The Local Paper. Northern Suburbs Edition. Wed., Oct. 4, 2023

The Local Paper

Online weekly. Print copies fortnightly.

In association with the Established September 14, 1969

Published in localised editions in 40 areas across Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula and some country areas.

ABOUT US

Incorporating the traditions of the Evelyn Observer (Est. 1873), Northcote Budget (Est. 1888), Heidelberg City News (Est. 1897), Preston Post (Est. 1888), Whittlesea Post (Est. 1935), Diamond Valley News (Est. 1959), Diamond ValleyWhittlesea Advertiser (Est. 1995).

The Local Paper is published weekly online and printed fortnightly and circulates in local editions:

• Northcote Budget

• Preston Post-Reservoir Time

• Whittlesea Post

• Heidelberger

• Diamond Valley News

CONTACT US

Phone: 5797 2656, 1800 231 311, 9489 2222, 9439 9927, 0450 399 932 Reg. Office: 30 Glen Gully Rd, Eltham, Vic 3095 (same address for 29 years)

Mail: PO Box 1278, Research, Vic 3095 Web: www.LocalPaper.com.au www.MelbourneObserver.com.au www.LocalMedia.com.au

Faster planning decisions

■ Sonya Kilkenny, in her role as State Planning Minister, is leading a major reform in planning permits.

Ms Kilkenny says the package of reforms to the planning system will help clear the backlog of approvals and build more homes, faster.

“Right now, the system just isn’t working like it should – and decisions aren’t getting made fast enough,” a State Government representative said.

Over the last year, the number of dwellings approved across the state fell by 26.1 per cent.

“At a council level, there’s a backlog of around 1400 planning permit applications for multi-unit housing that have been sitting with councils for more than six months waiting for a decision.

“Some 550 of those applications have been waiting for more than a year.

“Of these, 78 projects have a development cost of more than $10 million – and would deliver around 4900 new homes.”

New data shows Yarra Council progressed just 38 per cent of all applications within the required timeframe – with an average processing time of 188 days.

Stonnington City Council rejected almost one in five planning permit applications – often citing ‘neighbourhood character’ when matters are heard at VCAT

“The status quo is not an option. Unless we take bold and decisive action to build the homes people need now, Victorians

Long Shots

will be paying the price for generations to come.

“We’ll begin the work to clear the backlog of 1400 housing permit applications that have been stuck with councils for more than six months.

“By November, we’ll have a dedicated team up and running to work with project proponents, local councils, and referral agencies to resolve issues delaying council decision-making – to avoid projects ending up in VCAT and to get homes built.

“The unit in the Department of Transport and Planning will rapidly review multiunit developments with development costs above $10 million. Once we have a clearer picture of projects and if decisions keep lagging, the Minister for Planning won't hesitate to call them in.”

Changes will mean around 13,200 additional homes will be brought to market that would otherwise be delayed – and it’ll cut application timeframes for these types of projects from more than 12 months down to four.

Your Stars with Kerry Kulkens

ARIES: (March 21- April 20)

Lucky Colour: Peach

Lucky Day: Sunday Racing Numbers: 3.4.5.6. Lotto Numbers: 1,14,23,34,43,6, There are some frustrating times ahead when you are unsure if you are going or coming. Other people's moods seem to affect your plans. Also, keep a clear head and be determined.

TAURUS: (April 21- May 20)

Lucky Colour: Yellow

Lucky Day: Friday

Racing Numbers: 7,8,4,5,

Lotto Numbers: 6,8,3,42,23,31, You could be having problems convincing people that you are interested in something. Travel plans should be well in the pipeline. If not yours, then someone close.

GEMINI: (May 21- June 21)

Lucky Colour: Cream

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 8,9,3,4,

Lotto Numbers: 8,2,13,34,45,22, You could be fortunate with someone born under the sign of Aries—a reasonable period for real estate and property matters. Keep an eye out for something special in the fashion business.

CANCER: (June 22- July 22)

Lucky Colour: Mauve

Lucky Day: Wednesday

Racing Numbers: 7,8,9,4,

Lotto Numbers: 7,8,12,23,34,45, Someone born under your sign could be fortunate during this period. Also, love life should blossom, and many could meet the love of their lives. Business and career should go well.

LEO: (July 23- August 22)

Lucky Colour: Pink

Lucky Day: Friday

Racing Numbers: 7,8,4,3,

Lotto Numbers: 5,7,12,23,34,41, It could be reunions with people who have been away for a long time. Some news from far away could make you feel like travelling. Love life improvements could help you to overcome something.

VIRGO: (August 23- September 23)

Lucky Colour: Blue

Lucky Day: Thursday

Racing Numbers: 8,9,3,4,

Lotto Numbers: 1,14,23,34,45,11,

You could become involved in something completely new and exciting: financial improvements and more chances of earning money and helping out someone simultaneously.

LIBRA: (September 24- October 23)

Lucky Colour: Orange

Lucky Day: Thursday

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 Minister will lead the work to overhaul the Planning and Environmental Act 1987 to create a modern, fit for purpose planning system – with the review’s timeframes.

Ms Kilkenny said: “Victorians deserve a planning system that works with them – not against them. It should be a clear, transparent and accountable system – because Victorians deserve to know who is planning our city and state.”

Local Photo Flashback

Editor: Ash Long

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, Peter Green, Lyn Hurst, Kathryn Keeble, Beth Klein, David McLean, Graeme McCoubrie, Maggie Morrison, Peter Murphy, Jill Page, Elizabeth Semmel.

Logistics: Nicholas Caven, Tim Granvillani, Graeme Hawke, Erica Koldinsky

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

Read online editions at: www.LocalPaper.com.au

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Have a free copy of the online edition sent to your email address each week: www.FreePaper.com.au

Racing Numbers: 8,9,1,4,

Lotto Numbers: 6,8,23,34,44,12

You could be the one to help someone in trouble, which could be very helpful for you, too—better vibes in your love life and an increase in your financial returns coming up.

SCORPIO: (October 24- November 22)

Lucky Colour: Green

Lucky Day: Monday

Racing Numbers: 7,8,1,3,

Lotto Numbers: 1,6,23,35,34,4,

A time when silence is golden and too much loose talk will get you into trouble. People are not interested in your opinions during this period. Someone special could attract our attention.

SAGITTARIUS: (November 23- December 20)

Lucky Colour: Cream

Lucky Day: Sunday

Racing Numbers: 6,8,3,2,

Lotto Numbers: 2,7,13,35,41,11,

Over-emotionalising will not help you in your endeavours. Do not let anyone talk you into anything. Your best bet is to stay in a safe family environment as much as possible.

CAPRICORN: (December 21- January 19)

Lucky Colour: Dark Blue

Lucky Day: Wednesday

Racing Numbers: 6,3,4,5

Lotto Numbers: 1,5,23,34,41,22, Thinking of the past will not help you best to concentrate on the future. Your domestic situation should be much happier; some could be starting a family. You could be interested in self-improvement of some kind.

AQUARIUS: (January 20- February 19)

Lucky Colour: Fawn

Lucky Day: Tuesday

Racing Numbers: 7,9,3,1,

Lotto Numbers: 1,15,23,34,35,44,

This period will be busy in all aspects- social invitations should be accepted now—some happy surprises in store. You could be of great help to someone in trouble.

PISCES: (February 20- March 20)

Lucky Colour: Blue

Lucky Day: Friday

Racing Numbers: 1,5,2,3,

Lotto Numbers: 1,5,23,21,29,33,

An auspicious period in money matters and also a period of opportunities in career matters. But it would be best if you curbed that spendthrift feeling, or you could find yourself in a predicament.

Sonya Kilkenny, Carrum MLA

Local Briefs

Pedestrian dies

■ Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating a fatal collision in Greensborough. Emergency services were called after a car struck a pedestrian on Lorimer St about 3.25pm, on September 21.

The pedestrian, an 88-year-old woman from Greensborough was taken to hospital with serious injuries but died.

The driver of the Ford Ranger, a 66-yearold woman from Pheasant Creek stopped to render assistance at the scene.

Circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be established and the investigation is ongoing.

Parking policy delay

■ Darebin Council promised to re-visit its parking policy in July. Last week’s meeting was told there had been a delay.

“The robust analysis and assessment needed to finalise recommendations to Council has taken a little longer than expected. I am anticipating a report to Council in October,” said City officer Vanessa Petrie

The Local Paper

Plan for Stradbroke Ave

■ Banyule Council is considering what it might do with land it owns at 1 Stradbroke Avenue, Heidelberg.

Expressions of interest are being sought from interested parties with the experience and qualifications to redevelop the land as a multi-storey development.

“We will decide whether to proceed with the sale at the end of the EOI and RFP phase,” said a Banyule Council representative.

“The EOI/RFP process allows us to maintain significantly more control over the sale and development. It ensures the future development is complementary to the area and local amenity.

“We are not bound to sell this parcel of land and will make that decision following the EOI / RFP process.

“Should we decide to progress to a RFP and ultimately decide to sell, it will be required to undertake its notice of intent to sell obligations under S114 of the Local Government Act 2020

“In this process, all members of the public can make a formal submission to us regarding the intent to sell in accordance with section 55 of the Act and our Community Engagement Policy 2020.

“We have adopted the Heidelberg Structure

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PAIN RELIEF MAGIC FROM EUROPE

Patient - Question: I have had really bad back and sometimes neck pain for several months now. I have tried physio and chiro both of which helped for a few days but the problem always comes back no matter how many sessions I have. Can you help with your NST method?

Plan (2021), but has not yet been incorporated into the Planning Scheme. However, it is currently being exhibited as Amendment C172 to the Banyule Planning Scheme.

“If the Amendment C172 is approved in its current form the building height control is set at 26m (preferred) or approximately 6-8 storeys.”

Current zoning encourages the consolidation of medical services or a mix of uses within the development that provides dwellings within upper levels of the building/s within this precinct.

Michael - Answer: Sorry to read about your back and neck pain and limited success with other professionals. NST approaches back and neck pain in a very different way to other modalities, by comprehensively resetting the muscular and nervous systems at every session. This approach achieves extremely good results from the first session, and long standing results are achieved after 2-3 sessions for the majority of patients.

Michael Nixon-Livy

BANYULE

Incorporating the traditions of the Heidelberg City News (Est. Mar. 26, 1897), Heidelberger (Est. Nov. 12, 1958) and Evelyn Observer (Est. Oct. 31, 1873). The Heidelberger area comprises Bellfield, Darebin, Eaglemont, Heidelberg, Heidelberg Heights, Heidelberg West, Ivanhoe, Ivanhoe East, Macleod, Rosanna, Watsonia, Viewbank and Yallambie. Banyule is home to more than 121,865 people, living in approximately 50,223 homes.

DAREBIN

NORTHERN

Incorporating the traditions of the Preston Post (Est. 1888) and the Reservoir Times (Est. 1955)

Preston Post-Reservoir Times area comprises Keon Park, Kingsbury, Northland, Preston, Preston East, Preston West, Regent, Reservoir, Reservoir East, Reservoir West. The City of Darebin is home to more than 146,719 people, living in approximately 63,562 homes.

