The Local Paper. Southern Cross Weekly Edition. Wed., Dec. 11, 2024
Local News
65th anniversary
■ “This year St Mary’s Pre-School community kindergarten celebrates its 65th anniversary,” Brighton MLA ames Newbury has told State Parliament.
“Based in Brighton East, the kindergarten provides high-quality kinder education to local Bayside three- and four-year-old children.
“Local families enjoyed a wonderful celebration for the anniversary recently. Thank you to the centre business operator Sophie Craig and president Myles Harris for their ongoing effort and leadership,” Mr Newbury said.
Prahran poll
■ The Green s have announced engineer Angelica Di Camillo as their candidate for the upcoming Prahran by-election. The byelection was triggered following the resignation of Sam Hibbins
The contest is shaping up as a two-horse race between the Greens and the Liberals for the inner-Melbourne seat. Labor will not contest the by-election.
Salute to pair
■ The lives of Gwladys and Robert Jeavons were recognised in the Legislative Assembkly by Brighton MLA James Newbury.
“Gwlad and Bob are well-known members of the Brighton community who both sadly passed aged 96 and 97. Gwlad is from the Hollow family, who were renowned builders across Melbourne, while Bob was an executive at ICI Plastics and one of our few remaining World War II veterans. They will be sadly missed,” Mr Newbury said.
Pink Car launched
■ The Pink Car, owned and operated by the Salvation Army, will operate on Friday and Saturday nights in the Chapel Street entertainment precinct and will check in with young women to ensure that they get home safely. The Pink Car was launched last Thursday (Dec. 5) with Stonnington Mayor Cr Melina Sehr in attendance.
MP’S TRIBUTE TO HOLLY, BIANCA
● ● Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones
■ Sandringham MLA Brad Rowswell has spoken in State Parliament about the deaths of two local young women: Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones.
“ It is with a heavy heart that I rise today to offer my condolences to the family and friends of Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles , two beautiful young women from my community who tragically died on Thursday November 21 and Friday November 22 respectively in Laos
“Bianca and Holly were best friends living their best life, on a trip of a lifetime to explore the world, a well-trodden path for young Australians
“Bianca and Holly were
teammates at Beaumaris Football Club, the Sharks
“ Holly graduated from Beaumaris Secondary College last year, a member of their foundation class.
“Holly’s father Shaun has publicly remembered her for the joy she brought to their lives and the kindness she showed to others.
“I was struck by a moving tribute from Holly’s boss at Frank’s, a Cheltenham cafe. He said: Holly was the best of us … Believe me when I say that I couldn’t fault her.
“Bianca was a cherished daughter and sister. She graduated from Mentone Girls’ Grammar last year.
Recognition for local doctors
■
“Bianca’s friends and family will remember her for her infectious smile, tenacity and dedication to those around her.
“Her father Mark said: Bianca wanted to explore the world, make new friends, lead and create change for good.
“The Jones and Bowles families have been overwhelmed by the support of our local community during this difficult time.
“Friends of Holly and Bianca have adorned our community with blue and yellow ribbons in their memory.
“Our hearts are broken. Vale, Bianca and Holly,” Mr Rowswell told the Legislative Assembly.
● ● Steve Dimopoulos
Two Oakleigh doctors have been publicly recognised by local MLA Steve Dimopoulos.
“I rise to acknowledge two extraordinary people who have served the Oakleigh and broader communities for many years,” Mr Dimpoulos said.
“Dr John Malios, with 50 years of service on Warrigal Rd, Oakleigh, served predominantly the Greek community as a general practitioner.
“His sister Helen worked in reception, and his nephew Anthony has taken over the practice over the last few years. He has been there since the 1970s, a calm, wise, empathetic GP.
“He got involved in with, among many other things, Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Australia. He became the convener of medical panels in Victoria – an extraordinary contribution.
“The second doctor in Oakleigh I want to acknowledge is Dr Hun Khoon Ng . He passed away a few weeks ago, and I want to pass on my thanks and condolences to his family. He was on North Rd, Oakleigh. His daughter now runs the practice.
“He was a migrant to this country, with a warm, huge smile and a no-nonsense approach. Nothing was too much of a burden for Dr Ng. He spoke Greek – he learned Greek through his Greek patients. It was fantastic to have this beautiful Chinese Australian doctor who spoke Greek,” Mr Dimopoulos said.
● ● ● ● Community projects are being funded in the City of Glen Eira. ✔Glen Eira Council is looking for cre ative, community-driven ideas that enhance busiest areas. Whether it’s a mural to help prevent graffiti, fairy lights to brighten a dark laneway, a native garden to discourage illegal dumping or temporary colourful public seating to encourage social connections — your idea could make a real difference, according to a Council representatie. The City of Glen Eira is looking for small projects that are easy to deliver, have local support and can make a big impact.”If your idea is chosen, we’ll work with you to deliver the project. We will provide the resources and support needed to bring these projects to life. Together, let’s make our community spaces shine.” Submissions are open until Sunday, January 5.
✔Sandringham MLA Brad Rowswell, in paying tribute to the lives of Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, said: “The local football club has also flown Holly and Bianca’s premiership flag from 2022 at half mast. Local service providers, the Better Health Network, Family Life, Headspace, Bayside and Kingston Councils, local police, the girls’ schools and our local federal member have all said yes to helping coordinate community support, and then there is the incredible support received through the GoFundMe page.”
✔Brighton MLA James Newbury has spoken of the Elwood Shule in State Parliament: “With their foundation stone laid in February 1956 and the building opened in September the next year, the Elwood Shule has been an ark of faith and sanctuary in my community. The shule recently congregated to celebrate the induction of Rabbi Gavriel Fogelgarn. I wish Gavriel, his wife Leah and their three boys blessings of success, and congratulations to the president Mark Kuran and the board on their event.”
✔Ms Jarra Karalinar Steel is the 2024 recipient of the City of Port Phillip’s Rupert Bunny Foundation Visual Arts Fellowship. The Fellowship grants a $30,000 acquisitive award to support professional development and excellence in contemporary visual art. A multi-disciplinary artist based in St Kilda, Ms Steel is a descendant of the Yaluk-ut Weelam clan of the Boonwurrung.
Local News De Vietri blasts Yarra Cl.
■ Upset that her Greens Party has lost control of Yarra Council, former Mayor Gabrielle de Vietri slammed the municipality in State Parliament.
“Ripping up bike lanes for more car parking, cancelling the construction of a new public park outside a library, giving over public land to private developers, tax breaks for property owners and extra cops to police our young people at night – these are policies that you would expect from Trump if he woke up in the middle as mayor of a progressive town,” Ms de Vietri told the Legislative Assembly.
“But believe it or not, these are all things that Yarra Council has agreed to this week.”
Ms de Vietri had a special blast for the new Yarra Mayor, Cr Stephen Jolly.
“The new mayor and his bunch of conservative independents have wasted no time in bulldozing progressive initiatives that the Yarra community and the Greens have been proud to pioneer.
“Their à la carte politics is totally rogue, and it is very concerning. They are cutting projects for the community while asking the Council to give them money to eat out at restaurants every fortnight.
“They are recklessly spending on their pet projects, and for personal gain. All of this was rushed through with absolutely zero consultation.
“ Jolly has signalled his priorities for this council term, and it is cars, property investors and pearl clutchers.
“If you are none of these, rise up and tell him this is not how we do things in Yarra.”
Cr Jolly told The Age newspaper that he was amused with the comparison with US Presidentto-be Donald Trump, given that Jolly was a Socialist.
“I have been accused of being a socialist ratbag on Yarra Council for 20 years,” Cr Jolly responded.
Decorations back
■ Kingston Council has has responded to community calls for greater investment in Christmas decorations by undertaking major installations in 10 of key shopping precincts.
This year’s roll out will include:
■ 5m high trees in the Mordialloc retail precinct, at Carrum Foreshore Park and the Kingston City Hall
■ Awning and large star decorations at Mentone Heritage Station Gardens
■ Four medium tree decorations at Dingley Village
■ A large star decoration at the Strand, and four medium tree decorations in the Chelsea retail precinct
■ A medium star decoration at Beeson Reserve, and four medium tree decorations at the Edithvale Shopping Centre, six medium tree decorations in Aspendale.
Head St flooding
■ Bayside Council says that it is working to address drainage issues in Head St, Brighton, including checking and clearing the nearby drain as a matter of urgency.
Mayor Cr Hanna El Mouallem said that the Council believse a blockage further in the drain is contributing to the flooding despite regular drain clearing.
“Our crews have invested and will prioritise an upgrade to pipes to significantly increase capacity in coming months.
“Council has also allocated $5.6million funding to address localised flooding issues at the western end of Head St
“We are working with Melbourne Water to finalise a local solution that will work with Melbourne Water’s duplication of the Elwood Main Drain that runs in parallel to Council’s drainage system. Council cannot undertake its drainage works in the western end of Head St until the Melbourne Water project is underway,” Cr El Mouallem said.
● ● Gabrielle de Vietri, Richmond MLA
● ● ● ●
Brad Rowswell MLA
Today’s Menu
Charcuterie Boards:
Tapas Bar Home-Made Desserts
Great Range of Cocktails and Mocktails Available.
Teas and Coffees
Don’t forget our Famous Devonshire Tea
■ Detectives from Brimbank Crime Investigation Unit are appealing for information as part of their investigation into a suspicious grassfire in St Albans last Wednesday afternoon (Dec. 3).
Emergency Services were called to a grassfire between Denton Avenue and the Western Ring Road about 12.30pm.
The grassfire quickly spread toward homes in the area.
Efforts by Fire and Rescue Victoria and the Country Fire Authority contained the blaze, successfully preventing any property damage or injuries.
Investigators are keen to speak to anyone who observed suspicious activity in the area prior to the fire.
QUEENSCLIFF Man drowns
■ Police are investigating after a man died in water in Queenscliff last Wednesday morning (Dec. 4).
It is understood the man was in a small boat on a creek near Bridge St when he got into trouble and fell into the water about 9.55am. A woman who was in the boat at the time was not injured.
Emergency services searched the water for the man. He was located deceased a short time later. Police will prepare a report for the Coroner.
BODY ARMOUR, DRUGS SEIZED AT PRESTON
■ Detectives from the Illicit Firearms Squad have charged two people and seized six firearms, body armour, drugs, cash and firearm parts and ammunition as part of an investigation into the importation and manufacturing of firearms.
With assistance from Dog Squad, a Firearm Prohibition Order Compliance search was conducted at a residential address in Preston.
Investigators located a loaded homemade revolver containing six rounds of ammunition, a firearm magazine, approximately $17,000 cash, body armour with a hardened chest plate, traffickable quantities of what appear to be methyl-amphetamine, cocaine, ketamine, 1,4-Butanediol and a quantity of diazepam and a stolen 1998 Suzuki motorcycle at the property.
A 30-year-old Preston man was charged with trafficking drugs of dependence, prohibited person possess firearm, deal proceeds of crime and theft of motor vehicle. He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on February 3.
A 31-year-old Preston woman was interviewed and released pending further enquiries.
Investigators later became aware of intelligence linking a storage unit in Preston to the
Statewide
30-year-old man, despite it allegedly being rented under a false name.
Later, detectives executed a FPO compliance search at the storage unit.
They seized over 50 items, including a Beretta Fucile Speciale Rinforazato 12gauge sawn-off single barrel shotgun, a sawn-off .22LR rifle with homemade suppressor fitted to muzzle, a privately made/manufactured double barrel .22LR pistol, a privately made/manufactured single barrel .22LR pistol, a hybrid privately made 3D printed pistol, various privately made firearm parts and magazines, a quantity of ammunition, commercial quantities of ecstasy, methylamphetamine and 1,4Butanediol, traffickable quan-
tities of ketamine and other powder substances and prescription medication.
The 30-year-old Preston man was further charged with 24 charges, including:
■ Trafficking commercial quantities of methylamphetamine, ketamine, ecstasy and 1,4-Butanediol;
■ Trafficking methylamphetamine, ketamine, ecstasy and 1,4-Butanediol
■ Possess traffickable quantity of firearms
■ Five counts of FPO holder possess unregistered firearm
■ Two counts of possess imitation firearm, and
■ Possess proceeds of crime.
Anyone with information about illicit firearm activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Burglary at storage unit
■ A burglary occurred at the storage unit (see story, at left, this page) on Monday, 4 November at approximately 2.25am,
A dark BMW X5 with a distinctive tow bar was captured on CCTV arriving at the address.
The occupants used an angle grinder to access the storage unit, before fleeing the scene at a fast rate of speed, crashing through the exit gate and damaging the car. Nothing of significance was taken.
On Tuesday last week (Dec. 3), a search warrant was executed at another residential address in Preston
Investigators located a quantity of cash and varying quantities of 1,4-Butanediol , methylamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and ketamine.
A 31-year-old Preston woman was arrested and subsequently charged with:
■ Trafficking commercial quantities of methylamphetamine, ketamine, ecstasy and 1,4-Butanediol
■ Trafficking methylamphetamine, ketamine, ecstasy and 1,4-Butanediol
■ Possess traffickable quantity of firearms
■ Five counts of possess unregistered firearm
■ Two counts of possess imitation firearm
■ Burglary, and
■ Possess proceeds of crime.
She was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
The BMW was later located in the Geelong area.
The investigation into the alleged burglary remains ongoing.
Melbourne Magistrates’ Court
● ● ● ● Firefighters at St Albans
The Local Paper
In association with the Established September 14, 1969
Published in localised editions in 40 areas across Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula and some country areas.
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Incorporating the traditions of the Southern Cross (Est. 1871), Camberwell Free Press (Est.1927), Collingwood, Fitzroy and Carlton Courier (Est.1948), The Clarion (Est. 1980)
The Local Paper is published weekly online and printed fortnightly and circulates in local editions:
Columnists: Len Baker, Matt Bissett-Johnson, Rob Foenander, Peter Kemp, Aaron Rourke, Ted Ryan, Cheryl Threadgold, Julie Houghton, Kevin Trask, John O’Keefe
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Ash on Wednesday Year 6 Chelsea pupil wins comp.
■ Chelsea Primary School year 6 student, Eilish , has taken out top prize as one of two national winners of Federal Government competition about respect.
Part of the national Stop it at the Start campaign, the Respect Competition invited Australian primary and secondary school students across the country to submit an original idea about respect to be turned into a professional animation.
After receiving over 500 nominations across the country from students in Years 4 to 9, a winner for both the primary school and secondary school categories was selected by a judging panel that included media personality Gus Worland. Winner for the primary school category, Eilish , says she feels lucky to have been chosen to have her storyboard turned into a professional animation.
“I’ve never won a competition before so this is really exciting! I tried my best in the storyboard but seeing it with colours, music, and movement is very special,” Eilish said.
“My storyboard was all about being respectful in the online world and when you play online games. It’s important to remember to be kind and to look after your friends.”
Eilish’s mum, Linda , said Eilish coming out on top was a lovely surprise after learning how many people entered the competition.
“I thought Eilish’s storyboard had an important message and it was a great way for
her to explore the topic of respect. But neither of us expected her to win so this is a wonderful bonus,” Linda said.
Eilish’s winning animation was screened at her school in front of the Year 6 cohort on Monday,(Dec. 9), where she was be presented with a certificate, a gift card for herself, and a gift card for her school.
The secondary school winner was also recognised by their school at a special ceremony on school grounds in Brisbane
Winning entries from primary and secondary student categories have been developed into short animations by Cause/Affect Studios.
Runners-up in each category, which can be viewed along with more information about the competition at respect.gov.au/ respectcompetition
Local Photo Flashback
Sgt’s misconduct
■ An acting sergeant from southern region has been charged with misconduct of public official following an internal investigation. The charges relate to an incident which allegedly occurred between 2017 and 2020.
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.
BAYSIDE
Incorporating the traditions of the Southern Cross (Est. Feb. 27, 1871), Bayside Advertiser Bayside comprises Beaumaris, Black Rock, Brighton, Brighton East, Cheltenham (part), Hampton, Hampton East, Highett (part) and Sandringham. Bayside is home to more than 105,580 people, living in approximately 41,091 homes.
BOROONDARA SOUTHERN SECTION
Incorporating the traditions of the Boroondara Weekly, Progress News, Camberwell Free Press (Est. 1927) Boroondara southern area comprises the southern part of the municipality including Ashburton, Camberwell, Glen Iris (part), Hawthorn and Hawthorn East. Boroondara City is home to more than 176,632 people, living in approximately 69,419 homes.
GLEN EIRA
Incorporating the traditions of the Southern Cross (Est. Feb. 27, 1871), Glen Eira Standard, Carnegie Courier, Elsternwick Advertiser, Caulfield Advertiser Glen Eira comprises Bentleigh, Bentleigh East, Carnegie, Caulfield, Caulfield East, Caulfield North, Caulfield South, Elsternwick, Gardenvale, Glen Huntly, McKinnon, Murrumbeena and Ormond, and parts of the suburbs of Brighton East and St Kilda East. Glen Eira is home to more than 155,123 people, living in approximately 59,815homes.
KINGSTON
Incorporating the traditions of the Kingston Standard, Moorabbin News, Moorabbin Standard, Chelsea Mordialloc Standard Kingston comprises Aspendale, Aspendale Gardens, Bonbeach, Braeside, Carrum, Chelsea, Chelsea Heights, Cheltenham, Clarinda, Clayton South, Dingley Village, Edithvale, Heatherton, Highett, Mentone, Moorabbin, Moorabbin Airport, Mordialloc, Oakleigh South, Parkdale, Patterson Lakes and Waterways. Kingston is home to more than 167,228 people, living in approximately 67, 617 homes.
