The Local Paper. Lilydale and Yarra Valley Express Edition. Wed., Apr. 5, 2023

■ Murrindindi

Cr John Walsh has hinted that his Council might investigate changing its banking provider, as part of a protest of the closure of Alexandra bank branches. Giving his comments at the latest Council meeting, Cr Walsh said he had asked CEO Livia Bonazzi to iunvestigate options.

“It is an opportunity for everyone in the Shire, not just Alexandra, to ask ourselves what am I prepared to contribute to ensure we can develop a complete, sustainable banking service for our Shirewide community.

“We all need to be prepared to change the bank we deal with. I have asked the CEO to investigate the options for Council to do so.”

● ● ● ● Full report, Page 9

● ● Cr John Walsh, Murrindindi Mayor

Shire Mayor

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Pain Relief Magic from Europe

■ Health practitioner Michael Nixon-Livy has the reputation internationally as ‘the man with the magic hands’.

He has returned to Australia after assignments that have seen him practise in clinics in France, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Italy and Belgium.

In addition to his teaching commitments, Michael and wife Jo have settled at Macleod where they are raising their two young daughters, aged 6 and 3.

Michael is enthusastic about sharing his services with a method that he developed in the 1990s.

The method - which he says is particularly effective is treating back pain and neck pain - involves a stand-out technique, that Michael teaches to other health professionals including chiropractors and osteopaths.

The technique is gentle contact with points in the body that alerts the body to re-set. The same points that link physical issues in the body, can also affect the emotional operation of the body.

Michael says it is quite an empowering process to assist people re-set their own emotional status and nervous system.

This looks after the whole person in integfrated systematic ways.

Michael labels his care as a ‘Neurostructural Integration Technique’ (NST), and says that leading health authorities believe it to be the world’s premier ‘handson’ technique.

His aim always is for pain removal and rejuvenation.

“Using highly specialised softtissue manipulation, NST is able to reset the body’s muscle tensional system causing safe, natural auto regulation to occur within the spinal column and its structures, therby rapidly eliminating pain and symptoms, while restoring postural integrity and vitality.

“Typically an NST session induces deep relaxation followed by profound and often miraculous results.

“Clinical research has confimred that even in chronic cases, more than 80 per cent of NST recipients are symptom free in 1-5 sessions.

“Safe for all conditions and age groups, an NST session may last anywhere from 5 minutes to 45 minutes, depending on the individual’s presenting symptoms.”

Appointment fees are $200, which are often fully or partly refundable by some health insurers.

Conditions that respond well to NST include:

■ Back pain, neck pain and all spinal conditions.

■ Leg, knee, ankle and foot conditions.

■ Shoulder, elbow, wrirst and hand conditions.

■ Headaches including migraines.

■ Cranial conditions including whiplash.

Speedy pain relief

■ Arthritis and joint conditions.

■ Accident and sporting injuries.

■ Digestive and intestinal conditions.

■ Asthma and respiratory conditions.

■ Menstrual, fertility and menopausal conditions.

■ Pre and post-natal conditions.

■ Infant and child conditions.

■ Acute and chronic fatigue.

■ Stress conditions and emotional depression.

Michael says that natural law dictates that the body will intelligently reverse patterns of imbalance and dysfunction based on its inherent resources to do so.

As lifestyle irregularities undoubtedly have their consequences for our health, each individual’s response to NST is an honest expression of their body’s unique state of wellbeing.

■ Pain removal and rejuvenation are key at NST Health.

Practitioner Michael NixonLivy says an inspiration for his practice was the life work of Tom Bowen from Australia and Major Bertrand DeJarnette from USA, who he describes as “two greats” in the Sprinal Integration field, using Advanced Kinesiology.

Michael says he was able to isolate then integrate the intrinsic elements of both men’s work into a new Spinal Integration super technique called NST.

Since its European launch in 1996, NST has grown to become a global phenomena in the spinal, sporting and natural health fields.

Michael says that temporary corrective responses may be experienced as the body returns to balance, such as tiredness, general body aches, toxic and emotional releases all of which should be regarded in a very positive therapeutic light.

Michael was born in Melbourne in 1954. He holds qualifications in Osteopathy, Psychology, Applied Physiology, Bowen Therapy , Science and Art.

He is founder of the highly acclaimed Neurostructural Integration Technique - NST and has travelled the world teaching NST to groups of chiropractors, osteopaths, pyshiotherapists, manual therapists and a variety of other health professionals.

Michael encourages people to take control of their health.

As a member of the Australian Traditional Medical Society, he is keen to guide his clients, and also offers counselling. He is registered to provide this service, holding a Diploma.

● ● ● ● Michael Nixon-Livy with wife Jo at NST Health.

● ● ● ● Michael Nixon-Livy treats patients at NST Health in Macleod.

● ● Michael Nixon-Livy

● ● Appointments can be made by phoning 0493 571 111.

The Local

CHANGE OF BANK FOR SHIRE?

Local Briefs

NFNL fixtures

■ Northern Football Netball League. Division 1. Friday, April 7. Macleod v Greens-borough. Saturday, April 15. Hurstbridge v West Preston-Lakeside. Montmorency v Whittlesea. North Heidelberg v Heidelberg. Bundoora v Banyule.

Division 2. Friday, April 7. Eltham v Panton Hill. Epping v Thomastown. Saturday, April 15. Watsonia v Lower Plenty. South Morang v St Mary’s. Northcote Park v Diamond Creek.

Division 3. Saturday, April 15. Old Eltham Collegians v Mernda. Kinglake v Reservoir. Laurimar v Kilmore. Fitzroy Stars v Lalor. Heidelberg West: Bye.

At Glenburn tonight

■ Murrindindi Council is inviting Glenburn residents and users of Break O’Day Rd to attend a meeting tonight (Wed.) to hear an update on the Break O’Day Road Bridge Replacement Project.

The meeting will be held from 7 pm –9pm at Glenburn Community Hall, 3876 Melba Hwy, Glenburn

The Council has received partial funding from the Federal Government’s Bridges Renewal Program to replace Break O’Day Rd Bridge with a bridge that is compliant with current standards.

The project will see the 1950s design, single-lane bridge replaced with a two-lane structure capable of supporting an unrestricted load rating.

Meeting at Alex.

■ A special meeting of Murrindindi Shire Council is scheduled to be held at 5pm tonight (Wed., Apr. 5) to discuss the annual budget, and to consider delegation powers of the Chief Executive Officer Livia Bonazzi.

According to the Council agenda, the budget has “2023-24 operating surplus of $1.17 million ... and 2023/24 underlying deficit of $3.1 million”.

Decision deferred

■ Murrindindi Council has deferred a decision on a proposal for gravel extraction at 181 Switzerland Rd, Ghin Ghin, to its April 26 meeting.

Shire officers have been asked to convene and facilitate a meeting of all interested parties to occur and that be used as the basis for any new recommendation.

Warby tree works

■ Yarra Ranges Council has been planning works to remove a large tree located in the Warburton Recreation Reserve car park (next to True Value Hardware).

“Council recognises this is a difficult situation: the tree is a treasured landmark and deserves recognition, but it is currently unsafe and a risk to public, and cannot be ignored,” said a Shire statement.

“Fencing at the site will be strengthened shortly to form a wider exclusion zone around the tree to help improve public safety in the area.”

■ Murrindindi Shire Councillor Sandice

McAulay has warned that local residents will face a return journey of “hours” to complete their banking, following the National Australia Bank’s decision to close its Alexandra branch.

“I would like to reiterate that Council is very disappointed with this response, and I am personally very saddened with this response,” Cr McAulay told the laterst Shire meeting.

“While many people do use digital channels to do their banking, there are many in our rural area who rely on accessing services at a local bank.

“Many will be forced to drive hours to the closest branch in either Healesville or Mansfield – that is until they are also possibly closed in the future.

“This closure will have real implications for both the community members and businesses. I personally commend the local Alexandra District and Traders Association and community representatives who have formed a working group to review alternate services being brought to Alexandra to offer face to face banking.

“The ADTA has made it clear that they believe that having a bank branch in Alexandra is a critical service not just for residents but also for the many businesses that trade in Alexandra and the wider district.

“This is going to be a real challenge for our community going into the future,” Cr McAulay said.

Cr Damien Gallagher said: “Face to face banking is not for everyone, but there are those in the community who rely on the service and support of people to perform fundamental banking transactions.

“Whether you rely on such services yourself, or if you have friends, family, or neighbours who require local banking services, I encourage you to support them.”

Mayor Cr John Walsh said: “Advocacy in the local government environment is a frustrating pursuit.

“Clearly our efforts to have the National Bank reconsider its closure of the Alexandra Branch have not borne fruit.

“So, as is often the case in our communities the fallback position is “Self Help”.”

Cr Walsh said he was looking forward to the meeting in Alexandra to see if a communitybased solution was forthcoming.

“It is an opportunity for everyone in the Shire, not just Alexandra, to ask ourselves what am I prepared to contribute to ensure we can develop a complete, sustainable banking service for our Shirewide community.

“We all need to be prepared to change the bank we deal with. I have asked the CEO to investigate the options for Council to do so.”

Breakaway Bridge solutions

■ Murrindindi Shire Council CEO Livia Bonazzi says that it will be “many months” to complete solutions for the Breakway Bridge at Acheron.

“The Breakaway Bridge in Acheron has suffered significant damage, and access will be cut off for many months,” Ms Bonazzi told the latest Council meeting.

“Council has been advocating with State agencies to make this a priority project for funding, so that we can restore access. In the coming months we will work with our community on potential options and design solutions,” Ms Bonazzi said.

Cycle Dindi Cycle Dindi

40 new citizens

■ Forty residents have officially become Australian citizens after they pledged their loyalty at Mitchell Shire Council’s citizenship ceremony at Broadford on Monda last week (Mar. 27). The ceremony saw individuals and entire families receive their citizenship in a ceremony conducted by Mitchell Shire Mayor Cr Fiona Stevens.

● ● Yea Rotarians Julie Lynch, Anne Drysdale, Kristie Dowling and Glenda Woods, with visiting cyclists are pictured celebrating the success of Cycle Dindi last weekend. The Great Victorian Rail Trail event helped raise funds for local youth.

OUR TEAM

30 Yea players on the road

■ Golf Week 2023 saw the biggest turnout of Yea players with 30 players and 10 supporters travelling to Barham, Murray Downs and Cohuna over four days.

Day one at Barham saw Jeff Aurisch win with 40 points from Alan Pell second on CB from Anthony Coleman with 36. Fourth was Martin Lowe 34 on CB from Sam Wright and Gary Pollard.

4BBB winners were Jeff Aurisch/ JohnTanner 43 from second Vicki Clements/Gary Pollard 40 CB from Alan Pell/Bob Glenister third. Sam Wright/Mick Sheather were fourth with 40 also.

Day 2 at Murray Downs saw Jeff Aurisch on fire with another 40 points to win from Jeff Moss 37, Margie Wright 34 and Greg Clements 33.

Phil Armstrong/ Jeff won the 4BBB with 47 points from second Jeff Moss/Anthony Coleman 44 and Margie Wright.Greg Clements third with 43.

Day three back at Barham saw Alan Pell wth 38 points win from Bob Glenister 36, Jeff Moss 35 on CB from Sam Wright fourth, Margie Wright and Anthony Coleman all on 35.

4BBB winners were Margie Wright/ Judi Newman 46 from Tony Rule/Sam Wright 43 and Alan Pell/John Tanner 41 CB from Greg Clements/Jeff Moss.

Day 4 at Cohuna saw Bob Glenister win with 38 points from Meryl Connell 37 second. Third on CB was Anthony Coleman 36 from Rob

Happy Easter

Visit to Barham, Murray Downs, Cohuna

O’Halloran fourth and Vicki Clements 5th.

Best ball winners were Bob and Anthony with 46 from second on CB Rob O’Halloran/Vicki Clements 43, third Meryl Connell/Jeff Moss.

Overall results were: Margie Wright 101, Bob Glenister 102, Jeff Aurisch 105.

There was a three way tie for Champion of the Week – Jeff Moss, Alan Pell and Anthony Coleman all on 107. ★

Long Shots

Saturday saw the second round of the Barry Moore Stableford event.

The best score of the day was 37 points to John Phillips (21), with Brian Priestley (26) second with 35 ahead of Alan Pell (13) 34 third from fourth Kevin Coghlan (22) with 33 CB from Neil Peterson, Rick Wills and Martin Lowe.

Mick Sheather was NTP on the 2nd and Rob O’Halloran won the Club Award.

Cindy Armstrong (35) with 37 points won the Ladies from second Vicki Clements (23) with 28.

■ The Local Paper extends wishes to all for a happy and safe Easter break. As is our custom, there will be no issue next week (Easter Wednesday). The next print and online issues will carry the publication date of Wednesday, April 19.

Exhibition call

■ Applications for the 2024 exhibition program at the Eltham Library Community Gallery are now open.

Artists and curators are invited to submit ideas for solo, two-person and curated exhibitions.

