndham City on 9742 0777 or email AgedDisabilityEvents@wyndham.vic.gov.au

Tickets for the community events vary – please check individual listing for dates and times.

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Hobsons Bay City Council Mayor Cr Colleen Gates attended Laverton College fete along with President Elect Steve Medcraft from Laverton Point Cook Rotary.

Both HBCC through their Community Grants program and Rotary paid for life jackets for the College's Sail and Boat Training projects.

Coral Allen

JACKETS A PLENTY

Laverton College students with Principal Mr Richard Jones, Hobsons Bay Mayor Cr Colleen Gates and Rotary President Steve Medcraft

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The region is a-buzz following the recent announcement that Jetstar has signed a ten year agreement to extend their Avalon Airport operations until at least 2025. In addition to the 10 year arrangement, Jetstar has committed to add further destinations and services over the coming months.

Avalon Airport CEO Justin Giddings was very excited by the announcement. “This new deal provides a great opportunity for the region to capitalise on not only great interstate travel opportunities, but also the

significant inbound tourism market. We thank the Victorian Government for their significant assistance in securing the long term arrangement with Jetstar, and more broadly their vision for Avalon Airport.”

Avalon Airport provides businesses and residents within the Wyndham area with cheaper flights and easy access to the airport. A trip to Sydney feels like a simple commute, given the airport is only 25 minutes from Wyndham on a toll-free road, and the passenger terminal is a 2 minute walk from the car park.

Around 60% of Avalon’s existing passengers are from interstate, and its proximity to Werribee, Geelong, Melbourne, the Surf Coast, the Bellarine and other areas of interest means that the commitment by Jetstar will also assist in developing the state’s tourism industries.

For the latest updates and specials follow Avalon Airport on Facebook and Twitter (@AvalonAirportAU).

UP, UP AND AWAY

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An impressive event was organised by Sohni Dharti Australia to celebrate the 69th Independence Day of Pakistan in Victoria on 16th August 2015. The highlights of the event were flag hoisting by Cr. Gautam Gupta on behalf of the Mayor Cr. Peter Maynard and Hon Telmo Languiller MP Speaker Parliament of Victoria. Other Councillors from Wyndham were present on the occasion.

People from various suburbs of Victoria came to attend the event with great fervour and enthusiasm to commemorate the Independence Day. Children presented remarkable performances on national songs and deliver speeches to highlight the sacrifices made by our ancestors. Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal were paid tributes in speeches by children who proudly wore traditional clothes of Pakistan. On the occasion, the children reminded everyone about the sacrifices made by

Army Public School Children and performed on ‘Bara Dushman Bana Phirta Hai Jo Bachon say Larta Hay’. The children also presented ‘Lab Pay Aati Hai Dua’, ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ and ‘Hum Zinda Quom Hain’. A very special especially thanks to Hina Farooq and Nida Azeem for preparing the children to perform on national songs. As mentioned by one of the mothers, ‘It’s the first time they have seen children performing to celebrate our Independence Day in Melbourne. This has certainly invigorated their spirit and love for the country’.

Cr Gautam Gupta while representing the Mayor Wyndham Council congratulated the Pakistani community on the Independence Day. He shared that it is the first time that the Civic Centre at Wyndham has been provided for any national day celebrations including flag hoisting. He said that we are starting the Civic Centre activation program from Pakistan Day. He committed of making all the support available for multicultural events organised by Sohni Dharti in Wyndham. Hon Telmo Languiller MP Speaker Parliament of Victoria while addressing the gathering said that Pakistani community has contributed to Australian and other foreign societies through their capable human resources in the field of science, medicine, engineering and other fields. He said that the event and gathering has been very impressive. He further added that there are many opportunities for Pakistani community to come forward and play a more active role in the development of the country.

PAKISTAN INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATED IN VICTORIA ON 16 AUGUST

2015 AT THE CIVIC CENTRE, WYNDHAM

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The presenters of the day were Jacob Bhatti, Sadia Shafique and Saima Rani who were spectacular in entertaining the people. A brief introduction of Sohni Dharti Australia was given by Asghar Ali Khan, Treasurer Sohni Dharti. He said that Sohni Dharti’s is incorporated in Victoria with the aim to promote and organise multi-cultural events that will highlight the contributions made by Pakistanis in Australia, celebrate events and also to launch other community development initiatives. He introduced the other officials of Sohni Dhart including Khalid Farooq (President), Yaqub Bhatti (Vice President), Farooq Dar (General Secretary) and Sannia Azeemi (Member).

The Sohni Dharti team recognised the support of Wyndham City Council for providing resources, guidance and support to make this event possible. They especially acknowledged the full support of Cr Guatam Gupta.