PORT PHILLIP
Incorporating the traditions of the Southern Cross (Est. Feb. 27, 1871), Emerald Hill Times, Sandridge Times, St Kilda Times Port Phillip comprises Albert Park, Balaclava, Elwood, Melbourne (part), Middle Park, Port Melbourne (part), Ripponlea, South Melbourne, Southbank (part), St Kilda, St Kilda East (part), St Kilda West and Windsor (part). Port Phillip is home to more than 100,863 people, living in approximately 57,867 homes.
STONNINGTON
Incorporating the traditions of the Southern Cross (Est. Feb. 27, 1871), Stonnington Weekly
Stonnington comprises Armadale, Glen Iris, Kooyong, Malvern, Malvern East, Prahran, South Yarra, Toorak and Windsor. Stonnington is home to more than 114,340 people, living in approximately 54,181 homes.
YARRA
Incorporating the traditions of Collingwood Carlton Fitzroy Courier (Est. 1948), Richmond Times Yarra comprises Abbotsford, Burnley, Carlton North, Clifton Hill, Collingwood, Cremorne, Fitzroy, Fitzroy North, Princes Hill, Richmond. Yarra is home to more than 99,622 people, living in approximately 44,033homes.
Cheryl Threadgold, Local Theatre
Julie Houghton, The Arts Kevin Trask, Entertainment
Rourke, Film
Ryan, Horse Racing Len Baker, Harness Racing
ARMED ROBBERIES AT SOUTH-EAST SERVOS
■ Police are investigating a series of service station armed robberies in Melbourne’s south-east last Wednesday (Dec. 4).
It is understood five offenders attended a service station on High St, Glen Iris about 10.30pm.
Three of the offenders exited a stolen black Volkswagen T-Roc, armed with a machete, hammer, and an axe.
They made demands for cigarettes and jumped over the service counter.
Two employees retreated into a staff room before the offenders fled the scene.
It is believed the same offenders attended a service station on Whitehorse and Middleborough Rds, Blackburn about 10.45pm.
Officers were told a customer was threatened before the staff locked the service station doors.
The offenders fled the scene empty handed.
About five minutes later, the same offenders attended a service station on Springfield and Middleborough Rds, Blackburn North
Three offenders entered the store, with one offender entering the service area armed with a machete.
They fled the scene with cigarettes and cash.
The Volkswagen attended
another service station on Canterbury Rd, Ringwood about 10.55pm.
Three offenders entered the store, jumping over the counter to steal cigarettes and cash.
They fled the scene on Canterbury Rd and then travelled south on Eastlink
The same offenders attended a service station on Poath and North Rds, Hughesdale about 11.40pm.
Two offenders jumped over the service counter and took trays of cigarettes before fleeing in the stolen Volkswagen
Shortly later the offenders attended a supermarket on Hawthorn Rd, Caulfield South.
The offenders attempted to force entry to the store by throwing objects at the door.
A staff member disturbed the group, and they fled empty handed.
No one was physically injured during the incidents.
The Volkswagen was stolen from a property in Doncaster last Monday (Dec. 2).
The investigation remains ongoing.
CRANBOURNE
House fire
■ Casey Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a man following a house fire in Cranbourne. Emergency services were called to reports of a house on fire in Roberts Rd about 4.30pm on Wednesday (Dec. 4).
One person home at the time was evacuated safely. The fire caused extensive damage to the property.
Four adjoining properties were also evacuated as a precaution and there were no injuries. Swift acting officers arrested a 22-year-old Cranbourne man at the scene.
Man with water gun attempts to rob milk bar at Hurstbridge
● ● Police have issued an image of a man they wish to speakto regarding an attempted robbery at Hurstbridge
■ Banyule Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating after a man armed with a super-soaker attempted to rob a milk bar in Hurstbridge - all in an attempt to steal a soft drink.
It is understood a male offender arrived at the milk bar on Heidelberg-Kinglake Rd on an electric scooter about 7.20am on Sunday, November 24.
Police were told he entered the store and asked the female staff member for a free can of an energy drink.
When she refused, he demanded cash and then used a large super-soaker, which was inside a laptop bag, to spray white paint on the woman and in the store.
The 34-year-old woman bravely attempted to restrain the man, before he assaulted her and pulled down the shutter, trapping them both inside.
Whilst he continued to assault her, the woman was able to slightly move his balaclava, giving the CCTV camera a brief glimpse of his face.
She managed to open the door and escape, before the man followed her and assaulted her outside the shop.
The woman sustained facial injuries and bruising and did not require hospital treatment.
The man fled the scene, without the drink, on what is believed to be a black Hoverfly G4 electric scooter.
Investigators have released CCTV and images of a man they believe can assist with their enquiries.
He is described as being about 175cm tall, of solid build and aged in his 40s.
The man was wearing a black hoodie with white paint on it, dark grey pants, a black LA Raiders cap, black socks and no shoes.
He was carrying a large super-soaker, which was inside a black bag.
CFA CUTS: NOT TRUE, SAYS MP Observer Melbourne
■ Victorian Emergency Sevices Manager Jaclyn Symes says that media reports, claiming that the Country Fire Authority budget has been cut by 70 per cent, are not true.
“I want to set the record straight on reports regarding the CFA’s funding,” said Ms Symes.
“I know it has caused some fear and anger in our regional communities.
“Reports of an almost $70m cut from the CFA are wrong.
“Every year, a certain amount of money within our emergency services’ budgets is earmarked for specific projects and services – like funding for the rollout of 18,000 new Motorola radios to brigades.
“Setting aside these funds isn’t a cut. Every dollar of these quarantined amounts is spent on CFA – directly benefitting the CFA and their volunteers.
“Government departments manage many of these projects and they pay the bill.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11,
“It streamlines administration and takes the burden off emergency services so they can focus on what they do best — keeping Victorians safe.
“This year, more than $337 million in CFA base funding has been allocated – an increase of almost $17 million on the comparable figure last year.
“This doesn’t include the money we invest on top of this on new trucks, uniforms and upgrading stations.
“The Fire Services Property Levy funds almost 78 per cent of the CFA’s total funding needs – not 25 per cent.
“I know National Party members are out there with their negativity trying to spin a false narrative about cuts.
“They should support, not scare country communities and stick to the facts.
“Labor has delivered 80 new tankers since 2018, 22 are being built and 15 pumpers are on order.
“The Nationals didn’t fund a single truck in their last few years in government, and they slashed $66 million
from the CFA budget whilst in office. It’s disappointing that I must correct this unhelpful misinformation, but it’s a further opportunity to recognise and thank our amazing CFA brigades and all emergency services – I want you to know our Government will always give you what you need to continue keeping Victorians safe,” Ms Symes said.
Arson at synagogue
■ Arson and Explosives Squad detectives are investigating a suspicious fire in Ripponlea on Friday morning (Dec. 6). Emergency services were called to the fire at a synagogue on Glen Eira Avenue about 4.10am.
Witnesses stated that offenders were inside the premises where they poured liquid on the floor. Detectives are looking for three offenders believed to be involved.
● ● ● Jaclyn Symes, Emergency Services Minister
Peninsula Summer Music Festival
■ The Peninsula Summer Music Festival will run from January 4 -10 on the Mornington Peninsula, treating music lovers to a week of chamber and ensemble musical performances.
Festival favourites such as Twilight Jazz and Balnarring Family Day return to the region alongside Festival artists Stephanie Arnold (cello), The Voice 2023 winner Tarryn Stokes, soprano Jacqueline Porter, Ensemble Offspring and the Australian Romantic and Classical Orchestra at popular destinations such as St John’s Anglican Church, Peninsula Hot Springs and the region's fine wineries playing host to more than 35 musicians and performers.
Artistic Directors Ben Opie and Melissa Doecke have once again curated a celebration of the region’s natural beauty amplified by fine music, wine and food.
The 2025 Festival begins on Saturday January 4 with three of Australia’s brightest emerging musicians to perform showcase works for violin, viola and double bass.
Helena Kozdra (violin), Neil Wang (viola), and Jude Hill (double bass) make up the Young Mannheim Symphonists; a prestigious program from the Australian Romantic Classical Orchestra that supports young musicians as they begin their careers in historically informed performance.
Accompanied by acclaimed pianist Donald Nicolson, the talented trio will perform works from Wanhal, Mozart, Glinka and Dittersdorf at St John’s Anglican Church in Flinders.
The festival’s signature event takes place on January 4 at Flinders Civic Hall with a romantic evening of Love and Life featuring acclaimed soprano Jacqueline Porter and principal musicians of the Australian Romantic and Classical Orchestra.
The audience will be immersed in loveladen melodies from three of Europe’s most romantic composers. Dramatic Grieg and Schubert string quartets, led by violinist Rachael Beesley
For full details of the Peninsula Summer Music Festival program, visit peninsulafestival.com.au/
- Cheryl Threadgold
School of Rock
■ PLOS Musical Productions opens itsw summer season at 5pm on New Year's Eve with School of Rock at Frankston Arts Centre, playing until January 5.
Based on the 2003 hit film, School of Rock is adapted for the stage with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater and the book by Julian Fellowes
PLOS's show is directed by Brad Fischer, with musical direction by Bev Woodford, and choreography by Jess Pratt and Tahlia Sweatman.
School of Rock will be presented for a limited season at the Frankston Arts Centre.
Performance Season: December 31 at 5pm (until 7.30pm); January 2, 3, 4 at 7.30pm; January 5 at 1.30pm.
Venue: Frankston Arts Centre, Davey St., Frankston
Bookings: www.plos.asn.au
- Cheryl Threadgold
Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
■ A Christmas Carol , written by Charles Dickens in 1843 has been a timeless story of misery and joy.
The Old Vic Production, conceived and directed by Matthew Warchus with a new adaption by Jack Thorne is a yearly institution at the Comedy Theatre
The audience was welcomed before curtain up by cast interacting and mingling, handing out fruit mince tarts and mandarins while at the same time a group on stage performed Christmas music on handbells.
Set in London on a bitter winter's Christmas eve, Ebenezer Scrooge played by well-known Erik Thomson firstly drives away Carol Singers, then sends his employee Bob Cratchit played eminently by Tim Wright, on an errand just as he was going home for Christmas.
The audience is immediately reminded of Scrooge, as a cold-hearted money-making miser, the very opposite of the Christmas spirit.
However, a sudden ghostly visit from his deceased business partner Jacob Marley played by Anthony Cogin, tells him he will be visited by three ghosts, Ghost of Christmas Past played by Alison Whyte, Christmas Present played by Samantha Morley and Christmas Yet To Be played by Aisha Aidara as Little Fan, Scrooge’s sister.
Marley tells Scrooge that he will finish up like him, suffering eternal punishment if he doesn’t mend his ways.
The ghosts guide Scrooge through his journey from a merciless misanthropist to a benevolent benefactor, all aided by an array of characters, in particular performances by Sarah Morrison as Belle, Felix Star as Young Scrooge and Stephanie Lambourn as Mrs Cratchit.
The role of Tiny Tim played charmingly by a confident Wynton Inman on opening night, will be rotated between Mira Feldman, Libby Segal and Noah Sherburn.
While a very open stage, cleverly four simple door frames rose regularly to create the acting space of Scrooge’s abode all skilfully lit.
Hand held and swinging lanterns added well while ‘snow’ was abundant, being dropped and thrown.
Some twelve carols were impressively performed using handbells aided by a range of other instruments.
Acknowledgement should be made of the support of Carmel Daveson of the Handbell Society of Australasia.
A great heart-warming family performance, outstandingly produced and performed by all, a true reflection of the Christmas Spirit
Performance Season: Until December 29
Venue: Comedy Theatre, Melbourne
Bookings: Ticketek
- Review by Graeme McCoubrie
Shimmery Burlesque
■ With current trends of cancel culture and gas lighting it is brilliant to see this mischievous, talented, tasselled and feathered, outrageously confident ensemble of women igniting the audience to raucous appreciation of their burlesque skills.
The basis is the story of Kerrie Schultz (Lady Shimmery) and how she rose from work in graphic design and bridal couture in Australia to be a designer and maker of internationally recognised burlesque costumes.
As Kerrie, Abbey Paige Williams leads us through Kerrie’s journey with the many highlights presented in vivid burlesque style .
Using well recognised 30s – 60s music backing (Jack Champion) the talented cast operate as a sparkling choreographed ensemble, while also highlighting their preferred solo burlesque talents whether hoops, aerial, eastern influence, chair dancing or saucy strip tease.
There was a wonderful noisy, happy rapport between manipulative performers and their lively engaged audience.
The first act focuses on presenting memories of Kerrie’s whimsical dreams.
The second leads us on Kerrie’s journey of burlesque costumery. As well as the splendour and glitter of g-strings and ostentatious, outlandish coverings and fans, the easily operable clips and zips for the tease must be applauded.
The seeming ease of removing corsets and bras was first class entertainment and played successfully by performers to create audience anticipation .
Sexy, sensual, joyous – it’s all there in abundance on a superb and changing set (Holly Mouat, Angus Strachan, Kerrie Schultz) Buttocks and bosoms were rarely absent.
Outrageous choreography and burlesque (Kimera Diamond and Maple Rose) was faultlessly and proudly executed by a sparkling troupe of 18.
Mood changes to aerial work or street scenes, superbly lit (Jason Bovaird) provided delightful balance to the upbeat energetic high kicking, splits, and ever loved can- can.
It may not be your thing, but do see it once, please, if there’s a return season.
Glittering women empowerment from writer/director Holly Mount.
Presented at the Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne.
- Review by Maggie Morrison
St, Melbourne from January 15-18.
This show for children and adults gives opportunity to tumble down the rabbit hole and join Alice on her magical adventures with the White Rabbit, the eccentric Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, the boisterous Queen of Hearts and a cast of actors bringing over 20 curious characters to life
True to the original book, there will be something for everyone with plenty of wordplay and pun-based humour that older children and adults will enjoy, while younger children will enjoy the colourful characters, charming puppetry and physical comedy (especially Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum).
Alice in Wonderland is directed and adapted by Penny Farrow and produced by Broadway Haus, USA
Venue: Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne
Season: Wednesday January 15 – Saturday January 18
Performances: Jan. 15 at 7pm, Jan. 16 17 and 18 Jan. at 11am and 2pm
Prices: From $39.90
Booking: Ticketmaster.com.au
www.aliceinwonderlandlive.com
- Cheryl Threadgold
Wind in the Willows
■ Australian Shakespeare Company’s The Wind in the Willows returns to Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens from December 21January 25 to celebrate its 38th year of outdoor theatre magic
.Featuring Kenneth Grahame’s unforgettable characters—Ratty, Mole, Badger, Otter, Portly, and the ever-daring Mr Toad this critically acclaimed production aims to entertain audiences of all ages.
The Australian Shakespeare Company founder and Artistic Director, Glenn Elston, says: “Every year, bringing The Wind in the Willows back to Melbourne’s Botanic Gardens is a joy.
“There’s nothing quite like watching children and adults alike light up as they’re drawn into the adventure.
“It’s a celebration of storytelling and community in one of the city’s most stunning settings—ideal for a summer’s day out with family and friends.”
The Wind in the Willows is packed with surprises, transforming young audience members into honorary “rabbits” with just a wiggle of the ears.
Led by the Head Chief Rabbit, the young rabbits are encouraged to sing along, shout out, and dive fully into the story’s adventure.
Families can look forward to a lively, interactive performance that captures the magic of outdoor theatre, with a few playful surprises reserved just for adults.
Audience members are encouraged to bring picnic blankets, favourite snacks, and drinks to enjoy a relaxed, picnic-style event.
The performance will move between various scenic spots within the gardens, making it an adventure for the whole family and a unique way to experience theatre under the Melbourne skies.
LocaIon: Royal Botanic Gardens, Oak Lawn Gate
Dates: December 21 to January 25
Times: 10.30am, 11am and 6pm
Tickets: $25-$30 or $90-$110 per group of four
● ● Erik Thomson (Ebenezer Scrooge) and Tim Wright (Bob Cratchit) in A Christmas Carol. Photo: Eugene Hyland
● ● Alice in Wonderland
■ Lewis Carroll's timeless classic Alice in Wonderland will be playing at the Athenaeum Theatre, Collins
● Jacqueline Porter, soprano.
IMAGINE LIVE Shows
■ OSMaD: The Addams Family. Until December 14 at the Geoffrey McComas Theatre, Scotch College Campus.Director: Joel Anderson: Musical Director: Ashton Turner; Choreograrpher: Dylan Henry. Bookings: osmad.com.au
■ Heidelberg Theatre Company Youth: Peter Pan (a new adaptation from J. M. Barrie’s classic) Until December 14 at Heidelberg Theatre, 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna. Director: Robbie Nicholson. Bookings: htc.org.au
■ PLOS Musical Productions: School of Rock. December 31, January 2, 3, 4, 5 at the Frankston Arts Centre, Davey St., Frankston. Director: Brad Fischer; Musical Director: Bev Woodford; Choreographer: Jess Pratt and Tahlia Sweetman. Bookings: plos.asn.au
■ Encore Theatre: Puss In Boots (written by Geoff Bamber) January 9 – 18 at 11am and 2pm at the Clayton Community Theatre, Cooke St., Clayton. Director: Christine Simmonds. Bookings: Trybooking.
