Seniors took part in a morning of walking basketball at Keilor Basketball Netball Stadium on Wednesday 21 October. The relaxed session let players enjoy the game at their own pace, with no running, jumping or physical contact. The session was part of the Brimbank Seniors Festival, which runs throughout October. The festival celebrates residents aged 60 and over and First Nations community members aged 50 and over, with activities that promote connection, participation and wellbeing.
First Nations artist Aunty Jeanie Mason said she was hurt that her contribution was not acknowledged at the opening ceremony of Wominjeka Plaza in Sunshine on 17 October. Her artwork is displayed at the plaza, which sits beside the Vietnamese Museum. Brimbank council later passed a motion to congratulate her at a meeting on 20 October. Mayor Virginia Tachos described her artwork, Community Together, as central to the plaza's meaning. Council also published a media release acknowledging her contributions. Council did not give a reason for the omission when asked.
Brimbank council has adopted the Moving Brimbank transport strategy, a long-term plan guiding transport planning, investment and advocacy to 2050. The strategy sets out 10 priority areas, including walking, cycling, buses, trains and parking. Community consultation showed strong support for more frequent and reliable buses, and safer walking and cycling connections. Seventy-seven per cent of respondents backed the strategy's vision. Over the next two years, council plans to develop a Brimbank Bus Plan, local walking plans, a cycling implementation plan and a local roads safety plan.
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Two Brimbank youth council members, Maria Ansari, 15, and Zoe Goldenberg, 17, served as the council's inaugural young mayors alongside Mayor Virginia Tachos on Wednesday 23 September. Their day included a round table discussion on Melbourne's west and a visit to Parliament House to meet Premier Ben Carroll. The pair also met council executives, councillors and staff. They ended the day by giving a speech in the Council Chamber. Ansari said young people need passion and courage rather than lots of experience to lead.
Families across Brimbank can celebrate Halloween at several free community events on 30 and 31 October. The first runs from 4pm to 6pm on Friday 30 October near 76 Glengala Road, Sunshine, with crafts and face painting. On Saturday 31 October, St Albans Library Square hosts activities from 11am to 1pm, including glitter tattoos. A Sunshine street party on Hampshire Road runs from 2pm to 4pm, with a costume competition at Bennett Place. Keilor Park's event near 11 Fosters Road follows from 4pm to 6pm.
The Vietnamese Museum Australia has been officially unveiled in Sunshine, with a ceremony held on Saturday 17 October. Museum chief executive Tammy Nguyen said the museum honours people who left their homeland, often as refugees, seeking freedom and a better future. The museum was funded by $9.7 million from the federal government and $8.6 million from the state government, along with community fundraising. Alongside it, Wominjeka Plaza opened as a public space honouring Traditional Owners and celebrating refugee and multicultural communities in Brimbank. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm.
Australia's first Vietnamese museum has opened in Sunshine, in Melbourne's west, on Saturday 17 October. The Vietnamese Museum Australia aims to preserve the history and experiences of Vietnamese Australians, including those who arrived as refugees. The project received $9.7 million from the federal government and $8.6 million from the Victorian Government, plus community fundraising. Brimbank City Council also opened Wominjeka Plaza, a public space honouring Traditional Owners and the area's multicultural communities. The museum's chief executive, Tammy Nguyen, said it would help preserve the stories of more than 350,000 Australians of Vietnamese origin.
Street Library Australia and Brimbank council have launched the Brimbank Street Library Program, seeking hosts for publicly accessible street libraries. Individuals, businesses and community organisations can apply for one of ten undecorated libraries, which they can decorate and personalise. Applicants should be keen to build community connection, live or work somewhere with regular foot traffic, and support literacy. Street Library Australia says it will provide support during setup and access to a national network of street librarians. Applications close Friday 13 November.
House prices across Brimbank moved in both directions last quarter, according to Real Estate Institute of Victoria data. Kealba recorded one of the strongest gains, rising 7.1 per cent to a median of $790,000. Albion fell 23.1 per cent to $715,000, while Sydenham, Keilor and Sunshine also recorded declines. Across Greater Metropolitan Melbourne, the median house price was $943,000, down 0.7 per cent for the quarter but up 3.8 per cent over the year. REIV chief executive Toby Balazs said Victoria's market was holding up well despite softer transaction volumes.