Nillumbik Mayor Cr Ben Ramcharan: said :”The creativity of our local community is vast, and the ELCG is the perfect place for artists to have their work on show.”

“Nillumbik is known for its wealth of artists, who we look to support and platform wherever we can. I encourage artists to apply, so that the community can go along and support them and their upcoming shows.” Applications close Friday, May 26.

Good news: W’sea

■ The long-awaited Beveridge Intermodal Freight Terminal is a step closer following the announcement by National Intermodal of the acquisition of 1100 hectares of land. City of Whiottlesea Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson said the Council had been advocating to both Federal and State Governments for funding to see this important project come to fruition.

“We welcome the announcement that National Intermodal has exercised an option to acquire the land at Beveridge and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Aurizon as the foundation customer for the Beveridge Intermodal Freight Terminal. This is an exciting announcement for our community and provides certainty on the delivery of this much-anticipated project,” Ms Wilson said

At The House

with Ash Long, Editor

Celebrating 54 years in local media

Winner, Best Local Reporting Award Victoria-wide Westpac Award

Direct: 0450 399 932

E: editor@LocalPaper.com.au Web: www.LocalPaper.com.au

Personal: www.AshLong.com.au

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

This was the second of two stableford rounds for the Barry Moore Trophy on Saturday which saw 11 players qualify.

The top 7 were Mal Bett 61, Kev Coghlan 65, Greg Clements 69, John Phillips 70, Rick Wills 70, Brian Simmons 72 and Alan Pell 73 points.

- Alan Pell

■ Kinglake Ranges Neighbourhoos House has April activities including in workshops, courses and classes ncluding: Tie-Dyeing for Kids; Blacksmithing; Pottery Wheel; Impressionism; Painted Clay Fairy House; Feedbags with Boomerang Bags; Life Drawing and more.

A new round of the $250 ‘Power Saving Bonus’ started on March 24. Households whch received a PSB payment last year are entitled to apply again this year

To be eligible you must be a Victorian resident and named holder of a residential electricity account. Only one payment is available per household/round. Apply through the Victorian Energy Compare website: https://compare.energy.vic.gov.au/

If you would like support to apply, contact the Neighbourhood House on 5786 1301 to make an appointment with Nadia to assist you with your claim.

Mad Hatters Party

■ A Mad Hatters Party will be held from 10am-12 Noon, Thursday, May 25, at the Kinglake Library as part of the Cancer Council's Biggest Morning Tea. $5 entry includes morning tea, Fairy Freckles kids entertainer, raffles and fun.

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

Logistics: Graeme Hawke, Susan Karolyi, Gary McQuade

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

AFL OE fixtures

■ Outer East Football Netball League. Premier Division. Saturday, April 15. Pakenham v Narre Warren. Saturday, April 22. Olinda Ferny Creek v Upwey Tecoma. Monbulk v Woori Yallock. Sunday, April 23. Mt Evelyn v Wandin. Gembrook-Cockatoo: Bye.

Division 1. Saturday, April 15. Berwick Springs v Hallam. Emerald v Officer. Seville v Healesville. Belgrave: Bye. Division 2. Saturday, April 15. Powell-town v Yarra Junction. Broadford v Warburton Millgrove.

v

Yea footballers. Circa 1971. Photo: Peter Gillahan.

Local Photo Flashback

● ● Alan Pell receives Barry Moore Trophy from last year’s winner Phil Armstrong.

Alexandra Rebels

■ Tthe Alexandra Football Netball Club last Saturday (Apr. 1) hosted Tarneit from the Western Football League in two games of football.

The Rebels Reserves controlled the first half, kicking two goals in the first quarter and then four unanswered goals in the second quarter, the Under 16 players doing very well.

The Rebels added two behinds, being the only score in the third quarter, as the game became an arm wrestle between the respective back lines, the Rebels adding four goals to two in the last quarter with both teams having a good hit out.

The Seniors game had some great passages of play, new players settling in and the young players finding their feet, the Rebels kicking four goals to one in the first quarter before nine unanswered goals in the second quarter. The forwards finished off good work up the ground as players moved the ball with clean possession and good skills, all players getting involved.

The Rebels maintained a good work rate in the second half, adding four goals in each of the two quarters, another good hit out before the start of the season. A big thank you to our umpires, canteen and bar staff, and all of our volunteers for making it a great day, and special mention to the ladies for organising dinner for Tarneit who made a weekend of it.

This coming Thursday, training will be as usual and the bar will be open. Everyone has the weekend off for Easter. On Thursday, April 13 April we will have senior football jumper presentation after training and senior meals will also start for the season, as will the Joker Jackpot raffle.

All footballers need to register with Alexandra by clicking on the following link, https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/5ea08c follow the prompts but please be aware that you will need to pay $26 which goes to the League.

Senior football training is at 6pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Rebel Park, senior netball training at 6pm on Thursdays at Rebel Park. Everyone is welcome.

The Outer East season will start on Saturday, April 15, with Alexandra hosting Yarra Glen in games of football and netball at Rebel Park. Round 2 on Saturday, April 22, will be the ANZAC round and Alexandra will host Powelltown at Rebel Park. After the games the Club will hold the Dream Team Auction. Membership and sponsorship options are available so if you would like to support the Club, please contact Ray Steyger on 5772 2627.

If there is anyone interested in earning some extra money by central umpiring, goal umpiring or boundary umpiring for the League please contact Ray Steyger on 5772 2627 to register. Several junior footballers have done boundary umpiring in previous years so if youwould like to assist at Alexandra home games, please make contact.

Junior football jumper presentation for Under 14 and Under 16 teams will be at the Club rooms after training on Thursday, April 20. The Seymour District Junior League season will start on Sunday, April 23, with Alexandra hosting Seymour in games of football and netball. All junior footballers need to register with Alexandra Juniors by clicking on the following link and follow the prompts, https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/ce78e5

Ticks & Crosses

Work is underway to re-open Alexandra’s Shamrock Hotel. There will be a full renovation over the next six months including family friendly bistro, sports bar, Beer garden, outdoor games and spaces, Foxtel for football and TAB.

✔A Plenty man says he can buy all the Easter chocolates in the world with his sweet $2.5 million windfall in Tattslotto. The Nillumbik resident held one of the eight division one winning entries in TattsLotto draw 4349, drawn Saturday, March 25, and took home a total division one prize of $2,500,000. When asked how he planned to enjoy his life as a newly made multi-millionaire, the regular player shared it would help him achieve a number of lifelong plans. He bought the ticket online.

FOOTY STARTS FRIDAY

■ Local football makes its comeback on Friday (Apr. 7) with the Northern Football Netball League staging Macleod v Greensborough, Epping v Thomastown and Eltham v Panton Hill matches.

The remainder of the rounds will be played on Saturday, April 15.

Division 1. Hurstbridge v West PrestonLakeside. Montmorency v Whittlesea. North Heidelberg v Heidelberg. Bundoora v Banyule.

Division 2. Watsonia v Lower Plenty. South Morang v St Mary’s. Northcote Park v Diamond Creek.

Division 3. Saturday, April 15. Old Eltham Collegians v Mernda. Kinglake v Reservoir. Laurimar v Kilmore. Fitzroy Stars v Lalor. Heidelberg West: Bye.

The 2023 season sees Kinglake transfer from the Outer East Division 2 competition to the NFNL. Another Division 2 team, Yea, is unable to field Seniors, Reserves or Under 18 teams this year.

That competition starts on Saturday, April 15: Powelltown v Yarra Junction. Broadford v Warburton Millgrove. Alexandra v Yarra Glen.

Yarra Glen asked the Outer East League to return to the Division 2 competition. Yea netballers will transfer to Division 1.

Anthony is Grand Master

■ Anthony Bucca of Rosanna has become Grand Master of Victorian Freemasons in a ceremony held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Mr Bucca has been a member of the Freemasons men’s fraternity for more than 40 years.

Mr Bucca, and wife Anna, will lead the organisation for the next two years.

The ceremony was followed by a Grand Banquet with 600 guests. Overseas and interstate visitors also attended.

Milton Tsaktsiras of Eltham, Master of the Ivanhoe Grammarians Lodge, presented Mr Bucca with a Roman Empire oil lamp pottery piece.

Ash Long, publisher of The Local Paper group, was presented with the rare ‘Grand Master’s Order of Service’ award at the celebrations.

Fighting gender stereotypes

■ City of Whittlesea, DPV Health and Whittlesea City Basketball Association are launching a partnership project that aims to tackle gender-based stereotypes in basketball to create an equal, safe and healthy sporting environment.

The ‘GE3’ project secured $128,500 in funding from the State Government through a highly sought-after grant program that leverages community sport to prevent gender-based violence.

GE3 aims to engage men and boys in conversations about gender equity with a focus on healthy masculinities. City of Whittlesea Administrator Peita Duncan said GE3 was already attracting significant interest.

“We know community sports clubs give people of all backgrounds and ages a chance to share in a sense of belonging,” Ms Duncan said.

“The behaviours modelled by coaches and other role models in these clubs have a profound impact on the values and attitudes of young people and can be just as influential as parents and teachers.”

Jason Kelly , General Manager of the Whittlesea City Basketball Association, is excited to be among some of the top sporting associations in Australia delivering a program of this nature.

Mini Ads

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You can have a black-and-white 40mm h x 62mm w ad in The Local Paper for the remainder of 2023 for a total of $99. Covers Murrindindi, Yarra Ranges, Mitchell, Mansfield, Nillumbik (rural), Whittlesea (rural).

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PAIN RELIEF AND REJUVENATION

Back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain. Leg, knee, ankle and foot conditions. Shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand conditions Headaches including migraines. Cranial conditions including whiplash.

● ● Peita Duncan, W’sea Administrator

● ● Milton Tsaktsiras of Eltham with Anthony Bucca of Rosanna

● ● Billie Cvijetic, Kinglake FNC President

Odd Sock

■ Gabbi Bolt’s one-woman musical comedy show Odd Sock, part of this year’s International Comedy Festival, is an entertaining evening with a gifted performer.

An hour of original songs, stand-up routines and stories, all drawn from her personal experiences at work (music teacher, frontline retail, etc.) and home/family life, is delivered using an array of different performance techniques.

From the simplicity of her playing a ballad on the piano to dialoguing with a slideshow and ad libbing with audience members, Gabbi performs with great pizzaz and confidence, engaging the audience with her winsome personality.

With no accreditation for director or producer, it’s assumed that Gabbi herself puts the show together and it sometimes is the lesser because of it.

While there’s no doubting the great skill she has in writing and performing some fantastic songs, there are times when certain jokes feel strained or poorly timed, occasionally leaving some awkward pauses.

At other times she adopts a Brechtian performance style of commenting on her own work/performance which can bring laughs, as the audience gets the joke, or can backfire as audiences don’t get it.

Working with a director as an outside eye and adopting a more cohesive theme would strengthen and improve the show which, as it stands, feels slightly unformed/misshapen.

Either that or going in a different direction altogether, eg cutting out the stand-up stuff and relying solely on the songs or going further with the existing anarchic energy of the show, would also be interesting to explore.

Gabbi openly states that the show is a bit of a work-in-progress and keenly looks for and invites audience feedback.

Regardless, the bottom line is that Gabbi clearly has bucket loads of talent and this latest show displays that talent to great effect. Highly recommended.

Venue: The Butterfly Club, Carlson Pl (off Little Collins St)

Dates and times: 7pm Tues.-Sun. until April 23

Duration: One hour

Tickets: $28-37

Bookings: https://www.comedyfestival. com.au/2023/shows/gabbi-bolt-odd-sock

- Review by Peter Murphy

Green Room

■ This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Green Room Awards Association, and veteran actor and producer, Anton Berezin, has just been announced as incoming President.

Berezin is known for his roles in major music theatre productions such as Phantom of the Opera, Evita, Once, Wicked, Cats and The Producers and as co-founder of Life Like Touring and The Entertainment Store.

Berezin says: “It’s an incredible honour to work with the Green Room Awards, Melbourne’s peak theatrical body and the heart of our community.

“I’ve been in this wonderful industry for over 30 years, and the Green Room Awards ceremony continues to be the highlight of our theatrical calendar.

“This fabulous night is Melbourne’s opportunity to recognise, celebrate and promote the tremendous depth of talent our community has to offer. I’m looking forward to working with the Executive Team and Panellists to make the Awards even more relevant, more accessible, more entertaining and more meaningful to artists, producers and our audience.

“The Green Room Awards have an essential role to play in nurturing and growing our local industry and I’m thrilled to play some small part in the association’s future.”

In addition to a revised format for the Awards Ceremony, and a new audience and stakeholder engagement plan, the Green Room Awards Association have planned a series of events for announcement later this year.

The 2023 Green Room Awards Ceremony will take place in late May, with further announcements expected soon.

Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

MYSTERY IN A BLIMP

■ The Shift Theatre's production Mystery In A Blimp whisks the audience away on an unpredictable ride of madcap silliness, engineered by a team of masterly performers and creatives, and cleverly steered by innovative Melbourne playwright Nathan Curnow.