SOUTHERN

Incorporating the traditions of the Northcote Budget (Est. 1888) Northcote Budget area comprises Alphington, Clifton Hill, Collingwood, Croxton, Dennis, Fairfield, Fitzroy, Fitzroy North, Merri, Northcote, Thornbury and Westgarth. The City of Darebin is home to more than 146,719 people, living in approximately 63,562 homes.

NILLUMBIK

Incorporating the traditions of the Heidelberg City News (Est. Mar. 26, 1897), Diamond Valley News (Est. 1959) Evelyn Observer (Est. Oct. 31, 1873), and Eltham & Whittlesea Shires Advertiser

The Diamond Valley News area comprises Briar Hill, Eltham, Greensborough, Lower Plenty, Montmorency and St Helena. Nillumbik Shire is home to more than 64,659 people, living in approximately 21,753 homes.

WHITTLESEA

Incorporating the traditions of the Whittlesea Post (Est. 1935), Whittlesea Chronicle, Whittlesea Advertiser, and Eltham & Whittlesea Shires Advertiser, Evelyn Observer (Est. Oct. 31, 1873).

Whittlesea Post area comprises Bundoora, Epping, Epping North, Lalor, Mill Park, Thomastown, South Morang, Wollert. The City of Whittlesea is home to more than 197,491 people, living in approximately 71,014 homes.

Read online editions at: www.LocalPaper.com.au

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Flag move for Aust. Day

■ Flags will be lowered on Australia Day (Jan. 26) at Darebin Council’s municipal offices at Preston and Bundoora Homestead Art Centre, last week’s Council meeting was told.

The statement came after resident Staci Timms asked:

■ “Could Council please provide an update on the development of its Community Flag Schedule, and will this include flying flags half-mast on Invasion Day?

■ “Given the nasty threats, emails and calls for cancellation of the Rainbow Storytime event at Reservoir Library earlier this year, how can the community support Council, its libraries, and librarians to deal with this hate?

■ “How could Council use its General Local Law (particularly clause 24(2)) to ensure the safety and security of people attending events such as the

Rainbow Storytime in the future?”

Kylie Bennetts, Darebin Council’s General Manager Community, said:

■ “On January 26, the flags are lowered at Council’s municipal offices at Preston and Bundoora Homestead Art Centre.

“A Civic Flag Policy is in development which will include a draft community flag schedule.

“Councillors will be briefed on that later this year.

■ “Rainbow story time was held at all libraries in Darebin earlier this year.

“Feedback from community was very supportive and recognised Council’s continued support of LGBTIQA+ families.

■ “I have been advised that Council’s Local Law does provide officers authority to deal with inappropriate behaviour in Council buildings during an event.

“However, it is Council’s preference to work in partnership with Victoria Police who are well-trained and equipped to handle these types of situations, in the interest of maintaining peace and ensuring community safety.

26 make submissions to Shire

■ Nillumbik Shire Council will request the Minister for Transport and Planning appoint an independent planning panel to consider unresolved submissions to Heritage Amendment C149

The Councillors last week resolved to request the panel appointment following a Planning and Consultation Committee meeting on September 12, where 14 residents spoke to their submissions on the proposed amendment.

A total of 26 submissions had been received for the proposed amendment.

Nillumbik Mayor Cr Ben Ramcharan said local Councils were responsible for protecting places with local heritage significance where the Planning and Environment Act 1987 obliged councils to use their planning schemes to conserve and enhance buildings, areas or other places of local heritage significance.

The Heritage Overlay is the planning tool used in planning schemes to protect places of heritage significance.

“The main objective of a heritage overlay is to safeguard the important elements of a community’s heritage and character from inappropriate development, alteration or demolition,” Cr Ramcharan said.

100 Springthorpe Blvd, Macleod Phone 0493 571 111 www.nsthealth.com info@nsthealth.com

● ● Cr Ben Ramcharan, Nillumbik Mayor

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Le Freak

ASTONISHING COMET BOOMBOX

■ Vivian Ngyuen explores AI, frriendship and what it means to be human in The Astonishing Comet Boombox for Melbourne Fringe 2023, from October 17-21 at the Bluestone Church, Footscray.

An interspecies relationship podcast, silicone shamans, and an ancestral trip to a motherboard factory take centre stage in The Astonishing Comet Boombox.

This new show from writer and producer Vivian Ngyuen was created with rising playwright Chenturan Aran.

The one-handed satire circles around the relationship between Retro and her imaginary friend, an antiquated AI called Comet.

Mythos: Ragnarök

● ● ● ● Elle Diablo, Le Freak creator/ performer - sword swallower, sideshow performer, aerialist and burlesque artist.

■ Themme Fatale and Elle Diablo present Le Freak from October 4-22 at the ETU Ballroom, Trades Hall.

Le Freak, hot on the heels of two sell-out seasons, returns to the 2023 Melbourne Fringe Festival, featuring world-class, awardwinning trans, queer, disabled and sex worker performers and shines a lens on sideshow and how this artform has historically exploited (and continues to) the "freaks".

Le Freak features multiple circus/sideshow performers, and makes use of narrative sketches and video content along with live captioning making Le Freak accessible to audience members with disabilities.

Two performances each week have been dedicated to engaging with the deaf community with the inclusion of an Auslan interpreter.

The Sunday, October 22 show will include a tactile tour and audio description to create accessibility for the blind community. Blind and low vision audience members are invited to a pre show experience where they are able to touch and interact with the cast, costumes, props and set.

Le Freak is said to promise to take down capitalism whilst using joy as a radical act. The weird and silly become profound with new thrilling and dangerous stunts that dare the audience to look away.

The show features the award-winning circus and sideshow artists: Themme Fatale, Elle Diablo, Dale Woodbridge-Brown, Sarah Birdgirl, and Bubbles the ferret. Le Freak has sideshow, swords, stilettos, sequins and the circus reimagined.

Performers bring an impressive CV to the show with tours with Circus Oz, Blunderland, League of Sideshow Superstars, Cirque du Soleil, Circus of Horrors (UK), Coney Island (USA), and Kamikaze Freakshow (EU).

Performer, Disability Rights Activist and past Paralympion Sarah Birdgirl will present a solo act and brings to the cast an impressive breadth of insight as a sideshow historian.

Le Freak is described as “thought provoking while still providing the audience with a really good time”.

Performance Details: October 4-22

Venue: The ETU Ballroom, Trades Hall.

Tickets: $32 (concession) and $34.50 (full).

www.melbournefringe.com.au

- Cheryl Threadgold

Christmas Carol

■ Tony Award winner and international screen star, Owen Teale will play the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in the triumphant return season of the smash-hit Old Vic production of Charles Dickens’ immortal classic A Christmas Carol, returning to the Comedy Theatre from November 12.

Best known for his recurring role of Alliser Thorne in HBO's epic fantasy Game of Thrones, Teale currently appears in the BBC detective thriller Wolf, and has starred in comedy-drama series Stella.

This dark comedy shines a light on the modern world and how humans function in it in relationship to their own technology.

Comet undergoes an unexpected upgrade by Retro’s mother, resulting in broken relationships.

The Astonishing Comet Boombox is a satire that imagines the bizarre moment when humans and AI talk peace.

The central duo are millennial tech influencer, Retro, and her childhood AI, Comet, beacons of hope for AI and human relations.

They co-host a blockbuster media channel that shares quirky tips on joyful co-existence, however, when it’s revealed that Retro’s been blocking Comet’s attempt to upgrade to a superintelligence, their relationship unravels in a public reckoning on AI exploitation.

Performed by Ruby Duncan, the play intricately weaves a multi-generational tale of best friends turned foes.

Their diverging paths lead to an unusual public reunion, sparking candid emotions and negotiating grievances.

As the story unfolds, a human desperately clings on for future relevance while an unchained AI searches for its ancestral origins.

This blend of surrealism, wit, and keen insights into human-AI dynamics encourages audiences to ponder their evolving relationship with technology.

Performance Season: October 17-21

Venue: Bluestone Church, 8A Hyde St., Footscray

Bookings: melbournefringe.com.au

- Cheryl Threadgold

To Be Frank

■ Michael Hockey is performer (Frank) and producer of the Melbourne Fringe show To Be Frank, being presented from October 11-15 at the Festival Hub, Trades Hall - Old Council Chambers.

To Be Frank follows the journey of a curious creature ‘Frank’ who discovers and reacts to the audience in a new and organic way each night.

A modern reimagining; blending clown, physical comedy and horror with live music and sound effects.

This solo show brings into question loneliness and love, creation and destruction and ultimately how to cope with the emotional intensity of being alive.

This is To Be Frank's Australian debut after many successful seasons in Aotearoa, New Zealand

Performance Dates: October 11-15

Time :10pm, 9pm (Sunday)

Duration: 60 Minutes

Venue: Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Old Council Chambers

Bookings: www.melbournefringe.com.au

- Cheryl Threadgold

All The Best Roles

■ All The Best Roles Are Written For Men is an Australian-written Cabaret-meets-TED-Talk focusing on the realities of the theatre and film worlds when it comes to gender, being presented from October 2-8 at The Motley Bauhaus Blackbox, Carlton.

The show discusses that every audition room is full to bursting with female talent - so why are

● ● ● ● Vivian Nguyen (Lead Creator/ Co-Creator/Writer, Assistant Director and Producer.

all the best roles written for men and so few roles for women?

Is it a relic of historical oppression, a byproduct of the stories we tell, or simply a fact of life? Take a musical journey through classic and contemporary theatre in this one-woman musical cabaret starring Kate O'Sullivan, to discover why female theatre artists of all kinds still find all the best roles are written for men.

Performance Details: October 2-6

Venue: Motley Bauhaus Blackbox, 118 Elgin St, Carlton Bookings: www.melbournefringe.com.au

- Cheryl Threadgold

Matador

■ Matator sabor de amor returns to Melbourne with a fast paced fusion of dance, circus and burlesque from October 3-29 at Festival Park – The Vault as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival.

Presented by Bass Fam Creative, Matador sabor de amor (a taste of love) will fuse burlesque, dance and circus acts. Set across a fiery Spanish sunset, this is a tale of forbidden love, desires, passion and pain; a tale of a lovetorn bull and the seductive Matador.

Featuring iconic Matador moments, crowd favourite songs, signature storytelling, an updated soundtrack and some new circus acts.

Matador sabor de amor explores the themes of love, friendship, infidelity, heartbreak, passion and sex through thematic vignettes with reimagined dance and burlesque numbers.

Above all else, Matador sabor de amor is a celebration of love, friendship and the bonds that hold us together.

Comprising a cast of 11 performers, Matador sabor de amor features non-stop entertainment from start to finish. High energy commercial dance pieces, contemporary and ballet acts as well as Latin numbers intertwined with burlesque acts, pole dancing and dramatic aerial acts.

Performance Details: October 3-29 at 8.30pm (except Monday)

Location: Festival Park - The Vault

Bookings: melbournefringe.com.au

Tickets: $56.25-$99

- Cheryl Threadgold

● ● Fresh editions of the Melbourne Observer are published weekly online. Hard copy print editions are available in The Local Paper fortnightly.

