Frankston Times 4th February 2025 by Mornington Peninsula News Group

Filming in Frankston

FRANKSTON student Makayla Doyle is in post-production for her second short film.

After entering her debut short A Mother’s Instinct, starring Bianca Rose (pictured left), in film festivals last year, she is hard at work applying the finishing touches to her next project. Her second short film is titled Her Story See story page 5. Picture: Supplied

Calls for family violence intervention

Brodie Cowburn

brodie@baysidenews.com.au

SHOCKING numbers of family violence cases in Frankston have prompted calls for action.

Around five domestic violence cases are reported on average each day in the Frankston local government area. It has among the highest rates of fam-

ily violence of any area in the southeast of Victoria.

Frankston deputy mayor Steffie Conroy says that “more needs to be done” to address the rates of family violence in Frankston, and has called for intervention from other levels of government.

“Unfortunately, Frankston City holds one of the highest recorded

rates of [family violence] incidents in metro Melbourne,” Conroy said. “Approximately one in four women have experienced violence or emotional abuse by an intimate partner, and women are nearly three times more likely than men to experience violence from an intimate partner. On average, one woman a week in Australia is killed by an intimate partner.

“This area is extremely delicate and we have so many community organisations out there supporting our community. We need to be able to keep getting funding and grants to be able to support them.”

Conroy said that council was recently unsuccessful in its application for a state government grant addressing family violence. A motion, raised

by Conroy and agreed to unanimously by councillors at last week’s public meeting, read that council will write to state MPs Paul Edbrooke and Vicki Ward and federal MPs Jodie Belyea and Justine Elliot to “seek state intervention” and “seek federal intervention in areas of Dunkley with pronounced cases of family violence”. Continued page 7

COMMUNITY EVENTS

CALENDAR

FEBRUARY

Probus Club of Frankston

When: First Wednesday of Every Month

Time: 10 am (meeting commences)

Where: Frankston RSL – Old Bowls Pavilion at the rear of the RSL. 183 Cranbourne Road, Frankston 3199. Contact: Clyde – 0478 753 702.

Email: enquiries.probusfrankston@gmail.com

Ladies Social Tennis- Walk Up Wednesdays from 1pm. Non-members & all standards welcome. No cost & no commitment. Come along for a set or more. Overport Park Tennis Club, cnr Overport & Somerset Rds, Frankston South. More info Lynda 0418 365 014

Trouble with someone’s drinking?

Millions of people are affected by the excessive drinking of someone else. Al-Anon could help. The Al-Anon family groups Mornington Spiritual Concept Meeting, every Sunday 10am to 11.30am, Benton’s Square Community Centre. 1300 252 666. www.al-anon.org.au

Fit over 60 runs

9.30am each Mon & Wed at the Scout Hall in Bentley Place, Frankston. $10 per class. Classes are designed by a qualified instructor to improve your fitness and increase your strength. Enquiries to 0403 021 868.

Belvedere Park Tennis Club invites you to enjoy social tennis every Monday evening from 6.00 pm (under lights). Beginners welcome. First visit FREE. Tennis racquets available. 104 East Road, Seaford. Ph: 0425 859 963 or just arrive.

Langwarrin Ladies Probus

Meet monthly at the Community Hall in Cranbourne Road – a change of venue, next to the Men’s Shed – 1st Thursday of each month 10.00 am till 12.00 pm. Many other activities. Phone 8759 3887 for further information.

Coffee and Company

Free, with friendly people, in a lovely space. Bring your knitting, your lunch, or a friend. Explore the op shop! Wednesdays: 10-12.30-ish. At Frankston Church of Christ, 130 Cranbourne Rd, Frankston. Contact: Fran: 0425 740 075

Real Men Sing!!! If you’re a bloke and want to sing, why not join the The Phoenix Harmony Chorus which rehearses each Thursday night at 7.30. Four part barbershop harmony chorus, all ages welcome. Contact Ian on 0414 997 330.

Frankston Taiko (Japanese) Drumming

Frankston’s sister city organisation has formed a community Taiko Drumming group and welcomes new members. Experience the fun, enjoyment and energy that is Japanese taiko drumming. For details contact Bev: 0413 777 313 or frankston.susono@gmail.com

Enjoy a cuppa and make new friends! Monthly meetings and monthly bus outings, (at your own cost.) Meet at the Xavier Centre, Davey Street Frankston on the first Wednesday in the month. Contact Suzy: 0419 367 778.

Frankston Food Swap

2nd Saturday of the month at 1pm.

Swap your excess vegies, homemade foods or seedlings. Kareela Café, 53 Kareela Rd, Frankston Mornington Peninsula Chorale the longstanding vibrant, SATB, non-audition choir, under Frankston Music Society along with the Frankston Symphony Orchestra perform in classical, film score, and other exciting music concerts. Read more at frankstonmusicsociety. org.au. New singers/musicians welcome. Contact us at info@frankstonmusicsociety.org.au

Peninsula Transport Assist

Want to volunteer, but also want flexibility? Drive your own car and assist those in our community. Bus drivers also needed for 12- and 24-seater buses. To contact P.T.A: phone: 9708 8241, email info@peninsulatransportassist.org or website: www.peninsulatransportassist.org

Free Digital Literacy Classes at Frankston Library. Frankston City Libraries is committed to building online safety. Learn new skills or dive into interesting topics, with our free, in-person sessions. May’s sessions include Facebook, scams, and smart home technology. https://library. frankston.vic.gov.au/Community-Connection/ Be-Connected

Open Mic At The Green 3rd Thursday each month. Come along for a great night’s entertainment either as a performer or an audience member. Yamala Park Bowls Club Dunstan St, Frankston South. Doors Open 6.30pm. Enquiries Wayne: 0407 063 223

Photographic Club

Looking to take up or improve your photography?

The Frankston Photographic Club runs regular activities and events including guest speakers, scoring & critique nights, workshops, social evenings and outings. To find out more go to www.frankstonphotoclub.com.au

Frankston & District Stamp Club

Not sure what to do with your stamp collection? Come along to our friendly monthly meetingsevery 3rd Thursday - in Carrum Downs. To find out more, Phone Mike 03 8774 1013

Carrum Downs Senior Citizens Club

Meet every Tuesday at Lyrebird Community Centre, Lyrebird Dr, Carrum Downs. Contact: Annette 0428 992 928

Bunarong Bushwalking Club

Come and explore the great outdoors with a local walking group. Bunarong Bushwalking Club members enjoy walks on Sundays and Wednesdays. For more information please contact us on: 0400 329 710, our Facebook page, or www.bunarongbushwalkingclub.com.au

Frankston Stroke Support Group

Our group is open to new members for support and socialisation. Meets the first Wednesday of the month from 1pm-3pm at the Frankston North Community Centre. For more information contact Janelle on 9789 6427 or janellethompson@bigpond.com.

Mornington Peninsula Welsh Ladies Choir

Planning a Singing Tour of Wales this year. Rehearsal every Sunday evening at 7pm at Yamala Park Bowls Club Dunstan St Frankston South. For more details contact Trudi on 0406 678 261 or email info@mpwlc.com

Southern Sounds Chorus

Calling all women singers. Make beautiful music and great friends by joining us on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. at Somerville Community House Hall, at 2/21 Worwong Avenue, Somerville. Call Maree, 0411 844 572 (membership) or Judy 0412 063 003 (bookings)

Peninsula Youth Orchestra

Primary and Secondary string, wind or brass instrumental students welcome to join us! Rehearsals are held Wednesdays 5.45pm6.45pm at Ebdale Community Centre,Frankston. Performance opportunities include concerts with the Frankston Symphony Orchestra! Details at www.peninsulayouthmusicsociety.org.au

Community Visitors

- Kingston & Peninsula Area. The Office of the Public Advocate is seeking volunteers in the Kingston & Peninsula area to become Community Visitors. For more information email: opavolunteers@justice.vic.gov.au or call the Volunteer Coordinator on 0418 931 247.

Join the fun! Volunteer at a Family Life Opp Shop. Volunteer with our amazing team and make a difference in your community. No experience necessary! To find out more or to express your interest call 03 8599 5433 or visit familylife.com.au/volunteer

McClelland Spinners and Weavers Weekly sessions of spinning, handweaving and knitting at our studio at McClelland Gallery. Everything you need to get started. Find us on Facebook or email us at: mcclellandspinnersandweavers@gmail.com for more information about session times and fees. The Voices of Frankston Choir are back singing every Wednesday morning at 10.30am. We meet at the Uniting Church High St Frankston. Everyone is welcome. Contact Trudi 0406 678 261 for further information.

Peninsula Men’s Circle is a confidential, non-judgmental space to share experiences and make connections. You’re encouraged to be supportive, open and compassionate. We explore relationships, responsibilities and challenges that we as men face. Wednesdays 6.45-9:30pm. Chris: 0400 614 065

Peninsula Field Naturalists Club 16 High St Frankston on the 2nd Wednesday of the month 8pm.We are amateurs who are interested in all aspects of the natural environment. ring Judy on 0400 910 941, or visit www.peninsulafieldnaturalists.org.au

Table Tennis for Everyone! We cater for all groups, including Juniors, Social, Competition, All Abilities and more! Check out our website or give us a call for more information. MFTTA.ORG.AU ph:0498 003 788

Frankston Masters Athletics Club

Meets every Thursday 7pm at Ballam Park Athletics Track, Frankston. Sprints, middle distance and distance events. Come along and join us in a supportive and fun environment. All abilities welcome. Phone Frances 0405 474472

Try Croquet

Est in 1947, The Frankston Croquet Club prides itself on social recreation, healthy activity and friendly competitions. Open Tues, Thurs & Sat. from 9am to 3pm. Equipment supplied, flat soled shoes required. Enquires to Fay 97837340

Frankston Hockey Club is a family friendly sporting club for people of all abilities and ages. Juniors, seniors and masters teams available. New players welcome. Training on Wednesday and Thursday nights. Visit frankstonhockeyclub.com to find out more.

Dog Lovers Walking Group

Tuesdays at 8:30 am & 9:30 am, also Thursdays at 9:30 am. Join us for friendship, fun and exercise for dogs and owners. At Baxter Park (Near Tennis Courts). Contact Suzanne on 9789 8475

Langwarrin Park principal charged

Brodie Cowburn

brodie@baysidenews.com.au

LANGWARRIN Park Primary

School principal Richard Barren has been charged with possessing child abuse material.

On 31 January the Victorian Department of Education sent a letter to parents at Langwarrin Park Primary School informing them that Barren had been charged. The letter stated that no students from the school had been identified as victims of the alleged offence.

“I am sorry to be sending such concerning news at the start of a new school year, but I need to inform you that principal, Richard Barren, has this week been charged with a criminal offence relating to possession of child abuse material. I wanted to inform you as soon as possible and to let you know of supports available for anyone impacted by this news,” the department’s letter read. “It is important that you know that at this stage there is no information to suggest that any student at the school has been impacted by the alleged offending.

“As there is an ongoing police investigation, we are unable to provide any further information but will update you when we are able. In the meantime, we will continue to work closely with the school and other parts of the Department of Education to ensure all appropriate steps are taken with child safety and wellbe-

ing our paramount concern.”

Barren is not currently working at the school. Deb Haddow has been named acting principal of Langwarrin Park Primary School.

It is understood that Barren was charged after Australian Border Force officers allegedly found child abuse material on his phone during a random search at Melbourne Airport on 26 January.

The AFP searched the 49-year-old after he returned from the USA. Later that day they raided his Mornington Peninsula home, and the the Victorian Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team charged him with one count of possessing child abuse material accessed or obtained using a carriage service.

A Department of Education spokesperson said “we are concerned about the serious nature of these charges.”

“As this is a matter before the courts, we are unable to comment further.”

LANGWARRIN Park Primary School principal Richard Barren. Picture: Supplied

RECENT landslips at Olivers Hill need attention, Frankston Council says.

Olivers Hill landslips addressed Battery blaze extinguished

A landslip in McCrae last month resulted in the destruction of a home, and forced residents to evacuate. A Mornington Peninsula Shire worker was injured.

A motion moved by councillor Nathan Butler at last week’s Frankston Council meeting read that there had been “recent instances of land slippage at Olivers Hill, including the coastal cliffs up from the Olivers Hill boat ramp and on private allotments.” Frankston councillors agreed to write to VicRoads, which is respon-

sible for the retaining walls along Nepean Highway, and other relevant agencies to request a briefing of its responsibilities and accountabilities at Olivers Hill.

Frankston Council officers will work on a report before the March council meeting outlining potential safety improvements at Olivers Hill.

A LANDSLIP in McCrae last month.

Yanni

SMOKE covered Cheltenham and Moorabbin last week after a massive factory fire.

The factory on Chesterville Road in Cheltenham went up in flames at around 8.30am on Thursday, 30 January. Investigators believe that lithium-ion batteries caught fire, which sparked the huge blaze.

While firefighters fought the fire, they issued community advice warnings to residents in Cheltenham, Highett, Moorabbin, and Moorabbin East. Just after 2.30pm on Thursday they declared the fire under control.

Chesterville Road and Keys Road were closed to all traffic while the fire was raging. They were reopened shortly after the blaze was declared under control.

In a statement, Fire Rescue Victoria said “the fire has involved two adjoining factories of the same business, about 70m x 80m with significant fire, flames, smoke, and damage to the walls and roof.

“Around 25 fire trucks - including two ladder platforms and a teleboom - along with 70 firefighters, responded to the incident at its peak. It took FRV and CFA crews about two and a half hours to contain the fire, and as of 11.30am it was not yet deemed under control. There were some initial limitations with access to the buildings where the fire was located, due to an inaccessible laneway and concerns of a partial structural collapse.

“Emergency services are working together to collect aerial footage to enable a full assessment of the incident. Early indications are the factories contained various items including solar panels and lithium-ion batteries. Occupants of the business had already evacuated, and neighbouring premises were also evacuated as a precaution.” Ambulance Victoria, Victoria Police, and the SES were among the attendees.

FRV incident controller assistant chief fire officer Barry Gray said “a fantastic effort was made by firefighters to contain the fire to the buildings of origin.”

Brodie Cowburn

Picture:

SMOKE fills the sky in Cheltenham last week. Pictures: Supplied

Second project for young filmmaker

A GROUP of students from Frankston are hard at work on their second short film, and showing no signs of slowing down.