Presented at the atmospheric Bluestone Church Arts Space, Footscray, we meet blimp passengers who don't know where they're going, or how they got on.

Thrown into the crazy mix is the unravelling of various aspects of fringe theatrical culture, actors, audience, playwriting from collaborative page to stage, all dissected from an absurdist perspective but underpinned by truthful observation. Significant is the power of the writer.

Hershall (Gabriel Partington) awakens when the other passengers arrive, instantly engaging his audience with dynamic energy.

Jovial 'hyphenated' Richard (Brian Davison) is meant to be visiting his son, down-to-earth Eileen aka Nanna (Helen Hopkins) has brought lollies and forgets her grandson's name; expressive Veronica (Mia Landgren) believes she's on a mystery flight, and enigmatic Tori (Cristina Wells) quietly writes about 'feeling'. A rumoured mysterious German air hostess remains unseen.

After landing, the characters blame the writer for being stuck in nowhere, and Hershall doesn’t believe there is a writer.

Nathan (Lachlan Watts) arrives to reassure there is a writer and his sister Lorinda (Claire Nicholls) suggests more characters, while Nathan wants cost-cutting. Watts sensationally surprises as the murderous Protestant Reverend.

The powerful player in this show, the writer, instructs the cast to return to the blimp and act.

Kevin Hopkins directs a tight, pacey show, and has assembled a top cast of performers whose comedic timing and skilled theatre craft is imperative to achieving full potential in Curnow’s script.

Greg Carroll’s uncluttered set allows the actors to shine. Sue-Ellen Shook’s sharp choreography is particularly showcased in the final musical number.

Fortune cookies and a surprise appearance top off this discombobulating but fascinating audience experience.

Hopefully Nathan Curnow continues to write more in this crazy/clever Monty Python style.

Congratulations to all. www.theshifttheatre.com

- Review by Cheryl Threadgold

One Womb Please

■ Sarah Maree Cameron is debuting her first solo comedy show One Womb Please for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival from April 11-23 at Coopers Inn, Exhibition St, Melbourne.

The show tells of Sarah Maree’s story. After being diagnosed with Cervical Cancer and Endometriosis (plus other things to do with her pipes) Sarah Maree travelled down the path of IVF and now surrogacy. This is a show about her journey to motherhood.

Sarah Maree is an award-winning radio presenter and came out of the Melbourne lockdowns gigging hard supporting comics like Claire Hooper, Dave Thornton, Dave O’Neil, Harley Breen, Akmal Saleh, Sami Shah, Adam Rozenbachs and The Stevenson Experience to name a few.

She has toured Australia performing improv comedy shows at Perth’s Fringe World, Adelaide Fringe and Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Now Sarah Maree is ready to go solo and has been focusing on her stand-up comedy and debut show One Womb Please. She’s taken parts of the show to Australia and Canada and is ready to come full term in Melbourne.

Working as a sports host, Sarah Maree recently worked as a presenter at the Australian Open, is currently working with the WNBL and is about to start her 11th season hosting with Richmond Football Club.

● ● Lachlan Watts (Nathan) and Mia Landgren (Veronica) in Mystery in a Blimp.

Performance Dates: April 11-23 at 6.20pm

Venue: Coopers Inn, 282 Exhibition St., Melbourne

Tickets : www.comedyfestival.com.au/

- Cheryl Threadgold

Cabaret de Paris

■ Cabaret De Paris, a Parisian-themed revue, will be presented on May 19 and 20 at The Palms at Crown, Melbourne.

The show celebrates old-fashioned showgirl glamour combined with the skill of adagio dancers, aerial pole artistry, comedy circus performers, quick change acts, illusionists, and of course the famous French Cancan Dancers.

Joining the Cabaret De Paris troupe will be legendary showgirl singer, Rhonda Burchmore, who has performed across the world from London’s West End to New York’s Broadway, from Sydney Opera House to the Sydney Myer Music Bowl.

Producer and performer Michael Boyd said, "I am absolutely thrilled to bring back Cabaret de Paris. The last tour played to sell-out crowds and rave reviews. Our leading lady Rhonda Burchmore proved she really is the queen of Cabaret; her stage presence and polished performance brings a new twist to the show with her larger-than-life personality, Rhonda proves she is forever a Showgirl.

“You will see Rhonda wearing gorgeous frocks, singing French cabaret songs and even a burlesque strip number, oohh la la. In this tour we are going bigger than ever with some brandnew numbers, elaborate costumes, feathers, jewels and sequins that barely cover. Cabaret de Paris delivers just that and more - pure indulgence entertainment at its best.”

Rhonda will be joined by some of Australia’s leading showgirls, who have graced the stages of Moulin Rouge, the Lido and other French cabaret revues in this 90-minute production.

The show also includes illusionist and Australia’s Got Talent finalist Michael Boyd who will perform some of his greatest illusions, disappearances and magic.

Cabaret de Paris is choreographed by Australian dance leader Todd Patrick, who began his career with Disney, before working for Versace, Dior, Issey Miyaki, Gucci and Chanel, across Europe and Asia, along with some exciting new acts by choreographer Matt Browning.

Performance Details: May 19 and 20 at 7.30pm

Venue: Palms at Crown, Melbourne Bookings: https://www.ticketmaster.com. au/artist/2143018

What’s On In Real Life

■ Sam Lohs and Rosie Burgess are the comedy duet, the Tuck Shop Ladies.

They have cancelled their equine hairstyling classes to join together down in the dungeon of the Butterfly Club to entertain on electric ukulele and piano, and to perform some exceptionally silly songs.

Both have excellent musical chops and have worked as musicians for over 20 years.

Lohs is the lead singer, guitarist and songwriter of Adelaide indie folk rock band Fruit.

Multi-instrumentalist Burgess, meanwhile, enlisted Lohs to join her folk, roots and blues band, the Rosie Burgess Trio.

In their new show, In Real Life, Burgess and Lohs take the unfiltered random thoughts that pop into your brain and turn them into silly songs performed with perfect musicianship and faultless harmonies.

Think subjects such as why do we never see a pregnant pigeon, or how do you fold a fitted sheet?

There’s a song about a pen that won’t work and another about buying random stuff on the internet.

Musings about slipping into comfy trackies and suffering a wedgie, the wedgie that only dungarees with not enough crotch length can create.

Or the sheer pleasure of eating hot chips in your van.

There’s a singalong about addiction that turns out to be an obsession with cheese, complete with the entire audience adding an “ooh, ooh, cheese” chorus.

If you like the idea of turning your everyday life into a Broadway musical, the Tuck Shop Ladies will show you the way.

There’s even a giveaway door prize.

It’s super silly, but the Tuck Shop Ladies are also super fun.

- Review by Kathryn Keeble

Newretro

■ Lucy Guerin’s latest work combines elements of 21 years of past works performed over four gallery spaces.

For three hours, dancers traverse the different spaces as audience members wander through the galleries immersed in dance.

One gallery space has video screens and headphones showing original footage of all the works from 1996 to the present.

In Gallery 3, the audience watches individual dancers rehearsing.

A fascinating visual process where dancers learn Guerin’s choreography by watching a giant projection of the original work.

Gallery 4 featured two female dancers performing past and present works, such as Melt (2002), performed against a backdrop of Michaela French’s evocative motion graphics, or How to be Us , where dancers Samantha Hines and Lilian Steiner recreate Guerin’s 2022 work.

In the main gallery space, a mass of dancers fragment and divide into another to perform excerpts from all 21 works.

Sometimes offbeat and staccato, where the group divide and perform parts of works at either end of the vast gallery space.

At other times dancers merge with fluidity to perform works en masse.

Many of the 21 dancers in the ensemble have worked with Guerin from the beginning, including artists such as Antony Hamilton, Michelle Heaven and Lee Serle.

Besides the innovation and artistry revealed in the works, what amazes is the dancers' unremitting commitment.

The audience has an up close and personal view of the intense concentration and physicality it takes to dance continuously for three hours.

Newretro is undeviating in its mission to bring these combined works together as one. Daring and ambitious, it is exhilarating and a feast for those who choose to take up the challenge.

- Review by Kathryn Keeble

- Cheryl Threadgold

● ● Rhonda Burchmore

‘ESSENDON CHAMPIONS’ ON STAGE

● Simon Madden presents Essendon Champions from Thurgood to Hird, from April 26 to May 7 at Chapel off Chapel, Prahran.

Written and directed by award-winning playwright Neil Cole, Essendon Football Club’s dramatic and glorious history is re-lived through an encounter between the ubiquitous (and greatest ever?)

Bombers supporter Des Lane (a Vietnam veteran), and an intrepid, ambitious young journalist Mary Corrigan, hungry for a ‘scoop’ covering the Club’s 150th anniversary.Turn Inside for details

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Local TheatreObservations

Shows

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

■ Ballarat National Theatre: Dust and Run (by Alexandra Meerbach) April 14 – 22 at the Mt Rowan School Theatre, 453-457 Forest St., Wendouree. Director: Alexander Meerbach. Bookings: www.bnt.org.au

■ CPP Community Theatre: Sense and Sensibility (adapted by Kate Hamill, based on the novel by Jane Austen) April 15 – 22 at Boronia K-12 College, Performing Arts Centre, Albert Ave. Entrance, Parking at Rangeview Rd., Boronia. Director: Kathryn White. Bookings: https://cppcommunity theatre.com.au/

■ Eltham Little Theatre: Much Ado About Nothing (by William Shakespeare) April 21 –May 6 at the Eltham Performing Arts Centre, Main Rd., Research. Director: Matthew Freeman. Bookings: www.elthamlittletheatre. org.au

■ Wangaratta Players: Six Characters in Search of an Author, April 14 – 23 at The Stage Door Studio, 4D Evans Street, Wangaratta. www.wangarattaplayers.org.au

■ Williamstown Little Theatre: Jumpers for Goalposts (by Tom Wells), April 19 – May 6 at 2 -4 Albert St., Williamstown. Director: Bruce Akers. www.wlt.org.au

■ Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre: Barefoot in the Park (by Neil Simon) April 20 –May 6 at 39 – 41 Castella Street, Lilydale. Director: Pip Le Blond. Bookings:www.lilydaleatc.com

■ The Basin Theatre: Same Time Next Year (by Bernard Slade), April 20 – 30 at The Basin Theatre, Cnr. Simpsons and Doongalla Rd., The Basin. Director: Lisa McNiven. www.thebasintheatre.org.au

■ Malvern Theatre Company: Deathtrap (by Ira Levin) April 21 April – May 6 at Malvern Theatre, 29 Burke Rd, Malvern East. Director: Keith Hutton. Bookings: www.malverntheatre.com.au

■ Geelong Repertory Theatre: Extremities (by William Mastrosimone), April 21– May 6 at the Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation St., Geelong West. Director: Debbie Fraser. Bookings: www.geelongrep.com/extremities

■ Heidelberg Theatre: Molly Sweeney (by Brian Friel), April 21 – May 6 at 36 Turnham Avenue, Rosanna. Director: Joan Moriarty. Bookings: www.htc.org.au

■ Legends of the Skies Theatre: A Special Anzac Eve Performance Monday April 24 at 7.30pm at the Australian National Aviation Museum, Moorabbin. Quizzes, yarns, music, facts, games. Artistic Director: Maggie Morrison. Cabaret style. BYO drinks and nibbles. Tickets $20 or $140 table of eight. Bookings: Trybooking

Auditions

■ Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group (STAG): The Normal Heart (by Larry Kramer) April 30 at 7.00pm, May 2 at 7.00pm at the Strathmore Community Theatre, Loeman St., Strathmore. Director: George Benca. Enquiries: georgebenca@gmail.com

■ The 1812 Theatre: Of Mice and Men (by John Steinbeck) April 30 at 7.00pm at 3 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Malcolm Sussman. Audition information: admin@1812theatre.com.au

■ Brighton Theatre Company: Fracked! Or Please Don’t Use the F-Word! (by Alistair Beaton) May 21 at 7.00pm, May 23 at 7.30pm at Brighton Theatre, Cnr Carpenter and Wilson Sts., Brighton. Director: Alan Burrows. Audition enquiries: aburrow1@bigpond. net.au or 0412 077 761

Not Finished

■ Dickie Gross Productions presents the musical Not Finished With You Yet, as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival until April 16 at the Alex Theatre, 1/135 Fitzroy St, St Kilda.

What if you lived in a world where divorce was compulsory. But you were still in love? The show runs for 110 minutes, including a 20 minute interval. Parents are advised that the content may not be suitable for children.

Bookings: www.notfinishedwithyouyet.au

ESSENDON CHAMPIONS

■ Simon Madden presents Essendon Champions from Thurgood to Hird, from April 26 to May 7 at Chapel off Chapel, Prahran.

