The Local Paper. Mitchell Shire Edition. Wed., Mar. 1, 2023

1000 Ha. DESTROYED

■ Mitchell Shire areas including Whiteheads Creek and Avenel were placed on high alert late last week from the Flowerdale-Yea fires that destroyed more than 1000 hectares of rural land. At one stage of the fires, residents of Flowerdale and Yea were warned to leave their properties, with Silver Creek Rd residents being told it was too late to leave.

A 71-year-old Flowerdale resident was arrested and questioned by Alexandra Police. Bill Sangster apologised to local residents and farmers, saying the fire was an accident.

Fire fighters - in vehicles and aircraft - worked hard for days to bring the blaze under control. The fire was declared as “contained” on Saturday (Feb. 25).

Are

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Local Briefs

Round Robin soon

■ Healesville Tennis Annual Ladies Round Robin will be held on Monday, March 27. There will be three sets of tennis, morning Tea, unch of hot chicken and cold bubbles, salads, desserts, trophies for highest scores (especially for over 70s).

Bookings essential. Contact Kathy Cameron , phone 5962 3639 or email: toolinga@bigpond.net.au

Green Wedge plan

■ Whittlesea Council last week (Tue., Feb. 21) adopted a new Green Wedge Management Plan 2023-2033.

The plan builds on the 84 actions of the previous 10-year Green Wedge Management Plan 2011-2021.

Whittlesea Council Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson said the new plan was shaped by extensive community feedback.

“From our community consultation last year, we know these spaces are not just environmentally significant but provide our community with opportunities to enjoy recreation and leisure time,” Ms Wilson said.

Road funds axed

■ More than 138km of road sealing projects across Yarra Ranges Shire have been abandoned, following the Federal Government’s decision to cut more than $100 million from the Roads for the Community Initiative.

In 2019, the previous Federal Government announced a nine year, $150m funding plan for Yarra Ranges, with the same amount pledged to Cardinia Council, to seal roads within the Dandenong Ranges and surrounding areas.

Following the 2022 Federal Election, the new Federal Government informed Yarra Ranges Council that only $47.7m of the original $150 will be honoured, leaving the project without two thirds of its projected funding.

As a result, more than 403 roads across the Yarra Ranges cannot proceed, impacting more than 5200 properties.

Yarra Ranges Mayor, Cr Jim Child, said that Council and the community were devastated by the funding cut.

Horses worskhop

■ The Healthy Land, Healthy Horses Workshop will be held on Saturday(Mar. 4) at the Greater Beveridge Community Centre.

Aim of the workshop is to assist horse owners to learn more about planning and changes for both management of their horse and the land.

Presenter is Stuart Meyers from Equiculture, who is highly regarded in the equine industry as an expert in teaching horse owners how to manage their land.

Pride Network move

■ Mansfield Council has joined other Local Governments and Non-Government organisations within the Ovens Murray Region to support the North East Pride Collective by endorsing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding .

Fire declared ‘contained’ last Saturday

■ The fierce grass fire that threatened Flowerdale, Yea, Homewood, Strath Creek and neighbouring areas was declared ‘contained’ on Saturday morning (Feb. 25).

The blaze covered more than 1000 hectares over three days of heat (Wednesday-Friday), with mopping up operations continuing into this week.

At its peak, alerts were issued for close-by areas including Kerrisdale, Whiteheads Creek and Avenel.

At its peak, Yea residents were told to leave. At Flowerdale, locals were advised it was too late to leave.

It was established that the fire started at Spring Valley Rd, Flowerdale, where 71-yearold resident Bill Sangster was working with an angle grinder, while doing fencing work.

He was arrested and questioned by Police.

Mr Sangster told Nine News: “I take full responsibility for what happened, it was a bloody accident … I felt really bad,” he said.

Sparks flew onto the ground before the fire rapidly started spreading.

“The waxy stuff on the tussocks exploded and spread, then the wind came up,” he said

“Then it just took off. I didn’t think it would go much further and then it jumped from there [a dam on his property], up to the house.”

Police Sergeant Michael Mannix assured a hastily arranged community meeting at the Yea Rec. Reserve that here was not an “arsonist at foot”.

“We’ve had a preliminary investigation done, and there’s still an ongoing assessment of that,” he said.

“I can tell you at this stage of the investigation, it’s accidental. I want to stress that point.

“Please be reassured, we haven’t got an arsonist running around.”

Bill Sangster, 71, of Flowerdale, apologised for the fires.

Photo: Nine News

The Local Paper

Vallence laments Hub axe

■ Evelyn MLA

Bridget Vallence has spoken in State Parliament about the closure of the Lilydale Youth Hub.

“ Sadly, our local youth mental health service, the Lilydale Youth Hub , which serviced right across the Yarra Ranges, was forced to close in December at the hands of the Labor Government ,” Ms Vallence told the Legislative Assembly.

“This vital early intervention youth mental health service closed because the new federal Albanese Labor Government stripped it of funding and the Andrews Labor Government refused to support it.

Yea Golf Club

■ Wednesday saw the Men play 18 holes (the Ladies 9) followed by a lovely meal for the Gender Lunch.

OUR TEAM

“The hub’s closure is devastating and poses a significant clinical risk to the clients, who will unfortunately lose those valuable connections.

“They will be discharged into the general mental health system, which is already at capacity.

“Over 100 young people in my community that were clients of this service are now in the mental health service and are not being all. They are devastated. Our community is devastated.

“I have listened to many local teenagers and young adults about how important and helpful this service was and how it saved lives.

“We rallied, we fought, we wrote to the Prime Minister , we wrote to the Premier and I raised it personally with our Minister for Mental Health in this place.

“It is an absolute shame. But I do thank those staff who are dedicated to our youth, the amazing

Long Shots

team at the hub for their dedication and their resilience and their commitment to Yarra Ranges youth, and those at Inspiro community health, Anchor, Cire Services, Oonah Health and Community Services Aboriginal Corporation, and the Eastern Community Legal Centre,” Ms Vallence said.

Kathage thanks

■ New Yan Yean MLA Lauren Kathage has expressed appreciation in State Parliament to her Labor colleagues.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank my caucus colleagues for so warmly welcoming me to this place, especially my neighbouring MPs: the member for Kalkallo Ros Spence, the member for Mill Park Lily D’Ambrosio , the member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny, the member for Bundoora Colin Brooks , the member for Eltham Vicki Ward and member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes

There was also plenty of action at the reserve where the fire helicopters were refuelling on the old cricket ground (practice fairway).

Winner of the Men’s Stableford was Neil Ross (36) with 38 points. Second was the consistent Phil Armstrong (20) with 36 from third Anthony Coleman (4) 35 and Graeme Bryant (27) fourth on 34. There was no NTP on the 18th and Norm McCallum won the Club Award.

★ Corporate Day

Friday saw the first Corporate Day for several years due to COVID and wet conditions.

With about 60 players a fine day was had by all with an excellent lunch and huge raffle for prizes conducted after the Ambrose Event.

Many thanks go to Gary Pollard, Vicki and Greg Clements and to the many club volunteers who either prepared the course or worked in the kitchen or the bar.

★

Saturday Stableford

Saturday saw 15 men and 6 ladies play seperate stableford competitions at Yea. It was a big week with the Gender Lunch Wednesday, Corporate Day Friday and finally a club comp on Saturday.

Jeff Aurisch (22) was the outstanding winner on Saturday with 44 points (84 off the stick – nett 62), his best score ever.

Second was Phil Armstrong(20) with 38 from third Mick Spagnolo (7) with 37. NTP on the 18th was Alan Pell and the lucky Club Award winner $10 was Brendan Chenhall.

In the Ladies Judy Newman (43) with 37 points won from Margie Wright (23) second with 31 points.

Sam Wright won Chooklotto $100.

- Alan Pell

Tennis Annual Day

with Ash Long, Editor

Celebrating 54 years in local media

Winner, Best Local Reporting Award Victoria-wide Westpac Award

Direct: 0450 399 932 E: editor@LocalPaper.com.au Web: www.LocalPaper.com.au

Personal: www.AshLong.com.au

“For the cause that lacks assistance, ‘Gainst the wrongs that need resistance For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do”

“The north is well served by hard-working MPs who know their communities inside out, who have become part of the fabric of their communities and who use each day to make life better for others, bringing fairness and opportunity to the communities they serve.

“I look forward to working with the member for Kalkallo on the priorities of our shared communities of Wallan and Beveridge and the shared needs and goals of those in Donnybrook and Kalkallo

■ Healesville Tennis Ladies Annual Ladies Round Robin Tennis Fun Day will be held on Monday March 27, commencing 9.30 am.

This event is suitable for all standards of lady players – trophies for highest scorer and another trophy for highest scorer aged 70 Plus.

Play is three sets of Ladies Doubles with a socially mixing format with Morning Tea taken on the run, lunch is served at the conclusion of play about 1 pm – chicken and salads, desserts. Raffle too.

Bookings essential Contact Kathy, phone 59623639 or email: toolinga@bigpond. net.au

- Kathy Cameron

Grey spot focus

■ Peri Urban Councils Victoria is calling on the Federal Government to include the region’s grey spots in the national audit of mobile coverage that is currently underway.

Features Editor: Peter Mac

Columnists: Len Baker, Matt Bissett-Johnson, Rob Foenander, Mike McColl Jones, Peter Kemp, Aaron Rourke, Jim Sherlock, Ted Ryan, Cheryl Threadgold, Julie Houghton, Kevin Trask, Gavin Wood, John O’Keefe

Honorary Reviewers: Juliet Charles, Sherryn Danaher, Mary Downie, Peter Green, Lyn Hurst, Kathryn Keeble, Beth Klein, Deborah Marinaro, David McLean, Graeme McCoubrie, Maggie Morrison, Jill Page, Elizabeth Semmel

Logistics: Graeme Hawke, Susan Karolyi, Gary McQuade

Credit Manager: Michael Conway OAM, Fast Action Debt Recovery, 0402 142 866

Chair of Peri Urban Councils Victoria, Cr Michael Leaney, said “People living in the fast-growing fringe region around Melbourne and Geelong are struggling with patchy mobile data coverage, because outdated telecommunications infrastructure has not kept pace with smartphone technology or population growth.”

Grey spots have been defined by the Peri Urban Councils as areas where mobile connectivity is poor or unavailable during peak periods or during certain weather conditions.

Goulburn Pk opens

■ The reopening of Seymour’s riverfront Goulburn Park occurred on Saturday (Feb. 25).

The park has been closed for several months to ensure the safety of the public and to allow for necessary repairs following the October 2022 flood.

“We're pleased we're in a position to open Goulburn Park at last.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience as we worked to clean-up the park over the last few months," said Mitchell Shire Mayor Cr Fiona Stevens. Some facilities within the park still remain off-limits.

Ford

touring cars outside Narbethong Hotel. c. 1920-30. Lindsay Cumming.

Photo Flashback

● ● Bridget Vallence, Evelyn MLA

Local Briefs

Residents will be able to register a pet, meet with Council’s planning team or find out more about local support for business.

Council Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson said residents in the northern part of the municipality would not have to drive from South Morang for much of their Council business.

“This hub will bring more of our services out to the farthest region of our municipality,” Ms Wilson said.

“We’re committed to making things easier for our residents to conduct business with us in-person as well as improving our digital offerings.”

The hub will house Council customer service staff who will be able to take cashless payments and conduct other services.

“We’re working through the detail of the range of services that we can offer from the centre and will update the community closer to the opening,” Ms Wilson said.

Daily Grind course

■ The Daily Grind, a hospitality course for young people aged 16-24, is on again in April.

Nillumbik Youth and Living & Learning Nillumbik are partnering to deliver the 10session program to help young people upskill and find employment in the hospitality industry.

Each participant will undertake a placement at a local cafe to give them valuable, real-life experience in a practical hospitality setting.

“Gaining hands-on training in a workplace is invaluable for younger people,” said Nillumbik Mayor Cr Ben Ramcharan.

“It’s a chance to build skills and learn from others. Participants will gain confidence in a workplace setting and most importantly, have fun!”

Classes start Friday, April 1`4, and will be held twice a week for five weeks at the Eltham Training site, 907 Main Rd, Eltham. Fully-funded places are available for eligible participants.

Business awards

■ Local business will be the focus of a new awards night being hosted by the City of Whittlesea.

The inaugural Business Network Awards will recognise businesses who have demonstrated core values of excellence, sustainability and responsibility.

City of Whittlesea Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson said the awards were an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of businesses large and small.

“Council is committed to supporting local economic development and to attracting new business to our growing economy,” Ms Wilson said.

The awards are open to members of the Business Network who can nominate their own achievements in any of the six categories.

“The awards are open to all key industry sectors and provides a unique opportunity for businesses of all types and sizes to be recognised for their efforts, commitment and successes,” Ms Wilson said.

The Business Network Awards ceremony and dinner is on May 18 at the Mantra Hotel in Epping.

Awards will be presented in categories: Start Up, Customer Service, Innovation and Enterprise, Sustainability and Environment , and Community Contribution, and Workplace Diversity. Nominations are now open and close on March 24. Finalists will be announced on April 5.

Kinglake’s first game

■ Kinglake will play at home against Reservoir in the first round of the Northern Football Netball League Division 3 to be held on Saturday, April 15.

Other Division 3 Seniors games are Old Eltham Collegians v Mernda, Laurimar v Kilmore, Fitzroy Stars v Lalor.

■ Nominations for the Murrindindi Shire Citizen of the Year Awards are open from now until Sunday, April 2.

Murrindindi Council encourages all Shire residents to think about an individual or community group that inspires and to consider nominating them for one of the four categories:

■ Murrindindi Shire Citizen of the Year

■ Murrindindi Shire Senior Citizen of the Year

■ Murrindindi Shire Young Citizen of the Year

■ Murrindindi Shire Community Group of the Year (seeks to recognise not-for-profit community groups and organisations who demonstrate outstanding achievements)

The Awards will acknowledge the outstanding contributions of residents and community groups who demonstrate exceptional community spirit and a willingness to help others.

Entries will be judged from April 11, with winners of the Awards announced and presented at Council-led events during National Volunteer Week (May 15-21).

Mayor Cr John Walsh said: “The Murrindindi Shire Citizen of the Year Awards provide us the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the people and groups in our communities who make our Shire such a great place in

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● ● Dr Helen Haines, Indi MHR

Mayor

■ The Federal Government must invest in roads, housing and community infrastructure across Indi in the next Budget, says Indi MHR Helen Haines.

Dr Haines has released the Indi Budget Submission ahead of the 2022-23 Budget, making the case for investment in the region to unlock economic opportunities.

Working with local councils to identify funding priorities, Dr Haines has ensured the needs of Indi are considered by the Government as it prepares the budget.

“In Murrindindi Shire, there is $21 million worth of road improvement needed, $10 million of which is to bring roads damaged by wet weather back up to standard.

“Councils across Indi are seeking funding assistance to ensure safety on our country roads,” Dr Haines said.

McLeish slams bank closures

■ Eildon MLA Cindy McLeish says it has It has been a disappointing blow to locals in the Murrindindi Shire with the closure of major bank branches, most recently NAB branch in Alexandra.

“It feels as modern banking starts to primarily operate online, those who do still visit their local bank branch in person have been tossed aside,” Ms McLeish said.

“Since the last Commonwealth Bank branch in the Shire closed in 2021, and now NAB shutting their doors, there are no major bank branches remaining in Alexandra.

“Whilst the Bendigo Bank has a strong presence in other areas in the Murrindindi Shire, the larger banks have all but deserted this area.

“It is not only the loyal customers who have been put out, but also the employees and small businesses that are feeling the loss of security.