16-year-old Makayla Doyle directed her first short film “A Mother’s Instinct” last year. She is now editing her second film after shooting in South Frankston.

“Her Story” has been written, edited, and produced by Doyle. She said “Her Story is a drama film, highlighting a group of six female friends who one night attend a party and endure a series of confronting yet relatable events for females.

“Additionally centering on another female focused film, a passion of mine, my film A Mother’s Instinct is a thriller drama following the story of Layla, a pregnant adult who finds her world crumbling down. This film took months of research and preparation to find actors, the set, and crew. I poured so much into it and was thrilled at the result. It is currently in film festival submissions and will also be out on YouTube by the end of 2025.”

Her Story stars Paige Joy Ryans, Makayla Doyle, Liv Friend, Lily Clark, Frankie Rochford, Rush Longmore, Flynn Glazebrook, Bianca Rose, Kiara Mavondo, and Liam Matthews. The cast features students from Austin Acting Studios in Frankston South - Doyle said “as actors at Austin Acting Studios, we were grateful to be provided the support and knowledgeable guidance needed to make our own short film successfully. Learning essential behind the scenes skills every week, studio director Stephany Avila gave us the freedom and encouragement to successfully make our films with us all taking on individual roles, with mine being co-writer, actor, producer and productioncoordinator.”

Her Story is currently in post-production and is expected to be published on YouTube later this year.

NEW YEAR

YOUNG filmmakers and actors Bianca Rose, Makayla Doyle, Liv Friend (top L to R), Flynn Glazebrook, Paige Joy Ryans, and Rush Longmore (bottom L to R). Pictures: Supplied

MAKAYLA Doyle’s films will release online this year.

Published weekly and distributed to Frankston, Frankston South, Karingal, Langwarrin, Seaford, Baxter and Somerville

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We are the only locally owned and operated community newspaper in Frankston City and on the Mornington Peninsula. We are dedicated to the belief that a strong community newspaper is essential to a strong community. We exist to serve residents, community groups and businesses and ask for their support in return. Proudly published by Mornington Peninsula News Group Pty. Ltd

Cash for Arts Centre forecourt

MORE than $2.1 million will be spent by Frankston ratepayers to redevelop the Frankston Arts Centre forecourt.

Last week, Frankston Council awarded a $2.106 million contract to Maw Civil Pty Ltd to redevelop the forecourt. It will also commit $7500 annually from the 2026/2027 budget onwards towards its maintenance. A report prepared by Frankston

Council officers read that the works will improve accessibility. “The final design reflects community consultation conducted in 2022, which highlighted several key priorities: Improved accessibility through additional parking and a more functional drop-off zone, enhanced digital signage, maintaining its prominent corner placement for greater visibility and promotional impact, integration

of Indigenous artwork and stronger cultural connections, increased native planting to enrich the precinct’s natural appeal, and expanded seating options to improve comfort and usability for visitors,” the report read. “The core objective of the precinct enhancements is to attract more visitors, increase visit frequency, and encourage longer stays.”

Brodie Cowburn

Wednesday 12 February, 7–8:30pm Frankston RSL, 183 Cranbourne Rd Scan here to register

Council’s Kananook Creek call ‘concerning’

ENVIRONMENTALISTS will meet this week to discuss their options after they were blindsided by Frankston Council’s decision to discontinue a group tasked with improving Kananook Creek.

Frankston Council is responsible for managing land alongside the creek, and Melbourne Water manages the waterway. Council set up the Kananook Creek Governance Group, which featured representatives from council, community groups, and the state government, to review the 2009 Kananook Creek Corridor Management Plan and develop advocacy priorities.

At a meeting last December, Frankston councillors agreed to discontinue the Kananook Creek Governance Group and incorporate it into council’s foreshore advisory committee. Council’s decision to disband the group has been slammed by the Kananook Creek Association, which said it “reflects a

concerning lack of transparency and consultation”.

In a statement, the Kananook Creek Association said that the governance group had been working to address multiple issues. “Silt build-up is choking the creek, affecting navigation and flood management. The planned Seaford Park Arboretum remains incomplete, delaying vital community education opportunities. The Kananook Creek Management Plan, first supported in 1992, has not been updated as promised,” the KCA statement read.

“The Kananook Creek Governance Group, established following the Ministerial Advisory Committee’s review in 2016 and adopted by council in 2020, has been working to address these challenges. It is deeply concerning that this decision was made without consulting the governance group’s community representatives or acknowledging the group’s achievements.

“Council’s proposal to incorporate the group’s workload into the Foreshore Advisory Committee is not in the best interests of the community.”

Frankston Council mayor Kris Bolam said council’s decision to absorb the Kananook Creek Governance Group into the Foreshore Advisory Committee “has removed what was an unnecessary and duplicate bureaucratic function.”

“Therefore, the properly empowered Foreshore Advisory Committee will now be able to streamline better outcomes to all Frankston waterways, including the Kananook Creek,” Bolam said. “We thank the Kananook Creek Governance Group members for their contributions.”

The Kananook Creek Association will address the matter at a special general meeting at Seaford Community Centre on Thursday, 6 February. The meeting begins at 6.30pm Brodie Cowburn

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Advocacy for family violence prevention

Continued from page 1

“In the above correspondence, council is to highlight that it was unsuccessful in its recent grant application to the state government, for $212,500 over 3 years under the Free From Violence Local Government Grant Program 2024-2027. Had council been successful in the application, these funds would have been used to enable deeper engagement with communities of concern and for future program delivery,” the motion read. “Council notes that one of its primary advocacy pillars for the upcoming federal election relates to the federal government providing ongoing funding assistance to community relief organisations, such as Community Support Frankston. Many of these relief organisations are often at the coalface insofar as family and domestic violence situations throughout the Frankston

LGA. Council, in the above correspondence, is to use this opportunity to reinforce its desirability for enhanced funding as per this advocacy priority.”

The motion reads that council will provide a copy of its correspondence to all declared candidates for Dunkley “in the spirit of fairness and bipartisanship given the imminent federal election”. The Liberal candidate for Dunkley is Conroy’s husband, former Frankston mayor Nathan Conroy.

Council officers will prepare a report for council’s June meeting on the outcome of the advocacy efforts and potential budget additions to address the issue.

Community grants open

DUNKLEY MP Jodie Belyea is appealing for residents to apply for the latest round of the federal government’s “Stronger Communities” grant program.

In the latest round of grants, $150,000 will be allocated to Dunkley to be spread among a maximum of 20 projects. Grants between $2500 and $20,000 are available.

Belyea said “this program will help support a number of extraordinary community organisations across the electorate.”

“For me, community is everything,” she said. “I want to encourage all community organisations that fit the criteria to apply. The Albanese Labor Government values community organisations and wants to support them in their work.”

Expressions of interest close at 5pm on 14 February. To apply visit business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/stronger-communities-programme-round-9

Picture: Supplied

Picture: Gary Sissons

Welcome TO THE WORLD

Parents: Vanessa & Eric

Birth date: 21.01.2025

Birth weight: 3180gms

Born at: Frankston Hospital

Parents: Edana & Daniel

Birth date: 22.01.2025

Birth weight: 3400gms

Born at: Frankston Hospital

Parents: Maddy & Kevin

Birth date: 21.01.2025

Birth weight: 3400gms

Born at: Frankston Hospital

Parents: Nina & Ben

Birth date: 28.01.2025

Birth weight: 2860gms

Born at: Frankston Hospital

Parents: Deborah & Musa

Birth date: 20.01.2025

Birth weight: 3590gms

Born at: Frankston Hospital

Parents: Caroline & Ben

Birth date: 21.01.2025

Birth weight: 3095gms

Born at: Frankston Hospital

Parents: Sunny & Craig

Birth date: 29.01.2025

Birth weight: 2860gms

Born at: Frankston Hospital

Parents: Savannah

Birth date: 28.01.2025

Birth weight: 3760gms

Born at: Frankston Hospital

Mum warns of unsecured gazebos after being struck

Brendan Rees brendan@baysidenews.com.au

A MOTHER is speaking out about the dangers of unsecured beach shelters after strong winds sent a gazebo flying at Rye beach, injuring her and her young niece.

The incident occurred about midday on 27 January over the Australia Day long weekend as Luisa and her two children and her sister’s family were enjoying a beach day near the Rye Yacht Club.

Luisa said the wind picked up, sending the nearby gazebo airborne, which crashed into her leg as well as striking her niece on the leg too.

“About ten people rushed over and kind of grabbed it and put it down, including the people that owned the shelter,” she said.

Luisa said the incident left her with a painful 20cm bruise on her left thigh while her niece was lucky to escape with a minor injury after not being struck with the same force.

“It was quite a terrifying incident given the small children that were around,” she said, adding her three-year-old son narrowly avoided being hit in the chest, which “would have knocked him back with that force”.

She also noted the group that were using the shelter had set it up before leaving and returning later but were present when the incident occurred.

Luisa confirmed the shelter was a gazebo and not a popular “cabana” that has a canvas covering. She said the gazebo that struck her family had four metal poles that could only be secured by pegs – which she believed was

not safe for beach use.

“I think people just need to be mindful that if they’re going to use that style of tent, which really isn’t designed for the beach, they’re designed to be placed on grass where the ground is firmer.”

But she said if people are to use such shelters at the beach, then “they need to be properly sandbagged and ensured that the posts are well deep within the sand”.

Luisa said while she wasn’t too concerned about her injury, she wanted to share her experience as a warning to others.

“It’s a warning that it can injure people … the beach is flooded with small children,” she said.

“There’s nowhere to hide on the beach. It’s all open, and tents can fly into people from any angle.”

She said if people don’t change their behaviour, “further enquiry needs to be made, and council should step in”.

“It’s only a matter of time if people aren’t taking responsibility that they could seriously injure someone or, heaven forbid, if the pole is going in the wrong direction … it could cause a devastating impact to young children or anyone.”

Luisa said she also experienced strong winds at the beach around Christmas, which caused several beach shelters to go flying. Mt Martha Lifesaving Club president John Harvey said while their patrols did not include Rye, he wasn’t aware of any specific instances where beach shelters had become airborne, but did encourage beachgoers to be “mindful of securing them properly by using sand weights to prevent potential injury”.

Decision delayed on hand beach cleaning

Brendan Rees brendan@baysidenews.com.au

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has postponed any decision on the future of a controversial hand beach cleaning trial at all Port Phillip beaches due to “further work” being needed.

The matter was set to be considered by councillors at their 28 January meeting after deputy mayor Cr Paul Pingiaro moved an urgent business motion last December calling for the hand cleaning trial to end “with immediate effect” and to reinstate a mechanical rake method.

But a report prepared by council officers was withdrawn just hours before the meeting was to be held. It will instead be presented to councillors no later than 11 March after mayor Cr Anthony Marsh noted that “further work” was required by council officers before any conclusions were to be made.

The shire is currently undertaking a 12-month trial that involves cleaning all Port Phillip beaches solely by hand on a fortnightly basis instead of a mechanical rake, which was reportedly found to have only removed about 40 per cent of litter, according to the shire.

While mechanical raking creates an aesthetically pleasing groomed look, it has become contentious due to being known to leave behind broken bottles, shredded plastic and even hypodermic needles.

The withdrawn report was published online in the meeting’s agenda, which, had it been considered, recommended that council receive a “workshop style” briefing in February to “discuss options for recommendation towards the future service delivery model”.

The report noted that if the hand beach cleaning was to be ended immediately, a minimum of 90 days was needed between hand beach cleaning and transitioning to an

alternate methodology, which is “required as per the terms of the contract”.

“Ending the hand beach cleaning trial immediately would result in beaches not being cleaned after the 90 days period until an alternate arrangement can be implemented,” it said.

“There is no immediate reduction in cost for the service as council are required to continue to pay the contracted costs until a contract variation is agreed. Therefore, it is recommended that during the 90-day period, officers present alternative methods for discussion with councillors in a workshop style briefing.”

The cancelled report had also recommended that the shire continued the existing beach cleaning methods until a council decision is made for the implementation of a future service delivery model.

It is not known whether these recommendations would be made in future, only that it was published in the withdrawn report.

Speaking at the December meeting Pingiaro expressed a firm stance on ceasing the hand cleaning trail on all beaches because it failed to meet the “community’s expectations”, with reports of litter and seaweed having increased (Tide turns for beach cleaning, The News 14/1/25).

“This dissatisfaction, coupled with increasing complaints, indicates that the trial is failing to meet the community’s expectations for a clean, safe, and enjoyable beaches,” he said. But proponents such as award-winning beach cleaning campaigner Josie Jones OAM, who had initially pushed the shire for a hand cleaning trial, said, it was an “incredible opportunity” for “low impact solutions for our coastlines”.

Before 1 July last year, the beaches were cleaned by a combination of mechanical and hand cleaning with areas where a mechanical rake could not access cleaned by hand.

LEILA OLIVIA

SETH

SYLVIE

HARVEY LEE

KAMI

MELIKAY

IVORY

LILAH

Photos: Yanni

Flying high with Australia Day honour

PEARCEDALE’S Dr Colin Walker has been racing pigeons for more than 50 years after being introduced to the sport by his neighbour.

He was only a schoolboy in the late 1960s when he became captivated, sparking a life-long passion for birds and an illustrious career in veterinary science.

“I’ve always been fascinated by birds, and particularly racing pigeons,” Walker, who has about 500 pigeons on his 80-acre property, said.

The respected veterinarian was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2025 Australia Day Honours List in recognition of his lifetime dedication to both avian veterinarian science and pigeon racing.

After completing his veterinary science degree at the University of Melbourne, Walker undertook postgraduate specialist qualifications in avian medicine and surgery before working as an avian vet for 35 years.

Among his achievements was being the founder and manager of the Australian Pigeon Company since 1994, which he continues to run, developing, manufacturing and distributing avian pharmaceutical products nationally and internationally.

He was also the founder of the Melbourne Bird Veterinary Clinic in 1994 and was the practice principal for 25 years until his retirement in 2013.

“In all of that time, except for when the odd year at work was just too busy, I raced pigeons as well, and I still do that.”

His decorated career saw him made an honorary veterinarian for the Victorian Racing Pigeon Board and the Victorian Homing Association, the latter of which he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

In racing, he was twice named the federation champion (best flyer of the year) and has twice been runner-up.

