Weekly Sudoku Puzzle Week 23/12/2025 Challenge
Sudoku puzzle of the week
How to play Sudoku
The objective of Sudoku is to fill each row, column and sub-grid with exactly one of the possible entries (usually, the numbers 1-9). A conflict arises if you repeat any entry in the same row, column or sub-grid.
Play Sudoku together
Use the Play together option in the navigation bar to invite a friend to play this sudoku puzzle with you. Once connected, your friend’s icon will turn green. If either of you is disconnected from the Internet, the icon will turn red. If either of you is inactive, the icon will turn gray. You and your friend can now enter letters at the same time. Click on the chat icon at bottom right to talk with your friend. (Chat is not available if either player is on a mobile device.)
Want more Puzzles?
You can find more of our brain teasing puzzles here at puzzle corner!
Wordy Week 23/12/2025 Challenge
Want more Puzzles?
You can find more of our brain teasing puzzles here at puzzle corner!
Weekly Mini Crossword Week 23/12/2025
Mini Crossword puzzle of the week
How to play Mini Crossword
You can solve the clues in any order. Click or tap on either a clue or a box in the grid to start entering an answer. You can also use the arrow keys, enter/shift-enter or, tab/shift-tab to move around the grid. The clues for words that have been entirely filled in are marked gray, whether the answer is correct or not.
Play Mini Crossword together
Use the Play together option in the navigation bar to invite a friend to play this Mini Crossword puzzle with you. Once connected, your friend’s icon will turn green. If either of you is disconnected from the Internet, the icon will turn red. If either of you is inactive, the icon will turn gray. You and your friend can now enter letters at the same time. Click on the chat icon at bottom right to talk with your friend. (Chat is not available if either player is on a mobile device.)
Want more Puzzles?
You can find more of our brain teasing puzzles here at puzzle corner!
Weekly 15×15 Crossword Week 23/12/2025
Crossword puzzle of the week
How to play 15×15 Crossword
You can solve the clues in any order. Click or tap on either a clue or a box in the grid to start entering an answer. You can also use the arrow keys, enter/shift-enter or, tab/shift-tab to move around the grid. The clues for words that have been entirely filled in are marked gray, whether the answer is correct or not.
Play 15×15 Crossword together
Use the Play together option in the navigation bar to invite a friend to play this crossword puzzle with you. Once connected, your friend’s icon will turn green. If either of you is disconnected from the Internet, the icon will turn red. If either of you is inactive, the icon will turn gray. You and your friend can now enter letters at the same time. Click on the chat icon at bottom right to talk with your friend. (Chat is not available if either player is on a mobile device.)
Want more Puzzles?
You can find more of our brain teasing puzzles here at puzzle corner!
Beloved Kilmore educator retires
AFTER 35 years of dedication, care and unwavering commitment, Kilmore Primary School (KPS) staff, students and volunteers said farewell to one of their most beloved colleagues last Wednesday.
Deborah Barton has spent her entire working life supporting children and that dedication has been firmly rooted at KPS.
As an educational support worker, Ms Barton has encouraged students’ learning and wellbeing and fostered safe and inclusive learning environments where all students could participate and reach their full potential.
Working alongside teachers helping to relieve their workload, Ms Barton said: “I’ve always worked with children”.
“I did start a university course to be a teacher, but I had a child at 18 years of age. My beautiful son. I came here as a parent helper when he started school here. And I’ve never left.
“This is like a second home. I’ve rode lots of waves up and down, but I know my heart is here and I just love everyone of these kids. They are all special and they can all learn, and there is something good in all of them; every one of them.”
That deep sense of care has not gone unnoticed by those around her.
Principal Michael Nicolaides said: “A devoted colleague, loved by all. The amount of praises that have come through from families since finding out that [she] was retiring has been absolutely incredible”.
“An incredible commitment to one organisation, 35 years. She is the heart and soul of KPS.”
Wellbeing officer Richie Boyer echoed those sentiments: “Deb has an enormous heart and makes everyone feel like they are the main person. She’s been on more excursions and school camps than I’ve taught lessons”.
As Ms Barton prepares for retirement, KPS says goodbye not just to a long-serving staff member, but to a cornerstone of its community.
“KPS is my happy place, and this man [Mr Nicolaides] is going to take it a long way, I know,” she said.
Arbitration process completed
THE City of Whittlesea will now look to move into 2026 refreshed after putting a turbulent 2025 behind it at the last council meeting of the year.
The recent meeting’s agenda contained documents from the internal arbitration process for the Council stemming from allegations put toward former Mayor Councillor Aidan McLindon in March through current Mayor Councillor Lawrie Cox and fellow Councillors Blair Colwell and David Lenberg.
Cr McLindon faced four separate internal arbitration processes, including multiple allegations within the processes. Two were proven, but a host of other allegations were dismissed.
