Williamstown CYMS and Footscray United both lost close matches in the Isaac Howarth Shield. The CYs were defeated by Sunshine after a rain delay, while Maribyrnong Park St Marys edged out the Bulldogs. Seddon dominated, bowling out the Tigers for 58 and winning by eight wickets. The Druids secured their first win of the season against Aberfeldie. In the senior division, Yarraville Club beat St Albans, and Altona North's match with Airport West St Christopher’s was abandoned.
PEGS overturned Williamstown Imperials in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association McNamara Shield, bowling the Imperials out for 165 after they had been cruising at 2-150. PEGS had posted 4-175, with Omar Phillips unbeaten on 95. Captain-coach Hamza Ali said the team had shown it could beat anyone, and that the focus was on processes rather than results. PEGS now face Caroline Springs, also undefeated, in a two-day match. In other results, Grand United lost to Tullamarine and Caroline Springs beat Gellibrand under the DLS system.
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia will close its Altona, Williamstown and Altona North branches on 20 November. The bank plans to open a new branch at Altona Gate Shopping Centre later. Together with earlier closures in Newport and Spotswood, local resident Brian Haynes estimates more than 100,000 people in Hobsons Bay will be affected. He says many elderly residents do not use internet banking and rely on in-branch services. Customers have not been formally told of the closures, according to residents. A local traders group has encouraged people to bank with Bendigo Bank's Community Bank Altona instead.
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Victoria Police will patrol Altona and Williamstown beaches this summer under a zero-tolerance approach to unsafe and antisocial behaviour. Operations begin on 1 November, with Water Police, the Public Order Response Team and other units supporting local officers. Acting Deputy Commissioner Chris Gilbert warned that alcohol, drugs and waterways can be a deadly mix. Jet ski riders will face speed and restricted-area checks, drug and alcohol testing, and possible vessel seizure. Patrols will also cover St Kilda, Half Moon Bay, the Surf Coast, Bass Coast and Mornington Peninsula.
Victoria Police will deploy officers across beaches, waterways, shopping centres, nightlife areas and transport hubs this summer. Several operations will run at once, including Operation Summersafe from 1 November, which targets beaches from St Kilda to the Mornington Peninsula. Water Police will check jet skis and may seize vessels. Officers will also patrol Chapel Street on Friday and Saturday nights. Proactive patrols will begin in Mordialloc after recent disorderly behaviour, with acting Deputy Commissioner Chris Gilbert saying such conduct will not be tolerated.
Michael Loche has been appointed coach of Westvale Olympic's senior men's team in state league 2 north-west. He joins from Williamstown, where he guided the side to the Cecil Earley Plate final this season. Westvale finished bottom of state league 1 north-west in 2026 and was relegated. Loche said the club could recover quickly and praised the existing players for staying. Bill Meletis will remain as reserves coach for the 2027 season.
Williamstown in South Australia has been named the most budget-friendly day trip in a national affordability index. A day out for two people costs about $66.04, excluding accommodation. The study by car insurance provider ROLLiN' assessed 73 regional destinations on fuel, food, entry fees and attraction costs. McLaren Vale ranked first for overall value, while Geelong, Wollongong, Katoomba and Kalamunda rounded out the top five. Williamstown is about 20 minutes' drive from Hentley Farm in Seppeltsfield, a restaurant in the state's Michelin Guide.
Williamstown has signed two new players for next year's Victorian Football League season. Nelson Beikoff-Smart, a 20-year-old half-back from Queensland, joins from Tasmania after developing through the Gold Coast Suns Academy. He made his VFL debut for Gold Coast in 2024 and played nine matches for the Devils this year. Oskar Ainsworth, a forward from the Western Jets, also joins the club. He kicked 35 goals in 28 Talent League games and played two VFL matches for St Kilda this year.
The Williamstown Croquet Club marked its 100th anniversary on Sunday, honouring its establishment in 1926. Founding members gathered at the town hall, with J.J. Liston presiding and his wife Eva as the first president. Celebrations took place at the club's historic site, where members donned vintage attire and enjoyed games and refreshments. The club's distinctive pavilion, a local landmark, once served as a dance hall and appeared in a 1977 TV episode. The club encourages new players to join and experience the sport.
House prices in Hobsons Bay dropped sharply over the September quarter, according to Real Estate Institute of Victoria data. Williamstown led the fall, with average prices down 24.8 per cent to $1.3 million, their lowest since the Covid-19 pandemic. Newport fell 13.4 per cent to $1.1 million, and Altona dropped 10 per cent to the same average. Seaholme and Altona North were the only suburbs to record noticeable rises, of 9.8 and 8.1 per cent. Seaholme now matches Williamstown as the highest-priced suburb in the inner west.
Williamstown Congs have beaten Donnybrook for the first time in the club's history, in a Victorian Turf Cricket Association match on Saturday. The Congs posted 9-176 from their overs, with Vishal Attan scoring 52 at the top of the order. Donnybrook was bowled out for 165 in the 39th over. New captain-coach Manish Chaudhary said early wickets, including three from Amritpal Singh, were key to the win. The club, which finished fifth last season, has added five new players and now fields three senior teams and a junior side.
Sporting facilities across Hobsons Bay are receiving millions of dollars in funding ahead of next month's state election. On Tuesday 13 October, Point Cook MP Mat Hilakari announced $5 million to redevelop the pavilion at Bruce Comben Reserve in Altona Meadows. Combined with $2 million from Hobsons Bay council, the new pavilion will serve tenant clubs including Altona Roosters Rugby League Club, Seabrook Cricket Club and Westside Touch.
Williamstown MP Melissa Horne has announced that a re-elected state government would expand the Jawbone Marine Sanctuary to include The Crystals, a popular swimming and snorkelling site at Williamstown Beach. The change would require amending the National Parks Act. Local campaigners and a community petition have welcomed the move, though the petitioners say the fight is not over. Victoria's peak recreational fishing body, VRFish, criticised the decision, saying it was made without consultation and breaks an earlier promise not to introduce new or extended marine parks.
Williamstown Imperials have made a strong start to the Victorian Turf Cricket Association McNamara Shield season. On Saturday, they bowled Grand United out for 75 in 22.2 overs. Kendrick Hatton took 5-5 from 5.2 overs. The Imperials then reached 0-79 in 11.1 overs, winning both games so far by 10 wickets. Playing coach Tom Burton said the side wants to stay at the top after missing out on the grand final last year. The Imperials face PEGS this Saturday.
A family from Williamstown bought a renovated double-fronted Victorian home in Newport for $1.79 million after auction on Saturday. The property at 32 Speight Street had a $1.8 million reserve. It passed in on the family's $1,735,000 bid before the sale was negotiated. Domain recorded a preliminary clearance rate of 53 per cent for the week. Agents said turnkey homes are selling well, while homes needing work are more difficult to sell.