“The average member of the public may not realise is just how far the pigeons travel and how quickly they come back, and also they may not

realise how big the sport is and how professional it is,” Walker said, noting one of the annual races he competes in attracts a winning prize of $100,000.

“Most distances are about 700km with a normal cruising speed for a racing pigeon being about 60kph to 80kph,” he said.

Walker spoke of one race about two months ago on the Queensland border where the pigeons started flying at 6.15am and began arriving in Melbourne by 8pm; a feat recorded by microchips on the birds.

“They’re very quick and our longest race is 1200km.”

Speaking of his OAM, Walker said he was “very honoured”.

But he noted he was a “little bit surprised” because “I just regarded what I’ve been doing as living my life as a veterinarian”.

“I’m surprised that people have thought that what I’ve done, living that life, has been enough to warrant that sort of award”.

Robyn honoured for making a difference

MT MARTHA resident and MacKillop Family Services CEO Robyn Miller has been made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her outstanding contribution to children, young people and families.

Miller’s appointment recognises her exceptional leadership for the not-for-profit organisation, which advocates for and improves the welfare of vulnerable children and families across Australia.

Under her guidance, MacKillop’s service delivery has grown across five states and territories, employing more than 2200 people.

This included the organisation helping in family support, family violence, out of home care, homelessness, disability and education support programs to thousands of children, young people and families.

“I am deeply humbled to be recognised with an Order of Australia, although the people who really deserve an award are the brave children and families I am privileged to work with every day,” she said.

“They are the real heroes, and I consider myself fortunate that I have had the opportunity to work with them throughout my career.”

The award also honoured Miller’s 40 years of tireless commitment to transforming the lives of children and families in need of support. She began community service as a volunteer for St Vincent de Paul and the Brotherhood of St Laurence, while studying Social Work at RMIT University.

She completed her Clinical Masters in Family Therapy and later worked at the Bouverie Family Therapy Centre for 14 years, before becoming the chief practitioner at the Depart-

ment of Human Services in Victoria, where she was responsible for professional leadership of Victoria’s out-of-home care, family support and family violence services.

A further achievement saw her take on a role as a consultant to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, before accepting her current role at MacKillop Family Services in 2016.

Miller’s AM was announced in the Australia Day honours list, which recognises individuals who demonstrate outstanding achievement and service to the nation.

Train line disruptions scheduled

MAJOR works to remove the level crossings at McDonald Street in Mordialloc and Station Street in Aspendale are beginning.

Rail bridges will be constructed to replace the level crossings. A new Mordialloc Station will be built to replace the existing one.

This month construction crews will place temporary fencing around the site, install concrete barriers on Albert Street in Mordialloc and Station Street and Nepean Highway in Aspendale, remove the traffic island at the intersection of Barkly and Bear streets, modify the zebra crossing on Albert Street near Mordialloc Beach Primary, prepare the site for heavy machinery by constructing concrete hardstands, and close the rail pedestrian crossings at Pine Crescent and Eulinga Avenue.

While crews work there will be temporary road closures and rail replacements along the Frankston line. In Mordialloc there will be off-peak lane closures and reduced speeds at the rail overpass on the Nepean Highway in mid-February for four weeks. Albert Street between Ashmore Avenue and McDonald Street will also be disrupted from early February. 48 car parks at Mordialloc Station near Bear Street will close in early February for up to five days.

In Aspendale on the Nepean Highway, road users will face off-peak lane closures southbound between Kiandra Close and Coleman Road in mid-February. Southbound lanes will close between the Station Street level crossing and Kara Grove from late January until late 2026.

Buses will replace trains on the Frankston line between Cheltenham, Frankston, and Stony Point stations from 8.30pm on 21 March until last service on 23 March.

Final designs are expected to be released later this year, with the project scheduled for completion in 2026.

For more information on the disruptions visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au/library/level-crossing-removal-project/frankston

End of the road for paid parking trial

Brendan Rees brendan@baysidenews.com.au

COUNCILLORS voted to kill off paid parking for good at last week’s Mornington Peninsula Shire council meeting, putting an end to the contentious trial that faced widespread backlash from residents and businesses.

The shire had tested paid visitor parking at Sunnyside Beach, Mt Eliza, Schnapper Point (near the pier), Mornington and near Flinders pier in the trial that was halted on 14 September last year.

The trial was initially intended for 12 months after starting in December 2023 but lasted only nine months after com-

munity concerns prompted the shire to suspend it for further review.

Issues included beachgoers using shopping centres and church car parks to avoid paying for parking, leading to a drop in trade for businesses and stopping church congregations from meeting; an issue raised by Cr Bruce Ranken at council’s 17 December meeting.

Residents also expressed frustration at the requirement to provide “extensive documentation” to receive a free parking ePermit, among other issues.

But the scheme was ultimately scrapped by councillors at their 28 January meeting after council officers presented a report to consider abandoning a visitor paid parking policy.

Those supporting its dumping were

Crs Bruce Ranken, Cam Williams, Anthony Marsh, Andrea Allen, David Gill and Stephen Batty.

Crs Kate Roper, Michael Stephens, and Patrick Binyon however voted not to ditch it.

Crs Paul Pingiaro and Max Patton declared conflicts of interest and took no part in the discussions or vote.

Councillors then voted in favour of creating a shire-wide parking management policy that would “provide a clear framework for managing parking” and “address growing demands from increasing population and visitation”.

According to a council report, the shire is the only bayside council between the peninsula and the city that does not currently have a parking

management policy.

In developing a parking management policy, the shire would use its in-house team, and not outsource the task to consultants, The Times understands, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“As we’re abandoning this visitor paid parking policy, it will address the immediate community feedback that halted the controversial pilot project,” Ranken said at the meeting.

“It’ll help with the longer-term planning, developing a parking management policy [that] will provide a structured approach to address future parking challenges in the area and obviously there will be some cost savings there from budget reallocation.”

He said some of the key issues had

been raised by businesses, particularly loss of trade, adding some reported up to a 30 per cent drop in revenue. Ranken said there was also a need to address the “immediate needs of the dissatisfaction from residents”.

“We’re going to work with the community... to be able to rebuild trust.”

Roper, who voted against removing paid parking, said the council spent millions of dollars each year on various foreshore projects “that need to be funded by ratepayers, and this [paid parking scheme] was a way of getting the visitors to help pay for some of that infrastructure”. She said big projects currently included reinstating the Birdrock Beach stairs in Mt Martha and repairing the Beleura Cliff path.

AN early design for the redeveloped Mordialloc Station on the Frankston line. Picture: Supplied

The Guide

TOP PICKS OF THE WEEK

SATURDAY

FRIDAY

MONTY DON’S SPANISH GARDENS

ABC

7.35pm

Globetrotting gardener Monty Don (pictured) turns his attention to sunny Spain for this three-part docuseries that proﬁles the country’s many horticultural highlights. Visiting private plots, city parks and community projects during his epic 4000km journey. In tonight’s premiere episode, he begins his trip in El Escorial, a vast imposing palace located an hour northwest of Madrid, that’s the biggest Renaissance building in the world. He wraps up this part of his eye-opening trek in Valencia.

SANDI TOKSVIG’S WOODLAND RESTORATION

SBS, 7.30pm

QI host Sandi Toksvig (pictured) might strike viewers as a green thumb, but she’s the ﬁrst to confess she knows nothing about gardening. All that’s about to change though, as Toksvig and her wife Debbie have just fulﬁlled their lifelong dream of buying an ancient woodland in southern England. With wit, determination and a little help, the pair begin the process of restoring their patch of nature tonight.

SUNDAY

MUSTER DOGS: COLLIES AND KELPIES

ABC TV, 7.30pm

The spotlight is once again on rural Australia in this gorgeous homegrown series showcasing the bonds shared by graziers and their working dogs on farms across the country. There’s an exciting twist this time around: while the ﬁrst season followed ﬁve kelpie puppies and the second a litter of adorable border collies, the third instalment puts both to the test – comparing their strengths and weaknesses and highlighting the work each breed is best suited to.

MONDAY ST. DENIS MEDICAL SEVEN, 9.10pm

This medical mockumentary from Superstore’s Justin Spitzer and Eric Ledgin is a riotous comedy that takes the best of Scrubs and The Oﬃce, then turns the volume up to 11. Set in a chronically underfunded hospital in Oregon, it’s chaos as the beleaguered staﬀ try their best to treat patients and maintain their own sanity. Aussie Josh pictured) plays trauma surgeon Bruce, ’ Wendi McLendon-Covey is hospital director Joyce and Why Women standout Allison Tolman is supervising nurse Alex. Tonight, Bruce tries to demonstrate his work’s value, while emergency doc Ron (David Alan Grier) thinks a patient has a crush

Thursday, February 6

ABC TV (2)

SBS (3)

SEVEN (7)

NINE (9) 6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Eat The Invaders. (PG, R) 10.30 Back Roads. (PG, R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 The Newsreader. (Ml, R) 2.00 Parliament Question Time. 3.00 Forever Summer With Nigella. (Final, R) 3.25 Grand Designs. (PG, R) 4.15 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (PG, R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.25 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30.

8.00 Back Roads: Outback Way, NT Pt 1. Presented by Lisa Millar.

8.30 Long Lost Family. (Final, PG) Hosted by Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell.

9.20 Grand Designs: Derbyshire. (R) Hosted by Kevin McCloud.

10.05 Dr Karl’s How Things Work. (R) 10.35 ABC Late News.

10.50 The Business. (R) 11.10 Miriam Margolyes Almost Australian. (Ml, R) 12.10 Grand Designs. (PG, R) 1.00 Parliament Question Time. 2.00 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

3.25 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.15 Confucius Was A Foodie. (R) 10.05 Great Lighthouses Of Ireland. (PGa, R) 11.05 Great Canal Journeys. (PGa, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.05 History Of Britain. (PGav, R) 2.55 Railway Journeys UK. (R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 Secrets Of The Imperial War Museum. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Finding Your Roots: Forever Young. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr.

8.30 Scotland’s Poshest Train: Alan Cumming. (Premiere, PG) Alan Cumming steps aboard the RoyalScotsman for a train adventure through the heart of Scotland.

9.30 The Darkness. (Malsv) Lukas and Hulda’s investigation progresses.

10.20 SBS World News Late.

10.50 Divided We Stand. (Ml)

12.40 Blanca. (Malv, R) 2.40 Barkley Manor. (PG, R) 3.05 Inside The Modelling Agency. (Ml, R) 4.05 Peer To Peer. (a, R) 4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven Noon News. 1.00 MOVIE: Farmer Seeking Love. (2022, PGa) Donna Benedicto, Tanya Clarke. 3.00 Sri Lanka Vs Australia: Pre-Game Show. 3.30 Cricket. Second Test. Sri Lanka v Australia. Day 1. Morning session. From Galle International Stadium, Sri Lanka. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGav) Harper puts on a brave face.

8.30 MOVIE: Bridget Jones’s Diary. (2001, Mlv, R) A British woman, struggling with various romantic entanglements, documents a year of her life through her diary. Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant.

10.45 St. Denis Medical. (PGals, R) Matt’s first day as a nurse is not going as planned. 11.45 The Hunting Party. (Mav, R) 12.45 Damnation. (Premiere, MA15+asv)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

TEN (10)

Long

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 RBT. (Return, Mdl) Follows the activities of police units.

8.30 Emergency. (Return, Mlm) Dr James Williams fears for a young cheerleader who has landed on her head during training.

9.30 A+E After Dark. (Return, Mlm) An aggressive patient must be restrained.

10.30 9News Late.

11.00 Resident Alien. (Malv)

11.50 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

12.40 Pointless. (PG, R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

Friday, February 7

ABC (2) SBS (3) SEVEN (7) TEN (10) NINE (9)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Planet America. (R) 10.30

Take 5 With Zan Rowe. (PG, R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon.

1.00 Silent Witness. (Masv, R) 3.00 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.25 Grand Designs. (R) 4.15 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (PG, R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.

7.35 Monty Don’s Spanish Gardens. (Premiere) Monty Don visits Spain.

8.35 Silent Witness. (Mav) The team investigates a body discocered in a flat after being dead for a year.

10.20 Optics. (Ml, R) Meredith stumbles upon a clue to Fritz’s secrets.

10.50 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

11.20 ABC Late News.

11.40 Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee (NZ) (PG, R)

12.25 Grand Designs. (R)

1.10 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv)

5.00 Rage. (PG)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.15 For The Love Of Dogs. (PGa, R) 10.10 Great Lighthouses Of Ireland. (R) 11.05 Great Canal Journeys. (R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Such Was Life. (PGa, R) 2.10 History Of Britain. (PGa, R) 3.00 Nula. 3.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 Secrets Of The Imperial War Museum. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Costa Concordia: Why She Sank. (Mal, R) A look at the sinking of the Costa Concordia

8.30 Ray Martin: Mysteries Of The Outback. (Ml, R) Ray Martin embarks on a quest to find a mysterious outback rock formation.

10.20 SBS World News Late.

10.50 Bonn. (MA15+s)

11.45 Sisi. (MA15+av, R) 2.50 Barkley Manor. (R) 3.20 Inside The Modelling Agency. (Ml, R) 4.15 Peer To Peer. (a, R) 4.45 Destination Flavour: Singapore Bitesize. (PGa, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 6.20pm Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts. 6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Gardening Australia Junior. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 Teen Titans Go! 8.00 Scooby-Doo And Guess Who? 8.25 BTN Newsbreak. 8.30 Mythbusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 8.55 Robot Wars. 9.55 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven Noon News. 1.00 MOVIE: No Good Deed. (2020, Mav) 3.00 Sri Lanka Vs Australia: Pre-Game Show. 3.30 Cricket. Second Test. Sri Lanka v Australia. Day 2. Morning session. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens Summer. Johanna Griggs learns recycling secrets with Lottie Dalziel. Colin Fassnidge bakes spiced stone fruit.

8.30 Australian Idol. (PGl, R) A nationwide search for Australia’s next singing superstar returns with big voices, surprises and star talent. Hosted by Ricki-Lee and Scott Tweedie, with judges Amy Shark, Kyle Sandilands and Marcia Hines. 2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 5.00 NBC Today. News and current affairs.

Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG)

6.00 9News. 7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo: Savannah Elephants. (PG) Elephants and their enclosure are cleaned.

8.30 MOVIE: The Equalizer. (2014, MA15+lv, R) A former black-ops agent, who faked his death, comes out of retirement to rescue a girl. Denzel Washington, Chloë Grace Moretz.

11.10 MOVIE: The Founder. (2016, Ml, R) Michael Keaton. 1.15 Innovation Nation. 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) 4.30 Global Shop. (R)

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Postcards. (PG, R)

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 AACTA Awards 2025. The AACTA Awards honour Australian television creatives and performers for their achievements over the past year. 10.00 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather. 10.25 The Graham Norton Show. (PGal, R) Guests include Dame Judi Dench. 11.25 The Project. (R) A look at the day’s news. 12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.30 Home Shopping. (R) 6am Morning

Programs. 1.20pm Question Team. 2.15 Fanatics: The Deep End. 2.40 Blaktrax. 3.40 WorldWatch. 5.40 Alone: The Skills Challenge. 6.05 Kylie Minogue’s Secret Night. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.30 NITV News Update. 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 Saucy: Secrets Of The British Sex Comedy. 10.15 Homeland. 1.20am Hells Angels: Kingdom Come. 2.15 Late Programs.

6am The Movie Show. 6.15 Whina. (2022, PG, Maori) 8.20 Skating To New York. (2013, PG) 10.00 The Sitting Duck. (2022, M, Hungarian) 12.15pm Rob The Mob. (2014, M) 2.10 Arthur And The Two Worlds War. (2010, PG) 4.05 Whisky Galore. (2016, PG) 5.55 Goddess. (2013, PG) 7.50 Maigret. (2022, M, French) 9.30 Mr Blake At Your Service! (2023, French) 11.35 Late Programs. SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am

(PG, R) 2.45 Mozart: Rise Of A Genius. (Ml, R) 4.00 Eat The Invaders. (PG, R) 4.30 Muster Dogs: Collies And Kelpies. (PG, R) 5.30 Dr Karl’s How Things Work. (R)

6.00 Australian Story: Unfiltered – Celeste Barber. (R) Celeste Barber shares her story.

6.30 Back Roads: Outback Way, NT Pt 1. (R) Presented by Lisa Millar.

7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.

7.30 Beyond Paradise. (Final, PG) Humphrey investigates an inexplicable crime.

8.30 Vera. (PGadlv, R) DCI Vera Stanhope investigates after the body of a woman is washed up on the banks of the River Tyne. 10.05 The Newsreader. (Ml, R) Helen and Dale are forced into competition. 11.00 Unforgotten. (Madl, R) 11.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Britain’s Great Outdoors. (R) 10.00 BBC News At Ten. 10.30 ABC World News Tonight With David Muir. 11.00 PBS NewsHour. 12.00 Cycling. ProVelo Super League. Round 2. Melbourne To Warrnambool Men’s race. 3.00 Sailing. SailGP Sydney. Day 1. 4.30 Cycling. AlUla Tour. Highlights. 5.30 Auschwitz: The Inside Man. (PGav, R)

6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Sandi Toksvig’s Woodland Restoration. (Premiere, Ml) 8.25 Scotland The New Wild: Highlands. (PG) Explores Scotland’s Highlands. 9.25 Great Australian Walks With Julia Zemiro. (PGa, R) 10.25 Beautiful Lakes Of Northern Italy. (R) 11.15 Home Jacking. (Premiere, Mlv) 12.35 The Man Who Died. (MA15+as, R) 2.25 Love Your Garden. (R) 3.20 Inside The Modelling Agency. (Ml, R) 4.15 Peer To Peer. (a, R) 4.45 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs.

6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Horse Racing. Inglis Millennium Day and Caulfield Family Day. 3.00 Sri Lanka Vs Australia: Pre-Game Show. 3.30 Cricket. Second Test. Sri Lanka v Australia. Day 3. Morning session. 5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R) Narrated by Grant Bowler.

7.30 MOVIE: The Bourne Identity. (2002, Mlv, R) A man sets out to discover his identity after being hauled from the ocean with amnesia. Matt Damon, Franka Potente. 10.00 MOVIE: Taken. (2008, MA15+av, R) A former spy’s daughter is kidnapped. Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace. 12.00 Dr Harry’s Animal Encounters. (PGa, R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 It’s Academic. (R) 5.00 My Greek Odyssey. (PG, R)

6.00 The Garden Gurus. (R) 6.30 A Current Affair. (R) 7.00 Weekend Today. 10.00 Today Extra: Saturday. (PG) 12.00 Destination WA. (Return, PG) 12.30 My Way. (R) 1.00 Let’s Eat With George. (Premiere) 1.30 MOVIE: Buckley’s Chance. (2021, PGal, R) Bill Nighy. 3.30 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo. (PG, R) 4.30 Explore TV. 5.00 9News First At Five. 5.30 Country House Hunters Australia. (R) 6am

6.00 9News Saturday.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Space Invaders. (Return, PGa) Experts help people declutter their lives.

8.30 MOVIE: The Blind Side. (2009, PGdlv, R) A homeless teenager realises his dream of becoming a gridiron player, thanks to the aid of a kind family. Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw.

11.10 MOVIE: Stronger. (2017, MA15+l, R) Jake Gyllenhaal.

1.20 Destination WA. (PG, R) 1.50 Garden Gurus Moments. (R) 2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PG) 2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 Global Shop. (R) 5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)

6.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith. 7.30 Love It Or List It Australia. (Premiere) Hosted by Neale Whitaker and Andrew Winter.

8.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Follows the staff at the Animal Welfare League as it tries to find the right fit for a man with dog-attack trauma. 9.30 Ambulance Australia. (Ma, R) NSW Ambulance delivers a baby and saves a four-year-old with a critical heart condition. 10.30 Ambulance UK. (Mal, R) A patient has fallen from a tree. 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power. 6am Morning Programs.

Icons

Sunday, February 9

6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 Wknd Brekky. 9.00 Insiders. 10.00 Offsiders. 10.30 World This Week. (R) 11.00 Compass. (PGa, R) 11.30 Praise. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. (R) 1.00 New Leash On Life. (Final, PG, R) 1.30 Gardening Aust. (R) 2.25 Monty Don’s Spanish Gardens. (R) 3.25 Long Lost Family. (Final, PG, R) 4.15 Extraordinary Escapes. (PG, R) 5.00 Maggie Beer’s Big Mission. (R)

6.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Muster Dogs: Collies And Kelpies. The puppies settle into their new homes.

8.30 The Newsreader. (Ml) When news of an oil spill breaks on the day of Public Eye’s launch, Helen is pressured to rethink her show format.

9.20 Love Me. (Mls) Peter and Clara have his ex over for dinner.

10.10 MOVIE: BMX Bandits. (1983, PG, R) Nicole Kidman.

11.40 You Can’t Ask That. (R)

12.05 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

3.00 Australia Remastered. (PG, R) 4.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.00 Insiders. (R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Britain’s Great Outdoors. (R) 10.00 FIFA World Cup Classic Matches. 11.30 WorldWatch. 12.00 Cycling. ProVelo Super League. Round 2. Melbourne To Warrnambool Women’s Race. 3.00 SailGP Sydney. Day 2. 4.30 PBS Washington Week. 5.00 Dylan Alcott: Peter Bol And Joseph Deng. (PG, R) 5.25 Rommel: The Soldier, The Son And Hitler. (PGav, R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Mysteries Of Loch Ness. (PG)

A look at the Loch Ness Monster legend.

9.20 Legends Of The Pharaohs: Hatshepsut, The Pharaoh Queen. (Mas, R) Takes a look at Hatshepsut, the fifth Pharaoh of ancient Egypt’s 18th Dynasty.

10.25 Great British Landmark Fixers: Edinburgh North Bridge. (R) A team works on North Bridge in Edinburgh.

11.15 Miniseries: The Boleyns: A Scandalous Family. (Mas, R)

2.40 Love Your Garden. (PGa, R)

3.35 Inside The Modelling Agency. (PGl, R) 4.30 Peer To Peer. (PGa, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Al Jazeera News.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s

Programs. 5.35pm Fireman Sam. 5.45 Hey Duggee. 5.55 Paddington. 6.05 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Riley Rocket. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Moominvalley. 8.00 Horrible Histories. 8.30 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.10 Speechless. 9.55 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs.

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am

6am Morning Programs. 1.50pm Jeopardy! 3.55 ABC World News Tonight. 4.25 PBS Washington Week. 4.50 Queer Sports. 5.45 Domino Masters. 6.40 Abandoned Engineering. 8.30 The UnXplained With William Shatner. 10.10 WWE Legends. (Return) 11.45 Hoarders. 12.40am The X-Files. 4.20 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera Newshour.

Morning Programs. 7.00 Goddess. (2013, PG) 8.55 Mr Blake At Your Service! (2023, French) 11.00 Maigret. (2022, M, French) 12.40pm A Mermaid In Paris. (2020, M, French) 2.40 Viceroy’s House. (2017, PG) 4.40 The Lunchbox. (2013, PG, Hindi) 6.40 Clue. (1985, PG) 8.30 Reservoir Dogs. (1992, MA15+) 10.20 A Thousand Lines. (2022, M, German) 12.05am Late Programs. SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 2pm Rugby League. 2019 Koori Knockout. Men’s. Bunjalung Baygal Warriors v Bourke Warriors. Replay. 3.00 Rugby League. 2019 Koori Knockout. Men’s. Googars v Castlereigh All Blacks. Replay. 4.00 Araatika! Rise Up. 5.40 Dizzy Gillespie In Studio 104. 6.20 News. 6.30 Queer Sports. 7.00 Great Lakes Wild. 7.30 Our Law. 8.40 MOVIE: The Evers. (2020, M) 10.15 Late Programs. NITV (34)

Monday, February 10

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 McCartney 3, 2, 1. (R) 10.30 Vera. (PG, R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 The Human Revolution. (Final, PG, R) 2.00 Parliament Question Time. 3.00 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.25 Grand Designs. (R) 4.10 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. (PG, R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. (PG, R) 5.25 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.25 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30.

8.00 Australian Story.

8.30 Four Corners. Investigative journalism program.

9.15 Media Watch. Presented by Linton Besser.

9.35 Mozart: Rise Of A Genius. (Ml) Mozart moves to Vienna.

10.35 ABC Late News. 10.50 The Business. (R) 11.05 Planet America. (R) 11.40 Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery. (R) 12.10 Grand Designs. (R) 1.00 Parliament Question Time. 2.00 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.40 Parkinson In Australia. (PGa, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30

7.30. (R)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.25 For The Love Of Dogs. (PGa, R) 10.20 Great Lighthouses Of Ireland. (PGa, R) 11.15 Great Canal Journeys. (R) 12.10 WorldWatch. 2.05 History Of Britain. (PGa, R) 2.55 Railway Journeys UK. (PG, R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 Secrets Of The Imperial War Museum. (PG, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Madrid With Michael Portillo.

8.25 Wilderness With Simon Reeve: Patagonia. Simon Reeve travels through Patagonia. 9.35 Inside Sydney Airport: Interrupted Journeys. (PGal, R) Friday is a busy day at the airport. 10.35 SBS World News Late. 11.05 Wisting. (Return, Mal)

12.50 You Shall Not Lie. (MA15+als, R) 3.00 Barkley Manor. (R) 3.30 Inside The Modelling Agency. (PGln, R) 4.25 Peer To Peer. (PG, R) 4.55 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Air Crash Inv: Accident Files. (PGa, R) 1.00 TBA. 3.00 Pre-Game Show. 3.30 Cricket. Second Test. Sri Lanka v Australia. Day 4. Morning session. (Please note: alternative schedule may be shown due to changes to cricket coverage).

5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Australian Idol. (PGs) Hosted by Ricki-Lee and Scott Tweedie.

8.50 Queen: In Their Own Words. (Mal) The four founding members of the rock band Queen, tell the story of their lives and careers in music.

9.50 Lee Kernaghan: Boy From The Bush. Part concert film and part road movie.

11.55 Autopsy USA: Debbie Reynolds. (Ma, R)

12.55 Friday Night Lights. (Madsv, R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

7TWO (72)

6am Morning Programs.

10.30 DVine Living. 11.00 I Escaped To The Country. Noon Escape To The Country. 1.00 My Greek Odyssey. 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 Better Homes. 3.30 Cities Of The Underworld. 4.30 Steam Train Journeys. 5.30 I Escaped To The Country. 6.30 Escape To The Country. 7.30 Rosemary & Thyme. 8.30 Vera. 10.30 Extreme Railways. 11.30 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 2pm Merv Hughes Fishing. 2.30 Portland Charter Boat Wars. 3.00 Fishing Addiction. 4.00 Hustle & Tow. 5.00 Cricket. Second Test. Sri Lanka v Aust. Morning. (Alt schedule may be shown). 5.30 The Lunch Break. 6.10 Cricket. Second Test. Sri Lanka v Aust. Afternoon. 8.10 Sri Lanka Vs Australia: Tea Break.

6.00 Hello SA. (PG, R) 6.30 A Current Affair. (R) 7.00 Weekend Today. 10.00 Golf. Jack Newton Celebrity Classic. 11.00 For The Love Of Pets. (PGm, R) 12.00 Fishing Australia. 12.30 The Pet Rescuers. (PGm, R) 1.00 MOVIE: The Cutting Edge. (1992, PGl, R) D.B. Sweeney. 3.00 Space Invaders. (PGa, R) 4.00 David Attenborough’s Green Planet. (R) 5.00

6.00 9News Sunday.

7.00 Married At First Sight. (PGls) It is time for the commitment ceremony.

8.30 60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating, analysing and uncovering the issues affecting all Australians.

9.30 9News Late.

10.00 See No Evil: The Big Guy. (Mav) A look at two murders.

11.00 The First 48: The Code. (Mal)

11.50 Iconic Australia: The Pub. (Mav, R)

12.50 Destination WA. (R)

1.20 Talking Honey. (PG, R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 Fishing Australia. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

9GEM (92)

6am Skippy. 6.30 Amazing Facts With Doug Batchelor. 7.00 Invictus Games: Preview. 8.00 Invictus Games: Opening Ceremony. 10.30 MOVIE: Daleks’ Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. (1966, PG) 12.20pm MOVIE: Quiet Weekend. (1946) 2.15 MOVIE: Pacific Destiny. (1956) 4.15 MOVIE: Sabata. (1969, PG) 6.30 M*A*S*H. 8.30 MOVIE: Rambo: First Blood. (1982, M) 10.25 The Closer. 11.25 Late Programs.