One of these allegations concerned comments Cr McLindon made on the Sky News program “Outsiders” on January 26 which could be interpreted from his experiences at the City of Whittlesea, which was judged to be proven.
Another allegation which was adjudged to be proven was that Cr McLindon had breached clause 2(1)(a) of the Model Code, failing to treat his colleagues with courtesy and respect by engaging in threatening behaviour.
It was ruled that Cr McLindon had engaged in misconduct under sub-section 147(1) of the Local Government Act 2020, despite the large proportions of allegations levelled against him thrown out.
One of the results of the findings was that Cr McLindon had to make an apology at the council meeting, which he completed last Tuesday night.
“On Sky News on January 26, 2025, I made a statement that councillors in Victoria have ‘just got enough time to read what’s put in front of them’ and to rubber-stamp it. I accept that this comment would be understood as reflecting on how Whittlesea City Council operates,” he said.
“I did not intend to suggest that this was my personal experience as a Whittlesea councillor, or that Council staff were not giving me enough time to consider Council papers.
“I wish to apologise to Council staff for my remarks, and hope that apology will be accepted.”
Cr McLindon will now also undertake training and counselling from an external source nominated by Cr Cox, which will be completed in April 2026.
Cr McLindon has also been ruled ineligible to hold the office of Mayor at Whittlesea for 12 months from the date of the findings, and while he received a one-month suspension, it had been served concurrently with his earlier six-month suspension this year.
Meantime, at Council’s meeting last Tuesday night, there was also an update to the Council’s governance rules, which had been last updated in June 2024.
New changes to the rules include Notices of Motion requiring three councillors to sign it prior to submitting it to the CEO, a councillor not being the signatory for more than two Notices of Motion at one meeting, increased speaking times for councillors speaking to a motion and officers introducing a report, clarification around a councillor having a right of reply and clarification surrounding lodgement of electronic petitions and joint letters.
The changes came about from community consultation from 57 responses from November 19 to December 2, with 14 of the responses identical.
Council, as a result, considered the feedback in adopting these new rules.
Cr Cox thanked the community for its feedback.
“The amendments to the governance rules were developed in response to the recent Commission of Inquiry report into the City of Whittlesea and other council monitor recommendations and we are committed to ensuring that our Rules represent good governance practices,” he said.
“We thank the community for taking the time to review the proposed changes and sharing their views. We have carefully considered all of the feedback received, and feel that by adopting changes, it will promote collaboration, improve transparency and ensure efficient decision-making of Council.”
Hobbs dominates US College basketball
FOR many young Australian basketballers, the ultimate dream is to play in the United States, and for Broadford local Eden Hobbs, that dream is quickly becoming reality.
Now in his 2nd season of US college basketball, Hobbs is making a significant impact as a sophomore and team captain for the Williston State Tetons in North Dakota, becoming one of the program’s main contributors.
“In the last few months, since going back over to Williston State College for my sophomore year (2nd year) in August, things have gone really well for me,” Hobbs said.
“Last year, I was a freshman and more of a role player, playing about 15 minutes a game, where I learnt a lot and got a lot better.
“So when I was given the captain role this year on top of a huge scoring role, playing about 35 minutes a game so far through the first half of the season, it allowed me to have a new level of confidence and have a lot of opportunity to do well.”
Midway through the season, Hobbs has started all 15 games for the Tetons, displaying leadership well beyond his years, a relentless work ethic and natural scoring ability.
His performances have not gone unnoticed, especially during a standout run in November, when he delivered back-to-back dominant displays, scoring 35 points in a close 97–94 win against Lake Region State College and backing it up with 34 points in a commanding 103–61 win against Minnesota North College.
Those efforts stand out within an impressive season, which also includes a 31-point performance and six other games in which he scored 20 or more points, a testament to his consistency at the collegiate level.
With still half a season to go, Hobbs has shone from his freshman year, where he scored 342 points in 30 games.
“My points per game (PPG) have jumped up from 8.1PPG last year to 22.8PPG 15 games into my sophomore year. On November 12, I was awarded the Mon-Dak conference player of the week, scoring 63 points in two games during that specific weekend,” Hobbs said.
“As of November 19, I am second in the conference and ninth in the country of America in the National Junior College Athletic Association points per game with 342 points. My other stats are 5.4 rebounds per game and a 54 per cent field goal percentage.
Standing at 196cm, Hobbs’ rise has been built on persistence and preparation. Locally, he was known as one of the Seymour Blasters’ most promising talents, finishing his final season with the club in 2023/24 before taking the next step overseas.
His move to the United States was made possible through AUSA Hoops. The organisation has helped more than 270 Australian athletes secure basketball scholarships and gain exposure in the highly competitive US college system.
Hobbs relocated to Williston State College ahead of the 2024/25 season, embracing the challenge of a new environment and an elevated level of competition.