Written and directed by award-winning playwright Neil Cole, Essendon Football Club’s dramatic and glorious history is re-lived through an encounter between the ubiquitous (and greatest ever?) Bombers supporter Des Lane (a Vietnam veteran), and an intrepid, ambitious young journalist Mary Corrigan, hungry for a ‘scoop’ covering the Club’s 150th anniversary.

Bribery scandals, the war years, John Coleman’s suspension, Kevin Sheedy’s arrival, and the supplements saga are revealed through the eyes of some said to be the greatest to ever ‘don the sash’ including Albert Thurgood, Dick Reynolds, John Coleman, Kevin Sheedy and James Hird.

Playwright Cole weaves the controversies, challenges and triumphs for the Bombers across the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.

Directed by Alicia Benn-Lawler, this Neil Cole Production features Alec Gilbert, Nicola Pohl, Melanie Madrigali and Matthew Richard Walsh.

Costumes are by Romy Sweetnam, graphic design and set design by Sarah Yeung.

Madden says:“The play shows how resilient the supporters and the club have been over the years. It’s a great story.”

Performance Details: April 26 to May 7, Wed. to Sat. 8pm, Sun 5pm

Venue: Chapel Off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel St, Prahran

Duration: 70 minutes

Tickets: $49 full, $42 concession

Bookings: https://Chapel.sales.ticketsearch. com/sales/salesevent/106905 or call 8290 7000

Tickets available at door.

- Cheryl Threadgold

Sammy J

■ Laughing Stock Productions present

Sammy J performing in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival on April 6-9, April 13-16 and April 20-24 at times listed below, at The Forum, 154 Flinders St, Melbourne.

After five years, 200 episodes and countless legal threats Sammy J is stepping away from his weekly ABC TV spot - but not before throwing a giant party.

This is an opportunity to farewell Government Coach, Playground Politics, National Yoga, bush poet S.J. Paterson, Hookturnistan and more Sammy J is one of Australia's most versatile talents - political, musical, a master wordsmith, and funny and his work has been recognised with multiple awards, and recent nominations for Best Comedy at the AACTA awards and Best Comedy Release at the ARIA awards.

A proud nerd, Sammy J ditched his law degree to pursue a career in comedy. He’s since played in Edinburgh, Montreal and London; had a sitcom on Netflix; is one half of the man/ puppet comedy duo Sammy J & Randy; and has appeared each week on ABC TV in a variety of satirical sketches including Playground Politics and National Yoga.

His debut novel, The Long Class Goodnight, is out now through Hardie Grant Publishing, and his ARIA-nominated show Symphony in J Minor is streaming on Paramount+. He is currently the host of ABC Radio Melbourne’s breakfast show.

Venue: The Forum, 154 Flinders St, Melbourne

Dates: (Thurs. to Sun. only). April 6-9 at 6pm, Thu., 7 45pm, Fri./Sat., 5pm Sun. April 13-16 at 6pm Thu., 7 45pm Fri./Sat,. 5pm Sun. April 20 –24 at 6pm Thu., 7 45pm Fri./Sat., 5pm Sun.

Bookings: www.comedyfestival.com.au

More information: www.sammy-j.com

- Cheryl Threadgold

Lé Nør

■ Monash University Performing Arts Centres (MPAC) presents the Victorian premiere of Lé Nør [the rain] by Western Australian theatre company, The Last Great Hunt, on May 4 and 5 at 7.30pm. The Last Great Hunt is the multi-award winning ensemble behind Whistleblower, The Irresistible, It’s Dark Outside and Alvin Sputnik.

Their show New Owner has won several awards, including Outstanding Solo Show at New York Fringe Festival, Best Puppetry at Adelaide Fringe and Best Theatre Production at Auckland Fringe

For Lé Nør [the rain] the ensemble comes together again in what has been described as their most ambitious work to date.

In a similar vein to The Picture of Dorian Gray, Lé Nør [the rain] combines cinematic mastery and theatrical magic to create a multimedia extravaganza performed live on stage.

The large-scale theatre show invites audiences to see the onscreen story and the behindthe-scenes action in a celebration of 80s nostalgia set in the small island nation of Sólset - a once thriving metropolis in the northern seas, but now a decade-long drought-stricken community.

With only a few hopeful residents remaining, audiences will experience a heartfelt but hilarious climate change story about the endurance of the human spirit, romance, lust, love and heartbreak in a world that’s falling apart.

Tim Watts, Director, said: “Amidst this environmental calamity Le´ Nør [the rain] aims to celebrate the personal stories that we as humans love to hear and tell, and the stories that seem feeble yet somehow heroic in the face of impersonal and cataclysmic natural forces.

“It is a story about love, loss and heroism in a post-eco apocalyptic world, and we are thrilled to be bringing this incredible work to the East Coast for the first time.”

Co-creators of Lé Nør [the rain] are Gita Bezard, Adriane Daff, Arielle Gray, Chris Isaacs, Jeffrey Jay Fowler, Tim Watts, Matthew Edgerton (Director) and Jo Morris.

Performance Details: May 4 and 5 at 7.30pm

Venue: Alexander Theatre, The Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts Bookings: monash.edu/mpac - Cheryl Threadgold

Loaded

■ Almost 30 years ago, Christos Tsiolkas’s debut novel Loaded painted a portrait of a young man restlessly searching for himself in opposing worlds.

The story still resonates today, with migrant and queer communities as a reminder that you are not alone.

Ari (Danny Ball, A Beginner’s Guide to Grief) is 19 and unemployed—he doesn’t want to be gay and he doesn’t want to be Greek.

He doesn’t want to be anything. Drawn by the alluring pulse of Collingwood’s gay clubs, he finds an escape, and a family in the form of drag queens and one-night stands.

First adapted as the award-winning 1998 film Head On, then reimagined as an audio adaptation in 2020, Loaded takes the mainstage with director Stephen Nicolazzo (Looking for Alibrandi) joining writers Dan Giovannoni and Christos Tsiolkas (Merciless Gods) to present Ari’s anarchic odyssey that sees him travel the four corners of Melbourne.

Performance Details: May 5 - 28

Venue: Beckett Theatre, Malthouse Bookings: www.malthousetheatre.com.au

- Cheryl Threadgold

Media Flashes

■ Sydney radio man Doug Mulray has died at age 71.

■ Carla Jaeger is now a Sports Reporter at The Age. She was previously a Trainee Journalist with the paper

Redgum River Retreat

■ To stay healthy people need a good diet that gives bodies all nutritious needs. And so it is with books – readers need good mental and emotional nutrition from what toread to help create a rounded life.

Australian author Sandie Docker also believes this, and her latest novel The Redgum River Retreat manages to combine a page turning story with an exploration of important issues that will be familiar to many readers.

Sandie is well known for her uplifting stories about love, loss, family and small country towns, in her previous books The Banksia Bay Beach Shack and The Wattle Island Book Club.

The Redgum River Retreat is a story of hope, heartache and recovery from the worst life can throw at us. Set across two timelines, the story follows three generations of women as they confront their pasts and start to heal in the present.

Sandie loves writing these stories set in parallel eras, and gradually bringing the strands together in an always satisfying conclusion.

During the narrative of The Red River Gum Retreat, she explores issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, the healing power of music, and the concept of maternal sacrifice, as well as creating a vivid picture of life in World War II Australia. With Mother’s Day coming next month, The Red Rivergum Retreat would make a fine gift for special mothers.

Julie Houghton

Stella shortlist

■ The Stella Prize – a major literary award for Australian women’s writing – has announcde the six books that have been shortlisted for the prestigious prize.

This year’s shortlist features two works of non-fiction, a graphic memoir, one book of poetry, and two novels. Each of the shortlisted authors receives $4000 in prize money. For the first time, all of the books on the shortlist are published by small or independent publishers.

The Stella Prize is awarded annually to one outstanding book deemed to be original, excellent, and engaging. The winner – to be announced at a ceremony in Sydney on Thursday, April 27 – will be awarded $60,000 thanks to the generous support of the Wilson Foundation.

The 2023 Stella judges – award-winning author Alice Pung (Chair), Gomeroi writer Alison Whittaker, writer and editor Jeff Sparrow, and critics Astrid Edwards and Beejay Silcox – have selected the six outstanding books from over 200 entries spanning genre and form.

The shortlist is:

■ We Come With This Place by Debra Dank (Echo Publishing)

■ Big Beautiful Female Theory by Eloise Grills (Affirm Press)

■ The Jaguar by Sarah Holland-Batt (University of Queensland Press)

■ Hydra by Adriane Howell (Transit Lounge)

■ Indelible City by Louisa Lim (Text Publishing)

■ Bad Art Mother by Edwina Preston (Wakefield Press)

● ● ● ● Alec Gilbert and Nicola Pohl in Essendon Champions. Photo: Josh Lee

● ● Sandie Docker

REVIEW: MY FAIR LADY

■

Gilbert and Sullivan Opera

Victoria opened the 2023 season with a splendid production of the popular evergreen My Fair Lady at the Alexander Theatre, Monash University.

Book and lyrics are by Alan Jay Lerner and music is composed by Frederick Loewe. This production is based on the 2018 New York Lincoln Centre Revival.

The international award winning Director and Choreographer is Robert Ray and the Musical Director is Timothy John Wilson. Ballet Mistress is Justine Miles

This is a well known piece having been performed by many of the great actors which can be challenging to follow. GSOV introduced a freshness which worked well.

Lauren Lee Innis-Youren was a charming, delightful, feisty Eliza Doolittle and Ash Cooper gave a polished performance as the pompous and suitably selfish Professor Henry Higgins, who softened as the story continues.

The audience was treated to strong vocal and acting talents from both. Daniel Felton as the love struck Freddy Eynsford-Hill, gave us a beautiful rendition of the favourite On the Street Where You Live.

Keirin Murphy was an excellent Colonel Pickering and Ron Pidcock as Alfred P. Doolittle handled his role wonderfully, engaging the audience with his humorous antics.

The cast also included Jennifer Wakefield , Nicky Wortley, Andrew McGrail, Honi Walker, Stephen Capon, Sean Read and Robyn Licenblat, backed by a large chorus.

Congratulations to the production team responsible for the fabulous costumes, scenery, lighting and sound.

The orchestra under the baton of Timothy John Wilson was superb. Well done everyone. Lovely to enjoy one of the musicals, from another era, again.

Booking information: www.gsov. org.au

- Review by Jill Page

Dream House

■ There is a delightful quirkiness to Heather Valentine’s Dream House, based on the iconic fashion doll Barbie, that blurs the lines of reality and fiction.

For example, Barbie is real, she ran for President in 2004 and broke up with Ken, a like-minded fashion doll and her soul mate since 1961.

Over time, Barbie has been many things including pilot, dentist, astronaut, and President (if you can believe the fictional biography), just to name a few.

Despite her unrealistic measurements (a topic of great controversy) her motto if you can dream it, you can believe it – is empowering.

Barbie running for US President as

Dead For A Dollar

■ (M). 106 minutes. Now available on DVD.

Legendary director Walter Hill (now 81), who has made such impressive, some times iconic films such as Hard Times (1975), The Driver (1978), The Warriors (1979), The Long Riders (1980), Southern Comfort (1981), 48 Hrs (1982), Streets Of Fire (1984), Extreme Prejudice (1987), Red Heat (1988), Johnny Handsome (1989) and Geronimo : An American Legend (1993), returns to the Western genre with Dead For A Dollar, and while it isn’t up there with his best work, it still makes for pretty good viewing.

ment, made by a veteran who has most definitely left an indelible mark on cinema. I really hope there are still more films yet to come.

RATING - ***½

Jacob’s Ladder

■ (M) (1990). 113 minutes. Now available on Blu-ray.

A box-office failure when first released, this stylish and absorbing thriller has built up a considerable following over the ensuing decades, and deservedly so, as it offers up an unusual scenario that is superbly executed by a very talented cast and crew.

the Sparkling Party nominee against George W Bush Jr is pretty funny and great fodder for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Speakeasy Theatre provided the perfect venue, and while there were no boisterous belly laughs to be had, there was enough humour to tickle and entertain.

Dream House, a one-hand (not counting Barbie’s dresser) comedy theatre performance written and performed by Valentine, directed by Carl Whiteside, opens during Barbie’s nomination acceptance speech.

It is a rousing, but curiously selfreflective and exploratory oration regarding her relationship with Ken and her marital status.

Moments of enlightenment are interrupted by broadcast news flashes, an effective drama technique that reflects more negatively on the media than the sad, outdated reflections and mindset of Barbie

Valentine is a convincing Barbie and dramatically introduced different versions - aka Rockstar Barbie, Slumber Party Barbie - with different accents to great effect.

Each version revealed a little more of Barbie – a confusion of strength and weakness with plenty of gags about being plastic and her moon adventures.

It’s an adult show based on a toy, and that makes for perfect comedy but its current form felt a little slow and flat.

It could be a pace thing – with a little tightening and fine-tuning Dream House could be as plastic fantastic as Barbie herself.