6am Children’s Programs. 12.30pm Basketball. WNBL. Southside Flyers v Adelaide. 2.30 Surfing Aust. 3.00 Young Sheldon. 4.00 MOVIE: Bean. (1997, PG) 5.45 MOVIE: Johnny English. (2003, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Sherlock Holmes. (2009, M) 10.05 MOVIE: The Fast And The Furious. (2001, M) 12.10am Gotham. 1.10 Arrow. 3.00 Teen Titans Go! 3.30 Beyblade X. 4.00 Bakugan. 4.30 Late Programs.

6.00 The Sunday Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.00 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (PGals) Hosted by Julia Morris and Robert Irwin. 8.30 MOVIE: Rocketman. (2019, Madls, R) Follows the life of Elton John, from his years as a prodigy to his musical partnership with Bernie Taupin. Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden. 11.00 FBI. (Mv, R) A local club owner is found dead. 11.50 The Sunday Project. (R) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings.

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6.00 Sunrise. News, sport and weather. 10.00 NFL. Super Bowl LIX. Kansas City Chiefs v Philadelphia Eagles.

3.00 The Chase. (R) Contestants race to answer quiz questions correctly to avoid being caught by The Chaser. Hosted by Bradley Walsh. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 To Be Advised.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGas) Justin fears that Lyrik is over. 7.30 Australian Idol. (PGal) Hosted by Ricki-Lee and Scott Tweedie.

9.10 St. Denis Medical. (PGals) After Ron hexes the day to prove superstitions are not real, things at the hospital start getting weird.

10.10 First Dates UK. (PG) Singles experience the thrills of dating. 11.15 Lopez Vs. Lopez. (PGadls)

12.15 Friday Night Lights. (Madsv, R) 1.15 Travel Oz. (PG, R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning.

Married At First Sight. (PGls, R)

Destination WA. (PG, R)

Pointless. (PG, R)

Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG)

6.00 9News.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer. 6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (PGals) Hosted by Julia Morris and Robert Irwin. 9.00 NCIS: Sydney. (Mv, R) The team investigates when a US petty officer’s body is found in Sydney’s historic Rocks area. 10.00 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather. 10.25 NCIS. (Mv, R) Knight goes viral. 11.25 The Project. (R) 12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings. 6am Morning Programs. 1.30pm The Inside Story. 2.00 Blind Love. 3.05 Wine Lovers’ Guide. 3.35 WorldWatch. 5.50 Alone: The Skills Challenge. 6.15 The Machines That Built America. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.30 NITV News Update. 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 Forged In Fire. 10.10 The Weekly Football Wrap. 10.40 Four Years Later. 11.45 The Rope. 12.45am Bad Education. 1.55 Late Programs. SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 5.55pm Paddington. 6.05 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 The Deep. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Dr Karl’s How Things Work. 8.35 BTN Newsbreak. 8.40 The Crystal Maze. 9.25 Street Science. 9.50 Merlin. 10.35 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am The Movie Show. 6.35 Clue. (1985,

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls) Intimacy week gets underway.

9.00 Australian Crime Stories: The Investigators: Strike Force Kindra. (Mdv) A look at Strike Force Kindra. 10.00 9News Late.

10.30 Forensics: Murder Scene. (MA15+alv)

11.30 First On Scene. (Man)

12.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.00 Hello SA. (PG) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

Tuesday, February 11

ABC (2)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Australian Story. (R) 10.30

Optics. (Ml, R) 11.00 Muster Dogs: Collies And Kelpies. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00

Call The Midwife. (Ma, R) 2.00 Parliament Question Time. 3.00 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.25 Grand Designs. (R) 4.15 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30.

8.00 Dr Karl’s How Things Work: Cheese. (Final)

8.30 Eat The Invaders: Deer. (Final, PG) Hosted by Tony Armstrong. 9.00 Hippo Watch With Steve Backshall. (Final, PG, R) Presented by Steve Backshall. 9.45 Ningaloo Nyinggulu: Choices. (Final, R)

10.45 ABC Late News. 11.00 The Business. (R)

11.15 Four Corners. (R) 12.00 Media Watch. (R) 12.20 Parliament Question Time. 1.20 Grand Designs. (R) 2.10 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.25 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

SBS (3) SEVEN (7) TEN (10) NINE (9)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.15 For The Love Of Dogs. (PG, R) 10.05 Great Lighthouses Of Ireland. (PGa, R) 11.05 Great Canal Journeys. (PGa, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Such Was Life. (R) 2.10 History Of Britain. (PGal, R) 3.00 The Weekly Football Wrap. (R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 Britain’s Secret Islands. (PGav, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 To Be Advised. 3.00 The Chase. (R) Hosted by Bradley Walsh. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 To Be Advised. 6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Who Do You Think You Are? Melissa Doyle. (PG, R)

8.30 Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields. (Malv) Charts Brooke Shields’ life. 9.45 The Artist’s View: Van Halen. (Ml, R) Profiles American rock band Van Halen.

10.15 SBS World News Late.

10.45 Beyond Signs. (Final, MA15+av) 11.45 Fargo. (MA15+v, R) 1.30 Barkley Manor. (PG, R) 2.00 Inside The Modelling Agency. (PG, R) 3.50 Bamay. (R) 4.50 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (PG, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PG) Dana enlists help for her next scheme.

7.30 Australian Idol. (PG) As the auditions continue, more hopefuls strive to prove they have what it takes.

9.20 The Hunting Party. (M) The team tracks Clayton Jessup, a deranged killer who targets happy families.

10.20 The Irrational. (Mav)

A Wall Street rising star dies.

12.20 Friday Night Lights. (Madsv, R) Taylor tries to keep Matt and Julie apart.

2.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6am TBA. 6.30 Escape To The Country. 7.30

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls) The husbands’ intimacy workshop gets derailed.

9.00 Madam. (MA15+ls) With a farmer convention in town, The Sweethearts are ready for business.

10.20 9News Late.

10.50 My Feet Are Killing Me. (Mm)

11.40 The Equalizer. (Mv, R)

12.30 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

2.30 Our State On A Plate. (PG, R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

9GEM (92)

6.00 Deal Or No Deal.

6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (PGals) Hosted by Julia Morris and Robert Irwin. 9.00 The Ex-Wife. (Final, Mlsv) Tasha’s mission to be reunited with her daughter leads to tragedy when an accident leaves some battling for survival. 10.00 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather. 10.25 FBI: Most Wanted. (Masv) 11.25 The Project. (R) 12.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings. 6am Morning Programs. 1.25pm VICE. 2.00 Dark Side Of The ‘90s. 2.55 Queer Sports. 3.50 WorldWatch. 5.50 Alone: The Skills Challenge. 6.15 The Machines That Built America. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.30 NITV News Update. 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 The Great Wall With Ash Dykes. 10.30 Black Comedy In America. 12.20am Devilsdorp. 2.40 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera. SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 5.55pm Paddington. 6.05 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts. 6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 The Deep. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Operation Ouch! 8.35 BTN Newsbreak. 8.40 Deadly Predators. (Final) 9.10 Secrets Of The Zoo. 9.55 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs.

1.30pm Spirit Talker. 2.00 Unsettled. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 4.05 Cities Of Gold. 4.35 Motown Magic. 5.00 Our Stories. 5.30 Indian Country Today News. 6.00 Bamay. 6.30 News.

6.40 Wildlife Rescue New Zealand. (Final) 7.30 The Real Stories Of Basketball. 8.30 Ice Vikings. 9.20 Hunting Aotearoa. 10.20 MOVIE: The Dark Horse. (2014, M) 12.30am Late Programs.

6am

Viceroy’s House. Continued. (2017, PG) 7.00 Without A Clue. (1988, PG) 9.00 The Lunchbox. (2013, PG, Hindi) 11.00 A Thousand Lines. (2022, M, German) 12.40pm Ladies Of Steel. (2020, M, Finnish) 2.25 Clue. (1985, PG) 4.15 The Falcons. (2018, PG, Icelandic) 6.10 The Adventures Of Baron Munchausen. (1988, PG) 8.30 Jackie Brown. (1997, MA15+) 11.20 Late Programs.

Wednesday, February 12

ABC TV (2)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Four Corners. (R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 National Press Club Address. 1.35 Media Watch. (R) 2.00 Parliament Question Time. 3.00 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.25 Grand Designs. (R) 4.10 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30. 8.00 Hard Quiz. (PG)

8.30 Optics. (Ml) Greta and Nicole offload a client onto Ian.

9.00 Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee (NZ) (PG, R) Presented by Guy Montgomery.

9.45 Planet America.

10.20 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R)

10.50 ABC Late News. 11.05 The Business. (R) 11.20 Aftertaste. (Mls, R) 12.20 Grand Designs. (R) 1.10 Parliament Question Time. 2.10 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.40 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

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6.00 WorldWatch. 9.05 Paul O’Grady For The Love Of Dogs: India. (PGa, R) 10.05 Great Lighthouses Of Ireland. (PGa, R) 11.05 Great Canal Journeys. (PGa, R) 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Such Was Life. (R) 2.10 History Of Britain. (PGav, R) 3.00 Railway Journeys UK. (PG, R) 3.35 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.40 The Cook Up. (R) 4.10 Britain’s Secret Islands. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Lord Lucan: The Evidence. (Premiere, M) 8.30 Wonders Of The Sun With Dara Ó Briain. (PG) Dara Ó Briain learns about the Sun. 9.25 Miniseries: Playing Nice. (Mal) Pete is questioned by the police. 10.20 SBS World News Late. 10.50 Pagan Peak. (MA15+av) 11.50 Rogue Heroes. (MA15+al, R) 12.55 Agent Hamilton. (MA15+v, R) 2.40 Barkley Manor. (R) 3.10 Inside The Modelling Agency. (PGl, R) 4.05 Peer To Peer. (R) 4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 5.45pm Hey Duggee. 5.55 Paddington. 6.05 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 The Deep. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Operation Ouch! 8.35 BTN Newsbreak. 8.40 Doctor Who. 10.25 Merlin. 11.10 Late Programs.

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am The Adventures Of Baron Munchausen. (1988, PG) 8.20 Diana. (2013, PG) 10.25 Murder By Decree. (1979, M) 12.40pm Aline. (2020, M, French) 3.00 Without A Clue. (1988, PG) 5.00 The Producers. (1967, PG) 6.40 Finding Graceland. (1998, PG) 8.30 Kill Bill: Vol. 1. (2003, MA15+)

7TWO (72) 6am Children’s

Our Yorkshire Farm. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 New Tricks. 8.40 Shakespeare And Hathaway. 9.40 Agatha Christie’s Marple. 11.40 Late Programs.

The Nanny. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: Den Of Thieves. (2018, MA15+) 11.20 Seinfeld. 12.20am The Nanny. 1.20 Love During Lockup. 2.15 Motor Racing. Formula E. Round 2. Mexico City

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 To Be Advised. 3.00 The Chase. (R) Hosted by Bradley Walsh. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 To Be Advised.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PG) Leah digs her heels in.

7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PG) Hosted by Lee Mack.

8.30 Ludwig. (Mav) A new case takes Ludwig on a walking tour of Cambridge where he is faced with an impossible question.

9.45 Breathtaking. (Premiere, Ma) Follows NHS staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

10.45 The Suspects: True Australian Thrillers. (Mlv, R)

11.45 Autopsy USA. (Ma, R)

12.45 Damnation. (MA15+asv)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 Married At First Sight. (Mls, R) 1.30 My Way. 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon.

Tipping Point Australia. (PG)

6.00 9News.

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. 6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (PGals) Hosted by Julia Morris and Robert Irwin. 9.00 Elsbeth. (Msv) An elite matchmaker goes to extreme lengths to keep her socialite client from finding out the truth about her perfect new husband. 10.00 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather. 10.25 NCIS: Hawai’i. (Mdsv) 11.20 The Project. (R) 12.25 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBS Mornings. 6am Morning Programs. 2.15pm Unknown Amazon. 3.10 Fashionista. 3.20 The Weekly Football Wrap. 3.50 WorldWatch. 5.50 The Fast History Of. 6.15 The Machines That Built America. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.30 News. 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 MOVIE: The Last Samurai. (2003, MA15+) 11.15 MOVIE: The Kid Detective. (2020, MA15+) 1am Late Programs.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls) It is time for the second dinner party.

9.00 Big Miracles. (Mam) Scientists help Alicia and Chris to overcome Alicia’s history of miscarriages.

10.00 9News Late.

10.30 Casualty 24/7. (MA15+m, R)

11.30 The Equalizer. (Mav, R)

12.15 Tipping Point. (PG, R)

1.05 Explore TV. (R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’s Voice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

Landslide blame game

The catastrophic landslide at McCrae on 14 January has receded from the front pages and the TV news reports but that is of little comfort to the 19 owners evicted from their homes.

In the meantime, South East Water has been active in examining their areas of responsibility but the shire is strangely silent.

To any long time resident of the area the shire, over many years, is the body clearly at fault. It is the one responsible for drainage, issuing building permits and tree removals.

The hillside at McCrae has had natural springs emerge for over 100 years. It is not a new phenomenon. What is new is the removal of the big gum trees that once grew prolifically in the area. These were natures pumps and root systems which held the soil together but none of the alleged experts has raised this as a major contributing factor to the landslides.

Permits to remove these trees have been issued like tram tickets with no regard given to their long-term benefit. Those removed illegally attract token fines and in the context of the construction cost of a new house are no deterrent and represent less than petty cash.

The underground water movement from Arthur’s Seat will continue. Nature is perpetual and there is nothing that the shire can do about it other than apply more knowledge to the issuing of building and tree removal permits.

Talk of a class action is in the wind. The costs and consequences of this will be devastating to the shire and the best course of action they could take is to buy back the 19 affected properties now and save ratepayers millions in legal costs.

The shire is clearly at fault but not just the current office holders.