“I encourage those affected by the closures to make a submission into the Senate committee’s inquiry, Bank closures in regional Australia, by March 31 closure date via the website Bank closures in regional Australia –Parliament of Australia (aph.gov.au). I also encourage the NAB to hold off on any decision making until after the inquiry has an outcome.”

Shoulder,

wrist

● ● Cindy McLeish, Eildon MLA

which to live, work and visit. National Volunteer Week is held every year in May. This is a time to recognise the vital support that the millions of volunteers across our nation provide to their communities and encourages people to consider volunteering,” Cr Walsh said.

https://americasvoice.news/trustless-trustee-weaponization-of-the-doj-by-the-chinese-communist-party/

Trustless Trustee: Weaponization of the DOJ by the Chinese Communist Party

The CCP’s unrestricted warfare infiltration hits home It’s no secret that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), currently led by General Secretary Xi Jinping, has engaged in unrestricted warfare against the United States for decades in a massive effort to become the world’s sole superpower. Yet little is known by U.S. lawmakers and the public of the CCP’s tactics and the scale of its influence inside its own government institutions.

That war of “malign influence,” infiltration, and lawfare has grown exponentially in scope and threat level—especially over the last few years—making the CCP threat, by many accounts, the biggest existential challenge to America’s national sover- eignty today.

In July of 2020, FBI Director Christopher Wray told Walter Russell Mead, Ravenel B. Curry III Distinguished Fellow in Strategy and Statesman- ship for the Hudson Institute, “We’ve now reached the point where the FBI is opening a new China- related counterintelligence case about every 10 hours,” and “Over the past decade, we’ve seen economic espionage cases with a link to China increase by approximately 1,300 percent.”1

The US House of Representatives Takes Action

The U.S. legislature must address this serious “lawfare” threat through investigations, legisla- tion and other means at its disposal, and it seems that the process has finally begun in earnest.

The U.S. House of Representatives showed their concerns in a rare bipartisan vote on January 10 to create a new Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the CCP . As reported by The Epoch Times, “A succes- sion of speakers from both parties extolled cre- ation of the new panel, with Rep. Andy Barr (R- Ky.) telling colleagues that ‘this select committee will examine the threats from the Chinese Communist Party with a fine-tooth comb and expose them for the American people and for the whole world to fully understand.’”5

No one understands the plans and no methods of the CCP better than prominent Chinese dissi- dent Mr. Miles Guo

He’s intimately familiar with the CCP because he’s been their primary target. According to The Wall Street Journal, “Some U.S. national security offi- cials view Mr. Guo, who claims to have potentially valuable information on top Chinese officials and business magnates and on North Korea, as a use- ful bargaining chip to use with Beijing.”2

As the highest-profile defector from Communist China, Guo is an invaluable asset of unparalleled strategic importance of U.S. national security. Guo has spent nearly three decades inside the small yet exclusive circle of both past and present deci- sion-makers of the CCP , accumulating personal knowledge of the CCP’s most hidden secrets that are indispensable to our understanding of America’s arch nemesis: the CCP

And the CCP has been abusing the American judi- cial system to silence Mr. Guo through infiltration, bribery and threats.

All Eyes on the Prey: Modern-Day Bounty Hunters

In 1992, the CCP officially changed its policy and began allowing foreign law firms to establish of- fices and practice law in China. However, unlike in the U.S., China’s communist regime requires that “laws should respect the CCP; the law should be interpreted according to the CCP’s orders, direc- tives, and interests, and the basic requirement for legal service personnel is to uphold the leadership of the party.”1 This would be like one of the U.S. political parties demanding that laws and legal decisions conform to the desires of that party (by some accounts, this is happening in the U.S. with increasing regularity). Furthermore, lawyers are not even allowed to cite their own constitution as a source of law.

Law firms doing business in and on behalf of China are subject directly to the malign influ- ence of the CCP

Law firms doing business in and on behalf of China are subject directly to the “malign influence” of the CCP in a shockingly direct and obvious con- flict against the interests and security of the United States, not to mention the “dissidents, political rivals, dissidents, and critics”1 who have trusted our government’s laws protecting those seeking asylum from hostile foreign governments. The CCP’s weaponization of U.S. legal justice sys- tem to extend its influence in the U.S.—including attempting to extradite Guo back to China using extrajudicial means—“flies in the face of signifi- cant corroborated information supporting [Guo’s] fears and will naturally lead to a lack of confidence in the [judicial] process as well as unwarranted stress to [Guo] and his family, several who have been jailed and tortured by China,” said Aaron Mitchell, an attorney representing Guo. Federal Title 8 U.S. Code § 1158 confers the protec- tion of asylum to “any person who is outside any country of such person’s nationality…who is un- able or unwilling to return to, and is unable or unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protec- tion of, that country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.” Once an appli- cation for asylum is filed, the U.S. Government is bound by law to protect the asylum seeker. It appears this legal protection for asylum seekers is being actively violated in Mr. Guo's current Chap- ter 11 Bankruptcy proceedings in the United States Bankruptcy Court in Connecticut (Case No. 22-50073 and 22-05032) by none other than a branch of the Department of Justice itself.

Inserting a Bounty Hunter in the Courthouse: Luc A. Despins

On June 15, 2022, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order directing the United States Trustee’s Office (UST)—a branch of the Department of Jus-

tice—to appoint a Chapter 11 trustee to oversee Mr. Guo’s assets during court proceedings. Attor- ney Joe D. Whitley was vetted and signed a sworn Declaration of Disinterestedness under penalty of perjury, after which UST nominated Mr. Whitley for appointment as Trustee on June 30, 2022.

Paul Hastings, LLC, is a firm with a significant presence in China, which has done significant business representing CCP-controlled state enti- ties

Five days later, in an unprecedented move, UST withdrew the nomination, and recommended Luc A. Despins, a Partner of Paul Hastings, LLC, a firm with a significant presence in China and Hong Kong, which has done significant business repre- senting CCP-controlled state entities.

According to a letter by Mitchell, The U.S. Trustee’s Unusual Action to Withdraw its Appoint- ment of Mr. Whitley was spurious: “On June 30, 2022, just before the 4th of July weekend, the UST in light of its excessive delays in appointing a trustee for this matter, filed a motion for an expe- dited hearing for the Court to approve Mr. Whitley as the trustee. This motion was granted on the same day it was filed with an expedited hearing scheduled on July 5, 2022. Just hours before the expedited hearing was to begin and with no ad- vance notice to the Debtor (and possibly all par- ties), the UST took the unusual action of unilater- ally withdrawing its Notice of Appointment of a trustee and its request for Court approval of the proposed appointment.”

Asked to explain their rationale, the UST re- fused to answer, citing “government privilege.” Mitchell asked for an explanation of “how the U.S. Trustee, in light of the information previously pre- sented by the debtor as well as information avail- able to the U.S. Department of Justice demon- strating that the Debtor is a high-level political target of the authoritarian ruling Chinese Commu- nist Party, believes that the trustee of a firm [Paul Hastings, LLC] with a significant presence in China and Hong Kong and which has done signifi- cant business representing Chinese-controlled state entities, can remain a neutral and disinter- ested party with the ability to avoid undue influ- ence and interference from the Government of China.”

The conflicts of interest in having Luc A. Despins, a partner of Paul Hastings, LLC as trustee are many. Despins has developed business relations with PAG in a $671M bid for Spring REIT. According to sources, entities represented by Paul Hastings include HNA Group, BioNTech SE, Evergrande, Binance and many other companies tied with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Not only is the Chinese Communist Party a client of Paul Hastings, they also control the licenses to keep their law offices open in both China and Hong Kong. Effectively, the CCP controls the purse strings to hundreds of millions of dollars for Paul Hastings and Mr. Despins as a partner in Paul Hastings. This allows the CCP to exert tremen- dous influence and pressure on law firms like this to achieve their objectives—as indeed they already have.

The UST has shown that it is incapable of iden- tifying and appointing a disinterested trustee in this case.

The UST, as part of the DOJ, is aware that the DOJ is currently suing casino tycoon Steve Wynn for acting as an unregistered foreign agent of China due to his attempt to have Mr. Guo extradited un- der threat of losing his gambling licenses in Macao.2 At best, assuming it was incompetence rather than malice, the UST has shown that it is incapable of identifying and appointing a disinterested trustee in this case.

The appointment of Despins has obvious conflicts of interest and also reflects the infiltration of the U.S. judiciary system by the CCP using unrestricted warfare tactics.

The letter continues, “At the hearing, the Bank- ruptcy Judge pointed out the unusual nature of this action by the UST and questioned the UST legal authority to do so. The UST did not provide a detailed explanation for this rash action at the hearing nor was Mr. Whitley called to explain the conflict to all parties and the Court. The UST sim- ply swept Mr. Whitley away from the Debtor, the parties, and the public.”

Asked to explain their rationale, the UST refused to answer, citing “government privilege.” In the present political climate, and in light of revela- tions such as those brought to light from Elon Musk’s Twitter drops, the American people may not accept such a lack of transparency.

The FBI and the DOJ especially have lost the benefit of the doubt

In August, The Federalist senior editor Chris Bedford explained to Fox News why Americans should be holding the Justice Department and FBI accountable:7 “Right now the plurality of Inde- pendents, according to polling, and the majority of Republicans are saying, ‘Hold on, FBI. The ball's in your court. You show us what you have because right now, we don’t trust you.’"

Former Trump White House acting chief of staff

Mick Mulvaney said on CNN that the FBI and the DOJ have "lost the benefit of the doubt" with Republicans in the U.S. “I think if you’re a conserva- tive Republican who follows politics, the FBI and the DOJ especially have lost the benefit of the doubt. Because of the way they have behaved in the past, the burden is on them to actually show information”8 justifying their actions. According to a 2022 Convention of States-Trafalgar poll,9 when asked for their opinion on the Depart- ment of Justice and the FBI, 46.2% of respondents said they are "too political, corrupt, and not to be trusted." The poll had 68.3% of Republicans and almost half of people reporting no party affiliation saying the DOJ and FBI are "too political, corrupt, and not to be trusted."

The Biggest Kleptocracy Case In DOJ History: CCP Infiltration

Because Guo has worked tirelessly to expose the CCP’s “hunting dogs,” including their “legal beagle” lapdogs, it has become increasingly diffi- cult for these criminals to hide their conflicts of interest and payoffs. This is why Xi’s CCP has engaged middlemen within the U.S. legal system— government officials, law firms, lawyers, journal- ists, lobbyists, and more—who are attempting to extradite Guo back to China; this is also why fam- ily and associates of Guo still in China have been brutally persecuted, arrested and imprisoned. Guo has worked ceaselessly for years to alert the U.S. and the world about CCP's long-planned scheme to undermine the U.S. Guo has worked ceaselessly for years to alert the U.S. and the world about CCP's long-planned scheme to undermine the U.S. as the world's superpower and replace it with CCP's authoritarian regime. As a whistleblower, Guo has perhaps re- ceived more attention from the CCP than from the U.S. government. Court documents reveal that as early as May 2017, high-ranking CCP officials worked constantly with its unregistered agents in an effort to deport Miles out of the U.S. back to China.

In 2017, Guo brought to light the secret plans of the CCP as detailed in two programs: BGY (an acronym for Blue, Gold, and Yellow) and 3F (Fo- ment weakness, Foment chaos and Foment the destruction of America).

Blue represents an array of technology-related tac- tics including hacking, malign social media influ- ence campaigns, media control, spying and sur- veillance. The CCP hackers are sophisticated enough to breach even the highest security data- bases, including those that control U.S. power and other critical infrastructure. These hackers have nearly unlimited black budgets and the organiza- tional flexibility afforded by the CCP’s other opera- tions. They can also access your detailed financial records, personal health data, your daily activity, and location, as well as the potential to develop AI- determined estimates on the individuals’ vulnerabilities to blackmail, corruption, or even simple spearphishing.

The CCP has been harvesting the data of millions of unsuspecting individuals in innocuous-looking mobile apps like TikTok and WeChat and by sell- ing its Trojan-horse-like surveillance camera sys- tems to the world.10 Gold represents money and bribery using direct or indirect financial benefits to influence and control individuals, institutions, and businesses. Sometimes that influence is indirect, as may be the case with the recent revelation that the University of Pennsylvania received a total of $54.6 million from 2014 through June 2019 in donations from China, including $23.1 million in anonymous gifts starting in 2016. “Most of the anonymous do- nations came after the university announced in February 2017 that it would create the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement” according to the New York Post. “Joe Biden, whose term as vice president had just ended, was to lead the center and was also named a professor at the university.”3 Multiple former intelligence officials surmise that such schemes carried out by Chinese spies have long played out on U.S. soil and remain ongoing Yellow representstheuseof“honeytraps”tocom-

promise espionage targets. One well-known ex- ample is that of Representative Eric Swalwell, D- Calif., who had a relationship with a woman sus- pected of being a Chinese espionage operative. After federal investigators met with Swalwell in 2015 and gave him a “defense briefing,” he broke off ties with the suspected “honey trap” spy.

“However,” as the New York Post reported, “Swalwell wouldn’t be the first or last political figure to be “honey-trapped”—with multiple former intelligence officials surmising that such schemes carried out by Chinese spies have long played out on U.S. soil, and remain ongoing.”

“I can say with a high level of confidence that there are many more of these women out there,” Daniel Hoffman, a retired CIA Senior Clandestine Ser- vices Officer, told Fox News. “China’s MO is to flood the zone.”4

China’s BGY Program is a direct violation of our nation’s sovereign interests and a threat to our national security. Its presence in the American justice system is a stain on the good will America needs to maintain in its relationships within the international community. However, prosecution of those violators caught in the act treats the symp- toms without addressing the cause, ostensibly costing American taxpayers millions of dollars and tying up DOJ agents that could be addressing other threats. Enforcement, as opposed to preven- tion, also does not protect the victims of these crimes.

Addressing the Threat

One of the stipulations negotiated by the U.S. House Freedom Caucus before Kevin McCarthy could be voted in as Speaker of the House was “to look into the weaponization of the FBI and other government organizations.” It is incumbent, then, that our legislators enact sanctions and/or other responses to confront the weaponization of the U.S. legal system and prevent the CCP from hunting and persecuting dissidents like Guo who have come to the U.S. for sanctuary.

As Founder of the New Federal State of China (NFSC), Guo has been providing the U.S. with crucial assistance in its battle against the CCP NFSC’s mission is simple: Taking down the Chi- nese Communist party. As a significant number of NFSC members are American citizens or residents, NFSC is concerned with preventing what they or their families have experienced in China from tak- ing place in the United States. The organization is funded by two foundations: the Rule of Law Foun- dation, a 501(c)(3), and The Rule of Law Society, a 501(c)(4). Each of the foundations has its own inde- pendent board of directors and mission statement. Miles Guo issued this call to action on GETTR: “If the newly elected Speaker of the House is serious about taking on the CCP with substantive actions, he must seize all CCP’s overseas assets, stop the U.S. media, technology companies, Wall Street, law firms, etc. from continuing their collusion with the CCP , and have the Congress thoroughly inves- tigate the CCP enablers lurking inside American government agencies especially in judiciary sec- tor.”

Speaker McCarthy, make it so.

Op-ed by Kelly John Walker

#####

Postscript

Evaluating the specific case of the CCP’s persecu- tion of a Chinese resident who has been providing valuable whistle-blowing intel is in the best inter- ests of United State national security. FreedomTalk is taking a deep dive into the case and will be unpacking the details of this attempt by the CCP to extradite a protected dissident back to China by lawfare and force.