● ● ● ● Mythos: Ragnarök

■ Phil McIntyre Live presents Mythos: Ragnarök, making its international debut at the Melbourne Fringe Festival from October 3-29 at The Bunker, Festival Park.

The Mythological Theatre’s show will weave ancient myths and legends into an original story. Mythos: Ragnarök is said to be the only theatre show to use a cast of professional wrestlers, which creates intense fight scenes.

The story follows Odin and Loki in their struggle to overcome primeval giants, rival Gods and Goddesses, and each other's ambitions in a dark comic adaption of the Norse myths.

Despite its spectacular fight scenes, Mythos: Ragnarök is far from mere spectacle, and includes storytelling, aiming to appeal to those with no interest in wrestling or mythology whatsoever.

Having enjoyed success at Edinburgh Fringe, the show has played to sold out audiences around the UK, earned rave reviews since its debut in 2021 and is now making its international debut at Melbourne Fringe 2023.

The creator of the show, Ed Gamester said, “I’ve been absolutely blown away by the response to our show. I knew this was a form of theatre that needed to be created and shared, but I didn’t expect people to fall in love with it like they have.

“I truly couldn’t be more excited and grateful for the opportunity to now bring my story to the other side of the world, to Melbourne and beyond.”

Performance Details: October 3-29 at 7.20pm (6.20pm on Sundays)

Venue: The Bunker, Festival Park, Melbourne

Tickets: Start from $40.

Running Time: 70 minutes

All welcome, but recommended for ages 12 +

Bookings: melbournefringe.com.au www.mythosragnarok.co.uk

- Cheryl Threadgold Bowness winner

■ Sydney-based artist Anne Zahalka has been named winner of the 2023 William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize for her work 'Kunstkammer' (2023).

She has been awarded $30,000, and this work will be acquired into MAPh's significant collection of Australian photographs.

Over the past 17 years, the William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize has emerged as an important annual survey of contemporary photographic practice in Australia and one of the most prestigious prizes in the country.

Every year MAPh invites artists to submit photo-based media including analogue and digital photography created over the last year for consideration.

Rhana Devenport (ONZM, Director, Art Gallery of South Australia) and Michael Cook (Brisbane-based contemporary photographic artist of Bidjara heritage) joined MAPh Director Anouska Phizacklea to select the winner and three honourable mentions from a shortlist of 66 exceptional works.

Local Theatre Observations

Shows

■ The 1812 Theatre: Phantom Call (by Chris Hodson) October 5 – 28 at The 1812 Theatre, 3 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Neil Barnett. Bookings: www.1812theatre.com.au

■ The Basin Theatre Group: Belles (by Mark Dunn) October 5 – 15 at The Basin Theatre, Doongalla Rd., The Basin. Director: L B Bradley. Bookings: www.thebasin theatre.org.au

■ MLOC Productions: A Chorus Line: Teen Edition, October 5 - 15 at the Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd., Parkdale. Bookings: www.mloc.org.au

■ Geelong Lyric Theatre Society: Jersey Boys October 6 – 14 at the Geelong Performing Arts Centre. Bookings: www.geelong artscentre.org.au

■ CLOC Musical Theatre: Chess the Musical, October 6 – 21 at the National Theatre, St Kilda. Booking: cloc.org.au or 1300 362 547

■ Encore Theatre: Cul-De-Sac (by John Cariani) October 6 – 14 at the Clayton Community Theatrette, Cooke St., Clayton. Di- rector: Helen Ellis. All tickets $28. Bookings: www.trybooking.com/CKRJH

■ CPP Community Theatre: Oliver! October 6 – 14 at the Mahon Theatre, Aquinas College, 46 Great Ryrie St., Ringwood. Bookings: https://bit.ly/3pTjn40 Enquiries: tickets@cppcommunitytheatre.com.au

■ AVID Theatre and Ardour Theatre: Hamlet (by William Shakespeare) October 20 – November 4 at Mycelium Studios, Factory 1/10,12 Moreland Rd., Brunswick East. Director: Michael Fenemore. Bookings: https:/ /www.trybooking.com/events/landing/ 1081851

■ NOVA Music Theatre: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, October 20 – 29 at The Round Theatre, Whitehorse Rd., Nunawading. Bookings: www.novamusic theatre.com.au

■ Malvern Theatre Company: Absurd Person Singular (by Alan Ayckbourn) October 27 – November 11 at 29A Burke Rd., Malvern. Director: Damian Jones. www.malverntheatre.com.au

■ LOTS Theatre: Legends of the Skies Series 11, October 26 – 29 in The Casey Hangar Theatre, Moorabbin Air Museum, Moorabbin Airport. Artistic Director: Maggie Morrison. Tickets: $20 per person. Bookings: Trybooking

■ Williamstown Musical Theatre Company: Spring Awakening November 10 – 25 at Centenary Theatre, 71 Railway Place, Williamstown. Bookings: www.wmtc.org.au

■ Eltham Little Theatre: Clue:on Stage! (by Jonathan Lynn) November 10 – 25 at the Eltham Performing Arts Centre, 1603 Main Rd., Research. Director: Luisa Romeo. www.elthamlittletheatre.org.au

■ Brighton Theatre Company: Here I Belong (Matt Harley) November 10 – 25 at Brighton Arts and Cultural Centre, Carpenter St., Brighton. Director: Barbara Crawford. Bookings: www.brightontheatre.com.au

■ Beaumaris Theatre: 70th Anniversary Christmas Panto-Revue (Script and Original Lyrics by Cheryl Threadgold) November 10 – 25 at Beaumaris Theatre, 82 Wells Rd., Beaumaris. Director: Debbie Keyt; Musical Director: Rhonda Vaughan; Choreographer: Camilla Klesman. www.beaumaristheatre. com.au

■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: Four Flat Whites in Italy (by Roger Hall) November 10 – 25 at the Shirley Bourke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd., Parkdale. Director: David Collins. Bookings: www.mordialloctheatre.com

■ Williamstown Little Theatre: A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (book and lyrics by Robert L Freedman) November 15 - December 2 at Williamstown Little Theatre, 2 Albert St., Williamstown. Director: Barbara Hughes. www.wlt.org.au

■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: Ladies in Black, the Musical (Music and lyrics by Tim Finn, Book by Carolyn Burns) November 17 – December 2 at Heidelberg Theatre, 36 Turner Ave., Rosanna. Director: Tim Scott. Bookings: htc.org.au

■ OSMaD: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney film) December 7 – 16 at the Geoffrey McComas Theatre, 1 Morrison St., Hawthorn. Director: Joel Batalha; Co-Musical Directors: David Barrell and Ned Dixon; Choreographer: Caitlin Lamont. www.osmad.com.au

■ HTC Youth Theatre: Grimmish December 8 – 16 at Heidelberg Theatre, 36 turner Ave., Rosanna. Bookings: htc.org.au or 9457 4117. - Cheryl Threadgold

NO BANG THEORY

■ Brisbane cabaret performer Oliver Hetherington-Page presents The No Bang Theory from October 3-8 at Speakeasy Theatre - Apollo, 522 Flinders St, Melbourne. This look at life on the autism spectrum is described as “the non-romantic comedy of the year ... heartbreak and hilarity ... too much sex talk from a self-confessed 25-year-old virgin. The Tinder date without the messy bits”.

Autism is no laughing matter - but laughing is exactly what Oliver Hetherington-Page wants audiences to do, as he presents stories, show tunes, and a series of sparkly jackets.

Performance Dates: October 3-8

Time: 7.30 pm (exc. Thursday October 6, Friday October 7, 6pm)

Venue: Speakeasy Theatre - Apollo, 522 Flinders St., Melbourne

Cost: $26.25 - $35

Tickets: https://melbournefringe.com.au/ event/the-no-bang-theory/ - Cheryl Threadgold

Castropha

■ Catastropha featuring My Cousin Vlad is being presented at the Palais Theatre, Lower Esplanade, St Kilda, on Friday, October 13 at 8pm.

The show features new music, parodies, sketches, stand-up comedy and unexpected surprises.

Vlad is said to be everyone’s favourite cousin, bringing the laughs and life strategies, as all good cousins do.

Performance Details: Friday, October 13 at 8pm (Doors open at 7pm)

Venue: Palais Theatre, Lower Esplanade, St Kilda.

Bookings: Ticketmaster - Cheryl Threadgold

Improvised Aust.

Sopa Opera

■ The Improvised Australian Soap Opera is being presented from October 4 to 15 at 7.15pm at Ground Floor, UBQ , 108 Smith St, Collingwood.

The Improv Pit presents its newest fulllength show exploring Aussie Soapies. There will be sentimentality; there will be melodrama; the ensemble will play soap opera inspired characters with interweaving stories.

Using long-form improvisation plus tropes of Aussie soapies and drama, a full story will be created, exploring personal relationships, family life, emotional and moral conflicts, and some of the unique quirks of Australiana

Every show is an episode of a serial drama that has never existed before and will never be seen again.

Members of the Improv Pit troupe have trained and performed with international long form improvisation groups, including: The Second City, The IO Theatre, Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB), The Gaulier Clown School, The Annoyance Theatre.

They’ve also performed with Australian improvisation groups including The Improv Conspiracy, Impro Melbourne, LMA (Laugh Masters Academy) and The Big Hoo Haa.

Performance Season: October 4 - 15 at 7.15pm (no show on Tuesday)

Venue: Ground Floor, UBQ, 108 Smith St., Collingwood.

Tickets: melbournefringe.com.au/event/theimprovides-soap-opera

- Cheryl Threadgold

3-2-1

■ The emotion21 Dancers present 3-2-1 from October 13-21 at the Abbotsford Convent, Magdalen Laundry as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival.

Created by Catherine Annable, Emily Woodward and Jamie Halliday and directed by Tristan Sinclair, 3-2-1 is a dance show, reimagining dance through the lens of Down syndrome.

"Within each of us, three copies of chromosome 21 dance in unison, creating a unique rhythm known as Trisomy 21, or Down syndrome," explain the creators.

"We are 19 performers, each embodying this dance within our DNA. Journey with us as we share our unique capabilities, acknowledge our challenges, and celebrate the ways our different-ability enhances life."

Conceived and crafted by three creators with Down syndrome, 3-2-1 explores the three intertwined themes of capability, challenge, and enhancement, offering, "An unforgettable portrait of our lived experiences."

The creators say that through dance, they become more than just performers.

"We become imagineers and storytellers. Our bodies, imbued with experiences unique to us, are the medium through which these narratives are shared.

“This approach is not just innovative—it is a subversive act against long-standing norms about who can be a dancer and what kind of dance is deemed worthy.

“Prepare to experience our most groundbreaking and compelling choreography, as we breathe life into a captivating fusion of contemporary, lyrical, and experimental dance."

Performance Season: October 13 - 21

Venue: Abbotsford Convent, Magdalen Laundry Bookings: melbournefringe.com.au

- Cheryl Threadgold

Morning Melodies

■ The Mia Sorella Trio will perform in the next Morning Melodies at Hamer Hall on Monday, October 16 at 11.00am and 1.30pm.