Lunch was provided by the organisers. Various stalls displayed the traditional clothes and handy crafts. Different variety of food and sweets were also sold on the stalls. Children enjoyed swings and face painting and tricks from a magician. Gifts were also

distributed among the children.

The teams who played the final of Azadi Cup Cricket Tournament organised by Melbourne Smashers and Sohni Dharti during August were presented prizes. The final was played between Melbourne Smashers and Auslink Cricket Club won by the later. The winning team captain Khalid Farooq lifted the trophy given by Mayor Cr Peter Maynard.

The community appreciated the efforts of Sohni Dharti for organising the event and showed their emotions for the love of their country. A huge appreciation was paid to the Wyndham Council for providing Civic Centre for the event and other support services. The sponsors of the event mainly Raine and Horne, The Bank of Melbourne, Daneem Homes, Zaman Homes, ACOT, SK Education Services, Auslink Training, Mindwrap Tutoring and Consulting, Shooting Stars Education, Staging Company, SPL, NSDC, SAARC Travels, Mani Sports, UMATI and Haan Ji Radio were greatly appreciated for their contributions.

Farooq Dar, General Secy, Sohni Dharti Inc. Australia, C-9, 100 Overton Road, Williams Landing Shopping Centre, Williams Landing 3027 Ph: 99390679

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Now in its tenth year, Altona’s Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre is focusing on change and renewal. With a new name (Louis Joel Arts and Community), a new manager (Kim Reilly) a new manager for the Joel Gallery (Neralie Thorp) and a new administration officer (Robert Falzon), the centre is now seeking to boost community engagement even further by looking for community members to contribute more strongly to, and feel a sense of ownership of, the centre.

Accordingly, a new membership programme (Friends of Louis Joel Arts and Community) has just been launched.

The Friends programme seeks to foster the development and presence of the arts in the community.

Costing only $20 per person per year, the scheme allows members to participate in a range of gallery and arts activities, including manning exhibitions,

discussions with exhibiting artists, receiving invitations to event launches and participating in members-only arts-related excursions, events and activities.

In the spirit of community engagement, the centre also seeks to identify issues that affect, and matter to, the community and to develop and host events that foster community discussions about these issues.

To this end, the centre will lead and host a special sixteen-day event to end violence against women in November this year.

‘We pride ourselves on taking an activist role’, says Centre Manager Kim Reilly, who invites members of the community to contact the centre with ideas of community issues that the centre could address through workshops and other activities.

For more information about events,

activities and exhibitions at the Joel Gallery and Joel Arts

and Community Centre or to exhibit work

at the Joel Gallery, visit www.joelgallery.com.au.

To submit ideas of community issues, email the Louis Joel Centre at

admin@louisjlcc.com.au

Fabienne Chevalier

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AT ALTONA’S LOUIS JOEL ARTS AND COMMUNITY CENTRE

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Pet overpopulation has become a major concern; the RSPCA reports that thousands of animals are being put down each year.

Pets that aren’t de-sexed contribute to unwanted litters and animal abandonment.

De-sexing not only helps with the overpopulation issue, but it also has many positive health benefits.

RSPCA has shown that de-sexed pets, generally, live longer and healthier lives.

With decreased risks of cancer and other diseases involving the reproductive organs, such as testicular cancer, prostate cancer, cystic ovaries, ovarian tumors, uterine infections and breast cancer in females.

De-sexed pets are less likely to wander or engage in destructive behaviours such as urine marking and fighting, particularly when in search for a mate.

The result is less injuries and mortalities, especially if the pets are wandering at night reducing the chance of being hit by motorists.

Many pet owners tend to worry that once their pet has been de-sexed, it will change their personality or make them less active and gain weight.

DESEXING YOUR PET

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There are however, few to no proven negative impacts related to de-sexing, if anything, pets experience improvements in behaviour, overall health and general wellbeing.

Another concern for pet owners is the cost of the de-sexing procedure. Initiatives such as ‘National De-sexing Month’ beginning in July each year can help to make costs more affordable.

Other options include enquiring at animal welfare organisations such as the RSPCA, Lost Dog’s Home

and Lort Smith Animal Hospital, as well as local councils, as they my have some more affordable options for pensioners and health care cardholders.

As has been shown de-sexing provides a wide range of benefits for pets, owners and the community.

It promotes the overall health and wellbeing of our pets, while also reducing the tragically high number of preventable animal deaths every year.

Cindy Bremner

Natural Pawfection - Animal Naturopath

Email- cindy.bree@gmail.com

Phone- 0421-446-764

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Walter Villagonzalo, president of The Migrant HUB and Community Engagement Volunteer Award winner, has been honoured as Wyndham’s 2015 Citizen of the Year.

Walter was presented with the award at the Wyndham Community Volunteer Gala Awards Presentation Evening held on Friday 14th August.