“Being able to play in America has been an opportunity I’m so grateful for, as not everyone is lucky enough to be able to play in America,” he said.
“I’m so grateful to my coach, Alex Herman, for giving me the opportunity to do so. Playing in America unlocks a huge range of possibilities in basketball for the future, not only in America, but also back home in Australia and even in other professional leagues throughout the world.”
Now firmly established in the college ranks, Hobbs continues to play with a focus on the future. With NBA draft eligibility currently predicted for 2028, each performance moves him closer to the next level of recruitment and to the ultimate aim of competing at the highest level of the sport. Speaking humbly about what the future might hold, Hobbs said each day is about becoming a better athlete and person.
“My goals in basketball are to be the best player and version of myself I can be, which I just want to keep getting better and better and keep playing at higher levels throughout the future. The real goal is just competing against myself and every day doing what I can to be better than yesterday,” he said.
“2026 has a lot in store, with the first focus being the back half of our season in January and February, playing roughly 15 more games, which are against all the teams in our conference. I need to stay consistent and get as many wins on the board as possible to set us up to go into the playoffs.
‘After the season, I will see what four-year schools offer me and either make the decision to keep playing in America at college, or come back home and play here, or seek other overseas opportunities.”
Final call for DVCA’s year
THE top grades of the Diamond Valley Cricket Association finished off for 2025 in style, with some competitive games and big scores across the board.
Mernda fell short of taking top spot at Christmas in Money Shield, falling four wickets short of victory over Banyule at Beverley Road.
Gareth Sharp helped set things up for the Demons with his 43, while Max Russell added 36. However, Michael Edwards gave the Demons a good finish with 45 to help set 211 for victory, the Demons finishing on 5/210.
Edwards continued his good form with the ball, taking 2/26 off eight overs, but it wasn’t quite enough as the Bears chased down Mernda’s target with seven balls to spare, scoring 6/213.
In Mash Shield, Laurimar missed out on finishing the calendar year in the top four, losing to Keon Park at home by six wickets.
Luke Richardson led from the front with 39 runs, while Rian Boddy was a good middle-order contributor, scoring 49 runs and falling just short of a half-century, with the Power finishing on 139.
Despite Jonathon McAleer and Jayden Clifford taking two wickets apiece, the Power was no match, with Keon Park chasing down the target with 15 overs to spare.
South Morang fell to Hurstbridge by six wickets at Mill Park Lakes.
Adam Huybers made a solid 28, while Karl Heckmann was terrific once again as his 63 helped the Lions set 6/152.
Heckmann continued his job with the ball, taking 2/24 off eight overs, but Hurstbridge was far too strong, chasing down the target with four overs to spare.
In B grade, Mernda survived a thriller with Montmorency, holding on by two runs.
Andy Evans was terrific in helping the Demons get to 8/168, scoring 79 off 95 deliveries, while Chris Smith added 25.
In response, Montmorency looked comfortable at 74 without loss, but it was Evans who delivered with the ball on top of his sizeable contribution with the bat, taking 4/18 off eight overs to change the game, while Jarmyn Marshall took 2/45.
A dramatic run out helped the Demons secure victory with three balls left, bowling Montmorency out for 166.
South Morang was no match in C grade for Bundoora United, falling by 30 runs.
Matthew Kiriakopoulos, Nick Terpou and Elakian Elango took two wickets apiece to help restrict Bundoora United to 8/166, but while Adwait Vaidya scored 44 and Suresh Thavaraj scored 32, the Lions largely struggled and were bowled out for 136.
Laurimar scored a 17-run win over Bundoora Park in D grade.
David Crain’s crucial 58 runs in the middle order helped Laurimar score 148 in its batting innings, and an even bowling performance was key, with Crain, Jake Keena, Darren Jenkins and William Nyman taking two wickets each to help restrict Bundoora Park to 131 in response.
Mernda was not the place to be for a nervous disposition following its B grade result, and that was only exacerbated by its E grade thriller, winning by three runs over Riverside.
Christopher Scully scored 50 at the top of the order, while Andrew Edwards’ 44 and Geordi Summers’ 33 also helped as Mernda scored 5/174.
With Riverside on 3/128, it looked as though Mernda would struggle to get a result, but Summers helped turn the tide, taking three crucial wickets, while Jordan Krake also executed a crucial run-out to keep Riverside to 8/171.
South Morang was no match for Lower Eltham, losing by 54 runs.
Pirasath Vasanthanathan was the only bowler to keep Lower Eltham in check, taking 2/32 off seven overs as the Lions could not stop their opponents from scoring 5/213.
The Lions made an encouraging start, with Atinder Singh scoring 41 and Michael Didilis scoring 33, but a middle order collapse meant the Lions were rolled for 159.
All other grades are done for the calendar year, set to return in 2026.