1. Hudson Institute: China’s Attempt to Influence U.S. Institutions: A Conversation with FBI Director Christopher Wray. July 7, 2020

2. The Wall Street Journal: China’s Pursuit of Fugitive Businessman Guo Wengui Kicks Off Man- hattan Caper Worthy of Spy Thriller. October 22, 2017 • New York Post: $54M in Chinese gifts donated to UPenn, home of Biden Center: April 9, 2022

1. New York Post: China ‘honey trap’ plot could span thousands of operatives: December 11, 2020

2. The Epoch Times. New Select China Committee Approved by House on Bipartisan Vote: January 10, 2023.

3. www.NSFCofficial.com

4. https://www.foxnews.com/media/chris-bedforddoj-lost-american-peoples-trust August 31, 2022

5. https://www.foxnews.com/media/trump-raidmick-mulvaney-tells-cnn-fbi-doj-have-lost-benefitdoubt-with-republicans August 11, 2022

6. https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/poll-fbidoj/2022/08/25/id/1084605/ August 25, 2022

7. https://gnews.org/articles/198009

About Kelly Walker Kelly John Walker is an American statesman, ac- complished writer, branding professional, and en- trepreneur. He is Founder of FreedomTalk, Host of FreedomTalkTV, and a senior writer for The Epoch Times. Kelly holds a BA in English & Theology, and a Master of Science degree on a graduate fel- lowship with the US Department of Defense. He had a distinguished career as a conservation pro- fessional before founding two award-winning ad- vertising agencies.

About NFSC

The New Federal State of China (NFSC) is a group of freedom-loving individuals united by the com- mon goal of taking down the Chinese Communist Party. Many of its members have experienced or witnessed firsthand the atrocities committed by the Chinese Communist Party. NFCS opposes the Chinese Communist Party on every front—orga- nizing protests, assisting CCP dissidents, and sharing their knowledge of the CCP with the rest of the world. As a staunch adversary of the Chinese Communist Party, supported by The Rule of Law Foundation, NFSC seeks to prevent the destruc- tion of America by communist infiltration and cor- ruption.

Authorised by Melbourne ROLF Inc.

The Third Warfare

In its relentless quest for global hegemony, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) knows no bounds. Arguably the world’s most oppressive regime, the CCP has one overarching goal: to promote the interests of the Party, spreading its ideology and control to every corner of the globe. That said, the United States and its western allies stand firmly in their way.

The CCP is keenly aware that it is not yet able to destroy the West at a kinetic level of warfare. In a head-to-head confrontation with the U.S. and its allies, China would be outmatched — literally outgunned, militarily. However, there are devastating ways to wage asymmetrical warfare to undermine and weaken the U.S. while simultaneously bolstering the CCP’s military objectives and capacity to wage war in multiple theaters.

The Three Warfares

The CCP works from a premise of “three warfares” (san zhan): public opinion warfare, psychological warfare, and legal warfare. These three interrelated and mutually reinforcing systems can hamstring the strategic and tactical capacities of the U.S. and its allies — even including their military capabilities.

The CCP has learned to use the robust U.S. legal system to weaken America’s standing as the world’s leading superpower. Tactics collectively known as “lawfare” exploit both the strengths and weaknesses of American law and litigation to tie up, obstruct, undermine, and divide the U.S. internally and on the global stage.

Lawfare is a major component of fifthgeneration warfare, which uses information and data to exploit and redefine cognitive biases, manipulate worldviews, and destroy opponents from within.

“The CCP understood they needed the West to advance, and they are still taking advantage of that,” according to retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Robert Spalding. “Thus, the only option is for us to completely decouple and prevent our citizens from engaging with China.”

It is critical that U.S. lawmakers, policymakers, and military leadership understand China’s three warfares strategy and meet their threat headon. A merely defensive posture plays into the CCP’s intent to immobilize U.S. companies, governmental agencies, and military powers through endless litigation and the manipulation of public opinion.

Ultimately, lawfare is a means of achieving military objectives — while constraining the West’s ability to employ its martial advantages — making it a serious threat to U.S. national security. The first step in defeating these tactics is to, as Sun Tzu wrote, understand the enemy. The second is to use that understanding to formulate offensive and preemptive strategies to beat the CCP at its own game.

Unrestricted Lawfare

It is important to understand that the CCP will hold its opponents to

legal and ethical standards that it has no intention of following itself. Lawfare, wrote Dean Cheng, a former senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation’s Asian Studies Center, “involves ‘arguing that one’s own side is obeying the law, criticizing the other side for violating the law, and making arguments for one’s own side in cases where there are also violations of the law.’”

“Like the Soviets, the CCP’s dictators are never shy of saying that law is the party’s instrument to destroy enemies,” wrote Bradley A. Thayer and Lianchao Han, and “the Communist Party always remains above the law.”

The ends sought by the CCP justify the means, even if the means include deceit, racism, and human rights abuses. As Cheng wrote, “current PRC behavior suggests that one should not necessarily expect the Chinese to refrain from engaging in activities they condemn in others.”

This approach is essentially “unrestricted lawfare,” the use and abuse of the U.S. legal system by the CCP to weaken America, break the will of the people, and exert its political influence beyond its own borders, weaponizing the American judicial system to persecute Chinese dissidents on American soil and punish whistleblowers.

The CCP has demonstrated before the watching world a willingness to use mass murder to further its agenda, so it comes as no surprise that antisemitism is not off-limits.

Antisemitism as a Weapon: A Current Case Study

Witness the legal persecution of highprofile Chinese dissident, Ho Wan Kwok (“Miles Guo”). This ongoing battle is a cautionary tale in real-time that needs to spark a conversation about whether U.S. law firms should represent the interests of the CCP , knowingly or by default.

In early December 2022, Elliot Dordick — a Jewish-American lawyer — filed an ethics complaint with the attorney grievance committee of New York’s First Judicial Department against Paul Hastings LLP and four of its attorneys,

including two partners. The complaint stems from filings by those Paul Hastings LLP attorneys in an ongoing bankruptcy proceeding (case number 22-50073) in Connecticut involving Miles Guo.

Dordick posted the entirety of his complaint to Twitter, asking, “Why would these Paul Hastings LLP attorneys repeatedly cite a notoriously antisemitic, racist, anti-immigrant website in federal court to attack a Chinese dissident seeking asylum in the U.S. without telling the court of the nature of their source?”

The source in question is The Unz Review, a website founded by Ron Unz, who the ADL said “has denied the Holocaust, endorsed the claim that Jews consume the blood of non-Jews, and has claimed that Jews control the media, hate non-Jews, and worship Satan.”

According to Dordick’s complaint, Chapter 11 Trustee Luc Despins and other Paul Hastings attorneys substantively cited The Unz Review at least five times over several pages to justify their beliefs about Guo’s alleged actions. The Unz Review article cited by Despins and the other Paul Hastings LLP attorneys was written by Pepe Escobar, who the U.S. State Department said is involved in disinformation campaigns by foreign, authoritarian states.

Dordick pointed out that while Despins and the other Paul Hastings LLP attorneys made sure to remind the bankruptcy court of its obligation to view the Department of Justice-appointed bankruptcy trustee’s evidence with deference, they “conveniently” failed to mention noteworthy aspects of the evidence’s source.

On Twitter, Dordick continued, “I’m stunned to see this coming from such a prestigious firm. I took it upon myself to file the ethics complaint attached to these posts immediately upon discovering their actions. This legitimization of such an outrageous source has no place in our courtrooms.”

Infiltrating the DOJ

Guo has said in several videos posted to GETTR that Despins has a close connection to and partnership with the Pacific Alliance Group (PAG) in communist China.

“The appointment,” according to an Aussie Brief News story, “has an obvious conflict of interest and also reflects the infiltration of the U.S. judiciary system using unrestricted warfare tactics. Luc A. Despins is a partner of the law firm Paul Hastings LLP , which has developed business relations with PAG in a $671M bid for Spring REIT … and many other companies tied with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).”

Guo has also “questioned the appointment of Luc A. Despins,” according to the Aussie Brief News, “asking why such appointment will be allowed by the U.S. Department of Justice. He said the appointment is unbelievable and that the CCP can heavily influence the U.S. Department of Justice.”

“The infiltration of the U.S. judiciary system accumulated over the years,” according to the report, “as the CCP’s judicial unrestricted warfare plan intended.”

Dordick requested that the attorney grievance committee office to which he submitted his complaint investigate Paul Hastings LLP , Despins, and other Paul Hastings LLP attorneys for potential ethics violations of rules related to dishonesty, deceit, and misrepresentation, conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, conduct that adversely reflects on a lawyer’s fitness as a lawyer, and the failure to adequately supervise lawyers at the firm.

“How could Paul Hastings LLP possibly claim it properly oversees its attorneys if they lend credibility to sources of hatred in federal court?” Dordick wrote in a post on GETTR.

Supporters of the New Federal State of China (NFSC), a movement seeking to take down the CCP and liberate the Chinese people, flooded the comments sections of Dordick’s social media posts with messages of support and solidarity with the Jewish community. Comments on his posts indicate NFSC supporters’ strong opposition to any promotion of antisemitic outlets in federal court by anyone, let alone attorneys at influential or respected law firms.

Additionally, several noteworthy figures in the Jewish community, including but not limited to, former U.S. Deputy Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism Ellie Cohanim, Newsweek Opinion Editor Josh Hammer, and former New York State Representative Dov Hikind shared Dordick’s social media posts.

The struggle between Guo and Paul Hastings LLP is just one battle amid a war for hearts, minds, and, ultimately, global hegemony. The U.S. government would do well to commit significant re sources and scrutiny to ensure this is a war it does not lose.

Townhall Editor’s Note: Communist China is America’s biggest threat. Help us to continue to expose the evil. Join Townhall VIP to support our conservative journalism and use the promo code CHICOM to get 25% off VIP membership.

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AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File

BEST OF NANCY WILSON

Rebecca Mendoza is one of the finest jazz singers in Australia. Nancy Wilson was a major influence on Rebecca from an early age.

Rebecca started on the jazz scene at an early age singing the swingin’ and sultry songs Cole Porter, Gershwin and Van Heusen to name a few.

Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Nancy Wilson were some of the greats that Rebecca grew up listening to, hence forming her style and technique.

From singing in intimate jazz clubs to large musical theatres all over the world and even the silver screen Rebecca’s voice always shines

Rebecca has developed into a world-class performer with a innate ability to tell a story through song.

Rebecca will be joined by the Joe Ruberto Quartet.

Time: Doors Open 7.45pm, Showtime 8.30pm-10.30pm (with intermission). Tickets: Reserved Seating $45 www.ellasmusicclub.com Venue: Royal Brighton Yacht Club, 253 Esplenade Brighton

CRIMINALS FEEL STING

■ Organised crime figures, including Outlaw Motorcycle Gang members, were among those targeted in a Police operation focused on preventing the transportation of weapons and drugs on key Melbourne roads.

Operation Hornets involved police swarming major arterials and main roads across Broadmeadows, Craigieburn, Campbellfield, Fawkner and Tullamarine.

As part of the operation, police scanned over 18,850 vehicles using Automatic Numberplate Recognition Technology, disrupting and intercepting those with known links to organised crime, subject to Firearm Prohibition Orders, or with a history of dangerous driving.

During the course of the operation:

■ 23 people were arrested

■ 18,854 vehicles scanned through ANPR, with a total of 78 vehicles subsequently identified by police.

■ 15 people affiliated with organised crime were checked by police, providing police with greater intelligence holdings

■ Seven Firearm Prohibition Order searches were conducted

■ Four cars were impounded Detectives from the North West Metro Regional Crime Squad were supported by the VIPER Taskforce, Achilles Taskforce, Air Wing and the Dog Squad as part of the operation.

REVLON GIRL SPARKLES

Written by British playwright Neil Anthony Docking and directed by Natasha Boyd, this emotion-evoking, uplifting show is playing until March 4 at Brighton Theatre.

Based on a true story, the play is set in June, 1967, eight months after the Aberfan Disaster in Wales, where 144 people were killed, including 116 children.

A small group of mothers, each courageously dealing with losing a child, meet regularly in the village pub.

A sparky, glamorous, well-meaning Revlon representative invited to visit the village, aims to help raise the women's spirits with 'life-changing make-up'.

As the women gradually share their stories. Docking's clever script entwines historical details with personal recollections of the tragic event.

The shared emotions, reflections and laughter become powerfully transformative for the five women, and the audience.

Congratulations to actors Kaila Michael (Marilyn), Tanya Wade (Rona) and Casey Bohan (Jean), whose terrific naturalistic performances immerse the audience in their stories.

Expressive Jessica Symonds is outstanding as the Revlon representative, listening intently to the women's reflections, often reacting silently, and stoically upbeat until revealing her own fragility.

■ Brighton Theatre Company opens their 2023 season with a beautifully staged 95-minute production of The Revlon Girl.

● ● From left: Casey Bohan as Jean, Jen Bush as Sian, Tanya Wade as Rona, Kaila Michael as Marilyn, Natasha Boyd Director and Jessica Symonds as Revlon.

■ Ella’s Music Club presents Rebecca Mendoza singing 'The Best of Nancy Wilson' at 8.30pm this Saturday (Mar. 4) at the Royal Brighton Yacht Club

Rebecca Mendoza

Local Theatre

Shows

■ The 1812 Theatre: Confusions (by Alan Ayckbourn) (a series of five one-act plays, featuring the same cast) Until March 4 in The Lowe Auditorium, The 1812 Theatre, Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Chris Procter and five other directors. Bookings: https://www.1812theatre.com.au/.../2023-season/confusions/

■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: The Ladykillers (by Graham Linehan) Until March 4 at Heidelberg Theatre, 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna. Director: Chris McLean. Bookings: 9457 4117 or emailboxoffice@ htc.org.au.

■ Brighton Theatre Company: The Revlon Girl (by Neil Anthony Docking) Until March 4 at the Brighton Cultural Centre, Carpenter St., Brighton. Director: Natasha Boyd. Bookings: www.brightontheatre.com.au

■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: The Effect (by Lucy Prebble) Until March 4 at the Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd., Parkdale. Director: Claire Abagia. Bookings: 9587 5141 or www.mordialloctheatre.com

■ CPAC Musical Theatre: Jersey Boys Musical Until March 11 at the Cardinia Cultural Centre, Pakenham. Director: Lee Geraghty; Choreographers: Ashlee Holdsworth; Nicole Everitt; Musical Director: Kent Ross. Bookings: cpacmusicaltheatre.com

■ Malvern Theatre Company: Ladies’ Day (by Amanda Whittington) Until March 4 at 29 Burke Rd., Malvern. Director: Pip Le Blond. Bookings: www.malverntheatre.com.au

■ The Basin Theatre Group: Two and Two Together (by Derek Benfield) Until March 5 at The Basin Theatre, Doongalla Rd., The Basin. Director: Bob Bramble. Bookings: www.thebasintheatre.org.au

■ Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group (STAG): Fortune’s Fools (by Fredrick Stroppel) Until March 4 at Strathmore Community Theatre, Loeman St., Strathmore. Director: Audrey Farthing. www.stagtheatre.org

■ The Mount Players: The 39 Steps (by John Buchan) (adapted by Patrick Barlow, Nobbie Dimon and Simon Corble) A play for radio adapted and directed by John Rowland. Until March 12 at The Mountview Theatre, 56 Smith St., Macedon. Director: John Rowland. Bookings: www.themountplayers. com

■ Wonthaggi Theatrical Group : School of Rock the Musical, March 3 – 18 at 7.30pm at the Wonthaggi Union Community Arts Centre, 96 Graham St., Wonthaggi. Bookings: wtg.org.au

■ Gemco Players (A Gemco in the Park Production): Much Ado About Nothing (by William Shakespeare) March 3 at 6.30pm; March 19 at 6.30pm at the Gus Ryberg Amphitheatre, Emerald Lake Park, Emerald Lake Rd., Emerald. Director: Sharon Maine. If weather is unsuitable for outdoor performance, the show will be presented at The Gem, 19 Kilvington Drive, Emerald. Bookings: www.gemcoplayers.org

■ Williamstown Musical Theatre Company: Encore (showcase concert), March 4 at 7.30pm at the Williamstown Town Hall, 104 Ferguson St., Williamstown. Seating at tables. All tickets $40. www.wmtc.org.au

■ Theatrical.: Green Day’s American Idiot, March 9 – 26 at Chapel off Chapel, Prahran. www.theatrical.com.au

■ Eltham Little Theatre: Theatre Trivia, March 10 at the Eltham Performing Arts Centre, 1603 Main Rd., Eltham. Director: James Chappel. Bookings: www.elthamlittle theatre.org.au

■ Beaumaris Theatre: Puffs (Two Act edition by Matt Cox) March 10 – 25 at Beaumaris Theatre, 82 Wells Rd., Beaumaris. Directors: Dan Bellis and Kristina Doucouliagos. Bookings: www.beaumaristheatre.com.au

■ Off the Leash Theatre: The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later March 16 – 18 at the West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul. www.offtheleashtheatre.com.au

■ SLAMS Musical Theatre Company: A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. March 17 – 25 at Knox Community Arts Centre, Cnr Mountain Hway and Scoresby Rd., Bayswater. Director: Justin Cleaver; Vocal Director: Julia Roper; Band Director: Glen Barnett; Choreographer/Ass’t. Director: Natasha Harvey. Bookings: www.slams.org.au or 0412 605 182.

Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

SHIMMERY BURLESQUE

Local Theatre

Shows

■ Encore Theatre: Spring at Marino (by Constance Cox) March 18 – 18 at the Clayton Community Theatrette, Cooke St. Clayton. Director Richard Burman. Bookings: encoretheatre.com.au

■ The 1812 Theatre: The Shoe-Horn Sonata (by John Mistro) March 23 – April 22 at The 1812 Theatre, Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Directed by Andrew Ferguson. Bookings: www.1812theatre.com.au

■ Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Victoria: My Fair Lady March 30, 31 and April 1, 2 Matinee at 2pm at The Alexander Theatre, Clayton. Director/Choreographer: Robert Ray; Musical Director: Timothy Wilson. Bookings: gsov.org.au

- Cheryl Threadgold

Auditions

■ Avid Theatre and Ardour Productions: The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark (by William Shakespeare) March 14, 7pm –10pm; March 18, 2pm – 5pm at Malvern Community Church Hall, 29 Burke Rd., Malvern East. Director: Nicholas Opolski. Audition enquiries: nopolski@hotmail.com or 0400 507 788.

● ● Evana and Sarsha prepare for Shimmery Burlesque at Gasworks, Albert Park. to leave her impoverished family to live with her cousins, the wealthy Bertram family.

■ The burlesque show, Shimmery Burlesque, is returning to Melbourne for a four-day season at the Gasworks Theatre, 21 Graham St, Albert Park, from April 13-16.

Thousands of rhinestones, over one hundred costumes, twenty exclusive burlesque routines and fifteen performers, will all contribute to the glamour of the performance.

The story begins in Lady Shimmery's workroom, inspired by the romance of old-fashioned dressing rooms. The stage is adorned with sewing machines, dressing tables and mirrors ... the costumes glistening with rhinestones, feathers and tassels.

The second half of the show takes place in a vintage French garden with parasols, park benches, fountains and painters.

The show is set in the city of Paris, a main influence in Lady Shimmery's life and art and where she first fell in love with the art of burlesque.

Performance Details: Thursday April 13Sunday April 16. VIP Cabaret Packages available.

Venue: Gasworks Theatre, 21 Graham St, Albert Park

Bookings: www.shimmeryburlesque.com

- Cheryl Threadgold

Morning Melodies

■ The next Morning Melodies program presented by Arts Centre Melbourne will be The Dancin' Man on Monday, March 6 at 11 am and 1.30pm.

Luke Alleva will celebrate the song and dance men who graced the stages and screens of years gone by through singing, dancing and sharing stories about Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Donald O'Connor, The Nicholas Brothers and Sammy Davis Jr.

Accompanied by a three-piece band, songs will include Make Em Laugh, Mr Bojangles, It Don't Mean A Thing and Singin' In The Rain, among many others.

Performance Details: Monday, March 6, 11am and 1.30pm

Bookings: www.artscentremelbourne. com.au One hour sessions.

- Cheryl Threadgold

Lovers’ Vows at Mansfield Park

■ Abbotsford Convent’s Bishop’s Parlour is a perfect space for a play based on Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park.

Not only its architecture and interiors but also its dark history lends a gothic element to its setting.

Lover’s Vows at Mansfield Park tells the story of Fanny Price (Kali Shanthi), compelled

As with all Austen, comic misunderstandings, unrequited love and marriage proposals follow.

As the catty Bertram sisters, Brenna Cockrem and Sarah Falzon make excellent contrasts to the kind, intelligent Fanny as they bicker over the caddish Henry Crawford (Ali Samaei) and the bumbling Mr Rushworth (Darren Thao)

In her novel, Austen hinted at Sir Thomas Bertram's wealth generated by the slave trade and his plantation in Antigua.

Lover’s Vows makes this veiled connection explicit and integral to the play.

Aunt Norris, played by Joanna Costa , is overtly prejudiced in her actions, shockingly so.

While Austen’s Fanny can come across as strait-laced and po-faced, writer-director Sharmini Kumar’s version makes Fanny’s position fathomable for a modern audience.

Kali Shanthi radiates a quiet dignity as Fanny.

Not only are we acutely aware of her humble rank, but her mixed-race status as a critical element in the plot lifts the performance from a narrative of nineteenth-century manners to something much more satisfying.

In addition, a rewriting of Mary Crawford, played by D.L. Turnbull, attracted to and yearning for a romantic relationship with Fanny, only to be rebuffed, brings much-needed pathos to the story.

Presented by 24 Carrot Productions.

- Review by Kathryn Keeble

Shane Todd

■ TEG Dainty announces that Irish stand-up comedian Shane Todd will debut in Australia in Melbourne's Trades Hall on April 20, 21, 22, 23 as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Shane has performed regularly throughout the UK and Ireland and toured the US with solo shows, has just launched a new podcast series and is hosting the BBC New Comedy Awards in Belfast.

Performance Details: April 20 - 23

Venue: Melbourne Trades Hall, Carlton Bookings: www.tegdainty.com

■ Beaumaris Theatre: The Three Musketeers (a comedy adventure) (By John Nicholson and Le Navet Bete) March 18 at 2pm; March 20 at 7.30pm at 82 Wells Rd., Beaumaris. Director: Richard Keown. The director is looking for four actors to play over thirty roles. Enquiries: Via form on website. www.beaumaristheatre.com.au

■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: Summer of the Seventh Doll (by Ray Lawler) March 19 from 2pm and March 21 from 7.30pm at Factory 8/417-419 Warrigal Rd., Cheltenham. Director: Martin Gibbs. Audition enquiries: mandcgibbs@tpg.com.au or call 0411 645 003.

- Cheryl Threadgold

What’s On At Warrawee Park

■ A free live music event is being held on Saturday, March 18 from 3pm to 9pm at Warrawee Park, Oakleigh.

Live at Warrawee will showcase live music by the Pierce Brothers, Thndo, D'Arcy Spiller, Pirritu, Women of Soul and Busted Chops.

Nestled within the grounds at Warrawee Park , music lovers can gather on the grass under the shady grove of trees to appreciate the melodic tunes, DJ and roving entertainers. As the sun sets over the park, attendees can also delight in a range of food trucks, a pop-up bar and local cuisine within the Oakleigh Village precinct.

The Pierce Brothers will fill the park with their toe-tapping harmonies and high-energy on-stage antics.

The Voice Australia finalist and Zimbabwean-born ‘First Lady of Soul and R&B’ ‘Thndo will play a solo set and present an Ascension Artist Showcase.

The blues-pop singer-songwriter D’Arcy Spiller will perform after a three-year stint in America , undertaking a music intensive at Berklee College where she attended Coachella instead of the prom.

The event also features the performance by First Nations singer-songwriter Pirritu, a set by the collective, Women of Soul , and funky genre-defying fusion by local five-piece ensemble Busted Chops

More event information is available on the Live at Warrawee Facebook event page.

Live at Warrawee is presented by Monash Council and On The Road Again, a Victorian Government initiative to bring live music back across the state.

Free outdoor live music event . When: 3pm – 9pm, Saturday, March 18. Where: Warrawee Park, corner Atherton Rd and Drummond St, Oakleigh. More Details: www.monash.vic.gov.au/Things-to-Do/Festivals-and-Events/Live-at-Warrawee

As part of the lead up to Live at Warrawee, a series of industry workshops will also be presented in partnership with Music Victoria and the artists. - Cheryl Threadgold

● ● Shane Todd

Local Theatre Observations

The Ladykillers Zelman’s 90th

● ● ● ● Sam Howard (Louis) at left, Aaron Wilson (Harry), Jim Thomson (Major Courtney), Gavin Baker (One Round), John Cheshire (Professor Marcus), Joan Moriarty, Annie Woodward, Catherine Christensen, Lynne McGregor (Mrs Tromleyton) and Julie Arnold (Mrs Wilberforce) (standing).

■ Heidelberg Theatre Company’s production of The Ladykillers by Graham Linehan was a tale of two halves on its opening night, with laughs aplenty in the first half not mirrored in the second.

The play sees a gang of five oddball criminals rent lodgings pretending to be classical musicians. Their landlord is a sweet octogenarian, Mrs Wilberforce, who unwittingly helps them rob a bank. Mayhem ensues when she becomes aware of their ruse and thus becomes a thorn in their side.

Graham Linehan is the playwright, having adapted William Rose’s screenplay of the 1955 Ealing film of the same name.

Linehan is a well-known TV comedy series writer (for example, Father Ted, Black Books) who has kept pretty faithful to the original screenplay.

The emphasis is on getting laughs from broad caricatures in farcical situations. To my mind though this is a weakness of the script for it’s far from being a “timeless classic” and shows its age.

Given this I think the relatively large cast of eight (with five guest performers in addition) do a good job, putting in dedicated energetic performances even if, at times, the acting is forced or strained leading to miscues and a lack of believability.

The key characters, Professor Marcus, played by John Cheshire and Mrs Wilberforce, played by Julie Arnold, act as the lynchpin for the play’s action.

The director of The Ladykillers is Chris McLean who gets the basics right in terms of staging the frequent comings and goings typical of a farce.

Still, good timing, that critical key to the success of comedy, is unfortunately a hit-andmiss affair, especially in the second half. Chris shares a production credit with Melanie Belcher and the two do a fine job with limited resources.

Overall then The Ladykillers, despite being dated in its humour, is an entertainment that should grow into a more consistently enjoyable production over the course of its season.

Venue: Heidelberg Theatre, 36 Turnham Ave, Rosanna

Performance Details: Until March 4

Duration: 2 hours (not including interval)

Tickets: $22-$27

Bookings: www.htc.org.au

- Review by Peter Murphy

Media Flashes

■ Jonathan Williams has left Network 10 after more than 15 years as a Sports Presenter / Producer. He first joined the broadcaster in 2007.

■ Samantha Healy has been appointed Regional Real Estate Editor for News Corp Australia's Queensland and Northern Territory titles.

■ Amber Schultz has started at The SunHerald (NSW) as a Reporter, covering general news. She joins from Crikey, where she had been an Associate Editor and Investigative Reporter.

■ Mamamia has announced the appointment of Elfy Scott as Editor.

■ Foundry (formerly IDG Communications), has announced the closure of its CMO Australia brand.

■ SBS has introduced First Nations place names in the nightly national weather forecast of its flagship news bulletin.

- Telum Australia

CASE NUMBERS

■ Case Numbers, a comedy written and performed by Dylan Cole, will be presented from March 30 - April 9 at the Greek Centre (Two), 168 Lonsdale St, Melbourne.

Nominated for Best Comedy Award at the 2020 Melbourne Fringe Festival, this is a show about a man who’s inherited a locked briefcase.

It's about guessing numbers and trying to open that briefcase. It's about one man working very hard to figure out a combination. It's about Case Numbers (not COVID).

Case Numbers is a meta-thriller that analyses the narrative conventions used in writing. It has no beginning or ending and while there is a middle, it’s a wonderfully and entirely pointless homage to a 90s Cold War film.

“The idea of creating a show based around cracking a code to a briefcase was always an interesting premise to me,” explains writer/performer Dylan Cole.

“To tell a story where an audience is constantly guessing what’s inside a briefcase, before the contents are potentially revealed. I’ve always loved a big reveal.

“To try and top what has been conjured up in the imaginations of an audience. One of the most unique things about Case Numbers is that it really does defy genre. It’s a cerebral, meta, absurd stand-up comedy show - a heady cross between a Beckett play, and a Christopher Nolan film.

“It’s a show people could come back and see again, because there will undoubtedly be something they missed the first time.”

Performance Season: March 30-April 9

Times: Tue.-Sat. 8pm, Sun 7pm, Opening Night Frida, March 31, 8pm

Tickets: $28 Full, $22 Concession, $20 Groups 4+, $15 Preview and Tuesdays

Bookings: 9245 3788 or www.comedy festival.com.au/2023/shows/dylan-cole

Venue: Greek Centre (Two) - 168 Lonsdale St, Melbourne www.dylcol.com

Duration: 55 minutes no interval

Suitable for audiences 13+ - Cheryl

● Dylan Cole in Case Numbers.

atre where it performs to this day as the world's longest running play.

A twist at the end surprises us as to whodunnit, but we are pledged to keep this secret in our hearts and not tell anyone. So, it is recommended that Melburnians book tickets to see this great show and share the secret.

Significantly, The Mousetrap is ensemble theatre at its finest and not to be missed.

Venue: Comedy Theatre, Melbourne Season: Until end of March Bookings: ticketek.com.au or 13 28 49 Groups 8+ call 9299 9873 themousetrap.com.au

- Cheryl Threadgold

Bowl Concert

■ As part of the Summer Music Festival held at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra was outstanding when performing two pieces of the classical repertoire, Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No 3 and Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana.

Threadgold

The Mousetrap

■ A vibrant, pacey interpretation of Agatha Christie's murder mystery The Mousetrap can be enjoyed at Melbourne's Comedy Theatre until the end of March.

Masterly writing, directing and acting combine in fine form to achieve this stellar 70th anniversary production.

Director Robyn Nevin's strong cast infuses the script with a terrific new energy, entertaining modern-day audiences whilst remaining respectful to the narrative of this timeless two-act classic.

The Mousetrap takes place in the comfortable elegance of Monkswell Manor, recently converted to a guest house and operated by Mollie and Giles Ralston.

A news broadcast about a London murder is initially ignored as five guests, all strangers, arrive in heavy snow to stay at the remote countryside property.

The mood changes when a detective sergeant arrives to warn everyone of an unknown killer among them. Personal stories unravel, suspicions rise, and the audience shares in the suspense.

Presenting wonderful character portrayals are Anna O'Byrne (Mollie Ralston), Alex Rathgeber (Giles Ralston), Laurence Boxhall (Christopher Wren), Geraldine Turner (Mrs Boyle), Adam Murphy (Major Metcalf), Charlotte Friels (Miss Casewell), Gerry Connolly (Mr Paravicini) and Tom Conroy (Detective Sergeant Trotter).

Standout performances were particularly enjoyed from Anna O'Byrne (Mollie), Laurence Boxhall (Christopher Wren) and Tom Conroy (Detective Sergeant Trotter).

Isabel Hudson’s costume and set design and lighting design by Trudy Dalgleish complement the show’s visuals.