■ Williamstown Little Theatre: Wicked Sisters (by Alma de Groen) February 12 –March 3 at Williamstown Little Theatre, 2 Albert St., Williamstown. Director: Ellis Ebell. Bookings: wlt.org.au/
■ Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Company: Moon Over Buffalol (a comedy by Ken Ludwig) February 13 – March 1 at the Lilydale Mechanics’ Institute, Castella St., Lilydale. Director: Ian Frost. Bookings: lilydaleatc.com
■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsence (by The Goodale Brothers) February 14 – March 1 at Heidelberg Theatre, 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna. Director: Morgan Thomas-Connor. Bookings: htc.org.au
■ Malvern Theatre: The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race (by Melanie Tait) February 14 –March 1 at Malvern Theatre, 29 Burke Rd., Malvern. Director: Helen Ellis. Bookings: malverntheatre.com.au
■ The Basin Theatre Company: Home, I’m Darling (by Laura Wade) February 20 –March 2 at The Basin Theatre, Doongalla Rd., The Basin. Director: Bob Bramble. Bookings: thebasintheatre.org.au
■ The 1812 Theatre: Spider’s Web (by Agatha Christie) February 20 – March 14 at The 1812 Theatre, Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: John Mills. Bookings: 1812theatre.com.au
■ Eltham Little Theatre: The Diary of Anne Frank (by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett) February 21 – March 8 at the Eltham Performing Arts Centre, 1603 Main Rd., Research. Director: Steve Saul. Elthamlittletheatre.org.au
■ Peridot Theatre: The Architect (by Aiden Fennessy) February 21 – March 2 at the Clayton Theatrette, Cooke St., Clayton. Director: Jen Bite. Bookings:
■ The Mount Players: The Importance of Being Earnest (by Oscar Wilde) February 21 – March 9 at The Mountview Theatre, 63 Smith St., Macedon. Director: Vicki Smith. Bookings: themountplayers.com
■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: Holmes and Watson (by Jeffrey Hatcher) February 27 – March 8 at the Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd., Mordialloc. Director: Amy Calvert. Bookings: mordialloctheatre.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold
Auditions
■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (by Mark Haddon, adapted by Simon Stephens) January 5 from 6pm, January 6 from 7pm at Heidelberg Theatre, 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna. Director: Karen Wakeham. Further information: htc.org.au
■ Williamstown Little Theatre: Things I Know to be True (by Andrew Bovell) January 31 at 7.30pm, February 1 at 2.30pm at Williamstown Little Theatre, 2-4 Albert St., Williamstown. Director: Shirley Sydenham. Audition bookings and enquiries: ssydenham@wlt.org.au
■ Malvern Theatre Company: A Happy and Holy Occasion (by John O’Donoghue) February 2 and 3 at 29 Burke Rd., Malvern East. Director: Nicholas Opalski. Audition bookings/enquiries: nopolski@hotmail.com or 0400 507 788. - Cheryl Threadgold
■ Imagine Live, a magical celebration of creativity, friendship and our precious natural world based on Alison Lester's best-selling book, will be playing from January 8-11 in Arts Centre Melbourne's Fairfax Studio
From the multi-award-winning team behind Robot Song, performers play and sing their way through Alison Lester's much-loved book Imagine and discover there is more to these pages than they first thought.
Imagine Live contains live action and animation with digital puppetry in a large-scale. multi-screen performance.
Underscored by original music, oversized props and digital puppets are brought to life by performers and link together a long distance video call between a granddaughter and grandmother, enjoying a nostalgic connection through their favourite book, Imagine.
Relevant to multi-generational and diverse audiences, the show is a reminder that connection, creativity and play are essential ingredients for positive mental health.
The production’s deep environmental theme invites us to look beyond our backyards into a shared and richly beautiful world.
Building on the knowledge and success of Helpmann Award-winning show Robot Song, Director and Creator of Imagine Live, Jolyon James reunites the creative team Ashlea Pyke, Nate Gilkes and Phillip McInnes along with new cast member, Aubrey Flood.
Venue: Fairfax Studio
Dates: January 8-11
Duration: 55 minutes
Age recommendation: 4-12 years old
- Cheryl Threadgold
BMW Opera For All
■ BMW, in partnership with Opera Australia, has announced the third edition of the BMW Opera for All event. This concert returns to Melbourne’s Fed Square on Saturday, February 1 from 5pm to 7pm,promising a “spectacular evening of world-class opera”, free for everyone to enjoy.
For the first time, the event will introduce a 30-minute prelude performance by the Australian Girls Choir. This performance will connect young, aspiring artists with award-winning operatic talent, embodying the spirit of creative collaboration.
BMW Opera for All is a global initiative in collaboration with local opera organisations to provide world-class cultural experiences to the public for free. The 2025 Melbourne edition will feature an open-air concert with a selection of opera arias and timeless classics, making it an evening for everyone.
Headlining the concert are four of Opera Australia’s finest opera singers. Soprano Olivia Cranwell, acclaimed for her performance in Opera Australia’s acclaimed Ring Cycle last year and her recent role as Giorgetta in Il tabarro in both Opera Australia and Victorian Opera productions and will reprise her role as Mimì in La bohème in 2025.
Mezzo-soprano Dimity Shepherd, Melbourne born, three-time Green Room award-winner, Dimity has captivated audiences with her appearances for Opera Australia including last month’s production of Eucalyptus at the Palais Theatre and the title role of the national touring production of Carmen.
Tenor Shanul Sharma, an alumnus of Opera Australia’s Young Artist Program, Shanul
has enthralled audiences in roles including Almaviva in The Barber of Seville and most recently as Tamino in The Magic Flute. Baritone Christopher Hillier, who recently appeared as Zurga in The Pearl Fishers, joins the cast bringing a commanding vocal presence.
The cast from Opera Australia will be accompanied by a live orchestra of 20 musicians from Orchestra Victoria, conducted by the renowned Brian Castles-Onion, who has conducted the BMW Opera for All performances for the past two years.
Opera Australia CEO Fiona Allan said: “Opera Australia is thrilled to open up the experience of opera for so many through this free concert featuring some of Australia’s best singers.
“We are very grateful to BMW for its ongoing commitment to staging BMW Opera for All in Melbourne as part of this global initiative, also held in other cities renowned for their cultural life such as Munich, Berlin and London. I look forward to spending the evening in beautiful Fed Square with Victorian families and friends.”
With space to accommodate up to 8000 attendees in Fed Square’s vibrant outdoor space, BMW Opera for All promises to be one of Australia’s largest free outdoor opera events in 2025
Date: Saturday, February 1
Time: 5pm-7pm
Venue: Fed Square, CBD, Melbourne Tickets: Free, no registration required.
For more information visit opera.org.au/ events/bmw-opera-for-all/ - Cheryl Threadgold
Love Actually?
Almost everyone knows that annual Christmas movie, Love Actually, which follows several different groups of people and tangled love situations that eventually resolve.
Melbourne audiences are in for a treat with a tongue-in-cheek show, Love Actually?
The Musical Parody, an off-Broadway production that is currently taking over the Athenaeum Theatre and runs until December 23.
The show follows nine quirky couples searching for love, and features lots of cute awkward moments, over the top gestures and laugh out loud moments that will have the audience chuckling.
Love Actually? The Musical Parody reflects the nostalgia of the original film, released 16 years ago, and comments humorously on love, relationships and the holiday spirt at this time of year.
Tunes are an important part of a musical parody, and audiences will hear songs like ‘He’s The Prime Minister of Roms Coms’ and ‘Keira Knightly Actually’.
Promoter Fred Porter is delighted to be bringing something to give audiences a fun Christmas theatrical treat.
“Love Actually has become an iconic film that is loved by many around the world, and this incredible production spreads Christmas cheer and joy – there is something for everyone,” he says.
The ensemble cast includes Ian Andrew, Sophie Loughran, Jeremy Harland, Belinda Jenkin, Mitchell Groves and Massimo Zuccara. Book in at ticketmaster.com.au for a night of laughs and fun.
- Julie Houghton
THREE LITTLE PIGS
■ New commercial musical theatre company AG Theatre is launching their first season with a new production of The Three Little Pigs , in this 50-minute children's musical written by Stiles and Drewe, the Olivier Award winning minds behind Mary Poppins, Honk! and Peter Pan - A Musical Adventure, opening at the National Theatre, St Kilda on December 18.
The Three Little Pigs delivers a charming and witty retelling of the classic tale, with catchy and upbeat memorable songs.
The children’s musical is directed by WAAPA musical theatre graduate Tahra Cannon, who recently received rave reviews for her production of A Chorus Line, with Andrew Gyopar’s independent theatre company Theatrical. She is thrilled to be making her commercial theatre directing debut with The Three Little Pigs.
“This musical will leave kids howling with laughter, squealing like little piglets, and enchanted with what could potentially be their first live theatre experience,” says Tahlia.
“Three Little Pigs will invite audiences of all ages to sing, laugh, and reflect on the value of connection. Expect to walk away from the theatre singing ‘Three Little Pigs’ all the way home.”
Ben Hamilton (Bar) is delighted to be mak-
ing his professional musical debut in The Three Little Pigs. He currently studies fulltime at Showfit, where he pursues his passion for musical theatre.
When not studying, Ben says he loves working with children in entertainment and bringing fun and creativity to every interaction.
Performance Season: December 18-29
Venue: National Theatre, St Kilda Bookings: nationaltheatre.org.au/the-3little-pigs/
- Cheryl Threadgold
● ● ● ● Imagine Live. Photo: Peter Foster
● ● ● ● Ben Hamilton (Bar) in The Three Little Pigs. Photo: Nicole Cleary.
MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
Cicero
★The Les Miserables arena spectacular will be staged at the Rod Laver Arena from May 25. It will star Alfie Boe and Killian Donnelly as Jean Valjean, Michael Ball and Bradley Jaden at Javert, Matt Lucas as Thenardier, Marina Prior as Madame Thenardier, and Rachelle Ann Go as Fantine.
★Six new BBC Live Channels are streaming free 24/ 7 on 9 Now.
★Renniks Stamps of Aus tralia new editionhas up-todate information on Australian stamps issued through June 30, 2024. The comprehensive guide features 408 pages, over 4500 full-colour images, and more than 20,000 valuations.
★Extra performances have been released for the Melbourne season of rock musical Jesus Christ Superstar, which will play at the Princess Theatre from March 16. Tickets until June 1 are on pre-sale.
★The Women’s Circus Sum mer Holiday Program runs from January 8-22.
★La Trobe University and the University of Melbourne have begun a million dollar project to compile a fourvolume collection of key documents that tell the story of Australian history from an Aboriginal perspective.
★Western Region Concert Band presents Carols at the Clocktower at 750 Mt Alexander Rd, Moonee Ponds, from 6.30pm on Sunday, December 22.
★Step into the spirit of Christ mas at Como House. The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) opens to embrace the magic of festive traditions. Running until January 8, ‘Season’s Greetings in the House of Discovery brings all the charm of a Victorian Christmas with a fresh, eco-friendly twist.
■ The Australian Shakespeare Company will stage a new production of The Merry Wives of Windsor at Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens, running from December 21January 25.
With the city’s Botanic Gardens as a stunning backdrop, audiences will be treated to a unique theatre experience brimming with comedy, intrigue, and classic Shakespearean wit.
Australian Shakespeare Company founder and Artistic Director, Glenn Elston, says: “This fresh, new production of Shakespeare’s suburban comedy, The Merry Wives of Windsor, will offer audiences a wonderful opportunity to explore one of Shakespeare’s most delightful yet often overlooked comedies.
“Its clever humour and relatable themes of love and deception will resonate with audiences today.
“I’m thrilled to showcase the play’s wit and charm, reminding everyone why this comic gem deserves the spotlight.”
In this merry romp, the audacious and delusional Sir John Falstaff attempts to woo two married women, Mistress Ford and Mistress Page, only to find himself ensnared in a clever scheme devised by the quickwitted wives. The result? A hilarious series of pranks and plot twists that will leave audiences in stitches.
Under the direction of Glenn Elston , the cast includes Peter Houghton as Sir John Falstaff, Jackson McGovern as Frank Ford, Elizabeth Brennan as Mistress Ford, Luke Lennox as George Page and Anna
Burgess as Mistress Page. Maddie Somers appears as Anne Page, while Natasha Herbert takes on the role of Mistress Quickly.
Callum O'Malley plays Fenton and Pistol, Kevin Hopkins portrays Robert Shallow, Alex Cooper is Abraham Slender, Dion Mills brings Sir Hugh Evans to life, Tony Rives takes on both Doctor Caius and Nym, and Hugh Sexton rounds out the cast as Bardolph.
For more information, visit www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au
Location: Royal Botanic Gardens, Southern Cross Lawn (enter through Observatory Gate on Birdwood Avenue)
Dates: December 21 - January 25
Times: 7.30pm
Tickets: $25-$110 (General Admission and A Reserve Packages Available)
On sale via shakespeare australia.com.au, call 8676 7511 or via Ticketmaster - Cheryl Threadgold
Postcard Show
■ Linden New Art presents the Linden Postcard Show 2024
Now in its 34th year, the Postcard Show is a much-loved annual highlight of Linden’s exhibition program.
The official opening was last Saturday (Dec. 7).
The exhibition continues until February 2.
Linden New Art 26 Acland St, St Kilda
Best Films for 2024
■ Here we are, already at the end of 2024, and looking back on what was worth seeing during the year.
There were some fantastic films this year, showing that some producers still take a chance on talented film-makers.
Below is a list of what, for me, were the best of the best. I would like to thank Ash Long for continuing his hard work, all other contributors, and most of all, you the readers, who continue to support us.
I hope everyone has a merry Christmas, and a very happy New Year.
MY TOP 10
1. The Substance. Writer/director Coralie Fargeat follows up her 2017 feature film debut, Revenge, with a no-holds-barred examination of female body image and rigid societal expectations, especially in the entertainment industry. Not for the faint of heart, this is an absolute blast, and features two terrific performances from Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley.
2. Poor Things. Yorgos Lanthimos again hits the bullseye with this wild-eyed journey, which looks incredible, and is audacious in tackling its subject matter. Emma Stone is outstanding, with strong support from Willem Dafoe, Mark Ruffalo and Margaret Qualley.
3. Perfect Days. Quietly brilliant film from veteran director Wim Wenders, following a Tokyo toilet cleaner (superbly played by Koji Yakusho) and what he observes around him each day.
4. Ghostlight. Powerful drama that deals with grief, and the hard road that’s travelled to try and recover from it. Exceptional performances and first-rate direction and writing make this emotionally satisfying viewing.
5. I Saw The TV Glow. Jane Schoenbrun’s second feature, after the intriguing We’re All Going To The World’s Fair (2021), is terrific, looking at mental health and sexual identity. Uses a David Lynch like approach to incredible effect.
6. In A Violent Nature. Daring subversion of the typical horror slasher movie, this is like Friday The 13th if directed by Terrence Malick or Bela Tarr. Will test the patience of some, but those who respond, will love what writer/director Chris Nash has done. Beware, it does contain some very graphic moments.
7. How To Have Sex. Insightful, harrowing drama from writer/director Molly Manning Walker, with an intelligent examination of consent, and the horrific consequences on women when it is ignored.
8. Anatomy Of A Fall. Oscar and Cannes award winning mystery/
drama from director Justine Triet, is deserving of all the praise heaped upon it. Stars Sandra Huller, who was also in the excellent, Academy Award winning The Zone Of Interest.
9. Io Capitano. Another compelling film from director Matteo Garrone (Gamorrah, Dogman, Pinocchio), vividly portraying the traumatic journey of migrants using illegal means to try and find a better life.
10. Megalopolis. Francis Ford Coppola’s 40 year-old passion project finally came to fruition this year (he had to self-finance its $120 million budget), and it has been largely met with derision. I, however, found this a unique viewing experience, made with an uninhibited cinematic love, instead of playing it safe for the sake of getting the script made. A perfect example of ‘love-it-or-hate-it’ film-making. Honourable Mentions The Zone Of Interest; The Taste Of Things; Fallen Leaves; All Of Us Strangers; Dune Part Two; Woman Of The Hour; Club Zero; Love Lies Bleeding; Furiosa : A Mad Max Saga; Monkey Man; My Old Ass; Strange Darling; Exhuma; Society Of The Snow; The Teachers’ Lounge; Robot Dreams; Civil War; Infested; Rebel Ridge; The Last Stop In Yuma County; MadS; The Three Musketeers Part 1 : D’Artagnan; The Three Musketeers Part 2 : Milady; Chime; Handling The Undead; Longlegs; Touch; Cuckoo; Didi; The Wild Robot.
- Aaron Rourke
● Elizabeth Brennan, Peter Houghton and Anna Burgess in The Merry Wives of Windsor. Photo: Ben Fon.
Marc Circero
Aaron Rourke
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Within a short leisurely stroll to the iconic Cable Beach, Day Spas, restaurants, cafes and bars, Broome Beach Resort is the ideal 4½ star family resort.
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The business is ideally located in the prime Cable Beach area next to great amenities and is a short 500m walk to beautiful Cable Beach.
•Long-term agreements
•Close to everything Broome has to offer
•Set amongst tropical landscaping
•Body Corporate salary of over $129k
•Well-appointed two-bed, one-bath unit with large office and storeroom on the one title. Available for $560,000
•Located in one of Western Australia’s most sought after destinations
•Property inspections are by appointment only
PROFIT: $381,153. PRICE: $1,143,459
■ I had the great pleasure of seeing the famous screen legend Lauren Bacall onstage at the Princess Theatre in 1986 when she starred in the stage play Sweet Bird Of Youth. I could not believe that the former wife of Humphrey Bogart was in Melbourne - I will never forget seeing her onstage.
Betty Joan Perske was born in 1924 in New York City
Her Jewish parents were divorced when Betty was only five. Her mother took custody of her only daughter and changed her surname back to her maiden name of Bacal
When she became an actress Betty used the first name of Lauren and added an extra ‘L’ to become Lauren Bacall.
In her teenage years she studied at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and appeared in several Broadway productions. She worked as a fashion model and usherette prior to getting a screen test for Howard Hawk's production of To Have Or Have Not
Although she was nervous at the audition she did get the part opposite Humphrey Bogart
The scene when she delivered the famous lines "You know you don't have to act with me, Steve. You don't have to say anything and you don't have to do anything. Not a thing. Oh, maybe just whistle. You know how to whistle don't you, Steve? You just put your lips together and. .. blow" established Lauren as a major star.
Although Bogart was married at the time
Magazine
Whatever Happened To ... Lauren Bacall
By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM
the couple fell in love and they finally married in 1946. She starred opposite Bogart in another three films The Big Sleep, Dark Passage and Key Largo
Lauren had two children with Humphrey Bogart. Shortly after Humphrey Bogart's death in 1957 Lauren announced her engagement to Frank Sinatra but the relationship ended abruptly.