Italian-Australian spinto soprano Michelle Francis Cook, Australian songbird, Helen Ling and mezzo-soprano Dannielle O’Keefe will take audiences through some of well-known songs and arias, but with a twist

Singing in trio, duo and solo formats, Mia Sorella will perform soprano arias varying from light, full lyric and spinto/dramatic soprano, as well as pop opera pieces made famous by Josh Groban, The Three Tenors and Andrea Bocelli. Special guest artist is Shantai Sheree who will perform ‘Babirra Nyiwarri Gariya Garin’, a Wiradjuri song.

Performance Details: Monday, October 16 at 11am and 1.30pm

Venue: Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne

Duration: One hour

Bookings: artscentremelbourne.com.au

-

Cheryl Threadgold

Poet of the Violin

■ One of the world’s most acclaimed Baroque violinists Leila Schayegh will make her longawaited Australian debut as Guest Director and soloist for the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra’s upcoming concert series Poet of the Violin.

A true virtuoso, the program will showcase Schayegh’s vivaciousness and captivating musicality through a repertoire of masterworks from JS Bach, Handel, Leclair and Zelenka. The concerts will take place at the Melbourne Recital Centre from November 912.

Celebrated for her fierce and expressive interpretations of classical repertoire, Leila Schayegh has carved a singular career that has seen her perform all over the world as a soloist and as part of renowned chamber music groups.

■ There was great excitement in Brighton’s Patricia Turner Centre for Creative Arts when young singer Gemma Hollingsworth took out the Novice Aria Award at the Classical Voice Singing Competition.

Now in its third year, the CVSC was developed to foster the next generation of classical vocalists while in secondary school.

Classical voice students from Years 7- 12 can enter, and there are specialist sections for those studying VCE Voice in years 11 and 12.

The timing of the competition in September is designed to give senior students a chance to really hone their craft before their final VCE performance exams.

This year the competitors benefited from the wisdom of opera star and recording artist Suzanne Johnston, who also gave valuable practical advice in a masterclass for the competitors.

Accompanied by official competition accompanist Isaac Mouskovias, Gemma Hollingsworth triumphed among 15 singers to take home the Novice Aria Award, which included a certificate and a cash prize of $250.

Other awards included the CVSC VCE award, won by Genevieve Gray, and the Max Riebl Early Music Memorial Award, for the adjudicator’s choice of the best singer of preclassical music.

Established in 2022 to commemorate the memory of young counter-tenor Max Riebl, this year it was won by another young countertenor, Anderson Mokyiu.

Although only three years old, the Classical Voice Singing Competition is fast establishing itself as a vitally important singing competition in the classical vocal sphere.

- Julie Houghton

Auditions

■ Theatrical: The Sound of Music, October 15, 17, 19, 22 at Theatrical HQ, 14 Friendship Square, Cheltenham. Director: Karen Shnider; Musical Director: Vicki Quinn: Choreographer; Suzie Pappas. Audition Bookings and Information: www.theatrical.com.au/auditions/

■ Williamstown Little Theatre: Photograph 51 (by Anna Ziegler) October 29 at 12.00pm, October 30 at 7.00pm at Williamstown Little theatre, 2-4 Albert St., Williamstown. Director: Natasha Boyd. Audition Enquiries: Natasha Boyd - tashmark@yourmail.net.au or 0413 188 513

■ The Last Quiz Show on Earth (by Alison Carr) November 23 at 7.30pm, November 25 at 2.30pm at the Warrandyte Mechanics’ Institute Hall, 180 Yarra St., Warrandyte. Director: Bob Bramble. Enquiries: 0439 311428 or bobbramble2013@gmail.com

- Cheryl Threadgold

Special Show

■ Georgia State Line announce ‘A Very Special Show’ on Saturday, November 11, at the Melbourne Recital Centre

The forthcoming show at the Primrose Potter Salon will be an exclusive first taste of new material, and a collaboration with acclaimed composer Lucy G. Rash who will be writing string arrangements and leading the ensemble alongside Chloe Sanger and cellist Nils Hobiger

This presentation will be Auslan interpreted with Georgia State Line offering discounted tickets to First Nations, Deaf and Disabled patrons.

●

● Oliver Hetherington-Page

● ● ● ● Anderson Mokyiu with adjudicator Suzanne Johnston

GO-SET CLUB LUNCHEON

Rourke’s Reviews

Sick of Myself

■ (MA). 108 minutes. Opens in selected cinemas October 5.

A very darkly humorous examination of the everyday person’s obsession with social media fame, Sick Of Myself will divide audiences with its look at two characters who far from likeable, totally focused with online success and individual recognition, no matter what it takes.

Signe (Kristine Kujath Thorp) wants to be the centre of attention, as does her boyfriend Thomas (Eirik Saether), a distorted viewpoint that has lead to a worrying rivalry.

Signe manages to win by buying an illegal Russian drug which deforms her appearance, making her on online sensation.

But this social media success leads to real life discrimination, but Signe sees high virtual numbers as something better than humane, moral convictions, an approach that will see her life turned upside down.

Writer/director Kristoffer Borgli gives audiences a darker, grislier version of Ron Howard’s EDtv, where people will do anything to achieve viral success.

Performances are excellent, and the look of the film is pinpoint perfect.

RATING - ***½

The Expendables 4

■ (MA). 103 minutes. Opens in cinemas October 5.

The first movie in this highly schizophrenic franchise was mildly entertaining at best (the extended Director’s Cut was actually an improvement), but since then the series took a definite nose dive, using more modern cast members and film-making techniques that contradicted the very nature of the films’ existence (Part 3 was the unanimous low point).

Now, nearly a decade later, we have Part 4, a movie so bad it makes the previous sequels look outstanding by comparison.

This time around, the ageing gang are asked to eliminate a militant crew who are going to steal nuclear detonators from one of Gaddafi’s old chemical plants.

The mission doesn’t go to plan, and certain members band together to get revenge on those who did them wrong.

After Part 3 was a complete misfire (Part 2 was pretty bad too), this latest entry shows how tone deaf the film-makers are to the franchise’s basic concept. Instead of getting iconic 80s-90s action stars, we have pathetic substitutes

like Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson and a distressingly plastic Megan Fox

Even more frustrating, the filmmakers waste the immense, martial arts talents of Iko Iwais (The Raid 1 & 2) and Tony Jaa (Ong Bak).

There were even some cast members I didn’t know.

Director Scott Waugh directs proceedings like it’s a tenth rate direct-to-video cash-in, with CGI that is unconvincing at best.

The Expendables was a smileinducing, highly nostalgic concept, but the producers have seriously lost their way, totally forgetting what a high octane, 80s action/comedy extravaganza actually is.

Avoid at all costs.

RATING - No Stars.

Once Upon A Crime

■ (M). 105 minutes. Now streaming on Netflix.

Based on the novel by Aito Aoyagi, this attempted subversion on famous fairy tales is at best mildly entertaining, but never hits the bullseye like you so would like it to.

Starting as a variation on the Little Red Riding story, we see Red (Kanna Hashimoto) bumping into Cinderella (Yuko Araki), who wants to go to the big ball.

Helped by a fairy, the two are transformed into fashionable princesses, along with a pumpkin and a mouse turned into a carriage and driver.

On the way to the event, the carriage hits someone, which the passengers try to hide, as they want to attend the ball.

At the ball, the murder is discovered, and Little Red Riding Hood is the one who tries uncover how and why the person was dispatched, while also trying to help Cinderella get the attention of the prince.

Once Upon A Crime is not quite the wacky comedy as advertised, and is in fact more an Agatha Christie, Miss Marple type murder mystery with a fairy tale parody attached, with a moral message or two thrown in for good measure.

Well crafted, and mildly watchable, but it lacks the energy, pacing and off-kilter humour off director Yuichi Fukuda’s previous films, such as the Hentai Kamen and Gintama movies, Jossy’s, and Black Night Parade.

RATING - **½

-Aaron Rourke

● ● Debbie Miller and Donna Tunbridge. ● ● Kevin Hunt and Danielle Balschett.

● ● ● ● Wendy and Chris Dobbie.

● ● Craig Bennett and Anne Leach.

● ● ● ● Tony Healey and Somer Peeters.

● ● ● ● Linda Willmott and Rod Hardy.

● Rosemary Stuhlener and Ken James.

● ● ● ● Brian Cadd and Bob Pritchard.

Photos: Linda Willmott

■ My first memory of seeing Richard Widmark in a film was as a giggling gangster who pushed an old lady in a wheelchair down a flight of stairs in Kiss Of Death. I thought what a rat!

Then, as a 10-year-old who knew everything, I saw him in a film titled The Frogmen where he played a ‘goodie’ and I immediately changed my mind - what a guy! I thought to myself.

From that time on I was a fan of Richard Widmark. Richard Weedt Widmark was born in Minnesota in 1914.

His father was a travelling salesman and the family moved to various locations during Richard's childhood.

He studied acting at college and made his radio debut at the age of 14. He tried to enlist during the war years but was rejected because of a perforated ear drum.

Richard worked in radio and appeared in many popular shows including an ongoing role in the serial Front Page Farrell.

In 1942 he married Jean Hazelwood and they had a daughter. The following year he appeared in the Broadway comedy, Kiss And Tell

Richard Widmark made his film debut in 1947 as Tommy Udo, the giggling killer in Kiss Of Death, the film that impressed me as a child.

The role must have also impressed others as he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Richard was in demand and his film roles

Whatever Happened To ... Richard Widmark

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM

over the next few years included The Street With No Name, Yellow Sky, Down To The Sea in Ships, Panic In The Streets and Don't Bother

To Knock (in which Marilyn Monroe played a small role). After his contract with Twentieth Century Fox studios expired Richard became a freelance actor and even appeared as himself in an episode of the television series I Love Lucy . During his career Richard Widmark starred in more than 60 films. He worked for various studios and starred in films such as Hell And High Water, Broken Lance, The Last Wagon, How The West Was Won and Murder On The Orient Express

One of my favourites was Judgment At Nuremberg. Richard played the prosecuting at-

torney, Col. Tad Lawson, and his performance was outstanding.

Many of the actors in the film worked for a fraction of their normal salary because they felt

the subject matter was very important. He also starred opposite Doris Day in the romantic comedy The Tunnel Of Love which was a complete departure from his ‘tough guy’ roles.

The film was directed by Gene Kelly, but it was not a success at the box office.

In 1968 Richard starred in the successful film Madigan which was later produced as a television series.

His acting idol was Spencer Tracy and he became a good friend of Sidney Poitier afterthey made three films together. From everything I have read about Richard Widmark during my research it seems that he was a decent human being.

In his later years he enjoyed being at his farms in California and Connecticut His final film was True Colours with John Travolta in 1991. Sadly his wife passed away in 1997 and Richard married again in 1999. Richard Widmark passed away in Connecticut, after a long illness, in 2008 at the age of 93.