Originally premiering on October 6, 1952 at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham, The Mousetrap then opened in London's West End on November 25, 1952, running until March, 1974, thentransferringnext-doorto StMartin'sThe-

First on the program was the Prokofiev concerto played by Hannah Shin, a winner of the 2021 Lev Vlassenko piano competition, something which was not surprising given her virtuoso technical display on the keyboards.

While by no means at the extreme end of the difficulty scale, the No 3 concerto is no walk in the park either, and Hannah Shin showed great skill in bringing this work to life.

At times, however, her youthfulness worked against her as greater experience would, I’m sure, have added more colour and warmth to her technically brilliant performance.

The concerto was followed after the interval by Orff’s cantata Carmina Burana which saw Kathryn Radcliffe as soprano, Paul McMahon as tenor and Warwick Fyfe as bass-baritone, with the MSO Chorus under the direction of Warren Trevelyan-Jones, Mairi Nicolson as host and Benjamin Northey as conductor.

This is a familiar work of Orff’s with some stirring passages involving both orchestra and chorus. Northey conducted with great assurance, getting a wonderful rousing performance from the orchestra which worked seamlessly with the MSO chorus.

On a not-too-hot warm summer’s night, the almost full house at the music bowl was treated to a fantastic display of the MSO at its finest, a Melbourne cultural powerhouse that we should all be proud of. Here’s hoping that more such free concerts will continue into the future as part of Melbourne’s summer tradition.

www.mso.com.au

- Review by Peter Murphy

■ Conductor Rick Prakhoff is excited about a 90th birthday he is celebrating this year. While the youthful looking Rick isn’t about to turn 90, the orchestra he conducts, the Zelman Orchestra, is celebrating its 90th birthday with a Gala 90th birthday season and promises audiences stars, symphonies, new work and classical favourites.

The orchestra is one of Australia’s oldest symphony orchestras will celebrate its 90th birthday with a program spanning the eras of Classical, Romantic, 20th Century and contemporary music – including the world premiere of a specially-commissioned Australian work.

The Zelman Memorial Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1906 by Alberto Zelman Jnr – as the first Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

When Bernard Heinz invited its artists to join him in creating the ABC’s first professional orchestra in 1932, the remaining musicians formed the Zelman Memorial Symphony Orchestra in honour of their beloved Alberto - who had died all too early in 1927.

It all begins on Saturday, March 25, at the Melbourne Recital Centre with a musical tour of Vienna and the sweeping, passionate masterworks of Strauss, Kreisler, Korngold and more.

Visiting Canadian superstar Alexandre Da Costa will bring his 1701 Stradivarius violin in a concert that includes the overture to Die Fledermaus, The Beautiful Blue Danube, Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka and Radetzky March - amongst other favourites.

The 7.30 pm MRC performance on Saturday, March 25, is repeated at Daylesford Town Hall at 2pm on Sunday, March 26.

Other exciting concerts for the year are on June 17, September 10 and November 25. For all the details about Zelman Orchestra’s exciting anniversary year, visit www.zelman symphony.org.au

- Julie Houghton

● ● From Page One

●

The Revlon Girl

Similarly, Jen Bush's (Sian) splendid acting skills are showcased as the brave, cheery organiser of the meeting and beneath the cracked veneer, a bereaved mother. Hats off to Standby/Cover Julia Lambert. Natasha Boyd's expert direction ensures smooth flow of the play while retaining sensitivity of the narrative. As well as co-designing the set with Keith Francis, Boyd has even included an actual drip system as a ceiling leak drips into a bucket.

During rehearsals, the cast and Boyd impressively strengthened their knowledge and research of the play by undertaking a threehour Zoom meeting with London-based playwright Docking

The result is a first class show, enhanced by Alan Crispin's lighting, Blake Stringer's sound design, Annie Blood's costuming and Deborah Fabbro (props/set dressing).

A memorable theatre experience. Congratulations to all involved.

Performance Details: until March 4

Venue: Brighton Theatre, cnr Carpenter and Wilson Sts, Brighton.

Bookings: www.brightontheatre.com.au

- Review by Cheryl Threadgold

● ● Rick Prakhoff

● ● WarwickFyfe

Photo: David Belton

FUSE Festival Autumn

■ FUSE Festival Autumn 2023, a contemporary, multi-arts festival presented by the City of Darebin, will be presented from March 11-26. Darebin’s streets, parks, venues, theatres, galleries and other public spaces will all be transformed into locally unexpected zones of art, culture and creativity.

In this year’s program, festivalgoers will experience everything from large community celebrations to intimate new experiences.

Launching the FUSE Autumn programming this year is Out of the Park Picnic on Sunday March 12, hosted by Queen Acknowledgements, aka Nartarsha Bamblett, a proud Yorta Yorta, Gunai Kurnai, Walpiri and Wiradjuri women.

This free afternoon event at Edwardes Lake Park features interactive activities with shared culture, local artists, food, site art, music, family activities and a strong community voice.

Artists performing include Emma Donovan, DJ Jumps, and Dorsal Fins. There will also be the All-inclusive Interactive Drum and Movement Activity , presented by African Star Dance , a group of performers and musicians who are committed to bringing the community together through African culture and tradition.

Everyone is invited to rehearse with the band prior to their performance or join in on the day. Sunday, March 12 at Edwardes Lake Park in Reservoir.

In celebration of International Women's Week, The Molly Hadfield Social Justice Oration has been held annually by Darebin City Council for over 10 years.

This year, guest speaker Namila Benson, radio broadcaster, podcaster and television presenter, will provide a thought-provoking dialogue on racism and anti-racism. The event is a tribute to Molly Hadfield, an inspiring local who worked tirelessly for social justice.

Wednesday, March 15 at Darebin Arts Centre.

FUSE presents its first Artist Keynote with Mat Watson Regional Echoes: From yabbies to freeform synthesis will be a compelling discussion on Mat’s journey from growing up in rural Victoria to discovering a life in music, modular synthesisers and experimental sound.

Thursday, March, 16 at Darebin Arts Centre ★

Meet the Makers celebrates Darebin’s local wine makers. Visitors will get to sample homemade wine, chat with the makers, listen to live music by Pirritu, browse artisan food and wine stalls, and view demonstrations. The day is MC'ed by Darebin local, Elise Pulbrook, from MasterChef 2021.

Sunday, March 19 at Preston City Hall.

As part of FUSE , the City of Darebin commissions works to be presented throughout the duration of the festival. This FUSE Fund initiative gives local artists an opportunity to explore new practices and engage with additional elements to improve, perfect and diversify their art form.

Exquisite Bias is a free two-week photography exhibition by Delia Poon showing collaborative, audio-visual portraits, exploring unconscious racial bias and cultural identity in contemporary Australia. The project invites Darebin locals to have their photograph taken and record their answer to the question, ‘Where do you come from?’

March 11-26 at Preston Library.

★

Thingamabobs is an interactive space full of surprising machines and quirky contraptions. It is a kinetic installation that bounces between the absurd, the deeply human, and the straight-up funny.

It’s an installation that collects the imagination of kids and seniors into an entertaining space inviting curious people to look and listen.

March 18-19 at Northern Community Church

★

Time Distance Music is led by local musician and instrument inventor Colin Offord. Audiences can enjoy the music of seven musicians from diverse musical and cultural backgrounds, exploring new possibilities for traditional and invented instruments. Enjoy the continuous uplifting, cross-cultural, musical performance—audiences can come and go as they please.

March 25-26 at The Chalice, Northcote Uniting Church

★

FUSE will also be launching two podcasts as part of the festival. Darker is a series of six fictional works written and performed by La Trobe University students.

The Future Leaders , created by artists Dr Claufia Esobar Vega and Jorge Leiv , reveals the future generation’s opinions on the leaders of today and their vision of the leaders of the future.

The Darebin Community Awards recognise individuals and groups who have made an outstanding contribution to the community. This year’s presentation ceremony will be held at the new Narrandjeri Stadium, John Cain Memorial Park in Thornbury.

March 23 at Narrandjeri Stadium, Thornbury

★

FUSE@Large open access program, where anyone presenting a creative event in Darebin can do so under the FUSE banner. Events and programs to be announced soon.

The FUSE closing party features The Last Dance by All The Queens Men. Inspired by the LGBTIQ+ Elders Dance Club, All The Queens Men

present an all-out afternoon soiree featuring Motown and disco classics performed by vocalists including Wendy Stapleton, Sarah Ward, Nefertiti LaNegra and more.

This promises to be a huge event celebrating the whole LGBTIQ+ and allied community.

Saturday, March 25 at Northcote Theatre

For the full program of FUSE visit: www.fusedarebin.com.au

- Cheryl Threadgold

Cruel Intentions

■ Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre was the venue for Cruel Intentions the Musical.

It is based on Les Liaisons Dangereuses from the novel written by Pierre Choderios de Laclos in 1782.

The story of the musical is where we enter the manipulative world of Manhattan’s most dangerous liaisons: Sebastian Valmont and Katherine Merteuil.

Fuelled by revenge and passion , the diabolically charming step-siblings place a bet on whether or not Sebastian can deflower their incoming headmaster’s daughter.

The production is magnificent theatre. The show was sparkling, Music very good, lighting a good standard and overall a very interesting evening of theatre.

The performers were outstanding with Kirby Burgess as Kathy Merteuil giving an outrageous and stirling performance.

Her stepbrother, Sebastian Valmont, played by Drew Weston, dominated the stage in his scenes, catching the fine nuances of such a character. The other players lived up to the standard set by these two giving an interesting evening of theatre.

The show had a standing ovation, well deserved by such a production, but one would not recommend it to the over 50s as it is definitely a show for the younger generation and Sir Arthur Rylah would not approve.

Review by Peter Kemp

Something In The Dirt

■ (M). 116 minutes. Now available on DVD.

Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead continue their winning ways, once again combining sci-fi and drama (on a micro budget) to intriguing effect.

Moorhead and Benson star (as they did in The Endless) as John and Levi, both tenants in a low-rent, run-down apartment building in L.A.

John has been living there for 10 years, while Levi has just moved in upstairs, and the pair seem to hit it off immediately.

While helping Levi move in, John notices weird mathematical equations written on the frame around the closet door, but when a heavy quartz ashtray starts to levitate and throw particular patterns of light against the walls, John and Levi believe the apartment holds far bigger secrets.

As the two start to document and research what is going on, the possibilities of what may be causing this event spirals in every direction, and will not only affect their opinions and feelings for each other, but of reality itself.

Benson and Moorhead (who along with directing and starring, also write, produce, and edit) have been building a superior body of work since they appeared on the scene in 2012 with their no budget wonder, Resolution, following that up with Spring (2014), The Endless (2017) and Synchronic (2019), and the pair have superbly connected most of these within the one universe.

With Something In The Dirt, the talented film-makers very cleverly use a sci-fi framework to explore the current epidemic of conspiracy theories and misinformation, and how easily people can fall down the rabbit hole, and in some ways is reminiscent of David Robert Mitchell’s unfairly dismissed (but very David Lynch inspired) surreal 2018 thriller Under The Silver Lake.

Benson and Moorhead, like in The Endless, offer solid performances, making their characters’ journey feel convincing, and deliver the humorous elements with conviction.

The effects are well-executed and perfectly timed. Something In The Dirt will definitely frustrate some viewers, as it remains lowkey and deliberately paced, relying on cerebral verbal exchanges rather than big, fx-laden set-pieces.

If you enjoy this, I highly recommend searching out Moorhead and Benson’s earlier efforts.

Like Project Wolf Hunting (also available on DVD), this is another cult winner from Umbrella Enter-

tainment.

RATING - **** On The Line

■ (M). 100 minutes. Now available on DVD.

After a recent string (in the tradition of other former big screen heavyweights like Bruce Willis and Nicolas Cage) of low grade DTV movies, where he usually played a supporting role, Mel Gibson returns yet again in a low budget affair, but this one at least gets off to a promising start before stumbling considerably in the later stretches.

Gibson plays Elvis Cooney, an L.A. shock jock who works the midnight shift at KLAT radio.

Known for his unpredictable nature and outrageous comments, he keeps his boss Sam (Nadia Fares) and assistant Mary (Alia SerorO’Neill) on their toes, and has a bitter relationship with fellow radio host Justin (Kevin Dillon).

There is also a new addition to the team, console operator Dylan (William Moseley).

The show begins like any other, until a particular listener, named Gary, calls in claiming he has kidnapped Elvis’ wife and child, and will kill them unless he apologises for a major discretion committed against him.

Not knowing what Gary is talking about, Elvis keeps Gary on the line, trying to figure out not only who this psycho is, but also attempting to keep his family safe.

The first half is reasonably entertaining, containing an infectious, well-paced energy, and the cast play off each other rather well (especially Gibson).

However, the path that writer/director Romuald Boulanger decides to take in the second half causes nearly all of the early fun to drain away, and if, like me, you can see where the story is going early on, it makes this turn feel particularly annoying.

All of a sudden, the film is struggling to maintain audience interest. The less you know going in the better, but the ending has proven highly divisive.

It is a real pity On The Line didn’t have the conviction of remaining a verbal stand-off (like the brilliant 2018 Danish film, The Guilty), as this is when the film is at its strongest and most entertaining. Combined with a tighter running time (say 80-85 minutes), this could have been a surprising little sleeper, but ultimately this misses the target.

RATING - **½

-

Aaron Rourke ●

● ● Kirby Burgess (Kathryn) in Cruel Intentions.

Photo: Nicole Cleary.

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■ When I was a lad my tastes were mainly for the popular music of the day or rock and roll. I would never have believed that as I grew older I would become a fan of Gracie Fields.

Gracie Fields belonged to the generations before me but now I appreciate her singing and have recently watched her old films. I am sure that many of our readers would be fans of Gracie Fields. Grace Stansfield was born in Lancashire in 1898 and made her professional stage debut at the age of 12 in a stage show.

Her younger sisters were Betty and Edith She married her manager Archie Pitt in 1923. The theatre audiences loved Gracie

In 1928 she recorded Because I Love You for HMV and that was the start of a recording career that would continue throughout her lifetime.

Gracie's first film in 1931 was Sally in Our Alley where she sang her hit song Sally

The film was a huge box office success. She made four films for the Twentieth Century Fox studios but they were all filmed in England

The film Ship Yard Sally which featured her most popular song Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye was directed by her second husband Monty Banks

By 1937 Gracie was the highest paid film star in the world. Gracie's other films included Looking on the Bright Side, Sing as We Go, This Week of Grace and Keep Smiling

Her films are available for purchase on the

Magazine

Whatever Happened To ... Gracie Fields

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM

internet. Other hit songs included The Biggest Aspidistra in the World, I Took My Harp to a Party, Now is the Hour, Christopher Robin is Saying His Prayers and When I Grow Too Old to Dream

She spent part of the Second World War in America and went on many tours entertaining the troops in Britain, France, the Middle East and Canada. In 1945 she toured Australia with popular Melbourne singer Peggy Shea

When Monty Banks died in 1950 Gracie married Boris Alperovici and they lived all their married life on the Isle of Capri in Italy.

She took part in television programs after the war and in 1956 played Miss Marple in an adaption of Agatha Christie's A Murder is An-

nounced. Gracie sang in 10 Royal Variety Concerts - her last was at the age of 80, when as a surprise guest, she walked onstage and sang Sally

My friend, the late Tony Osborne, was musical director for Gracie's last hit song in 1957, Around the World

Tony told me that he had to go into the recording booth and tell Gracie that he could hear the sound of her false teeth clicking in his headphones as she sang. "No worries love," Gracie responded and took her teeth out to continue the recording, singing beautifully. Her last Australian tour was in 1965 when Gracie performed at the Palais Theatre, in St Kilda.