Then in 1961 she married Jason Robards, the marriage lasted for eight years and they had one child.
Her films included How To Marry A Millionaire, Designing Woman, Womans World, Murder On The Orient Express, Written On The Wind, Harper and The Shootist
One of the highlights of Lauren's career was winning the Best Leading Actress Tony Award for her performances on Broadway in the musicals Applause and Woman Of The Year.
I may be wrong about this, but I do recall hearing that when Australian actor Frank Wilson suffered a heart attack during the Melbourne season of Sweet Bird of Youth in 1986 Lauren went to visit him in the hospital and held his hand. Can anyone confirm this story?
Lauren has written three autobiographiesthe first By Myself was published in 1978. She won the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award in 1997 for her role in The Mirror Has Two Faces.
In 2009 she received an honorary award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
I thought she was marvellous in her cameo role in The Sopranos when she played herself in a ‘mugging scene’ with Michael Imperioli Lauren Bacall passed away on August 12, 2014, at the age of 89.
She is remembered in the lyrics of the 1980s Bertie Higgins song Key Largo - we had it all just like Bogie and Bacall.
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
‘SIGNIFICANT OTHERS’ AT GEELONG GALLERY
Significant Others –Rauschenberg and Johns Robert Rauschenberg and Jasper Johns are considered two of the most significant artists of the 20th century.
While there work is credited with changing the course of American art history, their individual artistic styles are the result of a private creative dialogue that began when they were young artists in a relationship.
Deliberately moving against the grain of Abstract Expressionism, the dominant art movement of the time became the crucible for both their lifelog practices.
Exhibition closes Sunday February 9.
★
The Sweet Spot –Between Art and Design
This diverse selection of works comprising recent acquisitions to Geelong Gallery’s collection test the nexus between art and design and reflect the evolving strategy and growing commitment to exhibit and collect the works of practitioners working at the tantalising and experimental intersection of art and design.
From crafted wood and woven grasses, to forged metal and pinned textiles, these objects transcend their materiality ad the process of making to become works of art.
Exhibition closes Sunday February 9.
★
A people’s Press - Noel Counihan
Melbourne born artist Noel Counihan (1913 – 1986) maintained a personal and artistic commitment to political and social justice throughout a lifetime punctuated by some of the most challenging and defining events of the 20th century including the Great Depression, World War II and the Vietnam War.
Exhibition closes March 10.
Geelong Gallery
60 Little Malop St, Geelong Benalla
The Arts
name is now used for a certain graceful and expressive form of instrumental composition as the nocturne for orchestra in Mendelsohn’s The Midsummer Night’s Dream music.
Drawn from the Benalla Art Gallery Collection, Nocturne presents 40 works by 24 of Australia’s leading artists.
Spanning ll media, the exhibition explores multiple interpretations of the theme “nocturne. Specifically focusing on scenes, sounds, and ‘moments of the night.
Exhibition closes June 14.
Venue: Ledger Gallery
Benalla Art Gallery
Botanical Gardens
Bridge St, Benalla
At Hawthorn
Aspects of Abstraction – Charles Nodrum Collection.
Spanning from the 1050s to the 1990s, this exhibition offers insight into the evolution and diversity of Australian abstraction.
Curated from the Charles Nodrum’s extensive private collection, explore the works of key artists from the period, as well as numerous lesser-known artists.
The exhibition covers most, if not all the principal movements within the genre-including gestural, colour field, geometric, textural and symbolic abstraction.
Charles Nodrum began collecting in 1972 and in 1984 he established his art gallery in Richmond, which this year celebrates its 40th anniversary. With keen eye for artists of his own generation and those represented by his gallery, Nodrum offers an unique perspective shaped by his journey as a collector and gallerist.
Exhibition closes Saturday January 18.
Town Hall Gallery
360 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn - Peter Kemp
Ponch at MAPh
■ Museum of Australian Photography (MAPh) presents the culmination of a project years in the making
For more than five years celebrated Melbourne artist Ponch Hawkes has been working with curator and arts consultant Jane Scott on an epic project: photographing 500 Victorian women over the age of 50, nude. The project became 500 strong.
Photoshoot weekends were organised in Melbourne at Hawkes’s studio and at the regional galleries of Shepparton, Horsham and Geelong
Hawkes staged her final photoshoot at MAPh in early June 2024. Across a weekend, women participated in the photoshoot, sharing stories and finding connection.
It was evident that the 500 strong project facilitates diverse conversations around women’s health, while exploring vulnerability and strength, courage and acceptance.
Free to choose their stance, and whether they brought a prop –which vary from the intriguing to the obscure – women posed in the name of courage and power. The resulting photographs are an impressive record of the participants’ bravery, creativity and cheekiness.
All 500 portraits are presented in this final exhibition, curated by Jane Scott: a culmination of all the photoshoots, collaboration and connection that has made the project such a success.
cleared
No loss of sleep
■ Doubt if Ringo is losing any shut eye over the rumour that Barry Keoghan of 'Saltburn' fame will be cast as Ringo in the upcoming four-part biopic on the Beatles. 'Just, 'ope he learns how to drum,' said Ringo. None of the Fab Four are cast in the biopic.
Graham walks on water
■ Comic host Graham Norton has broken the celebrity chat-show mould with stunning survey results to his first airing of Australian version 'Wheel of Fortune' (Ten). Debut ratings attracted 1.03 viewers. Off to a cracker start.
Exhibition of himself
■ There no stopping Ten's mega star, Robert Irwin. First, he hob knobs with Royalty, namely the future King of England, and now his wax effigy is on display at Madam Tussaud’s Exhibition in Sydney. The wax look-alike took six months from sketch to completion, and Robert is the youngest Australian to be included at Madam Tussaud’s
Not what it used to be
■ The Australian edition of Cosmopolitan magazine has had an up and down publishing history. The current Summer issue on sale now features a colour centerfold of Heartbreak High actor Josh Houston. Centerfold is far removed from the near nudity shoots of Burt Reynolds and Jack Thompson who graced monthly mags of the eighties.
■ See you next year, have a Happy and safe holiday.
- John O’Keefe
with Peter Kemp
■ Sports broadcaster cum media owner Craig Hutchison has left the Nine Network, defecting to Seven. Hutchy will host a twice weekly AFL show, 'Agenda Setters'. Co-host will be Hamish McLachlan
OK. With John O’Keefe
● ● Lauren Bacall
● ● ● ●
Craig Hutchison
Observer Melbourne Lovatts Crossword No 21
Across Across Down Down
1. Seaside walkway
6. Pouch
11. Brief sharp pain
15. Most cheerful
20. Naming word
21. Chicken breed, ... Island Red
22. Nominate
23. Behind bars
25. Active
26. Indian port, now Chennai
27. Moves closer to
29. Infuriates
32. Unaccompanied
34. Hair dye
36. The N of UN
39. Firmly cooked (of pasta), al ...
41. Of punishment
43. WWII German sub (1-4)
46. Church passage
48. Tin or lead
49. Spy, ... Hari
51. Fulfil (demand)
52. Upsetting
55. US university
56. Shoe cord
59. Follows orders
61. Friar
62. Sports day
63. Britain's Scilly ...
64. Afternoon performance
67. Mythical horned horse
68. US property agent
70. Lunatic
71. Landlord's income
72. Weather map line
73. Lady's title
74. Send (cash)
75. Most avid
77. Anticipate
78. Days & ...
79. Flee
82. Painters' stands
86. Boredom
87. Long time
89. Austrian alpine flower
92. Children
94. Escapade
96. Luncheon meat
98. Identical sibling
100. Laughing scavenger
101. ... & evens
103. Fasten (envelope)
105. Civic
106. Finished
108. Number of cat's lives
111. Dig for minerals
112. Exclusive group members
114. Lampoon
116. Vow
119. Filled tortilla
120. Scottish valley
121. Exercise club
123. Incursion
124. Lambs' mothers
125. Straggler (4-5)
126. Self-sustaining environment
127. Sect, Hare ...
130. Olympic Games body (1,1,1)
131. Talk at incessantly
135. Nude
138. Brazilian soccer hero
139. Rugged peak
141. Grind (teeth)
144. A great deal of
146. In the manner of (1,2)
147. Flying saucers (1,1,2)
148. Through
149. Executive jet
150. Swine enclosure
151. Flog
152. Dictator, Adolf ...
153. Eyelid swelling
155. Ayes & ...
157. Wattle tree
158. Shafts of light
160. ... & lows
161. For a specific purpose (2,3)
162. Henry VIII royal house
163. Kon-Tiki's captain, ... Heyerdahl
165. Bride's partner
166. Immense period
167. Irish organisation (1,1,1)
168. Seance board
169. Climate feature, El ...
171. Argentina's Buenos ...
172. Struck with leg joint
175. Relationship (3-2)
176. Wading bird
179. Carrot colour
180. Middling (2-2)
182. ... spumante
184. Coaches (team)
185. Bright (future)
186. Unhappy
188. Unfluctuating
189. Earthenware cup
190. Owl call
191. Yuck!
193. Cover with gold
194. Bind with string
196. Cold meats & cheeses shop
197. Cash advance
198. Fully satisfies
200. On end
205. Named before marriage
207. Damsels
210. Mouth organ 211. Femur
212. Actress, ... Thompson
213. Anti-attacker spray
214. Gambling city, ... Vegas
216. Street
218. Fabled whale, ... Dick
219. Breakfast or dinner
220. Insignificant people
224. Excessive self-love
227. Rock band, Manfred ...
229. Hand (out)
230. Give off
231. Money resources
232. Dork
233. Slog
235. Extremely
237. Ruminate
239. Knuckle of veal stew, ... bucco
241. Perfume, ... toilette (3,2)
244. Lads
246. Size
249. Infant's carriage
252. Eminent
254. Birthplace of St Francis
256. Canada's capital
258. Hillocks
259. Baby's skin problem, ... rash
260. Licence update
263. Shopping binge
264. Spoof
265. Formed a crowd
267. Russian newspaper
270. Strangely beautiful
271. Exhausting supply of (5,2)
272. Red-nosed reindeer
273. Deliberately sink
274. Greek fable teller
277. As well
279. Ancient Peruvian
281. Hum tunelessly
284. Ukraine capital
286. Captures (criminal)
288. Rousing (speech)
292. Mongrel
294. Writer, ... Blyton
295. Uncensored
298. Milk coffee style
300. Knight's charger
301. Tapering fruit
303. Noblemen
306. Priest's lectures
308. Barrier across stream
309. Head cook
311. More briny
314. Recycle
315. Hammered (in)
316. Perspiration-soaked
317. Spanish friend
318. Crazy
319. Knowledge tests
320. Dedicatory poems
321. Suffering optical defect (5-4)
322. Shelters from sun
323. Promise
324. Moderated (5,4)
1. Prudish
2. Had to repay
3. Reception host
4. Acute anxiety
5. Manage, make ... meet
6. Young hen
7. Vegetable, spring ...
8. Moscow citadel
9. Sample (3,3)
10. Hollywood legend, Marilyn ...
11. Attracts
12. NC US state
13. Tiny insects
14. Readily
15. Dollar division
16. Silly
17. Macaroni or spaghetti
18. European currency unit
19. Ones & ...
24. The A of AD
28. In proportion, pro ...
30. Saudi native
31. June 6, 1944 (1-3)
33. First batsman
35. More orderly
37. Misfortunes
38. Kind
40. Sending via Internet
42. Take on
44. Cook in juices
45. On dry land
47. Eskimo hut
48. Became gentler
49. Latter-day Saints follower
50. Youths
53. Lurked
54. Kindles
57. German shepherd dogs
58. Admires
60. Spruce (up)
63. Crossly
65. High cards
66. Conger fish
68. Metal track
69. Neglect
76. Young paper seller
79. Extrasensory perception (1,1,1)
80. Fast-moving celestial body
81. Bursts (of laughter)
83. Royal racecourse
84. Come in
85. Slide on snow
88. Vital
90. Large birds
91. Taverns
93. Furthest inside
95. Chinese city, Hong ...
97. Utterly stupid
99. Penned
100. Principal
102. River-mouth triangle 104. Directed
107. LP material 109. Uproar
110. Set of two 111. Lowing sounds
113. Most shipshape
115. Discrepancy
117. Thyme or coriander
118. Minus
121. Mourned
122. Assembly toy kit
127. Cambodian communist group, ...
Rouge
128. Irritated (of skin)
129. Carelessly
132. Magician's chant
133. God of Islam
134. Author, Georgette ...
135. Most slender
136. Nepal's capital
137. Work clothes
138. Had
140. Pregnancy
141. Slopes
142. Space traveller
143. Bulb flowers
145. Study of past events
151. Apt
154. Tugs sharply
156. Corrosive fluids
159. Boxer, Muhammad ...
164. French yes
169. Suckle
170. Snooped
173. Token (fee)
174. Baby eagles
177. Pop song's flip (1-4)
178. Mixer drinks
181. Former (3-4)
183. Defrosting
187. Great foe
192. Alternator
195. Writers
199. Is plentiful
201. Unfeeling
202. Impact sound
203. Climb
204. Sydney surf beach
206. Bell
207. Florida resort
208. Condemn to hell
209. Pen tips
213. ... & papa
215. Greed
217. Up hill & down ...
221. Premonitions
222. News stories
223. Polluted air
224. Jacob's Old Testament twin
225. Start (of illness)
226. Scent
228. Romanticise
234. Flattery
236. Summary
238. The States (1,1,1)
240. Jet-bubble bath
242. Joined
243. Cheap-rate time (3-4)
245. Antagonist
247. Parachute delivery
248. Playful marine mammal
250. Remove (limb)
251. Prepared mentally, ... up
253. Speaks
255. Trade
257. Banknote bundles
258. Ship's bottom
261. Naturist
262. Rhyme, Wee ... Winkie
265. Mutter
266. Fissure
268. Paris landmark, ... Triomphe (3,2)
269. Charge with offence
275. Irish Republic
276. Single egg cell
278. Sniffed
280. Brothers' sons
282. Repose
283. Longest river
285. Pimples
287. Holy people
289. Stage whispers
290. Mariner
291. Black Sea port
292. Dr Jekyll's alter ego (2,4)
293. Pull heavily
296. Standards
297. Illegal moneylending
299. Garbage
302. Performer
304. From India or China
305. Composer, Andrew ... Webber
306. As a gamble, on ...
307. Nevada quickie divorce city
308. Weave (one's way)
310. Shun food
312. Towards centre of 313. Wet weather
Crossroads
By Rob Foenander info@robfomusic.com.au
Rhiannon to sing
■ Melbourne singer songwriter Rhiannon will perform at Piano on Chapel on Friday,m December 20, commencing 9pm.
It will be a night of mostly cover songs, says Rhiannon, who will be accompanied by pianist Simon Ross on the night. He is also owner of the venue.
Garfield Festival
■ The annual Garfield Christmas Festival is on Friday (Dec. 13) from 5 pm - 9.30pm in Main St and the Garfield Footy Oval, Garfield
This is a free entry, family-friendly event with plenty of fun for the kids. Enjoy live music and entertainment, kids' activities, food trucks, late-night trading, street markets, and even a visit from Santa, plus much more.
Regency Christmas
■ A night with Noeline Honter and Esric Jackson, along with friends, will rock the Sandown Regency on Friday, December 20. Other artists to perform on the night will include Kerrigan, Enrico, Maya and Wesley plus the man with the red suit, Santa A delicious Christmas buffet is on offer. Tickets are $60 per person. For tickets call Esric on 0447 782 410. - Rob Foenander
F CHRISTMAS CABARET, BURLESQUE
■ Director Susie Dee and writer Sarah Ward’s F Christmas is cabaret and burlesque with a social message.
Performing at The Malthouse, this work goes beyond challenging the public mores about nudity and propriety normally associated with the genre.
The troupe’s ability to juxtapose form and style provides an indelible message not just about Christmas but also about a range of prescient issues facing our world.today.
The image of a polar bear being dragged on a sleigh against the backdrop of upside down Christmas trees to the aria, When I Am Laid in Earth from Dido and Aeneas, is full of melancholy and pathos.
The anachronism is poignant. We simultaneously laugh and are equally shocked by our own indifference.
And the whole work is full of such articulate messaging. A sinister elf.
The family phone call trying to organise Christmas that interrupts proceedings. The comic and the provocative nature of the work is a powerful combination and all the elements coalesce.
The finale of a naked troupethere being too many to name individually - on large exercise balls is preceded by The Coventry Carol
Against the backdrop of current day atrocities, the lullaby about Herod ordering the slaughter of children resonates without having to be
Crossword Solution No 21
forced by anything extraneous. It’s a clever juxtaposition challenging the Christian message, our current politics and attitudes and, given what follows, questions the assumptions and attitudes we pretend to hold so dearly.
The ribald nature of burlesque has become a vehicle for challenging our pretensions and has us thinking deeply about our values. There is laughter and merriment, there is entertainment and diversion, and then there are the real questions about current affairs.
This is a superbly balanced and crafted show that makes us laugh and cry in equal measure with a healthy dose of shock and incredulity about the human body – temporal and intellectual.
Performance Season: Until December 15
Venue: The Malthouse Bookings: malthousetheatre.
com.au
- Review by David
McLean
Back in ‘25
■ The Melbourne Observer section, included in all editions of The Local Paper, is now taking a summer break. This is the final issue for 2024. The first issue for 2025 is scheduled to be published on Wednesday, February 5. Deadline for that issue is 4pm Thursday, January 30, 2025.
Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson
Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson
Milo Hartill in F Christmas. Photo: Gregory Lorenzutti
Victoria Pictorial
● ● ‘Coolart’, Balnarring
● ● Balnarring Store
● ● Point Leo beach, 1910
● ● ● ● Shoreham Beach
● ● ● ● Flinders. Circa 1870s.