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

SHOWCASE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC PRACTICE

Stabat Mater

■ As part of its Metropolis New Music Program, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO), joined by the Choir of Trinity College Melbourne, gave a magnificent performance in St Patrick’s Cathedral of several works of sacred music titled Stabat Mater dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Curated by the MSO’s 2023 composer-in-residence, Mary Finisterer, the works spanned more than 800 years, from Gregorian chant to the Baroque, and were composed by Assandra, Gorczycki, Victoria, Praetorius, Garau.

A fitting finale to the program was an MSO-commissioned piece composed by Finisterer herself, Stabat Mater – Movements I, II and III.

The evening started somewhat hesitantly as a Gregorian Introit for Mass sounded somewhat thin and remote, failing to satisfactorily fill the spaces of the cathedral.

However, from there on a truly wonderful night of music unfolded as the choir was joined by MSO musicians, the soprano Mia Robinson and Joseph Nolan on organ. This ensemble of wonderful singers and musicians, expertly guided by Benjamin Northey conducting for the MSO and Christopher Watson directing the choir, swept the audience away on a tidal wave of joyous celebration of the holy and sacred.

St Patrick’s was filled with glorious intricate sounds; at times these were gentle melodies delicately played while, in contrast, there were also moments of grandeur, with fanfares that stirred the passions and evoked a sense of the divine. The audience was treated to world-class performances in both the playing and the singing of the eight compositions chosen by Finisterer.

At the end of an exhilarating evening, the audience rose as one to give a thunderous standing ovation to the brilliant performers who had just taken them on what can only be described as a truly marvellous musical pilgrimage.

-

Review by Peter Murphy

Bowness Photography Prize 2023

I Did Not Know How Far I Would Carry The Broken Pieces Of Our Trust.

Come to MAPh and view the exhibitions – there is so much to see. The finalists’ works for the Browness Photography Prize create a high-core showcase of contemporary photographic practice in Australia , from both established and mid-career artists.

With large-scale wall hangings, three-dimensional installations and intimate framed works, it’s an exhibition that takes you on a journey through many places and perspectives.

Exhibition closes November 12. Museum of Australian Photography. (MAPh)

860 Ferntree Gully Rd. Wheelers Hill

At Ballarat

Artistic bonds, vibrant dreamscapes, connections to place, First Nations design:

This is the Art Gallery of Ballarat’s exciting summer exhibition line-up. Explore the captivating artistry of Tamara Bekier in her exhibition

Tamara Bekier – Between Worlds.

The Ballarat-based artist, Bekier draws from the contrasts between her native Ukrainian and her adopted home, Australia.

Inspired by Gustav Klimt, Mark Chagall, and the German Expressionists, her cense and colourful works reflect her tumultuous life during the Second World War as a refugee in war-torn Europe.

Exhibition opens November 4 and closes January 28. ★

Renowned Australian printmaker

Rona Green is set to memorise art enthusiasts with a new group exhibition – Whereabouts: Printmakers Respond – inviting a cross-section of emerging and established artists from across Victoria to explore their unique connection to place, country and home.

This eagerly anticipated exhibition, featuring 56 talented artists, is s celebration of artistic diversity and creative exploration.

Exhibition opens November 18 and closes February 4.

The Arts

Big names for Grease

with Peter Kemp

Layers of Blak

A remarkable exhibition featuring the works of 11 talented Victorian First Nations artists and designers stands as testament to the exceptional talent and creativity within the First Peoples’ artistic community. This exhibition is a ,milestone in the ongoing effort to recognise and reclaim space for First Peoples’ design in the broader Australian design landscape.

Exhibition opens December 9 –March 10.

★ Significant Others

Dive into the intricate world of artistic relationships Significant Others goes beyond the conventional notion of partners, shedding light on those who profoundly influence an artists journey, whether or as parents, members or guiding figures.

Exhibition opens November 4 –February 11.

Art Gallery of Ballarat

40 Lydiard St, Ballarat - Peter Kemp

Jay at MMM

■ Jay Mueller will become Content Director for Triple M Melbourne. He will be responsible for all Triple M Melbourne shows and content, including The Marty Sheargold Show and The Rush Hour with JB and Billy.

■ Make sure you are ticketed to see the summer season of 'Grease' returning to Melbourne at Her Majesty's Theatre, starting December 31. 'Grease' features a cast of talented locals including Patti Newton as Miss Lynch, Marcia Hines as Teen Angel, Jay Laga'aia as Vince Fontaine. 'Grease' never dates , it just gets better.

Silverchair story

■ The two-part ABC Australian Story about the highs and lows of local rock band Silverchair was nothing less than one mega advertorial for a new book two members of the band were about to release. Lead singer Daniel Johns was not involved in the book, and was denied access to its content , hence some hurried editing by the ABC when Johns issued legal proceedings. Regardless, ABC signed off on the project - sloppy procedure.

Gordon Ramsay new recipe

■ An impressive 13.4 million hits on socials could give an early indication Gordon Ramsay is on a winner for his next TV series called 'Idiot Sandwich' . Plot involves Ramsay and zany sidekick Julie Chen Mooves in kitchen comedy. Ramsay introduces a visual gag of placing Julie's head between two slices of bread, and show rocks on . 'Idiot Sandwich' is in pilot stage at this point in time.

Sober times

■ Former WWE wrestler Hulk Hogan got married for the third time on September 23, this time to yoga instructor Sky Dailey. Hulk, aged 70 has turned over a new leaf- given up the grog and only eats organic food.

Headline act

■ Before every Grand Final the AFL keeps us waiting to announce the headline act for half-time entertainment. No need for the last-minute choiceplan in advance. In comparison the Super Bowl headline act in US has already been confirmed for February 11 - five months in advance. Eight times Grammy Award winner, Usher will be the headline act at Super Bowl, Las Vegas, 2024.

- John O’Keefe

OK. With John O’Keefe

● ● ● ● Richard Widmark

● ● ● ● Patti Newton

Stateside with Gavin Wood in West Hollywood

Perfect weather for WeHo

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

Best time to travel

■ Los Angeles is now coming into the best time to travel. The heat is moderating and now weather is not a problem to move around all the travel hotspots that California has to offer.

Base yourself in West Hollywood which is central to all attractions. From the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites, 8585 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, you can bus, Uber and walk to everything.

Fashion shops on the ‘magical’ Rodeo Drive, the best restaurants in America and lots of star spotting’s makes for an exciting holiday.

Oscar Gifts

■ There’s no bigger accolade in Hollywood than receiving an Academy Award nomination. For established actors, it can be a capstone to an illustrious career. For newcomers, it can launch them into stardom.

But on top of critical acclaim and higher earning potential, there’s another benefit to getting an Oscar nod: the gift bag.

For the 21st straight year, LA-based marketing company Distinctive Assets is delivering its infamous ‘Everybody Wins’ gift bags to nominees in the acting and directing categories.

The 2023 edition of the bag which isn’t affiliated with the Academy Awards is valued at roughly $123,000, according to documents reviewed by CNBC Make It, and includes more than 60 gifts ranging from a $16 package of chocolate-covered pretzels to a $40,000 visit to a luxury Canadian estate.

Lash Fary, founder of Distinctive Assets, tells CNBC Make It that once the Academy Awards nominations are announced, the process of delivering the bags begins.

In the weeks leading up to the Oscars ceremony, the Distinctive Assets team reaches out to the representatives for the nominees to see if they’re interested in receiving the gift bags and to plan out logistics.

“There’s nothing like a first-time nominee’s enthusiasm about getting this gift bag,” Fary says. “A lot of these folks are traveling, or they’re going to transport it somewhere else,” he says. “So, we’d like to make it as convenient as possible for them.”

Lean and toned look

■ A $12,000 liposuction procedure from Dr. Thomas Su promising to “give women an instant lean and toned look” with “smooth shapes and perfectly defined contours.”

■ Shinery Radiance Wash, a hand soap featured on the Oprah’s Favorite Things list that cleans your jewellery while you wash your hands.

■ A private hair restoration consultation with leading hair transplant surgeon Dr Alan J. Bauman valued at $7000.

■ Up to $10,000 worth of procedures from Dr Konstantin Vasyukevich , including chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing and Botox. It is up to each recipient to decide if they want to use the vouchers that they are given. The IRS views the value gift bags as taxable income, meaning that the more trips and procedures a nominee decides to accept, the more they will pay come Tax Day.

In the 21 years that Fary has been gifting luxury vacations to Oscar nominees, no one has ever taken all of them. “If they redeem one trip, that’s all they really have time to do with their film schedules family, all that kind of stuff,” he says.

“In my experience it’s very unlikely that they would take two trips.” Because the ‘Everybody Wins’ bag isn’t officially sanctioned by the Oscars, it is up to Fary to decide which nominees will receive the sought-after bag. The recipients of this year’s bag will be the nominees for “Best Director,” “Best Actress,” “Best Actor,” “Best Supporting Actress” and “Best Supporting Actor.” In the case of ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’, which was directed by the team of Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Fary will be sending them each a gift bag.

■ 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

Happy Holidays, Gavin Wood

Out and About

Facebook rules

■ Meta’s share price soared nearly 20 per cent, after an earnings report in which CEO Mark Zuckerberg heralded 2023 as the “year of efficiency” for the company that turned 19.

Admittedly, when Zuckerberg founded the company, it looked a lot different. Meta, or Facebook, or The Facebook, started life as a simple online student directory, rather than the tech behemoth that is currently preoccupied with building a very expensive virtual world for work and play.

Not dead yet: Even though the founder’s focus has obviously shifted in the intervening years, the social heart of the tech giant is still beating strongly as Facebook prepares to enter its third decade. Indeed, the number of active Facebookers hasn’t really stopped growing. At the end of 2022, Meta revealed that a staggering two billion people log in every single day to like, post and poke on Facebook. That means that nearly 40 per cent of all global internet users are on Facebook daily. The figures become even more mindboggling when you take into account Meta’s full “family of apps” (WhatsApp, Messenger and Instagram), which reported 2.96 billion daily active users, meaning not far off 60 per cent of all internet users log into a Meta product every day.

Pay imbalance

■ McKinsey Global Institute recently predicted that 45 million workers, or 28 per cent of the entire American workforce, would lose their jobs to automation by 2030. Most automation efforts have been centered around eradicating so-called lower-level and blue-collar jobs like warehouse workers, truckers, clerical assistants, and food prep workers. More recently, AI has threatened white-collar roles like accountants and journalists. But while executives at the top of the corporate food chain celebrate the cost-cutting virtues of AI displacement, they rarely seem to turn the spotlight on themselves. The incentives for workplace automation are largely financial. So why not start by replacing the highestpaid employee of them all, the CEO? At Fortune 500 firms, the average CEO pay is now $16 million per year. Over the past 45 years: The average CEO pay has gone up 1460 per cent. The average worker pay has only gone up 18 per cent. As a result, today’s average CEO is paid the equivalent of 399 median workers. At larger companies, this ratio is often many multiples higher: For instance, in 2021, Amazon CEO Andy Jassey received a package worth $213 million equal to the collective wages of 6474 Amazon employees. That’s enough workers to fully staff four fulfillment centers.