- Review by Beth Klein

Max Borlund (two-time Oscar winner Christoph Waltz) is a renowned bounty hunter who has been hired by the wealthy Martin Kidd (Hamish Linklater), who promises him $2000 if he successfully tracks down and returns his wife Rachel (Rachel Brosnahan), who he believes has been kidnapped by army deserter Elijah Jones (Brandon Scott), who happens to be a person of colour.

The reality is something different, and that prospect alone angers Martin.

To make sure the mission is successful, Max is given support in Poe (Warren Burke) , a friend of Elijah’s who is an expert sharpshooter.

Potentially throwing a spanner in the works is Joe Cribbins (Willem Dafoe), a bank robber caught by Max who is about to get out of jail, and wants revenge.

Max’s views on his targets will change as he tries to carry out his task. Dedicated to the westerns of yore (and in particular director Budd Boetticher), Hill, while maintaining a general air of toughness that we’ve come to know from him over the decades, is in a more reflective mode here, looking at the way people, especially men, are supposed (or even allowed) to act in society, compared to what may be right and honest.

Hill deliberately plays around with what we know of him as a filmmaker, and while everything may not hit the bullseye, it is a knowing, very interesting approach that improves as the movie goes on.

The cast are generally solid, but Dafoe (who played the main villain in Hill’s Streets Of Fire), and particularly Waltz, are standouts. It’s deliberate pacing and many quiet scenes will disappoint those looking for frequent gunplay (even some Hill fans may be surprised at the film’s more sombre nature), but Dead For A Dollar (an admittedly irritating title, one almost suggesting a parody) is worthy entertain-

Tim Robbins plays Jacob, a postal worker who has been suffering PTSD for years after a traumatic tour during the Vietnam War, where he was seriously wounded. Currently living with his partner Jezzie (Elizabeth Pena), after the breakdown of his marriage years before, partly caused by the death of his son (a young Macaulay Culkin), Jacob begins to experience hallucinatory visions, while encountering unsettling confrontations which put his life in growing danger.

Other members of his platoon, including George (Ving Rhames) and Paul (Pruitt Taylor Vince), are experiencing the same visions, which could be traced back to experiments carried out on soldiers fighting in Vietnam

Offering possible explanations on what is occurring is the patient and understanding Louis (Danny Aiello). Jacob’s Ladder is not easy viewing, with stark, sometimes frightening images thrust at the viewer while its labyrinthine story plays out.

The script by Bruce Joel Rubin (Ghost, My Life), which sat on the studio shelf for years, is brilliantly constructed (and obviously inspired by TV shows like The Twilight Zone), wanting us to interpret what is going on, while sympathising with Jacob as he goes on a horrific journey. Director Adrian Lyne (Fatal Attraction, Lolita, Unfaithful, and who returned to the director’s chair after a two decade break with Deep Water) is thankfully on the same wavelength as Rubin, perfectly bringing the screenwriter’s words to the screen, creating many memorable images while never forgetting the plight of all the characters we are introduced to. Technically the film is outstanding, with incredible practical effects that pre-date CGI.

There will be viewers who will lose patience with Jacob’s Ladder, but for those who are prepared to invest in and concentrate on the story, this makes for highly rewarding, if undeniably intense, viewing.

RATING - ****½ - Aaron Rourke

● ● ● ● Lauren Lee Innis-Youren (Eiza Doolittle) in My Fair Lady.

● Heather Valentine as Barbie in Dream House.

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■ I guess that many of our readers would remember the Hollywood actor William Bendix from the films they saw during the 1940s and 1950s or in the American television comedy series, The Life of Riley.

Even when William played a gangster or heavy character there was always something likeable about him.

William Bendix was born in Manhattan in New York City in 1906.

William appeared in his first film at the age of five when his father got him a small role in a silent film at the Vitagraph Studios

In his teenage years he was known as ‘Bill’ to his friends and in his teenage years worked as a ‘bat boy’ for the New York Yankees.

He had fond memories of seeing the famous baseball player Babe Ruth in action.

William had an interest in acting and performed in plays with The Henry Street Players in New York

In 1927 he managed a grocery shop in New Jersey and married his sweetheart Theresa Stefanotti

Unfortunately the great depression of the 1930s put him out of business and he sought work as a professional actor.

In 1939 he was cast in his first Broadway play. William was 36 by the time he made his film debut after being spotted by Hal Roach and signed to a film contract.

His first film was Woman Of The Year in

Whatever Happened To ... William Bendix

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM

1942 which was the first teaming of Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn - so William was working with a top cast.

William Bendix was cast in many films during the early 1940s and his popularity was rising.

In his first year in Hollywood, William received a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his role in the film Wake Island

He appeared in two films with Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake - The Glass Key and The Blue Dahlia

His other notable films included Lifeboat, Two Years Before The Mast, The Babe Ruth Story (William played Babe Ruth) and Submarine Command

William starred in the radio version of the situation comedy The Life of Riley

He was unavailable for the television series and Jackie Gleeson starred in the first season.

The producers decided they wanted William for the second season because he was more well known as the character because of the radio show.

The Life of Riley became a huge television ratings success and ran for another five years.

I used to watch it on ABV2 in the late 1950s and I loved the show.

In his later years William made guest appearances on television shows such as The Untouchables, Riverboat, Mr Ed and Burke's Law William Bendix died of pneumonia in 1964 and was survived by his wife Theresa and their two daughters.

Theresa died in 1983 and they are buried together in a cemetery near Los Angeles

The inscription on his grave reads "Forever in our Hearts' and that just about sums it up for all the fans of William Bendix 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

MAYORAL EXHIBITION FOR MAROONDAH COUNCIL

Interior/Exterior

The 28th Annual Mayoral Art Exh ibition is a fundraiser for the Croydon Branch of the Bone Marrow Donor Institute and is supported by Maroondah City Council and the Ringwood East Community Bendigo Bank.

The theme for 2023 is Interior / Exterior. From architecture to open space or with portraits, depicting an outer appearance to capture an inner self, artists have been invited to explore interior and exterior worlds.

This is an acquisitive exhibition and Cr Rob Steane, Mayor, Maroondah City Council, and Ringwood East Community Bank will announce the s elected works at the exhibition launch.

The Mayoral Acquisition will be part of Maroondah City Council art collection.

On The Wild Side is a group exhibition featuring 18 artists from YourDNA Creative Arts, a creative arts school for neurodiverse adults living with a disability.

The artists have researched flora and fauna found in Maroondah City to create a range of 2D and 3D artworks depicting the characteristics of local plants and animals.

The exhibition includes paintings, drawings, mosaics and sculptures highlighting the importance of rare and endangered vegetation and wildlife living in Maroondah.

The exhibition aims to raise awareness of threatened species and give the opportunity to see the local natural e nvironment through the lens of neurodiverse artists and artist living with a disability.

Exhibitions close April 28. ★ Yours

The Maroondah City Council Art Collection is a resource of culturally and aesthetically significant works of art that tell the stories of Maroondah’s environment and the people, collected for the purpose of enriching community life through interpretive display.

The Collection has its origins in the merging of the cities of Croydon and Ringwood to become Maroondah in 1994.

At this time the art collections of these former cities combined num-

The Arts

tralian regional first-staging of one of the biggest productions in all the performing arts.

Wagner’s Ring Cycle is a 15 hour epic comprising four operas, the Ring Cycle is staged there times over a total of six weekends, complimented by gala dinners, symposiums, recitals’ intimate concerts and more across the six week program.

Cycle 1 has finished but Cycle 2 is from April 7-16 and Cycle 3 is from April 21.

The festival program is being held at unique venues around the City of Bendigo, such as the heritage church and mansion at Langley Estate, Deborah Gold Mine (entry via the mine shaft, hard hat on), inside the National Trust listed Capital Theatre and more.

bered 140 works, mainly paintings by local artists associated with this region.

Since then the Collection has grown to include over 450 contemporary and historical works across all mediums.

Finding particular strengths in First Nations painting, photography and print practices, collectively this resource is an expression of community aspirations, pride and shared belief and commitment to art and culture having a prominent place in everyday life.

Yours. The Maroondah City Council Art Collection presents key artworks drawn from the collection at ArtSpace for the first time.

Works range through techniques of Painting, Photography. Works on Paper. Sculpture and Ceramics.

They celebrate the contribution artists working within the region and beyond, have made in defining Australian culture and identity.

Exhibition closes May 21.

Maroondah Federation Estate Gallery

Ringwood Town Square Ground Floor 179 Maroondah Hwy, Ringwood

Ring Cycle Festival

■

Opera lovers will not want to miss free full day Wagner Symposium on Saturday April 22 and the Wagner Lord of the Ring concert on Saturday afternoons throughout the program.

Melbourne Opera’s Ring Cycle Festival

Ulumbarra Theatre

10 Gaol Rd, Bendigo - Peter Kemp

Metro Comic Con in July

■ Melbourne will host a brand new pop culture convention this year, with entertainment expo Metro Comic Con set to hold its inaugural show over one big weekend from July 8-9.

There will be guests from one of the most iconic Spielberg movies of the 80s, a beloved smallscreen genre show of the noughties and a buzz-worthy series streaming right now — Henry Thomas (E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial), Majandra Delfino and Brendan Fehr (Roswell), and Katy O’Brian (The Mandalorian).

Metro Comic Con is taking over Melbourne Showgrounds on July 8-9. More guests will be announced soon, along with information on panels, exhibitors and other activities.

Tickets will go on sale later this month.

- Contributed

■ Johnny Depp has had enough of courtrooms of recent times, so he flew to the UK and is currently taking it easy on his 856-acre property in Somerset. He's out of the spotlight, living a life of solitude in his $13 million mansion of 12 bedrooms, eight bathrooms and all the usual trimmings.

Local editions of Grand Designs

■ The ABC is currently producing a series of Grand Designs Australia for broadcast locally on ABC, not Foxtel.

Dream comes true

■ Aussie country and western group, the French Family Band, were recently honoured with a performance at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. The band of Mum, Dad and three teenage kids moved to America three years ago, going from small time gigs to headlining at the Grand Ole Opry. Where to next? They are a mighty talented band.

Andrew Lloyd Webber mourns

■ There has been a sad loss in the Andrew Lloyd Webber family with the death of Andrew's son, Nick. Cause of death: gastric cancer. Nick was a talented musician.

Uni students invent new drink

■ Three inventive Melbourne university students have discovered a new fruit flavoured seltzer drink that makes use of odd shaped fruit that supermarkets and greengrocers reject. Branded Wonki, the drink comes in a variety of flavours when in season, thus saving odd shaped fruit from becoming landfill . Great idea, cheers all round.

Vake Keith Reid

■ Keith Reid, founding member of Procol Harum, has died aged 76. He was co writer of 'You're The Voice', adapted locally by John Farnham. - John O’Keefe

Johnny Depp turns farmer

with Peter Kemp

OK. With John O’Keefe

● ● William Bendix

He was good at comedy and was wonderful working opposite Bing Crosby in A Connecticut \Yankee In King Arthur's Court where he sang Busy Doing Nothing with Bing and Sir Cedric Hardwicke.

● ● Johnny Depp

Stateside with Gavin Wood in West Hollywood

LOS ANGELES DEBONAIRE IN MELBOURNE

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

Karin Paulsen arrives

■ It is a great privilege to belong to the Melbourne Debonaires and then continue my journey over to Los Angeles and hook up with the L.A. Debonaires.

This group of entertainers and like-minded people meet every month to catch up and support their main charity, “Support Act” which helps musicians and entertainers when they need a kind hand to support them in their darkest times.

The L.A. Debonaires was headed up by Max Merritt and we had great times with him until his death.

The L.A. group in now headed up by Karin Paulsen who has been in L.A. for over 28 years.

Karin worked at the Beverly Glen Deli for many years, home of so many Hollywood stars. I remember sitting there one day and five camera crews descended on the deli to cover the Kardashians coming in to order an ice cream.

Rod Stewart, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanly, Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys are all frequent customers. It was wonderful to catch up with Karin on her visit to Melbourne. We had a great lunch at the Emerald Hotel in South Melbourne.

Tech giants stronger

■ For the first time since 2014, Meta and Google are on track to represent less than half of US digital advertising spend, grabbing 48.4 per cent of the market this year, per Axios.

The space has grown especially crowded, partly out of necessity, as Apple’s privacy changes have made it harder for companies to track activity across apps and target ads.

Though billed as a push for privacy, Apple has seemingly used the move as an opportunity to build out its own ad network across its apps.

Other platforms and retailers with reliable first-party data have also launched their own ad services, including Uber, 711, Walmart, CVS, Chewy, Home Depot, Dollar Tree, Marriott, and more, further crowding the market.

There’s also TikTok, expected to earn $8.6B in ad revenue in 2024, and Amazon, which has done what Amazon does best, building a $30B+ advertising business on top of its retail and media offerings.

WWE beats competition

■ The market’s getting absolutely bodied by pro wrestling: While 2022’s been a year of crimson red for much of the market, World Wrestling Entertainment has been flexing its muscles.

What’s happening? Because the company’s revenue primarily comes from long-term media rights deals and live events, it isn’t particularly impacted by the advertising slump now hurting many other media companies.