● ● ● ● The pier, Stony Point.
Main Road, Crib Point
● ● The Foreshore, Balnarring Beach
WEEKEND’S LOCAL CRICKET MATCH RESULTS
Amateurs
■ Premier Firsts. T20. Footscray 1st XI 3/ 111 v Frankston Peninsula 1st XI 9/108. Dandenong 1st XI 8/105 v Essendon 1st XI 9/ 102. Northcote 1st XI 7/153 v Kingston Hawthorn 1st XI 6/174. Fitzroy Doncaster 1st XI 6/ 192 v Greenvale Kangaroos 1st XI 6/122. Bye: Carlton 1st XI, Casey South Melbourne 1st XI, Geelong 1st XI, Prahran 1st XI, Richmond 1st XI, Ringwood 1st XI.
■ Premier Seconds. T20. Camberwell Magpies 2nd XI 3/176 v Richmond 2nd XI 8/ 146. Melbourne University 2nd XI 6/147 v Geelong 2nd XI 10/111. Prahran 2nd XI 5/136 v Kingston Hawthorn 2nd XI 6/135. Frankston Peninsula 2nd XI 9/103 v Carlton 2nd XI 8/ 169. Essendon 2nd XI 5/127 v Casey South Melbourne 2nd XI 7/125. Greenvale Kangaroos 2nd XI 8/126 v Ringwood 2nd XI 3/127. Bye: Dandenong 2nd XI, Fitzroy Doncaster 2nd XI, Footscray 2nd XI, Melbourne 2nd XI, Northcote 2nd XI, St Kilda 2nd XI.
■ Premier Thirds. T20. Carlton 3rd XI 6/ 127 v Frankston Peninsula 3rd XI 7/129. Casey South Melbourne 3rd XI 3/137 v Essendon 3rd XI 8/138. Northcote 3rd XI 9/106 v Kingston Hawthorn 3rd XI 6/143. Ringwood 3rd XI 3/ 143 v Greenvale Kangaroos 3rd XI 7/139. Geelong 3rd XI 10/77 v Melbourne University 3rd XI 3/79. Richmond 3rd XI 8/98 v Camberwell Magpies 3rd XI 6/115. Bye: Dandenong 3rd XI, Fitzroy Doncaster 3rd XI, Footscray 3rd XI, Melbourne 3rd XI, Prahran 3rd XI, St Kilda 3rd XI.
■ Premier Fourths. T20. Camberwell Magpies 4th XI 7/90 v Richmond 4th XI 7/93. Melbourne University 4th XI 7/116 v Geelong 4th XI 9/115. Kingston Hawthorn 4th XI 7/144 v Prahran 4th XI 8/178. Frankston Peninsula 4th XI v Carlton 4th XI. Essendon 4th XI 5/124 v Casey South Melbourne 4th XI 4/148. Greenvale Kangaroos 4th XI 5/125 v Ringwood 4th XI 5/149. Bye: Dandenong 4th XI, Fitzroy Doncaster 4th XI, Footscray 4th XI, Melbourne 4th XI, Northcote 4th XI, St Kilda 4th XI.
Sub-District
■ North-East First XI. Two-Day. Sat., Dec. 7 and Sat., Dec. 14. Croydon 1st XI 10/232 v Donvale 1st XI 1/5. Strathmore 1st XI 10/116 v Endeavour Hills 1st XI 2/14. Noble Park 1st XI v St Bernard's OC 1st XI 10/200. Mt Waverley 1st XI 10/100 v Kew 1st XI 2/61. Ivanhoe 1st XI v Plenty Valley 1st XI 10/294. Preston 1st XI v Brunswick 1st XI 10/179. Coburg 1st XI v Balwyn 1st XI 9/259. Box Hill 1st XI v Bayswater 1st XI 8/273.
■ North-East Second XI. Two-Day. Sat., Dec. 7 and Sat., Dec. 14. Donvale 2nd XI 7/144 v Croydon 2nd XI. Endeavour Hills 2nd XI 3/67 v Strathmore 2nd XI 10/101. St Bernard's OC 2nd XI 0/20 v Noble Park 2nd XI 10/181. Kew 2nd XI 1/32 v Mt Waverley 2nd XI 10/132. Plenty Valley 2nd XI 10/124 v Ivanhoe 2nd XI 0/11. Brunswick 2nd XI 10/ 138 v Preston 2nd XI 0/18. Balwyn 2nd XI v Coburg 2nd XI 10/164. Bayswater 2nd XI 9/ 156 v Box Hill 2nd XI.
■ North-West Third XI Division 1. TwoDay. Sat., Dec. 7 and Sat., Dec. 14. Hoppers Crossing 3rd XI 1/17 v St Bernard's OC 3rd XI 10/158. Melton 3rd XI v Plenty Valley 3rd XI. Sun., Dec. 8 and Sun. Dec. 15 Werribee 3rd XI v Preston 3rd XI. Kew 3rd XI v Brunswick 3rd XI
■ North-West Third XI Division 2. TwoDay. Sat., Dec. 7 and Sat., Dec. 14. Altona 3rd XI v Spotswood 3rd XI. Yarraville 3rd XI v Williamstown 3rd XI 9/183. Strathmore 3rd XI 4/53 v Coburg 3rd XI 10/108. Sun., Dec. 8 and Sun. Dec. 15. Ivanhoe 3rd XI v Taylors Lakes 3rd XI.
■ North-West Fourth XI Division 1. TwoDay. Sat., Dec. 7 and Sat., Dec. 14. St Bernard's OC 4th XI 2/36 v Hoppers Crossing 4th XI 10/174. Plenty Valley 4th XI v Melton 4th XI. Preston 4th XI 7-d/233 v Werribee 4th XI 0/11. Brunswick 4th XI v Kew 4th XI.
■ North-West Fourth XI Division 2. TwoDay. Sat., Dec. 7 and Sat., Dec. 14. Taylors Lakes 4th XI 10/89 v Ivanhoe 4th XI 1/ 30. Spotswood 4th XI v Altona 4th XI 2/109.
Williamstown 4th XI v Yarraville 4th XI. Coburg 4th XI 5/36 v Strathmore 4th XI 10/199.
■ South-East Third XI Division 1. TwoDay. Sat., Dec. 7 and Sat., Dec. 14. Balwyn 3rd XI 1/16 v Caulfield 3rd XI 10/160. Oakleigh 3rd XI v Mt Waverley 3rd XI 10/132. Croydon 3rd XI 6/175 v Brighton 3rd XI. Malvern 3rd XI v Bayswater 3rd XI.
■ South-East Third XI Division 2. TwoDay. Sat., Dec. 7 and Sat., Dec. 14. Endeavour Hills 3rd XI 10/103 v Port Melbourne 3rd XI 2/187. Moorabbin 3rd XI 10/262 v Noble Park 3rd XI. Box Hill 3rd XI 10/217 v Ormond 3rd XI 0/1. Elsternwick 3rd XI v Donvale 3rd XI.
■ South-East Fourth XI Division 1. TwoDay. Sat., Dec. 7 and Sat., Dec. 14. Caulfield 4th XI 10/146 v Balwyn 4th XI. Brighton 4th XI 10/271 v Croydon 4th XI. Bayswater 4th XI 10/127 v Malvern 4th XI 5/ 67. Sun. Dec. 8 and Sun. Dec. 15. Mt Waverley 4th XI v Oakleigh 4th XI.
■ South-East Fourth XI Division 2. TwoDay. Sat., Dec. 7 and Sat., Dec. 14. Donvale 4th XI 10/134 v Elsternwick 4th XI. Port Melbourne 4th XI v Endeavour Hills 4th XI. Noble Park 4th XI 6/92 v Moorabbin 4th XI 10/62. Ormond 4th XI 10/184 v Box Hill 4th XI 6/43.
■ South-West First XI. Two-Day. Sat., Dec. 7 and Sat., Dec. 14. Melton 1st XI v Werribee 1st XI 6/285. Williamstown 1st XI 10/192 v Brighton 1st XI 0/11. Malvern 1st XI 10/179 v Hoppers Crossing 1st XI. Spotswood 1st XI 1/18 v Elsternwick 1st XI 10/196. Oakleigh 1st XI 0/59 v Altona 1st XI 10/114. Port Melbourne 1st XI 10/220 v Ormond 1st XI. Caulfield 1st XI 6/316 v Moorabbin 1st XI. Taylors Lakes 1st XI v Yarraville 1st XI 10/218.
■ South-West Second XI. Two-Day. Sat., Dec. 7 and Sat., Dec. 14. Werribee 2nd XI 9/254 v Melton 2nd XI. Brighton 2nd XI 7/289 v Williamstown 2nd XI. Hoppers Crossing 2nd XI 5/77 v Malvern 2nd XI 10/103. Elsternwick 2nd XI 6/254 v Spotswood 2nd XI. Altona 2nd XI v Oakleigh 2nd XI 5/239. Ormond 2nd XI 3/ 48 v Port Melbourne 2nd XI 10/163. Moorabbin 2nd XI 10/126 v Caulfield 2nd XI 1/13. Yarraville 2nd XI 1/43 v Taylors Lakes 2nd XI 10/194.
Diamond Valley
■ Barclay Shield. Two-Day. Sat., Dec. 7 and Sat., Dec. 14. Macleod 1st XI 1/2 v Bundoora United 1st XI 10/145. Diamond Creek 1st XI v Rosanna 1st XI 10/199. Riverside 1st XI 10/139 v Epping 1st XI 1/59. Research Eltham Collegians 1st XI 10/195 v Bundoora 1st XI 0/73. North Eltham Wanderers 1st XI 10/248 v Heidelberg 1st XI.
■ Money Shield. Two-Day. Sat., Dec. 7 and Sat., Dec. 14. Bundoora Park 1st XI 10/90 v Rosebank 1st XI 3/67. Plenty 1st XI 0/ 25 v Montmorency 1st XI 10/105. Eltham 1st XI 1/244 v Lalor Stars 1st XI. Banyule 1st XI 0/ 5 v Greensborough 1st XI 10/140. Lower Eltham 1st XI 10/132 v Lower Plenty 1st XI 1/117.
■ Mash Shield. Two-Day. Sat., Dec. 7 and Sat., Dec. 14. Mernda 1st XI 9/247 v Hurstbridge 1st XI. Thomastown United 1st XI 0/19 v Rivergum 1st XI 10/222. South Morang 1st XI 6/100 v Mill Park 1st XI 10/98. Dennis 1st XI 6/257 v Thomastown 1st XI. Laurimar 1st XI v Panton Hill 1st XI 4/82.
■ B-Grade. Two-Day. Sat., Dec. 7 and Sat., Dec. 14. Banyule 2nd XI 0/0 v Mernda 2nd XI 10/212. Epping 2nd XI 10/42 & 6/59 v Riverside 2nd XI 2-d/49. Heidelberg 2nd XI 10/ 138 v North Eltham Wanderers 2nd XI 2/25. Montmorency 2nd XI 10/171 v Plenty 2nd XI 2/33. Rosanna 2nd XI 10/249 v Diamond Creek 2nd XI 1/15.
■ C-Grade. Two-Day. Sat., Dec. 7 and Sat., Dec. 14. Riverside 3rd XI v Bundoora Park 2nd XI. Lower Plenty 2nd XI 4/111 v Greensborough 2nd XI 10/85. Lalor Stars 2nd XI 10/149 v Eltham 2nd XI 3/48. Rivergum 2nd XI 9/234 v Research Eltham Collegians 2nd XI. Bundoora United 2nd XI 9-d/182 v Macleod 2nd XI 0/18.
■ D-Grade. Two-Day. Sat., Dec. 7 and Sat., Dec. 14. Rosebank 2nd XI 1/12 v Laurimar 2nd XI 10/162. Bundoora 2nd XI 2d/95 v Montmorency 3rd XI 10/93 & 2/33.
Mill Park 2nd XI 2/78 v South Morang 2nd XI 10/254. Hurstbridge 2nd XI 2/113 v Dennis 2nd XI 9/140. North Eltham Wanderers 3rd XI v Diamond Creek 3rd XI 8/214.
■ E-Grade. Two-Day. Sat., Dec. 7 and Sat., Dec. 14. B
■ E-Grade. One-Day. R
Eastern
■ Dunstan Shield. One-Day. Canterbury 1st XI 10/193 v Old Carey 1st XI 5/216. North Balwyn Bulls 1st XI 9/209 v Glen Iris 1st XI 4/ 166. Mont Albert 1st XI 6/186 v East Doncaster 1st XI 4/187. Bulleen 1st XI 8/139 v Edinburgh 1st XI 4/142.
■ Wright Shield. One-Day. Richmond City 1st XI 10/147 v Deepdene Bears 1st XI 5/148. Mulgrave 1st XI 9/183 v Marcellin OC 1st XI 10/135. Mazenod OCCC 1st XI 8/128 v East Malvern Tooronga 1st XI 3/129. Ashburton Willows 1st XI 10/105 v Heathmont 1st XI 3/107.
■ A Turf. One-Day. Old Carey 2nd XI 10/ 175 v Hawthorn Boroondara 1st XI 8/192. Ashwood 1st XI 9/156 v Boronia Hawks 1st XI 4/197. Burwood 1st XI 5/169 v Mont Albert 2nd XI 8/168. Deepdene Bears 2nd XI 9/158 v Surrey Hills 1st XI 6/161/
■ B Turf. One-Day. Heathmont 2nd XI 8/ 193 v Richmond Union 1st XI 4/85. SKOBs 1st XI 6/203 v Canterbury 2nd XI 10/111. Glen Iris 2nd XI 10/124 v Balwyn Saints & Blasters Senior Men 1st XI 4/125. East Doncaster 2nd XI 10/154 v North Balwyn Bulls 2nd XI 6/155.
■ C Turf. One-Day. Hawthorn Boroondara 2nd XI 10/87 v Mulgrave 2nd XI 5/88. Marcellin OC 2nd XI 10/123 v Bulleen 2nd XI 10/154. Boronia Hawks 2nd XI 5/149 v La Trobe University 1st XI 8/148. East Malvern Tooronga 2nd XI 3/128 v Burwood 2nd XI 10/127.
■ D Turf. One-Day. Edinburgh 2nd XI 10/ 149 v Richmond City 2nd XI 7/153. Surrey Hills 2nd XI 6/97 v Ashburton Willows 2nd XI 10/94. East Malvern Tooronga 3rd XI 7/145 v Mazenod OCCC 2nd XI 7/190. Old Carey 3rd XI 8/223 v Ashwood 2nd XI 4/285.
■ E Turf. One-Day. Hawthorn Boroondara 3rd XI 5/154 v Heathmont 3rd XI 9/152. Marcellin OC 3rd XI v SKOBs 2nd XI. Balwyn Saints & Blasters Senior Men 2nd XI 4/106 v Deepdene Bears 3rd XI 10/105. La Trobe University 2nd XI 10/59 v Mont Albert 3rd XI 0/ Bye: Edinburgh 3rd XI
■ Jim MacGibbon Shield. One-Day. Trinity Willison CC 1st XI 8/237 v Deepdene Uniting 1st XI 10/162. St. Pauls Oakleigh Districts 1st XI 3/135 v Holy Trinity 1st XI 10/ 134. Glen Waverley 1st XI 7/181 v Burwood Unt. Canterbury Senior Men 1st XI 9/136. South Camberwell Senior Men- 1st XI 6/215 v Clifton Hill 1st XI 9/188.
■ Kevin Burt Shield. One-Day. ToorakPrahran 1st XI 3/98 v Trinity Willison CC 2nd XI 10/97. Holy Trinity 2nd XI 9/122 v West Ivanhoe United 1st XI 4/124. Burwood Unt. Canterbury Senior Men 2nd XI 2/3. Mount Waverley Catholics 1st XI 9/223. Clifton Hill 2nd XI 3/115 v STC South Camberwell Senior Men- 2nd XI 10/113.
■ John Menzies and Keith Mackay Shield. One-Day. North Alphington 10/156 v Glen Waverley 2nd XI 6/157. Holy Trinity 3rd XI 10/124 v Toorak-Prahran 2nd XI 9/161. Trinity Willison CC 3rd XI 10/78 v Blackburn North United 1st XI 1/79.
■ A Synthetic. One-Day. Mulgrave 3rd XI 5/348 v Holy Trinity 4th XI 7/123. Mount Waverley Uniting 1st XI 10/74 v Clifton Hill 3rd XI 10/85. West Ivanhoe United 2nd XI 10/ 80 v Burwood 3rd XI 8/154.
■ B Synthetic. One-Day. Edinburgh 4th XI v Toorak-Prahran 3rd XI. Glen Waverley 3rd XI v Trinity Willison CC 4th XI, Forfeit. Mazenod OCCC 3rd XI 9/112 v St. Pauls Oakleigh Districts 2nd XI 4/224.
■ LOC1. One-Day. Deepdene Uniting 2nd XI 10/119 v Malvern Valley 1st XI 9/170. Northcote United 1st XI 8/206 v Knox Churches 1st XI 10/203. Manningham 1st XI 3/254 v Hartley 1st XI 5/257. Bye: Eagles 1st XI ■ LOC2. One-Day. AYC Harlequins 1st XI 9/194 v Balwyn Saints 3rd XI 8/163. Glen Iris 3rd XI 8/164 v Mulgrave 4th XI 10/101. Eagles 2nd XI 8/317 v East Doncaster 4th XI 9/224.
Monash University 1st XI 7/93 v Eagles 4th XI 10/92.