Five other volunteers were also awarded for their contributions to the community with Khurram Jahangir Kahn winning the Young Volunteer category.

Wyndham’s Volunteer Awards span a broad range of categories from Culture, Arts and Tourism, to Environment and Sustainability, to Sport and Recreation.

In total, there are seven volunteer awards, including a new category introduced this year - The Community Group Award, which The Migrant HUB was the recipient of.

Beginning in 2013, the awards recognise and celebrate achievements from individuals and groups

WYNDHAM’S NEW CITIZEN OF THE YEARthat provide outstanding contributions to the local community.

“Volunteers are often the unsung heroes in our community, and these awards are an opportunity to recognise and celebrate their skills, hard work and achievements,” said Wyndham City Mayor, Cr Maynard.

For well over 20 years, Walter has volunteered in the Wyndham community in several roles and capacities since migrating to Australia from the Philippines in 1986 with his family.

His valuable contributions, advocacy and initiatives have assisted numerous individuals, with The Migrant HUB becoming a core example of his passion to support migrant and refugee integration – To inspire them to use their skills, gain employment, or begin small-business enterprises.

Walter’s passion for inclusion and helping others makes him a role-model for not only the migrant community, but us all.

Of the Award, Walter says, “The Citizen of the Year award this year is given to me, a resident born overseas.

I hope I can become an effective example to the migrant community; demonstrating that it is not important where you were born or the colour of your skin.

You are part of the community in Wyndham, be out there, integrate, contribute and help build a better Wyndham for your children and future generations.”

Kyla-Jayne Rajah

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Planning is well underway for Weerama's 2016 festival. More entertainment, more music, more family friendly festivities, the Weerama committee is committed to ensuring the 2016 festival has something for everyone.

While holding onto traditional elements the event organising committee is determined to make next years Weerama vibrant and fresh.

At the recent AGM a new committee was sworn is with Marcel Mahfoud taking over the role of President. Also joining the committee are some experienced community leaders including some former youth leaders from Wyndham's Youth Task Force and Freeza. With a mix of event management and project management experience, the 2015/16 Weerama committee is confident we have the right mix of expertise to ensure the 2016 festival is organised with detailed planning and in fact planning is already underway.

Traditional elements such as the parade will take place with many new activities added to the list.

Weerama has had to constantly evolve as our community grows but traditionally Weerama has been held in Werribee. Weerama is an event for the whole of Wyndham and will be held across the municipality across several weeks. Smaller events will take place in Point Cook, Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit, Truganina, Wyndham Vale and we are canvassing options for Little River and Mount Cottrell.

Weerama is all about celebrating the Wyndham community and communities within Wyndham, today we launch our new slogan; Celebrating Wyndham.

We invite all community groups and business to contact us to seek how they can be involved. The more people that are involved, the bigger our festival can grow. Together, we celebrate.

Please contact info@weerama.org.au

WEERAMA FESTIVAL - CELEBRATING WYNDHAM

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Mt St Joseph Girls’ College, very own Stephanie Kelly (Year 11) had an outstanding U 19 Women's Lacrosse World Championship representing Australia in Edinburgh, Scotland recently.

Despite Australia losing a tight Bronze medal semi final to England on Saturday,10-9, Steph scored 3 goals and 1 assist in the game.

Steph was Australia's leading point scorer and ranked 5th in the Tournament with 23 points.

Steph also lead the Aussies in goals and was ranked 5th in the Tournament with 17goals.

Congratulations Steph on your achievements and representing your school, family and country with pride. What a fantastic achievement!

Another star on the rise is Ashleigh Zibell in Year 8 at MSJ. Ashleigh is currently playing in the Club Championships, playing up to 3 games each Tuesday night, in Essendon's under 16, under 18, state league.

She trains 4 or 5 times a week, often in the early hours of the morning, often with Australian team players and coached by Australian Olympians.

Last year Ashleigh was invited by Water Polo Victoria to join the Athlete Development Program, which is the pathway into the VIS.

Ashleigh was selected for the Victorian 14 and under state team in April and competed at the East Coast Challenge in Brisbane in the June/July holidays.

The competition runs in the second week of the Term 2 holidays and is attended by teams from Queensland, NSW, South Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand and of course Victoria.

Ashleigh and the girls played well beating the South Australian team twice and having very hard fought close games with the second Queensland team and New Zealand.

A highlight for her last year was playing in the 16 and under nationals in Canberra at the AIS and being the youngest goal scorer of the tournament.

Kelly Sexton

Mount St Joseph Girls' College

STAR ATHLETESMount St Joseph Girls' College

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As a Flick chic, I am often left disappointed by the chic flick... these movies have a tendency to be formulaic and generally portray women in a fairly pathetic light. Enter Amy Schumer.