Wealthy pets

■ How does a pet get rich, like any of us, through hard work or wealthy parents. 1. Appearances: Humans and pets alike appear at fan conventions. This year’s Cat Con featured meet-and-greets with “Adventure Cat Leo,” among others.

2. Merchandise: The late Grumpy Cat’s worth is unknown, but it’s estimated she brought in up to $100 million through appearances and merch. 3. Sponsored social posts: Loni Edwards, founder of The Dog Agency said that pets with 100,000+ followers can net a few hundred bucks per post, but those with millions can score $15,000 per post. 4. Inheritance: Gunther VI’s wealth is supposedly via a trust left to his ancestor, Gunther III. However, when Gunther VI sold a mansion, it was but a “brilliant stunt” by Italy’s Gunther Corporation, per Forbes. In fact, the entire thing may be a hoax … but some celebs, including Oprah Winfrey and late designer Karl Lagerfeld, have placed hefty sums in trusts to ensure their pets will be cared for after their deaths.

Stop thief

■ Lowe’s successfully tested a mechanism to track and lock items with low-cost radio frequency identification chips such that power tools and other equipment will not function if they are stolen. Thefts executed by packs of robbers have garnered public attention during the crime wave of the past three years, with some retailers and convenience chains spending millions on new security measures or closing locations in dangerous cities.

Crossroads

By Rob Foenander info@robfomusic.com.au

Country Night

■ A night of toe tapping, boot scooting country music is all set for Satursday, October 21, commencing 7pm

The Gaelic Park Hall in Keysborough will come alive with the sounds of local band No Limit featuring Esric Jackson along with international country music sensation Suzi Croner from Switzerland.

A Sri Lankan Buffet is on offer and BYO drinks. Cost $60 per person.

Tickets call Bertie 0414 979 483, Esric 0447 782 410, Frank 0414 979 401.

Ramble Tamble

■ Creedence Clearwater Revival fans can relive their hits when CCR tribute band Ramble Tamble take to the stage at Memo Music Hall, St Kilda, on Friday, November 17. The Melbourne band have built a loyal fan base over the past few years with their uncanny sound and resemblance to the 60s super group. They’ve become regulars on the local club scene. Tickets at the Memo.

Monash Carols

■ After a three year break the City Of Monash Carols by Candlelight returns on Sat., Dec. 2 at Jells Park, Wheelers Hill, from 5.30pm. The evening includes activities for all the family plus an appearance by Santa, Monash Concert Band and Oakleigh Brass , The Carols All Star Band will perform with guest soloists soon to be announced. This years Carols will be a free ticketed event. www.trybooking.com/ CLMSK for tickets.

Brent Harris exhibits at TarraWarra

■ TarraWarra Museum ofArt has announced a major survey exhibition exploring the work of senior contemporary Melbourne-based artist Brent Harris, presented from December 2 to March 11.

The exhibition Brent Harris: Surrender and Catch, curated by Maria Zagala and co-presented with the Art Gallery of South Australia, brings together more than 100 paintings, drawings, studies and prints, traversing the artist’s practice and stylistic shifts over his career.

Brent Harris: Surrender and Catch maps the ways Harris’s art has developed over the past four decades, featuring a broad selection of works from 1987 to 2022.

Harris’s distinctive style, which moves between figuration and abstraction, deploys both humour and the grotesque to examine psychological subject matter as he visualises his complex and contradictory feelings.

Indeed, the exhibition title refers to Harris’s interest in sociologist Kurt H. Wolff’s notion of ‘surrender and catch’ as a process for selfanalysis and as a method of working.

Addressing the experience of the body and desire, faith (and the question of what follows death), and childhood memories of porous familial relationships, Brent Harris says, “To experience 30 years of your past, laid out in images of your own making, is alternately quite

Crossword Solution No 20

emotional, sobering and a bit scary. During the making of these works one doesn’t really see how things might add up in the future.

“Time is that added ingredient.

In considering what the result of a life spent making imagery now looks like, an overriding concern has been a return, again and again, to thinking about the human condition - the craziness we all face in our individual and collective struggles, in attempting to hold our lives together in some meaningful way.

“My work is a continuing search, vainly perhaps at times, to make meaning. I am endlessly searching for revelation, if only expressed in a desire to the next image to be revealed.”

“It is a privilege to be given these opportunities to assess my journey so far, and for any artist to see their work at TarraWarra , one of the most beautiful galleries in the country, is an exceptional opportunity.

“For the exhibition then to be extended in size to occupy the glorious spaces at AGSA in 2024 will be revelatory, even to the artist alone, I’m sure.” Harris said.

Harris’s ambiguous forms in his work derive from his use of the Surrealist technique of automatic drawing to access unconscious imagery.

Working concurrently across painting, printmaking and drawing, Harris has developed a generative methodology, where each medium

feeds the development of his art in unexpected ways.

Exhibition Curator Maria Zagala said: “Developed slowly over the course of many years, this exhibition presents a comprehensive overview of Harris’s formidable career.

“If the making of art can be seen as a process of excavation, then the circumstances of Brent Harris’s maturation – from a difficult childhood in Aotearoa New Zealand through to his early twenties as a gay man during the onset of the AIDS pandemic in Melbourne –provide the foundation from which his work has emerged over the past four decades.”

Surrender and Catch showcases works from the significant collections of both TarraWarra Museum of Art and Art Gallery of South Australia.

Augmented by a selection of loans from both public and private collections and institutions, the exhibition charts a journey from The Stations (1989), Harris’s first major series exploring the death of his friends to AIDS, to his return to the subject in 2021.

The exhibition emphasises the crosspollination of imagery and the development of forms in his printmaking, drawing and painting practice. Also included are prints by Louise Bourgeois, Edvard Munch and Kiki Smith, artists who have had a significant influence on Harris’s work.

Director of TarraWarra Museum of Art Dr Victoria Lynn said:

“

TarraWarra Museum of Art is immensely proud to partner with the Art Gallery of South Australia on this major survey exhibition of leading contemporary artist Brent Harris , a key artist in our collection.

“From intimate gestural abstract work to remarkable figurative paintings, we are excited for audiences to experience the artist’s oeuvre, characterised by his exploration of the psychologically generative possibilities of the drawn line.”

AGSA Director Rhana Devenport ONZM said: “In partnership with TarraWarra Museum of Art, the Art Gallery of South Australia is proud to present Brent Harris: Surrender and Catch, the first major monograph of the Aotearoa-born, Melbourne-based artist Brent Harris

“This monograph is published in tandem with the artist’s retrospective at TarraWarra Museum of Art in 2023 and an expanded presentation at the Art Gallery of South Australia in 2024.

“The driving force behind this project is Maria Zagala, AGSA’ s Associate Curator, Prints, Drawings and Photographs.

“A significant gift to AGSA of over 50 of the artist’s works from the private collection of James Mollison, and Vincent Langford was the impetus for the exhibition,” Devonport said. - Contributed

‘Too much bally-hoo lemonade’

■ Yea’s officially recognised first year of football (1893) had been a busy time for the sport in the region.

Other sides to compete were Alexandra, Gobur, Strath Creek and Flowerdale.

On June 17, Tyaak was to have played Homewood on the Flowerdale ground, but were unable to muster a full team :as a good many of the best players were not aware that the match was to come off they did not turn up, so some specials had to sworn in”.

The game was described as nothing but rough scrimmages, the ball being “half the time in a small lake in the centre of the ground”.

An August 13 match between Yea and Flowerdale saw the Valley players complaining in the press: “We played the team and the umpire.”

Nearby the North-Eastern Football Association comprised seven teams: Tallarook, Seymour, Broadford, Avenel, Nagambie, Kilmore and Wandong.

That organisation was plagued with clubs submitting protests, and claiming wins because of alleged scoring mistakes, playing ineligible players, and one side fielding an umpire on the field!

The annual general meeting of the Yea Football Club on April 5, 1894, at the Caledonian Hotel, saw a motion carried calling for the Yea side to join the North-Eastern Football Association.

It took one year for the motion to come to fruition. The May 9, 1895 meeting, was informed that a telegram had been received the previous day stating that Yea had been admitted to the Association, as had Longwood.

In the previoys year of waiting, the first 1894 match was played between Yea and Homewood, at Yea, on Saturday, May 12. The side was to be chosen on the ground at 1pm, noted the previous Thursday’s paper.

A match review said the match went underway at the Recreation Reserve, “in the presence of a goodly number of spectators, including a sprinkling of the fair sex.

“J. Barrett led the Yea boys, and Baird captained the visitors, who played without the services of seveiral of their best men.

“The game resulted in a win for Yea, who kicked four goals to two. Barrett, Mullins, McLeish, showed best form for Yea, while Baird and the brothers Williamson did yeoman service for the losers.”

Earlier in the year, the Alexandra and Yea Standard carried a report: “The newly appointed committee of the Alexandra Football Club quickly got into harness on Saturday evening last, when they decided to write to the Tallarook, Broadford, Yea, Jamieson and Glenmore clubs, requesting that matches be arranged at as early a date as convenient..

“The secretary was instructed to order some new material, so that everything should be in readiness for the opening day, Saturday, the 21st. April, when a scratch match will be played between teams chosen by the captain and vice-captain.”.

There were bits of activity everywhere in 1894. The Alexandra-based publication noted that “the Gobur footballers held their annual ball on the evening of May 24th in the local Institute,and notwithstanding the threatening aspect of the weather (which was any thing but inviting to

those who had several miles to travel before reaching the Institute) when the doors were opened the crowd of young people steadily began to assemble, and by 8 o'clock, the seats along the floor of the institute were packed.

“Representatives of Ruffy. Yarck, Spring Creek and Gooram could be seen intermingled amongat the Goburites, all of thom went home well pleased with their night's enjoyment.

“Mr. J. Alsop acted as violinist and gave general satisfaction; while Mr. P. McVeigh officiated.

“The comaittee desires to thank the trusteees of the Mechlanics Institute, for their kindness in giving them the use of the hall free of charge.”

On June 14, 1894, The Yea Chronicle reported: “A football match was played on the local recreation reserve on Saturday between the Yea and Glenmore clubs, in the presence of a large concourse of spectators.

“After a close and exciting.finish, the Yea boys were declared the victors by 3 goals to 2.

“The following matches will be played next Saturday, in connection with the Euroa Football Associa-

tion:- Karramomus v. Longwood, at Longwood; Gooram. v. Rigg's Creek, :at Rigg's Greek; Euroa, a bye.”

Patrick Galvin, Yea’s editor, on June 28 1894, was struggling to find information about the district’s football contests.

“I hear a rumour about the township re a match to be played between the Yea and Alexandra clubs next Saturday.

“Up to the hour of going to press the secretary has not supplied the names of the local team. This is not as it should be?”

Meanwhile, in the same issue, writing as ‘Follower’, it was recorded that a rough match between Homewood and Glenmore had been staged.

Teams representing the above clubs met on Saturday last on the Homewood ground, and, after a very exciting contest, the home team were declared victors by 1 goal and 12 behinds to nil.