■ LOC3. One-Day. Salesian 1st XI 10/151 v East Doncaster 5th XI 3/152. St Stephens Greythorn 1st XI 3/139 v Burwood United Canterbury 3rd XI 9/135. Eagles 3rd XI 5/130 v North Balwyn 3rd XI 9/129. Melbourne Sixers 1st X1 4/157 v Manningham 2nd XI 10/151. ■ LOC4. One-Day. Malvern Valley 2nd XI 8/ 105 v STC South Camberwell 3rd XI 1/106. North Balwyn 4th XI 5/127 v St. Pauls Oakleigh Districts 3rd XI 7/125. Mount Waverley Catholics 2nd XI 7/166 v AYC Harlequins 2nd XI 7/ 164. Salvation Army Waverley 1st XI 1/121 v Burwood 4th XI 10/120. Mulgrave 5th XI 10/ 118 v Ashwood 3rd XI 10/182. ■ LOC5. One-Day. Blackburn North United 2nd XI 4/163 v Hawthorn Boroondara 5th XI 3/ 161. St Andrews Gardiner 1st XI 7/300 v Heathmont 5th XI 7/120. Clifton Hill 4th XI 10/162 v Northcote United 2nd XI 7/203. Toorak-Prahran 4th XI 10/97 v Mount Waverley Uniting 2nd XI 9/186. Deepdene Uniting 3rd XI 7/203 v Glen Iris 4th X1 9/162. ■ LOC6. One-Day. Burwood Unt. Canterbury 4th XI 10/98 v Glen Waverley 4th XI 5/99. STC South Camberwell 4th XI 3/163 v Mount Waverley Uniting 3rd XI 9/162. Ashwood 4th XI 9/233 v Salesian 2nd XI 10/77. Abbotsford Anglers 1st XI Forfeit v Ashburton Willows 3rd XI. Knox Churches 2nd XI 7/188 v Manningham 3rd XI 9/186. ■ LOC7. One-Day. Hawthorn Boroondara 6th XI 6/149 v Edinburgh 5th XI 4/203. Bulleen 4th XI 10/102 v Glen Waverley 5th XI - Sunday 4/103. Mont Albert 5th XI 10/157 v STC South Camberwell 5th XI Saturday Synthetic 6/185. East Doncaster 6th XI 9/128 v Richmond Union 3rd XI 9/140. Bye: Mount Waverley Catholics 3rd XI
■ LOC8. One-Day. Heathmont 6th XI 5/170 v Burwood Unt. Canterbury 5th XI 9/122. STC South Camberwell - 4th XI Saturday Synthetic 10/93 v Ashwood 5th XI 4/187. Malvern Valley CC 3rd XI 7/168 v Mazenod OCCC 4th XI 3/ 234. Sun., Dec. 8. Glen Waverley 6th XISunday v Monash University 2nd XI. Bye: Ashburton Willows 4th XI
■ LOC9. One-Day. Monash University 3rd XI 9/93 v Edinburgh 6th XI 2/94. Balwyn Saints 4th XI 4/154 v Holy Trinity 5th XI 5/156. Richmond Union 4th XI 10/141 v Burnley CYMS 3rd XI 4/150. West Ivanhoe United 3rd XI 10/ 120 v Richmond City 4th XI 10/119. Clifton Hill 5th XI 10/140 v East Doncaster 7th XI 1/ 141.
Morn. Peninsula
■ Provincial Firsts. Two-Day. Sat. Dec. 7 and Sat. Dec. 14. Baden Powell 1sts 10/ 221 v Old Peninsula 1st XI. Red Hill 1sts 0/21 v Sorrento 1sts 10/160. Langwarrin 1sts 10/ 265 v Dromana 1sts. Pines 1sts 1/20 (v Heatherhill 1sts 10/155.
■ Peninsula Firsts. Two-Day. Sat. Dec. 7 and Sat. Dec. 14. Mt Eliza Senior Men 1st X1 2/21 v Mornington 1sts 10/96. Rosebud Senior Men 1sts v Moorooduc 1sts 10/ 176. Seaford Tigers 1sts 1/57 v Somerville Senior Men 1sts 4-d/295. Seaford 1sts 10/ 138 v Long Island 1sts 3/32. ■ District Firsts. Two-Day. Sat. Dec. 7 and Sat. Dec. 14. Carrum Downs 1sts 1/54 v Main Ridge 1sts 10/125. Balnarring 1sts 10/ 166 v Baxter 1sts 0/26. Carrum 1sts 0/16 v Boneo 1sts 10/164. Flinders 1sts v Crib Point 1sts 5/343.
■ Provincial Seconds. Two-Day. Sat. Dec. 7 and Sat. Dec. 14. Old Peninsula 2nd XI v Baden Powell 2nds. Sorrento 2nds 1/8 v Red Hill 2nds 10/178. Dromana 2nds v Langwarrin 2nds 9/311, abandoned. Heatherhill 2nds 10/ 166 v Pines 2nds 0/12/
■ Peninsula Seconds. Two-Day. Sat. Dec. 7 and Sat. Dec. 14. Mornington 2nds 10/162 v Mt Eliza Senior Men 2nd X1 0/31. Moorooduc 2nds 10/81 v Rosebud Senior Men 2nds 4/160. Somerville Senior Men 2nds 10/ 156 v Seaford Tigers 2nds 3/16. Long Island 2nds 0/8 v Seaford 2nds 10/169.
■ District Seconds. Two-Day. Sat. Dec. 7 and Sat. Dec. 14. Main Ridge 2nds 10/
Continued On Next Page
SCORES FROM WEEKEND MATCHES
Continued From Previous Page
88 v Carrum Downs 2nds 5/169. Baxter 2nds v Balnarring 2nds. Boneo 2nds 0/11 v Carrum 2nds 10/192. Crib Point 2nds 4/110 v Flinders 2nds 10/89.
■ Sub-District Seconds. Two-Day. Sat. Dec. 7 and Sat. Dec. 14. Tyabb 2nds v Frankston YCW 2nds 10/210. Rye 2nds 4/50 v Skye 2nds 9/115 v Mt Martha 2nds v Ballam Park 2nds. Tootgarook 2nds 1/90 v Delacombe Park 2nds 10/75.
■ A1-Grade. Two-Day. Sat. Dec. 7 and Sat. Dec. 14. Baden Powell 3rds 10/123 v Old Peninsula 3rd XI 0/46. Pearcedale 1sts 4/ 81 v French Island 1sts. Mornington 3rds v Hastings 1sts. Tyabb 3rds v Langwarrin 3rds 4/ 252.
■ A2-Grade. Two-Day. Sat. Dec. 7 and Sat. Dec. 14. Somerville Senior Men 3rds v Long Island 3rds. Red Hill 3rds 5/239 v Baden Powell 4ths. Carrum Downs 3rds 1/7 v Delacombe Park Senior Mixed 3rds 10/128. Mt Eliza Senior Men 3rd X1 9/205 v Heatherhill 3rds.
■ A3-Grade. Two-Day. Sat. Dec. 7 and Sat. Dec. 14. Frankston YCW 3rds v Mt Martha 3rds. Long Island 4ths v Skye 3rds. Baxter 3rds v Pines 3rds. Ballam Park A Grade v Tyabb 4ths 9/232.
■ A4-Grade. Two-Day. Sat. Dec. 7 and Sat. Dec. 14. Sorrento 3rds v Tyabb 5ths Forfeit. Crib Point 3rds v Carrum Downs 4ths. Delacombe Park Senior Mixed 4ths 8/188 v Balnarring 3rds. Rosebud Senior Men 3rds 7/ 198 v Boneo 3rds.
■ B1-Grade. Two-Day. Sat. Dec. 7 and Sat. Dec. 14. Mornington 4ths v Baxter 4ths. Pines 4ths v Baden Powell 5ths. Langwarrin 4ths 1/72 v Somerville Senior Men 4ths 10/ 94. Mt Eliza Senior Men 4th X1 v Long Island 5ths 8/239. Delacombe Park Senior Men 5ths 8/252 v Carrum Downs 5ths 0/0.
■ B2-Grade. Two-Day. Sat. Dec. 7 and Sat. Dec. 14. Boneo 4ths v Heatherhill 4ths. Balnarring 4th XI Forfeit v Red Hill 4ths. Skye 4ths 10/172 v Pines 5ths 2/43. Sorrento 4ths 9/294 v Carrum Downs 6ths.
■ C1-Grade. One-Day. Pearcedale 2nds v Frankston YCW 4ths. Mt Eliza Senior Men 5th X1 7/83 v Carrum 4ths 10/82. Moorooduc 3rds 4/136 v Old Peninsula 4th XI 8/131. Ballam Park C Grade v Baden Powell 6ths.
■ C2-Grade. One-Day. Carrum 3rds 10/55 v Mt Eliza Senior Men 6th X1 3/57. Hastings 2nds v Mt Martha Reds Senior Men 4th XI. Crib Point 4ths v Flinders 3rds. Seaford Tigers 3rds 10/117 v Langwarrin 5ths 10/134.
■ C3-Grade. One-Day. Crib Point 5ths v Tootgarook 3rds. Mt Martha Reds Senior Men 5th XI 7/225 v Red Hill 5ths 10/106. Main Ridge 3rds Forfeit v Sorrento 5ths. Dromana 3rds v Mornington 5th XI.
■ C4-Grade. One-Day. Seaford 3rds v Somerville Senior Men 5ths. Langwarrin 6ths 10/130 v Tyabb 6ths 6/198. Bye: Mt Eliza Senior Men 7th X1
North Metro
■ Jika Shield. One Day. Donath CC 1st XI 3/167 v Preston Baseballers CC 1st XI 10/165. Reservoir Cobras CC 1st XI 10/125 v Camrea CC 1st XI 10/130. Old Ivanhoe Grammarians CC 1st XI v Keon Park CC 1st XI 5/186.
■ Jack Quick Shield. One Day. Cameron CC 1st XI 9/116 v Fiji Victorian CC 1st XI 4/ 327. Olympic Colts CC 1st XI 9/173 v Bellfield Bulls CC 1st XI 10/123. Strathewen Cougars CC 1st XI Forfeit v Fairfield CC 1st XI.
■ Jack Kelly Shield. One Day. Ivanhoe Mavericks CC 1st XI 9/196 v Old Ivanhoe Grammarians CC 2nd XI 10/195. Keon Park CC 2nd XI 10/115 v Northern Socials CC 1st XI 4/116. Fiji Victorian CC 2nd XI 2/113 v West Preston CC 1st XI 10/112.
■ B-Grade. One Day. Camrea CC 2nd XI 6/ 231 v Royal Park Reds 3rd XI 7/168. West Preston CC 2nd XI v Strathewen Cougars CC 2nd XI. Preston Baseballers CC 2nd XI 10/42
v Preston YCW District CC 1st XI 3/47. Bellfield Bulls CC 2nd XI 10/167 v Victorian Nepalese CA CC 10/231.
■ C-Grade. One Day. Bellfield Bulls CC 3rd XI 8/123 v Old Ivanhoe Grammarians CC 3rd
XI 9/122. Fairfield CC 2nd XI 7/183 v West Preston CC 3rd XI 10/113. Fiji Victorian CC 3rd XI 8/179 v Reservoir Cobras CC 2nd XI 3/ 178. Royal Park Reds 4th XI 10/75 v Donath CC 2nd XI 1/76.
■ Robert Young DODC. Northern Socials CC OD v Olympic Colts CC OD Forfeit. Preston YCW District CC OD v Fiji Victorian CC OD. Preston Baseballers CC OD 6/165 v Bellfield Rocketz CC OD 10/155. Kinglake CC OD v Camrea CC OD 3/34, abandoned. Keon Park CC OD 6/187 v Cameron CC 2nd XI 9/42.
Ringwood District
■ Lindsay Trollope Shield. Two-Dayu. Sat. Nov. 30 and Sat. Dec. 7. Norwood 1XI 9/142 v Croydon Ranges 1XI 4/143. Ainslie Park 1XI 9/130 v Kilsyth 1XI 3/133. Montrose 1XI 9/171 v Lilydale 1XI. North Ringwood 1XI 10/161 v South Croydon 1XI 9/190.
■ Bill Wilkins Cup. Two-Day. Sat. Nov. 30 and Sat. Dec. 7. Wonga Park 1XI 9/167 v St Andrews 1XI 9/172. East Ringwood 1XI 10/125 v Mooroolbark 1XI 8/126. Wantirna South 1XI 4/124 v Templeton 1XI 10/122. Bayswater Park 1XI 5/136 v Heatherdale 1XI 7/134. Vermont 1XI 6/219 v Warranwood 1XI 10/192.
■ Stuart Newey Plate. Two-Day. Sat. Nov. 30 and Sat. Dec. 7. Mt Evelyn 1XI 4/ 154 v Croydon North 1XI 9/151. Seville Burras 1XI 8/196 v Montrose 2XI 4/195. Chirnside Park 1XI 10/104 v Warrandyte 1st XI 2/107. South Warrandyte 1XI 9/219 v Heathwood 1XI 10/165.
■ Steve Pascoe Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Nov. 30 and Sat. Dec. 7. South Croydon 2XI v North Ringwood 2XI. Warrandyte 2nd XI 9/156 v Yarra Junction 1XI 8/275. Kilsyth 2XI 5/232 v Ainslie Park 2XI 5/243. Croydon Ranges 2XI 3/181 v Norwood 2XI 6/180.
■ Pat Meehan Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Nov. 30 and Sat. Dec. 7. Lusatia Park 1XI 9/239 v Eastfield 1XI 10/194. Lilydale 2XI 8/211 v Wantirna South 2XI 10/59. Healesville 1XI 2/ 142 v East Ringwood 2XI 10/141. Templeton 2XI 6/173 v Wonga Park 2XI 5/176.
■ Ian Spencer Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Nov. 30 and Sat. Dec. 7. Warranwood 2XI 10/ 132 v Coldstream 1XI 10/171. St Andrews 2XI 6/173 v Chirnside Park 2XI 7/169. Mooroolbark 2XI 3/99 v South Warrandyte 2XI 10/97. Montrose 3XI 6/260 v Vermont 2XI 4/256. Heatherdale 2XI 4/169 v North Ringwood 3XI 7/168.
■ David Beatty Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Nov. 30 and Sat. Dec. 7. Heathwood 2XI 1/118 v Bayswater Park 2XI 9/117. Croydon Ranges 3XI 10/118 v Norwood 3XI 8/157. Yarra Glen 1XI 9/112 v Seville Burras 2XI 0/218. East Ringwood 3XI v Mt Evelyn 2XI
■ Don Smith Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Nov. 30 and Sat. Dec. 7. Ainslie Park 3XI 2/124 v Montrose 4XI 10/122. St Andrews 3XI 3/ 208 v Hoddles Creek 1XI 9/195. Warrandyte 3rd XI 6/151 v Wonga Park 3XI 10/149. Warranwood 3XI 4/169 v Wandin 1XI 9/220.
■ John Springett Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Nov. 30 and Sat. Dec. 7. Chirnside Park 3XI 10/143 v Lilydale 3XI 7/163. Kilsyth 3XI 10/233 v Healesville 2XI 10/189. Yarra Junction 2XI 3/77 v Wantirna South 3XI 10/72. Eastfield 2XI 10/109 v Lusatia Park 2XI.
■ A-Grade. Two-Day. Sat. Nov. 30 and Sat. Dec. 7. Powelltown 1XI v South Croydon 3XI. Wonga Park 4XI 10/126 v Seville Burras 3XI 0/129. Norwood 4XI 10/155 v St Andrews 4XI 7/185. Croydon North 2XI 8/248 v Templeton 3XI 10/114.
■ B-Grade. Two-Day. Sat. Nov. 30 and Sat. Dec. 7. Heatherdale 3XI 4/137 v Mt Evelyn 3XI 9/132. Coldstream 2XI 9/106 v Warrandyte 4th XI 6/110. Mooroolbark 3XI 4/ 147 v Croydon Ranges 4XI 10/143. South Warrandyte 3XI 4/170 v Heathwood 3XI 7/169.
■ C-Grade. Two-Day. Sat. Nov. 30 and Sat. Dec. 7. North Ringwood 4XI 5/147 v Warranwood 4XI 7/144. Healesville 3XI 7/175 v St Andrews 5XI 9/172. Warrandyte 5th XI 3/ 244 v Kilsyth 4XI 5/251. Wantirna 1XI 6/223 v Chirnside Park 4XI 3/221.
■ D-Grade. Two-Day. Sat. Nov. 30 and Sat. Dec. 7. Norwood 5XI 10/67 v East
Ringwood 4XI 7/171. Wonga Park 5XI 9/152 v Mooroolbark 4XI 8/162. Croydon Ranges 5XI 4/131 v Yarra Junction 3XI 9/129. Lilydale 4XI 9/152 v Heatherdale 4XI 9/147.
■ E-Grade. Two-Day. Sat. Nov. 30 and Sat. Dec. 7. Wandin 2XI 8/139 v Yarra Glen 2XI 10/135. Boronia Hawks 4XI 10/120 v Warrandyte 6th XI 7/145. St Andrews 6XI 10/ 149 v Wonga Park 6XI 6/193.
■ F-Grade. One-Day. Vermont 3XI 10/97 v Ainslie Park 4XI 2/98. Montrose 5XI 9/138 v Mt Evelyn 4XI 9/127. Seville Burras 4XI v Bayswater Park 3XI. South Croydon 4XI 3/125 v Wantirna South 4XI 10/124.
■ G-Grade. One-Day. Templeton 4XI 8/125 v Kilsyth 5XI 4/127. Mt Evelyn 5XI 6/233 v Montrose 6XI 9/193. Hoddles Creek 2XI v Chirnside Park 5XI. Heathwood 4XI.
■ H-Grade. One-Day. Mt Evelyn 6XI 10/86 v North Ringwood 5XI 2/89. Mooroolbark 5XI 4/125 v Healesville 4XI 6/124. Heatherdale 5XI 8/183 v Lusatia Park 3XI 10/146. Warranwood 5XI v Norwood 6XI.
■ I-Grade. One-Day. Warrandyte 7th XI 6/ 121 v Croydon North 3XI 0/122. Warranwood 6XI: Bye. St Andrews 7XI 6/238 v Croydon Ranges 6XI 8/38. Eastfield 3XI 6/123 v Wantirna 2XI 7/127.