Barry Rumpf, McCrae

Time warp

As noted in last weeks letters page (Times are changing, Letters 28/1/25), all four clocks on the tower in the Main/Barkly Streets roundabout show different times, so a word of caution to anyone meeting a friend at an agreed time at that junction. When you get there make sure that you check the time on your watch, and not the time on any of the tower clocks.

However, since then workers have attended to the four clocks, and as of 30 January they are all stopped at 12 o’clock. Is that an indication that all clocks are going to be adjusted to the correct time or all just put on hold? Only time will tell. A few weeks ago the spelling mistakes on signs at the Barkly/Gordon Street junction were noted, and now not far from there the times on the clocks mistakes at Barkly/Main Street junction were listed, so is Barkly Street the unlucky Street?

Lance Rickard, Mt Martha

Doco praise

Congratulations to Damien McLindon and Ben Smith on their excellent documentary covering an extraordinary local project that has supported those sleeping rough (Homelessness film wins best documentary at festival, The News 28/1/25).

Providing basic needs to those who are unhoused is a vital societal act. It was also refreshing to learn from your article that Ben Smith, the CEO of Mornington Community Support Centre and the driving force behind this project, is running as an independent candidate for Flinders in the upcoming election. His deep commitment to local communities offers a different type of leadership. Many people I speak with are frustrated by the major parties’ vested interests and their inability to address the pressing issues facing everyday Australians.

Representatives of Smith’s calibre, who prioritise the needs of local communities, are needed to move us past the current political challenges. Amy Hiller, Kew

Independent MPs

I hear many times that independents are funded by Simon Holmes à Court. Simon does not typically directly finance political candidates in his personal capacity. Instead, his primary involvement is through Climate 200, an organization he

founded and helps lead.

Climate 200 is a crowdfunding initiative that raises money from thousands of donors to support independent candidates who advocate, unlike the donors to the political duopoly, for stronger action on climate change, political transparency, and social equity.

On the other hand we never hear about the multi-millions funnelled to Labor and Coalition from special interest groups, notably the fossil fuel industry and billionaires, who then get a seat at the table when developing policies.

What makes this political funding disparity more glaring is how media coverage amplifies the idea of independents being “bankrolled” by Climate 200 or Simon while, at the same time, sidestepping the immense financial influence of corporate donors, billionaires, and other special interest groups on major parties.

It’s a stark reminder of how entrenched interests use funding not only to influence policy but also to control the narrative around political legitimacy.

The “bankrolling” by Climate 200 is minuscule compared to the bankrolling of the political duopoly.

A footnote: there is no “Teals” party as so many would like you to believe. Teal was the umbrella colour many independents used to identify their campaign. They are independents that vote for the people who elected them not for the party they are a member of. Every vote is a conscious vote. They use their political power to influence policy changes and outcomes that the political duopoly would rather leave buried or ignored. Independents keep the government of the day honest to some extent which is a full time job in itself.

Hilda McLeod, Dromana

Australia Day?

Like so many Mt Eliza residents I was bitterly disappointed that there was not an Australia Day celebration in Mt Eliza.

As your local councillor, I have already had discussions with the Mt Eliza Chamber, local Lions and Rotary Clubs and guarantee that the Mt Eliza Australia Day 2026 will be bigger and better than ever before.

I did celebrate Australia Day by attended the Australian Citizenship Ceremony in Flinders.

I will be holding a community forum on Thursday 6 March in the Community Centre for residents, businesses and associated clubs to attend.

Cr Stephen Batty, Kackeraboite Ward

Thanks for flags

Congratulations to the members of the Mornington Football Netball Club for the many Australian flags displayed in Main St Mornington on Australia Day. So many visitors to our shops, beaches and parks and these flags sent a positive, welcoming message to all, on what is a very special National Day.

Hands off

Ila Howard, Mornington

The desecration of war memorials is a kick in the head for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who served in the Boer War, First World War and the Second World War and sacrificed their lives for Australia to be a free democracy and end racial discrimination.

Native Australian’s service has been disrespected in the past with a shocking example by Bruce Ruxton who refused the Aboriginal returned soldiers the right to march as a group in the 1985 ANZAC march.

War memorials should be “hands off” as they commemorate all the service men and women, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, who served in the armed services for Australia.

Russell Morse, Karingal

Clarity on gas

I’d like to clarify some points raised in Russell Morse’s letter on gas bans (Gas bans, Letters 28/1/25).

Let’s be clear. In existing homes, the Victo-

rian government is not banning gas.

Gas for cooking will always be a choice available, using bottles if needed. However, mains gas, in particular, will become increasingly expensive. The network connection charge will spiral sharply upwards over the next few years.

It’s wise to start planning your transition away from gas now. Switching to electric heating is a smart move for your wallet, your health, and the environment.

Struggling with energy bills? Call Anglicare Victoria’s Energy Assistance Program at 1800 531 741.

John Godfrey, Cape Paterson

Rude language

I was shocked by a letter that left me wondering what the writer hoped to achieve (Good riddance, Letters 28/1/25). That achievement showed a lack of consideration and respect for others.

Name-calling , as demonstrated in the letter, generally lacks judgement. It is not acceptable to demean anyone’s work. Such rhetoric is inciteful, rude, crass, and frankly absurd.

To the person who wrote such a hateful letter, if you cannot write a coherent letter without resorting to disgraceful language, it may be better if you choose not to express your opinions in writing.

Anne Kruger, Rye

445,600 immigrants?

The Sustainable Future Association apparently does not have a clue about Net immigration, their 40,000 goal is naive and absurd (Unsustainable future, Letters 28/1/25).

First the bone: 24.9% (110,954) are permanent visas, 13.6% (59,840) are returning Australians and New Zealanders 444(c) visas (guess we could block Australians from returning home), 2.9% (12,922) are permanent family visas (some of these take 27 years to process), 1.8% (8020) are permanent humanitarian (no comment), 4.7% (20,943) are permanent skilled workers (which we need more of) and 1.9% (8,466) are other permanent visas.

Now for the meat: 75.1% (334,645) are temporary visas who will, at some point, have to return home. 38.3% (170,664) are students who contribute $36.4 billion to our economy, 9.4% (41886) are these pesky working holiday backpackers who contribute around $3 billion a year (could cut to zero but then what indentured servants would we have to pick our fruit and vegetables?), 20.7% (92,239) are tourists and other temporary visas. In 2025 tourists are poised to make an economic contribution of $265.5b, representing 10% of the Australian economy and jobs in Australia’s travel and tourism sector hit 1.42m, representing a tenth of the national workforce.

Migration is insignificant of the many factors influencing housing demand, and is not the root cause of housing shortages. Addressing the real drivers, such as restrictive housing policies, speculative investment, and inadequate construction (need more skilled labour) is essential for creating sustainable and equitable housing markets.

Blaming migration oversimplifies a complex issue and detracts from the systemic solutions needed to resolve it. I challenge The Sustainable Future Association to reply to the data with a clear and concise proposal to reach their 40,000 goal.

Bank on it

Joe Lenzo, Safety Beach

In the early 2000s when the big four banks started closing branches, the NAB decided to shut down Mt Martha branch leaving us without banking facilities particularly for our older community members, so a group of residents contacted the Bendigo Bank with a view to starting a community bank branch.

With assistance from Bendigo Bank it was decided to progress with the idea and after much work in getting shareholders signed up to establish the funding amount required to start proceedings. Then with almost two years work a branch was opened on 7 April 2011.

For those who are not familiar with a Bendigo Community Bank model, the Bendigo Bank runs the banking side of things with very strict rules applied by the government to run a bank and the community company (shareholders) run the actual premises etc.

The community model requires up 80% + of the profits to be put back into local not for profit community groups for ongoing expenses (such as building works , or other running expenses).

Now we now come to the good news. To all the locals who bank with the Mt Martha Community Bank, you can take pride in the knowledge that your support has meant that local groups have (up to December 2024) been given grants totalling $1.5 million. So if you want to make a change to the Mt Martha Community (if you bank with another bank) look at changing the bank you use now or apply for a home loan/business loan/etc and make a difference .

If you are a community group looking for assistance contact Gary Sanford through the branch in Mt Martha.

There are other Community Banks throughout the peninsula that help their communities in the same way, so support them to see the results you can help achieve.

Barry Kirkpatrick, Mt Martha

Neighbourhood pride

Recently in my street the gutter had been half full of water for about five days. On investigation I discovered the source of the problem was five houses away from me.

I would have thought that of all the people in that vicinity (mostly units) someone would have used their nous and reported it to the authorities. No, not one of them! What a waste of water!

It seems that we are all so wrapped in ourselves these days that neighbourliness has gone out the window and nobody cares about what is happening around them. Shame. Shame. Shame.

Maria Fiumara, Bonbeach

Green sea

As a Melbourne returnee, I am shocked at the signs of pollution in our precious bay. During recent rains, the bay’s water quality was considered too poor for swimming and was bright green when seen from Seaford pier. Even in calm weather there remained a carpet of green on the sand along the stretch of beach.

Are we heading blindly into the pollution catastrophe being experienced in the UK from dumping of waste water, including sewage and runoff, into beaches, rivers and lakes rendering them unusable?

Imagine Melbourne without our beloved bay.

If not pollution, please tell me what is happening!

Susan Chapman, Bonbeach

Beer garden?

We enjoy Frankston beach almost every day, and are grateful that such a safe and attractive site is freely available to older citizens such as ourselves, as well as to other members of the general public.

We were therefore recently surprised to find that a substantial portion of the beach right next to the pier, a favourite position for families, had been taken over by a beer garden. Not only does it diminish the space available for other beach-goers, but parents and children will be exposed to drunken behaviour and language, and the sand is likely to be littered with rubbish, including dangerous broken glass.

Given that an intersection with a pub on each corner is situated just a couple of minutes walk away, there was little danger of anyone dying of thirst in the absence of this latest eyesore.

Bill and Fran James, Frankston

Mental Health and Wellbeing Local extends hours

MAINTAINING good mental health is essential to living a full and healthy life, but we all experience challenges, whether ongoing or short-term. Stress from finances, family, or work can make these challenges even harder to manage, leaving many feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn.

That’s where the Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in Frankston (Local Services) comes in. They’re here to provide free, easily accessible, and personalised support for adults aged 26 and over, along with their families and carers, no referral needed.

Now, with extended hours, they’ve made it even easier for you to get the help you need, when you need it, “By extending our hours, we’re removing one more barrier to accessing care,” says Local Services Operations Manager

Tara Menassa. “Whether it’s after work, Saturdays, or even public holidays, we’re here to ensure the Frankston community can reach us whenever they need help.”

Extended Hours to Support You Better

We know Mental health concerns don’t follow a 9-to-5 schedule, and neither does Mental Health and Wellbeing Local. Whether you need immediate support or ongoing guidance, they’re here six days a week, all through the year.

New operating hours are now:

Phone Support and Appointments

• Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM

• Tuesday and Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM Walk-in Support

• Monday to Friday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM

• Saturday: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Public Holidays (phone support only): 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

A New Era of Mental Health Support

Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals are part of significant reforms recommended by the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System. With 12 locations across the state, these services provide timely, communitybased support tailored to individuals aged 26 and over.

Here for You

Your Local Service is ready to assist if you, your family, or someone you care for is experiencing:

• Psychological distress or mental health concerns

• Challenges related to family, relationships, housing, employment, or finances

• Social and emotional wellbeing challenges, including isolation and loneliness

• Problematic alcohol or other drug use

When you visit, you’ll be greeted with the question: “How can we help?” Peer Navigators are there to listen and guide you toward the right support.

Support for Families and Carers

Mental health journeys affect more than the individual, that’s why the Mental Health and Wellbeing Local also provide support for families, carers, and friends of those experiencing mental health concerns. Whether you need guidance in your caring role or support for your own wellbeing, they’re here to help.

A Collaborative Approach for the Frankston Community

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in Frankston is delivered by Wellways, in partnership with Peninsula Health and Mentis Assist. This collaboration ensures the diverse needs of our community are met, by offering free, inclusive services accessible to everyone. Take the first step towards better wellbeing.

Call: 1800 000 525

Learn more:

More Hours, More Support

Meeting you where you’re at. Photos: supplied

Visit: 454 Nepean Highway, Frankston

Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in Frankston is delivered by Wellways in partnership with Mentis Assist and Peninsula Health and is funded by the Victorian Government.

IN THE specialists HANDS

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Rosebud Memorial Hall 27th February 2025

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Amanda Anthony, Managing Director of A2 Advantage. Photo: Yanni

Laying of Foundation Stone for Soliders’ Memorial Hall

Compiled by Cameron McCullough

THE enthusiastic members of the Frankston branch of the R.S.S.I.L.A. are justly proud men today, for on Saturday last, at 3.30pm, the ceremony in connection with the laying of the foundation stone of the Soldiers’ Memorial Hall, in Thompson Street, was impressively performed by the Prime Minister of Australia (Mr. Bruce) in the presence of a large and representative attendance.

The weather was ideal for the auspicious occasion. It is true that for a considerable space of time a somewhat belated atmosphere had been created by reason of a certain section of the Memorial Committee electing to override a majority decision of the local members of the League in respect of the chosen site for the muchdelayed building, but the clouds of despair were, eventually, cleared away, due to direct action taken by the president (Cr. J. L. Pratt) of the Frankston branch, supported by a virile and determined muster of deputants to the aforesaid Memorial Committee, with the satisfactory result that the “Diggers” wishes to adequately perpetuate the memory of their fallen comrades is now on the high road to consummation.

In short, Saturday’s ceremony was an epoch-making event. ***

A HORSE, attached to a jinker, bolted through the streets of Frankston this morning. After traversing the main thoroughfares, the runaway made its final run along the footpath in Playne Street. The vehicle crashed into a telegraph post and came to a standstill near Mr. Gamble’s black-

smith’s shop.

The jinker was completely wrecked.

Mr. A. Gamble took charge of the horse, which was uninjured, and restored it to its owner, Mr. E. Brown.

***

AT the Mornington Court of Petty Sessions, before Messrs. Barrett and Sanders, J.’sP., a man named Wench was charged with the larceny of a rug, valued at £2, from his employer, R. Egilton, of “Hadlow.”

The accused elected to be dealt with by the Court, pleaded guilty, and was fined £1 or seven days imprisonment, with an order of the restitution of the rug.