With its devoted global fanbase, investors are eyeing WWE as a hot acquisition target at a time when niche sports are on the rise.

Think Formula One, for instance. With TV rights deals with Fox and Comcast set to expire in 2024, and an exclusive streaming deal with Peacock ending in 2026, expect there to be a media wrestling match for the next home of WWE content.

Crime up in NYC

■ Fatal stabbings and slashings are up an alarming 37 per cent in the Big Apple this year.

The NYPD has logged 96 blade-involved killings so far in 2022, compared with 70 for the same period in 2021, according to department stats.

Stabbings and slashings overall are up 10 per cent in 2022, with 4344 compared to 3954 in the previous year, the stats show.

The disturbing data, which cover January 1 to December 11, come as NYC was racking up 16 per cent fewer shootings, which dropped from 1757 to 1474 so far this year.

“Not everybody can buy a gun, so what’s the next best thing everyone has access to? A knife,” observed Michael Alcazar, a retired NYPD detective who is now an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice

“There isn’t real consequences if you get arrested with a knife; it’s probably just a misdemeanour and you’re going to be given a smack on the wrist,” he added.

Out and About

Gone in 38 seconds

■ A crew of masked thieves pulled off a brazen smash-andgrab heist at a high-end Brooklyn jewellery store making off with up to $2 million in gems in less than a minute. Employees and shoppers were still inside Facets Jewellery in Park Slope, New York, when the three crooks stormed in, threatened to shoot a worker, and began smashing display cases with hammers, police, and witnesses said.

“I am shocked,” shop owner Irina Sulay said. “Honestly, it’s very scary. I couldn’t even talk yesterday. I was hyperventilating, crying, sobbing, and shaking.”

“The whole thing lasted 38 seconds. They took two and a half full cases of diamond engagement rings, newer pieces we’ve designed in-house, and pieces we’ve collected art deco and Edwardian rings,” she said. “I want to say 100 rings,” Sulay said the stolen goods are valued at between $1 million and $2 million.

Splash Mountain latest

■ Disney World’s iconic Splash Mountain ride just went on its final run, and some people are not happy about it. Fans took to social media to share a retrospective of the water ride’s decades-long past, including footage of the doors to the ride closing for the very last time.

The hashtag “goodbyesplashmountain” currently has 1.7 million views on TikTok

“I will miss you forever. Goodbye, Splash Mountain,” one video caption read. Another video noted that the line to board the ride was two hours long on its last operating day. Enterprising park visitors allegedly took water from the log flume and were reselling it on eBay for up to $50 per bottle. The ride opened in 1992 and has been a popular staple of Disney World’s Magic Kingdom ever since, with celebrities like Princess Diana going for a ride. But the company announced in 2020 that it would shut down Splash Mountain, which was accused of having racist themes, in favour of creating a more inclusive Princess Tiana-themed ride in its place.

Gut health for MS

Not tech savvy

■ Spotify became the latest tech giant to shrink its staff, announcing it would cut 600 workers, or 6 per cent of its workforce.

That brings the total number of tech layoffs in 2023 to 57K, following 159K in 2022.

The Great Reduction is happening in a labour market that, for the most part, is humming along just fine.

Why is it 2023 for most industries and 2000 all over again for tech?

For one thing tech companies hired a ton of employees from 2020 to early 2022, when it seemed Americans might never leave their homes again.

Alphabet said it would slash 12K jobs after adding 30K+ jobs in 2022, per the Wall Street Journal.

Microsoft said it would cut 10K jobs last week after adding 40K in the last fiscal year.

Basically, tech companies are backing away from staff counts they believed were necessary for a tech-centric future that hasn’t come to fruition.

California, here you come

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

Please contact: Jennifer at info@ramadaweho.com

Happy Holidays, Gavin Wood

■ Several genetic and environmental factors cause multiple sclerosis and a new report suggests these may include eating meat and having a less diverse gut. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects millions of people worldwide. There is no singular cause of MS, but some research suggests outside factors such as where a person lives or their diet can influence their risk of having it.

Gut bacteria are of particular interest because certain bacterial species regulate the immune response and are affected by a person’s diet. The team studied the gut microbiome, immune response, diet, and blood metabolites of 25 people with multiple sclerosis and 24 healthy people who served as a control group.

The strongest association towards multiple sclerosis came from eating meat. People who eat high amounts of meat were more likely to have lower amounts of Bacteroides the taiotao micron in their microbiome. This bacterial species plays an important role in breaking down carbohydrates from vegetables.

Lock up detergents

■ Desperate Bronx grocers are cracking down on serial thieves by slipping steel chains through the handles of laundry detergent bottles and securing them with padlocks, a new low in the shoplifting scourge across the Big Apple.

“I put the detergent in jail,” lamented Jose Dario Collado, owner of Yankee Food Deli in University Heights, which began locking up $27.99 bottles of Tide and $12.99 containers of Dreft because thieves were cleaning up to the tune of at least $1000 a month in detergent alone.

“Before the pandemic, New York was the best. Now, I don’t know what happened to the people,” huffed Collado. Four miles away at Pamela’s Green Deli in Crotona Park East, the ‘Tide’ has also turned.

Near the back of the store, $21.99 bottles of Gain and $6.99 bottles of Era detergents are secured with a yellow chain and Tuff Stuff padlocks.

● ● ● ● Pictured: Film director Rod Hardy, L.A. Debonaires Karin Paulsen, Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites Managing Director Alan Johnson and Countdown Motion Pictures founder Gavin Wood.

Across Across Down Down

148. Contagious outbreak

149. Crisscross weave

150. Diaper

152. Chat-show hostess, ... Winfrey

154. Speaker

157. Mongolian desert

158. Announce (4,3)

162. Eye membrane

163. Legless grub

166. Timber fastener

167. Twig shelter

169. Immediately following

171. Oriental continent

172. Violet/blue

173. Male deer

175. Bumpkins

176. Skid Row drink

179. Lusaka is there

180. Cutting beam

182. Relaxation art, t'ai ...

183. Adult education group (1,1,1)

184. Portion

186. Doctor's ... manner

189. Ganges country

190. Last Greek letter

191. Milan opera house, La ...

192. Swirling 196. Stagger

197. Hitler follower 198. Casablanca is there

199. Popular hymn (3,5)

201. Boatman

202. Seepage

203. Harsh-tasting

204. Pre-dinner sherry

205. Touched with lips

208. Defeated

210. Unaffected

211. Sheet of glass

212. Go back in (2-5)

213. Consequently

215. Vending machine

219. Dame Nellie ...

221. Belittle

223. Criminal fire-starters

227. Pastry snacks, Cornish ...

228. Harms

230. Two times

231. Cardiac organ

232. Indian leader, ... Gandhi

233. Lady's title

234. Redesign (hair)

238. Manoeuvring space

239. Enchant

240. Most timid

243. By mouth

246. Raises (5,2)

247. Requirements

250. Mountainous

251. Ancient

253. Length measures

256. Day-to-day

257. Granted

258. Merriest

262. Single sound system

263. Drive off

266. Dowdy

268. Slandered

269. Sleeker

270. Slender toughness

271. Long race

272. Gist (of story)

273. Argentina's Buenos ...

274. Beatles, The ... Four

1. Extra serving (3-2)

2. Noodle food

3. Welsh vegetables

4. Non-coms (1,1,2)

5. Swiss city

7. Cockerel

133. Outspoken

134. SE France river

137. Extremely

138. US naval port, San ...

141. Star, ... Centauri

142. Cymbals sound

143. Failed to (4'1)

151. Golfer, ... Palmer

153. Astonished

155. Cowgirl, ... Oakley

156. Fuses (of bones)

159. Somalia's neighbour

160. Receipt

161. Not moved (by argument)

164. Crippled

165. Pungent bulb

168. Intensify (of war)

170. December conifer (4,4)

173. Ceylon (3,5)

174. Letter recipient

177. Fellow players

178. Bridging

181. Vigorous exercise classes

185. Career barriers, glass ...

186. Blitz

187. Makes gloomy

188. Tilt

193. Expressionless

194. Sloping typeface

195. Slums

200. Gains entry to

201. Dirtily

206. Prisoners

207. Fabric retailers

208. More cocky

209. Stiffly

211. Financed in advance

214. Ground oats

216. Massive

217. Illegal hunter

218. Britain's 1066 invaders

220. Non-clergy

222. In vain, to no ...

224. Giving green light to

225. Unsuitably

226. Abnormal tissue growths

229. Bargain sell-off

232. Man

235. Heavenly

236. Bell-shaped flower

237. Government supporter

241. Rugby fending move (4-3)

242. Slipped by

244. Greed

245. Boarders

248. Second book in Bible

249. Air pollution

251. Betting chances

252. Stage-plays

253. Childhood swelling disease

254. Hawk's claw

255. Famous Swiss mountain

259. Flooded (of decks)

260. Anaesthetic

261. 1000 kg unit

262. The M of YMCA (3'1)

264. Canadian lake

265. Female sheep

267. Baseballer, ... Ruth

Crossroads

By Rob Foenander info@countrycrossroads com.au

The Soldier

■ Local singer songwriter Brendan McMahon has a new song to add to his ever increasing catalogue of original work.

I HearYour Voice - The Soldierwas written as a dedication to the brave young soldiers who've left their loved ones over the years to fight for the country they love and have paid the ultimate price. The song will be released to radio early April. More info at www.brendanmcm.com

Coming Up Roses

■ Comedian Tania Lacy’s Everything’s Coming Up Roses’ show covers everything from clown porn to hair curtains, yobbo birds to happy endings, Tania is relentless in her desire to find the 'roses' moments in all life dishes out. Fresh from rave reviews at Adelaide Fringe, she performs in her old stomping ground at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival from March 27 to April 9, and at Sydney Comedy Festival , May 3 and 5.

Wildest Thing

■ Bellarine Peninsula based Nathan Seekts has released his new single The Wildest Thing. Nathan says the song is about the wildest girl thathe ever met.

A whirlwind romance borne under neon and moonlight. It’s a soaring, anthemic altcountry rock and roll tale of lovers that come crashing into your life at night, but are long gone before the sun comes up. More info www.nathanseeckts.com

- Rob Foenander

CASE NUMBERS AT GREEK CENTRE

■ How complicated can a locked briefcase be? “It’s a show for comedy lovers who prefer their humour to be witty” so claims writer/performer Dylan Cole.

Dylan further said: “The idea of creating a show based around cracking a code to a briefcase was always an interesting premise to me”.

So, with a string of past award winning shows at the Adelaide Fringe and the Edinburgh Festival, Cole set about having an hour of a show without a beginning, a middle that is entirely pointless and one that has no ending. In fact, he had to tell us to leave.

In having several false starts he was quick to offer some fourteen disclaimers on screen, many contradictory disclaimers of the former disclaimer.

Particularly that it was not a comedy, and the lies he would tell were all true.

We were then faced with a ride of confusion, uncertainty as to where it was going as we ventured along the path of the Cold War, Russian and American submarines, our own commitment with AUKUS and dragging Putin down, likening him to a ‘baboons bottom’.

The previous Federal Government didn’t escape unnoticed and the current Government fell short in funding the arts, all without a mention of the briefcase that sat conspicuously at the forefront of the podium.

From his childhood days he had a liking for spy films and anything with James Bond and great admiration for that Scottish actor that played the captain of a Russian submarine (The Hunter for Red October)– all of which he had on VHS allowing him to bring us closer to unravelling the code an open the briefcase in true 007 style.

How he gets to open should remain a mystery for future audiences, suffice to indicate there is more than one case, more than one code and a surprise once the ultimate case is opened.

Complex, repetitive with twists and turns and a well-constructed entertaining narrative that Dylan Cole kept us fully engaged for the journey.

Performance Details: Until April 9. Tues.-Sat. 8pm, Sun 7pm

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

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

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

Review by Graeme McCoubrie

Midnight

■ One of Australia’s favourite performers, Shane Jacobson, will star as The King in Midnight, a major new musical set to open at the Com-

edy Theatre in Melbourne in June, joining co-stars including Lucy Durack, Thomas McGuane, Verity Hunt-Ballard, Raphael Wong, Kristie Nguy, Melanie Bird with Matt Lee and more.

Also joining Shane Jacobson in the star-studded line-up are the four young performers who will be playing the role of Stella, Alberta Brudan, Elisha Villa, Liv Jacobson and Isobel Lauber.

These performers won the coveted roles after being part of a national open casting call with hundreds of applicants from all over Australia.

“As a father of children in particular a daughter I love the way Midnight frames the story of Cinderella – it’s not a girl waiting for some Prince to come down and save her.

“He’s got to prove his worth and it’s the Cinderella story told in a way that has never been seen before,” Shane Jacobson said.

“To have my own daughter Liv join me in this production is pretty special. She’s been working really hard in her acting classes for the past three years and we’re incredibly proud of her and can’t wait to see what she does with the role of Stella. To say my wife and I are excited for her would be an extreme understatement,” he said.