■ J-Grade. One-Day. Wonga Park 7XI 2/ 147 v Warranwood 7XI 8/146. Bayswater Park 4XI 10/76 v St Andrews 8XI 10/77. Wantirna 3XI 2/158 v Ainslie Park 5XI 5/150. Bye: South Croydon 5XI
■ K-Grade. One-Day. Croydon North 4XI v Wandin 3XI. Yarra Junction 4XI 6/193 v Powelltown 2XI 10/165. Chirnside Park 6XI 4/ 187 v Yarra Glen 3XI 8/26.
■ L-Grade. One-Day. Healesville 5th XI 10/ 119 v East Ringwood 5XI 10/166. Yarra Junction 5X1 9/169 v Vermont 4XI 5/179. Bye: Lusatia Park 4th XI.
South East
■ Longmuir Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Dec. 7 and Sat. Dec. 14. Bentleigh ANA 1 2/36 v Bentleigh Uniting 1 10/140. West Bentleigh 1 0/14 v Le Page Park 1 10/151. East Sandringham 1 8/315 v CHAG 1. Kingston Heath 1 0/17 v Brighton Union 1 10/161. ■ Woolnough Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Dec. 7 and Sat. Dec. 14. Mackie 1 2/39 v Cheltenham Park 1 10/142. Washington Park 1 2/18 v Cluden 1 10/88. Hampton Central 1 1/18 v Elwood 1 10/205. Hampton United 1 10/72 v Omega 1 3/86.
■ Quiney Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Dec. 7 and Sat. Dec. 14. Elwood 2 1/16 v CUCC Kings 3 10/207. Omega 2 7/249 v Kingston Heath 2. Bentleigh Uniting 2 1/52 v Carnegie South 1 10/176. Le Page Park 2 5/154 v Washington Park 2 10/116. ■ Pullen Shield. Two-Day. Sat. Dec. 7 and Sat. Dec. 14. Highett West 1 0/5 v East Sandringham 2 10/216. Brighton Union 2 4/ 55 v Hampton United 2 10/131. Cheltenham Park 2 9-d/262 v Mackie 2 0/3. Melbourne Wanderers 1 3/48 v West Bentleigh 2 10/112.
■ E-Grade. Two-Day. Sat. Dec. 7 and Sat. Dec. 14. CHAG 2 9/123 v Washington Park 3. Le Page Park 3 9/244 v Bentleigh ANA 2. CUCC Kings 4 0/12 v Melbourne Districts United 1 10/184. Elwood 3 v Southside East Caulfield 1 10/372. East Bentleigh Central 1 10/189 v Diamond 1 0/11
■ F-Grade. Two-Day. Sat. Dec. 7 and Sat. Dec. 14. Mackie 3 10/284 v East Bentleigh Central 2. Keysborough Park 1 10/ 228 v Highett West 2 0/20. CUCC Kings 5 v Le Page Park 4. Southside East Caulfield 2 10/306 v Emmanuel South Oakleigh 1. Washington Park 4 9/201 v Hampton Central 2.
Western Suburbs
■ A-Grade. One Day. Seabrook A Grade 3rd XI v Point Cook CC A Grade 5th XI. Western Utd SC A Grade 2nd XI v Wyndham Vale A Grade 3rd XI. Werribee CC A 6th XI 10/31 v Altona Sports A 1st XI - Two Day.
■ Division 1. One Day. Williams Landing SC D01 1st XI v Utd Tarneit SC D01 1st XI. West Point Titans D01 1st XI 10/142 v Truganina CC D01 10/119. Manor Lakes D01 1st XI 10/107 v 5ABI Caroline Springs D01 6/ 108. Tarneit Central D01 Blue 7/187 v ruganina Strikers D01 Yellow 10/218.
Your Stars with Kerry Kulkens
ARIES (March 21 - April 20)
Lucky Colour: White
Lucky Day: Tuesday
Racing Numbers: 1, 6, 5, 2
Lotto Numbers: 2, 5, 12, 26, 36, 39
You may feel swept up in romance, but be cautious— this isn’t the time to make promises. An unpaid bill may surprise you, so double-check your finances to avoid embarrassment.
TAURUS (April 21 - May 20)
Lucky Colour: Orange
Lucky Day: Friday
Racing Numbers: 2, 6, 8, 5
Lotto Numbers: 1, 15, 24, 40, 22, 8
Romance is heating up, demanding more of your time and attention. Exciting opportunities are around the corner—be ready to seize the most rewarding ones that come your way.
GEMINI (May 21 - June 21)
Lucky Colour: Green
Lucky Day: Thursday
Racing Numbers: 1, 3, 5, 9
Lotto Numbers: 1, 15, 26, 34, 40, 33
Change is on the horizon as unexpected invitations open new doors. Watch your emotions, as intense feelings may lead to conflicts. Keep your cool to smooth things over.
CANCER (June 22 - July 22)
Lucky Colour: Blue
Lucky Day: Wednesday
Racing Numbers: 2, 3, 5, 6
Lotto Numbers: 1, 15, 26, 34, 4, 22
This is a time for pursuing material goals. Money will be more accessible, and a new lifestyle may be on the horizon as you start rearranging your priorities for a fresh start.
LEO (July 23 - August 22)
Lucky Colour: Cream
Lucky Day: Monday
Racing Numbers: 1, 6, 9, 8
Lotto Numbers: 9, 8, 15, 45, 32, 6
The changes you initiate will bring positive reactions from others. Increased responsibility and career opportunities will soon follow. Your love life is blooming— enjoy the attention!
VIRGO (August 23 - September 23)
Lucky Colour: Violet
Lucky Day: Tuesday
Racing Numbers: 5, 6, 2, 3
Lotto Numbers: 2, 15, 26, 34, 40, 5
Your love life is bound to get more exciting, but watch your spending—impressing loved ones might cost more than expected. Stay away from confrontational people to avoid unnecessary conflict.
LIBRA (September 24 - October 23)
Lucky Colour: Green
Lucky Day: Monday
Racing Numbers: 5, 6, 2, 3
Lotto Numbers: 5, 12, 23, 36, 39, 4
A restless energy might make you hard to be around, but try to stay calm. Tension could arise, so it’s best to tread lightly and avoid pushing any issues with loved ones.
SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22)
Lucky Colour: Silver
Lucky Day: Sunday
Racing Numbers: 2, 3, 5, 6
Lotto Numbers: 2, 12, 26, 35, 40, 33
Major changes in your job or home life are on the way. An incredible offer may come your way, but stay humble— arrogance may offend others and ruin your good fortune.
SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 20)
Lucky Colour: Peach
Lucky Day: Saturday
Racing Numbers: 4, 6, 8, 9
Lotto Numbers: 8, 15, 9, 6, 21, 33
It’s time to take better care of yourself—avoid overworking and stress. Assess your situation, and take action where needed. Financial luck is on your side, so expect some monetary gains.
CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19)
Lucky Colour: White
Lucky Day: Friday
Racing Numbers: 2, 3, 5, 8
Lotto Numbers: 2, 15, 26, 34, 40, 11
A stroke of luck could bring success in a small gamble. Life is shifting beyond your control, but embrace the changes. Travel may be on the horizon, bringing fresh perspectives.
AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 19)
Lucky Colour: Blue
Lucky Day: Wednesday
Racing Numbers: 8, 9, 5, 2
Lotto Numbers: 8, 15, 29, 34, 40, 11
Socially, you’ll encounter fascinating new people, but remember to be tactful—gossiping could backfire. Your circle of friends will soon grow, leading to interesting conversations.
PISCES (February 20 - March 20)
Lucky Colour: Blue
Lucky Day: Tuesday
Racing Numbers: 2, 6, 5, 4
Lotto Numbers: 5, 12, 24, 45, 40, 33
Feeling moody? Domestic tensions could cause disagreements, so avoid making any major decisions for now. Wait for a clearer head before acting on anything significant.
Kulkens™ Magic Shop
VRC SUPPORTS RETIRED RACEHORSES
■ The Victorian Racing Club was proud to continue its support for retired racehorses at the New South Wales Premier Eventing competition the Limitless Lodge Sydney International Three-Day Event.
The competition was run for November 224; the competition attracted Australia’s leading event riders including Olympians Shane Rose and ShenaeLowings, who both represented Australia in the Paris Games this year.
Shane was partnered by his trusty well-known former racehorse, the Bandit in the CC14*L.
The competition offered a prize to the Best Performed Thoroughbred in the CC14*L and CC1413*L at the Syd3DE.
The two eventing stars were joined by Paris Olympian, Arianne Titmus, and Paralympian Alexa Leary , who presented the Lexus Melbourne Cup Trophy to the crowd of over 91,000 on course, via the telecast of the Melbourne Cup where they attended.
Shenae won both prizes in 2023 on two different thoroughbreds, prior to representing Australia at the Paris Olympics on her former racehorse, Bold Venture.
This year’s Awards were presented by the VRC Ambassador, and Olympian, Amanda Ross.
VRC Chief Executive, Kylie Rogers, said the Club was pleased to support such an important event.
“The Victoria Racing Club has a long history of supporting retired racehorses in their second careers and we are delighted to continue back the Sydney International Three-DayEvent,” Ms Rogers said.
“The thoroughbred has long been synonymous with excellence and versatility, and we are proud to see so many of them competing in elite equestrian competitions under the VRC banner.
“By sponsoring the Best Performed Thoroughbred Awards at the Syd3DE, we honour the remarkable contribution these horses make to the sport.”
Syd3DE naming rights partner Limitless Lodge is responsible for starting the careers of some of Australia’s racehorses, namely Winx, Chautauqua and Nature Strip.
The annual event is one of four elite competitions that the VRC supports with a Best Performed Thoroughbred prize, which also includes Melbourne’s international three-day event, Adelaide Equestrian Festival and the Melbourne Royal Show.
MVRC AGM
■ Key points from the Chair’s address complementing the 2023-24 Annual, Report are:
A successful 2024 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Carnival attracted 27,000 attendees, including a sold-out crowd of 21,000at the 2024 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day.
Via Sistina overcame a track mishap to deliver a spectacular performance in the Cox Plate, breaking Winx’s track record by nearly two seconds, clocking in at 2.01.07. in her eight lengths victory.
Her remarkable win gave jockey James Mc-
Ted Ryan
Donald his third consecutive Cox Plate victory, making him just the second jockey in 104 years to achieve three straight Cox Plate wins on different horses, whilst securing trainer Chris Waller his fifth triumph, four of those with Winx,
Continued international engagement with Japanese star, Prognosis, contesting the Cox Plate this year, longside Via Sistina’s outstanding performance for Yulong. It reflected the Club’s commitment to global racing excellence.
Programming improvements, which included the repositioning of the Club’s two Spring Carnival Group1 sprint races, led to stronger fields and improved wagering outcomes for those races.
Acknowledgment of softer wagering results across the Carnival, with a 9 per cent reduction year-on-year, attributed to various factors, including economic conditions and race adjustments.
Decision time
■ At the time of going to press, a decision who
will replace the Cox Plate meeting, due to renovations at the Moonee Valley Racing Club will be made.
The favourites, naturally the VRC or the Melbourne Racing Club, both highly active in trying to get the meeting in 2026.
Renovations at Moonee Valley should be completed and all systems go.
The mail is that Flemington may be the favourite in front of the Heath.
The Valley wants the 2026 Cox Plate to retain its traditional time slot the Saturday between the Caulfield Cup and the Victoria Derby on the Saturday of Cup week.
The Victoria Racing Club beg to differ, their preference is for the Cox Plate to be run two weeks after the 2026 Melbourne Cup Carnival.
The bid is geared around track preparation with the VRC reluctant to host the coveted event seven days before it’s iconic four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Melbourne Racing Club Chairman, John Kanga, said the MRC were keen to work things out peacefully and to, assist Racing Victoria in an effort for things to sun smoothly.
With Monee Valley keen to get on with renovation works, it can be plain sailing.
Mr Kanga said he just wanted a smooth transition and everybody is happy.
If successful Caulfield would host the Caulfield Guineas on three successive Saturdays.
This means the Wednesday meeting at Caulfield, between the Guineas and Cup, axed to preserve the racing surface for the Cox Plate card. We await a decision by Racing Victoria, for the good of racing.
Merry Christmas
■ A very Merry Christmas to all. See you in the New Year.
- Ted Ryan
● ● John Kanga, Melbourne Racing Club Chairman
Rogers,
POPULAR MEETINGS AT CHARLTON
■ Racing at Charlton in Central Victoria has proven popular in recent weeks with another meeting held there last Monday December 2 featuring seven exciting races.
The old saying of ‘you’re never too old’ was certainly justified in the Charlton Caravan Park Pace when 12-ear-old Dawn Ofa New DayCelestial Gift gelding Celestial Daybreak who turns thirteen at the end of the month scored in the 1609 metre Charlton Caravan Park Pace.
Having start number 429 Celestial Daybreak trained on course by Tori Hutchins and driven by Kyneton’s Ben Xiriha crossed from gate five shortly after the start to head off Sunraysia trained gelding Impetuoso and after dictating terms, ran out a 4.3 metre victor over Silver Domino (one/one) and Sea Hawk (three pegs) who 1.2 metres away third. The mile rate 158.1. It was Celestial Daybreak’s 57th success with 98 placings and over $215,000 in stakes to her credit.
■ Another local Zac Steenhuis combined with Murchison reinsman Ryan Sanderson formerly based at Charlton aboard 6Y0 Artspeak-Victree Bonita mare Our Ultimate Bonny to land the Become A Charlton Member 2025 Pace over 1609 metres.
Beginning swiftly from outside the front line to drop to the back of the leader Flaming Lucky (gate three), Our Ultimate Bonny angled away from the inside on turning and ran on best to prevail by 2.1 metres in a rate of 1-58.2 from Flaming Lucky, with Flexibet (gate four) third 4.6 metres back after racing exposed.
■ Iron mare Ruby Wingate a 6Y0 daughter of Union Guy and Alberts Belle raced and trained by Allendale’s Adam Stephens at start number 156 (12 wins – 45 placings) snared the 1609 metre Vale Bill Fitzpatrick Pace returning a mile rtate of 1-56.
Driven by Ryan Duffy, Ruby Wingate starting from the extreme draw settled three back in the moving line as Beau Bronski (gate three) led. Going forward racing for the bell to join the pacemaker for the final circuit, Ruby Wingate dashed away prior to the home turn with the race safely in her keeping to score by 2.3 metres from My Darling Dancer (gate four) one/one –three wide home turn which flashed late, with The Democrat a stablemate of the winner third a half head away after following the runner up all of the way.
■ Stawell trainer/driver Jason Ainsworth has had a tremendous last half of the season and added another winner to his CV when 5Y0 Racing Hill-Floweronthewall mare Alfnalma notched up her fifth success in 56 outings by taking the 1609 metre Swift Freight Pace.
Lobbing one/one from gate two on the second line as Jetter Son began brilliantly from outside the front line for Alby Ashwood to lead with local hope Hungry Hogarth (gate two) caught in the open, Alfnalma after easing three wide on the final bend ran home strongly to blouse the front runner by a neck in a slick rate of 1-56.2. Hungry Hogarth kept on giving in the straight for a game third 3.6 metres away.
7 races on card
■ The usual Shepparton fixture was held on Tuesday with seven races on the card with five winners trained in the Goulburn Valley, one close by and the other at Heathcote.
Ardmona’s Donna Castles was ‘simply the best’ on the night bookending the meeting – 6Y0 Rocknroll Hanover-Lils Dream gelding Lils Nightmare taking the Your Sold Real Estate Pace over 1690 metres and 8Y0 Bacardi LindyIm Tina Turner mare Dances the Elite Transport Trotters Handicap over 2190 metres.
Lils Nightmare led throughout from gate two, accounting for Michen Roy (gate four) which had moved from five back in the moving line to race exposed at the bell going down by 2.7 metres in a mile rate of 1-55.1.
Nomorerlying (inside the second line) - three wide last lap from midfield was third a half neck away.
Always reliable mare Dances raced and trained by Donna stepped cleanly from 20 metres avoiding some gallopers to trail the poleline leader Montana Muscle before crossing her hitting the back straight on the first occasion and dictating terms to a nicety, scored by 2.1 metres
Harness Racing
len-baker@ bigpond.com
with Len Baker
from Montana Muscle, with 30 metre equal backmarker Straight To The Top (four pegs –three pegs last lap) third 6.3 metres back.
■ Kialla’s Bec Bartley trained and reined Vincent-Bianca Tang gelding Johnny Tang to land the Cottrells Electrical 3Y0 Naiden Pace over 2190 metres.
Going forward three wide solo from three back in the last lap after starting inside the second line, Johnny Tang was too tough at the finish for Cyclone Bella (gate three) which led and Broadway Brenda (gate two) – one/one – death seating at the bell before dropping to trail the leader in the last lap before using the sprint lane for third. The margins a nose by 2.3 metres in a 1-59.3 mile rate.
■ Stanhope’s Gary Pekin used the services of Chris Alford to snare the 2190 metre Avenel Equine Clinic Pace with 8Y0 Blissful Hall-Duck And Run gelding Cresco Threepeat. Starting from gate five, Cresco Threepeat after being trapped wide went forward to park outside the pacemaker Twilight Beach (gate two), outstaying his rivals to record a 3 metre margin in a mile rate of 2-00.3. over Bet Sheza Lady which followed the leader from the pole. Marako Shark (one/three – three wide last lap) was third 1.7 metres away.
■ Another Kialla winner was 4Y0 Four Starzzz Shark-Rockin Diva gelding Cant Eatovers for Tayla Nicholson (owner/trainer) and husband Zac Phillips, leading throughout from gate three to defeat polemarker Lorino along the sprint lane from three pegs by a half head in a thrilling finish with Balladoro gaining a late split for third a neck away after trailing the winner. The mile rate 2-01.7.