The fine was paid. ***

THE report of the sad demise of Mr. Tom McMurtrie, only son of Mr. and Mrs. T. J. McMurtrie, of Frankston, which appeared in last Friday’s issue of “The Standard” was substantially correct.

Mr. Victor Henderson, and the deceased, had been in partnership as electrical engineers, at 45 Madeline Street, Carlton, and on the day that was to be fraught with so tragic an ending, were both working in separate houses, adjacent to each other.

Early on the evening of Thursday, the now deceased left on his bicycle, having previously notified Mr. Henderson that he would be home before him. As he did not, however, appear on the scene, as expected, Mr. Henderson naturally became anxious and alarmed at the absence of his late partner. Then came, like a bolt from the blue, the news of the tragedy.

The late Mr. Tom McMurtrie acci-

dentally collided with a motor bus at the corner of Victoria and Nicholson streets.

He was conveyed to St. Vincent’s Hospital by a passing motorist, in a badly injured condition, and as previously announced in our columns, died shortly after admittance to that institution, without regaining consciousness.

It had been the first occasion upon which he had ridden his bicycle through a busy and traffic-congested thoroughfare. His purpose in going was prompted by the intention of having a trial spin with Hedspath, the champion track rider from Africa.

Again, we extend to his bereaved parents our heartfelt and deepest sympathy in the terrible loss they have sustained.

The funeral, which took place in the Frankston cemetery on Sunday afternoon last, was the largest ever seen in the Shire, and indicated the high esteem in which the deceased had been held. ***

Somerville

Residents of the district will be sorry to hear that our old friend exCr. McLean is confined to his bed with a bad throat and severe chill.

We wish him a speedy recovery.

The Somerville tennis courts are now looking at their best, having just been top-dressed. The Tennis Club is a very live concern, and is keeping their end of the park very much up to date. At present the club has not done too well in the competition, but expects to improve, as a lot of young players are now practicing.

The local cool stores are expected

GRIGORYAN BROTHERS BRING HISTORY TO LIFE WITH MUSIC

ACCLAIMED guitarists Slava and Leonard Grigoryan are set to bring their groundbreaking show, This Is Us: A Musical Reflection of Australia, to Frankston Arts Centre as part of the 2025 Season. This extraordinary performance weaves music and history into an evocative journey through Australia’s rich and complex heritage. In This Is Us: A Musical Reflection of Australia, the Grigoryan Brothers present a suite of 18 original compositions inspired by objects from the National Museum of Australia’s vast collection. Each piece responds to a specific artefact, ranging from a 65,000-year-old ochre from the Madjebebe rock shelter to a cricket bat belonging to Sir Donald Bradman. These items trace Australia’s story from its Indigenous roots to contemporary society. Accompanying the music are high-definition 3D projections of the objects, creating a powerful and immersive experience for audiences.

Known for their mastery across classical, jazz, and contemporary genres, the brothers perform on a range of guitars, including electric, 8-string tenor ukulele, 12-string, and classical guitars. This performance marks a new direction for Slava and Leonard, featuring an entire program of original compositions written during lockdown while they lived in separate states. “We chose objects that try to represent some of our First Nations’ history as well as colonisation, migration, innovation, and stories of love and loss. We were deeply moved by all of them,” they share.

Audiences can expect a deeply moving celebration of Australia’s history, where music and storytelling intertwine, offering a fresh perspective on the nation’s past and present.

This Is Us: A Musical Reflection of Australia tours to Frankston Arts Centre on Saturday 1 March. Tickets available at thefac.com.au or on 03 9784 1060.

to open about February 9. At present the overhauling and renovations are not completed.

Prices are still slow for fruit.

W.B.C. pears, 6/- to 7/- in Sydney and Brisbane, and apples (eating) up to 10/-; cooking, to 8/-.

The Cricket Club is still maintaining its position near the head of the list. They are thankful to see plenty of young players coming on. We hear that a dinner is the stake for a match between one prominent family and the rest of Australia—no, we mean Somerville!

The new Church of England Vicarage is now beginning to take shape properly, and should look a fine building when finished. ***

WE are in a position to officially announce that as the outcome of the timely petition presented to Cr. Charles Gray, one of the virile representatives of the Mt. Eliza Riding, and who at a memorable sitting of the Council, moreover, with a degree of consistency which reflected credit on his probity of mind, tendered his resignation in view of the previous mandate of the ratepayers, when they unanimously passed a resolution of “No Confidence” in the Council, he will favourably reconsider his decision, and will accede to the request contained in the aforesaid petition.

In fact, it is a foregone conclusion that at the monthly meeting in March next, Cr. Gray will resume his seat at the Council table, and we venture to assert, although the attributes of the party machine clique may not altogether relish the prospect of once more being subjected to cross-exam-

ination in the guise of logically-propounded and constructive criticism, at all events, many of the ratepayers will welcome sincerely the reasons which have persuaded and prompted Cr. Gray to indicate, at this stage, his intentions of retaining the seat in the Mt. Eliza Riding, which in the past, he filled so capably and conscientiously.

Let it not be forgotten, in retrospective review, that in the initial instance, Cr. Gray, true to his colours, his sense of judgment and obeying the mandate of “John Citizen,” irrevocably resigned.

He will come back with honour, and this, because the mandate of the ratepayers is the same to-day as of yore, namely: “We want you there; we cannot do without your valued services during the serious crisis through which the Shire is passing; we trust you implicitly, and hence our mandate is: Come back!”

***

THE State School in Mornington has arrived at the dignity of having its own bell, by which the dallying scholars can be reminded of the fact that time flies, and that their presence at a given place is demanded. The cost of this bell was subscribed by the old scholars of the school, and previously it did service at the Mornington Methodist Church for nearly forty years, and was, in the first instance, a gift to the Methodist Church here, by the late Mr. Harkness, of Bendigo.

***

From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 4 & 6 Feb 1925

THE JOE COCKER EXPRESS: RELIVING THE MAGIC OF A MUSICAL LEGEND

GET ready, Frankston—The Joe Cocker Express is rolling into town with the unmistakable sound and soul of Joe Cocker back to life on stage.

Fronted by the electrifying Chev Wilson, a powerhouse vocalist with years of experience, this critically acclaimed tribute show goes beyond imitation. It’s a heartfelt celebration of one of the most iconic performers of all time. “Joe’s music was about connecting with people on a deeply emotional level. Every night, we aim to capture that magic and remind audiences why his legacy endures,” says Chev.

The band behind Chev is a tight-knit 8 piece ensemble of seasoned musicians who deliver a world-class performance. From the raw power of With a Little Help from My Friends to

the soul-stirring You Are So Beautiful, every note is crafted with passion and precision. Fans will also be treated to classics like Unchain My Heart and The Letter, creating a nostalgic journey that brings Joe Cocker’s greatest hits to life.

As Talking Music host Joseph Brown put it: "The Joe Cocker Experience is transcending the idea of a tribute—it’s becoming its own thing, with its own DNA. It’s the talk of the town". But this isn’t just a show—it’s an emotional experience. “We see people laugh, cry, and dance at every performance,” Chev shares.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable night of music and memories. Book your tickets now via thejoecockerexpress.com

PUZZLE ZONE

ACROSS

1. Profession

5. Minuscule amount

7. Seep out

8. Tomb inscriptions 9. Gives speech 12. Teach 15. Wardrobe assistant

19. Extreme

Brought upon oneself

Starched neck frill

Solitary

Tennis court marking

THE MEANING OF EXISTENCE... AND OTHER SHORT STORIES

See page 23 for solutions.

For Whom the Whistle Blows

By Stuart McCullough

THIS is how it works now. You buy something, you blithely surrender your email address to facilitate the sending of an eco-friendly e-receipt and, low and behold, you start receiving emails from the company with a fervour and frequency that would embarrass Baby Reindeer. I appreciate that I could block these missives and otherwise treat them as the spam they most certainly are, but they invariably dangle the promise that some astounding offer is just around the corner… if only you keep receiving their emails.

If I were to describe these correspondences in a word, that word would be ‘needy’. They never ask how I am or how my day was. They only want to talk about themselves. It’s incredibly narcissistic and shallow. Granted, they may say the same for me, given that all I wanted was to buy something and then move on with my life unencumbered, but I prefer to think of myself as a traditionalist rather than selfish.

The one thing these emails are not is humble. In fact, these communiques go out of their way to be memorable. Grandiose, even. If Mohammed Ali wrote marketing emails, they would be nothing compared to some of the messages I receive in my inbox.

Some time ago, we bought a musical instrument from overseas. In December, I received an email from the retailer that saw fit to describe a CD featuring the Irish tin whistle as "the hottest item this Christmas".

This struck me as unlikely. I, for one, cannot imagine a world in which kids toss aside their Playstations and electric scooters because someone just gifted them a compact disc chock full of tin whistle. The idea of little tykes everywhere running up to their parents and breathlessly begging for

a tin whistle CD is some considerable distance beyond ludicrous.

For starters, upon hearing the news of an Irish tin whistle CD, most kids would begin saying "what’s a CD?".

After this was explained to them, and having broken to them the somewhat discomforting news that, once upon

a time, people paid for music, they’d invariably follow up with: "what’s a tin whistle?" And while there’s nothing wrong with these questions, as such, and they may well denote a curious mind, they weigh against the possibility that such an artefact would ever be "the hottest thing this Christmas".

The email went on, with a list of testimonials that proclaimed in glorious prose the power of the recording. Two things were striking – the sheer breathlessness of their praise as fawning words of adulation vaulted over their tongues (or, as the case may be, through their fingers to the keyboard below). I very much doubt that penicillin provoked reviews that raved as much as these did. These were the kind of testimonials that were so glowing in nature as to render lightbulbs redundant.

Part of me was sceptical. The other part was disappointed that I was unable to muster up this level of enthusiasm for anything, much less a compact disc of tin whistle. What was wrong with me? Had I become so deadened to the majesty of God’s creation that I was condemned to stumble through life with barely a pulse and a dead-eyed stare? Probably. But that doesn’t mean I ought to accept these cult-like devotionals as being anything close to reliable. Before I knew it, I was writing back. Responding to a marketing email is the one thing you should never do. But beyond incredulous, I was also insulted. As it happens, on the same day the greatest Irish tin whistle album ever to be unveiled to

humanity had been unleashed to an adoring public, we had put a record out. Frankly, I was jealous that the tin whistle guy was soaking up all the attention.

I couldn’t say our record (Country & Western Suburbs, if you’re asking) was "the hottest thing this Christmas" as all the children in my life would rather mow the back lawn with nothing but a pair of nail clippers before listening to anything I might produce, but I’d like to think that it was well regarded on, at least, the less consequential holidays like AFL Grand Final Eve. It’s on Bank Holidays and Arbour Day that I feel we can really make our mark.

Here's the irony. After being pummelled with messages on a daily basis, I finally write back and am greeted with nothing but stone-cold silence. Well, mostly stone-cold silence with the sound of an Irish tin whistle way off in the distance. Maybe I hurt their feelings. Most likely I confused them by replying to a marketing email. Or perhaps I failed to notice the tiny disclaimer that so often resides at the bottom of so many such emails: this inbox is unattended. I won’t tell you what I got for Christmas. What I will tell you, though, is that I didn’t get a CD featuring the Irish tin whistle. I did, however, nominate all its tracks for Triple J’s hottest 100 and was disappointed beyond words to see that it not only failed to take out top spot, but missed the countdown entirely. Still, there’s always next Christmas to look forward to.

stuart@stuartmccullough.com

Late fight saves Langy, Bulldogs win

By Brodie Cowburn

PROVINCIAL

LANGWARRIN put 185 runs on the board on day one of their clash with ladder leaders Pines on Saturday.

After winning the toss, Langwarrin chose to bat first at Lloyd Park. They struggled early, losing opener Jack Marget for four, skipper Ricky Damiano for five, and Brodie Matthews for four.

Taylor Smith and Trav Campbell dug in at the end of the day to help Langwarrin put a decent total on the board. Smith scored 43 runs, and Campbell scored an impressive unbeaten 54.

Billy Humphrey was pick of the bowlers for Pines. He took 3/28.

Dromana had a good day against Baden Powell last weekend, putting 212 runs on the board.

Dale Irving top-scored for Dromana with a dynamic 50 from 77 balls.

Dromana was bowled out for 212 with five overs left to play in the day.

Baden Powell avoided losing a wicket before stumps, and will start

day two at 0/11.

Red Hill took two late wickets last weekend to deal a blow to Heatherhill.

This Saturday Heatherhill will begin at 2/10, chasing 181 to win.

Old Peninsula scored 205 runs against Sorrento last weekend. The Sharks scored 1/36 in reply.

PENINSULA

MORNINGTON have wrapped up a win over Moorooduc after less than a day of play at Alexandra Park.

Moorooduc batted first last Saturday on day one of the two-day match. Just 39 overs later they were all out for 97. Mornington chased down their target before the day was through. They batted for 40 overs before stumps, and scored 5/111.

Shane Hockey bowled dangerously for Mornington. He finished with three wickets and conceded just eight runs.

Seaford Tigers were dominated by Seaford at Belvedere Reserve on Saturday.

Seaford batted first and were bowled out for 158. Seaford Tigers came in to bat for 23 overs, which ended in dis-

aster.

Seaford Tigers finished the day at 9/26. Five of their batters were dismissed for ducks.

Matthew Herbert and Luke McGennisken each took four wickets.

Somerville put 213 on the board against Mt Eliza on Saturday. Long Island was bowled out for 152 by Rosebud, who scored 0/18 before stumps.

DISTRICT

BONEO has a huge mountain to climb to get a result against Carrum Downs this weekend.

Carrum Downs dominated proceedings on day one at Boneo Recreation Reserve last Saturday. They smashed 363 runs - Robert Johnston top-scored with 94, and Gordon Waterfall and Jake Bradshaw each scored half-centuries.

Crib Point set Balnarring a target of 140 to chase down to win at home last weekend. Balnarring scored 0/17 before stumps was called on day one.

Flinders scored 222 against Carrum, and Baxter scored 207 against Main Ridge to close out the round.

SUB DISTRICT

RYE are in pole position to beat Tyabb after a strong performance on day one.

Rye scored 321 runs at RM Hooper Oval on Saturday. Jordan Blades, Calder McKenzie, and Sashika Sushantha Gunathunga each scored half-centuries.