“Thedrizzling rain which fell during the early part of the day made the ground too wet for scientific play, the ball being hard to hold and heavy to kick.

“By 3 o'clock a large muster of spectators had put in an appearance,

including a number of the fair sex.

“The home team were considerably weakened by the absence ofseveral of their best players, including Baird (capt.), Hamilton, and others, while Glenmore had the assistance of half-a-dozenof the leading members of the Yea team; notwithstanding this heavy handicap, the Homewood ran rings round their opponents, who very seldom got the ball past half way.

“Mr. J. Gill acted in the capacity of central umpire, and Mr. T. Condon kept the scores.

“W. Toomath kicked the goal for Homewood R. Williamson (capt.), Toomath, Condon, Hamilton, and Drysdale did yeoman service for the home team.

“The game was very rough from start to finish. The ladies provided:a good repast for the visitors, and deseve credit for the excellent manner in which they carried out the arrangements.”

The Homewood and Yea Football Clubs met at Yea on July 7 “but owing to the heavy rain the game could not be continued beyond three-quarter time.

“Showers of rain fell at intervals during the afternoon, which interfered with the play, the ball being so greasy

that hardly any of the players could handle it: “The scores were: Homewood 1 goal 7 behinds; Yea, 1 goal 3 behinds.

“For Homewood R. Williamson, Drysdale (2), Dwyer, G. Hamilton, W. Gill, and Hunter showed to most advantage; and for Yea, Smith, Shanahan, Drysdale, and Forbes “ Mr. James Clark umpired duringthe first half, and Mr. S. Dodgshun for the remainder of the game.”

By August 4, 1894, Yea’s football affairs were scratchy: “The football match between Yea and Homewood did not come off on Saturday,” the press reported.

Yea’s colours change

■ The Yea Fotball Club has had a variety of guernsey colours since its formation.

‘Light blue and white’ were the colours decided at the Club’s formation meeting in 1893.

They were the same colours adopted in games dating back to 1887.

Upon membership of the North Eastern Football Association in May 1895, it was proposed by captain J. Barrett, and seconded by A. Smith, that all blue be the colours of the clun.

“Mr Nathan offered to supply members of the club with jersies (sic) at Melbourne rpices, any profit made wout of them to go to the club,” the Yea local paper reported on June 6, 1895.

“Notice was given for next meeting that stockings be bright red.”

“It was decided that in future matches the club’s colours (red stockings and blue jerseys must be worn,” the paper reported the following week.

A 1903 match preview of a Yea v Thornton contest said: “We confidently trust the blue and red will emerge triumphant.”

When Yea Football Club decided for a change back to the North-East Association in 1904, The Yea Chronicle said Chairman Redpath remarked that the colours of the Yea team would have to be changed in consequence of Seymour’s colours being very similar.

“Considerable discussion arose on this matter, and finally it was decided to leave the choosing of colours in the hands of Messrs Redpath, Begg and H.M. Smith.”

photograph from inside the grandstand at the Yea Recreation Reserve.

● ● ● ● Spectators at the Yea Recreation Reserve in 1909.

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■ There have been some interesting weight changes for the running of the 133rd Melbourne Cup, with last year’s winner Gold Trip allotted 58.5 kilos, one more kilo than his win in the classic last year.

If he is to run and carry the impost, he will be last horse to carry that weight since the Bart Cummings trained Think Big, won in 1975, with 58.5 kilos.

An incredible thing about that effort is he didn’t win a race between his two Cups on end in 1974-75.

The champion mare, Makybe Diva, carried 57.5 kilos to win the last of her three Melbourne Cups in 2005.

On that particular day after winning the Cup, her trainer Lee Freedman said that we had seen history, a horse to win three Melbourne Cups, and that we may never see it again.

The French-bred import, the Mike Moroney trained Alenquer -who is yet to pass the ballot for the Caulfield Cup - comes next in the weights alongside Aidan O’Brien’s Group One winner, Broome, who is nominated for the Melbourne Cup only.

Getting back to last year’s winner, Gold Trip, he carried the weight in fine style, but that extra kilo, and another year on, now seven years of age, will have his work cut out.

MAIN WEIGHTS FOR MELBOURNE CUP Ted Ryan

His trainers, Ciaron Maher and David Eustace , hold 16 other nominations for this year’s race, including last year’s third placegetter, High Emocean, who will carry 50 kgs.

The 16 international horses still in the running for this year’s Cup were allocated weights based on the handicapper’s assessment of their overseas performances.

Current Lexus Melbourne Cup favourite, Vauban, will carry 55 kilos for Irish trainer Willie Mullins with his stable mate Absurde on 53kilos guaranteed a spot in the race after winning the Classic Handicap in dashing style at Doncaster, England.

Vauban, who arrived recently, is building on his burgeoning reputation following back to back wins, including the seven-length romp at Royal Ascot.

His renowned Irish trainer, Willie Mullins, was a bit unlucky not to have won the 2015 Melbourne Cup, won by Michelle Payne. International rider, Frankie Dettori, was aboard Max Dynamite, who raced in the same colours that, finished second wearing the distinctive pink silks.

Desert Hero, with English trainer William Haggas, and owned by their Majesties, King Charles III and Queen Camilla, will carry the lightweight of 51.5 kilos in the order of entry for this year’s Cup

When assessing the handicap, David Gegan was complimentary of the horse’s third placing in the St Leger at Doncaster.

Japan will be represented in the Cup for the first time since 2019 with Japanese stayer, Breakup, to carry 55 kilos, in his quest to become the third Japanese horse to win the Caulfield Cup, following Mer De Grace, and Admire Rakti in 2014.

Another top international, West Wind Blows, is set to make his Australian debut in the

been allotted 51.5 kilos. Lexus Melbourne Cup winning trainer Chris Waller has 14 nominations for this year’s Cup, headlined by Soulcombe with 53.5 kilos, and Francesco Guardi on 54 kilos. 26 pars.

Turnbull Stakes

■ A star-studded field of thoroughbreds are most likely to contest the time-honored Turnbull Stakes at Flemington this coming Saturday.

The Hong-Kong Group One champion, Romantic Warrior , has opened as the early favourite, and rules the roost for the Cox Plate at the end of October at Moonee Valley.

A winner of 14 top class events, and over $16 million in prizemoney, he will have the services of one of the best riders in the world with James McDonald in the saddle. He’s the one to beat here and in the Cox Plate.

Alligator Blood has come right into the betting with a big win in the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield at his third run in three weeks.

The UK pair are the former trainers of the inform-stayer Without A Fight, now with the Victorian pair Anthony Freedman and his son Sam On recent markets for both Cups he is high in the betting.

Just Fine, who was formerly owned by King Charles III, is now in the care of Melbourne Cup winning trainer, Gai Waterhouse, and has been assigned 52.5 kilos off the back of two lengths win in the Kingston Town Stakes, and will need to pass the ballot to gain a start.

The European import joins golden ticket winner Goldman with 52 kilos, and nine other horses nominated by Waterhouse and her cotrainer, Adrian Bott.

Fellow golden ticket winner, Lunar Flare, has also been assured of her spot in the race that stops a nation’ for trainer Graeme Begg, after winning the Lexus Andrew Ramsden and has

Prepared by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott , he always gives of his best and is one of the top thoroughbreds racing in Australia.

He always gives of his best, but a stronger field here, and an extra 200 metres will make it harder.

On the next line is the current reigning WFA star, Mr Brightside, who is taking all before him this time in. He made it three on end since resuming, the last of the three was in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington

It is a lot of tougher here, but he is class, and always puts in.

The Freedman trained, galloper, Without A Fight , will be better suited here than the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield over 1800 metres. He has been set for the Caulfield Cup for which he was favourite earlier.

He came from 11th at the 400 metre mark and flashed home to finish only 2.25 lengths off the winner, Alligator Blood.

● ● Damien Oliver.Racing Photos.

Turnbull Stakes to run at Flemington on October 7. He has been allocated 54 kilos for trainer, Simon Crisford, who trains in tandem with his son, Ed.

LARGE CROWD AT KILMORE CUP

■ The biggest crowd in ages turned up at Kilmore on a balmy night last Friday to witness the running of the 2023 Jet Roofing (Group 2) Kilmore Pacing Cup over 2690 metres.

There appeared to be only four possible chances in the race – they being Act Now, Rock N Roll Doo, Better Eclipse and to a lesser extent Curley James and Treachery with the victor being Better Eclipse for Lara Jay Farm (Jess Tubbs and Greg Sugars).

Away fast from the pole to lead, Act Now favourite at $2.70 was untroubled to retain the front running with Better Eclipse ($3.90) from inside the second line trailing him.

To the surprise of most watching, Michael Stanley elected to restrain Rock N Roll Doo ($4.60) to the rear when the position outside the leader was up for grabs.

Given a comfortable time, Act Now looked the one to beat a long way from home, however when Greg Sugars and Better Eclipse eased off his back on the final bend, he was too strong at the finish to greet the judge a a half head in advance of Beyond Delight (three pegs) which used the sprint lane for second, with Act Now a most disappointing third in advance of Narutac Prince (four pegs) in a leader dominated affair.

To the dismay of punters, Rock N Roll Doo was never put into the race coming in fifth after being given little chance.

In quarters of 30.9, 29.5, 29.7 and 26.8 after a lead time of 81.7 seconds, Better Eclipse returned a mile rate of 1-58.8, .4 seconds outside Soho Tribeca’s 1-56 track record set in 2018.

Raced by Antoinette Bajada, Better Eclipse has recorded 16 wins and 25 placings from 52 outings for stakes of $824,170.

■ The other two features on the program the $3150 metre 25,000 MC Labour Kilmore Trotters Cup going the way of Riddell co-trainers

Chris Lang and Sonia Mahar’s 5Y0 Orlando Vici-Belle Galleon gelding Ollivici, while the $20,000 7-Eleven Cup over 2180 metres saw Andy Gath’s ex-Kiwi 5Y0 Sweet Lou-Eagles

In My Pocket gelding Outlaw Man successful.

Ollivici (30 metre equal backmarker with One Over All) spent most of the race at the rear after stablemate Bullion Harry (20 metres) made a swift mid-race move to cross the leader Zarem.

One Over All also made a fast move two laps out to tackle for the lead only to go off stride when about to draw clear taking care of his chances.

Cruising up to race outside Bullion Harry for the final circuit, Ollivici’s class told at the finish as he gained the day by 2.3 metres over Bullion Harry, with Zarem holding third 8.2 metres back. The mile rate 2-03.5.

Outlaw Man (Kate Gath) was outstanding in his victory after going forward from gate five to park outside the pacemaker Captain Bellasario (gate three) which raced extremely fierce throughout.

Racing to the front on turning, Outlaw Man safely held a margin to score by 2.3 metres from La Captain (six pegs) which ran home well when clear. Interest Free (four pegs) when extricated four wide on the final bend was third 1.7 metres back. The mile rate a slick 1-54.2.

Raced by a large syndicate of well known harness people headed by Ralph Woods, Outlaw Man has done a big job since crossing the Tasman.