■ Other winners on the night were Locksley’s John Nissen owned and trained 3Y0 Always B Miki-Goodtime Marjie gelding Good Tobe Locksley in the Jam Packed Donuts Pace over 2190 metres giving Bec Bartley a double and Heathcote’s Glenn Bull with 6Y0 Heston Blue Chip-Danielles Pride mare Shezabluechip in the Saddleworld Shepparton Pace over 2190 metres with Sean O’Sullivan in the sulky.
Second round heats
■ It was double day Wednesday with Maryborough racing in the afternoon and Bendigo at night supplemented by the second round heats of the Inter Dominion at Bathurst (NSW).
■ At Maryborough, Bendigo based reinsman Liam Older took the honours after driving a double – Col Du Granon in the Maryborough Golf Club Trotters Mobile and Countess Chiron in the Peter Egan Bi-Rite Electrical Trotters Mobile (both races over 1690 metres).
Col Du Granon a 4Y0 gelded son of Quaker Jet and Tourmalet trained at Longlea by Glenn Sharp used the sprint lane off the back of the polemark pacemaker Against The Bridle after trailing from gate two, scoring by 1.5 metres at odds of $71.00. Poppy Popstar was third 3.7 metres back after following the pair from inside the second line. The mile rate 1-59.6.
■ Seven year old Countess Chiron, a daughter of Imperial Count and Kumbya raced and trained at Bet Bet by 85 year old Ray Cross chalked up her 19th success in 192 outings (34 placings), when successful in her race. Leading from gate four, Countess Chiron was
wisely eased to allow the free running Tictoc to take over after going forward from gate two on the second line.
Coming away from the inside on turning, Countess Chiron ran on best to record a 2.5 metre margin. Frankiethefrenchman (four pegs) was third 9.8 metres away. The mile rate 1-58.3.
■ At Bendigo the highlight was the annual Oxley Feed Mill Veteran Drivers Trotters Mobile over 2150 metres, an invitational event featuring past and present reinspersons consisting of Ginger Gleeson (73), Jim O’Sullivan (78), Neil McCallum (60), Brian Gath (80), Mark Hayes (67), Ken Tippet (70), Rita Burnett (61), Glenn Conroy (66), Ross Payne (68) and Geoff Webster (69) all long time contributors to the sport and it was Jim O’Sullivan victorious aboard the Mary Jane Mifsud (Bagshot) owned and trained 3Y0 Majestic Son-Arannalea filly Majestic Ga Ga, leading throughout in a masterly front running exhibition from gate two defeating No Telling Heather (one/four – three wide solo last lap from the extreme draw) with Geoff Webster in the sulky), with polemarker Magic Law (Ginger Gleeson) third after trailing the winner. The margins 2.3 by 4.3 metres in a mile rate of 205.1.
■ A very large syndicate of owners headed by John Barnett who race 4Y0 Skyvalley-Celine Castle mare Castles In The Sky were elated when the mare at start number 14 (four placings) broke through for a win when taking the 2150 metre Aldebaran Park Fillies and Mares Maiden Trotters Mobile.
Trained at Daylesford by Anne-Maree Conroy and driven by brother Glenn who assists, Castles In The Sky began brilliantly from gate four to lead and with no pressure being applied, kicked clear on the final bend to record a 6.6 metre margin in a 2-02.9 mile rate over
■ To all readers of this column, best wishes for a most happy Christmas and a prosperous and healthy 2025..
Winnies Dream which trailed from outside the front row after also beginning fast. Southwind Chloe (gate three) four pegs – one/one last lap was third a half neck away.
■ It used to be the biggest event in harness racing however the Bathurst ID heats did not even receive a mention in the Herald Sun form guide lift out – a sign of the times maybe?
The 1730 metre Heat winners were : Nerano (Jason Grimson (NSW) – Jack Callaghan, Don Hugo (Luke McCarthy (NSW), Petes Said So (KerryAnne and Robbie Morris (NSW) in the pacers, while Victoria’s bonny mare Queen Elida (Brent Lilley and Chris Alford) and Brad Hewitt’s (NSW) trained and driven The Locomotive were the victors in the trotting heats.
The final round of heats were held on Saturday at Menangle with Grand Final night Saturday December 14.
- Len Baker
Theatre Extra
Skating In The Clouds
■ In what can only be described as a disappointing final Theatre Works show for 2024, Skating In The Clouds sees an energetic cast do their best with a preachy too-earnest script that needs further development and stronger direction.
Described as a modern fairytale with touches of magical realism, the two central characters, Summer and Autumn meet, fall in love and go through the throes of a turbulent relationship as planetary collapse is imminent.
Written by Clare Mendes, Skating In The Clouds is a germ of an idea that has potential but a potential that is far from realised.
There is too much didactic text that lacks subtlety and depth. As such the very worthwhile message the script seeks to convey about the dire state of our planet is lost as there is little audience engagement and investment with the main characters, not to mention a confusing central narrative.
Summer and Autumn are played by Katrina Mathers and Rebecca Morton respectively. Both do what they can with the underdeveloped script although, at times, there are problems with voice as dialogue is lost due to poor projection.
Also problematic is the dynamic between Summer and Autumn as it is a cliched relationship at best. Playing various minor characters, Shamita Sivabalan and El Kiley perform with gusto but these are thin caricatures at best and there is not much an actor can do to overcome this type of problem.
A strong production team gives director Emily Farrell good technical support but Farrell fails to address and compensate for the shortcomings in the script and ultimately the production as a whole suffers for it.
What a shame then that the 2024 Theatre Works season should finish with this, at best, problematic production which fails on so many levels.
Venue: Theatre Works, 14 Acland St, St Kilda
Dates and times: Tuesday-Saturday until
December 14 at 7.30pm
Duration: 90 minutes
Tickets: $20-45
Bookings: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/ e/ska - Review by Peter Murphy
Christmas Spectacular
■ A celebration of all that is Christmas hit the stage at The Palms at Crown, for two performances before moving on to captivate audiences in other states.
Produced by Australia’s Got Talent finalist Michael Boyd, master magician and illusionist, The Christmas Spectacular was billed as “a kaleidoscope of Christmas songs and dances”.
Host was The Voice finalist and musical theatre performer Pinnie Stevens who, between introducing various segments took us through a selection of traditional Christmas traditional songs, some well-known and others that were not, while some being noted as her personal favourite. With many of her sets, she encouraged audience participation to the delight of the large number of children who reacted spontaneously.
The ensemble of dancers from the stages of world famous cabaret revues, were wellchoreographed with ever changing costumes that added much colour and pizzazz when needed while Aleisha Manion set the stage alight with her two routines in the tricky use of hoops, both steel and illuminated. Her timing, ability to have 5, then 10 and more hoops encircling her body was a highlight as was a hoop fixed, circling on top of a pole that Aleisha demonstrated her athleticism in stunning style.
Michael Boyd’s illusion’s drew mixed reactions and while we were not treated to some of his most spectacular, impressive was a rising magic table and later his creating of snow flakes that emanated for a cardboard box. To demonstrate more illusions he stepped into the audience in search of a ”7-8yo Princess” to bring on stage, unfortunately he chose a 4year old that while making him work hard showed little reaction. Working with children and animals on stage is always very chancy - Review by Graeme McCoubrie
Where
Court Lists
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Dandenong Magistrates’ Court Criminal Case Listings Wednesday, December 11 Ahotolu, Leighton Albert, Jean Amiri, Frozan Ashoor, Wahid Atem, Aweng Bailey, Dylan Baker, Chloe Biwott, Jackson Brown, William Cauzzo, Robert Choul, David Clayton, Tyson Connor, Russell Dainton, Bradley Diamante, Laini Dona, Imasha Malithi Dore, Rebecca Egan-Leek, Ethan Ekeroma, Sesilia Finlay, Cloe Chantal Freeman, Daniel Furlan, Dylan Garnham, Ethan Gauci, Jordan George, Otoa Apora Gomez, Dora Gony, Nyachuol Guimaraes, Natalio Gulistani, Ieman Hand, Matthew Paul Hay, Thomas Hesseini, Ghulam Hettiarchchi, Chamila Hickey, Joshua Hilyear, Andrew Stephen Hoffman, Marie Hopkins, Bradley Hout, Phyrun Hussein, Hussein James, Scott Dillon Kasturi, Amit Kaszick, Aaron Werner Kerrigan, Trent Khan, Fahad Kilpatrick, Dale James Kinanthi, Arvina Lloyd, Jade Lossev, Alex Maharaj, Andrew Mcgregor, David Miller, Luke Michael Munjoma, Munashe Ayize Naje, Nilson Newton, Andrew Ngo, Ngieng Nguyen, Chan Nguyen, Lowis Onoufrio, Oni Osmanoski, Adnan Pack, Melissa Pappaioannou, John Peachey, Wayne Peoples, Kaitlin Phy-Run, Hout Pirongi, Marruy Quach, Manh Hung Ramazam, Ali Ramirez, Jose Rex-Hipa, Armani Russell, Jason Safi, Atiqullah Sepsakos, Bill Sharifi, Mohammad Shorland, Daniel Smith, Luke Smith, Mathew Solomons, Ashley Speary, Jordan Taumata, Christopher Taylor, Anthony Taylor, Keith Terilich, Kristie Toru, Remzi Tsonis, Erin Ulutui, Brice Usama, Usama Wallace, Jed War, Gumaa Watson, Barry Wazin, Alan Whitbourn, Scott Worku, Liben Yunus, Muslim Zaffiro, Matthew Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court Criminal Case Listings Wednesday, December 11 Aitu, Tiarii
Anagnostopoulos, Frances Anderson, Melanie Paulette Anderson-Marten, Rhys Auplish, Rakesh Beaton, Jordan Boulouxis, Robert Brown, Jarrod Buchman, Leonid Chahin, Jordan Clark, Jayden Cuesta, Donna Grace Daniels, Zuriko Demartin, Corey Dent, Stuart Deverall, David Digiangregorio, Francis John Fletcher, Pierce Richard Gillespie, Tamille Harrington, Neville Hart, Anthony Jefford, Bryar Johnson, Tyrone Karipidis, Leigh Katgert, Sam Kazenwadel, Dylan Kimpton, Stewart Kipkorir, Binea Kirwan, Michael Liu, Huan Lord, Aaron Mason, Nicole Mcphie, William Mcquillan, Christopher Michael, Zavier Milne, Sabina Jade Moloney, Laura Morabito, Patrick Mustakinovski, Nikola Nabe, Sidiki Nyhuis, Mitchell Ong, Jacky Pataclang, Krntine Pugh, Warrick Gavin Rowswell, Brendan James Sampson, David Sekulovski, Nicholas Sheather, Ayla Siale, Ioane Sobol, Jamie Stankoski, Darko Tannous, Jesse Todisco, Jason Vlanes, Nikolaos Walker, Clinton Mark Walkerley, Katie Wu, Luwen Yehia, Yehia Dromana Magistrates’ Court Criminal Case Listings Thursday, December 12 Booker, Amanda Bramich, John Robert Carmichael, Andrew Daniels, Tracey Ann Dennis, Sam Fikiris, John Finnis, Hayden Ganotis, Dimitrios Gilchrist, Ashley Damien Green, Daniel Greer, David Hampton, Lachlan Haydon, William Jakovljevic, Daniel Janos, Zac Johnson, Ashleigh Joseph, Matthew Kapiniaris, Aglaia Kendall, Lachlan Krijestorac, Muhamed Macdonald, Melissa Mcclean, Stewart Mcintosh, Robbie Mehta, Kartik O'brien, Nathan Leigh Ohehir, Troy John Owen, Brian Pitsounis, Theofanis Pye, Narelle Ross, Shannon Shakespeare, Karishma Stewart, Shane Mark Stroud, Jamie Tapuai, Utuva Tilley, Stuart Verschaeren, Matthew Walsh, Harrison Young, Amber Sarah
Murder charge
■ Homicide Squad detectives have charged a man with murder following the fatal stabbing of a man in South Melbourne on Friday night, November 29.
A 31-year-old Port Melbourne man was taken into custody nd was interviewed by investigators.
The man has subsequently been charged with one count of murder.
He was to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
The charge follows an incident where emergency services were called after a man was located with serious injuries at a property on Iffla St just before 7.30pm.
A 30-year-old South Melbourne man was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Police believe the parties involved were known to each other.
Crossing petition
■ Caulfield MLA David Southwick has presented a petition concerning the proposed pedestrian operated ‘push button’ crossing outside no. 365 and 362 Kooyong Rd, Caulfield South
“The local residents of Kooyong Rd object to this proposal, as Council has failed to consider:
■ The recent reduction of speed to 50-kmh and low pedestrian flow recorded,
■ The existing crossing at the traffic lights 250 meters away, at Glen Huntly Rd and an additional crossing some 300 metres away closer to North Rd. Both signals provide safe crossing and access to Wesley College
■ The impact on traffic along Kooyong Rd
■ The lack of a traffic masterplan as the above will see five sets of traffic lights on the 1.6 km stretch of Kooyong Rd, excessive by standards.
■ The significant $300,000 cost considering a pedestrian crossing or pedestrian refuge have not been considered.
■ The loss of on-street parking and availability of parking in nearby side streets.
■ Accessibility for elderly residents.
■ The traffic count conducted by Council is nearly two years old and would reflect inflated pedestrian numbers from COVID-19
■ Alternative suggestions put forward by residents such as a refuge island and further reducing traffic to 40-kmh to establish a school zone. With two major supermarkets coming into the area, and the Calvary Health Care premises requiring a crossing, a masterplan would assist in co-ordinating current and future development with fluctuating traffic patterns.
The petitioners called on the Government to work with Glen Eira Council and the Department of Transport and Planning to complete an updated traffic management count and a masterplan to better consider growth and development in the Caulfield South area.
“We ask that the project be delayed until an alternative plan be proposed that meets the needs of both residents, State and Local Government.”
Expensive Market
■ The State Government is doubling rent for the vital fruit and veg vendors at the Melbourne Market, said Lowan MLA Emma Kealy.
“What hypocrisy from a two-faced Premier who absolutely sucks at running Victoria,” Ms Kealy said.
“These massive rent increases will make Melbourne Market the most expensive in Australia, over $100,000 more than their counterparts at Sydney Markets
“And of course yet again it is Victorians that will pay the price, with these massive government rent increases being passed on to Victorians through higher fruit and veg prices at our local markets and grocers and pushing up the cost of having dinner at our favourite pub, restaurant or cafe.
“After 10 years of this rotten Labor Government Victorians are far worse off and continue to pay the price for Premier Allan’s complete and utter incompetence,” Ms Kealy told the Legislative Assembly.
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BACK PACKS. Caribee, Pacific, $60. Companion 3833, z$60. Box Hill. 9890 7904. XX
BARBECUE. Gas. 5 Burner. Wheels. Very clean. New ignition assembly. 2 gas tanks, both full. VGC. $150. Pascoe Vale. 0419 138 356. XX
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CATTLE
Charolais Cross Cows beef breed with Speckle Park calves at foot. Beautiful outfits. Very quiet. Can deliver. $1650 each. Yarra Valley. 0418 342 848. TT-XX
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LOOKING for a green thum person who enjoys gardening. My front yard has been taken over by weeds. Pruning needs to be done and some light tree branches to be chopped. Not looking for gardener. Balwyn North. 0425 889 747. VV-YY
NOTICE OF AN APPLICATION FOR A PLANNING PERMIT APPLICATION DETAILS
Application reference number: P24/1739
The Land affected by this application is located at:
60 GLEN SHIAN LANE, MOUNT ELIZA LOT 1 PS 633889 VOL 11486 FOL 459
The application is for a permit to:
A PERMIT IS REQUIRED UNDER THE FOLLOWING CLAUSE OF THE PLANNING SCHEME:
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Public Notice of Praecipe Tacit Acceptance and Reconveyance
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2 BEDROOM Self-Contained, in small apartment. Kitchen, bathroom, separate toilets. Lounge room. Animal friendly. Close to train station, bus, all shops. $250 per week. Bond upfront. South Morang. 0408 885 413. VV-YY
Vary a restriction MATTER FOR WHICH A PERMIT IS REQUIRED PLANNING SCHEME CLAUSE
Clause 52.02
Proposal summary: Vary restrictive covenant
The Responsible Authority will not decide on the application before: 18 DECEMBER 2024
How can I find out more? You may look at the application and any documents that support the application free of charge at: www.mornpen.vic.gov.au
You may also call (03) 5950 1010 to arrange a time to look at the application and any documents that support the application at the office of the responsible authority, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. This can be done during office hours and is free of charge.
Privacy Notification: The personal information provided in an objection is collected for planning purposes in accordance with the Planning & Environment Act 1987 (the Act). The public may view an objection in accordance with Section 57 of the Act whilst the planning application is current
SEWING MACHINE REPAIRER. For two sewing machines. One is a domestic Singer, the second is an industrial Jenome. Rosanna. 9455 1015. VV-YY
Private sellers can list non-commercial items, without any advertising costs. Deadline: 4pm Fridays.
Classified ads are available each issue in The Local Paper, which is published on Wednesdays, February-December (with the exception of Easter Wednesday). All Classified Ads appear in the print and online editions. It is important to check your advertisement is correct on the first day it appears. While every care is taken to ensure your advertisement is correct, errors can occur. If this happens to your ad please contact us the first day your advertisement appears and we will be happy to correct it as soon as we can.
This is the final print issue of The Local Paper for 2024. The first issue for 2025 will be on Wednesday, February 5.
Business Guide
Boroondara (south), Glen Eira, Kingston, Melbourne, Port Phillip, Stonnington, Yarra
Serving families for over 25 years with a full range of Dental Services 1/97 Cathies Lane Wantirna South 3152 Ph: 9800 2288 cathieslanedental@gmail.com www.cathieslanedental.com.au
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