Lachlan Hose was a workhorse for Tyabb. He bowled 36 overs, and took 6/101.

Ballam Park are in grave danger of a defeat against Delacombe Park.

Ballam Park was bowled out for 115 on day one of their two day match. Delacombe Park finished the day at 3/64 with victory in their sights.

Skye scored 177 runs against Tootgarook at Truemans Road Reserve on Saturday. Frankston YCW was bowled out for 119 by Mt Martha, who scored 1/24 in reply before the umpires stopped play for the day.

WOMENS DIV ONE

DELACOMBE Park battled hard in the heat to grab a win over Carrum Downs on Sunday.

Carrum Downs batted first on De-

lacombe Park’s home deck. Opener Shannon Hornibrook was in fine form, scoring an unbeaten 47 to help Carrum Downs reach a final total of 4/111.

After a shaky start, Delacombe Park’s middle order guided them to victory. Melissa Newham top scored with 35 from 49 deliveries.

Delacombe Park reached their target with five wickets to spare and two overs left to play.

Tooradin had a great day at home last weekend, securing a thumping win over Seaford Tigers.

The Tigers were sent in to bat first, and worked hard. They survived 30 overs in the hot weather, finishing with a final total of 8/97.

Sally O’Meara led from the front with an unbeaten 45.

After taking a couple of wickets, Aimee Mellford opened the batting for Tooradin and dominated. She smashed 60 runs from 40 deliveries.

Helped by a handy 22 from Lorna Monk, Tooradin went on to win by ten wickets after just nine overs.

SOMERVILLE set a handy total of 213 for Mt Eliza to chase next weekend. Somerville's captain, Kiefer Peries (pictured) top scored for his side with 58. Picture: Paul Churcher

Bumper turnout for annual ocean swim

By Brendan Rees

THE iconic Mt Martha Annual Diamond (MMAD) Swim proved to be a resounding success on 26 January, attracting 914 competitors.

The annual event, which is among the biggest Australia Day celebrations in Mt Martha, saw competitors from all ages and abilities participate including life-long swimmer Colleen Kelly, an 88-year-old grandmother

who dived into her first ocean swim.

There was also Elise Richards, a 22-year-old paraplegic, competing in her first-ever ocean swim, with MMAD Swim race director and Mt Martha Life Saving Club member David Flanagan noting her journey to this milestone was “a testament to courage and determination, as she aims to inspire others to overcome adversity”.

Another group that competed was

The Sea Wolves of Mt Martha, a group of local swimmers who formed during COVID to stay active and connected.

They began as a small pod has grown into a close-knit community united by their love of the ocean. For some, it was their first competitive ocean swim.

Flanagan said they were thrilled with the turnout and atmosphere with the event celebrating resilience, deter-

mination, and community spirit.

“The MMAD Swim offers not just a competitive race but a platform to share inspiring stories of personal triumph and community connection,” he said.

“We were lucky to have ideal weather and low wind this year, after being forced to cancel last year’s event due to dangerous conditions.”

He added there was plenty of community support and local sponsors,

including Ritchies IGA. Overall, swimmers came from Qld, ACT, NSW, and Victoria with 70 lifeguards and 60 volunteers lending a hand.

Flynn Phillips came third in the 5km swim which he backed up to win the 18–29-year-old male category. There were 185 competitors in the 5km race, 605 in the 1.2km race, 82 in the novice 400m race, and 42 in the nipper 200m swim.

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SWIMMERS battle it out at the Mt Martha Annual Diamond Swim. Pictures: Supplied

FRANKSTON TIMES scoreboard

Can Langy get off to a flyer?

SOCCER

By Craig MacKenzie

LANGWARRIN gets its 2025 VPL1 season underway in Saturday’s Lawton Park clash with Caroline Springs George Cross at 7pm.

Last season Langwarrin finished ninth and a season review identified concerns that head coach Jamie Skelly believes have been addressed.

“We started well last season but once winter came and we lost a few players through injury or players moving on the depth of the squad was tested,” he said.

“We felt for us to improve we had to bring in different types of players and improve right across the squad and we feel that we’ve done that.

“We’ve improved at the back by bringing in Andrew Mullett, in the midfield with Muhamed (Huseinovski), Tosan (Popo) and Kosta (Apostolopoulos) and then in our forward line with Cooper (Legrand).”

Last season Langy had two number one keepers which maintained a highly competitive edge to that pivotal position but one of them, Griffin Bambach, has since left.

The two keepers in the current senior squad are James Burgess and Branten Kindler.

“Ideally we’d love to have two really strong VPL1 keepers but we’re comfortable having Branten there to support and challenge James,” Skelly said.

“Branten is 20 and he’s going to be a really good goalkeeper.

“I think he’ll play at this level for a long time but he’s still developing and we’re really confident that he’ll get there.”

Skelly and his staff felt a need to tweak the team’s playing style during the off-season as they believed it was too open at times allowing opponents to trouble Langy on the break.

“We were very attack-minded and while that worked well early on as the season progressed we started conceding more goals.

“We’ve worked on recovery positions and understanding areas on the pitch where we want to commit men forward but also areas where we want support behind the ball so we don’t get broken down as easily as we did.

“We still want to play an attacking style and we want to be aggressive and have ball control but without over possessing just for possession’s sake.

“The players we’ve brought in really complement that style – they’re quick, dynamic and technically very strong and we’ve brought in players in the attacking half who can score goals as well.”

This year the target for progressive clubs in VPL1 is larger than usual given that two promotion spots and four play-offs spots are up for grabs in what promises to be a hyper-competitive season.

There’s no doubt that Langy wants a piece of that action but if it succeeds it will be in a measured manner.

“The club is in a position where we want to progress but we won’t overextend ourselves to do that – we’ll do it in our own way without jeopardising the club to do it.

“Our aim is to progress as a group and progress as a club and if that means we are pushing for promotion with four games to go we’d be really happy with that.”

Here is Langwarrin’s senior squad with previous club of newcomers in brackets:

GOALKEEPERS: James Burgess, Branten Kindler. DEFENDERS: Ryo Takahashi, Luke Goulding, Kameel Khan, Charlie Fry, Lucas Portelli, Jeremy Min Fa, Luke Adams, Andrew Mullett (Nunawading City). MIDFIELDERS: Mark Deacon (from U23s), Dante Avian, Kosta Apostolopoulos (Kingston City), Muhamed Huseinovski (Bentleigh Greens), Tosan Popo (Nunawading City), Rogan McGeorge, Cal Goulding, Barath Suresh, Arjuna Surya-Peddell (from U23s). FORWARDS: Brad Blumenthal, Archie Macphee, Tom Youngs, Cooper Legrand (Kingston City).

In State 2 news Skye United has signed forwards Shameit Sharma and Tapiwa Kufakurowa. Sharma was signed from Frankston Pines and is a former Peninsula Strikers player while Kufakurowa joined from Hampton East Brighton

Top trio: Three of Langwarrin’s major signings in the off-season, from left, Cooper Legrand, Tosan Popo and Kosta Apostolopoulos. Pictures: Darryl Kennedy

where he made nine appearances last season.

“They both like to attack the full-backs – an area in which we've struggled in the past – so

I’m delighted they’re on board and really looking forward to what they can do this year,” Skye head coach Phil McGuinness said.

In State 4 news Jack Elliott’s football career is at the crossroads and the in-demand striker may stop playing to concentrate on his new fitness passion – interval running and half-marathons.

Elliott is part of the Miles4Smiles charity group that promotes mental wellbeing by cultivating a community that embraces physical activity to nurture mental wellness.

Although he’s recently spoken of the likelihood of leaving Baxter and joining State 4 rival Rosebud both clubs may be disappointed should he decide to quit football after competing in an interval running competition in March.

Hampton Park United Sparrows also made a determined bid to sign Elliott last season.

The 26-year-old hails from Derby in England and when his family moved to Melbourne he joined Mornington juniors in 2013.

“I played in the juniors then the reserves but it wasn’t until joining Baxter for the 2022 season that I made my senior debut,” Elliott said.

“To be honest my first season wasn’t too flash – I was overweight and quite unfit – but I did a lot of fitness work the following pre-season.

“I took up boxing and did a lot of strength and conditioning work under Kosta Drak (747 Fitness) and the difference was pretty amazing.”

Elliott believes that he’s now the fittest he’s ever been and “a lot mentally stronger too” but we won’t know for some time yet whether this new version of Baxter’s top scorer will be back on the local football scene this year.

Last week Frankston Pines announced that registrations are open for the Pines Cup to be held on 12 and 13 April at Monterey Reserve.

The tournament covers the under-7 to under-11 age groups for both boys and girls and teams can register at https://pinescup.cups.nu.

Pines’ senior men’s program which faced a player exodus at the end of last season is being rebuilt under senior coach Alex Halikias.

“For me this is about putting Pines in a good light,” he said.

“I know that in the past promises were made to players and not always kept but I want to reassure everyone that that won’t happen on my watch an under our new committee.

“This club has a very rich history and it’s important to the sport that this rebuild works.

“We have outstanding facilities and I’m offering players the opportunity to play senior football at a very competitive and challenging level.”

Halikias can be contacted on 0439 850 840 and training is held at Monterey Reserve on Tuesday and Thursday from 7pm sharp.

Off the pitch Pines confirmed last week that

it had cleared its Football Victoria debt which is a remarkable effort and a positive sign of the financial management now in place.

In State 5 news Mount Martha has made three new signings.

Charlie Platt’s side has welcomed back Howie Anderson, Heath Salter and Daniel Bennett. Anderson, 23, was one of six senior squad players to leave Mount Martha and join Somerville Eagles last season.

Primarily a midfielder he can play in a variety of positions and was a member of Mount Martha’s first senior squad.

“Howie brings with him not only quality but now more experience to pass on to our younger players,” head coach Charlie Platt said.

Salter, 19, is a wide player and Bennett, 19, is a defensive midfielder.

Both are junior foundation members of the club and have played with Mornington reserves and Casey Comets.

“Heath and Daniel are very talented and exciting players,” Platt added.

“With the opening of our new clubrooms and a very talented squad forming both myself and Des (Derren Elliott) are very excited about the coming season.”

Last week’s local friendlies:

Peninsula Strikers 3 (Matt Harrington, Kyle Eichenberger, Campbell Steedman) Langwarrin U23s 1 (Jaylen Faithfull); Baxter 1 (Brody Taylor) Skye Utd 2 (Sean Murphy, Zameer Noor); Langwarrin 3 (own goal, Archie Macphee, Tom Youngs) North Geelong 3; Langwarrin U23s 1 (Cain Vickery) Casey Comets 2 (Kam Ismail, Theo Fry); Werribee City 2 Mornington 2 (own goal, Halil Reki); Peninsula Strikers 3 (Cooper

Chelsea 5 (James Stinson 3, Daniel Vella 2) Barton Utd 0.

This week’s VPL1 season opener: Saturday 8 February

Langwarrin v Caroline Springs George Cross, Lawton Park 7pm (U19s 2.15pm, U23s 4.30pm)

This week’s local friendlies (check social media to confirm kick-off times):

Friday 7 February

Heatherton Utd v Skye Utd, Bosnia and Herzegovina Centre, 6.30pm & 8.30pm Saturday 8 February

Peninsula Strikers v Old Scotch, Centenary Park, 1pm & 3pm

Chelsea v Monash Villareal, Edithvale Recreation Reserve, 1pm & 3pm Baxter v Craigieburn City, Baxter Park, 12 noon & 2pm Rosebud v Moonee Ponds Utd, Olympic Park, 4pm & 6pm

Aspendale v East Bentleigh, Monash University playing fields, 3pm

Seaford Utd v Ringwood City, North Seaford Reserve, 1pm & 3pm

Mount Martha v Somerville Eagles, Civic Reserve, 1pm & 3pm

Sudoku and crossword solutions

Andrews, Riley Anderton, Kyle Eichenberger) Williamstown 1; Baxter 0 Greater Dandenong 4; Somerville Eagles 2 (Max Watson, Devlin Lee) Monash Villareal 5; Rosebud 3 (Alfie Harris 2, Ethan Sanderson) Skye Utd 4 (Tapiwa Kufakurowa 2, Sean Murphy 2); Seaford Utd 3 (Keegan Bell, Jonas Harrasser, Zain Ahmad) Boronia 2;

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Frankston Times 4th February 2025

Filming in Frankston

Calls for family violence intervention

COMMUNITY EVENTS

CALENDAR

Sponsored by Frankston Arts Centre

FEBRUARY

Langwarrin Park principal charged

Olivers Hill landslips addressed Battery blaze extinguished

Second project for young filmmaker

NEW YEAR

Cash for Arts Centre forecourt

Council’s Kananook Creek call ‘concerning’

Advocacy for family violence prevention

Community grants open

Welcome TO THE WORLD

Mum warns of unsecured gazebos after being struck

Decision delayed on hand beach cleaning

Flying high with Australia Day honour

Robyn honoured for making a difference

Train line disruptions scheduled

End of the road for paid parking trial

The Guide

TOP PICKS OF THE WEEK

MONTY DON’S SPANISH GARDENS

Thursday, February 6

Friday, February 7

Monday, February 10

Tuesday, February 11

Wednesday, February 12

Landslide blame game

Time warp

Doco praise

Independent MPs

Australia Day?

Thanks for flags

Hands off

Clarity on gas

Rude language

445,600 immigrants?

Bank on it

Neighbourhood pride

Green sea

Beer garden?

Mental Health and Wellbeing Local extends hours

More Hours, More Support

IN THE specialists HANDS

Retirement living made simple

For all your footwear needs

Rosebud Memorial Hall 27th February 2025

Laying of Foundation Stone for Soliders’ Memorial Hall

GRIGORYAN BROTHERS BRING HISTORY TO LIFE WITH MUSIC

PUZZLE ZONE

THE MEANING OF EXISTENCE... AND OTHER SHORT STORIES

For Whom the Whistle Blows

Late fight saves Langy, Bulldogs win

PROVINCIAL

PENINSULA

DISTRICT

SUB DISTRICT

WOMENS DIV ONE

Bumper turnout for annual ocean swim

FRANKSTON TIMES scoreboard

Can Langy get off to a flyer?

SOCCER

CASH FOR UNWANTED GOLD & JEWELLERY!

HOW DO I DO THIS?

WHY SELL?