As the writer and star of Trainwreck, Schumer has flipped the script on this particular chic flick and the results are hilarious.

Schumer has risen to fame, off the back of her sketch show Inside Amy Schumer, and is notorious for being sharp, on point and unapologetically female.

The premise for Trainwreck is a reversal of stereotypes, with

Schumer's lead character a total man-eating, commitment-phobe. Enter Bill Hader as the guy Amy is willing to change for, and there is your film.

With Judd Apatow directing, the film does tend to run a little long, but a strong support cast and some great chemistry between the two leads, makes the lengthy running time tolerable.

Overall, the film managed to make me laugh and cry, and that is always the measure of a successful chic flick for this Flick chic.

3.5 starsMelissa Longo

FLICK CHICK REVIEWS: TRAINWRECK

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Laugh Out Loud

A young doctor...

... moved out to Victoria to replace a doctor who was retiring.

The older doctor suggested that the young one accompany him on his rounds, so the community could become used to a new doctor.

At the first house a woman complains, "I've been a little sick to my stomach."

The older doctor says, "Well, you've probably been overdoing the fresh

fruit. Cut back on the amount you've been eating and see if that does the trick."

As they left, the younger man said, "You didn't even examine that woman.

How'd you come to the diagnosis so quickly?"

"I didn't have to. You noticed I dropped my stethoscope on the floor in there? When I bent over to pick it up, I noticed a half dozen banana peels in the trash. That was what probably what was making her sick."

The younger doctor said, "Pretty clever. If you don't mind, I think I'll try that at the next house."

Arriving at the next house, they spent several minutes talking with a younger woman.

She said that she just didn't have the energy she once did and said, "I'm feeling terribly run down lately."

"You've probably been doing too much for the Church," the younger doctor told her. "Perhaps you should cut back a bit and see if that helps."

As they left, the elder doctor said, "I know that woman well. Your diagnosis is most certainly correct, she's very active in the church, but how did you arrive at it?"

"I did what you did at the last house. I dropped my stethoscope and, when I bent down to retrieve it, I noticed the priest under the bed."

There I was...... sitting at the bar staring at my drink when a large, trouble-making biker steps up next to me, grabs my drink and gulps it down in one swig.

"Well, whatcha gonna do about it?" he said, menacingly, as I burst into tears.

"Come on, man," the biker said, "I didn't think you'd CRY. I can`t stand to see a man crying."

"This is the worst day of my life," I said. "I'm a complete failure. I was late to a meeting and my boss fired me. When I went to the parking lot, I found my car had been stolen and I don't have any insurance. I left my wallet in the cab I took home. I found my old lady in bed with the gardener, and then my dog bit me."

"So I came to this bar to work up the courage to put an end to it all, I buy a drink, I drop a capsule in and sit here watching the poison dissolve. Then you, you jack-ass, show up and drink the whole thing!"

"But enough about me, how's your day going?"

22

KOOKABURRA

Kookaburra, high in his tree,Was thinking about his next feed.This bird’s a carnivore, you see,With no taste for fruit or for seed.

He’s a giant species of kingfisher,But there were no fish about this day; A hunk of red meat he’d prefer.A small marsupial would be okay.

People call him “King of the Bush”:He’s master of all he surveys.Just right now, fresh meat is his wish;A good meal would last him for days.

It’s also said that he’s merry,Like that monarch of rhyme, King Cole.Kings can afford to be jolly;He was happy in his regal role.

He decided he’d make this pointBy letting out a prolonged guffaw,To remind everyone about the jointThat around these parts, he was the law.

He looked o’er the field before himFor the sort of fare on offer,Nice dish to bring back to his limb;His sharp eyes picked out an adder.

Swooping down he seized it in his beak,Just behind its venomous head,Soared high and gave it a strong tweak;Dropped it twice to make sure it was dead.

High on his bow, that day he dined well;Thought he, “This is what life’s about !”This snake would fill his needs for a spell;It tasted better than perch or trout.

Jack Nystrom,Sunday, 21 October, 2012.

23

Hoppers Xing kids

Calling on Hoppers Crossing Schools and Parents to share photos, art, stories, writing for this page.Email your contributions to will@aroundpointcook.com or post to the PO Box 1145 Altona Meadows 3028

Hi Kids, Spring has arrived, along with a fantastic Father’s Day.

Did you know some sources say that more than one third of Father's Day cards are funny in nature? Mmm... Is that a joke? Nope; it's a fact. Now I know why Dad always joked around in front of my pals. Talk about embarrassing!

To honour our Dads this Father's Day, there's an appropriate 'Dad-style' joke beneath this great colouring page from DTKLkids.com

Why not colour it in, tear it out and give it to your Dad - he might just love it.

- KJ

24 Please redistribute rather than discard.