Shane Jacobson is one of Australia’s most loved, award-winning actors, presenters and entertainers. His incredible and varied

career spans over 40 years both here at home and internationally, with screen highlights including Kenny; Charlie and Boots with Paul Hogan; Hollywood blockbuster The Bourne Legacy; the hugely popular Oddball; The Dressmaker (2015); Bruce Beresford’s Ladies in Black; Beaconsfield; Jack Irish; Top Gear Australia; Little Big Shots; The Real Full Monty and Australia’s Got Talent.

On stage, Jacobson’s career highlights include a Helpmann Award for Best Male in a Supporting Role for ‘Nicely Nicely’ in the 2008 revival of the musical Guys and Dolls, The Drowsy Chaperone (2010), Shane Warne – The Musical (2013), Mother and Son (2014), The Rocky Horror Show (2018) and the soon to be completed national tour of Hairspray, as the beloved housewife Edna Turnblad.

Midnight - The Cinderella Musical premieres at the Comedy Theatre in June for a strictly limited season.

With music/lyrics by John Foreman (Aussie Pops Orchestra, Carols By Candlelight) and Anthony Costanzo (Life’s A Circus, Cross Roads) and featuring an exclusive song by Kate Miller-Heidke (Muriel’s Wedding), Midnight is a magical romantic comedy that will delight audiences young and old.

Comedy Theatre, Melbourne. - Contributed

LARVA C U UNCUT HEARTENED

A P N B RATS ITALIAN POSY R E I E

VALIDITY PYTHON T T ENIGMA JMBARRIE

A I S U O E U FETED A R L C M V P

RANSOMS SURETIES DISTRACT HOSTAGE

I T O EXIT O S R L S U D IOTA U N S

ARSENAL LEIGH MAIMS RHINE IMPLANT

I N KYLIE D ICE S OUI N SCARY E I

AGASSI A SUSAN NOBEL SIGHT L REARED

I U MOBY P MELT O VATS O OMIT R C

ADVERB O UPTO ASUNDER ROCK O LANCED

D O HOCUS E U B L I T A H KNEEL L I

MACHO R PRINTOUT EPIDEMIC D PLAID

I A NAPPY M T U R G S L M OPRAH N N

TALKER A GOBI READOUT IRIS A MAGGOT

N N NAIL S NEST O NEXT N ASIA A N

INDIGO N STAGS

HARNESS RACING FROM AROUND VICTORIA

■ Popular Maryborough commenced the week with a massive eleven race card.

Dunnstown’s David Murphy a regular at the t rack was successful in the Benstud Back Straight Maiden Pace over 2190 metres with 4Y0 Always B Miki-Misty Forever mare Always Skye Hight who broke her duck at start number nineteen.

Enjoying a lovely passage from the pole following the leader Judes Dude (gate two), Always Skye High finished best along the sprint lane to prevail by 2.1 metres in a mile rate of 203 over the pacemaker, with Di Angelo (one/ one – three wide home turn) third 6.4 metres away.

■ Meredith co-trainers Emmett and Richard Brosnan were winners on the day when 8Y0 Peak-Baltic Sun mare Baltic Spirit scored in the Aldebaran Park Trotters Mobile over 2190 metres.

Driven by Emmett, Baltic Spirit ran home best off a three wide trail in the last lap from mid-field to record a neck margin over a deathseating Menawa in a rate of 2-03.1. Lady Be Lucky used the sprint lane from three pegs to be third 7.4 metres back.

■ Great Western trainer Brad Hunt combined with Michael Bellman to land the World’s Best Hoof Oil Pace over 1690 metres with 7Y0 Rock

N Roll Heaven-Wattabout A Smile gelding

Rocknroll Opal, leading throughout from gate four to defeat Atego Shades which trailed by 4.5 metres. Island Caesar (three pegs) was third 1.1 metres back. The mile rate 1-56.5.

■ Miners Rest part-owner/trainer Gary Murnane combined with ‘Herbie’ Herbertson to snare a double during the afternoon with a pair of four year old Safari geldings.

Senna Storm a daughter of Beried Alive leading throughout from gate six to take the 2190 metre Thank You Lynda Clausen @ Dulux Pace by 1.3 metres from Treacherous Reign which trailed using the sprint lane, with Powerlinc (one/ two) third a half head away third. The mile rate 2-00.7, while Top Gun Ted (Tara Toplady) after racing uncovered from gate five crossed the leader Best Back Bruce to assume control, before handing over to Hanging Fire when tackled soon after.

Coming away from the inside on turning, Top Gun Ted finished best to defeat the fast finishing We Bettor Believe It (one/three – three wide last lap), with Hanging Fire holding down third. The margins a half neck by two metres in a mile rate of 1-57.9.

Win at home track

■ Local Bolinda reinsman Chris Alford produced the ’drive of the night’ to land the MC Security Vicbred Pace over 2180 metres aboard the Craig Demmler (Parwan) trained 5Y0 Rock N Roll Heaven-Mach Robyn mare Heavenly Gipsy at his home track Kilmore on Tuesday. Settling three back in the moving line from gate four on the second line, Alford sent the mare forward with a rush at the bell to cross the poleline pacemaker Merry Dancer and led for the rest of the journey, scoring by a half neck over Mitzi Said (three pegs) and Merry Dancer who was 3.5 metres away third. The rate 200.4.

■ The fast class Worlds Best Hoof Oil Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres was taken out by Campbells Creek trainer Bradley Cross’ 9Y0 D own Under Muscles-La Poeme gelding Downunder Barkers driven by Ellen Tormey. Coming off a tailed off eleventh in the Echuca Cup the previous Friday when galloping wildly. Downunder Barkers did everything right on this occasion after settling one/one from gate four trailing the hot favourite Tripod (gate six) which faced the breeze after Rakero Blaze usually slow to begin flew away from outside the front line to lead.

Angling three wide in the last lap, Downunder Barkers was too strong at the finish, accounting for Rakero Blaze easily by 9.5 metres in a rate of 2-00.7. Baxter (three pegs) was third 8.2 metes away after easing three wide on the final bend.

■ Derrinal trainer/driver Glenn Bull loves racing at Kilmore and snared the 1690 metre Garrards Horse And Hound Pace with 4Y0 Bettors Delight-Freedom Is gelding Very Tempting.

Harness Racing

raced outside him coming to the home turn, Our Vincent Can Gogh fought on strongly to record a 3.1 metre margin over Cocora returning a mile rate of 1-58.7. Keayang Moroccan used the sprint lane from last on the markers for third 3.2 metres back.

Last lap wide run

■ Two meetings Thursday Cobram and Ballarat.

At Cobram Echuca part-owner/trainer Susan Hunter landed the Cobram Barooga Beaches Festival Easter Sunday Pace over 2170 metres with Lethal Lover, a 6Y0 daughter of Pet Rock and Lethal Kiss.

with Len Baker

len-baker@ bigpond.com

Beginning quickly from gate two as most of the Bull team do, Very Tempting although pressured by the favourite Joey Hangover at times, gave plenty on turning to record a 2.5 metre victory over Joeys Hangover which battled on courageously, with Calypso Mistress (one/two –three wide last lap) third 4 metres back. The mile rate 1-58.8.

■ The Strathfieldsaye Anderson Racing Team produced a new Kiwi by the name of Rimu Valley, a 5Y0 Hes Watching-Rata Valley gelding to capture the Beraldo Coffee Pace over 2180 metres restricted to concessional reinspersons. Trained by Julie Douglas and driven by Adrian Pace, Rimu Valley led all of the way from gate four in defeating Speedy Spida (gate five) which trailed after an unsuccessful bid for the lead. Direct Command (one/one – three wide last lap was third. The margins 4.3 metres by a head in a mile rate of 1-59.

■ Another Bendigo winner was Alex (Alby) Ashwood’s trained and driven Feels Lika Boss in the 1690 metre Jet Roofing Pace. A 5Y0 gelded son of Mr Feelgood and Shez Juslika, Feels Lika Boss was quicky away from an inside second line draw to possie one/two before going forward to race exposed outside the leader Frank Burns, outstaying his rivals to greet the judge by 2.1 metres from Kidwithagrin which used the sprint lane off the back of the pacemaker which held down third 2.2 metres back. The mile rate 1-59.3.

Eighth success

■ Bendigo raced on Wednesday with another ten race program and happy days arrived for Grenville’s Moss Family when speedy 11Y0 Angus Hall-Rangitawa gelding Well Deserved scored in the $7,000 Prydes Easifeed ‘The Thirties’ Trotting Final over 2150 metres. T rained in partnership by Greg and wife Debra, Well Deserved having start number 107 raced by daughter Kristy and driven by Jodi Quinlan after being runner-up in his heat a week earlier led throughout from gate two, kicking away on the final bend to greet the judge 6.4 metres in advance of Whats The Tea (four pegs) which flashed late after using inside runs in the last lap. Majestic Jewel (three pegs) after easing away from three pegs on the home turn ran her usual honest race for third 3.7 metres back. The mile rate 2-05.2. It was Well Deserved 8th success.

■ Terang owner/trainer Tom Rundle, aged 22, combined with another 22 year old local in Lochie Cook to capture the 1st heat of the Eureka Series over 2150 metres in a mile rate of 159 with in-form 5Y0 Hurricane Kingcole-My Names Molly mare White Star Molly who chalked up four wins in succession by doing so.

Taking over from the polemarker Alcatraz Girl from gate three shortly after the start, White Star Molly ran out a 2 metre victor over ex-Kiwi Major Collect first up in Oz for Julie Douglas after the pair cleared away from their rivals prior to the home turn. Littleblabbermouth (one/two –three wide last lap) was third 19.8 metres away.

■ Cleverly named ex-Kiwi 3Y0 Vincent-Hazel B Hasty gelding Our Vincent Can Gogh from the Strathfieldsaye Douglas stable first up in Oz led throughout from gate three with John Caldow in the sulky to record a nice win in the Oxley Feed Mill Pace over 1650 metres. Although pressured by Cocora which had

Driven by James Herbertson, Lethal Lover was taken back from outside the front line to settle at the tail of the field as poemarker The Dux held the lead for Alex Ashwood.

Trailing NSW visitor Bidgee Babe forward three wide in the final circuit, Lethal Lover was taken four wide running into the home turn and ran home best to defeat Nikita Adele along the sprint lane off the back of the weakening leader by 2.7 metres. Blissful Kandi one/one for most of the trip was third a half neck away. The mile rate 2-02.6.

■ Tongala trainer Michael Watt’s Hes Watching-Just Look At Me gelding Eye See Philtra driven by Tayla French snared the 2170 metre Free Camping On The Murray River 3Y0 Pace in 1-58.7.

Spending most of the race three pegs from gate two, Eye See Philtra was shuffled back when Letsgo Annabelle trailing the leader Hereforagoodtime dropped out with Tayla angling three wide to follow Ambiguous which had eased wide from a one/one passage.

In a brilliant move, Eye See Philtra was switched back down to trail the leader approaching the home turn and did best along the sprint lane to score by a neck from a determined deathseating Kingofglitter, with Ambiguous third a half neck away.

■ Four year old Four Starzzz Shark-Electrical Storm gelding Letsgobro trained by Greg Fleming at Moorilim and first up since October was tough in taking out the Easter In Cobram Pace over 2170 metres.

Driven by David Moran, Letsgobro settled three back in the moving line from gate three on the second line before being sent forward three wide in the back straight on the first occasion to park outside the pacemaker Killara Shogun starting outside the front line which had little trouble in taking the lead away from Chirripo (gate two) after travelling a couple of hundred metres. Racing clear on turning, Letsgobro had too much in hand at the finish to record an impressive 2.4 metre victory over Chirripo along the sprint lane in a rate of 1-58.9. Killara Shogun held on well for third a half neck back.

■ What a night it was at Ballarat for youthful Tasmanian concessional reinsman Ryan Backhouse who chalked up a double on the night aboard four year olds Eyethink and Hot Deal for ‘boss’ Horsham’s Aaron Dunn. Eyethink a gelded son of Sunshine Beach and Sassy Rose was given a sweet one/one trip from gate two on the second line in the Xtreme Technology Pace over 1710 metres and after easing three wide prior to the home turn finished strongly to win in a breeze by 16.9 metres from a deathseating Jilliby Flash and Mary Austin which trailed the disappointing leader Midnight Dancer finishing third 8 metres back. The mile rate a slick 1-55.8.

Hot Deal a American Ideal-Hotazgabby gelding contesting the 2200 metre Interpath Pace was eased at the start from gate six to settle six pegs as roughie Ultimate Force led from the pole.

Going forward one/one in the last lap as Jusalittlesip had eased off the back of the leader to race exposed before taking over on the final bend only to be tackled immediately by Hot Deal who did best to score by 1.4 metres in a identical 1-55.8 over Justalittlesip. Rosarito Miss ran her usual honest race for third albeit 13.3 metres away.

