By XAVIER SMERDON
FOR 10 years Star has watched the Wyndham community grow and evolve.
For 10 years Star has been there for every big announcement and every controversy.
For 10 years Star has uncovered all the moving and inspiring local stories.
In 2009 when Wyndham Council sacked its CEO, Peter Marshall, only 14 months into his term, Star was there.
In 2010 when Julia Gillard went from local member to Prime Minister of Australia, Star was there. And we were there again last week when she was rolled by Kevin Rudd.
In 2007 when the Werribee Racing Club closed its doors and in 2010 when it came screaming back with the best international horses in toe, Star was there.
The former Prime Minister told Star before she was dumped as Prime Minister that Star had been an important part of Wyndham for the last decade.
“Congratulations to the Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong and Wyndham Star on their 10th anniversary,” Ms Gillard said.
“Not only do local papers like Star report the news, they also provide an opportunity to share our community’s stories.
“By connecting people, places and ideas, Star plays a valuable role in ensuring the continued vibrancy of Melbourne’s West.”
Wyndham Mayor Heather Marcus said she had seen Wyndham change for the better since Star arrived.
“I think since the Star came it has added a lot of benefit to the area,” Cr Marcus said.
“It is the only paper that is still independent, and I think it’s got the community at heart.
“I do believe that Wyndham is better off.”
Ms Marcus said she regularly read Star to hear about local interest stories, as much as she read it for hard news.
“It still has all those good news stories and that’s what the residents love to read,” she said.
“Wyndham is a beautiful place with a lot of open space and a lot of diversity, and I think that’s what Star looks at.”
Chairman of the RoadSafe Westgate Community Road Safety Council and resident of Wyndham for 30 years, Jim Giddings, said Star had helped him spread his messages.
Star has partnered with RoadSafe Westgate since 2012, following a year of horror crashes on Wyndham’s roads.
“It (the partnership) has certainly lifted our image,” Mr Giddings said.
“Our membership has grown and it has given us the unofficial title of the voice of the West when it comes to road safety.”
As Wyndham became the fastest growing municipality in Australia and more people started to pay attention to the big issues, Star has still continued to pay attention to the little people, always making sure that they can have their story told.