In 1977 Gracie attended Bing Crosby's concert in Brighton and posed with him for the last photograph ever taken of Bing, he died two days later. Gracie Fields was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire just days before she passed away on the Isle of Capri in 1979. I was thrilled to see Gracie's home on a visit to Capri in 1995.

Kevin Trask

Kevin can be heard on 3AWThe Time Tunnel - Remember WhenSundays at 10.10pm with Philip Brady and Simon Owens.

And on 96.5 FM That's Entertainment - Sundays at 12 Noon. www.innerfm.org.au

TEMPORARY HOMES FOR NGV SCULPTURES

■ The Arts Centre Melbourne sculptures are finding temporary new homes at McClelland and Heidelberg Museum of Modern Art.

Five significant sculptures from Arts Centre Melbourne’s Public Art Collection will find temporary new homes at McClelland , Australia’s preeminent sculpture Park and Gallery and Heide Museum of Modern Art during the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation, Sculptures, Rhythms of Life, Family of Man 1, Family of Man 2 formerly located around Arts Centre Melbourne’s Theatre’s building have been taken to McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery as part of a long-term loan as Arts Centre Melbourne undergoes significant updates to its building and public places.

Sculptures Coming and Going by artist Les Kossatz and Marathon Man by artist Anthony Pryor are being loaned to Heide Museum of Modern Art and will be installed in early March,

Since removed from Art Centre Melbourne in July 2022, the sculptures have been carefully cleaned and prepared for installation by J. K. Fasham, Melbourne’s s pecialist sculpture fabricators’ and installers .

The temporary relocation of the sculptures to these esteemed and popular galleries means they have the potential to reach new audiences who may not have visited them at Arts Centre Melbourne

The sculptures loans are planned for five years with their host venues in Langwarrin and Bulleen.

During the time the sculptures are at the host venues Arts Centre Melbourne will undergo significant upgrades, including construction of an expanded underground Loading Dock, new food and beverage outlets, a new flexible rehearsal studio and function space, as well as elevating the glorious heritage State Theatre to world-class, improving accessibility, audience comfort and stage technology.

The transformation of the Melbourne Arts Precinct will take place over approximately six years, with an expansive 18,000 square metres of public urban garden built around Arts Centre Melbourne’s Theatre Building (under the Spire), con-

The Arts

organised by Ikon (Birmingham UK) and TarraWarra Museum of Art with curator Hetti Perkins and toured by NETS.

Looking Glass represents both a love song and a lament for Country, a fantastical alchemy of elemental materiality through paintings, videos and sculptural work.

Exhibition curator, Hetti Perkins, said the artists are concerned essentially with Australia’s ‘Secret War’a battle fought on may fronts from colonial massacres and Stolen Generations through to the British atomic bomb tests at Maralinga.

Exhibition closes March 26.

Latrobe Regional Gallery

188 Commercial Rd, Morwell - Peter Kemp

with Peter Kemp

necting through to the NGV International and the new Fox NGV Contemporary.

Arts Centre Melbourne

Sam Jinks

Home in the Wilderness –Sam Jinks

Internationally renowned for his painstakingly crafted life figures, Sam Jink’s sculptures are imbued with unguarded human emotion, fragility, and vulnerability, [lacing the viewer with a moment of intense intimacy.

For his first solo exhibition since 2012 and the first in his home city of Melbourne since 2009, Jinks presents Hope in the Wilderness, a new series of realist sculptural works reflecting on the mysteries of destiny and instability that governs our lives, in an era plagued by alarm and uncertainty.

Exhibition closes March 11.

Sullivan + Strumpf

107/109 Rupert St, Collingwood

Looking Glass

National Exhibitions Touring Support Victoria

Looking Glass – Judy Watson and Yhonnie Scarce

An exhibition of works themed on the monumental elements of earth, water, fire and air by Aboriginal artists Judy Watson and Yhonnie Scarce

Compass returns

■ Broadcaster Indira Naidoo has been appointed as the new host of ABC TV’s Compass, launching the new season on Sunday, March 19, 6.30pm on ABC TV and ABC iview. The journalist and author brings to Compass a sophisticated understanding of the changing nature of Australian spirituality and the ethical dilemmas we face.

Indira will combine her new role with presenting ABC Radio’s Evenings program which airs across Sydney, Canberra and regional NSW.

Born in apartheid South Africa, Indira grew up in Tasmania, South Australia, England and Zimbabwe She’s reported for and anchored 730 Report, ABC Late Edition News and World News Tonight on SBS TV.

For the past 13 years Indira has also been an ambassador for The Wayside Chapel, Sydney’s homeless crisis centre in Kings Cross

Recently, Indira published her best-selling book ‘The Space Between The Stars’ where she explored the healing power of nature following the death of her sister during the pandemic. While Indira does not identify with any one faith, she’s eager to find meaning and connection – like many Australians are she believes.

New gig for AFL legend

surrounds Chris Judd's move to streaming service Fetch. A new program is under wraps coinciding with Ticker News to be streamed on Fetch as of this month. I can't imagine footy is subject of content, only Juddy is privy to such info.

Sheepdogs out of the kennel

■ In their home town of Saskatoon, Canada, and festivals worldwide the Sheepdogs are a must -see band playing classical rock. The five-piece rockers are on their way for a one night stand at the Northcote Social Club, April 24. These boys are big deal having featured on the front cover of Rolling Stone magazine. It has been 11 years since their last tour of Australia ,so don't miss them , April 24.

Brilliant debut for teleflix

■ True Spirit is the title of a film capturing the epic, around the world sailing voyage by Melbourne teenager Jessica Watson. The tele movie - to be seen on Netflix - rated No 5 in English speaking countries. Jessica is youngest girl to sail solo, non-stop around the world in 210 days.

Hippy birthday

■ Yoko Ono celebrated her 90th birthday earlier this month. Yoko is still as active as ever with her singing, songwriting and on-going peace activism.

Dumpling-a-day

■ Dumplings have been flavour of the month for some time, so taste dumplings from around the world at the International Dumpling Festival at Queen Victoria Market, March 4-10.

■ Mystery

- John O’Keefe

OK. With John O’Keefe

● ● ● ● Gracie Fields

● ● Chris Judd

Across

No 19 Across Down Down

145. Mortuary table

147. Lawyer's charge

148. Wound with dagger

149. Ready for picking

150. Pledge

152. Put strain on

154. Writer, ... Blyton

156. Basketball shot, ... dunk

158. Flavouring herb

159. Oxlike antelopes

161. Acorn bearer 163. Prince Edward, ... of Wessex 165. Spicy lentil dish 167. Hunger pain 169. Restate 171. Fabric join

Cropping up

Silver bars

Pet's parasites

Ills

Nipples 182. Lion's neck hair

Honey wine

Positive replies

Dismiss

... & downs

Kitchen flooring 191. Female opera singer 192. Cloth remnant

Security lapses 196. Non-clergy 197. Antarctic inlet, ... Sea 198. Judo level 199. Beijing's former name

235. Shopping precincts 236. Mother 238. Smash into

Anaesthetic gas

242. Exclusive group 243. Dispatches 244. Town plan 245. Physician 246. Attacked (3,2) 247. City, ... Angeles 248. Nursemaid 249. Ring-throwing game

251. Hallucinogenic drug (1,1,1) 253. Electricity power source 255. Greener 256. Revise (text)

258. Cash disc

259. Cases 260. Belonging to us

261. Beer

262. Divorce order (6,4)

263. Gizmos

264. Armless

129. Commercials

130. British flying force (1,1,1)

131. Produce

133. Overalls, ... & brace

135. Bullfight cry

137. Big cricket hit

138. Unique model (3-3)

142. Persona ... grata

144. African anteater

146. Inclination

148. Clever

149. Betrothal token, engagement ..

151. Scrutinising (accounts)

153. Every day

155. Sketched

157. So!

158. Provides with personnel

159. Squall

160. Obtain (support) (4,2)

162. Bend to pray

164. Mekong valley nation

166. Holidays owed, time in ...

167. Coal mines

168. In attendance (2,4)

170. Abated

172. Breakfast or dinner

174. Enervates

175. Forbids

176. One, numero ...

178. Browns (meat) quickly

180. Disfigure

182. Feel the loss of

184. Michaelmas ...

186. Skim on ice

188. Environmental treaty, ... Protocol

190. Plenty

191. Challenged 193. Midges 195. Filter 197. Cotton spool 198. Avoid 200. Age 201. Candied

203. Requires 205. Abandon (lover) 206. Financial penalties 207. Shady tree 209. Flee to wed 211. Duck's mate

212. Agreement

213. Window ledges 214. Confused

215. Fuses (of bones)

218. Coffee lounge

219. Surfer, ... Slater

220. Sailors

222. Troop formations

224. Flour factory

226. Yacht's principal canvas

228. Antiquated

229. Crooner, ... King Cole

231. Hardens

233. Leo animal

234. 'Tis (2'1)

235. Death in Venice author, Thomas

236. China's ... Zedong

237. Pacify

239. Portable

241. Horse-riding show

243. NE US state

244. Corpse repository

248. Fixes with hammer

250. Ayatollah's land

252. Former Italian currency

253. Castle ditch

254. Model, ... Macpherson

257. Used spade

Crossroads

By Rob Foenander info@countrycrossroads com.au

Finally for Gary

■ Well respected Melbourne singersongwriter Gary Leonard Hammond has released his new collection of songs. Titled Finally, the strongly adult-orientated pop album has already had the critics singing its praises. Country music legend Bill Turner called it "God's gift to the music industry” while other Australian music legends including Paul O'Gorman and Peter Sullivan have said the title track is "a song for the ages", says Gary. Check it out for yourself on Youtube, Spotify and all good digital stores.

Dinner Dance

■ Saints of Nugegoda present their annual dinner dance at the Grand on Princes, on April 15. No Limit and Replay 6 will entertain throughout the night with proceedings commencing at 7pm. Donations of $75 inclusive of a western and eastern buffet with beer, wine and soft drink provided. For tickets and further details contact Bert, 0414 979 483.

Our Kinda Country

■ Our Kinda Country are celebrating 12 years of raising money for the REH Cork Clubs Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal. From 12 Noon on Sunday, April 2, a stream of various artists once again will take to the Flanagan's bar stage in Traralgon to entertain and help raise money for this amazing cause. More than 20 Easter raffles/ prizes and Auctions are held throughout the afternoon, says their media release.

- Rob Foenander

4400 DIABETES-RELATED AMPUTATIONS

■ More than 4400 diabetes-related amputations are performed at Australian hospitals every year, most are preventable, and these contribute to the increasing cost of diabetes complications which threatens the long-term viability of Australia’s health system.

Diabetes Australia CEO A/Professor Greg Johnson revealed the worrying statistic.

“Australia’s health system is struggling to manage the growing burden of chronic disease, most notably type 2 diabetes, and the fact that there are more than 4400 diabetes-related amputations in Australia every year as a result of diabetes underlines how critical this issue is,” A/Professor Johnson said.

“To put that in perspectivetoday around 12 people will undergo a diabetes-related amputation. Tomorrow - 12 more amputations.

“Experts estimate that spending on diabetes-related amputations, and other costs related to diabetic foot disease, costs Australia around $875 million every single year.

“Worryingly, surveys show that the general public underestimates the seriousness of diabetes and most people aren’t aware of the connection between diabetes and amputations.”

A/Professor Johnson called on the incoming Federal Government and the State and Territory Governments to work together to take decisive action on this national

Crossword Solution No 19

emergency. Some 85 per cent of diabetes-amputations are preventable if problems are detected early and managed appropriately,” he said.

“This is why Australia needs a new Diabetes Amputation Prevention initiative to end the tragedy of diabetes-related amputations within a generation.”

A/Professor Johnson was joined by Professor Sophia Zoungas, of the Australian Diabetes Society outside the Royal Melbourne Hospital where a display of empty shoes was used to highlighted the tragedy of diabetes-related amputations.

Professor Zoungas said a comprehensive, integrated approach could reduce the number of preventable amputations.

“Fragmentation of the health system means people are slipping through the cracks,” she said.

“We need to re-orient our health system more strongly towards prevention of diabetes-related amputations through more regular checks and risk assessments, and earlier treatment to keep people with diabetes out of hospital.

“Almost all diabetes-related amputations are preceded by sores or ulcers on the foot.

“If these sores are detected and treated early and effectively then they don’t escalate to a situation where amputation is required.

“People should have their feet checked by a health professional

twice a year in line with the annual cycle of care requirements for good diabetes management.”

A/Professor Greg Johnson said it was clear Australia needed to get serious about addressing diabetes.

“The Federal Government should work with State and Territory Governments to establish and fund a Taskforce dedicated to leading and directing the initiative,” he said.

“Diabetes amputation prevention has to be a priority for every Primary Health Network in Australia.”

For Melbourne father Jake Williams undergoing several amputations represented the low point of living with type 1 diabetes, a condition he has lived with since first being diagnosed aged 11.

“Living with diabetes is a 24/7 job and I probably wasn’t looking after myself as well as I could,” Mr Williams said.

“When I bought a new pair of thongs they were a bit tight on the toes but I didn’t think much of it.

“A wound developed that wasn’t managed as well as it could have been and the next thing I knew I was in hospital for almost three months having parts of both feet, including both big toes, amputated.

“Your big toe mightn’t seem like much hanging off the edge of your foot but the reality was I had to learn to walk again.

“Australians with diabetes need better education so we can look af-

ter our feet and stop problems like these developing."

Key facts

■ There are more than 4400 amputations every year in Australia as a result of diabetes

■ Every year there are 10,000 hospital admissions in Australia for diabetes-related foot ulcers – many of these admissions end with people having a limb, or part of a limb, amputated.

■ People with diabetes hospitalised for lower limb amputation have longer stays in hospital than other diabetes-related complications. The average length of stay is around 24 days.

■ Diabetic foot disease costs Australia around $875 million every single year.

■ Some 85 per cent of diabetesrelated amputations are preventable if problems are detected early and managed appropriately.

Apathy

■ Despite over a quarter of Victorians (27 per cent) having a family history of diabetes, 2 in 5 (41 per cent) refuse to get tested

■ A whopping (92 per cent ) of Victorians believe there are two types of diabetes, forgetting or not aware of a third typegestational diabetes –that can develop during pregnancy and disappear after the baby is born.

Stateside with Gavin Wood in West Hollywood

MEMORIES OF HOLLYWOOD STAR STABBING

■ Hi everyone, remotely from my suite at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites in West Hollywood comes this week’s news.

Sal Mineo gone too soon

■ Salvatore Mineo Jr. was an American actor, singer, and director. He is best known for his role as John ‘Plato’ Crawford in the drama film Rebel Without a Cause with James Dean, which earned him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor at age 17, making him the fifth-youngest nominee in the category. He also starred in the movie Giant.

Born January 19, 1939 and sadly killed February 12, 1976 at the age of 37 by a drug crazed 17-year-old.

He was dining at Barney’s Beanery and was attacked near the Tropicana Hotel which is now the Ramada Hotel in West Hollywood. Sal Mineo would have been 93 this year.

JetBlue Airlines mistake Blue mistake Blue

■ Some JetBlue pilots are outraged after the airline hired a violent felon to fly planes even as it refuses to hire people who haven’t taken the COVID vaccine, citing safety.

Two pilots told The Daily Wire that JetBlue has hired John Perrys, who served nine years in prison for breaking into the home of a judge and attacking his daughter as she left the shower.

Perrys was released from prison in 2014 and is on felony probation until 2044, according to the Florida Department of Corrections

“Apparently JetBlue won’t hire unvaccinated pilots, but they will hire violent convicted felons to fly their airplanes,” one pilot said, speaking on condition of anonymity to protect his job.