■ Popular Ross Creek trainer Norm McVitty landed the Flying Horse Entertainment Venue Trotters Mobile with 7Y0 Bacardi LindyPepperell Mistral mare Fun On Rum raced by

Sulky Snippets Sulky Snippets

This Week

■ Tuesday – Bendigo, Wednesday –Shepparton/Mildura, Thursday – Ballarat, Friday – Stawell, Saturday – Melton, Sunday – Warragul (Cup)/Echuca.

him and family. Driven by Maryborough’s Mark Hayes, Fun On Rum starting outside the front line angled three wide off a one/one passage in the last lap to dash to the front on turning, defying all challengers to register a half neck margin over Oneoutofthesquare which broke after the start before racing wide in the final circuit. Settle The Bill (one/two) was third 7.2 metres back after following the runner up into the home turn. The mile rate 2-04. It was Fun On Rum’s third success in 27 outings.

■ Armstrong trainer Leroy O’Brien’s 4Y0 A Rocknroll Dance-Missy Elliot mare Im Princess Bella toyed with her rivals in the 2200 metre ballarattrottingclub.com.au Pace Final with Jason Lee in the sulky, leading throughout from gate four to register a 3 metre margin ahead of Vapar Brenda (one/one) which joined her on the final bend. Female Assassin after trailing the winner from the pole was third 3.7 metres away. The mile rate 2-01.2.

■ Local Cardigan trainer Anton Golino’s 3Y0 Majestic Son-Zeeyena gelding Gotfeelingsyouknow upstaged his older rivals to produce an outstanding effort in the Easy Waste Trotters Mobile over 1710 metres.

With Nathan Jack in the sulky, Gotfeelingsyouknow began safely from the extreme draw going forward once balance only to be trapped wide when Bella Lucy kept him wide until the bell when he crossed to lead for the final circuit.

Pressured again by Bella Lucy in the back straight, Gotfeelingsyouknow kicked on the final bend to just last by a half head from Kyvalley Picasso (one/two – three wide last lap) in a mile rate of 1-58.5. Not As Promised (four pegs at bell) was third 12.9 metres away after being held up in traffic until the home turn when wide.

11-race program

■ The long awaited lights were back on at Ararat on Friday for Cup night with an eleven race program taking place and what an exciting finale it was to both races.

The $30,000 Ararat Advocate Pacing Cup over 2195 metres was the feature event on the program and favourite punters would have been having palpitations for most of the race as the very short priced favourite Cant Top This was trapped wide from outside the front line as the gate pulled away with polemarker Julius Shadow retaining the front running.

Well fancied Helluva (gate six) was also caught wide with John Justice going forward to park outside the leader leaving Cant Top This still on a limb.

Desperately driven by Kerryn Manning to improve his position prior to the bell to try and race exposed, Justice would not relent to this and Helluva crossed over to assume control at the bell with Cant Top This eventually moving outside him.

■ Having the audacity to apply pressure to Helluva on the final bend, Cant Top This galloped allowing Helluva to kick away looking all over a winner, but after regaining his gait, Cant Top This chased hard in the straight to record an unbelievable last stride half neck victory. Second elect Bulletproof Boy (starting solo on the second line) bided his time while all this was going on to finish third although 6.4 metres away.

A six year old Rock N Roll Heaven-Tamara Hall gelding Cant Top This trained at Cardigan by Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin returned a mile rate of 1-57 (last half 57.2 – quarter 28.7) well outside Perfect Stride’s 1-55. 7 set last year.

QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES THIS SATURDAY

■ Australia’s best middle-distance galloper, Anamoe, is lining up for the rich Queen Elizabeth Stakes this coming Saturday (Apr. 8) at Randwick over 2000 metres.

The James Cummings-trained four-year-old is once again taking all before him, after yet another good win in the George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill in trying circumstances.

After drawing the outside of the 11 runners, he was caught three-deep in the race, but still proved too strong for Fangirl and Converge over the 1500 metres.

On the second line is British entry, Dubai Honour ,who impressed, winning at his first start here, winning the Ranvet Stakes on the same day.

A winner of over $5 million in England , he impressed good judges in getting home from the good mare, Monetilia and Mo’unga over this journey of 2000 metres.

Prepared by W. Haggas from Newmarket, he looks likely to be hard to beat here.

Then we have the good Japanese runner, Unicorn Lion, who went well in the Japan Cup over this distance of 2000 metres.

One who is racing well at the moment, is the Hayes-trained Mr Brightside, who won the AllStar-Mile in fine style, beating the Australian Cup winner Cascadian and The Inevitable.

Sport Ted Ryan

He has been racing against the cream and racing well, and always gives plenty.

He was also a good winner of last year’s Doncaster, so he handles the reverse way of going in style.

One to keep your eye on is the runner-up last year’s Victoria Derby, Sharp’Smart, prepared by leading New Zealand trainer Graeme Rogerson.

He won in good style in New Zealand, and is all class.

What can you say about the next galloper, Alligator Blood? Always gives of his best, and despite having his colours lowered in the AllStar-Mile, is one of the best in the land.

Cascadian came right into this with an outstanding win in the Australian Cup, and is racing extremely well.

A winner of over $8 million, and deservedly so, in the care of James Cummings.

The Annabel Neesham trained Mo’unga is a strong competitor in everything he races in, and was a late scratching in the Australian Cup.

Prior to that he ran third behind Dubai Honour in the Ranvet Stakes.

He is an honest galloper, and could place here. I thought the Melbourne Cup winner, Gold Trip, was a bit disappointing in the Ranvet, running an ordinary fifth. He is much better suited here over the 2000 metres.

The top Sydney mare, Montefilia, always runs an honest race, and she too will be well suited by the 2000-metre here.

One that is racing well at present, is the former Queensland mare, Fan Girl, who ran a g reat race beaten by the champion horse, Anamoe. Now prepared by Chris Waller she will be hard to keep out.

You have to go for Anamoe, he is the reigning champion, and is racing well.

The Dangers: Sharp’ N’ Smart Mr

TBA Chief Executive Tom Reilly said :“We heard from a number of breeders that there were a lack of resources to help support the development of new staff, particularly with having to enrol in a formal qualification”.

“With the help of the industry, who really got behind the project, we decided we could build something that filled that void.

“I feel TBA learning will be a great tool for farms across the country.We know we have a number of backpackers or workers who come in without lots of hands-on-experience.

“So, this platform provides an option for a manager to say,’ go and complete the modules on horse health’ or ‘please do the module on checking horses in a paddock.

Each bite-sized module features video, audio and written content, allowing students to learn in a way that suits them. The modules are expected to take between 15-30 minutes to complete.

They can be taken individually, or can be tackled as a larger course, in which related modules are linked together.

new education platform designed to allow everybody the opportunity to learn the basics of horse care from industry experts.

The platform-which is hosted at TBALLearning.com already has some 20 modules on line, covering areas such as confirmation, checking horse health, how to safely load a horse to transport, and how to hold a horse for a vet or farrier.

TBA learning was developed after breeders said there was nowhere to direct new staff to, where they could learn the foundational skills needed for work in the breeding industry.

More than 40 farms from across the country were consulted as part of the development of the site, with breeders giving their feedback on what subjects were important to, be covered.

Importantly, all courses are available free of charge.

The current courses are Horse Health, Horse Handling, and Biosecurity, as well as the Foundation Course, which includes all modules.

At the end of each module there is a test, with students receiving a certificate of completion, when they successfully get to the end of a module. These certificates can then be presented to an employer.

To access the modules and courses, students need to complete a simple registration. This will the allow them to complete their studies in their own time.

This education project was assisted with a grant from the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Levy.

Among the experts sharing their knowledge are Mick Malone from (Kitchwin Hills), Peter O’Brien (Segenhoe Stud), Kellie McCarthy (Mill Park Stud), and Fiona Lacey (Mogumber Park).

- Ted Ryan

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

BOAT. 3.6m. Savage

Kestrel, three seat, Dunbier trailer with spare wheel, 15HP , Suzuki outboard, 30 hrs, registered all safety gear, two fuel tanks, tonneau cover. EC. $4500. Flowerdale. 0411 577 050.L-O

CLOTHES. Boys. Approx. 200 pieces. New and as new. Age 0-14. Ex Op Shop stock. Excellent for market. VGC. $50 the lot.

Tullamarine. 0417 999 224.J-M

C OLLECTORS. Shelby Lane Bear, ‘Bridget’, $50. Rubik’s Cube, 1982 ins truction book, $40. Frigidaire steel door handle, $25. Skippy Bush Kangaroo book, $35. Bone China cup/saucers, 9, $20 each. Disability scooter, hardtop canopy, under 1 yr, other extras, $2900. Alexandra., 0419 445 697.L-O

DINING TABLE. 150cm x 150cm. 8 chairs, blackwood colour. Micro fibre seat covers. $1350. Briar Hill. 0417 312 034. L-O

ELECTRIC CHAIR LIFT. Lan Franco Chelsea. Dual Motor Ambience Stone Fabric (Fawn). GC. $350. Eltham. 0438 801 928 L-O

ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA. Complete full set with 24 volumes of 1965 edition. Maroon

‘leatherette’ covers. Original wooden shelving unit. GC. $50. Ashburton. 9885 2203.F-I

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

FORD FALCON. 2006.

RTV Ute. Gas. Reg. 9/23. New tyres, hard lid, canopy. RWC. Drives great. 335,000. Rego. 1HU9JS. $8750. Yarck. Barry, 0414 718 812. L-O

HAY. Top quality grass hay. Square bales, $6.50. Rolls, $50. Kinglake West. 0400 529 469. L-O

PUBLIC NOTICES

HORSE BITS. Two. Different sizes. Ex Light Horse Brigade. As new. $100 each. Rosebud. 0467 845 449. J-M

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

KNICK KNACKS. Variety of items. $50. Springfield Lakes. 0408 777 876. L-O

LOUNGE SUITE. ‘Fler’

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

MICROWAVE OVEN. Samsung. Owners Instruction Book included. GC. $80. Box Hill South. 9890 7904.J-M

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

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

REGISTRATION PLATES. ‘MISUBI. Slimline B&W. Great gift for Subaru owner. EC. $1500. Frankston. 9789 9634. J-M

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

Croydon. 0408 332 181. F-I

SEWING CABINET. Horn. 110mm x 940mm. Has lift for sewing machine. Plus overlocker. GC. $300 ONO.

Watirna South. 0438 299 285.

N-Q

SUNBEAM 4-in-1 Air Fryer and Oven Model AFP 5000 BK. In box. Instructions. Never used. $250 ONO.

Wantirna South. 0438 299 285. N-Q

SUITCASE. Antique. Old. Full of old board games. GC. $20. Tullamarine. 0417 999 224. J-M

TABLES. Small wooden table. 60cm extends to 120cm. $15. Small wooden cupboard, 900cm x 45cm $15. Plastic table. Oval white 90cm c 120cm, outdoor type. $15. Padded cahirs, $5 each. Box Hill South. 9890 7904. J-M

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

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

WATER TRANSFER PUMP. Yardworks. 1100W model. YW1100TP integrated trolley. 4600 litres per hour. EC. $65 ONO. Gladstone Park. 0402 282 477.F-I WHITE METAL BATH. Removed from a bathroom reno. Original from 1960s. No leaks or damage. surplus to needs, use for an animal water trough, lily pond, raised garden bed or could put back into a house. Pick-up in Watsonia. GC. $50 ONO. 0408 704 995.F-I

GARAGE SALE

SATURDAY-SUNDAY, APRIL 8-9. 10am-4pm. Mornington. Moving Sale. Household and outdoor items. No earlies please. 2b Marine Ave, Mornington. 0419 685 666.N

MOONEE PONDS BAPTIST CHURCH , 45 Eglinton St, 5.30pm Mondays, supports those from Moonee Valley in a tough place. All welcome for a free hot meal from 5.30pm on Mondays. If you have food handling, listening or cleaning skills, then contact us to help out. 0466 075 820. UFN

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

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

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

The Local Paper The Local Paper

PART-TIME DRIVER WITH OWN VEHICLE

Sunday

Ever expanding, The Local Paper has immediate vacancies for Contractor Drivers to deliver bundles of newspapers to retail outlets.

Run A. Southern Cross Weekly. Yarra, Stonnington, Boroondara, Glen Eira, Kingston, Bayside, Port Phillip. Sunday night-Monday morning. $400.

Run B. Greater Dandenong, Casey, Cardinia, Frankston, Western Port, Mornington Peninsula, Bayside. Sunday night-Monday morning. $500.

Pick-up bundles early Sunday evening from our printers at Fitzroy. Use your own vehicle, you are responsible for fuel, insurances, etc. Normal sedan-size car suitable. We publish February-December. We are currently on a print schedule that averages fortnightly.

You deliver bundles to a set list of (approx. 100) newsagents, milk bars, convenience stories, petrol stations, etc.

You must be responsible, fit, tidy and punctual.

You send invoice as contractor with ABN. You will be paid within 7-10 business days direct to your bank account.

Interested? Email your CV, immediately, to