Sweet trip

■ Charlton halfway between Melbourne and Mildura commenced the week with an entertaining program of nine races and it was the Bolinda stable of Brent Lilley and New Zealand’s Tristan Larsen who were successful with 5Y0 Muscle Mass-Nice One Kenny gelding Here Comes Kyvalley in the GMG Financial Group Trotters Handicap over 2100 metres.

Beginning best from barrier two, Here Comes Kyvalley was given a sweet trip trailing Wish Upona Dream which was fast away from 10 metres.

Taking full advantage of the sprint lane, Here Comes Kyvalley just lasted to gain the day by a half neck from Sosomaori (10m) off a three wide trail in the last lap after spending most of the race boxed in at the tail of the field.

Wish Upon A Dream was given every chance by Michael Bellman when third 1.4 metres away,

Harness Racing

■ Heathcote reinswoman Shannon O’Sullivan was responsible for a heady drive aboard Miners Rest owner/trainer Nick Edwards’ 7Y0 Lucky Chucky-Kahola gelding Kapai to land the Bendigo Stallion Tender September 27 Trotters Mobile over 2150 metres, leading all of the way from gate three to account for Buslin Brody (gate four) which raced outside him. Itsallandover (one/ two – three wide last lap) was third. The margins 2.6 metres by a neck in a rate of 2-00.7.

■ Kerryn Manning snared a double on the night with Vincent-Our Surfer Girl filly Surfingmakescents taking the Visit Rochester And Buy Local 3Y0 Pace over 1650 metres and Greg Bettiol’s home bred American IdealClovelly Lass filly Ideal Assassin the Rochester Thanks Agnico Eagle Pace over 2150 metres.

len-baker@

bigpond.com

Bred by Bev Williamson and raced by Jim Connelly’s KPC Racing, Here Comes Kyvalley returned a moderate mile rate of 2-05.

■ Glen Park (Ballarat) trainer Zac Steenhuis has his team going great guns at present and 4Y0 Somebeachsomewhere-Tallulah Bay mare Ourbeachbabe raced by dad Bassie and mother Donna landed the O’Connors Case IH Pace over 2100 metres in a nail biting finish.

In a similar scenario to Here Comes Kyvalley, Our Beach Babe (gate three) after leading out was restrained to allow Top Hut Johny (gate two) to assume control before using the sprint lane to prevail by a half head in a rate of 1-59.9 over the pacemaker, with Scrittore third 4.9 metres back from the tail.

■ Sutton Grange trainer Ross Graham after the narrow defeat of Top Hut Johny, snared the trifecta in the 1609 metre Vale ‘Tara’ Tom Hogan Pace with Bitobliss-Georgina Bow 6Y0 mare Final Bow (James Herbertson) leading throughout from the pole to score easily by 10.1 metres much to the delight of veteran Bendigo owner/breeder Ivan Collison.

Tex Goes Bang after trailing the winner was second, with Self Exclusion third 1.5 metres back after going forward from the extreme draw to race exposed from the bell. It was Final Bow’s 15th success in 91 outings returning a mile rate of 2-00.8.

■ Havelock trainer/driver Tina Ridis’ 4Y0 Cardigan Boko-Aeonallbright gelding Rastamon chalked up his second victory in 4 outings when taking the 2100 metre Vale Of Avoca Trotters Mobile, leading most of the way to register an easy 7.4 metre margin in advance of The Chook from mid-field, with Charlie Walker third 5.7 metres away in third place after leading out from gate two before taking a trail on the winner. The mile rate two minutes even.

■ Horsham trainer Aaron Dunn and stable ‘apprentice’ Ryan Backhouse landed the TAB Pace over 1609 metres with 4Y0 Four Starzzz SharkMadazhell mare Mykorona.

In a strong performance, Mykorona after going forward from outside the front line only to be trapped uncovered as Let Me Tell You (gate four) led, raced clear in the last lap to open up a handy margin on the final bend.

Although Mister Jimaringle (one/two) got close, Mykorona held on by a head returning a rate of 1-56.7. Metro Memory after trailing the leader from gate two was third 2.4 metres away.

10 events

■ Bendigo hosted a ‘Rochester’ Recovery night on Tuesday with a neat 10-event program.

Stawell trainer/driver Jason Ainsworth’s 8Y0 Shadow Play-Double Justice gelding Shadow Justice recorded his 6th success from 81 outings when greeting the judge in the Remember Rochester Community Trotters Mobile over 2150 metres.

Raced by Jason and partner Natasha Raven, Shadow Justice was restrained from inside the second line to settle at the rear. Gaining a lovely three wide trail home on the back of Ivar ahead of him in the last lap and angling four wide on the final bend, Shadow Justice finished best to prevail by 2.8 metres over the pacemaker Bacardi Chic (gate two) and Major Max (five wide home straight from the tail) who was a half neck away third. The mile rate 2-03.2.

Sulky Snippets Sulky Snippets

This Week

■ Wednesday – Cobram/Ballarat, Thursday – Kilmore, Friday – Melton/Mildura, Saturday – Melton, Sunday – Cranbourne, Monday – Charlton, Tuesday – Shepparton.

Surfingmakescents raced by a big syndicate headed by Ken Salmon and Tony Logan after being trapped wide from gate five was sent forward to park outside the poleline leader Karaoke Star before surging clear in the final circuit to register an easy 15.5 metres in advance of outsider Admiralofthefleet which trailed, with Clives Girl (one/two) third 9.2 metres away. The mile rate 1-57.2, while Adios Assassion (gate four) after going forward to cross Miss Hermes (gate two), led for most of the trip to run out a 8.5 metre victor from Miss Hermes (one/one – three wide home turn). Honest gelding Wingate Guy (one/three – three wide trail home turn) was third 6.9 metres back. The mile rate 1-57.5.

Never far away

■ At Geelong on Wednesday, Andy & Kate Gath landed the Ray Beckley Memorial Pace over 1609 metres with 5Y0 Pet Rock-Karalta Impulse gelding Impulsive George, leading throughout from gate two in a mile rate of 1-58 to account for Etiz Amodel which trailed from the pole by 2.5 metres. Ima Popstar was third from inside the second line a neck away in a three pegs finish.

■ The Berringa stable runners of AJ and Beau Tindale are never far away in any race they contest and very honest 6Y0 Pet Rock-Double Justice mare Rosarito Miss registered her 12th success in 107 outings by taking the 2100 metre Hoyts Foods Pace in a rate of 1-58.3.

Driven by in-form reinsman Jordan Leedham, Rosarito Miss showed her usual speed from gate four to lead before handing over to Better Brother (gate three) outside her to receive the run of the race. Using the sprint lane, Rosarito Miss ran on best to prevail by 1.4 metres over the leader, with Major Mal (five wide home turn) from midfield third 1.1 metres back.

■ The Evolution Lodge Trotters Mobile over 2100 metres saw the Tubbs/Sugars team chalk up another winner when 4Y0 Sebastian KIllawong Bardot mare Illawong Larajay greeted the judge in a rate of 2-03.

With Greg in the sulky, Illawong Larajay enjoyed a sweet one/one trip from gate five before angling to follow Aldebaran Demi (three wide last lap from the tail) forward and after easing three wide on turning, ran on nicely to score by 4.2 metres from Aldebaran Demi who’s effort was excellent. Boutika after trailing the poleline leader Shield Maiden used the sprint lane for third 3.2 metres away.

Juvenile trotters

■ Melton was Thursday’s venue with a terrific nine event card featuring juvenile racing for the trotters in heats of the Aldebaran Park Need For Speed Series and the IRT Australia Tornado Valley.

The first heat of the 1700 metre A/P Princess for 3Y0 Fillies was a semi- upset result when Brent Lilley’s Bolinda trained Our Marvella (Love You-Finalize) scored at odds of $11.00.

With Chris Alford in the sulky, Our Marvella used the sprint lane off the back of the leader Glamour Stride to win by 1.2 metres from Focus (one/two) and a death-seating Aldebaran Miley in a rate of 1-57.3.

Heat two going to Monegeetta trainer/driver David Miles’ multiple feature race winner Rockwithattitude (Aldebaran Eagle-Rockin Shiraz) at $1.50, leading throughout from the pole to defeat Rapid Return which trailed and a death-seating High Energy in 1-58.1.

The A/P Prince Heat one saw Muscle MassLa Coocaracha colt The Locomotive (Wayne Potter-Nathan Jack) lead throughout at odds of $1.20. Going full steam ahead on turning, The Locomotive recorded a 9.5 metre margin in 158.4 over Kyvalley Anthony which trailed with Mipersonaljet third 4.2 metres back.

Heat two a major upset when the unbackable $1-05 favourite London To A Brick galloped hopelessly from gate three to be tailed off allowing polemarker Grumpee (Muscle Mass-Ostensibly) lo lead all of the way, accounting for Watts Up Partytime (one/one – three wide home turn) and Avenel Eagle which trailed the winner. The margins 1.3 by 5.4 metres in 1-59.8. ■ In the 2200 metre heat one of the Tornado Valley, Aldebaran Keepa (Kadabra-Another Love) led throughout from gate four for Brent Lilley and Chris Alford to score by 9.2 metres in 2-00.1 from the odds-on favourite Visionary which raced uncovered.

Ebonys Avenger after leading out and trailing the winner was third a half neck away. Heat two going to Ecklyn South trainer Paddy Lee’s Love You-The Sun Goddess entire Keayang Chucky driven by brother Paddy.

After leading out from gate two, then trailing Sir Eros (gate three) before moving to be one/ one on the home turn, Keayang Chucky bloused a death-seating last lap Revelstoke by 1.8 metres. Chinese Whisper (one/one last lap) was third a neck away. The mile rate 2-00.4.

- Len Baker

What’s On Rent

■ Tickets are now on pre-sale for the Melbourne season of the multi-Tony Award winning rock musical Rent

The strictly limited Melbourne season runs from February 17 until March 7 at Arts Centre Melbourne.

Step into the vibrant streets of New York City's East Village, where dreams are born, friendships are tested, and the power of love prevails against all odds.

Featuring the iconic songs Seasons of Love, Take Me or Leave Me and La Vie Bohème, this groundbreaking phenomenon is more than a musical; it's a celebration of life, love, and the human spirit.

Jonathan Larson’s Rent o pened OffBroadway in 1996 and quickly became a global phenomenon.

The show earned Larson multiple Tony Awards along with a Pulitzer Prize for Drama, a distinction not received again by a music theatre work until 14 years later.

Though Larson himself never saw the impact of his masterwork – he died suddenly in the early hours of the day the show opened to the public – its longevity serves as a testament to the emotional resonance of his creation and an embodiment of its ever-present message “no day but today”.

Venue: State Theatre, Arts Centre

Melbourne

Season: February 17- March 7

Performance Times: Tues.-Thurs. 7pm, Fri.-Sat .7.30pm, Sat .2pm, Sun .1pm and 6pm (2pm on February 18), Wed. 2pm ( March 6 only)

Prices: From $59.90 (Transaction fees apply) artscentremelbourne.com.au

with Len Baker