In 2005, Associated Press reported that Perrys, then an Air Force captain, was charged in Louisiana with burglary and assault with a deadly weapon while wearing a mask, and that he faced up to life in prison.

Perrys allegedly entered the home of a judge and beat the judge’s daughter, who was his former fiancée, with a metal baton as she left the shower.

Police said that when he was arrested, he was wearing a bulletproof vest and his vehicle contained knives, handcuffs, parachute cord, a shovel, and a mask, according to the AP.

Parents helping children

■ Dating coaches say pandemic lockdowns and their long aftermath have raised parent worries that their grown children will stay single forever.

That has led to a surge of interest from mothers and fathers splurging on premium dating-app subscriptions, relationship classes and one-on-one sessions with dating experts for their children, said relationship psychologist and dating coach Christie Kederian.

Marijuana beats tobacco

■ A majority of people say they smoke marijuana more than cigarettes, based on data from a new Gallup poll. Sixteen percent of Americans say they currently smoke marijuana with 48 per cent of respondents sharing that they have tried it at some point in their life the highest rate ever recorded by Gallup.

Last year, 12 per cent of respondents said they used marijuana. The poll released on August 16 was part of a study that examined people’s attitudes regarding marijuana’s benefits to society.

Gallup’s poll finds that marijuana use was higher among adults between the ages of 18 and 34 with 30 per cent responding that they smoke pot and 22 per cent consume marijuana edibles.

These numbers are significantly lower in both categories for adults 35 to 54 years old (16 per cent ) and Americans 55 and older (7 per cent ).

The analytics and research company conducted a related poll on August 26 that collected responses for a survey discussing alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use among Americans

A new record low of 11 per cent of adults reported smoking cigarettes with approximately three in 10 non-smokers stating they used to smoke, a steep drop in cigarette use compared to 45 per cent n the 1950s.

Out and About

Pelosi attacker illegal

■ The man accused of attacking House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer was in the country illegally, ICE sources said.

David DePape, who was hit with federal and local charges in the violent attack on 82-year-old Paul Pelosi, was in the US illegally because he overstayed his visa, according to sources. The 42-year-old suspect was born in Canada in 1980 and was in the US as early as 2001, sources said, citing his valid Social Security number, which can only be obtained with a job.

The Social Security number was obtained in Hawaii , sources said.

It’s unclear how long DePape stayed in the country past the legal threshold.

DePape faces charges from the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office for attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and other criminal counts.

He was also charged federally with attempted kidnapping and assault.

He allegedly broke into Nancy Pelosi’s house in a bid to find the House speaker, but only her husband was home in what San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins called a politically motivated attack.

Tales of Putin

■ Russian President Vladimir Putin is battling both pancreatic cancer and Parkinson’s disease, according to a new report citing leaked Kremlin emails.

A Russian intelligence source appeared to confirm in messages viewed by The Sun what has long been rumoured about the 70-year-old strongman.

“I can confirm he has been diagnosed with early-stage Parkinson’s disease, but it’s already progressing,” the security services insider reportedly claimed.

“This fact will be denied in every possible way and hidden,” the source said, according to The Sun “Putin is regularly stuffed with all kinds of heavy steroids and innovative painkilling injections to stop the spread of pancreatic cancer he was recently diagnosed with,” the person said.

“It not only causes a lot of pain, Putin has a state of puffiness of the face and other side effects including memory lapses,” the source continued.

“In his close circle, there are rumours that in addition to pancreatic cancer, which is gradually spreading, Putin also has prostate cancer,” the insider added.

Rumours about Putin’s supposedly poor health have been circulating for months, with several unconfirmed reports saying the president is battling cancer.

The Kremlin has always denied that Putin, who likes to project an image of strength, suffers from any illnesses.

No Federal Income Tax

■ Some 72.5 million households or 40 per cent of households will pay no federal income tax this year, down from the pre-pandemic high of 60 per cent two years ago, according to new estimates from the Tax Policy Centre.

In 2021, nearly 56 per cent of households or 99 million households paid no federal income tax, down from 60 per cent or 100 million households in 2020, the nonpartisan think tank said in the report.

For 2022, the standard deduction is worth $12,950 for individuals and $25,900 for married couples filing jointly. People earning below that amount do not owe federal income taxes.

Massive job losses in the pandemic’s early stages sent millions of people to unemployment lines and temporary rules exempted much of 2020 jobless benefits from income taxes, Howard Gleckman, senior fellow at Tax Policy Centre, said.

If you are considering coming over to California for a holiday, then I have got a special deal for you. We would love to see you at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites, 8585 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood. I have secured a terrific Holiday deal for readers of the Melbourne Observer and The Local Paper. Please mention ‘Melbourne Observer’ when you book to receive the ‘Special Rate of the Day’ for your advance bookings. Please contact: Jennifer at info@ramadaweho.com

●

San Mineo

Meanwhile, there were waves of direct cash assistance that were all technically tax credits – two rounds of stimulus checks in 2020 and another round in 2021, plus a temporarily enhanced child tax credit.

Those waves came and went. The approximate 40 per cent of households projected to pay no federal income tax is back to pre-pandemic levels, and is even slightly smaller than the 42 per cent to 43 per cent range during recent prepandemic years, Gleckman noted.

Gavin

● ● ● ● Ramada Managing Director Alan Johnson and Countdown Motion Pictures founder Gavin Wood.

EARLY NOMS FOR AUSTRALIAN GUINEAS

■ Leading bookmakers, Neds, have framed an early market for the Australian Guineas to be run at Flemington on Saturday (Mar. 4).

They have placed top colt, Jaquinot, as the early favourite after another great run winning the C.F.Orr Stakes at his last start, be it on protest, and rightly so.

The son of former top sprinter Rubick, the three-year-old is taking all before him with his last runs proving how good he is.

He showed his class in the C.F. Orr with a gutsy run being able to squeeze through, but being checked just prior to the line.

His co-trainers, Mick Price and Michael Kent Junior, have a big opinion of the colt, in the Orr Stakes he accounted for the likes of I’m Thunderstruck, Mr Brightside and Gentleman Roy, who he beat on protest.

His best win to date, was victory in the Golden Rose Stakes in Sydney back on September24. The James Cummings-trained Aft Cabin has lost a bit of support after his unplaced run in the Hobartville Stakes over 1400 metres, at Rosehill on February 18.

He appeared to have had every chance, and missed the place, and missed the place.

The Victorian colt, Elliptical, is fulfilling his promise with a brilliant win in the C.S.Hayes Stakes in a blanket finish, coming from a fair way back in the run.

In the care of the Freedmans, father and son, Anthony and Sam, he was returning from an unlucky seventh at his previous start.

He was thrown in the deep end, meeting the likes of hardened top competitors, such as Zaaki, Anamoe, and Mo’unga, in the Champion Stakes at Flemington back on November 22.

Prior to that he was only beaten a half-head in the Champion Stakes in Sydney by Sharp’N’ Smart, also over 2000 metres.

On the next line is another smart one in Golden Mile, prepared by James Cummings for the Godolphin Group.

He won the Caulfield Guineas back in October, narrowly but well, beating Elliptical and Osipenko.

He hadn’t since then, so it was a good run, when he finished second behind the good mare Mariamia.

He will be well suited here over the trip of 1600 metres.

On the next line is another interesting runner in Legarto, a New Zealander, trained by K. and B. Kelso, and has won five of his six starts, winning at Group Level. So, he could be one to watch.

The Sydney galloper Perfect Thought s howed a bit of class in beating the Victorian three-year-olds in the Carbine Club Stakes at Flemington back on October 29 over 1600 metres in good style.

Prepared by leading trainer John Sergeant, he beat Elkington Road, and the Fortune Teller, prior to that he was third in a benchmark 68, at Newcastle.

The Ciaron Maher-David Eustace trained, three-year-old, The Fortune Teller, ran a good third behind Glint of Silver in the Autumn Stakes at Sandown back on February 11, but would have to improve on that run.

Ted Ryan

and on his day can put in a big one. He returned to racing not long after his run in the Victoria Derby, clashing with the heavies in the Champion Stakes on the last day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Don’t leave him out, he has ability, but the trip, may be a bit short.

The Richard Laming trained three-year old, Bank Maur, was backed for a bit of money in the C.S.Hayes Stakes, but he failed to live up to expectations.

I felt he got too far back early, which the other main chances had the better running.

Being by the Japanese leading sire, Maurice, he has only six runs and is promising, his run when narrowly beaten by Jacquinot in Manfred Stakes at Sandown was a big run only beaten a short head.

He is a good galloper and will atone, it was

just one of those days. The Mick Price-Michael Kent Junior-trained Amenable put in a good run when second to Glint of Silver at Sandown on February 11 and can improve on that run.

Another promising type, Attrition, with Mitchell Freedman, was backed to win the C.S.Hayes Stakes, but ran into a bit of trouble and his turn will come.

Prior to his run in the Hayes, he had won his last two in good style. He is another with a chance, if he can get a bit of luck in the run.

Here is one to keep your eyes on, the New Zealander, Sharp ‘N’ Smart, a recent winner across the diych where he is prepared by leading trainer, former Australian mentor Graeme Rogerson. He is smart being the runner-up in the Victorian Derby last year.

Among the others nominated, Osipenko impressed with a good win in the Hobartville Stakes.

He also ran a big race finishing third in the Caulfield Guineas last year.

Golfers, jockeys

■ The popular Woodlands Golf Club will once again play hosts for their combined Woodlands Foundation Trust and the National Jockeys Trust Day on Monday, March 20.

It has proved immensely popular with the jockeys, golfers, and all those who attended over the past few years.

Prior to the hit off, well-known race caller Terry Bailey will get proceedings underway at 11am sharp, welcoming guests.

I will have the pleasure of introducing Darren Hutchins , the grand-son of former top Mordialloc trainer Ray Hutchins, and John McNaughton, who will explain the history of the Epsom Race Club, and the Woodlands Golf Club.

The interviews will finish at 12 Noon, and the action gets underway with the golf.

- Ted Ryan

However, he has been consistent in his runs, being by the American sire, Cavaggio

The early favorite for last year’s Victoria Derby, Mr. Maestro, is an interesting nomination, having run in the Victoria Derby last year,

Racecourse on February 18. Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos

● ● Jacquinot ridden by Damian Lane wins the Ive Manfred Stakes at Ladbrokes Park Hillside Racecourse on January 26. Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos

TROTTERS TO FORE AT MARYBOROUGH

■ Popular Maryborough commenced the week on February 20 and as usual, the trotters were well to the fore.

Pipers Creek (Kyneton) trainer/driver Tony Xiriha was victorious with 8Y0 Red SamuraiSpinster Clare gelding Buslin Brody in the Aldebaran Park Trotters Mobile (Heat 0ne) over 2190 metres.

Enjoying a sweet trip three back along the markers from the pole, Buslin Brody was taken away from the inside approaching the final bend to make the turn three wide and in a punishing finish, did best to prevail by 1.3 metres in a mile rate of 2-02.1, accounting for a death-seating Ero Carpe Diem (gate three) and Fun On Rum which led from gate five.

■ Heat Two saw Shepparton trainer/driver Trevor Muir make a long awaited return to the winners list when 6Y0 Andover Hall-Another Player gelding Essex Player raced and bred by Yabby Dam Farms Pty Ltd greet the judge at odds of $126.00.

Settling three back in the moving line from gate two on the second line, Essex Player weaved in-between runners prior to the home turn before switching to the sprint lane on straightening, finishing full of running to prevail by 1.2 metres from Rockford Peach off a three wide trail last lap, with Settle The Bill (four pegs) third a neck back third. The mile rate 2-05.5.

■ Junortoun part-owner/trainer Tarah

McNamara snared the Haras Des Trotteurs Maiden Trotters Mobile over 1690 metres with Poppy Popstar, a 4Y0 daughter of Danny Bouchea and Windsor Block driven by Michelle Phillips.

Starting from the extreme draw, Poppy Popstar having start number eight was able to avoid some gallopers shortly after the start settling five back along the markers as Karas Dream led from gate five.

Going forward within a lap to raced exposed, Poppy Popstar was too solid at the business end, scoring by an easy 22.5 metres over Get Up

Early (one/three) as Michelle gave a huge salute to the patrons watching. Blitzer I Hope (gate six) was third 4.5 metres away after trailing the weakening leader. The mile rate 2-01.8.

Cranbourne wins

■ An impressive winner at Cranbourne on Tuesday was 7Y0 Repeat Love-Micro Chip mare Petite Love in the 2110 metre Graham Quarries Trotters Handicap for Gordon trainer Tim McGuigan.

Driven by son Darby, Petite Love was a trifle slow to begin from barrier two settling four back along the markers as Madena Bay led from barrier three.

Coming away from the inside approaching the bell to race exposed. Petite Love raced to the front prior to the final bend to score by 9.8 metres from Homonym (one/one) and Meaghan (three pegs) who was 3.6 metres away third. The mile rate 2-05.4.

■ It was great to see Ocean Grove owner/trainer Tyrone Abela in the winners stall at Cranbourne following the victory of 6Y0 Im Stately-Calder Image gelding Gee Cee Calder in the Aldebaran Park Trotters Mobile over 2080 metres.

Starting from gate two, Gee Cee Calder driven by Chris Alford galloped as the start was effected allowing pole marker Whos Me Mum to momentarily lead.

Quickly regaining his gate, Alford sooled Gee Cee Calder forward and had little trouble assuming the front running role. Allowed to bowl, Gee Cee Calder recorded a 5.1 metre margin ahead of the raging hot favourite Sunny Spider (gate three) which raced outside him for most of the trip, with Kyvalley Paint (one/one) third 10.2 metres away in third place. The mile rate 203.2.

■ Local trainer Jayne Davies has won numerous races over the years at Cranbourne and 4Y0 Well-Said-La Machane gelding Machane Said added another to the list after taking the 1609 metre Lather Up Standing @ Woodlands Stud Pace.

With Kate Gath in the sulky, Machane Said enjoyed a sweet passage three pegs from gate four with another local polemarker Dancing With Flo leading.

Using the sprint lane, Machane Said rattled

Harness Racing

credible nose away third in a thrilling finish. The mile rate 1-57.3.

■ Darraweit Guim trainer/driver Lisa Miles’

4Y0 Betterthancheddar-Queen Of The Prom gelding Mister Cheese bred and raced by South Australia’s Wyndown Stud was a tough victor of the Swift Signs Pace over 1720 metres.

Trapped wide from outside the front line, Lisa had no option but to go forward and that she did to park outside the poleline pacemaker Lady Miki racing for the bell.

Proving to be the better stayer, Mister Cheese scored by 1.4 metres in a mile rate of 1-55.8 from Lady Miki and Tyabb Wonder which was 1.6 metres away third after trailing the leader and using the sprint lane.

Sulky Snippets Sulky Snippets

This Week

■ Wednesday – Cobram/Mildura, Thursday – Ballarat, Friday – Cranbourne, Saturday –Melton, Sunday – Boort (Cup), Monday –Stawell, Tuesday – Shepparton.

len-baker@ bigpond.com

with Len Baker

home over the concluding stages to gain the day by 2.2 metres in a rate of 1-57.5 over Do Not Surrender which trailed the pacemaker also using the sprint lane. Dancing With Flo held third a head away.

Victory habit

■ Adelaide reinsman Wayne Hill is making a habit of coming to Mildura and driving winners –last Wednesday was no exception with Wayne landing three – Illawong Kim for fellow SA trainer Shane Loone, The Bands Playing (Frank Mercieca) and Gracia Cullen (Aaron Coad).

On a night of multiple wins Charlton’s Ryan Sanderson kept up his great average at the track scoring aboard Ultimate Trouble (Andrew Vozlic), Spring Delight (Scott Garraway) and Sahara Tiger for father Shane in the fast class event.

Not to be outdone, Bendigo based Michelle Phillips also chalked up three – they being Son Of Zodiac and Half Moon Beach for Andrew Vozlic and Denzil Debro (Raharna McDonald) as did Bendigo’s Ellen Tormey – All Da Rage (Kate Attard), Avoca Blues (Scott Garraway) and Moreartsthanclass (Reece Moore) – the quartet winning every race on the 12 event program.

Double day

■ Thursday was double day with Melton racing in the afternoon and Echuca at night.

Beautifully bred Sweet Lou-Bellas Delight colt Sergeant Lou after two impressive previous runs opened his winning account with a tough victory in the Download The TAB App 2Y0+ Maiden Pace at Melton.

Trained at Bolinda by Kari Males, Sergeant Lou driven by Michael Bellman settled three back in the moving linr from a solo second line draw as Heavensville led from gate three.

Going forward three wide solo in the final circuit, Sergeant Lou joined Bundle, a Yankee Rockstar-Predict filly on debut which after racing exposed from gate five took a narrow lead on the final bend.

Finishing full of running, Sergeant Lou to the delight of the large ownership managed by Rob Auber raced away to record a 11.9 metre margin in advance of Bundle who’s first up effort was outstanding, with Major Samir also on debut third 6.5 metres away after following the runner up throughout. The mile rate 1-56.1.

■ For years Plumpton trainer Bill Galea has always come up with a handy horse or two and 4Y0 Pet Rock-Classic Bliss mare Classic Angelina who brought up two wins in succession is another after taking the 2240 metre $500,000 Reasons To Join The VHRC By February 28 Pace. Driven by James Herbertson, Classic Angelina was taken back to the rear of the field from outside the front line with Chogi (gate two) holding out a challenge from Younggiftedandblack (gate six) running into the first turn.

Following a fast mid-race move by Anthony Butt aboard Ladyofthearts to assume control, Herbie was content to sit at the rear with Classic Angelina until the last lap when he followed Our Miki Diva ahead of him forward three wide into the home straight.

Coming with a late finish, Classic Angelina prevailed by 1.5 metres over a game Younggifted-andblack with Our Miki Diva a

■ Echuca is long renowned as a leaders track and that’s exactly what happened when three long shots all saluted at the Campaspe Park race program.

■ Seven year old Red Samurai-Starlights Silver mare Starlight Red (barrier 3) at odds of $23.00 with Josh Duggan in the sulky led throughout in the Echuca Central Hire Trotters Handicap over 2130 metres to defeat her older brother 11Y0 gelding Starlight Storm (barrier 2) which trailed by 6 metres in a rate of 2-06 giving Bunbartha trainer Brian Bourke the quinella.

Its Diamond Creek (barrier 5) was third 12.8 metres back after racing exposed. The trifecta paid a massive $7471.50.

■ Woorinen (Swan Hill) trainer Joe Costa combined with Ararat’s Michael Bellman to land the Echuca-Moama Show BBQ Pace over 1755 metres with 5Y0 A Rocknroll Dance-Future Sign mare Ace Star paying odds of $41.00 when leading all of the way from gate three.

Polemarker Harts Last used the sprint lane from three back on the markers for second 2.5 metres away, with Alcatraz Girl (gate 6) third 1.6 metres back after trailing the winner. The mile rate 1-58.8.

■ Local trainer Ros Rolfe joined forces with Leigh Sutton to capture the 1755 metre Northern Rivers Equine Veterinary Pace with Beach Time, a 7Y0 Somebeachsomewhere-Karamea Toastime paying odds of $34.00.

Driven hard from gate two to cross another local Lethal Lover inside her, Beach Time had to be urged for most of the trip, but gave plenty in the run to the wire, defeating Ferocious Son (three pegs – three wide home turn) by 1.6 metres. Lethal Lover used the sprint lane for third a half head away. The mile rate 1-59.

■ Moorilim owner/trainer Greg Fleming combined with young reinswoman Codi Rauchenberger to snare a double at the meeting with Sunshine Beach-Gwenda Baker colt Hereforagoodtime taking the Echuca Pacing Cup 24 March 2023 3Y0 Pace over 1755 metres and 4Y0 Four Starzzz Shark-Sweet Barney gelding Red Hot Assassin the 2160 metre Rich River Golf Club Pace.

First starter Hereforagoodtime led throughout from gate two, coasting to the wire 8.4 metres in advance of polemarker Talk Is Cheap which trailed, with Eye See Philtra (one/two from gate 3) third 7.5 metres back after shifting into the sprint lane on turning.The mile rate 1-58.9.

Red Hot Assassin led all of they from gate two and was never out of second gear, coasting to the wire 2.2 metres clear of Missed The Truth (gate 5) which raced outside him in a rate of 200.2. Lorimermajor (three pegs) used the sprint lane for third a neck away.

Broke the ice

■ At Ballarat of Friday, twenty year old Pipers Creek reinsman Ben Xiriha (son of Tony) broke the ice when having his fourteenth drive – steering ‘boss’ Bolinda trainer Brent Lilley’s 5Y0 Muscle Hill-Imitating gelding Spotlight to victory in the Flying Horse Entertainment Venue Trotters Mobile over 2200 metres.

Starting solo on the second line, Spotlight settled three back in the moving line before going forward to park outside the leader Naked Truth (gate two) prior to the bell. Surging past Naked Truth approaching the final bend, Spotlight was tackled strongly by Oneoutofthesquare (one/two – three wide last lap), but fought back doggedly to gain the day by a half neck, with Wilcannia (one/one) third 19.1 metres back. The mile rate 2-02.

■ Ex-Queensland partners Amy Cargill (trainer) and Zac Chappenden (driver) registered their first Victorian victory since joining the Stewart/Tonkin team only a couple of weeks back when 7Y0 Sportswriter-Tears To Maple gelding Hit The Track scored in the Girls Night Out 3rd May Pace Book Now Pace over 2200 metres.

Given a sweet trip three back in the moving line from gate two on the second row after Terroroan had made a lightning move from the rear to assume control, Hit The Track followed Redbank Molly (one/one – three wide home turn) forward and after easing four wide on turning, ran home strongly to register a 4.2 metre margin (his 13th in 154 appearances) over Terroroan returning a mile rate of 2-00.7. Redbank Molly was third 3 metres back.

■ Kooreh (St Arnaud) co-trainers Shaun and Jason McNaulty snared the 2200 metre Regent Entertainment Trotters Handicap with ‘Cups King’ Travel Bug, a 7Y0 gelded son of Dream Vacation and Tricia Powell raced by Jason.

Driven by James Herbertson who chalked up three for the night, Travel Bug coming from a daunting 30 metre backmark naturally settled a long way off the leader Easy Pickings (10m) which had crossed Show Me The Moolah early in the piece.

Easing away from the inside mid-race to face the breeze, Travel Bug had luck go his way at the bell when Easy Pickings galloped throwing away all chance which allowed Travel Bug to stride clear for the final circuit.

Although tackled on the home turn by Show Me The Moolah which had eased away from the markers, Travel Bug’s quality showed over the concluding stages as he reached the wire 1.4 metres in advance of Show Me The Moolah in a mile rate of 2-03.4. Kyvally Clichy (one/ one last lap) after an early break was third 2.5 metres back.

- Len Baker

News Extra

Fire at Sunshine

■ Brimbank Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating a building fire in Sunshine on Saturday morning (Feb. 25).

Officers attended a commercial premises on Devonshire Rd following reports of smoke coming from the building about 4am.

Fire crews were notified and extinguished the blaze which caused significant damage to two businesses inside.

The cause of the fire has been deemed as suspicious.

A crime scene wasestablished and motorists were asked to avoid the area.

Pursuit, arrest

■ Police have arrested a man following a pursuit in Werribee on Thursday night.

Officers in an unmarked car were patrolling Synnot St, Werribee, about 9pm when they noticed a car being driven erratically.

Members followed the car and observed it drive onto the wrong side of the road and collide with a passing vehicle before continuing on and heading for Derrimut Rd.

Once on Derrimut Rd the car continued to be driven erratically and was constantly on the wrong side of the road. A 35-year-old Maidstone man has been taken to hospital under police guard.

PUBLIC NOTICES

The Local Paper

Free ‘For Sale’ and ‘What’s On ads are available in The Local Paper to private parties and community organ-isations. There are no charges, no fees and no commissions.

Email:

Postal: PO Box 1278, Research, 3095

BOOKING AND COPY DEADLINE: pm Fridays, prior to Wednesday issue.

CLASSIFIED ADS

Classified ads are available each week in The Local Paper, which is published on Wednesdays, February-December (with the exception of Easter Wednesday). All Classified Ads appear in the print and online editions. It is important to check your advertisement is correct on the first day it appears. While every care is taken to ensure your advertisement is correct, errors can occur. If this happens to your ad please contact us the first day your advertisement appears and we will be happy to correct it as soon as we can.

WHAT’S ON

WHAT’S ON

PUBLIC NOTICES

Packaged liquor licence application

W e Premium Co

Greensborough Pty Ltd applied to the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation on [date] for the grant of a packaged liquor licence at Shop 121C, 25 Main St, Greensborough VIC 3088.

Any person may object to the grant of this application on the grounds that:

• it would detract from, or be detrimental to, the amenity of the area in which the premises are situated, and/or • it would be conducive to or encourage the misuse or abuse of alcohol.

An objection must state the reasons for the objection.

All objections are treated as public documents.

Objections must be made in writing to:

Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation

GPO Box 1988

Melbourne VIC 3001

Objections must be made no later than 30 days after the date of this notice.

Notice is given to Sotirios

Risvanis (AKA Sam

Risvanis) that the Victorian Magistrates’ Court has fixed a date for hearing an application concerning the property situated at 208 Broadway, Reservoir, Victoria on 1 March 2023 at 10.00 am. For further details contact: G&M Lawyers on (03) 9945 7999 or gandm@gandmlawyers. com.au, or the Victorian Magistrates. Court.

FC - Fair Condition. GC

- Good Condition. VGC -

Very Good Condition.

EC- Excellent Condition.

Discounted paid advertising packages are available in The Local Paper. Phone our office on 1800 231 311 to enquire about latest specials.

The full cost of the advertising package is charged on the first edition. Therefore we are unable to offer refunds on any portion of pacakages once the advertisement has begun running.

Free ‘For Sale’ and ‘What’s On ads are available in The Local Paper to private parties and community organisations. There are no charges, no fees and no commissions.

PUBLIC NOTICES

NO ADVERTIING CHARGES, NO COMMISSIONS

Private advertisers can list their noncommercial items for sale, without any advertising charges. We usually run ads for a maximum of 4 weeks.

ALL CAR advertisers must supply registration or Vehicle Identification Numbers. By law, we are unable to publish listings without those details.

BEDROOM SUITE. Near new. QS Bed, large dressing table, bedside tables. Toorak. 0412 728 133. F-I

ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA. Complete full set with 24 volumnes of 1965 edition. Maroon ‘leatherette’ covers. Original wooden shelving unit. GC. $50. Ashburton. 9885 2203.F-I

FLOOR MATS. Honda Accord. Euro luxury MY12 Genuine, front and rear. Genuine cargo mat/boot liner. Colour: Grey/black. EC. $85 ONO. Gladstone Park. 0402 282 477. F-I

KITCHEN ‘Cupboards and drawers in various sizes in American oak timber. $300 ONO. East Iavnhoe. 00418 322 569.

LOUNGE SUITE. ‘Fler’

Modular 6 Seater L-shaped Corner Unit with Fluro Light Sand Colour, would suit large room or Man Cave. EC. $200. Endeavour Hills. 0468 954 177.

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OVEN. Fisher and Paykel, double doors, approx. 6 years old with new element and all shelving. $300 ONO. East Ivanhoe. 0418 322 569.

F-I

RECLINER CHAIR Princess, on wheels, with full tilt, pressure care, manual and pump. Hardly ever used. EC. Cranbourne. 0452 442 561.

F-I

ROCKING CHAIR. Antique. American style, adult size, spring based, casters, carved timber frame, EC. Upholstery in need of replacing. GC. $100. Croydon. 0408 332 181.

WATER TRANSFER

PUMP. Yardworks. 1100W model. YW1100TP integrated trolley. 4600 litres per hour. EC. $65 ONO. Gladstone Park. 0402 282 477.F-I

WHITE METAL BATH. Removed from a bathroom reno. Original from 1960s. No leaks or damage. surplus to needs, use for an animal water trough, lily pond, raised garden bed or could put back into a house. Pick-up in Watsonia. GC. $50 ONO. 0408 704 995.F-I

WHAT’S ON

The Local Paper The Local Paper PENSIONERS: PART-TIME

WORK FROM HOME

Press reports say that from July 1, 2022, for single pensioners, the pension income free area is $190 a fortnight and for couples combined, it is $336 a fortnight. This means a single pensioner over Age Pension age with no other private income could earn up to $490 a fortnight from work and still receive the maximum rate of pension. The Local Paper may have part-time work (as ABN contractor) available for seniors to sell advertising space on a part-time basis, within these boundaries. Only experienced telephone sales people need apply. Send an email to editor@LocalPaper.com.au

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TANDEM TRAILER. 10’ x 5’, all steel construction, lights, brakes all in good working order. Made by Forest Hill Trailers. GC. $2000. Croydon. 9726 8513.F-I

VEGEPOD. Medium size. 2 covers. Base has been assembled (never used). One opened box which contains the cover/poles and joiners and a new unopened cover and all accessories/instructions. New cond. $250 ONO. Seymour. 0438 228 617.

‘BE MY VALENTINE’ MOLLY ROSE MARKET. From moreish chocolate to groovy candles, Molly Rose at 279 Wellington St, Collingwood, will be filled with sparkling jewellery and beautiful smells by local makers and creators. Sunday, February 12. 12 Noon5pm. Free entry

CHOIR - YARRA GOSPEL COMMUNITY

CHOIR. Starts on Thurs., Feb. 9. Weekly. 7.15pm. Join us singing in harmony in a friendly inclusive group. First night free. no auditions. Sheet music, wine and cheese supper provided. $12.50 per week. At St John’s Anglican Church, 552 Burke Rd, Camberwell. 0421 277 862. www.yarragospel.org F-I

Free ‘For Sale’ and ‘What’s On ads are available in The Local Paper to private parties and community groups

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MELBOURNE ADULT MIGRANT ENGLISH PROGRAM VOLUNTEER TUTOR SCHEME INFORMATION SESSION

One hour weekly sessions, volunteers support learners to gain confidence with conventional English, learn more about Australian culture, find employment or access local services. Sign up to volunteer: www. melbourneamep.com.au/ volunteer/

To find out more at an upcoming information session (Feb. 8) - register at www. eventbrite.com.au/my event?eid=4820856500157

MOONEE PONDS

CHURCH , 4 5

St, 5.30pm Mondays, supports those from Moonee Valley in a tough place. All welcome for a free hot meal from

on Mondays. If you have food handling, listening or cleaning skills, then contact us to help out. 0466 075 820. UFN

MORNINGTON Dutch Australian Seniors Club. Meets weekly in Tyabb Community Hall, Frankston-Flinders Rd, Tyabb on Mondays, 10am2pm. Morning coffee, games of Klkaverjas and Rummicub. New members welcome. Nel, 0414 997 161. Paula, 5779 8291. UFN

SOCIAL BALLROOM DANCING. Lessons and practice, 7.30pm -10pm Wed. Scots Church Hall, Yea. $5. Dance: 1st Saturday of month. 7.30pm11pm. 0490 425 234UFN

CAR REG. No.